Are You Looking For Banjo Lessons

The first time I had a banjo lesson it was a mess. In retrospect it wasnt actually my very 1st banjo lesson. The truth is that I have been participating with online banjo lessons and truly thought I knew how to play. At the time I was a teen eager to learn. So I started digging around on the world wide web.

There was an internet site with a man strumming which you could actually get this file, and musical tabs which allowed you to follow along with the music. I had my very 1st banjo lesson online a few months back, and even though I slacked a bit, learning those couple of banjo songs still kept me interested, and even though I ended up ignoring the majority of the others, I actually thought I was making progress.

When I first actually took my 1st banjo lesson it was a huge upset for me. I entered the music room and try to brag how good I was. Here is a great music site http://www.mywebrelease.com. My instructor stared at me and I immediately stumbled on my first fretting of a chord. The banjo is my very first musical instrument and certainly the first time I played in front of a one man audience. I have great public speaking skills, so I am baffled why it was nearly impossible to play in front of one music instructor. The overall process of playing in front of him should be a breeze, correct? Absolutely not! It was awful.

It is truly a mystery how I will be able to learn anything at my banjo lessons if I struggle to play in front of my instructor. My instructor does make time for me, and on top of that he is a superior banjo player. He did show me some stretching techniques which I will apply before my next banjo lesson, and it was a huge stepping stone for me. To add more to that I love how much I learn just from our one on one experience where I get to observe him play. But reality sits in, will my banjo playing skills sound at all any better at my next banjo lesson.

If I continue to fumble my playing when he is around, how will my instructor be able to tell if I am getting any better. To look at it even deeper, how will he know I am trying to learn what he taught me from the last lesson. It will be nearly impossible to gain advice if I cant strum a chord while he is in the room. So what I decided to do was record myself playing the banjo so he can truly listen to me. From the start, it might be difficult to strum, understanding that I am recording the music so I can show my instructor at my next banjo lesson, but in the long run it will become a breeze.

Dylan Mccabe enjoys working with the following internet sites: http://www.myartportal.com http://www.photographyforfun.comCrystal Blog26706
Corny Blog39988

Five Tips for Getting Picky Kids to Eat Fruits and Vegetables

Is your child super-picky? Its sometimes tough to know whether cautious eaters, as I like to call them, are getting proper nutrition. Here are a few strategies that have worked for getting my toddler to eat her fruits and vegetables. Every kid is different, but some of these tips might just work for you, too.

1. Bake fruits or vegetables into quick bread or muffins. My daughters favorite are apple-banana muffins.

2. Make a yummy casserole. My girl likes rice and cheese, so I make her a cheesy broccoli and brown rice casserole. She wont eat broccoli by itself, but doesnt seem to mind it in this dish.

3. Stir some pureed carrots or sweet potatoes into macaroni and cheese. The trick with this is to be careful not to change the color or the taste much. Orange or yellow veggies work best here.

4. Offer dried fruits. For example, some kids wont eat grapes, but like raisins. These are highly portable, too. (Caution - may be a choking hazard for young toddlers.)

5. This may sound strange, but try offering a single bite-sized bit of fruit on a dish by itself. My daughter seems to like for her food to be separated and neat-looking. When she eats the first piece of diced peach, I put down the second, and so on. She ends up eating more than she would have had I given her the entire serving at once.

Ive also found that if you offer the fruit or vegetable at the beginning of a meal when your child is hungriest, as an appetizer, he or she is much more likely to try it. Also, remember never to force your child to eat. It can take a lot of extra effort and creative thinking to get your kids to eat whats good for them. But hey, one day they might thank you for it.

Teresa Kolvek and her husband, Tony, are the proud parents of a beautiful and spirited toddler named Amelia. Visit Teresas website at http://www.toddlerdish.com for great information, tips, and recipes for toddlers. Christalle Blog2625
Constantine Blog67050

Reducing Spam Using The Spam Fighting Filters

Not only are anti spam filtering programs important to keep your computers safe from potential online hackers, viruses and bots, they are also an important time saving feature. For example, if you own or manage a small business, if each of your employees spent just several minutes per day reviewing and deleting spam emails, he or she would end up wasting over 20 billable hours annually. Multiplying twenty hours by the number of employees affected and you have just discovered a major time and money drain for your company. Investing in effective anti-spam practices makes sound financial sense in terms of productivity and computer IT savings.

As online spam continues to increase many people have turned to anti-spam programs. The spam peddlers and the software manufactures are engaged in a battle. As the spam proliferators continue to change up their antics the anti-spam programs themselves have had to upgrade their software, now it has reached the point where some of the software is so complicated, and requires so many time consuming updates, that it to is almost not worth it.

Todays best solution seems to lie in the hands of companies which allow you to run your emails through their servers and filters. These companies run all incoming emails through many tests and weed out the spam. This cuts spam off at the pass and your server will never have to encounter the spam emails. An added benefit to using these third party servers for sifting your email, is these spam messages will no longer take up room on your server.

As mentioned earlier the spam peddlers are upping their skill levels everyday. So, while using a third party server will greatly reduce your risk, relying on one method alone is not sound. As a backup measure it is a good idea to have your own anti spam software running. The best prevention is remember when in doubt throw it out. If you receive a message from an unknown sender, do not open it, click on it, or reply to it. Just like junk mail received in your homes mailbox simply throw the sucker out into your computers recycle bin.

Jeff Clark is a staff writer at http://www.technology-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several others http://www.gamesenthusiast.com.Christin Blog80665
Collete Blog14277

What IS a Healthy Diet

There is so much information about what is healthy and nutritious these days that it is very difficult to sort out the hype from the truth. Following a healthy diet can be accomplished by making some simple adjustments to your current diet.

If you think it is just too much trouble to make some simple changes to improve your familys diet, think again. Most people do not realize the incredible impact that a healthy diet has on our bodies, making the difference between poor health and good health.

Along with regular physical activity, a healthy diet is the most important factor that determines your weight. If you are overweight or obese, your chances of developing many diseases or conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers, increase significantly.

EASY STEPS TO A HEALTHY DIET

Your first step to following a healthy diet is to make sure you include food from all food groups. Vegetables, fruits, whole-grains, legumes, lean proteins and low fat milk products should all be incorporated into your daily diet.

*VEGETABLES A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. It also contributes to a healthy weight, reducing your risk of obesity and the conditions associated with it. There are a multitude of vegetables to choose from, the healthiest being dark green vegetables like broccoli, lettuces, and kale, orange vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash, and red vegetables like red peppers and tomatoes.

*FRUITS Eat a variety of fruits each day, canned, dried, fresh or frozen. Stay away from fruit juices as they can be high in sugar. (Unless you make the juice yourself.)

*WHOLE GRAINS Choose whole grain cereals, breads, rice, and pasta. Read the food label and make sure the grain that is listed such as wheat, rice, oats or corn is referred to as WHOLE in the list of ingredients. Whole grains are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber can help reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

*LEGUMES This class of vegetable includes beans, peas and lentils. They are low in fat, contain no cholesterol, are high in protein, and have phytochemicals, compounds that help prevent heart disease and cancer. They are also a good source of fiber. Add pinto, kidney, black and garbanzo beans, split peas and lentils to your daily diet.

*LEAN PROTEINS Choose lean meats, poultry, and fish. Bake, broil, or grill it. Do not fry! Beans, nuts and seeds also provide protein.

*LOW-FAT MILK PRODUCTS Eat low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese or low-fat milk every day. Dairy products can lower your risk of diabetes and help build strong bones, reducing your risk of osteoporosis.

There are a variety of foods that should not be present in your diet except in very small amounts. These foods, such as sugars, alcohol, and some fats, contribute to diseases and poor health.

*SUGARS Avoid foods containing sugar. You know what they are! Always check food labels to see how much sugar is present as some foods contain sugar that may surprise you.

*ALCOHOL Avoid alcohol. If you must drink, limit intake to one drink a day. Alcohol can increase your risk of many conditions including some types of cancers.

*FATS There are different kinds of fat in our foods. Some are detrimental to your health and others are very healthy.

1. Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, flaxseed oil, peanut oil and avocados)

2. Polyunsaturated fats (safflower, sesame, sunflower seeds)

These fats raise your good cholesterol levels. To stick to a healthy diet, choose foods with these fats.

3. Saturated fat and trans fatty acids raise your bad cholesterol levels, contributing to your risk of heart disease. Limit your intake.

Saturated fats are found in beef, veal, lamb, pork, lard, butter, cream, whole milk dairy products and can be present in processed foods like frozen dinners and some canned food. Always check food labels before purchasing.

Trans fatty acids, the kind of fats that increase the risk of heart disease, are formed during the process of creating cooking oils, shortening, and margarine and are found in commercially fried foods, some baked goods, and crackers. When checking food labels, make sure the ingredients do not include hydrogenated fats.

Following a healthy diet is a necessary step for the improved health of you and your family. It is not difficult to make the simple changes necessary to change an unhealthy diet to a healthy one. The advantages, better health, longer life, and more energy, far outweigh any inconveniences you may experience.

Chris Chenoweth is the author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, 500 pages of household tips, home remedies, diet and nutrition information, health issues and thousands of recipes! http://www.money-home-biz.com. If you would like additional information on healthy ways to lose weight, learn how to burn fat with one of the most effective and healthy fat-burning systems available, the BURN THE FAT program. http://www.ezniche.com/data/article.php?l=18 Ddene Blog58549
Denice Blog12371

Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" Brings the Past Violent Mayan Life into Our Consciousness

Apocalypto 4 Stars (Excellent)

Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto" shows the raw, violent face of the advanced Mayan civilization in its decline, with its rulers insisting that the key to continued prosperity is to build more temples and offer more human sacrifices to their Gods.

The result is the story of innocent Mayans being viciously attacked and their communal way of life being destroyed to meet an insane desire. Killing your own has never been a good idea historically and is perhaps a lesson we need to take more seriously today.

The focal point of this film is Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) and his family. He is one of many sons of Flint Sky (Morris Birdyellowhead), the leader of a small, isolated Mayan community in the tropical jungle of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula just before the arrival of the Spanish in the New World. Flint Sky and his progeny wish only to be left alone to pursue their destiny in a peaceful environment.

Enter Zero Wolf (Raoul Trujillo) and his raiding party looking for victims to sacrifice to the Gods. Jaguar Paw and pregnant wife Seven (Dalia Hernandez) and their son Turtles Run (Carlos Emilio Baez) escape the attack. Jaguar Paw quickly finds a hiding place to keep his family safe, and then he returns to help fight off the attackers.

Many in his village are killed and many more are captured. This story is about how the captured Jaguar Paw can possibly survive the enforced march to an untimely death and then return to save his family. In the end, he must choose to greet the oncoming Spanish as their ships roll into the harbor, or retreat to the jungle and continue to live a hidden life.

I promise you that when you see this film you will be glued to the edge of your seat. Apocalypto will hold your interest like very few films can.

Some historians were falling all over themselves to criticize inaccuracies in the film, I suspect mainly to get some badly needed publicity which they obviously could not do on their own. Gibson is a film producer in Apocalypto, not an historian.

Good grief, if I want exact history, I will read history books. Gibson brings history to life and does what no one else in Hollywood dares or cares to do.

Gibson's film is an excellent presentation of how we would like life not to be, and also a reminder that no matter how smart we think we are we can sow the seeds of our own destruction right here in the greatest nation Earth has ever hosted.

Apocalypto is produced by Mel Gibson, Farhad Safinia and Bruce Davey, and written by Gibson and Safinia. It is worth the price of two tickets to see. I highly recommend it for adults. It is a not-so-subtle reminder of what civilization was and could be again.

The fate of the Mayan civilization remains a mystery even today. We know that around 300 BC the Mayan calendar was invented in the Yucatan and was more exact than older calendars. We know the oldest Mayan temples in Central America were built around AD 200.

We know that the Classic period of Mayan civilization occurred between AD 250 to 900 with the development of hieroglyphic writing and advances in art, architecture and science. We know the Post-Classical period of Mayan civilization began in AD 900 and extended to 1519.

The Mayan civilization was at its apex in the early 8th Century before eventually falling into decline and ultimately suffering abandonment. We do not know why the civilization collapsed but can only speculate that its fall was from within, sowing the seeds of its own destruction.

Apocalypto picked up nominations for Academy Awards in Makeup, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing.

I thought the cinematography was spectacular, the close up shots of Jaguar Paw running for his very life, the look of fear in the faces of those innocents who were violently executed by their attackers, and the jungle with its teeming flora and fauna.

Cinematographer Dean Semler used a Spydercam to shoot from atop the 170-foot waterfall when Jaguar Paw jumps to escape Zero Wolf and his killer squad. Semler filmed Apocalypto digitally, using the high-definition Panavision Genesis camera. Semler is an artist disguised as a cinematographer.

The Central Ohio and Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Associations saw what I did in giving Apocalypto their Best Cinematography Awards.

Apocalypto should have garnered more awards, but Mel Gibson's unfortunate drinking habit and run-in with a law enforcement officer did not endear him to the Hollywood community.

Gibson insisted on making the main sets based on actual buildings rather than computer-generated images. Three cheers for Gibson as I believe authenticity counts. I am so sick and tried of seeing stupid kung fu films showing actors jumping 150 feet straight up into the air and then fighting on a twig. I would like to see these wannabe clowns fighting Bruce Lee on his best day.

Was Apocalypto an epic? Absolutely. There was a main cast of 39 along with 700 extras.

Ever wonder what a support cast is to a film? For Apocalypto there were 179 people in the Makeup Department, 67 in the Art Department, 50 in Sound, 36 in Special Effects, 153 in Visual Effects, 33 in Stunts, 80 in Camera and Electrical, 8 in Casting, 22 in Costume and Wardrobe, 18 in Editorial, 62 in Transportation and 100 more additional crew. Total support: 800+. Cost of the film: $40 million. Total box office and rental revenue figures: $72 million and counting.

Many of the speaking roles were by Mayan people who had never acted. The sick child who curses the hunting party as they lead the captives on a forced march to their death was played by a 7-year-old girl who lived in a dirt-floored hut in a village not unlike Jaguar Paw's.

This was a haunting scene as the girl who was affected with the plague and untouchable upbraids the hunting party by saying "You fear me? So you should. All you who are vile. Would you like to know how you will die? The scared time is near. Beware the blackness of the day. Beware the man who brings the jaguar.

"Behold him reborn from mud and earth. For the one he takes you to will cancel the sky, and scratch out the earth. Scratch you out. And end your world. He's with us now. Day will be like night. And the man jaguar will lead you to your end."

Herein we learn how Jaguar Paw avoids being beheaded only to run the gauntlet of spears and arrows in his escape back into the jungle. This is a brutal and graphic film with beheadings like sound bites.

There are too many gems in this film to list here. Suffice to say a village elder uses animals to tell a story about how man will never be satisfied despite using the Earth and everything in it for his own gain. You will cringe when Jaguar Paw's wife and young son face downing as she falls and must deliver her newborn facing certain death. In the end Jaguar Paw uses his wit and wisdom to claim the forest as his own.

Get out and see Apocalypto. This is a film nearly everyone could benefit from seeing before they pass from this Earth. It will remind you of how fragile and perilous our life is.

Copyright © 2007 Ed Bagley

Ed Bagley is the Author of Ed Bagley's Blog which he Publishes with Original Articles on Current and Past Events, including Analysis and Commentary on Lessons in Life, Movies, Sports, Internet Marketing, Jobs and Careers that are intended to Delight, Inform, Educate and Motivate Readers. Visit Ed at . . .Dacia Blog43864
Cristen Blog95431

The Police And The Motorcycle Helmet

Jeremy has been a member of the California Highway Patrol for the past 6 years. This individual wanted to serve the public and ride on the bike as a kid and got the opportunity to do both after graduating from secondary school.

The job did not pay much but the rewards came when the roads this officer patrolled on were safe. One of the things that this person always had on to remind other bikers of safety first is the police motorcycle helmet.

Law enforcement riders are not the only ones required to have a helmet. State law requires bike owners to have one on every time the individual decides to hit the open road. The reasons for this are simple that is to protect the biker during an accident.

Highway patrol officers are given a helmet before going on the road. The best ones are those made of thermo plastic composite material that uses high pressure compression giving it strength and making it lightweight.

The helmet is about three pounds. When the police officer puts this on with the radio and the utility belt mounted on the waist or shoulder, this will be an additional 6 pounds to the individuals normal weight.

There are two types of visors that can be chosen for the motorcycle helmet. The person can choose to get the standard snap on visor or the fixed patent leather version.

The individual can easily put this one or take it off because of the quick nylon tubular chin strap that is adjustable. This means that it can fit any officer who will be patrolling the streets using a motorcycle.

The interior of the helmet can be removed and is hand washable. This will keep it clean and smelling good even if the person sweats due to extreme heat especially in the hot summer months or during rainy weather.

Those serving in law enforcement can only purchase the police motorcycle helmet. This means people who want to have one should pass through the rigorous process of applying then training to be one of the few with a badge and a gun.

It takes courage to get on a bike and join the ranks of others in the service who have been doing this for a number of years. This is the reason that people like Jeremy still prefer to patrol the streets so that ordinary motorists can always be safe.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Motorcycle Helmets & other useful information, please visit http://motorcycle-helmet.articlekeep.comChere Blog80913
Cindee Blog2500

Dream In Chocolate: How Much People Love Natural Chocolate

Take away a womans chocolate and some say you take away her soul. People throughout the ages have loved healthy bites of divine chocolate.

Queen Isabella first learned about chocolate when Columbus returned from America. He bestowed the magical brown beans known today as cocoa beans.

Often called the food of the Gods, natural chocolate was used by the Aztec Indians who made their own hot chocolate as a sort of royal drink. Emperor Montezuma served bitter chocolate in golden goblets, but Spaniards later decided to sweeten it with cane sugar.

Sugar-free options for chocolate

Today we have the option of sugarless candy and chocolates that do not contain cane sugar. We understand better that sugar is not ideal for our health.

One of the first hints that a woman might be getting her period soon is the fact she begins to crave chocolate. Women love natural chocolate because it eases her moodiness and helps her feel more in balance. Experts say that is because chocolate contains magnesium, which is important for our health. But instead of indulging in sugar, which can make PMS symptoms worse, its wise to try sugarless candies and chocolates that are natural and healthy.

What does chocolate taste like?

Why is it people crave chocolate whether they have a deficiency in magnesium or not? Chocolate teases the senses with its aroma and luscious taste and texture.

Experts say chocolate actually contains more than 300 distinct chemicals. Caffeine is surprisingly found in small quantities in chocolate so, if you want a caffeine high, its better to select coffee. Experts say the combination of caffeine and Theobromine, another weak stimulant, does provide a lift for chocolate lovers.

Finally, chocolate contains Phenylethylamine, which is related to amphetamines. They are stronger stimulants. When you dive into a box of chocolate or visit the chocolate store, your body and brain is probably going crazy with desire. Just be smart and select the sugarless candy and natural chocolates for better health.

Fred Goldman owner of D-lectable.com. Love chocolate? Hate the synthetic ingredients that make you fat? D-lectable.com has natural chocolate, sugarless and low-carb. You'll never know the difference, but your scale will! http://www.d-lectable.com.Christen Blog84337
Deerdre Blog67389

Interesting Ways To Connect Entertainment Memorabilia

There are interesting ways to connect Entertainment/Memorabilia items with the way we enjoy our lives. Some people collect pennants from their favorite sports teams. The pleasure derived from sports memorabilia could begin during college when pennants adorned our walls and extend into adulthood when we collect team memorabilia such as jerseys, baseball caps, or shot glasses.

Other interesting ways to connect Entertainment/Memorabilia is to associate a family event with a historical site such as a National Park. These sites have unique features such as geysers, canyons and rivers and when linked to family vacations or a family reunion these sites have the extraordinary ability to create all sorts of entertainment and the memorabilia could come from a piece of petrified rock or a photograph of a landscape or a group of family members.

Most of the interesting ways to connect Entertainment/Memorabilia have historic significance attached to them. The Space Program offers Entertainment/Memorabilia with scientific significance such as space modules and rockets, and Memorabilia that might be attached historically to our lives when we viewed the first walk on the Moon. Tragedies have occurred in the Space Program and the memorabilia attached to the events are considered to be national treasures.

Small towns have found interesting ways to connect Entertainment/Memorabilia by featuring antique fire trucks and rescue emergency vehicles in parades. These antiquated pieces of machinery solidify how solid America is on its core values and how we unashamedly grasp what good times are all about. Parades have a way of tying memories of the past with firm reminders of the technological advances that we have achieved today.

Our democratic society has produced interesting ways to connect Entertainment/Memorabilia sources through several portals in our lives. Some collectors place great value on campaign buttons and bumper stickers of Presidential campaigns held many years ago, but still find it impossible to collect such things as the original Bill of Rights or the Constitution because they are owned by the American public as a whole and would never be considered for sale at any price.

Adults have interesting ways to connect Entertainment/Memorabilia with the schools that prepared us to excel in life. Events such as the Senior Prom or the times spent in the principal's office have had a great effect on the character of the person that we became when we reached adulthood. Some people are so connected to the school that they graduated from, that they feel compelled to return to them after earning their teaching certificates.

The school experience goes full circle when the student becomes the teacher and the school becomes yet another memorable landmark to cherish in the mind of another individual who might do the same thing in later years. The sports events and personal accomplishments that we accrued and endured during our early years will be the benchmark on testing our abilities to find success in the real world.

James Brown writes about http://www.teamlogoandgear.comCorette Blog72875
Dacey Blog62025

Importance Of Using GPS Advisor Tracking In A Business

People are able to do more with the options on their GPS products due to the advance in technology creating some very interesting and innovative features in these useful products. One thing that is really good about this, is that is makes it a lot easier for business owners and managers to be able to locate and monitor their employees and make sure that their vehicle is secure. Using a GPS system will be a huge help for those that need to be able to monitor company vehicles and also be able to locate all the information that you need with little hassle.

For a business owner or manager to be in a position to better keep track of company vehicles, your employees and very importantly your monthly budget a GPS system can be the answer to putting a stop to high operating costs.

Although GPS systems are a huge asset to businesses needing to monitor their company vehicles they can additional be quite beneficial to just about anyone that wishes to use them. Would you like to be able to keep track of one of your children? Install a GPS system into the car that they will be driving and you will not have to worry so much about where they are headed.

Companies that are looking to maintain their budget by being able to keep track of all company vechiles, protect themselves from any potential timesheet fraud and stop any unauthorized use of company vechilces mainly utilize a GPS tracking system. These vehicle-tracking systems are fairly easy to install and most are priced very affordably. Companies are able to keep track of their workers using a system with no monthly maintenance costs for a relatively small one-time investment. What budget conscious business would not be thrilled by that?

Many of the GPS tracking systems out there today are able to be able to report the exact destination that the employee drove to, the number of times that employee stopped the vehicle and some can even report exactly how long the car was stopped at each place the employee stopped the vehicle.

A GPS tracking system for vehicles cannot only offer comprehensive tracking of company vehicles but also equally as comprehensive reporting data. Many systems have automatic wireless downloading capabilities, the ability to monitor the speeds that the cars are driven to aid in the reduction of gas mileage and is able to be easily installed on most any type of vehicle.

The kind of technology that a GPS tracking system is capable of was virtually unheard of five years ago. During that time if you were mention anything about a GPS vehicle tracking system to someone they would more then likely look at you like they had no idea what you were talking about. However these days it seems like almost everyone knows what a GPS system is all about.

Additionally as the cost of GPS tracking systems continues to stay at a reasonable rate more and more companies are making use of them. Over the past six years these vehicle tracking systems have become extremely popular with a huge number of businesses that employ company cars.

There are a great number of companies out there today that offer to provide GPS vehicle tracking to businesses for a low monthly service fee. These types of services can alert a business owner right away about any vehicle that might be out of place or one that may have gotten into an accident. They would also be able to provide the company that they are contracting with very detailed data reports about their company vehicles.

Subscriptions can offer a lot of different options with how tracking information is transferred and what ranges of network is used. While the majority of GPS tracking systems offer real time tracking information mainly via satellite there are some systems that do not offer any information about where the vehicle has been until it has been returned.

Besides being heavily used by budget conscious businesses a GPS tracking system can be used in several other ways. Consumers can use a GPS system as a form of car security. If your car should ever be stolen you can simply track it down using the GPS system. Many individuals that are on parole have their cars outfitted with a GPS system so their whereabouts can be monitored for a certain time period. GPS systems can be useful maps as they can quickly locate the location of a destination and provide detailed driving instructions.

With as quickly as technology is advancing and improving, GPS vehicle tracking systems will be able to provide even more useful options in the very near future.

David Matthews is a staff writer at http://www.gps-advisor.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.finance-journal.com.Cherianne Blog65935
Collette Blog58874

DIY Public Relations

Ever felt aggrieved that other entrepreneurs make the headlines but you dont? Louise Third, founder of Integra Communications, the enterprise PR specialists, says its not as tough as it looks; it just requires planning and the application of some basic rules.

Kevin and Dawn Hartley, the owners of Mozarts Restaurant in Nottingham have tangible evidence that a planned use of PR can significantly improve sales. The couple, who opened the 40-seat restaurant in November 2002, decided to take every opportunity to contact their local press and radio with news and comment. Their opening was marked on Radio Trent FM with champagne and canaps and was followed a month later by a 2 hour Christmas Show broadcast live from the restaurant. BBC Radio Nottingham carried a Valentines recipe on the website and 50,000 listeners enjoyed a live cooking session in association with the Nottingham Restaurant Awards.

Our biggest media coverage success came on National No-Smoking Day in 2004 when we took the decision to announce that Mozarts had become Nottinghams first totally non-smoking restaurant, says Head Chef Kevin. Not only did BBC Radio Nottingham interview us then, but when the government White Paper on smoking was published last November, we were bombarded with requests for interviews. Kevin and Dawn found themselves on several local radio stations, and in front of regional TV cameras. Although the media requests were quite demanding, the couple made themselves available for interview, thus helping the journalists complete their work and gaining a profile for the restaurant. As a direct result of their PR efforts, the Hartleys have enjoyed a 15% rise in trade.

Inside every small business is a story bursting to get out. Start with that positive attitude and you will get thinking creatively about possible media coverage. A clever use of public relations will help people to understand what you offer, will gradually build your reputation and keep you at the forefront of peoples minds ahead of the competition!

Basic rules

The fact that Kevin and Dawn planned a media campaign as part of their overall sales strategy brings us to the first rule of sound public relations:

1. Use PR as an integral part of your marketing plan: once you have decided the level of sales you need to breakeven and then to make a profit, identify those who need to know about you and what you offer. If you have opened a new shop, customers may be very local but if you specialise they may travel from much further away. Perhaps you coach senior executives to cope in stressful conditions: then your potential clients may be the UKs FTSE 100 companies or large public corporations. You may decide to use a combination of direct mail, networking so you get referrals/recommendations and publicity.

2. Identify what your target customers read, watch and listen to. This is likely to be a mixture of local, regional and national papers, trade or professional magazines, local and national radio stations and TV, not to mention all the New Media options. If it is practical, ask them; if you are visiting their premises, what publications can you see in reception? Make a list, find the name of the most relevant editor or feature writer and call them to see how they would like to receive your news. The fax machine used to be widely used to issue press releases; this was then overtaken by email, but ironically many PR firms are reverting to fax; it cant be erased or ignored and is still cheaper than post. Then theres the direct call to the journalist or news desk.if you have a very strong story. However, be realistic. Dont set your sights on regular television coverage, but equally dont rule it out (at least regionally).

3. Find the news. Be ruthless and think like a journalist, otherwise your release will get tossed in the bin. The journalist will be looking for things their readers will find interesting, amusing or useful. Here are a few ideas, but there are as many permutations as there are businesses:

a significant new contract
launch of a survey / report
a new appointment
sponsorship of a local charity / event
welcome or condemn new policy/proposals
claim first/last/biggest/latest (but avoid best!)
launch a campaign / involve a celebrity
letters to the Editor

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I helped a client, Linda Russell, to launch a new shop in north-Nottinghamshire. Not that newsworthy you may think, but this was no ordinary shop and Linda is no ordinary lady. Having recovered from breast cancer and reconstructive surgery at the age of 31, Linda launched Perfect Fit, an online service selling the latest designs and styles of lingerie for women with post-operative needs. The shop would allow Linda to display her stock, provide a professional fitting service and offer a sanctuary for women to meet and talk. We issued a pre-opening media release with the headline, Lindas Perfect Fit helps Breast Cancer blues and linked the launch to Breast Cancer Awareness month by including a quote and useful statistics from the regional Cancer Research UK representative. This small campaign had all the necessary hooks for media coverage and gave the journalists what they needed. As a result Linda received full page and editorial coverage in the main regional press, feature and interview slots on local radio and a phone-in on BBC Radio Nottingham. Timing, planning and sensitive delivery was all it took.

4. Write the media release. Although you want to encourage the journalists to use your story, this is not a sales pitch, so avoid gushing praise of yourself and your product. Here are some basic guidelines:

Cover the facts in the first paragraph including who, what, why, when, where and how as clearly as you can.

The second paragraph should build on the first and carry any significant facts

Include a quote; this adds personality and endorsement to the story

Use Notes at the end to carry background information which reporters can use for research. Remember to include a contact name and number.

Choose a simple, attention-grabbing headline which re-enforces the overall message

Type MEDIA RELEASE at the top, date it and indicate when the information can be published.

Use A4 paper, 1.5 line-spacing, wide margins and type

ENDS to indicate you have finished.

Limit your release to one page if possible, two at the most. Short, informative and interesting goes down well with busy reporters.

A well constructed, high resolution (300 dpi) photo can turn a mediocre story into the one that gets coverage.

Proof-read the release before it goes out. Then get someone else to do it again. Its amazzing what you can misss

5. The follow-up. So far so good, but now comes the tricky bit: you need to check that the right person has got your release and if so, talk to them about the chances of it being used. Always assume the journalist or editor is busy and ask if they are free to talk. Be prepared as they may have additional questions and may need convincing of the strength of your story. Dont say anything you wouldnt want reported if it sounds as though they are interviewing you. Radio stations will either pre-record an interview in person or over the phone, or ask you into the studio, again to pre-record or go live. Check that you know exactly what to expect; it is not unreasonable to ask what the questions might be.

Kevin Hartley of Mozarts Restaurant has learned a great deal from the experience and has no doubt that working with the media is good for business. You need to make yourself media-friendly; that means being very flexible so they can meet their deadlines. You need to build a list of contacts at the local radio, press and TV offices and be bold enough to pick up the phone when you have some news. We now seem to be in their database, so journalists wanting a restaurateur to comment on something seem to ring me. It just goes to show how even the smallest business can make headlines .

Finally, as media relations is a commercial activity you should try to measure the effect any exposure has had. It can be as simple as monitoring phones calls and website hits in the period immediately following the coverage. If you convert these into sales, all the better. If people are more aware of you, introductions become that much easier. Stick at it and you will be amazed how a little effort can go along way.

Mozarts Restaurant: http://www.mozarts.co.uk
Perfect Fit: http://www.perfectfit-online.co.uk

Louise Third is a Partner in Integra Communications http://www.integracommunications.co.uk Alongside the agency, Louise provides a coaching service, giving PR guidance to smaller businesses who might not be able to afford an agency but are prepared to do the legwork themselves.Cynthia Blog72418
Charin Blog18113

Benefits of Using Shopping Cart Software

The age of Internet shopping is taking over the world, and even the brick and the trend is even affecting the brick and mortar store with more and more customers wanting to shop on the Internet. In order to stay competitive, a store must not only have a physical location, but it must be willing to have a website from which customers can shop. It's no longer enough to have a website for customers to see what the store sells, but it must offer an online storefront so that shoppers can make purchases from the privacy of their own homes.

In order for a merchant to have a successful online storefront, it's important that he install reliable and easy to use shopping cart software. For those who are new to online shopping and don't understand the purpose of the shopping cart, let us explain a little about the process. Before the introduction of shopping card software, an online shopper had to purchase each product he wanted individually unless the merchant had an order form where the shopper could include several items. As eCommerce became more popular, the importance of a better system became pertinent. If eCommerce were going to become the wave of the future, merchants would have to make it quick and easy for customers to place an order. Thus, the eCommerce solution was the development of shopping cart software that allows a shopper to make purchases and place them in a "shopping cart" much as you do at the grocery store and pay for everything when you have finished shopping and are ready to "proceed to checkout."

Shopping cart software has opened an entire new media for the online shopper, and as a result, eCommerce has exploded all over the Internet with the introduction of stores like Amazon.com who do not even have a brick and mortar store. Yes, they have a brick and mortar building, but that is a packaging and shipping facility only, not a store where you can walk in and purchase what you like. Amazon is probably the first store of its type on the Internet, but many more have opened since then. Today, instead of just books and videos, Amazon distributes products for a great deal of retailers including ToysRUs. The technology of the shopping cart software has opened up an entire new era of shopping throughout the world, and at the holidays, it's even bigger as people flock to their keyboards and monitors instead of the malls as they used to do.

How has the trend toward eCommerce shopping affected retailers with a concrete building, especially during peak seasons such as Christmas and Easter? For those who are innovative and determined enough to enter the eCommerce market, the seasons will show a boost in business, but for those who choose to limit their business to walk-in trade, they are likely to see a reduction in the sales volume compared to the previous year's figures. With people's busy schedules and the price of gasoline, online shopping is becoming more attractive to the average shopper, especially with the ease of using shopping cart software and the attractive online storefront websites that are available. Interactive websites draw customers to their products with music, games, animation, and other tools that catch the attention of a potential buyer.

New merchants should certainly not hesitate to add a shopping cart feature from the start unless your business is only one product and no choices such as color or size. For instance, if you are selling a book you wrote, and it's only in one format, then there is no need to have a shopping cart. If, however, you offer the same book in hardcover, paperback, and eBook format, a shopping cart may be a good idea in case a buyer wants to buy more than one copy in different formats. Of course, if you have a multi-product eCommerce site, to operate without a shopping cart is courting disaster. Some of the reasons for adding shopping cart technology to your eCommerce site include:

- It allows a shopper to save his purchases and return later to finish shopping

- A shopper can return to his shopping cart and increase or decrease the number of items he wants to purchase

- A shopper as an opportunity to remove products from his shopping cart without deleting the entire order

- Shopping cart software also allows the buyer to track what products he ordered and allows the seller to include shipping information

The shopping cart software makes it easier for the seller as well because he does not have to keep track of numerous orders, and it allows him to see everything a buyer ordered at one time. In many cases, a shopping cart is also connected to online inventory so that a seller knows if he has enough of the product to fulfill his orders. It also allows him to track what customers have bought and thus know what may interest a customer for the future.

Copyright (c) 2006 WebCart

Michael Moshkovich is a web developer and internet marketer who has written over 50 articles on SEO, shopping cart software and PPC marketing. To learn more about WebCart visit us at http://www.webcart.net.Cynde Blog90951
Crysta Blog94283

Why Wax When You Can Seal?

Waxes and sealants both provide valuable protection and enhance the shine of your vehicles paint. Waxes have long been the dominant form of protection but they are being replaced by new synthetic sealants. Sealants and waxes are both great products and knowing the differences between them can help you select what product or combination of products works best for you.

Waxes are primarily made from properties found in nature like carnauba wax. Waxes have fine water molecules in them, which make them more sensitive to heat than sealants. Once the clear coat temperature reaches 125 200 degrees the moisture inside the wax starts evaporate and the wax will melt, leaving the paint without protection. If a wax is melting it becomes soft and contaminates in the air can settle in the wax. As the wax cools the contaminates can become trapped in the wax. Natural waxes will generally protect your vehicle from 2 14 weeks. If you apply a wax to a dark colored vehicle and let it sit in direct sunlight continuously it will melt quickly, but if you have a lighter colored vehicle and store it in a garage you can get up to 3 months of protection.

Sealants are made in labs from artificial properties like polymers, resins, acrylics, etc. Creating a sealant basically takes ordinary polymers and removes properties that do not add more shine or protection to the formula by reducing the presence of water and other unnecessary elements. Sealants will only begin to melt at several hundred degrees and will last 3 12 months. Sealants are generally much more resistant to natures harsh elements and abrasions. Applying a sealant to your vehicle would be ideal to give it maximum protection for the winter months.

Sealants add a great shine and make the surface feel very slick. Sometimes right after applying a sealant the surface is so slick that moisture doesnt really bead up it sheets off. Sealants tend to be very reflective. So why would anyone use a wax then if sealants provides such superior protection and a great shine? Waxes typically provide a deeper and glossier appearance that makes the paint look endlessly deep. This look is sometimes referred to as wet or hard candy and looks stunning when done right. Typically a pure carnauba wax is used to give off this effect and produce the deepest shine possible. When automobile manufacturers display new models they will often apply multiple coats of a carnauba wax so their vehicle is sure to be eye catching.

So now we must evaluate what form of protection works best for vehicle owners. If you have a daily driver we recommend applying a sealant to ensure that you have a strong layer of protection for months to come. If you detail your vehicle regularly (at least once a month) or you have a vehicle thats not regularly driven you may want to just use a carnauba wax. With regular applications and/or light driving, the carnauba wax will give you the protection you need and the shine you want. To have the best of both worlds top off a coat of sealant with a layer of carnauba wax. This will give you the enduring protection of the sealant along with the rich and glossy appearance of a wax for a show car shine.

We hope this information helps you better understand waxes and sealants and the differences between them. Thank you for reading.

Detailed Image is an online retailer of high quality detailing products. We specialize in helping customers select the right products and use proper techniques for absolutely stunning results.Danyette Blog37930
Daisi Blog23872

Child Sexual Abuse - Signs And Symptoms

Sexual abuse has affected millions of children throughout the world. Child sexual abuse is defined as: An adult using a child for sexual purposes. This can be in the form of child pornography, submitting children to look at pornography, fondling, touching, kissing, sodomy, exposing oneself to a child, rape, oral sex, intercourse, or having the child touch the adult. All children will react differently to this type of trauma. There is no one single identifiable sign or symptom that all children will have. They may have very subtle symptoms or they may have very pronounced symptoms. I have gathered a list of symptoms that children of sexual abuse are often seen to have.

Bedwetting (after being potty trained)

Waking up in the night screaming, nightmares or other sleeping problems

Showing an unusual fear of certain people, places or things

A reluctance to be with a certain person

Loss of appetite or trouble eating

Fear of the bathroom

Excessive crying

Mood changes, anger outbursts or withdrawal or fear

Becomes worried when clothing is removed

Wearing layers of clothing

Age inappropriate knowledge of sex

Imitating sexual acts with other children or toys, such as dolls

Withdrawing from activities they used to be involved in

Difficulty walking or sitting

Complains of pain with urination or bowel movement

Bleeding from the genital area or anus

Academic problems

Lowered self esteem

Symptoms of PTSD such as panic attacks

Somatic complaints

Regression of behavior

Having new words for private body parts

Excessive masturbation

These are all symptoms of child sexual abuse. One common feeling I have found in working with children and adolescents, is guilt. Children usually feel guilt over the abuse that occurred. It is important to remember that under no circumstance is a child ever responsible for what happened to them. It is crucial that re- victimization does not happen. Some ways a child can be re- victimized is by saying to the child:

Uncle Joey, or Grandpa Bob would never do that to you, why are you lying?

It couldnt of been that bad, or you would have told me sooner

Child sexual abuse victims usually carry this trauma with them for the rest of their lives. Some children as they begin to get older will start using drugs, get into relationships with others who are abusive, see themselves as damaged goods and begin acting out sexually. Engage is self mutilation, such as cutting behaviors. Some children gain weight or dont take care of themselves so they look unattractive to others.

There is hope. Finding the proper treatment for past trauma can be influential on how they cope with this as an adult. Rape crisis centers are usually available in most states. There is also a national rape crisis center. They are a full service agency that addresses prevention, education, crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy. They work with both children and adults. There is also a 24 hour hotline available at the national rape crisis center, for parents or victims of sexual abuse.

Wendy McLellan is a licensed mental health and substance abuse counselor, with more than sixteen years of experience. She has recently devoted time to the efforts of http://www.safecomputerkids.com in their goal to provide parental internet safety tools and resources to the public.Corrianne Blog90559
Dalenna Blog42846

Ballet Shoes, Pointe Shoes, Daily Exercise and Diet

I talk to young and adult ballet students and the questions I get asked most commonly relate to:

1. Getting onto pointe and finding the right pointe shoes

2. Stretching - especially doing the splits

3. Cannot get to enough classes in a week to advance more quickly

4. Concerns about good diet and body weight/shape

When to start taking pointe classes is a frequent discussion on dance forums. I talk very generally since I have never seen nor taught any of the students that I get into a discussion with. Basic technique has to be very strong before you can do pointe work. Posture and turnout must be correct and strong. Here is one thing you can do just as a self-test, to determine how your strength is developing.

Either at the dance studio or at home, stand next to the mirror in first or fifth position, so that you are looking at yourself sideways. With arms in fifth-en-avant (I'm speaking Cecchetti here) slowly press up onto 3/4 pointe.

Do you have any difficulty maintaining your correct posture and turnout?

Do your ankles wobble toward your big toe or your little toe?

Do you cramp right away?

Can you keep your shoulders and neck relaxed?

Can you do some simple port-de-bras without losing balance?

Can you slowly press down through flat to a demi-plie, and then do several of these slow-motion releve maintaining your poise?

If you have any trouble with this, ask your teacher what you need to work on, to get stronger for future pointe work. Have her/him watch you and correct you so that you can work on this at home. I encourage this kind of practise especially for those students who would like to take more classes but just can't. Work for some, school for others, and availability of the right classes usually prevents full time study.

If your ankles are wobbly, keep the legs parallel, face the mirror, and rise up and down slowly keeping the weight in the middle of your feet, so there is no sickling in or out. This must be strengthened before poise, arm postion, etc., is of any concern. Also, take note that you are holding your turnout muscles even in this parallel position, as most knees roll in a little if not held in line. Once you are sure that you can feel that your ankles are in exactly the right place, go back to first position for your slow motion releves. Pointe shoes don't matter yet, as you can injure yourself or begin acquiring tense and awkward work habits if you are not ready to do pointe work.

If you cramp right away, on your first rise, then your muscles are weak. Relax and do a demi-plie (none of this should be torture). Cramping has other causes also such as dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Calcium and magnesium deficiency will lead to cramping too. You need all 12 of the cell salts to maintain your electrolytes. A good sea salt will help, kelp, other sea weed, or homeopathic 'bioplasma' or 'all 12' tablets. And of course, good proteins, lots of raw or lightly steamed green vegetables and salads, and fruits are mandatory. Did I say mandatory? Yes, I did! Your bones and muscles are MADE from what you eat. And so is your nervous system that your bones and muscles depend on.

Years ago my friend Sara and I were taking ballet classes at Don Hewitt's in Santa Monica, California. It was summer, I was used to a cold climate - and, admittedly we were typically obsessed with being thin so we wore plastic sweat pants for classes. Afterwards we would be practically catatonic. The ONE good thing we did was pour a couple of packets of salt into our root beers as we drove home for our health food dinners. That was before we knew that sodas drain calcium from bones to....well, that really is another article.

It looks like #1 from above will be the next article! This article is mainly concerned with what you need before getting onto pointe. You can do daily exercise and you will get strong! Be sure to tell your teacher your goal and that you are dedicated to a specific outcome, and ask for help.

When you are exhausted from practise, soak in Epsom Salts, then put on your favorite ballet DVD. Inspiration is important, and seeing yourself in your mind's eye, dancing in pointe shoes, is a good thing to do while you rest. All the best!

Dianne M. Buxton is a graduate of the National Ballet School of Canada. She continued dance training at The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, and Toronto Dance Theatre. She taught at, and choreographed for The National Ballet School, York University, and George Brown College, in Canada, and taught at Harvard University in the U.S. http://www.theballetstore.com provides articles on fitting pointe shoes, and strengthening exercises, for male students too.Clarisse Blog84016
Debbie Blog12233

Considerations For Buying A Home Treadmill

Throughout the years, the quest to achieve a healthier body, mind and spirit has extended to the kind of exercise equipment you use. Why drag yourself to the local gym for a workout when you can bring the same convenience and results of Ballys or Golds Gym to the comforts of your own home? A treadmill makes a great addition to a household, one that the entire family can get use from. It not only gets the heart pumping, tones and strengthens the body, but also is a great tool for weight loss.

Different Types of Treadmills

There are several different kinds of treadmills to choose from on the market. Numerous brands and manufacturers are available, providing a wide range of convenient features for your treadmill experience. There are also a variety of price tags that allows almost anyone, regardless of budget to save up for a home treadmill. Some used treadmill options can cost about $50, while a newer inexpensive model may cost between $85-$100. The higher-end treadmill brands (often loaded with advanced features) cost well over $1000.

While a commercial treadmill is mostly used for doctor offices and heavy-duty gyms, it often has a motor with higher power capacity than a treadmill marketed for home use. Commercial treadmills also weigh a considerable amount more than a home treadmill and are not created for easy storage. Many home treadmill options can fold so they do not take up as much space in a house setting.

Sometimes the reason why you want a treadmill will influence a purchase. If you plan on doing a lot of intense running or cross training, you may want to select a treadmill with higher speed options. Usually, frequent runners choose a treadmill that can reach speeds of 10mph. There are treadmill models that also offer an incline feature. An 8% to 10% incline is suggested for those looking to get into better shape.

Would you rather have a manual or a motorized treadmill? Manual treadmill selections are light and dont cost as much. Easy storage is also a plus with this option. The friction from your feet upon a running belt turns the rollers of the machine. The more popular motorized treadmill option provides a better overall workout. This is because consumers can adjust the speed of the belt to encourage walking, jogging or running. This is usually accomplished through the tap of a digital control pad.

What To Look For In a Treadmill Purchase

Over the years, treadmill choices have evolved into an all-inclusive health monitoring system, featuring some of the latest technology regarding exercise equipment. Depending on your budget and exercise needs, you may test for the following features: durability, ease of use, adequate foot rails, nice-sized belt, cushioned handrails, quality of motor, easily understandable control pad, present and customizable workout programs. Many treadmill options also offer convenient extras, such as trays, stands and holder for water bottles or sweat towels.

Health Benefits

Besides lowering cholesterol levels, increasing heart health, toning muscles, improving circulation and maintaining weight, the treadmill also boosts the immune system to better fight off infection and germs. Pregnant women can get the exercise they need through a slow walk. Senior citizens can increase bone mass and muscles through several different treadmill workouts. A home treadmill can also help with in-home therapies and rehabbing body parts.

Treadmill Maintenance

To ensure the shelf life of your treadmill, you should keep your machine dirt- and dust-free. A treadmill should be wiped clean of dirt once a week with the help of a damp cloth. Consumers should vacuum the dirt and dust that tends to accumulate between the frame and the belt. Make it a practice to adjust and align the treadmill belt. If a fuse has blown, make sure a proper replacement is used. Oil squeaky treadmill parts for optimal performance. If you keep up on the maintenance of your treadmill and you will have an efficient machine that will stand the test of time.

Jon Arnold is a computer engineer who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge, experience, information, and findings. You can read more about Home Treadmills at his web site at http://www.treadmill-insider.com/.Dana Blog76385
Daune Blog93956

Copywriting Makeover: Facts Vs. Fantasy (Part 1 of 2)

Time for a pop quiz! Name three products that sell better when a facts-based approach to copy is taken. Just off the top of my head I'd say computers, fax machines and microwave ovens. Now, name three products that sell best when the copy is romanticized. Travel, fur coats and jewelry are good examples. Knowing when to use facts and when to use fantasy was a problem JuliesJewels.com had on one particular website page. Let's see how approaching the copy differently brought this e-commerce company greater success.

The Problems

One of the hardest things to learn as a copywriter is which focus or approach to take with copy. There are general guidelines to follow, but experience will tell you that there are almost as many exceptions as there are rules. However, in the case of JuliesJewels.com's Moissanite jewelry page, it was obvious we had a clear lack of -- and a clear need for more -- emotion.

For those who may not be acquainted with Moissanite stones, they were originally created in a laboratory by a Nobel Peace Prize-winning scientist. They are made of a replicated mineral that was originally found in a meteorite that crashed to earth thousands of years ago. However, unlike cubic zirconia (CZ), they are extremely hard and do not form a cloudy appearance over time. Moissanite offers the brilliance of a diamond without the flashy price.

Now, the guideline goes: If you have a product that is unfamiliar to the marketplace, you will want to educate your site visitors while you sell to them. However, sometimes "educate" gets confused with "provide facts." This was one problem Julie's page suffered from.

As I read the original copy (which you can see here: http://www.copywritingcourse.com/juliesjewels-moissanite-original.pdf) terms like "replica" and "lab" and "wholesale" struck me as cold and undescriptive. Yes, they were absolutely true, but they completely disregarded the wonder and enchantment brought about by one of these manmade diamonds.

While a few words like "beauty" and "lustrous" were included, they did little to help a man feel proud and confident that he was choosing a gorgeous piece his wife or girlfriend would swoon over. It didn't evoke any emotions in women who lack the funds (and the desire!) to spend thousands on diamonds yet still dream of jewelry that was is unique as they are.

Another challenge was the page's so-so performance in the search results. Considering how horribly competitive most jewelry terms are with regard to search rankings, Julie's positioning for this page wasn't too bad. The Moissanite jewelry page usually bounced between positions 11 and 30 on the major engines. However, the goal was to push the page as high as possible while driving visitors deeper into the category.

The Solutions

The key points that needed to be made on the Moissanite jewelry page were these:

1) Moissanite is the next best thing to a diamond, closely replicating a diamond's luster, vibrance and quality.
2) Unlike CZs, Moissanite jewels are rare, not a victim of a flooded marketplace.
3) While not considered "cheap," Moissanite is definitely affordable.

To prepare myself for writing this page, I looked over the various other pages of the Julie's Jewels site. I wanted to dream a bit about the earrings, rings, necklaces and other pieces I that included Moissanite stones.

As I clicked from page to page, I took notes about what I saw, what I felt and how I reacted to the pictures of the jewels. I also went to various diamond websites. Since Moissanite is almost as hard as diamonds and since it so closely resembles the characteristics of diamonds, many of the adjectives used to describe diamonds would also be applicable to Moissanite stones.

Lastly, I thought about who would be buying these gemstones and why. Perhaps a man who truly wanted to impress his fianc, but who didn't have the money to pay for a one-carat or two-carat diamond ring. Maybe a woman who wanted a pendant that was truly exceptional, but didn't care to pay the extensive markup usually found on diamond jewelry. While the reasons might vary, the common denominators were that beauty and quality mattered as much as price. Once I had a good grasp of the target audience and the products, I set out to write a new category page.

In Part Two of this series, you'll see how the rewrite unfolded and what those changes accomplished for Julie's Jewels.

by Karon Thackston © 2006, All Rights ReservedCheryl Blog5252
Daisy Blog89059

Ten Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles

Weve created a list of our top 10 fun things to do in Los Angeles to help you decide what to do while youre there.

Los Angeles Stars Homes Travel around Los Angeles visiting the homes of great movie and pop stars such as Nicholas Cage and Britney Spears. You will see some of the finest houses in Beverley Hills and Holmby Hills that belong to all your favourite celebrities. You may even catch a glimpse of one of the A-list stars.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Take a trip down the Hollywood Walk of Fame to find the stars of all your favourite celebrities, old and new.

Universal Studios Visit Universal Studios and experience some of the scariest and fun rides in Los Angeles, all of which are based on your favourite movies and television shows. Ride through Jurassic Park and get attacked by a T-Rex, travel back in time in the DeLorean from Back to the Future and then go forward to The Terminators timeline and battle armies of robots.

Helicopter Tour Take to the skies of Los Angeles in a helicopter tour which will show you the city from a whole new perspective. See all the attractions including downtown LA, the Hollywood sign and the Sunset Strip, soaking up the breathtaking views from the sky.

Venice Beach Take a stroll down Venice Beach Boardwalk, a 3 mile stretch of beach full of shops, street entertainers and tourists alike.

Shopping Los Angeles provides some of the best shopping in all of America and while youre there you shouldnt miss the opportunity to shop in stores like Gucci and Tommy Hilfiger. Go spending on Rodeo Drive where all your favourite celebrities shop, head to Muscle Beach and Marina del Rey and you are guaranteed to be satisfied with your purchases.

Getty Center See some of the finest art known to human kind in the Getty Center, a complex which was built purely to house J. Paul Getty Trusts collection of European art. Even if you are not interested in the art, the Getty Center is worth a visit simply for the beautiful gardens and scenery, though the quality of the art will no doubt touch you in some way.

Warner Bros. studio tour A tour around Warner Brothers Studio is a tour through some of your favourite shows. Visit the sets of shows like ER and Lois & Clark and see costumes and even scripts from the shows on your tour.

La Brea Tar Pits A trip to Hancock Park will steer you to the La Brea Tar Pits, which boasts the greatest number of prehistoric fossils excavated in the world. A great collection of these fossils can be found in the Page Museum located at the tar pits. If you are lucky, when you visit you may be able to see actual excavations being carried out, though this is only normally during the summer months.

Los Angeles Zoo Visit Los Angeles Zoo all year round and see over 1200 animals from around the world. Open for over 40 years and boasting 1.4 million visitors a year, Los Angeles Zoo is a must visit as a fun thing to do while in LA.

Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlanJam.com -- where you can plan and find fun http://www.planjam.com in Los Angeles.Coralie Blog37565
Cherise Blog53402

Shopping For Cheap Waterbed Sheets

Cheap waterbed sheets are not that hard to find. They are not much different from conventional sheets. Waterbed sheets are usually just fitted with corner pockets or elastic to help keep the sheets from moving around on the surface of the water bed. Water beds are usually made out of rubber or similar materials, making the surface more slippery than normal foam or mattress surfaces. So some way of securing the sheet to the water bed would be convenient.

The usual discount hunters methods work when shopping for cheaper waterbed sheets. One thing that almost all consumers regularly take advantage of is the fact that most shops usually put on sales where some items are sold at discounts. A new shop, for instance, might hold a start up sale to help draw customers, as they have no customer base yet to cater to. These sales often attract great numbers of customers, meaning that you should expect to see some crowding and long lines at cashiers. However, despite this, sales are still a great way of saving some money on your purchases.

Even established shops often hold holiday sales to take advantage of increased customer traffic on these days, as well as clearance sales to clean out their inventories and old items. On a similar note, a lot of shops have outlets or clearance stores where items are sold at lower prices than their regular retail shops. Shopping at outlets or clearance stores might be a bit less convenient, especially if they are not as well-placed as retail shops, but some great discounts and savings could be had.

When looking for waterbed sheets, obvious places would be home furnishing shops and the like. It might be cheaper to buy fitted conventional sheets as opposed to special waterbed sheets the added cost may not be worth it. Look over the shops inventory of sheets and consider which ones may work with your waterbed, depending on size and type. For a single size waterbed, a slightly bigger fitted sheet may fit well enough. You will have to experiment a bit to find which kind of sheets would work best for you.

Discount general stores such as Wal-Mart and Target are also good places to look for cheap waterbed sheets. These stores are known for striving to provide their customers with the most reasonable prices possible, and waterbed sheets would be no exception. Shopping at these stores for home furnishings would be a good choice, especially when you are on a tight budget. And when these stores hold sales, their already low prices would become even lower!

Waterbed sheets are available in a variety of fabrics, colors, and patterns. So do not be worried about not finding the right kind of sheet for your waterbed. And in case you are just about to shift to using a waterbed, be assured that waterbed sheets are just the same as regular sheets. That is, it is not difficult to find cheap waterbed sheets and cleaning and laundering them does not require special care.

Richard Merson writes for everything waterbeds at http://everythingwaterbeds.com. Visit to find out about and get great deals on waterbeds, waterbed mattresses, frames, sheets and accessories.Denice Blog12371
Cheri Blog60340

Making The Most of Those Monthly Baby Checkups

Even healthy babies spend a lot of time at the doctors clinic. Well-baby checkups, which are scheduled every month or two during the first year, allow the doctor to keep track of your baby's growth and development, ensuring that everything's on target. But they're also the perfect time for you to ask the long list of questions you've accumulated since your last visit, and to walk away with a wealth ot advice on how to keep your 'well baby' well.

To make sure you make the most of a well-baby visit:

Time it right. When scheduling appointments, try to steer clear of nap time, lunchtime and any time your baby's typically fussy. And go for an empty waiting room, avoiding peak hours at the doctor's surgery, if possible. Mornings are usually quieter because older children are in school so, in general, a pre-lunch appointment will beat the four o'clock rush. And if you feel you'll need extra time (you have even more questions and concerns than usual), ask for it so it can be scheduled into the visit. That way, you won't feel quite as hurried.

Fill 'er up. A hungry patient is a cranky and uncooperative patient. So show up for your well-baby visits with a well-fed baby (once finger foods have been started, you can also bring a snack along for the waiting room). Keep in mind, however, that overfilling the tank just before the appointment may mean baby will be ripe for spitting once the exam begins.

Dress for undressing success. When choosing baby's wardrobe for the visit, think easy-on, easy-off. Skip outfits with lots of tiny buttons or poppers that take forever to do and undo, or snug clothes that are difficult to pull on and off. And don't be to quick to undress; if your baby hates being naked, wait until the exam is about to begin before stripping down.

Write it down Remember those two hundred questions you wanted to ask the doctor? You wont, once you've spent twenty minutes in the waiting room and another twenty in the exam room trying to keep your baby (and yourself) calm. So instead of relying on your memory, bring a list you can read oft. Pack a pen, too, so you can write down the answers to those questions, plus any other advice and instructions the doctor dispenses. You can also use it to record baby's height, weight, immunizations received that visit, and so on.

Make baby comfortable. Few babies enjoy the poking and prodding doctor's exam - but most enjoy even less when it takes place on a cold, uncomfortable exam table. Ask the doctor if he or she can perform most of the exam while baby's on your lap.

Trust your instincts. Your doctor sees your baby only once a month, you see your baby every day. Which means that you may notice subtle things the doctor doesn't. If you feel something isn't right with your child - even if you're not sure what it is - make sure the doctor knows. Remember, you don't need a medical degree to be a valuable partner in your baby's health care. Sometimes the keenest diagnostic tool is a parent's intuition.

Carolyn Joana is a parenting expert who deeply understand all baby needs and desires to share her knowledge with the new parents. She offers great, tested, down to earth and reassuring tips on baby food, baby health, baby massage, baby care, breastfeeding and much more at http://www.guide-to-baby-needs.com.Cristin Blog41965
Cicely Blog27049

How Article Marketing is Significantly Increasing My Income (Part 3 of 5)

The never-ending question: article marketing does it work, or not? Wanting to create more passive income, I decided to give article marketing a REAL try. The following are results so far (this is Part 3 of a 5-part series).

Following are more of the sites Im consistently submitting articles to. I chose them because they had good PR and Alexa rankings.

What are PR and Alexa rankings? For explanations of these, as well as details on the beginning of the study, see the 10/26/06 post on InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com.

11. SubmitYourNewArticle.com: This directory has a PR rank of 4 and an Alexa rank of 62,309.

You must create an author account to submit. They approve your account pretty much immediately.

The submission process is a breeze and the site offers article stats, primarily, how many times the article has been downloaded, how many times it has been sent to friends, and how many articles youve submitted (a tracking feature).

12. Amazines.com: This directory has a PR rank of 4 and an Alexa rank of 16,710.

I love the ease of this site. Once you create an author account, you can start submitting. They also have a bulk submission feature, which allows you to submit more than one article at a time. This site also has a tracking feature, so you know what you submitted, and when.

One of the coolest features of this site is that it shows you how many articles are in each category. For example, as of this writing, the WRITING category had 1,090 articles, while EZINES has only 25.

If its a toss-up as to what category to submit to, this can be a handy guideline.

13. GoArticles.com: This directory has a PR rank of 6 and an Alexa rank of 2,407.

You must create an author account to submit here. A really progressive feature of this site is the feed they set up for authors (many directory sites now offer this). This makes it easy for readers to get your content.

This site also has a tracking feature so you can keep track of what youve submitted. And, it provides individual article stats (how many words the article is and how many times its been downloaded), but you have to click on the authors name to get this information.

In my opinion, this is a bit odd because it took me a few minutes to figure out how to find the article stats.

But hey, with its Alexa and PR ranking and the sheer number of articles (almost 300,000!), its a site you cant afford to overlook.

14. Isnare.com: This directory has a PR rank of 5 and an Alexa rank of 5,323.

I love the ease of submission of this site once you create an author account. BUT, it takes a while for them to approve your article for publishing unless you use their paid submission feature (Platinum account).

Eg, I submitted an article on 10/19, and as of today (11/1), Im still waiting for that article, and subsequent ones, to be published.

What does their Platinum account include? Among other things, article distribution to over 40,000+ publishers and hundreds of article directory sites for a fixed amount per month ($59.95). I have to say, it seems like a good deal especially when I consider the amount of time I'm spending each day just submitting to 25 sites manually (about two hours).

If you're busy, this is a huuugggeee chunk of time (see what I do for you guys?!). Once I finish my little case study (on 11/18), I will be looking into paid submission software/services, and this is one Im seriously considering.

Besides the absolute horror of manual submission, I'm considering using this site's submission service because it has a testimonial from a name I recognize and trust, Jenna Glatzer, Editor-in-Chief of Absolutewrite.com.

15. NetpreneurNow.com: This directory has a PR rank of 4 and an Alexa rank of 49,423.

This site can be a bit confusing when you log on, eg, where is the Submit Article button? You have to click on Article Directory (left hand side of home page) and then you see a link that reads Post a new article.

You dont have to create an author account to use this site tres cool! BUT, it also doesnt offer any tracking features or article stats. So, youre on your own here (eg, get out your article tracking pad and resign yourself to submitting and forgetting).

Youll have to check your server logs to see if any incoming traffic was generated from articles posted here.

What are server logs? Basically, they are reports you can get from your web host that tells you where visitors from your site came from, eg, a click from an ad on Google, a link from an article on IdeaMarketers.com, etc.

Again though, as this site has good rankings, its worth it to submit.

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH ONLINE ARTICLE MARKETING

Delayed Publishing: Many article directories take days, even weeks, to publish your content. This is a double-edged sword. On the positive side, ostensibly, it means that articles are being reviewed and there is more quality content out there; eg, less garbage on the web as a whole.

The negative is that it takes longer to get the word out about your product/service. So, figure this into your marketing timetable if you are rolling out a new product/service.

Tracking the Effectiveness of a Directory: It is highly unlikely that you will have time to do this with any degree of detail, unless you have major chunks of time on your hands. As noted throughout this series, some directories have tracking features and provide article stats, some do not.

In my opinion, time would be better spent targeting highly trafficked directories, submitting to them, and judging the overall progress of your article marketing campaign over a period of time eg, a month, a quarter, half-year, etc.

BE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

I once read an article that said, especially with Internet marketing, its not the immediate results youre after (although I have been pleased with this aspect of my little campaign so far), but the long-term benefits of establishing yourself as an expert.

Once you establish your abilities and your trustworthiness - and this comes from prospects seeing you in many different places across a period of time it will be that much easier to make the sale.

As with any business venture, article marketing can garner profound results, but it takes time and effort, effort and time, to get the long-term rewards.

WHATS GOING ON WITH THE MONEY?

Holding steady at about 2.5 times what I was making (per day) before I started this experiment.

READER QUESTIONS

As I've been getting quite a few inquiries from readers, I will devote Monday's (11/06) issue to answering all of them. So, send in yours.

In the meantime, be sure to catch the rest of the case study. I've been an online marketer for a while and am learning a lot! As a matter of fact, I will be conducting a similar study with online groups/forums/message boards next (details coming after 11/18).

Stay tuned for Part IV.

May be reprinted with the following, in full:

Yuwanda Black is the publisher of http://www.InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.Danyette Blog27985
Cinda Blog50703

Ten Amazing Brain Facts

What part of you is only 1% to 3% of your body's mass, yet uses 20% of all the oxygen you breathe? Your brain! Here are ten more brain facts.

- Your brain needs a continuous supply of oxygen. A 10 minute loss of oxygen will usually cause significant neural damage. Cold can lengthen this time, which is why cold-water drowning victims have been revived after as nuch as 40 minutes - without brain damage.

- Your brain uses a fifth of all your blood. It needs it to keep up with the heavy metabolic demands of its neurons. It needs not only the glucose that is delivered, but of course, the oxygen.

- Your brain feels no pain. There are no nerves that register pain within the brain itself. Because of this, neurosurgeons can probe the brain while a patient is conscious (what fun!). By doing this, they can use feedback from the patient to identify important regions, such as those used for speech, or visualization.

- The cerebellum is sometimes called the "little brain," and weighs about 150 grams (a little over five ounces). Found at the lower back side of your brain, you need your cerebellum to maintain posture, to walk, and to perform any coordinated movements. It may also play a role in your sense of smell.

- The human brain weighs an average of a little over three pounds, or 1.4 kilograms. Albert Einstein's brain may have been smaller than yours, because he was smaller than average. There is a general correlation between body size and the size of our brains.

- An elephant's brain is huge - about six times as large as a human brain. However, in relation to body size, humans have the largest brain of all the animals, averaging about 2% of body weight. A cat's brain? It weighs about one ounce, a little over 1% of body weight.

- There are about 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain. If they were stretched out (there's a nice thought!) they would circle the earth more than four times.

- If you have an average sized brain, you have about 100 billion neurons up there. You'll be happy about that after reading the next item.

- Approximately 85,000 neocortical neurons are lost each day in your brain. Fortunately, his goes unnoticed due to the built-in redundancies and the fact that even after three years this loss adds up to less than 1% of the total. Oh, and look at the next item.

- Recent research proves that your brain continues to produce new neurons throughout your life. It also proves that it does so in response to stimulation (do those brainpower exercises). Scientists refer to this as brain plasticity or neuro-plasticity. You may find this one the most encouraging of these brain facts.

Copyright Steve Gillman. For more on How To Increase Brain Power, and to get the Brain Power Newsletter and other free gifts, visit: http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.comCristionna Blog50360
Charisse Blog20400

Tips for Utilizing Pool and Patio Furniture

During the summer many people buy new pool and patio furniture. Your yard is the place where you can rest peacefully, thus you need to have the right furniture for it. You can just lie down and sunbathe, read a book or just smell the rouses and take pleasure in being in the open. You won't enjoy it so much if you have to go stand or sit in a not very comfortable garden chair. Pool and patio furniture are what you need to make your backyard your most favourite outdoor living space. Of course, this will cost you some money but it will be well worth it. Be careful when planning to buy new pool and patio furniture. As retailers sell out of the best styles fast, then you should keep your eyes open for proper furniture and once you like something, make sure you get it before it's sold to someone else.

Before buying any pool and patio furniture you should decide how much money you want to spend on them. There are different options for different prices. The traditional patio furniture consists of four chairs, a table and an umbrella. There are also sets that include only two chairs with a small table and no sun shade. The most comfortable type of chairs you can get are chaise lounge chairs. If there are no chair pads included in the set, then you can buy some from any big store.

What I really enjoy are swings. They are very comfortable and can be put on the patio or anywhere in the yard. When having pool and patio furniture you shouldn't worry about covering the furniture every time it rains or the weather gets bad as this kind of furniture is weather resistant. However, it is good if you keep the chair pads in the house in bad weather or when you are not going to need them for a long period of time.

If you are wondering where you could purchase pool and patio furniture, then you should know that the big improvement stores such as Home Depot or Lowes, Wal-Mart, Target, Pier 1 are the right place to visit. Another option is to try the stores that specialize in gardens and outdoor living. However, it is most efficient and fast if you browse for pool and patio furniture online. However, watch out for high shipping costs and bad return policy. Find the pool and patio furniture you've always wanted to have and enjoy many sunny days resting in your yard.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning gardening. Learn more at http://www.groovygardening.com/gardening-information/gardening-tips/tips-for-utilizing-pool-and-patio-furniture.htmlCoriss Blog23893
Charis Blog31221

Bed Wetting Dos and Donts for Parents

There are many dos and donts that parents should be aware of in regards to their children who suffer from bed wetting. Lets take a look at the dos and donts of this common childhood problem.

First of all do speak with your childs pediatrician at the first sign that bed wetting has developed into a problem. Never keep this kind of information from the doctor as he or she can be a wealth of information, advice and can also serve to put your mind, as well as your childs mind, at ease.

Do explain to your anxious or frightened child what is taking place in regards to his or her bed wetting situation and be open and honest with all of the questions that your child wants to ask you.

If you were a bed wetter as a child, do share your experience with your experience with your youngster so he or she feels less alone. It is comforting to know that someone you love once experienced what you are presently going through.

Do educate yourself as best you can in regard to your childs bed wetting. There is plenty of information to be found on the Internet, plus your local library should also have some books. As well talk to your doctor and he might be able to direct you to a support group. The more armed with information you are, the better you will feel in coping with the situation.

Do remain as patient and as calm as possible under the trying circumstances. You are upset enough by the situation, just think how your child must feel.

Do be understanding ands supportive of your bed wetting child. He likely feels a great deal of shame, self-ridicule and fear at his bed wetting problem. Try to diffuse the situation as best as you can.

Do reward your child for dry nights on a consistent basis. The consistent basis is very important. Being inconsistent in parenting in any area will not get you very far and it accomplishes little.

Do everything you can to make your child feel as comfortable and secure as possible (both physically and emotionally). For example you might suggest that your child wear thicker underwear or pajamas to bed at night.

Do try as many different kinds of treatments as possible for your child until you find one that works.

Do make an honest attempt to alter habits your child has that can contribute to the problem, such as drinking fluids right before bedtime or consuming too much caffeine.

Dont criticize your child or make him feel ashamed of bed wetting. He probably feels bad enough already without you making him feel worse.

Dont blame your child for his condition. This can damage his vulnerable self-esteem tremendously.

Dont scold or punish your child for bed wetting. He is not doing it deliberately to be bad and it does in no one reflect negatively on your parenting skills.

Dont prohibit your child from spending the night at a friends house or going camping because of his condition. Instead encourage him to enjoy the activities he enjoys and take steps to end the bed wetting problem for good.

Jackie Kym, Publisher/WebmasterDacie Blog92922
Charlotte Blog70141

Harmful Spending Habits

A lot of people are quite compulsive where shopping is concerned. In order to maintain a balance between what we earn and can spend, we need to make a budget before buying. We buy things out of impulse not out of necessity, and that is the most common mistake a lot of us make when shopping. More so during the holidays. People need to learn how to control overusing their credit cards and the unnecessary little gifts for everybody.

Problems start when people do not pay bills on time, and even worse, when they do not have enough money to do it. This why you get into debt. And getting out of debt is not as easy as getting in. To get out of it, you will need the help of professional counselors.

Here we have The Consumer Literacy Consortium's list of consumers' most common mistakes. The purpose of this list is to educate consumers on their most common buying mistakes in order to develop a healthy purchase habit.

Consumer's Most Common Mistakes

- Using too many credit cards
- Not having the minimum balance needed in order to avoid checking fees
- Buying new appliances without really needing them
- Never comparing product prices
- Never comparing prices on supermarket shelves
- Not having a life insurance policy for no less than 15 years
- Taking a 30-year mortgage and not a 15-year due to the low monthly payments
- Paying your home improvements before finishing them
- Leasing cars instead of buying them
- Letting their insurance agent make decisions on which deal to take
- Not knowing they can afford

Disregard of all the measures taken. Nowadays there are thousands of people swamped with debts, and some are on the brink of becoming debtors. People need to know that there are lots of ways of receiving professional help in order to become debt free again.

Debt Settlement is one of the most reliable and fastest ways of achieving financial balance, and becoming once again debt free. Debt is not the problem, the problem lies in our spending habits and the way we look at money.

People only need to learn how to purchase in order to stay away from debt. Avoid making the mistakes that are mentioned on the list above and you will notice the difference in your financial balance.

Check these links to learn more:

http://www.bill-consolidation-and-debt-negotiation.com/consumer-credit-counseling/NJ-New-Jersey/Consumer-Credit-Counseling-NJ-New-Jersey.shtml
http://www.bill-consolidation-and-debt-negotiation.com/consumer-credit-counseling/NY-New-York/Consumer-Credit-Counseling-NY-New-York.shtml

Nancy Smith is a contributing writer to http://www.bill-consolidation-and-debt-negotiation.com and is currently writing some special articles to guide business on how to manage debt and avoid bankruptcy.Cthrine Blog98853
Danit Blog96282