Derossett

Tomorrow - Small Vacation Rentals

2008-03-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

When we build an Internet business, we naturally wish to become a large-scale, global company. But, do you feel more comfortable in an overcrowded mall as one of hundreds of faceless customers-- or as a valued guest in a cozy shop? Do you like your specific needs to be as important to a salesperson as his own?

The less business you have, the better are your chances of success. Sound unrealistic? Well, here are the facts:

The smaller your region, the better your customer service.

You probably remember surfing the net, looking at hundreds of vacation rental sites. Was destination important to you or, did it make no difference? Personally, I can't imagine that someone would search for just some kind of property somewhere in the world.

I see a difference between Sydney and Rome and prefer sites dedicated to specific destinations. Why? That's easy. It's because I like the individual attention I get. If I have questions all of my questions (even about the color of the walls in the bathroom) will be answered with care and in detail. Plus, I can get information about which banks have the best exchange rates, where the best eats are and, well, about anything and everything a traveler wants to know about really.

The network does not replace live interaction.

Even the most informative web pages can not replace live interaction, when you get specific replies to your specific questions. You should read the web page to find the info you need. We all value our time and prefer to talk to a live person and get an immediate reply. Multi-user portals are simply unable to achieve that close interaction between a web site owner and web site visitors, whereas small web sites can.

As a web-site owner, you will gain negotiating skills. These will show you are trustworthy, and help you to succeed in the rental business.

Tenant details are invaluable.

If you have been in the business of leasing or renting real property for several years, youll have quite a database of tenant and owner contacts. Storing every detail about them can help you regain them as clients. Before the high season begins, send them a newsletter about a new option, discount or benefit for your website visitors and include a brief reference to their family. For instance, tell them how cute those twins, John and Jack, were, who decorated your wallpaper with their creative paintings last year, or, ask about their little dog Sparky, who misused your flowerbeds and lawn.

Your tenants will appreciate your attentions and will make early reservations. You could hardly expect that at large vacation rental portals.

'Closer' money.

If you charge property owners for listing their properties on your small vacation rental website, its easier for you to collect payments from them. Local transactions are easier, faster and more secure than payments from all over the World at international vacation rental web portals.

Document your financial relationships.

Operators of large vacation rental websites have owners from different countries with different local laws, so it is hard to control all the agreements and negotiations between property owners and tenants, but a small vacation rental website dedicated to one specific country or region shows more professionalism and generates more trust if it offers rental agreements prepared on behalf of property owners and guests.

If you operate a website dedicated to one region, you can compose legal documents valid for your region and appropriate for your owners and guests. Such rental agreements should describe the most likely disputes that can arise between owner and guest: furniture and fixture damage, insurance, guest and owner responsibilities, abandonment, payment schedule, etc. People feel more comfortable when their financial arrangements are backed up by legal documentation.

The smaller your region, the more income opportunities you have.

Would you like having more happy clients, who naturally turn to positive testimonials and word-of-mouth advertising? The owners of small rental websites can cooperate with local service providers and get good commission from this cooperation. For instance, they can agree on discounts with souvenir shops and hand out discount coupons to their guests. Discount coupons issued specially for a specific villa or house work best. The same can be done with restaurants, car hire and yacht rental services, etc. This will no doubt contribute to generating interest and building trust on your vacation rental website.

VIP attitude is more important than VIP house.

Even if the house for rent is not the essence of luxury, you may win your clients favor with your professional demeanor and attentive attitude. I have seen dozens of examples in which good attitude has compensated for the shortcomings of a property. Remember: you lease impressions, not properties.

Be Sincere.

Last but not least, the guiding principle for the owner of a vacation rental website is to really want to make people happy. Your main and sincere wish should be to make a guests stay as good as possible. Making a profit depends on this. You need to listen hard to what your guests are saying. Remember that when a guest rents house for his vacation, he wants a break from work and day-to-day worries. He does not want his vacation to be clouded by trivial inconveniences. Love your owners! Love your guests! Love properties!

Stacey Daniels is an advertising copyrighter and a marketing consultant of iStateSoft LLC (http://www.istatesoft.com)

Master Success - How Do You Define Success?

2008-03-18T04:24:00.000-07:00

Success means different things to different people. You may evaluate your success by: what you can buy, how you get paid, or what you can do. When most people are asked what success means to them they start off listing things they could buy, or the amount of money they would have. Sometimes theyll define success by the title they want to have, or how they want to earn a living. Thats very closely related to what you can buy because usually theyre thinking that if they could earn a living that way they would have the money to buy the things they want. But when you get past the money issues and dig a little deeper you come to realize that success is really more about being able to spend your time doing the things you want to do. You need money to make that happen, but money isnt really the end goal its just a supporting goal to get you to the point where you can spend your time doing what you want to do.

Why is it important to make this distinction? Well, if you dont know what youre really after you can get caught up in decisions that take you places you dont want to be. You can end up living a life you dont want to live in spite of fulfilling your financial objectives. In spite of having all the money you need youre miserable, and you feel trapped. You dont know how to get out of the trap because by the time you figure it out youre usually living a lifestyle that can only be supported by doing things you dont necessarily want to do.

So how do you really define success? In general, success is the continuous achievement of your own predetermined goals that enable you to do the things you want to do. How do you want to live? If you were successful what would you spend your typical day doing? Who would you spend it with? Where would you spend it? How would spending your time this way provide value to others in the world?

Success is achieved one goal at a time. But unless you understand what success means to you, and what you want its pretty hard to set the right goals to get you there. Its hard to know if youre taking the right action, and its hard to know if youre not taking the right action. The funny thing about goals is that theyre so easy yet very few people know how to get the goals they set.

Theres a right way to set goals and a thought process that greatly increases your odds of getting the goals you set. Most people think they know how to set goals, and they do get some of the goals they set. They just dont seem to get the really important goals. If you want to master success you need to clearly define success and then become a master goal getter so you can get there.

Want to develop your path for success? Success Model.

Success happens one goal at a time find Success here.

Secrets Bottled Water Companies Don't Want You To Know About

2008-03-17T22:26:00.000-07:00

As a rule of thumb you should drink at least eight cups of natural or purified water daily. 90% of our body is made of water. Water is the key ingredient to life, without it we will perish in a very short time span. Yet most of the time people drink soda, alcohol, and fruit juice, instead.

Unfortunately, all of the drinks I just listed are incredibly dehydrating, so if you are drinking those you need to be drinking even more purified water than someone who is not drinking soda, alcohol, or fruit juice.

You should not drink tap water because most tap water, other than a few select places, is loaded with flouride and chlorine in order to kill off many harmful types of bacteria caused by environmental pollution.

Flouride, even though they use it at the dentists office, is horrible for you to ingest, and can lead to certain cancers. Chlorine ingestion can also lead to cancer, and weight gain, both chemicals are dangerous toxins to have in your body.

The problem does not stop at tap water, however. Most bottled water is a scam and is awful for you to drink.

Why? Because there are hardly any regulations on the bottled water industry. Almost all of the bottled waters are merely acidic tap water from one region, barely filtered, then bottled and shipped somewhere else.

Ever wonder why some bottled waters are more expensive than the others? There is a reason. Did you think that your local grocery store has a natural spring out back so they can produce their own brand of great spring water for $3.00 a case? It's tap water.

Why should you believe me? I have a very close friend who worked for a reverse osmosis water filtration company, which performed independent tests on all of the kinds of bottled water to find out which were the healthiest and which were not.

So what water can you drink?

Dasani and Aquafina, although ironically made by soda companies, are the least expensive of the safe bottled waters. They are still made with tap water, but the tap water is filtered using a reverse osmosis filtration system, which removes harmful chemicals, such as flouride and chlorine and makes it less acidic. Reverse Osmosis is hands down the best way to purify tap water.

Better still is completely natural spring, or artesian water. Why? Because it is untouched and pure, right from the source and requires no filtration. This water is also loaded with essential minerals to keep your body healthy and naturally has an alkaline pH.

Here are the top bottled water contenders; Fiji, Evian, Voss, Volvic, Penta, Evamor, and Poland Spring. There are also several smaller bottled water companies that produce very healthy bottled water as well. You can usually find them at your local health food store. If you have any more questions on what bottled water you should buy, I am sure someone at your local health food store can help you.

Why is most fruit juice bad to drink? Because most fruit juice that is sold is anything but fresh juice that is healthy for you. The stuff you think is healthy juice is basically soda. Pick up a soda and pick up a sports drink, or a bottle of juice and compare the ingredients. Usually the only difference between them is the carbonated water and the flavoring.

Fresh juice goes bad in about two or three days. Compare that with most juice you can buy at the grocery store, which can last up to a month after you buy it.

Basically the only way to drink really healthy juice is to make the juice yourself at home with a juicer, or go to your local health food store, they usually make fresh juice daily.

Even though fresh juice can provide you with essential vitamins and minerals, it still it not enough to hydrate your body on its own. Most fruit juice is loaded with sugar, which is dehydrating, so you don't want to consume too much juice anyway.

Water, water, water, is really all you need to drink. It will give you more energy, make you more tolerant to exercise, make your mind clearer, and can reduce hunger cravings. Water reduces hunger pangs by 98%, so if you are dieting or trying to lose weight, drink more water. I think that you will be surprised by the results.

Good luck on your journey towards health and wellness!

Brue M. Baker, is an expert on natural health and fitness who has helped people from all across the country sky-rocket their health and well-being. Rather than hitting your head against a wall trying every natural nutrition product out there, let Brue introduce you to what he has found to be the best natural health products on the planet. Visit DynamicHealthTips.com for all the details.

Ecommerce for Beginners

2008-03-17T16:41:00.000-07:00

Like most average persons, I wanted some extra money to supplement my regular income. I had considered a part time second job at times, but hated that option because it would take me away from the family, make me more tired and probably just pay minimum wage. I also wanted to be able to work from home.

I had surfed the internet for years and had often considered the idea of participating in the internet revolution. I had read some statistics on the use of internet and the increasing numbers of homes with computers and the increasing percentage of Christmas shopping done over the internet. So I decided to jump in with both feet.

First what is ecommerce? The online world designates web sites devoted to retail sales as an e-commerce site. E-commerce sites sell either information or hard goods such as cameras or knifes. E-commerce sites also have Shopping Carts and Payment Gateways attached to them that non-sales web sites do not need.

Okso you want to develop an E-commerce site. You are now probably asking do I have enough skill, mental patience or aptitude to be successful?

Well if you have average intelligence, I believe that you and thousands of people just like you could have an E-commerce web site. All that is required is the willingness to learn a few things, patience, and the determination to apply yourself.

How? I am glad you asked.

Lets begin. We first need to discuss the basics components you will need.

1. Computer 2. Internet connection 3. Site building software 4. Graphics Software 5. Web hosting company 6. Shopping cart 7. Payment gateway

The above elements are where most people stop when they think of what they will need when they want to start an ecommerce site. However, there are other elements that need to be considered, such as getting legal and product sourcing.

Items 1 and 2 above are pretty straight forward and most people can understand why they are necessary. The other items however are a little more complex. Site building software allows the beginner to construct a web site without knowing html programming code. What is Html programming Code?

Html is the programming language of the internet and stands for Hyper Text Mark Up Language. The two best software programs currently available to write Html are Microsofts FrontPage 2003 or Macromedias Dreamweaver. These programs are more correctly known as HTML Editors.

These two programs are the best ones available. I have them both but use FrontPage 2003 primarily. I think FrontPage 2003 is easier to use and does better tables then Dreamweaver. Most professional web site developers, however consider Dreamweaver the better of the two because some claim it has more features, but I find it is a little more complicated to use. I would recommend that you surf the internet and read the reviews on both of these programs and make you own choice.

Next you will need a good graphic program such as Adobe Photoshop 6. A graphics program allows you manipulate the size of images create images in different formats and create special effects. PhotoShop 6 is the current version from Adobe and is the best software program for graphics. Adobe Photoshop Elements can also be used, but is a limited version of the full Photoshop software. The programs from Adobe are expensive so shop around for the best price.

Web hosting is very important and you need to comparison shop for features first, not on price. Web hosting and ecommerce are extremely related, and learned by personal experience the mistake trying to separate ecommerce from web hosting. The web host company is the company that rents room on their server for your web site, but they can much more. They can offer an integrated shopping cart.

The shopping cart is the heart of the ecommerce web site. The shopping cart for all intents and purposes runs your ecommerce web site so it is critical to get a good one. It contains and displays the products you intend to sell. It also does other neat administrative functions that will make your store easier to run. There are some stand alone shopping carts for sale but most come with web hosting service attached.

The "Payment Gateway" is the cashier in the store and is also known as a "Merchant Account." This is basically a business credit card account. The payment gateway allows your se store to accept credit cards and transfer money to you. Merchant Accounts are very important and you should also carefully review their services and prices. If you do not get a merchant account you are pretty much limited to papal. Search the web and check out the available shopping carts and payment gateways.

Now what are you going to sell, and where are you going to get it? You can look every where for the products you want to sell. How do you know what will sell well? You need to do some market research. Not everything sells well, including electronics. If you have no preference on what to sell, find some marketing software that will allow you to determine which products ell well online.

Next, you will need a source for those products. Assuming you are not making them yourself. The best way is to drop ship them. The trouble is finding a reliable drop ship source and avoiding the imposters.

Once you find you product source you need to open an account and stock your store and start selling. There munch more to an ecommerce store then can be explained in a brief article format. As someone who recently went from zero to an online store Cynscorion.com), I know first hand of the pit falls that await the beginning ecommerce site builder.

If you want to learn more about what to avoid in building an ecommerce site go to either: www.cynscorion.com and go to the bottom of the page and click on "Ecommerce Book For Beginners" ,or go to: http://cynscorion.com/store/cart.php?page=what_yofuture_release_of_a_very_unique_ecommerce_book This book is for people undecided on whether to start an ecommerce site and want to find one point of reference to assist them in making their decision.

Lastly, I wish you good luck and success in your ecommerce endeavors. If I can do it, so can you!

For additional assistance go to:
http://people.lulu.com/users/index.php?fHomepage=101573

The author created his own ecommerce web site going from knowing nothing to having a fully functional ecommerce site on the web, and wrote a book on the experience. The aptly titled "STEP 1: E-commerce for Beginners" explains to BEGINNERS what "STEP 1" is, and what they should be prepared for and makes recommedations to make the experience of building the 1st web site less stressful.

Make Money Online - Helpful Advice On How To Start

2008-03-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

Many people are looking at the internet as a way of earning an additional part-time or even full-time income. It can be a good idea but with millions of available options, and websites proclaiming to have the answers to questions you have not even thought of, where do you start ? This article will offer you advice that will at least get you started in the right direction.

You are probably reading this article for only a couple of reasons:

1. You do not currently make enough money and need to make more money on a part-time basis without compromising your full-time job. You do not have a lot of time available to make more money.

2. You are not happy in your job or do not like working for a boss. You are looking for an alternative way of earning money, preferably full-time but with something that you can start on a part-time basis. 3. You are already trying to make more money and have tried many different business opportunities but with no or very little success. You realize you need help.

If you can associate with one or more of the above-mentioned reasons for reading this article then please continue reading.

There are millions of people all over the world that do not like what they are doing for a living. Maybe it is the job itself, a rude boss, or not earning enough money to have a decent standard of living. Whatever the reason(s), most people find it very difficult to make a new start.

We are all creatures of habit that dislike change and value safety and security. Starting a business often takes us outside our comfort-zone. We need to build our confidence, not only in ourselves but also in any new opportunity that we are considering.

This can be achieved by:

- Learning as much as possible about any new opportunity.

- Having the possibility of doing it on a part-time basis as a trial to see whether it is any good.

- Spending as little money as possible on any new business opportunity. You don't want to add more stress to your life by spending lots of money (that you can't afford to spend) on things that may not work at all.

Many people consider the Internet as the ideal way of making more money. I agree with them. Problem is that most people actually lose more money on the Internet than make money. There are millions and millions of ecommerce websites on the Internet and it is estimated that at least 95% of these websites are losing money every month!

Why do I like to do business on the Internet?

a. It allows me to have an international business, potentially reaching many millions of people all over the world.

b. Like most people I do not enjoy face-to-face selling. With the Internet there is no need for face-to-face selling. No fear of being rejected by customers or insulted by people having a bad-hair-day.

c. I can make money 24 hours a day. Even while sleeping someone can be buying a product or service on my website.

d. I can run my business from anywhere in the world, as long as I have a computer and access to the Internet.

e. Once my business is setup it basically runs on autopilot. That does not mean I do not need to work on it. It means I do not have to spend eight hours every day working on it. One or two hours should be sufficient.

f. It allows me to have my own business with unlimited earning potential. Whatever I put in I can get out. The sky is the limit and I am not working to make my boss or company rich.

Fact of the matter is that it is becoming more and more difficult to ignore the massive ecommerce potential of the Internet. Whether you are selling products or services online or have any other type of business, you need the Internet to promote your business as more and more consumers are doing online searches to find what they are looking for. Does not matter if you are a plumber or an electrician, you will need the Internet more and more in the future to promote your business.

O.K. We have established that the Internet offers us a huge potential to make more money, part-time or full-time. We have also established that most people are not actually making any money from the Internet.

Where do we start?

We start by learning as much as possible at our own pace without forcing anything. Remember that knowledge is power!

I recommend that before you do anything on the Internet that you join a suitable company as an affiliate or join a network marketing company. The point is not whether you want to pursue a

long-term career as an affiliate. The important point is that you can join most affiliate programs for free and receive very valuable information and training for free. In addition, you can actually make a lot of money while learning! This, in my opinion, is the best, safest and easiest way to start.

Many companies that offer affiliate programs do their best to offer their affiliates as much training and support as possible. Why? It is in their best interest. The better advice, training and support they give you the more money you will make for them.

Remember that as an affiliate you do not need to buy or sell anything. You only need to get people to promote the company you are an affiliate of. All sales resulting in your referral will earn you a very nice commission, normally anything between 20% and 50% of the sales price. That is not bad at all! Many companies will even give you a free affiliate website that you can promote.

What is the catch?

The catch is that it is not always easy to promote a certain product or service. People do not automatically visit your affiliate website. This is where the training comes in. If you can succeed as an affiliate for a company you can succeed with your own Internet business in the future. There will be no need to pay expensive school fees.

To your success !

Francois du Toit is the owner of http://www.money-maker-advice.com, a website designed to help new entrepreneurs succeed by evaluating various online and offline business opportunities, affiliate programs and network marketing options. The website also offers free articles and tools that will assist webmasters in building profitable websites.

Tourists, Alcohol and Children

2008-03-17T03:57:00.000-07:00

Why do parents on holiday drag their children along to every single social evening? I realize it can be very difficult when there is nobody to baby sit, but why cannot people stay in while the children are asleep, organize their entertainment for early evenings instead of late nights and put up with the fact that they are parents now and must make some sacrifices?

No longer at liberty to enjoy as many drinks as they might like, they are also no longer free of responsibilities and able to indulge in disco entertainment well into the early hours of the morning. The present trend, however, is to continue doing all the things they did before the children came along, and to avoid missing out, take the kids too!

When you have children, you need to keep earlier hours to suit their routine, not yours. So many times on the Costa Blanca we see exhausted children being hauled into bars and restaurants after ten oclock at night. Tired from their day on the beach, all they want is to drop onto their cots and sleep until the morning. However, because Mummy and Daddy fancy drinking about eighteen pints of lager between them, the poor kids have to try to make themselves comfortable across a couple of dining chairs in some strange restaurant, or sleep sitting upright in a dining chair or the seat of a pushchair.

Where is the parental responsibility that at one time produced Mums and Dads who would consider going home at nine oclock so their children could get proper rest? Why is every corner of our town filled with screaming, sun burned, over tired children, accompanied by parents too drunk to remember what the time is, let alone whether their children should be in bed?

One of the ugliest scenes I saw this summer was is that of a drunken mother staggering down the seafront with two children running to keep up with a lurching pushchair, a baby trying to sleep inside it, the others not much older, dummies in their mouths, sobbing with exhaustion, and the father bringing up the rear, complaining at the price of his last pint. They made a degenerate, depressing picture and made everyone who saw them feel tainted by association.

It is very true that parents deserve a well earned rest, as well as the children. As parents, however, what we deserve is not always what we get, due to the difficulty of having to provide our children with their requirements first, as priority. Those who do not feel they can give up their leisure hours when necessary should consider remaining childless, in my opinion.

Jan Gamm writes reflections on life with an emphasis on world travel. She has lived in many countries and traveled extensively in the Far East, the Middle East, America, South America and throughout the South Pacific. She writes for fun and for money whenever she can manage it.

Mclaren MP4-21 Formula One Car 2006

2008-03-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

We have seen the new Mclaren MP4-21 formula one car in testing for a little while now. We knew that Mclaren would deliver a striking car. But now it has been seen in full colours and livery there is only one word for it; stunning, sorry two words, absolutely stunning. The press have dubbed previous Mclaren cars as the silver arrow but the new 2006 MP4-21 car has a sheen that makes the silver almost look like chrome plate. Some of the familiar sponsorship has also gone, with a well know whiskey brand now more prominent, although the official pictures do not yet show any advertising on their rear wings, which are now a striking red colour.

Of course it will take more than a good-looking car to win races and Mclaren have not been short of their technical problems during this winters preparation. It appears that Mercedes who provide the engines for Mclaren have struggled with reliability problems with their new V8 engine and have admitted they are not where they would like to be so near to the start of the season, with the first race in Bahrain. It would not be the first time that Mclaren have suffered reliability problems at the beginning of the season. Just last season reliability problems reduced Kimis points well below what was expected early on, however as the season progressed the Mclaren car, then clearly became the fastest on the grid. Had the reliability been there during the early races, chances are it would not have been Alonso taking the world championship but a silver arrow driver.

One thing you can be certain of is that Mercedes will be working around the clock to iron out these issues and will continue working until the package is competitive or even unbeatable. Alonso the current world champion has already signed for Mclaren for 2007 and will want to beat them this season, but will also be hoping the car is competitive and lessons learnt in time for his showing in 2007. They say beauty is only skin deep, but lets hope in this case the beauty can extend to what is under the car, to give the spectators a season to remember.

Mark is webmaster for Cheap Breakdown Cover Offers and Ultimate Track Racing Days and Direct Line Insurance

The Importance Of Fitness During Menopause

2008-03-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Learn About the Crucial Links Between Fitness and Menopause

Did you know that a regular fitness or exercise routine plays a major role in reducing the symptoms of menopause? One particular symptom of menopause is weight gain, which, unfortunately seems to develop just as a woman finally reaches a point in her life when she's mature and self-confident, and then the fat starts piling on. This weight gain is quite common and the result of declining hormone levels which causes the metabolism to slow down significantly, even in pre-menopausal women.

The majority of women will especially notice an increased amount of fat deposition around their mid-section, which plays a significant role in contributing to heart disease, the number one killer of middle-aged and older women. Not to worry; this weight can be managed quite easily by simply getting into a regular fitness and exercise routine. Fitness and consistent activity really are the keys to decreasing weight and avoiding the pitfalls of aging. By committing to a regular exercise routine, one which includes weight bearing exercises, women will change the muscle-to-fat ratio, enabling them to increase their metabolic rate and burn calories, even at rest.

In addition to weight gain, women in their thirties begin to lose bone mass at a rate of approximately 1% per year and that rate increases to 2%-3% per year after menopause. Studies have shown that exercise can actually increase a woman's bone density, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis and the incidence of falls and bone fractures associated with osteoporosis. Unfortunately, osteoporosis often goes undetected until bone fractures occur, but by taking preventative measures, such as getting into a regular fitness routine, women can indeed reduce this risk.

Exercise and fitness can also be beneficial in reducing the incidence of hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause. Hot flashes can contribute to impaired sleep patterns and a decreased energy level. Additionally, hot flashes can also affect one's overall mood, which has the potential to negatively affect both personal and professional relationships. While estrogen replacement therapy has been shown to decrease these symptoms, for many women a regular exercise routine appears to be a very viable alternative.

Simply stated, making fitness and exercise a priority will benefit most women who are approaching or experiencing menopause, and the positive results, both physically and emotionally, are well worth the extra time required to begin and continue a regular exercise routine. It's easy to make excuses to not make time to ensure that fitness is a priority, but it's crucial to understand that being regularly active will lead to overall good health now and in the future. The only results you'll see from your added physical activity will be those that are very beneficial to you and those you love.

Susan Megge founded http://www.40isbeautiful.com to assist women with issues related to menopause, such as weight gain, hot flashes, mood swings, etc. Susan Megge is the author of "Being Beautiful Beyond 40," a book dedicated to give women the confidence and inspiration to experience menopause with minimal symptoms and learn to embrace these years.

Vasectomy Reversal - A Personal Story

2008-03-16T09:26:00.000-07:00

This article is a very personal one, but one I wanted to share with you, as there are always tens of thousands of men considering whether to have a vasectomy reversal.

The desire for a vasectomy reversal can come from two main causes: divorce or relationship break up, and a change in financial circumstances that makes having a baby affordable whereas before, at the time of the vasectomy, it may not have been.

Most commonly, men have a vasectomy in marriage, when they or their partner, or both, have decided they do not want any more babies. The reason does not matter, really, the fact is they have the vasectomy because of that particular relationship.

Should a couple make a decision to have no further children then a male vasectomy is the best option. It is a simple outpatient operation. I always compared it to going to the dentist, except you open your legs instead of your mouth. It is also quite painless, although in my case I did not appreciate the painkiller wearing off while I was driving home, after I was assured it was going to be ok. Using the clutch was not a bundle of fun for the last few miles.

But, the vasectomy was done, as it is commonly every day for thousands of men around the world. At the time, I never gave a thought for vasectomy reversal in the future.

Many years later I was divorced, and it was not long before I was thinking about having the vasectomy reversed. I was in England then, but later in 1998 I decided I would probably move abroad. I eventually decided on the Philippines as the most suitable country, where I could settle in the quickest.

In 1999 I started researching vasectomy reversals, but there were not many places in the UK that I could find on the internet at the time. Eventually, I did find one in my own county, Dorset, so I quickly earmarked that for my eventual vasectomy reversal. By that time, I was firmly of the idea I wanted more children.

In July of 2000, I visited the Philippines for 3 weeks to check out a few possible locations to settle in, and to confirm to myself that it would be the best place for me to live. As it turned out, it was way beyond expectations. The beauty, the friendliness, the warmth, the character of the place and the people, all told me that I was going to the best possible place to escape the cold miserable climate of England.

After the visit, I gave myself just 6 weeks to get myself organised, personally, financially, and business wise, to leave England for good. I knew that getting a vasectomy reversal was not likely to be possible in the Philippines, so if ever I was going to have one, it had to be there and then, while still in England.

I fixed the vasectomy reversal operation for just 3 weeks before I left the country. It was a short outpatient visit to a private hospital some 25 miles away. The operation was done under full anaesthetic, and I recall it being a very relaxed sort of day. By then I had sold my car, and had to rely on a taxi to get me to the hospital and collect me. The lady driver was very sympathetic, and actually very supportive, helping to make it more of a day out than a trip to hospital.

The surgeon was making no promises about the success of the vasectomy reversal, and my chances of fathering any more babies. He told me beforehand that he could usually tell, as soon as opening up a man, whether or not he was likely to have sufficient sperm to produce a child. I wondered what chances he thought I had, but I never saw him afterwards to ask.

My next contact with the surgeon was in 2003. I had been in the Philippines 3 years when I met Mary Ann, my wife. Within 6 weeks of our living together, she was pregnant. I was absolutely over the moon, and one of the first people I told was the surgeon. I also passed on my profound thanks for our little miracle, a baby daughter who now brings delight not just to us, but everyone who meets her.

This vasectomy reversal article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Bouncing New Baby website.

All Natural Beauty Products Made At Home

2008-03-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

The big buzz term in the beauty industry right now is "all natural beauty products" - and for good reason. Women (and men) are becoming more conscious of what ingredients go into the products they are using and many prefer simple, natural beauty care.

There are - thankfully - ways for us to make our own natural beauty products at home and there are three big benefits to this:

1. We know exactly what goes into them, because we're making them ourselves!

2. Most of the ingredients are already right there in our cupboards and refrigerators.

3. These are big money savers! For just a few dollars you could have a home made facial mask that lasts you a few months.

Here are some tried and true homemade all natural beauty product recipes:

Banana face mask:

This is a great way to get rid of those bananas that are a little over ripe:

1 cup of plain yogurt

1 tbsp honey

1 banana

Combine all three ingredients in a bowl (smash up the banana) so that the final mixture is like a sticky paste. Apply to your face (you can also apply to your neck and chest) and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse your face well with lukewarm water and pat dry. Do not keep any extra of this, toss any left overs.

Calming cleanser for sensitive skin:

1/2 cup oatmeal

plain yogurt

Mix the oatmeal with enough yogurt to "wet" the oatmeal into a paste mixture. Gently smooth over your entire face (avoid the eyes) and rinse well with lukewarm water, then pat dry. Oatmeal is fantastic for soothing irritated skin and sensitive enough for those who cannot tolerate regular cleansers. If there is any mixture left, seal in a tupperware container and refrigerate. Please be aware that it shouldn't be kept any longer than the yogurt is supposed to be good for (check the yogurt container!).

Home body scrub:

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Take into shower or bath and take generous handfuls and rub into skin. Let the oil mixture sit on skin before rinsing off for extra moisture. Rinse clean with lukewarm water and pat dry. Store any leftover mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Do not keep any longer than a month. This will leave you smooth and smelling fantastic!

Keep your eyes out for future homemade beauty product recipes!

Contact us at beautysanction@gmail.com or by website http://www.beautysanction.com Please visit http://www.beautysanction.com for more makeup tips, recipes, makeup info, skin care, beauty tips, beauty bargains, makeup etailers, free makeup tips, perfume beauty, in-home hair care, makeup for men and much, much more and thanks for reading - I hope its been of help.

Caring and Sweet Russian Brides

2008-03-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

Most of the western men, acquainted with Russian culture, consider Russian Bride as the best for marriage and family. They truly believe that these women are the ones who have a magic soul. Those fascinated men adore the devoted heart, gentle beauty and appealing sexuality of Russian women.

By their personality, Russian girls are tender and at the same time they are diligent, strong and hard-working, especially, when they do something for their family and people they love. All in all, feminism hasn't spoiled the Slavonic women. They are mostly family focused and traditionally, they obtain the knowledge of keeping a happy family nest from their grandmothers. Those clever old-ladies teach their granddaughters how to be kind, loving and caring with their future husband and children. From their grannies lovely girls discover the mysteries of cooking, sewing, knitting and house-holding. Since the girls are very little they hear their grandmothers' narrating Russian national fairy-tales. And those old and kind folktales mostly teach the morals and show the attitude of a Russian beauty to her man.

If we are talking about Russian women living in Kazakhstan, it's very important to mention that here, in this Central Asian country, the ladies with Russian background are influenced by the Eastern culture. This fact, makes them even more alluring for westerners, so as it occurs as a perfect chance for them to find the greatest love and create a happy family life.

When chosing a spouse it's not important for a Russian girl whether he's rich, handsome or clever. In most of the plots, she just falls in love with him only because he saved her from danger. Then, she does all the possible and impossible for his sake in the bet with a villain.

Most of the other folktales narrate about the importance to stay inside the house all the time, as it is the only safe place where the future life can be regulated. People know that these stories can teach children a lot of useful things. Because all the information that kids percept from their adult relatives stay in their minds forever.

Russian lady is as beautiful inside as outside. Her outer beauty reflect her wonderful inner world. She lives imagining the moment when she'll finally reunite with her promised. Being superstitious, they believe that should go through a long way of sufferings until they rich their happiness. So, they wait for a miracle to happen in their life and wait for the moment, when they could be happy in love. Even though, sometimes some of the girls start getting fussy. This thing happens to them because it is well known, that the population majority in most of the Russian-speaking countries is the females, when for example, in the United States the male population is dominating. As it was told before, Russian girls in Kazakhstan are influenced by Oriental culture. Thus, all of them living here combine only best things from both cultures in their personality. One of the some agency's Russian brides, in her letter to the American fiance says that she, being a Russian woman has learnt from her Eastern girlfriends how to be patient and docile with the men. And the foreigners, who already have their Russian wives, are endlessly happy and are pretty much enjoying their choice. They say it was an absolutely perfect option for them to meet and marry their spouses. Those joyful husbands describe their sweethearts as nice, honest, not spoiled and more sincere. It's a kind of a surprise for them that Russian ladies are not afraid to show their feminine side.

The girls from Kazakhstan are happy that they were born there. Especially those, who live in its biggest and most populated city of Almaty. Local Russian ladies claim this place gave them a great chance to become unique by their personality. They still hold old traits for marriage and wanting children, as well as a good life for them.

However, it is also worth mentioning that the Russian girls are more intellectual and active than their Eastern girlfriends. They are independent, clever and hardworking enough to gain success both in their personal life and in their carrier.

One thing that is clear and unchangeable and it's about everyone's desire for a perfect love relationship and a wish to find a real soul mate that will stay beside forever.

Look for your Russian Bride at our wonderful web-site!

Tips For a Better Hair Care

2008-03-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

There were days when no clues were available for maintaining your hair. Now you will be going through the facts and tips for better hair care:

Heat has to be decreased

It is a general practice to use blow dryers to dry the hair. By allowing it to dry naturally you give a break from the heat, in other words you are reducing the potential damage heat can do to your hair. The resultant effect of this hot air is dryness and breakage to your hair. The hotter the dryer the more breakage will occur to your hair. It is always better to set the temperature of the hair dryer blower to the lowest. This will help to keep your hair healthy.

Flyaway Hair

This is common where there is low humidity and dry climate. Static electricity and having rough hair cuticles at the outer layer of the hair cause this 'Flyaway'. By moisturizing the hair through the use of an alcohol-free hair conditioner this 'Flyaway' can be further decreased.

Your Hair Vs Crash Dieting

Yet another reason for your hair loss is severe dieting. Avoid crash diets because they can lead to significant hair loss. A sensible way for reducing the weight is by increasing the exercise levels and reducing the calorie intake.

Arrest the Hairline pimples

You have to prevent the breakouts on hairline by keeping the hair care products away from your scalp and secondly by wearing a baseball cap or a clean hat that is not very tight to trap the dirt and sweat.

Good Bye to Dandruff!

The general cause for the dandruff is an increase in Pityrosporum yeast that is a normal inhabitant of the skin. The other causes are:

Oiliness of your skin

Stress

Heavy drinking

Certain drugs

Different types of medicated shampoos could be used daily or 2-3 times a week by leaving it on the scalp ideally for 5 minutes.

Grey Hair

As we become old our hair turns grey because the cells at the root of the hair produce less melanin which is the cause for the pigmentation. This is a slow process and usually occurs between the ages 30 and 60.

Sudden Hair Loss

If you suddenly start loosing a lot of hair it could be a symptom of illness. Rush to the doctor to have a thorough check up.

All about my Hair!

You will be surprised to know that 13% of your hair is made up of water. When it becomes dry it looses its ability to stretch and breaks off. By trying moisturizing shampoos and hair conditioners this could be controlled to a certain extent.

It's only Hair - Do not boil it!

When you use heating tongs or the hair dryer on damp hair keep them away at least 12 inches from your hair so that you will not boil the water in the hair shaft.

NHS Cashback is a Community portal for NHS Staff and right place to find NHS Discounts where cash back is rewarded for every purchase including discounts on Nurses Clothing.

Are You Getting the Most From Your iPod Music Downloads?

2008-03-15T08:42:00.000-07:00

Gone are the days where downloading music was a hassle and a problem. With new types of connections, including USB cables and FireWire, it couldnt be easier to keep your music up to date and download the latest hits in a simple and problem-free fashion. Apple offers their iTunes website, which provides an amazing selection of songs from every imaginable genre of music.

The iTunes store boasts over three and a half million songs to choose from, and there are also podcasts, TV shows, movies, audiobooks and even iPod games if you are looking for more than just iPod music downloads. The iTunes store features the major music labels as well as music by independent artists, and once you buy the song from the store it is yours to use and play as often as you choose. There is no subscription to the store, rather you pay on a per-use basis, rather than a flat subscription rate plus additional costs for songs once the limit is reached. For some people that download a consistent number of songs the subscription option may be more cost effective, but it is important to carefully monitor your downloads as well as track your usage to avoid going over your download limit and ending up with penalty or over-usage fees.

The iTunes store also offers a handy download manager that allows you to establish and pre-set the order of the songs that you have selected for downloading. This saves a lot of play list set-up time after the download is complete. Simply browse through the music by category, artist or song titles, select what you wish to download and hit the button. Once the music has been downloaded all that is required is to connect the iPod to the computer using the USB cable or the FireWire connection and synchronize your iPod with the computer. Most of the docking station and cradles that hold the iPod during this process already have batteries or are charging your iPod so you dont need to worry about running your play time down while you are synching your iPod. Some iPods, such as the Shuffle, allow for random selections of songs to give a unique play list every time, and even allows the listener to hear new music while still staying within a particular genre or music style.

The manual that comes with any new or refurbished iPod provides detailed information on how to complete and troubleshoot any issues with iPod music downloads. In addition the Apple website has videos and tutorials for each specific iPod player, which makes iPod music downloads and downloading easy and simple.

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist, with a wide range of interests. To read more about iPod music downloads, and iPods in general, please visit his website: iPods for You.

Website Conversion Rate: More Keywords Equals More Sales

2008-03-15T02:04:00.000-07:00

Your website conversion rate should concern you. This simply refers to how many visitors to your website it takes before you make a sale. It is called conversion because you are 'converting' a casual visitor into a buyer. Website conversion should concern you because when you can increase the rate at which your website visitors convert into buyers, you make more money without increase your costs. Let me explain.

If you get one sale for every one hundred visitors to your sales page on your website, you effectively have a conversion rate of one percent. It may be possible for you to make simple changes to your website that can result in an increased number of sales conversions.

So if you can get two people to convert to a sale per hundred instead of only one, you've effectively doubled your sales without increasing your costs, your traffic or your effort. It's for this reason that your website conversion rate should be something you know and are working to improve.

So how can I improve my conversion rate?

Improve your conversions by making changes to the headline of your website. The very first text that appears on a web page will most often determine if someone keeps reading or clicks away. The headline you use should speak to the visitor and make them want to keep reading to find out what you have to say.

Avoid being cute or witty just to get a laugh. Your objective is to get them to read more. Do this well and your job is more than half done. Do it poorly though, and nothing else will help much.

Write with the 'skimmer' in mind

Studies of people using the internet have found that the vast majority of surfers skim through a document before they decide to read it. This is a big reason why the headline is important. You should also write your sales page with sub headings that are focused on benefits your target visitor will get by using your product or service.

As your visitor skims your sales page, they will stop to read what grabs their attention. If enough of the content interests them, then and only then will they go back to the top of your web page and start reading from the beginning. People are in a hurry. They want to know what's in it for them right away. Make sure your page answers that question clearly and quickly.

Above all, make sure you test everything you do. Don't simply rely on gut feeling. Too many marketers make that mistake and it end up costing them a lot of money and lost sales.

Joe Duchesne is the co-founder of Yowling. They offer a web site builder that allows anyone to create their own website in no time at all with little computer skills. Visit http://www.yowlingbuilder.com for more details. Reprint this article freely as long as you keep the links in this resource box live and clickable.

Birthmother's Day Is May 12th

2008-03-14T20:07:00.000-07:00

A day to recognize the thousands of women whose adoption choice give other women the opportunity to celebrate Mothers Day.

It is appropriate that the day before Mothers Day is recognized as a day to honor birthmothers. In a world where thousands of children are adopted each year, it is essential to take this opportunity to show respect for the women who first loved them. While stories of adoption steal the spotlight week after week, the birthmothers side is often left untold.

This is changing with the release of BECAUSE I LOVED YOU: A Birthmothers View Of Open Adoption (Goblin Fern Press, 2006). In the book, I share my journey in choosing adoption for my son Joe in 1985 and the growing relationship with his adoptive parents through his high school graduation. In order to dispel the myths regarding birthmother's it's important for people to hear the struggle women face when making this decision. For me, I began to imagine what life would be like if I kept my babyI was lonely, worried about money, working all the time. I imagined my child wandering into neighbors apartments looking for friends, someone to be a father. These thoughts always lead to screaming into my pillow out of frustration. After much consideration I knew that keeping him would be for ME, but placing him for adoption was best for HIM. I loved him enough to put his needs before mine. This is what birthmother's face, making a decision that will be hurtful to them in order to do what is best for their child.

During my quest for an answer, I met with other birthmothers and was surprised at what I heard from them. My family had been emphasizing to me that if I chose adoption, I would then be able to forget, put it behind me, get on with a normal life. While it seemed the women had indeed gone on with their lives, no one was forgetting a thing. I learned from those mothers that, yes, they did suffer loss, but what mattered most was that their babies would be happy.

I was lucky that a new wave of adoption had begun: open adoption. I had ongoing contact with my sons adoptive family and as the trust and respect grew, so did our commitment to each other and the boy we loved. Today, over 90% of domestic adoptions are open arrangements.

This building of a relationship was celebrated at my sons high school graduation. During the ceremony, the principal asked the parents responsible for getting their children through life to this day to stand. I sat and watched as Kathy and Jerry stood on either side of me. Then, simultaneously, they looked down to me and reached out their hands. Kathy said, "You belong here too," and holding my hands tight, they pulled me up to stand between them. My story mirrors that of thousands of other birthmothers, and on this special day, let us recognize their loss, their bravery, and their love.

Because I Loved You has been hailed by national adoption agencies as a roadmap to open adoption for all members and is available at many bookstores and online. A signed copy can be purchased at http://www.patriciadischler.com

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Patricia Dischler, Author, "Because I Loved You: Understanding A Birthmother's View of Adoption," http://www.patriciadischler.com

The 12 Steps Based on Eastern Wisdom

2008-03-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Step One

We admitted that we were bound by the illusion of ego-created pleasures and that our life was full of suffering.

Step one allows an individual to admit and recognize what is controlling his/her life. It is a chance for the person to become aware of the immense control that the ego has in their life and what this demanding control is causing in regards to the self-created suffering. This awareness is necessary in order to initiate the process of internal growth and recovery from the demands of the ego.

Step Two

Came to believe that the universal consciousness, that pervades the cosmos and resides within our being, could restore us to our true nature and eliminate suffering.

This step allows one to tap into that which has all power the universal consciousness. This source will allow for connection with the pure-self and the true nature of the universe. This restores the individual to pure-thought and right-action in order to get rid of self-created suffering and karma.

Step Three

Made a decision to detach from our insatiable ego and the illusory world and connect to the pure consciousness of the universe.

This step is about taking the initiative to begin searching for the true-self and detaching from the illusion of the ego. Once this decision has been made practice of meditation begins. This is a crucial step upon our journey because it gives us hope that there is something else besides the world of boundaries and limitations.

Step Four

Contemplated and expressed in written form our desires, fears, regrets, and attachments of the ego without judgment.

This is a vital step, which requires meditative and analytical thought about the nature of our worldly life without passing judgment on the past. We begin to realize that these actions were part of our illusion of what reality was and realize that now through meditation and growing awareness that we DO NOT have to act this way again.

Step Five

Allowed ourselves to become fully aware of our egoic attachments and delusions in an accepting manner.

This is when we look at all the past actions and currents attachments of step four and recognize the true reality of the illusion. We now are able to let go of the past and live in the present moment with full awareness.

Step Six

We were entirely ready to let go of the delusions of the mind and surrender to the omnipresent universal source.

This step is the letting go of the illusions of the past and creating a commitment to surrender and practice the principles of eastern wisdom. It is important to state our readiness for change and acknowledge it within our self, as well as the universe around us.

Step Seven

Contemplated and gained awareness of our shortcomings without judging or condemning ourselves, but allow total acceptance and forgiveness of these ego created quandaries.

This step is crucial for one to accept that they are not their ego or minds. We can overcome our shortcomings and come to know our true self, which, is the perfection of pure consciousness.

Step Eight

Began to nurture and practice compassion and forgiveness for ourselves and others who we harmed by our past actions.

This step focuses on relieving guilt and regret for the past and beginning now to realize that those actions do not define the self. Also discussed concerning this step would be the ability to eliminate suffering based on karma by right actions and right thoughts in the present moment where reality exists.

Step Nine

Directly apologized with compassion and sincerity to ourselves and to those we directly and indirectly harmed.

This is an action step that allows us to explicitly offer our amends to ourselves and those we may have harmed in our past. This step is a continuation of step eight and allows the guilt and regret to further diminish and eventually be released fully in order for us to immerse ourselves in the present moment.

Step Ten

Continued to seek awareness of our true self and practice right thought and right action in each moment of our lives.

This step focuses on becoming aware of ourselves on a daily basis and beginning to live our lives fully and sincerely in each moment based on the true nature of reality.

Step Eleven

Sought through the practice of mindfulness and meditation to improve our connection with the universal consciousness.

This step is meant to be practiced on a daily basis to improve awareness and detachment from the egos desires. This step will help one maintain recovery and stay focused on the illuminating truth of the universe.

Step Twelve

Having become one with the universal source we continued to practice these principles in each moment of our life, acting as models for those seeking the peace and tranquility of these steps.

Finally, this step discusses the continuation of these steps in our moment to moment existence and to share this way of life with others that inhabit this world. To share this wisdom with others is the primary goal of these 12 steps, which in turn benefits the individual as well as the universe as a whole.

My hope is that through the application of these steps at least one human being can discover the principle truth of the universe and escape the suffering of the egos demands and desires.

About the author: Richard A. Singer Jr. is a practicing psychotherapist living in the Cayman Islands. He is formerly of Pennsylvania and has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology. His daily inspirations have been included as part of Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul, from the bestselling Chicken Soup series. His own recovery from addiction impassioned him to help others find courage, determination and peace, and has made what some would call "work" the love and purpose of his life. To learn more about Mr. Singer, visit his Web site, http://www.yourdailywalk.org or E-Mail him at RAS9999@aol.com

The Best Creative Ways to Propose

2008-03-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Marriage proposals made over a romantic dinner at an elegant restaurant can be very romantic but they are not necessarily creative. Many women dream about the day that the man of their dreams proposes to them and hope that the day will be absolutely perfect in every way imaginable. In a recent study the majority of married women reported that they believe that their spouse spent a significant amount of money on their wedding proposal but that the lack of originality in the proposal had left the women feeling disappointed.

One creative way to propose for a couple involved in a long distance relationship is to plan a surprise visit and set up a scavenger hunt. You could have a friend pick you up from the airport so that your girlfriend doesnt know that you are coming to visit and have the friend give your girlfriend instructions for the scavenger hunt. You could hide a number of small surprises such as candy, flowers and a CD as the first few stops on the scavenger hunt and then hide at the final location poised to propose when your girlfriend completes the game.

An outdoor enthusiast might appreciate a creative proposal during a camping trip. Its a good idea to plan a quiet trip for just you and your girlfriend at a picturesque location. You could hide the ring in your sleeping bag to use in a surprise proposal. When its time to go to sleep after a long day of hiking and fishing, you could complain that there must be a rock or something underneath you and then pull out the ring and make your proposal. This creative proposal also contains the element of surprise as a camping trip is not a usual proposal location.

Another creative proposal idea is to place an ad in a local newspaper. You could place an outrageous ad in a newspaper asking anyone who was willing to get married to give you a call and include a fictitious phone number. Then when you and your girlfriend are reading the paper together, you could point out the ad as a joke and while she is reading the ad, seize the opportunity to pull out the engagement ring and let her know that you would love to marry her.

Proposing at a sporting event is a creative way to propose to a sports fan. For this proposal idea you could either arrange to have your proposal broadcast over the public address system or displayed on the large screen. If you are really adventurous, you could also contact the teams public relations department and try to make arrangements to make your proposal on the field at halftime. They might be willing to help you stage a scenario where you are either chosen to win a prize or participate in a contest and while you are on the field, they would hand over the microphone to allow you to make your proposal.

Another creative marriage proposal idea is to purchase a book of poems and leave the first few pages intact and carve a heart into the remaining pages and sew the engagement ring to the back of the book. You could suggest taking turns reading the poems on each page and plan to have your girlfriend turn the final complete page to reveal the heart and ring that were hidden inside. This proposal idea is not only creative but also incredibly romantic.

Having the DJ of your girlfriends favorite radio program ask her if she will marry you is another creative proposal idea. You will want to make sure that you are aware of the exact time that the DJ will be sending your message so that you are able to ensure that you and your girlfriend are listening together when he makes the announcement. You could also arrange to have the DJ play a song that has a special meaning for you as a couple so that you can enjoy a dance together after she accepts your creative proposal.

Another creative way to propose is to include all of your family and friends in the event by inviting them all to a surprise party for your girlfriend. To make this proposal work, you would either convince your girlfriend that you want to have a quiet dinner at home or at a restaurant with just the two of you. Once you arrive at the destination all of the guests will reveal themselves and while all eyes are on the two of you, you could take the opportunity to profess your love and propose.

Still another creative way to propose is to hide the ring in an unexpected location. For example you could pretend to have a clogged sink and while you are working to fix the clog, you could reach into the sink and pull out the engagement ring. When your girlfriend is nearby, you could seize the opportunity to pull out the ring you had hidden earlier and say something to the effect of, No wonder the sink is clogged, Ill have to find another place to store this ring, how about your finger? This whimsical proposal is both light-hearted and creative.

A variation on the traditional proposal at an elegant restaurant could be to have the waiter bring out the ring with the bill. You could have a little good natured fun with your girlfriend by going out of your way to drop hints that you would be proposing over dinner. If you keep up the act, she will be expecting your proposal with each course. After dessert you could tell her that you have something very important to ask and as she eagerly awaits your proposal, you could ask an inconsequential question about something completely irrelevant to your relationship. She will probably be furious at this point but her anger wont last as the waiter arrives with the bill and the engagement ring and you let her know how much she means to you.

Finally a creative proposal idea is for the woman to ask the man to marry her, instead of waiting for him to propose. Many women anxiously await the day that the man in their life will propose but why not add your own creative twist by proposing to him instead. The woman is free to propose in any way that she finds truly romantic and can ensure that the proposal is both creative and romantic and that its a moment that they both will remember for the rest of their lives.

A great marriage proposal doesnt have to be expensive or extravagant. Many women are more likely to cherish the memories of a proposal that was inexpensive but truly creative. The creativity is what makes the proposal so memorable and what makes it a great story to tell their friends.

Masni Rizal Mansor is the publisher for My Wedding Dresses. Get the best discount wedding dresses and cheap wedding invitation card

Exercises to Get Rid of Cellulite - Slim Down Your Legs!

2008-03-14T01:39:00.000-07:00

Looking for a natural way to get rid of your cellulite with exercise? Indeed, there are easy step-by-step plan which you can follow to slim down and have sexier legs, but only if you know the right exercises to get rid of cellulite

Most women know what it's like to have cellulite. It can ruin the day to look into the mirror and find those dreaded "crinkled-wrinkles" on areas of your legs, especially if they are visible when you wear shorts of bathing suit. While cellulite is not dangerous, it sure is not nice to look at... is it?

You probably wont have to worry about cellulite problem when youre younger. However, as you reach the 30's and couple with a busy life that lacks regular exercises, cellulite will start to show up slowly and surely.

Other than cellulite creams and lotions which may help temporarily, they really do not address the root of the problem. You need a proven exercise routine to eliminate cellulite permanently, especially on the legs. Such an exercise plan was even featured on local TV show; therefore it does really get rid of cellulite.

As cellulite can appear on various parts of the body, the following type of exercises help address the respective body areas.

1.Have a steady but long walk puts your body in a continuous rhythmic motion. This benefits not just the leg and thigh areas when it comes to getting rid of those cellulite but also most parts of the body from heads down; neck, shoulders, arms, back and the abdomen. However, how quickly and for how long you should walk, together with your body motions greatly determines if youll be just sweating it out or targeting at those cellulite.

2.Next, jogging at a comfortable but controlled pace will also benefit the whole body including our stamina. This exercise is especially target at cutting down cellulite on the legs. Again, special posture and motion is required to achieve the maximum result.

3.Swimming is probably one of the best exercises which tones most of our body muscles. Toning of muscles mean loosing of cellulite. Its also an exercise that does not strain any particular part of the body. Which swim style to practice is also an important factor when it comes to getting rid of cellulite.

4.Last but not least, calisthenics is probably the most targeted form of exercise for address cellulite issues. This is to put the body into a sustained period of repetitive rhythmic body motions, performed over a period of time consistently and regularly. It is by far the ultimate form of exercise to get rid of cellulite.

The above recommendations may sound like the usual options for a general health well-being. However, if done according to a systematic plan that contains years of research and application specially for conquering cellulite, the result will amaze many sufferers.

The sad truth about cellulite is that millions of women (and a few men) are plagued with this unsightly condition. Although there is no documented case where life was threatened by cellulite, it does affect the self-image and well-being of those who have it.

Renee is one of the first personal trainers in the U.S. having over 20 years of experience in exercise and nutrition training. She has worked in every aspect of fitness from classes to clients including development of corporate sectors ergonomic programs. Once a champion competitive bodybuilder and dancer, she now spends her time helping women (and men) make their body dreams come true with a unique and proven cellulite exercise program. More details can be found in http://www.cellulite.rid-of.com

Plush Stuffed Animals Personalize Gift Baskets

2008-03-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

Gift giving should be something personal and special to the person to whom the gift is given. Gift baskets make it easy to personalize your gift. Stuffed animals make an even greater expression of something as easy and special as a gift basket. Here are some ideas to help make it easy for you.

First, think about the person you are giving to. Are they male, female, boy or girl? What are their interests or hobbies? What would be most appreciated by the recipient? Once you have decided on an appropriate theme you can have fun selecting the items and putting together your very personalized gift basket. Now let's have some fun with these ideas.

A gift for a tea lover can be quite fun. Select a basket with an opening of about 15" and line the basket with a pair of table napkins in a gingham or country print. Then fill with an assortment of flavored teas, a pair of floral teacups, some shortbread cookies or other tea cookies, and top it off with a 12" or 18" posable plush stuffed animal bunny. Place the basket in the middle of a long strip of clear or colored cellophane (about 60") and bring the corners up to the top. Tie a colorful ribbon around the cellophane above the basket to secure it. Add a gift tag or greeting card. Now you have a very personalized gift basket to give. For a variation, select an oriental pattern of napkins and teacups and a variety of oriental teas. Top with a 12" or 18" posable panda bear stuffed animal.

Let's say you are giving to a man; is he the outdoor sportsman type or is he the type that prefers the open sea? For the outdoor type you might choose a rugged looking basket made of grapevine or willow. Then fill with a sporting or biking magazine, an assortment of energy bars or trail mix, a bottle of spring water, bug repellent and sunscreen. Now top it off with a realistic looking 12" or 18" stuffed animal bear, fox, wolf or moose. Wrap with cellophane and tie with rope or heavy twine for a more sporty look. For variation, select a zoology magazine and top the assortment with a stuffed animal lion, tiger, orangutan or polar bear. For an aquatic theme, select a fishing basket or similar wicker or reed basket; fill with a boating magazine and an assortment as above or snacks and beverages and top with a plush stuffed animal whale, dolphin or octopus.

Creating a gift basket for a child can be lots of fun. Select a basket that can be used for storing smaller toys in later. Fill with a few bananas, snacks, crayons, and zoo or jungle animal coloring books. Then add a 12" or 18" stuffed animal monkey, giraffe, tiger or lion. Wrap and tie with colorful ribbons.

These are just a few of the endless possibilities of personalized gift baskets you can create by adding plush stuffed animals. Let your imagination run wild and have fun giving gift baskets!

All stuffed animals mentioned are available at StuffedAnimalPlanet.com

The Lingerie Guide to the Universe

2008-03-13T04:28:00.000-07:00

Lingerie does for a woman's body what seasoning does for food. Just as the spices and herbs enhances the flavor of food, corsets, bustier, gowns, sexy bras and thongs enhances the visual effects of a woman's body. I don't know what primitive man first discovered adding herbs and spices to food, but, God bless him. Don't get me wrong... I believe food can be quite tasty without spices; however, it is even better with them. Same for lingerie.

Lingerie accentuates the shape of a woman. Women are beautiful on their own, but lingerie can give that extra kick that makes them bubble with flavors never before imagined.

As I thought about that, I realized I had just made a connection between lingerie and food. How odd, what a strange connection when you think about it. Is there any real connection between lingerie and food? What about everything else in the universe? I think lingerie is linked with the entire universe, and I am out to prove it. Let's take a look at food first.

From Lingerie to Food:

1) Lingerie

loose T-shirt made of cotton, polyester, nylon or diaphanous chiffon that can be worn like a Babydoll.

Polyester

[Synthesis / Alcoholic transesterification] ethylene glycol (doubly alcohol-terminated). Multifunctional monomers (i.e., glycerol) result in cross-linking

Glycerin
Glycerin is used in glycerin soap, in cosmetics and creams, in foods, in chemistry, and in glycerin mist.

Hence we come to food

2) Lingerie
French language, for women's undergarments. These garments are eroticised in Western culture.

Eroticism
Paraphilia

Paraphilia

[Other paraphilias] sitophilia: sexual arousal from food.

And here we are at food again.

3) Lingerie
Merry widow

Merry widow -backed hook-and-eye flange, and the whole garment was lined with nylon voile. Nine long spiral wires were cased in black

Nylon
[Historical uses] conspiracy theorists surmise that cannabis sativa was made illegal because the fibres from the hemp plant, used for fabrics

Hemp
hemp (Cannabis sativa'') as a source of oil, food, fibre, etc. Yep, back to food again.

There you go, at least three ways lingerie is linked to food. What about other things? Well, why not start with some of the obvious ones like sex:

Lingerie to Sex:

1) Lingerie
derived from the French language, for women's undergarments. These garments are heavily eroticised in Western culture.

Undergarment
[History / Present day] at least in advertising. Sex became the main selling point, bringing to fruition a trend that had been building since at least the flapper era

Sex- see, I told you this one was obvious. Want a more obscure one?

2) Lingerie
French maid

French maid
They are a form of ladies' Fantasywear that depending on design, details can be classified as lingerie

Fantasywear
clothing, usually including lingerie, that people wear in the boudoir for living out Sexual Fantasies.

Sex- Not so obvious that time.

3) Lingerie
Robe

Robe
Worn after bathing or other activities where the wearer is nude to keep warm and/or preserve modesty in times of no immediate need to fully dress.

Modesty
friend or family of the same sex

Sex

Ok, another easy one, love.
Lingerie to love:

1) Lingerie
French language, for women's undergarments. These garments are heavily eroticised in Western culture.

Eroticism
is an aesthetic focused on sexual desire, especially the feelings of anticipation of sexual activity.

Lust
[See also] Virtues: Love, Romantic love, List of ethics topics

Love - See how easy that was?

2) Lingerie
French language, for women's undergarments. These garments are heavily eroticised in Western culture.

Eroticism
Human sexuality

Human sexuality
[Topics in human sexuality] love

Love- Still too easy, lets see if we can make this link a little more challenging.

3) Lingerie
Robe

Robe
a garment made of towel like material and is typically worn at home after a bath or other activities where the wearer is wanting to cover up.

Towel
[Pop culture trivia / Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy] the towel can even be used in mele combat. You can use it to hide from the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal Races from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ( this also links lingerie back to the title of this article and Hitchikers guide to the galaxy for which the title was modeled after.)

[Fuolornis Fire Dragon] They often accidentally adored things to bits and hurt the ones they loved because of their rocket-booster breath and park-fence teeth. (That reminds me. I wonder what my ex is up to these days.)

Love

We did love, why not passion.

From Lingerie to Passion:

1)Lingerie
Robe

Robe
A gown worn as part of the religious dress of a cleric, chorister, monk, batizand, etc.

Choir
[Historical overview of choral music / Baroque music] passions and other music. He is also famous for his vast output in chorales, essentially stylistically harmonised

Chorale
passions and other works. These harmonisations are so well known that Bach's name is virtually synonymous with the chorale in

Passion.

2) Lingerie
Corset by bone

Corset
[See also] Body modification

Body modification
teeth, and/or tongues, including amputation, burning, flagellation, piercing, skinning, and wheeling.

Flagellation
[Association with religion / Slavery] Flagellation of Christ, an episode in Jesus' physical degradation leading to the Crucifixion. (See Passion) ( I'll probably get letters on that reference)

Passion

3) Lingerie
Babydoll

Babydoll
it is a common garment for those who indulge in sexualized play-acting around ideas of infantilism.

Infantilism
[The psychology of infantilism / Psychological perspectives on infantilism] infantilism is usually regarded as a type of sexual roleplaying and is often viewed as a variation of BDSM.

BDSM
[Various practices / Switching] BDSM may encompass practices such as erotic spanking, flagellation, such as flogging, paddling or whipping

Flagellation
[Association with religion / Slavery] Flagellation of Christ, an episode in Jesus' physical degradation leading to the Crucifixion. (See Passion)( Just to make sure I get those letters, and possibly death threats, rolling in.)

Passion.

Since I mentioned Jesus Christ in the last reference lets see how lingerie and the church are linked.

From Lingerie to Church:

1) Lingerie
Chemise

Chemise
[Compare] after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, a revolt by the guerilla Protestant "Camisards"

Edict of Nantes
(1598) and ordered the destruction of Huguenotchurches, as well as the closing of Protestant schools

Church- That's kind of a negative relationship, lets see if we can find a positive one.

2) Lingerie
Robe

Robe
A gown worn as part of the religious dress of a cleric, chorister, monk, batizand, etc., in various Choir

Terminology: A vocal ensemble which sings in a church, or sings exclusively sacred music, is called a

Church - Yes that's much better.

3) Lingerie
Garter

Garter (clothing)
Order of the Garter, which traces its history to the Middle English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Middle English
[Literary and Linguistic Cultures] Middle English was one of the three languages current in England. Though never the language of the church, which was always Latin

Church

I have no intention of picking on religion, shall we move on? Let's try something people do in church, like getting married.

Lingerie to Marriage:

1) Lingerie
Garter

Garter (clothing)
and colorful garters were an object of display. In Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, "cross braced" garters are an object of some derision.

Twelfth Night (play)
Olivia asks him to marry her. The play ends in a declaration of marriage between the Duke and Viola, and Olivia and Sebastian

Marriage - Bet you didn't see that one coming.

2) Lingerie
Garter

Garter (clothing)
Groom's privilege to remove the garter and toss it to the male guests. The symbolism to deflowering is unambiguous.

Virgin
especially in regards to religious views of retaining one's virginity before marriage. The term maiden

Marriage

3) Lingerie
Knickers

Knickers
1846 the New York Knickerbockers played the first game of "base ball" organized under those rules, in Hoboken, New Jersey, and were trounced 23 - 1

Hoboken, New Jersey
[Demographics / Post World War II] There are 19,418 households out of which 11.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 23.8% are married couples living together

Marriage

Too easy so far? Well, I own a lingerie and biker clothing store. Many have wondered what the relationship is, so, shall we try that?

From Lingerie to Motorcycle:

1) Lingerie
Corset by bone

Corset
Corsets are typically constructed of a flexible material (like cloth or leather) stiffened with boning

Leather
[Forms of leather / Leather from other animals] Leather is used to make items which need to be strong but flexible, such as motorcycle gloves.

Motorcycle

2) Lingerie
Chemise

Chemise
is a simple garment worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils. Chemise is the French term. Italians called it a "camicia".

French language
[History / Modern issues] There is some debate in today's France about the preservation of the French language and the influence of English (see franglais)

Franglais
old motorcyclist that I loved (play on "mieux vaut tard que jamais" better late than never)

Motorcycle

3) Lingerie
Chemise

Chemise
is a simple garment worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils. Chemise is the French term. Italians called it a "camicia".

French language
[Geographic distribution / Modern issues] Also, there are some French speakers in Lebanon, Cambodia, Egypt, India (Pondicherry), Italy (Aosta Valley)

Cambodia
[Transportation / Civil war and genocide] The locals normally use automobiles, motorbikes and buses. Velotaxis are an additional option often used by visitors.

Motorcycle

4) Lingerie
Bedjacket

Bedjacket
bedjacket is a light jacket, usually a peignoir, worn to bed while sleeping.

Jacket
jacket is a light coat.

Coat
The coat as an article of clothing for humans

Coat (clothing)
[Types of coats / Modern coats and jackets] Motorcycle jacket, a leather jacket, usually black, worn by motorcycle riders

Motorcycle

5) Lingerie
Unitard

Unitard
In erotic or costume use, they are usually referred to as catsuits

Catsuit
Unlike a unitard, its use rarely involves sports, and it may be made of leather, rubber, PVC, or velour

Leather
[Forms of leather / Leather from other animals] Kangaroo leather is used to make items which need to be strong but flexible, such as motorcycle gloves, jackets, mask, and skull caps.

Motorcycle

Sorry about the two additional references, they are my passions. My shop is located in Augusta Ga. What is the link?

Lingerie to Augusta Georgia:

1) Lingerie
Chemise

Chemise
[The history of the chemise] women's shifts did not fall out of fashion until the early 20th century, when they were generally replaced by brassieres, panties, girdles, and

Undergarment
[Underwearing / Present day] The animated cartoon character Homer Simpson is often depicted sitting on his couch in his briefs drinking.

Homer Simpson
[Overview] Dooooh" from the films of Laurel and Hardy.

Laurel and Hardy
[Oliver Hardy] (January 18, 1892 - August 7, 1957) was born Norvell Hardy in Harlem, Georgia near Augusta, Georgia, in the United States of America.

Augusta, Georgia

(bit of a stretch on that one, lets try it in reverse)

1) Augusta, Georgia
[Famous Augustans] Laurence Fishburne, actor

Laurence Fishburne
as well as a recurring role as "Cowboy Curtis" alongside Pee Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) in the CBS children's television show.

Paul Reubens
[Arrest II] as he stated that he was a collector of "erotic artwork" and he had a sizable collection of vintage erotica.

Erotica
[See also] lingerie (erotic underwear)

Lingerie

That one was a little more difficult. Shall we try something really ambiguous. Say, a Mountain?

From Lingerie to Mountain:

1) Lingerie
Chemise

Chemise
is a simple garment worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils. Chemise is the French term. Italians called it a "camicia".

French language
[Geographic distribution / Modern issues] Vanuatu

Vanuatu
[Geography] - are also claimed by the French overseas department of New Caledonia. Most of the islands are mountainous and of volcanic origin.

Mountain

2) Lingerie
French maid

French maid
They are a form of ladies' Fantasywear that depending on design details can be classified as lingerie

Fantasywear
or French Maid or Fraulein outfits ensembles, or by the use of materials such as PVC, Satin or Rubber

Satin
and plain weaves are the 3 basic types of weaving by which the majority of woven products are formed.

Plain
Plains may be more suitable for farming than plateaus or mountains.

Mountain

3) Lingerie
Corsage by elastic

Corsage
bouquet as a fashion accessory attached (usually) to dress

Bouquet
A group of television channels owned by the same company, e.g. British Sky Broadcasting or Turner Broadcasting

Television station
Because some regions have had difficulty picking up over-the-air signals (particularly in mountainous areas), direct-to-home cable or satellite stations provided service.

Mountain

Mountain not big enough? How would we link lingerie to the world?

From Lingerie to World:

1) Lingerie
Camisole

Camisole
camisole is a woman's undergarment which covers the top part of the body. It is sleeveless and tight fitting in contrast to a loose-fitting

Undergarment
[Related topics / Present day] BVD

BVD
BVD arguably was, and remains, the best known initial trademark in the world

World

2) Lingerie
Stockings

Stocking
but now of knitted wool, silk, cotton or nylon (see Hosiery). The word stock used to refer to the bottom "

Cotton
native to the tropical and subtropical regions of both the Old World and the New World.

New World
The continents were new to the Europeans, who thought of the world as consisting only of Europe, Asia

World

3) Lingerie
Chemise

Chemise
[The history of the chemise] women's shifts did not fall out of fashion until the early 20th century, when they were generally replaced by brassieres, panties, girdles, and

Undergarment
Undergarments can also have religious significance, as in the special temple garment worn by followers of the

Religion
[Compare with / Related philosophical stances] - essentially an extremely cautious means of building a supportable, evidenced understanding of our world

World

Let's not stop with this little planet, how about the solar system?

From Lingerie to Solar system:

1) Lingerie
Camisole

Camisole
A Camisole can be worn over a brassiere or without one. Some camisoles come with a built-in underwire bra which eliminates the need for a bra

Brassiere
[Push Up Bras] Some more innovative push-up bras use silicone inserts or water sacks to imitate the fullness of a natural breasts

Silicone
[Chemical terminology] like a ketone group with Si in place of C (the same terminology is used for compounds such as silane, which is an analogue of methane)

Methane
[Methane not on Earth] Methane has been detected or is believed to exist in several locations of the solar system. It is believed to have been created by abiotic processes

Solar system

2) Lingerie
loose T-shirt made of cotton, polyester, nylon or diaphanous chiffon that can be worn like a Babydoll.

Polyester
[Applications] Holograms

Holography
Holograms are common in science-fiction, most notably Star Trek, Star Wars, and Red Dwarf

Red Dwarf
[Invented words / Nova 5] Red Dwarf left the Solar System was apparently the "dollarpound", divided into one hundred "pennycents".

Solar system

3) Lingerie
Corset by bone

Corset
garment worn to mold and shape the torso into a desired shape for aesthetic or orthopaedic purposes

Aesthetics
[Aesthetics in the visual arts] perceived mass, subliminal structure, linear dynamics, tension and repose, pattern, contrast, perspective

Pattern
The planets of our solar system are caught in an incredibly ancient pattern by the gravity of the Sun

Solar system

Keep Going? Galaxy would be next.

From Lingerie to Galaxy:

1) Lingerie
Corset by bone

Corset
a woman's corset was usually worn over a garment called a chemise or shift, a sleeveless low-necked gown made of washable material

Shift
derived meanings of change, such as red shift, Great vowel shift, paradigm shift

Redshift
[Introduction] The term redshift is also used for the observation that light emitted by distant galaxies is shifted to longer wavelengths

Galaxy

2) Lingerie
French language, for women's undergarments. These garments are heavily eroticised in Western culture.

Eroticism
Sexual fantasy

Sexual fantasy
of Christian martyrs, many of whom resort to self-mutilation to preserve their virginity or chastity

Virgin
in many Neopagan traditions. The constellation Virgo represents a wide selection of sacred virgins.

Virgo
[Notable deep sky objects] to 10 west of Vindemiatrix (e Vir), this constellation is especially rich in galaxies.

Galaxy

3) Lingerie
Unitard

Unitard
unitard is a skin-tight one-piece garment with long legs and sometimes long sleeves. It differs from a

One-piece garment
sari

Sari
[The traditional philosophy / Styles] (the body as the world) unites with the sharira-mandala ( the whole universe).

Universe
[Expansion and age, and the Big Bang theory] A fundamental aspect of the Big Bang can be seen today in the observation that the farther away from us galaxies are.

Galaxy

Finally, that gets us to the Universe.

From Lingerie to Universe:

1)Lingerie
Petticoat

Petticoat
skirt, dress or sari. The petticoat is a separate garment hanging from the waist.

Sari
[The traditional philosophy / Styles] (the body as the world) unites with the sharira-mandala ( the whole universe).

Universe

2) Lingerie
Chemise

Chemise
[The history of the chemise] women's shifts did not fall out of fashion until the early 20th century, when they were generally replaced by brassieres, panties, girdles, and

Undergarment
Undergarments can also have religious significance, as in the special temple garment worn by followers of the

Religion
[The nature and content of religion / Questions that religions address] Creation beliefs, which seek to explain the origin of the universe, the Earth, life, and humanity

Universe

3) Lingerie
French maid

French maid
They are a form of ladies' Fantasywear that depending on design details can be classified as lingerie

Fantasywear
or French Maid or Fraulein outfits ensembles, or by the use of materials such as PVC, Satin, etc.

Satin
technique that forms a minimum number of interlacings in a fabric. If fabric is formed with a satin weave using filament fibers such as silk....

Filament
In astronomy, it is used to refer to any thread-like structure in the astronomical universe

Universe

There you go, lingerie is weaved into the very fabric of the universe. I knew it all along. Those that have used lingerie probably know it, too. I wonder if lingerie is the very meaning of life....?

Note: Here are a few more links that deserve mentioning.

Lingerie to Couple:

Lingerie
Babydoll

Babydoll
it is a common garment for those who indulge in sexualized play-acting around ideas of infantilism.

Infantilism
[The psychology of infantilism / Psychological perspectives on infantilism] infantilism is usually regarded as a type of sexual roleplaying and is often viewed as a variation of BDSM. In this variation

BDSM
[See also / Switching] Swinging

Swinging
[History] It has consistently found that swingers have better pair-bonds than monogamous couples. The most recent and most thorough study

Couple

Lingerie to Fidelity:

Lingerie
derived from the French language, for women's undergarments. These garments are heavily eroticised in Western culture.

Undergarment
[History / Middle Ages and Renaissance] urban legend that Crusaders worried about the fidelity of their wives forced them to wear chastity belts.

Fidelity

From Lingerie to Monogamy:

Lingerie
Garter

Garter (clothing)
which traces its history to the Middle English poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
[Plot synopsis / The Meeting with the Green Knight] Arthur refuses to blame Gawain and decrees that all his knights should henceforth wear a green sash in recognition of Gawain's courage and honour

Honour
[Honour, sex, and violence] virginity, or at least to preservation of exclusive monogamy.

Monogamy

James Newton and Edie Deween Own and operate a web site and a shop called Hot Stuff Leather and Lace. Shop is located in Augusta, Ga.

Tall, Plus Size Clothing - Finally Some Options

2008-03-13T00:25:00.000-07:00

If you are plus size and also a tall woman, when it comes to clothes shopping, you probably feel like a minority. There are lots of clothing choices for plus size women and some specialty stores carry tall womens clothing, but put the two combinations together and your choices are limited. Here are a couple of clothing stores options for the tall plus size woman:

1.Fashion Bug carries a few tall plus size pants in inseams up to 35 inches long. Fashion Bug has a special department for tall plus size clothing including jeans, career pants and tall leggings.

2.A great option for the tall plus size woman, is Custom Made Clothing. Lands End is a great choice as you can get custom sized clothing in jeans, chinos and dress shirts. You specify the inseam length up to 40 inches long. You can also get your pants with or without a cuff. They also offer many style choices such as natural or relaxed fit, different waist style choices and flat front or pleated front. Their custom department makes it easy to get pants exactly the way you want them. I have used this option for both shirts and chinos and have been satisfied.

3.Avenue.com has some tall plus size clothing and they even offer designer jeans by Seven for All Mankind with inseam lengths to 33 inches. Avenue has other tall plus size pants with inseams to 34 inches.

If you are a tall plus size woman, you may have to search a little longer to find clothing that is long enough, but the good news is that there are more options available today than ever.

Visit Tall Clothing Mall at http://www.tallclothingmall.com - a great resource for tall men and tall women looking for tall clothing,plus size clothing,big and tall clothing, tall maternity, and large size shoes. This website was created by Krista Mayne, after she became frustrated by the amount of time she spent trying to find tall clothing.

Christian Fulfillment in a Marriage Sex Life

2008-03-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

Having a fulfilled Christian marriage and sex life can be a challenge for Christian couples. Much of the performance burden for Christian fulfillment in marriage sex is with the male. He holds the responsibility of making sure his Christian partner is truly satisfied. It can take literally years to find a common ground where both Christian partners are fulfilled through marriage sex. A much faster path which ensures a healthy, positive Christian fulfillment in marriage sex life can be accomplished in three ways:

1. Rather than going into your Christian marriage sex life with thoughts of nervousness or even embarrassment (which is common and natural), instead feel excitement and joy in knowing that both of you are going through an exciting and erotic learning process together. No shame or guilt should be felt, only excitement, adventure and ecstasy!

2. Develop the attitude from the onset that your Christian fulfillment in marriage sex is an absolutely amazing reward. Envision your erotic journey as adventurous, long lasting, and one that will never ever get old! Many other couples, by the time they get married are actually "burned out" from sex! And many times this is the reason they choose to get married. Sex for them has become uninteresting and they believe the natural next step is settling down. The result tends to be that their sex life simmers even further. Where as the couple seeking a Christian fulfillment in marriage sex ends up having a long, exciting, sexual journey ahead of them.

3. Practice makes perfect. Your Christian fulfillment in marriage sex should consist of practice, and performing exercises that will better enhance sexual activity. There are a variety of ways couples can increase marriage sex pleasures. Taking the time to learn different techniques and perform different exercises together will increase the pleasures and celebration of a strong Christian marriage sex life even further.

To learn amazing Christian sex practices and techniques online, see http://www.christian-intimacy.info/ Here you can learn how to be an amazing Christian lover while holding true to the Christian religion. http://www.christian-intimacy.info/

The History of Battery Electric Vehicles

2008-03-12T05:39:00.000-07:00

Battery Electric Vehicles or BEVs, predated the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. It was between 1832-1839 that Robert Anderson, a Scottish businessman, invented the first electric carriage and Professor Sibrandus Stratingh from the Netherlands designed the first small-scale electric car which was built by his assistant Christopher Becker in 1835.

The storage battery improved, firstly by Gaston Plant, a French physicist who invented the lead acid cell in 1859 and the first rechargeable battery. Then, in 1881, Camille Faure developed a more efficient and reliable battery which became so successful in the early electric cars. This discovery caused battery electric vehicles to flourish, with France and Great Britain being the first nations to support widespread development of electric vehicles.

Prior to 1900, battery electric vehicles held many speed and distance records, the most notable of which, was the breaking of the 100 km/h (60 mph) speed barrier. It was by Camille Jenatzy on April 29, 1899 in a rocket-shaped vehicle named Jamais Contente (Never Happy) which reached a top speed of 105.88 km/h (65.79 mph).

During the early 20th Century, battery electric vehicles outsold gasoline powered vehicles and were successfully sold as town cars to upper-class customers. Because of technological limitations, these cars were limited to a top speed of about 32 km/h (20 mph). The cars were marketed as "suitable vehicles for women drivers". Electric vehicles did not need hand-cranking to start.

One of the downfalls of the battery electric vehicle was the introduction of the electric starter in 1913. It simplified the task of starting an internal combustion engine which was previously difficult and dangerous to start with the crank handle. Another was the mass-produced and relatively cheap Ford Model-T. Finally, the loss of Edisons direct current electric power transmission system. He was battling with George Westinghouse and Nikola Tesla over their desire to introduce alternating current as the principal electricity distribution. Edison's direct current was the load for electric motors.

Battery electric vehicles were limited to niche applications. Forklift trucks were battery electric vehicles when introduced in 1923. BEV golf carts which were used as neighborhood electric vehicles and were partially "street legal". By the late 1930s, the electric automobile industry had disappeared until the invention of the point contact transistor in 1947 which started a new era of electric vehicle.

In 1959 the Henney Kilowatt was introduced and was the world's first modern transistor-regulated electric car and the predecessor to the more recent battery electric vehicles such as General Motors EV1. Only 47 Henney Kilowatts were produced, 24 being sold as 1959 models and 8 as 1960 models. It is not clear what happened to the other 15 built but it could be possible that they were sold as 1961 or 1962 models. None of the 8 1960 models were sold to the public because of the high manufacturing costs, but were sold to the electric cooperatives who funded the project.

It is estimated that there are between four and eight Henney Kilowatt battery electric vehicles still in existence with at least two of the survivors still driven periodically.

Battery electric vehicles have had issues with high battery costs, with limited travel distances, with charging time and the lifespan of the battery, although advancements in battery technology has addressed many of those problems.

At the present time, controversy reigns over battery electric vehicles. Campaigners, (et al) for BEV's are accusing three major US automobile manufacturers of deliberately sabotaging BEV efforts through several methods, for instance, failing to market, failing to produce appropriate vehicles, by failing to satisfy demand and using lease-only programs with prohibitions against end of lease purchase.

In their defense, the three major manufacturers they have responded that they only make what the public want and the current trend is that the public doesn't want battery electric vehicles.

Although we have the technology to manufacture and provide BEVs, one of the biggest downfalls for the prolific production of BEVs is the extortionate cost of replacement batteries. In some cases the cost of replacement batteries can be more than the price of the whole vehicle, especially when buying used battery electric vehicles.

http://battery-electric-vehicles-site.com provides information on everything related to Battery Electric Vehicles. If you stop by our site you will get some education in different forms of computer addiction. Be sure to check out our page on The History of Battery Electric Vehicles.

Barbie Through the Years

2008-03-12T00:56:00.000-07:00

No doubt about it, Barbie dolls have taken the world by storm. Every second, a Barbie doll is being sold somewhere in the world, catapulting it into a billion dollar success with business interests that range from the dolls, to movie cds, to computer games, to clothes to shoes and other fashion accessories.

It is said that if all the barbies that have been sold in the market since 1959 are to be placed one over the other from the head to the toe, the dolls would have circled the earth not just once or twice but seven times.

It may seem such a great idea now but at that time when it came out in the market, toy critics were pretty skeptical with it. The doll is an innovation. Never before had they seen a doll that is so small and yet so sophisticated. Compared to the dolls that came out that year, the Barbie doll seems to be too complicated for a kid.

Still, Ruth Handler pushed on with her invention, launching a TV campaign that caught the imagination of little girls worldwide. It was not long before the Barbie doll became a bestseller. The idea of creating a Barbie started when Ruth saw her daughter playing with paper dolls and paper clothes.

She then thought, why not make a three-dimensional toy that little girls can actually play with and dress up? Why not make a teenaged doll which little girls can look up to? She researched the market and found that there are no manufacturers of dolls like the one she is imagining. She then created the doll through her company, which she founded with her husband Elliot Handler.

The very first doll that came out is a teenage fashion model, clad in a black and white striped bathing suit. She had long hair tied in swirled ponytails. Through the years, Barbie dolls adapted the current fashion of that decade, sometimes even blazing in her own fashion trends. She even wore couturier creations and designer clothes, not only from the United Stated but also from around the world. In fact, in 1960, she began wearing outfits like the Gay Parisienne and the Easter Parade, which are both gotten from the famous fashion houses of France.

Barbie became the image of American girls, copying the styles of famous fashion icons like Jackie Onassis. One of the most popular look that Barbie set is the American Girl, who has a chin-length Dutch-boy hairstyle.

Low Jeremy maintains http://barbie.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

Sleep And The Bear Gay Community

2008-03-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

Sleep is a dynamic process that our brain and body needs for physical restoration and proper mental processing. According to Fadia (2002), the amount of sleep that is necessary depends on a number of factors (age, weight, etc.) Infants require about 16 hours of sleep while teenagers require around 9. For most adults, about 7 or 8 hours of sleep tends to be the average. However, there are some adults that require as less as 5 hours a night and as much as 10 hours of sleep per night. In addition the amount of sleep a person needs will also increase if that person has been deprived of sleep or experiencing sleep deprivation. This causes sleep debt. This means that when a person is deprived of sleep that sleep must then be made up (2002).

Many people are able to notice the difference between a good night sleep and waking up feeling sleep deprived. However, those who have constantly had to deal with sleep deprivation developed a conditioning that overtime became normalized. They were unable to determine that sleep deprivation had caused and continues to cause impairments in their judgment, reaction time and/or in their overall functioning. They simply have come to believe that this is the way it is for them. This process has been noted in larger heavier individuals that have been heavy most of their lives. Thus, this article will focus on sleep disorders and gay men in the bear community in order to increase awareness regarding the health risks posed by sleep disorders in the GLBTQ community.

Sleep Apnea: A Common Sleep Disorder Affecting the Bear Community

What is Sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a sleep breathing disorder that causes severe sleep deprivation by interrupting sleep and collapsing the windpipe. This occurs because of a build up of extra tissue in the neck area from weight gain. Men tend to gain weight in their neck and have thicker, heavier necks. When we fall asleep our muscles relax throughout our body. When our throat muscles relax the weight of the neck, along with attempting to inhale causes the windpipe to collapse and become blocked. When this occurs the individual must wake up to regain his muscle tone in order to open the windpipe and breathe. This occurs for just about three seconds before returning to sleep and usually the individual is unaware of waking. However, some individuals may have awareness that their sleep is very restless. They may even wake up coughing from a dry throat. The number one sign that one may have sleep apnea is snoring. Everyone that has sleep apnea snores. However, everyone that snores may not have sleep apnea. Additionally, if ones neck is greater than 17 inches then there is a greater risk of having or developing sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can be very dangerous as it deprives the body of oxygen and results in chronic sleep deprivation and disease if not treated. Symptoms such as morning headaches, loss of sex drive and a decline in mental overall functioning (loss of concentration, memory deficits, etc.) could be signs that you have sleep apnea. Sleep deprivation clearly also has an effect on our mood and can lead to experiencing symptoms of depression and irritability. This can affect your performance at work and/or your personal relationships with your partner(s) and family. Additionally, sleep apnea can put one in a higher risk category for stroke, hypertension, and heart attack. It also can suppress the immune system influencing how efficiently the body fights infection. Thus, sleep apnea can lead to an increase in ones viral load and decrease T-cells if HIV positive.

Diagnosing in the Sleep Lab and Treatment

In order to find out for sure if you have sleep apnea, you need to be evaluated by a physician. Your primary care physician can refer you to a sleep specialist that can order an overnight sleep study. A sleep technologist will then apply sensors to measure your sleep stages, eye movements, heart rate, breathing, muscle tone and leg movements and oxygen levels and then fit you with a mask for the CPAP. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a device that blows air in your airway to create pressure that lifts the soft throat tissue off of the airway allowing it to stay open. You should also get a chance to practice with the mask before going to bed. So talk to your technologist about the proper fit of the mask.

There are a number of choices to choose from. It is important that no air is able to escape through the sides of the mask when wearing it. If there is, then tell your technologist. After going to bed, the technologist will monitor your sleep for the first half of the night in order to get a baseline of your sleep. If the technologist assesses you as meeting the criteria for sleep apnea, he or she will put on your CPAP mask and turn on the CPAP machine. It is important to note that this treatment is non invasive and is part of the overnight study. After the study, your results will be ready in about two weeks or so. At that point, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your test results as well as treatment options besides CPAP.

Conclusion

Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder and has been known to cause accidents in the workplace resulting in lawsuits and personal injury. So if you believe you are at risk for this sleep disorder, talk to your doctor or health care professional. Relief could be just around the corner. We value our Bears. You deserve it and you are worth it!

Barry Aneda is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Associate Counselor working with our GLBTQ community in the field of Addictions and HIV/AIDS.

For more information you can visit him at http://www.barryaneda.com. To visit him at his virtual office, simply click the link titled Visit My Virtual Office.

Soccer Lessons - How To Kick a Soccer Ball Properly

2008-03-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

One of the most important soccer lessons and the first thing to know on kicking a soccer ball is what not to do. Do not kick a soccer ball with your toes, unless you are poking the ball to steel it from an opponent. There is not enough surface area on the toes to be able to aim the ball properly.

When kicking the ball the most powerful place to strike the ball with is the instep of your foot (the place where the shoelaces are). You will use this kicking technique most often.

Your supporting foot should be in line with the ball and the leg should be slightly bent. Once you strike the ball, follow through with a sweeping motion.

The inside of the foot is also used to kick the ball.

The supporting foot should be pointed at the target and in line with the ball.

Swing your kicking foot through the ball using a sweeping motion.

The ball should move smoothly along the ground.

A more advanced kick is achieved by using the outside of the foot

The supporting foot should be angled at about 15 from the target. You need to be sure your foot is firmly locked before striking the ball. This is one of the most important soccer lessons and guidelines that you should follow when kicking a soccer ball.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Andre Botelho is a recognized authority on the subject of soccer lessons and coaching. His web site, Soccer Drills and Tips provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on how to improve soccer skills and make training more fun and interesting.

Get The Customers Hooked on Your Product or Service

2008-03-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

People want experts: toot your horn and hook them on what you have to say.

Experts will give advice freely but will not give away the farm in the process. Most experts like to share their knowledge with others. If you want to be an expert then the more information (that is, useful information) you provide, the more people will come back to your website. You need to have a hook that has them coming back for more. Ask them what they want, ask for feedback and then follow up on the feedback. Let them know you are listening to what they have to say. Print their rebuttals in your next newsletter. Have them use your BLOG. Always respond and keep the information up-to-date. They will tell everyone they know that they were published on your site.

Keep them coming back by having your audience contribute to your newsletter. Every time you send out a message that you are looking for articles, providing you ask in the correct forums, you will get a good response. Join newsgroups that have writers and let them know that you are putting together electronic information and want to have contributions on a specific subject. You may opt to pay or not to pay for the publishing, depending on your focus. You will not be disappointed with the response.

After all, you can either do all the writing yourself, or you can lessen your load by having other writers. Take a look at the writers market. They have listings of all kinds of eMedia that are looking for articles. Get your company listed in their directory. If you offer pay, your response will be higher than if you do not.

Get people interested in what they read, give them a place to send rebuttals and to contribute to your newsletters, etc.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get peoples attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the Networking Queen. Blueprints for Success - Networking: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprints for Success Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2006. For more information visit http://www.BlueprintBooks.com

Dry Skin Solution for Men

2008-03-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, the Christmas melodies playing on the radio, the snow falling and covering the city with a white blanket and the harsh cold winds blowing against your face ripping it apart!

Not everything this time of year is merry. Aside from gaining some weight after the Christmas dinner, our skin is also affected this time of year with the cold winds. Tons of guys get dry skin this time of year and of course chapped lips as well. So whats a man to do?

The most common mistake people make when it comes to caring for winter skin is spending too much time in hot water. After hours in sub-zero temperatures, nothing feels better than jumping in a steamy shower. But though the water is wetting your skin, the heat is drying it out. If youre going to take long showers, keep them lukewarm. Hot baths are worse, says Dr. Stephen Webster, a dermatologist at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisc.

If you have a greasy frying pan, you put it in hot, soapy water to remove the grease, Webster says. If you put a child in hot, soapy water, you remove all of the natural oils. The same goes for adults.

Once youre out of the shower, youve got only three minutes to pat dry and apply moisturizer to retain the water in your skin. Even five or 10 minutes is too long to waitmost of the moisture will have evaporated. The same goes for moisturizing right after washing your hands, Webster says.

With so many moisturizers to choose from, picking one can be difficult. But I must stress that men MUST by moisturizers for men. Dont settle for any moisturizer, remember than a mans skin is different from womens. For women, moisturizers include creamier, more fragrant products, while for men its usually less greasy ones.

Here are our Top 5 picks for Moisturizers this Winter of 2007:

1. The Art of Shaving: Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
2. Sharps Barber and Shop: Daily Prep Oil-Free Lotion SPF 15
3. Peter Thomas Roth: Oil-Free Moisturizer
4. Jack Black: Double-Duty Face Moisturizer, SPF 20
5. Murad: Skin Perfecting Lotion

Keeping your skin moist this winter will take a little effort, but it will go a long way.

Oh yeah and unless you want to have cracked lips all winter, invest a couple of bucks on a mens lip balm, unless you want those cherry flavored ones they sell at CVS.

Joqtan A. is an expert writer for Men's Skin Care Tips. Find the best men's skin care products, tips and reviews.

The Key Features of Microsoft SQL Server 2005

2008-03-10T16:22:00.000-07:00

Microsoft SQL training is important to learn all about the different versions of this program. And, once the class is taken it is important for technicians to continue their education when new versions of SQL are available. For example, SQL 2005 training is necessary for techs to understand all the ins and outs of the Microsoft SQL Server 2005. It is worthwhile to take SQL 2005 training classes because it keeps you up to date and improves your income. When you take a class of this nature you will learn about some of the key features of Microsoft SQL 2005.

T SQL, also known as Transact-SQL is a variant of SQL and is used in the Microsoft SQL Server. This additional syntax helps in stored procedures. TDS, Tabular Data Stream, is what both Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase/ASE use to communicate. This was also incorporated into the FreeTDS project so that more Microsoft SQL Server and Sybase databases could communicate. The most recent version is SQL Server 2005. This supports the connectivity to Web services SOAP protocol. What this means is those clients that do not use windows can communicate across the SQL Server. There is also a certified JDBC driver that was released by Microsoft that allows Java applications to communicate to the Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and 2005.

This server includes clustering and mirroring of databases. Basically, an SQL server cluster is several servers that are configured identically. This allows multiple servers to take their part of the workload. There is an identical virtual server name given to all of the servers so that it is made into the IP address. Data partioning is also support for distributed databases for the SQL server. The SQL Server 2005 also introduced database mirroring. This means that replicas of the information in the database could be saved on another SQL Server. The creation of snapshots is also allowed on the SQL Server 2005. This basically a backup image that is saved in case it is needed.

Merge replication was also available that allows for synchronization of the database when other servers participated in the replication. The changes in databases happen independently but in merge replication they are synchronized on all the databases. There is also support built in for conflict resolution. The support network introduced for SQL Server 2005 is .NET Framework. This allows for any of the stored procedures to be written into .Net language.

Caitlina Fuller writes about technology and computers. Microsoft SQL training is necessary for techs to understand all the ins and outs of the Microsoft SQL Server 2005. It is worthwhile to take SQL 2005 training classes because it keeps you up to date and improves your income. When you take a class of this nature you will learn about some of the key features of Microsoft SQL 2005.

Cycling Tips To Avoid Cycling Injuries

2008-03-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise that there is and it is for all ages and abilities as well as being as affordable or expensive as you wish to make it! So whether you're a keen cyclist or a casual peddler, you can improve your performance, wellbeing and comfort with these tips:

**Brake correctly by placing your hands at the ends of the levers.
**On a long downhill, don't stay on your brakes. This may overheat the tire rims, which could cause a blow out. Rather, tap the brakes from time to time.
**Don't pedal in high gear for long spells. This can increase the pressure on your knees and lead to injury.
**Position the handles accurately about 1, 5 cm lower than the top of the seat. **Change your hand and body positions frequently to avoid stiffness.
**Keep your arms loose and don't lock your elbows, they should be bent in order to absorb any bumps, rather than the knock going straight on to the joint.

Cycling is a wonderful activity for fitness and fun, but beginner cyclists need to be aware of ways they can reduce strain and injury on the joints and muscles.

The right gear

Wearing a bicycle helmet is an obvious preventative measure. But many beginning riders aren't aware of the importance of having a bike that fits you properly. For example, a bike that's not correctly sized and fitted to the rider can cause knee, back, neck, arm and wrist problems.

A good bike shop will help you to find the correct size of bike and adjust it to fit you properly. Improper riding techniques can also cause cycling injuries. If you ride with too much pedal resistance, you can strain your quadriceps or knee. Too little pedal resistance can cause increased pressure on your back and the base of the pelvic region.

Experienced cyclists pedal at between 90 100 pedal revolutions per minute. A reasonable resistance for beginning cyclists is from 60 to 80.

Hydration

Drinking ample amounts of fluids helps prevent muscle cramping. It is recommended that you consume 120 to 240 ml of sports drink every 15 to 20 minutes while cycling.

Saddle sores such as chafing and skin irritation are a likely cycling injury. To help prevent this, you should have a properly fitted saddle and should wear cycling shorts with padding in the bottom to protect skin.

How to avoid cycling injuries and remain injury free to enjoy cycling!

Purebreds and Cross Breeds: Good Temperament vs Good Health

2008-03-10T02:50:00.000-07:00

Purebreds, you can find them in movies, in forums, web sites and even exclusively in dog shows. They are popular and are well-liked by many people and dog owners. Cross breeds also known as mutts are not so fortunate. They get little attention and are widely found in animal shelters. Why is there such a huge disparity? This article seeks to discuss that and help you learn more about pure and mixed breeds.

Pure Breeds are dogs that are well-documented and acknowledged by the public as a group with similar lineage. They are selectively bred dogs that produce a particular body type and specific behaviors that are relatively similar throughout the particular breed. In order for a dog to be recognized as a true breed, it must be proven that its parents are of the same ancestry such that they will pass on their exact temperament, characteristic and appearance - this is known as breeding true.

For people involved with professional breeding, there is a huge difference between purebreds and mutts. Some cross breeds might well be purebred, they only lack the proper paper to prove that they are so. If you are looking for a pet and have no interest in entering competitions with your dog, this might be a viable option for you and the cost is considerably lower too.

The selection process of purebreds is done very carefully. The pair is tested for every possible disease which includes having all the information regarding the pair's ancestors and health records on file. Should there be no problem in the history of the pair, then the breeding can begin. During testing, should the pair is not compatible due to diseases that are common in a specific breed, another dog will be selected as a match instead.

There are many places to get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if you want to get a purebred, it is advisable to seek a reputable breeder to get the best results.

Cross breeds in contrast are likely to have been bred out of experimentation to produce a better, stronger and healthier breed than its parents. It is also very likely that they are the results of accidents. On the whole, cross breeds are so different it is almost impossible for anyone to list down their various characteristics in details.

When it comes to the dog's health, purebreds could encounter lesser problems because the breeder has done a good job in screening and getting the best and healthy dogs to breed. On the other hand, a relatively common issue with purebreds is that they face higher chances to inherit health problems from their parents; eye diseases that cause blindness, bone and joint disorders that cause lameness, sudden heart disease that causes early death, epilepsy, seizures, or immune system diseases, just to name a few of the over 300 genetic health defects documented in dogs.

The chances of a purebred being infected with inherited health issues is much higher due to 2 primary reasons:

1. The AKC makes it compulsory for all purebreds involve in the breeding process to be dogs that are registered with them, only then will their offspring be recognized as purebreds. This rule take off the large majority of other dogs that could have been available to breed. Because of this reason, most purebreds are bred on a close gene pool with similar ancestry. Without the introduction of new and unrelated genes in to the breed in the long run, purebred dogs suffer from "loss of genetic diversity," which inevitably leads to dogs with inherited health problems.

2. There are instances where certain breeders are more concerned about financial gain rather than the welfare of the animal. This is especially true of those breeders who do not practice the strict guidelines of proper breeding thereby producing inferior dogs.

To avoid getting a dog with inherited health problems, you should always look for responsible breeders who make their dogs go through medical tests as proof of good health. Some of the health tests are - Cardiac test to detect certain heart diseases, Ophthalmic test to determine the presence of PRA and cataracts, X-rays to detect hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Bear in mind that not all tests are required as certain inherited health problems are present in certain breeds only.

Mixed bred dogs on the other hand are surprising generally healthier than purebreds. Cross breeds tend to enjoy better health and vigor because of their wide range of genes diversity. The main reason is because the parents' genes are by and large not related, it is highly unlikely for the puppy to inherit bad genes that are not presented in both parents. It is usually the pairing up of the same defective genes that cause inherited health problems to occur.

Some dog owners has a tendency to like purebreds more than cross breeds. The primary reason is that it carries a certain prestige with it, often glamorized by television, movies and breeders. They are also constantly featured at dog shows where mixed dogs are not allowed to compete in without a compelling reason.

These incidents led the public to believe that the cross breeds are inferior dogs when compare to the purebreds, therefore they create lesser interests and awareness from the public. It is a shame to see most of them being round up frequently and left to die in animal shelters.

To conclude, purebreds will give you predictable characteristics that you are looking for in a dog, but suffer from higher potential for genetic defects and inherited health problems.

Cross breeds are more likely to be healthier on the whole, nevertheless, you have to accept the fact that your dog has the chance to grow up into something that is not predictable, including his appearance and temperament. The only option is to make smart educated guesses by observing its parents closely. Nevertheless, you also know that your dog is truly unique and one of its kind.

To bring a dog into your life is a long commitment and possibly a life changing decision. You should avoid making a decision to get a puppy solely on the fact if it is pure breed or not. In fact, the more important aspect is to consider getting a dog breed that suits your lifestyle and family.

Moses Wright is an experience dog lover. He loves to help dog owners with their dog problems and do so by consolidating his years of dog ownership experience into a free book filled with simple yet powerful dog training tips: http://www.dogsobediencetraining.com/dogger_enews.htm

Shiba Inus- Big Dog in a Little Dogs Body

2008-03-09T20:57:00.000-07:00

A Shiba Inu is a Japanese dog breed that looks like a miniature Akita. The name means Little Brush-Wood Dog in Japanese. These dogs were originally used for hunting; specifically, to flush out birds and small animals from low brush in the woods.

We acquired our Shiba as a Grand-dog. Our son was in college, and his apartment building was being sold. The new landlord forbade pets. I remember to this day the tearful phone call as he pleaded us to take the dog temporarily. Mom, its only until I graduate from college! That was in 1999, and he graduated in 2000. We still have the dog, named Ohinnea, but known to everyone as Honey.

If you are looking for a canine companion who will follow your commands without question, and will try to please you, better look for another breed of dog. Shiba Inus require an owner with much patience, understanding, love and a stronger will.

The Shiba Inu is not your average dog. It is not normally compliant and obedient, like, for example, a German Shepherd. They have bad habits, such as charging the door when it is open and running outside and tearing and shredding things to make a sleeping nest- anything from an old blanket to my husbands $200 sleeping bag! They dont like to be fenced in, and will tunnel under your fences and landscape your yard with craters in an attempt to run freely around the neighborhood. They are usually not good with other dogs, even other Shibas, wanting to be only children. The Shiba understands I, me, my, and mine. To the Shiba, every member of the household in which it lives is a member of the dogs pack, and he/she is the Alpha Dog! Shibas are actually better around cats, as many Shibas think they ARE cats! These little dogs have great stamina and courage but rarely get taller than 15.5" at the shoulder and weigh in at under 30 lbs. 20 to 25 lbs. is average for a male. The females are generally smaller than males by 1" or 2".

Shibas can rightfully be described as sturdy, healthy little dogs, able to withstand the rigors of outdoor life as well as enjoying the comfort of indoor dwelling. However, they are prone to skin allergies, and can contract a horrible case of allergic dermatitis from the bite of one flea. So, flea control is essential to keeping this breed healthy. Our dog requires a diet of a lamb and rice based dog food, since certain commercial dog foods also trigger the dermatitis. Once started, the dermatitis is responsive to treatment with a course of doggie penicillin, doggie prednisone, and a sulfur-based dip, that Honey hates like the plague, and that makes her smell like rotten eggs. Older Shibas are also prone to hip dysplasia, making it difficult and painful for them to walk.

Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems!

http://www.ezniche.com/data/article.php?l=212

Dottye Blake is a Realtor in Central Florida, and a wife, mother and grandmother. She is the published author of a book and several short stories, songs, articles and poems.

The Littlest God

2008-03-09T14:12:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my favourite inspirational tales. Read on ...

It was not long after the Gods had created humankind that they very soon realised that they had made a huge mistake. The creatures that they had created were so adept, so skilful, so full of curiosity and the spirit of enquiry that it was only a matter of time before they would start to challenge the Gods themselves for supremacy.

To ensure their pre-eminence, the Gods held a large conference to discuss the issue. Gods were summoned from all over the known and unknown worlds. The debates were long, detailed, and soul-searching, and lasted well into the night.

They were all unanimous about one thing. What differentiated the Gods from the mortals that they had created were the differences between the quality of the resources they had. While humans had their egos and were concerned with the external, material aspects of the world, the Gods had spirit, soul, and an understanding of the workings of the inner self.

The Gods realised that sooner or later the humans would want some of that too.

And so the Gods decided to hide their precious resources. The question was: where? This was the reason for the length and passion of the debates at the Great Conference of the Gods.

Some suggested hiding these resources at the top of the highest mountain. But it was realised that sooner or later the humans would scale such a mountain.

And the deepest crater in the deepest ocean would be discovered.

And mines would be sunk into the earth.

And the most impenetrable jungles would give up their secrets.

And mechanical birds would explore the sky and space.

And the moon and the planets would become tourist attractions.

And even the wisest and most creative of the Gods fell silent as if every avenue had been explored and found wanting. Where on earth could they hide these precious resources?

And then, the Littlest God, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Why dont we hide these resources inside each human? They will never think to look for them there."

And so they did. Many of us don't think to look at our own resources, or those of our workforces, but when we do we can often find real power.

Derek Cheshire is an expert, speaker, consultant and facilitator in the areas of Business Creativity, Innovation and Idea Generation. He is creator of the Innovation Toolkit, and co creator of workshops such as Creating The Difference, Creativity as a Business Tool, Sticky Strategy and The Idea Factory.

You can receive regular ideas and updates on Business Creativity and Innovation by visiting http://www.creative4business.co.uk and filling out the simple sign up form.

Maintenance on Rental Property - UK Landlords

2008-03-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

Emergencies
One of the biggest problems relating to the management of property is maintenance. Maintenance problems tend to fall into two camps.

The first is emergency work; those things that occur which need immediate attention. These can be a whole range of things from smashed windows to blown fuses. However, in my experience a good 50% relate to plumbing matters. A boiler that fails to start up, showers or washing machines that start leaking or taps that wont shut off. Depending on the severity of the problem, they often need immediate attention in order to prevent serious long-term damage.

This is why being on good terms with a plumber is useful. If you can cultivate a friendship with a trustworthy plumber; this relationship will turn out to be priceless. Its always good if you also have a back up as well, just in case the other is away or cant meet the required timescale. Remember emergency plumbers arent cheap; so try and use them as a last resort. If the problem can wait for even just a few hours so that your regular plumber can look at it; the cost will probably half.

You should remember though that you do have a legal responsibility to the tenant to get the problem sorted as soon as possible. In addition, leaving it may prove far more expensive than acting immediately so there is a lot to evaluate quickly before you make your decision. Always remember that ensuring that appliances such as boilers and cookers are serviced regularly should cut down the chances that they will go wrong in the first place.

Other types of emergencies are likely to be electrical, or appliance based; such as an oven that stops working. In these situations, if you havent got somebody at hand that can do the work, you can do what I have done on a number of occasions try using the trades directory www.yell.com . Its never ideal using somebody you dont know or is not personally recommended, but often I have found very competent & helpful people using standard directory services.

A few tips for your selection strategy.
Always start by trying to select local tradesmen. This way they are more likely to be able to help quickly and charge you less if for instance they can do your job on the way home. Remember to test out their experience and knowledge first on the phone to make sure they will be able to do the job. Finally, good trades men are normally busy, so be wary if they appear too desperate to help you out.

On-going
In addition to these urgent jobs, there is the inevitable longer-term maintenance work. If unattended these jobs can cause long-term damage to your investment. You have to be careful though as these jobs can come back to haunt you. This is because:

a) The tenant doesnt tell you until the damage has become major or you discover them yourself when they move out.
b) Because the problem is not pressing you ignore it as it is not major and there always seems to be more important things to do.

Scenario (a) is an example of why regular inspections are essential. They should allow you to pick up on these problems, before they get too large. Scenario (b) is entirely of the landlords making and cannot be blamed on anybody else.

The best way to avoid it is to have an organised maintenance schedule. Time can often be a problem for a busy landlord. One way of saving time is to avoid having to shop for the products you need to carry out the work.

Finally, be aware of the provisions of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 requiring you to keep the property in good repair. Failure to keep up with the maintenance could leave you open to legal challenge, particularly if you get into a dispute with the tenant. Then these minor maintenance matters can often be used as a reason for non-payment of rent.

Chris Horne has 20 years experience as a property professional having worked for companies such as English Partnerships and Drivers Jonas as a planning and surveying consultant.

He now works full time as a investor and property developer.

He also has developed the site Property Hawk targeted at UK Landlords it provides FREE Property Management Software.

Property Hawk also includes a mass of Buy to Let targeted information, FREE Tenancy agreements, Inventory Forms, financial and management tools. Its primary aim is to make managing property simpler for UK Landlords.

propertyhawk.co.uk is the Landlord's Homepage

This Year for Mercedes-Benz R-Class

2008-03-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

German car maker Mercedes-Benz continues to elevate the features of its R-Class. The introduction of the new R 280 CDI 4MATIC und R 63 AMG 4MATIC models, which will become available this autumn, spurred the expansion of the touring SUV's product range to five engine variants. The result is the extended output range of the six and eight-cylinder engines from 140 kW/190 hp to 375 kW/510 hp.

Aside from the quality Mercedes catalytic converter that come along with the car, Mercedes-Benz will also equip the R-Class with additional driver-support systems that will ensure further driving convenience. Other than innovations such as the radar-based DISTRONIC proximity control system, the comfort-enhancing systems will be available with actively ventilated front seats, LINGUATRONIC voice control system and a rear-view camera for safe and easy parking. The driver's stress level as measured by the heart rate is significantly lower in the R-Class than in other rival vehicles.

The R-Class's thrilling level of long-distance comfort evidences, which makes a very important contribution to driver-fitness safety, is provided by scientific studies conducted by DaimlerChrysler Research.

Committed to its role as a trend setter, Mercedes-Benz has built a completely new vehicle concept with the R-Class that blends exemplary traveling comfort and a high level of variability with a huge loading capacity of up to 2385 liters, a sophisticated design and the extremely high level of safety typical of a Mercedes. Having such features, this 4+2-seater gives today's drivers the real pleasure for a car that is ideal for the family, recreation, travel and work - in short, for every use imaginable. Moreover, the touring SUV is also available in two body variants, which differ in their wheelbase dimensions (2980 millimeters or 3215 millimeters) and their lengths (4922 of 5157 millimeters).

The diesel engine range available for the R-Class will be added with a further six-cylinder engine, also equipped with a third-generation common-rail direct injection. Aside from the R 320 CDI 4MATIC (165 kW/224 hp), Mercedes-Benz will also be offering the new R 280 CDI 4MATIC, which can yield a power of 140 kW/190 hp. The result would be R-Class top speed of 210 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 9.8 seconds, and this would be made possible due to its powerful torque of 440 Nm (from 1400 to 2800 rpm). Combined fuel consumption is 9.3 liters per 100 kilo-meters. The new R 280 CDI 4MATIC, therefore, can travel for more than 850 kilometers on a tank full of fuel.

Furthermore, the V6 diesel engine features a high-pressure pump (1600 bar), piezo injectors, and a variable nozzle turbine (VNT) turbocharger. With these, low emissions and smooth operation are ensured. Two oxidation-type catalytic converters and a maintenance-free particulate filter are also some of R 280 CDI 4MATICs standard equipments.

Its six-cylinder unit is mated with the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. This is electronically operated by the driver by means of the DIRECT SELECT lever on the steering column. The R 280 CDI 4MATIC is exclusively available with a 2980 millimeter wheelbase.

Meanwhile for more about your Mercedes catalytic converter needs, check out reliable sources on the net.

Rain Stockton is an engineer by profession. He is a motorsports fanatic, especially F1 and NASCAR. He seldom fails to attend major car racing events. A frustrated race car driver, he spends some of his free time working in one of the largest automotive shops in Indianapolis.

A Feature To Use In Pencil Drawings

2008-03-08T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here's something different to try when you start your next pencil drawing.

Have you heard of frottage? It is the act of rubbing to create a texture.

So, if I placed paper over a coin and rubbed my pencil over the impression, I would have a frottage. Some people refer to it as "rubbings." It is similar to an embossing technique because you can create a 3D design on a 2D surface.

Kick start this little venture by collecting various items with different textures. That would be things like bits of wood, leaves or scraps of lace. Anything that sits reasonably flat under your paper. A 2B pencil is probably the best grade pencil to start with.

Let's try a piece of wood, first. I think wood has the most interesting texture of all. Then again, I haven't finished my search yet so that could be a broad statement. I'd love to hear from you if you discover something really good.

Rub the side of your pencil over the paper, where the wood is sitting beneath it. Watch the pattern emerging on your paper. Now, rub in a different direction. Notice that you end up with a different pattern.

Isn't it fascinating?

Do an experiment and feel the object you are about to rub. Imagine what pattern you think will emerge. Now, rub over it. It looks nothing like you thought, does it? The lights and darks look fabulous, as well.

Go ahead and test every different grade of pencil using different directions. It would be advisable to use plain copying paper. Frottage wouldn't work to its fullest potential if you have thick paper.

Look at your paper where you've tried all the different items you've rubbed. You can see all sorts of images and formations - just like when you look at clouds.

Do a landscape sketch and use frottage to give different objects an interesting look. Even if you use wood to do the trunk of a tree, it would look very intriguing. I don't recommend that you be so predictable but it would be a good starting place. Once you get the hang of it, you don't have to limit yourself that way.

The sky is the limit with this feature. Enjoy experimenting with this little project.

Author Kerry Godsall is the webmaster at http://www.allaboutdrawings.com where you'll find plenty of easy pencil drawings to copy. If you want more ideas and drawing tips, you can have access to these when you sign up for the free newsletter

Defining Relationship Commitment for Today's Couples

2008-03-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS COMMITMENT?

The question of when a relationship is committed is a source of much confusion and debate. We live in a time when the marriage rate is going down, the co-habitation rate is going up, and the majority of first-born children are now born to unmarried parents.

In this article I hope to shed some light on this question to facilitate your work with couples and individuals challenged by different perceptions of the status of their relationships.

COMMITMENT VS. PROMISE

I recently had a conversation with a woman who told me she had just broken off a "committed" relationship. A few questions later I learned that she had been dating this person for a year, they were not living together, and the reason she broke it off is that he "cheated."

We talked about pre-committed vs. committed relationships, and she agreed that it was a pre-committed relationship, but insisted that they had made a "commitment" to each other.

OK, things are getting clearer. On the one hand is the status of the relationship- pre-committed vs. committed, and on the other hand are commitments made within the relationship. Macro vs. micro. Two different things, right?

In our conversation, it occurred to me to make a distinction between a "Commitment" vs. a "Promise." They made a promise to each other within the context of a relationship that was not committed. That distinction seemed to help her make more sense of things.

When I asked the RCI coaches for feedback on the "commitment vs. promise" distinction, most felt that it was just semantics and there is not much of a difference. The general consensus was that when you make a promise you are making a commitment.

Well, I agree that it is a question of semantics, and here is my definition of terms:

PROMISE: Verbally stated future intention to perform a

specific act.

- I promise to pick up your dry cleaning and not forget this time

- I promise to be exclusive in our relationship

COMMITMENT:

Both a FACT demonstrated by behavior, and an ATTITUDE consisting of thoughts and beliefs.

- I am committed to keeping my promises

- I am committed to our relationship

In short, a promise is something you say, and a commitment is something you do. A promise is situation-specific. A commitment is contextual.

A promise is a small commitment. If a potential partner doesn't keep promises, I would question their ability to keep commitments, as they are definitely related.

CONFUSION ABOUT COMMITMENT

Whether or not you agree with my semantics, the distinction I made between a commitment and a promise was helpful for the above conversation.

The larger picture though, is that I see a lot of confusion about the status of today's relationships. Some years ago when I coined the term "pre-commitment" to describe couples that were exclusive but not yet committed, it was a helpful distinction, but the question remains- "What is commitment?"

When you are married, it is clear you are in a committed relationship. Your commitment is a legal contract and a publicly witnessed FACT. However, it is common for couples in trouble for one or both partners to have an uncommitted ATTITUDE.

I have talked with many unmarried people, as the woman above, who have described themselves in "committed relationships." They clearly have the attitude, but often have nothing but verbal promises (and sometimes not even that!) to demonstrate that the relationship is committed.

IN MY OPINION, YOU ARE -NOT- IN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP IF:

Your partner is not aware your relationship is committed

You are wondering if this relationship is committed

You and your partner have differences of opinion about the status of your relationship

Your family and friends have different perceptions about the status of your relationship

You and your partner have not acted to explicitly formalize your commitment in some way

You are relying on verbal promises without a significant track record of them being kept

A commitment is explicit and unambiguous. A commitment is a formal event of some kind between two people. A commitment is something you DO over time. A real commitment is usually legally enforceable and there are consequences for breaking it.

And, for a relationship to be truly committed, there are no exits- mentally, emotionally, or physically. When the going gets rough, you make it work.

CONTINUUM OF COMMITMENT

Commitment is not a light switch that goes from "off" to "on." When building a relationship with someone, the level of commitment gradually increases.

Then you have all the shades of gray. living together, dating exclusively for more than a year, even engaged to be married, that might look and feel like commitment, but is it really?

FACT VS. ATTITUDE

Commitment in a relationship is complicated in that it takes two people, and it requires an alignment of FACT (events, actions) and ATTITUDE (thoughts, beliefs) for both of them.

It is common to be committed in fact (e.g. "married") but not in attitude (e.g. "I'm not sure this is the right relationship for me").

It is also common to be pre-committed in fact (e.g. dating exclusively) and committed in attitude (e.g. "This is 'The One!' ").

In my work with couples I have found that the most important variable determining their future success is their level of commitment to the relationship.

In my experience, when couples are committed in fact, but not in attitude, their prognosis is poor.

Then, there are the pre-committed couples that generally fall into two categories-

UNCONSCIOUS- typically following the "mini-marriage" model of trying the relationship out, acting committed without actually making the commitment. A disconnect of fact and attitude.

CONSCIOUS- aware that they are not yet committed, usually have commitment as a goal, asking themselves "Is this the right relationship for me? Should I make a commitment?" An alignment of fact and attitude.

CONCLUSION

So, when is a relationship committed?

-- When there is an alignment of fact and attitude.

What creates the "fact" of commitment?

I propose these three criterion:

CRITERIA #1: Promises made to each other about the permanent nature of the relationship that are kept

CRITERIA #2: Explicit, formal, public declaration

CRITERIA #3: Unambiguous to partners and others

In today's world, if all three of the above are met, I would say it is a committed relationship, whether legally married or not.

I sincerely hope this article helps address the common questions about commitment that arise in relationship coaching. There are no pat answers or prescriptions, but it is my hope that these ideas and concepts will help you have productive conversations with your clients that are caught in the gray areas to support them to make effective relationship choices.

2005 by Relationship Coaching Institute / All rights reserved
http://www.relationshipcoachinginstitute.com

David Steele is a California-based Marriage and Family Therapist and Relationship Coach, founder and CEO of Relationship Coaching Institute. He is the author of "Conscious Dating: Finding the Love of Your Life in Today's World" and innovative relationship coaching programs for singles and couples, as well as practice development programs and books for private practice professionals.

For more information about David and his programs please visit http://www.davidsteeleonline.com

Erectile Dysfunction Or Impotence - It Won't Affect Me, Will It?

2008-03-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

That's a good question. It used to be claimed the main cause of impotence was psychological reasons. This was accepted medical fact for years until Viagra came along followed by cialis and levitra. As impotence affects around 1 in 5 men over the course of their life the answer is probably not. That's a relief isn't it? Unfortunately virtually all men know that feeling of Oh god it's not going to happen tonight. That's normal and usually not a problem the next time.

Impotence is the repeated failure to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse Now its recognised there are many reasons for impotence. They can be roughly divided into medical, physical, psychological and lifestyle issues.

Medical problems include illnesses such as diabetes, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and vascular disease (furring of the arteries). Damage to the nerves from operations such as transurethral resection of the prostate, prostatectomy, abdominal operations, neurological disease and trauma also cause erectile dysfunction.

Prescription drugs including beta-blockers, anti depressants and anti histamines have side effects, one of which is erectile dysfunction.

Being overweight, a smoker and unfit can cause problems, as can stress, anxiety, tiredness and working too many hours. Finally true psychological reasons such as depression can cause erectile dysfunction.

Thats quite a list but the good news is the list of treatments is almost as long! There are a variety of treatments but the commonest are Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.

They all work by relaxing the blood vessels of the penis, which allows more blood to flow in. As an erection is caused by blood flowing into and staying inside the penis this leads to a better, stronger erection. You still need to get in the mood as well but when you do most men (and just as importantly their wives, girlfriends, boyfriends or partners) find the results very satisfactory.

Things you can do to combat erectile dysfunction include stopping smoking, losing weight, exercising a bit more, getting more sleep if possible and learning to relax a bit. Easier said than done I know but as well as reducing your erectile dysfunction problem, youll feel much better and more confident. Its amazing how just feeling good about yourself seems to enhance your life ten fold. The glass is half full and those silver linings are present in abundance.

Andy Duncan is a doctor and freelance medical writer. For more information http://www.pain-rehab.co.uk/impotence.htm

Podcast Secrets Revealed

2008-03-07T05:58:00.000-08:00

There you are, flipping through the radio stations yet again, looking for SOMETHING, ANYTHING, worth listening to. Maybe youll find a song here or there that you like, or a talk show on a subject you are interested in. Then its time to flip the stations again. What I need, you think to yourself, is my own personal radio station.

Enter the world of podcasting! Podcasting is just like having your own radio station, programmed with your favorite items and ready for you to listen anywhere, anytime. With podcasting, you can listen to:

[o] WHAT you want

[o] WHEN you want

[o] WHERE you want

No more searching and hoping to find a radio station that plays your favorite music. No more missing a talk show broadcast because you are sitting in class or in a meeting at the wrong time. With podcasting, you get just the content you want, from the sources you want, when you want. And there are no ads or commercials! What Tivo has done for your TV viewing, podcasting can do for your radio listening, and there is no FCC regulations either!

So what exactly is podcasting? A podcast is an audio file stored on the Internet that you can download to your computer or MP3 player and listen to whenever you want. It might be music, or it could be a talk show, a lecture, a recorded tele-seminar, a sermon, a football game, etc. Podcasting gives you the ultimate in choice and convenience.

o Podcasting is all about CHOICE

Podcasting offers you unlimited choices in listening. Even though podcasting is a relatively new technology, there are already thousands of podcasts to which you can subscribe. No radio station in your city that plays the indy music you love? Check out East Detroit Radio.

Want to improve the koi pond in your backyard? Subscribe to Koi Club of the Air.

Parenting questions? Try the Front Porch Parenting podcast.

You can find a podcast on literally any subject you are interested in! In fact, www.podcastalley.com currently lists 2,380 podcasts in 15 different categories, while www.ipodder.org lists 4,493.

Another advantage of podcasting is that, because podcasts can appeal to niche audiences, they can cover their topics in much greater depth and be far more informative than regular radio broadcasts, which must appeal to a wide audience. Also, with a podcast, you can back up and listen to a segment again if you missed something the first time. If you come to a segment that is boring, you can fast-forward. You can listen as many times as you want to all or part of the podcast. And you can stop listening all together for a few minutes, hours, or even days if something else comes up.

o Podcasting is all about CONVENIENCE

MP3 files have been available for download from the internet for years. But what makes podcasting different and truly useful is that you can subscribe to programs you are interested in. This means you dont have to check your favorite podcast web sites every day for new episodes and manually download them.

Instead, free podcasting software automatically downloads new episodes to your computer as soon as they are available. This makes it easy and convenient for you to stay up-to-date with your favorite podcasts.

Once your podcasts are downloaded to your computer, you can synch them to your MP3 player, burn them to a CD for playback on your CD player, or simply listen to them through your computers speakers. This gives you the ultimate convenience of listening to your programs at your leisure. You can listen to the podcasts whenever you want as you are driving, walking, exercising, knitting, etc. With a podcast, you can be mobile, live your life, and listen to your content ANYWHERE.

o Podcasting is FREE & EASY

Not only are podcasts themselves generally free, but so is the podcasting software you need! Both podcasts and podcasting software are easy to find on the internet and are easy to use.

Podcasting is waiting for you!

If you havent been exposed to podcasts yet, you soon will be! Podcasts are literally everywhere now, and more podcasts are being created every day.

Jeff Mills is a former Youth Pastor of 9 years, who is now a full time internet information entrepreneur, author, speaker, sales coach, and also an avid traveler. Jeff has passionately pursued learning everything he can about podcasts and has just released his breakthrough E-book that every Podcast Enthusiast should own. Visit http://www.podcastsecretsrevealed.com immediately. You can find Jeffs podcast feed at: http://feeds.feedburner.com/jeffmillspodcast

Time Unmanagement

2008-03-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

Is that really a word, "unmanagement" ?

"Sorry, we have no matches for unmanagement", well I guess if I can't find the definition on the internet it isn't.

But the point of me using the word unmanagement, you can't actually manage time. Do you feel the bolt of lightening? That is correct. You can not manage time! No matter what you do, there is no way to stop time, or slow it down or make it dance. Look at all the trouble that Adam Sandler got into when he tried to control time in the movie "Click".

Seriously though, we really can't control life, the seconds, minutes and hours tick by no matter what we are doing. What we can control, is how we use our time, we control our activities and our environments. There is not much sense in worrying about the things that we can't actually control.

If you are like me and 50% of the people in the world, we have WAY more stuff going on then we can find the time for. Now we have to choose what we spend our time doing.

These is where the tricky part comes... you need to know what your core values are, you know that ones that make you tick, help you make important decisions. Your values also allow you to prioritize how you are going to spend your time.

If your top core value is Family, well then you are going to make spending time with your family the most important priority. So when you are faced with the decision, "do I work late tonight or do I go to my daugther's soccer game?" You will decide to go to the soccer game.

Unmanaging Time is the easiest thing in the world as long as you know what your core values are.

Step 1) What are your core values?

Step 2) Put those values into action!

Step 3) Enjoy your life!

Now some of you may be saying, it is not that easy, you don't understand my life. Those my friend are excuses for not really understanding yourself and what would really make you happy. People are the most content with their lives when they are doing what they want to be doing, when they feel they are in control of their lives. Let me repeat that, people are happy when they are in control of their lives, not when they are letting time control them. We control our lives, by not sitting idly by and not control your actions. Now if we are really luck we are enjoying our lives and loves so much that we don't even notice time go by.

To Help you discover your Core values, here is a great list that will get you started in the right direction. Click Here

Lori Smith Founder & CEO

Lori Smith is a Professional Coach, IT Project Manager and founder of Foundation Coaching Group, Career Coaching and LifeStyle Coaching.

Start NOW to take Extreme Action to Extreme Self Care start with the FREE "The First 10 Steps" Report. http://www.extreme-self-care.com

Enclosed Motorcycle Trailers

2008-03-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

Looking for information on enclosed motorcycle trailers? It can be tough to shop for these types of equipment. Our review of the different kinds of enclosed motorcycle trailers and their pros and cons will help you to decide if they are the right motorcycle trailer for you. Youll be ready to hit the road in no time.

Is an enclosed motorcycle trailer the right choice for you? That all depends on what you are interested in hauling. If you are looking to purchase a trailer that will get you and your things across the country or world, then an enclosed motorcycle trailer is definitely necessary. If, however, you are looking for a way to haul things shorter distances or to transport certain types of equipment, you may want to reconsider getting an enclosed motorcycle trailer. Will another kind work for you?

If you still cant decide what kind of trailer to get, let us help you out. There are some pros and some cons to enclosed motorcycle trailers. Some of the pros include protection from the elements, ease of use when traveling long distances, and safety of your items when reaching top speeds. On the other hand, there are some cons. Enclosed motorcycle trailers tend to be the most expensive kind. Also, there are size restrictions. You may not be able to tow as much stuff if you dont spring for the larger trailer. Keep these things in mind when you are trying to decide what kind of motorcycle trailer to get.

There are several different kinds of enclosed motorcycle trailers. They come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. Smaller ones might be sufficient for you, and they are more affordable than medium or large trailers. If you are looking to haul a lot, however, you might be interested in a larger size. You should be able to find one large enough for anything you want to carry. Check out the different styles in person before you buy. Seeing the sizes up close will help you decide how much space you really need. And these trailers come in so many designs. Seeing them in person is the only way to decide what you prefer.

Find motorcycle trailer hitches, towing accessories and enclosed trailers for Harley, Ducati and Honda. There is a wide variety of motorcycle trailers available today and they all have their pluses. From enclosed wedge nose motorcycle trailers and Delhi motorcycle trailers to Hurrican motorcycle trailers and enclosed motorcycle trailers. Information, reviews and resources at Motorcycle Trailer Hitches: your source for tips, guides and reviews on motorcycle towing and hauling equipment. If you are looking for new and used Ducati Monster parts visit our site on Ducati bikes and replacement accessories.

Male Enhancement - Which Method is Best for Me?

2008-03-06T05:36:00.000-08:00

Penis Enhancement is not difficult, you can achieve it through several methods, there are medicines like the creams, lotion as well as enhancement pills available in the market, another method is surgery, all these have helped several people around the world to achieve Penis Enhancement.

Though it is absolutely justified that you have doubts in you mind, about which method would suit you the most. With so much choice available it is obvious that there would be confusion in your mind.

Penis Enhancement creams can be your beginning, you can try these out, since these require application only, and you do not require taking any drugs or undergoing surgery. Following instructions is extremely necessary when it comes to creams and lotions, since if you do not apply creams and lotions required number of times in a day, you may not get to see effective results.

Another option available for you is pills. There are several manufacturers of penis enhancement products. Though each manufacturer provides a great review of his product, you require carrying out extensive research before you decide which pill to take. Best ones for you to choose would be herbal pills, since these do not harm your body. Mostly, as claimed by the manufacturers, these are made from plant extracts imported from all over the world. Whats more these are approved by the FDA as fit for consumption, so incase you are skeptical about consuming these pills, the FDA approval should put your mind at rest.

There are claims that surgery is also an option for Penis Enhancement. This has more chances of giving results than any other method. But this method is yet in its primary stage, enough reports about this method are not yet available, neither has there been any formal medical report available about this surgery.

This surgery, till date is available only in some of the countries, so you can have access to it only if you have a qualified surgeon, who has gained expertise in this type of surgery. This is an expensive option, since you will require putting in a lot of money as well as time in this type of Penis Enhancement method.

None of the above methods guarantee Penis Enhancement, neither are there any reports about complete failure. There are quite some numbers of people who have benefited from using above methods of Penis Enhancement. If you are in luck the very basic methods should do you good, so that you do not require going towards complicated processes.

You can turn to some one for advice; it can be your friend or your family doctor. Taking someones advice before starting on these medicines would prove helpful, since you will be able to achieve results faster and without wasting too much money. You can also try out certain unconventional methods for Penis Enhancement, which will not just improve your sexual life, but also will be able to help you achieve good health in this process.

Find more information about penis enhancement products in http://www.penisenhancement.ws

Property in Cyprus - Guide to Buying Property in Cyprus

2008-03-05T23:42:00.000-08:00

Overview

The Cyprus Property Market

Cyprus is one of the more popular real estate markets in the world. Activity in the real estate market in Cyprus is brisk, including foreign nationals who buy and sell real estate Non-Cypriots have been involved in all areas of the real estate market. Foreign nationals have been found to invest in commercial, investment and residential real estate in all areas of the country.

Most industry experts maintain that the real estate market in Cyprus should continue to do a brisk business well into the coming decade. With the entry of Cyprus into the European Union, more and more foreign nationals from EU member states likely will become involved in the Cypriot real estate market.

There are no prohibitions on foreign nationals purchasing real estate in Cyprus. However, and as will be discussed in greater detail shortly, a foreign national must obtain prior permission from a Cypriot governmental agency in advance of making the purchase of real estate in that country. Generally speaking, this approval is relatively easy to obtain -- although the process of obtaining the permission can be rather time consuming

Investment Property in Cyprus

One of the primary areas that foreign nationals have become involved when it comes to real estate investment in Cyprus is in the resort and vacation property arena. Cyprus remains a very popular destination for people on holiday. As a result, foreign nationals have taken to buying apartments, single family residences and hotel properties which in turn are utilized by men and women on holiday.

Over the course of the past decade, a number of foreign nationals have profited dearly through investments in real estate used for vacation or holiday purposes in Cyprus. Indeed, because this type of venture has proven so profitable for some foreign nationals, these men and women have taken to purchasing and investing in multiple property holdings in Cyprus. Again, and has been noted, this is particular true in the area of investment in properties that are intended to be used for vacation or holiday purposes.

Residential Real Estate in Cyprus - Single Family Properties

A significant number of foreign nationals have established second homes and vacation residences in Cyprus over the course of the past thirty years. The trend towards purchasing second residences and holiday homes in Cyprus continues on to this day.

One of the more recent occurrences in regard to holiday or vacation homes in Cyprus involves the creation of significant developments that are designed exclusively for people who want gracious residences on Cyprus. These developments in many instances are taking the form of gated communities for the security conscious foreign national who wants to idle away part of the year in Cyprus.

In addition, some foreign nationals have determined the benefit of purchasing older residences in the country and embarking on improvement and remodeling campaigns to bring them up to date. In some instances, these men and women are rehabbing properties and putting them back on the market -- making nice profits in the process.

Residential Real Estate in Cyprus - Apartments

The Cypriot apartment market is bustling in the 21st century. With Cyprus movement into the EU, a significant number of foreign nationals from other EU nations are finding themselves in the country with some degree of regularity. In this regard, many of these business men and women have turned to spending a significant amount of time in Cyprus each and every year. Rather than hole up in a hotel, these men and women have taken to purchasing apartments in Cyprus.

Some of these business minded people have gone so far as to rent or lease out their apartment properties when they are not in the country on business -- making their apartments an income generating enterprise.

In some resort communities, men and women from foreign countries have purchased apartments for vacation and holiday purposes. There is a wide range of different types of apartments of available for sale in resort areas in Cyprus.

Holiday Property in Cyprus

As referenced previously, vacation real estate sales in Cyprus is brisk business in the 21st century. One area in which foreign nationals have been active in the market is the purchase and ownership of single family, free standing residences on the island. These types of residences generally do come with some fairly hefty price tags.

In addition to larger residences that are being purchased with regularity by foreign nationals, many foreign nationals have taken to purchasing holiday apartments in the country. In some instances, these foreign nationals have turned these types of property into something of a lucrative investment. For example, when they are not in residence in Cyprus, these men and woman are turning around and leasing out these holiday residences to other individuals -- including many foreign nationals -- who then use these residences for their own holiday purposes

Specific steps to buying real estate property in Cyprus

The initial step that a foreign national must take before he or she can purchase real estate in Cyprus is obtaining approval from the government. Specifically, a foreign national must require permission to purchase real estate in the country from the Council of Ministers. A would-be purchaser of real estate in Cyprus needs to keep in mind that the process of obtaining approval from the Council of Ministers can take from between eight to fourteen months. A would-be purchaser also needs to appreciate that if he or she makes the purchase of real estate without the prior approval of the Council of Ministers, a title deed will not be able to issue transferring ownership of the real estate to the foreign national.

While the process of obtaining permission from the Council of Ministers is not a matter of overnight approval, the process itself is not difficult. The Council has taken steps to make the process as easy as possible for a foreign national seeking to purchase real estate in Cyprus. Time consuming in some ways, the application and approval process is not difficult to maneuver through.

Once approval is obtained from the Council of Ministers, the next step in buying real estate in the country -- once a piece of real estate has been identified for purchase -- is signing of the preliminary contract. At the time this agreement is executed, a holding deposit is posted with either a lawyer or a notary.

When the holding deposit is paid, a companion reservation deposit agreement also is executed. In point of fact, it is the deposit and this secondary agreement. The property is then taking off the market and remains in that position for the time spelled out in these agreements. Provided that the terms of the preliminary agreement are satisfied, the property will not return to the marketplace.

The deposit that is lodged in Cyprus normally is as low as 1%. The parties can negotiate a particular deposit amount -- but, in most instances, the standard deposit is in the amount of 1% of the overall purchase price of the real estate that is being sold. The remaining balance due and owing on the overall purchase price will then be due and owing at the time of the execution of the final contract, which will be discussed shortly.

During the period of time that follows the execution of the initial, preliminary agreement, the lawyer who has been appointed to oversee the transaction will investigate the status of the title the real estate through the District Land Registry Office.

Following this period of investigation into the status of the title, and provided that the buyer has obtained appropriate financing, the parties move onward to the execution of a final contract. It is at this juncture that the closing of the real estate transaction in Cyprus becomes rather complex when contrasted with what occurs in many other countries around the world.

When the final contract is signed by the parties, the contract itself is filed with the Land Registry Office to prevent the same piece of real estate from being sold a second time. An application is then made to the Central Bank of Cyprus to approve the transfer of funds for the purchase of the real estate. (This approval is not necessary if both the seller and buyer happen to be foreign nationals. However, it is required if at least one party to the transaction is a Cypriot.)

The title will be transferred to the buyer at this juncture and the buyer will be entitled to possession the real estate. It is important to note that if the real estate is newly developed, the title itself will not issue for upwards to three years after the signing of the final contract. With that said, the buyer is protected because of the filing of the final contract with the District Land Registry Office.

There will be some different taxes due and owing -- and paid by the purchaser -- after the signing of the final contract. However, these taxes are not particularly costly or significant.

Property Abroad always recommends using a Solicitor or Lawyer

http://www.property-abroad.com/cyprus Visit Property Abroads website for further details on property for sale, guides and general information on the Cypriot Property market supplied by the author Les Calvert.

Horney Goat Weed - The Cure For Languishing Libido

2008-03-05T17:49:00.000-08:00

The most natural way to increase libido is to use ancient methods. I dont mean to go into bawdyhouse, but heres the Horny Goat Weed, a three thousand year old marvelous plant, which restores the men sexual strength and power. In ancient China many medical writings were published about its efficiency but Epimedium has the same qualities even today.

-Believe it or not the horny goat weed was useful whispered my girlfriend shiny. She had a problem with her sexual performance since months. Horney Goat Weed is sold on the Internet, in herbal and esoteric stores in many forms: leaves, powder or capsules, pure or in combination with other aphrodisiacs. Epimedium increases vitality, stimulates brain cells and has an overall beneficial impression on human body.

Since thousand years Horney Goat Weed is well known for its positive effects, this mysterious plant was recommended by Chinese physicians for male sexual enhancement.

Unlike prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction the Horney Goat Weed isnt a chemical, it makes the human organism stronger and not weakens it. So if somebody takes it regurarily he shouldnt be afraid for its side effects, or that it will cause dependency.

Chinese scientist successfully used Horny Goat Weed for bronchitis treatment, and in curing fertility problems. The positive effects are caused by polysaccharides, the antiviral and antimicrobial compounds of Horney Goat Weed.

Horny Goat Weed s curing effects on lounge and circulatory problems are still researched, also the property of Horny Goat Weed increasing muscular volume.

Epimedium its an endemic plant in all Far East countries forests, not only in China but also in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. Recently in these countries Horney Goat Weed is artificially cultivated.

The mystery of Horny Goat Weed is still studied by scientists however everybody agrees that Epimedium has no harmful influence only positive impact on human health. Its especially effective in curing male impotence but increases female libido too. There are many reasons for men to switch the popular blue pills to the time tested and natural Horny Goat Weed.

If women will start to use Horney Goat Weed too, at least they wont forget the purpose of the bed other than sleeping.

Alex Pentorf invites you to find out more about epimedium and provigrax, a formula based on horney goat weed on his associated websites.

Money on Demand - New Revenue Streams for Online Content Publishers

2008-03-05T10:48:00.000-08:00

Every day, new and exciting ways of making money are emerging on the internet. Many create opportunities for you and I that didn't exist even a few years ago. With a bit of creativity and entrepreneurial enthusiasm, you can create many additional revenue streams to maximise the profit from your content website.

One of the most exciting developments is the creation of products on demand. You no longer have to hold rooms full of stock if you decide to publish your own book or create a CD, or design a range of branded merchandise. There are now many online businesses that will produce and distribute products on demand. The orders automatically go from your website to their production facilities. They print the book or brand a t-shirt or burn a CD, then pack and post it to your customer. No stock. No hassle.

So, which are the best companies to help you create money on demand?

Publish Your Own Book

Lulu.com www.lulu.com

Lulu is a revolutionary website that should be keeping every book publisher awake at night. The site allows you to register and upload your book's script for free. When somebody orders your book, they print off a copy, professionally bind it and post it to your customer.

You maintain total control over the copyright, layout and pricing.

Lulu charges a fixed amount for the book, so you can decide how much you charge and, consequently, how much profit you want to make. For a small extra fee, Lulu will provide your book with an ISBN number and submit it to the major online bookstores, including Amazon and BarnesAndNoble.com.

Everyone can be an author and all specialist information publishers should consider this service.

Lulu has printing centres in the UK and the US.

Burn Your Own CD or DVD

CustomCD www.customCD.us

There are many opportunities for content website owners to create and sell CDs and DVDs to their followers. Many people place a premium on receiving a physical disc rather than simply downloading digital versions from an internet site.

Musicians can create their own albums

Specialists can create their own "How to Videos", for example:

o "Learn Photoshop in a Day"

o "How to Design, Build and Launch Your Own Website"

o "How to Build a Perfect Garden Pond"

Photographers can sell photo libraries of stock photos

Software developers can sell software applications they have developed

CustomCD will burn your CD, print your design on the disc and dispatch it to your client. They have production and dispatch facilities in the US and Germany.

Create Your Own Branded Merchandise

CafePress www.cafepress.com
Zazzle www.zazzle.com
Spreadshirt www.spreadshirt.net (Europe)

You can now create your own designs and have them transferred onto a wide range of products, including:

T-Shirts

Hats

Bags

Mugs

Posters

Buttons/Badges

Stickers

Mouse pads

Companies with a funky and popular logo can turn it into a revenue stream. Photographers can find many new ways to monetise their photos. Artists and graphic designers can quickly launch an exciting product range. The opportunities are endless.

Cafepress is the granddaddy of this sector. They have over two million members, eight million products and add more than 14,000 designs every day. Zazzle is the young pretender rapidly coming up fast on the inside. Both are based in the US, and have plans to expand into Europe. SpreadShirt.net is a company based on Germany that services Europe. They specialise in printing shirts with your designs.

Reactee www.reactee.com

Reactee is an interesting variation on the T-shirt theme. They print slogan shirts with an SMS number on it. People who see the T-shirt can send an SMS message that will reach the wearer or the company. This opens up all sorts of marketing and promotion opportunities.

Turn Your Photos into Products

Qoop www.qoop.com
Albumfactory www.albumfactory.co.uk (UK)

If you are a photographer, there are some companies that specialise in turning photos into great products that you can sell via your site. The products you can create include:

Large canvas prints on a professional wooden frame

Photoprints

Photobooks

Posters

Puzzles

Mousemats

Podcast for Profit

Audible www.audible.com / www.audible.co.uk

Many podcasts are free, but some publishers have such interesting, specialist or exclusive content that they are able to sell their audio downloads. Audible is the largest site in the world, with over 30,000 audio books and podcasts covering a wide range of subjects.

Sell Your Photos or Videos to the Press

Scoopt - www.scoopt.com (UK)

If you have a photo or video that you think is newsworthy, then why not sell it to the press? Scoopt has been established to act as an intermediary to allow photographers, freelancers and chancers to quickly reach the right people across the relevant news sources. In their own words: "we bridge the gap between amateur photographer and picture desk, and by amateur' we mean anybody with a digital camera or a camera phone who just happens to be in the right place at the right time".

Machine Parts! What Will They Think of Next?

eMachineParts www.emachineparts.com

This takes ordering stuff on demand to the next level. eMachineParts allow you to download their simple 3D design software. You can then design a product or part of a product and have it professionally machined and sent to you.

I'm not exactly sure what you would create using this service, but I know with a bit of imagination, some of you will use it-maybe to create unique jewellery, paper weights, sculpture, or plaques, to name just a few ideas off the top of my head.

Last Thought: Don't Limit Your Sales to Your Own Website

If you create a great product, don't restrict selling just via your website. There are many other channels you can use. Here are a few of the most important.

Amazon www.amazon.com / www.amazon.co.uk (Click on Sell Your Stuff')
Ebay www.ebay.com / www.ebay.co.uk

Create a shop or sell your books or products for a fixed price or via an auction.

ClickBank www.clickbank.com

Clickbank specialises in promoting and selling ebooks via a huge network of affiliate merchants.

Boundlessgallery www.boundlessgallery.com

A wonderful art gallery where you can sell your art, photos, sculptures, etc.

Second Life www.secondlife.com

For the really adventurous and entrepreneurial amongst you, set up your own store in the exploding world of Second Life.

Conclusion

I hope that these ideas have whet your appetite. Good, content-driven websites have a huge opportunity to earn revenue from multiple streams. Traditionally, income has come from advertising, affiliate marketing and subscriptions, but now there are many new and exciting ways of creating and selling products without the old-world costs of production, stock and distribution. Get creative. Get wealthy!

SubHub provides an all-in-one solution to enable you to rapidly design, build and run your own content website. Publish for profit on the web.
Website: http://www.subhub.com
SubHub Articles Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/SubhubStartASubscriptionOrMembershipWebsite-OnlineMagazineOnlineJournalOnlineNewsletter?format=xml

The Benefits of Running a Real Estate or Entrepreneur Club

2008-03-05T05:01:00.000-08:00

Having founded a Multi-County Entrepreneurial group with several hundred members, I would like to share several tips for success that may help you in your efforts!

Success Tip #1 - Have the right intentions.

A powerfully true statement by Ron LeGrand and several other gurus is one I stand by when operating and building my organization. Get others what they want and you will get what you want. If you focus on the needs of the masses, you will do well within your business pursuits. People always want more education and a place where they can freely network. Always, always, always be willing to help people regardless of who they are or how busy you think you are. You never know when or where a great contact will come across your path, so even if you cannot answer someones question or need, help find someone who can. This minor tip has led me to some major relationships. This tip alone could make for a successful club!

Success Tip #2 Its all in the name.

You must decide upon the proper name for your club. Our club covers a lot of real estate investor related topics. However, business owners, entrepreneurs and community friends that may not be in real estate are more than welcome to enjoy the networking and educational portions of our meetings. IF you wish to network with a variety of individuals and do not want any confusion when marketing your club as to who is welcome, you may want to consider choosing your group name carefully. You could be turning away great, new members by a mere name choice.

Success Tip #3 Focus on educating, not selling and time will be on your side.

Be mindful of your audience with their time at your meeting. Chances are, your members are grateful to have a local group where they can meet other like-minded individuals and learn new information. Do not schedule 52 sales speakers to kick off the first 2 hours of the meeting before your main speaker is even introduced. It is an insult to your audience, as well as your main speaker. I have seen this one too many times where 1/3 of the audience has departed by the time the main speaker is introduced. The main speaker may have valuable information to share and the constant sales speakers have chased the once grateful members out of the room and out of your organization.

Success Tip #4 Mix it up!

Have a good mix of topics and speakers. Screen your speakers before you have them speak to your members. Do not schedule speakers that hard sell the crowd and do not provide education. If your guest speak is selling his/her product, you want to ensure those people who did not make a purchase still received beneficial information from attending your meeting.

Success Tip #5 Let your sponsor do the selling.

For an additional income, always have a meeting sponsor. This allows standard meeting expenses to be covered, i.e. food, drinks, venue. A meeting sponsor is an individual or company who pays a set rate to represent one meeting. In exchange, the sponsor is typically allotted 15 minutes to introduce their product to your audience. Unlike the main speaker, the meeting sponsor focuses on selling their product to your members. Remember (See Success Tip #3), do not follow the sponsor with back-to-back sales speakers because your members will take note of this (See Success Tip #1).

Success Tip #6 Make multiple sales products an OPTION.

Ive mentioned the importance of not forcing members out of the room with sales speaker after sales speaker. However, there is a solution to this problem and Ive witnessed it! Allow vendor booths and tables. This is a great way to bring in an additional income and one that most business networking groups utilize. This allows individuals and companies to display their products for a minimal charge. This also allows the group members to choose who they wish to speak to, and which products they have interest learning more about. Allowing your members a choice does not place pressure and often annoyance amongst your members. Remember, although you may have started the organization, this is their club!

Success Tip #7 Taboo businesses equal a lack of knowledge.

One of the most powerful ways to generate income from vendor booths and tables is the sometimes referred to taboo business, Network Marketing! As the founder of an organization, it is your responsibility to research reputable and worthwhile network marketing companies. However, once you have examined the networking marketing business venture, this can be one of the most successful aspects of your club when implemented properly. If your organization is part of a network marketing business, select a volunteer from your group (who is also a member of the same network marketing company) to stand behind a vendor table and speak with other members interested in becoming involved in your network marketing company. What could be better than your club having its very own source of residual income?

Success Tip #8 Thoughts become things.

Most of us have heard the saying, Everything begins in thought. If you have thought about putting together an educational and networking organization, what is stopping you? The answer is simple; nothing. You simply need to take your plan and put it into action. If youre thinking about beginning a club, youve already begun the most important part! You love building relationships and you know your group would be a huge success. Having a club or group is sometimes easier to market and promote than your full time business. I have been interviewed twice by a local television station in Southwest Florida for our entrepreneur club. It was easier to get this sort of publicity by promoting the club versus my real estate or advertising business.

Success Tip #9 Last (but not least), have fun!

Clubs are a great way to meet people, learn new things, help promote local experts and make a side income. By following the above tips, I hope you have a good basis for starting a fantastic club!

Ray Higdon is founder of the Forever Wealth Club, http://www.ForeverWealthClub.com

Ray is open to working with individuals around the United States looking to setup Wealth Clubs in their perspective cities. For more information, please contact Ray Higdon at ForeverWealthClub@Gmail.com or call 239-560-4139

Vasectomy Reversal -- Men Can Also Change Their Minds!

2008-03-04T22:41:00.000-08:00

Prior to undertaking a vasectomy reversal, it is important to discuss with your doctor all aspects of the operation and your personal situation, to pinpoint significant issues that will impact upon the ultimate result.

The extent of the period from vasectomy to reversal is an important factor, as success rates are known to diminish the longer the break has been. This is due to the increased probability of pressure injury sustained in the epididymis or even a blockage within it.

Your doctor will be interested in any history of complications that may have occurred after the the vasectomy such as scrotal hematoma or any post operative epididymis infection. Your partners reproductive potential will also be assessed and you must realise that if you were was having difficulty with conception before your vasectomy, this situation is unlikely to change after vasectomy reversal. Also, your specialist will try to procure your surgical notes relevant to your vasectomy to determine, if possible, how your vasectomy was actually carried out.

For instance, depending whether the vasectomy was performed high up on the tube or quite low down near the epididymis, could have an effect on the difficulty of the reversal surgery. Your physician will also analyse your physical make up to get a superior understanding of what he will encounter during the reconstruction.

Small spongy testes can suggest impaired sperm manufacture and project a poor result. An enlarged or uneven epididymis can mean secondary epididymal impediment that may require a vasoepididymostomy. On the other hand, an incidence of a sperm granuloma is a satisfactory diagnosis as these sperm granulomas allow for the venting of high pressure away from the epididymis, and subsequently allowing protection from pressure induced harm.

If you have a sperm granuloma your prognosis is good irrespective of the period since the vasectomy took place.

When a very harmful vasectomy has been undertaken, it is conceivable that large portions of the vas have been excised or cut out. This may mean that extensions of the incisions may be required to establish a tension free reconnection leading to more complicated surgery. Naturally, if a satisfactory outcome is obtained by re establishing sperm flow in the man, a successful pregnancy can only be obtained providing the female is also capable of giving birth.

The woman should organize for a gynecological examination to guarantee that she is able to conceive. How near she is to menopause can be also be an issue because of the time that it may take for sperm flow to be re established in the man following a successful vasectomy reversal.

These are just some of the considerations that need to be taken into account before undertaking a vasectomy reversal.

Author Antony Wilton discusses important mens issues on his site Vasectomy Reversal His regularly updated blog can be found at Vasectomy Reversal Blog

Choosing Table Centerpiece Flowers for your Dinner Party - Three Key Secrets

2008-03-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

Are you planning a dinner party? Do you need to choose the right flowers for your floral table centerpiece?

Choosing the right flowers can be frustrating and expensive or it can be simple and economical. Knowing three key secrets makes it simple for you to choose the right flowers. Then you can create a simple but beautiful floral centerpiece.

The key is to have a plan and stick with it.

Have you tried to create a table centerpiece for your dinner party without a plan? Then you know how easy it is to get off track. Read on to see what happened to Sally because she didnt have a plan:

Sally wanted a beautiful table centerpiece. A little behind schedule, she rushed to her local flower store to buy her flowers. The selection was wide, the flowers looked so lavish and the colors just sang. She thought it would be a snap to choose her selection, hurry home and create a stunning, perfect little masterpiece for her dinner table.

But fifteen minutes later she was still wavering between the beautifully scented hyacinths, some striking pink lilies and the tall, expensive orchids. In the end she left the store with the tall expensive orchids.

Sally got home with flowers that cost her about four times what she had planned to spend. She got home late because it took her so long to decide. And she realized that the orchids she bought just werent right for her centerpiece, they were far too tall.

So she ended up with no flowers for her centerpiece and had to rush back to the store.

OK, I confess, I was that Sally and more than once too. But now Ive learned three key secrets for choosing flowers for my table centerpieces. Now I can add beauty to my dinner parties and subtract frustration and stress from my day.

Here are the three key secrets.

Less choice means less stress. Eliminate impractical choices. That means you shouldn't choose tall flowers or flowers that are scented for your table centerpiece.

Your flower arrangement should not be more than about 5 inches high. Otherwise your guests have to peer through the floral bushes to see each other across the table.

So you can eliminate tall flowers unless you can cut them down. Now you wont be swayed by a beautiful but impractical purchase. Sallys tall orchids were stunning, but they didnt cut it for a sit-down dinner table arrangement.

Scented flowers are appealing, but not at the dinner table. Dont put highly scented flowers on the dinner table because their aroma can fight with the food aromas. Some guests may even be allergic to the strong scent as well. The scented hyacinths Sally was eyeing would not be good choices for the dinner table.

Now you can eliminate a large range of flowers before you even get to the store.

Remember, less choice means less stress.

White works with everything. White tablecloths work with every color of flower.

White taper candles work with every color of flower.

White or crystal candlesticks work with any color of flower.

And white flowers go with everything.

How easy could that be?

If you do want some color in your flowers, you already know that any color will go because of your white tablecloth and your white candles.

If you want color, select your color choices BEFORE you go shopping. Don't come home with a color that is lovely but doesn't work with your scheme. Making a color plan will really help you avoid stress at the flower shop.

Decide on one or two colors in your mind BEFORE you go to the flower store. If your first color choice isnt available when you get there, go to your second choice.

If you see some flowers you absolutely have to have, but they arent one of your choices, dont change your whole plan for the dining room table centerpiece. Just buy those must-have flowers to decorate your living room. Then go back to the plan and select one of your color choices for the dining room table.

So dont be like Sally. Put the three key flower-choosing secrets to work for you:

Remember that you shouldnt choose tall or scented flowers for the dinner table
Remember that white goes with everything
And if you want color in your flowers, choose one or two colors before you go to the store, then stick with your choices, no matter how tempting the other colors are

Now you have maximized your chances of choosing the right flowers, and minimized your stress while you shop.

Did you know that with just three basic centerpiece arrangements, you can cover almost every dinner party you give over a year? See how on the Table Centerpiece page at the dinner party planning site.

Joanie Williams has been giving small dinner parties for years. To get better at it she decided to gather tips and information from experts into one central, reliable website resource, for people who wanted to give great dinner parties.

She would love to hear your burning questions about planning a dinner party. Submit your question to the Got a Burning Question? page on her website. http://www.thedinnerpartyplanningsite.com/.

SEO Copywriting for Online Success

2008-03-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Whether it is the print, electronic or cyber media, a good copy can do wonders for a marketing campaign. In this cyber age, the Internet is considered as the greatest means of communication between people around the globe. Web businesses also have realised the importance of content and are now regarding it as the 'king' of their websites.

In Search Engine Optimisation Services, good copywriting is a must for online success. An effective copy is the one that manages to grab attention, create interest, build desire and then lead to action (from users). The use of powerful and persuasive words to drive target audiences and generate sales has become the norm with websites nowadays.

Online business owners specially hire content writers to revamp the text matter on their websites, and make it more appealing to Internet surfers. This form of writing is known as SEO copywriting. The main purpose behind this service is reaching out to a target audience, which is comprised of your potential buyers.

The best part about writing for the Web is that it has no time or space constraint. News websites do have the urge to meet deadlines, but in general, almost all websites can simply go on and on, creating additional pages at will. However, to achieve SEO success, they do need to adhere to search engine guidelines even when writing text for web pages.

Being a virtual medium, the 'emotional connection' between buyer and seller is the minimum on the web. Therefore, it is necessary to establish that relationship with the help of the written word, keeping in mind the needs of the user as well as the dissimilarities between two different mindsets.

In simple terms, copywriting for Search Engine Optimisation means re-writing the text on a website page in such a way that it appeals to a web surfer, along with being compatible to search engines. Working on this domain requires specialised skills, especially when it comes to judicious use of keywords. And, one should remember that a good web page content does not have to be flowery or laden with complex words. Instead, it has to be simple, easily comprehensible, and keyword rich.

Don't be content if your website is amazingly designed and well-structured, adorned with proper links and easily navigable. All your efforts will go down the drain if your content is not appealing enough, and does not manage to hold the user's attention. At the end of the day, the success of your Internet marketing campaign lies in bringing targeted traffic for the long term. Thus, put in extra efforts in building your site's content matter and see the difference it makes.

Author has years of experience in the domain of SEO

Search Engine Marketing Having worked aggressively today she renders her services to ePurpleMedia, an Internet marketing service provider.

Choosing The Right Drug Rehab Program

2008-03-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

Choosing a drug rehab program is a difficult decision. Nobody wants drug addiction to overtake their life to the point that drug rehab is the necessary step. However, the decision to go to drug rehab is something to look forward to, as it is the decision to rebuild a healthy life. Understanding what drug addiction entails and how it affects the user is important for healing substance abuse. As well as understanding drug addiction, knowing what drug rehab is will help the patient understand what he is going through and the purpose of drug rehab. Lastly, the type of drug rehab program is of vital importance for the patient. Understanding what a drug rehab program is and what a drug rehab program does, will make all the difference in the world. A drug rehab program, then, is the path that leads to an effective treatment of drug addiction. Research has shown that drug addiction is treatable. Research has not shown, and will not show, that addiction treatment is easy.

Which drug rehab program?

Educate yourself when choosing a drug rehab program. There are many different types of drug rehabs, varying in cost, length of stay and philosophy. Make sure that the drug rehab you choose makes sense to you. Look into the credentials of the drug rehab staff and the licenses of the drug rehab itself. Although a bit scary, entering drug rehab is an exciting time. It is the beginning of the end of your drug addiction and the beginning of a new life.

If you need help in locating an effective drug rehab program you can call the national drug rehab helpline at 1-800-511-9225 or go to www.recoveryconnection.org to locate a drug rehab program near you. Click here if you require help locating a drug rehab program that treats ==>dual diagnosis

Joanthan Huttner is a partner of Lakeview Health Systems, a nationally recognized drug rehab and alcohol rehab program. Lakeview specializes in the treatment of dual diagnosis and also operates freedom Rings, a gay drug rehab.

Inventor of Swiss Medica's O24 Pain Neutralizer Shares His Secrets

2008-03-03T14:07:00.000-08:00

Will consumers favor a non-burning pain relief product, like Swiss Medicas (OTC BB: SWME) O24 instead of Icy Hot or Ben Gay? Richard Weise, inventor of the patented O24 pain relief product talked to us about how O24 came about, how it works differently than other pain relief products and why O24 might just become a success story during its North American rollout to retail stores.

Interviewer: How did you come about developing the O24 pain relief formula?

Richard Weise: I started the O24 development thirty-five years ago, with studies in natural medicine. When you have chronic pain, people want to take some pharmaceutical product, which gives side effects. I dont like that. I was studying to get a product that I could use, which would have no side effects. Previously while I worked in Germany, I developed environmentally safe cleaning products. I had studied Chinese medicine. I studied all the medicines for years: natural medicines, Indian medicines, European medicines and all the herbs. The Europeans, over a longer time, have been using more natural products.

Interviewer: How did this product advance from your studying medicines to its commercial distribution?

Richard Weise: I had this product in Europe and used it for myself, but it was not for commercial use. I tested it on myself. In the United States my first testing was on my English teacher. She broke her foot and had pain. I told her I had something for her pain, and I put it on her foot. She stopped having pain. She called me the next morning and told me that after six weeks, this was the first night she could sleep pain-free. A couple of months later, she came back to me and said, Richard, I need two hundred bottles of this stuff you gave me. I wanted to know why she needed two hundred bottles. I had offered to make her some product if she needed more, but two hundred bottles? She told me she had so many people she had given them a little of the formula to, people were asking her for more. Thats how this whole thing started in 1992 in the United States. Where it started commercially.

Interviewer: How was your reception, at first, with O24?

Richard Weise: When I first started with this, in the United States, people thought it was snake oil. Im not a medical doctor. I studied natural medicine as my hobby. I dont make claims. The claim I am permitted to make is that this product can be used for temporary pain relief for aches and pains, muscle spasms, arthritis. The FDA told us this in 1995. Before that, it was considered snake oil. I have customers who have been using this product for thirteen years. They are using it and they are happy. They will not use anything else.

Interviewer: Why doesnt O24 give people the burning sensation one suffers from most other pain relief lotions, sprays or gels?

Richard Weise: Lets take Ben Gay. It uses menthol and capsaicin. Capsaicin is very heating. It is made out of (chile) peppers. When you use too much, you can burn your skin. They put menthol in to equalize the temperature a little, but its still burning. When you work out, and you put this on, your skin gets red. Tiger Balm is a product made of camphor and menthol. Menthol gives a cooling feeling. When you have inflammation of your nerve, sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesnt. Its only cooling.

Interviewer: Why is it that O24 works differently from other pain relief lotions, gels or rubs?

Richard Weise: When you have pain in an area of you body, the temperature of the pain area is different than your regular body temperature. It can be higher by a half a degree or it can be lower. Some people put ice on, and it will not help. Others put ice on and it helps. The reason is if the temperature was too high, putting ice on it cools it down to the regular body temperature. The inflammation of the nerve is gone (by putting on ice) and the pain goes away. The O24 equalizes the body temperature, whether it is higher or lower. Automatically, this was a wonderful side effect.

Interviewer: Is that one of the major differences, between O24 and the others? That O24 doesnt burn?

Richard Weise: Yes. That was done on purpose. With other products, people complained they burned. Some essential oils are very skin irritating. Therefore, you have to make the right formulation to make sure you have no complaints. I still try to make the product better and better, more efficient for the patients, for the consumer. I havent had any complaints. I have a complaint file and it has been empty for the last thirteen years, except one person who was allergic to peppermint oil.

Interviewer: Do people use this product on its own, or in conjunction with something else, like ibuprofen?

Richard Weise: People, who have been using this product for ten years, use just this product and nothing else. A lot of people over-medicate for their chronic pain. In some cases, O24 replaces the use of pharmaceutical products altogether. Some of the arthritis patients use it three to four times a day. Others use it once per day. Its purely a topical lotion. It stays on top of the skin. You can not replace oral medication with this product.

Interviewer: Do you get every ingredient from the same suppliers, or do you change your suppliers from time to time?

Richard Weise: We pretty much try to keep it with the same suppliers. We quality control every ingredient. We make an adjustment every time we do a batch. After every batch we have to go to an independent lab for testing to prove that every ingredient we say and claim in the product is exactly what is in O24. Right now, were making a batch for 1600 pounds. That translates into 25,000 one-ounce bottles.

Interviewer: The big puzzle seems to be how the herb essences stick together without binders, such as alcohol or glycerine or some other additive. How did you get the herb essences to bind?

Richard Weise: It is because of the way I mix the product together. That is the patent: how I mix them together and why they stay together. Over the past ten years, I saw companies try to copy the product. They bought product. They broke it down. This is easy. Its not a big secret. They made the product, but every time they were finished, they concluded, This could not work! They got nothing out of it.

Interviewer: Why does your O24 work, while the O24 copycats have failed to replicate your formula, if the ingredients are the same?

Richard Weise: They dont know how to put the product together. There are no preservatives in the product. Normally, you put water or alcohol in the product and it stays together. O24 stays together without any binders. I put every essential oil into four groups. I have everything written down. The manufacturer knows my exact procedure. The results can be replicated without my monitoring the combining. The company (Swiss Medica) has all the paperwork (for the formula), and their chemists can replicate the formula. They can make the product in the same way. I have bottles sitting here that are thirteen years old. If I take them to the lab tomorrow, they have the same efficiency, the same main ingredients as the product I make today.

Interviewer: O24 has an indefinite shelf life?

Richard Weise: Yes. The same batch I made thirteen years ago has the same life as the batch I would make today. Actually according to the law, I can not say they have indefinite shelf life. We did a test for thirty-six months. We did a shelf-life test in an independent lab. They proved this product has a shelf life of thirty-six months.

Interviewer: Can you confirm that athletes and celebrities have actually used this product?

Richard Weise: Yes. I talked on the phone with them. I know Filip Gartner, the former head coach of the Norwegian ski team. I met him three or four times. Sam Waltons daughter, for example, likes the product.

Interviewer: What do you know about the fibromyalgia testing that was done in Germany, using O24?

Richard Weise: The doctor bought the product from us. We had no idea he was doing the test. He bought product off the market, tested it and published the results in medical journals. He published this product and the test results. He published what he did without our knowledge and the results were excellent.

James Finch contributes to StockInterview.com and other publications. StockInterviews Investing in the Great Uranium Bull Market has become the most popular book ever published for uranium mining stock investors. Visit http://www.stockinterview.com

6 Tips for Sexual Foreplay

2008-03-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

Foreplay is a must in sex. This prepares the bodies to enjoy sexual nuances and give each partner the much needed warm up time to get into the mood. So try them out in a sequence.

1. The Precursor

It is always a good way to take initiation in Sexual Matters rather than waiting for your partner to do the same.

Just think that you and your partner have thoughtfully planned for a weekend. Even before you get back home, you start telling him how you are waiting just to grab him and touch and do the things you want to. He would get excited before you lay eyes on him.

The stage has to be set for a fantastic evening, stimulating all the senses. Fantasize about sexy scenes and thereby building your anticipation and creativity.

2. Have a Shower

Cleanliness leads to good sexual performance. A shower builds up your senses. It loosens muscles. It naturally increases your blood circulation thereby making you more receptive to sensual touch.

Better still, you could go in for a shower along with your partner, making it a good beginning of foreplay.

3. Bottom up Approach

It has been observed that during the foreplay, a lot of attention is given to face and upper abdominal parts. The lower body parts are neglected. Based on experience, it is always better to start from the bottom. Try out the toes first, then the legs, inner portion of thighs. This is one important erogenous region often neglected.

Kiss the backside of ankles, Blow on back of their knees. Stroking and massaging the inner and outer portions of the thighs helps in increasing the flow of blood to the genitals thereby making the genitals more receptive to touch and orgasm.

4. The Kisses

Start kissing in a very subtle and gentle manner on their lips. Then you can increase the kissing spreading to the back of neck, ear lobes and the love button.

You could start using your tongue enticing her to open her mouth. Start pressing your lips against hers with a bit more passion and harder.

Then once the partner is turned on you can move to explore the other erotic portions.

5. Using your teeth

Starts nibbling the breast gently and then slowly graze using your teeth as finger nails on the shoulders arms and hands.

Sucking the thumb creates slowly biting them while removing fro the mouth is very sensuous.

Slowly increase the sensitivity, physical and emotional.

6. Blind folding your partner

Whenever one of the senses is forcefully covered, the other senses heighten up.

Blindfolding is a good idea. It leads to anticipation as the person would like to use more of touch and feel.

Kissing and rubbing the bodies is a combination used. You could also use a chocolate for taste and as aphrodisiac. Important thing to remember is that foreplay should lead into an arousal for sexual intercourse. Hence, it should be gradual, slow and involve the bodies, completely exploring the erogenous portions.

Pramod Shet is an Expert at Enhancement of Sexual Performance and have been in this arena for quite some time. Known to be a maverick , his ideas are refreshingly new and bold.

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Please feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or newsletter.

Leather Wristbands & Bracelets Sweeping the Country In Popularity

2008-03-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

Leather wristbands & bracelets started to come into popularity about 3 or 4 years ago. Celebrities started to wear them. Slowly, the general population started to wear them a little. Soon, they become no longer an accessory that was gothic or extreme, the more conservative leather wristbands and bracelets were becoming common among people with many different fashion tastes.

Leather cuff watches are a related accessory to leather wristbands. Cuff watches are leather band watches with wide leather bands, usually about 1.5-3 inches wide. About 3 years ago, there were about 100 cuff watches available for sale on ebay. As their popularity increased over the last 3 years, there are now over 3500 cuff watches available for sale on ebay.

Leather wristbands, cuffs and cuff watch bands have become a fashion necessity these days. Nowadays, there are many celebrities with all kinds of different fashion tastes who wear them. Leather bands is an accessory that has gone from having an extreme or punk stigma, to being completely necessary to mainstream fashion.

Leather wrist accessories are no longer popular with just men. Women are wearing them almost as much as the men now. There are women's leather cuff watches and leather bracelets available in most clothing stores now.

There are many different kinds of leather bands available in stores now. For women, colored leather or suede bracelets and watch bands are popular. For men, it is popular for the bands to be a little wider, 2 inches or more. With a leather wristband or cuff watch band, it is popular now for the band to have a lot of texture, layers of leather, stitching or weaving.

Also, it has become quite popular for people to have their initials, name or a phrase engraved into the leather. There are many places available online that can do that now.

Three years ago, leather wrist accessories became available online with a much better selection than what was available in most retail stores. The retail stores had quite a delay before they figured out what people really wanted in a leather band.

I spotted the leather wristband and cuff trend about 3 years ago and could see the online selections keeping pace with the demand, but it took about another year or two before the retail stores started to come out with what the customers were really looking for in a leather band. In my opinion, most retail stores are still working on figuring out what is popular. I don't think they have quite figured it out yet. I think the selection for leather bands is much better online than what is available in retail stores.

I see this leather wristband, cuff and cuff watch band trend as being one that will not die anytime soon. I see the styles evolving and changing, even now. I think the styles will continue to change over the years, but, I think the popularity of leather wristbands & wide leather cuffs is here to stay, at least for the next decade or two.

Carrie Reeder Owner of The Level Collection Leather wristbands & Cuffs

Winning Back Lost Love

2008-03-02T18:57:00.000-08:00

It is one of the most difficult things that many of us ever have to go through. From our first love in high school to marriages that have gone bad, it doesn't ever get to be an easy thing to deal with. The crushing blow of a breakup can lead you down a path of depression that is not easy to get out of. If you have experienced this in the past and are interested in winning back lost love then here are some suggestions on how to go about doing it.

One of the best ways that you can start when winning back a lost love is to evaluate both them and you. See what kind of a person they were when the relationship started, write it all down on paper. Then write down on the same paper the type of person that they are now. Do you notice any differences? Perhaps you didn't keep up with them and the progression of their personality. Do the same thing for you. If you notice any major differences in the way you were then and now it is possible that you lost something that they found attractive when they first met you. These are the places where you should begin your work.

While you are making the changes, do everything in your power to get them to notice but never, never, never flaunt it in front of them. Make the changes and go about your life as if it was a perfectly natural thing to do. If you get the opportunity to talk to them then shut your mouth and let them speak. Practice being a listener and not a speaker. You should be understanding and consoling, but hold back from any reaction that might repel. Be their friend and allow the rest to occur naturally.

Whoever said it is better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all probably never lost the love of their life. If you want to get your ex back, and restore your relationship back to where it once was then Download our Special Report at http://www.stop-your-breakup.info/

Stop Your Breakup and Win Back Lost Love an Online Special Report, Now Available to Download

Credit Cards For Bad Credit

2008-03-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

Bad credit credit cards are offered by many banks as financial tools to help people establish or re-establish their good credit rating. Bad credit credit cards are primarily intended to make it easier to obtain and re-build credit, which is good for consumers and merchants as well. For all practical purposes, bad credit credit cards are just like regular credit cards, but they are specifically for high risk cardholders. If you have arrears, defaults and general bad credit score or bad credit rating, you may find that bad credit credit cards are available to you. Bad credit credit cards are considered the best choice for credit card deals if your credit score is below 550.

If you find that there are problems in approval of a traditional credit card then you can apply for other options like prepaid debit card, First Premiere Bank Cards and Orchard Cards and secured credit cards. Applying for these cards is exactly like applying for a standard credit card, with applications available on paper and online. Bad credit credit cards typically have a higher interest rate and lower credit limit than standard credit cards, but the issuers are more lenient when looking at past credit history. The fact that bad credit credit cards carry a high interest rate (most likely 20% or more) shouldn't prevent you from getting one in an effort to get your credit back on track. Still, it is true that bad credit credit cards must be used responsibly, or your situation will just worsen.

From astronomically-high interest rates to ridiculously-exorbitant fees, erroneous information abounds. When it comes to bad credit credit cards, the myths definitely abound. In fact, bad credit credit cards are some of the most misunderstood financial tools of all time. Fortunately, the myths are oftentimes unfounded and bad credit credit cards are no longer the stigma they used to be. You might be relieved to find out that bad credit credit cards can actually have pretty decent interest rates. With so many credit card companies and so many different offers, it's easier than ever for consumers to take advantage of reward programs. However, you must consider the factors such as financing fees, annual fees, introductory offers, credit requirements, availability of online banking, and others.

In spite of the additional fees bad credit credit cards are an excellent method for the people with bad or no credit, to improve their credit rating and to enjoy the benefits of credit cards. There are many other benefits to consider, which might be more valuable than a low rate. By paying off the monthly balance and avoiding high interest rates, you steer clear of more debt and show yourself to be a lower risk borrower over time. However, as you maintain regular payments, the creditor may gradually increase the spending limit. If you use a bad credit credit card for small purchases for a year or two and consistently pay the entire balance every month, not only will you not be charged interest, but you will rebuild your credit and be able to get lower rate loans in the future.

As you can see, bad credit credit cards are unique cards geared towards people who have had trouble getting approved for a standard unsecured credit card. However even with bad credit, its still possible to find a credit card for you, even if it means that you have to pay a slightly higher rate of interest. So if you are trying to rebuild your credit don't think about it to much because bad credit credit cards when used properly are a cheap way to rebuild your credit.

http://www.mkemortgage.net/content/secured_credit_cards.htm

How Chihuahuas Can Make The Perfect Pets

2008-03-02T00:04:00.000-08:00

The Chihuahua (pronounced "Chee-wa-wa") is one of the oldest and most popular dog breeds in the world. He is also the smallest canine bred today. At his maximum height, he stands only 9 inches at the shoulders; however, most Chihuahuas are usually in around 6-8 inches high. Commonly referred to as a "Chi", the Chihuahua is a native of Mexico and comes in different colors and two coat varieties: smooth hair and long haired.

Chihuahuas live up to 18 years, are devoted to their owners, and are pumped full of attitude. For such a pint size dog, the Chihuahua has a serious personality, and isnt afraid to show it off; he is completely oblivious to his size although his fearless behavior can be quite endearing at times, it can also get the Chi into plenty of trouble if he is not properly socialized and trained.

You see, without the proper training and socialization, the Chihuahua can become aggressive and excessively suspicious towards strangers and overprotective of their owner. Furthermore, he won't show discretion towards larger dogs and will attempt to stand his ground. All dogs require guidance starting from puppy hood - Chis are no exception.

Chihuahuas are relatively easy to train as long as training is consistent and you are persistent. They are quite intelligent but are also willful. Even though they are sweet and loveable, this dog must be shown his place and controlled.

Chihuahuas tend to favor their owner over everyone else, and are not exceptionally sociable with strangers. A Chihuahua won't think twice about snapping at a teasing child, and they also aren't wild about other family pets, but will be able to tolerate most if raised with them as a puppy. That being said, they get along well with their own kind.

Like all of his canine cousins, the Chi loves to play and needs a certain amount of exercise to keep his muscles strong, and to maintain his healthy bodyweight of 2-4 pounds.

This breed loves to go out for walks, and will be happy to travel anywhere with their owner. However, because Chis have small legs and can't walk for an extended period of time, many owners purchase dog carriers for their pooch. Many dog carriers today are highly fashionable, and allow you to comfortably carry your Chi so you can take him with you wherever you go.

In addition to the pet carrier, something else one needs to keep in mind when owning a Chihuahua is that they are sensitive to cool temperatures. Therefore, they should be provided with proper attire on cold days, such as a jacket or sweater.

Moreover, aside from being sensitive to cool climates, Chihuahuas are also prone to other health issues you should be aware of such as hypoglycemia, knee problems and molera. Molera is a term for the soft spot in the centre of a Chis head where the skull has not fully closed. Due to this condition, a single blow to the head could kill a Chihuahua. Thus, Chihuahuas are small dogs that can easily be injured if sat on or handled roughly. For this reason, the Chihuahua is not a good mix with younger children that could unintentionally harm the dog.

When it all comes down to it, Chihuahuas make ideal pets for families with older, responsible children (above the age of 10), and anyone who is looking for a solid companion that they can give their love and attention to.

One couldn't ask for a more loyal and loving companion than the dynamic and unique Chihuahua.

Richard Cussons cares about all dogs and the Chihuahua is a favorite. You can find out more about Chihuahuas at http://www.chihuahuasavvy.com/

How To Lose The Pooch Belly- Removing the Belly Bulge

2008-03-01T23:55:00.000-08:00

How to lose the pooch belly- Removing the Belly Bulge

It would not be wrong to say that half the people in the entire world suffer from the problem of obesity and excess weight. With the modern lifestyle becoming increasingly becoming static and no physical activity, a large number of people including youngsters below 30 years of age are becoming obese. It is observed that obese people normally have an out of shape belly. Both, men and women have a common tendency of developing a large and protruding tummy. This is due to an increasing concentration of fats near the stomach area. There are several exclusive exercises which are essential for removing this bulging belly.

Steps to Lessen a Bulging Belly

There are many steps which can be successfully implemented to reduce a swollen tummy. These steps are actually known to the people, but since they are difficult to follow they are not very much implemented. The first step is to exercise perfectly and follow the exclusive stomach exercises. These exercises include brisk walking, sit-ups and abdominal crunches. Brisk walking is a great way to regulate body metabolism and burn excess fats especially belly fats. Sit-ups and abdominal crunches do not actually help in burning excess fats but are essential in strengthening abdominal muscles and flattening the bulge. Belly flattening exercises need not always be well defined. Even some normal household work and chores are great belly exercises. Work like gardening and other work which involves physical activities like bending, lifting, twisting etc are all great exercises for flattening the belly bulge.

To lessen excess belly fats and flatten the tummy, the individuals must be very careful of their diet. They must refrain from eating fatty and high calorie foodstuffs. They must strictly have a diet which contains lots of fresh and green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and less oily substances. They must avoid sweets and keep it to a minimal. Individuals must avoid desserts, creamy and fried foodstuffs. These are the main causes for developing belly pouch and thus must be avoided at all costs. Excess sugar is the most important reason for developing a large tummy and hence sugars must be kept at a low minimum.

A reason given lately for people developing a belly pouch is the stress which has become so much a part of the modern lifestyle. It is a bit difficult to believe, but stress is a cause for obesity and developing large tummy. Increase in stress results in an increase in the level of hormone called cortisol which is responsible for developing excess and unwanted belly fats. Individuals must try to reduce stress levels and involve themselves in healthy physical activities, stress busters and recreational activities.

Signing Off

Generally when people become fat it is the belly that goes out of shape. It makes the entire body form is disturbed and it looks very ugly too. Thus when individuals begin to develop even a little bit of belly pouch, they must immediately take steps to flatten and have a regular exercise regime.

Gary Cheung is fitness professional in New York City. He has helped many people change their lives. He currently runs a free informational website on weight loss. Please visit: http://www.weightlossmasterpiece.com

Freelance Photography: How to Begin Your Career

2008-03-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

Photography is a vast world. There are many different types of photography and many different kinds of people that enjoy it. Its a hobby that be relatively inexpensive or one that you can invest a lot of money on. Photos are so special because they give us memories of times and places and events in our lives. We can hold onto these memories forever with a photograph.

As much as people love photos, many people love taking them even more. Whether its a mother who takes photos at every of her childrens moments in life (first smile, first step, first spaghetti meal) or maybe its the father who never forgets his camera for a football or basketball game, or maybe its the young girl who loves nature hikes with her camera; these people are not exceptions. They all have an eye for those special moments and they all appreciate the cameras ability to capture that moment and freeze it in time forever.

- What is Freelance Photography?

What if you love photography so much you wish you could do it for a living? I mean, you actually get paid for your photographs! But you work solely for yourself, selling each photo or series of photos individually. You dont have a boss. You work sometimes on assignment and you may sell to magazines. That is freelance photography.

Freelance photography may be your entire career or it may start out as something you do in your spare time but begin making money from it. Its just like freelance writing in this sense that many people turn it into a career and enjoy the freedom of working essentially for themselves on their own time and making money doing something they love doing anyway.

- How to Build a Portfolio

To start getting jobs as a freelance photographer, you need a portfolio. A portfolio will show samples of your work. Even if you have never had photographs published or publicly displayed, you can start a portfolio of your best work and then add onto it if you win photography contests or start receiving paid work.

- How to Get Jobs

As we mentioned, building a portfolio is the first step in submitting your work for pay but when it comes right down to it, its the quality of the photo that will determine if you get paid for it. Some people have more of a natural talent for taking great pictures than others but it is a skill that anyone can learn. There are schools dedicated to the art of photography and you can even get a degree in it. If you are just getting started, you can look into classes provided by your local community center or community college. Some cities have photography groups that meet to share photos and tips. There are also many groups online dedicated to photography and freelance photography.

You need to view as many famous photographs as possible. Take a look at what is getting published and compare it to your own photos. This allows you to compare and learn from others work. It takes more than just point and shoot to get a great photo. You need to learn about focus, lighting, colors and backgrounds and much more.

Once you start learning about photography and creating a portfolio, you can start submitting your photos to contests and magazines. Get a list of photography markets and start submitting to ones that accept your type of photos. Dont expect to make it to the big times right away. Few people actually achieve this but you can start small and eventually make your way into a nice living from freelance photography.

Looking for information about Photography? Go to: http://www.asaphotography.com 'ASA Photography' is published by Colin Hartness - An excellent resource for Photography! Check out more Photography articles at: http://www.asaphotography.com/archive

Two Simple Ideas for Preventing Colon Cancer

2008-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Colon cancer starts with colon polyps. Polyps are growths in the inner lining of your colon walls. They are formed when the inner lining is irritated or attacked by fecal matter toxins. When you have colon polyps, you dramatically increase your risk of getting colon cancer.

To prevent getting colon cancer you need to prevent getting polyps. If you have polyps then you need to prevent them from becoming cancerous.

Here are some ideas that you can use in preventing colon cancer whether you have or do not have polyps.

Polyps occur when your fecal matter is toxic and becomes stagnant. When your fecal matter stops moving in your colon, then toxic matter in the fecal matter comes in contact with your colon wall. It is this colon area that becomes irritated and over time weakens. As inflammation sets in and irritation continues, toxins are absorbed into the colon wall and a growth occurs. This growth will continue as long as you continue to have toxic fecal matter and constipation.

Here are two things that can help you from creating and irritating polyps.

First eliminate any form of constipation. You have constipation if you dont have at least two bowel movements daily when you have three meals a day. Determine how long it takes for your food to pass through your body. A good rule of thumb is, it should take about 24 hours for food to travel from your mouth and out your anus.

After you eat breakfast in the morning, drink 6 8 oz of any juice with 2 oz of liquid chlorophyll. You can use 2 oz of red beet juice if you prefer. Then check when you start to see either green or red stools. This is your colon transit time. If it takes more than 24 hours then you need to reduce this time.

Preventing colon cancer requires that fecal matter move through your colon without remaining at one spot for too long.

The second thing you can do to prevent colon cancer is to change your fecal matter toxic level. Two things that make your fecal matter more toxic are undigested food and carcinogenic chemicals.

Since, most processed foods such as breads, packaged foods, cooked foods, processed meats, and pasteurized liquids lack digestive enzymes, your body is unable to digest all of the food that you eat. When undigested food reaches the colon, it is decomposed by bad bacteria and becomes highly toxic.

To correct this toxicity, start eating more raw foods such as fruits and vegetables, which are filled with enzymes. Try ten servings a day. Its a lot isnt it? But, that what we need to stop colon cancer or other colon irritations.

Next, read food labels and avoid those foods, as much as possible, which contain excessive preservative, coloring, dyes, fillers, and food stabilizers. There are hundreds of chemicals that are added to your food which help to keep the food from falling apart and decaying. Many of these chemicals are not digested in the small intestine and move into the colon where then make the fecal matter more toxic.

These are two steps that you can start applying for preventing colon cancer. If you have polyps, then these steps will help to keep them in check and reduce your risk of getting colon cancer.

Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To get more tips and discover more ideas on how to prevent getting colon cancer, go to: http://www.coloncancerawareness.info

To discover how to eliminate constipation go to: http://www.remedies-for-constipation.com

Poor Credit Personal Loan

2008-02-29T16:55:00.000-08:00

You could need a personal loan for any reasonto pay medical or college bills, buy or repair your home, buy a car or household gadgets, or finance a vacation or a small business. It is easiest getting a personal loan when you have steady employment and a good credit recordyou can then easily get a loan from your bank. It is not so easy getting a personal loan when you are self-employed, have little or no property to your name, or have just graduated from college. You are considered a bad credit risk. It is most difficult getting a personal loan when you have already been through a bankruptcy, foreclosure, or repossession caseyou are considered a very poor credit risk indeed.

This is where our service at Allworldprivatefunding comes in. We provide a forum for private creditors and borrowers from the world over to get together and find ways to help each other. There are many people all over the world who have been through difficult times, have overcome their difficulties spectacularly, and would now like to help people with their money and advice. There are others who are working and have some savings which they would like to use to make a positive and personal impact on someones life. People who ask for loans on our site may have lost their homes in a natural disaster, lost their businesses due to a sluggish economy, or might be setting up a small business after being made redundant. Our creditors and borrowers could be from any part of the world and from any professional background.

If you have problems with poor credit, and you need a personal loan, you should register on our site and make your loan request. You should tell potential lenders about yourself and why you need the money. Tell them how you make a living and where you liveyou never know who will read your loan request and respond. You may get offers of a loan within a day, a week, or a month.

If you are a lender and you have read about someone who has poor credit but needs a personal loan, make a note of the loan request code number and send it to us with your contact details. We will send your offer to the concerned person and they will contact you.

If you want to help people with a private loan, or you have a problem with poor credit and need a personal loan, register with us at http://Allworldprivatefunding.com.

Lisa London is a well known author and has been writing content for http://allworldprivatefunding.com an Online Loans, Personal Loans, Bad credit Loans, Unsecured Loans for so many years. His content is worth reading as it gives you an insight about different aspects of Loans, Personal Loans, Bad credit Loans, Unsecured Loans For more information visit http://www.allworldprivatefunding.com

How the Competition Can Make Your E-book a Runaway Success

2008-02-29T11:00:00.000-08:00

As I explained in my 2/26/07 blog post*, Freelance E-book Writer: The Steps I Take to Create a Successful E-book, researching the competition is a vital component of creating a successful e-book. In fact, it is the very first thing I do after getting an idea for an e-book.

Why? Read on.

How the Competition Stacks Up: You want to see how many like products are out there. You may find a few, or you may find many. Whatever you find has to be looked at from both sides of the coin - good and bad.

Eg, if there are a lot of books on your subject, some questions you might want to ask are:

i) are they in e-book form: this is important because, if they don't, then you could target the online segment who may have be disserved by the paper/hardback book

ii) do they cover the topic in detail, OR, cover it as I would cover it: Look at the outline (most e-books tell you in an outline or on a sales page what is covered in the book).

This is important because you could cover the same material from a different angle, a funnier angle, a more professional angle, a personal experience angle, etc.

iii) what is their experience in the field: perhaps the most important thing in selling an e-book is the author's experience. Eg, I've been a freelancer since 1993, I worked in legal publishing for 10 years; I owned an editorial staffing agency for 8 years; have written six e-books and one freelance writing e-course.

In short, I can make the buyer feel confident in purchasing my products because I have the experience to back up what I wrote on.

DON'T get intimidated if you don't have an extensive background.

How to Sell Your E-book if You Have Limited Experience

Sell your expertise case by case. What I mean is, using case studies, spell out for potential buyers how you helped a client achieve his/her goal. A case study is really just an in-depth testimonial.

It lays out a problem that a client had, and tells how a product/company/person helped solve the problem. They are very effective ways to sell.

Conversely, if there are not a lot of books on your subject matter, two immediate questions come to mind, ie:

i) is there a market for this product? It could just be that no one else has thought to cover this subject. NOTE: This is highly unlikely, but don't let that deter you. Niche material is very popular, but do make sure there is enough of a market to advertise to.

Eg, if there are only 25,000 pig farmers in California, how many of them do you think are going to be interested in your take on feeding pigs a vegetarian diet (the subject of your e-book)?

My point? Be realistic. Make sure there is a broad enough market to justify spending your time writing your book.

ii) how am I going to reach this market? If you're writing an e-book on a subject matter that no one else has written on, then you have to find out how to reach them. Maybe the reason no one has written an e-book on the subject you want to write on is because the audience is offline, not online.

Some other questions regarding the competition you want to answer is: who they market to, how do they reach them, what is their pricing structure, do they offer add-ons**, etc.

**Add-ons: Add-ons are freebies e-book sellers give to buyers. They can be anything from a free website to other free e-books. They are usually complementary products to the item they're promoting.

Researching your competition will tell you virtually everything you need to know to successfully market your e-book - if you do it well.

*Blog posts refer to those posted at InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com.

May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to http://www.InkwellEditorial.com to register now.

Drug Detox Q & A - Can Opioid Pain Therapy Create Drug Addicts?

2008-02-28T16:14:00.000-08:00

We frequently hear or read about people who have become addicted to painkillers after being prescribed them by their doctor for chronic pain. The problem is that once the pain is gone or manageable, the person can find themselves trapped by the drug and has to keep taking it. Next thing you know, theyre doctor shopping, stealing drugs from medicine cabinets, buying them off the Internet, or from drug dealers. Really, their only hope at that point is a drug detox program that will help them get off the drug.

These stories are always sad and somewhat frightening. For me, they also raise a number of questions: How many people actually suffer from the severe chronic pain that requires these prescriptions? And how do they become addicted? Some of the answers I found were shocking.

A study conducted by Stanford University Medical Center found that one in five adult Americans suffer from chronic pain pain lasting for several months or longer. And, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, common and chronic pain costs American workers more than $61 billion a year in lost productivity. These facts alone provide significant incentive to ask for, and write prescriptions for painkillers. People dont want to be in pain, and they do want to go to work. So, they are likely to be on these drugs for an extended period of time.

But will they become drug addicts? That depends on a number of factors. First, the type of drug theyre taking; If theyre taking opium-based painkillers like OxyContin, Dilaudid, Vicodin, Percocet, oxycodone, or morphine, it is almost certain the person will become physically dependant and, if taken for a long period of time, theyll probably require drug detox to safely get off the drug with a minimum of debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

However, even though the risk of drug addiction with opioid painkillers is higher than with other drugs, addiction goes beyond mere physical dependency. It is more a mindset its a solution that enables a person to cope with the stresses of living life. And it takes more than drug detox to handle it. Drug detox helps the person handle their physical dependency, but theyll need drug rehab to conquer the addiction.

Whether or not someone is addicted to a drug is a complex question. But the bottom line is this: given the right set of conditions, there is a great risk of addiction.

The best way to find out if someone is addicted is to get them treatment in a medically-supervised drug detox program that helps them withdraw safely from the drug and then provides counseling to determine if further treatment is needed.

drug detox center

Rod MacTaggart is a Florida-based freelance writer who contributes articles on health.

http://www.novusdetox.com