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January 31, 2012

Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries At Home

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 11:03 pm

It isn’t hard to tell when spring has arrived officially. I agree that the signs aren’t always clear when you look at the weather, but they are clear when you look at the produce section of your grocery store. For example, strawberries are always in abundant in the spring. You will find many grocery stores offering them at very affordable prices during this season.

Many of us get excited about the abundant number of red berries but not excited enough about eating only strawberries all week. You will find many irresistible buy-one-get-one-free offers. With such offers you might end up having more than enough berries to consume. If you don’t know what to do with all these berries you can use them to make chocolate covered strawberries.

Sounds exciting? I bet.

Recently I saw an ad for chocolate covered strawberries from a local chocolate factory. But when I saw the price offered for it at reputable store, I was shocked. What I then did was to engage in price comparison. This made me to discover, to my greatest amazement, that average cost of chocolate covered strawberries is expensive. I then decided to find out how to save money and still get what I want.

I don’t know why, but the expense of the treat made it much more appealing. Of course, this isn’t to imply that I want to get into a chocolate covered strawberries buying frenzy. It simply means I want to find out if there was a way I could make them myself. If I succeeded I could then put the produce sales to good use.

My thought previously was that I would need expensive cocoa blocks for melting and dipping. But thankfully, I discovered that the best way for melting chocolate is via old-fashioned chips which can be bought right from your local grocery store. Of course this was really great news for me as I hate going to and fro looking for what I want, even though I have no problem going for chocolate covered strawberries that are not too expensive.

Another news I came across is the fact that I can use my microwave for this purpose. You see, in theory, making chocolate covered strawberries is easy. You should follow the necessary instructions carefully. By following the instructions carefully you will not scorch the chocolate.

For starters, fade the chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Don’t forget the importance of using the defrost setting. Also, remember that when you dip your chocolate covered strawberries on high, it will scorch it. What to do? Wait until the dip is quite smooth. This can take two to three minutes.

Do you know the specific technique that people use to dip chocolate covered strawberries? Simply dip the berries into the mixture, and then shake the excess away as you withdraw it. Lastly, you can then give the chocolate covered strawberries a few whirls in clockwise direction, and then set it on wax paper. After this you are set to start enjoying the labor of your hard work!

The Best Answer Begins with the Right Question

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 9:06 pm

It has just come to your attention that a customer filed a complaint about Mr. Smith, one of your employees. While your gut tells you that the customer may have overreacted a bit, there’s enough information to warrant a meeting with Mr. Smith. You know from past experience that he’s somewhat sensitive to criticism, but you have several legitimate concerns. How can you get the information you need without triggering a negative response from Mr. Smith?

You are meeting with a vendor who’s behind schedule and over budget on a project. You don’t want to jeopardize the job and you don’t want to burn a bridge with this company. However, you’re not at all satisfied with the way things are going and you need to take some answers back to your VP of Operations. What is your best approach?

It takes cooperation between every person involved to ensure the smooth operation of a company or organization. This is no small task and in the process there are likely to be ongoing interpersonal challenges. Whether you need information to help you address the need of a customer, resolve an employee issue, or effectively remedy a concern with a vendor, asking the right questions in the right way and at the right time can make all the difference.

Good questions help everyone involved work toward a win-win outcome. They should be used to clarify information, not demean or criticize. St. Francis said, Seek to understand [rather] than to be understood. Understanding is difficult to come by without first gathering the right information.

In order to ask the right questions in the right way you need to consider several key rules and strategies:

Listen! When someone feels understood they are more receptive of other’s opinions, ideas and questions. Giving someone the opportunity, without interruption, to express themselves completely communicates interest in what they have to say and respect for them as a person. Equally important, it allows them to get it off their chest, releasing the emotions.that might otherwise inhibit a constructive dialogue.

Control your emotions. If you’re angry or out of control, you lose respect and credibility. If your frustration has grown into anger, it may be best to avoid asking questions until you are able to get off the emotional escalator. As Thomas Jefferson advised, If you are angry, count to ten before you respond. If you are really angry, count all the way to 100.

Start with something positive. No matter how much you may disagree with someone on a particular issue, try to find something positive to share about them or their efforts. Expressing appreciation or a sincere compliment before asking your question will often open the listener to hear what you have to say. It will show them that you are not the enemy and that you have the ability to think objectively. For example, I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into this project. Thank you. My question for you is

Build on agreement. If your question is likely to reflect disagreement or an alternative point of view, attempt to find something you can agree on first and preface your question with it. For example, I agree with you that we need a policy governing this issue. My question concerning your recommendation for the policy is this Agreement on an issue, no matter how small, puts you in less of an adversarial role.

Avoid why questions. The word why can come across as accusatory, and communicates disappointment or disapproval. This one little word has the power to trigger a defensive reaction. See if you can rephrase your question by using what or how instead of why and eliminate the personal pronoun you. For example, instead of asking, Why did you make the decision before consulting with us? you may say, What made it necessary to make the decision before consulting with us? This simple change in phrasing can keep the matter from becoming personal and allows you to stay focused on the facts.

Stay off the soapbox. People sometimes use the opportunity to ask a question as a platform for expressing what they think the answer should be. If you are sincerely looking for information to increase your understanding, construct your question appropriately so the discussion can move forward.

Avoid personal attacks and sarcasm. Questions containing personal jabs or sarcasm greatly discount the value of an important question and may reflect a lack of personal integrity and self-control. Fight the temptation to act out your emotions by staying focused on the facts, not the person.

Ask Do you agree? One effective way to solicit dialogue is to state your understanding of the issue and the decision you believe is best and then simply ask, Do you agree? For example, I believe it would not be prudent for us to use ABC Engineering for this project given the challenges we experienced with them last year. Do you agree? Sharing your views in this non-threatening manner gives the respondent the opportunity to either see your point and agree with you, or to disagree and offer information that will add to your understanding of the issue.

Ask open-ended questions. An open-ended question invites more than just a yes or no answer. It opens the door to more dialogue and the possibility for greater understanding. Instead of asking, Do you support the new computer networking proposal? you may request, Please tell me what you think of the new computer networking proposal. The open-ended question will likely tell you where the person stands on the issue, and also why they have taken the position that they have.

Well-constructed questions, asked in the right way and at the right time, increase the likelihood of productive dialogue. And remember, whether you are asking questions or expressing an opinion, if you treat people with courtesy and respect most of them will bend over backwards to cooperate with you as you work toward successful resolution of the issue.

Ballet Music Through The Ages

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 6:06 pm

Right from the beginning, ballet and music have been uniquely intertwined. Without music ballet is nothing more than the empty motions of a ritual. Without the movement and rhythm of dance, music looses all vitality. And so, ballet as a doorway to human expression hinges on both music and dance.

Jean Baptiste Lully (1632-1687), the Italian-born French composer who founded the national French opera was not just a court composer to Louis XIV, but also a choreographer who produced court ballets for Molire’s plays. This probably explains why his productions never lacked an accompaniment. However, theatre productions of the eighteenth century turned composers away from ballet and toward the music of ballroom dancing.

This phase sustained its self straight through the nineteenth century with the exception of pieces by Russian classical composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) which include the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty.

In the twentieth century however, ballet came back to the spotlight. Once again considered a respectable art form, choreographers looked to the works of classical composers such as Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi, Chopin, Brahms, and Handel to perform the art of ballet dancing too.

Many agree that ballet owes its very existence to the likes of those who are both composers and choreographers. Because being musicians in nature, they naturally pay close attention to ballet following the rhythmic structure of its accompaniment precisely. One who does not understand music can easily create ballet that looks good that in of itself, yet at the mercy of a great classical piece the novice falls short of expressing the true nature of the piece. Instead, they turn the production into a form of movement that is devoid of both art and beauty. The experts instead know when it is appropriate to go against the grain of the accompaniment to heighten those dramatic periods which capture their audiences attention and leaves them breathless.

As we dawn a new era of music and dance, its undeniable that ballet will continue to change. However, just as music and dance have always been the best of friends, ballet will continue to find its new identity in the constantly changing music of today.

Specialty Halloween Pies Perfect for a Halloween Costume Party

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 8:01 am

It is always a wonderful experience when you walk into a home where someone has just baked a pumpkin pieall those intoxicating smells of nutmeg, cinnamon, pumpkin, and crisp piecrust. This piece is dedicated to all you pie-lovers out there, as well as all you non-bakers. Ive put together some recommendations for where you can get delicious pumpkin pies. These pies are perfect for family get-togethers, Halloween costume parties, or as gifts to your friends and loved ones. In no particular order, here are five places where you can get fabulous pumpkin pie.

The Simple System For Finding A Killer Product And Identifying A Hot Niche!

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Creating your own products is not difficult. However, it does take a little time to get it done, create a sales letter for it, work on the site, test it out, etc.

Since you may be short on time (and money), one method you can use is to start by looking for existing products that you could acquire resell rights to or become an affiliate of.

You can go to www.clickbank.com and browse through their Marketplace for a product you can affiliate with. I like clickbank because they automatically (and instantly) transfer your commissions into your account. You don’t have to depend on the product owner’s schedule to receive timely commissions. And, you can become an affiliate of all of their products at no charge.

You could also go to www.google.com (or even Yahoo) and search for sites selling recipes, recipe books, cookbooks, etc. and look for sites you could affiliate with. It would be to your advantage to work with sites/products that offer a generous commission (at least 50%.)

Tip: As you look through these sites, pay attention to how professional the sites look, how convincing the sales letter is, and also how soon after the sale they send out commissions. If you personally feel good about the site, see some great testimonials, and feel that you would want to do business with that company, you’ve probably found a good business to affiliate with.

(Let me also point out here that if you do have some experience with creating your own products, feel free to do so. It doesn’t have to contain 100 pages. It can be only a few pages, as long as you provide solid, valuable information.)

Finding Your Niche

When trying to figure out which niche to go after, the questions you want to ask yourself are…

What do I love to do the most? What am I most passionate about in life?

What subjects do I have strong emotional feeling towards?

What am I naturally good at or have an instinct for? (Provided it’s something you enjoy doing!)

If I were to wake up in the morning and choose to do one thing, what would that be?

What would express my creative intention and bring out the best in me while doing it?

How can I benefit myself and others if I were to express my creative intention?

To some, the answers may come very easily. And for some of us, it may require a little bit of soul-searching and self-discovery to get there.

If you’re having a hard time finding the answers, just get your mind going in that general direction by pondering on the above questions, especially before you go to bed at night (and until you fall asleep.) The power of focus is such that it will get your mind working in the background (while you’re sleeping) to bring the answers to you.

For now, you can simply start by asking…

“What are my favorite hobbies, interests, activities, etc.”

Or…

“What are some things I don’t know yet but have a burning desire to learn more about?”

Start a list and add all your favorites to it.

Softball Bat: What Is The Right Bat For You?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 5:02 am

You can see them all around the Softball park, swinging their bats, hitting at imaginary targets and sometimes practicing at objects, improving their strength all the time. The force behind the swing of the batters can be tremendous. The truth is, it is not the strength behind the swing that only matters. It is also the kind of bat one uses.

How to pick the right bat?

The Length

To pick the correct bat length, the bat should be long enough to reach your wrist when you are standing straight with arms on your size. With the tip of the bat touching the ground to your wrist will very most likely the most comfortable bat length that you can pick.

The Weight

Every softball player has his own individual requirement especially when it comes to carrying out weights. The rule of the thumb when picking the correct bat weight is to try out the bat first. See if the player can swing the bat comfortably and control the swing with both hands without strain. The bat has to be the heaviest that the player can swing without loss of speed. If the bat does not fall into these categories, look for another one. It does not matter if the bat chosen is the most expensive and the most beautifully crafted with the most advanced material. If the player will be sacrificing these, the player will only be having a good top of the line, technically crafted bat. You can not say that for his swings.

Whatever the case, always take a bat that is light. Lighter bats can be swung faster and the resulting distance could be farther.

Having said that, here are ways to pick legal bats.

Advancement in technology has created bats where the softball bats can fit and be comfortably swung by players of all ages and built. Even the less technically proficient can today, swing the softball bat and hit the ball at speeds that can pose a serious problem with the pitcher and the infielders. Technically advanced bats can also ruin the game, as players would rely more and more on the more expensive multiple alloys instead of having fun and developing the skill. For these reasons, many softball organizations started banning specific bats and having guidelines for softball bat specifications. Some of these standards are:

The BTF or the Bat Performance Factor has to be 1.20 certified.
The Ball to Exit Ratio has to have a 97-MPH BESR on a normally thrown pitch.
The bats must have a smooth safety grip not just tapes.

The ideal softball bat in the hands of a good player translates to the game Americans love. To prepare for a good batting positions here are a few suggestions:

Loosen up. Twist back and forth, bend up and down, do a stationary jog, do anything to loosen up the muscles. If you have a good bat speed, fluidity in movement will give you the power.

Use a carbon based softball bat. Carbons perform better than aluminum.

When you are batting, distribute your weight on both feet. When the ball is in the level between your shoulders and your chest, hit it. Hitting the ball in that position is just giving it another direction. The power that you smash it with will give it the distance.

Great Abs With Balance Ball!

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 4:05 am

Doing yoga on the ball can benefit anyone, including:

1. Yoga beginners. Moving into poses with the ball’s support builds confidence and can help your muscles gradually stretch and strengthen as you improve your yoga routine.

2. People recovering from injuries. Some injuries create muscular weaknesses that make it difficult or painful to do yoga postures such as backbends or Warrior poses. A ball can ease you into a pose comfortably and with less risk for re-injury.

Work Those Abdomens!

Abdominal work is only part of the story. You may be surprised to learn that even more essential to your core stability than a set of six-pack abs are tiny muscles that run along the spine and support the body’s joints. Normally we associate a strong body with the large muscle groups.

But, what really improves overall body fitness is the strength of these tiny muscles. They’re the ones that keep you from falling, wrenching a disk in your back, or spraining your ankle when you slip on a patch of ice.

Elevated Pushups for Pecs, shoulders, triceps, and abs

How to do it: Place the front of your knees on the ball and your hands flat on the floor (your whole body should be parallel to the floor). Look down at the floor and lower your face to within a few inches of it, then push back up to the starting position.

To Inflate the Ball

1. Attach the yellow piece to the pump by screwing into place.

2. Before inflating, use a yard stick or tape measure to mark the size of your ball in centimeters (55, 65 or 75) on a wall or floor.

3. Inflate the ball as much as possible, without over inflating.

4. With use, the ball will stretch a bit and can be further inflated.

5. Add more air as necessary, never inflating the ball larger than the centimeters in diameter indicated on the box.

The balance ball rolls around easily, so core strength and balance are required to keep it still. The challenge of keeping the ball still makes the ball an excellent tool to teach stability and rehabilitation. The simplest movement can become a huge challenge when you do it on the ball. Using a ball can give your workout a little more variety and extra challenge. You can try these exercises after your Pilates mat work.

Article

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , — admin @ 12:04 am

The most common mistake made by people who attempt to put together their first resume is that they put in too much information. They want to describe everything that they have ever done from the moment of conception to the present. The resume ends up being too long, and nobody will read it.

The most important piece of information that you should retain is that your resume, no matter how well it is put together, will only get a 15 to 30 second review by the person who does the initial screening.

That person is normally someone in Human Resources whose job is to look at hundreds of resumes per day. You must create your resume in such a way that it gives all the information they need in a maximum of 30 seconds.

There is information that, under most circumstances, should not be in a resume. This includes:
Your age or date of birth
Religious or political affiliations
Reasons why you left your last job
Your Social Security Number
Health restrictions or physical limitations
Any sentence that has “do not,” “cannot,” or “unable”

Age or Date of Birth

I repeat, you should not put your age or date of birth in a resume. In the US, an employer has no legal right to know your age. An employer can ask you only if you are over the age of 18 for insurance liability reasons or if local, state, or federal law requires that employees be over a certain age.

Therefore, if youre concerned that your age will be a factor, don’t list the date you graduated from high school or the years that you received any of your degrees. I received my undergraduate degree in 1962. Can any of you guess my age?

Religious Affiliations or Political Affiliations

Its generally recommended that you stay away from listing a particular type of religion or political party affiliation. However, being active in your community or church can sometimes be a positive factor in many large companies, so you should make general statements about your participation in activities that support the community. Volunteer work for a charity group would be a positive example but active support for an environmental group could raise some eyebrows.

Reasons for Leaving Previous Jobs

Weve become a mobile society and longevity in a position is now considered two years. People accept new jobs for many reasons. If you left your last job because of differences with your supervisor or company philosophy, I don’t recommend that you put that information in your resume. The reader will probably get a negative impression of you. If you couldn’t get along with your last company, you probably won’t get along here.

If the job application asks you to give reasons for leaving your last job, a safe and truthful answer could be that you were offered a better position. Better could mean a pay raise, better working hours, better office environment, or newer equipment.

Your Social Security Number (SSN)

The exceptions to this are federal resumes sent for civil service positions. A prospective employer can ask for your Social Security Number in an application - that is normally a requirement for employment. However, putting your SSN on a resume could lead to disaster.

Youll be sending out many resumes; you wont know wholl be reading them. It doesn’t cost much money to put a small want ad in the newspaper or on an Internet employment site, and a dishonest person can run a fraudulent ad.

If someone knows your SSN, he can apply for credit cards or other important documents, such as duplicate SSN cards, with the information you normally provide on a resume. Be alert if someone other than in the civil service asks for your SSN.

Information about Health and Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act has changed the way businesses in the US recruit and hire an employee. Generally, an employer has no legal right to know your health status. The only health-related questions that an employer can ask are job related.

If the job description requires that you lift 50 lbs, the employer has the legal and legitimate right to ask in the interview if you can do this. He can also state the requirement in his ad. He cannot ask you if you have back problems, diabetes, or have had a heart attack unless the job, such as airline pilot, requires perfect health.

Find out your legal rights if you live outside the US.

Marital Status

Ive added marital status because this is another issue that can work against you, particularly if youre a single parent. I know some people will disagree, but single parents have the highest absentee rate in the work force.

Companies will try to avoid hiring a single parent if at all possible. However, in the US they cannot ask you your marital status or if you have children. Don’t volunteer this information on the resume.

If asked this question in an interview, the proper response could be, “Can you tell me what this has to do with the position Im applying for?” That should end the questioning on this issue if the interviewer does not want to face a lawsuit.

January 30, 2012

Adsense Good or Bad?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 11:07 pm

I have often pondered this question?

Here are my own basic thoughts on the complex subject.

Most websites I visit have some kind of adsense system running; I would estimate that some of these are making good money from the Google system. Certainly sites with over 1000 visitors per day should receive a small amount of revenue.

Generally I believe the adsense system is a good one, however like most things these days the adsense system has been misused by individuals who fully understand how search engines work; unfortunately these people have already made their money. These people have used many tactics in the past to raise their sites page ranking, thus ensuring more visitors, more visitors means more revenue from the system. These sites are generally kept open for a few months and then closed down, with the next one instantly opened up. This practice has been going on for years. The sites are even sold daily on EBay; I would imagine they are just about to be banned.

What normally happens when a few people misuse a system is it leads to others suffering, and in this case it has happened. Google is sandboxing new sites for longer. Saying this company had to act, they have now introduced the Big Daddy update. This update has affected sites that have large numbers of irrelevant links or millions of irrelevant web pages. Unfortunately it has also affected the ranking of genuine businesses; hopefully this is just a temporary blip. My own opinion is the internet should be a level playing field for everyone; however I somehow doubt it ever will be.

I believe there is a place for adsense on most sites as long as it is discrete, well set up and does not look out of place, (fonts, colours etc), The main thing to think about is what do you want from your visitors. Most sites offer a product to potential customers. This causes the dilemma of balancing potential revenue from adsense against losing a potential customer, what I mean by this is, a visitor may be interested in your site, however you could lose them instantly to Google. This is why in my opinion is if your site has a product you are selling, you should never employ adsense on your homepage.

In conclusion I like the system, it is easy to set up and user friendly. I hope Google manage to filter out the unethical element who in the end will only spoil things for everyone.

About the author – Peter Arkwright recently retired from the military, he is now the Managing Director of http://www.bizseller4u.com
A new portal that allows people to list their Business for Sale

This article is free for republishing

Get An Internet Based Merchant Account

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 10:03 pm

As more businesses move their trade onto the Internet, they are finding it necessary to conduct their affairs through the aid of an Internet based merchant account. This type of account is similar to a personal credit card, but it is issued to businesses as a means of letting them accept credit card payments that are underwritten by a responsible lender, like a bank or another financial agent. A business that does not already operate on the Web can increase visibility in the cyber marketplace and enhance sales by building a Website to promote the company and by accepting credit card payments at the site.

However, to be able to process credit card payments, a company will need the support of an Internet based merchant account. This special account provides the business with the financial and technical means of facilitating credit card payments from its customers at any point on the globe where they have a computer and Internet access. When applying for a merchant account, the company needs to be able to prove it has a solid credit history, the ability to pay for support services in a timely and responsible manner, and the non-involvement in distasteful or unethical services. The company owner should scrutinize available merchant account vendors to find the best terms for his or her business. For example, some account providers charge a variety of fees that can quickly add up. A small or new business owner, or someone who is working from a home based business, may not be able to afford all the fees that can be charged with a merchant account, such as an application fee, membership fee, setup fee, gateway fee, and others. It is a good idea to carefully check the terms associated by a particular merchant account provider before signing on for an account.

When approved for an Internet based merchant account, you can quickly set to work arranging your Website and preparing to accept customers credit payments. An initial step is to make sure the site is attractive and functional. Arrange it with the help of a Web designer, if needed, to be sure it will be easily located by search engines and to hold visitors interest when they arrive at your site. You can use colorful images, interesting surveys, free articles, and other information in addition to posting data about your products and services. Change some of the information periodically, perhaps every week or month, to make sure only timely facts are included, or customers will soon lose interest and move on to another site that is updated more frequently. You can offer occasional discounts or sales items to make it worth the customers time to shop at your site, and to check back often. Paying by credit card is another bonus for those who want to purchase items quickly without the hassle of using a third-party payment system or mailing a check.

Dont let the competition outdistance you in the rush to enter the electronic age of business. Get a head start by applying for your Internet based merchant account.

Top Ten Things I Would Like To See Regarding Baseball

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1 Put the designated hitter in the National League or remove the DH in the American League. Lets create some uniformity. It is crazy when the world series is played. The home team uses the DH when the games are played in an American League Park. But there is no DH when the games are played in the National League Park.

2 Re: Ground Rules or Grounds Rules or Grounds Rule Not Grounds Round or ground beef. I never know what they call the play. If, in the opinion of the umpire. I know I know, some of you do not like opinions, especially by umpires. But the umpire thinks that Derek Jeter should score on a well hit ball by Alex Rodriguez that a fan touches. Derek Jeter may have been running on the pitch. The umpire thinks that Derek should score even though the ball went into the stands or a fan touched the ball. Derek Jeter is then sent back to third base if the fan touched the ball. Let the man score already. Do not send him back to third base. See how confusing it is.

3 Food and drink at the ball park costing less than a mortgage payment. I suggest having a special night where people can eat at the regular price for a hot dog. Half price night.

4 Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Derek Jeter, Tony Lazzeri, Graig Nettles and Bill Dickey play as a team. Today. So what if I am a little wacky.

5 The plastic bag liner that is used in the Metrodome is torn down and replaced with Saran Wrap. For no good reason, except to see how it would look.

6 All stadiums with retractable roofs. In case I am at a game and it starts to rain or the weather gets too cold. Hey close the roof.

7 Mel Allen is announcing games again. I loved it when he started up the broadcast with his famous “Hello There Everybody.”

8 People that at one time loved baseball. Now because of a strike, or steroids, or corked bats or exorbitant salaries, or whatever issue they had with the game turned away from baseball. They rekindle their love for the game and have some baseball fun.

9 My daughter (she plays softball) bats over .600 this year.

10 Your team wins. Unless they are playing against my team.

Free to pass this article on to anyone you think would enjoy reading it.

Autos As Automatic Pollutants

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — admin @ 6:04 pm

Green cars now so that my daughter will have places to drive at tomorrow… this is a clamor of an American father. Air pollution is everywhere and it is a big problem for most societies.

Air pollution is composed of many environmental factors. They include carbon monoxide, nitrates, sulfur dioxide, ozone, lead, secondhand tobacco smoke and particulate matter. Particulate matter, also known as particle pollution, is composed of solid and liquid particles within the air. It can be generated from vehicle emissions, tire fragmentation and road dust, power generation and industrial combustion, smelting and other metal processing, construction and demolition activities, residential wood burning, windblown soil, pollens, molds, forest fires, volcanic emissions and sea spray. These particles vary considerably in size, composition and origin.

As mentioned, vehicle emission is one of the biggest components. Busy and crowded streets of the United States contribute a lot to the worsening of the air pollution problem.

Carbon monoxide is a major component of air pollution. It is colorless, odorless and highly poisonous gas. It is associated with combustion reaction in cars and other vehicles same with cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide is harmful because when it is received by the body, the level of oxygen decreases. High levels of CO are a threat to ones life. Small amounts of CO if being absorbed by the body in a long span of time will still cause respiratory illnesses. Too much exposure may lead to malign health problems.

When you go to streets, there are these cars blowing out too much dark smoke. Studies show that there is a very big negative impact caused by pollution from cars and other air pollutants.
A study explains that a persons exposure to poisonous components of air pollution may vary as much within one city as across different cities. After studying 5,000 adults for eight years, the researcher also found that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants was more highly related to mortality than were city-wide background levels. For example, those who lived near a major road were more likely to die of a cardiovascular event.

Some research has estimated that people living in the most polluted U.S. cities could lose between 1.8 and 3.1 years because of exposure to chronic air pollution. This has led some scientists to conclude that:

Short-term exposure to elevated levels of particle pollution is associated with a higher risk of death due to a cardiovascular event.

Hospital admissions for several cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases rise in response to higher concentrations of particle pollution.

Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of particle pollution is a factor in reducing overall life expectancy by a few years.

These facts are really telling us what future awaits Americans if this situation continues. Indeed, a need to regulate vehicle smoke is needed not only for the welfare of the present time, but for the future.

The Reason Behind So Many Colors on Myspace Layouts

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , — admin @ 8:07 am

Myspace is a huge web site which allows you to interact with your friends, family, and anyone else on the web. Now, Myspace profiles are fashion statements, just as important as the clothes you wear to school, the suit you wear to work, and so on. When your friend visits your Myspace profile, they want to be entertained, and there are even bragging rights behind who has the best Myspace layouts. There are many web sites which offer free Myspace layouts to the public, which is something that you have to take advantage of today!

January 29, 2012

Are Your Childcare Teachers Burning Out?

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 2:23 pm

Although children are supposed to be our greatest commodity; little care and concern is actually focused on the childcare providers who care for and nurture our children on a daily basis. Recently, there has been a new focus on the extensive burnout syndrome plaguing childcare workers. Efforts are now being made to implement policies and add helpful changes, to provide some relief to these self-less care givers.

Epidemic Burn Out

Anyone who has ever worked around children in an early childhood educational classroom or daycare setting can attest to the rapid rate of burn out among the adult care givers. It is expected that children continually place unrealistic demands on their care givers on a daily basis. Additionally, parents and administration also continue to make demands on these same individuals without providing a support system. It is no wonder that the childcare industry experiences such continual and rapid rates of turnover among staff.

Poor Rewards

An individual can quickly become dissatisfied with their job if they feel slighted or underpaid. Sadly, childcare workers continue to earn some of the lowest wages. This is despite the fact that well over 50% of them hold a bachelors degree or higher in early childhood education. Many childcare workers complain that much of their free time and energies are put into curriculum planning. This goes unpaid and their efforts and dedication to the children are unappreciated.

Patience is a Virtue

Children are loving and enthusiastic by nature and are best dealt with in a manner similar to their own. Unfortunately, when early childhood care providers are constantly subjected to interactions with unruly and disrespectful children, their patience is quickly replaced with a loss of control. These negative feelings serve to further disconnect the provider until they are no longer interested in a job they once loved. To prevent this for becoming an issue, early childhood care providers should be provided more break opportunities in which to renew themselves and refocus their energies.

No More Red Tape

Another hindrance too many childcare workers in early childhood education involves all of the unrealistic expectations and red tape they have to deal with. Childcare workers all agree that children would be better served with less autocratic bureaucracy and rigid structural requirements. Children are common sense creatures and would be better taught if childcare teachers were allowed to take on a more natural approach to teaching. Childcare workers agree that inclusion in policy-making decisions would also improve their job satisfaction as well.

Improvements

While improvements can be made in virtually any profession, nowhere are these improvements more needed than in early childhood development centers. More money is desperately needed to upgrade ailing facilities and provide better pay and incentives to childcare workers. Turnover among childcare workers is extremely high. However, many childcare providers agree that better facilities and higher wages would greatly increase their overall job satisfaction.

There are many causes of burnout among childcare providers. However, by paying closer attention to the needs of their employees and allowing room for policy-making decisions, early childhood facilities could greatly improve staff morale. Finally being attentive to the providers needs as well as the children’s would encourage higher employee retention rates and ultimately improve the parent/teacher/administration relationship at the childcare facility.

Angela Walker has a passion for children, and her and her staff at Next Generation Children’s Center in Reno, NV are dedicated to helping foster your child’s early childhood development.

To see what else Angela is writing about visit Angela’s Blog.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_K._Walker

Unleash the Power of Listening

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 8:11 am

A vital skill in becoming an effective communicator is the ability to listen. Listening skills are not taught in school, and sadly are largely undeveloped skill in many people. To listen effectively is a powerful skill that can be learnt and practiced. You will gain more respect and esteem through listening rather than through talking

Its funny how sometimes you associate a certain phrase with someone. I knew someone called Ray and what I remember about him the most was when he was listening to someone talk he would keep saying I hear you I would wonder whether he was saying that because he heard, but disagreed with what the person was saying, or if it was a noncommittal filler

There is however a great difference between hearing and listening. Hearing refers to the physical dimension of the sound waves striking the ear and the brain processing them into meaningful information. Listening, however, involves far more than the hearing process. It incorporates paying attention and focusing with the intention of understanding and responding appropriately.

The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and to be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them. Not only that but when people feel that you have really listened to them, you will gain their respect and they will value and give you the credibility to speak.

Consider how you feel when you sense someone is really listening to what you have to say.
You feel good, you feel understood, and more connected to the person who is listening. The fact that they are interested causes you to feel cared for.

One important element of listening is the ability to attend.
Attending is the process where we focus in on a message and filter out others that are distracting. It is to be able to focus on what the person is saying, and filter out all the other things that may be happening at the same time.

Someone once said (his name was anonymous) that the reason history repeats itself is because no one was listening the first time. When I first heard that, I realized history always repeating in my house especially around bedtime! That is the time when my kids practice attending. They focus on what they are doing (and its not homework) and filter me out as a distraction each time I remind them that its bedtime!

One of the biggest distractions to attending is our desire to talk
The desire to talk is so strong that while the other person is talking we can be thinking about what we are going to say next, and waiting for an opportunity to speak. As we focus on what we are going to say or interject, our attention goes from what the person is saying to our own thoughts. Although appearing to be interested and attentive, we can easily be distracted by our thoughts or something else that may be happening at the same time. At that point perhaps we do fall into merely hearing and not listening. Our minds attention has drifted onto other things and is no longer intent on understanding and responding.

True listening is a skill which needs to be learnt and practiced because the mind functions seven times more quickly than it is possible to speak. Therefore the mind needs to be slowed down and focused on what the person is saying, and not pay attention to other irrelevant thoughts or distractions.

One of my all time favourite books is The Success Principles written by Jack Canfield.
One of the Principles he writes about in the book is how to use the power of listening as a way of building rapport and connecting with people. Jack created a series of four questions that he uses in personal and business situations. He asks the questions one after another. The first time he tried it was with his sister Kim. He asked the first question and listened to her response. When she had finished he asked the next question, and continued in this manner through all the questions.
Afterwards Kim smiled said to him Thats the best conversation I think weve ever had. I feel so clear and focused. I know exactly what I need to go and do now. Thank you He was amazed as he hadnt said a word except to ask the four questions, and had resisted the inclination to jump in with his own responses. He has found this works everytime and uses the questions frequently.

I have used this strategy, but by using my own questions and have been amazed at the results. Not only have the questions given me a greater understanding of the person, but through the fact of actively listening to people without commenting or putting my 2 cents worth in they have experienced encouragement and a sense of connectedness. I now make sure that I ask questions and listen more than I speak.

I want you to take a moment now to think of a question that you could use to practice actively listening, and resist the impulse to speak. When you have the opportunity, use your question or questions and experience the power of building rapport with others through the power of listening.

Are You Looking For Quality Comedy Entertainment?

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Are you looking for quality comedy entertainment? Check out ComedySportz for a great show everyone in your family or group will love.

1. ComedySportz is funny improvisation played as a sport. It is excellent entertainment for people of all ages.

2. Two teams improvise while acting out scenes, games, and songs as they compete for points and laughes from the audience. There are referees who monitor play and the National Anthem is played before every game. The winning team is chosen by the audience who takes a vote.

3. ComedySportz is modeled after the comedy show, Theatersports by Keith Johnson. The comedy version was born in 1984 by Dick Chudnow.

4. You can find this comedy show in cities throughout the United States including: Spokane, Chicago, Indianapolis, Richmond, Dallas, and New York. They also do shows in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

5. Because this comedy show is clean, funny, interactive and positive it is a great show for the entire family.

6. ComedySportz performs well over 2000 shows on the road ever year. They do shows for colleges, corporate events, churches and fundraising groups.

7. Highly rated by everyone who sees one of their shows fans of ComedySportz rave about the quality of their shows.

8. Comedy is not the only service provided by ComedySportz. They also offer a variety of classes, workshops and seminars on teambuilding and communication skills. These workshops provide an opportunity to improve communication skills and teamwork in the workplace.

9. There are three levels of workshops. Level One seminars on improvisation include: trust, speed, status, accepting and conquering fears and basic scene making. These skills are learned through a games and various activities which require improvisation.

10. The next level workshop is level two. Once you have completed level one you can take a level two workshop. It is here you will learn ComedySportz games as well continued work on improvisational skills. There are even opportunities for level two students to perform. Level Three continues to build on these skills.

11. If you or your company is interested in having a seminar focused on learning communication and team work skills while also having a great time, ComedySportz can put one together for you.

ComedySportz offers comedy, fun, healthy competition and opportunities for self improvement.

Answering the Time-Old Question What is Self Image?

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Self image has been scrutinized by psychologists and philosophers alike for centuries. Even though there are many arguments as to what self image is exactly, people will agree that self image has much to do with how a person feels about him/herself. Some would say that self image means how a person views himself in the world. What a person does everyday – their job, how they treat others, how attractive they are to others – hinges on their self image. Some people have positive perceptions of themselves, while others do not. It is believed that people who have positive perceptions of themselves have been told they are good, or useful. Those who are constantly told they arent good or useful, have negative perceptions of themselves.

This leads to another definition of self image which is how others view a person. If others do not enjoy a persons company, the person may develop a poor self image. If other people do not find a person attract, the person may suffer from poor self image. People often put too much emphasis on what others think about them. It is important to remember that ones self image will change throughout their lifetime. They begin to rely less on what others think about them as they mature and find hobbies and social groups that accept them. Their perception changes as they become more educated. Learning a skill or learning more about the world can have a positive impact on a persons self esteem.

Sometimes, though, a person needs counseling in order to develop a positive self image. This is very common among women and teenagers. Fashion magazines show women that are perfect when in reality they are not. Some women feel they cannot live up to these expectations and become depressed. Teenagers feel the same way when they compare themselves to others in their peer group. Unrealistic comparisons like these are dangerous. They can lead to eating disorders, disruptive behavior, and eventually drug or alcohol abuse. Talking with a therapist can sometimes make a person realize that they do not have to compare themselves to others. Their self image improves and they can lead happy lives.

Self image needs to be nurtured. Everyone feels less than perfect sometimes. But most people recover and go on with their lives. But some people cannot let go of these bad feelings as easily. Their self image is so unrealistic, they make themselves sick and need professional help and advice in order to gain the strength needed to get past those bead feelings.

Aromatherapy Candles – Great For Bath Time!

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: , , — admin @ 12:15 am

I don’t know about you, but I find that my days are a constant whirl of activity, with very little “me” time these days, which is not what I anticipated. I had this rather naive idea that as my daughters grew older and needed less help from me, I would find that I had time on my hands to do whatever I liked whenever I wanted!

My friends all asked what I would do with all my “free” time once my daughters left high school. They seemed to think I would be lost with nothing to occupy my time. Well, now I seem to be busier than ever, and the days just fly by. But what I have discovered is that “me” time is very important, and yes, it does mean I have less time in a day for everything else, but I am more focused during that time.

So, what do I use my “me” time for? I have re-found the pleasure of baths. For years, I have showered daily, but never even thought about taking a bath just because it takes so much longer than taking a shower. I have, of course, read many times, that taking a bath can be beneficial, but who has time for that? Then a little while ago, I decided that it might just be worth it to see if a bath, complete with bath salts and aromatherapy candles, was as good a therapy as everyone else seems to think. So, I made sure there were no phones to disturb me, and off I went to the bathroom. Actually, I did have to round up a few things first.

I had to find the bath salts – it had been quite a while since anyone in our household had taken the time for a bath! – and then find where I had put the aromatherapy candles and the matches, and I just did this while the water was filling the bath tub. I lit the candles, turned off the electric light, and the room was transformed into a relaxing spa! For some fifteen minutes I was able to relax in the hot water, take in the scents of the aromatherapy candles, and watch the light dance around the room as the candles flickered.

I was amazed at the transformation of the room for a start. The candles really changed the atmosphere for the better. The aroma from the candles was so pleasant, and the light so relaxing that I regret not having done this before!. I’ve not taken the time to watch a flickering candle for a long time, and I found it to be very therapeutic. The hot water relaxed my muscles and tendons, and after just a few minutes I really did feel much more relaxed and at ease, and I actually slept much better than usual that night.

Did my work suffer as a result of the fifteen minutes of “me” time? Not at all. In fact I think it benefited since I slept better, and was able to function better the next day. Was it expensive? Not at all, just a few bath salts, and a few aromatherapy candles that will last for a few more bath times yet. Did the world fall apart while I was unavailable? Not at all. Everything was just as I left it! Was there a benefit for the members of the household? Definitely, a relaxed female, is always preferable to a highly stressed individual! Will I repeat the process? Definitely, in fact I think today on my trip to the grocery store, I shall pick up some more aromatherapy candles so I can have a choice each day, and I suggest you do the same. Taking a time out with aromatherapy candles is definitely the way to go! Enjoy!

January 28, 2012

Ordering Tools And Hardware Through Magazines

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 11:19 pm

Many men and women who are interested in home improvement projects of different types tend to subscribe to or purchase different magazines that deal with these types of matters. There are a number of different magazines on the market in this day and age that deal with issues relating to home improvement and home renovation projects.

If you are considering taking off on a home improvement project, you might want to consider obtaining one or another of these magazines as a helpful resource to you in pursuing your home improvement project. Not only will you be able to access helpful articles through these magazines, but you also will have the ability to order tools, hardware, equipment and other supplies that are offered for sale through these magazines.

In addition to being able to buy products such as tools and hardware through magazines, these magazines oftentimes offer independent reviews of different products — including tools and hardware. These reviews can assist you in making the best decisions when it comes to the purchase of tools, hardware items and other products for your particular home improvement project.

There are a number of different ways through which you can access these magazines. Of course, you can take out a subscription to these magazines. (This might be a sound idea if you intend to become involved in a more extensive, long term home improvement project or program.)

In the alternative, you can also purchase single issues of these magazines from any major bookseller in the brick and mortar world. These stores tend to keep in stock an array of different types of magazines that carry information and sales opportunities relating to tools, hardware items and other products that are useful in home improvement projects.

Finally, in your search for these types of magazines, you might want to log on to the World Wide Web. Some of these magazines are now available online. In addition, you can order hard copies of these magazines from the Net as well. Finally, in some instances you can even order products such as tools and hardware that are featured in the magazines over the Internet and World Wide Web.

In the end, by obtaining these magazines, you will be able to access an array of different products for your home improvement project — including tools, hardware and other equipment and products for your home improvement endeavor.

January 27, 2012

Stag Weekends in Edinburgh the Joy of White Water Rafting

Filed under: Uncategorized — admin @ 5:08 pm

If you are in search of a stag weekend that is filled with fun and value, Edinburgh is the right place for it. Stag nights and stag parties in Edinburgh guarantees you a terrific time that you will cherish forever. Moreover, you get to see stunning castles and a vibrant city filled with numerous bars, clubs and restaurants. Edinburgh possesses some of the most interesting stag weekend activity venues and stag party locations with the stag activities ranging from quad biking, off road karting, natural white water rafting to canyoning and cliff jumping.

Edinburgh Stag Do White Water Rafting

Want to experience white water rafting in Edinburgh in its true form? Well, you can select your own route depending on your skill in rafting. This stag weekend activity arranged by Chillisauce offers you some of the best views of the stunning scenery of Edinburgh. If you visit Edinburgh for the stag weekend activity between June-September, you can take part in the exciting River Tummel – the piece de la resistance, a two-tire, 18-foot drop into the mystical Loch Faskally.

You can even go for River Tay stag activity in Edinburgh. This exciting stag weekend activity takes half a day to complete and covers six miles in distance as it starts from the old market town of Aberfeldy. Its a calm and peaceful ride in the beginning as you travel along the Tay valley, all the way through the undulating hills and amazing scenery. You get many opportunities to practice and polish your rafting skills. Then starts the roller coaster ride as the river drops and creates challenging rapids. This stag weekend activity keeps you on your toes as you travel past rapids like Zoom Flume and The Washing Machine.

Advantages of Stag Weekend Activities Water Rafting

The aim of stag weekend, stag night and stag party is to refresh your mind and fill you with fresh enthusiasm to carry on with your day-to-day activities. The stag weekends in Edinburgh organized by Chillisauce takes you away from the din and bustle of city life and gives you the much needed break to revitalize you mind.

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