Article & Journal Resources: Dec 16, 2007

Article & Journal Resources

Journaling for Stress Relief

by: Valerie Dansereau


Journaling is a great way to deal with chronic stress. It is one of the most powerful tools for self growth and can help you release negative emotions, clear confusion and sort out puzzling or traumatic events.

The best way to begin is to set a time to write and put down whatever thoughts and feelings pop into your head. Your journal can be used to reflect on the events currently affecting you that are particularly traumatic or overwhelming. It can also be used to process other things, such as dreams, childhood events, and long and short term goals.

Research has shown that writing not only about your feelings but also your thoughts about your feelings is more helpful than just venting your feelings. In other words, write from both an emotional and an intellectual angle,

Don’t worry about spelling or grammar. The purpose of what you’re doing is to relieve stress and release pent up emotions, not to cause yourself more stress by censoring your own writing. Keep what you’ve written private. If you think privacy is an issue, keep it under lock and key. If you’re journaling on a computer, password protect your file.

A journal can be written on lined or plain paper, in a special bound book or a plain spiral notebook, or you can use a computer. The important thing is to make a commitment to write for 10-20 minutes each day if you can. Schedule a time to write, whether it’s first thing in the morning or last thing before you go to bed, preferably a time when you’re free from interruptions. Experiment with writing at different times of day and in different locations.

Don’t think of journaling as a chore. If you miss several days of writing, simply pick up and write again when you can. Chances are the more you practice journaling, the more you will look forward to it. Your journal can be thought of as a friend who is always willing to listen. In a journal you have the freedom to express deep emotions that you may not be able to share with anyone. No one will be affected by what you write.

If you review what you’ve written over time, you’ll be able to see your own growth. If you’re processing a traumatic event, you’ll be amazed to see how far you’ve come and how much you’ve healed.

Journaling is a lot less expensive than most other methods of stress relief. It’s a great tool for self-knowledge and emotional healing. Like other healthy habits, you will improve with practice, and the benefits you attain from journaling will build the more you work on this life-changing habit.

Turquoise - December's Gemstone Of Blissful Blues

by: Sarah Stephens


Turquoise is a semi-precious gemstone frequently incorporated into some of the most modern, beautiful handmade jewelry in the world. It is most often found in blue and turquoise hues, and is widely recognized as the December birthstone as well as the 11th anniversary gemstone. But beyond its modern-day uses and associations, turquoise holds a decadent mythological, spiritual and etymological history that adds nostalgic value to its already strong aesthetic worth. Read on for more information that will help you fall in love with your turquoise jewelry – or inspire you to buy some today!

Turquoise can range from grey to green to blue and yellows, often veined by the brown matrix with varying textures, and is only found in dry, barren regions. As a far back as 6000 years ago, this stone is one of the oldest to be used by man, for both jewelry and ornamental purposes. Around 5500 BC, the ancient Egyptians found turquoise in the Sinai Peninsula. Around 1900, Queen Zer’s tomb was unearthed and she was found wearing a turquoise and gold bracelet around her wrist.

Turquoise is said to bring luck and fortune to the wearer, and a feeling of calmness with its cool color tones, in addition to wisdom, and is often popular in Southwest, Native American, and Egyptian jewelry designs.

Turquoise gemstones look best as parts of formal evening jewelry when paired with black onyx, pearls or sterling silver. More casual combinations include softer contrasts with black pearls, carnelian and ruby. To see a selection of handmade artisan jewelry featuring turquoise, visit www.dashaboutique.com/shopbygemstone.Turquoise is typically considered a sophisticated gemstone that works well with any outfit. In earrings, citrine works well to enhance the luster of hazel eyes.

Chinese Turquoise comes in both green and blue colors, with many subtle color variations throughout the stone, and has spider web (matrix) veining. There are four to five regions in China where they are mined. The Ma'ashan turquoise mine is located near Shanghai, in addition to the Hubei Province, just to name a few.

As far back as approximately 1700 BC, Turquoise was used in China mainly for ornamental carvings and other artistic purposes. In Beijing, at the Academy of Social Sciences, there is a bronze and turquoise plaque on display which is thought to be from that era.

Chinese turquoise is almost always stabilized, and will not be as likely to be affected by lotions or perfumes when it is worn, protecting the color of the turquoise from outside elements.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise comes from the Sleeping Beauty Mountain in Globe, Arizona, which is one of the largest mines as to date. Sleeping beauty comes in many hues of light to dark blue. Turquoise is mainly found in the US, Australia, Chile, Mexico, and historically, Iran.

Mohs' Hardness score is based on a 10 point scale where 10 is the most resistant, like a diamond, and 1 is easily scratched, such as Talc. Turquoise gets a score of 5-6, meaning that it is fairly scratch resistant and therefore suitable as a component of everyday jewelry. Turquoise gemstones should be regularly cleaned by a professional or with a soft rag and mild soap and water. Other methods, including ultra-sonic clenares, solvents and harsh chemicals should be avoided when cleaning your handcrafted jewelry as exposure to these elements can damage semi-precious and precious gemstones and pearls.

Learn more about all semi-precious gemstones, including amethyst, apatite, black onyx, blue topaz, carnelian, chalcedony, citrine, coral, garnet, white topaz, crystal, diamond, emerald, iolite, jade, Labradorite, moonstone, pearl, peridot, prehnite, rose quarz, ruby, sapphire, smokey topaz, tanzanite, tourmaline and tourquoise when you check out this gemstone chart: www.dashaboutique.com/gemstone chart.html.

Building Dynamic, SEO Optimzed Websites The Easy Way

by: Gary Nugent


Tired of spending, hours, days, weeks or months building a website, only to see a small return for it? Yeah, maybe you do it because you love your subject and want to share it with others. But wouldn't it be nice if you made some money from it, even if only to cover hosting fees?

Building a quality website can take a huge amount of time and many people are frustrated at the low levels of money they earn from Adsense ads placed on their pages. That can be down to something as simple as the placement of those ads on the page.

But there is another approach...

Instead of putting all your time into one website, why not put a small amount of time into many websites and start building a Virtual Real Estate Empire. Now each website might only earn between $0.10 and $0.50 per day, but if you had 10 websites, you'd be getting $1 - $5 per day. With a 100 sites, you'd get $10 - $50 per day.

You see, Adsense is a numbers game...

The more websites you have, the more meney you make. All those little amounts combine into one big monthly check. But how do you go about building multiple sites? Well, one thing you can do is buy those Adsense website templates you see all over the internet. Or you can go one stage further and buy complete website packages in a box, but there are problems with these:

- Most look very cheap

- You have to modify them to suit your content and tailor them to your affiliate promotions

- If any content is provided, it's static, unchanging, and the search engine spiders, along with visitors will get bored looking at it

- And, most importantly, 100s if not 1,000s of others are using exactly the same templates and content

That hardly leads to a dynamic, unique website. Google hates duplicate content and you don't stand a chance of being remotely unique in a sea of sameness unless you start individualising your sites. And, guess what? You're back to square one, putting a lot of time into each site to make it different.

But there is a solution...

What if you knew there was a piece of software that would create dynamic, unique websites, optimized for Adsense, customizable as you need with options for adding other affiliate revenue streams, and you could create such a website with the click of a button?...

Day Tripping To St. Kitts' Little Sister Island - Nevis

by: Justin Burch


Resting only a few miles apart in calm Caribbean waters, St. Kitts and Nevis have always shared an intimate relationship. Today, that relationship finds St. Kitts as one of the Caribbean’s premier travel destinations, while the smaller island of Nevis offers plenty of great activities for day tripping tourists. Though St. Kitts remains a superior resort destination with more tourist opportunities, the islands have much in common. For starters, both islands feature dormant volcanoes at their center, each surrounded by lush rainforests with miles of hiking trails. Furthermore, as St. Kitts and Nevis represent former colonial outposts with economies once dominated by successful sugar plantations, both islands possess an incredible array of historic architecture. Lastly, as most visitors to the Caribbean take great interest in the beaches and the recreation opportunities provided by the Caribbean Sea, tourists will find plenty of warm, clear water and powdery sand wherever they travel.

Rising over 3,200 feet above the Caribbean Sea, Nevis Peak dominates the landscape of St. Kitts’ sister island. Similar to Mt. Liamuiga at the center of St. Kitts, Nevis Peak is surrounded by lush trail-filled rainforests and diverse plant and animal life. As a result, hiking and biking in the shadow of Nevis’ dormant volcano are two of the most popular activities for day-tripping tourists. With tours available for every age and skill level, visitors can spend a few hours experiencing the unspoiled beauty of Nevis and learning about her vibrant Caribbean ecosystem.

Scuba divers and snorkelers will also want to spend an afternoon on Nevis, enjoying pristine coral reefs and ship wrecks. As only 2 miles of Caribbean waters separate St. Kitts and Nevis, many of the best diving tours visit the most popular sites surrounding both islands. Many of the other water sports popular on St. Kitts can also be found on Nevis. A number of tour operators cater to deep sea fishermen and wind surfing enthusiasts, with many offering lessons for those new to the adventurous pursuits. After spending some time in the water, many day-trippers spend their afternoons relaxing on Pinneys Beach – one of the Caribbean’s most beloved stretches of sand.

If you would rather spend your day on land experiencing Caribbean history, there are plenty of sites worth visiting on Nevis. Much like the historic city of Basseterre on St. Kitts, much of the activity on Nevis revolves around the island’s colonial capital – Charlestown. Walking the streets of this quiet city, you will see charming remnants of the island’s history around every corner – from Anglican churches and the Caribbean’s first hotel to elegant plantation homes and the childhood residence of an American founding father, Alexander Hamilton. Elsewhere on the island, you can spot the remains of the once-bustling sugar industry in the form of 18th century plantations, windmills and mansions.

As St. Kitts sister island is close enough to be visible from the beach, a short ferry ride is all that is required to access the small island of Nevis. For many visitors, the 45-minute ferry ride itself is a memorable activity, as the trip provides exceptional views of both islands and the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Furthermore, as the ferries operate daily from the early morning until the evening hours, it is easy to spend the afternoon on Nevis and return to St. Kitts for the superior dining and nightlife.

Additionally, many tour companies operate on both islands, making it possible to find activities on Nevis through your resort on St. Kitts.

When in St. Kitts, try to make the short voyage across the Caribbean to Nevis. Though St. Kitts may feature superior resorts and recreation opportunities, it is hard to deny the charm of St. Kitts’ little sister.

Affordable SEO

by: Peter Ris


SEO forms a very important part of the success of a website. After all you want as much visitors as possible to your site in order to increase your sales. Like the law of supply and demand, once professionally done SEO is growing in importance, the price asked by most companies for a good SEO job will increase too. So what to do if you are running a small home based business and you are faced with SEO offers of up to $4000 for small job? Perhaps even the job isn’t that costly at all but the SEO specialist’s time is.Off course he wants his time to yield as much for him as possible. Let me tell you, affordable SEO is still available. What many experts won’t tell you is that, more often than not, they have very sophisticated software at their disposal. Software like that does lot of the web site analysis to be done before the SEO can be implemented which saves a lot of time. The next point of concern is that imagine you would be able to find a relatively cheap SEO? Would you trust it? Doesn’t cheap mean that it is no good? Or perhaps the “cheap” agency is run by scam artists? No doubt this is still true is many cases. Either there are companies that charge (criminal) amounts of money for a good SEO job at one hand and there are the “cheap” scam artists at the other. However it is my belief if you do a good search on the web you will still find some honest guys that are willing to work for you at an honest price and really give you a good return on your money.

How much work there is involved? First the SEO analyst will have to “scan” your website as to what is there and what is still missing SEO wise. Has the web site been submitted at all for the search engines? Have the right keywords been filled out at the various tags? Is the text or tile of the site search engine friendly? SEO experts use sophisticated software that “scan” all those details. After that they will advise you about how to get a better content,will supply you with a list of good keywords, will advise you how to restructure your site if necessary; all imperative actions to optimize the site for search engines and Page rank.

How much time will a typical SEO cost? Well the depends the size of the project off course but mind that SEO is a marathon and not a sprint. SEO is a process rather than an action. If your site’s current page rank is zero,a good SEO job could get it to 3 in 2 months and to 5 in 4/6 months, also depending on the content of the site.Most of the work for the SEO expert comes in the beginning of the job. After all the work on the site, tags etc is done than the site might need some fine tuning or re submission to the search engines a few times. Therefor usually most agencies work with a maintenance agreement of up to 6 months.

Of course if I talk about cheap or affordable SEO I don’t mean cheap in a sense of $100 a project but, depending a bit on the work involved off course,I would say about 40%/50% off the general market rates. That’s what I call affordable and accessible to most home business owners.

Are you interested in having some affordable SEO done on your website? Please contact us(CapitalOneEquity SeoDesigners) and we are most happy to provide you with a free analysis of your site and make you a very fair offer. For contact details please see my profile.

Five Keys to Great Questions

by: Kevin Eikenberry


Toby was a young and ambitious salesperson. Part of his training had been to spend time with Janice, a veteran and very successful salesperson at the firm. As Toby went on sales calls with Janice he took notes, and one of the things he marveled at was Janice’s ability to ask great questions. In fact he had been collecting and recording her questions and had begun using the same questions himself.

Toby was disappointed though, as it seemed that the questions that worked so well for Janice didn’t seem to have the same result for him. He was pretty confident his timing was right – he wasn’t asking a particular question at an inappropriate time ... so he was confused.

He continued to try and practice for several weeks. Then at the annual sales conference, he decided to see if he could get some additional coaching from Janice. He asked her to have breakfast with him on the second morning the conference. Janice was pleased and quickly said yes; she appreciated Toby and thought he had a very bright future.

After they had placed their orders, Toby described his dilemma; he wanted to know Janice’s secret for asking questions so successfully. He explained that he felt it wasn’t the words themselves – in fact he proved it by showing her over two pages of handwritten questions he had heard her use successfully.

Janice listed intently and smiled. When Toby was finished, she, not surprisingly, asked a couple of clarifying questions to make sure she understood his situation. Toby smiled as he noticed her naturally using great questions yet again.

After their food had arrived, Janice sat quietly eating for a couple of minutes, clearly pondering Toby’s queries. As she finished her toast, she said, “I think there are five things that make for great questions beyond the words themselves, Toby. I’ve certainly thought about each of these things in the past, but perhaps never as a cohesive set. That’s why I took a couple of minutes to collect my thoughts.”

Toby smiled to assure her that he didn’t mind. Then he slid his plate away so he could take notes.

When Toby returned to his room after the full day of Conference activities, he reviewed his notes on Janice’s five keys. Here is his summary of those ideas.

Before You Ask The Question

Toby compiled these ideas as an acrostic so he wouldn’t forget – remember to put your questions on ICE . . .

I ntent – The intent of your question is as important as anything. This intent will guide the overall success with your question. In fact, if your intent is genuine, pure and sincere, it will allow even the clumsiest question to be successful. Regardless of the situation, consider why you are asking a particular question. If the question is meant to gain knowledge, help the other person, allow them to express themselves or in some other way be a step in serving them, your question will be more powerful.

C uriosity – When we are genuinely curious about the answer to our question we will ask better questions. Sometimes people ask a question in a perfunctory way, or they ask even though they already assume they know the answer. When we ask our questions from genuine curiosity, they will be more successful and effective.

E xpectancy – Ask questions expecting to get an answer, and expecting to get a valuable answer! When we ask our questions with a positive expectancy, we will ask much better questions.

After The Question is Asked

Toby realized that the other two ideas on his list come after the question has been asked. Janice’s advice for this critical time was:

Care About the Answer – While it may seem obvious, in reflecting on this point, he realized that when you have the ICE components before your question, you are in a much better position to truly care about the answer you receive. Janice reminded him that the question itself is only a vehicle to get to the answer – and so truly caring about the answer is a huge key to successful questions.

Listen – The last item on Toby’s list was something he knew Janice did well. Janice truly listened to the responses to her questions. Of course Toby knew that listening was important – everyone does, right – but as he reviewed the other four keys he realized that they all led up to and supported successful listening.

As Toby reviewed some of his recent sales calls he realized that his intense focus on asking the right question had diverted him from these five ideas and that these considerations before and after the question itself would be the key to greater success.

These keys aren’t just for Toby – but for everyone, in any interaction where you ask questions. Use these keys and you will unlock even greater power in your questions.


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Potential Pointer: Great questions are about more than the questions themselves. Your purpose for asking and your willingness to listen carefully are as important to the value of the question as the words themselves.

Guide to Shopping For Quality Church Furniture

by: Graciella Chairman


Church furniture is available in different styles and shapes and one of the salient points is that you can even get them for a competitive price. There was a time when furniture for a church was simple and had almost no design at all. But today, things have changed and church furnishings like altars, pulpits, podiums, lecterns, Prie Dieu kneelers, communion tables and even confessional screens are available in variety of styles and finishing.

Depending on your requirement and budget, you can look for new as well as used church furniture for decoration of fellowship halls and sanctuaries. You can even work out a fitting theme for the furnishings and add a contemporary, gothic, traditional or medieval touch to it. You can even buy used church furnishings and remodel them according to the requirements of the church. This will help you to save most of the congregation money also.

The question is where can you find church furnishings that will suit your requirement and your budget? There are different styles of church furniture available but the question again is where should you look for them? Some of the old churches have furniture with the traditional look. The traditional furnishings will include cushioned seats, wooden pews, and kneelers. The furnishings in a modern church are quite different though and will consist of individual chairs that make up a row.

The first place to look for church furniture is at a church that is expected to close down. The advantage is that you can get used church furnishings from that church and upgrade their look and feel at a low cost. This is the most cost effective method of purchasing furniture for your church.

The second option is the Internet. If you search for church furniture, then you will find 8,780,000 web pages and most of them are online stores. You can find new as well as used furnishings over the internet. For example: you will find one of the websites selling used 9’ long pews at $80 each and 17’ long pews for $100. Some other websites will sell you an entire package of pews, pulpit, book rack and flower stands.

One of the important pieces of church furniture is the chairs. You can choose from old and new chairs, multiple colors, cushioned or wooden, with or without handle etc. If a church has a larger area of worship then theater-style seating will be most appropriate. There are specific online stores who deal with buying of chairs in bulk or for theater style seating. There are other stores who specialize in pew designs especially for congregations. There are others who will offer you a discount for exchanging your old furniture for new.

If the church doesn’t have a high budget then it can also buy used church furniture from other churches. Most of the churches selling their furniture sell it in bulk. You will be able to find 9’ 6” long pews for $125 each; 10’ long pews with small damages for $75; 14’ 6” long pews for $100 each if you pick in bulk; 12’ 3/8" long pews for $125 each and you will find similar bargains over the internet.

Some of the online companies or manufacturers also offer the option of customizing church furniture. You can make modification in fabrics used, dimension of the chair, altar, pulpit, pews etc, colors and much more. The furniture can also be modified to meet the various requirements of different religious denominations. Some of the online manufacturers provide good discount if you make a purchase online. The items are shipped and the shipping charges vary depending on the dimension, weight and location.

So practically speaking there are various options purchasing church furniture over the internet. You can just browse through multiple companies and get price quotes as well as catalogues and then choose the one that fits your budget and is able to deliver according to your requirement within a specified time frame. Mostly, small churches have a small budget and their requirement is smaller too. So they can purchase used church furnishings at a low cost and then spend a little in upgrading them.

Whether it is a big or a small church, church furniture is a necessity. You can always start with the seating or chairs first and then go on to other furnishings. The truth is that you will be able to find most of the church furnishings over the internet and all this will be available at a competitive price. All you need to do is get started!

Real Love Spells - What Amateur Love Spells Casters Dont Want You To Know

by: Rishi Bhrigu


Before ordering "self proclaimed" powerful love spells from the hundreds of spell casting sites that seem to pop all over the internet these days,there are a few key essential things that someone looking for a love spell need to know.Without knowing these key information about real love spells and the different ways that one spell can be cast (which directly effects the success rate of a love spell),you might just be throwing your money away.

The casting of real powerful love spells encompasses a wide variety of magical work.Most of these love magic work includes the use of candle work,talisman work,love potion work,evokation of love based entities,petitioning of Love dieties and such.

The most basic work is Candle work.In love spells using candle work,the magic worker charges a specific oil according to his magickal path to be used for love purposes.The oil is then used to anoint a Red candle,or a candle in the shape of a nude human form while invoking the emotions involved for love and charging the candle with both the magick oil and the visualisation of the target.Sometimes a photograph of the target is also used and placed below the candle so that the wax melts on the photograph of the target.

Candle work,while effective for straight forward situations (like there needs just a little nudge in the right direction for love to blossom and theres no enmity or background between the two people),is rarely enough on its own for more complicated situations.Also its usually those young and new practitioners of magic,looking to make a quick buck from their newfound powers,as limited as they are,that offer candle work by itself without any prior consultations and other complementary work.

Talismanic work is a step above candle work.Talismanic work for love spells could include talismans of the sun,the moon,venus and the various planets.The effective magick worker will use the energies of the planet to super charge a talisman for a specific purpose.For example solar talismans can be used to give success,confidence,radiance,power to the wearer and thus increase his success in love,Moon talismans can be used to bring out the sensual,hypnotic side in the wearer and thus influence the opposite sex and Venus Talismans work directly to bombard the wearer with an attractive aura that intrigue and fascinate the opposite sex.

The problem with many New Age practitioners is they do not follow the old ways when charging a talisman which makes success with these talismans unpredictable.When it comes to planetary work,old practitioners like me follow the exact time and day corresponding with the planet we want to work with and also do an astrological reading to see at which date would be doing the love spell be most effective.For example,Mars can be seen as the Captain of the army,he is brave,courageous and a natural leader.When he is in the same zone as the Moon however,he is in detriment.The Moon is viewed as the Queen,so when the Captain enters the Queen's chambers,he has to remove his sword,clean his boots and bow down to the queen.Very unbecoming of the Captain.So doing Mar's work when it is together with the Moon will not be very effective.

It takes an advanced magic worker who has been practicing for many years to yield the power to evoke entities such as the Goetic spirits like Asmoday, the Necronomicon entities like Gil,and also be thought of high enough in the spiritual world for his petitions to the dieties like Aphrodite and Kamdev to yield results.Evoking entities,and having enough power to ask them to do what you want is two different things altogether.Evokation is the most powerful of all love spells and love based work as you call forth powerful love entities to forcefully effect change in a situation,thereby changing fate itself.Even then one has to look at the astrological outlook of the situation for a hundred percent success rate and advice the buyer to be detached from the outcome of the love spell work so that his mental capacity does not handicap the spell work.

Again,most new aged workers do not do this,thereby affecting the outcome of their magick work.Its the Real Magician/sorcerer who yields these ancient techniques and combines astrology with candle work,talismans and evokations to bring forth maximum results.

Rishi Bhrigu is a Practicing Sorcerer and Magick Worker for over 45 years who has had vast experience with Goetia Work,Necronomicon work,Hindu Rituals and even worked with the Nature Shamans on many occasions.

He has a vast clientele of people who seek his help from Businessmen,Politicians,Celebrities and every day folk as well.he is available for custom spell work at http://www.forbiddenblackmagic.com

Almost Upside Down At Night

by: Airfreddy


With all of your flight training, there will be times when you get the notion that your instructor is mean or doesn’t know what they are talking about—perhaps not in such a bold way, but it will happen. This brings me to a story I have of a night cross-country with a student.

The flight itself is a pretty simple one and is safe for night flights. The flight goes from Mesa Falcon Field to Wickenberg, Arizona. I have personally put this flight in my syllabus for many reasons. I have gotten into many arguments with instructors who worked for me about this flight. Several of them refused to do the flight and instead ended up taking the student down to Tucson. As far as I am concerned, this defeats the purpose of the night cross-country. Following a big lit-up highway in between two bright major cities does not expose you to the real situations that can happen on a night cross-country.

Don’t let your instructor take you to an easy-to-find destination that is lit up like New York City. Go somewhere that is pretty difficult to find, at least for you, not your instructor. Yes, you want to make sure the instructor knows where he is going to land in the event of an engine failure, but you need to be on a flight that can get you into a little bit of trouble if you aren’t paying attention.

Back to my story.

I will call the student John. You know that I am totally against using all these high-tech things for private pilot training and even instrument ratings. Remember what job number one of the pilot is ? Yes, fly the airplane! I have also already stated that it will take you about 500 hours before you have this second sense stuck in you inner memory. Even then, a difficult situation will be a battle between many parts of your brain at the same time.

John called me in the afternoon about his night flight. We verified the time, and at the end of the call, John stated that he had just gotten his new Garmin 95 latest-and-greatest GPS device and asked if he could bring it along. You probably know me pretty well by now and know exactly what my answer was: “No!”

John showed up at the airport with his cross-country planned and flight plan filed, and ready to go. Before we walked out of the office, out came that shiny new Garmin box. “Fred, you need to check this out . . . this is the new Garmin 95, top-of-the–line, latest-and-greatest . . . ” This was back in 1996. Garmin was a no-name back then and was just getting into the market.

"Please, please, please can we take it with us?" After all the begging, I finally gave in. Deep in my mind somewhere, I had a little smile, and a voice just said, “Okay.”

Before John even started his pre-flight, he set up his new Garmin 95 on the control column. I knew right then that we were in for a good time! I told John that he couldn’t turn it on until we got out of Phoenix airspace, which is right where it starts to get nice and dark. He said, “Okay, no problem.”

We took off and headed west as planned. John was right on the money with all of his checkpoints and times. Flight plan opened at the right time. He was getting an A+ at this stage of the ball game. We got about five miles west of Deer Valley airport, where it starts to get nice and dark. (Again, don’t do a night cross-country when there is a full moon! It is nice to see the big bright moon from 4,500 above the ground, but it makes your night cross-country easier. If you are doing your first night flight as a licensed pilot with your girlfriend/boyfriend, go for it—that is the safe thing to do.)

John looked at me with those puppy eyes and asked, “Can I turn it on?” At this point, I just looked at him and said, “Yes.” The little voice in my head spoke to me again, “Now it is time for the real lesson to begin.”

John turned on the new greatest gift to mankind. The screen came on, and he said, "Look, Fred, isn’t this great? It tells you everything!” The little voice in my head said, "Yeah. Right. It tells you everything except what your #1 job in an airplane is.”

John kept playing with his new toy. I learned way back in 1989 that there are times when the flight instructor’s job is to shut up and let the student go. This was definitely one of those times.

At first, John had it under control. He was following his line on the screen and was okay, but I knew that sooner or later, it was going to distract him from his number one job . . . Yes, fly the airplane!

A little while passed, and John decided to start playing with the screen options. I knew now that the big lesson had begun, so I just sat there. Slowly, his altitude started to go up and down—not very much at first, but I knew it was just going to get worse.

I looked at John, and his head was down looking right at the GPS. By the way, the time frame of this entire lesson was probably less than a minute.

John continued to look down and said, "Hm, I can’t find the screen I am looking for.” I just sat there. Slowly, he started a right turn, only a few degrees bank, heading right into the mountains. The plane began to slowly lose altitude as the right turn started to get steeper. There was no horizon at all, so John had no clue of what was going on. Luckily, he was one of the students that took my aerobatic option before solo, so he was familiar with extreme unusual attitude. But not at night.

Slowly but surely, the plane had entered the dreaded graveyard spiral at cruise power setting. I waited and waited, hoping that the sound of the wind howling across the airplane would give him a clue, but nope—he had been trained for this many times, but he didn’t pick it up.

The plane kept going into a steeper bank. If it had been daytime, I would have let him get upside down, but not at night. Finally, it was time to open my mouth. "Anything wrong?"

John looked up, and the string of four-letter words began to flow. He got the plane under control. Power back wings level and nose level. However, he was still heading on the quickest path to meet God, right into the mountains a few miles north of the very dimly lit highway I plan as my emergency landing spot.

I said to him, "What can you see in front of you?" "He replied with, "Nothing." I said, “So that means . . . ?” I got the reply, “I am flying right into the ground.” That answer was pretty much correct; with his new heading, he was flying straight into the hills. Since we lost about 1,500 feet, our altitude was perfect for the big smack.

I raised my voice slightly and said, “If you can’t see anything, you are in trouble. Find some light, start climbing, and head in that direction.”

John got the plane under control, turned the GPS off, and we had an uneventful flight to Wickenberg and then back home to Falcon Field.

When we got back on the ground, John said, "I think I am going to learn to fly before I worry about that GPS.” He also requested some night unusual attitude training. I also highly recommend this.

So again, the little lesson is fly the airplane! John got distracted from that job by his little GPS. If you insist on using this stuff, make sure you know how to use it, and don’t try to learn it in the plane, especially at night!

As far as disorientation goes, it can happen very quickly, and when it does, it is not going to be pretty. It has happened to me in actual instrument conditions. I had all my ratings, and it still took a few minutes before the blood pressure went down.

Just remember this little unusual attitude check, which you should be able to repeat at the bar when you are about to fall on the floor:

Airspeed High, Or, "I Hear the Wind Howling Outside the Plane”

1: Power Back
2: Wings Level
3: Nose of the Airplane Level
4: Once You Have the Plane under Control, then bring the power back in, and get back to your altitude and heading

Airspeed Low:

1: Nose Forward
2: Wings Level
3: Once you have the nose at descent attitute, then add power. Why? If you do not remember, go back to the “To Spin or Not To Spin, That is the Question” chapter.

If you are out on a dark night, you are going to be fighting that attitude indicator. Get some training on night unusual attitudes. Then come back a few weeks later and do it again until you automatically react, especially after some time has gone by.

Make sure you go somewhere that is not easy, and make sure it is on a dark night.

Bali Bombings Cover-Up: New Documentary

by: Glen Clancy


Released on Youtube and Googlevideo this week, FOOL ME TWICE, exposes the cover-up of the Bali bombings and provides evidence that it was a Falseflag Operation.

The film begins by documenting the Australian government’s prior knowledge of the Indonesian military’s plan to use violence to maintain autonomy over East Timor. Contrary to The Howard Governments claims they argued against peacekeeping forces allowing the Indonesian Special Forces to carry out their campaign of fear and suppression.

Within 24 hours of the 2002 Bali bombings a team of FBI, UK special agents and Australian federal police started arriving in Bali. The investigation team continuously claimed different explosive devices were responsible for the main blast. Days after the attacks, Indonesian Police Chief, General Dai’ Bachtier, announced that the FBI had discovered C4 pointing the blame towards Jemaah Islamiah, JI (“SE Asia wing of Al qaeda”). Eventually, investigators concluded that the main explosive device was a potassium chlorate car bomb. C4 was never included in final reports.

The main explosive device was so powerful it seriously damaged buildings in a 2/400 metre radius and left a 1 metre deep, 10 metre wide crater. 202 people perished in the blasts, the majority incinerated from the main explosive device. Investigators quickly excavated the crater contents and dumped the remaining debris off the coast of southern Bali, including completely stripped concrete reinforcing bars. Potassium chlorate is a low velocity explosive and does not have the overpressure force to create a 1 metre deep crater or completely incinerate humans, let alone strip concrete. Only a high-tech explosive device has the power to strip concrete.

FBI claims of C4 announced by General Dai’ Bachtier, ensured Jemaah Islamiah was immediately blamed for the Bali bombings. All prior intelligence of the Bali bombings came from so called JI leader, Omar Al-Faruq. Omar Al-Faruq was secretly handed over to the US by Indonesia months prior to the bombings under the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program. Australian intelligence agencies reported that intelligence obtained from captured “JI suspect”, Omar Al-Faruq, warned of possible terrorist attacks in Bali. After the attacks the Bush administration denied access to Al-Faruq for questioning in the Bali bombing trials. When Omar Al-Faruq was suddenly called by US court to provide evidence in a trial of another terrorist suspect – he had “escaped high security prison”. No JI leaders have ever been brought to trial.

Prior to the Bali bombings the Indonesian government denied the existence of terrorists within Indonesia and opposed US anti-terror operations in Afghanistan. After the bombings President Megawati signed a joint statement – “Agreeing that terrorism poses a continued threat to international peace and security, and that the two Presidents are committed to enhancing their bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism”. The Bush administration provided funds to the Indonesian police and military and setup a national terrorism unit under the control of national police chief, General Dai’ Bachtier.

FOOL ME TWICE:

Youtube-
http://youtube.com/watch?v=n1tLO87vzNQ

Googlevideo-
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2246973658225588456

What Every Dog Owner Ought to Know About Holiday Safety

by: Jennifer Koretsky


The Christmas holidays are fast approaching! While you're busy decorating and preparing your home for guests, here are a few important tips to keep your dog safe this season.

The Christmas Tree

Tinsel, small ornaments, and ornament hooks are major choking hazards for dogs. It's best to avoid tinsel altogether and keep small ornaments high on the tree, out of the dog's reach. Also, make sure there are no stray ornament hooks on the floor!

If your family has a real tree (as opposed to an artificial tree), it's best to block off the area around the tree with a screen or gate. Many dogs become ill from drinking tree water and ingesting pine needles. Vacuum the area around the tree regularly.

Holiday Guests

It's exciting to have family and friends over during the holidays—even for your dog! But there are certain precautions you should take when having company over.

Dogs can easily slip out the door when people are continuously going in and out. Make sure your dog is wearing an identification tag with your phone number, even if he is micro-chipped. Not everyone who finds a lost dog knows to have him checked for a micro-chip.

Your guests may adore your dog, but don't let them give your dog any food without asking. Children especially may want to give the dog a treat—hand them a safe treat and supervise while they give it to the dog. Under no circumstances should your dog be given turkey or chicken bones. They are too small and are a serious choking hazard. As an alternative, buy a marrow bone at the grocery store as a special holiday treat.

Why You Shouldn't Give Dogs as Gifts

Bringing a new dog into the family is a wonderful thing, especially if you adopt a dog from a shelter. However, giving a dog as a Christmas gift is never a good idea. Regardless of whether the dog is a puppy or an adult, his first few days in your home should be all about him. The holidays, for most families, are too chaotic and busy for a dog to get used to his new environment, and he may become anxious or frightened.

A great idea for families who want to give their children a dog for Christmas is to gift wrap a dog bone. When the child opens it, tell them it's for the new dog that you'll be getting in a few weeks. Or you can leave a note from Santa explaining that he didn't have enough room on his sleigh and will be coming back with the dog. Animal shelters are flooded every January with dogs who were given as Christmas gifts—so January is a great time to adopt a dog who needs a home.

Lastly, it's always a good idea to have your vet's phone number posted in a visible spot. Your vet's office should have someone answering the phone 24/7.

The most important thing to remember, amidst all the chaos of the holidays, is to always know where your dog is and what he's up to. That way everyone in your home, including the four-legged family members, can have a Merry Christmas.

Copyright (c) 2007 Jennifer Koretsky

Parenting and Webkinz

by: Steve Cantellini


I can't remember the first time I remember seeing a Webkinz. I vaguely remember hearing talk about them between my daughter and a few of her friends. I recall not really paying attention to it until I heard one of Marisa's friends mention she had 12 out of the 18 Webkinz that were out. One of the other girls said she had 8, another 6 and my daughter said she had 1 that she received for a birthday gift. I thought to myself that this was crazy and these girls must be a bit more then a little spoiled. As time went on, all I heard from Marisa was talk about her Golden Retriever Webkinz that she named Barkley. She constantly carried "him" around or was constantly on the Webkinz web site. Finally I figured that after hearing all the hype I would check this out. I bought Marisa a new Spotted Frog and off to Webkinz World I went. I wasn’t expecting much, but I figured I would at least have some quality time with my daughter.

In spite of my skepticism, I was very happily surprised. I couldn’t believe everything that was involved. First we had to register our new family member. We decided to name him Henry. We bought Henry food and clothes and furniture for his room. Most of all, we had to play with him and give him attention so he knew he was loved. I couldn't imagine that a toy like this would be able to teach a child such responsibility. Furthermore, some of the games on the Webkinz website were very educational. They were not typical Internet or video games, but actually made Marisa think and learn. Two hours had passed and it seemed to fly by. Webkinz had a new fan and he was well into his thirties.

I can now tell you my daughter is one of those kids who owns an extensive collection of Webkinz. Each one of them has given Marisa much joy and entertainment. Because of the Webkinz she has a much better understanding of responsibility and a better appreciation for education. Today, when I hear Marisa and her friends talking about their Webkinz, I smile to myself. I know she is in a world that makes her feel good about herself. I also know the Webkinz world teaches her responsibility in its own way while keeping her happy. What more could a parent what?

Get Paid For Online Surveys - Avoid Mistakes, Make Money

by: Jorge Chavez


Filling out survey questionnaires to get paid for online surveys is a great way to make extra money. All you need is an Internet connection and your opinions. There are traps out there, but you can avoid them if you know how to. And your can then go on to make very good money...

Imagine yourself sitting at home or at your favorite place (anywhere you have an Internet connection) and making money filling out paid surveys. Sounds like an impossible dream? Maybe it is for some... but for thousands of others it is a daily reality. Actually, it's easy to get paid for online surveys, and paid well.

Paid online surveys are a huge business on the Net, with thousands of new surveys being made every week. Many thousands of survey participants are receiving checks in the mail or deposits in their PayPal accounts every month. You could join them, get paid for online surveys and make money, if you do it right.

To succeed you must understand that only about 20% of survey makers offer the legitimate paid online surveys that pay well, on time in cash or equivalent. Another 40% are so-so. Sometimes they pay enough to make it worthwhile, sometimes not.

The final 40% are simply time-wasters who expect you to work for free or will try to sell you things. Or worse, they will sell your contact info to shady high-pressure sales companies which will bombard you with trashy offers.

To get paid for online surveys and make money you will need a good list of legitimate paid survey panels with a high proportion of survey makers that pay (those in the top 20%. The secret is in getting that list. In reality, you will have to pay something for your list, either in a lot of work or or with $30 to $50 in cash.

Yes, there are "free lists" out there. They're one of the traps to be avoided. Few things are really free. So who is paying for "free lists"? The 80% of no-pay/low-pay survey makers must have new recruits to replace those that quit. They pay recruiting fees to anyone who sends them more recruits to exploit

For those "free lists" the list distributors collect recruitment fees and make money, the survey makers make money on the recruits. However, the list users, the survey participants, get the short end of the deal.

They don't really get paid for online surveys by those low-pay/no-pay survey makers that exploit participants. They eventually get tired of working for nothing and quit, just like those before them, the ones they were recruited to replace.

To get a good list, make sure that YOU pay for it so the seller is trying to please YOU! Look to paid survey membership sites that maintain lists of good survey makers. For a small one-time fee you can join them. get a copy of their list and get started fast, on the right track.

Only consider those paid survey sites that offer a strong money back guarantee, backed up by a bank or financial company like PayPal or ClickBank. If they won't guarantee your satisfaction, then they are not serious. Don't even think about trusting your membership fee with any site without a strong guarantee.

From this group with strong guarantees (there are at least 75 that should qualify) choose one with a low refund rate. The refund rate is the way to determine the opinions of their current and past clients regarding the quality and value or the service they provide.

Low refund rates mean happy clients. Clients who used their list, got paid for online surveys, made money and were satisfied. High refund rates indicate unhappy clients who tried their list, did NOT get paid for online surveys, did not make money, became dissatisfied and demanded their money back.

So choose a paid survey membership site with a low refund rate, join up, get their list and then apply to all of the survey makers on that list. That way you will get a good list, get paid for online surveys, make money and join the happy clients of that paid survey membership site.

To get more information and details on how to get paid for online surveys you can follow the links below...


About The Author
Jorge Chavez

To get paid for online surveys, make money with them, see: http://surveysentinel.ya23.com/Get_Paid_for_Online_Surveys.html For more about refund rates and comparing paid survey sites, see: http://surveysentinel.ya23.com

A Fall Wedding For Jennifer Anniston And Vince Vaughn?

by: Wesley Berry, AAF


After more than a year of neither publicly affirming nor denying their romantic relationship, Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn are finally engaged. On June 27th Vaughn proposed to Anniston miles above the earth in a plane flight home from their nine-day vacation in Mexico. Although we florists recommend a proposal complete with a beautiful bouquet of roses, happily the outcome was a good one for Vaughn, even without roses-Anniston said yes. The question now is whether or not the couple will draw out their engagement without details leaking to the press, or will they move quickly and throw a fall wedding?

Summer is still the most common season for weddings, but the number of fall and winter weddings is on the rise. As reported by the Society of American Florists, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, June is still the most common month for weddings, followed by July, August, and September. However, October is running very closely behind September as a popular wedding month. September's statistics show 8.9 weddings per 1000 people while October is at a very close 8.5 weddings.

If Vaughn and Anniston should decide to get married in the fall, they'll have lots of gorgeous flowers and floral accessories to choose from. The fall color palate includes rich reds, robust oranges, warm golds, and deep burgundies, wines, and hunter greens. Such gorgeous colors are the perfect compliment to the colorful show nature puts on in the fall. Flowers and accents that are often used in fall weddings are orange gerberas, hydrangeas in rust or burgundy, apricot-colored lilies, vines, and hypericum berries.

Of course, traditional roses are also an excellent option, but those within the fall color palate are preferable for an autumn wedding. Some good fall-colored rose choices include:

* Leonidas: A dark, bi-colored chocolaty brown rose. * Black Magic: The darkest of the burgundy roses. * Terra Cotta: The rich orange color of a flowerpot. * Hocus Pocus: Small burgundy roses with playful yellow spots. * Star 2000: A dark coral-orange rose. * Red Berlin: A bright, tomato red rose. * Konfetti: A yellow rose with a reddish-orange tint on the edges. * Sari: A rose with a golden-orange color. * Mambo: A bright tangerine colored rose.

Regardless of the season Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn choose to be married in, there's no doubt that with the help of a professional and skilled florist, their wedding flowers will be as beautiful as the bride.

13 Things Women Want in a Man

by: Patti Oar


You may think that women want someone who is buffed and tanned and looks like a bodybuilder model from GQ. Those things are nice and yes we like to look at those guys, but just like you don’t need for us to look like Victoria Secret models we don’t require it in our man. OK. The 13 most important qualities that women look for in a man are:

1. Honesty
2. Intelligence
3. Nice Smile
4. Sense of Humor
5. Manners
6. Sensitivity
7. Sincerity
8. Gainfully employed
9. Has own place
10. Owns a car
11. Affectionate
12. Considerate
13. Thoughtful

OK. First things first. Honesty is the NUMBER ONE trait that women look for in a man. That doesn’t mean to be brutally honest and tell her she looks fat. (Never do that) but we want to know that we can trust that what you are telling us is the truth. If you’ve lied in the past it will be a very cold day in Hell before she trusts you again. And she may want to check your phone messages and read your email and call you 10 times a day to feel secure that you’re trustworthy again. You may not like that but if you lie it may be the price you have to pay.

Intelligence: Women want to feel safe and protected and we want our men to be smart. Maybe even smarter than us. Women feel that your brain is your sexiest organ. So dazzle us with your brain and you will be surprised how stimulated we become. Kick her ass at “Jeopardy” and watch what happens.

Smile: We love your smile. We can’t get enough of it. It makes us want to touch you and kiss you. So brush and floss and see your dentist and keep your mouth kissably fresh.

Sense of Humor: If you can keep us laughing you are golden. We love to laugh and we love a man who can make us laugh. This goes back to the smart thing as well. You have to be smart to be humorous. We like a man who’s humor challenges us. Leave that 3 Stooges stuff for the guys. Women don’t appreciate 12 year old juvenile humor.

Manners: Little things like manners are very important. Women don’t want their man to drive up and reach over from the driver’s seat and open the passenger door or just wait for us to open the door. A little old fashioned chivalry goes a long way. Escort the lady to the car and open the door for her. We love to be treated like queens. It makes us feel like you think we’re special. And hopefully you do think she’s special. We love a man with manners. We know we can take him home and our parents will love him. We don’t want to have to worry about what you might do or say. We want to be with a man not a boy. That means no farting, belching, toe or nose picking, spitting, or smacking your lips when you eat. We want to know we can take you in public and we won’t be embarrassed. And don’t forget we also like to show you off to our girlfriends and we want them to approve. You want the girlfriends to think you’re a “Keeper”.

Sensitive: That whole thing about being “Sensitive” and getting in touch with your “Feminine Side” are all very true. A woman is waaaay more attracted to a man who isn’t afraid to show his feelings and be gentle and sensitive. We actually think that makes you more manly. A man who clams up and thinks being macho is what we want is very wrong. One of the things that is extremely attractive to a woman is when it’s obvious that you are attracted to us. There is nothing hotter than seeing how much we turn you on. Don’t be afraid to show that. But of course there are limits and this can easily be overdone. Be careful about showing things like that at work or you might find yourself in a sexual harassment situation. And if you decide to try to tip your hand to a woman and show your interest, remember to keep it subtle. No woman likes a STALKER or a HORNDOG! We love to know that we are getting to you, but not in an obnoxious way. You may have to make some changes in your behavior. But of course, they’ll be changes for the better and you will most likely be happier for it.

Sincerity: This is a little like honesty, but what I mean is if you need to change some of your behaviors to be more attractive to women then don’t just do it to get the girl. This is something that has to be real. If you think that’s not you, then maybe you should think about making a change. You can decide you don’t want to change, that you like yourself the way you are, but if that was working for you then you probably wouldn’t be reading this article. You were drawn to this piece because you must truly want to know how to be better with women and if you sincerely do then you may need to take an honest look at yourself and decide what you want because it has to be real.

Employed: OK. This is a no-brainer, but truthfully there are some men out there without jobs that think they can get all the women they want. I have no idea what makes them think that, but their egos are on overtime. Women need security and we want a man who can provide for us. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to work, but it does mean that we want to know that you are a responsible MAN.

Has Own Place: OK. Matthew McConaughey was really cute in Failure to Launch but that was a comedy. Seriously we don’t want to have a sleepover at your Mom’s house. Having your own place just shows us again that you are a responsible adult. And it does help if your place is decorated nicely. I don’t mean you have to hire a decorator, but we’re not drawn to frathouse chic. Impress us with your style. Again we want MEN not BOYS!

Has Own Car: This may not be important if you live in New York or in a place where the public transportation makes owning a car unnecessary but in most of the world you need a car to pick up your date and take her out. It is important to mention here that even though we love luxury cars we don’t need that in our man. Women love men with all kinds of cars, but FYI keep your car clean (especially the inside). Nothing says SLOB more than a dirty car. Take out the fast food wrappers and keep it neat and smelling nice.

Affectionate: We really do love to touch and be touched. And I am not talking sexually here. But try holding her hand when she’s not expecting it or gently rubbing her back. Little touchy things like that mean a lot. Rub her arm when you’re reading the paper or do little things like foot and hand massages. Women love that.

Be Considerate: We appreciate the little things like holding a door open or not walking ahead of us. If we’re sleeping make sure you turn out the light when you leave. Show her you care by picking up after yourself. When you get some dessert out of the fridge ask if she’d like some or make sure you leave some for her. Just basic consideration is so important to us.

Thoughtfullness: This may sound like consideration, but it goes a little further. Being thoughtful of her needs goes a long way. Maybe give her a call from work just to see how she’s doing. While we love that we don’t want to be smothered with a bunch of calls all day long. Bring something home for her when you go to the store, like some fresh flowers (I know that’s cliché, but that’s because it works) or maybe some of her favorite ice cream…just because. This shows us that you are thinking of us and that makes us feel important and special.

Those 2 words important and special should be burned into your brain. If you can always make a woman feel important and special you will be an irrisistable Chick Magnet.

Seven Simple Steps to Flawless Marketing Copy

by: Dana Blozis


Have you ever visited a website that had poorly written text or read a brochure that had typos or spelling errors on the cover? I don't know about you, but I am always turned off by this kind of sloppy work. In fact, if the offending business isn't paying attention to these little details, I wonder what else it is missing. Maybe the company will mail my purchase to the wrong address or forget to gift wrap the package I need sent overnight. Of course, these scenarios are exaggerations, but that's the risk companies take when they overlook details like good copywriting and editing. When we see mistakes—even minor ones—we question the quality of a company's work.

How can you create a flawless first impression? Simple. Avoid copywriting and editing errors in your own marketing materials with these guidelines.

1. Identify your target audience and the voice you'll use when speaking to it. Are you offering your services to CEOs and top level managers? If so, consider using a professional tone in the third person (they, he, she). Maybe you want to appeal to parents of young children. Consider a more casual, friend-to-friend tone in the first (I, we, our) or second person (you). Be sure to consider the type of material you are writing, too. Brochures tend to be more formal than website copy, for example. Flyers and coupons, on the other hand, are often lighter in tone.

2. Present your information in a well-organized, easy-to-follow manner. How? Outline your ideas ahead of time and organize them as if you were a prospective customer. Ask yourself these questions: What problem is this business solving for me? What benefits will I get if I buy this product or service? How much does it cost? Why should I choose this business instead of another? Take your answers to these questions and logically organize them. On a website for example, your home page should tell prospective customers what problem you are solving for them and what's in it for them. Subsequent pages can discuss pricing (pricing or a rates page) and differentiation (about us, why choose us).

3. Write, revise, repeat. After writing your initial draft, set the material aside for a few hours or overnight if time allows. When you come back to revise it, you'll have fresh eyes and errors such as spelling, punctuation, grammar and organization are more likely to jump out at you.

4. Proofread. If you are satisfied with what you've written and have organized it so that it is easy to follow, run a spelling and grammar check (if you haven't already) and proofread the text line by line. Read it out loud or from the bottom up. Do you have contact information (website, e-mail address, phone numbers) listed in your materials? If so, test each one as it is written. See a phone number or an e-mail address? Dial the number or send a test e-mail to be sure the information is accurate.

5. Have someone else proofread your copy. No matter how skilled we are at writing and proofreading, we will always make mistakes. We're human and we can't avoid it, but we can improve our chances of error-free copy by having someone else proofread our work. Almost anyone will do—a friend, co-worker, spouse, teenage son or daughter, even a customer. Ask him or her to not only look for errors but to see if the information is concise and complete. Do you need more text? less text? Can you easily find the information you need?

6. Correct mistakes as soon as you find them. Imagine that you've published your copy to the web or had your materials printed before you find a glaring error. It's not the end of the world, but you'll want to fix it right away. Web changes can often be made quickly. Printed materials take a bit longer—and more money—to correct, so keep a file of changes to make before your next reprint.

7. Lastly, if this process is completely unappealing to you or if you are simply too busy, consider hiring a professional copywriter for the job. He or she will gather information about your intended audience, products and services, and company and, based on your direction, will write copy that is clear, concise and complete and that will draw in readers. To find a professional copywriter, try a Google search for copywriters in your region or look for local writing and editing organizations for referrals. Many have online directories that list qualified copywriters. When selecting a copywriter, I recommend that you contact two or three, read samples of their work and interview them by phone to see if your personalities and work styles are a match. This step may increase your marketing budget a bit, but the quality of your materials will be well worth it.

If you tackle your next copywriting project with these ideas in mind, your marketing copy will be flawless, allowing your message to shine through.

Virtually Yourz,

Dana Blozis

Copyright © 2007 by Dana E. Blozis. All rights reserved.

How To Buy A Bounce House For Your Home

by: Karrie Edwards


Bounce House Buying Guide

Bounce Houses have emerged as safe, fun alternatives to trampolines, and have become a party tradition. From inflatable fun centers, to backyard rentals, to the garage, bounce houses are popping up like mushrooms! In the past, renting was the only option, but bounce houses made of special materials have become affordable for home use. First and foremost, you need to choose the Bounce House that’s right for your family. This Bounce House 101 Buying guide shows you how inflatable bouncers and water parks work, and what to look for when purchasing an inflatable.

How do Bounce Houses Work?

Most quality Inflatable Bouncers and Water Parks fall under the category of Continuous Airflow. This means that an air blower continuously pumps air into the Bounce House or Water Park while the inflatable is in use (If you want to blow it up by mouth, you're in the wrong place!). Air escapes through the seams and the porous materials. You will hear air "breathing" out of the inflatable, or even see bubbles in water slides and water parks. This is perfectly normal, and not cause for concern. Beware of cheap knock offs. There have been a number of recalls due to low-cost knock offs that either split due to improper materials, or have fans that break apart during use. Blowers require power in order to inflate the bouncer, and must be used in areas that have power readily accessible. If you don't have power for your bouncing party, you will need a generator to run the blower.

Within the continuous airflow category, are two primary types of inflatables: Commercial Grade inflatables ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Commercial_Grade_Bounce_Houses_s/40.htm ) and Residential Grade inflatables ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Bounce_Houses_s/21.htm ) , which we will discuss, but this article is primarily focused on residential grade inflatables.

Types of Inflatables

Residential inflatables use woven oxford cloth as the primary material. This cloth makes them much lighter, weighing in at as little as 30 lbs, and starting as low as $200. Because of the lighter weight, residential inflatables are much easier to set up, take down and transport. Residential bounce houses can be used for years, if properly cared-for. These inflatables are not recommended for commercial use, or rental.

The most important criteria with oxford bouncers are stitching, material quality and weave. Steer clear of bouncers that are not double stitched with commercial stitching. Also, be careful with materials, and only buy from reputable companies. Cheaper materials may not have the proper pvc coating, or may not be balanced weave, making them weaker and prone tun splitting in one direction.

Commercial Inflatables are made of PVC tarpaulin material, and are designed for continuous use scenarios. These Bounce Houses, Slides and Water Parks are commonly used by rental businesses, churches and rec centers, day cares, etc. While commercial inflatables can be used for home-use, they are expensive, commonly starting at over $1,000 and running as high as $20,000. Additionally, they are very heavy, typically weighing well over 150 lbs for small units.

Bounce House Features

There are tons of different styles and themes for bounce houses, but they all boil down to a few main features.

• Bounce Floors! If you're buying a bounce house, this will be the most important feature. Make sure you get a bounce house that has a floor big enough to house all your kids, and strong enough for your intended use. The Superstar Party Moonwalk ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Superstar_Inflatable_Party_Moonwalk_p/inf-superstar.htm )has tons of room for big bouncing parties. The Play Palace ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Play_Palace_Bounce_House_p/inf-playpalace.htm ) has a commercial grade floor for heavier and older kids.

• Slides! The second most common feature of inflatables are slides. Many bouncers have slides there for aesthetic or safety purposes only. To get a slide big enough for kids to actually slide down, you'll need something at least a few feet tall. See the Misty Kingdom Bounce House ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Misty_Kingdom_Bounce_House_Water_Park_p/inf-mistykingdom.htm ).

• Water! Inflatable water toys and water slides are continuously winning awards. They keep kids cool and occupied during warm times. The Crocodile Isle ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Crocodile_Isle_Inflatable_Water_Park_and_Slide_p/crocodile%20isle%20water%20park.htm ) is an awesome water park. The manufacturer Blast Zone also has items like the Rainforest Rapids Amusement Park ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Rainforest_Rapids_Bounce_House_Water_Park_p/inf-rrap.htm ) that can be used as water parks, or used dry. Bounce houses can be used year-round. Water-only items will get you 6-9 months use a year.

• Climbing Walls & Obstacles! Kids like to climb almost as much as they like to bounce. Some items will have more interactive features like climbing walls. The Sport Center ( http://www.bouncersdirect.com/Sport_Center_Bounce_House_and_Obstacle_Course_p/inf-sportcenter.htm ) has a climbing wall and a basketball hoop.

One you’ve found the Inflatable at the right price, from the right company, with the right features, buy it! Happy bouncing, and good luck!

Taken from http://www.bouncersdirect.com , Official home page of Blast Zone Bounce Houses.

Visa Backlog: Options For Employers

by: John Mei


According to the December, 2007 Visa Bulletin foreign workers falling in the EB-3 category and EB-2 workers from Mainland China and India will be affected by a severe backlog of visa numbers. This means there are more individuals wishing to immigrate than there are allotted visas. As a result, foreign workers in the effected categories may have a wait time exceeding 5 years before they are able to file an application to adjust status to that of a permanent resident.

Filing a New Labor Certification as an EB-2

The same employer who had filed an EB-3 application for a foreign worker may file a new labor certification for EB-2 classification for the same foreign worker if the job offer as an EB-2 is bona fide and the foreign worker possesses the requisite educational and employment experience that meets the criteria for EB-2 classification.

If there is a bona fide job offer as an EB-2 and the foreign worker is qualified, filing a new labor certification as an EB-2 may eliminate or dramatically reduce their backlog wait time. This may be especially advantageous for employers who have already filed and have an I-140 Visa Petition approved for a foreign worker. If the I-140 for EB-3 classification has already been approved, the foreign worker may seek to retain the old priority date on the new I-140 as an EB-2.

Filing a New Petition as an EB-1

A petition for EB-1 can be filed for aliens of extraordinary ability, multi-national executives and managers, and outstanding researchers or professors. Though rare, we have seen cases that should have been initially filed as EB-1s instead filed as EB-2s, or EB-3s. Those individuals may wish to file a new visa petition as an EB-1 to avoid the backlog. Those with EB-2 or EB-3 I-140 Visa Petitions already approved can seek to retain the priority date of the initially approved I-140.

Individuals may be tempted to file a new petition in an attempt to circumvent the backlog. However, a new petition should not be filed unless there is real merit to warrant such a filing. As such a careful examination of your current job duties and its requirements should be made in contrast to the job duties and requirements on which the first petition was based.

No Downside

Many employers and foreign workers have expressed concerns that a new petition may jeopardize their approved visa petition. However, a new labor certification and visa petition as an EB-2 represents a new job offer that is separate and apart from the job offer that supported the EB-3 labor certification and visa petition.

In the case of filing a new petition as an EB-1, one is merely filing a petition seeking benefits in a classification they qualified all along, but had instead chosen to file the initial labor certification and visa petition as an EB-2 or EB-3. There is no risk to the approved visa petition if there is a legitimate step up in job duties, job requirements, and the foreign national qualifies for the new position as an EB-2 or if the foreign worker could have initially filed as an EB-1, but did not.

The Essential Tools

by: Bent Andersen


Most, if not all, homeowners have a toolbox, and DIY (do-it-yourself) junkies can’t live without one. However, because tools can be so cheap and varied nowadays, there’s a very strong temptation to just grab one of everything at the hardware store and then say that you’re getting ready for any eventuality. This results in a cluttered garage or tool area and, in many cases, wasted money. Below are some of the bare necessities that your tool box should contain. While they may not prepare you for post-tornado house rebuilding, they will certainly suffice for fixing that noisy door in the kitchen or for the regular maintenance jobs around the house.

The Usual Stuff

These are the things that everyone has in their sets, the contents of the usual toolbox. That’s another way of saying “if you don’t have the following, get one now.” These are tools that even your grandfather had, so you’d probably be familiar with them already.

Screwdrivers are absolutely necessary tools. They come in two general variations (the minus and the plus, formally known as the flat or straight and the Philips, respectively), but can come in a wide range of sizes. Just get the usual, fixed-blade, no-frills models unless you’re expecting to do some specialized work. The teeny tiny versions of screwdrivers are called precision sets and are handy to have around.

Hammers, like screwdrivers, come in a variety of sizes for different jobs. Two should probably be enough for your needs. You could get a medium size (usually 16 oz.) for regular jobs and a larger size (usually 32 oz.) for the heavy duty work.

For plumbing and working with fasteners, you’re going to need pliers and wrenches. Usually, a couple of each (one of each type, snub-nose and long-nose, for the pliers) will do. You can even go the extra mile and get a wrench set, which has about 10 to 15 pieces.

Saws are obviously necessary tools if you plan to maintain any wood or metal. For cutting metal, a hacksaw and a couple of cold chisels will do. For wood, a chisel and a saw will suffice. To save on space, you could get one of those handles that have a base compatible with removable saw blades. The blades and the handles themselves are small, and it’s a great little multitool.

Your testing and measuring instruments are critical for determining when you’ve done a good enough job. Make sure to always pack some measuring tape, measuring tape, a measuring square, a level, a voltage tester and an amp meter. Consumable items are also important, so you should always have a couple of pencils, electrical tape, sealant, lubricant, and an array of screws, nuts, nails, and bolts on stock.

Not-So-Usual Necessities

Now that we’ve gone through the usual contents of the toolbox, let’s cover some of the other tool necessities. These are the items your granddad probably didn’t think of putting in the toolbox, but are still ones you should have yourself. Of special mention here are multitools, which have recently become very popular and, more importantly, more affordable. They’re those multi-armed trinkets that have several attachments on them, hence, the name and their ability to do several tasks.

Vise-grips and a utility knife automatically fall into this category. They’re great for any number of tasks and should be a staple in your toolbox. Have at least two vise-grips (plumbing jobs and clamping is usually easier with two), while a six-inch knife should be good enough. A right angle drive helps you get your fasteners into tight places and impossible spaces and, while not absolutely necessary, will be convenient to have around for several tasks.

Cleaning materials have recently become toolbox mainstays, and you should always have some, too. A bit of anti-rust agent (WD-40 works great) and a toothbrush are absolute necessities for cleaning and maintenance.

Genetic Hair Loss

by: Kaelem Steven


Hair loss is the most dreaded problem among humans as it directly affects the person’s outlook. Hair loss can be caused by a number of things like using harsh chemical soaps, shampoos, gels, stress or imbalanced diet. Certain illness can also cause hair. These are all causes in hair loss but the most common type of hair loss that affects approximately 95% men and 70% women is known as hereditary hair loss also known as Genetic hair loss. Genetic hair loss is more commonly observed among males than females and usually starts at the age of 30. The reason for this is that this type of hair loss depends on the extent to which the male hormone testosterone is converted in the scalp to another hormone dihydroxytestosterone. Although genetic hair loss takes place usually after the age of 30 in many cases but in some cases it starts to happen as early as your late teens. Genetic hair loss comes usually from the mother’s side of the family.

Genetic hair loss occurs due to the shortening of the hair's growth cycle, this in turn makes the hair thinner and shorter, and a time comes when the growth stalls completely. It is also responsible for developing bald patches and interacts with the hair follicles. The hereditary hair loss has a very predictable pattern, which is often followed from generation to generation so you can predict by seeing your father and his father how you will go. By the time men reach 50 years of age 50% of the men become bald. In case of men hair loss usually occurs on the crown or the top of the head starting with a receding hairline and leaving healthy hair on the back and sides of the head.

Through certain preventive measure people can slow down the process of baldness. These include using products that make the hair healthy and avoid certain things that damage hair and make them weak, as weak hair fall of easily.

Different Sleep Aid Medications

by: Gary M. Miller


Patients having difficulty sleeping will often resort to a number of possible remedies that are available on the market today. Believe it or not, they aren’t always content with the traditional “counting of sheep” method! In order to easily doze off to sleep, it often requires much more than just an imaginary fence and a flock of sheep. Patients try different medical options that can help them to feel drowsier and eventually fall into that wonderful, peaceful rest they so desire.

There are many treatments and medications available today. Often patients use white noise devices or sleep pillows as an initial solution to their problem. If this doesn’t work, they will usually move to a more serious treatment. Among the more popular medications are the sleep drugs. Sleep drugs are especially successful in helping people who are having an especially hard time making themselves sleep. They use the drugs for only a short time in order to “re-train” their body clock into a normal schedule of sleep. Then, when they have caught up on their rest, they try to transition into a natural method. Over the counter sleep drugs are being used by many people who have an especially tough time sleeping. It is important, however, not to become dependant on these drugs. An FDA warning on sleep drug risks is very alarming as it shows that many people become dependant upon these drugs if they aren’t careful.

Medications for curing sleep problems are of two classes; benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepine are usually used for treatment of insomnia but can also be used for other sleep disorders such as in the case of the drugs Dolmane, Ativar, Restoril, Doral, Xanax, Halcion and Prosom. These types of medication are only to be taken for a short period of time. Continuous usage will very likely cause dependence and addiction to the product. Other side effects include a terrible hangover!

Non-benzodiazepine medications are said to be safer and can cause less dependence. Examples of these are Ambien, Sonata and Lunesta. They help to reduce the struggle of falling asleep without increasing the risk of dependence. It is still important, however, that you don’t rely on these pills all the time. They may still have different side-effects and characteristics that may be harmful to your long-term health. Ambien is a sleeping pill which is an excellent aid to better sleep. It affects you later on in the night and helps you to sleep more soundly. Sonata is also a good medication used by people who have difficulty dozing off. Finally, Lunesta is approved by the FDA for patients who are not able to get any sound sleep and is also a lot safer than the Benzodiapines.

Compared to the Benzodiazepines, non-Benzodiapines allow a patient to have a worthwhile sleep and, at the same time, avoid a lot of the risk associated with the Benzodiapine medications. They also don’t cause hangovers for patients using them! There is less risk of dependence and addiction to the drug and less harmful side effects.

Aside from all these other typed of medication for sleep problems, there are still a few others which should be mentioned. Rozerem is another medication that is approved by the FDA. It targets the brain and controls the sleep-wake cycle of the body. Because it targets the person’s brain and is found to be safe for older adults, it has also become very popular. Still, this product is not for use by people with severe cases of sleep Apnea or hepatic impairment or by anyone sensitive to such medications. A number of other medications are benadryl, atarax, and zopiclone. A person can also use chloralhydrate-oral but the FDA warns individuals of its adverse effect on the body.

Always be informed about the warnings of each drug so that you will not go wrong in using any of them. Also, don’t overuse any drug! Anything taken over its recommended dosage is not good. Sleep medications can be a great benefit to those suffering from the many disorders out there today. Still, always remember that an overdose of any drug can pose more danger to one’s health and should be properly prescribed by a doctor.

Play Your Favourite Music From Your MP3 Player Through Your Alarm Clock Radio

by: Toby Russell


When you look at the vast array and unusual types of clock which are manufactured its somewhat surprising that you will find that digital clocks are hard favorites for many people. These clock styles now come with a variety of options that today's techno fan will feel is necessary for day to day living. One slightly different type of alarm clock that you can[purchase these days is that of an alarm clock and mp3 player. This is Basically an alarm clock clock and an mp3 player which works together.

The numerous other types of digital alarm clock are widely available however you will not find these with an mp3 player everywhere. So for this reason when you are looking into the idea of purchasing one of these clocks you may want to see what the Net has in the way of recommendations. The user and purchaser reviews that you can find are a good way of weeding out alarm clock mp3 players which you may find difficult to obtaib or ones that have tons of problems to them.

These details are significant as without them you may end up acquiring a make or model on the back of being sucked into media and publicity ballyhoo which leaves out the true value of such a clock. When you are look for this[info you may want to see the choice of stores or online retailers where you can buy these clocks. The other significant information that you should look into is that of the price.

You will find that some of the more well known brands will be developed around certain items that customers look for. These may be the number of songs which can be stored in the memory of the player. The types of player styles that you can opt for while you have the alarm clock clock in mp3 mode may be another way that people look at choosing one of these clocks.

Once you have found out all of these details you to check out finding a sho near you to purchase your chosen model]of an alarm clock clock in mp3 player. Certainly depending on the time of year, its probably worth checking stock availability before travelling far to purchase as some may be in high demand. due to the popularity of the product, especially if its been extensively advertised..

Normally its always worthwhile to consider a second option, just incase your desired first choice is tricky to find, out of stock or just not all its cracked up to be The other bonus to planning out your purchase and doing some research is you end up with the right type of alarm clock with mp3 player for your needs and hopefully at an acceptable price

5 Steps to Guilt-Free Dining Out

by: Susan Collmorgen


Perhaps dining out is something you and your family really enjoy doing. After all, it’s a great way to spend quality time together and engage in conversation, and you don’t have to be the one to cook the meal or clean up the mess. But can you really enjoy dining out together and still maintain a healthy lifestyle? The answer may surprise you.

When done in moderation, dining out can still fit in with a healthy family lifestyle. So long as you make wise food choices and keep nutritional value in mind, you can enjoy your dining experiences without the guilt. The following are five steps to guilt-free dining:

Step 1.) Skip the appetizers.

Most restaurant appetizers are high in fat and calories. Rich chip dips, mozzarella sticks, potato skins, and Buffalo wings are tempting, but they should be avoided if you wish to feel good about your food selections afterwards. Keep in mind that at many restaurants, the main course will automatically come with bread, salad, soup, or in the case of a Mexican restaurant, chips and salsa. If you simply must order an appetizer, limit it to one to share with everyone at the table.

Step 2.) Choose your entree carefully.

When it comes to your main dish, pay attention to the listed ingredients. Avoid items with cream sauces or high-fat meats. Pass on fried side items like French fries and onion rings as frying adds additional fat. Consider steamed vegetables or rice as a side dish, or ask for the side items to be left off completely.

Step 3.) Control your portions.

I cannot stress this enough. Whether dining out or eating at home, portion control is perhaps the most important factor to consider when trying to maintain healthy eating habits. When you can, order from the lunch menu since the portions are generally smaller. Also consider asking for a to-go box when placing your order so you can split your meal immediately and avoid the temptation of over indulging. This also gives you a second meal later. Another option would be to split an entrée with your spouse or child.

Step 4.) Avoid alcoholic beverages.

A mixed beverage or beer with your meal may be tempting, but try to limit alcoholic beverages to special occasions. Alcohol is very high in empty calories.

Step 5.) Say no to desserts.

Desserts may be hard to resist, but you’ll thank yourself for doing so. Not only are they very high in calories; they’re generally just as high in fat. If you’re really craving a dessert, make it a point to split one dessert with someone else. That way you’ll only take in half the fat and calories. Of course, on special occasions, it’s alright to cheat a little. Just don’t make it a habit.

Medical Education in Russia

by: Kristina Bogacheva


Russian Federation is the country that always had very high level of medical education. It was the first country in the world where was opened pediatric faculty (Russian State Medical University), first country in Europe where was opened medico-biological faculty (Russian State Medical University), it is the country where were made a lot of greatest medical discoveries, where were born a lot of greatest scientists.

Nowadays the row of Russian Universities was placed in the ten best Universities of rating of UNESCO. For example Moscow Medical Academy has the 2nd place in pointed rating. It proves that the medical education in Russia always had and has the best quality.

In accordance with national legislation of mature economies countries students that graduated any University registered by WHO have the same rights. No matter where University is. Much more important the personal merits of students. The most part of Russian Medical Universities is registered by WHO.

The cost of medical education in Russia is much less than in Europe and USA. So foreign students can get excellent education at acceptable price.

When foreign students study in Russia they get a chance to learn the treasure culture of this biggest country, to see the world famous places.

There are different agencies who can offer their help with entering medical Universities in Russia. One of well-known is Russian Educational Medical Center which can propose admission letters, invitations, accommodation services and other kind of help. It works with students of all nations and offers undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, nursing courses.

Use your chance! Get the best medical education with competitive price!

Beware of this Domain Appraisal Scam

by: Brian Holland


I recently received several e mails from domain sellers who had fallen victim to a domain appraisal scam. The scam starts with a mail the seller receives concerning a domain they own and the scammer showing interest in buying it.

The scammers find information about their targets on Ebay and on Whois.

In the first mail they tell you that they are a new player wanting to invest money in the domain market as a side business and inquire how much you want for the domain.

Next step is the mail in which they accept your asking price for the domain. The scammers tell you that they want you to get the domain appraised as they don’t want to make a bad investment. The scammers want the appraisal from a certain manual appraisal website which they believe to be a good one, ofcourse this appraisal website is part of the scam. This appraisal website gives a highly inflated appraisal value and asks a high fee for it ( up to over a hundred dollars) as they know you need the appraisal to sell the domain.

The end of this story is that once you have mailed your appraisal you never hear from your buyers again. leaving you one hundred dollars poorer and an absolutely useless appraisal richer. This is a very cunningly operated scam and to show you how such a scam mail looks i give you a real example of such an email below.

Email 1:

Hello,

We ‘ve found your domain name listed for sale..

If you are still interested in selling please send your quote and I will

consider it with my partners.

Main direction of our business is software development and technical

support.

Domain names is not our business but a new way to earn on reselling. We are

going to buy domains to resell them at higher prices since we have a large

database of clients interested in good domains.

Looking forward to do business with you.

Regards,


Email 2:

You want 13,500 USD. Ok.

Do you sell domain with a web site or just the name?

If it’s just the name it’s ok. A web site is not necessary.

Have you had your domains appraised already? Can you show me your valuation certificates? As far as I know it’s a common practice to show appraisal of domain name (even without traffic and web site) before doing business.

Without an appraisal I risk to overpay. In other words I won’t be able to make a profit on reselling this name. It’s very important for you and me to know the current market value of your domains.

Of course, we must be sure that you are engaging an appraisal company with REAL manual service. I heard many appraisal companies often made inaccurate auto-generated appraisals. I will only accept appraisals from independent sources I trust. To avoid mistakes I asked domain experts about reputable appraisal companies in a forum. (they now give you a link of a forum you have to check out)

Just check this posting.

If the appraisal comes higher you can adjust your asking price accordingly. I also hope you can give me 10 discount of the appraised value.

After I get an appraisal from you we’ll continue our negotiations.

How do you prefer to get paid: Escrow.com, PayPal.com check or wire?

Hope we can come to an agreement fast.

Looking forward to your reply.



So if you ever get an email like this, you know what to do. Scrap it. Just remember this wise saying that if something sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Tips for Safe Driving During the Holidays

by: Valerie Nay


Every year during the holiday season TV, radio, newspapers and others talk a lot about the hazards of drunk driving and remind us to be careful. Extra police are on the streets and many cities set up sobriety checkpoints to catch drunk drivers on nights when there are likely to be more parties.

This extra focus reduces the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents and makes all of us safer on the road during the holidays.

Drunk drivers aren’t the only hazard on the road during the holidays, though. While most of us would never dream of getting behind the wheel drunk, we could still be creating serious dangers without thinking about it.

Holiday Madness

Juggling normal responsibilities with shopping, parties, and extra school events can make a normally safe driver a literal wreck. Even if you are always calm and collected, remember that other drivers may be more on edge than usual and take these precautions.

*Be extra patient and make allowances for other people and the mistakes they make. Don’t forget to watch out for pedestrians as well as other drivers.

*Try to keep your attention on what you are doing. Not only could they cause you to make a mistake, but cell phones, eating and other distractions keep you from paying attention to other people and the silly errors they can make.

*Be especially careful in parking lots crammed with cars and pedestrians at this time of year. Take it a little slower than normal to avoid fender benders or worse.

*Take note of your emotions and consider taking a break if you get too stressed out, irritated or emotional. Get a cup of coffee or tea and relax for 10 minutes before you dive back in to the frenzy.

Holiday Fatigue

Another danger that is often forgotten, but also a huge problem during this hectic time of year, is driving while drowsy. Falling asleep at the wheel is obviously the most dangerous result, but tired drivers also tend to be more irritable and impatient.

This year like normal there will no doubt be many people who leave work on Friday and start out on long-distance trips to be with family or friends. College students whose holiday break begin after classes on Friday may be headed home as well.

Here are some recommendations you should consider and pass along to family members and friends who may be traveling by car during the holidays:

*Don’t start your journey tired. Be aware of the risks if you get up unusually early to start your trip or leave directly from work or school when you are tired.

*Plan your trip to include a 15-minute break every two hours.

*Make sure that you and everyone on your trip is carrying emergency contact information and valid identification.

*Share the driving if possible. Safety experts recommend switching off every three hours.

*You’re too tired to drive if you start drifting from your lane, hitting rumble strips, yawning repeatedly, having difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open, missing road signs or tailgating. Pull over to a safe place as soon as possible, drink a high caffeine drink and take a 15-minute nap.