Add your site to
62 directories FREE

Site title

Site description

Site URL

Site keywords (optional)

Your email (optional)





Thursday, October 27, 2005

Hey There, What's Your Money Personality?. Fear and Anxiety: They Are No Match For Hypnosis.

Guys who come up to women in bars and ask: "hey baby, what's your sign?" Since statistics reveal that couples fight over money more than any other issue, maybe a better question to start off a potential relationship is to first find out the other person's money personality.

I just learned about money personality typing in a recent workshop and it is quite fascinating.

Basically there are four personality types:

The Savers/Hoarders

Savers embrace the concept of putting something away for a rainy day. Savers describe themselves as responsible. Some of their friends may describe them as stingy or tightwads. Having money make hoarders feel in control and secure. The downside of being a Hoarder is that you may carry it too far and never enjoy what you have accumulated. It could be no fun to live with an extreme Saver.

The Spenders

On the other side of the coin are the Spenders. These folks love instant gratification. You make money to spend it. Funny thing about Spenders are that they are usually not only spending money, but other resources too, like energy, and passion. So, it may be a blast to hang out with an extreme Spender (just imagine going shopping with one), it may also be exhausting and the pleasure fleeting. Another potential problem is that extreme Spenders will spend money they don't have and accumulate huge debts.

The Avoiders

Bobby McFerrin wrote the song "Don't worry, be happy" just so these folks can have their theme song. They seldom bother even opening their bank statements.

It's just too much trouble to balance their check books. "Gosh darn, did I send in a payment late again? You see, I really needed to wash my car and get a haircut and.." If you are a fellow Avoider, you probably will get along famously with one. If you like your life orderly, you're in for a rough time, and may find yourself taking on all the money management tasks in the relationship.

The Money Monks

This groups termed themselves "Holier than dough". They are too spiritual to be concerned about something as pedestrian as money matters. Consequently, they very seldom have any money to be concerned about. Again, if you are paired with a Money Monk, you may have to shoulder the money management responsibilities all your own.

I have intentionally described these personalities to the extreme. Not many people are quite that extreme. However, we all have a tendency to be closer to one type than the rest. So, think about how you operate and if you have to categorize yourself, what is your money personality type? What is the type of your significant other? Based on your answers, can you anticipate what issues you would have with each other regarding the issue of money? Even if you both are the same money personality, what money issues are you facing? What are you unhappy about in regards to your money situation? What's one action can you commit to that will improve that situation?

If you are a couple who tend to fight over how each other spends money, here's a suggestion: decide on an amount (call it an allowance or whatever you like) that you each get monthly. Choose an appropriate amount based on your income and financial situation. Regardless of how much each party earns, the amount MUST be the same for both. Then make a pact that you each get to spend that allowance whichever way you choose no questions or criticism from either party. If you are a Saver, and decided to put your allowance into the bank, but your wife went out and bought herself a Kate Spade bag, that's okay, because that is the agreement. How many arguments could you have avoided if you had this arrangement in place?

Now that you know about money personalities, figure out what you like about your personality and what you would like to change. Then ask your partner: "what's your money personality?"

© 2004 Inez O. Ng

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Do you need some structure and accountability to propel you forward? Personal Coach Inez Ng has worked with professionals and entrepreneurs to transform their aspirations into reality. While focusing on specific areas, her coaching positively impacts all areas of her clients' lives. Learn more about coaching with Inez at http://www.RealizationsUnltd.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



Many people struggle each day with fear and anxiety.

We're not talking about being afraid that you didn't pass your last test or anxiety over a job interview. Anxiety and fear become deep rooted elements of a person's life and can create havoc in relationships and make it impossible to function on a day to day basis.

Anxiety often creates a snowball effect of emotions that take place when something, even the smallest thing, goes wrong in a person's life. For example, for someone struggling with anxiety, even the minutest intrusion can throw his or her entire day out of line.

Let's say you are getting ready for work and your cat throws up on your carpet. Automatically your mind starts racing. This means you are going to be late for work, which means your boss is going to think you are irresponsible, which means you are never going to get the raise you need to buy your first home which means you are going to be stuck in an apartment forever and your whole financial life is ruined. In an instant cat vomit is equated to a destroyed life for someone dealing with anxiety.

Fear Is Often Related To Anxiety.

Individuals often become afraid of things that have led them to anxiety in the past. The individual in the above example may never look at cats the same way again. Fear leads to the avoidance of things that people fear and can create havoc in their lives such as the example given above. People may become phobic of snakes, spiders, clowns, chickens and many other things.

A New Approach

Perhaps you are someone struggling with

fear and anxiety. You may have tried different methods including counseling and anti-anxiety medications to make it go away but nothing has worked. You may have spent hours in the self-help section of your local bookstore with no luck.

You still have one more option available to try and that is hypnosis. No, hypnosis does not mean that you are put into a trance by a freaky man with a pocket watch. The problem with basic therapy is that it simply uses the conscious portion of your brain. The conscious part is the portion that controls and assists you with day-to-day thought processes.

The purpose of hypnotism is to relax the conscious level of the brain and subdue it so that the subconscious portion is allowed to come forward. What is the subconscious? The subconscious mind is that portion of your brain that takes care of your automatic day-to-day business such as riding a bicycle. You have done it so many times that conscious though is no longer required for these tasks.

Once the subconscious is accessible to the hypnotist, he or she will work with you to rewire your subconscious. For example, if you are afraid of spiders, a hypnotist can help you relate spiders to something light and funny instead of something to be afraid of.

Over time, you will learn that you are significantly bigger than your fears and can overcome them all through hypnotherapy!

This original article may be placed on your own web site, or included in your ezine or newsletter, provided you display the following:

To read more original hypnotherapy articles visit the HypnoSpot web site: http://www.hypnospot.co.uk/hypnotherapy-articles-sitemap.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Why Didn't He Call?
Think Market!
6 Secret Signs of an Easy Home Business
Anniversary Gifts and Perfumes
Avoid The Sharks
A Guide to Fruit Baskets
A Closer Look at Pigeon Forge Real Estate
Nfl Handicapping : Black Magic Sports
Spanish Language : FSI Programmatic Spanish, Begginer Spanish, Intermediate And Advanced Level Spanish
Golf Event Planning : Golf Tournament Creation - Golf Tournament Planning Complete
Horse Racing Websites : Horse Racing Systems, Handicapping Tips & Free Horse Racing Picks - BW2
Wholesale Lending : Private Investor Lending

10:44 PM |

Spyware: The New Cancer. Buying, Storing, and Preparing Apricots.

Just like cancer, a computer virus program, whether Trojan, adware, or spyware can be deemed as any executing program that can infect your computer by recreating a copy of itself onto your system. Just like with cancerous cells in the human body, if not detected in time or found to be in the wrong place, any of these infectious programs can find themselves replicating and creating havoc throughout other parts of the machine.

When spyware was first discovered, just as was the case with cancer in the human body, it perplexed those who were infected by it because until something becomes known to the general public, there can be no reason for cure for that certain disease. For example, there was no cure for polio until the vaccine was created by Dr.

Salk, and there was no cure for Trojan horse programs until they were discovered to have caused mass havoc. So if there is knowledge about what types of adware, Trojan, and spyware programs are infecting millions of people across the planet each and every day, why is there no cure for such programs?

There is a simple answer to this question, because economically, it doesn't make since to have one solid end all be all type cures for these infectious programs. The reason for this is because countless numbers of suppliers of virus protection and detection programs would be remiss to find a cure for these things because it would subsequently put them out of business. This is not to say that they are out there putting these programs into circulation just to drum up business for their companies, or are they? It has been a conspiracy theory among countless numbers of people that the pharmaceutical industry in the United States finds themselves not wanting to find a cure for cancer because it would dampen their profits from having to buy treatment medicine by the carload.

Every time there is a new virus of infectious

program that comes out, just like with diseases where you have to get a shot to prevent yourself from catching it, you have to update your detection programs to check for this before your computer gets infected with it. In all seriousness, spyware and virus detection programs are great because they can make you feel a lot more secure in your day to day computer life. Although you might grip and complain for having to download updates and security patches to your system through various programs every night before you go to bed, it will only take one of those programs that you are being protected from for you to have your world turned upside down. Until there is a cure found to stop all virus program infections, the only way to protect yourself is kill or be killed and that is what these programs can do for you. Regular checkups are the key to staying healthy.

When not on his soapbox, Andrew Wroblewski is doing battle with the thousands of spyware programs that can affect you via his ant-spyware and spyware removal website: http://spyware.pcwash.com where you can get a free spyware scan of your computer system.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



When buying apricots, always look for those that are firm, plump orange fruit that gives slightly when you press with your thumb. Bruised apricots should be avoided. Like apples and potatoes, apricots contain polyphenoloxidase, an enzyme that combines with phenols in the apricots to produce brownish pigments that discolor the fruit.

When apricots are bruised, cells are broken, releasing the enzyme so that brown spots form under the bruise. Avoid apricots that are hard or mushy or withered. All are less flavorsome than ripe, firm apricots, and the withered ones will decay quickly. Also avoid greenish apricots as they are low in carotenes and will never ripen satisfactorily at home.

Always try to store ripe apricots in the refrigerator and use them within a few days. Apricots do not lose their vitamin A in storage, but they are very perishable and rot fairly quickly.

When you peel or slice an apricot, you tear its cells walls, releasing polyphenoloxidase, an enzyme that reacts with phenols in the apricots, producing brown compounds that darken the fruit. Acids inactivate polyphenoloxidase, so you can slow down this reaction (but do not stop it completely) by dipping raw sliced and/or peeled apricots into a solution of lemon juice or vinegar and water or by mixing them with citrus fruits in a fruit salad. Polyphenoloxidase also works more slowly in the cold, but storing peeled apricots in the refrigerator is much less effective than an acid bath.

To peel apricots easily, drop them into boiling water for a minute or two, then lift them out with a slotted spoon and plunge them into cold water. As with tomatoes, this works because the change in temperature damages a layer of cells under the skin so the skin slips off easily.

If you are wondering what actually happened when you cook apricots, cooking dissolves pectin, the primary fiber in apricots, and softens the fruit. But it does not change the color or lower the vitamin A content because carotenes are impervious to the heat of normal cooking.

Cindy is the host of http://www.asianonlinerecipes.com, a Free Asian Recipes website dedicated to all things on Asian Cooking and Culinary Guide.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
A Quick Guide To Finding Reciprocal Links
The News About Newsletters
What Company Does Your Business Keep?
Drought Worsened in Some States in 2004; 2005 will be very telling
Joe Johnson Trade Outlook
Mirror Tinted Contact Lenses: Wild, and Practical Too
Creating Great Birthday Party Videos
Latin Language : Fsi Spanish Level 1, 2, 3, And 4
Training Courseware : Computer Training Manual, Computer Training Courseware, & Computer Lesson Plans.
: How I Make $1000 A Weekend With Golf Biz
Search Engine Optimization : Print Release - The Printable Press Release
Computer Training Courseware : Computer Training Manual, Computer Training Courseware, & Computer Lesson Plans.
 Quite Uninformed About Rabbits: Pet Rabbit Care Ebook - Order Now - Risk Free...
Gradual Weight: Negative Calorie Foods...
Printing Costs: Easy Bookbinding - Create Your Own Book At Home...
Fight Cancer And Heart: Banish Your Bad Breath And Gum Disease For Life - Get Rid Of Your Bad Breath...
Drive Traffic: Affiliate Finder Pro™ - Get An Instant Army Of Affiliates Ready To Promote Your ...

10:17 AM |

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Advantages and Disadvantages Of A Reverse Mortgage. Junk Websites Pretending to be Informational.

Betty and John, are in their mid-seventies and are currently weighing the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage as a way of freeing up some cash. The couple purchased their home 45 years ago for about $14,000 since then home values have skyrocketed and recent single family homes in their neighborhood have been selling for a minimum of $160,000.

Like Betty and John, if you're considering a reverse mortgage it's important to do some research prior to making a decision. You not only need to understand the basic principles of this kind of mortgage but you also need to look at all the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage.

Essentially a reverse mortgage is a loan that permits homeowners 62 years of age and older to borrow against the equity in their homes without having to sell it. Further, you don't have to give up the title or take on a new monthly mortgage payment.

A reverse mortgage

loan is tax-free and needs only to be repaid when the borrower (or in the case of Betty and John, when the surviving spouse) dies or sells the home. At which time, the reverse mortgage loan must be repaid in full, including all interest and other charges.

When examining the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage it's also important to consider both the process and the related costs of obtaining a reverse mortgage. Unlike a conventional mortgage, with a reverse mortgage, the homeowner (the potential borrower) must meet with a reverse mortgage counselor. References for counselors can be obtained from banks offering reverse mortgages or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The purpose of these meetings which may take place in person or on the telephone is for the homeowner to learn about reverse mortgages and discuss alternative options. It also helps you decide which kind of reverse mortgage may be best. As well as exploring the advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage, it's wise that the potential borrower, also compare costs between various lenders and request a Total Annual Loan Cost estimate for each.

Further to discussing the

advantages and disadvantages of a reverse mortgage with a counselor, you also need to understand that there are certain costs involved in the reverse mortgage process. Costs may include application fees, closing costs, insurance, appraisal fees, credit report fees, and quite possibly a monthly service fee. Remember too that since a reverse mortgage allows you to continue living in your home, you're still responsible for property taxes, insurance and repairs. If these payments are not maintained, the loan could become due in full.

A reverse mortgage may also affect eligibility for federal or state assistance as well as Medicaid. That said, any reverse mortgage money that is received is tax-free and does not affect Social Security or Medicare benefits.

The condition of your home is also a large part of the approval process. It must be structurally sound and in good repair. If it's determined that home repairs need to be done, the costs can also be financed through the reverse mortgage loan.

The total amount a homeowner can borrow all depends on the kind of reverse mortgage selected, how much equity is in the home, the loan's interest rate and most importantly, the age of the borrower. Typically the older a person is, the more they can expect to receive.

A borrower can receive reverse mortgage payments in one of the following ways: in a lump-sum payment; fixed monthly payments; a line of credit or a combination of any of the above. Most homeowners go for the line of credit option which allows them to draw on the loan whenever money is required.

Paul Jesse is a retired government employee, small business owner and the author of many articles on finance and internet marketing. Visit his website at: http://www.sheamarketing.com/financial

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



If you do any Internet surfing at all, use the Internet like a library for research or simply occasionally search topics of interest on any of the major search engines, then no doubt you have come to junk websites which trick you into thinking you are going to a legitimate website that has worthy information. Often these junk websites have a small bit of information on them and a whole lot of advertising on them; some relevant but most is totally irrelevant. This ruins the online experience for users.

I cannot imagine anyone just putting up endless sites, copying formats of everyone else, putting up junk and calling that their income, yet I see it every day as do all Internet surfers and researchers. I have seen folks writing articles and ebooks telling them how to put up a quick cheesy websites and wait for their Google checks in the mail. It seems everyone wants something for nothing and these folks who tell others how to manipulate the system are ruining the Internet tool, which is so very valuable to our civilization. If everyone puts up these junk sites then it will add to the size of the Internet in number of pages and indeed to Google's profits. This will assist shareholders and their second public offering price, but for all humanity it is a negative trend.

I wish people would not plagiarize, steal articles and infringe on copyrights simply to get free content to build these junk sites and get a check from Google, but alas even kids in school do this, cheating on term papers and reports, not willing to do their own work. It is a problem with human beings, it is tough for them to reason an ethical standard of appropriate behavior in this realm, because it is too easy and it appears to be human nature is to try to get more for less. That is to say; Trade, cheat, deceive, etc., as those are innate characteristics of the species. Perhaps these deceptive actions are reason for our larger brains, to keep track of all this behavior and remain in a good social standing with the group to continue to get what they want with the least amount of effort. Not such a good depiction of mankind. But by applying such observations of various upright walking primates and chimpanzees to plagiarizers, it seems to help one understand them better. And since these cheats are all part of us, the problem is that we all accept this behavior and reward it.

Additionally the Internet is the best communication device ever created (Thank you Tim Berners-Lee) and you can immediately see those innate negative aspects of the human species quite easily, as they use the Internet to hide in broad day-light. This is one of the reasons I personally do not bother to use the articles to promote anything in that there are so many who are also using it to promote crap that I do not wish to be anywhere near them.

Yet in this sea of human deception, there is one island of integrity, it is a site called; EzineArticles.com and on this site I see many good folks with

good information who write articles to give good information, while simultaneously self-promoting their many unique and interesting small businesses. This group or giant club of authors are generally doing this without crossing the line of poor ethical behavior. I think we must reward this site and the strict enforcement of only original articles posted there. Think on this wonderful island of integrity next time you have an article you have written which you believe others might benefit from. I have and now have written some 1900 articles and posted them on EzineArticles.com.

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

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
The Gods Of Our Planet Earth
How to Create Your Ideal Life - Excerpt from Individual Power
Want to Try on That New Hair Style Before You Get It?
Buying Textlinks: The Latest SEO Craze
You Can Help Reduce the Number of Unwanted Cats - Spaying and Neutering of Cats
Healthcare for Your Goldfish
Know About the All Purpose Holistic Medicine
Know About the All Purpose Holistic Medicine

Understanding what holistic medicine is:

Holistic Medicine is a wellness-based approach to medicine. It emphasizes the need to look at the whole person, including analysis of physical, nutritional, environmental, emotional, social, spiritual and lifestyle values. It encompasses all stated modalities of diagnosis and treatment including drugs and surgery if no safe alternative exists. Holistic medicine focuses on education and responsibility for personal efforts to achieve balance and well-being.

How it works

Within the wellness model, health care practitioners examine a patient's body, mind, and spirit. When assessing the body, practitioners review a patient's nutritional status, exercise level, and environmental exposures (to such substances as radiation, plastics, chemicals, pollution, and tobacco).

When assessing the mind, health care practitioners discuss the mind-body connection. For example, the well-established "fight or flight" response shows the interconnectivity between the mind and body. Other research has shown the healthful benefits to the body when relaxation techniques are employed and the power of positive thinking. Holistic medicine practitioners also look at nutritional aspects that help keep the mind functioning at optimal capacity, the emotional support system that patients have in place, and the types of intellectual stimulation that keep the mind well primed.

Holistic medicine practitioners also assess the spiritual aspects of an individual. A spiritual connection, in whatever form, has been shown to improve health. The practitioners also discuss the importance of forgiveness and in "plugging in" (a patient's own discovery and connection with their place in the "bigger picture" and how personal decisions affect this "bigger picture").

A wellness plan for you

Holistic medicine practitioners offer the following "wellness prescription" tips for improving your mind, body, and spirit:

Avoid animal fats and trans fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils)

Emphasize omega-3 fatty acids (fish, seeds [especially flaxseed], and nuts

Eat more fruits and vegetables (8 to 10 servings per day)

Consume whole grains

Avoid white flour, sugar, and processed foods

Consider green tea instead of coffee

For more information, visit: http://www.AlternativeMedicineInfoCenter.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/


Empower Yourself And Design: Power Talk - Self Discovery Through Reverse Speech...
Initially: Simple Letters, Direct Mail, Mail Order, Offline Marketing...
Seemed Almost: For Sale By Owner - Fsbo - Information...
Started: Recover From The Grief Of Pet Loss...
Something Close: Personal Development....

1:12 PM |

Monday, October 24, 2005

For a Bowl of Soup [a Short Story of Murder in Lima]. Where to Find Scooter Accessories.

Advance: I have considered it advisable to alter the names-in one case, more of a deletion of part of a name-of the principal characters in this story; a venal sin at best. In any case, names matter little if the source of the story reflects the truth that resides under the situation, and the reader will surely recognize the characters true identity should they wish to.

Twenty-five years have past since this took place. Upon my inquire into this, I talked to the psychologist that was involved with the case, and asked why he did what he did, and his answer was, "For a bowl of soup, I gave up my career." Nicely put I thought at the time. For after he killed his patient, there were no more murders in Lima, Peru. But I am getting ahead of my story. Let's go back twenty-five years or so, in this reproduced historical fiction narrative (an enactment of what may have taken place prior to his arrest).

It was a hot summer's day in Lima, Peru, the late 1970s, not sure why I was there, a place to be I suppose as good as any other place. All I heard about was of a string of murders, and the police were finding body parts all over the city. It had nothing to do with me but I couldn't help wondering how it woud be, being chopped up alive and my body parts buried all over the city, and all of a sudden, someone finding an arm or leg and saying: "Hay, look here!" They were all talking about this mass murder they nicknamed: "The Butcher of Lima."

I confess, I couldn't think of anything worse in the world.

I kept hearing about the Butcher, the Butcher, over the radio, the television, at the caf�½s and reading about him in the newspapers, as if there was no other news. He was the star of Lima, a celebrity. So no wonder I couldn't get him out of my mind.

Lima had their own troubles, without this guy I thought, and enough was enough. It was 11:00 AM in the morning. I came out of a sweaty dream; as macabre as they get. As I went to fetch a taxi to go eat at the caf�½ I normally go to in Miraflores, the streets were hot as a pistol that had just been shot. The dust from the wind was being swirled about and thrown in my direction.

I had eggs and lamb-chops for breakfast; and behind the face of Marybell, my waitress-a young mother, with two twin sons, quite pretty-she, like most everyone in Lima, quivered as I opened up the paper to see the dirty deeds the Butcher may have done the night before. I moved the paper a bit, didn't stare at it too long, thinking other people would think I liked reading such horrid crap, yet everyone was doing the same thing. Thus, I did not leave the page his dirty deeds were on exposed too long.

(I knew something was wrong, my senses told me so, told me these ongoing sprees of murders were too uncomfortable for me to just let it go; for the whole city was up in a stir over it. Thus, I walked the park area in Miraflores, kind of drifting, as I did the same in the Plaza de Armas a few miles away trying to think if I should seek out my friends at the hotel and probe more into this matter.)

I was supposed to have a long vacation, and a kind of working one also. I often tucked them both in-together. I was trying to finish up a book that really was not concerned with a mass murderer case. But this was becoming a preoccupation for me, nonetheless. I got some exposure being an American writer in Lima, and a presentation on my previous book at a local bookstore. Thus, I had some newspaper coverage, along with a television interview, and a quick lecture at a university. This got the attention of my fellow comrades at the hotel, and especially in the barroom; the writers and reporters whom were supposed to be covering this case: that being, The Butcher of Lima.

"Just look at what's going on in this country," said one of the customers in the barroom of the hotel. "We can't walk the streets anymore at night!" I didn't really want to get into buying their grief, not for myself, or them. I just wanted to go my marry-Ol-way; you know, from typewriter to typewriter, and from to hotel, to hotel; and leave the grisly stuff for them.

There were six of us at the hotel, writers and reporters that I got to know; or so they all said they were of this breed. In any case, we talked bout the case at hand, of the Butcher that it would be good news should one of us find out who he was and expose him. For myself, I informed them, I did not want to reap the benefits of discovering him, l liked the laze fare status. None of them seemed to eager also in investigating this case too close, although all their expenses were paid by their employer: two fellows from New York City, another from Chicago, and still another from Detroit; and yet still another from Lima itself; and I from little old St. Paul, Minnesota.

So there were six of us at the hotel on the same floor; room to room, all facing one another; three rooms on one side and three on the other. It reminded me of an army barracks: beds and rooms piled next to one another. Oddly, it was a hotel where women, single women were not on the same floor as us. And the wealthy were above us. I saw them as I'd leave the hotel on the sunroof, yawning and stretching, trying to wipe the drunken night away.

Diaz

It came to be, Diaz troubled me.

I never knew a man like him.

I'm not sure where he came from, perhaps Peruvian, so it seemed at the time. He had a thin face, long tongue, it always seemed to block his breathing, and when he opened his mouth it was there before his teeth were. He had bright black hair. His mouth kind of had an arrogant sneer to it, as if the world was dumber than he, and he could out-wit them, should he wish to at any given moment.

Diaz singled me out right away when I arrived at the hotel. He kind of made me feel smarter than the rest of the media at the hotel. He&d sit next to me at the bar as we all sat down and talked about what was news worthy, and he'd say to me under his breathe, a whisper sort of, he'd say some witty sarcastic remark.

He was conscious, and critical of the others for not being able to find this mass murder, as if he could, should he try. But he was as indolent as the rest. Yet I said nothing to that effect, let it rest where it lay I told myself. Let me repeat myself, he was not impressed with the lot at the hotel, me included, he once said, "...you're all elaborate decadence that are attracted to the puss of life." Oh well, so be it I told myself, maybe he was right. We all seem to be somewhat magnetic when it comes to gangsters and murders, making them into celebrities if not heroes somewhere down the road. As I said, I left well enough alone, and just wondered if he fell into his own category. Or was he too close to the mountain to see.

He had an interesting smile, which stuck to him by some kind of mesmeric force. It reminded me of a charismatic preacher that could change his moods to suite the sermon.

"You know my friend," he'd say, "No one gives a damn how this story will end, as long as the expenses are paid for."

Diaz lit a cigarette, blow smoke into my face, I moved away from it a ting.

"You see how easy it is to make you move," he said with an excited veil gust of air from his stomach.

"I bet your ex-wife could control every move you made," he added with assurance to his countenance.

-The city and summer did not do much for getting me a tan, I looked as grim as any gringo could, as white that is, as white as a ghost. The many conversations with Diaz made me a bit cynical if not, downright witty with sneer wisdom at my fingertips at times.

I didn't know what was going to happen down the road, but I knew perfectly well, Diaz would make something happen, call it military intuition. He showed uncommon tendencies toward danger. He walked across streets as if no car could hit him. He sat in window sill as if he was not capable of falling out of them. The list goes on but he had blue blood I do believe.

Morning at the Caf�½

One night I didn't join Diaz in the barroom, and as I read the morning paper at my familiar caf�½ in Miraflores the following morning, my insides went suddenly numb, and the look on my face must had been twice as dumb looking. Marybell nodded to me, wanting to know if I had wanted to order breakfast, as I sat back in my chair in the outside caf�½-informally; her eyes followed mine back to the paper, it was wide open on the table, I was speechless. She glanced back at me after looking and started laughing.

The laughter should have told me, but I said, "What's so funny?"

The traffic around the caf�½ was moving slowly, horns being honked as usually, but I didn't really hear all that much. I was sitting tight.

"Well," I remarked.

"That's your friend Diaz-he's...he's the &Butcher!" She was internally in a panic I could see.

To this very day I can't remember what I said, or even if I was smiling. I think I tried to, which is kind of natural for me. All I remember was the terrible silence that thumped inside of me, until someone said, "Hay you!" which woke both myself and Marybell up, and out of our trance like state.

Note: Written at the cafe in Roseville, Barnes and Noble, 5/20/05

Author/Poet, Dennis Siluk, http://dennissiluk.tripod.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



Scooter accessories

can usually be found at a scooter store that will typically specialize in a specific type of scooter. A scooter store could either specialize in a variety of recreational scooters, while another store will specialize in the mobility scooters. Major department and discount store retailers also offer scooter accessories to enhance the experience as well as replacement scooter parts.

Many scooter accessories are after market add-ons, made by a variety of different manufacturers as universal fitting parts. After market accessories made by outside companies allow for a lot of variety with, generally, a lower price. A great number of accessories that would be primarily safety equipment can be easily found at most retail and sporting goods stores.

Mobility scooters have their own distinctive market niche with services to accommodate the specific needs of the market. Although mobility scooters can be quite expensive, many insurance companies will pay for the vehicle, since it is considered a medical device. Retailers also offer scooter accessories such as baskets to aid in the operator's ability to shop or carry other items.

The scooter store that specializes in scooter models with gas powered engines will offer safety classes and safety equipment.

In addition, basic scooter accessories can be found at this type of retailer for easy installation, while some accessories may need to be installed by a professional.

Scooter accessories can be purchased directly from the manufacturer by calling their 800 number or by ordering online. Prior to placing the order, it is best to have all information regarding the make, the model and the part number to insure that the correct accessory has been requested.

Scooters Info provides detailed information about scooters, including motor, electric, gas, mobility, push, and wholesale scooters, as well as scooter stores, parts, and accessories. Scooters Info is the sister site of Electric Wheel Chairs Web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Inline Skating Technique -- The T-Stop
Augmented Reality and 3D 360-Vision
Osteoporosis, Bone Disease That Silently Robs Your Bones
Turning Piles into Files
How To Lose 20 Pounds REALLY, REALLY Fast
Sales: The Secrets Of Super Salesmanship Exposed
Focusing Your Marketing Efforts
Mystic guy, Beach and Sand Jewellery
Go Time Travel
Worlds Tea
Knitting
Life Insurance Basics
Anxious Bikini
Called Privacy Software: Privacy On Your Home Computer...
Getting Loose: Weight Lifting...
Credit: My-credit-repair-kit...
Their Credit And Privacy: Fix Your Credit For Less: Take Your Credit Into Your Own Hands: Beat Colle...
Beginning Their: How To Find Happiness And Passion In Your Life...

4:30 PM |

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Love The Thrill of Risk? Invest in an Annuity!. Devising Newer Ways of Repayment.

With the stock market in steep decline, people are looking for safe places to invest their savings.

Many banks and investment companies are pushing annuities. Annuities offer a higher interest rate than CD's, but are they safe?

You could view an annuity as a tax deferred CD. You don't pay taxes on the interest until you start drawing from the annuity. But there are some important differences between an annuity and a CD.

An annuity is a product offered by an insurance company. With giant corporations like Enron, Kmart, Worldcom, and United Airlines going bankrupt, can you guarantee that the insurance company won't fold, leaving you with nothing? Insurance companies are insured by re-insurers, like General Re. But it seems no matter how large a company is, you can't be sure it won't fold. The bankruptcy of a large insurance company might cause the re-insurer to collapse along with it.

Bank CD's are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) for up to $100,000 per bank. The FDIC is a branch of the U.S. Government, who, as you know, are the people who print the money. If they go bankrupt, we'll have more to worry about than just losing our savings!

A new type of annuity called a charitable gift annuity has come on the market recently. These are issued by charity organizations. You give your money to the charity, you receive a tax benefit, and in exchange the charity promises you a fixed payment for life. Unfortunately, this scheme has become a mode of operation for con artists.

The charitable gift annuity has been added to top ten scam list of the North American Securities Administrators Association. They explain that charitable gift annuities are subject to virtually no federal regulation. Here in Arizona, 430 investors lost their savings in a ponzi scheme run by the Mid-America Foundation Inc.

Banks and investment companies hawking annuities promote the higher than CD interest rates, but they fail to reveal the hidden fees and high early withdrawal penalties. If you need to access your annuity before age 59�½, you could be subject to a 10 percent penalty.

With the recent bankruptcies, and discovery that many giant corporations have been cooking their books for years, I feel it's best to play it safe. If you love the thrill of risk, or if you have already purchased an annuity, I wish you luck. As Will Rogers said, "I am not as concerned about the return ON my money as I am about the return OF my money".

Permission is granted for the above article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.

About The Author

Copyright(C)2002 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit http://bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to subscribe@bucarotechelp.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



How good would it have been had there been no obligation to repay the loan or mortgage? This is what most people think when required to make the monthly repayments. But try as much as they can, they are never able to change the situation.

The borrower has to cut his monthly expenses to provide for the repayment. The amount to be repaid includes the principal amount of the loan and the interest calculated based on the rate of interest prevailing in the market. This is the traditional method of repayment.

The loan amount is broken into a number of small parts for an easy repayment. The number of parts corresponds with the term of repayment. Thus, if the loan or mortgage is to be repaid in a period of five years, the number of equal parts of the loan will be 60. The repayments are to be made on a monthly or quarterly basis.

An improvement in the method above was made to reduce the burden of a borrower. The borrower is required to pay regular monthly installments as in the earlier method. After a certain number of installments the borrower can pay the remaining balance of the loan with a single balloon payment.

An alternative of the traditional method of repayment is an interest only repayment. In this type of repayment, the borrower is required to pay only the interest. At the end of the term of repayment or any particular time period desired by the borrower, the balance on the loan is repaid in full.

The monthly repayment in the interest only method is far lesser than in the former method. This is because the monthly repayment in case of the former includes both principal and interest. It is on this count that people prefer to repay through the interest only method. However, this method of repayment increases the cost of the loan.

A Repayment vehicle is created to repay the loan or mortgage at the end of the term of repayment. The borrower is required to pay a monthly figure into the repayment vehicle.

Pensions, endowment policies, and individual savings account are the most important repayment vehicles. Pensions are widely used for repayment of the loan or mortgage amount. An added advantage in case of the pension policy is that the employer pays half of the amount of pensions. Thus effectively speaking, the borrower spends only half the amount in the repayment. Being tax free, these repayment vehicles offer a cheap means of repayment.

Another method of repayment which is not very popular but can be used for short term loans is the payment of principal and interest in one installment. This is helpful for people who need funds during contingencies. They can pay off the loan when the situation improves. An advantage of this type of loan is that the interest cost is lesser.

If you find that the methods discussed above are rigid as to the amount of monthly installments and the mode of repayment, then the equal principal payments will be helpful. The interest in this method is calculated in declining balance method. Thus, it means that the repayments change every month according to the reduced balance.

Early or premature repayment of the loan or mortgage (if permitted by the lender) is another repayment method. Before signing any documents for loans and mortgages, one must see properly if the lender does not prohibit early repayment with a penalty clause. Refinancing a loan or remortgaging a mortgage can help customers get rebate for early repayment. These transfer the loan or mortgage to another lender. So the borrowers can benefit from a lower rate of interest and a rebate for early repayment.

Whatever be the method chosen, the ultimate end of it would be the repayment of the loan or mortgage in full. All forms of repayment have their respective pros and cons. A perfect match between the pros and cons of the repayment methods and the individual financial condition must be established in order to derive the best method of repayment. There is not always an easy return from a particular method of repayment. A wrong repayment method can be precarious to ones financial health.

Andrew baker has done his masters in finance from CPIT. He is engaged in providing free, professional, and independent advice to the residents of the UK.He works for the personal loan web site http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk for any type of uk secured and unsecured loan please visit http://www.ukfinanceworld.co.uk

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
QSR Quick Service - Fast Food Restaurants Labor Situation in United States
Reciprocal Links to Boost Link Popularity ?
Reporting Tools for Microsoft Great Plains - Overview For Developers
Online Shoppers, Beware of a New Scam
What To Buy Now
Getting the Right Ballet Shoes
For Beginners: Ten Ways To Prepare To Get Published

3:55 PM |

Friday, October 21, 2005

If You'd Like to Know Why Reading Matters. Sit Back and Relax on a Crewed Yacht Charter Vacation.

Here Are Some of the Reasons Why Reading Is So Important for Children

Why Do We Tell Children to Read ?

We're always telling children that books and reading are good for them, but have we ever really thought about why that's true ? Exactly what do older children get out of reading novels ? What do younger kids get from being read to ? Does reading matter ?

The purpose of this article is to say that, yes, it's true, reading really is important, and that there are some solid reasons why that is so. Let's begin with the practical benefits and then move on to the less tangible rewards of a life filled with reading.

Books Help Children Develop Vital Language Skills

Reading is an important skill that needs to be developed in children. Not only is it necessary for survival in the world of schools and (later on) universities, but in adult life as well. The ability to learn about new subjects and find helpful information on anything from health problems and consumer protection to more academic research into science or the arts depends on the ability to read.

Futurologists used to predict the death of the printed word but, ironically, Internet has made reading more and more a part of people's daily lives. The paperless society is a myth. The computer's ability to process and analyze data means that endless variations on reports and other types of documents can be and are generated. Internet, itself an enormous new source of information and recreation, is based on the humble written word. To effectively utilize the web and judge the authenticity and value of what is found there, both reading and critical thinking skills are of prime importance.

The more children read, the better they become at reading. It's as simple as that. The more enjoyable the things they read are, the more they'll stick with them and develop the reading skills that they'll need for full access to information in their adult lives. Reading should be viewed as a pleasurable activity - as a source of entertaining tales and useful and interesting factual information.

The more young children are read to, the greater their interest in mastering reading. Reading out loud exposes children to proper grammar and phrasing. It enhances the development of their spoken language skills, their ability to express themselves verbally.

Reading, by way of books, magazines or websites, exposes kids to new vocabulary. Even when they don't understand every new word, they absorb something from the context that may deepen their understanding of it the next time the word is encountered. When parents read aloud to children, the children also hear correct pronunciation as they see the words on the page, even if they can't yet read the words on their own.

Reading Can Open Up New Worlds and Enrich Children's Lives

As mentioned above, reading opens doors - doors to factual information about any subject on earth, practical or theoretical. Given the wealth of available resources such as Internet, libraries, schools and bookstores, if children can read well and if they see reading as a source of information, then for the

rest of their lives they will have access to all of the accumulated knowledge of mankind, access to all of the great minds and ideas of the past and present. It truly is magic !

Through books, children can also learn about people and places from other parts of the world, improving their understanding of and concern for all of humanity. This, in turn, contributes towards our sense that we truly live in a "global village" and may help us bring about a more peaceful future for everyone. This can happen through nonfiction but, perhaps even more importantly, reading novels that are set in other places and time periods can give children a deeper understanding of others through identification with individual characters and their plights.

Through stories and novels children can vicariously try out new experiences and test new ideas, with no negative consequences in their real lives. They can meet characters who they'll enjoy returning to for comforting and satisfying visits when they reread a cherished book or discover a sequel. Books also give kids the opportunity to flex their critical thinking skills in such areas as problem solving, the concepts of cause and effect, conflict resolution, and acceptance of responsibility for one's actions. Mysteries allow children to follow clues to their logical conclusions and to try to outguess the author. Even for very young children, a simple story with a repetitive refrain or a simple mystery to solve gives a confidence boost. Children can predict the patterns and successfully solve the riddles.

Children are influenced by and imitate the world around them. While a steady diet of violent cartoons may have a detrimental effect on children's development, carefully chosen stories and books can have a positive influence on children, sensitizing them to the needs of others. For example, books can encourage children to be more cooperative, to share with others, to be kind to animals, or to respect the natural environment.

Reading Can Enhance Children's Social Skills

Although reading is thought of as the quintessential solitary activity, in certain circumstances reading can be a socializing activity. For example, a parent or grandparent reading a story aloud, whether from a traditional printed book or from an ebook, can be a great opportunity for adult and child to share some quiet, relaxed quality time together away from the rush and stresses of the business of daily living. They share a few minutes of precious time, plus they share the ideas that are contained in the story. In addition, older children can be encouraged to read aloud to younger ones as a means of enhancing their relationship.

At school or at a library story hour, books can bring children together and can be part of a positive shared experience.

For some preschoolers this may be their primary opportunity to socialize and to learn how to behave around other children or how to sit quietly for a group activity. Make the most of this experience by encouraging children to talk about what they've read or heard.

Reading Can Improve Hand-Eye Coordination

It may sound funny, but ebooks can be a way for children to improve their fine motor skills and their hand-eye coordination, as they click around a childfriendly website or click the backward and forward buttons of online story pages. They may also be picking up valuable computer skills that they'll need in school and later in life.

Reading Can Provide Children with Plenty of Good, Clean Fun

I've saved the most important point for last. Reading can provide children with endless hours of fun and entertainment. All of the pragmatic reasons above aren't at all necessary to justify reading's place in children's lives. Stories can free up imaginations and open up exciting new worlds of fantasy or reality. They allow children to dream and may give them a good start on the road to viewing reading as a lifelong source of pleasure; so read to your young children every day.

Inspire your older children to read. Give them access to plenty of reading material that they'll enjoy and discuss it with them.

Sample everything - traditional printed books and ebooks on Internet, classic children's novels and fairy tales, as well as more modern stories.

If a child wants to hear the same story over and over again, don't worry about it. Children take comfort from the familiarity and predictability of a beloved story that they know by heart. There's no harm in that. Reread old favorites and, at the same time, introduce your children to new stories. Your child's mind and heart have room for both.

So Reading Really Does Matter After All

There are so many ways in which reading continues to be both a vital skill for children to master, and an important source of knowledge and pleasure that can last a lifetime. Nurture it in your children. Make the most of all the resources that are available and waiting for you: printed books, online books, magazines and so forth. Encourage follow-up activities involving creative writing skills and the arts, as well, so that your children can reflect upon or expand on what they've absorbed and, at the same time, develop their own creativity. As you help your kids appreciate the magic of reading, you'll find that there's a whole wonderful world full of children's literature out there that YOU can enjoy too.

Barbara Freedman-De Vito ©2004

Barbara Freedman-De Vito has spent many years as a children's librarian, teacher, professional storyteller, puppeteer, author and artist.

She now writes, illustrates and publishes childsafe animated stories and fairy tales for children, which are sold through her publishing company, Baby Bird Productions. Please visit http://www.babybirdproductions.com to see her catalog of fun, colorful children's books as well as clothing and gift items decorated with artwork from the stories. The site also provides free advice for parents on helping children do their best in both their schoolwork and in expressing their creativity, as well as a free list of suggestions for creative reading related children's activities, free children's games and activity pages, and free teacher worksheets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



Ever wanted to really put yourself to the test and teach yourself how to sail and guide a yacht? On a crewed yacht charter voyage, you can do just that - and more - while taking turns at the helm and seeing the sights of your specially planned destination.

Unlike other ocean yachts, a crewed charter yacht vacation allows you to be more independent and make more choices about your trip. For example, you'll set your own pace by choosing your itinerary and the activities you prefer, instead of going along with the crowd; you can even decide to go "off chart" and head in a new direction.

This kind of yacht vacation includes, of course, the boat, its captain and crew, the chef, who will prepare your favorite meals at your request; and a standard bar, with your choice of wines or liqueurs readily available. With all the freedom you want on the wide-open ocean, the price, starting generally around $1300 per person per week, is a really good deal when you consider that everything is set up entirely to suit your preferences.

You can be alone, or you can mingle with the crew.

It's all up to you - it's your own private yachting trip, whether you choose crewed yacht charters on a sailboat, motorboat, or a yacht.

Also, you'll need to plan where you want to go, of course! Popular destinations for crewed yacht charters are to the South of France or to the Cannes Film Festival; the Mediterranean; the Caribbean, Alaska, New England, or even Canal Barge Yacht Cruises in France! Closer to home, Florida and the Bahamas are also excellent choices.

Whatever you decide, a crewed yacht charter vacation will be one you and your family or friends will remember for years to come. Pick up a travel brochure, choose a spot, and sail away for a week of pure, hedonistic FUN!

David Dunlap is the owner and founder of Only For Yachts, an online resource for everything related to yachts. Visit http://onlyforyachts.com to get information on yacht charters, yachts for sale and also sign up for the free yachting newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
VoIP - ISP's Need To Improve for SMEs to Take Up Online Phone Calls
10 Home Decorating Ideas To Quickly Update Any Room
Is Your Business Healthy?
Online Forex
Getting a Debt Consolidation Loan
The Myth of "Guaranteed #1 Ranking" in Search Engine Marketing
Blessings for the Soul
Already the first Florentine period of activity Leonardo...
Careful Outdoors
Gorgeous From Website
Jewelry in Greece
It was a pretty good basketball...
If you can't find that page of disarticulated fossil fossil...
Management also has the right to interpret and apply the sober living...
In addition, soles that bend at the ball...
Not realizing that we would have to choose between lat cruise...

8:32 PM |

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Choosing Steelhead Gear. What is Froogle?.

Steelhead Gear

Like many things in fly fishing you can ask 10 different fly anglers a single question and you'll get 10 different answers.

Asking what steelhead rod one should use for fly fishing is no different. Every circumstance is different. And the answer varies with each situation. However let's try to get a generic answer so everyone can at least get started in this rewarding aspect of fly fishing.

RODS

Most steelheaders use at least a seven weight rod. And in fact that is my recommendation. There that would be the end of it, except for one thing. We, fly fishermen have a perpetual habit of complicating things. Choosing rods is no different. A seven weight, in my opinion is an ideal all around steelhead rod, that will work for any steelhead conditions. However if one is fishing out west in big water, under windy conditions, fighting bigger than average fish, then you will be cursing your seven weight rod in no time, as being too light. Therefore before you buy, think about the fishing you most plan to do. If your favorite river is large and the fish are big and the current is strong then seven weight will not be big enough, if the stream is smaller and the fish are in the six pound range than seven weight will be plenty. And some thrill seeking fly fisher's will use six.

As for length, the absolute shortest rod I would use is 9 foot. With 9 and a half recommended, especially for weights over 7. Again think of the conditions and the same rules for weight, more or less work for length. Longer rods provide longer casts, and more control. Out west two-handed spey rods are becoming more and more popular for steelhead fishing. With roll casting often required. Two handed rods allow the longest casting and can lengthen the fishing season, when high waters would force one off the river, when using a single handed rod.

REELS

When playing a steelhead, the reel becomes much more than just a place to store your fly line. The reel needs to be reliable as steelhead switch directions instantly peeling off line. They need to be large enough to hold your fly line and 150 yards of backing. Large arbor

reels are becoming popular as they pick line up in a hurry, when your prized steelie decides to run at you.

LINE

Erie steelheaders tend to use floating line as the rivers are smaller, they are perfect. If you would like a little boost in casting then get a weight forward line, marked by WF on the package. On big rivers one should carry a floating line and a sinking tip line, as the conditions change during the season. Getting the fly down to the fish is vital.

LEADERS

Most steelheaders actually make their own leaders. Using Maxima Chameleon more often then not. Tippets should be 0x or smaller, Erie steelheaders can go up to 4x on clear water days. But bigger river anglers should stay around 0x or .011 diameter to turn over the bigger flies, and to allow for strong arming the fish. For detailed leader recipes check our www.globalflyfisher.com.

Well that's it if you have never tried steelhead fly fishing you are in for a treat. Use this guide as a starting spot for acquiring the proper gear, pick up a few flies from www.bigyflyco.com and just add water.

About The Author

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company - http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



Keeping in touch with other sites like Amazon.com, Buy.com and Yahoo.com, Google created a new shopping search tool called "Froogle". It has been called one of the most innovative price conscious tools on the Internet. Using the same technologies of Google.com, Froogle employs direct data received from merchants and through web crawls alone. Depending on the successes of the beta testing phase will provide adequate information as to whether Google continues with Froogle.

Housing

over 15 different products and categories ranging anywhere from electronics, computers, food and gourmet, health care products, books, music and video, sports & outdoor equipment as well as toys and games, the list will only continue to grow in the coming months. Its searching capabilities mirror its mother page; it can be found at froogle.google.com and items can be found either in their product categories or by a dynamic keyword search. The results published are limited to one item per store. Every item appears with a thumbnail attached as well as a detailed product description, which includes price. Google doesn't bias any website and often you will find products that exist on Amazon and Yahoo. This approach mirrors the Google philosophy of less details, more products.

The remaining products are crawled throughout the Internet as most other keywords are sought. Currently merchants can setup their accounts and sell on Froogle right away! There is no cost or cost per click through associated with adding your products to Froogle. Merchants can sign up for free and monitor how Froogle displays their product. This technology is open to the public at no initial cost or commissions.

Depending on how many items your company may want to sell on Froogle; you have to create a data feed file, which can be done with any spreadsheet software or by a text file. The opportunity to get involved

with Froogle is incredible; chances are if you are selling a product and are optimized on the Internet for Google, your product may already exist.

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.sitetube.com. Visit his website for the latest on planning, building, promoting and maintaining websites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
Getting a Job is Hard Graft
Wisconsin Snowmobile Safety Awareness Week - Ride Smart
Rehab Your Way to Wealth: The Quick Way to Fixer-Upper Success
Exalted Poetry; Two poem [and commentary]
A Woman's Road To True Beauty
Reseller vs Affiliate - Which One Is For You?
Cat Jewelry: Freeing the Inner Feline
Lenin In And Sobr s4och...
Helpful Churches
Caring Boating
Search for gemstones adventures on island of Sri Lanka
In addition to our in...
The "culture of death" -- the practice of mummification ancient egypt...
Fluridone is widely used for both hydrilla and lake...
As the signs were designed to be synonymous with vacations motel...
One teacher there taught a course in Human Relationships, and leadership...

8:53 PM |

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Enlightening Your Internal Environment: Free Your Mind. Selecting a Laptop.

As the commercial reminds us, a mind is indeed a terrible thing to waste. But to often we are content to let our gifts and abilities wither on the vine if it keeps us from verging too close to the unfamiliar and the unknown. But that way lies the path of dullness and boredom. Here are some steps you can take to "freshen up" your mental hygiene and get back on the track of clean and clear thinking in your life.

1. Mediation is one of the best ways to calm, clear and control your mind. Whether you choose breathing, walking, transcendental, tantric or soap-bubbles-in-the-sun reflection meditation makes no difference. Explore a bit and see what feels right for you and stick with it. The clarity and focus you receive will be worth the effort required.

2. Take up a hobby or activity with no thought at attaining perfection. Find one that is challenging enough to test your mettle, but accessible enough so that you don't get frustrated and walk away. Try something completely new or an offshoot of a current pastime that you haven't done before. Keep at it until you master it to your satisfaction, then move on to another subject.

3. Set aside one night a week to engage in personal development activities. Read inspirational books, work through a personal assessment and set up a schedule of activities to improve your scores in weak areas, watch videos or DVDs of inspirational speakers or topics or attend nearby lectures or seminars on areas that you feel the need for improvement. Constant growth keeps us strong and flexible in times of crisis and provides interest and entertainment in times of relative calm.

4. Surround yourself with inspirational or intriguing quotes, art, books, music and other "brain food" so that your waking hours are filled with stimulating and encouraging input and messages. Keep the selection fresh and up to date by adding to it as you come across more items and removing from it those that have grown stale or no longer have the impact they used to.

5. Create an independent study curriculum on a subject you've always wanted to learn. Many schools and other venues host free or low-cost classes on the web, either as live training or as downloadable files. Research and set up a reading list and create an agenda of field trips and practicums where you can explore and practice what you have learned. To make your newly acquired knowledge and skills really stick, set up a free or fee'd class/workshop/seminar for others in the community around you.

Your mind is only as sharp as the last hard obstacle you rubbed it against. Keep your wit and your intellect honed and ready, and it will serve you well in time of need. Let it dull, and others (as well as yourself) will despair of its bluntness and abandon it to rust in favor of sharper blades.

(c) Soni Pitts

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Soni Pitts is the Chief Visionary Butt-Kicker of SoniPitts.Com. She specializes in helping others reclaim "soul proprietorship" in their lives and to begin living the life their Creator always intended for them.

She is the author of the free e-book "50 Ways To Reach Your Goals" and over 100 self-help and inspirational articles, as well as other products and resources designed to facilitate this process of personal growth and spiritual development.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



Small Can Be Beautiful

When

purchasing a new computer, you may be better served by a laptop than a traditional desktop computer. Recently, laptops with capabilities similar to desktops can be purchased for a comparable price. Laptops are convenient because of their small size and ability to run from a battery. Except for the power cable to recharge it, a laptop doesn't have any external wires, so it won't be contributing to a cable mess.

When looking at laptops, consider how often you will travel with it. If you plan to travel only infrequently, get a model with a larger screen and lower price. If you are a digital nomad, you should be concerned mainly with the laptop size, weight, and battery life. For maximum portability, get a laptop that weighs less than 3.5 pounds, has a 12" or smaller display, and a minumum 4-hour battery life.

Unlike desktops, laptop computers can be difficult and expensive to upgrade. When you purchase a laptop, consider that any internal features such as CD-ROM or hard drive may be difficult to replace. Laptops can be upgraded externally with USB, FireWire, and the PC Card slot. Because each of these methods is external, however your laptop will become less portable if you need to carry around the external devices.

Take One Tablet...

A Tablet PC is a custom laptop that allows you to write on the screen to save notes and work with programs. Tablet PCs are typically smaller than laptops and feature a specialized processor that is extremely battery-efficient. Some Tablet PCs do not have a built-in keyboard, but can connect to an external keyboard. These are ideal for people who use the Tablet PC mode most of the time and need to use the keyboard occasionally.

If you have little need for a portable computer, a "desktop replacement" may be for you. A desktop replacement looks like a laptop, but is much larger and priced competitively with desktops. Whatever kind of laptop fits your lifestyle, gone are the days when laptops were expensive and less capable than traditional desktop computers.

About The Author

Deryck Richards is the founder and managing partner of Desktronix. With an extensive educational background in computer information systems, Deryck currently manages hosting and data center operations for Desktronix. He also provides system administration and technical support directly to small businesses as he has since 2000.

His areas of expertise include networking, Windows, Linux, and Macintosh systems and he is the author of The Guide to Technology for Small Business. For more information on Desktronix, visit www.desktronix.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/



OTHER INTERESTING POSTS
What To Expect In Closing Costs On A Home Purchase
Kids' Clutter: Organizing at Every Age
Discover The Secret Power of Sexual Perception
The Sublime Pleasure of Fly Fishing
Filing An Insurance Claim
How to Start a Business on the Internet
Intranet Portal - Business Case ROI
E-commerce : The Bottom of Pyramid Approach
Profitable Paper Piecing on eBay--Part 1
As we know the Kiev state in IX X centuries represented barbarous...

9:20 AM |