Jon Bon Jovi loves romance and wishes that the honeymoon phase of his love relationships would last forever! Bon Jovi needs dramatic romantic gestures and displays of affection from his partner, and he wants to feel very, very special, like a royalty, to his beloved. Jon Bon Jovi also has an artistic flair and he enjoys creating art or beauty in some form. He is drawn to sensitive, imaginative, gentle souls – poets, musicians, dreamers – or to someone Jon feels he can have deep spiritual relationships with. Jon Bon Jovi idealizes love and has a very beautiful, romantic vision of what love relationships can be.
For those of us with a sweet tooth, there is good news on the dental front. Despite the fact that raisins are sweet and sticky, scientists at the University of Illinois in Chicago have found them to contain compounds that prevent tooth decay and gingivitis.
There are a number of constituents in raisins that address the problem of plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth. Some, like oleanolic acid are very good at killing these bacteria. Oleanolic acid, oleanolic aldehyde, and 5-(hydroxy methyl)-2-furfural also reduce the ability of these bacteria to grow. In particular, they work against Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Oleanolic acid is also effective at preventing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans from sticking to the surface of the tooth, The bacteria need to stick to the teeth to form plaque, after which they start eroding the tooth enamel. Sucrose, not the fructose and glucose that raisins have in them, are what creates the environment for tooth decay.
Cranberries have also been found to prevent bacteria (specifically Streptococcus mutans) from sticking to teeth, and causing gum disease and tooth decay. There are now dental floss products and toothpastes in the US that contain cranberry extract. And the British Dental Health Foundation is recommending cranberry extracts and juice to prevent tooth decay and associated problems. But because of cranberry juice’s acidity, they recommend only taking it at mealtimes. Acidic food and drinks temporarily soften the enamel on teeth.
Symptoms of gum disease include red and swollen gums that bleed easily, tooth sensitivity, spaces developing between teeth, pus between teeth, chronic bad breath, pain in the mouth, and changes to the bite of teeth. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease, though other factors can speed up the process of gum degradation. These include smoking, a genetic predisposition, pregnancy, puberty, stress, poor diet (and yo-yo dieting wouldn’t help), medications like anti-depressants, and oral contraceptives, grinding teeth at night, diabetes, and some other systemic diseases.
References:
1. www.perio.org
2. www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=60518
3. www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=56744
Asbestos is a term used for some naturally occurring minerals that form long thin fibers and fiber bundles on crystallization. Most commonly found group is the serpentine group that includes Chrysotile (white asbestos). It is also the most frequently mined form of Asbestos. Another very important asbestos group is known as the amphiboles, which includes Crocidolite (blue asbestos) and Amosite (brown asbestos). The asbestos fibers have high tensile strength, and chemical, electrical and heat resistance properties and so are extremely useful as a building/insulation material. Asbestos has been used extensively all over the world.
Asbestos: General Information
Although Asbestos is a hazardous material, it poses a health risk only if the Asbestos fibers become airborne and subsequently inhaled. Therefore, most Asbestos materials pose little health risk unless they are disturbed in a way that allows the fibers to be released into the atmosphere. Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to serious diseases such as lung cancer, Mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the lungs or lower digestive tract) and asbestosis (a chronic fibrosis of the lungs).
Many industries used Asbestos extensively in the past, exposing their workers to this deadly materials. As a result, many new cases of Asbestos caused ailments are occurring now. However, the fact that Asbestos was also installed in many buildings means that a wider range of people still have the potential to be exposed particularly building and maintenance workers. For this reason, the latest revision of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations introduces (from May 2004) a new responsibility on those responsible for non-domestic premises to manage the asbestos contained in them.
Asbestos Caused Diseases
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the pleural and peritoneal lining. It exclusively related to asbestos exposure. By the time it is diagnosed, it is usually fatal. Mesothelioma has a long latency period (time between exposure and onset of disease) of at least 15 years and sometimes as long as 60 years.
Asbestosis is a scarring of the lung tissue. This scarring impairs the elasticity of the lung and hampers its ability to exchange gases. This leads to inadequate oxygen intake to the blood. Asbestosis restricts breathing leading to decreased lung volume and increased resistance in the airways. It is a slowly progressive disease with a latency period of 15 to 30 years.
Lung Cancer is a malignant tumor of the bronchi covering. The tumor grows through surrounding tissue, invading and often obstructing air passages. Again, the disease has a long latency period of at least 20 years.
The victims of all these asbestos related diseases are eligible to file lawsuits for compensation against the persons and organizations responsible for causing asbestos exposure. They can take the help of mesothelioma and asbestos attorneys to fight their compensation claims.
Fashion Marketing news: A slew of studies, data, and articles seem to point out the growing success of niche sites, especially in the fashion industry. Hype or Fact? How can big online retailers and local fashion stores benefit from internet niches?
I like reading about pragmatic ideas to boost online sales of fashion goods, from apparel to accessories. I think that too much time is wasted in theorizing about internet marketing, and not acting about it.
Yet, I am going to talk about hard-core statisical studies and hype. Why?
Because I found in this month’s INC. magazine an article about niche marketing that made me connect together a lot of issues facing local apparel stores as well as big online fashion retailers.
Make money online by not carrying best-sellers
First, the article titled “A world without bestsellers” dabbles with buying patterns specific to internet consumers.
These patterns make up the Long Tail. You may or you may not know about it. For a concise explanation, go the Long Tail page on Wikipedia. Let’s just say that consumers can find and buy online products that a regular store could not carry. For instance, 40% of Amazon.com’s book sales reportedly consist in unknown titles that your regular Barnes and Noble cannot afford to carry in the bookstore next door.
The same seem to apply to fashion goods. For instance, in the INC. article, Zappos’ Tony Hsieh says that:
“Today the company sells more than three million products across 1,000 brands. The top 20 percent of products account for half of revenue, the bottom 80 percent, the other half.”
So, at Zappos, the 20 best-selling items represent only 50% of the revenues. This is a far-cry from the usual 80/20 rule that usually applies offline, when the top 20 best-sellers make up 80% of the revenues. The 80/20 rule is drawn from the works of economist Pareto.
Online sales of fashion goods make Pareto Principle redundant
This is the gist of a February 2007 study called “Goodbye Pareto Principle, Hello Long Tail: The Effect of Search Costs on the Concentration of Product Sales.” It was written by researchers at the Sloan School of Management at the MIT. Better, this study is based on “several years of sales data at a private-label women’s clothing company that offered the same merchandise through its catalog and its Internet store.”
Fashion goods are really at the forefront of this trend. Think about all the sites of the specialty sites that have sprung up, from sites selling discontinued lines of products to sites selling only to a sub-demographic. Buyers will turn to the web for hard-to-find glasses or for styles that regular retailers would deem too original to carry.
A company called Niche Retail is specialized in doing just that. The company says that they actually avoid carrying best-sellers, as big retailers can usually manage to kill the business by discounting the most sought-after items. By the way, Niche Retail’s logo reprents the Long Tail graph.
Style is a personal matter. Fashion professionals did not wait for the Long Tail theory to launch niche product lines. But the internet does offer interesting further niche opportunities:
- established brands and big online retailers can find relevant niche sites for some of their product lines
- local fashion stores are indeed niches themselves; they can use the internet to get more exposure
Big brands and retailers going after niche consumers
This very site spends time presenting you new fashion blogs, new fashion sites, and new fashion communities (see Fashion 2.0). Because fashion can get very personal, it has always been a good conversation topic. Now, the internet allows you to become a fashion critique in a snap. Big fashion actors can go after these niche sites to get their attention.
For instance, niche TV channels are popping up on the internet, due to the low barrier of entry, as reported in this article of the Wall Street Journal. The newspaper gives the example of clothing chain Express sponsoring the Ford Models web tv. I would add the example of “Ask a Gay Man”, the colorful and popular fashion critique show on YouTube (see my previous note on the subject), which has gotten founder William Sledd a TV deal with Bravo.
But you not have to be big to go after these niche sites. For instance, Ujeans, a made-to-order jeans company sponsors competitions on social network site StyleMob (“a new community for street fashion inspiration”).
Local fashion stores are so niche
I see here a chance for local apparel stores as well: a niche can be geographic.
A local store owner may be the best person to know what senior citizens like wearing in the Boca Raton area. Why not put up a website, where you can share your expertise? When local people use Google to find information about clothes they like, they will find your website, enjoy your expertise, and visit your shop.
Marketers are encouraging local stores to go online and advertise. A book called Marketing your retail store in the internet age does a great job of giving pragmatic and inexpensive tips to local store owners. Meanwhile, Google is pushing local ads heavily. Its AdWords system allows you to display your ad only to people searching from your zip code. Moreover, Google Maps allows you to mention your store in the popular map system, so that when people search for “women’s fashion, 97108″, your store shows up.
No wonder that local advertising on the internet is booming. According to eMarketer, local online advertising spending in the US will reach $2.9 billion in 2007. Local search is great for a local fashion store or a geographical niche site. One of the best resources about the subject, with how-to-s and advice, is Clickz’s Local Search column.
Fashion sales are booming online and online fashion marketing may be one of the hottest topics right now.
Thibault Masson is the creator of Fashion-Fox.com, the site where Fashion meets Online Marketing.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thibault_Masson
Theres been quite a shakeup in the NL West over the past month, as a couple of teams have caught fire and others have really suffered. The Rockies were in first place just a month ago, and now theyre looking up at the rest of the division. Although the teams are still relatively close to each other in the standings, we could be seeing form taking hold.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Currently:
The Diamondbacks have taken the lead in the NL West due to their strong month, posting a 17-9 record in the last 30 days. The teams offense continues to produce runs, and their pitching staff is having a good year as well, boasting a team ERA under 4.00
Outlook:
The Diamondbacks have the tools – powerful offense, strong pitching and stingy defense. If they can maintain their consistency, they could emerge as the team to beat in the division.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Currently:
No team in baseball was hotter than the Dodgers over the past 30 days, as the team has gone 20-9 in its past 29 games. This includes two winning streaks of five and seven games. The Dodgers have done it with all the right ingredients – timely and consistent hitting and strong pitching and defense. The Dodgers are on a roll, and they could keep it that way if their stars continue to produce.
Outlook:
The team appears to have all the ingredients, and recently got a potentially enormous boost with the return of Eric Gagne, one of the best closers of his era when hes healthy. If he rounds into form, look out – this team could challenge for the World Series.
San Diego Padres
Currently:
The Padres started to put it together last month, as they won 13 of their first 14 games to open May. Overall, theyve won 2/3 of their games since May 1st, and although theyre still in third place, they are keeping pace with the surging Diamondbacks and Dodgers. The Padres have done it in every possible way, winning slugfests and pitchers duels along the way. Khalil Greene and Brian Giles are off to great starts this season, and Trevor Hoffman has been his nearly-untouchable self.
Outlook:
The Padres are winning with a relatively young team, and if Giles and Greene keep up their pace, this team will be in the thick of things come October.
San Francisco Giants
Currently:
Although the Giants were barely over .500 in the past month, they did manage to rid themselves of a major distraction when Barry Bonds finally hit his 715th career home run. Finally, the Giants can just relax and play baseball. Theyre still well within striking distance, and Omar Vizquel has a chance for a career offensive season.
Outlook:
The teams pitching needs to come around, even with Jason Schmidt having a strong year. If the Giants can get hot, they could sneak up on the teams in front of them in the standings.
Colorado Rockies
Currently:
The bottom has fallen out a bit on the Rockies, who have plummeted from first to last place inside of a month. Going 11-17 overall in the past month has been bad enough, but the Rockies also suffered through a streak where they lost 5 of 6 games and are currently mired in a 6-game losing streak. If theres one common denominator thats responsible for their fall, its their pitching, which has been pounded of late.
Outlook:
If Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe can stay hot, and their pitching staff can get it together, the Rockies can climb back into the race. They need to do it soon, however, or theyll never catch up to the hot teams above them in the standings.
A new study in The New England Journal Of Medicine reveals that one of the principal causes of high-blood pressure in the contemporary world is logical thinking.
A researcher commented on the surprise finding, saying, Look its basically an illogical world out there. So the more you try to deal with it logically, the more upset youre bound to become and up shoots your blood pressure. We found that, when we convince patients to give up interfacing with the world with the expectations that logical thinking sets up, they immediately become far more relaxed and, as a result, their blood pressure drops, often returning to normal levels.
When asked if there might be other undiscovered factors that contribute to high blood pressure, he said, Oh, absolutely. For instance, weve got a study in the works right now on that insidious culprit, sensitivity.
Sensitivity? we asked.
Yes, he went on, You see the modern world, especially as we interface with it through the mass media and frequently in corporate life, appears wildly insensitive to our individual wishes, so the more sensitive you are, the more likely it is to upset you. So were looking into how we can condition people to feel less, at least, when dealing with larger entities.
What about sensitivity in our personal lives? Is that still OK?
Well, Id like to think so. But, since many domestic spats lead to higher blood pressure, were also considering a study to determine the benefits of reducing sensitivity in personal life.
But what good is it, we inquired, to have normal blood pressure if youre determined to be illogical and insensitive?
Well, thats part of the problem. In some ways, the cure may be worse than the disease. Of course, the ultimate way to lower your blood pressure is to die, but we dont see that as a viable area for a long-term study.
Copyright 2006 Marshall House
Popular is the belief that imagery and imagination are not real. From my point of view, imagination is real: it exists in another dimension of reality than the physical. Imagery is not less real because it is less dense than a chair.
Imagery is a set of mental pictures or images. These mental images are often used to represent objects or actions or ideas. Working with imagery, you can augment or transcend the limitations of physical reality. You can enhance and expand your conscious awareness.
I have observed again and again the power of imagination and imagery to shift an uncomfortable, even painful, situation into one that is more desirable, even pleasurable. I often lead clients through a guided imagery process that empowers them to perceive meaning they did not have before the imagery and use the new wisdom for enhanced personal empowerment.
When people claim they have no imagination, I ask them to tell me how to get to a particular street or well-known landmark in their city. Or I ask them what their plans are for tomorrow. Or I ask them what they had for dinner last night. When you plan a presentation for the boss or staff, you use imagery. When you consider a variety of approaches to ease a relationship, you use imagery. When you imagine a winning game of tennis or golf, you use imagery.
For me, imagery and breathing are in the same category of importance: Life can not exist without either. Surely, not everyone uses imagery or imagination in the same way or to the same level of benefit, but it is the basis for creation.
Form follows thought. And form follows thought, regardless of whether the thought is positive or negative. The process of imagery is impartial. However, if the images are uncomfortable, disempowering, or negative, the experiences that follow will contain a similar essence of discomfort, disempowerment, or negativity. And, as well, if the images are comfortable, empowering, or positive, the experiences that follow will contain a similar essence of comfort, empowerment, or positive characteristics.
Note the difference between the concept chair in the carpenters mind and the physical chair in your office. The carpenter or architect or artist or manager who successfully holds an image in the minds eye is more likely to be able to manifest it in the physical form. The two dimensions work together; one is not better than the other. An image can exist without the physical component, but the physical component does not exist without the image.
Imagery is a power that is your birthright it comes with the human package. How you use it is your choice. All you have to do is use it with integrity and awareness, and you are empowered!
America’s consciousness about environmental issues has gained tremendous momentum over the past several years. Evidence of global warming and scientific discoveries about the impact of greenhouses gasses on everything from the melting of the polar icecaps to the extinction of animal and plant species has spurred the U.S. and countries around the world to take action. The importance of research into lessening our dependence on fossil fuels and moving to alternative energy sources has been front-page news and is the subject of contentious political debates. In the meantime, many consumers have taken matters into their own hands by taking steps to reduce their carbon footprints and generally increasing their awareness of the impact humans have on our environment.
Americans and their loved pets move on average every seven years. If you have a pet or pets, remember that they also experience stress, particularly from moving. In many cases, moving can be even more stressful on pets, as the home is their habitat. Pets can also become very frightened when faced with unfamiliar situations. Careful organization and planning can make the moving process easier and less stressful for both you and your pet. Our guide offers tips and advice to help you and your pet through this process.
Pet travel warning
o Never move a sick pet – the move may aggravate his symptoms and be dangerous to his health.
o The Animal Welfare Act makes it illegal to transport puppies and kittens less than eight weeks old by air.
o Pets cannot be moved on a moving van with your household belongings.
o Pets are generally not allowed on trains or buses, unless they’re guide-dogs accompanying blind or otherwise impaired persons.
o Book a direct flight if you are traveling by plane. If your pet is traveling in freight he may be sitting outside with the freight for a long period of time between flights and as the freight is being moved from plane to plane. If the weather is either too hot or too cold your pet will suffer. An insulated crate will certainly help this situation if it cannot be avoided.
Air Transport
You may transport your pet by air either accompanying you or as air freight. Some airlines provide counter-to-counter service so your pet will be carried on and off the plane by an airline employee. Remember, not all airlines accept pets for transportation, so be sure to inquire when you are making your travel arrangements. Also be sure to check about charges and insurance charges for transporting your pet.
It is important that you book your air travel as early as possible. Airlines that accept pets for transportation will have specific regulations and guidelines regardless of whether the pets are accompanied or unaccompanied. For example, you may be required to be at the airport several hours in advance of the flight to check your pet in and your pet may need a special crate. The airline may be able to provide to you a crate for the trip, or you may have to purchase one from the airline.
The airline will have guidelines on the crate types allowed and your local pet supply company will be able to sell you the required crate. You pet should be able to stand and turn around with ease and there should be adequate ventilation. The bottom of the crate should be padded with newspaper or other absorbent material. Add a favorite toy on move day to give a sense of security. Try to get your pet accustomed to the crate at home before the big day.
On move day, feed and water your pet at least 5 hrs before the flight departure time and water again at least 2 hours before departure. Remember to administer any medication or veterinarian-recommended tranquilizers before departure. When you arrive at the airport, exercise your pet and check that you have provided all the necessary information to airline staff regarding your name, correct new address and alternate contact name in case of emergency.
Some airlines allow passengers to bring pets into the cabin with them, provided they fall within a specific size range and stay in a carrier for the duration of the flight.
By road – In a motor vehicle
Unless you are planning a very short road trip, do not feed or water your pet for a couple of hours before leaving. You may decide to put your pet in a crate during the road trip, but be sure he is able to stand and turn around with ease and that there is adequate ventilation. The bottom of the crate should be padded with newspaper, towels or other absorbent and cushioning material. Adding a favorite toy will help give a sense of security. Exercise your pet regularly during the road trip, but always use a leash because your furry friend can easily get lost or hit by a car if he wanders off.
Do not let your pet hang his head out the window while the car is moving. While many dogs love to do this, it can cause sore eyes, ears or throat. And, never let the windows down so far that your pet can jump out.
Warning
Never leave a pet in a hot car during the summer or in a cold car in the winter. Temperatures inside a car with closed windows escalate dramatically when it’s parked in the sun. Even if it’s pleasant outside, it takes only a few moments to reach over 100 degrees inside the car – which can be fatal for small occupants. If you absolutely have to leave your pet briefly, and the day is hot, park in the shade, lock the car doors and crack the windows open several inches to provide cross-ventilation. Check on him regularly. If the day is very hot, it is best not to leave your pet in the car at all.
Pet’s travel bag
Don’t forget to pack a travel bag for your pet! Following is a list of items you may wish to include;
o Food and can opener
o Food and water dishes
o Any medication your pets needs
o Treats
o Favorite toys
o Leash
o Grooming brush
o Bags to clean up after your pet
o Newspapers
o Cleaner and paper towel
Whatever mode of transport you use for your pet, make sure you are in compliance with state and local regulations for animals in your destination city, along with current copies of.
o ID tags
o Health records
Pets ID tags
The state where you are moving may have different laws regarding animals and their entry across state lines. It is important that you understand the requirements so that you can comply with them, so contact the state veterinarian for specific information. It is not uncommon for pets to need an entry permit in order to enter a new state. As well, in many towns and cities the number of pets per household may be limited. You will be required to obtain a local license for your pet within a certain deadline, such as 30 days, so find out what it is. You don’t want to pay a fine for not keeping your pet’s license current!
Health
You may need to obtain a health certificate for your pet from a licensed veterinarian and this can be used in the event it is required for entry to your new home state. The Department of Agriculture may request to see the health cert at your destination airport or could even be patrolling the highways if you are driving. A health cert is generally valid for 10 days, so be sure to have the inspection scheduled just before you move. The veterinarian will conduct a complete physical examination of your pet and check that he is current with all inoculations.
Dogs
Whether traveling by air or by car, moving can be even more stressful for a dog than for a human, although some dogs adapt better than others. Hold off on packing your dog’s bedding and toys until the last moment so that he can be comforted by the presence of familiar things. If you’re traveling a long way, avoid feeding your dog for 12 hours before the journey in order to prevent travel sickness. If you know your dog suffers from travel sickness, ask your veterinary surgeon about medication.
If you plan on flying to your new home, do your best to book a direct flight. If your dog has to be transported by freight and the flight is not direct he may have to sit out in the hot or cold weather as the freight is boarded to the new flight. Check with the airlines for details. If your dog is small enough, he may be able to travel in the passenger cabin with you. He will need a special pet carrier, which you can purchase at your local pet store. Ask the airline what crate specifications they require.
If traveling by car, have your dog’s nails cut to avoid damage to the upholstery. Carry an adequate supply of plastic bags and use these to clean up after your pet at any rest stops you use. Never let your dog hang his head out the window of a car when it’ s moving. Even though most dogs love to do this, it can cause sore eyes, ears or throat.
Never leave your pet alone in a car, especially in hot weather. The temperature inside the car can quickly rise to an unbearable level, even on what feels like a pleasant afternoon.
Once you arrive at your destination, be sure to get your dog back in to his routine of eating and exercise. If you have moved to an apartment building and your pet dog was used to having a yard to play in, you’ll need to be extra considerate. Walk your dog more frequently, at least until he gets used to his new living situation. Be patient and make allowances for indoor “accidents.” Don’t punish your pooch, as this may make the problem worse. Clean the mess to remove the soil and smell. Once your dog has settled in, the accidents should stop. Use positive reinforcement to teach him where he needs to go. Always praise him when he relieves himself in the correct place.
One way to help your dog settle in more quickly is to create a comfortable sleeping area for him. If your new home has a yard, check the fencing to make sure that it is secure, of sufficient height and ‘hole-free’ before letting your dog run loose. If your dog is able to escape, exercise him on a lead until you are able to make the necessary improvements.
Cats
It’s commonly accepted that cats get very attached to places and typically hate to move. Cats get particularly comfortable with routine, and don’t like their environment to change. This can make moving especially difficult for humans and their cats.
In the days leading up to your move, try to keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible. It is best to crate your cat during the moving process, and it may be helpful to ask a friend or family member to keep an eye him.
If you are traveling by air, you may need to purchase an airline-approved carrier for you cat. You airline should be able to provide you with all the details. If you are traveling by car you may also want to use a crate or carrier so your cat cannot roam about the car, or escape through an open window or door.
Once you are in your new location, be careful to keep your cat indoors until he becomes comfortable in his new surroundings. Do not allow your cat outdoors, because he may try to return to you old home … and that’s obviously dangerous for him, especially if you’ve moved far away. Supervised outings are advised until your pet gets used to your new home. You can use a long leash on your cat and connect it to a stake in the ground, allowing your pet to wander the length of the leash for the first few days. Let your cat explore all the rooms of the house and be sure to check that outside doors and windows are closed before you begin.
Birds and Small Pets
Of all pets, birds are probably the most sensitive to changes in temperature and environment. Your pet bird can be moved in the cage in which it lives. When you are moving with your pet bird, be sure to use a cover for the cage. This can keep the bird calm and protect it from drafts. Place the cage in a shallow box to collect any gravel, feathers or droppings that may spill during transit. Remove any containers of food and water before moving the cage to avoid spills en route. Do feed and water your bird at its regular times, as birds, like all small animals, can become dehydrated very quickly in warm weather.
Some states require a health cert for birds entering the state. The USDA may inspect this cert either at the airport or during routine roadway inspections. Have your pet bird inspected by your veterinarian prior to traveling. Some health certificates are valid for a brief period of time. Ten 10 days is a common window for a health certificate.
Horses
There are several ways to transport horses. Your horse can be transported by air freight, by towing a trailer or by hiring a specialized horse transporting company. The horse transport company can use either air or road to transport horses.
By Air
Many airlines accept horses as air freight. In general, they will only transport horses on direct flights. You will be required to have a stall constructed to the airline’s specifications, and you will need to ensure your horse has the necessary health checks completed prior to moving to your new home state. Remember that requirements vary by state, and airlines will request a health certificate. The USDA may also be at the destination airport conducting inspections and may request to see the health certificate.
By Road
Depending on the distance you need to travel, towing your horse in a trailer behind your car or truck may be an option. If you do not own a trailer, you may consider renting one, but you’ll want to be sure you’re experienced enough to safely load and trailer your horse. You can also pack tack and feed in the trailer.
If your trip requires overnight stays you will need to book stables en route for your horse. These stables will require a health certificates appropriate to horses only, and if they do not you probably don’t want to board your horse there. Your veterinarian should be aware of the applicable laws of the different states and will be able to provide you with the necessary health certificates. (Contact information regarding states entry requirements is at the end of this guide.)
If you are unable to find a stable or lodgings for your horse in close proximity to your hotel, inquire whether the hotel will allow you to keep the trailer in the parking lot overnight. In inclement weather this is not advisable. Feed and water your horse per the normal routine and clean out the stall when you have an overnight stop.
Reptiles
Most states have strict government regulations regarding the entry of reptiles. See the states regulatory contact list at the end of this guide to find out what you need to do before moving your reptile from state to state.
As a general rule, the carrier that a reptile is transported in needs to be kept moist. Place the reptile in a cloth bag and fasten the top of the bag, making sure to leave the reptile enough room to move about, then place the bag in the shipping container. Use foam peanuts for cushioning and place damp paper or cloth in the shipper to keep the environment moist. Make sure there are air holes in the shipper for ventilation. If you are traveling overnight with your reptile you may need to place him in the tub of your hotel room at night for a nice long soak. Check if the hotel allows pets first.
Do not ship reptiles in excessively hot or cold weather, as their shipping container may be left outside for periods of time, leading to stress and possibly death.
Snakes must be handled with extra care, especially if they are venomous. Most airlines require double crating for snakes, which means putting the snake in one crate and then placing this crate in another, larger crate. Adequate ventilation is a must. The airline may provide you with stickers to put on all sides of the crate and you will need to write the type of snake on this label. You should also write on the sticker whether the snake is venomous or not.
**Warning
Remember to keep the surroundings of all reptiles moist, but not wet. Placing a damp cloth inside the container is one of the best ways to keep your reptile’s environment appropriately moist during transit.
Fish
Fish are notoriously difficult to move safely from one location to another, but it can be done effectively and efficiently with some planning. It is advisable to sell or give away as many fish as you can before you move to help ease the burden. However if this is not an option, this guide will help you understand what you need to do.
Depending on the size of your aquarium, and the number and type of fish you have, it may be easier to separate them into a several smaller tanks. If the aquarium is 5 gallons or less it may be just as easy to move the entire aquarium. Place some cellophane over the top of the aquarium and remove all heaters and aerators. Place the container in a cooler box or Styrofoam container to regulate the temperature and keep it constant for up to 48 hours. Be sure to open the cellophane every four to five hours to change and refresh the air. This option may be the best for tropical fish, which don’t do well in smaller containers with overcrowding or sudden changes in water and temperature.
Never leave the container in the car overnight, as the temperature changes may be too drastic for the fish. If you plan to be traveling to your destination for a couple of days with your fish it is advisable to purchase a portable aerator to keep the water well oxygenated. Always pack your aquarium last in the moving truck so that you can unload it quickly at your destination.
If you separate your fish into smaller containers or fish bags, you should try to use the aquarium water in order to keep the environment as constant as possible. In the event you do not have enough water for all the smaller containers, add fresh or saltwater appropriate to the type of fish. It is advisable to allow each container of water to settle for a few hours after filling. If you have only a small number of fish and are moving a short driving distance, you can move the fish to their new location by using plastic bags half-filled with water and half-filled with air. As a general guideline, each fish should have at least 1-2 gallons of water. To maintain the temperature, place the bags in an insulated container or Styrofoam container.
Most fish can go without food for a couple of days without any problems, but it is important to add healing agents to the water, as the fish may become bruised en route. This is not uncommon and you can purchase healing agents at your local pet supply store.
When you arrive at your destination set up the aquarium as quickly as possible. You may need to treat the water to neutralize any chemicals; your local pet store can advise you of any treatments the local water may need.
Turn the aerator on for a while, and then add slowly and gently add the fish to the tank one at a time. Wait until the water settles, and feed them as usual.
New Community
PLEASE, PLEASE be responsible when you move and check beforehand with your new community to find out if pets are allowed. Some apartment and condominium complexes may not allow pets, and you certainly don’t want to find that out on moving day.
Some of the most common reasons that people leave their pets with shelters are “we are moving “and “my landlord doesn’t allow pets.” Remember, pets do not know why their owners are leaving them behind, so do your homework beforehand to save all that heartbreak. Consider your options carefully, as pets should be considered a lifetime commitment. If you are absolutely unable to take your pet with you, you owe it to this creature to find him a good home.
State and local regulations
You need to make sure that your pet has some sort of easily read ID attached to its body. For dogs and cats this can be a collar, while a tag around the leg is appropriate for birds. The ID tag should have your pet’s name, destination address, your name and telephone number. It is also a good idea to have an alternate’s name and number on the tags in the event that somebody finds your lost pet and is unable to get in touch with you. You should also have rabies tags for your pet; depending on the state where you live this will most likely be a requirement. For air travel, your pet may be required to wear special travel tags, which the airline will provide.
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Most job hunters already know that a resume is a must when it comes to applying for jobs and getting potential employers to take notice, but unfortunately, most resumes are just not up to par. People actively seeking employment often fail to create an effective resume that will impress hiring managers and land interviews.
And yet, in todays vigorous job market, at a time when layoffs are the norm and competition for jobs is cutthroat, its more important than ever that your resume catch the eyes of the recruiter or resume screener, who may spend no more than 30 seconds on each resume during the initial selection process. This is why your resume has to be more than a document listing your various accomplishments and achievements it must be a successful marketing tool.
A poorly constructed resume merely lists the applicants job history, using bullets to state past responsibilities, and entirely neglects to take advantage of marketing techniques that make a resume stand out from the crowd. You might be the hardest-working, most responsible individual around, but if your resume doesnt make that clear, what will distinguish you from everyone else applying for the job, in the eyes of the hiring manager?
To avoid turning in a resume that blandly lists your qualities and work history, you must transform it into an accomplishment-driven piece of writing that clearly emphasizes the importance and relevance of each accomplishment.
It may not be easy to do this, but if you approach the process step-by-step, and use the basic sections of the resume to market your abilities, experience, and potential value to the employer, reworking your resume into a marketing machine is an attainable feat.
Starting From the Top
Arguably the most important part of the resume is the first three quarters of the page. Recruiters and screeners have to wade through stacks of resumes, so they tend to scan the first part of the first page to pare down the pile, initially. If you want to survive the preliminary cut, this section of your resume should be full of accomplishments that market your particular skills and capabilities to the specific employer and position.
Of course, your name and contact information appear in this section as well, but you should also include a professional summary in addition to, as mentioned above, the list of accomplishments.
Professional Summary
A professional summary is considered by many resume experts to be more effective than a stated objective, in todays job market. It works as a sturdy introduction to a strong resume, and proves more powerful in the face of the 30-second scan because it offers the recruiter a snapshot of your most important attributes.
Use the summary as a short ad all about you. Include information in the first sentence or two regarding the type of position youre looking for, and make it clear why you are different or better than the other applicants vying for the same position.
The final three or four sentences should identify your expertise and abilities that apply to the job in question. Make it clear why you can be an asset to the company! Acting as an introduction to the rest of your resume, the statements made in the professional summary need to be reinforced in the sections of the resume that follow.
Accomplishments
The accomplishments you decide to highlight in this section are important because past performance is a good indicator of what you can do for the company, if hired. Mentioning successes you have scored in the past is your best bet to landing an interview.
Just be sure to select 3-6 accomplishments that relate directly to the position you seek and make them quantifiable and measurable provide answers to questions such as how many/much? Which one? What kind? This will add substance to the facts you have stated.
The best way to determine what accomplishments to list here is to think from the perspective of the employer. Recruiters want to know why you could be an asset to the company perhaps you will save them time and money, or provide another favorable result? Highlight accomplishments that draw attention to your past successes in applicable areas of expertise.
The Body
This section of the resume profiles your professional experience. Here you make note of the companies you have worked for in the past, along with your title/position and the dates of employment (in years).
But be wary of falling into the trap of simply listing off your work experience. Even in this section of the resume, its extremely important to avoid compiling an inventory of job duties. Companies are interested in much more than surface achievements or responsibilities they are looking for people who can translate success achieved in past jobs to a future position. Make it clear what you can contribute to the employer.
For instance, if your past role was that of manager, make it clear that this involved leading a team of people and successfully motivating them to complete tasks on budget and on time. If you worked as a cashier or bank teller, note that you were trusted with money and worked well in a customer service capacity. Any awards you won can also be stated in this section just remember to quantify every statement you make!
Education
The final section of the resume lists educational information, as well as anything else that might be considered professional experience, such as continuing education, seminars, and other classes you have taken that are applicable to the job. Here you can also draw attention to any professional organizations and affiliations you belong to, as well as civic duties you perform and volunteer experience you have accumulated over the years, as long as it relates to the position you are attempting to win.
Always list the last degree completed first, without mentioning dates. For those with a college degree, there is no need to mention high school, as this will be assumed.
No one said job hunting was simple, so its important to do as much as possible to get your foot in the door. By using your resume as a powerful marketing tool, it will be much easier to successfully launch your career and snag the dream job youve always wanted.
Between diminishing factory orders and increasing labor and energy costs, companies that use plate metal in their fabricating processes are finding their profit margins increasingly pinched.
Yet, manufacturers must still invest in new production equipment — whether to replace obsolete equipment or to take advantage of new business opportunities — in order to remain competitive.
Manufacturers must make careful assessments when evaluating the addition of new plate-rolling equipment. Debt capital is still available to purchase new machinery, but paying back the loan will not yield a satisfactory return on investment unless the equipment adds value to the production. Unfortunately, many buyers end up purchasing equipment that lacks the capability and flexibility to meet production volumes and tolerances, simply because they don’t understand all available options and considerations.
In an effort to help manufacturers optimize plate rolling operations, 5 key considerations are offered in order to choose a proper plate bending machine.
1. Factor in the properties of the material to be rolled
Even though drawings call for a plate to be rolled down to the same dimensions, a tougher material will require a much higher-rated rolling machine. In absence of such considerations, defects will result and the manufacturer will end up with excessive scrap.
Today’s steel is much stronger and requires more strength to bend. Thanks to detailed classifications by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, countless varieties of steel abound: A36, A516 grade 70, Hardox 400/500 series and AR 200/300 series, for example. And these different steels require varying pressures to roll.
A metal’s temper and yield strength must be matched with the customer’s application to correctly determine the specifications of the plate roller. This is especially important since steel characteristics have changed drastically over the past couple of decades. What was once known as mild steel no longer exists.
2. Work with an equipment dealer that is willing to discuss your specific plate-rolling needs
Customers must know the correct questions to ask, in order to get the correct answers. Each manufacturer faces unique challenges, and through systematic querying an astute sales representative can determine exactly what equipment will work best for their process.
Manufacturers must also carefully consider whether they wish to roll conical or parabolic shapes to take advantage of a broader market. Hydraulically operated four-roll machines are ideal for this type of work by eliminating surface scarring, thereby decreasing the need for grinding the lamination (bullnosing) on the minor diameter edge of a cone.
Accurate conical rolling is further achieved through features such as torsion bar parallelism, as opposed to electronic systems or proportional value systems that merely maintain a theoretical balance. Finite parallelism allows the machine to be adjusted to its full conical tilt and back to parallel in only five seconds.
Customers need to discuss issues such as inside diameters, material type, tolerances and the desired shape of the finished product. As an example, some products, such as those found in the pressure vessel industry, demand a maximum of 1 percent out-of-round on their diameters or they are considered defective. By using an underpowered plate roller, too much of a barrel effect can render such a product useless and quickly erase any potential profit margin.
Matching plate-rolling equipment to the specific needs of a manufacturer requires attention to detail. It is imperative that the dealer you work with is willing to sit down with you and discuss the specific needs of your business. There are many issues that need to be addressed, many of which a purchasing manager may not initially foresee.
3. Stay within ideal operating parameters of the machine
It is recommended that manufactures identify what material and what thickness represent their highest volume of work. Then (a company) can deliver a machine that will camber to that specification, thus conserving valuable production hours and eliminating large amounts of scrap.
Quality rolling machines are usually cambered at 50 percent of the full-rated value of the machine. Hence, a 1-inch machine is cambered to roll 1/2-inch plate at a nearly perfect edge.
Disregarding this important fact can result in out-of-spec product that the customer will not accept. Problems most commonly arise when rollers attempt to push the upper limits of their plate roll. If 5/8-inch plate is rolled through a 1-inch-rated machine, a small degree of barrel effect will likely occur. This may or may not be an acceptable margin for error.
However, when plate thickness approaches the upper end of a machine’s rating, then severe defects can occur. Unless corrected with a shim, it will not be sellable. Conversely, when very thin material is rolled through a machine rated for very thick plate, the finished product may come out tighter in the center than at the ends. Again, time consuming shimming is necessitated to correct for this “hourglass” effect.
4. Carefully consider bending diameters
The tighter the diameter, the more bend pressure required. For instances where thick material must be rolled into tight inside diameters (ID), the diameter of the top roll and the layout of the machine can make the difference between a product whose cylindrical edges meet and one that won’t close.
As a rule of thumb, most machines can roll plate at 1 1/2 times the upper roll diameter. Hence, given a 10-inch-diameter top roll, inside diameters as tight as 15 inches can be obtained. However, new machines that incorporate planetary guides are able to keep approximately 50 percent more area of the plate under bend-pressure during the rolling operation, thereby achieving ratios of 1.1 times the upper roll diameter. This creates a 30 percent advantage on tight diameters.
All machines achieve precise measurements at 50 percent of the full-rated value. Therefore, given a 1.1 roll geometry, a 3/8-inch machine with a 10-inch top roller can consistently roll 3/16-inch plate to 11-inch ID without any barrel defect.
5. Incorporate both side and vertical supports to prevent unwanted bends
Adequate support requires both side and vertical roller-supports, as designed by the manufacturer of the plate-rolling machine. Once employed, plate rolling becomes a one-man job instead of two. This frees up valuable manpower that can be re-routed to other jobs.
When rolling a cylinder, once the inside diameter is more than 200 times greater than the thickness of the material, the weight of the material becomes sufficient to bend the cylinder as it exits the top roll and gets further away from the machine. Without proper support, unwanted radii result.
Purchasing a machine with both side and vertical roller supports easily solves this problem.Some manufacturers attempt to skimp on this ancillary equipment by resorting to “makeshift” support such as a forklift or overhead crane. However, this shortcut ties up the use of equipment that can best be utilized elsewhere. Because it cannot adequately support the material, unforeseen bends can still appear.
I like to think that my approach to business is 1 part experience, 1 part research and 2 parts common sense. I know my business; thats my experience. I read as much as I possibly can to strike a balance in my efforts between tried and true and newer methods of business planning and marketing. But to me, the most important, and often lacking in my opinion, is the common sense part of running any business, especially online.
I do not claim to be an expert in SEO or SEM or any of those acronym concepts. In fact, Im not sure who legitimately can claim to be. In my observation, the rules to those theories seem to change daily if not more often. However, like most online entrepreneurs, I do try and pick up as much as I can from all sources in trying to market and run my business.
In working on both my own business and my clients, I have found that too often I can get too focused on the technical aspects of my website and business. We are constantly inundated with tips, tricks and techniques for getting more traffic and finding new leads. Please dont think Im discounting any of those or disparaging those giving advice. On the contrary, I think it is necessary to take in as much information as possible in determining your own strategies. The problem, in my eyes, lies in getting too involved in these new concepts and losing sight or doubt your innate sense of how to do things.
I am not suggesting any hot new modes of marketing, nor am I guaranteeing any way of making thousands of dollars a week! I am merely suggesting that before, during and after implementing any new techniques, you always take a look at your website and all your materials from your customers point of view. Better yet, have someone else take a look.
Make sure that you have designed your site and written your copy in a way that is accessible to both ends of the spectrum: the techies and the technically challenged alike. In a perfect world, each visitor to your site would be very computer and internet savvy. Unfortunately, we all know it is not a perfect world. You must make your site as user-friendly as possible.
I spent a lot of time designing my website. I put a lot of thought into what I wanted to say, how I wanted to say it and how I wanted it to function. Those are all important things to consider and steps that must not be skipped. However, shortly after launching the site I discovered what I could improve.
The first thing I did when I uploaded the site was to inform all my friends and family. I knew within two days that I needed to make things a whole lot simpler! I had not taken into account that I have grown up in the internet age and things that I take for granted like knowing how to navigate a site via a site map or navigation bar are not second nature to everyone. I got the best feedback from my 91 year old grandfather who really wanted to see the whole site and know what it was all about. He tries so hard to keep up with the technology, but using the internet is not his cup of tea.
After speaking with him and a few other relatives, I sat down and took a hard look at my site. I went through and made two ways to get to every single page. I tried to simplify things as much as possible. I didnt change the copy because I had made a point to write copy that was inviting to potential clients from any background. I used my keywords as much as I felt comfortable doing without sounding like a broken record.
Albert Einstein once said, Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler. In our excitement to boost our search engine rankings and generate traffic, I think its important to remember those words. The more people who can use your site and hear your message; the more customers you will have!
Arthritis is often referred to as a chronic disease. This means that it can affect the person afflicted with arthritis over a long period of time, perhaps for the rest of a person’s life. It cannot be cured, but it can be treated through a variety of products, both prescription and over-the-counter, as well as natural and medical-related methods. Learning how to manage your pain over the long term is an important factor in controlling the disease and maintaining a good quality of life. This is a brief overview of some of the methods and products that arthritis sufferers can use to alleviate many of the symptoms associated with arthritis, especially joint pain.
When you begin planning a vacation, one of the most important steps is to book a hotel room for your stay. After you have made your arrangements to take off work and get to your destination, you will have to figure out an affordable place to stay. There are many ways to approach hotel booking, the most tried and true being purchasing a vacation package through a travel agent. However, travel agents are becoming more expensive and less practical as Internet travel booking becomes the norm.
Rather than paying a middleman to book your flights and hotels, online travel websites make it easy to compare rates, research locations and check on availability. Most hotels have their own websites where you can enter your needed dates and get a quote for your stay. You do not have to enter credit card information to research rates at most hotels, so it makes do-it-yourself comparison shopping convenient for anyone with an internet connection. Some hotels even post layouts of their buildings, so you can choose exactly which room you want, rather than taking a chance on being right next to a pool full of screaming children when you are trying to get some much-needed rest and relaxation.
There are also some websites that will do your comparison-shopping for you. Sites like Hotwire and Expedia search their databases for hotels available on your needed dates, and they list the best deals for you. You can choose to search according to location, rate range, hotel chain or room size. When using sites like Hotwire, the more flexible your dates are, the greater your chances are of getting an inexpensive rate. However, even if your dates are set in stone, you may still be able to find a cheaper hotel rate using these sites than you would on your own.
One way to use the Internet to find low hotel prices is to join a travel club. Many airlines and car rental companies offer deals for repeat customers. Through these programs, frequent travelers can arrange car rentals and flights at discount prices, and they often thrown in hotel stays for a minimal charge. Some car rental companies have partnerships with particular hotel chains, giving discounts to customers who use both companies on their trips. You can sometimes use your airline frequent flier miles to pay for hotel stays, as well. Be sure to check with your airline of choice to see if they offer special hotel rates with their frequent flier programs.
Because making reservations online is a do-it-yourself endeavor, hotels save money of staffing. This allows them to offer special online rates for those who book their stays via the Internet. Most hotel chain websites have links to special Internet deals that can save you a lot of money on your vacation lodging. If you are Internet savvy, you can sometimes even qualify for free nights when you book a week at the same hotel.
When you are ready to make your online hotel reservation, be sure to have your credit card handy. Because of high security practices, you often have to enter the three-digit code on the back of your credit card to confirm your reservation. Though some people are wary of entering credit card numbers over the Internet, most sites take great care in securing and encoding the information, making identity theft virtually impossible. However, if you are not comfortable completing your transaction online, many hotels allow you to reserve the nights and to call and complete the booking over the phone. Unfortunately, sometimes completing a transaction this way disqualifies you from receiving special Internet rates.
Early this year, lacrosse players of a known amateur team found themselves in an altogether different ballgame. Duke University lacrosse team faced a controversial legal case reeking strongly of racism and sexual misdemeanor. Two black women dancers, hired by the players in one of their night-outs, apparently accused three unidentified team members of rape and racial discrimination. The team is composed of 47 players, all whites except for one black. According to Fox News, Duke University officials decided to prohibit the league from participating in the season’s remaining games until the case is finally settled. Since the victims said the offenders are all whites, DNA tests have been conducted to the 46 white players. The case is all the more controversial because the victims involved are black.
Media love to hype up cases with traces of color discrimination and sexism as much as possible. Somehow, the case wouldn’t have been as celebrated as it is if ever the victims are whites. Racial discrimination is still a complicated issue. Whether the Duke lacrosse players are guilty or not, the damage has already been done. The incident already caused players and the team itself with scars in the form of a detestable reputation. A month before the incident, another sport team was in hot water for tolerating hazing activities. Hartwick College administrators suspended the team after the police received a complaint from a student who leaked information regarding excessive physical abuse as part of the initiation. Since Hartwick has policies against hazing, the team has to face more serious sanctions aside from the one-season suspension.
Indeed, some lacrosse players also face charges and cases like other athletes do. This can really hurt the amateur players’ chances of being drafted in national lacrosse teams in the country. Needless to say, an athlete’s character is a significant but underrated factor. There are many great players who ended their careers in sport because of involvement in these kinds of hyped-up cases. Even if their innocence is proved in the end, somehow they didn’t regain their lost glories. Aspiring athletes should keep in mind that it’s not all about game play and point statistics. They also have to keep their reputations untarnished as much as possible. A player can be as promising as possible but once he gets himself in a sticky situation, it’s hard to rise again. This holds true for athletes in every imaginable sport.
Remember those pre-child days when you would go out to a fancy restaurant or spend the weekend at a romantic get-away to celebrate Valentines Day? That may not be an option this year, but you can still enjoy a romantic dinner with your spouse. Here are a few ideas on how you can easily create a romantic Valentines Day dinner at home.
Creating The Menu
This is the perfect time for some Grown-up food. Cook a separate dinner for the kids or order in some pizza. Let the kids eat an early dinner and then send them off to play, or watch a movie while the two of you enjoy your meal. If your children are really young, you may want to put them to bed before you sit down for your Valentines Day dinner.
Cooking a restaurant inspired meal doesnt have to be complicated. Pick up some mini-quiches in your grocers frozen food section and bake them up as an appetizer. For a first course pick up a can of gourmet style soup that you just need to heat up. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and some fresh herbs for visual appeal.
Choose a main dish that you can prepare ahead of time, so you can enjoy the evening. Good choices are baked salmon or chicken. Just place either one in a baking dish, add whichever marinade you prefer and refrigerate. When you are ready just bake it until its done. Serve with mixed greens and fancy store-bought vinaigrette. Grab French bread, or fix some wild rice.
Dessert could be anything from cheesecake with fresh fruit, to chocolate dipped strawberries to chocolate mouse that you can make ahead and refrigerate. Or serve assorted cheeses with a nice glass of red wine.
Setting The Scene
Set the table with a tablecloth, cloth napkins and candles. Take out your good china and crystal. Since dinner will be just for the two of you, you dont have to worry about damaging any of your special tableware. Now is the perfect time to enjoy all these fancy goodies you received as wedding gifts.
Take the time to dress up, and do your hair and makeup. I feel sure you spouse will appreciate it and you will feel like you are actually going out. For even more fun get ready in separate rooms and ask your date to come pick you up.
Turn down the lights and light the candles. Play some soft, romantic music, or some songs that have special meaning for the two of you. You never know, with the right music, your romantic Valentines Day dinner may end with some slow dancing in your dinning room.
Staying in doesnt mean you cant have a wonderful romantic Valentines Day dinner. You never know, this may turn out to be the most romantic Valentines date yet.
2006 E. Landers
Sometimes you get so excited about working on a project that you forget about the fundamentals and inevitably find out halfway through the project that you forgot to do something basic.
Building a horse round pen is no different – there are fundamental steps to follow to make sure you build a safe, secure and long-lasting roundpen for your equine friends. Lets look at one of the fundamentals necessary for a quality-built round pen: your round pen base and footing.
One of the first steps in building a round pen is to make sure that you have a layered base and level ground. Why is this so important? Well, for starters any structure (round pen, barn, you name it) will last longer when it is properly leveled and constructed. Secondly, a well designed base provides the necessary drainage for your round pen. You dont want to go outside after a heavy rainstorm and find that you have a nice, new round pen pond!
If you are extremely lucky, you will have a level piece of ground to work with and a sand base. Unfortunately, for the other 99% of us out there, well have to work with what we have and make it suitable! There are several methods to leveling the ground and providing the proper drainage with suitable footing. These vary depending on budget and amount of work you want to put into it.
A properly constructed round pen base and footing resembles a layered cake. By sloping your base layer. adding mixtures of coarse gravel, stone dust and landscaping cloth (if desired), you will build up a layered sub-base and base that will provide excellent drainage. While this is a lot of work up front, the benefits will pay off over time.
The icing on this layered cake is the footing. Remember, the footing is what provides the support for your horse and also adds to the safety factor. This final layer will vary depending on your climate and conditions. Some of your footing options are: sand, wood mulch, or shredded rubber. You can also use a combination of sand and shredded rubber, for example.
Depending on the material you use, you may need to replace it every so often as well. When you experience your first rain or storm, some of your footing will inevitably seep into your base layer. Keep this in mind when you are purchasing your footing youll likely need to order approximately 10 25% extra depending on the footing type and your climate conditions.
So remember, when you start your round pen project, build from the bottom up and youll be on your way to a safe and long-lasting horse round pen.
Good ideas are literally “a dime a dozen”. Individuals conceptualize revolutionary new products and new services with each passing minute of each day. Although there is such a steady stream of ideas that can be marketed successfully and developed into a lucrative business, there are actually few new businesses that make it past the “initial stages” into actual existence.
Why is this, and what factors contribute to the abandonment of great ideas that could’ve possibly netted the creators a small fortune?
There seem to be two major psychological forces at work when a great idea is abandoned before completion or a business fails for no apparent reason. These two psychological syndromes are:
1. Fear of Success 2. Fear of Failure
It is a very frightening prospect to start and maintain a home-based business. There’s no doubt about that. And every business owner feels the “fear” of being responsible for their own destinies, and for their own futures. It’s quite common, to be somewhat nervous and stressed about our businesses, especially in the beginning.
Conquering this fear is a necessity, however, as no one can be effective in a business if they allow the fear to overwhelm them.
Fear can be “healthy” in a way, as it can keep an individual alert and aware of any failures of the business, which thwarts problems before they start. Fear can also be “unhealthy” when an individual experiences such fear that it leads to inaction and the business never really gets off the ground as a result.
The two fears above seem to be the most prominent among new business owners. In the first, Fear of Success, a new business owner may have a great idea, and may develop every facet of the business thoroughly, yet they never seem to “open” the doors of the business. They may find excuse after excuse, why they can’t really put the business into play, although all facets of the business are established. They may find that they run into repeated crises in their lives, sickness of themselves or a loved one, disasters that are not “really” disasters crop up repeatedly. This is simple Fear of Success, and part of a psychological pattern.
Although crises do occur to us all, we go on with life despite these, and no one has crises that are continuous. A business owner with this syndrome is merely afraid that success will “change” their lives and they are afraid they won’t be able to cope with the changes. Of course, success will change someone’s life. However, the Fear of Success can be so overwhelming, that some new business owners simply let the business fall by the wayside, thereby ensuring its failure. After all, if the business fails to get started or to succeed, they never have to face the reality of their “Fear of Success”.
The second fear is just as detrimental as the Fear of Success. This fear is the Fear of Failure. This fear seems slightly more common and is characterized by the inability of future business owners to even get “started” with any plans or any concrete method of establishing a business. They constantly procrastinate in even the most simple of business chores. They fail to ever establish the business in any way, and for the most part are always promising to “start tomorrow”, only tomorrow may never come. They also may jump from “idea to idea” always hatching a new plan for the next great business. Unfortunately, the plans are the only thing that is ever hatched, as nothing concrete ever materializes. They can be seen by their family and friends as mere “schemers”/ “daydreamers”.
Occasionally, business owners can “waver” between the two fears, actually experiencing both Fear of Failure and Fear of Success simultaneously, becoming almost paralyzed with the emotions of all this, and unable to attend to the business with any degree of rationality. They can start businesses over and over, or make plans for businesses over and over, and yet never see any real degree of success.
These fears, like all other fears, can be overcome. There are many methods to use to overcome them:
1. A business owner needs to stop “projecting the worst case scenarios” onto the business. This is by far the most effective method. Business owners that worry too much about the worst happening, eventually make this projection a reality.
2. Business owners need to be realistic about the timeframe involved in success. A good business may take months or even years to stabilize.
3. Business owners need to be aware of their own feelings and motives. When “stalled” within a business, they have to question their own inner emotions and ask themselves if perhaps their emotions are overruling their own common sense.
4. A business owner will need to have as much personal and business support as possible behind them. This includes family, friends, and of course, other business people. Knowing we are not “alone” can easily alleviate misgivings and misconceptions.
5. A business owner should take time to relax and de-stress whenever needed. Fears become more palpable and real during times of extended stress.
6. Business owners should always have well thought out plans of action. Good plans reduce stress and the symptoms of stress, which exacerbate our fears overall.
It is best if any potential business owner addresses their fears and their approach to life as well as their motives before starting a new business. It is better to address any underlying issues prior to beginning a business, as addressing them while “within” the throes of a hectic business start up is difficult, if not impossible.
Remember all fears can be conquered, and it is better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all!
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Vishal P. Rao is the owner of Work at Home Forum, an online community of people who work from home.
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Are you looking for an auto service manual? Would you like to find a way to repair your vehicle or certain parts of your vehicle on your own? It’s possible to get a free auto repair manual online to use for whatever type of auto repair you need. If you have Internet access and a computer, you will be able to do this in a relatively short amount of time.
All you have to do is search online for an auto service manual that will help your needs. You can find a free online auto repair manual to help you with your car today. The first step is to know what type of manual you are looking for. There are different types of auto service manuals available.
Some examples are:
- Repair manuals
- General manuals
- Diagnosis descriptions
- Maintenance manuals
It will be important to know which type of manual you are looking for when you go searching for these online. Knowing how to help narrow your search can be very important and will also help make the process quicker and easier for you.
Then in the future, you will know how to find a particular manual right away. For example, you can search according to make and model as well as the year of a particular vehicle you want to make repairs to.
Repair manuals will go into the most detail of how to repair specific parts of your vehicle. You can look up exhaust repair, body repair, engine repair, interior repair and more. General manuals are like repair manuals but they are usually not related to the make of the vehicle and just discuss repairs in general that you can apply to most any vehicle.
Diagnosis descriptions help you either by make and model or by specific types of automotive repairs. For example, they may focus on one area of the vehicle in which the repairs are the same throughout different make and models of automobiles. Sometimes they are also categorized according to certain sounds or indications the vehicle might make that something is wrong.
The more you know about the types that exist out there, the better prepared you will be to make your search for free online auto repair manuals. When you find a great, quality, dependable site for searching for free repair manuals, you should be sure to bookmark it so you can always come back to it later when needed.
You will probably be surprised to see how many great manuals there are out there for free. You can find these manuals online without spending a dime. Don’t be fooled by sites trying to tell you that you have to pay for their guides when they are likely offering the exact same information you can obtain for free.
You also don’t have to wait weeks to contact the manufacturer for a guide when you can now find them online instantly. This makes it possible to get your free auto repair manual quick and easy so you can get right to your repairs when you’re ready.
To learn more and to find your own free auto repair manuals, visit free online auto service manual today.
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Designing Fantasy Sports Jerseys
Are you designing your own fantasy sports team jersey on a tight budget… But you don’t know where to start, right? Well, there are a few things to think about when you want to show your team spirit, especially if you are the champion of your fantasy sports league! You might win a custom championship jersey from your league, if you ended up top in your standings, but even if you are in last place, you can still find places to design your own jersey. I know of a place that will help you design and print your own jersey on the Internet, but they were charging $150 to set it up and print it!
There has got to be a cheaper way, right? Well, once I did a little checking, there are a number of ways you can design and print your own jerseys or t-shirts, but there are some people that think it is worth the $150 to not have to go through the hassle. They do have some pretty good quality jerseys in all colors and t-shirts are cheaper, but if you already have photos, artwork and publishing software to print your own, it is pretty easy to do!
For one thing, there are so many different options to consider, when you want to design and print your own jerseys or t-shirts. Actually, there are some local shirt shops that will probably do it for a lot less than that, even if you are only getting one customized fantasy sports team jersey! You can buy iron-on transfer paper for your printer and use publishing or photo editing workshop software to get creative and make your own jerseys or t-shirts for much less. In fact, I think you can find the iron-on transfer paper at the office supply store and there are many free software choices on the Internet.
That just leaves you searching for the design for your custom fantasy sports team jersey, but that shouldn’t be that difficult and you probably already have something in mind. It depends on what fantasy sport you are playing and whether you want to personalize your team or if you might already have a name. When you are designing your logo, be sure to think of fun animals or cartoon caricatures to include and you might be better off spending a little extra money to have this created for you by a budding and aspiring caricature artist!
If you have a little talent and one of those neat little digital tablets, you can draw about anything and print it out, but make your design personalized and interesting or you might as well not waste the money! You can get ideas from the Internet or look at some of the uniforms that the college teams wear because they always have interesting color combination and logos. If you are into fantasy sports like I am, you probably already have the perfect logo in mind and a print shop or graphic artist might be able to handle the entire job for you, but you can find places on the Internet that are more affordable and let you get by without a minimum order.
I love fantasy sports, designing my own custom fantasy sports jerseys and collecting sports memorabilia. If you do too, you can find out more information and come to chat or visit at http://thesportsbreak.com.
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