tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17276042586945581472024-02-20T10:20:58.271-08:00Tricky Magic GuideAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-3240803173803299832013-11-17T19:15:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:13:22.343-08:00Having Trouble Applying the Law of Attraction? Clear Your Limiting Beliefs TodayHaving trouble applying the Law of Attraction in your life? Are you still without that car, house or partner that you have been wanting so badly? Chances are, you have answered 'yes' to one of the above questions. So now what? Well fortunately, there is a very simple remedy for your situation.<br />
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The answer to your dilemma is to clear any negative or limiting beliefs you may have. What are these so-called negative or limiting beliefs? Put simply, limiting beliefs are constant negative thoughts and may be either conscious or subconscious. For example, although you may be wishing to attract more money into your life, your inner voice may be telling you things like, "Money is hard to come by and getting rich is certainly not easy." This is not only false but it is also a limiting belief. You see, if this is your thought process, you will attract the parallel reality and consequently money WILL be hard to come by! This simply reinforces your current beliefs.<br />
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However limiting beliefs may also be on a subconscious level. When someone proposes a new business idea, do you sometimes get a bad feeling in your stomach? This is a prime example of a subconscious limiting belief. As mentioned above, beliefs end up creating your reality and therefore tend to be 'reinforced'. However I am here to tell you that you can get rid of your limiting beliefs, that you can change your thinking and that you can change your life.<br />
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The Law of Attraction is perfectly accurate and therefore if you are not attracting what you are wanting then YOU (not the Universe) have some work to do. That 'work' is to clear your limiting beliefs. The good news is this 'work' is quite simple.<br />
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I'd like to introduce you to a technique called Ho'oponopono. Yes, a bit tricky to pronounce (hoe-oh-poh-no-poh-no) but what a magical tool this is. It simply involves silently saying to yourself the following four short phrases:<br />
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"Sorry"<br />
"Thank You"<br />
"I Love You"<br />
"Please Forgive Me"<br />
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That's it! It really is that simple. Go ahead right now and say those four phrases over and over ten times to yourself and notice how you feel. This technique can truly change your life experience. If you completed the above exercise you know exactly what I mean!<br />
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Now I suggest applying this process any time any negative thought or emotion rises. Next time someone cuts you off in traffic, go through these phrases ten times. Try to really feel the emotions behind each phrase.<br />
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It is also of great benefit to use this process on specific negative beliefs. Apologize for having a limiting belief, ask for forgiveness, give thanks that you now control your reality and finally express your love for this magnificent Universe.<br />
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When you say these phrases you feel fantastic. But the best part is that you clear any limiting beliefs you may have and trust me, this can make all the difference in whether you live the life of your dreams or one of mediocrity.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-22803824422088143562013-11-14T19:16:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:14:12.027-08:00 Seven Steps to Oral HealthAs a dentist, I have heard patients swear they brush every day three or more times a day, yet during their dental check-ups they are told they are not doing a good job.<br />
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There is a right way and wrong way towards home oral hygiene routine. Even if you brush ten times a day, you may hear the same complaint from your dentist during your visits. This is why it's important to learn the right way.<br />
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Popular brands of toothpaste and mouthwash claim to magically prevent tartar, gum disease and cavities. You may be surprised to learn that many of these products contain ingredients that can cause allergies and canker sores as you absorb these substances right through the mouth tissues. Children are most at risk since their targeted toothpaste has added artificial colors and flavors to motivate them to brush.<br />
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The toothpaste and mouthwash you use can make a difference, but more important is how you use your toothbrush and floss. In my book, 'Secret Gateway to Health', I list the seven steps to oral health. Follow these steps and you and your dentist will be happy about your dental check-ups.<br />
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At bedtime:<br />
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1. Rinse with non-alcohol, free of saccharin and artificial colors mouthwash. This helps loosen plaque. 2. Floss thoroughly, making sure you clean under the gums. Wrap about 14 to18 inches of floss around the index finger of each hand, leaving about 1" to 2" length in between. Using your thumbs for support, gently guide the floss around one side of each tooth and gently slide it down all the way under the gums. Do not force it down. Move the floss up and down a few times against the side of each tooth in a 'c' shape.<br />
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If you don't know how to do this properly, ask your dentist or hygienist to teach you. Proper flossing makes a big difference and it can be tricky until you get the hang of it. Using it the wrong way may damage your gums.<br />
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There is no excuse not to floss every day. If you think there is no time, place your floss in the shower and use it then, or while watching TV.<br />
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3. Brush your teeth and gums thoroughly, but gently. Daily buildup of plaque is soft and easy to remove, as long as you clean every side of every tooth. This should take about three minutes. Take your time and be thorough.<br />
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4. Clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner. Bacteria hide in the cracks and crevices of the tongue. This is a major contributor to bad breath.<br />
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5. Rinse with water.<br />
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6. Lastly rinse with mouthwash.<br />
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7. In-between brushing and flossing, chew gum with xylitol. Early studies suggest xylitol prevents cavities.<br />
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The few minutes you spent daily on these steps, can save you future time and money in the dentist's chair.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-59957758078969540692013-11-14T19:16:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:14:50.333-08:0010 Ways to Keep Your Life Coach Or Therapy Business Small & StrugglingHere are the 10 deadly sins of running your own practice. How many are you guilty of?<br />
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1. Institutional advertising. The typical type of marketing approach is the bland image awareness style with the practice name at the top of the ad, a grocery list of services in the middle and contact information at the bottom. It is not trackable, it does not look for a response, it looks like every other practitioners marketing and it is BORING!<br />
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Direct response advertising has a catchy headline, discusses a typical headache the target client has, offers a solution and asks for some type of action: call, email, click a website. It is all about the client, nothing about the practitioner other than their speciality.<br />
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2. Failing to inform or educate. Are you expecting your prospects to magically know what you do, how it works and why they should come to you? If you are, they wont.<br />
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Educate them: give them free reports, video, tutorials, articles. Inform them and tell them why they need to act now. If they knew what you know they would queue outside your door. So tell them!<br />
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3. Failing to communicate regularly. When was the last time you contacted your client database and gave them valuable information or news?<br />
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Most one man/woman enterprises neglect their past customers. Create a newsletter, client appreciation day, exclusive club membership, useful tips, content and support.<br />
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4. Not testing. In direct response marketing you need to know what promotions are creating what results, so you know what is getting a return on your investment.<br />
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Every £1 invested should net you £20 back. Track results. Code your adverts and leaflets. Keep stats on the website. Never spend more than you can afford to lose. Crunch the numbers. How many calls convert to paying clients? How many come back? How many give referrals? Know the numbers then work the numbers.<br />
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5. No unique selling point. If I was looking at a line up of 5 people who all offer the same service/product/treatment that you do, why should I buy from you?<br />
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If you cant tell me, you cant tell your customers. You MUST differentiate what you offer, and you must differentiate you as well. Create a punchy, benefit-laden statement or slogan that grabs people by the eyeballs. Tell me why you are the professional to go to.<br />
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6. No reason why. People dont act until they have reasons and relevance [to them]. If theres no motivation, there are no clients!<br />
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Why do you offer what you do? Why in that location? Why do it that way? Why should I come to you? What benefits can you offer me? Fill your website, brochures, newsletters, emails and promotions with lots of reason why.<br />
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7. No idea about Lifetime Value. When a woman walks into a hairdressing salon, what is she worth to them? How much is the average ladyies hair appointment cost these days?<br />
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Now, how many times a year will she go there to get her hair done? Multiply the haircut cost x the number of appointments in a year x the number of years she will go there. Thats the lifetime value of one client to that salon. Now run the numbers on your practice. You will never look at your clients the same way again.<br />
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8. Back end missing: failing to have any other products or services to offer clients after the initial purchase. If you miss this then you doom yourself to continually being a one hit wonder, always striving to bring in the next new customer.<br />
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Why not offer upgrades, have a funnel system in place, bring in joint ventures or allied products from another provider? Share the client with other businesses and split the profit.<br />
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9. Failing to reach customers who are ready to buy now.<br />
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Create a headline that targets the ideal client. If you are ____ then read this.<br />
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10.Making it harder to buy than necessary. Many sole traders actually make it tricky to do business with them, missing out phone numbers or websites from brochures, forgetting to make the postal address explicit.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-17647442205890673692013-11-14T19:15:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:14:53.828-08:00Why Dog Food Nutrition Could Be the Missing Ingredient From Your Dogs FoodFor thousands of years, man's best friend ate just like his master. Dogs fed the same foods that man ate managed to live long lives and nutrition was simple. The pet food market started with good intentions when James Spratt sought a food when traveling with his dog. He created a dog cake and used meat, beetroot, wheat and vegetables so his dog could eat well when they journeyed. The concept didn't take hold until after WWII. Soon advertising jumped in and dog food filled with preservatives sold with catchy commercials.<br />
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The animal feed regulations remain the laws that govern the production of dog food The Association of American Feed Control Officials controls the pet food industry and is composed of people that work in the industry as well as government official. The agencies demand that label ingredients are correct but don't get involved in dog food nutrition beyond the label. Many required canine vitamins and minerals fail to show up in their dried bag of kibbles. However, companies cannot label their product as "complete and balanced" unless it has a specific nutritional profile.<br />
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If the product uses the words with or flavored as in beef flavored, the dog food usually contains less than 3 percent of that ingredient in the total contents. The tricky wording comes from the marketing department to lead the purchaser down a false utopian path. You must read the label and discern for yourself how much nutrition your dog actually gets when he eats that particular dog food Just like human foods, label ingredients list the foods by the amount contained and the first on the list is the most prominent product in the food.<br />
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Many times companies use chemical testing and add additional minerals and vitamins in a quest to reach the magic numbers. Unlike the nutrition of food, the added vitamins often pass through the body of the animal unabsorbed due to the fact they are unchealated.<br />
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Often food from the rendering plant and manufacturing plant smells bad enough that dogs turn their back on it. To solve the problem, some companies give the food a nice spray of fat. Many times the fat considered unfit for human consumption acts as glue to hold the wisp of other flavors onto the food. When you open a bag of dog food notice the feel of grease on the inside of the bag. These additions of aromas and flavors trick your dog into eating something he wouldn't otherwise give a second look.<br />
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Today's manufacturers don't allow for difference in dogs' bodies. Each breed has specific needs. For example, if a dog shed frequently, he needs more protein and B vitamins for the increased production of hair than the dog that never sheds.<br />
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Beware when you purchase dog food there are many things in the processing of dog food that would make you cook your dog his dinner and never buy another bag of commercial food. Our canine friends are too valuable to receive poor dog food nutrition when so much money goes into their care. It only takes one missing vitamin or nutrient to create malnutrition.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-16879297083068808912013-11-13T19:16:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:14:57.486-08:00Weight Loss Help - Tips and Advice For Losing WeightFinding weight loss help is not always the easiest task, as many products claim to have the magic ingredients that will make the job done fast, so making the decision can be tricky. The best way to go is naturally and gradually, because dropping pounds fast often leads to a weaker metabolism and yo-yo dieting.<br />
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It's important to be focused on the goal when on a diet. Having reasonable goals is important because dieters often get frustrated and quit. Losing five pounds at first is a good place to start. After that, set the next goal and gradually work down the scale until at the ideal size.<br />
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Weight loss help that seems too good to be true most likely is. This should be seen more of a lifestyle change of making healthier choices, and not a temporary diet. That way, the pounds will stay off longer as the person continues to stay away from foods that will thwart the efforts of the diet plan. It is important to include exercise into the regimen as well.<br />
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Having a "buddy" to do workouts with can increase the success rate. People are more likely to stay on track with their diet and exercise if they have someone else who also is doing this because that works as a support system for the program.<br />
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Sometimes writing everything down in a journal can help. This can include food eaten, progress toward the goal, and any exercises that are done each day. Doing that can build confidence for the diet and give them more success. These are the things to look for when seeking out weight loss help.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-86171386487410769602013-11-13T19:14:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:15:01.417-08:00 How to Invest in Real Estate With No Money - A Look at Short SalesMany people read about how to get started in real estate investing but they are still not informed enough to actually get out there and start investing. I am going to spend the next few minutes telling you about how I got started investing in real estate when I was just eighteen years old. I am now twenty-three and I have completed fifty deals over the past five years.<br />
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There are three types of investing techniques that you can start out with using no money. They are wholesaling, subject-to, and short-sale. I used all three techniques when I started investing. However, all three were extremely challenging in their own ways and I made a boat load of mistakes that could have been easily avoided if I just had the right guide. I will go over one of the techniques I used below to help you better understand the process.<br />
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The short sale is a great way to help people who are in need of dire financial help and also a way for you to make a substantial amount of money, This process is certainly a win-win situation and can make you quickly understand why this business is so great.<br />
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A short sale is a process by which a mortgage company takes a discount on a loan that is in default (foreclosure) in order to avoid having to go through the foreclosure process and obtain ownership of the property. A foreclosure costs the bank a lot of money and in the end they always lose. There is an entire department called the Loss Mitigation Department in the bank that mitigates losses for the bank and works with customers to complete short sales. This is where you, the investor can negotiate huge debts and essentially create money out of thin air.<br />
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You can use this process to help somebody who is in pre-foreclosure. If somebody is in pre-foreclosure and is behind on payments they are a perfect candidate for you to work with. At this point most people in this situation have recently had something major happen whether it be a job loss or an adjustable rate increase. Your job as the investor is to help these people out of this situation and to earn a profit while doing so.<br />
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You start by assessing the property to determine the current value and the balance they owe to the mortgage company. Once you determine some basic values you are ready to start negotiations with the mortgage company. You offer the bank an amount that you feel is a good enough offer that the bank will accept it, and it is still low enough so that you can sell the property and earn a profit. For example, if the homeowner owes 150k on the property and as-is you think the property is worth 125k (the amount you believe you can sell it for) you would offer the bank approximately 100k. This is a completely realistic scenario and I get deals like this accepted on a regular basis.<br />
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Once you are in the negotiation process and the bank receives your offer they will send out a BPO or "Brokers Price Opinion" to find out what a local agent feels the value is. At this point you will meet the agent out there and explain to them what you are paying for the property and that you are hoping you can help out the seller. The trick is that even is the BPO comes back to the bank at higher than your offer they will still accept approximately 82% of that value. This is the magic number for most banks, however some may have guidelines that require a slightly higher percentage.<br />
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Now while all of this process is taking place you must find a buyer. This can be a little tricky in how you go about this. I personally use the local MLS to list my properties. I take ownership of the property at the beginning of short sale process through various different methods. I hold title in escrow and put the property for sale contingent upon short sale approval. By doing this, I locate an ýend buyerý who is going to purchase the property from me.<br />
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All of these things can get a little sticky and confusing if you have never done it before but once you have this process down there is tons of money to be made. This is the only way I have ever seen where you can actually create your profit from negative equity.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-83517719332825005362013-11-13T19:13:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:15:55.691-08:00Current Technical Analysis of MarketsEven though the local and global markets are basically bearish, I'm looking for reasons it will move up. You have heard me harp on about the Dow Jones and the 11500 being the central pivot point that this market will break from either way, and this is still the case.<br />
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One of the important questions is where the lows are for BHP/RIO, US spot Gold, US Crude, Base Metals, our dollar and Finance (local and global) and what will push our local market up.<br />
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With our cash market, what I normally find with a market that pushes up through a major level like 5000 and fails at the next Medium Level 6500 (high 6800) is that when it comes back down it goes to the next Medium Level below the major level that would be 4000.<br />
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So this pattern is on my mind. This leg down would only be the first of at least three legs in the correction and, being Wave A in Elliott terms, this is still a possibility. It also has to be noted that in Elliott the A wave can be in 3 or 5 waves, so some of the other Elliott analysts have this market counted as 3 waves down. But this may be just part of a larger A wave unfolding, and this is a problem. Normally when I trade I just observe the first leg down to see what it is, simply because there are12 types of corrections and if I can identify it as3 or 5 waves that will basically halve the possibilities of what it is.<br />
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The second possibility is that this market will find support at 5000 and then head back up as a Wave B. The B wave normally retraces 61.8% of Wave A, and this is textbook theory. B Waves are always in 3 waves known as a 5 - 3 - 5 structure, meaning a smaller a b c bear market rally (example is in the forum under Gold from early May to mid July).<br />
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We haven't actually had a bounce off the 5000. The market has just been going sideways and this is a type of correction which is basically in time rather than price off a strong bearish bias. What backs this up as a correction rather than a base forming is the fact that each wave has 3 waves. This is why I came up with the Triangle -- Triangles also only occur in 4th waves not in wave 2, and this structure cannot be discounted yet. This would mean another wave down in 5 waves and that's what the last move down could have been -- that is, wave 1 (5200 down to 4800) and then back for wave 2 where we are now. All very exciting.<br />
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The Cash Market (XJO) has many influences locally and globally. BHP and RIO can account for up to 50% of the movement in the Cash Market. These stocks are connected to base metals and energy etc and this needs to be taken into consideration. I do take the daily lead from US BHP for the Morning Landscape report, as this delivers an edge for the day, but we need to go outside this for the medium term. RIO in the US has just arrived at TL3/US $300 so this offers a glimpse of support. It has also moved down in 5 waves from above TL5/500 but it has not settled there yet as support, and this is a subtle point. As our local BHP is in its 5th wave down -- that is, 5 waves down from TL5/50 -- they just quite haven't found their lows as yet.<br />
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Which brings me to the next point. There are other stocks and commodities in the same boat, such as US spot Gold. I would like to think I have picked the low around my magic number 72, or rather 772. To support this low is the notion that when a market corrects into the 4th wave the target low is the 4th wave of one lesser degree -- which is where we are at with 772. However 720 is another squaring point as a low.<br />
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This is also the same as the Cash Market at 4750. I have counted the waves down in Wave C for US spot Gold and I think I have it right with an extension in the 5th Wave, but I must say I could be wrong and the consolidation at TL8/800 could be the 4th wave and we have one more wave down, the 5th. This would take this market down to 750. Once this is finished at either of these price levels then I'm looking for a move up in 5 waves to above TL1/1000 When a market moves above such a price level it normally goes to the next minor level above mTL1/1100 like it did in our Australian Gold market, which is based off the Australian dollar. I also use the American Gold stock Barrick Gold ABX to assist with the wave count, which has the same wave count as the move down from TL5/US$50 and now at TL3/US$300 (these levels are Fibonacci 618/phi based so they are fractal geometry) This move down is the C Wave in 5 waves ( C Waves always have 5 waves).<br />
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Currently ABX is in the 5th of the 5th so it's close to the low mTL8/28 which will come into play. The other aspect that needs to be taken into account is that, in commodities, it is normally the 5th wave that has the extension whereas stocks normally have the 3rd wave as the extension, but because this is an un-hedged stock is can follow the commodity. The mTL8/28 is also the 4th wave low of one lesser degree which is also a strong support level based of supply / volume levels.<br />
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While we are on the subject of 4th waves of one lesser degree, the Australian dollar has also just arrive at TL8/.80 cents which is quite a strong support and can expect a bounce, however the 4th wave of one lesser degree is around .72 cents. But we can expect this bounce to coincide with support for the Cash Market. I'm not a currency trader as the short term is quite politically based. As a technical analyst and trader I watch the volume, as that creates the price. It also allows me to see any activity even though I may not understand the reason behind it. This is a "trust what you see" attitude, however you can't see the volume in the FX market, and the volume confirms the price action.<br />
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The other side of the coin, the US dollar, can be viewed in the US Dollar Index, USDX. This is the US Dollar based against six other currencies. I view this through the Trading Levels.<br />
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The low was 72 and it is now very close to TL8/80 so we can also expect it to react at this level, meaning it will offer support not only to the Australian dollar but to the others.<br />
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This is important in many regards, but I'm essentially concerned with Base Metals. Nickel and Copper are important to us. I track the LME warehouse supply levels as most of the volume is trade, however in our Morning Landscape report I look at the US price in l/b as this is the last closing price and will affect our market for the day -- and that's why I track BHP in the US as opposed to the UK BHP or any other country it's traded in. The cash Nickel peaked in June 07 at TL5/50000, had a correction at the next Trading Level down at TL3/30000, and is now at TL2/20000. Basically it is moving into its support zone.<br />
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Zinc is in the same boat. Zinc demand has been very low and four companies have stopped production, but don't let the bad news turn your head away, medium term contrarian traders have a few good points. Aluminium, Tin and Lead have their stories, but Copper is important and has much more work to do at current levels -- expect it in the short term in US l/b to move down to US$ 3.00<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-72481251008414793772013-11-13T19:13:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:16:02.381-08:00Sterling Silver Cufflinks to Wear Opening Night"Another opening, another show!" Any of you fellow thespians out there should be breaking into song about now...wait...I think I can hear you! (Okay, stop with the dancing already.) The famous Cole Porter lyrics illustrate so perfectly the enthusiasm and energy that a cast feels on opening night. Opening night is certainly special. The actors are nervous and excited, waiting in the wings, make-up on, costumes ready, props set. The audience, full of anticipation, waits for the lights to dim and the curtain to part. Then, the defining moment, curtain up, lights on, and....MAGIC!<br />
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No matter what the run of your show is, one week, two, a month, or more, there always comes a time to close. Closing night, the bittersweet end to a part of an actor's life.<br />
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Keeping with tradition, the cast and crew finally get to play the pranks that they have been thinking about, no--more like plotting, since before the show even opened. The performance is an absolute riot as everyone struggles to keep in character through changing lines, odd props, and hilarious mishaps.<br />
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Then, as the curtain falls for that last time, the energy overwhelms you. You squeal with delight as your heart starts to break, just a little. You say goodbye to that quirky character, check in those costumes, hang up that wig, and help strike the set. Hugs and kisses are loosely distributed with promises to meet again at the upcoming cast party.<br />
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Gifts are an essential part of any cast party; after all, everyone wants a tangible memento of the time that was spent together. Sometimes coming up with the perfect gift for a much loved director can be tricky. A gift card to a nice restaurant, a certificate for a much needed massage, or a great pair of sterling silver cufflinks to wear on the next opening night. Broadway sign cufflinks for the director, and treble clef cuff links for the music director would be perfect.<br />
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Now all that you need to decide is what to sing for the next audition and clear your schedule for the next big show!<br />
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Whether your interests are in silver, gold, artistic, sports, or other theme-related cufflinks we've got you covered. Cufflink Aficionado carries a broad range of men's cufflinks designed to meet each connoisseur's individual style and interest. Our selection of cuff links are sure to top off that perfect look.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-15883569522773374502013-11-13T19:12:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:16:07.854-08:00 Staying Sober Can Drive You to Drink - Anxiety of Staying Sober is a KillerGoogle the word Alcoholism and you will get 25,400,000 search results. Addiction of Alcohol and Symptoms of Anxiety Depression can reduce the toughest person to a babbling wreck. Anxiety of Alcoholic relapse is a real factor in your quest to remain sober. Stop anybody in the street and ask them what they associate with the word Alcoholism and the answers will more than likely include the replies, hitting rock bottom,detox, down and out, addiction, messed up life, homelessness, crime blah blah blah. Pay a little more attention and do your research and you can find out that when you drive at night one out of seven drivers on the road are legally drunk. The Medical Research Council states that alcohol abuse costs the South African economy around R9 billion a year and half of all murders are the result of drunkenness. The stats are never-ending and cover all aspects of South African society from child abuse to pedestrian deaths, home violence and the tragic cases of childbirth defects. Almost all events that you consider bad news probably have to a certain degree alcohol involved somewhere or other.<br />
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However on the inevitable other side of the coin, studies have found that the use of alcohol has significant advantages in the general treatment of stress, heart disease and related illnesses. Add to this the economic benefits of a massive industry contributing to the nations wealth and job creation and we almost have a stalemate.<br />
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Into this balancing act comes the plight of the individual. Somebody once said, and the name escapes me now, that there are stats, more stats and then there is damn lies. But there is no doubt in my mind that this is a problem that has to be looked at very carefully. The general consensus is that approximately 1 in 17 people over the age of 15 years are predisposed to the potentially fatal illness of Alcoholism. Another frightening stat holds the premise that only 1 in 37 diagnosed Alcoholics ever make a full recovery over the long-term. Food for thought indeed.<br />
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A few years ago I went through the ordeal and horrors of acute alcoholism. I was one of the fortunate ones. I survived though the grace of God, the love and compassion of my loved ones and friends and the skill and care of the medical profession. I went on to write a feature article for Mens Health which turned out to be my heartfelt account of my spiral into a dark world of despair, desperation and depression.The article itself contained nothing new for students of this silent killer disease. Started drinking. drunk more, made excuses, raged at the world in general, got drunker, screwed up everything dear to me, approached death, ruined my body and my mind and finally thankfully collapsed and went to hospital and dried out . The reaction to my "Unhappy Hour" article was overwhelming. I was soon to realize that this was an epidemic spinning out of control. I was definitely not alone.<br />
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I went on to regain my self-esteem and rebuild my life. A close call that many people do not make it out of and then have the luxury sitting and looking back as I have.So now there I sat congratulating myself on beating the odds. Now what?<br />
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Well to be brutally honest "now what" involved a new phase of my life that would require me to bite the bullet all over again, except this time this was not going to be solved with a 10 day detox and sleep therapy, in some overpriced private hospital. My Doctors words started to resonate in my brain. " It's simple Alan, do not drink again and you'll be fine. Drink, you'll die"<br />
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That was it in plain English. The only problem was that I was having a problem coming to terms with that concept. Let me get this straight. I was 45 years old and let's say I lived until 80. 80 minus 45 gives you 35 years. A long, long time in anybodies world. That's a hell of a lot of braais, weddings, celebrations, bad days, shit bosses, traffic jams, disappointments, closing deals and watching the Boks beat the All Blacks and Chuck Norris 50- nil. Maybe the medical guys had made a mistake. Maybe I was not an alcoholic. Maybe, maybe, maybe. Time was to prove them right. I had not beaten the odds. Eighteen months later on one particular bleak July day in a not so sunny Margate I sunk a bottle of my favourite hard tack and ended up in the emergency room waiting for a stomach pump. For some obscure reason only known to the big guy upstairs I made it out of the hole again. As my relationship, business and health were back on the line once again, I finally made the decision. My version of mothers milk had to part company and this time for good.<br />
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I had now became a member of a club that nobody in their right mind wants to join. Serving a life sentence with no parole. The medical advice now became quite specific. Not a drop of alcohol to pass my lips. The 6% or so of us who have this defective gene are advised to not take the chance of alcohol entering our system in any form whatsoever. This unnamed and undetectable gene sends us types dilly and as a result we cannot have a few dops after work or at the weekend just in case we go berserk and drink ourselves into an early grave.<br />
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Once I had heard my sentence I now had to work out how to serve it. I've read that real prisoners talk about "hard and soft time". It was at this time that I had an "Oprah" moment. I got it. Regret is too mild a description. I had screwed up big time and now was going to have to pay for it. Big time. Hospitalization had ridden me of my withdrawal symptoms but now I had to deal with the mind games.<br />
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The public at large are no doubt familiar with Alcoholics Anonymous and the sterling work that they do to help those unfortunates stricken with this potentially fatal disease. Day by day is their anthem. Most of us initially fight against this prognosis dished up to us and truly believe that we will beat the odds. We start to think that maybe they had got it wrong. Maybe I can have a break and start again. Here came those dam maybes again. So, for many, starts the so-called falling off the wagon and then having to pick yourself up again. But the awful reality is that " they" were more than likely right and you have to make a plan. Somewhere,sometime I came across a quote from one of those old guys in the good old days. I think it was the American poet Robert Frost. As he sat in the countryside he came up with something that, for me summons up this whole fight with alcoholism -<br />
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"Two roads diverged in the woods. I took the one less traveled, and it made all the difference."<br />
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The difference here is to stay sober even if it kills you.<br />
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After leaving the hospital my body gradually began to heal. It desperately needed to. For all those out there who want to hear a few good reasons to not reach the chronic stage of alcoholism and what I like to call the " last legs" phase, here are a few. They are not pretty but they are a reality. They will happen eventually. If you are strong, lucky or just have an angel looking after you you might one day survive to talk about it. If not, have a nice trip.<br />
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This phase lasts a few days, weeks or months, depending on your constitution. It is a slide into hell rendering you powerless to prevent an existence on the edge of a gaping black hole. I kid you not. The blood vessels in my eyes started to implode. My legs were uncontrollable and went on a mission of their own. I had no visible veins left. To this day I can only guess what the green gunge spewing out of me was. Medically my liver and kidneys had almost called it a day . There seemed to be no difference between my sleep and my waking hours. I drifted between paranoia, hallucinations and voices in my ear. The phrase "dead man walking" definitely springs to mind.<br />
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Within a month or so from leaving the hospital my body started to get it's act together. Every day I got stronger and began to look human again. I rediscovered the glory of food. During the last 20 days prior to my treatment I had eaten nothing at all. It was impossible to keep anything down. I went back to work and generally lived a normal life. Initially I was pre-occupied with just getting my life back in working order but in time that dreaded word for alcoholics, craving, reared it's ugly head. They creep into your life at the most innocuous times and can be the ruination of many good intentions. Coupled with this new threat was a new idea slowly forming that basically questioned the fairness of this whole " new normal" for me. Why me? Was there something wrong with me? Unfortunately these questions have the same meaning as asking how long is a piece of string? Your Anxiety of the future and your Addiction of the Mind and Body can be real threats to your sobriety. The stories of Alcoholic Recovery are statistically possible. Keep a close watch on the cravings and those deadly symptoms of anxiety depression and you can make it.<br />
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If you sat down with 10 Doctors and Psychologists you might get 10 different answers to why some of us are alcoholics and others can get vrot drunk from time to time and continue living a normal life. The bad news is that medical science is divided on the answers. There could be a defective gene, it might be hereditary, neurotransmitters in the brain have got their wires crossed or it could be due to an addictive personality. What is a known fact is that there is no simple test to determine your risk of developing full blown alcoholism. The medical guys have a nice expression which basically says that you have crossed the line. You will not even know that you are approaching that line and you cross it oblivious to the fact that you are about to turn your life upside down. Realistically it is a subjective call that finally condemns you to carrying the label, "alcoholic" around with you for the rest of your life. That call is mostly based on your alcohol intake and your general functionality in your day to day activities. Not a full-proof system and one that has no appeal to the alkie contesting their life sentence. But in the hands of an experienced practitioner you can be sure that they have, for all intensive purposes called it right.<br />
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It is probably this uncertainty that leads many of us to question our label and in most cases to chance your arm with a few dops. Bad idea guys. You will create history if you do manage to beat the odds. A blind acceptance of your fate is probably a good start to a long lasting "cure". Falling off the wagon is another phrase that we are all familiar with. It happens. In fact the majority of labeled alkies will fall off at some point. The trick is to pick yourself up. I have had the privilege and pleasure over the last few years to consul others and the "fallen hero" syndrome is never far away from your thoughts.Today I can help you but tomorrow is another day.<br />
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There is a wide range of support groups out there who are only too willing to come to your aid. The well known AlcoholicsAnonymous exist solely to help those battling with this killer disease. And a huge bonus is the fact that they are free. Staffed by men and woman who have beaten this monster, this is a good start to cleaning your act up. Like many support groups dedicated to this illness their counselors have been there, done that and got the T-shirt. Listen to them and they will pull you out of the black hole that you find yourself in.<br />
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After almost coming to terms with your label we come to the crux of this whole sad scenario. How in the hell am I going to not drink ever again? Four words. IT IS NOT EASY. We live in a world surrounded by alcohol. Just look around you. Unlike illegal drugs there is a bottle store on every corner. Hell nowadays when you pop in to buy your bread and milk net on die hoek you are confronted by rows and rows of bottles of my favourite poison. Newspapers, T.V. radio and magazines bombard you the whole time. Smoking has become a no-no but alcohol has crept into our nations psyche. I mean our national sports teams are financed by the giants of the liquor industry. Oh look there's Graeme Smith, he's definitely the king of the "castle". In their effort to sell the product they go to great lengths to glamorize life with a dop by your side. Our basic socialization teaches us from a very early age that no event is complete without the requisite alcohol intake. When did you last go to a wedding, promotion party, simple family braai or just plain get-together after work and you all drunk mineral water. You could probably count them on one hand.<br />
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And these are the happy events. What about the fight with the wife, the retrenchment, the death of a loved one, losing that big deal or just feeling pissed off with life. Alcohol used and not abused is a feature of our fast and modern times. To sit and consider that it is no longer part of your life requires a 360 degree turnaround in your way of thinking. It is no help to try and demonize alcohol. Sure it is probably responsible in one way or other for much of the carnage on our roads, our ridiculous crime levels and the ever increasing women and child abuse in the new South Africa. But there is another side of the coin. Who can deny that a couple of cold ones after a bad day at the office rests the brain. That warm comfortable feeling at the family braai so that even Uncle Flip's nonsense starts to make logical. That awkward corporate do when suddenly Mr. Jones from Regional office does not seem such a prick after all. In all these instances it does not matter that the whole lot of you cannot sentence two strings together. You are relaxed, feeling good and life is not so bad after all.<br />
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Besides the physical presence of alcohol around you all the time "club members" have to have eyes in the back of their heads. There are many side-shows that can trip you up. Days after coming out of hospital my better half Mary out of the goodness of her heart decided to buy me an extremely expensive vitamin boosted drink. The object was to get my wasted body back on track. A couple of days later I started to feel as though I needed a drink badly. On investigation with my pharmacist I was informed that it contained elements of ethanol. Enough to make my recently sodden brain recognize that this was an old friend calling again. A close call. As a recovering and sober alcoholic there are many instances when you are tested. Alcohol is a sneaky bastard and pops up in the most unusual places, usually unannounced. Christmas Day and as the restaurant clientele get stuck into their much awaited Xmas pudding , you have to take a rain-cheque. Sorry too much brandy in that one. Mouthwash, sports vitamin drinks, low alcohol beer, even some deodorants can get those brain cells craving all over again. It is very much a case of treading softly and making sure that you avoid even the smallest amount of alcohol. Modern psychology has more or less worked out that the brain is like a camera and records many of your memories. It is like a computer with 100,000GB of memory. The memory of your drunken stupors are recorded and are easily activated. So watch it.<br />
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Every sober alcoholic has to find his own individual way to deal with his life sentence. I took the middle road of evasive action. I buy wine for my better half. I will feel comfortable in small groups of friends and family who are drinking at a social event. I draw the line at large gatherings. Later in the evening I feel alienated and isolated. As the brews flow I do start to feel uneasy. It is just my way. It is for the individual to work out what works best. For me in a world swimming in alcohol I made the decision to have it around in small doses. A s they say in the classics- whatever floats your boat. Nobody starts out with the intention of becoming an alkie and that magical line creeps up on us unannounced. Beware though once you are labeled your life takes a definite downturn. It is really best to try and head off that day. You all know if a problem is developing. Deep down you now need alcohol rather than want it. The body and mind now require just to give you a shot at getting through the day. What started out as a fun way to relieve tension and stress or just to have a good time is now a preoccupation. Without it you become one sick camper. Body sweats, nausea, shaking, mental confusion and generally one screwed-up constitution are the byproducts of even a few hours abstinence. Take it from someone who has been there, do not go there. Stop it before you wake up one day and suddenly your daily dop is your master. Stop it before your every waking moment revolves around the next drink. It happens so fast and the next minute you become a member of that "club" that nobody wants to join. Have fun with your drink but do not let it become your everything. Take advice from family, friends and work colleagues. They will be noticing your slide way before you will admit to a problem.<br />
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Then again the whole question of how to get treatment is fraught with difficulties. A good starting base would be your family G.P. Try and choose somebody who regularly deals with this type of problem. It really does help to actually like the individual. Another base to touch is a Psychologist. I went through numerous Psychologists until I finally found one that I felt comfortable with. Alcoholics by the very secretive nature of their illness are very convincing liars and spend most of their time in self-denial. Modern research has concluded that alcoholism and acute depression co-exist in most cases. The burning question to sort out is" are you drinking because you are depressed or are you depressed because you are drinking". A tricky one but the type of issue a compassionate and experienced G.P. and Psychologist can get to grips with. I will never forget coming out of a session with a Psychiatrist, climbing into the car and proclaiming to Mary that the guy was a nutcase who needed help more than I did. Sad but true. In my confusion I had started to lose the plot.<br />
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The range of treatments depend on how long you have been on the slide and your mental and physical state. From simple counseling, anti-depressants to sleep therapy and if the depression is severe and life threatening, the last resort treatment of Shock Therapy. But ultimately the day will arrive when you are on your own and it is time to bite the bullet. Total, absolute and never-ending abstinence is the only route to go. Statistically the odds of you beating the odds are for all intensive purposes, one big fat zero.<br />
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Some days are worse than others. The usual and normal day to day activities of everyday life present you with many occasions when a couple of cold ones seems like the answer. Your slide into acute alcoholism followed by your treatment phase will eventually become a distant memory. The days,weeks, months and years of trying to stay sober will be your new reality. Once again I would like to quote another old guy who probably knew what he was talking about. During the dark days of World War Two when his island was been threatened by the ever-growing menace of Nazism, Winston Churchill, who by all accounts liked the odd dram, declared,<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-58084286982932052982013-11-13T19:11:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:16:13.220-08:00Get Your Man Back Right Now - Rock-Solid Advice Takes You From Breaking Up to Making UpThe two of you aren't together right now, but it doesn't need to be that way. You can get your man back right now! If you follow some sage advice, you can go from breaking up to making up in the blink of an eye. Guys might be a little tricky, but they aren't complicated. If you do things the right way, he'll be crawling back to you!<br />
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I know it sounds crazy when you're dealing with a break up, but fixing the whole mess and turning your relationship into a winner is not impossible. In fact, it's relatively easy. You can get your ex boyfriend back if you handle the situation in the right way.<br />
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Oh, and here's some good news. You won't need to sell out. You won't need to take on a phony personality, change your looks, your clothes, your hair or anything else. If you want to know how to get your ex back, the secret lies in the nature of the human mind, not in superficial nonsense.<br />
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Here's what I'm talking about: Guys and gals see things differently. Our minds don't work the same way and what makes perfect sense to us may not make an impression on him. All of those great reasons you have for the two of you to get back together might not persuade your ex boyfriend. In other words, it's time to learn what really makes a guy tick and to use that information to your advantage.<br />
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Once you develop a real understanding of the "male relationship mind", all bets are off. You can make him fall head over heels in love with you like never before simply by pushing those seemingly magical psychological hot buttons. If you want to get your man back, you need to get a serious grip on the inner workings of the male psyche.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-57355108097075853742013-11-12T19:14:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:16:17.708-08:00 Improve Your Productivity - Go For a RunHere's the key to having a clear mind and operating your business effectively: don't neglect your body.<br />
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More specifically, what you should try to do as often as possible is go for a run.<br />
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I know, I know. You've never liked running. You think back to those cold, miserable p.e. lessons at school when it always seemed to be raining and you got a stitch and you just wanted to give up and everyone seemed to be faster than you. But that was then, this is now! I never used to like running, either.<br />
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I love running now, and that's not just because I'm worried about not training enough and having a heart attack ten minutes after the start of my next marathon. Apart from the health benefits, it's the only time during the day when I'm completely free to think about what I want.<br />
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During the day, there are too many distractions. Email arriving every few minutes. Spam to grumble over and delete. Telephone calls from advertising salespeople. Coffee to make. Biscuits to eat. There's never a chance to step back and look at things objectively.<br />
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Running gives you that. I don't know what the actual physiological effect on the brain of all that bobbing up and down is, but it's almost as if the clutter you carry around in your head gets jiggled together and solutions come to you as if by magic. I'm sometimes a bit dense, so it took time for me to realise this, but when I stopped to think about it recently I had to admit to myself that almost without exception, the best and most effective ideas I've had for my business (and not just business; ideas for how to run my life) have come while I've been running. When you're stuck in the office staring at the mouse cursor blinking dumbly back at you, there's just no way you can come up with new and creative answers. You need to get some fresh air.<br />
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When I did the London Marathon two years ago, although I enjoyed training with running partners in the months before the race, I always had to run at the same pace as them and had to, well, make conversation! You're running with friends, so you can't just clam up for two hours, right? It didn't give me time to switch off. I run alone now and it's better, much though I may sometimes miss the company. I can go at the speed I want, don't have to concentrate too much on the outside world other than avoiding being run over, and while the legs are taking care of themselves I can drift away and think about things. For me, being able to run at my own pace is very important.<br />
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That's also why I don't listen to music any more when I'm out running. Why? Because when you run to music you're forced to listen to the songs and subconsciously trapped into slowing down or speeding up according to the beat of what you're listening to. I always find myself going a little bit loopy when I can't quite run quickly enough for the song I'm listening to. So no more music. Besides, it's dangerous to not be able to hear what's going on around you.<br />
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So what do you think? Will you have a go for me? Running's cheap, you know. Don't need to pay out for gym classes, personal trainers or exercise equipment. Just get yourself a comfortable pair of running shoes from a reputable shop and you're set.<br />
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You're too old, you say? Too overweight? Don't have the time? Believe me, it's never too late. Don't worry about your speed, because the only one you're racing against is yourself. And you'll never find time to do new things; you have to make the time.<br />
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A tip before and after your run (very important): S-T-R-E-T-C-H your legs. It'll dramatically lower the risk of injury. Try to lean over and touch your toes while keeping your legs straight. It'll be tricky at first, but you'll get there.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-82273647123442287682013-11-10T19:17:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:17:22.074-08:00How to Get Your Ex Back - Advice From a Mistress Who Has Stolen Ex'sHave you ever thought about ways of getting your ex back? All it takes are a few techniques; techniques that are used by the other woman or the other man who took your love away from you in the first place. All relationships have challenges; that is inevitable.<br />
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The question is; do you know what to do when your relationship is facing a challenge? During challenging times is when the both of you are vulnerable. Vulnerability equals weakness, weakness equals temptation, temptation leads to possible destruction of your relationship; and that may lead to another person walking right in and splitting the two of you up if you are not aware of it.<br />
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If your relationship has already broken up and you really want to get him or her back; here are 2 proven strategies that a mistress shared in a private interview. She reveals how these two methods if used the right way can deliver you positive results.<br />
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1. The use of words. Words are magical and powerful. Just like the bad words that separated the two of you; there are words that can bring the two of you back together again. Words can literally cast a spell on him or her making them have no other choice but to come back to you. You just need to know what they are and how and when to use them. Pleading and begging is not an option. Not only is it not an option but it makes you look desperate; and that is not the goal here. Use curiosity and interest to get the attention of the one you want back. Curiosity and interest are the 2 most powerful brain stimulants.<br />
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Combine them together; and you have created a formula that can pretty much hypnotize a person. 9 times out of 10 when using these two techniques together you will get the response you want. For example; you call your ex up in a friendly voice and leave him/her a voice mail message saying; "Karen, hi it's John. I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciated what you did for me. Give me a call back so that I can thank you in person". Who can resist that? When the person you are trying to get back with returns your call; you then must be ready to execute proven method #2 referred to as The Set Up.<br />
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2. The Set Up - Figure out what your former love did to deserve the thank you. This is an important step. The set up can be very tricky and you must know exactly how to use this technique or else you can end up with egg on your face. That brings us to a word of caution when using both of these two powerful strategies. If you apply them without knowing how to use them correctly; then you can do more harm than good in winning back the love of your life. What you do before, during and after you perform these techniques; are more important than getting your former lover to respond. So make sure you use them correctly in order to get the results you want. Now that you know what to do; go after your love before someone else steals them away from you for good.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-72323819678007740372013-11-06T20:31:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:21:24.602-08:00The ONE Question Prospects Always Ask That You Should Never Answer-If You Want ClientsOne of the best things to do to quickly establish credibility, get massive exposure, and attract new clients, is speaking. Hands down. Whether you organize your own seminars on a regular basis to continually fill the pipeline (the way I did for years), or get booked for talks to "pre-formed" groups like associations, it works like a charm--provided you give very good info.<br />
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If you deliver the talk properly, there's always a group of people at the end of your talk who rush up to the podium to chat with you. Some will tell you how much they enjoyed the talk, some will be e-zine readers who've wanted to meet you for years, some will want free advice or to "pick your brain." But, there's one question you'll almost always get and it comes in two parts. The first part's the good part; "I'm interested in working with you." The second one is the tricky part; "What do you charge?"<br />
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There's ONE fundamental problem with answering the second part of that question. If you answer it right there on the spot, you'll most always lose that client on the spot. Here's why.<br />
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When making a purchasing decision, if they're only focused on price, there isn't any room for VALUE or RESULTS. And I believe people buy in three ways: by emotion, by results, and by value (what they're paying for what they're getting). If you don't get the value part right, you might as well not even bother. They'll always go into sticker shock.<br />
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The solution? Don't give them your rates on the spot. Instead, invite them for a conversation to be held at a later date where you can fully describe the value they'll be getting from working with you. I call mine the "get-acquainted session," you may call yours a free consultation, whatever. The important thing is that's where the magic happens. That's where you can find out more about them, get to the root of their problems, describe solutions, and they can buy by value.<br />
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Now, by the way, this situation doesn't just happen at the end of a speaking gig. If you've got a kick-butt elevator speech that makes them say, "Wow, that's exactly what I need, I want to work with you," then you'll also get the question at networking events, at the cocktail hour of your friend's wedding, or simply when someone contacts you by email or phone. The answer is always the same though. Invite them for a free consult.<br />
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Your Client Attraction Assignment:<br />
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Never give your rates cold. You'll almost always lose the sale right there on the spot. Instead, invite them for a conversation. Here's what I recommend that my private clients say to their own prospects:<br />
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"I actually offer several different programs, depending on how quickly you want to get results, and of course, on your budget level. What I usually recommend is that we set up a free get-acquainted session. Not only do you want to find out more about me, my programs, etc., but I want to find out more about you and your situation to see if you're going to be the right fit for my programs as well. Shall we set that up?"<br />
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Done. The prospects almost always let out a sigh of relief (it's almost as though they didn't REALLY want your rates after all) and then you're all set. Now, you're ready to close the sale. Easy.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-48816445165922171842013-11-06T20:26:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:21:23.200-08:00 Reengineering: 40 U$eful HintsIntroduction<br />
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Business Process Reengineering (BPR) principles have been around for a long time, piecemeal and under other labels. In recent years they started coming together as a discipline, incorporating world class business principles and focusing on quantum improvements- not merely continuous gradual improvement.<br />
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BPR is the complete or partial "reinventing" of how business processes are done, to attain major performance improvement. It questions the underlying assumptions and principles, including what, why, by whom, and even, if--things should be done.<br />
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This presentation will contribute by stating and helping to clarify a number of important principles, plus some useful insights, techniques and hints - 40 in all!<br />
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Basic Concepts<br />
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1. Start with clean sheet of paper, mission statement, and vision<br />
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It is probably best to initially start with a high level analysis, and then concentrate on a small number of processes initially.<br />
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We recommend a five step design approach:<br />
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o Make a list of what you like and don't like about the existing system, and what you'd like to see. Feel free to consult others- process owners, users, customers, suppliers, auditors, whatever. Then lay this aside for awhile.<br />
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o Look at alternatives; learn about what else is available, benchmark, etc. Read books, take seminars, courses, read reports/success stories, make pilgrimages to hallowed sites of success. Talk to experienced people.<br />
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o Brainstorm approaches. Agree on mission, vision, and focus. Set some overall improvement targets. Identify non-value-added activities.<br />
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o Then, construct an abbreviated "as-is" process map to determine what is happening now, and where the waste and delays are occurring. Use this to better understand the process, generate issues lists and target more specific improvements than from the previous steps.<br />
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o Construct a "to-be" model of the proposed process, including flow diagrams, organization, forms, procedures, etc., before transitioning to implementation.<br />
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2. "Reinvent" how the business is run, don't just make incremental changes, don't automate the mess you already have<br />
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If you're not careful, the new process becomes merely an incrementally improved old process, or worse yet, an automated version of the old one. If possible, come up with a whole new, much better way to run the business or perform the process.<br />
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It's really important to get a critical mass of FRESH thinking, so that the company doesn't merely take the path of least resistance back to the old ways. There is an unseen force that tries to make almost every change effort spring back to the way it was done before. Find the forces of reaction and deal with them early. Put enough people with the right beliefs, experience, and training, in key positions to help effect change.<br />
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3. Customer-driven, anticipate customer needs, and. . .<br />
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4. Involve customer early in the process<br />
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Find out from customers/prospects what they want. Ask them before they tell you what they don't like or worse yet, take their business elsewhere. This is mysterious and frightening to many internal employees who wouldn't know a customer if they were bitten by one. Take employees out to meet customers or customers in to meet employees. Have them talk on the phone, exchange views. It usually improves both sides, and forms valuable bonds. Involve customers early in the process to build "ownership", and to avoid false starts.<br />
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Find out what your successful competitors are doing and see if it makes sense. Don't slavishly copy it--leapfrog it. There may now be better ideas or new technologies that you could use. Try looking at how companies in other industries solve analogous problems.<br />
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Better yet, think of something nobody has thought of yet. Overnight air delivery of packages, disposable razors, and eyeglasses in one hour, were all breakthrough ideas that made fortunes and thrilled customers.<br />
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Do this before you do your expensive BPR program without sufficient improvement criteria.<br />
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5. Achieve continuous, rapid improvement--gradual improvements may not suffice<br />
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The Japanese Kaizen, or continuous improvement philosophy, is an extremely powerful concept, and it has taken them, and others who practice it effectively, a long way. But, if you're ten years behind, Kaizen won't even maintain the same gap. Stronger medicine is needed. Business Process Reengineering can be such a tonic, to allow huge leaps forward, and can be used in conjunction with Kaizen. Even if you're not ten years behind, maybe BPR can be a way to get ten years ahead.<br />
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How could one suddenly leapfrog another company to become more successful? ... by making accelerator pedals instead of buggy whips. By doing something not just better, but truly different.<br />
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6. Challenge existing approach<br />
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Start out with an assumption in the back of your mind that the old way can be improved enormously--the odds are with you. Allow yourself to be proven wrong in some areas, but don't count on it. This forces more critical thinking. Compare the results of the current process to your ideal mission statement and note the differences. Then brainstorm how it can be improved significantly.<br />
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It's hard to get people to challenge existing approaches, unless you:<br />
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o Remove possible threats to them for doing so. This can best be done by demonstrating that company people can do it and survive. Ensure that people are rewarded, not punished for making improvements. One company encountered was in the habit of laying off team members after improvements were made. A real motivator.<br />
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o Expose teams to alternative models for doing business. This can be accomplished through education, site visits, reading, participation in professional societies, and group discussions.<br />
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o Assign leadership or lead the charge yourself--set the example by challenging the status quo and soliciting better ideas. Encourage others to do this as well.<br />
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7. Use benchmarking, get ideas from other industries<br />
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No need to be totally original in your thinking. Find out what "best practices" are in your and other industries with transferable concepts. Possibly even collaborate with other companies in developing better processes (void where prohibited by law).<br />
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8. Define product/process relationships, avoid functional "silos"<br />
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Try to disregard the existing organization structure when developing the ideal process. Look at the objectives that need to be accomplished, the processes that are needed to support it, and finally, at the resources (including organization) needed to accomplish them.<br />
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9. Set a hierarchy of: customer, product, process, function, activity<br />
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The chart below depicts some important relationships:<br />
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Objectives<br />
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10. Compress time<br />
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Faster is almost always better, if it's done right. More speed means more cycles, which means more output per unit time, faster turnaround, which usually improves service and reduces costs. Simply trying to speed up the existing process, however, might actually increase costs, and cause quality problems. This is why "old school" people usually tell you that it will cost more, hurt other priorities, or reduce quality if your request to do something faster is granted.<br />
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11. Eliminate bottlenecks<br />
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Find the slowest activity in a process. Speed it up. This speeds up the entire process and is usually the cheapest way to do it.<br />
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12. Reduce number of steps, complexity, levels, people<br />
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The more moving parts that anything has - a machine, system, process - the more it costs, the more that can go wrong, and the longer it takes. Reduce number of steps, operations, people, parts, and improve performance.<br />
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13. Reduce defects<br />
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Most processes take much longer and cost more due to defects and exception handling. Defects are the worst form of waste. They usually force more expensive exception activities to correct them, slow down cycle times, rob capacity, and force increased capital investment (for inventory, space, equipment, working capital). It has been said that defects cause 5 to 10 times their apparent costs.<br />
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14. Increase flexibility<br />
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Being adaptable to change enables introduction of new products, services, processes, schedules. Try to envision the parameters of possible change when designing the process. Increase flexibility by using adaptable people, training them, and designing processes to accommodate future change.<br />
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Philosophies<br />
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15. Empower people, but with strong leadership, clear mission & beliefs<br />
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Empower doesn't mean to abdicate management leadership, but to provide to employees the direction, skills, authority, and tools they need to accept as much delegated responsibility as possible. However, even in this era of oncoming "self directed work teams", there is still a very great need for leadership. A lot of it needs to come from management, as well as other team members. One cannot overemphasize the value of enthusiastic, strong, informed leadership to energize a reengineering effort. People tend to respond quite positively to this.<br />
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16. Make education a way of life<br />
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There are just so many new things to learn social, technical, philosophical, specific details, that a significant portion of employee time needs to be dedicated to education and training. This is not just an expense if used wisely, but an excellent investment in the company's future. There needs to be an overall education plan. Employees need to be tasked with education objectives, and tested for improvements. When you send someone to a 3 day seminar on set-up reduction, jointly develop objectives, in advance, for this investment in time and money. This is not a 3 day paid vacation. Debrief the employee afterward- make sure the company gets a return on this investment. If not, learn why. Employees who consistently fail to deliver results here may cease to be candidates for upcoming educational opportunities.<br />
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17. A "System" consists of missions, leadership, goals, objectives, metrics, policies, procedures, education, training, organization, personnel, tools--not primarily a computer project<br />
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Address all of the system ingredients shown above to reengineer a business system, and its processes.<br />
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18. "Ownership" is important<br />
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It's better to have even a mediocre approach that has consensus and support than the best idea in the world that no one likes or understands. The first will at least work in a mediocre fashion.<br />
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Build ownership by involving people in the new approach so that their intelligence and egos become intertwined with it.<br />
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Approaches<br />
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19. Focus on eliminating non-value added activities/ assets/costs<br />
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Eliminate waste in the company. Cut back on non-productive assets. Use Shingo's "7 Wastes of Production" as a tool to help identify waste. Waste is anything that is not absolutely essential to design, produce, and get the product/service to the customer. Employ some of the various analysis techniques to help identify waste and weigh improvement priorities.<br />
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20. Use simple approaches, not complex sophistication<br />
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There are already dozens of new, complex methodologies, software packages, etc., purporting to be "magic bullets" to reengineer your company. Most of them are too complicated, and will generate more money for their purveyors than for you. Don't spend more time learning and wrestling with the tools than solving business problems. Be especially wary of complex matrices and mathematical models. Don't get much more complex than a moderate Quality Function Deployment (QFD) matrix.<br />
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The key is to understand the requirements of the process, and what is wrong with the existing process, and what tools/resources are available/needed to do the job. Then, design/improve the new/revised process.<br />
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21. Decentralize, unless there are compelling reasons to do otherwise<br />
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Delegate downward and move resources to forward positions where they might be used to more rapidly and flexibly serve the customer. Move back and consolidate where there are compelling reasons to do so because of economies of scale, critical resources. Make sure this doesn't compromise service, quality, or flexibility.<br />
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22. Streamline, Simplify, automate, integrate, in that order<br />
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Don't spend big bucks on automation until you know what it is you'll be automating, and there is a simplified approach for running the business. Often, simplification of the existing system can pay for some or all of the subsequent automation. Scope out the entire effort before automating anything. Automation and integration should be a logical culmination of a well thought-out plan.<br />
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23. Employ the conference room pilot approach<br />
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In spite of everyone's best efforts, processes may still be complex. Therefore, it is extremely important to have tools for testing, refining, and training to ensure best results, with minimum risk. The conference room pilot approach is such a tool, and works by running off-line tests of the system, manually, and with proposed operating computer/software systems, prior to live implementation. Mistakes are made, and education/training occur, in the conference room, not in the heat of battle in the office or on the factory floor. Project leadership uses mission statements, objectives, and issues lists to design test scenarios, and then leads the group through these for training, debugging and problem solving purposes.<br />
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Techniques<br />
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24. Selectively implement policies, procedures, checkpoints, controls, accountability, metrics<br />
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Don't generate any more rules and paperwork than are needed. Well educated people with clear missions need less of this. Where it's not enough, well written and simple policies will often provide adequate guidance. Where that's not sufficient, one may need to add specific procedures. Install checkpoints, logs, controls, only when they are really needed to gain control of a tricky situation.<br />
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Have clear lines of accountability. Accountability can only result when there is authority, responsibility, and adequate resources to get the job done.<br />
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Utilize a small number of simple metrics, linked to mission, goals, and objectives. Communicate the results, and take corrective actions, if warranted.<br />
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25. Use "discontinuous thinking" techniques<br />
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Some people would have you believe that inductive, rational thinking is the best way to reengineer a process. It ain't necessarily so. Alfred Nobel invented dynamite, which funded the Nobel Prize, mostly by accident. Federal Express was based on an idea to transfer Federal bank funds overnight. Brainstorming sessions may take half-baked or unrelated ideas and transform them into powerful, creative change concepts.<br />
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Use customers, consultants, outsiders, games, your spouse, whatever will help generate ideas that break the confines of the existing approach.<br />
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26. Insiders lead, outsiders augment<br />
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Use outsiders, such as consultants and educators, to teach your people, provide temporary reinforcement, and skills needed only sporadically. Build the core of leadership and ownership internally when permanent resources are required. Think of outsiders as "jumper cables."<br />
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27. Small teams, but with a "guiding hand"<br />
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The ideal team size seems to be 3-8. More is unwieldy - a "committee", with fewer, it's harder to attain critical mass. If you need others to help gain consensus, provide technical advice, etc., bring them in on an as needed basis, as "consultants". For example, if you're reengineering the purchase requisitioning process, don't have all 117 people who write, process, and approve these on the design team. Assemble a small team of the best and brightest. Have them consult some of the others, and ultimately either review or provide write-ups of the proposed changes to the others for advice and consent.<br />
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Don't assume that the teams will be self managing, especially if they don't have a track record of doing so. At a minimum, even very good teams benefit from help with key parameters, such as mission, objectives, metrics. Less competent teams may need help with their own process of accomplishing things, as well as technical subject matter assistance. Seeding teams with well-trained team players is helpful.<br />
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28. Develop common processes, where it makes sense. At a minimum, come up with common data attributes, macro processes, data exchange conventions, etc.<br />
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29. Bias towards "vanilla" approaches wherever practical<br />
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Don't reinvent the wheel. Use packaged software, and standardized approaches.<br />
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30. Leverage investment, people, resources<br />
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Leveraging means doing more with less. Don't invest when you can use: consigned inventories, well-planned automation, human resource development, education, virtual corporations, cooperative resources, multi-skilled people, contractors, OPM (Other Peoples' Money), OPI (Other Peoples' Ideas), licensed technology and methodologies.<br />
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31. Set ambitious "stretch" goals. Don't worry if they are missed. Worry about how much improvement is made<br />
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Many organizations intimidate their people into developing overly conservative goals, reducing the perceived probability of failure. Try to remove the fear of failure (easier said than done), and encourage employees to shoot for the moon. Then, help them get the resources they need to achieve these goals, encourage controlled, conscious risk-taking, reward success, and console honest failures that occur as a result of trying hard. It's usually better to achieve half of a 50% improvement goal than all of a 10% goal.<br />
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32. Project leaders should lead, not make all the decisions<br />
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The ideal project leader is one who can formulate and communicate a mission with inspiration, provide tools that team members need, participate with team members, identify and target opportunities and problems for action.<br />
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33. Avoid "Paralysis by Analysis." You'll never have all the facts<br />
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One of our associates was leading an inventory reduction program for a client. Some of their employees lamented the fact that up to half of the items to be tracked might lack adequate decision data, so that they felt they could not proceed. He said, "then work on the other half!" We'd still be waiting for all of the data to be right before making a decision if we'd hesitated. Instead, improvements are being made daily.<br />
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34. Don't use just functional organizations to define processes- they tend to replicate existing paradigms<br />
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Don't tolerate having processes designed to fit the current organization structure, or even specific people. Use cross-functional teams, with outsiders, internal and external process customers and suppliers.<br />
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35. Phase implementation to reduce risk and optimize rate of benefit gains<br />
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Full reengineering of a company may take much time. Most companies can't/won't wait for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so it is necessary to provide payback at regular intervals, preferably starting soon. Create a phased implementation plan allowing the overall effort to self-fund itself before completion, if possible. Individual processes may have early due dates.<br />
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36. Use cellular and self-directed work teams<br />
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Get away from functional organization. Organize for processes. Cells are usually designed to handle an entire process, product, or even product line. Set up the organization to serve the customer, mission, product, process - in that order.<br />
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37. Avoid building a new bureaucracy/theocracy of Reengineering high priests/ priestesses<br />
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It seems like it's only a matter of time after a new concept, such as TQM, MIS, etc., comes along, before a corps of arrogant technocrats materializes, spouting acronyms, rules, regulations, forms, and methodologies. Reengineering is proving to be no exception to this. Don't let them gain a foothold. Make sure BPR stays with the people, by holding them accountable, organizing accordingly, and providing needed resources.<br />
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38. Use flow diagrams, dictionaries, business rules, to define system--avoid lengthy prose and technical documentation.<br />
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Define your system with simple statements, pictorial charts, tables, and where necessary, algorithms. If these can't be used for training purposes, consider tearing them up and starting over, until you can. People should be able to use them to help perform their jobs.<br />
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39. Maintain master running issues status lists<br />
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Issues really drive a BPR project. Track all suggestions, disputes, problems, guidance from management. Keep them on "issues lists." Categorize, group and prioritize them. Develop/solicit suggested approaches to these. Use these lists to guide the BPR project, and to track resolution and implementation.<br />
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40. New process designs will win by default if not contested by a set deadline.<br />
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A corporate, bureaucratic approval process moving at a snail's pace swallows up ideas, innovation and enthusiasm. Consider radical changes to yours. Use the "book club trick." Some book clubs will automatically send you books and bill you for them, unless you object or specify different books.<br />
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Your company might use this idea too. Publish suggested approaches, maybe as part of the issues list. If nobody objects or comes up with better ideas, the suggestions are automatically assigned to be developed and implemented.<br />
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41. Employ the living flow chart approach to model systems<br />
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We have pondered the best approaches for documenting as-is and to-be systems configurations, and developed the following conclusions:<br />
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o KIS (Keep It Simple). The more complex methodologies confuse and intimidate the very people you most need to involve. The tools can bog down the effort, and rapidly result in diminishing returns.<br />
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o People are inhibited from making changes to the more complex models, because of the sheer amount of work of constructing and maintaining the more complex modeling tools.<br />
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o Simple methods are more likely to be utilized and to bear fruit more rapidly.<br />
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o People think better in chart or pictorial format. Chart the process using actual documents or likenesses of forms, screens, reports, etc. Record issues, defect occurrences, delays, contradictions, cycle times, responsibilities, procedure/policy references, right on the charts.<br />
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o Go down to the level that people understand the process.<br />
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o Start with company level and process summary level charts. Do a mission statement for each process and sub-process before you get into the details.<br />
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o Use the charts as a diagnostic and design tool. Identify and correct non-value-added activities, bottlenecks, defect and delay producing points, organizational constraints, gaps, overlaps, etc.<br />
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42. Deliver more than you promise.<br />
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42 out of 40 hints promised ain't bad.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-27563798441978866742013-11-06T20:25:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:21:18.921-08:00The Art Of BacklightingContrary to popular belief stunning photographs can be taken when shooting into the light. Whilst this may contradict advice given to beginners to always shoot with the light coming from behind the camera the art of backlighting is a technique that can produce wonderful images. However, many nature photographers are intimidated by the idea of pointing the camera towards the light and shy away from many worthwhile opportunities.<br />
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There is much to consider when using this technique if frustration and disappointment are to be avoided. However, once mastered there is little doubt that backlighting can be magical and will add both drama and visual impact to your photographs and diversity and interest to your portfolio. There are many subjects to try, my favourites are translucent flowers and foliage or rim lighting of animals and birds. Backlighting will enhance mist, rain and haze adding creativity and atmosphere to landscape images.<br />
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The two most challenging aspects of photographing backlit subjects are to adequately eliminate flare and ensure correct exposure. These concerns can be allayed with a little practice, good technique and an understanding of the exposure process.<br />
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Flare gives rise to a loss of definition and is probably the most significant area requiring attention, so a measured and methodical approach is needed. It is produced when intense rays of light hit the front element of the lens causing excessive lens refraction, this leads to specula highlights, image softening and loss of definition. Clearly this is to be avoided and there are several ways to overcome this undesirable effect.<br />
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Lenses show individual characteristics but in general the more lens elements used in their construction the more vulnerable they will be to flare. With this in mind zoom lenses are more likely to be flare susceptible that prime fixed focal length lenses. Lens coatings also have an impact on flare, modern multi coated lenses consistently outperform earlier models and this alone can significantly reduce most potential flare problems.<br />
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In many backlighting situations using a designated lens hood will greatly improve the chances of eliminating flare by keeping stray light from striking the front element of the lens. Indeed, the use of a good quality lens hood can improve saturation in all images.<br />
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Having taken the above precautions a final visual inspection of the image through the viewfinder, preferably with the lens stopped down, will show any remaining areas of softness or highlights resulting from flare. This may only require a slight repositioning of the camera to eliminate.<br />
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The other challenge in photographing backlit subjects is how best to handle exposure. Overexposure is a common problem in backlighting, as the brightly-lit background will overly influence the camera's meter; this will turn the subject very dark, indeed almost silhouette like.<br />
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Exposure compensation is the answer and it is best to give between one and two stops extra exposure from the 'normal' exposure suggested by the camera. Alternatively, take a spot meter reading from the shadow area and expose at the camera's reading this should require no compensation. As exposure for backlit subjects is tricky it is best to practice various exposure metering patterns and overrides until you are comfortable in approaching various back lighting opportunities that present themselves.<br />
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So, nature photographers, there really is no excuse for not getting out there, there is an endless variety of subjects waiting to be found and with care they can become some of your most creative and satisfying images.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-47066421206331467002013-11-06T20:24:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:21:17.256-08:00 The Devil's Rejects - Not for the SqueamishThe Devil's Rejects (2005)<br />
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Tagline: "A Tale of Murder, Mayhem, and Revenge."<br />
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Sequels are a tricky proposition for most filmmakers. Often, whatever magic existed in the first film is lost by the time the second hits the screen. This is not the case with The Devil's Rejects, a follow-up to the 2003 low-budget House of 1000 Corpses. Instead of simply regurgitating his first film, director Rob Zombie (of White Zombie fame) takes the legend of the Firefly clan in a whole new direction, and, in the process, he turns out a film which is actually superior to the original.<br />
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And in case you missed it, here's a quick summary of House of 1000 Corpses: Four teens stop off at the clown-faced Captain Spaulding's gas station and museum of terror. They become fascinated with the local legend of Dr. Satan and set out to find the tree from which he was hung, but they quickly run afoul of the insane Firefly family. After that, it's not a case of will they die, but rather how they'll die.<br />
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Rejects picks up sometime after the events in House, as an early morning raid on the Firefly family compound is led by a vengeful Sheriff Wydell (William Forsythe), the brother of a law officer murdered in the first film. In the ensuing shootout, Rufus Firefly (Tyler Mane) is killed and Mother Firefly (Leslie Easterbrook) is captured. Baby Firefly (Sheri Moon) and Otis Driftwood (Bill Moseley) escape and contact their father, Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig). As the trio cut a bloody swath across Texas, Sheriff Wydell becomes increasingly obsessed with their capture and resorts to more and more questionable methods. The movie culminates in a shootout that is equal parts Thelma and Louise, The Wild Bunch, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, not to mention the fact that it's all in slow-motion and set to Lynrd Skynrd's Freebird.<br />
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The first film was more of a monster movie with the strange Dr. Satan and his hoard of traumatized zombies, not to mention an albino Otis, subterranean caverns, and satanic Halloween ceremonies. For the sequel, Zombie sets much of the film in the light of day and transforms it into something closer resembling an on-the-road crime movie. Think Natural Born Killers but with more madmen to choose from (and that's saying something). Dr. Satan is gone from the film, and Otis is strangely no longer an albino. This time our killers are more sadist and less supernatural.<br />
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But don't think for a moment that this franchise has lost its bite. It's every bit as horrifying as the original, mainly due to the unsettling events which occur when Otis and Baby run across the members of the musical act Banjo and Sullivan at an out-of-the-way motel. If watching Three's Company vet Priscilla Barnes get raped with a pistol or Eastwood favorite Geoffrey Lewis get beaten to a bloody pulp doesn't bother you, then you're obviously made of sterner stuff than the majority of the American viewing audience. This is not a film for the squeamish, as evidenced by the fact that many theaters simply refused to show the movie. Of course, the fact that they managed to work in the F-word over 500 times in 100 minutes probably didn't help their cause either.<br />
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But fans of the genre will not be disappointed. From a killer soundtrack by such southern rock icons as Greg Allman and Lynrd Skynrd, to cameos by such notables as Michael Berryman, Ginger Lynn Allen, and Mary Woronov, Rejects has a lot to offer beyond gore and cursing. And Zombie continues to demonstrate a real eye for casting--getting excellent character actors instead of high-priced "talent." In the hands of lesser actors, many of the roles would seem just plain absurd, but this cast is able make it work and even make us feel a degree of empathy in the process.<br />
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And that's Zombie's most impressive accomplishment in Rejects--his ability to make us recoil in horror at the deeds of the Firefly family one moment and then laugh along with them the next. There are several moments when you can't help but like the characters despite the horrors that they've inflicted on others. A few standout moments are an argument over ice cream between Otis, Baby, and Spaulding, and several scenes involving the trio hiding out at a brothel owned by Spaulding's brother, Charlie Altamount (Ken Foree). It also helps that Bill Moseley and Sid Haig give excellent, nuanced performances. Sheri Moon also does an adequate job, although Zombie (her real-life husband) often spends more time getting close-ups of her attractive backside. One can only hope that this movie leads to even bigger opportunities for this deserving threesome.<br />
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On the flipside, Sheriff Wydell goes from sympathetic to demonic and back again. While seeking revenge for his brother's death, he is driven to fight as dirty as the Firefly family, even going so far as to disembowel a prisoner, hire bounty hunters (wonderfully portrayed by Danny Trejo and Diamond Dallas Page), and torture his prisoners with a staple gun and hammer and nails. William Forsythe portrays Wydell as a star-wearing force of nature, and there are many similarities with Detective Scagnetti from Natural Born Killers. Both men slowly become what they pursue until it consumes them. But while Scagnetti could be playful one moment and lethal the next, Wydell is portrayed as constantly intense. The performance, while perfectly enjoyable, might have been a bit better if Forsythe had backed off from time to time. But that's just nit-picking on my part.<br />
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The one performance I didn't care for was Leslie Easterbrook as Mother Firefly. Karen Black portrayed the character in the first film, but reportedly wanted more money for the sequel and was dropped (like she's got people beating down her door). In the hands of Black, Mother Firefly was a wily old hag who used her fading looks to ensnare men. Easterbrook gives her an outrageous southern accent and plays her as a screaming madwoman. Personally, I was overjoyed when she finally....(OOPS, don't want to give anything away).<br />
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I imagine we've seen the last of the Firefly clan, but Rob Zombie has certainly carved out a niche for himself in the horror landscape. Whether he moves on to more commercially appealing projects or continues to make daring low-budget films, audiences can be certain that his imagery and stories will stick with them long after they leave the theater.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-805648031849863202013-11-06T20:16:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:21:10.915-08:00GPS Basics. Part 1This article is the first of series of three articles in which I'll explain some basic principles and concepts of GPS. I in this article I'll explain how exactly GPS works so it won't be a mystery anymore. I'll also mention some recent enhancements to the GPS system. In the second article I'll explain about some of the GPS core technologies, so when you hear the magic words "Sirf III" you'll know what people are talking about. And finally, in the third paragraph I'll make a short review of the leading GPS manufacturers on the market today.<br />
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First of all GPS stands for Global Positioning System and usually refers to the GPS receiver. The receiver basically receives the signals incoming from constellation of 27 satellites which are orbiting the Earth (actually there are only 24 satellites that are operational and 3 additional for backup in case one of the 24 fails) and from those signals can calculate it's absolute position on Earth. This satellite system was developed by the U.S. military and after a while U.S. government opened it up for public. Those satellites are circling the Earth making two complete rotations every day. Their orbits are planned the way that at any time and anywhere on Earth there are at least four satellites "visible" in the sky. A GPS receiver locates four or more satellites from the signals those satellites send constantly towards the Earth, calculates the distance to each of the satellites and from this information calculates its' absolute location on Earth. This process of pinpointing the location of the GPS receiver is based on mathematical principle called trilateration.<br />
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Let me explain a little about this principle regarding the GPS. It is a little tricky so if you don't want to bother yourself with details - just skip this chapter. Like I said, GPS receiver locates the satellites and calculates the distance to them. Lets say for example receiver knows that Satellite_1 is located 20 miles from it. In the whole space Satellite_1 can be anywhere on a huge Sphere with radius of 20 miles around the receiver. If receiver also knows that Satellite_2 is located 30 miles from it, it can overlap the sphere of satellite_1 with the sphere of satellite_2. The spheres intersect in a perfect circle (think in 3 dimensions). The distance to the third satellites gives us a third sphere which intersects with the circle in two points. One of those points is located in space and the other located on Earth. This second point is actually the location of the GPS receiver. Using the Earth as fourth sphere, receiver is able to choose that second point and this way it knows its' exact location on earth.<br />
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Basically GPS receiver needs to locate only three satellites but it always tries to locate as many satellites as possible because it improves the accuracy of the result.<br />
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The signals that satellites are constantly transmitting are high-frequency, low power radio waves which contain information about the satellite and its' location. GPS receiver can calculate the distance to the satellite by counting the time it takes to the signal to get from the satellite to the receiver.<br />
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The whole process described above works well but it has inaccuracies due to several reasons like signal interference,weather and more. Differential GPS (DGPS) helps correct those inaccuracies. This enhancement is base on stations located on Earth. The hardware at those stations knows exactly the location of the station and constantly sends information to GPS receivers (but only to those in which this technology is implemented) how to correct their results so the will be more accurate.<br />
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Once the GPS receiver made the calculation, it can tell the latitude, the longitude and the altitude of its' current position. This doesn't tell much to the average user. So in order to make the use of the GPS receiver more user-friendly many receivers send this data to a program which displays a map and can show the position on it.<br />
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Well that's it for this article and check for updates, because like I said at the top of this article there are two more articles on the way!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-41958252562731493082013-11-06T20:13:00.001-08:002013-11-18T22:20:05.443-08:0010 Tips In Better PhotographyTaking a good photo isn't as hard as you may think. You don't need the most expensive camera or years of experience, just 10 simple tips.<br />
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Tip 1 - Use All Your Available Space<br />
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Don't be afraid to use all the space in your photo. If you want to take a picture of something, it's OK for it to take up the whole shot with no or very little background showing. Keep distractions out of your shot<br />
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Tip 2 - Study Forms<br />
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This is a vital aspect to photography. Understanding forms in your photos. Don't see an object, she its shape and its form and find the best angle to photograph it from. Form is all around us and I highly suggest you read as many books on it as possible.<br />
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Tip 3 - Motion In Your Photos<br />
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Never have motion in your photos if you are photographing a still object. If there is something moving while you are trying to photograph a stationery object, your photo won't turn out anywhere near as well. Also never put a horizon line in the center of your frame.<br />
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Tip 4 - Learn To Use Contrasts Between Colors.<br />
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Some of the best photos have shades of white, gray and black. You can take great shots with just one color on your subject, but the contrasts between colors in a shot is what makes you a great photographer.<br />
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Tip 5 - Get Closer To Your Subject<br />
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This is one of the biggest mistakes most photographers make, not getting close enough to their subject. Get up and personal and close the distance gap. You can always reshape and resize a good shot but you can't continue to blowup a distant object.<br />
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Tip 6 - Shutter Lag<br />
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Shooting action shots with digital camera's can be tricky due to shutter lags. What this means is, when you press the button to take the photo, it can take up to a second for the shutter to take a photo, by that time what you were photographing would have moved or changed somehow. This means you have to compensate for shutter lag by predicting what your subject is going to do and taking the photo just before it takes the action you want. More expensive digital cameras don't have this problem.<br />
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Tip 7 - Pan<br />
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If you are taking an action shot and your shutter speed is slow, pan with the object. Follow through with the subject, from start to finish and one of those shots will be a winner. You have more chance of getting a good shot if you take more then one photo.<br />
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Tip 8 - Continuous Shots<br />
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To pan like I suggested above you will need a camera that does continuous shots and doesn't need to stop and process after every shot.<br />
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Tip 9 - How To Take Fantastic Night Time Shots<br />
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Night time shots can be spectacular, almost magical.... if done right! If not they can look horrible. Really horrible. Without adequate lighting, even good camera's can turn out crappy photos if the photographer doesn't know what he or she is doing.<br />
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Tip 10 - Study Your Manual<br />
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If your digital camera has a special night time mode, read the manual and follow their instructions on how to use it properly.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-85272763463435426482013-11-06T20:12:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:20:22.551-08:00 Actions for Building Your Team SuccessfullyTen Top Actions for Building Your Team Successfully<br />
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As I am writing this introduction to this top ten, Diana Ross is ominously singing in my mind: "You can't hurry love, no, you just have to wait!" What does that have to do with MLM marketing, I hear you ask? Well, a lot! If, like I do, you consider that love is the motivating force in having you sell what you sell, then read on! You might just discover your prospective team mate is much closer than you think, and who knows, you might just experience how attractive you really are to your own success... No matter what, you'll discover ten appealing ways to meet the one you are looking for: YOU!<br />
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1) Pace not race<br />
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How many times did you rush to create your down line, just to see people quitting on you, or not committed to making it work? Bear with me here: listen to Mamma's words: "You can't hurry team. No you'll just have to wait. Your team don't come easy. It's a game of give and take. You can't hurry team. No you'll just have to wait. Just trust in the good time, no matter how long it takes!" Now, if you had the absolute guarantee that the perfect people would show up for you to play with, would you rush, would you force anything? MLM is not a get rich quick scheme. Pace not race is the way to success: with the right people, you will all win!<br />
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2) Clean up<br />
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Some of us go to great extremes to make sure our home is presentable when we receive guests. We order and dust and vacuum... However, how many of us are truly making time to empty out our mind of any possible garbage (read agendas) before talking to a prospect? If your intention is other than service, your plan will backfire. Either you might procrastinate following up, or your tongue will twist at the wrong time... Become an expert in busting unclean communication, such as biases, judgments, any wants, any shoulds or coulds. Being impeccable in your speaking will bring you heaven on earth!<br />
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3) Commit<br />
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Did you just go under cover? Come back, don't be afraid: commitment is really a good thing! Think of it as the direct bridge that will insure your passage into the promised land of success! It is very exciting to simply become clear, and say: "I do! For better or for worse, I will love representing this product or this service, I will honor it, comfort it, and keep it in sickness and in health; forsaking all others, be true to it as long as it is my truth to do so." Imagine the gain in time and energy to not have to err any longer... Decision is the key to cut through your chaos!<br />
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4) And dot com it!<br />
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MLM people might choose to learn from the magic of these 3 letters COM. We already saw it in the lines above. COM as in com-mitment. COM as in clean com-munication. And there is more. Quite obvious is COM as in com-merce, indeed! We might embrace the COM that is truly echoing and highlighting our deepest purpose: the COM of community! This understanding will assist you in miraculous ways, fostering collaboration and cooperation in your team. It will bring amazing rewards, as it expresses and sustains MLM's ideal: people COMing together to support each other in mutually creating financial prosperity.<br />
Connect back to your enthusiasm: COM-pletely!<br />
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5) Control<br />
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From COM to CON, there is but a small shift! This one is especially tricky: one may wonder why MLMs have been so notoriously misunderstood by the media.<br />
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If there is one thing I have learned before I once became a pro at doing art, is that I had to give up being a con artist... What I mean here is that I had to surrender to the sweetness of life, in the knowing that the perfect inspiration would come, that I could not control it. That I did not control anything about it. "You can't hurry love, no..." So I waited, until my wish to con-trol turned into the will to con-tribute. Do so, and watch your business becoming increasingly abundant!<br />
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6) Love<br />
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Love what you sell and the money will follow! One very exciting part in MLM is that so many services or products REALLY add quality to life, whether through health, or financial services. It is totally easy to build your business when you believe in what you represent. There is to be found the key to your authenticity, that will inspire the right words to promote your offering. From such a place, your sincerity can earn a trust and a hearing. That is pure deliciousness, and one that is palpable, visible, touchable, testable, chewable! And the deliciousness is that in making sense, it makes cents too, and tons of it!<br />
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7) ML yourself<br />
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What would that mean to ML yourself? How could you Multi Level your being, and allow yourself to evolve? My awesome friend Cheryl said it beautifully: "MLM is personal development masterfully molded into a business." Growing gives you more skills and abilities, which, in turn, evolve you! There again, it is an interdevelopmental venture. You develop, your business grows. Your business develops, you grow! Such fascinating reciprocity makes the game more and more engaging: Can you see? As long as you play, you cannot fail!<br />
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8) Build richly<br />
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Think of the universe as a giant supermarket... What would you like to choose in it, which will give your presentation the perfect expression? Build that desired image abundantly, keep your focus on it at all time, speak it richly! It will keep you from being in fear, as you move out of dreaded scarcity -- "scare city"! It will wipe out any feeling of being undeserving, or needy. Can you sense how helpful that is in bringing closure to a sell? It is legitimate promotion to market from a place of wealth. It clears out any and all possible manipulations. It just leaves the purity of the nurturing of fruitful and satisfying relationships, and, thus a successful team.<br />
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9) Care<br />
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Whether selling a product or a service, please do not see your prospects as the golden goose, that will deliver more eggs to you, more favors, more advantages, more admiration... Please hear it: this is not about you; it is about us! The more you allow yourself to know that, the more fulfilled you will be, and the more prosperous your business will become! Allow yourself to distance the childish selfishness that is in all of us, and become the compassion, the care that is in all of us also! As a matter of fact, whether in business or life, and certainly with your team, let that sentence become your mantra: "how can I help?"<br />
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10) Jump now!<br />
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Ask yourself: am I involved in this business so that one day I will have the freedom to do what I "really" want? There is a simple route to freedom: choose it now! Jump now on the freedom train. Retire your slave costume now, as it no longer fits the person you are becoming! You are bigger than that, bigger than your fear of bigness, bigger than the habits that imprisoned you to a life of quiet despair and unlived dreams! Be free, bold, outrageous and provocative now; you can do it! That empowerment is your first step and your first team, from which everything else unfolds: "You can hurry that, yes, you don't have to wait!"<br />
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Forwarding/Sharing<br />
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Unless noted otherwise, all material is written and edited by Mahalene Louis, Copyright (c) Soulvision Axis, Inc. (r) 2003. All rights reserved. You may reprint material from "Turn on the Light!" Top Ten in other electronic or print publications provided the above copyright notice and a link to http://www.mahalenelouis.com is included in the credits. Also please send us a copy of the publication. When forwarding this material, please send the entire article intact and unadulterated.<br />
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Bio<br />
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Mahalene is an Inspiration Anchor, an Artist, an Author and the President of Soulvision Axis, Inc., a company assisting visionaries to unleash their creativity and awaken their spirit. She authored the Ten Techniques for heARTful living, as a result of 22 years of study and experience in creativity, communication and human development.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-72011801429080534222013-11-05T20:26:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:20:29.050-08:00The Myth of the Seven Year ItchA common idea about relationships is that there comes a point in terms of time when both individuals start to wonder what they are doing in the relationship. This is regarded as a tricky time for both people; conflicts are increased, as are temptations. This period is referred to as the seven year itch.<br />
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The phenomenon known as the seven year itch is a real occurrence in the relationship of almost every couple, although of course the degree to which it occurs will be different from person to person, as well as the manifestations of the "itch". Another factor that will be specific to the couple involved is the time period. Most couples will actually feel the itch after five years; some may find that it actually lasts for the time between five and seven years.<br />
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Reasons for the itch<br />
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There are several reasons why the itch occurs. The first has to do with our evolutionary makeup as human beings. We are naturally given to change, and so long times spent in one particular situation will make us curious as to how things could be different. Our bodies may not actually be over their natural programming either; not very long ago, seven or five years was a significant portion of a person's natural life.<br />
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Another reason for the itch is the degree of familiarity that both people in the relationship are feeling. Comfort can sometimes lead to a feeling of the mundane; what used to be exciting has now become predictable. Throw into the mix the fact that most couples have experienced some major shifts in their lives in the first five years of a relationship (career beginnings, promotions, the purchase of a home, the arrival of one or more babies) and you can see how the focus may be shifted away from maintaining the relationship.<br />
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Overcoming the itch<br />
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This is a difficult time for any couple, because there are always thoughts about what could have been. Both partners are bound to feel the stress.<br />
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The most important strategy in overcoming the itch is to communicate as a couple. Don't shut down, and don't stop sharing due to fear of a fight. A lot of couples will find that counseling is useful at this point in their relationship.<br />
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If you do go for counseling, be ready to accept that it is a process. Most counselors are not able to find a magic solution right away, and the sessions can be difficult for both individuals. Try not to let what is said in front of the counselor spill over after the session. A lot of couples will find that they are united through their interaction with the counselor; smiling a lot and reflecting on past good times can help to overcome the feelings of alienation from each other that the itch brings on.<br />
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Going through a rough patch in a relationship is typical. In fact, it is so common that the worst spots have actually been labeled. If you are committed to your relationship, it is important to talk through the period known as the seven year itch and be prepared to hang in as long as it takes.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-4003133204021095952013-11-05T19:14:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:20:14.770-08:00Article Marketing - A One Way Backlink to TrafficLets take a look at the fundamentals of Article Backlink building. What you need to know, Also how to implement that in your Internet Marketing practices. Actually getting your articles published is the easy part.<br />
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It's writing and implementing your articles that can be the tricky part. Once you have a basic idea of what you want to say. Then you can start to create your articles and get in front of your readers. It's very important not to make your articles look like spam at all. This will turn off the article directory's and those who will find your content useful. Use proper spacing and be clear on what you want to say.<br />
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Start out by giving a good summary of your article. What you are going to do for your readers. Do your best to keep them interested, Keeping there interest now means they will most likely enjoy whatever you happen to be writing. A good short or longer to the point phrase will keep them happy with your content. When they are interested in what your saying, That will bring them to your site. I recommend around 30-100 word summary.<br />
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Now give them at least a 300 word article. This is where you want to touch base on what you have promised in your summary. To start put your focuses on 2-10 articles a day until you feel comfortable writing. You will get better and the words will flow as you go along. Article writing takes practice, Like all things. So stay warmed up and try to write a few articles a day. In no time you will be churning them out.<br />
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Article Marketing is a constant process. So try to master it the best that you can. You will improve as you go, So stay to the pace you feel comfortable with.<br />
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This is where the magic starts happening. As you begin writing and submitting articles about your site. You will also be making pagerank and one way backlinks to your website. As your skills grow so will your traffic and expertise in Internet Marketing.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-33391264359580574682013-11-05T19:13:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:20:15.656-08:00Identifying the WorthinessThe important of poker strategy lies with you to be able to question others about how strong and true they are about the kind of raise or re-raise they are making against you. There is going to be a kind of inbuilt solidity in the poker strategy of a player that truly has a strong hand. There will be some true commitment in the poker strategy they employ along with some ease of decision making, some naturalness and some smoothness. If all these are a part of the poker strategy you need to understand that they are doing it honestly without any kind of fear that will be prevalent in those that are bluffing.<br />
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Another way of identifying the worthiness of your poker strategy will be to question yourself on whether you are already beat. In most cases if you are about to loose the response tells of most of the players will tell that you have already lost, but the trouble comes when you are not able to hear it the way it is and you keep moving on. In low limit poker games you need to make your poker strategy to move in the situation of matching up your folds based on how certain the opponents are sure that you are already beaten.<br />
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Players that are using a poker strategy with a foundation of bluffs when they are playing against players that are not bluffing and are still confident, it might be that they are strong and might not fold to all your bluffs and false mimics. This kind of naturalness is difficult to fake with bluffs. A true winner will be showing expressions of just trying for time to lapse to just run out with the pot. So, if your bluffs are showing out such expressions from the opponent, it might be that they have realized you are bluffing.<br />
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Poker strategy that is of the multi-opponent bluffing might not work many times. The more number of opponents, the less likely is the bluff to work magic. The lesser the number of opponents, the better would it be for the bluffer. This can be tricky in situations where the opponents might not guess that you will bluff against to many opponents; they might fold a stronger hand in multiple opponent bets. The players that are with moderate hands might also fold if you bluff aggressively, the weak players might still be up despite all your aggressive bets, if you are strong than them you win!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-19805743743775954842013-11-04T20:25:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:20:16.032-08:00Spirit of ChristmasOf all the festivals in the year, it is Christmas season that is the most popular worldwide. A warm feeling spreads through you with the thought of the long holiday season looming excitingly large over the horizon. It is all about love and sharing, giving and graciously receiving. In that spirit you pull out your list of gifts to get family and friends.<br />
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Shopping early helps you enjoy every minute of it, because isn't it all about the spirit of joy? Then again, even if you are running behind schedule, settle down in the warmth and luxury of your own home and let Spacify do the rest. This website has Christmas gifts, home décor ideas and something for just about everyone you can think of, in a range to suit every pocket and requirement. There is nothing more satisfying than a well-planned budget to add to that already warm feeling of giving and sharing. All it takes is a quick glance through the new range that offers attractive and excitingly unique gift items.<br />
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Start with the budget gifts for the discerning. At under $50, the Streamline Cab (Black) is a shiny-nosed smoothly crafted temptation that any child would love to possess. This classic wooden toy makes a pleasant change from molded plastic that has flooded their little world. Then again, when you wish for that little extra indulgence for your niece or nephew, at under $ 250, the Rocking Horse (Red) is a steal. This Playsam's glossy piece is completely child-safe and a must-have to brighten any child's heart. You would go right to the top of the list as 'favourite' uncle or aunt.<br />
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Benign and happy thoughts take you beyond family and friends to colleagues at work. You remember a kind deed you would like to repay beyond a mere 'thank you'. Then why take that mandatory vintage, when you can take the wine rack instead. Stand by and watch as the bugsy look creates a stir. This Wine Bug sits, it stands, it pours, all for under $50!<br />
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As your long list gets shorter, treat yourself to a personal piece of furniture you know will grab the attention of all who visit. The Pantone chair in Red for under $100 can add the right festive tone to your existing modern chair collection.<br />
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When it comes to family, the sky's the limit, though this time you don't have to go all that way. The Wine Sequoia at under $250 could be the answer as an unusual gift idea that will give them something you know they would truly appreciate and this particular tree stacks a stronger punch than the beautiful Christmas tree sparkling in the hall.<br />
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Holiday gifts for the family can get tricky. Do you know their tastes? It is an adventure you begin that ends satisfactorily at Spacify. Delve deeper, let the colours of Yule tide guide you in your choice through the range of under the $500 items of unique Christmas gifts that will remain a silent reminder the whole year through. Take the sturdy Flo ladder for instance. With this, you just cannot miss your step! Compact and elegant it is this year's choicest for any home.<br />
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Who wouldn't love a funky Shower curtain! This transparent sheet is covered with the designer's own signature, the Space Monkey. While it may not be in the colours of Christmas, it carries all the warmth of a personal gift.<br />
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The Good Luck Fireplace tools come packaged with the magic words...easy to clean! As a home décor gift, this set will surely be warmly received.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-20535716717456032062013-11-03T20:25:00.000-08:002013-11-18T22:19:20.769-08:00The Blog Factor: Everything You Need to Know to Start Blogging - Today!So what is this "blog factor"? Well, what a few thought was a novel idea some years ago has now morphed into something no one expected. There are currently nine million blogs out there with 40,000 new ones being added everyday. Some are informative and some are just downright a waste of your time. And while we hear a lot about blogging these days, what is blogging *really*? Blogging in its simplest term is like an online journal but much, much more powerful. Blogs (short for Web log) is a place where surfers can get up to the minute information on a topic or voyeur into someone's life. Some blogs are nothing more than a daily glimpse into someone's life, while others are so sophisticated, it's hard to tell them apart from an online news service.<br />
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Why Blogs Matter<br />
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Google, the #1 search engine on the net, loves blogs. So much so that if you do it right Google will spider the heck out of your site. What does it mean to "spider"? Well spidering is when Google, or the like, searches your site's content to establish ranking, and the more content you have (i.e. fresh content) the more Google will do its magic and push your site up the search engine. Another reason blogs matter is that they are interactive and, if you blog on your book's topic, it will help to further your expert status on a particular issue. When we plan "Virtual Tours" for our authors, we include as many blogs as we can into a tour. Why? Because if you can get into a good blog that's seeing a lot of traffic, you can really start to gain some exposure for your book.<br />
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What Would You Talk About?<br />
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This is the question we get asked most often. "If I start a blog, what on earth would I talk about?" Well if your book is non-fiction it's pretty easy to figure out what your topic would be, but if your book is fiction it could get a bit tricky - but not impossible. An author I work with has a series of books starring one character - a private detective. I recommended that he "blog" this character, meaning that the character (not the author) would have the blog. It could be the character's diary or adventures and stories - a glimpse into the life of a private detective. This would give the reader (and fans of this character) a reason to return to the blog for an update on this ongoing adventure or story.<br />
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In another instance, I work with an author who wrote a fiction book about right and wrong with a new age/spirituality spin. I advised him to blog on issues related to that - right and wrong in our society and his own personal "spin" on these issues. Some of his blogs might be controversial but that's okay, you want to create your own "voice," your own take on a certain issue and if that opinion is controversial, all the better for exposure and for getting people to interact on your blog. Getting readers to respond to your posts is a great way to gain interest and momentum for your blog and (more importantly) getting people to talk about it will grow your blog like nothing else!<br />
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How to Start a Blog<br />
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Starting a blog is super easy. All you have to do is register at a blog site (like http://www.blogger.com) and get started. It's that easy. The blog service will link to your site; you'll need to ask your Webmaster to add a button to your home page so people can find your blog.<br />
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How to Blog Effectively<br />
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The best bloggers know that the more you add to your blog, the more traffic you'll drive there. Some bloggers I know post daily, sometimes even multiple times a day while others post weekly. How much you post will probably depend on how much time you have to dedicate to this. The challenge will be that if you want to keep driving people to your blog, you'll want fresh content. This doesn't mean you have to create this all yourself, in fact you can invite people onto your blog and interview them, or you can just post a one paragraph "thought" on your topic. It doesn't have to be complicated or long, it just has to be fresh. Also be innovative, as we discussed earlier, be different with your blog, have fun with it. It might seem complicated at first but once you get the hang of it, you'll quickly become a blog expert!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17987723949497780379noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727604258694558147.post-42419768834952274322013-11-01T20:24:00.000-07:002013-11-18T22:19:17.088-08:00The Clock is Ticking: Three Tips for Managing Your Mom TimeMost moms have no difficulty finding things to do with their time.<br />
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The problem is the opposite. There are too many things to do. The list of possibilities for children's care, amusement and education, plus family and home management, seems to ever lengthen, although the day doesn't go beyond 24 hours.<br />
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Someone once said that women's work is never done. Then someone else repeated it and somehow it became a regular cliché in our lexicon. Child care, family management and property management (i.e., housework) combine to make time management a challenge. It's not only hard to get everything done, it's equally tough to find time for leisure, self care and personal development.<br />
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In a typical workplace, a job description will define a position's responsibilities. Workers, ideally, assume work within that periphery, unless somehow, magically, extra time appears. An employee who manages time well sets realistic expectations as well as factoring in unexpected events like sick days and fire drills, so that a crisis can be handled with more ease.<br />
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Job descriptions for moms, however, tend to vary person to person. With endless media images of perfect moms floating through our psyches, it's easy to overachieve, and underestimate time requirements. Hence, a critical examination of how we manage mom time can be highly beneficial.<br />
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Moms working at home face similar time management issues to most self-employed workers. Here are three suggestions for ways to handle the dilemma: our work is never done.<br />
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1. Decide what kind of mom you are and be that. Are you the clean-house mom? Are you the cookie-baking mom? Are you the finger-paint-with-kids mom? Recognize that you cannot do it all, all the time. You need to set goals and priorities. Every business needs to find a niche. Find your mom niche and let the rest slide.<br />
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If anyone has experienced the combined power of theory and practice in time management, it's Denise Wallace. A training specialist and mom, Wallace teaches self-management skills, such as time management, to workers in industry. This energetic, optimistic professional is clear about avoiding the trap of trying to be everything to everyone. "The first thing you have to have in mind is some kind of goal. What do you want to get out of life? What are you here for?"<br />
Wallace became a solo parent after her kids' dad died several years ago. "I just couldn't keep it all together," she said in an interview.<br />
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She set goals, prioritized them and gave up the items she didn't value highly. "Once you start setting priorities, then if your kids mean more to you, it's more important to take them to the park for an hour than it is to spend six hours cleaning your house because it drives you crazy that there are crumbs on the floor. You need to learn to let some things go."<br />
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A former HR manager before assuming full-time mom work, Maryanne Niyogi agrees. This mom set clear goals for her hiatus at home. They include developing a strong support structure and establishing a sense of community for her two pre-school children. She strives to "do crafts, walks. That's the kind of vantage point we'll never forget as moms." But with the daily grind of life, Niyogi agrees "it's easy to lose that."<br />
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Wallace applauds goal setting and strongly urges writing down and regularly reviewing goals.<br />
"Your brain's a funny thing," she says, "Once you get an idea in there, as soon as you write it down, you've got a greater chance of accomplishing it. The more you review it, the more your brain works on that idea to get you there, unbeknownst to yourself. It's the law of manifestation."<br />
Here's where the tricky part of goal setting comes in. It's easy to set too many goals for yourself.<br />
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If you are having trouble accomplishing all the things you want to do, you'll need to either delete a few, or get some help, which leads us to the second tip:<br />
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2. Get help. Delegate. Find support.<br />
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If a clean and orderly home is what you absolutely require, but can't get it done with your other goals, you may need to outsource this or get help from other family members. Teaching children to do some chores may be inefficient at first, but will probably pay off in future assistance. Of course, this is all dependent on the age of children and what is realistically possible for them at each age. In the book Pick up your socks, Parent Educator Elizabeth Crary includes an excellent chart detailing household jobs in which children can participate, at what ages, and until what age they require assistance or supervision (Parenting Press, 1990). Most moms readily acknowledge they can't and shouldn't do it all on their own and ask for family members to help. At the same time, study after study recognizes that a larger share of parenting and home management work continues to fall on the shoulders of moms. Part of any management strategy is delegation. Moms need to gain firm skills in this area as well.<br />
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Outsourcing is great, but not financially feasible for all moms. Family support also varies from family to family. Wallace also suggests another tip for time management: get a buddy mom.<br />
"When I was a single working mom, I had no time for fun until I got another buddy mom at work," Wallace explains, "that's what I would do the first two weeks of school time is start making friends with the moms. I'd say, if you pick up the kids on Tuesday afternoon, I'll pick them up on Thursday and they can come to my house or my kids can go to your house. That's how I would schedule my fun time, is make buddies with other moms so that they can relieve that part of the duty for me on a certain day."<br />
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"I'm all for that [the buddy-mom system,]" agrees Niyogi. Unfortunately, it can be a challenge to organize. For one thing, it's easier with fewer kids. For mom and education consultant Laurie Anderson, the buddy-mom system has been challenging because she has three children. Many moms are willing to exchange child care for one or two children, but they find adding three kids more difficult. For Anderson, the solution has been to take the kids to a family daycare one or two days per week, allowing her to complete her part-time consulting work.<br />
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Niyogi says she has been surprised that more women aren't able to take advantage of the buddy-mom system. She's surprised that play groups don't normally evolve into more of a shared child-care system. She chalks it up to a culture that stresses individuality over community, along with demanding workloads that result in a kind of crisis management style of planning that leaves limited time for long-term relationship building. However, she continues to work to develop buddy moms because she believes in the system for strengthening bonds both among women and among families to forge a stronger sense of community affiliation.<br />
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Regardless of the way you do it, delegation emerges as an essential component of the mom job and critical to time management. Once goals are set, and delegating is sorted out, there remains one additional factor for effective mom-time management.<br />
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3. Use time management tools.<br />
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Mom and home-business proprietor Colleen Gibson describes herself as a "lister." Writing down what she needs to do to manage her home, care of her two children and her full-time esthetics business helps her stay organized. It also helps her manage stress. "I can't sleep if I have a few things on my mind, so I worry." Putting them onto a list allows her to release the stress. "At least it's on paper," she says.<br />
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Wallace says stress management is a common benefit of list making. "People keep it all trapped inside and it starts building up anxieties. So the first thing they need to do is do the dump."<br />
Wallace describes how one of her former students was able to handle his worries by making lists. This engineer had moved west without the support of his family, who'd stayed behind to sell the family home and arrange a later move. As he struggled with a new job in a new city, he worried about his partner and children back east. He decided he would schedule time for worrying at the end of his work day. When an anxiety would overtake him during work, he would simply write it down, place it in his daytimer and accept that he would allow himself time to worry about it later, between 4:30 and 5:00. By "dumping" his fears, he was able to manage his more immediate responsibilities and succeed in learning his new job.<br />
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Schedules and calendars are also helpful for moms, Wallace says. She has varied in the type of tools she's used over the years, from paper-based to electronic, but she has now settled on a paper daytimer and a series of highlighters. "When I look at my monthly calendar, I can quickly see how busy I am, what clients I have, I can tell instantly how much money I made this month just by the colours. I colour-code everything."<br />
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Wallace stresses that each mom needs to find the system that works best for her. Anderson relies on her paper calendar as well to make note of her son's upcoming speed skating lessons and other commitments and appointments for her family. For Niyogi, a weekly review on email is the key. Every Sunday night, she writes an email to herself to move forward items she didn't complete in the past week to the week ahead. She also reviews and reminds herself of upcoming appointments in the next week.<br />
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"Now when I get frenzied, I go back and look at that list again," she says. For Niyogi, the email solution eliminates the risk of paper getting lost. Her email remains securely in her in folder.<br />
Wallace's daytimer includes notations highlighted in green, times she has scheduled in for leisure. In her life, the main leisure priority is boating with her family.<br />
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The ultimate goal of all of our work, paid or unpaid, recognized or unrecognized, is to have fun and enjoy life. The ultimate goal of time management for moms, as well, is to organize our time so that we get a slice of that 'fun' pie, too.<br />
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