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December 31, 2011

Berlin Capitale de la Vie Nocturne

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Le mur de Berlin, appel galement le mur de la honte, fut rig dans la nuit du 12 au 13 aot 1961, dmarquant ainsi la RFA ( Rpublique Fdrale ) et la RDA (Rpublique dmocratique) sous le contrle des puissances occidentales et communistes. Des milliers de personnes de la RDA ont alors tente de traverser le mur au prix de leur vie. Le Mur, sparant physiquement la ville en Berlin-Est et Berlin-Ouest , est pendant prs de trente ans le symbole de la guerre froide et de la partition de l’Allemagne l’issue de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Mais qu’en reste t’il aujourd’hui et comment les berlinois ont-ils relev ce dfi de la libert retrouve?

An Introduction To Bach Flower Essences – The Twelve Healers

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What are Bach Flower Essences?

Pioneered by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930′s, a flower essence is a liquid preparation imprinted with the etheric pattern of a particular flower. Like a homeopathic remedy, the liquid – usually spring water with a little brandy added for preservation – contains little or no detectable chemical substance of the flower from which it was made. Instead, the liquid maintains the vibrational pattern of the flower. Well, what does this mean, exactly?

To understand flower essences (also called ‘flower remedies’), you can imagine that all things are made up of vibrating energies – modern physics and eastern mystics both confirm this – that there are no finite particles, but instead repeating, dynamic energy patterns. Material objects are made up of huge amounts of energy really, as Einstein had shown with E=mc2, where the amount of energy (E) is equal to the mass (m) of an object times the speed of light (c – a very big number) squared. Now picture a beautiful red rose – bright, colorful, vibrant – the Rose has a particular energetic pattern, one that is repeated in every other red Rose (though not exactly, but very close). There are energy frequencies that are particular to the red Rose that are different from all other flowers. The vibrations that make up a Rose are faster than many other flowers (Rose is considered a very high-vibration flower), and these vibrations are woven together in a particular way. Now imagine any other flower – a Geranium for example – it’s vibrational patterns are different from the red Rose – slightly slower perhaps, and woven together in a different way. It is these vibrational patterns of each flower that give them their particular characteristics – color, shape, smell, texture, and the like.

Now, somewhat like a sound from one source can make a material across the room vibrate with sound energy (as your eardrum may vibrate from the plucking of a guitar), flowers can cause water to vibrate with a different sort of energy. It’s not so much a sound, or even light (though this is closer), but ‘etheric’ energy – the very essence of the flower has a vibration that is imprinted upon the water in which it is placed. The water, being made up of vibrational energy itself, retains some of the vibration of the flower that was soaked in it. This etheric imprint is stored in the water, and can actually be transferred from the water at a later time to other objects (or beings) also made of vibrational energy.

So, what does all this mean to us?! Well, Dr. Edward Bach held the notion that the source illness or disease was emotional in nature. And when one ponders what emotions really are, one can conclude that each emotion is a particular energetic state of being. All emotions seem to have a particular energy – love, despair, anger, fear, appreciation – one can consider each of these a different energetic pattern. Dr. Bach considered negative energetic states, negative emotions, to be the source of disease in the body, a theory supported by much of the world’s healers. Dr. Bach also thought that these energetic states can be transformed, and that one of the transformational methods he discovered was the use of the vibrational patters of flowers – it was then that Flower Essence Therapy was born.

Through years of research and study, Dr. Bach developed a system of therapy using the vibrational patterns of flowers, imprinted into spring water, to transform the emotional vibrational patters of human beings. He showed through numerous case studies that flower essences, properly selected and applied, can be effective in treating the negative energies which underlie most disease states. Further, one need not have an illness or disease to realize the benefits of flower essences – flowers can be used to assist in transformation of any negative emotional state, be it temporary and transitive, or a more ingrained long-term pattern. (Flower essences do not transform positive states into negative ones, as flowers are not thought to contain negative energies themselves).

Dr. Bach’s 12-7-19 Categorization Method

Dr. Bach categorized the original 38 flower essences he discovered into 3 categories to assist in their application. The categories are the ’12 Healers’ which reflect and transform our essential nature, the ’7 Helpers’ to assist with chronic conditions, and the ‘Second 19′ that relate to more immediate traumas or difficulties. Here we will consider the Twelve Healers and describe the properties of each essence. The Seven Helpers and the Second Nineteen will be considered in Parts II and III of this article.

The Twelve Healers were designated by Dr. Bach as the flower essences that help the individual transform the source of discord at the very core of their being. These twelve essences are meant to address the twelve archetypal groups of humanity; the twelve primary personalities as Dr. Bach saw them. Some have gone so far as to relate these to the twelve signs of the Zodiac (a reasonable relationship it seems), though it is unclear as to whether this relationship was drawn by Dr. Bach himself.

These twelve essences are an excellent starting point for any journey into flower essence healing, as it is often times our root ‘disharmony’ or karmic imbalance that is the source of much or perhaps all ‘dis-ease’ in our lives.

The Twelve Healers:

Impatiens – As the name of the flower implies, this essence addresses a tendency toward impatience; these individuals have difficulty with the flow of time. Their minds are often far ahead of the present moment, and with this they will deny themselves full immersion in the beauty around them. The individual needing Impatiens may be truly lonely, always being ahead of those subtle human exchanges which bring the richness to our collective human experience. Many find Impatiens to be a relatively ‘fast acting’ flower essence, feeling more at ease within minutes of essence use.

Gentian – Those in need of Gentian flower essence are too easily discouraged when setbacks occur. They may live with an omnipresent feeling that things are not going well, and may doubt the possibility of their own healing. Gentian can bring about a more positive outlook – perhaps with the feeling that one is ‘good enough’. When things do not go exactly as planned, instead of being overwhelmed and disheartened, one can see the lessons in the circumstance, perhaps rebounding with more wisdom and strength than before.

Mimulus – This essence is the core remedy for known fears in everyday life. Those needing this essence can be hypersensitive to common events which will elicit an out-of-proportion fear response. The fear may be found in the physical body centered in the solar plexus, which may churn with anxiety. Mimulus flower essence helps bring courage to these individuals, bringing the strength of the higher Self to the personality so that they may find joy and exuberance in their lives.

Clematis – The Clematis flower essence type is a dreamy one; there is insufficient interest in the immediate moment of daily life. The individual may have a strong inner life – the abilities to dream, visualize and imagine are well developed, but the manifestation into the physical world is not strong. Clematis can help bring a warmth to the bodily incarnation, such that the individual can channel their great gifts into the here and now.

Agrimony – The Agimony flower essence type tends to hide more deeply rooted pain or ailments behind a cheerful faade, both inwardly and outwardly. They may make light of their own suffering, or try to ignore it all together, when really there are patterns and feelings which need to be addressed for personal growth and healing. These individuals may have been raised in strict environments, which may not have allowed the expression of such troubles. Agrimony flower essence can help them find inner peace, by allowing the connection to true inner conditions, acceptance of these conditions, and subsequent transformation.

Chicory – Filled with self-pity, and the ‘nobody appreciates me’ attitude, the Chicory flower essence type squanders their light by demanding it from others. A guise of seemingly loving behavior can be used to manipulate others into feeding somewhat selfish needs. The Chicory essence is considered important for clearing loving energy pathways so they may be directed outward and given freely. May be particularly helpful with children who have a pattern of negative behavior for demanding attention.

Vervain – The lesson of Vervain flower essence is one of balance. The individual in need of Vervain may be extreme, over-bearing, and very strong – perhaps inflexible – in their ways. Though their energies are high, the single-minded efforts of the Vervain type can result in stress, when given situations where flexibility is required. This is where the mind-body connection can be lost; the mind can be so strongly committed to a particular action, it may no longer consider the long-term effects to the physical being. Vervain flower essence brings grounding and earthly balance, allowing these strong-willed individuals the flexibility necessary to manifest their great intentions and efforts.

Centaury – The flower essence for those who cannot say no. The Chicory essence type finds their reason for being in the service and acceptance of others. The result is no true value of self, and the spreading thin of personal energies. There is the recurrent theme of personal boundaries being overstepped, because the will to create and enforce those boundaries is weak. Chicory flower essence strengthens the value of one’s self, supporting the notion that one’s life in and of itself is of importance. The idea that one must truly be honoring and respectful to one’s self first, before others can be served, is reinforced – It is then that personal healing can finally be initiated as a powerful force.

Scleranthus – The personality in need of Scleranthus flower essence is marked by indecision, confusion and hesitation, often wavering between two choices. This inability to decide the best course of actions for one’s self can be physically and emotionally draining – this mental energy is used repeatedly examining a situation rather than manifesting the best choice. The world can be a difficult place for such individuals, as there are limitless possibilities in which to get lost, never really making headway. Scleranthus will help these individuals define themselves and their world, summoning the strength to form an inner resolve. This allows a great release of energy to be happy and manifest one’s chosen work.

Water Violet – This important flower essence is about the opening of the heart. Those in need of this essence may be functioning quite effectively in society and within their familial relationships, however, the deepest parts of these bonds are avoided. Whether due to childhood experiences, karma brought to this life from the past, or other situations, the individual has constructed a barrier preventing full integration with the human family. The true warmth of love and companionship should be utilized to further one’s growth – Water Violet flower essence supports this transformation.

Rock Rose – This is the flower essence for great fear. Unlike Mimulus, which is indicated more for a fear which manifests as being ‘timid’, Rock Rose addresses terror. It is often indicated in traumatic events (as a component of Rescue Remedy) or for specific instances where a reaction of overwhelming fear is inhibiting further growth or healing. If one has been diagnosed with a life threatening illness, for example, and one is overcome with the fear of death, this fear will inhibit any healing process that may take place. Rock Rose brings courage to those most in need.

Cerato – Cerato flower essence types do not trust their own hearts, minds or instincts; instead they seek the advice of others, and rely on this advice to direct their lives. This almost certainly creates an imbalance, for it is only by honestly listening to our own inner voice that we may walk the path to true physical and emotional wellness. While seeking advice is certainly important in most of life’s circumstances, the Cerato type uses this advice as a crutch. Cerato flower essence will encourage one to listen to one’s own inner wisdom and facilitate spiritual growth in this respect.

This concludes the summary of the ‘Twelve Healers’ – the flower essences Dr. Edward Bach considered key to transforming root personality imbalances. As a physician, Dr. Bach believed that one or more of these imbalances was to be found associated with the illness of each patient, and that if these imbalances were addressed, the conditions necessary for healing may successfully arise. Of course one does not necessarily need to be outwardly manifesting a state of dis-ease to find benefit in these flower essences; through bringing balance to any person, they may further their personal development and heighten their life’s experience.

Light Up Or Leave Me Alone

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We are all just human. Each of us has our own set of character flaws or character defects. There are many people that wear masks, if you will, and they wear different ones for different people. There seems to be this mystification of projecting the right image to prospects in the dating world. Lets be honest, do you really want to attract a member of the opposite sex (or whatever your sexual preference might be) by projecting a fantasy that Don Juan couldnt live up to? You cant keep it up forever, and even if you could, its not real!

This applies to many smokers out there as well; especially those that are involved in the dating scene. Smoking seems to be one of those red flags or character flaws we would just as soon not publicize to our field of potential significant partners, at least in the beginning. So many of us feel as though we are being forced to be dishonest about our smoking just to be considered as a possibility in the eyes of that perfect match. The question here is; do you want to misrepresent whom you are and what you do just to get a date?

Many people might answer this question with a resounding yes; I want to project a fantasy that will attract the perfect match for me. The thinking here is similar to the door-to-door salesman that just wants to get his foot in the door and have the opportunity to sell his wares. This might work to some extent for selling widgets, but experience has taught me that there is one valued commodity that is absolutely imperative to form a successful relationship: Honesty. In order to be honest with another, you must first be honest with yourself. This is not as easy a task as it sounds for many people.

According to the Freudian Conflict Theory in personality, we have id, ego and superego all busy at work within our psyche. All jockey for position to dominate our thinking. Thus, our behavior is directly affected in various ways at different times and in different situations. The id operates within our psyche on the basis of pleasure only. It is childlike in many ways, and according to the theory, it is the driving force behind pleasure seeking. The superego is the morality or moral guidance barometer of the psyche. This mostly comes from what we have been taught is morally right or wrong. However, there is an innate conscience component of the superego that is theoretically not governed by what we have been taught. Then there is the ego; that self image that we project to the outside world. The ego creates a balance between id and superego. It saves us from being victims of our own pleasure. It is, in essence, the caretaker of the id and the superego. As they each have different goals, they are constantly in conflict with each other.

This sounds like a real mess. In many ways it certainly seems so. A normal person is full of conflict about themselves and who they really are. The theory makes it sound like we are all egomaniacs with inferiority complexes. What does all this have to do with honesty? Well it all comes down to perceptions. That is, our own self-perception and the perception of others. We have a tendency to make comparisons of our inner self with what we perceive to be the ideal self.

Or we may compare ourselves to others. In so doing, we may intentionally misrepresent our actual self as our ideal self. Or, we may just flat out lie about who we are and squelch the guilt.

As a smoker, Ive been taught that smoking is wrong. It is unhealthy, it is smelly, it is unattractive to the opposite sex, etc., etc. The list goes on forever, and frankly, Im tired of hearing it. Ive come to grips with my smoking. Even though it isnt something I am proud of, it is a part of who I am. If I were to quit smoking, then that would be a part of who I am at that time. I dont make excuses for being me and I dont apologize for it.

Years ago when I signed up for a couple of free dating sites, I filled in the profile information and hesitated when it asked if I were a smoker. I put down no even though it wasnt true. Sure, I got matched up with a wonderful person, but I couldnt enjoy any of it. I was so preoccupied with the fact that I couldnt smoke (which made me want to smoke even more) and the fact that I was already being dishonest with this person that I couldnt focus on just relaxing and having a good time. There was something odd about her behavior too. Sure, she was nervous, but I felt it was something more than that. She was holding back way too much. There was this wall between us. I didnt know why at the time. I figured we were just incompatible and never called her. By chance, I saw her again several years after our first and only date. She told me that she was a smoker at the time, and had lied on her profile. We had a good laugh about it when she found out that I was guilty of the very same thing. Had we not both misrepresented ourselves and had then been matched up, who knows how far it might have gone?

Its life-lessons like these that have brought me full circle to being honest with myself. There are many more people out there just like me. These are the ones who have come to terms with the dishonesty of it all. Many of them have chosen to throw away the masks they wear for others and just be themselves. This works well, especially when tempered with some common sense. After all, there is no reason to be so blatantly honest about meaningless things that may hurt someones feelings. Being honest doesnt mean you have to be cruel.

Recently I signed up at one of the newer free dating sites that specializes in matching up smokers, http://SmokingDate.com/. I was surprised how many there are, and how many hits I got right away. My new profile states: I am who I am. I am a smoker. So either light up or leave me alone.

Dealing With Fevers And Colds

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When your baby has a fever or cold, your first urge is to run right to the pediatrician. But, mild colds and fevers are common, and often dont require a visit to the doctor, just some at home management. Here are some techniques to help manage colds and fever at home, and some information to help you know when to call the doctor.

First, most doctors dont consider a fever under 100F a fever at all, unless your baby is under two months old, in which case you should seek medical treatment with any fever. Otherwise, as long as the fever doesnt go above 102F, you need not treat it unless it is making your baby uncomfortable or unable to sleep. However, any fever which reaches 105 rectally, or a fever accompanied by signs of dehydration (infrequent urination, sunken fontanel, dry lips), or a feverish baby who has a stiff neck, is limp or has purple spots on the skin, should be treated by a professional immediately.

To treat a mild fever, try keeping your baby cool, using compresses or a tepid bath. Dress her loosely that old wives tale about keeping them bundled up is just that- an old wives tale. Feed her lots of fluids, and keep a watch on her. But, try to avoid the use of over the counter medications, unless your baby is unable to sleep. Fever is the bodys way of fighting infection, so, when possible, its best to let it do its job.

For minor colds, the best treatment is rest. However, your child may be unable to rest comfortably unless you treat the cold symptoms. A vaporizer can do wonders to relieve congestion, as can vapor treatments in the bath. But, if your child is really uncomfortable, using an over the counter cold medicine is fine. For dosage guidelines, follow your doctors recommendations, or those on the bottle, but go by weight, not age.

Colds should resolve themselves in a week or so, but if they do not, look for signs of an ear infection. These can include unexplained crying, especially when lying down, tugging the ears, or tossing and turning while trying to sleep. If you notice these symptoms, take your child to the doctor. Ear infections can be very painful, and are often hard to recognize in young children.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding his recommendations for treating colds and fevers, and when he believes you should call or come in. But, trust your instincts, and dont hesitate to call anytime you believe there is a real problem.

The Scooter Your Number One Transport Companion

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The word scooter refers to a motorcycle that has a step through frame where its rider sits without having to straddle any part of the engine.

Another difference between the scooter and the motorcycle is the wheel size. Motorcycles have large wheels and average scooters have wheels that are between 8 and 14 inches in diameter. In scooters the engine is usually located underneath the seat and they use a continuously variable transmission that transfers the power to the rear wheel.

The first scooters were Vespas and these models originated in Italy. These scooters had a manual transmission with a gear shift and clutch built into the handlebars. This can still be found in some of the retro model scooters that are available today.

Scooters always include a front leg shield and a flat floorboard where the riders feet are placed. Storage space is normally located under the seat although in some scooters it can be built into the front leg shield.

Scooters use smaller sized engines and these can range from between 30cc and 250cc. Scooters under 49cc are classified as mopeds. Some of the most common manufacturers of scooters are Honda and Yamaha.

In recent years there has been a trend to introduce large scooters. These scooters have engines that are from 250cc to 650cc and include models such as the Honda Fusion and the Yamaha Aprilia. These more power scooters also have fully automatic transmission systems, which is preferrable amongst a lot of people.

In many countries around the world and especially in Europe and Asia, scooters are a very popular means of urban transport. This is mainly due to their size, weight, and the ease of parking and avoiding city traffic. Scooters are also very economical to run and maintain especially with the rising cost of fuel today.

The Inseparable Twins-Beach And Volleyball

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There are many social opportunities to be realized when young people play volleyball at the beach with family and friends. While some people come to the beach for relaxation, they can also enjoy playing volleyball to get some form of exercise during their time off from work or other responsibilities in their busy life. Playing volleyball at the beach will also give people the opportunity to work on their tan, and by the time the day is over, they will generally be well ahead of the color scheme that they are trying to achieve in their body.

Want to Learn a Snow Sport? Go With a Pro

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For many, the arrival of winter is simply something to suffer through until the warmer months of spring and summer. But for others, cold weather signals a time to dust off the skis, grab the snow gear and head outside.

While winter sports like skiing and snowboarding can be intimidating for beginners, especially if they’re learning from a friend or family member who’s not trained in these sports, package deals and multi-day lift tickets are leading many to rethink giving these snow sports a try.

Whatever your motivation – whether it is beginner’s curiosity or the desire to ski triple black diamonds – one thing that can help alleviate any fears you may have is a lesson from an experienced instructor.

The Professional Ski Instructors Association and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors have helped advance lessons throughout the country, and many resorts work to help instructors obtain certifications and become better teachers in general.

Instructors are now trained to not only help you understand skiing and snowboarding, regardless of your expertise or how comfortable you are on the snow, but create an overall experience that is fun, positive and catered to your needs.

In fact, one of the most attractive aspects about learning to ski or snowboard is that they can be enjoyed by all ages, instructors say. Kids start as early as the age of 2, which can promote healthy activity and help them build confidence, develop coordination and appreciate the great outdoors. On the other hand, many adults ski or snowboard well into their 70s, enjoying the experience of outdoor activities with family or other physically active seniors.

Besides learning the proper techniques, instructors will go over safety related information with you in order to reduce accidents. Also, instructors will arm you with skiing and snowboarding etiquette. This includes knowing that the skier or snowboarder in front of you has the right of way and learning to check the snow conditions before you head out to the slopes.

Many people who already have skiing or snowboarding experience also find it beneficial to take lessons. From learning new techniques to testing new equipment, intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders are able to reach new levels with professional instruction.

“Certified professional instructors are dedicated to helping guests get the most out of their experience on the mountain,” said Jeb Boyd, snow sports school director at Loon Mountain Resort in New Hampshire.

With resorts like Jackson Hole, Aspen, Telluride, Killington and Mammoth Mountain offering everything from beginner slopes to terrain parks, many are pushing themselves onto the slopes and looking to instructors to help them gain the confidence they need, in an environment that is exhilarating and yet entirely foreign.

Memories of unsuccessful attempts to ski or snowboard leave some with an innate fear of the sports. However, many who venture back onto the snow find that lessons from a certified professional increase their fun, improve their skills and open up a whole new world to them.

December 30, 2011

Big East Football: A Big Folly?

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The Big East Football Conference is in the midst of experiencing its biggest changes since its founding in 1991. Gone are perennial powers Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College as well as league doormat, Temple. New to the conference are Louisville, Cincinnati, and South Florida. Some are calling the changes one big folly; while others believe that the conference will shake off its losses and move forward stronger and wiser.

Three letters have hurt the Big East Conference over the past few years. They are: A-C-C. ACC, as in Atlantic Coast Conference, who lured and then persuaded three Big East schools to make the leap over to the ACC. For the Big East, the three schools represented the leagues top football powers as well as two high performing Mens Basketball squads: Boston College and Miami. In this age of lucrative television contracts and super conferences the three defecting schools took the money and ran.

Purists were left howling by the departures and at the ACCs trolling of the Big East Conference. Some suggested lawsuits, while others stated that there was no legal obligation for the schools to stay.

Once it was confirmed that the three departing schools would leave, the Big East Conference was faced with a dilemma that could only undermine its ability to not only thrive, but to survive. It had previously been decided that Temple would be forced out as their program did not measure up to Big East Conference standards, or so it has been said. Still, Temple was not invited back and the Big East began to look elsewhere for schools to fill their depleted ranks. So, the Big East turned to the Conference USA.

Louisville, Cincinnati, and South Florida along with Marquette who doesnt play football were all persuaded to leave Conference USA for the Big East. For some, this is where the folly begins.

Do the three new schools measure up to the programs which they are replacing? Absolutely not. Louisville comes closest and is likely nearly equal to Boston College in strength, but their football program does not compare to either Virginia Tech or Miami. Cincinnati compares much more favorably to the departed Temple team, while South Florida is a new Division 1-A program and was only added to replace Miami as the leagues warm weather school. Just kiddingI think.

The remaining conference schools are Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, and West Virginia. West Virginia is the current conference leader while Rutgers is taking advantage of a weakened conference and also sitting near the top. The remaining schools are rebuilding, making the Big East Conference extra weak this year.

The pundits and prognosticators know that the Big East is reeling and they understand that there is no guarantee that the present league configuration will produce football programs on the level of the dearly departed members. In my opinion, give the conference two or three years and you may find that with just a couple of years of excellent recruiting new leaders will emerge. Perhaps now is the time for Rutgers, Louisville, and South Florida to step it up a notch or two, thereby ensuring valuable television rights and lucrative bowl bids for the conference.

December 29, 2011

Verizon DSL – It’s Cheaper Than You Think

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Verizon DSL is a digital subscriber link (DSL) internet service provided by Verizon communications. Internet can be accessed in many ways like cable, ISDN, dial-up, optical fiber, power line internet, satellite, wi-fi, DSL etc. The advantage of DSL is that the voice telephone and fax can be used simultaneously with the internet connection. DSL technology takes advantage of the fact that on the telephone line, voice occupies a very small bandwidth and a large bandwidth is unused. This unused bandwidth is utilized by DSL for internet. Verizon DSL can also be used to connect more than one computer to one connection.

DSL internet service is provided over the ordinary telephone. Verizon DSL is available.in most places where verizon has provided telephone service. However DSL is not available on all telephone lines due to physical limitations. If the telephone is beyond 3 miles from the verizon central office (telephone exchange) the DSL service is not available. This is because the quality of the connection generally deteriorates beyond the 3 mile limit. Further if the copper wiring in the home telephone line is not as per requirements DSL service cannot be provided. Whether Verizon DSL can be provided or not to a particular Verizon telephone line can be checked easily by entering the telephone number in the URL given below.

Verizon DSL is available in two packages. The Home package and The Business Package. Home package is available in two speeds, 3 Mbps/768 Kbps and 768Kbps/128Kbps. The rates are $312.45 $ per year and $ 164.45per year respectively. The charges have to be paid in monthly installments. A $19.95 shipping and activation will be charged separately.

For business DSL the prices are, 768Kbps $24.95MO, 3Mbps/768 Kbps $39.95 MO, 7.2 Mbps $79.95 MO. $25 setup fee and equipment for all packages.

Verizon DSL supports both PC and Macintosh. The minimum PC requirements for Verizon DSL are any one of the operating systems, Windows98, Windows Me, Windows XP or Windows 2000. 233 MHz Intel Pentium processor or equivalent or higher. For Windows XP, 300 MHz Intel Pentium processor or equivalent or higher. 128 MB RAM.for Windows XP or 2000. 64 MB RAM for other OS. 100 MB free disk space. CD-ROM or DVD drive. USB Port or 10Base-T Ethernet Network Interface Card.

For Macintosh computers the minimum requirements are Macintosh OS X or 10.2-10.4 .PowerPC processor with speeds 120 MHz or higher. 64 MB RAM. 100 MB free disk space. CD-ROM or DVD drive. 10-Base-T Ethernet Network Interface Card. Alternatively the computer can be assessed automatically for compatibility with Verizon DSL at this URL. http://www22.verizon.com/ForHomeDSL/channels/dsl/sysreq/pc.asp

Verizon DSL can be ordered online. Verizon DSL comes with a self installing kit. The kit is an audio visual guide on how to install the DSL modem, using DSL filters, and installing Verizon Online DSL software. In case of difficulty the 24/7 live technical support is available. There are other benefits of opting for Verizon DSL, such as 10 MB webspace, 9 e-mail accounts, 30 day money back guarantee etc. (If the individual is not satisfied with Verizon DSL he will be repaid the money he has paid.)

5 Strategies to Successful Cash Flow Management

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Copyright 2006 John J Reddish

Managing cash flow is every manager’s challenge, every day, every year. Those managers who keep a close eye on their daily activity and emerging industry trends can help reduce their companys exposure to the chill of a cash crunch.

How can you predict, avoid and/or, minimize the impact of a cash emergency?

First, pay attention when any cash shortages arise. When cash gets short, pay close attention and be prepared to act. Questions to be answered include:

1. What caused the problem? Pre-payments to take advantage of special discounts can reduce cash. Transportation strikes, for example, could delay shipments and therefore payments. An industry (or economy) slowdown will often result in customers stretching out their payables.

2. How can you cope? If cash on hand is not robust, let the special discounts go. Its usually more cost-effective to pass on a discount than to borrow to overcome a shortfall. Keep up on the news. If you hear about any threatened strikes and/or disruptions to your supply chain, make sure you have a back-up position. Even if temporarily more expensive, it can save your business by showing your customers your reliability and versatility in challenging times. If your customers are in industries facing hard economic times, keep closer tabs on your credit policies and be active in collections. If necessary, tighten credit terms, but use discretion. Being firm but supportive to your customers will go a long way in keeping them in the fold while still giving you a better cash flow. Defer purchases and/or negotiate extended payments if cash gets short.

Most importantly, document both the signals of problems and your solutions. That way, if the signals happen again, you can refer to prior successful action as a first possible solution.

Imagine possible, but normally unpredictable cash flow challenges. Some problems cant be anticipated, so what if scenarios can be created. You don’t have to get elaborate, but you can ask what would happen if there were a flood, or, as we’ve experienced more recently, a devastating hurricane. What then? Other problems, such as “product sabotage” can only be dealt with as they occur. Constructing possible scenarios to reduce risks associated with unforeseeable problems is an important management tool. Learn from, and document, each experience, or you may have to repeat it.

Second, watch sales. Any prolonged (and “prolonged” computes differently for each company and industry) drop in sales without a comparable — and simultaneously emerging — reduction in expenses is a prescription for trouble. Of course, there is at usually some lag between sales changes and a compensating contraction in expenses, but early diagnosis can reduce the negative impacts significantly. Once a changing trend has been identified, act promptly or the impact of the lag will be more severe.

Third, review the budget. If short-term borrowing is regularly needed to meet normal operating costs, the unavailability of such loans or a sudden change in operating expense could be devastating.

If ongoing operations cannot be supported by sales, either more sales are needed, fewer expenses must be incurred or a combination of the two is in order. While this sounds very simple, all too many companies hesitate “in hopeful anticipation.” If remedies are not introduced on a timely basis, a severe cash crunch could follow.

Fourth, keep a close eye on new product development. In many companies, R&D expenditures for new products are often allowed far greater variance from projected budgets than normal expenditures. After all, when you create something new, it is really hard to accurately predict costs — or turnaround time — at the outset.

Failure to keep these costs, and time commitments, within bounds or monitor their continuing impact and cost/benefit can lead to continued funding of projects well beyond when they should be cut off. Overall cash flow can be easily drained into a seemingly bottomless pit, and often an entire company is jeopardized by one errant project.

Fifth, beware of pet projects. A pet project is any organizational activity undertaken for ego value rather than consistency with the organization’s mission and profit targets. Pet projects, whether new ventures or ongoing cost/profit centers, can often lead to cash flow problems. All organizations have pet projects from time to time. Failure to recognize and deal with a pet project when a cash crunch looms has been the death knell for many companies.

Many cash flow challenges have such simple origins. Often its simply a matter of days, or weeks and they can creep up on you. And the daily grind can cloud your vision, encourages false hope or distract you just long enough for problems to take hold. You can learn from past and/or current cash shortages. You can be watchful that sales, budget and R&D costs stay in line. You can keep a lid on pet projects. In an increasingly competitive world, you need to be alert.

What Is Reverse Merger, And Is It For Everyone? Part 2

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 6:11 pm

Many Reverse Mergers have been successful when done properly that is why I never consent to doing one without providing the company with the possible problems that can arise and how to deal with them.

I also provide the client with the alternatives to Reverse Merger, such as Regulation D Offering, Direct Public Offering and private placement.

One way to make sure that the Reverse merger is going to work is to buy one hundred per cent of the shares owned by the shell owner, but this is not a guarantee because there could be shares unaccounted for.

Proper due diligence is a must, and you must be immune to smooth talking salesmen.An alternative to a Reverse Merger is a Direct Public Offering, DPO.

Direct Public Offerings are increasing in popularity since the shell prices are skyrocketing and companies are becoming aware of the problems associated with Reverse mergers.

And if a company is trying to obtain financing Direct Public Offerings are preferable to a venture capital investment, venture capital firms demand a large portion of the company and will not be passive investors.

Venture capital investors will be very involved with the company and will make demands that can be detrimental to the companys success, they may not give you enough time to put your business plan in place.

An IPO is probably out of the question because you must convince an underwriter that your company is the next Microsoft, or you will have a difficult time getting someone to do the IPO for you.

An IPO is more expensive and time consuming and will take the decision making out of your hands place it in the underwriters hands.

A DPO is targeted to affinity groups such as employees, suppliers, distributors and customers. These groups usually are familiar with the company and are loyal to it.

DPOs are registered securities offerings that allow you to market the securities directly to the public. The Internet can be use to market the securities but if your website doesnt have a lot of traffic nobody will know about your stock offering.

So that leaves affinity groups as your best source of funding, unless you are a google and the investors are looking for you.

As the large corporations continue to reduce their work force and are leaving a lot of talented people with the option of an unemployment check or starting their on business, we find that a lot of the job creation is being left to small businesses.

These small businesses must find capital in order to expand or to fill order, small business have created over 20 million jobs over the last 15 years while big business has been cutting them. If this creative force had the capital they could propel the economy to unheard of levels.

DPOs fall under SCOR small corporate registration and are for companies doing under $25 million in revenues and have a capitalization (share market value) of less than $25 million dollars.

By doing a Direct Public Offering you are raising capital that will not be costing you monthly interest payment, and is a permanent source of funding.

You will not have to give a large portion of the company to investors, a venture capitalist will demand a disproportionate Amount. Private funding is always more expensive in terms of equity and control.

As a public company you can better negotiate future financing requirements, and use the company stock for acquisitions. In a DPO filing you only need 2 years of audited financial as compare to 3 years for other filings.

All this sounds easy but in reality it isnt you need somebody with experience to hold your hand and guide you through the process.

You must make sure that you are ready for the commitment and are prepare to devote the required time to this endeavor. Talk to your affinity groups about the possibility of investing in your company, this will give you an idea as to who is a potential investor.

Keep updated records of your customers and friends in the community who may be contacted later on. It may become necessary to purchase a mailing list, if you are medical product company or laboratory you would know some of the Doctors in your community but not all of them.

Stay in the planning mode and take necessary step while you are preparing for your DPO, such as having one year of financials audited and having a business plan prepared and printed, so that you dont have to incur all the expenses at once.

Give us a call so that we can start planning together, the more prepare you are the less you will have to rush later, everyone everything done yesterday but the process takes time.

Regulation D Offerings: This rule provides an exemption from the registration requirements of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933. Such transactions are not exempt from the antifraud civil liability, or other provisions of the federal securities laws. (See my article on Regulation D (504) offering.

Nothing in these rules obviates the need to comply with any applicable state law relating to the offer and sale of securities.

Rule 506: Provides an exemption for limited offers and sales without regard to the dollar amount of the offering. This offer does not limit the number of accredited investors, but the nonaccredited investors is limited to 35. for a description of accredited and nonaccredited investors see my article on Regulation D (504) offering.

Rule 505: Offerings may not exceed $5,000.000.00 less the total dollar amount of securities sold during the preceding 12 months period under rule 504 or 505. This exemption limits the number of nonaccredited investors to 35 but has no investor sophistication standards.

Rule 504: Offerings allows business to raise a maximum of $1,000,000.00 in a twelve month period, under Rule 504, Rule 505 or section 3 of the act a business can raise only $500,000.00 by the sale of securities to persons residing in the states of Montana and Alaska, which have no disclosure law. In states that have disclosure laws companies can raise up to $1,000,000,.00.

Rule 504 has no prescribed disclosure requirements, no limit on the number of purchasers. Offering under Rule 504 are relatively simple to prepare, which reduces the cost and delay and does not require an underwriter.

For additiobnal information please visit: http://www.genesiscorporateadvisors.com

The Game Is the Name

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Shakespeare could wax poetic about ‘What’s in a Name?’ because he didn’t have to contend with sports mascots …

It’s the politically-correct issue in America that refuses to subside. I consider myself to be an enlightened cyberbeing, but I contend there are just some topics that blur the bigger picture of an ethically responsible society, and complaining that mascots can be degrading is near the top of the list.

A quick check of Webster’s Twentieth Century Unabridged Dictionary defines ‘mascot’ as ‘any person, animal or thing supposed to bring good luck by being present.’ So, it would seem that a team mascot is an honorable title. Most mascots in American sports had their origins in the early 1900s. Back then, teams fumbled around with quaint monickers until they gradually realized the tremendous marketing value they carried. The New York Highlanders became the more regionally-identifiable Yankees, for instance, and the Chicago Cubs took their nickname so newspaper editors could more easily fit it into headlines. Distinguished symbols like Tigers and Giants appeared. Unique features like White Stockings and Red Stockings evolved into the more headline-friendly and spelling-special White Sox and Red Sox.

One of the earliest attempts at humor in mascot-anointing was made by the Brooklyn nine of baseball’s National League. Urban legend wasn’t a known phrase back then, but it farily describes the allusion to fans who ‘dodged’ trolley fares to get a free ride to Ebbetts Field and watch the game. Those ‘bums’ were called Dodgers, and their favorite team became christened as such.

Ironically, that drift toward the whimsical — probably intended to portray sports in its proper context as a divertissement of life — may have been the root of indignation two generations later.

The social upheavals of the 1960s and early 1970s were certainly justified, in my view. Civil rights needed to come to the fore, and the resultant improvement in how all peoples were perceived was a great step forward for mankind. Still, there’s a difference between significant awareness and pedantic perception in any movement. Thus, in my view, when certain Native Americans first raised the mascot controversy in headlines of the time, the attention afforded was only due to its being sucked into the backdraft of searing human rights campaigns.

Personally, I’ve always thought the issue had as much relevance to their legitimate concerns as bra-burning did for women’s rights.

Think about it. Native Americans aren’t alone in being designated as mascots. In accordance with Webster’s Dictionary definition, other persons given the distinction include the Irish (University of Notre Dame) and Scandinavians (Minnesota Vikings). Both of these ethnic groups endured their moments of discrimination in the annals of American history, too. So far, neither has mounted a protest about being characterized as a good luck symbol for a sporting organization.

Don’t even try to broach the ‘caricature’ argument as a reason why the Native American situation is different. Perhaps Notre Dame uses a leprechaun logo now, but the term ‘Fighting Irish’ was a clear reference to barroom brawlers, a stereotypical low-life trait at which immigrants from the Emerald Isle were perceived to be quite proficient. As to the Scandinavians, there is no evidence that even one Viking was ever so dim as to go into battle with a set of heavy horns on his helmet; why would any warrior charge into a kill-or-be-killed scenario wearing anything that could directly impede his ability to win? (The image of horns came from priests’ drawings of Viking attacks, attempting to equate them to the Devil incarnate, and it was Wagner who popularized this image when he staged his epic Ring of the Niebelung.)

Cleveland’s baseball team sorted through a number of mascots in their early days. ‘Spiders’ just didn’t have that ‘je ne sais crois’ of marketing sizzle. They were the ‘Naps’ for a while, in honor of their star player-manager, Napoleon Lajoie. So, when they finally settled on ‘Indians’ in correlation to one of their first star players — Louis Sockalexis, a Native American — the monicker may not have begun as a tribute to him, but it has since memorialized his legacy. The evidence indicates the term was derogatorily applied to all members of the Cleveland team in the 1890s because it dared to have the fortitude to allow an Indian to play for them. Since then, Sockalexis has been recognized as being as much of a pioneer for minority involvement in major sports as the great Jackie Robinson was fifty years later.

Yes, the team uses a caricature of a Native American as its logo now. In fact, Chief Wahoo is perenially one of the hottest-selling logos on sports merchandise. It far outsells the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets orginal logo, which is honoring the valiant Ohio battalion that fought so honorably in the Civil War. We haven’t heard historical societies from that great state howling with indignation that this is done by putting a green insect in a Union soldier’s uniform. Instead, the odds are they’re pleased that more of the North American public has become aware of the Blue Jacket history than ever before, just as the Cleveland Indians can keep alive the memory of Sockalexis. Some protestors say Chief Wahoo has ‘shifty’ eyes and that makes him even more demeaning. I, for one, never drew that connection, but if anyone else did, why wouldn’t they be laughing and demeaning the Oklahoma University Sooners? After all, that term originally implied cheaters getting a jump on staking claims to land being opened for settlement.

There are many more examples. I simply don’t see Native Americans being unduly isolated in this context, and no one else involved is feeling belittled.

The Washington Redskins originated in Boston, home of baseball’s Red Sox and Braves in the 1930s. They were also called the Braves back then, because they played in that team’s stadium. However, when they wound up getting better terms to locate in Fenway Park, they didn’t want to confuse the paying public by being Braves but playing in the Red Sox stadium. Their solution made sense: they incorporated references to their origins and their new game site by changing their name to Redskins. The logic apparently didn’t register with enough fans, though, and the team soon exited to the nation’s capital.

The point here is that? the Redskins name wasn’t derived as a slur, but as a facilitation to distinguish the team’s new — albeit transitional — home. Furthermore, to be fair, the Redskins organization has only used a noble image as a symbol of the name. Washington DC is one of the most liberal cities in North America, with its population’s majority consisting of minorities. The connotation of that nickname being demeaning, as in the Cleveland Indians case, just doesn’t emerge from its context.

My impression, then, remains that the mascot controversy has its sole value in the publicity it gives those organizations who are raising it. Pro and college sports are more visible than ever in the USA, and what better way is there to affix one’s organization to higher ‘page rankings’ than making headlines in the Sports section of newspapers and broadcasts?

The matter isn’t going away anytime soon. Now the NCAA — college sports’ governing body — has decreed that any university with a Native American mascot can neither host a championship event nor use their mascot in any championship event. Some schools have successfully been granted exceptions, which makes even less sense to me. Does this mean that Florida State’s Seminoles, for example, are less demeaning to Native Americans than North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux (a traditional college hockey power)? How hypocritical is that? If they’re contending that degrees of discrimination exist due to local circumstances, then they’re admitting to a targeted sensitivity beyond society’s pale, which is discriminatory in itself. How can such a position be rationalized with a clear conscience?

Mascots, no matter how commercialized, are still nothing more than whimsical symbols. Society as a whole understands that, just as it realizes the stylized violence in Grimm’s Fairy Tales leaves no lasting scars on the psyches of children who innocently absorb them. Those who claim to the contrary only risk trivializing themselves and the credibility of their greater cause.

Nowhere in the country do such topics remain in a lighthearted perspective more than in Orofino, Idaho. That’s the site of the state’s mental hospital. The local high school’s teams are called the Maniacs.

No one protests, unless the teams don’t play hard.

Eleven California Schools Districts Awarded $150,000 to Encourage Students to Attend Health Career Institute

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 10:05 am

In June of 2006, superintendent of public instruction Jack OConnell awarded $150,000 in grants to 11 districts within the California schools. The funds are for California schools student attendance at the California Health Science Education Institute and associated costs of the program.

Currently, there are numerous jobs in the healthcare industry for applicants with college and only high school degrees. The healthcare industry is in desperate need of well-educated people to fill an increasing number of positions projected for the future. This need gives todays California schools students opportunities for future careers that will provide them a comfortable lifestyle.

These healthcare jobs are demanding; however, and require rich and rigorous core curriculums for students from kindergarten through high school. The grants will help prepare California schools students for such careers. as well as meet the demand for well-educated workers in the healthcare industry a win-win situation for everyone.

The funds ultimately are designed to help California schools students consider such careers. The eligible districts within the California schools already have Health Science Pathways in place. They are quality programs that help prepare students for healthcare careers. Districts that participate are eligible for up to $15,000 in grant money, distributed in two payments. The first payment of 75 percent is received before students attend the Institute. The remaining 25 percent is received upon completion of Institute attendance and application requirements.

The fulfillment of each district grant requires:

Development teams that consist of teachers, administrators, counselors, postsecondary partners, and healthcare industry partners;
District teams must attend the annual California Health Science Educators Institute, held in Los Angeles every June;
Teams develop and submit a health science pathway strategic plan, as directed by the Institute;
A team approach is used in all facets of the California schools program;
Districts and their teams also must submit to the California schools letters of commitment to the California Health Science Education Institute program; and
California schools students must attend the California Health Science Education Institute.

The funds for the new California schools program were made available through a partnership between the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency and the California schools. The new programs goes a long way to support enrichment and improvement of the Health Science Pathway program in the California schools, as well as satisfying a community need and offering more opportunities for students in the future.

Is Photography School Your Dream?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 8:08 am

Many dream of photography school. It is an art and a passion that few people can take and make use of. But, those that do, really can amaze the world with what they can capture on a single roll of film. But, how can you find the right school to get into? Having the right photography school on your resume really can make a bit of difference. So, take your time in choosing the right school for your choice. Chances are, youll have many options to consider when you choose correctly.

Here are some things to consider about the photography school that you will choose:

Does the school provide you the best possible plan of study? It needs to offer you what you want to learn now and in the future. This will help determine how well you do in the end.

You will need to consider the format of the school as well. If you are to take photography school lessons through the college, will you be required to get a degree or will you simply take classes to gain knowledge without a degree? This is up to you, but it is also up to the school to let you in as well.

You also need to feel comfortable with the school. This is important because in art, you need the freedom to make choices. While hard and difficult, you will want to have the freedom to do as you need to.

Youll want to find the photography school that offers the right scholarships and financial aid as well. Not all of us can afford the highest levels of education, but when you choose wisely and with good financial intentions, you can choose the right photography school.

Photography school is waiting for you. Are you ready to get started?

Auto Part Dealers Are Plentiful Both Locally And Online

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 6:14 am

If you are like me, you are actually very clueless about the auto parts in your car. When something breaks or needs replacing, you need help deciding what you need to buy in order to fix it. If you are lucky, you have someone you can ask for advice about the auto parts you need. However, if you dont have someone like that, there are some steps you can take to make your auto parts purchases as painless as possible.

If you are planning to purchase any kind of auto parts for your vehicle, it is helpful to know a little bit about your auto parts dealer. There are several ways to check out an auto parts retail store before you buy anything from them. Most local auto parts retailers you can check out yourself by visiting their store. Intuition is a great tool to use and you can normally tell if a business is legitimate. If you dont trust yourself, take along a friend who is an auto enthusiast or works as a mechanic professionally, having a lot of experience with various types and brands of auto parts. They will have a better idea if the auto parts dealer is giving you a good product for a fair price.

It is a little more difficult to find out about the auto parts dealers that work exclusively over the internet. While most are legitimate, just like the local dealers, some can be scams trying to sell you inferior products that may not work. There are also some online store auto parts dealers who creatively enhance products with features they dont have meaning they lie! Most online stores have email or ask a professional services. Make sure to ask a lot of questions and get straight answers about any auto parts you plan to purchase online. If they vague with their answers or if they describe a product that seems too good to be true, they are not who you want to be buying from.

Respectable online auto parts dealers may be contacted via telephone and e-mail. Questions you have about the parts you plan to purchase can be asked prior to the purchase. Avoid the dealer if you receive an uncertain reply or if something is too good to be true.

One of the most tried and true ways of checking out any business, including auto parts dealers both local and online, is to check with the Better Business Bureau. To be safe, only buy from dealers who are registered with them and have a good overall rating. That way, if trouble arises, you can always file a complaint with an organization that can get you results and possibly your money back if you have a problem with your purchased auto parts.

Unique Backpacking Christmas Gift Ideas for Backpackers

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Christmas gift ideas can be hard to come by. If youre buying for a backpacker, here are a few unique backpacking gift ideas.

Okay, Ill be the first one to admit publicly that buying gifts for the holidays can be a pain in derriere. When it comes right down to it, who knows if a gift will be a hit or a dud. If youre shopping for a backpacking enthusiast, your task is going to be much easier.

Unique Backpacking Gifts

Despite the relative simplicity of backpacking, there are lots of items you can give as gifts to backpackers. Here are a few that will be a big hit.

1. Trekking Poles Backpackers tend to go in two directions forward and up. Regardless of the direction, they are going to be hoofing a heavy backpack from here to there. Trekking poles are very popular with backpackers because they let them use their arms to support part of the weight. Think of Gandolf in Lord of the Rings, but with a backpack on and a smaller beard! Black Diamond and Leki are good brands, but you can expect to pay a little over $100 for them.

2. Digital Handheld GPS Yep, even backpacking has gone digital. Who wouldve thunk it? Digital handheld GPS units are a recent phenomenon and popular with backpackers. Regardless, backpackers use the units to make sure they know where they are at all times and not get lost. The Garmin brand is solid and you can expect to pay $120 to as much as you can spend.

3. Hydration Waist Packs Backpackers consistently face the threat of getting dehydrated while hoofing it around Gods green earth. Hydration packs help prevent this by letting the backpacker carry water comfortably. Youll have a choice of waist, shoulder and full on backpack systems. The waist packs are the best. You can expect to spend in the $30 to $45 range and Amphipod is a good brand.

4. Nomad Backpacking Journals A little self-promotion here. Nomad Backpacking Journals are compact writing journals that let backpackers keep notes and diaries of their hikes. They can record whom they hiked with, the route, weather conditions and funny little events occurring during the trip. You can click the link at the bottom of this article to see them and expect to pay between $10 and $25 depending on the size.

If youre looking for gifts for backpackers, consider yourself lucky. The equipment tends to be inexpensive and last a very long time.

December 28, 2011

Why Marketing and Advertising are Key to Home-Based Business Success

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 10:11 pm

If you are looking for a way to earn extra income or even quit your job and work part-time to bring in a full-time income, the chances are that you’ve encountered any number of home-based business opportunities. Some home-based business opportunities fall into the category of traditional networking marketing, where you sign up with a company to sell products and the opportunity to your network of contacts. Typically, this involves house parties or a variation of house parties, and exhausting your friends, neighbors, and family members with requests to host parties or to give you the contact information of their friends and colleagues.

Know Your Own Scent.

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:09 pm

It may sound funny to you, but it is really essential to understand your own scent (or “smell”), it is really good to realize and recognize how your body smells as it will affect the type of perfume you choose, or amount of particular perfume oil you add while making your own perfume.

The body and skin of each person has a peculiar smell – similar to a fingerprint, voice check or a model of your chromosome. It is scientifically proven that our doubts, hopes, requirements, our nutritional preferences, our fitness, our ability to believe and liberate, are highly influenced by the smell of our body. There are many interesting stories about how detectives and spies were able to trace out the thieves by their body odor. It has also been stated by different researchers that the smell of our body has a deep impact upon our brain. When we go out to purchase a perfume, or select any perfume oils, we knowingly or unknowingly prefer those fragrances which are acceptable and can easy assimilate with the smell of our skin. The oil or perfume you put on your skin mixes with the smell your body and skin and creates a new fragrance.

It is also said that if you understand the smell of your body correctly, and purchase and use perfumes properly, it will have a positive effect in your personal and professional life. You will be more energetic and optimist in your life.

The best way to determine your own smell character is to not take a shower following your workout and don’t rinse your hair or spritz on body spray. Give yourself at least two hours and write down what you felt about your own smell, then again after taking a bath to “feel” the smell, and to see the difference in smell. This will help you in determining the exact smell of your body. Once you ignore all the artificial smells you put on your body, you will sense the exact smell of your body.

Once you recognize the smell of your body, switch over to the fragrance of different perfumes, try them one by one or select any one at random, and use it to see how your body responds to it; if both the smell of skin and the perfume is blending properly then this perfume is correct for your skin. It is also good if you take three to four different fragrances, before selecting the best, as it may help you in making your final decision.

You should not forget that your presence is important for you as well as others. You should not forget that it is really important to smell good and smell correct. Once you know about the nature of the smell of your body, you should go for the smell of the perfume accordingly, as it not only affects your mind and nature, but also affect other’s mode as well. So in order to have right perfume, you should rightly learn how you smell.

Content copyright 2006 by Fran Loudas.

Why Cats Flip For Catnip

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 2:22 am

If you’ve ever watched as a cat “flipped” over fresh catnip perhaps you’ve been struck with the question; “what causes Catnip to affect cats that way?” Catnip is indeed an unusual phenomenon among cats, it has the ability to alter your cat’s behavior like nothing else can. So what exactly is the reason for what scientists have coined as “the Catnip effect”?

Unfortunately for such inquisitive minds the exact reason of why Catnip affects cats in such a manner remains mostly a mystery. There is however much that we do know about Catnip and cats even if we don’t have the ultimate answer of exactly “why?” yet answered.

The Science Stuff

Catnip is scientifically classified as Nepeta cataria and is a perennial herb from the mint family and is in fact also referred to as “Catmint”. It is a plant indigenous to Europe but has been exported and is now found all over including the United States and Canada.

The active ingredient in Catnip is an oil; Nepetalactone, which is found in the leaves of the plant. This is the reason you are able to find Catnip in a bottle or spray form in some pet stores.

Other Uses For Catnip

Catnip is not only good to stimulate activity in cats, it can also be used by humans as an herb for a medicinal tea which may soothe toothaches, help against coughs, and may also perform as a sleep aid. Furthermore, Catnip can be used as an herb on salads or other foods as has been the case for centuries in France. Lately Catnip has also been garnering favor as a natural insect repellant rivaling the effectiveness of many store bought varieties of repellant.

Catnip and Kitty

Catnip affects approximately half of all cats. What determines whether or not a cat will react to Catnip is a genome that is inherited (or not inherited as the case may be) at birth. Kittens, regardless of whether or not they carry this genome, do not react to Catnip until reaching about 3 or 4 months of age and becoming sexually mature. Older cats are also more likely to have a diminished or non-existing reaction to Catnip, which leads scientists to believe that the Catnip effect is based at least partially on sexuality and that the reaction may be something like an aphrodisiac. Further adding to this belief is the similarity of a sexual pheromone found in the urine of the male cat to nepetalactone (the active product in Catnip).

Cats that can be traced to regions where Catnip is not indigenous appear to be unaffected by Catnip. The domesticated housecat is not the only cat that may be affected by Catnip. Larger cats can also be affected by the Catnip effect, felines such as the bobcat, lynx, tiger and even lion are known to react much the same way the common housecat would. It is interesting to note that while Catnip can act as a stimulant when a cat sniffs it, it can conversely act as a relaxant if ingested. Therefore, you may see a different, nearly opposite result depending on whether your cat chooses to eat the Catnip you provide for him/her or merely sniffs it (the latter being the more typical behavior).

How to Use Catnip With Your Cat

Catnip can prove to be a very useful tool for a few common problems with your cat. If you are lucky enough to have a cat that does react favorably to Catnip then here are a couple of ideas for you and your furry little friend.

Catnip and Lazy Cats:

Catnip can be used to get a lazy cat off his or her butt. Some cats are notoriously lazy, choosing to sleep much of their day away in a nice golden patch of sunlight on the living room carpet, only waking up to eat and gather some necessary attention from their indulgent owners. If this sounds like your cat, you may soon see (if you haven’t already) that your cat is becoming more and more round. This is generally not a good thing. Catnip may be able to help. Presenting catnip to your cat encourages activity (of course provided the cat sniffs rather than eats the herb).

Many adult cats will respond to Catnip in a manner that resembles their childlike kitten hyperactivity, jumping, playing and running around as if it was given an injection of kitty adrenaline, which in essence, is the case. The effect of Catnip on a cat can last somewhere between two and fifteen minutes. If the latter is the case, then this is a decent amount of exercise and will help keep your cat a little more svelte than without a Catnip treatment. Furthermore, if you leave the Catnip out for a few hours then your cat may return to the herb later (an hour or two after the effect has worn off) and again react in an energetic fashion. So in this sense you may consider Catnip sort of like a kitty energy drink.

Catnip and Cats That Scratch Furniture:

If you have a cat that seems bent on the destruction of your furniture then Catnip may again be able to come to the rescue. Cats can be frustratingly picky about just about anything under the sun including where they want to sharpen their furniture destroying claws. It is not uncommon for a cat to damage or destroy a piece of furniture just because the owners finally gave up on trying to redirect their cat to the unused cat scratching post that set them back anywhere up to a hundred dollars and more. A good way to attempt to change this frustrating and expensive behavior is to rub some Catnip or Catnip oil on a scratching post that you are attempting to get the cat to use. Introduce your cat to the newly “Catnipped” scratching post and see how he/she reacts. If all goes well, your cat will sniff and inspect the post and then begin clawing at it. After a few times (you may have to re-Catnip the post) hopefully kitty will be trained to use the post rather than the sofa.

Using Catnip with Multiple Cats

If you’ve never used Catnip before and you have more than one cat it is advisable to try it out individually on each cat before introducing it to all of your cats at the same time. The reason is because Catnip affects some cats in a negative manner causing the cat in question to become aggressive rather than merely playful. Introducing it to your cats individually enables you to control the situation and keep a cat that may react aggressively isolated from your other cats. This of course means avoiding a possible catfight that could result in broken furniture, hurt kitties (possibly requiring a vet visit), annoyed neighbors (and probably owners), or a combination of all of the above.

Growing and Keeping Catnip

Growing your own Catnip can be rewarding as it can save you money, give you the satisfaction of doing something yourself and ensuring that you always get fresh, high-quality Catnip for your cat. A word of caution however; the exact kitty reaction you want to grow your own Catnip is something to be wary of. If you plan on growing your Catnip out of doors and other cats can access your Catnip garden then be prepared for unwelcome feline visitors. This may not be a problem for you personally, but cats are by nature territorial and if you have a cat that lives alone without the company of other cats this could prove to be an area of stress for your cat. Even if you keep your cat inside at all times, your cat may get agitated if he/she looks out the window to see another cat frolicking in territory your cat considers his or her own. If you choose to grow your Catnip indoors, be careful to keep it out of reach of kitty. Otherwise you’ll likely have Fluffy jumping up on furniture even to the most out of the way place to get access to the tempting herb. Cats are great jumpers and not really known for respecting precious household knick-knacks. So if you do decide to grow it indoors for a cat that reacts to Catnip, be careful to grow it in a place that your cat won’t be able to access it. A room that you always keep closed to the cat is probably the best solution for indoor grown Catnip.

If you do find that your cat reacts positively to Catnip you should be sure to use it sparingly so as not to dull the effect which can be the result of overexposure. A good rule of thumb is to not treat your kitty more than once a week on average to Catnip.

Given all the positive effects that Catnip may have on your cat you owe it to yourself (and naturally your fluffy little ball of affection) to see how he/she reacts to this strange and well known herb. It will provide enjoyment and exercise for your cat and most likely an entertaining show for yourself as well. It’s a win win situation.

Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer, animal lover and pet owner living in Germany. His website, ZapGraphix.com, sells fun and humorous pet related merchandise.

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A Place of Sanctuary – Creating Sacred Space

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 12:13 am

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes health as the condition of perfect bodily, spiritual, and social well-being and not solely the absence of illness and injury. As described by the WHO, how many of us feel emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy on a daily basis? We work in structures called sick-buildings; we go home to care for families so tired we are almost unable to function; and we increasingly lose our connection with any sense of our place in the universe. How do we reclaim our life and start to think that our life matters and that we are important in the overall scheme of things? One way of doing this is to create our own sanctuary/sacred space.

Creating our own sacred space restores our peace of mind and enables us to stand back from the turmoil in our lives in order to provide a place where we can reconnect with our sense of self and reclaim our power. Exploration of sanctuary is to create a link to the Divine as our soul asks us to love, accept, and provide hospitality to ourselves when we are spiritually hungry. Spirituality is more than a psychological and emotional need: it is an inherent biological need as our energy, our spirit, and our personal power is all one and the same force. We need daily sanctuary as our heart and soul depends on it. When we give ourselves the gift of sacred time in a special place, we are feeding our spirit. Theodore Roszak writes, We can now recognise that the fate of the soul is the fate of the social order; that if the spirit within us withers, so too will all the world we build about us.

Creating Sacred Space in your Home, Workplace, and Garden

The first consideration in creating a sacred space in your home, workplace, or garden is defining the purpose in doing so. Some of the questions for consideration include:

1. What is it that 2.5/’>you want your sacred space to provide for you?

2. Where will your sanctuary be located?

3. What feelings do you want?

4. What attracts you to your sanctuary?

5. What features do you want?

6. What colours do you want?

7. What sounds do you want?

Ideas and Options for Creating Sacred Space in your Home, Workplace, and Garden

In your place of sanctuary, some of the items you could include are:

Candles you can use candles to provide colour and when burning provide a point of focus for meditation. Scented candles can add a touch of fragrance to your environment.

Plants your plants will require care, and not only will make the air more healthy, but will encourage you to attend your place of sanctuary. Plants can also be used to enhance particular colours and fragrances you wish to add to your well-being.

Water adding desktop water fountains to your place of sacredness will not only provide the soothing sounds of water, but will also block out other noises in your environment.

Music music as my Dad used to say, feeds the soul. Use music you like, such as, sounds of nature or instrumental music, to provide a place of soothing for your soul.

Aquariums live fish and the sounds of water provide healing energy for your sacred space. In the Chinese culture, live fish are thought to be good energy.

Rocks and stones are considered in many cultures to be sacred. Use in your place of sanctuary and, when you are tired or stressed-out, re-arrange your rock garden.

Walls walls can be used to act as, or hang notice boards on, where you can post favourite pictures, quotes, and ideas.

Spend at least 10 minutes a day (20 is better) in refreshing and renewing your spiritual self.

Finally, in creating your sacred space, remember you are unique. There will never be anyone on the planet like you and you have a right to spend time caring for yourself. As Richard Bolles in his book What Colour Is Your Parachute says, You are Gods gift to the planet and your uniqueness is the gift to the rest of us.

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