2012 January | beeclick.info

How Inflation Can Save You Money

Many Americans suffering from sticker shock at the gas pump could get an additional 10 miles out of every fill-up. In fact, American motorists could save more than $1.1 billion in unnecessary fuel costs.

One of the fastest, easiest and least expensive ways to improve a vehicle’s gas mileage is through proper tire inflation. An underinflated tire doesn’t roll as smoothly and the increased resistance requires more energy, robbing the vehicle of fuel efficiency. Yet one in every three cars in the U.S. has at least one underinflated tire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Underinflated tires cost the country more than 3.5 million gallons of gasoline each day. The average driver could improve gas mileage by 3.3 percent by simply keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. For the average 15-gallon fuel tank, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) statistics suggest, that’s a savings of about $1.50 on every fill-up.

To help, the experts at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company have developed a few more easy gas-saving tips:

• Replacing a clogged air filter can improve mileage by as much as 10 percent.

• Don’t overload your car. An extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by 1 or 2 percent, says the DOE.

• Use the grade of motor oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. That can improve gas mileage by a percent or two, the DOE adds.

• Keep your car properly tuned. That can improve gas mileage an average of 4.1 percent.

• Make sure your gas cap is on tight and not damaged. Some 17 percent of the vehicles on U.S. highways have either misused or missing gas caps, causing 147,000,000 gallons of gas a year to vaporize into the atmosphere, reports Service Tech Magazine.

• Avoid quick or “jackrabbit” starts and stops. Aggressive driving wastes gas and can reduce your gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city. Observe the speed limit; gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 miles per hour.

• To maximize fuel economy and also improve tire performance and efficiency, Goodyear is offering free inspection of tires-regardless of brand-at any of its 750 company-owned and at participating independently owned and operated Goodyear locations across the country. If tires are underinflated, they will be filled at no charge. No appointment is necessary.

Starting An Art Collection

Identify what kind of art you like. The following techniques can help you determine what that is:

1. Visit 3 to 6 museums displaying different types of art. Finish your visit by purchasing postcards in the gift shop that reflect artworks that are attractive to you. Toss these cards in a bowl, and don’t look at them again until you have visited all the museums on your list. Once you have done so, review all the cards and look for similarities among them in terms of mediums chosen, time period of the artists, or the style of the artworks.

2. Visit your local library and find an art history book that spans at least four centuries of art from many different countries. Use sticky notes to mark your favorite pieces. Again, look for common elements to determine what you like the best.

Match what you like with what you can afford and what is currently available to buy. Consult with knowledgeable art dealers or art appraisers about costs and availability of what you have selected. Determine your annual budget and the number of pieces you want to be able to purchase with that amount.

Gather information about the quality of what you like, what you can afford, and what is currently available. Consult with museum personnel and knowledgeable art consultants about what they consider to be quality work.

Join ancillary museum groups that offer lectures and exposure to valuable information.

Subscribe to magazines that focus on the type of art you want to collect.

Dont rush to acquire art. For many, its a lifelong pursuit.

Starting a Contemporary Art Collection

Contact museum curators or art professionals in your area who do not sell.

1. Build a relationship with these professionals by attending lectures where they assemble.
2. Discuss your interest in collecting contemporary art and ask for their recommendations.
3. Listen for names being repeatedly identified as quality artists.

Attend exhibitions at contemporary art galleries in your area. Ask for information about any work that interests you. This will help you understand what the artist intended for his or her work “to say.”

Go to national and international art fairs to gain additional exposure to contemporary art. Ask for information on work that interests you at these events as well.

Contact prominent local contemporary artists working in a medium you like and ask them to identify their “hot picks.”

Supplement your efforts by reading art publications such as Art in America, Art Forum, and Art News, as well as magazines directed toward just one kind of medium, for example, Fiberarts or types of art for example, Latinarte, Native Peoples and American Indian Art magazines.

Join ancillary museum groups focused on contemporary art. These events allow you to experience what experienced collectors of contemporary art have chosen. Travel to other cities with these groups to gain an even greater understanding of contemporary art.

Do MOST of the steps described above before purchasing for your collection.

Should I Hire A Caterer

So you have decided to throw a party. Great, now its time to consider all of the things you must do to make it a success. You need to make a guest list, plan decorations, arrange for a DJ, etc, etc. The list goes on and on but one of the most important tasks is arranging for the food. Food and drink will make or break your party. The question you must decide is are you going to hire a caterer or are you going to handle the food yourself. There are pluses and minuses to both.

Catering Yourself
If you decide to cater the party yourself, you will of course save money. Caterers can be expensive and they make up a considerable portion of a parties budget. If you are having a relatively small gathering, it is probably not worth hiring one. You might be better off just buying a few party trays from your grocery store or a favorite restaurant.
Another reason to not hire a caterer is that you will be able to serve exactly what you want, not just what the caterer has to offer. You can have the exact foods that you and your guests like in the amounts that you want.

Hiring A Caterer
Hiring a caterer does have advantages however. Sure they can cost you money but their expertise can come in handy. If you order the food yourself you might over order, wasting money. Even worse you could end up ordering too little and run out of food or drink. That would be a party nightmare, quickly putting an end to the festivities. You want to see a crowded room empty quick, just tell your guests that there is no more food or drink.

Another advantage of hiring a caterer is that it will allow you to completely enjoy your party. No running back and forth to the kitchen or checking to make sure your appetizer tray is full. You can spend your time mingling with your friends or business associates. What good is throwing a party that you cannot enjoy.

Lastly, honestly answer this question. Do you have the expertise to pull it off? Caterers have the experience necessary to make sure that your party goes off smoothly. The food will be ready on time. The drinks will flow smoothly. They have thrown hundreds or even thousands of parties and they will make yours run like clockwork.

Hopefully this article has helped you decide on the direction you want to take your party. Decide carefully, it is an important decision that could make or break your event.

Divisional Outlook – Al East

Most baseball fans thought that this year would be like any other in the AL East - a two-horse race between the reigning super powers in the division, the Yankees and the Red Sox. However, as we approach June, one team is hanging in right with the two favorites and the other two are not out of it yet. This is partially due to the Yankees and Red Sox having somewhat disappointing seasons so far, but regardless, the race could be interesting all the way into October.

Boston Red Sox

Currently:
The Honeymoon season after The Curse was finally vanquished is in the books, and Red Sox fans are hungry for another title. After a drama-filled offseason, the team sits in first place as of this writing, and this is due to an all-around solid, if not spectacular, team effort. Offensively, Mike Lowell and David Ortiz rank in the Top Ten in the AL in several categories, and others are holding up their ends. On the pitching side, Curt Schilling and Josh Beckett are off to strong starts, and the team is ranked 3rd in the AL in both BAA and K/BB.

Outlook:
The team has remained consistent, and if Manny Ramirez turns it on and their other players continue on course, this appears to be the team to beat in the AL East.

New York Yankees

Currently:
The Yankees are staying within striking distance of their archrivals, and theyre doing so with a patchwork outfield due to injuries. Derek Jeter is off to a scorching start, and although Jason Giambis batting average isnt great, he is supplying power and his OBP is outstanding. Young 2B Robinson Cano is beginning to fulfill his promise. The pitching has been decent despite the struggles of Randy Johnson, but Mike Mussina is throwing like an ace.

Outlook:
If the Yankees can get healthy, and Gary Sheffield appears to be close to returning to the battered outfield, Randy Johnson can regain his form and the team string together some wins, the Yankees will be there in the end, as always.

Toronto Blue Jays

Currently:
The Blue Jays are nipping at the heels of the Yankees due to strong starts from young players like RF Alex Rios and veterans like Vernon Wells. Overall, Toronto is doing it with offense, as they lead the AL in team BA and OPS, and rank in the Top 5 in nearly every other offensive category. Outside of Roy Halladay, the pitching has been mediocre at best, but the staff is relatively young and has lots of upside.

Outlook:
If the offense keeps its torrid pace and the pitching comes around in the second half of the season, this division will involve more teams than the Red Sox and Yankees.

Baltimore Orioles

Currently:
This is a team thats staying within shouting distance of the division leaders with two things: Miguel Tejada and overall power. Tejada is having a monster season, sitting in the Top Ten in the AL in seven different offensive categories. As a team, the Orioles are near the top of the AL in home runs. Their ability to manufacture runs, however, has been limited because of the absence of 2B Brian Roberts, the leadoff hitter whos set to return after missing several weeks with a groin injury. In his absence, the Orioles leadoff men are hitting only .198. The pitching, other than Kris Benson, has been a disaster.

Outlook:
If Roberts can help by putting men on base for all the home runs the team has been hitting, the Orioles will score even more. Otherwise, the team needs to find some pitching, as winning 10-9 games is not a successful long-term formula. Despite all of this, the Orioles are far from out of it at this point.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Currently:
The Devil Rays are showing signs of life after years of dismal results. The team is getting offensive firepower from young players like Johnny Gomes and Ty Wiggington, but not one of their regulars is batting over .300, which is why the team overall is last in the AL in BA. The teams MVP right now, and the player most responsible for the Devil Rays remaining competitive, is pitcher Scott Kazmir. Hes only 22, and his ERA is a miniscule 2.39 as of this writing.

Outlook:
If the team can hang in there while their young nucleus continues to mature, the Devil Rays could be playing meaningful games late in the season, which will be a welcome change for local fans.

Learn how to Deal with Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

The work pattern of computer professionals carries a lot of orthopedic disorders. The chief complaint is constant pain in the upper limbs, neck, shoulders, and back. Upper limb disorders (also called RSI, or tenosynovitis) are the most worse as they may rapidly lead to permanent incapacity.
Repetitive strain injury occurs when the movable parts of the limbs are injured. Most of the times, the victims of this injury are computer professionals, musicians, students, and others who have to use their hands regularly in a repetitive manner.

Symptoms

The users experience constant pain in the hands, elbows, shoulders, neck, and the back. Other symptoms are cramps, tingling, and numbness in the hands. The hand movements of the user may become clumsy and the person may find it difficult even to fasten buttons.

Another variant may produce painful symptoms in the upper limbs, but the site may be difficult to locate.

The common diagnoses seen in this group are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tenosynovitis, Bursitis, White Limb, and Shoulder pain. A major cause is strain due to long unbroken periods of work. Ergonomics or the lack of it plays a very important role. Lack of information about the condition leads to neglect by the concerned individuals.

Palliative measures

People concerned should seek medical attention when early symptoms set in. Measures that can be adopted at an individual level include:

Posture: The recommended posture to sit in front of a computer is semi-reclined with the forearms resting in a cradle or on an extension of the keyboard support. There should be ample support for the back. The hands should be free and point in the direction of the forearms. The feet should rest on the ground or feet support. The distance of the monitor should be 18 inches or more and at a slightly lower level than the eye level.

Rest: The user should take short breaks every 15 minutes and slightly long breaks after every hour.

Hydration: Drink adequate fluids to keep the tendons and soft tissues soft.

Shortcuts: Use keyboard shortcuts instead of mouse. Touch the keyboard softly and do not pound at it. The wrist should rest on the table or wrist rest.

Telephone use: Dont cradle the telephone between the face and shoulder while working, as this can lead to neck strain.

Messages: Dont use the computer while conveying messages in person or through the intercom.

No games: Games or surfing at work may increase stress on your hands.

Preventive Measures at the Organizational Level: Organizations that use computers in a big way can also adopt certain preventive measures.

These include:

1.You need to educate your employees on the importance of adopting a proper posture.

2.Ensure that all your employees are using quality ergonomic furniture that will save loss of working hours by guaranteeing full comfort of the employees.

3.Give periodic reminders through lectures and audio-visual presentations by medical professionals on the importance of taking good care of health while using computers.

When symptoms set in, consult an orthopedic surgeon. Do not make the diagnosis yourself. The diagnosis will be made from the history and clinical findings as there will be no changes in X-rays, since the soft tissues are involved. Nerve conduction studies can confirm the diagnosis. In cases detected earlier, attention to ergonomics will restore normalcy.

In cases diagnosed late, orthopedic treatment like injections and even minor surgery may be necessary.

Remember that all the computer related hazards are not going to hamper your life in a very short span of time. But it may take years to show the symptoms. As I said earlier, prevention is better than cure.

9 Tips For Writing Better Business Letters

Its quite amazing how often business people fail to follow basic guidelines when it comes to writing their business correspondence. That might explain why so many people come to my writing help Web sites looking for help with their business letter writing. Just as businesses need to be focused and efficient to thrive and succeed, so too does the primary tool of most businesses the business letter.

Following are a number of tips and guidelines that I have compiled while reading and writing many hundreds of business letters over the past 25+ years.

1.Limit Them To One Page
By definition, business letters should be short and to the point, preferably one page in length. Studies have found that busy business people do not like to read beyond the first page, and will actually delay reading longer letters. So, if you dont want your letter to gather dust in an in-basket, keep it as short as possible.

2.Be Reader-Friendly
Always try to focus on the needs of the reader and make an effort to see things from their perspective. Put yourself in their position and imagine what it would be like for you to be receiving your letter. Anyone can do this, since we are all customers of some other business in some part of our lives.

3.Keep The Tone Formal And Factual
Generally speaking, the tone and content of business letters should be formal and factual. Feelings and emotions do not have a place in business letters. So, avoid phrases like we feel and use we believe or we think instead. A cordial, friendly approach is fine. Just keep it businesslike, but avoid overly formal terms like heretofor, as per, herewith, etc.

4.Carefully Plan Your Letter
Before writing the letter, take a few minutes to list all of the specific points you need to cover. Sometimes it may even mean a phone call to the recipient or his/her company to confirm a specific point. Remember, the purpose of the letter is to tie up all of the details on the subject at hand, so that more letters wont have to be written back and forth.

5.Make It Clear, Concise And Logical
Use a clear and direct writing style that uses simple words and straightforward phrases. Make sure that your flow follows a logical progression, first identifying the main subject, elaborating on it, and then drawing the logical conclusion.

6.Accuracy And Timeliness Are Key
By their very nature, business letters need to be accurate and timely. They almost always have financial implications and related impacts on other businesses and/or people. Double-check all of the facts stated in the letter, and make sure that any future dates specified give others enough time to realistically complete what is expected of them.

7.Relegate Technical Details To Attachments
Often it is necessary to include detailed technical information as part of a business letter package. In such cases, use the main letter as a cover letter that lists and briefly explains and references the attached (or enclosed) documents.

8.Use Non-Discriminatory Language
Make sure that you avoid language that is specific to gender, race, or religion in all business letters, either to other businesses, or to customers. For example, use workforce instead of manpower, or chairperson rather than chairman. Most style guides contain detailed lists of the offensive terms and some suggested substitutes.

9.Eliminate Redundant Words And Phrases
There are certain words and phrases that one often sees in business correspondence that tend to make the language more complicated and cumbersome than necessary. For example, instead of the phrase in spite of the fact that use although, or instead of in the normal course of events use normally. There are many such redundant phrases, so review your letter and eliminate them.

If you are running any type of business in which business letters are important communication tools, you would do well to take careful heed of the above tips and advice. Remember, the business correspondence that you issue is a direct reflection of the overall products and/or services offered by your business. Poorly-written, amateurish, and/or shoddy business letters will surely result in lost sales.

A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Internet

“Where do you work?”

“Planet Earth.”

Sound familiar? No? Well, it should. More and more people are working from home on the Internet, and there are two things you should know about your office when you work on the Internet.

First, your office will be very, very small and very, very lonely, as I chronicled in my “hermit” articles.

Second, your office will be very, very big and full of many, many people from every corner of the planet, mostly trying to sell things to each other. That is because when you work from home, Planet Earth is your office and theirs.

For instance, would you believe that a man on the Internet in the Ukraine delivers the local weather forecast in Sydney to Chicago? So much for sticking your head out the window.

I have a client in the UK who sells machine parts through a website selling ceramic & ball bearings to every country in the world … except the UK, of course. Doesn’t that make the local hardware store redundant?

With so many clients crowding into my office, I could use some stress-relief techniques around now.

Office Politics in the Global Office

My clients live on almost every continent, and the only thing that occasionally gets in the way of seamless communication are time-zone differences. (If Columbus would have minded his own business, we wouldn’t face even that challenge!)

What’s more, my clients are not always English-speaking, and neither are all of my clients’ websites. Can you say netzwerk berwachung & netzwerkberwachung? I do search engine optimization in four languages – English, French, Spanish and German – which tells you something about the global office in which some of my clients sit.

But there is more than just language that makes the global office a tricky workplace to navigate. Aside from the lack of water coolers and washrooms, most of the world works in metric, but the biggest Internet market works in imperial. So some customers won’t know what a mile is, and others won’t know what a kilometer is.

And everybody spells funny to someone else. Is it honor or honour? Center or centre? Folks or peeps?

Fortunately for me, I live in Canada. 95% of Canadians live within a stone’s throw of the US border. (They are all folks, by the way.) So we officially learn to spell and to count the way the British do (but they are still not peeps). Nevertheless, Americanisms sneak across the border by osmosis, perhaps due to an attack dog budget shortfall at the illegal aliens department.. At least I’ll know what a mile is it’s that thing people want to take when I give them an inch.

And what about currency? I make it simple. I use US dollars, because that really is the currency of the Internet. But I also accept Paypal payments, so anybody can input their favorite currency and out pops US dollars on my end. I wish more people would do that. I could use more dollars.

If none of that phases you, consider time zones. Just as a client in Australia is waking up, your client in the United States is going to bed. And how will they reach you when you are not in the office. Tools like email to phone can help. So can insomnia.

Nobody twenty years ago would have imagined that you and I could sit at home and type words into a TV screen to make a comfortable living. Welcome to my office Planet Earth.

Hmm. Right now I am reading The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy…I wonder if I can work from home on the Internet on any other planets…

German Beer

Most German beers are popular, because they are vegan (no animal products are used). Bavarian purity laws require them to use four ingredients only: water, grain, hops and yeast. Real German beer is also not pasteurized as many American beers are, which allows the beers real flavor to flourish.

Listed below are some of the different types of German beers typically found in Bavaria and what you can expect if you order one of these types.

“Helles” ( A lite beer) The standard light beer, when you order a “Helles” in a pub or restaurant you will usually get a pint. Depending on the brewer it can be quite refreshing. Some beer gardens have responded to the public’s outcry for smaller quantities and now also offer them outdoors, the “real” beer garden only serves the “Ma” (one quart). By the way, this precise nation has laws governing the quantity of liquids served to the public, that is why you will find level markers on each glass. If your Ma looks like it is not quite 1 liter after the foam settles, just go back and say “bitte nachschenken”. The man at the keg will be impressed that you know your way around.

“Pils” (Pilsener) If you like a more bitter and less malty taste try the pils which is also called pilsener. You can order them in restaurants and special pils bars. Take a closer look at the time consuming process of serving a foam crowned pils with perfection. You will see dozens of glasses filled with foam only, waiting to settle. It can take a good quarter of an hour for the foam refills to turn into the golden liquid. This particular beer is arguably the closest to American beer you will find in Germany.

“Dunkles” (A dark beer) Against popular beliefs it is not the most powerful in alcohol contents. It is basically a lager bottom brewed beer containing “toasted” malt. Many enjoy mixing this with cola.

“Weissbier” (A white beer) A very good idea on a hot day when you prefer a lighter tasting beer. Weizen means wheat, often called a Weissbier (white), and is served in tall and elegant 1/2 liter glasses. But beware of its “light” character it is the strongest in alcohol content. While some will serve it with a slice of lemon, do not put one in your Hefe (yeast) Weissbier. The Hefeweissbier comes only in bottles. A professional will wet the glass and pour the bottle at a steep angle. With the foam that remains at the bottom of the bottle he will collect the yeast (swirling action) and add it to your beer.

Bock and Doppelbock (A Bock beer) Bock is a term used for a stronger beer (doppel meaning double). Fasting monks found an ingenious way of compensating the lack of food – they started brewing very strong beers. March and October are the two most prominent seasons for brewing these special beers but you can find them year round.

7 Attributes of a Successful Fashion Model

Have you ever looked at a successful model and said, “I am just as beautiful as this girl so I think I’ll become a supermodel.”

I would like to clarify one thing and please listen carefully …

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NATURAL-BORN MODEL!!!

Yes, some people have a natural beauty and some learn more quickly than others. I’ll agree that these attributes are important. But, I’ll say it again – There is no such thing as a natural-born model.

If you believe this, let me ask you a question. Do you believe there is such a thing as a natural-born surgeon? Do you think that the most famous surgeon in the medical profession was born to be a doctor? I guess when he was delivered the doctor who brought him into this world said, “Look!!! It’s a surgeon!!” I don’t think so.

For this man to become this famous surgeon, it took many years of education, internship, and watching other doctors before he was even considered to do actual surgery. I’m really glad he did, aren’t you?

And, even after all these grueling years this doctor still was not guaranteed to become well-known in the medical industry.

The point I’m trying to make is that, modeling can be a rewarding profession but it does require some effort on your part.

The following are some of the attributes of successful models ..

Learning ability and intelligence
Self confidence
Willingness to travel and leave friends and family behind
Good organization skills
A healthy body and lots of get-up-and-go!
A model who is comfortable in setting goals and not afraid to go after them with a dogged determination
Resistance to peer pressure – Stay drug and alcohol free
Don’t just read these attributes. Study them, learn them, and make them a part of your own personality traits. If you don’t have them at first, pretend that you do.

Remember, you will become what you think and the way that you act. You’re not lying when you say, “I am in the process of writing down my goals for modeling and on my way to becoming successful.” You’re just telling the truth in advance!!

Send Love Sms Messages To Your Loved Ones On This Valentine’s Day

Candies, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones on every Valentines day. Why do we celebrate this Valentine’s day, it is still a mystery. But it is always in our mind that February is a month of Romance. How to celebrate this lovely day and with whom, is always a question of every young boy or a girl. When we did not had mobiles, we used to send love messages to our loved ones via Love Cards, Greeting cards, Emails etc. But now things change, we prefer to show our emotions by sending sms messages. In every country, on valentines day, there is exchange of millions of love sms messages on this romance day. I have collected some beautiful cute love and romantic sms messages here. You may just copy and send these cool Valentine’s sms messages to your beloved ones on this romance day.

Laptop Computers

A laptop is a personal computer which is portable. It may also be known as a notebook. The typical laptop will range in weight from 1 to 3 kilograms, and will generally have an internal battery as well as a power adapter. While most laptops are portable, few can currently match the power of the most expensive desktops, though this will likely change as technology continues to advance. The word laptop was first introduced in 1983, and was used to refer to the Gavilan SC.

Despite the name, most laptops should not be placed in your lap if it is not covered, because they can get hot, and can even burn skin that is held against it for extended periods of time. The typical laptop can be powered by one battery, and the power adapter can power the battery when it is plugged into a wall outlet. A laptop can perform many of the same tasks as a PC, but they tend to be limited. They will have the same internal devices which are seen in desktops, but they will be much smaller in size. Most laptops will have a screen which uses a liquid crystal display.

Most manufacturers have designed their laptops to work with a keyboard and mouse, and they will also have a touch pad that can be used to move around the cursor on the screen. Laptops come in three varieties, and these are based on the size. An ultraportable laptop will generally weigh less than 1.7 kilograms, while a thin and light laptop will weigh up to 2.8 kilograms, and a medium sized laptop will weigh up to 3.5 kilograms. The idea for the laptop existed prior to the invention of the personal computer, and was first conceived during the 1970s. The very first laptop was the Osborne 1, and it was released in 1981.

While the Osborne 1 was massive in comparison to contemporary laptops, it was revolutionary for its time, because it allowed people to carry their data with them, and the computer didn’t have to be left in a single location. However, the Osborne 1 was so large that it was not possible to run it on a battery. Most laptops today now use lithium ion batteries. While laptops have a few advantages over their desktop counterparts, they have some disadvantages as well. Unlike desktops, they are limited in their ability to be upgraded. As of this writing, their is no form factor for laptops, and the costs and technical issues involved with making them easy to upgrade aren’t feasible.

The only parts of most laptops that can easily be upgraded are the hard drive and RAM. In addition to this, laptops are expensive to repair if they are damaged, and they are also easy to steal due to their small size. Stolen laptops are a common cause for identity theft. While the use of the USB port has allowed laptops to be upgraded to some degree, it will typically reduce their portability. Historically, the performance of laptops has always been low when they were compared to desktops in the same price range.

Iraq Opens Suicide Bomber Range; Calls It Twice-Blessed Paradise Express

In an effort to reduce the loss of life and limb by suicide bombers, the Iraqi government has opened a suicide bomber range. The government’s intention is to encourage all those who are determined to carry out such an explosive termination to execute the insane plan in a way that is being hailed as twice-blessed.

The government maintains that it will be blessed because, one, the bombers will be carrying out their hope of putting themselves on the expressway to the paradise of their dreams and, two, they will accomplish their mission without blasting off with anyone else.

As Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki stated, “We have established a way for the suicide bombers to achieve their highest goal in a far more considerate way; now, they can blow themselves up in sanctimonious privacy.

A suicide bomber, who had arrived to take advantage of the new opportunity, said, I think the government did a great thing. Just think! Now, I get to blow myself up, which I long to do so much I can’t express the intensity of my need. But now, while the end will be the same for me, I wont have to kill anybody else to get to paradise.

The government also touted the range as an ideal opportunity for suicide bombers to execute their plans while they provided themselves with some insurance against the misfortune that, should they meet Allah and discover He actually disapproves of anyone blowing other human beings, they might escape the severe condemnation attendant to detonating others.

A suicide bomber commented, “I like that it comes with an insurance policy against any possible disapproval by Allah. If by some chance He disapproves of one human being blowing up himself and other human beings, at least, I’ll only be punished for blowing up myself. It removes a lot of concerns.”

Prime Minister al-Maliki went on to say, In an effort to achieve reconciliation, we must stop the murder of Iraqi by Iraqi, as well as, come to think of it, the murder of anybody by an Iraqi, including the murder of coalition troops, who are here to help us make a smooth transition to a peaceful and prosperous nation, not to mention protecting me and the government from coming to a premature end due to the various activities of insurgents, including their suicide bombers.

Another suicide bomber who decided to take advantage of the new opportunity said, I think this approach is wonderful. I get to blow myself up, which I long to do so much, and I can go to paradise as soon as my timer reaches zero. At the same time I wont inconvenience anyone else with my detonation. It really makes the most sense; the end will be the same for me, and, just think, I wont have to kill anybody else to head for heavenly bliss. He seemed about to say something else, but, unfortunately, his timer hit zero.

President Bush told reporters, I think a private detonation range for suicide bombers is a real breakthrough in the peace process. I encourage all would-be bombers to take advantage of this considerate opportunity. In fact, I encourage every country that has experienced the tragedy inflicted by suicide bombers to immediately establish its own suicide bomber range.

Donald Rumsfeld stated, Oh, I consider the suicide bomber range a wonderful solution to one of the thorniest and intractable problems we face in Iraq. I have instructed General Casey to cooperate fully and, if necessary, to provide assistance in terms of dynamite and timers. I just hope the practice catches on enough to get the SBs off the street. I cant tell you how it upsets me to see people being blown up every day.

While the bomber range is certainly a regrettable development in terms of the more promising sensibilities of civilization, it may at least be seen, in the dismal brutality of its context, as an intensely rational response to inexcusably irrational behavior.

What’s In Your FICO Score?

Obtaining copies of your credit reports from the three major credit reporting bureaus is a must for all American consumers. If you order your copies directly from each bureau, you can get yours for free [once per year per bureau]. That is the law. There is, however, one piece of information not included with your credit reports and that is your FICO score. Your FICO score can determine several things, including what interest rate mortgage lenders will charge you and the rate you will pay for your credit cards. For just a small fee you can order your FICO score and get a hold of a piece of information that is critical to you fully understanding and improving your credit rating.

FICO, or Fair Isaac Corporation, is a score that helps determine what interest rate creditors will charge you. The higher your score, the lower your interest rate will be resulting in lower mortgage payments and more money for you. Indeed, when you apply for a new cell phone account, purchase a car, or make just about any type of credit application, your FICO score is obtained by creditors. Unfortunately, you typically do not know what that score is unless you get the information yourself. Dont count on creditors sharing that information with you!

Your FICO score is based on five determining factors. According to the Fair Isaac Corporation, these five factors are weighted differently and each one is assigned a percentage figure based on their importance. Specifically, they are:

1. Payment History 35%

2. Outstanding Balances 30%

3. Length of Credit History 15%

4. New Credit 10%

5. Types of Credit Used 10%

Obviously, if you have made several late payments and owe a large amount of money to your creditors, your FICO score will be much lower than the person who pays what they owe on time, has a manageable level of debt, and possesses a solid credit history.

Coupled with your credit report, your FICO score can help you determine the plan of attack you need to take to improve your credit standing. This is very important step to take especially if you anticipate making any sort of credit application within the next year. If there are errors in your credit report than these will lower your FICO score. Make certain that the three credit reporting bureaus correct each error now and, once amended, run your FICO score again to determine if it has been adjusted upwards.

Remember, the higher your FICO score, the lower your monthly payments will be on virtually everything you finance through a creditor. Order your free credit report today and pay a little extra to obtain your FICO score.

How a merchant account increases sales

The basis of any successful internet or e-commerce site today is the way in which they handle there electronic transactions. A majority of the e-commerce related traffic generated is by sites that have a flexible method of accepting payments. Earlier a majority of sites were restricted by the way they accepted there on-line payments, however with the advent of newer payment gateways and on-line transaction sites it is has become essential that webmasters accept almost all major payment methods.

Miscellaneous Racing Sports

Racing is a sport that has been in existence literally for thousands of years. Its certainly progressed since the days of the chariot races in ancient Greece but the drive behind racing still remains the same. When people race, regardless if its cars, boats, horses or themselves they do it to win. Being declared the fastest is the ultimate goal.

Races have progressed significantly since their inception. History shows that the first races were on foot; two or more men racing one another to determine which was the fastest. We still have foot races today and they can be incredibly competitive with challengers vying for the prestige of Olympic gold medals.

Races involving cars have gained popularity in recent years. Motor sports fans can attest the fact that watching a Formula One or NASCAR race can get the blood pumping. The drivers race at breakneck speeds with an incredible amount of precision. Bleachers full of fans take in the races and millions more watch from their homes as men and women get behind the wheel of cars and try to out race each other.

There are many different types of car racing and another fan favorite is rally racing. Rally racing involves cars racing around on regular city roads. This type of racing is challenging for the driver because during each race they are confronted with a course that is unfamiliar to them. One of the aspects of rally car racing that makes it unique is that its done year round. Races occur in every type of weather and climate isnt really an issue. The cars are specifically designed for the race and the drivers concentrate on moving from point-to-point within the course.

Another popular type of racing involves wheels but only two. Motorbike racing is a fast growing sport and those interested arent just the younger crowd. There are several different variations of motorbike racing. One is called motocross in which the participants take to the dirt. They run a challenging obstacle type course with their motorbikes, including handling difficult turns and jumps. Most motocross racing is on the amateur level and there are even courses specifically designed for the youth driver.

The other type of motorbike racing is done on asphalt. Some of these are amateur races between people who want to see how well their bike outperforms the competitions. Others are men and women who have developed their riding skills for years in preparation for a specific race. Motorbike races are held in different venues all over the world, with some of the prize money being considerable.

Some types of racing have human influence but the brunt of the speed is supplied by another type of animal. Horse racing is a prime example of this. Horse racing has been an interest of people for centuries. One of the most popular types of horse racing is thoroughbred racing. Generally, thoroughbred racing involves a long track that the horse sprints down. In this type of racing there is a jockey who is specially trained to guide the horse to victory. This is the most well-known form of horse racing and what most people are referring to when they say they are going to the races.

Another type of horse racing involves more than a straight sprint. The horse in this instance has to overcome not just a track but obstacles that include turns and jumps as well. This is termed National Hunt Racing and is most widely seen in the United Kingdom.

Racing whether its by foot, automobile or animal is a sport that will never fade into oblivion. We are fascinated with speed and love to see people challenging each other to perform at their highest possible levels

Do You Want To Get Paid Just For Making Searches?

When you make searches, you are looking for something, which is something that we all do everyday. Well how about every time you make a Search, you get paid for it??
What a great way to earn money, but like me you are probably thinking, where is the catch?

Before we go any further, I am NOT talking about Googles and their Adsense program. Which is very good, but it requires other people to make the clicks, and then it has to be on the advertisements that Google has placed on your web site. What Google does NOT do, it to pay you to make a Search! The Search Engine I am talking about DOES!!

How it works, is like this. This new Search Engine pays you, EVERY TIME you make a Search using your very own Search Engine Portal. So imagine, instead of using Google, MSN or Yahoo, or whoever you are currently using to make Searches, you use this new Search Engine. No real hardship, providing you get good results in your Search, it does not really matter.

It gets even better, it is not restricted to just you. They will ALSO pay you every time someone else searches on your personal Search Portal. So the more people that you can get to use YOUR search portal the better.

As editor of a large Article Directory, that currently has over 20,000 Articles, we receive hundreds of new ideas that arrive daily.but in this past week I have received two new articles, that have both made me sit up and take notice. This is the first of those, the other I will leave for a second article.

Every day many millions of searches are performed, admittedly over 80% of those searches are currently made by internet users that go through either Google, MSN or Yahoo, but none of them will pay you when you search, this new Search Engine does! Dont forget that it was only a few years ago when Google started, and the big guys said that they would not last..but now look at how big they are.

This is how the new Search Engine works:

You have your own Search Portal, in the same way that you would Search though any of the big three. Although instead of using say Google, you Search via your own personal Search Portal. The results that they supply, are both quick, and also very good, and supplied in the same way that they would be with any other Search Engine, but here is the difference!

1/. They will give you $50 just for joining, no catch, your account is credit as soon as you join up with them.

2/. You then get the personal link to your very own Search Portal when you join, which you then use whenever you want to make a Search of the internet.

3/. They CREDIT your account every time you make a Search, using your own Search Portal.

Now the potential!

The Search Portal link is specific to YOU, so the idea is for you to get your friends, and maybe even business colleagues to also use YOUR Search Portal, after all it will cost them nothing, and they will get good results. The more people you can get to use your Search Portal the better.BECAUSE every time that it is used to make a Search by anyone using YOUR Search Engine Portal link, the Search company pays YOU!!

It progresses even further, it is completely Free to you, and you get the $50 sign up bonus mentioned above, but if your friends also sign up, they get the $50 bonus too, as do their friends, and their friends friends!

So there must be a catch?
I have NOT found one, and I have looked at it VERY closely. In fact I think it is a great idea, I have actually tried it, and as promised my account credit increased as they said it would. I believe that it is a very novel idea and one that could really take off. It is totally free to use, it does not cost the users anything, and so as far as I can see it really is a win win situation.

The Search Engine I am talking about, is also a Pay Per Click Search Engine, so they DO want you to use the money you earn to buy Pay Per Click listings, but then if you have your own website, and you are accumulating money for Free just by making Searches, then it also means that you are getting your clicks for Free too. They also have paid Membership, which I understand allows you to take the money you earn in the form of Cash Commissions, paid twice monthly via PayPal.

From my point of view, it looks like a new way of getting free traffic to my website.

So finally if you do have a web site, or maybe plan to have one in the future, would like to promote it for Free, then this is something that you should really take a look at.
After all they could be the internets next big player, and you are getting in on the ground floor!

An African Bush Doctor’s Prescription For Better Health

Bush Medicine is traditional herbal medicine- the oldest system of healing.in the world. Bush medicine started in Africa about 30,000 years ago. In the African-Caribbean culture plants are referred to as Bush such as fever bush or toothache bush and are revered for their healing and spiritual properties. Every culture in world practiced and still practices bush medicine to treat the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual problems of the people. Today 70% of the worlds population still uses traditional herbal medicine (bush medicine) as its primary source of health care.

For the past 75 years medical doctors and drug companies have tried to discredit traditional herbal medicine while at the same time sending ethnobotanists all around the world to acquire the knowledge of local plants from bush doctors in order to make new pharmaceutical drugs. Often once a drug company has appropriated local plant knowledge- usually without compensating the locals in any way, they patent the plants and pressure the governments into banning the local population from having access to the plants they have depended on for millennia. Fortunately there is now a worldwide effort underway to protect local plant knowledge from unethical exploitation. People are returning to their traditional herbalists because of the failure of pharmaceutical drugs to treat chronic health problems safely and effectively.

I am from a long-line of African bush doctors. My family has practiced traditional herbal medicine for many generations. My grandmother was a prominent bush doctor in Trinidad, the country of my birth. The African-Caribbean culture is a largely intact culture where we have retained much of the knowledge of our bush doctors. Here are some simple tips for improving your health from me, Christopher Scipio- your friendly neighbourhood bush doctor.

1. Eat less. Unless you are very physically active you are probably eating a third more calories than you need. Excessive caloric intake is one of the biggest factors in reducing life expectancy.

2. Dont eat alone. People eat too quickly, chew their food less, and tend to consume less nutritional meals when they are eating alone. Having company provides many health benefits and is much better for your mental and emotional well-being.

2A. Pay attention to your eating environment. Loud noises, lack of a comfortable sitting position, too many distractions and a less than peaceful environment can all contribute to digestive problems and may cascade into other health issues. Eating in a relaxed quiet environment with good company is a great habit to get into.

3. Along the theme of eating less- use smaller plates and cutlery and consider using chop sticks or your fingers to eat with. The oversized cutlery just promotes the wolfing down of food. I love using chopsticks for lots of different kinds of meals and there is much sensual pleasure with eating with your fingers the way we Africans do.

4. Reduce your carbs, especially bread and pasta. Obesity and many of the health problems that go with it like diabetes were virtually unknown until we started consuming such large quantities of bread, pasta and baked goods. I recommend not eating bread or pasta more than 3-4 times per week and substituting beans and dishes like hummous as a replacement.

5. Get and use a juicer. The juice you buy in a store is dead. Many juice enzymes die within an hour of extraction. Most juices have been pasteurized to further deplete their nutritional value. Making your own juice is a joy. I like starting the day with a blend of carrot, apple, Hawaiian ginger and beet juice, but there are so many juices to discover. I recommend the book on healing juices by Heinermann.

6, Cook your own food. It is more than worth the time. I know you are busy but you can work cooking into any schedule. Consider getting a slow cooker. Consider cooking large batches on your days off and keeping them ready in the freezer. Cooking your own food is the only way of knowing what actually is put into your food, plus it sends the right message to your body that you care.

6A. Dont assume restaurant food is healthy. Many restaurants are fond of using iceberg lettuce which is very cheap and is usually grown in high-tech hydroponic factories but has virtually no nutritional value and dont even ask about the chemicals used to keep lettuce looking fresh. Most restaurants dont use organic ingredients and many restaurants use microwaves to heat their meals. Just take a tour of the kitchen of your favourite restaurants and you may be horrified.

7. Bless your food and remember where it comes from. This modern life is a very disconnected from reality kind of life. Often there is little though given to where food comes from, how it was harvested and processed and by whom? Do you know where you food came from? If not you better bless it and bless it well before you take it and all the vibes that go along with it into your sensitive body.

8. Balance yourself daily with yoga, tai-chi or Qi- gong. 20 minutes a day in your own home of one of these practices and Ill personally guarantee your health will improve no matter how healthy you were before-hand. You can go to classes as well but what I recommend is that you empower yourself by learning how to do simple routines at home so you are not dependant on a class.

9 Get and give a massage at least once per month. Weekly is even better. Give and receive this vital practice as often as possible. Even a mediocre massage is better than none at all so recruit your partner or a friend if you cannot access a professional and dont be reluctant to lay your hands on others as well.

10. Love More. Love is the ultimate healing. Love your partner, love children, love your neighbours, love your community, love the environment, love your God, love your life, love yourself.

11. Dont forget to laugh. Laughter is great medicine. Give yourself permission to be silly, dont be so serious and youll have a longer and happy life.

12. Just say no to drugs. Ronald and Nancy Regan were worried about recreational drugs and I agree that recreational drugs are harmful to your health but the drugs that I see devastating the communitys health the most are coffee, alcohol and cigarettes- in that order. Dont believe the self-serving propaganda from the Starbucks lobby about the possible benefits of drinking coffee. There are no net benefits to drinking coffee and it is particularly devastating to womens health as is heavy alcohol consumption and cigarettes.

13. Eat like an adult not a child. You a big boy/girl now so eat like one. Dont be a slave to cravings and food addictions. Eat for nutritional value and not strictly for taste or as an emotional panacea. On my hot list of non-nutritional foods are chocolate, ice cream, sodas, white bread, white rice, and white pasta.

14. Eat soft foods. Eat wet foods. Softer foods are much easier for your body to digest and are much more likely to have a high water content. Wet foods are also easier to digest and help provide the water you need. Your body is mostly water, the earth is mostly water, so try to limit dry, hard, dead foods like crackers, bread, and cereals and embrace soft wet foods like soups, purees (I love hummous and baba ganoush), fruit, steamed vegetables, smoothies, organic plain yoghurt, etc.

The human body is a wondrous miracle of engineering and grace. Treat your body well and it will reward you with many years of health and happiness. Neglect or abuse your body at your own peril.

Christopher Scipio
Homeopath/Herbalist
African Bush Doctor

Advancements In Computer Technology

With technology progressing as fast as it is at the present, it is a wonder we do not have a new mass-marketed gadget appearing every few minutes. Personal computers, once predicted to be owned by a mere handful of individuals, are everywhere nowadays. If you are a student a personal computer is virtually a necessity. Accompanying the ever-increasing popularity of the personal computer is a plethora of gadgets and technological advancements. Though it may not be every few minutes, it seems as though every couple of months we hear about a computer with more storage space or a new device that one can connect to their computer.

Some devices that appear on the market are either completely superfluous or not so accessible to the entirety of the population, whether it is because of their cost or their limited supply. The costly devices are reserved to those who can afford them, until some new gadget replaces them and the price of these machines decreases, much like any new technology that appears on the market. Those gadgets, which are unnecessary, are not overly practical and the market for these creations is comprised mainly of those with an affinity for such devices. Inventions like webcams, while they are certainly fun to play with, are essentially unnecessary as they have no bearing on the actual operation of the computer and are used largely for leisure computer activities.

The more purposeful advancements in computer technology revolve around those, which increase the computers ability to manage certain tasks and those, which increase the storage space of the computer. Many personal computer owners find themselves craving more space to store songs or various other files and often wishing that their computer were faster. Though many computers produced today have a excessive storage space, that is, it is nearly impossible to fill a personal computer to capacity, these types of advancements permit a much speedier and more efficient functioning computer.

Sports Memorabilia: Start Collecting Today

The sports memorabilia industry has really taken off over the past couple of years. This is due in part to the fact that people have come to realize that they can make a lot of money in this industry. Not only can you make a lot of money right now, you can also purchase items as an investment that will surely gain value over the next few years. But the popularity has also grown because there are thousands of people who simply like to collect these items.

Before you get started, you will need to know exactly what you are looking for. There are many items that are available; so determining what you want is the best place to get started.

The first thing to determine is what you want to collect. Many people collect memorabilia from.a particular sport. They will buy everything that they can find that has to do with baseball, football, and so on. On the other hand, there are a lot of people who will only buy items that are from a particular team. And to take it one step further, you can decide to collect memorabilia from one particular player.

After deciding what sport, team, or player you are going to collect, you will then need to determine what you are looking for. There are many different types of sports memorabilia that you can buy. The most popular are autographed items. These consist of balls, bats, gloves, photos, and many more. There are endless options for you to choose from. But on top of these autographed items, you will also have a couple of other options. Many people have taken a liking to collecting game used memorabilia. This consists of any item that was actually used during a contest. For example, you may want to collect NBA shooting shirts, or MLB batting gloves. This market is expanding rapidly, and taking off thanks to the number of people who have taken notice of this industry.

When you buy any piece of sports memorabilia make sure that you are 100% positive that it is authentic. There is a lot of counterfeit memorabilia circulating around the industry. Search out reputable resellers that offer top notch memorabilia accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Collecting sports memorabilia can provide years of fun for anybody. To get started all you need to do is decide what you want to collect, and then locate a reputable dealer. It is as easy as that!

Accredited Online Universities, The New Path Of Education

More and more colleges and universities are recognizing the demand for alternatives to traditional education. With todays busy lifestyles, many people find it difficult to find time to go back to school without sacrificing existing obligations. This problem is being solved, though, with an increasing amount of accredited online universities that allow for alternate means of earning a degree.

Accredited online universities utilize advancing technology to expose the student to course work required for the degree. This includes televised classes, online chat, emailed assignments and online classrooms. Students will predominantly use the Internet to learn their studies and submit assignments. Some course work will require group assignments that can be facilitated through email or via instant messaging systems and chat rooms. Students can have the same classroom exposure without having to leave the comfort of their home or office.

Before undertaking a program, make sure that it is available through accredited online universities. Do not fall victim to scams offering degrees in a short period of time, usually for a lot of money. Not only are these offers a scam, they can also be illegal. Applying for a job by utilizing fake credentials can lead to many legal issues. If an employer discovers you have obtained a job through false methods, you will likely be fired and may risk both criminal and civil liability. There are currently over three hundred unaccredited universities acting on the Internet to try to defraud you.

Only accredited online universities offer the course load and actual knowledge to help you attain a legitimate degree. Remember that while online courses are designed to take into account work experience and be convenient to attend, they still require effort and time. The idea behind online education is to allow people who are unable to take the time to go to class the flexibility of working during times they are free. However, you can not attain knowledge without research and completing the assignments. A degree that was not earned will not hold the significance of a degree that was earned with hard work and effort.

The Internet is a valuable tool to help in searching for accredited online universities. Not only will you be able to get a list of universities, you will be able to research each one and get a feel for the work required, tuition and educational philosophy. Getting a history of the school will help you determine if it is the best place for your needs. Take the time to get feedback from existing students and faculty before making a final decision. Search the specific university you are considering for possible scams and fraud. If possible, choose a university that is in close proximity to you that you can visit the campus. Since many traditional schools are also offering online course study, this may be easier to do than you may think.

Getting a degree will help expand your career opportunities, enhancing your lifestyle in the process. Be careful to choose only accredited online universities and do not fall victim to the scams running rampant on the Internet. Obtaining a degree takes some time and effort but using online degree programs will add the convenience of being able to set your own schedule and pace.

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