On The Bailout Bill To Save The Housing And Financial Markets

On The Bailout Bill To Save The Houisng And Financial Markets by Nick Adama

This past weekend, the philosopher kings from Congress and the Executive branch met in Washington with the high priests of finance from the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve to decide how best to transfer $700 billion from the American people to the financial firms which have spent the past few decades taking advantage of the American people. Despite nine out of ten people being against the bailing out of Wall Street, government bureaucrats met throughout the weekend to assure that a compromise would be reached and passed. The bill that these wise leaders came up with, named the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, promises to propagandize voters into believing that legislators did not just capitulate to very nearly every single one of Secretary Paulson and Chairman Benanke's demands.

The propagandizing of the bill has already begun, with the Congressional Budget Office releasing a letter (PDF) outlining the major provisions of the Act. Upon reading the letter, it is striking how many times it is mentioned that the government will be able to recoup its expenditures of taxpayer money on the sale of the "valuable financial assets" it will be purchasing to bail out the banks. After all, how could the government lose money on these assets when the Wall Street firms that hold them now are going out of business by the day because of the perceived (lack of) value of the debt instruments?

Further, it has been widely publicized that Fed chairman Ben Bernanke has recommended the government buy these worthless assets at 100 of their face value and lie to the American people by telling them to expect a profit in the future.

But the CBO even admits that the present value of the assets the government is expected to purchase $700 billion worth of is unclear, let alone a future value at which they may be sold. And with future failures and more foreclosure across the nation, the value of the assets will drop even further. Wall Street is dumping its garbage on the American people and expecting them to pay for it, with the vague hope of an ambiguous profit sometime in the future. But the assets are illiquid because there is no value to them; if they had any worth, buyers would still be available.

The Act will create a Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) to cover (pun intended) private banks' losses from consumer credit backed securities. Although the primary assets to be purchased will be commercial and residential mortgage backed securities, the Treasury is authorized to purchase, insure, hold, and sell virtually any kind of financial instrument. "Under the TARP, the Secretary would have the authority... to purchase any financial asset at any price and to sell that asset for any price at any future date." From credit cards to car loans to subprime mortgages, banks can drop off any old defaulted security in exchange for cash from the Treasury department.

Another atrocious aspect of the bill is that this is not a one-time $700 billion appropriation; rather, the banking system will have a $700 billion line of credit directly with the American people. The Treasury can only have $700 billion of assets to hold at one time, but once it begins selling them, it can then purchase more delinquent garbage financial instruments up to the maximum again. As the CBO letter states, "The purchase price of all such assets outstanding at any one time could not exceed $700 billion (though cumulative gross purchases could exceed $700 billion as previously purchased assets are sold)."

Wall Street even benefits from the protections designed to prevent against asset price abuses. Banks that sold securities to the government would also have to provide warrants or senior debt instruments. But a warrant that allows the Treasury to buy company stock at fixed future price from a bankrupt firm is just as worthless as a CDO backed by subprime mortgages.

But the irresponsibility does not stop even there, as Wall Street is expected to insist on higher prices for its junk securities if it also provides warrants or senior debt instruments: "since the warrants or debt instruments would have value, Treasury would generally face higher prices because sellers would seek compensation for both the value of the troubled asset and the value of the warrant or debt instrument." This must be as opposed to the relative deal Treasury would receive if it just bought the worthless assets with no guarantees. Leave it to financial investment firms to require people to pay money for services that the people themselves are providing the firms.

There is also a thinly-veiled attempt by the government to provide a jobs creation program for out of work Wall Street bankers. As the CBO puts it, "the government would have to compensate the private asset managers hired by the Treasury. Those administrative costs are not included in the $700 billion limit on asset purchases." Private asset managers? Well, someone needs to be able to figure out how much to pay for the troubled assets -- why not hire the professionals who used to work at Bear Stearns or Lehman Brothers to consult with the government, right?

But the most important question is what is in the bill for homeowners, who have been hit the hardest by the collapse of the lending industry and the housing market? There is roughly part of one sentence in the letter mentioning homeowners, urging various buzzwords and voluntary participation. "Require the Secretary of the Treasury to take steps to maximize assistance for homeowners, including encouraging servicers of the underlying mortgages to take advantage of the Hope for Homeowners Program." If this could be termed absolutely worthless, it could at least not be expected to hurt foreclosure victims even more; but the Hope for Homeowners Act, like all government programs designed to address the housing crisis, only makes the situation worse.

It is little wonder that the vast, vast majority of people across the country are against this bailout of the wolves of Wall Street. These firms have already received nearly a trillion dollars in bailout money -- giving them trillions more and allowing them to unload toxic debt from their balance sheets is nothing more than the government's complicity in securities fraud. No one should support this bill, least of all congressmen and women who will be required to go back to their constituents and explain to them why Congress stole billions of dollars from the people to bail out the same firms impoverishing the communities which elected them to Congress.



Nick writes articles providing foreclosure advice to homeowners. Visit his site to read more about various solutions to save your home today: http://www.foreclosurefish.com/

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Economics visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Economics visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

What Is Paypal IPN?

What Is Paypal IPN? by Jonathan Hook

Let's talk about your business for a minute and do a little dreaming. How would it be to have an easy, instant, fool-proof way to process your payments? What if you could respond to customer purchases in real-time? What would it be like to have total security against having your digital products stolen? Wouldn't all those things be great? Well, good news! You don't have to dream anymore. PayPal's IPN does all those things for you. So, What is PayPal IPN? Read on.

IPN is PayPal's Instant Payment Notification system, designed to help alleviate many of the concerns of dealing with customers during the check out process. When a payment is sent to your account, IPN sends you notification and confirmation immediately. Not only that, but you'll receive a status report that lets you know of any pertinent information such as when a transaction fails, is cancelled or pending.

One really cool aspect of PayPal IPN is the customizing options. You can set up your site's response to purchases in real-time, track customers and automate your fulfillment operations. The system can deliver the access keys to your product directly to the customer for pick up, and all the resulting purchase information is stored right in your own database.

Imagine how easy doing business is with these kinds of payment processing systems in place.
So to summarize, the PayPal IPN basically uses a 3 step process:
1.The customer makes a payment or requests a refund, triggering the IPN
2.A notification is sent from the IPN to your server for validation
3.Your server returns the validation (or invalidation) notice to the IPN

Your business transaction is done, and all without you having to do anything beyond the initial set up of the IPN on your site.

Something that should be mentioned here, is the fact that installing the IPN can be a bit tricky if you're not familiar with how computer codes work. If that describes you, you are probably not going to want to frustrate yourself with trying. Besides, getting it wrong is a bad idea. The payments may not go into your account if you have improperly installed the IPN code.

It's best to look for help with this. There is software that makes the installation a breeze, and you'll have the peace of mind knowing that it is done correctly.

Regardless of how you install PayPal's IPN, please consider doing so. It will save you a ton of work and worry. The added security against having your digital products stolen is reason alone to use this program.

What is PayPal's IPN? Very possibly your payment system dreams come true.



Jonathan Hook helps website owners use the Paypal IPN with absolutely no programming required. Automate your digital product delivery and increase the security of your downloads with a unique piece of software at www.minisite-sales-system.com

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on E-commerce visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on E-commerce visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

A Quick Tour Of Italy - Naples

A Quick Tour Of Italy - Naples by Levi Reiss

If you are hankering to tour Europe you should consider the city of Naples in the Campania region of southwestern Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its Historic Center has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We cannot say that Naples is undiscovered. But it is definitely less tourist infested than many, many other Italian cites. Read our other articles on western and eastern Campania.

Greek colonists founded Neopolis between the Seventh and Sixth Centuries B. C. Over the centuries this city was dominated by nearly a dozen nationalities. In the distant past Naples was the third largest city in Europe and a major cultural center. In contrast to northern Italy cities Naples has few immigrants. Unemployment remains high. The Sicilian-based Mafia may not be very present, but the local Camorra is. Watch yourself and your belongings in this fascinating city.

Naples is home to many miles of subterranean Greco-Roman reservoirs and tunnels, some of which are available for visiting. Much of Naples is constructed from stone removed during tunnel excavation. During World War II underground Naples served as air raid shelters whose walls display legible graffiti more than sixty years later.

The Castel Nuovo (New Castle) was initially built by the Angevins in the Thirteenth Century. It proudly displays several frescoes from the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries. The moat surrounding the castle once contained a crocodile that devoured prisoners. The crocodile was killed and stuffed, and hung above a castle doorway. It remained there until the mid-19th Century.

The Seventeenth Century Royal Palace was home to Napoleon's youngest sister and her husband, the King of Naples. See the royal apartments to get a look at real luxury. Next door to the palace is Naples's largest square, the Plebiscite Plaza whose central attraction is the San Francesco di Paola, which resembles the Pantheon in Rome.

Make sure to visit Naples's excellent museums. The National Archaeological Museum has a great collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. The Museo di Capodimonte proudly displays an extensive collection of paintings by Italian and other European masters. The Palace of Neapolitan Art and Donna Regina Art Museum are devoted to contemporary art.

Naples is the home of pizza including Pizza alla Napoletana, Pizza Margherita, and Pizza Marinara. I love them all. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Naples for a sample menu and more information on Campania wines plus an in-depth examination of Naples's tourist attractions. The Fiano di Avellino is said to be one fine white wine. I tasted this wine and was quite pleased.



Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but between you and me, he prefers drinking fine German, Italian, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and the right people. He knows what dieting is, and is glad that for the time being he can eat and drink what he wants, in moderation. He teaches various classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his new wine, diet, health, and nutrition website www.wineinyourdiet.com and his Italian travel website www.travelitalytravel.com .

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Travel And Leisure visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Italy visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

A Liquid Vitamin Will Make All The Difference in Your Health

A Liquid Vitamin Will Make All The Difference in Your Health by Tom Munson

Your Body uses vitamins in many different ways. B complex vitamins are used to energize your red blood calls and give you energy.

Some vitamins are found in almost every living cell indicating that their role in nutrition is a very fundamental one.

These vitamins found naturally in our food products are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage and preparation.

Your daily recommended vitamins are not always found completely in the foods that we eat, therefore a supplementation of vitamins will ensure that we are meeting our need of vitamins and minerals.

This group of vitamins is also involved in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Every part of your body needs oxygen to work properly, so B vitamins have a really important job. It also protects the chromosomes, initiate in the cells, from genetic disorders. Having great skin is also a product of Folic acid.

It makes sense to take a vitamin supplement that can help make newly developing skin cells healthier, increase collagen and elastin, with antioxidants that fight free radicals, too.

Cells lacking vitamins and minerals suffer DNA and mitochondrial damage. Under a microscope, it looks as if the cells were irradiated.

Free radicals are natural byproducts of cellular respiration, but accumulation of free radicals can lead to cellular changes and destruction (even cancer), rendering cells unable to adapt normally. This is a reduction in cellular processes like growth and cell repair that are consistent with excercise.

Antioxidants mop up toxins (free radicals) from the body. Free radicals are the by products inside the body from external pollutants. Antioxidants are our best weapons against suffering from any form of cancer. Without it, we are basically weaker and less healthy.

Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. Water-soluble vitamins include all the B vitamins and vitamin C. Water-soluble vitamins travel freely through the body, and the part that the body doesn't use passes through the kidneys and leaves the body as urine or stool.

Studies have shown that Vitamin E improves insulin action and it exerts a number of beneficial effects that aids in preventing long-term complications of diabetes, especially cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that those who took Vitamin E on a regular basis had a 41 % lower risk of heart disease.

To conclude this article, let me just simply state tha an addition of a good liquid vitamin with a high antioxident score should be a part of daily excercise. A healthy diet along with these liquid vitamins can give the free radical fighting difference needed for living a long and productive life.



"The Truth About Liquid Vitamins" is a free special report that helps you decide which out of several different nutritionals might be best for your daily diet and excercise routine

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Supplements visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites where you can buy Supplements visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

Goodbye, Fire Blankets Of Old: The Great Asbestos Cleanup

Goodbye, Fire Blankets Of Old: The Great Asbestos Cleanup by Jon Butt

Anyone familiar with old movies is familiar with one sight: the asbestos curtain in theaters, slowly lowered over the stage at the conclusion of successful (or unsuccessful) performances done on the cheap. Asbestos used to be the country's miracle material, the chief product in fire blankets, insulation, and anything that needed to be protected from fires. But upon the discovery that asbestos was causing serious health issues, the miracle material turned quickly into a nightmare.

It's not as if the toxic character of asbestos was entirely news. Ancient historians (among them Pliny the Elder) noted the tendency of slaves to become sick and even to die after prolonged periods spent working on asbestos manufacturing. Despite these recorded ill effects, however, asbestos remained seriously popular, even venerated. It was said that asbestos handkerchiefs and fire blankets were the easiest pieces of cloth in the world to clean: just throw them in the fire and pull them out, whiter than ever.

And in the nineteenth century, when manufacturing became a much easier proposition worldwide, architects and industrialists saw no reason not to exploit the fire-retardant capabilities of asbestos as much as was humanly possible. Asbestos fibers were mixed into cement, into the walls of buildings, into clothes--into literally anything that might bear the risk of fire. It's a strategy that made sense in the early manufacturing age, when the risk of serious fires had become all the more aggravated due to the prevalence of oil, spark-throwing machinery, poor ventilation due to urban conditions, and other major fire hazards. To protect from serious problems, asbestos was used liberally.

But this strategy bore evil fruit. In the early twentieth century, asbestos miners began to become ill in droves, an epidemic brought on by increased asbestos mining to meet the demand of the Western world for this "miracle material." It didn't take long for doctors to declare asbestos poisoning a disease, and for the disease to become a serious workplace health issue. After several multi-million dollar class action lawsuits in the 1930s in the United States, the manufacturers finally responded and began to limit their use of asbestos. But even when alternative fire-resistant materials were available--fiberglass in particular--the companies were sometimes slow to adopt safer, if less perfectly-fireproof measures. Why mess with a working formula, after all--even if it costs people's lives?

Today, the world is engaged in a massive effort to clean up the remaining asbestos from its buildings and public spaces, and asbestos production and use is the lowest it's been in hundreds of years. Fire blankets are no longer made from asbestos, as a rule, to give one example of the scale of the reduction. Gone are the days of the miracle material and the thought that only magic could prevent fires as effectively as did asbestos. It just goes to show the symptom of increasing knowledge in the world: those looking for miracles are advised to look harder, or to look elsewhere.



To see the various uses of the fire blankets see the web site at www.FireProtectionOnline.co.uk

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on News And Society visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on News and Society visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

The Four Red Light Factors For Your Business Brand

The Four Red Light Factors For Your Business Brand by Erin Ferree

Where I live, there are 4 traffic lights between my house and the main road. So, before I can really get on my way in any journey, I usually have to stop, no matter where I'm going. Some days, I even have to stop and wait at all 4 lights. All this stopping and waiting gets tiresome—but it pays off by getting me safely to my destination.

Branding your business can be a lot like these traffic lights. There are certain things you must decide before you can really get started on the fun part—drawing your logo and designing your marketing materials. Frustrating, but making these decisions is a necessary part of making sure that you will create your brand correctly.

Making decisions about the 4 following Brand Definition factors does make you stop and wait a bit but ensures that you proceed through the branding process safely and create a brand that will help your business to reach its goals safely and comfortably.

Red Light 1: Who You Are

You need to know what your business's personality is, and how it is different from your personality. Which is always a tough question for a very small business of one or two people to answer. Ask yourself which pieces of your personality get shown to your clients and which you reserve for friends and family.

Also, you have to know why you're in that particular business. Is it because of your expertise or a feeling that you get from working with your customers? What are you trying to create for your customers? For yourself?

If you're clear of your personality and your motivation in your business, then you will be able to be clear when communicating that to your audience.

Red Light 2: What You Do

You can't create your brand until you know what types of services or products you'll be offering. What do you do for your clients?

You also need to know what formats you're offering those in. Are you doing consulting services, offering group trainings, or selling online products or a product that needs to go on the shelf? You may be selling several of those options, and if that's the case, is there one format that you'll concentrate on over the rest? Marketing online products is often a very different project than marketing consulting services, so knowing what you're selling can help inform your brand.

Red Light 3: What Makes You Different

In order to figure this one out, you have to first look at who your competition is. And "I don't have any" isn't a valid answer—that's a very idealistic way to look at things!

You may think that what you do is utterly unique, but your clients don't see it that way. They're always going to be doing research on a few different ways to solve whatever problem they're having—so while you might think that you're unparalleled, that's rarely the case in your clients' eyes (unless they've come to you on a very strong referral).

So, you have to find your competitors—or at least those companies that your clients have you quote against—and then figure out what their Brand Definitions are and how your business is different.

Red Light 4: Who You Can Best Help

To create your brand, you have to know who will be looking at it. Once you know who your audience is, you can take the first 3 red lights and write and design expressly to communicate those factors to that specific audience.

This is another area where entrepreneurs are a bit idealistic and like to say "But, everyone's my target audience!" While that's a nice thought, if you try to create a brand and marketing materials that will appeal to everyone, you'll wind up with bland materials that won't really work for anyone.

Think about the clients that you've had the best results with—and the best relationship with. You want to work with clients who you can really help and who are easy to work with as well.

Now, this process may be hard for people who are just starting their businesses to go through, but that doesn't mean that you can run through these red lights in order to create your brand. Instead, consider just creating some temporary materials until you have at least 6 months to a year in business to look back on to see what habits you've established and how your business really turns out.

Even though waiting to figure out these red lights may be frustrating, it will pay off by building a brand that will get your business to its goals safely and comfortably. Once you've turned all of these red lights to green by answering these questions, you're ready to move on to the "fun" part of designing your brand—drawing your logo and marketing materials.



Erin Ferree is a brand identity designer who creates big visibility for small businesses. As the owner of elf design, Erin is passionate about helping her clients stand out in front of their competition and attract more clients.
Her "Define Your Difference Branding Workbook" will help you with your brand definition - the most important step in the logo design process. http://www.elf-design.com/products-define.html


Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Branding visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Branding visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

Beating Addiction and Finding Recovery

Beating Addiction and Finding Recovery by Patrick Meninga

Beating addiction is a journey, not an event. Any recovering alcoholic or addict will tell you that overcoming addiction is a process that unfolds before you for the rest of your life. But what exactly does this process entail, and how can we go about pursuing it successfully?

Surrender

Before you can even attempt to beat any form of drug or alcohol addiction, you have to surrender fully to the disease. What exactly does this mean?

It means you have to stop fighting with yourself in terms of trying to control your use. You have to give up the idea that you might one day be able to drink or use drugs like a normal person can. If you are hanging on to the idea that one day you might be able to control your drinking or drugging and thus use successfully, then you are setting yourself up for failure.

Surrender is a process. It just happens; I’m not sure that you can really initiate it if you are truly not ready to give up. Most people would say you have to “hit bottom” first. If you are still having fun with drinking and drugging, then chances are not good that you can surrender to the disease. It is only after addiction has caused you a lot of misery that surrender becomes possible. It is only after the fun times are long gone that a person might consider the idea of recovery.

Beating addiction is a tough road and it takes a monumental effort. The alternative is to continue to self medicate and that is so much easier, even in the face of grave consequences.

Supercharge your recovery with a holistic approach Because addiction attacks a person’s mind, body, and spirit, the solution must also address each of these areas of your life. That is what makes a holistic approach so useful in recovery. So often in recovery I have seen people focus heavily in one area and neglect the others. This always leads to relapse.

A holistic approach addresses these problems. You physically abstain from chemicals and start treating your physical body much better. At the same time a successful recovery program will push you to grow spiritually. You’ll also mature emotionally as you repair relationships, and also socially as you develop a sober network of friends in recovery.

Don’t just eliminate….create a new life

Beating addiction requires you to replace an entire lifestyle. It’s not just the drugs and the alcohol that was ruining our lives; it was the lifestyle that went along with it all.

When we get clean and sober, there are a number of different holes in our life. One of the main holes is the time and activities associated with actually using the drugs and the alcohol. Maybe we went to certain bars, hung out with certain people and used drugs, or whatever the case may be. We all had our “watering holes.” And we spent a lot of time at them.

So really what we are faced with in order to beat addiction is to fill those holes. We can’t just sit around and expect to stay entertained…this is a recipe for relapse. Instead we need to create a new life in recovery. This is a whole topic in and of itself that can be expanded on a great deal.

Find a passionate replacement strategy

Another one of the “holes” in early recovery is the spiritual void that is left when we remove the drugs and the alcohol. Beating addiction requires you to fill that hole—be it through spiritual, religious, or natural means. But there is definitely a need for purposeful and passionate living to replace the fervor with which we pursed chemicals in our addiction.

There are a number of creative replacement strategies that can be used to grow spiritually, and there are a number of ways to start exploring the creative life in recovery. Beating addiction can be purposeful and exciting.



I now invite you to learn more about beating addiction with the creative life in recovery.
http://www.spiritualriver.com/

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Addictions visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Addictions visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

Surfing - Wetsuits and Drysuits for Surfers

Surfing - Wetsuits and Drysuits for Surfers by J Edmond Souaid

Being exposed to the water is continual in surfing. Even riding a wave the spray is constantly on your body. Sometimes, it feels colder than the water itself. Air carries away body warmth more easily when your skin is wet.

Wetsuits and drysuits to the rescue.

Wetsuits are made of neoprene, a special synthetic rubber that contains thousands of air pockets. That makes them lightweight, highly elastic and well insulating. They hug the body and fit reasonably well around the neck, wrists and ankles - everywhere the water might gain entrance to the inside of the wetsuit.

But wetsuits are designed to have some breathability. They work by trapping a thin layer of moisture between the skin and the wetsuit. The body easily heats that thin layer and the body and suit work together to keep it heated.

Wetsuits come in a variety of designs. Some of that variation is just for the sake of fashion. But other aspects are functional. Those encompass zippers, seams and sealing material around the openings.

The number and location of zippers is a compromise between the need to keep the wetsuit flexible and easy to enter versus keeping it well sealed from cold water entering.

Because the line along a zipper is always less flexible than the surrounding material, zippers are often not placed directly down the front midsection of the body. That would make them easier to get in and out of, but it leads to more discomfort for a surfer who is constantly leaning over or lying down to paddle, popping up and crouching.

Similar comments apply to any kind of seam. Though more flexible than a metal or even a plastic zipper, a joint where two layers of neoprene meet is always going to be less flexible than a large swatch of material. The glue is less flexible, if that's how the seam is sealed. But even a seam created by heat sealing will have some thickening, which is less flexible. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a seam.

As a result of these issues, designers try to maximize the comfort and stretch of a suit where it is most needed. Since wetsuit design is as much art as science, and everyone has a different viewpoint on the best design. So, there are hundreds of different choices.

Drysuits are a special category, needed only by those surfers who are braving the coldest waters. Whether in the UK, Alaska, or other areas, there are waters that are consistently below 60F/15C. It's possible to lose body heat to a dangerous extent. In most cases, that calls for a drysuit if the wearer is going to be exposed for more than a few minutes.

Drysuits, unlike wetsuits, are designed to allow no entry of water at all. They're made from a dozen different materials, but are often a form of neoprene as well. They tend to be more flexible, but are also often used with an undersuit as well, along with booties, gloves and a hood.

Let your personal comfort and the conditions you surf in be your guide. Always wear uv protective clothing and sun protection swimwear with UPF50+ maximum cover.



J Edmond have been working in the sun protection clothing industry for several years. The main aim is to raise awareness of the sun' UV radiation and it's effect on human skin. Click here for more info about sun protection swimwear and UV protective clothing.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Recreation And Sports visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites where you can buy Surfing products visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

Virtual Tarot Cards For Accurate Tarot Readings

Virtual Tarot Cards For Accurate Tarot Readings by Daniel Millions

The virtual tarot reader has arrived in modern times with their psychic skills intact. Unlike other occult arts, which have not all benefited from modern technology, many psychics are finding that they can connect with their computer in much the same metaphysical way that happens with their Tarot cards. All the tarot card reader has to do is find an appealing tarot card software program and install it on their computer. Other tarot card readers use one of the many free online tarot card tools.

For many real world tarot card psychics, a subtle signal is received when the time is right to lay the cards down. It could be a tingle in the hands or a strong feeling that the tarot cards should be laid. For computerized tarot card readers, they are finding that with the right intent and concentration, tarot card software is capable of delivering amazingly accurate tarot readings even though the tarot reader does not actually touch the cards.

Many tarot card readers who use software for email, IM and chat tarot card readings instead of a face to face reading. These virtual tarot card readers report that without the physical presence of the querent, there are less distractions that could affect the tarot card reading. There are virtual tarot card readers who claim that when they are not distracted by the questioner's body language or close presence, that they are able to draw more information from the cards.

The distance between the tarot card reader and their client allows the tarot card reader to give objective information without the pressure to only tell the querent what he or she wants to hear. The tarot card reader, therefore, is not influenced by the questioner's beyond answering the question truthfully and will not be inclined to change or temper what the cards say according to what the client wants to hear. For most tarot card readers, helping their clients with truthful insight is an important aspect of their services.

Computerized tarot card readers feel that they can gain a psychic connection with their tarot software that is as strong as the connection with a deck of real tarot cards. Some tarot card readers report feeling a subtle connection with their keyboard as they use the keyboard during readings. This ability to use different forms of an occult tool is similar to what some occult practitioners experience with the art of scrying. Scryers use liquid or surfaces to enhance their clairvoyant abilities and the more disciplined scryer can use virtually surface for divination.

In the same way, tarot card readers are adapting their tarot card skills from the cards to the computer and keyboard. It seems to be that as long as the tarot card reader can connect with their tool of choice that accurate tarot card readings are possible with computers.

Whether it is through a computer program or actual tarot cards, good tarot card readers have skill with and a talent for reading and interpreting tarot cards. Tarot card readers are able to channel their psychic abilities through clear intention and their desire to help the questioner. Just as other workers prefer the specific tools that they use, so do tarot card readers make a choice from the different virtual and real tarot card options that are available to them.



Get real tarot card readings from professional psychics who specialize in tarot reading.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Astrology-New Age visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Tarot visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

Top 10 Romantic Pick Up Lines

Top 10 Romantic Pick Up Lines by Joe Mathias

We know, we know - it would be a breeze to go up and talking to that beautiful woman across the room if only you knew what to say. Well here is our unscientific compilation of the top 10 romantic pick up lines, with helpful variations included.

10. "I have a confession to make. I find you incredibly attractive and..." followed by "I just had to come over here and let you know" or "I just had to introduce myself" or "I'd love to get to know you better" or "I'm finding myself having romantic feelings towards you", or something of the like.

9. "Did you hear the latest news about ___?" The caveat here is to keep it light and current. Old news will sound like a line. Heavily political or tragic topics will make you sound like a downer. Entertainment news, scandals, and gossip, however, is perfect for such a line.

8. "I just bet my friend over there $20 that you have a boyfriend. Was I right?"

7. "Do you know so-and-so? I haven't see him/her around here lately, and I was just wondering if he/she was okay." or, similarly, "Are you so-and-so's sister, because the family resemblance is striking."

6. "Wasn't that you I just saw in ___ the other day?" or "Did you used to work at ___?" or "Didn't you used to date ___?" or something of the like.

5. "Wow, that's a really nice necklace you're wearing. Do you mind my asking where you got it?" or "Wow, that's a really nice perfume you're wearing. Do you mind my asking what it is?"

4. "What are you drinking?" Then you can order the same thing for yourself and/or offer to buy her a refill when she's done.

3. "Excuse me, but I had to get a woman's opinion on this..." and then have something to ask her opinion about; possibly "Does this outfit match?" or "I just got this new haircut and I can't tell if it becomes me. What do you think?" or "What do you prefer to do on a first date, dinner and a movie or dancing?" or "Do you like ___?", etc.

2. "Are you from around here?"

And the number one pick-up line of all-time...

1. "Hi." Really. If you haven't tried it you should. It works. Big things come in little packages, and sometimes that goes for romantic pick up lines too. You'd be surprised how simple it is to get a conversation going with a woman just by starting with a simple hello.

And having said all that, regardless of what romantic pick up line you use, now what do you say once the ice is broken? Well, that's easy:

"My name is...and you are...?" followed by "Well, it's a real pleasure to meet you." And then you're off to the races.



"There's no reason you should sit there and be embarrassed about your skills with women any longer. Visit Dating Advice Secrets if you're ready to get this part of your life handled! You'll learn more about how you can meet, date and attract the type of woman you've always wanted."

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Dating visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Dating visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

How does VoIP Work?

How does VoIP Work? by Amy Nutt

VoIP, or voice over internet protocol, simply put, is a way to make phone calls over the internet with the use of an analog telephone adapter. In making "phone calls" in this manner, the user can often avoid the high charges from the phone company, especially in the case of long distance calls.

How does it Happen?

A VoIP provider converts the audio message (your voice) from analog form into digital form with an ATA (analog telephone adapter) so that the media can be sent over the internet. On the other end, the digital media is then converted back into an analog form as would be heard on a regular phone call.

At first, the process may sound foreign and complex, but it's really no different than making a regular phone call. It begins when you start to dial - the tones are converted to digital, sent over the internet, and then routed from your VoIP service provider to the public switched telephone network to make the connection to the intended recipient.

Once the call is connected, even if the phone on the other end has no digital capabilities, everything will go as is customary with a call placed through a regular phone service provider. Your voice will be converted into digital packets of media that will be transmitted over the internet seamlessly before being converted back into analog form and heard on the other end of the phone call.

You use your regular telephone, plugged into an adapter, just as you would during the process of making a phone call through a regular phone service provider, there are no changes at all in terms of usage other than where your phone is plugged in.

What you need to make the Change

This can depend on the VoIP service provider that you choose to use and how you choose to make your calls. There is software available that will allow you to use your PC as your phone, but in most cases if you choose to use your regular phone, all that you'll need is the analog telephone adapter which your VoIP service provider will supply to allow you to plug your phone into the internet.

Since your entire phone call takes place having been transmitted in digital form through your internet connection, you avoid using the standard phone company's equipment and service entirely, which means that you'll also avoid incurring said phone company's outrageous charges as well - even if you are making long distance phone calls.

Voice over internet protocol may sound like some very complex technology, and there is no doubt that it is, but as soon as the average person learns that using VoIP won't change a single thing about how he or she goes about making a phone call (with the exception of drastically lowering the price) the more it will catch on.

As with adopting, or changing to any new, unfamiliar form of technology there will be some bugs or glitches and some features (or lack thereof) that people won't like or that will take some time to get used to, but technology is changing fast for the better. VoIP service providers are constantly looking for ways of improving service and making the overall experience of switching over to voice over internet protocol a smoother and easier one. It may very well only be a matter of time before VoIP is no longer just a threat to the standard phone service providers of today, but the main source of how average people connect with others.

It probably shouldn't come as much of a surprise that you can already integrate a VOIP Asterix Phone system into your office. Lower the cost of your monthly plans, including the cost of long distance calls, and enjoy the reliability, availability and accessibility of VoIP for your employees.



Asterix phone system provider offers support on VOIP and PBX Business Center solutions. When looking for a VOIP consultant, consider Core Telecom Innovations Inc.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on VoIP visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on VoIP visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

A Quick Tour Of Italy - Latium West Of Rome

A Quick Tour Of Italy - Latium West Of Rome by Levi Reiss

If you are in the mood for a European tourist destination, you should consider the Latium region of central western Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Latium, also known as Laszio, is the region that includes Italy's capital Rome, the Eternal City. Because it is so easy to find articles describing the multiple pleasures of Rome, we are going to write about the lesser-known attractions of Latium. This article focuses on Latium east of Rome. A companion article describes Latium west of Rome.

Tivoli is the famous site of Hadrian's Villa, a getaway retreat for that famous Roman emperor. He ran the empire from this villa during the latter years of his rule. The site exceeds a square kilometer (over 250 acres), It contains more than thirty buildings. The Vatican Museums contain much of this UNESCO World Heritage Site's decorations and statues.

Villa d'Este is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tivoli. It is a beautiful water garden, reminiscent of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. This villa was founded in the mid-Sixteenth Century by a son of Lucrezia Borgia. One 'pathway' is known as the Avenue of One Hundred Fountains. Be sure that you see the Fontana di Rome, a scale model of Ancient Roman, demolished but partially rebuilt.

The town of Ninfa was destroyed during the Fourteenth Century. For some six hundred years it lay in ruins, largely because of the malarial mosquitoes in the nearby marshes. In 1920 an aristocratic English artist, Ada Wilbraham, married into the Caetani family which had been given the city way back in 1297 by a Caetani Pope. Wilbraham started the restoration that has continued to this day. The site includes a bridge and seven Roman churches, a castle, and the city wall.

Anzio, a resort city of some 45,000 people was the birthplace of the Roman Emperors Caligula and Nero. In 1944 it was the site of a major World War II battle, Operation Shingle. Visit the Anzio Beachhead British Military Cemetery, the Beachhead Museum, and the American Military Cemetery in nearby Nettuno.

Latium cuisine is abundant. The best cuts of meat were reserved for the rich. The poor had to make do with the rest, including feet, heart, and the like. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Eastern Latium for a sample menu and more information on Latium wines plus an in-depth examination of its tourist attractions. Today Latium is hardly known for its wine but in the distant past Falernum, a Latium red was the hit of Ancient Rome.



Levi Reiss has authored alone or with a co-author ten computer and Internet books, but to tell the truth, he would really rather just drink fine French, German, or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He knows what dieting is, and is glad that for the time being he can eat and drink what he wants, in moderation. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel, wine, and food website www.travelitalytravel.com and his global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Travel And Leisure visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Italy visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

Otoplasty: Making the Right Decision for Your Child

Otoplasty: Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Amy Nutt

Otoplasty, or ear pinning, is a surgical procedure that is often resorted to for children whose ears are abnormally large or stick out too far. Otoplasty has been used to correct birth defects involving the ear, folded or cupped ears and those that are malformed, as well as ears that have been affected by accidents or burns.

While it may seem like a mere cosmetic change, the results can be astounding. Children with low self-esteem feel better about themselves when their ears appear more normal and for this reason, some parents opt to have the procedure done. However, there are a few things you need to consider before having the surgery performed on your child.

What Age Should Otoplasty Be Done?

Even if your baby's ears seem too large, it is pretty rare to find a doctor who will do the procedure before the age of four when the ears have completed their growth. While the majority of otoplasties are done between 4 and 14, the earlier the procedure is done, the less emotional harm will be inflicted, thanks to teasing and taunts from other children. The longer you wait, the more emotional damage will be done, which can carry consequences into the adult years.

However, some parents feel that this is a decision the child should make, which is why they choose to wait until the child is able to make an informed decision. At the earliest end of the spectrum, most patients will barely remember the surgery, while it can be quite traumatic for an older child to be separated from his parents during the surgery and to be in pain. The decision will depend on the family.

How Long is the Recovery Period?

Otoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure. This means no overnight stay is required and the child can go home the same day, after an observation period to ensure there are no complications. This makes it a relatively trauma-free event in comparison to some other surgeries.

The majority of children who have this procedure will be able to resume their normal daily activities within a week. In general, the older the child, the faster the recovery, though this isn't always true. Exactly what the procedure did will also affect the recovery time, since simple pinning of the ears is a fairly simple surgery and ear reconstruction is more complicated and may require more recovery time.
The full recovery time is about a month and a half, during which time, the patient will need to take care not to rip stitches or cause further trauma to the ears. Again, this depends on the child . . . some children heal remarkably quickly. There are usually no complications involved with otoplasty.

Choosing a Surgeon

Ideally, the surgeon who will perform the otoplasty will have plenty of experience in the field. There is a slight chance of over correction with inexperienced surgeons. Having a doctor who will work with the hospital you prefer, is also a good choice. This means you will be able to choose the hospital that is nearest you and that has the best facilities. Many parents look for a hospital that will allow them to be in the recovery room with their child, particularly for very young children.

Like any surgical procedure, otoplasty is something that should be carefully considered and researched before having it done. Your child could benefit greatly, but it is the parent's job to ensure that they are making the right decision for the future wellbeing of their little one.



The Canadian Institute of Cosmetic Surgery offers a wide variety of treatments and cosmetic surgeries, including rhinoplasty, liposuction, and otoplasty. For a comfortable and pleasant cosmetic surgery experience, choose cosmetic surgery Montreal.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Beauty visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

For links to sites on Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory

Keys to Small Business Success

Keys to Small Business Success by James Finnila

According to the US Small Business Association 2/3 small businesses are out of business within 2 years and from those remaining only 44% survive the next 2! This is a dire statistic for those considering starting their own company and perhaps a necessary reminder to the uninitiated or uncommitted.

In some cases and for some people betting your entire investment on one hand of cards might statistically give you a better chance of getting ahead. But, you're not going to make the same mistakes that the majority of small business owners make, are you?

What are those mistakes?

And what are the keys that give the top 14% who make it the winning edge?

Mistakes to Avoid

While there are a number of mistakes that can cost you your business some are easier to avoid than others. Natural disasters and, to some degree, economic factors may be beyond your ability to avoid and apart from insurance there may be no point in preparing contingency plans for them. So what are the pitfalls that you can avoid?

Lack of vision, goals and planning

The essential building blocks for your business must be a vision or mission and an accompanying set of goals and plans. Plan your work, then work your plan is a popular saying amongst successful business managers. These winning leaders know that prior consideration of the business and its environment is the key to future success. This doesn't have to be complex or even detailed to be successful. You could have a living, flexible plan that allows for your personal preference and style. This is okay, provided something is prepared before you start out and written down so that you can refer to it and measure progress and actions against it. Then schedule regular reviews of your goals and actual performance.

Insufficient cash flow

Without cash your business will grind to a crashing halt overnight and you'll find yourself and your business on the wrong side of the statistics and in the back of the unemployment queue. You simply must have money. That is not to say that making a profit is necessary, particularly in the first few years as your business establishes itself, but the cash to meet monthly expenses is vital. Failing here is probably an extension of a failure in your planning and review (see above), but equally it could be a result of simply failing to collect the money owed to you or to be too lenient on customers or staff (fraud is a very big problem - plan for it!)

Expanding too slowly

The market is a massive place today, particularly with the simplicity of the internet. Businesses are competing not only with local rivals, but also with interstate and overseas companies big and small and with family run or home based business using auction sites like eBay to sell items at prices that the average 'bricks-and-mortar' business with large overheads could profit from. Margins are very small in this environment and so the key to success is now expansion. You will stand a much better chance of winning the war if you have troops on the ground in a number of places (so to speak). Consider franchising if you are not comfortable taking on a number of offices or stores or get good advice and mentoring from someone who has done it before. It's really necessary, despite the complexity involved.

Insufficient/inappropriate investment

Do you own your own business? Chances are that if you are still small you have put most of the funds in yourself. What should you invest it in to get the most value for those precious dollars? Certainly you'll need plant and equipment to get you going, but don't be afraid to invest in quality technology and in training and promotion as well. We are living in a vastly different age now than ever before. Technology is at the forefront of global commerce and you need to be hooked into it just to survive. Of course there is no need to go overboard, but you simply must be mobile, fast and able to store and process data quickly and accurately. Training and promotion are likewise necessary for your staff and opportunity to drive and navigate the information superhighway successfully.

Poor business and/or management skills

Chances are that you are not good at everything (even if, like me, you like to think that you are). You may be a whiz at technology, or great with people, or have a nose for a deal or the head for negotiation. Whatever your skill set is you should work to your strengths and try to develop your weaknesses, but while in time you may improve in some of those, you may not do it quick enough to save your business from the 85% destined to failure. Get people on board that complement your strengths and you'll find yourself in a much better position to guide your company forward successfully and really listen to what those who know better than you have to say!

Keys to Success

If you can avoid the mistakes listed above you have half the battle won. Now, take no prisoners. Pump up your attitude and get your mind around the idea that you are going to be one of the successful ones. This can take some practice and mental conditioning coaches, positive friends and family members and mentors are going to help you get yourself thinking better if you make it a habit to consult with them. Arm yourself with motivation and with people that will remind you why you are in business and what you want to get done. Get in contact with mentors or take on partners who can guide you and a team that will support you.

Being a small business owner is a difficult road and one that will require not only iron-clad commitment and unshakable determination, but great sacrifice, often of personal and family money and time. Be sure to be appreciative of any people who you love who have to give up something they value to support your ambitions. Keep your health up and eat well, don't skip meals or exercise and get some refreshment in the form of entertainment or recreation now and again so that you can keep at it for the long run.

Oh, and keep your eye out for a little bit of good old fashioned luck!

With these things in mind you are in a position to be able to make it, and remember that despite the grim statistics many, many businesses do. Yours will be one of them and you will be able to achieve your dreams and ambitions if you stay true.

And stay out of casinos!



James Finnila is a successful online business owner and author who has helped hundreds of people start and succeed in online business. Subscribe to his daily newsletter to find out more. Go to: www.eBaySuperSelling.com

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

For more articles on Small Business visit the DirectoryGold Article Directory

For links to sites on Small Business visit the DirectoryGold Web Directory