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Migraine Headaches – What Are They?

23 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Copyright 2006 TriggerOptics.com

The possibility of a migraine headache can easily become the worst fear of anyone who has ever suffered from one. These debilitating headaches are believed to be caused by changes in the levels of serotonin in the brain. When the levels are too low, this causes the blood vessels to swell, and this swelling causes quite a bit of pain. The level of serotonin that your brain produces is determined by many different things, including foods, light, estrogen, and blood sugar levels.

Those who suffer from migraine headaches know that the pain can become incredibly intense, literally preventing them from going about their day-to-day lives. Different people experience different levels of pain with their migraines – no two are alike.

Symptoms of a migraine headache may include nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, spotty vision, sensitivity to light, sound and smells, intense throbbing pain in various places on your head, feelings of exhaustion, confusion, being too hot or too cold, having a stiff neck and shoulders, dizziness, or feeling light headed.

Many people also report that movement or being touched increases the pain dramatically. Some people suffer from migraines so often that they know when one is about to start – well before it starts. They may experience fatigue, have mood swings, crave certain foods, or they may even experience increased energy that is not ‘normal’ for them.

There are different types of migraine headaches. Classic Migraines are described as migraines that are signaled by changes in the way one sees. Feelings of depression, irritability, and restlessness may signal these migraines. Common Migraines usually start slowly and lasting much longer than Classic Migraines. Classic Migraines and Common Migraines are the two most common types of migraine headaches.

Migraines can be caused by a variety of things, such as excess light, which causes the brain to produce more serotonin than is needed. Certain foods can cause migraines, and this varies from person to person. Unbalanced estrogen levels are another major cause, and more women than men have migraine headaches. Migraine headaches may last anywhere from a few hours up to three days or more.

For some people, over the counter pain relievers will help ease the pain of a migraine. For others, stronger prescriptions pain reliever is required. Again, treatment should be started at the first sign of a migraine in order to cure it faster. Some prescription medications used to treat severe migraine headaches can be habit forming, so caution should be used.

Other than medication, if you are suffering from a migraine, you should resign to a dark room that is very quiet and lie down. If touch doesn’t bother you, massaging your temples may help. Make sure that you apply pressure to the temples, and you should keep your eyes closed and place a cool damp cloth or cold compress either over your eyes or on your head – or both.

Migraines can be avoided in a variety of ways. For frequent headaches, medication may be prescribed to help avoid migraines. Wearing sunglasses, especially those designed for headache sufferers should also be used in bright light.. If certain foods tend to bring on your migraines, those foods should of course be avoided. You should also make sure that you get plenty of sleep and that you avoid stress.

Again, migraine headaches can be quite debilitating. Prevention of these headaches is important, and anyone who has had one of these types of headaches will do everything they can do to prevent another one from coming on. Prevention, however, doesn’t always work, so again, make sure you start treating your migraine headache at the very first sign that one is coming for faster relief.

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Paper Shredders

23 February, 2012 | | No Comment

As identity theft becomes a real problem in our society, paper shredders begin to fill a growing need in the community. Businesses and individuals both desire to safely and effectively destroy sensitive documents.

While individuals can rely on small paper shredders to effectively destroy credit card statements and bank paperwork, larger corporations need something more heavy duty.

Corporate paper shredders are often associated with hiding fraud or other illegal activities. Just think of all the shredder jokes that surrounded the Enron scandal. However, there is a legitimate need for quality paper shredders in the corporate world.

Just think about the amount of sensitive paperwork that passes through a credit union, psychologists office or accounting firm. Commercial-grade paper shredders, as they are often called, are manufactured to destroy large amounts of paperwork in a minimum of time. They are built with large motors that can handle stacks of paper at a time, as opposed to personal shredders that can only take one or two sheets.

Selecting a commercial-grade paper shredder involves deciding on what features are most important to the company. Consider first how often the paper shredder will be used. Each shredder will have a maximum running length and once that limit has been met, the machine will need to be turned off and allowed to rest for a specified period of time.

For example, higher end shredders may be able to run for 10 to 15 minutes before needing a rest of 20 minutes. Smaller models may only be able to handle 3 minutes of continuous shredding before having to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Another feature that varies between shredders is the estimated shred volume. This indicates the volume of paper that the shredder can handle. Analyze the shredding needs of the office and determine what paper capacity is necessary.

Keep in mind that a shredder needs time to cool down between sessions and will break down if it is kept running continuously. To prevent this, consider purchasing a shredder that will be able to handle slightly more work than needed. This way the shredder wont be running at maximum capacity all of the time and the life of the machine will be increased.

There are two main ways that a shredder destroys paper. Strip-cut shredders cut paperwork into thin strips of of an inch or smaller. This option suits the security needs of most offices. Cross-cut shredders are more suitable for the most confidential documents. This type of shredder cuts both lengthwise and widthwise to create what looks like confetti, and these shredders are often referred to as confetti paper shredders.

Commercial paper shredders need regular maintenance to run at their optimum rate. Lubricating oil must be applied to the shredder regularly to remove the build-up of paper dust inside the cutting apparatus. Most paper shredder manufacturers will recommend particular oil for their machine. The oil should be applied regularly depending on how often the machine is used. General repairs like paper jams can normally be handled by the office staff.

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Which College Should Your Student Attend?

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

As you and your children research, investigate and visit colleges that may be of interest, you will find that each college has a different look, feel and appeal. Some you will like. Others you won’t. That’s all part of the process for narrowing the field.

To help ensure that you and your children make clearly focused decisions, you can use the information that follows to rank your choices. Some of you may want to use a five point scale to rate each college on items 4 – 11. In that way, parents and students can more easily compare colleges on individual items and total scores. You can even add items, if that would be helpful. However, the first three items on this list should be fully discussed and agreed upon long before you begin to look at colleges.

1. Evaluate Your Financial Position – How many children do you have? How much money can you afford for each child’s college education? Is the student able and willing to obtain a part-time job? What is the likelihood that your student will receive a significant amount of grant and merit scholarship money? Is the student willing to take on one or more student loans? As parents, are you willing to take on one or more loans to help pay for college?

2. Consider Cost Reduction Alternatives – Since money is a concern for most parents, students should consider community colleges and lower cost four year colleges. However, be sure to check out the ratings and reputations of those colleges. It pays to attend a college that has a good reputation. Then, if you obtain good grades, you may be able to transfer to a higher ranked, four year college. Don’t ignore the savings that can be gained by attending a local college and living at home. Does the student need a car? Should the student attend college on a part-time, pay as you go basis? Explore the alternatives to determine which one is best for you.

3. Rate Your Student’s High School Performance – Be honest. What is the quality of the high school your child has attended? The best colleges will take this into consideration. Carefully evaluate your student’s high school performance, including the following: academic achievement, leadership roles, participation and performance in school activities, community involvement and service, part-time work, critical life experiences, obstacles that were overcome and outstanding achievements. In what areas has your student been recognized by others for having achieved excellence? What is the likelihood that your student will excel in college?

4. Financial Aid – First, you should be interested in Grants and Scholarships, not loans. How

much money is each college willing to offer your child? Is there enough difference between the offers to influence the student’s college choice? Qualified students should begin to investigate local and national scholarships and grant money early in their junior year of high school. After all possible grants and scholarships have been investigated, look at other options including work-study programs, part-time jobs and loans. Since student loans come in all shapes and sizes, both students and parents should carefully consider each loan option. Obviously, some loans are more repayment friendly than others. Make certain that you fully understand all loan requirements before you commit. Also understand that you may be repaying those college loans for more than twenty years.

5. College Ratings – Most colleges have an international, national, state or local reputation. What are the reputations of the colleges to which your student will be applying? Are any of the colleges known for the field that your student plans to enter? Colleges with a the best reputations can be helpful when it’s time to look for a job.

6. Career Services – Does the Career Services office have enough employees to provide personal assistance, classes and training for every student, or do they merely provide information on their web site? Do they provide students with assistance in every aspect of the job search: A Goal, A Plan, Assessment Instruments, Research, Networking, The Resume, Interviewing, References and more? Can they help students with internships, part-time and summer jobs? Can they steer students to alumni who are already working in their field of interest?

7. Job Placement Statistics – Colleges are very clever with the statistics they present. Many colleges state that 95% or more of their students are employed within six months of graduation. However, those numbers don’t tell you how many students are working in their field of interest and if they are earning a living wage. Are graduates forced to live at home because they can’t afford to live independently and still pay off their college loans? Before selecting a college, students should find out how many employers, in their field of interest, actually come to that campus to recruit students. How many students, in that field, received job offers as the result of campus interviews? What were the titles of the jobs they were offered? How much did they pay? Where were they located? Parents and students have a vested interest in these answers.

8. Campus Safety & Security - Every college has safety and security issues. What are the statistics for the past four years? Ask about Murders, Rapes, Assaults, Stalking, Thefts and Intruders. What prevention measures are in place? With regard to major security events, what is the college’s track record and ability to immediately communicate with students about lock downs? How does the college handle Contagious Health Issues – Meningitis, etc.? Are you satisfied with the way each college has handled such problems? Be sure to ask about and investigate dorm security. Talk with current students about these issues.

9. Counseling Services – What counseling services are offered? Which of the counseling services is your student most likely to need? Students often seek counseling for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drugs, drinking, academic performance and career issues. How comprehensive are these services? How frequently has each service been used by students in past years? What are the success rates?

10. Parent Association – Which colleges have a Parent Association? If they have one, you will be able to talk with other parents about any issues that concern you. Make a judgment whether each college is parent and family friendly. You will find that some are interested in parent opinions, suggestions and involvement, while others are not. Some colleges only want your tuition payments and annual donations.

11. Campus Activities – When students have a special interest, make certain that the colleges under consideration provide the student with an opportunity to participate. Other students may prefer colleges with a broad array of activities, so they can explore their options and test their skills.

As you get down to the four or five colleges that hold the most interest, are appropriate for the student’s qualifications and meet your personal financial requirements, the application process can begin. Many students apply a strategy to help ensure acceptance at colleges that fit their needs and wants. They apply to one or two colleges they consider to be a stretch, two or three in which they are confident of acceptance and one or two that they consider to be a slam dunk. This is an excellent strategy to consider, since the competition at high quality, lower cost colleges will always be stiff. Keep in mind that some colleges accept as few as 20% of their applicants.

When parents perform well during this process, they will have helped their children to gather and evaluate important college information, explore the alternatives, focus on the things that will enable students to find success and teach their children how to make sound and informed decisions. However, once the choices are reduced to the two or three most suitable colleges, the final selection should be left to the student.

Visit Bob’s web site: http://www.The4Realities.com. Bob Roth is the author of The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College -and- The College Student’s Guide To Landing A Great Job.

Bob Roth is the author of The College Student’s Guide To Landing A Great Job -and- The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College. He also write articles for more than 175 college career services offices and campus newspapers. Additionally, Bob has developed 15 self-scoring learning tool that help college students find success. http://www.The4Realities.com Bob Roth, a former campus recruiter, is the author of The College Student’s Guide To Landing A Great Job -and- The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College.

Known as The “College & Career Success” Coach, Bob also writes articles for more than 200 College Career Services Offices, Campus Newspapers, Parent Associations and Employment Web Sites. Additionally, Bob has developed 20 Self-Scoring Learning Tools that help college students find success. He has been interviewed on numerous radio programs across the country and also by many newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal. Lastly, Bob has served as an Adjunct at Marist College, teaching a course in Career Development. http://www.The4Realities.com

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You Don’t Have To Quit Your Job – To Be Your Own Boss

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

I’m constantly seeing articles about how you should quit your job and start your own business. I wont’ argue with that — being your own boss is a terrific experience and can give you the time and financial freedom you’ve always wanted.

But the plain truth is that most of us NEED our jobs to pay the mortgage, the rent, our car payments, insurance premiums — you name it! If we didn’t have that check coming in on a regular basis, we’d probably be living on a street corner somewhere.

Traditionally, you would have to save a little each month for years to get enough to live on while you start your business. Another way to do it would be to work for someone else in the same business you want to start. You can learn the ropes while still earning a paycheck. When it’s time to quit and begin your business, you’ll be miles ahead.

But let me give you a more modern alternative that works better than any of these: work a part-time job from home that lets you build a FULL-TIME income. You keep working your regular job while you start your part-time business on the weekends, after work, or in the morning before you go to work.

Even a few years ago this would have been a slow way to get your business started. But now, incredible online automation and outsourcing lets you run your home-based business in as little as an hour per week.

How does that work? Let me show you.

Instead of calling, advertising, and sending letters to prospects, you can let fully automated online sites gather hot leads for you. Then, instead of spending hours in meetings and phone chats, you can have those leads automatically turned over to a professional sales team who turns the serious leads into paying customers.

About all you have to do is collect your commissions. And these days, those commissions can be HUGE. Forget the $20 and $50 paychecks you got in the past. These days modern automated systems can deliver $1,000 to $3,000 or more PER SALE!

Think about it for a minute. Using this type of automated/outsourced strategy, you could keep your current job while you earn an even larger income working just a few hours per week in your spare time.

This is a great way to either begin a fun, serious business of your own, or simply DOUBLE or TRIPLE the income you’re bringing in with your current job.

Keep your job AND be your own boss if you like. It’s all possible today on the Internet.

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Why do dancers often get growing pains?

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Lots of girls and boys between the ages of 10 and 16 may be experiencing pain related to their rapid growth. Unfortunately as we grow, all the action takes place at the growth plates in our bones, and it does take some time for the muscles, ligaments and nerves to adjust to their new positions. This means that hamstrings that were allowing you to get into the splits easily three months ago might be a little short for the new leg they are attached to! As tempting as it is to stretch them out constantly, it is also a time when we have to be REALLY careful about how much, and how hard we stretch.

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How to Buy Classic Car Insurance

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Collector Car Insurance and Classic Car Insurance

If you are fortunate enough to own a classic car – or any collectible automobile – then you want to ensure that your luck does not run out because of having inadequate insurance coverage. Call it covering your butt – or covering your “asset” – but by all means, call one of the major providers such as American Collectors, Haggerty, or Parish Heacock insurance companies and let them put you in the driver’s seat in terms of professional protection of your cherished automotive investment.

How to Kick the Tires on Classic Car Insurance

The whole idea of insurance is that it needs to do what you expect of it in an emergency, when the rubber really hits the road. And classic car insurance is as different from conventional auto insurance as, well, a classic car is from your run of the mill generic vehicle.

When you buy a classic car insurance policy, you are essentially purchasing protection for those times when – God forbid and knock on wood it doesn’t happen – disaster strikes in the form of a fire, a collision, or an act of theft or vandalism. Just as we now have modern airbags to save us in the event of a crash, we also have collector’s car insurance, to protect us with adequate moneybags when calamity throws a wrench in the works.

The time you invest in choosing the right classic car insurance coverage is well worth the value and peace of mind that a quality collector’s insurance policy delivers for owners of classic motor cars.

The Nuts and Bolts of Classic Car Insurance Coverage

Collector car insurance is not the same as the insurance you buy for normal coverage of your daily transportation. Collector car insurance, or classic car insurance, is made especially for the needs of the car collector. And while ordinary insurance does offer some protection, no matter what you drive, it can leave you high and dry in the event of a loss that it not effectively covered by the terms of the insurance contract.

For example, you may have a garage-kept Cadillac Sedan DeVille with swooping fins your grandparents bought for $7,000 brand new back in the 1960s. But dealers have offered you three times that much, and you saw another one sell at an auto show for $35,000. If you don’t have special collector car insurance or classic car insurance, and the car is totaled, you will be lucky to get $7,000 for it. With depreciation calculated in, the insurance statisticians may decide that it is worth only half that much, or less, and you could wind up with two or three grand in exchange for your dream machine.

Stipulations or requirements normally encountered while shopping for collector car insurance or classic car insurance:

  • A decent driving record.
  • At least 10 years driving experience
  • No teen drivers on the policy or drivers with poor driving records
  • Secure and out of the weather garage
  • Proof that you have another car for daily transportation
  • Collector vehicle insurance is sometimes limited by the age of your car, and if your car is too young it may not qualify for a particular policy.
  • Limited mileage. You probably don’t want to drive your creampuff car all the time, and your insurance company doesn’t want you to either. Mileage limits have increased recently, though, so if you can live with 250 miles a month you’re probably okay.

Coverage with collector car insurance or classic car insurance: Three kinds of value are important to understand when buying your policy. 1) Actual cash value: This is what you usually get with ordinary insurance, and is based on replacement cost minus depreciation.

2) Stated value:

The insurance company pays up to the stated value of the car, but may not guarantee the full stated value. And deductibles of up to $1,000 usually apply.

3) Agreed value:

In most jurisdictions, those who provide collector car insurance or classic car insurance are allowed to insure for a value that you and your insurer agree upon. And for most autos, there is no deductible. If your $100,000 vintage Rolls get trashed, you get a check for 100 grand, plain and simple – which is exactly why collectors use special classic car insurance coverage.

Do a periodic review of your coverage limits, because classic car prices are rising. What you insured your cherry classic for ten years ago may be a fraction of what it’s worth today. And if you are restoring a vehicle, ask your agent to give you appropriate insurance. There is no need to pay extra based on mileage statistics, if your car is up on blocks with no engine inside it. And as the car’s value increases thanks to your hard work of restoring it, you should raise the coverage to keep up with the added value of the restoration.

Keep all your receipts and paperwork – for everything from parts and labor to expenses incurred to take it to a classic car show – so that you can document the total investment your collector’s car represents. And take photos and keep them updated, for the same reason. And Last But Not Least: Special Savings Opportunities

As long as you meet the criteria in terms of how you use and take care of the car, you can usually buy a policy.

Traditional insurers will either refuse coverage, offer only a replacement value based on the nuts and bolts (minus heavy depreciation) of the car, or will charge you a prohibitive amount for the premium. But many collectors find that special collector’s coverage saves them money – as much as half – while insuring them for higher limits, sometime three or four times what a traditional company gave them.

Yes, it’s possible to get collector’s insurance coverage for full market value for your car, and save up to 50 percent off of the premium you’d pay with ordinary insurance. That makes classic car insurance a must-have for any serious car buff.

Below is information about three of the most reputable and dependable collectors and classic car insurance companies in the USA (All information listed below subject to change, please contact the insurance companies listed to be sure.):

Hagerty Insurance P.O. Box 1303 Traverse City, MI 49685-1303

Email: auto@hagerty.com Toll Free: 800-922-4050

Qualifications:

  • Similar to the others listed below, but please contact Haggerty for details.

American Collectors Insurance P.O. Box 8343 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 Email: info@americancollectors.com Toll Free: (800) 360-2277 Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).

  • At least 15 years old
  • Garage-kept
  • Driven on a limited, pleasure-only basis (up to 5,000 annual miles – available in most states)

You may also qualify by:

  • Having at least 10 years driving experience
  • Having a good driving record
  • Having at least one “regular” vehicle for every licensed driver in the household You may request a policy application either directly from American Collectors Insurance or through your local insurance agent (rates are the same either way).

Parish Heacock Classic Car Insurance P.O. Box 24807 Lakeland, FL 33802-4807 Email: info@parishheacock.com Toll free: (800) 678-5173 Qualifications (subject to change or regional laws so check with the company for specific up-to-date information).

  • Each household member of driving age must have at least 10 years driving experience or be excluded.
  • Each household member must have a regular use vehicle less than 15 years old that is insured with liability limits equal to or higher than the limits being applied for on the collectible vehicle.
  • All licensed members of household and any other drivers of the vehicle must be listed on the application.
  • Maximum of two accidents or violations in the household, maximum of one per licensed household member in past 3 years. No major violations permitted in past 5 years.
  • A Driver Health Questionnaire must be completed for all drivers over 70 years old.
  • Auto must be stored in a locked permanent garage facility when not driven.
  • Auto may not be used for commuting to or from work or school, used for business purposes or as a substitute for another auto.
  • Autos not covered while on a racetrack or when being used for: racing, speed, driver’s education, or timed events.
  • Must display pride of ownership: well maintained, in restored or well-preserved condition.
  • Vehicles under restoration must be stored at residence or a restoration shop, with a target date for completion. Agreed value coverage is not available on cars under restoration. Eligibility subject to company review.
  • Replica Vehicles and Pro Street vehicles are subject to company review.
  • Trucks and Jeeps must be over 25 years old, and not be used for towing, hauling, off-road or utility use.
  • Generally do not require appraisals, but may ask for one if vehicle value is difficult to determine.

Michael Modica is an avid musclecar fan. He is the webmaster of the world’s leading Second Generation Camaro resouce, http://www.nastyz28.com

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Death changes perspective of living

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

We live and we die. But while living, most of us don’t keep the thought of death in mind. A person suffering from an incurable disease may keep it in his/her mind, but not a normal person suffering from ordinary ailments. For a very big population on the earth, life is perpetual. That is how they think and live. Is this a right attitude? To a certain extent this is a right attitude and at times, wrong. Let us analyze further.

We not only live our life thinking that we will not die, but we also behave with others as if they will also not die. Let me give you an example. Let us talk about a friend. He/she does something or speaks something. We are deeply hurt. We feel bad, and we begin blaming the other person for many things. We don’t think of forgiving and carrying on. Why? Suppose that friend of ours meets his/her death after a week. What will be our reaction? We will go in a remorseful mood and blame ourselves. The bad feelings that we had for that person loses all the meaning. That person is no more and no critical analysis or one-upmanship will help now. The situation has changed totally.

Accidents occur everyday. Anyone of us may die at any moment. No one knows about the time of his/her death. We all believe that we will live to a ripe old age and will die only after that. Sometimes, we don’t even think of that. How about changing our perspective? How about keeping the thought in our mind at all times that – the person I am hating so much now, or I am arguing with so much now, may even die after an hour by meeting with some freak accident. This may change our perspective about all our relationships. Is this not true? It will change our thoughts about ourselves also. We will all begin thinking more of today and worry less about tomorrow.

Life is precious. Every life is very precious. Every heart is precious. Why hurt anyone including your ownself?? Forgive everyone. Begin with yourself. Let death change our perspective.

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Equestrian Safety

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

How can horseback riding accidents be minimized??

There is a great deal more to safety in horseback riding than just wearing a hard hat though that is certainly basic. After 70 years of riding and 35 years of leading and organizing riding trips I have formed some strong ideas about the leading causes of riding accidents. They often arent what people think. In my experience it is rare that speed alone is the cause of an accident. I have found that the following avoidable risks account for the vast majority of serious accidents.

* Not wearing a hard hat
* Failure to match horse and rider
* Going too fast on dangerous terrain
* Failure to recheck cinches a second time after a few minutes of riding
* A hat or coat falling from a horse in front and spooking the ones behind
* A kick from a horse
* Being on foot in the corral
* Riding when overweight and out of shape
* Lagging behind to catch up by speeding forward
* Prematurely bailing out to get off a runaway
* Unqualified ride leaders

Wearing a hard hat If you are enjoying your life, it makes no sense to ride without a hard hat. They are not that onerous to wear and can often prevent or attenuate head injuries in falls. A head injury is usually far worse than a broken bone and those who have them often do not completely recover. About ten years ago a lovely young woman signed a special release not to wear a hard hat before riding with me. An hour later she fell, hitting her head on a rock and went into seizures. She will never be the same; nor will I ever forgive myself for allowing her to ride without protection. I dont intend to make that mistake again. Since making hard hats mandatory at our ranch ten years ago we have had one or two hats a year damaged when people took falls and I am convinced that we have avoided several concussions as a result.

Matching horse and rider I think proper matching of horse and rider is the most important factor in avoiding accidents. A spirited, athletic horse can scare the daylights out of a novice and a tired old plug can bore an experienced rider. An actual evaluation by a qualified instructor of a persons riding skills is the best way to judge since many people do not really know how well they ride according to the standards of the place where they are riding. If it is a matter of a riding tour, it is vital that riders should be experienced and fit enough to do the trip as it was intended to be done and the difficulty should be clearly spelled out. Riders with insufficient skills can ruin the ride for riders who are qualified and be a danger to themselves and the other riders.

Too fast on dangerous terrain I must have taken over a hundred falls in my time and rarely been hurt, but the accidents I think most likely to cause injury are when the horse falls, especially if you are under him. Three of the four accidents which caused me trouble for more than a few days were when the horse went down. Twice it was slippery mud and once it was an aardvark hole in Kenya when we galloped too fast through grass tall enough to disguise holes.

Failure to recheck cinches Some horses definitely blow up when a cinch is first tightened. It pays to check them again after five minutes or so. I was an expert witness in a riding accident case where this should have been done.

Falling object from horse in front I have seen many falls as a result of a horse making a sudden turn when the rider in front lost a hat or a raincoat tied on the saddle came loose. I rate this high as a cause of easily avoidable accidents.

Kicking Any horse can kick and one should always be aware of this. Many have broken legs as a result. Do not approach the horse in front of you too closely whether it is a known kicker or not. Take extra care with horses which do kick.

On foot in the corral – Some riding establishments keep guests away from the corrals or saddling areas because many accidents can occur there. A tied horse can spook and pull back, sometimes breaking a lead rope or hitching pole which can cause pandemonium. Horses can be more nervous around people on the ground whom they do not know. When you move behind a horse, you are safer either very close or out of range.

Overweight and out of shape Riding is an athletic sport which demands good muscles and a trim body for the best results. Those who feel that it should be like sitting on a motor cycle should stick to motor cycles. A rider who is overweight cannot perform as well because he puts more stress on the same muscles if he is 20 lbs. overweight. If he falls, an injury is more likely because the greater weight puts more stress on the same bones. It goes without saying that extra lbs. make a huge difference to the horse. Look how jockeys struggle over a pound and what a little extra weight does to the speed of a race horse.

Lagging behind I have seen several serious accidents occur because someone in the riding group felt the pace to be too slow and held a horse back so they could gallop up to join the others. This often makes the horse held back frantic so that it gallops up at speed and crashes into the rest of the group, getting the other horses very excited and out of control.

Bailing out I have known people to throw themselves off a runaway horse because they were terrified and wanted the terror to end. I believe this is usually a big mistake. Horses are not often suicidal and when they tire they will slow down. Usually one can ride it out. I did correctly bail out once when a rock gave way under my horses leg on a narrow trail and he went over a cliff, but those situations are rare. Another time when I was leading a ride on a very spirited horse the metal bit broke near the middle and I was left with no control as we were starting a canter. The horse leapt forward like a rocket when he felt the pressure on his mouth give way and I was badly scared. The thought of bailing out did cross my mind, but fortunately I rode it out and a mile or so later he came to a stop of his own accord. The riders behind me thought I had gone crazy.

Unqualified ride leaders Ride leaders need to be not only good riders themselves, but they need to pay careful attention to the others in the group. Great Britain and France require commercial ride leaders to take courses and pass exams before they can be licensed, but nothing of the kind exists in the United States which means that totally unqualified people often lead rides and ignore basic safety rules.

As in any sport, no matter what precautions are taken, accidents can occur. It is therefore important to have plans in place to get quick and effective help incase of need. When riding in remote places a cell phone or radio can save critical time and if someone in the group has first aid knowledge it can make a great difference. In our experience horseback riding need not be a dangerous activity when compared to a sport like down hill skiing.

Copyright 2005 Bayard Fox and Equitours, Ltd.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.5/

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How To Develop Your Own Personal Mission Statement

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Your personal development and motivation is the key to a successful and happy life. If you want to feel fulfilled from day to day then you need to know what makes you tick and how to get it. You need to be able to meet your goals and even exceed them and with a personal mission statement you will be that much closer to being in the position to do so.

Even businesses are getting in on these mission statements. They are a great way to make it known to yourself and others just where you want to be and what your goals really are. When you know your goal you can be constantly working towards them. If you simply bumble through life you will not stay on course with the same amount of steady ease. Everyone can benefit from a mission statement and if you want to get where you are going you will start writing your own today.

Your personal mission statement is not only about getting what you want out of work or the people around you, it is also about giving back to the world and your loved ones. This mission statement will help you to find out just where you stand in the world and help you to find out just what you should be doing for those around you. Take your time with this mission statement and see how you can change the world for the better. If you know that there is more that you could be doing for the entire world then this will help you to realize those dreams as well.

Your personal mission statement will help you to evolve into the person that you have always dreamed of becoming. If you are sick and tired of being the kind of person who simply lets things happen to them then a mission statement is for you. You will become a person to reckon with, a powerhouse of determination and skill. This statement is going to change your entire life for the better and it will begin to do so immediately. As soon as you take the step to start writing it you are going to begin to grow and evolve in ways that you ever thought that you could.

Start with just a simple pen and paper. Sit down and write about the person that you are today. Do you like yourself? Do you think that there are areas in your person that you could improve? Write about it and how you are going to change for the better and how you are going to do it. Focus also on your strengths and your abilities. Write how you want to change and in what areas of your life as well as about the goals that you want to see yourself meet over time. Which goals are short term ones and which are long terms goals. Write down all of the personal tings that you want to see happen and change in your life and you will change from that day forward.

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Understanding Laptop Batteries.

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Laptop batteries come in a plethora of styles and makes. Depending on the particular laptop one has and personal preferences based on particular needs, the laptop battery has endless possibilities!

Laptop batteries are virtual power packs with an extended lifespan but requiring constant attention and periodic recharging. Of course, each laptop battery is different, so its important to learn as much beforehand about what kind of laptop battery is needed and what its specifications are. Laptop batteries, like everything else, have particular conditions to consider based on the style, make, size, and purpose of the laptop battery.

The types of laptop batteries are endless. Some examples are as follows: IBM ThinkPad Ni-MH, Compaq Presario R3000/4000 CA/CL Li-Ion, and Hitachi Pro-7000 Li-Ion, just to name a few. Each of these Laptop batteries is designed for a particular system having certain features.

It is believed that Lithium-charged laptop batteries are the highest quality. Therefore Lithium-Ion laptop batteries are a sure thing with long life. Most laptop batteries are Lithium-Ion-charged. Lithium, a soft, silver-white metallic element, is a common charging element that powers laptops with fast speed, reception, and interface response.

Still, some points on laptop battery recharging and maintenance are important to know to maximize the laptop battery lifespan. First, the laptop shouldnt be locked in a hot space for a long period of time. Ideally, a temperature somewhere between 50F and 95F would be appropriate and safe. Along the other metric system, between 10C and 35C is about right. Specifically, 22C should be the temperature sought.

In regards to recharging, fully-charge the laptop battery when plugging in for the first time. Lithium-based batteries should be constantly and properly maintained in order to keep the electrons moving. This keeps the charge active for as long as possible. Next, the laptop battery should be charged and recharged periodically, and that should never stop. Finally, laptop batteries should be stored with a 50% charge. Ironically, storing a laptop battery at full charge for an extended period of time will cause it to lose some capacity. Moderation is the key to properly maintaining laptop batteries!

Whatever laptop battery is required, charging up on the specifications beforehand and knowing what is needed is a great start. These laptop batteries cost anywhere from $90.00 to $200.00, depending, so buying the right one will save a lot of time and money.

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Eric Clapton – “Slowhand” Returns To The Stage In 2006

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Eric Clapton, thought by many to be the preeminent guitar authority in the world, is returning to the stage in the summer of 2006. His story is one that relates directly to the decades of timeless music he has produced, and Clapton is revered by fans of several generations. His life is one of struggle and sadness, and his music is seen by many of his fans as his personal triumph over his circumstances.

Early Life

Clapton was born in 1945 in England, although he didnt really know who his parents were until later in childhood. His father was a Canadian service man who went back to Canada after World War II, and his natural mother left soon thereafter to join him. Eric was left to be raised by his grandparents, who he thought were his real parents until he was nine years old. Clapton knew his real mother as his sister, as his grandparents wanted to shield him from the stigma that came with being an illegitimate child.

Clapton was first inspired by music as a young teenager when he watched Jerry Lee Lewis perform on television, and his life-long love of the blues was born that day. He attended school with the intent on becoming a stained glass designer was derailed when he was expelled at 17 for playing his guitar in class. Despite what was seen as a setback at the time, the incident propelled Clapton into music full time.

Early Career

Clapton proceeded to work a series of low-end jobs while continuing to learn and play the blues with his guitar. In 1963, he joined a band called the Yardbirds, which just happened to boast of three enormously popular guitarists – Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. The band was an instant smash hit, and they were known for their bluesy style and riveting guitar melodies. However, Clapton became disillusioned with the bands progression towards mainstream rock and roll, and left the band in 1965.

Clapton spent the next year making the band the Bluesbreakers extremely popular, but in 1966, he decided to form his own band, naming it Cream.

Reaching Potential

Cream was one of the most recognizable and loved bands in the world, and every one of their albums was a huge hit. Cream was mentioned in the same breath as the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, and the trio recorded three albums before deciding to put together a farewell cut entitled Goodbye in 1969. There were many reasons for the bands break up, but drug abuse and clashing egos were seen as the primary reasons.

Later that year, Clapton became a member of rocks first super group when he teamed with Steve Winwood, Ric Grech and Ginger Baker. Although the band released only one album which was named after the band, Blind Faith climbed to number one on the North American Billboard album charts, and the work is still selling well to this day.

Going Solo

After all of his experience in highly successful bands, Clapton decided to strike out on his own, and this would prove to be an extremely wise decision. However, Clapton first had to get past his drug addiction, which was no small task. Once he had, however, he got right back into what he loved most, and released an album entitled 461 Ocean Boulevard in 1974. The album included a cover of Bob Marleys I Shot the Sheriff, which not only experienced chart success, but brought exposure to the world of reggae that was seen as the boost to the genre in general.

In the past 30 years, Clapton has released 15 studio albums which have contained songs that are considered by many to be anthems more than singles, including such mega-hits as “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “Lay Down Sally,” “Cocaine” and “Wonderful Tonight.”

Bringing It All Together

The result of Claptons work goes beyond millions of records sold and tens of millions of loyal fans. He is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, has won several Grammy Awards and is known for his guitar skill in every country in the world. He has never lost his love for the blues, and continues to thrill crowds with his heart-felt renditions of his and other songs that were written over the decades, and everyone who has a chance to see him live considers it a privilege and an honor.

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Arthritis Basics

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Maybe pain occurs, like when trying to open a jar. Whats it all about? Lets look at the basics and learn more.

Arthritis actually means joint inflammation and has over 100 related conditions or type / forms of disease. Left untreated, it can advance, resulting in joint damage that cannot be undone or reversed. So early detection and treatment are important.

The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both have similar symptoms, both happen for different reasons. When joints are overused and misused, the results can be OA. What happens is that the cushioning cartilage that protects the joint breaks down, resulting in the bones rubbing together. This generally happens in the knees, but can be found in the hips, spine and hands often, too. And only in later stages will a person most often feel pain, after quite a bit of cartilage is lost.

The second type, RA, refers to the bodys immune system attacking joint tissue. Still not fully understood in the medical community, this condition most often starts in a persons hands, wrists and feet. Then it advances to shoulders, elbows and hips.

Similar symptoms include pain, stiffness, fatigue, weakness, slight fever and inflamed tissue lumps under the skin. And both OA and RA generally develop symmetrically, i.e. affecting the same joints on both the left and right sides of the body.

A difference in OA and RA to note is with swelling. With RA, people report soft and squishy swelling. While with OA, people report hard and bony swelling. Another difference is that a person is more likely to develop RA if a sibling or parent had it. While a person with a history of joint damage, either an injury or chronic strain, runs a higher risk for developing OA.

There is no specific age for arthritis sufferers. While it can affect every age group, it seems to focus on those over 45 years of age.And while neither gender is immune, a reported 74 percent of OA cases (or just over 15 million) occur with women and a slightly lower percentage of RA cases occur with women. People with excess weight tend to develop OA, especially in the knees when reaching over 45 years of age. However, losing weight can turn the odds around almost by half. Regular activity combined with exercise also reduces risk, strengthening joint muscles and reducing joint wear.

Although there are no cure-alls for arthritis, there are a variety of pain relief treatment strategies. Aside from medications, remedies, replacement alternatives and other helpful treatment options and alternatives, the four main arthritis relief aids are gentle exercise, good nutrition, a positive attitude and rest. And each will be discussed further in subsequent sections, because education can play a huge role to dispel old wives tales and myths that nothing can be done about arthritis. Notable is that today, only a small percentage of those afflicted with arthritis become crippled. And most never need canes, wheelchairs, or other ambulatory devices.

Also note if you suspect you may have arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical advice. Because healthcare providers can help to determine if the symptoms are not something else like a virus or tendonitis or other similar problem that cold potentially worsen if left untreated.

Types Of Arthritis

There are many ways to effectively manage arthritic pain today to find relief. Available are arthritic diets, exercise programs, over-the-counter and prescription medications, relaxation and positive emotion coping techniques. Also available are surgeries, supplements, home remedies, natural and other alternative therapies. When arthritis is first suspected, it would be wise to seek a medical opinion first. Then as time and resources allow, check out the other options.

After osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), three other major types of arthritis are systemic lupus erythematosis, ankylosing spondylitis and gout. Lets take a look at each:

Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE) This form of arthritis mainly affects women. It develops in the skin, internal organs and joints.

Ankylosing Spondylitis This form or arthritis affects the spine and can also affect the ankles, knees, lungs, heart, shoulders and eyes.

Gout This is a painful affliction mainly for men, about one million of them in the United States alone. Uric acid build up, due to an internal chemical malfunction, forms crystals that get stuck in a joint, generally the big toe, and become inflamed.

Science Of Arthritis

Joints can handle some heavy pressure. For example, knees handle a force of three to four times a persons total body weight on average just talking a walk. The force of a deep knee bend during a squat can increase to nine times the body weight. So just imagine multiplying weight of more than 150 pounds times a minimum of three or four, and then even more. That can sure add up to a lot of heavy work on knee joints over time.

Now for the science of this scenario. Where two bones meet, called the joint, the bone ends are covered with cartilage, also known as gristl

This cartilage is sturdy, elastic and spongy or compressible, and keeps the bones from moving against each other at the joint. The cells of this cartilage, called chondrocytes, are thought to be the longest living cells of the body. Surrounding the bones and cartilage is strong, fibrous capsule lined with synovium, a thin membrane that lubricates the joint area with fluid. The end result is less friction or smoother rubbing together of the bones. This fluid also feds the cartilage cells, keeping them healthy, and is pumped into them during joint movement. Thus lack of movement (activity / exercise) can be unhealthy.

Other parts of the body features involved with this arthritic scenario include muscles, tendons, ligaments, bursea and mental activity. Muscles, attached to bones with tendons and ligaments, move bones by contracting. They also cushion movement, absorbing impact or shock. Throughout the muscle and tendon areas are bursae or sacs filled with fluid. These also help cushion movement. And throughout all the coordination of these parts during movement, the brain is a part. The brain communicates via nerves throughout the body, in particular the muscles for this scenario, to prepare joints for activity.

The exact science of what actually causes arthritis is still being researched. For most of the 100-plus forms of arthritis, the causes are unknown. Injury, overuse of joints and mechanical issues with joints (like skeletal abnormalities, worn out joint muscles) can lead to arthritis. And many point to issues relating to bacteria and germs as some of the problem. Heredity, stress, drugs, food allergies and viruses have also been linked to some forms of arthritis. So have diet, poor circulation and lack of movement.

INFLAMMATION
Arthritic joints can be affected with inflammation when bacteria or a virus (or other undesirable element) enters the joint area or when an injury occurs. What happens is when foreign matter enters this area or the area sustains injury, white blood cells, antibodies and other natural fighting mechanisms automatically kick in internally to help. These fighters cause swelling, redness and heat as the body fluid moves around. Symptoms of inflammation, one of the uncomfortable issues associated with arthritis, are redness, swelling and tender joints.

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Get To Sleep Tonight

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

I used to have problems sleeping. I was always tired and if I accidentally dropped off during the day for so much as five minutes I wouldnt be able to sleep the following night. Then a friend told me a trick he used to use and I adapted it slightly. Since then I have always been able to use this technique to get to sleep.

To start with, think about your breathing. Keep it regular and slow. As you breath in think to yourself sea and as you breathe out think shore. Get a rhythm going. While youre doing this imagine youre standing at the edge of the sea looking down at your feet. As you breathe in and think sea imagine the small waves running over your feet as a small wave breaks and then, as you breathe out and think shore imagine the water retreating back to the sea. See the water as it goes back towards the sea and see the sand that is left behind. Feel that your feet are now on their own little mounds of sand as the sea has washed the surrounding sand away. Repeat.

Now, if youre like me youll be thinking of a hundred other things at the same time. Maybe trying to work out whats for tea, how to pay off your loan, youve just remembered the kids need a packed lunch for school the next day, mentally writing a presentation. Perhaps youve just finished work, its late and you havent had time to wind down properly so your head is swimming with figures. Whatever it is you need to concentrate. That might sound silly having to concentrate to get to sleep. The natural reaction is to try and relax but if you relax all the worries come flooding back and make you more anxious. You need to concentrate on just two words.

It doesnt matter if you cant keep your breathing regular. What matters is that you say sea and shore to yourself as you breathe in and out. Really concentrate. Think the words as loudly as you can to drown out all the other stuff that keeps coming back to you. Also try to see the little waves lapping at your feet and then the sand as they go back out again. Concentrate as hard as you can on keeping the breathing, the words and the pictures all together. Dont try to add anything else. Dont try to count how many times you do this before you drop off. Just keep with the breathing, saying and seeing. It should soon settle into a rhythm but you might not notice. Youll probably be asleep.

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How To Diet For Lean Muscle Gains – Focus On Vegetables And High-Protein Foods

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

If you are wondering how to diet for lean muscle gains, the most important thing that you should keep in mind is that you should reduce your intake of fatty foods. This is not possible to do entirely, but if you are eating a lot of highly fatty foods, you should reduce them to be no more than 20% of your daily caloric intake. We also recommend that you limit your selection to healthy unsaturated fats. It is also interesting to note that people who severely restrict their fat intake (below the 20% mark) will not look healthy; their hair will be brittle, their skin will be dry and they tend to have terrible mood swings and be very ill-tempered.

You should also cut out any empty carbohydrates as well – for instance, foods that are very high in sugar but lack nutrients, such as cookies, candy bars and other highly processed foods. This will make you feel more healthy overall, give you more energy and it will also enable you to get the nutrients that you will need to build muscle.

We recommend that you keep a food diary for one week and then review your typical caloric intake during one week. Then reduce the calories by 15% in order to lose fat. If youre interested in gaining lean muscle, however, you will need to increase your calories by 15% – BUT you MUST divide all your food amongst six small meals per day in order to have the food convert to muscle rather than fat. North Americas habit of eating 2 or 3 large meals per day causes our bodies to act in the feast or famine mode of our early ancestors and thus causes our body to naturally store energy as fat. When you start to distribute your daily food intake between five to six meals a day it relieves the feast or famine program that your body has and your body will lose more fat, thus food will be converted into muscle gain.

Eat Natural and Organic Foods That Are Low Glycemic

When it comes to how to diet for lean muscle gain, some people swear by already-formulated foods and meal replacements. While those can help you sometimes – especially by helping you get enough protein in your diet – they are not the best option for you. If you are trying to gain muscle, then you should make sure that you’re eating healthy foods – which generally means that you are cooking the food yourself from scratch with raw ingredients.

The best lean muscle gaining diets for are similar to low carb diets, though less extreme. (You will still need carbohydrates so that you have enough energy to exercise). You should put a lot of emphasis on foods that are high in protein, like meat (such as skinless chicken breasts and lean beef), nuts, and some legumes, as well as on vegetables. The high protein foods will give your body the protein that it needs to build muscle mass, while the vegetables will give you the nutrients and fiber that will keep you healthy. With this diet, you will have everything you need to build the muscles that you want – but you won’t be eating too much, either.

It is also important to remember that low glycemic foods tend to be the healthiest food choice. The Glycemic Index is a measure of how much your blood sugar (glucose) rises after eating carbohydrate foods. High glycemic foods cause a surge in blood sugar, thus increasing insulin, and you will get hungrier sooner. Thus, you will be tempted to overeat.

High Glycemic foods are most grains and grain products (both whole wheat and white), cookies, candies, candy bars, breakfast cereals, grain based snack foods such as taco chips, corn, potatoes (these are highly starchy foods), bananas, most dried fruits and tropical fruits (tropical fruits tend to be sweeter than non-tropical fruits), fruit juices, honey and table sugar.

Low Glycemic foods are legumes (lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, and most other beans), many fruits such as cherries, blackberries and most other berries, plums, peaches and grapes, dairy products such as milk, yogurt and kefir, non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, Swiss chard, bok choy, lettuce, celery and kale.

If you follow these guidelines will be on your way to a stronger, leaner body and you will enjoy all the other side benefits of losing fat: more strength, increased energy, more endurance, a smaller waistline, visibly sexier abs and better health!

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Using Charter Flights For Discount Travel

22 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Almost anyone will probably agree that in a perfect world they’d be able to travel more. It is one of the most natural human desires to want to see different parts of the world and experience new things. And anyone who has traveled will probably agree that you don’t really appreciate or think about your home too much until you have the perspective of seeing how people live in other parts of the world.

The problem of course, is that travel has always been expensive. Although airfares have gotten cheaper over the years, they are still expensive enough that most people don’t fly regularly, and this is likely to remain the case. So unless you plan on suddenly getting rich, you’re going to have to come up with some discount travel solutions if you want to fly more, and a great thing to look into if you’re looking for a cheap flight are charter flights.

Charter flights are cheaper because they work on a different system than a started airline flight. A standard airline will have a set route between two cites: an airline will fly a certain amount a times a week between two cities, and this remains constant regardless of the amount of passengers. In other words normal airline routes function like bus routes, and sometimes there may only be a few people on the plane. It is this need to average out costs – to be able to afford all those times when the plane is a third full – that leads to high airfares.

A charter company can offer cheaper fares by working in a different fashion: they will charter an entire plane from an airline for a particular date and time, and thus receive a heavy discount on the cost. They can then pass some of this discount on to you by offering a lower per seat price for the flight. Most charter companies operate along very common routes during peak times – for example, sunny vacation spots during the winter.

Charter flights are much more reliable then other more radical ways of obtaining discount airfare, and fares will generally get cheaper as the departure date approaches. There is a certain amount of risk, however: a charter company can decide to cancel a flight if they haven’t sold enough tickets. Unlike a regular airline, which constantly has planes going to multiple destinations, the charter company may not be able o immediately put you on another plane. So instead of waiting a few hours it’s likely that if your charter flight is cancelled you’ll either be receiving a refund, or waiting at least a day or two for another charter – which of course can ruin any vacation.

That being said, there are many large and reliable charter companies, and charter flights — while not offering discounts as big as can be found through other discount travel methods – remain a reliable alternative to regular airfare. And if you’re flexible and willing to buy a ticket on short notice, you can find many excellent airfares from charter companies, making charter flights one of the more popular discount traveling methods.

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Unlimited Products

21 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Did you ever think about becoming a Trading Assistant? Where you basically sell other people’s products and receive a comission? Alot of companies know about eBay but don’t have the time to learn. Or are just “old school” and don’t care to learn.

So why not offer your services to them? You already know eBay. And now this lines you up for unlimited products to sell. There are ways that you should and should not approach a retailer to become their trading assistant.

First off before you approach anyone, you want to know that these particular products will do well on eBay. Take a good look around the store at the products they offer, then go to eBay and do your research on them. Once you know they will be a good seller then you can go onto the next step.

The next step is to get to know the store owner. Even become a customer and get friendly with them. You want to be sure you are developing a great rapport with the store owner.

You don’t know how many times I was approached by people to sell their products in my store, or to donate items to their school, and they were complete strangers to me.

Talk about being annoyed. That’s the one thing I did not like, was people who I’ve never met before asking for something from me. Even if it was going to benefit my business, I was still annoyed.

I’m not saying become their best friend, but really get in there and have your presence known. Then and only then, can you approach them on the business that you do.

Make sure you’re also choosing a business that is not out of reach. Start with small businesses, ma and pa operations. Most likely they will be more willing to work with you on an eBay dynamic to their business.

You can also approach them by offering to sell their overstock, or returned items. I remember Christmas time, just throwing the returns in the back room, there was no time for going through all of them. Most of the time they just sat there.

Another way you can approach it is by purchasing their overstock items outright yourself, and putting that on eBay. Once you show them that their items are actually selling, you may soon have the ability to have access to all of their inventory. This is just another way to get your foot in the door.

Once you have approached the owner on moving their stock using eBay, you need to decide what you will be charging them for your service. I highly suggest you take a look on eBay what other trading assistants are charging, you need to decide what’s right for you.

Talk to the owner about setting up a table space in their back room, this will give you a space to set up and take all the pictures you need. Or just take all the inventory with you home and do everything from there.

If you haven’t thought about becoming a Trading Assistant, I recommend that you try it out. It’s an easy way to get your business going without having the money to put out for products.

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Shriners’ “Oldest Poster Boy”

21 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Although comedian and actor Pat Morita has passed away, his influence on Shriners Hospitals for Children will continue to live on. Morita, perhaps best known for his role of Mr. Miyagi in “The Karate Kid” movies, was an active supporter of Shriners Hospitals throughout his life. Now his family has established the “Pat Morita Memorial Fund” of SHC in his honor.

Morita was born in California on June 28, 1932, and his connection with Shriners Hospitals began at a young age. When Morita was 2 years old, he was afflicted with spinal tuberculosis and his family was told he would never walk again. At the age of 9, Morita entered the San Francisco Shriners Hospital where he had extensive spinal surgery and learned to walk again. He was released at age 11 and immediately transported to reunite with his Japanese-American family at an internment camp in Arizona, where they were held for the duration of World War II.

Despite these challenges, he compiled an impressive list of “firsts” during his career in show business. He had a recurring role as Arnold on “Happy Days” and later starred in his own sitcom. Morita was the first Asian American nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actor as Mr. Miyagi in “The Karate Kid.”

Morita always credited Shriners Hospitals with providing the specialized care that allowed him to walk. Joking that he was the Shriners’ “oldest poster boy,” he appeared at many of their events to thank them for the help he received.

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What is Acid Reflux and How do I Know if I Have it?

21 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is technically defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach.

Symptoms of heartburn in adults is the major symptom of acid reflux, characterized by a burning discomfort behind the breastbone. Some of the symptoms of acid reflux in adults include difficulty swallowing and chronic throat and chest pain. Some people may have only one of those symptoms.

Atypical symptoms of acid reflux include burning sensation at the base of the throat, cough, hoarseness, changes of the voice, chronic ear ache, or sinusitis.

Complications of acid reflux include stricture formation, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal ulcers and possibly even esophageal cancer.

Occasional heartburn is common but does not necessarily mean one has acid reflux. Patients that have heartburn symptoms more than once a week are at risk of developing acid reflux. The presence of a hiatal hernia is a risk factor for development of acid reflux.

Symptoms of acid reflux may be difficult to detect in infants and children. Symptoms may vary from typical adult symptoms. Acid Reflux in children may cause repeated vomiting, effortless spitting up, coughing, and other respiratory problems.

Inconsolable crying, failure to gain adequate weight, refusing food and bad breath are also common. Children may have one symptom or many. No single symptom is universally present in all children suffering from acid reflux.

Babies’ immature digestive systems are usually the cause, and most infants stop having acid reflux by the time they reach their first birthday. Some children don’t outgrow acid reflux and continue to have it into their teen years.

Children that have had heartburn that doesn’t seem to go away, or any other symptoms of acid reflux for a while, should talk to their parents and visit their doctor.

Certain foods promote acid reflux. They include but are not limited to: Coffee, alcohol, calcium supplements, and excessive amounts of Vitamin C supplements are stimulants of gastric acid secretion. Taking these before bedtime especially can promote acid reflux in the evening. Calcium containing antacids is a good example of this.

Foods high in fats and smoking reduce lower esophageal sphincter competence, so avoiding these tends to help, as well. Fat also delays emptying of the stomach.

Having more but smaller meals also reduces the risk of acid reflux. Why?? Because there is less food in the stomach at any one time.

Disclaimer
The information presented here should not be interpreted as medical advice. If you or someone you know suffers from acid reflux, please seek professional medical advice for the latest treatment options.

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Airport Travel Tips: Reducing Waiting Times

21 February, 2012 | | No Comment

Key Travel Tips Following these tips will help you reduce your wait time at the security checkpoint. Before you go to the Airport .Do not pack or bring Prohibited Items to the airport. .Place valuables such as jewelry, money & laptop computers in carry-on baggage only. .Tape your business card to the bottom of your laptop. .Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry & accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector. .Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal or have thick soles or heels. lots of types of footwear will need additional screening even if the metal detector does not alarm. .Put all undeveloped film & cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film. .Declare firearms & ammunition to your airline & place them in your checked baggage. .If you wish to lock your baggage, use a TSA-recognized lock. .Do not bring lighters or prohibited matches to the airport. .Do not pack wrapped gifts & do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure. TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons. While at the Airport Each adult traveler needs to keep obtainable his/her airline boarding pass & government-issued photo ID until exiting the security checkpoint. Due to different airport configurations, at lots of airports you will be required to display these documents over two times. .Place the following items IN your carry-on baggage or in a plastic bag prior to entering the screening checkpoint: oMobile phones oKeys oLoose modify oMoney clips oPDA’s (personal data assistants) oLarge amounts of jewelry oMetal hair decorations oLarge belt buckles .Take your laptop & video cameras with cassettes OUT of their cases & place them in a bin provided at the checkpoint. .Take OFF all outer coats, suit coats, jackets & blazers.

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How to Self-Rescue While Snow Skiing in Deep Powder

21 February, 2012 | | No Comment

I wanted to cover safety in deep snow today because skiers die unnecessarily every year from not being able to self-rescue in deep snow.

Today I skied Mammoth Mountain Ski Area just after they got 10.5 – 15.5 feet of new snow. I skied today because it is supposed to snow this afternoon and tomorrow. I skied about 6 runs this morning in mostly knee-deep, pretty heavy snow. And just when I thought my balance was perfect, I was 10? tall and bullet-proof, I did something weird and fell in the bottomless powder.in the trees. I got snow in my mouth when I fell, and that always gives me a short-of-breath/claustrophobic feeling.

I fell softly with my skis to my left, and my body fell to the right. Suddenly, I knew it would be really difficult to get up and out of this bottomless powder. So I took a moment, took a few deep breaths, and accessed my situation. I was somewhere in the trees that someone was unlikely to find me.

I needed to self-rescue. I knew from experience that I was in bottomless powder, and my poles would be of little help. Some say to make a “t” with your poles and lean on them, but no way would that have worked. The powder was too deep, and deep powder provides unique, potentially life endangering challenges. So we need to be prepared. Larger baskets on your poles are helpful for pushing yourself on powder days, but do not provide enough resistance to aid you in standing up from a fall. Since my body is heavier than by boots and skis, the more I struggle and move, the lower my body will sink putting my feet be above my head.

In this case I was able to slowly over a period of about 2 minutes shift my butt to be more over my skis by pulling my body mass over the skis by pulling on my legs below the knees. The last part was hard because I had nothing to brace against, but I knew if I could make this one last move to get my butt over the backs of my skis, I could stand up. So I pulled on my legs one more time because I knew that would give me the resistance I needed.

I managed to stand up, now about 5 minutes after I fell. Both my skis were on, and sunk deep in the snow. I slowly pulled the right one up breaking the surface of the snow to get higher footing. Then I did the same with the left ski. OK, I was finally able to glide back out onto the groomed part of the run, and complete the self-rescue from bottomless powder.

In another blog post, I have detailed how to find a ski in bottomless powder which can be challenging. Search in the search window of this blog for “Lost ski” or “finding lost ski”, and it should come up. My method has always been able to find the lost ski quickly, so you no longer need to worry about that.

But I still want to cover what happened to me at June Mt. as a kid. It was a week with 8 feet of new snow at June Mt. I skied the face successfully, but fell and made a huge hole in the flat part at the bottom. At first I kind of panicked, and struggled to get to my feet. But the more I struggled, the more I sank down in the powder making the hole deeper. It got to the point where I was 8 feet down in this hole, and still could not get to my feet.

I knew no one was skiing the face that day. If a ski patroller skied by he would not hear my cries or see me unless he saw the track to my hole. I couldn’t count on that!

I was only about 11 years old, and I needed to get resourceful to self-rescue, or I could be there all night and freeze. I decided to take a break. I took out the camera I had in my pocket, and took a photo from the bottom of my 8 foot deep hole. I tried to push my poles to hit something solid, and I sank them all the way to my shoulder. I hit nothing that could support me.

I thought some more and finally I figured that I could take 1 ski off, and use it horizontally to be a form of support. I was able to take 1 ski off and holding the side of the ski and digging it in for grip, pull myself to a standing position this way. Then I pulled my upper body up, and stepped up sideways up the side of the hole. I kept doing this until I got to where I was only knee deep again.

I put the ski back on, and was able to break trail back to the chairlift. Please remember this technique if you get stuck in a hole in deep powder. This same self-rescue strategy could work to extricate yourself from a tree well, which can be fatal if you do not know what to do. More information about what to do if you get stuck in a tree well is located at: http://www.treewelldeepsnowsafety.com. There are some really good safety tips at that site that I have not covered here.

I can tell you from experience it is easier to learn these proven self-rescue techniques from some one else than to have to make up a rescue technique when you get stuck. People die from getting stuck in deep powder. I gave you 2 self-rescue techniques here. I also recommend you always carry a whistle when you ski the trees. It might give you the capability to summon help where you can not be seen. I also recommend you carry a fully charged cell phone with Mammoth Mountain’s ski patrol phone number programmed into your phone. This way, when you get injured, you can call for help and tell them where you are. You should program under ICE for In Case of Emergency, your person to be contacted in case of injury or emergency. Emergency personnel know to look in your cell phone for this, so you need to program your emergency contact phone number in there so they can find it if they need to.

Other emergency stuff I carry because I ski the trees are:

1) Small knife – Can cut you down from a tree, or filet a fish or squirrel if you have to.

2) I told you about the whistle – Can help ski patrol hear you when they are making their last sweep of the mountain at closing.

3) Lighter – If you had to spend the night, making a fire could save you from freezing to death.

4) Your cell phone programmed as recommended above.

5) Cliff Bar – These have a lower freezing point so you won’t have to chew on a rock-solid snack bar.

6) Fleece balaclava – Can really increase heat retention in winds, and if you get stuck overnight.

7) Ski helmet – Wear a helmet every time you ski. You cannot predict when a dangerous situation will present itself. 80% of fatal ski injuries could have been prevented by simply wearing a helmet.

I photocopy my driver’s license and medical card so if I am knocked unconscious they know who I am from my driver’s license. And they know my “ICE” In Case of Emergency person to call because it is programmed into my cell phone I have on me all day.

Being prepared and informed can save your life or keep you from being stranded in the woods for hours or overnight. If you just ski the groomed runs, you only need about 1/2 this stuff. But I like to duck into my tree powder stashes, so I keep this packed in my ski jacket at all time so I will have it if I ever need it. Please teach these deep snow self-rescue techniques to your family, friends and loved ones so they will know what to do in this potentially life-threatening situation. Be Safe On the Slopes!

Larry Conn has snow skied since 1968, and loves Mammoth Mountain so much he moved there in 2005 after taking 2 years off work to “test-drive” living there. Now he is launching Mammoth Ski Club for active adults who want more fun, activities and involvement with snow skiing and other activities at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Mammoth Lakes resort. Get your complimentary gifts, full color newsletter, and special report, “Who Else Wants Active New Affluent Friends of the Same Ski Ability Level, and a Lifetime of Great Memories?” by going to http://www.MammothSkiClub.com/

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