Rabu, 29 Februari 2012

How Do You Know If Your Charity Wristbands Donation Is Getting Where It Should?

You might have seen your friends and other people wearing colorful wristbands. After all they have become a great sight and an evolving fashion trend as well. But do you know that they are actually available in large numbers as charity wristbands? And as you buy charity wristbands , all the money that you spend on them goes straight for the charity that the band is supporting. But the matter of the fact is how do you know if your charity wristbands donation is getting where it should? Can they be really trusted?

Before we discuss this major aspect of charity wristbands, it is important to know what charity bands are and how do they work. So, let’s have a sneak peek at charity wristbands.

The charity wristbands are among the most popular trends of the new Millennium. Wearing a charity band is to display publicly one’s support for the particular noble organization. When you donate to any particular foundation or organization, they give you a charity wristband as a token of appreciation.

Initially made famous by the Livestrong wristbands in yellow color from Lance Armstrong Foundation, the present day wristbands can be availed in any texture or color and size. Generally they are made of rubber or plastic, while there are also some made of wood, metal or string. Their color actually tells you about the cause they are promoting. For instance, the wristband of green color supports the cause of Cancer with the message ‘Reach the Day’.

Buying charity wristbands and donating money to the charity is indeed a worthy cause but it should always be carried out with honesty. There are some allegations against buying wristbands for charity. Some people think it is as waste of money on the name of charity. According to these people, by the time the band’s cost and other commissions get in place, a very little amount is left on the name of charity in the end.

And this is a fact about these charity bands that people ignore. After you pay the charity as a wristband and wear it on your wrist, awfully little amount actually comes to the people who need charity.

As you want to check the genuineness of charity bands and want to know whether your charity is going where it should be, I want to ask you why don’t you go and donate directly. The act cannot charitable when you are buying and using the bands as a fashion accessory or item. You are ready to pay four times more of what they cost because you want to own them, as they look COOL! This part of the charitable act makes it really sad.

Another very important thing for you to know is that due to the rising popularity of these charity bands, there are many such fake items available in the market as a piece of charity. The market is full of them and they are available very easily. The main motive of these fake bands is to attract fashion crazies. Many US schools have forbidden the entry of bands as they are cheating children. The vendors are selling such bands for their own profits, so where is the charity?

There is a word of caution about these charity wristbands: Make it sure that you buy the charity wristbands from the authorized sources. Only then it will go where it should be and the needy will be benefited.

Selasa, 28 Februari 2012

Westerners are looking for Russian brides!

For pretty much time an image of the Russian bride has been in ideal woman for every man. And it's not a simple coinsidence – there are some weighty reasons why Americans and Europeans come to Russia in searching for their love.


Actually it's the prior reason is quite simple - they can find in Russia a better wife than at home! When the westerners say «Russian bride» it usually means «the best woman ever»! So why is it this?


It's a common knowledge that there is a huge community of Americans permanently living in Russia, with their own newspapers and websites – you can check the websites of these American expatriates to make sure in the trustworthiness of my words: Russian brides are looking for a husband abroad for the same reason! They want to meet a life partner that they failed to meet at home. They are not going to take advantage of the men to immigrate. They are want to find their love!


The other reason lies in Russian demographics. The thing is that men to women ratios differ dramatically between the countries. The latest figures from The Economist show that in United Arab Emirates there are about 186 males for 100 females. It’s clear the competition for eligible females should be stiff there. If you are a single male, the Emirates will be the last place in the world to look for an available woman - unless you live there, of course.


So what is the best place for a single guy to search for the soulmate? - The lowest men to women ratios are in Eastern Europe. Countries like Russia and Ukraine are on the top of the list, with only 88 males to 100 females in general, in somу cities there's much more women than men (the simple example is Ivanovo, Russia – it's called the Сity of Brides on this matter). The latest Russian census provided astounding figures of 10 million more women than men.


There the situation is exactly the opposite the one of United Arab Emirates: the single men in Russia (as in the other FSU countries) are more precious than gold. So if you are a single guy, exploring your dating options - Russia would be the perfect option!


The third reason (in this list, not by the importance, of course!) - Russian brides are unique! By their nature, Russian ladies are tender and warm, and at the same time they are diligent, strong and hard-working, especially, when they do something for their family and people they love. As history shows, the Slavonic women are not spoiled with feminism. They are mostly family oriented and traditional, they obtain the knowledge of keeping happy family nest from their grandmothers. Those clever old-ladies teach their grand-daughters how to be kind, loving and caring with their future husband and children. The grannies pass on to their lovely descendants the secrets of cooking, sewing, knitting and house-holding. At the early childhood they start reading Russian national fairy-tales to their granddaughters. And those old and kind tales mostly teach the morals and show the attitude of the Russian beauties to her man.


So if you really want to find a woman of your dreams, a woman that will love you forever – just visit Russia or Ukraine. I'm sure you'll find there the lady you deserve!

Senin, 27 Februari 2012

Russian girl – a dream or reality?

Haven't you ever think about going for online dating? No? Aren't you sure that it is completely what you need? So now, I will tell you why this kind of dating works for everybody.


Online dating will help you to find your second half – your Russian girl. Why is it less complicated? There are a lot of matchmaking services that are ready to help you. The convenience of these services is that you can confortably sit in your armchair near the fireplace at home corresponding with Russian girls you are interested in. Some men think that going to Russia to make a «bride research» makes more sense. But it really doesn't, believe me on word. We're living in a dangerous world and Russia (and other former USSR countries where you cam find your Russian lady) is not an exception. There are a lot of scams there and if they know that you're a foreigner, the working of those cheeters will begin again! So my advice is – choose a reliable online dating site and start seaching for your second half. The best sites even have such service as a Tour – the agency helps you with transportation to the city, your future beloved lives, helps you with appartment, arranges meeting with the girl you are interested in. And it's up to you to decide who much time to spend on the online dating because it saves much time! Of course you can have many questions concerning this kind of communication with women, that's why all matchmaking sites such an option as FAQ and the managers of these services will help you any time you have difficulties or when you ask for a piece of advice. The most asked question here is: can I correspond with several ladies at the time?


The answer is - of course, you can! Moreover, ladies understand why it's happenning. Anyway, it's a lifetime decision and you're free to choose. The general advice here – correspondance with several ladies won't harm anyone, especially you. It happens that after a long and warm letters people meet each other and feel no «love chemistry» at all – that may be very dissappointing, for some Western gentlemen it's a crash of their dream! So, if you meet several ladies, you have more chances to feel «chemistry» with at least one girl.


There is such an opinion that serious people don't use online dating services. It's absolutely wrong. It's easier to them, because know exactly what they want. So you correspond with the ladies you've chosen and then analize what lady you like the most and start communicating with this lady only!! It's easier, faster and more convenient than the «usual» dating. If your relationship reaches the moment when it's time to meet each other, you can plan a meeting either at her homeland or at yours.


The only problem during these meetings can be a language barrier. Sorry to say, but only several Russian girls speak any foreign language well. Nevertheless you can order some English lessons for your chosen girl or to fing an enterpreter that will help with your communication.


The only thing to remember is – love has no boundaries! It's not really important where your second half lives – it's your destiny and you should follow it in spite of all the difficulties and distances.

Minggu, 26 Februari 2012

What The Indian Taught Me

I have a simple saying that goes like this... "There are 6.2 billion people on this planet and I can learn something new from every one of them."

Here is a true story about what I learned from a Miccosukee Indian named Roy.

I live on a lake in Miami Florida, and a couple of years ago I noticed that one of my neighbors had paid someone to build a Tiki Hut in his backyard near the lake.

The Tiki Hut was made of Cypress Wood and was very attractive. My wife and I decided that we wanted to get one and I asked my neighbor where he got his Tiki Hut. He replied, "the Miccosukee Indians built it for me." I asked him how to get in touch with the Indians who built it, and he game me the phone number of an Indian named Roy.

I called Roy and told him that I wanted a Tiki Hut like the one he had built for my neighbor. Roy said he would come out to my house and give me an estimate.

A few days later Roy arrived at my house to give me an estimate. I told him where I wanted it built and what size I wanted. Roy said the price was $1,900 dollars....I was impressed as I expected it to cost more.

I told Roy I would contact him when I was ready to proceed and he left. A few weeks later I called Roy and told him that I was ready to have him come out and build my Tiki Hut. I have worked with housing contractors many times in the past and I expected that Roy would require a 50% deposit to get started with the work. When I asked Roy about the deposit his reply was " I will come to your home and build the Tiki Hut,and when I am finished you can pay me."

I was shocked!

In all my years of dealing with contractors and sub-contractors I had never heard anybody say this. They always required a deposit and usually wanted cash. Roy told me he would be out in a week to build the Tiki Hut.

One week later Roy and his crew of 4 Indians arrived at my home to build my Tiki Hut. They had a trailer filled with palm fronds and beautiful Cypress Wood. For the next 8 hours they meticulously worked constructing the Tiki Hut. Some friends stopped by and we watched together in amazement as they built the Tiki Hut using techniques that had been passed down for generations.

When they were just about finished I noticed that Roy was sitting at the top of the Tiki Hut....he was looking off into the distance as if he was looking back to another time many years earlier. I took a photo of Roy as he rested on the top of my new Tiki Hut.

Before Roy had arrived that day I had gone to the bank to cash a check for $1,900 dollars. I placed 19 crisp $100 dollar bills in a plain white envelope. Now that the work was complete, I shook Roy's hand and thanked him for doing such a great job.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the envelope and handed it to Roy. Roy looked me in the eye and placed the envelope in his pocket...he never once looked to see what was inside the envelope, he said goodbye, got into his truck and drove away.

Think about this story, read it to your children, Roy's example is one to be followed for the rest of our lives. When Roy made a promise he kept it...he is a man of his word. We must make it a habit to always keep our word, no matter how small the promise.

Sabtu, 18 Februari 2012

How to Maintain your Mental Health

In recent years people have realized the importance of proper diet and exercise, and recent surveys show that over the last 20 years people are eating better and working out more often, resulting in people living longer, but people are still lacking in their understanding that their mental well being is just as important as their physical health.

Today most people get on average 4 to 6 hours of exercise every day, and make sure that everything they put in their mouths is not filled with sugars or preservatives, but they pay no attention to their mental health, no vacations, not even the occasional long weekend, 60 hour weeks, taking work home with them and even working weekends. All of this for hopes of one day getting that big promotion. What good will it do you when your brain overloads and you have a breakdown in the office.

In the end your physical health will suffer no matter how well you eat and how often you exercise. You will wind up with high blood pressure, stress and tension all of which raises the chances of you having a stroke or heart attack.

In hopes of helping you avoid this I am providing you with the things I do to keep my mental health in tip top condition.

My absolute favorite thing to do to refocus myself is to go for a long ride on my Harley. Nothing brings the world back into focus like riding free like the wind, there is no better forms of therapy as far as I am concerned.

Another great way to relieve the stresses in your life and help put a sparkle in your mental health is a trip to the casinos. Most people go to the casinos and expect to go home a winner, I do not. I go to have a good time.

I enjoy the skill required in

Kamis, 16 Februari 2012

The Claiming Compensation Culture in Europe

For many years now there has been a stigma attached to the "Compensation Culture". Ever since the American big boom over a decade ago when everybody seemed to be having their day in court. There were of course many horror stories, such as the man who dragged a lady from a lake, revived her and then promptly received a court summons, he was sued by the lady for cracking her ribs!

It of course has taken quite some time for the compensation culture to reach Europe, but, just as the Big Mac found its way across the water, so have the legal eagles that want us all to make that claim for compensation.

This is the main reason why claiming compensation now has a "stigma" attached to it, people are classed as "money grabbers" and yes, there are many cases that have been brought to light in the past few years regarding "fakers" and "con-men" but the fact of the matter is, many of the claims for compensation against third parties are actually valid.

Why do people make claims for compensation?

Normally a claim for compensation is made because one person has been the victim of a third parties cruelty, dishonesty, neglect or lack of care of attention, lets face it, if you have suffered mentally, physically or financially at the hands of another, surely you should be entitled to compensation!

When is it wrong to make a claim for compensation?

In short, if you have been a victim and have suffered because of somebody else, the answer is NEVER! It is your right as a citizen of the European Union to make a claim for compensation, and there are many ways that this can be done.

No Win No Fee - How does it work?

Many people choose to make compensation claims via a "No Win No Fee" arrangement, this usually means that whatever the outcome, the compensation claim will not cost you a penny, however, you should read all the paperwork carefully and look for clauses in any agreement before you sign them, if you live in the United Kingdom you can take your paperwork to the Citizens Advice Bureau who will check it for free.

A No Win No Fee agreement will normally mean taking out an insurance policy in case you lose your case, this covers both you and your solicitor against expensive legal fees that can often escalate into very large sums.

Summary:

There are many different reasons why people make claims for compensation, and no person who feels that they have a genuine reason to claim should ever feel that they are in the wrong, it is essential that both individuals and companies within the European Union understand the importance of "Due Care and Attention" and "Due Diligence" and if this means "hitting them where it hurts" then so be it.

Reasons for making claims for compensation or No Win No Fee Compensation Claims can include; Road Traffic Accidents, Accidents at Work, Discrimination in the Workplace, Unfair Dismissal, Racism, Criminal Damage, Criminal Violence, Loss of Earnings, Medical Negligence, Accidents on Holiday, if fact, the list is endless, if you have suffered at the hands of another, you should consider making a claim for compensation.

Martin Bleasdale is an Internet Marketing Consultant and Editor of the European Claims Line website http://www.claimline.eu , this article may be reproduced as long as remains intact with a live link to the claim line website.

Rabu, 15 Februari 2012

Lune de Miel en Mer

Il est loin du temps du Titanic, avec sa carapace majestueuse, sa luxure, son confort, ses services à bord! Détrompez vous, les paquebots de croisières existants de nos jours ne font que reprendre l'idée du Titanic, avec des matières plus simples mais d'avantage confortables et fiables. De plus, l'idée des jeux déjà présente à bord du Titanic a été reprise à bord de la majorité des bateaux avec la mise en place de salles de casinos et leur fameuses tables de craps pour des parties pleines d'émotions et s'amuser lorsque le bateau reste en mer.

Nul bateau ne peut vous être recommandé plus qu'un autre du fait que cela dépend entièrement de vos goûts, de vos attentes et de votre objectif, culturel ou romantique. La destination dépendant énormément de vous, le bateau amarré pour cette croisière l'est donc également. Pour cela, les listes ne seraient être complètes.

Les navires les plus connus sont les suivants:
1) Voyager of the seas:
Destination les Antilles. Ce paquebot est le plus grand au monde, et nous faisons grand usage de l'espace disponible. Vous y trouverez plus d'activités et d'expériences que vous ne pouvez imaginer. Un mur d'escalade vous attend pour pouvoir pratiquer votre souplesse et votre réflexion et découvrir l'océan sus un angle nouveau. Au départ de Miami, des escales sont prévues à Nassau, Saint Thomas, San Juan, Labadie, et deux journées en mer avant un retour au lieu de départ. Découvrez également la fameuse patinoire où vous pourrez boire un bon chocolat. La vie nocturne y est également de mise: les boutiques, les cafés et autres animations du s'ouvrent à vous. Danser jusqu'au bout de la nuit au Jesters, une boîte de nuit entraînante répartie sur deux étages.

2) Jewel of the Seas:
Mis en service en mai 2004, le Jewel of the Seas est caractérisés par l'allure innovante des super yachts. Il possède un design avancé avec ses grandes surfaces vitrées dans les espaces publics et des ascenseurs de verre donnant sur l'océan. Au choix, voyagez sur ce paquebot autour des Caraïbes ou découvrez l'Europe Transatlantique. Le "must" des Caraïbes vous attend aux escales de Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Georgetown, et en mer. Pour les amoureux de l'Europe, des escales inattendues vous permettront de découvrir Oslo Copenhague et Hambourg sous un jour nouveau, ou encore, toute la Scandinavie, ses fjords et la Russie grâce à des visites à Harwich, Oslo, Copenhague, Stockholm, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg, et Tallinn.

3) Explorer of the Seas:
En route vers les Antilles. Ce paquebot, regroupant les caractéristiques du Voyager of The Seas, vous plongera dans un profond dépaysement au choix, de la Floride au Bahamas, aux Caraïbes, au Mexique, ou encore au bermudes. Vous pourrez, le temps d'une escale, découvrir aussi bien Fort Lauderdale, Labadie,Ocho Rios au Mexique, que Miami,Belize City, Costa Maya, Cozumel, et Georgetown pour découvrir le charme des Caraïbes.

4) Monarch of the Seas:
De taille équivalente à la Statue de la Liberté, ce paquebot vous offre la liberté de vous lever avec le soleil, la liberté de laisser les enfants en sécurité grâce au programme pour les enfants à bord. Ce paquebot vous laissera rêver au travers de ses croisières sensationnelles au Mexique. Découvrez les villes de Los Angeles, San Diego, Ile Catalina, et Ensenada en cinq jours. Cinq jours de dépaysement garantis.

Selasa, 14 Februari 2012

When It's Good To Be Used

In today's world, more businesses in the construction industry are finding it more financially beneficial to their businesses to aquire used construction equipment and used heavy construction equipment, when compared to buying them brand new. Most business managers prefer the low capitial investment when buying top quality used construction equipment at exceptional prices. Smaller construction companies are also finding it more beneficial to buy quality used construction equipment because of the low initial price and operating costs. These smaller companies are more able to keep an eye on how the used machines are maintained, so the machines are always in top quality working condition.

Rock and Dirt has one of the largest selections of new and used construction equipment throughout the U.S. As one of the leading companies, Rock and Dirt offers new and used construction equipment for sale and for rent. Offering a wide line machinery from dump trucks to back hoes from all the major manufacturers,e.g. Caterpillar, Bobcat, John Deere, Case, New Holland, Volvo and Hitachi. All new and used construction equipment is available for direct sale, rent, or auction.

Headwater Equipment Sales in Southern Alberta Canada was founded in 1997 dedicated to providing customers with quality machinery that looks good, runs well and sold at a fair price. Headwater Equipment is currently dealing mostly in late models of Caterpillar, John Deere and Hitachi used construction equipment. This company has enlisted a large crew of licensed mechanics, welders and painters with over 25 years of experience in general construction, repair and construction equipment maintenance of used construction equipment and other machinery. Selling more than just used construction equipment, Headwater also offers quality used parts and attachments for sale at fair prices. All used machinery, parts and accessories are cleaned and thoroughly inspected prior to every sale.

Iron Planet, founded in 1999 in Pleasanton, California has grown to be the third-largest auction company in the U.S. that specializes in a wide range of used construction equipment and trucks. Companies, as well as independent contractors, can choose used construction equipment from a full line of the top manufacturers. All used construction equipment are subject to a detailed inspection to assess the equipments actual condition. These inspections are presented free of charge for all potential customers to review before bidding on equipment. All inspections are performed by over 350 professional inspectors with an average of 23 years of heavy equipment experience and who follow a standardized and reliable method of inspection.

There are many good used construction equipment companies materializing across the U.S. and Canada, distributing used construction equipment throughout the world, through auctions, buying and selling. Through these companies you can find a great deal on used construction equipment, to rent, buy out right or to bid on. Through these same companies, you can also sell your own equipment for a reasonable fee and have your own used construction equipment available to buyers and bidders throughout the world.

Senin, 13 Februari 2012

Online Dating Tips: Creating a great dating profile.

Each dating site has lots and lots of dating profiles... but only some of them make the site alluring for the other people. And it's important to create one these super profiles to make the most of online dating. So continue reading to know a couple of secrets of how to achieve success in the online dating.


Of course, the most important in the dating profile is a nice picture of you. In the most cases the appearance of the penpal get number 1 priority, the content of the letter sets the second position.


So, a good photo of you will certainly allow you to stand out the competition of the huge amounts of the profiles on the dating site. This is something like a "first impression" and you really get only one chance. Sure, there's no doubt that your standards should be really high. You should be very critical to yourself while chosing the photos to your profile, make sure that your pics will make a very good impression or even amaze your future penpals.


The thing is – even if you are really attractive and handsome in the real life but created a really bad profile – the people you correspond with will remember the worst of you. That's why, my advice is - throw away your bad pictures and post two or three the best ones. It's a simple logic that the photos should reflect you personality in the best manner, unless you are searching for nothing serious and you just want to waste your time. It very common to post two really good photos of you - a headshot and a full length shot, of course you can post the photos of your children (if you have ones) and maybe the picture of the favourite part of your house, a pet.


Of course not only your pictures attract people – you should attach a little story about yourself. This can be about some your interests, the way of life, a description of a person you are looking for on the dating site... whatever that will show your personality from the good side and will help you to find that special person you are looking for.


The other important thing in the online dating is the first letter – you should make it very very good to make your penpal reply to you. This is like the first impression as well. If your first letter is boring and has nothing interesting, then the person you are writing to most likely won't bother answering you. With the first message you should make a person interested in you. Before writing the letter you should explore the profile of the person you want to write to, and I advise you to mention why you think you will be a good match, what you like the most her or his profile (it can be something in the appearance, some common interests, etc.), feel free to express your thoughts on this or that matter.


Of course you shouldn't write to much in the first letter but you are always free to ask questions. Be short-spoken and vivid in your letter. You should write the most you can with as little as possible. Do not tell about yourself just everything – keep a room for the mystery, it's much more attractive than openness.


Well, I hope my pieces of advice will help you to create a great dating profile and to find a person you really deserve. Good luck!

Minggu, 12 Februari 2012

Shades of Grey: Government, Religion, & People

Some think that everything is black and white. I'm beginning to see everything as different shades of grey. Having worked with people in an increasing variety of ways the past 10 years, in a variety of occupational and volunteer scenarios, I've been exposed to many, many different ways of being, seeing, believing, working, and living. Is one way worse than the other? Is one person's beliefs worse than another? Is one person's ethics worse than another? For many of us, we will make judgements about others over these little things. We will close our eyes, our minds, and our hearts very easily over such trivial matters. We are raised in a family with a set of values and beliefs. We are schooled in a culture with a particular perspective on history, business, values, and beliefs. We are indoctrinated in our upbringing, or culture, or peers, and our heart, influenced to lean to certain truths that works for us. It can be steeped in peer pressure, family pressure, or simply having known no other truth we find it acceptable. When confronted with something vastly different or in opposition, we will tend towards defensiveness and even close-mindedness. I've been guilty of the same but I've really challenged myself time and again over the years to keep my mind open and to explore the other side of the tracks. I seek to understand and to experience for deeper understanding why other splinter groups live the way they do live; or work, play, worship, etc. While some things do work or resonate for me, others haven't. While some things expanded my horizons, others have caused other collapses in health or well-being. All have been worthy experiences, although possibly, at times, poor choices for my life. The worth that comes from this expansion of my mind and horizons has allowed me to witness one fundamental truth. As much as we are all different, with continued exposure to these varying influences of life and lifestyles, I have seen beyond the labels, beyond the stereotypes, beyond the religious beliefs, beyond the social status. I can look into the eyes and heart of my fellow-man and see another who is the same as me. The rest of it, is mere shades of grey. Each human being engages in a life-path, within a given set of life circumstances dictated by family, social status, and the rest of these external influences. As they progress down their path in life, they're doing the best that they can. They're looking for the things that will find them a sense of validation, satisfaction, being known, and being loved. They make decisions with these same influences dictating some of their choices; both right and wrong. We've all been there. And yet, instead of seeing our brothers and sisters in life, we still tend to see the differences. Yes, crimes are committed, hate is expressed, terror persists, and politics corrupt or engage in questionable practices. We perpetuate the classes, the differences, the hate, and the war. Judgement: why engage when you can disengage? Why argue when you can build bridges of understanding? Why declare war over differences when we can celebrate diversity? Why insist our way is the only way? I particularly declare this last questioning statement. We can celebrate freedom, responsible freedom. We can honor differences, diversity, by setting our own best example of tolerance, honor, respect, and in doing so, create peace.

Sabtu, 11 Februari 2012

Presidents Day – Let’s Not Forget to Honor the Big Three

ce was never meant to be at odds with congress or even juxtaposed with it. But Presidents Day, it seems, like other special holidays has gone the way of all flesh. Even as a boy I remember questioning how the Birth of a Savior could be overtaken by the notion of a fat little benevolent man who comes bearing gifts. How did the celebration of a risen Savior get replaced with a candy egg bearing bunny? How are the hopes of a new year brought in by ending the old one in a drunken stupor? These questions don’t need to be answered as much as pondered. The answers are largely understood, knowing how to back out of our clearly cuckoo behavior is not. Would George Washington be glad to know that we have found a way to honor his work in the founding of this country by making deals on an invention he could not have imagined in his own time? Perhaps he might be let down by the fact that Lincoln at least got a car named after him. But where is the new Dodge George Washington four wheel drive SUV? Lincoln was known for many things but not one of them could be remotely connected to the sales of automobiles. How is it that automobiles got connected to him? Hasn’t anyone noticed that a fleet of Lincoln Continentals cannot compare even marginally to the great character and legacy that Lincoln left to us all? Lincoln said “Intelligence, patriotism Christianity and a firm reliance are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulty.” Was he remiss or did he forget to add the part about a good deal on a car? It was said that Lincoln was more like a spirit than a man. He was the only president who not only was unafraid to use God in his speeches but he actually referred to Jesus Christ as well. He was well known for the many failures in his life. They all seemed to prepare him for the one great success which was even more than his presidency but the preservation of the union itself. Well known was Lincoln’s ability to defuse a hot situation and bring peace and harmony where there was discord. His more down home quality may have been the ability to split logs to make rail fences and he was very good at that it is said. One lesser known talent was banjo picking and singing old folk ditties. Even these proclivities can’t be thought of as anything resembling barking for the sale of a people moving buggy. In my grammar school days we were told the story of how Lincoln walked five miles back to the merchant who gave him too much change. He returned a penny. Judging from the pennies I see on supermarket floors and parking lots, I’d say people wouldn’t even bother to bend over to pick up a penny today. Some say this story may not be true at all. I say that if anyone might have done it that way it was probably Abraham Lincoln. Being a good student is scoffed at in today’s schools. Trying to be kind is thought of as weakness in the land of extreme sports and blood fights. And renowned men of old whose character and deeds are legendary are insulted by our indifference. Is the final insult to replace or supplant all repose to them in any fashion with the super sale of the latest stuff out of Detroit? By our indifference to the presidents both in practice and in the halls of academia perhaps we should heed the warnings of Lincoln who said “The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.”

Jumat, 10 Februari 2012

Russian Dating – Do you really want to find your Russian bride?

pYou're ready to leave your homeland and to go to Russia to meet the lady of your dreams? If so you should learn many things - some of these pieces of advice will definitely help you while you'll be chasing your Russian woman.

Fist of all, nowadays it will be much easier for you to come to Russia to see your potential bride, than to get a visa to America or Canada for a single woman.

If you've decided to come to Russia to meet your Russian bride for the first time you have different options on what to do. You can arrange a tour through an agency, for example, a travel agency or a dating site. If you go through a travel agency, it will cost less, but the dating site (agency) will know what your specific needs are in terms of being in Russia for the first time. These agencies can help with translation services, along with hotels in different cities and setting up a tour just for you.

Once you've decided to arrange everything by yourself you should take in account the possibilities of the Russian girl you're going to meet. You can send money to her for travel expenses or you can send a ticket that you have purchased, so that you may get the refund yourself once the plan fails. Make sure that everything is planned right and it'll be done correctly. Your potential bride should already have a passport for foreign travel or else it will take about 2-3 months for her to get it.

There are plenty of different events to attend in the Russian cities. You should discuss with her what she would like to see and do and how she would like to spend time with you in getting to know you. A mix of social activities combined with dining alone will help you get to know each other in a variety of situations.

After you decide to marry, you'll certainly want your bride to move to your hometown. For example, if you are trying to bring a Russian bride into the United States, there are a few different ways to accomplish that. Usually the main aim is to get a "fiance visa" and there are some requirements that you must follow in order to get the visa.

You can apply for it yourselves and fill out all the paperwork yourselves. This is the cheapest route, but if the paperwork is not filled out 100% perfectly, it can cause delays. You can have a fiance visa service handle it. Make sure the service you use is licensed. Remember, the service will just be filling out the forms for you and are not usually immigration attorneys, so if any legal issues come up, they will be ill equipped to handle them.You can alwas hire a US immigration lawyer to take care of it. This is the most expensive option, but also the one that will cause you the least hassle, especially with a bride coming over from Russia. There are lots of Do-It-Yourself Kits out there that you can look over that will give you a good idea about what is involved. The process can go smoothly, but any mistakes can cause delays and that can ruin a marriage before it even gets started.

And most important in your research on Russian brides. There is a lot of information about Russian dating out there if you just look around and ask questions. Information is power, so use it to your best advantage.

Kamis, 09 Februari 2012

The Green Card Rush Has Started

The U.S. Government has issued 65,000 green cards this year for the purpose of allowing people of foreign birth to live and work in the United States. But what is a green card? How does it work and what is the application process? A green card is usually issued to people who are normally permanently resident in the United States and who wish to become a US citizen. After five years that person is usually eligible to apply for citizenship and naturalization. In practice there are two broad ways of getting a green card. These are through employment in the United States and through their immediate family. The correct term for the former type of green card is the H1B Work Visa. This is issued by the U.S. Government and allows foreign professionals from all over the world the opportunity to live and work in the United States. As one Fortune 500 company recently told our H1B Research Group, "International job seekers who do not take action now, will miss this narrowing opportunity to work in the US. It is crucial to find an H1B Job within the next few months, to even stand a chance of being counted towards the quota." These are common feelings and sentiments from many of the H1B sponsor companies. Many of the top US sponsor companies who were shut out in the cold, due to this year's H1B Cap being reached very early, are doing everything in their power to ensure they get their fair share of new H1B visa employees as fast as possible. People wishing to work in the USA will: 1. Need to find a job within a company who will 'sponsor' and H1B visa for the employee. 2. Ensure the new employer (known as the sponsor company) then files the H1B application on behalf of the employee. 3. Wait until the visa application is approved by the US Immigration Bureau. Two special categories involving work are Labor and National Interest. In the case of Labor, an applicant may obtain a green card who shows the ability and willingness to perform a specific job in a specifically assigned region, according to a specific set of skills. Employer sponsorship may be waived in the case of an applicant who can demonstrate that he or she has professional skills to be of national interest to the United States. In extraordinary cases, if individuals can demonstrate skills or knowledge that are so specialized that they put them at the top of their field, those individuals can usually be granted a green card without the usual official procedures on the grounds of justified exemption. A similar arrangement would exist for academics and researchers who are recognised internationally as being at the top of their field. In the case of applications for a green card because of family connections, it must be through an immediate family relationship. A person may apply for a green card if a child, parent or sibling is already an American Citizen. If the parent of a child (who is a minor) is already an American citizen then the child is automatically eligible for a green card. Also within the broad category of family relationships falls marriage to an existing American citizen. The American citizen must also reside in the United States and there must be sufficient proof to show that the marriage is legitimate. However, in the case of the former example, through a sponsor employer, the limit this year is 65,000 applicants. Those who believe they are eligible should seek advice right away.

Rabu, 08 Februari 2012

Working Together To Bring A Purple Heart Home

More than 1,500,000 Purple Hearts have been awarded to American servicemen and -women since World War Two. The medals are among the military's top honors and are usually found proudly displayed on uniforms, resting places or in family homes. They're not the kind of items you'd expect to find in a thrift shop-and when one recently was, it sparked a cross-country effort. Gene Dobos was browsing through a secondhand store in California when he came across a worn, heart-shaped medal mixed in with the knickknacks. It was a Purple Heart bearing the name "Frank N. Smith." Purple Hearts are awarded to American soldiers who are wounded by the enemy and to the next of kin of soldiers killed in action or who die from wounds received in battle. Dobos, who understood the significance of the medal, purchased it from the shop and helped set off a national search for its owner. Dobos contacted the Military Order of the Purple Heart-an organization of combat veterans who work to honor the medal and its recipients. They call themselves the "Keepers of the Medal." Ray Funderburk, the group's public relations chief-who is a Vietnam veteran with two Purple Hearts himself-researched the medal and eventually found that Frank N. Smith was a private in the U.S. Army who died in Vietnam nearly 40 years ago. Smith, who was 20 at the time, was in a convoy that was ambushed on December 17, 1968-just two weeks before he was scheduled to return to his home state of Ohio for good. After learning Smith's story, Funderburk turned to an Ohio genealogist for help in tracking down Smith's resting place and surviving family. "It looks as if the medal has been handled many times," said Funderburk. "I envisioned his mom and dad taking the medal out and holding it in their hands, thinking of their son." Eventually, Smith's grave was found in a cemetery not far from his childhood home in Ohio. His parents had died, but his siblings were found using e-mails they had sent memorializing their brother at an online registry for fallen Vietnam War troops. They did not know the medal had gone missing and were "overwhelmed" that a group of strangers had worked so hard to return it to them. Frank N. Smith was married and had a child shortly before shipping off to Vietnam (he enlisted voluntarily). After his death, his widow and daughter moved west, presumably taking the Purple Heart with them. It is not known how the medal landed in a thrift shop. For Smith's sister Jonna, the return of the medal brought with it a flood of emotions-and she was not alone in her reaction. Funderburk, of the Purple Heart Order, was so inspired by the number of people who came together to return the medal to Smith's family that he penned a poem. His son-in-law helped him set the words to music and a CD was created that is being sold. Proceeds help pay for a scholarship program that joins young people with veterans who are bedridden and living in Veteran Affairs facilities. The song's chorus reads: Purple Hearts are won in battle; grenades explode, machine guns rattle; a soldier dies, a mother cries; that's how Purple Hearts are won. The Order and Smith's family planned a small ceremony to be held in the cemetery. The Purple Heart will be encased in glass and attached to Smith's headstone. Private First Class Frank N. Smith's legacy will be seen in every VA hospital in America as young people move among the veterans and tell the story of a young man who left Seneca County, Ohio to defend freedom-and who finally got his medal.

Selasa, 07 Februari 2012

How To Buy An Ergonomic Chair

Ergonomic office chairs are a necessity if you have a sedentary occupation, spending long hours sitting at a desk or in front of a computer. An ergonomic chair can prevent and alleviate back pain, and generally make you feel better throughout the workday. What should you look for in a good ergonomically-designed chair? As most office chairs are mobile, search for a chair with a minimum 5-pedestal base with casters that glide freely. Chairs with at least 5 pedestals are stable and safe, and allow the chair to swivel effortlessly. With armrests, choose a chair with adjustable armrests that are broad, cushioned, and of course, comfortable. Sit down on the chair and make sure you can adjust the armrests’ height and move them closer together and further apart. Some chairs even give you the option to move the rests entirely out of the way for times when you don’t need them at all. It’s also important to take the seat pan (the part of the chair where you sit) into consideration when selecting office seating. The seat pan should allow even weight distribution and support your body comfortably. Also, the width of the seat pan needs to be wide enough to allow for at least 1 inch of space on either side of you and it should have enough depth to give proper support to your thighs without putting added pressure behind your knees, which can cause bad circulation. In addition, the padding should be high quality so that it doesn’t become misshapen over the years. A good ergonomic chair should let you easily adjust the chair’s height. Find a chair with a pneumatic device that allows you to change the seat pan height as is required, although a spinning, mechanical seat adjustment mechanism is also acceptable. As long as you can easily reach the seat adjustors while sitting, you’ll be fine. When adjusting a seat’s height, make sure the front of your knees are level and your feet firmly touch the ground. If your feet dangle, use a footrest to compensate. The part of the chair that supports your lower back (lumbar) is very important. Cushioned lumbar support is always a good idea, as is the ability to adjust the support forward/backward and up/down. When setting the chair for yourself, ensure your hips have enough room and that the support doesn’t force you forward so much that you lose thigh support. Back support is another factor to consider when choosing a chair. A decent chair will allow you to recline at more than 90 degrees. Excellent chairs give your back leeway to move, and shift back and forth as your back moves. A support that’s broad enough for your back, doesn’t put pressure on the side of your back, and is tall enough to keep the middle of the back well-supported is what you should look for. A headrest is only necessary if you plan to use the chair to read and talk on the phone. In this case, choose a chair with a high back and a good neck rest. Now that you know what to look for, shopping for an ergonomic chair doesn’t have to be difficult. And if you’re one of the many people who spend up to eight hours a day in a chair, purchasing a comfortable one that will last through the years is definitely worth consideration.

Senin, 06 Februari 2012

How Perceptions of Asian Women Have Changed Dramatically

Women who are raised in any of the several countries on the continent of Asia are known to be brought up learning how to be submissive and exceptionally pleasing to the men in their lives, especially their husbands. For many years, Asian women have suffered through a lifetime of being categorized as second class citizens, being given barely any personal rights, including the right to think for themselves. Based on that type of lifestyle, which can be very degrading and traumatic, many Asian women try to emigrate to other countries in search of a better life. They offer themselves as wives for what can many times turn out to be a worse existence than before they left. ‘But the times, they are a changin’. Fortunately, many modern Asian women, especially Asian American women, attend school and college and go on to become successful business people. They become doctors, lawyers and even politicians. The modern Asian women have evolved into wives and mothers who no longer have to bow down to the commands of the men who surround them. Asian women have also been developing outlets as a means of reaching out to one another, supporting and educating each other. One such outlet is a magazine designated for Asian women called Asiance Magazine. This new and modern publication targets the English-speaking generation of Asian American women who are breaking through their old-fashioned boundaries and traditional ways of being raised. It was established to bring together all of the Asian women who are challenging their culture by living in a country like the United States that encourages them to express themselves and live a full, independent life. The women who write for and contribute to Asiance Magazine strive to encourage Asian women to continue to be proud of their heritage and share it with their American neighbors. The publication is not only meant for women of Asian backgrounds – they welcome anyone interested in their culture to visit the website and learn more about their contemporary lifestyle. On the magazine’s website, you can link to news stories about Asian women who are moving onward and upward in today’s society. There is a section of the online magazine that keeps Asian women informed of the latest career trends with editorials from the women who are in these interesting and inspiring roles throughout various industries. There are entertainment articles about the latest and greatest Asian celebrities such as popular actors and musicians. There are fashion and beauty pieces and more containing commentaries on health, fitness, sex and relationships. Lifestyle pieces integrating the arts, culture and cooking are more subjects that are available for your reading pleasure. There is also free newsletter to subscribe to which you can receive via email. This is a very special magazine and one that not only Asian women, but women from any ethic background can enjoy. Check it out this liberating publication at www.asiancemagazine.com.

Minggu, 05 Februari 2012

The Knife Culture In Britain

Britain has currently got a knife amnesty in place. This where people are able to hand in their knives without the fear of prosecution, the amnesty is in place until the end of June. The hope is that it will reduce the amount of crimes involving knives including of course murders. The last amnesty was very successful according to the latest reports and one can only hope that this latest attempt also proves to be a success. Something needs to be done as I am hearing about more and more deaths at the hands of this knife culture and the problem seems to be getting out of control.

I have had personal experience about Britains knife culture. When I was about eighteen years of age I went out for a few drinks with a number of my close friends. We all ending up getting quite drunk and I ended up walking home with three of these friends. On the way home we passed a group of four men all in their twenties. They pushed passed us in an aggressive way making a number of nasty comments at the same time.

Despite being rather worse for wear, myself and my friends did not react. We were however very shocked as only a few moments later these four youths started to run towards us in quite a frightening way. We all started to run but one of my friends stumbled and fell over. I looked behind me and saw that these four men had surrounded him and were starting to punch him. I was not really sure what to do and was quite surprised to find myself going to his aid, rather brave or stupid I now think.

Luckily for me the youths ran off with my friend lying on the floor in agony. As I reached him I noticed that there was blood on the pavement at the place where he was lay. I asked him if he was OK and he said that he was. He had been stabbed in the stomach or chest area but had not realised. He thought that he had only been punched.

We managed to get him to the hospital where we later found out that he had been very lucky, even though he did have a punctured lung.

Even to this day which is years later, I find it hard to understand why the person decided to stab my friend. Why was a few punches not enough for him? It was not as if he was in any danger himself as there was four men against one. If he had killed my friend he could have been looking at a long stretch in prison and would have to live with the knowledge that he has killed a man for the rest of his life.

My advice to people is to leave your knives at home. By carrying a knife you could end a persons life, ruin the lives of that persons family and friends and even ruin your own life.

Over the last weekend, I have read about three murders on the streets of Britain via knife stabbings. I can not truly believe that the people carrying these knives left their houses with the intention to kill. The act was possibly influenced by alcohol or by some troubles in their own life. The people involved are likely to seriously regret their actions only a short time later. This however is too late for their victims.

Sabtu, 04 Februari 2012

Soiree Comment Organiser votre Soiree a Domicile

Plusieurs choix s'offrent à vous. Vous pouvez soit faire appelle à une société événementielle qui se chargera alors de vous

fournir les tables professionnelles de chaque jeux ainsi que leur croupiers ( ou croupières) formés spécialement pour vous.
Oui mais voilà, reste la question du prix : environ 200 euros/ euros par table selon les organisateurs pour seulement 4

heures de plaisir.
Quand vous savez qu’il faut au minimum 1 table pour le poker, 1 pour le Black jack, 1 pour la roulette et autre, les 4 heures

de plaisir peuvent devenir un véritable gouffre financier.

L’autre option consiste à se procurer ces éléments. L’avantage, c’est que l’évènement peut être renouvelé à tout moment et le

plaisir du jeu durer autant que vous le souhaitez durant la soirée.

Ou se procurer les tables de jeux et cartes adéquates ?

Vous pouvez vous procurez le site e.bay.fr, actuellement en vente pour 100 euros le set complet de salon. Actuellement 36

sets sont disponibles. Il comprend tous les jeux de cartes et de roulette, les jetons etc…
Une excellente affaire.

Sur Shopping.kelkoo.fr, un set de 3 jeux de tables tous feutrés, 1 tableau tournant de roulette. Il comprend les jeux

Roulette, de Blackjack et de dés avec les règles du jeu. Ces jeux se jouent à l’aide de jetons de couleur. Son prix : 79

euros

Sur Maximiles.com, une mallette comprenant tous les jeux tous les jeux de casino ainsi que tous les jeux de dés et de cartes

classiques. Elle inclut : 1 tapis de jeux d’échec en velours, 1 tapis mousse double face velours (roulette + blackjack), 1

jeux de cartes, 5 dés, 30 pions de jacquet, 32 pièces d’échecs, 200 jetons en plastique, 1 roulette luxe, 1 plateau de jeu de

jacquet. Son prix : 2860 maximiles.


Et pour corser vos jeux et rester fidèle au principe du casino, multiplier vos jeux de cartes dans vos sabots !! Jusqu’à 4

jeux pour la Bataille et 6 jeux pour le Blackjack


Pour embellir votre soirée, n'hésitez pas à concocter vous-même votre repas! La Pizza peut être de mise mais voici pour vous

une recette sortie tout droit d'un des plus grand restaurant du célèbre Casino de Montréal!




En entrée, offrez vous un des plats suivants :
Bouquet de fines laitues et légumes confits, quelques chips et vinaigrette de vieux xérès ; Soupe de homard et son sabayon au

safran ; Consommé de canard auréolé de sa mousse cappuccino, raviole de cuisse et foie gras ; Gaspacho de fenouil et tomates,

fondant de crabe aux nioras et légumes confits ; Cylindre de foie gras de canard confit, gelée de vin doux aux cubes de pomme

; Duo de foie gras de canard, l’un froid en gelée de vin doux, l’autre poêlé aux figues.


Pour vos viandes :
Magret de canard grillé et son jus tranché d’huile d’olive, poêlé de pâtes fraîches au moût de raison et viande des Grisons ;

Filet de boeuf mariné à l’échalote cuite au vin rouge réduit, cassolette de pommes de terre nouvelles et tomates confites au

thym,
Longe d’agneau cuite en terre d’argile, coulis de tomates confites au jus et épices, carré rôti servi avec une mitonnée de

légumes.


En Dessert:
Palette de glaces et sorbets tout en "nuances"
Moelleux au basilic et son coeur coulant au citron, sorbet aux framboises et sauce au pistou ; Gâteau chaud au chocolat et sa

perle fondante à la vanille, glace aux pacanes et tire d'érable.


Alors, à vos fourneaux !!!

Jumat, 03 Februari 2012

You Know Boo Is Coming, So Bake a Cake

If you are having a Halloween party this year, you might want some other dessert besides fun sized candy bars. A Halloween cake makes a great dessert, and can also be a fun centerpiece on your dinner table while the meal is being served. Here are two creative Halloween cakes that you can try on your own. Don't feel pressured to limit yourselves to these – you can always create your own Halloween dessert masterpieces.

The Happy Pumpkin

You can easily turn your everyday cake mix into a pumpkin creation with the help of bunt pans and decorative icing.

Take 3 boxes of your favorite white or yellow cake mix, and mix according to package decorations. Pour the batter into two bunt pans, and bake according to package decorations. Allow the cakes to cool completely and remove from the pan.

While you are waiting for the cakes to cool, empty three cans of vanilla frosting into a mixing bowl. If you are pretty practiced with cake decorating, 2 may be enough, but three cans will allow extra to work out unevenness and fingerprints. Add red and yellow food coloring to the frosting, stirring until the frosting becomes the desired orange color for your pumpkin. Frost the flat side of the bunt cakes, and then stack on top of each other to create your pumpkin shape. Then continue to frost the sides of the cake until you have an orange pumpkin.

If you would like to turn your pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern, simply use some black icing to draw your eyes, nose, and a mouth. You can also consider decorating a small cupcake with brown or green icing to create a stem. If you are very practiced in cake decorating, consider some pumpkin vines down the sides and back. Your company is sure to be impressed.

The Creepy Spiderweb

If you want something a little spookier for your Halloween party, consider a creepy spider web cake. A little frosting and a chocolate muffin can help you make this creepy cake.

Take one box of your favorite chocolate cake mix and mix it according to the package decorations. Bake in two round pans and allow to cool completely.

While the cakes are cooling, scoop 2 cans of vanilla frosting into a large mixing bowl. Combine yellow and blue food coloring (or yellow and green) until you come up with a spooky green color. Spread a layer between the two cakes, and the cover the rest of the cake with frosting.

Draw a spiderweb on the top of the cake using black icing. You can start by drawing lines straight across as though the cake was a clock – from12 to 6, 1 to 7, 2 to 8, etc. Then starting at the center of the cake, draw larger circles working their way outwards until the web is complete.

Take a chocolate muffin or cupcake and cut of the “stem” so you are left with the top. Frost the entire thing with chocolate frosting and then roll in chocolate sprinkles. Set onto the “web” and attach small pieces of black string licorice to be the legs.

If you would like to get even more creative, you can extend your web down the sides of the cake, and draw on bugs using different colored icing.

With a few cake decorating skills and some creativity, you too can create spooky Halloween desserts.

Kamis, 02 Februari 2012

How Much Should You Pay Your Babysitter

Being that your babysitter will be taking care of your young loved ones, you want to be careful and put a lot of thought into making a decision of which babysitter is best for you. Realize, however, that due to the importance of your children’s security, this is not a time that you are really trying to cut costs.

The rates that you will be charged are going to differ on the type of babysitter you decide to go with. The two types of babysitters are generally going to fall into one of two categories: a personal acquaintance/friend and a professional agency.

Hiring a babysitter from an agency will be more expensive than hiring an acquaintance or friend. With an agency, you will have to pay them a fee on top of the babysitter’s hourly rate. However, that fee should guarantee you that your loved ones will be in good hands. Being that the agency is correctly run, you should be provided with the babysitter’s credentials, and the agency should know the babysitter very well. This will help give you peace of mind while you are out, away from your loved ones. Another advantage of hiring a babysitter from an agency is that they can generally adhere to all of your needs, in terms of having a babysitter ready in very short notice or in being able to have someone take care of you kids over longer periods of time.

Now in determining the rate per hour that you pay your babysitter will likely depend on how many children she will be watching each time. The more children being watched would naturally mean a higher hourly rate. A very common hourly rate for a baby sitter for one child is twelve dollars. Most babysitters will charge anywhere from three to five dollars more per additional child. If you use the same babysitter all the time and things have been working out smoothly, you might be able to negotiate a slightly lower rate being that you are a source of regular income for that person. It can’t hurt to negotiate once a relationship has been built, but don’t try and take advantage of that person, or you might lose your regular babysitter.

If you have a child or children that require special needs or that tend to be extremely unruly, then there will likely be a surcharge to the average hourly rate, as it is going to take the babysitter more effort to complete her duties. The same also goes for a babysitter who you require to do more than just watch the children, such as preparing dinner for them or picking them up from school. On the other hand, if you only require that your babysitter read to your child and then put him/her to bed at a specific hour, then your rates are sure to be lower.

In terms of paying your babysitter, that is something that can be worked out between the two of you to find the most suitable terms of payment. Often, however, the babysitter will allow you to pay a slightly lower rate if you pay in cash. So you may want to exploit this option.

At the end of the day, you just want to make sure that you and your babysitter are happy with the arrangements. Your babysitter is taking care of your precious ones, and that is not something you are looking to get a big discount on. More importantly, you just want to make sure that your children are safe while you are away.

Rabu, 01 Februari 2012

Stop Work Be More Productive And Kill Computer Related Stress

Sorry, computer related stress (CRI) will eventually harm you if you insist on slaving away non-stop at a computer for hours without a break. To make sure you can be more productive long term, you MUST pace yourself.


- For starters, you need to take a five or ten minute break from working about once every hour. Exercise, take a rest, or do something enjoyable during the break. Try and forget about the work you have been doing; fretting only contributes to muscle and mental strain.


- Massaging your hands and forearms several times a day will improve circulation. You should also massage your neck muscles to relieve the tension of keeping your head in one position for any length of time.
Work downwards from your head to your shoulders, pressing more firmly as you go on. You may want to rub in a small amount of good-quality hand cream or massage oil, as this will stop your skin becoming dry and sore.

- Try to work in a reasonably warm place. Your muscles must work harder if they become chilled, and are more likely to feel strain easily. Also, your hands will ache and feel weak after working too long in a cold or draughty spot.


- Do a few easy stress relieving exercises. Buy a stress ball - a huge variety are available off the Internet. Slowly squeeze the ball with your hand ten to fifteen times. Do this exercise frequently, as often as once every hour if you need to do a lot of computer work.

Another good stress releieving exercise is to slowly spread your hands out, making your fingers spread out as widely as they can. Then, slowly curl your fingers inwards until you make a loose fist. Relax then repeat this five times each hand.

Finally, let your arms dangle by your sides and gently shake them out a few seconds. This will help relieve muscle tension.


- While you are working, yawns every once in a while - with some jobs, this will come naturally! This will put more oxygen into your body because doing repetitive, non-active things causes your air (oxygen) intake to drop, lowering your energy level. During your breaks, 'charge up' on oxygen by breathing deeply and smoothly but DO NOT hyperventilate.


- Continual focussing at one distance (the screen) soon tires your eye muscles. So while you 're working, periodically look away from the screen every now and then and focus your eyes on varied distant objects. This will give your eyes a break from constantly focusing on one thing.

Don't be pressured! If anyone queries you easing off every now and then, show them this article and ask how they want you tomorrow - well and working or off with injury, seeing a doctor?

Healthy Computing 2006 and beyond!