Relocating? America's Top Ten Most Livable Cities

Each year, Money magazine rates hundreds of American cities in order to help folks who may be yearning to move be able to find the best new place to settle. The magazine compiles statistics on various factors, such as housing affordability, job growth, commute time, schools, weather, access to health care, leisure pursuit possibilities, crime rate, and quality of life, and then publishes its findings once a year.

For the year 2006, the overall winner was Fort Collins, Colorado, followed by Naperville, Illinois, and Sugar Land, Texas. Money magazine was especially impressed by the many parks in Fort Collins, including some sixty miles of biking and hiking trails in a town of 128,000 people located some 5,000 feet up in the Rocky Mountains. There are plenty of jobs in Fort Collins, too, with giant companies like HP, Eastman Kodak, and Agilent Technologies maintaining a large presence in town. Fort Collins is also the home of Colorado St. University and Poudre Valley Hospital, which provide 10,000 more jobs between them.

Rounding out the rest of the top ten most livable American towns were: Columbia/Ellicott City, Maryland; Cary, North Carolina; Overland Park, Kansas; Scottsdale, Arizona; Boise, Idaho; Fairfield, Connecticut; and Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Money magazine also rates the country's largest cities annually, as well, and publishes a separate list of America's top ten most livable big cities. This year's winner was Colorado Springs, Colorado, making it a clean sweep for the Centennial State, although Colorado Springs was the second smallest city on the list in population, at 369,800. Coming in second was Austin, Texas (690,300), followed by Mesa, Arizona (442,800).

The top ten list of big cities was rounded out by Raleigh, North Carolina (341,500); San Diego, California (1,255,500); Virginia Beach, Virginia (438,400); Omaha, Nebraska (414,500); Wichita, Kansas (354,900); and New York, New York (8,143,200).

Since many people are concerned about crime, Money ranked cities according to crime rates, and the safest city in America turned out to be Wayne, New Jersey, followed by a pair of Connecticut towns, Fairfield and Greenwich. Two Nevada towns, Paradise and Sunrise Manor, were next, and the rest of the top ten was comprised of another Connecticut town (Manchester, 7th); and four more New Jersey cities (East Brunswick, 6th; Cherry Hill, 8th, Edison, 9th, and Hamilton, 10th).

If you're single and yearn to live in a city with lots of other single people, Money magazine's data suggests moving to Bloomington, Indiana, where 58.2% of the population is unattached. There were nine other American towns in which more than half the residents were single, including New Brunswick, New Jersey (54.6%); College Station, Texas (54.3%); Ames (52.5%) and Iowa City (52%), Iowa; Cambridge (52%), Somerville (51.3%), and Boston (50.4%), Massachusetts; Berkeley, California (50.3%); and Champaign, Illinois (50.2%).

If you're thinking about relocating, there are many factors to consider. Explore your options and make your own list of priorities.

Copyright ? 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher

Find out why your home selection--including your community--makes such a difference in your quality of life and happiness. Free Power of Home report ebook at http://www.jeanettefisher.com/powerofhome.htm

Jeanette Fisher teaches interior design psychology and real estate investing.

Infant Car Seat Safety

A few facts about car accidents:

-Did you know that car accidents kill and injure more children
than all major childhood illnesses combined?

-Most accidents occur within a 25 mile radius of your home.

-a crash at 30 miles an hour can create as much force as falling
from a third story window.

Now if that doesn't get your attention I don't know what will.
So here are some safety tips to remember on that first ride home
from the hospital as well as through out toddler hood:

- Always follow manufactures directions for both the
installation and the securing of the child. Always cheek before
each ride if the seat is properly secured and always retighten
the seat belt that holds your baby in the actual car seat. Use
locking clips that are available in most of the newer models of
cars, if you don't have these you need to make sure the shoulder
or lap belt stays tight.

-Getting your baby used to riding in a car seat will make later
use of the seat easier and more accepting almost like a routine
when they get in the car. It is what's expected.

-Infants should ride in the middle of the back seat. This is the
safest part in any car.

- Don't place child seat at either side of the car. This is the
most vulnerable place for side impact car crashes. If you have
to place child here it is best to have them rear facing.

-Never put a child under 10 in the front seat with an air bag.
An air bag can crush or suffocate a young child.

-Infants should ride in a rear facing car seat until they weigh
20 pounds, and can sit up well. Over 20 pounds or a year and
close to 20 pounds the child can face forward.

-Over 30 pounds, they can ride in a booster seat or a toddler
seat designed to hold a larger child.

- For older babies use toys that are made for the car seat, that
are attached so baby can not throw, or drop toys. This
distracts the driver as well as upsets baby.

-Make sure that heavy or large objects such as briefcases,
suitcases, laptops, boxes are tied down or on the floor so in
case of an accident or sudden stop these objects don't hit baby.

-For young babies do pad the sides of the car seat and the areas
around the head with a blanket to provide support.

-If baby is small then place a blanket between the baby and the
crotch strap, making the fit of the car seat safer and more
secure for baby.

Follow these safety tips and those provided by the manufacturer
of the car seat and you can make every ride safe for your baby.

About the Author

Brooke Schuman writes articles on the internet about babies.
As a mother herself of a one year old boy, Brooke is experiencing
first hand the joy and the challenges for raising a baby. She loves
being a full time mother and asks you to please visit her Baby Blog
and her baby website when you have a chance. http://baby.ideas-from.us

Top Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers During the Holidays in 2006

Searching for or selling a home in November or December can be stressful in addition to the built-in holiday frenzy. Simple tips for buyers and sellers can minimize stress and possibly facilitate a sale.

Sellers.

-Consider potential buyers spiritual backgrounds in your market before decorating for a holiday.

-Less is more when decorating a home for the holidays while you are trying to sell. Streamline the amount of holiday specific decorations you display.

-Large over-size Christmas trees and other holiday decorations consume space that might make rooms or landscapes appear smaller.

-Install and remove exterior holiday decorations 2 weeks before and after holiday.

-Turn off lighted holiday decorations before showings, buyers should focus on your home and not your decorations.

-If you are having out-of-town house guests, ask your real estate agent to postpone showings until after your guests depart.

-Display summer photos of home and gardens to inform buyers of the features of the home in other seasons.

-Before showings remove snow, ice and leaves from walkways and driveways. Don't overlook outside entrances to basements, garages, and porches. Pet dropping are a turn-off to buyers.

Buyers.

-You can find motivated sellers at year-end, but don't think they'll give away their home. Do your homework before drafting a real estate contract. Look only at sold comparable's from the last six months.

-Don't be afraid to ask for concessions from sellers. Popular give-backs from sellers to buyers are: property and transfer tax rebates, closing cost credits and paying mortgage points.

-When performing a home inspection in wintry weather, it's easy to forgo adequate roof and air-conditioning condenser reviews. If you can't see or operate a structural or mechanical system, ask for an extension until the weather improves.

-Patience rules at the holidays. Everyone is busy, and if it takes an extra day to view a property, it's not uncommon.

Both.

-If you plan to close the purchase or sale of a home near a holiday, check with your agent, title company and lender to verify two business days before closing that they have all the required documents and funds have been wired to complete the transaction.

-If you are closing on your new home, select a mid-week day, early in the day, to schedule your closing time, to accommodate last minute delays by a mortgage loan processor, insurance or title company.

-If you plan to move during the holidays, keep in mind that moving companies will require more notice and could charge additional fees for packing, moving and delivering household goods on week-ends and holidays.

Mark Nash is the author of Fundamentals of Marketing for the Real Estate Professional, Starting & Succeeding in Real Estate, Reaching Out: The Financial Power of Niche Marketing, and 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home. Mark is a contributing writer for: Realtor (R) Magazine Online, Broker Agent News, Real Estate Executive Magazine, Principal Broker, and Realty Times. He contributes residential real estate analysis to Business Week, CBS The Early Show, CNN, HGTVpro.com, The New York Times, The Today Show and USA Today. View his books at http://www.1001RealEstateTips.com

Pickomino A Game of Dice and Tiles

This Game is Easy to Learn, and a Quick Game to Play

Pickomino is a great dice game from one of the most popular names in games today, Reiner Knizia. Knizia is known for making games that have deep strategies and interesting themes along with them. Pickomino is not quite as deep in the strategy department as some of his card and boardgame offerings, but it is a lot of fun. The theme is that of chickens trying to eat worms, but honestly the game would be pretty much the same without the theme. It's a game for two to seven players and only takes a few minutes to learn and twenty to thirty minutes to play a complete game.

The game revolves around two different playing pieces. They are a set of 8 dice, and a set of 16 tiles. The tiles are numbered from twenty one to thirty six. Each tile not only has a number on it, but it also has a number of worms. The number of worms are the key here as they will determine who wins the game in the end when it is scored. You will want to look closely at the tiles, because that will help you realize that the tiles with the higher number of worms on them also have the higher numeric number assigned. The next key to the game are the eight dice. They are almost standard six sided dice. The reason I say almost standard is because they sixes have been replaced with worms.

To start the game all sixteen tiles begin in a common area where all the players can see them. Once a player is chosen to start , which I recommend the oldest starting first, the fun begins. On your turn you first roll all eight dice on your initial roll. You can then lock in any number of dice you want that have the same numerical (or ones that all have a worm) on them. You then roll the dice again, that is you roll all the dice you haven't locked in yet. This time again you can take the dice you want to lock in that all have the same numerical value out of the game. There are a couple things about locking in to remember. You must lock in all the dice that have the number you choose on your turn, you can't just take two out of the 5's showing and leave one to roll again (you would have to lock in all three). After you lock in a certain value on one roll you can't lock that same value in on a future roll. You can keep rolling as long as you wish or stop whenever you wish. If you take another roll though and you roll all numbers that you have already locked in you lose that turn. More about losing on your turn later.

Now if you decide to stop, you add up the value of your dice and take the tile with that value and put it on the pile in front of you. It can either be from the common area or from the top of one of your opponent's piles, which is referred to as stealing. If the value you have from your dice combined is not shown on one of the face up tiles, you may take the tile with the highest value in the common area that is lower than your locked in total. Now, let's say there is no tile that matches your locked in total and there are no tiles lower than your locked in total in the common area, what happens then? Once again you lose on your turn. So, what is so bad about losing on your turn?

Well first of all you are not entitled to claim a tile. Not only that you must put the top tile from your pile back into the common area face up, and finally turn over the tile in the common area with the highest numerical value therefore removing it from the game. The whole goal in this game is to have the most worms on the tiles in your pile when the game ends, so as you can see not getting a tile, and giving one back on the same turn hurts you a lot. Also flipping over the highest value tile in the common area (which will have a high number of worms) also hurts you because that tile is no longer available to add to anyone's worm total. When all the tiles are removed from the common area into player's piles and/or turned over the game ends. You then add up the worms everyone has (not the numerical values) and a winner is declared.

This is a great dice game. You can play it quickly, and as you can see the rules are rather simple and can be picked up on quickly. The only parts that are even slightly complex are what happens when you lose on a turn. I think this game is a great family game, as well as one to play with casual friends when you want a game with a very light strategy that will get some interesting rash talking going on trying to convince opponents to keep rolling another round of dice. This game is very affordable at around $15-20, and I think it is one everyone should have in their collection. I rarely give out 10's to a game, and I can't do it for this one because of the theme not really being that much a part of the game, but I will give it a 9!

By Newshound, www.associatedcontent.com

Generating Mortgage Leads Is A Very Important Part Of The Mortgage Business

Generating mortgage leads is a very significant part of the mortgage business. Buying mortgage leads is a daily practice for many loan officers and mortgage companies; often the leads that they buy are oversold Internet leads that lead aggregators online sell over and over causing mortgage applicants to get a colossal amount of phone calls, and unwelcome email.

The mortgage industry battle for loan deals on a daily basis. You see advertisements everywhere in the mass media sector. So, is there a way to compete with the big dogs of the industry? Yes, your local market is where you have to focus hard if you are a mortgage loan officer and are having trouble generating loan deals from leads that you buy online. There are many different ways of generating mortgage leads in your local market. Below I have listed a small number of methods that have worked for scores of loan officers who have taken the plunge in to gorilla marketing and viral marketing techniques.

-Create a referral network with realtors: Communicate or at least introduce your self to as many realtors as you can. This will create a viral marketing system that will generate you leads for years to come.

-Use online press release service to your advantage. Submit a well written interesting press release about the local mortgage industry include some worthy news. You local papers and news may pick up on it. This can be a goldmine!

-Plaster your local area with flyers, business cards, pens, and anything containing your company name. Pens work real well since that have a use and are saved for 6-24 months on average.

-Work with local events and charities. Be a part of the community. Sponsor charity golf tournaments. Many real estate agents play golf and wealthy homeowners.

-Network to build net worth! Be known! Don?t expect everyone to know you, make them know you. Go to local after hour spots and network.

-Join as many organizations as possible. The local chamber of commerce, BBB, Social Clubs, anywhere that will get your name more credibility and visibility.

-T-shirts for children. Make company t-shirts. Instead of giving them to adults give them to children, they will wear them and be seen. I saw one shirt on a child that said ?Future Mortgage Broker? Company Name, Phone?. Awesome!

These are just a few ways to enhance your local market share without spending big bucks. Compared to the price of internet leads ($15.00-$75.00 per lead) based off the prices we found posted at http://www.leadbull.com, local marketing is a immense money saver and maker if you have the time and put the effort in!

Jayson Brock has been in the mortgage industry for over 11 years and mostly in the marketing business for 6 of those years. To see more articles Jayson has compiled visit http://www.TheMortgageWire.com or http://www.BrokerTrends.com.

Pushchairs strollers and buggies the most important considerations before you buy

Should a pushchair by practical or pretty? How about easily collapsable or extremely cheap? With hundreds of pushchairs/strollers/buggies available the only way to know what is most important is to ask the parents?


There is a myriad of pushchairs and strollers on the market. Wonderful sounding names such as Bugaboo and Cosatto. Most parents will know of Mamas and Papas - but what are the most important aspects to choosing the right pushchair for your child or children?


Is a pushchair or stroller a fashion statement? You could be forgiven for believing that it is. Many new pushchairs boast ultra-modern designs, colour changing abilities and they come with a price tag to match.


I first became interested in pushchairs when I became a father - obviously! - and like many parents fell into the marketing trap, choosing a pushchair for all the wrong reasons. The right reasons for choosing a pushchair are weight - it should be light, mobility - it should be easy to push, price - it should be affordable and sensibly-priced, it must meet safety standards and it should be a manageable size.


In terms of size this was our first mistake. There are some wonderfully attractive three-wheeler pushchairs/strollers available (the sort you see in glossy magazines, being pushed by celebrities out jogging) but wait, they are not practical on a day-to-day basis unless you intend to go jogging. Try getting through a shop doorway - many are as wide as twin pushchairs.


What if you have twins? Tandem strollers have one seat in front of the other, but if you have ever tried to push one you will realise that trying to wheelie up a kerb-stone is like doing it will a full supermarket trolley.


Then there are tandem buggies that are no longer than a single buggy - but they have really high handles so if you are 5 foot or just a little taller they will be impossible to push.


There are lots of things to consider when buying a pushchair or buggy. I created a pushchair review site so parents could post honestly about their experience to ensure fewer people fall into the huge marketing trap surrounding pushchairs.


There are lots of really positive, good points and there are some wonderful pushchairs with clever designs, good looks and low prices.


Visit My Pushchair for more information.

About the Author

British Sports Car Maker Resurrected

In the 1950?s one car maker set a milestone by producing the vehicle that will make possible the first time that a British car with a British driver has won a Formula One Grand Prix. Aside from that achievement Connaught Motor Company also produced street legal cars which have received good success during the period.

In 2002, the brand was acquired by Tony Martindale and Tim Bishop. Martindale is now the Chief Executive Officer of the company. Last year, the company unveiled the Connaught Type-D after being given the distinction of ?Specialist Car Manufacturer of the Year? by Autoexpress magazine.

More recently, the company announced that they will be mass producing the Connaught Type-D at its production facility in Wales. The company will not only produce a sports coupe but also a hybrid version of the vehicle. The production of the newest car from the legendary car maker will start this year. Completed vehicles will begin hitting showrooms in Europe by the start of next year.

Consumers looking forward to the resurrection of the brand will be treated to a four-seater coupe, the Connaught Type D GT Syracuse which will be the first model that the company will be producing. The sports coupe will be equipped with a massive V10 two-liter supercharged engine which can produce as much as 300 horsepower. This amount of power will definitely need good brakes to efficiently keep it in check.

The hybrid version of the vehicle will follow soon after. Plans for the hybrid are already announced by the company. The Connaught Type D V10 sports coupe hybrid vehicle will feature a V10 gasoline engine coupled with an electric motor. The hybrid version of the sports coup is estimated to reach speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. The torque produced by the engine and the additional torque from the electric motor can propel the Connaught Type D to 60 miles per hour from a standstill within 6.2 seconds. This performance is quite surprising since the company expects the hybrid version to have a gas mileage rating of 42 miles per gallon.

The hybrid version will have 30 percent less emission than its competition in the market. This means that the vehicle cannot only provide good performance but also reduce the emission of gases that contributes to global warming. Aside from these, the construction of the vehicle will also bring good news for Wales. The new facility in the country will create more than 200 jobs over the next three years of operation.

In the facility?s first year, the company is planning to hire thirty engineers. Production-wise, the new facility is expected to produce a hundred Connaught Type Ds in its first year. On its second year, production will be raised to 250 units. On its fifth year, the company aims to produce a thousand units at the assembly plant.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Kentucky Home Buying

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Kentucky, or perhaps you?re relocating to Kentucky from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Kentucky home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Kentucky:

The price of homes in Kentucky varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Louisville, Kentucky, the median price of a home in 2005 was $225,000; however, in Lexington, Kentucky, the median price of a home was $156,000. In 2004, the median home cost was for the entire state of Kentucky was $179,000. Additionally, in the last few years, average interest rates on home loans in Kentucky have been higher than the national average.

The rate of job growth in Kentucky is lower than the national rate, and the number of bankruptcies and foreclosures is higher than the national average. The rate of home appreciation in Kentucky is also lower than that of the nation. Homes in Kentucky appreciate at less than half of the rate of average national appreciation.

Kentucky is one of the many states that have enacted laws in order to counteract the rate of predatory lending. Kentucky?s high-cost home loan law subjects loans that are considered high-cost to certain regulations. High-cost loans include mortgages in which the total points and fees required to be paid by the borrower at closing exceed eight percent of the total loan amount and residential mortgages in which the APR exceeds the Treasuries securities rate by eight percent on first mortgages and ten percent on second mortgages.

Kentucky high-cost loan laws apply to purchase, refinancing, and second mortgages. Lenders may make high-cost home loans, but they must abide by certain restrictions. For example, lenders may not collect repayment penalties after the borrower has owned the home for three years, they may not create a repayment schedule that results in an increase in the principal amount owed, and they must reasonably believe that a borrower will be able to make the payments on their mortgage.

Because Kentucky officials are attempting to counteract predatory lending practices, the penalties of not abiding by Kentucky high-cost home loan laws are very strict.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Kentucky Mortgage Rates and Loans.

Bassinet Strollers For Perfect Mobility

French Agency Releases Ufo Files: Don't Start Serving The Crepes Just Yet!

CNES and Geipan placed over thirty years worth of UFO investigation materials online as of Thursday, March 22, 2007. CNES is the official French Space Agency and Geipan is an agency of the French National Police. Are the files a hot Smoking Gun, or just another order of cold French Fries?

CNES receives about fifty to one hundred UFO reports each year. The investigative process they use is convoluted and quite different from what most Americans would expect. Geipan apparently does most of the field work, prepares reports and passes everything on to CNES. Scientists and Engineers take a look at that data and prepare some sort of final report or appraisal of the matter in question.

Jacques Patenet, the aeronautical engineer who heads the office for the study of on-identified aerospatial phenomena has said that he data that we are releasing doesn't demonstrate the presence of extraterrestrial beings. But it doesn't demonstrate the impossibility of such presence either. The questions remain open.

On the day of the announcement and press conference, CNES security was tight. While calling the release ?a world first? and glowing over his nation?s openness about the UFO subject, Patenet failed to explain the need o screen out uninvited UFOlogists as an explanation for the added security. This hardly provides evidence for anyone to believe the agency?s files represent a fair and unbias look at the phenomenon. However, compared to the actions of their American counterpart, this is like allowing people to walk into French Intelligence Headquarters and browse through their files.

Every time American UFO Researchers ask their own space agency for any information about astronaut encounters or unusual phenomenon encountered by space probes, NASA clams up and sends out the debunkers en force. Although many Astronauts have been forthcoming and very honest about what they have seen in space, the space agency always slams the door on them. More than a few have been hit right between the eyes by NASA which claims that the Astronaut statements were the results of space sickness, fatigue or depression. But before we give the French too big a pat on the back, let?s look at what?s being released.

The CNES-Geipan reports only represent what people have reported to the French Government as UFO sightings and encounters. This is in no way, shape or form a release of information that allows us to examine all that the French know about the phenomenon. Although the investigations have obviously been handled in a more competent and professional manner, this is really little more than a French version of the U.S. Project Blue Book Report.

We have seen these types of releases before over the past several decades. In each case, the information came from individual government agencies, not the government itself. I recall when everyone got all excited about the release of the KFB files on UFOs. I was unimpressed. That?s because I received official Russian News Articles and private newsletters published in countries once controlled by the Soviets for years before that release. These were sent to me by serious researchers in those countries who appreciated receiving materials from me.

Thanks to the efforts of Russian language students who donated their time, most of what I received was quickly translated and contained a huge amount of information about the UFO phenomenon in Russia and Eastern Europe. Ironically, I could not find a single incident mentioned in those articles and newsletters that matched any in the KGB information releases. I felt then and now that the information I received from those individuals was as good or better than most of what was released by the KGB.

In 1989 I had the opportunity to meet Marina Lavrentrevna Vasliyevna Popovich at a press event in New York City. Marina was a pilot in the Soviet Air Force, holder of thirteen world aviation records and a former Test Cosmonaut. She spoke of personal UFO encounters and those she had heard about from other pilots. While the information was fascinating, it was not anywhere near the best that her government had to offer about UFOs and Extra-Terrestrial Life. UFO Researchers would be wise to view the CNES-Geipan information in the same manner.

Like America, France is known for having two faces. Their public face, and the one they use for behind the scenes political posturing. A good example of this recently came to light when it a secret communication between France and Israel was leaked to the press. While publicly condemning Israel?s advance into Lebanon not long ago, the French Government secretly encouraged them to invade Syria and institute a regime change. The USA plays the same games.

During the 1990s, President Clinton announced that the government had allowed secret radiation tests on American Citizens. All he admitted was that small amounts of irradiated materials were released into population centers or planted on soldiers during military exercises. No one believes that was all of it and everyone already knew about military exercises held during and very close to atomic bomb tests. Clinton certainly did not make mention of how the CIA implanted tiny devices into the heads of U.S. and Canadian psychiatric patients for over twenty years without permission. Nor did he discuss any of the other government mind control or remote viewing projects which have left large numbers of victims in their wake.

Information releases like the latest from CNES and Geipan can only be helpful in terms of research and data, but no one should give France, Russia or any other nation credit for what should have been done all along. It would be a mistake to offer nations like these kudos for releasing bits and pieces of UFO and other paranormal research data when so much still remains secret.

You can view the CNES-Geipan website at http://www.cnes-geipan.fr/

About the Author:

Author: Bill Knell Word Count: Approx 990 About Bill: Bill Knell is a veteran UFO and Paranormal Researcher, popular Speaker, Author and Consultant. Permission is granted to use this articles (per terms of use at http://www.ufoguy.com) at no charge with the inclusion of a link to or publication.

Housing Starts Fall 2.5%

The building of new homes has fallen to the lowest level in nearly two years, according to the Commerce Department on Wednesday.

Housing starts fell 2.5% for July to 1.8 million on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. This marks the fifth decline in housing starts in the last six months. It is also the lowest level seen in construction of new homes since November 2004.

Economists had expected a decline, just not as large as today's report indicated.

Building permits fell drastically in July, by 6.5% to 1.75 million units. This is the largest drop seen since September of 1999. Building permits are an indication of future construction activity. Permits are at the lowest level since August 2002.

The Commerce Department also revised June's housing starts downwards, to an annualized rate of 1.84 million, down from 1.85 million.

When compared to one year ago, housing starts are down 13.3% for July.

The confidence of US home builders has continued to fall, according to the National Association of Home Builders. At 32, confidence is at the lowest level since 1991.

Economists agree that the housing market is changing. The debate continues as to the size of the decline and the potential impact to the economy.

Martin Lukac represents http://www.RateEmpire.com and http://www.1AmericanFinancial.com, a finance web-company specializing in real estate and mortgage rates. We specialize in daily updates, mortgage news, rate predictions, mortgage rates and more. Find low home loan mortgage interest rates from hundreds of mortgage companies!

Go to the Mall and Hit a Home Run with Sports Fans

Buying gifts for the man in your life can sometimes seem like a daunting prospect. If you're in the dating stage of the relationship, you may be leery about buying him a gift that's either too personal or too expensive. If you've been in a committed relationship or have been married for several years, you run the risk of buying him a gift that's utilitarian but unimaginative. Even though he may want a new set of drill bits for his birthday, that kind of gift won't add sparks to your relationship. If you're mate is a sports fan, though, you can find a number of gifts that communicate your thoughtfulness - particularly if you don't share his enthusiasm for NASCAR, the NFL, or the NBA. Going to the mall and finding a sports-related gift will communicate that you recognize and respect that sports are important to him.



If he's a fan of a particular team, a leather jacket with his team's logo on it would make a perfect gift. While he may not appreciate tickets to the theater, he would certainly treasure tickets to a local major league game. There are also a number of gifts you could buy that would make him more comfortable while he watches the games at home. You could buy him a stadium blanket, a special bowl for his favorite half-time snacks, or a set of mugs so he and his buddies can toss back beverages while they watch the game.



If the man in your life is more of an outdoor sportsman, the range of potential gifts is virtually limitless. A GPS system can help him navigate through the wilderness or to his favorite fishing hole. Binoculars or other surveillance equipment would be welcomed by bird watchers and hunters alike. Although he's not about to take a stereo with him when he's roughing it, an MP3 player will keep him company while he's away. A sportsman also finds that quality pocket knives or hunting knives also come in handy. And whether his idea of outdoor fun is a wilderness adventure or a backyard barbecue, waterproof cameras are always a welcome gift.



When you get your sports fan or sportsman a gift that reflects his interests and hobbies, you're demonstrating that you understand and support him. Most men would never admit it, but that kind of validation makes him feel appreciated and loved.



While you're at the mall selecting his gift, you might also want to give some thought to picking up a few items to distract him from the Sunday games. A few pieces of lingerie, a bottle of nice perfume, and some jewelry - pearls, perhaps - might be just the thing to turn his attention to you!


About the Author

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.

Preserving Memories Through Scrapbook Journaling

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Top 5 Classic Board Games

If you were to make a list of your favorite indoor board games what would you include? Would chess be one of them? Or are you Life or Scrabble fan? There are a large number of board games that are classics and have stood the test of time. These people often have a large collection of them and they are always looking for something new. But, the fact is, that some games are must-haves. These games have transcended generations and we hold them dear to our hearts. This list has been compiled after aggregating results from several sources. Our global top 5 list is:

1. Monopoly: This is one of the world's most well known board games. The game is a game of real estate, purchasing property, developing it and then making sure others lose their money before you do. This board game has a number of different versions to reach from young kids to the most sophisticated of all professionals. There are deluxe editions as well as fun loving Disney editions, sports editions, and even cat and dog-opoly! One or more of the various flavors of this game is likely to hang around for years to come.

2. Scrabble: Another classic that has diehard followers. A lot of people start playing scrabble to improve their vocabulary. In this game, the goal is to outwit the other player, scoring more points by creating more high-scoring words. A game that most people fall in love while they are just picking up the English language. Some of these hang around and make a career of it. The true testament that this game is truly global is that the current world champion hails from Thailand.

3. Chess: Chess goes as far back as the 7th century. The game is strategy at its best. It is one game that many will study, learn, and spend a life learning again. It's a game you learn to love as you pick up more strategies with time. Chess has an extremely large following of people.

4. Checkers: is another popular board game. Everyone recognizes the black and red checkered board and it is one of the simplest of games to learn. It has been around since about the 1500's where people began playing with far less interesting pieces.

5. Life: This is a relatively newer game in comparison to the other four. This is designed to be, well, like real life. Go through and make choices that will eventually effect what you can and cannot do in life. A game with plenty of options and each choice will take you in a completely different direction. This game and its different varieties such as the Simpson's version continue to hold promise for many years to come.
About the Author

St. George Utah is Pure Fun in the Sun

If you are considering a retirement move, St. George, Utah is a safe, fun place to live.

Washington County and St. George (the city in the heart of Washington County) enjoy a very low crime rate. When it comes to raising children our community, schools, and parents in particular, use strong old fashioned values to guide the children and teenagers. This caring environment produces warm, friendly families who care about their neighbors and neighborhoods.

Summers in St. George are hot from June to August. Summer temperatures run from about 104? to 110? during the day. Fall and spring are beautiful with temps running 70s to 80?s. Winters are crisp during January and February with hard frosts at night and 50? temperatures during the day.

St. George has an amazing variety of entertainment activities. For example we have a 2000 seat outdoor amphitheater (Tuachan Amphitheater) that has a stage back drop of soaring 1000 foot red rock cliffs. These cliffs occasionally are highlighted with natural water falls shortly after a rain fall. Productions of Cats, Westside Story, South Pacific, and Peter Pan are just a few of the shows that run throughout the summer and fall.

Washington County, where St. George is located, also has a live musical theater in-the-round (St. George Musical Theater), two new libraries and several first-class restaurants. There is shopping galore, with most stores being new or nearly new.

Of course, the natural beauty of Southern Utah is amazing. Several National and State Parks are very close by. The red rocks of Zion Park, Bryce Canyon and Snow Canyon State Parks are within just a few minutes to a few hours drive of St. George.

The St. George area attracts a lot of retirees. This means that age restricted communities abound. In addition to the retirement communities, the builders tend to cater to retirees by building a lot of one story homes with large rooms and small easy to manage yards. There are also several gated communities geared towards the ?well-to-do? with home prices starting at $750,000 and going up from there.

If you are looking for a great retirement town, St. George, Utah might be the place to move to.

This content is provided by Don Glasgow and may be used or republished only in its entirety with all links included. To sign up to receive weekly St. George foreclosure listings click Here.

5 Tips To Buy Cheap Repossessed Houses Through Auctions

Believe it or not, there exists within your locality small and big banks which hold or conduct auction foreclosures for those houses that are repossessed.

Lots and lots of people have decided it's better to shop for homes through such foreclosure auctions as there exists the notion and perception among the public that homes that are repossessed and sold by such banks are more cheaper.

However, industry players and experts do not agree to such a notion. There have been cases, albeit rare, which prove that repossessed houses sold by banks are not cheap at all. Though there are those that are cheap, there are always exceptions to the rule.

The following are practical and helpful advice that will prove to be insightful and helpful if you have plans to buy bank repossessed houses.

1. Know what you want

Before you go around shopping for the house you think is the ideal place you want to stay in for life, it is important that you know what you want or what your ideal abode is.

Setting standards early on make it easier to find the kind of house you will settle for. This also takes away any confusion you could have if met by a barrage of houses you all find awesomely beautiful.

2. Take note of the price

Focusing on the price of the house is important. It is so easy to be taken in by a house you find pretty without taking into consideration how much it costs.

Always look on how much the house is before you decide anything further.

3. Be reasonable

Repossessed houses sold in auctions are usually tempting. Especially when people actually are in the process of bidding each other out.

When this happens, try to resist the temptation of contesting someone else's bid by bidding a lot higher. This could lead you to a trap.

Try to think more than two times before contesting a bid that is higher. As much as possible, do not let yourself fall for a price that is unreasonable in order to acquire a bank repossessed house.

4. Avail the services of an expert

Always bring along a bank repossessed house expert. By doing such, appropriate and proper guidance as well as advice could be given you. Practical and affordable guidelines could be given to you when you need it and how.

Also, take into consideration that bank repossessed houses are craved by a lot of investors due part to their potential for high profit.

The saying you might have always heard - where one should be buying low and selling high - applies very much to this event.

5. The process

Basically, a house that is repossessed by the bank becomes such when the home owners fail to make payments on their mortgage.

This is not a process that happens quick. It could actually take a few months or so for a bank to proceed with the proceedings.

However, once finalized, a bank will then become the house's owners. Banks usually do not like to keep an inventory of houses that are repossessed as it could project a bad image on their lending prowess.

All in all, banks always want to immediately recoup any losses they have. So finding such repossessed houses is easy as long as you know where to look, what to look for and how.

To search for cheap repossessed homes, please visit www.buy-cheap-houses.info.

Reebok Heart Rate Monitor Should I Buy a Reebok Heart Rate Monitor?

The new age mantra is fitness and with an increasing pace to lifestyle and longer working hours ? it is but logical that there would be an increasing awareness about health ? the fact that sixty six percent of the population within the developing economies are obese could well be attributed to poor eating habits and increasingly sedentary lifestyles!

Paradigm Shift

The present day paradigm shift then is about ensuring that fitness is accorded the highest degree of focus and evidently there could scarcely be a fitness regime without a scientific temper!

The commonest cause for adopting a fitness regime is weight control and increasing the level of fitness. These dual indications are best addressed by ensuring optimal workouts within the stipulated available time frame ? and this is best optimized by a judicious use of heart rates.

The heart rates can ideally be computed by inducing the body to reach a level of physical exhaustion under Physician supervision ? which may not always be viable ? in such circumstances it would be logical to use alternative equally effective but simpler methods like ? the Heart Rate Monitors.

The conventional Heart Rate Monitor is primarily a device for computing heart rates by using a chest strap to record real time values for the heart rate and a watch or any other receiving device for receiving and displaying the information!

Reebok Heart Rate Monitor

Reebok being the last word in the realm of sports and fitness ? it is scarcely amazing then that the pick of Heart Rate Monitors are the Reebok Heart Rate Monitors!

Reebok offers a wide range of Heart Rate Monitors which could extend from the conventional and more modest Heart Rate Monitors with chest straps to the new age wonder ? Reebok Heart Rate Monitors Strapless.

As suggested by the name the Reebok Heart Rate Monitors Strapless are devices which come without the constricting and often cumbersome chest straps ? having built in electrode sensors within the watch or the receiving devices

Strapless

The Reebok Heart Rate Strapless monitor comes with a difference considering that in addition to not having cumbersome chest straps and having touch sensors in the watch which helps retrieve heart information merely at the touch of the finger tips ? it comes replete with wireless telemetry options!

The Reebok Heart Monitor comes with an explicit instruction manual which makes it but a simple task to operate!

To further elaborate the Reebok Heart Rate Strapless Monitor has a built in receiver for cardiac information ? in addition to having the ability to communicate with the home and the gym machines at any point of time!

This would create an input data to the exercising gym equipment about the heart rate ? which then spontaneously adjusts the speed, duration and intensity of the workout in alignment with the monitored heart rate at any point of time! ? Making the workout regime both safe and effective ? all this and more being contributed by the new age Reebok Heart Rate Monitors!

Looking for Top Brand Heart Rate Monitors at Below Retail Prices?

FITZZ.COM - Personal Health & Sports Products Home Fitness Exercise Equipment Online.

Good News for Owners Sale of New Homes Down but Existing Home Sales in Good Shape

Over the past months, we have all been inundated with projections on the housing market bubble ? Will it burst? It is going to burst soon, be prepared! Sell Now! Buy Now! And the forecast differs depending upon the television channel you are listening to or the media article you are reading.

According to James Cooper of BusinessWeek magazine, the numbers point to a gradual slowdown of the market ? not a sudden crash, as many have predicted. In his July 10, 2006, article, Cooper cites how different indicators for the housing market are up one week and down the next. Some homes for sale indicators decline, while others rise. Though it is difficult to accurately project the future of the housing market for the remainder of 2006, he is optimistic ? in spite of all the noise that changes the market outlook on a daily basis.

Compared to last year?s peak numbers, the housing market is in decline for both new and existing homes for sale and the growth rate of prices continue to slow. Yet, the expected drop in sales has not been as bad as predicted, and the market collapse forecast has not occurred. The progressive slowdown is expected, however, to continue through the remainder of 2006.

The area of the homes for sale market that has been hit the hardest is the new single-family homes and existing condominiums and co-ops. Existing single-family homes for sale have faired the best with only a gradual decline in prices.

New home sales have fallen off sharply in 2006 and have the most volatile market indicators that cause the chaotic forecasts. There have been some ups and downs since the first of this year; however, new home sales are down overall by 10.9 percent since the end of 2005. Currently, builders have large inventories of new homes for sale that are expected to create further declines in both sales, prices and new construction starts for the future.

In May of 2006, the number of new homes for sale was up nearly 24 percent from last year for the same period. Median prices of new homes for sale were up by 5.1 percent for the same period but now have slowed drastically. With the average time to sell a new home being almost six months, builders are offering incentives to buyers, including helping with the closing costs, and are more willing to lower prices in order to sell off their inventories.

Condos and co-ops sales were off by 6.7 percent during the first half of 2006. The number of such homes for sale on the market has soared in the past year, gutting the market and bringing down prices and sales. The number of unsold units are up 73 percent.

The good news is for existing homeowners with homes for sale. This market is currently in good shape with both sales and prices holding up better than the new homes for sale market. Such sales have declined in seven out of the past nine months, but median prices are up 8.2 percent over the same period in 2005. According to Cooper, homeowners are not as willing to lower their prices as are builders, preferring to leave their homes on the market in order to find buyers willing to meet their price.

The bad news for owners of homes for sale is the number of existing homes currently being put on the market. In May of 2006, the number of existing homes for sale rose to 3.6 million, that?s one million more than in May of 2005. This is sure to begin affecting the existing homes for sale market. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates soon that will affect mortgage rates for buyers. Right now is the best time to sell your home as buyers race to lock in current mortgage rates before the Federal Reserve takes action.

The predicted housing bubble crash is not expected in the near future. Consumer confidence is up by one point in June of 2006, according to the Conference Board?s index on consumer confidence, weighing in at 105.7. With good buyer confidence in the homes for sale market, a solid economy, and good labor markets, owners with homes for sale are still at a competitive advantage for now.

John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more on San Diego Homes for Sale visit http://www.twtrealestate.com

A Trip To Lyon An Enjoyable And Genuine French Treat

France?s second biggest city is renowned as a gastronomic capital and a hotel haven. If you are planning a vacation to the area, keep in mind that the easiest and most convenient way to find accommodation is online booking.

History and nature beauty meet modern comfort Set in lovely landscape between two hills; Croix-Rousse and Fourviere and two gracious rivers; the Rhone and the Saone, Lyon boasts a wealth of fabulous architecture and historical buildings. The city is famous for its excellent and varied restaurants, which are situated within the beautiful Gothic and Renaissance buildings of the Old Town. Having shot to the forefront of the silk industry in the early 19th century it has since also earned a growing reputation as one of France?s most welcoming cities. Gateway to the Rhone Valley, Lyon is a perfect base from which to explore both the Rhone Alpes and the vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone; moreover the beaches of Provence are also within easy reach. In addition to its Renaissance architecture, Lyon has a thriving arts scene, a fine opera house, a heap of museums and monuments, superb shopping and, best of all, some of the country?s true gourmet tables.

Book your luxury room in Lyon Bustling with citizens, students, and visitors Lyon offers a wide variety of accommodations, for all tastes and budgets. Although most of the hotel accommodation is for medium budgets, the city offers however a large array of luxury hotels, where you can enjoy your stay if you are on a corporate travel. One of the best choices money can buy is Hotel Sofitel Lyon Bellecour, which offers an unparalleled view of the Rhone River. The Melhor, one of the most booked suites, situated high above the city on the 8th floor, offers a perfect setting from which to enjoy the lights of Lyon with an exotic cocktail before dinner. The panoramic room Beaujeu is another highlight giving an unparalleled panoramic view of the City and the Rh?ne river, with a refined ambiance. Apart from exemplary service, the establishment is memorable for keeping the city?s best culinary tradition. The Sofishop, the Brasserie open daily from 12 pm. to 3 pm - 6 pm to midnight, provides a wide selection of dishes adapted to your individual tastes and schedules.

Accomodations for travelers and corporate travelers For smaller rates, you can find excellent hotels as well. A three star location that is worth mentioning is Hotel des Congres, situated in the heart of a thriving business district, a best choice for cheap corporate travel. It is specially designed to offer perfect working conditions for professional meetings as well as a friendly atmosphere for a holiday break. Another convenient place, Villa Florentine, is one of the best examples of vintage style hotels that one can find in Lyon. Exalted from its unique view over the city and the suburbs of Lyon, the villa Florentine has accomplished a harmonious marriage of the authentic Renaissance structure and present day modern comfort. Either by booking for one of the 19 rooms of for one of the 9 elegant suites, you will get the best of services and access to a superb terrace beside the pool overlooking Lyon.

Hotel chains- the best solution for all budgets If you are going for hotel chains, one rather cheap and convenient solution would be Hotel Tulip Inn Saphir, with a friendly atmosphere. The rooms are all ensuite and all equipped with air-conditioned individual systems, satellite TV and all of the modern facilities. All the rooms are in a quiet area or on the hotel?s courtyard. The restaurant is open all days of the week and you will find a fine traditional French cuisine with a touch of the famous Lyon flavor. For corporate travelers, The Tulip Inn Saphir Lyon provides also 5 large meeting rooms up to 200 people for cocktails and 6 small boardrooms. For even cheaper rates and quality services, you can choose among a variety of Ibis hotels in Lyon, most of them available even at midnight, a particularity you will not find with other hotels. Ibis hotels are located in city centres, as well as at strategic and tourist sites or close to airports. The hotels serve breakfast non-stop from early 4 o'clock in the morning till noon!!! The Ibis teams will welcome you at any time of the day or night. But the most important thing is that we are available even at midnight.

No matter what your budget is, you should remember to always book in advance for a room in Lyon. Every day, online reservation websites make it easier for you to travel, on business or for pleasure.

Laurent Fabier is well known as a partner and editor for online reservation services like PlaniGo, economic and online marketing sites. His experience ranges from important contributions in written media to news and online travel magazines

Online Poker for Beginners 10 Tips to Help You Improve Your Game

In my last article, Online Poker for Beginners - 10 Tips to Get You Started, I provided some tips for online poker newbies. Here are a few more basics, plus some ideas for those of you who have already played a few poker games online.

1. Learn both pokerese - the language of poker - and online poker chat abbreviations. You'll need them both if you're going to spend a lot of time playing poker online.

2. Don't feel like you have to win every hand - no one can. Sometimes your cards will be junk - not worth playing - and you'll be much better off if you just fold. And remember, even a good hand can be beaten by someone with a poor one. Sometimes it's a matter of experience and skill, and sometimes it's just luck.

3. Online poker can be fast. Don't let the action make you nervous or push you into doing something you wouldn't have done if you'd taken time to think. Do take the time to think. You'll probably find you have more time to make your moves than you thought you did. And the more you play, the faster you'll get.

4. Stay away from no-limit games when you're just starting out. Get used to everything first - the site, the software, and especially the game and how to play it. No limit is a great way to win big, but it's also a great way to lose big. And getting wiped out early in your poker career is not only bad for your budget, it's emotionally disheartening, too. (Even if you decide to play no-limit games for virtual money, don't play carelessly. You don't want to develop bad habits that might carry over to your eal money games.)

5. Take your game seriously, but not so seriously that you get really upset or angry when you lose. Remember - you're learning. Go easy on yourself, and on the people you're playing with - or against!

6. Watch what the other players do - for example, when and how much they bet, when they fold, and when they bluff. When you're playing online you won't be able to read body language or facial expressions, but there are still ways to observe behavior and use those observations to win more.

7. Keep your observations to yourself. If in watching another player you discover something they consistently do that could be to your benefit, don't tell them about it. It's tempting to flaunt your observational skills this way, but if you do you've lost your advantage because they'll probably change their behavior.

8. Change your own behavior periodically to keep others from being able to read you easily. This is also a good way to try out different strategies.

9. If you don't enjoy or aren't doing well at one kind of poker game, try something else. There are lots of different kinds of poker being played online. Maybe, for example, you'll discover you like Omaha better than Hold 'Em, or 7-card stud better than Omaha. Even if you like what you're playing, you may want to try others periodically to improve your overall skills. And anyway, variety keeps things from getting boring.

10. Keep on learning. Along with playing actual poker games, use other resources to improve your knowledge and skills. Some of these might include:

- joining a poker forum. This is a great way to get your questions answered and meet other poker enthusiasts.

- checking out other online resources (besides the casinos, that is)

- watching poker on television (and especially listening to the commentators' remarks)

- reading books. In the beginning some of the language and hand descriptions may stump you, but as you play more you'll understand what the authors are talking about. There are books available for all levels of poker players, from beginner to expert, and for most variations of the game.

And remember the most important tip - keep on playing! The more you play the better you'll get, and the better you get the more you'll win. And isn't that what playing poker - online or off - is all about?

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If you enjoyed reading these tips and would now like to jump start your poker prowess, check out Sit N Go N Win for proven ways to be successful at one of the most popular forms of online poker.
About the Author

Get Business Fit One Minute At A Time

Too many online entrepreneurs spend long hours working online to think about their health and fitness. Your online success is related to your energy levels. How fit are you? Have you looked at your hips or butt lately? We all know that we need to balance building a million dollar online business with keeping the mind and body fit and sharp. You need to train your mind and body for success. But I can hear you saying, Id love to exercise but I dont have the time or Id love to expand my knowledge but I dont have the time.

You must find time to exercise your mind and body. You must train your mind and body for business like a soldier trains to be mentally and physically fit for combat. How? By training your mind and body one minute at a time. Here some ways for the online entrepreneur to stay physically and mentally fit using the one-minute principle.

Exercise For One Minute.

No matter where your computer is located in the world, you can still exercise for one minute. Forget about the past 60 minutes or the next 59 minutes. Focus on the next one minute. Perhaps do a deep breathing exercise. One minute of push-ups. One minute of sit-ups. Do one minute of something. Start to get yourself in better shape one minute at a time.

After a while you may do two minutes then three minutes. Wow, you have just made a 200% improvement. If you think one minute of exercise is easy, then try this. Take in a big breath. Hold this breath and pull in your navel. Now put both arms in front of you. Imagine pulling and pushing a heavy train. Do this for one minute while holding your breath. You will be sucking and gasping for air by the end of one minute or sooner. Easy minute, yeah right.

Yet this simple one-minute exercise strengthens your chest, shoulder and arm muscles using sustained contractions. It increases your chi energy fields by heating and compressing the air in your lungs. It also teaches you to focus your mind for one minute. So take a minutes break from surfing the net, do a minute of exercise instead.

Train Your Mind For One Minute.

Your mind is like a muscle. It grows stronger when you exercise and use its full potential. For example, the image-nation is a wonderful place to visit. I am at a beautiful tropical beach. The sun is warm on my skin. I smell the sea breeze and hear the gulls circling above me. I am floating on a raft a short distance from shore. I am floating upwards into the clear blue sky, circling, spiralling upwards on warm currents of air. It feels blissful. Yet I am still sitting at my desk.

An online entrepreneur needs to regularly unplug and disconnect from the web, mobile phones, laptops and PDAs. Some people do not know how to unwind. The brain becomes hyperactive and wired. After a while it needs a clean up and a defrag so that it can delete rubbish thoughts and expired programmes.

Your mind is a world, a theatre, a paradise that you can easily visit within one minute. You can go there to relax and clear your mind whenever you choose. In a hotel lobby, a plane, a taxi or at your desk. You can then rejoin this world feeling a lot calmer and cleaner.

Change Your References For One Minute.

Your references are those internal processes, patterns and memories you use to make sense and meaning of the world around you. For example, do you speak two or more languages? You then have more references to interpret and decode the world around you. This is so important in setting up an online business that will have global customers. Is English the preferred language of your customers? For example China is predicted to be the new economic power over the next decade. So it may be beneficial to think from a Chinese frame of reference.

We can open up our world-view by changing our frames of references for one minute. Go outside your normal self for one minute. Act the opposite of who you are for one minute. Think outside your normal thinking. Think in a different language. Think like a different person. Perhaps think like a powerful creature. Do this for one minute then put your normal head back on your shoulders.

Think of a business problem you have. Now choose a different frame of reference to look at your problem. Look at it through the eyes of someone you admire. How does the problem feel now? Or think with the head of an Albert Einstein. How do you perceive this problem now?

Use this change of references to solve problems, explore creative insights and expand the limits of your business thinking.

Fit One Hour Into One Minute.

Ask yourself, how can you fit one hour into one minute? Start by examining your time wastage and inefficiencies. Start at the end with your desired outcome and then reverse engineer your solutions such that what took one hour now takes one minute. Keep asking yourself the question, how can I do things better? Start by chopping off one minute at a time. Use a military acronym, AIMO (Adapt, Improvise, Modify, Overcome). Apply this type of thinking to your online marketing and business operations.

So start to apply the power of one minute to your online business and marketing efforts. You will be surprised at the incredible focus you can achieve when concentrate for one minute.

Copyright 2005 Hirini Reedy

About The Author

Hirini Reedy is a native Maori author, civil engineer, retired military officer, martial arts black belt, NLP master practitioner and internet entrepreneur. He creates accelerated mind-body fitness solutions for modern life. Check http://www.instantfitnessplans.com.

Learn The Basics Of Muscle Building At Home

The concept of exercise usually brings us an image of different machines which are used as the tools to exercise. But can we have muscle building without weights? The answer is yes, we can have good muscles even without using these state of the art machines. The simplicity of these exercises without making any special arrangement or going to gyms makes these exercises more appealing.

Legs

Nature has designed the legs of the human being that help in moving the body weight. It would not be advatageous to put extra strain on the human legs that could seriously threaten their potency or strength. If we look at the structure of human legs we can clearly see the movement is fluctuating which could be harmful if it is not practiced appropriately. Human legs are rigid in their bowing from one side to another.

The first important activity, in which muscle building without weights is highly possible, is to carry out leg exercises called squats which are very helpful in gaining rich muscles. This demands an activity that is of a recurrent nature so one can build muscle without using weights. This very activity of making muscle without using weights can be done in many ways. We have the one-legged squat, boots trappers, bleacher squats, wall sits, lunges, off bench lunges, renegade lunges, dragon twisting and backward lunges.

Core Exercises

It is very apparent from the title that these are something which belong to all the muscles of the middle part of the body which clearly include abdomen, transverse and oblique abdomini, etc. Core bodyweight conditioning is meaningless for ordinary and less intensive exercises. The most widely used exercise for muscle building without weights nowadays is gymnastics which has stiffer and harder exercises and provides more strength and vigor, physically and mentally.

If we take a decent look over these exercises, we can see that planche rejuvenates arms, legs, head and almost everything so that it shakes the whole body to increase the level of energy in it. Apart from this, we have other core exercises like manna progression, front lever, back lever, dragon flags, sit-ups, air bike, junda sit-ups, hanging leg raises, wheel rollout, Russian twist, stomach flatten, scissor kick, side kicks, plank, side bends and waist twist.

Pressing

Pressing is also a very effective exercise which imparts immense strength in the human body, some of the major exercises which we can carry out are: triceps, biceps, pectoral, pushups, elevated push-ups, twisting push up, planche push-up, handstand holds, handstand shrugs, dips, dips swing, tiger bend, T-push ups on reverse push. These exercises are easy to perform and mighty effective. They can really constrict one?s muscle to a great extent and provide exuberance of energy and power in muscles.

Pulling

Pulling is mostly concerned with the upper part of body, like biceps, chest, wings, etc. Pulling includes numerous exercises which are immensely beneficial if you are looking for muscle building without weights. Here are some of the major exercises which we can safely include under this title of pulling. These are pull-ups, one hand pull-up, fingertip pull-ups, commando pull-ups, towel pull-ups, lever pull-ups, kipping pull-ups. Most of these exercises can be done on a tree branch, rope or monkey bar. One thing which must be borne in mind while doing all these stunts is that one should concentrate on the muscle which he or she is pulling to make stronger.

There are also some other useful exercises like hands, necks and ply metrics, etc. which could be helpful as well at times. After going through all the major exercises, the question whether muscle building without weights can be achieved or not is answered. Go ahead with a home exercise plan and enjoy a strong healthy toned body.

Want rock-solid 6 pack abs that girls can't resist touching? Discover why 95% of people who start a muscle building program will fail miserably and how you can succeed. Claim your free 8-part muscle building minicourse at Build Lean Muscle.

Last Minute Environmental Gift Ideas Keeping Your Holidays Green

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas gift buying is in full swing. The challenge is on! With only a few shopping days left and perhaps many gifts still to buy; here are a few ways to minimize your shopping time and frustration and simultaneously make a significant difference for the environment. When making a few changes in your buying styles and habits you can have a considerable impact on the environment with little effort.

It's really fairly easy. Just follow some of the gift ideas below and enjoy the satisfaction of being part of the green movement by greening your gifts. Make it a truly green holiday this year. Take heed!

Remember to give presents people need, can use and are practical. Be creative! Try these......
 Tickets to movies, concerts, museums, sporting events, outdoor activities or an annual pass to national parks.
 House or garden plants, herbs, seeds and bulbs. Pots and planters boxes made from natural ingredients.
 Gift certificates to clothing, electronics, books, grocery, or vitamin stores.
 Music and books. itunes or the equivalent downloadable books and music.
 Give the gift of YOU! Make coupons for services such as babysitting, a night out at the movies, dinners dates, weekends away, massages, yard work, dog-walking or help write a resume or article, give a computer lesson or offer some other talent or skill you can share.
 An old book or collector's item. Things with a unique meaning. Shop at antique stores, estate sales or flea markets.
 Cook home-baked sweets and put in a reusable tin box, a kitchen container, or another usable item.
 Any homemade item. A knitted hat or scarf.
 Fair-trade organic chocolate or coffee. Always a hit.
 Clothes and other items made from hemp, wool, or organic cotton.
 A roll of postage stamps.
 Office supplies such as recycled paper and envelops.
 Energy efficient light bulbs, battery re-chargers, or solar-powered products.
 First aid kits or emergency road side equipment.
 Board and card games that will be used over and over again.
 For your children, you can open a savings account, buy stocks or bonds.
 A gift gasoline card for your teenager or college student.
 A calendar marked with important dates, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and family gatherings.
 A book of favorite recipes.
 Carbon offsetting. This purchase erases negative energy footprint of reducing carbon emissions.
 And last but not least give to one or more Charities in the name of your recipient.

The list is really endless if you just take a moment to think about your purchase. If you consider where the product was made, what it is made of, who made it, what actually went in to the manufacturing of the product, you might want to reconsider that purchase. Fact: A manufactured item will generate 70 times its weight in waste during manufacturing. Wow!

Most of all; enjoy the process. And please don't buy me anymore knick knacks. My shelves are already brimming with dozens of dust collectors!

To learn more about how become more environmental conscious when planning your holiday parties and events, planning conferences, workshops and seminars, and events of all sizes, visit my website: www.successfuleventplanning.com.

About the Author

Los Angeles Real Estate Experts: Selling Your Home in All Market Conditions

Understanding the real estate market is a complicated task. Currently, there are a number of areas in the United States that are experiencing a decrease in home sales. There are many individuals who assume that this is not the time to sell their home, but those individuals may be making a life changing mistake.

If you live in or around the Los Angeles area and if you are interested in selling your home, you should. There may be a wide variety of different reasons why you would want to sell your home. Whatever your reason for wanting to sell, you are encouraged not to use the real estate market as a guide. There are a number of other factors that you should first consider.

As previously stated, not selling your home when you want to move could be a costly mistake. This mistake is most often seen with individuals who need to move to another city or state to accept a new job. How well your home sells should not be a deciding factor in whether or not you want to accept a new job.

Despite the fact that the Los Angeles area has seen a slight decrease in home sales, it is highly likely that you home will still successfully be sold. The deciding factor will all depend on the condition of your home, its location, and the individual you turn to for assistance. This assistance should come from a professional real estate agent.

Professional real estate agents are trained and experienced in the buying and selling of Los Angeles real estate. Many agents go through extensive training. This training educates them in ways to target new home buyers and teaches them how to make a traditional home more appealing. If you are concerned with the status of the current Los Angeles real estate market, an agent could provide you with valuable information and assistance.

If you are interested in finding an agent who specializes in the Los Angeles real estate market, you can do so a number of ways. Most homeowners search for a real estate agent or company by using the internet and their local phone book. Each should provide you with a large number of qualified agents in the area.

Since local phone books and the internet are both likely to produce a number of results, there are many homeowners who wonder which agent they should use. The best way to determine an agent?s experience with the Los Angeles real estate market is to speak with them directly. It may be possible to schedule a free consultation appointment with a number of real estate agents. Information can also be exchanged over the phone or online.

Taking the time to speak directly with a real estate agent will enable you to determine their experience with the Los Angeles real estate market. This experience could help you sell your Los Angles home, even at a time when home sales are on the decline.

Brad Horn is a writer for 1 percent realtor where you can find a great resource for information regarding Los Angeles Real Estate

20 Harmful Things You Should NEVER Do To Your Baby

These are the 20 silly things that you should never do to your baby... Never!!

(1) Never let your baby play with balloons or plastic bags -- they could be a choking hazard.

(2) Never put stuffed animals or dolls that hold cassette tapes near your baby when she sleeps because if the tape unwinds it could cause strangulation.

(3) Never let your baby snack on crackers or other bread products all day. These can maker her less interested in more nutritious foods and can fill her up.

(4) Never leave your baby with someone you don't know.

(5) Never put magnets on the refrigerator door because these magnets can break and the small spieces can cause a choking hazard.

(6) Never put off decorating your nursery because you might not have time after the baby arrives.

(7) Never put solid foods, like cereal, in your baby's bottle since it may pose a choking hazard and it also adds unnecessary calories.

(8) Never put clothes that has loose ties or strings on your baby because these could cause strangulation.

(9) Never put too many large toys in the playpen with an older baby who can pull herself up. She might use these to climb out.

(10) Never give your infant any small, hard foods, such as nuts, popcorn or raisins.

(11) Never heat bottles in the microwave because the milk could get too hot and burn your baby.

(12) Never keep loose objects in the back seat of the car when baby is in the car seat. If the car suddenly stops, the objects can fall on your baby.

(13) Never leave a baby alone in a parked car for any reason.

(14) Never leave your newborn baby with a toddler, even if they seem to be getting along. Toddlers may endanger the baby without even knowing it because they are sometimes unpredictable.

(15) Never leave plastic dry cleaner bags near the baby's room because your baby can pull off pieces and choke on them.

(16) Never leave your baby alone, except in a crib.

(17) Never leave your child in the bathtub alone.

(18) Never leave your window screens open.

(19) Never let your baby sleep or nap with a bottle of juice or even milk. This may cause tooth decay.

(20) Never use pressure gates at the top of stairs because your baby could lean against it, push it over and go tumbling.

If you have loved this article, what out for my next issue titled: DON'T Do This If You Have A Baby! Here Are 18 Practical Tips. You'll definitely like it! :-)

Copyright 2006. Jonathan Teng
About the Author

Grab your FREE 5 Day Baby Caring Secrets Mini Course and learn 100s of surefire Tips and Tricks about how to take care of your newborn baby from A to Z. Visit: Baby Caring Secrets TODAY!

Common Backgammon Terminology

Ahh, the language of backgammon, it is enough to make anyone turn and run away. Are you new to the backgammon scene? Do you get that blank look in your eye when you hear the word Anchor? Are you completely confused when someone claims they got a joker? Do you just stand there wondering exactly what a pip count is? Well, you are not alone, backgammon terminology can be extremely confusing, and what is more there are tons of them.

In this article, we will have a look at some of the most common terms used in backgammon and what they mean. After reading this article, you will go to your next backgammon game and be able to fling around the terminology like you are an old pro. Let's get started shall we?

Anchor - Two or more chips occupying any point within the inner board of the opponent

Joker - A lucky roll, a great roll, one that has the ability to affect the game's outcome in a person's favor

Pip Count - This represent the points in which a player is required to take in order to being bearing off. In the beginning of a game, each player starts with 167 as their pip count. This stands for:

- Point 24 - 2 chips= 48 pips
- Point 13 - 5 chips = 65 pips
- Point 8 - 3 chips - 24 pips
- Point 6 - 5 chips - 30 pips

For a pip count of 167 each.

Point - In backgammon, there are twenty-four points. This is not the score by any means, instead, this is the triangles that represents the spaces. However, this can also be used in scoring, in terms of how many points or wins the game is worth. For example, if a person wins a single game, it is worth one point, ?gammon? wins 2 points or a double game, and Backgammon is worth 3 points or a triple game.

Single Game - A game won by bearing off all chips before the opponent, when the opponent is bearing off as well.

Gammon - A game won by bearing off all chips before the opponent, when the opponent has not begun bearing off.

Backgammon - The name of the game, as well as a win. This win occurs when a person bears off all chips before the opponent and the opponent has not begun to bear off, and the opponent has a blot on the bar.

Bear off - This is the act of removing backgammon chips off of the board.

Blot - A single backgammon chip susceptible to attacks by the opponent.

Hit - To attack the blot of an opponent, the blot is then placed on the center bar of the board.

Hit and Cover - You not only attack the blot of your opponent, but you also keep moving that same chip, in order to protect the blot you would have otherwise left vulnerable.

While there are many more terms in backgammon terminology, the above are a few of the most commonly used. Before you know it, you will be talking and playing like a backgammon professional.

About the Author:

Lee Dobbins writes for http://backgammon.games-webzone.com where you can learn more about playing the game and get great winning strategies for backgammon.

1031 Reverse Exchange Rules

The 1031 reverse exchange rules allow you to acquire your like kind replacement property before you sell your relinquished property. We will look more closely at the 1031 reverse exchange rules and potential ways this strategy is being applied.

Reverse 1031 exchanges give the Exchangor the flexibility to take all the time they need to locate the ideal replacement property, without the pressure of the forward 1031 exchange deadlines. Reverse 1031 exchanges have been structured by legal and tax advisors for years, but in terms of the actual "1031 reverse exchange rules" there was precious little guidance from the Department of the Treasury or Internal Revenue Service. Until very recently, investors only could look for guidance from certain tax court decisions that were handed down. Fortunately, exchangors no longer have to rely on the educated guesses of their advisors on 1031 reverse exchange rules about how to properly structure their reverse 1031 exchange transactions. Rules and guidelines have been established are basically as follows:

First, the reverse exchange must involve an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT). The EAT is an independent third party that holds, or parks, the Exchangor's Replacement Property following or prior to the exchange period. The EAT must have a qualified indicia of ownership at all times from the date of acquisition until transfer.

There are several types of reverse exchanges. The Safe-Harbor Reverse is an exchange whereby the EAT parks the replacement property prior to the sale of the old property. The exchanger must identify the relinquished property or properties within 45 days of the parking arrangement, and must have the entire transaction complete within 180 days of the parking arrangement.

The Traditional Reverse is a reverse exchange that typically looks identical in structure to the Safe-harbor reverse, yet it will fall outside of the safe-harbor due to the fact that it can not be completed within the time frames provided. Typically, the exchanger is unable to sell their old property within 180 days of the parking arrangement, and therefore the time frames set forth by the safe-harbor are not met. This type of transaction is not necessarily a "red flag" for an audit by the IRS, but does require quite a bit more documentation and consultation by the intermediary to assure the transaction is done properly to avoid scrutiny by the IRS.

A Construction/Improvement Reverse allows the exchanger to park a piece of property or land that will be built upon or improved during the exchange period. This is the most powerful reverse exchange available, as it allows the exchanger to literally create the exchange property they will eventually exchange into through the development or construction process.

As is probably no surpise from the cursory review of the 1031 reverse exchange rules, the costs surrounding 1031 reverse exchanges are considerably more than those for a traditional, Forward Delayed Exchange. However, with replacement property often being the biggest challenge to a succesful exchange, many investors think they are quite often well worth the expense.

Birmingham Buying a Home

If you feel like visiting a place with so many cultural and recreational facilities as the City of Birmingham you should spend there some days. Birmingham is the largest city in the U.S. and it is the state of Alabama, which is the county seat of Jefferson County. It has a warm subtropical climate characterized by hot summers, mild winters so if you have a cold winter in your country travel to Birmingham. It is the cultural and entertainment capital with its numerous art galleries such as the Birmingham Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the state. The city is also the home to the state?s major ballet, opera, and symphony orchestra companies. We have to mention that numerous cultural festivals are arranged that feature music, films, and regional heritage.

City Stages is a world-renowned music festival that occurs around Birmingham's Linn Park on Father's Day weekend, that offers 3 days of music from all genres on Fathers' Day Weekend. Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is considered the third largest film festival in the U.S. behind Sundance and Tribeca. It brings filmmakers from all over the world to Birmingham to have their films viewed and judged. As far as the housing of the city is concerned, you can say that it is an established, upscale community with tree-lined streets, a wide variety of home styles and sizes and consistently rising property values. Anyway, if you want to buy either a house or a condo in this exciting city you can do so by contacting a real estate agency and you can get information. You can choose from many agencies. When viewing homes for sale, it is important for homebuyers to know and understand for whom the agent helping with the house hunting is actually working. If you are not sure whom your agent is working for - ask for clarification. As for the several of the properties prices, you should inquire about them. You can buy a house or a condo just for $39.000 but also for $ 725.000, it depends on your needs. I do recommend you to visit the City of Birmingham since it is the right place for entertaining and relaxing.

Fruzsina Csery, http://www.dixieestate.com

Backpacking: What you need to know

Once you are ready to leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind you and have planned to steal away a day or two into the wilderness the first thing you need to know is how long will your trip be. Depending on the length of your hike you should either go for a daypack or a multi-day hiking backpack. Whichever you need to get , make sure it comes with sturdy shoulder straps that are provided with enough padding and curves. Generally cheaper backpacks compromise on the padding which makes the straps chaff your collarbones. Also check on the zips to see if they are strong and durable. Generally zips with bigger teeth are more reliable. One other thing that needs to be kept in mind is to see if the backpack comes with a waist strap as it takes much of the weight off your shoulders. The final thing that needs to be considered is the material of the backpack.

Once you have got yourself a backpack, the next thing that you need to look into is what to pack. Well, the first thing that should be borne in mind is to take the most amount of water possible. Iodine tablets should also be packed to treat the water you get on your way. As for food, take exactly what you would be needing. Packing for each meal separately, helps. Saves on space, and helps you take only as much as you need. Next comes the clothes. If it is a multi-day hiking remember to carry enough clothes to change. Get yourself a good pair of shoes. Keep in mind the place you are going to and the kind of weather that is prevailing there. If you know that the place is going to be cool then pack some warm clothes. Don't forget to take your sleeping bag and your tent if you are planning for a multi-day hike. Besides your clothes there are a few other things that you would not like to forget to pack. This includes a detailed map of the place, a compass, a first aid kit, a lighter, a torch, a tube of sunscreen, insect repellant cream, rope, a roll of toilet paper, spare batteries, sunglasses and a pocket knife. If your trip extends over a day and you plan to cook then do take an aluminum cooking set too. http://www.etravelforum.com

Having made your list of the things you need to pack the next thing you should know about is how to pack them. Remember the weight inside your backpack should be distributed for you to enjoy your hike. First, get over with the heavier objects. Pack them as low as possible. The hard and angular things go in next. Make sure that they are wrapped in something soft or else or they will hurt you when you are on your hike. Pack your clothes in a plastic bag to secure them against any water that seeps through. Apart from distributing the weight properly the other thing that you need to think of is the accessibility. Make sure a few essentials like the torch, matches, water, snacks, toilet paper, rain jacket are easily accessible. It is wise to have them in the side pockets of your backpack.

About the Author

Thinking of traveling somewhere? Visit http://www.etravelforum.com to find more information about Traveling!

Memoir '44 WWII Boardgame at It's Best

Memoir '44, by Richard Borg and Days of Wonder, is a marvelous World War II game, with features of traditional board games and war games. Fans of Risk and Stratego will easily pick it up, as well as players of popular miniature war games like Warhammer or Flames of War. It offers a little something for every gamer.

Memoir '44 game play revolves a large hex based board; one side that is reflects a pastoral setting, while the other shows a Normandy style beach. To make each battle unique, players can setup hex shaped tiles on each hex on the map, representing trees, water, towns, bridges, forts, etc. From here, players also can add bunkers, barbed wire, tank traps, and other obstacles represented by plastic pieces to the board. Finally, players setup their troops, provided in the form of plastic miniature soldiers, tanks and artillery, all nicely modeled and quite detailed.

Game play takes place in turns, with players using cards issued at the beginning of the game to decide what they can do, choosing the best cards to use from their collection for each turn. A wide variety of good and balanced cards makes for some interesting play, and the cards are nicely illustrated as well. These cards offer simple moves, like move only 1-2 units of troops in your left flank, or offer bonuses like air strikes, etc. Using the right cards at the right time will vastly affect the battle, and will help immensely.

The rulebook is very well written, with clear cut rules and illustrations that show exactly what needs to be done. While a few rules don't make perfect sense (i.e. a unit of troops that is reduced to just one figure can still shoot with the firepower of a fresh, four figure unit), most make perfect sense, and are easy to follow. The game set come with everything you need to play pretty much any WWII scenario set in the European theater, and includes several pre-designed scenarios, like Normandy, and several others, in the rulebook. The rulebook also has several useful hints and tactics for playing the game, and really gives a great overview of the game.

It could be argued that Memoir '44 is not a 'hardcore-enough' game to satisfy grog nards and WWII gamers who are more fond of a simple map with a thick rulebook, and could care less about the nifty design and slick packaging of Memoir '44. While this is certainly a fair enough criticism, it should be noted that Memoir '44 is a very solid game, and does a decent job of representing a mix between a tactical level skirmish and an overall larger operation in WWII. If you're looking for a great WWII game that is nicely designed, and easy to pick up and play, take a look at Memoir '44.

By Phillip, www.associatedcontent.com