Should you have an assistant

Some magicians prefer to work alone, they never want anyone mingling or catching the viewers' attention while performing their magic tricks. If noticed, these are the magicians who only perform using cards, balls, flowers, birds, boxes, bottles, and other kinds of paraphernalia used in magic tricks. Though amusing, for very rare and really mind boggling tricks, a pair or a group of people performing the magic in front is more highlighted, making the whole performance longer since the magician could perform numerous kinds of tricks and illusions without having to move around and just concentrating on his master piece. Oftentimes, magicians are seen doing their tricks in magic with one or two or even more assistants to help him with the trick. This is done especially when the magic show requires a person as a part of the trick or simply to hold some of the magician's props for him. Their interaction with the assistants greatly influences the people watching the show. They help in making the audience feel comfortable watching and even joining the show as volunteers in performing some of the tricks. They also attract the audience to applaud by striking a pose. Once the assistants move, the audience may be prompted to clap their hands. The assistant may also serve as the extra vision of the magician. Since she has access to the back stage, she can be the first onlooker of the performers' costumes and other props as well. She can immediately tell which costume belongs to who. Some magicians may just require their assistants to simply take care of his equipment back stage. Packing up props is also another responsibility of an assistant, since an assistant is usually the only person entrusted by the magician to touch his priced equipment or tools. However, there are times when the magician would like to pack their own props, the assistant can help by making sure that the magician has indeed packed everything and nothing got left behind. The magician's assistant can also make it a point that all tricks have been made. There are times when magicians lose track of the succeeding tricks due to the concentration and it is the assistant's duty to make sure the next prop is presented to the magician to remind him of the next trick to be delivered. Aside from having another set of hands for the show and keeping the props in their proper place, assistants could also help in entertaining volunteers for special tasks as part of the show. They will be the volunteers' guide when there is already a need to stand, move or take a bow. Assistants can also play a big role in taking care of any volunteer or who is beginning to act like a nuisance. This can be accomplished by informing the security department of the show or by simply using his own strategies or following the instructions of the magician to tame the partypooper. Also, assistants play an important role in drawing the audience's attention since the audience will look where the assistant is looking while a trick is being performed. However, since a slight movement could catch attention, there should be an agreement between the magician and the assistant when to be still and when to start moving again. The assistant's reaction is also vital for it causes the illusion of a trick happening for the first time, thus, giving more thrill to the audience. So once the magician halts for a few moments of applause, the assistant should halt as well. Keep in mind that the magician's assistant is not only assistant to him but to the rest of the performers who are also willing to help whenever she is free of her tasks. This builds camaraderie between the magicians and other fellow performers as well as on and off stage. It is very appropriate to offer the same relationship and respect with other workers in the magic show. The whole success of all the tricks performed will never be complete and effective without the assistant's effort and hardwork, too. As a form of motivation, good magicians should acknowledge and commend the assistant's great job after a certain magic show. A simple pat on the back or a salary increase can help a lot.

What is a negotiable or monetary instrument

Introduction - Many countries require the reportage of the movement of any amount of money, monetary instruments or negotiable instruments valued over $10,000. Panama is one of those countries. One can generally move any amount of money across borders it just requires reporting it to the departing country and to the entry country. We never suggest one brings large sums of cash into Panama. There can always be individual differences in the laws of different countries so it is a good idea to check with each country concerned. Usually they post current information on their official websites. Currency - This is definitely included in the $10,000 limit. It includes all foreign currencies. They use the current day conversion values to arrive at the $10,000 limit. Be conservative in your predictions of currency valuation so as to not fall over the limit. Traveler? s checks are treated as cash as a rule, it does not seem to matter if they are endorsed or made out or not. Probably because they can be reported stolen or lost and replaced easily in the new country. Bullion - This is included too. The value is based on current values. If you had a $20 gold coin which weighed one ounce the value would not be $20, it would be what an ounce of gold is worth. If you had a rare coin that was denominated at $0.25 would it be valued at $0.25 or the numismatic value? The numismatic collector value is what would be used. Negotiable Instrument Defined - This would include any check, or money order that is in bearer form, in other words payable to the bearer on demand without any further conditions to be met or if the instrument is already endorsed without restriction (not endorsed and made payable to a specific entity), made out to a fictitious payee, or structured so that the title of the instrument passes solely with possession of the instrument such as a bearer bond. This would also include an instrument such as a check, money order, promissory note signed but with the payee name left in blank. This does include bearer shares of corporations which is why the corporations we form are set up with a value of $10,000 only (nominative value not paid in cash so as they fall under the declaration limits. What is Generally Not Considered a Monetary Instrument - Any check, money order, bank check made payable to a specific entity which has not yet been endorsed by that entity or if endorsed it would be with a restrictive endorsement payable to another specific entity. It does not include warehouse receipts or bills of lading. Aggregates exceeding $10,000 - If any combination of the above exceeds the $10,000 it too needs to be reported. As to whether or not the totals amongst family members needs to be reported is vague and varies from country to country. What constitutes family members traveling together is another poorly defined area. If they are on the same flight are they together or not? Is a minor under 18 or under 21? So do check with the laws for each country. Penalties - These vary but generally include confiscation, fines and possible criminal charges. Questions - We can answer any questions you have about Negotiable Instruments and Panama. We are a Panama Law Firm.

Jokes the world s best medicine

What were the last jokes that made you roll around on the floor because you were laughing so hard? Did it involve a doctor, a priest, and a lawyer? Was it on a TV show, or part of a stand-up comedy routine, or part of a recent lecture? In any event, do you remember how it made you feel? More likely than not you can remember the last time, and if you took a minute you could probably tell me the jokes, and it probably made your day. It either gave you relief from the stress of taking your self or what you were doing so seriously, or it took your mind off of something that was causing you grief, or it just livened up an otherwise boring talk. Probably most importantly though, it allowed you to laugh which as we all know is "the world's best medicine." But have you ever thought more about why this was so? Is there actually something about jokes and the resulting laughter that can change our health in a beneficial way? What is it about laughter that we love so much? Why are comedies so popular? Why is there such a thing as comic relief and why is it so effective--even in the most serious of plays or dramas? Well you shouldn't be surprised to find out that scientists have been studying it but you may be surprised to find out that there is actually something about laughter that affects us more profoundly than we think. Basically there is good evidence now that laughter produced by jokes can change the chemical milieu that courses through our body on a second to second basis, and in profound degree. Laughter releases natural endorphins that act on the same receptors as morphine that produce the feelings of relaxation and heightened mood. Levels of Dopamine, serotonin, and Nor - epinephrine are altered as well that produce endogenous anti - depressant effect. Researchers then wondered about what action in particular was producing these changes--was it smiling, or the physical changes that take place in rate of breathing, in blood pressure, increased heart rate, etc. What they found was (as usual) that it most likely was a combination of physical changes in the body that occur with laughter. Each one of these changes by it self produced small effects but together were synergistic in producing these stress relieving, and mood improving results. It was interesting to note that spontaneous laughter was better than self produced laughs but not by as large a difference than you might think. Also merely smiling produced significant changes in the blood chemistry. So basically tell someone jokes, smile more, and laugh even if you have to fake it--it does the body good!

Wine clubs a convenient way to know wine

Wine clubs have been sprouting up in recent years as a result of an increased interest in wine and greater wine consumption. In fact, according to figures from the Wine Institute, sales of wine in the United States went up four percent in 2004. Exports of wine by other countries to the U. S. remain steady since foreign wineries have found the United States to be a lucrative place to do business. For wine lovers and would-be wine drinkers, joining a wine club would bring numerous benefits. Many wine clubs count expert vintners or sommeliers among their members. But you don't need to be a wine aficionado to be able to join a wine club. A great many clubs welcome both newbies and experts. They offer much information not only about various wines out in the market, but also about many wine-related topics; for instance, which type of wine should be served with a certain entrйe; or news about the latest goings-on in the wine industry. Wine clubs offer varying membership programs. For the fee you pay, you will receive wine selections from vineyards whose offerings meet the club's standards. Clubs can send you their handpicked selections, or give you the opportunity to make your own selections. Most clubs usually send two bottles of wine to each member per month; they can be two bottles of red or two of white, or one of each. Along with the wine, you will also receive pertinent information about them, such as the winery where they came from, any awards, publicity or accolades that have been accorded to the vintner, and a description of the conditions under which the grapes used in the wine were grown. Wine club membership offers several other perks. For instance, premium members are offered the ability to buy wines at discounted prices. If they have a Wine of the Month program, you can be sure that you'll realize significant savings from being a member than if you just bought the featured wine at regular prices. Joining a wine club would be a good investment if you are a regular wine drinker -- which many people are becoming because of much publicized news about how regular wine consumption has numerous health benefits. Also, most of the wine clubs today offer gift membership program, which you can give to people who would enjoy wine either by itself or with a meal. Many wine stores or retailers have their own wine clubs, which you can join for a fee. Some clubs offer open-ended programs, meaning you can cancel your membership anytime. You should base your wine club choice on several factors. Are the services they offer worth the rate they are charging? What are their expert credentials -- do they have wine experts who can give sound wine recommendations? Do they have additional activities for members, such as wine tastings or perhaps visits to vineyards? You should evaluate these factors and more before you select a club to join. There are hundreds of wine club web sites online, and they provide detailed information on what you get for your money. People enjoy the benefit of receiving their wine at their doorstep -- no more need to zip around to a wine seller's physical location for a bottle of vino. However, you should remember that most U. S. states have strict laws regarding the shipping of wine from state to state. Perhaps you might consider choosing a club that has a branch in your particular state because in such cases the law is not as strict. This is another factor that you should look at when you are evaluating which club to join. You can choose to join a wine club that has international coverage -- one that features wine produced in the world's most popular winery regions, and whose membership runs in the thousands -- or you could opt for a smaller, more specialized wine club, which focuses on only one or two specific wine-producing regions. Then there are clubs that concentrate on providing only a certain type of wine, such as red, white, or champagne. As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a wine club to join. But then, as you can also probably see, there are numerous benefits you can experience if you choose the right wine club.

Lcd technology

Liquid crystal display (LCD) technology may sound exotic, but in reality we use it every day. LCD technology is utilized in stereos, computer monitors, microwave ovens, digital clocks and calculators. Today, the technology is also being used in high-tech flat screen TV sets and video monitors that produce incredibly clear images. LCD screens function by obstructing light. Within the screen, the ligquid crystals are contained between two sections of polarized glass. The crystals control the brightness of light as it’s transmitted through the glass. An electrical charge is applied, and the crystals react to it, rotating to allow the light to pass through the sections of glass. The LCD display is made up of pixels and is illuminated by a florescent bulb that sends white light through the glass panes. Each pixel is split into red, green and blue sections that work together to produce a color image. One pixel can create about 16 million colors. LCD televisions offer plenty of benefits to viewers. They offer superior brightness and contrast capability – far better than anything offered by traditional cathode ray TV sets. Flat screen LCD sets also feature a 160 degree viewing angle, so that watchers will see everything from just about any location in the room. Because the contrast quality is so good, viewers don’t have to worry about turning off all the lights in the room to get a good picture. Lamps don’t produce a glare on an LCD flatscreen set. Another bonus with an LCD set is that most models come equipped with tuners and speakers. All you have to do is plug the set in, and it’s ready to go. The tuners and speakers are built in, which means no extra components like set-top boxes or receivers are required. This makes the LCD set perfect for homes that don’t have much space to spare for a big TV that requires extraneous equipment. LCD sets are equipped to display high definition television as well as standard television. LCD sets can also serve as computer monitors and all-around video monitors. They can handle any kind of video format, and most come equipped with inputs for S-video, component video, and composite video. Most LCDs offer about 60,000 hours (or about twenty years) of viewing, making them a good investment. They last longer than plasma sets. The bulb is a critical factor in the LCD set, as it’s responsible for picture and color quality. With some sets, the bulb can easily be replaced. Other sets have bulbs that are built in to the LCD system, making matters more complicated when it’s time to replace the light source. Before investing in one of these sets, check into brands and model types. It pays to do a little research prior to buying.

The pros and cons of getting an online university degree

The question that is often asked is whether a degree earned through an online institution is worth as much as a degree obtained from a traditional university. Recent studies, including one carried out by the University of Phoenix, have indicated that there is no significant difference between distance learning and classroom learning. However, an online degree has its share of pros and cons. The obvious advantage of an online degree program is that the student can be located anywhere in the world, and yet enroll and pursue a degree course at a leading educational institution, such as the University of Phoenix Online. There are no fixed classroom timings, and it is up to the student to decide and pace his or her degree program. The student accesses all study material online, and interacts with the faculty through simple email messages. It is sometimes argued that in an online degree program, the classroom environment is missing, and the student either depends on material that is supplied by the University, or needs to reach out to the online resources such as online libraries. The success or failure of an online degree program also depends on the student’s self-discipline. While a traditional classroom situation ensures that the student adheres to the timetable, an online program often leaves it to the student to define the timetable—if the student is unable to exert self-discipline, there is a possibility that the course might overrun the acceptable timeline. There are also some doubts expressed about the value of an online degree as compared to a traditional degree. However, if the institution imparting online courses is trusted in the academic world and accredited, an online degree is held in high esteem. The University of Phoenix is both trusted and accredited, and has an experienced faculty that is able to communicate effectively with students online. The study conducted by the University of Phoenix compared its own campus-based students to distance learners and came to the conclusion that the current online format is the most effective vehicle for distance education. But while this study revealed that on campus learning at the University of Phoenix provides no significant advantage over distance learning with that same University, it would be presumptuous to assume that the analogy also extends to other online universities.

What a black belt means to me a way of life

Being a black belt is more than just another rank in the martial arts. It’s a milestone that every martial artist strives for but only a small percentage actually achieve. Obtaining a black belt or equivalent ranking in any art takes a lot of dedication and perseverance. The journey appears never ending as a kyu rank (under belt), but once you reach that stage its an amazing achievement. When I was 13 years old I passed my Sho Dan test. I can remember sleeping with my belt practically every night. No joke. I would take it everywhere – the folks and I are going to the store, my belt came along. Spending the night at a friend’s house, my belt came along. What I didn’t realize though, is there comes a great deal of responsibility by being a black belt. I don’t believe one recognizes this until they have been a Yudansha (black belt) for a few years. It probably didn’t hit me until I was a full time instructor, and more when I stepped away from teaching. Students look up to us. We are what they want to be when they grow up. Remember when you were a child and you had a favorite athlete and when you played that particular sport you were always them. That’s what a black belt resembles. Students watch every move we make and duplicate them almost to a ‘T’. We are roll models to them and their families. I accept that. I would rather make a positive impact in a young martial artists life then see them throw their life away. I would rather inspire a self-doubted child, than see him struggle with confidence issues throughout his childhood and into his teenage years. So what does a black belt mean to me? A way of life. I pay more attention to the path, and not the pinnacle of the art because in reality, there is no pinnacle. It is a journey that will never end. And now that I am in the process of opening my own dojo, being a San Dan has more meaning than before. I wan to make sure I am the best martial artist I can be in order for my future students to learn the beauty of Wado-Ryu. Our instructors, and their instructors, and their instructor’s instructor were taught certain ways to carry themselves and expectations of being a black belt. Whether it be physically, mentally, or socially. This has been passed down to us and it is our duty to continue to pass this “unwritten rule” on to future generations of martial artists. Why? It’s tradition. It’s the martial way. We are the leaders of our dojo. Now that you know what a black belt means to me, I challenge you to find out what a black belt means to you. You can also read about my Journey to become a blackbelt by going to ExperienceMartialArts and clicking on the "Learn" tab.

Check your communication skills

Use this check list to assess your communication skills. Focus * Do you pay complete attention to others when they are speaking? (A wandering focus discourages open communication.) * Do you manage your thoughts during a conversation, focusing them on understanding what the other person is saying? (Effective listening requires more concentration than any other form of communication. If you’re thinking about anything other than what the person is saying, you’re defeating your ability to understand.) * Do you postpone preparing your reply until after you have heard everything the other person has to say? (Thinking about what you plan to say while the other person is speaking prevents you from understanding what that person is saying.) * Do you ignore distractions, such as other people, ambient noise, and the surroundings? (Attending to distractions makes you appear uninterested, unfocused, and rude.) * Do you make eye contact during a conversation? (Watching a person’s face shows that you’re paying attention. You also gather nonverbal messages, which can convey most of the important information being conveyed to you.) Environment * Do you convey confidence, courage, and strength during your conversations? (A pleasant manner will encourage people to trust you and tell you more. Negative behavior conveys weakness, insecurity, and fear.) * Do you react calmly to bad news? (Anger frightens people into avoiding you.) * Do you encourage others to speak freely? (Appearing interested, asking questions, and treating others with respect encourages open communication.) * Do you use a diplomatic, positive vocabulary? (Talking about what you want is more forceful than talking about what you don’t want, won’t do, or can’t do. This means that you will avoid using the word "not.") * Do you seek solutions? (Seeking approval, culprits, or excuses, discourages communication.) Clarity * Do you stick to the subject? (Introducing new unrelated issues confuses the other person and degrades the quality of your conversation.) * Do you maintain a "you" focus? (Speak in terms of what the other person needs, wants, and understands because that enhances the impact of what you say.) * Do you avoid games? (Asking trick questions, setting traps, and making others look bad will cause people to avoid you.) * Do you use a linear, logical approach to explaining things? (Make it easy for others to understand what you're saying because it’s more efficient.) * Do you use common terms? (Avoid jargon and flowery speech because these impress only the person using them.) Effective leaders answer "yes" to all of these questions. And that is what makes them so successful.

Reports and analysis for generic cialis and viagra sales

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Save huge amounts on long distance calls using voip

Did you ever consider using your computer and the internet connection that you already have and that you are probably already paying a monthly fee for, to phone friends, family and relatives abroad? Normal telephone rates for long distance calls can be very expensive and especially if you are calling countries that are one of the major industrialized ones. If you would like your phone bill to much smaller or maybe even totally disappear then you really need to learn about the VoIP technology that already exists and are becoming more and more common due to the low cost (or even zero costs) and the high quality it provides. But first I will cover some basics with you about the technology with which you are able to phone using your computer and internet connection. The 4 letter term “VoIP” stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It is a technology that has become public within the last 5-10 years and what it does is that it converts audio signals into small data fragments called packets. These packets are then sent to the person in the other end using the internet highway. When it arrives at its destination it is reassembled and transformed back into audio that the person in the other end can hear. It might sound a little bit strange but the process in not that different from sending emails to friends and relatives. An email is also transmitted through small packets sent over the internet at the speed of light. The great about this form of communication is that it is fast, reliable and very economic. Why not switch to VoIP? The most obvious reason for using VoIP is that it is definitely the way of the future. There are no standard telephone providers that are able to compete with the VoIP providers low prices if they are to use their old copper based systems. Even if they reduced their earnings and profit margins, their systems are just costly and ineffective to run, compared to the new VoIP technology. Using the internet protocols to send sound packages using the internet is an extremely cost effective way for the companies to provide the ability to make a phone call (long distance and short distance). The bottom line for you as the costumer will be that you are able to realize huge savings over your phone bills and especially if you are making many long distance phone calls. A nice little feature that you might not have thought of is that with this technology you will now be able to receive local phone calls no matter where in the world you are located. You will even be able to have local phone numbers in places like New York, Moscow, Toronto, London and any place else in the world (where there is a supplier for this product). Now that would look cool on a business card. So when you are on vacation in sunny Italy you can still receive a local call from e. g. US. Friends and family will be surprised when you tell them that you are not hope an that you are on the other side of the planet. So many additional free options As you would now be using a computer you have all the advantages of that. Most VoIP companies delivers standard packages that include: answering machines, show caller ID, voice mail option, video conferencing and many more. Skype – The Favorite Tool If you haven’t heard of Skype you haven’t been reading enough newspapers. Skype is a small piece of software that was developed by two young Scandinavian men. Not to long ago it was bought by Ebay and they both made fortunes. Skype provides a piece of software that you download to your computer. To be able to call someone else for free, the other person has to have the Skype installed as well prior to be receiving the call. Skype is 100% free to download and you are only charged if you would like to take advantage of some of the extra options that are available (voice mail, video conferencing etc.). A few years ago they also developed the concept of “Skype Out”, which offers you the possibility to contact any telephone line, without needing the end user to have the basic program installed. All they would need is a phone and a phone number. A few of the other companies that you could benefit from knowing are Vontage, Packet 8 and Sun Rocket. You can probably find many other great companies but be sure to do your research if you are not using one of the larger providers. Talk to people that have already used the smaller providers’ services to see whether they are happy with it.

8 Big small business mistakes

Here’s an interesting notion: Do you realize that there are mistakes you can make at various stages of your business’ growth that can be slowly killing it for months or even years if you don’t watch for them? Well, these mistakes do exist and they are not just reserved for the rookie companies. Many working businesses, including those you might think are “successful” because they’ve been around for 10+ years, are often still making them… and are possibly losing a lot of money and/or wasting a lot of time in the process. Although some of these big and sneaky mistakes seem aimed more at service type companies, they really do fit the bill for almost any type of industry. I’ve done my best with the listings below to give examples to prove it. Underestimating Project/Service Time - This is a big one and it pertains to service companies as well as companies that sell a product. This is a service company’s bread and butter. If you don’t estimate your time to perform each and every service in your repertoire, you will get burned and there is little you can do about it but bite the bullet and learn from it. The best way to estimate time is to do it once yourself or watch your best employee do the task and then throw in a little fudge factor on top of it. For product companies, time becomes an issue with logistics so be aware! Not Knowing YOUR Company Numbers/Incorrectly Setting Prices - Notice I emphasized the word “your”. It’s a common mistake to use a competitor’s as your pricing gauge without actually knowing why they use those numbers. Think about the nightmare you will get yourself into if you take a competitor’s price, cut it by 10% and then start selling. What if the competition has a bad pricing structure and is barely making money or even losing money?!?! What if your costs are more than theirs?!?! You can use competitor as a starting point but you can’t base your whole strategy on it. Different industries have their own variables as far as costs go and you need to be aware of them for your project or product pricing. What you pay for a product you are going to sell is not the only cost to have in your head when you are pricing products. How much your labor and materials cost for a service is only a piece of an hourly rate. Employees cost more than just salary and not every employee is part of your labor cost. Every company has insurance to pay for. There are tons of overhead expenditures that need to be part of your price. Oh, by the way, the big one that many people forget about in their price is the quality factor. What you include as “standard services” or “standard product features” as well as job site etiquette or in store service or warranties all need to go into your pricing. I’ll get to more on why in the next segment. Not Charging for All of Your Time & Costs - This seems like a stupid statement to some but I bet most business owners will admit that they have given away a little too much of the farm at times. Hey, there is nothing wrong with giving a little extra here and there to show you care. But either way, that’s not what I’m talking about here. What concerns me are those that put a lot of quality into their work or products or stores and do not cover the cost for it. As an example, say you run a service company and your competitors don’t do a certain standard service that you do. You can’t just undercut their price to steal a job; you need to have that cost covered in your rate and advertise the fact that it comes with the price upfront. Stores undermine themselves, for example, when they put more people on the floor for customer service but don’t charge for it. These things cost you money and when your competitors don’t do them it costs them less money. Put out better service and then under price them, and your competition just has to wait a little bit for you to fall on your face so they can swoop back in. As a business owner you need to believe that you are providing your clients worthwhile wares that deserve to be paid for. If you get the chance to explain why your prices are higher, then take that opportunity and do it. If they don’t like the fact that you include things that others charge extra for later or that you treat them better, then they are most likely completely price shoppers. You don’t want them as regular customers anyway. Trust me. Not Getting Paid Fast Enough - That’s right, the old cash flow issue. As long as you are actually making enough money to pay the bills, this problem can be solved, prevented or at least made to be not as bad as it could be. Here’s the deal: First off all, bill customers very promptly. It is very common for a small business to not have the procedures or systems in place to get invoices generated and out the door in a timely fashion (see the next segment for more). Again, this would seem unlikely since that’s the reason why we are doing the work - to get paid. But it is very easy for the people responsible for getting this info to the billing people to be too busy to get it there or not have enough organization to give it to them the right way. The second part to slowing down or stopping a regular cash flow crunch is to make the quickest payment deals possible with customers and the slowest possible with vendors and employees. If there is any way not to pay employees any more than twice a month, you better do it. Contractors always have an issue with this. If you must pay weekly, then tell them before they are hired that they will be getting the first week held back, essentially buying you a week. It will help, I promise. Part three involves credit. If your company can get a credit card, then get it. This allows for certain important things to be bought (that you can afford) that might come up during a cash flow crunch. Better yet, especially if you have no choice but to deal with 45+ day customer payments, do your best to get a company line of credit. This is a must if you plan on selling to the government or doing commercial service work. These clients often have 60 to 90 day wait periods. Failure to Have Solid Systems and Procedures in Place - Too many procedures (known as “red tape”) is the reason why many people start their own business in the first place. Unfortunately, having no procedures and systems in place at all is not an alternative. Depending on the type of industry, business owners must come to a happy medium or chaos and the unknown will ensue. Some basic examples where procedures or systems are needed include billing, collections, payroll, hr (interviewing, hiring, vacations, benefits, job responsibilities, etc.), manufacturing, operating equipment, maintaining equipment, inventory, sales calls/visits and logistics to name a few. Even a one person show needs to have some admin procedures in place. This will make it easier to hire temps and subcontractors and control what they are doing for you. Without at least a watered down version of a system or procedure to do everyday work, you will be to blame for causing many major headaches as your company grows. I can’t emphasize how important this is for when you bring on new employees. I’m sure you heard this before, but I am also a big proponent of having an employee handbook even for one employee. It’s amazing the trouble people can cause business owners just because they allow you to pay them. Spending Advertising Money Just to Say You Advertise - I would almost rather see my clients not advertise then to spend without regard to tracking the results. There is no point in a marketing campaign if you do not put things in place that allow you to measure how well the plan is working. The other wasteful part of marketing that many people make the mistake of doing, is not tracking their previously successful campaigns. Why some people think that just because a $400 dollar a month ad worked once very well for one busy season, that it will automatically work every year after that is beyond me. Spreading Yourself Too Thin - This is a classic mistake made by every entrepreneur. The key is to figure out when you are at that “wearing too many hats” point and start getting some help. The solution here is to know your strengths and to be able see when you are not performing the duties that demand these skills. If you are the best sales person on the company, you can’t get caught up in day-to-day operations. If you do, sales will slip and eventually you won’t have any operations to worry about. Think about this to help you figure out if you are spread too thin: Did you really go into business for yourself to work 80+ hours a week? Not Getting Help Soon Enough - Set goals to know when to hire people to take over where you are light on knowledge. Not getting help or waiting too long can kill a company. Most people who start a business do it because they are good at the technical end or the sales end. If you know the best way to make a widget, then your strength is in production and that is where your time should be spent. Hire an outside company or consultant to take care of the sales and marketing and then hire inside when you can afford someone full time. Don’t be something to your company that you are not. It will only hold you back. The three big issues people like to tackle themselves but usually are least knowledgeable about are legal issues, accounting/bookkeeping issues and daily operations issues. The odds are that these three things are your weakest link so if you don’t have a partner that has the background for these subjects, then be prepared to get help as soon as possible. It’s preferable that you do this before you start a business. Although looking for these problems at any time is a good idea, the end of a year or season is an excellent business interval to make sure you are not making these errors. Take the time, or make the time, to fix these problems. If you don’t know how to reverse the problems, then get some help. If you really don’t have enough time to either figure out if you have these issues or know they are there and can’t break away long enough to do it right, then get some help.

How to overcome writer s block

Sound familiar? No! Oh, get real! We've all experienced this phenomenon when we absolutely have to write something, particularly on deadline. I'm talking about. . . ..uh, I can't think of what the word is .. . oh, yes, it's on the tip of my tongue . . . it's: WRITER'S BLOCK!!!! Whew! I feel better just getting that out of my head and onto the page! Writer's block is the patron demon of the blank page. You may think you know EXACTLY what you're going to write, but as soon as that evil white screen appears before you, your mind suddenly goes completely blank. I'm not talking about Zen meditation stare-at-the-wall-until-enlightenment-hits kind of blank. I'm talking about sweat trickling down the back of your neck, anguish and panic and suffering kind of blank. The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer's block gets. Having said that, let me say it again. "The tighter the deadline, the worse the anguish of writer's block gets." Now, can you figure out what might possibly be causing this horrible plunge into speechlessness? The answer is obvious: FEAR! You are terrified of that blank page. You are terrified you have absolutely nothing of value to say. You are afraid of the fear of writer's block itself! It doesn’t necessarily matter if you've done a decade of research and all you have to do is string sentences you can repeat in your sleep together into coherent paragraphs. Writer's block can strike anyone at any time. Based in fear, it raises our doubts about our own self-worth, but it's sneaky. It's writer's block, after all, so it doesn't just come and let you know that. No, it makes you feel like an idiot who just had your frontal lobes removed through your sinuses. If you dared to put forth words into the greater world, they would surely come out as gibberish! Let's try and be rational with this irrational demon. Let's make a list of what might possibly be beneath this terrible and terrifying condition. 1. Perfectionism. You must absolutely produce a masterpiece of literature straight off in the first draft. Otherwise, you qualify as a complete failure. 2. Editing instead of composing. There's your monkey-mind sitting on your shoulder, yelling as soon as you type "I was born?," no, not that, that's wrong! That's stupid! Correct, correct, correct, correct? 3. Self-consciousness. How can you think, let alone write, when all you can manage to do is pry the fingers of writer's block away from your throat enough so you can gasp in a few shallow breaths? You're not focusing on what you're trying to write, your focusing on those gnarly fingers around your windpipe. 4. Can't get started. It's always the first sentence that's the hardest. As writers, we all know how EXTREMELY important the first sentence is. It must be brilliant! It must be unique! It must hook your reader's from the start! There's no way we can get into writing the piece until we get past this impossible first sentence. 5. Shattered concentration. You're cat is sick. You suspect your mate is cheating on you. Your electricity might be turned off any second. You have a crush on the local UPS deliveryman. You have a dinner party planned for your in-laws. You . . . Need I say more. How can you possibly concentrate with all this mental clutter? 6. Procrastination. It's your favourite hobby. It's your soul mate. It’s the reason you've knitted 60 argyle sweaters or made 300 bookcases in your garage workshop. It's the reason you never run out of Brie. FACE IT? IT’S ONE OF THE REASONS YOU HAVE WRITER'S BLOCK! How to Overcome Writer's Block Okay. I can hear that herd of you running away from this article as fast as you can. Absurd! you huff. Never in a million years, you fume. Writer's block is absolutely, undeniably, scientifically proven to be impossible to overcome. Oh, just get over it! Well, I guess it's not that easy. So try to sit down for just a few minutes and listen. All you have to do is listen? You don't have to actually write a single word. Ah, there you all are again. I am beginning to make you out now that the cloud of dust is settling. I am here to tell you that WRITER'S BLOCK CAN BE OVERCOME. Please, remain seated. There are ways to trick this nasty demon. Pick one, pick several, and give them a try. Soon, before you even have a chance for your heartbeat to accelerate, guess what? You're writing. Here are some tried and true methods of overcoming writer's block: 1. Be prepared. The only thing to fear is fear itself. (I know, that's a clichй but as soon as you start writing, feel free to improve on it.) If you spend some time mulling over your project before you actually sit down to write, you may be able to circumvent the worst of the crippling panic. 2. Forget perfectionism. No one ever writes a masterpiece in the first draft. Don't put any expectations on your writing at all! In fact, tell yourself you're going to write absolute garbage, and then give yourself permission to happily stink up your writing room. 3pose instead of editing. Never, never write your first draft with your monkey-mind sitting on your shoulder, making snide editorial commentsposing is a magical process. It surpasses the conscious mind by galaxies. It's even incomprehensible to the conscious, editorial, monkey-mind. So prepare an ambush. Sit down at your computer or your desk. Take a deep breath and blow out all your thoughts. Let your finger hover over your keyboard or pick up your pen. And then pull a fake: appear to be about to begin to write, but instead, using your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, flick that little annoying ugly monkey back into the barrel of laughs it came from. Then jump in ? quickly! Write, scribble, scream, howl, let everything loose, as long as you do it with a pen or your computer keyboard. 4. Forget the first sentence. You can sweat over that all-important one-liner when you've finished your piece. Skip it! Go for the middle or even the end. Start wherever you can. Chances are, when you read it over, the first line will be blinking its little neon lights right at you from the depths of your composition. 5. Concentration. This is a hard one. Life throws us so many curve balls. How about thinking about your writing time as a little vacation from all those annoying worries. Banish them! Create a space, perhaps even a physical one, where nothing exists except the single present moment. If one of those irritating worries gets by you, stomp on it like you would an ugly bug! 6. Stop procrastinating. Write an outline. Keep your research notes within sight. Use someone else's writing to get going. Babble incoherently on paper or on the computer if you have to. Just do it! (I know, I stole that line from somewhere?). Tack up anything that could possibly help you to get going: notes, outlines, pictures of your grandmother. Put the cookie you will be allowed to eat when you finish your first draft within sight, but out of reach. Then pick up the same type of writing that you need to write, and read it. Then read it again. Soon, trust me, the fear will slowly fade away. As soon as it does, grab your keyboard, and get writing!

The fear of stuttering

I am someone, who from what my parents have told me, started to stutter when I was four years of age. I have to say that I hated having a stuttering problem and was determined that I eventually would be able to have the confidence to say whichever words that I wanted to, in any situation. There were you see a number of words which I believed I just could not say and I also found it difficult to talk when I felt under pressure. After living with the stutter for eighteen years, I finally managed to achieve fluency and life has never been so good. It is like having a weight lifted from my shoulders. Many people who stutter find that it can, in a way, rule their whole lives. Every decision they take seems to be affected by the speech impediment. For example, I decided to leave school because of my own stutter. My life at school was made so much harder by being unable to converse fluently. In fact I used to fear going to school, this was mainly because I was scared that I would be asked to read out aloud from a book or would be asked a question in front of the whole class. I will never forget when I attempted to take part in a role play in an English lesson, I was a complete nervous wreck and had a terrible time. When I was at home, a place where I should be relaxed, I used to be afraid of the telephone of all things. Fluent people may well think that I am crazy from some of the things that I am admitting to in this article. On the other hand, I am sure other people who have a stutter may identify with some of the issues that I was trying to deal with on a daily basis. Going back to the telephone, there were many times when the phone would start to ring and I would just ignore it and not answer it. My parents would return home a little while later and would see that someone has perhaps left a message. They would enquire as to why I had not answered the call, I would reply with some excuse such as that I had popped out to the shops. As you can see I basically had a fear of stuttering and during this period I would do anything to avoid stuttering. To overcome the speech impediment I was willing to do anything to beat it.

Dance for fun

Dance for Fun We all have things in life we love to do. Some of these things we love more than others. Dancing is something that many of us, as we age, forget to make the time to enjoy. However, dancing is one of those simple pleasures in life that can also remind us to smile, to play, to spin around until we get dizzy, and most importantly to enjoy the simplicity of having fun without the worry of work, family, or finances getting in the way. It costs very little in most homes to simply turn the radio on, draw the shades and dance. You can dance with your significant other, your lifelong partner, and even your children. You do not have to worry about anyone watching and if they are watching you should take pity that they are spending their time worrying about what you are doing rather than dancing around and enjoying life to its fullest. Native Americans had the right idea when it comes to dancing. Let the beat be your guide and simply dance. They danced as a means of worship, to express submission to their gods, to exalt their gods, to display their joy, and as an outward expression of grief. They danced for love and they danced for war. Dancing to them was as natural as walking is to many of us and important means of expressing themselves not only as individual people but also as part of a larger and unified group. If you have never danced for fun, it's time to check out the various styles of dance and see what appeals to you as a style of dance. There are many types of dance and many different styles of music for those various styles. Line Dancing Line dancing is a style of dancing in which dancers line up and dance together by making the same dance steps at the same time. It has swept not only the nation but is quickly making its way around the world as an excellent source of dancing fun. It's also a great way to socialize and meet new people. While line dancing was primarily limited to country music in the beginning it has quickly made its way into other styles of music as well. Many bars, dance halls, and clubs will offer line dancing lessons on slow business nights in order to encourage extra business. Line dancing can be enjoyed by both men and women. Square Dancing This style of dance has a rather long history and has experienced a good degree of evolution over the past couple of decades. While it was once reserved for hoe downs and such square dancing is quickly becoming a hobby for many people across America and a great way to spend an evening and get to know others who share this hobby. This style of dancing is best enjoyed by couples and can be such great fun if you let your hair down a bit while participating. Belly Dancing Belly dancing can be enjoyed by men and women though it is most commonly associated with women. Unless you include the appreciation that goes alone with watching rather than participating and in that case the men may actually outnumber the women. Belly dancing is a very exotic and erotic form of dance that is almost always an audience thriller. It may take years to perfect your belly dancing moves and many study this style of dance their entire lives but it is a great physical activity that is a lot of fun. Dancing for fun is not only the best reason to dance by far, but it is far too often not the reason that people dance. People dance for competition, for exercise, and for many other reasons but not nearly often enough do we make the moves simply for the pleasure of doing so. If I could make one suggestion to everyone reading it is this. Go out and dance for the sheer joy of dancing. 669

Paramus new jersey retailing paradise

: Situated in the heart of Bergen County, New Jersey at the crossroads of state highways 4 and 17 is the town of Paramus, home to some 30,000 residents, but also home to one of the largest retail meccas in the world. Let’s take a look at Paramus and what has made this town such a popular destination for shoppers. Convenience – Nearly one million people live in Bergen County, but draw a 75 mile radius with Paramus at the center of it and the figure mushrooms to over 20 million people! Yes, all of northern and central New Jersey, New York City, southern New York State and parts of Long Island and Connecticut fall within this circle. That makes for a lot of potential shoppers in such a compact area. Malls – Four big malls plus several free standing retail establishments are located within the town.

The largest is the Garden State Plaza, a beautifully enclosed mall with over two million square feet of retail space. The Garden State Plaza features 280 establishments including Nordstrom, JC Penney, Lord and Taylor, Macy’s, and Nieman Marcus. Other nearby malls include the Bergen Mall,, Paramus Park, and the Fashion Center. Smaller malls include The Mall at IV and Thirty Five Plaza plus free standing retail establishments like home furnishing giant, IKEA. Tax Free – In New Jersey, there is no tax assessed on clothing purchases. For nearby New Yorkers, this is an attractive reason why a trip to one of Paramus’ many retail destinations is so desirable.

New Yorkers pay 8.25% tax on clothing, so the savings can be significant especially when purchasing back to school clothing, a uniform, a fur coat, etc. New Jersey’s sales tax rate is 6% for most other items. Closed on Sundays – Perhaps the biggest reason why Paramus is such a success is that most retail establishments must remain closed on Sundays. Blue laws are still in effect and the trade off that residents have made over the years was to allow all the stores in, but with one caveat: your business must be done in six days. Paramus isn’t for everyone, indeed Saturday traffic can be stifling and the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas can bring regular and constant traffic jams. Still, zip code 07652 – Paramus, New Jersey – is the second highest performing retail district in the nation, wedged between two popular New York City zips: 10022 and 10001. Visit the U. S. Census Bureau’s site at census.

gov for their Economic Census Report by Zip Code report for more information.

Are you the next jk rowling

Harry Potter. The name brings instant recognition from people all over the world. The books have sold over 350 million copies worldwide. Only the bible has more translations. The movies have gone on to grace the lists of the Top 10 grossing films of all time. When Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published in 1997, Joanne Kathleen Rowling was a previously unpublished author. She had no publishing credits, no insider knowledge, no friends in the industry. So how did she do it? How did she go on, in the space of ten short years, to become the first billionaire author on the planet? The answer to that question lies not in what she did in those ten years between the publication of the first book and the publication of the seventh, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The answer actually lies in what she did in the seven years prior to the first book’s publication. So if you’re an author who is yet to be published, you’re actually in the best possible position. Because it’s in this time, before your book hits the shelves, that you can have the greatest influence on its success. Quite simply, JK Rowling followed a four-step writing process that you too can adopt to write your very own list of bestsellers. The question is: do you have what it takes to be the next JK Rowling? Planning This is by far the most underrated of the steps in the writing process. And in the final wash up it is absolutely the most important. It was 1990 and Jo Rowling was on a train between Manchester and London. Harry literally strolled fully formed into her mind while she was gazing out the train window at a field full of cows. She spent the next four hours (the train was delayed) imagining Harry, the world he inhabited, the friends and enemies he had there and the dangers and joys he may encounter there. She had nothing to write on so had to be content to play this all out in her imagination. By the time she got off the train in London, the central cast of characters were already cemented in her mind. But did she go home and immediately begin scribbling a story with these characters? No, she didn’t. She spent five years, yes that’s right FIVE YEARS creating and developing every last detail of the wizarding world, including government and education systems, how the wizarding world stood shoulder to shoulder with the muggle world, and she devised a highly sophisticated system of magic that would eventually form the backbone of her own special brand of writing magic. On top of this she sculpted out the entire story, planning the details and events of all the seven books, before she put pen to paper to begin writing the first. Would you attempt to build a house without plans? Would you attempt to drive across the country without a map? Or would you set sail on the seas without a compass? Writing a book without a detailed planning stage is like attempting to build a house without plans. Miss this step and you are almost certainly destined to become lost in a forest of your own words. Writing When you are writing, you are just writing. You are not planning, you are not editing. You are writing. Once you have planned your story, it is time to sit down and write it. JK Rowling planned the Harry Potter series for five years before she put pen to paper on the first book She wrote the entire first book, and felt as though she were “carving it out of this mass of notes”. All the planning was worth it. She was able to devote herself to the actual task of writing, knowing that all the story and character elements she needed were covered. This is the best possible place for you to be in when you are writing a novel. Novels are long. Usually over 100,000 words and sometimes as many as 200,000 words and more. That is a lot of words! So if you have planned and structured your story effectively, done your research (either real or in your imagination) and collated your notes, then the writing process is an absolute joy, where you can be very certain of your ability to produce the best possible novel. Jo Rowling said she felt she “had to do right by the book”. She really believed in the story and so when it came to writing it, she made sure she had taken care of all the necessary preparation. Once that’s done, writing is almost easy! Rewriting Jo Rowling rewrote the opening chapter of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone a total of 15 times. Her own mother died just 6 months after her first attempt at Chapter One of that book, and that sent her into a frenzy of rewriting, essentially changing everything. The Potter books are about death, there is no doubt about that, and they are driven particularly by the death of Harry’s parents and his miraculous survival. When Jo Rowling experienced such a major turning point in her own life, she rewrote the story to reflect and process her own pain. Writing and rewriting are separate processes. Writing is scribing or sculpting out the drafts of the story. Rewriting is re-looking and re-seeing. Often the rewrite will show up where the story has gone off track and where questions asked at the start haven’t been answered by the end. In JK Rowling’s case, she realised after writing the entire first book that she had given away the entire plot of the seven books. She rewrote it in this light, and held many things back. Many successful authors say that you only write to rewrite. DH Lawrence even said that he wrote his entire first draft, threw it away and then started again from scratch. Editing Editing is the process of refining and polishing your manuscript. This part of the process may be done by you, or by an external editor. It is often wise to have an editor look over your work before submitting it for publication as it is extremely difficult to get the distance you need from your own work to see where it can be improved. Not that you have to listen to what the editor says. In the end it is your name on the spine of that novel and you are entirely answerable for its contents. Having said that, a good and subtle editor can lift your novel to heights that you may not be able to achieve on your own. It is clear from the Harry Potter series that JK Rowling was more tightly edited at the beginning (the first two novels are barely more than 200 pages and by the time we get to number five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, we are faced with a weighty tome of over 700 pages) so it is generally advisable at the beginning of your career to bear the advice of your editor heavily in mind, especially if you are new to publishing. In every event, less is more, and a distilled and focussed book is more likely to captivate and intrigue a new audience than a meandering epic that constantly loses its way. Writing a book is a process, never forget that. Each step in the process is unique but necessary. Don’t mix them, and certainly don’t attempt to skip any steps. Do that at your own peril. JK Rowling has shown the world what is possible if you adhere to the basic processes of the art and craft of writing a good story. So before you attempt your next novel, address the four steps in the writing process: planning, writing, rewriting and editing, and be sure you give each step its due. And who knows? You could be the next JK Rowling.

Online dating

Spruce up your appearance ladies and take grooming very, very seriously. For, where a man is concerned, nothing has changed so far as his dating instincts go. It’s just that technology is serving as a medium to couple up people made for each other. Online dating is the new buzz for all mate seekers. Who knows you meet the love of your life chatting for no reason. Online dating is a modern system which allows individuals to meet online and share their heart stories to develop a nice friendly relationship. It is a boon for those who are introvert and seems a bit scared at times. Internet gives you all chances to share your feelings with an unknown and when you find the person compatible, you may go and meet him/her. All you need to do is inviting him/her to meet or after few chats you may opt for talking on phones followed by a couple of meetings. Well, if you don’t know how to get into it, all you have to do is make a search of dating sites that allows you to go for online dating. Once you are on the dating site you can see varied kind of people. Not, all of them are there for fun, few seek serious relationship, few are for casual encounters and few are quiet shy to talk in person. Hence, communicating with to them and sharing their views might be a lifetime experience for you. Finding a like minded person on a dating site is pretty easy. The ball is in your court and entire decision lies on you to choose any boy/girl whose profile interests you to date. You may be scared of the disadvantages of online dating. It is agreed that online dating is stigmatized with various drawbacks including non credibility and deliberate misleads. But, remember “no risk, no gain”. Incredible and misleads may also happen in real life, so does that mean we stop meeting different people? That’s not the way we human live our lives. You should not forget that on internet, one get every chance to test the person at psychological, emotional or intellectual level. Moreover, the security to hide your vital information serves you an upper hand. Blocking people who by-pass your right as a net user is another advantage to get rid of them whom you don’t want to be around. These securities and captious approach makes online dating a safe place to search your lover. Throw away scary dreams of being alone and get a right match for yourself through online dating sites.

You re desire power and the 3 keys of all great people

Desire is a very strong Key towards your mind power. You must not only know “what you want”, but you must also “want it hard enough” and be willing to make an effort towards attaining it… And in order to do this you simply need to create a strong and intense desire towards whatever it is you want to accomplish or attain. You need to develop a desire so strong it will cause you to use every ounce of your power and energy, toward the accomplishment of your object or goal. Desire is said to be like a goal-striving energy, a sort of built-in magnet which has the means to pull whatever is needed to you… now this can work two ways for you, both as a “success magnet” or a “failure magnet,” it all depends on how you, the controller, controls it and also the goals you set for it. Very few people know how to create and hold a strong dedicated desire, they satisfy themselves with simply “wishing” or even a mild “wanting”, and fail to put into action a strong, intense and continuing desire. If you take a look at the progress of any person, who has accomplished both famous and wonderful things you will find there was, and is a strong and continuing desire for success, within them all… You see most of the time, people who are successful - only become successful at what they do after trying many, many times and after never giving up! All great people have the 3 Keys… 1. Know just what they want = (Belief, Enthusiasm ) 2. Want it hard enough = ( Desire ) 3. Are determined to get it = ( Will ) It is these 3 things only, which separate the men and women who have a strong sense of purpose, determination and desire, from the rest of us who merely “wish for things” A strong desire can have a tremendous influence on all of your mental faculties, causing them to put all of their power and energies to work for you. In fact, without desire you would not do much thinking at all, because there would be very little motive to do so... you would also perform no actions, as there would be no reason for such. Desire is the “mover of action” - both mental as well as physical action. The strength of your work, whether it is mental or physical, will be determined by the amount of desire that you have for the goal, object or end result of such work. The more you desire a thing… the more you want something, the harder you will work for it, and the easier this work will seem to you. You see any task you perform under the influence or incentive of a strong desire will seem much easier - than the very same task performed without such influence, incentive or encouragement. Desire and affection are the two main reasons we are influenced or compelled to “do things” If our desire or affection was somehow absent or missing, then there would be no action - because there would be no motive, reason or cause for such action or to do anything… So most of the time we act solely because we “want” or “like” to. Without desire or affection we would be unable to make any choices or decisions - this means we would perform no actions. Now we see that desire is the motive-power behind action. Take away this motive-power and there will be no activity or movement. Without this “want” and “want to” there would be no “will to do” and this would lead to “not doing” anything. Everything we do is prompted by desire in some shape or form. It would be impossible for us to remain without desire, and still act in one way or another - or in any way at all. Desire is the motive-power behind all action; it is the breathing force behind all natural activities, processes and events. We can easily learn how to become masters of our own desire, instead of being mastered by it... But before we do so, we must first desire to do so – we must desire to start, desire to achieve, and desire to finish what ever it is we want to accomplish in our life

Video poker how to play the game

: If you are looking for a fun and challenging alternative to playing slot machines, video poker is the game for you. Instead of simply pulling the machine handle and hoping that you will be lucky enough to meet a row of identical icons, in video poker your moves would rule whether you win or lose. Moreover, the house edge in video poker is much lower than at slots. Playing video poker is similar to playing draw poker on a slot machine. It enables you to enjoy the action of poker without having to face other players who may be more experienced and skilled than you are. In addition, in video poker, there are no dealers, no rakes, no bluffing, no cheating; it is all about you and your poker skills. How to Play Video Poker: There are several variations to video poker. Some of the video poker variations are played with standard 52 card decks while others are played with additional wild cards. All the variations are based on the traditional card game of poker. Therefore, a basic knowledge of poker hand ranking is necessary. You start by choosing the coin value you wish to play and then pick the number of coins that you want to bet. Afterwards, you click on deal and five cards will appear on your screen. You can discard some or all of the cards and replace them with new ones. After pressing hold on the cards you wish to keep, you push the deal button and the machine replaces your discarded cards with new ones. The outcome of the second draw determines whether you win or lose. Each video poker machine displays its payout table, which details the number of coins the machine pays for each five card poker hand. The payout table differs from one video poker variation to the other and so is the minimum hand that qualifies for a payout. Video poker odds are the same as in regular card poker. A 52 card deck produces more than 2.5 million hand combination. Each video poker machine is set by a random number generator, which simulates the probabilities of drawing any of the poker hand combinations. While in regular card poker, the casino ensure its profits by collecting a rake, in video poker the casino ensure its profits by setting each machine pay table differently. Video Poker Tips: 1) Learn the basics of draw poker before you start playing video poker at online casinos or at a casino nearby. 2) Know the machine payout of the table you have decided to play at by selecting the machine that offers the highest return. 3) Adjust your strategy to the specific video poker variation you intend to play. 4) Use a mathematical strategy to play the game correctly. 5) Do not keep cards that cannot be used to form a winning hand. 6) Hold on to any pair instead of keeping a high card. 7) Keep any pair rather than draw into a straight or a flush. 8) Practice playing online video poker in a play money mode.

Lose weight with living foods

Losing weight doesn't have to be boring when you focus on living foods. What does this mean? Simply by making sure your plate reflects a range of colours, you'll naturally create more balanced and healthful menus complete with a range of living foods. What are living foods? They are re live, colourful, fresh and raw - fruits, vegetables and salads! Let's Look At The Positives 1. Colourful foods have no preservatives and no added colour! 2. Provide an abundance of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, water and trace elements. 3. Have a high water content - an excellent source of hydration for the body. 4. Are visually appetising. 5. Their firm textures demand a good chew, so we eat them more slowly and feel full afterwards. 6. Are quickly and easily processed and assimilated by the body - less work for the digestive system. 7. Are safer - contain less undesirable man-made chemicals. 8. Are as nature intended (unlike processed, pre-packaged modern fast foods!) 9. Are pure energy - living food. Consuming Cooked Foods 1. Heat destroys the vitalising nutrients in colourful foods. So much so that sometimes, you may as well be eating cardboard for all the good it does your body! 2. The effectiveness of fibre in cooked fresh foods is reduced - vegetables that are floppy and overcooked pass through the body with a reduced 'cleansing' action. 3. If you cook vegetables, always steam them lightly and aim to retain their 'crunch'! 4. Cooked vegetables tend to turn out soft and therefore require less chewing, which means they are usually eaten more quickly, so are less satisfying. 5. Heat also destroys the enzymes in fresh foods, which are essential for digestion. This means the body has to tap into its own precious supply of enzymes to support the digestive process. 6. Heat also destroys the enzymes in fresh foods, which are essential for digestion. This means the body has to tap into its own precious supply of enzymes to support the digestive process.

Buying pre foreclosures

Buying Pre Foreclosures Pre foreclosures are known as properties that have reached the final stages before they get repossessed or taken back by the lender or bank. The owner is still in complete control of the property or home, although the bank or lender will repossess the home if the owner doesn’t attempt to rectify the situation. Normally, if the owner makes things right with payment, the pre foreclosure will settle and things will go back to normal. When buying real estate, there are several benefits to pre foreclosures. Although there are several ways that you can buy a home, pre foreclosure is one of the best. Even though it is one of the best ways to buy property, many people miss out simply because they aren’t familiar with pre foreclosures and all of the benefits that come with them. The best thing about pre foreclosures is the prices that are associated with them. In most cases, the owner has no choice but the sell the house, and therefore will listen to just about any offer that he receives. Due to this very reason, you can find pre foreclosures for sale at nearly 50% off market value. This is an ideal time to purchase, especially if you are looking to save a lot of money. Along with the great prices you can get with pre foreclosures, you’ll also have the luxury of dealing directly with the owner - no third parties involved. This is a great advantage, with buyers being in total control of pre foreclosure sales. In the event that the home owner decides to turn down your offer and cannot find another buyer, he will lose everything. Even if you offer the owner a small price, he will be able to make a little bit of money selling the home. You can find pre foreclosures that up for sale pretty much the same way that you can find homes in which the bank already has control of. You can look in the local newspaper, on the Internet, or by calling the lender directly. There are several options that you have in terms of finding pre foreclosures, giving you plenty of options. Once you have found a pre foreclosure for sale, it’s up to you to seal the deal and get the home of your dreams at a very affordable price. When you compare foreclosed properties with pre foreclosed properties, you’ll find that there is less competition involved with pre foreclosures. Pre foreclosed homes are a great purchase, as they will normally come at a very affordable price. Those of you who have been looking for a new home shouldn’t hesitate to check out pre foreclosed properties. They are a great investment - and can indeed be very profitable in the long run. (word count 459)

Find answers to disturbing questions using keylogger

This solution is System Keylogger. It logs keystrokes, chat conversations, applications, windows, websites, passwords, emails and can take screenshots at a given period of time. System Keylogger is the ultimate surveillance tool. It is invisible, informative and impeccable. System Keylogger can be used for monitoring PCs at home and in the office. At home, you can look after your child. You’ll see what resources he’s visiting and notice if he spends time in suspicious chats or forums. You’ll know before it’s too late if he gets an invitation from an unfamiliar person asking for a meeting without your consent. The program can help you to save your marriage. If your spouse acts suspiciously and it looks like he’s having an affair online, you can use the spyware to log his emails and chats. This’ll enable you to act beforehand and help to make things right. Another good point of using System Keylogger is that it can raise efficiency of your office employees. Use the program to log what applications they are running, what websites they are visiting and make screenshots to see how they spend time in front of PC. It’s also possible to turn on the splash screen that will inform them about logging. You can use System Keylogger absolutely without a risk of being exposed. While the program is active, it’s almost impossible for an unauthorized person to notice, deactivate or terminate it. The advanced stealth engine will hide it from System Tray and Task Manager. It’s also important that when it comes to viewing the collected data, System Keylogger is at its best, delivering all logs through a friendly interface. Moreover, you can even make System Keylogger send Activity Logs via E-mail or FTP to monitor your PC remotely. With System Keylogger, you can be sure that everything is OK, both in your family and at work. It’ll let you notice the upcoming problem in advance, so you’ll be able to deal with it promptly. Whether you want to keep an eye on your child, spouse, employee or anyone else who uses your PC, System Keylogger will be the optimal solution. Being aware is being secured. Visit systemkeylogger to get a trial and see the program in action. Pricing and Availability System Keylogger runs under all versions of Microsoft Windows and costs $49.99 (USD) for a single-user license. Licensed customers are entitled to the fully-functional version of the product, free technical support and free upgrades. More information on System Keylogger, as well as its free trial copy is available free of charge from systemkeylogger.

Some facts and myths about acne

Truth is acne is actually part of growing. The acne pimples are part of the skin forming like wounds and cysts that occur as part of the changes a kid experiences in the process of puberty. Teenagers would seek counsel from any of their peers or even their parents about these pimples or they may choose to deal with it ignorantly. The following are the most common myths about acne that teenagers believe and the facts that oppose these ideas: • Washing the face for many times Many believe that the more they wash their face the lesser pimples they get. This isn’t proper, this is called over washing. In fact, complications may result from over doing the routine since it will irritate the skin due to the use of harsh soaps. Acne occurs as a result of some foul changes such as dead skin cells inside the skin and doing something harsh on the surface of the skin wouldn’t make a difference. It is good to wash the face regularly but it must be done gently using a cleanser or mild soap. The number of washes should not exceed to two times a day. • Popping the pimple/s Some people just can’t wait for their pimples to vanish so they choose to pop it out. By doing this, the skin becomes vulnerable of infection, scarring, and even more pimples due to the bacteria that gets into the skin while popping the acne pimples out. • Tanning for acne treatment Sunlight kills skin bacteria but it doesn’t mean that it is an alternative for treating acne pimples. In fact, if skin cells die out and result to dried skin then the skin produces more oil which is one of the factors that cause pimples. • Diet as one factor for getting acne Chocolate, coffee, oil, and sugar among many foods people eat do not, in any way, cause acne. No type of diet can cure acne but healthy lifestyle can certainly avoid infections caused by pimples. Some foods were actually proven to exacerbate acne only in cases of allergy but never were it proven to be the main cause. • Long hair complicates acne The cause of acne is bacteria and if the person’s hair is long and is not cleansed properly then it will definitely complicate acne. • Girls are more susceptible to having acne than boys Acne is commonly present among boys due to the male hormone called androgen which is dominant. The most disturbing myth about acne is its being contagious. People don’t have to fear friends who have acne because the bacteria that cause acne is basically contained by the skin and not in the surface. Acne is disturbing for growing individuals but it would become less disturbing if kids and teenagers know the facts and not the side lies.

Time management notes organizing for a fresh start

Think back to your elementary school era, to your first day in a new school year. Regardless of what happened the semester before, you had a chance for a fresh start. There were no time management issues following you. You were dressed in your best clothes, with new supplies, and you walked into a well-laid-out, neat classroom, ready to have a productive year. A desk was assigned where you carefully placed your supplies. Books were passed out, and you added those to the desk contents. You were in control, with no distracting clutter anywhere. Now jump two months into the school year. Take a look at some of those desks again. Which one most closely resembled yours? Were you the one whose desk still had all the books stacked inside, large textbooks on the bottom, smaller ones on the top, pencils right at the edge inside of the desk for easy access? Were you the one who appeared to own more books and papers than anyone else in the class because your desk was overflowing? There were books falling on the floor all the time, wrinkled papers sticking out, no pencil or crayons to be found without a major overhaul. Move ahead a few years to present day. When you walk into your office in the morning, what is your first reaction? Is it excitement about the prospects for the day or dread at having to cope with all the daily demands while operating in disorganization? Unfortunately you do not often have the opportunity to make a fresh start each year as children do. Instead you tend to keep on accumulating more and more year after year without the chance to clear out your space at the end of a term. You might begin to resemble the child with the overflowing desk. As he pulls out a book, several other items crash to the floor. Now the class has to wait while he gets his things together. He is using up valuable time, and he is also causing others to lose valuable time. A similar scenario occurs in everyday work situations. Are you being as effective as you can, or are you bogged down because of all the clutter around you? Have you ever held up a project because you misplaced information or overlooked a deadline? The first point of entry into your workday is usually the desk. You will never be an efficient time manager if you do not have control of the paper and clutter surrounding you. Even if your personal area is organized, you are directly affected by the disorganization of colleagues. When they do not have appropriate systems, they end up interrupting you to ask for a report or to question a date. They might show up late for meetings or not follow through on an important project. Their lack of organization leads to numerous inefficiencies, and then to stress and subsequent illnesses. All of these can have a direct impact on you and those around you. Consider setting aside time once or twice a year to stop, catch up or reorganize, and give yourself a fresh start. Your attitude on entering a clear, well-laid-out space will add a positive slant to each day and more hours of productive output. It is also a great lesson for children. ©2007-2008, Key Organization Systems, Inc., All Rights Reserved

Myspace layout can make a difference

With Myspace, the social networking sites were revolutionized on the Internet. This was because for one, everyone flocked to this site and next, the number is growing every day. This is truly amazing for a social networking site, as not every sit gets such a large number of users. There are various reasons for the popularity of the site to grow to such a large extent. This is because of the various features that are offered for the site. One such feature is the layouts, and these are available in plenty. There are various sites on the web that offer Myspace layouts completely free of cost. There are various designers too that keep updating these sites, and this is always a pleasant experience. This allows a lot of variety for the users. If users want to keep changing their Myspace layouts too, they can do so as often as they can. The layouts will make a difference because there are millions of users on this site. As these users are always on the lookout for new friends and associates, they might just hit upon a certain profile. And if the Myspace layouts are used very well, then they will take an interest in the profile. This may also open doors for various opportunities. With social networking sites, there is always the chance that people are on the lookout for various new friends groups or other interests. They might have not even seen this particular Myspace layout. This is what will make it more interesting, as there are so many of them, and one user might have not seen the other. Myspace layouts will make a big difference to the profile. As the profile will consist of various divisions, layouts will make navigation very easy. The navigation then becomes very interesting if the layouts are of various kinds. Users will have the options of choosing these various layouts from various categories. There can be cartoons, there can be exciting graphics and there can be love themes. Depending on what they are posting their profile on the social networking site, they may pick Myspace layouts. There could be people who are interested in entertainment and they would want to form groups of the same. They may then set the layouts to such an extent, and this will make the profile unique. If it is related to the theme of the profile, it is even better. This allows for a very interesting reading for those who choose to visit the profile. They may even come across this by chance, and what better way to keep them interested than with the visual treat. Besides being interesting, it makes for a visual treat. This is enough to keep the reader occupied, and they will then take the time to read all the information on the profile.

The teaching of abraham secrets of the law of attraction

The law of attraction is an ancient law that has recently been brought to light through Esther Hicks. Esther Hicks channels spirits that collectively use the name – "Abraham." According to the law of attraction "that which is like unto itself is drawn." In simpler terms this can be expressed as like attracts like. It could also be said as - as you sow, so shall you reap; what goes around comes around; what your put out you get back and what you want, wants you. Many successful people have lived by the positive philosophy of the law of attraction including, by self admission, Oprah Winfrey. The secret that is said to have once been known by Beethoven is now common knowledge thanks to the works of Esther Hicks and her husband Jerry Hicks. The statement "ask and you shall receive" is common knowledge. The law of attraction says "Ask, believe, receive." Abrahams secret teachings say how all things that are wanted or unwanted are brought to you by the law of attraction. A belief is only a thought that you keep thinking. Never before has the law of attraction been explained as clearly as it is here by Abraham through Esther and Jerry Hicks. Let us examine the basics of the law of attraction. Once a vibration is activated by you, a response is given via the law of attraction. If you ask, you receive. According to the law of attraction, everything is valid and truthful. In the germination of the seed of your desire is everything that is necessary to make your desire true. You must relax and let the law of attraction organize and manage and then happily do your work. The secret law of attraction that has now been revealed is a universal law. Universal laws cannot be changed or broken. They have been around since the dawn of creation. They apply to everything, everywhere. They are basic principles on which life is based. The law of attraction, revealed by Abraham-Hicks is the most powerful force in the universe. Practice is needed to "get it" but once you get it you need never look back. The secret of the law of attraction is – like attracts like. This means many things. You are a living magnet. Energy attracts energy. You get what you focus on whether you want it or not. Though some people are better at attraction than others are, this does not mean the person with average law of attraction skills cannot get better of even surpass others. In working the secret law of attraction, always take inspired action. If something feels right, go ahead and do it. Always expect your desires to come true. Expect miracles to happen. Money, relationships and jobs happen in our life according to our expectations. The moment we focus on them, they start moving toward us. The quality of desires we focus on affects what we get from life. Our thoughts and feelings must affirm the positive to bring in happiness into our lives. Think you have as much money you want in your life. Then feel it. Also, believe it. Believe that you already have as much money as you want in your life. Be grateful for the money you have. Accept yourself as a rich person. Do the same with relationships and with jobs. Think, believe, feel and accept yourself in a positive position on these and the positivity will come to you. This is the secret that has been revealed by Abraham-Hicks in the law of attraction What we focus on is brought to us. If it is on having less, we create that experience for ourselves. If it is on having more we bring richness into our lives. The man who says he hates his job is creating this reality for himself by not noticing the good parts of his job. If we obsess on not having something, then we are blocking what we deserve from coming to us. The secret is wanting, believing and accepting what you desire in your life. Most people focus on their not having things they want rather than having them. This is a negative thought process and blocks what we want from coming into out lives. Once a secret, it is now known that the law of attraction is not mystical mumbo jumbo but a fact that has been borne out in countless lives. Expect positivity and receive positivity. So think, feel and believe positive. That is the law of attraction in a nutshell.

Three truly liberating procrastination tips

Are you immobilized by procrastination and indecision? We all know that it is impossible to steer a car that’s not moving and the same is true with your life. You simply cannot direct and steer your life if you are immobilized by procrastination and indecision. It is what prevents you from doing the very things you need to do to make progress. This debilitating behavior, or shall I say lack of behavior, is responsible for destroying so many dreams and aspirations. Action is the proper fruit of knowledge and doing what you ‘know’ is often much harder than knowing ‘what’ to do. This is actually a very accurate description of procrastination. It is the frustrating pattern of wanting to (consciously), knowing how to, but not doing it. It is the lack of action that keeps you from moving forward and making progress. Frustration sets in when you know you can do something, but still you don’t, and this frustration can easily turn into anger, a loss of self confidence and even depression. If you are the kind of person who’s actively improving and developing yourself, then there’s usually a gap between where you are and where you want to be. The only way to close this gap is to take action; to act on your desire for change and self improvement. For this very reason you simply cannot afford to be stuck in procrastination. You must take action and liberate yourself from the disempowering effects of procrastination. Procrastination is not so much a behavior as it is a way of thinking. The real problem is with your psychology and not with your behavior - the behavior is only the symptom. To liberate yourself from procrastination you must liberate yourself from the inside. It’s an internal shift that’s necessary and once you make the internal shift, it will automatically spill over into your actions. Here are three powerful procrastination tips that will help you liberate yourself from its immobilizing effects. 1. Detach Yourself From Your Behavior. Realize that you are not your behavior. As soon as you start identifying with a behavior you become it. Just because you procrastinate at times does not make you a procrastinator – unless you believe it. One of the strongest forces within the human personality is for your behavior to be consistent with your self concept. Once you believe that you are a ‘procrastinator’ all your actions will be filtered through this belief. Since all beliefs are self-reinforcing you will only strengthen this belief with your (in)action. Instead, you must start by building a positive self image and develop empowering beliefs. Choose different ways of defining yourself and forget about what you’ve done up until now. This is a fresh moment and you can change everything around, right now, by changing your beliefs about yourself. 2. You Don’t Have To Get It Perfect - You Just Have To Get It Started One of the major causes for procrastination is this notion of wanting to get everything perfect. For some it even goes as far as waiting for the ‘perfect time’ before they take action. Underneath this need to get things perfect lies the fear of failure and how your results will reflect on you. See, when you do nothing, nobody can judge or criticize you. Right? Wrong! If you do nothing you will get nowhere. This universe is one that is driven by action. There are NO rewards for inaction. Only frustration and a longing for something that you know you can achieve, ‘if only you do it’. Instead of making perfection your goal, you should make ‘starting’ your goal. As you do this and practice it you will soon discover the real secret: once you start, you build momentum and you end up doing much more than you ever intended to do when you set out to just get it started. Perfection does not exist. Don’t be misguided by the illusion that you have to get it perfect. It’s a weak excuse and one that will keep you immobilized. Liberate yourself and strive for a ‘poor’ result – that way you cannot be disappointed! 3. Change Your Perception One of the most profound teachings that have its roots in eastern philosophy, is that when you change the way you look at things, things change. This idea can free you from virtually anything that might be holding you down. All of life relies on perception. What you ‘take in’ with your senses are nothing but a vast array of sounds, colors, shapes, images and smells. None of it has any meaning in itself. You are the one that can give it meaning, and you are the one that gets to decide how you interpret this information. Procrastination is nothing but a way of evaluating something and assigning a meaning to it that keeps you from taking action. At some level, mostly subconscious, you believe that taking action will be more painful than not taking action and by design; you will prevent yourself from taking action. This is one of the most powerful procrastination tips and you can liberate yourself by starting to change the way you look at the things that you are procrastinating about. Ask yourself ‘what else can this mean’ and instead of saying that you ‘have to do it’ – say that you ‘choose to do it’. The difference is subtle, but significant. Change the way you look at things and the things will change. These three procrastination tips are by no means the begin all and end all of overcoming procrastination, but it will most certainly help to liberate you from being immobilized by procrastination and indecision.

All you need to know about agents for now

The agent issue is such an emotional one for writers. Having one is a huge validation. I was fortunate to sign with an agent while still writing my first novel and it was wonderful being able to work and know that someone was waiting for what I was writing. But the eagerness to have that feeling often pushes writers to make poor decisions when it comes to the hunt for an agent. With some thinking, solid preparation and research it is possible to hook up with an agent and have a satisfying relationship with him or her. Here are five crucial points to help you with the process. 1. Do You Need An Agent? You've probably heard the oft-cited fact that most publishers these days don't read unsolicited manuscripts. But that only means that the editor hasn't been contacted beforehand. If you send a query letter and the editor asks to see your book or book proposal, you can send it without going through an agent. However, if the editor does want to make an offer, they will suggest that you get an agent. An agent will help you get the best deal possible and, in the best of worlds, an agent will also be interested in helping you develop your career as a writer. If you can get an agent before the submission process, I think that's even better because the agent can help you put your manuscript in the best shape possible before it gets submitted. As they say, you only get one chance to make a first impression. With that in mind... 2. Be Ready. You have to be writing at a top level to grab an agent's attention. Unfortunately, a number of writers tend to skip that part. You may be eager to get an agent, but if you're continually sending out subpar material, you'll be seen as a writer with poor skills and poor judgment and someone not to be taken seriously. Granted, I know you want to know that you're not writing for nothing and an agent would provide that validation, but at some point you have to make the decision that you're writing for the long haul and working on your craft. If you can do that, getting an agent will not be a problem. 3. Find the Right Agent. When you're ready to make the search, DO NOT get a bunch of names and do a mass mailing to anyone with the title "agent". You'll only get a bunch of rejections from agents who don't handle your material or aren't looking for new clients. If you do a little work, you can find out what kind of writers an agent represents and the type of material they favor. Writer's Digest publishes the Guide to Literary Agents (see below) where you'll find complete listings. Here's another great tip: if you join Publishers Marketplace, you can get a daily e-mail listing of what deals have taken place in the book industry. You'll see what kind of book sold, what editor bought it and the agent who represented the author. This is good information because you'll see immediately who is representing your type of writing and--more importantly--who is buying it! 4. No, You Don't Have to Pay an Agent! I get asked about this a lot, usually by writers who have already been taken advantage of by agents who charge expensive "reading fees". A good agent makes money when you make money (usually a 15 percent commission). You'll want to ask some questions. If an agent makes most of his money from writer fees and not from actual sales, you'll want to move on. A good way to weed out this group is by checking out members of the Association of Author's Representatives (AAR). Members of AAR are forbidden from charging fees. 5. Network! An agent is much more likely to pay attention to a manuscript from someone they have met personally. I know networking and meeting agents can be hard if you live in the mountains of Arizona or on an island in Puget Sound. But consider it part of your work as a writer to get out to a conference at lease once or twice a year to meet agents, editors and, of course, other writers! I'll let you know when good ones are coming up. One last note An agent is NOT a magic pill. Even the best agent can't work miracles with mediocre material. It will ALWAYS be your job to do your best writing. © 2005 Sophfronia Scott