Patriotic Pine

Retail Store U-Scan Machines: Self-Serve or Voluntary Part Time Job?. The Fabulous New Caribbean Princess Ship.

2005-10-28T05:19:00.000-07:00

Save Money on Groceries ...Today! : FreeGrocerySecrets.com

Do many of us realize that we are working an unpaid part time job for the grocery stores and some home appliance stores? We are ringing up our own goods, are not getting any price discount for doing so and are saving these retailers money.

Each self-serve lane contains two to three self-serve scanners. Retailers have an average of two to four self-serve lanes. Retailers are saving each store an average of four to eight cashiers' salaries per store. One attendant is assigned to these self-service machines. Hypothetically, if stores are paying full time cashiers $7 per hour, they are now saving $14,000 annually in wage expenses for each cashier that they do not have to hire. Multiplied by four to eight cashiers, each store saves $56,000 to $112,000 per year on wage expenses. This simple calculation does not even count other benefits that companies pay to their cashiers, such as healthcare, vacation pay, sick pay, 401(k), pension benefits and tuition assistance.

Are these savings passed on to the consumer? Nope!

Why should we work an unpaid part time job for the grocery industry?

1. Self-serve scanning machines are not always user-friendly

When grocery bags get filled up and you have nowhere else to put your groceries, the machine will say something like "Please place your item back in bag" and not even let you know what the problem is. The machine treats you like you're an imbecile. The machine is wasting your time while an attendant has to correct the problem.

2. Self-serve scanning machines do not always scan every bar code.

Some of the machines do not scan deposit bottle return slips, which requires an attendant to manually scan the deposit slips. If there is other merchandise that the machine will not scan, an attendant also has to manually override the system, which is consuming more time for the customer.

3. Self-serve scanners cannot correct price variations.

If an item should scan at a certain price, but the store's system scans the item at a different price, an attendant has to manually override the scanner to give the consumer the correct price.

4. Risks of alienating senior citizens

If self-scanners are challenging for younger people, imagine how intimidating the machines must be for seniors. Sometimes, perception and not reality can dictate a retailer's success. If seniors perceive that cashier-scanning is going to be phased out by self-scanning, seniors may take their business where the human touch is still being utilized.

5. Gas stations offer a price break for self-serve

Although full-serve gas stations are becoming more rare, those stations that still offer full-service and self-service combinations offer price breaks to those customers who pump their own gasoline. If gas stations can offer a price break to customers who pump their own gasoline, why can't grocery stores offer a price break to customers who ring up their own goods?

6. Impersonal aspect could dissuade customers

Many customers go to the same store, restaurant or tavern because people who work at the establishment remember them. Remember "Norm" from Cheers? They want to go "where everybody knows their name..." A U-Scan Machine is not going to know you from Adam.

7. Self-scanning is currently not set up to handle large amounts of goods.

Currently, U-Scan machines are set up to handle about fifteen items or less, which is fine with the light shopper. What happens with customers who are purchasing over fifteen items? Are the larger-quantity purchasers being rewarded by not having to scan their own goods? Why do shoppers with fifteen items or less have the opportunity to do voluntary part time work for retailers? Is it a case of if customers purchase enough groceries, they don't have to work for the store today?

Should this concept be called self-scan or self-scam? Fortunately, ringing up one's own goods is still optional. Yes, it is still optional to do part time unpaid work for a retailer in which you are patronizing. Customers are doing the retailers a favor by purchasing goods at their stores. Is this how the customers are being rewarded? What will be next? Will customers go into a restaurant, order their food, be expected to prepare the food and pay the same price as if someone else had prepared the meal?

North Notes is a writing and researching company, which primarily helps writers gain focus, motivation, remove mental blocks that help to unblock the writing process. EVERYONE who writes has been stuck at some point in his or her career. You do not have to accept these mind-boggling roadblocks!

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The magnificent Caribbean Princess ship is the new queen of the Princess fleet. Her innovative design takes the Princess "Personal Choice Cruising" theme to a new level.

Cruise ship jobs cruise ship employment cruise line jobs

With nearly 900 staterooms having balconies, the Caribbean Princess offers more than any other ship cruising the Caribbean year round. Accommodating 3,100 passengers, this incredible ship has an entire deck of mini-suites! At 113,000 gross tons, the 952 foot long Caribbean Princess carries Bermudan registration.

Dining Caribbean Princess Style!

The amenities aboard Caribbean Princess are astonishing and dining options are no exception. There are no less than twelve eating options plus room service! The traditional dining option is in the Island Dining Room. For anytime dining check out the Coral Dining room or the Palm Dining Room. Specialty restaurants include Sabatini's Italian Trattoria and the Sterling Steakhouse. For casual eating and snacking, there are the Horizon Court 24-hour dining, Caf�½' Caribe, Wine and Caviar Bar, Patisserie, Prego Pizzeria, Trident Hamburger Grill, and the Ice Cream Bar.

Caribbean Princess Entertainment!

For entertainment, the Caribbean Princess offers two theatres - the Princess Theatre and Club Fusion. Check out movies on deck and under the stars at the Movies Under the Stars outdoor theatre. The Skywalker's Nightclub offers entertainment 16 decks above the sea!

The Great Unknown, The Great Explorers - The Great Web of Percy Harrison Fawcett

The Explorer's Lounge offers nightclub-style performances. And the Grand Casino offers Caribbean Princess cruisers added action and excitement. The Joker's lounge, Crooner's Bar and Churchill's lounge provide Caribbean Princess passenger's room to meet and greet fellow cruisers or an intimate spot for two to get re-acquainted.

Pools Caribbean Princess style!

This Princess ship has five fabulous pool options! Both the Calypso Reef and Pool and the Neptune's Reef and pool offer two spas along with the pools. The Terrace Pool and the Lotus Pool have lots of lounging space as do all of the pools. The Pirate's View Spa and Splash Pool round out the Caribbean Princess pools.

Caribbean Princes Sports!

A ship as fabulous as this would be expected to offer great sports facilities, and this ship will not let you down. The renowned Lotus Spa, gym and fitness area has what you need to stay fit, feel great, and wind down. There is a swim-against-the-current lap pool on board. A nine-hole putting course and two virtual golf simulators will keep your links skills highly tuned. The Caribbean Princess also provides the "mandatory" paddle tennis and jogging track facilities.

Other Caribbean Princess Activities!

The Caribbean Princess has a collection of world class art with gallery and auctions. The Princess Internet Caf�½ allows passengers to keep in touch or to surf the high-tech web.

You Can Be a Nurse: Nursing Programs, Scholarships, and Tuition Reimbursement Programs

Princess offers a ScholarShip@Sea program for cruisers. The Library and Writing Room offer a quiet place to enjoy and reflect while on board Caribbean Princess as does the Hearts and Minds Wedding Chapel. Of course, there is always duty-free shopping. Princess looks after kids and teens with The Fun Zone, Off Limits and the Splash Pool.

This fantastic ship has something to offer for anyone planning a Caribbean vacation. This is a five star floating resort hotel with options at various ports of call throughout the Caribbean. What more could your fun-in-the-sun vacation require?

Brian A Schmidt is the author and web publisher of a1-discount cruises. This site is your #1 source for cruise information, discounts and deals! For more interesting articles about cruise ships, cruise lines, great cruise deals and other cruise related topics check out http://www.a1-discount-cruises.com/articles to reach our article map. Visit http://www.a1-discount-cruises.com where you can book your fabulous discount cruise on-line. Then all you need to do is get excited!

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Quick Reference Guide for Tarot Card Meanings. Teen Jewelry Fashion Exposed.

2005-10-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Obviously,

Tarot card readings

if you really want to learn about the meanings of the tarot cards and use them well, you'll spend time studying them and understanding the nuances of each card's interpretation. If, on the other hand, you're looking for a cool party game and want to impress your friends, this "cheat sheet" should provide you enough of a clue about each card's meaning that you can fake your way through a reading. And who knows -- once you loosen up and relax, you may surprise yourself!

The Major Arcana

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The Major Arcana consists of cards that have an individual name (such as "The Fool") as opposed to simply a suit designation (such as "3 of Cups"). Most tarot decks number the Major Arcana as well as name them, although some give only the name.

  Card    Card              Card Number  Name              Meaning ------  ----------------  ------------- 0       Fool              Faith 1       Magician          Action 2       High Priestess    Potential 3       Empress           Abundance 4       Emperor           Authority  5       Hierophant        Conformity 6       Lovers            Relationship 7       Chariot           Will 8       Strength          Compassion 9       Hermit            Introspection 10      Wheel of Fortune  Destiny 11      Justice           Responsibility 12      Hanged Man        Release 13      Death             Transition 14      Temperance        Balance 15      Devil             Materialism 16      Tower             Downfall 17      Star              Hope 18      Moon              Illusion 19      Sun               Vitality 20      Judgment          Rebirth 21      World             Accomplishment

The Minor Arcana

The Minor Arcana consists of cards that have a rank (such as "3" or "Queen") and a suit (such as "Cups"). Depending on your deck, the suits will have different names, but they have the same meanings. The first suit may be called wands, rods, staves, or sticks. The second suit is pretty universally called swords. The suit of cups is occassionally called chalices. And the final suit may be called coins, disks, or pentacles.

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 Card   Wands        Swords      Cups         Coins -----  -----------  ----------  -----------  ----------- Ace    Creative     Mental      Emotional    Material ...     Force        Force       Force        Force 2      Personal     Stalemate   Connection   Flexibility ...     Power    3      Exploration  Betrayal    Delight      Planning 4      Celebration  Rest        Self-        Possessive- ...                              absorption   ness 5      Struggle     Dishonor    Loss         Suffering 6      Triumph      Depression  Good Will    Apprentice- ...                                           ship 7      Defiance     Deceit      Fantasizing  Assessment 8      Quick        Powerless-  Turning      Diligence ...     Action       ness        Away 9      Defense      Anguish     Satisfac-    Self-reliance ...                          tion 10     Burdens      Defeat      Joy          Affluence Page   Creative     Thoughtful  Emotional    Practical Knight Daring       Dashing     Sensitive    Thorough Queen  Energetic    Witty       Loving       Resourceful King   Inspiring    Just        Diplomatic   Supporting  
 Jennifer Dunne is the author of over a dozen novels and novellas of Hot, Heartwarming fiction, many featuring magic and psychic powers. A Tarot

Merlins Professional Tarot Readings

 reader since her childhood, she is frequently asked to do readings at local gatherings and celebrity events such as the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. Learn more about Jennifer at jenniferdunne.com. Learn more about tarot cards at Tarot Expressions. 
 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/ 
 
   
 Teenagers are a fickle

Non drug alternative, anxiety in children, teen stress, non drug alternative

bunch. At that stage of physical and psychological growth, they are constantly experimenting with things to improve their image and their look. Teen jewelry fashion plays a major part in the development of their identity and efforts to either blend in with the crowd or establish their own unique persona. Any parental endorsement of fashion accessories is akin to the kiss of death, and adolescents look to other influences when it comes to teen jewelry fashion.
The celebrities that teenagers see in music videos, television programs or movie screens are largely responsible for dictating trends in teen jewelry fashion. The oversized, ostentatious accoutrements favored by rap musicians have spawned the hip-hop jewelry trend, and teenagers have been patronizing lower-priced but accurate replicas of celebrity bling bling. Instead of the diamonds and other precious gems used in celebrity jewelry, cheaper zirconia and base metals are used for duplicates. Body jewelry (both the pierced and non-pierced types) that is unusually designed and made with inexpensive materials has also seen an increase in teenage patrons.
Beaded jewelry and woven friendship bracelets and rings are some of the other hot trends in teen jewelry fashion. Many teenagers make these dress accessories themselves and give them to friends as gifts. These are personalized with beads that have the letters of the recipient's name on them are incorporated into the woven fibers. Many teenagers also wear certain types of jewelry to identify them as part of a clique or group. These may take the form of uniquely designed pendants, rings or charms that have spiritual or mystical overtones.
Feminine teen jewelry fashion styles are also influenced largely by young celebrities today. Items worn by teen stars, such as Hilary Duff's slave bracelets, are copied by her non-celebrity counterparts. However, whimsical designs are still hugely popular among this set of young consumers. Gold- or silver-plated jewelry and jewelry that has gemstones has not lost its following among teenagers.
Some masculine teen jewelry fashion trends, on the other hand, tend to lean more toward beadwork, silverwork, leatherwork, and unusual stones. Teenage guys seem to think that sporty-looking accessories, such as so-called surfer-dude necklaces and arm bands made from bone, wood, or shell beads on a rubber or leather cord are cool. Stainless steel jewelry is popular with them, too.
Jewelry has been used by all people throughout history as marks of beauty or to denote social status. Adolescents are not immune to these patterns; in fact they are probably even more susceptible to them because of their need to simultaneously conform and stand out. Teenage jewelry fashion is part of their social arsenal and a tool in the development process.
Sam Serio is an Internet Marketer, musician and a writer on the subject of jewelry and gemstones. For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit http://www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at http://www.morninglightjewelry.com
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The Story of Big Jim. Marketing on the Cheap: Write? Right!!.

2005-10-24T19:02:00.000-07:00

Google Adwords Success eBook

The power went out. Again!

I looked out my second story office window and knew exactly why. I could hear the sounds throughout the morning. This crew of 4 men and 3 bucket trucks stringing power lines along the new poles they had been planting in the front and back yards of my neighborhood the past few weeks.

Often during this time, I would be working on my laptop on the front porch and watched this professional teamwork in total synchronicity, moving from pole to pole in planned sequence. First it was connecting the phone lines. Then, cable. Today, and finally, from the back alley, the electricity.

What was of extreme interest to me was the foreman of this well- oiled machine. A big, burly middle-aged fellow whose sheer stature and hard look would intimidate most. But, he always uttered his commands, some very loudly as his underlings were often thirty-five feet in the air, with warm authority.

You could tell his crew really liked and had great respect for him. Although this was far from your typical 'lean on your shovel' squad, they still joked while working at a well-managed pace. Bossman, whose job description no doubt mandated a no hands-on, no physical labor approach, was always doing something to speed things along, be it picking up refuse or spooling wire. In fact, while they were in the process of connecting my power, guess who was pruning the overgrown pine tree branches in my backyard to make it easier for his boys?

It was at this point that I brought my high-wire friends a sampling of my special blend coffee (I prepared this, just prior to 'lights out'), reserved usually for special company. Setting a tray down on the patio table, I engaged 'Jim' in conversation and remarked how much I enjoyed watching them work and how much it reminded me of my great production team when I owned a drycleaning business. Another well-oiled, and fun to run machine.

His sun-hardened face beamed with pride as he began telling me about what a great group of guys he had and how they were the most productive crew in this large company.

No wonder!

Our conversation was not a long one. Jim had to get his boys back to the matter at hand, and that was to get my power back. But it served to make me think that here was a man who loved what he does, made a positive impact on those around him and earned the sincere respect of those under, and, above him. I could only surmise that Jim also had a great family life.

Why do I tell this story? Simple. It's a simple story of real success! No, Jim is not famous. Probably never will be. Nor is he rich as I could tell, or any of those things that people usually associate with the term 'success.' If this man won the lottery today I'd bet the farm he'd be planting poles and stringing wire and having fun with his crew the very next week. He is, judging by my brief encounter with him, a simple man who possesses one of the true keys of success: He loves what he does!

Let me ask you this? Are you doing what you love? Are you having fun with your 'job'? Do you feel a real sense of purpose and genuine passion for what you are offering people, be it your labor, your customers or your employees? Do you bring those people around you the great value that they deserve and that you are capable of giving? Are you respected by those around you for what you do? Are you, well, happy?

Let me assure you, if you answered "no" to any of the above questions, it's far from too late to change everything in your life!

In my top-selling eBook, Success: A Spiritual Matter, I had the extreme honor of interviewing 14 very successful entrepreneurs. One of those, Paul Lemberg, offered this: "Make sure your work is personally meaningful. If it's not - change what you're doing!" He continues, "Figure out what your purpose is. Not a purpose for you to shellac to a piece of wood and put on the wall. Not a purpose like a check box for your business plan. But a purpose like "what are you here on earth for?" That kind of purpose."

One of the famous quotes of legendary Jim Rohn goes like this: "Turn your vocation into your vacation."

One of the highlights of putting Success:

Success: A Spiritual Matter - Success Stories for those desiring Success.

A Spiritual Matter together was conducting a live interview with Jim Rohn. He made this amazing statement: "Beware of the thief on the street that's after your purse. But also be aware of the thief in your mind that's after your promise."

Don't let that thief steal your promise and keep from the world everything that you have to offer. You CAN do what you love. You CAN start right now.

Contemporary mythologist, Joseph Campbell, offers 3 words as the number one rule of life, which pervades all cultures and religions: "Follow Your Bliss".

Isn't it about time that you followed yours?

Rick is co-creator of the breakthrough Make Every Day A Great Day Program. Read the powerful, life-changing testimonials and discover how this revolutionary product can dramatically change Your Life too!: http://www.MakeEveryDayAGreatDay.com/yes

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Photography Business encompasses photo art photgraphics cameras

We all know the value of writing articles for promoting your website or online store. However, writing articles to promote your old-fashioned, traditional brick and mortar business has been around forever.

Contact your local newspapers, and chances are, depending on what business you are in, they may be interested in giving you your own column. Most small or medium-sized media markets will have at least one daily serving the communities and probably at least one weekly newspaper. Offer to supply a weekly or even a monthly column for free. They are always looking for editorial content and "free" is always attractive. Be careful about a daily commitment, this can get overly demanding in a hurry.

It may be a little more difficult to approach the Los Angeles Times or the New York Times, but in major media markets there are any number of regional weeklies that can be approached.

Other considerations may be regional or even national trade publications, Chamber of Commerce newsletter or other professional associations and organizations you may belong to.

If you can't get the column for free, don't be afraid to pay for it. But make sure the layout is designed to look as much as possible like a regular story or editorial content. The paper will probably require that you put some sort of disclaimer on your column like the word "advertising", but this is not a big deal.

Have a professional photo taken and include it in you articles whenever possible. Don't use your high school photo or one that is touched up to make you look totally different than you actually do. You are trying to build recognition and credibility. After your column has run for some time, you will be surprised how many people will easily recognize you. People like to do business with people they know.

Okay, so now you have own column; make good use of it. Give it value. Do not make it a blatant advertisement and/or sales pitch. In fact, except in extremely rare occasions you probably don't want to sell anything directly in your column at all. You want to write real content, stories that are either of real value or entertaining. I had a friend once that owned a restaurant. He paid to have his own column in our local newspaper. He never once wrote a story about his own restaurant. Instead he wrote about his world travels, famous chefs, and the wonderful restaurants he had enjoyed.

Another approach you may want to consider is a "How To" column. I once supplied a weekly column for an art gallery/picture-framing studio. We wrote a series of how to buy and frame your own artwork.

Check you local newspaper and you will no doubt see examples. If you are writing the column for the newspaper and not paying for it, make sure you retain editorial control and copyright to the work. If you are paying for insertion, ask your ad representative or ad agency for samples. As you travel around, pick up the local newspapers in the area you are visiting and see what others are doing.

If you don't have the time or the feel you are not capable of writhing your own column, check with an ad agency. You should be able to find one that provides this service. If you belong to a professional association, check with them and see if they supply "ghost" stories. I have worked with accountants, stockbrokers, lawyers and others using ghost stories.

I will suggest that if you are not writing the story yourself, you may want avoid the by line that says "by" and use "furnished by" or "supplied by" or something of that nature. The last thing you want to do is get caught taking credit for writing something someone else wrote. If you pay a copywriter for original copy, this is not as likely to happen. But if you use ghost stories from an association, you are more then likely not going to have exclusivity. Someone in another publication may be running the same story.

When you start this project, think long term. It takes a commitment. It will take some time to build readership. You are establishing yourself as an expert in your field to people that don't know you. This will not happen overnight.

I mentioned retaining editorial control and copyright. After you have created a number of columns and/or stories, you may want to consider putting them all together in a book. Keep this in mind in the early stages. If you are working with a ghostwriter or ad agency, make sure they understand your intentions so proper preparations can be made and taken into consideration from the very beginning. If your traditional non-web based business does have a web site, and it should have, make sure you prepare your writings for distribution on the net as well.

Once you start writing you can use the materials in any number of different ways.

So...go write something!

To learn more about writing to promote your business visit http://sbmag.org/writing

No permission is needed to reproduce an unedited copy of this article as long the About The Author tag is left in tact and hot links included. We do request that we be informed of where it is posted so reciprocal links can be considered. Email floyd@sbmag.org.

Floyd Snyder is the founder and former owner of Executive Advertising, Camera Ready Art and Strictly Business Magazine. Currently he is the owner of Strictly Business Magazine at http://www.sbmag.org, http://www.FrameHouseGallery.com, http://www.EducationResourcesNetwork.com/ and http://www.TraderAide.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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X-37 UAV Has Potential. The Christian Community Tries To Take Back What Belongs To Them!.

2005-10-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Scalping The E-mini futures and FOREX @ www.wattstrading.com

X-37 Moves Forward, Now What? Well, here are a few ideas of taking this craft to a whole new level and plateau in American Ingenuity and Innovation. NASA has learned a lot from the X-37 tests and will now turn it over to DARPA, which makes a lot of sense indeed.

http://www.spacetoday.net/Summary/2554

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/History/HistoricA...ges/X-37_lg.jpg

Should we also look at a device mounted on this craft to ionize the air or atmosphere upon entry? If the craft were be launched from a large Blimp, super blimp it could be dropped

Card Magic like the Asher Twist, Pulp Friction, Catch 33, Three Stylin, and other magic...

and once clearing the blimp point skyward and turn on the thrusters and ionizers to rid the craft of any friction, which would occur in the atmosphere. Very little energy would be needed and getting it to an asteroid, the moon or around the planet for re-entry would be extremely efficient. If the X-37 were unmanned it could also serve as a deterrent carrying an explosive payload and be used like a smart munitions all the way to the target ionizing the air along the way through re-entry, in fact there would actually be no re-entry, only an artificial extension of a space tube which it could fly through to it's target as a single mission detonation ICBM. It could be launched from a balloon near over the equator from a Blimp land base in the Hawaiian islands fly half way around the world and drop in un-invited on a declared enemy of peace and freedom, glide effortlessly to it's destination at a very high rate of speed, virtually undetected and accurate to a square foot. Something of that ability would certainly serve the political will of the free world very nicely, wouldn't it? The costs per unit would be quite small once designed and built in large numbers.

The X-37 could also make a nice re-entry vehicle which could ionize the air on it's re-entry by using a high beam of energy and then slowly decreasing the energy for a fast to slow decent using the force of friction of increased molecules of the atmosphere to gradually slow the craft at a pre-designed rate. Less wear and tear on the craft would occur and stability and control could come from parts of the craft not fully in the slip-stream tube of the created extension of space from the ionizing atmosphere device which would be located forward the CG and facing towards the intended direction of flight. Flight control guidance airfoils could extend into an area out side the tube of created space to prevent the craft from spinning within the tube and yawing or losing control. Special landing areas could be also created for such a method of flight so that ionization against the relative wind within the crafts flight path could slow the aircraft to a near stop, thus allow it to hover in artificial space for landing. No need to flair or to worry about a rough landing. The air cushion of non-ionized air would slow it down and the space and waves generated by the ionization would put the craft into a simulated antigravity state for the time it took to land the craft. All this could be done in an automated fashion.

Such a system would allow more payload, eliminate the need for landing gear systems, save space on the craft or commercialized larger versions for space tourism later on. Less weight means more payload, more systems. Such a craft could have on board tele-robotic units to fix the International Space Station or Hubble Telescope, to Mine Asteroids or drill below the surface of the moon for samples. Such a unit could be used to intercept incoming Asteroids on collision course with Earth carrying enough payload for gravity manipulation devices, laser cutters, explosives or attach itself and use it's self propulsion to move the small body off it's current trajectory.

NASA was smart to allow DARPA to have this technology for needs to secure our nation and become part of the missile defense system, strategic surgical strikes against adversaries and defending Mother Earth from catastrophic demise of a large Asteroid direct hit which would certainly cause death and destruction and climatic change which would render the current global warming shift totally insignificant.

If we look at the X-37 as a mini scale of 1/24 the size of a full version ship, you can see the benefits of having such a craft to carry people to the moon in the future for visits, scientific expeditions, visits to Mars, orbiting of Venus, Tourists to the Lunar Surface or sight seeing trip. By adding the benefits of ionization of the atmosphere we reduce the problems of heat friction which caused the last Space Shuttle break up, reduce surface wear and tear and have a truly safe and economical space craft.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

My Prayer Book - A Collection of Christian Prayers for Daily Life

"See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Is. 43:19

Until now, plagued by scandals, and unscrupulous business practices, the Network marketing industry was being frowned upon by the Christian community. Many Christians, who once believe that involvement in this industry is an illegitimate way to earn a living, now see it as an alternative to help alleviate financial and funding pressure. For those who have become weary of the ever-increasing benefit cutbacks and lay-offs in corporate America, network marketing and affiliate programs has become the alternative for their survival.

Before the dawn of the Internet, very few people really understood network marketing, and many got taken advantage of, due to ignorance. There are still many more, who continue to struggle to accept its legitimacy because they do not understand the complex nature of the industry. Network marketing is nothing short of word-of-mouth advertising. Word-of-mouth is the most cost effective form of advertising, and many companies would rather pass their advertising savings to individuals willing to promote their goods or services. The industry is being closely monitored and regulated to protect the consumer.

Ministry Christians <br>Equipping Resources for Those in Church Ministry

Because of this tightened security, the Christian community has now step up to the plate, using this once dreaded medium, to alleviate the constant funding pressure, on Christian families, churches and ministries.

One such company is Spread The Word Ministries. Based in Arizona, this Christian-oriented company has become the largest online Christian bookseller, with over 150,000 Christian related products, surpassing the giant online bookseller, Amazon.com, with approximately 60,000. Of the 5 billion dollars generated by the Christian booksellers industry, only 12% goes back to support ministry. That's almost a 50% loss to Walmart, who generated 20% in Christian retail sales last year. So the concept of Spread The Word is simple - redirecting Christian spending back to the Christian community. The vision and mission of Spread The Word is clear -"Keeping Christian Dollars In Christ's Kingdom."

By providing this funding mechanism, thousands of families, churches and ministries are now benefiting from the program. With their no monthly fee, no annual fee and no quotas to meet, many Christians who have been praying for an honest, legitimate way to earn income, while pursuing their ministerial calling, see Spread The Word as an answer to prayer.

  Information contact: Regina Sawyer (800) 318-9787 ext 0852 joyfullenterprises@msn.com

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Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. 5 Tips For Buying The Right Laptop Computer.

2005-10-21T16:59:00.000-07:00

Jog along on a hilarious,

No More Moles, Warts, or Skin Tags�: How I Safely Removed Moles, Warts, and Skin Tags for Life - Get...

reckless ride through Old London." 1975 Complete Guide to Walt Disney World

"Mr. Who?" asks the wide-eyed child about to enter The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction, dragging his exhausted parents on for the third time today. Sorry, my friend, he isn't the "lost" Power Ranger, he's not "Experiement 213" from Lilo & Stitch, nor will you likely see him in the "House of Mouse" or "That's So Raven" on the Disney Channel. No, Mr. Toad was born in 1908, a little but before your time, in a popular tale called the "Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame. In 1949, he and his oddly-named friends like Moley, Mac Badger, Ratty and Winky were adapted by the folks at Disney into the feature film, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

The film was actually two movies in one - it was comprised of two �½ hour tales (although both films were later re-released individually). The first, the "Wind in the Willows" was narrated by Basil Rathbone, while the second was the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. (The movies were linked solely because their main characters were prone to disaster). The Wind in the Willows centered on the wacky adventures of one J. Thaddeus Toad, Esq. Mr. Toad (as we will get to know him as), is quite well-to-do, and has an unquenchable thirst for adventure, and a bad habit of financial mismanagement. Recently, his attention has turned to the automobile, which further leads to Toad's peril. He eventually is caught stealing a car, jailed, escapes with the help of his friend, Cyril Proudbottom. You'll have to buy the DVD to find out what happens to our little friend.

OK, enough of the background... how does this little amphibian end up with some prime real estate in Fantasyland, and where is he now?

Well, this unique fable first made its way into Disneyland in 1955, just a few years after the film's release. Its success at the box office made it a perfect candidate to draw in adults and children alike to Walt's new family destination. In fact, it had everything Imagineers could ask for - adventure, wackiness, and low cost of production. A dark ride through Mr. Toad's adventures in London was a perfect fit. Oddly enough, though, although the attraction was (and continues

The Law of Attraction (sm) where you manifest & attract abundance, success & wealth!

to be) a hit in Disneyland, characters from the film and attraction do not appear elsewhere in the park, whether it be character meet and greets, or even cameos in other attractions or shows.

When Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, Mr. Toad had secured himself a place among other Disney greats in Fantasyland. Surrounded by such classic characters as Snow White, Peter Pan, and Pinocchio, Toad was clearly among Disney royalty.

In fact, Toad not only earned himself a full-blown attraction in Walt's second, grander theme park, but he had a unique distinction. He may not have appeared in the Mickey Mouse Revue with other classic Disney characters, but one thing that Toad DID have, though, was two attractions in one. Well.... sort of. Like other attractions such as Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion (with its two stretching rooms), and others, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has two different lines (or queues). However, unlike the aforementioned rides, each line for Toad gives you a different adventure altogether. While one side took you through a Trophy Room, Kitchen, Gypsy Camp, Pub, Keg Room (who said there was no alcohol in the Magic Kingdom?)

Surviving Jail or Prison An Insider's Guide

and "Rain Room", the other (Track B) flung you along in your car through a Library, Barnyard and Barn, Town Square, Jail, Prison and Shireland. So much for heading "Nowhere in Particular" as the attraction's theme song (also known as "The Merrily Song") proclaimed! Both tracks led Toad to a similar fate, though. While he was able to narrowly escape the police, gypsies, and Judge, he couldn't avoid the oncoming train in the blackened tunnel.

This is where things got weird. Really weird considering you were in Walt Disney World. Not just WDW, but the Magic Kingdom. And Fantasyland, for goodness sake! So where were you after kissing the front of a train at incredible speeds? Why, Hell, of course. Yes, in clearly what can be called a radical departure from the cute and cuddly Disney holds so dear, you and your car-mates ended up surrounded by Satan and his demonic minions in the bowels of a "Disney-fied" Hell (which some have described as it's a small world for the 5 th time in a row. Yes, pitchforks and all, these long-nosed devils and their leader (complete with requisite horns and pointy moustache) showed you what happens to bad toads that get hit by trains. Of course, in typical Toad fashion, he (and you) found a way to escape this three minute attraction which brought you face-to-face with Hades himself to the peaceful sights and sounds of the nearest gift shop.

In the October 22, 1997 edition of the Orlando Sentinel, Walt Disney World sources revealed plans to close Toad in favor of a rumored Pooh and friends attraction. On October 23, 1997, the fan-based "Toad-Ins" began. Lead by John Lefante through a grass-roots internet website (savetoad.com), more than 1150 letters were sent to Disney, and green-shirted "toad-ins" began to appear in front of the attraction. With shirts that read things like: "Ask me why Mickey is killing Mr. Toad", the fan outrage was demonstrated with actual protests. Even today, fans voting on an "If You Could Bring Back One Attraction" poll favor Toad as their selection. (http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/forums/showthread.php?t=158)

Sadly, and much to the dismay of Toad fans, the former "C-Ticket" (remember the old A-E ticket books?) attraction closed on Labor Day, September 7, 1998, with no more than a week's notice to "Toadies" - many of whom never got to take their last, ceremonial ride. Fans complained that Disney "lied" by not disclosing when the attraction would actually close and their plans to actually close the ride. Although the attractions still (surprisingly?) remains in Disneyland, the unique Walt Disney World version is no more, as it has since been replaced by "The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh", which opened June 5, 1999.

So, why was this ride closed in Walt Disney World at all? Well, if you were to ask me (and I guess you are), I have to say that it boiled down to the dollar. What I mean is that Disney knew they could sell a heck of a lot more Pooh merchandise than they ever could of our little green friend. (No, not Kermit -Toad! Pay attention, please!). And I guess one might wonder how the whole "Hell" scene sat with a company that became so aware of "political correctness" that they changed the classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride to stop pirates from chasing women. Of course, the flat, two-dimensional figures and scenes in the attraction were clearly not very "high-tech", or even 3D as in other dark rides like Peter Pan and Snow White's Scary Adventures. Just add that as another strike against poor Toad.

So Mr. Toad, Toady, Ratty, Moley, Mac Badger, Cyril, Winky and Weasel (the names of the ride cars) were just snuffed out of existence, you say? Not quite. I believe that the fans weren't the only ones who were sad to see Toad go. In fact, there is more than one "hidden" tribute to him in the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride! In addition to the oft-cited mural showing Pooh handing over the "deed" to the building to Owl (near the beginning of the ride, look at the left wall of the scene in Owl's house), there is also a picture of Mole tipping his hat to Pooh later on in the attraction. In fact, one of the Cast Member break rooms in the Magic Kingdom was christened the "J. Thaddeus Toad Memorial Room."

If you still want to see Mr. Toad, be sure to head on over to Disneyland, as one never knows when he may follow his Orlando counterpart. Take me along, too, if you can... I really would like to see the little green guy again.

Louis Mongello has been fascinated by Walt Disney

Inner Secrets of Martial Arts Success

World throughout his more than 40 visits, and in the process learned everything he could about the history, secrets and inner workings of the resort. He is also the author of the Walt Disney World Trivia Book: Secrets, History and Fun Facts Behind the Magic

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Most computers connect to the Internet at a fraction of their potential speed

It's easy to be intimidated by all the laptop models on the market today. There are literally dozens and dozens in every price range.

The key to finding the right one for you is to step back and consider exactly how you plan to use your laptop. When you define what you need before you go shopping, buying the right machine becomes much easier.

Here are 5 basic factors to consider:

1. SIZE

In the world of mobile computing, size definitely matters. The size of a laptop affects two key areas: portability and display size.

Ultralight Backpacking Techniques

If you're always on the go and will be using your computer only in short bursts, a so-called ultralight will save you some shoulder strain.

On the other hand, if you're going to spend hours in front of your laptop, a larger display may be in order.

Today, some laptop displays exceed 17 inches, rivaling the display size of many desktop systems. The down side is that these monsters can easily weigh three times as much as an ultralight.

2. HARD DRIVE

Speaking of size, what about the size of the hard drive? One way to approach this issue is to ask yourself the following question:

Will this be my primary computer, or will it supplement my desktop system?

If the former, you should look for a bigger hard drive - 60 GB or more.

If the latter, you may be able to make it with a 20-30 GB hard drive.

But even this isn't absolute.

If, for example, you plan to copy a huge MP3 library from your desktop system to your laptop to make your music library portable, you'd be well advised to err on the side of too big.

3. MEMORY

In determining the right amount of system memory, or RAM, take a look at the ways in which you intend to use your laptop:

If your needs are somewhat mundane - email, spreadsheets, word processing, etc. - 256 MB of RAM should be plenty. This is a common configuration for many laptops, so it means you probably won't need to spend extra for more RAM.

On the flip side, if you're an aspiring mobile digital photographer or videographer, you should stuff your laptop with as much RAM as it can hold.

In fact, exactly how much RAM your laptop can hold may in part drive your purchase decision. Applications for editing and manipulating multimedia content are notorious resource hogs.

4. NETWORK CONNECTIONS

Thanks in no small part to the Internet, computing in the 21st century relies heavily on being connected:

Connected to the Internet, connected to a corporate network, connected to a wireless network, connected to a home network, connected to an online service.

Your life will be easier if you buy a laptop that includes built-in means to connect to them all.

5. PRICE

If you're considering a laptop, you're probably wondering how much money you'll need to spend.

A few years ago, you'd be hard-pressed to find one for under $2,000. Today, there are plenty of laptops to be had for under $1,000.

What's more, most of the major manufacturers offer a variety of financing options.

Laptop prices have come down, to be sure. However, a laptop still represents a fairly major purchase for most people.

If you take the time to search for a laptop that meets your specific needs, you should get many years of use and enjoyment from this important investment.

You may republish this article, but must keep the resource box and copyright at the end.

About The Author

Menopause A to Z - The Definitive Guide to Modern Menopause

The author, computer journalist John San Filippo, has created the definitive guide for buying a laptop computer. It's an easy read and explains everything you need to know. Check out ==> http://howtobuyalaptop.com/

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How to Put the Sizzle Back in Your Relationship with These Seven Goal Setting Tools. How to Make a Tantalizing White Lightening Chili.

2005-10-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Goal Setting and Relationships?

That is not as weird as it may sound. Consider the following definition of a goal: "A goal is a future incidence or event that is consciously worked towards."

Goal Setting Keys : 47 Goal Setting Keys, Goal Setting, Setting Goals, Goals, Keys to Goal Setting

With this in mind, it is perfectly normal to make it your goal to improve your relationship, and these seven goal setting tools can help you.

A great relationship is one of the finest things life can offer. When you choose your partner and start on a full-time relationship, you look forward to a future of love, support, encouragement, communication and intimacy. We enter into relationships for many different reasons and with many different expectations. Often, due to circumstances outside your control, a relationship can become a little tarnished.

You recognize that all people are different and that even the most compatible couple will have individual needs that differ at times. Using just the seven goal setting tools discussed in this article takes a give and take approach. Partners in a relationship who adopt this give and take attitude often feel a sense of pride in modifying a need "downward" when they know it will satisfy and stabilize their partner and the relationship itself. Mutual giving flourishes in an atmosphere of cooperation.

Seven Goal Setting Tools

Listening: Communication is the key to a lasting relationship and listening is the key to communicating. Being a good listener takes more than being attentive to your partner when he or she talks with you.

Relationship Problems? Discover Secrets To Healthy Relationships

Good listening is a characteristic of a healthy relationship. Give your mate full attention when he or she is talking. Listening without interrupting the other shows respect and also builds trust. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is just to listen - with your heart. So listening helps to improve relationship in great way.

Small things: The small things are what constitute our existence. Once the excitement your partner brings to your world becomes familiar, it's the small things that thrill you both and that will keep you connected and turned-on for the long run. Do the small things you did when you first fell in love with your mate. Remember the small things you did to show your love to your mate? But as time went by, you probably began to get weighed down with simply living life and forgot the small things that made the difference in the beginning. Small things like a phone call in the middle of the day just to talk or say, "I love you", a handwritten appreciative note, flowers, gifts, and opening doors. Re-charge your relationship by consciously going back and doing the small things that you did when your love first began to grow.

Give attention: When each person has decided to give of themselves to the other, you form a reciprocating relationship of love, concern, and devotion. Consider your mate's interests more important than your own. Give attention to your mate's interests. All healthy relationships require consistent, ongoing, conscious attention to survive and thrive. It is a simple fact that whenever we give attention to something, we are choosing to create more of it.

Say 'thank you': One of the most useful phrases in improving your relationship is to say "thank you". These two magic words will make others feel closer to you and create loyal relationships. This attitude of appreciation nourishes the heart of both participants and assures that each person's needs are attended to. Things like saying "thank you", re-charge your relationship. You know to say "thank you" when someone gives you a gift or does something special for you. However,

Great Relationships - How to attract, create, and maintain great relationships

if you're seriously interested in improving your relationship, you need to let your mate know how much you appreciate things that are not special, the things that we just take for granted because people are supposed to do them anyway. Tell your partner what is right with them, what you appreciate, value and cherish. Thank them repeatedly and often. Appreciation makes your partner feel valued. It also builds trust and a feeling of acceptance. These powerful attributes act like a magnet to attract your partner to you.

Personalized gifts: Personalized gifts are great not only for life's special occasions. Personalized gifts bring important moments to life and keep the memory alive forever. Express your feelings and show how much you care with personalized gifts. It shows your partner how much you value your relationship. Personalized gifts are always a winner because they are made exclusively for your beloved, with care and attention. Choose gifts that reflect your partner's interests. Evening wrapping your gift can be personalized. A little handwritten note expressing your gratitude can mean as much to your partner as the gift itself. Also be sure to give the gift in person. Personalized gift giving is a great way to spread goodwill and cheer amongst each other.

Feel special: Sometimes your partner likes to get noticed once in a while. We like to feel appreciated for our actions, feelings and aspirations and want to be noticed and acknowledged. Become a person who notices these things in your partner and give a compliment often. It will make your partner feel special and know how that you care. The only way our partner knows what makes us feel special is if we speak up. The gestures that make us feel special are different for each one of us. Learning how to make each other feel special takes time and an awareness. Taking this journey of self-discovery together is one of the joys of a relationship. A key to a happy relationship is a commitment to learn. It is an attitude of curiosity, discovery, and delight in each other. Learn this essential relationship wisdom, and you will make each other feel special every day.

Unconditional love: Love is the primary energy in the universe. Giving unconditional love will deliver the greatest joy possible. The term '

Healing Your Life with Unconditional Love

unconditional love' means to love without terms and conditions, which means giving of yourself. Unconditional love is accepting another for exactly who they are, not forcing the person to change to meet your expectations of how they should be. It is about giving the person the freedom to be exactly who they want to be by allowing, supporting and enabling them in every way you can. Unconditional Love is true neutrality; it does not judge or evaluate. It does not like or dislike. It does not blame, so it does not need to forgive. It does not have choices or preferences, opinions or positions. Unconditional Love does not dictate, is not authoritative. It has no expectations other than what is.

Put the Sizzle back

Learning how to establish and maintain a loving, supportive relationship is no different to setting any other goal. It takes information, planning, thought, skill, time, and most of all, attention. You learn your skills and styles from your parents, close friends and relatives. You watch them from the time you are little. They teach you both your roles in a relationship, and how to play them, through their example. This happens in every family and much of the teaching is unintentional and unconscious. You can learn to be assertive (not aggressive) and to collaborate with your partner. You can learn to listen with your mind and heart. You can learn to fight fair and resolve conflicts equitably and sanely. You can learn to value and acknowledge both yourself and your partner. You can learn to speak from your heart and be safe. You can learn to ask for what you need and want.

Use these seven goal setting tools, and put the sizzle back in you relationship. This is just one of the areas that is covered in the eaziGOAL system.

About the Author
Colin Dunbar's eaziGOAL is the ultimate goal setting program created especially for working moms and dads. "There is no reason we working moms and dads cannot reach our dream." Full details available at http://www.eaziGOAL.com FREE newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Chili cooks always want to discover that award-winning chili recipe that will be tantalizing for their family and friends and maybe even impress a few chili contest judges. Wouldn't it be exciting to UNLEASH your chili and rock your family and friends' worlds, save money and have a great time preparing it?

In my interviews with outstanding chili cooks,

Easy Cooking Recipes

I have developed some tantalizing chili recipes that are easy, time and money saving and make your body tingle from the first taste right down to your toes.

The secret ingredient is the key to this tantalizing recipe. This secret ingredient sets this chili apart from the rest. Actually, it is so sensational that it makes this easy and timesaving chili unbelievably flavorful.

Finding a recipe that uses your local grocery store ingredients is another time and money saving benefit of this chili. There are no fancy ingredients that you have to go to a specialty shop to buy. So, you can get the ingredients during one of your weekly food shopping trips.

Recipe Cookbook - Restaurant Recipes from Real Chefs - Gourmet Food

This recipe produces a sultry chili that your family and friends will think came from a high-class restaurant.

Try this recipe and send us your comments and suggestions.

Ingredients

3 lbs. of pork, chicken or turkey

2-4 cloves of garlic to taste

1 large chopped onion

1-2 tablespoons of cumin

1 large bell pepper - green, yellow or red

4-6 16 oz. cans of your favorite white bean

1-3 finely chopped jalapeno peppers

If using pork, use a pork shoulder and cook about 2 �½ - 3 hours until you can pull it. With chicken or turkey, cook it for about 1�½ hours in an inch of water at 350 degrees in a large covered roasting pan with a good lid to hold in the steam.

Use chicken or turkey breasts with the skin and bone for the extra flavor. Not necessary to use boneless breasts because more flavor is available with the skin and bone and it is more economical too.

If the chicken does not pull apart at 1�½ hours, cook an additional 15 minutes until it does pull apart. With chicken or turkey, before you add the following ingredients, pull out the bones and unwanted gristle, etc. Only the meat is used in the chili.

The last half hour of the cooking process, add the following ingredients.

Cook chili mixture an additional �½ hour. Add 4-6 16 oz. cans of your favorite white bean.

Stir in the beans and leave it in the oven until the beans are warm and let it cool for 20-30 minutes. Reheat to serve.

To discover the "Secret Ingredient" that makes this chili tantalizing plus 5 SECRET TIPS for "unleashing" your chili, email pmccoach@mchsi.com

About The Author

Coach and Paula McCoach are the owners of Coach's Coffee Company, Inc. They have created special blends of coffee for coffee connoisseurs who like a caffeine kick. Coach's Coffee started by serving America's Civil War reenactors in 1997. Cups of their coffee are made by using Open-Pot Brewin,'�½ a coffee brewing technique created by Coach and Paula to get the best brew from their high-altitude beans. Paula McCoach is now publishing her gourmet recipes, which are another of her culinary creations. For more information on Open-Pot Brewin,' send an email to pmccoach@mchsi.com

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Tips on Buying a Boat: Seven Tips on What You Should Look For When Investing In Watercraft. The Art of Keeping a Journal.

2005-10-19T14:50:00.000-07:00

Tips on Buying a Boat: Seven Tips on What

SAIL to Your Purpose e-Book

You Should Look For When Investing In Watercraft

I discovered sailing many years ago and found it to be a wonderful way to enjoy time with friends and family as well as a way to get away from the office and become totally entranced and absorbed with a world that I did not know existed. I love to sail, so much that I became a certified American Sailing Association Sailing Instructor.

It has been 30 years now that I've sailed the Chesapeake Bay, East Coast U.S.A. and the Caribbean Islands and I've been fortunate to have owned a number sailing vessels, currently two Beneteau sail boats.

I'm often asked by my students what to look for when making an investment in a sailing vessel. I often share the following seven tips and hope that you too may find some value in them.

First carefully examine where you expect to use your boat, long term. Will it be on the Ocean, trans-Ocean, near the shore, in a Bay, on the Caribbean or all of the above. If you plan to sail Ocean or trans-Ocean then be sure that the construction is class "A" or rated for extended off shore passage making.
Used boats buy sell charter yacht boat luxurious chartering sailing broker yachts worldwide director...
Beware of the buying philosophy "I'll buy a smaller boat now and get a bigger one later." If you're buying new you will suffer two large depreciations. If buying used, the money you put into the first boat to bring it up to your own personal standards and needs will go a long way to paying a down payment or many monthly payments on the second boat. You will be upgrading the second boat anyway. Buy now what you expect to own for 5-10 years.
Take into account the area where you will be sailing and who you will be sailing with. Decide on the type of berths that will be suitable for you, your family and your guests. For example, aft doubles aligned with the axis of the boat or an aft double that runs across the boat port to starboard. Although the latter tends to be larger and more comfortable in the slip it is definitely not a sea going berth. How easily does the main salon table convert into a berth and is it sturdy enough to do so repeatedly? In a pinch or in good weather can any one sleep in the cockpit?
What is your likely cruising range? If just 2-4 days then water and diesel tankage can be respectively 20 and 80 gallons or less. If it is 5-10 days then a minimum would be 50 and 160. If you buy a boat with say 100 gallons diesel and 2-300 gallons water then the designer will have given up berth space to accommodate the tankage. Depending on the size of the boat the left over space may not be well utilized until you reach say a 50 ft. long boat. Look for living and storage space that is well utilized. Odd placement of the main salon settees, chart table and galley may indicate poor utilization of space and hence you may be paying good money for little advantage.
Boats that are heavy displacement, say 28,000 lbs for say a 42 ft. boat rather than say 17,800 lbs for a medium displacement, 42 footer will need 10- 15 knots of wind to develop any kind of "feel" at the helm and in many locations such as the Chesapeake Bay with winds typically 5 - 15 knots in the summer you may have purchased a very nice well equipped power boat. However these heavy displacement cruisers are excellent for extended off shore passage making and live-aboard sailing either in the Caribbean or the U.S.A..
One of the best tips, If you are a first time sailor and want to buy a boat in the 25 to 50 ft range, is to sail with someone who knows how to sail, take a sailing class and then charter a boat in the length range that interests you. Picking a boat with out sailing a boat of similar size is risky although many have done it successfully. Keep in mind that many of the modern designs of the last 10 years are designed specifically for two people to sail easily whether in the Bay or in the ocean.
Lastly, do insist on a survey. If the boat has any of the defects listed below find out the cost to correct them if you are expecting the boat to pass the insurer's surveyor. Insurers have their own requirements. Your insurance agent and the surveyor should be working hand in hand. This is where a purchaser of a used watercraft can suddenly be faced with unexpected costs. Costly defects include but are not limited to:
1. Soft or cracked gellcoat on the deck.
2. Deck leaks around windows, masts, caprail, traveller or through deck fittings.
3. If the engine that has stood idle for more than 6 months diesel may be contaminated with bacterial sludges, have pistons seized, injectors blocked and electrical system contaminated with water. Insist on at least a 2-4 hour run in the water at cruising speed. Check for undue vibration, overheating, proper charging of the batteries and that the engine can come up to its cruising rpm.
4. If the boat is more than 6 years old have the surveyor check that the engine mounts are OK and particularly that all mounting bolts are intact. Two can be broken without any obvious signs or effects. When #3 breaks the engine is loose! This is a common problem on older boats that encounter rough waters while under power and can easily be overlooked by the surveyor.
5. Obviously you will need an out of the water inspection. Check for blisters, gellcoat cracks, soft spots, shaft
  
  Dr. Janet Starr Hull's Ten Step Detox Program
  play in the cutlass bearing and loose rudder bearings, hull integrity around through hulls and the gap between the hull and the top of the keel which should be filled with sealant else corrosion of the keel may have caused the keel to separate from the hull.
6. Rigging should be checked by a rigger and all running rigging must be overhauled end-to-end to detect hidden chafe.

Hope you find these tips helpful. Best wishes to you on your investment, maybe I'll see you on the Chesapeake Bay or near the British Virgin Islands sometime, I'll either be sailing on Majjik II or Majjik III.

About The Author

Keith Binnersley is owner of Upper Bay Sailing School, Inc. http://www.upperbaysailing.com. He is a Certified American Sailing Association Sailing Instructor and holds a 50 ton Masters USCG License. You can contact him at majjikll@msn.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Polish your writing and achieve your professional goals

Journal keeping is basically without rules. It is an uncensored invitation to cut & paste, sketch & chart, and to visualize and unravel every great and small thought. At its most basic it is a decision that your life has value.

Just listing your experiences and endeavors can reveal incredible things and encourage you to work for the nearly impossible, the rigorous, and the unseen. Recently, during a course on INQUIRY, I was asked to make a list of one hundred things I didn't know. Here a simple list became a prospect for the unknown and an introduction to something new. As Henry Miller states, "Writing, like life itself, is a voyage of discovery."

I have also discovered that journal keeping is a great way to zero in. For instance, if you were preparing to run a marathon and wanted to improve your performance as a runner. You might put together a journal with notes that included:

�½ Diet & nutrition

�½ Speed & strength

�½ Warm up & cool down

�½ Visualization & meditation

�½ Cross training

�½ Profiles of great athletes

�½ And perhaps a section reserved for ideas and challenges yet to come.

It has been noted that elite athletes keep meticulous journals on their training and competition, not only to advance and validate their hard work and progress, but to mentally prepare them for athletic mastery.

Journals are great for tracking and brainstorming projects or developing a theme such as business creativity or spiritual practice. It can be used as a restorative retreat or a creative landscape, a playground of sorts for your professional goals or a keepsake for travel, weddings and birthdays.

�½Try personalizing your own journal by creating an arrangement that is both practical and natural.

�½Ask questions and dialogue with the world.

�½Use it with regularity and see if this kindles some sort of journey.

Above all enjoy the adventure! WRITE UPSIDE DOWN, USE DIFFERENT COLORS OF PENS, collect conversations, favorite song lyrics & meaningful quotes --or start on the last page and see where it takes you!

The basic nutrition for a journal differs. Yet the more you nourish it, the more confident and the more willing your imagination & intelligence will be.

Janice Hoffmann is CEO and Founder of Success Is Sweetest http://www.successissweetest.com -A NewYork City based Career and lifestyle Coaching boutique.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Getting Organized - Getting Fit. Fireplace Decorating Tips for Easter: Give Your Room's Natural Focal Point an Easter Look.

2005-10-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

In a speech entitled "Organized Living in a Disorganized World" I made the statement "Getting organized is much like exercise and healthy eating. It is something you incorporate into your daily living." Immediately one attendee sighed loudly and blurted out, "I'm doomed!" Many people feel the same way, but based on my own experience with incorporating exercise into my daily life style, I can offer new hope.

I have never enjoyed any kind of physical activity. In fact, it has always been a great source of embarrassment and frustration. I was born with crippled feet and as a child had to wear special (translation: ugly!) shoes. I did not run and play with other children, and when I graduated from college with honors, I had to go back to summer school to complete my physical education requirements about which I had procrastinated for four years because I kept praying I could escape the torture!

In 1994, I heard Dr. Stephen Covey make the statement, "Name one thing that if you did it consistently, it would improve the quality of your life." My response without hesitation (along with hundreds of other attendees!) was "Exercise!" At that moment it became clear to me that until I solved the problem of how to incorporate exercise into my life, I would never have the respect for myself that I needed to accomplish my life's goals. With my 50th birthday just around the corner, and based on my family heritage, the anticipation of living another 50 years, I had to find a solution.

So I turned to what I know -- getting organized. In my experience, there are five essential elements to successful organization: (1) a clear vision, (2) a positive attitude, (3) the right tools, (4) adequate time, and (5) regular maintenance. I became determined to apply these elements to the exercise habit.

My vision was to continually improve my physical condition -- as opposed to comparing myself with someone else's ability. Even the most disorganized person can become better organized if they apply our organizing process, and I was confident that I could apply the same process to exercise!

Up to this point, having the right tool was illusive. I tried a variety of equipment -- some of it very expensive, and none of it consistently successful. A big factor for me was finding something I could do in the privacy of my home -- the thought of paying to go to a health club was outrageous -- I wouldn't exercise in public if someone paid me! Another factor was my extensive travel schedule, which brought up the issue of portability and safety. Then I heard about a program developed by former professional football player Dave Hubbard (www.fit10.com) - one I could do in my own bedroom - or hotel room.

As for finding the time, I was intrigued -- and relieved-- to hear Dave say that I could stay in shape in 10 minutes a day. So much for the excuse of not having enough time to exercise!

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I committed from that moment forward that I would spend 10 minutes six days a week to exercise. Dave commented that a major part of success was being committed to the 10 minutes - making it a habit, so in the beginning, sometimes all I did was watch the video for 10 minutes! One by one I added the exercises.

And finally, there was the issue of maintenance. With all the other factors in place, there was no excuse for not maintaining the program. It took me nearly a year to overcome my own resistance, but after five years, exercising is now a natural part of my routine. I vary the kind of exercise I do, and actually work out in a public facility weekly with a physical trainer now-- and I have never felt better.

If improving or maintaining your physical body is an issue for you, consider how organizing for exercising can make a difference -- whether you ride a bicycle, pull on ropes, walk on trails, or lift weights with a trainer.

And, by the way, the seminar participant I mentioned at the beginning -- she not only organized her office, but she has learned how to keep it that way! And, she tells me she has lost 30 pounds!

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Fireplace Decorating Tips for

Home Decorating Ebook

Easter: Give Your Room's Natural Focal Point an Easter Look

Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter holidays, but don't forget this important focal point in your room as Spring approaches. Here are some nearly-instant ideas for springtime and Easter fireplace decorating:

Daffodils in crystal or glass vases on each end of your mantel bespeak the coming of Spring. Tie a wired chiffon ribbon in a soft spring hue in a bow around each vase for a nice touch.

March a line of fluffy chicks across your mantel. Five or more chicks, whether stuffed toys, porcelain hens, or craft store chickens, make a cute display.

And speaking of stuffed toys, now is a great time to find those old stuffed bunnies and ducks and turn them into mantel ornaments. Add Easter grass, and scatter decorated eggs along the mantel to keep them company.

Tie wired gingham-checked ribbons into bows, and attach them to the edge of your mantel. Let the ends of each bow hang down various lengths from one to three feet. At the end of each ribbon, open a plastic egg, tape the ribbon's end inside the egg, and force the egg shut. This creates a set of eggs dangling at different heights.

Bring out your glass, crystal, white, and pastel candle holders of different heights for your mantel. Select a trio of springtime colors such as lavender, pink and eggshell or aqua, pale green, and soft yellow. Use pastel candles in some of the candle holders. In others, perch decorated Easter eggs (real, plastic, wooden, or glass).

The ideas above are great for your fireplace's mantel, but what's a terrific way to decorate your fireplace itself? Fireplace candelabra are the perfect accessories. And using candles in the shape of decorated Easter eggs in your fireplace candelabra is a super-simple, but visually dramatic way to decorate for the season. (Just don't be too surprised if the Easter Bunny replaces one of the candle-eggs with a chocolate one!)

Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit http://www.FireplaceMall.com for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.

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Proposed DirecTV and DISH Network Merger. 5 Tips for Online Shopping.

2005-10-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

Urban Planning Now!

It was in October 2001 that General Motors Hughes (Parent company of Direct TV) and EchoStar Communications Corp., trader of Dish Network agreed to a merger. The new company would have improved the services for satellite TV clients by adding many HDTV channels and local channels would then be available to all satellite TV viewers.

However, the US Department of Justice blocked the merger.

Why did they do that?

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The merger would create a monopoly position

When merged the new company would serve all of the United States without any competition. As we all know, competition spurs progress and a merger would basically result in less progress. At the present time about 25 to 35 million homes do not have access to cable TV services. Those people have the choice between 2 satellite TV companies. The merger would reduce this to just 1 company, which clearly is a monopoly position that is not allowed. Even in areas with cable TV the merger would result in just 2 providers, of which each has a monopoly on its own technology. Further, EchoStar claimed that the merger was needed to be able to compete against the cable TV Giants. However, satellite TV was growing very fast while cable TV was loosing clients. Out of every 3 new cable/satellite TV clients, 2 would go for satellite TV.

EchoStars proposed self-regulation does not compensate for the basic monopoly issues.

EchoStar and Hughes promised local TV programming to all 210 TV markets. However, the day after this promise, EchoStar asked the Supreme Court to overturn a law that required local carriage. They said they had no intention to carry all channels with the new company. At the time, local channels were available in just 41 markets while the 2 companies together already had the technology available to provide local programming in all 210 markets. A competitive market is more likely to speed up these services than a self regulated monopoly.

A proposed national pricing plan that would guarantee that prices would be the same in both rural and urban areas was also not accepted as prices could be set too high.

The merger would create a monopoly position for broadband internet services in areas that are not served by DSL or cable, the only alternative to broadband internet services is via satellite.

The merger would create a monopoly for broadband internet services in these areas.

Over all it seemed that without any other satellite TV providers a merger of the 2 companies was not possible. The public's interest was just not served by a merger (or at least not enough).

Some markets just don't have much competition because of their nature. Satellites are expensive to build, put into orbit and operate. The fact that there are 2 providers and not just 1 is a blessing for the public and everyone can make a choice. Of course we at Dish-Network-Satellite-TV.ws believe that the choice is easy. Dish Network Satellite is our preferred choice.

About the Author: Gary Davis has many years experience in the Satellite TV Industry and has written numerous articles on the topic. You can learn more about satellite television at Dish Network Satellite TV.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Shopping online has become more and more popular in America as we are all looking to save a little time and money. E-commerce sales are growing at astronomical numbers ranging from 20-25% per year.

Freebie Coupon Corner

And according to Forrester Research, 40% of households are using coupons in their web shopping. The huge increases are obvious: the online savings and discounts are impossible to match by traditional stores constrained by the overhead costs of employees, rent, and insurance. By using some of the tips and tricks mentioned below, you'll be able to take further advantage of a new American pastime: saving with online shopping!

Tip #1: Don't buy Ebay. We all know online auctions seem like such a great deal, and it's easy to get caught up in the emotion of auction. Thing is, auction sites like Ebay

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and Ubid have become saturated with buyers AND sellers, so virtually any discount found is quickly sought by re-distributors who then add their own markups to your purchase. The online marketplace has enough people out there that you can end up spending hundreds of extra dollars for the same things found in your local mall! Don't let your emotions get involved - these are not the right places for the aware shopper.

Tip #2: Never pay retail. Take this scenario: You find something you want to buy, maybe the latest craze or fad such as the Ipod. Should you really pay the price that Apple is offering? No! You can find many deals and coupons for the same purchase just by typing, for example, "ipod coupons" into Google. Spend a little time searching through the top ten to twenty results, you're sure to find the same product for a significant discount. Sometimes, by filling out a survey or signing up for an email list, you'll get additional savings and many times you can even get your product for free!

Tip #3: Get over your instant gratification desire. Just admit it, buying something always gives you a good feeling and you can't wait to take pleasure in that new purchase. Anything you're buying at the mall for that same good feeling can usually be found for a huge discount online. You just have to be willing to wait for the short 2-5 days that it takes for shipping. It's definitely worth the savings to able to control your emotions and hold off until it arrives via UPS!

Tip #4: Watch out for excessive shipping charges. Many times retailers slash their costs to get the sale but then charge more for shipping. Make sure to check the final cost to ensure you didn't receive any unwarranted charges.

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You should also find a free shipping deal at any of the online coupon sites. Sometimes the shipping can cost more than your purchase!

Tip #5: Online coupons: Were you aware of online coupon websites that have discount and promotion codes to nearly all internet stores? These types of websites always have up to date discount offers arranged by category or store, so you can always find something on sale. It's not only a way to

get a good deal but you can also find some of the free shipping offers listed in tip #4. Just be careful to check for a coupon code before making any internet purchase. It's a simple way to find extra savings.

Melanie Breeze
http://www.couponchief.com provides free online coupons, deals, and discount offers to hundreds of internet stores. They update their coupons daily and offer a free newsletter to savvy shoppers for the latest deals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Baby Shower Games For Your Special Baby Shower. Double Your Revenues with Joint Ventures.

2005-10-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

Baby Shower Games Package,Printable Baby Shower Games

So you're holding a baby shower? Then you will need baby shower games to keep the guests entertained. While the baby shower is a good time to pamper the mom-to-be and make her feel very special there are also a number of guests that need to be kept happy for the duration of the event. Our focus here is on baby shower games, since these are always the most memorable part of any baby shower.

Baby shower games can be both silly and entertaining by overall they should be plain old fun. Some are intended to embarrass the mom-to-be, but others can really be fun and may even teach the guests something. The promise of a prize, even something token like, always adds to the enjoyment too.

Games can be a great way to get guests to mingle at a shower especially if they don't know each other and it is also a great ice breaker. Here are some ideas for choosing the right baby shower games:

In the planning stages of the baby shower, be sure to discuss potential game ideas with the mom-to-be. She may have some definite dislikes when it comes to baby shower games, and since it's her day, you want to be sure to plan something she'll enjoy and be very comfortable with.

Plan the first baby shower game for early in the party because it can make for a great icebreaker, so try to schedule it for just after everyone arrives but just before the main food courses and gift opening.

Pick a game that is connected to your theme. Whatever your decorating and food plans, you can tie it all together with a well-chosen game in the same theme.

Prepare in advance. If your game requires writing, be sure you've gathered up enough pens and pencils beforehand. And the same thing goes for other objects: have it all ready to go so guests don't have to wait.

Choose creative but inexpensive prizes as token items for guests. The fun of the game should be in the playing, but it's nice to have a prize and enters a little competitive spirit. Take pictures during the baby shower game. They make great additions to a mom's scrapbook and as a long term keepsake for the baby.

Choose easy Games.

Games should be easy to explain and easy to play. Anything confusing or difficult takes all the fun out of it and people get bored before the game even begins.

So now that you know how to plan for the shower games, here are some of the more popular shower games for you to incorporate into your event:

Guessing the Baby Food - Remove the labels from a few jars of baby food after marking the lids by numbers. Make a list of the contents of each jar. Each person has to taste the food and try to guess what it is - pear, potato, custard, beef etc. Let everyone write down the number from the jar and what they think is in it. The person with the most correct guesses wins the game!

The Tray Game - Place a number of baby items on a tray. (Usually about 15-20). Slowly circle the room allowing each guest a chance to examine the items. Remove the tray from the room and see who can remember the most items on a paper in 2 minutes. Usually the items on the tray go to the expectant mom and the winner gets a small prize.

Guess the Girth - Check with the guest of honor in advance on this one. All you need is a ball or two of string. Ask guests to cut a length of string that they think will stretch around the future mom's belly. After everyone has had a turn, the mother-to-be measures and cuts a string that fits her belly. Compare her string to all the guests' pieces of string. The person who was closest wins a small prize. This is a great icebreaker and always good for some laughs.

Baby Picture Match Game - In advance, ask all the guests for pictures of themselves as babies. Assemble the photos on a pin up board and assign a number to each photo. At some point during the shower, pass out sheets of paper to the guests so they can match each baby to the appropriate grown-up. If the guests don't know each other well, name tags can help the process. The person who gets the most correct answers wins.

Looking for baby bedding, baby gift baskets, baby furniture, baby shower invitations, baby strollers, Robeez shoes, baby shower games or themes, please visit http://www.baby-shower-4u.com

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Baby Shower Themes For Your Special Baby Shower

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The best

Double Your Vertical Leap!

way I know of to multiply your online results, such as doubling the size of your opt-in email list, or increasing your sales, is through the use of joint ventures.

Joint ventures are partnerships created with other reputable business people that create a win-win situation for not only you and the person you partner with, but also your customer!

A great example of a joint venture that can be used to double the size of your opt-in subscribers overnight, is to partner with another publisher who publishes a newsletter for a related, but not competing, product or service as yours.

Co-Reg Master Add Co-Registration Offers To Your Forms!

This is called co- registration.

Here's how you do it. Create a subscription page for your newsletter. Once the visitor subscribes to your ezine, have them automatically forwarded to a 'Thank You' page that offers your partners ezine along with a recommendation. The recommendation will greatly improve the response you get so give your partner a good one.

Now all you have to do is have your partner do the same thing. Provided you are both generating approximately the same amount of new subscribers per day, you will DOUBLE your subscription rate!

This technique can be done with simple programming or the use of a pop-up window.

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You can find the script for a pop-up window at: http://wsabstract.com/popwin/index.shtml. To see a sample of how I use this technique check out: http://www.jokeboy.net - You will notice, I have modified the technique a little to suit my needs. What I have done is forward the subscriber to my content-related, ezine subscription page, where other publishers pay me to collect thousands of subscribers for them every month. To learn more about this service visit: http://www.listopt.com/lbsignup.html.

The second type of joint venture is in the form of a personal endorsement that each partner sends out to his respective ezine readers. This technique will yield you amazing results.

What you want to do is work out a deal with your joint venture partner whereby you can offer his subscribers a special offer or discount for your product or service. By doing this, your partner wins because in the eyes of his readers he is making them an exclusive offer (and therefore, the subscriber wins too). Your partner may also reap the rewards of any referral fees you might give him. And you win because of all the new business that is generated for you for free!

Below is a sample of my latest joint venture endorsement letter that a partner of mine sent out to her entire subscription list. I in turn sent out a similar letter to my subscribers. The letter will give you a clear picture of how you can implement this technique right away.

*******

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SAMPLE JOINT VENTURE LETTER *******

Dear friend,

Why would a publisher of a Joke Ezine write to you about a subscriber acquisition service?

It's because I felt it was so important that you find out about The ListOpt List Builder Service. You know there aren't too many businesses nowadays that meet your expectations, let alone exceed them. But ListOpt Publications has done just that.

And that's why I wanted to personally introduce you to Glen Hopkins, the owner of ListOpt Publications.

For 4 years now, Glen has collected tens of thousands of opt- in email addresses for my ezine and has been an absolute pleasure to do business with.

And since I'm always on the look out for great deals for my valued subscribers, friends, and fellow ezine publishers, I asked Glen if he could let me do something special for you. After a bit of "friendly persuasion" he agreed!

So here's the deal: When you join The ListOpt List Builder Service and forward this letter to Glen, you'll get $5.00 added to your account credit. I've attached information below so you could see what Glen has to offer.

Take a look at it and then contact Glen at glen@listopt.com right away. You'll be glad you did.

Sincerely,

Your Name

www.yourdomain.com

****** END SAMPLE JOINT VENTURE LETTER ******

Can you see the potential in doing something like this? I'm sure you can. So get you wheels turning and think of who YOU could create a profitable joint venture with, and set it up today.

Of course, if you are interested in creating a joint venture with me, please send your suggestion to glen@listopt.com. I am always looking for new business partners to multiply results with!

You have permission to reprint this article provided you include the following resource box:

About The Author

Glen Hopkins is the director of ListOpt Publications Inc. If you're looking to build your newsletter subscriber base quickly, easily and inexpensively, visit http://www.listopt.com and learn what hundreds of other publishers are saying about ListOpt's amazing List Builder service.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Can Your PR Game Plan be Salvaged?. 10 Ways to Learn a Software.

2005-10-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

Survey Puppy - Get Paid up to $4,500 Per Week for Your Opinion!

If, as is often the case, you are preoccupied with comm- unications tactics instead of working a plan to actively pursue those outside audience behaviors that stop you from achieving your objectives, the answer is yes.

Fortunately, it's no big deal making the switch to a public relations problem-solving sequence that works. Simply accept this reality: People act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action those people whose behaviors affect the organization, the public relations mission is accomplished.

What this approach to public relations can do for businesses, non-profits and associations, is help them alter the perceptions, and thus behaviors of their most important external audiences, those with the greatest impact on their operations. This can make achieving their objectives much easier, and much more likely.

Here's how it could work for you.

Sit down and list those outside audiences of yours whose behaviors can damage your organization's prospects. Then, put them in the order of how severe their impacts are, and we'll work on #1 on that list.

First objective is to create a public relations goal. So, because it's likely there are negative perceptions out there, you and your cohorts must meet with members of that target audience and interact with them. Ask many questions such as "What do you know about us? Have you had any kind of contact with us? What have you heard about our products or services?"

And while you're asking those questions, keep your eyes and ears peeled for evasive or hesitant answers. And also for negatives like inaccuracies, untruths, misconceptions, hurtful rumors and false assumptions.

Your public relations goal can now be established using the responses you just gathered. And that goal will be the specific perception you wish to alter, usually leading to the behavior change you really want. For example, goals like, correct that inaccuracy, clearup that misconception, or squash that hurtful rumor once and for all.

What you need to know most about your new public relations goal is, how do I get from here to there, and what action program will be most appropriate? Your strategy will give you the answer. But you have only three choices when it comes to strategies for opinion or perception matters.

Reinforce existing opinion, change it, or create perception/opinion where none exists. But make certain the strategy you select clearly fits your public relations goal. Obviously, you would not select the "reinforce it" strategy option when your goal is to change a damaging rumor.

Writing, like it or not, is the next challenge. You need a message carefully prepared to alter your key target audience's perception. But writing it is no walk in the park.

The message must not only be corrective and crystal-clear, it must also be compelling if it is to move your target audience member's perception in your direction - a must, if those desired behaviors are to come about.

Like the military officer calling in artillery fire during combat, you must call in your communications tactics to carry your message to its target, the members of your target audience.

The arsenal is full of such tactics ranging from personal contacts, group briefings, press releases and speeches to emails, letters-to-the-editor, brochures, celebrity appearances and many, many others.

The only caution here is, check carefully that each tactic you choose has a proven record for reaching people like those who make up your target audience.

It won't be long before urgent questions are raised. "How are we doing? Are we making any headway towards our goal?"

It would be ideal if your budget could accommodate the considerable costs of professional opinion surveys to answer those questions. However, as you did at the start of the program, you can again monitor perceptions among members of your target audience by asking the very same questions you used the first time around.

But now, you will watch carefully for indications that your message and communications tactics are moving audience perceptions in your direction.

You can always provide a boost to the effort by adding new tactics to the mix as well as increasing their frequencies. And check your message again to insure its impact and factual accuracy.

What you will have accomplished is the timely use of the fundamental realities of public relations. In this case, to salvage an unsatisfactory PR program so that it now delivers the external audience behaviors you need to help you reach your objectives.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.

Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com; bobkelly@TNI.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Following

IProfit eBook Package - Quality eBooks and Software with Master Resell Rights

tips help you to learn a software in lesser time and in an efficient manner:

1. After installing a software package, look for any README file in the installed folder. Besides company and product details, it may give an overview of features, usages and limitations of the software.

2. Next run the software and have a feel of the look of the software. Identify the different parts of its main screen.

3. Look for the information shown in the TITLE-BAR of the main screen. Usually, it shows the product name. If the application is SDI (Single Document Interface like Notepad) or MDI (Multiple Document Interface like MS Word) then title-bar will also contain name of the opened file. Similarly, there may be STATUS-BAR at the bottom that shows the operation being performed.

4. Then comes the main MENU-BAR. Most of the GUI based software have common menu-items. So its better to learn once-for-all. Some of the common menu-items are:

FILE, EDIT, VIEW, TOOLS, WINDOWS, HELP.

Each of these names are intuitive itself.

-The FILE menu will have operations NEW, OPEN, SAVE, SAVE AS, PAGE SETUP, PRINT,CLOSE and EXIT.

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Similarly, EDIT menu contains editing operations like CUT, COPY, PASTE, FIND AND REPLACE.

-The VIEW menu helps in controlling the view of the software GUI. You can switch on-off various toolbars.

-The TOOLS menu usually have options to customize the software you like and also other supporting functionalities like Read-Aloud function in a word processor package.

-The HELP menu may contain GETTING STARTED tutorial, detailed indexed and searchable help and ofcourse, a popup dialog-box that shows information about the software. It may also contain a link to website of the product.

500 free DHTML and JavaScript applets: download menus, script-generators, guestmaps, scrollers, tick...

5. Once acquainted with different menu and their menu-items, look at each menu again to find shortcuts to them. For example, Alt+F will take you to File menu. Some common shortcuts are:

Ctrl+N - New
Ctrl+O - Open
Ctrl+S - Save
Ctrl+Shift+S - Save As
Ctrl+P - Print
Ctrl+X - Cut
Ctrl+C - Copy
Ctrl+V - Paste
Ctrl+F - Find

6. Next have a look on various tool-bars that are present below menu-bars. They provide a visual shortcut to the desired operation. Examples are a paper folder on top right corner for NEW, an opened folder for OPEN, a scissor for CUT, two papers for COPY, a paper on clamp-pad for PASTE, floppy icon for SAVE and printer ICON for PRINT. A book or question mark icon represents HELP.

7. If the package is a development tool then start with the sample applications provided with it. It will help you understand what functionality level the package can provide. Also, you may need not start your application from scratch; it can be dervied from one of the sample application (provided source code is available).

8. Mostly, the menu-item name will tell its functionality. Even if it does then also try each operation available in the package.

9. You can master a software with its usage and little study. The best place for getting some help is the in-built help provided in the package itself.

10. Remember Internet is always there to solve your problem. Use a search-engine with appropriate phrase to get the best material available as solution to your query. You can visit my website: http://www.geocities.com/zainvi_sf for Tips and Tricks for various softwares, programming langauages and links to ther useful material available on the Internet.

Syed Feroz Zainvi has obtained M.Tech. (Comp Sc & Engg) degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (INDIA). His areas of interests are distributed computing, computer graphics and Internet Technologies. Currently, he is involved in Software Project Planning, Development and Management. His other interests include writing for magazines and contributing utility softwares on Magazine's CDs. He also have flair for teaching computer science with new teaching methodologies.

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Types of Mortgages. 3 Copywriting Tips - How To Edit For Mass Appeal!.

2005-10-10T14:10:00.000-07:00

Here is a useful guide to the different types of mortgages that are available.

A mortgage is a loan you take out to buy property. You can get a mortgage direct from the lender such as banks, building societies and specialist mortgage lenders.

Your mortgage is probably the biggest loan you will ever take out, so it is important to get a mortgage that suits you. This will depend on your personal circumstances and your plans for the future. Many mortgages have hidden drawbacks.

#1 - 100% Independent Home Mortgage Loan Advice, Tips on Rates, Brokers, Refinancing:

Get independent advice before you choose a mortgage.

There are two basic types of mortgage, interest-only and repayment. The option you choose is determined by the way you want to repay your loan. There is no hard and fast rule about which is better. It is a matter of individual preference.

Interest only

An interest-only mortgage allows you to repay just the interest on your loan, but you have to take out an investment that will mature to pay off the outstanding amount. If your investment performs well then you may have some money left over after paying back your mortgage. But there is also a risk that the investment will under-perform leaving you to make up any shortfall.

Repayment

A repayment mortgage requires you to pay back both interest and loan capital, so at the end of your mortgage period there is no money owing. Early on you pay mostly interest, so it might seem that the outstanding balance never gets lower. But later on you will repay more capital, and the total will decrease more quickly.

Here is a selection of the different mortgages that are available:

Discount mortgages

This is where lenders offer a reduction on the standard variable rate for a fixed period. This type of mortgage is good for someone wanting to make savings in the early days of owning a property.

Annuity Online Quote Annuities Fixed Variable Immediate Equity Indexed Annuity Retirement Planning I...

But be aware that the rate can change as it is fixed to the standard variable rate.

Fixed mortgages

With a fixed rate, your payments stay the same no matter what happens to the base rate. This is a sensible option for people who want to know exactly what they will be paying for a certain period. There is always a risk that, if interest rates fall, you might be left paying an uncompetitive rate. On the other hand, a rise in rates will leave you paying less than people on other schemes.

Tracker mortgages

This type of mortgage follows the Bank of England base rate. It will usually stay a set margin above the base rate for the duration of the loan. They are suitable for people who think base rates might be on a downward trend.

Capped mortgages

These schemes are similar to fixed rate mortgages, but give you a get-out if rates fall sharply. They allow you to pay either the capped rate or the lender's standard variable rate, whichever is lower. They can initially be slightly more expensive than other deals, but if rates fall they can pay off.

Offset mortgages

They will link your current account and your mortgage. You pay your salary into an account and your mortgage payment is taken out as per usual.

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But any extra cash in the account is also used to offset against the amount you owe on the mortgage, so you pay less interest.

Flexible mortgages

Another way of managing your mortgage is through a flexible arrangement. This allows you to pay more money off your mortgage when you have it, or take a payment holiday if things are a bit tight. Some lenders will allow you to overpay each month and withdraw the extra cash if you need it later. And if you have the money, you can pay off your mortgage early. Any money you can pay off early will save you interest payments.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

About The Author
John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Great Love Letters

Web copy that's intended to sell or generate leads needs to quickly reach out and grab attention and build rapport with a target audience. You can connect with your audience more effectively if you understand something about how people process information, and how they think.

Every one of us is constantly sorting, distorting, and generalizing what we perceive, just to stay sane.

As a result, different people see the world differently.

House Value Online: Home Values, Property Tax Appeals

You probably want to appeal to as many of them within your target market as possible. Here are three simple tips you can use when it comes to editing your web copy.

1 - An idea can be made to appeal to more people if it is expressed in both a positive (moving toward), and a negative (moving away from) fashion.

Look how it's done in this famous lead..."TWO YEARS FROM NOW, your business could easily be worth 2.5 to 25 times what it's worth today...Or you could fall into the list of business also-rans... " Some people are motivated by the desire for gain, and others by the fear of loss. With a statement like this, it doesn't matter which, you're speaking their language either way.

Another great example of this is in the life insurance industry. Rather than try to force a square peg into a round whole, the insurance companies came up with the idea of "cash value". Now the sales pitch could be reframed to appeal to both types of people. Those that moved toward pleasure could be sold on the idea of early retirement, and those that moved away from pain could be sold on the more traditional idea of income protection.

2 - The second idea is internal versus external frame of reference. Some people do things because they see others doing them. Some people want to relate things to their own experience. The former is impressed by testimonials and success stories, while the latter is moved by deductive reasoning, analogy, and metaphor. You can see this requires two very different kinds of selling.

Here's another way to look at internal versus external orientation. The internally directed person values a sense of achievement while the externally directed person values recognition. Two sides to the same coin.

So you might say in your copy, "Picture the smiles of appreciation your family will reward you with when they begin to enjoy the new lifestyle this knowledge can afford you. Imagine the sense of achievement, and how confident you'll become!"

The first sentence appeals to an external bias, while the second one targets an internal bias.

3 - And the third tip is to use phrases that appeal to multiple modes of perception in your copy. Like everyone else, you perceive the world with a bias toward seeing (visual), hearing (auditory), or feeling (kinesthetic). Naturally your copy will reflect this bias. By going back through it and editing it to include all three biases, you will connect with more readers.

I am a very visual person, so I might write something like, " You've got a clear view of it in your mind's eye now, don't you? Suddenly, it appears you'll make your decision." I might go back and edit this passage to include a mix of the modalities. Perhaps..."This is really resonating (auditory) with you now isn't it? You've grasped (kinesthetic) all of the important points and you can see (visual) your choice."

By understanding people's patterns of perception, and how they view the world, you can make more of them feel comfortable when they arrive at your website. Your sales message will click with more buyers, and you'll see more sales!

". . . anywhere is the center of the world." Black Elk, Sioux Medicine Man

Daniel Levis is a top marketing consultant & direct response copywriter based in Toronto Canada. Recently, Daniel & world-renowned publicist & copywriter Joe Vitale teamed up to co author "Million Dollar Online Advertising Strategies - From The Greatest Letter Writer Of The 20th Century!", a tribute to the late, great Robert Collier.

Let the legendary Robert Collier show you how to write words that sell... Visit the below site & get 3 FREE Chapters!

http://www.Advertising-Online-Strategies.com/ad-strategies.html

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Boost Your B to B Marketing Copy: 3 Major Copywriting Blunders and How to Correct Them. Gourmet Coffee Habit Costing Consumers as Much as $1,500 Yearly.

2005-10-08T13:34:00.000-07:00

Boost Your B to B Marketing Copy: 3 Major Copywriting

Business English Language Multimedia Grammar Practice

Blunders and How to Correct Them

When you're writing or evaluating copy for a B to B marketing (also referred to as b-to-b or business to business marketing) campaign of any kind, you may think it's only appropriate to write formal copy in which you refer to yourself as "we" or "our organization" and let lots of other copywriting basics fly out the window.

Sadly, these sorts of mistakes are the result of the major misconception that you have to be cold and impersonal in your copy if you want to seem professional. If you're guilty of this copywriting crime, you probably learned this rule from a well-meaning, but misguided communicator who doesn't understand that business writing is designed to sell.

But fear not -- there's no reason for your B to B marketing to be bland and ineffective. You just need to know what to look out for. In this article, I've outlined the 3 copywriting blunders that happen the most and can be easily avoided in the future.

These B to B marketing mistakes include:

1. Avoiding use of the word "you" in your copy. Apparently many companies are under the impression that business people like their human sides to be ignored -- to which I say, Au contraire.

Last I checked, most of us in the business world still want to feel included in the copy we read. Wearing a suit or working for a large corporation doesn't magically turn that need to connect off. Speak to the person directly using the words "you" and "your," and your results will be stronger.

2. Using technospeak when user-friendly copy better suits the non-technical audience. Sure, some people in your industry know what the word "interoperability" means. But they're rare and probably aren't the ones making the marketing decisions.

To illustrate my point, I would invite you to consider this:

I am a professional copywriter and always aim to deliver accurate copy to my company's clients. However, given that this article is targeted to help a general business audience, it's fair to say it might not make sense for me to start waxing on here about unclear antecedents and the blight that is the dangling participle, even if I am something of a grammar fanatic in my own little microcosm of reality.

The lesson here is that it's probably best to leave the shop talk in the shop and write for your customers using the words in their vocabulary.

3. Forgetting to ask prospects to buy what you're offering! Isn't the point of B to B marketing to get business people to purchase what you're selling? There is no need to be over the top with your call-to-action, but it is important that you include one.

If you're hesitant to ask for the buy, keep in mind that most business people are aware they're being sold to the moment they read promotional materials and accept this as a part of doing business.

Selling to "timid" office workers? Find a way in your copy to speak to their hearts, then ask them politely to consider what you have to offer.

Is your audience a group of somewhat stuffy financial types? Show them the financial benefit of what you're offering, as well as what they'll save when they purchase from you. Then ask them to buy in a way that appeals to their analytical minds.

A word of caution: If your B to B marketing is targeted toward professional marketers, that's even more reason to urge readers to purchase; if you don't, they might not take action because of their over-exposure to marketing messages of all kinds. Just use the approach best-suited to the type of marketing that they handle every day.

The bottom line? Don't forget to ask people to take action, regardless of what that action is.

Of course, there are other ways to boost the results of your B to B marketing, but these copywriting tips will have you headed in the right direction in no time flat. Make sure to use them for all of your upcoming campaigns.

Copywriter/marketing strategist Jennifer McCay helps individuals and small businesses turn their expertise into marketing success stories. She is the publisher of the Avenues to Marketing Success Newsletter, which delivers tips to help you rev up your small business marketing. To subscribe and receive a FREE special report on 7 ways to improve your sales copy, head to http://AvenueEast.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Gourmet coffee consumers rarely consider the cost of their daily coffee in terms of the expense to brew premium whole bean coffee at home (50 cents to 75 cents) with prices of a pound of gourmet coffee beans versus a two or three cup a day ($4.50 to $6.00) coffee drinking habit when purchased at premium coffee houses. A recent Washington

The Street School Home Page

Post article discussed Seattle law students spending money from their student loans for Starbucks coffee across the street from the Seattle University School of Law.

Erika Lim, director of career services at the law school has launched a campaign to reduce coffee consumption by students attending the university on student loan money. She points out that students are spending education loans on luxuries like latte instead of necessities like a loaf of bread. That borrowed money takes years to repay and many students don't do the math to see that study time with 2-3 cups of coffee at Starbucks over 4 years can cost them significant sums - as much as $4500 in principle, interest and fees on their student loan - over the course of their education. An online calculator has been posted for those interested in calculating their caffeine expenses at: http://www.hughchou.org/calc/coffee.cgi

Gourmet Coffee drinkers have become accustomed to paying $2 or more per cup for fresh brewed coffees at Premium coffee houses - and many sources are predicting those prices may increase to as much as $4 per cup soon due to expected increases in green coffee prices. But smart gourmet coffee consumers have long known that premium coffee brewed at home costs just 12 cents or so per cup, depending on preferences for coffee strength.

Many coffee producers recommend starting with 1 tablespoon of fresh ground gourmet coffee beans per standard 6 ounce cup of water. Starbucks recommends double that amount for stronger coffees at 2 tablespoons per 6 ounce cup. A pound of gourmet coffee (that is 16 Ounces or 1 Lb.) divided by 1 1/2 Ounces comes to roughly 10 pots of 10 cups (6 Ounce cups) equaling 100 cups for the cost of one pound of gourmet coffee beans. At the average of 1.5 tablespoons per 6 ounce cup and average size of 12 ounce coffee mug, you can expect 50 cups of home brewed coffee per pound of gourmet beans!

Prices of premium gourmet coffee beans range between $10 and $18 per pound, making a cup of home-brewed gourmet coffee, made fresh to your liking, cost only between .10 cents and .25 cents per cup or between $1.00 and $2.00 per pot of coffee! Even the rarest and most expensive coffee sold, the exotic Kopi Luwak, at $175 per pound, is still less than $1.75 per 6 ounce cup when brewed at home! So if you have expensive tastes and want a 12 ounce mug of the rarest and most expensive coffee on the planet, you still need only pay what some premium coffee houses charge for a latte ($3.50) for that rare privilege.

When consumers learn that they can purchase gourmet whole bean coffee for between $10 to $18 per pound, then fresh grind and brew at home for significantly less than gourmet coffee companies charge, many see home brewing premium gourmet coffee as luxurious treat. Purchasing a thermos or a large travel mug to take coffee with them from home makes drinking rich, fresh roasted coffee a possibility for about one-seventh the cost of buying that coffee from expensive and crowded coffee shops.

Many so-called premium coffee houses keep their coffee heated on warmers after brewing, but this practice causes the flavor to turn bitter after less than an hour of warming. It is actually more likely you will get a rich flavorful cup of coffee from an insulated thermos or insulated type pump containers. Reheating coffee can destroy the flavor of good gourmet coffee - just as quickly as extensive warming.

Coffee purists prefer to make individual cups with a coffee press, fresh grinding beans for each cup and drinking the entire amount brewed before it turns cold to get the maximum enjoyment from their beans. Microwave a good cup of coffee that has gone cold and you'll see how much better it is freshly brewed. Using good clean, fresh water is essential since coffee is 99% water and bad tasting tap water can quickly ruin even the best fresh ground beans.

You can enjoy great gourmet coffee more and pay less for the privilege by starting with whole beans and grinding them yourself with a $20 coffee grinder. Make only what you can drink or carry with you in a nice thermos or travel mug instead of reheating coffee later. Use good tasting water and keep your brewing equipment clean to prevent the rancid bitterness that can come from previous grounds in crevices.

You can brew at home with fine gourmet coffee beans, fresh ground and brewed in a French press coffee maker, carry a fancy thermos of great coffee to work or school and enjoy the best coffee available for far less money than you would spend at crowded and expensive premium coffee house.

Written by Mike Banks Valentine for Tastes of The World coffee company, focusing on specialty gourmet coffees which are not readily available in the United States. Rare Gourmet Coffee is their business so they make shopping with them risk free. "If you are happy tell a friend if you are not tell us"

http://www.tastesoftheworld.net/Coffee-Cost-Per-Cup.htm
E-mail CustomerService@tastesoftheworld.net
Call 1-877-895-2662

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Are American Women Driving Their Men Away?. Driving To Your Goals.

2005-10-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Understanding Men

Recently, I stumbled across something on the internet. A particular website caught my eye... and provided a solid hour or more of eye-opening reading. What was it?

This website offers little in the way of looks, and a lot in the area of crassness and yukky language. However, looks don't always matter these days when it comes to websites. What matters is what you're reading. And this website more than delivered in that way.

The topic is controversial. The website might upset you.

But if you're a woman who wants to understand men, or a man who wants to read what other men are thinking and feeling, this is one sure place to visit.

http://www.nomarriage.com

Nomarriage.com is by a man who says that marriage is a bad idea, and that having children is highly overrated. In fact, he says that the only reason for getting married is to have children. Why does he feel this way?

He makes this very clear: it's because of what American women have become, in his eyes. They have a huge sense of entitlement, and they treat their men badly. They manipulate their way into marriage by making things as nice as possible for their intended, but once the wedding vows take place, the "fun" is over - sometimes very abruptly, from many of the stories that are quoted on the website.

I found nomarriage.com to be fascinating reading. Like the readers of my website, I care very much how men feel and what they think. There is no question about it - this man does indeed have a valid point! What he describes is indeed reality in countless marriages!

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Many, many men are resigned, disappointed, hurt, disgusted, stuck, or just plain finished with marriage - or at least with marriage to American women.

An attractive, reserved, intelligent young man I know, whom I respect very much, quietly wooed and wed a darling young girl from Japan. They have been married about three years now and just had their first child. She adores him, and she also joined his religious faith. They are clearly very happy together. Something led him to go thousands of miles to find a wife. What was it?

Read nomarriage.com for yourself and let me know what you think. You might get mad at me for saying that this writer has a point - but in fact, he does - and there's just no denying it.

What will you gain from reading this man's website? You will get an unforgettable insight into what men truly want and need from their wives and girlfriends. Look at this website in this light, and learn a great deal about what matters to many men. And remember my warning that it is oftentimes rather distasteful reading - but nonetheless, quite an eye-opener.

Don't let the love of your life become as unhappy as these men have become!

Sarah Tanner is a writer about relationships and charm. Visit her website, http://www.howtohavecharm.com, and sign up there for her unique emails about charm and relationships.

Michael Webb's Relationship ebook collection

You will receive free ebooks on relationships and self-improvement with each email! You are welcome to reprint this article if you include this resource box with all links unchanged.

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Every time you get in your car to go anywhere, you are working on achieving a goal. There is somewhere you want to be, so you take action to get there. The three

Instructions to make roman shades - How to make roman shades - directions making roman shades - Easi...

major things that get you where you want to go when driving are a specific destination, directions for getting there, and a way to track your progress. You must also have these three things to achieve any goal.

Specific Destination

Before even getting into your car, you must know where you are going. Unless you have a specific destination, you're just moving the car and wasting gas. There isn't anything particularly wrong with this; some people enjoy just driving around and looking at the scenery.

The Law of Attraction (sm) where you manifest & attract abundance, success & wealth!

But if you want to get somewhere, you must know where you are going.

When setting your goals, you must know exactly what it is that you want. Get a clear picture of it in your mind. If it's a new job, picture yourself in that job. If it's more money, visualize that monthly bank statement. Imagine what you will feel like when you reach whatever it is you are striving for. Write it down, like you would write down the address of a house you are visiting for the first time.

Directions

If this is a destination you've been to before, you don't need directions. It's automatic, like tying your shoes or chewing your food. But what if it's somewhere you've never been before? How do you get there?

You ask. You ask someone who's been there before. You pull out a map. You check the Internet. The directions may not be perfect, and often they aren't. "It's either the second or third light, I can't remember which," is something often heard when getting driving directions. But you get the best directions you can.

Goal setting is the same. You get in touch with others who already have what you want. You read books, you listen to tapes, you attend seminars. You get as much information as possible that will assist you in reaching your goal.

Tracking Your Progress

You know where you are going and you've got your directions, so now it's time to take some action! You hop in the car and you're off!

But wait! It wasn't the second or third light, it was the fourth! So what do you do when you realize you are off course? You check your map, you pull into the nearest gas station, or you make a phone call. You try to get back on track. But you don't give up! You don't turn around at the first closed road and go back home, saying "I didn't really want to get there anyway." If this were to happen, you'd never get anywhere you hadn't been before, and your life would be pretty limited. Even if you have to head all the way back home, you start again. Eventually, you get to that destination, and isn't it even more exciting when you get there after a difficult journey!

You may get sidetracked on your journey. If you get hungry, you stop for a bite. If you need to use the restroom, you stop to take care of that. But do you stay stopped? Do you sit in the restroom all day, wondering why you aren't where you want to be? No, you do what you need to do and continue on.

Don't quit on your goals, either. There may be setbacks, dead ends, even car accidents. But don't forget that you'll never get there if you don't keep taking action and moving towards your destination. When that prospect says no, it's not a failure; it's another mile under your belt. When nothing seems to happen for a long period of time, you're just getting closer to that next landmark. If you're not sure what to do next, don't be too embarrassed to stop and ask for those directions!

About The Author

Lyman Reed is the webmaster of Inspiration, Motivation, and Wisdom for Living - http://www.motiration.com/ a website dedicated to providing informational tools which help individuals improve their lives. He can be contacted via email at lyman@motiration.com. This article may be freely used in any publication, providing it is not changed in any way and this "About the author" text is included.

lyman@motiration.com

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Create a Favicon for Your Customers Bookmarks in Four Easy Steps.. Enigma of - The Da Vinci Code.

2005-10-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

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A favicon is a custom icon that sits next to your web site title in a persons favourite's menu when they have bookmarked your site, it is an easy way to create an 'eye drawing image' to ensure that people always see you link in their favourite's and should hopefully encourgae them to check out that 'great site that they haven't visited yet today!'

This is a quick guide that will provide instructions on how to create one for your site, it really is very easy and will help to create a extra tool to maintain your site in the customers mind.

All it takes is four easy steps...

1) Choose an image that you would like to use to represent your web site. Most people use a small version of their logo but you can use any image that you want. I would advise however that you choose an image that is reflective of your web sites theme and an image that will still remain recognisable when the size is dropped to 16 x 16 pixels.

2) Take your chosen image, which should be as high a quality as you can get, in .JPG or .GIF format and convert your image to the 256 color Web Safe Palette or the Windows 16 color format. This can very easily be done in most graphics packages and as a guideline I would say that the less colours you use the better so as to maintain image clarity and professionalism.

3) Using your graphics package, reduce the image down to 16 x 16 pixels, at this point you need to ensure that you preserve the image resolution. This is a key factor as a larger image that has been reduced can loose all clarity and just become a tacky blob, is this how you want your web site remembered? The key here is to keep perservering until you are happy with the finished icon and it is a great advertisement for the professionalism, and the theme, of your web site.

4) Once you are happy with your completed icon you need to save it as "Favicon.ico". This is the default name that web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, look for. This file then needs to be copied to the root directory of your web site and then whenever a customer bookmarks your site your image is cached and will display when they use their favourites menu.

This can very easily be tested by clearing your cache and re-bookmarking your site and 'hey presto' your new shiny, professional and eye drawing favicon will appear next to your site title and will also appear in the address bar of your browser.

This is just another simple trick that aims to get you 'thinking outside the box' when it comes to developing your website presence and reminding your customers to come and re-visit your web site.

Mike - Forum Webmaster at

Online Auction Trader - a community forum dedicated to developing you a sustainable, profitable and long term online income.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Dan Brown has emerged as a master of exhilarating thriller tales. Several doctorates, fascinating historical excerpts and learned speculation formed the foundation of his book "THE DA VINCI CODE".

Leonardo Da Vinci was million lightyears ahead of his times.

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His eminent artwork carried hidden secrets and encrypted messages those were intelligently disguised from plain sight.

Leonardo was a member of a European secret society founded in 1099- "The Priory of Sion". This society included renowned personalities like Sir Issac Newton, Victor Hugo, Galileo. The truth about this society revealed in 1975, in Paris' Bibliotheque Nationale where parchments were discovered named "Les Dossiers Secrets".

Leonardo was dedicated to preserving the truth which he encoded in his paintings like Monalisa, Virgin Mary, The Last Supper.

Dan's most powerful assertion and the soul of the story revolves around Jesus' life and His disciples. Amongst which one of them was "Mary Magdalene". The character of Mary suffered defamation due to her strong bonding with Christ.

Mary was among His close disciples who preached His teachings and was regarded as "Apostle of Apostles". Dan provides an ancient writing excerpt to support his claim of their relationship which says - Jesus kissed Mary on her mouth, which envied other Apostles.

The Last Supper was painted in a manner which wrapped the secrets of Christ' life.

In The Last Supper the person sitting on the left side of Christ is no other than Mary Magdalene, Her body is inclined to Christ creating a shape of V or M letter which indicates female or Mary.

Dan refers to paintings depicting, after the crucification, for the first time Jesus appeared before Mary Magdalene. The grieving Mary was delighted to see Jesus again and was about to touch Him in eagerness. Jesus promptly denied her and explained that He is in a state of trance and that He hadn't reached His "Father" yet.

Holy Grail of The Last Supper is supposed by Dan as the symbological angel bore in Mary's womb. She is regarded as the sacred feminine who along with Christ carried secret bloodline descendent. The book states, after Christ's crucification Mary was deported to France by her well wishers. She held the blood of Christ in her womb, which is symbolized by the grail, used to collect His holy blood during crucification.

Dan refers to a painting which portrays a female washing Christ's feet with oil using her hair. This is an ancient ritual performed during a matrimony.

Dan tries to prove that Christ was in a sort of matrimonial relationship with Mary.

Though Dan provides with many historical evidences yet his book has been scrutinized by many and his claims are completely discarded.

Christian Book, Marketing, Publishing, Advertising

People find his book anti-christian and fictional. Another school of thought confronts him by highlighting some instances and excerpts.

They claim Mary of being a prostitute who changed her course of life when influenced by Christ' extreme kindness.

Moreover the excerpt which says Christ kissing on the Mary's mouth is a page of a document with incomplete sentence with the word "mouth" actually missing from it.

The context of Les Dossiers Secrets and Priory of Sion were written much later than Leonardo in history.

The

Last Will And Testament / Last Will And Testament Form / Last Will

legend of Holy Grail is always identified as Jesus' cup from the Last Supper which may have many legendary forms but was never a Christ' descendent.

Though this book has been declared as a best seller and Dan as a fine writer but there is a major section of society which declares his book and him anti-religion, it clearly hurts religious sentiments of many.

A son may think what all his father has ever taught him was wrong and now the truth is altered which alters the life of many.

As an individual I still think my voyage is incomplete as the shore is still a horizon away. The enigma holds - THE DA VINCI CODE remains encoded!

Garima is a Content Writer with NIIT Ltd - a fortune 500 company. She has diverse interests ranging from internet technology, networking, painting to numerlology and palmistry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Public Procurement and Very Private Benefits. Immigration: Ten Points to Ponder.

2005-10-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Self Defence Technique: Essential Knowledge & Skills for Our Violent Crime World

In every national budget, there is a part called "Public Procurement". This is the portion of the budget allocated to purchasing services and goods for the various ministries, authorities and other arms of the executive branch. It was the famous management consultant, Parkinson, who once wrote that government officials are likely to approve a multi-billion dollar nuclear power plant much more speedily that they are likely to authorize a hundred dollar expenditure on a bicycle parking device. This is because everyone came across 100 dollar situations in real life - but precious few had the fortune to expend with billions of USD.

This, precisely, is the problem with public procurement: people are too acquainted with the purchased items. They tend to confuse their daily, household-type, decisions with the processes and considerations which should permeate governmental decision making. They label perfectly legitimate decisions as "corrupt" - and totally corrupt procedures as "legal" or merely "legitimate", because this is what was decreed by the statal mechanisms, or because "this is the law".

Procurement is divided to defence and non-defence spending. In both these categories - but, especially in the former - there are grave, well founded, concerns that things might not be all what they seem to be.

Government - from India's to Sweden's to Belgium's - fell because of procurement scandals which involved bribes paid by manufacturers or service providers either to individual in the service of the state or to political parties. Other, lesser cases, litter the press daily. In the last few years only, the burgeoning defence sector in Israel saw two such big scandals: the developer of Israel's missiles was involved in one (and currently is serving a jail sentence) and Israel's military attache to Washington was implicated - though, never convicted - in yet another.

But the picture is not that grim. Most governments in the West succeeded in reigning in and fully controlling this particular budget item. In the USA, this part of the budget remained constant in the last 35(!) years at 20% of the GDP.

There are many problems with public procurement. It is an obscure area of state activity, agreed upon in "customized" tenders and in dark rooms through a series of undisclosed agreements. At least, this is the public image of these expenditures.

The truth is completely different.

True, some ministers use public money to build their private "empires". It could be a private business empire, catering to the financial future of the minister, his cronies and his relatives. These two plagues - cronyism and nepotism - haunt public procurement. The spectre of government official using public money to benefit their political allies or their family members - haunts public imagination and provokes public indignation.

Then, there are problems of plain corruption: bribes or commissions paid to decision makers in return for winning tenders or awarding of economic benefits financed by the public money. Again, sometimes these moneys end in secret bank accounts in Switzerland or in Luxembourg. At other times, they finance political activities of political parties. This was rampantly abundant in Italy and has its place in France. The USA, which was considered to be immune from such behaviours - has proven to be less so, lately, with the Bill Clinton alleged election financing transgressions.

But, these, with all due respect to "clean hands" operations and principles, are not the main problems of public procurement.

The first order problem is the allocation of scarce resources. In other words, prioritizing. The needs are enormous and ever growing. The US government purchases hundreds of thousands of separate items from outside suppliers. Just the list of these goods - not to mention their technical specifications and the documentation which accompanies the transactions - occupies tens of thick volumes. Supercomputers are used to manage all these - and, even so, it is getting way out of hand. How to allocate ever scarcer resources amongst these items is a daunting - close to impossible - task. It also, of course, has a political dimension. A procurement decision reflects a political preference and priority. But the decision itself is not always motivated by rational - let alone noble - arguments. More often, it is the by product and end result of lobbying, political hand bending and extortionist muscle. This raises a lot of hackles among those who feel that were kept out of the pork barrel. They feel underprivileged and discriminated against. They fight back and the whole system finds itself in a quagmire, a nightmare of conflicting interests. Last year, the whole budget in the USA was stuck - not approved by Congress - because of these reactions and counter-reactions.

The second problem is the supervision, auditing and control of actual spending. This has two dimensions:

How to make sure that the expenditures match and do not exceed the budgetary items. In some countries, this is a mere ritual formality and government departments are positively expected to overstep their procurement budgets. In others, this constitutes a criminal offence.
How to prevent the criminally corrupt activities that we have described above - or even the non criminal incompetent acts which government officials are prone to do.

The most widespread method is the public, competitive, tender for the purchases of goods and services.

But, this is not as simple as it sounds.

Some countries publish international tenders, striving to secure the best quality in the cheapest price - no matter what is its geographical or political source. Other countries are much more protectionist (notably: Japan and France) and they publish only domestic tenders, in most cases. A domestic tender is open only to domestic bidders. Yet other countries limit participation in the tenders on various backgrounds: the size of the competing company, its track record, its ownership structure, its human rights or environmental record and so on. Some countries publish the minutes of the tender committee (which has to explain WHY it selected this or that supplier). Others keep it a closely guarded secret ("to protect commercial interests and secrets").

But all countries state in advance that they have no obligation to accept any kind of offer - even if it is the cheapest. This is a needed provision: the cheapest is not necessarily the best. The cheapest offer could be coming from a very unreliable supplier with a bad past performance or a criminal record or from a supplier who offers goods of shoddy quality.

The tendering policies of most of the countries in the world also incorporates a second principle: that of "minimum size". The cost of running a tender is prohibitive in the cases of purchases in small amounts.

Even if there is corruption in such purchases it is bound to cause less damage to the public purse than the costs of the tender which is supposed to prevent it!

So, in most countries, small purchases can be authorized by government officials - larger amounts go through a tedious, multi-phase tendering process. Public competitive bidding is not corruption-proof: many times officials and bidders collude and conspire to award the contract against bribes and other, noncash, benefits. But we still know of no better way to minimize the effects of human greed.

Procurement policies, procedures and tenders are supervised by state auditing authorities. The most famous is, probably, the General Accounting Office, known by its acronym: the GAO.

It is an unrelenting, very thorough and dangerous watchdog of the administration. It is considered to be highly effective in reducing procurement - related irregularities and crimes. Another such institutions the Israeli State Reviser. What is common to both these organs of the state is that they have very broad authority. They possess (by law) judicial and criminal prosecution powers and they exercise it without any hesitation. They have the legal obligation to review the operations and financial transactions of all the other organs of the executive branch. Their teams select, each year, the organs to be reviewed and audited. They collect all pertinent documents and correspondence. They cross the information that they receive from elsewhere. They ask very embarrassing questions and they do it under the threat of perjury prosecutions. They summon witnesses and they publish damning reports which, in many cases, lead to criminal prosecutions.

Another form of review of public procurement is through powers granted to the legislative arm of the state (Congress, Parliament, Bundestag, or Knesset). In almost every country in the world, the elected body has its own procurement oversight committee. It supervises the expenditures of the executive branch and makes sure that they conform to the budget. The difference between such supervisory, parliamentary, bodies and their executive branch counterparts - is that they feel free to criticize public procurement not only in the context of its adherence to budget constraints or its cleanliness - but also in a political context. In other words, these committees do not limit themselves to asking HOW - but also engage in asking WHY. Why this specific expense in this given time and location - and not that expense, somewhere else or some other time. These elected bodies feel at liberty - and often do - intervene in the very decision making process and in the order of priorities. They have the propensity to alter both quite often.

The most famous such committee is, arguably, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). It is famous because it is non-partisan and technocratic in nature. It is really made of experts which staff its offices.

Its apparent - and real - neutrality makes its judgements and recommendations a commandment not to be avoided and, almost universally, to be obeyed. The CBO operates for and on behalf of the American Congress and is, really, the research arm of that venerable parliament. Parallelly, the executive part of the American system - the Administration - has its own guard against waste and worse: the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Both bodies produce learned, thickset, analyses, reports, criticism, opinions and recommendations. Despite quite a prodigious annual output of verbiage - they are so highly regarded, that virtually anything that they say (or write) is minutely analysed and implemented to the last letter with an air of awe.

Only a few other parliaments have committees that carry such weight. The Israeli Knesset have the extremely powerful Finance Committee which is in charge of all matters financial, from appropriations to procurement.

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Another parliament renowned for its tight scrutiny is the French Parliament - though it retains very few real powers.

But not all countries chose the option of legislative supervision. Some of them relegated parts or all of these functions to the executive arm.

In Japan, the Ministry of Finance still scrutinizes (and has to authorize) the smallest expense, using an army of clerks. These clerks became so powerful that they have the theoretical potential to secure and extort benefits stemming from the very position that they hold. Many of them suspiciously join companies and organizations which they supervised or to which they awarded contracts - immediately after they leave their previous, government, positions. The Ministry of Finance is subject to a major reform in the reform-bent government of Prime Minister Hashimoto. The Japanese establishment finally realized that too much supervision, control, auditing and prosecution powers might be a Pyrrhic victory: it might encourage corruption - rather than discourage it.

Britain opted to keep the discretion to use public funds and the clout that comes with it in the hands of the political level. This is a lot like the relationship between the butter and the cat left to guard it. Still, this idiosyncratic British arrangement works surprisingly well. All public procurement and expenditure items are approved by the EDX Committee of the British Cabinet (=inner, influential, circle of government) which is headed by the Ministry of Finance. Even this did not prove enough to restrain the appetites of Ministers, especially as quid pro quo deals quickly developed. So, now the word is that the new Labour Prime Minister will chair it- enabling him to exert his personal authority on matters of public money.

Britain, under the previous, Tory, government also pioneered an interesting and controversial incentive system for its public servants as top government officials are euphemistically called there. They receive, added to their salaries, a portion of the savings that they effect in their departmental budgets. This means that they get a small fraction of the end of the fiscal year difference between their budget allowances and what they actually spent. This is very useful in certain segments of government activity - but could prove very problematic in others. Imagine health officials saving on medicines, or others saving on road maintenance or educational consumables. This, naturally, will not do.

Needless to say that no country officially approves of the payment of bribes or commission to officials in charge of public spending, however remote the connection is between the payment and the actions.

Yet, law aside many countries accept the intertwining of elites - business and political - as a fact of life, albeit a sad one. Many judicial systems in the world even make a difference between a payment which is not connected to an identifiable or discernible benefit and those that are. The latter - and only the latter - are labelled "bribery".

Where there is money - there is wrongdoing. Humans are humans - and sometimes not even that.

But these unfortunate derivatives of social activity can be minimized by the adoption of clear procurement policies, transparent and public decision making processes and the right mix of supervision, auditing and prosecution. Even then the result is bound to be dubious, at best.

About The Author

Sam Vaknin is the author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited" and "After the Rain - How the West Lost the East". He is a columnist in "Central Europe Review", United Press International (UPI) and ebookweb.org and the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory, Suite101 and searcheurope.com. Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of Macedonia.

His web site: http://samvak.tripod.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

1. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention, that the World Bank and the IMF have implemented economic measures that have left large sections of their populations unemployed and destitute? (The illegals are not doing this, you see, but this population is easier to attack and is more defenseless than the World Bank and the IMF.)

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Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention, that the effects of NAFTA have backfired driving more than six million Mexican farmers off their land?

"The powerful have insisted on trade policies that allow capital to go wherever it will generate more profit. But there has not been a parallel change in the rules regulating the movement of labor. Circumstances force tens of millions to try to emigrate, but they are not allowed to do so legally. Having no choice, they do so anyway."[1]

3. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"In one wealthy country after another, there has been an "anti-immigrant backlash". Even European countries heretofore famous for their tolerance of outsiders have banged the door shut, or are talking about doing so. Anti-immigrant movements and organizations have arisen in all the wealthier countries. Spectacles of fascist skinheads beating up immigrants or torching homes thought to harbor foreign-born people have become commonplace. In the United States, the current anti-immigrant rampage comes from the same sources that support the Bush administration, and the initiation of the Iraq war. These same forces attack affirmative action, social welfare and democratic rights. This anti-immigrant movement cloaks itself in a suspect concern for the well being of US-born workers."[2]

4. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"The anti-immigrant juggernaut has both ideological and practical dimensions. The ideological attack focuses on Mexican immigrants. Basing themselves on seemingly plausible statistics, anti-immigrant activists assert that immigrants compete for jobs with African Americans and other poor and minority sectors of the working class. Well-meaning people who are sympathetic to immigrants sometimes counter by saying that "immigrants only take jobs that Americans don't want." But this defense is limited. It is easily countered by the anti-immigrant response "well if immigrants were not so readily available and easily exploitable, those employers would have to make the jobs more attractive by cleaning up the workplace and offering better pay".[3]

5. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"The fact is employers hire the undocumented precisely because they can pay them less, prevent them from unionizing, and get rid of them when better pay is demanded. However, the solution is not to try to deport immigrants (which will weaken their position even more), but to allow them to organize and fight for better wages and working conditions.

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If the eight to 12 million undocumented immigrants currently thought to be in the United States were all deported, what would one have accomplished? In the world of corporate globalization, "competition" from desperately poor workers in foreign countries is a much more powerful tool for dragging down wages than is "competition" from immigrants. If all undocumented immigrants from Mexico currently working in the US would be "rounded up" (A racist phrase if ever there was one) and "sent back," it would cause a significant drop in wages in Mexico, which would make Mexico an even more attractive place for capitalists to move production."[4]

6. Why is it no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"A novel twist in racist anti-immigrant propaganda is to portray immigrants as a threat to the environment. This refers not only to things like littering on desert pathways immigrants use to enter the United States, but to the issue of "overpopulation" as well. The littering on the border would not happen if there were an orderly mechanism of labor movement."

7. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"The United States is not "overpopulated". In fact, most of the countries that send immigrants are much more densely populated than is the United States. This has not prevented anti-immigrant agitators from trying to use sectors of the environmentalist movement, such as the Sierra Club, as mechanisms to promote their anti-foreign agenda."[5]

"America has traditionally had one of the lowest proportions of immigrants in the developed world. Just 6 percent of people in the U.S. are foreign born, compared with, for instance, 8 percent in Britain and 11 percent in France."[6]

The argument that the U.S. is over populated is a bogus one. America has 68 people per square mile. France has 256 and Britain over 600 per square mile.

AMERICA IS NOT OVER POPULATED!

8. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"Relatively new is the tendency to blame Mexican immigrants specifically for the crisis in health care and health insurance coverage in the United States. Steve Camarota of the Center for

Immigration Canada

Immigration Studies points out, correctly, that a large portion of the uninsured working poor are immigrants, especially Mexicans and other Latinos. Why poor immigrant workers don't have health insurance is no mystery: employers can get away with denying them on-the-job health coverage, and with paying them too little to afford to purchase family policies, because immigrant workers are vulnerable to employer reprisals when they demand better wages and benefits. However, Camarota gives the impression that these immigrants somehow brought "lack of health insurance" with them in their suitcases when they came from Mexico. If they were legalized and allowed to become citizens, they would be less vulnerable and more able to fight for better conditions both in the workplace and the community."[7]

9. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"Particularly obscene is the notion that immigrants are polluting US culture and threatening the English language. This is the central thesis of Samuel P. Huntington's book Who Are We: The Challenge to America's National Identity. Huntington asserts that the United States was founded by white Anglo-Saxon Protestants who imparted certain cultural values particular to their background to nation building. Latino immigrants can't adapt and thus damage the United States. In his scholarly way, Huntington expresses the old know-nothing anti-foreign position. Most people who make this claim cannot specify just what these special white Anglo-Saxon Protestant cultural values are that are so essential to democracy and lacking in foreigners. But if it means an adherence to democracy and freedom, this characteristic is at a very high level in most immigrant populations. And while first generation immigrants may struggle with English, their children almost always speak it as fluently as do other English speaking Americans. So this argument boils down to simple nativist bigotry."[8]

(This is one of the many irrational arguments that Mimuteman Guru Frosty Wooldridge makes in one of his "articles". He claims ALL Mexicans "Legals or Illegals" are BRUTALIZING American student with Spanish.[9])

10. Why is it that no one seems to notice, much less ever mention that,

"So deep is the racism of the right-wing think tanks that they even go after erstwhile allies like Mexico is President Vicente Fox. Incredibly, immigration from Mexico is seen as a conspiracy headed by Fox to take back by stealth lands Mexico lost between 1836 and 1848. In 1836, Mexico lost Texas to an intrigue by pro-slavery US settlers.

Mexican and South Western Recepies: <meta name="description" content="Ebook Cookbo...

In 1846, the United States invaded Mexico without provocation and made off with Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada. In 1852, Mexico lost another piece of Arizona in the shady Gadsden Purchase. Thus in the 19th Century, Mexico lost more than 60 percent of its national territory to US aggression and pressure. While this is remembered in Mexico and generally not here, there is no serious political movement there that calls for the restoration of this territory."[10]

[1] http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/view/995/1/90/
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
[5] Ibid
[6] I'm a Stanger Here Myself; Bill Bryson; Broadway Press: page 107
[7] http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/view/995/1/90/
[8] Ibid
[9] http://www.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty59.htm
[10] Ibid

Freelance writer, Syndicated Columnist, and book author, Doug Bower, has written a compelling new book titled, AMERICA'S ANTI-MEXICAN XENOPHOBIA. Have you wondered if the Minuteman Project is really on the "up and up"? Have you wondered if they represent all that is good and right with America-paragons of patriotic virtue? Doug Bower may have the answers you've been looking for. FREE CHAPTER: http://www.lulu.com/content/140958

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Read This Before Your First Ride in the Cold!. Florida Isn't Just For Tourists.

2005-09-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Part I

It's inevitable.

VitalityHouse, find out how your immune system can beat flus, colds, and fevers before they start.

At some point in the fall you'll do your first ride in relatively cold weather. For the past six months you've been enjoying warm, sunny skies with mild temperatures around 75 to 85 degrees.

But not today. Today the mercury has dropped by 20 or 30 degrees and the sun is nowhere to be found. Today is that day where you remember what it's like in the cold, but your brain could have used a few cobwebs dusted off first - in other words, you'll make the same mistakes as you did at this time last year. So I wrote this article to warn you of what will go wrong.

We're well into winter here in the North East USA. Cold, rain, snow, sleet - anything that affects riding - we've had it. If you take the proper precautions, you'll be fine. But if you're not prepared, old man winter will get the best of you!

I'll start off with a little story about my first ride in the cold back in October 2004. It was about 52 degrees and cloudy, which seems nice and warm as I look back on it, but it was a little chilly at the time. Being used to 80 degree weather, today's ride warranted tights, a thick long sleeve undershirt, and a windbreaker... or so I thought.

Starting out I was a little chilly. And I didn't like it. But I kept going. And after about three minutes I was burning up - today was not the day for a windbreaker. I had to stop, take it off, roll it up, and then try to stuff it in my jersey pocket without catching it on my Camelbak. Which leads me to...

Lesson #1: It's not as cold as you think it is. 52 in the spring feels like 70, but in the fall it feels like 30. So in the spring you shed all the layers except your shorts and jersey, even if there's still snow on the ground. And in the fall you pile on everything you have. But that's not a good idea.

52 warrants tights and a long sleeve jersey, but that's about it. If you're unsure, stash some extra layers in your jersey pockets - you can put them on after 15 minutes if you're still cold. (Remember, you should be a little chilly for the first few minutes of your ride. Then once you warm up, you should be cozy.)

Once I shed some clothing I felt pretty good. The crisp air was refreshing, too. I really enjoyed the ride for the next hour. But then, knowing I would need some more energy for the next hour, I grabbed the Powerbar out of my jersey pocket. The same thing I had been eating successfully all summer. But it wasn't the same today. By "wasn't the same," I mean it was rock hard! I bit into one end, expecting it to melt right in my mouth, but instead it shocked my whole jaw. I had to check for loose teeth after that!

Lesson #2: When Powerbars get cold, they get hard. Rock hard. They'll break your teeth if you're not careful. They're ok down to 45 or 50 degrees, but you should still be really careful when you bite into them. I suggest switching to Powerbar Harvest or Pria bars in cooler weather. They're a little lighter, so they don't freeze as easily. And try to keep them close to your body.

Or go with an energy gel like GU. They get thick in the cold, but it takes a while for them to freeze. Personally, I kind of like them when they're extra thick! The cold really brings out the full flavor.

That's about it really. Two lessons. Cool weather isn't bad. It's the really cold stuff that you need to watch out for.

Part II

So what didn't I cover in Part 1? I didn't cover what to do before your first ride in the freezing cold!

Once the temps hit 25 degrees, it gets a little more complicated.

Now is the time to pile on every piece of gear you have! Well maybe not that extreme, but this weather calls for fleece lined tights, a thick base layer, a windbreaker, a balaclava, thick socks, shoe covers, and big insulated gloves.

But this doesn't guarantee anything. Climb a hill and you'll overheat. Get to the top of the hill and it will be 10 degrees cooler. You'll freeze. Riding outside in sub-20 degree weather should, at least in my opinion, be avoided at all costs.

Ride a trainer. Ride some rollers. Run. Lift weights. Rest. Whatever you need to do. You'll get a better workout that way.

Lesson #3: Going outside on a freezing cold day won't help your training. It will be hard to move when you're weighted down by 10 pounds of restrictive winter gear. And if your body is that cold, it will be hard to move anyway. Your form will be horrible. And then if you get used to it, your form will stay horrible into the spring.

Beyond clothing, you need to carry food and water. But if Powerbars are only good to 40 degrees, what do you do?

Lesson #4: For food, when it's real cold, just bring gels. No bars. Gels will freeze eventually, but if you keep them next to your body, they should be ok for a while.

Lesson #5: For drink, ditch the water bottles. They're no good. The lids will freeze shut. You'll need a Camelbak, which should be kept inside your outer layers. Be sure to keep the tube tucked away too, and sip occasionally to be sure the water in the tube doesn't freeze.

Replacing water with Gatorade might help, too. All the additives lower the freezing point, so it stays warmer a little longer than plain water does.

Another thing to be aware of is that you need your hands to be able to eat and drink. This means some thick gloves to keep them warm. But thick gloves mean you can't easily open a gel pack. And some balaclavas block your mouth.

Lesson #6: Eating and drinking in the cold is a pain in the ass! There's no miracle cure. You have to take off your gloves for a bit, pull down your balaclava, eat, and then bundle up again. Just one more reason you might want to buy some rollers!

What else can happen in the cold? Well, if you wear contacts, they may just fall out! If you have any sense, you'll be wearing some sort of eye protection in the cold. Sunglasses at the least, and maybe even opting for ski goggles. But even then, your contacts will get cold. And like Powerbars, they'll get hard. And then they might fall out. But even if they don't fall out, your vision will probably be quite blurry and they'll be a very good chance of riding off the road or into oncoming traffic.

When my contacts were about ready to fall out one day, I tried to close my eyes for a while and warm them up. But that didn't do much, being that my face was so cold that I couldn't feel it anymore, let alone control my eye lids.

Lesson #7: Get some goggles. It doesn't matter what you look like, everyone already thinks you're an idiot for being outside in this weather!

If you still want to ride outside, please follow at least some of my advice. If you enjoy riding in temperatures below zero, though, you may want to get advice from a psychiatrist.

Levi Bloom is the founder and owner of Bloom Bike Shop and the webmaster of http://bloombikeshop.com Check out his site for more good cycling info and bike repair tutorials.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Florida Retirement Communities, Homes, Villages, and Condos

No matter what your interests, you will find something in Florida to enjoy. Whether you like mouse ears and theme parks, the warm, sunny beaches or the exotic wildlife, Florida attractions are hard to beat. With an increasingly friendly business environment, Florida is also a great place to do business!

When most people think of Florida they think of sunshine, palm trees and fabulous winter vacations. What most people don't realize is that Florida is also a great place to incorporate. If you own your own business or are considering starting one, you owe it to yourself to discover the benefits of a Florida corporation.

For starters, there is no personal income tax in the State of Florida. While regular

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corporations are subject to a 5.5% tax on federal taxable income over $5,000, if you incorporate your Florida business and elect S status you can have your cake and eat it too! Florida S corporations are NOT taxable entities and are therefore not required to file state income tax returns (except for the first year). The result is this: you can have the benefits of a corporation, and pay no tax! But there's more:

Unlike most states, Florida does not have any minimum capital requirements. So if you are just starting out and don't have a lot of money, you can still take full advantage of incorporating without having to put a lot of cash into your company. Some states require you to fund your corporation with at least $1,000 in capital. Not so in Florida.

Another good thing about incorporating in Florida is that it's easy to do and you don't have to involve a lot of different people. For example, while many states require you to

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have more than one director and a different person for each corporate officer, in Florida the Director, President, Secretary and Treasurer can all be the SAME person! This makes it easy for smaller businesses that want the benefits of a corporation without all the hassle.

Florida is increasingly becoming a "business friendly" state. It already has some of the lowest annual fees and corporate reporting requirements in the country. But here's some even better news: The shareholders, directors and officers of a Florida corporation can remain anonymous if they so choose!

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Incorporation Tax Secrets Revealed

of State of Florida does not require the names or addresses of shareholders, directors or officers to be listed in the articles of incorporation. Since the State does not keep a record of who owns or controls the corporation, you can conduct business in Florida with complete PRIVACY.

One of the first decisions a business owner must make after deciding to incorporate is selecting the proper state of incorporation. While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer or standard, some states are better to incorporate in than others. Florida happens to be one of the better choices.

However, what's right for some isn't necessarily what's right for everybody. If you are considering incorporating your business, then you owe it to yourself to examine all of the choices.

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Before making any legal or financial decision, always consult with an experienced and competent professional who knows you and your unique circumstances.

And be sure to mention Florida as one of the possible choices. Remember, Florida isn't only for tourists: It's for corporations too!

About The Author

Alex Goumakos is a CPA, business advisor and guest consultant of Active Filings LLC, a professional incorporating company that provides services in all US. (http://www.activefilings.com/). Alex can be reached by email at alex@activefilings.com. Get more free articles at http://www.activefilings.com/activenews/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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How To Make A Serious Income Online Without A Website!. Is Your Company Cognizant of the Mail Room Threat?.

2005-09-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Make Money On Ebay, Sell On Ebay, Auction Tips, Ebay Secrets, Ebay Online Auctions, Make Money Selli...

Did you know that eBay gets over 1.8 Billion (yes that's Billion with a B) page views per month, and moves over $15 Billion a year in merchandise? It is the 4th most visited site on the Internet, and at the time of this writing has sites in 26 countries worldwide. So do you eBay? I do! And, thousands worldwide are taking advantage of the Goldmine on eBay. Shouldn't you? If the idea of turning your lose change into hundreds of dollars appeals to you, then keep reading.

The eBay Auction Secret

The great thing about operating an eBay Auction Business is you don't need a website to make money online and it allows you the freedom of working at home. And currently over 400,000 people are doing just that. Working at home, and making a full-time income, online without a website with their eBay Auction Business. Have you ever wondered if you could be a successful eBayer? Have you ever asked yourself... "How do they do it?" or "Where do they find all their "Hot Merchandise?". Well, here's an insight from my book "eBay Marketing Wholesale SourcePak" into how to start your eBay Auction Business from Home on a Shoe String Budget using Dropshippers.

Using Dropshippers is a smart way to get your eBay Auction Business up and running especially in the beginning. By using Dropshippers you will not have to worry about storage of costly inventory, packaging of inventory, or the shipping of inventory. Your Dropshipper will look after all of that for you. And with the ease of using Dropshippers you will have more time to concentrate on improving your sales skills and learning how to bring more customers to your eBay Auctions. The fact is, most Dropshippers charge you nothing to become a member to sell their products. While others may charge just a nominal administration fee. Plus, you can list your item on eBay for approximately .35 cents. So, as you can see your eBay Auction Business will cost you very little to get started. With such a low financial risk the only thing you have to lose is a bit of your time.

The Ultimate eBay Dropship Power Pak! contains everything you need to start a profitable internet bu...

At this point you might be wondering how Dropshipping on eBay would work. It's a simple process. First you should browse eBay to find an item(s) you would like to sell. Then become an eBay member. Once you have an item(s) you are interested in selling, locate a Dropshipper for that item(s). Sign up with the Dropshipper. Now, list an auction on eBay for the item(s). Once your auction is over and you have a buyer, email your Dropshipper the required information. Your Dropshipper will then send the item(s) directly to your

Drop ship guide for wholesale prices

customer and charge your account the wholesale price for the item(s). The difference between the wholesale price and your retail price is pure profit!

All successful eBayers know that they must sell what the public is wanting to buy at a price the public is willing to pay for it. So research your item thoroughly. Know what your cost will be, and approximately what you can sell the item for before you decide to sell it.

Happy Selling!
Joe Clare

Joe Clare is an active Netpreneur and eBayer!

FullBiz - Finally You Can Succeed! Sell On eBay, Turnkey Websites, Resell eBooks

He is the author of numerous articles on how to succeed on eBay! Check out his latest Best Selling eBook "eBay Marketing Wholesale SourcePak" Your Passport to Success! at http://www.ebooksnsoftware.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Makeover My Website! 17 Reasons Your Website Won't Sell Anything And What To Do About It

Security Consultant's Perspective...

Regardless of your type of business, size or location, the threat of workplace violence and terrorism is all around us these days. It could involve you, your employees and your business at any time. Protective Measures seem a bit of theatrics yet failure to be vigilant or to exercise due diligence could result in a disaster or a civil suit. I believe protecting the workforce is a never-ending task of vigilance, awareness and training. Protecting the Mail Rooms and educating your workforce is all part of the workplace security process. All employees should be given a security awareness briefing on the topic of handling suspicious pieces of mail and Mail Room Security Procedures.

The Mail Room Threat...

The handling and processing of incoming mail today remains a businesses weakest point. Incoming mail is not routinely isolated as a matter or protective measures, delivery personnel are not being restricted from building access, employees may or may not know what to look for and what to do when handling suspicious packages or letters, there are no control points restricting access by all, and letters and packages to senior officers are not given extra precautionary attention. It is unlikely that mailroom employees are cleared, are familiar with basic security procedures or that they have been trained to recognize and handle suspicious packages and letters. The potential nightmare remains the lack of security awareness, the recognition of suspicious mail and what to look for and what to do.

Recommendations...

Supervisors and managers should insure that some form of security awareness be incorporated into the day-to-day operations. All employees should at a minimum know the basic mail handling security measures. It does not take much time to impart information to a group of employees using the "Stand-up Talk", a technique used by the Postal Service very effectively to provide information to employees without disrupting the operations. Normally the "Stand-up Talk" lasts between 15 - 20 minutes. The "Stand-up Talks are quite an effective method of communications in this way.

What to do in case of a suspicious piece of mail...?

This area requires paying attention to details and discipline. If you notice a suspicious letter or package during routine mail handling or if you've received a piece of suspicious mail, take the following steps: don't handle it, evacuate the premises but, certainly the area around the piece and do follow your security plan by notifying supervisors and the appropriate emergency service personnel listed in the security plan.

Felix P. Nater is the President of Nater Associates, Ltd a Security Management

How To Be Bully-Free In The Workplace

Practice offering prospective clients Integrated Workplace Security Solutions, specializing in Workplace Violence Intediction, Security Policy and Plans. I believe in providing clients what they need and not what I want to give them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Dog Clothes make Great Gifts. Sales Planning and Business Plans.

2005-09-25T20:18:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the

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art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We all have stories to tell, and if you don't, you will. Just give it time.

Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a dollar. Clothes for her grandkids were always purchased 3 or 4 sizes too big so we could "grow into them". And she passed this charming trait on to my mother. So, we endured our baggy clothes, with the sleeves and pant legs rolled up, until we were finally big enough to wear them with dignity. By which time they were ready for donation.

Then there's my husband. Heaven forbid I should try to give the man a Polo shirt with an uneven hemline. Most Polos are made longer in the back to help them stay "tucked", but hubby goes un-tucked -- always. He rejects any polo that breaks the rule, no matter how subtly. For an otherwise easy-going guy, his behavior is almost perverse.

If you must give clothes this season, there's one giftee on your list who's sure to look great in any outfit you buy him. He'll wear your gift with pride and appreciation, head held high and tail wagging.

That's right, your dog. Or your best friend's dog. It's so easy you'll wonder why you didn't think of it before.

Dogs love any kind of attention you lavish on them. So, Spike will wear his outfit - whether it's cute or ridiculous - as soon as he sees how happy it makes his owner. Spot will eat up all that extra attention he gets from strangers. And Fifi might even want to Vogue for the camera.

Healthy Food for Dogs: Homemade Recipes

Clothes shopping for dogs is a lot like clothes shopping for babies. Unless you're going for practicality, cuteness is what counts. And that's easy to accomplish, given that any dog wearing clothes looks pretty darned cute.

Choices in dog clothes range from winter sweaters to football jerseys and summer tees. You can get a set of flannel PJ's for bedtime or a terry robe for after bath. There's even an entire line of Harley clothes for dogs, complete with leather cap and studded collar. Dog costumes made for parties and holidays are just too cute for words.

If you really want your gift to be a hit with admirers, accessorize. Try a designer dog collar and maybe a cool pair of sunglasses--they make them just for dogs. And I recently heard that leg warmers are making a come back.

Got a mischievous sense of humor? Making the baby look silly might be a no-no, but it's good clean fun when it comes to dressing up a dog. There are some really creative doggie costume out there that are good for a chuckle or two.

There's really only a couple of rules you'll need to keep in mind when shopping for dog clothes: One is that if the dog in question is an avid chewer, you should avoid buying him anything tempting. Shiny buttons, fringe, and feathers are examples that come to mind. An object that can easily be chewed off and swallowed is a choking hazard and can get stuck in the dog's digestive tract.

The other rule is that any dog, no matter how tolerant, will be more comfortable wearing clothes that fit. Proper fit typically requires measuring from the dog's collar to the base of her tail for length. Most garment's girth can be adjusted with velcro tabs, but could still be an issue with a barrel-chested breed such as a bulldog. Measurements are typically in inches.

Remember that a dog will never "diet down" into an outfit that's too small , or -- unless you're shopping for a puppy or a pregnant female -- "grow into" an item that's too big. (Sorry, Grandma.)

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Oh, and one more thing--if you're handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own dog clothes creations. Just don't forget to include an opening for the dog to relieve himself. Don't laugh, it happens a lot!

Now, if you're shopping for your own dog, you're all set. But if you're buying clothes for someone else's dog, I've got a few more tips for you.

Surveys conducted on the subject of gift preferences of men and women have shown that men prefer gifts that are more playful or practical. So, if the dog's owner is male this might translate into a doggie Harley jacket, a funny costume, or a reflective hunting vest (more on practical clothing in another article!).

Women, on the other hand, prefer gifts that are beautiful, memorable, and personal.

Adam's Dog Training & Behavior Book Page

It shouldn't be hard to find an item of clothing for a woman's dog that's either beautiful or memorable or both, and it will of course be personal!

Exception: if the woman is someone you don't know well. The more distant the relationship between giver and receiver, the riskier it is to give a personal gift. So, be they man or woman, if you don't know the dog owner very well, you probably shouldn't be buying dog clothes for their pet.

I hope you'll have fun picking out something nice for the canine on your shopping list. If you get a chance, send me a photo!

Dog Obedience Training: STOP Your Dog's Behavior Problems!

If you need inspiration for dog clothes, stop by. The site offers a wide range of choices for dog gift shoppers, plus shopping and gift-giving tips. (Also advice on dog care and feeding.) She's always looking for new dog gift ideas and dog stories to share with her readers. You can reach her by email at netbrainer@verizon.net.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Used Car Web Site: Marketing, building and promting

Writing a business plan can be tricky when all the books on the subject fail to keep updating their editions. One significant factor is the sales planning in business plans, yet few books show examples of how to explain online sales which will contribute to your over all stores sales in your retail outlet. Additionally many service companies take orders online and dispatch their units from there. Even Dominoes Pizza often takes credit cards over the phone, many companies now allow online ordering.

Investors and bankers need to understand that you are cutting edge in your new business before they will either loan or invest dollars to you. You need to have a plan for this and you need to carefully communicate it in your business plan. Below please find a sample online sales description to give you some ideas of how to write this up in your business plan. This sample is from a simple business; a mobile car wash franchised outlet. You will print this out and then take a legal pad and make notes of how you will do your online sales. Use this sample and modify it to best fit your plans for the future. You will then formulate your own website sales and online sales section of your business plan to help you in the road ahead. Think on this.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Web Site Sales

Customers will be able to order car wash services via the Internet and The Car Wash Guys web site. This information will be instantly paged to us and the money can be paid with a credit card using Cybercash.

Credit Card Sales

We will entice all customers to use our credit card system as their method of payment. This speeds up customer contact time and leaves more time to wash cars. By charging people's credit card, they can be sold booklets of car wash tickets in advance. This way cars can be washed without having to make change or waiting for people to write checks. It also helps because people are more apt to buy additional services when using plastic money instead of paper money.

We will put additional trucks in areas where credit card usage is highest, eliminating excess employee pilferage. We will have safe encrypted storage to prevent identity theft of these credit card numbers, because we realize the FTC is impotent in protecting the consumer.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

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