Two Excellent Choices For Financial Safety and Security During This Era of Uncertainty

Although 401(k) s are beginning to rebound a bit, financial safety and security continues to be sought in America. In this context, traditional whole life insurance and annuities must be considered as an safe and secure options for acquiring sufficient money to have a satisfying retirement.

The long standing traditional whole life insurance lasts for your whole life and the premium remains the same as long as the policy is in existence. Traditional whole life insurance contains the basic essentials of term insurance, with an investment element added.

You pay a premium amount larger than the premium which would be paid for term insurance and that part of the payment is invested over the life of the policy. The growth of that investment is nontaxable to you. This favorable treatment of return on investment is exclusive to life insurance and offers a significant wealth buildup vehicle.

In a nutshell, here's what traditional whole life insurance have to offer:

o tax-favored cash values

o death benefits

o competitive interest rate

o guaranteed return

Next, an annuity is an investment contract between you and the insurance company. You receive a return on your investment that supplements your contribution. In the future, you can choose to "annuitize" the investment to provide income for a specified period of time in your lifetime.

The earnings on an annuity can grow without being lessened by taxes. These earnings are not taxable until you withdraw them, and then they are spread out over a number of years. When you begin receiving income from an annuity, only part of your income is taxable because you receive both interest and a partial return of the invested principal.

To make the best use of the positive tax advantages of an annuity, you also must be aware of the potential tax problems. The IRS imposes a penalty of 10 percent along with the tax owed on withdrawals unless you are over age 59 1/2 when withdrawing money from the annuity or cashing it in. These charges are in addition to any insurance company fees that might be imposed upon the withdrawal.

It is advisable to approach the purchase of an annuity with the expectation that you will not draw on it until you are older than age 59 1/2. To fully make the most of the tax advantages you should plan on holding the annuity for many years so that the earnings can grow without current taxation. No matter what the tax advantages of an annuity are, you still must pay close attention to the rate of return on the investment.

Here's what annuities have to offer:

o a guaranteed return.

o a competitive interest rate.

o tax-free or tax-favored benefits

Overall both whole life insurance and annuities should be given a major consideration for providing either partial or full retirement benefit.

Power Dump Chronicles #28

A series of impromptu scenarios that take place in NYC mens bathrooms. Dialogue and experiences of a septic kind. Barnes & Noble bookstore 3rd Ave & 53rd Street New York city.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCJDCDQgV1o&hl=en

Want to Get a Good High?

All law enforcement officers and those voted into government positions that allow you to make laws please skip on by.

Everyone else, it is legal and you can do it in your backyard, your bedroom, on the street, or anyplace you choose to be.

There are many products that will put you in that state where the only truly functioning part of your body is your mouth that smiles and lets out laughs. One pill or puff and you are magically there. The world we live in is full of magic. Magic works, as is proven each spring when buds magically form and leaves and flowers suddenly appear. The universe's secret law of attraction that brings the best magically to you is no secret, which I will talk about at another time. The world we live in is a very magical place if we set the "get whatever you want for only $19.95" and "learn to control others" ideas aside.

There is also a magical way to get high without any puffing or dropping. A way without worrying about going to jail or ending up in a car accident that puts you in a wheel chair and the person you hit six feet under the ground? This is not a 'too good to be true deal', but rather a 'you can do it if you have the desire'. This magical way is also without any hang-overs.

If you know of the research that has been done to produce those finely tuned musical cords that when focused on can slow your brain waves down to a level where you are floating in a sea of colorful peace, you are close. However, I am talking about getting high in a tent in the backwoods with no electrical outlets or battery powered CD players for miles. In that tent you can be dealing with something more powerful then man-made electricity, and as legal as apple pie with no additives.

I am challenging the wide variety of hallucinogenic alkaloids in some plants and properties of some manufactured dangerous drugs. Why put your mind and body at risk for the sake of a good high if you do not have to. Next time you are approached with a high in a bag that will knock-your-socks-off for the low price of, you can say, "no thanks honey I know how to knock-my-socks-off at no cost", IF you know how. While you are giving that smile that you know something he or she does not, you also know your high can benefit your whole self.

If you are serious about wanting to get high in a safe environment then I suggest two ways. First, is having a healing session given by a qualified person open to the universal vibrations of love and harmony named Usui Reiki Ryoho, and not being afraid to let your mind go as you feel yourself going into a dream-like state. That dream-like state is universal energy flowing to the center of your cells and like a flashlight shining as it moves outward balancing and harmonizing. Second, is taking the time to be initiated/have you channel opened  (attunement) and then learning how to go into the light from a qualified  Shihan (teacher) of a style that honors the tradition of Usui Reiki Ryoho. When you begin learning Reiki you might need some of the various training wheels used by some Reiki Shihans (teachers), such as symbols, crystals, drums, dance and other teaching tools. As you learn to trust in universal wisdom you can leave those training wheels behind and fly to heights far beyond the limits of any natural or and man-made drugs.

Might be easier to down the contents of a bottle or drop a pill to get high, but do you seriously want to loose your control to something another human-being created.  Alcohol, herbs, and prescription medications in moderation may not assault your tissues, but they are not going to give you the high that can be achieved through the spiritual practice of Usui Reiki Ryoho.

Now (in the present moment) is within the backbone of the practice of Usui Reiki Ryoho, and in any "now" you can be as high as you want IF you know how. The best thing about a Usui Reiki high is that you are always in control. Life sometimes demands our undivided attention in a split second; you may still have a "buzz" but your mind is clear and your blood is flowing to those tissues in your body that you need for that situation at that moment.

It does take time to study with a qualified Reiki Shihan (teacher) and to practice; some people find it difficult to bench his or her mind when it is not needed.  Universal energy cannot be directed and flows purest through that stillness between thoughts.  It might be difficult for some people to learn because it requires not only the desire to learn, but trust in something that many people cannot see, smell, taste, or hear.  I do not include touch in the list because most people feel energies even if not appropriate for her or him to admit that they do. Intention and attention are both required without the thinking mind being present

Would you like to try to get a taste of this high?

Close your eyes; do not force your eyes tightly shut, but allow your eyelids to relax over your eyes taking a break from the visual input flooding through your mind. Focus on the top of your head and allow those muscles to relax. Now focus on areas of your muscles slowly going down to your feet, relaxing as you go. Know you are in a safe place and no one is saying you are doing anything wrong because it is your space and in your space you do not go by someone else's rules. Now, allow your whole self to completely relax. If thoughts come into your mind simply think, "oh yeah" and allow them to pass. Do not try to push them away and do not focus on them, just do not pay any attention to them because you are too relaxed to be bothered with them. Unless your channel has been opened you will not feel the form of universal energy Mika Usui came to call Usui Reiki, but you will get the general idea of the high I am talking about -- if you allow yourself to go into that stillness.

If you did this and the phone rang or other such things, chances are you did not get even a little taste. This was a sample of mediation and only a hint of that peaceful state, that styles that follow the tradition of Usui Reiki Ryoho produce.  With Usui Reiki you do not have to sit perfectly still, you can even allow your body to move in what is often called free form dancing. If you want to use training wheels you do not have to draw symbols the same as someone else has drawn them, you can allow your hands to do your thing. If you are quadriplegic, no worry because movement is not required.

Imagine how free you can be in a place where the only rules are balance and harmony of the true you or your spirit; being unconfined by human rules brings in such questions as 'Can you touch the sky'.   Perhaps.  With styles of Usui Reiki there is no subliminal message from someone else put into your mind; Reiki Shihans (teachers) give guidance to going into the light and connecting, not mind control programming. No one can direct Reiki or give it because it is a form of universal energy, but Reiki helps you to connect to the positive true you while you are in that lighted headed, tingling high state.  

With styles of Usui Reiki there is no anger because you did not move in the right way or say the right words. With Reiki there is no fretful worry so you are not raising your blood pressure or loosing sleep over things that you can do nothing about. The journey that honors the traditions of Usui Reiki Ryoho is one to enlightenment, which is in the highest dimensions where anger and worry do not exist, only love and harmony flow.

People whose nature is harmonious have the greatest freedom from disease.

You not only can get high and have a buzz for days, but instead of  assaulting the tissues within your body you will be allowing the right energy to flow to those in need.

Less Than Jake at UCF - Last One Out of Liberty City live

LTJ doing their finale and playing the only song of the night that was not on their cd Losing Streak. it was a free college show at the University of Central Florida in Orlando called the Green Waves Spring Music Festival. Check out the circle pit, piggyback skanking, and Roger's bass solo. Last One Out of Liberty City, burn it to the ground... hello rockview school whole live horns ska rock alternative capitol records east fl orange county stage blue gibson guitar sax saxaphone trombone drums ernie ball dreadlocks dreads white guy gainesville rogerio vinny



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5HIFRJJLU4&hl=en

Fat Loss Nutrition - 4 Powerful Foods to Eat on a Diet

Hi guys! In this article I would like to talk about the importance of fat loss nutrition and what foods to eat on a diet.

Fat loss nutrition is the most important aspect of any diet. No diet will work effectively if you are not eating the correct foods on a daily basis.

It doesn't matter how long you run on a treadmill, how many crunches you do, etc., it all comes right down to what is going into your belly.

Foods to eat on a diet fall into just a few simple to understand categories.

Protein: You must get an adequate amount of protein daily for fat loss and to build lean muscle. Your protein sources can come from protein supplements (such as shakes), turkey, all white chicken breast, almonds, fish, and more.
Healthy Fats: Monounsaturated/Omega 3. Some foods you can find healthy fats in are fish and nuts.
Fiber: Excellent fiber sources can be found in oats, whole wheat foods, apples, and more.
Vitamins/Minerals: This should be a no-brainer here. Fruits and veggies. Eating fruits and veggies through out the day should be a simple task. I know fruits and veggies are getting a little expensive nowadays.....however.... The same amount of money it would cost for a pack of cookies, you can get 4 apples. For the same amount of money it would cost for a large bag of chips, you could get broccoli, and a bag of carrots. You see where I'm going with this?
What To Drink?: ½ - 1 gallon of water daily, green tea, and apple cider vinegar. You can also have other drinks such as unsweetened all natural (organic) fruit juices.So you see, no diet will be effective without proper fat loss nutrition.

The Top 2 Exercises to Shape Up Your Butt, Thighs and Hips - Lightning FAST!

In order to burn off fat and shape up your hips, butt and thighs, it comes down to the core principles of a healthy lifestyle and the top 2 exercises to shape up those "problem areas". Read on to learn about those principles and the top 2 exercises to shape up your butt, thighs, and hips quick!

Okay, first things first. What are the core principles of a healthy lifestyle?

The basic principles of a healthy lifestyle are:

- Proper nutrition (complex carbs, protein, healthy fats such as monounsaturated and Omega 3, fiber, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals)
- Drink plenty of water every day (I recommend for you to drink 1/2 to 1 gallon of water daily)
- Get plenty of sleep every night (it's ideal for you to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night)
- Exercise
- Consistency (You will see little to no results if you are not 100% consistent with your efforts to shape up your butt, thighs, hips and to improve your overall health)

Now, what are the top 2 exercises to shape up those 'problem areas'?

1. High intensity cardio exercises- Doing high intensity cardio exercises will melt the fat away, and maintain muscle (maintaining muscle along with burning off fat will cause that sexy curvy feature on your butt, thighs, and hips)! Long boring cardio exercises are not effective if you want to lose fat and shape your body. Examples of high intensity cardio exercises would be the incline treadmill and doing sprints.

2. Body weight exercises - Not only are body weight exercises one of the most effective exercises to burn off fat, and shape up your butt, thighs, and hips, they are also very easy to do and can be done anywhere and at anytime! Body weight exercises such as lunges and squats are tremendously effective for shaping up your butt, thighs, and hips fast.

Remember, nothing is effective without first practicing proper nutrition.

Maverick Bookstore Buyback Mac PC Parody

This is a spoof on the Mac/PC commercials. In this video we are showing you the benefits of selling back your textbooks to the Maverick Bookstore. Some of these benefits include: More money back, Dollars added to your Mav Card, Chance to get even more money back with a fortune cookie, oh and did we say more money back for your textbooks.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOIPcr86O6g&hl=en

How to Get a Flat Tummy Fast - Melt Away Inches of Flab Off Your Midsection With These Killer Tips!

Have you been trying everything there is to get a flat tummy fast, but no matter what it is you do, nothing ever seems to work? Read on to learn about the most effective tips to melt away stubborn fat lightning fast!

1.) The first thing you want to do is make sure you are getting plenty of water. I recommend for you to drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water each day. To save money, get one of those filtration systems for your water faucet instead of spending a fortune on spring water.

2.) Get at least 8 hours of rest each night. The more sleep you get, the more your body will metabolize stubborn fat. As a matter of fact, you can burn over 500 calories during a full nights sleep!

3.) To really get a flat tummy fast, I strongly recommend high intensity resistance training. This type of exercise combines weight training with cardio. An example of this form of workout would be alternating between two different types of weight training exercises without rest (better known as super sets).

4.) Boost your metabolism to the highest peak with 100% natural methods. Some of the most effective ways to seriously skyrocket your metabolism to the highest peak would be drinking green tea daily, high intensity exercises, calorie shifting, and eating more frequently through out the day.

So, if you have been trying everything there is to get a flat tummy fast, try those proven tips above along with getting on a proven diet program that is based on getting 100% proper nutrition and increasing your metabolism with natural methods, and you will easily shed that stubborn fat lightning fast!

Lose Love Handles Fast - 8 Extremely Effective Ways to Lose Fat Off Your Midsection Lightning Fast!

If you want to easily and naturally lose love handles fast, the following 8 extremely effective tips will guide you along to getting a toned midsection in no time. Read on to find out how!

The following 8 tips are things that I've done in compilation with a diet program that I was using which was based on boosting my metabolism. Here are those 8 tips in no particular order:

Proper nutrition - In order to get effective and permanent results, what you eat is absolutely important... in fact, it's the MOST important part. What you need is protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and vitamins/minerals. Get ALL of your required nutrients every day... with NO restrictions. Don't get caught into those fad diets with the "low carb", "low fat" nonsense!

Natural foods - Avoid eating processed foods and stick with 100% all natural foods.

Eat several times daily - Instead of eating the usual 3 meals daily, eat 4-5 small meals each day. This will improve your digestive system... which will then cause a significant boost to your metabolism.

Drink a lot of water - To truly lose love handles fast, you must make sure you get plenty of water every day. The reason being is that you are going to need to release water weight from your body, cleanse your body from harmful toxins, improve fat metabolization, and ensure proper development of your muscle tissues... and ALL of that is possible with just good ol' water.

Get plenty of sleep every night - Get 7-8 hours of rest every night to allow your body to properly burn away fat while you sleep. The less sleep you get... the slower fat will burn off!

High intensity cardio - Instead of slow and long boring cardio, increase the intensity. I recommend sprinting or the incline treadmill.

Resistance training - The more muscle tissue you build (you don't have to get big and bulky)... the faster and more consistent you'll burn away fat.

Boost metabolism - Now, to really ensure that you lose love handles fast and easy, one of the biggest recommendations I can give you is to make sure that you focus heavily on boosting your metabolism to the peak... and prevent it from decreasing.

To prevent it from decreasing, avoid fad dieting, diet pills, and starvation. If you get caught up in those things and you end up slowing down your metabolism, your body will begin to STORE fat instead of burning it off!

To do the exact opposite and BOOST your metabolism, everything I mentioned above in the other 7 tips will help, but what I strongly recommend you do in order to lose love handles fast is to increase your metabolic rate by using a program that is based around doing so with proper nutrition. When you combine proper nutrition with elevating your metabolism, the end result is unbelievably fast and PERMANENT results.

Jesse Ventura at B&N Mar-19 v2

Former governer Jesse Ventura was having a booksigning at the Rochester Barnes & Noble on Mar 19 to promote his new book "American Conspiracies". While there the audience was allowed to ask him questions. This is his response to my question regarding the social/political loyalties of the VC and NVA and if those loyalties mirror what our troops are currently facing in Iraq and Afganistan. I thank the governer for his response and Barnes & Noble bookstores for hosting the signing.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BBLJdA6Ijk&hl=en

LOTS OF TRAVEL BOOKS (6.26.2010)

Check out the Minimal Nomad channel: www.youtube.com Check out the Minimal Nomad blog: www.minimalnomad.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuMv1s5sVmQ&hl=en

Harrison Barnes' Success Story - Hound

Over the years, I have watched with avid interest the progress of a number of companies. There have been phenomenal success stories as well as dismal failures.

One thing that I am convinced of is that the rise or fall of any organization has a lot to do with its central controlling force-be it the CEO, the chairman, the mentor, the founder, or just the brains behind the company. While market forces, the inherent strengths of the particular industry, the operational model, and, to some extent, luck all play their individual roles in directing the course of a company, it is this one singular force which has the final say in where the company is headed. And in the case of successful companies, this central force has always had the ability to alter the winds of fate, to defy all trends, to change the rules of the game, and to emerge victorious.

Of the many success stories that I have kept a close watch on, one of them, that of Harrison Barnes, the founder of Hound, is particularly worth mentioning. Harrison's vision was very clear. He wanted absolute global domination for Hound, the most unique job search engine. For him, Hound was to be synonymous with Google; nothing less interested him. He had his competitors, people who were there in the industry before him, but did that deter him? No, it did not deter Harrison Barnes one bit.

He did what no job search engine had ever contemplated or would ever have the courage to even dream of doing. He revolutionized the revenue model of Hound. He made Hound a paid job search engine. One could browse through millions of jobs using this unique search engine, but there was a subscription fee attached. Competitors scoffed. This would certainly be the undoing of Harrison Barnes, they thought gleefully. Would anyone pay Google to use its search facilities? People in his own company (as I have learned from reliable sources) were not too convinced of the revenue model of this new and innovative venture. They were apprehensive that this might very well halt their ambitious plans for growth.

But Harrison Barnes was convinced. He was different and would play this game by his own rules. He knew he had an excellent product in Hound. He had invested millions in research and technology. He had poured his soul into this product and knew it had to work. Nothing in the world could make him change his approach.
He focused on his email campaigns. I understand that he personally monitored and even wrote most of the emails that were sent out to thousands of potential job seekers. Within a month of being launched as a paid service, Hound had become a force to be reckoned with. Competitors copied these strategies, but to date have not had the courage to use the same operational or revenue model. The membership is increasing by the day, notwithstanding the meltdown in market conditions.

A very important factor which Harrison believes drives him is his passion for work. For Harrison Barnes, work is worship, and Harrison sincerely believes that the purpose of his work is to make jobs accessible to everyone in the world who needs them.

Computer Runs Extremely Slow? Here's an Extremely Easy & Proven Way to Boost PC Speed in Seconds!

If your computer runs extremely slow, then this article is going to be a breath of fresh air! Read on to find out what you need to do in order to increase your PC speed in just seconds! Alright my friend, there are a few things you're going to have to do before we go into the most effective step.

1.) Okay, what you want to do firstly is go through your Add/Remove Programs and find software programs that you no longer use or need. Remove all of those space hogging programs and then restart your computer AFTER you've removed ALL programs.

2.) This step will work wonders if you are having trouble browsing the internet smoothly or if you have problems with downloading speed. What you want to do here is go through your Temporary Internet files and click on "remove all".

3.) Now, the final step you want to do if your computer runs extremely slow is to clean and repair your Windows registry. The registry contains data from all of the things you do on your computer daily... and I mean EVERYTHING!

The registry is an important part of all PCs, BUT, it can end up clogging up memory and/or get corrupted with virus or spy-ware, etc. over time. What you want to do is SAFELY clean and repair the registry. Doing so will cause a significant boost to your computer speed and performance.

Now, what I highly recommend for you to do is to download a safe online registry cleaning program. Not all programs are effective or safe. You'll know if a registry cleaner is effective and safe if it has a guarantee, testimonials, awards, and if it offers continuing support even after you've installed the program.

With an online registry cleaner, simply download the free scanner that usually comes with most cleaners. Run the scanner, find out what problems you are having, and just click on the "repair" button to completely fix your registry. The end result will provide you with a much more smoother, faster, and optimized computer in just seconds.

Love, Etc by Julian Barnes

It's hard to imagine a more perfect marriage of form and content than Love, etc, in which Julian Barnes continues the story of characters that came to life in Talking It Over. If, however, this marriage is fine, then equally the marriage of Gillian and Oliver is not. And neither, for that matter, was the previous one that temporarily joined Gillian and Stuart.

Julian Barnes tells the story of this love triangle entirely in the first person. Gillian, Oliver and Stuart appear like talking heads on a screen to relate their own side of things. Since we left them at the end of Talking It Over, Stuart has moved to the States, where he has become a successful businessman and has found a new partner. Oliver, meanwhile, having won the hand of fair Gillian, has started his family but has fallen on hard times, an experience he seems to regard merely as a passing phase, except that it's clearly not a phase and neither does it pass. Re-enter Stuart, and thus the situation progresses.

Occasionally, especially when the principal actors mention them, minor characters appear to have their often substantial say. There is an ex, a new girlfriend, an occasional mother. Also, the children have their say, their naivete as confused as it is innocent, their vagueness inherited, perhaps, from their personal environment.

And so a story unfolds. Oliver is as full of theatre and bravura as he was throughout Talking It Over, but now it rings more of a bluff, a screen erected for self-protection rather than an extrovert's sheen. Unemployment and illness seem to have exhausted him. Stuart, having made his fortune, is on an up and begins to reassert his desire to occupy the position he has always coveted, the space by Gillian's side.

There are surprises in store, surprises for the characters and for the reader. But what Julian Barnes communicates with such subtlety, skill and ease are the inconsistencies of human character, the incongruities of events, the contradictions and deceptions of behaviour, and the illusions these confusions create. These people all act primarily out of self-interest. But then who doesn't? That's the point. And thus the process takes all of us to places we have all been, but have often failed to notice or acknowledge, even if we have admitted and recognised our motives, which most of us have not. Love, etc is a brilliant book, brilliantly conceived and brilliantly executed with a lightness of touch that leaves us wholly surprised when we encounter a fundamentally serious point. The plot? Who cares?

The House Special - Not the Same

Friday, May 9, 2008. The House Special Live @ Barnes & Noble. Song: "Not the Same" by Ben Folds. Performed by: Jared Minetola & Keith Zielen of The House Special. Visit their Myspace page for free downloads: profile.myspace.com Doughboy wanted some hugs before the show, but was sadly left empty handed... So instead he did a Gene Simmons and forgot how to say "Hi."



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWhZr1BRsyM&hl=en

Real Books/Fake Excerpts: Labradoodles: A Complete Owners Manual

A webisode of "Real Books/Fake Excerpts", hosted by comedian Dan Naturman.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRHxRyTYAk&hl=en

Barnes & Noble Nook Reader Review - Is the Nook E-Reader Better Than Kindle?

I spend a lot of time browsing shops in Orlando because, well, that's where I live, and book stores are high on my list of fun places to shop and while away some hours. The other day I was meeting my mom for lunch and decided to drop in to Barnes & Noble since I don't have one close to my house. As I was checking out with my purchases, the cashier mentioned that the store would be debuting the new nook reader which is an electronic reading device "gadget."

This caught my attention because I had just been considering putting the Kindle on my Christmas list this year. You know how it is when you log into Amazon, you always see the advertisements for their electronic reader right in your face, and eventually you become brainwashed where you suddenly decide you MUST have one of those (insert name of new gadget here). That's what happened to me with Kindle I think. And I'll be honest with you, I really didn't know a whole lot about it.

So when I heard about the nook reader that B&N is about to unveil, I asked the check-out lady a few questions and then when I got home I decided to check it out on the website. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it actually appears to have more features than Kindle.

So here's the lowdown. They both have 6-inch screen displays so they are easy to read, you can adjust the text size with both devices, and both of them feature 2 GB memory, ability to browse and shop for ebooks, speakers, headphone jack, rechargeable battery, comparable weight, software updates, quick page turn by hard key, synchronized last page read between devices, and ability to read your books on multiple devices.

But, here's what you get on the nook reader that is not available on the "other reader." Color touch screen, touch control and navigation ability, library view by book cover, Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi in Barnes & Noble stores, expandable memory, more than a million titles, more than half a million free ebooks, exclusive content at B&N, directly load and read PDF's (very helpful), synchronized notes between devices, "LendMe technology" which is where you can share books between nook, iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry, PC, and Mac, and a replaceable battery.

Sounds good, right? I was impressed. In addition, and this is really key, you can go into Barnes and Noble and try out the nook in person. You can hold it in your hands. Studies have shown that this is key in allowing buyers to make a decision on a purchase. You can sell a lot more when the person can touch as well as see.

I have to say I'm really interested in the nook reader and to be honest, I think it really wins in the head-to-head battle with Kindle by a landslide. Of course, I have not tried out the actual device yet but it will be in stores at the end of November (so I was told). So if you are considering an E-reader you should check out the nook when it becomes available, either for yourself or maybe as a gift.

UNOH Bookstore

University of Northwestern Ohio Barnes and Noble Bookstore.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxu65rcQ7Ls&hl=en

Catherine adventure cogent 5-12-10

Catherine reading her story book at Barnes & Noble bookstore



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3J_YEUp1cc&hl=en

Barnes and Noble: A Buy or Sell?

As Amazon recently reported its quarterly results, which, not only did I predict right on, but surprised many other experts and analysts awaiting a more negative outcome, one of its competitors, Barnes and Noble (BKS), which typically utilizes similar methods in achieving its respective businesses will be reporting earnings shortly as well. With such similar trends and data, you, as a shareholder of this stock should expect to gain similar capital after this recognized bookstore reports its earnings in about two weeks. While the parallelism is perceived as obvious, the truth may actually be a bit surprising.

In the short term, you should see a very similar trend to what Amazon is currently doing. While I cannot be sure that Barnes and Noble will report results that will boost the share price in the same way it did to Amazon, I have a good feeling that because both corporations are very similar and have reported very comparable trends in terms of share price growth over the last five years, that come November 16th, you should see a nice gain in your capital if you own a piece of this company. Looking at a more detailed approach, like Amazon, Barnes and Noble has posted pretty solid fundamentals during the past two years. It's true that margins have fallen, but a lot that can be attributed to poor investing and financing fundamentals instead of the more important operational numbers. What I also see as a positive for Barnes and Noble is how it continuously has beaten earnings over the past four quarters. While such may be common to other stocks, with an EPS estimate for this quarter of only negative 0.04, I absolutely, with the advancement of consumer spending and sentiment, coupled with good economic data reported during this quarter, believe that Barnes and Noble will handily beat expectations on the bottom line. Another positive to keep in note, is that while the economy may be slowing a bit in terms of more institutional factors such as in housing, in terms of the consumer, with the recent report that the unemployment rate is at its lowest point in over five years, consumers are going to have more discretionary income to spend, which should push earning numbers even farther for Barnes and Noble over the next few quarters, especially with the Christmas holiday season approaching. The other important indicator that I like from Barnes and Noble is its P/E ratio. Compared to its other competitors of Books-A-Million, Borders, and even Amazon, Barnes and Noble has the lowest P/E ratio out of these respective competitors signaling an undervalued stock ready to possibly break a 52 week high. If are not a shareholder of this company, I would strongly recommend purchasing shares before earnings are released.

However, with such promise and optimism comes a catch. Yes, it is true that Barnes and Noble is underperforming but in excellent position to excel in the short run. However, in the long run I would not share a similar sentiment. As the nature of Barnes and Noble is a high price selling book store, the reason I argued that the share price may be a good bargain now is because of the current economic situation. When consumers have more jobs and higher incomes, they tend to spend more on luxury goods such as books for pleasure. However, once, and it will happen soon, this economic condition reverses into a slower economic growth state, do not expect earnings from Barnes and Noble to resemble what you may see in the coming months. As a slower economy approaches with the prospect that this company is very volatile in terms of its share price, do not feel optimistic that you will increase your capital gains very fast. Truthfully, around April to about June time frame of 2007, I would actually start selling most of my shares of Barnes and Noble for the reason I mentioned above, coupled with the seasonal displacement stocks usually have during this time.

Thus, while Barnes and Nobles shows excellent signs of producing a glamorous quarter in the next few weeks, do not be too complacent if you are a long term investor. I say this because more than likely, once Barnes and Noble hits a new 52 week high in the coming months, do not expect such growth to sustain into next year simply due to the inevitable but ephemeral and cyclical nature of the economy. In the short term, however, I absolutely would advocate purchasing shares of this company, if you haven't already, because there is still money to be made in this current bull market.

Hector active up the escalator

this was at the Barnes&Noble bookstore with the Starbucks inside at Metro Pointe, in front of South Coast Plaza. [how detailed, right?] anyway, Hector, Millie, Patty, and I stopped by and we challenged Hector to run up the escalator. And eventually, we got in trouble, wherever we went ;D



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqflfCQgUHA&hl=en

Scott Barnes Makeup Deserves an Encore!

Choosing a good brand of makeup is both a very personal choice and a choice that will determine your makeup buying habits for a long time to come. Many women who were avid users of Scott Barnes makeup line were deeply dedicated to always buying the same makeup components and using them daily, but found themselves in a panic when the line was discontinued due to souring relations with Scott's investors. The news hit hard and hit a vast majority of media outlets as Scott found himself searching for new investors to bring life back to his line. Fortunately his dreams have come true as he is now in the midst of re-launching the line to many women's incredible excitement.

What was it about Scott Barnes makeup that was so popular with women? This is a bit subjective however there are many good reasons for this. Firstly the makeup is brilliant. It's made from ingredients that complement the face almost magically brining out features better than other lines. It seems to merge with the face so naturally that many women don't even look like they're wearing makeup at all! I'm sure the fact that many of the biggest stars in the world are using this line just as much as any of the other million plus fans out there either!

Scott Barnes makeup was being used in Hollywood for many years and thanks to the re-launch it will be used for many more to come. Many of the actors, singers, and popular celebrities using it are very beautiful and they attribute their enhanced beauty to this make up. Many will flock out and get it just to see if it will make them beautiful as well, rather more beautiful, but they will surely find that this makeup is top shelf (to borrow a night club term).

Scott Barnes makeup line also came with a lot of great press, sites that showed you how to apply it using Hollywood and other techniques and it's very complementary to other lines as well. The available selection of color schemes, types, and the information available on application make this an amazing and useful product. We can all breathe again now that it's back.

Ten Personal Development Strategies For Independent Consultants

Consulting is by definition is giving advice or providing counsel. In fact, being called a consultant or an advisor should be equally acceptable. The work itself is fundamentally identifying your clients' need, defining the problem(s) that need to be solved, getting the client's agreement on an approach for solving the problem, and working with the client to solve the problem.

Being a consultant, however, is a competitive occupation. And, those who fail to update their practice and evaluate, maintain, and grow their market position will not succeed. Moreover, the consultant has to be concerned about personal growth. In addition to maintaining good general health and keeping your life in balance, you as a consultant must work hard on your development and should therefore do the following ten things:

1. Read widely and diversely in professional journals and periodicals.
2. Take continuing education and advance degrees either by home study or by attending a college.
3. Be open to new ideas and varied points of view.
4. Learn from your mistakes and then dismiss them.
5. Look to learn from every encounter or event.
6. Join professional organizations, attend meetings, and contribute.
7. Challenge accepted beliefs.
8. Seek out interesting and informative people.
9. Continue to improve your communication skills.
10. End your day at a reasonable hour, relax, enjoy some good conversation, watch sports, do some light reading, meditate, or whatever you need to do to unwind.

And, most of all be kind to yourself, watch for signs of burnout, low energy, and negative thinking. Finally, don't forget to celebrate success, change, and small victories.

The Right Baby Name: Video Book - Part B

This is part B of chapter 1. This audio book helps parents to make one of the most important and far-reaching decisons they can make for their baby: choose a name. A name influences a person's life in aspects as different as classroom, career, and love life. This book has been researched by a physician and covers everything from the vowel arrangements in a name to socioeconomic characteristics. Additional videos are available under www.youtube.com/therightbabyname More background information is available at www.TheRightBabyName.com This is an abbridged production of the book "The Right Baby Name". The full book is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, local bookstores and at www.TheRightBabyName.com



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBoDKAv6-w4&hl=en

The Top 3 Dieting Tips to Get Extremely Fast Weight Loss!

If you want to get extremely fast weight loss, it actually isn't as hard as most people make it out to be. Just take 2 quick minutes out of your day to read this article here and learn more about the top 3 dieting tips that will have you shed pounds of fat quicker, easier, and keep it all off for good!

#3.) Metabolic Rate - One of the most important things you have to do is to make sure that you get your metabolism elevated naturally to it's highest peak... and prevent it from slowing down.

To boost your metabolism, strictly stick with 100% natural methods such as with FOOD! To prevent your metabolism from decreasing, I strongly recommend for you to steer clear from those popular fad diets you see each way you turn.

Fad dieting such as the low carb, low fat, low calorie, starvation, celebrity endorsed, etc. types of plans are all based around unnatural methods that our bodies do not respond well too. You see, the body requires a certain amount of calories in order to prevent the metabolism from slowing down. Also, the body requires ALL types of nutrients in order for it to function properly.

The consequence of a slow metabolism is that your body will actually store calories AS FAT, and you can end up with rebound weight loss (the weight comes off and then comes right back on)!

The advantage of a fast metabolism is that pounds of fat will not only melt away during the day, pounds also come off while you sleep (RMR or resting metabolic rate)! Also, with a fast metabolism, you can rest assure that once you lose weight... it STAYS OFF!

#2.) Proper Nutrition - As mentioned above, you must get ALL types of nutrients in your diet if you want to effectively get extremely fast weight loss. You are going to need protein, complex carbs such as fiber, healthy fats such as poly/mono-unsaturated, and foods rich in vitamins and minerals such as fruits and veggies (I recommend you get more greener veggies to help with boosting your metabolism even more).

#1.) Fill Up With Water! - Water is the absolute most important part of not just dieting, but with overall health... period! Our bodies are primarily made up of water, and when you are not getting enough of it daily, consequences and repercussions are bound to occur (one of the more common issues in regards to dieting is that you'll suffer from excessive water weight).

If you want to get rid of water weight naturally, you have to drink more water... pretty simple eh? What I recommend you do is to get 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day for best results. Getting this much water will ensure proper development of muscle tissue, metabolization of fat, and will also provide you with all day energy!

So, if you want to get extremely fast weight loss, follow those top 3 dieting tips above along with getting a diet program that is based strictly around getting proper nutrition and boosting your metabolism, and you will be well on your way to a brand new body in no time!

White Pride Michigan abstract distribution: Barnes & Nobles bookstore

During one of our trips to pass out literature at a local mall, we decided to stop into Barnes & Noble to leave some non-politically tainted reading materials laying around. We also unsuspectingly put these into books on other days, but that wouldn't make a very fun video...so we just canvassed the whole store.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHXJK8YvOPo&hl=en

ASO Fundraiser at Barnes & Noble, Southlands Mall

A benefit for the ASO at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Southlands, Mall



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRCOm8rbII4&hl=en

The Ghostly Power of Change

Many things have been written about why to change, what to change, where to change, how to change, and who you cannot change.

Some of the most common visible changes are change in physical appearance, change in diet, change in habits, change in residence, and change in job/career. Look closely at these changes and see the changes that took place to create these transformations.

Changing your clothes is more then the action of changing your outward appearance. The clothing you choose from your closet is based on how you view the day and where you are planning to go. Your reality determines whether you see those things in your drawers or closets as cloths or clothes. That letter e, like your reality, makes a difference in how you see those woven threads. Change you reality and you may change what you wear.

Behind any visible change is a change that initiated that change, sometimes so translucent that you might not notice it. Sometimes those translucent things can have an overpowering impact on our lives. The wispy image of a person whose body has stopped functioning is most commonly tagged a ghost. Plots centering on these wispy forms of energy continuing after the physical body is dead have caused books to climb onto the best seller list and movies to be box office smashes.

Ghosts appear differently in each person's reality, but they all have power. The power to make some people laugh, to make some people freeze in their tracks with fear, to make some people rejoice in the good memories, to make some people run with excitement to get their camera, and to make other people be overtaken with sadness.

If a dozen photographs of an old hotel are displayed, they may attract some interest. On the other hand, if one of these photographs contains a wispy image tagged as a ghost it is an immediate magnet for most people's interest.

That is a lot of power for something that has changed from a physical form to a form of energy that cannot even heat your home. You may or may not know that each Japanese kanji can be translated in several ways. One of the translations for the two Japanese kanji used for the word Reiki is ghost. That translation fits perfectly with the ghostly power of change that happens when the universal vibrations of unconditional love and harmony are introduced into mind, body, and spirit.

Thoughts like Ghosts can rarely be seen, yet they are powerful. Think of the thought that made you last change from your formal wear into a pair of jeans. Perhaps you have never owned formal wear or a pair of jeans even though you have had both the money and opportunity to buy them. If that is the case, what was that thought that stopped you from buying them?

Think of your thoughts as threads. How you weave your thoughts into a belief can make a great difference in how you see yourself and your life. In this century the book "Think and grow rich" has gained popular appeal. Every language has rules of syntax; if the name of this book was changed to "Grow rich and think", would it have the same appeal?

Those little threads, which are nothing more than ghostly images, have more power then we often give credit. In 1922 Mikao Usui said the spiritual practice he founded was based upon the key to health and happiness. In straight translation that key reads as chant in your mind the Reiki Gokai (5 precepts/5 principles) morning and evening. Conversely, it can also be more accurately translated as chant in your heart; we use our mind for memory and figuring, and our heart is the place of true knowledge. A change in words can make a total difference in the way in which we hear any thought.

Events and words can without question be negative, but the negative can also result from the way in which we hear or see. Beginning with the Usui Reiki Gokai(five precepts/principles), many exercises in styles of Usui Reiki focus on letting go of the negative and allowing the way we think to change into the positive. Reiki is not mind control, it is simply a spiritual practice that allows the negative to be released. Once the negative is let go, positive universal energy can flow into the zillions of cells to bring balance and surround with harmony.

The shadows caused by trees near a garden can cause some plants in their path not to bloom. Change the location of the plant to a sunny area and it blooms wonderfully. Negative thoughts can also cause shadows, but those wispy images of the positive can change the feelings within those thoughts as the darkness is pushed back.

Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on the bus in 1955 gave ghostly power to bring about a long overdue change. When arrested she had no idea of the positive effect it would have on the Civil Rights movement. Rosa stood her ground because of her own belief. Beliefs that have been nourished by positive events in our lives can help us to move forward so our scrap book of success is an ongoing project.

However, beliefs that have been nourished by the negative can sabotage our attempts to move forward in various areas of our life. Tragedies that sometimes are not let go, and revisited time and time again can snowball into nightmares that push into our daily life.

Imagine awakening after a nightmare, being able to brush off the negative left behind, connecting to universal unconditional love and harmony, and then going into the peaceful stillness between your thoughts. Imagine doing this same thing before going to sleep at the end of your day so that you can peacefully glide into sleep. These are some of the things taught in the hours of study in styles of Reiki honoring Usui Reiki Ryoho.

There is a ghostly power of change within any style of Usui Reiki that is based upon the spiritual practice that Mikao Usui founded in the early 1920s. When you begin studying a style of Usui Reiki you begin discovering the essence (relentless power) of universal unconditional love and harmony that is embodied in your Ki/Qi/Prana/life force.

Regardless of whether natural healing or scientific medical care is used the final result of the healing rests with the healee and not the healer. New information/energy can be introduced to the cells, but cells also hold memories. Memories are those faint images of yesterday, which we can be let go, learned from, or held onto. These faint images can form beliefs that spur those zillions of cells in any life form into positive or negative action.

Through experiences a wonderful warning system for your survival is set up, but if a false cause is linked to the physical or mental pain you experienced, you might be blocking off a path to bring something positive into your life. When negative or positive happens in your life a faint image of that event can attach to a person, material object, smell, sound, etc. Once that attachment is made to the faint image of the event the trigger for positive or negative feelings within you has been set.

One of the ways to let go those negative faint images that rest in your cells is deprogramming. You might connect deprogramming with cults and wars, but it is most commonly used for the often unintentional brainwashing that happens in day to day living. Reiki styles such as Gendai and Komyo Reiki have a gentle yet effective technique for deprogramming.

When done correctly, Reiki deprogramming, Nentatsu, Hatsurei-ho, and Seihiki chiryo-ho are techniques that release the bad and replace with the positive needed to move forward in your life. In this century you can quite easily find a qualified Reiki Shihan (teacher) that can help you in releasing the negative and bringing you into the positive light that is best for you. To release and bring in creates balance and surrounds with harmony, which is what the spiritual practice of Usui Reiki is all about.

Japanese Reiki techniques can change those faint images imprinted in your cells that keep you from walking in the direction that is best for you. Guided meditative journeys into your past are very helpful when combined with a Reiki healing session. Reiki brings balance and surrounds with harmony so those things from the past that are sabotaging you can be purged and then disregarded.

How to Ensure Your Profile Photo Does You Proud

With more people than ever joining online networking sites, choosing the right photo (also called an avatar) to use is a very important part of creating your profile.

You may want a less formal photo on your Facebook personal profile, if this is going to be just for family and friends, but I would caution against uploading any shots you may regret sharing in future.

When it comes to your LinkedIn profile, as this is a professional network, remember the impression you want to give and choose an appropriately professional photo of yourself.

Is there an ideal photo type? You can't go far wrong with a slightly formal head and shoulders shot - but it's important that you be shown smiling! I've seen some really miserable faces and been put off connecting with them. And if you're planning to use your photo on other marketing materials in the near future, I'd suggest splashing out and having some professional shots done.

If you're still using the default avatar you could be inadvertently sending out a message to your online contacts that you can't be bothered or that you have something to hide (spammers tend to like to stay anonymous in this way). So you don't want to give either of these impressions.

Using a cartoon or caricature is fun for a family and friends networking site. Depending on what line of business you're in, give a thought to what it might say to those who are considering connecting with you on a professional level. But if you're an artist or in graphic design your avatar could showcase your talent!

Similarly photos of a cute pet, flowers or nature shots would all be great for your personal networks and could even be appropriate in the right business setting:

If your business is connected with animals, perhaps you're a veterinary surgeon, in pet insurance, or dog walking.
Flowers could obviously be used by florists, wedding planners, home design and gardening services.
Nature shots would work well for photographers, holistic therapists, or adventure parks

Company logos certainly give a business-like impression and can look great in Facebook Pages, groups or events, LinkedIn groups and even in a corporate Twitter account.

I've deliberately chosen to use the same photo throughout all the networking sites I belong to. I find it helps for instant recognition amongst a sea of avatars (it's me again!). When people change their avatars on Twitter I often miss what they tweet until I realise what's happened and get used to their new appearance.

Outdoor Shed Plans - Build Your Own Shed

If you are thinking about building your own outdoor shed then the finished result will only be as good as you have planned. Make life easier for yourself and make sure that you have a good set of outdoor shed plans to use for the basis of your shed.

A good set of plans consists of a thorough list of all the materials such as different timber, screws and other such materials that will be required to complete the outdoor shed to a satisfactory finish.

The outdoor shed plans will also consist of clear diagrams or blueprints of exactly what you have to do and the cuts and measurements that will have to be made, having something such as this assisting you with your build is a god send and leaves little room for mistakes.

When the wife and i moved to our new property there was an old beaten up shed that needed to be replaced but i just kept putting it off as i knew it was going to be a pain in the butt! lol!

But you know what it is like when your partner wants something done so she went ahead and brought me a set of outdoor shed plans, i was surprised to see that there was a comprehensive list of everything that i would need to complete the job so i set out purchasing and gathering the materials that i would need, plus as there was a list of the tools i would need to use i made sure they was available to me then i went ahead and started on my little shed building mission.

It took me 2 weekends to finish the project and i ended up with and i don't mind saying so myself, a lovely 10 X 6 shed that looked better than what i could have brought for my budget and was a lot cheaper than a ready built shed too. I can only guess at how long this build would have took me without the outdoor shed plans but i know one thing for sure... it would not have looked as good as it does.

So with the right plan in the first place you can be already half way there to a beautiful outdoor shed that you can be proud of and you know will last a lifetime. When i was building my shed it reminded me of when i used to make little projects with my dad following simple plans and i did really enjoy it, you never know you may do too. It does'nt stop at outdoor shed plans either, you can get plans for pretty much any woodworking project that you may want to build so make life easier for yourself and make sure you don't start without good plans! Your partner may just thank you for it.

Shadow - animation no more

Oh jeez... i hope its not too out of sinc.... or my comp's just slow. its been a while sence i uploaded. well this is a tribute to Shadow Link from the legend of Zelda: four swords manga, which is now in stores for 8$ (usa) at your local Barnes & Noble book stores. i hope you all like, ive had this video in my head everscence i got my own copy of the manga. i thought it went well with Shadow. btw, this video was kinda made for my friend, Matsuko101vampire because shes a Shadow Link fan. enjoy song: Breath no more artist: Evanescence (sp?) manga: The legend of Zelda: Four swords part 2



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laTdG7EOUi0&hl=en