Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
A credit merchant account can make your business more productive than ever. Thats because a merchant account will let you start accepting credit card payments from customers in any part of the world at any time of the day or night. Could business possibly be better than that when conducted in any other way? That is why you need to know more about potential benefits of a merchant account.
Your credit merchant account will let you grow your business in ways you may not have imagined. For example, in addition to taking credit card payments on location at your store, you can take a wireless credit card processor with you to customers residences or places of business and accept payment on the spot. This makes it easier for the customer to pay the charges and not give another thought to the transaction. You, on the other hand, likewise benefit when the bill is paid promptly without the hassle of waiting for payments that may never arrive. You can hire few billing clerks and accounts receivable employees when you accept credit transactions that are processed instantly.
Another way that a credit merchant account can serve your business is when you implement a phone order and payment system. A digital program will let customers call a toll-free number, listen to messages about products and services or select other options, such as payment or catalog request, and then finish up by processing a credit card for any purchases made during the phone call. You dont even have to hire someone to answer the phone; the entire process can be automated, although you may want to have a customer service rep available at certain hours of the day if needed.
The credit merchant account benefit that is creating quite a buzz in the business world is the Internet credit card processing option. More companies are putting up a Website in cyberspace to get their names out there and to attract a larger, more global client base. You can enjoy these benefits, too, when you get approved for a credit merchant account and hire a Web designer to create an artistic or thoughtful Website that represents your business to customers around the world. Registering with search engines will bring thousands of visitors to your site by accident, but they may decide to remain when they find exciting features on your home page, such as a survey, a helpful hint, or links to product lists and descriptions. They can shop in any time zone or region in any continent from a computer with Internet access. Think of the possibilities for building a super-size client base!
Give some thought to applying for a merchant credit account from a trusted lender or underwriter. This special account will confer professional merchant status and allow you to collect credit payments in a timely manner instead of working through a time-consuming billing process that may render less fruitful results. Shop soon to compare prices and terms for your credit merchant account.
Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
For the past three days, Mr. Ray was not able to drive his wife to the office because he was suffering from extreme knee pain due to gout. Even the simple task of rising from bed was very difficult for him to do. The pain and difficulty was too much for him to bear that he came to the point of bargaining, swearing that he will never taste a drop of beer again if he gets well. A few days before his ordeal with arthritis began, he had been drinking out with his buddies for two nights straight. During that time, he even had an argument with his wife because she discouraged him from drinking again. They both know that drinking beer mainly causes his recurring arthritis. Those warnings, however, fell on deaf ears. Mr. Ray likes eating pork and beef especially the internal organs despite being advised to avoid it. He never wanted to consult a doctor regarding his condition because he believes that doctors are just out there to extort money from patients. He opted instead to ask his friends for advice and engage in self-medication. Because of his numerous blunders and abusive behavior, it came to a point when nature finally took its course and made him realize his mistakes.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
There are as many kinds of hiking boots? as there are hikers. The specific things to consider when choosing your hiking boots will depend on the kinds of hiking you are planning to do. In this article, I will classify hiking boots (or hiking footwear) into four main types, corresponding to four main types of hiking.
The four types of hiking boots that we will discuss are:
1. Hiking shoes and sandals. For short walks in the outdoors, for knocking around in camp, and for use during easy interludes in an otherwise serious hike.
2. Day-hiking boots. For moderate hiking, such as day hikes or short hikes in very rough country.
3. Backpacking boots. For more serious hiking, like multi-day backpacking expeditions.
4. Mountaineering boots. For the most serious hiking, mountain climbing, and ice climbing.
There is some overlap, of course, and a good deal of mixing.
Most people who use anything beyond hiking shoes also use something in one of the lower categories. For instance, when I go camping, I bring both my day-hiking boots for the all-day hikes and my hiking shoes for the less-serious treks with the grandchildren. As another example, I often see ice climbers arriving at Arethusa Falls wearing day-hiking boots, then switching to mountaineering boots for the actual climb.
For the most part, it will be okay to buy a more serious hiking boot than you need. One exception is that if you really don’t need mountaineering boots, you would probably find them uncomfortably heavy on a little day hike. Don’t go too far upscale. Even the additional cost of buying “more boot than you need” might actually work out to be a savings in the long run, because a better quality boot will likely last longer.
Now, let’s talk about the general concerns and considerations that go into choosing a pair of hiking boots.
Keep in mind that the purpose of footwear is to protect your feet. This amounts to four specific purposes:
1. Warmth, in season
2. Protection from rough surfaces and sharp objects
3. Traction
4. Keeping your feet dry
That’s about it.
Most of what you read about “support” is overblown. If you give your feet and ankles a lot of “support,” the natural support system becomes weak from underutilization. Unless you have some particular weakness in your ankles, whether innate or from an injury, you don’t necessarily need ankle support. Let the muscles and ligaments of your feet and ankles do what they were designed to do, and you will have all the “support” you need.
On the other hand, you do need arch support. Why? Because your feet were designed to walk on a natural, yielding surface that conforms itself to the shape of your feet. When you strap a stiff, unyielding shoe sole to the bottom of your foot, your arches are unduly stressed. You need the bottom of the boot to conform to the shape of the bottom of your foot, and to stay that way as you walk. That’s arch support.
What about men’s versus women’s hiking boots? The only real difference is in proportions. For a given length of foot, a woman’s foot is generally narrower than a man’s and has higher arches. Women’s hiking boots are designed accordingly. If you’re a man with narrow feet and/or high arches, don’t be afraid to look at “women’s” hiking boots, or if you’re a woman with low arches and/or wide feet, the hiking cops won’t give you a ticket for wearing “men’s” hiking boots. Get the hiking boots that fit your feet.
Don’t forget socks. You’ll need warm socks, more than one pair in winter, so make sure your hiking boots allow room for them. When you go shopping for hiking boots, bring the type of socks you intend to wear on hikes, so you can check the fit of the boots with the socks on.
Look for good quality, and expect to pay for it. If you’re looking for fashion and the latest trends, you’ll pay a premium for that, too. What I look for is usually last year’s good quality, so I get the quality I want without paying for the style that I don’t care about.
Here’s a quick guideline to set your expectations about the costs: Expect to pay much more for your hiking boots than for your backpack. The appropriate boots for a given type of hiking will probably cost 1.5 to two times as much as the appropriate backpack. If you are planning to do only one-day hikes with a forty-dollar daypack, you will be well served to look at sixty-dollar day-hiking boots. But if you’re planning to through-hike the Appalachian Trail, you’ll want at least a hundred-dollar expedition backpack and you should be looking seriously at paying $150 or more for your hiking boots.
There are complex engineering trade-offs in hiking boots. Light weight is good. Sturdy is good. Long wearing properties are good. Traction and gripping power is good. Inexpensive is good. But sturdy boots are heavy. Hiking boots with good traction wear quickly. And of those four properties – light weight, sturdiness, long wearing, and good traction – only light weight comes cheaply. So all hiking boots represent compromises among these four qualities.
That’s the big picture with hiking boots. Pick the right type of boot for the type of hiking you’ll be doing, pick the balance you want between weight and sturdiness, and pick the right fit. Then hit the trail!
Chuck Bonner is a lifelong hiker and amateur naturalist, and webmaster of http://www.HikingWithChuck.com For more information about hiking boots and other hiking equipment based on many years on the trail, visit [http://www.hikingwithchuck.com/Gear/HikingGear.htm]
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chuck_Bonner
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
San Antonio School Districts Harris Middle School selected national Middle School of the Year
Harris Middle School is being recognized for its students efforts to improve their communitys quality of life. This summer Harris Middle School has received the National Youth Crime Watch of America Casey Award presented during the international conference in Ogden, Utah. This award is given to those individuals or organizations that offer examples of leadership, allocation of resources, and support in student or youth crime prevention programs and plans. Harris Middle School, part of the San Antonio Schools, was the only middle school in the US to receive this honor. Harris Middle School was chosen for its students tremendous efforts in improvement of its campus and community. This was accomplished by programs that focused on conflict resolution, theft prevention, street clean-ups, and smoking and drug awareness programs. This has resulted in the Harris Middle School being one of the safest, friendliest, and positive school environments in the state. Students are active participants in the Peer Assistance Leadership group and the Peer Mediators, these groups teach understanding and conflict resolution strategies. Harris Middle School was also a past recipient of the San Antonio Bar Foundations Peacemaker Award, which chooses safe schools throughout the San Antonio School District.
Brackenridge High School Recognized in National Award
Brackenridge High School received honorable mention as one of nine finalists nationwide for the College Boards Inspiration Award, which recognizes the countrys most improved high schools. A College Board representative facilitated a panel discussion with school a.m.nistrators, staff, students, and parents. The representative was especially interested in hearing from students. Approximately 20 students were part of the discussion. The representative visited classrooms following the panel forum. The information that was collected at Brackenridge was taken to judges in New York, where they reviewed all nine finalists. The Award recognizes high schools that maintain AP or International Baccalaureate programs despite the difficulties at the school.
Special Functions in the San Antonio Schools this Summer
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) will hold a Summer Academy CSI from 8 a.m. to noon at eight high schools in the San Antonio School District. This program will focus on the application and value of science in forensic investigation. Students will be able to participate in solving mock crimes. The students will uses skills they learn in the program. Using their powers of observation, analytical skills and advanced scientific technology to uncover the most minuscule evidence, students will attempt to solve the crimes. Based on the popular CSI television programs, this adventure for 6th-graders combines science, math and language arts, resulting in a learning experience as fun as it is enlightening. Summer Academy CSI is part of, designed to help the class of 2012 be prepared for success in college and beyond.
The Christopher Columbus and the Americas program will be offered at two San Antonio School District middle schools from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Students will discover all aspects of what the New World was like at the time the famed explorer first landed on its shores, including its culture, history, geography, and myths. By integrating social studies and language arts, the course also examines the impact of the resulting Colombian Exchange through which Native Americans and Europeans introduced to each other a variety of different animals, concepts, crops, foods, and materials.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
There are many types of therapy for stuttering available these days, in this article I describe life after overcoming a stutter. I hope you enjoy the read.
My name is Steve Hill and I had a speech impediment known as stuttering from the age of four. The stutter continued to have a damaging affect on my life for eighteen years. At the age of twenty-two, I had had enough and started looking into different forms of stuttering therapy. In the end, I formulated my own stuttering cure techniques and after nearly a year of practice and dedication, managed to overcome the stutter.
I was then able to order food and drink for example, without the fear of stuttering, speak on the telephone with confidence and am able to enjoy going out with my friends and family on social occasions. I have become a much happier and positive person, life which was once a struggle is now a pleasure. I now appreciate my new found fluency and am talking far much more than I ever did in the past. I have even been accused of talking too much, but this is something I will never apologise for as I am sure people will understand.
A few years ago I met my present girlfriend, Sharron, who has an eleven-year-old daughter, called Taryn. Together we have a son who is five years old, called Ethan.
During the years when I had the stutter, I always accepted second best. I left school because of the stutter, dated girls which to be truthful, not only did I not feel attracted to, but did not particularly find interesting and certainly did not love. My stuttering mind convinced me that I could do no better. I was unhappy where I worked, but just accepted it; I did not feel able to put myself through the interview process again.
I now only accept the best and my life has improved tremendously.
In general, what fluency has given me is:
1. Confidence 2. Happiness 3. Contentment 4. Optimism 5. Success 6. Relaxation
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
What is zoom?
Sometimes when you take a photo you need to focus on one area in the picture frame. For example when you take a portrait photo you want to make sure the objects face fills the photo frame while when you take a group photo you want to make sure everybody is in the photo frame.
In to focus on that one area in the photo frame you can either physically move closer to the objects or use the cameras zoom feature. When using the zoom feature the camera (mechanically when applying an optical zoon or electronically when applying a digital zoom) enlarges that area to fit the full picture frame.
There are two types of zoom optical and digital (in older film cameras the only zoom option was optical). We will try to explain the differences between the two.
How does optical zoon work?
Optical zoom works by physically moving the cameras lenses and changing the focal length. By changing the focal length you can make objects appear bigger and fit the full photo frame.
When satisfied with the zoom position you can shoot the photo by simply applying the shutter button.
How does digital zoom work?
With digital zoom you actually use built-in software in the camera to define a portion of the photo which you are interested in. Once chosen the software crops the rest of the photo and enlarges the area you chose to fit the complete photo frame.
The process of enlarging the zoomed area is also known as extrapolation. The camera software needs to calculate new values for the pixels that were cropped in order to result in a full frame photo. The downside of this digital process is that the enlarged photo quality is lower than the original photo taken.
It is easy to understand the quality loss using an example. Lets assume that you have a 2MP (2 megapixels) camera. You point the camera and decide that you want to zoom in 2X. You run the digital zoom software and choose a 2X zoom. To accomplish this zoom the camera crops half of the photo and enlarges the other half to create a 2X zoom effect. In the process a 1MP area is discarded (the half that is cropped). The other 1MP area is enlarged in a process that copies every pixel once to generate a 2MP photo. Although the new photo seems to include 2MP it really includes only 1MP of information that was copied once. The result is a photo with a quality equivalent to a 1MP photo.
If you have used a 4X digital zoom in this example the result would have been a photo with an equivalent quality of a 0.5MP camera (the zoom area is 1/4 of the frame 3/4 of the frame would be discarded and the rest 1/4 would be copied three times to fill the frame).
Digital zoom significantly reduces the quality of the photo. If your camera does not include digital zoom you can always shoot the photo without zooming and then use a PC photo editing software to crop a portion of it and enlarge the rest. In fact using PC software is always the preferred method to built-in digital zoom since it allows you to try different zoom sizes, different zoom areas and different zoom algorithms while not losing the original photo.
So which one is better?
Optical zoom is superior to digital zoom. In fact from a practical point of view digital zoom should not be considered zoom at all. It is always better to apply digital zoom on a PC at a later time rather then when taking the photo using the cameras built-in digital zoom. When using a PC different sizes can be used and different zoom algorithms that can result in better qualities.
Know your camera’s zoom
Some manufacturers claim the maximum zoom figure their cameras support without specifying if it is optical or digital zoom. This information is confusing as many consumers do not understand the difference between the two. For example if a camera supports a 5X optical zoom and 10X digital zoom advertising the camera as a 10X zoom camera is confusing 10X digital zoom can be done with any camera using simple PC software.
When buying a camera always make sure that you know what the optical zoom figure is and that it meets your needs. Ignore the digital zoom figure as it does not mean much and can not compensate for a camera with poor optical zoom.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Drinking and driving.is not only dangerous for the other guy but also the driver and the passengers of the car itself. You should refrain from drinking and driving as there is a significantly increased risk of car accidents, damage to property and injury to people. Prevention is always better than cure. Hence, drinking and driving should not go together in fact it is stupid. Heavy penalties can be impounded on the accused, like suspension of drivers license, fines, a term in jail and confiscation of vehicle registration plates.
Every year there are thousands of people getting hurt or dying due to the drinking and driving. About 20% of the traffic fatalities all over the world take place due to drunk driving. We, like responsible citizens, should understand the ill effects of drunk driving and refrain from doing it. DUI or Drinking under the Influence of Intoxicants may cause problems in the present and in the future. The police should carry random checks on drunk drivers, especially at night to catch the offenders and reduce the menace. A breath analyzer test is the most common test used to catch the offenders.
Also, studies show that half of the offenders caught were not under the influence of alcohol but other banned substances like drugs. Parents should warn their children against drunk driving and show their own daily lives to their children by example. They should make their children understand the importance of being a responsible citizen. And, they should do nothing to bring any harm or any injury to people including something as irresponsible as drunk driving.
There are certain measures that can be implemented to curb drunk driving. Regular checks for drunk drivers on the road can be carried out by the law. Offenders should be severely punished in the form of levying heavy fines and penalties. Licenses of regular offenders should be suspended or terminated. Rehabilitation programs should be conducted for those people who cant kiss the habit goodbye. Every state should provide adequate information on the bad effects of DUI at the time of the drivers exams.
Many cars will have technological devices available like alarm systems in case the driver inside falls asleep. They will soon be fitted with anti collision devices so that the car brakes automatically if it is about to crash with another object in the front or the back.
Remember by being a responsible citizen you set an example to other people as well. Do not unnecessarily force others to drink at your parties. See to it that the party gets over well within time so that people can leave early. And also provide alternate means of transportation for those that do drink.
If you are arrested for DUI, then hiring a DUI lawyer proves to be the best decision. Driving under the influence can have serious consequences on you if you are involved in a car accident. You may face consequences like jail or prison, penalties or fines, vehicle impoundment, etc. The DUI lawyer is familiar with the intricacies and procedures involved with DUI charges and are your best bet if you find yourself in such a predicament.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
When it comes to birth control, women seem to have all the options. Men have the choice of using methods that rely on self-control and awareness, various brands and flavors of condoms, or getting snipped. For women, on the other hand, selecting a methods of contraception can be about as complex and detail-driven as choosing a dress for some formal gathering where she wants to make an impression. There are the pills and patches that release a variety of hormones that make the body think it is already pregnant, which ironically prevents an actual pregnancy from happening. There are a number of devices available for women that function in the same way as condoms do for men, though methods that rely on self-control are much less common. However, recent news may have helped take off at least one option from women’s birth control menus.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
A bowler who has the ability to bowl swing is an important asset in any cricket team as swing bowling is a great way to baffle a batman, add pressure and take wickets. The swing bowler has the ability to move the ball in the air either away from the batsman or in towards the batsmen. The swing is created by holding the cricket ball in a specific way so that when it is released from the hand the varying levels of air resistance combined with the position the seam is directed causes the ball to swing in the air.
The swing is accentuated by polishing and shining one side of the ball so that is smooth relative to the other side, which should get roughened up through the natural course of play. Select a side to shine at the start of the match and ensure all the bowlers and fielders know which side to polish. You can polish it by rubbing sweat into it and then rubbing it on your cricket trousers.
There are three generally recognised swing delivery types, in swing, out swing and reverse swing.
The out swing delivery is a ball which when bowled by a right handed bowler to a right handed batsman swings from the leg side towards the off side. The aim of the out swinger is to encourage the batsman into playing a drive and ideally the swing will increase the chance of getting an edge and getting the batsmen out caught behind, so make sure youve got some good catchers behind the stumps. You want to pitch the ball quite full, aiming at or just outside off stump so that the batsman is forced to play at the ball.
The grip for the out swing delivery is quite simple and provided the seam is up right at the point of release it should swing. You need to hold the ball as normal for a medium paced delivery with the seam vertical, however for the out swinger the seam needs to be vertical and pointing towards first or second slip at about a 15 angle, so that your fingers will be running slight across the seam. The shiny side should face the leg side of the batsmen, thus the rough side faces the off side and the direction of swing. The increased air resistance on the rough side and seam position will cause it to swing through the air towards the offside. The run up should be slightly angled and bowled from close to the stumps.
The in swing delivery is basically the reverse of the away swing in that when bowled from a right handed bowler it swings in towards a right handed batsmen from the off side towards the leg side. Have a straighter run up and deliver the ball slightly wider on the crease. In contrast to the away swing bowler, the in swing bowler aims to get the batsmen out LBW or bowled by pitching it up. Aim to bowl it so that it swings from outside off stump and pitches in line with middle and off stumps, be careful though because if you start it too straight it will swing down leg side and be easy for the batsman to hit away.
Tip – If you find yourself swinging the ball uncontrollably, hold the ball across the seam so that the seam runs horizontally, this will help negate and reduce the amount of swing.
You need to make sure that your bowlers and fielders are aware of which side of the ball in polished and that is constantly shined between deliveries. Most bowlers will shine the ball themselves but it is always useful to nominate one or two fielders to shine the ball as well while the bowler is walking back to his mark.
Changing weather conditions have an often noticeable affect on the amount that the cricket ball will swing. Dry hot sunny days dont favour swing bowling, whereas overcast, cloudy conditions are found to be most influential at generating more swing. So take this into consideration when deciding who to bowl if you are captain.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Lets get one thing clear – SPAM is very bad. Spam is demeaning, intrusive, frustrating, etc. However, the reaction to Spam is defeatist, Luditist, intrusive and reactionary.
Firstly, lets look at the reality of Spam; you download your emails, you delete the Spam.
Come on, are they that hard to identify? Is the email from Aunt Dot injured by the Spam? Do you have to spend hours reading each one to the bitter end to guess it is spam?
Email programmes come with a button called – DELETE; so delete – end of the matter. I hear you whinning: “but they take so long to download”; “they fill my inbox”; “they contain pornography”, etc. One answer: Delete.
Actually, the porn Spam does present a bigger problem- for children of course, and the degree of insult they produce. To be honest, if your email is privacy protected, which it should be, then these problems can be partially avoided as well.
By the way, Spamhaus, a major Spam identifier, notes that 80% of Spam originates with just 20 groups.
So how does everyone suffer from over-reaction when dealing with Spam? How many genuine emails get blocked by Spam walls? I will use some examples of personal experience to show you the problems.
I have had important emails blocked just because I used an ISP that one of the 20 gangs had used for a period. This ISP was actually the major telephone service for a country, one that about 50% of the country’s residents used. Great response: close half a country’s international emails.
I have had emails blocked because I used the word, ‘free’. My project, is a free resource on the Internet. Now I cannot say free, and hundreds of schools write to me to ask if my Project is free. I have also had emails blocked because I said, “For adults working with children”; NO adults, obviously pornography.
A professor at a University asked me about my Project; he was considering doing research with me, but I could not reply to him: intrusive Spam wall.
How many international websites today do not include any email contact details, or go to great lengths to hide them? What is the point of a website if you cannot respond and communicate with the owner? Am I expected to make international phone calls, send letters, snail mail?
I can go on. The bottom line is that our fears of using a delete button have allowed us to start to lose one of the great technology innovations of this era: email.
Email is better than great: it is better than landing on the moon. How did we live without email? This amazing technology is being murdered by ourselves and our ridiculous, stupid over-reaction.
Weigh the good of email and the cost of Spam; the balance is wrong. Wake up! To join the fight AGAINST the spam lords
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
It is often observed that many people’s top ranking fear is not death but having to speak in public. The joke is that these people would rather be lying in the casket at the funeral than giving the eulogy. Public speaking for people who suffer from panic attacks or general anxiety often becomes a major source of worry weeks or even months before the speaking event is to occur.
These speaking engagements do not necessarily have to be the traditional “on a podium” events but can be as simple as an office meeting where the individual is expected to express an opinion or give verbal feedback. The fear of public speaking and panic attacks in this case centers on having an attack while speaking. The individual fears being incapacitated by the anxiety and hence unable to complete what he or she is saying. The person imagines fleeing the spotlight and having to make all kinds of excuses later for their undignified departure out the office window….
This differs slightly from the majority of people who fear public speaking because their fear tends to revolve around going blank while speaking or feeling uncomfortable under the spotlight of their peers. The jitters or nerves of speaking in public are of course a problem for this group as well, but they are unfamiliar with that debilitating threat which is the panic attack, as they most likely have not experienced one before.
Public Speaking and Panic AttacksSo how should a person with an anxiety issue tackle public speaking? Stage one is accepting that all these bizarre and quite frankly unnerving sensations are not going to go away overnight. In fact, you are not even going to concern yourself with getting rid of them for your next talk. When they arrive during a speech/meeting, you are going to approach them in a new manner. What we need to do is build your confidence back to where it used to be before any of these sensations ever occurred. This time you will approach it in a unique, empowering manner, allowing you to feel your confidence again. It is said that most of the top speakers are riddled with anxiety before speaking, but they somehow use this nervousness to enhance their speech. I am going to show you exactly how to do this, although I know that right now if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks you may find it difficult to believe you can ever overcome it.
My first point is this and it is important. The average healthy person can experience an extreme array of anxiety and very uncomfortable sensations while giving a speech and is in no danger of ever losing control, or even appearing slightly anxious to the audience. No matter how tough it gets, you will always finish your piece, even if at the outset it feels very uncomfortable to go on. You will not become incapacitated in any way.
The real breakthrough for if you suffer from public speaking and panic attacks happens when you fully believe that you are not in danger and that the sensations will pass.
“I realize you (the anxiety) hold no threat over me.”
What keeps a panic attack coming again and again is the fear of the fear–the fear that the next one will really knock your socks off and you feel you were lucky to have made it past the last one unscathed. As they were so unnerving and scary, it is your confidence that has been damaged by previous anxiety episodes. Once you fully understand you are not under any threat, then you can have a new response to the anxiety as it arises while speaking.
Defeating public speaking and panic attacks…
There is always a turning point when a person moves from general anxiety into a panic attack, and that happens with public speaking when you think to yourself:
“I won’t be able to handle this in front of these people.”
That split second of self-doubt leads to a rush of adrenaline, and the extreme anxiety arrives in a wave like format. If, however, when you feel the initial anxiety and you react with confidence that this is not a threat to you, you will move out of the anxiety rapidly. Using this new approach is a powerful ally because it means it is okay to feel scared and feel the anxiety when speaking-that is fine; you are going to feel it and move with and through the sensations in your body and out the other side. Because he or she is feeling very anxious, often before the talk has begun, that person may feel they have already let themselves down. Now, you can relax on that point. It is perfectly natural to feel the anxiety. Take for example the worst of the sensations you have ever experienced in this situation–be it general unease to loss of breath. You will have an initial automatic reaction that says:
“Danger-I’m going to have an episode of anxiety here and I really can’t afford that to happen.”
At this point most people react to that idea and confirm it must be true because of all of the unusual feelings they are experiencing. This is where your thinking can lead you down a train of thought that creates a cycle of anxiety that produces a negative impact on your overall presenting skills.
So let that initial “oh dear, not now” thought pass by, and follow it up immediately with the attitude of:
“There you are-I’ve been wondering when you would arrive. I’ve been expecting you to show up–by the way, I am not in the least threatened by any of the strange sensations you are creating–I am completely safe here.”
Public Speaking and Panic AttacksThe key to controlling your fear of public speaking and panic attacks is that instead of pushing the emotional energy and excitement down into your stomach, you are moving out through it. Your body is in a slightly excited state, exactly as it should be while giving a speech, so release that energy in your self-expression. Push it out through your presentation not down into your stomach. You push it out by expressing yourself more forcefully. In this way you turn the anxiety to your advantage by using it to deliver a speech where you come across more alive, energetic and in the present moment. When you notice the anxiety drop as it does when you willingly move into it. Fire a quick thought off when you get a momentary break (as I am sure you have between pieces), asking it for “more.” You want more of its intense feelings as you are interested in them and are absolutely not threatened by them.
It seems like a lot of things to be thinking about while talking to a group of people, but it is not really. You’d be amazed how many different non-related thoughts you can have while speaking. This approach is about adopting a new attitude of confidence to what you might have deemed a serious threat up until now. This tactic will truly help you with fear of public speaking and panic attacks you have associated with them.
If your predominant fear of the speaking engagement is driven by a feeling of being trapped, then I would suggest factoring in some mental releases that can be prepared before the event. For example, some meetings/speeches allow for you to turn the attention back to the room to get feedback etc. from the group.
If possible, you might want to prepare such opportunities in your own mind before the engagements. This is not to say you have to ever use them, but people in this situation often remark that just having small opportunities where attention can be diverted for the briefest of moments can make the task seem less daunting. It my even be something as simple as having people introduce themselves or opening the floor to questions. I realize these diversions are not always possible and depend on the situation, but anything you can factor in that makes you feel less trapped or under the spotlight is worth the effort and can help alleviate fear of public speaking and panic attacks.
I hope you have found this public speaking and panic attacks page helpful. Please give it some careful consideration and you will realize it contains the truth.
http://www.panic-and-anxiety-attacks.com/public-speaking-and-panic-attacks.html
This article is copywritten material. Any requests for reprinting this article must be made to Joe Barry McDonagh
Joe Barry is an international panic disorder coach. His informative site on all issues related to panic and anxiety attacks can be found here:
http://www.panic-and-anxiety-attacks.com/
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Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
As you know, Hurricane Katrina has caused destruction and devastation across several states. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and are unable to work since the storm. Businesses have been closed for weeks. The economical impact is unimaginable. No one knows what the effects will be weeks, months, even years from now.
How would weeks, or months, of lost income affect your family? This event is another solid reminder of how important it is to develop passive income the kind of income where you keep making money whether you are working or not. If and when events happen to keep you from work whether they are wonderful interruptions, such as the birth of a new baby, or tragic events like a hurricane, youll continue to have money coming in.
There are several ways to set up passive income streams.
Start a website (or several websites)
Set up your own money-maker. Whether your interest is in selling a product, providing information, or a service, every business needs an online presence. If youre uncomfortable with technology, there are site builders available that will walk you through every step of the way. Or, if you want to avoid maintaining a website, many people are making decent money from blogs.
Join Affiliate Programs
Research and join any of the wonderful affiliate programs selling anything from books to bras. If youre unfamiliar with affiliate programs, its really quite a simple concept. Thousands of companies will pay you to refer customers to them. Whether your interest is sports or doilies, you can make money by linking to products from your website or blog.
Make your own info products and get affiliates to sell for you
Create an electronic product (write an ebook, design software, or record an audio product). Once youve created your product, recruit affiliates to sell for you!
And, of course, Direct Sales
If you are in a Direct Sales business, build your customer base and your team and youll have residual income, too. Build your team both wide and deep for the most security.
Once you know which path youre going to follow, then its critical that you automate your Business. Set up an autoresponder, so your messages are being sent whether you are home or not. You can automate e-courses and newsletters – all running at the same time, automatically.
Your autoresponder can be your best customer service rep. Make sure your autoresponder sends clients a thank you email as soon as they place an order and another email a week after placing their order just to check in. Youll be providing excellent customer service, and your customer wont know that their thoughtful customer service response is really an automated reply.
Are you making money when you are not working? Is your income protected, for the times when life happens? If not, my challenge to you is to do one thing to get on the road to making passive income today!
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
So you’ve put all this work into your business: you’ve got a name, you’ve made some marketing materials, even written some things for your customers. If you don’t want your competitors to be able to take what you’ve done and exploit it, though, you’re going to need to take some steps to protect yourself.
What’s in a Name?
Your name is one of the most important assets your business has — it’s how your customers identify you. Knowing your name is the first step to trusting you and recommending you to others. But what can you do if you’re afraid that someone else might start using your name, or simply start another company with a similar enough name to confuse people?
The answer is that you can register a trademark. A trademark is a word or logo that distinguishes one thing from another, and you have the right to register any names or logos your business uses, in order to stop other people from using them. Coca-Cola, for example, is a trademark of the Coca-Cola Company — if I start selling my own drink and calling it ‘Coca-Cola’, or even something like ‘Cocoa-Cooler’, then they have grounds to sue me.
Making Your Mark.
You can trademark both your business’ name as well as the names of any products you sell. The only condition is that they can’t be too similar to names that someone has already trademarked, and you can’t usually trademark words that are in common use.
It costs a few hundred dollars to register a trademark, and you can do it through the patent office. It can be a waste of money to trademark too many words, so you should only bother with it if you think one of your names could be threatened by competitors.
Once you get your trademark, it’s yours — you can do whatever you want with it, including giving others permission to use it or selling it to them. Remember, though, that your trademark usually only applies in the country where you registered it — you will not usually be protected from competition where foreign businesses are using your trademark. Also, your right to use the trademark will only last for a set number of years (usually a decade from the date of registration). After this time, you will have to pay again to renew it.
Don’t Copy Me.
Copyrights are similar to trademarks in terms of the kind of protection they offer, but different in how they work. In almost all countries, ownership of copyright is automatic, and costs nothing. The moment you write (or draw, or record) something, you own the copyright on it, and can take action against anyone who makes a copy of it without your permission. This article you’re reading right now, for example, has the automatic copyright. If you decided to copy it without permission and put it on your own website, then that would be illegal. Not that you would do such a thing, of course.
It is possible to own the copyright on almost anything that exists but isn’t physical: music, graphics, writing, computer programs, and so on. It does not, however, cover physical things (that’s patents), nor does it cover names (that’s trademarks).
A copyright lasts longer than a trademark: typically it lasts until you die, and then a set number of years after that, depending on your country and the kind of thing that was copyrighted. After the end of this time, the work becomes ‘public domain’, free for anyone to use.
Of course, copyright is a right, not something that you absolutely must go along with. If you want to give people permission to freely use and redistribute something you’ve made, then you have the legal right to do this. You can even give up your copyright on a piece of work altogether, simply by writing on it that you no longer want to own the copyright.
Since you’re in business, though, the chances are that you’ll want more protection for your materials, not less. Look into registering your copyright at the patent office, as doing this will give you an even stronger case if you ever need to use it.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Hiking is one of the most adventurous activities. It is not enough to just wear usual clothes during hiking. There are required hiking clothes for hiking. The clothes are the most important gear for any hiker because it serves as protection from any kind of harm while outdoors. There are two kinds of clothing for hiking, the hiking clothes for women and for men. Layering system of clothes is usually used by hikers for the reason that it is lighter and flexible compared to carrying a separate piece for every contingency. And normally works better compared to trying to make one piece for each need encountered. The layering systems of clothes are:
o Base layer – the innermost clothing layer next to skin
o Insulation layer – the middle clothing layer gives warmth to the body
o Outer layer – the outer layer is the clothing that protects the other layer from rain, snow, wind etc.
The hiking clothes for women must keep them warm, dry, and protected from any harm and different weather conditions, terrain conditions, and other conditions that you will encounter during your hike. You must consider the weight and bulk of the clothing in buying hiking clothes. Lightweight hiking clothes are more functional and very comfortable to use. The hikers must also chose the right hiking clothing in order to protect their torso and extremities. Here are some guidelines in choosing hiking clothes including the hiking footwear.
o Outdoor clothing – you can be exposed to different conditions during hiking. It is important to choose and wear hiking clothing that will protect from any harm from outdoor. You must also consider the purpose of your outdoor clothing, like maintaining your thermal balance.
o The three layer system – this is the best way to protect yourself from some weather. This is discussed on the second paragraph of this article.
o The appropriate hiking socks and hiking boots – you must choose an appropriate hiking socks that fits your hiking boots. This is basically for the protection of the feet.
o The hiking pants – this is the perfect clothing to maintain your thermal equilibrium and protect your extremities.
o Hiking shirts and jackets – hiking shirts and jackets will give protection in your torso. Choose the hiking shirt and hiking jackets that really suites your body.
o Hiking vest.- hikers usually use hiking vest. This gives warm to the body also.
o Hiking rain clothing – this is the best clothing during rainy season. This will keep your body warm and dry.
o Gloves or mitts – this will probably protect your hands
o Hats and scarves – used for head protection, you can also use some head gears that can protect you head.
These are the best guide for choosing hiking clothes for women. Always consider the quality and feature of any hiking clothing and you must also wear the appropriate hiking clothing before heading to hike.
Amy Carpenter is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about hiking clothes for women [http://hikingandcampinggearstore.info/hiking-clothes-for-women], please visit Hiking and Camping Gear Store [http://hikingandcampinggearstore.info] for current articles and discussions.
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Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
Have you ever wondered what the difference between a great chef and an ordinary chef is? How can one produce food recipes that are remembered and another produce food that is quickly forgotten? Disregarding all the jokes about never trusting a skinny chef I can only say that the 80/20 rule applies in this profession the same as in other professions. It is a fact of life that 20% of lawyers, doctors, accountants, financial planners etc. are outstanding; the other 80% are mediocre to awful. The same applies to all trades and professions. So the challenge vis–vis chefs is to find what differentiates the 20% from the 80%.
The first thing you will notice about the top 20% is creativity; they create meals and set the standard for others to follow. The most obvious sign of creativity is in the way that a meal is served. Can you look at the meal before you start eating and think: This meal appears to be unique? This must be obvious before you taste it; the meal truly needs to stir something (other than hunger) within you. Top chefs are like interior decorators in their presentation; mixing colors, shapes and textures to be sure that they are eye-catching.
Next we come to the recipe itself. Top chefs rarely present a recipe as it is presented in a recipe book; instead they add their own signature to it. This signature is better known as flair and varies from adding a simple extra ingredient to a number of ingredients. It could also be a variation of some ingredient quantities. For instance there is a recipe on our website for chocolate truffles flavored with cayenne pepper. – Now that looks stupid on paper because it is one of those things that you must taste to believe. The result is a truffle that leaves a taste for at least half an hour after you eat it. This is just one example of a chef that thinks outside of the square. There are many more that are not quite so radical.
Another thing I like to test when I eat out is the taste of simple boiled vegetables; you dont need me to tell you that they can be bland. So, what if you boil all non-root vegetables in chicken, beef or vegetable stock rather than plain water. Also boil them together for the same time. You finish up with extra flavored vegetables and different textures because some vegetables require longer cooking time than others. Does it spoil the vegetables? Only you can be the judge, just remember that vegetables shouldnt be cooked for too long or you boil the goodness out of them.
Why not start collecting your own top chefs tips when you eat out. If there is something on your plate that excites you ask the waiter to ask the chef how he achieved that taste. Chefs are like artists and are usually happy to discuss their techniques with people who show a genuine interest.
This article is copyright David McCarthy 2006. Feel free to reproduce it in the printed or electronic media without alterations or additions.
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
What you’re about to read is a ‘labor of love’. It didn’t happen easily.
Hours and hours of learning and research went into gaining this experience and compiling it in a form you can benefit from. This article was meant to be a useful, educational and instructive resource for anyone interested in this topic.
Enjoy it – and do let us know what you think.
A tummy tuck, scientifically known as an abdominoplasty, helps people who have loose skin as a result of pregnancy or weight loss to regain a more youthful appearance. Abdominoplasty is a major surgical procedure in which a surgeon cuts loose skin away, sews together separated abdominal muscles, then sews existing skin back.
When considering abdominoplasty, it helps to look at photographs of tummy tucks. Before and after tummy tuck photographs can help you determine what you can expect in terms of results. The results of an abdominoplasty vary between patients, and a lot has to do with the way the individual body heals and responds to surgery. photographs of tummy tucks can also help you to see what to expect in terms of the actual procedure. Most people have a deep-rooted fear of the unknown. It can help to look at tummy tuck photographs to see what you will go through, if you have the stomach for it.
Now, pay attention closely. What you’re about to read will help you save hours of frustrating, wasted hunting, and let you hone in on some of the best material on this subject!
When you consult with a surgeon, you will find their office will be filled with photographs of tummy tucks. Because youll be going through a lot of waiting while in the doctors office, it is a good opportunity to have a look at tummy tuck photographs. Based on what you see, you may speak with the surgeon about any concerns you have about the procedure, the recovery, and the expectations. You might even find that abdominoplasty is not a good option for you after looking at the above photographs of unsuccessful operations.
There is also a procedure called a mini tummy tuck that might be a better option for many people. You might find that a full tummy tuck is overkill. You might also find that a full tummy tuck is too expensive or is too invasive on your body. In this case, a mini tummy tuck may be your answer, as it uses a smaller incision. In a regular abdominoplasty your navel or belly button might be repositioned. A mini tummy tuck usually wont need the removal of tissue around the belly button and is usually left alone. It is usually done in the lower area of the abdomen and usually requires less skin removal and muscle repair. It is a one or two hour procedure, whereas a standard abdominoplasty can be up to six hours long.
Once your procedure is complete, you should be prepared for a prolonged recovery process. Recovery from abdominoplasty takes longer than many other cosmetic surgery procedures. In some cases, an overnight stay after the surgery is not required. However, in other cases, a hospital stay of one to two days might be required. You should be able to return to work after two to three weeks, but youll be discouraged from doing any strenuous activity for at least three to five weeks.
As Always, please consult with your physician for additional information on this subject and be sure to check out the wealth of insight and knowledge on this topic online.
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
With a few simple steps, you can turn your web site into a lead generation machine. Here’s how: Hook – Get your audience interested in what you have to offer. Make it exciting with catchy copy, and compelling graphics. Project professionalism and let you potential customer know how much better off they will be with your product or service.
Direct – Tell your audience what to do. If you tell your audience what to do, and you have created the impression of authority, they are likely to follow your advice. Tell your audience to buy your product or, if it is a service you sell, fill out an information request form.
Form – Use your information request form to grab essential information about your potential client. Use an online form to find out exactly what your potential client wants. Use tracking tools to see where the lead originated form, such as what search engine and keyword, or what web site and ad.
Database – The information from the form should be inserted into a database for easy searching, scheduling and record keeping. Having a good data base system is essential for the next step.
Follow up – Follow up with your potential clients, using your database to schedule events and send marketing material. Stay in front of your clients with an email newsletter, and friendly calls scheduled through out the year. You want your potential client to remember who you are, so when it comes time to make a purchase, they think of your company.
Marketing – Use search engines, advertisements, television, radio, magazines, billboards, word of mouth, web ads, and anything else you can to bring people to your site. If there are no people coming to your site, the best lead generation tools in the world won’t help you get new clients.
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
I have never been a person that is constantly afraid of something going wrong with my health or of dying. In fact, I have spent most of my life without fears about health or death. My wife, on the other hand, has always been really concerned about issues relating to her health and to the health of the ones she loves most. I guess some would call her paranoid about health issues.
I had never met someone so paranoid about health issues until I met my wife. It took me a few years to really understand where she was coming from when she would urge me to the doctor at the first sign of a cough or cold. I spent the first years of my married life quite frustrated by her and her constant paranoid ideas about our health and life.
My wife decided to begin going to counseling to discuss her issues of being paranoid about health and disease and dying. She asked me to accompany her and I agreed with great joy. I wanted to take every opportunity I could not only to understand my wife, but also to learn how I could better partner with her and understand her needs. I had no idea just how paranoid she was about sickness and death, nor do I think she knew, until we walked away from her first counseling session a few years ago.
The counselor quickly pointed out that her extremely paranoid thoughts and feelings about every symptom that may be abnormal were directly tied to losing her mother suddenly when she was a young girl. Of course, both of us had thought about the possibility of that connection, but never before had we so seriously thought through the implications of a small child losing her mother without warning.
Of course losing a parent unexpectedly would create the atmosphere for possible paranoid thoughts and feelings about death. If your mother had no symptoms of sickness and then she suddenly died, why wouldn’t you be paranoid that one day you would just die as well? My wife’s paranoid thoughts and feelings were being explained to her and to myself in ways we had never thought of before.
She has been able to find almost total freedom from her paranoid thoughts of death and dying as she has come to grips with the fact that her mother’s death was not her fault and that sometimes sickness and death gets the best of us. If you or someone you know struggles with paranoid thoughts as well, I’d urge you to get into a counselor as soon as possible. You do not have to live that way any longer.
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Many conventional colleges and universities are now offering online DVD repair courses, which are the exact same as those taught on a traditional college campus, to distance learners. Online education is generally taught through the use of several different methods, including online satellite feeds, correspondence or online lessons. This technique permits the student to obtain a DVD repair degree without ever having to step inside of a classroom. An online education, providing that it is granted by a regionally accredited college or university, is broadly accepted as worthy training for any job in the direct field of study.
Online education is approachable in many ways, but students often neglect the fact that it is much more economical than a traditional campus degree. Why?? When factoring in the costs associated with student housing & meals, which often begins at a total of $6,000 or more every year, the savings are evident. With an online DVD repair education, students pay only for the courses that they are taking and they often choose to do so on a per credit hour basis rather than paying the full tuition each year.
The type of distance education degree that everyone should abstain from is what is known as a diploma mill. In exchange for a specified sum of money, which is often $1,000.00 or more, they will issue a life experience degree with little or no investigation into the applicants background. These businesses often feature a very professionally designed website and appear to be very much legitimate. In fact, they even guarantee potential students that they are issuing legal degrees. Upon further examination of these so-called colleges, students will learn that they can even purchase a transcript with any letter grade that they choose. But, what is the basis for the grade? No classes were ever required, no tests taken and no valid grades were issued. Individuals who are interested in earning a legitimate degree should be very wary of any college or institution that offers to provide a life experience degree based only on the word of applicant and does little, or no, investigation into the students background.
The truth is that the only actual way to receive life experience credit is to take the CLEP test, which is given periodically at local colleges and universities. In addition, a number of universities are willing to accept portfolio assessments in exchange for possible life experience credit. These are legitimate ways to earn life experience, or knowledge-based, DVD repair college credit.
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
Dance give us plenty of room for self-expression and can be powerful in helping the body and mind to be stimulated. It’s all about movement and music and you.
This is one thing everyone agrees about: Dance is beneficial. It’s exercising without “feeling” like you’re exercising, it increases cardiovascular and mental health, releasing endorphins while you turn, spin, and simply MOVE.
Unfortunately, in our “modernized” society, we have lost touch with its potential. In contrast, dance has always been an integral part of many other cultures. You dont have to dance with an African tribe around a roaring fire to realize the healing benefits of dance; luckily, all you need is yourself.
The other great thing about dance is that it can be done either in the privacy of your own home, in dance classes as a recreational outlet, at a party with friends, or as you do any number of houshold tasks, fitting a little “swing” in your steps.
“Oh, I can’t dance,” you’ll say. Can’t, or won’t?? Dancing is simply moving, like wayward walking. It doesn’t have to be funky-crazy or hip; you don’t have to go with a style you don’t feel comfortable with; and those of you with “dance inhibition” are free, nearly every day, to find time and a private place large enough to move around freely — again, also knwn as dancing.
Choose music you feel comfortable with. Music preferences naturally vary from person to person — and even from day to day — so it just doesn’t matter of you decide to dance to Prince, Mozart, Garth Brooks, or Billie Holiday. That’s the first rule: Never put any kind of restrictions on yourself, thinking, “I like that music, but how do you dance to “Jingle Bells”?
When you are ready to begin, stand for a moment with your eyes closed. Feel the connection of your feet to the floor and just relax. If you feel completely at a loss for what to do, imagine your breath supplying your entire body with a golden fluid, making your body light and flexible.
Allow this to transition into any movements you wish, moving as the body dictates. Flow, float, stomp, jump up and down. Move fast or in slow motion. The key is to just allow the body to move, so dont think too much — just move. Dont worry about how you look; if you’re alone, no one can see you. If you’re in a dance class, everyone else is laughing, making the same mistakes you are.
When you really get into it, after a while you’ll definitely notice something: You’re not worrying as much any more; you are sleeping better; you aren’t as irritable at work or at home, with your family; and you feel surprisingly “healed” in some way.
In fact, the natural bodily healing and restoration can last from a couple of minutes to a several hours. People young and old, in all states of fitness, living in all kinds of bodies can benefit from dance. Those with injuries or physical challenges can bene fit as well as any “able-bodied” person; just listen to your body and work with its limitations. Dance can be used for healing major stresses as well as “everyday life,” for it is often that these stresses build up, manifesting in extreme tension, anger, and even illness.
Remember, you’re not forcing your body to move according to someone elses steps; to truly dance is to just tune in to your own personal radio station, and move according to the rhythm of your soul. Dance slow, dance fast, dance solo, dance with others, dance with joy, even dance the sorrow out of your heart. There are no rules — just DANCE!