Articles Page - From www.HumNRI.com

Friday August 31, 2001

Tips For Taking The Stress Out Of The Festive Season

The festive season more than any other time of year can mean more stress rather than more fun. Now is the time to use some quick stress busting tips to keep you sane and bring back the joy.
People can feel stressed at any time of year but when you already have a busy schedule and enough stress in work, add in the Christmas merry-go-round and the pressure can reach breaking point.
Buying presents can stretch the budget way beyond the bounds of credibility, demands on time increase, and family gatherings can be a challenge.
If you are facing the holiday period alone that can feel very daunting and may bring a lot of sadnes
This year simplify your life with these tips and enjoy the season more
Decide now that you are not going to get into debt (or increase your debt) over Christmas. It really is the thought that counts and that starts with using your brain and the internet for gift shopping. Choosing a theme e.g books, films, music, slipper socks, means that everyone gets a different gift but you only have to look and buy in one place. It makes it easier to stick to your budget and sometimes you can get discounts on multiple purchases.
Practice breathing exercises. Breathe deeply and easily, letting your shoulders, neck, and back relax and let go. You can do this wherever you are, sitting at your desk works well.
During the holidays the average person gains 5 pounds and then comes yet another New Years Resolution to lose them. Why do that to yourself? Eat less the day before you are going to a party or big meal. Do simple things to move more, like dancing to your favorite songs or parking further away from work or the shop
With friends, rather than buying gifts suggest that you spend time with each other instead. You could all go and see a film and have a break from the madness. You will save hours of trying to decide what they want, shopping, wrapping, etc.
Family gatherings are great if they are something you look forward to. However, if they tend to be a challenge, prepare emotionally ahead of time. Visualize yourself staying calm. Try to be detached, know that the party, day or whatever, will come to an end and you may not see the family for a while.
Release the need to make judgements or get pulled into those of others.
It helps to have a well developed sense of humour.

If you are planning and hosting a family event then consider reducing the amount of alcohol available as people are rarely at their best after a skinful.
Know that you deserve to have fun too so make sure you ask for and accept other peoples help.
Plan ahead. Make a list of priorities and stay focused on them. Spend a few minutes at night deciding what is most important to get done the next day. Be reasonable in your expectations!
Set boundaries for yourself. Its OK to say no to something you do not want to do. Respect your own need for time.
If you are spending the holiday period alone then do not set yourself up for sadness. It is easy to get into the poor me mindset. There are many who would envy you the peace and freedom.
Make this a special time for you. Visualise and plan the treat you are giving yourself. Get in some delightful foods, maybe some favourite films or books, pamper yourself.
Consider inviting someone to join you, you would be amazed how many people spend the holiday period alone.
Volunteers are usually in demand during this period and it can be very rewarding and sociable but only get involved if it is what you really want to do.
However you spend the holiday period,remember that letting someone know you care is the greatest gift of all. This season, say I love you as much as possible to family and friends. Let people know why they are special to you. Then remember to love and appreciate yourself.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Thursday August 30, 2001

Headless Man Seen Running Through Southeast Asia

What's a hook and why does it matter? Here's the short answer. The title of your book, article, speech or sales ad is a hook and it's designed to grab the attention of your reader. The longer and more appropriate answer is that a hook is the single most important piece of text you write to get people to read your book, article, speech or sales ad. Your hook is everything. If your hook does not immediately grab the attention of your reader, nothing else matters. Let me explain.
Joe Sugarman, the author of "Triggers," is recognized as one of the nation's top copywriters. According to Joe, the purpose of your hook is to get the reader to read the next line of text. Period. If your hook causes your reader to open your book or read your article or listen to your speech, it's a good hook. If it doesn't, you're wasting your money.
Up until recently I spent very little time thinking about the title of my articles or the headlines of my Google ads. But all of that changed when my son and I started researching how to use social bookmarking sites to generate traffic to our website. What caused thousands of people to read an article entitled, "Headless Man Seen Running Through Southeast Asia" when only a handful of people took the time to read, "Writing A Hook?" Here's what we discovered.
As human beings, we have a sense of wonder that causes us to act in a certain way. We're told not to open Pandora's box and we open it. We have an opportunity to prove the status quo wrong and we take it. We're told about something that is contrary to our belief system and we challenge it. For example, did you know that it's impossible to fold a piece of paper more than eight times and it doesn't matter how big or thin the piece of paper is? It's simply impossible.
As a marketing person, I don't need to tell you to try it. You're sense of wonder will take over and you'll grab a sheet of paper and fold it seven times. Then you'll grab a tissue and fold it seven times. And, if by some freak of nature you do fold it eight times, you're going to make sure I know about your success. People who write great hooks understand how to take advantage of a person's sense of wonder.
Here are five quick ways to grab the attention of your reader using their sense of wonder.
Start A Story.
This one gets me every time. What happened to Hansel and Gretel? Did the Big Bad Wolf catch Little Red Riding Hood? Who was the headless man seen running through Southeast Asia? I just have to know, and so do millions of other people.
Find a way to tell the first part of your story using no more than seven words and your readership will go up by a factor of ten.
How Is That Possible?
In the marketing world this is know as an unbelievable claim. How can a laser beam brighten your smile in less than five minutes? How is it possible that doctors can grow hair on a bald man using chicken feathers? Don't you want to know? Of course you do. Your sense of wonder won't let you stop until you find the answer.
Is there something amazing about your product or service that seems impossible? Use it to write a hook that engages your reader
Disclose Information
Mosquito repellants don't actually repel mosquitoes? In every episode of Seinfeld there's a Superman somewhere? Forty percent of all people who come to a party in your home will snoop in your medicine cabinet. I didn't know that and I'd bet you didn't either.
Disclosing information is a sure way to stir the sense of wonder. Better yet, it will cause people to read your article, book or sales ad.
The Biggest And The Best
Way back in 1996, John Travolta starred in the movie, "Michael." The movie was about Michael the Archangel who was sent to Earth to mend some wounded hearts. Once his job was completed Michael was expected to go back to heaven. But before he left he took his entire cast of characters across the country to see the world's largest everything. That included the world's largest frying pan and the world's largest ball of sting in Cawker City, K
It's not just archangels who are interested in seeing and reading about the biggest and the best. Every human being wants to know what's the world's oldest or tallest or fastest.
Be Controversial
Do you want the attention of Red Sox or Yankee fans? If so, here's a hook that will grab them both. "Ten Reasons why the Red Sox are Better than the Yankees." Or maybe you could entitle your article, "Ten Reasons why the Yankees are Better than the Red Sox." Either way you're going to get the attention of both. One person wants to read your article because they agree with the headline and the other wants to read your article because they disagree with it. Controversy sell
So what does a headless man seen running through Southeast Asia have to do with writing a hook? You read the article didn't you?

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Wednesday August 29, 2001

Photography and Panoramic Pictures

Since the dawn of the photographic age, in the early eighteen hundreds, artists and photographers have pushed the limits of this incredible invention. Over the years, constant innovations and advancements in photographic technology have turned novice picture takers into real camera hounds. One aspect of photography that has fascinated professionals and amateurs alike is the panoramic image.
In the early days of photography, capturing a photographic image was a laborious task. Unlike the almost instantaneous results available through modern digital technology, the process of permanently fixing an image to a photographic plate could take hours.
Panoramic images are not formally defined but generally extend beyond what is considered a wide angle shot. Wide angle photo images are taken in a single camera shot using a lens that shortens the focal length of a standard lens and increases the view angle. Panoramic images feature an extremely wide view angle and can produce very unique still images of landscapes, structures and other subject matter.
A super wide angle lens produces a fish eye view that contains a great deal of optical and dimensional distortion. So it is accurate to think of panoramas as super wide angle images that can have far less visual distortion. The lack of distortion gives the viewer the impression of the subject as it might be seen through eyes of the viewer. Some panoramic images are will retain some degree of visual distortion and this may be the result of purposeful decision on the part of the photographer.

Even in the early days of photography, successful attempts were made to create stunning three hundred and sixty degree panoramas. The creation of these images was truly a technological innovation for the time and demand to possess and collect these images began to grow.
By pushing the limits of equipment, lighting, film quality and processing, photographers have discovered new and exciting ways to create photographic images. The advent of digital photography has raised picture taking to an entirely new level. Digital technology has made the creation of panoramic images much easier. Even the invention of the airplane provided photographers with opportunities to give us images that were impossible to capture before the invention of powered flight.
Many panoramas are actually a compilation of two or more photographic images. The multiple images are combined using a process that some refer to as stitching. The entire process of creating panoramas has been made easier with the development of specialized computer software. Many smaller images can be stitched together with a high degree of accuracy. These powerful software tools also allow the panoramic artist to enhance the image in many different way
Colors can be balanced and flaws in the image corrected in a matter of minutes. Prior to the introduction of digital technology, retouching the image could be very time consuming. In the days of film photography, the image would need to be spray painted, or airbrushed, using very fine, handheld spray nozzles. The touchup artist needed a keen eye for detail and a very steady hand.
The demand for panoramic images has increased steadily over the years. Digital photo technology has greatly increased the availability of panoramas and the variety of images and subject matter has increased as well. Cityscapes have always been very popular with buyers. Demand has also grown sports and entertainment images like sports stadiums, golf courses and racetrack
Panoramas can be used to express a number of themes from the starkly realistic to the highly artistic. For the most part, panoramas express visions of reality in ways that are not possible through viewing an ordinary photograph. The grandeur of the Grand Canyon or the power of Niagara Falls, as seen through a panoramic image would surely be understated when viewed as mere snapshot.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Tuesday August 28, 2001

The Power of Concentration Meditation Technique

Meditation is an invaluable and proven science to optimize health and elevate the quality of one's life. It not only promotes physical health, but also markedly improves emotional balance and psychological wellbeing. There are many types of meditation and in this article we will explore the popular and powerful Concentration Meditation Technique.
Concentration Meditation Techniques
These are probably the most common and well know of all the meditations and often meditation is defined by these kinds of meditations exclusively. They are closely related to the Insight Meditation Techniques, with the difference being that Insight Meditation Techniques utilize the active application of intelligence and discernment, while the Concentration Meditation techniques use the power of focused attention to a greater degree. To some extent these meditations lay the groundwork for the Insight Meditations which need a high degree of concentration as a prerequisite to being effective.
1. Breath Meditation Technique (Zazen)
The heart of Zen Meditation is Zazen, the meditation of the Buddha. In this meditation, awareness and concentration are brought to the breathing process to help build mastery over the mind and free the system from dualistic thinking.
To practice Zazen one takes a seated posture and then begins to count the flow of one's breath. Counting each inhalation and exhalation starting from one to ten. So, an inhalation is one, the next exhalation is two, and so forth. When one reaches the count of ten, one returns to one and starts counting again. This helps focus the mind and prevents it from drifting endlessly from one thought to another.
As one develops one's ability to count undistracted from one to ten, one starts to count each breath cycle, instead of the inhalation and exhalation separately. So now one counts an inhalation and exhalation as one, the next complete breath as two and so forth till one reaches ten. After reaching ten, one returns to one and repeats the meditation.
In the advanced form of Zazen, one simply becomes the breath. In this form counting is dropped altogether and only keen awareness of the breath is maintained. One should not progress to this level until one has mastered the previous two.
Zazen breath meditation helps develop the power of focused concentration and creates a serene, peaceful mind capable of penetrating the veil of dualistic thinking.
2. Another breath based meditation is Vipassana
In Vipassana one extends one's awareness from one's breath, to the body and the sensations that rise and fall within it. The objective being to have insight into the workings of the mind through self-observation. This form of meditation is also called Insight Meditation as it helps one develop insight into the true nature of thing
3. Object Concentration Meditation Technique
There are many meditations that utilize an external object as a focus point for the mind. Zazen and Vipassana belong in this sections as well, but due to their widespread use I mentioned them separately.
The objects of focus can be anything from a point on the ceiling, to a flower, to external sounds in the environment. These meditations all develop focus, concentration, self knowledge, calmness and the witnessing consciousness. Their ultimate objective, though, is to have the meditator finally drop the object of concentration and encounter the non-dual nature of Reality directly.
Some examples of these meditations are Sound Awareness Meditation Technique and candle flame gazing (Trataka). Both these meditation utilize the sense modalities to accomplish the goals of concentration meditation.
Summary
So you see from above that there are many types of concentration meditation techniques. This allows one to choose a type that is most suitable for their personality and disposition. The best way to discover the enormous benefits of meditation is to jump in and participate. What are you waiting for?

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Monday August 27, 2001

How to Care For Your Garden

Before any garden problem can be corrected, or plant damage prevented or controlled, it is necessary to know the cause. Sometimes this is very evident, but more often it is not. In the latter case, expert help is needed which can be had from county agents of your state agricultural service, some garden centers, botanical gardens and professional horticulturists.
Unfortunately, all too few local salesmen handling pest control materials are trained diagnosticians, or even experienced gardeners. In any case, no one can prescribe a cure without seeing the damaged plant, the pest that causes it or, in some cases, without having a soil analysi
The Causes of Trouble
Before blaming an insect pest or disease, check the following possible causes, one or more of which may be to blame.
The soil. Has it been properly prepared by adding at least 5 per cent organic matter? Has sufficient fertilizer been applied to maintain adequate growth? If not, growth may be stunted. Has too much fertilizer been used so that the roots have been damaged? This may produce scorched edges on leaves, and in more severe cases the plants wilt and die.
Putting fertilizer in the bottom of a hole without thoroughly mixing it with the soil before setting in the plant is a common cause of damage. Applying more fertilizer than recommended on the package may injure plants. Letting fertilizer stay on the foliage may burn it. Always wash or shake off any fertilizer that falls on the foliage.
Sunlight is necessary for plant growth. Some plants require all-day sun to thrive. Without it they may not bloom or grow as well as they should. On the other hand, some plants cannot stand full sun and must be given protection, and they, along with shade-tolerant plants, are best used in shade plantings.
Climate. All too often we try to grow plants that are not adapted to our climate and although they may survive a few years, in less congenial seasons they may be damaged. For example, the evergreen magnolia of the South is being grown in many places in the North where it is never likely to live to a ripe old age. Many azaleas now being shipped from the South to northern gardens may also prove to be tender.
Temperature is often a limiting factor. Low winter temperatures will damage or kill plants that are not completely hardy. This damage may not be apparent until early summer, as is often the case with roses and broad-leaved evergreens. Sudden drops in temperature, especially in the fall before plants are sufficiently hardened, may damage them. High summer temperatures will restrict growth of some plants, whereas cold summers will limit the growth of more tropical plants, many annual flowers, and such vegetables as corn, melons, squash and tomatoe
Wind is sometimes a limiting factor. Broadleaf evergreens and some needled evergreens (hemlocks) may be so dried by wind that the leaves scorch. The corners of a house, the narrow place between buildings, wind-exposed hilltops and open country are likely places for wind problems. Wind hitting a building and bouncing back may cause more damage than normal. All wind damage is usually worse on young plants before they have become well established.
Chemicals. Over-doses of chemicals used in the control of insects and diseases may damage the foliage. When the temperature is over 85 degrees, many dusts and sprays will burn even when used at the recommended strengths. Sulfur is especially dangerous to plants when the temperature is over 85 degrees F.
Another unexpected source of trouble is from careless use of weed control chemicals. Many of these are difficult to remove from the sprayer, so a separate sprayer is advisable. The drift of herbicide dust or spray onto particularly sensitive plants may do more harm to them than to the weeds themselve
Pay attention to these details and you will have a thriving garden.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Sunday August 26, 2001

Guaranteed Love Spells

There are no guarantees in life! Love spells will work if the environment is conducive to its success. If you just created a Love spell to bring you a Greek God, it may not work unless you know a Greek God. And the chances that your spell will work will certainly increase if you live in Greece J
So we have to define our spells in such a way that all we need is a gentle nudge to the Cosmos to get the results we desire. No, I am not ruling out the possibility that a spell that I used earlier to attract a Greek God will NEVER work. In fact, I am still waiting for him to show up at my doorstep!
All spells work when the surrounding energies are so close to the result, that all we have to do is push it forth with our own energies. Depending on the mental strength of the person performing the spell or ritual, the energies may be manipulated in deeper and more powerful ways. Anyone can work on strengthening their minds to become more powerful witches. Anyone can nourish and boost their Magickal powers and create an environment where the energies pushed forth are powerful enough to make huge changes to "reality".
To make spells successful, many things should be considered
1. The space where the ritual is conducted - This space has to be cleansed of all negative vibrations and purified with incense or tobacco smoke (smoke is considered a purifier). The atmosphere can also be purified by cleansing spells. Purify yourself with a ritual bath with water mixed with special herbs and oil
2. Items used in the ritual - All items should be cleaned and cleansed according to the rites. Some crystals are cleansed by sun light and some by moon light. Others need salt or water to be cleansed. All objects that were used in previous rituals have to be cleansed of all negative vibration
3. The involvement of all the senses - The deity figurines and Candles, the flame of which holds the attention of our eyes, incense and anointing oils to heighten our sense of smell. For taste, we may have a chalet of water or wine. Also, touching the figurines, anointing with oils, writing on paper, etc involve our sense of touch. As all our senses get heightened, our concentration increases and we are able to think more deeply.
4. Meditation - As we get more attuned to our senses, we are able to sense a change in the surrounding vibrations that will enable us to deepen our desire and sharpen our meditation on the ultimate goal. Our concentration may also be focused by reading spiritually uplifting material and meditating on it.
5. The most important ingredient in the ritual is our INTENTION. The stronger the intention, the faster we will see our goals accomplished. Nothing can replace the power or intention. And there is no way we can measure it. What usually makes the difference to a spell working is the intention behind it that will bring it to fruition. Take the time to think of the goal and write it down with conviction.
Intention is a very potent form of energy. If we have doubts about the goal of a ritual or spell, the intention is weakened. Our thoughts can instantly increase or decrease our intention.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Saturday August 25, 2001

Options Trading Mastery: Vertical Spread Test Scenario

Let's put together what we've been talking about, develop an imaginary spread scenario and set it in real life event
In October, let's say that you begin to hear about IJK stock. It looks interesting, so you then use a variety of sources to learn about IJK news, charts, outside analysts, internet research etc. From your investigations you decide that this stock is poised for a strong upward move and you'd like to take advantage of it.
However, each share is $50.00 and you question whether you want to put out the capital for enough shares to make the trade worthwhile.
Now is the time to investigate IJK spreads. Since you are bullish on the stock, you investigate the bullish plays of the call spreads and the put spreads. You check the pricing of both since you are aware that implied volatility and time decay will affect both your purchase price and your selling price if you decide to sell out the spread before expiration.
Let's say that you set the spread's maximum potential gain at $10.00 using our formula. Then you decide you want to buy a call spread, so you buy 10 IJK Nov. 50 calls and sell 10 IJK Nov 60 calls. The spread is called Nov. 50-60. The spread's cost is $3.50, which means you pay $3500 for the trade, inexpensive when you consider that to purchase 1000 shares of IJK stock would have cost you $50,000! Now, you wait and follow the stock price of IJK. If you hold the position to expiration, you face the following losses or gain
First, if the stock does not move up as you expected and stays at $50 or decreases in value, your spread is worthless and you lose the $3500 that you paid for the spread. Second, if the stock begins to move up, you first recoup your investment and then move into profits. After the stock has moved up $3.50 you are at the breakeven point. Every money advance after that represents profit.
The chart below represents the spread's losses and gains and your total profit
This chart is based on stock prices at expiration Friday in November. Until then the spread's value fluctuates between $0 and its maximum (the difference between strike prices) of $10.00
At any time until expiration, you can sell out of the spread but what you receive for the price may be influenced by implied volatility and time decay and that will change your profit or loss. If you hold the spread until expiration and your bullish lean proves true, your maximum profit on your $3500 investment is $6500.
You paid $3500 for the spread and received $10,000 at expiration with the stock at $60.00. That represents a $6500 profit which is a 186% return.
If you had invested $50,000 for 1000 shares of IJK and at expiration sold the stock for $60,000, your profit is $10,000 for a 20% return.
For many investors the reward/risk scenario of the spread is attractive because investors can limit the capital at risk and the time of risk/reward exposure. The spread also offers protection if your lean is bullish or bearish. Finally, the spread has the potential of a large percentage return on investment.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Friday August 24, 2001

LipoStructure And What It Means To You

"I want to look younger!" exclaims the patient who comes in for a consultation for facial rejuvenation. I feel hollow and if you just do this and that, it looks better as she molds her skin into the shape that appeals to her just as she has done each morning in front of the mirror countless times before.
Needless to say, and despite the improvement of skin laxity, lines and jowls, the patient still has a look that betrays the age she really is. And despite wonderful results, many of the current methods of facial and body contouring, unfortunately, address only part of the bigger problem.
Aging is a complex process that affects many aspects of appearance. Not only do we see wrinkles and changes in skin tone and quality, we also observe a significant change in the loss of volume.
In addition to wonderful skin quality a youthful face is full with curves and contours that are smooth and gentle. So, even when improvement is seen after traditional face lift or eyelid procedures, much of the stigmata of the aging face still remain, the look of hollowness that skin lift/removal procedures just can't fully addres
Restoring volume is not a new concept but has recently received a greater degree of the attention it deserves. A myriad of new fillers continue to flood the market all with the intent of restoring lost volume. However, all fillers have drawbacks by either being substances that are not natural and or of very limited lifespan. Is there another alternative?
Actually, there is. Its called fat. Its natural and it has the capability to last a lifetime. If this is true, then why isnt everyone using it? Actually, many surgeons do, but unfortunately with results that are often inconsistent and unpredictable. Using fat is not a new concept, either, and attempts to perfect the permanence and consistency have been investigated for years.
The key point of its use lies in the fact that fat, unlike other fillers on the market, is living tissue it requires a blood supply to exist otherwise it will simply die, resulting in either loss of the filling effect or become hard and lumpy from the development of scar tissue. So, unlike other fillers, it cannot be simply injected but rather has to be transferred as a living substance (called a graft) in a manner that does not result in its destruction and, at the same time, allow its "transplantation" to result in new blood flow to it.
Although there are various approaches to fat grafting, one particular method called "Lipostructure", developed by Dr. Sydney Coleman in New York City, allows fat parcels to be removed from one part of the body (donor site) and transferred to another (recipient) site to achieve volume restoration. The technique is unique, specific and time consuming. It uses a syringe attached to a special blunt (never sharp) hollow metal tube called a canula so that fat grafts can be collected in a way that minimizes injury to them thereby allowing them to remain intact.
Then, after processing, the fat is placed back into the body at the desired areas to be filled. Special blunt canulas are again used to deposit hundreds of very small parcels of fat (each the size of a pinhead), within its own nest of living recipient tissue so that new blood vessel growth can occur. This is all done under local anesthesia with the use of sedation.
Because Lipostructure is a technique in which fat is transferred and managed as living tissue and in a manner which promotes new blood vessel growth, it survives.
If it survives, it will always be there. Is it "permanent"? Well, after more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Coleman has shown excellent and consistent results in patients who have kept their grafts since the beginning this is probably as close to permanent as one can get. Results in my own practice have been the same permanent restoration of volume loss without palpable or visible deformitie
Another aspect of fat is that it can be obtained from any number of donor sites in the body (an aspect that most people are totally happy with) and used in any number of sites that require volume. This not only includes the face, cheek, and lips, hollow of the eye regions, and temples, but other areas as well. For example, the aging hand also looses volume and as this occurs, prominence of veins, bones, and tendons occur. Even defects resulting from previous procedures such as liposuction or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), can be improved if not fully corrected, with the use of fat.
And, finally, what about the breast? Although fat would be an excellent filler, the possibility of any of the fat not surviving does exist with any technique and when this occurs, the deposition of calcifications may take place. Although this is not a problem in itself, their presence may lead to confusion when mammograms are obtained.
There is no question that the issue of volume replacement is a key component to improving the effects of aging and deformities brought about due to other circumstances and that the future of fillers is probably here to stay for a long time to come. However, the search continues since no perfect solution has been realized. Ultimately, the best filler will be a product that is not rejected and gives long-lasting results with minimal risk and cost. In the end, it will be no surprise if fat becomes the final choice.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Thursday August 23, 2001

Financial Education Needed 'More Than Ever'

More needs to be done to improve the nation's financial knowledge, it has been suggested.
According to Alastair Mathews, director of policy at the Personal Finance Education Group (Pfeg), education on monetary topics, ranging from UK personal loans and savings accounts to budgeting and mortgages, should be delivered over the entire duration of time that a child spends at school. Mr Mathews reported that, "like with a lot of learning", teaching about money should play a role in each of the four main stages of compulsory education and be tailored towards the specific age of the recipient.
The director stated that financial education needs to start with young children "because attitude formation starts quite early and, even though this is very basic - about the use of money and keeping it safe and saving it - it all helps to set the attitudes in the right direction". As pupils get older, Mr Mathews reported that such guidance should become more detailed, so that by the time they reach the 14 to 16-year-old age bracket they already have a certain level of awareness about fiscal matters not only from school but also from family members and their friends. In turn this can help them to foster a more responsible attitude to loans, overdrafts and other financial products and so avoid developing unmanageable money problems in later life.
He said "Our approach to this is to emphasise the need for financial education. Young people, more than ever, need a foundation of financial education while they are still at school. We think that basic financial education should be a core and assured part of the national curriculum."
In addition, Mr Mathews asserted that levels of debt could be on track to fall as "there is bound to be an increase in caution" on the part of money lenders in terms of issuing credit. He added that borrowers are also likely to take steps to reduce their indebtedness, whether through a consolidation loan or otherwise, as they realise that they are struggling to manage their money.
The Pfeg director also reported that the nation's attitude towards finances has changed over the last few decades as Britain has "almost officially built debt in to the system now". Instead of the traditional mindset of saving up money over a period of time to fund a purchase, he claimed that more people are looking towards various forms of "easy credit", such as a quick loan, to help them to buy something.
If such guidance on finance was implemented into the national curriculum, it could well be possible that more Britons will be able to manage personal loan payments in later life. Earlier this month, Wendy van den Hende, chief executive of the Pfeg, reported that although a lot of children are interested in money they need to receive relevant teaching to help them become financially sensible with personal loans and other economic products when they reach adulthood. She pointed to research from the group indicating that about two-thirds of teenagers have a lack of understanding when it comes to loans, savings and other financial matters.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Wednesday August 22, 2001

The Impact Of Heat On Metal Buildings

Many developers are increasingly choosing to construct their buildings out of metal for various reasons. Metal buildings are stronger and less vulnerable to the ravages of time and weather. Because metal is inorganic, the owner does not have to worry about the structural supports of the building being damaged by termites, mold, rot, or fungi.
Using metal to construct the building also lessens the risk that the building will become warped during construction, allowing the building to be built with right angles and ensuring that all of the windows and doors in the building will open and close properly for the life of the building. One feature that has many individuals clamoring for a metal building is the building's ability to withstand the impact of heat.
A metal building is better able to withstand the intense heat of a fire or explosion better than many other types of building materials. This is because the metal has a burning or melting point that is much higher than building materials such as wood. It is also an inorganic substance, so the fire cannot feed off of the metal like it would be able to off of organic building materials. It is very difficult for a fire to reach the temperatures needed to severely damage or destroy the structural supports of a metal building to the point where the building would collapse. On the other hand, buildings made out of wood or other organic materials actually feed a fire and help it to race through the structure, destroying everything in its path.
Metal buildings typically use a highly heat resistant metal such as steel for the building frame, structural supports, interior columns, and included in the slabs used to form the building for added support. This makes the most vital areas of the building extremely heat resistant and lessens the possibility that the structural stability of the building will fail in the event of a fire. In fact, a typical building fire would not generate nearly enough heat for the structural features of the building to be greatly damaged in any way, even though the walls and furnishings of the building may be completely destroyed. There are very few things that can damage a metal building to the point of structural failure.
Many individuals choose to construct buildings out of metal because it is very rare that the entire building will need to be replaced because of damage. Walls and furnishings can be replaced easily and usually within a matter of weeks, but individuals that have constructed a metal building typically will not have to worry about replacing the entire building due to some unforeseen event. Metal buildings not only have the ability to withstand the heat of a fire, but can also withstand small explosions, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tornados.
All of these natural and man-made disasters can cause a great deal of damage to the building and its contents, but the building will not be destroyed. In many cases, it is mainly the metal buildings that are left standing after a disaster.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Tuesday August 21, 2001

Safe Magick Spells You Can Cast

Spell casting need not be a rocket science. It does not demand a blazing bonfire and a bubbling cauldron from which puffs of multi-colored smoke explode. It does not require rolling thunder and piercing lightning bolts. There is also no need for robes flapping dramatically in a conjured gale force wind. And, above all there is no need for ingredients like eye of newt and blood of bat. That we will leave for Snow White's evil stepmother.
"Anybody can do Magick" - You must have read this a million times. And, yes, it is true. It is the level and the type of spell casting that will differ, depending on whether you are a "beginner" or an "adept". The term "beginner" is not necessarily reserved for Seekers it could also be those of you who have had a tough time trying to get your spells to work, even though you have been practicing the Craft for quite a while. No shame in that.
Effective spell casting requires Knowledge, Concentration Visualization and Clear Intent. Many people struggle with Concentration and Visualization. It is perfectly normal. So, I am going to provide a couple of really practical spells, which are very simple to perform and that address the two most common issues on most peoples minds (you guessed it - money and love). These two spells have produced good results for those who have used them.
Just a word of caution - Firstly, NEVER take short cuts - You have to cast your circle properly EVERY time. It creates a safe environment for you to work in, it keeps the power you raise within the circle until you are ready to release it and it keeps unwanted energies out. Secondly, NEVER do grey or black Magick once you have gotten the hang of spell casting. It is guaranteed to backfire every time - without fail. So much for the Sermon.
Bringing an as yet unknown Lover into your life (courtesy Silverfox and Rev. Darkwolf)
When to perform
Start the spell during waxing moon, on a Friday night. You may choose to work either alone or with another witch.
Supplies
Herbal mixture
1 handful dried lavender leaves
1 handful dried rose petals
1 vanilla pod
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
2 cinnamon sticks
You will also need a heat source on your altar (in the Circle) strong enough to bring 2 cups of water to the boil.
(Hint To dry the lavender leaves and the rose petals, pop them into the microwave for a couple of minutes.)
Other
Piece of Paper
Red Pen
1 Pink Candle anointed with Rose Oil
1 Red Candle anointed with Ylang Ylang Oil
Method
1. On the Friday night, after casting the circle, light the Pink Candle and the Red Candle and place it next to the heat source on your altar. See the flames you light as the flames of love (pink) and passion (red).
2. Write all the qualities you seek in a lover on a piece of paper using red ink. Create a mental image of the ideal lover in your mind.
3. Then, holding the image of the ideal lover in your mind, visualize the lover drawing nearer and say the following affirmation three times "I am good and I attract love into my life." You can use your own, similar affirmation if you choose to do so. (This affirmation must be repeated three times daily, with intent, for at least 14 days)
4. Next, you charge the herbs by visualizing your ideal lover entering your life. Add the herbs to the water and bring it to the boil while continuing the visualization of your ideal lover entering your life. Quietly chant into the rising steam "Love is drawn into these rooms it comes by the power of these blooms."
5. When the herbs come to a boil, reduce the heat until it simmers slowly. Continue with the chanting and visualization for 15 to 30 minutes.
6. Draw up the Circle and send it off into the astral plane to do your bidding
7. After this extinguish the candles and remove the pot from the heat. When the contents had cooled down, offer the herb and water mixture to a tree - either in your garden or in a park. This can be seen as earthing the spell. Keep the paper in a safe place.
8. Repeat the spell for nine consecutive days. On the ninth day, after your final 15 or 30 minutes of chanting, burn the piece of paper and retain the ashes. When doing your final offering to a tree, blow the ashes of the piece of paper into the air visualizing the wind carrying it to your ideal lover.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Monday August 20, 2001

The Facts About a Waterbed

There was a time when waterbeds were no more than a vinyl water bladder surrounded by a wooden frame and topped with a thin piece of foam. Most often a vinyl sheet would line the frame in case the bladder or mattress sprung a leak.
Early frames simply sat on the floor without a pedestal. The foam placed on top of the waterbed would insulate the sleeper from the mattress. This was necessary because the water in the bladder was usually much cooler than the normal body temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Sleeping directly on the water mattress would actually draw heat from the body and make for a very chilly night.
Early waterbed mattresses were of poor quality and developed a bad reputation. One problem that would dog waterbed owners for many years was the fear many landlords had of waterbeds. Part of the fear was based on misperception that waterbeds were too heavy for the average floor. The fact was that the average residential refrigerator weighed more per foot than the average waterbed and there were no reported cases of refrigerators spontaneously falling through the floor nor did any waterbed
The other concern of many landlords was fear of a catastrophic release of water if the mattress should rupture. Most bladder leaks were small and there are few recorded incidents of mattress ruptures. Many property owners refused to allow tenants to have waterbeds. Many land lords would require the payment of special damage deposits or would make the tenant purchase a waterbed insurance policy.
As the popularity of waterbeds increased, the designs changed and got better over time. Manufacturers were keen to overcome the bad reputation waterbeds had acquired during the nineteen sixties and started to offer beds with more reliable mattresses and sturdier frame
It was not long before the frame surrounding the mattress was placed on a pedestal, raising the water bed to the height of most conventional beds. The foam pad was soon replaced by electric heaters that would warm the water to the sleepers comfort. Frame systems became much more elaborate with bookshelf headboards, padded side rails and built-in lighting and sound system
Early waterbeds were designed with a one-piece bladder-type mattress. This would result in the water sloshing back and forth and not everyone was wild about the feeling. Again manufacturers responded with new designs. The bladder-type mattress was replaced with a mattress featuring internal baffles that would mute the wave action of previous design
Other baffle designs that used foam material inside the mattress that would also keep the bed from rocking back and forth. These designs remained a standard for many years but new developments in waterbeds were on the horizon.
In the nineteen eighties, a new type of waterbed system hit the scene and would change the waterbed market yet again. The new design featured a mattress that, on the outside, had the look and feel of a traditional mattress and did not require a wooded frame. The real difference could be found on the inside.
The old waterbed mattress was replaced with a series of water-filled tubes that ran down the long axis of the bed. The tubes could be filled to achieve the desired firmness and were encased in an upholstered frame. The size was identical to the industry standard for conventional bedding so gone was the need to buy traditional waterbed sheets. The need for an electric heater was eliminated due to the thick fabric padding on top of the mattress.
Waterbeds are still popular today though the trend has reverted back toward conventional sleep systems.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Sunday August 19, 2001

Brit Budgets 'Run Out Before Payday'

Many Britons' budgets are stretched to the limit in the current climate -a fact once again demonstrated by new figures from Abbey today.
The banking services and mortgage provider has published the results of research suggesting that more than six in ten people struggle to make ends meet on a monthly basis. As many as 64 per cent of respondents to the firm's survey stated that they are forced to make sacrifices in the lead up to payday as they run out of funds in their current accounts. With such strains on their finances as mortgage repayments, mobile phone and landline bills, utility bills and other demands to meet, the average current account is empty around five days before paycheques replenish them.
And at this time of year, still higher numbers are likely to need to make monetary sacrifices to see themselves through the Christmas period. Abbey calculates that, with most workers being paid on the last day of the month, funds in November are likely to reach zero on the 25th. However, it adds that better money management - such as taking out a debt consolidation loan and working out a budget - could help to regulate financial flow to prevent such periods of shortage.
The company says that different consumers aim to cut down their spending in different ways. While the largest proportion (43 per cent) say that they will socialise less at the end of the month, 17 per cent say that they will cut down on clothes outlay, six per cent compromise on cosmetics and three per cent prefer to go hungry over limiting other spending.
Meanwhile, when current accounts run low 31 per cent of people look to their overdraft for extra funds, 25 per cent spend on credit cards and the same proportion dip into savings. Consumers choosing to pursue any of these options might find that personal loans are a more cost-effective and manageable way of seeing them through to the end of the month.
Steve Shore, head of banking at Abbey, comments "A staggeringly high number of people regularly fail to budget effectively each month and end up running out of cash before their next pay cheque. With Christmas almost upon us, it's especially important that people budget carefully during December's party season to ensure they don't run out of cash."
The company's research finds that different geographical areas and different ages vary in their approaches to planning their debts. It states that "unsurprisingly" it is the 18 to 24-year old demographic that are least able to control their spending, while regionally residents in the north struggle more to make their money last.
In recent months, personal finance commentator AWD Chase De Vere suggested that Britons should take more care in dealing with their debts if they hope to avoid financial strife. A spokesperson asserted that many people only confront their debt when getting into significant straits, while those electing to investigate a debt consolidation loan earlier in the process might be better set to address their difficulties.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Saturday August 18, 2001

5 Essential Steps to Sell Your EBook (Before You Write The First Line)

So you finally decided it's time to write an ebook or maybe create another information product. But sitting down to write seems harder than moving a mountain. What on earth do you write about?
As a copywriter, my toughest challenge comes when clients ask me to write copy for an ebook they have already created. They say, "I will write first and market later." (If you're in this category, don't feel bad. I did the same before I learned the hard way.)
I feel especially sad when I review a well-written ebook with brilliant content that has not been directed to a lucrative target market. With just a few tweaks, the writer's energy could have created a "must-have" book to sell through her website. Or a change of emphasis might attract a different target market - readers who actually pay for information rather than freebie-seekers.
Ready to write? Start with these 7 tips before you write the first line.
(1) Make sure somebody's out there for you.
Online audiences are not the same as bookstore visitors. They search. They do not browse. To reach them, you have two option
Option 1 Show up when they search for your topic. Option 2 Find places they cluster - such as discussion groups - and get in their faces, er, browser windows.
If they don't seem to be searching, and they're not creating forums to discuss your topic, time for a tweak. Most topics can go from mild to hot with just a few simple ingredients. For example
(2) Match your idea to popular keywords.
If you're writing about goal-setting - a popular topic among coaches - you will find that few Internet surfers actually sit down and surf on goal-setting. So your book attracts 1 or 2 visitors a day,maybe 50 each month. If you convert 2% (which is not bad, even with a good sales letter) you'll sell one book a month.
But if you write your book as "time management," you will find many potential prospects. True you will have intense competition. But you know somebody's looking. You can learn techniques to market to hotly contested markets. You can't drag uninterested surfers to their computer
(3) Find your target's pain.
People do not surf the Internet looking for "nice to have" products. In a live bookstore, they might enjoy books on philosophy. They make books like Blink (by Malcolm Gladwell, one of my favorites) best-sellers.
On the Internet, they're desperate. How can I make my dog stop barking all day? Can I find a cure for my headache without seeing a doctor? How can I get my spouse to stop trying to divorce me? How can I market my dying business without spending any more money? How will I toast the bride in next week's wedding?
Topics like these will generate ebooks that sell (and some already have). They all meet an urgent need and promise speedy relief.
I call these books the equivalent of a tire store. Most of us buy tires when we get stranded on the side of the road or when the mechanic says, "You are risking your life if you drive on more day on these tires." Few of us shop around. Few of us browse through tire stores on a slow Sunday. We buy in need. And that's what these buyers do, too.
(4)Create juicy bullets to showcase what you will offer.
Bullets are short phrases and sentences you will use in your sales letter. For example
Discover the 15-minute secret time management rule (so you gain an extra 2 hours a day without effort).
Why keeping a to-do list will actually cost you more time every day
How beginners can compete with experts and come out ahead (without spending thousands of dollars on gurus and counselors)
Bullets have two components They convey emotion and they reach directly to your target market's pain. They also contain a hint of mystery, creating an itch that can be scratched only by buying your book.
Your bullets will become chapter headings and section headings. One will become your title.
(5) Create a two-sentence premise for your book.
When I ask clients, "What's your book about?" I often have to listen for a long time. One client said, "Well, let me start out with what happened to me ten years ago." Another said, "Well, it's sort of like ... I mean..."
If you write for a publisher, you will need a premise for your proposal. For my book on moving, my premise was, "People get stressed during a move because their identity gets interrupted. My book helps them maintain their identity during the move and as they settle in as newcomers."
These days, most of us skip the publisher. We have to tell ourselves to write premises.
If you have a clear premise, some bullet points and a real target market, you (or your copywriter) can begin to write your sales letter. Often my clients find their books practically write themselves...right.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Friday August 03, 2001

Attitude

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply,

"if I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him,

"I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"

Michael replied,

"Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it.

I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Michael said.

"Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.

The bottom line It's your choice how you live life."

I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident.

When I asked him how he was, he replied.

"If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"

I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter, " Michael replied.

"Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices I could choose to live or I could choose to die.

I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Michael continued,

"...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared.

In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man." I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael.

"She asked if I was allergic to anything.

"Yes, I replied."

The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply.

I took a deep breath and elled,

"Gravity."

Over their laughter, I told them,

"I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude.

I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about
itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 634

After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Posted by varghese at 5:10 AM

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Friday August 17, 2001

White Witchcraft vs. Black Witchcraft

There are regularly much discussion within - and without - Wiccan circles on the practice of Magick and its ethical implications. During such discussions the topic of white and black Magick invariably arises. For the uninitiated it may appear that two completely different Magickal arts are addressed and that two completely different groups of practitioners are involved in its practice. This is, in fact, a bit of a fallacy.
Consider a pallet containing oil paints. The white oil paint is simply white, and whilst it contains all other colors, it shows none of the characteristics of other colors. The red oil paint on the palate is simply a primary red. When you paint a pair of lips, you could use just the red or you could mix the red paint into the white paint, to create a brand new color - pink - that possesses some of the characteristics of red. If more red is added than white, the ensuing color will be dark pink. If more white is added than red, the resulting color will be a light or pastel pink.
Magick, like the color white, is neutral. To be neutral, it has to contain both positive and negative without displaying characteristics of either. Performing Magick refers to the act of engaging with certain universal and natural elements to affect a change to other universal and natural elements. To this is added human intent or will.
Human intent or will is like one of the colors on the pallet. It can never be neutral and will subsequently serve to disrupt the neutrality of Magick. If the intent is positive, the neutrality in Magick will swing to the positive side or differently put, be positively charged. If the intent is negative, the Magick performed will swing to the negative side and negatively charged.
Now, painting is painting. It is an act. The picture painted will contain colors and form. The colors and form are decided upon by the artist and can either be pleasing and beautiful or offensive and ugly. Magick is Magick, too. It will contain neutral universal and natural elements. The result of the Magick, will reflect what the magician wishes to achieve and can either be positive and constructive or negative and destructive.
Positive and constructive Magick, is commonly referred to as White Magick, Negative and destructive Magick, is referred to as Black Magick. If we are really pragmatic about this, all Magick is white due to its neutrality, and black Magick non-existent because black is not a color. The choice of words is historic perhaps the term "Black Magic" has its origin in the Burning Times and "White Magick" in the neo-pagan movement of the previous century.
Whether these terms are semantically correct or not, is an academic debate. The point is that practitioners of Magick prefer describing the path they follow in this way. Right hand path practitioners perform White Magick and Left hand path practitioners perform Black Magick. This is the common assumption. Strictly speaking this is not true either.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Thursday August 16, 2001

Helpful Tips To Discover The Lowest Possible Boat Loan Rate

Taking a loan to buy a boat usually makes you end up by paying much more because of the rates of interest. If you add up all that you pay by way of the premium and the interest you will come up with quite an exorbitant amount finally. It is therefore very desirable to try and get a boat loan with the lowest rate. Taking a long time loan may mean a smaller premium amount every month, but do not overlook the extra interest that you will be paying for this period. There are some interest rates that will finally make you pay more than double or triple the actual cost of the boat. To make the complete payment amount more economical and within limits it is more feasible to find a boat loan with the lowest interest rate. It helps in saving a substantial amount of money and the purchase of your boat much more affordable.
A revealing fact is to compare the interest rates
Once you have done some research and got a list of different interest rates, you should sit down and compare the differences and shortlist a few of them. You cannot finalize one as yet because you still have to go into the details and find out if there are any hidden expenses involved. Some of the issues that you would have to scrutinize are
1. Will you be given the interest rate that has been put on the website, or will you have to pay more.
2. What are the different types of loans and does the interest rate differ with the term of the loan. Even if this is so, you will still end up paying more for a long term loan than for a short term one. You could make use of a boat loan calculator to establish the best choice as per your requirement
It is always prudent to get as much information as you can to compare the difference in interest rates between the different lenders. In case all this information is not provided on the web you will have to get it directly from the loan givers. You will have to scrutinize the various interest rates and the overhead charges for procuring the loan and then come to a decision on the best available one.
To be able to get a substantial list of loan givers, you should search on the net, find local agents and other companies that offer loan facilities. If you take some time to go through all this information you will benefit in the long run and get the best deal possible with the least amount of investment.
The more research you do and the more information you gather will give you a wider and better choice in the long run. You stand to benefit by investing a little time in this exercise and will end up saving quite a bit of money.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Wednesday August 15, 2001

Top Ten Myths About Pawn Shops

People have many common misconceptions about the pawnbroking industry. If you are considering getting a loan from a pawnbroker, buying or selling merchandise at a pawn shop, or seeking a career in the pawn industry, these are some facts that will help you understand the industry more accurately.
1. Pawn shops deal in stolen merchandise.
Pawnshops are a business just like any other. But unlike many other businesses, pawnshops have laws that keep them on the straight and narrow. Pawnshops are specially licensed and cooperate with police to prevent the movement of stolen merchandise. All pawn shops require valid government issued identification, and some are required to get your thumb print, picture, or both, depending on State and Local ordinance. When you pawn an item at most pawnshops, they take your name and address, verify it with your driver's license and then inspect the item carefully. They test diamonds and gold for authenticity. If you are bringing in something like a TV or DVD, they test it to make sure it works properly. If it is a serial numbered item, it's also recorded on the pawn ticket. There are important reasons for this level of scrutiny. They must submit a list of all merchandise received, including serial numbers, to the police. The police compare the descriptions and serial numbers against records of stolen merchandise. Anything stolen is recovered this way and returned to the owner. Why do they do this? If a stolen item is found in a shop and the item was not reported to the police by the pawnshop when it came in, they can be charged with receiving stolen merchandise. Also, anyone purchasing an item at a pawn shop can rest assured they are buying legitimate merchandise. Quite simply, it is in everyone's best interest to keep stolen goods OUT of pawn shops! And to any pawnbroker worth their salt, reputation is everything.
2. The pawn shop wants to take my items in cheap and keep them.
To the contrary, pawnshops are lending institutions and the more money they lend to their customers, the more profit they can expect. The majority of pawnbrokers will go out of their way in assuring that you can repay your loan and redeem your items should you want to. The pawnbroker hopes to be able to make a profit from the loan fees that are charged, and return your pledged merchandise to you in hopes that you may pawn it again. The pawn shop does not want your merchandise, they want your money.
3. Most pawn customers lose the merchandise they pledged.
On average, about 80 percent of all loans are repaid. Repeat customers make up most of the business, similar to any other lending or retail establishment. Pawnbrokers know the vast majority of their customers because they often borrow against the same items over and over again. Pawnbrokers offer non-recourse loans, looking only to the item being pledged to recover their investment if the borrower chooses not to repay the loan. It is solely the choice of the customer whether they elect to repay the loan. However, most do.
4. Pawn shops have very high finance charge
To provide their service, all lenders must charge rates commensurate with the size and duration of the loan, collateral, risk and recourse. Pawnbroker loans are small-dollar, short-duration loans. The item stands as the sole collateral and pawnbrokers are liable for the replacement value if something happens to the item while it is in their care. There are no hidden charges as with other lending institutions. A pawnbroker's fees are usually far less than the charge for a bounced check, a payday loan, or a utility re-connecting.
5. Pawn shops downgrade neighborhoods and hurt property value
Neighborhood property values are impacted by the appearance and care given to the properties. There is no factual basis to support a claim that an eye-pleasing pawn shop would negatively impact values. On the contrary, if they attract customers, they enhance the opportunities for other merchants and the community. While there may be some pawnshops located in undesirable areas or substandard facilities, the majority of pawn locations are clean, well lit, family oriented stores. It all depends on the type of client the pawn shop is trying to attract.
6. Pawn shops attract sleazy undesirable customer
Indigents and derelicts have no assets to use as collateral. No one builds a business around these people. The typical pawnbroker's loan customer is employed, living within a few miles of the store, and occasionally needs short-term cash for an unusual bill such as a medical expense or car repairs. Pawn loan customers are generally not customers because of lack of an income they are customers because of a lack of personal savings. The typical retail customer is a bargain hunter, either by need or desire and comes from all walks of life. Most pawn shop customers are repeat customer
7. Pawnbroking is a "bad times" busines
Pawnbrokers survive bad times if they make adjustments both on the retail floor and at the loan counters, but they do far better in good times. In hard times, customers move away to find employment, have less ability to repay their loans, and the value of all merchandise goes down. If goods sell for less, pawnbrokers must loan less thus earning a smaller return. In good times, customers have a greater ability to repay their loans and unredeemed merchandise sells faster because customers have more discretionary income.
8. Pawn shops are unregulated.
Pawnbroking is actually a heavily regulated business. Most of the regulations have been initiated, sponsored and supported by the pawnbroking industry. At the local or state level, most pawnbrokers are required to be licensed and regulated. At the federal level, they follow rules from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms (FFL license), and are regulated by the Federal Reserve Board (Truth In Lending Act, Regulation Z) in much the same way as banks. They are also required by the Patriot Act to check all customers against the Treasury Department's database of known terrorist
9. Pawn shops are the last resort for their customer
Most pawn loan customers go to a pawn shop as a matter of convenience and trust. Customers find that pawn loans suit their needs much better than borrowing money from family or friends, or from any other provider of short-term credit. Pawnbrokers offer the consumer a quick and confidential way to borrow money. Short-term cash needs can be met with no credit check or legal consequences if the loan is not repaid. A customer receives a percentage of the value the pawnbroker believes the collateral would bring in a sale. Although the loan to collateral ratio varies depending on the type of goods pledged, a loan of 30-50 percent of the resale of the collateral is typical. Pawnbroking imposes a discipline on the borrower that other lenders do not. Pawn loans do not cause people to overextend credit, alienate family and friends, or go into bankruptcy.
10. Pawn shops are obsolete and old fashioned.
While pawnbroking is the oldest form of consumer credit dating back over 3000 years, and has remained nearly unchanged in structure during this time, there is a definite reason for this. A pawn loans is the only credit product that has ever been available offering the borrower a convenient form of access to short-term cash without creating an obligation. In this modern world of nu

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Tuesday August 14, 2001

The Best Cheap Car Insurance Quotes - Trade Secrets

When considering what you want in a quality automobile insurance company it's going to depend on what they can offer you in the way of discounts, low cost insurance rates, the best coverage and excellent customer service. And if you're loaded down with bills, and working hard every day to get ahead, you may not have had the time to even think about reducing your auto insurance premium. So take a look at these tips and see if you can't come up with some cheap car insurance quotes and save yourself a lot of money in the process. Today most companies offer a wide range of policies and plans and can offer discounted or cheap quotes free online.
Auto or car insurance rates and subsequent quotes are never the same for each company. There are many variables in their plans. Keep in mind that insurance companies change their rates from time to time at will, so the quote you got yesterday may not be good today. Make sure that you get full coverage or at least the coverage you basically need in your insurance policy and that the agents will be easy to get in touch with at their office or home.
Find out exactly how much the deductibles will be and any conditions attached to them. When you're doing your research besides checking out the car insurance companies rates, the types of coverage they provide and the deductible information, make sure to ask what discounts that they have available that you might be eligible for. Many auto insurance companies will offer lower or cheaper insurance rates or more affordable rates than others with the exact same type of policies.
If you've been with one company for some time, don't assume you are getting the best rate. Compare features and get quotes from several other companies. If you haven't had any accidents that were your fault, have a good driving record and you're a good driver, then consider getting a higher deductible so you would pay out a larger sum of money in the event you have an accident that is your fault but save now on your insurance premium. One simple to avoid high cost insurance is to always drive carefully and defensively. Concentrate totally on your driving and don't use cell phones or switch radio stations at the same time.
In the United States many insurers offer a good grade discount to students with a good academic record and resident student discounts to those who live away from their home. When you ask about discounts ask also if they have any professional discounts. Some insurance companies offer further discounts for nurses and other health professionals and this can be considerable. It's usually a simple process to get a free online car insurance quote and should only take a couple of minutes. A discounted insurance policy doesn't mean that you'll have the best car insurance policy so make sure to check this out carefully first and compare it with other companies to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Teenage drivers who have no driving record will have higher car insurance premiums. However young drivers are often offered discounts if they undertake more official driver training on recognized courses in the US and the Pass Plus scheme in the UK. Take a look at your current policy well before it's time to renew it often there are a few things you can eliminate from the policy reducing the cost.
You can also find companies that offer discounts to good drivers, another good reason to concentrate on driving defensively. Most, if not all, single line and multiple line companies offer nice discounts and other benefits for carrying multiple car insurance policies and other lines of insurance in the same household.
Make sure the car insurance company you choose offers excellent low cost and cheap rates along with a good level of customer service. Take the time to do a little research you'll find the best, affordable car insurance rates at the best price. Find out what a company can do for you in terms of discounts and compare online cheap car insurance quotes.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Monday August 13, 2001

6 Things To Avoid While Using Dutch Oven And Camp Cooking!

If you want to indulge in some delicious and wholesome meals, even while camping, dutch oven and camp cooking is the answer for you. A oven is a cousin of the portable oven, which gives you the freedom to fry, roast, roast or even boil you food wherever you may go. Now, with the help of the oven, it is possible to prepare just about any dish you would prepare in your kitchen at home. Dutch oven and camp cooking lends your food a distinct and wonderful taste.
In fact, once you learn about the host of advantages these ovens provide, they would not seem expensive to you at all. From an energizing breakfast to keep you up and about all day, to a hearty meal at night, which would ensure a good nights' sleep, all are the workings of the oven. You can even indulge in some sinful desserts while camping, with the help of camp cooking and a dutch oven.
Once you have the oven, you do not need to carry any other camp-cooking device with you. In fact, if you take good care of the oven and take the necessary precautions, these ovens will last you a lifetime of camping trips. We are thus enlisting a few tips on how best to take care of your oven. Also mentioned are the things to avoid ensuring that it lasts long.
1. If you allow water to be in contact with your oven for a long period of time, whether the water is inside the oven or outside, even the oven with the best quality coating will rust. The reason is that cast iron is the material used in the making of most Dutch oven
2. You should clean your oven using a brush with hot water. Soap must be avoided at all costs, or else, your next food preparation will have a soapy taste to it. This is because the metal used in making Dutch ovens has pore, which absorb whatever is put in it. The flavor of the same gets transferred to the next dish that you cook in it. In fact, the damage of soap can be such, that in case of even accidentally using soap, you might even have to get the coating on the oven replaced.
3. The composition of the oven is such, that it can only be used for slow cooking. And hence try to avoid any hasty cooking by using this oven in ho fire as it will lead to severe damage of your dutch oven and also result in your food being completely burnt.
4. An empty dutch oven, if placed on hot coals may crack it.
5. The Dutch oven may crack, even if cold water is added to it.
6. The best way to store your Dutch oven, is by coating it lightly with some oil.
If you adhere to these tips, your Dutch oven will remain fit to produce some lip-smacking fare. You can choose from amongst the extensive range of Dutch ovens found over the Internet. Depending on your requirements and the size of your family and the kind of food you wish to cook at the campgrounds, you can decide whether to buy a large dutch oven or a small one. And if you have a large feast in mind, go in for even more than one oven.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Sunday August 12, 2001

Key Largo Boat Rentals: Making Enjoyment More Affordable

Take out a boat from the Key Largo boat rentals and you can enjoy yourselves in the sun diving, swimming and having a close up look at the corals in the sea. Many people would describe this as a dream holiday. There are a wide variety of rental plans for the picking at Key Largo boat rentals. With just a few places left that has not been described as a - paradise for tourists' it is difficult to decide which is the actual paradise for tourists any where in the world. However, K L Boat Rentals are so inexpensive that it is worth the expense to find out for yourself it this kind of holiday is for you.
K L has gained popularity in recent times with many film makers from Hollywood making it a spot for filming many a popular scene at the spot. Tourists are especially fond of the K L boat rentals and the conveniences offered, it is truly a holiday of a lifetime. The many tropical hardwood forests twisting creeks and corals that look most beautiful in the sunlight create of Key Largo a tourist's dream land.
If you are looking for the only living Coral reef in the North of America you are looking for Key Largo. Plan a holiday at K L and you need not take your boat along. K L has no dearth of boat rentals and a whole range of swimming and diving gear to make your Key Largo boat rental vacation a memorable dream come true. You could also hire a guide to take you out fishing and sight seeing, guaranteed to make your eyes pop at nature's beauty in full bliss. However, it is not the views and the corals that bring the tourists to Key Largo from far and wide, the Key Largo boat rentals are main attraction for many a tourist. When out on a key Largo rental fishing trip you will be able to fish for a variety of fish such as tarpon, sail fish and bone fish.
There is plenty of things to do that can occupy the eco tourist as well. Bird watching is a favorite pastime of any eco tourist and Key Largo boat rentals are best suited for just this type of activity. There are wonderful species of birds to search out and watch in their natural splendor. These Key Largo boat rentals offer tourists the option of hiring any type of boat for their nature trip on the water. Starting from simple kayaks that drift silently on the surface of the water without disturbing the water life or the birds, or you can take out a big house boat offered by some of the Key Largo boat rentals. No matter what you choose, you are bound to enjoy yourself with K L boat rentals.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Saturday August 11, 2001

The Laws Surrounding Gift Giving

The laws surrounding gifts can be tricky. Gift giving is a pretty simple process, you give a gift and someone accepts it. Perhaps you get the gift, or perhaps you revoke the gift and take it back. Either way, it is still pretty simple, but in fact, there are laws relating to gift giving which could hold up in court.
Did you really think there were not rules to gift giving? What century are you living in?
First of all, promising somebody you will buy them a gift is actually meaningless in the legal sense and in no way requires you to buy a gift. Of course, if you promise to buy a gift for someone and do not, then you risk losing a friend as a result, so beware in that sense.
When you present a gift to someone, acceptance is assumed, unless they actually, physical or vocally, reject it.
As a result, a gift given and accepted cannot legally be revoked by the giver.
So, if we look at it in legal terms, the gift process means there is intent to give a gift by a donor, the acceptance of the gift by the donee and the delivery of the gift to the donee.
Who knew that gift giving could get so complicated? Well, it does not stop there.
Depending on the cash value of the gift, especially if the gift happens to be cash, the
United States government can actually take a portion of your gift. It is kind of like involuntarily sharing your gift with someone else.
Of course, there are exemptions to the gift tax, first you can transfer up to $12,000 per person per year without being subject to the tax, which means an individual can make gifts up to that dollar amount to as many people they wish each year.
Second, there is a credit that essentially negates the tax on gifts until $1,000,000 has been given from one person to another.
Also, the gift tax is exempt on gifts to spouses, political organizations and charitie
Now that you know the law concerning giving gifts, be aware of the assumed acceptance, the non-legally binding promise and the prevention of revocation.
Of course, most of us will never have to deal with the legal ramifications of giving gifts since most of us give gifts to those we love and vice versa and you never want the law to intrude on friendship or love.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Friday August 10, 2001

Iowa Walleye Fishing Spots and Locations

While in Iowa, you can find some excellent sots and locations to fish for walleye. The first spot that comes to mind is at Big Creek Lake a few miles from Polk City. This lake was however, a non-fishing lake because of all the problems it had. The DNR went in, drained the entire lake, and stocked it once again with excellent results. Here is the place to catch some good size walleyes. This lake is an angler's delight for walleye fishing. They do however have some length restrictions for the walleye, which is fifteen inches with a limit of three catch and keepers a day. If the walleye is over twenty inches, you can only have one of those.
The lake has many great spots to fish for walleye since they rebuilt the lake. They added many rock piles for the walleye to hide. It has been said that trolling the waters by the rock piles has the best results for catching walleye. You can obtain a map of the lake with the locations of the rock piles so you know where the best spots are to find the walleye. You will find this map through the Iowa DNR website or at an area bait shop.
Another great fishing location is Brushy Creek Lake by Des Moines. Although they first starting stocking the lake in the late 1990s with walleye, you can catch a walleye if you know the hot spots where they hover. It is very possible to catch up to sixteen-inch walleyes and sometimes a twenty-two inch walleye is not out of the question. Although the lake is extremely deep, the angler has a real fishing experience when hooking the big walleye. There are many different spots in the lake where rock piles hide the walleye. There is such a lake cover on the lake that you may have a problem deciding where to cast the bait. Many anglers have found that drop and reel in very slowly not to make any fast movement works well.
The waters of the lake are exceptionally clear and you will want to have a pair of sunglasses along to protect your eyes on sunny days. This is also when the walleye seek deeper water levels. If you have a chance to fish on Brushy Creek Lake on a cloudy or slightly windy day, you will find the walleye bite more.
If you happen across Little River Lake by Des Moines, you might want to stop a throw a line in for a little walleye fishing. Although many anglers have since abandoned this lake, there are many nice sized walleyes just waiting in wait for your bait. The reason is that other anglers fish the newer lakes like Three Mile and Twelve Mile. Yes, these lakes are great for walleye fishing, but one can enjoy the thrill of catching a walleye on Little River Lake without distractions from other angler
You will find that the walleye you catch on this lake are actually about twenty to twenty-two inches long. It is not impossible for them to be as much as eight pounds. The best way to fish this lake is with a troll and drift. You can start you fishing around the boat ramp on the northeast. The area around the campgrounds is also a great place to fish the walleye year round. They like the drop-offs and the rock formations in that area. You are going to try this lake before heading onto some others in the area. You will more than likely have the lake and the walleye to yourself.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Thursday August 09, 2001

Affordable Ways To Do Internet Marketing

If you have a struggling internet business, you are probably facing the difficult task of how to attract visitors to your website at a price you can afford. Indeed, internet marketing is a challenge, and it takes years of persistence. There are many affordable ways to get traffic to your site. For now, we will outline the most practical ways for you to market your online business without having to spend a great deal of money.
The most important task is search engine submission and optimization. There are many different search engines and directories on the internet where you can submit your web site. You need to sign up for a monthly submission plan with a credible search engine submission service. There are hundreds of these submission services on the internet you can find them by doing a search on Google.
However, be wary of submission services that claim to be able to submit your site to 75,000 search engines. These unscrupulous submitters will submit your website to FFA pages and bogus link pages that can actually get you banned permanently from the search engines. You should only do business with submission services that submit only to the major search engines and directorie
Search engine optimization (SEO) is even more important. To optimize a site, you need to maximize your keyword density and optimize the positioning for the words or phrases for which you want to be listed. And, you need to use proper Meta tags so that the search engines can interpret your web pages.
If you do not know how to optimize your web site, you should search for an optimization consultant on Google. Avoid SEO experts who want to charge you $1,000 per month or more. Their goal is to bleed you dry before you figure out that they really can not help improve your ranking. Stick to providers who will optimize your site for a reasonable fee.
More important than SEO is link popularity. Link popularity is the number of web sites that currently link to your site. The more inbound links you acquire, the higher your search engine ranking will be.
There are several ways you can increase your number of inbound links. You can submit your site to free directories, or join a link exchange and trade links with other sites, or, you can author articles and press releases and submit them to article directories. When webmasters looking for free content place your article on their site, they must link back to your website.
If you are not patient enough to wait for your search engine ranking to improve, you can attract visitors to your web site right away by using pay-per-click (PPC). With PPC, you pay a certain cost per click to have an ad for your web page run at or near the top of the search engines. This can be extremely costly and ineffective. It is not uncommon for webmasters to blow thousands of dollars on PPC advertising and make only a few sales.
The best way to promote your site, if you are actually selling something, is through an affiliate program. You need to provide an affiliate code to other online merchants so that they will place your banner on their site every time you make a sale that resulted from an affiliate referral, the affiliate gets a commission. You will have to consult with an experienced programmer who can set up the program so that the affiliate codes can be tracked properly.
Some internet companies have thousands of affiliates, and get all the business they would ever need or want this way and it costs you nothing. To recruit affiliates, you should submit your affiliate program to directories where you can list your affiliate program for free or for a small price. The best way to find affiliates is by listing your program on forums or message boards frequented by webmasters who are looking to generate additional revenue for their online busines
I hope this information will help you with your internet marketing efforts. No website can become an overnight sensation it takes time and effort. But, if you work diligently and follow each of the procedures outlined in the article, you should do fine.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Wednesday August 08, 2001

Rock Her Sexual World With These One-of-A-Kind Aphrodisiac Gifts

What else can possibly bring your sexual intimacy to a whole new level? One of the best ways to rock your sexual world is to give each other unique aphrodisiac gift
Don't worry, you don't have to hurt your bank account to be more passionate with your lover. Simply try out one of these one-of-a-kind aphrodisiac gifts!
'Press On' with a Luxurious Romance Basket
Nothing makes a woman go ooohhh and ahhhh more than a nice, long. dip in a warm bath! But this time, make sure you're with her! Encourage this by presenting her with a nice Romance Basket, the contents of which you'll use during your bath together.
Massage your woman with the softness and sweet smell of Romantic Rose or immerse yourselves in an Apple & Cinnamon flavored tub. How about adding some Kama Sutra lubricants in your romance basket? Surely, the name itself is enough to conjure sensual images in your head.
Tantra Tea
If you have been scanning up sex books, or reading my articles, then perhaps you already have a good idea of what tantric sex is. It's basically the peak of any sexual pleasure, and there's no way you want to bring down your level back to zero once you're at it. Just to make sure that you really don't, better toast to a good drink of tantra tea.
Tantra tea is made up of the most powerful aphrodisiac in the world - damiana. It relaxes tense muscles and then excites the nerve endings of your body, especially your sexual organs. Before she knows it, she's ready and revving for a hot night between the sheets again!
I am also recommending damianas for those who are in their forties, fifties, and 'above'. This plant can be considered as modern Viagra, along with Ginseng, as it helps settle problems related to menopause and the physical and emotional discomforts that come along with it. Let's face it people at this stage are often problematic when it comes to sexual drive, so why not aid it? Nothing should discourage her from having great sex. not even her age.
Marshmallow Gun
One cardinal rule when it comes to sex never skip sensual foreplay. Otherwise, you'll feel that it's all over before it actually begins. Foreplay is essential as it ensures that she's well lubricated and hot and panting for you. For foreplay, try marshmallow guns. They add the word "fun" and "food" into your intimate moments. And with all of marshmallows sticking all over her body, you have every reason to take big bites!
Body Chocolates
Wouldn't her body make just the perfect dessert? Body chocolates can definitely increase sexual drive and heighten up your fantasies. I once tried this with my partner, and we had one hell of a sexual night! In fact, we skipped dinner and went on to our favorite part of the meal the sensuous body chocolate dessert. There are different varieties you can choose from you can go for light (just in case both of you are on a diet), white, or white choco. Your imagination is your only limit when it comes to body chocolates. What's important is that you'll satisfy both your physical and sexual hunger.
Want to be a bit kinkier? Then try edible anus chocolates! You can think of these as the soft bottoms of your partner. Imported directly from Belgium, almost every couple who gets a good taste of these has gone gaga. I did too, and seriously, it's one thing I would definitely look forward to come Valentine's Day (or any day for that matter!)
Tip to eating edible anus chocolates These choco treats won't have the same effect if you don't use them properly so here's what you should do. Take one bonbon and yes, stuff it into her crack. Once it's placed on her anus, lick, suck and bite all you want! Be sure you apply a good amount of pressure as you use your tongue. She will go wild with passion when you try this!
Besides, you don't have to be taught on the health benefits you can get from chocolates, right? It gives you that warm fuzzy feeling of being in love and makes you want to make love any second. Most of all, it can lower blood pressure so you can have more time and energy to enjoy each other's bodie
What are you waiting for? Go out or surf online to find that one-of-a-kind aphrodisiac gift for her! And if you think about it, the gift is also something that serves YOU.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Tuesday August 07, 2001

A Scrumptious Feast Over The Camp-Cooking Brisket Dutch Oven

You can become a star cook among your camping friends with a camp cooking brisket dutch oven. With the help of a camp cooking brisket dutch oven, you can prepare a finger- licking feast for a large gathering. After a long day of camping outdoors, brisket cooked over the campfire, with its smoky flavor is sure to be a treat for your senses. Making a brisket dish that is large enough will also provide you with the added advantage of being able to use the leftovers to prepare tasty sandwiches for breakfast the next day.
Let us now help you, by giving you a camp cooking brisket dutch oven recipe to serve a large number of people. For your convenience, most of the preparation of this dish can be done at home, in your kitchen before leaving for your camping trip. This will ensure that it will be much easier for you to cook this dish at the camp.
- Blend 6 minced garlics, some salt and pepper as well as 3 tablespoons liquid smoke. Hand rub this blend on both sides of a fresh brisket that is around 6 pounds. Slice two onions and place them over the brisket. Let this concoction marinade for a least of 24 hours.
- To prepare the sauce, put 1/2 cup each of barbecue sauce, brown sugar and beer. Also add 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce alongwith 2 tablespoons liquid smoke. Let this mixture simmer in a camp cooking brisket dutch oven, till the sugar completely dissolves.
- Put the marinated brisket in the oven and pour the sauce on top of it in a way that it entirely covers the brisket.
- Put about 6-8 hot coals under the oven and 10-12 of them on top it in order to let the brisket cook slowly. It will take around 5 hours for the dish to get ready.
You need to buy a camp cooking brisket dutch oven that is deep and large enough to hold an entire rack of ribs. You can choose from amongst an extensive range of sizes and styles of the dutch oven ideal for cooking brisket.
Your best bet would be to buy a dutch oven that made of cast iron. This is because not only is cast iron very durable and will make sure that your dutch oven lasts years if you maintain it properly, but also because dutch ovens made of cast iron add a distinct flavor to the food. Another option is to go in for an aluminium camp cooking brisket dutch oven. This oven is much lighter than the cast iron one, is easier to clean and take care of and can heat up as well as cool down quickly. However the downside is that these aluminium ovens rust quite easily and can even melt under high temperatures.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Monday August 06, 2001

Keeping Your Waterbed Clean is Easy

The human body is constantly shedding millions of dead skin cells and hair. This material is not a health hazard in itself, but the accretion of this material can be become a welcome home to insects and bacteria. The stuff that naturally falls away from us can be found throughout even the cleanest home especially in our beds. If we add a few dogs and cats into the mix, the problem can be magnified with the addition of pet dander and fur.
One of the knocks on traditional innerspring flat beds is the potential to accumulate skin debris, dust, mites and other substances. The cloth top of a traditional mattress has the potential to become something akin to a grade school science project. Employing a separate mattress cover can help to mitigate this problem but will not completely eliminate the accumulation of dirt and mite
A routine of regularly changing the bed sheets and washing the mattress pad can help but keep in mind that tens of thousands of dust mites can be found in just a single ounce of dust.
Traditional mattresses can not be steam cleaned and using a vacuum method will not remove all of the imbedded dirt and debris. Steam cleaning is not recommended by mattress manufacturers and doing so may certainly void the warranty. If the mattress is double-sided you can flip it over and that is a recommended step to take every six months or so. Despite the best efforts, dirt, dead skin cells and dust mites will manage to get a foothold.
Waterbeds offer an alternative to traditional sleep systems in more ways than one. Many people find sleeping on a waterbed to be a way to enhance the sleep experience. Waterbeds have a clear advantage over innerspring mattresses in the cleaning department. From the start of the waterbed craze, the vinyl water bladder had an edge simply because it could be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Early waterbeds did not feature electric heaters and needed a layer of foam insulation and the foam padding could be cleaned or replaced.
One problem was that dirt and crud would accumulate between the bladder and the wooden frame. Cleaning would sometimes require draining and dismantling the bed. Still vinyl mattresses are convenient to keep clean. The crud that builds up between the bladder and the frame can often be removed with a vacuum cleaner using the narrow plastic wand attachment. Never use a metal attachment. Always be careful not to snag the mattress with the wand and risk putting a hole in the vinyl.
The introduction of soft-sided or hybrid waterbeds can and do accumulate dirt, debris and those pesky dust mites but the process of keeping a hybrid waterbed mattress clean has definite advantages over an innerspring mattress. Many if not most of the zippered top pads on soft-sided beds can be removed and laundered, a process that can remove virtually all of the accumulated crud.
Since hybrid waterbeds do not need a hard frame, no further cleaning is needed accept perhaps to occasionally vacuum the sides of the mattress and, like every good housekeeper, clean the dust bunnies out from under the bed.
Like an innerspring mattress, soft-sided waterbed mattresses can accept a standard sized mattress cover that can also be laundered. Combined with a fresh set of clean bed sheets and other bedding regular cleaning of your waterbed can greatly reduce the incidence of allergies or types of respiratory condition
So do regular maintenance cleaning of your waterbed and you can rest easy knowing that you are keeping the mighty dust mite at bay.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Sunday August 05, 2001

The Great History Of Witchcraft

Modern Day Witchcraft has its roots in the Goddess Religions, dating at least as far back as 25,000 BC during the Gravettian-Aurignacian Culture. Numerous female figurines and sculptures have been found throughout the greater part of Europe and the East, which supports the theory of a Great Mother Cult during those early years.
Naturally, many attempts have been made during the ages by various cultures and religions to destroy Goddess worship. She was married off to Gods in her various aspects in order to reduce Her standing and sometimes even executed and killed. Still Her worship prevailed.
The establishment of Witchcraft was a gradual evolution, and not a conscious action. The use of the term Witch was also broadly applied and encompassed everyone from seers to healers and everything in-between. These Witches were not necessarily Goddess worshippers either. They were found in every religion and in every culture across millennia.
Until 1021AD, witches were seen by society as the Wise Ones and highly regarded as healers. They assisted with child births, were skilled in divination and understood the medicinal qualities of plants. They offered comfort and help to those in need. Many Witches of that era were Christian, which made them even easier to accept and respect.
In 1022AD, under Pope Benedict VIII's reign, all that was set to change. The execution of the first "heretic" during 1022 heralded the start of a 753 year reign of terror, generally referred to as the Burning Times, which was to last until 1775 when the last execution of accused Witches took place that of nine old women in Poland. Millions of people (including children!) accused of Witchcraft were killed in the most gruesome of ways during this period resulting in what is probably one of the biggest acts of genocide this world had ever seen.
The deaths of accused witches were not always at the stake. Many witches died during torture and during "provings". Looking back on the methods employed, it sends a shudder down one's spine. James I (1566-1624) of Scotland even wrote a book called Daemonologie. The purpose of this book was to explain how to identify a witch. Some of the methods employed were
Identifying the Witch's Mark James I held that the Witch's mark was a place on the body where a witch can experience no pain. The location of this area allegedly differed from one witch to another. Hence, every inch of the accused witch's body was pricked with needles to locate the Witch's Mark.
The Water Test In Daemonologie, James I proposed that only real witches can float in water. He based this theory on the fact that water was a holy substance and as a result it would not take a Witch to its depth. As a result, an accused Witch's hands and feet were bound before being thrown into a lake or a river. If innocent, the accused would drown. And die. If guilty, the accused would be burnt at the stake. Either way, the accused ended up dead.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Saturday August 04, 2001

Winter Provides The Time To Improve Gardens

As the winter months approach now could be a good time for many Britons to consider carrying out improvement work in their garden, an industry expert has stated.
According to Ceri Thomas, editor of Gardening Which?, the now unpredictable weather could mean that many homeowners could find themselves cutting their lawn "in the middle of December". Consequently, she reported that such conditions may provide an ideal opportunity for people to get out into their gardens to prepare them for the colder months. The gardening expert claimed that "quite a lot of plants that do look good now", suggesting that the likes of hardy cyclamen, dogwoods with colourful bark and witch hazel make for attractive winter decoration
In addition, she reported that filling a container with flowers such as violas and pansies can also bring colour to gardens, with a competitively-priced homeowner loan one possible way of meeting the cost of such property improvements. However, for those plants which may not survive the winter period, for example pelagoniums and fuschias, consumers were advised to wrap them up in items such as bubblewrap plastic or a fleece to help avoid the financial difficulties that replace such items can entail should people have to repurchase them if they do not survive colder month
She said "Really it's a time of year when things aren't growing particularly much, so you can be thinking about whether the layout of the garden is working ... or whether there is anything you can do to improve things, or] looking back at any notes you made over the summer or photos you took."
Ms Thomas also pointed out that there are a "lot of catalogues out at the moment" documenting the various seeds and plants which are available for next spring and summer. However, she claimed that budding Alan Titchmarshes and Charlie Dimmocks wanting specific items should look to place their orders for such products immediately before they have sold out.
In addition, the Gardening Which? editor reported that gardeners should look to move equipment such as lawnmowers and secateurs inside from the outdoors environment as the nights become colder. Winter, she claimed, is an ideal time to clean and sharpen the blades on such items ahead of the following spring. However, should they find that their gardening tools are in need of replacement, then applying for a loan could be one way in which to meet such expenses effectively.
Taking the time to carry out garden improvements, whether this is funded through a homeowner loan or by other means, can not only make consumers' homes look more attractive but also boost their value. In turn, property owners could also have access to larger secured loans should they wish to wish to withdraw the equity that their house has built up. Earlier this year, research conducted by Halifax Estate Agents revealed that elements such as mature shrubs and trees set inside a paved area such as a patio can help to increase the cost of a property should it go up for sale. The study also revealed that 58 per cent of consumers see flagged patios as an attractive garden feature, while just over a third (37 per cent) are looking to have decking laid out.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Friday August 03, 2001

'Understanding' Is Key To Avoiding Financial Problems

Those concerned about their capacity to manage money should at first take steps to "do some groundwork", an industry expert has advised.
According to James Falla, managing director of Thomas Charles, Britons who are developing problems in meeting demands for payment on areas such as mortgages, loans and utility bills need to take the time to consider the various options available to them as they look to get out of the red. He stated that before making a decision on how get back on their financial feet - whether this is through applying for a loan to consolidate debts, bankruptcy, an individual voluntary arrangement or signing up for an informal debt management plan - consumers should attempt to find out where they stand in a monetary sense. Creating such a plan, he stated, will allow people to identify how much cash they have coming in and where certain areas of expenditure can be reduced. Mr Falla added that by understanding their own situation, many people will be able to recognise the best option for them and could actually avoid getting into money management problems in the first place.
He said "A lot of people get into difficulty because they don't have a good knowledge of their financial situation and they're not very good at managing their money or understanding it. But that's the key - to try to understand where you are, which is not really a nice thing to have to do. When you have a problem, the last thing that you really want to do is to put it all down on paper. But it's very, very important."
The Thomas Charles director reported that getting to grips with their financial situation before seeking advice from professional bodies will aid consumers to "listen to what the options are and how they are going to help in that particular situation". In turn, he advised that this may help people in avoiding a "shock". However, people were warned that the "key thing" is not to enter any form of financial plan without first understanding what they are getting into and making sure that they will be able to afford payments, as otherwise they may find themselves experiencing more problems in paying back loans and plastic card
Mr Falla also advised that "there is plenty of information out there on the internet", which could see numerous people find help in getting a loan online. Further research from the debt consultancy, conducted in conjunction with YouGov, also showed that 15 per cent of Britons owe at least 15,000 pound
Such sentiments concerning financial planning were recently echoed by Chris Tapp. Speaking earlier this month, the director of Credit Action reported that more consumers are struggling to manage money as the impact of five base rate increases by the Bank of England since August 2006 has risen the interest attached to personal loans and other types of borrowing. As a result, he urged people to take steps to get their spending under control, especially as the yuletide season approaches, with drawing up a budget or applying for a loan for the purposes of consolidating debts two possible ways in which this can be achieved.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Thursday August 02, 2001

Homeowners 'Urged To Prepare For Winter'

Homeowners across the country will undoubtedly have woken in recent mornings and noticed the autumnal chill in the air.
But with winter fast approaching, temperatures are set to drop significantly and property owners would be well advised to ensure their homes are ready for the onslaught. Insurer Legal & General has stated that, with the average property now worth in excess of 230,000 pounds, it makes sense for owners to ensure that houses are kept in good condition.
Temperatures this winter are likely to fall below those seen in 2006, according to the latest predictions from the Met Office, while December is also historically the wettest month of the year. Both variables can have an impact on the degree to which homes can make it through the winter months unscathed. However, regular maintenance, perhaps using cheap loans to fund repairs, can avoid more significant costs at a later date.
Crucially, homeowners planning to rely on their home insurance to fund any repairs to their house should be warned that they might not receive the payout they were expecting. Legal & General states that, while such policies may cover homes for damage ensuing from a burst pipe or poor conditions taking their toll on the roof, there is an obligation for owners to keep their home in a reasonable state of repair. Failing to do so could potentially invalidate a policy when it comes to the crunch - so borrowing cheap loans as a means of shoring up the winter defences could pay off in the long run.
Elaine Parkes, head of technical services at Legal & General's general insurance business said "Household insurance is designed to provide peace of mind to homeowners so they know that they have cover in place should their property be hit by 'the ravages of winter' or severe weather. However, homeowners need to take reasonable steps to safeguard their property and contents against loss or damage. This includes ensuring that their property is maintained in a good condition, so fixing any loose tiles on a roof or making sure flood prevention measures are in place, if appropriate."
Legal & General has published a homeowner checklist designed to ensure that the house is in good working order and likely to comply with insurance policy strictures. When freezing conditions are expected, making sure that loft insulation is in place and that pipes are fully lagged will help to prevent burst pipes - both of which improvements could be funded by means of cheap loans.
Meanwhile, in preparation for storms homeowners should repair loose roof tiles and check whether trees near or overhanging the house are capable of surviving the weather undamaged.
Halifax has recently provided similar advice, stating that "prevention is certainly better than cure" in terms of maintaining a property. The firm adds ensuring that gutters are clear and making sure external lighting fixtures are firmly in place to the list of vital undertakings before the house is wracked by winter weather.
Meanwhile, those property owners who are resting on their laurels having ensured that their property is likely to stay in one piece over the winter might consider boosting its value in other ways. Recent research conducted by Saga Home Insurance revealed that ever higher numbers of households are investigating improving their property's value by undertaking renovation work, for instance using a secured loan to create a more modern kitchen or invest in a chic new bathroom suite.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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Wednesday August 01, 2001

Discover How to Deal Effectively Your Intense Anger in a Heated Argument

Handling anger can be a very interesting learning experience. It seems that controlling ones' anger is easier said than done. When you are in heated argument, it can be a challenging task to control the situation.
I have learn that most of the time when two individuals are involved in heated argument, anger expression and both parties unwillingness to give in to the situation actually worsen the situation. Through such experiences, we can learn that there are different preventive and effective measures that one can use to deal with such situation
Let us take a look at the following about Pete dealing with his anger in a heated argument. Pete was getting frustrated with his working partner, John. Pete assumed that John has been dishonest in his work behavior. John, on the other hand, was getting frustrated himself at Pete's cold behavior towards him. Both of them have kept their feelings to themselves. They did not clarify with each other the root of the problem. The anger level reached a boiling point and they started to be involved in a heated argument.How can both of them handle the situation better?
In such intense situation, one of them must take the initiative to walk away from the situation. Such positive action can highly results in reducing the tension between them effectively. One can also realized that walking away from the argument takes huge amount of courage especially in such intense situation.
In anger, involved parties tend not to talk rationally. The situation can get really ugly when both parties start to hurl cruel words and insults to each other. To prevent such situation, one of the effective measures is to focus on communicating with each other after both parties have cooled down and not angry. In this manner, both of them can communicate better and clearly their point of views to each other rather communicating to each other in heated argument.
Both parties should work towards focusing on the solutions for the problems when communicating with each other. In such effective manner of communication, both of them will most likely learn to appreciate and treasure each other better. Thus, here it can result better, effective and healthy working relationships.
Also, when handling to solve such challenge, both parties must make the effort to be humble and be prepared to accept learning from each other mistakes. They must help one another to improve their working and friendship relationship.
With such measures such as communicating better, handling the heated argument better, focusing on the solutions, learning from each other mistakes and helping each other to grow, anger can be better managed to handle such heated argument. It can play a huge role in maintaining better working and friendship relationship between themselves.

Posted by varghese at 12:01 PM

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