It is a sad fact that there are many disabled people you would find in everyday society. But you have to understand that just because they are disabled and they have to use wheelchairs and such, this does not mean that they are confined to the very pieces of equipment that they use daily. This is why there is the need for accessibility equipment. In its most basic form, accessibility equipment refers to the range of products that have been specially designed and directed towards the removal of access barriers for disabled people. To the ordinary person, the mere act of walking up the stairs may be something he or she would take for granted. But for the man in the wheelchair, this can actually be perceived as a hindrance to freedom. But with accessibility equipment, this can be remedied easily. Accessibility equipment actually includes platform lifts.
Platform lifts are very useful, especially when you are dealing with buildings that have stairs, entrances that are raised, and inclines that are steep. The installation of platform lifts is not actually limited to the residential setting because public buildings are actually mandated to provide these for disabled citizens as well.
With platform lifts, the disabled can now do without the uncomfortable situation of having to deal with access barriers. In fact, these access barriers can virtually be removed off the equation altogether now! Libraries, churches, schools, offices, and other public buildings are now equipped with cost-effective platform lifts. What's more, with platform lifts, space would no longer be an issue, as well as budgetary constraints.
When you are considering installing your very own platform lift, you actually have several options. These include inclined platform lifts and vertical platform lifts. Inclined platform lifts comes with a platform that is specially designed to travel along what is known as a guard rail on staircases. It does not matter whether the staircase at hand is curved or straight. With the inclined platform lift, disabled people can easily gain access to two or more landings. This type of lift can be used indoors and outdoors as well.
Vertical platform lifts, on the other hand, is a device that is actually freestanding. It is designed vertically lift disabled person from the ground to higher landings. At most, vertical platform lifts can actually handle 750 lbs. so; you really do not have anything to worry about when you are using this type of platform lift. In fact, a lot of people actually prefer to install this platform lift because not much space is needed for it. Plus, it is relatively cheaper to install as well.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Ortho Evra - The Facts Women Should Know
Ortho Evra, commonly known as "the patch," is a form of contraception for women. The biggest difference in Ortho Evra and other types of birth control is that it is used as a patch, similar to a sticker that is placed on strategic areas of the woman's body. Three patches are used for a period of three weeks, one patch per week, and the fourth week is patch free and when the women receives her period. Lots of women began using the Ortho Evra patch as soon as it was approved in 2001 as a form of contraception because it was easier to remember to change the patch once per week than to take the pill every single day. However, there are more facts about Ortho Evra than simply how it is used and its convenience factor.
How Does Ortho Evra Work?
Ortho Evra is a small and thin flesh colored patch. Basically, it is like a square sticker that is easily applied to the skin. Once applied to the skin the Ortho Evra patch emits the hormones progestin and estrogen. These hormones are released gradually over the week period the patch is applied. The hormones enter the woman's bloodstream and provide significant protection against contraception.
For the Ortho Evra patch to be as effective as possible then the woman needs to use it exactly as prescribed. This includes changing the patch every week on the same day. As long as the Ortho Evra patch is used as prescribed it provides women a 99% rate of effectiveness at preventing pregnancy. That is to say that one woman out of every 100 women using the Ortho Evra patch perfectly will become pregnant. This is very similar to the contraception rate of the birth control pill.
Warnings
Ortho Evra is a great option for birth control. However, it is not a great option for every woman especially those who smoke. Smoking while using hormonal contraceptives like Ortho Evra increases the risk of cardiovascular side effects significantly. Additionally, the risk of cardiovascular side effects increases even more with more than 15 cigarettes per day and with age. Women over 35 who smoke heavily are in the highest risk category.
Women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant should not use the patch. Likewise, women who have a history of cardiac disease, heart attack, or stroke should not use Ortho Evra. Some other health problems that make using the patch dangerous include cancer of the cervix, uterus, breast, or vagina. Also, extremely high blood pressure, Hepatitis, blood clots in the legs, eyes, or lungs, as well as liver problems or headaches with neurological problems are health problems that should prevent women from using the Ortho Evra patch.
Another important issue regarding Ortho Evra is that it is strictly a contraceptive. It in no way protects against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. As a result, users of Ortho Evra must protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases in other ways.
Recalls
Ortho Evra became available in 2001 and millions of women found the new transdermal form of birth control a godsend. However, by 2005 concerns were raised about Ortho Evra and how it might raise the risk of women dying from a blood clot. There are 17 deaths associated with the Ortho Evra patch where young and healthy women died from a blood clot. Another five deaths from heart attack and stroke have been associated with Ortho Evra. Reportedly, the women who died were all healthy and had no history of blood clots or cardiac problems prior to using the birth control patch.
Researchers and doctors are not completely sure of the death claims from the Ortho Evra patch. As a result, more investigations are planned to determine if Ortho Evra indeed carries an increased risk of death associated with blood clots and heart attacks. There have been some findings that find the risk for blood clots is three in 200,000 for Ortho Evra users and one in 200,000 for pill users.
Final Thoughts
Reading this information you might wonder whether Ortho Evra is the best form of birth control for you. The best way to determine the best contraceptive for your lifestyle is to have an open and honest discussion with your gynecologist. Your current state of health as well as health risks will be reviewed before determining if Ortho Evra is the right birth control for you.
How Does Ortho Evra Work?
Ortho Evra is a small and thin flesh colored patch. Basically, it is like a square sticker that is easily applied to the skin. Once applied to the skin the Ortho Evra patch emits the hormones progestin and estrogen. These hormones are released gradually over the week period the patch is applied. The hormones enter the woman's bloodstream and provide significant protection against contraception.
For the Ortho Evra patch to be as effective as possible then the woman needs to use it exactly as prescribed. This includes changing the patch every week on the same day. As long as the Ortho Evra patch is used as prescribed it provides women a 99% rate of effectiveness at preventing pregnancy. That is to say that one woman out of every 100 women using the Ortho Evra patch perfectly will become pregnant. This is very similar to the contraception rate of the birth control pill.
Warnings
Ortho Evra is a great option for birth control. However, it is not a great option for every woman especially those who smoke. Smoking while using hormonal contraceptives like Ortho Evra increases the risk of cardiovascular side effects significantly. Additionally, the risk of cardiovascular side effects increases even more with more than 15 cigarettes per day and with age. Women over 35 who smoke heavily are in the highest risk category.
Women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant should not use the patch. Likewise, women who have a history of cardiac disease, heart attack, or stroke should not use Ortho Evra. Some other health problems that make using the patch dangerous include cancer of the cervix, uterus, breast, or vagina. Also, extremely high blood pressure, Hepatitis, blood clots in the legs, eyes, or lungs, as well as liver problems or headaches with neurological problems are health problems that should prevent women from using the Ortho Evra patch.
Another important issue regarding Ortho Evra is that it is strictly a contraceptive. It in no way protects against HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. As a result, users of Ortho Evra must protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases in other ways.
Recalls
Ortho Evra became available in 2001 and millions of women found the new transdermal form of birth control a godsend. However, by 2005 concerns were raised about Ortho Evra and how it might raise the risk of women dying from a blood clot. There are 17 deaths associated with the Ortho Evra patch where young and healthy women died from a blood clot. Another five deaths from heart attack and stroke have been associated with Ortho Evra. Reportedly, the women who died were all healthy and had no history of blood clots or cardiac problems prior to using the birth control patch.
Researchers and doctors are not completely sure of the death claims from the Ortho Evra patch. As a result, more investigations are planned to determine if Ortho Evra indeed carries an increased risk of death associated with blood clots and heart attacks. There have been some findings that find the risk for blood clots is three in 200,000 for Ortho Evra users and one in 200,000 for pill users.
Final Thoughts
Reading this information you might wonder whether Ortho Evra is the best form of birth control for you. The best way to determine the best contraceptive for your lifestyle is to have an open and honest discussion with your gynecologist. Your current state of health as well as health risks will be reviewed before determining if Ortho Evra is the right birth control for you.
How to Keep Food Fresh Naturally
How many times have we brought food and then forgotten about it only to remember it because it begins to stink? Against this, you cannot do anything, but you can ensure that your food lasts longer and keeps fresh.
How?
There are many things you can do, such as regularly clean your refrigerator and regularly check the food in there and also that you keep in the cupboards or anywhere else. But its not just about checking them. This cannot prevent anything. All you will be doing is throwing away food items before they stink up the entire kitchen. So, what can you do to keep the food fresh?
Practical List of Tips for Ensuring Food is Cleaner and Fresher:
1) Spread some cloves on and around the marble surface of your kitchen, and also spread some cloves under the sink.
Why?
The Cloves keeps ants away.
2) Place some bay leaves inside your bags of dough, rice and the rest of the packs that insects prefer.
Why?
Bay leaves keep insects and other such lice away from food products. By placing bay leaves inside the packets, we ensure that insects do not reside there. But please remember to change the bay leaves once every three months.
3) Place half a potato in the refrigerator.
Why?
If there is any kind of bad smell from food or cooked items, the half potato will absorb it. To make sure that this works, remember to exchange the potato every three days.
4) Store eggs with the pointed side down.
Why?
Storing eggs with the pointed side down keeps them fresh for a longer period.
5) Place a few cubes of sugar in the jar where you store American cheese.
Why?
When you place two or three cubes of sugar with the American cheese in an air tight jar, the sugar absorbs the moisture and prevents the cheese from getting bad.
6) Do not store tomatoes and cucumbers in the same draw.
Why?
Tomatoes give out gases that cause cucumbers to rot faster so make sure that you keep these two apart.
7) Do not store apples along with the rest of the fruits and vegetables.
Why?
Apples give out certain gases that cause fruits and vegetables to rot.
8) Place slices of apples or raw potatoes in the bread compartment or jar.
Why?
By adding a few slices of raw potatoes or apples with the bread, you ensure that the bread remains fresh for longer than usual.
9) Store radish in a vessel along with some water.
Why?
You should store radish in a vessel along with water because water will keep the radish fresh and crisp for a long time. For the same reason, if the radishes have shriveled, place them in a jar of cold water. Water will restore the radish to its previous splendor.
Conclusion:
Here, I have presented only a few of the more practical actions you should follow to ensure that the food you and your family consume remains fresh and tasty.
How?
There are many things you can do, such as regularly clean your refrigerator and regularly check the food in there and also that you keep in the cupboards or anywhere else. But its not just about checking them. This cannot prevent anything. All you will be doing is throwing away food items before they stink up the entire kitchen. So, what can you do to keep the food fresh?
Practical List of Tips for Ensuring Food is Cleaner and Fresher:
1) Spread some cloves on and around the marble surface of your kitchen, and also spread some cloves under the sink.
Why?
The Cloves keeps ants away.
2) Place some bay leaves inside your bags of dough, rice and the rest of the packs that insects prefer.
Why?
Bay leaves keep insects and other such lice away from food products. By placing bay leaves inside the packets, we ensure that insects do not reside there. But please remember to change the bay leaves once every three months.
3) Place half a potato in the refrigerator.
Why?
If there is any kind of bad smell from food or cooked items, the half potato will absorb it. To make sure that this works, remember to exchange the potato every three days.
4) Store eggs with the pointed side down.
Why?
Storing eggs with the pointed side down keeps them fresh for a longer period.
5) Place a few cubes of sugar in the jar where you store American cheese.
Why?
When you place two or three cubes of sugar with the American cheese in an air tight jar, the sugar absorbs the moisture and prevents the cheese from getting bad.
6) Do not store tomatoes and cucumbers in the same draw.
Why?
Tomatoes give out gases that cause cucumbers to rot faster so make sure that you keep these two apart.
7) Do not store apples along with the rest of the fruits and vegetables.
Why?
Apples give out certain gases that cause fruits and vegetables to rot.
8) Place slices of apples or raw potatoes in the bread compartment or jar.
Why?
By adding a few slices of raw potatoes or apples with the bread, you ensure that the bread remains fresh for longer than usual.
9) Store radish in a vessel along with some water.
Why?
You should store radish in a vessel along with water because water will keep the radish fresh and crisp for a long time. For the same reason, if the radishes have shriveled, place them in a jar of cold water. Water will restore the radish to its previous splendor.
Conclusion:
Here, I have presented only a few of the more practical actions you should follow to ensure that the food you and your family consume remains fresh and tasty.
Convenient Cell Phone Chargers for Nokia 5300 Xpress
July 24, 2007 ---With so many new cell phone models coming out each month it is hard to find all the accessories that you need once you have obtained that dream cell phone of yours. The most important accessory that you will need is a charger to keep that battery full so you can talk, play games, text message, watch clips, or connect to the internet.
To find the right chargers is not easy, but http://www.101cells.com has the complete list of chargers for each new cellular model. http://www.101cells.com has a variety of charger ranging from the original chargers made by Samsung, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia, Siemens, Nextel, Sanyo, LG, Sony Ericsson, and Audiovox. The site also carries the less expensive version of the charges that provides the same kind of function and durability.
Some new models that there are new chargers for are: Samsung m300 Nokia N 95 Sony Ericsson K790a LG VX9900 LG CU500 X9900 Nokia N80 AT&T 8255 LG KE850 Blackberry 8300 etc.
If you need a battery to accompany the charger that you need, http://www.101cells.com has that too. There is a complete inventory of cell phone batteries available on the site for all the new cellular models as well as the older models. http://www.101cells.com offers you all that you need in one convenient place
To find the right chargers is not easy, but http://www.101cells.com has the complete list of chargers for each new cellular model. http://www.101cells.com has a variety of charger ranging from the original chargers made by Samsung, Motorola, Kyocera, Nokia, Siemens, Nextel, Sanyo, LG, Sony Ericsson, and Audiovox. The site also carries the less expensive version of the charges that provides the same kind of function and durability.
Some new models that there are new chargers for are: Samsung m300 Nokia N 95 Sony Ericsson K790a LG VX9900 LG CU500 X9900 Nokia N80 AT&T 8255 LG KE850 Blackberry 8300 etc.
If you need a battery to accompany the charger that you need, http://www.101cells.com has that too. There is a complete inventory of cell phone batteries available on the site for all the new cellular models as well as the older models. http://www.101cells.com offers you all that you need in one convenient place
The Verve Intellectual Property Case: A Bittersweet Example
Intellectual property's tentacles are long and strong. Maybe the largest battlefield in IP is the music industry. Composer, producers, interpreters and license owners might get unexpectedly involved in legal battles regarding the misuse or abuse of a song of their property. Sometimes it is just something as little as a sample of the song but are legal frictions can deal with millions and millions of dollars.
Time is not an issue to underestimate when dealing with Intellectual Property. If by any chance, you use a song that was written forty years ago, and one of its owners is still alive, he/she can claim unfair use and suddenly, legal lawsuits can flood your desk. When working with someone else's work, you should be extremely careful, no matter if you already got permission to use it.
In 1997, the British band The Verve sampled an orchestration in one of their songs, "Bittersweet Symphony", from the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time". Prior the release of the album, the group did the proper negotiations concerning the license agreement with the Rolling Stones to utilize the sample. When the album came out, the song was a complete hit and reached number 23 on the Billboard Charts. After the sudden success of the song, the Rolling Stones argued that The Verve violated their license agreement because they use too much of the sample in their song. The Rolling Stones ended up collecting 100% of the loyalties of the song. Members of The Verve argued that the Stones got greedy when they noticed the sudden success of "Bittersweet Symphony"
As a result, the Rolling Stones sold the rights over the "Bittersweet Symphony" and it became part of many commercials and publicities. Allen Klein, Rolling Stones' manager licensed the song to Nike and to Vauxhall automobiles. Both brands utilize the melody for multi-million dollar television campaigns. Even worse, when the song was nominated for a Grammy, The Verve was not named as a nominee, but Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were. This is just a little example of moral rights dealing with intellectual property. The song hit top of the charts and not one members of The Verve enjoyed a cent of its success.
If these types of situations happen with amazing groups, who supposedly are not interested in more money, anything can happen to regular people who may get exposed to these inconveniences. Get acquainted with the respective regulations and laws so that no economical issues may come up in case you are planning to use someone else's inspiration!
Time is not an issue to underestimate when dealing with Intellectual Property. If by any chance, you use a song that was written forty years ago, and one of its owners is still alive, he/she can claim unfair use and suddenly, legal lawsuits can flood your desk. When working with someone else's work, you should be extremely careful, no matter if you already got permission to use it.
In 1997, the British band The Verve sampled an orchestration in one of their songs, "Bittersweet Symphony", from the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time". Prior the release of the album, the group did the proper negotiations concerning the license agreement with the Rolling Stones to utilize the sample. When the album came out, the song was a complete hit and reached number 23 on the Billboard Charts. After the sudden success of the song, the Rolling Stones argued that The Verve violated their license agreement because they use too much of the sample in their song. The Rolling Stones ended up collecting 100% of the loyalties of the song. Members of The Verve argued that the Stones got greedy when they noticed the sudden success of "Bittersweet Symphony"
As a result, the Rolling Stones sold the rights over the "Bittersweet Symphony" and it became part of many commercials and publicities. Allen Klein, Rolling Stones' manager licensed the song to Nike and to Vauxhall automobiles. Both brands utilize the melody for multi-million dollar television campaigns. Even worse, when the song was nominated for a Grammy, The Verve was not named as a nominee, but Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were. This is just a little example of moral rights dealing with intellectual property. The song hit top of the charts and not one members of The Verve enjoyed a cent of its success.
If these types of situations happen with amazing groups, who supposedly are not interested in more money, anything can happen to regular people who may get exposed to these inconveniences. Get acquainted with the respective regulations and laws so that no economical issues may come up in case you are planning to use someone else's inspiration!
How to get your husband to cancel his weekly poker game
Over the past few years it always bothered me that my husband would go play poker with his friends every Friday night. Whenever I complained that it would be nice to spend time with my husband on Friday, he just complains that this is the only time he gets to be with his friends.
I decided I had to come up with a way to make him choose me over his poker buddies so I tried many different things, at first I tried by asking him to stay home so we could have sex all night. That worked a few times but then he caught on to what I was doing.
I also tried finding different events that he may want to go to like action movies, car shows and other things of that nature but there were not always things to do, so that was another failed attempt.
But after 6 months of trying I had just about given up, finally at my wits end I decided that maybe I could get real good fast I could challenge him to a game and if I won he had to stop going to his game, and if he won I would pay for him to go to Vegas I spent every spare moment I had reading everything I could find online about Texas Holdem. Eventually I decided to go online and practice at some Video Poker.
Eventually I started playing for real cash Online, and once or twice while he was at his game I would drive to one of the local casinos and play for a few hours in their poker rooms.
Finally I felt I was good enough to make the challenge. So one night I told him that I wanted him to stop going to his Friday night games and to stay home with me, as I had expected it started a big argument. I waited until he made his speech about working hard and needing some "guy" time.
So I felt this was my time to strike, I asked him if he would at least allow me to come and watch the game, to which he replied that players only as the rule and that since I did not know how to play I could not go.
So I said if he could do it how hard can it be that really got him going, so he then asked me if I wanted to make the game a little interesting with a little bet. Now I had exactly what I wanted.
I said if he won I would pay for him to go to Las Vegas alone, he did not know I had made some good money playing poker recently, and if I won he would give up his seat in his regular Friday night game.
He looked at me suspiciously at first and I thought he was not going to risk it but he said ok. He ran to the closet and grabbed his chips we each started of with $100 in chips and agreed the first one out is the loser.
Well in the end it was me that lost, but he was so excited at how good I was that he did stop going to his Friday night game, now every Friday night we go and play together at the casino. We have been doing this for 2 years now and our relationship has never been this good.
Sometimes it really is better to try to get interested in his hobby.
I decided I had to come up with a way to make him choose me over his poker buddies so I tried many different things, at first I tried by asking him to stay home so we could have sex all night. That worked a few times but then he caught on to what I was doing.
I also tried finding different events that he may want to go to like action movies, car shows and other things of that nature but there were not always things to do, so that was another failed attempt.
But after 6 months of trying I had just about given up, finally at my wits end I decided that maybe I could get real good fast I could challenge him to a game and if I won he had to stop going to his game, and if he won I would pay for him to go to Vegas I spent every spare moment I had reading everything I could find online about Texas Holdem. Eventually I decided to go online and practice at some Video Poker.
Eventually I started playing for real cash Online, and once or twice while he was at his game I would drive to one of the local casinos and play for a few hours in their poker rooms.
Finally I felt I was good enough to make the challenge. So one night I told him that I wanted him to stop going to his Friday night games and to stay home with me, as I had expected it started a big argument. I waited until he made his speech about working hard and needing some "guy" time.
So I felt this was my time to strike, I asked him if he would at least allow me to come and watch the game, to which he replied that players only as the rule and that since I did not know how to play I could not go.
So I said if he could do it how hard can it be that really got him going, so he then asked me if I wanted to make the game a little interesting with a little bet. Now I had exactly what I wanted.
I said if he won I would pay for him to go to Las Vegas alone, he did not know I had made some good money playing poker recently, and if I won he would give up his seat in his regular Friday night game.
He looked at me suspiciously at first and I thought he was not going to risk it but he said ok. He ran to the closet and grabbed his chips we each started of with $100 in chips and agreed the first one out is the loser.
Well in the end it was me that lost, but he was so excited at how good I was that he did stop going to his Friday night game, now every Friday night we go and play together at the casino. We have been doing this for 2 years now and our relationship has never been this good.
Sometimes it really is better to try to get interested in his hobby.
Online Dating Safety Tips
There's thrill, excitement, and nervousness when meeting someone you met over the Net for the first time. But, you must exercise caution when meeting someone you barely know.
Below are some tips to guide you safely when dating.
1. Make arrangements when meeting. Do not let the person pick you up from your house.
2. You should meet in places where there are many people or you can ask for help if your date gives you trouble. Public places such as malls or daytime parks are good places to begin with. If it is possible, you could go double or group date.
3. When you are eating in a restaurant or café, go Dutch. Pay half of the bill. In that way, you won't feel obliged in returning the favor of treating your date if he or she gets to pay the whole bill.
4. If possible, avoid drinking alcohol while on a date. Alcohol could affect your judgment and lessen inhibitions. If you are drinking, keep the drink in your sight all the time. Do not get too drunk. You might not know what might happen later or remember what you have been doing.
5. If you have a car, use it. Make sure the gas tank is full.
6. Assuming that your date is safe just because he or she claims to be religious is wrong. For all you know, he or she may have a hidden side you still do not know
7. Do not let any first-time date know where your house is. If you plan in seeing your date the second time, arrange for another date and assess from there if he or she should know where you live.
8. At night, avoid going to secluded, dark areas like parks or dimly lit places.
9. Listen to what your gut says. If there is something that does not feel right, then most likely, it is not. Leave immediately if you feel something isn't quite right.
10. Tell someone whom you are with and where you will be going. You might also want to arrange a time schedule where someone could call you later and check up on you. You could also plan to meet some friends after the date.
11. Do not give your home contact number. If you really have to give contact information, give your mobile phone number.
12. Stay alert. Having good chemistry and fun the whole time does not mean you should let your guard down. Be sure you have a cell phone with you.
Online dating may be fun, but your safety should be your primary concern.
Below are some tips to guide you safely when dating.
1. Make arrangements when meeting. Do not let the person pick you up from your house.
2. You should meet in places where there are many people or you can ask for help if your date gives you trouble. Public places such as malls or daytime parks are good places to begin with. If it is possible, you could go double or group date.
3. When you are eating in a restaurant or café, go Dutch. Pay half of the bill. In that way, you won't feel obliged in returning the favor of treating your date if he or she gets to pay the whole bill.
4. If possible, avoid drinking alcohol while on a date. Alcohol could affect your judgment and lessen inhibitions. If you are drinking, keep the drink in your sight all the time. Do not get too drunk. You might not know what might happen later or remember what you have been doing.
5. If you have a car, use it. Make sure the gas tank is full.
6. Assuming that your date is safe just because he or she claims to be religious is wrong. For all you know, he or she may have a hidden side you still do not know
7. Do not let any first-time date know where your house is. If you plan in seeing your date the second time, arrange for another date and assess from there if he or she should know where you live.
8. At night, avoid going to secluded, dark areas like parks or dimly lit places.
9. Listen to what your gut says. If there is something that does not feel right, then most likely, it is not. Leave immediately if you feel something isn't quite right.
10. Tell someone whom you are with and where you will be going. You might also want to arrange a time schedule where someone could call you later and check up on you. You could also plan to meet some friends after the date.
11. Do not give your home contact number. If you really have to give contact information, give your mobile phone number.
12. Stay alert. Having good chemistry and fun the whole time does not mean you should let your guard down. Be sure you have a cell phone with you.
Online dating may be fun, but your safety should be your primary concern.
No Bucks Business Start ups
There are literally hundreds of free home based business opportunity listings on the Internet – some legitimate, some not. While it's not necessarily the case that there is no cost involved, they are offered as a free home based business opportunity because there is no upfront fee to be paid to the firm offering the opportunity.
This doesn't necessarily make them legitimate home based business opportunities just because they're free, nor does not being free indicate that a home based business opportunity is not legitimate. In fact, if someone wishes to start his or her own home business and build their own creative idea into a successful venture it will cost money to start.
One of the best ways to get started for free in a home based business opportunity is to start small as an online merchant at one of the major auction sites. The first step in this venture is for the budding entrepreneur to simply take a look around the house, the office and the garage to see what is not in use and what might bring in some cash if put up for sale. The trick to making this start up venture free at the outset is to find what is already available, use it as the basis of the home based business opportunity and then take the sale proceeds to start buying up other items to sell. Of course, the trick is buying cheap and selling higher.<
The skills needed to start this home based business opportunity for free are not extensive at all. In fact, most online merchant and auction sites will walk the entrepreneur right through the process. The general step by step is to first supply the site administrator with banking and credit or debit account information and then sign up for online payment resources such as PayPal. There is generally an online form to fill out about the item or items to be sold, and then the choice of setting fixed prices for the item, using an online store dedicated to this seller, allowing the auction format or any combination of these options.
The merchant site has categories from which to choose. The seller writes the title for the listing, the description of the products being sold, and can add photos. Pricing must be chosen as well as the duration of each listing. Another thing that's important with this free home business opportunity is to reveal to consumers the city and state in which the items are houses.
Starting out for free on an online merchant site with items already available is a great option for a budding entrepreneur who doesn't have a ton of upfront financial resources.
This doesn't necessarily make them legitimate home based business opportunities just because they're free, nor does not being free indicate that a home based business opportunity is not legitimate. In fact, if someone wishes to start his or her own home business and build their own creative idea into a successful venture it will cost money to start.
One of the best ways to get started for free in a home based business opportunity is to start small as an online merchant at one of the major auction sites. The first step in this venture is for the budding entrepreneur to simply take a look around the house, the office and the garage to see what is not in use and what might bring in some cash if put up for sale. The trick to making this start up venture free at the outset is to find what is already available, use it as the basis of the home based business opportunity and then take the sale proceeds to start buying up other items to sell. Of course, the trick is buying cheap and selling higher.<
The skills needed to start this home based business opportunity for free are not extensive at all. In fact, most online merchant and auction sites will walk the entrepreneur right through the process. The general step by step is to first supply the site administrator with banking and credit or debit account information and then sign up for online payment resources such as PayPal. There is generally an online form to fill out about the item or items to be sold, and then the choice of setting fixed prices for the item, using an online store dedicated to this seller, allowing the auction format or any combination of these options.
The merchant site has categories from which to choose. The seller writes the title for the listing, the description of the products being sold, and can add photos. Pricing must be chosen as well as the duration of each listing. Another thing that's important with this free home business opportunity is to reveal to consumers the city and state in which the items are houses.
Starting out for free on an online merchant site with items already available is a great option for a budding entrepreneur who doesn't have a ton of upfront financial resources.
4 Benefits of Long Term Trading vs Short Term Trading
Both short term trading and long term trading can be effective trading strategies, however, long term trading has several significant advantages. These include the effect of compounding, the opportunity to earn from dividends, reduction of the impact of price fluctuations, the ability to make corrections in a more timely manner, less time spent monitoring stocks.
1. Compounding
Time can be investor's best friend because it gives compounding time to work its magic. Compounding is the mathematical process where interest on your money in turn earns interest and is added to your principal.
2. Dividends
Holding a stock to take advantage of payouts from dividends is another way to increase the value of an investment. Some companies offer the ability to reinvest dividends with additional share purchases thereby increasing the overall value of your investment. Additionally, dividends are more a reflection of a company's overall business strategy and success than volatile price fluctuations based on market emotions.
3. Reduction Of The Impact Of Price Fluctuations
In the long term investment the persons is less affected by short term volatility. The market tends to address all factors that keep changing in the short term. So a person involved in long term investment or trading will not be affected as much by short term instability due to factors such as liquidity, fancy of a particular sector or stock which may make the price of a stock over or undervalued. In the long term, good stocks which may have been affected due to some other factors (in the short term) will give better than average returns
Long-term investors, particularly those who invest in a diversified portfolio, can ride out down markets without dramatically affecting his or her ability to reach their goals.
4. Making Corrections
It is highly likely that you could achieve a constant return over a long period. The reality is that there will be times when your investments earn less and other times when you make a lot of money in short term. There may also be times when you lose money in short term but as you are in quality stocks and have long perspective of investment you will earn good returns over a period of time.
There are always times when some stocks do not perform and it is the wise choice to pull out of an investment. With a long term perspective based on quality stocks, it is easier to make decisions to change in a more timely manner without the urgency that accompanies short term and day trading strategies chasing volatile changes.
Investors that begin early and stay in the market have a much better chance of riding out the bad times and capitalizing on the periods when the market is rising by taking a longer term view using long term trading strategies.
1. Compounding
Time can be investor's best friend because it gives compounding time to work its magic. Compounding is the mathematical process where interest on your money in turn earns interest and is added to your principal.
2. Dividends
Holding a stock to take advantage of payouts from dividends is another way to increase the value of an investment. Some companies offer the ability to reinvest dividends with additional share purchases thereby increasing the overall value of your investment. Additionally, dividends are more a reflection of a company's overall business strategy and success than volatile price fluctuations based on market emotions.
3. Reduction Of The Impact Of Price Fluctuations
In the long term investment the persons is less affected by short term volatility. The market tends to address all factors that keep changing in the short term. So a person involved in long term investment or trading will not be affected as much by short term instability due to factors such as liquidity, fancy of a particular sector or stock which may make the price of a stock over or undervalued. In the long term, good stocks which may have been affected due to some other factors (in the short term) will give better than average returns
Long-term investors, particularly those who invest in a diversified portfolio, can ride out down markets without dramatically affecting his or her ability to reach their goals.
4. Making Corrections
It is highly likely that you could achieve a constant return over a long period. The reality is that there will be times when your investments earn less and other times when you make a lot of money in short term. There may also be times when you lose money in short term but as you are in quality stocks and have long perspective of investment you will earn good returns over a period of time.
There are always times when some stocks do not perform and it is the wise choice to pull out of an investment. With a long term perspective based on quality stocks, it is easier to make decisions to change in a more timely manner without the urgency that accompanies short term and day trading strategies chasing volatile changes.
Investors that begin early and stay in the market have a much better chance of riding out the bad times and capitalizing on the periods when the market is rising by taking a longer term view using long term trading strategies.
Dump Your Speeches For Leadership Talks!
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required: mail to: brent@actionleadership.com
Word count: 600.
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help him develop a talk he planned to give to several hundred of his top executives. He said, "I feel as if I'm Daniel going into the lion's den."
Indeed, it was the business equivalent of a lion's den that he was entering. Hired from a competing firm, he was a stranger to the company, a company hobbled by declining market share and bad morale caused by the arbitrary actions of the previous CEO, an isolated dictator.
"This is the first time most of them will see and hear me," he said. "I'll give a presentation on the state of the business."
"Hold on," I said. "Don't give a presentation. Give a Leadership Talk instead."
There is a difference, I explained, between a presentation/speech and a Leadership Talk. A presentation/speech communicates information, but a Leadership Talk not only communicates information but makes a deep, emotional, human connection with the audience.
Most leaders give presentations and speeches most of the time when they should be giving Leadership Talks.
"You're facing an important leadership situation," I said. "The old saying, 'You never get a second chance to make a first impression' applies here in spades. You've got a great Leadership Talk opportunity. But to have people believe in you and follow you, they must be emotionally committed to you and what you say. So understand what their emotional needs are."
I went out into the field and talked to a number of his managers and found out that they were feeling intimidated by the demands of increasingly sophisticated customers. I found out that they feared not being supported in the decisions they made in the field. I learned that they were angry at having to meet what they considered unnecessary reporting requirements. I learned that they didn't trust the top executives.
Intimidation, fear, anger, distrust . . . those emotions described the state of his audience and, in truth, the state of the business.
The CEO gave a Leadership Talk that spoke to and answered the needs of those emotions, a talk based on the single idea that he was a person that they could trust.
That Leadership Talk marked the beginning of a turnaround for that company.
The lesson: Analyze and speak to the emotion of a situation, and you can become a dramatically more effective leader.
Make that analysis happen this way:
* Know the difference between a presentation/speech and Leadership Talk then view every speaking situation you encounter as either a presentation/speech situation or a Leadership Talk situation.
* Know that you rarely give presentation/speeches and that The Leadership Talk should be your primary leadership communication tool.
* Analyze the emotions of your audience by asking what they feel at the time you speak, what they fear, what angers them, what inspires them.
* Structure your talk around emotional-talking points. For instance, list three things that angers your audience. Make those things the main headings of your talk.
* Speak to them about their emotions. Tell them, for instance, that you realize they are angry and what they are angry about. Tell them what you realize they are feeling.
Speak thus, and you are revealed in powerful motivational ways. Furthermore, they are revealed to themselves.
These revelations can create strong bonds between speakers and audiences.
Understand the speaking situation in terms of its emotional content, and you understand that situation in new ways. Understand it in new ways and you speak in new ways. And when you speak in new ways, your audience will act in new ways.
Word count: 600.
The CEO of a worldwide business asked me to help him develop a talk he planned to give to several hundred of his top executives. He said, "I feel as if I'm Daniel going into the lion's den."
Indeed, it was the business equivalent of a lion's den that he was entering. Hired from a competing firm, he was a stranger to the company, a company hobbled by declining market share and bad morale caused by the arbitrary actions of the previous CEO, an isolated dictator.
"This is the first time most of them will see and hear me," he said. "I'll give a presentation on the state of the business."
"Hold on," I said. "Don't give a presentation. Give a Leadership Talk instead."
There is a difference, I explained, between a presentation/speech and a Leadership Talk. A presentation/speech communicates information, but a Leadership Talk not only communicates information but makes a deep, emotional, human connection with the audience.
Most leaders give presentations and speeches most of the time when they should be giving Leadership Talks.
"You're facing an important leadership situation," I said. "The old saying, 'You never get a second chance to make a first impression' applies here in spades. You've got a great Leadership Talk opportunity. But to have people believe in you and follow you, they must be emotionally committed to you and what you say. So understand what their emotional needs are."
I went out into the field and talked to a number of his managers and found out that they were feeling intimidated by the demands of increasingly sophisticated customers. I found out that they feared not being supported in the decisions they made in the field. I learned that they were angry at having to meet what they considered unnecessary reporting requirements. I learned that they didn't trust the top executives.
Intimidation, fear, anger, distrust . . . those emotions described the state of his audience and, in truth, the state of the business.
The CEO gave a Leadership Talk that spoke to and answered the needs of those emotions, a talk based on the single idea that he was a person that they could trust.
That Leadership Talk marked the beginning of a turnaround for that company.
The lesson: Analyze and speak to the emotion of a situation, and you can become a dramatically more effective leader.
Make that analysis happen this way:
* Know the difference between a presentation/speech and Leadership Talk then view every speaking situation you encounter as either a presentation/speech situation or a Leadership Talk situation.
* Know that you rarely give presentation/speeches and that The Leadership Talk should be your primary leadership communication tool.
* Analyze the emotions of your audience by asking what they feel at the time you speak, what they fear, what angers them, what inspires them.
* Structure your talk around emotional-talking points. For instance, list three things that angers your audience. Make those things the main headings of your talk.
* Speak to them about their emotions. Tell them, for instance, that you realize they are angry and what they are angry about. Tell them what you realize they are feeling.
Speak thus, and you are revealed in powerful motivational ways. Furthermore, they are revealed to themselves.
These revelations can create strong bonds between speakers and audiences.
Understand the speaking situation in terms of its emotional content, and you understand that situation in new ways. Understand it in new ways and you speak in new ways. And when you speak in new ways, your audience will act in new ways.
The Demand for Sexier Halloween Costumes is Increasing Every Year
The trend toward sexier Halloween costumes has been skyrocketing in recent years. These outfits have surpassed children's costumes in demand, leading companies to increase their stock of these types of outfits by leaps and bounds. Large buyers are also asking for more and more of these costumes.
Whether it's the influence of shows like "Sex and the City" or the convergence of fashion even on holidays, sexy costumes are all the rage for all ages. These outfits are showing more leg and midriff, and sexy versions of classic characters are emerging. In addition, while many customers will put a cap on what they are willing to spend on costumes, they will often go the extra mile for the accessories needed to put the finishing touches on an outfit, such as wigs, eyelashes, nails and jewelry.
Fashionable and sexy are overlapping in all walks of life, and Halloween is no exception. Increasingly, contemporary styles are being reflected in Halloween costumes, and higher-quality fabrics and embellishments are being used. Fashion-conscious shoppers want to wow other party goers rather than scare them, and they know exactly what they want to accomplish this trick. Halloween has become less a holiday to these shoppers than a reason for putting their style on display. Where Halloween once existed in its own realm, it is now an event that has become in sync with style trends.
An area that will expand this year and in coming years is the middle ground. Parents and children will always disagree on what is tasteful and not, and even adults occasionally are at odds with what they feel comfortable wearing. Some customers just wan t to be flirty and playful, while others desire more revealing looks. The argument between what is too sexy and what is not sexy enough will linger, but companies are entering the fray by offering more costumes that lie somewhere in the middle.
The best news for customers is that, due to increased demand and competition among businesses that sell Halloween costumes, quality, creativity and choices are rising. The result is better and better costumes with more variety and size options-and the customer always wins in such situations.
Costume Party Shop has stayed ahead of the trend toward sexier Halloween costumes by compiling an enormous collection of sexy costume. We have outfits and accessories to fill all of your needs, plus a wealth of ideas for you to choose from. We're constantly updating our offerings to make sure that you'll be the talk of your next Halloween party.
Whether it's the influence of shows like "Sex and the City" or the convergence of fashion even on holidays, sexy costumes are all the rage for all ages. These outfits are showing more leg and midriff, and sexy versions of classic characters are emerging. In addition, while many customers will put a cap on what they are willing to spend on costumes, they will often go the extra mile for the accessories needed to put the finishing touches on an outfit, such as wigs, eyelashes, nails and jewelry.
Fashionable and sexy are overlapping in all walks of life, and Halloween is no exception. Increasingly, contemporary styles are being reflected in Halloween costumes, and higher-quality fabrics and embellishments are being used. Fashion-conscious shoppers want to wow other party goers rather than scare them, and they know exactly what they want to accomplish this trick. Halloween has become less a holiday to these shoppers than a reason for putting their style on display. Where Halloween once existed in its own realm, it is now an event that has become in sync with style trends.
An area that will expand this year and in coming years is the middle ground. Parents and children will always disagree on what is tasteful and not, and even adults occasionally are at odds with what they feel comfortable wearing. Some customers just wan t to be flirty and playful, while others desire more revealing looks. The argument between what is too sexy and what is not sexy enough will linger, but companies are entering the fray by offering more costumes that lie somewhere in the middle.
The best news for customers is that, due to increased demand and competition among businesses that sell Halloween costumes, quality, creativity and choices are rising. The result is better and better costumes with more variety and size options-and the customer always wins in such situations.
Costume Party Shop has stayed ahead of the trend toward sexier Halloween costumes by compiling an enormous collection of sexy costume. We have outfits and accessories to fill all of your needs, plus a wealth of ideas for you to choose from. We're constantly updating our offerings to make sure that you'll be the talk of your next Halloween party.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Mauled at the Mall!
I love shopping. Online, that is. No crowds at the malls and certainly no jostling for a parking space. Why would anyone want to traverse crowded New Jersey streets only to go to an equally crowded mall staffed by rude sales staff?
Okay, I'm exaggerating. There are plenty of nice people working at the malls and the internet doesn't give you the "touchy-feely" you can get at a store by examining a product up close and personal, but with so many nice downtown shopping areas in New Jersey why not visit one of these instead?
I grew up in Ridgewood and at that time it was a town with a real downtown. No slight against the village now, but there are a disproportionate amount of restaurants and not enough stores to choose from. At least give us guys a hardware store to browse in for crying out loud!
My Ridgewood memories bring me back to the time when Woolworth's and The Big Store dominated East Ridgewood Avenue. Woolworth's, as you know, was the nation's chief "5 and 10" store for many years in many American towns. By the time I was a kid growing up in the 1960s and 1970s there were precious few things selling for a nickel or even a dime. Except for goldfish, I think. What kid didn't at some point have a fifty cent glass fishbowl lined with green rocks on the bottom and one or two goldfish floating around? I know that I did. Woolworth's is gone, now just a memory.
Right next door to Woolworth's was The Big Store. All I know about it was that the store was as large as Woolworth's, it had wooden floors with fresh sawdust on it, and it seemed to sell mostly small appliances, tools, notions, linens, etc. Their stock seemed almost like what Woolworth's carried, but different. In the eyes of an eight year old, the stock didn't matter, what mattered was the sawdust on the floor. What mall today has sawdust on the floor? None that I have visited!
Without harping on Ridgewood or covering sketchy history, I still like certain downtowns. Montclair is my picture of an ideal shopping district. Maybe I should say, "districts" as the middle part of the township centered around Bloomfield Avenue isn't the only place to shop. Other notable shopping areas in Montclair can be found in the Watchung Plaza area as well as along Valley Road in Upper Montclair. All three areas have plenty of stores to choose from and two have a feature that I like best: in-town movie theatres! Yes, there is something about attending a movie in a building that was built years before you were born, where the walls are fairly thick and you don't hear the movie from the theatre next door while watching your movie. I particularly appreciate that once the movie is over I can visit art galleries nearby or go over to the coffee shop for something hot. Montclair offers all that and more
Glen Rock's downtown is special. Where else can you find a shopping district hemmed in by two railroad lines? In Glen Rock you can! The downtown area is a great place to walk around and they have some nice stores to boot, including hardware stores. While you are there, check out the rock in the glen just south of the business district located on Doremus Avenue at Rock Road. Cool, very cool.
Bloomfield's downtown lacks parking, but it doesn't lack potential. The townspeople are in the process of working on long term plans to build a parking garage and attract new businesses. My best guess is if they are successful in their efforts, Bloomfield will be a nice alternative to Montclair.
Over in Clifton is the Botany Village shopping district, near Passaic. Lots of nice little shops to visit and certainly a place that will remind old timers of shopping districts that have gone bye-bye!
I'm sure that I'll catch "heck" for not naming other towns, but that isn't the point of my short narrative. Rather, check out the shopping areas in nearby towns and see what they have to offer. It certainly beats being jammed in at the Willow-brook Mall or waiting in traffic on Route 4 in Paramus. Online shopping is a good alternative, but you still have to make your own coffee and, usually, what you can find downtown is a lot tastier.
Happy shopping!
Okay, I'm exaggerating. There are plenty of nice people working at the malls and the internet doesn't give you the "touchy-feely" you can get at a store by examining a product up close and personal, but with so many nice downtown shopping areas in New Jersey why not visit one of these instead?
I grew up in Ridgewood and at that time it was a town with a real downtown. No slight against the village now, but there are a disproportionate amount of restaurants and not enough stores to choose from. At least give us guys a hardware store to browse in for crying out loud!
My Ridgewood memories bring me back to the time when Woolworth's and The Big Store dominated East Ridgewood Avenue. Woolworth's, as you know, was the nation's chief "5 and 10" store for many years in many American towns. By the time I was a kid growing up in the 1960s and 1970s there were precious few things selling for a nickel or even a dime. Except for goldfish, I think. What kid didn't at some point have a fifty cent glass fishbowl lined with green rocks on the bottom and one or two goldfish floating around? I know that I did. Woolworth's is gone, now just a memory.
Right next door to Woolworth's was The Big Store. All I know about it was that the store was as large as Woolworth's, it had wooden floors with fresh sawdust on it, and it seemed to sell mostly small appliances, tools, notions, linens, etc. Their stock seemed almost like what Woolworth's carried, but different. In the eyes of an eight year old, the stock didn't matter, what mattered was the sawdust on the floor. What mall today has sawdust on the floor? None that I have visited!
Without harping on Ridgewood or covering sketchy history, I still like certain downtowns. Montclair is my picture of an ideal shopping district. Maybe I should say, "districts" as the middle part of the township centered around Bloomfield Avenue isn't the only place to shop. Other notable shopping areas in Montclair can be found in the Watchung Plaza area as well as along Valley Road in Upper Montclair. All three areas have plenty of stores to choose from and two have a feature that I like best: in-town movie theatres! Yes, there is something about attending a movie in a building that was built years before you were born, where the walls are fairly thick and you don't hear the movie from the theatre next door while watching your movie. I particularly appreciate that once the movie is over I can visit art galleries nearby or go over to the coffee shop for something hot. Montclair offers all that and more
Glen Rock's downtown is special. Where else can you find a shopping district hemmed in by two railroad lines? In Glen Rock you can! The downtown area is a great place to walk around and they have some nice stores to boot, including hardware stores. While you are there, check out the rock in the glen just south of the business district located on Doremus Avenue at Rock Road. Cool, very cool.
Bloomfield's downtown lacks parking, but it doesn't lack potential. The townspeople are in the process of working on long term plans to build a parking garage and attract new businesses. My best guess is if they are successful in their efforts, Bloomfield will be a nice alternative to Montclair.
Over in Clifton is the Botany Village shopping district, near Passaic. Lots of nice little shops to visit and certainly a place that will remind old timers of shopping districts that have gone bye-bye!
I'm sure that I'll catch "heck" for not naming other towns, but that isn't the point of my short narrative. Rather, check out the shopping areas in nearby towns and see what they have to offer. It certainly beats being jammed in at the Willow-brook Mall or waiting in traffic on Route 4 in Paramus. Online shopping is a good alternative, but you still have to make your own coffee and, usually, what you can find downtown is a lot tastier.
Happy shopping!
Obama and Rev. Wright a Bi-Racial Issue
The question, why Presidential Candidate Barrack Obama never left the church after Rev. Wright's statements, is not a black issue, but a bi-racial identity issue.
Growing up bi-racial has its own unique issues that are usually never discussed. Bi-racial individuals have a problem identifying "normally" with either race. We are caught in the middle and find ourselves struggling with who we are and with what race offers us acceptance.
My background is very similar to that of Barrack Obama. My love for a man that gave me clarity and hope is very similar to the love that Senator Obama has towards Rev. Wright. After discovering that we are black, and that acceptance by white people because our mothers are white is dispelled, we then had to learn how to be black. After years of searching for my place, I met a man who inspired me and taught me how to be a black man. In addition to teaching me how to be a black man, he also taught me how to be a caring and loving human being. He stressed the fact that I must be aware of how people view me and treat me, but how I view and treat them does not require that I take race into consideration. The absence of a male black figure in Senator Obama's childhood was filled by Reverend Wright in the same way that the gentleman who entered my life filled a void for me. I only knew what I would see on the streets and on television about being a black man. I knew that I didn't want to be a thug, and I could not be a professional athlete because of my lack of physical talent. I was educated and surrounded by white people who I knew would accept me only to a certain degree. It was not because they did not like me as a person. It would only be, in some cases, just because of my skin color. Where was my place in America?
My mentor taught me that I would be viewed and treated as a black man, irrespective of how I viewed myself. However, the defining of who I am as a person can only be done by me. He taught me not only how to be a proud black man, but also how to be a compassionate and understanding human. There were views that he had on issues with which I did not agree in the least bit. It did not in any way change how I viewed this man. I loved this man for giving me the keystone in which I was building my arch in life. This man took on the role of my father. The things that my father could not teach me were supplied to me through this man that I know, love and adore. He answered a question that I had been in search of all my life. The question that had kept me from being whole my entire life was now filled by this man. The hole I tried filling with money, sex, drugs and alcohol was now filled by this gentleman. Neither my mentor nor Rev. Wright (nor any of us, for that matter) is perfect.
Rev. Wright answered some of these same questions for Sen. Obama. When reading his book, Dreams from my Father, it was apparent that Senator Obama struggled with his identity. Sen. Obama acknowledges that he drank at an early age and experimented with drugs. He made a good decision not to continue this destructive behavior and turned his attention towards his education. Yet, still, he lacked a black male in his life to teach him how to be a black man in America and also a loving caring person at the same time. While Rev. Wright's remarks were not wholly accepted and endorsed by Senator Obama, this difference in perspectives in no way changed Senator Obama's views about and loyalty to the man that filled an abyss in the senator's quest to be the best human he can be. There is no college or accomplishments that could have filled that hole. There is no amount of money or intellect that he may have possessed that would accomplish what only another human could. The idea that he could divorce himself and deny the love and appreciation for Rev. Wright is not plausible. We all forgive our fathers for things that happened in our homes. We forgive for things he may say towards us or our mothers.
Rev. Wright has a place of father, mentor , teacher in the senator's heart and soul. To have disavowed Rev. Wright would have been an abomination. I could never leave or separate from the man that gave me and my life meaning and hope. The idea of hope and love is the most attractive attribute of Senator Obama. America is in a state of hopelessness. People have stopped dreaming of better days. This lack of "Hope and Dreams" of a better tomorrow is what has transcended ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status in attracting the masses to the philosophies of Senator Obama. That which attracts so many of us to Senator Obama is due in no small part due to the role Rev. Wright has played in the senator's life. The idea of looking for good in people and understanding is a lost art.
My mentor told me that once I realized that it was not for me to be understood, but for me to be understanding, I would then be on my way to being a loving human being. I believe Senator Obama understands through this journey of self-identification that he is not only a Black man, but more importantly a caring and compassionate human being who wants to make a change in people's lives.
Once we all truly understand the importance of Rev Wright to Senator Obama's development as a whole person, we then can understand and appreciate the ability of a human to respectfully disagree with another's views, while compassionately appreciating the goodness of others. I think someone once referred to this phenomenon as tolerance. Hmmm. What a wonderful feeling it is to know that tolerance and empathy are more than the stuff of which lofty goals and sound bites are made. They are laudible and deeply held virtues of the man I hope to soon call Mr. President.
*The author, Eugene E. Brooks, is completing his book, Behind the Cover, which addresses the issues related to being bi-racial in America. The book chronicles the author's battles with addiction that lead him from being homeless to graduating from law school nearly thirteen years ago. See http://www.halfblackhalfwhite.com/ for more details regarding his book. Mr. Brooks can be reached for comments at eugenebrooks@sbcglobal.net.
Growing up bi-racial has its own unique issues that are usually never discussed. Bi-racial individuals have a problem identifying "normally" with either race. We are caught in the middle and find ourselves struggling with who we are and with what race offers us acceptance.
My background is very similar to that of Barrack Obama. My love for a man that gave me clarity and hope is very similar to the love that Senator Obama has towards Rev. Wright. After discovering that we are black, and that acceptance by white people because our mothers are white is dispelled, we then had to learn how to be black. After years of searching for my place, I met a man who inspired me and taught me how to be a black man. In addition to teaching me how to be a black man, he also taught me how to be a caring and loving human being. He stressed the fact that I must be aware of how people view me and treat me, but how I view and treat them does not require that I take race into consideration. The absence of a male black figure in Senator Obama's childhood was filled by Reverend Wright in the same way that the gentleman who entered my life filled a void for me. I only knew what I would see on the streets and on television about being a black man. I knew that I didn't want to be a thug, and I could not be a professional athlete because of my lack of physical talent. I was educated and surrounded by white people who I knew would accept me only to a certain degree. It was not because they did not like me as a person. It would only be, in some cases, just because of my skin color. Where was my place in America?
My mentor taught me that I would be viewed and treated as a black man, irrespective of how I viewed myself. However, the defining of who I am as a person can only be done by me. He taught me not only how to be a proud black man, but also how to be a compassionate and understanding human. There were views that he had on issues with which I did not agree in the least bit. It did not in any way change how I viewed this man. I loved this man for giving me the keystone in which I was building my arch in life. This man took on the role of my father. The things that my father could not teach me were supplied to me through this man that I know, love and adore. He answered a question that I had been in search of all my life. The question that had kept me from being whole my entire life was now filled by this man. The hole I tried filling with money, sex, drugs and alcohol was now filled by this gentleman. Neither my mentor nor Rev. Wright (nor any of us, for that matter) is perfect.
Rev. Wright answered some of these same questions for Sen. Obama. When reading his book, Dreams from my Father, it was apparent that Senator Obama struggled with his identity. Sen. Obama acknowledges that he drank at an early age and experimented with drugs. He made a good decision not to continue this destructive behavior and turned his attention towards his education. Yet, still, he lacked a black male in his life to teach him how to be a black man in America and also a loving caring person at the same time. While Rev. Wright's remarks were not wholly accepted and endorsed by Senator Obama, this difference in perspectives in no way changed Senator Obama's views about and loyalty to the man that filled an abyss in the senator's quest to be the best human he can be. There is no college or accomplishments that could have filled that hole. There is no amount of money or intellect that he may have possessed that would accomplish what only another human could. The idea that he could divorce himself and deny the love and appreciation for Rev. Wright is not plausible. We all forgive our fathers for things that happened in our homes. We forgive for things he may say towards us or our mothers.
Rev. Wright has a place of father, mentor , teacher in the senator's heart and soul. To have disavowed Rev. Wright would have been an abomination. I could never leave or separate from the man that gave me and my life meaning and hope. The idea of hope and love is the most attractive attribute of Senator Obama. America is in a state of hopelessness. People have stopped dreaming of better days. This lack of "Hope and Dreams" of a better tomorrow is what has transcended ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status in attracting the masses to the philosophies of Senator Obama. That which attracts so many of us to Senator Obama is due in no small part due to the role Rev. Wright has played in the senator's life. The idea of looking for good in people and understanding is a lost art.
My mentor told me that once I realized that it was not for me to be understood, but for me to be understanding, I would then be on my way to being a loving human being. I believe Senator Obama understands through this journey of self-identification that he is not only a Black man, but more importantly a caring and compassionate human being who wants to make a change in people's lives.
Once we all truly understand the importance of Rev Wright to Senator Obama's development as a whole person, we then can understand and appreciate the ability of a human to respectfully disagree with another's views, while compassionately appreciating the goodness of others. I think someone once referred to this phenomenon as tolerance. Hmmm. What a wonderful feeling it is to know that tolerance and empathy are more than the stuff of which lofty goals and sound bites are made. They are laudible and deeply held virtues of the man I hope to soon call Mr. President.
*The author, Eugene E. Brooks, is completing his book, Behind the Cover, which addresses the issues related to being bi-racial in America. The book chronicles the author's battles with addiction that lead him from being homeless to graduating from law school nearly thirteen years ago. See http://www.halfblackhalfwhite.com/ for more details regarding his book. Mr. Brooks can be reached for comments at eugenebrooks@sbcglobal.net.
How Gambling Horoscopes Help you Win
Many people believe that by using astrology you can tell your future, and maybe it can not, but by following the advice given in Horoscopes many people find great luck, so how else can it be explained.
This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that if you believe it is true that you will have good luck on a certain day you probably will.
This does not mean that the prediction was right, but if you believe good things are going to happen to you at work, in your personal life or in a casino, you will give off a positive energy that attracts other positive energies and this will help good things happen.
Some people do not believe this theory either. They feel that if you believe good things are going to happen and they do it is because you were in a better mood and making better decisions which will bring about better results.
No one can tell how exactly gambling horoscopes help a person win in a casino, but the fact remains that they do help people win all the time.
Studies have been done to try to show exactly how horoscopes work, but no one has ever been able to come up with an explanation that seems believable. All they have been able to show is that the more you believe the better and more accurate the predictions will be.
This may be because if you really believe in the accuracy of the gambling Horoscope you will find things that you rationalize to make fit into the horoscopes prediction.
No one has ever been able to find any reason any form of prognosticating works, but people do believe in it and it is that belief in it that seems to make the things come true.
Studies have been done in the past and have proven beyond doubt that a person who has a more positive outlook will tend to have better luck and will generally be a happier person; where as a person with a negative outlook will constantly have negative events take place around them.
The only explanation scientists have ever given for this is to say that the average human only uses 10% of the brain and that the explanation for these events is hidden in the 90% of the brain we do not use, and that maybe if and when we learn the secrete for unlocking these areas of the brain we will then be able to get a better understanding of how all types of psychic predictions work.
But until then all I can tell you is that if you believe that the prediction will come true then it will come true.
By reading your horoscope and waiting until it says you will have a good day, then going to the casino to do some gambling you will greatly increase your chances of having a winning day and the more you believe it will happen the more it increases your chances of being successful.
This phenomenon can be explained by the fact that if you believe it is true that you will have good luck on a certain day you probably will.
This does not mean that the prediction was right, but if you believe good things are going to happen to you at work, in your personal life or in a casino, you will give off a positive energy that attracts other positive energies and this will help good things happen.
Some people do not believe this theory either. They feel that if you believe good things are going to happen and they do it is because you were in a better mood and making better decisions which will bring about better results.
No one can tell how exactly gambling horoscopes help a person win in a casino, but the fact remains that they do help people win all the time.
Studies have been done to try to show exactly how horoscopes work, but no one has ever been able to come up with an explanation that seems believable. All they have been able to show is that the more you believe the better and more accurate the predictions will be.
This may be because if you really believe in the accuracy of the gambling Horoscope you will find things that you rationalize to make fit into the horoscopes prediction.
No one has ever been able to find any reason any form of prognosticating works, but people do believe in it and it is that belief in it that seems to make the things come true.
Studies have been done in the past and have proven beyond doubt that a person who has a more positive outlook will tend to have better luck and will generally be a happier person; where as a person with a negative outlook will constantly have negative events take place around them.
The only explanation scientists have ever given for this is to say that the average human only uses 10% of the brain and that the explanation for these events is hidden in the 90% of the brain we do not use, and that maybe if and when we learn the secrete for unlocking these areas of the brain we will then be able to get a better understanding of how all types of psychic predictions work.
But until then all I can tell you is that if you believe that the prediction will come true then it will come true.
By reading your horoscope and waiting until it says you will have a good day, then going to the casino to do some gambling you will greatly increase your chances of having a winning day and the more you believe it will happen the more it increases your chances of being successful.
Building Self-Esteem - 6 Tips To Get You Started
Self Esteem is the value of your own self or your self worth. Loss of self esteem can occur any time and causes more depression in your life. Low self esteem can cause you to lose your life's goals and interest in life in general.
Gaining back your self esteem is the first step to a happy and satisfied life. Rebuilding self esteem helps by giving a boost to your self confidence. Being confident will make others give you the respect you deserve.
It will also enable you you to respect yourself. Having respect for yourself can give you the respect of others. It will help in building successful and happy relationships and motivate you to go for what you want to achieve in life. Be sure to visit http://www.2in7.com/ for great free information.
Here are 6 quick tips to help you build your self-esteem:
Tip #1.
Be aware of the nature and type of the problem. You should try to look at the problem in a positive ways. Don't just sit and feel sorry for yourself. Instead face the problem with a positive approach. Consider developing a mentality that the problem was a chance for improvement. This well helps you to lay the foundation of self-esteem.
Tip #2.
Try out to find your potential and capabilities. You should acquire more information about yourself, and by having a good knowledge about yourself is an important, but often overlooked part of life.
Tip #3.
Find your potential of handling things and situations. Ask others what you are good at doing. Then ask them what they feel your weaknesses are. The use this as a basis to improve yourself.
Tip #4.
Accept the responsibilities and don't run away from them. Strive to develop a positive approach towards your. The motto should be "If I'm entrusted with responsibility, I will follow it whole-heartedly". This approach helps a lot towards development of self-development.
Tip #5.
Have a positive approach towards any mistakes you make. You should view mistakes as opportunities to develop yourself. A mistake should be seen as a chance to grow.
Tip #6.
Having ambitions in life and should help you to achieve the goals you set. Start start working accordingly and take efforts in a particular direction so that the goals laid are achieved.
All these tips will be very useful to develop self-esteem if you actually take action and put them to use.
Gaining back your self esteem is the first step to a happy and satisfied life. Rebuilding self esteem helps by giving a boost to your self confidence. Being confident will make others give you the respect you deserve.
It will also enable you you to respect yourself. Having respect for yourself can give you the respect of others. It will help in building successful and happy relationships and motivate you to go for what you want to achieve in life. Be sure to visit http://www.2in7.com/ for great free information.
Here are 6 quick tips to help you build your self-esteem:
Tip #1.
Be aware of the nature and type of the problem. You should try to look at the problem in a positive ways. Don't just sit and feel sorry for yourself. Instead face the problem with a positive approach. Consider developing a mentality that the problem was a chance for improvement. This well helps you to lay the foundation of self-esteem.
Tip #2.
Try out to find your potential and capabilities. You should acquire more information about yourself, and by having a good knowledge about yourself is an important, but often overlooked part of life.
Tip #3.
Find your potential of handling things and situations. Ask others what you are good at doing. Then ask them what they feel your weaknesses are. The use this as a basis to improve yourself.
Tip #4.
Accept the responsibilities and don't run away from them. Strive to develop a positive approach towards your. The motto should be "If I'm entrusted with responsibility, I will follow it whole-heartedly". This approach helps a lot towards development of self-development.
Tip #5.
Have a positive approach towards any mistakes you make. You should view mistakes as opportunities to develop yourself. A mistake should be seen as a chance to grow.
Tip #6.
Having ambitions in life and should help you to achieve the goals you set. Start start working accordingly and take efforts in a particular direction so that the goals laid are achieved.
All these tips will be very useful to develop self-esteem if you actually take action and put them to use.
How Much Does A Camera Really Cost? Make Sure You Budget Right Before Buying A New Camera
Digital cameras are not different than other consumer electronic products. The cost of ownership is not limited to the sum paid to purchase the camera. In most cases consumers find themselves spending more money on accessories and other additional products. Failing to budget for those extra expenses can result in buying a camera just to find out it is not operable without spending more.
When buying a new camera consumers usually compare the features of different cameras and the prices at different stores. However often consumers fail to check what is included with the camera they plan to buy or more importantly what is not included. Some attention to details is needed in order to assess the real cost of the camera and to budget accordingly.
Following is a simple list of what to check and include in the budget of a new camera:
Memory card: All digital cameras store photos on a memory device. Usually a removable memory card is used. Most cameras include a basic small memory card. For example many cameras today come with 32MB of memory. Such a small memory card can hold a small number of photos and is not practical. When buying a camera always make sure to check how much memory is included. Then assess how much memory you will need (for example if you are going to take a lot of photos and wont have a computer handy to dump them onto you will need a bigger memory card). The next step would be to check the prices of such memory cards and to budget it in your camera purchase.
Batteries: All cameras include a battery that powers it up. There are many types of batteries for example standard AA or AAA or proprietary rechargeable batteries. Regardless of the type of battery when purchasing a camera check what batteries it uses and what batteries are included. Also check what the estimated battery life is. For example you probably need to buy an extra battery if your photo sessions are longer than the battery life. Make sure you budget the price of additional batteries before purchasing the camera.
PC connectivity: Any digital camera will eventually be connected to a PC in order to download photos. The most common methods of connectivity are USB and plugging the camera's memory card directly to the PC. Make sure that your camera includes the USB cable needed to connect to the PC. If you prefer connecting the removable memory directly to your PC budget an adaptor that can bridge between the memory card and the slots available in your PC.
Carrying case: Most cameras do not include a carrying case. For many consumers a carrying case is not a must have accessory. If you want to have a carrying case make sure you shop for the right one before buying the camera and that you budget its cost.
Lenses: High-end cameras such as digital SLR often require additional lenses. When reviewing your camera check what lenses come with the camera. If you are an amateur or a professional photographer and you know you will need more lenses shop around for lenses that fit your camera and budget their prices. Lenses can be very expensive and sometimes can cost more than the camera itself. For example when buying an SLR camera for outdoor photography that requires zoom lenses make sure you budget such lenses that fit the camera you plan to buy.
External Flash: In most cases an external flash is not needed. However it is good to check what external flashe devices are compatible with your camera and what their price range is. If you are an amateur or a professional photographer and you know that you will need an external flash in addition to your camera's built-in one make sure that you shop for one that can work with the camera and budget its cost before purchasing the camera. External flash devices prices can vary and can be a costly addition. Some high-end external flashes can cost more than the camera itself.
In conclusion it is important to remember to budget not only the basic camera price but also the prices of the mandatory and optional accessories. For example if you are going to take indoor photos and you need a large memory card and an external flash make sure that you budget those accessories before purchasing the camera. Failing to do so can result in spending your entire budget on the camera just to find out it is useless without some more essential accessories and more spending.
When buying a new camera consumers usually compare the features of different cameras and the prices at different stores. However often consumers fail to check what is included with the camera they plan to buy or more importantly what is not included. Some attention to details is needed in order to assess the real cost of the camera and to budget accordingly.
Following is a simple list of what to check and include in the budget of a new camera:
Memory card: All digital cameras store photos on a memory device. Usually a removable memory card is used. Most cameras include a basic small memory card. For example many cameras today come with 32MB of memory. Such a small memory card can hold a small number of photos and is not practical. When buying a camera always make sure to check how much memory is included. Then assess how much memory you will need (for example if you are going to take a lot of photos and wont have a computer handy to dump them onto you will need a bigger memory card). The next step would be to check the prices of such memory cards and to budget it in your camera purchase.
Batteries: All cameras include a battery that powers it up. There are many types of batteries for example standard AA or AAA or proprietary rechargeable batteries. Regardless of the type of battery when purchasing a camera check what batteries it uses and what batteries are included. Also check what the estimated battery life is. For example you probably need to buy an extra battery if your photo sessions are longer than the battery life. Make sure you budget the price of additional batteries before purchasing the camera.
PC connectivity: Any digital camera will eventually be connected to a PC in order to download photos. The most common methods of connectivity are USB and plugging the camera's memory card directly to the PC. Make sure that your camera includes the USB cable needed to connect to the PC. If you prefer connecting the removable memory directly to your PC budget an adaptor that can bridge between the memory card and the slots available in your PC.
Carrying case: Most cameras do not include a carrying case. For many consumers a carrying case is not a must have accessory. If you want to have a carrying case make sure you shop for the right one before buying the camera and that you budget its cost.
Lenses: High-end cameras such as digital SLR often require additional lenses. When reviewing your camera check what lenses come with the camera. If you are an amateur or a professional photographer and you know you will need more lenses shop around for lenses that fit your camera and budget their prices. Lenses can be very expensive and sometimes can cost more than the camera itself. For example when buying an SLR camera for outdoor photography that requires zoom lenses make sure you budget such lenses that fit the camera you plan to buy.
External Flash: In most cases an external flash is not needed. However it is good to check what external flashe devices are compatible with your camera and what their price range is. If you are an amateur or a professional photographer and you know that you will need an external flash in addition to your camera's built-in one make sure that you shop for one that can work with the camera and budget its cost before purchasing the camera. External flash devices prices can vary and can be a costly addition. Some high-end external flashes can cost more than the camera itself.
In conclusion it is important to remember to budget not only the basic camera price but also the prices of the mandatory and optional accessories. For example if you are going to take indoor photos and you need a large memory card and an external flash make sure that you budget those accessories before purchasing the camera. Failing to do so can result in spending your entire budget on the camera just to find out it is useless without some more essential accessories and more spending.
The Home Doctor Will See You Now
The Home Doctor offers answers to all your building questions.
Q. I'm in the market for a new wrought iron fence for my house; however, I don't want the maintenance that comes with it. Can you recommend alternative products that will help me achieve the traditional look of ornamental fencing?
A. I agree. Wrought iron fencing is beautiful, but the required maintenance keeps many homeowners from purchasing it. Fortunately, advancements in building materials are changing all that.
In particular, I'm thinking of an ornamental fence by CertainTeed Corporation called Bufftech™ Prestige™. It's a composite fence made of a blend of polypropylene plastic and fiberglass, which helps protect its matte black color from fading and captures the estate-style look you are seeking. You may also want to explore aluminum ornamental options; however, I prefer composite fencing over aluminum counterparts because composites are stronger and more durable.
When shopping for a low-maintenance fence, work with a reputable fence dealer and be sure to ask the right questions before purchasing. First, ask about which brands have proven to be the most reliable and come with solid warranties. Next, check for durability. After all, you want a fence that lasts as well as looks good. And, if you plan to use the fence as a pool surround, be sure it meets applicable pool safety codes. Finally, ask for testimonials. Speaking to another homeowner who has worked with your fence dealer and has had your chosen fence installed will help ensure your choice is the right one.
Q. I'm in the market for a new wrought iron fence for my house; however, I don't want the maintenance that comes with it. Can you recommend alternative products that will help me achieve the traditional look of ornamental fencing?
A. I agree. Wrought iron fencing is beautiful, but the required maintenance keeps many homeowners from purchasing it. Fortunately, advancements in building materials are changing all that.
In particular, I'm thinking of an ornamental fence by CertainTeed Corporation called Bufftech™ Prestige™. It's a composite fence made of a blend of polypropylene plastic and fiberglass, which helps protect its matte black color from fading and captures the estate-style look you are seeking. You may also want to explore aluminum ornamental options; however, I prefer composite fencing over aluminum counterparts because composites are stronger and more durable.
When shopping for a low-maintenance fence, work with a reputable fence dealer and be sure to ask the right questions before purchasing. First, ask about which brands have proven to be the most reliable and come with solid warranties. Next, check for durability. After all, you want a fence that lasts as well as looks good. And, if you plan to use the fence as a pool surround, be sure it meets applicable pool safety codes. Finally, ask for testimonials. Speaking to another homeowner who has worked with your fence dealer and has had your chosen fence installed will help ensure your choice is the right one.
Free Myspace backgrounds have multiple options for features
Free backgrounds are available in a variety of formats on the Internet. Just search for them on the Internet and seek favorable downloads. Though the options under free downloads are limited, they are in great use because of the flexibility they offer. There are hundreds of web pages that offer free Myspace backgrounds.
The free Myspace background and themes are widely available on the Internet for use. Check them using the search and engines and download them. The free background is available in two formats. They are basic free backgrounds and complex free backgrounds. The free backgrounds have a rich background schemes and a number of features. The free backgrounds are also attractive and brightly colored, but have limited options.
The free background of the Myspace page comes in all shapes and sizes. They can be installed as a web page as whole or installed in the form of tiled. They can also be used in multiple formats. Check the Internet site offering the Myspace free backgrounds. The free backgrounds come in all colors of nature, the natural colors and various shades that go well with the web page of the Myspace. There are artificial and synthetic colors that can be added to the web page. Visitors to the site will be provided with a set of tools using which the colors can be decided. The color mix choice will be given to the users. They can mix the colors of their choice that go well with the web page of the Myspace. The colors can be mixed using the tools provided. The next resultant colors are thrown up on the web page. Click on the particular color that goes well with your preference. Then, bring it on to the Myspace page by dragging it using the tools provided.
There are two options to download the free backgrounds for the Myspace page. The first option is free downloads from popular sites and the second option is to go for complex free backgrounds. There are number of rich features under free backgrounds. Users also have the option of customizing the free backgrounds according to the wishes of the users. There are plenty of tools available for the user to download from the site and opt for the preferred free backgrounds. The options provided are user-friendly. If the user does not find the tools to be in accordance with the preference, there are multiple options to change the preferences. The free backgrounds have a number of options that are available in the form of license. Therefore, the best form is to go in for free backgrounds. The free backgrounds are also available on the Internet.
The backgrounds are based on themes and patterns. For instance, the theme based on butterfly comes with a preset template. More images of butterflies or designs of the insects can be added on to the background. The color of the butterflies can be natural. Images of butterflies, large or small, can be hosted on the background without altering the layout. But make sure the colors do not provide a negative effect.
The free Myspace background and themes are widely available on the Internet for use. Check them using the search and engines and download them. The free background is available in two formats. They are basic free backgrounds and complex free backgrounds. The free backgrounds have a rich background schemes and a number of features. The free backgrounds are also attractive and brightly colored, but have limited options.
The free background of the Myspace page comes in all shapes and sizes. They can be installed as a web page as whole or installed in the form of tiled. They can also be used in multiple formats. Check the Internet site offering the Myspace free backgrounds. The free backgrounds come in all colors of nature, the natural colors and various shades that go well with the web page of the Myspace. There are artificial and synthetic colors that can be added to the web page. Visitors to the site will be provided with a set of tools using which the colors can be decided. The color mix choice will be given to the users. They can mix the colors of their choice that go well with the web page of the Myspace. The colors can be mixed using the tools provided. The next resultant colors are thrown up on the web page. Click on the particular color that goes well with your preference. Then, bring it on to the Myspace page by dragging it using the tools provided.
There are two options to download the free backgrounds for the Myspace page. The first option is free downloads from popular sites and the second option is to go for complex free backgrounds. There are number of rich features under free backgrounds. Users also have the option of customizing the free backgrounds according to the wishes of the users. There are plenty of tools available for the user to download from the site and opt for the preferred free backgrounds. The options provided are user-friendly. If the user does not find the tools to be in accordance with the preference, there are multiple options to change the preferences. The free backgrounds have a number of options that are available in the form of license. Therefore, the best form is to go in for free backgrounds. The free backgrounds are also available on the Internet.
The backgrounds are based on themes and patterns. For instance, the theme based on butterfly comes with a preset template. More images of butterflies or designs of the insects can be added on to the background. The color of the butterflies can be natural. Images of butterflies, large or small, can be hosted on the background without altering the layout. But make sure the colors do not provide a negative effect.
Finding the Right Equipment Supplier Paramount to Success in the Restaurant Industry
Most companies with any degree of overhead know that finding the right supplier of products necessary to run their business is of the utmost importance. For most businesses, it can mean a substantial savings and reduce the headaches often associated with searching for a reliable equipment dealer. For restaurants, however, finding the right equipment supplier can mean the difference between success and failure in the industry.
Restaurant owners, perhaps more than any other business owners, rely on their equipment to ensure that they will be open for business each and every day. Because most kitchens are limited in space, there is usually only room for one piece of each major type of equipment. If an ice machine or oven goes down, it can cause problems that will affect the entire operation. Restaurant equipment is made to endure the ravages of everyday use, but will eventually break down often enough that it will need to be replaced. While replacing a piece of equipment in and of itself seems simple enough, like most things in the restaurant business, it isn't. Restaurant owners often rely on their equipment dealer to determine whether a new piece of equipment will meet the growing needs of the establishment. They may also rely on the equipment dealer's product knowledge to determine what will and won't work in their particular setup. With most large scale restaurant equipment costing thousands of dollars, considerations of this nature are rarely left to chance.
A good equipment supplier not only carries a wide selection of products for the restaurant industry, but can also provide information on how those products can be used to streamline kitchen areas for maximum efficiency. Restaurant owners have long known that while anyone can sell equipment, only the best equipment dealers are able to sell the right equipment that will help restaurateurs by adequately addressing their individual needs. Finding a resource for information along with a competent and reliable supplier of equipment is never an easy thing to do. Most restaurant owners who establish a good working relationship with a credible equipment supplier will maintain that relationship throughout the life of the business.
Restaurant owners, perhaps more than any other business owners, rely on their equipment to ensure that they will be open for business each and every day. Because most kitchens are limited in space, there is usually only room for one piece of each major type of equipment. If an ice machine or oven goes down, it can cause problems that will affect the entire operation. Restaurant equipment is made to endure the ravages of everyday use, but will eventually break down often enough that it will need to be replaced. While replacing a piece of equipment in and of itself seems simple enough, like most things in the restaurant business, it isn't. Restaurant owners often rely on their equipment dealer to determine whether a new piece of equipment will meet the growing needs of the establishment. They may also rely on the equipment dealer's product knowledge to determine what will and won't work in their particular setup. With most large scale restaurant equipment costing thousands of dollars, considerations of this nature are rarely left to chance.
A good equipment supplier not only carries a wide selection of products for the restaurant industry, but can also provide information on how those products can be used to streamline kitchen areas for maximum efficiency. Restaurant owners have long known that while anyone can sell equipment, only the best equipment dealers are able to sell the right equipment that will help restaurateurs by adequately addressing their individual needs. Finding a resource for information along with a competent and reliable supplier of equipment is never an easy thing to do. Most restaurant owners who establish a good working relationship with a credible equipment supplier will maintain that relationship throughout the life of the business.
Suffering
Since wisdom is the art of coping with suffering, it starts with a willingness to tackle it head-on:
a) Such is the harshness of our condition that we suffer, sometimes greatly or worse, insuperably.
b) Such is the richness of our nature that we can learn to live happily, or at least serenely, within the limits of this condition. This entails us either pursuing goals that are not only desirable or honorable, but also attainable, or resigning ourselves to the inevitable.
Admittedly, a great many suffer whose suffering is all the more problematic as their wisdom is still largely in the making. I remember my own past as a young unhappy and suicidal man who composed dark poems. My negative attitude compounded my difficult situation, and I lacked the awareness of my ability to improve both. Today, I feel deeply connected with those who live in the limbo of gloom. Even if my words only reach one of them, they will not have been written in vain.
I have recently come across some dark poetry, reminiscent of mine in my young days. The author – Melyssa G. Sprott – is a young talented woman whose youth has been poisoned by abuse and other hardships. Her suffering and her talent have inspired me to feature some of her work and respond to it. Note that my responding to it in a positive manner testifies to my being help-minded, but note also that my responses are written in a spirit of humbleness. I don't claim to provide a remedy; I just try my best to give some useful insights.
* * *
The following excerpts are from one of Melyssa's collection of poems, entitled "Descent into the Dark." They reveal her aching soul with the moving simplicity of a woman crying for her overwhelming grief.
1.
When I was six,
my father had me convinced
I wasn't worth the air I breathed,
the food I'd cost,
or other things I'd need.
When I was six,
my father didn't want children
or want the wife he kept,
so we were forced to suffer
for my father's regrets.
"Remember to tell him you love him or you'll die,"
Mother sings her twisted lullaby.
"Wish for mercy, pray for death,
await the day he ceases breath.
He'll wake you up at three in the morning
to beat you senseless without warning.
It doesn't matter how still you lie,"
Mother sings her twisted lullaby.
I want to bleed forever,
bleed out my sorrow.
I can't even bear
the thought of tomorrow.
I want this nightmare to end.
I'll close my eyes to the world.
I've been begging for death
since I was a little girl.
2.
How could all this damage
come from such trusted lips?
You throw words like stones.
My heart is breaking glass.
The key you held is the knife you twist.
3.
Nowhere to hide
in the dark of the night.
Sometimes the only comfort we find
is in our own pain….
They'll never understand the calm
of relinquishing all control.
Suffering takes less courage
than it takes to be content.
I didn't choose the less traveled path
of love, joy, and luck.
I chose the other path,
and now I am stuck.
I'm a prisoner of the dark in my eyes.
* * *
Let us take stock of a few harsh facts that are part and parcel of life, not only Melyssa's or mine, but everyone's.
a) The human potential for greatness – great learning and nobility, and great accomplishments – is matched only by the human potential for the reverse. Yes, humans can be and sometimes are monstrously poor-spirited, narrow-minded, and black-hearted, among other despicable traits. These traits may involve genetic or environmental factors that predispose to them, but ultimately they are the fault of the individuals who give free rein to them. The unfortunate thing is, these individuals are a source of suffering not only to themselves but also to those who are at their mercy. Among their victims are children, women, and elderly or disabled people. Actually, even the strongest of men can suffer as a result of falling prey to them. Yet, the others are more vulnerable – especially children who often make the dreadful mistake of blaming themselves for the abuse or neglect to which they are subjected.<
b) As a rule, people are neither great nor bad in the extreme. They are relatively friendly and helpful – if you treat them fairly – and they lead decent though imperfect lives. Having said this, they have minds of their own, which may not be in keeping with yours. A man may fall in love with a woman who doesn't care a whit about him, and vice versa. A job seeker may hope for employment at some outfit, where in his opinion he belongs, and have his application turned down by an employer who sees things in a different light. These two examples count among an infinity of possible ones that testify to the same truth: Other people's wishes and yours often differ and you must then (out of respect) compromise or abstain from doing as you please.
c) On a positive note, there is some degree of harmony between nature's purpose and that of humans. As harsh as our life is on earth, we can subsist or even thrive. Yet, this harmony does not alter the fact that both purposes are distinct, always in danger of being opposite. Just think about the amount of resourcefulness and adaptability we must show to indeed thrive. At best the harmony is labored and confined within narrow limits. Think also about the number of times nature's purpose and that of humans clash, as demonstrated by all manner of nuisances, illnesses, and disasters. In short, the relationship we have with nature is like the relationship some people have with wild animals they have tamed. These animals are pleasant pets provided their needs are catered for. Still, they can turn against their owners for no apparent reason, except that they are fundamentally wild.
As I pointed out earlier, wisdom starts with a willingness to tackle the harsh reality of life head-on. It is the reverse of ignorance, and hence is exclusive of the illusory bliss that accompanies this ignorance. If happiness is possible through wisdom, it is achieved with the full knowledge and acceptance of the harsh reality in question. By acceptance I do not mean a passive resignation toward the status quo in all its harshness. I mean a brave readiness to turn our situation – possibly bad in a number of respects – to good account. And this includes bettering what we are able to better, while making do with everything else.
Easier said than done, of course. But then happiness is not about what is easy; it is about what is good and right and can only be accomplished through a great deal of meritorious effort. To make or not to make this effort is the question, which sums up human freedom. And surely nobody in their right mind would forever take the easy option that leads to unworthiness and unhappiness!
a) Such is the harshness of our condition that we suffer, sometimes greatly or worse, insuperably.
b) Such is the richness of our nature that we can learn to live happily, or at least serenely, within the limits of this condition. This entails us either pursuing goals that are not only desirable or honorable, but also attainable, or resigning ourselves to the inevitable.
Admittedly, a great many suffer whose suffering is all the more problematic as their wisdom is still largely in the making. I remember my own past as a young unhappy and suicidal man who composed dark poems. My negative attitude compounded my difficult situation, and I lacked the awareness of my ability to improve both. Today, I feel deeply connected with those who live in the limbo of gloom. Even if my words only reach one of them, they will not have been written in vain.
I have recently come across some dark poetry, reminiscent of mine in my young days. The author – Melyssa G. Sprott – is a young talented woman whose youth has been poisoned by abuse and other hardships. Her suffering and her talent have inspired me to feature some of her work and respond to it. Note that my responding to it in a positive manner testifies to my being help-minded, but note also that my responses are written in a spirit of humbleness. I don't claim to provide a remedy; I just try my best to give some useful insights.
* * *
The following excerpts are from one of Melyssa's collection of poems, entitled "Descent into the Dark." They reveal her aching soul with the moving simplicity of a woman crying for her overwhelming grief.
1.
When I was six,
my father had me convinced
I wasn't worth the air I breathed,
the food I'd cost,
or other things I'd need.
When I was six,
my father didn't want children
or want the wife he kept,
so we were forced to suffer
for my father's regrets.
"Remember to tell him you love him or you'll die,"
Mother sings her twisted lullaby.
"Wish for mercy, pray for death,
await the day he ceases breath.
He'll wake you up at three in the morning
to beat you senseless without warning.
It doesn't matter how still you lie,"
Mother sings her twisted lullaby.
I want to bleed forever,
bleed out my sorrow.
I can't even bear
the thought of tomorrow.
I want this nightmare to end.
I'll close my eyes to the world.
I've been begging for death
since I was a little girl.
2.
How could all this damage
come from such trusted lips?
You throw words like stones.
My heart is breaking glass.
The key you held is the knife you twist.
3.
Nowhere to hide
in the dark of the night.
Sometimes the only comfort we find
is in our own pain….
They'll never understand the calm
of relinquishing all control.
Suffering takes less courage
than it takes to be content.
I didn't choose the less traveled path
of love, joy, and luck.
I chose the other path,
and now I am stuck.
I'm a prisoner of the dark in my eyes.
* * *
Let us take stock of a few harsh facts that are part and parcel of life, not only Melyssa's or mine, but everyone's.
a) The human potential for greatness – great learning and nobility, and great accomplishments – is matched only by the human potential for the reverse. Yes, humans can be and sometimes are monstrously poor-spirited, narrow-minded, and black-hearted, among other despicable traits. These traits may involve genetic or environmental factors that predispose to them, but ultimately they are the fault of the individuals who give free rein to them. The unfortunate thing is, these individuals are a source of suffering not only to themselves but also to those who are at their mercy. Among their victims are children, women, and elderly or disabled people. Actually, even the strongest of men can suffer as a result of falling prey to them. Yet, the others are more vulnerable – especially children who often make the dreadful mistake of blaming themselves for the abuse or neglect to which they are subjected.<
b) As a rule, people are neither great nor bad in the extreme. They are relatively friendly and helpful – if you treat them fairly – and they lead decent though imperfect lives. Having said this, they have minds of their own, which may not be in keeping with yours. A man may fall in love with a woman who doesn't care a whit about him, and vice versa. A job seeker may hope for employment at some outfit, where in his opinion he belongs, and have his application turned down by an employer who sees things in a different light. These two examples count among an infinity of possible ones that testify to the same truth: Other people's wishes and yours often differ and you must then (out of respect) compromise or abstain from doing as you please.
c) On a positive note, there is some degree of harmony between nature's purpose and that of humans. As harsh as our life is on earth, we can subsist or even thrive. Yet, this harmony does not alter the fact that both purposes are distinct, always in danger of being opposite. Just think about the amount of resourcefulness and adaptability we must show to indeed thrive. At best the harmony is labored and confined within narrow limits. Think also about the number of times nature's purpose and that of humans clash, as demonstrated by all manner of nuisances, illnesses, and disasters. In short, the relationship we have with nature is like the relationship some people have with wild animals they have tamed. These animals are pleasant pets provided their needs are catered for. Still, they can turn against their owners for no apparent reason, except that they are fundamentally wild.
As I pointed out earlier, wisdom starts with a willingness to tackle the harsh reality of life head-on. It is the reverse of ignorance, and hence is exclusive of the illusory bliss that accompanies this ignorance. If happiness is possible through wisdom, it is achieved with the full knowledge and acceptance of the harsh reality in question. By acceptance I do not mean a passive resignation toward the status quo in all its harshness. I mean a brave readiness to turn our situation – possibly bad in a number of respects – to good account. And this includes bettering what we are able to better, while making do with everything else.
Easier said than done, of course. But then happiness is not about what is easy; it is about what is good and right and can only be accomplished through a great deal of meritorious effort. To make or not to make this effort is the question, which sums up human freedom. And surely nobody in their right mind would forever take the easy option that leads to unworthiness and unhappiness!
Springbank Scotch Whisky
SPRINGBANK The decline of Campbeltown as a distilling capital came suddenly. Of the 21 distilleries that Barnard visited, only two are still in existence and one of them, Glen Scotia, is open only intermittently. The good news is that you will soon be able to buy five different Campbeltown malts; four from one distillery - the legendary Springbank.
A resolute pillar of tradition, family-owned Springbank is the only malt distillery where the entire process from malting to bottling is carried out on the same site. In fact, flying in the face of convention, the firm reintroduced floor malting in 1992. 'People tell us that our hands-on approach is special,' says Ewan Mitchell, who handles marketing. 'Because it has been in the hands of the same family for so long, our chairman is determined to keep it the way he inherited it. Fortunately we've got a good reputation and consumers want to see it as people-based. Our independence is obviously as important to them as it is to me.'
But is Springbank just an anachronism in today's industry? 'The industry is becoming less and less traditional,' says Ewan, 'but we're against change for change's sake. It's easy to impose new methods but lose sight of the product. At the end of the day we control the bottled product from start to finish.'
For manager Frank McHardy, tradition makes a difference to the quality of the spirit. 'People are totally involved in the product,' he says. The guys have to work it, make the malt, mash it and distil it - there's total involvement. We're also employing 25 people in Campbeltown and, given the economy of Kintyre, that's very important.' Frank's tour of duty has seen him manage Bruichladdich on Islay and Bushmills in Northern Ireland, before returning to Springbank; thus he has run three very different distilleries in the 30-mile radius which most historians agree is the cradle of whisky making.
His Bushmills' experience is proving particularly useful in developing Springbank's latest addition, a triple-distilled unpeated malt called Hazelburn, which is due to appear in 2002.
TASTING NOTES
Springbank 10-year-old
46%ABV full, malty nose with some sea air, spice, pigskin and toffee apple. Very smooth and sweet to start then a fusillade of flavours -dried herb, butter, salt, smoke, vanilla pod, moss and flowers. A great package.
Springbank 15-year-old
46%ABV Well balanced between vanilla, creme brulee, salty sea air burnt range and smoky wood. A silky mouthful though the wood is a little prominent then a splash of sea spray on the finish.
Springbank 21-year-old
46%ABV Amber colour. Peach, raisin ozone, smoke, fluxing between caramelized orange and salt. Smooth start, then some heather, raisin, clootie dumpling coconut matting and the signature salty finish.
Springbank 1966 Local Barley
54.4%ABV Huge nose mixing coal bunker, sweetly ripe fruit, hickory wood and almost rancio-like aromas of mushroom, leaf-mould, anise and smoke. Explodes on the palate: biscuity, then some toffee, hickory chips, smoke and sea air. A fascinating mix of sweet and sour.
Longrow 10-year-old
Attractive mix of muted/turfy peat smoke with a perfumed rose-petal lift. A drop of water kindles the peat fires but always balanced by a lavender/rose-scented perfume. Silky, briny with a rich coal-tar/perfumed finish.
A resolute pillar of tradition, family-owned Springbank is the only malt distillery where the entire process from malting to bottling is carried out on the same site. In fact, flying in the face of convention, the firm reintroduced floor malting in 1992. 'People tell us that our hands-on approach is special,' says Ewan Mitchell, who handles marketing. 'Because it has been in the hands of the same family for so long, our chairman is determined to keep it the way he inherited it. Fortunately we've got a good reputation and consumers want to see it as people-based. Our independence is obviously as important to them as it is to me.'
But is Springbank just an anachronism in today's industry? 'The industry is becoming less and less traditional,' says Ewan, 'but we're against change for change's sake. It's easy to impose new methods but lose sight of the product. At the end of the day we control the bottled product from start to finish.'
For manager Frank McHardy, tradition makes a difference to the quality of the spirit. 'People are totally involved in the product,' he says. The guys have to work it, make the malt, mash it and distil it - there's total involvement. We're also employing 25 people in Campbeltown and, given the economy of Kintyre, that's very important.' Frank's tour of duty has seen him manage Bruichladdich on Islay and Bushmills in Northern Ireland, before returning to Springbank; thus he has run three very different distilleries in the 30-mile radius which most historians agree is the cradle of whisky making.
His Bushmills' experience is proving particularly useful in developing Springbank's latest addition, a triple-distilled unpeated malt called Hazelburn, which is due to appear in 2002.
TASTING NOTES
Springbank 10-year-old
46%ABV full, malty nose with some sea air, spice, pigskin and toffee apple. Very smooth and sweet to start then a fusillade of flavours -dried herb, butter, salt, smoke, vanilla pod, moss and flowers. A great package.
Springbank 15-year-old
46%ABV Well balanced between vanilla, creme brulee, salty sea air burnt range and smoky wood. A silky mouthful though the wood is a little prominent then a splash of sea spray on the finish.
Springbank 21-year-old
46%ABV Amber colour. Peach, raisin ozone, smoke, fluxing between caramelized orange and salt. Smooth start, then some heather, raisin, clootie dumpling coconut matting and the signature salty finish.
Springbank 1966 Local Barley
54.4%ABV Huge nose mixing coal bunker, sweetly ripe fruit, hickory wood and almost rancio-like aromas of mushroom, leaf-mould, anise and smoke. Explodes on the palate: biscuity, then some toffee, hickory chips, smoke and sea air. A fascinating mix of sweet and sour.
Longrow 10-year-old
Attractive mix of muted/turfy peat smoke with a perfumed rose-petal lift. A drop of water kindles the peat fires but always balanced by a lavender/rose-scented perfume. Silky, briny with a rich coal-tar/perfumed finish.
Don't Forget to Say, "Thank You"
One of the biggest mistake for job seeks is to not follow up an important interview with a thank you note to the people who interviewed them. Human Resources experts note that as few as 10% of interviewees take the time to say, "thank you." Let's take a look as why writing a thank you is the right thing to do and list some tips on how to write one.
If you are a candidate for a particular position you need every edge possible to land a job. Writing a thank you note is important because:
1. It reinforces your interest in the position.
2. A note shows your professionalism and suggests that you are organized, reliable, and efficient. It also underscores that you know how to deliver a personal touch. If your job is in customer service, companies will see the note as especially advantageous.
3. It proves that you understand proper business protocol.
For two candidates of equal strength and competency, the thank you note may be the tiebreaker people of hiring authority will use when selecting the winning candidate.
Content of Your Thank You Note
Your thank you note should mention the following:
1. Reiterate your interest in the position.
2. Reiterate one key point of the interview. For example, if you learned that the company is launching a new product line the following year and you will have an important part in its launch, you could state how you will further the goals of the company in helping to roll out the new product line.
3. Stress that you are looking forward to a follow up meeting. Optional: Tell the person you are writing to that you will contact them within a certain time to follow up.
You can either type or print your note. If you type, use standard business paper and a matching envelope. If you write, a thank you note card or a generic card are acceptable. Be careful not to get anything too flashy unless your field is flashy {e.g., the fashion industry}. Email isn't wrong, but you have no guarantee that the person will receive your note unless you request a return receipt. Approximately eighty percent of all email is spam; why risk having your thank you note lost in a junk mail folder?
In this age of strict competition for plum positions, you cannot afford to not say thank you in writing. Give yourself every edge possible and use the thank you note as your opportunity to show potential employers why they should hire you.
If you are a candidate for a particular position you need every edge possible to land a job. Writing a thank you note is important because:
1. It reinforces your interest in the position.
2. A note shows your professionalism and suggests that you are organized, reliable, and efficient. It also underscores that you know how to deliver a personal touch. If your job is in customer service, companies will see the note as especially advantageous.
3. It proves that you understand proper business protocol.
For two candidates of equal strength and competency, the thank you note may be the tiebreaker people of hiring authority will use when selecting the winning candidate.
Content of Your Thank You Note
Your thank you note should mention the following:
1. Reiterate your interest in the position.
2. Reiterate one key point of the interview. For example, if you learned that the company is launching a new product line the following year and you will have an important part in its launch, you could state how you will further the goals of the company in helping to roll out the new product line.
3. Stress that you are looking forward to a follow up meeting. Optional: Tell the person you are writing to that you will contact them within a certain time to follow up.
You can either type or print your note. If you type, use standard business paper and a matching envelope. If you write, a thank you note card or a generic card are acceptable. Be careful not to get anything too flashy unless your field is flashy {e.g., the fashion industry}. Email isn't wrong, but you have no guarantee that the person will receive your note unless you request a return receipt. Approximately eighty percent of all email is spam; why risk having your thank you note lost in a junk mail folder?
In this age of strict competition for plum positions, you cannot afford to not say thank you in writing. Give yourself every edge possible and use the thank you note as your opportunity to show potential employers why they should hire you.
Friday, December 17, 2010
What's new with Cellphone Cameras?
Mobile telephones have progressed a long way from their humble beginnings as the analog "bricks" of the 80's as technology has offered increasingly more complex features and options. Once no more than just a phone, now the average new cellphone has more on-board processing power than the combined computing power used to land men on the moon. Miniaturization, modern programming, and constantly improving technology driven on by a hungry market means that the cellphones of today are not just a phone, or even an organizer, but instead, they are a centralized multimedia platform. They offer many of the same advanced features as a PDA, like Bluetooth, flash card compatibility, radio, and fully featured integrated digital cameras. Much like the cameras found on PDAs, the digital photography offered by multimedia phones is not brilliant, but rather better suited to casual photography of friends at opportune moments. The advantage of having an integrated cell-camera is that as a phone is something that people tend to always carry with them, they will always have a camera handy.
If high quality digital photography is what you're after, then you're better off buying a mobile phone and camera separately. While camera technology is getting there for things like PDAs and mobiles, the range of advanced options for a cell phone camera don't even translate to the standard set of features for a basic digital camera. A comparison of some prominent models on the market today follows, giving consideration to the cost, feature set, and level of quality offered by each device.
The Palm Treo 650 Smartphone runs the Palm OS version 5.4 on a 312MHz Intel CPU. It has 23MB of user memory available, expandable with the addition of either an SD or MMC flash cards. The display is a 320x320 pixel 16-bit color TFT, and it features a 0.3MP digital camera, capable of taking photos or capturing video. Feature wise, it's impressive, but doesn't weigh up against similar products for the price. The camera in particular is under-powered for the amount of processing behind it. A Smartphone 650 will set you back about $550.
The Sony Ericsson W800i has 32MB of user memory, and comes free with a 512MB Memory Stick Pro flash card. Featuring a display resolution of 176x220 pixels, and a 2 MP digital camera, it is fairly light on the features, and would be best described as a basic high-end mobile phone. The 2MP digital camera goes some way towards justifying the cost, but it doesn't compare to buying a digital camera separately. The W800i will set you back around $480.<
The Nokia 7610 is a competitive entry on this list, featuring a fairly rich feature set by comparison to the other examples. However, it has only 8MB on-board memory, expandable via a MultiMediaCard flash card. It comes with a free 64MB MMC, with a 176x208 display in 16-bit color. The 1MP digital camera supports a very wide range of image formats, as well as two modes of video in low or medium resolution. It supports multiple video formats, has a 4x digital zoom. The Bluetooth enabled system itself has a web browser and email client. The main problems with this phone are the relatively short lived battery, and the small amount of on-board memory. But at just $310, the feature set gives this phone serious bang for the buck.
If we compare each of these to a normal digital camera, it is easy to see why they are not a good choice if you intend to focus on photography. $350 gets you a Canon SD500 7.1 MP digital camera. It features 3x optical zoom, along with 4x digital zoom, Television AV/out port, proper strobe flash with red-eye reduction, heavily customizable setup, optional automatic lighting conditions compensation, a tripod mount point, full motion video recorded at effective resolution of 0.3MP. It has an SD card slot, and a host of other features too numerous to name. This is not an elite, professional grade camera, however it outperforms every camera phone listed by at least 3:1. and at a lower cost too.
Cellphones have evolved to a point where they more closely resemble a laptop than anything else, combining a truly impressive range of multimedia technologies into one tiny device. Displays are improving rapidly, as is the level of functionality offered by modern mobile phones. As they become more numerous, these features will become increasingly useful as vast networks of people, all armed with such versatile devices will begin to take shape. As of now, however, they are fairly unfocused in their capabilities, offering a very wide range of features, but not delivering any one of them so well as to replace the technology from which the features first came from. While camera cellphones can have their uses, they still do not lend themselves well to high quality photography. For casual use with friends, or general purpose use, a camera phone can be a lot of fun, and while it combines a lot of devices into one convenient package, it doesn't deliver the a high level of quality.
If high quality digital photography is what you're after, then you're better off buying a mobile phone and camera separately. While camera technology is getting there for things like PDAs and mobiles, the range of advanced options for a cell phone camera don't even translate to the standard set of features for a basic digital camera. A comparison of some prominent models on the market today follows, giving consideration to the cost, feature set, and level of quality offered by each device.
The Palm Treo 650 Smartphone runs the Palm OS version 5.4 on a 312MHz Intel CPU. It has 23MB of user memory available, expandable with the addition of either an SD or MMC flash cards. The display is a 320x320 pixel 16-bit color TFT, and it features a 0.3MP digital camera, capable of taking photos or capturing video. Feature wise, it's impressive, but doesn't weigh up against similar products for the price. The camera in particular is under-powered for the amount of processing behind it. A Smartphone 650 will set you back about $550.
The Sony Ericsson W800i has 32MB of user memory, and comes free with a 512MB Memory Stick Pro flash card. Featuring a display resolution of 176x220 pixels, and a 2 MP digital camera, it is fairly light on the features, and would be best described as a basic high-end mobile phone. The 2MP digital camera goes some way towards justifying the cost, but it doesn't compare to buying a digital camera separately. The W800i will set you back around $480.<
The Nokia 7610 is a competitive entry on this list, featuring a fairly rich feature set by comparison to the other examples. However, it has only 8MB on-board memory, expandable via a MultiMediaCard flash card. It comes with a free 64MB MMC, with a 176x208 display in 16-bit color. The 1MP digital camera supports a very wide range of image formats, as well as two modes of video in low or medium resolution. It supports multiple video formats, has a 4x digital zoom. The Bluetooth enabled system itself has a web browser and email client. The main problems with this phone are the relatively short lived battery, and the small amount of on-board memory. But at just $310, the feature set gives this phone serious bang for the buck.
If we compare each of these to a normal digital camera, it is easy to see why they are not a good choice if you intend to focus on photography. $350 gets you a Canon SD500 7.1 MP digital camera. It features 3x optical zoom, along with 4x digital zoom, Television AV/out port, proper strobe flash with red-eye reduction, heavily customizable setup, optional automatic lighting conditions compensation, a tripod mount point, full motion video recorded at effective resolution of 0.3MP. It has an SD card slot, and a host of other features too numerous to name. This is not an elite, professional grade camera, however it outperforms every camera phone listed by at least 3:1. and at a lower cost too.
Cellphones have evolved to a point where they more closely resemble a laptop than anything else, combining a truly impressive range of multimedia technologies into one tiny device. Displays are improving rapidly, as is the level of functionality offered by modern mobile phones. As they become more numerous, these features will become increasingly useful as vast networks of people, all armed with such versatile devices will begin to take shape. As of now, however, they are fairly unfocused in their capabilities, offering a very wide range of features, but not delivering any one of them so well as to replace the technology from which the features first came from. While camera cellphones can have their uses, they still do not lend themselves well to high quality photography. For casual use with friends, or general purpose use, a camera phone can be a lot of fun, and while it combines a lot of devices into one convenient package, it doesn't deliver the a high level of quality.
Tips for Cover Letters to Get More Interviews
Here's a tip for cover letters to get more interviews. Use a bulleted format cover letter rather than a standard letter in paragraphs. The bulleted format is more eye catching, and is more likely to be glanced at by the hiring manager or other person assigned to sort through resumes. This format will help you get your resume seen by more people and as a result get more interviews and more job offers.
If you follow this advice and decide to use the bulleted format, make sure that each bullet point specifies a reason for the hiring manager to talk with you. This reason can be your number of years experience, your education, a personality trait that you have, or an accomplishment.
Examples of bulleted points would be:
• Over 20 years experience in Human Resource Management.
Or…
• Outstanding work ethic. Lead by example.
Or…
• Master of Science in Education. Currently enrolled in Doctorate program.
Or…
• Saved last employer $30,000 in revenue through modernization of accounting system.
Or…
• Increased sales by 25% last quarter.
This bulleted format allows you to toot your own horn, but in a way that does not seem egotistical because it is obviously part of a resume package.
Another tip that will increase the readability of your cover letter is to use bold faced fonts on occasion to emphasize points you want read. Bold face catches the eye, and is a common device used by graphic designers in advertising copy. Your resume and cover letter are marketing tools for you, just as a print media advertising piece is a marketing tool for a business. Consider using bold face as tip from the Fortune 500 ad agencies that you can use without charge.
The next piece of advice to consider concerns the final paragraph of the letter, and will help you in your follow up efforts. When following up often times the hardest thing to do is to get past the gatekeeper. The secretary or administrative assistant that screens calls for his or her boss has an important job to do, but so do you, and reaching the decision maker will make you look good. The gatekeeper will try to stop you if the decision maker is busy-after all, he has better things to do with his time than speak with job seekers. So, in the final paragraph of your letter, before the "sincerely" and your name, simply state "I will call you next week to check on a convenient time to speak with you in person." You've told the hiring manager you will be calling. Logically he should be expecting your call. For this reason you may tell the gatekeeper that " Mr. HR Manager is expecting my call this week." This will increase your chances of getting through, and of getting the interview. This tip is a variation on techniques that good business-to-business sales people use, and will work for you as well, bringing you more interviews and more job offers.
If you follow this advice and decide to use the bulleted format, make sure that each bullet point specifies a reason for the hiring manager to talk with you. This reason can be your number of years experience, your education, a personality trait that you have, or an accomplishment.
Examples of bulleted points would be:
• Over 20 years experience in Human Resource Management.
Or…
• Outstanding work ethic. Lead by example.
Or…
• Master of Science in Education. Currently enrolled in Doctorate program.
Or…
• Saved last employer $30,000 in revenue through modernization of accounting system.
Or…
• Increased sales by 25% last quarter.
This bulleted format allows you to toot your own horn, but in a way that does not seem egotistical because it is obviously part of a resume package.
Another tip that will increase the readability of your cover letter is to use bold faced fonts on occasion to emphasize points you want read. Bold face catches the eye, and is a common device used by graphic designers in advertising copy. Your resume and cover letter are marketing tools for you, just as a print media advertising piece is a marketing tool for a business. Consider using bold face as tip from the Fortune 500 ad agencies that you can use without charge.
The next piece of advice to consider concerns the final paragraph of the letter, and will help you in your follow up efforts. When following up often times the hardest thing to do is to get past the gatekeeper. The secretary or administrative assistant that screens calls for his or her boss has an important job to do, but so do you, and reaching the decision maker will make you look good. The gatekeeper will try to stop you if the decision maker is busy-after all, he has better things to do with his time than speak with job seekers. So, in the final paragraph of your letter, before the "sincerely" and your name, simply state "I will call you next week to check on a convenient time to speak with you in person." You've told the hiring manager you will be calling. Logically he should be expecting your call. For this reason you may tell the gatekeeper that " Mr. HR Manager is expecting my call this week." This will increase your chances of getting through, and of getting the interview. This tip is a variation on techniques that good business-to-business sales people use, and will work for you as well, bringing you more interviews and more job offers.
Media Protocol for Business and Life
When I was a Venue Media manager with the Commonwealth Games, I received some of the best coverage of the venues that I was looking after. I had some people ask me what was my secret.
I first inquired what they were doing and found out that some of them had an attitude of seeing the media as something to be suspicious of, to keep at bay and give as little as possible. In turn, the media had little regard for them as well.
There are many people who treat the media this way as well when it comes to their business, and then hope that the media will give them great coverage and a good story as well. This is a receipt for disaster.
First, true media does not have the time or energy to "GET" everyone. Often the people end up getting themselves in their worry or nervousness. They may say something dumb or negative or attack the reporter who is just doing his or her job. In most cases, the media does not have an ulterior motive and is just collecting information. If you do something foolish, remember though that it is not the media's job to help you out of a crisis.
When you treat people with respect, they are much more likely to treat you the same way. Yes, there could be exception, but in most circumstances, I have found that it was never about me and more about what was happening to them at the time. For example, I had three cases where the people weren't great to me, and in each case, they came back to apologize with gift or peace offering in hand.
They were each dealing with personal issues and / or were having a bad day. With forgiveness, you create a friend, someone who is more willing to help you out in the future. <
Keep in mind that we need a symbiotic relationship with the media. There will be times when you want to announce an upcoming event, a breakthrough or change in your organization etc. How you have treated them in the past will affect what kind of coverage you will get and whether it is good or not.
The media can supply you with some very valuable free coverage and coverage that is 3rd hand. This coverage gives credibility to what you are doing or saying.
And should something happen that could be negative, the media may write the story whether you cooperate or not. For the most part, it is better to have your comments included rather than them only having half the facts or speculation to go on.
If it is a special event that will last for a while, coffee, treats and smiles go a long way with having them stay and giving good coverage. The cost of a coffee and a treat is small potatoes compared with the coverage that you can receive.
Oh, and my secret, just that. I treated them like human beings. I offered to get them coffee. And when the game went late, on the break I took them up to the athlete and coaches dinner area and gave them sandwiches and drinks. They were able to get great interviews and we received great coverage.
This can be a metaphor for many areas in our lives. Ask yourself, "How am I treating the people in my life that can help me the most?"
I first inquired what they were doing and found out that some of them had an attitude of seeing the media as something to be suspicious of, to keep at bay and give as little as possible. In turn, the media had little regard for them as well.
There are many people who treat the media this way as well when it comes to their business, and then hope that the media will give them great coverage and a good story as well. This is a receipt for disaster.
First, true media does not have the time or energy to "GET" everyone. Often the people end up getting themselves in their worry or nervousness. They may say something dumb or negative or attack the reporter who is just doing his or her job. In most cases, the media does not have an ulterior motive and is just collecting information. If you do something foolish, remember though that it is not the media's job to help you out of a crisis.
When you treat people with respect, they are much more likely to treat you the same way. Yes, there could be exception, but in most circumstances, I have found that it was never about me and more about what was happening to them at the time. For example, I had three cases where the people weren't great to me, and in each case, they came back to apologize with gift or peace offering in hand.
They were each dealing with personal issues and / or were having a bad day. With forgiveness, you create a friend, someone who is more willing to help you out in the future. <
Keep in mind that we need a symbiotic relationship with the media. There will be times when you want to announce an upcoming event, a breakthrough or change in your organization etc. How you have treated them in the past will affect what kind of coverage you will get and whether it is good or not.
The media can supply you with some very valuable free coverage and coverage that is 3rd hand. This coverage gives credibility to what you are doing or saying.
And should something happen that could be negative, the media may write the story whether you cooperate or not. For the most part, it is better to have your comments included rather than them only having half the facts or speculation to go on.
If it is a special event that will last for a while, coffee, treats and smiles go a long way with having them stay and giving good coverage. The cost of a coffee and a treat is small potatoes compared with the coverage that you can receive.
Oh, and my secret, just that. I treated them like human beings. I offered to get them coffee. And when the game went late, on the break I took them up to the athlete and coaches dinner area and gave them sandwiches and drinks. They were able to get great interviews and we received great coverage.
This can be a metaphor for many areas in our lives. Ask yourself, "How am I treating the people in my life that can help me the most?"
Who was St. Patrick and Why Do We Celebrate His Life?
St. Patrick's Day is known as a day of celebration and festivities, but very few people know the true story of St. Patrick and who he really is. By tradition, he is a patron saint of the Catholic religion because of the captivity that he went through, the time of solitude and his great faith, and eventually the number of people that were converted to know God through him. It is legend that he heard angels and they helped him in his decisions. All in all, he is known as the patron saint of good luck and blessings to the Catholics in that era up until the 21st century.
St. Patrick was a real live person born in the time around 400 AD in Roman Britian, when the British Isles were still under the domain of the Romans. He was born with the name Maewyn. His name wasn't changed until he was in the monastery. His father was a soldier in the army, and Patrick also reports him to be a deacon, civil official, and a town councilor, who was a son of a Romano-British priest. The family was Christian, but they weren't extremely religious, some historians even say Patrick was agnostic in his childhood.
According to his most famous work, the Confessio, Patrick was captured along with many others when his village was attacked, and he was taken to Ireland as a slave. Patrick was under the authority of a druid high priest and his family and here he learned the native Celtic language which he later used to communicate, and help those to be converted.
After 8 years in captivity, he escaped at the age of twenty-two, and legend has it that an angel directed him to spend twelve years in a monastery near Paris, France, where he adopted the name Patrick. It was during this time of captivity that Patrick found God and developed the habit of praying throughout the day to strengthen himself and to be closer to God. It is recorded in the Confessio that he would often pray up to 100 times a day. One night, while in the monastery, he said he heard many voices that were calling him back to Ireland to help the remaining slaves. At this time he was somewhere in his mid thirties and so he answered the callings. He became one of the first Christian missionaries in Ireland.
He was confident in the Lord, and he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. Indeed, Patrick was successful at converting Ireland to christianity . And he even made important converts even among the royal families. For 20 years he had travelled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries, schools and churches, which would aid him in his conversions. He died on March 17th.
You can see how originally this was a Catholic holy day, but today St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Or, rather, 'be Irish Day '. Speculation as to why this holiday is so popular could be the coming of spring that occurs within just a few days.
St. Patrick was a real live person born in the time around 400 AD in Roman Britian, when the British Isles were still under the domain of the Romans. He was born with the name Maewyn. His name wasn't changed until he was in the monastery. His father was a soldier in the army, and Patrick also reports him to be a deacon, civil official, and a town councilor, who was a son of a Romano-British priest. The family was Christian, but they weren't extremely religious, some historians even say Patrick was agnostic in his childhood.
According to his most famous work, the Confessio, Patrick was captured along with many others when his village was attacked, and he was taken to Ireland as a slave. Patrick was under the authority of a druid high priest and his family and here he learned the native Celtic language which he later used to communicate, and help those to be converted.
After 8 years in captivity, he escaped at the age of twenty-two, and legend has it that an angel directed him to spend twelve years in a monastery near Paris, France, where he adopted the name Patrick. It was during this time of captivity that Patrick found God and developed the habit of praying throughout the day to strengthen himself and to be closer to God. It is recorded in the Confessio that he would often pray up to 100 times a day. One night, while in the monastery, he said he heard many voices that were calling him back to Ireland to help the remaining slaves. At this time he was somewhere in his mid thirties and so he answered the callings. He became one of the first Christian missionaries in Ireland.
He was confident in the Lord, and he journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal. Indeed, Patrick was successful at converting Ireland to christianity . And he even made important converts even among the royal families. For 20 years he had travelled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries, schools and churches, which would aid him in his conversions. He died on March 17th.
You can see how originally this was a Catholic holy day, but today St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday. Or, rather, 'be Irish Day '. Speculation as to why this holiday is so popular could be the coming of spring that occurs within just a few days.
Oscar Awards Celebrity Goodie Bags
You can't help but thumb through the fashion mags after a Hollywood award show to see what the stars wore-the good, the bad and the downright shameful. But one aspect of all the glitz is the goody bags the stars take home. Sure, it may take an entire paycheck (or two or three) to afford just one item from these hush-hush swag bags, but we still want to know what's in them. What is so intriguing about millionaire celebrities (who could stop working today and still live more comfortably than the general populous)getting free stuff that we'd eat Ramen noodles for a month to own?
Maybe it's because stars set the trends-and even if you're not a closet E! News devotee, you'll run out to buy those hot shades Paris Hilton was photographed wearing. And as much as it pains us to think about the unfairness of it all-stars hold a lot of clout when it comes to product endorsements-the very reason companies load them up with free loot. So, even if you think you're the most stylish accountant to grace corporate America, thousands of people won't buy leopard-print pants simply because you wore a pair to the office party.
Okay, so what's in the bags? It could be a Gaiam's Organic Spa Experience, complete with European-style glass aromatherapy essential oil diffuser; organic cotton towel; organic cotton robe; soy pillar candle; botanical shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body wash and cleansing bar; meditation and Yoga CD sets; and a Maize storage chest
Celebs at the recent Academy Awards took home a Motorola Special Edition Black RAZR V3. in a keepsake and personalized Jonathan Adler box (sorry folks, this tricked out version of the Motorola's popular mobile is a celebrity exclusive).
How about a two-night stay for two at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, California valued at $2,500? http://www.bernardus.com/ Or a sterling silver choker/braclet/earring set made of pearls and Bali beads by Cathy Jordan?
To keep track of celebrities' 15 minutes of fame, guests could take home a Fabio Micucci Fabio Micucci (no, not that Fabio) hour glass. And presenters at a past Oscars got a Micucci crystal decanter with a sterling silver stopper (perfect for all those celebrity offspring born with a silver spoon...oh you know what I mean)
It's a bitter pill to swallow but we both know you'll be breaking out the Top Ramen (and I'm right along with you).
Maybe it's because stars set the trends-and even if you're not a closet E! News devotee, you'll run out to buy those hot shades Paris Hilton was photographed wearing. And as much as it pains us to think about the unfairness of it all-stars hold a lot of clout when it comes to product endorsements-the very reason companies load them up with free loot. So, even if you think you're the most stylish accountant to grace corporate America, thousands of people won't buy leopard-print pants simply because you wore a pair to the office party.
Okay, so what's in the bags? It could be a Gaiam's Organic Spa Experience, complete with European-style glass aromatherapy essential oil diffuser; organic cotton towel; organic cotton robe; soy pillar candle; botanical shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, body wash and cleansing bar; meditation and Yoga CD sets; and a Maize storage chest
Celebs at the recent Academy Awards took home a Motorola Special Edition Black RAZR V3. in a keepsake and personalized Jonathan Adler box (sorry folks, this tricked out version of the Motorola's popular mobile is a celebrity exclusive).
How about a two-night stay for two at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, California valued at $2,500? http://www.bernardus.com/ Or a sterling silver choker/braclet/earring set made of pearls and Bali beads by Cathy Jordan?
To keep track of celebrities' 15 minutes of fame, guests could take home a Fabio Micucci Fabio Micucci (no, not that Fabio) hour glass. And presenters at a past Oscars got a Micucci crystal decanter with a sterling silver stopper (perfect for all those celebrity offspring born with a silver spoon...oh you know what I mean)
It's a bitter pill to swallow but we both know you'll be breaking out the Top Ramen (and I'm right along with you).
Baby Heartbeat Monitors Reviewed
Today, with advances in science and technology constantly creating smaller and cheaper electronic devices, acquiring a home use baby heartbeat monitor is cheaper and easier than you may think. For parents that want to listen to the developing fetus of their unborn child, use of a baby heartbeat monitor provides added peace of mind and valuable information that can actually prevent complications during pregnancy. A baby heartbeat monitor is a device which is used to hear any kind of irregularity in the development of the baby, so that it can be taken care of well in time. One can find many heartbeat monitors manufactured by various companies, but to get the desired results it is essential that one chooses the best baby heart beat monitor available.
Choosing the Best Baby Heartbeat Monitor
There are various forms of baby heartbeat monitoring devices available on the market, each having different features and attachments. The available options differ from each other considerably. Whether it's a fetal Doppler baby heart monitor or an external electronic fetal baby monitor, a cosy fetal heart beat monitor or a BeBe Sound Prenatal Listener baby heartbeat monitor, each baby heartbeat monitor has some unique features which makes one model stand out over its competitors.
These advanced baby heartbeat monitors can let one hear the exact heart sounds of the little one growing inside the mother's womb. The sound-only baby heartbeat monitor for analyzing the heartbeat of a unborn baby is designed for clinical and medical use as well as for domestic use by the parents. Some home models also have video so one can see the baby (although the image is generated using ultrasound and not crystal clear). The sex of the unborn child can be determined using a video prenatal baby monitor.
Monitoring the heartbeat of the unborn baby at regular intervals is often recommended to those mothers who have an uncomplicated and healthy pregnancy. However, to those who develop certain complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, any kind of heart disease, vaginal or urinary infections or is expecting twins are strictly advised to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring in order to keep track of any serious problems on the part of the child or the mother. Thus, choosing the heartbeat monitor depends on many factors and it is essential that an unborn baby gets monitored according to the needs of the situation.
Comparing the Prices of Baby Heartbeat Monitors
Pricing a baby heartbeat monitor mainly depends on factors such as the brand name, features, attachments, and quality. Sometimes the accuracy of a particular heartbeat monitor also contributes towards determining its price.
Starting as low as $25 for the BeBe Sounds Prenatal Listener, the prices go as high as $150 or $200 for a fetal Doppler ultrasonic baby heart beat monitor. One can choose exactly that which suits his or her budget and choose the features and quality that one can afford. However, one can't fix the price of the baby's health. It is more then anything in the world - it's priceless.
Choosing the Best Baby Heartbeat Monitor
There are various forms of baby heartbeat monitoring devices available on the market, each having different features and attachments. The available options differ from each other considerably. Whether it's a fetal Doppler baby heart monitor or an external electronic fetal baby monitor, a cosy fetal heart beat monitor or a BeBe Sound Prenatal Listener baby heartbeat monitor, each baby heartbeat monitor has some unique features which makes one model stand out over its competitors.
These advanced baby heartbeat monitors can let one hear the exact heart sounds of the little one growing inside the mother's womb. The sound-only baby heartbeat monitor for analyzing the heartbeat of a unborn baby is designed for clinical and medical use as well as for domestic use by the parents. Some home models also have video so one can see the baby (although the image is generated using ultrasound and not crystal clear). The sex of the unborn child can be determined using a video prenatal baby monitor.
Monitoring the heartbeat of the unborn baby at regular intervals is often recommended to those mothers who have an uncomplicated and healthy pregnancy. However, to those who develop certain complications such as pre-eclampsia, diabetes, any kind of heart disease, vaginal or urinary infections or is expecting twins are strictly advised to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring in order to keep track of any serious problems on the part of the child or the mother. Thus, choosing the heartbeat monitor depends on many factors and it is essential that an unborn baby gets monitored according to the needs of the situation.
Comparing the Prices of Baby Heartbeat Monitors
Pricing a baby heartbeat monitor mainly depends on factors such as the brand name, features, attachments, and quality. Sometimes the accuracy of a particular heartbeat monitor also contributes towards determining its price.
Starting as low as $25 for the BeBe Sounds Prenatal Listener, the prices go as high as $150 or $200 for a fetal Doppler ultrasonic baby heart beat monitor. One can choose exactly that which suits his or her budget and choose the features and quality that one can afford. However, one can't fix the price of the baby's health. It is more then anything in the world - it's priceless.
History of Mido watches
Talk of vintage watches and one name that springs to the mind immediately is Mido. Mido continues as a strong favorite among the watch collectors of the world today. Mido has been a name to reckon with throughout its history of over 80 years, with watches that are meant for watch connoisseurs and discerning users. It specializes in mid price range watches that offer something special and out of the ordinary. Mido prides itself with making timeless watches.
Mido's history goes back almost 90 years to 1918, when the company was born. Mido was started on November 11, 1918 by George G. Schaeren in Biel, Switzerland. Mido is a Latin term that means measuring. Since its very inception, Mido has been in the forefront of technical innovation and timeless designs.
The next several decades that followed the birth of the company, saw Mido advancing both technologically and aesthetically. While path breaking innovations such as the first automatic watch, the first watch with unbreakable springs, the first center chronograph, the world's most powerful winding mechanism, and the world's smallest ladies' watch hall marked the technological advances, Mido's collaboration with luxury brands threw up unique and attractive designs like the Mido Bugatti.
In 1934, Mido introduced the Multifort model, the first watch in the market to have a self-winding movement. The introduction of this automatic watch for the first time in the market was a major milestone in the history of Mido. The watch was also shock resistant, anti magnetic and water resistant – all firsts at that time. Mido reached yet another milestone in the same year when it introduced watches with unbreakable springs. This was also the first time that any company had introduced such springs in the market.
Mido was the first to introduce center chronograph (a watch with all hands arranged in the center) in the year 1945. In 1954 the company introduced the world's most powerful winding mechanism. In 1967 Mido was recognized as the maker of the world's smallest ladies' watch.
With so many firsts to its credit and a history of innovations, it was small wonder that Mido was in the forefront for a number of decades. Mido's first automatic, anti-magnetic and water resistant watch remained in the forefront for over three decades right through to the sixties. Another model, the Mido Robot was a symbol of robustness in the fifties. So much so that a famous comic strip of the period was dedicated to the Mido Robot and its adventures.
Mido introduced its commander model in 1959. This was a single shell watch, the first of its kind and a novelty at the time. The single shell case revolutionized the industry, and improved the life span of watches significantly. Mido commander has survived to this day, and is among the most highly recognized watches with several individual models. Among the models featured under this range is an 18 karat gold model. The range also includes chronographs and COSC certified chronometers.
In 1970 Mido introduced the Aquadura Crown Sealing system, an innovation that earned a place for it as the king of waterproof watches. The Aquadura crown sealing system uses a natural cork that is treated and shaped to ensure the water resistant characteristics. This is used to seal the crown, which is the part that is most prone to, and affected by, water leakage.
In the nineties, the Mido World Timer was introduced. This was a functional watch that could show the local time at any part of the world. The user had to just bring the concerned city to the 12 o'clock position and press the crown to see the local time in that city.
Mido is today a part of the Swatch group, which is a vibrant organization with over 150 production centers all over the world. Most of the production centers are in Switzerland, with the rest spread over countries like France, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia and China. Swatch group also owns brands such as Omega, Longines, Rado, and many more.
Mido's history goes back almost 90 years to 1918, when the company was born. Mido was started on November 11, 1918 by George G. Schaeren in Biel, Switzerland. Mido is a Latin term that means measuring. Since its very inception, Mido has been in the forefront of technical innovation and timeless designs.
The next several decades that followed the birth of the company, saw Mido advancing both technologically and aesthetically. While path breaking innovations such as the first automatic watch, the first watch with unbreakable springs, the first center chronograph, the world's most powerful winding mechanism, and the world's smallest ladies' watch hall marked the technological advances, Mido's collaboration with luxury brands threw up unique and attractive designs like the Mido Bugatti.
In 1934, Mido introduced the Multifort model, the first watch in the market to have a self-winding movement. The introduction of this automatic watch for the first time in the market was a major milestone in the history of Mido. The watch was also shock resistant, anti magnetic and water resistant – all firsts at that time. Mido reached yet another milestone in the same year when it introduced watches with unbreakable springs. This was also the first time that any company had introduced such springs in the market.
Mido was the first to introduce center chronograph (a watch with all hands arranged in the center) in the year 1945. In 1954 the company introduced the world's most powerful winding mechanism. In 1967 Mido was recognized as the maker of the world's smallest ladies' watch.
With so many firsts to its credit and a history of innovations, it was small wonder that Mido was in the forefront for a number of decades. Mido's first automatic, anti-magnetic and water resistant watch remained in the forefront for over three decades right through to the sixties. Another model, the Mido Robot was a symbol of robustness in the fifties. So much so that a famous comic strip of the period was dedicated to the Mido Robot and its adventures.
Mido introduced its commander model in 1959. This was a single shell watch, the first of its kind and a novelty at the time. The single shell case revolutionized the industry, and improved the life span of watches significantly. Mido commander has survived to this day, and is among the most highly recognized watches with several individual models. Among the models featured under this range is an 18 karat gold model. The range also includes chronographs and COSC certified chronometers.
In 1970 Mido introduced the Aquadura Crown Sealing system, an innovation that earned a place for it as the king of waterproof watches. The Aquadura crown sealing system uses a natural cork that is treated and shaped to ensure the water resistant characteristics. This is used to seal the crown, which is the part that is most prone to, and affected by, water leakage.
In the nineties, the Mido World Timer was introduced. This was a functional watch that could show the local time at any part of the world. The user had to just bring the concerned city to the 12 o'clock position and press the crown to see the local time in that city.
Mido is today a part of the Swatch group, which is a vibrant organization with over 150 production centers all over the world. Most of the production centers are in Switzerland, with the rest spread over countries like France, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Malaysia and China. Swatch group also owns brands such as Omega, Longines, Rado, and many more.
Look Over the 2008 Range Rover Sport
Whether it is off-road driving or oft-traveled routes, the 2008 Range Rover Sport lives up to the legacy of the Land Rover brand impeccably. The rugged yet refined SUV offers unparalleled luxury and performance. The RRS has eight-way electric-powered front seats and a 4.2-liter 390-horsepower V8 engine. It comfortably seats five adults. Standard features on the RRS Supercharged version include a six-speed automatic adaptive transmission, a touch-screen DVD-based satellite navigation system, an electronic four-corner air suspension, a front-and-rear park distance control, and an adaptive cruise-control system.
The technology and entertainment sources are superb, as it has a Sirius satellite radio, a personal telephone with Bluetooth technology, and an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The electric-powered steering column has a memory function to accommodate various drivers' preferences, and the cool center console features a cooler box for on-the-go chilling. The seats are supple leather and the interior trim features either straight-grained walnut or dark Zebrano wood. Twenty-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels are standard, while 20-inch nine spoke wheels are optional. An adaptive cruise-control system and a cold-climate package are additional options. A regular electronic cruise control comes standard along with an adaptive front-lighting system.
Both versions of the RR Sport provide a six-airbag-restraint system, front and rear three-point safety belts, adjustable front and rear head restraints, and active roll mitigation for safety. The ground clearance for everyday driving is 6.8 inches, and 8.9 inches for off-road adventuring. The vehicle's towing capacity is more than 7,700 pounds (braked) and 1,653 pounds (un-braked).
The 2008 Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged package comes in six vibrant color options, such as Rimini Red, Buckingham Blue, and Zermatt Silver. The price of this magnificent machine begins at $71,950, and the Range Rover Sport HSE starts at $58,500.
Simply defined, the Range Rover Sports were born to be wild, sophisticated and refined.
The technology and entertainment sources are superb, as it has a Sirius satellite radio, a personal telephone with Bluetooth technology, and an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The electric-powered steering column has a memory function to accommodate various drivers' preferences, and the cool center console features a cooler box for on-the-go chilling. The seats are supple leather and the interior trim features either straight-grained walnut or dark Zebrano wood. Twenty-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels are standard, while 20-inch nine spoke wheels are optional. An adaptive cruise-control system and a cold-climate package are additional options. A regular electronic cruise control comes standard along with an adaptive front-lighting system.
Both versions of the RR Sport provide a six-airbag-restraint system, front and rear three-point safety belts, adjustable front and rear head restraints, and active roll mitigation for safety. The ground clearance for everyday driving is 6.8 inches, and 8.9 inches for off-road adventuring. The vehicle's towing capacity is more than 7,700 pounds (braked) and 1,653 pounds (un-braked).
The 2008 Ranger Rover Sport Supercharged package comes in six vibrant color options, such as Rimini Red, Buckingham Blue, and Zermatt Silver. The price of this magnificent machine begins at $71,950, and the Range Rover Sport HSE starts at $58,500.
Simply defined, the Range Rover Sports were born to be wild, sophisticated and refined.
How Much News Is Good News?
I'm not sure if the timing of last month's "news free zone" assignment could have been worse or better. Coming just two days after the devastating tsunami hit Asia, how could I realistically expect you to take a two-day break from the news? I wonder if it seemed a bit callous of me to suggest such a thing. But here's the interesting part: when I sent out the newsletter, I was in the middle of a weeklong news strike and had not yet heard about the disaster. While the rest of the world was watching the tragedy unfold, I was engaged in the act of hibernation.
When I did hear about it, I pondered the implications of "missing" this huge event. As much as I'd like to imagine that my knowledge of the event might have had some positive effect on the region, I'm fairly certain that the people affected by the tsunami did not notice my ignorance.
On a more personal level, if I had learned about the tsunami when it first struck, the information junky part of me would have pushed for an aggressive campaign of information gathering. I only have to look back to the last Gulf war for an example. During the height of that war, I was logging over an hour each day of online newsgathering. Calculating it out, over the course of that war I spent over forty hours gathering information that is of limited (or no) use.
I'll stop short of calling that time wasted for it provided me with a wonderful opportunity to reevaluate my priorities. And that experience has informed my actions regarding the tsunami. Instead of diving into the photographs, videos, stories and discussions of the event, I have limited my newsgathering to brief updates.
My pondering also led me to the question of value: what is the value of newsgathering? What benefit does it provide? How does it serve me, my family, my community, the people affected by a news event? Again, I asked myself of what use is the time I spend watching, reading, or listening to the news? As with my Gulf War newsgathering experience, it is difficult for me to come up with ways in which the gathering of information is of much use.
In this age of instant information access we have the capacity to become passive observers of events anywhere in the world literally within seconds. With that ability comes a risk and a challenge.
The risk is that observing geographically inaccessible events - especially tragic events -can create a sense of helplessness within us. My personal experience shows that the act of newsgathering sets up a self-perpetuating cycle of disempowerment: we watch the news, get upset by it, feel there is nothing we can do to help, get more upset, watch more news in the hope that it will get better. . . but it never does.
The challenge then, is to find a way to break that cycle of disempowerment and balance our desire to be informed with our desire to be present in our own lives and actively contribute to the improvement of our world.
How can we do that? Here are some suggestions. <
The most important step is to limit newsgathering time. If you currently watch the morning and evening news on TV, try to skip one. If you listen to news radio on your commute to and from work, switch to music or books on tape for one direction. If your Internet homepage displays news headlines, switch to a news-less homepage and choose your newsgathering time.
The next step is to re-empower yourself, to shift from a place of helplessness to an awareness that you have the power to provide valuable support and assistance. You have specific skills and resources you can apply to places and people in need. Here are just a few ways to turn your talents into tangible support.
Send positive thoughts and prayers:
While this may not seem to be a "tangible" action, it is. You've heard of the power of positive thinking related to your own beliefs and goals, but that power extends to everyone in the world. Everything on this Earth is connected in ways that we are only just beginning to comprehend. When you consciously take time during the day to "beam" your positive thoughts and prayers to the people affected by tragedy, those thoughts and prayers are definitely received. You may not see the results of your actions, but you are providing a wonderful gift to those people.
Donate money:
While the life costs can never be fully measured, the financial estimate for the healing, cleanup, and rebuilding in the aftermath of this disaster is well into the billions of dollars. What you can give may seem insignificant compared to the total amount needed, but it is through the power of collective giving that significant help is provided. Many of our local stores have set up collection funds. When I add a $5.00 contribution to an $85.00 grocery bill, the effect on me is hardly noticed, but when Whole Foods combines the contributions from all of their customers, the impact on the lives of those in Asia will be considerable.
Volunteer locally:
By cutting down on your newsgathering time you will create a chunk of extra time. If you devote some of this "extra" time to local organizations, you begin to actively break out of the cycle of helplessness. When you serve food at a local homeless shelter, or feed an injured bird at a wildlife rescue center, or provide after-school tutoring to children in underserved neighborhoods, you are able to witness the immediate, tangible and powerful effect that you can have on the world.
Come up with your own ways of breaking the cycle. How can you empower yourself? What skills, talents or resources can you contribute to people and places in need?
Envision and create your ideal balance between newsgathering and active engagement. In the quote above T.S. Eliot asks, "Where is the life lost in the living?" Stop losing your life to the news and start living in the way that feels right to you.
When I did hear about it, I pondered the implications of "missing" this huge event. As much as I'd like to imagine that my knowledge of the event might have had some positive effect on the region, I'm fairly certain that the people affected by the tsunami did not notice my ignorance.
On a more personal level, if I had learned about the tsunami when it first struck, the information junky part of me would have pushed for an aggressive campaign of information gathering. I only have to look back to the last Gulf war for an example. During the height of that war, I was logging over an hour each day of online newsgathering. Calculating it out, over the course of that war I spent over forty hours gathering information that is of limited (or no) use.
I'll stop short of calling that time wasted for it provided me with a wonderful opportunity to reevaluate my priorities. And that experience has informed my actions regarding the tsunami. Instead of diving into the photographs, videos, stories and discussions of the event, I have limited my newsgathering to brief updates.
My pondering also led me to the question of value: what is the value of newsgathering? What benefit does it provide? How does it serve me, my family, my community, the people affected by a news event? Again, I asked myself of what use is the time I spend watching, reading, or listening to the news? As with my Gulf War newsgathering experience, it is difficult for me to come up with ways in which the gathering of information is of much use.
In this age of instant information access we have the capacity to become passive observers of events anywhere in the world literally within seconds. With that ability comes a risk and a challenge.
The risk is that observing geographically inaccessible events - especially tragic events -can create a sense of helplessness within us. My personal experience shows that the act of newsgathering sets up a self-perpetuating cycle of disempowerment: we watch the news, get upset by it, feel there is nothing we can do to help, get more upset, watch more news in the hope that it will get better. . . but it never does.
The challenge then, is to find a way to break that cycle of disempowerment and balance our desire to be informed with our desire to be present in our own lives and actively contribute to the improvement of our world.
How can we do that? Here are some suggestions. <
The most important step is to limit newsgathering time. If you currently watch the morning and evening news on TV, try to skip one. If you listen to news radio on your commute to and from work, switch to music or books on tape for one direction. If your Internet homepage displays news headlines, switch to a news-less homepage and choose your newsgathering time.
The next step is to re-empower yourself, to shift from a place of helplessness to an awareness that you have the power to provide valuable support and assistance. You have specific skills and resources you can apply to places and people in need. Here are just a few ways to turn your talents into tangible support.
Send positive thoughts and prayers:
While this may not seem to be a "tangible" action, it is. You've heard of the power of positive thinking related to your own beliefs and goals, but that power extends to everyone in the world. Everything on this Earth is connected in ways that we are only just beginning to comprehend. When you consciously take time during the day to "beam" your positive thoughts and prayers to the people affected by tragedy, those thoughts and prayers are definitely received. You may not see the results of your actions, but you are providing a wonderful gift to those people.
Donate money:
While the life costs can never be fully measured, the financial estimate for the healing, cleanup, and rebuilding in the aftermath of this disaster is well into the billions of dollars. What you can give may seem insignificant compared to the total amount needed, but it is through the power of collective giving that significant help is provided. Many of our local stores have set up collection funds. When I add a $5.00 contribution to an $85.00 grocery bill, the effect on me is hardly noticed, but when Whole Foods combines the contributions from all of their customers, the impact on the lives of those in Asia will be considerable.
Volunteer locally:
By cutting down on your newsgathering time you will create a chunk of extra time. If you devote some of this "extra" time to local organizations, you begin to actively break out of the cycle of helplessness. When you serve food at a local homeless shelter, or feed an injured bird at a wildlife rescue center, or provide after-school tutoring to children in underserved neighborhoods, you are able to witness the immediate, tangible and powerful effect that you can have on the world.
Come up with your own ways of breaking the cycle. How can you empower yourself? What skills, talents or resources can you contribute to people and places in need?
Envision and create your ideal balance between newsgathering and active engagement. In the quote above T.S. Eliot asks, "Where is the life lost in the living?" Stop losing your life to the news and start living in the way that feels right to you.
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