Archive for April, 2007

How Shark Fishing Can Be An Addiction

Monday, April 30th, 2007

Shark fishing on shallow water
It is a well known fact that during summertime Sharks move from the deeper waters offshore into inland waterways and beaches. The Sharks seek warmer shallow waters to carry out mating rituals and to either lay eggs or give live birth. It is very important if you are interested in swimming or in landing huge fish from the bank. There is no other type of fishing (that I know of) where the angler has an exceptional chance of hooking on to a 500lb plus fish while fishing from the bank.

I was introduced to shark fishing a few years ago from an old man on the Pensacola Pier, who really knew how to catch a big fish.

Shark fishing equipment needed
First of all you need a powerful reel for shark fishing: a 16/0 Penn Senator from Bass Pro Shops. You also need some very strong line: 3000 yard of braided 80lb test and of course a rod to put it all on.

Shark fishing From the Beach
Ever since I meet that old man on the Pensacola Pier I have had the addiction of Shark Fishing since. I have been shark fishing beaches all over the South Eastern United States combing the beaches and piers for just the right sandbar, just the right current and tide. I normally rent a kayak from the local Beach Supply Store and sometimes camp outdoor, and sometimes I rent a hotel.

Shark fishing bait
The bait is hard to can be expensive and is often difficult to find. The best places to find fresh fish is at a fish market and usually Asian fish markets have a much wider selection to choose from. The most successful baits are Spanish Mackerels, King Mackerels, Bonito, Jack Crevelle and Mullets.

Shark fishing addiction
Shark fishing from beach or pier can sometimes bring in sharks over 10 feet long. If you try shark fishing ones, you might get addicted, and rush out to purchase your own equipment. I thing that Shark fishing is something the whole family can truly enjoy. It’s not just about catching a shark. It’s about good friends, family and beautiful beaches.

If you have doubts about daring to try out shark fishing or not – don’t be afraid. Try it out and you will very soon know why I love it so much.

Thank you for you time.

Generating Wealth: Good Or Bad?

Monday, April 30th, 2007

When wealth is acquired under the right circumstances and condition, it further develops the well being of an individual. All has its worth. The energy of the mind, much like wealth can either be controlled for good or bad. A little break will restore forces. Excessive rest sinks and results to laziness.

When one obtains wealth unfairly from others, one then is abusing his forces; when one obtains wealth from the right sources one then will be blessed, it can, strengthen oneself.

Keep in mind that wealth usually is the result of oneís achievement. However, it is not the outcome of being hardworking or industrious. A fact is, there are thousands of people that work hard each day and never become rich; then there are others, with little effort become wealthy.

Seeing potentials, promises and possibilities is one step to getting wealth. When an industrious man does not use the forces and energy of his mind, he will be stuck an employee, to be controlled by the man who uses well his mental abilities.

Success in business today is dependent on good judgment, foresight, determination, perseverance and a purpose. Do keep in mind that your way of thinking or your thoughts is a powerful force that can lead you achieving your goals. Sending positive thoughts will gain positive results.

When an individual has money, then it is easy to gain more. This is not necessarily valid. A fact is, ninety percent of individuals starting a business do fail; money is never a guarantee that one can easily gain more of it, unless one is skilled to look for ways and identify good chances for investments. Money inherited is easy money and easy to lose. Money worked hard for has a lot of value; therefore one can develop the ability to use it well.

One who tries to get all that he possibly can from others, becoming greedy that one does not anymore pleasure from his wealth; try to stay away from becoming selfish, so you can enjoy your richness and not just be obsessed on having more.

The right way to generate income:

Make it a point to think positive always. Successful individuals or millionaires always make it a point to emphasize only the positive. When faced with a setback or a negative situation, they see it as an opportunity. With this attitude, it helps, a lot of course, when one is faced with negative circumstances; instead of accepting it as proof of their failure, they move forward with again, a positive outlook.

See your mistake as an opportunity. Should you fall and make a mistake, convert that mistake into an opportunity for you to learn and never give up; never be paralyzed because of just one mistake; look for an opportunity in every situation, never mind whatís wrong.

Have a goal and a plan. To succeed, one must have a goal and the determination to go for it. The important thing is that you have a plan for your future and set a deadline for you to reach that plan.

Learn how to invest wisely. Take the time to learn and study in whatever field you are in. While being aggressive to take the risks, be certain and study carefully any investment that you are interested in.

Earn by doing what you love. When do the things that you love, you work so hard, you donít even realize that itís work. You will always have the drive and the passion to achieve something when you love what you are doing.

Have the support of your friends and family. When you are surrounded by people who believe in you, in your talent, in your skill and in your outlook, you surround yourself with positive atmosphere. With this you can attract more blessings.

Be confident, itís all part of your life. Always perceive your work as just a part of your life. Be sure of yourself and in your skill that you can make money. When you fail, go back and do it again; never stop giving yourself another chance, because if you have the confidence, in time, you will succeed. All is needed is patience. After all success does not always come easy.

Stopping The Drug And Alcohol Temptations

Monday, April 30th, 2007

The addiciton to drugs and painkillers has received more publicity after Rush Limbaugh spent a month in rehab for an addiction to painkillers. Celebrities such as Whitney Houston and Faith Evans also were in the news for drug rehabilitation treatment.

Studies at the University of Buffalo have shown that those who fall into addictions often suffer from a tendency for self-blame and shame and this may lead someone towards drugs and alcohol as a way to cope.

Look at your own tendences for shame if you are yourself inclined towards drugs and alcohol. Do you beat yourself up a lot after a specific situation? Or if you know someone with an inclination towards drugs or alcohol what is his or her self-esteem like?

In meditation classes it’s often discussed that we are not our negative emotions, but can watch them. There is always a part of our mind that can observe our anger, jealousy, frustrations etc. Get in touch with that part rather than staying in the swirl that is a downward spiral of self-recrimination.

When there is a painful moment due to a bad situation at work etc, try and take a deep breath and remember that the boss or co-worker has their own set of issues etc. It is easy to go home and want some way to forget things and that is where alcohol and drugs can come in. But try to think about the person who insulte you . Are they really in control of their own emotions and their own reactions? Or are they just responding like a reflex perhaps based on their own family history and issues themselves?

The more we can see what other people are going through, the easier it is to not buy into their outbursts towards us and this can help stop the cycle that leads people into drugs and alcohol to soothe the pain. This helps us to be calmer and more peaceful and not part of the chain reaction.

Make Your Gift A Sweet Treat

Monday, April 30th, 2007

Copyright 2006 Hali Shipon

Instead of being one of the crowd and sending a bunch of flowers, or a plant, why not be super cool and send a totally delicious Candy Bouquet Gift Basket? For those of you who have never heard of it, the best way to describe this fabulous present is that it is a floral type arrangement of a selection of sweeties and candies. The arrangement looks as pretty as a bunch of flowers, but has the huge added bonus of being edible and totally delicious.

Candy Bouquet Gift Baskets are gifts which are a surefire hit with anyone and everyone, male or female. It is bound to make a memorable impression and with such a wide variety available, it is possible to find something truly individual.

If you order from an online provider who offers a variety of types of Candy Bouquet Gift Baskets, you can be absolutely sure that the gift you send will make you the flavor of the month with the delightful recipient.

A Candy Bouquets are a truly delicious alternative to a more usual gift. They are often beautifully presented, dressed up with bright colorful accessories, adorned with ribbons and bows — who could resist?

Almost any occasion is a good time to send a Candy Gift Basket or Candy Bouquet. They are bright and cheerful and guaranteed to brighten up that special someone’s day. Maybe you know someone who is ill in hospital? Or someone who is down because of a bereavement or a loss? What better than to receive one of these wonderfully cheerful and totally delicious gifts? To really sweeten the occasion, whatever it is, send a Candy Gift Basket or Candy Bouquet. Perhaps you just can’t find the right words to say to someone at a difficult time? The Candy Bouquet is the answer for you and will speak volumes.

Candy Bouquets can also be used as a company promotion tool. Small bouquets can be given away at trade shows and to people who are prospective clients. Candy Bouquets can also be used as fundraisers for your school or other charitable organizations. For example, a football themed Candy Bouquet Gift Basket could make a great fundraising item for your child’s school football team.

For the chocoholic (and we all know at least one of these people), what could be better than a sumptuous beautifully presented and tasty Sweetheart Bouquet? This comprises dozens of chocolates to delight your sweetheart, along with myriad other chocolate bonbons and treats. A truly sweet creation!

As if this was not enough, the chocoholics may also choose from this chocolate masterpiece — the Chocolate Affair. This delightful, tasty Bouquet boasts a diverse selection of chocolates along with the ultimate in romance — chocolate red roses. This Bouquet is a real treat for your beloved. A gift of this superb Candy Bouquet Gift Basket is sure to make anyone’s day.

Shell: Sustainability At The Heart Of Our Business

Monday, April 30th, 2007

Royal Dutch Shell plc today released its ninth annual report on its environmental and social performance. The report underlines the company’s commitment to help meet the world’s current and future energy needs in environmentally and socially responsible ways.

The Shell Sustainability Report 2005 discusses at length the energy challenge facing the world over the next half-century, which will require governments, energy users and producers to do three things simultaneously: meet the increasing demand for energy; keep supplies secure; and reduce energy’s environmental and social impacts.

Launching the report, Chief Executive Jeroen van der Veer said:

“I genuinely believe the world can meet the challenge with the right combination of technology, investment, partnerships and effective policies from governments.

“I am convinced there is enough energy to meet growing future demand.

“But this won’t be sustainable unless the environmental impacts from growing fossil fuel use can be managed. They can be and, for the sake of our grandchildren, they must be.

“I see the potential to develop ways of using fossil fuels so that increasingly the CO2 produced is captured, stored or used productively, creating what I call greener fossil fuels. If we can make that work, both technically and financially, we would be on the way to something really big and exciting,” Mr van der Veer said.

The report describes Shell’s contribution to meeting the energy challenge through increased investment; developing cleaner fuel for the transport sector; developing alternative sources of electricity; managing greenhouse gas and other environmental and social impacts from fossil fuels; maintaining a wide range of oil and natural gas sources from different regions; and working with governments, vehicle manufacturers and customers to help align incentives, raise awareness and promote new energy options.

2005 Report highlights

– Shell used an External Review Committee to assess the 2005 report’s balance, completeness and responsiveness, based on the principles of the AA1000 Assurance Standard. Composed of five international experts in the environmental and social issues, that matter most to Shell’s stakeholders, this marks a first for Shell and a first for a major oil and gas company. [See note below for Committee membership].

– Shell’s actions to manage greenhouse gas emissions gathered pace. The company cut its own emissions; stepped up research into capturing carbon dioxide; and revamped its alternative energy strategy focusing on the most promising technologies: two for transport (biofuel and hydrogen) and two electricity sources (wind and thin-film solar).

– Real progress was made in protecting the environment and meeting the needs of indigenous people at the Sakhalin II project in Russia.

– Despite growing security problems, the Shell-operated joint venture in Nigeria moved closer to its goal to end continuous flaring in 2009. The joint venture has reduced flaring volumes by 30% since 2001.

The report discusses openly the mistakes that Shell made in 2005 and its efforts to learn from them, including its problems on the Corrib project in Ireland where the company paid too little attention to the community’s concerns about safety and local development.

Shell’s reporting is also responding to the diverging needs of different stakeholders. The 2005 Shell Sustainability Report and supporting websites are targeted at non-financial external stakeholders. To meet the needs of shareholders and the financial community, Shell included significantly more environmental and social information in its 2005 Annual Report/20-F. For staff, Shell provides a Sustainability Review, focused on what its commitment means to its employees in practice.

Shell continues to report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association guidelines. Shell’s contribution to the UN Global Compact and the Millennium Development Goals is described on the Shell.com website.

Balance Transfer Credit Cards – An Overview

Monday, April 30th, 2007

What Is A Balance Transfer Credit Card?

Simply put, a balance transfer credit card allows you to transfer your card balances over from your other credit cards. Through this transfer you can save money on the APR. If you can consolidate all your balance to a single credit card, you can easily keep track of your debt.

Why Should I Transfer My Balances To A New Credit Card?

Balance transfer credit cards, when used correctly, can help you save money. Most people keep a balance on one credit card, a separate balance on yet another, and pay a high APR to maintain both of them. Balance transfer credit cards have outstanding introductory APR’s and the very best balance transfer credit cards will have a comparably lower ongoing APR as well.

Some of the best balance transfer credit cards offer an introductory APR of 0% for an extended period. Those people who are in a debt trap can take advantage of this offer. There are even some balance transfer credit cards which prolong the introductory ARR of 0% until you have paid off all the balance that you have transferred. Certain balance transfer credit cards have a fixed rate and the rate remains the same until you pay off the balance transferred. This type of card, often times lacks the introductory 0% APR offer.

Things to Remember

It is not difficult find a balance transfer credit card, and in fact, you might have already been receiving solicitations from several credit card companies. But finding the best balance transfer credit card can sometimes be a murky affair. Understanding certain key elements regarding these cards can help you to choose the best.

Most people fall for the introductory offer given by the balance transfer credit cards. But this is only for a specific period of time. The period of time offered on these introductory APR balance transfer cards is often times determined by your credit history. So while selecting a balance transfer credit, keep a close eye on the introductory offer. Make sure that the introductory offer will work in your favor.

In some instances, some credit card companies will require an initial balance transfer along with the application for the card. Some people might not be comfortable with such a demand. The best balance transfer credit cards provide flexibility on balance transfers that will allow you to transfer balances at anytime during the introductory period.

Some of balance transfer credit cards might have a fixed rate introductory offer which is not a 0% APR on balance transfers, but is very low, remaining constant until you pay off the balance.

Most balance transfer credit cards have a transfer fee. Make sure that the transfer fee does not negate the financial advantage you are trying to get from the whole process. This aspect should be considered seriously by people who are planning to transfer balances from two or more cards. There will be no transfer fees incurred with the very best balance transfer credit cards.

You should compare your existing cards interest rate with that of the balance transfer credit card. While comparing include all the fees associated with each card as well. And if you are planning to use your balance transfer credit card for ongoing purchases, make sure to get the complete details, including ongoing APR’s on purchases, penalties, late payment fees and any miscellaneous surcharges that might be incurred when using the card in this manner. Make absolutely sure that there are no hidden charges.

What the %@#& Does Keyword Density Have To Do With Article Marketing?

Monday, April 30th, 2007

Keyword density and placement are important parts of optimizing your articles for search engines. Search engine spiders scan a page in a way that makes it important to place your keywords where they will be detected and recognized as a keyword, so that your article will come up when someone searches for that keyword.

What is a Keyword?

A keyword is a word that is going to be placed in your article several times, not just once as that would make every word a keyword. When a spider sees that you have a word placed several times in an article, it will determine that your page may be useful to users that search for such a keyword.

Over Optimizing Your Articles

It is important to note that there is also such a thing as over optimizing your articles for particular words, this is known as “keyword stuffing”. When you stuff keywords in an article a spider will detect that you are trying to trick it into placing your article high in the search engine results for that word, and will instead penalize your site and your page for doing such. This may even affect the rankings of your other pages or get your site blacklisted from a particular search engine if you are found keyword stuffing too many times.

What is Keyword Density?

Keyword density is how many times your keyword is placed in your article. Most use a percentage to determine how many times they will put a keyword in an article. For instance, if you have a 500 word article and want to achieve a keyword density of 5%, then you will need to have the keyword in your article exactly 25 times. You can find hundreds of resources and guides recommending one keyword density over another and the reasons behind the logic, however, in the end you will have to determine which density is more profitable for your articles. Each webmaster as their own density that they like to achieve based on past results. As long as you don’t over optimize and you are making sufficient profit from your rankings, then you can choose whatever keyword density you like.

The Right Density

No matter what exact density you choose, it is important to place keywords so that there are more at the beginning and end to produce an hour glass effect. Having the right keyword density in your article makes it more likely that you will make money off of that article because it will rise in the search engine results and be seen by more people.

Create The Perfect Garden Pond

Monday, April 30th, 2007

One of the biggest privileges in my life is the ability to own my own home and property. My family and I have been blessed to be able to purchase land and create the home of our dreams on it. When I am not busy writing, there are few things you can find me doing as often as tending to my ever- messy home and overwhelming lawn and garden. I have a love and hate relationship with these chores. One the one hand, I love caring for the things I own because I feel a sense of pride about them. Yet, on the other hand, it is frustrating how much time and energy it takes to keep your home and lawn looking presentable. Recently I added to my chores by putting a garden pond in my backyard.

Frankly, I had always thought that garden ponds or really decorative pieces like them were a bit too much in most yards. They looked a bit too perfect and made the property feel less homey and inviting. I had a change of heart about garden ponds when I toured the home of a friend and discovered the most quaint and brilliant garden pond situated in a corner of her backyard. The garden pond brought an extra touch to her landscaping that became irreplacable as soon as she began.

What I now love about garden ponds is that they bring a sense of nature and of wildness into the backyard of a home that is built almost anywhere. I have seen garden ponds in the backyards of homes in urban subdivisions and in the backyards of the most quaint country cabins. And I love them. I simply love what a garden pond does for the look and feel of a piece of property.

If you are thinking of adding a garden pond to your landscape, think carefully about it and do not proceed without caution. One of the worst things can be to rush into a project like a garden pond and then regret a half-done job. Take your time and get the opinions and advice of friends and fellow landscapers before you break ground on your garden pond project. Think carefully about the perfect location of your garden-pond-to-be. Does the area you’ve chosen get enough sunshine? Do you want it to be centrally located as the center piece of your landscape or off to the side and hidden more? Think about the ideal yard you want to create and then proceed carefully into making a great garden pond.

Grab a few books or get online and find hints on making a garden pond a reality on your property. It won’t be easy, but if done well, the results will be worth it.

How to Collect Your Past Due Receivables Today

Monday, April 30th, 2007

If you are like many small businesses, even a few late payments on your accounts receivable can seriously crimp your cash flow. It is vitally important that you take immediate and systematic steps to limit the number of past due receivables that you have at any time. The number one strategy is to have a system in place that limits the number of accounts that go past due in the first place. There are numerous tools and strategies for doing just that. However, today, we will concentrate on how to deal with the past dues once they appear.

Here are some tips that will help you to reduce your outstanding receivables:

· Address the issue immediately. Never wait more than 3 business days past the due date to contact the customer. This allows for mail delays, but is early enough to catch a situation before it becomes worse.

· When you contact customers, don’t give them an excuse to use (“Did you receive your invoice?”). Rather, ask them, “When did you send your payment?” If they tell you it hasn’t been sent, ask them if they intend to send it today. If they say “no,” ask when they expect to send it. Get a commitment from them and follow up if the commitment is not honored.

· If they haven’t scheduled it, ask them if they intend to pay the bill. If they say “no,” ask them why. Once you have the reason, hang up or walk away. If you continue the call or visit at this point, you may be crossing over into harassment. You can wait a day or two and call back to confirm the customer’s position, but don’t call or visit more than twice if they say they don’t intend to pay the bill. At this point, it’s time to turn to a collection agency or lawyer.

· Ask your customers why they haven’t paid your bill. Remember, if they are honest with you, you should treat them with the utmost respect. Everyone has cash flow issues from time to time and your treatment of them will be remembered long after their problems are over and they are looking to purchase products or services that you offer again. As a matter of fact, proper etiquette when collecting could not only result in you getting paid more quickly, but can also allow you to keep them as customers for life. You see, if they are indeed having problems, chances are there will be many who will not treat them very well and this will sour their relationship going forward.

· If you get an excuse, remove your emotions from the equation and address the situation logically. Get a definitive commitment on a date or time frame for when you can expect to receive payment from them. Make sure you are in agreement, so that there can be no claims of misunderstanding later. Find out how (mail, credit card, etc.) and when. Then note the conversation in your file so that you can follow up immediately if the commitment is not honored.

· If they give you a good reason (“My product was defective”), try to remedy the situation, if it is within your control. For example, if you find that the product was indeed defective, make certain that a new, defect free product is delivered immediately.

· If your customer is a larger company, understand that they will generally pay their invoices on a set schedule. You will need to know when your invoices need to be received by them in order to be included in their weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payment cycle. If you find yourself with a past due from one of these companies, be sure to call or contact them several days prior to that time to make certain that they have all the documentation they need to include your invoice with their payments.

These are just some of the steps you can take to collect your receivables once they are past due. To limit future past dues, you will need to revisit your entire process. To compete in business today, you will almost certainly have to have some level of credit for your customers. The key is to limit it to those who will pay you! If your process needs an overhaul, it is important to tackle that issue immediately. While sales are important, it is still cash that is king!

Major Causes Of Gout And How To Avoid Them

Monday, April 30th, 2007

The major cause of gout is the accumulation of uric acid in the joints. The uric acid is a chemical that is a natural part of the normal breakdown and build up of food in body tissues. The level of uric acid may be found and measured in the blood.

The condition where there is a rise in blood’s uric acid level is called hyperuricaemia. With the presence of such condition it is no wonder that uric acid crystals are formed in the joints. These crystals are responsible for the inflammation called gouty arthritis or acute gout.

Gout usually attacks people whose uric acid level has always been above normal. There are various reasons why uric acids level increases in the body:

• The higher than normal uric acid levels may be inherited in some families
• Obesity was also found to cause gout attacks
• High alcohol and caffeine intake
• High intake of food containing purines
• Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure and long standing kidney diseases

The first step in treating gout is to correct the factors that increase the levels of uric acid in the body. Patients should also work to refrain from eating purine rich foods since these substances are found to contain a lot of uric acid.

Here are foods high in purines and to be avoided:

• Organ meat products such as liver, kidneys, tripe, sweetbreads and tongue,
• Excessive amounts of red meat, shellfish, fish roe and scallops,
• Peas, lentils and beans,
• Alcohol and caffeine intakes should be reduced. A glass of beer a day or less is recommended
• Crash diets should also be avoided
• Some drugs for high blood pressure may need to be altered or adjusted

An important aspect of treating gout is lowering the uric acid levels. There are some drugs that can bring down the uric acid level in the body. However, it should be noted that these drugs only temporarily treat symptoms of gout and should not be taken on a long-term basis. The dosage is based on the level of uric acid found in the body. Regular check ups are required in order to arrive at the maintenance dosage that will prevent recurrent gout attacks.

As long as the level of uric acid continues to be lower than the normal any symptoms of gout are a remote possibility. Provided of course that medication is continued. Some drugs work by increasing elimination of uric acid through the kidney while others simply hinder the formation of uric acid in the first place.

Likewise, it is important for patients using medications to realize that during the first few months of treatment, it is still possible to have gout attacks, however severe gouty attacks are lessened.

Some of the complications of long time and acute cases of gout are deposits of uric acid salts that may appear around the affected joint and even in tissues in the earlobes. These uric acid salts are chalk colored nodules, and are also called tophi. The presence of uric acid salts is an indication further treatment is needed.