Flowers Can Say What You Can’t

Date: Thursday December 31, 2009
Posted in: Home & Garden

Since ancient times, flowers have been used as a motion of kindness. We usually present them to those we care for. We give flowers to show them how special they are, to show appreciation, to celebrate occasions, or even to sympathize. What we don’t know is that sending certain kinds of flowers, and even their colors, actually have definitions of their own.

Floriography: (Language Of Flowers)

During medieval & Renaissance times, flowers were often given moral meanings. This is evident in art where saints are often depicted with flowers that symbolize the saints’ virtues. “Some of the Christian symbols for Virginity or Chastity are the white rose, the myrtle, a vessel or vase, the lily, and the unicorn,” says Liana DeGirolami Cheney in an edition of Sixteenth Century Journal.

Back in the Victorian era, flowers began to create or add emotion. The language of flowers, sometimes referred to as floriography, began being used as a discreet form of communication. During the 18th century, sending coded messages using flowers became popular. Based on Persian Salaam, a Turkish secret language of flowers, a coded flower arrangement was sent to announce feelings of attraction, even love.

Back in 1819, a book entirely about meanings of flowers called “Le Language des Fleurs,” was written by Madame Charlotte de la Tour. Another book was written in 1884, called “Language of Flowers” by Kate Greenaway, and it is still being used nowadays.

Japan also has their version of floriography, called “Hanakotoba.” Greeting cards created in Japan use the Hanakotoba code, and still apply the flower-language in popular culture such as in movies and animation, like the anime program “Wei Kreuz.”

Popular Flower Meanings

Buy or borrow a dictionary of flowers to see the various interpretations and meanings of flowers. Some of the most popular flowers and their significances are written below:

Buttercup - riches Pink carnations - a woman’s love Chrysanthemum - love in general Forget-me-not - true love Lavender - devotion, distrust Purple lilac - first emotion of love White lily - purity Peach blossom- long-life Red rose - true love Sunflower - pure and lofty thoughts Yellow tulip - hopeless love

Find out the the best Florist from Online Florist Singapore.



The Straw Giving Farmer - Becoming Rich

Date: Thursday December 31, 2009
Posted in: Family

A millionaire created through giving!

There is a Japanese folk tale about the power of giving and it exemplifies how we can get the most wonderful of gifts when we’re gifting things to others and are positive about what we have already got.

Here is the story.

A long time ago, there lived a penniless young farmer. Nothing that he did turned out to be profitable. He was completely impoverished without any money, without anyone to help and nothing to eat. One night, totally at his wit’s end, he went to a shrine and sat near the altar and pleaded to Gods to show him what to do.

“I have always been honest and hardworking, but all my hard work never produced any reward for me. What am I doing wrong?”

He slept at the feet of the deity after having put that question. In the morning, just as he woke up, one of the Gods of his dream appeared before him enveloped in a brilliant golden light. The voice of the God resounded in his mind.

“When you wake up today, treasure the very thing you have in your hand and keep giving it generously to others on your way,” the God whispered.

The farmer woke up. He still had many questions jumping through his mind but he lifted himself up and tried to shake off the strangely vivid dream he just had. To his surprise, he saw a piece of straw in his hand. Maybe it was on his clothes after the long day of fieldwork.

He nearly dropped it to the ground, but stopped for a moment remembering what the God said. He sat down again. And looked at the straw.

He sat for a long while wondering what that meant. He had no idea how a broken bit of a straw can be of any use to him. Suddenly he saw a wasp buzzing around. The wasp soon alighted on the tip of the straw. He caught hold of the wasp and bound it to the straw with a piece of string from his dress. Thus with a piece of straw with a wasp at one end, he proceeded.

He had gone a little way when he found a small boy and his mother coming towards him from the other end of the road. The boy was weeping. When he said hello to the boy, the child noticed the straw that the man had with a wasp at one end. He stopped his weeping and wanted to have the straw. The farmer was hesitant to give it but then he remembered that God had asked him to value what we owned and also give it to others profusely. So he gave the straw to the boy. The mother was relieved as the boy stopped crying when he got the straw and the wasp. In return she gave the man three tangerines.

The man continued on his way. After a while he started feeling hungry and wanted to eat one of the tangerines. But he stopped short of doing it and remembered that he had to gift things to others, not give it to himself.

He had to climb a steep hill and there he saw a trader sitting on the earth under a tree. Near the man was a wooden box. The farmer wished the trader who seemed to be very tired. The trader saw the tangerines the farmer had and asked if he could have them. The trader said he was very thirsty.

The farmer was also equally thirsty as the day was hot and he had walked pretty long, still he gave all the three tangerines to the trader. The man ate all the three tangerines and felt fully energized. He felt very thankful to the farmer who was so kind. To show his gratitude, he opened the box that he had kept near him. The box contained several bolts of hand dyed silk. The trader took out one roll, gifted it to the farmer and left.

The farmer proceeded again through the same route. He finally found a rivulet from which he drank water and felt restored. He felt more energetic and comfortable and went on.

The farmer walked and walked not seeing anyone for a long time. He started to think that maybe this was it - his fortune. So, he decided to go to the nearby town to sell the fabric.

And just when he turned the corner, he saw a group of warriors. One of the warriors who seemed to be the leader was standing by a horse lying on the ground. The farmer heard the voice of the warrior talking to his followers.

“It does not appear that this horse would live much. We will have to leave it here. Nurse it well and catch up with me.” With this the leader jumped on to another horse and rode off, moving out of people’s sight.

The fighters who remained there conferred among themselves as to what to do. They had no interest in putting it to death but there was no other option. Finally one of them drew the sword.

The farmer ran to them and requested them to refrain from killing it. He opted to care for the animal. In return for that he gave them the bolt of silk he had. They were happy of the offer and went away fast.

With the dying horse by his side, the farmer just remained there. He wondered if he had done things wrongly and whether he would never become rich. Suddenly he remembered the river he had seen on the way.

He immediately went back to the stream, took off his shirt and soaked it in the fresh water so he could give water to horse. He returned to the horse still lying there on the ground. The farmer squeezed the wet cloth over the horse’s mouth. Very soon the horse began to respond and regained its consciousness, so the farmer pulled it up with all his might.

The horse finally stood up on its legs so the farmer could take the horse to the stream. As the horse took more water and ate some fresh green grass around the stream, it soon began to regain strength.

Now the farmer had a horse! They set off again together, this time the man had to run to keep up. The horse was actually leading the way. They ran together for miles. As the sun starting to go down, the horse finally stopped in front of a large house. As the farmer caught up, the horse pushed him with his nose to the entrance of the house.

As the farmer approached the gate, the doors swung open and to his surprise, an old man appeared. The old man was rushing outside and was looking a little pale. He noticed the farmer and the horse standing by the gate.

The old man asked the farmer what he was doing. The farmer said he was looking for a place to stay the night. The old man said he was going to the town for an urgent matter. He asked the farmer if he minded looking after his house until he returned. He said he might not be able to come back for a little while.

As the old man seemed to be in a hurry, the farmer offered him the horse. The old man appreciated the generous offer and took off with the horse. As he was leaving, he said something peculiar to the farmer.

“If I do not come back in three years’ time, this house belongs to you.”

As you possibly deduced, the old man did not come back.

So the farmer lived happily ever after in the old man’s big house with kind-hearted neighbours around and a land rich in good crops. He always kept in mind the rule that he should give to others what he had.

Thank you for reading this story. And what do you think it is all about?

Maybe there is a key to something. When we can turn our ‘getting game’ into a ‘giving game’, our life often flows bringing more abundance. But it is not always easy to practice the old wisdom in our real life.

Here are some of the interesting distinctions we can find in this story :

* When we give the things that others want, they usually value it more than we value it while when we are trying to ’sell’ something (because fundamentally, we want to get something from the deal), they compare the value with our asking price and try to pay less.

* When we are not possessive of whatever we have, we will perceive that we thereby have more chances as we can release the existing possessions.

* When what life offers is not a bed of roses, instead of concentrating on the difficulty if we kept our attention on giving and sharing, life is sure to bring in good things later.

* If we try to turn into cash what we have accumulated, because of the conviction that “this is all it would get” thinking that if we do not encash it, we will lose, our life will stand still. Instead, why don’t we keep on giving more and more irrespective of what we have or whether we are actually rich or not.

Giving is intrinsic in the lives of many who have made it to the top. When giving is done first, we are better able to lead a life of grandeur, comfort and glory.

Discover more about how Buy1GIVE1 (BOGO) can transform your business using Cause Marketing.



BOGO And B1G1 Redefined

Date: Thursday December 31, 2009
Posted in: Education

Definitions of words often change quite quickly these days. In the distant past the meaning of words was often set in stone. Today the meaning can change in a blink. With new faster ways to communicate with wider and more culturally, socially and education

There is a growing significant movement happening global where consumers are asking businesses to look after the things they care about such as the environment and the less fortunate in society. The request is still mainly tacit and despite it being an ironic request it still signals we are in a time of great change. Consumers these days want their ‘toys’ but they don’t want the environment to be destroyed in the creation of these. They want cheap products but they do not want workers to be paid a pittance to create the cheap products.

Until recently there was no real answer to this complex puzzle but today one actually exists. It exists in the reforging of a simple single word - GET. Today there is a new movement of consumers wanting to get and at the same time give. They are reforging the word GET into the word GIVE.

Every day automated email notices arrive in my inbox from Google Alerts for two keywords - BOGO and B1G1. I see all the new places these words are turning up on the Internet. Little by little these two words are gaining a their new meaning as more and more people take up the Buy One Give One cause.

B1G1 and BOGO, despite sounding like characters from a Marvel comic are acronyms for Buy One GET One free. You buy one and they give you an extra one for the same price.

Look up BOGO on Wikipedia.com (there isn’t a definition yet for B1G1) and you will discover these definitions for BOGO:

* An acronym in the retail industry that stands for Buy One Get One. For example, you could say “Buy 1 DVD, Get 1 FREE!

* An acronym in slang British that stands for Britons Of Greek Origin or Greek Britons.

* Bogo, Cebu, a city in central Philippines.

* An alternate name for the Bilen ethnic group of Ethiopia or their language, Blin.

* Norway, a village in Norway.

* The mascot of the ITESM CEM.

* Bogosort, an ineffective sorting algorithm

* Bogosort, an ineffective sorting algorithm

BOGO Lights - torches that give

There is a business in the USA called SunLight Solar founded by Mark Bent. He has created a special torch that not only is an amazing and sturdy solar-powered light; his company also gives a free torch to those in need in developing nations for each one bought. If you look on their website you will learn about their “BOGOlight”.

“The BoGo - our Buy one/Give one - program has successfully provided lights to many, many thousands of people in the developing world, changing lives because of your purchase and participation.” - BOGOlight.com

Mark Bent has managed to flip the meaning of the BOGO acronym upside down. For Mark along with thousands of his customers, BOGO now means Buy One GIVE One. A light is given whenever one is sold. Now each sale supports people in remote parts of the world who don’t have the benefit of electricity. They can now tap into solar power support themselves.

There are many other well known and many less well know businesses doing Buy One Give One giving, or transaction-based giving as its becoming known. Some of the famous companies are OLPC - One-Laptop-Per-Child and TOM’S Shoes. Some of the less well-known ones (in the US at least) are based in Oceania and the UK - Earthstar Publishing, Maple Muesli, Blinds Couture, Figure 8 Body Chains, Sunsplash Homes, Honestly Women magazine and Thavibu Gallery based in Thailand are just a small handful of these special businesses that are leading the Buy One Give One movement.

There are many Buy One Give One businesses now uniting under the common brand banner of Buy1GIVE1 managed by a Singapore based social enterprise which is becoming the home of transaction-based giving. Any business in the world can now integrate Buy One Give One giving with ease. It’s like a ‘CSR plug-in’ allowing a business to instantaneously start giving from each and every sale, starting from just 1 cent. It’s also no longer about giving an equivalent product to someone else. Instead it is about contributing to a project that resonates with a company’s activity. For example a restaurant can feed a child, a television retailer can give a cataract blind person the gift of sight (Get Vision-Give Vision), a magazine publisher can plant a tree every time they sell a subscription and a property developer can build a low-cost family home for those in need (Buy1BUILD1) - the list is simply endless.

There is something very special happening these days as more and more people are switching to giving and what are known as ‘citizen brands’ as a part of their everyday experience. In the 2008 Goodpurpose study of global consumer attitudes it reveals that almost 68% of consumers would choose to remain loyal to a brand during an economic downturn if it supports a good cause. And 71% say that when they think about the economic downturn, they have either given the same or more time and money to good causes. This study also highlighted some other key points as well such as:

* Half (52%) of consumers globally are more likely to recommend a brand to others when it supports a good charity cause over one that does not.

* 52% of consumers globally are more likely to tell others of a brand when it supports a good charity cause over one that doesn’t.

* And going even further globally, consumers are voicing a strong desire for marketers to connect their brands to social causes or action. Forty-two percent say that if two products or services are of the same quality and price, commitment to a social purpose trumps factors like design, innovation and brand loyalty when choosing one product brand over another.

Turning Getting into Giving

In the minds of consumers, Buy One GIVE One is sure to replace Buy One GET One as the global giving movement led by Buy1GIVE1 ripples out. Certainly with the large consumer demand shown for products from companies like BOGOlights, TOMS Shoes and One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), this tide will continue to spread.

I did a Google search on the 25 topmost key words connected with the keyword BOGO as an experiment to see what would show up. The results were interesting so I have displayed them below. You may notice that right now the word Give doesn’t show up. It will be interested to do this test again in twelve months time to see what changes. Consumers are now driving change and yes they want to receive free gifts (traditional B1G1/BOGO) but equally they also want to give to others or see others being given to.

Keyword results:

Free, shopping, pics, join, prose, photography, blogging, discount, boots, groups, music, dallas, togo themes, wallpapers, buy, applications, skins, values, coupon, gift, sharing, networking, African.

Transactional or transaction based giving

Unlike normal charitable giving Buy One Give One giving is transactional. What is meant by that is: every time you buy something you give something. In the case of SunNight Solar they give a physical light for every light sold. In most cases, businesses that become part of this special form of transaction-based giving, give in a different way. At Buy1GIVE1, giving can start from just USD 1c contribution per sale. At this amount no business in the world can say they cannot give and 100% contributed goes to the cause.

The amount of money that is contributed isn’t the focus with Buy1GIVE1 transaction based giving. The focus instead is on the story and sharing the simple joy of giving. After all, if you think that 1c isn’t a lot to give and would not make much of a difference think again.

From its origins in Ethiopia, where the main coffee production is still from wild coffee tree forests, coffee consumption has spread globally. Brazil is still by far the largest coffee producer in the world producing on average 28% of the world’s total coffee. In 2006 Brazil produced enough coffee to make 216,400,000,000 (216 billion four hundred million) espresso coffees. If we were to calculate across global production then we get a daily global consumption of around 2,117,416,830 cups of coffee - wow. The figures are somewhat hard to track down but let’s guess that 40% of the world’s coffee is sold and consumed in coffee shops then we would get that 846,966,732 cups are sold commercially each day globally - nearly 900 million. This would equate to about’5,485,714 cups in the US on its own seeing they purchase around 21% of the world’s coffee.

Now imagine that for every cup of coffee sold a child was given clean drinking water from its own well. It costs just 1cent per person per day to do this. Any coffee shop could afford to contribute this amount from the sale of a cup of coffee. Instead of clean water a coffee shop could contribute for the education of coffee farmers’ children, costing from 23cents per child per day. The options and stories are unlimited as well as the potential difference that Buy One Give One transactional giving can make to the lives of many.

Transaction-based giving is the story of a thousand-mile journey starting with a single step. Digging a well costs a few thousand dollars, however when you break the cost down it only takes the sale of a single cup of coffee to give clean water to a single person for a day1. This is the incredible and simple power of transactional giving. It is like the compound interest of giving - a little turns into a huge amount very quickly.

So many companies are used to doing things on their own. Doing transactional giving is no different. A company can go out find a cause and start doing Buy One Give One giving. And yet they are missing the point when they do this. Buy1GIVE1 giving is about sharing the joy of giving and not trying to change the world. As soon as you step up and say you are going to change the world then the world will step up and challenge you. Within a heartbeat a company would experience the sharp scrutiny of the media inspecting their every move. And yet when a company steps up and says it is supporting what its customer want and joins with others in its industry to do that in a win-win way, the story is different. When companies choose to join together under a commonly recognised banner/brand they can have a powerful joint effect. The ripple that a single company creates is added to that of another and the ripple grows into a tidal wave that benefits so many. This is the power of giving and doing things together.

The final power of Buy One Give One transaction based giving is that everyone wins - the consumer wins - at no extra cost to themselves they have made a difference through their purchasing choices - the business wins in so many ways - and the worthy cause or charity wins because they can now receive small amounts from many sources all aggregated and paid as a lump sum from a single source if done through the Buy1GIVE1 service.

A new start - a new world - new thinking

If you check Wikipedia today you should find that a new definition has been added for BOGO. It is time for a change. A change from focusing on GETTING to focusing on GIVING. The subtlety in the words that we use so often point to a deeper underlying meaning. I added this small addition to Wikipedia, “… an acronym in the marketing industry that stands for Buy One GIVE One.”

Just imagine our world where every time you shopped and bought something you gave something - automatically and seamlessly. This is the simple joyful magic of transaction based giving.

This is the world I choose to be a part of.

And remember - you don’t ‘get’ giving till you get giving.

References:

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee

http://www.buy1-give1free.com/index.php/Partnering/Worthy-cause-charity-projects.html

http://www.goodpurposecommunity.com/

http://www.scfnw.org.uk/site/article183.html

http://www.buy1-give1free.com/index.php/Partnering/Worthy-cause-charity-projects.html

http://www.goodpurposecommunity.com/

http://www.dep.org.uk/globalexpress/13/page1.htm

Footnotes: 1 Calculated by taking the average cost to dig a well, dividing it by its average expected life without major maintenance divided by the number of people in the community benefiting from the well on a daily basis.

Find out more about how Buy1GIVE1 (BOGO) can transform your business using Cause Marketing.



The Things You Should Know About Hypnosis

Date: Thursday December 31, 2009
Posted in: Health

Hypnosis and its derivative, hypnotherapy, have been the focus of several misconceptions created by layman’s imagination. Some consider them to be some sort of spell while others hesitate to even acknowledge them. Some of the common misconceptions linked with hypnosis and the reality behind them are given below.

Hypnosis has no link with any sort of mystical arts. It is a very simple technique, which can be understood without much difficulty with the help of psychology and other scientific methods. People refuse to acknowledge hypnosis even after watching participants successfully experiencing its power in public sessions. They say that hypnotised subjects allow practitioners to be successful in their art by not exhibiting enough will power to withstand the effect of their words. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Hypnosis can be exercised on anyone irrespective of his or her mental strength.

That hypnosis is an alternate state of consciousness is another myth that has been circulating for quite some time now. A hypnotized individual is completely conscious of his surroundings. During the hypnotic state, the subject relaxes entirely and is hence able to focus fully on the suggestions provided by the practitioner.

Another misconception, which has been propagated by some researchers, claims that hypnosis can be applied on merely 5% of the human population. Although, the finding has some element of truth to it, what makes it hollow is the fact that the scientists used the same hypnosis procedure for everyone. People differ in their characters and personalities, and therefore there have to be different hypnosis methods to suit the temperaments of different people.

Many people take hypnosis to be a form of meditation. However, meditation is a purely personal experience that has got nothing to do with communication, while communication is an integral part of any successful hypnosis. The state of trance is not a hypnotic state either. Just like meditation, trance is a mental state, and it is not associated with communication in any manner, whereas the very basis of the hypnosis method is communication.

Another misconception is that physical and behavioural changes in a person are not attainable through hypnosis training or hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is clearly not magic that it can transform the physical appearance of a person just like that. But by mentally conditioning a person to give up addictive habits like eating too much and chain smoking, and by heightening one’s inspiration levels, hypnosis can bring about important physical alterations in a person and ensure a healthier body.

Hypnosis, and particularly hypnotherapy, can have an important role to play in the overall welfare of an individual, and not trying them out just because of some misconceptions is an act of folly.

Learn more about Hypnosis Course or Hypnotherapy Course and discover its benefits to your profession.



Vestavia Hills Chiropractic Therapy: Long-term Back Pain Relief

Date: Wednesday December 30, 2009
Posted in: Health

Because long-term back pain is experienced by so many people, it is one of the most significant and most costly health conditions in the United States. There a number of different treatment modalities, but for natural solutions, Vestavia Hills chiropractic therapy is a gentle non-surgical treatment designed to give rapid and long-lasting relief.

Physical and Psychological Components of Pain

More and more people are experiencing the inconvenience and pain of back problems during the lifetime. The two major types of pain are acute pain that lasts only a short while, usually less than three months. The injury site heals and the pain diminishes then disappears. With chronic pain, the discomfort doesn’t go away. It may continue for weeks or months even after the injury has healed.

What Creates Back Pain?

It is difficult to isolate pain in one part of the back from other parts. If the sufferer sits too long bent over a computer keyboard, the muscle strain may increase. Instead of correcting the underlying problem through proper posture, the individual may slump, or twist to relieve pressure from the muscles in spasm. This makes the problem worse.

Remedies

The chiropractor will first do a thorough review of the nerves and musculature of the back, neck and hips. The sufferer may need a series of x-rays in order to determine the extent of the misalignment. A treatment plan will be developed for each individual, using one or more treatment methods. Back pain may be addressed through massage, decompression of the disks, chiropractic adjustments, posture training and exercise plans.

Eliminating Recurrence of Pain

Continuing pain, regardless of its location is not just something to be endured. It is important to avoid situations where accidental pain happens. Lifting too much or from the wrong orientation is often the cause of back pain. This is could have been prevented by learning how to lift and carry properly. Posture plays a role in prevention. A few simple exercises can also reduce the likelihood of pain.

The Vestavia Hills chiropractic therapy concentrates on identifying and treating specific pain, then providing lifestyle changes that prevent a return of acute pain conditions. It is important to treat the entire spine, not just one set of muscles or one lumbar vertebra.

Vestavia Hills chiropractic therapy is certain to provide relief to the individual in pain with a selection of up-to-the minute treatments. More info now on http://www.berrychiro.com



Stay Safe with Home Security Alarms System

Date: Wednesday December 30, 2009
Posted in: Family

You would like to install a security system to your home, but do not want an elaborate home security system. Thus, you are looking into purchasing a home security alarm that will be effectively threatening to robbers, but how do you choose the right one?

About Home Security Alarms

There are many different kinds of home security alarms. The kinds of home security alarms that are available are quite varied, according to how they are installed, as well as what kind of sound they emit.

The most common kind of home security alarms are the ones that are triggered when a window is broken or a door lock is broken. These kinds of home security alarms are based on sensors that detect movement and alert according to preprogrammed standards.

Also, home security alarms are often connected to an electrical alarm system that is installed throughout the house. The main alarm system has o do with a keypad. A code is programmed into the keypad, and you set the alarm according to certain times, of the day, etc.

It is important to purchase a home security alarm that is not too sensitive. This is especially true for if you purchase an alarm system that does not have a central keypad. The more sensitive alarms will be set off at the slightest noise, and you do not want to have the alarm going off all the time!

When it comes to the sounds that home security alarms emit, there are several basic ones. An alarm can emit a high-pitched, monotone sound, or it can emit a sound similar to that of a siren. Whatever alarm system you choose to purchase, be sure that it is one that the neighbors can recognize.

However, there are alarms that are directly connected to a database, so instead of a neighbor having to call the police, the police are automatically notified the moment a break in happens. Some robbers are brave, and will continue to rob a place while the alarm is sounding, thus getting caught in the process.

The price of home security alarms will vary, since some alarms are more elaborate than others. Be sure to check the prices and the options that are available to you. With the proper research, you are sure to find a home security alarm system that will keep you and your loved ones safe.

Allen Wilson is a writer in security system related topics. Visit http://homesecuritysystem.co.nz for more information about DIY home security system.



Buying American Home Security Alarms for Your House?

Date: Wednesday December 30, 2009
Posted in: Family

If you live in States, you must be aware of the rising crime rates these days. Regardless of where you are staying, or how safe your neighborhood maybe, you may be still in danger. But at the end of the day, it is every individual’s duty to protect themselves from these dangers. It is indeed your duty to protect you own house, rather than just to depend on the police or the neighborhood patrol team. American home security systems are not so uncommon in stores these days, especially with the growing awareness of public towards safety and security.

Renowned home security companies like the American Home Security, ADT, and many more have various range of products that can keep you both physically and mentally protected. Physically protected would refer to the home security systems that they are providing for your house, and mentally would refer to preparing you towards safety and security through various reading resources and packages.

Buying and installing a System

Buying and installing a very good American home security system is something very necessary. You wouldn’t want your security systems to fail right at the time the robber is entering your house. In that case, you need to get good systems such as the one from American Home Security. This company is a locally owned and operational countrywide. Their products are as good as ADT’s international home security systems, and can be found anywhere on the internet as well as in many stores around the country.

The range of products includes fire security systems, alarm systems, surveillance security systems, and many more. It is necessary to have such security systems, simply because you won’t be at home all the times, and even if you do you can’t be watching over the house continuously too. Staying up all night is an impossible thing to do, which is why you need a simple American home security system to do the job perfectly.

Based in Beaverton, American home security has been providing security systems for both common consumer and corporate customer markets. In that case, if you have a jewelry shop or computer center, it is indeed a must to have the American home security system installed. You can simply call them, and they will be ready for you instantly. Besides just providing you with the products, American home security also provides monitoring services, alarm repairs, and consultation services as well.

James Cook is a security system expert. Click here for more information about home security system.



Choosing The Right Auto Body Repair School

Date: Tuesday December 29, 2009
Posted in: Education

Like any high demand career these days, positions in the auto body repair field require extensive training. Don’t be fooled by people telling you that you do not need to go to college or a trade school excel in this field. Yes it is true that you can probably find a job being a lot attendant and sweeping the floors, but to land the highest paying jobs in this field you need experience. Experience is not easy to get if you have never worked in the field so there is really only one other option: The Auto Body Repair School.

Good fortune has it that auto body repair schools can be located around the country without any real effort. Trade schools top the list with dedicated curriculum about auto body repair, while community colleges also offer courses in auto body repair and also include normal college courses. I prefer the first option as most schools will divide your time in half with hands on training in the shop and classroom study. Some people feel that only working in the shop hands on is needed, but they can not be more wrong. To be truthful, not learning the inner workings behind some of modern automobile systems can be very dangerous. High voltages, complicated circuits, and air bag systems are just the tip of the iceberg that is today’s automobile. You DO NOT want to learn from your mistakes with these systems. Its a simple solution really. Learn your theory, and apply it in the shop. To make the options easier we have provided a few options in Auto Body Repair Schools.

Lincoln Tech, my first choice for a school is a simple one. I am a LTI Alumni and can attest for their high quality of education. Using a systems approach they break down different systems of the automobile and then apply it later in the shop. With joint efforts between them and major auto makers they can provide specialized training for different makes and models. Tool companies are also linked up with LTI and provide tools to students at discounted rates. They also DBA Lincoln College of Technology and Nashville Auto/Diesel College.

Another great option is Wyotech. Their collision refinishing technology program is known by many and has been branded as the official school of the National Hot Rod Association and has many other ties to motor sports. One very famous alumni is former Xtreme 4×4 host Jessi Combs. Besides the basic course, students can pick a major in special areas like service managment, race chasis fab, and upholstery.

If a dedicated trade school is not for you then perhaps looking into local colleges is a better option for you. Look for ones that offer a collision repair or auto body repair program.

Want to find out more about Auto Body Repair, then visit Chip Roth’s site on how to choose the best Auto Body Repair School for your needs.



Charity Motorcycle Ride

Date: Tuesday December 29, 2009
Posted in: Education

A few weeks back I received an email from a girl Kim about a Charity Motorcycle event she was working on for Bide A Wee an Animal shelter I worked at when I was younger. As I read the info I was looking forward to attending the event only to find it was being held at Jugs and Strokers the only “Biker Bar” on Long Island that does not allow Motorcycle Club Colors. I was pissed to find out I would not be welcome at this event. I then saw the email had been sent out to many other Motorcycle Clubs on Long Island. Pissed Off, I started writing a reply to the email and sent it out to the MC’s here on Long Island. Here is what I wrote.

Hey everyone this is LJ James.

You may not know this but I worked at Bide A Wee in Wantagh for many years. I have some great memories of my time working there. As much as I love the place and think Bide A Wee to be a truly great organization, I will not take off my Colors to go inside Jugs & Strokers to attend this event.

I see this email is addressed to many different Clubs. Some of your beliefs may be different then mine and you may take your Colors off to attend this event. I would hope all of you have more respect for your Club then to do that, but these are my beliefs and may not be yours.

I think it is only fair to Kim who is working very hard for this very worthy cause that she know what your feelings are about the Jugs and Strokers policy in regards to Colors. Kim has spent a lot of time working on this event and I would hate to see her event fail because she is unaware of the Revulsion Jugs and Strokers has towards Motorcycle Clubs!!!

Not only is it an old out dated Policy that promotes the Division of Motorcycle Riders, it is also illegal according to NY State Law! I have been working hard to protect and promote Motorcycle Rights and Unity here in NY and world wide. I think it is time We started working hard to change what is wrong here on Long Island! There is an old saying, “if you want to fix the world start in your own back yard”.

This is an event that, when I heard about it I wanted to attend. Then I hear it is being held at Jugs and now I am “not allowed to attend”.

I am not a bad guy! You all out there know me. How many of your events have I covered in Magazines? How many of you have I DJed for? Not only your Club events but many of your personal family events! I’ve even preformed wedding ceremonies for a few of you and after I married you I Djed your wedding!!!

You too are also all good people. Your MCs have done many things to make Long Island a better place. You have fed the Hungry, Clothed the poor, and made sure every Child on Long Island had a Toy for the Holidays. Our patches stand for what is great about America! Why should we be made to feel that wearing our Colors is even the slightest bit wrong?

If you ask Jugs and Strokers, they might try to use the excuse “well its not your group its other groups who are the bad guys”. That is a cop out, a lie, and an attempt to divide the Long Island Motorcycle Club world!!!

Over the past few years here on Long Island we have seen a Unity in the Motorcycle Club World that many still can not believe. Sport Bike Clubs and Cruiser Clubs riding and hanging together. AMA Clubs and 1% Clubs attend each others events. Law Enforcement Clubs and Outlaw Clubs Breaking Bread and Drinking together at events. I have seen every type of rider hanging out together. This is the Biker dream people!!!

There was a time when we were all told that you could not have a bar on Long Island where all MCs where aloud to mingle together. That there would be nothing but fights and problems. Then JDs Place opened and shortly after that, the Myth was put to rest.

The Motorcycle World here on Long Island has become something We are all very proud of. I call out to all of you MCs, independents, and MROs like ABATE, it is time to end the humiliating practice that Jugs and Strokers has been aloud to inflict upon the Long Island Motorcycle World for far too long!!!

I am tired of this bar being allowed to claim it is a biker bar for bikers, but if your a member of a Motorcycle Club and wear your Colors, you are some how an undesirable, and unwelcome. I say time is up, Jugs and Stokers! You have made enough money off the Long Island Motorcycle world! You need to stop being part of the Problem and become part of the Solution!!!

I’m interested to know what the feelings are of the rest of you!!!

(Because of this reply, Shortly after I wrote this the event was switched to another Long Island Biker Bar “Sick Moon Saloon” That welcomes all who Ride)

LJ James Proud Member Mortal Skulls MC AmericanBikerX.com

Discrimination On The Basis Of Clothing Or Club Membership Is ILLEGAL Article I, Section 11 of the New York State Constitution states “that no person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws of this state or any subdivision thereof.” Article 4, Section 40 of the Civil Rights Law provides that “all persons within the jurisdiction of this state shall be entitled to the full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities and privileges of any places of public accommodations, resort or amusement subject only to the conditions and limitations established by law and applicable alike to all persons.” The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that individuals have the constitutional right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs. Cohen v. California, 403 US 15 (1971). In addition, the right of an individual to freedom of association has long been recognized and protected by the United States Supreme Court. Thus, a person’s right to wear the clothing of his choice, as well as his right to belong to any club or organization his choice is constitutionally protected, and persons or establishments who discriminate on the basis of clothing or club membership are subject to a lawsuit.

LJ James Hosts an online Motorcycle Show every week at 8pm East Coast Time. LJ James trys to teach the meaning of real Biker Brotherhood that we can not see on Sons of Anarchy



Doing Food Photography Differently

Date: Monday December 28, 2009
Posted in: Weddings

Taking food photos is an artform. It takes a lot of experience to get it right. Non-the-less here are some simple tips to help.

Lighting the scene

The first important technique food photographers should learn is about lighting. When photographing food you should treat it as you would any other kind of subject and make sure it is lit correctly. Many pictures can be improved by using adequate lighting. Natural light is the best light source to use, so by a window is an ideal location. Natural light cuts out the shadows, and gives the food a more natural look which all food photographers want.

Using Props

The right props can bring a simple food dish alive. Some food types like fast food is dull and lifeless so choosing the right props of fresh fruit, vegetables, plates, candles etc will make the dull become magic. To be s good food photographer you must have a special eye and flair for design. if you have this skill naturally you will fly.

If you do a lot of food photography then shopping at second hand markets can be a great way to build your box of props. You can pick up expensive items like large pots and dishes and vases for a few dollars and a smile. If you do not do much then you may have to go shopping for what you need and bill the client!

Be Quick

If you are a slow-coach perfectionist then food photography may be hard for your to master. Like master chefs that throw masterpieces dishes together in minutes master food photographers capture the essence in minutes too. Be quick else it will be a mess is the thing to remember with food photography. As soon as food warms or cools it droops, melts, discolours and a whole range of other things. Be ready with all the lighting and use placeholder items such as places to get the lighting right. Once the food is there you should be shooting.

Way to improve your photographs in an instant

An excellent food photographer will want to learn this last but not least creative technique when it comes to taking photographs of food. And that is to use a small amount of vegetable oil that you have on hand and brush it on the food. This will make your dish glisten and stand out deliciously in your pictures.

Work with the chef

The last area to cover is working with you food professional. If you are unlucky you will have to do the presentation of the food yourself. If you are lucky and the client has a good budget you will have a chef to do the food display.

Take a few minutes before the shoot to talk with the chef and ask them how they like to work. Ask them if there is anything you need to know about the food that may not be obvious. If nothing else this will make them feel good so you will then be able to work closer and better together.

Find out more about the best Food Photographers who are also top in their field for Bridal Photography.



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