February 28th, 2009
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From the book Spider’s Big Catch
Gary Anderson
www.abciowa.com
There’s a phrase that’s become popular over the past few years that fills me with wonder. That phrase is “quality time.” We’ve all heard it, and we all seem to accept it as a real concept. But to the average country person, that phrase is difficult to comprehend.
Here’s what I mean. Last summer, my 10-year-old son Cody and I spent an entire day walking the fields, checking fences. When we saw a post that needed straightening or a strand of wire that needed to be tightened, we set right to work. Sweat poured across our faces, our shirts grew soaked from the hard work we were engaged in. But as we strained against the task at hand, we talked about his little league baseball team and how he could improve his hitting to the opposite field.
Then, as we walked a little farther down the fence line, we laughed till we cried when a covey of quail nearly gave us a heart attack as they exploded out of the grass in front of us. We heard the amazingly varied call of a cardinal in the woods off to our right. We saw two red-tailed hawks circling lazily over our heads, and marveled at how they could see field mice at such a height.
It was a typical day for us, father and son. We weren’t doing anything “special.” We were working. And yet, I know from similar experiences with my own dad when I was Cody’s age that days like these would be the ones that came to mind once he’d grown up and had children of his own.
So I ask again: was that “quality time?”
Think back to your own childhood. What things do you remember most about your parents? Was it the fact that your dad worked 16 hours a day at the office, and fell asleep on the couch on the weekends because he was too exhausted to move? No, I’m willing to wager that’s not what you remember. More likely, you remember the time you went for a long walk along the country road in the rain and came home looking like not only something the cat had dragged in, but something he’d dragged in and forgotten under the refrigerator for a month.
It’s been said that kids spell “love” … t-i-m-e, and I couldn’t agree more.
So the next time you hear yourself thinking that you’ll make it up to your daughter when she asks you to play “Chutes and Ladders” for the seven millionth time, remember: your kids are watching you, and it doesn’t matter how young they are; they know how to spell the word “quality,” too.
Strangely enough, to our kids, the word “quality” is spelled exactly the same as the word “love.”
They’re both spelled T-I-M-E.
© 2004. Gary E. Anderson. All rights reserved.
About The Author
Gary Anderson is a freelance writer, editor, ghostwriter, and manuscript analyst, living on a small Iowa farm. He’s published more than 500 articles and four books. He’s also ghosted a dozen books, edited more than 30 full-length manuscripts, produced seven newsletters, and has done more than 800 manuscript reviews for various publishers around the nation. If you need writing or editing help, visit Gary’s website at www.abciowa.com.
abciowa@alpinecom.net
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February 27th, 2009
Memphis G Douglas-Roberts heading to NBA
Umpteen risk takers will surely have encountered the caption “offshore sports betting” by now, but may not be wholly certain what it refers to. An overseas betting internet site basically acts extraneous to the jurisdiction of a given land instead it can mean a computer accessible gaming website that has all of their host computer inside a nation in which internet sports gaming is not currently illicit. In a nutshell then, it’s a sports betting organization working outside of the power of the nation of the gaming afficionado. Internet based sports wagering webpages are in the main regulated via 3 organizations. They are the OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association FTGA.
The Offshore Gaming Association is an independent watch-dog institute which presently oversees the modern overseas sports gaming business in an attempt to provide gaming afficionados a way to to quickly determine acclaimed internet businesses to play games with. The OSGA works to watch over sports betting devotee’s rights, also they don’t levy any affiliation expenses. The association is a proficient and nonpartisan third party agency which gives equitable opinions, founded on customer feedback, impartial inquiry, telephone conversations, inside information also supplies industry information.
The Interactive Gaming Council are a nonprofit council. The agency was established to allow a platform for involved people to discuss the latest subjects and also to further communal interests in the worldwide web-based sports gaming industry, to ensure honorable not to mention steadfast business instructions and practises which heighten client faith in internet based sports gambling commodities and benefits, and in addition to help as the sports gambling industry’s global policy counselor and in addition it offers an information clearinghouse.
The IGC have made a reputation for honor, stability and in addition sincerity through the ethical code it exhibits, and also its appeal for moral gambling sites. The Interactive Gaming Council influences overseas sports gaming via using a distinctive ten-point code of conduct and also bills gambling business concerns fees for the use of their logo. Discontented customers may also give an account of their disagreements to the Interactive Gaming Council.
The Fidelity Trust Gaming Association was formed in a venture to generate a benchmark to raise the actions of on-line gaming trading operations. The council understand that doing business solely with good companies, they are able to create a membership of the fairest and most expert offshore betting companies globally.
These are councils that function to oversee the procedures practised by internet gambling and which should assist to ease most of the misgivings felt by detractors. Networked sports gaming websites are consistently free from pitfalls, in that private details aren’t submitted also the returns and the odds are as a rule as balanced and honest as a typical Vegas-style bet. They reduce traveling time, but still keep of a conventional casino, however these days you are enabled to play in your home.
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February 26th, 2009
Baldness is maybe one of the most difficult illness men and women have ever put up with. A lot of individuals regard their hair as; a crucial element of one’s individuality, a critical part of one’s self. Hair together with hair loss is frequently considered as signs of one’s actual age. That is clearly why people are always disgusted when faced with the prospect of hair thinning. That’s why people usually do everything they are able to do and believe everything they are told in order just to ensure that they get to keep hold that superb hair of theirs as lush & as strong as can be. If you are looking into hair replacement treatments then ask an expert at AdvancedHairStudio.com.
Hair loss is not unfamiliar in women and is more common after the menopause; yet; alopecia is unlikely to manifest in each and every case. In a great of cases the victim will simply see an increase in hair loss and thinning of the skull, specific treatments can improve the finished result. Although alopecia is inclined to be generally accepted in men it’s improper in females and in loads of cases it can have unfavourable effects on the person’s emotional state & self-belief. However you must not be anxious - hair loss can be cured and stopped once you know what causes it & what you must do.
Without a doubt the most distinguished sort of baldness seen in females is androgenetic alopecia, also referred to as female pattern alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top & sides of the scalp. It concerns nearly thirty three percent of all vulnerable women, even though it is most traditionally seen after menopause, though it could begin as soon as puberty. Normal hair fall is in the region of 100-125 hairs on a daily basis. Luckily, these hairs are replaced by the systems in the body. It is without a doubt true that baldness takes place when lost hairs are not re-grown or when the daily hair shed goes above one hundred and twenty five hairs. Naturally baldness can come from either of your parent’s division of the family.
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February 25th, 2009
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About six years ago I began to study tai chi. When I began, I had already been studying karate for several years, but my instructor encouraged me to add tai chi to enhance my martial arts abilities even further. It seemed interesting to me from the very beginning, but I was totally unprepared for what I have received. What I have learned is far beyond anything I ever expected.
Tai chi is a martial art that takes you through a series of very slow movements. You have probably seen people do it on TV commercials to advertise arthritis medicine. It seems rather strange and exotic for people who have never been around it. And because it is so slow and easy going, it seems like it would be very easy to do. But I assure you, it is actually a very powerful and practical form of exercise.
When I first started practicing these moves it was quite awkward. It is amazing the amount of strength and balance it takes. But as I practiced over the next several months and years, I began to notice a number of things begin to happen in my body. I began to develop greater leg strength. My balance improved. I gained better posture. I began to be able to control and conserve energy. I gained more powerful breath support and control. I also saw my ability to concentrate become stronger.
If you did a deep examination of tai-chi training, these things should really be expected because of the nature of the exercise. But there is one other thing that has happened in my experience that, even to this day, I continue to marvel about. No matter how far I seem to progress, there seems to be further to go. I make a major advance and think I am mastering the art and, behold, a whole new level unfolds before me. This has happened so many times that I have come to believe that there is no limit to the amount of progress I can make. As I have discussed this with my instructor, he has assured me that this is so.
Now, this is a significant realization, and is particularly helpful with an activity like tai-chi, where the movements are so slow. In our fast-paced society, slow is very difficult. In fact, many people who start tai-chi don’t end up staying with the discipline very long because activity and progress seem so slow.
But, there is a much broader application that needs to be recognized that has very profound implications for every area of life. No matter where you are in your life, no matter what activity you engage in, no matter how much of an expert you are, you have only taken baby steps compared to where it is possible to go. But, don’t be fooled by this statement. It is easy to accept this as an intuitive intellectual understanding. It only becomes profound when it is discovered in the course of experience.
Consider this. There are four areas of your life where your humanity is expressed. The four areas are the emotions, body, brain activity, and spirit. And the profound truth is this: in each of the four areas it is possible to literally explode beyond where you are now to ever higher and higher levels of development.
You can develop control over your emotions so that you are always positive and upbeat. You can overcome depression and negativity. You can put yourself in the appropriate emotional state for any situation you find yourself in.
You can develop control over your body. You can provide it with the nutrients, rest and exercise that will keep it healthy. You can sculpt your muscles so that you look good.
You can learn to control your brain function. You can gain greater and greater ability to absorb content, to think quickly, to shift your outlook, to concentrate, to control your focus and your perspective. These are all amazing abilities and anyone can become better at them.
Finally, you can develop control over your spirit. You can become more and more skilled at self-awareness, creativity, communication, decision making, analysis, contemplation, imagination, and self-discipline.
The sad thing, though, is very few people ever move on a life path that causes them to continually develop in all four areas all the time. The average person will work on one area then another, in fits and starts, but very few are focused on developing all four all the time.
So this brings us to a final, and profound, question which will determine what you do with the rest of your life. How much further do you plan to progress in your life beyond where you currently are? Your answer will determine the extent to which you are able to live life to the fullest. There is more to gain beyond where you currently are. In fact, the potential is unlimited. But, you will determine your reality. There is more and more and more and more.
Dr. Freddy Davis is the owner of TSM Enterprises and conducts conferences, seminars and organizational training for executives, managers and sales professionals to help develop greater effectiveness and productivity. He is the author of the book Supercharged! as well as the Nutshell Series of books for strengthening business. You can visit the TSM website at www.tsmenterprises.com, or you can contact Freddy directly at 888-883-0656 or davis@iname.com.
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February 25th, 2009
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You can combine your love of the Italian language with an unforgettable experience in the country where the language is spoken by studying Italian in Italy! Hands-down, the best way to learn a foreign language is to live, work, or study in a native speaking environment. Studying Italian in Italy is the best possible experience you can have to learn the language.
Would you like to study and live in Florence, Rome or Venice? Or how about in a smaller, quaint town such as Pisa, Siena or Otranto? You will find a comprehensive guide to top rate Italian language schools in Italy at www.studyabroaditaly.org. Wherever you decide to study and live, the experience is incomparable to learning Italian in any other way.
When living in a foreign country you have the wonderful opportunity to both learn the local language and also use it every day, all day long. Living in Italy is much different than visiting as a tourist. Tourists can easily manage getting around by knowing a few Italian phrases and by using English. In fact, tourists frequently will have trouble trying to use or improve their Italian language skills because Italians in most tourist locations can speak English very well and are eager to do so. On the other hand, as a resident of Italy, you would have NO trouble trying to use or improve your Italian language skills because you would be continuously interacting with the native population at the supermarket, the post office, the bus stop, the small “bar” where you get your morning cappuccino, and other places that tourists don’t usually visit.
If you open yourself to learning the language as well as experiencing the culture, you will be amazed with the progress you make from day to day. There is a big difference between learning Italian in Italy and learning it in your home country. While in Italy, you will only hear the Italian language spoken around you. This will encourage you to master the language quickly, because instinctively you will not want to miss out on the conversations taking place around you. You may also want to consider the fact that even though most Italians will manage to make themselves understood in English, they will have a hard time sharing deeper thoughts and feelings in any other language than Italian. Other positive aspects of learning Italian in Italy include developing a good Italian accent (eliminating the somtimes artificial sound of Italian learned in your home country), and getting faster access to regional slang and humor. The latter is particularly important when you become friends with Italian locals, as you will have a better chance of integrating in a group if you understand the subtle nuances of the language.
Finally, the greatest advantage to learning Italian in Italy is the opportunity you will have to make new friends that will certainly last you a lifetime. By learning Italian in Italy you will enjoy a unique life experiene in a place that is much different than anywhere else, and is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see. Buon divertimento!
Mindy Prian is the Site Administrator of http://www.impariamo.com - a warm, welcoming community of people from all over the world who interact with one another to improve their Italian language skills.
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February 25th, 2009
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(NC)The long-awaited vacations of 1.3 million Canadians may be ruined every year by Travellers’ Diarrhea, also referred to as Montezuma’s Revenge. While rarely life threatening, Travellers’ Diarrhea has a way of disrupting a perfectly planned vacation by keeping you running to the bathroom or even stuck in bed.
To make sure your vacation is as wonderful as can be, travellers to Mexico, the Caribbean, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and most parts of Asia should take precautions to avoid Travellers’ Diarrhea.
“Now you have a tool that is recommended to help prevent Travellers’ Diarrhea” said Dr. Suni Boraston, travel medicine specialist, Vancouver BC. “Travel specialists like myself are thrilled that there is now a prevention available for Travellers’ Diarrhea. Called Dukoral, it’s an oral vaccine that you drink prior to your trip to help protect you from Travellers’ Diarrhea. You still need to be cautious while travelling, but you can be a more confident traveller knowing that Dukoral is protecting you.”
Travel Tips:
• Drink only carbonated bottled water or soft drinks, bottled fruit juices, alcoholic beverages without ice and hot beverages
• Only eat fruit and vegetables that you have peeled yourself
• Make sure that foods are well cooked
• Don’t forget to visit a travel clinic or your family doctor well in advance of your trip to ensure you are medically protected from travellers’ diseases including Travellers’ Diarrhea.
- News Canada
About the Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.
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February 24th, 2009
Albeit the Property Index is seen as a newcomer concern, (they were founded only in March 2007), they have advanced to expert status very quickly. On closer look, they’re a extraordinarily undemanding concern devoted to looking after every customer who is attempting to buy, sell, etc. assets anywhere in the world. Their assurance is to offer you assistance to pinpoint smack what you crave fast and, even better, straightforwardly.
Real estate is available anywhere in the world nowadays, one of the fanciest areas being properties available for sale in Portugal. It’s quite easy to determine the glorious land you can purchase in Portugal, the explanation for looking into estate here is the houses and apartments on the market and the possibility of being able to live right amid such a pulsating, optimistic and peppy population. It is one of the most trendy countries nowadays, and in view of the gorgeous landscape and the great sunshine that surrounds you all year, who could say no? Real estate in Portugal is immersed in culture, art and history, this geographical region has always been home to several sophisticated nations.
If you are looking to buy property abroad try Property Index, specialists in overseas property.
Around 25-30 years back there’d be just a dribble of Englishmen who are looking for land in Portugal. Ask just about anyone who has chosen to remove to Portugal and they’ll be sure to confirm this. There are those who would tend to see it as a fashion and others tend to see it as a more or less an infatuation! People actually repairing to this place extend from young yuppie couples keen on a perspective to senior citizens who are looking to enjoy themselves and relax. Bear in mind, though, that you might hit on some setbacks when looking to acquire land in a foreign country; there will be hundreds of steps to take up whether plotting, paying a visit or purchasing. Even if a single minute procedure is missed it is sure to definitely initiate far-reaching setbacks as well as, most importantly, financial damage.
As you will presume with this well-liked region, land could be expensive in this place which is, of course, only caused by the steep market demand. Yet, the real estate buyer is rather spoilt for choice in a part of the world so wonderful in terms of merry vista. It presently has the whole thing a patron may possibly fancy and then some.
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February 24th, 2009
Secret Tips For Negotiating Your Credit Card Debt
A lot of people think that it is hard to lower their credit card debt because they are worried that the credit card company doesn’t care about them. In actuality the credit card companies would like to help you and work out some kind of debt relief plan that works for you. They would rather have you pay a small amount of money instead of none at all. While negotiating your credit card debt there are a lot of strategies that you need to remember. These tips and strategies could benefit you greatly in the process.
The first thing that you need to keep in mind when trying to negotiate your credit card debt is to be genuine about your situation when you are talking to the representative of the company you want to negotiate with. You would be astonished at how lenient some companies can be when a individual has a legitimate hardship, such as the loss of a job, the loss of a spouse, or are medically unable to work for a period of time. Several credit card companies are now offering a type of credit card insurance to be able to suspend your payments for a period of time if any of these circumstances occur and interrupt your ability to make your payments because they have noticed that many of their customers experience these situations occasionally.
Another thing to remember when negotiating your credit card debt is to be sure that you are addressing with the appropriate personel that has the authority to aid you. A lot of times you may be speaking to a person who does not have the authority to negotiate your debt situation. Sometimes in this case they try to differ you from achieving your goal by saying they can’t assist you. Insist on speaking with someone in the company that can service you, if neccesary try and find a local branch where you can speak to somebody in person.
It is very essential to always be kind and nice to the individuals that you are talking to at the company when you are trying to negotiate your debt. Even if you are getting frustrated by the inaction of the employees at the company, do not lose your cool because then the employees will be much less inclined to hear to what you have to say. Being kind always receives a better reception than being hostile and remember, you would like these people to aid you, not hang up on you.
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February 23rd, 2009
One of the funniest and most beloved comedies of its era, the Cheers spin-off Frasier remained a lynchpin in the NBC lineup for much of the 1990s. Following the life of eminent psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane in the aftermath of his divorce from Lilith, Frasier takes place in Seattle, Washington where the title character lives with his handicapped father Martin, a retired police officer wounded in the line of duty. The two are joined by Daphne Moon, a live-in housekeeper and physical therapist, and Martin’s dog Eddie who is constant irritant to Frasier. Recurring characters include Frasier’s brother Niles and Frasier’s producer Roz Doyle…
The Frasier (Season 4) DVD offers a number of hilarious episodes including one episode (#77) where Niles’ head of hair becomes the good luck charm which turns the Sonics basketball season into one of playoff contention. Niles becomes an instant celebrity and wins over Marty’s approval… Bebe Neuwirth returns in her role as Frasier’s ex-wife, Dr. Lilith Sternin, in a special Thanksgiving episode where Frasier and Lilith join together to aid in Frederick’s admission to a prestigious school… In the season finale, a desparately single Frasier rushes to the airport to pick up a woman, Laura (Linda Hamilton), who mistakenly left a message on his answering machine…
Below is a list of episodes included on the Frasier (Season 4) DVD:
Episode 73 (The Two Mrs. Cranes) Air Date: 09-17-1996
Episode 74 (Love Bites Dog) Air Date: 09-24-1996
Episode 75 (The Impossible) Air Date: 10-15-1996
Episode 76 (A Crane’s Critique) Air Date: 10-22-1996
Episode 77 (Head Game) Air Date: 11-12-1996
Episode 78 (Mixed Doubles) Air Date: 11-19-1996
Episode 79 (A Lilith Thanksgiving) Air Date: 11-26-1996
Episode 80 (Our Father Whose Art Ain’t Heaven) Air Date: 12-10-1996
Episode 81 (Dad Loves Sherry, the Boys Just Whine) Air Date: 01-07-1997
Episode 82 (Liar! Liar!) Air Date: 01-14-1997
Episode 83 (Three Days of the Condo) Air Date: 01-21-1997
Episode 84 (Death and the Dog) Air Date: 02-11-1997
Episode 85 (Four for the Seesaw) Air Date: 02-18-1997
Episode 86 (To Kill a Talking Bird) Air Date: 02-25-1997
Episode 87 (Roz’s Krantz & Gouldenstein are Dead) Air Date: 03-11-1997
Episode 88 (The Unnatural) Air Date: 04-01-1997
Episode 89 (Roz’s Turn) Air Date: 04-15-1997
Episode 90 (Ham Radio) Air Date: 04-22-1997
Episode 91 (Three Dates and a Breakup: Part 1) Air Date: 04-29-1997
Episode 92 (Three Dates and a Breakup: Part 2) Air Date: 04-29-1997
Episode 93 (Daphne Hates Sherry) Air Date: 05-06-1997
Episode 94 (Are You Being Served?) Air Date: 05-13-1997
Episode 95 (Ask Me No Questions) Air Date: 05-20-1997
Episode 96 (Odd Man Out) Air Date: 05-20-1997
Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the Frasier (Season 4) DVD.
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February 23rd, 2009
The Andy Griffith Show first aired on CBS in 1960. For those of you too young
to remember, this classic situation comedy was packed full with characters not
unlike those found in any small town in the U.S. The lead character, Sheriff Andy Taylor,
played by Andy Griffith, was a widower bringing up his son with the help of Aunt
Bee. Although he was Sheriff, Mayberry NC was already crime-free. This allowed
Andy plenty of time to deal with the various situations that arose - and
Mayberry’s many odd-ball characters.
One of the characters, introduced three years into the show’s long run,
was dim-witted gas pump attendant, Gomer Pyle. Like many of the show’s
characters, he had his own quirky ways and his own catchphrases like “Shazam!”.
Gomer, played by actor and, to this day, highly accomplished singer Jim Nabors, was so popular
he was given his own show, Gomer Pyle USMC. This was a time when the tv spin-off was a very rare
thing.
As the life of a gas pump attendant may produce limited story lines, it was
decided that Gomer Pyle would enlist in the marines. The contrast between
Gomer’s limited abilities and the drill sergeant, Vince Carter’s abruptness and
impatience was the backdrop to the many funny lines penned by various
screenwriters under the watchful eyes of the show’s Midas touch creator Aaron Ruben
and highly successful producer Sheldon Leonard.
Gomer Pyle was a constant pain in the side of Sergeant Carter (played by
Frank Sutton). He would often misunderstand the instructions that Carter gave
him and generally botch even the simplest of tasks. He would more often than not
get himself and his sergeant into all kinds of scrapes and sometimes would
(often unwittingly) save the day.
Sergeant Carter’s attempts to knock the bumbling Gomer into shape constantly
back-fired to the point where the sergeant himself was at his wits end. Despite
this constant battle, Carter obviously developed a sneaky regard for Gomer and
this only added to the depth of the comedy.
Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. is a classic comedy from 60’s television. Some say that
this remains the best situation comedy to come out of that decade. Many
spin-offs do not live up to the promise of the original host show. In this case
it certainly matched the wonderfully gentle but wacky Andy Griffith Show from
which it emerged.
As with most of the work produced by Sheldon Leonard, the show had a long
stay as a top-rated show and ended its run in 1969.
Vernon Stent is the Marketing Consultant to bygonetv.com. Check this link for more information about Gomer Pyle USMC
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