Internet marketing government holds open the door for women

Women in the U. S. with fledgling Internet marketing businesses can obtain government assistance online to help their business grow.

Sometimes it seems that the world of Internet business is an entirely separate world from that of brick-and-mortar business. However, to the government all legitimate small businesses are equal. There are a wealth of publicly funded resources available to the female online entrepreneur. The question is, how to find them?

A good place to start the quest is at the Small Business Administration's "MyBIZ for Women" site ( sba. gov/women/). If you are just starting out in business they have materials that can help you focus your business plan and keep realistic expectations. If your online venture is getting serious and needs to grow, there are links to sources of funding from various loan programs. You may be able to find one that fits your situation.

Another excellent resource for women's business information is the National Women's Business Council ( nwbc. gov/faq. html), with up-to-date news on programs for women in business. Examples include mentorship programs where women can gain business skills from experienced entrepreneurs, and certification programs that let you prove your business is woman-owned to help obtain funding.

The Department of Labor also maintains a website dedicated to “Women's Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century” at ( women-21.gov/). While it doesn’t appear to be the “one-stop shop for resources” that it’s front page claims, there are some very useful articles and links to be found within.

According to the S. B.A., woman-owned small businesses are being started at twice the average rate for all businesses! If you’re an American businesswoman looking for a little support, you may be surprised at the amount offered by Uncle Sam.

Refining the golden hour

In one of the classic personal finance books, “The Richest Man In Babylon,” we are told that the way to wealth is to “pay yourself first.” That a portion of all you earn is yours to keep. Great words, and just as applicable to your life itself. In other words, out of every sixteen-hours of wakefulness in a day, one hour should be yours, and yours alone. Not your job, not your husband or wife, not your kids or your parents. One hour. Sixty minutes. Thirty-six hundred seconds. Yours.

The question you should ask yourself is: if you only had one hour a day that belonged to you, what should you do with it? What CAN you do with it? Television watching patterns suggest that the average American watches over four hours a day—so we can’t claim the time isn’t there.

Lifewriting™, the high-performance system for writers and readers, maintains that with only one hour a day you can completely take your life back from the world, build to the career you desire, reach inner peace, get in the best shape of your life, and engage in continuing education—all at the same time!

The first trick is to learn to calm your mind, to center yourself so that you have a “clean stage” on which to perform. Twenty minutes three times a week is a great start, and once you are in the habit, you’ll start finding other times during the day for contemplation. Either focusing on your heartbeat, or counting deep belly breaths to ten over and over again are great stress-busters.

Next, you’ll need energy to transform your dreams into reality. Diet, rest and focus are important for energy, but one way you can catapult your physical energy into new levels is proper exercise. There are several forms of whole-body exercise that are far more efficient than most fitness routines. We’re talking exercises that simultaneously work all muscles, produce high levels of aerobic fitness, and actually produce a healthy stretch—all in less than 20 minutes a day! Check out the “clubbell” system at rmax. tv, the “kettlebell” techniques at dragondoor. com, or the “Combat Conditioning” system sold at mattfurey. com. These three are fabulous, real, hyper-efficient means of producing fitness. Three twenty-minute sessions a week will probably double your energy.

Now you get to be clever. While total concentration on your exercise is best, this is not a perfect world, and we must make compromises. Listening to instructional CD’s or audiobooks during exercise time is a great choice. Possibly the best source of such material is the wonderful Great Courses series available at teachco. com. The Teaching Company finds the best college professors in the world, and records their finest lectures on 30 and 45 minute tapes. The prices are reasonable (everything goes on sale at least once a year) and the breadth of knowledge staggering. The quality of the instructors is absolutely top-notch.

Ten minutes every day clarifying your goals is also a good idea.

Now, depending on how you’ve juggled your time (ten minutes goals, twenty minutes exercise or meditation) you should have about thirty minutes left. You can use this for making plans to move your career into a desired direction. Let’s be specific, and talk about my own career, writing. What can I do with this time?

Well, after a half hour of planning, exercising, meditation, and focus, you should be raring to go. In thirty minutes, you can produce 300-1000 words of text, IF you don’t worry about the quality of the draft. This is absolutely key to producing the volume that will lead to quality. Say, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you produce new text. These are “flow” days, where you simply make a picture in your head, or let your fingers tingle (or however else you move into creative flow) and then type.

Then, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you edit. This is when you tear your work apart, polish, plan and dig in. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE TWO STATES. Editing and Flow are completely different parts of the mind, sort of Left Brain/Right Brain. Writer’s block is merely the mixing of the two, “editing” when you should be “flowing.” Separate them deliberately, and you unleash a creative avalanche.

Of course, if you aren’t a writer, these ideas can easily be modified. The most important points are:

1) One hour of every day belongs to you. Take it!

2) Clear your mind.

3) Plan your day

4) Raise your physical energy.

5) Take steps toward your dream goal.

If you will take these five steps, then you are on the path to the life of your dreams—one hour at a time!

The san jose schools struggle with charters

The San Jose Schools have struggled for years to find ways to address educational issues in the city. While there is a lot of room for criticism in any urban school district, you can’t say that the San Jose Unified School District hasn’t tried a lot of different angles for success. The diversity in the San Jose Schools, with a significant percentage of Spanish and Vietnamese speaking families, can be part of the problem when communicating with parents and building successful schools. That’s why the charter schools within the San Jose Schools are such a bone of contention.

Charter schools are usually public schools which are independently run by a local or independent organization. Charter schools in the San Jose Schools often are freed from some of the constrictions that the regular public schools face. Is this good or bad? Well, there are a lot of opinions. For those who think that the San Jose Schools public education system needs to be taken over privately, and run like a business, charter schools make a lot of sense. For those in the San Jose Schools we are trying to make the current system better, charter schools seem like a drain on funding that get to operate outside of the rule book. What do the results say?

Results of Charters in the San Jose Schools

A recent study of California charter schools had some interesting results that may impact the San Jose Schools. An independent educational research group found that charters are better for middle school students, worse for elementary school students, and there was no consistent pattern for high school students.

What does this mean for students, parents and teachers in the San Jose Schools? A lot more indecision and confusion. Look at the Leadership Charter Schools. There’s one in East San Jose, and a few more in outlying areas. Many parents are passionate about sending their children here, but the charter has continually butted heads with the local public schools. That’s partially because schools lose money when students leave for another school. So the charters can cost the public schools money.

But here’s what the San Jose Schools should be focusing on. There’s a reason why charter middle schools seem to perform better than other middle schools. Let’s not wait another 3 years for an independent research team to find out what’s going on. The principals and teachers of San Jose Schools should be meeting and brainstorming to find out what the differences are. Charter and public schools on the same team. I suspect the need for preadolescents to have be in smaller and more intimate settings is going to show up as a factor. But why then, would charter elementary schools be in worse shape?

Maybe elementary schools are smaller to begin with so size is less of a factor? Maybe the elementary schools tend to be newer and by the time the kids filter up to middle the kinks are worked out? Lots of questions that need to be answered. At the moment, the San Jose Schools use the charter schools as an alternative, largely for low-income families. And with the state of education, alternatives aren’t something we should give up.

Shopping for sheets don t let thread count mislead you

Sheet shopping has become something of a numbers game. And it's not the numbers in the price that are attracting attention, it's the thread count.

The higher that number, the softer the sheet, right? Not necessarily. Characteristics such as fabric and weave can add significantly to a sheet's quality and tactile appeal. In fact, in certain combinations, the fabric and weave can make a lower thread count feel softer than a higher thread count made of a different fiber in a different weave.

What's most important to consider is that thread counts are sometimes overstated on a sheet's packaging. And that's something that has even caught the attention of the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Consumer Products.

What exactly is thread count? It's the number of horizontal and vertical threads in 1 square inch of fabric. A 400-thread-count sheet will have 400 threads in that square inch. The plies, on the other hand, are what make up the yarn, and there are multiple plies in the yarn. When that number is used on packaging to describe a sheet, it can be misleading to consumers who have been trained to equate a high number with high quality. For instance, a sheet labeled 400 two-ply, or "twisted," yarns is actually a 200-thread - count sheet.

The FTC has now taken steps to prevent this practice of thread - count exaggeration. It stated that "multiplying by ply is inappropriate" for a sheet maker, and in doing so the manufacturer is "stating an inflated thread count." The FTC advised sheet makers to clearly label their products with the thread count, regardless of single or plied components, and then provide additional information on the yarn's ply.

Consumers are warned to read the package carefully and let the price be a warning sign. If it looks like you're getting the deal of a lifetime, it may be too good to be true.

"People have been trained to look to the number on a package of sheets as an immediate indicator of quality, but with today's manufacturing capabilities it's not that simple," said Leslie Gillock, vice president of brand management for Wamsutta sheets, which supports the FTC's recommendation.

"With the variety of fibers and different weaving techniques available to manufacturers, sheets come in a broad range of choices in softness, durability, crispness and care, so consumers should look carefully at the characteristics of a sheet," Gillock said. "Above all, don't be misled by high count two-ply sheets. Feel the sheet itself, and buy the one that's best for you."

Fabric is equally important in determining the sheet's feel. A long-staple, premium cotton -; such as Egyptian or Pima cotton -; will create a softer sheet than a short-staple cotton or even a combed cotton, where shorter fibers have been "combed" away. Sheets made with a cotton-polyester blended fabric or with linen will be crisp to the touch, though the latter is likely to require dry cleaning and be more expensive in laundering. The benefits of man-made fibers such as polyester are that they wrinkle less and look sharp on the bed.

Lastly, pay attention to the weave. A percale's smooth weave makes for a smooth sheet. A sheet made in a pinpoint weave boasts crispness. And a sateen weave adds softness and a lustrous look.

The best test, though, is touch. Your hands will tell you in an instant if the numbers add up to a sheet that's right for you. - NU

Making the nursing home choice

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While placing a loved one in a nursing home is a difficult decision, there may come a time when it is the right one. It will help if you do your homework and trust your instincts.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the nation’s nursing homes provide care to over 1.5 million people. Over 90% of these residents are over age 65. Most of the residents are frail and require round-the-clock supervision due to dementia.

Things You Need to Know

A nursing home is a residence that provides room, meals, nursing and rehabilitative care, medical services and protective supervision to its residents. While someone coming from the hospital may require the services of many long-term care professionals such as nurses, therapists and social workers, a nursing home is not a hospital (acute care) setting. The goal at a nursing home is to help people maintain as much of their independent functioning as possible in a supportive environment.

Choosing a Facility

One of the first things to consider when making a nursing home choice is the needs of the individual for whom you’re providing care, suggest experts at the MetLife Mature Market Institute®. Make a list of the special care they need, such as dementia care or various types of therapy.

If the person is hospitalized, the discharge planner and/or social workers can assist you in assessing the needs of the individual and locating the appropriate facility.

If you are choosing a nursing facility for someone who is presently at home, ask for referrals from your physician, Area Agency on Aging, friends, and family.

Other factors such as location, cost, the quality of care, services, size, religious and cultural preferences, and accommodations for special care need to be considered.

When you’ve located a few facilities that you’d like to consider more thoroughly, plan on visiting each one, both with scheduled and unscheduled visits, and at different times and on different days of the week.

As you are walking around, take note of what you hear and don’t hear. Is it silent? Is there activity? How clean does it look? Are the residents dressed appropriately for the season? Most importantly, find out the ratio of nurses to residents is and what is the staff turnover rate?

Helpful Hints

When you’ve finally decided on a facility, you should know your rights and those of your family member. Before you or the resident sign the admissions agreement, understand what you’re signing, and do not sign any paperwork unless everything has been fully explained.

The admissions contract should, at a minimum, contain the daily room rate, reasons for discharge and transfer from the nursing home, and the policy regarding payment of the daily room rate if the resident goes to the hospital or the family brings the resident home for a short period of time.

You may question if you’re really making the right decision to place your loved one in a facility at all. Remember, you can do no more than your best, and if you’ve done that, neither you nor your family member can ask any more of you.

Become part of the clouds when you learn to skydive

One way to experience the extreme sports craze is to learn to skydive. Skydiving is one of the most popular extreme sports in society today. It is also one of the safest, despite persistent rumors and fears about the sport itself. In order to learn to skydive, it is important to follow proper procedures.

The first thing to do if you would like to learn to skydive is to read all of the information you can about the sport.

The next thing you must do to learn to skydive is locate a company with fully certified instructors. This can typically be done through the world wide web or your copy of your local yellow pages or a nearby city's business pages. It is also possible to call the United States Parachute Association, and they can recommend a good company in your area to help you learn to skydive. You must also decide on which type of training you want to engage in. One way to learn to skydive is to take a tandem jump. During a tandem jump, you will be strapped to an instructor who will guide you step-by-step through the jump. While you are required to take a brief training session, you will also get to jump the same day.

Learning to parachute jump is both fun and challenging

Another way to learn to skydive is to take static line lessons. During a static line lesson, the student undergoes four to six hours of serious training before the jump. The final jump takes place with a static line attached to the aircraft. The line deploys the chute for the jumper, thus eliminating concerns that the inexperienced jumper will not open his chute at the correct time. A final way to learn to skydive is to take free fall lessons. During this type of instruction, students undergo several hours of training. They make their actual jump with two instructors, but get the opportunity to experience a fifty second free fall by themselves.

While learning to skydive, it is important to ask any questions you have of your instructor. Skydiving is a very dangerous sport, but it can be very fun if proper safety precautions are taken. Lessons by certified instructors can help one learn to skydive.

Do you find it difficult to read try an audio book

There are many people who love fiction, but can’t read. Maybe you’re one of them. Some people can’t read for a physical reason – because they’re blind or have bad eyesight, for example – while some find reading difficult or strenuous on a mental level, such as dyslexic people and children. If any of these descriptions fit you, then maybe you should try audio books.

Audio books are voice recordings of people reading books – they used to be called ‘books on tape’, but now they mostly come on CD or even over the Internet as mp3 files. They are a surprisingly versatile medium, allowing for everything from straight readings to radio drama-style productions of the books with actors and sound effects. Some are read by the author, which can be an interesting experience, especially for books of poetry, while others are read by celebrities.

The best thing about audio books is that it’s much less effort to listen than it is to read. You can do other things while you have the audio book on, much like listening to music, such as driving or household chores. Audio books on long car journeys can be relaxing both for you and for children as well, as there are few things children love as much as hearing stories.

However, one word of warning. You should avoid any audio books you might find on the web that have been automatically produced by computer. The standard of computerised reading is not yet up to scratch for most purposes, and that’s certainly the case for audio books – it’s like hearing a robot trying to tell a story. The tone of voice is all wrong, the stresses go in the wrong place, and there’s no sense of drama. It’s difficult to even listen to for a long time, never mind enjoy. Until technology leaps forward (it’ll probably take a few decades), stick to human-read audio books.

Fraud prevention tips for the elderly

Older people may be victims of frauds like con games and insurance, home repair, telephone, or internet scams. Even “trusted” friends or family members have been known to steal an older person’s money or property. The following tips may help:

Don’t be afraid to hang up on telephone salespeople. You aren’t being impolite. You are taking care of yourself! Remember, you can say no to any offer.

Don’t give any personal information, including your credit card number or bank account, over the phone unless you were the one who made the call.

Don’t take money from your bank account if a stranger tells you to. In one common swindle, a thief pretends to be a bank employee and asks you to take out money to “test” a bank teller. Banks do not check their employees this way.

Don’t be fooled by deals that seem too good to be true. They are often rip-offs. Beware of deals that ask for a lot of money up front and promise you more money later. Check with your local Better Business Bureau to get more information about the record of any company before doing business with them.

Do be on guard about hiring people who come door-to-door looking for home repair work. They may not be trained to do the work, and they may overcharge you. You should try to check their references. Always spell out the details of the work you want done in writing. Never pay for the whole job in advance.

Avoid Identity Theft

How can someone steal your identity? Using your name, Social Security number, or credit card without your okay is called identity theft and it’s a serious crime. Be sure to protect yourself:

Do keep information about your checking account private. Put all new and cancelled checks in a safe place, report any stolen checks right away, and carefully look at your monthly bank account statement.

Do shred everything that has personal information about you written on it.

Do be very careful when buying things online. Websites without security may not protect your credit card or bank account information. Look for information saying that a website has a secure server before buying anything online.

Do check with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to find out how to protect yourself from common online scams that can trick you into revealing your personal or financial information.

Old barney -- a visit to barnegat light new jersey

Barnegat Light, NJ is the home to "Old Barney" a historic lighthouse located at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. Long Beach Island, or "LBI" as the vacationing folks like to say, is a narrow island nearly twenty miles long and six miles at sea off the coast of Ocean County, NJ.

The lighthouse is a destination in and of itself, if lighthouses are something that you like. Like all lighthouses, this one has distinctive markings: the top half is red and the bottom half is white. Built in 1859, the current lighthouse is the second one for that site. The original, constructed in 1824, was in disrepair and sorely in need of being replaced. Thus, the present lighthouse -- fondly called Old Barney -- was constructed.

Barnegat Light is the second tallest lighthouse in the US. It served those at sea and on land with distinguishment until its light was extinguished forever in 1965, made obsolete by electronic navigation. In the late 1980s the lighthouse was shut down for three years for much needed repairs, but then reopened to visitors. Old Barney remains a popular visitor destination and is now a state park. Nearby attractions include the beaches, fishing, historic homes, and neighboring communities on the island. LBI is easily accessible to Philadephia and New York City and is a favorite destination for those who travel to the Jersey Shore.

On to aol for broadband

If you are switching from dialup Internet service, and already use AOL, they may offer you AOL for broadband when you make the switch. For many AOL users, this is something they do because they don’t want to lose their AOL email address that they may have been using for years. But for those who have never had AOL, you might wonder if this is something you want to do.

The last time I moved, I signed up for a free test with AOL dialup before I decided I’d rather have DSL or cable Internet. The trial was fine, but I had a hard time getting out of it once I decided to go another way. They pursue me to purchases AOL for broadband, even though I repeatedly said I didn’t need it.

It was an extra cost above and beyond what I needed to pay for my Internet service. The more I said no, the more they tried. I have to hand it to them, they are good at what they do, and I realize the person I was talking to was only doing their job. The competition for your Internet dollar is fierce, and they want to get and keep all the customers they can. I wasn’t convinced that I needed to pay an extra five dollars a month for AOL for broadband, and in the end they finally listened.

AOL for broadband has its advantages, and you will find many customers who have used AOL for dialup with stay with them for broadband services. While I don’t know for sure, AOL has probably come up with a better way to keep customers, perhaps by offering the entire package for the same price you might get from your phone or cable company. However, if you have been unhappy in the past, you may be excited to try someone else.

The time you have spent with AOL may make your decision for you. If you have not had a pleasant experience with them on dialup, you may not want to get AOL for broadband when you switch to a faster connection. If you want to stay with them, ask them for a deal. They may give you what you want to keep you as a customer. Just like any other product, AOL for broadband will have its good points and its bad points the final decision should be about service and price.

Internet bingo chatroom acronyms

Perfect your internet bingo chat with these easy to use internet bingo acronyms so you don't look silly & confused right in the middle of your game.

Although internet bingo is an easy game to play, there are still a number of things you should know about the game. Understanding these internet bingo chatroom acronyms is extremely important, unless you want everybody to know that you are new to bingo!

These internet bingo acronyms really help speed up your chat so you can enjoy playing as well as chatting in proper bingo lingo at the same time with fellow roomies.

Internet bingo is a fast-paced game, and the chat feature requires that you know your internet bingo acronyms. Internet bingo acronyms are easy to learn, fun to use, and will simplify your internet bingo experience while playing at sites like bingodrome. com.

Chatrooms are one of the best things to do while playing bingo; it especially helps bring the whole bingo hall experience to your computer. You may be at home but there's a whole chatroom full of players to talk bingo lingo to. For time savings measures, you should know some common internet bingo abbreviations or acronyms (also known as Internet Bingo Lingo) for when you prefer to rather concentrate on your internet bingo game and not your spelling.

Internet Bingo players use many of the common chatroom acronyms plus some specifically related to the game of internet bingo. For some reason, I seldom see any emoticons or smilies being used. I guess it's because during the internet bingo game, chitchat drops and the conversation turns serious. There's not any reason to express subtleties of emotion when you're saying "1tg 1tg!!"

With these useful internet bingo chatroom acronyms, you should fit right in when playing internet bingo.

Solidworks for the sheet metal guy sheet metal training book

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The first book published by Sheet Metal Guy, LLC was SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy - Course 1: Part Creation. The book is a fun and engaging way to explore the sheet metal capabilities of SolidWorks at your own speed. You learn how to use SolidWorks and its sheet metal tools from experts in the sheet metal industry. The series of self-paced training books, SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy, demonstrates how to create real life sheet metal parts and is written in terms sheet metal people know and understand.

Books and other training materials about SolidWorks are available, but very little coverage is given to the specific sheet metal tools and unfolding capabilities, leaving users on their own to learn these tools. Dedicated to the SolidWorks market, SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy addresses this need by showing you how to use the sheet metal tools of SolidWorks. You learn from the beginning how to create sheet metal parts designed with manufacturing in mind. Throughout the book, SolidWorks' sheet metal tools are used to guide you step by step through the basics of part creation into complex features of sheet metal design. Emphasis is on creating parts and features that maintain the design intent even when changes are made to key dimensions of the part, the material thickness, or the bend radius. Taking advantage of parametrics from the beginning assures that any changes will not invalidate design integrity.

Sheet metal designers and manufacturers must increase their SolidWorks proficiency in order to get new products to market faster and achieve a higher return on their investments. Now there’s a new way to learn SolidWorks. This new comprehensive course is a self-paced learning tool, using real projects that work through the design process step-by-step. You can choose to follow the lessons from start to finish, or you can dive into just the lessons that interest you most. SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy - Course 1: Part Creation is available right now. Sheet metal designers and manufacturers will surely benefit from SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy self-paced training book.

SolidWorks for the Sheet Metal Guy is written by Neil Bucalo and Joe Bucalo. Neil is a CAD expert, having over 14 years of experience using numerous CAD systems. He has a diverse background, including mechanical engineering, CAD/CAM consulting, support, training, and technical writing. Neil is a Certified SolidWorks Support Technician. Co-author Joe Bucalo has over 30 years experience in the sheet metal industry. Joe is the president and founder of Applied Production, Inc., a SolidWorks Solution Partner that develops software tools for sheet metal manufacturing, including ProFab and ProFold.

Sheet Metal Guy, LLC, located in Cincinnati, OH, was formed to help increase the productivity of sheet metal designers and manufacturers through education. As a publisher of books and other materials, the company's primary focus is to provide high quality, cost effective training for the design and manufacture of sheet metal parts and assemblies. Sheet Metal Guy, LLC is focused on designing easy to understand, self-paced training books for all knowledge levels of 3D CAD software users. Additional company and product information is available on the company’s Web site. SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

How to find golf club discounts

When you are able to take advantage of golf club discounts, you will be saving money and feeling terrific about your recent purchase. There are so many stores, including both retail and wholesale, that offer golf clubs. You may be asking yourself a number of questions. How will I ever find the best price? Who is telling the truth when every store claims to have the lowest price? What if I don’t have a lot of cash, but I really want to purchase a set of golf clubs for myself or someone that I know? These are all good questions and they can be answered very simply. Shop around.

The first place to search for golf club discounts would be a clearance sale at your local department or golf specialty store. Throughout the year, especially during the close of golf season or outdoor recreation, many stores begin to offer special deals on their golf clubs. The reason behind this method is that everyone knows, during winter, it becomes more difficult to take that trip to a golf course.

If there aren’t any bargains at the local department store, stop by the local golf course and ask if they have any used golf clubs that they would like to sell. A golf course must constantly keep the newest, most innovative pieces of golf equipment available to their customers. If they are in the process of replacing old golf equipment, or simply have some extra clubs in the back, they may be willing to sell them for a bargain price. When using this method, be sure that you don’t buy a product that is broken or badly damaged. If done correctly, this is a terrific way to get terrific golf club discounts.

If you’re still in the market for golf club discounts, but just cannot seem to find the perfect items, check out the classified section of your local newspaper. This a terrific place to find almost anything, so don’t overlook the possibility of finding the perfect golf club discounts in your own neighborhood. If the classifieds aren’t working in your favor, check out internet auction sites but be on the lookout for shipping and handling charges. Because golf clubs are heavy, you may be faced with a hefty shipping bill.

If all else fails, shop around at flea markets and garage or yard sales. Many people are looking to clear out some previously used golf equipment and you may just find a terrific opportunity for golf club discounts right before your eyes.

First time novelist faux pau

Those who venture into fiction writing often fall prey to certain avoidable, yet highly normal faux pau's with their first book.

Many of these novels are grand experiments. Often chapters unfold without advance direction or character notebook, sometimes there is a multitude of point of view shifts and there is often a desire to try to pack as much into the story as possible.

One of the key difficulties for new novelists is to track down inconsistencies in their work. For instance if you mention that your character grew up in Ohio it is bad form to mention Chicago as their hometown later in the novel. This can be a somewhat innocuous detail in the book and most people will probably missed it, but the inconsistency is there nonetheless and may detract from the flow of the story is the reader questions the veracity of the claim.

Most authors believe that because the work is fictional the details are less important, but as an author you are creating an entire world for your readers and that world has to become as real as the world in which they live. Since novels have a unique escapist quality to them the last thing you want is to shut down your reader's link to the book because they are stumbling over inconsistencies.

Another point where first time novelists get into trouble is the addition of gratuitous violence or other points of gratuity. The author often wrongly believes that if they can shock the reader it will cause the book to be more memorable for the reader.

Many readers simply see this as a means to mask a weak storyline. This is not to say that there is no place for violence in a novel, but it must be in context of a superior storyline - not as a means of increasing the chances that your reader will recommend the book to their friends.

Most readers see gratuitous elements in a novel for what they really are and this knowledge provides an instant ‘turn-off’ factor. If you have someone who is willing to read through your manuscript ask him or her to check for anything they consider gratuitous and any inconsistencies they may encounter.

Avoiding a couple of significant potholes on the road to publishing your first novel will provide an advantage with both publisher and reader alike.

What the future holds for hot rods

Eventually, all the muscle cars from the 20th century will return to the Earth in various altered physical states. The sport obviously can’t continue forever in current form.

But a great assurance of its future is the imminent resurgence in modern-day successors to the cars that hot-rodders worship so dearly. The new movement started in 2005 with the first new Ford Mustang since the late 70s. All the basics were there – rear-wheel-drive, V8, classic looks, cheap sticker – and it fit the profile of being designed and built in America. Even better, the Mustang’s V8 is now a modern piece that will pass all emissions standards in the foreseeable future and finds application in many cars and trucks within the lineup, satisfying that essential Hot Rod need of “cheap parts.” Better yet, this 1990s-conceived engine is now developing a history and lineage (dare I say legend) of its own. Lastly, the Mustang is selling well. Ford fans, at least, can relax.

Moparheads have the next-best news. While they have nothing as cheap, focused, or American as the Mustang, their triplets of Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, and Dodge Charger form a close second. Those will soon become quadruplets if the Dodge Challenger coupe (the most historically faithful) becomes a reality later this decade, probably sporting the two Hemi V8s (the 5.7-liter and the 6.1-liter) found in existing models. Like Ford’s V8, the current-day Hemi is in great demand.

Followers of the General will probably get something of their own. The Chevy Camaro concept has sparked just as much serious interest as the Challenger, meaning enough to warrant production. It too will hold the Corvette’s LS7 V8 good for 400 horsepower, prompting another few decades of Mustang-vs-Camaro wars. And while there won’t be another Pontiac Firebird, Pontiac is supposed to get a replacement for the GTO, as much as the current one fizzled.

The funny thing is that these cars will have so much muscle straight from the factory that it’s boggles the mind thinking of ways to get any more speed out of them, especially on the cheap. But that’s a challenge any true hot rodder would happily take on.

Using speech recognition software as a corporate solution

Over the years, companies have searched for many solutions that would help them keep up with emerging technology. During that time, there have been many software packages developed specifically for corporations that deal with a high volume of customers over a short period of time. That is one reason why speech recognition is now being used in a variety of settings to help customers obtain answers to questions, pay bills, and conduct numerous other business-related tasks that traditionally required a live person.

While speech recognition still has a long way to go before it is even close to being perfected, it has been improved upon immensely over the past several years, and is now a very effective means for many types of business transactions, especially where customers are concerned. Because it is still quite volatile in nature, speech recognition technology is most commonly used in situations where only a few pieces of information are necessary, i. e. one's name, phone number, and account number. Still, it has helped to expedite business quickly, and guide customers to the right live person for further assistance.

Another area where speech recognition software is becoming widely used is through unified messaging. This type of system allows employ to retrieve a wealth of information while giving them more than one option for doing so. For example, through unified messaging, you will now be able to retrieve voice mail messages via E-mail, and E-mails messages via the phone. This makes it easier to keep up with important incoming messages you don't want to miss, and do so literally from any location.

There are several benefits to using unified messaging. The first is that it allows you and your employees the ability to gain flexibility through a wide variety of options. Because of this, it can also help increase the response time for returning important calls or messages. This makes it quite effective.

Unified messaging also helps to increase mobile staff productivity. Even when your employees travel, they will still be able to easily retrieve messages, and return them before even setting foot back in the home office. It also makes them more available should any problems occur that require their immediate attention.

Unified messaging also helps to keep high-value, third-level workers connected. This also decreases the amount of time in which problems are solved, and insures that someone is on it at all times. It also means that more problems can be solved in a shorter amount of time.

Unified messaging also helps to build more effective communication not only between you and your employees, but also between you, your employees, and your customers. This also helps to promote the security your customers have come to depend on, and makes it a viable technological choice for you and your flourishing business.

Candle making in school as a fundraiser activity

Candle fundraiser activities are done by most schools because they are more effective than any other fundraiser strategies. Some schools will sell cakes, cookies, and more, but it’s really not as effective as candle selling. Selling candles is a very effective fundraising activity for your school.

Candle making is being taught in some schools, so it is a good way to start the candle fundraiser because the students are already trained on how to make unique candles with their own styles. You might wonder if people are interested in buying candles throughout the year. Well, candles are not usually bought for lighting. People buy candles for their collections and decoration purposes.

If you want to start a fundraiser in your school, make sure several students will cooperate with the activity. Each member should play their own part so that you have a lot of candles to use for your fundraiser. Candle making is not hard and you can come up with some great designs that will be suitable for the whole year. Those who have tried fundraising through selling candles have proved that is a profitable way to raise funds because of its relatively low cost. Teach the students a standard design or you can let them make out their own designs and styles. This activity does not only aim to raise funds, but it also aims to boost the creativity of the students and give them a sense of inspiration that they can do anything. It will also promote friendship with the other students.

It is important to plan your fundraiser activity near the holidays because they will surely sell. It is also the perfect time to apply the decorative designs to the candles.

You need to instruct your students properly on how to make the candles. The procedures should be explained to them step-by-step so that the candles will be perfectly made. Make sure that every student knows what they are doing and that they know how many they should make in order to promote the fundraising activity.

Although you can also buy candles from a company that makes candles, and sell it with a little additional profit, making your own candles is still the best choice. The students will love the activity, and they will surely learn from it.

In making the candles, you must come up with different varieties and sizes. Make small and big candles so people will have choices. Candle fundraisers are always a good option for fundraising activities because you are sure to sell every single candle. Everyone loves collecting candles especially the scented ones. You just need a little patience, and you will surely get the amount of donations that you wish to achieve.

Living behind the ear - hearing aids

Living aids are a small device that spend their time in most cases inside and behind the ear of an individual who has a hearing impairment. The small device is used to amplify noises to increase the probability of an individual who is hard of hearing in distinguishing a sound. Technology over the past decade has greatly increased both the effectiveness of hearing aids as well as greatly reduced the obtrusiveness of a hearing aid. It used to be that an individual would have to wear an "ear trumpet" or "ear horn", which was a larger and very noticeable way of aiding hearing. Now many times you won't even notice that a hearing aid is being used until you look closely as they are very compact in size, and will often times blend right in with the ear of an individual. With the increased technology in batteries and power conservation, their is no longer a need for cables and pocket battery packets, instead the battery is concealed in the device itself! It's like James Bond, but this device is actually useful.

There is several different types of hearing aids, which will vary in many ways among size, cost and power. Before making a choice on any different model or function, I would first recommend talking to your medical professional. Always put functionality ahead of all of your other choices. A hearing aid that looks great, but doesn't help your hearing, isn't going to be much of an aid at all. Same with one that you are constantly changing the battery out of, etc. Functionality and practicality goes along way in the purchase of a hearing aid.

What is a student loan

The loan accrues interest from the day it is paid. The good part is that the interest rate is linked to the inflation in line with the Retail Prices Index, which means you only really repay the amount you borrow with no profit made on the loan itself.

Do I qualify?

You qualify to take out a student loan if you are a part-time Initial Teacher Training student and are in full-time higher education.

If you are an existing student you will be able to take out either a Student Loan for Maintenance or a Student Loan for Fees.

On top of that, there are some other types of financial help you may be entitled to.

What’s Student Loan for Maintenance?

The Student Loan for Maintenance is designed to help you with your living costs during term times and holidays.

The amount of money you can have will depend on a few factors like your household income, whether you live at home while you are studying and whether or not you receive any Maintenance Grant and how much.

The amount of Student Loan for Maintenance you can borrow will not be affected by the Special Support Grant, if you receive any.

You will normally get a smaller loan in your final year at University, as there is no holiday period to cover you for and you will only need until the end of the final term.

You can apply for the non income assessed Student Loan and get around 75 per cent of the maintenance money regardless of your household income.

Whether or not you can apply for the rest of it will depend on your household income (‘income assessed loan’).

As a rule The Student Loan for Maintenance is paid in three installments directly into your back account at the start of each term.

The Student Loan for Fees is paid straight to your university or college by Student Finance Direct.

Repayments

They are due starting from April after your course is finished (at the start of the new financial year).

You are expected to repay 9% of your earnings over Ј15,000pa or the monthly/weekly equivalents.

For example, if you are earning Ј18,000 a year you will have to pay back nine per cent of Ј3,000, which works out at approximately Ј5.19 a week.

And so, the more you earn, the faster you will repay the loan. You can repay more than this if you decide to.

Outstanding loans will be written off when you reach 65.

You may think that your home computer network is as safe as bug in a rug - it is not

You may think that your home computer internet network is as safe as a “bug in a rug”. After all your Linksys or D-Link brand or another popular brand offers state of the art security features. Perhaps you have the standard WEP 64, or the “safe as the banks “WEP 128 encryption format. Perhaps you have even gone one step further to the ultra newer safe WPA router data security formats or even to greater security heights.

Your computer network is ultra secure. Or so you think and have beer reassured. Perhaps you have even had a “computer security professional “do the setup and maintenance,

And yet your personal data or banking information may be stolen. Your children may be directed to “bad “internet sites or worse. Your windows security updates may be compromised leaving your computer and network open to wide and wider scale attacks on your computer. Your confidential passwords – whether they are for email, medical, airline or even banking may be compromised or stolen. Finally your computer may be utilized as a “zombie” in large scale denial of service attacks on the internet. Your computer and many thousands of other may be set, waiting patiently for long periods of time, to be activated as a sleeper agent. Which along with many thousand of other remote computers are set on secret activation to altogether overwhelm some target whether it be government computers, the CNN online news network or whatever?

How are all of these threats possible? Computer security is always a case of cat and mouse with human ingenuity always at the root of the game. The hackers do this,

The computer security network react to fix the security hole it issue – whether it be Microsoft, Apple Computer or the Computer Hardware of Computer Hardware accessories manufacturers . And then the computer hackers think of an alternate means of attack.

In this case, even though it apparently seems that even though your wireless or simple cabled non wireless computer network has another gaping security hole. Home routers are at risk of being compromised by remote hackers. As a result of innocently or inadvertently visiting web pages malicious standard java script type software can access the controls of your home router and reset the controls inside the router to cause you big trouble.

Your router can be set to visit certain sites instead of where you wish to go. This may be simply to redirect you to sites containing advertising of the villain’s daily choice. You may be taken inadvertently to websites which in a flash download further viscous and mean software, on a regular basis. Or even worse you may be taken to fake sites which are not what they represent. For example you may well type in the bank of America bankofamerica. com website. You may even have searched the name by Google. You will think you are being directed to this banking website where you enter your account name and password only to discover you cannot access your account because you are a bogus copy of the front page of that website whose purpose is to steal your banking account and passwords.

The answer to this security problem is simple. Simply change the administration password in your router from the default out of the box, out of the manual and factory to anything else.

As a result the malicious java script will not be able to unlock and enter your router and do its damage. The simple answer to these router security issues and securing your router firmly is to easily and simply change the administration password on your router – whether it is wireless or a wired router. Now your home computer network and router will be safe from this threat.

Earn extra income start distributing credit cards yourself

Become a Credit Card Distributor

Mastercard International is targeting a 40 per cent growth for the financial year 2004-05. At present, it has 7 million debit cards and 5 million credit cards. ...

People will always need credit cards; it seems the average person has about 4 cards in his pocket, a card for gas, a card for a major department store, a card for groceries, a card for jewelry, and a couple of cards as spares just in case cash is needed and in short supply.

Now if you have a website, ANY type of website, you can become an affiliate for one credit card company, or up to 100 credit card companies, for absolutely free!

To give you an example as to what is available:

You can feature more than 100 credit cards with several companies by just placing a simple link on your web page for free.

These companies will also help you set up your website.

Credit Cards offered are Visa. Mastercard and American Express.

Commissions to you when somebody fills out an appication range from $20 to $80 for an approval.

They provide affiliates with all credit card content, such as reviews, ratings, APRs, fees, etc. All information is provided FREE to affiliates to incorporate into their websites.

Some companies will actually supply you with access to a database which consistently updates any information that may change such as interest rates and terms and conditions.

There are at present numerous different types of cards the majority of which fall into 2 classifications:

Credit Cards based on good credit history.

Interest and transaction rates should be relatively low.

Credit Cards based on not so good credit history.

Interest and transaction rates will be relatively high.

It would be perfect as an affiliate to be able to offer both.

In order to convince people to subscribe to a certain credit card you can actually promote on your website various types of rewards offered by the credit card companies.

A prime example of rewards of course are airmiles.

"Get 15,000 miles free when you apply for this particular credit card."

How about these rewards:

"0% intro APR for 15 months."

"Instant approval"

"5% cash back"

"Free movie rentals"

"Bad Credit OK"

"Low Interest"

"Purchase and transfers at 0%"

"Free rewards program: Home, electronics, dining, travel and more"

"5 points for every $1 spent at supermarkets, drugstores & gas stations:"

"Earn 1 point for every $1 on all other purchases"

"0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months"

"No annual fee"

"auto rebate cards"

Faster Cards

There are now new cards , where cardmembers simply hold their card near a point-of-sale reader at a checkout, instead of swiping their card or handing it to a store employee. As cardmembers hold their card with this feature near the point-of-sale reader, the reader will quickly emit a tone and light up to signal payment confirmation.

"We believe the innovative cards with this feature provide merchants and cardmembers with the increased speed and convenience they want at the point-of-sale," said a senior vice president of a company’s credit card division.

"With this feature, cardmembers can save time when making their everyday purchases." So you could use any of the above incentives to promote your affiliate credit card link and earn additional Internet Income.

Spinal tap

The spinal column is among the core areas of the human body, representing the single largest, unbroken set of connections between the body and the brain. As such, the spinal column and pretty much anything and everything around it, are integral to human operations. However, like all parts of the body, the spinal column can sometimes be prone to a number of physical maladies, not least of which is lower back pain.

The pain is often attributed to strenuous activity involving lifting or over-exerting back muscles. This is commonly displayed for comedic effect in the media, though it occurs often enough in real life to be a concern. Lower back pain is most often an effect of improperly lifting a weight, which puts undue stress on the lower back, as well as some areas of the legs. As the body ages, lower back pain becomes more frequent. This is due to the lower back muscles losing tensile strength and flexibility, along with the spinal column slowly becoming more brittle. Lower back pain, at this stage of the game, is often seen to be just the tip of the iceberg.

Lower back pain, however, may be a sign of something more alarming in store. The spinal column is home to a number of nerves and neural connections. Lower back pain is a relatively minor concern, as more serious damage to the spinal column can result in partial or total paralysis, depending on the extent of the damage. Barring that extreme – but very real – possibility, the loss of some motor functions or feeling may also occur if the spine is damaged.

Another concern would be spinal arthritis, which can sometimes go undetected until it is too late. This is understandable, as spinal arthritis does not usually have the same visual signals as arthritis does in the rest of the body. However, the general list of symptoms of arthritis are the same.

The symptoms of arthritis may be similar regardless of what area of the body is affected, but the core problem is that some of these signs are easy to be mistaken for something else. One of the most common and prevalent symptoms of arthritis is pain in the affected areas. This is fine for other parts of the body, but for the back, most people tend to ignore it and believe it to be no different from back pains induced by muscle stress or excessive physical work. Only when the pain becomes a semi-regular occurrence do some people consider the possibility that the problem might be more than just “normal” pain.

Difficulty in movement, particularly of the lower back and lower limbs, is also among the commonly ignored symptoms of arthritis. This is sometimes speculated to be caused by people believing that these problems are merely the result of aging or improper nutrition. Indeed, difficulty in moving some muscles and bones in the body can be caused by the aging process, which generally limits the range and speed of a person's movements. Also, it is a popular conception that poor nutrition, or the lack of specific nutrients, can make moving the lower half of the body difficult. As a result, as one of the symptoms of arthritis, this is often ignored.

One of the symptoms of arthritis that people generally do not ignore, however is spinal deformity, which is the most outward physical manifestation of spinal arthritis. While this is easily confused with other possible causes of spinal deformity, there is virtually no chance that it would

be ignored.

Can newbies make money with ewen chia s cash machine

Make money on line with Affiliate Programs and New Cash Machine. When looking online for a business to work from home, with little to no cash investment a person will almost always run across affiliate programs. These are programs that different companies offer to help promote their products and increase sales, with out costing them anything up front to do it. You essentially become a sales person for that company or that product, your commission depends on you making a sale. This is a legitimate business, it is possible to be a great success with it, but affiliate marketing is not easy. However, Ewen Chia has come up with a program, the Newbie Cash Machine, that he proclaims is what all “newbies” to internet marketing need in order to be successful. The real question is “Can newbies make money with Ewen Chia’s Cash Machine?”

Ewen Chia has been in internet marketing for ten years. So there is some credibility to what he has to offer. He further tries to build his credibility by pointing out that there are scams on the market, there are sites that claim to make you rich overnight and he tells you that he is not one of those sites. There is no promise to overnight success, there is a hint though of what could be when he says, “you might see serious cash pretty darn quick.” Mr. Chia is also trying to differentiate himself from everyone else by telling you that he is going to actually show you how to run an internet marketing business. His program is the blueprint that you “must have” in order to make the money that you are dreaming of. He teases with the fact that in his equation to success, he has the “secret sauce” recipe that he will only share with you if you buy his program.

His blueprint is in fact the framework that is needed for a successful long-term business, and the plus side of what the Newbie Cash Machine has is that once it is in motion it does not require babysitting. As referenced earlier, making money with affiliate programs can be very profitable, but it is not easy, and it does require work, while the Cash Machine will make it automated so to speak. Ewen Chia stresses that this is about building a business, not just making money.

Ewen Chia’s Newbie Cash Machine is so simple to follow that he doesn’t know how you will be able to follow the steps and not make money. Again trying to win over the potential buyer with “honesty”, he tells you that while other sites are worried that you may take a cut of their money, he is not, there is plenty to go around. We can all agree with that statement, there is plenty of money to be made on the internet and plenty of it to go around. Plus, the point of being a success at your internet marketing is that you are offering something that your competitor is not.

The answer to the question on whether or not a newbie can make money with Ewen Chia’s Cash Machine is - probably. A person can make money with Affiliate programs so if the Newbie Cash Machine will help make the process simpler and more automated then you will be able to make money with both the affiliate programs and the Newbie Cash Machine. It is a small investment to make to start your own business, and for those that are already in the business, it is a small risk if it can boost your sales with what you are already doing. Plus Ewen Chia offers a money back guarantee, no questions asked, all he wants you to do is buy it, try it, and make a success story. After all, it won’t help his sales if there aren’t any success stories for him to boast about.

Annual forecasts fengshui remedies for 2006 year of the yang red fire dog - for monkey sign

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The ancient Chinese Astrology is not only fascinating but also quite accurate. It’s Zodiac is based on 12 signs, a cycle of 12 years and are named after 12 symbolic animals : Rat (or Mouse), Ox (or Buffalo or Bull or Cow), Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare or Cat), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep or Ram), Monkey, Rooster (or Hen or Cock or Chicken or Phoenix), Dog and Pig (or Boar or Hog).

Your Chinese Astrological Zodiac Animal Sign is based on your Chinese Lunar Year of Birth. The Chinese New Year is movable and could start anywhere between 21st January and 20th February, depending upon the year.

If your Date of Birth falls into any of these below listed Chinese Lunar Years, then, because you are born in the Year of the Monkey, you are symbolically identified as a "Monkey" :

In Chinese Hsia Calender, 2006 is the 4703rd year and is also the third year of the New Fengshui Land Luck Period 8. The new Chinese Lunar Year is from 29.01.2006 to 17.02.2007. Here are the Annual Forecasts and suggested Fengshui & Crystal Remedies that you may need for the coming "New Year 2006 : Bing Xu, the Year of the Yang Red Fire Dog" :

From 02 Feb 1908 to 21 Jan 1909

From 20 Feb 1920 to 07 Feb 1921

From 06 Feb 1932 to 25 Jan 1933

From 25 Jan 1944 to 12 Feb 1945

From 12 Feb 1956 to 30 Jan 1957

From 30 Jan 1968 to 16 Feb 1969

From 16 Feb 1980 to 04 Feb 1981

From 04 Feb 1992 to 22 Jan 1993

From 22 Jan 2004 to 08 Feb 2005

CAREER :

An year full of confusions, travels and troubles, mostly. This year, the Stars will force a lot of productive and unproductive travels on you. Avoid travelling North East. Your hard work and efforts will go unrecognised. And if you fight, you will lose. There will be many despairing situations where you will feel like crying. Cry and get it over. And wait for better times. Chances of losing official properties like important documents is quite high. Much as you would like to be your own master, the unfolding situations will demand your total co-operation with others. Exercise care and caution when getting into any agreements. If you are a journalist, author, copy writer, script writer, designer, academic researcher or an artist, you will do well. Any opportunity coming out of overseas connections will click. If you are offered a posting abroad, accept it willingly. If you are a student or you are writing a competetive exam, you will excel. Install the image or icon of Green Tara to help tide over obstacles. Wear a Black Tourmalene Crystal Pendant to balance your emotions.

MONEY :

A very average moneyluck. Put a Reality Check on your expenses, as you are a natural spender. Save every penny. Cut down on socialising and over spending on friends. Do not lend money to anybody, unless you are prepared to write it off. Spend more on travel insurance and health insurance. You are a fit case for carrying a set of PaKua Horoscope Coins and keeping a set of Dragon & Phoenix Coins at home.

HEALTH :

Beware of infections when travelling. There could be some minor accidents too. Always carry an emergency medical kit. Check for problems related to blood. Body pain and eye diseases will be a matter of concern. Be careful with fire as you could suffer fire burns this year. Accidents while driving is a reality. Avoid visiting hospitals and graveyards. Hang a natural, original Chinese Wou-Lou in your bedroom and carry a golden metal Wou-Lou with you, always.

LOVE :

Good relationship luck. Most of you will get a sympathetic ear and comfort at home. When you travel, always find time to talk to your spouse and family members, to avoid possible communication gaps. Most importantly, married monkeys should strictly resist temptations when they are abroad or when socialising with overseas friends of opposite sex.

Beneficial Crystal : Orange Cornelian, for 2006

Good Relationship with : Dragon & Rat, for 2006

Conflict with : Tiger & Horse, for 2006

Yin/Yang : Yang

A NOTE ABOUT REMEDIES : The above analysis has suggested some remedies/cures for reducing the impact of negative energy and has recommended certain enhancers for increasing and improving upon the beneficial energy. For the remedies/enhancers to be effective, they should be cleansed, energised, blessed and programmed not only for the particular individual/family but also for the specific purpose/problem. They should also be placed in the indicated location. Any or all of these remedies can be reused for the coming new years, the only thing is that some of them may have to be repositioned according to the specific new year.

Visiting italy for the purpose of sightseeing

With the population strength of 2.7 million, Rome has mild to rainy climate in winter while in the summer it is hot and dry. To understand the city's artistic richness it would be wise to move on foot since you can play it by ear while you can take quick side trips at the inspiration of the poetic spirit in you. However to move around conveniently you can depend on private guided tours for which you can easily contact your hotel management. Tram-Bus system is another reasonably priced option that will take you around the city and Rome's neighborhoods as well to enjoy a charming tour.

Whatever may be your special preferences as a tourist there are some places you cannot miss when you are visiting Rome with the sole purpose of sightseeing. In the popularity scale possibly the Coliseum would come next to the Vatican to say the least. Moreover it is the most recognizable structure of Rome. Since operating hours vary all along the year it would be advisable that for admission details you call beforehand.

Once you finish the gravity-filled visit of The Coliseum, stroll along the lane to Foro Romano, also known as Roman Forum, which was Ancient Rome's community center. Economic, political and religious activities took place at that very site. In the midst of the ruins a number of its columns still stand high even after 2000 years, vouching for the great qualities of Roman architecture valued even today. From 9 am to an hour before sunset it remains open for visitors while free admission it offers.

The Pantheon stands today without hardly any changes and that makes it difficult to believe that it is 1,800 years old really. Around 125 AD, Emperor Hadrian built The Pantheon or "temple to all gods". The 9-meter opening of its concrete dome is the only source of illumination inside. Here remain buried two kings of Italy and many other prominent individuals of Europe. Every day in week including holidays except Christmas it remains open. No admission fee is charged.

Three hours you can spend easily for visiting The Vatican and the collection there, of paintings, sculptures, books and a number of artifacts that record the Catholic Church's history in chronological order. Also relish in St. Peter's Basilica, the wonder of Michelangelo's Pieta, note its detailed masonry, and the papal catacombs as well. Proceed next to the Vatican Museum that houses some more thrilling antiquities of which no less important are Egyptian mummies dating back to the BC period. In case there is time constraint move to the Sistine Chapel skipping all other attractions. It is stated that when Pope Julius II invited Michelangelo, a rare sculptor basically, to paint the Bible on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he guessed it could be a ploy of his rivals who might have thought that since Michelangelo was not known for his skill as a painter he would create something very ordinary and thus would land in an embarrassing situation. However events did not follow exactly that track as we learn from the history. Truly speaking, the Sistine Chapel is considered perhaps as the Renaissance period's most valued gift.

Since you will get many restaurants and cafes in near vicinity of main tourist attractions and that makes it easy to take care whenever you are hungry. For specials and tourist information the hotel concierge is generally the best source and that is the case here too.

A sleep aid to dream about

Just when one thinks that there is just one too many sleep aids available in the market, think again. A new sleep aid that can promote dreaming has been formulated by drug researchers and pharmacologists. The said is also said to be effective in improving one's memory. This medication specifically targets the orexin system, which is also associated with the urges connected with feeding and addiction. Orexin is a type of hormone that was discovered in 1998 and is known to control or induce a number of physiological reactions and conditions such as narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder where people can fall asleep several times a day and experience paralyzing musculo-skeletal contractions.

A Swiss drug company named Actelion has also unveiled a new candidate drug known as orexin-RA-1 that can block the orexin system. Laboratory rats slept soundly and performed better in maze tests the following day than rats given with only conventional sleep aids, suggesting that the drug improves memory capacity. Measurements of muscle tone and brain activity revealed an increase in the dream phase of sleep. According to Actelion CEO Jean Paul Clozel, the dream phase is when memory is hardwired in the brain. According to Clozel, older medications reduce REM sleep. Lack of REM sleep makes people still feel tired even after they just woke up.

Shahrad Taheri, a doctor from the University of Bristol, said that orexin has great potential for promoting sleep and regulating appetite. Taheri said that orexin can be used to reduce cravings for food.

The new sleep aid drug is now undergoing stage trials. Clozel says that the drug could be available in the market by 2012. He admitted that there are plans to extend its application beyond insomnia. Unlike older generations of sleep medications, orexin-RA-1 showed no signs of being addictive or of losing its effects over time. However, this type of medication should have a thorough inspection for possible unwanted side effects. Existing sleep aids being sold in the market are known to have a number of side effects. Tests should be done in order to fully analze a new drug's effects in the brain, and how it can provide other beneficial effects without harming other human internal systems.

Aside from using medications, people with insomnia should continue receiving non-medical help to overcome sleeplessness. Among the most common advice given to insomniacs by doctors and behavioral therapists include:

Cutting down on caffeinated drinks especially during hours that are too near sleeping time

Avoiding stimulating activities such as games, exercise, and watching action movies when on is about to sleep

Keeping the bedroom as a private place for sleeping. An insomniac should not do work inside the sleeping quarters.

The room must be kept dark, free from noise, and comfortable enough to induce relaxation and drowsiness.

In very severe cases of sleep deprivation, the help of medical and psychiatric professionals should be sought. Insomniacs, however, must make sure to consul these professionals first before using any sleep aid. Using sleep aids without proper consultation could lead to substance abuse and, worse, to accidental death. Sleep aid overdose is a very serious risk faced by insomniacs who use medications without the proper prescription.

Soon, however, new drugs such as orexin may help people with severe sleep deprivation gain back the ability to sleep, rest, and dream about better days and nights ahead.

Same day loans quick approval for those in urgent need

Some people face situations where they have to fulfill needs but the problem lies in the fact that they are not left with any money for those needs. The problem can be solved easily and comfortably with the help of the Same Day Loans which are available to the borrowers.

Through these loans, the borrowers get money for their needs without pledging any collateral with the lender. It is just required by the borrower to fax in the documents to the lender for getting approval which testifies the conditions being fulfilled by the borrowers. They are required to be adult citizens of the UK and having a current bank account which is at least 6months old. The employment of the borrower should be regular since the last 6months and so should be his place of residence since the last 3months.

Even bad credit borrowers are approved these loans for their needs easily. Only, they have to pay slightly higher rates of interest for these loans so that the risk of non-repayment can be covered by it. The borrowers can however get low rate deals for these loans with the help of research.

An amount is approved in the range of

A mentor for your business

Part of your home based business plan for success, must include an experienced online business mentor. Working a home based business on the internet does not differ greatly from any other marketing opportunity. Every business has its’ own specific solution for conquering the market and an internet business is no different; it’s just knowing where and how to begin. Every business has a period of learning, this is a new skill and it can be amazingly successful for you providing you are prepared to set your business foundations in stone. This process, as with anything in life which is worth having, takes time and if you are prepared to put in the time your future will certainly be secure. Although an internet based business is able to support the lifestyle you are seeking the whole process of obtaining the right advice starts with you and your mentor.

Starting an internet business is really no different to starting any business. There is a much held belief that a business opportunity on the internet is fraught with danger. Where is the difference here? Any business which is undertaken comes with an element of risk; the reality is that the risk is you! Back yourself and you are on a winner. When any business is undertaken the most necessary input must be your planning, choose the right system and get the right advice.

Every business is a sales and marketing organization in some way or another. Every day of your life you are selling yourself, whether you are selling a product or service it takes a certain amount of skill. Specific skills should be learned from an experienced person who knows the ins and outs of the workings of each particular system and can assist in honing your future to perfection. When you apply yourself and learn everything possible about your goods or services and you go to the market place, you have immediately given yourself the edge and the ability to conquer your competitors. The internet is no different. There are many ways to give you the edge. The most important areas of expertise give you the confidence to know the how to and where is the best way to create a very successful business.

Your mentor is a prime building block of expertise for the success of your home based business. A good mentor will be available to assist you with the difficult times which can be experienced when starting out, remember your mentor has been there too. A good mentor will teach you everything they know so that you can pass this information onto your successors and empower you to become a sought after mentor yourself, this is the real nature of internet marketing.

M1 abrams mbt armament issues

With the forthcoming TUSK add-on kit, an M2 or an Mk 19 grenade launcher can be mounted on the CROWS remote weapons platform (similar to the Protector M151 remote weapon station used on the Stryker family of vehicles). 2. A 7.62 mm M240 machine gun in front of the loader's hatch on a skate mount. 3. A 7.62 mm M240 machine gun in a coaxial mount. The coaxial MG is aimed and fired with the computer fire control system used for the main gun. The turret is fitted with two six-barreled smoke grenade launchers (USMC Abrams use an eight-barreled version). These can create a thick smoke that blocks both vision and thermal imaging, and can also be armed with chaff. The engine is also equipped with a smoke generator that is triggered by the driver.

The Abrams also has provisions for storing an M16 rifle or M4 carbine inside the crew compartment for when they have to leave the protection of the tank under potentially hostile conditions, plus Abrams crews always carry personal side arms, the M9 Beretta pistols. The Abrams is equipped with a ballistic fire-control computer that uses data from a variety of sources, including the thermal or daylight Gunner's Primary Sight (GPS), a laser rangefinder, a crosswind sensor, a pendulum static cant sensor, data on the ammunition type, ammunition temperature, and a muzzle reference sensor (MRS) that determines barrel drop due to gravity and temperature. The fire-control system uses this data to compute a firing solution for the gunner. The ballistic solution generated ensures a hit percentage greater than 95 percent at nominal ranges. Either the commander or gunner can fire the main gun.

Additionally, the Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) can be used to locate targets and pass them on for the gunner to engage while the commander scans for new targets. In the event of a malfunction or damage to the primary sight system, the main and coaxial weapons can be manually aimed using a telescopic scope bore sighted to the main gun known as the Gunner's Auxiliary Sight (GAS). The GAS has two interchangeable reticles; one for HEAT and one for APFSDS ammunition.

Why a payday loan

At one time or another, maybe several times depending on your good or bad luck, an emergency will arise that a quick infusion of cash will solve – but you are like so many of us that just make it from one payday to another. And you have little, if any, savings!

Maybe your auto mechanic gives you some bad news. You just came in for an oil change. He checked your brakes and they are in bad shape and need to be replaced right now! Two hundred fifty dollars will take care of it but you do not have that type of cash on hand. You don’t want to ask your brother-in-law again and have to listen to him tell you what a poor money manager you are.

You cannot go to Household Finance Company or any of those loan companies because you need only a small loan for a short time. You don’t want to be locked in to a minimum loan of $2,500 for a minimum payback period of one year. Besides, you wouldn’t pass the credit check and your credit cards are all maxed out!

What about the bank where you have your checking account? Forget it! Same deal, poor credit history. And the loan officer would snicker at a loan application for such a small amount of money.

But wait! Remember those ads you saw when you were surfing on your computer? The ones that promised “Immediate approval with no credit check. Bad credit, no credit not a problem. Get your cash now.” Think about it! You can get square with them in one or two paydays at most. Maybe the charges are a little high but solving your problem now – without a hassle – is worth paying a little extra.

You can apply for an online cash advance on your computer from the privacy of your own home. Since you’ve been on your job for over three months, all you need to do is give them your employment information. You have a checking account with some history and have not bounced any checks for well over a year. And you haven’t had a previous online cash advance. Fill out your loan application right now and you should be approved in an hour or two.

They will direct deposit the money right into your checking account and you can give your auto mechanic the okay to fix your brakes. Yes, you saw the interest rate on your loan. Depending on the state you live in, the fee will run anywhere from $15 to $20 per hundred. If you roll over the loan to your next payday, the fees will double but hey, peace of mind now is better than being stressed out without your car.

Do some homework on your computer and see which one of the online payday loan companies will give you the best deal. Learn what annual percentage rate (APR) is all about because it makes a big difference in who has the better terms. If you know someone who has done business with a payday lender, ask them about their experience. Hopefully, you will find a lender who is content with a fair profit and a satisfied customer who will recommend their friends and come back from time to time when a small, short-term loan will solve a sudden financial problem.

Knowing why depression happens

Having a person you know and love have the depressions is a depressing situation as well. Watching the wallow in their loneliness and sadness can cause a great rift between the two of you. This comes from fear as well as the misunderstanding of the needs and symptoms of the depressed person

Knowing the causes of depression allows us to prevent such from happening to us or to our loved ones.

Many experts agree that depression can be hereditary, if a family has been known to have depression in their lineage; there are good chances that the following generation will have it as well.

People who do not have self confidence and has low self esteem are prone to depression as well. They do not find any positive aspects in their life that is why they have depression. People who are exposed to stress on a daily occurrence ca also be a candidate for depression.

Medical science has also recently discovered that depression is greatly associated with the physical well-being of a person. If a person has had a life threatening disease or an accident, depression follows suit.

A personal loss resulting to major emotional letdown can also trigger depression. A bad break-up, death, getting fired from a job, these are all reasons that can put a person into depression.

Research has shown that women are twice more likely to get depression. These are caused by the hormonal changes they experience. The stress women also experience in being a single parent, a working mother, their responsibilities both in the home and at the office are all possible to be a moving factor.

Men and women show different symptoms in depression. Men are usually irritable and impatient, that is why it is sometimes hard to diagnose if they do have depression. They are also more likely to keep it to themselves.

Affordable performance nissan skyline r33 gts25-t

In 1993 the all new Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-T replaced the successful R32 GTS - T. Little brother to the all conquering GTR the GTS25-T is more affordable and still a thrilling ride. It features a more modern new shape with smooth lines rather than the sharp edges of the previous model. The new looks were debatable some liked the newer styling of the R33 and some preferred the harder edges of the R32.

On the road with the R33 the first thing you notice is how smooth the R25DET engine is power delivery is linier and the car pulls hard from 3000rpm to the 7000 rpm redline. The manual coupe version will propel you from 0-100 in 6.18 seconds and complete the quarter in 14.4. Maximum power is 187kw at 6400 and a max torque 295nm at 4800.

The RB25DET is a ripper and featured technology ahead of it time. The 2.5 liter turbo intercooled straight 6 features a twin cam head with variable valve timing on the intake side.

Handling of the coupe is great with a good balance between comfort and a sports like feel. The rear of the car steered by a system called HICAS which works by calculating the speed and angle of the car through the corners. This feature seems to minimize under - steer and kept the car flat through the corner. The rear on the car is equipped with a viscous LSD and steps out ever so progressively when pushing hard. This makes the car easy to control but if pushed to hard it would be easy to loose the rear end. The skyline is a medium size coupe weighing in at 1360kg and when cornering its a great drive but not quiet as direct or nibble though the bends as the lighter R32 was. But light suspension modifications improve handling significantly.

In Australia a good series 1 GTS25-T can be picked up for around $17,000 and a series 2 for around 20,000. With standard features including electric windows and climate control I thinks it is great value for money. With light modifications to the engine and suspension this car can be turned into a street weapon.

Various bankruptcy services offered

There are several ways that you can help yourself get out of debt. One of the things that you can do is use a debt reduction calculator in order to figure out how to help yourself.

A debt reduction calculator is going to help you figure out what you have to do to get out of debt in several ways. First of all, it is going to allow you put your current debts into the calculation, along with the current monthly payments you are making. Next, you can put your current income into the debt reduction calculator, and this will help you figure out what you can afford to be paying each month.

Next, when you are using the debt reduction calculator, you can figure out a way to put your debts together. The debt reduction calculator will help you see which of your debts can be consolidated into a single loan or other type of debt. This will also help you get out of debt, because you will be able to see a much lower interest rate, and it will give you a chance to help yourself have lower monthly payments.

There are several places that you can go to get a debt reduction calculator. You can find one online that will give you plenty of good information about what your current debts are and the best way that you can get yourself out of debt. Make sure that the one you find has all sorts of options for you to get yourself out of debt.

If you are considering going into bankruptcy, or if you know that it is you only option, you shouldn’t be afraid to take advantage of the various bankruptcy services that are going to be offered. No matter which step of the process you are currently at, there will be services that are offered just for you.

First of all, by far the best of the bankruptcy services that will be offered to you is going to be counseling. By participating in the bankruptcy counseling sessions that are offered, you will have a better idea of what your debts entail, and what going into bankruptcy actually means. There are other bankruptcy services that are offered for you when you are in these situations. One of them might include representatives that will work with you in order to help you organize your finances.

Organization is one of the biggest keys to getting out of debt, and a failure to be organized is often one of the main reasons that people get into debt in the first place. Therefore, some of the bankruptcy services that you might want to take advantage of should include the organizational services. One of these is going to be the debt reduction calculations that are offered. These will help you figure out what you need to do to get out of debt. In fact, this bankruptcy service might even be something that you can do to avoid having to file for bankruptcy in the first place. This might be a saving grace for you. No matter what, you should take advantage of as many of the bankruptcy services as you can.

Mortgage loans after bankruptcy

Many people believe that once they file for bankruptcy they will have a difficult time getting a mortgage loan. However, there is still hope for being approved even with a recent bankruptcy. If you have bad credit and apply for a mortgage loan, more emphasis will be placed on your income your down payment.

Most lenders prefer to wait until two years after your bankruptcy before considering a person for a mortgage loan. After these two years, it should be relatively easy to get financing. In addition, you will probably be able to get one hundred percent financing. This will happen as long as all your payments have been reported as on time to the credit bureau since your bankruptcy.

If you want to get a mortgage loan before the two year period is finished then you will need a pretty much flawless payment history since the time you filed for bankruptcy. In addition, you will need to provide a down payment. The down payments usually range between three and five percent to get approved.

If you do not have the money for a down payment then you can consider borrowing from relatives. Once you finance your home, you should be able to get a second and third mortgage that will allow you to repay them. However, it is best to check with your lender before doing this since most lenders have regulations on where the down payment comes from.

If you do not want to borrow the money then another option is to look for a down payment assistance program like Neighborhood Gold or the Nehemiah program. Such programs give the seller aid in helping you with the down payment. Normally receiving a down payment from the seller is illegal, but through these programs, it becomes legal.

Obtaining mortgage loans after bankruptcy is becoming much easier today. By searching around you will likely find a lender willing to help you with your mortgage loan.

Women s health and fitness - 10 tips on how to look younger

Appearance is very important, it is the first thing you notice when you meet someone. As you grow older the body starts to let you down, but there are a few things that you can do. Some ideas are very simple, while others need a bit of work but they can all help to turn back the clock and make you look younger.

1. Standing up straight is one of the best ways to look younger and more confident. Standing straight, with shoulders back and down with your tummy pulled in. At first you will need to practice and check yourself that you are standing up straight but soon it will become second nature. Doing exercises to strengthen your tummy muscles will also help.

2. Having enough sleep, at least 7 to 8 hours a night will make you feel healthier and younger. Your body needs sleep so that it can repair your body cells and refresh you mind.

3. Smiling makes you look radiant and younger. Smiling also distracts from areas that show your age. A smile just changes your whole face, try standing in front of a mirror and see what smile can do for your face.

4. Just because you are older does not necessarily mean that you have to have a short haircut. It all depends on the shape of your face, a short hairstyle can be cut to flatter and frame your face. This can be great to draw attention away from signs of ageing. Though longer hairstyles can be just as flattering as long as you have a good haircut that is shaped and maybe layered. A good hairdresser should be able to advise on the best way to cut your hair, as it does not just depend on the shape of your face but also on the texture and volume of your hair.

5. Colouring your hair is also a great way to hide the tale tell grey hairs. It is best to choose a colour that is close to your original colour so that it naturally compliments your facial tones. Otherwise you can have high lights or low lights put into your hair, and these do not require re-doing as frequently as an all over colour.

6. Choose the right clothes to compliment your body and hide the areas that you do not like. For example if you have flabby arms you can wear three quarter length sleeves to hide them. Soft colours will help you look younger because your skin tones become greyer as you get older.

7. Keep your teeth clean, with brushing and flossing, and with regular visits to the dentist to have your teeth checked. Getting teeth cleaned to prevent plague build up can also save you losing teeth unnecessarily. If your teeth are discoloured, the dentist might suggest whitening them, so that you will be happy to smile and show off your teeth.

8. Losing weight can also help you look younger. Make sure that as you lose weight that you tone your body with aerobic and resistance exercises.

9. Make-up can also help as long as you do not cake it on. Use a light foundation that does not sink into the wrinkles and emphasis them is better than a heavier one that does. Be careful about which eyeshadows to use, cream ones will sink into your wrinkles.

10. Look after your skin. Do not clean your face with soap and water but with a proper cleanser so that it dissolves all the make-up on the face and cleanses it properly. Always make sure that you remove your make-up every night as one night leaving it on can age your skin eight days. After cleaning your skin make sure that you moisture it so that it keeps your skin hydrated and younger looking.

With the aids that have been shown above on how to look younger, start today by choosing a couple of ideas, implement them and watch the changes in your appearance.

Seo - choose the right keywords

Choosing keywords is one of the most important tasks when it comes to SEO; it falls only behind link building on a scale of importance.

You need to think very carefully about what keyword phrases and word choices people would use when looking to buy your product or service.

Knowing what keywords people are using for searches is fundamental to your sites success.

Firstly, you need to construct a big list of words that relates in anyway to your product or service, these keywords or phrases need to cover every aspect of your business or products that are related to your business.

I would also suggest choosing keywords that are also related to your keyword phrases.

Therefore, one step away from being directly related to your business, this will help catch a bit more traffic.

Put yourself in your customers shoes – What search phrases would you type in if you were looking for your service.

Think about your business as an outside that knows nothing about your business or industry.

The next step is to judge how valuable and competitive the search terms are. The higher the numbers the harder is going to be to rank for a particular search phrase.

You can do this with a variety of tools free and paid for. They include: Wordtracker, Keyword Discovery Google Adwords and the Overture tool. I would suggest using the overture tool and choosing phrases that have between 3000 – 10000 searches per month, any more searches and it’s going to take a long time to rank and any less and you won’t get enough traffic.

Now narrow down your list to about 70 keyword phrases and scatter them across your websites content. Choose three or four of the most competitive keyword phrases and have them on your home page copy. Repeat your “Top Three” keyword phrases at least ten times on your home page.