I like greeting cards what about you

That’s right I love receiving greeting cards! It doesn’t matter what time of year, whether it’s a holiday, my birthday, or just because, I like receiving greeting cards. You know I think what I like most is how greetings cards make you feel. A greeting card can really make you feel special or lift you up when you’re down.

Have you ever received a greeting card from someone unexpectingly and it lifted your spirits or made you feel extra special? Well, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. Have you ever thought about sending someone a greeting card just because you wanted to let them know you were thinking about them? If you have not done this you should try it. It makes not only the person you’re sending the card to feel good, but it actually makes you feel good too.

Did you know that in the United States consumers purchase approximately seven billion greeting cards a year which generates approximately eight billion dollars in retail sales. In addition, approximately ninety percent of U. S. households purchase greeting cards, with the average household purchasing thirty greeting cards a year.

I’ve sent greeting cards to relatives, friends, business associates and others on numerous occasions. I have received compliments such as; the greeting card you sent to me made their day and made them feel really good. In some instances, I was able to reconnect with friends and family I had not seen or talked to for a long time.

You know sometimes most of us lead very busy lives and we get tied up with our work schedules, family responsibilities and other things that tie up our time. While this happens time just passes us by so fast and before we know it, years have gone by before we have spoken with someone we know. I ‘m able to get that reconnection by sending out a greeting card to someone that I know. It’s so easy for me to make not only that person I’m sending the card to feel special, I feel good every time I do this as well.

I send greeting cards to my relatives, friends and business associates not only on their birthdays and holidays but just because I am thinking of them at that particular point in time. I like sending greeting cards that are unexpected that surprises the person I am sending the card to.

So, you may want to consider sending a greeting card to someone to make them feel good too. You may find that this will make you feel good too as well. Go ahead, try sending a greeting card to someone you know and you’ll be glad you did!

What to look for in wood flooring for your home

First decide if you want engineered or real wood flooring. Engineered flooring tends to be more durable as it is constructed similarly to plywood. The wood is layered so the grains run in different directions and then it is pressed together into a plank. Real wood is referred to as solid. These planks are made from one long piece of real wood. Solid is real, engineered has a tendency to look not quite real. Usually it is too shiny and has a slightly plastic sheen.

Some types of solid hardwood flooring come prefinished. It is not terribly hard to finish a wood floor yourself, so unless you find exactly what you are looking for in a prefinish, you should consider applying your own finish. This way you get the sheen and coloring that you want to match the rest of your home. There are innumerable stains available and you can be sure to find the exact color perfect for your existing furniture and decor.

There are multiple methods of installation as well. The method you use depends on the type of wood you end up choosing. You might need to nail down your wood floor. This means attaching the boards to the subfloor using flooring nails. Similarly, you might staple the floor down using a pneumatic stapler. Some engineered floors need to be glued down to the subfloor. For this you use a trowel and flooring adhesive.

The easiest method is floating installation. The planks lock together using tongue and groove slots that are pre-cut into the wood. Some types of wood require that the boards be glued together others just click into place. Either way, this is the easiest type of installation to do yourself.

So, when you start looking into wood flooring, think about the look you want to achieve, how much you want to spend, and who is going to do the installation.

Trends v. fads

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Writing for online publishing can be a tricky undertaking especially considering that what may be popular today may not be so in a month or two, thereby making what you wrote irrelevant.

To overcome the possibility of your words falling to the ground instead of being received by your customers’ eyes you need to determine if the subject matter is a trend or a fad.

By trend I mean the following: the general market is making a permanent or long term move in a particular direction. An example of a trend would be the movement away from adjustable rate mortgages to fixed rate mortgages.

By fad I mean the following: the general market or an important segment of that market is making a temporary move in a particular direction. An example of a fad would be zero percent mortgages.

If you update your web site frequently, you can and probably should cover both trends and fads in order to capture a greater amount of market share. Going with “what’s hot” effectually covers the fad market for your business, while going with whatever trends that the market is displaying keeps your business current with today’s business practices.

The Solution: Simply monitor your site’s content and periodically remove “fad” material in order to keep your site fresh and relevant.

The pros and cons of loan protection insurance

Loan protection insurance has come under fire recently as a result of Financial Services Authority and Office Of Fair Trading investigations and the subsequent referral to the Competition Commission. Some consumers and financial commentators have denounced it as a poor value product, and it may be in terms of the cost of premiums that some providers, but the actual theory behind loan protection insurance is extremely advantageous and beneficial.

There are certain positives and negatives associated with loan protection insurance that may enable an individual to make up his or her mind as to whether loan cover is needed or not. Neither the positives nor the negatives may be immediately obvious because of the bad press the payment protection insurance industry has received in the past couple of years. However, loan protection insurance should be looked at impartially until an individual knows all of the facts.

In terms of positives, loan protection insurance can provide infinite peace of mind. The last thing you want to worry about if you lose your job is whether or not you will be able to pay off your loan. With loan protection insurance, you do not need to worry at all. It will pay off up to twelve to twenty-four months’ of repayments over that period of time, thus removing the worry for you. The product itself can be of great value in such circumstances. There are also standalone policies that can be paid monthly, thus not stretching your budget too much.

However, amongst the negatives is the fact that many individuals may actually end up paying more for their loan protection insurance because some providers add it to the loan total, which thus increases the repayments made. Also, loan protection insurance may represent poor value for some consumers because it is not relevant for everyone. If you work less than sixteen hours a week, for example, you would not be eligible to claim, and you may not have been told this when you took the policy out.

It is up to every individual to weigh up the pros and cons before taking out loan protection insurance and to seek independent advice if necessary.

Motorola razor phone

There is a new cell phone on the market that's slicing the competition to ribbons.

The Motorola Razor phone is a hot commodity on the cell phone market. You've probably seen the TV campaign, with an image of the slender Razor form sliding effortlessly through the air and slicing through its own brand name. It's minimal design makes typical flip phones seem chunky and outdated.

Leave it to a cutting-edge manufacturer like Motorola to come out with such an invention. The cell phone manufacturer has been barraging the North American market with imaginative commercials featuring young urbanites that are able to fend of hooligans with only their phone game skills. Maybe you've seen the commercials and not realized it's for Motorola, but there's no doubt you're familiar with their slogan: "Hello, Moto!"

The Motorola Razor phone really is second to none in design. Folded together, it's an unassuming phone that's slender than most but has typical flip phone looks. Open it up, however, and you'll see that the technology is part art, part science. You can turn it over again and again, and you still won't get over the fact that so much ingenious technology can fit into such a diminutive form.

Inside the Razor, there is Bluetooth wireless access and full e-mail support, making it a great choice for professionals on the go. There is a speakerphone for hands-free audio. You can watch videos on the Motorola Razor phone, however it doesn't have video recording capabilities. However, if you want to send messages, surf the web or shoot digital photos of whatever crosses your path, you can't beat the Motorola Razor phone.

Of course, the exquisite design and trendiness are the real reasons most people choose a Razor. It's become a real fashion accessory, and when Razor users put their phones to their ears, no one will say "Look at that old clunker" or "is that a cordless handset or a cell phone?" The Motorola Razor phone brings 'oohs' and 'aahs', rather than smirks and sneers.

If you're in the market for a great looking cell phone that delivers state-of-the-art performance, cut through the rest and go for the best: a Motorola Razor phone.

Anabolic steroids precautions and useful tips

Anabolic Steroids, as the name suggests are a type of steroid hormones. Their major use is artificial muscle growth, commonly used to enhance various physical capabilities. Anabolic steroids work by increasing protein synthesis in the muscular cells thereby increasing anabolism of muscles. These steroids are derived from the male hormone, testosterone. Therefore, they are also effective in maintaining and developing male sexual qualities.

Discovery and usage

Anabolic steroids were discovered during the early 20th century. Firstly, they were used for purely medical purposes which included stimulation of growth within the body. Mainly targeted were bones, sexual properties and muscular functions. Later, these substances were found to be highly effective in the treatment of cancer and even AIDS.

Side effects

Although very useful from a medical point of view, these steroids produce severe side effects when used without proper medical guidance or in improper doses. The most common side effects are unnatural increase in blood pressure, acne, increase in cholesterol levels, early heart attacks and severe damage to the liver.

Controversy

With the buzz rapidly increasing around anabolic steroids and their effectiveness, they began making their way into the sports industry. Various competitive athletes began using these steroids excessively to enhance their athletic abilities. This excessive usage was mainly due to the fact that the athletes, as well as the general public, were mostly ignorant about their side effects. This led to a lot of controversy and finally, major sports bodies including the Olympics, NBA, FIFA etc. decided to ban their usage.

Presently, anabolic steroids are viewed as controlled substances in many countries including the US, UK and Canada and each nation has strict laws to regulate their distribution and usage. Because of this, demand for these substances has risen remarkably in illegal and black markets, and these steroids are now subject to extensive cross-border smuggling through organized crime.

Many activist organizations, with the help of various international governments are working to increase awareness about the risks of excessive steroid usage.

Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic Steroids, also known as androgenic or AAS are a distinctive class of steroid hormones. This is because they function in both growth enhancement and maintenance of sexual characteristics. The anabolic growth functions are carried out through manipulation of protein synthesis in muscle cells. This increases anabolism and thereby boosts body size and strength. Androgenic functions are related to sexual properties, with testosterone being the most common natural androgen. All anabolic steroids are derivatives of testosterone. Hence, they are known to stimulate the sex organs, increasing growth of the penis and the clitoris in men and women respectively.

Medical Usage

Anabolic steroids, when discovered were highly regarded for their medical advantages. Doctors found them very useful in the treatment of various diseases. The most common uses are:

• Treatment of low-levels of testosterone. Anabolic steroids increase these levels and work to boost libido. Sometimes, these steroids are also administered to induce puberty in boys who face unnatural delays.

• Stimulation of bone growth. Although anabolic steroids have been used to treat bone growth for a very long time, their side effects have made medical professionals prefer other forms of treatment.

• Stimulation of appetite.

• Enhancement muscle growth. Anabolic steroids are effective growth-stimulation agents and are found useful when administered to patients subject to chronic wasting conditions (including cancer and AIDS)

Abuse and side-effects

Due to the obvious strength and muscle enhancement qualities of anabolic steroids, many sportspeople began taking excessive doses of these substances to boost their athletic abilities. However, they failed to realize the damaging side effects of these drugs. These side effects include elevated cholesterol and blood pressure, severe damage to the liver and various cardiovascular complications.

This resulted in the imminent ban of the usage of these substances is competitive sports by major bodies such as the Olympics, FIFA etc. Even the major world countries like the USA and the UK have many restrictions posed on the possession and distribution of these drugs.

Into the world of style and photography

Fashion photography is ALWAYS in fashion. Although it is mainly dependent on commerce, fashion photography is now considered as an art. Unlike before where fashion photographers see the craft as a source of income, modern fashion photographers see themselves as artists who can invent and reinvent different photo shoot techniques and style.

BECOMING A FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

If you are a budding photographer and has always been fascinated with fashion and photography, you may want to make fashion photography as an option.

Imagine yourself traveling the world and setting foot on exotic islands and historical sites, working and hanging out with famous, most creative, and talented people in the fashion industry, taking the photos of international super models to have them published in various fashion magazines, having your named renowned internationally, and to top it all, you are paid a huge sum of amount while enjoying these perks.

Today, where almost everybody can become a fashion photographer through the use of reliable digital cameras, soft wares, and other photo editing gadgets, more and more people photo and fashion enthusiasts are into the lucrative business of fashion photography.

But, how do you break in? Here are some of the things you may want to consider:

- Make up your mind and decide if you really want to be in the business.

- Don’t hesitate about potential clients and income because fashion photographers are always in demand.

- Choose where would you want to land on the business—either freelance, ones without an agent; freelance with an agent, employed by a retailer, employed by a publication either a magazine, a book publisher, a newspaper, and the like; employed by an established fashion house, employed by an advertising company, employed by a fashion or clothes manufacturer, employed by a direct-mail company or you would want to open up your own studio and get clients on your own.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY CHECKLIST

So, you really want to become a fashion designer? After deciding what you really want to do and where would you want to land in the gigantic world of fashion industry, you should make a short reassessment of your skills, you work ethics and etiquette to become successful in the path you have chosen to take.

There is more to fashion, photography, and fashion photography than meets the eye. Bear in mind that the craft and the business are beyond the realms of taking good photos, models, clothes, and products. Also remember that being a fashion photographer is more than an average person who takes good pictures. Technical and artistic skills in photography are required. Additional skills in styling, natural knack for clothes, great artistic inclination in modeling and composition, and entrepreneurship spirit are also a must.

If you didn’t make it in the fashion photography scene yet, consider some options and career paths like working periodicals, ad agencies, department stores, fashion houses, modeling agencies, retailers, catalogues, galleries and in stock photography agencies while waiting for that big break. Experiences in these fields can hone your innate skills and may open up doors to greater opportunities.

More tips in becoming a fashion photographer, breaking into and succeeding as fashion photographer, starting a fashion photography business, starting a fashion photo studio, starting a glamour photo studio and even getting paid to take beautiful fashion pictures and travel the world in the internet. These sites also provide information, and pieces of advice and tips for those who are interested in entering the industry as well as for those who would want to enhance their knowledge in the craft.

More loan flexibility through home equity line of credit

Your home is your most valuable asset and also allows you to obtain further home equity loans and credits when you are in urgent need of further loans and credit. When people refer to these loans, they generally refer to the terms 'home equity loans' and 'home equity lines of credit' interchangeably. Though they may seem to mean the same thing, they are in fact quite different in nature.

While home equity loans are more like the traditional mortgages, in which you get the loan amount as a lump sum and you then repay the interest as installments over a set stretch of time. Home equity loans work on the principles of fixed rates and fixed payments.

On the other hand, home equity lines of credit work more like credit cards. This form of loan allows you to borrow an amount up to a certain limit. As you keep on paying off certain portions of your debts, it opens up more credit limit for you. These loans however, work on the principle of variable interest rates.

Though home equity line of credit works on similar principles to the credit card, there are still some differences between these two forms of credit. Credit cards come with the typical open ended feature. But this is not the case with the home equity credit line. There is a specified time frame, usually about ten years, during which you are allowed to draw any amount within your credit limit. During this period you are required to pay back the interest amount only. On completion of the drawing period, you can no longer make any further withdrawals from the credit account. The drawing period is then followed by the payment period, which is the time you have to start paying off the principal as well as the rest of the interests. Certain financial institutions may renew the draw period, but that only adds to your burden seeing that sooner or later you have to eventually pay off the principal.

Once you obtain a home equity line of credit, you will be able to borrow within your credit limit whenever the need arises. You have to use special checks to draw on your home equity credit line. There are also certain financial institutions and some credit plans that allow the borrower to use a credit card to draw cash on their credit line.

There are certain limitations with regard to how you make use of the home equity credit line. There are some plans where you are required to take out a minimum initial amount when the credit line is initially activated. Some plans may also fix a minimum amount that you have to draw each time you are withdrawing from the credit line.

Should i plan for debt

Without trying to sound cynical or sarcastic there are two ways to approach debt. One way is through careful planning and monitoring, and the other way is through careless actions and taking on more debt than your income can handle. With so much at stake, the idea of planning for debt becomes paramount.

It would be difficult, if not impossible, to make it through life in this age without going into debt at some time or another. Debt, in and of itself, is not an evil, but rather a means of allowing people to enjoy a better standard of living without having to pay for that standard up front. The problem occurs when consumers do not control their level of debt or do not take into account the many possible events that can happen to them that can affect their ability to bring in an income. If it is a given that most people will need to use credit and debt in order to survive in a particular economy, then careful planning on how to use that credit and debt becomes important.

If you are new credit, or just starting out, be aware that you will, over the years, receive hundreds, if not thousands, of applications for credit from various companies. Much of this will arrive in the mail. It is important to refrain from applying for all that credit. This is one of the major ways that people find themselves in financial trouble. One credit card becomes two, two become four, and before you know it, you have a wallet full of them. The temptation to use them will be high, and if you do use them, you can expect a bill every month from those that have outstanding balances. It can, and does, become a mountain of debt before long.

When you are just starting out, plan to have no more than two credit cards, and use those cards sparingly. Do not be tempted to buy something just because you can. Purchase only what you have to purchase and keep your balance due on the card as low as possible. Whenever possible, plan to pay off the entire balance rather than the minimum payment.

Other debt items that you should plan for are high ticket items such as automobiles and homes. Many consumers are tempted by "no money down" offers from car dealers and some home sellers. Before you fall for that, sit down and think carefully. While it might seem nice to bypass the down payment, doing so will extend the loan period which means you will pay more in the long run. In some cases, you may end up paying a lot more.

Often you will find that no down payment offers are coupled with higher interest rates. These higher rates can add substantially to the overall cost of the item. So while you may think that you are keeping your cash, in reality, the lender will get it later on through higher rates and longer terms.

The better way to handle high ticket items is to begin saving for the down payment well in advance of needing it. This is especially helpful and valuable when purchasing a home. The more money that can be put down on a home loan is money well spent and well invested. Plan for your debt and be prepared for it and you will find that living with credit does not have to be stressful.

How to choose locking mailboxes

Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailbox for your home? There is a large selection of mailboxes from which to choose, and you may wonder which is the right mailbox for you. A recessed locking mailbox is a perfect way to keep your mail safe from prying eyes, and can be installed on the exterior of your home or as part of a freestanding mailbox. A recessed mailbox will blend in perfectly with the decor of your home and you will have the added security of a locking door that can only be accessed by you. Additional decorative designs will make your mailbox unique, and still give you the safety that you need.

A decorative recessed locking mailbox gives you peace of mind and the typically large storage capacity means you will be able to go on vacation or business trips and not worry about your mail overflowing. With all these features and the added decorative design, you may think that you will spend a fortune on a quality mailbox, but the prices for a top of the line decorative recessed locking mailbox are extremely reasonable and shipping is fast. Your new mailbox can be installed easily and will arrive with the necessary hardware included.

Decorative recessed locking mailboxes offer you access to your mail only with a key, have adequate storage for large volumes of mail, are resistant to theft and vandalism, have the ability to accept large packages, and offer a weatherproof, rust resistant finish. The USPS has approved recessed locking mailboxes as a safe and reliable way to receive you mail, even if you are out of town for several days. Decorative touches and stylish designs will make your mailbox beautiful as well as durable. Check into a decorative recessed locking mailbox for your home or business. You will be impressed with the contemporary styles and the affordable prices.

Viajar por placer

El periodo de viajar en aviуn no es la experiencia que mas disfrute. Cargar con la valija, pagar el pasaje, la sensaciуn de encierro en el aviуn entre otras son los negativos de viajar. Sin embargo llegar al lugar de destino es tal recompensa que lo mencionado anteriormente deja de ser relevante.

La posibilidad de conocer nuevos horizontes es siempre un lujo que no todos pueden utilizar. Es sin duda una de mis actividades favoritas, sino la mбs favorita. Poder conocer otras culturas, nuevas comidas, idiomas, paisajes, negocios, restaurantes, en fin, viajar es para mi muy enriquecedor.

Si decides viajar solo, verdaderamente tiene sus ventajas. Permanentemente tienes la posibilidad de conocer alguien interesante en el aviуn, charlar con el pasajero a tu lado, o tropezarte con algъn amigo de un amigo que se encuentra viajando en el mismo momento.

Viajar asimismo ofrece la posibilidad de desconectarse de los problemas que lo atormentan diariamente. Claro que a pesar de que uno se aleja los problemas no desaparecen, pero desde ya que puedes mirarlos con otra perspectiva y te darбs cuenta que lo que lo que veнas tan negro quizбs es un poco gris!

Mi viaje favorito fue el que hice a Paris con mi mejor amiga. Allн, estuvimos viviendo en la zona de Le Mare, en donde por las noches salнamos a algъn boliche de moda y por el dнa hacнamos turismo absoluto. Desde Notre Dame a Monmatre, hay un sinfнn de lugares para recorrer en la ciudad.

Si eliges Europa como destino, es recomendable ir durante primavera o verano y no en invierno, ya que el friу clima y la oscuridad de la tarde no te benefician para caminar y pasear. Sin embargo en la mayorнa de los lugares de Europa encontraras calefacciуn central para no sufrir tanto.

Hay infinidad de lugares para recorrer y viajar. Si decides ir a Italia tienes una variedad culinaria para todos los gustos. Las pastas y pizzas son increibles, y sus paisajes no dejan nada que desear!

En Espaсa, Barcelona es la ciudad turнstica y mбs cosmopolita; por otro lado Madrid tiene un estilo elegante y sofisticado.

Siempre y cuando viajes con algъn compaсero o compaсera que tengan un estilo e idea similar al tuyo del viaje, buena energнa y estйn abiertos a nuevas experiencias, te aseguro que te divertirбs.

Si te encuentras en un momento de tu vida donde te sientes presionado o estresado, por trabajo, estudio, familia o lo que sea y buscas un escape rбpido y certero viajar es la mejor soluciуn. Te abriga la mente, te rejuvenecerй el espнritu y volverбs con nuevas historias y experiencias para contar!

Find out more about wedding centerpieces

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Having a perfect wedding is a dream of most couples. They want to have their wedding day as the most perfect event of their lives.

No wonder why many people are so engaged into wedding planning because the numerous details of the wedding should never be taken for granted. From the invitations down to the reception, every detail must be meticulously considered.

Take for example the wedding centerpieces. For some events, centerpieces are not that important and may not take much of preparation and consideration. But with weddings, these beautiful embellishments usually found in the reception are extremely important as these items, likewise, set the mood in the area.

Wedding centerpieces are not necessarily the “center of attraction” in the event. But they do complement the bride and the group along with the other details of the wedding.

Normally, wedding centerpieces are not included in the reception or the catering; hence, it is a must that you hire the best provider of wedding centerpieces.

So, for people who wish to obtain some tips on choosing wedding centerpieces, here are some pointers that you could use:

1. In most cases, flowers are the best wedding centerpieces. They add color and life in the reception area.

Best of all, flowers can enliven the spirit of those who are present in the reception. It gives a homey feeling, thus, making the reception program more fascinating.

2. Do not just go with the flowers. Consider the arranger as well. The flower arranger could also be the same arranger you have hired to decorate the church.

The wrong flower arrangement, color, and types of flowers used as centerpieces can do more harm than good. Hence, it is a must that pertinent details like this one should be considered seriously.

3. Shop around

Do not be constrained on one establishment only. It is best to shop around and get more ideas on wedding centerpieces. Flowers are not the only thing that is considered as good wedding centerpieces. You can also have some candles, glass bowls, floating and scented candles, etc.

weddingtipsguide. com/Things-To-Know-About-Wedding-Centerpieces. html

Article

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 you’re 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

It’s 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

We’ve 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.

You’ll be sending out many resumes; you won’t know who’ll 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

I’ve added marital status because this is another issue that can work against you, particularly if you’re 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 I’m applying for?" That should end the questioning on this issue if the interviewer does not want to face a lawsuit.

The secret - collection of inspirational quotes part 18

The story of a love is not important --what is important is that one is capable of love. It is perhaps the only glimpse we are permitted of eternity.

-- Helen Hayes

You shall be free indeed when your days are not without a care nor your nights without a want and a grief.

But rather when these things girdle your life and yet you rise above them naked and unbound.

-- Kahlil Gibran

God doesn't always pay you on Friday.

-- Sicilian Proverb

Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.

-- Felicia Hemans

Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been but what we yearn to be.

-- Jose Ortega y Gasset

If you sleep with a dog you will rise full of fleas.

-- Greek Proverb

One must never look for happiness: one meets it by the way . . .

-- Isabelle Eberhardt

Life is not a spectacle or a feast, it is a predicament.

-- George Santayana

We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.

-- Woodrow Wilson

Existence is a strange bargain. Life owes us little; we owe it everything. The only true happiness comes from squandering ourselves for a purpose.

-- John Mason Brown

One of the nicest things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.

-- Steve Allen

Be able to be alone. Lose not the advantage of solitude.

-- Sir Thomas Browne

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Home theater speakers capture the audience

Home theaters are capturing a big percentage of the houses globally. It is a place for the families to enjoy the fun of original theaters at home where you can watch movies, television, programs, or home videos. The designing of the home theater should be done in such a manner that each and every component from seating to the home theater speakers should give an original scenario of real theaters.

Home Theater Speakers

Home theater speakers play a significant role in setting up a home theater. You should always shop for the best quality speakers possessing surround sound depending upon your budget. You should always survey the market properly, as there is a wide of collection of home theater speakers. Their price range varies from $200 to $2000. The following are the few tips that should be considered while buying the home theater speakers in order to get the best.

1 - Budget: The most important factor that influences the purchasing of home theater speakers is the budget. There is a wide range of speakers in terms of pricing in the market. Spending dollars in getting surround sound speakers will really add charm to your home theater and will leave an unforgettable impression over the viewers and listeners.

2 - Your requirements: There are numerous types of speakers with a wide range of quality, price, and features. The foremost thing to be done at your end is to create a list of required features that you desire to be possessed in your speakers. There are speakers that possess the features like Dolby, master control device, etc. The different features of the speakers can make you confused at the time of shopping, therefore, it is always recommended to jot down the most significant features required by you.

3 - Makes and models: There are different types of models and makes of the home theater speakers that will get you in a state of dilemma. Therefore, it is always recommended to search for the different makes and models considering your budget and make a list of the speakers that fall under the category of your budget and desired requirements.

This practice will help you in selecting the best. It is always suggested to go through the reviews and testimonials of other customers in terms of the sound quality, warranties, and overall performance of different models and makes of the speakers.

4 - You should try to opt for that speaker system which should possess at least a set of five speakers to have an effective surround sound.

5 - You should always make sure that the setting of the speakers should always be done in an apt and appropriate manner in order to have an experience of good surround sound quality.

It is not always that a high cost will result in high quality. Therefore, it is always recommended not to run after the pricing, you should always go for surveying the market by sharing the experience of the old customers in terms of quality of sound and overall performance of the speakers of home theater. This type of practice will help in getting the best out of the competitive market and will also help in saving your hard earned money from getting into the drains.

Will your asset protection strategy survive the final judgment

Did you know that... we live in a lawsuit-crazy society? I'll bet you do know that. And I bet you also know that court judgments are getting more and more outrageous all the time. Unless you have some sort of asset protection strategy already set up, whatever assets you have built up can be wiped out from a lawsuit that does not go your way.

Asset protection is a means for protecting your valuables from future lawsuits and creditor collection attempts. While many people are looking for a solid way to do this, there are many ways where the asset protection options that they try are not going to work.

But, there are asset protection strategies that really do work. What you want to do is to search out the right ones and use them effectively. Asset protection, or more precisely having an asset protection strategy, is something that many more people should take advantage of. What I plan to do in this article is to help you not take the wrong path n your asset protection strategy.

The first thing to do is to have your asset protection strategy in place before you get involved in a lawsuit. I know, how do you know if and/or when you are going to be involved in a lawsuit? You don't. But, you don't want to wait until you are being sued.

If you are involved in a lawsuit and a judgment is placed against you, don't try to "sell" everything to your spouse or cousin or business partner for something like $1. If you start to arrange your assets to avoid them being taken after the fact of a court judgment, then that is like "closing the barn door after the horses have escaped". It is too late. That would be deemed illegal and is known as a "fraudulent transfer".

The court will recognize the transfer for what it is, an asset protection trick to try to keep your assets out of the hands of your creditors. The "sale" would be reversed by the court and the assets would have to be given to the creditor anyway.

By the way, there are also other things to be wary of when involving a spouse, another family member or relative or even a business associate in an asset protection scheme.

If it is found that your scheme was in violation of the Fraudulent Transfer Act then you could not only lose the assets that you were trying to protect, but there is the additional money the you would lose in court costs, attorney fees and the costs involved in collecting the debt. Also, your "accomplice" could have a judgment entered against him or her.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you involve another person in your asset protection strategy by "selling" them your assets for a few dollars, the assets would legally belong to the other person and they would be able to do what they want with those assets.

It has occurred only too often that the new recipient of the assets has turned around and handled the assets in a manner that benefits them, leaving the original owner with nothing. Even though you trust somebody today, you never know what will happen in the future. So, in this case we can say, "Let the seller beware!"

One more point about "getting rid" of your assets through sale to your spouse: In the United States, if you live in a "community property" state then everything that is owned by you during the time of the marriage is also owned by your spouse and vice-versa.

So, transferring ownership to a spouse in a "community property" state does not help your asset protection strategy and does not protect you from creditors. The current community property states are: Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

One asset protection strategy that does work and has been known to work very well is offshore asset protection trust or APT.

Here the assets are protected from lawsuits because they are in oversea territories and therefore untouchable in most cases. Of course, it is important to take note of applicable fraudulent transfer rules as well. As in most asset protection strategies, timing is very important.

Another asset protection strategy that has been shown to be very successful is offshore incorporation and offshore bank accounts. There are many benefits for incorporating offshore. Legally limiting the amount of taxes you pay on your income, and protecting your business against lawsuits are just a few of the ways an offshore corporation or IBC can benefit your asset protection efforts.

Forming an offshore corporation need not be any more expensive or time consuming than forming a corporation within your own country. Be sure to use a legitimate and established firm when setting up your IBC. Make sure your asset protection needs are being handled in the way you want and that you get answers to all your questions.

Keeping with the asset protection theme of protecting your wealth from lawsuits, the offshore bank account will also help address this issue. Most companies that offer offshore incorporation will also help you set up an offshore bank account.

It would be a good idea to keep the account in non-US funds. The accounts are usually offered with an international debit card, so you can access your funds from an ATM wherever you have access to one.

In conclusion... Laws are different from country to country, and from state to state. You need to get professional advice from a competent financial advisor as the first move.

Do not wait until you are already in financial trouble because then it would be too late. If you transfer assets in order to put them out of reach of your creditors at that time, it may be seen as fraudulent and illegal. You need to have an asset protection strategy in place before you are sued, and before anyone tries to take your assets away.

It is never too early to get a plan in place. Just remember the old expression, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Do it NOW!

Home schooling is loaded with fun activities

There are many reasons why parents choose homeschooling for their children. A lot of times this choice is made by parents who are dissatisfied with the way formal education is being run. Also by those who are concerned about safety issues.

In addition, there are those parents who wish to freely instill some religious values in their children, while some feel that having their kids taught at home helps tighten their family bond.

Nowadays, there has been an uprise in the numbers of students who are getting their education at home. In the United States, approximately around 3 million children participate in homeschooling programs.

There are various ways homeschooling can be achieved. One of the most popular methods is to avail of prepackaged curriculums. A lot of book publishers specifically produce materials designed for children who participate in homeschooling.

These prepackaged curriculums basically introduce subjects that follow the curriculum of formal education.

Home schooling includes a lot of activities that make learning fun and exciting, especially for young children, while teaching a range of subjects such as: Mathematics, Language, Social Studies, Science, History, Electives and many more.

Children who are undergoing homeschooling are furnished with school supplies and other materials that they need for their education.

Software, educational audio cassettes and videos, and the internet are also part of the tools that are included in the education of the child.

Home schooling teachers may also teach children how to play various instruments as a part of the activities covered in music, and other various skills depending on the child's interest.

Arts and crafts, indoor games, and story telling are some of the other activities homeschooled children can participate in. The best thing about this is family members will be able to support and be involved in the various activities of the child.

Students who are undergoing homeschooling may also choose to go on organized fieldtrips along with other children who are also being homeschooled.

Outside of homeschooling, children can also participate in a number of activities such as: community service, working part time, sports programs, church activities and field trips that are organized by support groups that endorse home schooling.

These are basically facilitated by families who also have children who participate in homeschooling.

This method of learning is gaining more and more popularity these days, and is becoming a more feasible option for a number of families that now it is fast becoming a new trend in the way children get their education. This gives parents more freedom to choose what they think would be the best option when it comes to their children's education.

Body odour smells - did you know sweat has no smell

Body odour smell is an ailment that can not be avoided - body smells can often turn into a rancid stench if the offending area behind the smell is left unattended therefore causing body odour. In a lot of cases body odour smells can not be avoided, however precautions can be taken in the way of prevention to help unpleasant body odours.

Most body odour smells have a distinguishing smelly presence thus allowing you to direct your medication or cleaning process in the right direction. No one is exempt from body odour whether it is offensive or a lingering sweet essence from scented body sprays etc Treatment and medication for body odour smells are readily available over chemist counters but always talk with your doctor to be sure that the antiseptic body wash or whatever your purchase is, ideally suited to your needs. The wrong medication or treatment can instigate more problems.

Parts of the human body are identified by certain smells - the nose is a great detective for pin pointing exactly where the offensive smell is coming from. Unpleasant sweaty stale odours are normally ignored by the sufferer due to the fact that they are unaware they smell. This could be because their sense of smell has become so elementary making certain molecules in the nostrils insensitive. Strong pungent smells like

garlic or curry can be sniffed out but unfortunately the smelly odour produced from their armpits goes unnoticed.

We all sweat because this is a natural bodily function. When the body perspires it is relieving heat in a biological way - bear in mind sweat does not smell but however it is a base for bacteria therefore the acrid odour.

Body odour smells can be stemmed in a couple of ways by reducing the amount of sweat loss and by treating the area of bacteria that is the cause behind the production of the body odour.

To help combat bacteria - you must dedicate more time to your cleaning routine thus more attention to where you suffer and feel the most embarrassing smells come from.

A body wash cleaning every nook and cranny - particularly in the areas where the sweat producing glands are plentiful, for instance under the arms, groin and foot area, is vital. We all differ in ourselves in the personal hygiene department so you will find that some people will have more sweat and oil producing glands than that of others, the remedy for this is that washing routines may have to take place two or three times a day.

Using antiperspirants and deodorants are also another part of the package to keep repulsive and embarrassing body odour smells at bay. Remember to shave areas regularly like under the armpits because the hair is like a magnet for bacteria - results from this a fertile breeding ground for the bacteria.

Certain materials are not a match made in heaven on certain parts of the body so find clothing that is kind next to the skin.

Simple check to test your eligibility for filling chapter 7 bankruptcy

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Most people who file for bankruptcy choose Chapter 7 instead of Chapter 13 because it's fast, effective, easy to file, and doesn't require payments over time. Chapter 7 bankruptcy usually takes the least time to complete. The process is over in about 4 to 6 months, commonly requiring only one trip to the courthouse by the person filing for bankruptcy to emerge debt-free.

However not every persons who are seeking of getting debt free by filling bankruptcy will be eligible to file under chapter 7. If you remaining income after subtracting what you will spend on certain allowed expenses and monthly payments for child support, tax debts, secured debts such as a mortgage or car loan, and a few other types of debts is sufficient to support the payment under chapter 13 repayment plan, then, you will not allow to file bankruptcy under chapter 7.

Check Your Eligibility Criteria

The first step to check your eligibility of filling chapter 7 bankruptcy is to measure your average income for past six months against the median income for a family of your size in your state.

Once you have calculated your income, compare it to the median income for your state (You can find the median income by state information from usdoj. gov/ust; click the Mean Testing Information). If your calculated average income is less than or equal to the median income of your state, you can file under chapter 7 bankruptcy, else you need to go through another eligibility test, called "Mean Test".

The "Mean Test" based on the outcome from calculated disposable income. To get your disposable income, calculate your average monthly income as describe in above paragraph. From that amount, you subtract both of the following:

• Certain allowed expenses such as clothing, transportation, food and so on; in amounts set by the IRS (Note that this amount may be lower than your actual spending).


• Monthly payments you will have to make on secured and priority debts. Secured debts such as mortgage and/or car loan; priority debts include child support, alimony, tax debts, and wages owed to employees.

If your total monthly disposable income after subtracting these amounts is less than $100, you pass the means test, and will be allowed to file for Chapter 7. If your total disposable income is more than $166.66 then your will automatically force to Chapter 13 unless your have a solid reason with proven facts that you are facing a special circumstances that aren't reflected in the calculations above. You may be allowed to file under chapter 7, but this is a case by case basic.
What if you disposable income fall in between $100 and $166.66? If your disposable income is in this range, you must figure out whether what you have left over is enough to pay more than 25% of your unsecured, non priority debts such as credit cards, student loans and medical bills. If not, you pass the means test, and Chapter 7 remains an option else you have flunked the means test, and will be prohibited from using Chapter 7.

Summary

You may like most of people prefer to fill the bankruptcy (if this is the option left for debt free) under chapter 7, because it doesn't require you to repay any portion of your debts, as Chapter 13 does. But first thing is your must be eligible and meet the requirement for chapter 7 to opt for this option.

Optimizing your website for maximum traffic

The internet has grown into an extremely major venue for advertisements of all kind. Almost every company has placed ads on the internet. But with thousands of web sites being viewed by billions of people, how can you be sure that your ad is seen by the people who you want to see it? Here are a few ways.

- Advertise on websites similar to your own. You don’t want to advertise on a competitor’s web site, but if you can reach your preferred audience through a similar site, then you will receive more attention.

Be sure to also check the competition on the site you’re trying to advertise on. It is also a good idea to look for other sites that link to the one you’re advertising on. This way, more and more users can see your site.

- Placing ads can be an expensive way to increase traffic. However there are some sites that will “trade” links with you – you advertise for them, they advertise for you. This can be a benefit in 2 ways, because having links placed on your site helps in search engine optimization.

- Pay-per-click is another option for you. You just pay for the ad as many times as the link is clicked. If this sounds better, make sure you have a limit on the daily spending. You can find programs that will assist you in adding keywords that will attract search engines.

- Choose your domain name with great care. Having a domain name that reflects the true content of your site can aid greatly in drawing consumers into your site, and will help them to remember the address.

- Keep your website intelligible! Having lots of search engine keywords can help traffic, but if your site is complete gibberish then the customer might not stick around for very long. So make sure you use keywords efficiently but not excessively.

- Keep track of all your ads. Check frequently how much you’ve spent on getting your links out. You can find services that allow you to monitor how efficient each site is judging by how much you’ve spent and how much traffic it has generated. If an ad isn’t getting you enough traffic, you might want to consider getting rid of it.

Many think that getting your site to the top of a search engine is difficult, considering tens of thousands of web sites are competing for the spot. This is correct, but this doesn’t mean your web site shouldn’t be one of the top results.

Strategic deals and publicizing, complete with coherent, useful content can get you to the top of the search results. Instead of battling competitors for the same old keywords, acknowledge these methods and use them. You won’t just see more visitors; you’ll see more sales.

How to start your own export business

Export has been around since the earliest forms of business trade. In fact, it is through the business of export that new lands have been discovered, wars have been fought, and international business relationships have been established. Today, many people are discovering that operating an Export business is just as exciting, adventurous, and financially rewarding as it was for the early explorers.

When one envisions an Export business, they tend to imagine huge corporations that have made their millions in international trade, however research has shown that the majority of Export businesses are owned and operated by small businesses and sole proprietors.

Your first step in operating an Export Business is to choose which type you would like to operate. Some of the most popular Export Businesses include: Export Trading, Export Merchants, and Export Management Companies. Export Trading is the art of discovering what foreign and international markets want to buy and finding the goods. Then, the company or Individual then arranges to export the goods to the buyer.

An Export Merchant is a business or individual that obtains goods, and then resells them to foreign markets. This type of export business may deal in many different items, and not just one specific market. They are in business for themselves and don’t work on commission or percentages.

An Export Management Company is a company that handles a business’ exports needs. Suppose there is a company that would like to begin distributing their products in the foreign sector, but they don’t know how to tap into these markets. An Export Management Company is hired to handle all of the transactions. They are essentially employed by the original business and are paid by salary or commission for all successful transactions.

Because there are specific laws dealing with International trade and foreign business, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with state, federal, and international laws before starting your export business. A great place to begin is by checking with your local small business administration for information regarding starting an export business.

How to throw a poker game in your home without your wife finding out

It is not uncommon for a man to want to have a night out with the boys, maybe play a little poker. It is also not uncommon to have the plans of men thwarted by their wives.

To help with this problem I am telling you the secrets about how to have some harmless fun at home without the wife catching on.

The best way to get rid of the wife so you can have a little “Man Time” is the easiest but most expensive way to do it. For her birthday you get her and one of her friends a trip to a weekend spa place.

Your wife will think you the best hubby ever and will never suspect you are going to throw a poker game in her absence, and the best part of this plan is that when it is over your wife will be so grateful for what you have done she may be more inclined to allow you to go out with the boys more often.

The next way is a little complicated and will only give you 4 or 5 hours of time at best, but it is much less expensive then a trip for 2. It may seem a little childish and yes I also have seen it on TV but a scavenger hunt scam can work.

The trick to the scavenger hunt is that each spot has to mean something. An example would be the first place you ever went on a date as one of the places she needs to go.

The end of the game is the most important make the last stop a restaurant and make sure to be there before she does. A good idea is to try to think of something meaning full in the area of where you live so you do not have far to drive, this will leave you the maximum amount of time to lay poker with your pals.

I have to admit this is not the ideal way to play poker, but getting away with even an hour of poker without her knowing is more excitement than any regular poker game could ever be.

Now that you have a plan to get her out of the house you need to be ready to go. The most important part of this is a large plastic drop cloth. This is so that if anything spills it will be simple to clean up.

Make sure you are ready to go with the table and chairs and make sure they get put back exactly the same as when you took them. You may want to use a digital camera to make sure you remember exactly how everything was before the game, because I promise you that you wife does.

If you send your wife on the trip I do not recommend using a cleaning service right before she comes back. If the house is too clean she will know something funny is going on

The last two tips I have is to make sure that you have a really nice gift around at all times just incase she finds out, and the other is that if your wife and your friends wives are friends do not invite those friends, if one guy gets caught you will all get caught.

Good Luck.

The importance of a registry cleaner

With constant usage, the registry gets clogged with useless links and files. In fact the registry is scanned every time there is a requirement for information, and these useless data slow down the process. An effective registry cleaner could help you deal with such a problem.

To understand the importance of a registry cleaner, let us understand how Windows work. Windows has a database that is used to store system information, which is necessary to configure the operating system for the different users that will log on and use the system. It also stores all the information that is needed to configure the hardware and the various programs or applications that will run along with the operating system be it windows 98, XP or any other version of Windows. This information is constantly referenced during the operation of the computer. This is the central registry system of the PC. Every time we use the PC the registry constantly grows and gets rearranged. This constant change and growth eventually slows the system down to a crawl. Here is when the Window registry cleaner steps in to do a thorough job of ridding the system of all the redundant data stored therein.

Choose Your Registry Cleaner

There are many registry cleaners online. Once can run a search on any search engine by typing in ‘power registry cleaner’, ‘free registry software cleaner’, ‘free registry XP cleaner’ or just ‘registry cleaner’. The results page will display the entire range of cleaners that you could download and install on your system to undertake the highly technical task of registry cleaning. In the earlier days, windows used to store these configuration data in the INI files. The system had to be configured manually every time some new software was installed. The central registry system had automated that task however; it has brought along with it the problem of having to clean the registry of the useless data and information on a regular basis.

Not A Manual Task Anymore

Thanks to registry cleaners such as Microsoft registry window cleaner, express registry cleaner and the like, the cleaning of the system registry is not a difficult task anymore. Downloading one of these registry cleaners takes no longer than a couple of minutes, depending on your internet connection, and then it takes just a few seconds to install. Using one of these free registry cleaners does not require any technical knowledge at all. It is as easy as counting 123. There are two controls once you download the registry cleaner. One will the ‘scan registry’ and the other will be ‘repair registry’. First you will have to click on ’Scan Registry’. This will scan the registry for all bad links and redundant information. Then the data to be cleaned will be highlighted and you will have to click on ‘repair registry’ to get rid of these from the system.

It is always advisable to proceed with caution when trying out a new thing. Registry cleaners are not new to the windows environment. However, it is new to many windows users. It is not advisable to mess with the registry yourself. This is a part of the system that even the gurus evade. It is best left up to the registry cleaning software such as registry review cleaner, and their like to take care of this mammoth task. And before you know it your system will be running smoother than ever before.

How is tuberculosis treated

Tuberculosis Treatment

Tuberculosis, commonly referred to as TB, is an infection that affects the lungs and may also affect bones, joints, the circulatory system and central nervous system. This disease can be highly contagious if left untreated. In 1993, the World Health Organization declared TB to be a world health emergency because of the frequency of infection and the ease in which it spreads. It is estimated that nine billion new cases are reported each year.

As with any disease, it is better to ensure prevention. TB vaccinations are common and highly effective, especially in children. TB vaccinations are very common in the United States as well as other countries. Although a higher percent of children are successfully protected, if adults have not received a TB vaccination it is recommended they get one.

Symptoms of TB include chest pain, coughing, inability to breathe and pneumonia-like symptoms. However, it is also common to be infected and show no outward signs. Diagnosis of the disease will occur with a complete examination including a TB skin test. It is important to minimize the damages by early detection and prompt treatment. This can mean the difference between full recovery and possible death.

Treatment of this disease can be complicated, especially if there are other factors such as HIV. It is recommended that quarantined hospitalization occur to monitor progress and reduce the risk of spreading. Common drug therapies include antibiotics specifically designed for TB treatment such as Isoniazid, Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, Streptomycin and Ethambutol. Unfortunately, there are many strains of tuberculosis that have become resistant to the medications. It is very important for continued monitoring to ensure effectiveness of a drug or combination of drugs.

In the instance where the body is resisting drugs, surgery may be necessary. The portion of the lungs affected may be removed. Also, chest tube drainage may be required. In these cases, recovery percentages are very low. In order to reduce this risk, treatment as early as possible is advised. Patients who have an early diagnosis or are not immune to the drug treatments have a high success rate of complete recovery. Relapses are extremely rare with proper treatment.

With over two billion people affected with tuberculosis in the world, the seriousness of this disease can not be denied. Prevention of the disease is the best way to keep the spreading of it in check. This includes ensuring children are properly vaccinated and all shots are kept up to date. Early detection and treatment are also key factors in guaranteeing complete recovery and minimizing risk of relapse.

Play nostradamus on forex swings with oil trends

Now why should you worry about the price of oil if you’re not buying and selling oil?

If you’re neck deep into forex, there’s one good reason. Many of the most important currency trading pairs rise and fall on the price of a barrel of oil. The price of oil has been a leading indicator of the world economy for decades, and experts predict that that won’t be changing any time soon. The connection between the price of oil and the economy of many countries is based on a couple of simple facts:

1. Nations with healthy supplies of crude oil benefit economy-wise from higher oil prices.

2. States who depend on imports for their energy needs benefit from lower oil prices and lose when oil prices rise.

3. As the economy of a country is strong, its currency is also strong in the forex market.

4. As the economy in a country takes a downturn, its currency loses value in the currency exchange rate.

The ever shifting oil prices of the past year – 2005 – are a good example of what can happen when factors affect the price and supply of oil. Remember from basic economy courses that higher oil prices act to put the brakes on consumer spending. This follows as long as the major source of oil for industrialized countries is petroleum based. The price of all goods produced hinges on the price of a barrel of oil. As the oil prices rise, so does production and supply prices for most consumer goods. In addition, the expenses of individual consumers rise as they pay more to fuel their automobiles and heat their homes. The net result is a downward swing in the economy of the country until it hits a rallying point that starts it back on an upward trend.

Authorities who survey the oil market are split on which way oil prices are headed, and just how far. A little over a year ago, most pundits agreed that $40 a barrel was the upper limit for a barrel of crude oil. At the year’s beginning, oil had already broken that point, and was selling at $42.50 a barrel. The vagaries of the weather, world politics and actual capacity to meet demands have fueled one of the most volatile pricing years in recent memory. At one point, the price of crude broke $70 a barrel, an increase of 65% over the beginning of the year. And while prices dropped for a short period, at the end of the year, they were still 45% higher than at the beginning of the year. Since the turn of the year, prices have begun their climb again, and the majority of traders believe that we won’t see a reversal of that trend in the near future. The conservative predict a price of $80 per barrel. The more aggressive are calling it at $100.

What does this imply for the currency trading market?

From economics 101, we know that in the currency market, exchange rates are predicated on the health of a country’s economy. If the economy is robust and growing, the exchange rates for their currency reflect that in higher value. If the economy is faltering, the exchange rate for their currency against most other currencies also stumbles. Knowing that, the following makes sense:

1. The currency of nations that produce and export oil will rise in value.

2. The currency of nations that import most of their oil and depend on it for their exports will drop in relative value.

3. The most profitable trades will involve a country that exports oil vs. a country that depends on oil.

Based on those three points, the experts are keeping their eye on the CADJPY pairing for the most profitable trades, and here’s why.

Canada had been leaping the list of the world’s oil producers for years, and is currently the ninth largest exporter of oil worldwide. (gasp here) Since the millenium’s turn, Canada has been the largest supplier of oil to the U. S., and has been getting considerable attention from the Chinese market. It’s predicted that by 2010, China’s import needs for oil will double, and match that of the U. S. by 2030. Currently, Canada is positioned to be the largest exporter of oil to China. This puts Canada’s dollar in an excellent position from a trading perspective.

Japan, on the flip side, imports 99% of its oil. Their dependence on oil imports makes their economy especially sensitive to oil price fluctuations. If oil prices continue to rise, the price of Japanese exports will be forced to rise as well, weakening their position in the world market. Over the past year, there has been a close correlation with rises in oil prices and drops in the value of the yen.

If economy and history are to be regarded, the oil prices can’t continue to rise indefinitely. Eventually, consumers will bite the bullet and start cutting their demand for oil and gas. When that happens, the price of oil will either stabilize, or start heading back down toward the $40 a gallon that experts predicted it would never hit.

Php in a nutshell

If you have spent the better part of the last few years on the Internet, you may have already chanced upon the term PHP. You may have even encountered the definition: “a server-side scripting language”. But what exactly does it mean? And more importantly, what use can it be to you as an aspiring Web developer or Web designer?

Going back to the definition for a little while, PHP is indeed a server-side scripting language that is typically used in the creation of dynamic Web pages. It is a relatively easy to learn programming language that enables you to feature more dynamic content on your web sites.

PHP is different from other types of programming languages in that it is designed to work in conjunction with HTML. This compatibility is a distinct advantage of PHP and allows you to easily integrate it into web pages that have already been extensively rendered with HTML. This integration is in fact so seamless that you can quite readily switch between the two languages even within the same web document.

How this while thing works is basically like this: web sites are typically designed with a combination of PHP and HTML in varying proportions depending on the designer’s intended purpose. When a visitor points his browser to the web page in question, the server will “read” and subsequently process the PHP instructions and later send the results of the process to the browser of the visitor. This is pretty much similar to how other languages such as ASP or ColdFusion work. The main difference however is that PHP, unlike the aforementioned ASP or ColdFusion, PHP is both an Open Source and a cross-platform application. What this means is that PHP can be run under the Windows NT platform as well as many versions of the UNIX platform. In addition, PHP can be designed to function as an Apache module and even as a binary that can be run as a CGI.

PHP by its very nature is exceptionally light and fast to run but when designed to run as an Apache module it is even more so. The absence of any process creation overhead allows PHP to return results quickly compared with other programming languages plus it has the added benefit of not requiring the tuning of mod_perl in order to limit your server's memory image to a manageably small size.

Beyond its usage as a means to control and alter the contents of your web pages, PHP can also serve to function as an HTTP header sender. It is typically used in this function to set cookies in web browsers, manage the site authentication processes, and to redirect users to other sites. PHP also works well with other programs and applications, enabling unparalleled connectivity with many different databases as well as ODBC, as well as offering seamless integration with many different external libraries; libraries that allow you to accomplish tasks such as publishing PDF documents and even parsing XML.

The way PHP fits within your web pages is extremely elegant in its simplicity; so simple in fact you will not need a special development environment or IDE at all. You merely have to place a at the end. PHP can also be configured to utilize ASP type tags as well as .). The PHP engine is charged with the task of processing everything that is contained within those tags.

If you have had an extensive or even only a little background in programming languages, you may have already noticed that PHP has a lot in common with the languages C and Perl, especially in its language syntax. Just like in C and Perl, you do not have to declare variables prior to you using them, and it is also quite easy to create arrays and hashes (associative arrays).

So much for its characteristics; now how can you use PHP?

One of the most often mentioned and widely used applications of PHP is for server side scripting. This has traditionally been the area in which PHP has been focused. The three components of PHP in this particular application are: a PHP parser (which can take the form of a CGI or server module), a web browser and a web server. The web server is run with a PHP installation connected and the program output of the PHP program is accessed with a web browser. The PHP page can then be viewed through the web server.

Command line scripting is another area where PHP is utilized and for this application you only need a PHP parser. Typical uses include rudimentary text processing and running scripts such as Cron or Task Scheduler.

Finally, although not the ideal solution for this particular scenario, PHP is also used in writing desktop applications that feature a graphical user interface.

Clearly the uses for PHP are both varied and endless and you should explore it in depth to find out how it can be of service to you.

Pocket bike parts

One of the most appealing aspects of pocket bikes is that you can modify and upgrade them yourself. You can strip them down and rebuild them from scratch with high performance parts, modifying and customizing them until they almost flip you off the seat when you roll the throttle on! If the flipping off a bike with speed isn’t for you, there are plenty of parts made specifically for improving the design to give it that hot, unique look that sets you apart from everyone else. But before you can upgrade or switch out, or even do basic maintenance, you have to understand the basic parts of a pocket bike.

Fairings:

This is one of those parts that really is not essential to the pocket bike, but it does make your bike look really good! Fairings are the plastic covers that surround the frame of your pocket bike, and give it a "super bike" type of look. There is not much you can do with them, other than paint them, but you can put on any design you want and that is always pretty fun to do.

The Wheels and Tires

This is straight forward. Everyone knows what a wheel is. The important part is the tires. The tires on a pocket bike can make a big difference if you are racing. It's definitely one of the main pocket bike parts you should think about upgrading. Most, if not all, pocket bikes come with pretty generic crappy tires. The rubber used in them tends to be hard and doesn't grip the track well. Sava is a well known brand of tires that are affordable and will cut seconds of your lap times on the track!

Sprockets (Gears)

The sprocket connects your engine's power to your back wheel. Changing the size of your sprockets can make you bike accelerate much faster (which is what most people want) or it can give you a higher total speed, depending on which one you want. Unfortunately you can not both, so think about which upgrade is the most important to you for your needs before committing to the work. Tracks with long straight-aways translates to you wanting the top end speed. Tracks with a lot of sharp corners and curves means you want the acceleration.

These are just some of the parts that can be changed, modified, or re-built to make your pocket bike the best running, and best looking, racing bike in your neighborhood. Decide what you want, buy the parts, and when you go to town, remember to have fun!

What i love about my father

I have been thinking a lot about my father ever since we celebrated Father's Day together earlier this summer. This is by no means the first time that I've ever thought about what makes my father such a special person in my life, but I have been far more intentional about reflecting on him in the past few weeks than ever before.

Perhaps I feel urgent about reflecting on my father's life and impact because he is getting older and becoming more and more like an old man. I'm not sure, I just know that I feel like it is important for me at this stage of life to figure out just why I love him and then to share it with him. Being a writer, my emotions and thoughts are expressed much easier in writing than verbally, so I'm planning to make a journal of sorts about my father and to share it with him on next year's Father's Day. The very first thing that comes to mind when I think about the way I love my father is how he has always been the best teacher. He is the one that taught me how to ride my bike without training wheels and how to catch a softball in my mit. He is the one that helped me with multiplication tables when I was stuck and the one that took me out for hours of driving practice before I got my license. My father is a great teacher because he is patient, gentle and a great communicator.

Another thing I love about my father is the priority and commitment he places on our family. I have never seen another father who is so committed to family time and to being involved in the lives of the ones he loves. Far too many fathers are consumed by work, but not my dad. Throughout my childhood, teenage years, and no into adulthood my father has been the most consistent of any parent I've seen. I appreciate that consistency so much yet I'm not sure that I have ever expressed that to my dad. This is the year.

A third thing that I love about my father is the way he loves my mother. Everything I know about love I have learned from watching my parents love each other. I am well aware of the rare gift that is, and I cherish it closely. I want to be sure to communicate to my dad what it has meant that he has loved my mother in front of us so well for so many years.

If you are privileged enough to have a father, then I suggest that you start being intentional about loving him and about thanking him for all that he has done for you. There is no better way to honor a parent.

The truth about hair removal

When hairs thrive on parts where it should not be seen, or when it creates an impression of hideousness according to the tenets of fashion and trend in the society, it becomes an absolute veto on its true sense.

For this reason, more and more people are engaging into cosmetic enhancements in order to correct, improve, or modify the inappropriateness of hair development in the body.

No wonder why most women would rather have silky, smooth legs and whiter armpits. Men, on the other hand, are also into hair removal based upon their interest like removing excessive growth of hair on the chest and on the face.

The Science of Hair Removal

The general term for hair removal is known as “depilation.” This refers to the removal of the unwanted hair that will impinge on the upper surface of the skin.

Generally, the most common process used in hair removal is shaving. This refers to the actual removal of hair using the razor. It is commonly used to remove hairs on the chest and on the face, for men; and on legs and underarms, for women.

However, the purpose of doing such act may vary. So for those who want to know the easons behind why different people have different purposes in hair removal, here is a list that will guide you in understanding the variations of purposes in hair removal:

1. Social purpose

There are people who despise other people that do not conform to the societal standards of ideal looks and appearance. Most of this aspect concerns the appearance of hair in parts where it should not be seen.

This is sometimes the main basis of both men and women when they constitute the epitome of beauty. Thus, for people who do not conform to the standards set by the society, they will be rejected, alienated, and will have difficulty in gaining social recognition.

2. Military-based purposes

People in the military are expected to shave their hair in the head. That is why most of the military people are semi-bald. This is their way of creating distinction and identity in the society.

3. Spiritual purpose

In some religious organizations, hair removal is usually done to signify “ordination.” It is one way of creating distinction upon classes. For instance, the “Brahmin children” would have their head shaved before they start schooling.

Tips

Whatever purpose each person has when removing hairs in their body, it is still important to use the proper tools and method so as to ensure hygiene, efficiency, and attractiveness.

Here is a list of some tips:

1. Use some wax if you want to remove hair underneath the area of the skin. It is effective if you are too busy to remove hair everyday. This is because waxing removes the inner shaft of the hair, which , in turn, prolongs the development of another new set of hair.

2. Always consult an expert when opting for more advance method of hair removal such as laser home removal and electrolysis. Engaging into these kinds of hair removal will create serious problems when performed by a non-expert.

3. When using wax for hair removal, it is best to use wax that is authentic. This is because only authentic wax strips and other materials used ion waxing will initiate effective hair removal.

Indeed, the concept of hair removal may vary from different purposes to different people. And engaging into such activity is not as easy as 1-2-3 because any wrong application, hair removal could do more harm than good.

So it is best to be wary of the methods and principles to be used in hair removal.

Dealing with the doubt demon

The only good teachers for you are those friends who love you, who think you are interesting, or very important, or wonderfully funny. ~Brenda Ueland

The doubt demon loves artists. This sensitive bunch of individuals falls prey to it so easily, from cartoonist Charles Schulz to writer Virginia Woolf. This little demon reared its ugly head when Stephen King threw the beginnings of Carrie into the wastebasket. We all owe our gratitude to his wife, Tabitha, who picked it out of the wastebasket and encouraged her husband to keep going. Some struggling writers don't have such champions. Many writers ask themselves: Am I good enough? Am I wasting my time? If I was really talented I would be (published, successful, rich) by now. These kinds of thoughts are evidence of the doubt demon. The doubt demon can only be conquered by a concerted effort to give it as little attention as possible. Not just by you, but by the people around you.

As a published author, and one who has been in the business for several years, it’s hard to say this, but not everyone you know will want to see your writing dreams come true. Not because they're mean (some are), but because they are unhappy with their own life choices and don’t want to see you change or cannot share in your dreams.

Avoiding the doubt demon is basically impossible for most of us, but there is something you can do about it. When you are facing the doubt demon make sure only to speak to friends or family members who are truly invested in seeing you succeed. You can identify these individuals three ways. The:

1. Always have something upbeat to say. You say, "I just got another rejection. I must suck." They say "No, you just sent it to the wrong editor." If they say something like, "You get a lot of rejections maybe writing isn’t your thing," they are not someone you want to discuss your dreams with. As artists, we know the power of the written word and how they can impact people (read any bestseller). The spoken word is just as powerful (ask any leader) and you need to protect yourself from all negative input.

2. Are basically happy. Sorry, but unhappy people can't give you the support you need. If they're bemoaning man troubles or their jobs they likely won't have the energy to lift your sagging spirits. Unfortunately, the phrase 'misery loves company' is true. So look for happy, optimistic individuals for support. You don't need many. One will do.

3. Make you feel good. No matter what, they are enthusiastic about your efforts, ask about what you're up to, and are generally interested in what you’re doing. At times, when I've begun a story and it's not coming together I have a friend who I always call. I know I can depend on her to say or do something that will make me feel good. If someone makes you feel bad, take them off your list.

Fighting the doubt demon is hard on your own. You need to find a cheerleader to place in your corner. As I've said earlier, even if it's only one person have someone you can call to give yourself the boost you need. The wonderful thing about a cheerleader is they can come in two forms: Those who read your works and those who don't. I know people who continue to support my writing ambitions, but who have never read any of my work. They believe in me and that's support enough. So go out there and find your demon fighters. You deserve them.

A guide to vines and how to vine beauty with your garden

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If you find yourself bored with the usual assortment of flowers and shrubs in your latest landscape design, maybe it’s time to do a little experimenting by adding VINES to your garden.

Advantages of Having Vines In Your Garden
Vines are often overlooked as a lovely complement to your garden. Not only do they bring additional and much needed color and enchantment to your yard but also extra shade, screen and shelter when you wish to spend a quiet afternoon reading your favorite fruit.

Vines make maximum use of the vertical space in your garden; a feature you’d no doubt welcome when you’ve used up every inch of space of the soil.

What’s more, there are also a number of vines that can provide you with edible fruit, bringing your one garden one step closer to Eden-like perfection.

Lastly, vines can also become quite useful when there are areas where you wish to avoid deep roots from appearing. Vines can serve as ground cover and help prevent slopes in your garden from erosion.

Adding Arbors for Your Vines

More often than not, people tend to add an arbor or two in their gardens when they plan to include vines in their list of botanical and horticultural jewels. Although an arbor surrounded by vines is a clichйd symbol, nobody can still deny its picturesque charm.

If you’re of the same mind as well, just make sure that you choose rustic looking wood – painted, stained or treated – for your arbor. Keep in mind the maintenance costs as well when you’re out for an arbor entryway for your garden.

The arbor must suit not only your personality and garden but also the color and structure of your vines as well. Since most vines are fast-growing, expect your arbor to be fully encased in vines in a year or two.

When the Vine Twines

Twiners - These are the type of vines that possess very flexible stems which twine around a support – an arbor or even a tree trunk, for instance – and examples of these would be wisteria, morning glory vine and hyacinth bean.

Root Attachment – These are the types of vines that attach its self – rather than twine – to walls, posts, roots or any adhesive disc for support. Examples of these would be the well-known English ivy and a number of forms of Virginia creeper.

Tendril – There are some vines that have modified stems or leaves that wrap themselves on supports; examples of these would be the popular passion flower – also known as clematis - and sweet pea vines.

Leaners – These vines do not possess any built-in structure that could use another object or plant for support; for that reason, these vines would have to be either tied to or woven through arbors, posts or any other structure. The best example of this type of vine is climbing roses.

Another Classification of Vines

Perennial – Example of perennial vines would be wisteria, Carolina Jessamine, gold honeysuckle and climbing roses.
Annual – Example of annual vines would be moon vine and morning glory

Other Tips

When you’re selecting the types of vines you wish to weave through your garden as enhancement, make sure that it’s really something you wish to do. Vines after all take a long time – a few years more or less – to grow and establish and would look quite awkward in their early stages. It would be such a pity if you cut them off when you find yourself impatient with their slow growth.

Lastly, keep in mind that some vines are naturally heavier than others and would need a sturdier type of support for better growth and easier maintenance.

6 suggested historical destinations for student travel

Student travel promises to be an enjoyable trip. Not only do students can visit several places, they could also learn so much on every trip. And since air travel agencies as well as airlines provide student travel discount and special student travel rate, student travel is becoming more and more available for greater number of students who want to explore and learn more about the world.

For first time travelers, here are some historical destinations you can consider for you student travel:

Athens

As the center of knowledge, government, and system in the ancient world, every student would be amazed how this ancient city grew and evolved. Students can visit Acropolis, Agora, Library of Hadrian, Kerameikos, Olympieion & Southeast Athens, Pnyx, Roman Agora & Tower of the Winds, Arch of Hadrian, City Eleusinion and other ancient sites in this ancient city of Athens.

Egypt

Visit one of the earliest civilizations founded in this part of the world. Egypt features 3000 years old city in the banks of River Nile. Egypt is also one of the oldest tourist spots in the world with visitors coming from the ancient Rome and Greece.

Moving your way south from Cairo, the nation’s capital, you can stop at Giza where the infamous Great Pyramid stands. It was built by Pharaoh Khafu in the year 2550 BC. Standing at 147 meters, it was the largest and the most ambitious structure built in the ancient Egypt requiring 2.3 million stone block to erect. Also at Giza, see the Pyramid of Khafre home if the Sphinx. It was built 30 after the Great Pyramid. As the second largest, the Pyramid of Khafre stands at 144 meters of 471 feet. The third pyramid located at Giza was the Pyramid of Menkaure which stands at 65 meters or 213 feet.

Further south, Saqqara is home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser built in 2630 BC. Pyramid of Pepi II, also located at Saqqara was the last pyramid built by ancient Egyptians. In Dahshur, the Bent and the Red Pyramids are located. And down south at Maidum, the Maidum Pyramid can be found.

See the temples, mummies, tombs, hieroglyphics, and Valley of the Kings and the Queens if you visit Egypt.

Rome

See ancient Rome still intact with evidences of Roman structure and architectures built more than 2000 years ago. Rome presents the living timeline from the Roman Empire to the shift of the Middle Ages, to baroque and renaissance, to the dawn of the romantic period and enlightenment. Rome preserves its temples, churches, arts, and priceless paintings and murals.

Turkey

A former territory of the Roman Empire which stood strong for more than a thousand years against several barbarian attack. Turkey is in the easternmost part of Europe that features a diverse culture, religion, philosophy, and architectures.

China

Travel Far East and learn the history of the ancient eastern civilization that was once unknown until the last centuries. See the Great Wall, a remnant of the Zhou Dynasty along with other unique oriental culture and tradition. See the Chinese painting, calligraphy, paper cutting, and Chinese art.

Peru

As the center of the Inca civilization, Peru is a great destination for student travel for discovery of South American history. The 500-year old Inca traces could be relived in the Inca Trail that is both exciting and educational. Walk to the Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman, Machu Picchu, and Pisac.