10 ways music can help you during the holidays

This might be a time of year where you’re looking for, oh, some different ways to soothe, level, motivate, energize yourself and otherwise get on top of your cascading emotions. The EQ Foundation Course© emphasizes the great arts as an adjunct to Emotional Intelligence, though the not-so-great are helpful too. May we suggest?

1. Need to get solidly centered

Like, as the metaphysicians say, when you vision yourself growing a tail and having it grow like an anchor down to the center of the earth kind of centered?

Try anything with a big solid bass, up loud, but make sure the lyrics don’t interfere. The right-brain will dominate and you’ll hear the music first, but your left-brain will still be getting the lyrics. Therefore avoid, for instance, "Oh Elizabeth" with it's solid beat but sad lyrics.

OUR SUGGESTION: “I Loved ‘Em Everyone,” by T. G. Sheppard

2. Need to deal with something heavy, such as last year your father died on Christmas Eve and here comes the first anniversary

OUR SUGGESTION: Only classical music will work for this and that’s why we call it classical. For such a deep need, to maintain your grip when something’s rocked the foundation of your world, we recommend, Beethoven’s “Eroica”.

"Eroica" means "heroic" and that you will need to be. Beethoven lived through the worst thing that can happen to a person. It’s there, in his music. For you.

3. To get lightly level

OUR SUGGESTION: Nothing will probably ever compare to Pachelbel’s "Canon". After that we give 5 stars to George Winston, particularly “December.” Good masseuses play these tapes. There are no ups and downs and that may be just what you're aiming at. :)

4. To rip the heart out of Christmas, like when you want to just sit down in front of the tree and cry at the beauty and the splendor of it all and get it over with and then eat a pint of Haagen Daz and go to sleep.

OUR SUGGESTION: Pavorotti's Christmas video ( youtube. com), Panis Angelicus duet with the little boy, especially if you had a little boy who now has whiskers on his cheeks. Or Placido Domingo with the Vienna Boys Choir. Then you can pull out your heart and put it on the table beside you, right there beside the dish of peppermints, and the cinnamon-scented candle, and you'll know you had Christmas.

5. Want something Christmassy but light

OUR SUGGESTION: Harp music is good for this, like for baking cookies to. It doesn’t pull the emotions. It’s close to the lyre, the instrument the Greek god Orpheus played to soothe the savage beasts, and to win a favor from Hades, the god to whom there is no altar (death), the god with whom there is no bargaining.

Completely upbeat, light and fun is "A Reggae Christmas," by Various Artists, and yes, my friend, "sensei" does rhyme with "pear tree." Listen to it on the way in to work. That's girl's laughter will carry you through your day. Go here ( tinyurl. com/y6sp ) to hear samples. Listen to it on the way in to work. That's girl's laughter will carry you through your day. (The Ras Family, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas") And June Lodge's "Joy to the World" will bring joy to YOUR world.

6. Need to get some work done, sick of Christmas, got the kids around, underfoot and bored?

GP RECOMMENDATION: (1) "Great Balls of Fire," Jerry Lee Lewis. How could you possibly be “mindful” with that going on? It’s great fun. It will clear the air. (2) "Don't Worry Be Happy," by Marley.

NC-17 RATED VERSION: The Pogues with Kristy MacColl, "Fairytale of New York". "It was Christmas Eve in the drunk tank ... The boys of the NYPD Choir were singing 'Gallway Bay' and the bells were ringing out on Christmas Day," and C. D.'s favorite line, a wry and melancholic Irish lad himself, God rest his soul in peace, "You scum bag, you maggot you cheap lousy ..., Happy Christmas your ass, I thank God it's our last." Ah, the Irish, they would've conquered the world were it not for .... No cards and letters, please. Sometimes ya gotta vent. That's what art is for, catharsis. (P. S. Use your EQ; don't take "it" out on your partner.)

7. The out-laws are coming, I mean the IN-laws, and you, exhausted, crabby and high on sugar as you are, must clean the house and you aren’t exactly in the MOOD for a Christmas Carol, if you know what I mean

OUR G SUGGESTION: If you haven’t cleaned house with your two preschoolers marching along behind you to a John Philip Sousa march, you haven’t lived. Give the little one a paper hat and get out his toy drum. Ok, now quit laughing and taking pictures and get back to work, you!

OUR PG SUGGESTION: Got older kids you need to get working with you? Call it "the main event," and put on the Jock Jams, "Let's Get Ready to Rumble."

OUR X RATED SUGGESTION: You and your partner put "Cotton Eyed Joe" on -- I mean the Texas version – and invent your own lyrics appropos to the, um, challenges of the moment. (This is popular at office holiday parties with adjusted lyrics as well!) And DO the Cotton Eye Joe as you push that vacuum around. Here's how ( wikihow. com/Do-the-Cotton-Eyed-Joe-Dance ).

8. Need to be inspired and also to get in touch with the spiritual side of Christmas

OUR SUGGESTION: Handel's “Messiah, Hallelujah Chorus,” of course. Just the chorus, unless you're an aficionado and can afford to tire yourself out.

Remember, if you will, that when you hear "The Hallelujah Chorus," you are to stand up. Do this. Right there at home in your living room. It will do something for you.

9. Now, or any time you’re beginning to feel just slightly resentful of all your “blessings”

OUR SUGGESTION: “Lord, What Did I Ever Do,” by the Oak Ridge Boys is great for attitude adjustment.

10. For the peace that passeth understanding

OUR SUGGESTION: Stille Naq, Noite de Paz, Noche de Paz, Sainte Nuit, Cicha Noc, Glade Jul, Stille Nacht, Po La`i E, or, as many of us know it, Silent Night, the lullaby that's been translated into every language on earth, composed by the greatest unsung duo in musical history, Mohr (lyrics) and Gruber (melody).

We also recommend "Ave Maria." Especially the Caccini, arranged by Brinums, sung by Inessa Galante, available here: dimusic. co. uk/Caccdeb2.ram . For more, see susandunn. cc/vivoperlei. htm .

Let them still your heart and bring you peace.

Understanding idiopathic medical conditions

In medical terminology, nosology is known as the branch of medicine that deals with the classification of medical conditions and diseases. Body conditions and diseases are generally classified according to symptoms, causes, as well as the organ systems involved.

One of the main problems in this branch of medicine, however, is classifying medical conditions and diseases that have hard to define causes or origins. As such, medical cases or conditions that have unidentifiable causes or nature are considered idiopathic.

What is idiopathic in medicine?

Idiopathic is generally referred to medical cases or conditions that do not have specific causes or origins. Idiopathic, which is coined from the Greek words idios, meaning one’s own and pathos as suffering, is commonly accredited to unique or self-originated types of conditions and diseases.

Most medical conditions or ailments today have fixed causes or origins. However, there are some cases when one or more causes cannot be determined or understood by medical professionals. To reiterate what is explained above, these conditions are then referred to as idiopathic.

During the early years, the number of medical cases with unknown origins is significantly large. As scientific and medical advancements continue to flourish, the number of medical conditions that are noted as idiopathic is considerably dropping. Experts are now discovering more root causes to a large percentage of ailments that have unknown nature.

Medical diseases and disorders that are considered idiopathic

1. Acute idiopathic polyneuritis

Also called as the Guillain-Barre syndrome, the acute idiopathic polyneuritis is among the many types of diseases that is reported to have one or more unknown causes. This condition is generally characterized by continuous symmetrical paralysis that commonly begins in the leg. Individuals who are diagnosed with this disorder also suffer from the subsequent loss of the reflexes.

2. Idiopathic scoliosis

Scoliosis is also a body disorder that is regarded as idiopathic. This condition is generally a lateral curvature of the human spine that is due to undefined causes. Scoliosis is defined according to the age when the condition starts to develop. Infantile idiopathic scoliosis is termed for patients who are three years old and below; juvenile idiopathic scoliosis for those who are between three and 10; and adolescent scoliosis for patients who are 10 years old and above.

3. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is known as the scarring of the human lungs. This medical condition can root to a number of ailments. However, pulmonary fibrosis may trigger without a distinguished cause at all. As such, this condition is thereby considered idiopathic by most medical experts. The common symptoms of this ailment are coughing, shortness of breath, and loss of interest in physical activities. Individuals diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis are recommended to consult lung specialists.

4. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP is a condition wherein an individual has a considerably low platelet count. This is considered idiopathic for it can occur for no apparent cause at all. Experts, however, relate most of this condition’s causes to antibodies against platelets. Known symptoms of ITP are skin discoloration and diathesis.

How to be more confident with women

Self-confidence is a major factor which can determine the success of a man towards approaching a woman. It can make or break a relationship in a snap.

Self-confidence is generally defined as one’s view of himself, his capabilities and his potentials. There are men who are plainly wrong in giving all of their efforts to deliver what women want. This is wrong in the sense that one must love oneself before he can love others.

Courting and dating are pretty much like having a job interview. A job interview aims to assess one’s abilities and confidence. An applicant can actually make up stories about his experience and his talents, that’s why the employer assesses him mostly on how he presents himself and on his confidence. This is also the main principle behind being with women.

So how does one develop confidence towards women? Here are some ways on how a guy can be better in dealing with girls:

- Take some time out for yourself

Again, it all begins with oneself. If a guy has low confidence towards women, he might want to give himself some time away from women and stop trying for a while. He may want to list down the things that he doesn’t like with himself, his insecurities in life and his fears. He may then proceed into detailed assessment of the reasons behind such negative thoughts about himself. Then, he must propose solutions for his own betterment.

The solutions should be carried out with dedication and inspiration. This move will not only make a man more confident amidst women, but amidst anyone in general. If one sees oneself with beauty, then he will become more confident.

-Don’t be afraid of women

Some men are simply afraid of women. For some reason, even the thought of approaching women scares them. Hopefully, the first step can help solve this awful problem by assessing oneself and finding solutions to one’s insecurities. However, dealing with women is on a whole different level. Women speak a language that is different from what men use. Men and women also think and act differently. All these factors can scare a man away from women.

A man must know how to deal with women, he will use this skill eventually in romantic relationships. Having casual conversations with women friends, colleagues and acquaintances will give a man the much needed map towards a woman’s mind. The ability to smoothly talk with women can come in at a later time but this can only be done if one is comfortable with talking with the ladies.

- Listen to stories

There is more than one way to develop the skill in dealing with women. Talking to women and being comfortable around them can be an approach, but a man can also learn from other men. Men usually talk about shallow things when it comes to women, but there are moments when men’s talk is taken in a whole different level. Moments of sensibility attacks men and they share their wholesome experiences in dealing with women. One must be keen in listening to these stories and must not take them for granted.

-Try to lessen sexual thoughts

A man’s confidence can diminish if he thinks too much of sex. Guilt will then follow and the whole approach is ruined. A man must re-assess his goals if he wants to be successful in getting the girl whom he likes. Thinking too much of sex is definitely a wrong way to deal with women.

-Don’t be too needy

There are other things in life that are as equally important as women. A man must not destroy his life by trying too hard to get girls. Sometimes, when people don’t expect it, the best things come. A man should not take the pressure of getting girls to extent of leaving everything behind and making girls his number one priority. Some people marry, some stay single, and this is a reality that every man must accept. There are many ways to achieve fulfillment and happiness in life. This kind of philosophy can boost one’s confidence in women and will improve women’s view towards him.

Boosting one’s confidence towards women would require a personal commitment. It is not achieved by acquiring more wealth or by getting on a diet. A re-shaping of one’s own view of himself is the key element towards achieving this goal.

The perfect wedding dress finding that special one

One of the things brides-to-be have to consider when buying a dress is the comfort level of the wedding dress. Sure it's nice to look like a princess on your wedding day, but if the dress causes you extreme discomfort; or cuts off your circulation, then it's not really worth it. The dress might even cause you to faint. Imagine what a nightmare that would be!

The wedding dress selection process usually starts months before the wedding. It's advisable for brides-to-be to look through the pages of wedding magazines, or to visit wedding shops. Just to give them an idea of the different types of styles of wedding dresses that are available.

Brides-to-be also have to consider their body types. It's important to get a wedding dress that looks good on you! You might have to try plenty of wedding dresses before you find that one dress that is perfect for you.

If you have set aside an extensive budget for your wedding dress. Then you can always go for a designer dress. The most famous name nowadays when it comes to bridal fashion is Vera Wang. She is known for her luxurious detailing, craftsmanship, and hand beading. Her clients for her wedding line include: Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Uma Thurman and Mariah Carey, just to name a few.

But if you don't have that much money to spare then you can always choose other options. There are a number of places where you can get your wedding dress that won't cost you a fortune. In addition to the more traditional bridal shops, wedding dresses are also available in: thrift shops, discount stores, online, and even eBay.

If you are buying on eBay, make sure the measurements of the wedding dress is included in the description. Also, the condition of the dress must be looked into. Check for feedback regarding that person's account, just to make sure that you are dealing with a credible dealer.

But if a traditional wedding is the theme you have in mind, then you might want to go for a vintage dress, in keeping with this theme. When buying a vintage dress, beware of discoloration, or stains on the dress. These might not come off so easily. Investigate the fabric of the dress, stretch it out to check for weakening, or tearing of the cloth.

Try to buy a vintage dress that is made before the 1900's. Fabrics have a tendency to deteriorate, and weaken over time. Extraordinarily old vintage dresses might look romantic, but they might not be ideal for use.

If you really have your heart set on a specific design, but you find that that dress is too old to use, or too expensive, then you can always go for a reproduction wedding dress.

Many stores specialize on reproduction dresses. They design wedding dresses based on specific themes, or eras. Some specialty wedding shops also focus on designing knock-off wedding dresses, inspired by designer wedding gowns. The huge difference being, that these wedding gowns are retailed for the fraction of the amount.

There are so many ways a future bride can go about in search for her dream wedding dress. Searching for a wedding dress should be exciting and fun. So make sure you have plenty of time in your hands before the big day, so this process doesn't become stressful, and wearisome. Instead a prelude to the happiness of the special occasion which is to become your wedding.

Mobile handheld usability testing - why it matters

Mobile phone and PDA usability testing is critical to your business. In fact, mobile and handheld usability testing could be even more important than computer-based usability testing. The main reasons for this are:

- The number of people accessing the Internet from mobile and handheld devices is increasing at a massive rate - in 2008 alone there'll be an estimated 58 million PDAs sold worldwide (source: eTForecast).

- People generally have a lot less experience of using their mobile to go online than they do of using their computer. This means that computer-based users can be assumed to have a higher level of existing expertise than mobile and handheld users.

- The platform through which users access your site is far less predictable when using mobile phones. Computer-based site visitors generally only differ from one another in their browser and operating system (i. e. most people will use a screen, mouse and keyboard), whereas the different types of mobile phones and PDAs differ can drastically.

Which mobile phones and PDAs do you need to consider?

Mobile phones and PDAs can differ from one another dramatically, and this will radically change how people experience and use websites. Some of the ways in which handheld devices can differ include:

- Screen size (small vs. large)

- Screen layout (portrait vs. landscape)

- Input device (stylus, numeric keypad, dial-wheel, QWERTY keypad)

Because the mobile phone / PDA that someone is using will have such a profound effect on their experience of your site, you should try to test with as many mobile phones and PDAs as possible.

Of course, testing with every mobile phone and PDA is impossible. Here are some ideas to help narrow down the number of devices you'll need to test with:

- Your mobile site visitors may belong to a specific audience. Certain audiences tend to prefer particular types of phones (e. g. phones with big screens that are designed to support online access vs. small-screen models that aren't).

- There are 'phone families' that offer a very similar user experience (and will not need to be tested individually).

- You may only want to test with the most popular mobile phones in Europe or the most popular models that are being used to access your site (you can check your site statistics to find out this information).

Who do you want to test with?

The people you want to conduct your mobile phone usability testing sessions with will, of course, depend on your particular business and its audience. Some things to bear in mind include:

- How much experience they should have of using their mobile phones to access services. This is particularly important as the market for accessing online services through mobile phones is growing and the percent of 'complete novices' (i. e. people using the technology for the first time) will be far higher than for computer users of your website.

- Which mobile phone or PDA they have. We would usually recommend that people use their own mobile phone in a session, so the test can focus on your website and not on the way the handheld device works.

Where should mobile usability testing sessions be conducted?

Mobile phones and PDAs are used in the real world so usability testing of handheld devices should therefore not only take place in a usability laboratory.

Where, when and how a mobile phone is used is critical to a person's experience of the site they are accessing. Any of the following circumstances could influence this experience and therefore considerations of the site's usability:

- Lighting

- Background noise

- Distractions

- Concurrent tasks (i. e. anything the person is doing at the same time)

- Physical movement

As such, we'd recommend, if possible, that any mobile phone and PDA usability testing is conducted both in a laboratory and also in the 'outside world'.

How you plan and run mobile phone usability sessions will be based on your business and its audience, but the most popular methods of mobile usability testing include:

- Lab-based (using a camera to record the session)

- Diary-studies (asking people to keep a diary of how they have used their mobile phone and any problems they encounter)

- Paper prototypes (running usability testing on a paper-based version of the site, using mobile phone screen-sized pieces of paper)

Characteristics of sound

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Sound in brief but remarkeable terms is a vibration, that our ears percieve by the sense of hearing. Most commonly vibrations travel to our ears via the air. The ear then converts these sound waves into nerve impulses that are sent to our brains, where the impulses become sound. To say all that in a more technical language: Sound "is an alternation in pressure, particle displacement, or particle velocity propagated in an elastic material" (Olson 1957). Sound is also a series of mechanical compressions and rarefactions or longitudinal waves that successively propagate through media that are at least a little compressible. What causes sound waves is known as "the source of waves". Examples of sounds sources is: A violin string that vibrates upon being bowed or plucked.

The four characteristics of sound are frequency, wavelength, amplitude and velocity.

The frequency of sound is the number of air pressure oscillations per second at a fixed point occupied by a sound wave.

The amplitude is the magnitude of sound pressure change within the wave. Basically this is the maximum amount of pressure at any point in the sound wave. A sound wave is caused literally by increases in pressure at certain points causing a "domino effect" outward, the higher pressure points are the crests in a sound wave, and behind them are low pressure points which tail them. These are known as the troughs on a wavelength graph. Sound's propagation Velocity depends largely on the type, temperature and pressure of the medium through which it propagates. Because air is nearly a perfect gas, the speed of sound does not depend on air pressure.

The frequency range of sound that is audible to humans is approx. between 20 and 20,000 Hz. This range of course varies between individuals, and goes down as are age increases. Sounds will begin to damage our ears at 85 dBSPL and sounds above approximately 130 dBSPL will cause pain, as a result are known as the: "threshold of pain". Of course again this range will vary among individuals and will change with age.

What i have learnt as a beginner to internet online business

Like tens of thousands of people who often venture online exploring ways to make a little extra money, I have been looking for ways that would allow me to eventually live a life with residual income and financial freedom.

Obviously, I did not know how except for the fact that many are making millions of dollars every year from Internet.

But I learnt fast, after having paid a lot of money to the so-called Internet gurus. I realised that there were a lot of scams, hyped-up promises, and just plain sure-way-to-loose-your-hard-earned-money programs. Very quickly, it became obvious to me that the promises of make-tons-of-money-with-no-effort-all-for-free had to be challenged because this is not true at all! What you get for nothing would be nothing. I learnt now how I should look every time before I leapt.

Building a business online is just like building a brick-and-mortar business offline. So you need both a good plan and a marketable product. Some friends advised that I should build a website around my personal interest or hobbies because it’d be fun doing so. That way, when the going gets tough, the motivation to persevere would be more likely to prevail. However I found that my own interest and hobbies were not necessarily what the market was looking for. In fact, I realized that I should look at other people’s interest instead.

The easiest way to get into business online is through affiliate programs which allow you to sign up as an affiliate member. You earn a referral commission from selling the program owners’ products.

These products are usually information products such as electronic books (eBook) and software that can be delivered as a file that is then downloaded directly to your customers' computers. They could be repeatedly reproduced and downloaded and sold at no cost. There’s no packing, shipping and delivery cost. Owing to this, affiliate program owners usually pay their affiliates high commissions (50% or more).

I learnt that it is best for beginners to start by joining a few affiliate programs, followed by announcing this to as many friends as possible to prompt them to visit my websites.

At the same time I was strongly advised against the use of “Spam”. Suddenly I found my list of friends to be pathetically short! Hardly 100 names!

I was feeling really inadequate after finding that many Internet entrepreneurs actually had a mailing lists of well over 5000, 10,000, 100,000…….

To start off, I needed a website, although people do make money without a website. By joining an affiliate program I did not have to worry about creating a website of my own because many affiliate programs do offer websites for free.

However I was advised to learn how to modify the website to differentiate it from many others having the same program so that I would have some advantages over others.

As I said, I had a miserable mailing list hence I needed to build one for visitors by their subscribing to my online newsletters. Oh yes, I have heard it a thousand times in my short stay in this business – “The money is in the list...that all important list which begins the flow of "traffic" …No list...No traffic...No traffic...No sales..”

I send these people my regular newsletter via “autoresponder” provided by the program and over time, I hope to develop a relationship with many of the visitors.

A newsletter allows me to share information and resources with my subscribers resulting in a positive rapport, friendship and eventually trust.

There’s a 30-day guide which is really cool. It takes me step by step each day to improve my business incrementally. The tips and tricks given are especially for professional business working from home. It exposes me to many possibilities, among other things, of how to drive traffic to my site. And I find joy in doing so especially in my pyjamas!

The program allows me to join a discussion forum. It is like walking into a big library, the only difference is that this is better because all the members have similar interest i. e. Internet business. This is where I find answers and solutions to my questions and problems. I find active and successful members discussing their latest findings, for instance, the best websites and software to use to improve our businesses. Another advantage in taking part in the discussion is that other members or visitors get to know my website located in my “signature file”.

Yes, I also learnt how to place my adverts. Here are some of the things that I’ve looked into:

1) The various locations where I can place an ad such as newsgroups, forums, ezines, and web sites.

2) How to post information to a mailing list or newsgroup for free but using a signature file to promote my websites.

3) How the program helps me to set up autoresponders to take away the chore of responding to visitors manually.

4) How to write articles and submit them to article directories to get free advertisement for life.

5) I’ve created a Blog of my own. It is an excellent way to provide visitors and customers with information at their fingertips, just a click away. I keep it fresh and alive by posting interesting articles on Internet business on a regular basis. The articles in the Blog also offer me free advertisement because each article carries a link to my websites.

In conclusion, if you want to make money on the Internet, it is a real possibility. But please do not expect something for nothing. You need to invest in your effort, time, commitment and at least some financial input. Once you’ve decided, go for it and. …..DON'T EVER GIVE UP!

Where mortgage leads come from

If you are a loan officer or mortgage broker, and you are considering purchasing mortgage leads, one thing that will be important to know, is where these lead companies obtain their leads from.

Many times, mortgage lead companies will sell their leads multiple times. They have a data base of thousands of leads that they sell repeatedly over and over.

Or, they buy leads in bulk from third party vendors and sell them at a profit.

This is known as recycling leads, or selling junk. And who knows how many times that third party vendor sold their leads to other mortgage lead companies.

By the time that lead lands on your desk, it has gone through the hands of literally dozens of loan officers.

Your best bet is to deal only with mortgage lead companies that own and operate their own mortgage lead generation sites. This way at least you now that there is an excellent chance that the quality of the lead will be good.

How can you find this out?

Call someone in the customer service department of the company you are considering. Don’t be shy, come right out and ask where and how they obtain their leads.

If you are not satisfied with their answers, than move onto the next mortgage lead company.

Remember, if you are not happy with their customer service, than more than likely you will not be happy with their leads.

Expert s quick guide to buying your perfect gold jewelry

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Why Should I Buy Gold?
The world has been in love with gold ever since it was discovered. It is called a precious metal because it has a high economic value and is relatively scarce in relation to the level of demand for it. Gold was the standard in which the values of many currencies around the world were based until recently; because of confidence in its ability to hold it’s value over the long haul. At times of trouble, people always default to valuable portable property such as gold, diamonds and other valuable gems.

Gold has been the preferred metal for wedding rings in the west for a long time. It is very rare that couples exchange rings other than gold rings when getting married. In fact, in some Asian cultures, wealth is transferred unto the newlyweds in the form of gold jewelry.

Gold is very malleable and so has been the preferred metal for jewelers over centuries. It also does not rust or decay. If it gets dull, just applying a quick polish restores it’s luster and shine.

Gold is virtually indestructible and everlasting.

Gold keeps it’s value over time and is easily marketable
Gold is easy to work with so you will get the most beautiful jewelry made out of gold
Everybody loves gold.

What kind of Gold Should I Buy?
Before buying gold jewelry the most important thing to ask yourself is the reason why you are buying. This is important because it will help you determine how much to budget for your purchase, what quality and type of jewelry to buy and from where to buy it.

If you are only interested in buying a gold ring for fun, then you might not care too much about the quality of the ring or the supplier as long as it looks good on your finger. If, however, you are buying an engagement ring, an anniversary ring or a wedding ring, you had better pay more attention to the quality of the ring and the service you can expect from the supplier. A wedding ring, we hope, will be appreciated for a long time and you will want your partner to know that you put some thought into the selection of their ring. You want the perfect ring so you need to make sure that your supplier has a good return or exchange policy and that they are easily contactable.

There are different qualities and colors of gold used in jewelry. The different types of gold jewelry are determined by the metals mixed in with the pure gold, and whether the piece of jewelry is formed as a solid piece, plated or maybe hollow.

Gold Quality:
Pure gold does not rust or tarnish, and people that are allergic to some metals are rarely allergic to pure gold. However, pure gold is very soft and easily bendable. It is also very expensive. So to make it practical for jewelry that can be worn everyday it is mixed with different metals.

Gold jewelry is generally marked 18K, 14K, or 10K. The higher the Karat (k) the higher the percentage of pure gold to other metals in the jewelry.
· 24K gold is pure gold.
· 18K gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 75% gold.
· 14K gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 58.3% gold.
· 12K gold contains 12 parts gold and 12 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 50% gold.
· 10K gold contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of one or more additional metals, making it 41.7% gold.

10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called "gold" in the United States. A high proportion of gold Jewelry is made in 10K gold.
European Markings:
Jewelry from Europe may be marked is a different manner with numbers that indicate their percentage of gold like this:
· 18K gold is marked 750 to indicate 75% gold
· 14K gold is marked 585 for 58.5%
· 12K gold is marked 417 for 41.7%

Genuine gold jewelry should have, in addition to the karat marking, a hallmark or trademark that identifies its maker. Sometimes the item's country of origin might also be included. The hallmark or country of origin may sometimes be left out in very small and delicate pieces of Jewelry.

Colors of Gold:
Pure gold is, of course, gold in color. However, gold can be made into jewelry of different and exciting colors by adding different metals to it. When other metals are added to pure gold the result is called an alloy. Any gold alloy from18K, down to 10K can still be called solid gold. Anything less that 10k is not solid gold.
White Gold: Created by adding Palladium or Nickel to pure gold.
Rose Tint Gold: Created by adding copper to pure gold.
Greenish Cast Gold: Created by adding silver to pure gold

Gold Coated Jewelry
Applying a coating of gold on lesser value metals has always been a way of producing jewelry that looks as valuable as gold but not as expensive to manufacture. This is OK as long as the buyer is aware that the piece of jewelry they are buying is not SOLID gold and as long as they are also aware of the quality of the plating.
Gold Filled Jewelry:
Gold filled jewelry is usually 14k gold heavy-layered over sterling silver. More recent gold-filled jewelry have markings that indicate how much and what type of gold was used for the layer. A marking that says 1/20 12K G. F. means that the jewelry is at least 1/20th 12K gold by weight. Gold filled jewelry generally retain their coating longer than gold plated jewelry.
Gold Plated Jewelry:
The gold layer in gold plated jewelry is usually thinner than the gold in gold-filled jewelry. This means that the goal plating usually wears away more quickly. However, all gold plating is not the same. Some will be thicker and more even than others and thus may provide you with long lasting true gold finish, sometimes comparable to gold-filled jewelry.

Dangers to Watch out for
Gold plated jewelry can provide a great deal of satisfaction and joy to the buyer as long as they know what they are buying. It is unfortunate, but there are still unscrupulous people out there that try to pass off gold plated jewelry as solid gold. The only way to protect yourself from this is to look carefully at the markings on the jewelry; observe the color; feel the weight in relation to the size of the jewelry; and most importantly, know whom you are buying your jewelry from. If you’re not sure take an expert with you when buying.

So Now You’re Ready To Take The Step
When buying gold always aim to buy solid gold if your budget allows. This will last you a lifetime, many lifetimes actually. Anything from 10k to 22k or 24K is good.
If you are allergic to nickel or other metals then you should aim to buy the higher karat gold jewelry such as 18k or 22k gold. It will cost more but you can offset this by buying a smaller piece of jewelry or by buying fewer pieces and only buying ones with higher pure gold content. Your skin is still your most important and valuable piece of jewelry and you should treat it accordingly.
Gold plated and gold-filled jewelry is great for fashion jewelry that will not be subject to heavy usage. And oh yes, try not to wear your gold plated or gold filled jewelry when washing up or using any form of detergents. Although not as valuable or durable, gold plated and gold filled jewelry are cheaper and can last for years if treated kindly.
When wearing Jewelry always remember that a confident and happy wearer can make almost any piece of Jewelry look more beautiful and valuable.

By Alexander Michaels
© 2006 Alexander Michaels
kensingtonjewelers. com

A luxury holiday in oman at the al jissah resort spa

Why you need to check out the Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Oman for your affordable family vacation this year

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa is the ideal affordable family vacation package as well as being a the best place to take a luxury holiday in Oman.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa consists of the Exclusive Al Husn rated at 6 stars [The Castle], Al Bandar [The Town] rated at 5 star, and Al Waha [The Oasis] which is 4 star, and very much for the family vacation package.

This Shangri-La Hotel and Resort has a fantastic location in over 120 acres with mountains behind, and a private beach of golden sand in front with the blue water of the Gulf of Oman to provide the icing on the cake.

This is a large Resort at Al Jissah, with the exclusive Al Husn with 180 suites and guestrooms, Al Bandar with 198 rooms and the Al Waha with 302 rooms.

All of the 680 rooms and suites face the sea and overlook the 600 yard beach.

It is the first three hotel luxury resort both for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and for the country of Oman.

There are a wide range of leisure facilities within the complex and this includes three freshwater swimming pools, and to connect the Al Waha Family oriented hotel to the Al Bandar is a lazy river. When you add to this four tennis courts, a PADI dive centre, a fitness centre, the Little Turtles Kids Club based at Al Waha, which is one of the main reasons this This Shangri-La Hotel and Resort is the ideal family vacation package, you can begin to realize what is on offer.

When you add on the chance to not only go snorkelling, but even dolphin and whale watching trips can be arranged, and at certain times of the year turtles come up onto the beach to lay their eggs, and the Turtle Ranger will take trips to see this.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa has the renowned Chi Spa with some of the largest and most luxurious spa suites you will find anywhere in Oman, and a Turkish Bath, an ice room, a sauna, steam rooms and a jacuzzi

Everybody visits the Omani Heritage Village where you can soak up the atmosphere of a retail souk, and you can experience life in a traditional Oman village. This will include demonstrations by silversmiths, henna painting, weaving to add to the authentic feel. If you want to visit Muscat then there is a daily complimentary shuttle.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa complex has twenty restaurants and bars, so guests are spoilt for choice. There are six main restaurants and seven more casual food outlets. You can add to this three pool bars, a night club, and two bars so you really can’t go wrong, as there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

For dining, guests are spoilt for choice with 6 main restaurants, 7 casual dining outlets, 3 pool bars, a nightclub and 2 bars providing sumptuous local and international cuisine to suit all tastes.

Any good family vacation package to a luxury hotel should have restaurants that all the family can enjoy.

The Samba is outstanding in this regard because there is a chocolate fountain for the kids and unlimited oysters and mussels on ice for starters. Apart from this there is a huge selection of dishes, and this restaurant is the ideal spot for huge and varied breakfasts.

The surf bar and pool bar are good for burgers and salads, and the fish restaurant between Al Waha and Al Bandar has top class fish at decent prices.

This is a good all year round destination, but the temperature in July and August is pretty fierce, but then some like it hot, the expect extreme temperatures in Jul and Aug but prices will be lower then and the Al Jissah Resort & Spa less busy.

A final note about this top of the range luxury Oman hotel is the staff, who are very good indeed, being helpful courteous, friendly, and have very good language skills.

Go to Oman and stay at the Al Jissah Resort & Spa.

The idiot s guide to selecting a credit card part ii

There are literally hundreds - possibly thousands - of credit card offers available to consumers these days. And these days there are more things to compare than just interest rates and fees. Now, credit card holders can be rewarded for their using credit cards. Or, if you’re a business owner, you might find extra features and perks with a business credit card. In this article we’ll go over the basics of some of these above-and-beyond features of credit cards. Whenever you’re thinking of applying for a credit card, it’s always best to compare all of their features so you get the best credit card that matches your financial lifestyle.

Rewards Programs

Probably one of the most attractive features of credit cards these days is the rewards programs that they sometimes offer. Credit card companies will often reward their cardholders for making purchases with the cards. Rewards can range from airline tickets to cash back to hotel discounts, depending on which credit card you apply for. The rewards are usually based on a point system – with each dollar you spend using your credit card, you are rewarded a certain number of points that are collected in your account. When you have a certain number of points, you are able to redeem them for the reward that your credit card offers.

How can you use these types of cards to your best advantage? Think about what you do the most – do you travel? Do you drive a lot and use a lot of gasoline? Do you shop at a particular store a lot? Consumers usually choose rewards credit cards that match their spending habits the best. If you travel a lot, it would be best to get a credit card that offers airline rewards. If you’re on the road a lot, try finding an offer that gives you a discount on gasoline, or cash back for gasoline purchases. One thing to remember when selecting a rewards program – make sure that once you choose it, it fits your needs exactly. For instance, if you fly frequently but usually fly on Midwest Express, make sure your credit card offers rewards for Midwest Express and not American Airlines. If you’re a big driver, make sure you’re getting rewarded for using the gasoline that’s most available to you – BP, Amoco, etc. There are some rewards cards that allow you a choice, but it’s always important to make sure you’re going to get what you expect!

Business Features

If you are a business owner, using a business credit card can help you with things like payroll, managing expenses, and managing employee spending. Business credit cards now offer features like:

• Detailed expense reporting – allowing you to see very clearly where your hard earned business dollars are being spent.

• Online account management – allowing you to view and manage your credit accounts via the internet for added convenience

• Customized cards and employee cards – allowing you as the business owner to receive cards for your employees

• Increased credit limits - allowing you to make the business purchases you need to keep your business running.

• Rewards – either travel, cash back, or other discounts, rewards allow you to enjoy a little bit of what you’re spending

Make sure when you’re applying for a business credit card that you compare these types of features and make sure your business card will meet the needs of you, your business, and your employees.

Online Access

It’s not news anymore – online access to bank accounts and credit accounts is just about standard these days. If you’re a high powered geek, though, you might want to check out the interface and features of the online access that your credit card allows you. Online access offers you 24x7 access to your statements, transactions, customer support and billing – making it much easier for you to monitor your credit expenses and pay your bills.

Security & Protection

Another feature of credit cards that is just about standard these days is the protection that credit card issuers offer you for things like identity theft and fraudulent use of your credit card. Unfortunately, there are still people out there who can acquire your credit card numbers – usually by finding a receipt with your credit card number on it, getting the number through hacking online, etc.

Consumers should always keep credit card receipts in a safe place, shred them, or at the very least make sure that the credit card number and expiration date is not shown on the receipt before you throw it out. The good news is that if you notice a fraudulent charge on your credit card, it’s usually as easy as calling up your credit card company and reporting it. 9 times out of 10, it’s easy enough to prove that you didn’t make the charge, and your credit card company will remove that charge from your account. With some of the higher end cards – platinum cards, etc. – the credit card companies actively monitor your account and will personally call you if they notice unusual activity on your credit card. In some cases, they do not authorize payments until they get approval from the card holder. These types of features add safety and security for consumers.

Online banking is safer than you might think

Online banking appeals to many because it's fast, easy and convenient. But some still shy away from it, and for all the wrong reasons, according to recent data.

The 2006 Identity Fraud Survey Report, released by the Council of Better Business Bureaus and Javelin Strategy & Research, provides new insight on how identity fraud occurs.

Bottom line? The Internet is safer than you might think.

According to the report, 90 percent of data compromise takes place through traditional offline channels. In fact, online banking can reduce the harm caused by identity theft because electronic account monitoring is the fastest way to detect fraud.

"Frequent monitoring of your finances is made easier through online banking," said Barry Miller, director of technology and information security for NetBank, an Internet-only bank. "A consumer who banks traditionally and receives a statement in the mail can only monitor their account activity every 30 days at best."

Online banking also eliminates the paper trail. The majority of theft cases, Miller says, are a result of information being obtained offline, through paper bank statements and credit card receipts, for example.

Based on the Javelin study, the Better Business Bureau and other experts offered some steps to protect consumers from identity theft, urging people to replace paper bills, statements and checks with online versions; reviewing bank, credit card and bill statements weekly, which is easy through online account access; and using e-mail-based alerts to monitor transfers, payments, low balances and withdrawals or to detect any out-of-pattern activity.

Online banking continues to grow in popularity. The Online Banking Report puts the number of U. S. households using online banking at 40 million. And according to a survey conducted by Feedback Research, customer satisfaction is high.

Eighty-three percent of the respondents who banked online were either "very" or "extremely" satisfied with their online transaction experiences, 79 percent said the transactions were easy and 77 percent said they were generally hassle-free. Almost 10 percent said they banked with an Internet-only bank. - NU

Saving for post secondary education

Post secondary education is very expensive in North America and unless you are fairly wealthy will be a worry for most parents. Obviously, not all kids go onto University or College but if they do and you haven’t planned for it you could find yourself with a large financial burden. This would probably happen just when most families are looking at finally having some financial security

A Registered Education Savings Plan - RESP - is vital for your financial health if you have kids who you feel may want to go into post secondary education. An RESP is government sponsored (Registered with Canada Customs and Revenue Agency) and is allowed to grow tax free. Money paid from the plan at maturity may be taxed as income for the student.

The plans are administered by private companies/persons (Promoter) who will collect contributions and invest them accordingly. Up to $4,000 per beneficiary (student) can be contributed per calendar year, with a lifetime limit of $42,000 without any tax implications. Each student may have more than one plan but the limit is strictly per student.

The most important aspect of the RESP's is that the Government will add 20% to the first $2,000 per calendar year ($400) up to and including the year of the students 17th birthday. This is called the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and any amounts paid in are not included in the annual limit for tax purposes.

The maximum a student can receive from CESG is $7200 over the lifetime of the plan. Any amount of CESG not claimed each year will accumulate as up to $800 can be paid if not previously claimed. If the RESP is not eventually used for educational purposes any CESG payments will have to be repaid to the government.

To apply, the student must be resident in Canada and have a Social Insurance Number (SIN) which must be provided to the promoter at the plan inception. Also, the individual making the contributions will be required to provide their SIN.

Types of RESP Plans

There are 3 main types of Plan:

Non-Family - There can be only one beneficiary but anyone (grandparents/godparents etc.) can make the contributions whenever they want for however much they want to pay.

Family - There can be one or more beneficiary's as long as they are blood relatives or adopted by the person/s making the contributions. There are no restrictions on when and how much is paid in (apart from the tax implications of over subscribing).

Group - These plans are normally offered by foundations who set how much is paid in and when. Each age group will have a particular plan and all members will take a share. There are some fairly complicated rules attached and should be thoroughly researched with the plan providers before committing.

RESP Termination

At termination/maturity, there are several options:

1. The intended student does not go into post secondary education. The contributions are returned tax free to the person who made them. The CESG is repaid to the government. Any income generated by the plan will be subject to taxation.

2. The student enrolls in a qualified program at a post secondary educational institution and completes the full program. Initially, $5000 can be paid from the plan, then after 13 weeks there is no limit to the amount paid as long as the student remains in the program. These payments are called Educational Assistance Payments (EAP's). The student cannot be receiving EI (employment Insurance) or the program must not be part of the students employment (an apprenticeship for example).

3. The proceeds can be transferred to another RESP.

4. The proceeds can be paid to a designated educational institution.

More, detailed information can be found at onestopimmigration-canada. com/RESP. html

Going to boracay during the off-season

Boracay in the Philippines is among one of the best beaches in the world. It is because of the great sand and clean waters that make Boracay a wonderful beach to relax. There are also lots of establishments there in Boracay that can make their experience better. The nightlife there during peak seasons such as holy weeks and all saints day is great because lots of people go to Boracay to have fun.

But what happens to Boracy during the off-season when the bad winds arrive? It may seem stupid for lots of people to go there when the winds are scary and the rain is pouring. Who would want to swim when the rain pours and makes you chill more? The rain will also make people think that it will dampen their merry night life. But here are some reasons why it is still ok to go to Boracay even if it is off-season. Here are some reasons that can help convince people that Boracay is great no matter what season it is.

1. It is cheaper to go to Boracay during the off-season. If you are on a budget it is the best time to go. The flights from Manila to Caticlan are cheaper. If you are on budget and have motion problems when riding boats, you can just go during the off-season because you can ride the planes and it can still fit your budget. The hotel accommodations and food are also cheaper, usually up to 25%.

2. The strong winds can help make an experience riding a Paraw or a special kind of sail more fun. For P500 you can be able to sail with two able-bodied sea goers. You can be able to enjoy cruising for an hour on the shoreline. You can be able to watch the crystal clear waters when sitting on the Paraw’s left wing while holding on the ship’s rigging for support.

3. The massage will be cheaper compared to massages in Manila. You can be able to get massages for only P350 in your own room and have coconut oil rubbed on you.

4. Surfing on a kite board is better on a windy day. It is called a kite board because the person will strap their feet onto the surfboard and will lasso their upper body to a 15-foot kite. Hoe can you be able to do that on a summer day without any wind? The price of kite boarding is around $200 because it includes trainers and P1, 000 per hour for the board. It is cheaper to pay this amount than pay for future hospital bills when you end up in an accident.

These are only a few reasons why Boracay in the Philippines is still a fun place to go to even during the off-seasons. I’m sure that you can be able to find your own reason why going there during the off-season is still fun.

Your guide to a notebook

A notebook or laptop is nothing but a small portable computer that weighs 2.2 to 18 pounds (1 to 8 kg), that depends on its brand, style, size, material it is made of, and many other factors. Notebooks generally operate on a single main battery or through an external adapter that can both charge the battery and also supply power to the notebook.

Notebooks are adept at performing the same jobs like a personal desktop; the only difference is that they are generally less powerful for the same cost. They consist of similar components like desktop computers and execute the same functions, except that they are miniature in size and suitable for transportable use and effective power consumption. Notebooks usually have LCD and different memory modules. They have a built-in keyboard; input is done through a touchpad or a pointing stick, though an external mouse can also be attached.

There are different categories of notebooks. UMPCs are Ultra-Mobile PCs and are very portable. Since they are of a small size they can fit in a small touch screen while some other models have a minute physical keyboard along with a mouse interface. The other type is Ultraportables which are notebooks and have screens less than eleven inches and have less than 3.7 pounds (1.7 kg) of weight. They are generally used by business travelers, as they are small and light though very expensive. They have an extended battery life and integrated graphics. The other type of notebook is the Sony VAIO FJ76, and Dell XPS M1330 and XPS M1210. Then we have the mainstream notebooks that are more of budget desktops. And if you want desktop power, then you can opt for desktop replacement which can accommodate many performance components.

As far as the processors are concerned you should go for the fastest that your budget will allow. You can opt for Intel`s Centrino that has great speed and also good battery life. Or else you can also go for the economic AMD`s mobile processors whose performance still lags behind Intel. If you intend to watch DVDs on your notebook then go for wide screen ones that offer sharper, larger and great images. The only consideration is that they are not meant for carrying around a lot.

For great system performance it is vital to have enough memory (RAM) that will allow you to run many applications together. Adequate RAM is also essential for image and video editing, graphics work, and 3D gaming. Generally notebooks have a terrible sound quality so it is recommended to use speakers or headphones. These are some of the factors that you need to consider before buying a notebook.

Also keep in mind that like any electronic device, your notebook is vulnerable to accidents as well as system failures. It is recommended to get at least a three year warranty and also some additional insurance.

Health hazards related to using a laptop has been a controversial topic for quite some time. Researches have proved that heat generated from notebooks can raise temperature of scrotum, leading to reduced sperm count. A solution can be using it on a table or keeping it apart from the lap that will enable better cooling of the notebook and also prevent your lap from excessive electromagnetic radiation and heat.

Some of the famous brands that have notebook are Acer that have TravelMate, Ferrari and Aspire models; BenQ; Compaq with its Armada, LTE, EVO and Presario models. Other famous brands are Gateway, HCL, Lenovo, LG, Micro-Star International, Panasonic, Samsung, Toshiba and others.

Romantic spots in georgia

In our fast paced world, romance can get edged out by the daily rush of life. Romantic destinations in Georgia offer a chance to recapture that spark that started long ago.

Romantic Spots In Georgia

Georgia is known as the “Peach State”, but another good nickname for it might be the “Romance State”. While Georgia may not be what you think of when you are planning that honeymoon or special anniversary trip, romantic spots in Georgia can be wonderful and special. Georgia has a romance and charm that is uniquely Southern, and staying here with someone you love will be an experience you won’t soon forget.

The charm and beauty of a Southern plantation cannot be underestimated. A stay at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation will make all your dreams of romance come true. This resort, located 60 minutes from Atlanta in Greensboro, Georgia, is both a spa and golf resort (81 holes available for play) with service and style to make any couple fall more in love. Weddings are frequently held here because of the exquisite grounds, and the restaurants and other eateries are known to be delicious. Honeymoon and romance packages are available for those in the mood to be alone. Private verandahs and other amenities like a private beach draw many couples to this spot.

Of course, there are other places for romantic spots in Georgia. If you would prefer to feel like you are on an old French estate instead of a plantation, the Chateau Elan can definitely suit your needs. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this winery and resort combination feels more like you are in the south of France than in the South. A spa is also on the premises for those who want to truly relax, and there are romantic packages planned out just for you. The two night Chateau Romantic Retreat, for instance, offers amenities such as a rose petal covered bed, breakfasts, dinners, and a bottle of the wineries own vintage delivered to your room. Also available are other bed and breakfast packages and spa treatments that can bring you and your loved one even closer together.

Georgia’s many resorts and romantic retreats are as diverse as the people and terrain in the state. If you enjoy great food, great atmosphere and Southern hospitality, romantic spots in Georgia provide you with a stay that fits the bill. Whether in a city or small town, on the beach or in the mountains, a trip to Georgia will bring out the romance in any couple. Try a Georgia destination for your next vacation for two!

10 most likely cancers you are going to get

One of the greatest concerns America has today is cancer. The figures are alarming according to the National Cancer Institute studies a total of 1,372,910 new cases of cancer and 570, 280 deaths were predicted for the year 2005. Approximately one in every four deaths is due to cancer.

Research indicates that the lifetime probability of developing cancer is higher for men at 46% while for women it is 36%. The National Cancer Institute has put in place a challenge to eliminate suffering and death due to cancer by 2015. To meet this, the nation is tackling the problem on a war footing. And, to this end the creation of awareness has become a priority. To conquer cancer you must know what the risks are, how lifestyle changes can help, about intervention and preventive care, and where help is available.

The most common cancers are:

Men:

1. Prostrate. This accounts for approximately 33%.

2. Lung and bronchus. Accounts for 13%

3. Colon and Rectal. Accounts for 10%

4. Urinary and Bladder –7%.

5. Melanoma of skin—5%.

6. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma—4%.

7. Kidney and Renal Pelvis—3%.

8. Leukemia—3%.

9. Oral Cavity and Pharynx-3%.

10. Pancreas—3%.

Women:

1. Breast –32%.

2. Lung and Bronchus—12%.

3. Colon and rectum—11%.

4. Uterine Corpus—6%.

5. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma—4%.

6. Melanoma of the skin—4%

7. Ovary—3%.

8. Thyroid—3%.

9. Urinary Bladder—2%.

10. Pancreas –2%.

An organization called the CDC is taking giant strides in the field of cancer prevention and control. They advocate adoption of a healthy life style, eating nutritious and well balanced food, regular health checks, and screening for cancer. Screenings are quite often lifesaving as problems can be nipped in the bud. Many cancers are curable if detected in the early stages.

It is important to know that a cancer is a disease where healthy cells in the body divide uncontrolled to form tumors. This could happen anywhere in the body and some tumors are benign while others are malignant. Most cancers have different symptoms but to give you an idea, symptoms can include an unexplained lump in any part of the body may feel like a small marble; perceptible growth of a wart or mole; wounds and sores that do not heal; a persistent cough; changes in bowel or bladder habits; indigestion; weight loss or gain; unusual bleeding or discharge. These are symptoms that are caused by not just cancer but many other diseases. And, early cancer does not manifest itself in any outward signs so the only way is to undergo health checks. So, you need the help of a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis.

Screening will include routine physical examinations, lab tests, x-rays, and specialized tests like mammograms, CT scans, MRIs, sonography or laparoscopy. The physician will, after giving you a general check and noting down the history recommend any special tests if he finds anything that requires further investigation.

In depth information on cancer, prevention, cures, treatment, counseling and more can be found at: thecancer. net ; cancer. org ; and cancer. gov/cancertopics .

How to attain improved search engine rank

Improved search engine rank is something that all webmasters desire but that few understand how to attain. It is a function of their ability to understand what people are looking for in their niche, and how well they meet that need.

Their search engine rank is related solely to how well the search engine statistical mathematical formulae known as algorithms rate the content of each of their web pages. If they do not understand what the search engines are looking for, and have no understanding of algorithmic mathematical statistical analysis, then they will likely fail relative to somebody who does understand.

So what are these algorithms? They are formulae used by what are commonly known as search engine spiders; pieces of software that crawl your website from top left to bottom right, missing out those parts that they do not understand. They check out your semantics, or use of words, to ensure that your text has sufficient relevance to the topic of each page as to satisfy the needs of those to whom the search engine will present your page.

How do these so-called spiders know what the topic of each of your web pages is? From your SEO. From the title page, the headings that are placed in H1 tags, and by other means whereby you can make it clear to a mathematical equation what your site is about, and how well you are providing the required information. If a Google (for example) user is using the search term ‘make my own jewellery’, then the Google algorithm will seek that exact term in your text.

It will seek it in your title, in your heading and at least at the start and end of the text on your web page. If it finds the keyword too often, however, your web page can be downgraded since the algorithm will have a calculated density of the word regarded as normal in speech and writing. It can spot excessive use that could be designed only to provide a higher listing position, and provide the opposite: a lower position. The use of semantically related text to the keyword, however, will work in your favour, and help to achieve you a higher listing, That is what Google erroneously refers to as LSI, or latent semantic indexing. LSA, or latent semantic analysis, would be closer to the contextual mark.

If you do not know these things, then your web page will be unlikely to reach the position in the search engine listings for a specific search term (keyword) that you want it to be. You have to know what is needed to achieve what you want to achieve. Semantics is only a small part of that however. Also involved are your internal navigation links. Most people think that these are purely to allow visitors to navigate through your website, and reach the pages they want to read. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

Search engines use your navigation links to determine the relative importance you have placed on each of your web pages. Those most linked to are the most important, and vice versa for those least linked to. Your linking structure is very important, and there are tricks that can be used to maximize this. There is even a mathematical formula that can be used to optimize each web page to maximize its chances of receiving a high listing.

External links are also important, although the days are gone when loads of reciprocal links would get you a good listing. Reciprocal links can have a negative effect on your listing position unless you know exactly what you are doing, and how to calculate the relative usefulness of each link to your web page.

Improved search engine rank is not easy for a beginner to achieve, nor even an experienced internet marketer, unless they understand how search engine algorithms work and what they are looking for. Find that, and you have the battle practically won.

Rc car painting

RC car painting is typically done using one of two methods: spray cans or an airbrush. Needless to say your skill level will be the ultimate determining factor since most people just aren’t that familiar with the intricacies of airbrushing. Both methods have their particular idiosyncratic advantages and disadvantages, however.

RC car painting via spray cans is the choice of many not only because they either don’t have access to an airbrush or know how to use one, but also because it can be done quickly. A huge amount of space can be covered relatively quickly with a spray can. But RC car painting isn’t the same thing as changing the color of a flag pole.

You want to be proud of that car and make it look as good as it runs. Although personalizing and detailing can usually done much better by airbrush, if you take your time and plan ahead, your spray can RC car painting can wind up looking quite impressive.

Of course, RC car painting with an airbrush is ultimately what you should aim for. The benefits of using an airbrush is that you have access to so many more colors than you can get from using spray cans. And that’s saying a lot, because even if you do choose to use spray cans, you’ll still have over fifty different colors from to pick. But when RC car painting with an airbrush, you can exponentially expand those choices through mixing and blending.

In addition to more flexible use of coloring, airbrushing also affords more control in application. Unlike spray cans, an airbrush can be adjusted, allowing you to spray the paint as thickly or thinly as you like.

The downside to using an airbrush, besides your own level of artistic ability, is cost. For RC car painting with an airbrush you’ll need a compressor. You can try using canned air to begin with, but you’ll quickly find yourself spending more money than you planned on saving because they empty pretty quickly. Better to shell out for an actual compressor, preferably one that produces 25 to 70 psi. By pass the 1/8 HP hobby compressors and go for the Ѕ HP. Since most RC car painting is now done with next generation water-based paints, also make sure the compressor comes with a moisture trap; if it doesn’t, you’ll quickly find car covered in thick gobs of paint.

RC car painting with an airbrush requires not just air, obviously, but brushes. Ideally, you will want to own more than one brush, but since they can be pricy—the good ones anyway—you may just want to start off with one. The reason for owing two is pretty obvious. RC car painting at its finest creates a work of art that combines both thick lines and fine lines, therefore you want a brush for both thicknesses.

In addition, the paint itself comes in various thickness and some of the finer brushes just handle the thicker paints at the psi the compressor puts out. RC car painting with an airbrush obviously requires more effort, time and expense than RC car painting with spray cans, but the end result usually shows.

como encontrar pareja si estas solo o sola

Encontrar pareja es algo no tan fбcil de hacer. Todo depende en las posibilidades y opciones de cada uno. Como buscar departamento por ejemplo, requiere saber como buscar, en que sitios, en que inmobiliarias, etc.

En el caso de una pareja, es importante tener en claro a donde buscar. Los sitios en Internet se han convertido en una de las mejores opciones en los ъltimos aсos de su popularidad. Gente como vos y yo que no encuentran al amor de su vida, encuentran en sitios para conocer gente en lнnea muchas opciones que en la vida cotidiana no pueden o no pretenden buscar.

La ventaja principal de estos sitios es que te permiten dejar atrбs muchos prejuicios que llevamos a la hora de encontrarnos con alguien cara a cara. No te importa decir lo que piensas o enfrentar a alguien que quieres porque sabes que no pierdes nada si lo haces, solo puedes ganar.

Los sitios tambiйn son divididos en inter-grupos, es decir si eres de alguna religiуn o origen йtnico, nacionalidad, hobbies, preferencias sexuales, etc. Si buscas a alguien que sea como tu, en los sitios de Internet lo puedes encontrar.

Otro de los beneficios de encontrar pareja en lнnea, es que lo puedes hacer en cualquier momento del dнa, desde cualquier computadora que desees. Si no puedes dormir, y estas sin nada que hacer, sabes que hay alguien del otro lado del monitor que se encuentra igual que ti. Puede ser en tu ciudad, o en cualquier otro lugar del mundo. Es tambiйn una manera muy prometedora para abrir tu mente y conocer otras culturas fuera de la tuya.

He oнdo muchas historias de parejas amigas que se conocieron por Internet en sitios como JDate, Date. com, y otros. Algunos viven juntos, otros estбn casados y muy felices, otros por supuesto no funcionaron pero lo intentaron.

Especialmente para aquellos que trabajan hasta tarde, y no tienen tiempo de salir a bares y conoces a alguien hacerlo en lнnea es ideal. (Especialmente sabiendo que en bares, la mayorнa de la gente busca solo encuentros cortos de una noche, y no mas que eso.)

Otra de las ventajas de estos sitios es que la mayorнa de los que estбn alistados realmente buscan pareja y no solo una noche de diversiуn. Algunos buscan solo diversiуn, pero encontraran a otros alistados en la misma secciуn, sin decepcionar a los que buscan pareja. Es todo muy organizado y fбcil de llevar a cabo.

Este sistema es desde ya un gran cambio para los mayores de 40, que estaban acostumbrados a otro tipo de interacciуn para encontrar pareja. Sin embargo, no hay duda que Internet hace este proceso mucho mas fбcil y posible para muchos. Pruйbalo y veras!

Online flash casinos on the rise

The new type of virtual gambling experience offered by the top online casinos in the last few years is a real breakthrough. Flash online casinos use a revolutionary type of software - flash software. Unlike the well-known traditional online casino software platforms, the flash platform revolutionized the idea of online gambling.

Flash software requires no downloading. All you need is to just log in on the site of an online casino of your choice and start playing. Easy, quick and convenient - what else could you want when you are in need of effective entertainment?

Playing online flash casinos has many advantages. You can play anytime and any place you want. What is more, you don't spend time on downloading the games. That is why virtual flash casinos are steadily increasing their popularity.

If you visit online chats where gamblers communicate in real time, you will see what I mean - online flash casinos craze is on the go. If you happen to ask gamers for their personal preferences they will confirm the fact. Obviously, online flash casinos are the option of the future in online gambling.

The reason is simple - by playing online flash casino games you are saving; saving a valuable resource - your time. Time is money. Respectively, by playing flash casino online chances to multiply deposit money look bigger. What is more, this can be done with ease and in a much comfortable way.

Flash games and online flash casinos have improved substantially during the last several years. Graphic design with superior quality and stunning sound effects provide a top quality entertainment. The immediate access to the play is the icing on the cake.

Flash online casinos offer a rich array of games - all types of slot machines, casino arcade games, online roulette, keno etc - whatever casino game you can think of. All of the best online casino sites have introduced flash casino sections.

Virtual flash games have magic attraction to players. Enticed by the realistic sounds and high-tech graphics, online gamblers are absorbed by a new imaginary world. Most of these games are multi-player ones. This adds the allure of the competitiveness and zest for triumph.

Psychologists claim that online flash games are beneficial for individuals because they give stimuli for perseverance, ability for hard work and patience. The taste of virtual competition enhances the spirit for rivalry and sportsmanship.

Designing a betting strategy is believed to develop thinking. Certain online flash casino games improve player's reflexes and speed of thinking.

The trend is that flash online casino sites will soon outnumber classical online casinos on the web. In fact, online gamblers claim that flash games technically outperform the traditional download virtual casinos in many ways.

Seems like new dimension of advanced online gaming is being offered to regular online casino players. And inevitably, online gamblers hail and jump into this new world of entertainment experience.

Creating and using lead capture pages

In today's generation there are many beginning entrepreneurs. With so much time spent away from loved ones people are trying to find new and useful ways to work from home. An online businesses success is determined a lot by how many visitors it receives daily. In generating leads for their product and services many people use what is known as a lead capture page.

Lead Generation is not an easy business, finding an accurate lead is a task that poses a great challenge for many business owners. After all who wants traffic when it is not making you any money? The use of a sales letter to peak and interest in visitors to the World Wide Web will give you a great shot at generating leads. These tasks will ensure that potential customers who are interested can request information, sign up for newsletters which will also start building your safe list.

Safelists are a list of your potential or actual customers that have already given you permission to use their emails, and deliver more messages. This is a great way to promote. Some business owners can manage their lists to help them know exactly what to send to the customer. If you have an eBook on information for start-up businesses you wouldn't want to send it to someone who is looking for music information. When you send out information to people on your safelist you want it to purchase the items so the more targeted the list and item the better.

Here are a few tips to keep you moving in the right direction:

Research your product: when you are creating a sales letter, lead capture page or any other marketing page you want to make sure that you know your product. Know the pros and the cons of the product and what you have to offer that other competitors can't offer them.

Create your sales letter: this is the exciting face that will bring your potential customers to your lead capture page. They customer must be drawn in enough to keep ready. They must hear short phrases that make them click the buy now link right away or read enough to do it later down the page. Develop a Lead capture page: When designing the Lead Capture page you can add your sales letter to it, manually or loading. There are several programs that will help you develop a good quality lead capture page. Some businesses use capture pages to get customer or visitors to sign up before the even gain access to the page! There are several ways to improve your chances of generating leads for your business just make sure they are the right target audience for your site or product.

Your focus of your page should be strictly to capture the email address of the user. You can use special types of pop ups which capture the real email address of your visitor. Of course they must agree to this and even better they should confirm their email address making the leads a confirmed opt in leads. This is the best type of lead because they have expressly shown interest.

Take advantage of an exciting online paralegal degree program

Online degree programs are like the new technical school. They prepare busy people for the rigors of the work place and provide the knowledge necessary for getting a much better job. Specifically, they offer opportunities in new and budding industries where people have a chance to have a great, long career. Most online universities make their living from working professionals in business who want to gain a degree in order to move up in the corporate world. One different type of degree is gaining popularity, though. The online paralegal degree is one that is relatively painless and affords students an opportunity to work in the legal field. Specifically, this degree is aimed at a person who wants to get there quickly.

The best reason for getting an online paralegal degree is because it will give you an opportunity to jump into a lucrative field. With one of these degrees, you can work immediately as a paralegal or a legal assistant for a big firm or a small firm. With that position, you stand to make a good salary with an opportunity for advancement.

Online paralegal degree programs offer the convenience of quickness, as well. Most online paralegal programs can be completed in around one year, meaning that students can enjoy the fruits of their education much quicker than in the past. These universities have degree programs that will immediately prepare students for the rigors of the legal field. In the program, you will learn the skills of the job and the knowledge to do it right. You will also gain a bit of insight on the work ethic and other responsibilities that are essential to success. By choosing an online paralegal degree program instead of a traditional university, one can gain the skills and expertise to succeed at the job, while skipping the unnecessary courses usually assigned by a traditional program. This degree enables graduates to have a very high job placement when they complete the program.

Another extremely valuable component of this degree program is that it will equip you with a bachelor degree that can lead to many other opportunities. Should you enjoy the legal field after working in it, this degree will give you an opportunity to pursue post-graduate work that will make you even more marketable to big companies. In general, this online paralegal degree is simply a stepping stone to much greater things. While it requires only a year to complete, it affords a lifetime of better living.

Many online universities offer paralegal students the option of combining their degree with another program within the university. Many take advantage of the chance to combine their paralegal degree with something in business. A popular program is the applied management degree program in association with the paralegal training. This specific combination of learning will enable workers to work well with attorneys who work on business law and contract litigation. By gaining even more specialization in a field, workers make themselves doubly marketable to potential employers. With this knowledge, there is a good chance that you can do something that your competitor for a position is unable to do.

Online paralegal degree programs afford students with an opportunity to succeed in a very short period of time. Anyone who has a strong desire to work within the legal field and can put up with about a year’s worth of online classes should consider this challenging and exciting career. This small sacrifice can go a long way to establishing a worker in a growing and very competitive industry.

Small business credit card

It has only been recently that the larger credit card companies began aggressively marketing small business credit cards. If you are a new entrepreneur and have decided it’s time to get a small business credit card, you are in luck!

Most new businesses are sole proprietorships and credit is an important part of growing your business. The credit card issuers look at your personal credit history to see how you’ve managed your personal debt. A good personal credit report can prove that you take your obligations seriously.

As with any credit decision, you need to review what your requirements are before you apply for a small business credit card. The financial institutions are offering numerous incentives for your loyalty such as rewards, cash back, airline miles, high credit limit, and an option to pay over time or in full.

A small business credit card can assist with your cash flow. If you purchase supplies to do a job and bill the client upon completion, a small business credit card allows you that needed extension of time. You should keep this in mind and perhaps apply for a higher limit credit card. Consider the invoicing cycle. If you think it may run over thirty days, you would want to apply for a card that offers the option to pay over time. Look at a lower interest rate small business credit card.

If you have been in business for at least two years and just want to add to your cash flow. The Small Business Capital Line offered by American Express may be what your looking for. This offer includes an unsecured line of credit with a minimum of $10,000. Their easy application process doesn't require any supporting forms for most applications and gives you 100% access to your cash. This offer includes a competitive APR.

If your new commercial endeavor includes travel, a small business credit card with rewards that offers savings for airline miles, hotel and car rental would be ideal. An added advantage is you can keep track, remotely, of an employee‘s expenses through online viewing of your account. This is a big plus when on a tight budget!

The SkyPoints Business Credit Card from Delta and American Express, lets you earn double SkyPoints for everyday purchases and Delta purchases too. You can receive up to 75% discount on airfare when you redeem your SkyPoints. There is a small yearly fee for this program, but the first year fee is waived, offering an immediate savings of $49.

Credit card companies have formed alliances with a number of retailers, both online and off line. Some rewards perks are discounts when using your small business credit card at specified locations.

The Chase Platinum Business Card offers additional savings through their Visa Business partner Advantage. Receive savings of up to 20% from leading retailers with special offers on computer equipment, office supplies, and many other items.

Choosing a small business credit card is made easier by the internet where you can compare offers side by side. Each of the small business credit card programs offer extra value. It’s your choice which program fits with your financial needs.

Making lucrative investments in thailand propertie

Thailand is one of the most attractive places in Asia and has become an excellent tourist hotspot. The entire nation has lots of amazing spots to attract and allure the people. Hence each year number of people come and make investments in Thailand property to gain profits or income. But regrettably the Thai administration is not very open in inviting worldwide real estate people for various developmental purposes. And moreover there is a restriction or bar on the Thailand property and Thailand homes investment done by outsiders. So it’s best to take help and advice regarding Thailand property, Thailand homes, real estate Phuket from the local professional’s expert in various property transactions. Also tgrasia. com is a site all about Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket villas, property in Phuket, real estate Phuket, real estate companies Phuket, Phuket hotel resorts, Phuket property, Phuket islands and private islands.

Investing in Thailand holiday resorts and Thailand homes rental are really beneficial as these properties ensure in getting a good rental income all through the year. Additionally the investor with his family can stay at their Thailand holiday resorts or Thailand homes and enjoy the holidays. Another picturesque and a big tourist spot is Phuket that is just few kilometers from Thailand. Phuket has many good and luxurious hotels, guest houses and restaurants but Phuket villas and Phuket hotel resorts have its own value. Almost all the Phuket villas are homely and offers complete comfy living conditions to its guests. These Phuket villas are very economical as compared to big hotels with full facilities.

Many people have started investing in Phuket property, property in Phuket and property Phuket as it’s a great way to earn quick money. In addition the Phuket islands and private islands are the best adventure place for tourist, where they can spend some time in the beech and rest at shipping or boating activities. To reach the lovely Phuket islands or private islands you can hire your own car or taxi. Every year thousands of people from all over the world come at Phuket islands, private islands or Phuket hotel resorts and spend their holidays with family, friends and relatives.

Moreover you will find many other attractive real estate Phuket investments and lifestyle opportunities including big apartments, private houses and so on. Phuket islands unique coastal beauty as well as international lifestyle is really hard or difficult to beat. The Luxurious real estate Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket property, property Phuket attracts lots of people each year. Like many other countries Thailand's real estate property market offers the buyers everything right from big luxurious Phuket villas, apartments and much more. The best thing about making investments in Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket hotel resorts Phuket property, and Phuket islands is its cost-effective factor. The real estate companies Phuket provide guidance to the investors. Real estate companies Phuket also tells the investors about how he can make a right investment in Phuket villas, property in Phuket, real estate Phuket, Phuket property, Phuket islands, Thailand property, Thailand homes and private islands.

For more details and information regarding Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket villas, property in Phuket, real estate Phuket, real estate companies Phuket, Phuket hotel resorts, Phuket property, Phuket islands and private islands then log on to tgr-asia. com

How to buy silk flowers in 2 easy steps

I bet you are frustrated over the lack of information on how to buy silk flowers. It seems like every website that I visit either wants to sell me some silk flowers or they want to upgrade me to an even bigger sale. There are literally thousands of information sources offline and online, but it sure is hard digging through them all. So, I sat down and did the research so you don’t have to. Silk flowers are beautiful and when put in the right scene, they can really make all the difference. Here’s two tips to help you get a good deal on silk flowers.

1) Ebay is your friend for a whole lot of reasons (pun intended). Given that something like 90 million people visit the Ebay website everyday, you’ve probably done some shopping or at least browsing of Ebay to look for stuff to buy. There are tons of Ebay sellers selling everything: including silk flowers. If nothing else, it’s a great way to gauge the market. You don’t have to bid, you can just look and watch the sales happen. Just do a search for “silk flowers” and take a look at how many listings pop up. In fact, a lot of these Ebay sellers have their own Ebay stores where you can browse through everything they offer. Plenty of them sell silk flowers and other items at substantial discounts. This can be especially handy information if you are looking to buy a large wholesale quantity of silk flowers for a wedding. Big sellers have their own stores and you can really find some good deals.

2) Buy silk flowers piece by piece. Make them yourselves. Here’s a secret not everyone is gonna let you in on: making silk flowers yourself isn’t that hard. If you are handy with fabric, scissors, and thread, you might consider making some silk flowers yourself. You’ll save the extra labor charge that is incorporated into the silk flowers themselves. This is a great idea for people who have a little more time than money and are willing to use their hands to make beautiful silk flowers. Think of it like this: you are buying silk flowers, only at a substantial discount.

Finding the cheapest income protection insurance

If you have been offered income protection insurance alongside your loan or credit card then you could be asking yourself - is there such as thing as cheap income protection insurance? Well the good news is that it does exist. Certainly, the cheapest income protection insurance can be found by shopping around for cover rather than being coerced in to buying it from your bank or high street lender alongside your loan, credit card or mortgage.

Research shows that going with a standalone provider and staying clear of the high street lender can more often than not save you a substantial sum of money on your premiums. A reputable standalone provider will specialise in this type of insurance and so will not only be able to offer you the cover much cheaper than the high street lenders can, but they also have experience when it comes to selling policies, meaning you are more likely to get the right policy for your circumstances.

Income protection insurance will provide you with a fixed monthly income for a stated period of time should you find yourself out of work due to an accident, long term sickness or unemployment. However the cover has to be bought wisely, otherwise you risk not being able to make a claim if you haven’t read the small print on the policy.

The income protection sector has been under fire recently and has earned itself a bad name. However, this shouldn’t put you off buying this invaluable cover. The majority at fault when it comes to the mis-selling of income protection insurance have been the high street lenders who are also noted for over charging on the premiums as well as selling policies that people haven’t got a chance of claiming on. This is why if you are thinking of taking out income protection then you would be wise to do your homework and see what is on offer.

Finally, when taking out the cover, never take it alongside a product such as a loan or credit card with the high street lender. The premiums will be sky high – as the personal finance media regularly highlights – with billions being made in profits every year from the sale of payment protection insurance. Stick with an independent specialist and you should get great advice, a quality product and the cheapest income protection insurance that is available anywhere.