Buy Home Decor to Suit your Home's Character

For the first nineteen years of my life I lived in the same town in my parents home. Whatever home decor there was interested me little, it was just there. Then I went to Italy for a year and lived with an Italian Duke and his family. They lived in a villa in Rome. There I noticed the home decor. The rooms were huge. The Duchess had a penchant for elaborate baroque wall mirrors. They were everywhere, with the rest of the home decor to match. Most days the gardener cut arms full of fresh flowers. I often helped to carry them because I liked to follow him around so that I could look at the classical art statue sculptures and fountains. They, and marble benches, strategically placed between the trees and flowers, were the garden decor. Since I liked to do it, it soon became my job to arrange the flowers in decorative vases. I had a free hand in placing them on tables, cabinets and plant stands. It wasn't exactly decorating, but it gave me a satisfying feeling to contribute something to those marvelous rooms.

After one year I moved to Paris, France. Not much scope for home decorating there. I lived in a tiny furnished room, where the home decor consisted of a narrow bed, a pine wood chair, a wardrobe and a wood cabinet with a washbowl. A bare light bulb hung from the ceiling. All I added was a decorative mirror, a reading lamp and a crystal vase, which I kept filled with fresh flowers from the market.

After that it was great to move into a house near Los Angeles, California, which I shared with my sister. Without much planning, we decided what we needed and went out to buy whatever appealed to us. As nice as the furniture had looked in the showroom, somehow, in that house it did not seem right. For one thing, it was much too massive and the colors clashed with the paint colors and window coverings. We did not have much time to stew over it since we both carried a full load of courses at the college and worked four hours after class and eight on Saturdays.

The day after I graduated, I got married and my wonderful husband and I moved into an apartment near his work. At first I had fun buying new furniture and making the place look nice, but soon I realized that apartment living was not for me. I missed wandering between the flowers and sitting on the garden bench under the open sky with that first cup of coffee.

As soon as our lease was up, we moved into a house on a steep hillside. We used the furniture we had, even though it looked somewhat out of place. Going around to flea markets and buying items without thinking whether they would fit in with what we had, did not help. At the same time my husband inherited his uncle's collectible knives, swords and sabers. They presented a real challenge for me. What was I to do with home decor like that? Mother Nature soon took care of my dilemma. The house and most of what we owned was burned in the Bel Air fire.

Of course I was very sad about the loss, yet I was excited.

Here was my chance to start all over again and this time I intended to make the home decor match the house. We rented a bungalow with a slanting roof, dark, exposed beams and lots of windows. We moved in with just a few borrowed necessities and stacks of home decor magazines and books. As I saw pictures of things that appealed to me, I would sit in different corners of the empty room I wanted to furnish and envisioned those things in place. It was a great method to decide on my selection. Lime green and lemon yellow were very much in fashion then and probably would have looked ghastly in any of the other dwellings we had had. But in that house, with the dark beams, dark oak flooring and big windows framed by citrus trees, I could envision that it would look nice. And it did. It was a delightful home.

A year later my husband decided to go back to college for his Masters Degree. We loaded what we could into our Volkswagen Bus, sold the rest of our belongings and headed for Austin, Texas, accompanied by two babies and a cat. Money was tight and home decor took a back seat to all else. Like so many student accommodations, ours had a lot of make-do furnishings. The bricks and boards book shelve, the milk crate and plywood tables and second hand sofas and beds. Our newborn slept in what used to be a packing box for toilet paper, nicely lined with colorful fabric. It didn't seem to matter. I devoted my time to my children. My husband devoted his time to his studies .

In less than twelve month he got his degree and was recommended by his professor to a company in Pasadena, California.

We found a lovely cottage style home. Once again I was absolutely thrilled to be able to start decorating from scratch, since we had brought nothing with us. I went through the routine of sitting in different corners of the empty rooms and envisioned what, of the things I had seen in magazines and home decor stores, would look good in that house. I settled on country cottage style home decor and in the end, of all the homes we had lived in, this one, still today, was the one we felt most comfortable and at home in.

Our bliss lasted for almost two years until my husband was transferred to Atlanta, Georgia. Fortunately the company let us fly there ahead of time to check the place out and I could see right away that in the colonial style homes we looked at, country cottage home decor would never do. My husband came to an agreement with his company, that instead of paying for the movers to transport our furniture, they would give him a lump sum.

With great pleasure I acquainted myself with colonial style home decor, sat in the empty rooms envisioning what to put where and in the end came up with a truly elegant period masterpiece. What a delight it was to entertain in that house.

I should have known that it would not last but must admit that I said yes faster than my husband when his boss offered him a job in Nepal.We had no idea what to expect in that country. Things seemed primitive compared to what we were used to but we loved it. We found a rather grand looking house where the water pipes and electrical lines were all outside the walls. The fuse boxes were right by the entrance so that everybody could see that this house was modern enough to have such luxuries. The floors were naked cement and there was no heating. Sitting in corners of the empty rooms to envision them furnished did not do it here either, since there were no stores where one could just go and buy furniture. Simple beds, with hemp cords strung between the sides and badly made whicker chairs were all one could buy ready made. Other expatriates advised us to get pictures of home decor we would like to have and take them to a carpenter who may or may not come up with something similar. We did and also found a place in the bazaar where we could order coir carpeting. It did not look like much but felt invigoratingly rough under bare feet. Dishes, cutlery and whatever else one needs in a home also were of ghastly quality, but it did not matter, nobody else had anything better, except for embassy staff, who got everything shipped in. Slowly the pieces of furniture we had ordered were delivered and little by little the place started to look like a home. Finally we could reciprocate for all the many invitations we had accepted from ex pats and local people alike. We might not have had the home decor we would have liked but since the electricity often failed anyhow, by candlelight it did look delightful. Besides, we had one of the best cooks in Katmandu and visitors told us that they would have come to eat his food, had the house been empty.

We were supposed to go back to the United States after my husbands contract was up but even before that, his boss wanted him to transfer to Madras, India. By good fortune we found an almost new bungalow which had been build on stilts so as to not disturb the roots of a huge holy tree in front of it. The house was built in a square around a courtyard with a mango tree in the middle and all rooms had big glass double doors opening out to it. When I saw the place, I could immediately envision a garden theme and was glad to find fabrics with a lattice and bamboo design for the curtains and matching green upholstery for the sofas and chairs we had made. Even though it took many trips to the bazaar, and frequent reminders to the carpenters, eventually all the home decor complimented the garden feeling I had wanted to achieve. It was like living outdoors.

After that we moved fourteen more times, always to different countries, all over the world, without ever bringing any furnishings with us. Each time I went through the same process of sitting in the empty rooms, envisioning the results I wanted to create, then finding the right home decor. The look was always perfect for that particular house.

Few people move as much as I did. For them it is even more important, right at the beginning, to decorate their home to suit it's character. Having chosen what looks right then will still look right years later.

Elisabeth Mcgill is now permanently living in Tucson, Arizona. To make use of her expertise in home decorating and her knowledge of decorator items from around the world, she is in the process of creating a home and garden decor business. http://www.buyhomeandgardendecor.com (not yet published)Gwennie Blog8908
Hillary Blog75057

Do Contemporary Universities Suffer From A Type Of Cancer

Biologists and medical practitioners have proven through extensive scientific research and testing that every living organism renews its cells as it gradually matures. If we accept Proust's metaphor that "a nation is a huge organized accumulation of individuals," then when cultural norms change so does the nation as a whole entity. Based on this assumption, a nation, a country, or generally any type of society, can be characterized by its critics as "sick" if its constituent cells change their previous status with unknown consequences. Under this realm, the crisis contemporary universities have been experiencing must be the outcome of the detected changes in people's values, norms, priorities and ideology. Thus, as the individual cells change their role, critics have denoted a new type of "sickness" in the academic environment, a new type of "cancer," which according to scholars like Miller and Miyoshi, has to be treated adequately before it completely destroys the institutions' primary educational purpose.

Like a human organism is constructed by smaller portions of matter, the contemporary university is an accumulation of students, professors, administrators and many more stakeholders, like corporations. These groups share the grounds of an institution and strive to accomplish various goals. In the past, although different views existed and dissensus was present, the unity of the overall institution was not jeopardized. Unfortunately today, due to the socioeconomic changes fostered by the capitalistic hegemony, contradictory interests have divided the various university groups threatening unity under the broad academic umbrella. But is there something wrong with corporate intervention and why has it managed to create a crisis of this magnitude? Do universities suffer from "cancer"?

Especially in counties, like the United States, where the majority of the academic institutions are private, a university is considered as another type of legal entity with similar economic interests as that of a corporation in any industry. Universities, although non-profit institutions, have not only to survive, but also to prosper, as they compete in a fierce environment using as their unique-selling-point the mere knowledge they teach. As a matter of fact, Universities today have seized to be agents of free knowledge and truth, altering their nature to that of a corporation. This is an undisputable fact, which is the route under this whole crisis. Additionally, as the individual cells of this living organism have realized the impact and the degree of the 21st century's economic changes, they have began to invest to this new role of the contemporary university, seeing it as the adequate preparation field for highly trained consumers and managers.

Returning to the original question, whether contemporary universities suffer from "cancer" or not, in my opinion the answer is yes. This realization is not as provocative as it sounds. Universities have realized their power to foster change, not necessarily with a rebellion nature, the academic institutions of the West are about to step forward and propose a new type of educational mode.

This new role of the contemporary university may not be revolutionary, as neither were the interdisciplinary studies at the time that they were originally introduced, but it will be radical and forceful in nature and scale as its primary focus will be the critical judgment of its own role and its principles will be based on the fundamental value of respect and the notion of accepting and requiring diversity. Not because it better sells the new character promoted by the institution, but because through different academic backgrounds and views, true innovation can be generated.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://fortheloveofscience.com/ - In addition, Kadence also writes articles for http://inutritioncentral.com/ and http://4-edu.net/.Harley Blog67913
Heddi Blog6916

Medical Transcription Training

Employers will almost exclusively hire transcriptionists who have completed some kind of formal training in the area or who have experience. There are many ways to obtain such training, but for most a community college or vocational school will be the best option, especially if the training includes on-the-job experience. Do not worry about whether or not they offer the opportunity to earn the Certified Medical Transcriptionist designation. This is not a required certification in general, and in fact, most transcriptionists need a couple of years' experience before they can pass the test to gain this designation. I am not a CMT, but I was able to find a job.

Courses typically take several months to two years to complete, depending on the school chosen. Many vocational schools include the cost of books and course materials in their tuition, which may be helpful after you have landed a job. If you already work in a medical field, and simply want to switch to working from home, you may only need to learn transcription, as you may already have the vocabulary you need, but think carefully, as a refresher course may not be an entirely bad thing either.

It is also possible to take transcription courses at home. This option is more flexible but may be more challenging in other ways. Your selection of a course of study should depend on how you will best learn what you need to know.

You will need an assortment of reference books. Some you may recieve with your training, but you may find you need others. See the equipment page for suggestions.

College Courses

College courses are best for most people. Having an instructor to help you through the difficult parts and to keep you working on a schedule can be a great benefit. Many schools also offer job placement assistance, which may not be available through home study courses.

Community Colleges

Perhaps the cheapest method of instructor-led training you can get, but it may not be quick. A quick look at a local community shows a 22-25 unit requirement for certification in Medical Transcription. This would require a minimum of two semesters' work or more, depending on prerequisites and whether you attend part- or full-time.

Costs vary by what state you live in. Check with your local school.

Vocational Schools

Vocational schools cost more than community colleges, typically into the thousands, but may offer more flexiblity when it comes to the timing of your class. This may not be a quick solution either. With a quick look at a local vocational school's webpage, I found that its Medical Transcription training program takes about 28 weeks of classroom time and four weeks of an externship. Check to see if textbooks and other supplies are included in the cost.

Home Study

Home study courses offer the most flexiblity in many ways, but they offer challenges as well. You must be capable of working on your own. On the other hand, if you want to work at home, that's a skill you need. You'll need special equipment for this option in many cases, such as a foot pedal.

In the time I've spent researching medical transcription schools, three names keep coming up as the ones that employers actually hire from regularly: Career Step, M-Tec, and Andrews School of Medical Transcription. Of them, CareerStep is the most affordable. The others have a still better repuation with employers, but CareerStep graduates are plenty well enough trained to find employment. My former employer, Medquist, requires that you take the Gold level or above from CareerStep (last I heard, anyhow), which is my recommendation as well. Expect to take a minimum of 6 months, often 9 months or more, to complete a course.

Which option is best? That depends in large part on how you best learn and what is available in your area. There's no one definite right answer that will meet everyone's needs.

Stephanie Foster is a former medical transcriptionist and now runs http://www.homewiththekids.com/ . She shares what she learned about being a medical transcriptionist at http://www.homewiththekids.com/medical-transcription/.Hailee Blog19842
Harmony Blog70990

Military Online Dating

If you have seen An Office And a Gentleman you will know why Military online dating is getting popular. Apart from what women see in Military men you also have Military women using these services as well. Theyre all strong individuals who are dedicated to what they do, and that adds to their attraction.

Military dating services were originally set up to help singles from the Army, Navy, Air Forces, Coast Guard, Police Forces and Fire Fighters find friendship and romance. Servicemen and women can spend a lot of time away from home as they are very dedicated to their work. The internet has helped thousands of them get back some of their social lives while being away from home.

They now have a place to chat to admirers, new friends and love interests online. If you have an interest in Military singles it easy to get started, and start chatting to some of them. There are plenty of reviews for you to read online to help you choose the right Military online dating service.

First thing youll have to do is create your profile. This is straight forward enough, and once completed you can start using a free trial at your chosen dating web site. Make your profile as interesting as possible with a good clear photo. This will give you a better chance of being contacted first.

Once you have given the Military online dating service a good test you can then upgrade your membership. This will allow you to start contacting Military singles yourself. This saves you waiting to be contacted all the time, and watching your favorite Military singles get contacted by other singles. For a months membership it will cost you less than a night out with it getting cheaper with 3, 6 and 12 month subscriptions.

Knowing what you want in your potential date will save you a lot of time when searching through the Military profiles. Seeing as a military lifestyle can put servicemen and women anywhere the area of your search will be greater than a usual online dating service. Make sure they explain what they want in a civilian single. This also saves your time e-mailing a military single who wouldnt be interested in you.

Military singles will also look for fellow servicemen and women to start a relationship with. So this is another advantage of Military online dating services. It will be hard for them to meet other men and women of honour outside of their place of work and training.

Military dating web sites are also a good way to find pen pals. Military pen pals have always been popular for years. And now the internet has done away with the postal service to keep in touch with someone in the service.

For Military online dating reviews, and advice for a better quality online dating experience visit - http://www.the-online-dating-reviews.com/military-dating.html

Jason King is the webmaster for The online dating reviews. http://www.the-online-dating-reviews.comGiulietta Blog3092
Heddi Blog6916

Insurance Agencies Are Missing Out On Millions

Is it true that Insurance Agencies are supposed to provide beneficial products and services that their clients need and deserve? Insurance agencies have been around for hundreds of years providing many forms of insurance plans and policies that are greatly needed. However, there is a huge $15 to $25 billion available market ready for insurance agencies, agents, and any professional sales person to jump in and take advantage of this huge opportunity. As I see it, there are not many agencies providing these beneficial products and services to their clients. If this is truly the case, whose interest are these agencies really looking out forit seems not the clients interest. The bottom-line is consumers need these products and services so why arent the agencies providing the services at neck-breaking speed.

The Huge Need for Product

In North America and Canada, there is a huge need for legal counsel services. Less than 3% of the population has access to quality legal services. Why is that? It could be that people are intimidated by lawyers, they simply dont know whom to call, or maybe they feel as if they will not be able to afford the attorneys fees. This very instant over 50% of families today has a legal situation. The sad part of this is that most of the families will either ignore the problem or try to handle it themselves.

The Value Of A Plan

With other insurance products and services, the client have to wait for something bad to happen before they can extract any value out of the plan they prepay for on a monthly basis. Like a prepaid cell phone, a prepaid calling card, or a prepaid debt Visa/Master card, as a client, I want to be able to reap the benefits of having the plan the very same day if needed. This usually not the case with insurance plans today.

Insurance agencies, you can make this happen for millions of North Americans and Canadians today. Remember less than 3% of the people have these products and services. Only one company has these products and services ready for your agency and sales team to provide to your client base. If you are not ready to provide your clients legal service plans then someone else will.

If you are talented in selling and motivating a sales force then legal service plans are the perfect product for you and your sales force. The challenge to you is whether you choose to get involved with this moneymaking product and million-dollar opportunity. Human Capital is an expensive investment and by giving your sales staffs the opportunity to sell legal service plans and services. You will be giving them the ability to make as much commissions as they want to make without huge overhead cost to the agency. With these legal plans alone, your agents can give themselves a raise any time by selling more plans. As they sell more plans, you will see your bottom-line profits increase tremendously. The benefits here are the agency makes more money and retains more of its sales force, the agents makes more commissions, and the clients gets the products and services they can use minutes after purchasing. By adding, this product to your existing products and services can ind!

eed enable any company with a professional sales force to grow faster than its competitors. Increased profits and commissions without additional overhead cost, this is truly a powerful moneymaking opportunity for sales companies.

Benefits All

When an insurance agency or any sales professional provide these products and services everyone involved benefits with each sale. For instance, the agency benefits immensely because:

1. It allows its sales force to provide a product that the client can use immediately after purchasing.

2. It gives the agencys sales team the ability to make money daily and as the sales team earns immediate commissions the agency will be earning daily revenue via direct deposit if it choose to.

3. The sales agency locks in it sales force even if the sales person is no longer employed with the agency. The agency continues to profits whether your sales agents are selling your products or the legal service plans and services.

As long as the sales person continues to make sales, the agency will continue to earn revenue from the sales person. For the sales person, they can set the limit of how much their income increases by the level of their sale production. A top money earner in the company, who was once a Real Estate agent in the family business, started selling the products and in two and a half years, he earned over $1 million in commissions. With several agents earning a million dollars in commissions, you could very well see a six or seven figure increase in your year-end revenue report. Lastly, the benefits for the client are immediate use of the plan from the time of sale. The client is also able to provide legal services protect their family with one low monthly fee.

More info at the web site below, click on the Insurance & Finance Professionals link.

http://www.DailyPayWeb.com

Kelvin Shaw has been helping people succeed online for over 10 years and has dedicated his life to Internet Marketing and helping others. Visit his web site http://www.DailyPayWeb.com to find out how you can create success online with your own home-based business.Florinda Blog63323
Helen Blog16613

Which Prepaid Phone Is The Best?

One of the greatest things about prepaid cell phones is that there is a vast amount of information available to you in order to assist you in choosing the phone that is best for you. Although, sometimes a huge amount of information can be overwhelming, and make the task of choosing a prepaid phone more of a hassle than a joy. Many carriers are taking advantage of your need for information by giving you tons and tons of information to lure you in. This does not take away your power to choose the best plan for you, but empowers you to do so. Plus, there are many tools and a lot of information available online that can assist you in choosing which plan is best for you.

Reviews

You can find out a lot about a carrier, a specific plan, or a specific phone by reading reviews by other customers, both past and present. Many customers go on to reviews websites and post their thoughts, comments, problems, and experiences with different aspects of prepaid cell phones. This outlet can be a great place for you to start getting an understanding of what other people like and dont like about a product before you purchase it. These are the best reviews to read because these people do not work for cell phone companies, and they are just passing along their first hand experience to help you choose the best phone for you before you commit to a company.

Consumer product rating companies are another source of reviews that you should investigate before choosing a program. These companies are created and maintained to test products, write reports on them, and present these reports to you so that you can see what is good, bad, and ugly in the market. Professional opinions on certain cell phones and their prepaid options can be found via this information, and not only that, but the phones are rated against other phones so you have a good understanding of what you are being offered compared to other companies.

It is important to investigate all the information provided to you on each carrier. You will want to make sure that you understand their services, their handset options, and their costs so that you can choose the plan that offers you the most for the least. You should make a chart that compares and rates each company to one another and review this before making your decision. Also, be sure to include information on phone warranties, contracts, and hidden charges. Reviews can help you assess some of this information by adding in other customer comments which can weigh heavily for, or against, a company. With all these pieces you should be able to make the right decision on service from the very start.

Shelly Walther has written several articles on prepaid cell phones. She has researched many different options and understands how prepaid can benefit users. You can see more of her work, including more articles on prepaid cell phones, at http://www.ResourceHog.com and http://www.ForosWireless.com.Gayle Blog1154
Grace Blog88302

Copier Machine Buyer's Guide

1. What is my budget?

Copier speed is measured in copies per minute (CPM, also known as pages per minute or PPM). Copiers can produce from four to over 100 copies per minute. The slowest machines begin at around 700 and the fastest, digitally connected, multifunctional machines can cost over 100,000. Copiers that cost more than a couple thousand pounds are most often rented or leased, but they can also be bought outright. Leases for photocopiers typically extend for three to five years.

2. Hidden Costs?

The capital cost of printers may be relatively inexpensive but the cost of Consumables, Maintenance plays an important part in budgetary decisions. Research shows that 40% to 45% of total cost of ownership goes toward consumables and servicing and 55% to 60% is down to manageability and reliability.

3. What's your copy and print volume?

Its always worth assessing your current usage by conducting a quick print audit of average pages printed per month, A4 or A3 requirements, Black & white usage and

Colour usage. Take a long-term view and consider the potential growth of your company.

4. Colour and Mono?

Colour is undoubtedly where the future lies. Although the manufactures are obviously keen to push colour copiers, as it increases their margins on consumables, remember the best business MFPs do offer mono and colour simultaneously. Its also possible to disable the colour on the MFPs if you do not need colour now but want it in the future.

For further information please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly and helpful staff at our website link below:

First Class Business Solutions - Office Equipment, Copiers, Photocopiers

http://www.fcbs.co.uk

First Class Business Solutions are a respected office equipment retailer for copiers, multifunctional systems, fax machines, printers, presentation equipment, computers and network products.Hedvig Blog20563
Gavra Blog10104

Choosing Jewelry For Your Personality

Are diamonds really every girls best friend? Maybe some prefer pearls, while others might be emotionally attached to their birthstone. Some might be drawn to a regional or cultural favorite, like turquoise in the southwest. Some believe that certain stones have healing powers, such as that hematite can banish headaches. When you are choosing jewelry as a gift for someone, it is a very personal item, one that, when they wear it, will reflect their personality and values to others. What do different jewelry items say about you?

One thing you should keep in mind is that jewelry is part of your outfit and overall appearance, so just as you buy clothing that flatters your shape and cut your hair to flatter your face, jewelry should highlight your beautiful parts in addition to being beautiful itself. If you, or the person youre buying for, has short, stubby fingers, large rings are not a good idea, and steering clear of rings in general is probably a good bet unless youre looking for engagement or wedding rings. People with long faces should stick to stud earrings or small hoops, since dangling earrings, while trendy, will emphasize the length of the face. When thinking about body parts to adorn, dont limit yourself. Those blessed with taut midriffs can wear belly button rings. If you are buying for someone with thicker wrists, or whose work or lifestyle might be slowed down by a bracelet, maybe an ankle bracelet would be a good alternative.

Different gemstones are believed by many to have personalities of their own, or make strong statements about the personality of the person wearing them. Birthstones are related to the month that you are born, which in astrology and other practices determine some of your personality traits. The symbolism of many gemstones is often similar to attributes that we associate with the color of the gemstone. For example, red is often considered to be a color of passion and love, and rubies, which are red, have the same connotation. Meanwhile, blue is usually associated with innocence, and so are blue sapphires.

Another consideration is shape. Jewelry is beautiful for two reasons, one, for the natural beauty of the material it is made from and two, for what the artist renders in it. Gold and silver chains and other jewelry come in varying patterns and thicknesses. Gemstones are cut and placed in settings that complement their natural features.

Jena Luthowski writes about http://www.jewelryanddiamondguide.com, http://www.jewelryanddiamondguide.com and http://www.SimplyBestCoupons.comGabrielle Blog9852
Florinda Blog63323

Skin Care Products For Men That We Recommend

With the birth of the metrosexuals, men are increasingly made aware of their appearances. In fact, some women even complain that their boyfriends now spend more time at the mirror than they do.

One of the booming industries brought on by the metrosexual phenomena is the skin care industry especially those that focus on men. The industry has become so big that cosmetic and skin care lines that only catered to women have started to also develop skin care products for men.

There are now astringents and lotions for men. Some companies have even developed facial wash for men, a skin care staple that men would not have bought a decade ago.

Below are some of the products that have captured the interest and fancy of the male population.

Mask it!

Who would have thought that women will see the day when men will go to sleep with clay or mud all over their face? This however is prevalent in these times, as men have finally realized the advantages of deep cleaning his pores to prevent pimples and acne from settling in. The Anthony Logistics Deep Pore Cleansing Clay, which costs about $22 in the market, is one of the best in the line. It combines the properties of flowers with vitamins and purified clay to help the skin absorb excess oils, remove impurities and toxins as well as tighten the pores.

Moisturize it

Men also use moisturizers. As far-fetched as it seems, men also need moisturizers to help keep their skin supple and soft. Moisturizers, as women know, can prevent visible signs of aging by keeping the skins natural oils.

This is especially true with men who have dry skins. One of the products in the market that comes highly recommended is the Clinique Maximum Hydrator for Men, which will cost them about $26. It can be pretty expensive but it sure does the job.

Scrub it

To take care of the skin, one needs to get rid of dead skin cells, which may clog the pores or combine with dirt and grime. One of the essentials of exfoliating, is the T-Pur Face Purifying Scrub for Men, which is manufactured by Biotherm. Costing about $15 each, the scrub helps cleanse the skin.

Be careful though and make sure that the scrub is not so abrasive on your skin. Too much scrubbing can irritate the skin and worsen the problem.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on Skin-Care & other useful information, please visit http://skin-care.articlekeep.com.Giulia Blog50723
Grace Blog88302

Your Vacation Domicile - Vacation Rental Home Orlando Florida

Major portion of Orlando economy is engaged in the tourist industry. And, tremendous growth has been seen in tourist industry just because of its number of tourist attraction which includes Walt Disney world, universal Orlando resort, sea world and much more than this. Orlando Florida has something for all ages. Every place has its own attraction such as Walt Disney World has Disney animal kingdom, Blizzard beach, Typhoon Lagoon and Downtown Disney. In the same manner sea world is featured with places like marine animals, amusements parks, water parks. And, much more which is very difficult to list them all. But, such adventure is important but where to accommodate carries an equal importance. As the place of accommodation must be suitable in terms of its cost and comfort level, and this is offered by only vacation rental home.

It is true that there are other alternatives available for accommodating such as hotels and motels and they are enough luxury to stay in. But the thing which matters is that though they are luxurious but they are not spacious as an Orlando Florida vacation rental home. Vacation rental home Orlando Florida beats the places like hotels as they are spacious and luxurious too.

The person can easily find different vacation rental home in Orlando Florida that is at different location and sizes. He can choose from wide range of vacation rental home as per his budget and needs.

Vacation rental home Orlando Florida is cheap and less expensive as compared to the cost involved, while accommodating at hotels. Not only the cost which matters while choosing any place of accommodation but the comfort it offers also matters.

Vacation rental home Orlando Florida offers all the amenities and environment of home such as television, DVD, laundry, dinning room, bed room, terrace and much more. The person can choose vacation rental home with or without pool as it is important element while holidaying in Orlando Florida. The cost of vacation rental home with a swimming pool varies from the home without swimming pool.

The best part of vacation rental home Orlando Florida is that the person can relax and sit as if he is in his own home. And, above that he will be not disturbed by any person without his permission. On the other hand, while staying at hotels the person is disturbed every minute by one or the other person.

Now feel home and relax while holidaying at Orlando Florida with Vacation Rental Home.

Sylvestor Johnson is offering loan and rental advice for quite some time. He is working as financial consultant for ThinkRentals. To find Vacation rental home Orlando Florida, Apartment rentals, Cabin rentals, Condo rentals, Rental homes, Vacation rentals, Beach house vacation rentals at cheap rates that best suits your needs visit http://www.thinkrentals.com.Holly Blog89740
Idell Blog3491

How To Avoid Paying Inflated Airfares During Holiday Season

Being a contrarian traveler, that is, doing the opposite of what the majority of people are doing is a smart way to save money on airfares. The theory in this being that while everybody is traveling one way, for example heading back home at the end of their winter vacations to Thailand, the planes going back to Thailand would be relatively empty. This creates an opportunity for the savvy traveler to take advantage of reduced airfares as airlines scramble to fill as many seats as possible.

Unfortunately we are not all able to travel when we want and work commitments may dictate that we must take our holidays at the same time as everybody else. This is where the laws of supply and demand kick in and the airlines and hotels crank up their prices.

But what if you really wanted or needed to travel at a time that was a peak travel time in your country? Do you just have to bite the bullet and pay the inflated prices?

Fortunately there is a strategy which allows you to both travel to and return from popular destinations at the same peak times as everyone else, without having to pay pumped-up holiday fares.

Lets take Bangkok as an example because it is an extremely popular holiday destination and it is also one of the cheapest places in the world right now to purchase airfare tickets- a fact whose relevance will become clear in just a moment.

Lets say its May and I am going to take a short 5 day trip to Bangkok, on a business trip or to visit friends. Ive also decided that I want to take a vacation at the end of the year. I will not be able to depart until December 22nd, peak travel season. Unfortunately leaving between mid-December and mid-January will cost me pretty close to double the regular fare. Forward planning being one of the fundamentals of saving money on travel, knowing my end-of-year travel dates will enable me to save a lot of money.

What I do is instead of buying a 5 day return ticket for my May trip, I buy a one year open with the return date of the ticket sometime in January when I want to come home from my end of year vacation. Upon arriving in Bangkok I put this ticket away in my suitcase and purchase a second ticket from Bangkok to my original point of departure, or my home city. The return portion of this ticket (and this is the crucial part of the plan) is set to December 22nd.

This works because each airline in each country determines their fares from the point of departure. What this means is that the return date does not have as big an influence on the fare as the departure date. Basically they dont care if the return section of your ticket is in a peak period in the country you are coming back from.

One year open tickets are a little more expensive than your regular 7- 30 day open tickets, however you should look into this option and you may find substantial savings doing it this way than paying the inflated peak time airfares that the airlines charge.

Aaron James is the author of many more tips on how to get cheap flights to BKK, Thailand at http://Cheapflights2thailand.com.Hali Blog5945
Franny Blog64792

Photo Tote Bags: A Perfect Gift Idea For Mom

When a special occasion arrives for your mom, you will usually think of a gift to give her. However, it can be very difficult to think of a gift that would be different that the usual store bought items. You want to give her something special that she can use in her everyday life but be unique.

If your mother is an active person who always goes out with her friends, you would want something that she would carry around and show off to her friends. To do this, you would want to give her a gift that is unique and is something that she can use everyday.

Necklaces are considered a very common gift; flowers too can also prove common and will just eventually die. You want something to give your mom that she can use for years to come and at the same time remember her son or daughter who gave it to her as a gift.

One kind of gift that you can give her in that special occasion, whether it's mother's day or her birthday, is a tote bag. Of course, a tote bag may also seem too common, but because of today's advancement in photo technology, you can use photos for just about anything. Today, you can print any photos you want on the surface of the tote bag.

This tote bag is called the photo tote bag. With this kind of feature, you can personalize your gift tote bag for your mom. You can get your mom's favorite photos printed on the tote bag. With this kind of personalization, you can be sure that your mom will use the photo tote bag on a daily basis and show off the photos and the bag to her friends.

It is rather simple to get a photo tote bag. All you have to do is look for photo printing services in your area that offers printing on bags and other items. If this proves impossible and there is no such service in your area, you can order online. There are quite a few companies that post their services on the Internet.

When ordering a photo tote bag, all you have to do is subscribe in the website, choose a tote bag design and email or attach the photo of your choice in the order form. All you have to do is wait for it to be delivered right on your doorstep.

There are many tote bag designs available. In order to make it extra special for her, choose a tote bag that she likes. If she already has a tote bag, you can try to search for a similar tote bag and get her favorite photos printed.

The photos printed on the sides of the tote bag can be anything. It can be your first birthday picture with her holding you, it can be her wedding picture, or it can be a family picture. If you can't decide between the photos you chose, you can get all of it printed on one tote bag. There are websites that also offer customizable features that you can benefit from.

This works when after you choose a bag design, you can place the pictures you want on the tote bag. It is up to you on where you want the pictures printed on the bag. It is also up to you how it's going to be placed. With this feature, you can truly customize the tote bag and create a unique gift that no one else can imitate, unless you want two copies of it.

Photo tote bags are one of the most popular gift ideas for your mom. So, if some special occasion comes up for your mom, try considering a photo tote bag as a gift idea.

Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information checkout http://www.snaptotes.com and http://styleends.com.Gusta Blog85009
Gwenni Blog9529

Latest Mobile Phones To Take Mobile Experience To New Heights

Mobile phones are for exchanging information. It empowers one to communicate without any barrier of where he or she is. One can talk to someone at the other end anytime from anywhere. Earlier only chat and SMS (Short Messaging Service) were possible with mobile phones but at present one is able to do a multifarious works with it. The recent introduction of 3G (Third Generation) technology in mobile phones along with the technological advancement in the sphere of network providing has enabled this.

Though mobile phone handsets have become more advanced it is the technology of service networks which is lagging behind. It is time to make mobile service networks technology move along the same league as that of handsets. In that direction BT, Three, Vodafone, T-Mobile and O2 have been adopting latest technologies.

Combination of the latest technology from the network service providers and latest technology in the sphere of Mobile Phone handsets has given a new mobile experience to customers. In addition to, talking and sending SMS one has been able to make video calls, connect to internet, carry around office documents, video conferencing, shooting photos and videos, downloading and listening music with the new technology.

Every Mobile phone model has low lifecycle. It is not because these models are inferior ones. It is because of the constant changes that go in mobile technology. As with anything else in life, evolution of a process is needed to keep it in tune with the rest of the world. Mobile phone technology is no different thing either. This approach of research and development from the various individuals connected with mobile technology has led us to reach new frontiers in mobile phone usage experience.

Today it is becoming difficult to define which mobile handset is different than the other and in which way. It is becoming more or less similar. Whether it is the capability of these mobile phones to play music, shoot videos or photos, MMS or video calls or internet browsing capability every model has only a thin line of separation.

Mobile phones have enabled us to talk freely without any boundary or bondage. It has enabled us to see who is talking at the other side. We can send new ideas or information through MMS. Mobile phone is becoming more or less of a computer bundled with other accessories such as camera, FM and music player. At present the things that one can do with a mobile phone is on the rise and it certainly would not stop here. The future for mobile phone technology is brighter than ever.

You can order and buy next generation mobile phones easily from online shops like Mobile Phone Shop UK. The online shops give heavy discounts not available elsewhere and you do not need to go physically to buy it. Along with it, you are able to compare different mobile phone models from the comfort of your home.

Buy and order latest mobile phones now and reach out for a new mobile phone experience.

Gregory Gibson is associated with MobilePhoneShopUK. He holds a bachelor's degree in electronics and communication fromIIT,Kharagpur. To know more about Mobile Phone Shop UK, Mobile phone model, Mobile online shop, Mobile accessory, Contract Mobile Phones, Mobile Phone Insurance,Order latest mobile phones please visit http://www.mobilephoneshopuk.netGerianna Blog76449
Hadria Blog39940

The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Business

Owners and executives must be leaders first and managers second. As leaders our task is first and foremost to be about doing the right things, and the seven deadly sins, should be on the top of your list as leadership issues you are dealing with on a regular basis. Building a small business is one of the most rewarding, but risky ventures one could possibly venture into. Most papers on small business deal primarily with financing and risk management, which are only symptoms of the real issues. Your bank account is just the scorecard of how well you have developed your leadership skills relative to accomplishing the right things.

This paper will help you avoid many of the costly pitfalls of operating a small business, assuming you heed the advice. Avoiding these pitfalls will in turn help you to conserve cash, develop market share, increase sales, improve customer loyalty, increase employee retention and build efficiencies into your operation.

The seven deadly sins include 1) Poor or non-existent business planning; 2) Lack of a strategic objective; 3) Lack of marketing strategies and tactics; 4) Management in the place of leadership; 5) Poor or non-existent systems; 6) Failure to utilize an appropriate leadership style; 7) Care and feeding of sacred cows. Business owners and executives who do not understand them, do not have experience with them and therefore do not appreciate their impact and significance often ignore these critical leadership issues.

Thirty-five years of building and operating small businesses has taught me that most small business problems are not money problems at all, and in fact money is just an indicator that much deeper issues are at play. Beware; the market is a wicked taskmaster, these seven deadly sins are like small doses of poison injected into your operation by the very marketplace you are trying to conquer, and they provide a slow painful death to the naive.

Here are the seven deadly sins in order of priority.

1) Poor Business Planning

Most small businesses do not have even a summary business plan, and of those that do, many are cookie cutter business plans built with the help of a piece of software. At a minimum a business plan should have an executive summary; a company overview with company history and its current status; the companies strategic objective; a description of the companies products and services; a list of the companies intellectual properties including patents, copyrights, trademarks, processes and know-how; a market analysis; a competitive analysis, which includes competitors and their market position, and their strengths and weaknesses; a marketing plan, which includes your marketing strategy, product strategy, sales strategy, and pricing strategy; your customer service plan; sales projections by product, in units, for at least three years; and finally a set of financials which include projected income and balance sheets with a Performa sales forecast.

Here are some other important suggestions and facts related to business planning:

Less than a third of small business startups have a business plan

A business plan does not have to be incredibly detailed for operational purposes

It should be a work in progress updated on a periodic basis

Particular attention should be paid to the marketing plan

A business plan is part of the first fifteen percent of the business development process which will assure the last eight-five percent will go smoothly

The executive summary should be written last, after the rest of the plan is in view.

2) Lack of Strategic Objectives

A business strategy is made up of carefully crafted words making up templates, which in turn act as filters through which all planning, tactics and decisions are passed through before implementation. A strategic objective is therefore, a business strategy developed to guide an organization in meeting business objectives. A strategic objective is developed from the owners vision, passion, core competencies and values for the business. Contact Emerald Business Services or go to our website for a worksheet you can use to develop these critical business development tools.

3) Lack of Marketing Strategies and Tactics

Marketing strategies govern the development of tactics, which in turn provide the actions items contained within your planning process. The most important aspect of your marketing plan is the development of promotion strategies and tactics, which feed your promotion planning and provide you with sales forecasting data. The promotion plan should also detail costs and anticipated unit volume so you can set priorities and provide sales forecasting data.

4) Management in the Place of Leadership

So why is leadership so important in growing a business? Because leadership is about doing the right things, management is about doing things right . In many ways, it is leadership that will grow your business from a sales and a stability perspective, and management that will make, or keep it profitable. Also, consider that the best companies focus ninety percent of their attention on external issues, not internally , leadership is primarily a focus on the external issues.

5) Poor or non-existent Systems

Most people think of computer systems when they hear the word system. But in the since it is used here it means all systems, including the system you use for selecting the right employee, for decision making within a department and so on. One of the more telling statistics in this area is the fact that ninety-four percent of all task or project failures are system failures2. Some of the more common reasons for system failure include:

Islands of automation verses integrated systems

Absent or non-existent policies, procedures and user manuals

Poor training.

6) Lack of Development of Leadership Style

Developing leadership ability has a lot to do with understanding the type of leadership required at different stages of your companys development. There are at least six different leadership styles identified to be effective at different stages of a companys development including; Visionary; Coaching; Affiliative; Democratic; Pacesetting; and Commanding . Understanding which leadership style to employ has been found to significantly increase the effectiveness, growth and heath of the companies in which leaders utilized multiple styles. Just as important is the understanding of what a leaders personal profile is. Armed with these vital bits of information a leader is equipped to pursue the right leadership style for the task at hand.

7) Care and Feeding of Sacred Cows

I do not have a statistic on the amount of money, time and energy expended on the sacred cows lurking in American businesses, but it has to be staggering. This list details some of the types of sacred cows you can look for in your business.

The way we have always done it

The product or service you keep pouring money into because you just know it will take off and be your future, (these are almost never accompanied by market research or even a promotional plan)

Resistance to growth through change

Idleness within the ranks, some experts believe ten percent of the poorest performing people should be let go each year to make room for people with fresh insights and ideas

The company airplane, automobiles, and other perks, which drain company recourses

The dead weight relatives and friends of the family who would be better off elsewhere, act as distractions, and add nothing to your bottom line

The expert that no one can live with, who holds a noose around the companies neck in the form of some expertise or an unwritten code of loyalty.

You could call this business 101, however, most of the issues developed in this paper are rarely taught in schools, much less heeded. These seven deadly sins can impede your companys ability to successfully navigate through the turbulent waters of business development. If you do not understand all the issues summarized in this paper, do the research; find a business advisor to help you navigate these storms , you owe it to yourself, your business and the people who count on you.

Conquering the devil in the details is what management is about, concurring the seven deadly sins of small business is what leadership is all about. The beauty of developing top-level leadership skills is that there is no downside, only opportunity for growth in both your business and your personal development. Leadership is what the entrepreneurial spirit is all about.

Develop your business plan, establish strategic objectives, establish marketing strategies and tactics, lead, build effective systems, utilize more than one leadership style and kill the sacred cows in your business, it might be the only thing that keeps you and your company from becoming another dreadful statistic.

--------------------------

1. Inc.com article Most Entrepreneurs Start with . . . No Business Plan
2. Demming
3. Peter Drucker
4. Allan Weiss
5. Goleman
6. Keeping everything the same and expecting things to change is at least one definition of insanity
7. Call us at (619)985-0799 for a free consultation

Michael AdamsGui Blog31996
Gratia Blog38684

Examining Your Office Building and Fitness Center Services They Provide

Many office building and fitness center services are focused on attracting high quality employees to a certain company. With the ability to workout and vent any stresses of the day, employees are less prone to burnout and frustration. These office building and fitness center services also allow a place for coworkers to congregate after and before work to relate in a better way when they're in the office. Here are some of the services that your employer may want to consider adding to your building.

One of the easiest ways to make health and fitness convenient for an employee is to offer office building and fitness center services. By including a simple room or rooms with gym equipment, weights, weight machines and even a small running track, an employer will give their employees the added benefit of being able to maintain their fitness levels. When these fitness levels are maintained, the employee is going to have fewer sick days, fewer mental health days, and less expenditure in terms of their health insurance. This all adds up to a business that has higher morale and happier employees that are willing to do their work well.

To make office building and fitness center services convenient, these areas should include a daycare area for any children of the employees. Some employers offer these childcare services throughout the day, but even having some childcare professionals just during the gym hours would help the employee use the facilities when it's convenient for them. Children will be able to have their own fitness classes or perhaps just a fun playtime with other employees' children. Instead of paying for high cost childcare in their own homes, the employees will be much more likely to use their employer fitness center, which increases their health benefits.

Other fun additions to the office building and fitness center services can include personal trainers, a swimming or lap pool, basketball courts, volleyball courts, and exercise classes. By giving employees a lot of options in their fitness, you increase their attendance. Not everyone likes to use weights or machines and not everyone can use them when you have a larger group of employees. When you add more options to the fitness center, you create enough fitness to go around for everyone.

When you find an employers with office building and fitness center services, you can tell that this is someone that truly cares about you as a person not just an employee. Employees that stay healthy in their jobs will stay with the company for longer, produce more, and be assets to the profitability of their employer. It's not just about the health of the company, but that's certainly something that adds up for the employer.

Machelle Lee owns and operates, The Invisible Gym in Santa Cruz, CA. Her mission is to inspire people to become physically active and enjoy the benefits of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. For more information and questions you can visit her website. http://www.the-invisible-gym.com/Ginevra Blog98429
Gisela Blog20971

Hello From Orlando: A Walk Through Winter Park - A Hint Of New England In Florida

Just a few minutes north of downtown Orlando awaits Winter Park, a charming picturesque suburb steeped in history. After my excursion on the Scenic Boat Tour, my local expert Wanda Salerno took me on a little walk through town past beautiful historic neighbourhoods.

With is origins as a citrus growing region, Winter Park became a major destination for wealthy northerners during the early 1900s, who came into town by train to reach their elegant winter retreats, seeking shelter from the cold winters of the north. Elegant mansions and and stately old oak trees draped with Spanish moss bear witness to this historic era.

Wanda then took me through some of Winter Park's hidden courtyards, which are filled with specialty retail stores and galleries. Winter Park features a large variety of galleries and I had a chance to sample three of them, all of which carried vastly different artwork:

- Scott Laurent Collections
- Native Visions Gallery
- Timothy's

Our walk took us out on to Winter Park's main street, Park Avenue, which houses 10 blocks of specialty retailers, galleries and ecclectic restaurants. Park Avenue is flanked on its west side by Central Park which offers a welcome sanctuary of relaxation with its graceful fountain, walking paths and shaded benches.

We then went on to explore Casa Feliz ("Happy House" in Spanish), the signature residential work of renowned architect James Gamble Rogers II.

In 1932 Robert Bruce Barbour, a chemical engineer from Massachusetts, commissioned Rogers to design a home on Lake Osceola, which turned out to be the Andalusian-style masonry farmhouse that we see today. This home was not only cherished by Barbour, but by the community as well. Throughout its history, it has hosted garden club tours, symphony orchestra concerts, poetry social meetings and a dinner for author Sinclair Lewis.

In 2001, in order to prevent the house from demolition, Casa Feliz was moved across Interlachen Avenue to its present location on Park Avenue. This move was one of the most dramatic events in Winter Park's history. Casa Feliz was transported on 20 pneumatically levelled dollies, and an elaborate pulley system moved the house about 75 feet per hour. After the house was in position at its new location, skilled craftsmen worked on restoring it to its original 1933 condition. A special landscape design was commissioned to reflect the style of the era.

Today, Casa Feliz is available to rent for weddings, parties, business meetings and events. Its unique features provide the perfect backdrop for a truly memorable event.

As a centre of local culture, Winter Park also features three well-known museums:

- the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American art, which holds the world's most comprehensive collection of works by Louis Comfort Tiffany, including Tiffanys 1893 Chapel. The museum also features paintings, furniture and other works primarily from the late 19th and 20th centuries.

- the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden: 3 acres of gardens, featuring sculptures and painters by Albin Polasek. The museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

- the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, which focuses on western world art of the 20th century and includes paintings, drawings, sculptures and other art from America and Europe. This museum is located at Rollins College, one of the top rated liberal arts colleges in the country.

The Winter Park Historical Museum examines various historic time periods, interchanging exhibits and rotating displays highlight some of the changes that have occurred in central Florida.

While I explored the town my husband actually played a round of golf at the 9-hole Winter Park Country Club, which is nestled beautifully inside Winter Park's historic neighbourhood. The WPCC is the second oldest golf club in the Central Florida area and makes its way through the downtown Winter Park area and provides a challenge to even the most experienced golfer. He enjoyed his outing, and a cost of $12, it was an extremely affordable outing on a well-maintained golf course.

We capped off our excursion with an enjoyable dinner at a restaurant called 310 Park Avenue, right on Winter Park's main strip. While a good portion of the Orlando area is very new, Winter Park is a welcome oasis of history and ambience that is perfect for a day of exploring.

For more information on Winter Park contact the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, www.winterpark.org.

This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_winter_park.htm

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html FREE ebooks about travel.Freddie Blog14749
Florella Blog51599

Find The Right Insurance Broker

If you are a business manager or owner, then one of the most important decisions you will have to make is choosing the right insurance broker for your business insurance needs. Although this is an important decision, it can be tricky to get right unless you can pinpoint exactly what you want from the broker or agent and what it is they can provide you with. Here are some useful tips on how to find the right insurance broker for your business needs:

Brokers and agents

In general, there are some differences between brokers and agents, although these differences can be quite complicated. Basically, you can have either an agent who works for a particular insurer, or a broker who is independent and does not work for any insurance company. The differences between agents and brokers are becoming blurred as many people act as both agents and brokers depending on your needs and the insurance companies involved.

Independent or not?

One of the most difficult decisions to make when looking for an insurance agent or broker is whether or not you should go for an independent agent or someone who works for a particular insurer. Obviously, someone who works for a particular insurer can only offer you products from that particular company, and if these prices arent competitive then you may find yourself paying too much for your insurance. However, the advantage of an insurer-employed agent is that they have full access to the policies of an insurance company. Independent brokers do not work for any particular company, and so they can look at a number of insurance companies for you. The problem with this type of agent or broker is that they may have limited access to insurance companies, and you are in essence paying for a service that you could carry out yourself.

Agent expertise

When looking for an agent or broker, you need to evaluate their level of expertise. A good agent is able to advise you in detail on all aspects of insurance for your company. You are relying on them too help you get the level of coverage that you need, so it is important that they have the expertise required. Many people pick their agent based on who has the best personality. Personality is a factor, but expertise is far more important. If you dont pick someone who has the right level of expertise both in insurance and in your business sector, then you could end up paying too much or not being adequately covered.

Choosing the agent

Once you have decided what criteria are important, and established a budget for acquiring an agent, then you need to begin the selection process. You should ask the potential candidates about their professional qualifications, and also for their personal CV. You want to make sure that the agent you select is skilled in insurance coverage, and is more than just a salesman. Also, ask the agent some theoretical insurance problems that you know the answer to, as this can determine how knowledgeable and honest they are.

Drawing up terms

Once you have chosen an agent, make sure that all their duties and obligations are put in writing. Dont assume that the agent will carry out all items that you expect them to. If you have the duties in writing then there is no room for error, and you will get the level of service that you desire. If you look around and do your research before employing an agent, and make it clear what you want, then you will find the right insurance agent or broker for your needs.
Peter Kenny is a writer for creditcards-gb. For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything about credit cards, please visit us at http://www.creditcards-gb.co.uk and http://www.thriftyscot.co.uk/Insurance/Gerrilee Blog21688
Guinevere Blog87232

Conserve Fuel, Save Money & Help the Enviroment - GAS, DIESEL, HYBRID

GO TO WWW.GREATGASDEALS.COM FOR MORE GREAT GAS SAVINGS TIPS

It has become an unfortunate fact in the past few years, that gasoline prices may be straining your family's budget. Maybe you want to stop the flow of US money to countries such as Saudi Arabia & Iran, or help stem the process of global warming, or you just might want to help the enviroment by reducing your use of oil, a limited resource.

The Fuel Economy Numbers

In plain english, fuel economy ratings are the mpg numbers posted on the price sticker of a new car. Studies have shown that the average driver receives less than 80 percent of the economy figures that are on that dealer's price sticker.

You can use these numbers to determine the numbers will let you know how many mpg your vehicle will get, so you can compare vehicles and then go from there.

Hybrid - Pricing

The new gas electric hybrid vehicles are normally priced higher than non hybrid counterparts. they usually are at least two thousand dollars more than the comparable gas vehicle, and can be up to eight thousand more depending on the manufacturer. Hybrids are usaually much more fuel efficient than their gas counterparts, with many averaging around 45 - 55. This is great for those who want to save money on gas, as hybrids can go many miles on a full tank of gas and they come with extended warranties.

Diesel Engines - Benefits & Costs

Diesel fueled vehicles are yet another energy efficient option. Diesels, will generally get better mileage than a comparable gas fueled car or truck. They offer much better torque than many gasoline engines. Also, the price differential between diesel and gas vehicles, is much less than that of a hybrid.

With so many different options available, you're sure to find what you need to conserve fuel. Before making your final selection, always remember to shop around and find what's the best choice for your budget.

Find more tips like these at http://www.greatgasdeals.com.

Harry Bernstein has been practicing employment law for the last 18 years, and been a internet marketer for the past 2 years. Ines Blog35759
Hetti Blog8733

Degree in Education Online

Are you a college student? Its true, heading off to a four year University can be a blast and a wonderful break from that high school drama. Finally, you can get that privacy from your over-bearing folks, and enjoy your very own apartment or dorm. Its all about parties and staying out late, right? Okay, well maybe not so much. I mean you did come to college for an actual education. Didnt you? Regardless of its highlights, college life can nevertheless be a great deal of work. Once youve delved into your first semester, youll certainly know what I mean. In this day and age, the concept of higher education has been taken to a whole new level. Not everyone wants the campus and party life of a young college student. Not everyone wants to search for parking places daily in order to attend classes. This is why people can now acquire a degree in education online. Yes indeed, I did say via the Internet. You have a PC or Mac, dont you?

Have you ever come across the topic degree in education online? Its actually still a fairly new one. Although many people dont know and fully understand it yet, they can achieve a valid degree in education online; completely from the comfort of your own home. Wouldnt that be choice? Lets say you are a parent that works. Now, you may or may not have the time to attend a University the old fashioned way. This is where a degree in education online comes into play. You find the college you wish to attend, and read about the degree requirements. Then its time to inquire about their degree in education online abilities. They may have that exact degree youre looking for, but with online courses. This allows you to continue casually with your daily regime. You can get online at will and deal with your course work. So many Universities across the nation are expanding on this innovative topic. Wow, is the world becoming convenient!

If you are striving to get a college education, but dont have the time to live the college lifestyle, then maybe its time to explore the concept of degree in education online. Once youve acquired your books and consulted with the professor, youll simply deal with the course from the comfort of your living room. Dont let life stop you from getting that education youve always wanted.

David Jones is a contributing writer at http://Searchsavers.com, the BEST site for finding information on degree in education online.Hyacinth Blog71738
Haleigh Blog48631

Key Accessories Can Increase The Nintendo WII Price

The Nintendo Wii is the hottest gaming system on the market. Even now many retailers are sold out and awaiting new shipments of this revolutionary game system with its remote sensing control system. The Nintendo Wii is a hot commodity, and like any commodity the laws of supply and demand are in play, and high demand can often equate to high prices. If you are one of the millions of people considering a purchase of the Wii System then you are probably among those for whom the Nintendo Wii price is a consideration.

Fortunately, the Nintendo Wii price is at a point that is affordable for most people, and for approximately $249.99 USD you can jump right in almost literally and begin playing the game that everyone is talking about. However, the $250 dollar price point only gets you the basic Wii package, which includes one game Wii Sports one controller, the sensor bar, and the assorted power cords needed to plug in and play. While this assortment is more than capable of getting you up and running, the $250 Nintendo Wii price does not include many items you are sure to want as soon as you tire of playing Wii Sports against the computer.

One way to avoid endless shopping for additional games and accessories is to purchase a Nintendo Wii bundle from a retailer who offers such deals. Various retailers offer bundles all inclusive package deals that include the Wii system as well as additional memory, additional controller, and several additional game titles. While such packages can greatly increase the Nintendo Wii price by $200 to $400 dollars depending on the number of games and their titles it can give you all you need, and more, to get started gaming.

The Nintendo Wii price, without accessories, is roughly $250. But it is the accessories that make the Wii such a powerful and dynamic system, and the Nintendo Wii price does not include those additional items. While new game titles will cost roughly $50 each, it is not the new games that will take your Wii to new heights; it is the add-ons. A second controller and Nunchuk - secondary controller that plugs into the primary, wireless controller; the Wiimote will cost approximately $60. For those who wish to offset the Nintendo Wii price by continuing to play games from their Nintendo GameCube, they may need to purchase a GameCube controller if they do not already have one ($25). Further, if you want to save your ongoing GameCube games like you could do on the original GameCube then a memory card is needed ($25). For roughly the same prices as the memory card, an SD card 1 GB of additional memory can be purchased allowing you to download classic games through an Internet connection.

Like other accessories, Internet connectivity is not included in the Nintendo Wii price, and a wireless Wi-Fi USB connector is required ($100 and up). And if you want to see the fruit of your investments in the quality of High Definition, then a component video adapter is needed to deliver that crystal clear picture ($20).

After reading a list such as this one it is easy to wonder what you really get for that $250 Nintendo Wii price. The truth is that you get a lot, but if you want more and you want to maximize the capabilities of the system then investing in accessories that cost above and beyond the Nintendo Wii price will deliver exactly that. Fortunately, you dont have to buy them all at once.

Michelle BeryFredelia Blog33487
Gwendolin Blog92684

The Worth of the Wicked

Sometimes writers mistakenly devote most of their attention to developing the main character while leaving the antagonist flat and underutilized. Yet so much of the meat of a story can be found in the doings of a well-written bad guy who experiences hatred, pain, torment, and even the opportunity for rehabilitation.

A characters hatred can be triggered by a variety of circumstances, big or seemingly insignificant. Perhaps someone once neglected to offer him a ride home from work, or kicked his dog, or even killed his sister in an unforeseen accident. Whatever the hatred is, it must be visible to the reader right from the start. Even if the antagonist is able to maintain the subterfuge in outward appearances that he is a good guy, writers should weave in hints of his true shady character for readers to detect. It is never a good idea to blindside an audience with an action that seems to have no actual potential of happening until BOOM, its there.

Be it mentally or physically, we have all felt pain at one time or another. It is up to the writer whether or not the antagonist shows his pain. The pain could be pushed down deep inside, thus helping to fuel the ember of discontent into a bright flame of hate. Maybe an accident several years ago left him alone, or with a defect that has made getting a decent job difficult. Perhaps at a young age he was bitten by a rabid raccoon, or forced to care for an ailing parent that had no hope of recovery. There are countless painful reasons why a person could lose his or her sense of whats good in the world.

Torment plagues most protagonists from time to time. Bad guys should experience torment as much as, if not more than, the good guys. Torment is what keeps that dark flame of hate burning like a wildfire. Maybe it springs from letting a girl he truly loves slip through his fingers or from the investment he scoffed at that has made others millions. True torment lies deep within, and its something he refuses to acknowledge even when faced with his own demise at the hands of the hero. It is the driving force that keeps his goals at the front of his thoughts at all times.

Keep in mind that the antagonist doesnt always have to be the one readers love to hate. Maybe as the story progresses so does his rehabilitation from hate. He might find himself helping others because of an experience he had, or nagging thoughts at the back of his mind. Gradually, a begrudging hero could emerge. He becomes the guy readers hate to love, yet cant help but admire anyway.

No matter what the root causes of the antagonists actions are, its important to develop them as much as the protagonists. Readers then can find things to hate and relate to in both types of characters. They can contrast each characters motives and decide for themselves whom to root for. Likely theyll choose the hero, but who knows? If youve developed the antagonist well enough, probably theyll find something in the bad guy worth cheering for after all.

My name is Stephanie D. Tyson, and I've loved writing as far back as I can remember. At the moment I am currently awaiting the release of my first book by American Book Publishing titled Gatekeepers: The Dragon Tower. I've always had a special place for the 'atagonists' in stories, though I realize that ultimately the hero needs to win in some sense or another.Ingaberg Blog9896
Franciska Blog94688

What You Need to Know About Canadian Music and Musicians

Sadly, most of us here in the U.S. are blissfully unaware of performers that dont hail from one of the 50 states. Ask the average Joe on the street if they know of any Canadian musicians, and if you get any response, youll hear Celine Dion or Shania Twain, maybe even Bryan Adams or Neil Young. While these are certainly talented musicians in their own right, they certainly do not represent the breadth and depth of the Canadian music scene. Some of the ignorance is due to the cultural similarities between ourselves and our neighbors to the North. Pop/punk sensation Avril Lavigne is so popular with the tweener set here in the U.S. precisely because she looks and sounds like she could have stepped off of any high school campus in middle America. But aside from such superstars as Alanis Morrisette and Rush who have transcended any national boundaries and become truly international, Canadian musicians have plenty to offer the world in terms of exciting and fresh music. I would like to offer a few suggestions in various categories, and perhaps with a casual listen, youll discover like I did that the Great White North has more to offer than a few tasty brews.

Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop

Where would any serious discussion of contemporary Canadian rock be without including Nickelback, originally out of Hanna, Alberta, but now based in Vancouver. With smash hits like Photograph and How You Remind Me, its hard to come up with a more successful Canadian group over the last few years. Ontario based Shaker is an up-and-coming act that is beginning to show great promise. Their first full-length release, Throw Your Good Side On, is scheduled to be released this year (2006). Shaker reminds me of a less-bluesy version of The Black Crows, however, the inflection of vocalist Daniel Brooks is like nothing so much as a latter day version of fellow Canadian vocalist Tom Cochrane. Nelly Furtado continues to impress with her latest effort, Loose. As usual for Furtado, she continues to explore new ground with her songwriting and looks to continue doing so well into the future. Vancouver based Jakalope is an interesting act that fails to be categorized, alternately sounding like anything from The Smashing Pumpkins to Evanesence to a methed up Madonna, they never fail to be interesting. In the world of hip-hop, no Canadian group seems as poised for superstardom as Dead Celebrity Status. Their first album, Blood Music hit the streets to great reviews. Originally formed as a duo, Project Wyze, in 1988, they have since added mix-master DJ Dopey and have shared a stage with Ozzy Osbourne and Public Enemy. Their impressive performances have given them the juice to add appearances by Dave Navarro, Joss Stone and Bif Naked to their recordings. I failed to mention Crash Test Dummies, one of the more promising bands from Winnipeg, due to the uncertainty about their future status. They were enormously influential from about the mid-1990s to their last release in 2004. It is unfortunate that apparently artistic differences have taken their toll on the Dummies.

Country/Folk

Canadian singers have made tremendous strides in country music over the last several years and dusky voiced Kathleen Edwards is no exception. Her 2005 release Back to Me won her critical acclaim in the U.S., appearing on the David Letterman and Jay Leno shows and opening for Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. No less interesting, though decidedly more alternative, the Cowboy Junkies have made a career of turning country music on its head. From sultry renditions of Patsy Clines Walking After Midnight on their 1998 disc The Trinity Session to the folkie Two Soldiers from 2005s Early 21st Century Blues, which is eerily reminiscent of the 1970s protest anthems of Dylan and Lennon. Ontario bred Grievous Angels is certainly one of the most interesting country acts to come along in recent years. Blending new beats, along the lines of the country-pop sounds of Keith Urban and the Dixie Chicks, with the twangy sounds of early 1970s country music. Unfortunately, their once promising career appears to have stalled with the entry of singer Charlie Angus into the political arena having been elected to Parliament in 2004. It is hoped that once Mr. Angus has served his term that he will return to making music once again, however, at this time that prospect remains uncertain. One also cannot forget the irrepressible k.d. lang, though to refer to her as a purely country act would be selling her short. Langs amazing vocal talents have been employed on everything from contemporary country to torch songs to pop standards and back again. Her versatility and vocal range are legendary and not listing of Canadian musicians would be complete without her.

Other

Alas, this article is too short to be truly inclusive, but I could not get by without listing two of my all-time favorites. Sue Foley and Diana Krall are two of the most impressive musical talents Canada has to offer, and as a citizen of the U.S., I must thank Canada for these two wonderful chanteuses. Foley, a blues guitarist/singer/songwriter from Ottawa, honed her chops primarily in Austin, Texas, but oddly enough, is rarely recognized in the U.S. except amongst blues enthusiasts. A true virtuoso on guitar with an unusual but delightfully reedy quality to her voice, she has managed to impress some of the biggest names in the business including, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Koko Taylor. Sues latest CD, New Used Car (2006) was recently released to excellent reviews. Diana Krall, who hails from Vancouver, is as lovely to look at as she is to listen to. Enchanting is the best way to describe her hypnotizing smooth Jazz sound. She really broke through in the U.S. in 2000 when she toured with Tony Bennett. Her work with Elvis Costello (who she married in 2003) served to further increase her popularity. Though she currently resides in New York, she has maintained her Canadian citizenship and was made and officer of the Order of Canada in 2005.

Kenny Auyoung: Webmaster @ GetMeABand.com - Looking for a band? Search through thousands of musicians profiles to find the right band members in your local area. Find musicians, start a band, and play music - http://www.getmeaband.com. Glynnis Blog88443
Hulda Blog77174

Childhood Obesity and How Commercial Playgrounds Can Help

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States. According to the CDC, since the 70s, the prevalence of obesity in children ages 6-11 has increased from 6.5. However, a recent RAND Corporation study says that school playgrounds and athletic facilities can be important tools in the fight against childhood obesity. Given these facts, it is more important than ever for children to maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating right and getting regular exercise every day. At Creative Systems, we believe that we can get children active in a fun and creative way. Our play systems offer entertainment and activity for children of all ages. The combination of ground, elevated, and stand alone systems encourage children to climb, slide and swing. Children can enjoy their play and at the same time, receive valuable health benefits.

According to Dr. Amy Bohn, it is important that physical activities are fun. Exercise shouldn't be a chore, especially for children, she says. With warm weather outside, kids can do a variety of activities that involve both fun and fitness. Creative Systems agrees. This is why we believe quality playground equipment is so important for the physical and mental health of your child.

Creative Systems playground equipment not only encourages physical activity, but mental and social interaction as well. We offer a variety of play components, everything from slides to climbers to seesaws and rockers. Our playgrounds are not only safe and durable but also bright, colorful, and appealing to children of all ages. Our play systems are designed according to specific age groups so that children can have their own unique and age-appropriate equipment. Younger children can explore their creativity at our activity tables and play on our smaller scale play systems. Children of elementary school age will enjoy more physically challenging equipment. One of our main goals is to get your children outside, playing in the fresh air. On our play systems they can stay health and learn valuable lessons in their social interaction with other children their own age. Creative Systems supports the physical health of your child, as well as his/her psychological and social health.

For more information and articles like this please visit us at http://www.creativesystems.com . Scroll down then click on industry links.

Brittany HidahlGabriella Blog31375
Hillary Blog75057

How To Negotiate When Buying A Car

I recently purchased a new vehicle when visiting my son and was able to use some of my negotiating techniques:

1.Be Prepared and Do Your Research

Being prepared is of the utmost importance. Before even going to the showroom, one should first look at the ads in the newspaper and look at car sales at Edmunds.com or a similar website. That will give you an idea what is available and the going prices. In my situation, we actually went to the lot after it was closed and looked at the cars that we liked and saw the prices. One car model had a special discount of $7000. There was also a special for zero percent financing. The next day we called and asked the receptionist about the $7000 discount. She told us that the $7000 discount did not apply if using the zero percent financing. However, she did tell us that there was a $3000 dollar discount if one used the zero percent financing. That was useful information because we knew that the $3000 discount was a given and we would have to negotiate to get a higher discount. If you are not prepared, dont go to the showroom yet. You need to know what you want before you get there.

2.Bring A Friend and Give Him/Her A Role.

Buying a car should be a team effort. Bring a friend or relative or two. In my case, I brought my son and very pregnant daughter-in-law. We each had a role. Whatever was said my daughter-in-law was supposed to say. Lets go home and think it over. Sometimes the deal that the dealer presents sounds so good that it is tempting to accept it on face value. We had agreed beforehand that no matter what the deal was, I would say that we needed some time to think it over and needed to meet in private to discuss further. Our strategy was to have a dollar amount. I did not want to pay over $25,000 for the car no matter what. This kind of negotiation can be very stressful and this is another reason why having friends or family by your side is a plus.

3.Read The Fine Print And Know What All The Costs Are.

When we met with the sales rep, he started talking gibberish about the various costs and it was hard to follow exactly what he was talking about. At that point it is important to use your own checklist and write down all the costs that are being presented and add them up. Dont be afraid to ask what a particular cost item is. Look at the sticker price and all the features that are presented. What are the extra or hidden fees? Maybe there is some leeway. Our strategy was to have a dollar amount that I did not want to go below. I did not want to pay over $25,000 for the car. It did not matter where the discounts came from, but the bottom line or deal breaker was anything above $25,000. As it turned out, this was the last day of the month, which is usually a good time to buy a car because the dealerships are very competitive as to who has the best track record for the month and are sometimes willing to go lower to get the sale so it can be counted in this months sales

4. Ask for One More thing

I knew which car I wanted and knew that I would probably leave the showroom with that particular car. It was the color I wanted and had the special features that were on my wish list. However, I wanted to get the best financial deal possible. I was not planning on getting financing, but the zero financing was too good to pass up. When I was comparing the price to another smaller and cheaper car, I realized that with the financing costs of the other car, my car was actually cheaper in the long run. If the dealership absolutely says the price cannot go any lower, then see if something else can be added to the deal as a sweetener. Is there an accessory you want that could make the deal more attractive such as floor mats, or steering wheel cover? Be creative and flexible. If there are two similar cars, maybe you could switch to the better car for the price you are negotiating. Maybe you can negotiate service for the car. Your want list is only limited by your imagination.

5.Stick To Your Guns and Dont Say Yes Right Away.

As my mother used to say, it does not hurt to ask; the worse that can happen is that they say no. If you think that they have made their final offer, stick to your guns and try one more round. In my case, I was trying to stay under $25,000. The dealer came back with a figure that was a couple hundred dollars more than the $25,000 with a plausible explanation that this was absolutely the lowest they could go. At that point, part of me wanted to accept that amount and just pay the $200, but I forced myself to say that I wanted the sales rep to go back one more time to see if he could come down to the $25,000. The dealer accepted that offer, probably, because it was the end of the month and the amount in question was relatively small. If they had been resolute on the price, I probably would have paid the higher price but they did not know that.

If you follow these rules for buying a car, you will be negotiating like a pro.

Copyright 2006 Mary Greenwood

Mary Greenwood, J.D., LL.M: Arbitrator, Mediator, Author of How to Negotiate like a Pro, 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes Available at http://www.barnesandnoble.com or http://www.amazon.com or http://www.booksamillion.com ; Email me at: Howtonegotiatelikeapro@aol.com. Visit http://www.Howtonegotiatelikeapro.com or http://www.Marygreenwood.comGussy Blog52564
Frankie Blog70923