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Yahoo Fantasy Sports Fun

July 21st, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

Have you always dreamed of becoming an athlete but just didn’t have the ability? Are you a former athlete that still enjoys the roars of the crowd and the excitement of competition? Are you a huge sports fan and think you have what it takes to call the shots? If so, then Yahoo Fantasy Sports is for you! A growing number of fans, players, and coaches are turning their fantasy of becoming a player or coach into a reality with Yahoo Fantasy Sports.
With Fantasy sports leagues, they can turn those dreams into a reality. Yahoo Fantasy Sports has several leagues such as hockey, football, baseball, golf, auto racing, and basketball. You can create your own team from dealing with salaries and injuries to reviewing stats. You hold the power at the tips of your fingers on creating and play calling and the responsibilities of the coaching just like if you head couch in real life. The best part of fantasy sports is that you can be matched against other online competitors and couches.
This tests your team against theirs and you have the potential to rise to the top of thousands of online fantasy sports players. It’s becoming a rage and an addictive pastime whose popularity is on the rise. Fantasy sports are a growing pastime that hundreds are getting in on the action everyday. Many families even participate in fantasy sports online as a hobby and it’s quickly becoming one of their favorite pastimes. And it’s not limited to gender or age. Men, women, and children alike are catching the excitement and joining yahoo fantasy sports. With so many different sports and the variation of sports available at Yahoo Fantasy Sports, you’re sure to find a fun sport to participate in and find enjoyment for the entire family.

Writing Tips – Planning Your Writing

July 21st, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

A lot of beginners go off the rails when they’ve got a nice clean sheet of paper or a blank screen in front of them and they’ve got to fill it with words – meaningful words.
The way to avoid the cold feeling of panic is to have a plan of action. The type of plan that works best for you depends on your personality. Some of you will make structured lists, with every small detail itemized and all T’s crossed. Or you may have a vague set of instructions, sometimes little more than remembering to have a beginning, middle and end. Others of you will find that the best way to work is just to start writing and see where it takes you.
The way to find what will work for you is to plan out some example pieces of work. You might never write them, but the practice will benefit you. For example, how would you go about writing an episode of your favourite TV show, or an article on a local photography exhibition, or a review of a best-seller? By writing a plan of approach, you’ll give yourself an idea of what the final piece of work would require. When I started writing short stories I used to deconstruct famous stories and plan how I’d re-write them.
The planning step also gives you a check as to whether or not you actually want to write the piece. And remember, if you plan not to have a plan, you’ve still decided on a plan. And don’t stop here.
It’s now time to plan your opening sentence. To get readers to keep reading you need a hook, something that will lead them in and keep them there until you’ve told them what they didn’t know they needed to know. Crime writers kill people, romance novelists have people get divorced, good writers hint at a conflict to come but hide it in the middle of something else. Journalists scream at you in huge type and article writers ask you rhetorical questions, all in the first five seconds of reading.
Go away and study the structure of some writing. Look at how writers grab you and reel you in like an expert fisherman.
And ask yourself, “How would I do that?”

The US Marine Corps: A Brief History Of The Marines

July 21st, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

The original incarnation of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) was born in 1775 during the Continental Congress in a resolution sponsored by John Adams. The USMC fought diligently throughout the American revolution but, after the Treaty of Paris in April 1783, it was dissolved only to be reestablished in 1798.
Following this reestablishment, the USMC was involved in military actions against France and Barbary pirates. During the War of 1812, the USMC participated in many naval operations and fought with Andrew Jackson in New Orleans. After the War of 1812, the USMC spent the next few decades protecting a variety of American interests all over the world.
During World War I, the USMC had over 30,000 members actively serving and fighting. Of those, one-third were either injured or killed in combat. It was during WWI that the 4th Brigade earned the title of “Devil Dogs” because of their heroic and patriotic actions at a number of battle sites.
It was within the two decades prior to World War II that the USMC began to prepare for amphibious battle, which they used with high degrees of success during the war. Notable points of battle include Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After World War II, the USMC participated in post-war occupations of Japan and Northern China.
Although the USMC took part in all of the wars, and many smaller skirmishes, after World War II, they weren’t engaged in numbers similar to WWII until Operation Desert Storm. However, the USMC has proven itself to be as effective in small and specialized operations as it is in massive military engagements.
As the war on terrorism continues to grow and spread around the world, they are likely to be one of the first lines of defense for America. Together with other specialized squads, America can use them in the war against terror.
The U.S. Marines have already been used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other areas in the war on terror. The Marines have a unique combination of speed, skill, and power that allows them to fight in a variety of conditions. They aren’t as “good” as special forces like the navy SEALs, and they don’t have as much power as the Army, but they strike a happy balance that makes the Marines one potent fighting force.
The U.S. Marines have proudly defended out nation for many years, and I trust that they will continue to do so for many more.

The US Marine Corps: A Brief History Of The Marines

July 21st, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

The original incarnation of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) was born in 1775 during the Continental Congress in a resolution sponsored by John Adams. The USMC fought diligently throughout the American revolution but, after the Treaty of Paris in April 1783, it was dissolved only to be reestablished in 1798.
Following this reestablishment, the USMC was involved in military actions against France and Barbary pirates. During the War of 1812, the USMC participated in many naval operations and fought with Andrew Jackson in New Orleans. After the War of 1812, the USMC spent the next few decades protecting a variety of American interests all over the world.
During World War I, the USMC had over 30,000 members actively serving and fighting. Of those, one-third were either injured or killed in combat. It was during WWI that the 4th Brigade earned the title of “Devil Dogs” because of their heroic and patriotic actions at a number of battle sites.
It was within the two decades prior to World War II that the USMC began to prepare for amphibious battle, which they used with high degrees of success during the war. Notable points of battle include Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After World War II, the USMC participated in post-war occupations of Japan and Northern China.
Although the USMC took part in all of the wars, and many smaller skirmishes, after World War II, they weren’t engaged in numbers similar to WWII until Operation Desert Storm. However, the USMC has proven itself to be as effective in small and specialized operations as it is in massive military engagements.
As the war on terrorism continues to grow and spread around the world, they are likely to be one of the first lines of defense for America. Together with other specialized squads, America can use them in the war against terror.
The U.S. Marines have already been used extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other areas in the war on terror. The Marines have a unique combination of speed, skill, and power that allows them to fight in a variety of conditions. They aren’t as “good” as special forces like the navy SEALs, and they don’t have as much power as the Army, but they strike a happy balance that makes the Marines one potent fighting force.
The U.S. Marines have proudly defended out nation for many years, and I trust that they will continue to do so for many more.

Introduction to Green Building

July 21st, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

Given the fact we have been driving functional automobiles for only a little over 100 years, the last century has undoubtedly seen a major advancement in human life. That being said, such a rush of prosperity has come with drawbacks.
The industrial and now technological revolution has made our lives much more comfortable. These advances have turned us into a massive consumption society. With consumption comes waste, which is no impacting us as well.
On an indirect level, we have known about the costs of wastes for some time. While greenhouse gases are all the rage these days, we already have address our waste issues. From the ozone depletion issue to smog in our cities, the impact of our consumption has been apparent.
Such problems, however, pale in comparison to what we are seeing today. Instead of impacting small geographic areas, our entire planet seems to be at risk. The future looks threatening given global change.
Global warming is not a disputed issue. The globe is clearly warming. What is disputed is the cause. Simply put, are we the cause of it? Has our consumption and the waste produced by it led us to this?
The consensus seems to be yes. So, what do we do? Well, there are no easy fixes. Many businesses, however, are beginning to consider approaches that are more environmentally friendly. Green building is one of them.
Green building is a philosophy of building more efficient structures. Tied into this philosophy is the use of materials favorable to the environment. The philosophy is used on structures ranging from homes to skyscrapers in New York City.
From an efficiency standpoint, green building is about harmonizing a structure with its environment. Construction materials tend to be recycled and/or environment neutral. They can be the materials from a building demolished or recycled newspaper for insulation, for example.
The design will also take advantage of the environment. The positioning of the structure may be used to incorporate passive solar heating from the sun. To cool the structure, windows that may be opened will be used in lieu of air conditioning.
Given its relative infancy, green building is somewhat of a vague catch term at this time. Nonetheless, it is still a step in the right direction. It represents the idea that we both recognize our wasteful habits and are prepared to deal with them.

How to Save Big on Life Insurance in Four Easy Steps

July 21st, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

The majority of us are not rich. Many people, nowadays, live paycheck to paycheck. Last thing we need is to get taken for an expensive ride by a life insurance salesperson whom is nowadays cleverly hidden behind the title financial advisor. There are laws to protect from the worst of cases, but you can save thousands and more by following these tips:
1. Find out what your current limits are if you have insurance through your employer. On average employers only provide $50,000 coverage if they do at all. This is not enough coverage. As a general rule you should have $250,000 – $500,000.
2. Educate yourself. Just like buying a car, you don’t want to pay full retail price. Everything is negotiable. Look up and compare whole and term life. Do your self a favor and look it up on the internet. You will see a wide range in prices for the same coverages. For instance Ameritas was less than 1/2 the yearly premium of Allstate and Met Life for the same coverages – that means a 50%+ savings every year for the same coverage! That amounts to thousands upon thousands of dollars saved in just a few years. Make sure you pick an A rated carrier that has been around a long time.
3. Do not buy whole life! Know that term is cheaper and a better deal. Whole life is insurance with a slight savings/investing mix. These slick salespeople get their big paydays when you sign up for whole life. Your first years premium and 3-4% thereafter goes to commissions. Therefore, you won’t see much in growth for 15 – 20 years. You would do 10X better with any good mutual fund. Don’t let them fool you with claims that your investments are tax free. Its not – per the IRS its tax deferred, not tax free. And due to the extremely high commissions you won’t ever see much growth. Just look up on the internet and see how many people amassed great wealth with whole life – you will find the answer is zero! What a rip off! Upon calling numerous experts, the only reason to have whole life is if you are 60-65 or above, or if you are extremely wealthy and want to use it to pay your estate taxes when you die. That is it from the worlds leading experts! Suzie Orman will tell you the same – stay away from whole life!
4. If you are going to hire a financial advisor, hire a fee-based financial advisor. They will not push loaded funds and are truly interested in your benefit. They want you to succeed and give them referrals. This is how business should be done! There is only 1 place to go to find the best fee-based financial advisors in the country – The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) www.napfa.org. You can find a financial advisor near you and they have to have top-notch qualifications. Something you won’t find with flighty, commisioned based advisors. So there you have it. Find out what your coverage is. Get educated – you can never have too much education (whether it be formal or informal). Do not buy whole life! And get a fee-based financial advisor. You will be glad you did!

Steps Forward in Fighting Spyware

July 20th, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

During 2004 there were significant strides in the battle against spyware which will change the future of the invasive threats. The Federal Trade Commission and the United States Congress addressed several issues involving spyware in an effort to minimize the threats coming from the quickly growing industry. Before these spyware issues were brought to government attention spyware was known to be nearly anything that was an internet related threat.
There is now a formal definition telling that spyware is “software that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge and which may send such information to another entity without the consumer’s consent, or asserts control over a computer without the consumer’s knowledge.” Also working against spyware, the congress passed several bills to stop spyware from installing and running itself on someone’s computer without their knowledge.
Most spyware distributors were able to sneak around the news laws set into place by the legislation passed by making their spy software more difficult to remove. Spyware will install unwanted toolbars, show pop ups, alter security settings, change your browser home page and change or delete system files. Other forms of spyware can log each key stroke you make and then send or sell it to unknown parties.
Spybot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft’s AdAware programs are available to personal computer users for free to combat spyware threats. On the other side, spyware companies approached their invasive methods in a different way by coaxing users into buying their products which would then install spyware. To stop these efforts by spyware the FTC filed suits against Seismic Entertainment Productions and SmartBot.net who were selling their spyware to be installed as an anti-spyware product.
These companies’ programs, Spy Wiper and Spy Deleter, would send warning messages to users that their system had spyware and by purchasing and installing on of these programs the threats could be detected and removed. On the contrary, the programs would bombard a user’s computer with pop ups and install additional spyware, causing computer malfunctions.
PestPatrol is another example of spyware companies’ stealth like methods. This popular anti-spyware product will actually detect spyware applications on a fresh computer with Windows XP that has not been connected to the internet yet. This is usually a definite sign of rogue spyware. These false claims by anti-spyware products are partially the reason why it is estimated nine out of ten computers are infected with spyware.
Studies done by industry experts at IDC have predicted the spyware market will grow up to $400 million dollars by 2008. Major security companies such as McAfee and Symantec are already beginning to include anti-spyware software in their product packages. Yahoo, Earthlink and Microsoft have also joined the anti-spyware world, releasing their versions of spyware removal tools.
By Microsoft breaking into the anti-spyware world several smaller spyware tool companies may be smashed because users will most likely prefer the trusted company’s software over an unknown.

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Don’t Get Burned By Car Dealer Tactics

July 20th, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

Almost everyone I know has a story about at least one bad experience at a car dealership and it is interesting to look at some of the things they will do to try to make a sale. I can remember hearing about someone having the keys to their car thrown on the roof of the dealership so they couldn’t leave, granted that was a while ago.
Most dealerships have rigid sales systems that they follow to ensure that they get the highest profits and close as many sales as they possibly can. One of the main components of the system is the salesman. In case you didn’t know it, the reason these salespeople will fight for an hour over $100 is because they typically receive 20-35% of it as commission for making the sale! This is also the reason why YOU must be educated and look out for yourself because the salesman is definitely looking out for themselves.
Dealerships spend thousands of dollars on training systems to teach salespeople all the closing techniques and “tricks” to turn shoppers into buyers and increase profits. There is a multi-million dollar industry in training automotive sales people. These companies usually come to the dealership and teach salespeople through audio, videos, and seminars and many guarantee results to the dealership so they are confident in their methods.
One thing that many dealers are trying to do now to get past the old image of the car salesman is to have the salesperson present themselves as a “trusted advisor”. You need to always remember that almost all dealers still pay their salespeople by commission with the exception of Saturn, and even those that pay a flat rate usually pay bonuses for more sales so they still have something to gain to get the sale. Don’t trust the car salesman, that would be like letting the fox in the henhouse!
Another key part of the system is the advertising. I am sure you see tons of advertising in your area from car dealers. They usually dominate local Sunday papers and the visions of the screaming car dealer on TV will stay with us forever. It is quite obvious that these businesses make a lot of money; otherwise they could not spend so much on advertising. One of the tricks that they still use that is amazing to me is the old bait and switch. That’s where they will have an ad in the paper with a car at a super low price and then in tiny print it they list a stock number and says only one available at this price. You go to the dealer and it has already been sold. Don’t get taken by this.
Hopefully this has helped you to see some of the tactics used by auto dealers.

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How Love Really Works

July 20th, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

Love is a subject that has had a lot of attention. People have written songs, books and poetry about it. In fact, love is one of the most written about subjects of all times. Love has a way of captivating people. It can turn even the most grounded person into a daydreamer. Love is such a perplexing subject that science has gotten involved to try to figure out just how loves works.
Scientists have discovered that love closely resembles addiction. The same chemical process that occurs in our body when we have an addiction occurs when we are in love. However, love is not so cut and dry.
Love is influenced by genetics and chemicals in our body, but it is also influenced by our experiences and our lives in general.
When a person falls in love their body produces many different chemicals. People who have been in love have no doubt felt the physical side effects that accompanies it. Sweaty palms and a racing heart are often common complaints when a person is falling in love. These physical effects are caused by the release of chemicals in the body, specifically, dopamine, norepinephrine and phenylethylamine. Dopamine is a chemical in the body that creates a feeling of pleasure when it is released. It is associated with many different activities, including love and addiction.
Scientists have also studied the human brain and how love affects it. One study examined the brain of a person who was looking at a picture of the person they were in love with. This brain scan showed increased blood flow in areas of the brain with a lot of dopamine receptors.
The findings of scientists suggest that love can be as much of a high as any drug. This natural high seems to change the body in the same ways addictions do. That explains much of the often crazy behavior people display when they are in love.
Even as love progresses chemicals still play a vital role. The body releases oxytocin and vasopressin to create feelings of attachment which help to keep that love addiction going strong.
Scientists believe that during the different stages of love, the chemicals produced play a large role in how people act. From the obsessive beginning state where lovers tend to obsess over each other to the more laid back, relaxed state of love that comes later, chemicals in the body play a crucial role.
So, while we may never be able to clearly define love or completely understand it, science has come a long way towards making it a bit easier to understand. They have made the connection between dopey love sick behavior and the body’s reactions to help us better see why people who are in love really can’t help the way they act.

A Refreshing Alternative To Advertising And Cold Call Selling

July 20th, 2009 by · No Comments · Uncategorized

Years ago I shared a very small office with a man simply know as “The Jeffrey.” He agreed to share the office with me because neither of us could afford the rent on our own. He was a telecommunication consultant and I was a customer service trainer. Even though we were very good at what we did, neither of us knew how to generate new business without spending money on advertising or making sales calls. Unfortunately, those things didn’t really work for us either.
Jeffrey was an interesting guy. He was forever trying to figure out how the most successful people got to the top of their profession. Often after work, we would sit and talk about how we could earn a million dollars doing what we loved while avoiding the things we didn’t enjoy – like advertising and cold call selling. Then one afternoon, out of the blue, Jeffrey looked up and said, “I’ve got it!”
“You’ve got what?” I asked, concerned at what he may have contracted.
“I know how the highest paid consultants got to the top of their professions and I know how we can get there too,” he said throwing his feet up on my desk. Apparently my health was safe. “They’ve learned how to position themselves as expert problem solvers in the minds of their customers! Here’s what they did.”
For the next five hours we talked excitedly about what these highly paid professionals were doing to generate such astounding incomes. They were earning between 10 and 100 times what we were earning without spending a dime on advertising. They didn’t make cold calls or prospect for new business and the demand for their service was so high that they were turning customers away. Their marketing was ingenious and yet so simple. We went home that night confident that we could to the same thing – only faster.
Three years later our customers recognized us as expert problem solvers. Our income went up by a factor of twenty and we had more customers than we could handle. We did it all without advertising or investing our time in low return cold call selling.
Here’s How We Did It
The key to getting to the top of your profession and earning the income that accompanies that spot is to position yourself as the most well known problem solver in your industry. And how do you do that? You do it by making yourself visible as a problem solver to the people you are trying to serve. Here are five ways to get that visibility.
Write an Article
I love reading articles that help me solve a problem. Take a moment right now and sketch out an article idea that your customers will find interesting. Start by identifying the problem your readers have and show them how to solve it. Use examples, stories and terminology they understand. Encourage them along the way. Provide a tag line at the end of your article with your credentials and contact information and send it out to potential publishers. Submit it to article directories on the Internet for distribution and make it available on your website, but don’t stop there. Send it as an email attachment, print it and send it to your customers through the mail or send it to the local newspapers or trade journals and watch what happens.
Be a Guest on a Radio Talk Show
There are 40 million Americans who listen to talk radio every day and the hosts of these shows are always looking for interesting guests to fill the airtime. Are you an expert on a subject that a radio audience would find interesting? If so, there are thousands of radio stations just dying to hear from you. Write out a description of what you can talk about along with ten of the most commonly asked questions people ask. Fax or email you’re page to the radio stations and follow up with a telephone call. If you’re subject is interesting, unique or timely there is a very good chance you’ll be invited on as a guest. It’s not only fun, but profitable as well.
Build a Resource Website
Most professionals have what’s known as a brochure website. This is a site that talks about what they do, how much they charge for their service and where their office is located. Problem is, people don’t visit brochure sites more than once. There’s no reason to do so.
If you have a brochure site, think seriously about converting it to a resource site. Load it with tips and articles and links to other great websites. Add your own articles and comment on what’s going on in your industry. Make your website a place where people will want to come back time and time again. Let them see you as the go-to-guy or gal in the process. As an added bonus, search engines like Google, MSN and Yahoo will place you near the top of their search pages when they see the changes you’ve made.
Stand Up, Speak Out
Look for opportunities to speak at meetings where your customers and potential customers are likely to gather. This includes associations, corporations, churches, PTA meetings etc. Virtually every organization needs speakers who have something interesting to share with their members. You can find these organizations listed in the newspaper, on the Internet and through the people you know. Ask yourself who would be interested in what you have to say and give them the chance to invite you to speak at one of their meetings.
Write a Book
Writing a book is arguably the best way to position yourself as an expert problem solver. It separates you from the masses. Imagine sitting on an airplane talking to your seatmate about what you do for a living and they ask, “How do you know so much about thus subject?”
You can answer by saying, “I wrote a book on the subject!” I like the sound of that, don’t you?
Writing a book is a big undertaking but not so big that it’s impossible. Think of your book as an accumulation of many smaller ideas (chapters). Create a file for each of these ideas and begin to gather your information today. Spend the first few weeks accumulating and sorting your stories, facts and statistics and placing them in your file. You will be amazed at how quickly the information piles up. Soon you will have enough content to write a single chapter and then another and then another until you’ve written an entire book. Now imagine one of your prospects picking up your book and seeing your name on the cover. Bingo! They’ve just reframed you from salesperson to expert problem solver. That’s quite a transformation.
These are only a few of the things you can do to position yourself as the expert in your field. There are some great books on the subject and many additional resources on the web. Strive to think differently about your business and how people see you. Remember, it’s not who you know or who knows you – it’s how people perceive you that matters most. Change the way your customers see you and it will change the way your customers treat you.

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