Callcentric and skype a comparative study

In the world of internet phone service, Callcentric and Skype could be very well considered the toughest competitors. Both have a relatively big customer base and an equally big reputation in the industry. Both offer lots of value added services to their customers and are considered very cheap when compared to traditional international phone calls. Despite these similarities, there are a few things that can be compared between Callcentric and Skype to highlight certain features that separate one from the other. Callcentric offers four plans that could be considered the cheapest in the market. They are Callcentric IP Freedom Plan, Callcentric Pay per Call, Callcentric North America Unlimited, and Callcentric World Select. All of them offer unlimited PC to PC calls to other Callcentric members for free, wherever in the world they are. IP Freedom Plan is considered the cheapest of them all, as it provides free calls to other members, wherever they are. At no monthly charge, no surcharge, no hidden fees, no per-call rate, and no other commitment, this is considered the best bargain. All you need is an adapter or software and you are good to go with the Callcentric IP Freedom plan. Skype also has a similar structure, as calls made to any Skype customer are free all over the world. In fact, Skype became extremely popular due to this feature, as free PC to PC calls were something really rare at the time when Skype brought in this feature. So, basically this plan works the same way for Skype and Callcentric. Free PC to phone international call and phone calls from the PC are something everyone looks forward to while using Skype and Callcentric, and this is the area where Callcentric scores over Skype. Callcentric has plans such as Pay per Call, North America Unlimited, and World Select which offer tremendous value for the money you pay. At a miserly monthly rate around $19.95 per month, you will be able to make unlimited phone calls to the USA and Canada. With this plan, you will be able to make hundreds of calls in a month and still pay an incredibly low $19.95. In the World Select plan, Callcentric goes a step ahead of its competitors and offer unlimited calls to people all over the world for a monthly rate of $29.95. Thanks to the wide network of Callcentric with over 35 countries across the globe, you can call any of your near and dear ones any number of times for just around $30 a month. Skype has an offer called Skype Credit which asks you to pay some amount and you also need to pay a connection fee. Once you log in, the credit you have will appear next to your name. Then you can start calling any part of the world. But the catch here is the rate per call. The rates range around 1.7 Euro cents per minute, which is considered costlier than Callcentric, as you can make unlimited calls to any part of the world in case of Callcentric for just under $30 per month. This is where Callcentric scores over Skype and is considered the better option when it comes to PC to phone calling.

Employee time clock system

Employee time clocks are time systems used by organizations to accurately record the number of hours worked by each employee every week. The clocks have evolved with time and the companies still need some sort of system that they can use to generate payroll and ensure that the employees are paid for each hour they worked. Today, employees use swipe cards with a magnetic stripe through a slot that reads their name and records the time every time they clock in or out, much like the old punch clock system of long ago. At the end of a work week, the main computer computes the total hours worked for every employee and prints it out on a spread sheet. This rids the payroll system of human error, making it much more efficient. The employee time clock has been linked to a factory’s employee productivity. It is commonly placed near the main entrance or break room. An employee who is not paid for break time must clock out for a break and must also remember to clock in before resuming work after the break. Sometimes, it is found that employees try to use the time clock to gain an advantage. For instance, employees may clock in or out for each other. This is why company rules and time clock technology keep changing in order to keep employee misdeeds in checkpany policy forbids employees from “punching” or “swiping” for each other and both employees stand a chance of losing their jobs if caught. Again, with the advent of new technology, like clocking in and out using nothing but fingerprints, such employee behavior is now a thing of the past. The manual time clock system, though time saving and error-free, is not entirely perfect. Sometimes, the magnetic strip on the back of a card may get damaged. When the employee swipes the card, the machine may not register it. Such inadequacies are corrected in the computer time clock system. Even with the advent of computer software and advanced time keeping techniques, the principal of the employee time clock remains the same. Hourly employees will always need a way to keep track of their time and organizations will need logical ways to monitor and record an employee’s time to ensure productivity. Employee time clocks are available in all various forms such as biometric time clocks, punch time clocks, computer based time clocks, etc. Today, there is wide array of employee time clock systems on the market, from yesterday’s free standing polling, memory based clocks to today’s advanced PC based time keeping solutions, from standard mechanical clocks to electronic time clock systems. This is why choosing a system that suits your needs is a daunting task. Small employee time clock systems can cost you anything from to $5 to $50. And for bigger and more advanced time clock systems, you will have to pay in the range of $250 to $550.

Eliminate credit card debt options and strategies

Millions of individuals are deep in debt and experiencing much difficulty meeting their monthly financial obligations. Well, I can assure you that issuers of credit cards are not experiencing the financial difficulties many Americans are. As a matter of fact, take a look at the following profits earned by credit card companies: • Profits earned by credit card issuers from interest charged to consumers during the year 2006 totaled $90.1 billion. • Profits earned by credit card issuers from fees charged to credit card holders during the year 2006 totaled $55.2 billion. It’s no wonder credit card issuers earned such astronomical amounts of money; after all, if a debtor (consumer) happens to make a late payment – in many cases just by one day – they’re penalized with skyrocketing interest rates and uncalled-for late fees. This practice, which many consider the equivalent of legal loan sharking, is wreaking financial havoc on many households already struggling financially. If you’re frustrated because you’ve been charged these insane fees, it’s time to take a long hard look at your finances and decide what options are available and will best assist you in becoming free from debt. • Debt Consolidation – Debt consolidation is utilized by good intentioned individuals who want to do the right thing by paying off their credit card debt and obtaining a loan for the entire balance owed to their credit card companies. If your credit is decent, and you have sufficient equity in your home, you may qualify for a home equity loan or line of credit. This will enable you to reduce the amount of interest you pay, and you’ll only be responsible for one monthly payment, as opposed to making numerous payments to your various creditors. Most financial experts aren’t fond of debt consolidation loans due to the fact that you’re putting your home equity on the line and many people who consolidate their debt end up charging their credit cards up all over again, only to find that they owe all of their credit card companies, as well as the bank who funded their home equity loan. • Consumer Credit Counseling – This may be the right choice for you if your job is secure and you’re able to commit to a long-term payment arrangement. Consumer Credit counseling agencies will work with your creditors to negotiate reduced interest rates on your credit card accounts. You will then make one monthly payment to the consumer credit counseling firm, and they’ll in turn distribute the agreed-upon monthly payments to your various creditors. Unlike bankruptcy or debt settlement you’ll continue to be liable for paying the entire balance owed over a number of years, but as stated, if you can realistically commit to a long term payment arrangement consumer credit counseling may the path that best meets your needs. • Bankruptcy – Most individuals who resort to bankruptcy only do so because they have no choice. You see, most people want to avoid a bankruptcy filing due to the long-term consequences, as well as the fact that bankruptcy is a matter of public record. If you’re considering bankruptcy, it’s best to weigh all of your options prior to actually filing. If you find that you’re unable to obtain sufficient funding for debt consolidation or debt settlement, and you cannot realistically afford a repayment plan, be certain to hire a bankruptcy attorney with whom you’re comfortable. • Debt Settlement – Debt settlement is the process whereby individuals (or a debt settlement firm hired to represent them) negotiate with their creditors to accept less than the full balance, as payment in full. Normally creditors will agree to settle your outstanding debt for 50% or less, either in one lump sum payment, or 4-6 installment payments. Debt settlement is best used by people who simply can no longer afford to pay their monthly bills, or are reluctant to commit to a long term repayment schedule due to unforeseen circumstances. Debt settlement has assisted many individuals and business that otherwise would have had no choice but to file for bankruptcy. Prior to making a final decision regarding your path to financial freedom, be sure to educate yourself in the areas of all of your options so that you’re comfortable with your decision, and certain it is the right choice for you. If you’d like to learn more about debt settlement, click here.

Professionally written resume your future depends on it

: The only information a potention employer usually has about you as a job candidate is the information presented on a resume and in the cover letter. It is also the only information that a hiring manager may have about the other five hundred candidates. Given that there are often large numbers of candidates applying for one position, you need a resume that will stand out. Using a Professional Resume Writer A professional resume writer is familiar with the job application process, and knows how to present your information in the best possible way. A professionally written resume can definitely help your resume stand apart from the crowd. Writing a resume is a difficult and daunting task for many people, including those who have been in the workforce a number of years. For a college student with little or no work experience, the idea of writing a resume may seem like trying to do the impossible. A professional resume writer knows the types of questions to ask to learn more about your background, education, skills, and experience, and then put this information into a cohesive marketing document called a resume. Additionally, a professional resume writer has typically written hundreds or even thousands of resumes, including many for new graduates and college students. Whereas you may be unsure which information to include, a professional can determine the most appropriate information to include and how to best present it. The result? A resume that stands out! How Does it Work? Depending on the service you choose, your writer will obtain as much information as possible from you regarding your background. You will need to provide information for your college resume including work history, education, volunteer work, professional memberships, skills, abilities, and anything else that may help your resume rise to the top. Most professionals will provide you with a questionnaire to fill out, will ask you a variety of questions, or both. Some resume writers work through the Internet, some by phone, some in person, and some using a combination of these communication methods. Choosing a Professional Resume Writer When choosing a resume writer or service, look for one that uses resume writers certified in the industry or who have degrees or other, legitimate credentials in the careers field. A number of organizations certify resume writers. Some of the more respected certifications include Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Master Resume Writer (MRW), and Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW). Many career counselors and career coaches provide resume writing and additional services, such as assessments, interviewing skills, and job search strategies. Which service you choose will depend on your needs, budget, and comfort level with the organization, and method of communication. Some people enjoy the convenience of working online and through email, while others prefer the immediacy of face-to-face contact. If you want your resume to rise to the top and obtain those coveted interviews, consider using a resume writing professional. Your future is at stake!

What s the big deal over seo

Search engine optimization refers to any practice related to the end goal of improving your web site's position in the search engine 'free found listing.' The reason you want all of your web pages, or at least your most important web pages, search engine optimized zeros in on what nearly every website owner wants: More new business contacts generated from Web traffic! According to current search engine ranking requirements, keywords and content on the same page must match a particular set of criteria. Basically, this means - for example - that for every 500 words on a page, you might only be able to write the same keyword 5 or 6 times to maintain the balance required by search engines. But simply adding the keyword to the body of the page is not the only factor. The page title and description (among others) are also factors. It's obvious that every keyword you have for your site can't be positioned accurately in each relevant place on one page. Each keyword, keyword phrase, or keyword set needs its own page to effectively return web traffic to your site. Keyword stuffing is a big ouch! Repeating your keyword 30 or 40 times in the content is called keyword stuffing, and it gets your web page penalized or banned altogether from search results. It's just common sense not to engage in keyword stuffing. Limit the number of keywords on each of your web pages, and develop individual web pages for each of your most important keywords. Requirements and standards change rapidly. At this writing, if the web page is unique and if crawlers determine that the page offers viewers substantive content, it passes the first test for ranking. It goes something like this. The number of words the public sees on a page is analyzed by search engine robots to determine if there are enough words to be valuable to a web visitor who reads the page. If there are enough words on the visible part of the web page, then the robot evaluates the hidden text (called the source code). It looks for key words, descriptions, web page titles, link content and image descriptions just for starters. If the data qualifies, this invisible web page crawler then compares the overall page content with your entire website to look for a consistent theme. In other words, you can't publish a page about your cat on a site that sells chess sets without breaking the consistent theme rule. Every website must have a consistent theme weaved in and out every web page. If the web pages pass this evaluation, the robot zips on to calculate all the data in various formats. For example, are there too many keywords on the page as compared to the total number of words on the web page? A comparison of image descriptions and link content also plays a roll. Once all of the various calculations are complete - and this all happens in seconds - the calculated percent of substance is compared to all the other website pages on the Internet asking for the same keyword status. Then the robot determines web page ranking position to be displayed in the search engine 'free found listing' when that one key word is used by a web searcher. It is easy to see why search engine optimizing web pages is a complex, labor-intensive task that requires up-to-date knowledge of search engine standards and requirements, skill in applying the words to comply as closely as possible with top ranking position, and common sense so as to not go overboard (keyword stuffing a page) getting that web page penalized or banned altogether. Pages that use acceptable standards applicable for each search engine are rewarded in time with a valuable ranking. A top ranking has many benefits for your business, from visibility, free clicks and web traffic to increased sales revenue. The bottom line is to publish web pages that meet search requirements so visitors can find your page. If it is too time consuming for you to successfully optimize the content on your web site, or if your search engine ranking appears buried on page 99 of the free found listing, you may want to consider a professional SEO service provider. Start by asking an experienced search optimization writer to review 3 or 4 of your existing web pages. Listen to her suggestions and apply them. If budget is limited, engage her services to only optimize your most important web pages. Track results over the following 90 - 120 days.

How to make soap easily at home

Firstly, Let's face it, making natural soap is no easy task. Learning how to make soap is probably one of the most difficult lessons any person can try to learn. There are some key things told by this book that you need to know that no one is telling you at this time. Of course, some people will go on and tell you can do just fine without an advanced understanding of how to make soap. Thats incorrect. Just take a look at how many people who fail miserably after purchasing book after book. The biggest problem is that most books on the subject of soap making are filled with content created by ghostwriters (not someone who is currently making the book).They are filled with highly complex information which basically require you to be a brain surgeon to figure out! If you want to learn how to make soap the easy way, then following the advice given by this ebook - which does not require you to be a mastermind of any sort to figure out, should make a lot of sense to you. Some of the things you will learn include Advanced Soap Making Techniques, PH lessons and its role in skincare, List of 30 soap making oils and benefits of each, general troubleshooting, Step-by-Step Instructions on Cold-Process, Hand-Milled and M&P Soap, A Shopping Guide for Easy-to-Find Additives to Jump Start your First Batch and the list simply goes on. this really is the ultimate tutorial for making soap at home, but until now doing it yourself probably meant checking out 10 or so books from your local library and spending hours without an understanding of what to do! So at the end of the day even if you are experienced in soap making, you will benefit greatly from the secrets given by this easy to follow and comprehensive book.

Spain heaven or hell

Depending on who you listen to, Spain can be heaven on earth, or it can be the worst place imaginable to visit. Who is right? There is no doubt that Spain has many charms and can be extremely attractive as a tourist destination. It is, in fact, the third most visited country in the world (after France and the United States). The reasons are many, beginning with a climate that is reliable enough for visitors to find sun almost year round. But not everyone goes to Spain for a beach holiday. More and more people are travelling to Spain to enjoy the wonderful cultural heritage of the country: Spain has the second-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the world, after Italy. The country is dotted with castles and palaces, with snowcapped mountains, stunning sights and vibrant, modern cities. Contemporary Spanish architecture is considered to be among the best in the world… What is more, getting around in Spain to see all these things is now much easier than just a few years ago. There is an excellent network of highways, and a growing number of high-speed (AVE) train lines. A number of domestic airlines, and even a couple of international low-cost operators, offer flights between most of the major cities. So, what is the problem? Some people will tell you that the tourist destinations in Spain are overcrowded, the buildings are like beehives, you can't find a place to lay your towel on the beach, etc. Others say that Spain is an unsafe country, where you are likely to be mugged or robbed. While these criticisms have some truth in them, I think they should not put you off visiting Spain. It is true that some of the most popular tourist resorts on the Costa Brava or Costa de la Luz may be extremely crowded, but there are many other resorts where you can find peace and quiet. It is also true that the resorts are overcrowded between June and September, and if you go out of season you can enjoy all the facilities of a first-class resort without the overbearing crowds. What is more, this argument only refers to beach resorts, whereas more and more people are looking to Spain for cultural or scenic trips. It is extremely easy to get away from it all inland, in the mountains or in the countryside. Finally, the argument about Spain being unsafe is only relatively true. Spain has become much less safe than a few years ago, but unfortunately this is true of much of the developed world. When visiting Spain, you need to take the same precautions as you would in any other place - even in the major cities in your own country. All things considered, I think it's fair to say that Spain is neither a heaven or a hell, but on balance it has a lot more in favor than against.

Basic russian terms for your trip to russia

If you are planning a trip to Russia, you need to make an effort to prepare yourself. Practicing drinking vodka is a good start, but you will need to know some basic Russian terms. Basic Russian Terms for Your Trip To Russia Russia is a unique and amazing country. Having lived there for a year, I can tell you it is like nothing you will experience in Europe or anywhere else. The culture is entirely different as is the language. The language, in particular, is the first hurdle you will face. The Russian language is based on the Cyrillic Alphabet. From the sound of individual letters to their combined essence, everything is different than what you are used to. If you try to wing it, you are going to be in for big trouble. To help you out, here are some basic words and phrases you should know. The first phrase I mastered while in Russia was “ya ne gavaru puruski.” This phonetic mess can be translated to “I don’t speak Russian.” Trust me, you should learn this. I became so good at ripping it off that many people thought I actually spoke Russian, but was just being a jerk! “Privyet” is probably a familiar word. It means hello or hi and is common greeting. The phrase is pronounced easy at the beginning and hard at the end – privYET. That being said, I mumble constantly and nobody seemed to object to just about any pronunciation. “Tak” is a word used to buy time or give the impression you are thinking deeply. A Russian will often pause and say tak…tak…tak and then respond. It is the equivalent of hmmm in the English language. You can use it to sound intellectual or during negotiations over a purchase. “Nuzhnik” is one of those important phrases. It is an informal term used when trying to find a toilet. Keep in mind this is very informal, as in “where is the can?” I don’t know why, but it just stuck in my mind. Obviously, there are a few zillion different phrases of Russian you will need at some point in your trip. At least now you can you say, “Hi. I don’t speak Russian…hmmm…I need to find the can!

Secrets revealed best practices new ideas for the do it yourself diy marketer

Secrets Revealed, Best Practices & New Ideas for the do-it-yourself “DIY” marketer May 18, 2006 Volume 2.3 By: David Adar editor at EdgeMarketingTools Secrets Revealed, Best Practices & New Ideas for the do-it-yourself “DIY” marketer New generations of do-it-yourself tools are available today that remove the mystery from generating quality leads for your business. DIY Marketing Leads No business or even a not-for-profit organization can flourish without the input of quality new leads and contacts. New clients can come from referrals & natural word-of-mouth leads but to be proactive in today's eCommerce fast pace data environment time is measured in quantum leaps that make dog years seem like snail-scale. DIY Marketing Results Any good marketing team must have a toolbox with a suite of tools that mines the Internet for hard-core results. Data mining today is what the Klondike was to the gold rush. Google alone does not sufficiently serve the requirements of today's data miners. What good are 565,000 search results when what you need are 300 new email addresses that are current, tested to work today, along with their associated url web page addresses so that your team can review & select the most relevant hot prospects for today's marketing campaign. This article outlines for you a step-by-step procedure for getting a 2006 data miner's results as compared to the old style online research dating back to dog-years ago. DIY – EDGE Style Marketing Procedures 1. Carefully select a few (not too many) key words or phrases that will result in your main target of interest for your current data mining effort or campaign. 2. Enter these into your web data miner of choice. Any good web crawler, harvester or spider should get you good results. 3. Export the resulting list to CSV (a comma delimited spreadsheet file) as well as to simple text (file. txt) for various later uses. 4. Review your list of saved email addresses or whatever data you are mining for. Clean up the list & begin working with your newest contacts & leads. 5. Its a good idea to run the new list through a Verifier that checks the DNS of each email & pings the address to discover if the address is currently valid. Many addresses expire & are still published on live web sites. The same verifier program will let you eliminate duplicates, merge lists, & do various other cleanup functions. 6. You are ready to launch into your business development 2006-web-data-mining Edge-style. Tech marketing gurus and builders of "Do It Yourself" marketing software understand the need for generating new leads from the Internet. Many web marketers offer full FREE trials of their program modules. At EdgeMarketingTools visitors can find the most effective introduction to “DIY” marketing with easy ways of obtaining quality leads from the web. This style of software will lessen the burden DIY marketers face when mining the web for potential prospects & new clients. Any time spent testing these free downloads is well invested in your business. Visit each week for the next article in this series where other mysterious aspects of Web Data Mining and Internet Marketing will be explored & demystified. The author, as a professional analyst & systems developer, has been using data mining tools for years of every variety and stripe. This article is part of a series of weekly articles published by EdgeMarketingTools. Volume2.issue3 All rights reserved. Copyright, 2006 David Adar, EdgeMarketingTools Permission is granted for republishing this article online within fair limits as long as the article is published in its entirety including the signature & links. Please observe this good business practice for reciprocal benefits. You are welcome to contact info@EdgeMarketingTools for reciprocal marketing linkage.

Scuba diving and snorkeling vacation in hawaii

Millions of vacation tourists visit Hawaii every year. Most of them came to explore the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and volcanoes while some came with the intention to scuba dive in the tropical seas and to explore Hawaii's magnificent underwater world. According to Rodale's scuba diver magazine, Hawaii is one of the world's top ten diving destination for scuba divers. Hawaii's marine life is very diverse so much so that there are more than a hundred endemic species found no where else on earth. You can explore Hawaii's myriads of underwater caverns, reefs, drop off walls, canyons, gulleys and swim with turtles and seals in clear crystal waters. If you are not a scuba diver, you can take scuba diving lessons and then can plunge into Hawaii's beautiful seas almost immediately. If you want to go scuba diving, it is best to go in the morning as strong winds often rough up the sea in the afternoons. This is especially so on the island of Maui and that is the reason why dive operators often take divers out to sea early in the morning and terminate the dives around noon or early afternoons. One of the big attractions in Hawaii is snorkeling. Almost anyone can go snorkeling since all you need is a face mask, a snorkel tube and a pair of swimming fins. If you have never snorkeled before, most resorts and dive operators can give you snorkelling lessons and rent you snorkeling gear. However, if you can swim, you really do not need any formal training as snorkeling is quite easy. The most popular spot for snorkeling in Hawaii, especially for the beginner is the Hanauma Bay, on the island of Oahu. Other popular snorkeling sites in Hawaii are the Kee Beach on Kauai island, Hulopoe Bay in Lanai, Kahaluu Beach on the Big island and Kapalua Bay on Maui. Although great snorkeling can be gotten at all the islands in Hawaii, snorkeling and scuba diving on the Big Island is recommended because of its volcanic activities and lava formation resulting from that. There are magnificent and spectacular drop offs with awesome underwater scenery to watch and admire. Some of the great snorkeling locations there are Molokini Crater and the Kealakekua Bay. Whether you are snorkelling or scuba diving in Hawaii or anywhere else, always snorkel or dive with a buddy for safety reason and companion sake. Do look up now and then to check that you are not getting carried away by drift current too far away from shore and also to check for boat traffic. Do not touch anything as some corals and sea creatures in Hawaii can pack very painful and venomous stings.

Exercise management

Exercise is vital to shedding excess weight and keeping it off. The body was meant to be active, and that is often a challenge in todayХs often-sedentary lifestyles. White collar workers, security workers, and drivers make up a large part of the workforce, and get very little exercise daily. Especially if you fit into this category, a concerted effort must be made in order to ensure that an exercise regimen is followed that will afford you a level of activity that will provide the amount of activity you need to stay healthy and avoid obesity. People often dread exercise, projecting a grueling task that will leave them without energy and with sore muscles. This does not have to be and should not be the case. It is not necessary to employ a vigorous workout in order to have an effective exercise plan. Any regular exercise plan that is cardiovascular, raising the heart rate for at least a half hour straight, will do wonders for your body. Simply taking a walk, starting slow, then working your way up to power walking, is an excellent method of exercise. If your time is limited, or you live in a location where weather may impede your workout schedule, you may want to invest in a treadmill so that you can work out daily without interruption. Riding a bike, whether a regular bike or a stationary one, can be equally as effective. Again, you may want to employ both options to add variety, yet to make sure that weather does not impede you from your daily routine. Skipping days becomes addictive, and before you know it weeks begin to compile where you have not worked out, so avoid the trap. In Ayurveda, walking is also highly recommended. Additionally, simple movement exercises are employed. If you have the time, seek a yoga class in your area. Styles of yoga can range from mild to vigorous, and provide conscious movement as suggested in Ayurveda. Such conscious movement is vital to conquering obesity. If you have children that are not active, whether they are obese or not, you should definitely engage them in some sort of physical activity on a daily basis. Growing the habit of activity is key in avoiding obesity later in life, and controlling it during youth. Sedentary lifestyles brought on by modern phenomena of excess television watching, consuming fast and packaged foods, and playing video games are causing marked increases in obesity amongst children. Be aware of your childrenХs lifestyle and promote activity amongst them. Encourage them to engage in activities away from the television for a couple of hours a day, preferably engaged in an organized physical activity. It is a habit that they will often take with them into adulthood and benefit from for a lifetime.

Discover possibilities with your discover credit card

You want that shiny silver laptop badly. In fact, you'd happily give a finger just to be able to make your reports on that laptop. So, what keeps you from strolling into the shop and walking away with the laptop of your dreams? It's money, or the lack thereof. Do not lose hope, however. Penniless does not mean hopeless, not when a Discover credit card application is only one mouse click away. Discover Discover Discover credit cards are unique because not only do they give you credit; they let you earn rewards as well. Discover credit cards offer 1% to 5% cash back on purchases. This means you earn rebates each time you make a purchase. It's almost like getting paid to shop! Don't get too excited, though. You have to be aware that your credit card interest increases with each purchase, so hold your horses before you clear out the shelves. Remember, the more you swipe, the more you have to pay. Still, the cash back incentive is a very strong inducement to shop, especially if you intend to pay off your full balance each month. You get lots of rewards, such as discounts on products and services from partner establishments, accident insurance, and even frequent flyer miles. Moreover, with cash rebates, it's almost like the credit card company itself is paying for part of your purchases. Discover credit cards also provide excellent customer service, so you know you will always be taken care of. These are only some of the reasons many people are hurriedly filling out their Discover credit card applications. The first thing you need to do to get your Discover credit card application adventure rolling is to choose the right Discover credit card for you. Discover offers a variety of credit cards for all personalities, from the businessman starting a company to a regular employee with a promising career that's about to take off, or even a student struggling with student loans. Take the time to study your options. Choosing a Discover plastic is like most beautiful love stories. You'll know you've found your match when you see it. Once you've found the Discover credit card of your dreams, grab a pen and start filling out that Discover credit card application form! They Come in All Forms But wait, do you have one already? Discover credit card applications often miraculously appear in your mailbox. Sometimes, it almost seems as if Discover personnel have radar to track those who want to buy laptops and shoes. If they somehow missed you, however, you can always head out to your nearest bank to fill out a form. That way, you'll have a friendly banker helping you fill out those blanks and tick on those boxes. If you can't be bothered to make a trip downtown, however, simply go online. All you have to do is fill out an online form. Your Discover credit card application can be processed straight away. Prove Your Worth Discover credit card application is no different from other financial transactions. You will always be asked to present documents. So, along with your Discover credit card application, be prepared to present pay stubs, income tax returns, bank statements, or any proof of income. It's also possible that you'll be asked to present billing statements. It's easy to get a Discover credit card. All that stands between you and that laptop is a Discover credit card application.

Family travel to phoenix arizona

: One of America’s top outdoor destinations and the country's fifth largest city, it is not an accident that Phoenix is home to several of the best destination resorts located in the United States. Explore desert parks and lakes, tour archaeology ruins and historic gold mining towns, or visit one of the many the museums and state-of-the-art sporting facilities. From Surprise to Apache Junction, the twenty distinct communities that make up the greater Phoenix area offer visitors everything from the slow-paced rural southwest to a bustling college atmosphere. Whether your interest is sports or archaeology, history or hiking, biking, horseback riding, or bird watching Phoenix offers something for everyone not wanting to venture beyond the Valley of the Sun. Enjoy hiking, biking and horseback riding at the many area parks such as South Mountain, McDowell or Papago. And if quintessential southwest is your goal, explore Hohokam Indian ruins and participate in a simulated excavation at the Deer Valley Rock Art Center or pan for gold and tour a gold mine in Goldfield Ghost Town. On the chance that it does rain or the kids simply need a break from the great outdoors, take advantage of Valley’s cultural side. Children of all ages will enjoy exploring a re-created Zuni Pueblo and participating in hands-on activities at the Heard Museum, discovering science and technology at the Arizona Science Center, or taking in a performance at one of the children’s theaters, Childsplay or Valley Youth Theatre. While you will need to do a fair bit of planning if you intend to take advantage of the many activities unique to Phoenix, there is no need to venture very far. Many child-friendly activities are less than an hour’s drive from anywhere in the Valley. So if you are looking to escape the bitter cold of winter or an overcast rainy spring, plan a trip to Phoenix and once you've pulled your kids away from the numerous activities offered at your destination resort, explore a few of the many fun things to see and do in the Valley of the Sun. Getting there The Sky Harbor International Airport is conveniently located in the heart of Phoenix. Direct flights to/from most U. S. locations. International flights to London (UK) and several cities in Canada and Mexico. Getting around Your mode of transportation will greatly influence your options. While shuttle services will get you to and from your hotel and public transport will get you around downtown, families wishing to venture beyond their resort should consider renting a car. A light rail system is scheduled to begin operation in 2009. When to travel The best time to visit is from November to April. Health & safety Car seats are required for children weighing 40 pounds or less. Booster seats are required for children under the age of 8 or less than 4 feet 9 inches (144 cm) tall. Children under 12 should sit in the back seat and buckle up. Things to keep in mind Distance! The greater metropolitan area covers nearly 2000 square miles. Copyright © more2explore S. r.l. All rights reserved.

High risk auto loans

It is one of the things people need the most, a car. Without a car your whole world stops and you are at the mercy of friends or public transportation. So what if you need a car but your credit is bad? Is this where you stop and give up hope? The answer is no, even those with bad credit can obtain transportation. There are many lenders to choose from when trying to find someone to finance a car when your credit is bad; the key to finding them is research. The name of those who will lend you money for a vehicle even though your credit is bad is high risk auto lenders. They usually require more information than traditional lenders and they usually sport higher interest rates but in the end they will loan you that money for a vehicle. It is usually easier to purchase a newer vehicle with a high risk auto loan because the lender wants the vehicle to be worth the chance they take. If the vehicle is newer the resell value on it is higher and thus the risk is lower. So not only are your chances good that you may walk away with a vehicle but probably a better one then you originally thought. One of the things to consider when taking out a high risk auto loan is that the interest rate will be higher then a bank loan. This is the price the consumer pays for the loan company taking a chance on them. Sometimes interest can be as high as 29 or 30 percent which drives the payments up as well, but once again it is a high risk loan and this is one of the “catches” to having to take one out. Another issue for those who are taking out a high risk auto loan face is having to make higher down payments. Again this just ensures the loan company that you are fully invested in the purchase of the car. Of course a higher down payment will also lower your regular payments to some degree too so it may not be such a bad idea after all. So anyone can purchase a vehicle no matter what their credit, it is just a matter of doing the research to find the right loan for you.

Surgical methods for correcting puffy nipples

Having puffy nipples is a trait which is commonly associated with the female physique, and men who have them are usually embarrassed at their condition. Although this is a common occurrence at puberty, many retain them into adulthood, and some even develop man boobs or gynecomastia. While the condition can be quite discomfiting, it is relatively harmless it is superficial in nature, and is usually brought about by lifestyle or hormonal causes. Gynecomastia is a condition of excessive fat buildup on the male chest area, resulting in breasts and nipples which are notably feminine in appearance. It occurs to more than half of all adolescent boys, and to over thirty percent of adult men. Although the breast swollenness is harmless, its appearance can look anything from a slight protrusion to a full female-breast semblance. Puffy nipples can happen alongside or in spite of the swollenness, but it can be corrected with surgery. The usual causes of gynecomastia include a reduced testosterone production, the intake of hormones like estrogens and androgens, prescriptions (like eplerenone and phenytoin), and in some cases, physical conditions like liver and kidney conditions, and genetic abnormalities. Whether gynecomastia surgery is intended to reduce the prominence of the nipples or to correct man boobs, sculpting the entire chest area is necessary in order to achieve proportionality and a more pleasing aesthetic. To correct the prominence of the nipples, two kinds of tissues are removed during the surgery: the fat deposits which rest behind the nipples, or the inflated glandular tissue. The surgeon will either remove the fat deposits through liposuction or remove the gland with a scalpel; he may also employ both techniques if the condition is caused by both types of tissues. It is a minor surgery with minimal incision; the entry cut is made around the areola of the nipple, and the scar resulting from it is practically invisible, being concealed by the areolas dark pigmentation. The correction of puffy nipples through gynecomastia surgery can be as brief as two hours, and the recovery period usually lasts for only two days. Once the patient recovers from bed rest, he is made to wear a special garment (a compression vest) in order to guard the incisions, reduce breast inflammation, and to protect the stitches from undue pressure. The vest is hardly noticeable beneath normal clothing, and may even have the appearance of a body shaper. The cost for having gynecomastia differs, and is dependent on the surgeons proficiency, area of operation, and specialty. Those who specialize in male plastic surgery will require lower fees than those who are into general plastic surgery, and a surgeon who is relatively inexperienced with the procedure will also charge for less. It is thus important that the patient considers the surgeons experience and skill when choosing to have gynecomastia, the surgeon should be able to provide a portfolio of previous patients who have undergone the procedure, and it must include photos of the improvement for up to a few months after surgery. The final scars should hardly be noticeable, and the chest region should be sculpted proportionately the results should matter, and cost should only be a secondary factor in selecting a surgeon.

Home business wreath making

So you enjoy making wreaths and have decided to go into business for yourself. Congratulations, that sounds like a positive idea and hopefully will be a profitable one. First, however, you will want to make your business plans so that your start up won’t also be your shut down. You will want first of all to make sure of your work space. Do you have an area that can be dedicated specifically to wreath making? Making wreaths in front of the TV is one thing when it’s a hobby/craft project but are you, and other family members, going to be willing for this space to be dedicated full time to wreath making? If not, do you have another place in your home that can be used as your place of business, perhaps a little used guest room or a part of the basement could be dedicated to this. Once you have your work area secured, what about a storage area for finished wreaths and for materials? There may be times when you will want to temporarily store some of your wreaths until an order is completed. For some wreaths, this will call for a cold or cool area where they can be properly maintained. Also, buying materials in bulk at bargain rates is a bonus, but you’ll need to be able to store the materials properly. Designing and printing up a brochure and some business cards is a good idea also. Not all potential customers will be able to talk with you immediately, but having a business card and brochure to leave will give them the opportunity to check over your product a little more closely on their own. You will also need a name for your business. You will need something to put on those brochures and business cards. A product display unit is nice also. Making a photo album of your wreaths will enable you to show potential customers something of your work without trying to carry a lot of it around with you. You might want to talk with the bank also and find out about setting up a business checking account. Many wholesalers insist that customers must use business checks in order to prove that they are a legitimate business. You will need a bookkeeping system also so that you can keep track of how much you are taking in and paying out. Also, when tax time comes, and it will, this will be a big asset to you and may just help you in making sure that you are remembering everything. Also, you may be able to deduct a certain percentage of your household expenses as business expenses if your business is being run from your home. This also includes gas and wear and tear on your vehicle. Lastly, you will need a sales book and pen. Go out and get orders, don’t take more than you can fill, and don’t forget to enjoy yourself. Congratulations on your new business.

Jacksonville beach restaurants succumb to multi family housing boom

Just over a month after the First Street Grill’s final New Years Eve bash, another popular eatery on the Intracoastal Waterway closes its doors for the last time. The Lighthouse Grill, located at the San Pablo River bridge on Beach Blvd. has been sold to Chase Properties, Inc., whose plan is to offer multifamily housing with Intracoastal access on the 2.4 acre waterfront site. The new development, called Lighthouse Point, will consist of 37 townhouses designed in a West Indies tradition, and will sell from $650,000 to 1.5 million. Residents will also have the opportunity to own a boat slip on the property. After denying a proposal to construct an 80’ high, 94 unit condominium on the property two years ago, the city of Jacksonville Beach approved this project as the buildings fall under the cities 35 foot height limit, a restriction passed overwhelmingly by voters in the 2004 election that has until now been seldom enforced. The trend in Jacksonville Beach has been for developers to buy up large parcels of land, tear down the existing structures, and put up 7 to 10 story condominiums. As a result, many of the popular restaurants and night spots that helped define the character of Jacksonville Beach have disappeared. The most recent casualty was the First Street Grille, an oceanfront eatery and gathering place at 7th Ave. North. First Street Grille closed on January 1st after hosting a huge new year’s party attended by many local patrons of the establishment. First Street Grille will be fondly remembered for its excellent Florida cuisine, it’s popular happy hours, and for the dancing behind the dunes to the tunes of live oldies bands. A circuit judge ruled in October that the developer who owned the property, Lee Underwood, had vested rights in the parcel because his decision to purchase the land was based on the government’s position about the properties present and future status. A similar case was decided on January 9th, allowing developer Scott Gay the go ahead for a 10 story condominium at 10th Ave and 1st Street. Several other property rights cases are currently pending in the courts. Arising from the dust of the First Street Grille will be the Acquilus III, a seven story oceanfront condominium. Underwood also owns the property across the street on which the Dolphin Depot is located. An old two story beach house that was transformed into a restaurant, the Dolphin Depot is a popular upscale dining establishment with a very creative menu. According to the same judge that ruled on the First Street Grille property, the rights for this parcel are not vested. Nevertheless, one could safely assume that the Dolphin Depots days are also numbered. In early 2004, a proposal to develop Beach Marine, the public marina across the street from the Lighthouse Grill, into a 550 unit condominium resort and private yacht club was soundly defeated by city council. As a result spawned the group Beaches Watch, a collection of Jacksonville Beach citizens that began the citizen’s initiative, a referendum requiring a city wide height limit of 35 feet on all new construction. The city council proposed a similar amendment, but would allow high rise construction on the oceanfront only. In November, the citizens initiative won by an overwhelming majority of over 70%. High rise construction and development in general has by no means slowed in Jacksonville Beach since the vote. Seven to ten story condominiums are presently being erected from 3rd to 1st Streets as investors continue to win their vested property rights in the courts. While Jacksonville Beach is quickly becoming a world class destination, many of the locals will have to find alternative places to meet and hang out, perhaps going north out of the city to Atlantic and Neptune Beach where the casual ambience and beaches lifestyle does not seem to be threatened.

There s help for asthma in yoga

: Perhaps it was predestined that I should have had asthma as a kid, discover Yoga as an adult, correct my respiratory health with it and now be blessed to write about my experiences with using Yoga (amongst other things) to control my asthma symptoms. If this is the case, then I am honored. Either way it goes, I can say with much confidence that based on my experiences, one helpful exercise for alleviating Asthma symptoms and dealing with its many inconveniences is Yoga. Owing to its gentle poses and stretches and the deep breathing involved in Yoga, certain poses-when used correctly-can be very helpful for smoothening the chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (airways) that causes swelling and narrowing (constriction) of the airways as is the case in Asthma patients. Furthermore, when using Yoga as an exercise for asthma control, one need not worry about the common exercise-induced asthma attacks that may come as a result of vigorous activity as these poses are very calm and involve very little motion…hey, it’s Yoga after all. Now, friends, based on my experiences and several studies that support these facts, the following poses can be a powerful add-on therapy to reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks as well as to decrease medication use. The Shoulder Stand & It’s Counter Poses for Asthma. Inversion poses in yoga drain excess mucus from the lungs and balance the immune system. Now, let me introduce you to perhaps the simplest of these poses, the shoulder stand pose. Although the Shoulder-Stand has been coined by several Yoga sages as a near panacea or cure-all, as far as Asthma is concerned, it is indeed very helpful in regards to relieving excess encumbrances in the respiratory organs and owing to its deep breathing, it increases the lung’s airflow, capacity, stamina and efficiency. Here comes the best part, its counter poses. You see, some yoga poses, owing to the execution of them that is, have to be offset by a pose in an opposite spinal direction (another subject, but hopefully you get the gist). Now friends, this Shoulder-stand pose has 2 main counter-poses: the Bridge and the Fish Poses. (No worries they are very simple to perform.) Both of these poses are back bending postures that open up the chest improving both lung and heart functioning. As a matter of fact, the very last pose (the fish pose) is one of the specific poses mentioned by Sri Swami Devananda and IBS Iyengar (two of the most authoritative figures in modern day yoga) as being specifically useful for removing spasms from the bronchial tubes and thus relieving Asthma. Other Helpful Poses: There are other poses such as the forward bends which you can practice specifically if it is more difficult to inhale. These include the Head-knee Pose (Passchimothanasa) and it basically involves grabbing your toes, ankles or feet with the head lowered as far as possible to touch the knees. Now, friends, remember I mentioned counter-poses right? Well, for this particular pose, its counter-poses basically are backward bending poses that include the Incline Pose and Bow Pose. Both of these (especially the latter) open up the chest and should be practiced to aid with exhaling during asthma attacks. Last, but not least is the simple, yet extremely effective Relaxation Pose. Yes, you guessed it right, just simply lie flat on your back and breathe in a controlled and rhythmic pattern. By practicing rhythmic, controlled breathing techniques daily, the respiratory muscles and lungs develop the ability to breathe more slowly all the time, meaning less stress on the airways in general. In addition to these poses, let me briefly mention the ‘Bellow’s breath exercise’ (a yoga breathing exercise) as this helps tremendously. As the name may suggest, it involves purposely pumping the stomach in an inward motion and exhaling through the nose simultaneously in controlled movements. This removes spasms and tones up the respiratory system significantly. At this point, it must be mentioned that Yoga does call for a healthy diet in its use and as a physical and spiritual system; it does call for a mostly vegetarian diet. Friends, for asthma problems, you may want to strongly consider this as giving up all processed foods and animal products such as meat, milk, eggs and the like from your diet is a must and a fact that has been in effect in several programs aimed at correcting respiratory health such as the "Breath Retaining Program For Asthmatics" developed by the Russian, Dr. Buteyko. Within weeks of adhering to this advice, many a chronic asthmatic has been able to give up the use of ventolin inhalers. So the next time asthma sends you to the doctor, you may do well to ask for a new prescription for asthma treatment-Yoga. I believe it won’t hurt and possibly could help you immensely.

Maintain your family s style between salon visits

Tired of dragging the whole family into the salon for high-priced haircuts? You have to round up the kids, pile them into the car - and then make sure they don't destroy all of the magazines as they await their turns with the stylists. What if you could keep their hairstyles looking "salon fresh" between visits? It's easier than you might think. Have everyone in your family follow these simple guidelines to extend the interval between salon visits. * Shampoo with cool or warm water. Shampooing with hot water can strip hair of natural oils, leaving you with a dry scalp. Massage and evenly distribute just a quarter-size amount of shampoo into hair, then rinse. And never shampoo twice unless your scalp is oily. * Condition. Hair needs moisture, just like skin does, but your scalp only needs conditioning if it's dry. So apply just a small amount of conditioner from the middle of the hair shaft to the ends. Leave the conditioner on for a few seconds, then rinse thoroughly. * Detangle. Use your fingers or a comb to detangle hair; a wide-tooth comb works best. Start from the ends and work up to get knots out a few inches at a time. Never brush hair until it is dry. * Cut it yourself. You can save money and time - and maintain your family members' freshly groomed styles - by trimming hair at home. A new tool from Wahl Clipper Corp., a leading manufacturer of professional beauty products, is helping consumers overcome their fears of making hair-cutting mistakes. It's called the Comb'n Cut, and those who use it are doubling the amount of time they're able to wait between hair appointments. The blade's "mistake free" technology is suitable for blending, tapering and shaping hair.

Disaster recovery more than meets the eye

As the Vice President of Operations for an online retailer of contact lenses, I am used to the potential problems related to doing business on the World Wide Web. Like any other online retailer, we have a responsibility to our customers to maintain their personal and payment information with the strictest of confidence and within regulatory guidelines mandated by our government. Security is a top priority, as it should be for any business who, by the very nature of the marketplace, exposes itself to the potential hazards of doing business in cyberspace. With so many opportunities for things to go wrong, businesses such as mine must take a proactive approach to avoid falling victim to an ever-increasing variety of threats. Recently, a virus infiltrated our system through a disk brought in by an employee. It worked it's way onto our database in no time at all, and the potential for serious restriction of our ability to maintain functional operational status was obvious. While we have administrative and IT security safeguards to protect us from things of this nature, our precautions were inadequate to avoid this particular problem. Luckily, we had instituted a disaster recovery plan some years earlier that allowed us to rid our databanks of the virus without any loss of data, even the data collected on the day in question. For me, this was an eye opening event. My previous thoughts on disaster recovery were limited to external events that might pose a potential risk. Despite all our efforts to the contrary, we were exposed and vulnerable. It wasn't the things that we worked on daily to maintain security that protected our company, but a plan of action conceived years earlier that had all but been forgotten. I now realize that there is so much more to disaster recovery than I previously thought. We were lucky in this instance, but now I can't help but think of what might have happened had we not been prepared.

42 What is price earnings ratio

42 What is price/earnings ratio The price/earning (P/E) ratio is another measurement that's of particular interest to investors in public businesses. The P/E ratio gives you an idea of how much you're paying in the current price for stock shares for each dollar of earning. Earnings prop up the market value of stock shares, not the book value of the stock shares that's reported in the balance sheet. The P/E ratio is a reality check on just how high the current market price is in relation to the underlying profit that the business is earning. Extraordinarily high P/E ratios are justified only when investors think that the company's earnings per share (EPS) has a lot of upside potential in the future. The P/E ratio is calculated dividing the current market price of the stock by the most recent trailing 12 months diluted EPS. Stock share prices bounce around day to day and are subject to big changes on short notice. The current P/E ratio should be compared with the average stock market P/E to gauge whether the business selling above or below the market average. P/E ratios are currently running high, despite a four-year slump in the stock market. P/E ratios vary from industry to industry and from year to year. One dollar of EPS may command only a $10 market value for a mature business in a no-growth industry, while a dollar of EPS in a dynamic business in a growth industry may have a $30 market value per dollar of earnings, or net income. To sum up, the price/earnings ratio, or P/E ratio is the current market price of a capital stock divided by its trailing 12 months' diluted earnings per share (EPS) or its basic earnings per share if the business does not report diluted EPS. A low P/E may signal an underbalued stock or a pessimistic forecast by investors. A high P/E may reveal an overvalued stock or might be based on an optimistic forecast by investors.

Career a self help guide

Could you hope to live without a career all life despite inheriting a legacy? Career is not just about living out of inherited money, nor is it limited to earning livelihood. Holistically speaking it is the progression of ones working or professional life. Career indeed means a lot these days. Nowadays, parents start grooming their children from the day one she starts her education, guide and help their children choose their career. Choosing and Making a Career To some, choosing a career is as simple as a ready to eat preparation served in a silver bowl, because their career is inherited through legacy. Still they don’t spare a stone unturned in their efforts to just pursue it and make successful careers. For example, Henry Ford, who is the third generation person to carry on the legacy of his parents successfully, has toiled hard to expand the empire beyond the Atlantic Ocean. Students should start thinking about their careers while in High School. Career exploring in various fields such as Accountancy, Finance, Law, Engineering and Medical, Business Management etc should be given a serious thought while they are still in College level. Well planning and choosing the appropriate line of study will definitely get you a good pick of your own choice. Career Counselors prove beneficial in personal development and if you need them to, they can double up as career coaches who guide you in choosing your career. They assess your scope of interest, ability, your personality and style of working and accordingly, help you choose your career. Career development Did you know choosing a career is much easier rather than developing it? Landing a suitable job may take less than a year but making a career is for the rest of your working life. Once you land up at your chosen career, you must try to manage it carefully by gaining deeper knowledge and skills, working ethically and with integrity, and climb the ladder of success, to achieve your goals by rising to a higher level or position in that organization. Slightest initial complacency would mean a longer stay at the same level for a long time, develop leadership qualities within and rise to higher level. Work conditions and ethics permit that you can have multiple careers to explore your capabilities. Be good at decision-making and this will be the step forward to boost your career. Never give up hope, as the saying goes `In every difficulty lies an opportunity’.

Low budget filmmakers must do everything required

So you say you have a burning desire to make a movie and you will do what ever it takes to get the job done? You fancy yourself and “independent” type and you want to reflect that in your art? Well, you better know what it takes before you decide to launch yourself into the world of independent filmmaking. If you do not know, your project may never see the light of day, or more importantly the light of a movie screen. Making a low budget or “independent” film is a double edged sword. On the one side you have the freedom to express your art without corporate considerations, but on the other side you have the daunting task of doing almost every job yourself. From writing, producing, directing, and acting to providing travel arrangements, applying make-up, and fixing broken equipment, you cover the broad spectrum of chores and responsibilities. And that does not even cover the other responsibilities such as providing meals for everyone, rehearsals, etc… All you have to do is look at the long list of credits at the end of any movie in the theaters and you can see how much work it takes to make a motion picture. While in the midst of making my last film Mike And The Magic Lamp I almost started to doubt whether I would ever finish it. I had been working on this movie for about two years straight doing every aspect of the film myself when I suddenly started to run out of energy. The continuous filming that I was doing combined with a heavy work schedule at my real job (Stage Manager of TV shows in Hollywood) was starting to get to me. I would have to prepare everything before a film shoot, and then do just about everything during the film shoots. Once in a while I would have a loyal friend help me with the awesome responsibilities of carrying equipment, setting it up, and then tearing everything down and putting it away each day, but you can only ask them to do so much if you are not paying them. At one point during the filming of M&TML I passed out, fell off my director’s chair and hit my head on the corner of the set. I was mentally and physically exhausted while only halfway through the filmmaking process. The problem was that I was not yet creatively exhausted. The burning desire to make a movie and enter it in all the major film festivals was still alive, but the vessel (my body) that allows me to create was in need of a little R&R. I would take a day off here and there but it was always hard to rest when you have that little creative voice in your head bugging you to get your film finished so the world can enjoy your art. I was very lucky that I only suffered a minor head injury from that accident. I finally finished the film Mike And The Magic Lamp after four long years of endless work that nearly put me in the hospital from exhaustion. The film went on to win the Silver Award at the Houston Worldfest in 1998 along with several other awards that year at major film festivals like the Santa Clarita International Film Festival. That film gave me recognition as an Independent Filmmaker and inspired me to pursue the path of making films on my own terms. I pushed myself to the limits mentally and physically to get my movies made in the beginning of my career and it was just the springboard that I needed to get launched into the world of independent filmmaking. I may have doubted my body’s ability to keep up with my creative drive, but I some how managed to strike an agreement between the two and get my films finished. Before you take on the daunting task of making a movie almost completely by yourself, you have to ask yourself one thing; AM I REALLY COMMITTED to this idea? If you are not, then I suggest you find another outlet for your creativity. If you are committed, then pursue it with everything you have inside, but make sure you realize that your creative drive cares nothing about your health. Copyright 2006. Michael P. Connelly makeindependentfilms

Bringing up bright and happy children with autism

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you that parenting a child is the most difficult task they’ve ever encountered. They’ll also tell you it’s the most rewarding. Parenting a child with autism, however, can be a little more stressful. It can also be just as rewarding. The key to bringing up bright and happy children with Autism is to love and nurture them, as you would any child. Once your child has been diagnosed with autism, you may at first go through a typical sort of panic mode. One of the first things you may want to do is set up counseling for yourself to help you deal with any negative feelings you are having about your child. This can help you in this overwhelming time. You may also want to do some research on your own regarding Autism, as it will help you to understand what you may expect with your child. When you start researching, you’ll, of course, want to start with your child’s pediatrician. They can certainly help to point you in the right direction. There also may be support groups in your area and you’ll find that parents of children with autism can help you deal with this initial period, as well as being a great source for information. When you are choosing a program for your child with autism, you’ll want to seek the advice from professionals, such as your pediatrician and other autism professionals. Research the program to make sure it will deal with all aspects of autism, as well as make sure they are qualified to assist your child. Once you’ve come to terms with your child being diagnosed with autism, there are certain things you’ll need to take care of in the home. You want to bring your autistic child up in a home that is safe, as well as comfortable for your child. One of the first things you should do is a safety check. For example, if you worry because your child likes to sneak outside, you may want to install security locks on the doors. Make sure, however, the child can get out in case of an emergency. You may also want to consider fencing in the yard where your child can play safely. Some autistic children are very sensitive to touch and even bathing them becomes a struggle. You want your child to be clean however, you also want them to be happy. If this means foregoing a daily bath for one every other day, then by all means, do it. You can also help them to overcome their sensitivity to water by scheduling regular playtimes in water, such as playing with lawn sprinklers and squirt guns. You can make it a fun time and they may come to enjoy bathing. Most importantly, provide your child with activities at home, as well as outside the home. They may not want to participate in all of them, but it is important for your child to be treated as if they are included. Don’t leave your child home when going out for dinner. Take your autistic child with you and just make sure you go to a family type restaurant so if your child does misbehave in public, it is not such a big deal. Provide your child with an environment filled with different colors and textures. This will help to keep their attention on certain activities and if you provide them with the opportunity for social interaction, this can certainly help them in the long run. Most importantly, however, provide your child with love. Even if your autistic child does not like to be touched, there are other things you can do to let them know you love them. Talking with your child, even when you don’t feel they are listening is important to their development. Tell them how much you love them, whether they respond in turn or not. A child that is loved will feel this love, even if they have autism.

The russian bride and her uniqueness

: Your first letter So, you are creating your dating profile. It's very important to mention your REAL height, weight, marital status, your age, education and occupation; consider adding some photos to your profile. In your very first letter to the Russian bride you can write everything you think worth mentioning in the first letter to a stranger – this can be your life position, some aims and hopes, your interests, a description of person that your are looking for. Remember one thing – it not usual in Russia to call a woman 'dear', 'love', 'sweet' in the first letter. She may think you are insincere or too emotional. You should avoid official style, just be yourself. What things to discuss Never be afraid of expressing your feelings and thoughts: the Russian woman is naturally very sensitive and emotional. Ask questions and answer hers in return. Your questions might be like following: What kind of a man would you like to see near you? What is more important for you: family or business career? Ask how she spent last week and tell her what you did all this time. Write about everything you find interesting. Ask her advice on this or that matter or difficult situation in your life, share your plans for the future with her. It would logical to wonder about how long the acquaintance by correspondence should last. In this matter you should retain the sense of proportion. On the one hand, long correspondence makes an opportunity to know each other better. On the other hand, Russian women don't like inert men and will find long correspondence a great nuisance. Therefore you have to pick the crucial moment of transition to personal meeting intuitively. Then you should decide where your first date will take place - in her country, in your country or in any other country. On the one hand, it's more comfortable for you to have a meeting in your country – you'll feel yourself a master of the situation but for your beloved one it can be difficult to be in the unknown place and and that can embarrass her. Meeting in her country may seem like a better idea – she is at home and this fact will help her to be herself while your meetings. But the more fair variant is to meet in any other country – there both of you are in the same conditions. Russian bride and her Love Due to the reality of the Russian life (the wars and totalitarian regime) the awareness of the of the submissive role of women and to the fact the number of women in the country has always been considerably larger than that of men; this definitely can be the reason for this self-sacrifice and artificially lowered requirements. Since then the demographic situation didn't changed. In their love Russian women often trust their hearts, not logical thinking. One may be a tall, handsome and wealthy fellow and still fail to attract a Russian woman's attention; the other one may be crazy about her and still fail to arouse a response in her. It does not mean she needs a man with physical or spiritual shortcomings. The thing is that she must fall in love with You and Only You and then you may count on all-conquering forgiveness and on absolute devotion. Usually Russian woman does not expect to profit by her love, she is genuinely selfless, and she often sacrifices her career and her interests because of her family interests and needs. Devotion determines to a great extent the behavior of a Russian bride in love. For most Russian women the words of the church wedding rite 'I vow to stay with my husband in grief and joy until death separates us', are still the matter of current significance. Russian lady and her husband A married Russian woman has her life values arranged like this: children - husband - relatives - her home - her job. As you can see, husband plays one of the predominant roles in her life. Always he is a regular sexual partner. A Russian women nowadays, especially those over 25-30 years old, has certain problems with finding a man to establish permanent sexual relations with. So, the husband is everything to her. This is also proved by the fact that after the wedding the number of female friends of a young wife is considerably reduced: she doesn't need them any more because her husband also becomes her best friend. The husband has traditionally been the highest authority for the Russian woman. She will not go out, nor make major purchases, does not take any important decisions without first consulting with him. For Russian women, children have always been the highest value. If you already have your own children Russian lady will surely love them too, as if they were her own ones, because the beloved man and his offsprings are inseparable for her.

The possible doomsday consequences of antibiotic resistance

For a period of time in recent history, antibiotics were heralded as being the most effective possible treatment for infectious diseases. Most of those illnesses were caused by bacterial agents, so the use of medications that killed off harmful bacteria was a sensible, practical solution. However, there is no clear indication that anyone within the medical or scientific communities saw the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance coming. Even if someone did, history certainly doesn't reflect it all that well. Regardless of the slip-up of the past, it is now understood that the typical antibiotic has a limited lifespan now, being rendered nearly useless as soon as the bacterial agent they target has developed resistance to their effects. This was the case with tuberculosis, which was once thought to have been wiped out in the developed world, and is the case with many other bacterial infections. The problem of dealing with antibiotic resistance is a complex one. Some bacterial agents have developed their resistance only to certain agents – though those agents are the ones that are prescribed as treatment. Other microbes, on the other hand, have developed effective antibiotic resistance to all antimicrobial agents currently available on the market. This situation, some public health officials worry, is bound to cause major problems. A number of experts are pointing out the gradual increase in the number of resistant cases of tuberculosis to be an indication of the possible damage this problem can cause. With tuberculosis being resistant to all the current drugs used against it, treatment for patients with the resistant strain is becoming more and more difficult, and the disease is becoming more and more fatal. One single illness that has antibiotic resistance does not a major public health problem make. Most authorities in the medical field would not be worried if there wasn't evidence that other bacterial infections are starting to prove as resilient as the common cold. The common cold has long been a problem for medicine, such that being able to develop a cure for it has long been considered impossible. The bacteria at the root of the cold adapts with a rapid pace, becoming resistant to the effects of medication used to treat it the year before. While hardly something that is life-threatening, there is a very strong possibility that other, more dangerous bacterial agents might emerge with the same level of adaptability. Another possible scenario involves multiple bacterial agents developing resistance and reemerging into the public arena. Their infectious nature and antibiotic resistance, plus the relative degree of congestion in the average urban area, nearly guarantees a rapid spread of infection. If this sounds like a bad plot for a doomsday scenario in a science fiction novel, that's because said scenarios may not really be that far off the mark. Bacterial adaptation against countermeasures being used against them is at a much faster rate than how fast researchers can develop new antibiotic medication. For example, a hospital in Switzerland found that, within a period of three years, the strains of Escherichia coli that they encountered developed resistance to all five known types of antibacterial agents for it. They have also noted that this sudden increase in resistance was linked to the increased use of said antimicrobial agents, which has caused some to believe that the very success and widespread use of antibiotics is the root cause of the problem. The more bacteria are exposed to the medication, the higher the chances that a mutated strain will emerge that is resistant to the effects.

Landlord s corner apartment lease agreement late fees in ohio

A. Limits As To Amounts There are two lines of cases in Ohio which deal with whether courts will enforce lease provisions allowing a landlord to charge tenants for late fees. These lines of cases come to slightly different conclusions, but the bottom line is that landlords need to be very careful in charging tenants for late fees. The first line of cases comes to us from the Eighth Appellate District. In the case of Siara Management v. Nedley, 1992 Ohio App. LEXIS 5265 (Oct. 15, 1992) Cuyahoga App. No. 61433, unreported, the lease called for the tenant to pay $30.00 in late fees if he was late five days, and $70.00 more if he were late ten days. The landlord tried to charge these amounts to the tenant and litigation ensued. The Eighth Appellate District held that there is distinction between liquidated damages (allowable) and penalty clauses (not allowable) and that the court would use a three part test to distinguish between the two. Late fees would be allowable as liquidated damages if they were designed to compensate the landlord for damages which were: (1) uncertain as to amount and difficult of proof, (2) the contract as a whole is not so manifestly unconscionable, unreasonable, and disproportionate in amount as to justify the conclusion that it does not express the true intention of the parties, and if (3) the contract is consistent with the conclusion that it was the intention of the parties that damages in the amount stated should follow the breach thereof. In Nedley, the landlord did not make it past the first hurdle of the test. All that the landlord argued in court was that the late payment by tenants led to late payment charges assessed to the landlord by his creditors. The Court reasoned that "Any party due money could claim that the resultant decrease in cash flow might result in late charges against it. That is unduly speculative." Had the landlord come to the court with evidence that the tenant's late payment had caused him to incur damages in specific amounts, then those specific amounts might have been recoverable. The Eighth District Court of Appeals also came to a similar conclusion in 200 W. Apartments v. Foreman, 1994 Ohio App. LEXIS 4081 (September 15, 1994), Cuyahoga Co. App. No. 66107 regarding a late fee of only $2.00 per day. In that case the court also found it significant that the landlord had shown no proof of its actual damages. However, another of Ohio's appellate district treated the matter very differently. In the case of Calabria v. Green, 1995 Ohio App. LEXIS 3903 (September 8, 1995), Trumbull Co. App. No. 95-T-5181, the Eleventh Appellate District Court held that while late charges of $10.00 per day (for 38 days) was not enforceable, "an agreed upon, one-time late fee, that is reasonable in proportion to the rental rate, and that has a rationale basis supporting the imposition of the charge, is proper." The Eleventh District Court of Appeals again came to the same conclusion in the case of Wadsworth v. Starcher, 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 2909 (June 26, 1998) Trumbull Co. App. No. 97-A-0054. In Wadsworth, the Court agreed with the trial court that $5.00 per day in late charges over 92 days was not enforceable, and that the trial court's reduction of the late fees to $100.00 was proper. It is clear that "parties to a lease agreement can agree to anything they wish within the limits of the law." Village Station Assoc. v. Geauga Co. (1992), 84 Ohio App.3d 448 at 451. The real question is: what are "the limits of the law"? R. C. 5321.14 prohibits parties to a lease from agreeing on illegal or unconscionable terms. B. No Late Fees Under Oral Contracts Where there is only an oral contract between the landlord and the tenant, at least one Ohio Court has held that no late fees can be assessed. Neubauer v. Patzkowsky, 1992 Ohio App. LEXIS 2919 (June 2, 1992) Franklin Co. App. No. 91AP-1236. C. Waiver of Late Fees Some landlords will try to collect late fees which have piled up over months and months. In the case of Habegger v. Paul, 2004 Ohio App. LEXIS 1971 (April 30, 2004) Wood Co. App. No. WD-03-038, a landlord sued the tenant for late fees which accumulated over a 14 month period. The Sixth District Court of Appeals held that the landlord waived his right to collect the late fees upon eviction by continuing to accept the tenants' rent payments and not pursuing eviction until approximately 14 months after the first late payment. The Court reasoned that: A party may voluntarily relinquish a known right through words or by conduct. State ex rel. Ford v. Cleveland Bd. Of Edn. (1943), 141 Ohio St. 124. In Galaxy Development Ltd. Partnership v. Quadax, Inc., 2000 Ohio App. LEXIS 4651 (October 5, 2000) Cuyahoga Co. App. No. 76769, the Eighth District Court of Appeals found that the landlord waived its right to collect holdover rent from the tenant by continuing to accept the original rental payments after expiration of the lease. The Galaxy court cited Finkbeiner v. Lutz (1975), 44 Ohio App.2d 223, wherein lessees failed to make timely payments of rent on numerous occasions and lessors accepted the late payments. The Finkbeiner court held that the failure of the lessors to make timely objection to the late payment of rent amounted to a waiver. Courts in Ohio will not allow a landlord to collect late fees which have piled up over a significant period of time. D. Dangers for the Landlord Where a landlord can get into trouble with late fees is in a dispute over a security deposit. Let's say the landlord has collected a security deposit in the amount of $500.00. The tenant leaves at the end of the lease term. The landlord finds $300.00 in damages at the apartment and also assesses $250.00 in late fees. Perhaps the landlord cannot show the court actual damages in the specific amount of $250.00. Maybe there was only an oral agreement between the landlord or the tenant. Perhaps the $250.00 in fees resulted from the landlord's practice of letting the late fees pile up over time. If any of these are the case, there is a good chance that even in the more landlord sympathetic appellate districts, the landlord will only be allowed to charge the tenant a greatly reduced amount if the facts fit the first example, and perhaps nothing at all if the facts fit the second or third examples. This will leave $100.00 or more that should have been returned to the tenant, entitling the tenant to double damages and attorneys fees under Ohio Revised Code Section 5321.16. While double damages in the amount of $200.00 might not be all that big of a deal, wait until you get to the mandatory hearing on reasonable attorneys fees. Now we're talking real money. If you are trying to evict a problem tenant and your only basis is a failure to pay late fees, then the arguments above may have a bearing upon the issue of who has the right to possession when you get to the F. E.D. hearing. If a tenant can show the court that he stood ready at all times to pay the late fees, but that the landlord was holding out for an unreasonable amount, or if the tenant can show that he and the landlord engaged in a pattern of conduct of acceptance of late payments without protest, this could defeat the eviction action. E. Lessons to Be Learned One of the lessons to be learned from all of this is that late fees are something of a minefield when it comes to using them to reduce the amount of the security deposit returned to a tenant. The same is true when we are talking about evictions based upon a failure of the tenant to pay late fees. Landlords should be aware of the problems that may arise when late fees are argued. Informing your attorney of your past practices with regard to late fees can save you both a lot of embarrassment, and perhaps allow the attorney to alter course in his arguments to get around potential hurdles.

Exciting things to do in mauritius

If sitting on a beach all day every day isn’t quite your cup of tea, but you really fancy a long haul holiday to a stunning island destination, Mauritius could be just what you are looking for. With many activities both in and out of the resorts, a luxury holiday in Mauritius can provide interest for a range of visitors. The island itself is an independent state in the Indian Ocean, 900km east of Madagascar. The area is 1860sq km and is made up of a central plateau, gradually rising towards the South West where it reaches it’s highest point at 800m. Excursions around the island will give you an insight into the islands rich and colourful history, and where better to start than the vibrant capital, Port Louis. The harbour on the west of the island lies sheltered in a semi-circle of mountains, and the town has plenty of character, and proudly displays signs of it's historical past. There is a new waterfront development which is home to many shops. This is complimented by the old market a stone's throw away. If designer shopping outlets is what you are looking for, then a trip to Curepipe is well worth the visit. This is the islands main urban centre, and is worth a stop if travelling through it on route to somewhere else! It’s located in the centre of the island between Port Louis and the airport. Mahebourg is a village which is worth a visit, especially if staying in the south east of the island. It’s still one of the islands main fishing villages, and you are at leisure to wonder round the market stalls. If you are staying at the Shandrani, you can even hire a bicycle and cycle there! Catamaran Trips can be arranged from most hotels and are an excellent way to see the beauty of Mauritius from the relaxing waters off the Indian Ocean. These are normally full day trips, where a bar-b-que lunch is provided of freshly caught fish, and salads. You are encouraged to snorkel from the boat, and you also have time to relax on one of the beautiful beaches of the island. Just watch out for the rum cocktails on your way back to the hotel! Mauritius has a wealth of activities orientated around it’s environment. A nature park close to Port Louis, Domaine les Pailles, covers 3000 acres at the foot of a mountain range. There are deer and rare birds in the park, and if you like a bit of adrenaline, Land Rover ‘safaris’ and quad biking are also available. The island has a stunning botanical garden called Pamplemousses, it’s known to naturalists throughout the world for it’s large collection of indigenous and exotic palms, and the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies. It is well worth paying for a guide to take you around the gardens as their knowledge and tit-bits of information make the visit all the more enjoyable. A unique feature in Mauritius is Chamarel, an area of undulating land stretching in contrasting layers of colour, an patches of blue, green, red and yellow earth, all believed to be the results of weathering. Mauritius is well known to ornithologists and the Casela Bird Park is set in the area of Black River, and stretches over 20 acres. There are more than 140 varieties of birds, from 5 continents. The main attraction is the Mauritian Pink Pigeon, one of the rarest birds in the world. The beautiful flower of Ylang Ylang with it’s fragrant yellow flowers, is grown in a plantation called Le Domaine de l’Ylang Ylang. Here the perfume is distilled over panoramic views over the bay of Vieux Grand Port, where the neighbouring islets can be seen. Trips around the island can be booked from your hotel, with luxury holidays in Mauritius to a variety of hotels including the Shandrani can be arranged through Beachcomber Tours. For more information visit beachcombertours. co. uk or call 01483 445610.

Vemma products

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Review of hp toshiba and dell computers

Whenever you are in the market for any common consumer good, you find your self inundated with advertising slogans and marketing messages. So, how do you find out what is best for you? Take the case of computers. With the high rate of obsolescence in computer hardware, you will find yourself in the marketplace for computers quite often. And then it all begins: You are bombarded with technical specifications as well as emotional appeals. Each manufacturer tries to tell you why they are the best. So that you can make an intelligent decision, I have decided to review three computers for you. For this review, I am considering the Dell Latitude C600 Laptop, the Toshiba Satellite A135-S4527, and the HP Pavilion Media Center M8120N Desktop PC. Note this is not a comparison of the three computers; rather it is like a review of three different computers. The Dell Latitude C600 Laptop has the 850 MHz Pentium III processor, a 14.1" display, 256MB of memory, and a 10G hard drive. It serves the needs of most users. But, customers have reported that it heats up more than the usual laptop. Another shortcoming that some consumers have reported is about the fact that this machine has only 1 USB port. The Toshiba Satellite A135-S4527 has Intel's 1.73 GHz Core Duo T2080 processor. This processor has a multithreaded architecture for improved multitasking performance. It has a 120 GB hard drive and 1 GB of installed RAM. Most uses find the machine to be great value for money. In fact, it has been occasionally labeled the College Students Computer due to its affordability. The HP Pavilion Media Center M8120N Desktop PC, unlike the previous two is not a laptop. It has the 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad E6420 quad-core processor. This processor is really fast when it comes to multitasking applications. This machine has 2 GB of installed RAM up to 8 channels of surround sound output, and Wi-Fi connectivity. So, when you are in the market for a computer, make sure to compare all the features between similar models and only then make your final choice. In doing so, do not forget to consider the price of the different options. Sometimes a missing feature can be added on later. And then again, you cannot forget the all important after-sales service. There are many horror stories that one hears about service. Make sure to read around before you decide on one computer.