VoIP46228

Have you ever read an article, intended to explain RSS in simple terms that, begins well, but soon descends into confusing jargon or information overload?

If so, take heart, I was in the same place a few months ago.

Often the best way to understand something, is to use it. RSS is no exception.

So rather than try and create a definitive explanation of RSS, this article will tell you how to use it. I guarantee once youve done so, everything will that much clearer.

If a website you visit utilizes RSS, there are a number of ways it will communicate this.

The most common way is to show a little orange button with the letters XML.

Alternatively, you may see words such as "ATOM", "RSS", "Site Feed" or variations on these.

What they have in common is that they will link to a webpage that, in most browsers, looks like gibberish.

It doesnt matter one way or another, what is important is the address of the web page they link to.

To demonstrate, I will relate how to read a site feed for my website, The Nettle Blog. Dont confuse RSS with blogs (web logs). They are two separate concepts. The only reason you see them together so often, is that blogs are the perfect website to take advantage of site feeds. More on that later. Here we go

Click on thislink to go the site feed for The Nettle Blog. Ignore the content in the window, just make a note of the URL in the web address bar. It should read: http://feeds.feedburner.com/thenettle

Now youve got the web address for the site feed, keep it safe somewhere. Youll need it again in a moment.

The next step is to use an RSS reader to make sense of the site feed. There are lots of these available and if you are a heavy user you would probably want to purchase a nice piece of software.

But to begin with, start with something simple and free. Start with Bloglines.

Go to www.bloglines.com/register/ and create a new account.

From the "My Feeds" section of your account you can add new site feeds you want to keep track of.

Select "ADD", enter the URL you copied and hit "Subscribe". You can preview the results, but skip that stage for now. Select "Subscribe" again and the title of the site feed will be transferred to the left-hand window.

Well done. You have now subscribed to your first RSS feed.

To read it just click on the title and you can view all the messages in that feed within a selected time period. The feed will most likely record news related to the website the feed belongs to.

In this instance, the site feed to The Nettle Blog records each new entry to my blog. If you find something of interest, most entries have a clickable link you can follow.

Anytime you find a website you like with a site feed, make a note of the URL for that site feed and add it to your Bloglines folder.

Now comes the clever bit.

In the left-hand column of your account is an "Extras" list. Select Download Notifier and choose the correct file to download the Bloglines Notifier This file is only 100k so any half-decent connection should complete the download in just a few seconds.

If the download is successful, you should see a small, blue icon with the letter "B". Double-clicking it will short-cut you to Bloglines.

Right-click on the icon and you can adjust the settings. Specify how often you want Bloglines to check messages for you.

When Bloglines checks your site feeds and finds that one or more have been updated, a little chime will play and the Bloglines icon will show a little red marker. This means one of the feeds you have subscribed to has something new to say.

So there you have it. A spam-free, hassle-free way to keep track of websites you have an interest in. Providing of course, that they have a site feed. If they dont, ask them why not.

Part two of this article will show webmaster and ezine publishers how they can easily publish a site feed for their website and track the visitors, free of charge.

// posted by voip40591 @ 11:29 PM 0 comments

The scenario:

A newlywed couple moves into their new home. After a couple of months, they realize that they have many more garbage bags than they need. However, they have not bought any garbage bags since they got married. Where did all of the garbage bags come from?

Your mission:

See how fast you can arrive at the correct solution by using the following clues:

1) The garbage bags were not a wedding gift2) The couple did not bring any garbage bags with them when they moved3) The bags were not in the couple's new home when they arrived4) The fact that the two people are newlyweds is irrelevant5) The type of home that the couple moved into is irrelevant6) The bags were made of plastic7) People gave the bags to the couple, but8) The bags were not any type of gift9) The bags are not "traditional" garbage bags10) The bags came in many colors.

The solution:

Have you figured out the solution yet? The garbage bags are actually plastic bags from grocery and other types of stores! The couple only has small garbage cans in their home, and the plastic bags fit perfectly inside of them. Plus, the handles make them very extremely easy to tie shut when they become full. The trash cans need to be emptied more often than larger cans would, but that small inconvenience is worth the savings. Yearly garbage bag expenses: $0.00!

In addition to the monetary reasons, reusing grocery bags is a simple way to recycle and eliminate the waste created by throwing away the plastic bags inside of another garbage bag. Once you have a good supply of plastic bags, consider taking an empty canvas bag or backpack with you to the grocery store. Check the bag with a store employee when you enter so that no one thinks that you are shoplifting. Then, when you are done shopping, skip getting a new bag and load your purchases into your own reusable bag instead.

A few other super-easy ways to save money and recycle:

Save scrap paper. Save any papers that have nothing on the back or large blank spaces. Advertising flyers, old work papers and school papers all work well. You can cut the pages into smaller pieces if they would be more convenient for you. Put the paper in a stack or a box with a pen nearby, and you'll never have to scramble when you need to jot down something. Spots near the base of your house phone or beside the computer are both great locations.

Save sturdy boxes from food, electronics, mailers, etc. Cover them with the Sunday comics or some previously-used wrapping paper. Label each box with a marker and use as stackable storage for recipes, comic books or just about anything else.

Save large, empty plastic soda and juice bottles. Fill them with water, and store in your freezer. Having less open space in your freezer will help it run more efficiently. And when you need more room in the freezer, simply take out one of the bottles of ice!

Save torn and worn out clothing. Tear or cut them into pieces and use as rags for cleaning and dusting.

// posted by voip40591 @ 11:20 PM 0 comments

There is value to be had backing the top 10 Championship teams who are drawn against teams lower than them in the league structure and you will obtain better odds than backing Premiership sides in similar circumstances.

During the 2003/04 season, Millwall were drawn at home three times and didnt meet another top 30 side until they faced Sunderland in the semi final. En-route to this match, they won three out of four games, beating Walsall @ 1.91 (h), Telford @ 1.60 (a) and Burnley @ 1.79 (h) before drawing at home to Tranmere in the quarter final, despite being odds on at 1.50. However, they made amends in the replay, winning at Prenton Park at odds of 2.32.

Backing Millwall to win each match before they faced Sunderland would have netted a profit of 26.20 for 10 level stakes, a 52% return on turnover.

Third Round
Millwall @ 1.91 vs Walsall. Result: 2-1
Forest vs WBA @ 2.30. Result: 1-0
Preston vs Reading @ 3.48. Result: 3-3
Sunderland @ 1.42 vs Hartlepool. Result: 1-0
Cardiff vs Sheff Utd @ 2.61. Result: 0-1
Ipswich @ 1.56 vs Derby. Result: 3-0

Third Round Replay
Reading @ 2.21 vs Preston. Result: 1-2

Fourth Round
Forest vs Sheff Utd @ 2.40. Result: 0-3
Telford vs Millwall @ 1.61. Result: 0-2

Fifth Round
Millwall @ 1.79 vs Burnley. Result: 1-0

Quarter Final
Millwall @ 1.56 vs Tranmere. Result: 0-0

Quarter Final Replay
Tranmere vs Millwall @ 2.32. Result: 1-2

Using this strategy to back all top 10 Championship sides against lower opposition produced a profit of 36.20 on level stakes of 10 across 12 matches.

There are five third round matches that qualify for this strategy, three of which sees top 10 sides face Championship opposition.

Sheff Utd @ 1.44 vs Colchester
Stoke @ 1.30 vs Tamworth
Wolves @ 1.72 vs Plymouth
Derby vs Burnley @ 3.00
Preston @ 1.57 vs Crewe

// posted by voip40591 @ 10:10 PM 0 comments

Our college-bound son just bought his first home at 21. He was able to buy a home for forty thousand under the appraised price, get a low interest rate, finance the closing costs, and pay no money down. How could he possibly do this? His credit score is over 700.

You can help your teenager prepare for his or her financial future by establishing a high credit rating. Offer your teenager these three crucial credit tips for a great financial future:

1. Start early. Begin by successfully managing a checking account-- the first credit requirement. Wells Fargo Bank has a program for children to open joint accounts with a parent as young as 13 years of age. For a free individual checking account, Washington Mutual requires a minimum age of 18 or a manager's approval for younger account holders.

2. Apply for a major credit card at 18. It's easier to get a first-class credit card with favorable rates and terms while a student attends college before the age of 22. Why do banks want to open accounts for students who have no credit history or employment? Because lenders know that college graduates in general make more money and also pay their bills on time. Also, most consumers don't like shopping around for credit and tend to keep their credit accounts. Therefore, lenders desire to establish strong relationships with the preferred market early in their credit experience.

This doesn't mean that you as the parent need to co-sign; banks expect parents to help out with the payments when necessary. Just be crystal clear with your child what you expect regarding debt management. The purpose is to teach responsibility and to establish credit--not to go into debt.

3. Manage the credit card account with credit scores in mind. Once the account is opened, encourage your child to use the card for necessities that would be purchased with cash--not luxuries--and to pay the debt before finance charges accrue. However, don't pay the entire balance off each month; let a little roll over at least every two months. Banks don't appreciate accounts paid in full each month. More important, paid accounts don't factor into the credit score as much as an account with a low balance.

Explain to you teenager that the purpose of using a credit card is to establish good credit. To do this, a credit card should never have a balance over 50% of the available credit. The best credit scores have accounts with only 10% of the credit line used.

Setting up a checking account and a credit card account helps your teenager learn about responsible money management, with the bonus of building strong credit to finance a home.

(c) Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher All rights reserved.

// posted by voip40591 @ 10:01 PM 0 comments

Today I was talking to a customer about why your Business needs Internet Marketing Strategy? We had a very interesting conversation. He said....

"I dont want to be number 1 in Google, I already have clients and I am doing well for B2B, so I dont expect to be top rankings in search engines. But I wanted to know how the website can be user friendly"?

Here is the interesting part. How the Website can me made user friendly"? Dont Google and other Search Engines expect the same too? Yes that is what all the search engines expect. The easier and useful for the users, the most importance it gives for ranking too.

Lets see some of the Guidelines by Google Google Says:

Make a site with a clear hierarchy and text links. Every page should be reachable from at least one static text link.

Why Google says that?So that it is easier for the users to have a clear hierarchy and text link, all users should be able to read. Text links helps everyone to view. No matter what browser, what version the user use. The text makes everyone to access. Users dont want to have trouble finding other pages, text link makes it easier to access other pages. If I want to buy something online, I want to know more about the company and their history, so I like to go read more about them. So make all the pages reachable from at least one static text link

Google Says:Offer a site map to your users with links that point to the important parts of your site. If the site map is larger than 100 or so links, you may want to break the site map into separate pages.

Why Google says that?Users dont want be lost exploring the site, they like to easily navigate your website like a shopping complex. In case even if they were lost they can go to the maps and find their destination. And once they view they view the map, It should be easier to find their destination, so organize your site maps

Google Says:Create a useful, information-rich site, and write pages that clearly and accurately describe your content.

Why Google says that?User wants to find useful information that is the reason they go online. To find information. Give visitors useful, valuable information. Give more links, tips and write articles about your expertise. Give some value to the users, they will come back to your site. Describe the content, not everyone using the internet is an expert. Help them to understand what the content is about.

Google Says:Think about the words users would type to find your pages, and make sure that your site actually includes those words within it.

Why Google says that?Keyword. The words users type to find your site. Have that word in the copy so that users know that this site is about that particular keyword. Make it easier for search engine to find your website and index it.

Google Says:Try to use text instead of images to display important names, content, or links. The Google crawler doesn't recognize text contained in images.

Why Google says that?No all users can view images. It might not be compatible in all browsers. Not only the users cant view even the crawlers doesn't recognize image.

Google Says:Make sure that your TITLE and ALT tags are descriptive and accurate.

Why Google says that?Give a Title and describe the alt tags. Alt tags are used to show what the image is about. Everyone needs a Title to recognize. Giving a title is giving a name. Help others know what this site is about by seeing the Title.

Google Says:Check for broken links and correct HTML.

Why Google says that?Nobody wants to view a bad URL or Error when they visit a site. When a user clicks on the links, they expect to go that page to view that page. Correct HTML helps and gives a standard to your website.

Google says:If you decide to use dynamic pages (i.e., the URL contains a "?" character), be aware that not every search engine spider crawls dynamic pages as well as static pages. It helps to keep the parameters short and the number of them few.

Why Google says that?If you have a dynamic page make is easier for users and search engines to navigate and find out. Dont confuse the users and the search engines

Google says:Keep the links on a given page to a reasonable number (fewer than 100).

Why Google says that?Dont fill the page with link, Limit your links, again dont confuse your users

// posted by voip40591 @ 8:04 PM 0 comments

Rick It was learned on Wednesday that former Flyers star and current Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet could be in some hot water with both the NHL and the New Jersey State Police, after authorities busted a sports gambling ring he helped finance. According to authorities, Operation Slap Shot (real creative title there guys, I guess Operation Icing and Operation Crosscheck were both already taken) uncovered a sports betting system that processed more than 1,000 wagers with a total of about $1.7 million on professional and collegiate sporting events during a 40-day period. Tocchet has been identified as a partner and financier of the ring (along with a New Jersey state trooper), and State Police also say that "Police Academy 5" star and wife of Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones, placed bets for players on the Coyotes.

No one involved has been accused of betting on hockey games, by the way. All bets were made on sports other than the NHL. So, were not talking about NHL players placing bets on their own games, like Pete Rose did. Still, this could be a major scandal for the NHL. Perhaps even more shocking to me was the fact that I had no idea that Rick Tocchet was still in the NHL! Did you know he was a coach on the Coyotes? And did you know that he and Wayne Gretzky, the Coyotes head coach, were BFFs? It got me to thinking with Tocchet turning to the gambling industry following his playing career (with a little coaching mixed in), what jobs do you think some ex-Flyers may be pursuing now that their playing career is finished, and what jobs do you think some current Flyers may pursue when they hang up the skates?

(Cue the dream sequence sound effects and graphics)

Mike Bullard Dentist (if anyone knows about dental work, it would be ol Gappy)
Tim Kerr Hunchback (years of back problems)
Dominic Roussel Motivational Speaker (centering around teamwork)
Ron Hextall Anger Management Coach (because he always kept a cool head)
Brian Propp Anything but a radio color analyst (damn, too late)
Peter Zezel Teen Magazine Editor (hell, he appeared in enough of those things anyway)
Eric Lindros Mafia Hit Man (fuhgeddaboutit)
Billy Tibbets Unemployed (its hard for a rapist to find a good job nowadays)
Kjell Samuelson Lumberjack (obviously)
Keith Primeau Lets just have Keith be able to run on a treadmill for 10 minutes without falling over before we give the guy a job
Chris Gratton Not sure exactly, but I do know that hed get a promotion then crumble under the pressure of higher expectations
Chris Therien First things first. Lets just get the guy to retire first and then we can figure out a job for him. RETIRE CHRIS!
Garth Snow Sofa Maker (hey, the guy likes padding)
Donald Brashear Professional Swimmer (just like the NHL, hed be the only black guy out there)

Those are just a few. And hey, lets make this interactive. Make sure to click on the forums link, reply to this column and add a couple of your own! You can use any current or former Flyer. Maybe theyll check in sometime if theyre low on ideas or worried about what theyre going to do when they decide to retire. In the end, theyll thank us.

In the meantime, Tocchet is expected to be arraigned within the next 7-10 days and will most likely be suspended by the NHL for his role in the gambling ring. And Rick, if you do end up having to do a little time in the pokey, tell Billy Tibbets we all said hello.

// posted by voip40591 @ 7:55 PM 0 comments

Pool tables come in 7-, 8-, or 9-foot lengths. The size you choose is a matter of available space, but keep in mind that tournament length is 9 feet. If youre a stickler for authenticity, go for the tournament length.

The pool table is comprised of a body, a bed, side cushions, a felt-covered surface, and pockets. The body can be made of wood, laminates, wood veneer, plastics, and sometimes metal. It can be simple and mass-produced, or it can be luxurious and ornately decorated. Some models will blow your mind with their unconventional styles!

The pool table bed is usually made of one piece of slate; this is the only type of surface that serious pool players will accept. Cheaper beds are available if you arent a stickler for sure lines and straight shots.

Cloth or felt color can come in a variety of colors. Sometimes a manufacturer or dealer will let you customize the color of your table when you buy it.

Brunswick is a leader in the industry. Brunswick offers over 34 models of pool tables, each uniquely distinct in overall style and flourish. Choose the Artisan model for sleek lines, the Greenbriar for a statelier centerpiece to your game room, or the Manhattan for a wood and stainless steel paean to the urban lifestyle! The Contender series from Brunswick offers some more affordable models, plus a few extra game tables like air hockey and foosball. You can visit the Brunswick website at brunswickbilliards.com. There you can build your own table by selecting a style, a cloth color, and even a size (7, 8, or 9 feet.) You can also learn more about the contemporary world of billiards.

// posted by voip40591 @ 4:47 PM 0 comments

When it comes to home repairs, you will want to make sure that you hire a reputable contractor. A good contractor can get the job done as inexpensively as possible and at the same time can provide you with quality service. In fact, finding a good contractor is a crucial move and if you fail to find one you may find that you will pay heavily for the mistake in the future. Let's take a look at what one should do when looking for a professional contractor for home repairs.

First, when you are looking for a professional repair person, don't just hire the first person you find in the phone book that has come to your home to give you an estimate. This is a common mistake that many consumers make. Just because the professional repair person that visits your home seems like a nice guy or gal doesn't mean they are. Remember, finding someone to make repairs in your home is not a personality contest; it's a quality contest, a contest that you are the judge of. Ultimately, your payment is the prize money and you don't want to give the prize money to a repair person that is really undeserving of it! What you must do then, is have several professionals visit your home and provide you with estimates. Review the estimates and use them to make your decision.

When the professional in question is visiting your home, ask them if they are properly insured and what that insurance covers. Find out what their established rules are and ask them for a copy of their contract so that you can review it if you so choose. Also find out about their experience: what kinds of jobs have they successfully completed in the past? What are their recommendations in terms of the work you need done? Ask them for recommendations if they have them and see if they possess and photographs of previous work they have done. Finally, don't be afraid to ask if you can call one of their previous clients for a recommendation.

Next, contact the Better Business Bureau or visit the Better Business Bureau on the web. See if any complaints have been lodged against the professionals you plan to hire. See if you can find out anything about their credentials and don't be afraid to ask questions when you are hiring a professional. If they have nothing to hide, they won't be uncomfortable answering your questions for you. Remember it is your hard earned money and your home that will be affected should the professional not be a true professional!

When you are hiring a contractor, remember that in essence, you are the employer. Just like any other job you will need to be thorough and interview the people you plan to hire. Ultimately, you are in charge of your money and your home and any professional will be completely aware of that fact and not be affronted by your investigative strategies.

// posted by voip40591 @ 4:39 PM 0 comments

A birthday party doesnt have to be a boring affair that everyone dreads coming to. Jazz it up with a theme and something memorable for all of the guests. If you want to stick with Happy Birthday as your theme, make it a famous one.

Find pictures of famous people celebrating birthdays - A movie star blowing out candles or a musician throwing their own party. Make them into posters and hang around the room or house hosting the party. Make it a game and have the guests guess who each actor and star is. Another fun game would be to find all of the TV and song clips of stars singing and make it a guessing game. Without showing who is singing, have people guess. Some famous renditions include Shirley Temple and Marilyn Monroe.

To decorate for a birthday party you need balloons and streamers. A party supply store will have every color imaginable to match your theme. Paper products like cups, napkins, silverware and tablecloths are also available for purchase to match. If you need assistance, any party planner would be glad to help.

Birthday parties can serve a meal or snacks. If you are having a small party, dinner can be planned. If it is a large party, finger foods or appetizers are cheaper and easier to provide for everyone. They make less of a mess too!

Birthday parties also require a cake! Hire a cake baker or create one yourself using pans from the party supply store. They come in large and small and have pattern books if you are looking for ideas. Candles, frosting and other cake decorations are also available.

Remember to take pictures of all your guests to include in a thank you card. Whether it is a party where they bring gifts or not, send them a note thanking them for sharing in your big day.

// posted by voip40591 @ 4:29 PM 0 comments

The value of knowing how to respond to an emergency has never been so clear, with one of the worst hurricane seasons ever behind us. Educating yourself on what to do in a flood, therefore, is one of the key disaster preparedness issues. Here are some valuable tips homeowners should be aware of when cleaning up damage left behind by a flood.

Dont Go Near the Water: Floodwaters can be some of the most contaminated water you will ever come in contact with. Seek medical attention right away if you or a family member has been exposed to flood waters for any length of time. Topical floodwater contact could lead to serious infections. If you believe you or anyone else has drunk floodwater, seek medical care at your local hospital or clinic as soon as possible, as the dangers of infection are even worse.

Tread Lightly: Stay out of any buildings or structures that still have floodwaters encircling them. Dont underestimate structural damage floodwaters can cause. A structure's foundation can be significantly weakened by floodwaters in relatively short periods of time, especially in older structures. Foundations can sink and become unstable, causing cracks and gaps in the flooring, even a house total collapse without warning. An apparently sound structure may also have suffered gas leaks, electrical damage, or water line damage, so you should steer clear of such buildings until local officials have declared them safe .

Wait Until the All-Clear: Just because the rain has stopped and the floodwater seems to be withdrawing, doesnt mean its safe to go home and start cleaning up. Of course youll be anxious to find out what damage if any has been done to your property, but sometimes, floodwater damage creates many a hazard that requires professional clean up before the area is cleared as safe to local area residents. Keep watching for information on the weather if you have access to local radio or television stations, which will inform you of any threat from incoming storms, or other floodwater-related dangers in your area.

Handle with Care: You should inspect flood-damaged buildings cautiously once local officials have judged the area safe. Start with examining your house carefully. Tread carefully; flood damage can weaken structures. Do not smoke inside the building. (gas leak hazard) Bring battery-operated flashlights or lanterns as electricity may be cut off. Study the floors, walls, doors, staircases, and windows closely to make sure the house is not in danger of collapsing, using the flashlight to look at the foundation for cracks or other signs of damage.

After you've examined the structural integrity of the building, check for damage to the utility systems. Find and note down damage to the building's gas, electrical, and sewage system. Check for gas leaks by listening for a small hissing noise and smelling the gas in the air. If you suspect a gas leak, shut off the main valve immediately and contact the gas company.

// posted by voip40591 @ 4:13 PM 0 comments

"Howdy, dude." Ernie the morning cook at Papa Ray's Family Restaurant in Centralia greeted me as he slid into my booth. "How's everything?" When Ernie sees me come in he throws potatoes on the grill. I always ask for my hashbrowns "burnt black, burnt black, burnt black . . . with an onion cut up in them." Ernie always complies, but likes to make sure that I got them like I want 'em. "Perfect," I said between crunchy, gravey covered bites.

This particular morning in late April Ernie had news for me. We both share a love for music. Ernie scours the thrift shops for rare "platters." I go to concerts. "I just heard that there's going to be a concert in Seattle with Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Keb Mo." It sounded like a strange paring, but I like strange things. Ernie knows that in addition to well-done hashbrowns I like Keb Mo and his Delta Blues.

As soon as I could get online I started looking for the concert. I found zip. I continued looking for the next couple of days and then cursed Ernie for his worthless, erroneous information.

A week before the concert in late May I saw a listing in Seattle paper for the concert at the Paramount. Ernie had been right and once again I had been let down by missing concert information on the internet. I tried to book tickets from the Paramount webpage (where there had previously been no information), but got no response. Phone calls to the Paramount only resulted in busy signals. My wife Peggy finally got tickets via scalpers at twice the listed price of $48.50 for the best seats. We had almost the same luck with accomodations. We like to stay in Seattle when we attend concerts rather than drive back to our home in North Tacoma.

Peg called our favorite hotels. They were all full. There were several conventions in town. She finally found a Bed & Breakfast, but they would only rent to us if we stayed for two nights. Later in the day after booking at the B & B we received word that another place could accomodate us for Friday evening, the night of the concert. We were amazed they had a vacancy especially after we checked into The Gaslight Inn.

We were up-graded to a very nice suite on the third floor of an old Capital Hill home. The suite is the third floor. The stairways get narrower and narrower as you climb from floor to floor. It was worth the climb. There is a picture window in the sitting room that looks out over Seattle. The furnishings are a nice mixture of antiques and modern. The kitchen came with tea bags, coffee, and a pint of half and half in the fridge.

The Gaslight is actually two homes that sit side by side. The main building has a nice pool is the backyard. Our building had a parking lot as a backyard. I'm not complaining. We could have used the pool. We did use the parking lot.

Both homes had plenty of art, on the walls, on the furniture and hanging from the ceiling. In our room there was a chandelier. It was wrought iron with a circular base. There were no actual lights on it. There was a round piece of clear glass with three pieces of overlapping hand-blown glass plates sitting on the base. Spotlights from the ceiling shown through the glass art. Other pieces of hand-blown glass (matching) are found throughout.

If you're going to attend a concert in Seattle, you just have to eat in Seattle. We had dinner at the Desert Fire. We were short of time so we only ordered an appetizer plate. We've had it before, so we knew that it would be enough. It was served quickly. We ate and hurried off to the concert.

The concert was a benefit for the Songbird Foundation. The forests of Central and South America are being cut down. Some of our local songbirds winter in Brazil. Without their habitat, we may lose the songbirds. The forests are being cleared so that coffee can be grown. The best coffee is grown in the shade, but of course you can get a better yield by growing coffee in the sun. We can save the songbirds by drinking coffee that has been grown in the shade. Voting with your cup. That's my kind of support.

The concert was one of the best concerts Peg and I have ever attended. The mood was relaxed, fun, and spontaneous. Keb Mo (Kevin Moore) was introduced early before the stage hands had the mics and stands set up. Kevin came out and started speaking into a microphone which was whipped out from under him. He moved to the next one and said, "Usually they just tell me to get out of the way."

Almost everyone performed accompanied only by their own guitar. Instead of sounding hollow with missing background singers and instrumentation, however the music took on a homey feel. It felt like the performers were good friends who stopped by not to entertain, but to share their music. The concert felt comfortable. At one point Bonnie mentioned that she had changed the lyrics of one song. "I'll be right back, " she said as she ran off the stage. She came back a few seconds later and explained that even though she's over fifty she doesn't need glasses. She placed the lyrics on the floor about five feet in front of her and sat down at an electric piano.

Near the end everyone joined together. Bonnie called Kevin out to sing even though he didn't know the song. Then Bonnie made Jackson take a verse that started out, "When I was a young girl." The crowd as well as the performers were enjoying themselves. My favorite song was done by Keb Mo. It was "Victim of Comfort". Aren't we all?

The music was wonderful. The concert was fun. I owe Ernie an apology and my thanks. The next time I order hashbrowns I'll make sure he gets a decent tip, if they're "burnt black, burnt black, burnt black . . . with an onion cut up in them."

// posted by voip40591 @ 4:01 PM 0 comments

The Kirby vacuum cleaner, along with the Rainbow vacuum and the Thermax vacuum were instrumental in changing the way people in American clean their carpets. In the old days before the vacuum cleaner was invented, people had several different ways to get their rugs clean. Remember the old rug beaters?

A rug beater was very simple to use. All you had to do was take your dirty old rug outside and hang it on some suitable length of rope or wire. Generally, you would find that everyone used the clothes line. If you are under 30 years old you may be scratching your head and saying to yourself, "what's a clothes line?".

A clothes line was simply a small rope strung out between two poles or posts. It was then used to hang wet clothes on, in an orderly fashion, in the hopes that the cloudly overcast would go away and let some of the bright sunshine in on your wet clothes. Hanging wet clothes out on a clothes line was also used to control the weather in some regions of the country. If your city had been experiencing a drought, all you had to do was let the laundry get almost dry and it was a sure fire way to make it rain.

Back to the dirty rug. After hanging your diry rug on the clothes line (remember, the Kirby vacuum cleaner hadn't been invented yet) you simply take your son's old baseball bat and beat the dickens out of the rug. Seemly endless clouds of dust will appear and cover you and every thing in your back yard with black powder. At this point you need to hang some wet clothes on the clothes line so that at least you will get a shower to settle the dust. Which, now that I think about it would solve your dirty rug problem too.

// posted by voip40591 @ 3:50 PM 0 comments

As soccer is one of the most well loved sports on Earth, many children and adults are lured into participating in playing on a daily basis. Due to this wide spread popularity, soccer injuries are very common.

With over 80,000 adults and children going to emergency rooms every year as a result of soccer, knowing the safety rules is vital. When playing and watching, there are certain things that you should always be aware of so that you and your teammates or family members are not among those hurt through either playing or watching. There are several categories of safety rules that you should be aware of. These consist of the following:

• On Field Safety

• Goal Safety

• Stadium Safety

• Equipment

• Weather Safety

• Miscellaneous Accessories

On Field Safety

Of all of the categories, on field safety is the one that players are constantly aware of. This is where most children and adults are injured. Whether it is a sprained ankle from tripping over the ball, collisions, and other accidents, there are several things that you can do to prevent injury. Sprained ankles are one of the most common soccer injuries, as there is a great deal of foot work involved.

These injuries can be avoided by using a slight amount of caution when passing or receiving the ball, as well as taking care when running down the field. Proper foot position when handling the ball is one of the most effective ways at preventing this type of injury. Unfortunately, accidents will happen, regardless of how careful you are. By being diligent, you can make certain whatever injuries you sustain are minor and should not interfere with future game play. The key rule to preventing injuries on the field is to always be observant. Know where the ball is and know who is around you.

Goal Safety

Whether you are the goalie, or a player on defense, the goal can occasionally become a safety hazard. In most instances, collisions with goal or goalie are caused by lack of observation. Whether you trip and fall into the goal posts, or hit the goalie by accident, you need to make certain that you are always watching where you going when moving in to score. Not only can this action cause injury, it can also get you carded which could potentially have you removed from the game.

Another point to consider when shopping for 8 x 24 soccer goals, is to consider goals with rounded posts instead of square posts. When colliding with a post, you're more likely to skip off a rounded one and avoid serious injury.

Stadium Safety

For parents, guardians and friends, there are a few stadium safety tips that tend to be neglected when the subject of soccer safety comes up. Occasionally a player can lose control of the soccer ball, and it enter the stands where you are observing the game. Injuries due to being hit with the ball, or any other piece of equipment that flies your way, can be easily prevented by making certain you pay attention at all times.

Running through the stands, or through the player's area can be dangerous to you and others. As a rule, common sense is the best safety precaution you have. If it involves doing something that could harm yourself or others, such as walking over the back of the bleachers, climbing over people and tall benches, it should be avoided for your sake and others.

Equipment

Without soccer safety equipment, all of the in game rules would be ineffective. Shin guards, cleats, jerseys and proper fitting shorts and socks all work together to ensure that every player can enjoy the game without being at high risk of injury. Shin guards are used to prevent bruising or breaking of the lower portion of the leg, where cleats and soccer balls are highly likely to hit you. Without these, such as lotto shin guards, you put yourself at high risk.

Wearing a proper pair of cleats, such as the ones designed by Nike, gives you more grip into the turf. This grip helps to prevent sprains and breaks in the ankles. These shoes also give your feet adequate protection from other pairs of cleats and impact with the soccer ball.

Proper fitting clothing, ranging from the jersey, shorts and socks, contribute to player comfort. This is important, as distractions from the game can lead to injuries to yourself and others. It is always advisable to wear your proper jerseys to practice or to games. Specially designed jerseys and shorts are designed to handle the rigors of soccer. The fabric in particular is designed to stand up against grass stains as well as be comfortable.

Weather

One aspect of soccer safety that is forgotten by many players and parents is weather conditions. Playing in the rain can be a fun, invigorating experience, treasured by players for years to come. Despite this, playing in muddy conditions is dangerous. The slipping and sliding that creates a great deal of the enjoyment taken from playing soccer in the rain leaves room for a wide variety of different injuries. If you choose to play soccer in the rain, make certain you take every precaution possible, from wearing cleats, guards and your protective gear.

When a full fledged storm comes up, complete with thunder and lightning, game play should be ended immediately. A soccer field is the worst place to be in the middle of a lightning storm, and parents as well as players have been killed or maimed by lightning. If lightning is spotted and your referee does not end the game, you should still leave the field as soon as possible.

Miscellaneous Accessories

Before you play soccer, you need to make certain that you are not wearing miscellaneous accessories such as earrings, anklets and other pieces of jewelry that could be broken or cause harm. Earrings in particular are prone to being torn from earlobes when contact is made with a soccer ball. By removing these pieces of jewelry and other items of this nature, you can help prevent injuries to yourself that could be disfiguring. If you are considering getting piercings and you play soccer, you may want to consider planning to have your piercings done when the soccer season is over.

If you keep all of these things in mind while playing or observing soccer games, you should be able to enjoy the sport while being at low risk of injury.

// posted by voip40591 @ 3:15 PM 0 comments

Adjustable beds are all the rage since they enable people to have a good night's sleep as well as being able to cure their erratic sleeping patterns as well as other illnesses that are attributed to poor sleeping habits. Adjustable electric beds, however, are a hybrid of the two popular beds, the adjustable bed as well as the electric beds - comes in full force with various key features that will make sleeping an incredibly great experience for you.

Adjustable electric beds have all sorts of great features -

- The optional headboard hugger mechanisms- Objects on the night table will be easy to reach- Easy remote controls- Adjustable leverage- No wires- Maximum comfort- Vibrating massage function

1. Two Motors

Another great feature of the adjustable electric bed - two motors are provided for the full support of a person's body to maximize the relaxation benefits. The motors are extremely quiet and can be controlled at the touch of a button.

2. Standard or custom mattresses

Choose from the mattresses that best support your body so that you will be ensured with a good night's sleep.

There are four sizes for the adjustable electric bed that people can choose from -

- Twin extra long is a 38x80 mattress- Full extra long adjustable electric bed is sized at a 54x80 mattress- Queen sized adjustable electric bed is a 60x80 mattress- Dual king is the size of two twin extra long adjustable electric bed units placed side by side

3. Benefits of Adjustable Beds

There are a lot of healthy benefits from the adjustable electric beds. From curing insomnia to waking up feeling refreshed and totally relaxed. The adjustable electric beds are able to give people the proper support that their bodies need so as to relieve tension from the various pressure points in the body. Adjustable electric beds can equally distribute the weight of a person to avoid aching joints or sore body parts.

An adjustable electric bed is really a great investment for people who want to be able to fully enjoy the comforts of being able to sleep soundly on a bed that can also cater to their sleeping needs. Everyone from people who are overworked at the office or just stressed over just about anything. It will be able to clear your head from such thoughts as you sleep so that you will feel energized and rejuvenated the following morning. Stress free people are proven to be more efficient and productive employees as compared to those who are overworked and highly stressed.

// posted by voip40591 @ 3:15 PM 0 comments

You can make a fortune in business without really trying, however, most people do nothing of the kind. Many more people try really hard and make little or nothing. Why does this happen. In many cases its because although they work hard, they fail to work smart. They expend far too much effort for meager returns. Perhaps this is you. Youve tried everything. Online business, offline business, eBay, you name it, youve tried it. Why has nothing worked?

It doesnt matter weather you are just beginning a home based business or have been running a business for years, there are certain things you must do in order to become successful. The first is planning. Its often been said that those that fail to plan, plan to fail. Do a business plan. A good business plan will cover all aspects of your business. It should include your service or product line, your marketing plan and a timeline for the future. You should have a good financial plan as well. Where will your revenue come from? Where will it go?

Do you need capital to begin or expand your business? If you plan on seeking financing, either from conventional sources, such as banks, or other sources such as private investors, they will want to see how you plan to spend their money. This will help them evaluate your chances of success. After all, your ability to repay the loan or increase the value of their shares depends upon how you will be using their money.

A business plan will also enable you to plan for contingencies so you can effectively deal with them. The more you can plan for risk, the better you will be able to mitigate them. You dont want to be waylaid by something unexpected that could cost you dearly. Youll never be able to anticipate all business problems, but you can plan for as many as possible.

The next thing you need to do is execute your plan effectively. Many great plans, in business, sports and war have been undone by poor execution. Youll probably need to make changes to your business plan due to unforeseen circumstances or opportunities. These are similar to the halftime adjustments made by a football coach. Its often the coach or business owner who makes better adjustments that is the most successful.

The third thing you must do is test everything. You should test your marketing and advertising to determine what gives you the best R.O.I. If you are doing pay per click advertising or other online advertising, you have an advantage in that you can very quickly see the results of any changes you make. Youll probably see big differences from small changes. For example, headlines can often give very different results from just one or two word differences. The only way youll know is through rigorous testing. Test different product mixes to see what sells the best to your market. Do lots of research and find a good niche to market to and then test, test, test.

These three things, planning, execution, and thorough testing combined with the resultant changes, can make you a fortune in your business. Failure to do any of these things properly can limit your profit and chances for ultimate success.

// posted by voip40591 @ 3:08 PM 0 comments

You or someone in your life has worked hard for many years. Retirement is just around the corner and so is a big party! The retirement party can follow a theme, be a complete surprise or even a small, intimate gathering. Whatever you decide, a party supply store will have all of the products you need for a successful celebration.

When sending invitations out, include an old picture from the retirees workplace. If the guests work with the honoree, have them write down or remember old memories to share at the party. You can also ask if they have pictures from the job that can be included in a scrapbook for the retiree.

A scrapbook detailing their career and all of the accomplishments is a great gift. Make copies of any certificates, awards or pictures with important people to include. Have guests sign the book and add their own good wishes for the retiree. Take lots of pictures, and after the party add pictures of the person by their signature in the scrapbook.

A retirement party requires decorations. If you pick a theme, a party supply store will have all of the paper products such as plates, napkins, silverware and cups you need. If you dont want a theme, they have plain colors available in every shade. Balloons and crepe paper also coordinate with all of the supplies and make your party extra festive.

Personalized banners can be made with the retirees name and start and end date of working. Party favors can also be given out to everyone in the shape of a timecard, lunch pail or whatever matches your theme.

Games to play at a Retirement Party could involve the gift giving. Make it gag gifts only so the entertainment is covered, as well as some fun. Think of some trivia questions about the company the retiree worked for and who has the most right answers. Have fun!

// posted by voip40591 @ 2:46 PM 0 comments

Alan Shearer broke Jackie Milburn's all-time Newcastle scoring record with his 201st goal in a vital 2-0 win over relegation strugglers Portsmouth. The Magpies were playing their first match under temporary manager Glenn Roeder and were 4/5 to win before kick off. An opener from Charles NZogbia and a second from Shearer gave Newcastle their first Premiership win in seven attempts.

In another personal goal scoring feat, Thierry Henry netted his 200th goal for Arsenal as the Gunners overcame their away day fragility to win 2-0 at Birmingham City. Arsene Wengers side had not won away since beating Charlton Athletic on Boxing Day and will have had plenty of support at 11/10 against bottom-three Birmingham. A debut goal for Emmanuel Adebayor and Henrys landmark strike was enough to keep Arsenal in fifth place.

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premiership by 15 points after beating Liverpool 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. The rather generous 10/11 on offer of a home win will have had punters drooling and goals for William Gallas and Hernan Crespo secured the Blues 21st win in 24 league matches this season.

West Bromwich Albion did their relegation battle the power of good with a convincing 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns. The Baggies have won more home games than any of their rivals in the bottom seven and were an attractive proposition to punters at 19/10. Kevin Campbell marked his 36th birthday with a goal and Jonathan Greening secured the points after 32 minutes.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough slipped closer to the relegation places when they succumbed 4-0 at home to Aston Villa. A Luke Moore hat-trick and one for former England striker Kevin Phillips secured victory at 21/10 and Middlesbrough, with just one win in their last 11 Premiership matches, can be backed at 9/2 for relegation.

West Ham United condemned Sunderland to their fifth defeat in six league matches with a 2-0 win at Upton Park. At 1/2, the Hammers will have been on many punters accumulators but it took until 81 minutes for Dean Ashton to break the deadlock and repay some of the 7.25 million invested in him.

On Sunday, Jermaine Defoe continued Tottenham's claims for a Champions League spot with a brace against former club Charlton Athletic. Despite never beating thr Addicks at home in the Premiership, Spurs were odds on at 4/5 before kick off. Two Defoe goals sandwiched Jermain Jenas strike while Jerome Thomas goal after 70 minutes was a mere consolation for Charlton.

// posted by voip40591 @ 2:43 PM 0 comments

It is common to hear fitness professionals and medical doctors prescribe low to moderate intensity aerobic training (cardio) to people who are trying to prevent heart disease or lose weight. Most often, the recommendations constitute something along the lines of "perform 30-60 minutes of steady pace cardio 3-5 times per week maintaining your heart rate at a moderate level". Before you just give in to this popular belief and become the "hamster on the wheel" doing endless hours of boring cardio, I'd like you to consider some recent scientific research that indicates that steady pace endurance cardio work may not be all it's cracked up to be.

First, realize that our bodies are designed to perform physical activity in bursts of exertion followed by recovery, or stop-and-go movement instead of steady state movement. Recent research is suggesting that physical variability is one of the most important aspects to consider in your training. This tendency can be seen throughout nature as all animals demonstrate stop-and-go motion instead of steady state motion. In fact, humans are the only creatures in nature that attempt to do "endurance" type physical activities. Most competitive sports (with the exception of endurance running or cycling) are also based on stop-and-go movement or short bursts of exertion followed by recovery. To examine an example of the different effects of endurance or steady state training versus stop-and-go training, consider the physiques of marathoners versus sprinters. Most sprinters carry a physique that is very lean, muscular, and powerful looking, while the typical dedicated marathoner is more often emaciated and sickly looking. Now which would you rather resemble?

Another factor to keep in mind regarding the benefits of physical variability is the internal effect of various forms of exercise on our body. Scientists have known that excessive steady state endurance exercise (different for everyone, but sometimes defined as greater than 60 minutes per session most days of the week) increases free radical production in the body, can degenerate joints, reduces immune function, causes muscle wasting, and can cause a pro-inflammatory response in the body that can potentially lead to chronic diseases. On the other hand, highly variable cyclic training has been linked to increased anti-oxidant production in the body and an anti-inflammatory response, a more efficient nitric oxide response (which can encourage a healthy cardiovascular system), and an increased metabolic rate response (which can assist with weight loss).

Furthermore, steady state endurance training only trains the heart at one specific heart rate range and doesn't train it to respond to various every day stressors. On the other hand, highly variable cyclic training teaches the heart to respond to and recover from a variety of demands making it less likely to fail when you need it. Think about it this way -- Exercise that trains your heart to rapidly increase and rapidly decrease will make your heart more capable of handling everyday stress. Stress can cause your blood pressure and heart rate to increase rapidly. Steady state jogging and other endurance training does not train your heart to be able to handle rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure.

The important aspect of variable cyclic training that makes it superior over steady state cardio is the recovery period in between bursts of exertion. That recovery period is crucially important for the body to elicit a healthy response to an exercise stimulus. Another benefit of variable cyclic training is that it is much more interesting and has lower drop-out rates than long boring steady state cardio programs.

To summarize, some of the potential benefits of variable cyclic training compared to steady state endurance training are as follows: improved cardiovascular health, increased anti-oxidant protection, improved immune function, reduced risk for joint wear and tear, reduced muscle wasting, increased residual metabolic rate following exercise, and an increased capacity for the heart to handle life's every day stressors. There are many ways you can reap the benefits of stop-and-go or variable intensity physical training. One of the absolute most effective forms of variable intensity training to really reduce body fat and bring out serious muscular definition is performing wind sprints.

Most competitive sports such as football, basketball, racquetball, tennis, hockey, etc. are naturally comprised of highly variable stop-and-go motion. In addition, weight training naturally incorporates short bursts of exertion followed by recovery periods. High intensity interval training (varying between high and low intensity intervals on any piece of cardio equipment) is yet another training method that utilizes exertion and recovery periods. For example, an interval training session on the treadmill could look something like this:

Warm-up for 3-4 minutes at a fast walk or light jog;
Interval 1 - run at 8.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 2 - walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Interval 3 - run at 10.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 4 - walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Repeat those 4 intervals 4 times for a very intense 20-minute workout.

The take-away message from this article is to try to train your body at highly variable intensity rates for the majority of your workouts to get the most beneficial response in terms of heart health, fat loss, and muscle maintenance.

// posted by voip40591 @ 2:12 PM 0 comments