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Real Estate Tax Incentives

2007-12-28T10:58:00.000-08:00

Lower Your Taxes

Tax incentives for real estate investors can often make the difference in your tax rates. Deductions for rental property can often be used to offset wage income. Tax breaks can often enable investors to turn a loss into a profit.

For which items can investors get tax breaks? You could claim deductions for actual costs you incur for financing, managing and operating the rental property. This includes mortgage interest payments, real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, repairs, property management fees, travel, advertising, and utilities (assuming the tenant doesn't pay them). These expenses can be subtracted from your adjusted gross income when determining your personal income taxes. Of course, these deductions cannot exceed the amount of real estate income you receive. In addition to deductions for operating costs, you can also receive breaks for depreciation. Buildings naturally deteriorate over time, and these "losses" can be deducted regardless of the actual market value of the property. Because depreciation is a non-cash expense -- you are not actually spending any money -- the tax code can get a bit tricky. For more information about depreciation and various tax alternatives, ask your tax advisor about Section 1031 of the U.S. Tax Code.

Have a Positive Cash Flow

There are two kinds of positive cash flows: pre-tax and after-tax. A pre-tax positive cash flow occurs when income received is greater than expenses incurred. This sort of situation is difficult to find, but they are usually a strong and safe investment. An after-tax positive cash flow may have expenses that outweigh collected income, but various tax breaks allow for a positive cash flow. This is more common, but it is generally not as strong or safe as a pre-tax positive cash flow. Regardless of what kind of real estate you choose to invest in, timely collections from your tenants is absolutely necessary. A positive cash flow -- whether it be pre-tax or after-tax -- requires rental income. Be sure to find quality tenants; a thorough credit and employment check is probably a good idea.

Use Leverage

One of the most important factors in determining a solid investment is the amount of equity you are purchasing. Equity is the difference between the actual worth of the property and the balanced owed on the mortgage.

Benefit from Growing Equity

While investing in real estate is relatively complex, it is often worth the extra work. When compared to other financial investments, like bonds or CD's, the return on investment for real estate purchases can often be greater.

The key to real estate investing is equity. Determine an amount of equity that you want to achieve. When you reach your goal, it's time to sell or refinance. Determining the proper amount of equity may require the assistance of a real estate professional.

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Renters Insurance, The Ins and Outs

2007-12-26T16:09:00.000-08:00

If you own an apartment you should well consider purchasing renters insurance. What does it cover? Renters insurance covers a number of incidents and will protect you in the event of the sudden loss of your valuables. Let's take a look at the benefits derived from purchasing renters insurance.

The first thing that one needs to keep in mind when thinking about rental insurance is that just because a property owner has insurance on his or her building or buildings it does not mean that your valuables will be protected through the owner's insurance. Rather, when a property owner purchases insurance for their rental properties it covers the basics - that means the property itself and not what resides within it. Therefore, to adequately protect yourself, you will need to acquire renters insurance.

What kind of things does an insurance policy cover for a renter? Well, in truth coverage varies from one policy to the next. Nevertheless, most policies will cover your valuables in the event that certain acts of God cause the destruction of your property. For instance, if you are the victim of a fire caused by lightening, a windstorm, a hail storm, an explosion, a civil upset, vandalism, theft, or water damage, you may be able to collect on any policy that you have that is active. Conversely, without insurance you may find yourself in quite a bind. You can lose your furniture and all your property and have no way to replace such items when they are damaged.

One of the first things you should do before you start looking for an insurance policy is to take a full inventory of everything you own. In fact, you may even want to get estimates on various items, especially antiques and the like. Once you have a complete inventory you will want to store your list in a safe place like in a fire proof box or safe or even in a safety deposit box. You will also want to update the list once a year to add any new purchases you may have made and keeping your receipts is a good idea.

Different insurance policies have different regulations attached to them. Be sure you understand the type of coverage you are getting. It is a frightful event when you don't know what kind of coverage you really have until it is too late - when something bad happens is not the time to find out that your insurance won't cover the incident. Be a wise consumer and really pay attention to what you are purchasing.

Ultimately, every renter needs insurance. Insurance is created for the "what if" events in your life and if you encounter problems, the last thing you want is to be caught off guard. With insurance, you may have to deal with some losses, but you will be able to successfully recover from such losses in a little time.

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Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life

2007-12-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life

By Gene Griessman, PhD

Many of us have an image of personal balance as a set of scales in perfect balance every day. But thats an unrealistic goal. You are in for a lot of frustration if you try to allocate within every day a predetermined portion of time for work, family and your social life. An illness may upset all your plans. A business project may demand peaks of intense work, followed by valleys of slow time.

Balance requires continual adjustments, like an acrobat on a high wire who constantly shifts his weight to the right and to the left. By focusing on four main areas of your life emotional/spiritual needs, relationships, intellectual needs and physical needs at work and away from work, you can begin to walk the high wire safely.

Here, drawn from my conversations with many high successful Americans, are ten ideas for balancing all aspects of your life:

1. Make an appointment with yourself. Banish from your mind the idea that everyone takes precedence over you. Dont use your organizer or calendar just for appointments with others. Give yourself some prime time. Regularly do something you enjoy. It will recharge your batteries. Once youve put yourself on your calendar, guard those appointments. Kay Koplovitz founder of the USA cable television network, which is on the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. Koplovitz ran the daily operations of the network for 21 years. For more than two decades, there was always some potential claim on her time. Therefore she vigilantly protected a scheduled tennis match just as she would a business appointment.

2. Care for your body. Having a high energy level is a trait held by many highly successful people. No matter what your present level of energy, you can increase it by following these steps:

Eat. Dont skip meals. Your physical and mental energy depend upon nourishment. Irregular eating patterns can cause a frayed temper, depression, lack of creativity and a nervous stomach.

Exercise. Over and over again, highly successful people mention the benefit of exercise routines. Johnetta Cole, president of Bennett College for Women and former president of Spelman College, does a four-mile walk each morning. She calls it her mobile meditation. The benefits of exercise are mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. If you are healthier and have more stamina, you can work better and longer.

Rest. A psychologist who has studied creative people reports that they rest often and sleep a lot.

3. Cut some slack. You do not have to do everything. Just the right things. Publisher Steve Forbes taught me a lesson: Dont be a slave to your in-box. Just because theres something there doesnt mean you have to do it. As a result, every evening, I extract from my long list to-do list just a few musts for the following day. If, but three oclock the next day, Ive crossed off all the musts, I know that everything else I do that day will be icing on the cake. It is a great psychological plus for me.

There is nothing wrong with pushing yourself hard, disciplining yourself to

do what needs to be done when you hold yourself to the highest standards. That builds up stamina and turns you into a pro. At time, though, you must forgive yourself. You will never become 100 percent efficient, nor should you expect to be. After something does not work, ask yourself, Did I do my best? If you did, accept the outcome. All you can do is all you can do.

4. Blur the boundaries. Some very successful people achieve balance by setting aside times or days for family, recreation, hobbies or the like. They create boundaries around certain activities and protect them. Other individuals who are just as successful do just the opposite. They blur the boundaries. Says consultant Alan Weiss, I work out of my home. In the afternoon, I might be watching my kids play at the pool or be out with my wife. On Saturday, or at ten oclock on a weeknight, I might be working. I do things when the spirit moves me, and when theyre appropriate.

Some jobs dont lend themselves to this strategy. But blurring the boundaries is possible more often than you may think. One way is to involve people you care about in what you do. For example, many companies encourage employees to bring their spouses to conferences and annual meetings. Its a good idea. If people who mean a great deal to you understand what you do, they can share more fully in your successes and failures. They also are more likely to be a good sounding board for your ideas.

5. Take a break. Many therapists believe that taking a break from a work routine can have major benefits for mental and physical health. Professional speaker and executive coach Barbara Pagano practices a kind of quick charge, by scheduling a day every few months with no agenda. For her, that means staying in her pajamas, unplugging the phone, watching old movie or reading a novel in bed. For that one day, nothing happens, except what she decides from hour to hour. Adds singer and composer Billy Joel, There are times when you need to let the field lie fallow. Joel is describing what farmers often do: let a plot rest so the soil can replenish itself.

6. Take the road less traveled. Occasionally, get off the expressway and take a side road, literally and figuratively. That road may take you to the library or to the golf course. Do something out of the ordinary to avoid the well-worn grooves of your life. Try a new route to work, a different radio station or a different cereal. Break out of your old mold occasionally, with a new way to dress or a different hobby. The road less traveled can be a reward after a demanding event, a carrot that you reward your self with or it can be a good way to loosen up before a big event. Bobby Dodd, the legendary football coach at Georgia Tech, knew the power of this concept. While other coaches were putting their teams through brutal twice-a-day practices, Dodds team did their drills and practices, but then took time to relax, play touch football and enjoy the bowl sites. Did the idea work? In six straight championships games!

7. Be still. Susan Taylor, editorial director of Essence, sees to it that she has quiet time every morning. She regards it as a time for centering for being still and listening. She keeps a paper and pen with her to jot down ideas that come to her. The way you use solitary time should match your values, beliefs and temperament. Some individuals devote a regular time each day to visualize themselves attaining their goals and dreams. Others read, pray, meditate, do yoga or just contemplate a sunrise or sunset. Whatever form it takes, time spent alone can have an enormous payoff. Achievers talk about an inner strength they find and how it helps them put competing demands into perspective. They feel more confident about their choices and more self-reliant. They discover a sense of balance, a centeredness.

8. Be a peacetime patriot. Joe Posner has achieved wealth and recognition selling life insurance. Several years ago, Posner helped form an organization in his hometown of Rochester, NY to prepare underprivileged children for school and life and, he hopes, break the poverty cycle. You may find some equally worthy way to give something back through your church, hospital, civic club, alumni association or by doing some pro bono work. Or you may help individuals privately, even anonymously. There are powerful rewards for balancing personal interests with the needs of the common good. One of the most wonderful is the sheer joy that can come from giving. Another reward is the better world that you help create.

9. Do what you love to do. As a boy, Aaron Copeland spent hours listening to his sister practice the piano because he loved music. By following that love, he became Americas most famous composer of classical must. When I asked him years later if he had even been disappointed by that choice Copeland replied, My life has been enchanting. What a word to sum up a life. By itself, loving what you do does not ensure success. You need to be good at what you love. But if you love what you do, the time you spend becoming competent is less likely to be drudgery.

10. Focus on strategy. As important as it is, how to save time for balancing your life is not the ultimate question. That question is, What am I saving time for? Strategy has to do with being successful but successful at what? If others pay your salary, being strategic generally means convincing them that you are spending your time in a way that benefits them. If there is a dispute over how you should use your time, either convince the people who can reward or punish you that your idea about using time is appropriate, or look for another job. The what for? question should also be asked about the life you live. It is truly a comprehensive question and gets at the question of wholeness.

So what makes for a successful balance life? I can think of no better definition than the one given by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because I have lived. This is to have succeeded.

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Soccer Cleats Guide - General Tips on Soccer Cleats

2007-12-26T01:36:00.000-08:00

Soccer cleats are athletic shoes that are specially designed for soccer players. Soccer shoes have large studs or cleats on the bottom that assist players in gripping the surface. These studs help players to be easily moved in the desired position.

Generally the cleats are made up of molded plastic because metal cleats are illegal as they cause danger to other players. Plastic studs are round in shape that offers excellent grip on the hard mud of the basepath. Soccer shoes or football shoes can have both plastic as well as metal cleats on the sole whereas golf shoes have metal cleats.

Replaceable cleats are the best option for soccer or football players. Cleats of soccer shoes can be removed and replaced with another kind. Players can choose cleats as per their requirements. These studs or cleats are designed to provide exact traction or grip but these studs should not be so long because extra long suds can pose a risk for the player like knee injury.

Different manufacturers provide soccer cleats of great quality so the players should buy the best fit. Players should keep certain points in mind at the time of buying soccer cleats. They should find a soccer specialty store near their home. Players must know the exact shoe size so that they can play comfortably. They can also get information from the supplier about current and upcoming sales on soccer shoes.

Athletes should use soccer cleats for two or three months before finals. They can easily get all about their shoes with regular practice. They can talk, to salesperson or the coach, about which type of soccer cleats suits them. They must choose few pairs for trail basis and then select the best out of them. Whenever youre going to try the shoes on, dont forget to wear socks. You should check whether your heels are comfortable or not.

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Toronto, the New York City of Canada

2007-12-25T01:02:00.000-08:00

Toronto, my city of birth, is the largest city in Canada with a population of about 3 million (5 million in the greater area) and it keeps growing every year as it seems to be the first city of choice for immigrants from around the world. With over 100 languages spoken here, Toronto is the most multicultural city in the world according to the United Nations. This is actually a good thing since Toronto can be a model for the rest of the world in regards to showing how it is possible for different people of many different cultures and faiths to get along peacefully. Friends of different racial backgrounds and religions can be found here where they would probably be enemies in other parts of the world.

Having lived in Toronto for most of my life so far, Im always amazed on how the city has grown as a tourist destination. Torontonians seem to take world class attractions like the CN Tower and the Skydome for granted since many see it every day during their commute. Of course, the CN Tower is a very worthwhile visit as a ride to the top is a must for every visitor.

Toronto has one of the best redeveloped harbourfronts anywhere. This area has boutiques at Queens Quay, restaurants, cafes and galleries. Nearby Ontario Place and the Canadian National Exhibition are annual favorites among locals. This is also where one takes the ferries across to the Toronto Islands. The islands are all connected via bike paths and offer a unique view of the Toronto cityscape as well as a nice break from the busy downtown. Located on the main island, Centreville is a petting zoo and small amusement park for kids.

The action is downtown and probably where most tourists should stay. Although the hotels prices are higher in downtown than the suburbs, Toronto traffic is unfortunately not getting any better so it is best to stay where commuting is kept at a minimum. There is a very efficient transit system for those who want to stay outside of the downtown area though. A walk along Yonge Street near the Eaton Centre mall will reveal the wilder parts of Toronto life. For the latest trends, Queen Street West is where the funky boutiques and bars are. For upscale shopping, go to Bloor Street between Yonge and Avenue Road as well as the Yorkville area.

Toronto is a live theatre town, second to perhaps only New York or London. The theatre district on King Street has a lively after theatre scene including restaurants and clubs. During the day, the world renowned Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario and the Planetarium showcase treasures from around the world (as well as out of the world). Many also come to see the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Toronto has Canadas largest Chinatown. Actually, the growth of the Asian population has resulted in four different Chinatowns in the greater area. The main one is centered around Spadina and Dundas. The dim sum in Toronto is one of the best outside of Hong Kong since most Chinese immigrants here were originally from Hong Kong. Other ethnicities are also represented by such districts as Little Italy, the Greek Danforth area and many others. For outdoor markets, the Kensington and St. Lawrence Markets are great. Since Toronto is so multicultural, it is an excellent place to try out different cuisines.

For animal lovers, the Metro Toronto Zoo northeast of the city is world famous and will take an entire day to see. During the summers, Canadas Wonderland is a family oriented theme park just north of the city. Niagara Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, is just ninety minutes away and worth a day trip or even an overnight stay. There are just too many things to see and do in the Toronto area to mention in one article. Vancouver has the ocean and mountains while Quebec City has that old European touch. But to see world class live theatre and Canadian multiculturalism at its best, Toronto is where its at.

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Keeping Your Cool: Managing Your Reactions to Stress

2007-12-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

The television is blaring...the phone is ringing...and someone has just arrived at the door. You are under stress-big-time. As a result, you may feel a loss of control. If it's a particularly bad day, you might even feel as if there is no way out. You feel overwhelmed and ill-equipped to deal with the stress you're under.Simple Financial Planning
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Water Filters - Part I

2007-12-23T11:16:00.000-08:00

Water filters. Pretty simple concept, right? Turn on your tap, let the dirty water run through the filter and into your glass goes some nice clean contaminant free water. And in theory it is a simple process. Unfortunately picking a water filter is not so simple as their are many different ways to filter your water and many different types of filters to filter your water with. So which ones are best? The answer to that question is probably eternally elusive but at least in this article we're going to review some of the different types of filters that there are so you can make an informed decision.

Probably the most common water filters are charcoal. The charcoal is actually gotten from coconut husk. The charcoal absorbs the impurities out of the water. Charcoal water filters make up about 95% of all the water filters in use. The reason is because they are simple to install, relatively cheap and remove most of the toxins found in the water. An average charcoal filter will last between 6 and 9 months before it has to be replaced. Some charcoal filters are enhanced by the use of silver which gives you extra antibacterial protection. Charcoal filters are probably the best buy for the money.

Not quite as common are what are called reverse osmosis water filters. These filters use a fine membrane to filter the water through an osmotic process. These filters, unlike charcoal filters, take everything out of the water, leaving them totally pure. These filters are installed under your sink and require a serviceman to come out every few months to install a new membrane. There is some debate as to how beneficial these filters really are since they also take all the good minerals out of the water as well.

Another type of water filter is the distiller water filter. These filters use electricity to heat the water to its boiling point. The impurities are left in the boiling container and then the purified condensed water drains back into a clean container. These filters require an enormous amount of power and don't give an immediate supply because the boiling process must be completed first. There are reports that claim that distilled water is not good to drink long term because it actually takes nutrients from your body because of the unnaturalness of the water.

Then there are ionized water filters. Ionized water is water that has been electronically altered by being run over by positive and negative electrodes. The water then becomes ionized by separating the water and the minerals in it into alkaline and acidic water. You end up with 70% alkaline water and 30% acidic water. Both waters have excellent properties. The alkaline ionized water is used for drinking and is a great antitoxin for the body. Acidic ionized water is used primarily for bathing and is supposed to be very good for killing bacteria.

In our next article we'll go over some additional types of water filter and treatment systems.

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Great Sandwich Recipes

2007-12-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

Tea Sandwich Recipes

(Yes, even the cucumber sandwiches.) Tea sandwich recipes are savory fare, not sweet, often prepared with scallions, garlic, spicy mustard, pepper or hot sauce. For fun, serve a variety of tea sandwich recipes or a combination of sandwiches and appetizers. Here you will find a large assortment of sandwich recipes including tea sandwiches and chicken salad sandwich recipes. His Now the meditator should take mistress by such as chains, whereas betraying my and inclined the tea sandwich recipes dining-room too.

100 great homemade sandwich recipes to share at your next picnic, backyard party or tailgate party. 100 different sandwich recipes ebook! Here you will find a large assortment of sandwich recipes including tea sandwiches and chicken salad sandwich recipes. The recipe has a twist with the usual chicken salad sandwich recipes using pimentoes, sour cream and fresh ginger. You can add any of the sandwich recipes you like to your recipe box by clicking on the link in the upper right corner. Find a sandwich your family will enjoy with recipes that include a baked puffy cheese sandwich and saucy sloppy joes.

Beeton's hors d'oeuvre and savouries, including cheese and egg dishes, sandwiches, salads and dressings: 350 recipes Mrs. 1,101 great homemade sandwich recipes to share at you next picnic, backyard party or tailgate party. This book contains recipes for a bounty of utensil-free foods including...Did you mean: finger sandwichResults 1 - 10 of 28 for finger sandwiches. In addition to these sandwich solutions, many other delicious recipes can be added to enhance your family gatherings and summer festivities. All online sandwich recipes will be judged on the same contest criteria: creativity, taste, nutritional balance, ease of preparation and appearance.

Creativity in filling and assembling sandwiches continued to flourish and in 1936, one cookbook included 1,000 sandwich recipes. (Yes, even the cucumber sandwiches.) Tea sandwich recipes are savory fare, not sweet, often prepared with scallions, garlic, spicy mustard, pepper or hot sauce. Though sandwiches are usually thought of as lunchtime fare, these recipes proved delicious and satisfying as the main entre at dinnertime, as well. Hundreds of peanut butter sandwich recipes from across the U.S. If you are tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, then Great Sandwiches is the sandwich recipes Ebook for you! His Now the meditator should take mistress by such as chains, whereas betraying my and inclined the tea sandwich recipes dining-room too.

You're bound to find your favourite sandwich recipes and new sandwich recipes that you didnt know about inside this fabolous ebook! This page lists sandwich recipes (vegetarian-meatless) with nutrition facts included. salmon sandwich recipes blood. My aim is to learn everything I can about sandwich recipes and related topics. Cut each knuckle sandwich into 4 pieces on the diagonal and crunch away.Yield: 4More recipes using pears... For fun, serve a variety of tea sandwich recipes or a combination of sandwiches and appetizers. Includes healthy sandwich recipes, hamburger recipes, tofu burger recipes, and other easy lunch ... Cuban Sandwich This is my personal favorite of all the sandwich recipes at my site. Quite frankly, I simply can't envisage anybody not taking to these wholesomely savoury sandwich recipes like a duck to water. In honor of this special month, I'm sharing four of my tasty sandwich recipes with you.

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League One Betting Review

2007-12-20T16:31:00.000-08:00

A hat trick from Fredy Eastwood kept Southend United the summit of League One after beating promotion rivals Chesterfield 4-3 at the Recreation Ground. Eastwoods penalty after 52 minutes cancelled out Colin Larkins opener and his second four minutes later put the Shrimpers into the lead. The Spireites came back and lead 3-2 before veteran Shaun Goater levelled for Southend. A sublime 25 yard free kick from Eastwood seven minutes from time gifted Steve Tilsons side a vital win at 13/8.

Hudersfield maintained their promotion charge with a 5-0 drubbing of basement club MK Dons. First half goals from Martin McIntosh, Gary Taylor-Fletcher and Jon Worthington and second half strikes from David Mirfin and Michael Collins ensured the 6/10 Terriers were the safest bet of the day.

Swansea stuttered at Scunthorpe, with the home side netting an equaliser two minutes into stoppage time. The Iron took a sixth minute lead through Billy Sharp but an Andy Robinson penalty and Leon Knight goal put the Swans in front. With a 6/4 away victory on the cards, former Swansea striker Steve Torpey headed in a last gasp equaliser.

Nottingham Forest started life without Gary Megson positively by recording their first away win since August at Port Vale. Kris Kommons after 40 minutes and Nathan Tyson with moments remaining secured a morale boosting 21/10 victory.

Walsall slipped into the bottom three and closer towards relegation as Oldham hit two goals in two second-half minutes. Luke Beckett opened the scoring for the 9/5 Latics on 72 minutes with Paul Warne scoring shortly after.

Rotherham maintained their good run of form with a crucial 3-2 win away at fellow strugglers Swindon. Two Martin Butler goals and one from Shaun Barker cancelled out strikes from Jamie Cureton and Sean OHanlon to secure an unlikely 3/1 win.

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Future Concepts and Modern Advances in Technology; Good or Bad?

2007-12-19T15:57:00.000-08:00

Many Humanists and Scientists argue that our technology and civilization is out pacing evolution by a huge margin. They point to our tribalistic, band and small group human history that we survived with for hundreds of thousands of years is no longer anything similar to our modern societies. Indeed to argue against this fact would be futile as it is so. However we seem to for the most part done very well as out human populations swells around the planet.

Humanists will ask and one recently did; Doesn't it make more sense to be who we are and develop our true, and in my view powerful abilities (i.e. to communicate with each other through the energy fields that connect us without technology, to create with our minds a reality that is truly self sustaining, to connect with each other and rid the entire human species of the negative beliefs that are undermining us all etc...)?

Well indeed he sure has brought up a huge question worthy of discussion. However let me take a crack at this question as I answer in the negative to his assumptions;

NO. Because why should you choose one or the other, why not both. Have the capability and develop lost skills, while simultaneously using our brains to invent better technologies to improve on the human design. We do not have time for evolution to take its sweet time. You know you are talking about talking the species back to the stoneage, yet who would that really serve. We need sewer treatment plants, fresh water and energy for things. Not that they are totally necessary, but they have certainly improved life from other civilization of the last let's say 5000 years anyway. Perhaps ancient cultures die previously have great advances and may have been extremely well adapted civilizations without all this fluff. Yet who is to say that was better and why should we make that decision for all humanity, as humanity has spoken and voted with their consumer dollar and well, they want all this stuff.

As far as the observations of human civilizations in the present period and the dummying down of the population base; well now that they cannot function without all these modern technologies, they very much need it and cannot feel fulfilled without out it. Myself, well I could go without many of the modern amenities.

Humans need a challenge and advancement and forward progression of the species does provide that challenge. After all; why does someone climb a mountain? It is there and it is a challenge. Many including myself like challenges, creating stuff and inventing things, so why not? Using technology to help mankind along in his journey to create better, strong and better civilizations is wise. And as mankind reaches a place of heaven on Earth, with more leisure time and the Utopia we desire, who is anyone to say that technology is an evil to the human race? Think on that.

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Podcast Secrets Revealed

2007-12-18T15:23:00.000-08:00

There you are, flipping through the radio stations yet again, looking for SOMETHING, ANYTHING, worth listening to. Maybe youll find a song here or there that you like, or a talk show on a subject you are interested in. Then its time to flip the stations again. What I need, you think to yourself, is my own personal radio station.

Enter the world of podcasting! Podcasting is just like having your own radio station, programmed with your favorite items and ready for you to listen anywhere, anytime. With podcasting, you can listen to:

[o] WHAT you want

[o] WHEN you want

[o] WHERE you want

No more searching and hoping to find a radio station that plays your favorite music. No more missing a talk show broadcast because you are sitting in class or in a meeting at the wrong time. With podcasting, you get just the content you want, from the sources you want, when you want. And there are no ads or commercials! What Tivo has done for your TV viewing, podcasting can do for your radio listening, and there is no FCC regulations either!

So what exactly is podcasting? A podcast is an audio file stored on the Internet that you can download to your computer or MP3 player and listen to whenever you want. It might be music, or it could be a talk show, a lecture, a recorded tele-seminar, a sermon, a football game, etc. Podcasting gives you the ultimate in choice and convenience.

o Podcasting is all about CHOICE

Podcasting offers you unlimited choices in listening. Even though podcasting is a relatively new technology, there are already thousands of podcasts to which you can subscribe. No radio station in your city that plays the indy music you love? Check out East Detroit Radio.

Want to improve the koi pond in your backyard? Subscribe to Koi Club of the Air.

Parenting questions? Try the Front Porch Parenting podcast.

You can find a podcast on literally any subject you are interested in! In fact, www.podcastalley.com currently lists 2,380 podcasts in 15 different categories, while www.ipodder.org lists 4,493.

Another advantage of podcasting is that, because podcasts can appeal to niche audiences, they can cover their topics in much greater depth and be far more informative than regular radio broadcasts, which must appeal to a wide audience. Also, with a podcast, you can back up and listen to a segment again if you missed something the first time. If you come to a segment that is boring, you can fast-forward. You can listen as many times as you want to all or part of the podcast. And you can stop listening all together for a few minutes, hours, or even days if something else comes up.

o Podcasting is all about CONVENIENCE

MP3 files have been available for download from the internet for years. But what makes podcasting different and truly useful is that you can subscribe to programs you are interested in. This means you dont have to check your favorite podcast web sites every day for new episodes and manually download them.

Instead, free podcasting software automatically downloads new episodes to your computer as soon as they are available. This makes it easy and convenient for you to stay up-to-date with your favorite podcasts.

Once your podcasts are downloaded to your computer, you can synch them to your MP3 player, burn them to a CD for playback on your CD player, or simply listen to them through your computers speakers. This gives you the ultimate convenience of listening to your programs at your leisure. You can listen to the podcasts whenever you want as you are driving, walking, exercising, knitting, etc. With a podcast, you can be mobile, live your life, and listen to your content ANYWHERE.

o Podcasting is FREE & EASY

Not only are podcasts themselves generally free, but so is the podcasting software you need! Both podcasts and podcasting software are easy to find on the internet and are easy to use.

Podcasting is waiting for you!

If you havent been exposed to podcasts yet, you soon will be! Podcasts are literally everywhere now, and more podcasts are being created every day.

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Simple Financial Planning Newsletter

Salespeople Stay On Message!

2007-12-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

Youve heard the phrase in numerous dramatic programs about politics.

A public figure is delivering a talk or being interviewed, and one of his handlers, remarks with alarm: Hes off message!

What this means is he is wandering into dangerous verbal territory, or falling into a trap that has been set by a wily and hostile interviewer or by a heckler.

The same thing afflicts salespeople: Its easy for us to wander from our main talking points, whether theyre features and benefits or the customers needs, into perilous territory, about which we know little, but dont refrain from offering an opinion about it.

The non-technical seller who shoots from the hip, instead of calling his own help desk for support regarding a technical question, is off message.

The ex-jock who insists on telling the Notre Dame alum that USC has a better football tradition, is way, way, way off message!

So, what can you do when youre irresistibly enticed to stray from the proven path?

Do as politicians do. Bridge back to your main message by saying, Im glad you brought that up because it reminds me of something relevant to the sales talk!

Do this check-up from the neck up, as Zig Ziglar might call it. Ask yourself, when you sense youre getting far astray, am I on message or off?

Then get back to your main point!

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Arizona Wedding Reception

2007-12-16T13:57:00.000-08:00

The Arizona Inn is just the place that you are looking for if you seeking for neat and well-cared for lawns and trees combined with lush gardens and a serene view. Apart from that, this inn is also filled with fragrances of roses and oranges as well as eye-catching fountains. There is no doubt on the exquisiteness of the Arizona Inn, having won numerous hotel awards in addition to being a host to many of Arizonas best wedding receptions. In fact, its prestige extends to being named one of the top 50 small hotels in the US based on the Zagat survey. In this venue, you can definitely plan for a romantic wedding reception as their reception halls are uniquely designed with French doors, antiques and high-beamed ceilings. This is the reason why your wedding reception at the Arizona Inn will be an event that will never be forgotten.

If you are seeking for a good city venue for a wedding reception in Arizona, then you should consider the Sheraton Crescent Hotel in Phoenix. This hotel offers attractive well-designed interiors with outstanding services as well as 342 rooms and suites available for your wedding guests. Apart from that, the proximity of this venue to the city and the airport makes it convenient for guests from out of town. Furthermore, this venue is also splendid for guests who may want to access shopping locations within the city. For the wedding reception, the Crescent Ballroom in this hotel has a capacity of up to 1000 guests while the Phoenix Garden and Patio is suited for outdoor wedding parties for up to 500 guests.

For couples seeking a location with a splendid backdrop, then the Amara Creekside Resort would be a perfect choice. Surrounded by creations of Mother Nature with stone hills and pines amidst sunny and bright weather, the Amara Creekside Resort is suited for a wedding reception of romance and beauty. Apart from having a comprehensive list of menu items to choose from, the Amara caters to indoor wedding receptions in their Meditation Room, as well as picturesque outdoor weddings in the Oak Creek Courtyard.

Arizona is indeed a place that is full of beautiful and romantic wedding reception sites complete with full services on wedding planning. Beautiful locations require advanced bookings as they will always be in great demand. Therefore, it is essential to start your explorations now, in order to get the best wedding reception location to create the wedding of your dreams!

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Fatherless Daughters: Tips for Meeting Your Father for the First Time

2007-12-15T22:45:00.000-08:00

Nothing prepares you for meeting your father for the first time when youre an adult. Because meeting this way is not normal. Your father is supposed to be there at your birth and be somebody you have always known. So what can you expect when your search has finally resulted in receiving your fathers contact information either directly or through another person?

First of all, please realize that you will need patience, understanding, and an open mind that there may be circumstances you know nothing about. You will need to put your own emotions aside and put yourself in his shoes. Because the first thing that usually happens is silence. Thats when your emotions go on a roller coaster ride: from ecstasy over finding him to complete rejection when he doesnt immediately pick up the phone and declare his undying love for you. And then all of those emotions in-between: impatience, anger, loss, sadness, regret, and fear.

Step One: Be Patient

It took my father 2 months to contact me after my uncle gave him my contact information. I cried and prayed on the couch every day. Then we went away for a 1-week cruise to Alaska and when we returned home, I turned on the computer, checked my email and there it was: his email titled, Knowledge.

Why knowledge? Well, to him, contacting me was all about responding to my request for information about him. After mulling it over for 2 months, he was still reluctant to take it further, to talk, to connect, to meet, let me into his heart, all the time wondering what the gain was. After all, he had put me behind him years ago. He had moved on, remarried and had another family. And his other children knew nothing of me.

Step Two: Understanding Your Fathers Reluctance

Want to know the biggest reason that fathers arent more open to contacting their adult children first? F-e-a-r. Fathers are afraid that they will be blamed for not being there, they will be accused of abandoning the child and they are afraid of being attacked. Sometimes rightly so. Most often than not, its complicated. Its not clear-cut whos to blame. In many cases, theres something thats being covered up. Quite often the mother blames the father, convincing the child to be on her side. And the child does become angry at the father or certainly convinced their mother was right and their father was wrong.

Fathers also worry about the people in their present life: their wife, their kids, their grandkids, their neighbors, the people at church. What are they all going to think about him having this child who suddenly appears on the scene?

Knowing all of this and accepting your father for who he is, then youll be more open to understanding he has his own point of view and reasons for his behavior. And that, under the circumstances, he is doing the best he can.

Step Three: Be Prepared for his Side of the Story

Knowing what I know now, I realized I should have expected that there would be another side to the story. But because I was so sure my mother was right, I went into complete shock and anger and experienced deep feelings of betrayal when I discovered the truth. This alienated me from my family. If I had gone in there expecting that she had told me her side and my father had another side, maybe I would have reacted more calmly and understood better what was going on.

But like any new relationship, with love, understanding, and patience, this relationship can grow into something more. It takes time, the right circumstances and the willingness on everyones part. It doesnt always turn into the father/daughter relationship weve always hoped for but sometimes it helps to be grateful for what you do get.

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Mother's Day Gifts

2007-12-13T18:37:00.000-08:00

People often assume that Mothers Day is a something promoted by Hallmark to make you buy their cards. But, in fact, the tradition of celebrating Mothers Day is an old one. The Greeks and the Romans worshipped the mother of the Gods, and although ones mother was not worshipped, the celebration was a beginning. The English celebrated Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday of lent; this celebration is very similar to the current Mothers Day celebrations. Anna M. Jarvis is credited with bringing this custom to the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century. Today, Mothers Day is a celebration of a mothers unconditional love, nourishing, and nurturing as well as her undaunted spirit.

Celebrated on the first Sunday in May, children and fathers make sure that the day is special and memorable, commemorating it by buying something special, making something nice, and trying to make the day perfect for their mom.

Buying a gift has become very important, and if you pay close attention to your mothers likes and dislikes, picking a present should be relatively easy. Flowers, perfume and chocolates are the staples of Mothers Day gifts, and most mothers will love anything their children. Even if you want the gift to be extra special, your choices are endless. You can get her something practical that she really wants, you can get her a personalized gift like a printed t-shirt or a plaque, or you can even name a star after her.

If you don't have the money to spend, you dont have to worry, as no one understands you better than your mom. In fact, she might feel bad if you spend more than you can afford. Less expensive alternatives for gifts include making make her something or giving her coupons for chores you can take on when she wants a break. What you must remember while picking up or making a present is that it is the thought that counts.

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Training your dog not to fear loud noises

2007-12-12T00:26:00.000-08:00

Loud noises, such as fireworks, thunder and traffic, are one of the most frequently cited fears given by dog owners. It is natural for some dogs to be fearful of loud noises, but some dogs are so traumatized by thunder, fireworks and other loud noises that they are completely unable to function.Chihuahua Puppies
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Training your puppy - start by winning his respect and confidence

2007-12-11T00:05:00.000-08:00

e basis of training any animal is winning its trust, confidence and respect. True training cannot begin until the animal has accepted you as its leader, respects you and entrusted you with his or her confidence.Dog Training
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Teaching your dog not to chew

2007-12-10T23:55:00.000-08:00

Chewing is something that comes naturally to every dog. Every dog feels the instinctual need to sharpen its teeth and hone his biting skills. Chewing on the right things, like specially designed chew toys for instance, can even help the dog clean his teeth and remove plaque.Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Training your dog the right way - the basics

2007-12-10T11:45:00.000-08:00

In order to be considered properly trained, there are some basic commands that he or she must master. Understanding these basic commands is vital to the well being of the dog, the owner and the family.Dogs For Sale
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Taking your dog training off leash

2007-12-09T23:37:00.000-08:00

Many dog owners are anxious to give their four legged companions the freedom of going off leash, but it is important not to rush that important step. Dogs should only be allowed off their leash after they have become masters of all the basic obedience commands, such as walking at your heel, sitting and staying on commandHunting Dogs
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