Monday, October 31, 2011

Make Exercise A Family Priority

A Mom’s daily calendar is almost always overscheduled. Each day usually starts early and ends late. It may include lots of running in circles (at least it can feel that way). But, probably is lacking any real physical activity. With children returning to school, the schedule gets even tighter due to school requirements and events.

It may seem an insurmountable task to get your family into the healthy habit of regular exercise. Yet, with the disturbing recent obesity trends, it’s an extremely important habit to adopt. Studies have indicated that children are 40% less active than they were just 30 years ago. This has negative effects for kids in physical, psychological, and social areas.

So, being an active family needs to become a priority. Fortunately, it’s actually easier than you may think. With a little planning you can find ways to incorporate workouts into the time you spend with your children. Regardless of your children’s age, there’s a way to find time to workout (often even with your kids)! Here are some tips organized by age, which will add to your family time together and help to keep the whole family active!

Age: Infant through pre-school

Play a game of keep-away or tag.
Occupy them for even 15 minutes with a video or toy while you do some toning exercises like squats and tricep dips.
Grab your stroller and go for a brisk walk. Or, buy a jogging stroller for more flexibility. With a jogging stroller you can walk faster, jog or even run at a fast pace. And, for veteran rollerbladers, you can even use the stroller for some skating time. Don’t forget the kid helmets.
For younger children, you can use a back carrier to transport them while walking. This can burn even more calories as the extra weight makes it more challenging.
Turn on some music and dance together. Toddlers love dancing, especially when their parents join in.
Play hopscotch – yes, you will work up a sweat.
Push your kid on a swing. And, after every push complete one squat.
Use an infant carrier or bike trailer to enjoy a bike ride together.


Age: Grade School

Try rollerblading or skating together.
Spend an afternoon at a park with a playground, but don’t spend the whole time relaxing on the sidelines – join in on the fun. Spend some time swinging to help workout your legs. Try making it across the monkey bars – even just once (it’s a great upper body workout and you’ll be amazed that your kid does it with such little ease). Try some pull-ups using a bar on the playset. Do some tricep dips on a nearby park bench.
Get a small group together for a kickball or softball game.
If your child can ride a bicycle at a moderate pace, jog alongside of them.
Involve your kids while you strength train. Let them count your reps out loud for you and/or clock your rest time in-between sets.
Try a game of marble pick-up. Set up a circle (or more than one) of marbles. Compete with each other to see who can pick them up quicker following certain rules (e.g. not being able to bend from the waist but instead using a squatting technique to grab them). Adults will get an extra workout if they squat while balancing on just one foot.
On rainy days that force you inside, walk or run up and down the stairs. You might even make it a contest to see who can finish 5 complete rounds first.


Age: Teenagers

Register for a fun run (or walk) event and spend time together training for the event.
Set up an obstacle course in your back yard. Then try such things as quick sprints back and forth between two objects, hopping over a line of sticks, and running zig-zags around a line of cones.
Play tennis or basketball together.
Consider joining a community volleyball or softball team that includes enthusiasts of all ages.
Don’t just sit and cheer your kids at their sporting events. Every few minutes do some walking or jumping jacks or squats.
Learn how to do strength training exercises that require partners. There are dozens of options that work both individuals’ bodies. For example, partner squats where two people stand facing each other, grasp each other around their forearms and squat simultaneously as if sitting in a chair.
Implement a daily family walk each day before or after dinner.
Work together in the yard raking leaves, planting flowers, trimming trees.


Sure, you may have a very full plate but isn’t it time to throw out the “I’m a parent – I don’t have time to workout” excuse. Don’t focus on the frequency or irregularity of your workouts. Take the opportunities for physical activity when they arise. If you implement these above activities for just 30 minutes three times per week, you can easily burn an extra 450 calories or more!

Plus, working out sets a great example for your children that will teach them at an early age how important (and easy) it is to make physical fitness a part of daily life. Exercising with your kids also provides the extra bonus of spending quality time together.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Lost Relatives and Ancestors: Starting Point

Someone was once quoted as saying “It’s OK that you can’t choose your relatives, because they probably wouldn’t have chosen you either.”

Sure, every family reunion has its share of spats now and then, but think of how well you can smooth things over by showing everyone the progress you’re making on the family tree.

By now you should have downloaded the newest version of Personal Ancestral File see first article “Beginner’s Guide.”
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Lost-Relatives-and-Ancestors:-A-Beginner%E2%80%99s-Guide&id=47241

The first step to doing your own research for finding lost relatives and ancestors is to create a four-generation pedigree chart. A great pedigree chart to use can be found at

<a href="http://www.heirlines.com">http://www.heirlines.com</a>.

Here are a few important things to remember when filling out your pedigree chart:

Start with your name in line No.1.

Fill in all of the males on even numbers and all of the females on odd numbers.

When adding females, always use maiden names.

When writing dates, use the form 05 JAN 1945, not 1/05/45 or 05/1/45. The reason for this is because different cultures code dates in different ways. For example, in the United States, they use the form mm/dd/yyyy, but in Canada, the UK, and other parts of Europe, they use the form dd/mm/yyyy. Using the standard genealogy form will allow your dates to be understood by all.

Complete places with as much information as possible, even if it seems redundant or as a given. For example, when writing a place, use township, county or province, country or state. For example: “Gwennap, Cornwall, England”. An example of a place inside the United States would be “Cambridge, Middlesex, Massachusetts”, or in Canada “Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada”.

If you don’t know the county or town, leave the commas with blank information. For example if a birth county is known, but not the town, it would be written “ , Middelsex, Massachusetts.” Remember: No information is better than Wrong information! When submitting or sharing your information, you don’t want to lead someone on a search in the wrong place, or have them assume information and add the wrong line to their tree.


By following these standard guidelines, you’ll be able to better understand some of the work that’s already been done and compiled in sites like familysearch.org and ancestry.com.

Before getting to that stage, it’s important to have at least your four-generation pedigree chart completed because it will serve as the launching pad for finding your lost ancestors. Relatives may need to be contacted in order to get all of the information necessary to fill in your sheet. So go get started!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Learning To Drive, And Tips On Arriving Safely

Parents find it hard teaching their kids how to drive. Also, a lot of parents cannot afford to put money out for driving lessons, so they have no choice, but to teach their kids how to drive. Sometimes it's hard for the friend or family member to teach a new driver, because of the lack of patience. Most people should refrain from yelling at their new student. Driving lessons from a recognized school will help calm the nerves.

A lot of parents and or family member pass on bad driving habits. You have take in consideration that your parent or older brother or sister have been driving for quite sometime and may be a safe driver, but have picked up bad driving habits over the years, and is not in tune with the way the examiner has to consider giving you a new drivers license. Rolling stops at stop signs, backing up and looking forward, and not signaling at turns is not going to win you brownie points with your examiner, when you decide to take the road test. The marking may be pretty stern if you have picked up habits that have little or no consideration for pedestrians, or other drivers. Also having too much consideration could be equally as bad to.

Can you picture stopping on a roadway where there is no crosswalk, and you wave a pedestrian across. Now picture this. The car behind you does not realize why you are stopping, and decides to go around you. Can you imagine the potential danger the pedestrian can be in? Do not give the right of way, if it's your right of way! If you do decide to stop and wave anybody across your path, make sure you know what is going on behind and around you. Just remember when you do something out of the ordinary, its for a good reason only.

You’re written exam was not to see how good your memory is, but to be able to apply that memory on the road with knowledge of what street signs mean.

Yellow signs are warnings; white and black signs are regulation signs. Green signs are for tourist, or directional signs. You should always be glancing for these signs at all times. The signs are located on the right side of the roadway. Check for them on every turn and before every curve. You’re chances of you getting caught in a bad situation will escalate if your not paying attention to these signs. Paying attention to these signs will forewarn you of a dangerous curve ahead or a pedestrian crosswalk. Quick glances for signs on the right side of the roadway will increase you’re good driving habits. Glancing from side to side and in your mirrors is very important.

Now how many times did I repeat the word glancing? The most common excuse for a driver in an accident, but officer it happened so fast! The second you turn you’re head to look, is the second the vehicle stops in front of you!

Equally important is being able to register everything and make a decisive decision before you get there. Paying attention to what is happening directly in front of you’re vehicle is of most importance, and knowing what is happening behind you is equally important.

Knowing that driving is a privilege, and can be taken away at any time, is half the battle. I like to think of driving as a long-term game. There are rules and regulations in every game. If you abide by them, driving can be quite enjoyable. The idea of the game is to not hit anybody! Do not let anybody hit you! Defensive driving is what it is called.

The deadliest player in this game is the drinking driver! So report anyone that you see getting in a vehicle intoxicated or weaving in his or her lane. You may save a life or two.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Ionic Air Purifiers – Is it all just hype?

Ionic air purifiers have been hurtled into the spotlight with the advent of the Sharper Image air purifier, called the Ionic Breeze. Despite a round of advertising that has wearied rather than enthused consumers, many other manufacturers have joined the ionic air purifier market. So are ion air purifiers actually any good?

The main selling point of ionic air purifiers is the silence with which they are said to remove particles from the air. This is due to the lack of circulating fan in this type of air cleaner, as the Sharper Image air purifier, the original ionic cleaner, relies on electrostatic plates to circulate the air. Independent tests have shown, however, that this reliance is somewhat misplaced – while a fan-assisted air purifier can process a room’s air within one minute, this ionic air purifier has a turnover rate move only an estimated couple of cubic meters per hour.

Some ion air purifiers have added extra features to increase the effectiveness of their cleaning power. Some manufacturers have added negative ion capabilities, which claim to neutralize the potency of airborne particles without actually drawing them into the filter itself. The Sharper Image air purifier now comes with an OzoneGuard, which claims to convert a significant amount of dangerous ozone into oxygen, but this arguably is a relatively useless feature, as much of the dangerous ozone that might be in your home would be generated by a different kind of air purifier.

There is no doubt that ionic air purifiers do have some air cleaning capacity, but this is likely to be insufficient as to make a real difference to the quality of the air in your home, particularly if there is an allergy or asthma sufferer under your roof. While ion air purifiers might be better than nothing, you might be better advised to spend your hard earned money on an air purifier that has been tried and tested, and been proven to reliably remove a significant amount of airborne particles from the atmosphere in your home. The ionic air purifier is not this type of air cleaner.

Ionic air purifiers – are they worth buying or not? Maybe not.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Hunter Air Purifiers – Cleaning Your Air With Ease

Hunter air purifiers utilize the commonly agreed best technology in air purification systems to provide you with a home environment that is safer and more comfortable for your whole family. With nearly one hundred and twenty years experience behind them in improving the atmosphere of your home, a Hunter air purifier has a long heritage that stands for quality and reliability.

Hunter air purifiers are designed with the comfort of your home in mind. Offering a range of HEPA air purifiers, Hunter have harnessed the power of this highly effective air purification technology, which removes 99.97% of the particles and dust from the air in your home, creating an environment that is more comfortable for asthma and allergy sufferers, and more healthy for everybody.

Hunter’s HEPA air purifiers also include activated carbon, which eliminates odors and chemicals from the air in your home. By combining these two technologies, a Hunter air purifier has the power to rid the air in your home of the substances that are harmful to your family.

Moreover, Hunter air purifiers fit unobtrusively into your home environment. Combining a whisper quiet fan with an attractive slim line design, Hunter air purifiers are made to get the job done with as little fuss as possible. With filters that are quick and easy to change, a Hunter air purifier combines all the features you need for efficient air purification.

By offering HEPA air purifiers that are easy to operate and maintain, that look great in your home, and create a minimum noise level, Hunter air purifiers provide all that you need for a healthier, happier home. With well over a hundred years of experience in manufacturing all kinds of helpful products for your home, you can be sure your home comfort will be in safe hands with a Hunter air purifier.

Hunter air purifiers provide a healthier home for you and your family

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

What Are The Best Fundraising Strategies To Use?

Fundraising strategies are as numerous as the funds that will come in when they are in place. There are so many different fundraising strategies that you will be hard pressed to choose the one that’s best for you. Maybe your fundraising might include having a shoeshine service set up in a busy mall downtown or if you have an artist in your group have him/her sketch pictures of passersby. There is plenty of information available about fundraising and many strategies to choose from.

Your fundraising strategies should include a good plan. You need to make sure that the volunteers understand what is expected of them no matter what strategies you choose. Make sure that each of them has enough fundraising information as not to confuse the group when it comes time for action. A fundraising event should go smoothly if good fundraising strategies are in place.

Some of the fundraising strategies include using grants offered by the government. Some people don’t even realize that this avenue exists for getting funds for organizations. By getting the fundraising information you need, you can find out what grants are available. You can find information about these fundraising grants in any library. You do have to write in and request an application, but it could prove to be very profitable in the long run. This fundraising strategy can be time consuming but will be worth it. Sometimes there are ongoing grants so make sure you get all the fundraising information that is available and start filling out those forms.

There are also a wide variety of fundraising strategies such as lotteries and raffles. Tickets sales and games of chance prove to be very popular with the people. With this strategy you have to have a suitable prize to make a lot of money, if the prize is worth it you will be surprised at how good the sales will be. Once you have fundraising information, then the sky is the limit. You can try and email fundraising campaign. Of course, again there is a drawback with this method as most people delete e mails that they don’t recognize because of the fear of viruses. However, if you send out enough emails, your fundraising efforts could prove to be very successful. 

There are lots of fundraising strategies. The hard part is picking the right one for you.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

The Top Twelve Threats No Computer User Should Ignore by Kai Chandler

The Top Twelve Threats No Computer User Should Ignore

The internet is undoubtedly a fantastic resource for
families and offers a rich vein of educational content.
However, there are potential dangers - welcome to the
seedy world of viruses, spam, trojans, pornography, spyware
and other nasties.

Here are the Top Twelve Threats No Computer User Should
Ignore:

1. Viruses - A computer program that copies itself. They
often disrupt your computer system or damage your data.
Viruses are usually received by email attachments so be
careful opening anything from a dubious source. They can
affect anyone, for example, the destructive Mydoom worm
affected one out of three small and mid-sized businesses.

2. Spyware - Sends information about you and your computer
to somebody else. Spyware may send the addresses of sites
you have visited or worse still, transmit personal
information. With today's concerns about identify theft
this is a real worry. For example, CoolWebSearch may hijack
web searches, home page, and other Internet Explorer
settings. Spyware is normally received as part of shareware
or freeware downloaded from the web.

3. IP Spoofing - A technique to gain unauthorized access
to computers, whereby the intruder sends messages to a
computer with an address indicating that the message is
coming from a trusted host.

4. Trojans - An apparently legitimate computer program
that is really intended to disrupt and damage computer
activity by sending information, perhaps even passwords
onto a third party without you knowing. As an example,
recent emails entitled "Osama Bin Laden Captured" attempted
to download the "Trj/Small.B." Trojan if the embedded URL
was clicked. This trojan attempts to hijack the PC.

5. Spam - Unsolicited mail often promoting products of a
dubious financial or sexual nature. Don't leave your email
address on websites and internet bulletin boards as they
are harvested by spammers.

6. Adware - puts advertisements on your screen. These take
many forms including popups, popunders and advertisements
that appear later, even if your browser is closed. Some are
sent using the Windows Messenger service which allows a
spammer to direct an advertisement straight to your
computer by sequentially sending messages to IP addresses.
Always irritating, they are also often of a pornographic
nature.

7. Diallers - for those of us still with dial up modems,
dialler programs redirect calls to a very expensive number.
You won't know until you get the bill.

8. Hijackers - Hijackers take control of your web browser
and may reset your home page, search bar and search pages.
They can redirect you to undesirable sites or stop you
going to particular sites.

9. Hackers - With so much personal data available online
to anyone with a password you must be sure your password is
secure. If you are using your mother's maiden name, your
cat's name or your birthday then your password is at risk.
Here are two tips for making a secure password. Method One -
pick two random unrelated three letter words and two
digits. Mix them up and what do you have? A secure password
such as "red19cat" or "hotpin73". Method Two - pick a short
sequence of words such as Now Is The Winter Of Our
Discontent Made Glorious' and you have a password of
"nitwoodmg". You could even change the I's and O's to
digits.

10. Phishing - Emails purporting to come from reliable
sources such as Paypal, Ebay or your bank. Often wanting
you to verify your account details, they can look very
realistic but are generally scams to harvest usernames and
passwords. Always open a new browser winder and type the
address there, rather than clicking on the link provided.

11. Hoaxes - Chain letters, scams, false alarms. At best
they take up time and bandwidth but at worst vulnerable can
be victims of fraud. Pass it on!

12. Stranger-danger - For those of us with children - do
you know what they actually do when they are online? Are
they working on homework tasks, downloading illegal music
or pornography? Or are they chatting to strangers in chat
rooms? You should consider blocking access to undesirable
sites and logging their activity with a surveillance tool.
Oh, and don't forget that where children are concerned,
computers should always be kept in a family room and never
in their bedroom.

Three Step Action Plan

There are three essential steps that should be taken to
ensure your PC is kept threat-free.

Firstly, be sensible when opening attachments or following
email instructions from apparently reputable sites.

Secondly, make sure you are using the latest service pack
of Windows as Microsoft is continually closing loopholes to
tighten up security.

Finally, there's a range of low cost tools such as
firewalls, antivirus, spam blockers and spyware killers
available. Like everything else they vary in quality and
you tend to get what you pay for so always do your research
first and perhaps try a free trial before getting your
credit card out.

http://www.surfcontrols.com specializes in providing
reviews and recommendations of top-rated tools to help
protect your online experience. There's a quick reference
list to dozens of top sites promoting different aspects of
safe surfing packed with useful information and there's
also a great set of top tips for safe surfing.

Copyright Kai Chandler (#12t5109)

Monday, October 24, 2011

Planning A Cheerleader Fundraising Event

Cheerleader fundraising must be well planned to make it successful. You will have to put a lot of time and effort into decisions you will have to make to ensure that this cheerleader fundraising event will go smoothly. The first thing you will have to do is set your fundraising goals in place. You have to decide when the best time is for the fundraising and select strategies that are suited for this type of funding.

Try to keep your volunteers motivate during the fund raising campaign. Try to build excitement into your cheerleader fundraiser so you’ll come out with the best results possible. Be sure that everyone that’s participating in this cheerleading fundraiser knows exactly what is expected of him/her. This is crucial to the success of the cheerleader fundraising event. Make sure the cheerleaders or the PTA are informed as to why you need cheerleader fundraising. This will give them a feeling of really belonging to the campaign and will bring out the best of those that are helping.

To get your cheerleader fundraising on the go you have to choose a suitable product to sell. You might try a raffle sale where you have a cash prize for the winner of the tickets. You can offer 50% of what is collected for the winning prize. This will probably help with tickets sales at the cheerleader fundraiser as they know the more tickets sold the bigger the prize will be. Your cheerleader fundraising could be selling candy or candy bars or have a bake sale. This is a tried and true method to raise money for a fund raiser and can prove to be economical. If you ask all the cheerleader’s parents to make and bake the goodies, make sure each one knows what is expected of them to avoid confusion and needless to say all the same kind of cookies.

Make sure all your participants know that they should let the donor know how much their contribution is appreciated for the cheerleading fundraiser. This is crucial as this may not be your only cheerleader fundraising  and you may be asking these same people for donations in your future cheerleading fundraising campaigns. It is very important that they know they are appreciated.

Another important aspect of cheerleader fundraising is the safety factor. You want all your volunteers to be safe, so make sure if they are going out to collect that they are sent in pairs, never alone.  This will help keep everyone safe especially if they’re collecting money.

Cheerleader fundraising, you need goals and strategies in place.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

There’s So Much Fun With Candle Fundraising

Candle fundraising can prove to be one of the most fun fundraisers that you can take on, depending on how you approach it. You can make the candles yourself for your candle fundraising or order them from an Internet company, but you will find that making them can be fun as well as profitable. They are easy to make and the candles project can be fun for everyone. Just keep in mind that you will have to use disposable materials for the cleanup as the gel is very hard to get out of things.

Start your candle fundraising with gel votive candles. These candles look and smell good and have a long burning time. To make these candles for your candles fundraising you will need gel wax, pretty votive holders, wicks, wax color and scent, scissors, a pot, paper plates, and pencils. Twirl the top of the wick around the pencil.

Make sure you have left enough wick to reach the bottom of your container and try to keep it as straight as possible. Put your pencil across the top of your holder so that the candle wick is centered properly. Melt the wax and add scents and coloring as needed and you have made a candle for your candle fundraising project. Working with a group at this can prove to be very entertaining and profitable way of candles fundraising.

Of course there is another way to sell your candles besides door to door or at a sale. You can advertise them on Internet fundraising but to do this there are some rules to be followed. Fund raising on the Internet can be very profitable if done properly. Make sure your site doesn’t fade into the background and invisible to the public. You need to make it attractive for your candle fundraising. Make sure the candles you’re selling are featured.

You are on Internet fundraising for donations so put the donor first. Always give the donor options for your candles fundraising and show the donor just how their money is being used. Have other activities added to your site that will make it interesting to those who are donating to your candle fundraising event. Make sure you keep your eye on the purpose you are there for don’t add other sales to your site it just confuses the donors.

Candle fundraising should stay with candles. You can have assorted or different scented candles but don’t confuse it with other products. Having an easy way of paying for your product will help your candles fundraising. With easy payment options the donations will grow.

Candle Fundraising can be lots of fun.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Support School Fundraisers Even Though There May Seem To Be Many Of Them

School fundraisers are necessary even though many people and parents complain that the local school is always fund raising. The money raised through school fundraisers goes into such things as field trips and equipment that the school cannot afford to purchase on its own.

Schools are always trying to find different fund raising ideas so that they have fundraising events that offer something unique and make people want to attend. Bake sales and car washes are old-fashioned fund raising ideas that people are getting tired of. While school fund raisers are necessary, neither the administration nor the parents want to have the children always going door to door selling different items.

Some of the popular fund raising events that draw a crowd to the school fund raisers are those that offer an opportunity for the whole family to have fun and win prizes. A carnival day or a supper is one fund raising idea that brings in a lot of money if you can get some of the businesses in the area to donate the prizes. No matter how much money you raise when everything is donated, you don’t have any expenses.

School fund raisers often involve selling cookies, candy or calendars. One of the fund raising events that is always popular around Christmas is a flea market. This doesn’t even seem like a fund raiser because those who want to sell any used items or crafts for Christmas pay a fee to set up a table. At the same time the school can operate a canteen or sell hotdogs to add to the money being raised. 

Another popular fund raising idea is to sell discount cards or coupon booklets. The discount cards can offer a percentage off common items that parents buy for themselves or school supplies for the children. The cost of the booklet of discount coupons is substantially less than the amount of money that you save. For this event the school simple has to announce that it is having a fund raising event and send home booklets with each student. If the parents do not wish to purchase them, they simply send them back. More often than not though, the students come back looking for more booklets to sell to their relatives. Family members are good supporters of school fund raisers.

School fundraisers are common, but necessary.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Sell Sweet Treats With Candy Fundraising

Candy fundraising has to be one of the more popular fund raiser for any event. You can make the candy yourself or you can order from the Internet. There are many companies designed just to supply the candy products you need. There are many varieties of flavors for candy fundraising and you will find the selection very pleasing.  Usually the candy will be shipped to you in one-pound boxes or whatever size you would prefer depending on the funds you have available to start with.

You will find that fundraiser candy is available all year around and most companies have a basic price. This price usually gives you lots of room to raise the candy prices in your fundraising candy blitz. Of course, a lot depends on how much candy you want to order. The bigger the order the sweeter the deal, meaning you will get a better price for your candy fundraising. There is also another bonus in free delivery with a minimum order. 

There is a bit of work involved besides the ordering in a candy fundraising event. The candy does have to be sorted when it arrives. Hopefully there will be a enough volunteers that this will not be a problem.

Maybe you would prefer to go with candy bars for your fund raiser. Candy is an excellent choice also for all those people that have a sweet tooth. If your fundraiser is for a sports team, these bars could be sold at the games, which make selling easy when exposed to big crowds. Candy fundraising has got to be one of the best fundraising events.

Depending on the funds that are available to you to start your fundraiser maybe you could make your own candy. This is not so difficult as you would think. Candy apples are very inexpensive and easy to make and on a small scale can be made without to much hassle. All you require is apples, some caramel, a few sticks and some wrappers to wrap the candy apples in. This is a good project for little leagues or elementary schools.  If you want to get a little fancier for your candy fundraising there are tons of recipes on the Internet that are fun, easy and inexpensive. Work according to your funds. However, you can presell the candy so you know exactly how much to order if you want to order from a candy company. 

Candy fundraising, sweetly successful.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Las Vacaciones son la Mejor SoluciĆ³n Para Relajarte


Si te sientes un poco estresado con el trabajo, con tu pareja o con la familia y necesitas tomar decisiones, ver a los problemas con otra perspectiva siempre ayuda. Aquƭ te recomiendo tomar unas pequeƱas vacaciones en donde tu decidas.

Puede ser el lugar mas inesperado el que te puede hacer mejor. Debes buscar en diferentes sitios que lugares estƔn disponibles por el fin de semana o una semana entera (si te la puedes tomar).

Los lugares mas ideales deben ir de acuerdo a tu gusto. Por ejemplo si disfrutas del sol algĆŗn lugar de veraneo con el mar y la playa van a ser perfectos. Si no te gusta la playa, busca algĆŗn lugar en las montaƱas tranquilo que te traiga paz y serenidad.

No necesitas gastar mucho dinero para tener un buen resultado, ya que solo unos dĆ­as es suficiente sin tener que perder mucho tiempo en el viaje de ida y vuelta. Puedes optar de ir en auto que es mĆ”s econĆ³mico o en aviĆ³n depende de los precios.

Si vives en Europa, un fin de semana en Barcelona no te costara demasiado y sin duda te abrirƔ la mente y dejara atrƔs los problemas que parecƭan tan grandes que no te dejaban pensar.

Tomarte unas vacaciones es algo positivo que solo traerĆ” buenos resultados. Lo sitios desde ya dependen de tu poder econĆ³mico. Si tu disposiciĆ³n no tiene limites, St Tropez en la costa de Francia es un lugar vacacional ideal. Fiestas desde las 3 de la tarde en la playa, mercado en el centro del pueblo, las playas mas increĆ­bles y mucho mas.

Si tu poder adquisitivo es un poco limitado, puedes ir a palma de Mallorca en EspaƱa, a Ibiza o elegir entre muchos de los puertos de la zona.

Si vives en SudamƩrica o centro AmƩrica, uno de mis lugares favoritos es Punta del Este en Uruguay. Aunque un poco caro, siempre saldrƔs de ahƭ con una sonrisa. Las playas mƔs inolvidables, junto con los bares de moda, y actividades entretenidas las 24 horas del dƭa te esperan ahƭ.

Si no optas por ir a Punta del Este, Brasil es otro de los lugares mas increƭbles. Ahƭ puedes ir a Buzios disfrutar de los camarones con palito, las playas los cocos, los helados, y mucho mƔs.

En Argentina tambiƩn puedes encontrar lugares vacacionales, como Miramar, Pinamar, Mar del Plata, y otros.

Si buscas lugares sin playa durante el invierno puedes ir a Bariloche, Villa La angostura, Las LeƱas en donde puedes esquiar.

Sin duda, cualquier lugar que elijas un poco alejado de tu trabajo, o deberes diarios te ayudara a relajarte y pensar mas tranquilamente como solucionar o seguir adelante en tus decisiones.


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Toronto Contractors Fraud Protection

Taking the guesswork out of hiring a contractor has proven a successful formula for Homeservice Club of Canada. Its members don't have to cross their fingers when hiring a contractor; instead they rely on the Club's unique quote system to get the job done on time and on budget with guaranteed standards of workmanship.
For homeowners, the system not only guarantees the work, it ends the stress of dealing with contractors. "I can't believe how much Homeservice Club has helped me," says member Ann Buffer of Toronto. "I've had a roof leak for a few years now, and every time I called a contractor they did minimal amount of work, and were paid handsomely.  A few weeks later my roof once again begins leaking. I contacted Homeservice Club, became a member and immediately within the same day they assigned me a contractor who had a very credible track record. My roof was fixed quickly, and I was happy with the job. Their system guaranteed I would not be screwed over as I had in the past."
For contractors, the system ensures they are kept working at capacity with less time spent on sales and administrative tasks. It frees them to spend more time doing the work they do best.
The Club's unique "quote" system and its Double Guarantee set it apart from simple contractor referral businesses. In-office service representatives take calls from members who pay a small yearly fee. Each representative specializes in different trades such as masonry, roofing, and electrical. When a member calls in to request a quote on a renovation or repair, the appropriate contractor is assigned to the job and will be have to complete the job. On larger jobs, the member is encouraged to get at least three quotes from Club professionals. The jobs are equally distributed amongst all contractors to keep each and every contractor satisfied and working at their full capacity. The representatives monitor the progress of each job and are in touch with the member to ensure the work is being done to their satisfaction. If the contractor can't or won't complete the job properly, another is dispatched to remedy the problem. And finally, both the individual contractor and the Club guarantee the work.

"We take the hassle out of home renovations," explains Club president Richard Felton. "There's the convenience of calling one number no matter what job you need done. And the peace of mind knowing that the person you are letting into your home has been prescreened and bonded by Homeservice Club™."
But, says Felton, the most important aspect of his business is the "Double Guarantee" he offers homeowners.  "You hear about renovation nightmares all the time - contractors taking the deposit

and skipping town, or not finishing the job. That's what sets us apart in the home renovation business - we guarantee the job will be completed to the customers' satisfaction," Felton said. "We add our guarantee to that of the individual contractor. If the job is not done to your satisfaction, we'll send someone else in to fix it - that's a double guarantee of satisfaction for the member."
Homeservice Club™ has been in the business of protecting homeowners since Harry Felton opened its doors in 1961 to protect homeowners against "shoddy workmanship and fly-by-night contractors".  Today, his son runs the family business, but the concept remains true to his father's vision. For a small yearly membership fee, homeowners have access to a network of over 400 licensed, bonded and insured contractors in every trade imaginable. The contractors are all independent tradespeople who compete with each other for members' business, keeping prices competitive.
Club members also have access to an extensive shopping network offering discounts on everything from cars to travel, security systems to real estate, and insurance to appliances.
The Homeservice Club model is a win-win deal for both the homeowner and the contractor, says Felton.  "We take the hassle out of hiring a contractor for our members and we take the hassle out of running a business for our contractors - everyone wins," he added.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The history behind LEGO toys

For sure you have heard or play with LEGO, one of the most famous toys in the word. I want today to tell you a bit more about the history of such a great company.

Ole Kirk Christiansen was a carpenter in Billund, Denmark who opened a woodworking shop in 1916. He and his team of apprentices built furniture for people in the area. The company's name was coined by christiansen in and from the danish phrase. Ole kirk christiansen also his son godtfred kirk invented lego, of the years of the lego brick here are the best sets in history handpicked from.

By 1954 , Christiansen's son, Godtfred, had become the junior managing director of the LEGO Group. It was his conversation with an overseas buyer that struck the idea of a toy system . Lego was born from the creative mind of Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen back in the early 1930's. The Lego name was coined in 1934, meaning "play well" and it certainly has lived up to it's name. The history begins in 1932, when master carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen sets up a company in Denmark to manufacture a variety of household goods like ironing boards and stepladders along with wooden toys.

Christiansen's company continued to make wooden toys until 1960, when its wooden toy warehouse was destroyed in a fire. In 1934, he named the company "LEGO," an abbreviation of the Danish words "leg godt," or "play well.". Godfred Kirk Christiansen travels to England and meets a purchasing agent on the ferry. They talk about toys. Ole Kirk Christiansen was a carpenter who lived in Bilund, Denmark, and that is also where the company first began.
Little would he know that from one decision during the Depression, one of the most popular toys in the world would be created.

For over 30 years, the LEGO Company made only toys and related goods. Then in 1968, the company opened its first LEGOLAND - in its home city of Billund, Denmark. Combining the LEGO building bricks with a computer, the Robotics Invention System 1.5 is currently the most advanced set in the LEGO Company's line of technology-based products. This toy is targeted at users ages twelve and above, and that includes any moms, dads, and grandparents that want to join in. Lego Company still can harvest the profits from its bricks sales as this software will be highle dependable to Lego Mindstorm brick.

 Even Lego Company will probably never know where will this partnership goes.

Unfortunately, the Lego company sometimes behaves monopalistically and often overprices its products, counting on branch loyalty to pull them through. Lego has been losing money in recent years but still controls a large market. The LEGO company patents the stud-and-tube coupling system. This new system makes models much more stable.
The Lego company expanded their production lines to include lights, cameras, sensors, gears and accessory motors that compliment the Lego RCX. The RCX was a programmable brick that could be connected to a PC and given instructions to carry out very complicated tasks.

Regardless LEGO new policies, LEGO is a great toy, and it's company has done a lot to entertain many kids around the world. Including me.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Some Excellent Tips For Faux Finish Painting

Here are some excellent tips for making some awesome faux finishes:

1.  Start off with just a small space to get the hang of things before trying to tackle an entire room.  If you are new to a specific technique, it will be a lot easier to cover up any mistakes on a smaller surface.

2.  Always make sure that the workspace that you are using is neat and tidy.  Nothing worse than trying to do some work in an unorganized space.  This includes things like neatly taping non painted areas.  This is especially important when you are doing this type of painting for a living or side job and are working in a client's home.  You want to at least give the appearance that you are well organized and know what you are doing.

3.  When doing a faux finish to a room, always tape off anything that is not going to get painted.  You should also use the best painters tape that you can find.  The cheap painters tape tends to stick poorly and can cause the end result to not be as tidy as you would like since paint can sometimes leak under the paint.  A good quality painters tape can and will prevent this from happening.  Also, always remember to wait until the paint is completely dry before even attempting to remove the tape.  There's nothing worse than ruining an excellent paint job because the tape was removed too soon.

4.  When you are starting to try a new technique for a faux finish, try getting samples of the paints first and do some on small practice pieces of wood or foam.  Do the exact same thing as you would if you were going to do an entire wall, just do it at a smaller scale.  This should give you lots of practice on the technique for the finish and give you more confidence when you do the real thing on a wall.  Another good reason to doing samples like this first is to be able to try different colors and make sure the colors that you pick go well together and look good.  Many times you can choose two or more colors thinking that they will work great together only to find that they clash when they are used in a faux finish application.

5.  When shopping for glaze, buy the best that you can afford.  If you can afford not to skimp, don't!  Also make sure that the glaze can be used with the paint that you are using.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Putting A Value On Your Antique Clock

When you think of antiques, you sometimes think of an item's value both as collectible and as a monetary value. The challenge with a lot of ways to value an antique monetarily is that a lot of antiques are very unique so it is hard to put a price on these things. Antique clocks are no different in the ever popular antique world. When you look at things like antique vehicles, it is a lot easier to value since there are specific value guides that are published for these types of items. No such thing for clocks!

A lot of times with clocks and many other antique items of interest, the value is greatly determined by how interested the potential buyer is in the antique clock. If an antique collector absolutely has to have it in his or her collection, a lot of times that will bring the value up immensely.

A lot of times, the real estate market affects the antique market as well. It seems that whenever real estate takes a dip, so do antiques. And then when the real estate market is booming, the antique market becomes a booming industry as well. There is not a lot of information out there on why this is but it is an interesting fact.

One other rather interesting fact is that antique clocks have been able to hold their value even though the antique market as a whole has taken a declining trend in the last ten years or so. Other antique items have been slowly decreasing, but the clocks have managed to stay relatively stable in value. This is a good thing to know if you are looking at various types of antique clocks to invest in. There just might be a grandfather clock out there with your name on it!

Another excellent thing about investing in these old clocks is that you are not taxed on any capital gains that you acquire when you buy an antique clock. Also, prices of these clocks have been steadily rising in the past eight to ten years. This makes an antique clock a sound investment.

If you are more interested in collecting clocks, there are many books out there on the subject. Visit your local library or bookstore! Also, when buying, only buy from respected antique dealers and make sure you do your research to make sure you are not getting bitten with a bad deal. Enjoy your collection!

Saturday, October 15, 2011

My Child is Scratching His Head - Could it be Head Lice?

When you observe your child consistently scratching his head, it is a good idea to examine their hair for a head lice infestation. A persistent itching on the head is a common symptom of head lice.
The itching associated with head lice is usually caused by an allergic reaction to the louse bites, and as they are continually biting, it is nearly impossible to be rid of the itching without treating the infestation.
Some additional symptoms of a head lice infestation include,

•    People who are infested with head lice will frequently feel a tickle like feeling in the hair, as if something is moving around in the hair, and on the head.
•    The infested person may develop sores on their head as a result of constant scratching to relieve the itch.
•    Another problem that may be seen in an infested person is that the sores on their head become infected. This can become a serious health condition if left untreated.

Before head lice can be diagnosed, you must examine the head closely. Look for nits and lice near the scalp, as well as throughout the rest of the hair. Actually spotting an adult louse may be hard because these insects move very fast, and they also have a tendency to avoid light.
In the case that you are unable to confirm head lice by viewing an adult louse, you should then look for the nits close to the scalp. If nits are present, you can probably confirm a head lice infestation. If you discover nits that are more than a quarter inch from the scalp, it is likely that the infestation has been a problem for some time, and immediately treatment is essential.

There are times when it is difficult to see nits on the hair shaft, if this is the case and you are unable to be sure that there are nits on the hair, you should have your healthcare provider check for nits and head lice. They may have a much easier time confirming, or eliminating an infestation, as they can use a microscope to check for nits and head lice.
Once a head lice infestation has been diagnosed, it is important to treat the condition as soon as possible to avoid spreading lice to others. Ensure that you wash all clothing and replace hair accessories, and combs.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Moving from the US to Toronto

My brothers wife is Canadian. They met in college and have never apart since. All of us went to college in New York, which has to be in the top for places to meet people from other countries.

The only place more international for students might be London, I do not know. It is funny how certain cities draw the different nationalities for studies.

Anyway, her parents are still in Toronto and have just retired. They sold the family home and are moving down to Florida to a condo that they bought years ago and now it is paid for. I think that is such a smart way to plan for retirement. Have a place to go that is paid for and then sell the house that has appreciated all these years and invest the proceeds so you have money to live on comfortably the rest of your life.

My brother and his wife are on their way to Toronto this week to help them pack up the house and get ready to move. Since they have lived in the same house for over 50 years, there is an awful lot of stuff to sort through and they will have to get rid of a lot of it.

That would be the most stressful part for me making the decisions to give away or throughout so many of the things that you have had around you for years. They have two weeks to get it all done, because they hired a moving company to come the second week of April and load up all their belongings.

That is another very stressful time, watching people walk around with boxes of your stuff and trampling through your home, dismantling everything that you have collected and crafted over the years. It can be a really sad time, but I hope they are looking at this as a great opportunity and the next big chapter of their lives starting to unfold.

My brother helped find the Toronto Movers by calling different companies and getting estimates from them. He used the internet to search for keywords like Moving Toronto and Moving Service Toronto and came up with a list of about a dozen companies. Imagine how much harder this would have been without the internet!

I do not know how you would get a list of all the moving companies in another country in the first place and then you have to make all those long distance calls to get information. Instead, it was all just a few clicks and a lot of emails, and then a few conversations using toll free numbers.

What a difference technology can make! He decided on a company called Miracle Movers. He said he liked their website and he even liked their company name, plus their estimate was reasonable. He did not want to take the cheapest quote and felt comfortable with the representative who talked him through the process. They charge hourly for loading and unloading the truck and you can save money for being well prepared, having everything packed and disassembled and ready for them when they get there.

Hugs and kudos to my brother and his wife for stepping up and helping her folks with this huge life changing task.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Mobility Scooters: New or Used?

People who are mobility challenged often find that a mobility scooter can greatly increase their mobility and restore their independence. There are several options for purchasing a mobility scooter. You can either buy it used from a private individual or from an auction site like EBay or you can buy it new from a reputable dealer. If you decide to buy it used you are taking a very big risk.

Many things that are sold used are in poor condition and have been misused. You are frequently inheriting someone else’s problem and have no way to know if the device is in working order or safe. You might end up having to replace the batteries or tires and it can be hard to spot a scooter that has been misused.

You also run into a lot of no-name generic scooters on places like EBay. These are mass produced in a place like China or India and are frequently not held to the same high standard as those made by reputable companies like Pride or Golden.

It is far better to purchase a mobility scooter new from a reputable dealer. This way you are guaranteed that the device is in perfect working order and will provide years of reliable service. Golden and Pride both offer very comprehensive warranties on their new scooters, so if something does not function properly, you can have it quickly repaired at no cost to you.

You are taking a very large risk when you purchase a mobility scooter used and when you factor in the cost of repairs, it often ends up costing just as much if not more than a mobility scooter that was purchased new. Saving a little money is never worth risking your safety or that of a loved one and this is what you do when you buy a used mobility scooter.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Optimizing Space with Bunk Beds

Typically, bunk beds are too often associated with children's bedrooms and college dorm rooms. With the majority of bunk beds being manufactured in the past aimed towards children, most grown ups avoided bunk beds due to silly child-like themes and lack of full size bunk beds.

Quite often, many full size adults may have no other option in furnishing their small apartment or bedroom with a loftbed. With many bunk bed manufacturers designing more adult-friendly designs, it is much easier to find the perfect piece of furniture. Bunk beds and Loft beds now come with a fully elaborated system of furniture such as a loftbed with a desk under, bunk beds with dressers attached. You can even go as far as having bunk beds with a full shelf system along with dressers and a full size desk. The choices are endless. For those who are aiming to keep a certain theme to your furniture, this is a great way of doing so. Another great option that is available is a futon bunk bed. The bottom mattress can be folded into half to make a couch when not in use as a bed. If you have a roommate, this is a very great option. With literally hundreds of thousands of models to choose from, the option of choosing a bunk bed may come easier than expected.

While design is one factor that adults may typically opt for, size is another factor that cannot be ignored. For a full size adult to have a good night sleep, at least a full size mattress is required. Luckily, most bunk beds and loft beds now come in full size! Different options of twin over full and full over full are now available. Unfortunately, many adults prefer to sleep on queen or king mattresses. There aren't many queen or king size bunk beds, if any, but building your own may always be an option.

Now with all the choices you have, why not get a bunk bed? The prices vary but typically can be much cheaper than buying two different beds. Make full use of your space and furniture. The practicality of bunk beds, loft beds, futon beds and the likes are a great way to keep all your furniture pieces practical while still looking beautiful. The design is on par with traditional beds, and you can most definitely save lots of space!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

What is a Mobility Scooter?

Mobility scooters are similar to wheelchairs in the service that they provide. Mobility scooters are personal movement devices that carry a seated individual. They allow you to go places, like shopping or the park, you might have otherwise been unable to do independently.

Mobility scooters feature a chair and a tiller. The tiller consists of a set of handle bars and several different controls. It can be adjusted to a position that is closer or farther from the seat, which makes it able to accommodate people of all sizes. Modern mobility scooters utilize rechargeable electric batteries, but you still occasionally run across a gasoline powered mobility scooter. Gasoline powered mobility scooters can be very dangerous because they get very hot, emit noxious fumes, and are at much greater risk of fire and explosion. You should always purchase a battery powered mobility scooter.

Almost all mobility scooters utilize keyed access. This ensures that your scooter is not used without your permission. They also frequently feature headlights, taillights, and turn indicators, which greatly improve the safety of the device and allow it to be used at night. Many also feature seatbelts, which for added safety should be worn if included. The speed of the mobility scooter can be controlled easily and some have a top speed of over 10 miles per hour, but you do not have to drive it this fast and doing so can reduce the charge of the battery dramatically.

The seat of a mobility scooter can be adjusted in many ways. They typically can be raised up and down, and frequently swivel to the left and right. The swivel feature makes it much easier to enter and exit the device. The arm rests are also frequently adjustable. The width of some can even be adjusted and many can be flipped up.

Those that have difficulty walking or freely moving will greatly benefit from a mobility scooter. They can be used indoors and out and models made by reputable manufacturers, like Golden and Pride, will provide years of trouble free service.

Monday, October 10, 2011

The SunRunner 3 by ShopRider

Many people across the United States, Canada, and the rest of the World, rely on mobility scooters to help them move around freely and without assistance. Mobility scooters are electric powered personal mobility devices that can be used both indoors and outdoors. There are several prominent companies that manufacture mobility scooters. One company that has several very popular models is ShopRider Mobility Products.

ShopRider first began to manufacture electric mobility scooters in the late 80’s. They have continued to make quality products that have won several awards. The SunRunner 3 is one of ShopRider’s best selling units and is packed with special features. There is a 3-wheeled and a 4-wheeled SunRunner available. The 3-wheeled SunRunner has a much smaller turning radius, but is not as stable as the 4-wheeled SunRunner. This makes the 3-wheeled SunRunner better suited for indoors where there is often a need for higher maneuverability.

The SunRunner is designed to travel around 25 miles per charge and can achieve speeds of up to 5 miles per hour. The swivel seat is very comfortable and because it swivels is much easier to enter and exit the unit. The width of the armrests can also be adjusted. The SunRunner 3 can support up to 300 pounds and weighs less than 180 pounds. It can be broken down into 4 easy to handle pieces, with the heaviest one being only 42 pounds, which makes it very easy to transport without the need for purchasing a vehicle lift.

The SunRunner 3 by ShopRider is a very versatile and durable unit. It can be used indoors as well as out. There are several other fine products by ShopRider that are also very affordable and they have excellent warranties and customer service.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Some Extras for the Nursery Room

If you have a baby that is coming, then there is no doubt that you are either planning to set up a nursery room in the house or in the process of putting one together. There are some constants that every family must have such as cribs and a baby dresser but here are a few extras that you may want to add to give the room some personality.

If you already have a name picked out for the infant you may want to invest in some wooden letters on the baby's wall that spell out the child's name. This is a great addition to any child's room. The letters are relatively inexpensive and they are made with various patterns so that they can match with just about any style.

It may also be a good idea to invest in a few tiny baby tables to hold various items in the infant's room. These tables will be for little things like keeping the lamps, putting diapers on, holding baby wipes, and more When baby gets here, you will come to realize that there is never enough space to hold all the infant's stuff.

The last extra is a baby piggy bank. Of course this is totally optional but it is never too early to start saving for your child's future. Go ahead and fill that baby bank with all the left over change that you bring to the house from your day of work and when it is completely full, you’ll be able to start some sort of fund for the baby.

After you have picked up the essentials for your child's nursery, why not pick up a few extras that will give the room some personality. Remember to invest in small baby tables for the child's stuff and for the piggy bank and make sure that you get a few hand painted wooden letters to spell out the child's name on the wall. These are just a few basic strategies that will get you started on your way to a personalized nursery.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Las Supersticiones en los

La mayorĆ­a de los jugadores casino siguen una cultura de las apuestas que es muy personal. Estas consisten en ciertas creencias, supersticiones, objetos, vestimentas y hĆ”bitos que deben o no deben hacer a la hora de jugar. Es importante tener un procedimiento en el casino para poder apostar con mĆ”s seguridad. PrĆ³ximamente te presento una serie de hĆ”bitos y creencias respetadas por muchos jugadores profesionales. Son solo lo que algunos dicen que es cierto, no necesariamente lo son.

La primera es entrar y salir por la misma puerta del casino, lo cual es creĆ­ble que traiga buena suerte. Sin embargo, algunos creen que trae mala suerte hacerlo.

Otra de las creencias es a la hora de jugar a los Dados, es importante soplarlos antes de tirarlos en la mesa del juego. Dicen que puede traer buenos resultados.
En el pĆ³quer, dicen que jugar una carta que se cayĆ³ al piso durante el juego no es conveniente, y puede traer mala suerte. Usar vestimenta negra puede traer mala suerte en el casino.

Los objetos de la suerte tambiĆ©n son parte de la cultura de los casinos. Estos sirven  para acompaƱar a los jugadores en los juegos trayendo buena suerte. La pata de conejo, muƱecos de peluche, una foto de un familiar querido, una piedra, o trĆ©bol de cuatro hojas son algunos de los clĆ”sicos objetos de la suerte.

Las piedras de la suerte estĆ”n clasificadas por meses. La de Enero es Granate, Febrero Amatista, Marzo Aguamarina, Abril Diamantes, Mayo Esmeralda Junio Perla, Julio RubĆ­, Agosto Olivino, Septiembre Zafiro, Octubre Ɠpalo, Noviembre Topacio, y Diciembre Turquesa.

Jugar con dinero de otros jugadores dicen que trae buena suerte. Sin embargo, otros creen que apostar con su propio dinero es mƔs conveniente.

En el casino, las supersticiones de donde jugar, donde sentarse, son muy importantes. Por ejemplo, elegir la mesa en donde apostaras tu dinero generalmente es la misma. Los jugadores tienen su mesa habitual que les ha traĆ­do muy buena suerte en el pasado. El asiento tambiĆ©n es de respectiva importancia. Sentarse cerca de alguien quien creas que te traerĆ” suerte es muy comĆŗn, tanto como sentarse cerca de alguien quien no confĆ­as no es recomendable.

La vestimenta es parte de las costumbres de los jugadores. En general dicen que vestir de negro no es conveniente, sin embargo la mayorĆ­a de los jugadores lucen traje negro.

Muchos, tienen sus nĆŗmeros de la suerte escogidos. El 7 es considerado uno de los mĆ”s comunes, mientras que el 13 no trae buena suerte. Tampoco se acostumbra dejar dinero arriba de la mesa de juego, porque quiere decir que el jugador gano demasiado y suficiente. 

Sin duda, todas estas costumbres son muy subjetivas y depende en lo que uno cree o no cree. Pero si lo crees, es mejor que lo hagas!

Friday, October 7, 2011

La Industria de las Apuestas

La industria de las apuestas en lĆ­nea es una de las mĆ”s rentables en Internet. Inclusive, gente que no ha visitado un casino normal se encuentran visitando casinos en lĆ­nea o salas de pĆ³quer diariamente.

Entonces, ¿que hace a las apuestas en lĆ­nea tan atractivas? Si, puedes jugar a cualquier juego que desees sin necesidad de irte de tu casa, trabajo o cualquier sea el lugar que debas estar. De todos modos, no puedes ser servido tu trago favorito, o ver tu partido preferido en la gran pantalla del casino, ni ver las expresiones de los demĆ”s jugadores cuando ganan o pierden.

A continuaciĆ³n te presento los beneficios de apostar en lĆ­nea comparado al casino tradicional:

Diversidad:
Puedes saltar de un juego de pĆ³quer en lĆ­nea a un juego de dados y luego a una sala da bingo mientras no te mueves de tu silla. En la mayorĆ­a de los casinos en lĆ­nea tienes la posibilidad de apostar y jugar en una amplia variedad de juegos, maquinas y video pĆ³quer. Puedes cambiar de apuestas de casino a apuestas de deportes con el mismo nombre de usuario y cuenta.

Bonos:
¿A dĆ³nde mas recibirĆ”s dinero gratis para apostar que en los casinos en lĆ­nea? La mayorĆ­a de ellos, ofrecen dinero gratis en bonos para atraer nuevos clientes y mantener la competiciĆ³n. Los bonos comienzan desde 10 dĆ³lares solo por instalar el programa del casino, a un par de miles de dĆ³lares por completar cierto monto requerido de manos.

Conveniencia:
¿QuĆ© puede ser mas conveniente que jugar a tu juego favorito de casino en el confort de tu propia casa mientras escuchas tu mĆŗsica favorita, y tomas tu bebida favorita? TambiĆ©n puedes poner al repartidor en pausa y tomar un recreo. 

Fumar y Vestimenta:
Si eres un fumador o no, cuando apuestas en lĆ­nea eres libre de obedecer tus propias reglas. Algunas son de vestimenta, comida y bebida las cuales puedes fumar o no fumar a tu elecciĆ³n. Puedes vestir tu ropa mĆ”s cĆ³moda o quedarte desnudo, comer, tomar, hablar por telĆ©fono, mirar TV o lo que sea.

Principiantes:
Un casino clĆ”sico puede ser un poco intimidante para un principiante. La mayorĆ­a de los casinos en lĆ­nea, son amistosos a los principiantes. Ofrecen guĆ­as tutĆ³rales,  interactivas, modos de pago y la opciĆ³n de ahorrar la embarazosa situaciĆ³n de no entender las reglas de los juegos y los cĆ³digos de comportamiento. Estos dan una grata bienvenida a cualquier jugador.

Seguridad:
Si, apostar en lĆ­nea es en general mĆ”s seguro que apostar en casinos clĆ”sicos, en los cuales tienes que cargar grandes sumas de dinero en el bolsillo. La mayorĆ­a de los casinos en lĆ­nea son confiables y respetables empresas que no arriesgaran su reputaciĆ³n y perder sus clientes para robar a sus clientes.

Aparte de los beneficios mencionados anteriormente, apuestas en lƭnea ofrece igual oportunidades a aquellos que no pueden viajar fuera de su paƭs o ciudad a un casino clƔsico.

Todos estos beneficios de los casinos en lƭnea hacen que su gran popularidad sea mƔs fƔcil de entender.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Idees Pour Mariage et Lune de Miel Inoubliable

Alors le divorce, entre l'avocat, les frais de procƩdure, et la durƩe de ce dernier, tous nos bas de laine y passe. Alors assez! Pour vous, les places Ơ ne pas manquer pour rƩussir et votre mariage, et votre lune de miel!

L'endroit incontournable pour un mariage hors norme et Ć  bas prix: Las Vegas.

Pour vous marier a Las Vegas, rien de plus simple. Autre que votre billet d'avion, le budget Ć©valuĆ© pour un mariage est de prĆØs de $700? Pourquoi hĆ©siter?

Ces frais incluent: le permis de mariage, Ć©valuĆ© Ć  $30, la cĆ©rĆ©monie civile, $50; la chapelle offrant en gĆ©nĆ©ral la cĆ©rĆ©monie, les tĆ©moins spĆ©ciaux, la limousine et les photos pour un montant se situant entre $200 et $500, a moins de vouloir pour tĆ©moin Elvis Presley, la Ƨa monte un peu plus haut mais pas de grand chose, Votre divorce? Pourquoi pleurer trop longtemps. A Las Vegas, sitĆ“t divorcĆ©, vous pouvez vous remarier. Alors no woman no cry…

Les endroits de Las Vegas pour se marier:
Une simple cƩrƩmonie civile:
Rendez-vous auprĆØs du Las Vegas Marriage Commissioner. Le mariage peut se faire directement au bureau du Commissionner en 30 minutes pour un cout de $50.

Une cƩrƩmonie religieuse:
Rendez-vous dans l'une des cĆ©lĆØbres chapelles. Sobres, classiques ou plus farfelues, il y en a pour tous les goĆ»ts!. Vous pouvez mĆŖme trouver de ces chapelles pittoresques Ć  l'aspect d'une Ć©glise entourĆ©es par des jardins de roses le long du Las Vegas strip parmi les casinos, bars et  poker palaces. Pour une modique somme de 200 Ć  500 $, vous pouvez acheter un forfait de mariage qui comprend l'utilisation de la chapelle, la cĆ©rĆ©monie de mariage, des fleurs, de la musique et des photos. Les forfaits plus coĆ»teux comprennent plus d'extras comme le transfert depuis votre hĆ“tel en limousine ultra longue ou Elvis Presley comme tĆ©moin.

Les chapelles des casinos:
Pour un mariage mĆ©diĆ©val, rendez-vous a l'hĆ“tel Excalibur,sinon  MGM Grand a un mariage en montagnes russes, Treasure Island un mariage de pirates Ć  bord de son bateau HMS Brittania et le Las Vegas Hilton propose un mariage Star Trek Ć  bord du vaisseau spatial Enterprise avec des tĆ©moins Klingon et des invitĆ©s Ferengi. Les forfaits des casinos peuvent s'Ć©lever de 350 $ Ć  3500 $ et au-delĆ . Ils incluent gĆ©nĆ©ralement une ou plusieurs nuits dans une suite "lune de miel"  de l'hĆ“tel ainsi que des photos, des fleurs, de la musique, des divertissements et mĆŖme une cure beautĆ© complĆØte dans leur station thermale.

Puis pour votre lune de miel, rendez-vous sur l'un de paquebots suivants:
Monarch of the seas:
Aussi grand que  Statue de la LibertĆ©, Ses animations pour les enfants sont incomparables. Avec le Monarch, partez Ć  la dĆ©couverte du Mexique. Arretez vous dans les villes de  Los Angeles, San Diego, Ile Catalina, et Ensenada en cinq jours. Cinq jours de dĆ©paysement garantis.

Jewel of the seas:
Mis en service en mai 2004, le Jewel of the Seas est caractĆ©risĆ©s par l'allure innovante des super yachts. Il possĆØde un design avancĆ© avec ses grandes surfaces vitrĆ©es dans les espaces publics et des ascenseurs de verre donnant sur l'ocĆ©an. Au choix, voyagez sur ce paquebot autour des CaraĆÆbes ou dĆ©couvrez l'Europe Transatlantique. Le "must" des CaraĆÆbes vous attend aux escales de Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Georgetown, et en mer. Pour les amoureux de l'Europe, des escales inattendues vous permettront de dĆ©couvrir Oslo Copenhague et Hambourg sous un jour nouveau, ou encore, toute la Scandinavie, ses fjords et la Russie grĆ¢ce Ć  des visites Ć   Harwich, Oslo, Copenhague, Stockholm, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, et Tallinn.

Voyager of the seas:
Destination les Antilles. Ce paquebot est le plus grand au monde, et nous faisons grand usage de l'espace disponible. Vous y trouverez plus d'activitĆ©s et d'expĆ©riences que vous ne pouvez imaginer. Un mur d'escalade vous attend pour pouvoir pratiquer votre souplesse et votre rĆ©flexion et dĆ©couvrir l'ocĆ©an sus un angle nouveau. Au dĆ©part de Miami, des escales sont prĆ©vues Ć  Nassau, Saint Thomas, San Juan, Labadie, et deux journĆ©es en mer avant un retour au lieu de dĆ©part. DĆ©couvrez Ć©galement  la fameuse patinoire oĆ¹ vous pourrez boire un bon chocolat. La vie nocturne y est Ć©galement de mise: les boutiques, les cafĆ©s et autres animations du s'ouvrent Ć  vous. Danser jusqu'au bout de la nuit au Jesters, une boĆ®te de nuit entraĆ®nante rĆ©partie sur deux Ć©tages.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Stu Unger: Rise and Fall of a Poker Genius

Stu Unger is one of the biggest superstars to have immerged from the professional poker world. Besides being a true poker genius and a three time World Series of Poker champion, Stu Unger had a fascinating life story. It was not surprising that after his death Stu was the subject of a biography and a biopic.

Stu Unger lived the life of a rock star including the quick rise to fame, the drugs, the comeback and the unavoidable death at an early age. Here you can read about the life story of the legendary poker player Stu Unger.

The Beginning

Stuart Errol Ungar was born in 1953 to a Jewish family who lived in Manhattan on the Lower East Side. Stus father was a well known bookmaker and his mother was too ill to fight against her sons fascination with gambling. After the death of his father, 13 years old Stu had found a father figure at his neighbor Victor Romano, one of the infamous Genovese family soldiers.

Stu and Romano had at least one thing in common: they both had an incredibly sharp memory, which was mainly used in poker and gin games. By that time, Stu was already an accomplished gin player who had gained vast experience in winning gin tournaments. Stu dropped out of school to become a full time gin rummy player. The Genovese family had benefited from Stus talent. In return, they provided him protection from other gamblers who found themselves offended by his harsh and arrogant playing style. 

The Rise

As a professional gin player, Stu had managed to beat all the professional gin poker players around. According to the rumors, Stu caused Harry Yonkie Stein, one of the best players around to stop playing gin completely after beating him in a gin match. Since he was out of proper competition, Stu decided to focus on playing poker professionally. In 1976, he and his girlfriend relocated to Las Vegas where they got married and had a girl, Stephanie.

In 1980, Stu won the World Series of Poker Main Event after beating experienced poker pros such as Doyle Bronson. Stu was the youngest WSOP champion in history and was nicknamed The Kid. Even though Stu won the 1981 WSOP Main Event, he still considered himself more a gin and rummy player than a poker player. After winning his first WSOP championship title, he was quoted saying that the poker world would meet better no limit players than him, but no one will ever be able to play gin rummy better than he does.

At the same time, Stu had tried to use his skill to grab money at the blackjack table. Nevertheless, the casinos were not happy with Stus presence around the blackjack tables and he was constantly barred. In 1982, he was fined by the New Jersey Gaming Commission for cheating, although Stu has not done anything illegal but using his natural skill and phenomenal memory.

The Fall

In 1990, Stu made another appearance to the WSOP. This time, he was heavily into drugs. He was a chip leader for the first three days of the event and then disappeared. He was found lying at his hotel room, unconscious from a drug overdose. However, it did not stop him from finishing ninth and earning enough money for his future cocaine supply.

The Comeback

After seven years of disappearing from the professional poker circle, Stu had returned to the WSOP. In 1997, he was broke, with damaged nostrils from cocaine abuse, addicted to horseracing and sports gambling, but still in shape to beat all the new contestants and gain back his WSOP Championship title. The local media was happy to embrace The Comeback Kid, but his success did not last long.

The Death

Stu Unger did not attend the 1998 World Series of Poker since he could not get the money to pay the entry fee. Seven months after Scotty Nguyen won the 1998 WSOP, Stu Ungar was found dead at his motel room in Las Vegas with 800 dollars in his pocket. Apparently, he died of a heart condition caused by years of drug abuse.

The Biography

Read: One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey The Kid Ungar, The Worlds Greatest Poker Player written by Nolan Dalla, Peter Alson, Mike Sexton.

Watch: High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story directed by A. W. Vidmer and starring Michael Imperioli, Christopher Moltisanti of The Sopranos, as Stu Unger

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Press Release: Why SEO Experts Should Not Use Press Releases

Rumor has it that press releases are the next big thing in the SEO business, and many companies are spending top dollars trying to write the next big press release announcing the next big balloon breaking technology. But is this really the next big thing?

By definition, a Press Release is a kind of news item released by the company on whom the news is being reported. As such, you will have to compete with all the other press releases and hope that your will get picked up.

Why Will Your Press Release Be Trashed?
1) Unless you are writing a press release about Microsoft, Adobe, Sony or one of the other mega-companies, or at least about a company that is relatively well known, forget about it. Journalists and news editors receive thousands of press releases a day and there is no way that they will waste more than a quick glance. So why should you pay a company seven to eight hundred dollars for them sending your press release to thousands of editors and journalists when they are going to junk it anyway?

2) Unless you are announcing a truly revolutionary product or technology (which I assume you are not since you are only interested in using the professionally paid and written press release to boost your search engine rankings), whatever you make up or announce such as some new free deal or new portal offering something unique, your chances of being picked up are very slim. Yes, the PR companies will tell you that they have vast experience in writing Press Releases that will make yours stand out and get picked up but this is not accurate. The only way your PR is going to get picked up is if it truly is something out of the ordinary or something that no one has ever thought off.

3) Unless you plan to spend millions of dollars and then just by sheer volume your site will go ahead in the search engines, this is not a good option. Why? If you send a large number of press releases then these will be placed on the different PR companies websites main page. Since most of these home pages have a very high page rank, your site will get a boost. The question is whether this boost is worth the large amount of money you will put into the PR companies pocket. No it is not. Use that money to buy (though I do not recommend this) links from high-ranked websites and you will pay less and receive more benefit.

4) Any press release, even if it has been accepted, will remain on the different pages for just a short time, making the time and effort and even more so the amount of money you paid fruitless.

Conclusion:
A press release is useful if you wish to contact the press and maybe get some free publicity, but it is of no use if you wish to use it as a tool in order to advance your website in the search engines.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Poker Hands: Best and Worse Starting Hands in Texas Holdem

The basic poker lesson is when to hold and when to fold. Knowing whether your initial deal is worth staying in the game or if you should call it a day, is one of the most important decisions to make at the beginning of the poker game. One of the most common beginner’s mistakes is holding onto the worst pair of hole cards instead of folding and protecting your money.


Therefore, if you are a novice poker player, one of the first things you should memorize is which initial hands are worth holding and which hands leaves you no choice but to fold. Since Texas Holdem is the most popular poker variation, here you can find lists of the best and the worth Holdem poker starting hands.

Best Poker Hands

If you are lucky to be dealt one of these initial hands, you are definitely having an excellent beginning:

Pair of Aces: as known as American Airlines or pocket rockets, it is the best possible Texas Holdem starting hand.

Pair of Kings: not as good as a pair of Aces but still an excellent way to open a game of Texas Holdem.

Pair of Queens: if you want to look at the bright side, you will be beaten only by Kings and Aces.

Ace and King: if they are of the same suit, your condition is even better, since you can form the nut flush at ease.

Pair of Jacks: unless the flop shows either a Queen, King or an Ace, you have decent chances of winning with this promising starting hand.

Ace and Queen: the same as Ace and King, a suited hand would increase your chances of stepping out as a winner.

King and Queen: unless the community cards contain an Ace, you are in a good shape with this starting hand and even better if it is suited

Ace and Jack</b>: even if appears unsuited, this starting hand is still worth holding.

King and Jack: still one of the best Texas Holdem starting hands, but be careful with it, especially when unsuited.
Ace and Ten: the Ace upgrades it to a pretty good hand, although requires a cautious play since it can be beaten by any of the starting hands mentioned above.


Worst Poker Hands

These hands would suit you well if you play some of the lowball variations, but if you play traditional Texas Holdem poker, the best advice would be to fold.

2 and 7: if you are dealt this hand, especially unsuited, you cannot even make a straight. Even if suited you should be so lucky to form a low flush or the lowest pair. In one word: fold.

2 and 8: same as the previous hand; pair of 8s is still a low pair.

3 and 7: although it can beat the previous hands, it still a worthless pair of cards

3 and 8</b>: again, hardly even a low straight.

2 and 6: only if the community cards will feature 3, 4 and 5, you will have a chance of forming a straight. However, do not count on it, especially if there are more than 3 attendances in the game.

2 and 9: thanks to the presence of the 9 you are in better shape than with the former hands, still you cannot form a straight and even a pair of 9s would be beaten by pairs of 10s, Jacks, Queens, etc.

3 and 9: the same thing: higher than 8 lower than almost any other hand.

4 and 9: as mentioned above; foldem.

2 and 10: even though Doyle Brunson had won two WSOP bracelets with this starting hand, unless you have the talent and experience of Brunson, do not hold this hand.

5 and 9: also known as Dolly Parton, this hand would get you nowhere near the final table.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Poker Betting Limit: How to Pick One 4 U

Before you head for the nearest empty chair at an open poker table, hold on. There is one very important factor that you must check and verify before you start playing.

What? Check the betting limit of that particular table.
Why? This is what determines the professional skills of the poker players you will face and will also help you calculate approximately how much cash you need for this particular round of betting.

For the Casual Poker Fan:
You should try and begin by selecting a table with a low limit. Here, you will enjoy the relatively casual ambience and friendly opponents, who will not have a lot of experience playing and thus you stand a fair chance of winning. The slight problem with such games is that such kinds of tables are difficult to locate. In addition, those playing at such tables tend to play in a very conservative manner and this slows down the flow of the game. If you are still interested in looking for such tables you will be able to find them at the downtown casinos and gambling halls or at poker rooms not located on the Las Vegas strip itself such as the Palace Station.

Wish to Play Texas Holdem Instead?
Here too, select the lower limit games such as the 4/8 version. In this game, you will be allowed to increase only by four dollars and hence the name. Then, when you come to the last two betting rounds, you will have to double it to eight dollars. Likewise, you can also find the following limits: two and then four, three and then six, four and then eight, eight and then sixteen, fifteen and then thirty, thirty and then sixty and the last one which is pretty different to find (and which unless you are prepared to dish out large sums, you should avoid.) forty and then eight during the last two rounds of betting.

How Many Chips Should You Purchase In Such Games?
What you can do is multiply the end limit by about twenty and then make sure you have that amount. For example, if you wanted to join a table where the limit is two  and then four. Multiply four into twenty and you get eighty. So, this is the sum of chips you must bring in to the game by buying them from the cash counters in the casino.

Another option is playing Texas holdem with no limits whatsoever, but beware. Such games pull pros and then you will find yourself at a big disadvantage.

For the Experienced Poker Player:
Most pros prefer playing Texas holdem than other poker games. And such professionals opt for games with no limit or that have a high limit of at least fifteen dollars. Beware, these tables (You can find them in the top casinos such as the Bellagio and others on the strip.) are places where you can lose hundreds of dollars in minutes so unless you are aware of this or unless you want to swim with the sharks because you consider yourself a shark too, stay away.

Conclusion:
Note that sometimes the tables might be occupied and it might take you a while to get a seat. Remember that this is not an <a href="http://www.gambling-portal.com">online casino</a> where tables are always open. Have patience and wait and do not leave and just join a higher or lower limit table than the one you have decided on. Remember that the outcome of your casino experience depends on this decision.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Laughing at the Indian Cricket Team

Indian cricket is headed for a disastrous World Cup and only those who wish to bury their head in the sand can think that they will do well there. The pitches in West Indies are fast and the players (who anyway have a tough time on such pitches) will succumb easily. They will advance (I truly hope so) to the next round by beating the weak teams but they will lose once again to the strong ones and they will find ourselves out and forgotten very soon. So instead of feeling sad, the only thing left for the fans to do is to joke about them. So here goes!

The story goes that there was a couple married for quite some time and they had a boy of 5-6 years old. Their  relationship was turning  sour. So finally it reached such a stage that they thought it was better for them to be divorced than to carry on such a relationship.

So they consulted a lawyer. But the big question was who would have the  kid. In the hearing in the court it was decided that this choice should be left to their son. So the judge asked "Son, would you like to stay with your mummy?"

The kid replied," No, mummy beats me."
So the judge asked "Then, would you like to stay with your papa?"
The kid replied, "No, papa beats me too."

Now the judge was in a dilemma and was not able to decide what to do. After  pondering  for some time he smiled with the ideas he had in his mind about the child.

And he gave the judgment that the kid would stay with

Any guesses?

Come on I know you can guess this.

Ok here is the decision: The judge decided that the kid would stay with the Indian Cricket Team because they never beat anybody.

And here are some one liners to pipe up your day:
Why do Indian babies cry and complain all the time?
They are practicing how to become Indian cricketers when they grow up.

What is an handcuffed Indian Cricketer called?
A cricketer you can trust.

What are the four words that will destroy any Indian batsman?
Did you bat today?

Why doesnt the crowd blink when Tendulkar goes out to bat?
There just is no time until he gets out again.

What is the difference between an Indian batsman and an Australian one?
100 runs.

What is the difference between batteries and Indian cricketers?
Batteries have a positive side.

How do you force Indian cricketers to run between wickets?
You place food on either end.

Yes, I know that some of these jokes are really putting the Indian team down but considering their recent form (excluding the recent two victories against West Indies which I think is more of a fluke than anything else), I felt that I could say such things.

I cannot understand how such players such as Ganguly, Tendulkar, Dravid and the rest can let the fans down time and again. Sometimes it seems that they are not really interested in playing and that they <a href="http://www.gambling-portal.com">gamble</a> away their wicket easily. If that is the case then they should leave and let other more able and willing youngsters take a shot. They will not fare much worse in any case. What will they do? Lose. They lose anyway and to any cricket playing nation in the world!