befuddled http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for befuddled Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:28:03 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/befuddled What Is An Ebay Professional? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-an-ebay-professional http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-an-ebay-professional#comments Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:32:07 +0000 ebay sellerebay systemebay sellersbefuddledversedfeedback ratingsprice http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-an-ebay-professional
In fact, this is a service that has been around for quite a while, as enterprising individuals saw an opportunity to offer a service that would require an element of expertise and could appeal to people by taking some time off their hands.

These are both key concepts to remember when you consider selling any of your own materials on eBay. Professional sellers are just what they seem- people who make a living by selling items on eBay on commission, usually at a percentage of the selling cost of the items. Others may give people a flat fee for their product and then sell it on eBay, keeping any profit for him or herself.

Either way, an eBay professional may be the best way to go if you are new to the or simply do not have the time to figure it all out for yourself. EBay professionals are already very in the eBay system, a system which can sometimes leave newcomers feeling lost and about how to go about listing their items. As an Internet selling association, s are also highly susceptible to customer suspicion, and many customers will look at before deciding to purchase an item. Rookie sellers will not have as much feedback, and are less likely to find buyers who will pay optimum s because of that fact. EBay professionals have likely sold hundreds of items on the site, and therefore they should have solid and multiple feedbacks that will allow them to move the product with greater speed.

A professional eBay seller will also know what price a given object will be likely to sell at. You will most likely be able to gain a price that is more than what you could get on your own by enlisting the services of a professional who is familiar with the market. There are many eBay professionals who deal in specific areas, so if you are considering a certain item you may want to check around for professionals who specialize in that area.

There are many good reasons to consider hiring an eBay professional when you want to sell an item on the site. An eBay professional will cut down on the time you spend in shopping your product, will likely have the connections necessary to sell your product quickly, and it is also highly likely that the price you get for your item will be higher than if you tried to sell it yourself, which will more than compensate for the price of the service. Jeff Jackson maintains a website dedicated to helping people master buying and selling on eBay. Visit his site at: http://auctionsuccessonline.com ]]> How Do Resale Rights Products Differ From Private Label Rights Products? http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-do-resale-rights-products-differ-from-private-label-rights-products http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-do-resale-rights-products-differ-from-private-label-rights-products#comments Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:20:00 +0000 master resale rightsbefuddledresellstrangle holdprivate labelinternet based businessinformation products http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-do-resale-rights-products-differ-from-private-label-rights-products information products or software that you can buy and then , you are most definitely not alone.

Many people starting out in an (and some that have been at it for years) are by all the terms relating to Resale Rights and Rights products.

In fact there are only three terms you need to understand to have a on the whole Resale Rights realm. In a nutshell, it works like this:

A Resale Rights Product You may sell the product. You may not sell the right to sell the product. This product is for your customer's personal use only. You are bound by the terms and conditions of Resale Rights license. Neither you nor your customer may alter the product.

A Product You can sell the product. You can sell to your customer the right to resell the product to his or her customer. You are bound by the terms and conditions of Resale Rights license. Neither you nor your customer may alter the product.

A Private Label Rights Product You can sell the product. You can sell to your customer the right to resell the product to his or her customer. You MAY alter the product. You may sell to your customer the right to alter the product. You are not bound by any conditions.

Those are the basics of Resale Rights. But like war and taxes, things become complicated.

Master Resale Rights without Resale Rights Many (most?) Master Resale Rights products no longer give you the option of reselling the product without the Master Resale Rights. When you sell the product you must pass on to your customer the right to resell the product. The Master Resale Rights license is often embedded in the product itself.

This is good for the author, he or she gets many folks selling his or her product and clicking on the links. It isn't quite so good for the seller, who gets more competition.

Because no term, such as Mandatory Master Resale Rights, has been coined for this type of license there is no way to know at a glance just what sort of Master Resale Rights license a product carries.

If you want to be able to sell a product and the right to sell the product as separate items you'll have to examine the license and also look closely at the product itself in case the license is embedded in the copy.

Restricted Private Label Rights Sometimes PLR products do have restrictions in the license. Usually these restrictions are about product use and sale price.

The author may insist that the product be sold for money or, as is sometimes the case with PLR articles, bar the buyer from selling the original product without substantial editing.

Restricted PLR products are not wide spread. Usually if a product carries the PLR label you are free to use it any way you like. If you are concerned that a product you are interested may have unwanted restrictions look for an Unrestricted PLR label or contact the seller. Alex Bain invites you to check the hundreds of free Resale Rights and Private Label Rights products available at http://www.resale-rights-plus.com/. Most of these ebooks and scripts can be sold, used as bonuses or as list building incentives. ]]> Your Horse Racing Tips: Maximize Them! http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-horse-racing-tips-maximize-them http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-horse-racing-tips-maximize-them#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:36:14 +0000 horse racing tipsbelmont stakesplace betsvolatile worldeducated guessphysical appearancestunning comeback http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-horse-racing-tips-maximize-them horse racing tips coming from bookies, trainers and owners, jockeys, and winning punters, you shouldn't only put your money on a particular horse simply because they said so. You need a horse racing system that considers aspects such as the horse's and race history, weather and ground conditions, and the jockey and trainer. There's no bible in horse racing's unstable world, so don't take other people's word for it.

You shouldn't place your money on a horse just because the horse racing tips you got from successful punters, jockeys, owners and trainers, and bookies said so. You need a horse racing system that considers aspects such as the horse's physical appearance and past performance, climate and ground conditions, and the jockey and trainer. If not, you will be taking other people's tips for the bible when there is no universally-accepted bible in the of horse racing.

Take Big Brown's , for example. It is a 'last today, first tomorrow' scenario; he won the Haskell Invitational 2 months after a disappointing last-place finish at the 2008 - that goes beyond horse racing tips.

Gambling Tips

Before horse racing tips can be of use to you, there are 3 simple gambling tips that you can keep in mind. These gambling tips will help cease a losing streak, no matter what your game is. Compared to the following tips, luck does not play a role:

* Manage your money wisely. You won't know the consequences of gambling until later when all your money is used up. Unless you own the oil of Saudi Arabia or Brunei, you should set limits on your spending. These limits must include the most money you can spare to lose, the point when you will stop gambling on a winning streak, and the amount of bets you will place. Don't be greedy!

* Make es. You will not know the results until the finish of the race, but you can make an educated guess. It makes a lot of difference if you know what show and are, among other things.

* Go for it. Don't gamble if you're scared of losing. To get in the game, you need courage.

Yes, with the correct mindset, you'll definitely win more.
Take Advantage of Your Horse Racing Tips

With a horse racing system created, you can then maximize the horse racing tips you're getting. You can achieve this by:

* Bet close to the race time. After all, many factors can affect the race, like weather changes, injury, handicaps, and ground conditions.

* Maintaining sobriety as you bet. With your judgment befuddled with anxiety and alcohol, you might end up facing disastrous financial outcomes.

* Be patient. You'll win some, and you will lose some. It's best to remember that you cannot win them all.

When you are in the right mindset, you can win more than you lose.For the best horse racing tips, visit MyHorseRacingSpace.com today! The horse racing tip you get might just be your lucky break from among all the so-so free horse racing tips you have had.]]> 3 Tips For Better Dog Training Success http://www.artwoo.com/article/3-tips-for-better-dog-training-success http://www.artwoo.com/article/3-tips-for-better-dog-training-success#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:15:14 +0000 positive and negative reinforcementpositive reinforcementdogs namecanine friendunwanted behaviorsnegative mannerconsistent manner http://www.artwoo.com/article/3-tips-for-better-dog-training-success positive reinforcement, with the absence of a reward being viewed as punishment enough to stop many . However, A dog can sometimes behave so badly that it becomes very hard to change the behavior, if it is left unchecked for an extended period of time.

Here are three vital rules to follow to make sure you have a well-behaved dog. Keep in mind that things like barking are behaviors that is very self-reinforcing. The dog's continued barking allows him to positively-reinforce himself, with out any input from you, the owner. Therefore, your dog's barking will probably require negative reinforcement, to correct the issue.

It's always a good idea to implement both into your dog training regimen.

Here Are Three Easy Tips to Folow

1. Vary how you communicate with the dog when it misbehaves; don't just say "No." It really does make sense when you think about it. If the dog misbehaves, you must correct the bad behavior in a . Using the word "NO" to stop him from peeing in the floor, jumping on strangers, or barking uncontrollably doesn't really teach the dog very much. Your dog will hear the word "NO", but will be unable to apply it's meaning to the ceasing of any one behavior, because you use it too broadly. Your poor little dog will be thinking, "NO. Okay mom. But NO what? WHAT am I doing bad or wrong? Does this mean I shouldn't jump? Could it mean Don't bark?" You can see how this would be problematic for your . It's much better to use specific commands when you want your dog to act in a specific way. For instance, use the word "quiet" when your dog is barking, and "off" when he or she jumps on someone. You will have much better results, and you dog won't be so befuddled all of the time.

2. Never use the name of your dog in a . If you use your to scold him, or while he is being punished, he will come to associate his name with bad things that are about to happen. This will train your dog to fear his name, and you as well. Let's make the previous statement applicable to our life. As a child, my parents commonly called me Annette, as that is my real true name. However, my mother would call me "Mary Jane" when I did something wrong. When I heard those words, I KNEW I was in trouble, and I would want to run and hide. This is how your dog will feel if you use his name in a negative manner.

3) If you decided to use hand signals in your dog training, you want to make sure to use each gesture with only one command. If you do not use a different signal for each command, your dog will be confused. Trust me!

Different behaviors require different words.

Look to this example for some great ideas:

• Ready - Means look at me, pay attention

• Sit - Means to sit on your bottom

• Stay - Means do not move

• Down -Means lay down with your belly to the floor

• Come - Means to come to me now

• Drop - Means take that out of your mouth

• Ouch - Means take your mouth from my hand

• Kennel Up - Means go to your crate

It's always better to have a plan of action ready, and know what you want to accomplish with your dog, before you begin. It's your duty as the master to focus on your animal and work to make him the best citizen he can be. Both of your lives will be richer and fuller because of it.Annette Masse, better known as Betty Bulldog, has been loving and respecting dogs for 25 years. Sign up for her complimentary course for you and your dog at ForTheLoveOfDogZ.com]]> Project Management Training: Warning Signs That You Need One http://www.artwoo.com/article/project-management-training-warning-signs-that-you-need-one http://www.artwoo.com/article/project-management-training-warning-signs-that-you-need-one#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:57:23 +0000 project management trainingrisk management techniqueseven keelmotivated teamtight schedulelogbooksmonitoring tools http://www.artwoo.com/article/project-management-training-warning-signs-that-you-need-one even keel with few resources and people. can help you man the ship effectively and take on more projects.

When Do You Need Project Management Training?

The boss has tossed you a small scale project, which turns out to be a titanic assignment for you because you do not have the skills to manage different capabilities and organize the whole show. Yet you take on the task hoping you pass muster and reap accolades for a job well done. You are one of the thousands of befuddled managers needing project management training.

Here is why you need project management training:

* You cannot produce a credible project plan
* Your project goes helter-skelter in different directions
* Your are outdated or implausible
* You cannot estimate work schedule confidently
* Your are inadequate or inapplicable
* You cannot run a
* You lack leadership skills

Can tell your boss no? Or do you take the project and hit the books because your boss expects you to effectively run a project with few people and resources, on a , and get maximum results?

What Is Project Management Training?

The project management training educates project managers to foresee dangers that may derail project plans and activities. They should be able to minimize risks and solve problems head on to make sure that the project is completed successfully notwithstanding the risks. If you had the opportunity to have this training early on, no projects would be too big or difficult to handle.

The training also takes up management of IT skills when overseeing a project. This is a convenient and faster way to keep tabs of what is happening to all actors participating in the project. Instead of lugging journals, , and calendars, you log on to your PC and look at the worksheets of everybody to check how the work is going.

Knowing the IT part of project management training is just an aspect, but the bigger picture is effectively managing resources and meeting the project deadline because extended or delayed project activities incur more expenses, and the company loses revenues.

Why is the Project Management Training Important?

Projects, big or small, need a good manager to keep the project going on schedule. There is the competition to think about and the revenues to be earned from the project. During the course of the project, there will be slip ups or the project may go full steam ahead; a good manager will answer the following questions:

* What factors contributed to the success and failure of the project?
* What were the frequent problems that cropped up and why?
* How much resources were used and how were these used?
* Were resources available at the right time or not, and why?
* Were the skills required available and competent?
* What were the lessons learned?
* Were all aspects of project implementation documented accurately?
* Did management respond to issues quickly?

Project management training will help you see the big picture. The questions mentioned earlier are your guideposts to become an effective manager; hence, the training is important on two counts - career advancement and project success. Need you ask more?Don't pass up project management training. You can always get PMI exam prep to help you hurdle your PMI exam. Get more details from threeo.ca now.]]> 6 Steps To Designing A Home Theater http://www.artwoo.com/article/6-steps-to-designing-a-home-theater http://www.artwoo.com/article/6-steps-to-designing-a-home-theater#comments Thu, 24 May 2007 01:14:53 +0000 home theatertaken into considerationmost important thingviewersbefuddleddiyhome theatres http://www.artwoo.com/article/6-steps-to-designing-a-home-theater home theater at your place. The thought of having your own home theater cheers everyone.

Home Theatre Designs : (Do-It-Yourself)

In the competitive market, there are numerous designs of offered by different companies. There are infinite options that one can easily get . While purchasing a home theatre, there are many things that have to be kept in mind. For example, it should suit your decor and possess clarity in terms of picture and sound, etc. Therefore, one of the most significant traits of the home theater is the way in which it has to be designed. The designing of the home theater can be done in the following manner:

1 - The to be decided while planning the designing of the room theatre is to select the perfect room for it as there are different preferences by different people, some like to go for living room and some for big halls in their homes. The room theatre should always suit the d=E9cor of your room wherever it is placed.

2 - The most important thing to be is the availability of the light. The light should be adjusted in such a manner that the movie can be easily seen and are easily able to get to their seats. However, the intensity of the light should be low when the movie gets started. Additonally, the lighting should not be directly into the eye line of the viewers. The availability of light can be controlled by using a dimmer switch which is very easy to install and use.

3 - The set up of the speakers should be apt and appropriate because a better quality sound results in making the movie more real and original. The sound is the most important part of the home theatre that leaves an unforgettable impression over the audience.

4 - The next most important factor that affects the designing of the home theatre is the seating. The seating should not be done in a disorganized manner, rather it should always be done in a very systemic orderly way so that no one should feel congested. You should always get the comfortable chairs with wide armrests, sliding footrests, etc. so that no one should feel uneasy while watching movies.

5 - It is recommended that if you are ready to invest a little bit more on your home theatre system, it is good to get a projector screen in order to have a real and original appearance.

6 - The setting of furniture also plays an important role in the designing of the home theatre.

Home Theatre Designs By Professionals

Though, the designing of home theatres can be done by taking the above-mentioned points into consideration. However, if still you find it a difficult task, then it is suggested to go for "Professional Interior Designers."



These professionals give rise to superb home theatre designs. For these professionals, the designing of a home theatre is a child's play and they will be charging for this service of designing that will add to your budget of home theatre system.

Therefore, to get the best for the investment you have made in purchasing the home theatre equipment, you should always go for the appropriate designing in order to enjoy it every time you watch or listen to it. http://www.hometheatrefun.com brings you the latest on the home theatre. Home theatre's are very popular, and we want to bring you the most up to date information online! Be sure to check out our latest information page on home theatre designs. ]]> A Glossary of Terms for the Estate Agent http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-glossary-of-terms-for-the-estate-agent http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-glossary-of-terms-for-the-estate-agent#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 07:57:22 +0000 mortgage indemnityproperty exchangesecurity feebridging loanadditional securitysolicitorshome buyer http://www.artwoo.com/article/a-glossary-of-terms-for-the-estate-agent
The majority of homeowners are often befuddled when it comes to buying or selling property. This is because it is often a difficult process that requires a level of knowledge to fully understand it. Not only is the process difficult however but understanding exactly what the estate agent is saying is also not easy. This is because the terminology bandied around in estate agent circles is often a language of its own; hopefully the following article will go some of the way to decoding exactly what your estate agent is talking about.

In mortgages the term 'additional ' is often used. This usually refers to the sum that is paid in order to protect the lender. In some circles it is also called a ' premium'.

The term '' is also extensively used in property circles. It refers to the funding that can be given to a before the money from the sale of their house has come through. For many homeowners these are an essential part of funding a new property.

Almost certainly your estate agent will refer to the 'chain', this is not a piece of linked metal outside but instead refers to situation where one buyer needs to sell their house before buying another, often these chains can be rather long extending over a number of different parties. It is labelled as a chain because if one of the links fails often the whole chain will fail.

It is more than likely that your estate agent will mention 'Conveyancing charges', these are the payment for any legal fees that are involved with the property process, normally they are payable to . In addition the term 'contacts race' may be used to describe the situation where more than one party is competing for a particular property.

'Exchange of contracts' is another large part of estate agent terminology. Normally agents pursue this situation as this is the point where a seller has accepted the offer of a buyer and is willing to put the terms of sale in writing.

Two terms that often confuse homeowners are 'freehold' and 'leasehold'. Your estate agent should be able to explain however that the difference between the two is relatively simple. A freehold is property where the buyer purchases both the property and the land it sits upon, in contrast a leasehold property is only the bricks and mortar, and not the plot it rests upon.

'Gazumping' or 'gazundering' are both terms used by the estate agent. Both are negative and refer to the tactics of some buyers and sellers. The first refers to the tactic of sellers accepting higher offers after a verbal agreement has been reached with a buyer. The latter refers to buyers attempting to change the price just before the contracts are exchanged.

The 'structural survey' is something that should always be carried out before buying a property. Normally it will be performed by a chartered surveyor and attempts to find the any structural problems that could arise during ownership of the property, an example would be subsidence.

The 'title' and 'title deeds' are vitally important in the property process. It is only after these deeds have been obtained that legal ownership is guaranteed.

It is hoped that this article has been helpful in providing vital information on the terminology used by estate agents. Moving house is a stressful experience; hopefully with a glossary of terms it will be possible to make the process a little bit simpler and easier.Property Expert, Donald Donaldson, takes a look a glossary of terms for estate agents.]]> Static is Steady When Opting For an IP Address From Your Internet Service Provider http://www.artwoo.com/article/static-is-steady-when-opting-for-an-ip-address-from-your-internet-service-provider http://www.artwoo.com/article/static-is-steady-when-opting-for-an-ip-address-from-your-internet-service-provider#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:43:22 +0000 static ipshack proofingisp softwareinternet service providersprotective softwarecompany assetsfindable http://www.artwoo.com/article/static-is-steady-when-opting-for-an-ip-address-from-your-internet-service-provider Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are the same -- and the difference lies in more than the type of wire used to get your machines connected. One of the most important strategic factors a business should be considering when signing up for a service is the type of IP address the ISP can provide.

In order for one computer to be able to find another computer, it needs to know where it 'lives' on the Internet. Therefore, every computer on an Internet connection gets assigned an address, often compared to a telephone number (only much more confusing). It's called an IP address, and 'IP' stands for 'Internet Protocol'. Sometimes, the IP address changes every so often when the thinks it's necessary -- say, on every occasion the connection refreshes itself. Other times the address sticks around for a while, a long while, even forever. Thus we have two different kinds of address systems ISPs could be running on: and Dynamic IPs.

The many non-technical creatures out there must now feel confused and befuddled. Why would there be two ways of assigning an address? And why would I ever want my address to change? Or does it matter? Well, there are reasons.

Dynamic IPs were purposely created to switch off and change 'homes' so that when a person using the Internet is finished, the IP address can be given to someone else to use. This way, there can be more users than available IP addresses yet everyone will be able to communicate on the Internet, based on the assumption that not everyone is online at the same time.

Dynamic IPs are also a form of hack-proofing, so that someone who wants invalid access to your computer will have a much more difficult time finding it if the address is constantly changing. But then again, there are always firewalls, routers and other out there that can guard you against such vicious attacks.

For most businesses, being is most important, and having a static IP is just one of those you've got to have. When running your own server, you can expect that many people are going to want to connect to your data at various times and, most importantly, in various places. Having employees constantly working in remote locations or at geographically distant offices might need access to the company's information systems, which in turn require a static IP. Formerly, the Wireless Access Network (WAN) was a technique mostly used to this effect -- until people realized how expensive it was getting to maintain one. Then came the Virtual Private Network (VPN), a sharing system that operates much like a WAN except it rides along the already existing Internet to communicate, as opposed to personal wires a WAN would need to build or lease. So, since many are now using the Internet to do the job, having a static IP is increasingly in demand.

VoIP companies, anyone running their own Web server, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software, personalized e-mail service and even online gamers who want ultimate control and identification when playing online need to have static IPs. Not only that, when keeping server downtime to a minimum, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a static IP that won't pause every time it needs to refresh itself.

Here comes the really confusing part: some static IPs are 'fake', while others are 'real'.

Why? Well, because sometimes it's a cheaper alternative to get a 'fake' static IP. The only problem is that if you ever turn the server off, or if by any chance the power goes out, the IP address thinks its duty is done where it was and moves on to another assignment. So in cases where this could pose a problem to the clients who need to access your database, VoIP, FTP and so on, be sure your ISP is offering you a real, hard-coded static IP, and not one based on what is called "DHCP assignment." With the big players, the price for a 'real' static IP is a hefty one, but you can shop around for package deals that include the real thing.Saleh Tousi is the CEO of SmarttNet, a Vancouver IT company offering comprehensive business Internet services including business DSL since 1995.]]> Car Hire Insurance Packages and Travelling Abroad http://www.artwoo.com/article/car-hire-insurance-packages-and-travelling-abroad http://www.artwoo.com/article/car-hire-insurance-packages-and-travelling-abroad#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:44:14 +0000 personal accident insuranceextra insurancesheer rangeunforeseen circumstancesexcess chargesinsurance optionsdamage waiver http://www.artwoo.com/article/car-hire-insurance-packages-and-travelling-abroad
The car hire desk can be one of the most confusing and laborious elements when on holiday. The of considerations and optional extras offered often leaves the consumer befuddled. While it may be easier to simply switch off and get to the car as quickly as possible there are a number of additions to the car hire agreement that should be considered. Of particular importance are the options that are available from the rental firm, in some cases the penalties and can be astronomical hence having cover is extremely useful.

Some car hire firms can charge excess at around a thousand pounds if the rental vehicle is involved in an accident. Travellers may be especially scared of such charges but it is important not to be bullied into taking such extras, it is often worth checking existing motor insurance policies and the cover provided by a credit card before purchasing more insurance. If this cover is inadequate however, it is often advisable to take the rental firms cover, after all, no one can predict the future and having cover for will help travellers to relax and enjoy their holidays.

Typically the best type of cover to obtain is the . In most cases this will cover the customer should the vehicle become damaged in any way, for instance in an accident or whilst parked. While in some cases an excess will still be applied, with the waiver this excess will be considerably less. It is always advisable though to make a detailed check of the hire car before leaving the rental depot, even with a damage waiver it is important to let the company know of any damage to the car before departure, by doing this the chances of being charged for damage are negated.

In many countries across Europe and in the United States it is often essential to take some form of when hiring a vehicle. These countries rarely have a nationalised health service and hence any medical treatments will result in charges. This form of insurance does not always have to be purchased from the rental desk, most travellers will have some form of private medical insurance, although it is usually advisable to check whether this will cover accidents and injuries abroad, if it does not, the hire desk is probably the best solution.

In addition to the damage waiver and accident insurance it is usually worthwhile taking some form of belongings cover. Typically if this obtained from the car hire company this will cover theft of belongings from the vehicle; as the loss of items such as passports and plane tickets can be extremely costly, especially when it comes to replacing such items, having cover for this situation is essential.

Hopefully this article has put forward some of the different types of insurance that are available from the car hire desk. While it is in no way a comprehensive list, it does give some idea of the importance of insurance cover whilst travelling. Without cover, unforeseen circumstances can easily ruin a holiday, with cover; even the most disastrous of events can be put into perspective, allowing the traveller to salvage some semblance of enjoyment from their trip. So before jumping straight into the hire car, consider the insurance packages on offer and assess whether it will be foolhardy to leave the rental depot without effective cover.Auto expert, Donald Donaldson, takes a look at car insurance. car hire car hire stansted airport car hire heathrow airport car hire gatwick airport]]> San Diego County Real Estate http://www.artwoo.com/article/san-diego-county-real-estate http://www.artwoo.com/article/san-diego-county-real-estate#comments Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:35:02 +0000 san diego county real estatewooly worldreal estate professionalslack of confidenceunstable conditiontop of the gamedrastic action http://www.artwoo.com/article/san-diego-county-real-estate drastic action.

The real estate market has of course always been prone to rapid and drastic changes and this is particularly true in San Diego. Many times, have had to adjust their answers to queries regarding pricing and value within months, weeks and even days of making a statement in order to more accurately reflect prevailing market trends. Anyone who wants to stay on =96and this goes for buyers as well as sellers=96will have to make the effort to constantly receive new and updated information about the market and act accordingly. And in the wild and of the market, that can sometimes happen overnight.

One of the things that real estate analysts have realized=96at least in San Diego=96is that more often than not, how the majority of people who are involved in the real estate market perceive the current state of the industry has a lot to do with how things actually are in reality. It is almost as if the market is feeding on the level of confidence=96or lack thereof=96and shifts itself accordingly. Optimism on the part of the consumer has often served to boost the market, and the inverse is also often true. In this case it would seem that the widespread of many in the San Diego real estate industry has resulted in the present . In any case, what is clearly needed is a keen eye for any changes that may come and the ability to act quickly when such a change inevitably occurs.

Because of the present real estate situation in San Diego, it has become more and more common for buyers to hold off on purchasing their dream property and waiting for a certain period while the market "settles down." While it is indeed a wise decision to hold off from making any drastic decisions while the real estate market is undergoing such a tremendous state of flux, there are situations wherein it would really not be beneficial to wait for another 6 months or so. Far too many people have been in a similar situation of waiting for the market to enter a more predictable or financially viable state before buying, and when the market failed to stabilize as they had hoped, they later realized that they should have acted when the market was as good as it was going to get.

Of course, everyone would like to hold out in hopes of getting a good deal or even those increasingly rare instances=96the windfall=96but the fact of the matter is that prices in the current real estate market has remained fairly flat for several months now and it will likely remain so for the foreseeable future.

Another thing to consider is that waiting too long will increase your costs considerably in terms of interest rates and mortgage payments. Imagine how much you would have saved in interest payments alone if you had purchased earlier and how much higher your mortgage is going to be today compared to the same time last year. In the current fickle real estate market of San Diego, that can add up to quite a lot of money.

If you are thinking of flipping the property, it might make more sense to time your move according to the prevailing market prices, but even that is not such a good idea anymore. Look at the big picture: is the little money that you save by waiting really going to be significant to you a few years down the line?

The moral lesson that you will have hopefully picked up in all of this is: do keep your eye on prevailing real estate market trends, but if a considerable amount of time has passed without any significant changes in prices, you may as well buy now before you miss your chance entirely. Carlsbad California real estate for sale. Find new townhomes and live work lofts just steps from the beach in the vibrant coastal city of Carlsbad, north San Diego County. http://www.bluwatercrossing.com ]]> The Most Popular Blinds Available On The Market Today http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-most-popular-blinds-available-on-the-market-today http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-most-popular-blinds-available-on-the-market-today#comments Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:29:25 +0000 interior design expertswooden blindsbeing spacehigh humiditydesign elementdomestic sectoruv inhibitors http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-most-popular-blinds-available-on-the-market-today design element.

For many years blinds have been widely use in the world of business, especially in commercial buildings around the world. Increasingly however blinds are being used in the , with many abandoning old fashioned curtains for the sleek, tight lines that blinds can create. Today blinds come in so many different varieties that the consumer is often befuddled as to which varieties will look best in their home. The style created by blind options can vary immensely, space saving, elegant and stylish, modern blinds are an interior designer's dream.

The types of blinds available on the market today vary immensely. An affordable option that is rapidly becoming popular is the faux wood effect blind components. Constructed from polyvinyl, they combine the benefits of looking like wood, but being durable, easy to clean as well as resisting the warping that are so prone to. Thanks to modern technology, the pattern and colouration of the faux wood will not fade with time; specifically due to the inclusion of in the treatment process. This type of blind is particularly suited to rooms where there is likely to be a content such as kitchens or bathrooms. That is not to say that real wooden blinds are not a worthy inclusion in a home. They can provide a room with a warmth and beauty that is hard to find with any other material.

Previously used in the industrial and commercial spheres aluminium blinds can be perfect in many homes. As they are extremely thin they are regarded by many designers to be perfect in shallow window bays and doorways. As well as saving however, they are also lightweight meaning they are perfect for elderly and child users. In terms of durability aluminium is scratch resistant and tempered so they can stand up to the rigours of everyday life.

A more stylistic option is Roman shades. These are constructed from material and create a blind that is soft and elegant. Operability resembles that of a blind, being raised and lowered in the same way, although when compared to the cost of custom made curtains, are a far more affordable option. Available in all manner of colours and patterns as well as opaque varieties, Roman shades can be considered a design feature in their own right.

For floor to ceiling windows an increasingly popular option are vertical blinds. For those looking for a low maintenance window covering, PVC verticals are advisable but are in no means the only variety. Fabric verticals are a more affordable option over drapery. Weights sewn into the fabric ensure they sit correctly and will suit rooms with sliding doors perfectly; once again a variety of colours mean they can match the interior of most homes.

Roller shades have been in existence for many years although modern technology is rapidly changing the way in which they are constructed. One of the most exciting developments in the world of roller shades has been the use of solar technology so that shades act like 'sunglasses for windows', allowing plenty of light in while filtering the harmful UV rays that fade interior soft furnishings such as carpets and sofas. Some of these shades even allow outward viewing whilst giving the homeowner privacy, perfect in bathrooms and overlooked rooms in built up areas.

The modern penchant for blinds over curtains and drapes is likely to continue as a far more cost effective and efficient way of shielding rooms from the sun. With such a wealth of top quality varieties available on the market today, the buyer is really spoilt for choice when it comes to interior design.Interior design expert, Donald Donaldson, takes a look at the most popular hilarys window blinds available on the market today.]]> How To Make Lemonade http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-lemonade http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-lemonade#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2007 12:25:01 +0000 midstcrucial timescollapsehorrible incidentemotional painpain and sufferingcar crashes http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-lemonade
We all come upon problems, either self-imposed or from elsewhere, often from the least expected places. Little or big, easily managed or seemingly devastating, they all can lead to growth and a path to the good life.

When we're in the of the problem, it is not easy to think that this pain, this sidetrack, can lead to anything that could resemble good, but even if we can't think that way in the midst of angst, the outcome can work to our benefit.

How many people will describe a that happened to them years ago and attribute a successful outcome to that incident? Is this just a nice way to justify the or is this really true?

No doubt there are lessons to be learned from those hard times, but I think the key to using them to grow a good life is being able to consciously learn from them.

For most of us, though, when we're going through a difficult time we are less than conscious of what is happening and how we are reacting. Interviews of people who have been involved in , muggings, fires and the like, will describe blanking out at , not able to remember after a particular point in the incident.

That blanking out, functioning on "automatic pilot," as many say, happens in all manner of situations, some not as dramatic as a fire or car crash, but as mundane as an argument with someone.

It is an important survival tactic that helps move us through severe physical and and fear. Without it, we might become immobilized and unable to save ourselves or help others escape a tragedy.

We hear stories of heroism and may wonder how that person found the strength to surmount the catastrophe which confronted him. He will tell you that he just did it, not thinking of the dire consequences that could have fallen on him or even of the danger confronting him.

In the recent of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis, a school aide initiated the rescue of about 50 children from their school bus precariously lodged against the railing of the fallen bridge. When asked by a reporter how it is that he did such an heroic thing, he looked somewhat embarrassed and befuddled. His answer didn't come easily or smoothly, more of "I just did it" response. He really didn't know.

No doubt he was in that time between consciousness when he responded to the situation without thought to personal outcome. How he uses this incident in his life is, of course, yet to be determined. Will he use it to rise to a level that he probably would not have achieved without this trauma or will it be the chain around him that keeps him from attaining what he considers success? We may never know the effect of this major event on his life, but it will have an effect.

Is there a way to get a positive effect from a trauma, in other words, to make life's lemonade? There are many studies that show this is not only a possibility but that it happens frequently. There is even now a budding branch of psychology, of which I am a student, which studies and implements techniques that make these positive effects. It is called positive psychology and is quite different from illness-based psychology which seeks to find and treat disorders in individuals which make for long term trauma and problems in living.

The Recipe 1. Feeling the sorrow of a trauma is normal and natural and part of what is described as the "healing process." The school aide will feel this, as will those who survived the catastrophe and those who helped them afterwards. Some try to deaden the pain of the trauma by using alcohol or drugs, prescription or illicit, but this will only stall the process, not bypass it.

2. Some situations will not have great trauma, they will be smaller problems. All situations will need to be consciously considered if something useful is to be gotten out of them. That is, we must determine (1) what occurred, (2) why it occurred, (3) how we handled it to our benefit or detriment, (4) what we can learn from it that we can use from here on out, (5) how we can implement what we have learned. 3. The realization that life is made up of happiness and sorrow is an important defense against the effects of long term depression and an unhappy life. A patient of mine told me, years later, that when I first made that statement to her she thought I might be a bit crazy myself. It was only after overcoming her own life's difficulties did she understand my meaning. Life is wonderful, but don't expect an easy ride-you will be disappointed. Dr. Mastria is an author, consultant, psychologist and coach to those who wish to make life good. Dr. M. Mastria has created a five step program titled, FIVE STEPS TO A BETTER COMMUTE which is available at (http://www.Commuter-Assist.com). ]]> Mortgage Life Insurance Policies http://www.artwoo.com/article/mortgage-life-insurance-policies http://www.artwoo.com/article/mortgage-life-insurance-policies#comments Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:22:30 +0000 mortgage life insuranceterm life insurancedecreasing term life insuranceprivate mortgage insurancecredit disabilitycredit life insurancemortgage lenders http://www.artwoo.com/article/mortgage-life-insurance-policies Mortgage Life Insurance?

If you have a mortgage and are a home owner, you have most likely heard the pitch for mortgage life insurance. It typically comes in an envelope from your lender and might include a letter from your lender suggesting that you buy a policy.

It is important to realize though, that the insurance itself is sold by insurance companies. Even though it is called "mortgage insurance," it is in reality decreasing that will pay off your mortgage if you pass away.

How Are Premium Payments Planned?

Mortgage life insurance is a decreasing term policy. The policy starts with a death benefit that is equivalent to your existing mortgage balance. The death benefit reduces at the same pace as your mortgage balance. The premium payments never vary but may cease before the loan payment. Your lender may agree to include the premium payments to your monthly mortgage expense.

Is Mortgage Life Insurance Identical to (PMI)?

No--mortgage life insurance is commonly befuddled with Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), but they have little to do with one another. You purchase mortgage life insurance willingly to shelter your family from having to pay the mortgage.

require you to buy PMI to shield them (the lenders) from the probability that you will default on the mortgage.

Insurance Tip: Request for insurance agents to estimate their best price for a decreasing term policy in the same amount, period, and interest rate before buying from a sales pitch sent by your mortgage company.

What Is And Insurance?

When financing some kinds of big items - automobile, furniture, audio equipment - there is a good possibility you will be presented with credit life and credit disability insurance. Credit life guarantees to pay your balance if you die. Credit disability will pay your payments if you become disabled and not capable of working.

Credit life is a decreasing term policy. The insurance premiums are typically added into the loan contract. This type of insurance is constantly voluntary and it can be rather costly. Your lender cannot require you to purchase credit life or credit disability insurance.

Although they may have some comparable elements, credit life and credit disability insurance are not the same thing as mortgage life insurance.

What Is A Life Insurance Rider?

A "rider" is something that is supplementary to the basic policy. Riders can be used to either add benefits to the policy or limit benefits previously in the policy. Common riders are as follows:

Accidental death: Double indemnity is an additional name for this rider. It means that the benefits paid by your policy will be two times the face sum of the policy if you die in an calamity.

Approximately twenty percent of policyholders perish in accidents.

The price for an accidental death rider is usually reasonably priced.

Some critics bring up the point that how the policyholder dies has nothing to do with how much money your survivors will need.

Waiver of premium: This rider allows you to cease paying premiums whenever you happen to become disabled and unable to continue working.

It is crucial to comprehend how the rider defines "disabled." For example, the meaning could be very restrictive and require you to be so extremely disabled that you cannot do any sort of work whatsoever.

A disability policy can also defend you from monetary hardship due to a disability. Depending on the kind of policy you acquire, it could supply capital to pay for all of your living expenditures, not solely your life insurance premium.

Mortgage protection: This rider fundamentally attaches a mortgage life policy to your chief policy.

Other insured: You can insert life benefits for your spouse or children. They may have varying coverage amounts and be subject to medical underwriting, however.

Guaranteed insurability: This rider would characteristically be added to a whole life or universal life insurance policy.

It gives you the right to procure a new policy or amplify the maximum on your existing policy without having to pass another medical assessment.

The rider will most likely indicate how much you can add and at what time you can do it.

The guarantee may not persist after you reach your mid to late forties.

Accelerated death benefit: This permits you use some portion of your death benefit when you have an incurable sickness. Some policies will insert this rider without causing your premium to enlarge.

Insurance Tip: If your agent automatically includes riders when calculating your premium, request the agent to value each rider independently. You can then choose whether you think the additional benefit any rider provides is worth the added rate.Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in life insurance policies, companies, and advice as well as finance and business. For a free term life insurance quote, please visit http://www.equote.com.]]> One Teaspoon Of Sand; Diabetic Patients Are Usurping Control Of Their Treatments http://www.artwoo.com/article/one-teaspoon-of-sand-diabetic-patients-are-usurping-control-of-their-treatments http://www.artwoo.com/article/one-teaspoon-of-sand-diabetic-patients-are-usurping-control-of-their-treatments#comments Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:27:06 +0000 adult onset diabetesdiabetes controltype ii diabetesdiabetes epidemicperipheral nerve damageextensive readingkidney failure http://www.artwoo.com/article/one-teaspoon-of-sand-diabetic-patients-are-usurping-control-of-their-treatments kidney failure, , and an untimely death--not to mention a whole bunch of pain and suffering. Practically everyone over 40 is pre-diabetic, and if preventative measures are not taken, it is virtually inevitable that this condition will progress to diabetes. We are in the midst of a .

When andquot;How We Beat Diabetesandquot; became available to the public, the author thought that his offering was unique, but he was wrong. Shortly thereafter, he discovered another book on the internet by someone who had reversed their own diabetes. Since then, every couple of weeks he has found another one. Here is a list of them:

andquot;Death to Diabetesandquot; -- DeWayne McCulley reversed his diabetes in less than six months. His story is quite dramatic, including a near-death coma when his blood sugar reached 1337!

andquot;Insulin: Our Silent Killerandquot; -- Thomas Smith became a reluctant medical investigator when he was diagnosed with . When he discovered that his doctor could not cure it, he took charge and reversed it himself.

andquot;How I Overcame Diabetes and You can Too!: Beat Diabetes!andquot; -- Margaret Blackstone used her skills as a medical writer to find an approach to that worked for her.

andquot;Sayonara Diabetes, The Three Samurai Health Maintenance Systemandquot; -- Adam Newhouse combined an avid interest in oriental healing arts with (hundreds of books) to help relieve his mother's diabetes. After 8 months on the program he developed, she was able to stop insulin, lost weight, and enjoyed normal blood sugar.

andquot;Diabetes and Diet: A Type 2 Patient's Successful Efforts at Controlandquot; -- Derek A. Paice, a 71-year-old engineer explains how he brought his under control.

andquot;Live Like You Have No Diabetesandquot; Jayne Boykin and Bonnie C. Damocles recount Mr. Damocles' experience with diabetes, as well as glimpses into the lives of other diabetics.

andquot;How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Daysandquot; Mike Adams tells how he reversed his borderline diabetes and hyperinsulinemia without drugs or insulin.

andquot;How We Beat Diabetesandquot; -- Ronald S. Brown tells the story of how his wife's Type II Diabetes was reversed.

One way or another, all of these people claim to have triumphed over diabetes. Then they published a book about the experience. They don't seem to have much else in common. They do not know each other. Their backgrounds and experience are quite diverse. They each used somewhat different approaches to the problem, but the results are similar. They all independently found a way to reverse their diabetes, or that of a loved one. The programs they developed have some similarities, but also some differences. Could there be some truth in what they are saying? While the possibility exists that these people are nothing more than nutcases, liars, or mistaken, befuddled fools, it does not seem very likely.

What is interesting about these eight people is that they have taken charge of the situation and found their own way. Sometimes, they were assisted by their medical practitioners, but sometimes they carried on in spite of them. Here is the significance of their accomplishment: If they were able to beat diabetes, then IT CAN BE DONE!

Pete Seeger recently said the following:

I imagine a big seesaw, and one end of this seesaw is on the ground with a basket half-full of big rocks in it. The other end of the seesaw is up in the air. It's got a basket one-quarter full of sand. And some of us got teaspoons, and we're trying to fill it up with sand. A lot of people are laughing at us, and they say,

andquot;Ah, people like you have been trying to do that for thousands of years, and it's leaking out as fast as you're putting it in.andquot;

But we're saying, andquot;We're getting more people with teaspoons all the time.andquot; And we think one of these years, you'll see that whole seesaw go zooop in the other direction. And people will say,

andquot;Gee, how did it happen so suddenly?andquot;

Us and all our little teaspoons.

Although he was talking about social justice, what he said could just as easily apply to the epidemic of diabetes that is currently sweeping the world. There is a new mindset afoot. Instead of waiting for the medical profession to adopt, people are taking charge of their own health. Armed with little more than an Internet Search engine and some common sense, they are starting to decide for themselves what to do. They are using medicine, herbs, diet, exercise, supplements--whatever works for them. And it is working for them. I think we are going to see a lot more of these people put their teaspoon of sand into the basket. The author is a retired hotel night auditor. At the age of 21, he worked as a computer programmer. Ten years later, he was selling boiler chemicals In Mexico. In the early '70s, he became interested in biochemistry, and followed its study as a hobby. His website is: http://www.WeBeatDiabetes.com/ ]]> Excuse Me, Are You A Literary Agent? http://www.artwoo.com/article/excuse-me-are-you-a-literary-agent http://www.artwoo.com/article/excuse-me-are-you-a-literary-agent#comments Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:34:59 +0000 doormanlo and beholdbill clintoncelebrityfaye dunawaycafandy warhol http://www.artwoo.com/article/excuse-me-are-you-a-literary-agent celebrity. Under the semi privileged dome of my existence, I encounter the rich and famous at every turn. When I was a teenager, I crossed paths with Jerry Lewis in Times Square and bumped elbows once with Marvin Gaye.

As a passionate college student of Cinema Studies, I dined across the room from Woody Allen and stopped to compliment his latest film. At =E9 Des Artiste, a rather high end restaurant in Manhattan, I was celebrating my thirty-fourth birthday when , charismatic Mayor Lindsey walked past my table. At a function at the World Trade Center many moons ago, I stood next to Barbara Walters and had a chat about something terribly mundane. I walked away feeling we were friends. I caught the eye of window shopping on Madison Avenue, admired on Fifth and called after Joni Mitchell on the corner of Forty-Second and Third, just to say I was a fan.

I could go on and on. even used the bathroom in my building once. This is truth. I guess he couldn't hold it and his bodyguard entered our lobby to announce the dilemma. I believe my has a photo of the cherished night. Not Bill on the john of course, just Bill and Pete, the doorman. So I didn't actually see Bill but my doorman did.

I'm not bragging about any of this but I do live in New York. I've gone to charity dinners with actors, singers and statesmen. I've been lucky enough to spend my summers in East Hampton where celebrity is as common as sand and let's not forget, Bill Clinton used the bathroom in my apartment building.

But here's the rub. In all my years living in this fair city I have never met a literary agent, or even seen one close up. Being a writer who's having a hard time getting published, this is a sad fact. They don't seem to live anywhere near me. They're certainly never in my neighborhood and we have a lot of good restaurants on the upper west side. I can't help wondering where they do eat. They don't show up at the same parties across town and they don't even drink at the same bar. I never even sat next to one on an airplane.

Where do you think they are? Hiding from me, perhaps? Do they see me coming, hungry for representation and run for the burbs? Do I give away my yearning for them in my expression, my need to be discovered, appreciated and signed on? Do I have to find a conference in which to pitch my precious novel? Why can't we have a friendly chat in the elevator? Why can't I find their missing pooch and emerge a hero, why aren't they related to my Aunt Em? Where the hell are these people?

I would know one if I saw one, I'm quite sure. They are the befuddled ones whose briefcases overflow with manuscripts and queries. They wear formula friendly smiles and Next Bestseller buttons on their lapels. I think they only come out in the daytime because they have to go home and write rejection letters. This takes practically the whole night so most of them have circles under their eyes. I think they only speak to one another because they don't really know what makes the average reader tick; they think it's just about clothing the same characters in different color khakis.

So maybe they're the zoned out sleepyheads on the subway listening to the same CD over and over again. You know who I'm talking about; they're the people asleep behind their sunglasses, lattes and ipods, exhausted by the latest seminar on What the Industry Wants. Maybe they're really jaded, so much so that the words in the books they read run into each other and one good novel is just like any other. They're probably not aware anymore that Tolstoy is not the Russian word for "hello" and Jane Eyre is not a brand name for refrigeration. This isn't because they're stupid, it's just that their minds are too full of the contemporary maze of repetition and when you put so much time in trying to find the next New York Times bestseller, you forget things.

I keep looking for agents all over the place despite their shortcomings. After all, I'm a writer and my manuscripts need a mommy or daddy who will believe in them and sell my book's screen rights or get me a major publishing deal. I mean, after all, I'm told that's what they do for a living. Don't they need me as much as I need them?

Well, I'll be patient. I guess they'll find me when the time is right. And like a Vampire after blood, they'll emerge out of their misty obscurity, charming me into believing they've been there all along, just waiting for the richness of my words, the taste of my appeal.

Once they devour me with promise, I will be theirs forever. I'll see them flying through the cavern of my dreams, their faces close, the contract of eternal representation in their hands. As these prolific little pundits move from shadow into form, their eyes burrowed in my manuscript, at last; their image, finally, clear as a dime store novel plot, I'll tip my writer's hat and welcome the occasion, as if the absence of these literary phantoms, was never felt. Vera Jane Cook: Dancing Backward In Paradise has received rave reviews as well as an Eric Hoffer and Indie Excellence award in the Literary fiction category. Vera's next book, Hearts Upon a Fragile Bough, will be published in 2008. Visit her web site at http://www.verajanecook.com ]]> Hunting and Survival: Some Tips For Beginners http://www.artwoo.com/article/hunting-and-survival-some-tips-for-beginners http://www.artwoo.com/article/hunting-and-survival-some-tips-for-beginners#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:22:24 +0000 cave painterssubsistence wageanimal imageryanimal husbandryfossil evidencerich huntersheer necessity http://www.artwoo.com/article/hunting-and-survival-some-tips-for-beginners Fossil evidence indicates that early humans were hunting with spears as long as 16,200 years ago, and scientists estimate that we've been eating meat much longer than that--for nearly two million years, a span of time that long predates the emergence of homo sapiens.

And in that time we haven't merely hunted animals--we've made the experience of hunting part of the myths, rituals and arts of human culture. The , who are humanity's first known visual artists--and still among its best--seem to have made hunting one of their major themes; there are images tens of thousands of years old that seem to depict animals wounded in a hunt, and some speculate that the reason for the overall predominance of in those paintings reflects their origin in some sort of pre-hunt magic--an early instance, if you will, of visualization.

Agriculture, and , reduced the importance of the hunt slightly, but it's remained a part of human life. Its decreased necessity, in farming societies, allowed it to become a social outlet, even a sport, for those who could afford the time--which, for much of European history, was not many people, given the brutal laws that affected laborers' ability to sell their work for a greater-than-. Hunting became a pastime for the idle rich, one that was thought to build character. In the Europe of medieval and later times, hunting grew to be so firmly associated with the upper classes that the became a sort of stereotypical figure--one that survives to our own day in the cartoon character Elmer Fudd, that befuddled but well-off would-be wabbit hunter of Looney Tunes fame.

In nineteenth-century America, by contrast, the slaves and poor whites of the South insisted, in practice, on their right to hunt for food (often from ). Hunting thus became, for Americans, a more democratic pastime. The Second Amendment, and the resultant tradition of American gun ownership (not to say worship), helped reinforce this idea. So did such iconic American figures as the writer Ernest Hemingway, who returned to the subject in one short story after another, and the president Theodore Roosevelt, whose obsession with "virility" (as he defined it) drove him to a near-worship of sports. So as well did the practical importance of hunting to the settlers of the West and Middle West--who carried on from thousands of years of Native American hunting of the same territory, though generally without the ecological sensitivity and local intelligence of those peoples. (Thus the near-extinction of the Bison.)

These days, hunting faces some controversy, as animal-rights activists call the sport barbaric, and environmentalists worry that its ecological consequences may be dire. Yet conservationism is also woven into the history of American hunting--Roosevelt, that pivotal figure in its history, was also among the first Presidents to enact environmental-protection laws, and his legacy lives on among hunters who support efforts to protect certain wildlife habitats. In any case, hunting remains one of the few activities that allows contemporary urbanized Americans, the vast majority of whom live in cities and towns, to interact with animals and to see forests.

But for this very reason, hunting imposes certain dangers--after all, it asks people who may have little experience of surviving in the woods to do so, perhaps miles from familiar civilization. Here are some tips to keep in mind on your hunting trip:

1)

Remember the "rule of three." In general, humans cannot survive three hours in extreme low temperatures; three days without water; or three weeks without food.

2)

Always bring a first-aid kit.

3)

Make sure someone knows exactly where you plan to hunt, and exactly when to expect you back. If you get trapped in the woods, you want to know there's somebody back home who can alert authorities in the event of your going missing. Hunt in a group, if possible.

4)

Observe basic gun safety at all times, no matter how experienced you consider yourself to be. Don't point a gun or bow at anything you aren't sure you want to shoot. Don't rest the muzzle against your foot, keep the safety on and the trigger untouched until the moment you're ready to fire. Unload or unstring your weapon when it's not in use, and keep it safely locked up. Wear hearing and eye protection, leave the beers at home, and in general, always treat your gun or bow as if it were loaded and ready to shoot--always.

5)

Don't hunt during periods of low visibility--children have been shot at a range of seventeen yards by hunters who forgot this bit of common-sense advice.

6)

Wear bright-orange gear to ensure your own visibility to other hunters. If other hunters in the area seem to behave recklessly--an increasing problem as methamphetamine usage takes more and more of a toll on the same rural areas that provide many with hunting grounds--get out and get home, as fast as you can.

7)

Spot-check your gear before you leave, especially if it has been in contact with the ground. Otherwise you may bring home unwanted "guests" in the form of scorpions, snakes, bugs and other undesirables.

8)

This is not a complete guide. Your library or local DNR office will have information you need--make sure you avail yourself of all of it.

9)

A good hunter is not one who laughs at danger or never feels fear, but the one who takes danger seriously and fears the right things.CigarFox provides you the opportunity to build your own sampler of the finest cigars that include cigar brands like Montecristo, Romeo and Julieta, H Upmann, Macanudo, Cohiba, Partagas, Gurkha and many more. Choose from more than 1200 different cigars! Other cigar products include cigar humidors, cigar boxes, and cigar accessories like Zippo Lighters.]]> Are You a Novice Author Befuddled by the Complexities of the Publishing World? http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-you-a-novice-author-befuddled-by-the-complexities-of-the-publishing-world http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-you-a-novice-author-befuddled-by-the-complexities-of-the-publishing-world#comments Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:01:38 +0000 first time authorsproud publishersquality literaturenew talentstraditional publishingtraditional publisherliterary agent http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-you-a-novice-author-befuddled-by-the-complexities-of-the-publishing-world literary agent or publisher. But when you proudly offered your masterpiece to the market, you struck out. Some have broken the barrier and found a publisher, but you haven't been that fortunate, and you don't know why.

Selecting the Best Method to Publish Your Book

The publishing world is complex and may seem impenetrable to a start-up writer, but determining the best method to publish your book is not as daunting as it seems

Unfortunately, publishing just ain't what it used to be. Not too long ago the industry was composed of editors and publishers devoted to the preservation of . People who would take risks to introduce and new ideas. Sadly, those lofty principles have fallen victim to the new standard -- the bottom line.

, respected throughout the literary world, have lost their identity and their commitment as they have been swallowed up by huge publishing conglomerates. Today, major publishing houses seldom take risks. They place their money behind sure bets, books about or by show biz celebrities, political figures or other notables, often bypassing highly talented new writers.

The Traditional Route

is a three-way partnership between author, literary agent and publisher. The number of layers involved makes this a slow and ponderous process that can take as long as two years before you see your book in print. In addition, many feel it is as difficult to finding an agent as it is finding a , perhaps harder.

The national book tours, elegant publication parties and other promotional efforts that were once the hallmark of traditional publishing are now offered only to top level star-studded authors. All the rest of us are expected to finance our own promotional efforts out of meager royalties (usually 5% on net sales), adding strongly to the trend away from traditional publishing.

Nonetheless, this is by far the most prestigious method of publishing your book. It makes challenges like obtaining reviews and gaining access to bookstores and book club rolls far easier. If you are willing to wait patiently for your book to come off the press and if prestige is important enough to you to sacrifice control of your book during production, then traditional publishing is the road you should follow.

There Are Alternatives

A growing number of dedicated smaller publishers have become alternatives to the majors, and are maintaining impressive standards. Just a year ago, the Book Industry Study Group, the prestigious monitor of industry trends, described these independent small publishers as "sizable and growing with surging numbers."

In addition, dramatic advances in printing technology over the last decade have spawned a brand new industry, Publishing on Demand (POD). These advances have also made possible cost effective printing for short press runs, and that has opened the door to easy, relatively inexpensive self-publishing. Beginning writers are no longer at the mercy of costly vanity presses that required them to accept large press runs of books that then remained unsold in moldy basements and garages.

This fledgling POD industry has finally overcome the stigma that surrounded it in its earliest days when the rest of the publishing world demeaned it and reviewers refused to consider books it produced. With their books beginning to capture awards and reach best seller levels, they have gained substantial respect, and represent a very effective way for a newcomer to publish what you write.

If you decide to go this route, study the fine print of your POD contract before signing. Be aware that POD houses promise you total control over your book throughout the publishing process. However, that is not completely true. In the vast majority of cases, the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) belongs to the POD house, not the author, and the entity that owns the ISBN controls all financial aspects of the book. Decisions on key factors like pricing and profit are made by the house, not by you.

Making Life Easy

Nonetheless, POD offers real benefits to the wannabe author who has never experienced the complexities of publishing a book. The house assumes all the responsibilities of production and basic distribution. In addition to the ISBN and bar codes, the house will obtain a copyright and catalog your book with the Library of Congress.

It will produce an attractive cover for the book and format the interior text to equal the quality of books produced by traditional publishers. Once all of the nitty gritty of pre-publication is completed, the house will arrange for printing and list the book with a major distributor.

However, don't rely on your POD publisher to promote your book. That's your job. Stay away from the alleged promotional programs offered for an additional price by POD publishers. They basically add up to nothing more than a release that is essentially ineffective distributed to the press.

Self-Publishing

More and more authors now choose to follow the self-publishing route. The advances in technology have made doing it yourself a great deal easier and faster than following the traditional route. Excellent books have been published to guide you through the experience. I strongly recommend Dan Poynter's classic Self-Publishing Manual and Patricia Fry's The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.

While one can argue that the prestige of publication by one of the majors is inducement enough, a simple dollars and cents (perhaps better yet dollars and sense) analysis demonstrates how much more beneficial it is to collect all the profit from self-publishing than to receive a minuscule 5% royalty from a traditional house with little or no help on promotional expenses.

Today's fledgling authors have these four options as they seek to publish their first book: major or independent traditional house, POD or self-publishing. Of course, there are pros and cons when you analyze each of them, so it is important that you understand the process and whether it is suitable for your needs.

If prestige is what you seek and you are willing to sacrifice speed in production and minuscule returns, the traditional route is yours to take. If speed is a factor because your book is timely or if you are an unsure beginner, POD may be the answer. If pride of self accomplishment and/or higher profits intrigue you, then perhaps your best choice is self-publishing.Let author Charles Jacobs help you become a published writer. Click onto http://www.retirement-writing.com for free articles and info on his coaching programs. Charles' latest book "The Writer Within You," was chosen as a Best Books of the Year by five organizations. It will guide you through writing and publishing your work. Order a discounted copy at http://www.retireandwrite.com.]]> Viral Buzz Blogs Launches Toothbrush http://www.artwoo.com/article/viral-buzz-blogs-launches-toothbrush http://www.artwoo.com/article/viral-buzz-blogs-launches-toothbrush#comments Tue, 27 Jun 2006 00:32:04 +0000 travel toothbrushproduct ideagrand ideatodays marketplaceblogosphereaustin entrepreneurproceeded http://www.artwoo.com/article/viral-buzz-blogs-launches-toothbrush Austin entrepreneur, Richard Trocino had a great . And, like thousands of other innovative inventors with a new product concept, bringing that idea into a marketplace dominated by long established brands with deep links and dominance in the retail outlets is challenging. In these days of mega corporations and Walmarts, VCs and small business defined by the government in the land of opportunity, one entrepreneur with a or product may be considered by any of those groups as irrelevant and insignificant. Another challenge faced by small businesses in today's marketplace, like in Trocino's case, is getting an idea produced and generating sales.

In spite of impossible odds, Trocino's invention sells almost faster today than his factories can produce and distribute all over the world. The established companies that were given the opportunity to brand and produce it, now may be wishing they had not dismissed the popular product so readily. Not when the is broadcasting around the globe faster and with more range than a speeding bullet; comments appearing include; "OHSO gets my nod for the most stylish and futuristic toothbrush/toothpaste contraption on the market today", "The Coolest Toothbrush Ever", and "World's Most Elegant ".

Trocino received micro level funding to get the prototypes built and into limited manufacturing through friends and family after attempts to license the product to both toothpaste and toothbrush companies fell on deaf ears. Similarly, Trocino found his innovation locked out of normal channels of retailing without the benefits of an established proven brand in the marketplace.

Discouraged, but undaunted Trocino abandoned efforts to take the product to market using traditional marketing methods. Instead, like entrepreneurs who have met with unexpected success throughout business history he by seat of the pants and gut instinct. Acting on a hunch, he put it out there exclusively in the world of the internet and ignored the traditional "wisdom" of standard marketing techniques--no phones, faxes, or printed paper junk mail--nothing but net. A guerrilla marketer does not have the luxury of the corporate behemoths who can afford (since it's investor's and stockholders money not their own) to throw 98% of their marketing dollars away on a numbers game in a business model that justifies and covers its inherent wastefulness by overcharging those sold customers the expenses of marketing to everyone else.

Trocino decided to be a "Swamp Fox" marketer, like General Francis Marion who befuddled the British in South Carolina during the Revolutionary war, and break all the rules of modern marketing warfare. Marketing is a form of warfare and many entrepreneurs have discovered the reality of today's business battlefields. The corporations and financiers have in today's market reality stacked the deck against upstart competition by raising the ante into the game of commerce. One unnamed entrepreneurial internet advice columnist estimates the cost of entry to even be considered for funding by an angel or VC group at between $25,000 and $250,000. That is merely for the development of the business plan, and pre-start up consulting, general expenses and to purchase access to their secretive inner circle. Trocino decided to wander into the unknown swamp of the internet and blogsphere and see what people would do when offered his innovation directly.

Trocino, like most entrepreneurs, is a risk taker, but like most smart business persons likes to reduce risk wherever possible. He knew a good concept poorly executed had little chance of success in the market, so he took his idea to a locally based but internationally known design firm called "Design Edge" and negotiated a co-marketing partnership for assistance in 'packaging' his innovation. Trocino knew that people who travel a lot would naturally respond favorably to the concept of an integrated toothpaste dispensing toothbrush in a self contained case that protects clothing in suitcases as well as keeps things neat and sanitary. With the co-marketing partnership with 'Design Edge' the product took on a new personality within a sexy futuristic design that takes the basic utilitarian idea and wraps it in fashionability and elegance.

Then with a few well chosen words, a friend with a good photographic eye and a smattering of html code, Trocino put up a website at http://www.goOHSO.com, and invited a few friends through http://MySpace.com to look at his new line of toothbrushes. MySpace would become the testing ground and ultimate launch pad for the rollout of his product.

With its stylish modern design and elegant photography, the buzz it generated in cyberspace was somewhat unexpected. In fact, it was explosive!

Driven by the dynamics of blogosphere where coolness and fashionability become badges of personal taste and sophistication, the OHSO toothbrush rapidly found its way onto the personal blogs of graphic designers, and jet setters as the coolest thing since crystal ice. When Josh Spears, the blogger's blogger posted his rave of the sleek product, sales and global visibility exploded. Even the legendary Steven Wozniak, the cofounder of another innovative product, Apple computer, is counted among the OHSO toothbrush users and fans.

Today the product is available in high fashion boutiques in the swanky Beverly Hills bastions of elegance and among the cappuccino makers and executive toys on the shelves of Brookstone stores around the country. Blogs have elevated the sensible, functional, practical toothbrush for harried travelers into fashion statements that provide high status and cool despite it's less than $20 price tag.

Not a bad state of affairs for the beaming Trocino who is today expanding the line with even more designs to satisfy the market demands. OHSO is a product that owes its success to a seat of the pants approach to beat the corporate gorillas with a bit of his own guerilla marketing. He simply put it out there in the vast uncharted cyber world where the old MBA strategies have no more influence on the hip youth market than the full color fall outs in the increasing unread Sunday paper.

Today freedom of the personal press in the global Blogsville rules a small voice with a message, or product like the OHSO toothbrush, can be magnified into a global phenomena. When people like what they see, they tell their friends, who today are everywhere. Just like Richard Trocino's classy and well designed toothbrush. Dan'l Terry is President of Frett'd Treasures, Inc. and an Adjunct Professor of Journalism at Austin Community College. Prior to that he taught Advertising and Mass Communications at Texas State University. He's recently patented and licensed a new line of ergonomic guitars to be sold globally. Read more at http://danl.us/cblog/ ]]> 2007 Concerts In Review: Money, Music, Madness http://www.artwoo.com/article/2007-concerts-in-review-money-music-madness http://www.artwoo.com/article/2007-concerts-in-review-money-music-madness#comments Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:25:06 +0000 music retail storesdoom and gloomfile sharersjohn mellencampnine inch nailspeer to peer downloadingozzy osbourne http://www.artwoo.com/article/2007-concerts-in-review-money-music-madness file sharers, declining CD sales, increasing failure among traditional , and well-known artists like Radiohead and striking out on their own and offering new releases online for free; it seems these days the music industry can't catch a break.

But with all of this , the one positive for the industry in 2007 has been a relatively strong live concert market. Nostalgia has been the order of the day, with classic rock acts continuing to hit the road, their numbers bolstered by reuniting 80's acts who've either got the itch as part of a midlife crisis, or who want to pad out their retirement income. Just look at the acts currently (week of November 20, 2007) holding the top fifteen spots on Pollstar's Top 50 list of concert tours:

1. Bon Jovi 2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 3. Van Halen 4. Celine Dion 5. Foo Fighters 6. Neil Young 7. 8. Tool 9. Billy Joel 10. The Police 11. 12. Elton John 13. Stevie Wonder 14. The Spice Girls 15. Rage Against The Machine

I count four reunions (five if you include Springsteen touring with the E Street Band), one lounge act trying to escape Las Vegas, and a couple of relatively current bands. The rest will definitely fit nicely under the "nostalgia" umbrella - not that Billy Joel or Elton John aren't good or relevant, it's just that their music isn't what you'd typically expect a twenty year old to be rocking out to, as their first choice.

The numbers aren't all in yet, but the grosses are looking pretty good. While their tour actually began in 2005, The Rolling Stones' A Bigger Bang Tour wrapped up in the autumn of 2007 and made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest-grossing concert tour in history. Just how big is that, you ask? They raked in $560,000,000 (US dollars) for the 144 dates they played. That's right, over half a billion dollars; almost four million dollars per night. Not bad pocket money.

Before we get all star-eyed about the dough that's being made hand over fist on touring though, there are a few reality checks to consider.

First of all, the record labels themselves seldom see any money from touring, so it's not like the concert revenue is helping to make up for declining CD sales. The artists themselves can find touring a very lucrative business, although even they don't typically see the bulk of the cash that's collected at the gates. According to industry averages, an artist can expect to net as much as thirty-five percent of ticket prices and fifty percent of merchandise sales for a show. The bulk of the take goes to paying promoters, road crews, venues, ticket sellers, and anyone else who has any involvement in the planning, marketing, running, setting up or cleaning up after a show.

Complicating the equation is the fact that ticket sales themselves have actually been relatively flat; as a matter of fact, they have shown a slight decline in some recent years. But, ticket prices have continued to increase significantly, especially among bands whose audience demographic skews toward the older, wealthier listener. According to Rolling Stone, the average concert ticket cost under =A318 in 1999, and in 2003 that had increased to over =A324. An LA Times investigation determined that the average price had climbed to =A330 for 2006, so clearly there is something more than simple inflationary pressure at work.

This key issue becomes the critical factor behind the ranking of top-grossing touring acts. Promoters charge what the market will bear, and a group with a history (like the Rolling Stones) or a significant pent-up demand due to a break-up (The Police) or tendency to have somewhat older fans (both The Rolling Stones and The Police) will allow the promoters to charge considerably higher ticket prices. So it's no surprise that the mega acts like The Stones, U2 and The Police can manage to tour, consistently pulling off premium ticket prices at multiple dates and ending up topping the concert charts, even though they may not have released a new CD in over twenty years.

Looking at numbers supplied by Pollstar (note: these have been rounded), you can easily see that relationship. In the 2005 concert year, the top concert gross list displayed what has become a familiar pattern: domination by nostalgia and classic rock acts, with the top five spots being held by The Rolling Stones, U2, Celine Dion, Paul McCartney, and The Eagles. Okay, Celine Dion is an odd one, but you can attribute that to gamblers in Las Vegas with more money than they know what to do with and a healthy bar tab.

The Rolling Stones captured the top spot by earning =A380 million with an average ticket price of =A365. U2 came in second, grossing =A368 million with an average ticket price of =A349. Look for a contemporary act on the top twenty list and you can find Coldplay in seventeenth spot, grossing =A311 million with an average ticket price of a much more modest =A319; Green Day hit number 12 with =A317 million on =A318 tickets. See the pattern? Even if Green Day or their promoters tried for the big payday at this point, would there be enough "kids" willing to shell out =A349 for tickets? Would they attract enough baby boomers to make up for the shortfall? I doubt it.

The relatively lower grosses don't mean other acts aren't doing well touring, it simply means they aren't playing as many gigs to as many fans, or they're not charging nearly as much for tickets. They can do quite well, just not well enough to make the big early retirement pay cheque.

So now we've established that 2007 has been a pretty good year to be a touring rock band and gotten the financial nonsense out of the way, which shows have actually been getting the buzz?

The Police rank up there pretty highly. At first people watched with morbid curiosity, half expecting the old tensions to resurface and end with Sting and Stewart Copeland beating the hell out of each other on stage - come on, admit it, you were hoping it would all go down at the show you saw. Despite a slightly rough start, showing the band was clearly out of practice after all these years; they quickly found their groove and played to sold out shows and excellent reviews. The critics were happy, and the fans couldn't buy tickets fast enough.

Rage Against The Machine was another of the most anticipated reunion acts, especially among the younger alternative rock set. The comic soap opera that has been Van Halen and David Lee Roth settled down enough to actually hit the road in 2007. Genesis reformed =96 at least the Phil Collins-led version of Genesis. Canadian progressive rockers Rush toured in support of their Snakes and Arrows CD. The Rock the Mic tour brought Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott together for a series of over 30 shows. According to Forbes magazine, the Dixie Chicks took less than a week to sell over =A322 million in ticket sales for 57 shows.

For the pre-teen and (possibly early teen) set, Disney's Hannah Montana has been "rocking" sold out venues everywhere. Another reunion of sorts, The Smashing Pumpkins, were also back in 2007, along with veterans Gordon Lightfoot, Van Morrison, John Fogerty, Rod Stewart, Roger Waters, Bob Dylan and Neil Young who all toured. Even occasionally befuddled rocker Ozzy Osborne has started out with Rob Zombie. Bon Jovi is selling tickets in a big way with favourable reviews, and old new wavers (is that a contradiction in terms?) Duran Duran and The Cure were on the road. Justin Timberlake got his groove on and Dane Cook proved that stand-up comics could sell out arenas too. Not to be left out in the cold by classic rockers and reunion acts, Incubus, Tool, Foo Fighters, Avril Lavigne, Mr. Avril Lavigne's band (Sum 41), Korn, Modest Mouse, Jimmy Eat World, Fallout Boy, Cake, Avenged Sevenfold, Band of Horses and Arcade Fire, all made representations for the alternative rock crowd.

So how is 2008 shaping up in terms of concerts? Obviously we can't predict too much at this stage, but I will be willing to throw this one out: tickets are going to continue to rise in price at a rate greater than inflation and the biggest grossing acts will once again be ageing rockers, with the ultimate combination of rocker and reunion topping the list. If the chemistry was right for their reunion concert in December, and if Robert Plant and Jimmy Page don't end up in fisticuffs, it just might be that Led Zeppelin may commit to a tour, and if that happens look for them to be at the top of the list by this time next year. But coming back full circle to the problem record labels are having with declining CD sales, mega group and thorn-in-the-labels-side, artists' rights champions Radiohead are also planning a 2008 world tour. Don't count them out either.

It's bound to be an interesting year. This article was written by Brad Moon for http://Viagogo.co.uk, a leading European ticket hub. Viagogo connects buyers and sellers of tickets, concert tickets, theatre tickets and more. Viagogo also guarantees all the transactions, so if you are looking for tickets online, Viagogo is the place to go! ]]>