Government obstacles on the house building high road

Two proposals set out by the government during the last quarter of 2007 are likely to have major impact on the house building industry in 2008 and beyond. The first being the call for 3 million new homes by 2020, and the second and most significant, the proposed introduction of a statutory new planning charge.

The planning charge is designed to help pay for the infrastructure needed for new developments, and encourage regions and local authorities to plan positively for housing and economic growth.

The Government's decision to scrap the controversial Planning Gains Supplement (PGS) in favor of the planning charge will be a relief to the industry, which feared that PGS would create a vacuum on the number of new sites brought to the market, and make many schemes financially unviable.

While the planning charge is a better way forward, it is not without its concerns. Any tax on land, which this undoubtedly still is, will either mean a rise in the cost of homes or will reduce the land value, which may have a negative effect on the number of sites coming forward for development.

The proposal for the planning charge is that it will based on a costed assessment of the infrastructure requirements specific to the development, taking into account land values. This is crucial as the cost of land in the South is significantly higher than in the North, and if the charging structure fails to take into account this regional difference then this will have severe consequences for the ability for house builders to develop new homes in higher priced regions.

The initial proposals by the British Property Federation, Home Builders Federation, London First and the Major Developers Group to the Government suggested that the charge should vary according to whether a site is greenfield, brownfield or regeneration scheme. Developers should be able to argue for a reduced tariff payment, if a scheme is not viable because of the tariff or other impositions, such as Section 106. This proposal will be key to the success of this idea.

One of the aims of the planning charge is to help make the planning process simpler. While this is to be welcomed this needs to go hand in hand with creating more land opportunities. Britain's house builders cannot build 3 million new homes by 2020, just on brownfield sites alone, the use of the greenbelt will be essential to achieving this. The Social Marketing Foundation said in August that approximately 2 million of these new homes will need to be built outside of existing town and city boundaries.

Natural England is currently proposing a review of the greenbelt, which will look into the possibility of releasing parts of it for development. The emphasis would be on creating green wedges and corridors to link the natural environment to built areas. I would welcome, as I am sure most of the house building industry would, a review which takes a realistic view of the existing greenbelt alongside the need for new homes. Originally the greenbelt was created to protect and prevent urban sprawl. However, in recent years it has become a political issue, which has resulted in it becoming untouchable.

Building on the greenbelt in sustainable locations where access to infrastructure is already in place, will ensure a much better solution to England's housing shortage than the development of new towns with little infrastructure or community.

The Government's decisions on planning and housing need to be carefully considered to take into account the needs of the population and not be based on what is likely to be a vote winner. What often seems to be forgotten is that it is house builders who build homes and not the Government. Therefore the Government needs to take care not to jeopardies development opportunities by implementing policies which might hinder supply or make developments economically unviable.

House builders have the capability and willingness to build more homes but are prevented from doing so through a lack of land, long and drawn out planning legislation and a lack of commercially viable opportunities. It is to be hoped that this new planning charge will aid and not hinder the industry.

Seo - tips about seo keyword density

One of the main keys to search engine optimization is keyword density. This refers to the number of searchable keywords and keyword phrases that you are on your web pages. Keywords are vital to achieving a high page ranking. If there aren't any keywords on your pages to find for the search engines to index, there is literally nothing to find in the search engine results pages (also known as SERPs).

One of the most common mistakes that new entrepreneurs make when they are first starting a small start up ecommerce site is to only submit keywords to the search engines. They either forget or just don't realize that those keywords also have to be placed somewhere in the text of the site or the search engines just won't have anything to "hook" onto when someone uses one of your keywords to do a search. So do make sure that whatever you do the same keywords you are using out of context to promote your site are also used in-content inside your site.

You also need determine how many keywords or keyword phrases should appear on your web site. The number of keywords appear on the page, makes a difference to all of the search engine algorithms. They simply pick on the keywords that are most dense in your pages. Of course if you choose very general or highly competitive keywords and keyword phrases you just might end up with a lot of untargeted traffic. The keywords and keyword phrases that have the most density on your site should be the ones that improve your search engine optimization in terms of bringing you customers who intend to buy. Don’t make them too general or you will merely be overwhelmed with a lot of traffic and no sales! That is an anathema to an online marketer!

Creating the best year of your life

At the end of each year, and on their birthdays, many people take time to reflect and look ahead. If you're one of these people, or if you would like to start getting the benefits from a little self reflection, then I have some great questions for you.

These questions can be looked at once a year, once a month or whenever you're looking for some direction in your life. I invite you to take a good hard look at your life more than once a year. You'll get a lot more out of your life if you're more conscious about what you're creating.

Some of the questions weren't developed by me and many are from a terrific book called "Your Best Year Yet: Ten Questions for Making the Next Twelve Months Your Most Successfull Ever" by Jinny S. Ditzler. I highly recommend it if you want to go a little deeper.

These questions have been designed to help you to take time to complete the year and to formulate the new year from a clean slate. By working on the following questions you will complete this year powerfully so you can have the room to build a new "me" for the new year.

Looking at this past year:

1. What do I want to be acknowledged for?

2. What did I accomplish?

3. What did I want to accomplish that I did not accomplish? (Do I still want to do this?)

4. What did I say I would do that I didn't do? (Do I still want to do this?)

5. Who do I need to be in communication with?

6. What were my biggest disappointments?

7. What did I learn? - List 3 lessons which will make the most difference if you remember them this year?

(See them as guidelines for next year).

Changing patterns:

1. How do you limit yourself and how can you transform these actions to be powerful?

2. What do you say to yourself to explain your failures? (These false beliefs are your limiting paradigm).

3. List your limiting paradigm.

4. List your new paradigm which must be personal, positive, present tense, powerfully and simply stated, pointing to an exciting future.

5. Read your new paradigm out loud when you awake and before going to sleep each day. Teach your subconscious that this is your paradigm.

Looking ahead:

1. What are your personal values? What is most import to you in your life? What drives you?

2. What roles do you play in your life? (List 8 or more). Then list new ones you want to incorporate into your life in the next year. Rate each role on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most important.

3. Where is your life out of balance? If you could put one problem behind you, once and for all, what would it be?

4. Which role is your major focus for next year? ( In what role do you want a breakthrough performance? If you could put a check mark by one of these roles at the end of next year showing, showing that you felt good about how you are playing that role, which one would it be?)

5. What are your goals for each role?

The way that this works is that for at least a week or two you ask yourself the above questions. I write them down and do it in writing several different times. Then after doing that for all of the above questions you answer one final question:

What do I want to accomplish and who do I want to be in the coming year?

Remember the old saying, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Give yourself the gift of self reflection that will help you to create the life you really want this year. It only takes an hour or two. Don't you deserve better than settling for whatever shows up when fail to plan?...of course you do.

Discovering the beauty of landscape photography

Symmetry, repetition, contrast, asymmetry, coherence, symbolism, and a dash of irony—these are the major components that construct a beautiful photograph taken by exceptional photographer. These are also the very same components that one needs balance when taking one of the easiest yet most difficult subjects to photograph — landscapes.

LOOKING BACK

Since they are permanent, familiar, accessible, and part of nature, landscapes have been one of the most favorite subjects by most photographers. Landscape photography can be traced as early as 1849 when the book “Egypte, Nubie, Palestine et Syrie” containing prints of paper negatives was published. In the 19th century, many eminent landscape photographers emerged which dominate large photography collections in museums and galleries worldwide. Today, many budding photographers continue to fall in love with nature. And as they pursue the road to landscape photography, more and more works and techniques continue to emerge.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH LANDSCAPES

Unlike other kinds and styles of photography, most people would say that it is easy to take landscape photographs because you don’t need to instruct you subject and you can choose whatever angle you want. On the contrary, most photographers believe that landscape photography is one of the most difficult because you will need an intense set of equipment and a very keen eye to make an “ordinary” scene quite extraordinary.

Imagine capturing the natural beauty of a majestic landscape with your camera and in your own preference. Here are some of the elements you need to pay attention to before you delve into the realms of landscape photography:

1. Camera, lens, and lens shade are great deals. Although you can use any camera, most photographers would recommend SLR or digital SLR because these give wider selection of lenses and ensure superior results. Wide-angle lenses are also advised because it gives a great view into any picture. In order to protect your lens, look for a good lens hood or shade.

2. Tripod is a must. This is a very invaluable and important asset for landscape photographers to avoid the blurred outcomes and to ensure the maximum depth of field.

3. Invest on film and filters. Any film today can be used because it can record nature’s color vividly. You just have to be wise in using the right ISO film to avoid grains in your photo prints.

4. Consider camera position. This greatly affects the overall quality of your photo because it requires your creative decision. (TIP: If there is a horizon line in your composition, keep it leveled so there is a room for greater possibilities.)

5. Set the direction and the type of light to be used. Proper direction accompanied with balanced lighting will make or unmake your landscape piece so make sure that you visit the location and predict the weather before your shoot.

6. Be hands-on in post exposure manipulation. To get the job done, try to learn mastering the do’s and don’ts in the darkroom so you’ll get the result you desire.

Sitting pretty how to achieve high search engine rankings

The best kind of traffic is the free kind—that is, the traffic that comes from natural search engine rankings. Acquiring those rankings, however, takes time and a dedicated effort; but once you achieve that positioning, it’s only a matter of doing a little maintenance work. And, most importantly, you don’t have to reinvest half your profits back into advertising to maintain the higher sales volumes you achieve.

How to Get Ahead

So how do you improve your rankings without spending a fortune? According to Andy Jenkins of ConvertLinks. com, the key to increasing your rankings isn’t decoding a complex mathematical algorithm, but having good content and employing that content to better your positioning:

• Create your site in HTML. It’s not enough to just have good content: you have to put that content in a form that’s search engine friendly.

• Use RSS feeds to syndicate your content. Search engines love fresh, changing content.

• Publish your articles using a blog, and syndicate and submit them to article directories. Says Jenkins, “As you give out quality content to other sites, you not only increase your own link popularity, but you also enhance your site in the search engines.”

• Don’t attempt to optimize your site around a keyword by simply cramming that word into your copy as many times as possible. The search engines will ignore this misguided SEO attempt, and your sales message won’t read well to anyone who actually does stumble onto your site.

Search engines have advanced to the point they recognize and associate words that are used together often. Rather than repeating a word over and over, try using related words. If you sell pasta, for example, use words like “angel hair,” “penne,” “shells,” “linguine,” “Italian,” and “marinara.” The engines will recognize the relationships between the words and register your site as pasta-related.

Proper SEO Takes Time

You can take short cuts that will let you get ahead in the search results—until the next time the search engine companies change their ranking algorithms. But staying ahead requires doing things the right way: you have to create useful, interesting content and give visitors a reason to come back to your site. You’re building a business—short cuts won’t pay off in the long run.

If you have an established site, you could begin to see more visitors and more sales from real, diligent SEO efforts in a very short time—sometimes even a week or less. If, however, you’re just starting your online business, even with your exhaustive efforts, it may take six weeks to a couple of months before you start to see traffic trickling through. But as Jenkins points out, “The payoff is search engine positions that endure even when Google, Yahoo, and MSN update their algorithms.”

Quick cash loans the real cost

So many numbers are thrown around when talking about cash advances, also called payday loans, that it can be hard to know what the real cost is. What you actually pay for your payday loan is usually a financing fee rather than an interest rate. APR is used to compare the yearly cost of such a loan, even though payday loans are usually repaid in less than 17 days.

Financing Fees

Most cash advance companies charge finance fees rather than interest in order to get around some state laws. Finance fees are usually charged on a pay period schedule of two weeks, although some companies have a shorter or longer repayment periods.

For a cash advance of $100, you can expect to pay around $15 in finance fees. Some lenders charge more or less, so it pays to compare rates. Online lenders usually post their rates or APR, so you can research lenders in minutes.

If you don’t repay your loan when it is due, you can roll it over. You add on finance fees for the additional time. You have to be careful with this option. If you put off repayment too many times, you can end up owing more in finance fees than principal.

Understanding APR

APR is the yearly rate of the loan, even though cash advances are intended to be short term loans. It is figured the same way as credit cards, multiplying the rate over the year and including any fees. While the APR does not equal your real cost, it is a nice comparison tool.

An APR compares the same number, regardless of lender. If you go online, most cash advance companies will list the APR on their website. You can also request the number from them before you apply.

Comparing Costs

When you are trying to decided whether to get a cash advance or not, you should compare the other costs associated with your decision. For example, will you pay more in late fees or interest charges by missing a payment? Will NSF fees amount to more than a payday loan fee? What will it cost you if the car doesn’t get fixed?

If the finance fee is smaller than other costs, then you are saving yourself money in the long run.

Anxiety depression information

From a religious stand-point, Jesus once asked his 12 disciples: “Which of you by worrying can add a single strand of hair to your head?” Now, you may be of a religious background or maybe not, but, think about that statement and you’d see why worrying, a main symptom of anxiety depression is quite unnecessary. more... myhealthidea. com

Reduced to its simplest form, what is worry? It is simply an unhealthy and destructive mental habit that - believe it or not folks-you were not born with but simply acquired out of practice. The good news is, with aggressive actions, as with any habit and acquired attitude; we can be worry free and eliminate it from our lives successfully.

In the words of Dr. Smiley Blanton, a noted Psychiatrist: “Anxiety depression is the great modern plague.” Other psychologists go on to say ‘worry’ a noted symptom of any form of depression, is the most subtle and destructive of all human diseases. When we worry excessively, we disintegrate our inner workings as humans and really put a lot of things out of order. Needless to say avoiding worry as a step of treating depression and anxiety will be the first step for our own benefit.

Anxiety Depression: Steps to take to be Worry Free:

The following steps should be used to deal with anxiety depression and its main symptom, worry. When used wisely and effectively, you will inevitably be successful at these natural depression help techniques.

Practice Mind-drainage: Empty your mind of pessimistic and negative thoughts, especially before going to and after waking up from sleep. This involves some degree of imagination friends. (the same imagination-mind you-that you are actually using to aggravate your present situations…didn’t realize that eh?). This mind-draining strategy cannot be overemphasized as I will let you know, if you fear something for a long period of time, it may actually come to pass. “For the thing which I feared has come upon me…” (Job 3:25)

Fill up the mind with powerful thoughts of faith and success to fill up the vacuum now left in the mind. You become a worrier by practicing it, you can be worry-free by practicing the opposite.

Say positive things about those things you previously spoke negatively of.

Never participate in a worry conversation. Induce your conversation with faith and worry-free statements.

Make friends with optimistic people, practice prayer and meditation.

Exercise and eat right. You’ll be making yourself look and feel better and consequently stronger through the process for overcoming depression, anxiety and becoming worry free.

No one is saying things will be automatically changed overnight.

No, it takes work. However with direct and equally aggressive actions as the destructive worry habits one may be indulging in, anxiety depression can be overcome and you too can be worry free if you believe in your mind you can.

myhealthidea. com

The ultimate tax planning strategy

The taxes that are withheld from paychecks amount to about 25% of your gross pay (including federal tax, state tax, social security tax and medicare tax). But these taxes that are withheld could be working for you as investments if you employ what I call the ultimate tax strategy. This tax strategy consists of how you plan to pay no taxes just like all of the large corporations. Large businesses have teams of accountants and lawyers going over the tax code to make maximum use of legitimate deductions.

In my opinion, there is a distinct difference between an individual and a business in the U. S. tax code (others have called it the difference between the rich and the poor). Such as businesses are rewarded with tax deductions because they create jobs and engage in entrepreneurial activities that support individuals and government. But individuals are awarded few tax breaks because they don’t create jobs and don’t take risks that add substantial value to the economy. This is simply the fact and we just need to find a way to make the most of the few tax deductions that are available to wage earners as well.

When tax time comes around, the only substantial tax break most individuals have is a deduction for their home mortgage. This deduction is a social policy benefit to many people, but instead of helping people, it can motivate them to buy a larger home or higher mortgage than they would ordinarily afford. And unless you live in a neighborhood that continually appreciates, this is not a great strategy for you to target.

First, I need to make some big disclaimers about minimizing your taxes. There are many people in jail that have written books, tapes, websites and held seminars on how to never pay taxes. You can spot these people due to their focus on concepts that the IRS says are invalid; strained interpretations that haven’t held up in court, constitutional nonsense and a lot of straight fraud. Once the IRS audits these “patriotic educators”, the result is an invoice for back taxes, interest, penalties, and a jail or prison sentence. And illegal tax avoidance isn’t limited to wage earners. Nearly every month there is someone who tried to avoid taxes from a giant windfall (sold a company for millions, exercised stock options, received a large bonus) and paid some small shady offshore consulting company to create a fictitious tax loss to offset the big gain. The same thing happens; IRS files suit for back taxes, interest, penalties and possibly jail depending on the circumstances.

The ultimate tax planning strategy works when you buy investments that have a positive cash flow (before any tax consequences), and give you a legitimate tax deduction as an added bonus. Now it is just a matter of buying enough of these investments to reduce your tax liabilities close to zero. If you have too much of these investments, the IRS limits tax loss carry-forwards, and you may end up losing them.

The two legitimate deductions that I want to mention are real estate depreciation and oil well depletion. You are buying something that is going to put money in your pocket (or a very high probability of success), and because it is in alignment with government policy, they give you a tax deduction to take this risk.

To figure out how much of a deduction that you need, start with your 1040 federal tax form. Add together the Standard Deduction (which is around $3,000) and your itemized deductions from Schedule A. The difference between the number that you just calculated and your actual Adjusted Gross Income is the amount of depreciation you need to acquire for the ultimate tax strategy.

Investment real estate depreciation is calculated over 29.5 years right now, so take the amount of depreciation that you need and multiply it by 29.5 to calculate the purchase price you need to buy. (Note that depreciation is limited to $25,000 per year unless you meet the IRS qualifications as a real estate professional. The taxing authorities don’t like wage earners taking these types of deductions so there are many limits on them, including the Alternative Minimum Tax, to block you from taking excessive deductions).

Now even if you aren’t able to buy enough tax deductible investments to get your taxable income all the way down to zero, any investment that meets the IRS rules for a deduction, and is a positive cash flow investment, will increase your net worth, reduce your taxes and thus create more money available to you to spend or invest.

A minder for your web promotion

The SEO Services Delhi is also in the form of contracts and companies do web encouragement and Internet marketing behavior for their clients. They take care of the website and report to client every month. There are many companies that offer these services in the form of monthly executive method. SEO services Delhi refine and make conscious towards your website.

SEO is such a process in which website undergoes redevelopment to more effectively communicate your key words through search engine. Search Engine Optimization enables your website to rank higher on major search engines. The process is applicable in many processes which are unique content that contains pertinent keywords, and link popularity - the number of quality incoming links to your website.

Some of the SEO services Delhi are providing genuine services these days. If your website needs to be search engine optimized, always take great care in choosing the SEO services Delhi. Receiving a good search engine rank is not an easy task but it is a long process.

In this technical market you find many SEO services which are help to promote website ranking. By it you can easily get any services of the consultants according to your need. There are maximum types of services through these consultancies like defining of keywords, writing of content on keyword basis, on sheet, off side optimization techniques and other internet marketing techniques. SEO services Delhi just modify you to more conscious about technology.

Shoe designer bathing ape comes to manhattan leases 91 greene st

The leasing team of Faith Hope Consolo, vice chairman, and Joseph A. Aquino, managing director of Garrick-Aug Worldwide, Ltd., exclusively represented the landlord in leasing 91 Greene St. to an obscure, yet ultra hip urban retailer A Bathing Ape. The Soho location will serve as the U. S. flagship for the street wear retailer, also known as BAPE (pronounced baypee), and will include a cafe.

The 10-year lease is for 3,036 s/f, including two levels and mezzanine space. Apparel retailer Tehen previously occupied the site.

According to Ms. Consolo, "BAPE's retail concept is perfectly suited for this hyper-trendy Soho neighborhood. The company, whose name is a clever riff that pokes fun at complacency among Japanese youths, was launched 11 years ago by designer, producer, musician and disc jockey Nigo, a self-professed 'Planet of the Apes' fanatic. His designs incorporate simian imagery, hip-hop culture and camouflage motifs and are deliberately sold in limited quantities to preserve exclusivity. BAPE clothing and accessories have reached feverish popularity among the young and hip. Customers in Japan have even been known to wait in line just to get into the store to shop! This New York flagship will allow the retailer, which already has stores in Japan, Hong Kong and London, to expand its brand within the U. S."

The lifestyle retail boutique, which will feature an array of apparel and accessories, is slated to open this summer.

"This incredible signature location features a modern, all-glass facade and nearly 20 feet of street frontage," said Mr. Aquino.

"However, the area's non-stop pedestrian traffic and proximity to some of the most well known retailers in the world are what truly makes 91 Greene St. a standout retail address."

Situated on the same block as Louis Vuitton, Armani Casa, Anne Fontaine and La Perla, 91 Greene St. is also located near other marquis retailers, including Salvatore Ferragamo, Helmut Lang and Apple Computer.

Christopher Owles, managing director of Sinvin Realty, represented the tenant in the transaction.

Why online coupons are the rage

Online shopping has gone through quite a surge during the past couple of years. Between the ease of use and lower shipping rates, more and more people are using online shopping for everything from every day shopping for food items to seasonal shopping for gifts. If you are doing online shopping, you should not be buying anything else until you’ve found online coupons for your favorite shops.

Competition for online consumers has led web shopping sites to almost continually offer online coupons for things such as free shipping, reduced shipping or price reductions. I know as a consumer I tend to shop around for particular items via different stores and then purchase through one that offers an online coupon simply because it usually ends up being the best over all price. There are very few online stores that don’t offer online coupons, so it is to your benefit that you check every time you shop.

Companies now realize that the internet is extremely popular when it comes to online sales. Therefore, not only are stores competing against each other in malls and physical stores, but they are now competing against each other for online consumers. These are very useful if you continually shop from the same sites, but if you are only making one purchase here and there from particular web sites then these club options are not for you. You would be better off searching for online coupons each time you complete a transaction, because chances are that one exists.

To check for online coupons, simply search for the store name & coupons using your trusty search engine (Google or Yahoo will do fine). This will bring up several sites that specialize in broadcasting and listing online coupon codes, so you will have to do some clicking before you find something. When you chance upon a site that you like, you can save a coupon site to your favorites and just use that site each time you check out the next time round.

Road to hassle free purchase - car auctions

If through car auctions, you can own your first car, so be it. These is an interesting way of obtaining a car that is in good condition and looks good as well, plus the cost is also minimum. So, for all those who cant afford a brand new car just off the belt, they can buy a Honda or a Ford from the car auctions. This will help them save time and money that might otherwise be spent visiting various car dealers trying to find that one car that is perfect for them. If they can manage with this car for the initial couple of years, they can then think of upgrading to a better car.

The same rules applies to people who want to buy a new car and wondering how to sell their old car. If they were to approach a car broker or agent, they will have to spend days with no end waiting for that perfect buyer to come over. Apart from this, the time spent in showing people the car, going with them on test drives, talking about the various features of the car or all that you have spent requires a lot of effort.

Instead, if they were to surf the Internet to find good car auctions site, they can upload information pertaining to their car and sit back. All they need to do is register, and put in key data about their car and its current condition. They must also do a study of the market to understand the current selling rates and how high they can go. Once they have listed their price, all that is left is for interested parties to come make their bid. Since all details are already up for grabs, the buyer will only have to bid and the highest bidder wins the car. The car is then sold to them, along with which the documents will also be transferred. This will include everything from ownership deed to insurance papers.

No matter what your objective is, you can use the car auctions facility to solve your problems. If you are well versed with the computer, you can bid for that car you wish to purchase and wait for the name of the person with the highest bid to be announced. It usually takes less than couple of days for a sale or purchase to be completed. Then it is up to you to make the payment and bring home your prized possession.

These auctions happen on a regular basis, and so even if you miss one, you can visit another one and make a grab for that car that caught your eye. Since car signifies freedom, having a car of your own will give you more than just being free, along with it comes responsibility and makes you feel all grown up and independent. Therefore, it is a wise choice if a person resorts to seeking the help of these car auctions to help solve their car woes.

Building a 16 ft. grand banks dory

As a kid I did a lot of boat building, mainly scale models that were not able to sail, although I did actual build a few boats that were, more or less, capable of sailing. I even once build a 10 feet boat, or shall I say raft. I accomplished this with a few friends and we had great fun sailing it on the local river. It was not really water proof and while one person was rowing, the others had to make sure that they removed the water quicker then it was entering our boat.

Then sadly one day we failed. I was rowing at the time, and we were in the middle of the river when it was clear we were sinking. I stopped rowing to assist with the hosing, but this only slowed down the process of sinking, it did not stop it. So I started to row again in on effort to reach dry land before we sank, thus avoiding having to swim to safety.

And guess what: We made it! Just before the boat really started to sink we managed to jump ashore. Here we watched as our pride and joy slowly sank to the bottom of the river. It was then that we realised we were at the wrong side of the river and this left us with a problem. We either had to walk to the nearest bridge, 10 kilometers upriver, so that would have been a 20 kilometer walk, or swim to the other side.

We decided on swimming. We did not see anyone around, so we quickly undressed, and with one hand holding our clothes above the water, we managed to get back to our own side of the river. Just as we were struggling to get out of the water a group of girls from our own school were passing by, and I can tell you we were not happy!

This all happened a long time ago and a few times in my live I have had plans of building a boat again. I have spent a good amount of time looking at boat building plans, but with boats size does matter.

I usually looked at boats between 30 and 40 feet, but the sheer volume of work involved has always stopped me from going ahead with my boat building plans.

Now I have decided to start small. I am going to build a 16 feet Grand Banks dory, which I want to fit with a small outboard engine. I boughtl the boat building plans, I got the working space, and by the time you read this article I might be finished already.

Later, who knows, I might build a 40 feet cabin cruiser, and tow my Grand Banks dory behind me. Then, if my cabin cruises sinks, I can always row to safety in my Grand Banks dory, dry and with my clothes on.

Natural ways for hair removal

It is one of the commonest problems faced by many women. Men can get away by shaving their beard, moustache and cutting their hair. For women it is not that simple. There are some common measures which every woman must have tried in her lifetime.

Waxing: It is one of the easiest and convenient ways to deal with your hair. It may be painful in the beginning but this method goes a long way. The hair growth after waxing is comparatively slower in comparison to shaving. It also keeps your waxed legs and hands smooth and supple. You can make this wax in the luxury of your very home.

Homemade wax

Use two cups of sugar, one fourth cup of water and one fourth cup of lemon juice. Heat a pan and pour all the mentioned ingredients in it. Heat this over a low flame and keep stirring till it’s melted. You will get a thick brown liquid which can be used once slightly cool. Before you start waxing check it on you finger for consistency as well as the temperature. Before applying this mixture with a butter knife, cool it by blowing air over it. Use a clean cloth or any waxing strip; pull it in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Once done, apply ice as well as astringent over the area to tighten the pores.

Sugaring is a very old method of hair removal. With change in time this technique of hair removal is back in fashion. Its popularity has increased tremendously. You can try this recipe by using one cup sugar, juice of half a lemon, one fourth cup honey, Molasses, very little and cornstarch. Mix lemon, sugar, molasses and honey in bowl and heat it in the microwave for 2-4 minutes to get a smooth consistency. You can do the same by keeping it on the gas on a low flame. Dust the area with cornstarch before applying the mixture. This helps in smooth removal of the hair. Use the same procedure like waxing by using the strips.

Tweezing is another method for removing facial hair by using tweezers. It is a painstaking as well as time consuming job. Usually used for bushy eyebrows. Tweezing eventually stops your hair growth by the continuous pricking even though it may take lot of time.

Threading one of the most common and known method of hair removal used on any part of your body. This form of hair removal is used for upper lips, chin, eyebrows or any little patch which hasn’t been taken care while waxing. It requires detail and attention. It is very useful for people with sensitive skin. It is the twirling of the cotton threads which removes the hair for that perfect look.

You can naturally bleach your hair with lemon juice and chamomile tea. One should not use lemon juice undiluted so you can mix honey with lemon juice.

You can also use pumice stone to remove excess hair on everyplace other than your face.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Many uses for a discovery telescope

It has probably been that ever since people could turn their faces to the heavens and wonder what is up there, they have been. The stars have long been speculated upon, in myths and stories, and are a big part of culture in many histories and in many peoples. With the onset of technology, and with things like the Discovery Telescope, we find that we are suddenly able to see the things that we have never been able to see before, and to do things with this information that we have never been able to do before. The many uses for the Discovery Telescope include finally being able to see the stars.

With the Discovery Telescope, which is quite a high power telescope, people are able to see father than they have ever seen before, and when this depth of sight comes to a world, it comes with much more understanding. There have been many discoveries that have been made because of the Discovery Telescope, and there have been much learned because of this as well.

Many Uses

Other things that the Discovery Telescope, which is not too expensive and which can be found anywhere you want to purchase telescopes, can do include looking at and taking pictures of the stars. You can take a picture of the things that you are seeing and you are able to upload these pictures onto your computer, where you can use software which will teach you about what you have actually been seeing. It is something that is very helpful to students and teachers alike, as well as simply those that want to be able to discover the stars.

You should also know that the Discovery Telescope is going to come with a number of different things that you can use to make your viewing easier. There are going to be slides and grids that you can use so you can figure out where you are in the night sky, and there will also be star maps that will help you figure out what you are seeing, based upon the place you are and what season it is.

With the Discovery Telescope you are going to be able to truly discover what man has been searching for in the stars for so long, the meanings behind what you cannot see, and the dept to which you know the stars will go. There are many things that you are going to be able to discover, once you have this telescope.

Why do women prefer men much older than them

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It's a common knowledge that girls usually mature faster than boys. In the former USSR countries this process is even more accelerated. Many children here know about a lack of money and food (it's not a secret that Soviet government sold corn while people there were duying from femine), they've seen all that corruption and unfair proceedings of the country, challenges of life. Girls, in particular, often face behavior that in some other countries could be considered harassment: many women can find a job and earn money only if they win favor of their male bosses; often ladies are perceived as merely dolls without brains. Basic instinct of self-preservation and aiming for improvement make Russian brides search for better alternatives and men, who can appreciate them.

Until recent years there was a tendency among Russian and Ukrainian women to marry men close to their age who were their high school sweethearts or college and university pals. Statistics show that 50-60% of marriages break within first three years of the union. Many women end up leaving the relationship with children, as well as disappointment in men of their age from their home country. As a result, they turn to foreign men who are older and expect them to be more courteous, wise and caring.

An additional factor in searching for older men is also women's psychological perception. Since many girls grow up in "incomplete" families and are abandoned by their fathers, when they search for a relationship, on a subconscious level they veer more towards older partners. In other words, they are looking for a "father figure". They sometimes don’t even realize it, but when they turn to older men, they are looking for someone to be their protector, someone who'd take care of them and give them security they were deprived of as a child.

Although such pressure is getting less in the current days, until recently a lady could be viewed as an old maid unless she got married by the age of 22-23. On the contrary, most men do not face much pressure and begin getting serious about starting a family only close to their 30s. That automatically puts a 7-8 year difference between the partners. Add to it the time that men spent with the "wrong" partner in a previous marriage or relationship, and that puts available male candidates right at their late 30s – early 40s, which creates such a drastic age difference between the ladies and them.

But you should always remember: true love has no boundaries. If you find someone who seems attractive and interests you as a person, be daring and take a chance of finding your Russian bride despite the age and distance.

Writing advice from the experts part 3

You must be prepared to work always without applause. - Ernest Hemingway

Much of the wisdom available from established authors may be surprising in it’s honesty and straightforward nature. The reason this is likely true is the authors in question have had enough success that there is no need to candy coat the truths they have discovered in their experience. This is the final article in this series.

On Learning the Art of Writing

I learned to write by listening to people talk. I still feel that the best of my writing comes from having heard rather than having read. - Gayl Jones

You have to protect your writing time. You have to protect it to the death. - William Goldman

By writing much, one learns to write well. - Robert Southey

To produce a mighty work, you must choose a mighty theme. - Herman Melville

No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader. - Robert Frost

A writer's job is to imagine everything so personally that the fiction is as vivid as memories. - John Irving

Plot springs from character.... I've always sort of believed that these people inside me -- these characters -- know who they are and what they're about and what happens, and they need me to help get it down on paper because they don't type. - Anne Lamott

In your writing, be strong, defiant, forbearing. Have a point to make and write to it. Dare to say what you want most to say, and say it as plainly as you can. Whether or not you write well, write bravely. - Bill Stout

Whenever you write, whatever you write, never make the mistake of assuming the audience is any less intelligent than you are. - Rod Serling

If the stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. - Barry Lopez

Write about it by day, and dream about it by night. - E. B. White

Any writer overwhelmingly honest about pleasing himself is almost sure to please others. - Marianne Moore

On Humor

When in doubt have a man come through a door with a gun in his hand. - Raymond Chandler

The humorous story is told gravely; the teller does his best to conceal the fact that he even dimly suspects that there is anything funny about it. - Mark Twain

On Naming Your Work

A good title should be like a good metaphor. It should intrigue without being too baffling or too obvious. - Walker Percy

The title to a work of writing is like a house's front porch.... It should invite you to come on in. - Angela Giles Klocke

I hope you catch the sense that successful authors draw from the real stuff of life, keep things simple and well told. If you look closely, these authors keep a sense of humor about them and remain personable. These are admirable lessons to consider in your writing journey.

Arriving in allicante and at the costa blanca

Murcia is easy to locate on a map of Spain. This is because of its proximity to the Costa Blanca as well as the association that it has with the salt swamps in the area. Its capital city has the same name as the province and within its boundaries, there is a lagoon called the Mar Menor (or small sea) separated from the Mediterranean by the Manga, a stretch of land which looks like a sleeve and is sandy. Next the land curves around a peak and the important city of Cartagena can be seen distinctly; when you are near exiting the province you have a fantastic beach resort area and city called Aguilas near Torrevieja. This region of Spain is known to have very hot summers, many a day reaching temperatures as high as 40 degrees while the winters are mild and not very long. It is best described as having a very dry landscape on the interior areas but has managed to be known to have fertile land for producing vegetables and legumes.

We Shall See When We Get Murcia

You can come in either to the airport that is in San Juan for a short 30 minute drive to arrive at the actual city or you can fly into Alicante which is just a short 40 minute drive from the city. Determine which will give you the best rates on flights as well as car rentals so as to best plan your trip. When you do arrive your lodging will be waiting for you to take advantage of it.

The first thing that you will want to see when you get there will be the Cathedral which is a magnificent blend of architecture that mixes designs from five different centuries. There are many other architectural delights for you to see as well.

The Sanctuary of Fuensanta is from the 18th century and is in homage to St Murcia. During Easter and the festival a statue of the saint is carried around in honor of the holidays.

Good Food And Good Times In Murcia

With many different festivals happening all of the time you will always find much good food and times while you are visiting. Two of the biggest occur during the week of Easter as well as another festival in the spring that demonstrates all of the great culture of the area.

Casinos. history of gambling in brief

Game is a very peculiar side of the human life that has its own laws, which do not fit into the framework of traditional logic. Here reigns His Majesty Chance and everything is relative: the weak can defeat the strong, the cunning can make a fool of himself, the poor can become rich, and vice versa.

Gamble opens up new possibilities of the personality, which are often not displayed in ordinary life. Almost everybody wants to get rich at once, without any efforts. Game gives a hope for this, but luck is destiny of the chosen ones.

Origins of the game.

Game and gamble has followed the humanity since its first steps. A grain of gamble is evident almost in everything, starting from hunting in the primitive society and up to major financial deals in the 21st century. Elements of game are inherent to many competitions and entertainments, which our forefathers arranged. For example, it is evident in competitions in strength and deftness, which were later transformed into famous tournaments. Later on the first gambling games appeared. They were based on the element of chance, trying one’s destiny.

The historians believe that the very first game was casting various stones, shells, animals' bones – these objects were the prototypes of the dice. Documental evidence of the first games is stored in the British Museum. Among this evidence are dice, made by an unknown Egyptian craftsman from the elephant’s tusk (16th century B. C.) and a board for playing draughts, also called checkers which belonged to the queen Hatchepsut (1600 B. C.).

Historical evidence attests that all ancient civilizations played dice. Astragalus, i.e. fetlocks of the animals, were mostly used as dice. The word "astragalus" also referred to tetrahedral bricks with indentations, which more resembled modern dice - hexahedral bricks with somewhat rounded corners, in which the opposite facets, when added up, always amount to seven.

In the old days the people played odd and even, cast dice in the circle or threw them, trying to hit certain openings. Dice were also widely used for fortune-telling. It is also interesting that the players treated dice with nearly reverent trepidation, as if the dice were alive: the players talked to them, whispered charms and tried to persuade them to bring victory.

Since their emergence dice almost at once became one of the most venturesome gambling games. The players placed everything in their bet: money, things, dwelling and even freedom (ancient Germans who lost in dice humbly became slaves). At the same time there appeared various lawful bans on this seemingly harmless game. For instance, in the 3rd century B. C. the first known in history law against gambling games was adopted. It was called Lex aleatoria (alea means a die).

In Ancient Greece there was a legend that the Olympic gods divided the "spheres of influence" by casting lots (Zeus got the Olympus, Poseidon received the ocean, and Hades came to rule the underworld). The laws of Ancient Rome formally forbade gambling games, but there was no specific punishment for violation of the ban. The only "penalty" for the players was the right of the defeated player to reclaim everything he lost, if he though that he was wrongly or unfairly defeated. Officially the games were allowed only once a year, during the Saturnalia (annual festivities in honour of the god Saturn).

Throughout the years the significance of the game increased. There appeared new game contrivances, for example cards. Some researchers argue that the first playing-cards appeared in China. In the Chinese dictionary, Ching-tsze-tung (1678), mentions that cards were created in 1120 (according to the Christian chronology), and in 1132 they were already widely used. Cards at those times were long and narrow plates with numbers from 1 to 14 on them. Four suits symbolized four seasons, and the number of cards (52) corresponded to the number of weeks in the year.

The prototype of the modern deck of cards is the Tarot cards. The first documentary witness that we know of refers to 1254, when Saint Louis issued an edict that forbade card game within France under the fear of punishment with a whip.

Other researchers call Egypt the homeland of cards. The Tarot deck was used for fortune-telling. It had 78 sheets - arkana (22 seniors and 56 juniors). The pictures on the senior arkans correspond to golden tables, which are preserved in the dungeon of the god Tote in Egypt. Their names are as follows: 1. Fool; 2. Magician; 3. Priestess; 4. Hostess; 5. Host; 6. High priest; 7. Lovers; 8. Chariot; 9. Power; 10. Hermit; 11. The wheel of fortune; 12. Justice; 13. The hanged man; 14. Death; 15. Abstinence; 16. Devil; 17. Tower; 18. Star; 19. Moon; 20. Sun; 21. Court; 22. Peace.

It is considered that cards reached Europe in the 10-11th century, during the crusades to the Near East. Other argue that the majority of card games were born in France, which is called the homeland of European cards. The first factory-made deck of Tarot cards included 56 cards of four suits (swords, wands, money and cups). Besides there were 22 trump-cards with numbers from 1 to 21. Every card had a name of its own: the emperor, the empress, the nun, the conjurer, the fool etc. Thus, the deck incorporated 97 cards. Gradually it was substituted by new cards, which more closely resembled the modern ones.

It is surprising that the symbols of suits and the suits themselves did not change since 15th century. In the Middle Ages card games were very popular among various strata of population, ranging from a king's court to the common people. By the way, in those times cards were not only a means to beguile the time, but also a symbol of the society structure: hearts embodied the priests, diamonds meant the bourgeoisie, spades represented officers and aristocracy, clubs referred to the peasants.

Modern card games (poker, blackjack) arose in the U. S. in the second half of the 19th century. It is difficult to name them all. There are card games for adults and children, games for training logic and wit - and there are games just to beguile the time. The more mature is the individual, the more complex are the games he plays. Having become financially independent, he lets loose his gamble: makes bets, plays in the lotteries, makes bets on the totalizator and finally funds himself in the very temple of game, the casino. Here the individual totally submits to the game, which sharpens his feelings and emotions and makes him forget everything, but the green cloth and roulette wheel. The thirst for such feelings lures again and again those people, who have at least once been in the casino. Meanwhile, the skeptics say: "If you want to win in the casino, buy one of those".

Ice fishing for the whole family

It's great to fish in the summer when the air is warm and the lake is calm. There are fishermen, though, who can't wait for winter and the lake to freeze solid. Ice fishing is a sport that many people enjoy, extending the fishing season to year-round pleasure. What's more, ice fishing is a great family activity.

What makes ice fishing so appealing to families is that the sport isn't just about catching fish. Getting outdoors and breathing crisp, good air while having fun sums up ice fishing well. Smiles, laughs, and playing in the snow are all pretty common occurrences while out on the ice. Those reasons are just some of the few that even people who hate fishing get hooked on this winter activity. If you'd like to try a day of ice fishing with your family, here are some things to keep in mind.

Ice fishing is usually a whole-day activity. Get out on the ice early after breakfast to enjoy the best hours. If you plan on bringing home a bunch of perch for a meal, then being ready with your lines in the water by the time the sun starts to rise is best. Fish tend to bite in the early morning or later in the afternoon, depending on the species. The period in between usually ends up being playtime for families rather than hours spent reeling up the fish.

Pack a good lunch and some snacks, because the fresh air and activity will stir appetites. Lots of finger foods and plenty of water to drink serve the purpose nicely. It's a good idea to avoid bringing beer with you, though, as alcohol and cold don't mix well. Alcohol can lower your body temperature and the chill in the air makes it harder to feel the effects You may end up going overboard without realizing you've had one to many to make the safe drive home.

Staying warm while ice fishing is a must. The open-air location will often carry a good breeze, so windproof clothing should be your first consideration. Plenty of layers underneath warm sweaters will trap the heat and keep you feeling toasty. Good boots and mitts of solid construction are best, and even better are those that are waterproof. Ice fishing involves playing in cold water, after all!

Some other accessories you'll need are a warm hat and sunglasses. Bright sunlight reflects on the white snow and ice, which can be brutal on your eyesight and vision. Many ice anglers who don't wear sunglasses come home and realize they can't see well for over half an hour! Since the sun is so strong and the reflection off the snow amplifies its effects, it's also easy to get sunburned, so apply plenty of sun block to avoid red cheeks.

If you're new to ice fishing, choose an outfitter that will provide you with a cabin, a stove, lines, minnows and a hole-drilling service. These outfitters want to make sure you enjoy your day as much as possible and will set you up with everything you need for hours of fun. The employees will also be more than happy to answer your questions and give you tips on how to fish. Once you're set up, respect other people around you. Have a good time, but don't blast a radio to upset the peace and quiet of other anglers. Don't throw waste on the ice either and have a care for the environment. Some fishermen pour antifreeze in their holes to prevent ice from forming but antifreeze is toxic and this practice is an irresponsible one. Use the metal spoon provided to keep your holes from freezing over.

In addition, if you aren't going to eat the fish you catch, handle them gently and practice catch and release. The growth rate and reproduction of fish is quite slow, which means negligent or abusive behaviour can put a dent in fish populations.

Lastly, pack up and head home before you get tired. Being outside for a few hours in cold temperatures will hit you hard once you get into a warm car. By the time you get home, you'll probably feel exhausted. After a day of ice fishing, ordering a pizza for supper can be a godsend!

The essential guide to searching for scholarships

Many people agree that a college education is one of the most important ways to get ahead in this world - but often don't see eye to eye when it comes time to pay the bill. After all, education is getting more expensive all the time. The truth is that everybody deserves at least the chance to finish some sort of post secondary degree.

1. Education Is The Key

Without a post secondary education, you don't stand a chance in today's job market. Sure, you might be able to get an unskilled job like working at your local supermarket, but even these jobs are hard to come by because the amount of people applying for them are astronomical, so competition is very high. A degree can level the playing field for you against other potential job applicants.

2. Financing Your Goal

To that end, you will need a good deal of capital to finance your education. Most often, people who are capable of learning are the ones who do not have enough budgets for education. This underlying problem has a solution. There are many companies that offer free education. Free education is called scholarship. Some companies specialize in mass applications on behalf of students. It usually costs under one hundred dollars and you can have applied to more than a thousand different scholarships. This saves you time and, since time is worth money, money in the long run.

3. Finding Scholarships

- Search engines

- Academic advisors

- Scholarship database

- School message boards

4. Athletic Scholarships

As you might have guessed, not everyone is lucky enough to have a high grade point average and be an up and coming superstar in their chosen field. If you can't get a scholarship based on academic standing, you might want to consider trying to get a scholarship based on your athletic standing. These are awarded by the colleges and universities themseleves and the competition is just as competative as the academic scholarships.

The truth about low carb diets

Low carb diets are very effective in achieving weight loss when followed. But the key word there is that they should be followed. However, there are controversies about their “healthiness”. Definitely, people get into these diets to lose weight. But what every person getting into this is not only the aspect of losing weight but also as always, keeping the weight off. But it goes beyond that. It also involves being and staying healthy and functional in whatever we do everyday. A slim person is definitely not attractive if he or she is weak from lack of nutrients and energy due to these low carb diets.

The body uses up carbohydrates first as a source of energy. If there are more carbohydrates taken in, the body stores the surplus as fat. If there are fewer carbohydrates taken it, the body is forced to use the stored fat for its energy requirement. The principle of these low carb diets is to take in food low in carbohydrates so that the body is forced to use its stored fat.

By drastically reducing carbohydrates to a small fraction of a person’s diet, the body goes into “ketosis”. The body burns its own fat to convert into energy A person in ketosis is getting energy from ketones. Ketones are little carbon fragments that are created by the breakdown of stored fat. One feels less hungry when his or her body is in ketosis. The end result is that he or she is likely to eat less even if allowed to do so. In effect, the body is transformed from a carbohydrate-burning machine into a fat-burning one, thus making fat the primary energy source. This brings us to the most fundamental fact of dieting: the less fat you have, the lighter you weigh. The end result is the desired weight loss.

There are diets like Atkins that seem to be a dream come true. It stems from its design that a person could eat as much as he or she wants from a wide variety of food that other diets steer away from. Steaks, meat, crab, eggs, all types of protein based food are allowed since the body will burn carbohydrates first and not protein or fats. Basically, it follows the same low carb principle of reducing carbohydrate intake and forcing the body to use fat towards weight loss.

But experts are concerned about the long term safety of the diet. By contemporary medical standards, the risk of heart diseases, stroke, cancer, liver and kidney problems are very extremely high. These risks have been pointed out repeated by a number of health researches on high fat diets.

Other low carb diets are cleansing in nature such as the detox diet. It helps in the health reassessment of one’s lifestyle, eating patterns and focus on foods. Here, one becomes more aware of one’s food intake. However, there are individuals, such as diabetics, people with low blood sugar or eating disorders have to stay clear of it. They will find themselves more in trouble than they are already.

Low carb diets serve their purpose. But there is no substitute for the traditional, proven healthy lifestyle of a balance diet of the basic food groups in the nutritionists’ pyramid order combined with the proper exercise. However, should a person still go through with these diets for whatever reason, he or she should be equipped with knowledge of not only the benefits but most especially the risks. Everyone wants that slim, healthy look. But everyone should also go for health in a sustainable manner.

Test driving a used car

When you have found a car that you are interested in you will want to inspect and test-drive the car that you are considering purchasing. This is the best way to weed out the bad cars from the ones that have potential.

When you evaluate a used car, you will want to keep two main considerations in mind. The first is whether or not you even like the car. Do you like the color? Do you like the interior? Does it have enough headroom and legroom? Secondly, you will want to know if the car is mechanically sound. These two factors will help you decide whether or not you actually like the car. If you do like the car then you will have a few more questions to ask yourself. Will the car work well in the long run? Will it be in good condition in six months or will you begin to have to repair and put money into it? It is important to realize that in many situations you will need to put a certain amount of money into a used car. You cannot typically find a used car that doesn’t need some kind of repair or sprucing up.

While you are test-driving the car, take it to your mechanic. If you are seriously thinking about purchasing the car, you may have doubts as to whether it is mechanically sound. Take the car to your mechanic and have him check it out for you. Many mechanics are more than happy to test drive the car quickly, check for leaks, and do a compression check. Then they will give you their expert opinion and you can make your decision from there. They may tell you that you would need to have something replaced and it would cost you so much. It would then be up to you to make the decision as to whether or not you would be willing to spend the additional money on the car.

Before you drive the car you will want to inspect the car. Walk around it and get a good overall visual inspection. Ensure that there are no ripples in the door panels, as that may suggest that the car has been in an accident. Look for uneven gaps between the doors and along the hood. Check for leaks such as coolant, oil, transmission fluid or gasoline. Examine the area where the car is normally parked to look for spots from leaks. You will then want to open all doors and the trunk. Test the lights, controls, heater, air and radio. Open the hood and look for leaks or sprays. While the engine is running you will want to listen for knock, ticking, hissing or whining. Check to see that all the tires have enough tread left on them.

Once you are driving the car, you first impression should be the way that the car feels. Does it fell comfortable to you? Are the gauges and controls easily accessible? Do you have enough leg space and headroom? If it is possible to drive the car when it is completely cold you will want to do so. Some older used cars may have difficulty starting when they are cold and this will reveal any chronic problems the car may have. Adjust the seat and mirrors before taking off and drive with the radio off. You will want to hear the engine and listen for other noises.

Be certain to include these factors in your test drive:

- Accelerate from a dead stop

- Check for blind spots

- Listen to the engine noise

- Listen for how the car downshifts

- Braking

- Cornering

- Suspensions

- Listen for rattles or squeaks

- Be sure to get on the highway and get the car up to highway speeds

Following these key points will help you make an accurate assessment of the vehicle before making your decision.

For more Car buying tips visit Atlanta Used Cars at UsedCarsAtlanta. us and Dallas Used Cars at UsedCarsDallas. us.

A finishing costume touch contacts lenses

If you are looking for a way to make your Halloween costume complete and stand out above everyone else, you can consider special effect contact lenses. Here is a look at how these creepy contact lenses can help you complete the look.

Will I be able to see?

Most of the special effect contact lenses are designed so that you can see while wearing them, including the blackout styled ones. The center portion of the lens remains clear. The exception to this is the ones that are designed to make the entire eye look white, since they hide the pupils. As you will have limited vision, it is suggested that you wear these lenses in only one eye at a time.

Can I still wear them if I wear prescription contacts?

Halloween contact lenses come in styles for both those who need corrective lenses and those that do not. However, the selection of corrective powered lenses is more limited, and do not go higher than a -6 prescription. Some styles are only available as non-corrective lenses.

Will they be comfortable to wear?

If you go with a higher quality brand of contact lenses, they should be comfortable. However, if you do not wear contacts normally you will probably notice that they are there. You should also keep in mind that costume contacts do not allow as much air flow to the eye as your traditional lenses, and so can start to feel irritated sooner. Most costume contact manufacturers do not recommend wearing the lenses for longer than 8 hours at a time.

Can I wear them more than once?

The typical name brand Halloween contact lenses are designed to last for a year, just like your regular contacts would. With good care and only occasional wear the nicer brands can last up to 18 months. Some brands are designed for only temporary wear and will last about 30 days. Less expensive than the other styles, these can be a good option if you only plan on wearing your Halloween contact lenses once.

Are there any risks?

There are some FDA warnings about Halloween contact lenses, and most are associated with the proper wear. You should always see an optometrist before ordering contacts, and purchase them from a registered contact lens retailer. Never share your lenses with another person. Do not sleep in lenses or wear them for longer than 8 hours. Remember to carry a case and contact lens solution with you so that you can remove your lenses if they become uncomfortable. Always wash your hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses.

How much will they cost me?

Traditional Halloween contact lenses range in price from about $60-$80 a pair. Hand-painted Halloween contact lenses are much more expensive and can cost over $200 a pair.

Where can I buy them?

You can often purchase Halloween contact lenses from your regular optometrist as well as online retailers. Since they are often special ordered, make sure that you allow enough time for them to arrive and order early for Halloween orders.

Halloween contact lenses can be a great way to add a finishing and unexpected touch to your Halloween costume.

Without search engine optimisation your website could be lost

Building a great internet site is a wonderful achievement. But it could also be a complete waste of your time and money unless potential clients can find it. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is one way to ensure your site is seen in the most crowded marketplace ever conceived.

SO WHAT IS SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION (SEO)?

To understand Search Engine Optimisation you must first consider how people actually look for – and eventually find - products and services on the web.

Research shows that more than 80 per cent of the world’s 290 million internet users (10 million of them in Australia) use search engines to find what they’re after.

There are many search engines available to consumers – the better known include Google and Yahoo! – but in general they all work the same way. Typically a person will enter a keyword or phrase into the search engine and immediately receive a list of recommended web pages.

Internet users are impatient, which means they seldom scan though more than a page or two of search results, and generally only access sites listed at the top of the page. If you want to be seen, your site must not only appear on a list of search results, it must rank towards the very top.

Open a search engine and type in a word or phrase someone searching for your company might use – if you fail to appear in a prominent position, chances are your site has not been search engine optimised. Without optimisation, your site is about as effective as an advertisement floating in the middle of the ocean.

HOW DO SEARCH ENGINES RANK INTERNET SITES?

Search engines regularly dispatch ‘spiders’ or ‘robots’ (aka bots) to collect information on websites. Using an algorithm – a set of complex formulas or rules – the search engine evaluates each website’s relevance and then ranks it accordingly.

These algorithms are unique to each search engine, they are highly secret and they change all the time. But in general they all obey a basic set of rules. That means it is possible improve your chances of a better ranking by ensuring your website has the most appropriate content, and that the content is structured in a search engine-friendly way – this process is known as Search Engine Optimisation.

Search Engine Optimisation is not an exact science. It requires trial and error, and there is never a guarantee of success. But without Search Engine Optimisation your website is almost guaranteed of not being seen.

Of course there are other ways of reaching potential clients. You could, for example, spend money to advertise on a search engine, and only have your advertisement appear when people search for particular keywords. That is valid way to increase your chances of reaching customers. But studies have shown people using the internet tend to trust and visit the free listings more than paid listings.

HOW DO YOU GET STARTED ON SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMISATION?

First you need to find out if your site is actually being indexed by a search engine.

Open a search engine and type your company name in the search box. If you appear in the results it means that spiders or robots have located your site. They will place the site into a memory bank, and visit it from time to time to update their information.

If your site it not listed you could consider submitting your site to search engines. This will not guarantee that they will list you, but it won’t hurt to try. A word of advice - do not submit your site multiple times as this will only annoy the search engine people, and you need to be on their good side.

Some search engines will not accept submissions – they prefer to find your site themselves. And some simply draw their information from other search engines (a disclaimer should alert you to this practice), which makes it pointless submitting your site to them.

Once you are confident your site is being indexed, you need to identify keywords – these are the terms a potential visitor might enter into a search engine when looking for your product, service or company.

Finding the right keywords is a pivotal component of Search Engine Optimisation. There are applications that allow you to test each word by showing how popular it is and how often it is used – the result might surprise you.

A good way to find keywords is to visit a competitor’s website and see what it has listed. To do this, open their site and click on ‘view source’ - a heap of what looks like gibberish will come up, but find a line which says ‘

Niagara falls 3 tips to having the best vacation

Is Niagara Falls your dream destination? Don’t be afraid to admit it. For a lot of people, it is. Niagara Falls is always at the top of the “places I want to runaway and get married” list. Well, Niagara Falls might not be giving Vegas a run for it’s money these days, but it’s still holding strong in a lot of people’s minds as a place that they dream of for a variety of reasons. Japanese, American, and European tourists constantly rate it one of the best attractions in North America. I’ve compiled a list of three of my top tips to getting the most of a great Niagara Falls vacation.

1) IMAX. Don’t overlook the power of technology at a natural attraction. IMAX can add a great 3rd party viewpoint to any attraction. In fact, a lot of times, I’ll go see an IMAX production before seeing the real thing to get an idea of what to look for. There might be all sorts of history attached to an attraction that you won’t know without someone telling you. Niagara Falls has an IMAX production that you should definitely watch.

2) Go to the Aquarium of Niagara Falls. Across the border, in Canada, you can find one of the best bargains in the area. Last we checked, they were only charging $7 for adults and $5 for children. While this might have changed since this article’s writing, it’s still a good deal at any price. There are tons of cool fish and animals available for your viewing pleasure. I’m sure you will enjoy it, and it’s a nice break from the rapids themselves.

3) Surf the shoulder seasons. This is really a great tip that someone gave me (sadly, I cannot take credit for it). Niagara Falls is best seen during the summer months. Much like Europe, the big crowds in Niagara Falls come during June through August. However, the weather is still really nice during late May and early September. Just because the rest of the world goes home during the last week in August, doesn’t mean you have to. September is an especially beautiful time of year at Niagara Falls. Use it to your advantage and make your trip special without dealing with long lines and unmanageable crowds.

Cheap camping gear

Camping for the first time can turn into a wonderful experience, or it can become a nightmare. It mainly depends on the equipment you use. Purchasing and using cheap camping gear has its benefits as well as some downfalls.

If it is your first time camping, you may not want to purchase equipment, as it may add up in the end. So by asking either your friends or relatives if you can use their camping equipment, it may be the cheaper option. However, if they have nice camping equipment they may be hesitant to allow you to use it, or they may not let you borrow it at all. You also may not want to borrow it if you know they have expensive equipment, because you don’t want to run the risk of damaging their tent or burning their stove. So purchasing cheap camping gear to begin with may become the better option.

Most first time campers purchase cheap camping gear at big department stores like K-Mart or Wal-Mart where you can purchase all the basic equipment and stay within your budget. Once you have experienced the outdoors and have decided that you enjoy camping, you can them start to invest in more expensive items that are more durable. Cheap camping gear has the benefit of being cheap, but not much else. Typically cheap camping gear usually falls apart quicker and is less dependable. It is not worth going out and buying cheap camping equipment time and again, because all though it may seem like the cheaper option at the time, it will add up after replacing it more than once. It is often best that you invest in the more expensive, durable equipment that you know will last longer and will cost you less in the long run.

If you are using cheap camping gear on your first camping trip, don’t let any faulty equipment keep you from enjoying your camping experience. Keep in mind that there is better equipment available that makes camping more enjoyable. Purchasing the right camping gear, such as a tent, sleeping bag, stove, or cookware, will make such a difference.

Finding a tent that is waterproof, lightweight and easy to assemble is very important. No one wants to assemble a tent that will take all day to put up, and definitely no one wants to sleep in a leaky tent. So be sure any tent you purchase is waterproof and easy to assemble. Your sleeping bag is also extremely important. You will want a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and be comfortable as well as easy to pack away. A good stove is important, especially in campsites where open fires are not allowed. So be sure to purchase a stove you know will last through many camping trips. You cookware is also important. Buying the cheapest cookware may seem like a good idea, but not when you find that it melts or find little flakes of metal in your food. So it is always worth investing in the basic camping gear.

Simple ways to consolidate your credit card debt and get out of debt

The world we live in is built on instant gratification. And what better way to receive instant gratification than spending money you don't have, using a credit card. All of this has lead to a virtual tsunami of credit card debt as more and more individuals find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt of which they can't escape.

Surveys have shown that an average family in the United States has a monthly balance of about $8000 which is made up of student loans as well as credit cards. The high rates of interest charged on such credit balances is the reason why these families have very little cash left to spend on household expenses. At the end of the day, the only thing to do for these people is to apply for credit card consolidation.

The problem many people are having is this. They try to settle the one credit card bill using funds from another credit card. However, they fail to understand that this actually increases their debt significantly, leaving them unable to pay off their debts.

Although debt consolidation may offer some help it is not some magic solution that will get you overnight out of debt. Rather, it is a mechanism that will assist you get rid of debt.

Anyone who has a huge credit card balance carries a tremendous weight on his shoulders. This often contributes to the financial and emotional stress of families. Hence, one must manage your credit card debt so that it doesn't become an uncontrollable burden that you cannot handle.

What a debt consolidation program can do for you is to ease the burden a great deal so that you can breathe again. It will reduce your monthly repayments, hence stopping the harassing phone calls. In addition, debt consolidation will give your credit rating a lift by merging all your debt into a single monthly bill.

The lesson of all this is that it pays to be responsible with your credit card. Failure to do this will cause you to accumulate a huge debt that only debt consolidation can help you get out of.

Forex benefits of trading the forex market

Trading the Forex market has become very popular in the last years. Why is it that traders around the world see the Forex market as an investment opportunity? We will try to answer this question in this article. Also we will discuss come differences between the Forex market, the stocks market and the futures market.

Some of the benefits of trading the Forex market are:

Superior liquidity

Liquidity is what really makes the Forex market different from other markets. The Forex market is by far the most liquid financial market in the world with nearly 2 trillion dollars traded everyday. This ensures price stability and better trade execution. Allowing traders to open and close transactions with ease. Also such a tremendous volume makes it hard to manipulate the market in an extended manner.

24hr Market

This one is also one of the greatest advantages of trading Forex. It is an around the click market, the market opens on Sunday at 3:00 pm EST when New Zealand begins operations, and closes on Friday at 5:00 pm EST when San Francisco terminates operations. There are transactions in practically every time zone, allowing active traders to choose at what time to trade.

Leverage trading

Trading the Forex Market offers a greater buying power than many other markets. Some Forex brokers offer leverage up to 400:1, allowing traders to have only 0.25% in margin of the total investment. For instance, a trader using 100:1 means that to have a US$100,000 position, only US$1,000 are needed on margin to be able to open that position.

Low Transaction costs

Almost all brokers offer commission free trading. The only cost traders incur in any transaction is the spread (difference between the buy and sell price of each currency pair). This spread could be as low as 1 pip (the minimum increment in any currency pair) in some pairs.

Low minimum investment

The Forex market requires less capital to start trading than any other markets. The initial investment could go as low as $300 USD, depending on leverage offered by the broker. This is a great advantage since Forex traders are able to keep their risk investment to the lowest level.

Specialized trading

The liquidity of the market allows us to focus on just a few instruments (or currency pairs) as our main investments (85% of all trading transactions are made on the seven major currencies). Allowing us to monitor, and at the end get to know each instrument better.

Trading from anywhere

If you do a lot of traveling, you can trade from anywhere in the world just having an internet connection.

Some of the most important differences between the Forex market and other markets are explained below.

Forex market vs. Equity markets

Liquidity

FX market: Near two trillion dollars of daily volume.

Equity market: Around 200 billion on a daily basis.

Trading hours

FX market: 24hr market, 5.5 days a week

Equity market: Monday through Friday from 8:30 EST to 5:00 EST

Profit potential

FX market: In both, rising and falling markets.

Equity market: Most traders/investor profit only from rising markets.

Transaction costs

FX market: Commission free and tight spreads.

Equity market: High Commissions and transaction fees.

Buying power

FX market: Leverage up to 400:1

Equity market: Leverage from 2:1 to 4:1

Specialization

FX market: most volume (85%) is made on major currencies (USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, CHF, CAD and AUD)

Equity market: More than 40,000 stocks to choose from

Forex market vs. Futures market

Liquidity

FX Market: Near two trillion dollars of daily volume.

Futures market: Around 400 billion dollars on a daily basis.

Transaction costs

FX market: Commission free and tight spreads.

Futures market: High commissions fees.

Margin

FX market: Fixed rate of margin on every position.

Futures market: Different levels of margin on overnight positions than day time positions.

Trade execution

FX market: Instantaneous execution.

Futures market: Inconsistent execution.

All this makes the Forex market very attractive to investors and traders. But I need to make something clear, although the benefits of trading the Forex market are notorious; it is still difficult to make a successful career trading the Forex market. It requires a lot of education, discipline, commitment and patience, as any other market.

The ipod convenience

A New Compact Way To Listen To Music

The small and smart iPod music technology is here and it is busy changing the way people listen to tunes. The first mobile device to listen to music came out in the 1980's when people were seen walking the streets with big boxes beside the ear on the shoulder. Though not very good to look at, these boxes were nevertheless very popular. The iPod has evolved from this big box and not only is it small and convenient, but it is cute as well. It has already become hugely popular. This gadget, working much like a computer is able to store songs by the thousands when they are downloaded from the computer. The storage capacity is enormous so there is no need for the CD's and cassettes.

Carry The iPod Music Everywhere You Go

Mobility is a major advantage of iPod music technology. Just make a unique installation to your car stereo and you can listen to the iPod music as you drive too. Or you can carry it to your gym and listen to your music while you are working out. An abundance of music can be stored on the iPod so that it can give a much needed lift to the listener when exercising rigorously and to keep one focused and energetic. Planning to go on a holiday or a business trip? Carry your iPod music with you and listen to your music while you travel in flight or in a car. When you are traveling in a group and listening to the radio not all will like the music that is played. But with your music on your iPod and a pair of headphones, you can listen to exactly what you prefer, and not disturb the anyone else.

With the iPod, there is no need to buy compact discs anymore. And anyways, if you are a music lover you may end up spending too much in CD's, and they also get damaged from scratches. Alternatively, just visit a few websites online and at a minor cost for each song, download all the iPod music you need. Or you can also get a few CD's and download the songs into your computer and transfer them to your iPod. A product of cutting edge technology, and the sound system of the speakers in iPod headphones can be superior. The price of the iPod music is going to vary though depending on where you download. It is very convenient, and will not hamper your activity. Perfect for the music lover on the go.