Glen Johnson began his football career with the West Ham United youth academy before signing a professional contract in 2001 before he joined Chelsea in 2003 for a fee of £6 million, when he became the first signing of the Chelsea revolution under the new owner Roman Abramovich.

Johnson actually made his Chelsea debut at Anfield and went on to enjoy a Premier League title and collect a League Cup winners medal during his time with the Blues. As his first team opportunities became more limited he was loaned to Portsmouth in 2006 before making his transfer complete the following season.

A regular player at Portsmouth, Glen was part of the team that won the FA Cup in 2008 and he also has the accolade for scoring the goal of the season during 2008-2009 for his goal against Hull.

An already established member of Fabio Capello’s England squad, Johnson signed for Liverpool in the summer of 2009 for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £17.5 million. The defender quickly established himself in the Liverpool first team, making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur in August of 2009 and scoring his first goal for the club a few days later against Stoke City, and he scored a further two goals for the Reds during the 2009-2010 season, which culminated with Johnson representing England at the World Cup Finals in South Africa, where England were eliminated in their final 16 match against Germany. Glen Johnson has now made 34 appearances for England.

During the 2010-11 season the defender suffered several injuries which limited his playing opportunities, but he has established himself in the resurgent Liverpool side under returning manager and Reds legend Kenny Dalglish. A willingness to play at left back as well as his favoured right side has demonstrated a versatility that has proved many sceptics wrong. Johnson signed a contract extension at Liverpool during the summer of 2011.

While showing versatility in defence, Johnson is also a threat going forward, showing great speed, skill and determination, he demonstrated his attacking prowess when he scored a brilliant solo goal in the closing minutes against his former club Chelsea during the 2011 season in the game at Stamford Bridge, the goal secured a 2-1 victory for the Reds in the closing minutes.

Johnson established The Glen Johnson Soccer School in 2007 along with former West Ham player Sam Taylor, the aim of the school is to develop football skills for children aged 4-16 and this is based in Dartford, Kent, England.

Steve Goodwin is an expert author, football fan and retailer of Liverpool merchandise available from the Liverpool Shop all products from the Liverpool Store are available to ship worldwide.

Author: Steve Goodwin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Talking about the players, we have seen so many great players that have either made their marks on a country level or their own respective club levels. For example Eric Cantona who is known as Eric the King has made his mark in the Manchester United Football Club. In fact he has been credited as the player who has brought up Manchester United as a global footballing force that it is today. Then we have the likes of Pele who has been called the greatest player of the game ever. Moreover the extraordinary feats of Maradona still make him a name to be remembered.

Perhaps even more famous than national footballing teams are the club footballing teams. These teams like Manchester United even have fans outside their home countries. Take for example the club Manchester United. It is said that the number of fans of Manchester United are more in China than the UK itself, which is the home of the club! Massive advertising and promotion have played a large role in the development of these clubs which today have revenues in the millions of dollars. More spectacular are the amounts for which these clubs change players. Millions of dollars are paid by clubs to each other for the buying of players. Big players like Christiano Ronaldo and David Beckham are sold for tens of millions of dollars.

Even more spectacular is the state of these players as far as their celebrity status is concerned. These players command salaries in hundreds of thousands of dollars per month! They even rake in more money through their endorsements and sponsorship deals. No wonder these players are some of the richest people in the world!

Thus we see that the game of football has grown from a globally played sport to a global empire where clubs like the Manchester United Football Club and players like Eric Cantona are huge behemoths!

Author: Larissa Vinci
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Although it’s kind of simple, one of my favorite and most useful organizational tools or tactics has been “binders”. I put everything in binders and I think it has helped me tremendously. I used to have notes everywhere for stuff and I could never find anything and I never got anything done. Now I put things in binders and I see a huge improvement in my productivity. It’s actually a pleasure to have notes and things on a subject of interest all in one easily accessible place.

Just go to Walmart or any or any of those anything stores and get a one and a half inch plain, white binder. I really like the new foldable ones. You can easily fold it in half to take notes. It’s great. Get some index tab dividers. Put the tab dividers in the binder with appropriate headings for your topic. An example of a binder I have and use regularly is for my Article Mentoring Program. I have a tab for “Multiple Streams of Article Income E-Course”, “Article Writing Newsletter”, “Mentoring Consultation Calls”, “Articles Written” and “E-Book”. Now, the most important part is once you have it together, you need to actually use it! Wow–what a concept! It can’t help you if you don’t know where it is when you need it or you don’t use it.

Immediately, identify three areas in your environment that could use an organizational system and figure out a way to take care of those three areas. Then, when that’s handled, you will only need to maintain them while working on three more areas to clean up and organize. Work on small pieces a bit at a time so you make progress without feeling too overwhelmed. You will feel so much better when you get a grip on the clutter and start making positive changes to your life.

For more tips and tools for De-Cluttering Your Life, I’m inviting you to

visit http://www.De-Clutteru.com – from Heidi Schaden

Author: Heidi Schaden
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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They also know or will soon learn that they must think well ahead regarding that required fuel stop. How far before they will run empty should they stop to fill up? Where is there a station which they can get into and out of the pumps without damage? Where is a station of the desired brand or which will take the desired credit card? What is the price, compared to other locations along the route? And so on.

It’s not a simple question to answer. Coming up with the answer often requires significant mental energy and creates stress. Stress which no RVer needs.

I’ll use my F-350 Power Stroke as am example. The factory tank holds 38 gallons. That means that while towing my trailer I can almost always get 300 miles on a tank full, and under the most ideal conditions I might be able to get 400 miles.

Here in the Midwest, finding stations at appropriate spots is not a problem. But how about more sparsely populated areas, where it can easily be 100 miles between towns? And do those towns have acceptable places to fuel? It can be a problem!

With my wife’s encouragement, I added a combination toolbox/tank. It holds 45 gallons in the lower part while the upper seven inches or so is a toolbox. That’s a great place for a pair of battery jumper cables, a tow chain, a supply of diesel fuel additive, spare oil and oil filter, a lug wrench, and tie-down straps.

This tank has been great for our marriage! Now planning fuel stops is a non-issue because we have enough range that we can easily plan to stop at our favorite places to fill up. With this setup, I tell people that I can run 400 miles, then must find a place to fuel up within the next 300 miles!

Now it is relatively easy to avoid buying fuel in cities or even entire states where the price is “too high.”

The results of adding this auxiliary tank are simple: Now we buy fuel on our terms, not when we must. It makes a world of difference in the expenditure of mental energy regarding fueling.

There are several different approaches to aux tanks, from the rather sophisticated to the brutally simple.

The simplest version is just a tank with a pump and a hose. When you want to use fuel from the aux tank, you stop, take the end of the hose, stick it in the filler pipe of the main tank, and turn the pump on. This is simple, easy to install, and easy to understand. And potentially messy! Don’t forget to turn the pump off!

The most sophisticated one of which I am aware is the system sold by Transfer Flow. With this system, fuel is automatically transferred from the aux to the main tank. A “control panel” in the cab provides a digital readout of the amount of fuel in each tank. Because of the automation and information provided, this system is considered by many to be the top of the line in auxiliary fuel tank systems.

I chose the middle ground and, as they say, “It works for me!”

The system I installed has a switch in the cab labeled “Main” or “Auxiliary.” When in the “Auxiliary” position, fuel feeds from the aux tank directly to the engine. The standard fuel gauge indicates the amount of fuel in the aux tank.

When switched to the “Main” position, fuel flows from the main tank directly to the engine and the fuel gauge indicates the amount of fuel in the main tank.

For me, this system is great: Simple, not messy, uncomplicated fuel gauge readout. And simple fuel management. It serves us well.

There’s an added benefit which no one mentions. It provides a back-up fuel pump! I’ve not heard of fuel pumps going bad in pickups, but I have replaced fuel pumps in two cars. A failed fuel pump can leave you stranded and be expensive to replace. With many auxiliary fuel tank systems, you have a second fuel pump! This creates a redundant system, just like many of the systems in airplanes where the results of a failure of the main system are simply unacceptable.

If your spouse or you spend too much time considering fuel stops or if you simply have to stop too often, you are a great candidate for an auxiliary fuel tank. It puts you in the drivers seat!

Copyright 2007 Keith A. Williams

The author is a part-time RVer who loves his truck and driving it. He also likes a minimum of hassle, so the added fuel tank was a great stress reliever for him.

Installing an RV Awning Travel Lock also reduced stress, for now he doesn’t worry about losing his awning to a gust of wind while en route. He was so impressed with this lock’s effectiveness, appearance, and quality that he now offers them for sale on the ‘net.

He has two articles published by ezinearticles regarding lost awnings.

You can learn about the RV Awning Travel Lock at these sites: http://awninglock.com and http://awninglock.info

Author: Keith A. Williams
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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The great news is that majority of cartridges used by printers are refillable. Hence, printer users always have easy access to cost effective ink in a variety of colors. These ink refill kits, however are not recommended for toner cartridges and this is because the drum of the laser toner cartridge needs to be replaced each time to achieve satisfactory results.

A lot of people shy away from refilling either based on past experiences or stories they have heard. Because of this, they pay more and buy original cartridges each time they run out of ink because they think filling ink into a printer cartridge is a messy and complicated process. So is refilling ink into a cartridge complicated or messy? No! The process of refilling is easy as long as you follow the simple steps that accompany the ink refill kits. All the tools for refilling ink into the printer cartridge will be provided along with the refill kits. In most cases, the necessary tools are a syringe, gloves and the instruction kit.

How many times can you use the refill kits on a cartridge? Well, at least five times. This number depends on the use of the cartridge and the quality of the paper. While refill kits are great to use, there are some tips that need to be remembered while using them.

We suggest refilling your cartridge before it is completely dried up because If a printer cartridge is left without ink for more than couple of days, then the print-head can get clogged, which may reduce the quality of results after refilling. Putting the empty cartridge a tightly sealed plastic bag will slow down the drying process.

Also there is another Innojet we need to briefly discuss. It is a company from Germany. The intensive and innovative activities of the Innojet Company in the field of fluid dynamics have realized surprising progresses with respect to many details of all types of technical fluid bed equipments during the recent years. So these activities have enriched the State-of-the-Art substantially.

So, go ahead and order your refill kits today, after all, you can manage almost all your printing needs with these cost effective ink kits.

This article is prepared by Christy Berger who writes for Innojet ink cartridge – Discount Ink Refill Kit A longer version of this article can be found at Innojet Inkjet Ink Refill Kits

Author: Christy Berger
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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I once dated this guy (I hope if he reads this, he doesn’t recognize himself in it), and stopped seeing him because his place was absolutely disgusting. Now, I am no neat freak but this was so bad, I really thought there was not enough potential for significant change to even make it workable. It was scary to even use the bathroom and I have travelled the world and been in some pretty disgusting bathrooms! From the guy’s appearance and mannerisms, I had no idea that he was going to be so housekeeping retarded. I personally don’t know how an intelligent guy could live in such deplorable conditions.

You have to have some self esteem deficit to let things get that bad. We were newly dating and I felt that it was best to cut if off right then. This doesn’t mean that you always have to cut things off, but you need to consider just how different your organizational styles are, how early on in the relationship and how worth it it is to try. The guy I was talking about probably was worth it because I really liked him, however, I think it was far too telling of how he was and I didn’t think there was enough change that could be made to even make it worth discussing.

Another important consideration is the length of time you’ve been seeing each other but usually you will have seen their place pretty early on and will have some clue as to their standards. You might be wondering if I told him the truth about the reason, I just couldn’t! I felt it was too much of putdown so I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. I don’t know if that is good or bad, but I don’t think he could change how he was anyway.

People keep house differently and that doesn’t make them bad just different. You might be neat and organized and might not be able to handle a little clutter and “clutterlovers” might not be able to handle their environment too neat. You can talk with your potential mate as to how you might compromise but in the end, don’t pretent to be neater or messier than you really are just to make the other person happy. This is a personality difference that might be a relationship deal breaker because it isn’t something easy to change truthfully over the long haul for someone else.

If you want to get more organized for yourself (not for someone else) there is a vast amount of information out there on de-cluttering. If, on the other hand, you are a neat freak and want to get messy for your partner, that will actually be more difficult because there is something inside of you that can’t stand things a mess. You also won’t find information on how to become messy, cluttering your life or disorganize yourself! You’ll have to do that on your own! Ha!

For more tips and tools for achieving better communication, I’m inviting you to

visit [http://www.relationshipdesignquestions.com] – from Heidi Schaden

Author: Heidi Schaden
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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The Problem

Characters, setting, set-up, premise, and action move from the superficial, introductory mode of the Beginning to the gritty, challenging world of the Middle, the heart of the story world itself.

In the middle, masks fall away and the characters reveal themselves for who they truly are, warts, flaws, fears, prejudices, and all. At this point in the relationship, just like in life, the story tends to get messy. Fights can ensue. Feelings can get hurt. Because of that, writers often back away, afraid of what the characters will reveal about themselves, doubting their ability to manage the dark side of the characters.

When things get messy, writers often long for the good old days at the Beginning of the relationship when things were smooth and happy, and superficial. Don’t give into the urge to go back and start over again. The truth of the relationship and the characters emerge in the Middle.

Plot Tips and Tricks

1) Use of Antagonists

Writers who make friends with as many antagonists as they can create seem to slog their way through the Middle without as much mishap as those who have not fostered such relationships.

The six basic antagonists are: other people, nature, God, machines, society and the characters themselves.

If you are trying to deepen your skill at showing character development, of the six antagonists, the inner workings of the characters themselves offer the richest form of support. In terms of plot, three basic character traits have the potential to create scenes with the most conflict, tension and suspense or curiosity: the character’s flaw, fear, and hatred.

For example, in the Beginning of To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces Scout, the protagonist, with the flaw, among others, of being insensitive to other people’s feelings. In the Middle, Lee turns the tables on Scout. Now, rather than continue to see all the ways Scout demonstrates her insensitivity to others, the reader sees how Scout suffers the effects of others’ insensitivity, from her cousin acts of cruelty towards her to how a white townsperson married to a black woman deals with the insensitivity of the community around him.

Scout’s flaw is not the only antagonist that creates more conflict, tension and suspense in very scene. The Middle is fraught with antagonists of every sort. Her father serves as an antagonist when he asks Scout to control her temper and her fists. Because of scenes in the Beginning showing Scout’s impulsive fits of anger, the reader knows as well as Scout and her father just how hard it will be for the eight-year-old to control these two shadow aspects of herself.

Lee employs other antagonists in the Middle: an old mad dog down yonder; Mrs. Dubose, a neighbor who symbolizes the collective consciousness of the town folk or society at large; Aunt Alexandra; grown men of the community; etc.

2) Unusual world

The Plot Planner mimics the universal story form with a line that moves steadily upward to denote the necessity of giving each scene more significance to the character and more conflict, tension and suspense in the dramatic action than the scene that came before it.

A trick that can help you over the roughest territory of all: the middle of the Middle is to create an unusual world. So long as you keep a measure of conflict, tension and suspense alive, the actual dramatic action can flatten out a bit in the middle of the Middle. Here, the writer can take time to deepen the readers’ appreciation of an unusual job, setting, lifestyle, custom, ritual, sport, belief or whatever your imagination dreams up.

This world, whether real or imagined, comes alive with authentic details most relevant to the unusual world, specific details the average reader does not yet know or appreciate.

For example, in the Middle of Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden shows the world of the geisha as the protagonist herself learns about the expectations, dance steps, joke making, dress and hair.

In the Middle of Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak shows us through six pages of illustrations the unusual world of wild things making rumpus.

In the Middle of My Half of the Sky, Jana McBurney Lin shows the everyday life of a tea seller in China.

The next time you find yourself bogged down in the Middle, don’t resort to going back and starting again. You will only end up finding yourself in a seemingly never-ending cycle. Instead, make a list of all the antagonists you can think of that are relevant to the overall plot or thematic significance. Add the development of an unusual world, and see if you don’t find yourself jumping from one scene to the next, and bypassing the quicksand of the Middle all together.

Bio:
Martha Alderson, M.A. is an international plot and story consultant for writers. As the author of BLOCKBUSTER PLOTS Pure & Simple, she created a unique line of plot tools for writers. She teaches plot workshops privately, through University of Santa Cruz, Learning Annex and writing conferences. Visit her website at: http://www.blockbusterplots.com and her blog at: http://plotwhisperer.blogspot.com Sign up for her free Plot Tips eZine at contact@blockbusterplots.com

Author: Martha Alderson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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A kitchen cart is a very versatile piece of furniture because you can use it for a number of different things in your kitchen area. It gets this versatility from its lovely design, which will usually have a counter top area, drawers, and wheels for easy transportation. So, not only could you use one as an extra work space area for cooking, like as an island in the center of your kitchen. But, one would also be a fantastic spot, like up against a wall on the side of your kitchen space, to store your any kitchen items that need putting away including utensil, canned goods, and cookbooks.

There have even been variations made to the simple kitchen cart design over the years and now some will feature cabinets, extra shelving, drop leafs, condiment and spice caddies, towel racks, knife and tool racks, and even wine racks. What is great about all of these new and wonderful features is that it makes it that much easier for you to work in your kitchen area, plus, storing your things is even more of a breeze than ever before.

Along with being extremely practical, a kitchen cart is also very appealing to the eye because of the materials that one can be made from, which are finished off in a variety of eye-catching ways. For example, you can get one made from wood, like oak or pine, that is then hand painted a beautiful red color and topped off with a lovely wood grain counter top. Or, you can get one made from wood that is then hand pained black, instead of red, that is then paired up with a granite counter top, making for one quality furnishing that would really enhance the look of your kitchen. Really, there are many different options to choose from and you can even get ones that feature stainless steel countertops along with an entire unit that is made from just metal. For a quick and easy way to see wide variety of selections that are available, just log onto the internet and browse all the online stores. You can find the best prices around without leaving your home.

So, if your kitchen is messy and in need of being organized, a great option for you to easily clean up the clutter is a kitchen cart. It is a practical, yet beautiful piece of furniture that would be a wonderful addition to any kitchen area. Get one today, when your kitchen is spotless and in tip, top shape, you will be glad that you did.

As an owner of many indoor and outdoor decor sites, Jennifer Akre reviews products and shares ideas on kitchen tables, kitchen chairs, and accessories, giving the online consumer a chance to find valuable product information on kitchen cart or kitchen carts. Surround yourself with beauty and style. Click today – Shop: kitchen cart with wine rack.

Author: Jennifer Akre
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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If you’re planning on traveling by yourself with your child then consider asking for help from a friend or family member. The added cost of their company will more than pay for itself with the assistance that they’ll provide.

If you’ll be traveling by car then try not to drive extended distances without stops. Plan rest stops about every two hours and consider staying the night at a midway point to give you and your baby a rest from the road.

Travel by plane can also take its toll on adults and kids. Get your seats booked in advance and if possible, get a bulkhead seat. These seats have a wall in front of them and offer a bit of room for your child to move around. Airlines generally will let you pre-board with infants so you can get settled in your seats before the other passengers board. If air travel is more than a few hours then consider stopping off at a midway point along the way. Not only will it give you and your family a rest but you can take a day or two to discover an interesting destination.

If you’re traveling with a young baby then make sure you bring plenty of the diaper changing essentials and bottles of formula or baby food. Regardless of age, pack things to keep children busy. If they’re young, bring rattles and teething rings. If they’re older then bring a new toy since old ones won’t keep them occupied for too long. Consider purchasing a portable DVD player so they can be kept busy watching their favorite program or cartoon. There are also children’s books that are accompanied by CD’s so your child can listen and read at the same time; not only will it keep them busy but it will also be educational. Coloring books sound like a good idea but coloring can be too much of a temptation to draw on tray tables and seats.

Bring snacks since children often get hungry and thirsty and they tend to be finicky eaters. Don’t pack messy snacks and try to find food with low sugar. Pack lots of baby wipes; they come in handy for cleaning up messy faces and small spills.

Holidays with babies and toddlers don’t have to be nightmares. With some preparation, planning some rests along the way and keeping them busy, you and your family can have an enjoyable vacation.

Focusing on news and information about Spain, the columnist pens first and foremost for http://www.alicante-spain.com/costa-blanca.html . Sharing his passion in detailed writings on Spain and Benidorm the author showed his expertise in the field.

Author: Clinton N. Maxwell
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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First, try to be inviting to everyone who calls on the house. It is definitely inconvenient for people to be romping through your daily lives, but it is unfortunately part of selling a home. When someone calls to see the home, say something like: “Sure, we were heading to the park, so feel free to look around.” Basically, you just want them to feel like they are not bothering you. This just helps set the mood of the home being inviting instead of starting off the showing with a feeling of intrusion.

Another thing is to try to leave when potential Buyers are being shown the home. Buyers just do not feel comfortable if someone is there, and they usually rush through the home without spending some time looking at where their furniture will go or how big the closets are. In addition, if you have dogs or animals that would be distracting during the showing experience (i.e. barking or jumping), try to take them with you, or if you are at work, keep them in the backyard. Basically, let the Buyer concentrate on your home.

Also, don’t give a personal tour of your home. It is hard to resist since you know the most about your home and want to share that with potential Buyers, but when it comes down to it, you want people to daydream about the overall home being theirs, not concentrate on sink faucets. You want the people to become interested in your home on a personal level, thinking of how they will go about their daily lives in your home rather than notice every detail. Noticing every detail will come later.

Also, ask your listing agent to list your house with the easiest showing instructions so that your home is accessible without much effort. Sometimes Sellers will need to make appointments due to certain situations like the elderly or newborns. But if possible, have the Buyers phone / leave a message and head to the home. Our MLS system calls it “Call 1st – Go”. This makes it possible for anyone to come by, even if they were just driving by and admiring the home. You may not get much notice, but it allows these sudden-interest people to come in, and the more people that come through will give you more a chance sell it.

Talking about short notice, try to keep your home as clean as possible at all times. Many Buyers will say that they can imagine beyond a mess, but most cannot. Messy homes end up being distracting from what the home is offering. It is definitely hard to keep a model home look while trying to live in it, but it helps sell the home. And if you keep it consistently clean, then when a Buyer ends up wanting to come with short notice, you will be ready.

Also, do not use combo locks, if possible. Phoning for the combination is an extra step that may prevent the showing if the person with the combo is not available. Most MLS systems have electronic lockboxes available, which make access easy and have the added plus of logging in each agent that comes. Of course, if electronic lockboxes are not available in your area then combo locks are a good alternative to trying to arrange appointments.

The last thing is to never say no to someone requesting a showing. It can definitely be hard to prepare when someone wants to see your home, especially when you have little notice. This again is where being prepared and tidy at all times is helpful. Have a game plan prepared, especially if you have kids or animals. Many people decide to take their dog on a walk because it us a quick exit and lets the Buyers have a little time in the home to look around.

In summary, you want as many people looking at your home as possible and the showing experience to be as comfortable for the Buyers as possible. So, try to make the showing access as easy as possible and keep distractions (like animals, messiness, & even yourself) to a minimum.

Austin Homes is a website by a husband and wife team working in the Austin Real Estate Market. Their website allows users to search the Austin MLS along with a description of different Downtown Austin Condos

Author: Ki Gray
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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If the mess on top of your desk is comfortable and if you are not losing productivity, then in essence you are organized. For most organized people with messy desks, the mess on top of the desk is a get-it-done-now box. For example, if the piles are high, then there is a lot of work to do, but if the desk is clean, then work is complete. Therefore, having a neat desk is a visible symbol of the hard work that was accomplished. And that feels good.

It is very important that the desktop is a comfortable and productive place to work. Distinguish the difference between being comfortable with a mess and having a productive area to work. Your work area needs to serve its purpose. If for example, the piles on top of the desk cover the entire working surface of the desk, it would be very difficult for you to be productive. If the piles are covering up or in the way of key instruments, like mouse pads, pencil sharpeners, calculators, and calendars, then it would also be hard for you to be productive.

So be confident when criticism comes your way about how much of a mess your desk is. When someone criticizes your desk, proudly say, “I am organized,” and know deep down inside, that if you are being productive, that it is true. But remember, it can be a fine line between a productive mess and an unproductive one.

Author:
Jeremy Glennon
Organize It
Visit http://www.organizeit-online.com for more organizing ideas and for products to help you simplify your life.

Author: Jeremy Glennon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Beauty and personal care products manufacturers recognize the time crunch which so many people are experiencing, and have responded with product innovations designed to do what their older products did better, and in less time. One of the areas in which these improvements are most noticeable is the home teeth whitening market.

The home teeth whitening kits which required users to spend at least thirty minutes a day, for three weeks to a month, wearing an uncomfortable and messy mouth tray filled with whitening gel now have a an inexpensive, easy-to-apply, mess-free alternative in the teeth whitening strip.

How A Teeth Whitening Strip Works
A teeth whitening strip is an ingeniously designed, nearly invisible peroxide-coated piece of transparent sticky tape which the user applies to his or her teeth twice daily for the amount of time recommended by the teeth whitening strip’s manufacturer–but is usually thirty minutes.

A teeth whitening strip, available as an over-the-counter purchase, will eliminate the need for messy whiting gels. It will not, however, have a concentration of peroxide, the bleaching agent, as great as those found in whitening gels.

Even with its lower peroxide level, a teeth whitening strip will make a noticeable difference in the shade of a person’s teeth after a few weeks of twice daily applications. There is one caveat; the plastic tape which the bleaching gel of the teeth whitening strip is applied is not always flexible enough to curve along the gum line. The teeth whitening strip, therefore, may cause the front teeth to lighten more noticeably than those on the sides.

Weighing the Pros and Cons
A teeth whitening strip may also cause pain in users with sensitive teeth, but the possible disadvantages resulting from the use of a teeth whitening strip should be weighed against its low cost, ease of use, invisibility, and lack of mess.

Other teeth whitening techniques [http://www.maketeethwhiter.com/Teeth_Whitening_Review/], especially those offered by dental professionals, will undoubtedly out perform the teeth whitening strip in terms of the speed and longevity of their results. For those who have the money, and the time to arrange professional treatment, dentally supervised teeth whitening is the obvious choice.

But regular, proper application of the dental whitening will provide most of those for whom professional procedures aren’t an option with noticeably whiter smiles in matter of weeks. And they’ll achieve their smiles at a fraction of the cost of professional whitening, and with a fraction of the mess and discomfort which accompanies the use of home teeth whitening kits.

You can also find more info on Teeth Whitening System [http://www.maketeethwhiter.com/Teeth_Whitening_System/] and Home Teeth Whitening [http://www.maketeethwhiter.com/Home_Teeth_Whitening/]. Maketeethwhiter.com is a comprehensive resource to know more about make teeth whiter.

Author: Judy Wellsworth
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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1. Grab the ATTENTION of your audience

2. Hold their INTEREST

3. Arouse a DESIRE for them to respond, and

4. Push them to take positive ACTION

1. Grab the ATTENTION of your audience
The first, and arguably the most important thing, is the headline.

Example:

“AGSORB – THE MOST EFFECTIVE NON-TOXIC, NON-ABRASIVE, OIL ABSORBENT ON THE PLANET!”

This headline grabs the audience’s attention. It’s short and snappy and succeeds by making a bold statement right upfront. Your audience should now want to know more.

Generally speaking, a successful headline will be one that persuades your audience to read on in the belief that your product or service may solve their problem or be of benefit to them.

2. Hold their INTEREST
Okay, your headline has grabbed them and now they’re focusing on the nitty-gritty of your message. The tricky part here is to keep their interest so they don’t toss your flyer into the bin before finishing. Choose every word carefully and ensure that each of your sentences is clear, effective and error-free.
Example:

“Its powerful wicking action absorbs hydrocarbons quickly. It requires no “high-tech” application or equipment and leaves no messy residue behind after extraction.”

Truth coupled with sincerity and enthusiasm is a key factor. Avoid making exaggerated claims. The sentence above is a powerful motivator – you’re telling the audience in a sincere and positive way what the product does and how easy it is to use.

‘Testimonials’ can also be very powerful. They let your audience know someone else has used the product and that its claims are genuine.

Example:
“Here’s what SP, tool-hire manager for the well-known UK chain, TPR, had to say about Agsorb.
‘Things always seem to happen in three’s. Recently we experienced a nasty hydraulic oil spill, a workshop floor flooded with engine oil and a messy petrol spill. ChemSol suggested we use Agsorb and in no time at all, the application, which is easily applied, soaked up all three of these spillages. We now keep a supply in case of similar mishaps.’”

Write in a conversational manner and avoid long words and long sentences. Make your message personal so your audience doesn’t feel like you’re talking to thousands of others. Something like the sentence below works well.

Example:
“We’re offering you, our valued customer, a fantastic 30-day discount price you’ll find hard to refuse!”
In addition, concentrate on the money-, labour-, and time-saving benefits of your product instead of on fancy features.

Example:
“It’s lightweight for easy handling and low transportation costs and is non-harmful to machinery and equipment”

“….. and in no time at all, the application, which is easily applied, soaked up all three of these spillages.”

3. Arouse a DESIRE for them to respond
You now need to convert your audiences’ interest into a strong desire to buy. To do this you must concentrate on ‘product benefits.’

Example:
“Agsorb is non-toxic and safe to use. This versatile product absorbs a wide range of organic chemicals on land and in water. It’s lightweight for easy handling and low transportation costs.”

Done correctly and effectively, your sales flyer copy should, by now, have your audience ready and waiting to place their orders.

4. Push them to take positive ACTION
Now include a direct, clear, and unambiguous ‘call to action.’ This may seem obvious but it’s amazing how many people forget this crucial element.

Example:
“Agsorb, packed in 25 litre containers, is normally priced at £76-25 plus vat. But if you order in the next 30 days, we’ll let you have a 25 litre container for just £56-00 plus vat…. including FREE delivery.
To place your orders, please phone Julie today on ……”

A sense of urgency is a good thing. By strongly suggesting that they should respond now, you’re motivating them to act in the moment, without delay. In addition, any offer of a bonus or discount will help generate a positive response. The example below is a good one.

Example:
“And if you order more than one container, the price gets even better at just £52-00 plus vat… once again we’ll throw in delivery, FREE of charge.

Remember, if you’re not completely satisfied with the results of Agsorb, we’ll refund your money, no questions asked!”

There you have it… A I D A
ATTENTION, INTEREST, DESIRE, ACTION
Four terrific ways to write a great sales flyer.

Phil McCumskey is over 50, bow-legged and dribbles down his chin! His mum and dad are English but he was born in South Africa and like a swallow he flips back and forth. His background is sales and marketing but for the last fifteen years or so he’s been a freelance copywriter. He’s written copy for radio and print ads, newsletters, speeches, flyers, brochures and website content

Author: Phil McCumskey
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Penelope was practically perfect in every way. Remember that line from Mary Poppins? Well, just like Mary Poppins, Penelope was practically perfect. She was a proficient professional, a fabulous friend, and a wonderful wife. Her hair, her house, her clothes, her car – everything was immaculate. Even her dog was well-groomed and well-behaved! But Penelope had a secret passion – a burning desire that constantly bubbled to the surface. Penny wanted to paint! Great big canvases with gobs of bright color! She had painted all through school… But painting!? Where on earth would she find the time? And paint was so messy! It gets on your clothes and under your nails… And where would she do it??? Painting is part of my past, she would tell herself. I could never be a painter at this point in my life. But the box of art supplies stored up in the dusty attic would creep into her mind… and she would wonder…

Patricia was a patient parent & partner. She was sandwiched between generations, caring for her teenage children and her aging parents. She loved her family, kept her house and loved her husband. Her family was a full time job! But Patricia hungered for something more. As she walked the dog every morning, she would see the children playing in the park. In the summer months there were dozens of neighborhood kids. Watching the children play reminded Patricia of her childhood. She grew up in a trailer park – and every summer a lady came once a week and held a Bible Club. The stories, games, snacks and crafts – they had a tremendous impact on her life. Patricia wondered if these kids had anything like that here in this neighborhood. Patricia wished she could do something – but John needed help with his homework, her folks needed their medication, and she had a challenge just getting dinner on the table every evening. She sighed, and headed back home to make breakfast.

Penelope and Patricia met their friend Pam at Panera one evening. After picking up their coffee and finding a table, Pam made an announcement. “I have something to tell you – something important. I’ve made a decision… I’m going to run for office!”

“What?!?!” her friends asked in chorus.

“Political office! I’m running in the next election!” Pam was so excited.

“What about Paul? What does he think?”

“He’s behind me 100%”

“What about work – How will your business survive?”

“I talked it over with my partners and they were very supportive. I’m taking a leave of absence.”

“But… what? How? Why?…” Her friends fired questions until Pam finally held up her hands.

“Wait a minute! This is something I have to do!! It sounds crazy – but you’ll never believe how everything has fallen into place.”

The women listened and watched their friend with growing admiration. Her eyes sparkled and her face shone. She had joy – fire – passion!!

Later that night, Penelope thought about Pam with more than a little envy. When was the last time she had felt so passionate about anything? Not since college… The art show! She had spent weeks painting day and night, forgetting even to sleep or eat. And when her work was displayed she’d felt such satisfaction. She had even received good reviews. The box of art supplies popped into her mind again and she decided to take a look in the attic…

Patricia also thought about the change in Pam while she walked her dog the next morning. How exciting! What a great opportunity to really make a difference! Patricia looked up to see a group of girls scratching out a hopscotch on the pavement with a rock. What if she started a Kids Club… right here in the park? She looked around and began to see it in her mind. We could do crafts and have snacks at those picnic tables. And the grassy area would be great for games. We could sit in a circle and I could tell them those wonderful stories that have meant so much to me all these years… Ideas poured out one after another.

On her way home she noticed the Simpsons were having a yard sale.

“Hi Mrs. Simpson! How are you?”
“Patricia… come on over and have a glass of tea. We’re clearing out our spare room and attic – just lightening our load a little. I have no idea who’ll want all this stuff! Take this box for instance… Thirty years worth of craft supplies and flannelgraph materials… I stored all this stuff away from my days teaching Sunday School…”

“Craft supplies? You taught Sunday School?”
“Oh yes! I loved teaching… I really miss working with the kids sometimes.”

Patricia took the glass of iced tea Mrs. Simpson held out, pulled up a lawn chair, and began to share her dream of a Kid’s Club at the neighborhood park.

At Penelope’s house, her husband came home to find his wife up in the attic. “Honey what are you doing up here? Wow! Look at that! I’d almost forgotten about your drawings…”
Penelope had spread drawings and sketches around the room and was going through her brushes and paint. “Do you like them?” she asked shyly.
“They’re great!” He watched his wife for a moment and noticed a look on her face he hadn’t seen in years. He looked around at the attic and walked over to the windows.

“You know, I have some time Saturday morning. We could clear out this room – it’d make a great studio…”

Patricia and Mrs. Simpson planned their Kid’s Club – and actually found others willing to share their time and talent. Penelope started painting again on weekends and even sometimes after work. And Pam – who inspired her friends with her passion – she ran a terrific campaign. Each woman discovered her passion and took steps forward toward her purpose. Instead of squashing her dream, she gave it room to grow. Once she took a step forward, the next step became obvious. Resources became available.

That’s how POWER-Filled living works. It starts with finding and fulfilling your Purpose. Consider three things about purpose:

There is a little of Pamela, Penelope and Patricia in all of us. What is your purpose?
I challenge YOU to find and fulfill your life’s purpose.

Lisa Van Allen, MS, PhD is a personal and executive coach with a background in clinical psychology and healthcare administration. In her forthcoming book, “POWER-Filled Living”, Lisa provides a process for finding and fulfilling life’s purpose. Excerpts of her book and additional articles on life and leadership can be found at http://www.vanallencoaching.com

Author: Lisa Van Allen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Sarah & Alicia on Organizational Inertia

We know exactly what you mean and how you feel. We call it organizational inertia(TM): the tendency to remain disorganized until and unless an external event, like losing your car keys or (God forbid) forgetting to pick your child up from school, forces you to change. We all suffer from it to some degree and at some points in our lives because we’re human, and yes, that includes us. Even organizational experts occasionally fall prey to the manic swirl! Organizational inertia is a condition that affects almost all (81%) of the hundreds of women we have spoken to over the past few years. It is a state that requires some elbow grease to overcome.

Here are three ideas for getting organizational momentum to work for you.

1. Consider the facts

You might first want to consider the facts. Roughly calculate how much time you waste looking for misplaced items – a phone number, a file…your keys…in an average day. If you’re like most Americans, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers, you squander up to 60 minutes, yes that’s correct, sixty minutes each and every day, searching for things in your messy files, disorganized rooms, and unkempt closets. Imagine what you could do with that time

Sadly, while those figures are certainly enticing, they’re often not enough to get us out of the starting blocks. Even though they are true, they’re just fantastic enough to seem to be unbelievable, or at least beyond your grasp given your current state. In a lot of respects, the battle to get and stay organized is a lot like the struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Visualizing a future where you’re able to enjoy being beautiful in your skinny jeans is possible, and even fun. But the fact of the matter is we live in the here and now. All too often the scrumptious chocolate sundae today wins out over the joy of fitting into those fabulous jeans tomorrow.

2. Identify Your Pinch Points

Most homes have easily identifiable ‘pinch points,’ or problem areas that frequently back up and spill over or otherwise cause organizational headaches, like the mail station or the family calendar. By paying attention to these critical areas, you should be able to identify the relative handful of things that you must do in order to keep things “Buttoned Up” and flowing smoothly – the critical 20%. To help you get clear on your trouble spots, get a blank sheet of paper and spend five minutes writing down all of the pinch points you have in your household right now. If you get stuck, think about the most common problems: the inbox, the family schedule, chores (taking out the trash) and stuff (getting rid of items that aren’t used).

3. Make a List…Cut it Down…and Delegate Half

Once you have this list, pick the two things (and only two!) that you feel would have the greatest positive impact on your overall sense of organization if they were dealt with right now. Since it’s much easier to tackle two things than a laundry list, focus only on those two items for the moment. Literally cross everything else off your list. Then, delegate one of those tasks to another member of the family. Give them a due date that matches the due date for the task you’re handling. Follow these simple steps, and before you know it, you will have made significant progress – and potentially added up to 60 minutes back into your day!

We are the co-founders of Buttoned Up, inc., a company dedicated to helping stretched and stressed women get themselves organized (along with everybody else they’re responsible for too!). We welcome your thoughts! Please send ideas and questions to us at: yourlife@getbuttonedup.com or visit us at http://www.getbuttonedup.com

Author: Alicia Rockmore
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Before we discuss the newest entry into what is becoming a fairly crowded market – one with the intriguing name, Naked Minerals – it may prove useful to first discuss mineral makeup in general and explain what it is that American women are finding so appealing about this particular type of cosmetic.

Over the past 30 years or so, consumers have become highly attuned to the health factors that relate to the products they purchase. This is especially so for consumable items, such as foods. Lately this concern has spread to cosmetics, skin care and other beauty products. The result is that traditional cosmetic products, which are comprised largely of chemical additives, have come under the microscope for the potential damaging effects that they can have on women’s bodies, and in particular, their skin.

A widespread movement away from chemical-based makeup and towards more natural ingredients has taken the stage. And the major player on this stage is mineral makeup.

It is somewhat easier to classify mineral makeup by what it does not contain than by any specific definition or delineation of its ingredients. The one common component in all mineral makeups, not surprisingly, is that they contain minerals extracted from the earth. These minerals often include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and iron oxides. The basic concept is that because the minerals are inorganic, bacteria cannot survive in the makeup and so cannot be absorbed through the skin. In addition, in a properly manufactured mineral makeup, the mineral particles are of sufficient size so they cannot penetrate the skin or clog up the skin’s pores.

A mineral makeup that is pure also contains inorganic pigments which are combined to achieve the desired skin tone or color. In addition to containing no artificial coloring, no fragrances or preservatives or fragrances should be present (as they are in traditional chemical-based makeup).

Naked Minerals, which has only very recently been introduced to the market, and then only on a limited basis, is one such pure mineral makeup. It contains no animal byproducts, parabens, lanolin, perfumes, chemical colorings, fillers, or vegetable dyes. In fact, Naked Minerals is the only mineral makeup whose purchase is accompanied by a 100% natural Certificate of Authenticity from the manufacturer that covers the entire product line. Many cosmetics companies market their products as being pure, and while their foundations may be, they also include various unnatural and often irritating ingredients in their eye shadows, blushes, and lipsticks.

The other unique feature of this mineral makeup is that it is pulverized and pressed. The minerals are first sterilized and then pulverized to create pure, almost weightless particles, so when applied to the skin, it seems almost weightless, leaving the skin feeling light and free. Naked Minerals is then pressed, so that, unlike its competitors, it contains no loose powders. So it is not messy to apply, nor does it spill or rub off on one’s clothes.

It is water resistant, contains a natural sun screen as well as expensive Neroli oil, an extract from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, which acts as a skin softener and mood relaxant. For those with blemishes, acne or other skin problems, it masks these unseemly areas in a manner that makes them invisible to other people, all the while leaving the skin with a childlike natural and healthy glow.

One application can last a full twenty four hours and one can freshen the makeup by simply applying a quick burst from the mist spray that is included. It is available in four skin tone colors and can be used by women of all skin types and ages.

As mentioned above, this is a new beauty product that has only recently been released. The feedback from those who have been fortunate enough to test Naked Minerals has been extremely positive. In fact, a surprising number of users have expressed interest in themselves becoming resellers of the product. The full scale national marketing campaign for the product is scheduled to commence later this spring, and we expect the ‘buzz’ for Naked Minerals to be loud and very upbeat.

Colin Albert manages the website Mineral Makeup Shoppe. The website presents a new cosmetic product called Naked Minerals, which is a pressed all-natural mineral makeup that, unlike other mineral makeup products, has no messy, loose powders with which to deal.

Author: Colin Albert
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Let’s fact it burgers and their natural side-kick, fries, are as popular as America’s favorite pastime of baseball. To cover that base (pun intended) there is Edison Field and the Angels.

For the food part, here are some of the county’s best burger joints, believe it or not, the first three are owned and operated chain locations!

-Ruby’s Diner. The only real sitdown restaurant mentioned. Light, bright and each has the basic theme of being a ’40′s diner. Great for families. The menu has plenty to chose from, if someone in your crowd doesn’t want what we’re talking about here. Burgers can be beef, but they also have turkey, vegetarian, even chicken. All served with lettuce, tomato and a slice of onion. What makes this a little different is that each unit has an added theme of some kind of transportation that fly on a track above the restaurant. Depending on where you are, this means: boats, bikes, trains or cars.

-In & Out. Another chain that loves the diner scene. Here there aren’t many choices, except how many patties you want and if you’d like cheese with that. But there’s a reason why this chain is so popular-they make the items on the menu right.

-Fatburger. Burgers and diners they seem to be hand in hand. This one moves up a decade. Fatburger is actually “Phat”, as in cool, delicious and perfect. Here you have a choice of beef or turkey. Plenty of toppings. They’re big, juicy, messy and worth the calories.

-Knowlwoods. There are only about three in the county, but like Ruby’s their menu is huge. They give you a choice of beef, turkey and vegetarian. Sometimes they’ll have specials with include salmon burgers, but it’s hit and miss. Like fatburger, their big, juicy and messy.

-Ted’s Burgers. Okay, there’s only one, in Laguna Niguel. Here the menu is really huge and despite the name, Ted’s is known locally for having the best breakfasts around. But he has beef, turkey, vegetarian and salmon burgers on the docket. There really is a Ted-and if he’s there, he’ll come over and sit down in your booth with you!

The last is usually the best, ask most people who live in the South end of the county where to get a really great burger this is the most likely answer!

-Fuddruckers. Again, only one-in El Toro. Upscale fast food. Besides the normal, they also have buffalo and ostrich. If you’d rather have an angus steak sandwich or a fish filet it’s there. Plus, they have a condiment/salad bar. Oh, and the buns and other baked goods are homemade right there on the premises. If you love your meal-take some home. They’ll wrap up the uncooked patties for you and all the baked goodies (brownies, cookies, pie and buns!) are available at the bakery counter.

There you have it-If you happen to be in Orange County and get a craving for something delicious and comforting, now you know where to wander into!

Carine Nadel is on The Reader’s Advisory Panel of Woman’s Day magazine and has had numerous articles and recipes published both on various websites and print publications. To read more of her work, log onto: http://www.Carine-whatscooking.blogspot.com

Author: Carine Nadel
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Here are 3 hairstyles for the summer of 2007 which are all great looks to have and will make you look chic, sexy and stylish all at the same time.

1. The short crop.

This style is the ultimate cut for today’s busy women and as you can literally wash and go and was the hairstyle of late 2006 became the hairstyle of 2007 and looks set to rise in popularity in the summer months.

It has been used by many women as a life statement and many have had it after a significant life change as statement of new start and a new intent in life.

Of course, with the summer heat it’s a cool hairstyle to have and one which is set to become even more popular due to its convenience.

Short hair can be done in lots of different ways and there is a cut to suit all women.

It can be tidy, messy or shaved very short.

The latter cut can be longer on top and shaved very short to the ears and back.

The short crop has never really been away and has become very popular in 2007 and looks set to become even more popular as we enter the summer months.

2. The shaggy just sexed look.

This hair style is longer than the short crop above and is styled with a view to look messy which gives you that just sexed look.

The trick with this look is to not wash the hair every day.

Washing the hair daily will dry it out and make it lose its natural shape and this is all about natural shape and sexiness.

Hair with natural moisture and oils in it is healthy and is perfect for this look.

You can wash your hair in the evening, then gel it up in the morning to get that just sexed look and you’re all set to go.

Here are three more great hairstyles for the 2007 summer months that you can try.

3. Medium-length hair twirls.

This summer, try loose waves look great.

Twirling sections of damp hair into place with your fingers.

Shampoo and then rinse the hair then part your hair into approximate one-inch square sections.

Apply a defining product to the area and twirl hair around your finger.

When set and dried you can comb the waves with your fingers.

4. Long hair – ponytail.

If you have long hair, you can have fun with some of the summer’s fashion-inspired ponytails.

The “Faux Hawk,” is a look that is becoming increasingly popular.

It looks like a Mohawk when viewed from the from the front, and is pulled into a sleek stylish ponytail at the back.

Take hair from each temple, secure then smooth the rest into a ponytail.

Then take the hair pulled from the temples with pins, pull it up to where you want it and secure back down.

Straight hair – Wide headband

For naturally straight hair, use a chic and stylish thick headband.

Choose a band about two inches wide, place it on top of the head and secure it at the back with a pin if necessary.

This will give you a great clean, sexy and sophisticated look.

The above are just some of the hairstyles that look set to be hot this summer and you will look stylish sexy and cool with all of them.

Get More FREE Style PDF’s, Video’s & Articles

For more FREE fashion articles, video’s, PDF style and fashion reports and all you need to know about fashion & style visit our website for a huge resource of articles, features and downloads and at http://www.net-planet.org/index.html

Author: Kelly Price
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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If you knew today that you wouldn’t get exactly what you wanted but that something even better was trying to make its way to you, would you step aside and open the door to invite it in? Or, are you standing at the peep-hole of life’s doorway, waiting to see what shows up before you risk opening the door?

If you weren’t resisting, where would life be taking you? Sometimes we are looking for things to
show up that matches the perfect pictures we have in our mind. We miss the opportunities that come dressed in disguise.

Recently, I was struggling with an important decision. I was feeling unhappy, and frustrated about my options. Rather than let go of trying to control the outcome, I was doing everything in my power to resist what was. Believe me, it was causing me alot of physical stress and needless suffering.

Then I had a dream about being in my car which was parked and wedged in between two other cars. Feeling stuck, I reacted by pulling the car forward onto the sidewalk. In the process, I hit an old historic building and it came tumbling down in pieces. Alarmed by what had just happened, I quickly drove to the courthouse to report my crime. I went through a crowd of people and finally found a bailiff to assist me.

I believe my dream was showing me two ways of proceeding with my waking reality. I could force my will which could result in destruction or, I could stop resisting what was happening and look for the answers in disguise.

The next morning I received the final clue which completely changed how I viewed my predicament. It came in the disguise of a customer service representative that I called to help me
with an address correction. This man was so helpful and pleasant to talk to that I wanted him to know it. He responded by telling me that it was because he was a happy person. He shared the following secret to his happiness.

A few years ago things were not going well for him. He realized that he couldn’t change what
was happening but that he did have a choice about how it would affect him. Now he wakes up everyday and makes the choice to be happy. Since he started making this a conscious, daily
choice his life has changed. He now has a great life.

I knew while talking with him that I was getting more than help with my address correction. I was receiving a gift about how to look at my own situation. It wasn’t what I expected to hear coming disguised in the form of a customer service representative.

Later that day, while driving down the road, I noticed a car in front of me. The license plate had the word “bailiff” on it. Confirmation that the universe had just sent me to the customer
service representative who held the answer to my dilemma. More importantly I recognized the disguise.

The truth is that none of us have control over anything or anyone. We only have control over our response to what is happening in our life. We have the ability to respond. We have the choice
to be happy or miserable.

The messy stuff in life is also part of the fabric of life. When we try to avoid it, by denying or resisting
it, we also avoid the opportunity to live authentically.

If you look at a piece of fabric or knitting, there is always one side that looks beautiful. Then, when you turn it over, there is the messy side. The side that contains all of the loose yarns and threads. You can’t have one side without the other. Both are necessary for creating the finished piece. And,
the same can be said about life. It’s not about perfection but opening to the life that
you are living and working with what life presents you.

Remember, there is always a gift in life and it often comes dressed in disguise.

Nancy Bishop is a Life & Prosperity Coach providing a menu of coaching programs and services to women at midlife who want to find more time, energy and abundance to live life more authentically and abundantly. Visit her website http://www.yourlifeyourway.com for more information and to subscribe to her monthly newsletter.

Author: Nancy Bishop
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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By the age of 6 months onwards a baby has developed enough to enable the swallowing of solid foods and the so called tongue extrusion reflex, where most things given orally to a baby are pushed out by the tongue, has passed. The digestive system has also matured enough for the body to break down solids, backing the advice of the world health organization to wait to this stage of the babies’ development.

So, be patient and enjoy the first few months, either breast feeding or bottle feeding your baby. The messy job of weaning will come soon enough.

Introducing solids to your baby can be a daunting but exciting time. He may spit every single mouthful out each time you try to feed him or pull hilarious faces when he feels this strange substance in his mouth for the first time. Do not worry! He is learning too.

Feed your baby in a comfortable position either on your lap or in a baby seat making sure he is safe at all times and sitting in an upright position. Using a teaspoon or an infant plastic spoon, scoop a tiny amount of food, and put it just slightly inside your baby’s’ mouth, being careful not to force it. Let your baby feel the food in his mouth, at which point he will probably spit it right back out. Just persist putting it back into his mouth until he eventually swallows some.

An indication he has had enough is when he turns away. So don’t fret if you feel he has taken very little or none at all. This is a process, and a big learning curve for your baby. Some babies wean very easily, others can be more difficult. Every baby is different.

Remember this can be a messy task. So have bibs and wipes at hand before you begin each feed. Most babies wait until the food is placed in their mouth, they then slightly push it out of their mouth again, and cutely wipe it all over their face. So best not wear your expensive clothing, maybe a boiler suit would be more appropriate!

The most important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to do this. Every baby is an individual and weaning will come slower or quicker for each. Above all enjoy your baby!

For More Great Tips on Every Aspect of Raising Your Baby, from Baby Gifts, Baby Clothing, Baby Showers and Much More Check Out: Weaning Your Baby and Baby Weaning [http://www.babygiggles.info/blog]. You Can’t Do Without this Exclusive Info!

Author: Margaret Keenan
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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They discovered early in their marriage that it was one thing to date and quite another to merge their lives in the same house. Little things started to bother them that were not issues when they were living separately and just spending weekends together.

They called me for a consultation. “How do we take care of ourselves while respecting each other’s needs and ways of doing things?”

For example, Lily always woke up each morning by her own internal clock. She could tell herself at night that she wanted to be awake at 7:00 and she would wake up at 7:00. She hated waking up to an alarm clock.

Don always woke up with an alarm clock, and during the week would get up at 5:30. Since they had previously been together only on weekends, this had never been a problem. Now it was a huge problem. Don needed the alarm and Lily, jolted awake each morning, was feeling very grumpy. They wanted to sleep in the same bed. What to do? And this was only one of many different issues that had come up since they got married.

All relationships have issues such as these. It may be that one person is neat and the other messy, one partner is on time and the other is late, one is a morning person and the other a night person, one a democrat and the other republican, one wants sex frequently and the other is not often turned on. Does one partner have to give himself or herself up for the other? This does NOT work well. It will eventually lead to resentment.

Problems such as these get resolved only when both partners have each other’s highest good at heart, as well as their own highest good. If one or both partners are focused on winning or not losing, neither will be happy with the solution. But when both partners care about themselves and each other, they will find solutions where both feel like winners.

As Don and Lily opened to learning and caring about themselves and each other, a couple of solutions came to mind. One was for Don to get some hypnosis training to learn to wake himself up without an alarm. Another was for him to get a quiet, musical alarm and for Lily to wear earplugs. They decided to try both solutions and see how they worked. The process itself of being open to learning and caring about themselves and each other – rather than just trying to control or not be controlled – created warm and close feelings between them. Knowing that they were both going to care about themselves and each other created a deep sense of safety between them.

Win-win conflict resolution occurs only in an arena of deep caring. All close relationships offer us the opportunity to learn and care about ourselves and each other.

So, if you love a clean house and your partner is messy, or you want to be on time and your partner is always late, or you want to make love three times a week and your partner is interested only once a week – try opening to learning rather than trying to control each other. You will be surprised at the new information and solutions that emerge when learning and caring are more important than controlling and winning.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. is a best-selling author of 8 books and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding® healing process. Are you ready to discover real love and intimacy? Learn Inner Bonding now! Click here for Your FREE Inner Bonding Course and visit our website at http://www.innerbonding.com for more articles and help. Phone Sessions Available. Join the thousands we have already helped and visit us now!

Author: Margaret Paul, Ph.D.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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The next time you see an advert that suggests you can watch satellite TV for free, be sure to look out for the brand names DirecTV or Dish Network. Chances are the whole concept of free satellite TV here refers to the free equipment and installation these satellite TV service providers would provide for you. Watching satellite TV for free is literally true if you are contented to stare at your blank TV screen. Well, if you intend to put something on your screen, ie watch some LIVE channels, be prepared to fork out $30 – $ 70 dollars every single month for your satellite TV subscription. There goes our first “free” option.

Now, what about those dubious satellite TV providers that sell you Digital Television (DTV) and Dishnet cards, and devices like smart cards, emulators, bootloaders or unloopers, reprogrammers, smart card readers/writers and blockers to intercept DirecTV satellite TV signals? Well, you may be able to buy such devices from online auctions for a one-off payment and finally not have to worry about monthly subscriptions.

But just when you are watching satellite TV for free and enjoying your favorite TV show, your satellite TV crashes on you. This scenario is not uncommon and could take place in your home when you least expected it. The digital satellite systems (DSS) developers are going on a witch-hunt for satellite TV pirates, and are constantly formulating new electronic counter measures (ECM) to lock devices and cards that steals satellite TV signals, allowing one to watch satellite TV for free. The smart programmers who first came up with the devices would then reprogram their cards with a new code, defeating the DSS developers at their own game. Or did they actually win? Not exactly because this is a cat and mouse game, where each group of programmers is in a never-ending race to upgrade their ware and out beat each other.

While the war to watch satellite TV for free is going on, consumers suffer each time when their cards and devices get busted and have no choice but to get the latest updated replacements. This definitely is not the best long-term solution for our pockets. Watching satellite TV for “free” is not free after all.

I hope this article has helped you to gain better understanding of the satellite TV arena. For more useful tips, visit my blog and learn how you can have instant access to thousands of satellite TV channels; watch satellite TV on your PC without messy hardware setup, and definitely without monthly subscription.

This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

Davion is a successful webmaster, author and fan of TV shows. Discover how you can instantly watch satellite TV on PC [http://watch-satellite-tv-on-pc.blogspot.com], tuning into hundreds of LIVE world channels of news, movies, music and kids program at Watch-Satellite-TV-On-PC.blogspot.com [http://watch-satellite-tv-on-pc.blogspot.com]

Author: Davion Wong
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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I remember an incident many years ago as vividly as if it happened yesterday. A friend was quite offended when I said “We create our own reality.” I specifically used the collective “we” so she understood that I meant everyone, not just her. She defended an opposite belief; she preferred to believe that the world does things to her. I rarely argue about beliefs, so I let the difference pass.

I am grateful that I had such an experience early in my career. Since this incident, I have been more cautious about how I present this idea. It depends on your current state of consciousness as to how you are likely to view this phenomenon of creating your own reality. For example,

• If you are a person who feels like a victim, you might perceive this statement as an accusation.
• If you are a person who is overly controlling (or one who wants to take control), you might consider the statement is an invitation to manipulate the Universe.
• If you are a person who desires to accept responsibility for your life, you are likely to find this idea of creating your own reality deeply transformational. If a particular situation is a mess, the idea that you can create a new situation is empowering. So, what at first seems like “bad news” is “good news.”

Recently, I worked with a client who considered he was in a mess. Jim did not question the fact that he had created this mess, because he had already embraced the idea of creating his own reality. His questions was, “Why would I do this to myself?” I immediately responded with “I don’t think that’s a very helpful question now. Let’s look at ‘how’ rather than ‘why’ so that you can use the same strategies to help you out of the mess that got you into the mess.” Our discussion was much richer as a result of looking at “how” rather than “why.” Quickly we identified the specific thoughts and concepts that led him into the mess, and honed in on those to began his journey out of the mess.

“Why would I do this to myself” was not a wise question for Jim at that time for a very specific reason. I recognized a belief in him that I also recognize in so many people these days who embrace or try to embrace the idea of “creating your own reality.” Often packaged with this principle, unfortunately, is the belief that you do certain things to yourself so that you can learn something that you missed learning earlier.

Without a doubt, you can learn something from every situation, whether the situation is empowering or disempowering. However, I think more often it is a desire to recover as much value as possible from a mess that allows you to find meaning in a messy situation. Unfortunately, the prevailing conclusion is that the mess is required to create the learning. I know you can learn from any situation, so I encourage you to be aware of what you are learning whether you stand in a state of joy or a state of messiness.

“What thoughts put me here?” is a more valuable question than “Why would I do this to myself?” It is the thoughts (beliefs, perceptions, opinions, ideas, etc.) that create your reality. You use thoughts to create your reality, whether you are aware of the thoughts or not and whether you are aware of the process or not. So, if a certain set of thoughts got you into a mess that you do not like, then another set of thoughts can get you out of the mess. If you get hung up pondering why you are in the mess, you are likely to be in the mess longer, rarely receiving a significant return on investment of time and energy.

If you use your thoughts and beliefs as tools instead of perceiving them as facts, you bring into your conscious awareness something that is already and always working for you. Some may say thoughts work against you rather than for you, but I consider that depends on whether you are in a mess or have stepped out of one.

Thoughts and beliefs work on all levels of your consciousness. Some beliefs you are aware of enough to articulate, others you become aware of as you think or talk, if you listen to yourself. Others are inherited or cultural; many beliefs are taught as facts in school and elsewhere. It is helpful to remember for every thought that exists, its opposite or absence also exists. It can be very empowering to recognize that you choose your thoughts from among the myriad of possibilities.

The more strongly held the belief, on any level of consciousness including cultural consensus, the more likely you are to create reality that substantiates the belief. A helpful definition of a belief is a repeated thought.

Let’s go to a party… Let’s suppose you go to a party with two others: one person has a pattern of seeing what is wrong and/or missing; the other has a pattern of seeing what is right and/or wonderful. Afterward, the three of you talk about the party. As you compare notes, you begin to wonder if you all were at the same party. Yes, you were at the same party physically. No, you were not at the same party in consciousness. Each of the three of you created your own party. This is magnificently empowering.

Copyright 2008 Marshall House. Jeanie Marshall, Personal Development Coach and Consultant writes extensively on subjects related to personal empowerment, meditation, and effective use of language. She has developed Empowering Personal Development at http://www.empowering-personal-development.com to encourage you on your path.

Author: Jeanie Marshall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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First, as you probably already know, Internet or email faxing
uses the Internet and your email system to send and receive faxes.
You simply sign up with an Internet fax service provider and
receive the use of a Toll free or local fax number for a small
monthly fee. You can check and send faxes from your own online
login control panel and you can also store your faxes online.

Once you start using an Internet fax service you will realize
it has many advantages. Here’s a quick run-down at what you
will find:

1. Lower Costs

The set-up cost of any Internet fax service is much cheaper.
There is no need for a traditional fax machine and NO need for
an extra phone line. This will save you or your company money in
the short term and over the long haul. If your faxing requirements
or needs are very minimal, you can sign up for a lite service with
very inexpensive monthly or yearly fees. Some yearly fees are as
low as $20 or monthly fees under $5.

2. Convenient And Portable

Internet fax is very convenient and portable, you can access
it anywhere, anytime — wherever you find the Internet.
And these days that’s just about anywhere on the planet.

Because it’s web based, you are not tied down to the office fax
machine or limited to any physical location. Online fax services
are perfect for mobile professionals and business travelers.
It is also ideal for those people who work in the field: real
estate agents, sales people, medical personnel, engineers and
architects. Those workers will find Internet fax is flexible,
portable and very convenient to have.

3. Scalable For Any Business

Internet fax is completely scalable to meet any company’s
faxing needs, big or small. Most Internet fax services will
offer special rates for large scale fax broadcasting and other
faxing requirements of large businesses. It can be a good
alternative faxing service for most companies, one that is
easier to manage and run. A viable alternative to the old
fax machine whose days may just be numbered.

4. It’s Easier and Less Messy!

Internet fax is very easy to do, just attach a TIF, PDF, or
JPG file to an email and hit send. It is also a lot cleaner,
no more messy inks or paper jams. It truly is faxing simplified.

5. Internet Fax Is Progressive

Not to sound like a technical or business snob but Internet
faxing is the modern way to fax. In our increasing technical
world, it is probably the right route to take, unless we
want our company or business perceived as operating in the
dark ages. Granted, this is more a perception than actual
fact. Many companies and workers would rather have their
work confined to the office and the old fax machine — don’t
bother me after business hours, thank you please!

However, from a competitive angle, it would be beneficial for
any company or business to be permanently tied into their
work or clients. Imagine not getting that latest real estate
bid or losing that million dollar order that came in by fax
over the weekend and had to be finalized immediately, ouch!

As you can see from the examples and points stated above,
Internet fax does have many advantages and benefits. Online
faxing can save you money and help make your company more
competitive. Using or switching to Internet Faxing is one
business move that requires some thought and consideration
on your part.

Online faxing is the wave of the future and it is gaining ground
quickly in the business community. Since an Internet fax service
has so many advantages over faxing the old-fashion way, can you
really afford not to test-run this relatively new way of faxing?
The benefits of using an Internet fax service will make it worthwhile
for you or your company. It is a smart way to do business.

…
For more information on Internet Fax Services try this handy online Comparison Guide:Internet Fax Service Guide Or if you want to test-run an Internet Fax service try here: Free Fax Trial Titus Hoskins Copyright © 2006. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Author: Titus Hoskins
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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There is a whole range of features that make up a good coffee maker however, if you are looking for the perfect model, one that has every feature imaginable, then you are going to be searching for a long time. Why? Because of the nature of coffee drinkers. The beauty about this little black liquid is that it’s taste is an individual thing. What pleases one person may not necessarily sit well with another.

I’m a self confessed caffe addict. In fact, I don’t mind where or how it is brewed, as long as I can taste the coffee. Whether it’s brewed from an automatic drip machine, a single cup maker, a percolator, a french press, heck, even instant, I’ll drink it. But I do appreciate there are some connisseurs out there who are particular about the taste of their brew so in this coffee maker review, I am going to point out a few features to consider when searching for the perfect machine.

Ten Step Coffee Maker Review

The ideal machine will have the following features:

1. At least a two year warranty.

2. A timer that is user-friendly and can program to the precise second.

3. Automatic features such as hands-free shut-off.

4. An automatic bean grinder within the machine.

5. Settings which include brew control.

6. Settings enabling the number of cups to be brewed.

7. Adjustable temperature hot plate. This is important because coffee that is allowed to continue to cook on a hot plate tastes, in a word, horrible!

8. Pause and serve.

9. Easy to clean. Also, many coffee makers while they brew an excellent cup, tend to be a little messy. So add a non-messy feature to your wish list.

10. Automatic milk heating and serving feature.

What Will You Settle For?

How’s that for a wish list? Trouble is, even if you find a machine with everyone of those features, and bear in mind, there are others I’ve left out, it’s probably going to “cost you an arm and a leg.” How serious are you about your brew? If you are like me then a simple functioning machine with several of the features mentioned above would do the trick.

You need to consider how often you’ll use your machine, it’s size, particularly if you are a home entertainer, and most importantly, your budget. There are a lot of things to consider aren’t there? Again, the question has to be asked… how serious are you about your coffee?

Finally, be careful when reading coffee maker reviews as some will certainly show some bias. A good place to check is online such as forums and Amazon reviews. The bottomline will be how much are you prepared to spend and whether your machine will get good use. The last thing you want is for it to become an ornament on your kitchen bench!

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster who has a passion for all things coffee. Read the latest coffee maker reviews plus coffee related news and information at: http://www.coffeemakerheaven.com

Author: Dean Caporella
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Once you place it in the ground, nature’s forces begin a contest to see which will break its water-tight integrity first. Vying for the title of culprit are gophers, ground squirrels, chipmunks, rats, moles, roots from trees, plants and weeds, sharp rocks, heavy rocks, sharp objects, and moose (if you live in Alaska).

If a leak does develop, it is next to impossible to locate it without removing all the rocks covering the liner, draining the pond, spreading the liner out on the ground, and inspecting every square inch. A tiny pin hole can lose five gallons every 24 hours.

2. Bottom drains cannot be utilized with liners. Liner advocates discount the use of bottom drains primarily because they would rather not, since approximately one half the sources for leaks in liner ponds are from bottom drains. When the liner is cut to install the drain, sealants are used along with pressure rings to make a water-tight seal. The sealants dry out or break down and seal collars warp, resulting in time-consuming, costly repair.

3. You cannot use out-of-pond pumps. Since liner advocates don’t use bottom drains, they can’t use above-ground pumps, which leave no other choice but to use sump pumps. These pumps were originally designed to pump water from sump pits in basements and cellars. They are not designed to save energy; in fact, they are the greatest consumers of energy per horsepower of all pumps. The largest retailer/wholesaler of liners, pumps and accessories sells a sump pump which produces 4200 gallons per hour at 704 watts for $339.00. This pump needs to be pulled from the pond to clean debris from its intake screen. It is a potential shock hazard to fish and humans and is filled with oil, which has the potential of leaking out and covering the surface of the pond.

In contrast, an above-ground pump that supplies 600 gallons more per hour (4,800) for less than half the energy cost (348 watts) and costs over $100 less. Running this pump 24 hours per day will result in a savings of over $500 per year over the sump pump. In other words, the energy savings would pay for the above-ground pump and put an additional $270 cash in your pocket the first year alone.

If that isn’t enough incentive, a second reason to use the above-ground pump is that there is never a need to worry about it clogging since we install two 8″ anti-vortex drains on the bottom. The only maintenance required is to occasionally remove the lid from the leaf basket on the pump and dump the debris from the catch basket. Because this is a high-efficiency pump, it is extremely quiet, and standing right next to it you can barely hear it running.

With liner ponds the sump pump is located at the outside edge of the pond, not in the middle as in professional concrete and rebar constructions. We place two 8″ anti-vortex drains in the middle of the pond, 24″ apart. As fish waste and other suspended particles and algae spores settle to the bottom, they are drawn into the drains and taken out by the filter. An ultraviolet light is placed in series between the filter and pond return in order to kill pathogenic bacteria which can cause disease and turn the pond green.

In deeper ponds that use liners, all the waste material settles and collects on the bottom and rots, creating ammonia that is toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Because a sump pump is located near the outer edge of the pond and not in the middle on the bottom, maximum efficient circulation cannot be reached. This creates toxic cloudy areas in the pond’s bottom. Most liner ponds I’ve seen are only 24″ deep, and circulation is not an issue in these cases. However, koi fish are not recommended in these kinds of ponds; koi experts recommend a depth of at least 3 feet.

4. You cannot use a high pressure maintenance free biofilter with a liner pond. When using a sump pump, you have to use a gravity feed bio-falls, down-flow or upflow filter. All of these are inefficient and result in high maintenance costs. They need to be cleaned often by removing all the waste-laden filter media. To say the least, this is a filthy, stinky, messy job which neither my female clients nor most of my male clients expect to perform.

Aqua Ultraviolet’s high pressure filter contains state-of-the-art technology enabling it to simply be back washed with a turn of the handle. The discharge hose can direct the fish waste and particulate debris down the drain, or it can be used to water the garden or lawn. The high pressure filter is designed to handle five to ten times the volume of water that a gravity flow unit or bio-falls can handle.

In addition to all this, the patented bead design of this filter allows for maximum surface area in which nitrifying bacteria can live and break down nitrites. The “Liner Guy” wants you to use his messy, dirty, stinky inefficient filter because it is his filter, and it costs very little to manufacture compared to the professional bead filter. My opinions about filters come from many years of experience, and trying nearly every one that is on the market. I even jumped on the “filter bandwagon” for a couple of years and used my own design.

When I discovered the Aqua Ultraviolet filter advertised in several pond magazines, I gave it a try. I’ve been using it for over ten years with no problems whatsoever. My clients clean the filter with the turn of a handle and stay clean themselves. A great side benefit to this filter is that you can have twice the number of fish in your pond than when using the inefficient gravity filters. By the way, this is not a paid endorsement of their product!

5. Safety is a concern when pond liners are used. After a hole is dug, a pond liner is placed in the hole and then it’s filled with water. Rocks are then placed around the perimeter of the pond to cover up the edge of the pond liner, and more rocks are piled up on a mound of dirt covered with another liner to create a waterfall. From my 26 years of experience, I’ve learned that many adults are just like kids when it comes to ponds and waterfalls.

They inevitably climb on the rocks of the waterfall and the pond’s edge. Since the rocks are all loose, they can move, tilt or shift on the pond liner, resulting in someone falling and getting hurt or, worse, drowning. With professional concrete and rebar construction, all the rocks are cemented in place, providing a secure foundation to walk or climb on.

6. Pond liners limit pond shape and configuration. Why are most liner ponds circular or oval in design? Because pond liners are dispensed on rolls and therefore available only in square or rectangular shapes. If an L-shaped pond was designed, you would need to bunch up an inordinate amount of pond liner into the inside corner. Not only is it wasting expensive square feet of pond liner material, it makes it difficult to stack rocks on top of the bunched up liner so as to cover it up.

Oh sure, “Liner Guy” you’re thinking, why doesn’t he mention that special shaped pond liners can be custom made? Okay, I’ll mention it! Custom pond liners can be made to order. And now I’ll mention that this customized pond liner is going to cost you as much as constructing a professional pond with rebar and concrete that will last a lifetime. There, I mentioned it!

7. Last but not least, Integrity. When I read articles written by the “Liner Guy’s” disciples, bragging about the ungodly profits derived from pond liner construction, I can’t help but wonder how they sleep at night. The profit derived from one day’s work — digging a hole, dropping in a pond liner, covering its surface and perimeter with loose rock, and plugging in an energy-sucking sump pump — equals what I made in four or five days of labor. One big difference: their warranty is one year, if you’re lucky; but one built with concrete and steel is for a lifetime!

I’m the person that the past customers of “the Liner Guy” called two or three years down the road, asking me to fix the leak in their stinky green liner pond. A client in Poway, California paid $6,500 for a liner pond with a necklace of rock around the perimeter and a 3 x 4 foot fiberglass waterfall at its edge. I actually had to suppress a laugh when I saw it out of respect for my client’s grief.

This pond had a bottom drain that leaked; however, the major loss of water stemmed from a tree root puncture. In addition, it was obvious that this “Liner Guy” disciple did not have his customer’s long term financial well being in mind after I discovered a cheap, 7- amp energy-sucking “Jacuzzi” pump. We replaced it with a 3.6 amp high-efficiency pump that supplied nearly twice the flow.

Next, we pulled out the liner, reconfigured the pond’s oval shape to serpentine, and constructed the pond and waterfall shell using rebar (8″ on center) and 3500 psi concrete with stealth fiber added. We installed two 8″ bottom drains, added a professional skimmer, a Venturi air supply valve, a natural rock waterfall, a turtle island that supported a 25 foot bridge spanning the pond, an “Ultima II” high pressure, back-washable filter, ultraviolet light, lighting in the pond and waterfall. plus an electronic AquaFill pond water leveler. All this took us eight days from start to finish and cost only $2,000 more than the client originally paid.

In conclusion: Is it any wonder why I despise the “get rich quick” scheme of pond liner construction? The “liner guy” hates hearing me refer to concrete and rebar ponds as “professional construction.” They insist their liner ponds are professional construction. And if so, why do they sell the very same kits to do-it-yourself homeowners as to the construction business people for hire?

I am proud to claim over 2,000 satisfied customers over 30 years. Ninety-five percent of my clientele comes from referrals by satisfied customers. I don’t have to wonder why that is so.

Is there a place for liner ponds? Yes, if you’re renting and expect to move in two or three years. Or if you’re setting up a temporary display. No, I’m not totally against liners. They’re great for truck beds and cheap swimming pools!

Actually, I have made thousands of dollars over the years from pond liners – by replacing them with concrete and steel!

WATCH HowTo video on YouTube… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYucMywpfJ4

Douglas C. Hoover, CEO of Aquamedia Corp, Master Waterfall Builder, architect, engineer, freelance writer, author, designer & builder of over 2,000 waterfall and ponds in CA (30 years). Author of “Waterfall and Pond Construction Manual,” was $49.00 in bookstores, but for a limited time only $14.95 available as a downloadable e-book. Also “The Ultimate Training Course” has been reduced from $149 to only $39.95. http://waterfallsnaturally.com

Author: Douglas Hoover
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Yet, one simple “rule of business” remains constant. Your organization’s ability to execute is the ultimate determinant of your success. And, when it comes to effective execution you just can’t do it in a vacuum. You must create stakeholder-based innovations, strategies, systems and processes, and metrics if you want to really execute. You need to become an outerprise.

What is an outerprise?

Simply stated… your enterprise alone is no longer enough. Superior execution demands a new way of thinking – one that takes an “outside in” approach. We call this the outerprise. You need to invite your customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders into your organization, integrating them into your team, and enabling them to have a real impact on your business. Tap into this critical resource to achieve new levels of performance and competitive advantage.

Who are the critical stakeholders?

Any individual or group with a “stake” in your organization ~ such as customers, suppliers, partners, end users, employees, investors and shareholders, the community, even competitors. Their stake could be economic, such as investors, or more personal, such as employees. The stake is greater for some than for others. Some stakes are easy to understand; others are more challenging.

Why should you involve your stakeholders?

Because your stakeholders are your life blood. Think of it as an ecosystem. Remove the plants and animals from the human ecosystem, and we humans die. Without your stakeholders, the fate of your business is much the same. But, you’re aiming for much more than survival. In the best case, each party’s presence and involvement benefits the other in some meaningful way. That’s what you want for your organization – and its stakeholders. Understanding which stakeholders can make a difference in your organization’s performance is critical.

How does this stakeholder thing work?

Engaging your stakeholders, and integrating them into your business, can be perceived as a complex, even “messy”, undertaking. It doesn’t have to be. Stakeholder engagement is simply about creating conversation – in a way that leads to true collaboration. This can be done in a managed and structured manner, which removes the messiness and produces dramatic results for your business.

Let’s look at an example where stakeholder involvement can have a huge impact. The typical approach to understanding customers is for the sales force (or customer support, in some cases) to gather feedback regarding what customers want, need, like and don’t like. Some companies host annual meetings to help them understand customers and receive input. These events are usually designed to provide information to the customer and to make them “feel good”. This is all well and good, but it stops dramatically short of tapping into the real strategic value that customers can provide.

What if your customers got together with your executive team to explore possible directions for a new product? Obviously, this type of an exchange must be well planned and executed – but consider the possible outcomes. Creating a genuine, open dialogue with your customers can provide valuable new insights for developing new strategies and innovations.

What does that buy you?

There are two major benefits to doing this. First, you get lots of collective brain power working on your success. Second, your customers feel included and excited about what you are doing. The outcome is a win-win for your business, your customers, and as a result, all of your critical stakeholders. That’s the outerprise at its best!

Dr. Linda Ford is an expert on corporate culture – that 800 Pound Gorilla that does whatever it wants to in your organization. She is a consultant, speaker, and author helping organizations tame their Gorilla. For free resources to help you tame your Gorilla, visit [http://TameTheGorilla.com]

Author: Linda Ford, PhD
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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I got this reply from a forum member:

Oh, Laura….Let me at your hair!!!!!! I just love to braid and comb and brush people’s hair! (OK, now who’s sounding a bit mushy, lovey, touchy-feely, here!?!?!?!) This is one of those things that just tends to make BOTH people involved feel really good!! And it’s so playful and fun and rawly human.

Playful and fun and….rawly human.

Too often we are afraid of being rawly human. I see people being afraid of each other all the time. I don’t mean afraid of whether a person will attack you from the bushes, or whether you shouldn’t walk in the parking lot at night. I am talking about the fear that we won’t be liked, loved, or retained as an employee, spouse, or friend if we aren’t careful.

Too often, we fear being authentic and genuine with each other.

Many of us fear intimacy. In fact, a fellow coach confided to me that he was afraid to use the word “intimacy” in his web site materials despite a desire to do relationship coaching.

I know what he means. Intimacy has these connotations, doesn’t it? Will I come up in a Google search now in an unfavorable way? Am I willing to take that risk in order to be take a stand and talk about the basic fact that we need intimacy with other humans in order to be optimally healthy? After all, it is a fact that infants who receive inadequate human contact fail to thrive. We need each other. We need the connection.

Personally, I am willing to take the risk. We’d better all be willing to take the risk if we have even the faintest desire to create a more positive and hopeful world for ourselves and for each other.

On the face of it, it seems like a safe and easy choice to protect what we share with each other, keeping the negative or more angst-ridden parts of ourselves hidden. It feels safer because it limits the risk of rejection, abandonment, and conflict we feel is at risk when one is being completely honest with someone. Isn’t it ironic how, in the hope of obtaining intimacy/security/love/connection we hide all those parts of us that we think are too dangerous to share? Here, I’ll give you this illusion of me that I think you will really like and keep away all the messy stuff, now please love me. Even though a good part of me is invisible, please think I am a good person.

Initially, I was afraid of writing about this because of my awareness that I am also representing myself professionally. What might you think of me if I say I like it when people play with my hair? Wouldn’t it be better to just talk about my doctoral training in psychology and how I immerse myself in the study of business theory, strategy and application to help individuals grow profitable businesses? Is it okay for you to know that I don’t mind if you want to grab a bite of something off my plate? What will you think if you find out that I am a woman capable of experiencing the full range of human emotions, with opinions, and hopes and dreams and fears and desires, and goals and…

The truth is, once you get over your own hang-ups about what is and isn’t acceptable within your own psyche, you start to realize that the human experience is largely universal and it becomes easier and safer to share.

There are challenges, however, depending on what kind of personal history one is dealing with. As a therapist as well as a coach, I have been privy to the details of many traumatic histories from people who have been victims of assault or abuse. I have heard many stories of wrong turns and mistakes in life by those who have struggled with dysfunctional relationships and those who have engaged in addictive behaviors. I have heard coaches learning of the mere fact of trauma in potential clients say, “Whoa, I am not sure I can help them (at age 50) if (at age 5-9) they had that happen.” Sadly, I have even seen a few therapists do that. Lay people have picked up the language of pathology and can make similar assessments based on knowledge of past trauma. “Wow, that sounds like dysfunction. That’s too heavy. I mean, that person could freak out at any moment, couldn’t they?”

Yes, sometimes the effects of past trauma can be too heavy for some people to handle. Sometimes a person may be in a state of psychic injury that is too great for a particular individual to be around. However, sometimes our fear of what we think might be there stops us from really seeing the health and strength that many survivors are capable of manifesting. Our fear of what could get messy stops us from what seeing what could be powerful, beautiful, deep and human right before our eyes.

For a variety of reasons, many of them supported by our common culture we have learned to fear responsibility of each other. We do not want the risk and we certainly do not want the liability. We fear the potential of dependency. We fear being used up.

Relationships are a complex matter. On one hand, being rawly human can mean that our interactions with each other can be fun, light and playful while we share an ice cream cone and tickle each other. But we have to be able to accept the other side of the coin as well. To be rawly human also means to stop being afraid of each other’s pain. It means we have to stop equating being injured with being damaged forever. It means we have to embrace all the possibilities of what can happen to each other, and ourselves, and remain committed in our relationships even when ugly things happen. It means we have to stop being afraid of words like love and intimacy, allowing each other to be visible, even when part of what we need to show is hard to share. If we can bear our own humanity and stay with each other long enough, we may also witness power and strength in each other that will leave us awestruck.

Willingly let yourself fall in love with people who will die one day because that is, of course, everyone you meet. Don’t wall yourself off from people. It’s a frightful thing for many to attempt but it’s worth the risk. Isn’t that why we are here? To immerse ourselves in the humanity of our existence?

Remain open.

Need help moving from insight to integration and implementation of these concepts? Laura Young, M.A. is a life and business coach and owner of Wellspring Coaching. Laura specializes in working with individuals negotiating midlife transitions (personal and career), self-employed individuals on business development strategies and high level leaders on communication and leadership skills. With over 25 years of experience working in personal development, Laura has written extensively on such topics as stress management, motivation, finding one’s life purpose, achieving life balance, cultivating a healthy lifestyle and improving communication in personal and professional relationships. Please visit her blogs and website [http://www.wellspringcoaching.com/blogs.htm] to tap in to her extensive resource base.

Author: Laura Young
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It’s definitely a real asset when you’re an ex Beatle. Even Ringo Starr’s short solo career was still well received even though he really couldn’t sing and all he could do was play drums, primitively, yet still, the public went wild, simply because he was an ex Beatle. So, can we put McCartney in the same category? Obviously his previous musical history with one of the greatest bands in the world did have its advantages, and so we must then ask is it fair to say that still, Paul owes and owed in Wings, his entire career to John Lennon? I guess, he certainly did play a big part in it…and beside, they did have an enormous connection after The Beatles; they both married women how couldn’t sing a note…

In the same vein, both wives had taken fifty per cent of the credit for their husbands’ talents. Either wife did actually very little other than a few bits of percussion and backing vocals, but they were both solid Trojan horses pushing each husband from behind. Forming Wings with wife and Denny Laine, a former Moody Blues guitarist, they embarked on a quiet tour around colleges and local towns, believing that the aim was to start small. It was at this that we can see McCartney fully aware of not wanting to be seen riding on the back of the success of The Beatles, but yet, hoping, in a humbling sort of way, to be accepted and appreciated by new fans and public without listening to shouts from the crowd of ‘Where’s John?’ These small town venues were probably a wise move. The McCartney’s already professional and self promotional in their own right and each move form there on in was going to be calculated and an organised manoeuvre.

The birth of the McCartney’s, musically, didn’t experience the failure of every other band, past and previous, go through before their first big hit. They didn’t need to. What did happen though was changes behind the scenes. In their private lives, they had to endure a handful of drug busts that were largely covered by the press and several appearances in court followed for the pair. Names of the band changed. Immediately after the break up of The Beatles, Paul set himself up, like a small, one man business after being made redundant. Introducing themselves, simply as Paul and Linda McCartney, they released two albums and three singles. In late 1971, came the launch of Wings, eventually changing again for a few more singles and albums calling themselves, Paul McCartney and Wings. Perhaps the public had forgotten that an ex Beatle was actually present in this new band that he had felt the need to put his name back up there, or indeed was it a little dig at Lennon as he too had penned his name on the tag of his own band? When we speak of these so called rough and tumbles between the two powerful songwriters like it was the great Cold War, it is if we were willing fights to break out at concerts. The general public love a good slanging match ever since the Victorians loved to watch people being hung, drawn and quartered. Personally, I don’t believe that either songwriter gave the other a second thought. I believe that it was merely media hype and that the two were far to busy doing their own thing to care about what the other camp thought.

Still, we reach the point in the saga of the solo career that was McCartney. With the release of ‘Band On The Run,’ in December 1973, he had reached the very pinnacle of his career as a ‘solo’ performer. It was both number one over here and over there simultaneously. The ‘middle of the road’ entertainer and no longer referred to as an ex Beatle, was born. What really had taken off was his irritating ability to be totally unfazed by anything. Whilst Lennon was self dissecting himself in his agonising existence, McCartney was happily skipping down the road without a care in the world. Unaffected, his tuneful, yet meaningless songs won over the public, making him the one and only commercially successful asset, excluding Beatle records, that were still selling in their millions. McCartney, could not put a foot wrong.

With two gold albums behind them, they set about recording ‘Band On The Run.’ The impressive cast on the sleeve of the album quickly tells us how influential McCartney was. Not any other band, in their infancy could declare that they have been able to get Christopher Lee, Michael Parkinson, James Coburn and Sigmund Freud on their album cover. Among a handful of musicians borrowed from other bands or who were friends of friends, the main line up of the band was simply Paul, Linda and Denny ‘knights in white satin’ Laine.

What we got, was Paul McCartney’s most successful album in his entire career, and yes, just as irritatingly and perfectly produced, recorded and written.. Get ready to grab yourself a bucket as I will guarantee you to be tapping your feet and singing along and hating yourself in the morning..

Gentle, dull and yet still slightly engaging, the opening to the title track, ‘Band On The Run,’ is pretty disappointing, as this album had received so much press at its pre release. With dire lyrics it is rather like taking a sleeping pill, or a laxative, one of the two, still, it lightens and the tempo picks up to a Lennon theme, ‘if we ever get out of here…’ yes, that sounds like Lennon, but not long before we hear McCartney, all acoustic and jolly with his teeth itching perfect voice, let’s face it, he was the only Beatle who could really sing. This goes on for a few more straining minutes and we wonder what sort of subject this song is actually about, we haven’t got a clue about the theme, and neither has Wings got a clue about the genre that this song is to be put in to. It was an interesting hit, abit on the same theme as the impressive, Live And Let Die’ that came from the Bond film a few years before. The distorted idea of songs that told a story was a general popular theme in the early seventies. It was an era of not knowing what really to do, listen to or dress like. I perhaps would have enjoyed the persona of Wings a lot more if they looked more like Slade…It is hard to respect an artist when they are all comfy cardigans and cords. Give me spandex and platforms any day of the week…Besides, I didn’t feel that ‘..stuck inside these four walls..’ was a very optimistic opening line for such a teeth grindingly happy album by a equally matched band. Released in July 1974, it reached number three and became quite the epitome of all Wings records. This song, however, will unfortunately spawn a lot of head wiggling amateur McCartney impressions…

Suitably impressed with its introduction, we persevere with ‘Jet.’ It does, it would seem, gather enough gritty sound in its form to manage to hold its audiences attention. Released as a single in March 1974, it took its place at a comfortable number 7. I am not sure about the over done sax theme and Paul seems to be in a certain amount of pain from what I can hear in the background. A lot of cymbal shimmering, but still, our lyrics are hardly awe inspiring. We are not talking ‘Hey Jude,’ here, in fact its more, ‘Grandad’ by Clive Dunn than anything else. But we do pick up on a certain historic subject of the suffragette movement at the turn of the twentieth century, if any one can remember back that far,, some silly woman of the name, Mrs Emilinne Pankhurst, launched herself in front of the Kings horse at Epsom. If she had bothered to burn her bra instead, it would have been far less messy…and it would have had the same desired effect. Perhaps, we should be impressed with the line, ‘I thought the major was a lady suffragette…’ the first time I heard this track and even at my tender age of a very small thing, I thought it was about transvestites. I am sure I’m not alone in this assumption, albeit, over thirty years ago.

What on Earth was going on with ‘Bluebird’? With its soft, mellow, ‘cha cha cha’, there is a waiter stuffing the wine list in your face and immediately we are transported to some tacky Hawaiian restaurant somewhere near Streatham, South London. The sound is somewhat plastic and fake. Whilst the repetitive lyric chants to us, ‘.. I’m a bluebird, I’m a bluebird, ‘I’m a bluebird…’ we think that maybe, Paul may be thinking he can fly off. Its perfect backing music for a retro cocktail party, but only so it is turned so much that you can barely hear it. The backing vocals by our lovely Miss Linda are about as familiar with our memory of poor singing qualities as we can get. You’ll be pleased to know that the lyrics are easy to pick up and will need no rehearsing. A short track, it will not offend too much, and at the same time, will not be memorable. Id o feel that throughout the album, there is an over usage of sax solos, an instrument normally used to make a track sound sexy and alluring, it only distracts and whines like strangled cat in Wings records… best leave it to Roxy Music I feel…

‘Mrs Vanderbilt,’ is the next track on this album, and thankfully, the opening line…’down in the jungle, living in a tent…’ is chanted at such a speed that it will pass you by wonderfully quickly. What I do feel puzzled by is the ‘ho, ho hey, ho’ and the Elton John, ‘haaaaaa’s’ like on the classic ‘Goodbye Yellowbrick Road.’ (oh how I wish I’d have picked that album instead…) The acoustic chords are straight and non messy. The lyrics will not give you reason for thought and the sax appears too much. ‘what’s the use of worrying…?’ another line that pops up as much as the ‘ho, ho, ho’s.’ I am not quite such what its all about, whatever it is, it was obviously an ‘in’ joke as the track ends with some hysterical laughter.

The opening to ‘Let Me Roll It’, is somewhere between Bowie and Velvet Underground. It has a over powering organ effect on lovely Linda’s keyboard that urges us to take a pew and have a good pray. With its effect of McCartney singing at the far end of an aircraft hanger, (which probably isn’t’ a bad idea) it is a slight imitation of Lennon’s, ‘What ever gets you through the night,’ but slowed down to an unbearable listening speed. One noted bass and dead paced drums aren’t so bad, but it’s the short burst of guitar riff with happens on a regular basis through this track that will really get on your nerves…I do believe that this track goes on for too long. It could have been cut in half and the end product wouldn’t have been so bad…A good track in itself, but I do feel as though we are asking a question of the chicken and the egg variety. Did Macca do this first or Lennon? You will definitely experience a strong Lennon quality here in its electric guitar theme and echoed vocals. The lyrics don’t stand proud too much, but I do believe that was because Mac was going through a time in his life when he actually had nothing to say, whereas, Lennon had everything to say, and I think that’s was what made Lennon so big. He was an opinionated character and although Mac made more money in his solo venture than Lennon, it was the latter, that was far more popular on a scale that McCartney could only dream about…

The next in this painful album, is actually a pleasant surprise, ‘Mamunia’ is a strange title and answers on a postcard please if anyone can tell me what it means. Rather like the earlier B side in his career called, ‘C Moon.’ This track, (careful) is beautifully produced, (its is Macca, after all…) the acoustic, seventies style, is set in the right pitch and doesn’t encroach on the vocals, which, incidentally, are harmonised and arranged to perfection, I do believe we can here Linda actually sing, or at least, she has been drowned out enough so we can’t focus on her voice only. Every now and then, Mac would come out with the perfect song that would make any critical listener stop and listen intently, and this was one of them.. Not released as a single, which surprises me even more. Joyful but not irritating. Gentle but not sleep inducing, it is a very pretty tune, although very repetitive, but in this form, repetitiveness works, and boy, does it work here.

Blending in with all the grace of Swan lake, ‘No Words,’ appears to be a George Harrison track. The vocal really is spot on for GH, its winding and slightly slurry in its sound. The electric guitar is also a Harrison inspired piece, and hardly Mac at all. It could be seen as a tribute to an absent friend. If it is then it is touching, but if someone had said, that Harrison, had just stepped in because it was raining outside, he was bored, picked up a handy guitar and started to sing, then I wouldn’t be at all shocked. This is the least un Macca ish song I think I have ever heard.

If the previous was Harrison then please tell me this was also meant to be a tribute to the great Beatle song, ‘When I’m Sixty Four,’ but slowed down to the extreme. We hear those even more familiar horns used in its predecessor. Titled, ‘Picasso’s Last Words,’ it fills our minds with all sorts of intriguing ideas. A peculiar, ‘..when I grow older…’ style like a drunken pub song, it has a strong familiar sound of long lost days of The Beatles. It is hard to come out of a period of your life that was so intense and leave every little thing behind. When living in each others pockets like that over years, the people around you become you and you become them. This sectioned track incorporates virtually every other song from the track. Every much pieced together with fairly mediocre editing, it is listenable but a little distorted as a whole piece of work. We start with the old 64 theme which quickly turns its jolted head to a Roxy Music synthesiser sound. What we get is Bryan Ferry mixed with the lyrics of ‘Jet.’ Very bizarre and who thought of doing that must have had a skinful the night before. We turn again to the chorus of the title of this track with a tonne of violins thrown in to obviously drown out the next dire piece of editing. Stand by and wait for the ‘When I’m Sixty Four,’ slow, aging ‘almost on its last legs’ track again with hidden French chatter in the backing. Back around the block with Ferry once more for luck, then, hang on, where did this come from? God, not those ‘ho, ho, hey, ho’s'… is it time to go home yet?

After we have taken a moment to lie down after the quick tour of the album in one minute flat, we are subjected to a flat version of ‘Lady Madonna’ piano. Mac is certainly signing this, as his voice is open, rocky and experimental. Linda is hard fast at not letting anyone else have a go with those maracas. I wonder why Mac always has to use this disjointed theme of shoving ‘oo’s’ and more ‘oooos’s’ where they are really not needed. There is, however, a contemporary theme to this track, (in bits, mind) that sounds so up to date and of today’s sounds. I think it’s the fusion of synthesiser drawn out chords and lots of percussion. This odd title is, ‘Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five.’ A tribute, albeit a year out to George Orwell? Probably not. A crescendo of an ending featuring every single instrument from the album including the thundering sounds of ‘Jet,’ and ‘Live And Let Die.’ (even though this single does not appear on the album.) We end this album with a whispered echo of ‘Band On The Run’, giving the impression perhaps, of a band now fleeting quickly away into the night from fear of being caught. No matter, what we have done now, is gone full circle. A global tour of the most successful album of his career..

It appears that Mac has pulled out all the stops for this album, cramming together every piece of himself that he could find, making damn sure that this album, or any one of them in the future for that matter, were going to fail him. Well, it worked. December 1973 saw it go straight to number one, also allowing this album to stay in the charts for a massive 124 weeks in total. A feat, he was never to do again.

A man that has annoyed and left us seething in his perfection of music and above all, his bank balance over the last, definite, thirty five years and we say we loathe him? May I perhaps leave you with two thoughts….

The ever unpopular ‘Mull Of Kintyre’ sold over two million copies….

The even more unpopular ‘We All Stand Together,’ by Mac and The Frogs Chorus got to number three.

So who bought them then?

1973 EMI records.
Written and produced by McCartney and Wings
©michelle duffy 2006

Michelle is a freelance writer in the South of England and owner of the websites, www.generationsounds.co.uk, nevermindthebloggers.bravehost.com and their successful sister, ‘Never Mind The Bloggers’ at paperback-writer29.tripod.com. She has been writing over the last year, for five major consumer websites across the world and is one of the only two music category advisors for one website in the U.K. Her websites promote young, amateur and professional bands/artists and their fan clubs whilst also reviewing them for local and world wide promotion. She has also recently launched the blogs; ‘The Ramblings Of An Old Rocker,’ ‘Bohemian Waffle,’ ‘The Rhythm Rock And Blues Machine’ and ‘The Moped’s Musings’ and ’Generation Sound Suite.’ She is currently working on two shops selling her music styled artwork and now sells on Ebay.

Author: Michelle Duffy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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Be careful when you clean your filter medium and never use hot water or detergents. When you have performed a water change, the discarded water can be used to wash the filter medium since it will have the right temperature, pH etc. The reason why you should handle your filter media so carefully is that it is a great home for beneficial bacteria. If colonies of nitrifying bacteria colonies the filter media, they will perform biological filtration and make it much easier for you to keep the water quality up in your aquarium. Hot water, detergents etc will however kill the bacteria and must therefore be avoided. If you need to replace the filter media, you should ideally leave a part of the old media in the canister filter. This way, the old bacteria can colonies the new filter media.

A downside with the corner filter is that many designs produce a lot of noise. You can of course find good looking corner filters, but a majority of the corner filters are actually quite ugly. If you have messy eaters, the corner filter will be rapidly clogged and require frequent cleaning. The corner filter can also be insufficient for aquariums that require more vigorous filtration.

Canister filter

For aquarium keepers that keep messy eaters or have large aquariums, the basic corner filter is often not enough to keep the water quality up. If you find your self in this situation, you might want to consider the canister filter. This filter is an external filter that is hung outside the aquarium or placed under the aquarium. Today you can also find canister filters that are located inside aquariums (submersible canister filters), but they are much less common than external canister filters. The inside of this filter will typically contain a micron filter cartridge, glass wool or similar types of filter media. Waster is then pumped through the canister filter, and larger debris is caught in the media. This makes the canister filter quite similar to the basic corner filter, only much larger and more powerful. You can also add a wet-dry wheel to your  filter to promote biological filtration.

Just like with the corner filter, you must clean your canister filter frequently to prevent clogging. If the caught debris is left too long in this filter, they will start decomposing and can pollute the water. A negative aspect of the canister filter is of course that it requires a lot of space. A submersible canister filter will take up a lot of space and look ugly inside the aquarium, while an external canister filter will take up a lot of space and look ugly somewhere outside the aquarium. Careful planning can be the solution here; you can for instance hide the external canister filter in a piece of aquarium furniture. Just keep in mind that it must be easy to access the canister filter, since it requires frequent cleaning. Never use soap or hot water when cleaning your filter.

Allen Jesson can also help you find a personal loan with a low interest rate because he specializes in finding the lowest rate interest personal loans that suit you.. Allen can also help you find the perfect anniversary gift

Author: Allen Jesson
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