Archive for May, 2008
05.31.08
Posted in Better Movies at 8:52 am by admin
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. - Albert Einstein
Clearly, The Miss American Pageant is guilty of doing the same thing repeatedly to a degree broaching the ridiculous. How many years has this little event targeted the same audience using the same approach? To what end? Realizing lower ratings and now jeopardizing the pageant’s existence all together.
No, I’m not expert on beauty pageants. However, as a businessman I know that if my company is losing market-share that I have to go to the source to find out what we’re doing wrong. That source is ALWAYS the customer. I’ve learned that almost any issue causing losses can be solved with a little research. Therefore, when asked if the pageant can be saved, I answer with a resounding YES.
Let’s look at why is the Miss American Pageant is failing.
We don’t know anything about the young women competing.
Give us their history; let us fall in love with them. Many of these girls have interesting stories, some come from deprived backgrounds, some have overcome handicapsgive us full disclosure, we want to know why winning is so important to them.
Give us time to talk about the pageant.
Rather than one big night, why not spread the pageant over a television season? Give us time to talk about it around the water cooler at work. Let us use the pageant as dinner conversation. You are depriving us of one of our most cherished rights as Americans by having the pageant as a one shot dealgossip.
Let us see the talent portion of the pageant.
American Idol has proven that we love to see young talent. Let us see the bad along with the good.
Let us have a voice.
With current internet/phone technology, it is possible to allow Americans to vote for Miss American. We love to participate.
In short, the Miss American pageant is a reality show. Play the drama just as the successful reality shows do today and you’ll have a hit on your hands that will have advertising execs clamoring to buy ad-space and network execs bidding to get the show on their affiliates.
It’s as easy as that!
David Zack Holmes is a writer telling his tales with a southern flair. To read more features see: http://www.davidzackholmes.com
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05.30.08
Posted in Web Resources at 10:13 pm by admin
Website traffic and log files
Every time someone visits your website information like their IP
address, time and date of access and error messages are recorded
into log files that are saved on your server’s (i.e. your web
host’s) computer. These files can be used to analyze your
website traffic. If your web host doesn’t offer these log files,
it is well worth it to switch to one that does.
The statistics generated by these log files are important tools
for monitoring what your visitors do when they enter your
website. Using the information gleaned from them you can track
your website traffic and tailor your pages for maximum effect.
Below is a checklist of what to look for when analyzing your
website traffic.
Website Statistics and what they mean
Page views
A good measure of website activity, it is the number of HTML
pages served. If your visitor goes to ten pages on your site, 10
page views will be generated. This gives a measure for your
content. Generally, the more page views you receive the better
the content. Visits (unique visitors)
A trip to your site by one person, no matter how long they stay
there or how many pages they view. If they leave and come back,
another visit will be generated. Here is a measure of your web
presence. It shows the amount of exposure your website is
receiving from the web.
Most popular pages (i.e. top pages)
Tells you which pages your visitors request most. Helps you
learn what works or what subject matter is generating the most
interest! Be sure to note the content that is generating this
interest and build upon it.
Average number of pages per visit
If this is low, you know your site sucks! A visitor should want
to stay on your site for awhile and this equates to page views.
You need to do some revisions if your page views are low (i.e.
below 4-5 pages). But don’t give up! Just keep working at it
until that number goes up!
Referring pages
This is an important one because it tells you where your
visitors link FROM, who has links to your site, and what search
engines you’re listed with properly. Here is where you can gain
a great amount of insite into your audience. The who, what and
where of your source of visitors.
Browsers used
Tells you what browsers people are using and helps you know how
to design your web pages so that people can use them!
Implementing your website statistics
Once you understand what your visitors are doing you can make
your changes, wait one week, and then analyze your website
traffic again! Look for improved stats and make your plans
accordingly. Understanding your visitors is the first step in
becoming a good webmaster.
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05.28.08
Posted in Kids at 11:30 pm by admin
Giftedness is being identified with increasing frequency as more people come to understand what giftedness is.
Most children will be identified as gifted during the school years, but gifted children are ‘different’ than the norm, even from the youngest age.
While there are many checklists and observational scales to help identify preschool giftedness, there are ten key behaviours that most gifted preschoolers will display.
They need little sleep!
While many people think that toddlers need to sleep twelve hours a night, research confirms that most babes will wake up several times a night - this is normal!
For parents of a gifted preschooler, the pressures are even harder. These children do not need the same amount of sleep as the average child. The difference here, though, is that if the baby or toddler is given minor stimulation (a book, a song, a few toys) they will be content. That is, if they are distressed parents will need to look for another reason for their wakefulness.
So, a gifted baby or toddler will be awake but happy.
Demanding of attention!
Here, again, all babies and toddlers will demand attention! They rely on parents to keep them informed of what is going on around them. The difference here is that gifted preschoolers will demand to observe and participate in the world. They may be happy as long as they are propped up, being spoken to and able to absorb everything that is going on around them.
Speech either develops early, or very late (after the age of three)!
Gifted babies and preschoolers tend not to fit into the normal pattern of language development. They are either speaking remarkably well (such as fifty words by age one and sentences well before two) or they develop their speech later. This late development of speech has been attributed to many of our society’s greats - such as Einstein. What often happens, however, is that these children start talking spontaneously and very well! They have been so focused on observing and absorbing their world that they almost seem to erupt into language.
Very sensitive - to other people’s pain, to their environment.
From the youngest age, gifted children appear to feel very deeply. They care if there is an argument or if they accidentally kill an insect.
They are extremely aware of their environment and are sensitive to color, to sound, and organization.
Marches to their own drum - meaning they don’t appear to ‘fit in’ with other children their age.
It can be very confusing to the parent whose child seems to stand out as different. Because they develop differently, they may appear to be emotionally immature (but this may just be a reflection of their extreme sensitivity), or they may be speaking extremely well while their motor skills lag behind. Some parents report that their child develops motor skills at a very fast rate - they are lifting their head and looking around from birth.
This kind of difference can be the source of bewilderment to parents! It may be hard to relate to other parents or to share what your child is doing for fear of ’showing off’.
Very observant!
Gifted children do not miss a beat! These children know everything that is going on around them and often will often seek to know something in greater detail. For example, they may not be content to sit and watch TV - they want to know what each and every button is for. They may pull things apart (much to a parent’s angst, if it’s something important!) They want to know all about that flower pot, what soil tastes like and what that beautiful flower feels like.
Great memory!
These children remember so much - from language (and they use long ‘adult’ words) to what you said a week ago, to something they did a year ago.
Excellent concentration!
While gifted preschoolers are demanding of attention, once they find something they are interested in, they will sit still and totally concentrate on their finding. Often young children will pick up something and put it down after a few minutes and move onto something else. These children will sit for an hour or more, completely absorbed - whether it be a book they are interested in or a piece of art work or working out how your remote control works.
Bored with repetitive games and toys!
They may not care what other children are doing, so absorbed in whatever adventure they are engaged in at any given moment. They may not like ‘toys’ as such, preferring to do things that are beyond most other toddlers. Any expensive toys that tell your child how to play will move to the side even quicker than other children!
Because they ‘get’ things so quickly, they find it a waste of time to spend their hours doing something they understand.
Good sense of humour!
Combined with their sensitivity is a great sense of humour - often at an adult level! They can play drama games and tell jokes, make up their own jokes and enjoy life with a beautiful belly laugh that delights all around them!
Marilynn McLachlan, author of ‘The NEW Parent Code’, Penguin Books, 2005.
She is the founder of http://www.generationxparenting.com, Cynical, Creative and Conscious.
Sign up for her free monthly e-zine and get parenting information you can use - subscribe@generationxparenting.com
For further information about what to do if you think your preschooler may be gifted, visit http://www.generationxparenting.com
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Posted in Ads at 10:39 pm by admin
Natural Air Purifiers
If you live in urban areas, near a busy street, or experience seasons you don’t want to feel in your living room, just by opening your doors and windows to let out bad smells and let in fresh scents may not always be an option. The solution to living in a home free of smells of steamed cauliflower, shoes, and rubber cement, is to get an air purifier.
Why Airing Your Home Out is not really Enough
It has been shown that airing out your house will stir up the odors in your home a bit and take some of the minor ones with it, especially on a breezy day. But airing out the house won’t get rid of odor that are caused by cigarettes, bacteria, molds, or dirt.
What’s more, the breeze may actually enflame allergies even more.
In addition, opening windows does not purify the air or kill harmful the bacteria and viruses. That is where an air purifier comes in.
Using a Low-Tech Air Purifier
What are low-tech air purifiers? Some of you may already been using them! But, if you are not, you need to get started. Low-tech air purifiers have been show to do a great job in purifying the air in both offices and homes.
Simple low tech air purifying way is just to change the air filters in your air conditioning and heating system once a month. This will help cut the allergens, dander, and dust in your home in half. As an added bonus, this type of air purifying system is silent and it costs very little, about $20 every three months. While this is better than kicking up pollutants with an outside breeze, your HVAC system isn’t really an air purifier - especially if you live with odors. So, you should consider getting a more advanced type of air purifier in order to really improve the air you breathe.
The Ionizing Air Purifier
Ionizing air purifiers are good systems for smoke filled rooms or for those with odor problems, which are the two main reasons most people run to the window to push it open.
Ionizing air purifier systems like the Ionic Breeze air purifier perform in an interesting way. They send out negatively charged particles, which combine with the positively charged particles in the air. These positively charged particles include smoke and odor. When the particles combine, they become too heavy to remain in the air. As a result, they are all drawn to the collection plate within the air purifier. At the end of the day, all you need to do is wipe them away from the plate with a clean cloth. It really is that simple! This particular system costs about $300. Consumer Reports, however, has found that these air purifiers do not really work against removing dust particles and allergens, so it may not be the best choice for you if that is what you are looking for.
Low Ozone Air Purifiers
Low-ozone air purifiers work by oxidizing pollutants and leave behind breathable oxygen and purified air. Thus allowing much relief to your respiratory system.
One word of caution, however, low ozone air purifiers do emit ozone. While the levels of ozone emitted by these air purifiers are considered to be safe, it is crucial to monitor the levels to ensure they are not dangerous.
UV Air Purifiers
The most complex air purifier systems are based on ultra-violet light (UV) technology. UV air purifiers will kill bacteria and viruses they come in contact with, so they’re ideal for bathroom and garbage odors.
In fact, by opening up your door and window, you could actually create an environment that helps these germs grow! Thus UV air purifiers are obviously a much better choice as they are proven to kill viruses and germs effectively.
Read more details on these various types of air purifiers on our website. Discover useful tips to help you choose the best one for you and your family. Visit our website at www.air-purifier-101guide.com
You need to do more research and understand whatever air purifiers are out in the market to determine which is best for you and your family. You and your family are worth the effort!
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Posted in Better Management at 3:38 am by admin
Alistair clearly knew his subject - but what was frightening him was the thought of the major presentation that he was going to be making in a month’s time.
Sheepishly, he acknowledged that he had managed to avoid making presentations in the past - choosing instead to delegate the task to his assistant manager.
But on this occasion, his assistant was working on a two month contract abroad - leaving Alistair with little choice but to get to grips with his fear of standing up in front of two hundred people for an hour.
Firstly, I asked Alistair to describe the emotions he was feeling regarding the prospect of making the presentation. Not surprisingly, he said that he felt overwhelming fear - particularly at the thought of making a fool of himself.
I spoke briefly with Alistair about the sub-conscious mind - and pointed out that its role as a “slave” meant that it would tend to deliver whatever Alistair spent his time thinking about.
By focusing on fear and the thought of making a fool of himself, Alistair was actually asking his sub-conscious mind to make this a reality for him. I cited the example of a client of mine who insisted that every Christmas he would come down with a cold.
Alistair’s eyes lit up with dawning comprehension when I pointed out that my client actually had no need for a cold each Christmas, but that because he believed he would have one, he was effectively programming his mind to produce a cold for him.
What Alistair needed was more than just positive thinking. I asked him to describe how he physically knew that he was experiencing fear. He explained that he felt his throat constricting and his stomach had “butterflies”.
I enquired whether he enjoyed roller coaster rides at fun fairs - and Alistair vigorously nodded and smiled. He acknowledged that before a ride he felt a great sense of anticipation and excitement.
“And how do you physically experience anticipation and excitement?” I asked. Again, Alistair replied that he experienced both emotions physically as throat constriction and butterflies in his stomach.
It wasn’t hard for Alistair to make the connection between the physical sensations that he was experiencing and the labels that he was giving them. After employing a few Neuro Linguistic Programming techniques with him, Alistair was soon able to envisage his forthcoming presentation with a sense of anticipation and excitement.
Finally, I asked him to spend ten minutes each morning and evening focusing on his giving a brilliant presentation - and to imagine the elation he would experience when everyone started clapping at the end of the event, perhaps even giving him a standing ovation!
© Olivia Stefanino 2004
Olivia Stefanino is a leadership development consultant and excecutive coach, who works with blue chip organisations, SMEs and individuals. To find out more - and to download your free e-booklet “128 ways to harness your personal power”, visit http://www.beyourownguru.com
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05.27.08
Posted in Gambling World, Miscellaneous at 10:07 pm by admin
The nuisance of physically going to a gambler’s den makes it recommendable to forget about it in the first place. There’s no pressure for you to leave your house to try online games of chance for the reason that everything is done from your home assuming you possess a functional computer plus a broadband Internet connection. All the same, do bear in mind that there are numerous rules that you should train yourself in regarding online games of chance, especially if you happen to be lacking experience in this field.
Why wait? Top all no deposit casino bonus right here!
The first thing that a street wise virtual risker like yours truly will make sure to suss out is an online games of chance webpage of the type that is prepared to offer top winnings. Determine the online games of chance webpage is kept under surveillance by a respectable auditing company so as to appraise their official casino games payouts in a documented manner. Always take care to ascertain the virtual betting webpage has a license, for example by hunting for the government approval on the casino site’s About page. If you fail to unearth any government approval on your selected virtual betting webpage, do not think of hazarding there.
Another bit of crucial advice is to take your chances as a start in small amounts instead of throwing away great amounts of money off the cuff. Check out the status of this virtual betting organization prior to daring to risk any dangerous adversity, especially that of losing your money… Last but not least, here’s the most important hint regarding virtual gaming. It is to remember always that virtual casinos is all about entertainment and not so much about big winnings. Casino gambling is not a chore, instead it’s a hobby that can help you feel jolly and life as a whole delightful. So, simply having adhered to remarks explained, you can defer to the charms of virtual betting! 
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Posted in School of Loans at 3:57 pm by admin
Have you seen the commercials? Cute characters promise financial prosperity. Happy, professional individuals appear to regularly visit their corner pay day loan shop as proudly as cashing a check at the bank. Customers at the grocery store all recommend pay day loans as the easy solution for a lack of funds.
Could pay day loans be the answer consumers with low bank accounts have been looking for? Is there any harm in using these services? Aren’t they better than using credit cards or going hungry?
WHY USE A PAY DAY LOAN?
Some individuals reason that paying a bill with borrowed money is better than receiving bad credit marks because of not paying the bill. This is understandable. However, some financial institutions are willing to make the occasional exception if contacted about the situation. Or there may be a small fee, but not a credit report made.
Using it for groceries or other items? Consider the true cost before making a decision. Compare the cost of using a pay day (or cash advance) loan to the fees charged for taking a cash advance on your own credit card. Can family help? Often those who are forced to use pay day loans are not able to repay the loan by the next pay check and that can lead to a cycle of debt and stress.
WHAT IS THE COST?
Several sources, including a consumer report by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and the CFA (Consumer Federation of America) state that usual the usual APR is between 350 - 650% with some as high as 780%.
A loan of $100 ranges in cost between $15 - $30. If the loan is not repaid by the pay date then it can be renewed with another fee due at each renewal. A loan of $100 can cost $60 in fees after 3 renewals.
WHO BENEFITS?
Based on the warnings issued by federal and consumer organizations it is clear that using pay day loans or cash advances from these businesses can often lead to more debt and problems. Some sites were reported to automatically roll over the loan and only withdraw the renewal fee on the pay date. Other sites surveyed by the CFA required customers to agree in contract to not participate in class action suits or to file for bankruptcy.
For those who are having debt problems it is recommended to seek no- or low-cost credit counseling from a local non-profit organization. These organizations can help with reducing current interest charges and lowering monthly payments. If the problem is budget, you should look to a financial planner who can help you to manage the money you do have and avoid using credit at all.
Scott Morris manages the site on financial planner.
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Posted in Wheelers at 3:46 pm by admin
The long waiting time to get a Driving Test Appointment here in
Ireland is of course the responsibility of the Department of
Transport. Or is it? It is so easy to blame your Government for
every ill that assails us, but let’s look at the real reasons
for the delay. There are many factors leading to the incredible
waiting time for Driving Test.
1.Demographics — here in Ireland we have a very high
proportion of the population in the age group 17 to 30 which is
the prime time for learning to drive.
2.Immigration — As a result of our new-found prosperity:
Celtic Tiger Economy and all that, we are not only attracting
back expatriates but we have become flavor of the month for
those looking to find a new life from both the European bloc and
further distant countries. Since the accession of 10 new States
to the EU during 2004 there are numerous ethnic groups wending
their way to Ireland. Most of these families will ultimately be
in a position to own cars and the children of these families
will also aspire to drive when they are old enough.
3.Government Legislation — introduced in JAN.2003,as part of
EU Directives ,has led to a large chunk of drivers being forced
to sit a Driving Test instead of being happy to drive on a
provisional license for upwards of 25 years! In the lead up to
this legislation, on one day alone, upwards of 8000 applications
were received by the Driver Testing Section.
4.Candidates failing to turn up. Many Test candidates just
don’t turn up at all. A recent grapevine comment from a Driving
Tester indicated that four of his first six appointments on one
day failed to show.
5.Cars not being up to the required Standard—Despite an
extensive two page list of requirements on the Day, which is
sent with all Test Appointments, cars are still being turned
down .Some of the most common faults are :- Faulty Brake Lights;
Cracked Windscreens; Faded and unreadable Insurance Discs; Poor
Tyres.
6.Novice Drivers Unprepared—Learner Drivers are to a greater
degree not taking adequate Driving Lessons. The result of this
is a high first time failure rate. Lack of practice, in addition
to Lessons is also contributing to candidates having to re- sit
the Test.
7.Driving Test standards and requirements unknown—The changes
due to recent Legislation will not always be known unless the
candidate takes the trouble to enroll with a professional
Driving School. Recently introduced on 14th February 2005 are
the Technical checks which require a candidate to know their way
around under the Bonnet (hood).
8.Cancellations —Obviously there will be genuine reasons for
last minute cancellations such as family problems, health
problems and so on but there are too many cancellations from
pupils who are chickening out at the last moment .A recent
candidate told me that her car had been stolen twice and of
course hiring a Driving School car for a Test at the last moment
is not an advisable course of action. Getting used to strange
car is not something that you can do in just a few minutes.
9.Overconfidence—It is a myth that the longer you are driving
the better you become. If a learner Driver hasn’t been taught
the basics and some more advanced skills at the start of their
driving career they will very quickly pick up poor techniques
and habits which will be difficult to rectify at short notice.
10.Learning to Drive with Mum, Dad, Boyfriend, Girlfriend.—
Many Adult Drivers have never taken a Driving Test, particularly
those over 60 years of age and are not equipped to teach their
offspring. In fact a high proportion of Adult Drivers exhibit
such disregard for the basic Rules of the Road that they
shouldn’t be permitted to be behind the wheel themselves, much
less try to teach their children.
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Posted in Traveling Tips at 6:34 am by admin
Arguably the most famous waterfall in the world, Niagara Falls consists of three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and the adjacent Bridal Veil Falls. It is the second largest waterfall in the world, second only to Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Imagine its power, with over 168,000 cubic meters of water falling over the crest line every minute! A breathtaking sight indeed. Attracting 14 million tourists annually, Niagara Falls straddles the Canada-US border and is shared by the cities of Niagara Falls, New York and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
As glaciers melted and retreated after the last Ice Age, land rose behind it to form ridges such as the Niagara Escarpment. It also formed today’s Lake Erie and its surrounding lowlands. The lake overflowed nearly 12,000 years ago, and Niagara Falls was born. Erosion has shifted the falls from its original location seven miles north in Lewiston.
During summer, Niagara Falls draws the highest number of visitors. After dark, floodlights illuminate both sides of it until midnight, from the Canadian side. From the American side, you can have a view of American Falls from walkways along Prospect Park or from an observation tower.
Queen Victoria Park on the Canadian side contains gardens, and platforms that offer excellent views of both the American and Horseshoe Falls. The underground walkways in the park lead to observation rooms creating an illusion of being within the falling waters. For the highest panoramic view of the falls, you can visit the observation deck of the Skylon Tower. If you look at the opposite direction from the tower, you can get a view of far-away Toronto as well.
Since 1846, the Maid of the Mist cruises have carried visitors into the whirlpools beneath the falls. The Spanish Aerocar, a cable car designed by a Spanish Engineer and built in 1916, carries passengers over the whirlpool below the falls on the Canadian side.
Niagara Falls provides detailed information on Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls Hotels, Niagara Falls Vacation Packages, Niagara Falls Attractions and more. Niagara Falls is affiliated with Cheap Niagara Falls Hotels.
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05.26.08
Posted in Internet Gardening at 12:45 am by admin
Is your driveway landscaped? It should be.
This includes the driveway itself, as well as the design elements on both sides. All sorts of materials from softscape options to hardscape are available to make your driveway attractive.
Make A Good Entrance
As the entrance to your home, the driveway should not be neglected. It can either be a scar on the other landscaping around the home or it can add depth to the entire look of your home. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on it either. You can be creative and choose attractive features, and have a very low cost landscape that is welcoming.
Make sure that you take everything into account before choosing your elements. For example, if you are looking for minimal work, do not plant a flower bush at the end of your driveway where the plants can be ruined by those in your neighborhood. Instead, use an attractive fence or a rock garden.
Another important aspect is the footpath to the home. Do not use any design elements that will be in the way of the normal foot traffic. You don’t want to visitors going out of their way, or worse, trampling your plants to reach your door.
Hardscape Choice
You have many options — common ones include walls and fences, which can add distinction and accent your driveway. A small fence can add character and color to the landscape. Use hanging baskets or lanterns on the fence for more charm.
A large rock can be especially interesting, particularly when it has multiple colors. You can plant grasses and small flowers in the cracks of stones to create even more decorative looks.
Softscape Choices
On a limited budget, just landscaping along the sides of the driveway is an excellent option. It will cost little, yet add lots of beauty to your landscape design.
As for softscape options appropriate to driveway areas, many things will work, such as a flower bed or groundcover along the driveway. This will create a border that is interesting and separates the lawn from the actual driveway.
Ornamental trees and shrubs can do the same thing along the edge of the driveway. Shrubs can be cut to become topiary, which will add even more design elements to the look of the driveway landscape.
Another thing to consider is the curved driveway. If your driveway has a curve in it, a great idea is to add a focal point — something to make a statement. For example, you can have a beautiful tree, a flower bed, or a rock garden there. Whatever it is it should be beautiful because the curve will focus attention at that point of your driveway. You can use water gardens, a wishing well, as well as many other types of elements to enhance this area and have it look amazing.
Doing these landscaping operations can completely transform the entrance to your home. In a simple, affordable way, you can add character and depth to your landscape design around your driveway.
Visit Home Landscaping to learn more. Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer, visit his website at Articles for authors
Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.
Submitted with Article Distributor.
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