Archive for February, 2008

TV News: Turn It Off And Get A Better Picture Of The World

Thursday, February 14th, 2008

By Katherine Westphal Television news programs are just about the worst way to get news for two important reasons. 1) Television itself inhibits the functioning of left brain rational analysis. 2) The television media has become centralized into a few huge media conglomerates. Most people are aware of the consolidation of the media industry. However, people are only dimly aware of TV’s inhibition of left brain functioning. Try this experiment. Right now. Critically review three of the news stories you watched on TV last night. Ready. Set. Go! So, only a few perspectives are presented on the TV news, and when viewers like yourself watch this news, they are inhibited from logically analyzing the stories. That is terrible news for democracy. Democracy needs informed citizens that can analyze and discuss different views of a situation. I use a few simple guidelines to get a picture of what is going on in the world. These do require a little more effort than parking in front of a TV set and mindlessly absorbing the images, but not too much more. Reading is more efficient The first step is to start reading, instead of watching, your news. Television generally takes a lot of time to get across a little bit of information. With reading you can absorb information much faster. A five minute story on the news can be read online or in the newspaper generally in less than a minute. The spare time can be used to analyze the story. Get several quality news sources The next step in developing a good picture of the world is to get several good news sources. Begin with a mainstream newspaper or website to simply get an idea of the basic issues that are at stake. Then, select a couple of alternative news sources outside the mainstream. I am not going to recommend a particular source, because I do not wish to become engaged in liberal/conservative partisan discussions. These distinctions start to fall away once you start to analyze the news for yourself anyway. Analyze the information The next step is simply to start critically viewing the material that you read. Does it make logical sense? Are there inconsistencies? Does the story change from one day to the next? Are there any patterns to events? Finally, the most important question to ask for any given situation is: who benefits? Rarely do events happen by chance in the world and asking that one, little question can lead to much greater understanding of any situation. Put that left brain into hyper-drive. Find original sources and witnesses If there are inconsistencies or notable patterns, it is time to start researching. Whenever possible it is best to go to the source of an issue. For example, if the government passes a new law about security, dont waste time watching or reading the petty analyses of pundits. Find a copy of the law! Do not rely on someone else to give an interpretation. The internet makes it much easier to find source documents. The recent Terri Schiavo case demonstrates the need for going to source documents. There are medical documents that are copied at www.hospicepatients.org, and court document links can be found at AbstractAppeal.com. Viewers who relied solely on the TV news may feel differently about this case once they peruse these documents. Also–whenever possible–find witnesses to an event. First person accounts can give a far more accurate and moving picture than one that is filtered through the mainstream media. These accounts must be critically analyzed, of course. Diveaid.co.uk has several gripping accounts of the tsunami last year by some dive instructors who survived. Put the news into context Finally, it is essential to put the information into contextpolitical, historical, social, and even geographical. If necessary, do some research. This step may take the most effort, but it is also the most rewarding. For example, in 1990 anyone who had a basic knowledge of the history of Yugoslavia knew that it was a virtual powder keg, just waiting for a psychopath to come and light it. That is exactly what happened with Mr. Milosevic and the subsequent wars in Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo. Respond to the world with new-found confidence Follow these general guidelines and, not only will you become better informed about world events and situations, you will also become a better citizen: better prepared and ready to act with confidence in the political arena. TV Turn-off Week (April 25-May 1) is a great opportunity to test these principles. If you are going to be one of the millions of families who turn off their TV’s that week, try using these principles to get your news for that one week. Then see if you feel better informed on May 1. Sources: Chaos and the Meaning of Electric Culture by Frank Zingrone Katherine Westphal is the founder of a daring new website, TrashYourTV.com, that makes it fun and easy for people to get control of their TV set. Are you addicted to TV? Take our TV Addiction Quiz and find out! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Katherine_Westphal http://EzineArticles.com/?TV-News:-Turn-It-Off-And-Get-A-Better-Picture-Of-The-World&id=25695 phentermine diet pills cod buy phentermine without perscription phentermine 37.5 90 no prescription buy phentermine pharmacy

Tips For A Glowing Skin

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

By Nikhil Jain Do you know how and where to moisturize? Here are some helpful hints MOISTURISING our skin is essential to maintain that ‘young, beautiful’ look. On another note, is it necessary to moisturize all areas of your skin? The answer is NO. Many models actually go to private ‘beauty’ classes to learn how,when and where to moisturize their skin. So, learn your skin type, don’t be ‘afraid to try many products before settling on one. 1. Do not over moisturize as it can lead to clogged pores. Your forehead and cheeks tend to be the drier areas. There is no need to moisturize your chin if it is not needed. 2. Most women misdiagnose their skin type. This can cause improper moisturizing. You also need to change your techniques of moisturizing with the changes of seasons. Know about the various moisturizers - http://beauty-cosmetic-guide.com/moisturizers.htm 3. When using a moisturizer, always apply it to the skin in a circulatory motion. Pat your skin with the tips of your fingers gently as if playing a tune on a piano. This is also a great stimulant for your skin. 4. Tired of buying moisturizers too often? Here is how to make them last longer. Use a small amount of natural vegetable oil as a base first. This will help make your moisturizer last much longer. 5. Use a moisturizer as a base before applying your foundation. For best results, wait until the moisturizer is dry and then apply foundation. However, if your foundation is somewhat dry; then apply it right away; your moisturizer will help it to loosen up a bit. 6.To get the best results from any of your facial products, rub it between your hands, this helps to heat it up, and hence, becomes easier to apply. For more tips and article on beauty and skin care - http://beauty-cosmetic-guide.com/ About the Author: Nikhil Jain MBBS is an editor and author (http://www.beauty-cosmetic-guide.com), skin specialist and veteran dermatologist whose passion is guiding others to solve their skin problems and enhance their beauty. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nikhil_Jain http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-For-A-Glowing-Skin&id=26551 buy phentermine online buy phentermine online without prescription phentermine diet pills on line buy phentermine cheap 37.5 mg no doctor contact no rx

Locating The Best Winter Wedding Favors

Monday, February 11th, 2008

By Shaunta Pleasant When it comes to choosing the perfect wedding favors, there are certainly no shortages of choices. In fact, there are so many different types of wedding favors to choose from that it can be hard to choose only one type of favor. ==Planning Your Wedding And Getting Things Done== As anyone who has planned a wedding can tell you, there are many different things that must be done. From the wedding dress and bridesmaid gowns to the flowers and the wedding invitations, there are many elements that must be taken care of when planning the perfect ceremony. It is all too easy for little things like the winter wedding favors to get lost in the planning process. ==Take The Overall Theme Into account When Choosing Your Winter Favors== It is important, however, not to lose sight of the value of the wedding favors you choose. After all, long after the wedding ceremony is over, the winter wedding favors you choose will help your family members, friends and other wedding guests remember the beautiful day. Giving your guests wedding favors that you can be proud of and that they will cherish is often a difficult task, but it is important to shop around, and to take the overall theme of the wedding into account when choosing those winter wedding favors. For instance, a formal and elegant wedding will demand different wedding favors than a casual backyard ceremony. It is important that the wedding favors you choose fit in well with the look and feel of your wedding. If your wedding has an overall theme, it is important to tailor the winter wedding favors you choose to fit with that theme. For instance, if you choose a garden theme for your wedding, you may want to use a gardening kit, complete with your favorite flower seeds, as a unique and tasteful wedding favor. If you choose a beach theme for your wedding, you will want to choose wedding favors that fit well with a day at the beach. And of course a winter wedding will mean choosing winter wedding favors. Shaunta Pleasant is a professional writer and editor on wedding planning topics. Visit my site to learn more about planning the perfect wedding at http://www.best-wedding-plan.com/winter_wedding_favors.html Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shaunta_Pleasant http://EzineArticles.com/?Locating-The-Best-Winter-Wedding-Favors&id=116275 buy cheap phentermine 37.5 get phentermine online buy phentermine 30 mg online pharmacies for phentermine

First Date Goals

Sunday, February 10th, 2008

By Ron Zvagelsky Here are some tips for having a good first date: 1. Remember the goal of the first date. The goal of the first date is to get a second date. You want to find out that you have enough chemistry with another person to go out a second time. After all, no type of relationship can develop if you only see the person one time in your life and never again. 2. Dress nice, but dress like you. You want to make a good first impression. However, don’t try to be something you are not. Obviously you will want to dress appropriately for the type of event you attend. 3. Pay close attention to personal grooming. You should be doing this normally, but it is especially important on a first date. 4. Try to relax. When people get nervous they tend to either be too quiet or too talkative. You want to maintain a calm persona. 5. Remember to ask questions of your date. Get to know them. Don’t just talk about yourself. 6. Don’t drink too much. Don’t be rude to the wait staff. Don’t forget to bring money to cover your portion of the meal, at least. Don’t talk on your cell phone unless it is very important. If your date picks you up, don’t forget to have extra money for cab fare in case you need it! 7. A lot of people will go to dinner and a movie for a first date. However, movies do not make a great first date because you aren’t able to talk to the person which should be the whole point of the date. Plan a fun activity where you have plenty of time to get to know one another. 8. Don’t lie about your interests. If your date is an avid tennis player, it is unwise to go into detail about how you are working on your backhand unless you actually are. The truth is going to come out eventually. Try to make genuine connections with your datedon’t invent connections when they are not there. 9. If you are interested in seeing the person again, make it known. If you are not interested, don’t lie to your date. A simple “Thanks for the evening” will suffice. Do not promise to call or go on a second date unless you intend to follow through. 10. Remember safety. Don’t assume that you can tell what type of person your date is by an hour in a restaurant. It is best to stay in public places on a first date. Depending on how well you know the person ahead of time, you might want to consider meeting them instead of having them pick you up. Hopefully, your first date will turn into one of a lifetime of memories that you share with the new person in your life. Ron Zvagelsky has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2006. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of PlanJam where you can find tons of first date ideas and ideas for a fun date. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Zvagelsky http://EzineArticles.com/?First-Date-Goals&id=341811 phentermine online orders buy phentermine 37.5 internet pharmacy phentermine phentermine com online

Types of Breast Implants

Saturday, February 9th, 2008

By Tara Pingle Breast implants vary in several different ways: Filling Shape Texture Once you have chosen to have a breast augmentation surgery, you must also decide what type of implant will suit your needs best. To help you with this decision, the plastic surgeon, like Dr. Hendricks in Newport Beach, CA, will work closely with you. Although the decision to undergo breast enhancement surgery is very personal, your plastic surgeon can provide you with much needed help when making various breast augmentation choices. I provide high-quality, compassionate care to all my patients, says Dr. Douglas Hendricks, using scientifically proven, modern breast enhancement techniques, I help my patients achieve their goals of achieving youthful, healthy, vibrant appearances. All available breast implants have at least two things in common: a shell and a filling material. Breast implant shells are made of silicone elastomer, with the exception of polypropylene implants, which are silicone free. Although you may have heard about saline and silicone breast implants, the difference between the two is the material used to fill the silicone elastomer shell. Saline Breast Implants are filled with a sterile saltwater solution; much like what you would receive to treat dehydration in the hospital. Silicone Breast Implants are pre-filled with a silicone gel. Saline breast implants are not only completely safe, but they are also the most common form of breast implant. If they were to rupture, the body has no difficulty absorbing the solution because saline breast implants contain just a sterile saltwater solution. Silicone breast implants contain a silicone gel, and they are pre-filled so that chances of allowing the silicone gel enter the body while performing the breast enhancement surgery is much lessened. Also, the incision made during breast enhancement surgery with silicone breast implants is larger; to accommodate the size of the pre filled implant. Saline breast implants can also be selected either pre-filled or filled after being placed. The incision made for breast enlargement surgery with an empty breast implant is much smaller because the breast implant is filled after the surgery is complete. Silicone breast implants are now being filled with a cohesive gel. This means that if the implant were to rupture, the gel sticks to itself, like bread dough. At the moment, saline implants are widely available, while silicone implants can only be placed through plastic surgeons participating in cohesive gel silicone breast implant surveys. Saline breast implants, however, are available in different shapes and textures. Anatomical, or contoured implants and traditional, or round, implants can both be used to give a breast augmentation surgery patient the results they are looking for. Contoured Breast Implants are shaped like a teardrop, and were originally developed for women who needed breast reconstruction. Round Breast Implants are more common, and can move freely inside the pocket made by the plastic surgeon behind the breast. Although round breast implants almost always take the shape of a teardrop after the healing process has completed, some women prefer contoured breast implants because they mimic the natural shape of the breast. Round breast implants are shaped like a globe; after theyve been placed, they can rotate within the breast pocket created by the plastic surgeon, without distorting the shape of the breast. There are also differences in the surgeries involving round or contoured breast implants. During a breast augmentation surgery with a contoured breast implant, the plastic surgeon must make a more precise pocket for the contoured breast implant so that it does not rotate, and distort the shape of the breast, after it has been placed. Contoured breast implants are also textured so that there is less chance of rotation within the breast pocket. This means that the shell of the implant is thicker to compensate for the texture. Breast implants can also be selected on the texture of the outer shell. Textured implants were developed to decrease the chance of capsular contracture. Textured Breast Implants surface of the implants is marred to feel similar to sand paper; the shell is thicker to compensate for the marring. Smooth Breast Implants surface is smooth so that the breast implant can move freely within the pocket formed behind the breast; smooth, round, saline breast implants are the most common form of breast implant. It has still not been determined whether or not textured implants actually lessen the chance of capsular contracture or not. When deciding on your breast augmentation surgery, it is important to consider all aspects of the procedure. The breast implant is one of the most important parts of this. The breast implant is what actually provides you with the enhancement and it is placed behind your breast. Not only can its size be selected to give you the appearance you want, but also the shape, texture, and what it is filled with. If you have decided that you would like breast augmentation surgery, but would like more information on the types of breast implants, contact an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Hendricks in Newport Beach, California. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tara_Pingle http://EzineArticles.com/?Types-of-Breast-Implants&id=265622 cheap phentermine overnight pharmacy phentermine buy phentermine without doctor approval phentermine diet pills online

Unconventional Job? You Need an Unconventional Loan!

Friday, February 8th, 2008

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Challiner]Michael Challiner Many people have dreamed of starting their own business, and it can certainly be satisfying. But what happens when you need a loan? If youre self-employed, even if you have an excellent credit history, you may find it hard. Even though the banks are more flexible these days, and loaned out 41.2 billion to those working for themselves or with less than perfect credit scores, an amazing nine million people were turned down for a loan last year. Supposing youve found a job you love, but it works on a contract basis, or youve become your own boss. The problem banks face is that it can be hard for them to assess your employability and long term income prospects using traditional criteria. So they may be wary of giving you a traditional loan. So what can you do? Well, it can help if you can prove a history of renewed contracts with the same employer, especially if it goes back a year or even two. In the case of a new position, the lender will examine your circumstances on an individual basis. It can be hard to get approved if this is your first job; you may even be unsuccessful altogether. But dont be downhearted. What a loan company is looking for is evidence of long-term employability, so you may have to play a waiting game. For the self-employed, it can help if you can demonstrate a history in your chosen field. For example, if your new business is in special occasion cakes, dont omit your experience working in the catering sector. To get a head start, consider going through a broker. A broker can research loans for you, and match you with companies willing to lend for your type of work. They may also be able to find specialised deals, even discounts. They can also be useful in another way: many companies use a central database to determine your credit score. Every time a company conducts a credit search on you, this fact will be recorded there. It might be that if you are not accepted for a loan by one company, others will follow suit. A broker can help you to avoid this trap. Its not all bad news for those looking to buy a home with a history of poor credit, or working for their own company. According to market analyst Datamonitor, homebuyer loans are now easier to find. Increased competition has driven banks to relax some of their requirements in the hope of capturing a share of the niche market. So what will you need to qualify? If youre self-employed, you will probably need to be able to show your last three years worth of earnings, or a letter from your accountant. If youve just started your own business, then your previous employment history will be useful, especially if you can prove that you have experience working in your chosen field. If youve taken the plunge into a completely new area, then you will probably find it hard to get a loan, at least until a reliable forecast of your earnings can be produced. So, without a crystal ball, what can you do? There is another option: the self-certification loan. These are offered by many high street banks and building societies. You need to provide details of the amount of income you earn, but you do not need to prove it with paperwork. Of course, such a loan comes at a higher interest rate, and the amount you can borrow is often lower. Be careful you dont fall into a common trap here. Your accountant may have been doing an excellent job quite legally of minimising your profits for tax, but this will also affect the amount you can borrow. Another option you might like to explore is the flexible mortgage. This allows you to take a payment holiday if you encounter temporary cash flow problems, or re-arrange your payment schedule. They also allow you to overpay at no cost in better times, building up a reservoir of credit on which to draw in leaner days. Because youre not tied in to set payments, you can work to get rid if your loan more quickly. All is not rosy however. Bad debt is on the rise, and several high street lenders warn that an increasing number of people are having problems meeting their repayments. Despite this, loans to the self-employed or those with a weak credit score are set to reach even higher levels. Datamonitor predict that the number of credit cards issued to these categories of lender will reach 13 million by 2009, from a current level of 9.5 million. So while it may not be as hard as it used to be for the self-employed, or people with a poor credit history to find a loan, you do need to remain aware of the risks. There are fears that creditors are lending borrowers money that they simply cannot pay back. Dont be one of these always get good advice, and make sure that at the end of the day, you get a loan you can afford. Loan Ranger is a website offering its clients [http://www.loan-ranger.me.uk]secured loans online Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Challiner [http://ezinearticles.com/?Unconventional-Job?-You-Need-an-Unconventional-Loan!&id=281587 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Unconventional-Job?-You-Need-an-Unconventional-Loan!&id=281587 order phentermine phentermine from online pharmacy phentermine online mexican pharmacy phentermine

Choosing The Perfect Marriage Proposal

Friday, February 8th, 2008

By Lesley-Ann Graham Now, gentlemen, here’s the drill. You must first find the girl. No point in doing this without the woman of your dreams. Next you must acquire the ring, choose well. You must ask her out, drop to one knee and say, “Will you marry me?” With any luck, she’ll say yes. She may say yes, but man! That is one mechanical and boring proposal. If you are truly in love, take the time to make your proposal memorable. This is a landmark moment in relationships and needs TLC. Yeah, you can do the simple drop to one knee and blurt out the question bit. Just don’t forget to set the mood first. Your lady will appreciate you even more for taking the time to “set the stage” if you will. If your lady is the sentimental kind, why not put together various things that will remind her of the various events in your relationship. For example, why not put all the stuff in a box and go through the contents with her. You can have a “remember when” afternoon with each of you identifying the napkin you wrote her number on, the card from the first bouquet of flowers you sent her, and so on.. Make sure to carefully conceal one more item in the box that you will bring out. Of course, the last item is the ring. Now’s the time to say the lines you’ve been rehearsing. Too tame you say? Why not take it up a step? Take her on a tour of your favorite places. Make it a day out. Start in your favorite restaurant, do the things throughout the day that you enjoyed most while getting to know each other (try to choose the most romantic ones). How about ending your day by recreating your first dinner date? Pop the question after dessert. Not inclined to go out in the foul weather? No problem. How about creating a treasure hunt especially for her? Start by creating a note that may simply say something like follow the rainbow to find gold. Next lay her a trail of something she loves that she’ll definitely follow (in this example, how about skittles). Put a few more notes in between that say how you feel like, “you color my world”. Of course at the end of the trail when she opens the door, there you are, in perfect position and saying the loveliest phrase any women can hear. Of course, you may just prefer to literally ride off into the sunset with her. Take her on a trip with to a place you’ve both wanted to go. As you watch the sun set, ask her to marry you. It doesn’t have to be anything too elaborate, but your lady will definitely appreciate the time and effort that you put into it. It’ll also help you avoid funny incidents like losing the ring as she flips open her table napkin, if you think the deed through. In the end, it’s still all about one question and the fervent hope that she’ll say yes! Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. The Bride, Groom, Best Man, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen can find it all at http://www.WeddingTrix.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lesley-Ann_Graham http://EzineArticles.com/?Choosing-The-Perfect-Marriage-Proposal&id=213195 global pharmacy phentermine pharmacy no rx phentermine cheap phentermine com online pharmacy phentermine no prescription

The Illusion of Print Mail Services

Thursday, February 7th, 2008

By DeAnna Spencer If ever there was a lazy way to easy profits in mail order it has to be the concept of letting someone else do all the work for you. In theory, it works like this: You send a camera-ready circular or ad to someone who advertises a print/mail service and they will print and mail it (along with many others) to 1,000 to 25,000 names on their own list. You simply pay a one-time charge while they do all the work. Now, multiply this by 5, 10 or more such services and you could (still theoretically speaking, of course) have several thousand of your offers in the hands of prospective buyers within a few weeks. The problem, is that it doesn’t work that easily, at least not to the point of making it profitable for the dealer who expects to become delunged with orders. Even the very best mailers in the business can produce only a small percentage of return for their clients, so you would have to have a very high markup on your offer and reach millions of people if you hope to make it profitable. If you already have a test-proven offer that produces about 3% return when you mail the offer by itself, you will be lucky to get one-half of 1% when mailed by a mailer along with hundreds of others. Yes, some offers can produce a profit, even with such a small percentage of return, but they are extremely few and far between. First of all, you would most likely have to be the high markup that is required. If the offer calls for $10 and you can produce it for $1 reality is: That’s 5 orders per thousand…50 orders per 10,000. Some offers might be able to survive on this, others cannot. You will have to do some figuring to determine whether it’s worth trying. On the down side of this practice, there has been quite a bit of speculation about such print/mail services as to their honesty and quality of their services. Many of them offer poor printing, often smudgy or in various shades of gray instead of crisp black and white; some of the lists they use are so overworked, they have become virtually worthless. Even the best mailers use primarily “Opportunity” lists, so merchandise offers would hardly be appropriate. Another flaw in this idea that some crooked mailers are out there who simply don’t mail the quantity they claim. It seems they print and mail only hundred or so, but claim to mail in the thousands. This is very difficult for anyone to prove or disapprove, so the entire idea of using a print/mail service is precarious at best. Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer This article may be freely reproduced on the Internet as long as the resource box remains intact. DeAnna Spencer is a virtual assistant that helps entrepreneurs run a successful business by providing affordable administrative help. She also publishes a blog for small business owners. Visit this small business resource today. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=DeAnna_Spencer http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Illusion-of-Print-Mail-Services&id=3539 buy phentermine online with no prescription where can i purchase phentermine buy phentermine with no rx buy phentermine us pharmacy