Glass Computer Desk
Graco Nautilus
Haribo Gummi Bears
Internal Frame Backpack
Kiddopotamus Snuzzler
Kitchen Small Appliance
Kitchenaid Dishwasher Stainless
Leather Executive Chair
Lego Clone Wars
Linksys Wireless N G Router
Logitech Cordless Keyboard Mouse
Logitech Game Controller
Macintosh Laptop
Magnetix I Coaster Toy
Martin Acoustic Guitar
Mens Sandals
Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard
Multifunction Printer Scanner Fax
NEC Multisync LCD Monitor
Neutrogena Skin Care
New Garmin Nuvi
Nintendo Wii Classic Controller
Nylon String Classical Guitar
Pampers Cruisers Diapers
Playstation 3 Game Controller
RCA Am Fm Clock Radio
RCA Portable DVD Player Discount
Rmote Vibrator
Samsung Flat Panel TV
Schwinn Electric Scooter Shop
Schwinn Recumbent Bike
Seiko Chronograph Watch
Sharp Aquos LCD HD TV
Skateboard Shoes Shop
Slim Portable DVD Player
Soffe Shorts
Steven Raichlen
Swiss Army Pocket Knife
Targus Backpack
Teeter Inversion Table
Titleist Golf Balls
Toys For Babies
Travel Backpack
Unlimited MP3 Downloads
Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker
Womens Dress Sandals
วันศุกร์ที่ 25 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2551
วันศุกร์ที่ 25 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Do What Works
Author : Denise O'Berry
"Can you hear me now?"You'd be hard pressed to find someone in the US who doesn't know the company behind that question.So why do big companies, like Verizon, hammer us with the same message over and over? Because it works. And it can work for your company too. But it takes time and repetition to get your message out and heard by your target market.Most small business owners will try something once then give up. They expect customers to come pounding down the door to their business after just one message.It won't happen.How do you help your customers hear your message? Think long term. Before taking the first step to getting the word out about your product or service, determine the time frame.Consider at least a six-month time frame for executing your actions to deliver your message. Then identify the steps you will take -- identify how, who, what and when. Spread those steps out so you are taking action at least once a week. Remember that consistency in delivering your message is key.Place the steps on your calendar (a wall calendar that you see every day is great for this) and execute them based on your plan.About the AuthorDenise O'Berry frequently speaks to professional organizations, is the author of three booklets, and several "how-to" manuals. She writes a weekly small business column, hosts an online small business owners forum and is called upon regularly by publications such as Entrepreneur, Bank Rate Small Business, Florida Trend, Inc., various newspapers, radio and television to provide expert comments on small business issues.http://www.whatspossible.com
http://www.justforsmallbusiness.com
http://www.deniseoberry.com
Category : Reference & Education
"Can you hear me now?"You'd be hard pressed to find someone in the US who doesn't know the company behind that question.So why do big companies, like Verizon, hammer us with the same message over and over? Because it works. And it can work for your company too. But it takes time and repetition to get your message out and heard by your target market.Most small business owners will try something once then give up. They expect customers to come pounding down the door to their business after just one message.It won't happen.How do you help your customers hear your message? Think long term. Before taking the first step to getting the word out about your product or service, determine the time frame.Consider at least a six-month time frame for executing your actions to deliver your message. Then identify the steps you will take -- identify how, who, what and when. Spread those steps out so you are taking action at least once a week. Remember that consistency in delivering your message is key.Place the steps on your calendar (a wall calendar that you see every day is great for this) and execute them based on your plan.About the AuthorDenise O'Berry frequently speaks to professional organizations, is the author of three booklets, and several "how-to" manuals. She writes a weekly small business column, hosts an online small business owners forum and is called upon regularly by publications such as Entrepreneur, Bank Rate Small Business, Florida Trend, Inc., various newspapers, radio and television to provide expert comments on small business issues.http://www.whatspossible.com
http://www.justforsmallbusiness.com
http://www.deniseoberry.com
Category : Reference & Education
วันจันทร์ที่ 14 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Top 7 Tips For Maximizing Your Education & Training Dollars to Deliver Positive Return on Investment
Author : Leanne Hoagland-Smith
In 2004, corporate America spent an excess of $65 billion on training and development (according to Association for Training and Development – ASTD) delivered in many cases through the human resource departments. Yet, research suggests that possibly only 10% of traditional training is actually transferred to the workplace.Consider the following tips when adopting or revisiting your training programs.1. Separate any symptoms from the real problemMany times the first words heard are "We need training" whether it is for diversity, customer service, sales, etc. Yet, the training issue may be only a symptom of a far more pervasive problem. This is the time to administer an organizational assessment before the implementation of any training solution.2. Include measurable objectivesObjectives should be started using verbs such as demonstrate, define or list.3. Include opportunities for cognitive retentionResearch suggests that a one time exposure to a learning event results in 2% cognitive retention after 16 days. However, 6 consecutive reinforcements such as through audio CD's increases cognitive retention to 60-65%.4. Develop the program to reflect the culture within your organizationThe program should be customized through the use of role-playing vignettes, etc. to integrate the desired skills within the company.5. Address beliefs and therefore attitudesGiven that beliefs are the foundational thought processes that drive attitudes which in turn are demonstrated as observable behaviors, then focusing on the underlying beliefs is a critical component to the ultimate success of any training or development program.6. Provide time for applicationRecently I read where a 6 hour one day nationally offered public workshop on communication and supervisory skills offered over 50 objectives for $175 per participant. That's a lot of knowledge. However, if you consider that every 7.2 minutes another objective was being delivered at a cost of $3.50 per objective, that leaves very little time for interaction between participants less alone opportunities for application.7. Align program to Kirkpatrick's Third and Fourth Levels of EvaluationDr. Don Kirkpatrick developed taxonomy on how to evaluate training. The Third Level focuses on application – How is the training being applied within the workplace? Level Four centers on impact of the training specific to measurable results.By infusing these 7 tips into your training program, your most limited resources should quickly deliver at least double the results.Leanne Hoagland-Smith, President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, integrates an organizational assessment that in 2 to 4 weeks can quickly and affordably identify the gaps in YOUR organization and provide you with an Action Plan that you can easily implement and monitor.Take the time to ensure that your actions are directonally correct.ADVANCED SYSTEMSConnecting Passion to Purpose to DOUBLE Performance in Real Time
Category : Business:Top7-or-10-Tips
In 2004, corporate America spent an excess of $65 billion on training and development (according to Association for Training and Development – ASTD) delivered in many cases through the human resource departments. Yet, research suggests that possibly only 10% of traditional training is actually transferred to the workplace.Consider the following tips when adopting or revisiting your training programs.1. Separate any symptoms from the real problemMany times the first words heard are "We need training" whether it is for diversity, customer service, sales, etc. Yet, the training issue may be only a symptom of a far more pervasive problem. This is the time to administer an organizational assessment before the implementation of any training solution.2. Include measurable objectivesObjectives should be started using verbs such as demonstrate, define or list.3. Include opportunities for cognitive retentionResearch suggests that a one time exposure to a learning event results in 2% cognitive retention after 16 days. However, 6 consecutive reinforcements such as through audio CD's increases cognitive retention to 60-65%.4. Develop the program to reflect the culture within your organizationThe program should be customized through the use of role-playing vignettes, etc. to integrate the desired skills within the company.5. Address beliefs and therefore attitudesGiven that beliefs are the foundational thought processes that drive attitudes which in turn are demonstrated as observable behaviors, then focusing on the underlying beliefs is a critical component to the ultimate success of any training or development program.6. Provide time for applicationRecently I read where a 6 hour one day nationally offered public workshop on communication and supervisory skills offered over 50 objectives for $175 per participant. That's a lot of knowledge. However, if you consider that every 7.2 minutes another objective was being delivered at a cost of $3.50 per objective, that leaves very little time for interaction between participants less alone opportunities for application.7. Align program to Kirkpatrick's Third and Fourth Levels of EvaluationDr. Don Kirkpatrick developed taxonomy on how to evaluate training. The Third Level focuses on application – How is the training being applied within the workplace? Level Four centers on impact of the training specific to measurable results.By infusing these 7 tips into your training program, your most limited resources should quickly deliver at least double the results.Leanne Hoagland-Smith, President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, integrates an organizational assessment that in 2 to 4 weeks can quickly and affordably identify the gaps in YOUR organization and provide you with an Action Plan that you can easily implement and monitor.Take the time to ensure that your actions are directonally correct.ADVANCED SYSTEMSConnecting Passion to Purpose to DOUBLE Performance in Real Time
Category : Business:Top7-or-10-Tips
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 13 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Permanently Remove Green Pool Algae
Author : Brian Barker
Green algae is a common swimming pool problem, which may appear as a greenish growth on the floor and walls of a swimming pool, a green tint to the pool water, or greenish material suspended in the pool water. The only swimming pool chemical that will kill an algae growth is chlorine based swimming pool “shockâ€. Shock is a granular form of highly concentrated chlorine, which quickly raises the chlorine level of the swimming pool water. The elevated chlorine level makes the pool water conditions unlivable for anything organic, and algae quickly dies.Before adding a dose of chlorine pool shock, the pool walls and floor should be brushed to remove as much of the algae as possible. This will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to kill and clear the algae bloom. The normal “maintenance†dosage of most swimming pool shock is 1 lb. per 10,000 gallons. This dosage should be increased to 1 lb. per 7,500 gallons, or you should follow the manufacturer’s dosage suggestion for killing algae. Chlorine pool shock needs to be dissolved in a large bucket of water before it is added to the swimming pool. Always add chemicals to water when dissolving. NEVER add water to chemicals. The swimming pool cannot be used until the algae is dead, and the chlorine level of the pool water has returned to the safe range of 1-3 ppm.The pool filter system should be running when the chlorine pool shock is added, and the filter system should continue to run 24 hours a day until all signs of algae have completely left the pool. Monitor your pool filter system closely and thoroughly backwash or clean the filter each time the pressure rises 10 psi. above the normal operating pressure. The dead algae that your pool filter collects may quickly dirty the filter, and need to be cleaned out frequently. If the conditions of the swimming pool does not significantly improve after 12-24 hours of filtering, add a second dose of chlorine pool shock at the increased rate. Once the algae is dead it will turn a white or grayish color, and it will be suspended in the pool water or settle to the floor. When there is no longer any sign of the color green in your pool, thoroughly vacuum the swimming pool. The pool filter should be backwashed or cleaned to be sure that dead algae is not trapped inside the filter. If the filter is not thoroughly cleaned the algae may quickly return.Test and balance all of the pool chemical levels using the guidelines below, and pay particular attention to the chlorine level of your swimming pool water in the future. Algae and harmful bacteria are almost immediately destroyed by a chlorine level of 1 ppm or higher. You have experienced an algae problem because you have not properly maintained the chlorine level of your swimming pool, and it was allowed to drop below 1 ppm. Test pool water frequently and make any necessary adjustments for a clean, safe and easy to maintain swimming pool.Free Chlorine: 1-3 ppm
pH: 7.2 â€" 7.6
Alkalinity: 80 â€" 120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200 â€" 350 ppmPlease visit www.InTheSwim.com for a complete selection of algae treatment pool chemicals and quality pool supplies.
Category : Marriage
Green algae is a common swimming pool problem, which may appear as a greenish growth on the floor and walls of a swimming pool, a green tint to the pool water, or greenish material suspended in the pool water. The only swimming pool chemical that will kill an algae growth is chlorine based swimming pool “shockâ€. Shock is a granular form of highly concentrated chlorine, which quickly raises the chlorine level of the swimming pool water. The elevated chlorine level makes the pool water conditions unlivable for anything organic, and algae quickly dies.Before adding a dose of chlorine pool shock, the pool walls and floor should be brushed to remove as much of the algae as possible. This will greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to kill and clear the algae bloom. The normal “maintenance†dosage of most swimming pool shock is 1 lb. per 10,000 gallons. This dosage should be increased to 1 lb. per 7,500 gallons, or you should follow the manufacturer’s dosage suggestion for killing algae. Chlorine pool shock needs to be dissolved in a large bucket of water before it is added to the swimming pool. Always add chemicals to water when dissolving. NEVER add water to chemicals. The swimming pool cannot be used until the algae is dead, and the chlorine level of the pool water has returned to the safe range of 1-3 ppm.The pool filter system should be running when the chlorine pool shock is added, and the filter system should continue to run 24 hours a day until all signs of algae have completely left the pool. Monitor your pool filter system closely and thoroughly backwash or clean the filter each time the pressure rises 10 psi. above the normal operating pressure. The dead algae that your pool filter collects may quickly dirty the filter, and need to be cleaned out frequently. If the conditions of the swimming pool does not significantly improve after 12-24 hours of filtering, add a second dose of chlorine pool shock at the increased rate. Once the algae is dead it will turn a white or grayish color, and it will be suspended in the pool water or settle to the floor. When there is no longer any sign of the color green in your pool, thoroughly vacuum the swimming pool. The pool filter should be backwashed or cleaned to be sure that dead algae is not trapped inside the filter. If the filter is not thoroughly cleaned the algae may quickly return.Test and balance all of the pool chemical levels using the guidelines below, and pay particular attention to the chlorine level of your swimming pool water in the future. Algae and harmful bacteria are almost immediately destroyed by a chlorine level of 1 ppm or higher. You have experienced an algae problem because you have not properly maintained the chlorine level of your swimming pool, and it was allowed to drop below 1 ppm. Test pool water frequently and make any necessary adjustments for a clean, safe and easy to maintain swimming pool.Free Chlorine: 1-3 ppm
pH: 7.2 â€" 7.6
Alkalinity: 80 â€" 120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 200 â€" 350 ppmPlease visit www.InTheSwim.com for a complete selection of algae treatment pool chemicals and quality pool supplies.
Category : Marriage
วันอังคารที่ 8 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
FinnStar Hockey Inc. Reports A Very Successful Showing at the International Hockey Industry Association Trade Show in Las Vegas
Author :
ew_date">March 18th, 2005
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 6 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Credit Cards: Making Your Dreams Come True
Author : Neil Bartlett
Credit Cards: Making Your Dreams Come True
People have always had to choose the right credit card for them. But in the past, this choice dealt mainly with interest rates, grace periods, and credit limits. All of this is still true, however, there is one more aspect you will want to consider - customer loyalty plans!
What Is a Customer Loyalty Plan?
Some of the most well-known customer loyalty plans are the frequent flyer programs of the major airlines. Programs such as these have been used to keep customer loyalty for many years. Loyal customers are often treated better than those that buy on the spot. The idea was to reward your customer for being YOUR customer. And the credit card companies, seeing a good idea, do what all smart companies do when they see a good idea - they copied it!
It started with cash back bonuses. Cards like Discover offered a percentage back for everything spent - money you got back for using their card. Then airlines started letting people earn frequent flyer miles not just by flying their airline, but by using their airline Visa or MasterCard. And from there, the sky has been the limit!
What Kinds of Plans Are Available?
Besides cash and plane tickets, you can go to Disney World, earn free gas for your car, get merchandise from your favorite store like REI or Saks Fifth Avenue, or even get free groceries. But don"t let your mind stop on the obvious!
Have you ever wanted to own your own island? Well, that may be a bit far fetched, but you can use your credit card to earn enough points to rent your own island!
Is you child just dying to go to space camp? Find a card that will let you earn the credits to send him to NASA for five days!
Some cards are very specific and allow you to only use your points towards something specific, like a GM car. Others offer you the ability to use your points towards a variety of opportunities. So, whatever you have always wanted to do or see or buy, now is the time to find a credit card that will help you turn that dream into a reality.
Calculating the Costs
Just as not every card is created equally in the "interest" department, neither are they created equally in the "point" department. Some give you one point for every dollar you spend. Some give you more and some give you less.
Just as importantly, however, is what is the redemption like? Is one point worth a dollar when you redeem your points? Probably not! Most cards average about $1 for every 100 points.
There are times, usually with special promotions, that you can earn more points for every dollar spent. If you get a loyalty rewards card, it is very important to be aware of these promotions. If you are planning to buy a plane ticket to Florida, it might be best to do so Oct 15th when the rewards points are doubled than wait until the 16th when the promotion has ended!
And speaking of spending, be sure to put all your purchases on your credit card to accrue your points more quickly. However, this is true ONLY if you have the money to pay the balance in full at the end of each month. If you don"t, then the interest paid will quickly end up costing you more than the points are worth.
Finding a credit card that meets your needs is getting easier and easier to do. Simply determine what you like to do and then go out there and find a card that will help you pay to do it!
About the author:
CoolCreditCardDirectory.com makes it easy to find the right credit card to fit your needs quickly & easily. Find all the top credit cards and free credit card resources you need to get your credit card fast. http://www.coolcreditcarddirectory.com
Category : Finance
วันอังคารที่ 1 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2551
Story Structure - Three Heroes
Author : Kal Bishop
Three Heroes Story Structure follows the Hero's Journey mould but distinguishes itself by making both the hero and the shape shifter both likeable and deserving of the final prize.The Classic Hero's Journey also makes the shape shifter likeable and deserving of the prize but in Three Heroes, we get more of the Shape Shifter's back-story and surprisingly little of the Hero's.The structure has 26 core sequences, some of which are summarised here:1) Introduce the shape shifter and a minor foe.2) Introduce antagonist - include foreshadow of adventure; the antagonist learns that a prize is to be gained. Show the evil nature of the antagonist.3) Enhance the antagonist's journey. Where the adventure from the point of view of the antagonist is further established; the antagonist investigates the prize, usually through the knowledge of a sage of some sort. Enhance the evil nature of the antagonist.4) Introduce protagonist. Show the protagonist's strengths, weaknesses, status, supernatural gifts etc.5) Establish relationship between the protagonist and the shape shifter – advance the character and goal of the antagonist in between.6) The protagonist and the shape shifter fall out - establish why. Provide reasons why the shape shifter must seek out or hunt the protagonist.7) Advance the story of the antagonist and his search for the prize. Enhance his evil nature.8) The shape shifter prepares to hunt for the protagonist; establish his skills; that he is a threat to the protagonist.The Three Heroes Story and Screenplay Structure can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com.You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.Kal Bishop, MBA**********************************You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com
Category : Shopping:Book-Reviews
Three Heroes Story Structure follows the Hero's Journey mould but distinguishes itself by making both the hero and the shape shifter both likeable and deserving of the final prize.The Classic Hero's Journey also makes the shape shifter likeable and deserving of the prize but in Three Heroes, we get more of the Shape Shifter's back-story and surprisingly little of the Hero's.The structure has 26 core sequences, some of which are summarised here:1) Introduce the shape shifter and a minor foe.2) Introduce antagonist - include foreshadow of adventure; the antagonist learns that a prize is to be gained. Show the evil nature of the antagonist.3) Enhance the antagonist's journey. Where the adventure from the point of view of the antagonist is further established; the antagonist investigates the prize, usually through the knowledge of a sage of some sort. Enhance the evil nature of the antagonist.4) Introduce protagonist. Show the protagonist's strengths, weaknesses, status, supernatural gifts etc.5) Establish relationship between the protagonist and the shape shifter – advance the character and goal of the antagonist in between.6) The protagonist and the shape shifter fall out - establish why. Provide reasons why the shape shifter must seek out or hunt the protagonist.7) Advance the story of the antagonist and his search for the prize. Enhance his evil nature.8) The shape shifter prepares to hunt for the protagonist; establish his skills; that he is a threat to the protagonist.The Three Heroes Story and Screenplay Structure can be found at http://www.managing-creativity.com.You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.Kal Bishop, MBA**********************************You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com
Category : Shopping:Book-Reviews
วันจันทร์ที่ 31 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Electronic Dog Training Collars: Harmful or Helpful?
Author : Jason Montag
Electronic dog training collars are a hot topic of debate amongst many dog lovers and dog trainers. Tons of people ask if they are useful and if they are a tool that a dog owner should use. The answer seems to be yes in most circles. The one thing that everyone can agree on is that if you are to employ an electronic dog training collar you should follow a few guidelines and we have listed them here.An electronic dog training collar should not be used as a first line of defense. If you have never attempted to train your dog before then traditional training methods should be used first. The shock collar is only meant for dogs that have behavioral problems which have not been able to be curbed with normal non-electronic training methods.Use the electronic dog collars sparingly. This is not to say that you should not correct your dog every time it makes a mistake, you should, but if they are making lots of mistakes cease activity for the session or the day so that they are not getting zapped too many times.Do not ever use the electronic dog collar to punish your dog. The purpose of the electronic dog training collar is to teach the dog not to punish.Lastly speak to a certified trainer and your veterinarian to see if your dog would benefit from the use of an electronic dog collar.For more information about electronic dog training collars or to speak to fellow dog lovers on our pet forum, visit http://www.spectacularpets.com.
Category : Home-and-Family:Pets
Electronic dog training collars are a hot topic of debate amongst many dog lovers and dog trainers. Tons of people ask if they are useful and if they are a tool that a dog owner should use. The answer seems to be yes in most circles. The one thing that everyone can agree on is that if you are to employ an electronic dog training collar you should follow a few guidelines and we have listed them here.An electronic dog training collar should not be used as a first line of defense. If you have never attempted to train your dog before then traditional training methods should be used first. The shock collar is only meant for dogs that have behavioral problems which have not been able to be curbed with normal non-electronic training methods.Use the electronic dog collars sparingly. This is not to say that you should not correct your dog every time it makes a mistake, you should, but if they are making lots of mistakes cease activity for the session or the day so that they are not getting zapped too many times.Do not ever use the electronic dog collar to punish your dog. The purpose of the electronic dog training collar is to teach the dog not to punish.Lastly speak to a certified trainer and your veterinarian to see if your dog would benefit from the use of an electronic dog collar.For more information about electronic dog training collars or to speak to fellow dog lovers on our pet forum, visit http://www.spectacularpets.com.
Category : Home-and-Family:Pets
How to Make Your Printable Bridal and Baby Shower Games
Author : Criss White
Bridal and baby shower games are a great way to spice up your shower party. Many games can be purchased affordably, but you can also make your own games with some effort. Here are some ideas for making your own baby shower or bridal shower games. 1) Baby or Bridal Bingo - Here is a game that you can make yourself on a word processor and print out on your own computer or at your local print shop. All you have to do is find baby or bridal related clipart images on the Internet and copy them into a grid. Make as many different boards as you need. You can even get trinkets like mini pacifiers that you can use in place of standard bingo chips. 2) Baby or Bridal Pictionary - This is another easy game for shower parties. Before the event, you must think of various bridal or baby related themes and phrases and then print them out on flash cards. You also need paper and pencils so that you guests can draw. The game will be played just like regular pictionary, but with your own phrases and themes. 3) Word Scramble - Start by writing out a list of all the bridal or baby related words that you can think of. Then scramble them up and print them out. Give a copy to each guest and see who can finish the fastest. 4) Candy in a Bottle - Fill a baby bottle with candy, like M&M's and count how many. Have you guests guess how many are in the bottle and the person who guesses the closest wins the candy filled bottle as a prize. For a bridal shower, a normal jar can be used. 5) Bride / Groom Trivia - The host can obtain information from the bride to be and create a fun trivia game for the guests to see which guest knows the most about the bride to be or the groom. For a baby shower, the trivia questions can involve the mom and dad to be. About the Author - Criss White is a professional web writer on baby and new mother topics for baby and pregnancy websites. To see other related items, go to Baby Shower Game Ideas (http://www.101babyshowerideas.com/bsgames.htm) and Baby Shower Prizes (http://www.101babyshowerideas.com/bsprize.htm). Note: If you find this article useful, you may reprint it on your website, e-zine, or in your newsletter as long as the credits above remain in tact and the hyperlinks stay active.
Category : Baby
วันเสาร์ที่ 29 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
How To Build Muscles And Own That V-Shaped Upper Body
Author : Chris Chew
Every guy who steps into the gym dreams of achieving that great classical V-shaped upper body that commands respect and attention. Many have trained for months, if not years and yet that V-shaped upper body just isn't forth coming. Ever wondered why?Before I show you various ways to achieve that glorious 'V', you must also be aware that the 'V' shape is also an illusion. If you have a wide thick back with a powerful chest, coupled with boulder-like deltoids, your 'V' will show up commandingly because those attributes will make your waist look small and thus accentuating the 'V' illusion.To have a stupendous upper body, you MUST train your lower body. V-shapes will just be an ugly upper body shape if your legs are like bamboo poles. The excellent full body shape is called the X-frame. Just like those super heroes you see in comic books. If you don't train legs, you are missing out on training the largest muscle mass. When training legs, many other upper body muscles especially the back and abs will be involved. This gives you the most muscle mass trained in one go. And because you are training so many muscles at one go, you secrete tons of growth hormones when you sleep, further enhancing overall muscle development for that perfect X-frame.Another muscle group many people fail to pay attention to is the back. The back must be trained for thickness as well as width. Many back exercises also develop the rear deltoids and the trapezius which are very important to getting that 'V'. When your back is thick, you will look powerful and with the width, it will make your waist look narrower, thus making the 'V' more pronounced. Do bar-bell row, deadlifts for a thick and powerful back. Chin-ups and push-ups (weighted and doing them in a slow controlled motion) will provide you the width or more commonly called 'wings'.Another very obvious V-shape illusion creator are your triceps. But most people pay more attention to the biceps than triceps. Why triceps then? Because your triceps, as the name 'tri' suggests, has three 'heads' and each 'head' must be dealt with when you exercise them. They are also 1/3 bigger than your biceps. By training the triceps hard, your upper arms will grow bigger faster, giving more berth to your upper body and again creating a narrow waistline illusion.The best illusion-shapers are your deltoids. Your delts have 3 'heads'. However, most of the time, I see people only working out the front delts. When you develop your delts well, they will be round and boulder-like, and they make your shoulder wide and strong. Now, close your eyes and have a mental image of yourself with a wide thick back, big strong triceps... now, do you see that 'V'? Add lateral raise, bent-over lat-raisers and upright rows to your routine.How to have a beautiful 'V' if your abs are flabby? Forget the side crunches and side bends. It will only make your waistline thicker. Go on a lose fat program by combining weight lifting, cardio exercises and eating correctly. Your abs will show in no time.Ahh... to finally stamp your authority in the gym and at the beach, a wide and powerful gladiator's chest will put you ahead of the pack! Train your chest heavy with dumbbells, barbells and cables machines. Use incline benches rather than flat or declining ones. You want to build the upper chest and not targeting the lower chest in case it gets you the droop or saggy chest which we call 'bitch tits'. Although the pec is one huge muscle, it can be targeted at different places to recruit different fibres to shape it.Chris Chew is a personal trainer and count actors, pageant winners, models and other celebrities as his clients. He runs a fitness training school in Singapore at Singapore Personal Trainers and is the author of "Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast." See his books at Lose Fat Build Muscles Quickly!
Category : Philosophy
Every guy who steps into the gym dreams of achieving that great classical V-shaped upper body that commands respect and attention. Many have trained for months, if not years and yet that V-shaped upper body just isn't forth coming. Ever wondered why?Before I show you various ways to achieve that glorious 'V', you must also be aware that the 'V' shape is also an illusion. If you have a wide thick back with a powerful chest, coupled with boulder-like deltoids, your 'V' will show up commandingly because those attributes will make your waist look small and thus accentuating the 'V' illusion.To have a stupendous upper body, you MUST train your lower body. V-shapes will just be an ugly upper body shape if your legs are like bamboo poles. The excellent full body shape is called the X-frame. Just like those super heroes you see in comic books. If you don't train legs, you are missing out on training the largest muscle mass. When training legs, many other upper body muscles especially the back and abs will be involved. This gives you the most muscle mass trained in one go. And because you are training so many muscles at one go, you secrete tons of growth hormones when you sleep, further enhancing overall muscle development for that perfect X-frame.Another muscle group many people fail to pay attention to is the back. The back must be trained for thickness as well as width. Many back exercises also develop the rear deltoids and the trapezius which are very important to getting that 'V'. When your back is thick, you will look powerful and with the width, it will make your waist look narrower, thus making the 'V' more pronounced. Do bar-bell row, deadlifts for a thick and powerful back. Chin-ups and push-ups (weighted and doing them in a slow controlled motion) will provide you the width or more commonly called 'wings'.Another very obvious V-shape illusion creator are your triceps. But most people pay more attention to the biceps than triceps. Why triceps then? Because your triceps, as the name 'tri' suggests, has three 'heads' and each 'head' must be dealt with when you exercise them. They are also 1/3 bigger than your biceps. By training the triceps hard, your upper arms will grow bigger faster, giving more berth to your upper body and again creating a narrow waistline illusion.The best illusion-shapers are your deltoids. Your delts have 3 'heads'. However, most of the time, I see people only working out the front delts. When you develop your delts well, they will be round and boulder-like, and they make your shoulder wide and strong. Now, close your eyes and have a mental image of yourself with a wide thick back, big strong triceps... now, do you see that 'V'? Add lateral raise, bent-over lat-raisers and upright rows to your routine.How to have a beautiful 'V' if your abs are flabby? Forget the side crunches and side bends. It will only make your waistline thicker. Go on a lose fat program by combining weight lifting, cardio exercises and eating correctly. Your abs will show in no time.Ahh... to finally stamp your authority in the gym and at the beach, a wide and powerful gladiator's chest will put you ahead of the pack! Train your chest heavy with dumbbells, barbells and cables machines. Use incline benches rather than flat or declining ones. You want to build the upper chest and not targeting the lower chest in case it gets you the droop or saggy chest which we call 'bitch tits'. Although the pec is one huge muscle, it can be targeted at different places to recruit different fibres to shape it.Chris Chew is a personal trainer and count actors, pageant winners, models and other celebrities as his clients. He runs a fitness training school in Singapore at Singapore Personal Trainers and is the author of "Burn Fat Build Muscles Fast." See his books at Lose Fat Build Muscles Quickly!
Category : Philosophy
วันศุกร์ที่ 28 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Would You Like To Get Into The "Zone"?
Author : Jan Tincher
Copyright Jan Tincher - All Rights reserved http://www.tameyourbrain.comDo you know what *The Zone* is? The Zone is a place where you are in control, you are on top of the situation, you are succeeding effortlessly. Can you remember a specific time and place like that: at work, in sports, at home, or whenever?Remember it fully. Step into that experience, and as you do, take your time to appreciate the state you are now in -- seeing and hearing the experience again, feeling the things you felt then. Now, notice the submodalities -- the sights, sounds, and sensations OF the experience. Make a note of them.Now, clear your mind.When your mind is clear, select an area in your life in which you already experience confidence, but haven't yet felt a sense of mastery, of the ultimate success. Select one you can vividly see, hear, and feel.Step into the experience and notice the submodalities -- sight, sound, and feelings -- there. Then step out.Now, remember the submodalities from your mastery experience, and the submodalities with this one. Notice which submodalities are different between the two experiences. Do you see something in the first that you don't see in the second? Feel something different? Hear something different?OK, again, clear your mind. Go back to the situation you just recalled (the one in which you haven't yet experienced a sense of mastery), and this time transform it into the mastery state of mind submodalities. Hear, see, feel what you felt with the mastery experience, only now you're doing it with this experience.How does this action -- putting the submodalitites of your mastery state of mind into a different situation -- change your perception and feelings? What has changed? In what ways? Take your time to appreciate this newly changed state. Enjoy the clarity of mind, the feeling of totality or wholeness, the sense of confidence.What you have just done is change competence into mastery.Now, select an activity you do with natural ease and skill. Think of a particular time and place when you were doing it and felt fantastic. Recall it as vividly as possible.Again, clear your mind.Now relive this experience with its submodalities transformed into those of your mastery state of mind. Allow the entire experience to come to a full and satisfying completion in your mind.Think of the next time you're going to engage in this behavior. How do you *experience* it? Isn't it great to rehearse it? Actually, isn't it like life is just one great rehearsal, and we just keep getting better and better?Thank you for reading.JanP.S. Here's what I've found to be the best methods for achieving success:
http://www.tameyourbrain.com/successEcourse/successOffer.php~~~~~~~~~Copyright 2006, Jan Tincher, All Rights Reserved WorldwideCheck out my Tame Your Brain! Blog here: http://www.tameyourbrain.com/blogtyb/Check out all my blogs here: Http://tameyourbrain.com/blogs.htmDISCLAIMER: Jan Tincher and/or *Tame Your Brain!* do not guarantee or warrant that the techniques and strategies portrayed will work for everyone. The techniques and strategies are general in nature and may not apply to everyone. The techniques and strategies are not intended to substitute for obtaining medical advice from the medical profession. Always consult your own professionals before making any life-changing decisions.~~~~~~~~~Subscribe to my free ezine, "Tame Your Brain!" and receive free "Do Butterflies Land On Your Shoulder?" -- a fantastic article on how to find peace. Click here to subscribe to Tame Your Brain!: mailto:tameyourbrain@getresponse.com mailto:tameyourbrain@getresponse.com==>Publishers, you are welcome to reprint this article in its entirety provided you retain the above resource box and include this notice, plus notify us of the day(s) you will be running it.You are welcome to reprint this article in its entirety, provided you retain the above resource box including this notice. If you would like more articles, please visit my article site here: http://www.tameyourbrain.com/articles.htm Jan Tincher, Master Neuro-Linguistic Programmer and nationally recognized expert in Hypnotherapy & Neuro-Linguistic Programming, teaches strategies and techniques that help people live better, happier lives, She studied under Richard Bandler and best-selling author, Anthony Robbins, and has had a successful practice for over 13 years. She has written hundreds of articles that show people how to work successfully with relationships, stress, weight, success, growing older, depression, fear, health, and much more. She is an award winning author, and you can read many of her articles at http://www.tameyourbrain.com/articles.htm.
You can read what people say about her at
http://www.tameyourbrain.com/testimonials.htm
Category : General Motivational
วันพุธที่ 26 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Care and Cleaning for Laminate Floor Lovers
Author : Vincent
Laminate floors have the beauty of wood and ceramics without the worry, which is likely why they are becoming so popular in the US. Laminate flooring is easy on the budget as compared to the cost of wood and can usually be installed with minimal tools and know-how. With the durable finish, there are few steps to maintaining your floor, no need for polish or wax.Laminate floorings' endless benefits often outshine the benefits of other flooring materials: It won't fade It is extremely easy to maintain It is easy to install It is more dent resistant than vinyl and wood floors. It is wear, stain and fade resistant It is available in a broad assortment of designLaminate floors reflect the style of your home through an extensive range of great-looking styles with all the appeal of hardwood and tile.Some brands offer accent blocks and border pieces that allow for a custom designed look. Coordinating moldings and transition pieces like baseboards, quarter rounds and reducer strips complete the finished look of a floor and are available in a wide range of profiles and patterns.Cleaning No other flooring is easy to care for than laminate floors. For everyday cleaning, simply vacuum the floor or sweep to remove loose dirt and debris. Do not use soap, wax, household cleaners or any other product not designed for use on laminate floors on them. These products can leave a film on your floor and cause it to attract more dirt and leave streaks and footprints.First sweep or vacuum up loose dirt, then mist the floor with your cleaner and buff it up using a terry cloth towel. Recommended cleaning products and homemade remedies include: vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water (equal parts) 1/3 white vinegar, 1/3 rubbing alcohol, 1/3 water, and 3 drops dishwashing liquid (1 quart total) Window cleaner (Ammoniated Window Cleaner by FULLER)Abrasive cleaners and scouring pads can scratch and damage the surface of laminate flooring. Never wax, sand or apply lacquer to laminate flooring.Additional Cleaning PointersOccasionally, you might have more than day to day dirt and dust on your floor. You might have an oil spill, paint stain or drop a permanent marker on the floor. To get these spots up, apply a cleaner like alcohol or nail polish remover containing acetone onto a soft, light colored cloth. Gently rub the stain to remove.If fruit juice or wine spills, pasta sauce splatters or blood drips onto your floor, try cleaning with warm water first. If that doesnt lift the discoloration, use a little window cleaner to clean it up. Make sure you dry the spot when youre finished, standing water can ruin the finish of your floor.Laminate floors offer versatility in design, simplicity in installation and easy care. Though they are not indestructible, they are sturdy and can stand up to heavy use. They also offer a little cushion and give that tile floors cannot, since they are usually installed on a floating base. This can help reduce the pressure on your legs and back.Author Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products.Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean.Visit http://www.stanleybeautycare.com Author Vincent Platania represents the Stanley Home Products.Stanley Home Products has been in business since 1936, and offers high quality home and personal care products to keep your home and your body clean.Visit http://www.stanleybeautycare.com
Category : General Home and Family: Home Furnishings / Interi
Safety against Genital Herpes
Author : Olivia Andrews
Herpes can be defined as inflammation of the skin or membranes caused due to a virus whereby small blisters or ulcers are formed. This disease is quite widespread amongst people and carries the risk of spreading the disease to any other sexually active partner of the person suffering from the disease. Person who suffers from this disease is often confused because the symptoms are not recognized early and could be confused with other diseases. Herpes outbreak as sores or blisters and develops thereafter. Common symptoms of herpes include itching, redness, pain during urination, tingling or burning sensation, cuts in genital area and vaginal discharge. Herpes could even spread through direct skin-to-skin contact oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Antiviral medicines such as acyclovir, fam acyclovir and Val acyclovir help effectively in the treatment of herpes. If you face severe herpes, then painkillers, salt baths, or local anesthesia can even ease up the discomfort. These medicines are advisable in the following situation:1. If you face severe recurrences If you have taken a short-term course of the medicine and got reduction in severity of the symptoms then you could be asked to take a supply of medication ready each time the symptoms reoccur.2. If you face frequent recurrences You can be asked to take the medicine each day and as such, the frequency and severity are reduced. Typically, the treatment should be carried for 6 to 12 months and repeated if necessary. 3. For special times such as holidays, examinations- Medication can also be advised to avoid recurrence during any special times to have less risk of recurrence.4. While pregnancy If a person is pregnant and holds herpes then antiviral medicines could be advised so that it is not passed to the baby. For further information, visit our website http://www.benzer11.com/acyclovir.html Olivia Andrews, writing for http://www.benzer11.com/acyclovir.html is a freelance journalist and has written many reviews on subjects such as finance, education, health, entertainment, music, gifts, crafts, travel, apparels and mobile phones.
Category : General Medical: Pharmaceuticals
วันจันทร์ที่ 24 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Prostate Diet - More Gatherer, Less Hunter
Author : Rebecca Prescott
Researchers from Canada have found that having a diet of red meat, organ meats, soft drink and bottled water increased the risk of getting prostate cancer. They compared the diets of 80 men with prostate cancer, and 334 healthy men, and the diet just described more than doubled the risk of developing prostate cancer.So what prostate diet can reduce the risk of prostate cancer? Swedish researchers examined the diet of 1499 men with prostate cancer and 1130 men who were healthy, and they published their findings in the Cancer Causes and Control journal. They found that eating foods rich in phytoestrogens decreased the risk of prostate cancer.Phytoestrogens are plant molecules that have a weak estrogenic effect. They are made converted in the intestines from plant precursors by bacteria as they digest food. They are taken up by the same parts of the body that process the hormone estrogen. Interestingly, one of the treatments for prostate cancer by doctors involves using estrogens to reduce the level of testosterone in men with advanced prostate cancer. It does this indirectly, through its effect on the hypothalamus, as less luteinizing hormone releasing hormone is produced by the hypothalamus. This means not as much luteinizing hormone is released by the body, which suppresses the production of testosterone.High doses of estrogens for men can lead to cardiovascular complications. But phytoestrogens obtained from diet, in less quantities than a drug, and with a milder effect to start with, should not pose a problem. And researchers don't yet know what exactly causes phytoestrogens to have such a protective effect, whether it is similar to that of the estrogen treatment for advanced prostate cancers. And they don't know which phytoestrogens are the most active.So what phytoestrogen foods could you include in a diet for a healthy prostate? Soy beans and nuts are a good source. Soy and nuts contain a type of phytoestrogen called isoflavones, whilst berries and seeds contain lignans. Foods could include peanuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, and berries.The only possible concerns with soy is that a study in mice found that male mice that had a type of heart disease that people also have, suffered heart failure when fed a soy based diet. Whether this extrapolates to the human population is yet to be established. But it may be wise for those me who have this particular genetic heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy, to be cautious about soy products in their diet. But for other men, soy products could be good news. A meta analysis, which is a study of related studies, published in the International Journal of Cancer, found that diets high in soy lowered men's risk of prostate cancer by 30%.Another important mineral to consider for men is zinc. Zinc is used by men's bodies to make some of the male hormones, and for general prostate health. A deficiency in zinc can lead to problems with the testicles, the prostate, and the health of the sperm. Foods that are great sources of zinc include seeds like pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower; nuts like almonds, brazil, cashews and walnuts; and foods like lettuce, oats and onions. Raw onion is particularly suggested by Paul Bedson, a natural therapist. He also suggests vegetable juice made of equal parts of beetroot, carrot, and cucumber in cases where the prostate gland is enlarged. Cranberry juice, a cup drunk three times a day, is also recommended in this case.References:1. phoenix5.org/Infolink/advanced/estrogen.html2. Australian Healthy Food, March 20063. Australian Healthy Food, November, 20054. Paul Bedson, The Complete Family Guide To Natural Healing5. nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=65785&m=1NIE213&c=qgtqmovbyiaxdub If you're interested in a health prostate supplement that promotes healthy prostate, bladder and kidney functions, click here. If you're interested in learning the definition of mineral supplements the body needs, check out this article. Rebecca Prescott runs this site which presents comprehensive reviews of vitamins and supplements.
Category : General Medical: General
Is Your Computer a Sluggish Starter?
Author : Mike Bryant
Does your computer seem to be intent on driving you crazy? Sometimes it seems that we wait for what seems like an eternity for the computer to boot up so we can do something. What in the world could that computer be doing for so long between the time you press the 'On' button and the Windows screen finally showing up? Of course, once Windows does load up it usually takes a couple more minutes of clicking and grinding before the mouse pointer finally changes from hourglass to arrow. By that time, you're lucky if you still remember what you wanted to do in the first place. This week, in my constant effort to help you maintain your computer sanity, we'll talk a bit about how to make that computer startup faster.There are a few factors that could be making your computer run just barely faster than an overweight slug crawling through an Eastern Kentucky mud hole in winter. First, check to see how much hard drive space you have left. If you are getting low, meaning less than 1.5 gigabytes of free space, start looking for stuff to delete. Another potential gotcha that can make computers startup really slowly is the icons on your desktop. Make sure that every icon on the screen is a shortcut to a document, picture, program, game or whatever. You can put actual programs on the desktop rather than shortcuts (a shortcut is a link to an item, not the item itself) and this can cause real problems on startup. A desktop shortcut is a very small file and takes virtually no time to load and display on the screen. If you actually store an image or program itself on the desktop then you could be loading literally several megabytes of information just to show it on your screen when a shortcut would have worked better and faster.One of the biggest foes to fast computers is the software that starts up automatically when the computer is turned on. Things like Yahoo Messenger, Windows Messenger, the infamous Weather Bug, and Real Player all do this, among others. Once you install the software, it loads itself every single time the computer is started up. Many times you will not even know that the program is running as there is no indication except for a tiny little icon in the lower-right corner of your screen called the Task Bar Notification Area.These software programs are so egotistical they think that you simply must have them at the ready at any moment. I mean, you never know, it could be a matter of life or death that you send Aunt Sally in Michigan an instant message that little Junior just bit the cat. Surely we don't want to wait a whole 15 seconds for a program to load when we want to use it... Instead it sits there, always ready at a moment's notice. Trouble is, while it is sitting there it is wasting extremely valuable computer resources. I suggest you set those programs to not load up when you start the computer. But how?The answer to that question may be very easy or very difficult, depending on the application. First, try looking in the Startup folder in your programs menu (click Start --> Programs --> Startup) to see what is set to automatically startup. Often, you won't see anything, but it's worth a shot. Next, open the offending program and look in the preferences/options/tools menu for something indicating that you do not want the program to load on startup. As a last resort, and please be careful if you do this as you can really mess up your computer, you can click Start --> Run, type msconfig, and hit the enter key. This will open an application that will allow you to remove any startup programs. Rather than running msconfig yourself, I do recommend you hire a qualified computer technician as it can really mess things up if done incorrectly.As always, if you have any questions or suggestions for future articles, please email me at mike@mikebryant.com.Mike Bryant has worked as a professional software developer for over ten years. A born entrepreneur, he currently owns Centrant, LLC, a software consulting firm specializing in custom software for small businesses. He currently resides in Jackson, Kentucky with his wife, two kids, and five computers. For more information, please visit MikeBryant.com.
Category : Computers-and-Technology
Does your computer seem to be intent on driving you crazy? Sometimes it seems that we wait for what seems like an eternity for the computer to boot up so we can do something. What in the world could that computer be doing for so long between the time you press the 'On' button and the Windows screen finally showing up? Of course, once Windows does load up it usually takes a couple more minutes of clicking and grinding before the mouse pointer finally changes from hourglass to arrow. By that time, you're lucky if you still remember what you wanted to do in the first place. This week, in my constant effort to help you maintain your computer sanity, we'll talk a bit about how to make that computer startup faster.There are a few factors that could be making your computer run just barely faster than an overweight slug crawling through an Eastern Kentucky mud hole in winter. First, check to see how much hard drive space you have left. If you are getting low, meaning less than 1.5 gigabytes of free space, start looking for stuff to delete. Another potential gotcha that can make computers startup really slowly is the icons on your desktop. Make sure that every icon on the screen is a shortcut to a document, picture, program, game or whatever. You can put actual programs on the desktop rather than shortcuts (a shortcut is a link to an item, not the item itself) and this can cause real problems on startup. A desktop shortcut is a very small file and takes virtually no time to load and display on the screen. If you actually store an image or program itself on the desktop then you could be loading literally several megabytes of information just to show it on your screen when a shortcut would have worked better and faster.One of the biggest foes to fast computers is the software that starts up automatically when the computer is turned on. Things like Yahoo Messenger, Windows Messenger, the infamous Weather Bug, and Real Player all do this, among others. Once you install the software, it loads itself every single time the computer is started up. Many times you will not even know that the program is running as there is no indication except for a tiny little icon in the lower-right corner of your screen called the Task Bar Notification Area.These software programs are so egotistical they think that you simply must have them at the ready at any moment. I mean, you never know, it could be a matter of life or death that you send Aunt Sally in Michigan an instant message that little Junior just bit the cat. Surely we don't want to wait a whole 15 seconds for a program to load when we want to use it... Instead it sits there, always ready at a moment's notice. Trouble is, while it is sitting there it is wasting extremely valuable computer resources. I suggest you set those programs to not load up when you start the computer. But how?The answer to that question may be very easy or very difficult, depending on the application. First, try looking in the Startup folder in your programs menu (click Start --> Programs --> Startup) to see what is set to automatically startup. Often, you won't see anything, but it's worth a shot. Next, open the offending program and look in the preferences/options/tools menu for something indicating that you do not want the program to load on startup. As a last resort, and please be careful if you do this as you can really mess up your computer, you can click Start --> Run, type msconfig, and hit the enter key. This will open an application that will allow you to remove any startup programs. Rather than running msconfig yourself, I do recommend you hire a qualified computer technician as it can really mess things up if done incorrectly.As always, if you have any questions or suggestions for future articles, please email me at mike@mikebryant.com.Mike Bryant has worked as a professional software developer for over ten years. A born entrepreneur, he currently owns Centrant, LLC, a software consulting firm specializing in custom software for small businesses. He currently resides in Jackson, Kentucky with his wife, two kids, and five computers. For more information, please visit MikeBryant.com.
Category : Computers-and-Technology
Surety Bonding In Todays Construction Market
Author : ron
Varying market conditions have led to many changes and adaptations in the surety market. This article updates all the bankers and lenders on the existing situation as well as trends within that gathering of financial organizations writing bonds for the sake of construction industry. In accordance with the contract documents surety bonds swear project owners that contractors will execute the work and also pay precise subcontractors, laborers, and materials suppliers. Three basic types of contract surety bonds are: The bid bond assures that the bid has been proposed in good faith and the contractor will get into the contract at the price bid and provides the requisite performance and payment bonds. If the contractor fails to carry out or failed to meet the terms and conditions of the contract, performance bond protects the owner from financial loss. The payment bond guarantees that the contractor will pay all of its subcontractors, laborers, and suppliers needed for the project.The use of surety bonds on private construction projects is at the owner's judgment. Alternatives to bonding embrace letters of credit along with self-insurance, but these options neither offer 100% performance and payment protection, nor ensure a competent contractor. In case if a project should be bonded, the owner should specify the bonding requirements in the contract documents. Subcontractors may be required for acquiring surety bonds to help out the prime contractor manage risk, especially if the subcontractor is responsible for a momentous part of the job or provides a specialty that is very complicated to restore.Sureties always need to be sure. Most of the surety companies are subsidiaries or divisions of insurance companies, but both surety bonds and traditional insurance policies will create risk-transfer mechanisms synchronized by state insurance departments. Performance as well as payment bonds typically are priced based on the value of the contract being bonded, but not on the size of the bond. If the contract amount is altered, the premium will also get adjusted according to the change in the contract price. Fortunately, survival continues to be a vital instinct for the contract surety industry. So the strong economy has kept contractors busy and so the failures become less automatically. However, the profitable bonding business attracted new entrants into surety, and surfeit capacity being accumulated in the surety market. And as competition for bonding got intensified, bond premiums declined. PremiumsRise in surety bond premium may have leveled off-or not, based upon the number of factors. As the market gets tightened, surety companies have also boosted their pricing structures accordingly for wrapping up all the increased losses and the increased cost of reinsurance, personnel, and other costs of doing business. Finally, after a brief period of readjustment, surety bond premiums are now becoming more realisticpricing structures accordingly for wrapping up all t for the value provided.Weigh the RisksBoth surety and banker industries have underwrite risk to contractors, and both have enjoyed the good-time profits of the cycle's expansion phase and also suffered many losses during its contraction phase. Bankers should pay all its attention to the surety industry only because of its capability and eagerness for replacing risk that has a complementary collision on financial institutions. The less construction risk the bonding company underwrites, the more risk the lender must consider, so both the surety and the banker need to assess as well as monitor their combined risk appetites for the construction industry. ClaimsAt this point sureties are facing numerous frequencies of claims comparing to severity of losses in the recovery phase of the business cycle, even though there is a rise in the severity and frequency of claims that depends largely on regional conditions. The general consensus is that, by the end of year 2005, losses will have worked all their way throughout the system and bond exposures will be only on projects underwritten by today's more stringent standards, so loss ratios are predictable in improving than previous days. Ron victor is a SEO copywriter for Auto Dealer BondHe written many articles in various topics. For more information visit Surety BondsContact him at ron.seocopywriter@gmail.com
Category : General Business: Insurance
Article Writing – How to Write a Compelling Title?
Author : Lakshmi Menon
If you are already familiar with the benefits of writing articles for promoting your online business you must have gathered enough information on the subject and you are now convinced about it.. You must have also learnt the importance of writing a catchy title for your article, to get it read.Armed with the newly acquired knowledge, you must have even moved to the next step –
writing your own article. You might have even put your thoughts into words in a piece of paper or typed it on to your computer.But, still ………you are stuck with a question somewhere in your mind – how do I write a compelling title?Does it sound like you? Then, read on.Sit and relax for a while and ask yourself."What prompted me to click on this article?"You have the answer ready with you. Your answer will be "It's the title which made me open the article."When you write your own article, try to find the appropriate words your readers are looking for, keep the following in mind –Does the title clearly tell you what is the article about?Does it sound compelling to click on it?Is it informative?Does it grab your attention?If you answer at least two of the above questions positively you are now ready to write a compelling title for your article.If you still have the problem try the following, which had worked fine for me, and might work for you too –Write down at least five suitable titles for your article and check and recheck which is the most appropriate title for your article. If necessary, leave it for two or three days, and then read it again. You are likely to be in a better position to choose the most suitable title among the five of them.Lakshme Menon is involved in Internet Marketing and recommends you to visit her website for more details.
If you are already familiar with the benefits of writing articles for promoting your online business you must have gathered enough information on the subject and you are now convinced about it.. You must have also learnt the importance of writing a catchy title for your article, to get it read.Armed with the newly acquired knowledge, you must have even moved to the next step –
writing your own article. You might have even put your thoughts into words in a piece of paper or typed it on to your computer.But, still ………you are stuck with a question somewhere in your mind – how do I write a compelling title?Does it sound like you? Then, read on.Sit and relax for a while and ask yourself."What prompted me to click on this article?"You have the answer ready with you. Your answer will be "It's the title which made me open the article."When you write your own article, try to find the appropriate words your readers are looking for, keep the following in mind –Does the title clearly tell you what is the article about?Does it sound compelling to click on it?Is it informative?Does it grab your attention?If you answer at least two of the above questions positively you are now ready to write a compelling title for your article.If you still have the problem try the following, which had worked fine for me, and might work for you too –Write down at least five suitable titles for your article and check and recheck which is the most appropriate title for your article. If necessary, leave it for two or three days, and then read it again. You are likely to be in a better position to choose the most suitable title among the five of them.Lakshme Menon is involved in Internet Marketing and recommends you to visit her website for more details.
http://www.net4homeincome.com/
Category : Writing-and-Speaking:Writing-Articles
Seat Belt Violators Not Safe Even During The Night
Author : AnthonyF
Most drivers would not even think of following street rules and road laws when the day turns into night. After all, who would be thinking of following such rules and ordinances when most people are not even out on the street? Even police officers seem not to be that visible when the night comes. But then again, even if your vehicle comes equipped with EBC pads, it is very essential that one follows all road and street rules. And if you think that police officers are not alert during the dark hours, then you should start changing that thought. You see, this time around, our officers are going to be even more visible even during the night. One of the rules that are constantly not followed when the sun gives way to the moon is the use of seat belts. And if you are one of those perennial offenders of the seat belt rule, then you may want to start thinking about your safety. You see, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has set out the results of a new research that they did. According to their study, motor vehicle crashes that happen during the night are three times riskier than those that happen during the day. And as much as you ignore your seat belts, this fact now is a good reason for you to start putting them back on and give you that safety you need when driving down a dark road. As part of the results of this study, the NHTSA is sending off yet another interesting campaign. And this one goes by the name Click It or Ticket and it is a seat belt crackdown campaign. This program has been done yearly but this time around, the program would even be focusing more on the nighttime offenders. Nicole R. Nason is the administrator of the NHTSA and she shares, Its alarming that fewer people are buckling up at night, a time when the odds of being killed in a motor vehicle crash triple. This year, law enforcement officials will be ticketing violators who are not wearing their seat belts, especially during the evening hours.In conclusion, she states, The annual Click It or Ticket campaign has helped increase seat belt use for over a decade, but despite these gains, too many of our family and friends continue to die on our roadways. Not wearing your seat belt, day or night, is a huge and unnecessary gamble. Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Category : Spare Parts
วันอาทิตย์ที่ 23 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
Different Approaches to Policy Making
Author : Sharon White
Policy as a science in its usual definition studies conditions and ways of realization and implementation of the state goals. Policy as an art is about adaptation to these conditions and using these ways for realization of the state goals in practice. It would be more correct to define policy not as a science about social welfare or art to realize and implement into life this welfare but rather as a study about obligations of the state in regards to the society and individuality, but as art policy gives the system of carrying out these obligations and responsibilities. Thus we can see that one of the main concerns of policy is defining the state competence, which means those boundaries that limit the state interference.Many authors of public policy and politics since the days of Socrates have attempted to analyze how policy is developed with the intention to suggest the best way to shape and deliver it. Since Policy making is concerned with many aspects of social life and impacts on how operations occur, knowledge and policy have remained the subject of intriguing inquiry.For the purposed of this assignment it shall be discussed whether policy making is either a product of scientific knowledge and reason or a product of art as in human skill, values, personality, ambitions, emotions, passions and common sense, or even a synthesis of all these elements. And if a synthesis of art and science is possible then the question of how much of each can contribute to effective policy making arising. This appears a complex investigation and involves many ideas.To achieve an understanding of the issues involved this essay is organized in the following way. First part presents the meaning of policy making and its nature. Then, the second part is focusing on the scientific approach of policy making. The contribution of various theories, frameworks and models will be discussed. Finally the third part is concerned with the contribution of the aesthetic element in policy making.Considering the above areas the following discussion is adopting the position that both science and art appear vital contributors into policy process. Policy making involves a vision to reach specific goals, getting the best decisions and reaching a consensus. There is no single solution as to how policy should be made. It depends on the space, time and conditions under which events occur. That is why the art of judgment in policy making is of a crucial importance.This contention reflects on Einstein's worlds. When Einstein was asked if everything could be expressed scientifically he replied 'it would be possible, but it would make no sense. It would be description without meaning as if described a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure.' To open this discussion a general understanding as to what policy is, is required to make a start. The Oxford English Dictionary defines policy as 'a course of action adopted and pursued by a government party, ruler, statesman etc.; or any course of action adopted as advantageous or expedient…'It can be argued that policy making comes as a response to social problems and needs. Social policy should be determined by social need and that need should be measured in terms of empirical 'facts'. However, there are a number of questions arising in terms of definition and measurement of need. Bradshaw's taxonomy of needs includes normative, felt, expressed and comparative need. This contributed in defining and identifying social need to assist social services, and policy makers.Policy making takes place in the context of the constrains of economic, social, geographical, historical and cultural limits. This places policy making in a multidisciplinary area involving knowledge from sociology, economics, high and low politics and management skill. Policies are about making a difference, initiating social change and allocating values and therefore they must be dynamic. The whole process of policy making links the state, society and population. The following is a way of showing how an issue might appear or / and accepted as a problem or need for a policy response.
Additionally the community or environment of which social policy is made is of a crucial importance and particularly in the area of globalization; those factors external to and beyond the control of domestic policy environment assume ever greater relevance.
This means the need to understand what is 'really good' and how it 'really' can be obtained. Socrates raised questions about the rational understanding of the nature of power, authority, justice, and fairness. His dream was the use of rational knowledge for the creation of a good polity. The world of modern policy – making has changed a lot since the days of Socrates but many fundamentals remain the same.As Spicker put it social policy making in particular and the wider policy process in general are very much to do with power and the values of those engaged within the policy process. This will be analyzed further when presenting the artistic element.Hill states that policy making is not a pure exercise in rational decision making. Nor is it simply the putting into practice of ideologies, or a quite incoherent process of bargaining and muddling through. Rather it is a mixture of all three, with perhaps the first being least apparent and the third most in evidence'. This position expresses the importance of linking ideology, learning and practicality in policy process. This will be explained further when examining scientific and artistic element in policy.
Having had a brief insight into policy making, at this point the discussion turns to present the contribution of political science and its limitations.The Oxford English Dictionary defines science as 'the state or fact of knowing; knowledge or cognizance of something specified or implied; also with wider reference, knowledge as a personal attribute; in the sense of 'knowledge' as opposed to 'belief' or 'opinion'. Also science is defined as contradistinguished from art. The distinction as commonly apprehended is that a science is concerned with the theoretic truth and an art with methods for affecting certain results. Sometimes, however, the term science is extended to denote a department of practical work which depends on the knowledge and conscious application of principles; an art, on the other hand, being understood to require merely knowledge of traditional rules and skill acquired by habit.
Lasswell stated that policy science is about the production and application of knowledge of and in policy. A number of frameworks, theories and models of policy processes have been developed to explain public policy making processes. In particular, a framework sets the foundation from which more than one theory may be developed, and from a theory, multiple models may be developed.Models of policy making include the rational model, the incremental model, the normative optimum model and the mixed scanning mode). Some frameworks are stages, the 'black box', institutional rational choice, multiple streams, advocacy coalition, policy diffusion and punctuated – equilibrium.For example, Lasswell provided a model of policy process in a logic way. An issue moves through stages from start to end, from initiation, information, consideration decision implementation evaluation and termination. However this has received its criticisms on the grounds that policy making is an interactive process and such order may not be possible. Easton adapted an input – output model of the political system. This differentiates between policy demands, policy decisions, policy outputs and policy outcomes. Further a more extended perspective adding the policy environment and the political system itself is pursued. It appears difficult to capture the policy process in a model and thus a more detailed systems model emphasizing the main areas is needs to be explored.The article was produced by the member of masterpapers.com.
Sharon White is a senior writer and writers consultant at term papers. Get some useful tips for thesis and term paper writing .
Category : News-and-Society
Policy as a science in its usual definition studies conditions and ways of realization and implementation of the state goals. Policy as an art is about adaptation to these conditions and using these ways for realization of the state goals in practice. It would be more correct to define policy not as a science about social welfare or art to realize and implement into life this welfare but rather as a study about obligations of the state in regards to the society and individuality, but as art policy gives the system of carrying out these obligations and responsibilities. Thus we can see that one of the main concerns of policy is defining the state competence, which means those boundaries that limit the state interference.Many authors of public policy and politics since the days of Socrates have attempted to analyze how policy is developed with the intention to suggest the best way to shape and deliver it. Since Policy making is concerned with many aspects of social life and impacts on how operations occur, knowledge and policy have remained the subject of intriguing inquiry.For the purposed of this assignment it shall be discussed whether policy making is either a product of scientific knowledge and reason or a product of art as in human skill, values, personality, ambitions, emotions, passions and common sense, or even a synthesis of all these elements. And if a synthesis of art and science is possible then the question of how much of each can contribute to effective policy making arising. This appears a complex investigation and involves many ideas.To achieve an understanding of the issues involved this essay is organized in the following way. First part presents the meaning of policy making and its nature. Then, the second part is focusing on the scientific approach of policy making. The contribution of various theories, frameworks and models will be discussed. Finally the third part is concerned with the contribution of the aesthetic element in policy making.Considering the above areas the following discussion is adopting the position that both science and art appear vital contributors into policy process. Policy making involves a vision to reach specific goals, getting the best decisions and reaching a consensus. There is no single solution as to how policy should be made. It depends on the space, time and conditions under which events occur. That is why the art of judgment in policy making is of a crucial importance.This contention reflects on Einstein's worlds. When Einstein was asked if everything could be expressed scientifically he replied 'it would be possible, but it would make no sense. It would be description without meaning as if described a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure.' To open this discussion a general understanding as to what policy is, is required to make a start. The Oxford English Dictionary defines policy as 'a course of action adopted and pursued by a government party, ruler, statesman etc.; or any course of action adopted as advantageous or expedient…'It can be argued that policy making comes as a response to social problems and needs. Social policy should be determined by social need and that need should be measured in terms of empirical 'facts'. However, there are a number of questions arising in terms of definition and measurement of need. Bradshaw's taxonomy of needs includes normative, felt, expressed and comparative need. This contributed in defining and identifying social need to assist social services, and policy makers.Policy making takes place in the context of the constrains of economic, social, geographical, historical and cultural limits. This places policy making in a multidisciplinary area involving knowledge from sociology, economics, high and low politics and management skill. Policies are about making a difference, initiating social change and allocating values and therefore they must be dynamic. The whole process of policy making links the state, society and population. The following is a way of showing how an issue might appear or / and accepted as a problem or need for a policy response.
Additionally the community or environment of which social policy is made is of a crucial importance and particularly in the area of globalization; those factors external to and beyond the control of domestic policy environment assume ever greater relevance.
This means the need to understand what is 'really good' and how it 'really' can be obtained. Socrates raised questions about the rational understanding of the nature of power, authority, justice, and fairness. His dream was the use of rational knowledge for the creation of a good polity. The world of modern policy – making has changed a lot since the days of Socrates but many fundamentals remain the same.As Spicker put it social policy making in particular and the wider policy process in general are very much to do with power and the values of those engaged within the policy process. This will be analyzed further when presenting the artistic element.Hill states that policy making is not a pure exercise in rational decision making. Nor is it simply the putting into practice of ideologies, or a quite incoherent process of bargaining and muddling through. Rather it is a mixture of all three, with perhaps the first being least apparent and the third most in evidence'. This position expresses the importance of linking ideology, learning and practicality in policy process. This will be explained further when examining scientific and artistic element in policy.
Having had a brief insight into policy making, at this point the discussion turns to present the contribution of political science and its limitations.The Oxford English Dictionary defines science as 'the state or fact of knowing; knowledge or cognizance of something specified or implied; also with wider reference, knowledge as a personal attribute; in the sense of 'knowledge' as opposed to 'belief' or 'opinion'. Also science is defined as contradistinguished from art. The distinction as commonly apprehended is that a science is concerned with the theoretic truth and an art with methods for affecting certain results. Sometimes, however, the term science is extended to denote a department of practical work which depends on the knowledge and conscious application of principles; an art, on the other hand, being understood to require merely knowledge of traditional rules and skill acquired by habit.
Lasswell stated that policy science is about the production and application of knowledge of and in policy. A number of frameworks, theories and models of policy processes have been developed to explain public policy making processes. In particular, a framework sets the foundation from which more than one theory may be developed, and from a theory, multiple models may be developed.Models of policy making include the rational model, the incremental model, the normative optimum model and the mixed scanning mode). Some frameworks are stages, the 'black box', institutional rational choice, multiple streams, advocacy coalition, policy diffusion and punctuated – equilibrium.For example, Lasswell provided a model of policy process in a logic way. An issue moves through stages from start to end, from initiation, information, consideration decision implementation evaluation and termination. However this has received its criticisms on the grounds that policy making is an interactive process and such order may not be possible. Easton adapted an input – output model of the political system. This differentiates between policy demands, policy decisions, policy outputs and policy outcomes. Further a more extended perspective adding the policy environment and the political system itself is pursued. It appears difficult to capture the policy process in a model and thus a more detailed systems model emphasizing the main areas is needs to be explored.The article was produced by the member of masterpapers.com.
Sharon White is a senior writer and writers consultant at term papers. Get some useful tips for thesis and term paper writing .
Category : News-and-Society
Get Free Payroll Forms Download from the Internet
Author : Sara Jenkins
Having a successful business means also having a good working relationship with your employees, and nothing more makes it sour than having problems with the payroll. You can’t expect them to work gratis, employees expect to be paid and compensated fairly. If this is done, the working environment will be pleasant and the employees will be more productive. Many company’s experience labor problems because they don’t have a smooth payroll system. If that is the case, many complaints will arise. Salary is a form of payment for the services rendered provided by the employer to the employee for a certain period of time. This payment should be in accordance to what has been agreed upon by both parties prior to the start of work provided.Different companies and different businesses have different forms of payment. Some give it by cash, some by checks, while some have them electronically deposited to their bank accounts through direct deposit. Aside from the payment, employees are also provided with payroll check stubs or payroll forms. There the employees will sign their names to prove that they have indeed received their salary and have found them to be at the right amount. This is imperative so as to avoid confusion later on. This means that the given salary is in the correct amount and both parties adhere to it. With that, there will be harmony and satisfaction between the employer and employee resulting to a better business.So what is the payroll form? In the payroll form you will see how many hours the person worked for the specified period of time. You will also see the rate the person is provided. Then all of these shall be calculated for the gross pay a person shall receive. There are many different kinds of payroll forms since monetary compensation can be done in different manner of specified period of compensation. Some does it quarterly or every week, others bi-monthly while some do it monthly. In each different case, there is a different type of payroll form. Other payroll forms are provided individually which contains all the details of the worked hours and also the employees name and employee’s number and other details pertaining to his or her employment, such as the designation and which department they work. Other payroll forms are for groups, which mean a number of persons can be detailed in only one payroll form. This will also include all the details of the number of hours they work but won’t be as detailed as the individual payroll forms.If you don’t have any payroll forms yet or just want to see one for you to base your own personal payroll form then you’re in luck. The internet is flowing with such payroll forms and they are for free. These free payroll forms are there to be downloaded to b e used as reference or to be used as is with a slight alteration to make it personal. You can just search them from any search engine and download them. If you get this free payroll forms you’ll have an easier time keeping record of the salaries of your employees. The free payroll forms are just there waiting to be downloaded. Try them out and see how easy it can be. The internet has worked wonders and with the free payroll forms they can help you immensely. With these free payroll forms both you and your employees will have peace of mind.Online entrepreneur Sara Jenkins, is dedicated to helping others and their needs to succeed in life by offering free payroll tips everyday. To learn more about her free payroll program, and to sign up for her FREE Payroll articles and FREE bonus how-to books and resources, visit http://www.PayrollXpert.com
Category : Mortgage
Having a successful business means also having a good working relationship with your employees, and nothing more makes it sour than having problems with the payroll. You can’t expect them to work gratis, employees expect to be paid and compensated fairly. If this is done, the working environment will be pleasant and the employees will be more productive. Many company’s experience labor problems because they don’t have a smooth payroll system. If that is the case, many complaints will arise. Salary is a form of payment for the services rendered provided by the employer to the employee for a certain period of time. This payment should be in accordance to what has been agreed upon by both parties prior to the start of work provided.Different companies and different businesses have different forms of payment. Some give it by cash, some by checks, while some have them electronically deposited to their bank accounts through direct deposit. Aside from the payment, employees are also provided with payroll check stubs or payroll forms. There the employees will sign their names to prove that they have indeed received their salary and have found them to be at the right amount. This is imperative so as to avoid confusion later on. This means that the given salary is in the correct amount and both parties adhere to it. With that, there will be harmony and satisfaction between the employer and employee resulting to a better business.So what is the payroll form? In the payroll form you will see how many hours the person worked for the specified period of time. You will also see the rate the person is provided. Then all of these shall be calculated for the gross pay a person shall receive. There are many different kinds of payroll forms since monetary compensation can be done in different manner of specified period of compensation. Some does it quarterly or every week, others bi-monthly while some do it monthly. In each different case, there is a different type of payroll form. Other payroll forms are provided individually which contains all the details of the worked hours and also the employees name and employee’s number and other details pertaining to his or her employment, such as the designation and which department they work. Other payroll forms are for groups, which mean a number of persons can be detailed in only one payroll form. This will also include all the details of the number of hours they work but won’t be as detailed as the individual payroll forms.If you don’t have any payroll forms yet or just want to see one for you to base your own personal payroll form then you’re in luck. The internet is flowing with such payroll forms and they are for free. These free payroll forms are there to be downloaded to b e used as reference or to be used as is with a slight alteration to make it personal. You can just search them from any search engine and download them. If you get this free payroll forms you’ll have an easier time keeping record of the salaries of your employees. The free payroll forms are just there waiting to be downloaded. Try them out and see how easy it can be. The internet has worked wonders and with the free payroll forms they can help you immensely. With these free payroll forms both you and your employees will have peace of mind.Online entrepreneur Sara Jenkins, is dedicated to helping others and their needs to succeed in life by offering free payroll tips everyday. To learn more about her free payroll program, and to sign up for her FREE Payroll articles and FREE bonus how-to books and resources, visit http://www.PayrollXpert.com
Category : Mortgage
Is Disney Just For Kids?
Author : Chris Neilson
Disney is great for anyone and for all ages, whether you’re a toddler or an old
wrinkly !!! (I refuse to say which category I personally fall into, although it’s rapidly
edging towards the latter !).But I digress…Undoubtedly it is every kids dream to visit Disney World® in Florida. And why not ?
It is the best known theme park in the world, and according to Disney themselves
“the most magical place on earthâ€.Now whilst this may seem like a sweeping statement, there is an astonishing
amount of truth in it. Because what Disney have done is to create a wonderland for
all ages.Of course, you would expect the children to be drawn to the larger than life
characters who appear throughout the parks, and indeed there are ample
opportunities for Meet & Greet sessions with their favourites, but amazingly, adults
too are drawn into this world of glamour, fun and smiles, and as a result seemingly
shed their inhibitions and return to a childlike state of awe and wonder.And even if you are of that rare breed that never shed their cool adult exterior, I
defy any parent not to be moved watching their children’s faces the first time their
eyes fall upon Cinderella Castle at the heart of the Magic Kingdom. Indeed, I have
heard many reports of mums and dads literally being moved to tears by the reaction
of their children at Disney World®. For a child, their expectations and dreams are all
contained within this magical place, and as Disney casts it’s spell over them, they as
kids, and you, as parents, will not be disappointed.Within the vast acreage of Disney World® there is something for everyone to enjoy.
But the great thing about Disney is it’s ability to bring families closer together, to
interact with each other, to share good times and create memories that will stay in
your heart forever.Walt’s original dream of a “family†park is, without doubt, an unrivalled success,
thanks to the dedication of thousands of cast members who attend to your every
need during your visit. You are made to feel special, wanted and appreciated all at
the same time, and let’s face it, a little bit of pampering goes a long, long way !So my advice would be to take the kids, take the teenagers, take grandma and
grandpa, take auntie Ethel too… in fact take anyone you like, because at the end of
the day, each of you will exit a Disney park, feeling fulfilled, happy and uplifted. And
is it really “the most magical place on earth†? As Mickey himself would say “You
betcha !â€Chris Neilson is a professional writer and private Villa Owner who has an extensive
knowledge of the Florida Travel Industry. He is also the senior copywriter for the
well known Florida Vacation Rentals web site Orlando Villas â€" http://www.orlandovillas.com
Disney is great for anyone and for all ages, whether you’re a toddler or an old
wrinkly !!! (I refuse to say which category I personally fall into, although it’s rapidly
edging towards the latter !).But I digress…Undoubtedly it is every kids dream to visit Disney World® in Florida. And why not ?
It is the best known theme park in the world, and according to Disney themselves
“the most magical place on earthâ€.Now whilst this may seem like a sweeping statement, there is an astonishing
amount of truth in it. Because what Disney have done is to create a wonderland for
all ages.Of course, you would expect the children to be drawn to the larger than life
characters who appear throughout the parks, and indeed there are ample
opportunities for Meet & Greet sessions with their favourites, but amazingly, adults
too are drawn into this world of glamour, fun and smiles, and as a result seemingly
shed their inhibitions and return to a childlike state of awe and wonder.And even if you are of that rare breed that never shed their cool adult exterior, I
defy any parent not to be moved watching their children’s faces the first time their
eyes fall upon Cinderella Castle at the heart of the Magic Kingdom. Indeed, I have
heard many reports of mums and dads literally being moved to tears by the reaction
of their children at Disney World®. For a child, their expectations and dreams are all
contained within this magical place, and as Disney casts it’s spell over them, they as
kids, and you, as parents, will not be disappointed.Within the vast acreage of Disney World® there is something for everyone to enjoy.
But the great thing about Disney is it’s ability to bring families closer together, to
interact with each other, to share good times and create memories that will stay in
your heart forever.Walt’s original dream of a “family†park is, without doubt, an unrivalled success,
thanks to the dedication of thousands of cast members who attend to your every
need during your visit. You are made to feel special, wanted and appreciated all at
the same time, and let’s face it, a little bit of pampering goes a long, long way !So my advice would be to take the kids, take the teenagers, take grandma and
grandpa, take auntie Ethel too… in fact take anyone you like, because at the end of
the day, each of you will exit a Disney park, feeling fulfilled, happy and uplifted. And
is it really “the most magical place on earth†? As Mickey himself would say “You
betcha !â€Chris Neilson is a professional writer and private Villa Owner who has an extensive
knowledge of the Florida Travel Industry. He is also the senior copywriter for the
well known Florida Vacation Rentals web site Orlando Villas â€" http://www.orlandovillas.com
and Park Tickets site â€" http://www.park-tickets.com© Copyright Chris Neilson 2005 All Rights Reserved
Category : Destinations
A Simple Car Cleaning Guide
Author : Pete Lance
It looks like new! I cant believe that cars seven years old! Would you like to hear that from your friends? Im sure all of us do, but keeping our car looking like the latest models is tough, even with todays longer-lasting finishes.
However, if we adopt simple techniques such as cleaning out cars regularly and attending minor repairs immediately, the results can be remarkable.
Some car owners think rainwater is the only enemy to their car, but bird droppings, highway bugs, atmospheric pollution and road salt can also ruin the beauty of your car.
Many owners think fighting these ever-diligent adversaries is a daunting task, so they dont usually bother, but truthfully, its easier than they think.
Step 1: Washing
First, spray water gently to thoroughly wet the surface of the vehicle. This light rinse helps to loosen the dirt on the vehicle. Then divide your car into five sections: the top, the hood, the trunk, the right side and the left side. Start from the top, move on to the hood and the trunk, and then concentrate on the right side and the left side. Washing should always be done very gentle such that the dirt will not scratch the body of your car. Re-wet and then rinse each section, finishing in the same order- top, hood, trunk and sides.
Step 2: Polishing
Polishing should only be done a small section at a time. Add an even coating of polish onto a towel, and then apply to the vehicle surface gently in small, even and circular motions. Start at the top and working your way down to the trunk and hood, finally ending with the sides. The polish should be allowed to sit on the paint surfaces for at least five to ten minutes. After this time, remove the residue with a different cotton towel by pressing firmly on the surfaces. The same procedure may be applied to all other four sections.
Step 3: Waxing
Use a soft and clean terry cloth towel to apply wax to a small section of the car. The application of wax to the car can be done similar to how polishing has been carried out. The only difference is you should wait until the wax has dried to a slight haze. If youre really striving, repeat the whole process again, adding a second coat of wax to the vehicle.
And there you have it! Youve removed the dirt and grime; polished away the small spots and scratches; and added another layer of protection to your vehicles finish. By now your car should glitter like it did the first day you got it. Dont forget the last step show off your car!
About the author:
Complements of http://www.USGasTracker.orgLowest Gas Prices. For any US zip code. Free daily email with locations and prices.
Category : Auto Motive
Homosexual Dating - Truth and Connection
Author : Frank Duru
Homosexual dating has become much more widespread and accepted in Western culture, allowing both gays and lesbians the chance to reach out to one another beyond that of closed doors. Now there are many ways you can have a rewarding homosexual dating experience, so don't be afraid to get out there and explore all of the potential relationships you can create at a wonderful same-sex communities.Homosexuality is a form of love that needs not to be judged or explained, because it is just another example of how when you love someone it doesn't matter what colour their skin is, how old they are, or even what sex they are. True love knows no boundaries, has no discriminations and only wishes to be shared with another who returns the same emotions.Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with this idea of love, and due to this fact, many homosexuals, regardless if they are male or female, are made to feel alienated, which can often lead to feelings of depression or loneliness. There is no reason why you should let these feelings overcome you, or let other opinions of those you care about, such as family members or friends, negatively influence your life when it comes to finding love, relationships, and homosexual dating.Homosexual dating is about finding someone who feels the same way you do, enjoys spending time with you, treats you with respect and makes you feel like an equal. It is about being apart of a relationship with mutual understanding, which has the potential to forge a strong connection between both you and your partner.Like any dating experience, there will be certain setbacks and struggles that you may face during homosexual dating. This is only natural, simply because in order for you to connect with someone, it is important that you feel comfortable with them.As a gay or lesbian, you should not feel that you need to grab any opportunity that comes your way. There is no harm in starting as friends and working slowly into the relationship to discover how much you have in common. As long as you are honest with your feelings, you should have no problem finding a partner.Homosexual dating is how you can establish an amazing connection with someone who understands you, and loves you for who you are with no questions asked. Even though you will meet some people who are destined to give you a hard time with your sexual preference, all you can do is trust your own judgments, be true to yourself, and give your love and time to those who deserve it.Frank Duru is the author of many different articles but his works concentrate much on dating related information,. such as "Asian Dating - Respect and Honour", "Only You Can Decide If Your Interracial Love Will Stand the Test of Time".
Find More Mixed Race Relationship Articles Here.
Category : News-and-Society:Sexuality
Homosexual dating has become much more widespread and accepted in Western culture, allowing both gays and lesbians the chance to reach out to one another beyond that of closed doors. Now there are many ways you can have a rewarding homosexual dating experience, so don't be afraid to get out there and explore all of the potential relationships you can create at a wonderful same-sex communities.Homosexuality is a form of love that needs not to be judged or explained, because it is just another example of how when you love someone it doesn't matter what colour their skin is, how old they are, or even what sex they are. True love knows no boundaries, has no discriminations and only wishes to be shared with another who returns the same emotions.Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with this idea of love, and due to this fact, many homosexuals, regardless if they are male or female, are made to feel alienated, which can often lead to feelings of depression or loneliness. There is no reason why you should let these feelings overcome you, or let other opinions of those you care about, such as family members or friends, negatively influence your life when it comes to finding love, relationships, and homosexual dating.Homosexual dating is about finding someone who feels the same way you do, enjoys spending time with you, treats you with respect and makes you feel like an equal. It is about being apart of a relationship with mutual understanding, which has the potential to forge a strong connection between both you and your partner.Like any dating experience, there will be certain setbacks and struggles that you may face during homosexual dating. This is only natural, simply because in order for you to connect with someone, it is important that you feel comfortable with them.As a gay or lesbian, you should not feel that you need to grab any opportunity that comes your way. There is no harm in starting as friends and working slowly into the relationship to discover how much you have in common. As long as you are honest with your feelings, you should have no problem finding a partner.Homosexual dating is how you can establish an amazing connection with someone who understands you, and loves you for who you are with no questions asked. Even though you will meet some people who are destined to give you a hard time with your sexual preference, all you can do is trust your own judgments, be true to yourself, and give your love and time to those who deserve it.Frank Duru is the author of many different articles but his works concentrate much on dating related information,. such as "Asian Dating - Respect and Honour", "Only You Can Decide If Your Interracial Love Will Stand the Test of Time".
Find More Mixed Race Relationship Articles Here.
Category : News-and-Society:Sexuality
Free Rap Ringtones
Author : Seth Miller
With the popularity of mobile phones, all age groups can be found carrying them, including he young, the old and the teenagers. Young people and teenagers have a distinct style and taste. Their fashion is distinct; their food habits are peculiar and their taste in music ranges from pop to rap. So mobile phone makers and mobile service providers have started to design mobile phones targeted at this young teenage market. One of the best ways to attract this segment of mobile phone users is ringtones of music they like, which in some cases, is rap.Ringtone is the sound of the mobile phone makes when you receive a call. Early on, most mobile phones had similar sounding ringtones. In a crowd it was difficult to distinguish whose phone was ringing. But with the advent of better mobile phone technology, ringtones have drastically improved. Most phones have a monophonic sound whilst the more advanced phones have a polyphonic and real sound tones. Many ringtones are available totally free of cost on many Web sites for all these three categories. But when one thinks of teenagers, how can one ignore rap music? Rap songs and tones based on famous rap songs are freely available on many Web sites that provide free ringtones. Most ringtone providers send the ringtone directly to your phone through an SMS text message and the ringtone then needs to be stored in your phone to be used as your personalized incoming call alert system.Thanks to these free ringtones, you could have Dr. Dre rapping one of his famous songs, Eminem rapping his best songs or Black Eyed Peas belting their songs as your ringtone. You could also copy your favorite rap song from your collection and save it to your phones memory to use it as a ringtone.So go on and make a style statement; make your phone sing your favorite rap songs. FreeRingtonesNow.net is a website that offers visitors the ability to find free ringtones and specific information on free rap ringtones.
Category : General Art & Entertainment: Music
Comparing Google's Search Franchise To Mccormick's Spice Franchise
Author : Geoff Gannon
Google has a competitive advantage. In fact, one might even say
it has a franchise in web search. I wouldn't say that. I mean,
Google does have a franchise; but, it doesn't have a monopoly on
web search and never will. There are real problems with Google's
model that are often overlooked. It does a poor job of finding
certain sites that are difficult to describe in keywords. For
this reason, there may still be a market for web search in the
form of specialized niche directories and in some of these
"social search engines" (e.g., Stumble Upon) for many years to
come.
I'm not suggesting any of these services will be as successful
as Google; I'm sure they won't be. I am simply pointing out that
there is a difference between a need and the means by which that
need is satisfied. Even as the dominant search player, Google
will only have a franchise on the means (keyword search); it
will not have a franchise on the need (finding stuff on the
web). Also, Google can not, at present, rightly be called the
dominant search player. There is no dominant player in search.
Google is the leading search player. It is also the catalyst for
many changes in search. But, it is not yet the dominant player
in search the way McCormick (MKC) is the dominant U.S. spice
producer.
Looking at McCormick's franchise is actually a pretty good way
of evaluating Google's. Why do I say McCormick is the dominant
player (domestically) in spice, but Google is not yet the
dominant player in search? There are a few reasons.
McCormick has a 45% share of the U.S. retail spice market. Its
closest competitor has a 12% market share. We may differ about
exactly how the web search pie is carved up. But, I think we can
agree that Google's share of the market is less than 45%, and
that at least two of its competitors have a share of the market
greater than 12%. So, Google's position differs from McCormick's
in two material respects (already). Google has a smaller slice
of the pie, and the search market is less fragmented than the
spice market.
The spice market is an upside down funnel. The few producers are
at the top. They feed their products through three distribution
paths: retail, industry, and restaurants. In each case, the
shape of the upside down funnel remains intact, because the
widening happens at the very end. The ultimate consumer of
McCormick's product doesn't get to choose from all available
spices. His choice is always indirect. He picks a grocery store,
a food product, or a restaurant. Then, must choose from the
spices that particular supermarket chooses to carry, or the
restaurant he frequents chooses to use (and/or make available).
In search the story's a little different. There is still
something of an upside down funnel shape in search. Although, it
is less pronounced than it was a few years ago. Search results
are fed through dependent sites that searchers visit. But, it is
the searcher who chooses the dependent sites. A few of these
dependent sites account for a large part of all searches. That
is very different from the spice market, where no supermarket or
restaurant chain accounts for a large part of all spice
consumption - none even comes close. So, the searcher has a much
bigger role in choosing his search provider than the spice
consumer has in choosing his spice provider. Even though it is
true you are sometimes searching without knowing Google is the
search provider, the situation is nothing like it is at
McCormick. When eating a meal you aren't thinking about
McCormick. Quite often, however, you are using a McCormick
product. Whether it was in that package of spices you used to
cook a meal at home, or in that manufactured food product, or in
the dish you ordered at the restaurant, you are a consuming a
McCormick product.
What matters as far as the investor is concerned is that the
ultimate consumer of McCormick's product rarely makes an active,
unfettered choice to consume that product over all other
competing products (or even many competing products). The
closest he comes to making such a choice is at the supermarket;
though even there, the decision of how much shelf space to
allocate to each company's products was made for him. To use
Google, the first time searcher must make an active, unfettered
choice.
Finally, there is the matter of infrastructure. This consists of
two parts: production and distribution. McCormick has an
existing production infrastructure which is helpful as far as
costs are concerned, but isn't especially valuable. It could be
duplicated by a new entrant with deep pockets. McCormick's
distribution infrastructure is almost impossible to duplicate.
It is worth far more than it cost McCormick to create it. Prying
McCormick's customers (situated at the narrow of that inverted
funnel) away from the company's products would not be easy. This
distribution infrastructure gives solidity to McCormick's spice
franchise in the U.S. In some instances, it will also help
McCormick aboard (as some of the company's customers are
expanding globally and will be inclined to stick with McCormick
in their overseas operations).
Google's production infrastructure (the algorithm and the index)
is easy to duplicate and will become even easier to duplicate in
the future. There isn't much of a barrier to entry here. Google
may currently offer the best search service around, but there is
no reason to believe this will always be the case. Distribution
is very often the most valuable part of any franchise (it is
usually the part that is hardest to duplicate).
So, the natural question is: in the world of search, if you
build it will they come? Will the best search engine always
attract the most searchers? Probably not. That's good for
Google, because it won't always be the best search engine.
Google has a great brand. Whatever value is in Google comes from
that brand. That brand is what will keep searchers from flocking
to the inevitable newer, better search engine.
All of Google's revenues are ultimately dependant upon
attracting searches. Getting those searches requires two things.
First, millions of people must make the active, unfettered
choice to search Google. Then, those millions of people must
keep searching with Google. The brand is the key to step one.
The service is the key to step two. Search customers are sticky.
But, they probably aren't as sticky as we think. It's very easy
to take immediate action on the web (just click a link).
Switching away from Google isn't like switching away from
Windows.
That leaves the brand. True, when you think search, you think
Google. But, is that brand worth $120 billion? No - and neither
is Google.
Category : Travel & Leisure
Relaxing By The Fireplace Mantel
Author : Jon Kilminster
A fireplace mantel can be made from many different things. There are classic elegant ones or country ones. Choosing the right fireplace mantel is all about how you want the mantel to look above your fireplace.Many times the mantel will match the wood of the rest of the room if the mantel is made of wood. This makes it a nice addition to the d?cor of the room if it is made from the same wood. But besides wood mantels can be made from stone, ceramic, and brick. Make sure whatever is used as the mantel is durable and tough as it will be taking a lot of heat from the fireplace.If you choose to put in a mantel yourself ask the person who you purchase the materials from if it is durable enough to be used for a fireplace mantel. Many times the smoke that comes from a wood burning fireplace can get stained and ruined if the right materials are not used.You must also choose whether you want to put in the mantel yourself or have a professional do it. Obviously a professional will be more expensive but they will generally put them in just the way you like.Any mistakes with the mantel can cause it to not look as nice or have problems dealing with the heat and/or smoke.You also must choose what kind of mantel it will be. Will it be useful as to put pictures and ornaments on it or is the mantel itself a part of the room which stands by itself.There are so many different styles of mantels that it makes it, probably, the hardest decision when choosing a mantel for your fireplace. Make sure you shop around as the mantel of the fireplace is something that people notice. There are many books and Internet resources for you to pick the right style for you. About The AuthorJon Kilminster writes about the home for http://www.fireplacemantelhut.com.
Category : Self Improvement
วันเสาร์ที่ 22 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2551
TGN - God is a Faithful Guide - Migration
Author : Ron McCluskey
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Tracking God News Looking for the character and personality of
God in His creation. Issue # 6 Editor: Ron McCluskey
mailto:editor@trackinggod.com
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Welcome to TRACKING GOD NEWS
You are receiving this ezine because you or someone else God is
a Faithful Guide - Migration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I was in grade school, our family lived in Tulelake,
California. The lake, along with other lakes in the Klamath
Basin, was one of the major stopping points for water fowl that
were migrating. It was a magnificent site to be able to see
hundreds of thousands of snow geese flying so thick that they
looked like a large flying snow bank.
Something that has always been a mystery to scientists is how
these birds know when to leave their current habitat and fly
long distances to find a better habitat for the upcoming change
in weather. It is also a mystery how they get where they are
going. While scientists have started to find out how adults
follow the pattern by following other adults that have been
there before, they have not even started to find out how some
birds know where to go.
In 'The Shorebirds of North America' R.S. Palmer tells how the
adults of many shorebirds will fly south before the young are
ready to go. The young will then fly south when they are ready.
They will end up in the same area as the adults. Scientists have
no explanation of this at all!
In the insect world a similar thing occurs. The monarch
butterfly in North America winters in two places. The western
population will migrate to Monterray, California. The eastern
population goes to a patch of forest north of Mexico City.
However, none of the butterflies that congregate there have EVER
been there before. Yet faithfully, every year, they fly to the
same trees that their parents stayed in the winter before.
How do the butterflies and birds know where to go? How can they
find just the right place that will give them the best chance of
being safe during the cold winter months? To followers of God,
the answers are obvious. God has been leading and directing the
lives of His creatures every since He created them.
Just like the birds and butterflies, we often have 'cold' times
in our lives. God has shown every year with millions of examples
that He can be trusted to lead you to your own place of safety.
Please continue to trust that He will direct you in the right
way.
Until next time, may God be with you, Ron McCluskey
http://www.trackinggod.com
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Resources
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've had some problems with links from other newsletters, so
please check the online newsletter here for resources:
http://www.trackinggod.com/issue_6.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tracking God News IS PUBLISHED BY: http://www.trackinggod.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
copyright 2002 Ron McCluskey You may reproduce this newsletter
in part or in whole providing that you include the website,
contact information and resource links.
Category : Ethics
What Will It Take To Make Us Better Prepare For Life's Disasters?
Author : Don Adams
In this world of live TV broadcasting, it's likely few have missed witnessing the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.An overwhelming sense of helplessness permeates the lives of thousands of victims in New Orleans and other affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. You need cold steel in your heart and ice water in your veins to not be mournful of their plight.The pattern of Katrina prior to its cataclysmic route was coined by some to be "nothing to worry about" as it whirled 95 miles per hour gusts through portions of Miami eventually causing about 100 millions dollars of estimated damage. And, this was before it locked its sight on New Orleans.Why do people pretend certain things won't happen to them? Like dying prematurely ... or becoming disabled ... or running out of food and water.Even when a crisis situation is up close and in our face we tend to quickly dismiss it. For example, the car accident scene we just passed as paramedics were placing severely injured passengers into the ambulance. You could see pools of blood on the street and twisted metal with broken glass strewn
everywhere.Then, once beyond the accident scene we began accelerating to speeds excessively over the posted limits. Out of sight... out of mind.Why won't we take these real life experiences seriously enough to prepare for the worst?On Aug. 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew slammed into South Florida. It wiped out Homestead, Florida City and parts of Miami before continuing northwest across the Gulf of Mexico to strike the Louisiana coastline.The storm was responsible for 40 deaths and $30-billion in property damage. At the time, it was the costliest disaster in U.S history.We have only just begun to calculate the cost of Hurricane Katrina. More than likely, it will be beyond our capacity to imagine.During August and September 2004, Florida was lambasted by Hurricanes Charley, Dennis, Ivan and Jeanne. The damage was astounding and perhaps foretold of things to come - like Katrina.So, why don't we better prepare for these dramas of Mother Nature? Why do we ignore the fact that what happened before will most assuredly happen again?On September 11, 1992 (less than one month after Andrew) Hurricane Iniki leveled every telephone pole and hundreds of trees on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. Fortunately no one was killed and yet the preparation for this disaster was postponed because it was originally forecast to be less severe.Planning for any disaster is filled with complications. Various departments of local, state and federal governments often clash due to opposing viewpoints or budget constraints.Interesting isn't it? When panic is upon us ... when the disaster has struck ... more often than not we rise to the occasion. And yet, we frequently fail to prepare for future disasters that could threaten the lives of our own family.If we were as smart as we are compassionate, we would help ourselves and our families by storing provisions to be used, if necessary, for our survival. More information can be found at:
In this world of live TV broadcasting, it's likely few have missed witnessing the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.An overwhelming sense of helplessness permeates the lives of thousands of victims in New Orleans and other affected areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. You need cold steel in your heart and ice water in your veins to not be mournful of their plight.The pattern of Katrina prior to its cataclysmic route was coined by some to be "nothing to worry about" as it whirled 95 miles per hour gusts through portions of Miami eventually causing about 100 millions dollars of estimated damage. And, this was before it locked its sight on New Orleans.Why do people pretend certain things won't happen to them? Like dying prematurely ... or becoming disabled ... or running out of food and water.Even when a crisis situation is up close and in our face we tend to quickly dismiss it. For example, the car accident scene we just passed as paramedics were placing severely injured passengers into the ambulance. You could see pools of blood on the street and twisted metal with broken glass strewn
everywhere.Then, once beyond the accident scene we began accelerating to speeds excessively over the posted limits. Out of sight... out of mind.Why won't we take these real life experiences seriously enough to prepare for the worst?On Aug. 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew slammed into South Florida. It wiped out Homestead, Florida City and parts of Miami before continuing northwest across the Gulf of Mexico to strike the Louisiana coastline.The storm was responsible for 40 deaths and $30-billion in property damage. At the time, it was the costliest disaster in U.S history.We have only just begun to calculate the cost of Hurricane Katrina. More than likely, it will be beyond our capacity to imagine.During August and September 2004, Florida was lambasted by Hurricanes Charley, Dennis, Ivan and Jeanne. The damage was astounding and perhaps foretold of things to come - like Katrina.So, why don't we better prepare for these dramas of Mother Nature? Why do we ignore the fact that what happened before will most assuredly happen again?On September 11, 1992 (less than one month after Andrew) Hurricane Iniki leveled every telephone pole and hundreds of trees on the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. Fortunately no one was killed and yet the preparation for this disaster was postponed because it was originally forecast to be less severe.Planning for any disaster is filled with complications. Various departments of local, state and federal governments often clash due to opposing viewpoints or budget constraints.Interesting isn't it? When panic is upon us ... when the disaster has struck ... more often than not we rise to the occasion. And yet, we frequently fail to prepare for future disasters that could threaten the lives of our own family.If we were as smart as we are compassionate, we would help ourselves and our families by storing provisions to be used, if necessary, for our survival. More information can be found at:
http://www.survival-center.com.Compassion seems to come easier than wisdom. Is this because it's easier to write a check than to spend time making a plan for our own survival?But do our checks really go to help those we care about?Even the Red Cross admits there are times funds end up being distributed to parties other than those designated by the contributors.Here's a suggestion for the current victim relief effort. Go to: http://www.jw-media.org and follow the commentary about Katrina. I'm confident monetary contributions sent to these folks will actually help our needy friends in the bayou.By the way, I am not affiliated with either of the two recommended organizations ... and I have a great deal of respect for the work of the Red Cross and its recent effort to honor the requested allocation of the donors.Author Don Adams is a veteran financial consultant who has helped hundreds of families solve problems related to financial and estate planning. More information may be found at:
http://personal-finance-on-the-net.com
Category : Dating
The Genius
Author : Vikas Paruchuri
He has been to 2 Super Bowls. He is hailed as an offensive genius. His team is a perennial playoff contender. He is also one of the worst coaches in the NFL. A contradiction? Not when it's Mike Martz.After Dick Vermeil retired following the 1999 season, the Rams decided to give the job to their brilliant offensive coordinator, Mike Martz. After all, it was his schemes that gave the Rams the best offense in the NFL. Or so they thought. Despite being a good offensive coordinator, Mike Martz never made a good head coach. He is a poor talent evaluator, with a litany of draft miscues including Trung Candidate, Damione Lewis, and Robert Thomas. In fact, the best player Martz has drafted in 5 years (not counting the 2005 draft) is Adam Archuleta, a decent safety. Steven Jackson could become a very good player sometime down the road, but he hasn't proven much at this point. Contrast this with the Rams 1999 draft class, which included Dre Bly and Torry Holt, 2 Pro Bowlers. In one draft, Vermeil unearthed more Pro Bowlers than Mike Martz did in 5. In fact, all of the standout players on the Rams during the Mike Martz period were inherited from Vermeil.Torry Holt, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Az-Zahir Hakim, Leonard Little, Grant Wistrom, Orlando Pace, Jeff Wilkins, Kurt Warner, and Adam Timmerman, among others, were all drafted or otherwise acquired by Dick Vermeil, not Mike Martz. True, under Mike Martz, this has been a very good team. But with the talent on this team in 2000, it should have won more than one Super Bowl. In 1999, the Rams had 6 Pro Bowlers. This is an incredible number, and reflects the astonishing amount of talent they had after their 1999 Super Bowl win. In 2000, the Rams still had 4 Pro Bowlers-all on offense-showing that the Rams offensive core was still in its prime and able to produce. In 2001, the Rams had 5 Pro Bowlers, again reflecting the amount of talent on the team. I could go on, but this is enough to show that the Rams had amazing talent through the Mike Martz years. The same level of talent that they had in 1999, they had in 2000 and 2001. Yet they never won another Super Bowl. At least part of the blame for this has to go to Mike Martz.In 1999, the Rams had the number one scoring offense in the league and the fourth ranked defense, leading to a 13-3 record. The next year, the Rams ranked first in scoring offense and 31st in defense, leading to a 10-6 record. They ranked 31st in defense despite not losing any key defensive personnel. This can be at least partially attributed to Mike Martz's ascension to head coach. He's an offense first guy; defense is simply not important to him. In fact, his defenses have ranked in the top 10 just once during his reign, despite being handed one of the top defenses in the NFL.Now let's see if Dick Vermeil's offenses suffered without the services of Mike Martz. In his first year, Vermeil inherited the 9th ranked scoring offense. Because of player losses, the offense was ranked 16th the next year. After one year of rebuilding, the team offense was ranked first, first, and second in the succeeding years. So was the Rams offensive success Vermeil's doing or Martz's?Basically, Mike Martz has been able to have good teams because of the incredible talent base he inherited. He has not drafted well, so he has not been able to significantly replenish his stock of talent. Within a few years, when the older core players begin to retire, his team will begin to fall apart. You can only ride someone else's coattails for so long. Sooner or later, Mike Martz will be exposed for what he is: a good offensive coordinator who is just not cut out to be a head coach. I just wish someone would have realized this sooner; with the core the Rams had, they could have won 2 more Super Bowls.Vikas Paruchuri is a sports columnist who writes on the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. He maintains a website at http://www.thehomefield.com with sports analysis and opinion columns.
Category : Recreation-and-Sports
He has been to 2 Super Bowls. He is hailed as an offensive genius. His team is a perennial playoff contender. He is also one of the worst coaches in the NFL. A contradiction? Not when it's Mike Martz.After Dick Vermeil retired following the 1999 season, the Rams decided to give the job to their brilliant offensive coordinator, Mike Martz. After all, it was his schemes that gave the Rams the best offense in the NFL. Or so they thought. Despite being a good offensive coordinator, Mike Martz never made a good head coach. He is a poor talent evaluator, with a litany of draft miscues including Trung Candidate, Damione Lewis, and Robert Thomas. In fact, the best player Martz has drafted in 5 years (not counting the 2005 draft) is Adam Archuleta, a decent safety. Steven Jackson could become a very good player sometime down the road, but he hasn't proven much at this point. Contrast this with the Rams 1999 draft class, which included Dre Bly and Torry Holt, 2 Pro Bowlers. In one draft, Vermeil unearthed more Pro Bowlers than Mike Martz did in 5. In fact, all of the standout players on the Rams during the Mike Martz period were inherited from Vermeil.Torry Holt, Marshall Faulk, Isaac Bruce, Az-Zahir Hakim, Leonard Little, Grant Wistrom, Orlando Pace, Jeff Wilkins, Kurt Warner, and Adam Timmerman, among others, were all drafted or otherwise acquired by Dick Vermeil, not Mike Martz. True, under Mike Martz, this has been a very good team. But with the talent on this team in 2000, it should have won more than one Super Bowl. In 1999, the Rams had 6 Pro Bowlers. This is an incredible number, and reflects the astonishing amount of talent they had after their 1999 Super Bowl win. In 2000, the Rams still had 4 Pro Bowlers-all on offense-showing that the Rams offensive core was still in its prime and able to produce. In 2001, the Rams had 5 Pro Bowlers, again reflecting the amount of talent on the team. I could go on, but this is enough to show that the Rams had amazing talent through the Mike Martz years. The same level of talent that they had in 1999, they had in 2000 and 2001. Yet they never won another Super Bowl. At least part of the blame for this has to go to Mike Martz.In 1999, the Rams had the number one scoring offense in the league and the fourth ranked defense, leading to a 13-3 record. The next year, the Rams ranked first in scoring offense and 31st in defense, leading to a 10-6 record. They ranked 31st in defense despite not losing any key defensive personnel. This can be at least partially attributed to Mike Martz's ascension to head coach. He's an offense first guy; defense is simply not important to him. In fact, his defenses have ranked in the top 10 just once during his reign, despite being handed one of the top defenses in the NFL.Now let's see if Dick Vermeil's offenses suffered without the services of Mike Martz. In his first year, Vermeil inherited the 9th ranked scoring offense. Because of player losses, the offense was ranked 16th the next year. After one year of rebuilding, the team offense was ranked first, first, and second in the succeeding years. So was the Rams offensive success Vermeil's doing or Martz's?Basically, Mike Martz has been able to have good teams because of the incredible talent base he inherited. He has not drafted well, so he has not been able to significantly replenish his stock of talent. Within a few years, when the older core players begin to retire, his team will begin to fall apart. You can only ride someone else's coattails for so long. Sooner or later, Mike Martz will be exposed for what he is: a good offensive coordinator who is just not cut out to be a head coach. I just wish someone would have realized this sooner; with the core the Rams had, they could have won 2 more Super Bowls.Vikas Paruchuri is a sports columnist who writes on the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. He maintains a website at http://www.thehomefield.com with sports analysis and opinion columns.
Category : Recreation-and-Sports
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