Archive for September, 2007

Bar Mitzvah: From Boy to Man

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

By Gabriel J. Adams In Judaism, a boy takes on the responsibilities of an adult in the Jewish community at the age of thirteen. As an observance of this occasion, a ceremony is held often followed by a celebration. Now days, this ceremony and celebration are often mistakenly referred to as a Bar Mitzvah. The Bar Mitzvah is not the event but the boy the event is being held in honor of. The word ‘bar’ is Hebrew for son and ‘mitzvah’ is the word for commandment. Thus, at thirteen, a boy becomes Bar Mitzvah, or Son of the Commandment. Before the age of thirteen, the parents have full responsibility for the boy’s actions in regard to Jewish law and tradition. Once a boy is thirteen, he becomes fully accountable for his own actions, whether good or bad, in keeping the laws and traditions of his community. He is also now privileged to participate fully as an adult, as well. He can be called to read from the Torah (the five books of Moses) and Haftarah (the books of the Prophets), and be part of a Minyan or prayer quorum. Jewish boys look forward to becoming Bar Mitzvah with much anticipation. Marking the occasion with ceremony and celebration is only part of it. There is a lot of preparation that goes into the ritual aspect of the commemoration. It often begins long before the age of thirteen. Getting ready to lead the prayer service on the day of Bar mitzvah takes time. There is much to learn. The young man will not only recite the blessings for the Torah reading, and read from the Torah and Haftarah, he will most likely give a d’var Torah (discussion on the Torah portion for that week), as well. When the time comes and the young man is called up to do these things, it is called aliyah, which is Hebrew for ‘going up’. Usually, the parents present the young man with his first tallit, which he will wear during this service. He will wear one now every Shabbat (Sabbath), and often, every time he prays. On this occasion, too, it is traditional for the young man’s grandfather to give him his first set of tefilin. These are black boxes with straps that are worn during prayers except on Shabbat and Holy Days. The boxes contain written portions of the Bible. They are a sign of the relationship between G-d and the Jew. Now that the young man has entered adulthood, his relationship with G-d will grow closer as he follows the laws and traditions he was taught throughout childhood. After the ceremonial service, a celebration is certainly in order. But it should not be the focal point of the day. That being said, the enjoyment of good food, good music and dancing are to be much looked forward to. It is a good time for friends and family to congratulate the new Bar Mitzvah. It is a joyful time, indeed! Find Bar Mitzvah Invitations at http://www.dependableprinting.com/bar-mitzvah-invitations.htm Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams http://EzineArticles.com/?Bar-Mitzvah:-From-Boy-to-Man&id=468994 cheap tramadol 180 buy tramadol online no prescription prescription drug ultram order ultram online

Treatments for Low Back Pain

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

By Connie Limon Low back pain usually lasting a few weeks, letting up slightly when you take a pain reliever and then going away is a common problem for many people. There are many causes for low back pain. If you have injured or strained your lower back, most cases just takes time for your back to heal. Usually the pain will last just as long if you go to a chiropractor, or to a physical therapist, or even if you seek no treatment at all. Treatment of some type can make you more comfortable as you wait for your back to heal. Chiropractic and conventional treatments are available. But which one is the right treatment for your particular problem? Massage therapy can also help your muscles relax and you to feel better while you wait for your back to heal. Massage therapy also offers you other health related benefits. In this article we will explore some of those benefits as well as talk a little bit about chiropractic therapy for the relief of lower back pain. Chiropractic Therapy: In chiropractic therapy the goal is to restore spinal movement and therefore improve function and decrease the back pain. Chiropractors use spinal adjustment (manipulation) as one form of therapy to treat and/or alleviate back pain and restricted spinal mobility. A chiropractor uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint. This technique often results in a cracking sound made by separation of the joint surfaces. The sound is common; however, it does not have to occur for the adjustment treatment to be successful. Another technique a chiropractor may use is massage and stretching to relax muscles that are shortened or in spasm. Additional chiropractic treatments include ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and exercises. Chiropractic care is considered safe, although it is not appropriate for everyone. The following are some situations in which chiropractic care is not recommended: If you have osteoporosis or symptoms of nerve damage such as numbness, tingling or loss of strength in a limb, hand or foot you should not choose chiropractic adjustments. A history of spinal surgery would indicate the need to check with your surgeon before consulting a chiropractor. If you have had a stroke or have a history of vascular disease manipulation of the neck may be hazardous. Back pain accompanied by fever, chills, sweats or unintentional weight loss should be evaluated by a medical doctor to rule out the possibility of an infection or tumor before consulting a chiropractor. If none of the situations above fit your case and you would like to try chiropractic care to treat your low back pain consider the following tips before contacting chiropractic therapists: Always consult with your doctor first. Ask him his professional opinion about the type of specialist best to treat your back pain. Some physical therapists and many osteopathic physicians have spinal manipulation training. One of these or even another specialist your doctor may be aware of and you are not might be the better choice in your situation. Select a chiropractor who is willing to work with other members of your health care team. Arrange a consultation with the practitioner before you make a treatment appointment. You want to find out how he or she might address your back pain. Be sure you are comfortable with the recommendations, and the number of sessions required. Normally for acute low back pain, four to six sessions are enough. There are few risks involved when adjustments are limited to the lower back. Manipulation of the neck has been associated with injury to the blood vessels supplying the brain. On rare occasions, neck manipulation may cause a stroke. Always think in terms of prevention. Review the following tips for preventing lower back pain: Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Sit up straight. When you lift something heavy, learn the correct techniques for lifting and let your legs to the work. Smokers should ask their doctors to help them develop a plan to quit. Smoking reduces blood blow to the lower spine, which hinders the healing process. Massage Therapy:In addition, a soothing massage can help you in more ways than just to unwind. Massage combined with traditional medical treatments can reduce stress and promote healing in people with certain health conditions. Several types of health care professionals can perform a massage. These health care professionals include but are not limited to: A massage therapist; A physical therapist; An occupational therapist. A massage consists of manipulation of your bodys soft tissues your muscles, skin and tendons. Massage professionals use their fingertips, hands and fists during the manipulation process. There are several versions of the massage, which are performed in a variety of settings. After a massage you will probably feel relaxed, but the massage is not likely to cure everything that ails you. You should be aware that a massage performed incorrectly could also hurt you. Try to educate yourself about massage techniques before you try one to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable. There are certain health benefits related to massage therapy. The following is a list of some of those benefits: Massage has been known to reduce anxiety in depressed children, anorexic women, and the withdrawal symptoms in adults trying to quit smoking. Massage during labor seems to help reduce stress and anxiety, relax the muscles and help block the pain. Massage encourages weight gain in premature babies and reduces the number of days they stayed in the hospital. People with HIV who participated in massage studies showed an increased number of natural killer cells, which are thought to defend the body from viral and cancer cells. Massage involves direct contact with another person through touch and can make you feel cared for. The special attention can improve self-image in people with physical disabilities and terminal illnesses. Using touch to convey caring can help children with severe physical disabilities. Back pain also might be relieved by massage, however, back pain study results have been contradictory and more research is required. Source: Mayo Clinic Disclaimer: This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. Always consult with a professional health care provider for all your health problems. This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Author: Connie Limon. Please visit our collection of Nutrition and Health Articles at http://nutritionandhealthhub.com All articles are offered as information, education and FREE reprints for your newsletter, website or blog. 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Lose Weight Permanently - No. 6 - Get Some Support

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

By Eric Hartwell When you embark upon your diet it can be a tough road to follow. There are so many things to think about, so many changes to make and a host of problems, hurdles and barriers in front of you. Nobody said it would be easy. So, help yourself get some support. Long-term weight loss doesnt happen overnight it takes time and commitment. It also doesn’t happen alone. You need to get support someone or several people that can help you through the difficult times and who will be there to support you. Perhaps someone that has been (or is going) through the process themselves. You can find support groups such as Weight Watchers or any other weight loss group that is interested in offering encouragement and support for others in the same situation. They will understand the difficult decision you have made and many of them will be only too happy to share their experiences with you. There are so many potential pitfalls, all of which are there to try and make you give up. But with someone beside you, you can discuss the issues you face and get, from them, the time and understanding that will help you through this venture. It is difficult, and if you meet someone that has been through it before then you are half way there. But, don’t forget, friends and relatives can help too. Let them know what you are doing and what you may need to sacrifice in order to be successful. Perhaps they will tell you how well you are looking and even how your shape has changed! If not, ask them. Good friends will be truthful at all times and good friends will always be there either in person or at the end of a telephone to listen to you. Use them. Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on weight loss and obesity and visit his associated site articles for free. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell http://EzineArticles.com/?Lose-Weight-Permanently—No.-6—Get-Some-Support&id=496396 fioricet online ordering pharmacy fioricet brand name fioricet fioricet online

Best Job Resume Spelling & Punctuation Tips

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

By Mark Baber You have heard it a million times: “you only get one chance to make a good ‘first’ impression.” In a job search, that is doubly true. The materials you deliver to a prospective employer or contractor as an introduction to you as a possible candidate, must express your unique skills and, through the points highlighted in the materials, show you to be the best choice for the job in question. Simple spelling errors; or misuse of, or lack of punctuation; both transgressions diminish the message you are sending to the hiring authority. Such errors suggest you don’t attend to details; and maybe, that you are not reliable. If you are trying to convince someone to hire you, you want to answer questions before they are asked, not raise them before they become issues. Check your resume, cover letter, references, etc. against some of the most common spelling and punctuation related mistakes revealed in this article, so those oversights won’t bruise the integrity of your job search documents. Don’t assume your “spell check” software will identify all misused or misspelled words. It won’t, as proven below. But learn how to search for and find them, if any lurk in your own documents. It all comes down to basic good grammar. Correct spelling and word usage is essential to good grammar. There is a huge difference in meaning between the words there and they’re and their, yet many people commonly - and incorrectly - exchange the spelling and definitions of those words one-for-another. A spell check will approve the misuse of those words every time, because there is no misspelling; the spelling is inherently correct, even though the usage is not, as one word is replaced for another.. Some other commonly misused and misspelled words that find their ways stealthily through your best spell check device, include: then/than; manager/manger; company’s/companies; “sells/sales,” “disk/disc,” “an/and,:” “tune/toon,” “receipt/receipe,” and a list of other sound-alike words. You have to search your own documents for those mistakes. Don’t rely on your spell checker One easy, but thorough, way to check your job resume and other documents, is to read them from top to bottom, by phrase - does each phrase make sense? - any errors? - punctuation correct? Correct punctuation is another consideration for expressing good grammar, and essential for creating clear business communications. The rules of usage are confusing at times, but reflect common sense communications. People, who are often unsure of correct punctuation while they are writing, can usually recognize incorrect punctuation when they are reading. Therefore, it makes good sense to understand the correct usage for common punctuation marks, such as the period, the comma, the question mark, the exclamation point, quotation marks, apostrophes, colons and semicolons Keep it simple. If you keep your writing straightforward and compelling, there is no requirement to use elaborate displays of punctuation. If you want a deeper understanding of punctuation, access one of the many tutorials available on the subject, as found on the Internet Correct capitalization can also be included under the heading of ‘Punctuation.’ Often times, the best way to critique your writing for correct punctuation and capitalization is to read your text aloud, see if it makes good sense and flows without uncomfortable pauses or long, ponderous passages. Don’t get caught making the most common, rookie mistake, which is to forget to capitalize the name of a State, or City, or the “Inc.” part of a company name, or the full job title - like “General manager,” or one of the other dozen or so areas where proper capitalization of words is typically found on resume or cover letter documents. That is why it is so important for you to proofread your resume and other documents. Better you find such a mistake as a prospective employer find it. Do it. Strive to keep your materials brief, well organized, and focused to send select messages. But understand that regardless of how hard you may try to maintain simplicity, sometimes things get complicated. At those times, your sentence structure becomes more complex, so it has to be reliable. Cover Letters and job descriptions are good examples of how things we say come out sounding complicated. Complex sentences can contain several phrases or clauses, and punctuating them correctly is the key to making them understandable to your reader. If you leave your reader hanging in midair because your improper use of a comma creates a sentence fragment that doesn’t conclude, the reader will feel confused, and be forced to reread what you wrote in order to understand it. If the subject of your writing is at all complex, the telling can sometimes become complex, and you risk losing your audience entirely if you further complicate the concepts being presented by clouding them with bad grammar. Therefore, check and recheck your written documents and spoken word presentation drafts for sentence fragments, run on sentences and misplaced phrases and clauses, and improper punctuation. Make certain you capitalize your writing appropriately. Double check your work. Then double check the double check you just did. Only after detailed attention to accuracy can you be certain you have removed any spelling or punctuation from your job search documents. At that point, you just increased your odds of getting hired. BEST OF LUCK IN YOUR JOB SEARCH Mark Baber has 20 years experience as an Executive Search recruiter. Mark is Recruit Consultant to http://www.JobNewsRadio.com Mark is also Consultant to http://www.smarthiredirect.com, a low cost, effective recruit, hiring and job applicant tracking system for recruiters, HR staff and employers at all levels.Or, for one-on-one job search assistance submit your resume directly to Mark via: http://www.mcbaber.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Baber http://EzineArticles.com/?Best-Job-Resume-Spelling-and-Punctuation-Tips&id=214959 buy cheap xenical online cheap online xenical xenical online xenical online cheap

Cost Of A Speeding Ticket-How Do You Calculate It?

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

By Brian Cliette People usually consider the speeding ticket as a hiccup during the day. Most people who are caught and given a speeding ticket prefer to pay it on the spot thinking that contesting it is too much trouble and a time drain. After all, most of us lead lives, which require 48 hours crammed in a 24 hour day. However, the decision for paying and forgetting the fine should be done only after you understand and see the whole picture. My first advice to you is, DO NOT PAY TE TICKET ON THE SPOT even if the officer says that if you do so it will come on your record. First and foremost, after you get the ticket (and preferably the officer left) record all the circumstances in writing - you will not remember 75% of it after one hour and try to get as much evidence for you as possible. If you can, draw a diagram and/or take photos and describe who was where when you were flagged down; where was the officer when he/she would have identified you as speeding, the signs around you, the traffic, the weather, the road, everything. Then, armed with all information either go through the law books regarding traffic offenses and see if you can struggle out of the ticket by showing inaccuracy or any other reason as such or hire an attorney to do so for you. In case you want to be sure you are doing the right thing by fighting/ contesting the speeding ticket, find out how much the insurance company would raise their premium after this conviction and calculate the total cost over three years. You also, find out how much (if any) surcharge the State imposes on you for the mark on your license then work it out whether it is better to contest it or pay it. The cost of the ticket, when seen from all the angles might startle you. What you would think is a mere fifty bucks would come out to be some $300-500 per year in terms of insurance and surcharge costs. I am sure that in 99 percent cases, you will find it more profitable to fight the ticket than to pay it without contesting. The direct costs are very high and not worth in the long run. There are the costs of fringe benefits as well, which cannot be counted directly here. Something like your company would not trust you with the company car and either not give it to you or insist that you hire a driver for it. The list goes on. Hence, the cost of the speeding ticket is far more that the meager $50-100 upfront cost. Beating a speeding tickets has never been easier with this 65+ page Guide with all the ticket beating tricks that Traffic Cops don’t want you to know. If you should fight, plea bargain, or pay the fine! How to plan ahead! Your basic rights! ! http://www.ihatespeedingtickets Beating a speeding tickets has never been easier with this 65+ page Guide with all the ticket beating tricks that Traffic Cops don’t want you to know. If you should fight, plea bargain, or pay the fine! How to plan ahead! Your basic rights! What to do in court! About radar, laser, and photo-laser units! About other types of tickets: red lights, stop signs, u-turns, parking tickets, etc! Beat a speeding ticket And much, MUCH MORE!! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Cliette http://EzineArticles.com/?Cost-Of-A-Speeding-Ticket-How-Do-You-Calculate-It?&id=437034 buy cheap phentermine online pharmacy phentermine no prescription phentermine 37.5 no prior prescription phentermine online without perscription

10 Tips to Grow Your Business Plain & Simple

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

By Beth Tabak Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value. Albert Einstein Recently I heard a statistic that the majority of businesses operate at 60% of their potential. While I was unable to obtain the source of that statistic it seemed rather accurate or maybe even high. The Small Business Association reports that 2/3 of new employer firms survive at least 2 years, and about 1/2 survive at least 4 years. The language they use is almost as scary as the statistics themselves. This article provides tips to help you develop and grow a strong, solid business foundation. 1- Solid Plan with a Clear Simple Vision- Think of the impact you would like your business to have in the world. Think big! You may never reach your vision but the vision itself is so grand that your team gets excited about it. Then back up and look at what would have to happen to get there. Create a solid plan with realistic short and long term goals. 2- Focus on Profitability vs. Revenue- While revenue is important, high revenue doesnt add value if your expenses are just as high. What can you do to create more profit? Possibly develop various streams of income. What expenses could be reduced or eliminated? How can you operate more efficiently? Think profit. 3- Work in and on your business- Sometimes we get so caught up in daily tasks in our business we forget to step back to take a wider look from the outside. Seeing it through a customers eyes. Noticing how it fits into the community. Preparing the future of the company. On the other hand, we can get so comfortable working on our business we forget to step in to talk with customers and experience what the employees face on a daily basis. 4- Automate and Create Systems- What do you need to automate? What system can you put in place that would free up your time or make you more money? What tasks need to be eliminated, systematized, or delegated. What system would help your employees be more effective and provide the best service? Finally, is there a system that needs to be upgraded? Automation and systems help your business be consistent and efficient. 5- Consistent Marketing Plan- Marketing expert Jay Conrad Levinson of Guerilla Marketing has said that I hate to admit this, but mediocre marketing with commitment works better than brilliant marketing without commitment. It is important to have a marketing plan in place that is consistently and persistently being carried out on a daily basis….not just when you need more customers. 6- Increase Value to Your Customers- Give more than your customers ask for…more than they expect. There are 3 convenience stores by my neighborhood. The first one built I visited regularly and was satisfied. Nothing unique. The second I visited less than a handful of times and had to wait every time to get checked out so havent been back in years. Every time I get gas at the third store I am greeted over the intercom with a friendly Hi, how are you today?. When we go inside they are friendly and always provide my kids with a free lollipop. They even added a Post Office inside. Who do you think gets my money on a regular basis and with very little effort or money on their part? The one that gives more than I expect. What added value can you provide that will increase your Wow factor? 7- Innovate- React to the customers needs before they know they need it. Instead of selling what you want, sell what the customer needs. How do you know what they need? Take time to talk to them. At a minimum talk to your best customers and learn from each one youve lost. Find out what they would like and what their challenges are. Stay current on market trends in your industry. 8- Leadership vs. Management- Empower your staff to manage themselves. Do you really want to spend your time problem solving? Train them well. Make sure they know the vision of the company and they are on board because there is a personal win in place for them. The personal win gives the employee motivation to cooperate as part of the team. 9- Well Oiled Machine vs. Chaos- Is each section of your business operating efficiently while working together towards the common goal? Or are the members of your team expending time and energy daily putting out fires. What change can you make to shift your business out of crisis/ problem-solving to operating with ease? 10- Develop YOU! - Take a minute to hold your breathe. As you hold your breathe think about what you really want. See what happens. Unless you are uniquely talented you probably had trouble thinking about what you want….because your needs were not being met. When you take care of yourself… feel strong, healthy, happy, and have time and space in your life…you can focus on what you want and attract more to your business. Take one step at a time and build a strong, solid business. Along the way build lots of reserves…time, money, space, revenue sources, future products, etc. and begin filling the gap to your potential. Todays Dare to Take Action Challenge:Focus on one tip above for one week. What changes can you make? Take action on one, build momentum, and move on. Starting Now! Copyright 2003 Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved. Beth Tabak is a Business & Life Coach, columnist, & owner of Starting Now. She is 100% committed to coaching small business owners and professionals to grow beyond limits, and create the business and life they keep thinking about. Free informative classes, resources, ezines, and more at http://www.startingnowcoaching.com . 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Are Herbal Diet Pills the Solution for Safe, Effective Weight Loss?

Friday, September 21st, 2007

By Scott LeRoy With the alarming increase in obesity, more and more people are turning to herbal diet pills as a safer alternative to controversial prescription medications. There is an increasing demand for supplements that utilize the natural ingredients that the manmade substances are trying to mimic. This is where Mother Nature steps in. Unlike their artificial counterparts, herbal diet aides are meant to help boost your metabolism naturally. Like the simulated ingredients in many weight loss drugs, prescription or otherwise, herbal diet pills stimulate your metabolic system but do so by providing your body with what it needs to do so naturally, not by introducing harmful chemicals. Any number of herbs can be found in weight loss supplements. Some contain just one extract, others contain multiple herbal extracts along with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can not only help stimulate weight loss but also promote general health and wellbeing. The more comprehensive formulas are perhaps more effective, because the ingredients they contain can work together to speed up metabolism, increase thermogenesis, curb appetite, boost energy, improve mood, among other benefits. Herbal diet aids, when used in conjunction with a good nutrition and exercise plan, can greatly improve your chances of healthy weight loss. Instead of offering a false promise of overnight fitness, they give you the chance to incorporate another natural change to your lifestyle so you can keep the weight off. Some of the herbal extracts showing much promise are hoodia gordonii, bitter orange and green tea, among others. One of the most effective natural weight loss pills, ephedra, was banned a few years ago due to the health complications it caused. Unlike prescription medication, herbal diet pills can be bought over the counter and are found in many general health shops, as well as online. It’s important to note, however, that they are not regulated like pharmaceuticals, so make sure you research the ingredients, the facts behind why they work and even consumer testimonials and reviews. Learn about the different herbal diet aids that are available, before deciding which one is right for you. Having weight issues is not just about appearance. Along with the increase of fat in our bodies, there is also an increase in the risk of certain ailments such as heart conditions or diabetes. Being heavy also adds stress to ligaments and joints and being out of shape reduces healthy muscle mass, in turn causing soreness and fatigue. If you do it for nothing else but just the chance of being able to feel better, it is worth investing a little time in order to check into the herbal diet aides that are available. You do not have to starve yourself and work out constantly to have a new and better you. If you take this route, the minute you start eating balanced meals again or become a little less active, the weight will pile back on. Herbal diet aids are like the old proverb of “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Herbal diet pills are not the complete answer to all of your fitness or weight loss goals, but they can be a very important first step in your voyage to look good and feel good, both inside and out. Scott LeRoy has been studying prescription and OTC medications as well as natural remedies for over a dozen years. He is a regular contributor to Weight Loss, a section of Herbal Supplements Guide dedicated to conventional and alternative treatments for losing weight. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_LeRoy http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-Herbal-Diet-Pills-the-Solution-for-Safe,-Effective-Weight-Loss?&id=320278 ways to increase semen increase in semen male infertility center increase your semen

Break Out of the Passive Reading Habit and Get Active!

Wednesday, September 19th, 2007

By Kelly Garbato This might sound silly, but there is a right and a wrong way of reading. This is especially true for students, who are expected to summarize, analyze, and critique the readings assigned to them by their professors. The task can be particularly daunting to students who are working on a term paper, since they need to read a number of materials and then integrate them into the ongoing discourse that is their research paper. So what forms of reading are right, and which are wrong? While reading a book or article, you want to read actively as opposed to passively. When you read passively, you are just receiving information; as you read, you aren’t digesting the information and forming an opinion. Of course, this is not very conducive to critical thinking, a practice for which you should always endeavor. In contrast, active reading is a more interactive process. Active readers are participants in the reading process. As they pour over the text, they interact with it; they question it, challenge it, gather evidence and present counterevidence, converse with it even. Active reading helps you comprehend and recall what you have read, and ultimately makes for a better paper. This explanation probably sounds pretty vague. Nonetheless, active reading isn’t just an abstract theoretical concept - there are concrete steps you can take towards becoming a more active reader! Firstly, don’t approach a text with the assumption that you have to read it straight through, from beginning to end. Before you even start, scan through the title, the abstract, the table of contents and the index. This provides a framework for the rest of the readings. As you move on to the text itself, do not be afraid to skip from chapter to chapter or section to section. If you are reading a book, look at the index to see when your topic is mentioned. For research reports, try reading the conclusion before the results; this will give you a general idea of the author’s findings and will help you understand the specifics as presented in the results section. If a statement or subject has you confused, don’t be afraid to backtrack and reread a paragraph or even an entire chapter, if need be. After all, if you don’t understand a topic, it will be awfully hard to write coherently about it! Active reading also involves forming an opinion of what you are reading. As you take in the text, pay attention to your emotional reactions to it. Does it make you angry? Upset? Incredulous? Why? Does the author make any claims that you find dubious? What have you read to date that supports or contradicts the author’s arguments? Does the author offer credible evidence for his statements, or is he just presenting his opinions or making speculations? Mark down these questions and your impressions as you go. Another means of breaking the passive reading habit is to make use of those margins. This is easy if you are reading a photocopy or printout of an article. On the other hand, if you’re reading a text, photocopy any sections you plan on using in your paper so that you can mark them up without defacing the library’s property! It will save you a ton of time, so it’s well worth the extra expense. You can also save documents on your computer as Word files (rather than printing out hard copies) and mark them up using Word’s highlighting function. This conserves both money and paper! Marking in the margins gives you pause to consider what you’ve read. It also draws your attention to important passages and makes note of them for future use. You can jot down anything that comes to mind. Underline or highlight important facts, statements, or findings in the text. Use arrows to connect relevant sections to one another and denote relationships. Write down any questions you might have. Is there something you dont understand? A new avenue you might want to pursue? A topic that you need to research further? Make note of it! Single out any inconsistencies in the text along with points of discussion or debate. Gather evidence that supports or defies your viewpoint. Don’t shy away from statements you don’t understand or can’t explain - these are what you should pay closest attention to. Consider not just the text in front of you, but the context in which it was written. Examine the time period in which the source was written. Your analysis should also include the perspective the author’s writing from - is she a psychologist or a biologist? How about a feminist, or perhaps a Marxist? How might the context influence the author’s conclusions? Keep these questions in mind as you read, and make note of any impressions you have while reading. After you have finished a chapter or article, write up a brief summary. Not only will this aid in your understanding of what you’ve just read, but it will provide a helpful guide for later, when you’re writing your paper and need to sort through hundreds of pages of material. Besides, if you can’t easily write a paragraph or two, this is a clue that you need to go back and reread the source. Don’t wait until you’re assigned a paper to try out these suggestions. The next time you need to do any reading for class, practice some active reading strategies. You’ll increase your comprehension of the material and your grades! Copyright Kelly Garbato, 2005 Kelly Garbato is an author, ePublisher, and small business owner. She recently self-published her first book, 13 Lucky Steps to Writing a Research Paper, now available at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) or through Peedee Publishing (http://www.peedeepublishing.com). To learn more about the author, visit her web site at http://www.kellygarbato.com. 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Simple Trout Fishing

Sunday, September 16th, 2007

By Lee McPherron Here’s a really simple way… to catch stream trout usingyour spinning rod. If you have ever wanted to fish for trout in a stream butare frustrated by the thought of equipping, learning, andmastering fly casting, here is an alternative. You can beon a stream, fishing and catching trout with a minimum ofexpense and frustration. All trout respond to salmon eggs used for bait. This method of fishing salmon eggs is simple, deadly, anddoes not kill the trout. Almost all the trout hooked willbe caught in the mouth, just like fishing with the fly. The few components can be purchased at any fishing supplystop, even at a fly fishing shop. Your shopping list of items to start is very short. Theheart of the method is to use a very small float as a strikeindicator to float the salmon eggs naturally in the currentof the stream. The small Styrofoam floats used as strike indicators for flyfishing nymphs are ideal. Purchase a few floats that are1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in diameter. The purpose of the floatis to indicate when a trout takes the salmon egg. Beneath the float about 12 inches attach a very sharp hook.The first choice in hooks are the extremely sharp Gamatszuhook in size eight. If these are not available, Owner hooksare just as good. A distant third choice is the Eagle Claw Laser sharp brandof hooks. You may need some very small split shot weights if the lineon your spinning reel is larger than six pound test. If you need to add weight to the rig to cast it, place onevery small, 1/8 inch, split shot directly below the float. This will provide a little casting weight without killingthe natural action of the salmon egg. Salmon eggs are the first choice for bait. The bright red processed salmon eggs are found almost everywhere fishing supplies are sold in trout country. The GreenLabel Patzutkes brand are a favorite. These are usually lessthan 1/4 inch in diameter. Place two or three of thesesalmon eggs on the hook. It is not necessary to cover theentire length of the size 8 hook. The casting style is a “flip” of the bait into the water. Merely swing the bait with the bail open on your spinningreel or button held down on the spin cast reel. Control theline with your hand that does not hole the rod. This isexactly the same technique that bass fishermen call”flipping”. The casting distance is only a few feet atbest. Flip the float into the head of an eddy or just behind arock. Let the float be carried down stream until thecurrent straightens out your line and the salmon egg isforced to the top of the water. The strike is very subtle. When a trout takes a salmon egg, the float will quickly dipunder the water. This “dip” will happen quickly and thenthe float will surface and continue downstream as normal. Set the hook as soon as you see the “dip”. A lot of thetime you will have a trout hooked in the lip or the cornerof the mouth. The trout can be returned unharmed to thewater if you are practicing catch and release. At first, you may set the hook and simply pull the float andhook away with nothing. This is very common until youdevelop the “feel” for striking quickly. Set the hook atevery indication of a “dip” and you will be surprised at howmany trout you will hook. This method can be used with a fly. If you are fishing in a restricted “fly and lure only”water, replace the salmon eggs with a size 14 or 16 darkcolored nymph fly. The same technique is used to presentthe fly but the strike of the trout will be even slighterand quicker. You will have a lot more misses as the trouttake and reject the fly very quickly. The salmon egg makes them hold on a bit longer so that youhave time to react. ———————————————————— This method can produce a lot of trout for very littleoutlay of cash and time. You will be amazed at the number of trout you can hookstanding in one spot. If you fish quietly, a good feedingrun will produce several trout. Practice conservation please. Don’t use this method to killa lot of trout. Take a few for dinner if you so desirebut only what you can consume. Lee McPherronRetired in Denver, ColoradoAuthor of “Toyota Motorhome Handbook”http://www.thorntonnetsales.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_McPherron http://EzineArticles.com/?Simple-Trout-Fishing&id=339240 buy soma online no prescription needed buy soma cheap overseas buy generic soma buy carisoprodol soma

Get Your Significant Other to Relax

Saturday, September 15th, 2007

By Justin Meyer Tension can kill. Looking at everything that can go wrong can cause someone to snap. Looking at everything that is going on and seeing what is bad about it can cause many problems. The biggest thing that you can do to help your significant other is to encourage them to relax, to calm down. It can be a hard thing to do though. Try to show them to good side of things. The best way to do that is to put a good spin on things. Show them that even if things look bad, they are not really so. Find activities that are calming, or offer massages. Being proactive here is a good thing. Dont wait for them to come to you, encourage them to sign up for activities that will calm them. Yoga classes are a good choice here. If it is a nice day, a walk in the park is also a good option. By getting them out into the sun and doing something thats relaxing, the tension will start to melt away. By encouraging these activities, you will be able to help your boyfriend or girlfriend start to calm down. That is an important step towards curing depression because that is what they sometimes need to prevent symptoms for escalating. Learn to alleviate your depression at http://www.curemydepression.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Justin_Meyer http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-Your-Significant-Other-to-Relax&id=104155 prescription cheap generic propecia buy propecia online usa buy online buy finasteride on the net buy finasteride usa pharmacy