Is this depression or am i just sad

Do you know the difference between being depressed or just being sad?

Most people don’t. However, this matters because perhaps the best way to avoid health complications arising from depression is to deal with it in its early stages.

It is normal to feel sad from time to time. Sadness is a natural reaction to something upsetting which has happened. Depression on the other hand is more extreme. It is more of an emotional or mental illness which has a lot more symptoms than sadness and can, if not treated lead to suicide.

One huge difference between sadness and depression is that a person experiencing feelings which they find disconcerting can reasonably tell you what it is that is causing their unhappiness, however a person suffering from depression may not necessarily be able to do so.

When one is sad, we tend to know that things will get better over time; on the other hand, a person going through depression may not see an end to his or her problem and may consequently think things are or will get worse.

This may lead to a depression that could last for a long length of time. With the negative feelings being so intense and overpowering, depression is oft times something one just can’t snap out of, at least not without assistance or taking exact measures to match or overwhelm its hold on a person.

Though it is safe to say anyone going through depression experiences sadness, but not every sad person is necessarily depressed, both emotional hindrances might need to be addressed and catered to the same or very similar ways.

However, since depression is usually more burdensome than just a state of sadness, one needs to be able to distinguish between the two to determine the amount of effort that may need to be done to correct either state of these negative emotions.

In order to be able to attack depression-advisably in its earlier stages-below are its symptoms in no specific order.

1. Irritability and mood swings.

2. Hopelessness and extreme pessimism (a negative outlook on life)

3. Loss of energy, extreme fatigue and tiredness.

4. Loss of interest in hobbies, having a good appearance and even associates and loved ones.

5. Extreme feelings of helplessness and no self worth.

6. Suicidal thoughts (in extreme cases)

7. Insomnia (lack of) or excessive sleep.

8. Inexplicable weight loss or gain thereof, triggered by eating disorders.

Though not a conclusive list as characteristics vary by patient, these symptoms of depression listed above are the most common ones.

If you happen to experience any of these symptoms, the first step, in my opinion and based on research will be to look within and ask why this may be occurring. Thoroughly assess your situation to see what it is that could be triggering these symptoms of depression within you. Could it be a failure at something or the loss of something or someone of importance?

If you go over the problem carefully, you would be able to target the cause and consequently solve it. Remember, the mind is the most powerful force on the earth, He who can control it can control all things my friend.

I will also mention that for both sadness (a symptom of depression obviously) and for the emotional disorder-depression-which we have now characterized for the purposes of distinguishing between the two, some steps you can take on your own for help will be engaging in some form of physical activity such as exercise or other hobbies.

This step exercises the motor centers of the brain, making the blood flow away from the emotional activity center; consequently one becomes more receptive to positive thoughts.

In addition to this tip, an observance of nature will show us that when animals are frightened or angered, they abstain from eating until after the passage of some time. Moreover, it is true that under stressful circumstances many civilized people refrain from eating and find in truth that they lack the desire for food, but it is also too often that most of us will eat large meals under these circumstances.

Now, worry, fear, anxiety, excitement, hurry, heated arguments at meals: all prevent the secretion of the digestive enzymes of the body and hinder not only digestion, but the whole nutrition process.

This considered, perhaps the last thing you may want to do while dealing with depression or sadness-be it its causes or symptoms is to eat excessively, I may go as far as to say to even eat at all.

It is also advised that at this crucial stage of emotional encumbrance, try and seek out the company of uplifting friends, relatives and associates. As much as possible, purposely surround yourself with uplifting and positive elements like your favorite DVD comedies, books, sitcoms and things of that nature.

So if you are unsure if you are truly depressed or just sad, take heart, neither of these negative emotions can overpower you-if you take charge and overcome them. It may not always be easy and you may need help, however, the desire to be-little their effects over you will be the first step towards success.

In Friendship,

Foras Aje

Home improvement ceiling fans

Ceiling fans come in a wide variety of styles and colors to match any homeowners interior design wishes. They come with and without lighting. Three to five blades. In colors of black, white, brown, made of wood, covered with animal print fabric or styled with carved leaves.

Ceiling fans have come a long way since the industrial revolution where they were dreamed up by sweating factory workers. These workers attached wooden or metal blades to the overhead whirling shafts that were used to drive the machinery they worked on.

Ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool in the summer on those nights when you don't have to run the air conditioner. Ceiling fans are much less noisy and obtrusive than box fans that sit on your floor or in your windows. And, you know that heat rises, right? Well, in the winter months running your fan on low and in reverse speed will bring down the heat that accumulates up in at the ceiling, helping you to feel warmer.

Before you purchase a ceiling fan you'll need to consider the blade sweep. You don't want to overwhelm a smaller room with a ceiling fan that's too big, but, you also want to make sure that the ceiling fan will be able to displace enough air to cool you off in a larger room. Another consideration before purchasing a ceiling fan is the length it will drop from the ceiling. A home with an 8 foot ceiling would probably use a three inch down rod for a ceiling fan, and a room with a fifteen foot high ceiling would need at least a one foot down rod, up to a five foot down rod. It is suggested that you have at least seven feet of clearance from the floor to avoid accidents.

Installing a ceiling fan yourself is a fairly easy job for most do-it - yourselfer's. There are many online sites available to help you if you have any problems or questions.

Prefab homes are becoming increasingly popular

People who purchase prefab homes from all of the social classes and have different interests. There is no specific group of people who purchase prefab homes. Prefab homes are usually associated with rednecks since most prefab homes are like trailers, but that is not the case. Don’t stereotype prefab homes because even people who are well to do have a prefab home. Many of the architects that are designing prefab homes are adding special flairs and interests to their designs. They are making them bigger and better.

In fact, many of them cost around $85,000-$500,000 and have been known to go up as much as a million dollars. The whole idea that only poor people would need a prefab home is ridiculous. People purchase them because they are being offered way more features for half the price that it would take them to build it.

It has nothing to do with the actual price; it is more about getting the better deal. People who purchase a prefab home are getting a home with all the trimmings. They don’t have to install hardwood floors or redo the walls and other things because their home is completely designed to look fabulous.

Prefab homes have this stereotype that they are like a trailer, but they are not. They are smaller than you would probably build yourself, but they are nothing like a mobile home. Prefab homes have foundation built under them and are unusually added on like a regular home. People will add a garage to it, they will add a huge wrap around porch, and so on. People don’t buy prefab homes and sit in the parks, they purchase a home and usually place it on a lot that they have purchased or inherited. They are made to look great and classy.

Prefab homes are becoming increasingly popular because of the economy. Everyone wants to have a beautiful home and still purchase within his or her budget. By purchasing a prefab home you can have the beautiful home and not worry about the stress of building or paying several businesses to make your home look great.

By purchasing a prefab home, you still get to choose your options and most places allow you to personalize your home so that you feel like you build it. You get to have control on what it looks like, but you get it for a fraction of what it would cost for you to build. Some homes can get up to a million dollars because they are nice and because they offer so much more than people think. Prefab homes are simply just the modern home.

Save money by improving hot water usage

Nobody likes cold showers, particularly early in the morning. Take the following steps, however, and you can save serious cash on your water heating costs.

Save Money By Improving Hot Water Usage

To the surprise of many, heating water is the biggest energy expense in the typical home. Most people think the highest cost is heating or cooling the interior air, but this simply is not true. Fortunately, taming your energy use for water heating is fairly simple if you take some basic steps.

One of the reasons heating water is such a big expense has to do with time. Simply put, your water heat works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. When you wake up in the morning and take a shower, the water heater fires up to keep enough hot water in the tank. Obviously, this is necessary. What is not necessary, however, is the number of times the tank fires up during the day when everyone is at school or work. How about at 2 in the morning when everyone is asleep? When your water heater uses energy to keep the pool of water in the tank hot during these periods, it is a pure waste of energy and unnecessary expense on your utility bill.

To defeat this problem, there are two basic steps you should consider. The first is to go with a solar water heater. Unlike solar panels systems for your entire home, water heater are much smaller and more efficient. They produce plenty of hot water throughout the day, so you should be fine. If you take a lot of baths and showers, they can be supplemented with electrical power drawn from the utility company. Even if this happens, you are still using far less utility power than before. The other alternative is to go with a tankless system. These on demand water heaters are more efficient because they do not use energy to heat water in the middle of the night or during other off hour periods. Look for an Energy Star rating to get the most efficient model.

There are other practical steps you can take to cut buck on your energy use without changing your water usage. First, turn down the thermostat on your water heater to 115 degrees. Second, insulate your water heater with a pad you can buy at any home improvement store. Third, insulate the pipes carrying the hot water. Fourth, replace all faucets with low flow products. Fourth, take showers instead of baths – the water usage is much less.

The average residence in the United States uses more than 700 gallons of water a week. Making minor changes to your energy use can go a long way.

What features does a good cleaning supplies website contain

There are so many different topics when it comes to cleaning. The first question you have to ask yourself is cleaning what? We clean everything, as human beings we are taught from our early childhoods to keep every thing clean and put things away when we are done with them. The question then becomes why? Why do humans need everything to be neat and clean, and in order. I believe as a species, human beings need direction and routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle. If things are not clean and organized this can disrupt our daily routine. How does this come into play with what makes a good cleaning supplies website? Well first, before you can sell something to an individual it always helps to give them good information on what they are buying and how to use it. A majority of cleaning and janitorial supply websites just list products and hope that you will purchase their items. When I make a purchase I want to know what I'm getting, how to use it, and how does it compare to other products that are similar. Am I getting the best deal, and is what I am buying the right product for my situation. In the cleaning supplies industry there are a lot of chemicals that are sold to help us clean. Some cleaning chemicals are dangerous and others not so dangerous, it is a good idea to read cleaning chemical instructions from start to finish before using them.

When you as a cleaning supply website owner sells a product individual it is your responsibility to give the customer as much good information as possible, so that the product sold is not used inappropriately. Mixing certain cleaning chemicals can be dangerous if not life threatening and someone could end up hurt or even worse. A good cleaning supplies website should include and have posted MSDS literature on every chemical they sell. An MSDS page or sheet is an acronym for material safety data sheet. This literature states what ingredients go into a cleaning chemical and what to do if an emergency arises related to the chemical. Certain laws make it illegal for some businesses to use a chemical without having a MSDS cleaning sheet at the location but with the private use of a cleaning chemical this is not true. When using cleaning chemicals for your own private use it is a smart idea to have a cleaning MSDS on hand for your own safety and well being.

Another good trait of a successful cleaning and janitorial supplies website is to include cleaning forums and cleaning directories. Cleaning supply forums are a great opportunity for your customers to share ideas and let each other know which cleaning supplies work for certain situations. A good cleaning site webmaster will also give input on these forums and help answer perspective buyers questions. By offering a cleaning directory cleaning services and individuals who operate cleaning related businesses can promote their services which help them to sell more which in turn helps your website to sell more.

As the webmaster for many cleaning supplies websites for over 3 years I implore other janitorial sites to give good and accurate information to their clients. By providing cleaning safety information and knowledge about the products you sell is a cleaning supply site webmasters responsibility. Help make the world a cleaner and safer place and give your clients the one thing the internet is about - good and accurate information.

Website marketing strategies - one way links vs. reciprocal links

The rankings that your site has in the major search engine's results, are the most important factor for the number of visitors you have every day. The good thing is that you can modify your search engine positioning with some seo methods. First of all you should know that link popularity is one of the most important issues in the ranking system. So basically if you increase the link popularity your site's rankings should improve.

But, unfortunately things aren't so simple. It doesn't mean that the one who has the biggest number of links pointing to his site will be the first shown in the search engine's results. In time, search engines have changed their algorithms, and now the nature of the links is very important.

If you want increase your link popularity there are three types of links to choose from: one way links, reciprocal links and three way links. The most effective of them are one way links and reciprocal links. I will try to make a little comparation between those two and show you some advantages and disadvantages.

The website marketing strategy based on reciprocal links was very powerful in the past when only the number of links counted in the search engine's eyes. But now if you don't make your link exchange wisely you won't see any results. You have too look for sites that are related to yours and ask the webmasters to place a link to your site. In exchange for that you'll have to place a link to his site on your pages too. This could be tricky because if you are not careful you could link to some sites that are not quite legit and you could get your site banned in the major search engines. Also, if you make many link exchanges you'll never have the time to check them all to see if they are in order. So you might find yourself in a situation when you are keeping a link on your site and the other webmaster is not. This can be very frustrating.

The things are different when it comes to one way links. Because of the abusive use of reciprocal links in the past, one way links have the power now. The biggest advantage of one way links is that you don't have to link back to anything. This way you are avoiding linking to bad neighborhoods. One way links are also more longevive than reciprocal links. There are also many good and free methods to achieve this kind of links. The best one is writing great optimized articles related to your sites topic and distributing them over the net for reprinting. You can also ask webmasters to put a one way link on your site. Having great content or tools on your site will also bring you natural one way links because webmasters will link to you to offer great services to their visitors. You can also leave testimonials for products that you used or participate in very popular forums.

I can tell you from my experience that one way links are the best links that you can get on the net this times. Although reciprocal links are a bit old they still can get you some results. Both of this website marketing strategies can bring you visitors and great search engines positioning. Choose wisely!

Simple tips for improving golf swing

There are loads of resources both on-line and off that you can turn to for easy tips on improving golf swing. More than likely, you are looking for simple pointers on improving golf swing that you can start with yourself, because you are not in a position to hire a professional to help you improve your swing.

These are tips on improving golf swing that you can use every single time you are out, whether you are playing nine, eighteen or are just brushing up on the driving range.

The first tip for improving golf swing is to LOOK. When you are golfing with friends or colleagues, make a note of the most successful golfer and observe carefully when he or she swings. Watch for body position, stance, how high they lift the club and the motion used when they swing the club. Then think about your own swing. What are they doing that you are not doing? If you can figure this out for yourself, there is no shame in asking your talented golfer friends to watch you and offer their advice for improving golf swing.

It may also be beneficial to practice your own swing in a mirror or to videotape yourself so you can actually see the differences between what you think you are doing and what you are actually doing. Forming bad habits early will lead to bad habits for the long term, unless you deliberately work to change them.

Purchasing a video tape on improving golf swing may also help your game, because it will allow you to observe the techniques and positions used by the best in the game, and it will teach you exactly how to replicate them yourself. Watching golf on TV can also help in this manner as well.

Above all, improving golf swing takes practice and lots of it. Once you have mastered the appropriate techniques and pointers on how to improve your swing, you need to put those techniques to work. Practice until you have unlearned your bad habits and learned the right way to swing. Practice as often as you can until your best swing has become second nature. You can never practice too much!

A security camera system plays an important role in your home security

To observe what's going on, you can add to your home security system a security camera system. They are the ultimate home security product. Whether you live in a spacious estate, in a gated community, or have a house in the suburbs, they are designed fit your needs. Video cameras are an advanced addition for your home security system. The most basic security camera system would be a single camera connected directly to a monitor and a recorder to store the video.

Types:

There are several different types of security cameras. A few security cameras are black and white security cameras, color security cameras, wireless security cameras, night vision security cameras, and vandal resistant security cameras. Besides differing in function and design, security cameras also vary in price. Some security cameras also allow remote access, therefore allowing access to the monitors through an Internet connection.

Size & Resolution:

Video monitors come in a variety of sizes. It is best to buy a larger monitor because the smaller ones may be hard to view. CCTV monitors may have as many as 1000 lines of screen resolution as compared to 550 lines on ordinary televisions. This shows that security monitors do have their place in a home security system.

Advantages:

The advantages to owning a security camera in your home include:

· It has the ability to monitor people in your home.

· They can even save you money on your homeowner’s insurance.

· It’s easy for you to know who is in your home at all times with remote access.

Security:

CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) Security Systems is a fast growing segment of the security market. They are a relatively cheap addition home security systems. The security system consists of cctv security cameras, security monitors, sensors and cabling. Wireless cameras provide an extra measure of coverage since they can be positioned anywhere quickly. These are good trends in the security industry.

Success through people

You need people. That’s a fact. Developing your people skills is probably one of the wisest investments you could ever make for yourself. Brilliant people who have already developed their people skills are already on their way to the top. Others who have also realized the importance of improving people skills have built their businesses on helping individuals improve the way they relate to other people.

Examine the way you relate to people. How good are you when it comes to working with people? Do you listen carefully to others or do you do most of the talking? Do you expect people to follow your command or do you create a win-win situation for parties concerned?

Improving your people skills starts with the right understanding of people. One of the keys to understanding human nature is frequent interaction with people. This will certainly be a big boost in establishing great relationships with your boss, officemates, spouse, children, friends, relatives, etc. These people can lift you up in victory, or these same people can refuse to do so.

Why do people refuse to extend assistance?

Two of the major reasons why people refuse to extend support or assistance are the perceived fear of losing and the absence of gain. Part of understanding human nature is to realize that most people always look after their own welfare first before the welfare of others.

The fear of losing prevents people from extending assistance most especially if it involves money, confidence, health, time, energy, and security (not necessarily in that order!). The trick then is to frame your request in order to minimize the fear of losing and emphasize the gains. Highlight the idea of winning and give assurance that losing is remote.

After you succeed in taking off the fear of losing, the next thing you need to do is to show the benefit they will gain from your offer. Among people, the fear of losing is paramount over the benefit of gaining. With this in mind, the gains should be equal or greater than the perceived fear of loss.

Another important factor in developing people skills is to have a good reputation. In establishing good relations, people look at the reputation of the person making the offer.

Reputation is built on first impressions, and first impressions last. With this, it is extremely important that you establish good impressions right at the very onset of the meeting. With a good reputation, succeeding requests will sail through. It is easier to make a first good impression than correct a previous bad one.

The bottom line is this: In order to succeed in life, you have to develop your people skills. Part of this is understanding human nature and how people relate with each other. You also have to practice interacting with a variety of personalities. Improve your people skills and increase your odds for success!

Buying a franchise versus starting a business

Starting a business can be an exceedingly rewarding endeavor. From its inception you have complete authority on all decisions big and small - something as imperative as planning a restaurant menu, for example, to choosing what color and style of blinds to hang in the windows, you control everything.

Additionally, for those lacking the start-up capital to purchase or rent a location, you can start a business from home with little more than a computer with Internet access.

As attractive as this autonomy seems, however, starting a business from scratch is not without pitfalls.

For instance, there are high failure rates for new businesses. It takes time and effort to develop your business plan, secure financing, acquire the necessary licenses and get a clientele base. Indeed, it is wise for new business owners to have six months to one year of income set aside to subsist on while the business gets its footing. And, unless you have a wholly unique business idea, you will likely find yourself in competition with franchise businesses that enjoy vast brand awareness and customer loyalty.

This brand awareness is one of the major pros of buying a franchise business. You will be working within a proven system and enjoy instant brand awareness and credibility.

Additionally, a network of support is available to franchisees. This includes technical and managerial support from individuals who are knowledgeable about your specific business as well as the benefit of shared marketing.

And, if another franchisee in your area airs a commercial or sponsors an event, it stands to reason that your franchise location would share in the customers purchased by your neighbor’s advertising dollars.

All of these facts add up to a quicker return on your investment because your franchise business is recognized from the moment you open its doors for the first time. Also, should you find that you are enjoying great success with your franchise business; expansion is far easier with franchises than with a small business.

Finally, if it’s the food, hospitality or retail industry in which you’re interested, franchise businesses have a much greater success rate in all of these areas.

Despite all of these redeeming qualities, a new business owner should remember that a franchise business is not a guarantee for success, and the start-up can be quite costly. A franchise business requires the same initial investment as a new business where location, supplies, inventory and employees are concerned, but it has the added cost of a franchise fee which varies widely but can be as much as several hundred thousand dollars.

Franchise Red Flags

Entrepreneur. com lists five red flags that should alert a new business owner to a potentially poor franchise choice:

One is the franchise’s litigation history, which must be made available to prospective franchisees in the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular, or UFOC. A new business owner should look for how many cases the company has been involved in with franchisees. Anything greater than one or two cases per hundred franchisees is cause for concern.

Second, you’ll want to examine the turnover of units in the company, also available in the UFOC. How many franchisees have left the company and why? Was it due to failure or the sale of a successful unit to a new owner? The answer to this question can help determine—at least partially—how successful you might expect your unit to become.

Another factor that should disquiet a prospective franchisee is, after sincere research, an inability to come up with any substantial numbers concerning things like sales and profits. If it seems that this issue is skirted around, another franchise may be a better option.

Additionally, before buying a franchise business, you should ask around about the relative happiness of other franchisees. Talk to other franchise owners. Are they happy with the support provided to them by the company? Are they pleased with the success of their own units? A preponderance of unhappy franchisees suggests that you may be unhappy in this franchise as well.

Finally, although it seems simple enough, a brief look into whether your cultural and moral values mesh with those of the franchise might be easily overlooked. Is the franchise run by individuals whom you deem to be honest and that share your ethical guidelines? If not, it may be a difficult system in which to work.

Top Franchises of 2007

The Franchise 500® is a list compiled by Entrepreneur. com using the same criteria to judge each company, no matter what the size. These factors are “objective and quantifiable” and include, but are not limited to, the company’s financial strength and stability and the growth rate and size of a company.

Entrepreneur. com examines the start-up costs for each franchise, the length of time the company has been franchising, as well as some of the factors on their red flag list, particularly litigation and turn-over rates. They find out whether the company provides financing and use an independent CPA to audit its financial data. They insert all this data into an exclusive formula and assign each company a cumulative score. Then, the companies are simply ranked based on those scores.

Just a few of the franchises you’ll find on the Franchise 500® are: UPS Store/The Mail Boxes, Etc., Liberty Tax Service, Super Cuts, Two Men and a Truck, Golds Gym, Arby’s, Microtel, Beef O’Brady’s and Chem-Dry Carpet, Drapery and Upholstery Cleaning.

While the Franchise 500® can be a valuable resource for someone considering buying a franchise, Entrepreneur. com does not evaluate subjective criteria, and these areas—such as franchisee satisfaction—will need to be researched independently.

The different uses of fitness equipment

When it comes to exercise and achieving the individual fitness goals that we set for ourselves, often we need more fitness equipment than just our own body. Increasing fitness levels and achieving overall health, requires a commitment to a regimented eating and exercise program that will result in the shedding of fat and building of muscle. But in order to achieve these goals we must first identify the type of exercise that is likely to mean success for our particular body – and the type of fitness equipment that will help us do it.

For cardiovascular exercise - the fitness equipment depends on the type of exercise you choose. Runners - and walkers for that matter - require a good pair of shoes as their exercise equipment. Proper shoes can never been underestimated; they will further fitness goals and prevent injury. Whether running or walking, pounding on pavement can put an enormous amount of stress on knees, ankles, feet, and even back. High quality shoes can absorb the shock and make this fitness experience a much more pleasant one.

Other fitness equipment corresponds to other cardiovascular exercise - kickboxing often requires a punching bag; boot camp programs may require a medicine ball; and a high-energy step class will require a sturdy step on which to perform your exercises. For those who prefer to get their exercise by machine, fitness equipment may include the treadmill, stair climber, stationery bicycle, and elliptical machine.

But of course, fitness equipment extends to other forms of exercise as well. Weight training requires a variety of weights - both machine and free weights. Core training - such as yoga and Pilates - requires mats as a part of fitness equipment.

Fitness equipment does not have to be high-end expensive pieces of machinery. Optimum physical fitness can be achieved in the comfort of your home by simply utilizing every day objects around the house in order to supplement your exercise routine. Do dips on a kitchen chair, squats against a wall, or sprints on your stairs - exercise doesn’t have to be confined to a gym. As a matter of fact, many people consider their exercise videos to be the most important piece of fitness equipment that they have.

Fitness equipment can maximize your workout and go a long way towards helping you achieve your fitness goals. Keep your choices in fitness equipment creative - you’ll soon discover that exercise can be quiet enjoyable.

History of perfume

What is Perfume?

People have been using perfumes for pretty much all of recorded history. While hygiene standards have varied over the centuries (Queen Isabella of Spain, the 1400s, boasts that she’d only had 2 baths in her entire life), people have always wanted to smell good. And they’ve turned to perfume.

So what exactly is perfume? Have people always understood it to be scented liquids in little glass bottles, as we know it today? Well, oddly enough, some of the earliest perfumes were kept in little glass bottles…. As the French say, the more things change, the more things stay the same. So let’s look at perfume through the ages, and see what we find.

We see perfume now as liquids, which we can dab or mist on ourselves to give a pleasant scent. The word modern word perfume, however, comes from the Latin phrase per fumus, meaning “through smoke,” and that gives a hint to the origin of perfume. The earliest perfumes were the smokes given off by burning incense.

Incense and Ancient History

Incense is one of humanities oldest inventions; records of it go back to ancient Egypt, more than 3500 years ago. It was used to scent the air, and was mainly a “luxury” product: the wealthy used it in their homes, and the priests used it in religious rituals. Ordinary folks had to deal with smells of ordinary life.

Incense was a luxury item because of the tremendous effort that went into producing it. Then, as now, the more difficult it is to make something, the more it will cost. To get an idea of ancient incense preparation, just try to powder various barks, twigs, leaves, and flowers with a mortar and pestle. Now do it enough to make a barrel of incense.

And this brings us to another point: just where to perfumes come from? For the most part, perfumes and incenses are made from plant products. Many woods, such as cedar or mesquite, are quite aromatic, and we all know that flowers give off scent, as to many leaves. Other substances, such as oils and wines, can be added to these in various combinations, to create the desired scent. Generally, in today’s terminology, if the source of the scent is a solid, than it’s an incense; if the source is a liquid, it’s a perfume.

The ancient Egyptians knew about liquid scents, as well. They used various oils and flower extracts on themselves, and the use of scents spread through their entire society. Perfuming was part of bathing, and bathing was frequent. As a side note, the public baths of Greece and Rome probably owe something of their nature to Egyptian precursors.

The Egyptians also paid attention to the bottles and jars the used to keep perfumes. For the most part, these were ceramic or pottery, but they also used glass, just as we do today.

Bringing Perfume to the West

Egyptian culture may have disappeared, but the practice of perfuming lived on. The Greeks and Romans did not use incense as extensively, but they did take up the practice of using scented oils as part of bathing. Olive oil was frequently used a base for men’s fragrances. These perfumed oils actually served a dual purpose. They smelled good, of course, but in the hot Mediterranean climate they also protected the skin from the sun.

So, for much of history, perfumes were made by crushing flowers, barks, woods, or leaves, and then infusing them into various oils or burning them as incense. Things began to change in the Middle Ages, when Arab chemists developed a process to extract oils from flowers. Today we call these oils essential oils, not because they are essential to the perfume industry (they are), but because they are the “essence” of the scent.

Perfume Enters Modern History

Arab traders introduced essential oils to Europe in the Renaissance period, and perfume makers quickly recognized them as superior for the production of scented perfumes, especially liquid ones.

Perfume, as a way of masking the unpleasant odors of life, quickly became popular throughout Europe. In France it became particularly popular, in part by royal imprimatur… The court of Louis XV was called the “perfumed court” because of the prevalence of scent. It was in France that the practice of daubing women’s perfume on the wrists originated.

It wasn’t just the royal courtiers who were perfumed, though. The gloves and wigs that were the style of the day were frequently perfumed. If you’ve ever seen portraits from colonial America, notice the wigs that Washington and the other gentlemen are wearing; they’re white, not from age, but from the perfumed powder that was applied to them.

Heading Toward the 20th Century

The practice of making perfumes from essential oils, primarily from floral sources, remains with us today. The biggest difference between women’s fragrances now, and the women’s fragrances available in the 1700s, is the bottles.

Modern glass perfume bottles, as small bits of artwork, were the brainchild of Francois Coty, the French-Corsican perfume maker, who, in the 1890s and 1900s, developed a fabulous reputation as parfumier, or perfume maker. He also had an eye for marketing, and recognized that not everyone had the ‘nose of Coty.’ His insight was to sell his perfumes in small, attractive glass bottles. He partnered with a glass maker, and the rest is history….

YourDiscountPerfume. com

Sometimes, the array of perfumes, with their scents and their bottles, can be intimidating, and that can keep people from buying perfume. You can avoid those problems at Yourdiscountperfume. com. We’ve got hundreds of perfumes available for sale on our site, at great prices. You can browse them all, at your leisure, and read through the descriptions before you buy. You won’t find pushy salespeople, and there are no obligations.

What you will find are the best perfumes for women and men, at the best prices available, with delivery directly to you. So check us out, and see how easy it is to find the right perfume.

Earn thousands hourly with a forex simulator

Test-driving an online forex demo account is the preferred method of potential traders to minimize risk. A demo account readily allows a cautious person to go online and observe exactly how a paid account would work. Think of it like playing the popular wargame Command and Conquer: you send in the troops (gobs of fictitious money), make a few tactical maneuvers (invest in speculative exchanges) and conquer territories (reap profit).

It can be addictive. Without investing and risking any real money, the investor plays with ghost money in an account and initiates buys and sells the same way it would be done in reality. The software used for these demo accounts parallels what the real trading platform does. Real figures are pulled from exchanges, trend charts are generated, and profits are calculated from buy/sell maneuvers., A trader sees at the end of the day the net loss or gain should real money had been used in the transactions.

Even a novice can trade. Let’s assume an investor pretends to open a margin account with ten thousand dollars. He watches trends in the currency markets and believes that the dollar will go up in value against the British pound. The demo software empowers him to purchase at a ten to one margin; he then authorizes a buy of one hundred thousand dollars of dollars and sells one hundred thousand dollars of Pounds. There will be a spread, or difference, which accumulates to the gains, or “profit”.

Why invest time with demo accounts? Simple. It’s safe to learn the currency trade without having real money to lose.

Think of it like crashing your car in driving simulators or doing crazy rolls in an F-14 - on a Playstation. You stretch your creativity, test your reflexes and build your skills all behind the safety of a highly immersive computer screen. Your mind gets a full reflex workout without incurring damage to property and incurring lawsuits!

The same holds true for forex trading. Spending time with a demo account allows the potential trader to gain skills and learn the ins and outs of the game and the market place. A person is then able to see if they truly have the instincts necessary for the market and have sufficient knowledge to “play with the big boys.”

Almost all online companies involved in forex trading offer demo accounts, sometimes free and sometimes for a small fee. Even if a fee is paid, it is usually worth it because a forex trader can flex his skills and knowledge for vast profits after spending some time practicing with the forex demo software.

Setting up a demo account requires nothing more than a valid email address and your name. Upon activation, you will have access to the usual charts, graphs, ordering system and even prediction tools. The latter are quite interesting, particularly predictive implements based on Fibonnacci… but take care that such tools can never predict swings in the market. Too many social, political and environmental variables cause erratic fluctuations and no software can ever take those into consideration.

Richard Peyton, my good friend, benefited from a forex demo account. After months of study of the forex market, Jackson was convinced that he could make a go of it as a day trader in the forex market. His girlfriend, however wasn’t convinced and feared the inherent risk. She considered forex nothing more than sophisticated gambling.

Richard went to a brokerage company online that he felt held good reputation. He set up a demo forex account and began to make trades as though he were using real money. After several days, on paper, Richard garnered consistent profit. He continued learning and his confidence increased that he grew anxious to open a real forex account and invest a percentage of disposable income. His girlfriend also saw how on paper he had made a nice profit and relaxed, withdrew her objections.

Today Richard and his family do very well financially through forex trading, With a demo account, he leapt into a world of vast financial potential and built a fortune. He retired his day job.

Casino amigo pourquoi organiser une soiree casino entre amis a domicile

Le week-end arrive, envie de voir du monde tout en restant dans votre cocon ou idйe pour passer un excellent anniversaire? Alors pourquoi ne pas utilisez vos jeux de casino a domicile? Rien de tel pour passez des heures de fous rires et renouer des liens avec vos plus vieux camarades.

Contacter tout le monde pour vous fixer rendez-vous... chez vous.

Installez dans un coin de votre salon votre table de roulette et une table de craps a l'autre bout. Dans une autre piиce que vous aurez rйamйnagйe pour l'occasion, installez vos tables de Blackjack dans votre chambre par exemple et de poker dans une autre.

Votre cuisine, faites en donc un bar а volontй que vous pourrez toujours redйcorer, sans coыts excessifs, faзon Casino Enghien ou autre, selon vos goыts.

L'avantage de ces jeux?? Faire rйgner une ambiance incomparable.

Pourquoi la roulette et le craps dans le salon? Parce que vous constaterez par vous mкme que le jeu de du craps attire toujours plus de monde autour de la table et que la roulette inspire les йclats de voix. On ne peut clairement expliquer d'ou vient cette fascination pour les jeux de des et de bille tournant dans un cylindre, mais ce qui est sur, mкme au sein d'un casino rйel, c'est que ces purs jeux de hasard laissent les gens toujours aussi dubitatifs devant les stratйgies de mises et les pronostics йmis a voix haute aussi bien par les joueurs eux-mкmes que ceux les assistants.

Rien de mieux pour mettre de l'ambiance, et le salon est la piиce idйale puisque piиce d'accueil de toute la communautй, situйe en gйnйral prиs de l'entrйe.

Si votre chambre le permet, installer y les jeux de poker et / ou de blackjack. En effet, ces jeux, tout aussi attrayants que la roulette et le craps, demande cependant plus de concentration et un endroit plus confine serait le bien venu. De plus, cela donnerait la sensation aux invites de pouvoir se balader d'une table a une autre en toute libertй, comme en salle de casino vйritable.

How poker sites progressed into the most lucrative deal

Less than a decade ago, gambling is seen in casinos, sports betting, horse races, scratch cards, and other types which require betting money or goods in some cases. And just a few years ago, online gambling has started to sprout everywhere internet arena is located. Today, online gambling sites are rampant and becoming an entity to whichever website you are going to visit. The system has penetrated the widest storage of information and database just as easily as gambling would change the life of an individual. If it happens that you are reading this article and visited other websites, chances are good that you will unexpectedly come across a website or pop-ups that are promoting a certain online gambling.

Online gambling is easier than the traditional procedure of placing bets. Through this new trend of gambling, you need not got out of your home and spend your money all night over a game. With online gambling sites, you can pick one that you like most to place bets with. And when you have chosen the best one that suit your fancy, all you need to do in betting is enter your credit card account number or take an amount from any of your account and then there you are, playing at your own time and convenience. And when you’re lucky enough and won, you have the option to place bet your winning money to other online gambling games.

Online gambling sites cater to different games such as sports of horse racing, basketball, and football. Many patronize these game websites to serve as pastimes. And then there is this game that is growing rapidly in popularity: the poker game. Poker can be considered the most popular card game all around the globe. It is a game that started centuries ago and evolution of how it is played resulted for the now standard 52-card in a deck. In casinos, the money that you are going to spend on the poker game is traded in for its equivalent number of chips. After the game, the winning chips are once again to be traded for money.

Online poker sites are blatantly scattered in the internet. This is because this has provided a lucrative deal with the website owners. Unlike other similar commercial programs, poker sites bring in more promising business revenue. In fact, many website owners are using poker sites as partner affiliates. This started when many were able to uncover the lucrative potential goldmine in the poker game sites. This is why the affiliate programs are giving poker sites first priority to tie-up with them. Consequently, the competition on this multi-billion dollar poker industry is rising into what apparently is already a ceaseless progression.

The Revenue That Affiliate Program Benefits

In order to play in the poker site, you should sign-up an account with them. The average life span of the account that online poker sites will usually provide the player is in as short as 3 months. During this timeframe, the affiliate program earns revenue. But in the cases of the players who enjoyed the site much, they tend to extend their stay with the poker site. So, when the player opts to sign-up an account that will last for several more months or even years, the affiliate program will gain even bigger amount out of the revenue.

Comment resserer les liens de l amitie

Lors de multiples discussions avec de nombreuses femmes combinant vie professionnelle et vie familiale, il est toujours apparu le regret de ne pas avoir assez de temps pour soi. L'abandon au fur et a mesure du temps de ses amies d'antan, il en est ressorti que ce qui motive une personne a jouer de plus en plus au casino et autres jeux d'argent est son rapport a la vie.

Pour ces dernieres, la vie elle meme est un jeu. Respirer est un jeu, sortir hors de chez soi est un jeu, bref, meme le quotidien est un jeu. mais le casino, quant a lui, nous offre des sensations uniques car les paris ne sont, contrairement aux mouvemet quotidiens, bases que sur le fruit du hasard. Le casino procure a l'homme une montee d'adrenaline hors norme. Le risque est donc plus fort.

Ainsi, de cette etude. il en est ressorti les resultats suivants:

Le temps des vacances:

Ces 10 dernieres annees, Las Vegas est devenue l'endroit populaire pour jouer en famille car a la mise en place de systeme de resort et d'attractions familiales.

Pour gagner et devenir riche :

De toutes personnes interviewees ces personnes sont les plus representatives du phenomene. Elles sont venues au casino avec l'espoir de devenir riches et de pouvoir changer le cours de leur destin.

Problиmes d'argent :

Rejoint l'idee precedente. Beaucoup semble croire qu'ils peuvent regler leurs problemes d'argent en jouant. Or, il y a aussi de forte chance, si madame chance n'est pas la, qu'elles engrangent d'avantages de pertes et de problemes si elles ne peuvent gerer leurs jeux et leurs mises.

Salle de Mariage:

Pour certains, se rendre au casino est l'endroit ideal pour celebrer son mariage. Un peu comme dans une eglise quoi. Et de preference a Las Vegas ou Salt Lake City. Leurs salles deviennent a la mode pour ce genre d'evenement en raison de leur prix rentable, l'originalite de leur hall d'accueil et l'espace de la salle pouvant accueillir grand nombre d'invites.

Leurs revenus.

Pour certains, le casino est comme un metier. Certains y passent toute leur journee pour pouvoir remporter une sorte de "salaire" plus ou moins eleve d'ici la fin du mois.

Pour trouver l'ame soeur:

Vous n'imagineriez pas le nombre de personnes celibataires se rendant en casino lors de parties de celibataires, uniquement dns l'espoir de trouver l'ame soeur et pourtant. Grand nombre de personnes interrogees y ont mentionne ce desir.

Pour fuir de chez soi :

La majorite des personnes interrogees ayant repondu pour sortir de chez soi sont essentiellement des gens de la gente masculine, tous maries depuis plus de 10 ans et peres de famille. Ces derniers se rendent generalement au casino en moyenne une fois par mois pendant quelques heures avant de rentrer.

Pour le plaisir :

Ces personnes auraient eu la bonne reponse. Toutefois, j'ai du mal a croire que cette categorie, qui devrait apparaitre en premiere place, ne se trouve au final qu'au bas de la liste. En effet, jouer au casino devrait etre avant tout une partie de plaisir. Integrer une ambiance hors pair d'un casino reel, avoir des boissons gratuites et ameliorer leur techniques de jeux, telles sont leurs principales preoccupations.

What you should know about motorcycle helmet visor

Having a helmet on when riding a motorcycle is just one of the things that the person needs to protect the head when one is cruising along the road. The individual will soon discover that having a visor is important because this can protect the eyes from wind, dust, dirt, rain, insects and debris that may be thrown from the vehicle ahead.

There are two types of visors that can be purchased for the helmet. The first is the detachable kind while the other is already built in. The one needed will really depend on the road conditions one faces everyday and the type of bike one is using.

For instance, motorbikes that have a windshield will only need the type that will protect the eyes. Those who don’t should probably get the face shield type since this will provide cover for the entire face.

Most of the visors out in the market are made of plastic. The individual should probably choose the kind that is transparent and not tinted since this could pose a problem when riding the motorcycle at night.

It is also a good idea to choose the kind that allows air to pass through inside so that it will not fog.

People who prefer the transparent one should find a helmet that is big enough to accommodate the sunglasses one will be using especially when it is sunny outside. The pair worn should be shatterproof and free of scratches since could also pose problems when keeping an eye on the road.

The person does not have to buy the same brand of visor as the helmet. There are some available that have made this compatible with any. All the customer will have to do is choose which model and the color of the shield. These are usually available in black, white or smoke.

The average price of a visor in the market today is less than $20 a piece. The individual can check out the local sporting goods store or order this item online.

Riding a motorcycle is considered to be much more dangerous than driving a car. Studies have shown the number of those injured has gone up by 12% in the past year.

Should the person still want to feel the thrill of having the wind pass from the front of the motorcycle to the back, it is advisable to invest in a visor. This small accessory could be the only thing protecting the individual against dirt or debris coming towards the biker.

Leadership lessons from pope john paul ii

"Heroes are rebels with a cause. Rebels because they challenge the traditional ways of thinking and refuse to follow the herd. They have a cause, a vision, that's larger than life." - Sharif Khan, author of Psychology of the Hero Soul

From a small-town Polish boy born to a retired army officer to become Pope; from a hard life in Nazi occupied Poland, his mother dead of kidney and heart failure, an older brother dead from scarlet fever, to become quite possibly “man of the century.” How did such an unlikely candidate for the head of the Roman Catholic Church rise so quickly to such prominence? What leadership lessons can we learn from this global spiritual leader who so moved the world? Here is a brief timeline snap-shot of Karol Josef Wojtyla’s exemplary leadership:

Knowledge

1958: Pope Pius XII names Wojtyla auxiliary bishop of Krakow.

By this time, Wojtyla was a professor of ethics and had two doctorate degrees; he had studied theology in clandestine during the oppressive Nazi occupation of Poland.

Leadership lesson: leaders are readers. Specialized knowledge is key to leadership along with general studies. While Wojtyla had two doctorates in his field, he also studied philosophy and literature and was also a playwright and a poet. If you were to take an hour-a-day reading up in your field and applying the knowledge, within a period of five years you would become an ‘expert’ within your field. People are hungering and thirsting for a leader with knowledge and experience.

In Wojtyla’s case, he took the time to gain knowledge of the world, himself, and beyond. As a chaplain for university students in Krakow, he used to go on frequent camping and kayaking trips and offered counseling and mentorship to the students. On these excursions, he would usually take an hour or more to be alone by himself to reflect, read, and pray. These moments of solitude gave him a strong internal compass and knowledge of self required of all great leaders.

Humility

1978: Elected Pope John Paul II becoming the 264th pope and first non-Italian pope in 456 years; refuses formal papal coronation in favor of a simple inauguration ceremony and chooses not to use the royal plural “We” referring to himself plainly as “I”.

Wojtyla was not impressed by the trappings of power and its symbols and made that clear from the day he was elected Pope. He had a very simple, plain, and honest way of communicating that endeared people to him. He exemplified the servant-leader role by embodying one of the titles of the Pope: Servus Servorum Dei (Servant of the Servants of God).

Leadership lesson: leaders are humble. We can learn from Wojtyla’s example by not isolating ourselves in the corner office or ivory tower with each successive promotion, hiding behind closed doors and a sea of fancy titles, diplomas, awards, certificates, and press-clippings.

Like Wojtyla, we can make ourselves available to our people with open doors, seeking to understand and encouraging dialogue. Leadership by walking around and talking to people and listening to their needs earns respect and trust.

Heart

1979: Visits his homeland, Poland, for the first time as Pope and speaks to his people, inspiring Solidarity, the first independent labor movement in the Soviet bloc.

Risking his life against the totalitarian Communist Regime in Poland, Wojtyla returned to his homeland and did not speak in the typical, official ‘visiting dignitary’ tone. He spoke from his heart, from the gut, soul-to-soul – in their language. The people of Poland saw themselves reflected in him; he encouraged them to not crawl like animals but walk tall and ‘be not afraid.’ The crowd went wild and a flame of rebellion and counter-revolution was lit in the collective consciousness of the Polish people, sparking the Solidarity movement for independence and freedom that eventually toppled the Communist Regime.

Leadership lesson: leaders have heart. Intellect is not enough; both head and heart have to be married. If you want to win over people, risk letting down your guard and speak from the heart. The leader that speaks from the heart almost always wins over reason alone.

Forgiveness

1983: Meets with assassin Ali Agca in prison.

Just two years after the assassination attempt on his life by gunman, Mehmet Ali Agca, and several months of painful recovery, the Pope visited Agca in prison and offered forgiveness. (Much later, in 2000, the Italian government granted clemency to Agca, on the Pope’s request).

Leadership lesson: leaders are willing to forgive. We are all fallible human beings that make mistakes. The mark of a true leader is his or her willingness to forgive. It’s also a smart leadership strategy in the long-term. While there’s no excuse to keep someone who consistently fails to learn from their mistakes, the boss that fires an employee for making a big mistake is often mistaken for doing so. After all, there’s always the risk that the next person hired could potentially make the same disastrous mistake. But by offering forgiveness to the person that errs, that person is unlikely to repeat that same mistake, and will most likely remain fiercely loyal to you.

Responsibility

2000: Offers a day of apology for sins committed by members of the Catholic Church over the centuries; visits Israel and pays homage to the victims of the Holocaust.

Wojtyla was the first pope to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland in 1979, and later in 2000, he visited Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem in remembrance of the six million Jews who died in the Holocaust, praying for reconciliation between Christians and Jews and apologizing for the sin of anti-Semitism by Christians.

The day that former U. S. President, John F. Kennedy, took full responsibility for the Bay of Pigs fiasco, was the day he became a leader. The day that Wojtyla apologized and took responsibility for the sins of anti-Semitism committed by Christians, was the day he became a truly respected global leader.

Leadership lesson: leaders take full responsibility for their organization. Blaming and complaining is the mark of a loser. We can make excuses or we can make progress – but we certainly can’t do both. To be a leader, you must take full responsibility for your actions, your team, and ultimately the whole organization or cause you lead.

Uncommon Leadership

1982 – 2003: Receives PLO leader Arafat; Meets Gorbachev as first pope to meet with a Kremlin Chief; visits Cuba and meets with Castro; becomes first pope in history to enter a mosque.

Despite criticism from many corners on the controversial issues he supported, Wojtyla was not one to ever back down. He stood for what he believed in and had the courage of convictions. As a leader, he was tough but flexible. His flexibility allowed him to meet famous, and infamous, world leaders and address difficult issues that made him unpopular in certain circles. But he also had the inner toughness and steely resolve to break down walls and foster reconciliation. As Pope and head of the Roman Catholic Church he knew his role was to unify the Church while serving as an apostle of justice and peace. He stood his ground and never wavered, even if it meant alienation.

Leadership lesson: leaders stand for what they believe in. Leadership is not about winning a popularity contest. Stand up for what you believe in. Be strong and be firm. A divided mind is weak; a united mind, clear and singular in purpose, is powerful beyond measure.

Legacy: Rebel with a Cause

1920 – 2005: A legacy of leadership.

Pope John Paul II was a rebel with a cause. A champion of human worth and dignity, a freedom fighter, a torch bearer for social justice, he left a lasting legacy of leadership and moral example that the world can follow. Asked once, if he feared retaliation from government officials, he replied (according to biographer George Weigel), “I’m not afraid of them. They are afraid of me.” Indeed, he relayed a message to the world that will echo through eternity: “Be not afraid!”

Walking stick features and add-ons

If you have ever owned a walking stick you understand how helpful they can be. When you get tired or hurt you can use one of these tools to help assist you in moving around. However, you may not have known about all the add-ons that can be purchased for your walking stick.

One nice accessory for the walking stick is the rubber “boot” made for it. This attachment will slip over the end of your walking stick and allow you to get better traction on the ground. A lot of walking sticks have this included because of how valuable it can be.

The next good accessory is a strap that is attached to the handle of your walking stick. This helps you hold onto it and if you lose grip it won’t fall to the ground. Normally these are attached through a hole in the stick and not tied around it. This allows for the strap to have a tighter grip.

Another cool thing to add to your walking stick is a spike for the end. This spike is designed so that you can get a better grip in ice and snow or even in mud. By shoving the spike into the ground you assure yourself of even better footing.

Some people also like to add stickers and buttons that help personalize their walking sticks. These can either show some places where you have gone or just be used to make your walking stick a little more colorful.

There are also many other add-ons and accessories for your walking stick. You can even decorate it to make it more personalized. The best thing to do is figure out what you need and then add on some of the wants afterwards. This will ensure that you are ready for your next hike!

Online sweepstakes

Most people love the excitement and adrenalin of winning a competition. One of the most popular types of competitions today is sweepstakes. With the internet becoming an essential part of our daily lives, entering online sweepstakes have never been easier.

One of the main reasons for its popularity is that online sweepstakes are usually promotions or contests that entrants can enter for free, with huge prizes to be won. Usually a big variety of prizes can be won in online sweepstakes – there is something for everyone. Some of the most popular prizes are cruises, home appliances, cars and money.

Online sweepstakes are one of the fastest growing trends. This is mostly due to all its advantages. One of the biggest advantages is the cost of entering online compared to the cost of entering sweepstakes by snail mail. Entrants do not have to pay any postage costs when entering online competitions. This means they can enter for as many competitions as they want and have a much bigger chance of winning.

Some websites offer lists of all the available sweepstakes offered on internet. This means that entrants no longer have to search for sweepstakes or only enter those they receive via e-mail. They can now enter various sweepstakes competitions daily, keep track of all the competitions they have entered and receive an alert when a new competitions are released. Some of these websites listing online sweepstakes require that entrants become members of the site and pay a small membership fee.

When entering online sweepstakes, entrants can choose between various forms of sweepstakes. A popular form of online sweepstakes is instant win sweepstakes. This is a form of online sweepstakes where the entrants will know immediately after entering whether they have won. Usually entrants have to play a game or answer a question. Other popular forms of online sweepstakes are daily, weekly and monthly draws.

Entering online sweepstakes are really simple. Usually all entrants have to do is decide which sweepstakes they want to enter, answer a question or play a game and fill in an entry form with their personal details.

Finding online sweepstakes are just as easy. Numerous sweepstakes options are listed when entrants run a search using a search engine. When deciding which sweepstakes they want to enter, entrants should be careful. They should ensure that the terms and conditions of that competition state that their personal details will be kept safe and secure.

Entering online sweepstakes can be a fun hobby, a great way to make money and a fun way to broaden general knowledge. The best thing about online sweepstakes is that entrants can win loads of prizes for free!

Is laser teeth whitening the next big thing

You will notice that once the laser treatment is finished, your teeth are whiter than it used to be. Many people are choosing this option because of the fast result that it will bring you.

There are two ways to have your teeth whitened - ( one is done by a dentist or teeth whitening professional and it is called professional tooth whitening system; and the other is done at home through various do-it-yourself kits

Managing the customers expectations is probably the biggest area that needs to happen as some customers will expect to have white teeth like Britney Spears or Simon Cowell but this simply is unlikely to happen and most people's teeth will get whiter but only as far as their natural colour will allow. To get white bright teeth like the stars the only way is to have veneers by the dentist and these can cost a fortune and this is why laser teeth whitening is now considered a real alternative when considering teeth whitening.

The cost of this very fast laser whitening can vary based on your location with many of the larger cities being more expensive than other areas. Laser teeth whitening process can be expected to cost between 200 and 400 pounds on average for the full treatment.

Generally speaking, the price of teeth whitening increases with the number of in-office treatments required. So the more discolored the teeth, the more visits are required and the potential of a higher total cost.

Historically the only viable option for whiting teeth involved the skills of a cosmetic dentist, was time consuming, uncomfortable and extremely costly.

Job interviews are good example of where first impressions count and having a great smile combined with other factors like grooming etc will only help get that job and help you earn a fortune.

Money is not the only factor as having bright white teeth can only be good for your love life. As you get older the teeth loose their bright white look at as the enamel gets thinner.

Laser teeth whitening or Zoom Whitening as it is sometimes known is a great solution for many people aspiring to have white teeth. Not only can the treatment be undertaken without the use of peroxide as many use chlorine dioxide which is a safe and legal alternative but also the treatment only takes an hour which for many is the biggest advantage of all.

The laser teeth whitening treatment is undertaken by carefully protecting gums by the use of a gum dam and then the chlorine peroxide is applied to the teeth. The laser light oxidises the chlorine peroxide which then impregnates the enamel of the course of the hours treatment. Once the laser has finished the dioxide is then removed and the gum dam is then taken off to reveal a great smile and wonderful white teeth.

New attractions in orlando

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If you're looking for a entertainment filled trip, then there's no need to look any further than Orlando. Even if you've been to Orlando before, the amount of new new entertainment that have opened in the area in the last year is unbelievable.

Universal Studios have opened what will undoubtedly be one of the main attractions at any of the parks with the introduction of The Simpsons ride. Replacing the old Back to the Future attraction, you get chance to visit Krustyland with the worlds most famous family. Universal Studios also announced the opening of a innovative rollercoaster snappily called Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit to open in 2009.

Also due to open in 2009 is a tie up between J K Rowling and Islands of Adventure with an area of the theme park to be dedicated to Hogwarts, that is also set to open in 2009.

The other major additions has involved another Orlando favorite, Seaworld Orlando. Intent on becoming one of the top entertainment centers in Orlando, Seaworld Orlando have added a waterpark to the Seaworld and Discovery Cove parks in the area. Known as Seaworld Aquatica, Seaworld have added interaction between the animals in the park and the rides. Seaworld have recently announced they will be adding a new rollercoaster called Manta to the original park, that will open in 2009.

So that leaves Disney World. Disney have been really improving Disney's Hollywood Studios recently to make it one of their top draw theme parks. With recent additions to the park including the Block Party Bash parade, Toy Story Mania ride and an area of the park dedicated to Pixar Studios the theme park has some really fresh visitors attractions this year.

So if you have haven't been to Orlando for two or three years, you'll be pleasantly suprised at what rides and shows have been added to the Orlando parks and what we can look forward to in the next year.

The rio mp3 player - affordable mp3 technology

For music enthusiasts everywhere, the most modern version of portable music enjoyment is the MP3 player. A small and comprehensive system that holds your personal play lists, keeps track of your calendar, and even allows video function has revolutionized the way in which we are entertained. The MP3 player was designed for a modern society on the go; such technology allows us to enjoy music no matter where we are or what we are doing. The most popular system on the market today is the Apple iPod. The iPod’s infinite success has prompted a variety of companies to get into the game of MP3 technology – including Sonic Blue’s Rio MP3 player.

The MP3 player technology works to compress audio files to such a size that they can be contained in a much smaller physical space than traditional vinyl records or CDs. Users are able to download their favorite music – sometimes up to thousands of songs depending on the unit – and construct their own personal play lists that remain on their portable MP3 player. The Rio MP3 player is no different in this technology.

The Rio MP3 player is available in a number of different models offered at different price points. They include the Rio Karma, Rio Cali, Rio Chiba, CE2100, Forge Sport, Rio One, Carbon, Fuse Street, and the Nitrus – the first MP3 player to include a one-inch hard drive.

The Rio MP3 player has been marketed to people who have different needs from their MP3 player. Whether you listen to your MP3 player in your car, while working out, or at home, there is a Rio MP3 player that is right for you.

Consumers have responded to the Rio MP3 player for its affordable technology. While it does not provide all of the features popular to iPod or Microsoft Zune, it is an affordable option for those interested in having a MP3

Father s day trivia

1. A renowned poet and novelist as well as chair of poetry at the University of Cambridge, this academy award-winning actor’s father wrote mysteries under the pseudonym Nicholas Blake.

A. Jack Nicholson

B. Charlie Sheen

C. Daniel Day Lewis

D. Rob Schneider

C. Daniel Day Lewis

QQ: Sure it seemed like a hard question, but really you had a fifty-fifty shot, didn’t you? After all, we all know what Charlie Sheen’s dad does and last time I checked Rob Schneider wasn’t winning any academy awards.

2. Social scientists believe that the modern Western family developed largely from that of the ancient Hebrews for what reason?

A. Their families were patriarchal in structure

B. It was a matriarchal society

C. It was an oligarchy

D. The Hebrews called their god “Father”

A. Their families were patriarchal in structure

QQ: There, now you must feel better after The QuizQueen gave you an easy one…

3. Which “father” figure does NOT exist?

A. Father Cats

B. Father Dogs

C. Father Christmas

D. Father Divine

B. Father Dogs

QQ: Father Cats was a Dutch writer, Father Christmas is the English Santa Claus, and Father Divine was an American religious leader.

4. Who was first named “Father of His Country”?

A. George Washington

B. Thomas Jefferson

C. Emperor Augustus

D. Napoleon Bonaparte

C. Emperor Augustus

QQ: In 2 BC, the Roman emperor Augustus is made Pater Patriae (“Father of his Country”).

5. Which ancient Greek god was least likely to celebrate Father’s Day?

A. Zeus, father of the gods

B. Iapetus, the father of Prometheus

C. Hyperion, the father of the sun, the moon, and the dawn

D. Cronos, god of fertility

D. Cronos, god of fertility

QQ: That’s because Cronos (Kronus) castrated his father and protected himself from a similar fate by eating his children. Some fertility god, eh?

6. If you are a first-born son, is it a good thing or a bad thing for your father to practice primogeniture?

A. Good

B. Bad

C. It depends

D. Who cares

A. Good

QQ: That’s because your inheritance is guaranteed under this system. He can’t cut you out of the will no matter what!

7. American actor Robert Young starred in what 1950’s TV show dedicated to fathers?

A. Father Knows Best

B. Leave it to Daddy

C. My Three Fathers

D. I Dream Of Papa

A. Father Knows Best

QQ: This was a gimmee, wasn’t it?

8. Which “Make Room For Daddy” star fathered “That Girl”?

A. Danny Thomas

B. Carl Reiner

C. Monty Gleason

D. Jon Voight

A. Danny Thomas

QQ: Everyone knows that Marlo was “That Girl,” right?

9. Which “father” figure does NOT exist?

A. Father Flanagan

B. Father Coughlin

C. Father Damien

D. Father Clinton

D. Father Clinton

QQ: Well, OK, maybe Bill is a father, but that is certainly not what he’s known for! Father Flanagan (of course) founded Boys Town, Father Coughlin was a Canadian-American priest and activist, and Father Damien was a Belgian missionary.

10. The ancient Egyptian deity Amon was represented by what animal?

A. Ram

B. Lion

C. Dog

D. Rat

A. Ram

QQ: He was the father of the moon, according to the mythology.

11. Which was NOT one of Spencer Tracy’s “father”-ly roles?

A. Father of the Bride

B. Father’s Little Dividend

C. Boys Town (Father Flanagan)

D. Father Knows Best

D. Father Knows Best

QQ: That’s right, Spencer Tracy was the “Father of the Bride” long before Steve Martin!

12. Which society is NOT patrilineal?

A. Bedouin

B. Ewe

C. Shawnee

D. Tuareg

D. Tuareg

QQ: How many people guessed Ewe? That was pretty tricky of The QuizQueen wasn’t it!

13. According to Greek mythology, the god of sleep was the father of Morpheus. What was his name?

A. Hypnos

B. Doseus

C. Napinus

D. Snoozola

A. Hypnos

QQ: Hypnos god of sleep, often depicted carrying a poppy; son of Nyx, brother of Thanatos, and father of Morpheus

14. What blue-eyed crooner fathered a singer whose boots were made for walking?

A. Elvis Presley

B. Bing Crosby

C. Frank Sinatra

D. Ricky Nelson

C. Frank Sinatra

QQ: Nancy Sinatra recorded “These Boots Are Made For Walking” for those who don’t remember!

15. What happens when a father practices the custom of couvade?

A. He takes to his bed and complains of labor pains

B. He circumcises his son

C. He demands a DNA test to ascertain paternity

D. The male penguin assists the female by sitting on the nest

A. He takes to his bed and complains of labor pains

QQ: Documented by Marco Polo and modern anthropologists, it is taken to be an assertion of his rights and responsibilities as father in some cultures.

16. According to Greek mythology, who was the father of the gods and mortals?

A. Cronus

B. Hades

C. Poseidon

D. Zeus

D. Zeus

QQ: If Homer said it then it must be true! However, it was more an honorary title than a practical one.

17. The country singer Tex _____ fathered a star who among other things played a role on Three’s Company. What is Tex’s last name?

A. Ritter

B. Somers

C. Knotts

D. Williams

A. Ritter

QQ: And he was John Ritter’s Dad of course!

18. Can you name the father-son acting duo where the father was Spartacus and the son became president (on screen)?

A. Kirk and Michael

B. Donald and Kieffer

C. Martin and Charlie

D. James and Josh

A. Kirk and Michael

QQ: This would of course be the Douglases! Did you know that if Kirk hadn’t changed his name they would be the Danielovitchs?

Seo - exclusive blog content enhances seo

As you may or not be aware, some search engines search for exclusive, specific or rare content. They look for content on your site that is not available from other sources and once they find it they then rate your pages accordingly. The beautiful thing about blogging is that your content does not have to be long or elaborate in order to get across a unique, point or piece of information that will impress the search engine. In fact the basic structure of your log should consist of about two hundred and fifty words of commentary and server who link or two to some interesting sites (including something on your own!)

There are individuals who write longer blogs but instead go to other sources on the web and rewrite articles that they have found. The problem with this tact is that a search engine spider may be able to note if it has seen this type of information before and not rank your blog page very high.

It is also a good idea to lure the search engine spiders by adding material frequently to a blog. When you continually refresh material it keeps them coming back. For instance if you have a 1200 word article on search engine optimization you would like to post on a blog you are better off to divide that article into 400 word pieces and have each of them discussing a different virus. Dividing longer articles into shorter pieces is a way of making the most of its marketing potential.

It also helps if you think of your blog as having a specific goal or purpose that it must achieve. This is what will possibly make your exclusive content different then any other type of information that the search engine spiders and robots may have run across while searching for material to index. The more focused your goals are the more unique your blog content is likely to be.

Water exercise for arthritis relief - fun and effective

Everybody knows exercise is a significant part of staying healthy. As anyone with arthritis can tell you, though, when your joints say no to play, exercise goes from pleasurable and stimulating activity into a trial of how much pain you can tolerate.

The tendency when suffering from arthritis is to keep your joints as motionless as possible. The problem is that this leads to weakening of the muscles and tendons and a stiffening of joints, which makes the pain worse over time. It is a self-feeding cycle difficult to break out of.

One solution comes in the form of The Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program, a warm water exercise program designed by the Arthritis Foundation. Why warm water exercise? The warmth offered by hot water allows muscles to relax and intensifies circulation of blood to the joints. In fact, ever since the discovery of the first hot springs, humans have used the miracle of warm water baths to fight aching joints.

Besides reducing the pain in your joints, exercising in water permits body weight to be supported. This makes exercising in water easier, safer and more relaxing. Not only that, but the resistance that water provides as your body moves in it helps strengthen muscles

These days, what with spas, health clubs and backyard hot tubs, just about anyone has access to a pool of hot water to relax in. Not only does this bring some immediate relief of arthritis symptoms, but it also provides us with a great environment in which we can exercise.

You should consult your doctor before beginning water exercise. Water exercise is completely safe for most people, with a few exceptions. If you’ve have suffered serious joint damage or replacement surgery you may be among them. Your doctor will know what’s right for you. Also be aware of temperature. Water between 83 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for exercise. Anything over 100 degrees may be relaxing, but can lead to overheating. After you’ve gotten the doctor go ahead, it’s time to get started.

The Arthritis Foundation Aquatics Program exercises can be found in the free brochure "Water Exercise: Pools, Spas and Arthritis” from the Arthritis Foundation. Classes are also offered at local pools nationwide—contact your local Arthritis Foundation office for information. The classes are lead by a trained instructor, usually last between 45 minutes to an hour and are scheduled 2 to 3 times a week.

With a doctor’s guidance, whether at a local pool or at home, a water exercise program is a fun and effective way to combat arthritis and keep joints and muscles healthy.

Consider consumer counseling to help with debt

It can be a challenge today to not spending money when others around you are driving expensive cars and living in your dream home. A result of this due to the availability of credit today is that individuals forget amidst their spending that the money they borrow on credit just be repaid, and with interest.

It is not impossible for even rational individuals to be optimistic about their future ability to repay a loan. Believing that the monthly payments associated with a loan will not be a burden to repay, they take out the loan. Later, however, it may become obvious that the payments and money owing is outside their financial budget and possibilities. When the time comes that bill collectors being calling, consumer counseling may be a good choice to assist with credit card debt settlement. Should you find yourself unable to repay your debt and handle settle debt yourself, here is some advice in choosing a good consumer counseling service.

Start your search either online or in a phone book but beware of possible scans. If the organization claims they can repair your credit in a very short time, you are dealing with a concerning company and you continue your search.

Reputable and trustworthy credit counseling services will test you with some prerequisites before accepting you as a client. The perquisites may be different for each company, but the general requires are a source of income and a minimum amount of unsecured debt. If you have trouble with secured debt such as a car loan or mortgage, it may be difficult for them to help you.

When you first meet with your credit counselor, be sure to have copies of all statements from your current loan or credit accounts. They will need to know the specifics of your financial situation, such as the amount owed to the creditors, the current monthly payments and interest rates.

Thereafter, it is in the hands of the counselor. They will contact your creditors and negotiate a new monthly payment and lower interest rate. You can decide if you want to handle and submit the payments yourself or make a lump sum payment to the counseling service. If the latter is chosen, the counselor will make the payments to your creditors. Once an action plan is determined, the counselor will help you improve your general financial situation by creating a budget. A budget will help you avoid future debt and another financial situation. Today, there are even software programs to assist you in following and managing your budget. Of course, you can seek the advice of your counselor when you need it.

One last note, do not count of using your credit cards during the credit counseling process. The service will require you to sometimes cancel the cards or stop using them until you have repaid your debt and repaired your credit.

Top 10 school supplies

Pencils. Everyone needs pencils with a good eraser. When it comes to school supplies, the best type of pencil to have are the ones with refillable lead. This saves repeated trips to the pencil sharpener and is less likely to cause disruption in the classroom.

Pens. One of the most important things to have is a good writing pen. Even though most teachers prefer that work be done in pencil, there are always plenty of uses for pens. Blue and black ink are the most common among school supplies.

Ruled Notebooks. If possible, a separate notebook should be kept for each subject. This will help students to remain organized and will keep their school supplies in order.

Binder. Commonly used to hold loose paperwork and files, a binder usually has three metal rings that snap together with a loud click. This allows the student to know that his/her papers are secure and is a must-have when it comes to school supplies.

Pocket Calendar. A calendar is essential for every student for a variety of reasons. From something as simple as dating a test paper to keeping track of upcoming exams and homework deadlines, a pocket calendar is one of the most underrated school supplies in existence.

Cellular Phone. Though not to be used during class or in such a way that would be disruptive to learning, a cellular phone is an essential tool that every student should have in the way of school supplies. It is a smart student who always has a connection to the outside world for many reasons, including incase of an emergency or just to serve as a way of being able to be in constant contact with family.

Calculator. This device is among the most common of school supplies and is often used in math and accounting classes. While some educators do not allow them, others encourage their use in the classroom.

Highlighters. In order for a student to outline specific and important information, highlighters are often used. The most popular color is yellow and these handy little pens are commonly available at any retail store.

Folders. A folder is a terrific way to house test papers and loose homework assignments.

Permanent Marker. From time to time, students are required to write their name on computer disks, which must remain at school while not in use, or text books. A permanent marker is popular among school supplies and is a wonderful way to make sure that a name is not removed and will help an item to be easily identified should it ever become lost or stolen.

Test your shopping style and improve

Human beings come in many types. So do our styles vary. All of us have our own unique style. Let us discuss few and find out how to improve our shopping style and how to test our shopping style.

Immediate shopper - this kind of shopper looks at something, likes it, finds the price and buys it. This shopper does not think why and how that product is better to others, nor cares to compare any prices. I like it, so I buy it. Shopkeepers love this shopper.

Thoughtful Shopper - This shopper looks at a product, and thinks about it. Why should i buy it? Should I buy it? How will I use it? Will it be useful? Am I making a mistake buying it? Or should I buy it? What about the cost? This shopper will think about everything and then take a considered decision.

Confused Shopper - This shopper is confused. Does not know why he/she entered the shop at all? Why and what to buy? What will be the use? What about this? How about that? The shopper is confused about the whole shopping and is a big headache for the stores.

I Will Buy It Later - This buyer is a unique specimen. He/she will look at all the products. Discuss about few thoroughly and compare the prices. Will decide about what is to be bought and then suddenly walk out saying - I will buy it later.

What is your shopping style? What kind of shopper are you? What is the best style? The best way to buy something is of course to first know what we need, know our prices limits, search for the best, satisfy ourselves about the quality and then buy the product. The trouble is that very few people buy like that. As I said before human beings come in many types, now I add that humans are not rational animals.

Try some fun-shopping quizzes to find out you shopping style and enjoy life. Shopping is after all considered fun by most of us. Why not to have fun with that? Quizzing yourself about your shopping style is a fun way to find out more about yourself. The results can never be accurate, but fun is guaranteed.

Why should kids get allowances - the top 7 reasons

The question of whether allowances are right or wrong, is one that has been argued for many generations. Now it’s your turn, as a parent, to decide whether or not an allowance is the best way to educate your child about financial responsibility. There are many reasons given on why a regular payment of money to a child should or shouldn’t be done – ultimately I believe there is no right answer, it is up to each individual family to decide what is the best option for them. Through many years of working with parents and educators, these are the top seven reasons I keep hearing on the question of why should kids get allowances.

1. They learn to be wise with how they spend their money. It may help to teach them how to prioritise their spending, & learn from an early age what things are a waste of money.

2. They learn how to save money. Having a regular amount of money, may make it easier for them to establish good saving habits, as a certain percentage of the money from each payment can be placed into a savings account/piggy bank. Without an allowance, any money they receive, may simply be spent, with nothing going to savings.

3. They learn how to donate their money. A certain percentage of their money can also be allocated to donations to the needy, hopefully encouraging your child to be more thoughtful of others, & not greedy with their money.

4. They will learn how to budget their money so it lasts between payments. Eventually, most children will learn to be careful how they spend what limited money they have, so they don’t run out of money. This will only happen, if the parent doesn’t give in to the initial whining for more money when the mistake is first made!

5. They can learn to make mistakes with small amounts of money. Kids will learn how to manage their finances responsibly far quicker through being allowed to make mistakes themselves (and suffering the consequences), rather than being told how they should be managing their money by someone else. Parents need to be there to guide their children on how they should spend their money, but not dictate (unless there could be serious consequences from their mistakes).

6. They may stop nagging you for money. The idea is, if they are receiving a regular amount of money, and they have a good understanding of how to budget it then they will never run out of money, so won’t keep pestering you for more. Realistically, it will probably never put a complete end to the nagging for money, but it should reduce it.

7. You may end up forking out less money. If you sit down, and add up how much money you give your child during the week & how much you spend on items for them (e. g. clothing), it may actually work out cheaper to give them an allowance, and make them responsible for a lot of their purchases.

As I mentioned earlier, an allowance isn’t necessarily the best option for every family, but these are some of the reasons why many parents & educators believe an allowance is the only way to go. Some families though, may not have enough room in the family budget to provide their children with a regular payment, or may simply not believe in it for their own personal reasons. Either way you choose, I have seen with my own eyes, children from each side of the fence who have grown up to be exceptional money managers, and likewise children who seem to have no idea. Ultimately, it comes down to how much guidance a child receives from their parents/guardians on money – whether through an allowance or not.