Mood

Mood

Annoying drivers

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was in trouble again this year for describing the Isle of Sheppey in Kent as a giant caravan site, but he’s more than well known for bemoaning the number of caravans being driven on the roads and the desperation of getting stuck behind…
Mood

Where's Susan?

It’s Sunday and it’s seven a.m. and I’ve been up for quite a few minutes. This is fine now because the weather is nice and it always feels good to get a jump on an old day. Later, though, I will be yawning and rubbing my eyes like a child. I’ll need…
Mood

Typical Online Personas

Growing up we spend most of our time complaining that people don’t take us seriously enough. I know most teenagers think they know it all and no one realizes it or respects them for it. As an adult, most of us get over this though plenty of others do not. Most adults I…
CBD

Blooming Trends: Why CBD Flowers Are Gaining Popularity in 2024

In the bustling landscape of wellness trends, one particular botanical phenomenon has caught the attention of health enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike: the rise of high quality CBD hemp flower. As 2024 unfolds, the popularity of CBD flowers continues to soar, driven by a convergence of factors ranging from increased awareness of their therapeutic potential to evolving consumer preferences. 1.
general

Painting Stripes on Walls

An important item when deciding on painting stripes on walls to consider is “contrasting your colors”. One should be brighter/darker enough than the other.
I’d suggest that you first try out a couple of stripes first before tackling the whole room. This way, if you don’t like the colors or even the spacing/width of the stripes, you can easily prime over them and start on a fresh slate.

Before painting stripes on walls, you will need to get the preparation done first, such as repairing any holes, patching, sanding and taping, etc. see my page on interior painting preparation for a quick refresher on the steps involved.

Ok, now you have chosen the two colors and finished prepping the room. The question people ask at this point is what color should they paint first? Simply put, it should be the lightest of the two colors or the “flattest” of the finishes.

Apply the first color now to the wall(s). You need to wait at least 24 hours for this coat to cure enough before moving onto the next step of using painter’s tape…

Measuring for Painting Stripes on Walls

For planning out the proper spacing of the stripes and sections, you’ll need to do a bit of math 🙂

When planning your walls, the stripes are usually between 4-10 inches wide.

Using a tape measure or long ruler, start marking out your chosen width at the top of the wall with a pencil – don’t use ink as it bleeds through most latex interior paints.

Some minor adjustments may be needed to keep an equal distance between the stripes for the length of the wall that you are painting.

It’s a good idea to then use a long level to transfer the final marks vertically to the bottom of the wall for each line and draw a light pencil mark down the full length so you can easily apply the painter’s tape. If you have a laser level on hand, all the better.

There is a 3M “Scotch” product called “Safe-Release Painter’s Tape” specifically designed for freshly painted surfaces and even shows a picture on the box of its use in painting stripes on walls! In at least, try to purchase a less-adhesive brand of painter’s tape.

Once you apply a length of painter’s tape along a vertical line, run a putty knife over the tape. This will help eliminate any seepage of paint under the tape.
Time to paint the darker, second color. Cut in the ceiling and bottom baseboard areas as normal with a good quality sash brush.

Using a small 4-inch roller, start applying the second color in the alternating sections. If your stripes are of a smaller dimension, you will have to find a smaller applicator or use a brush.

Once you’ve completed one wall, very carefully and slowly, remove the painter’s tape. This should be done while the paint is still fresh (semi-wet).

Personal Finance

Credit Repair Organizations for Consumers

Consumers all over the nation face monetary problems and need assistance in the management of their finances. In such a situation, the role of Consumer Credit Repair Services is very important. These companies help the consumer to recover from loss due to debt and mismanagement of personal funds. These organizations teach people how to organize their money and create an effective budget for following.

Credit Repair Service – Manage Financial Problems

Consumer Credit Repair Services teach to individuals the tricks of paying the creditors and yet save money. Consumer Credit Repair Services provide training to consumers on how to remain financially independent. People learn new techniques on financial management and slowly adopt them. People who need a way out of debt do not need to contact family and peers. Consumer Credit Repair Services can help the consumer get out of debt easily.

Purpose of Credit Repair Services

Firstly, consumers must know what a Consumer Credit Repair Service is and what does it too. These are organizations which are dedicated to helping consumers overcome their financial problems and save money. Such a service may be supported by the society or the local church associations.

What do Consumer Credit Repair Services do?

Consumer Credit Repair Service organizations teach the most basic aspects of finance to consumers first. Let it be paying monthly bills on the internet or filling the checkbook. People who own a business can also take help from Consumer Credit Repair Services.

People who work with such organizations have also felt a surge or financial setback in the past. Such people consider it best to involve a Repair Service in these problems and solve them.

Do Not Feel Shame – Share Financial Problems

Consumers who have emerged successfully from financial problems feel proud about it. However, most individuals consider it an act of shame to tell their financial problems to the family members. Consumers must not let their pride get in the way of future success and endeavors.

Solve Financial Problems Quickly

It is vital to understand that financial complications must be resolved as quickly as possible. Consumers cannot expect their problems to vanish in a day, thus struggle and dedication to this cause are important. Any city is likely to have many Consumer Credit Repair Service organizations which are interested in helping consumers.

Financial Counseling – First Step to Recovery

Consumers are advised to take out some time and get a meeting arranged with a Credit Repair Service organization`s representative. The process may be slow but the final results are worth the wait. It is in a consumer`s best interest that they pursue this cause wholeheartedly and not be afraid of setbacks.

Personal Finance

Credit Counseling Service that Cost You Nothing

Free consumer credit counseling service helps people to overcome debt and manage their finances. Advice for eliminating the need for credit cards and repayment of debt is given to consumers. Tips and strategies for improving credit ratings are also provided. Free consumer credit counseling agencies can be a big help to people who are struggling for financial independence. There are several organizations which offer free credit counseling.

Advertisements regarding such organizations are found either on television, internet or print media.

Free Consumer Credit Counseling Service

Free consumer credit counseling encourages the consumer to face financial problems with confidence. There are different pieces of advice for different people. Not everybody is in the same situation. Local organizations such as community service and the church may also provide relief to consumers by giving useful advice on debt management. It is important to have concrete information regarding the free consumer credit counseling company before working with it.

Research About Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies

The first step to recovery from debt is to start research about the company one wishes to work with. The consumer must have knowledge regarding the terms and condition of operation. Consumers must also know who monitors the organization and where its funding comes from. The specifications of the company must also be available to the consumer.

Take Help from the Better Business Bureau

Better Business Bureau can help the consumer is making a good choice. If there are any complaints against the company, the Better Business Bureau shall report it to the consumer. The process of being debt free is long and tiring. The more information a consumer has on this issue, the better it is.

Help for Debt and Finance Management

Free consumer credit counseling service is beneficial only if the consumer knows what it does. There are financial counselors which assist consumers in improving financial conditions. Help is available for debt management, improvement of credit scores and finance management for all consumers.

Counseling on Bankruptcy and Research

Free consumer credit counseling services are not regulated by law. These organizations operate independently and are not bound to any rules. For this reason, consumers must be well-informed regarding the free consumer credit counseling service. Credit advisors can solve debt problems and even help consumers for filing bankruptcy in the most critical of situations.

Benefits of Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Creditors even lower interest rates and terms of debt repayment due to consumer credit counseling services. Some even eliminate all the debt which is due for repayment on the consumer. Some consumer credit counseling services charge a small fee. Free consumer credit counseling services offer many plans. Unsecured loans and their repayments can be modified by some negotiation, but the same is not possible for secured loans.

Personal Finance

Idaho Falls Office: A Debt Counseling Organization

Idaho Falls Office is a non-profit company. It is working for the purpose to provide guidance and consultancy to those who are heavily burdened due to huge debts. These companies can be easily found in big cities. Wide branches of Idaho Falls Office are spread all over the world. This company provides free of cost services to their customers or charge a very low fee from them.

Idaho Falls Office: A Debt Counseling Organization and its approach:

Idaho Falls Office does its services for such customers who are heavily burdened due to debts. The approach adopted by the Idaho Falls Office is very simple and effective. Firstly they go through the financial status of the customer in detail. For this, they asked for the financial information of the client.

After attaining all the required financial information and data, they carefully investigate all the matters of the customer in detail. They make some recommendations for the client. They guide them about the ways and means by which the customer can get out of the financial crises and get their lives on the track again.

Confidentiality Of Information Of The Client:

The financial information and the data of the client are kept secret and confidential by Idaho Falls Office. Otherwise, no one will trust them. That is why they make them sure about the confidentiality of any information that is given to them by their client.

Professional And Experienced Staff:

Idaho Falls Office has experienced staff. Especially they have employees that had also gone through this phase of financial crises at any time in their life. That is why they can feel the pain of their clients and guide them for the best strategy.

One can also access online as well. An individual facing financial difficulty due to heavy debt burden can avail the services of Idaho Falls Office in settlement of their debts with the concerned companies.

Consulting Creditors:

Idaho Falls Office also consults the creditors for changing in the payment plan and the interest on these payments. They negotiate with the creditors to make things flexible for their debtors. It eases their clients to some extent in the payment of their debts.

Suggestion and Advice:

It is highly advisable to carefully investigate the company’s profile before entering into any contract with Idaho Falls Office.

Contact Idaho Falls Office: A Debt Counseling Organization
2086 East 25th St,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404

Phone: 208-535-0800
Fax: 208-535-2277
E-mail: Ida@DebtReductionServices.org

news

Economic group lands federal monies; Grant to fund creation of regional development strategy

The regional economic development organization that includes Colfax County has been awarded a federal grant to develop an economic development strategy for the entity’s seven-county region.

The North Central New Mexico Economic Development District will receive $180,000 through the federal Economic Development Administration to “assist with efforts to increase private capital investments and job creation in the region,” according to information from northern New Mexico U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján.

The district’s executive director, Tim Armer, told The Range Friday that the primary purpose of the money is to develop the region’s economic development strategic plan. He indicated the work would be done during the three-year cycle of the disbursement of the grant funds.

The district is made up of Colfax, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos counties.

The process to create a strategy for regional economic development is designed to “bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy,” according to Luján.

Armer added the economic plan will include “issues and initiatives that are of importance to Colfax County.”

He described Colfax County as regularly providing “very good participation” on the district’s board of directors. He said the county’s representatives — County Commissioner Landon Newton, Raton City Commissioner Sandy Mantz, former Raton mayor Fred Sparks and former Cimarron mayor Mary Alice Tracy-Boyce — do well in representing the “interests of Colfax County.”

“A comprehensive strategy to promote economic growth is essential in the effort to attract businesses that can create jobs in the private sector,” Luján said of the work that will be funded by the grant. “These important federal funds will assist the North Central New Mexico Economic Development District in its ongoing efforts to support our communities and lay the foundation for a stronger economy and a brighter future in northern New Mexico.”

The grant award comes as Colfax County officials and representatives of local community organizations continue to work as part of a couple other groups seeking to develop better regional economic efforts. Those groups are the North Eastern Economic Development Organization that consists of seven northeast New Mexico counties and the Raton Basin Regional Economic Development District that consist of Colfax County partnering with Las Animas and Huerfano counties in Colorado.

Each of those groups was formed under the Stronger Economies Together program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The federal government has been encouraging regional economic development in hopes that federal dollars awarded for economic development efforts will be used more efficiently.

Mood

Annoying drivers

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson was in trouble again this year for describing the Isle of Sheppey in Kent as a giant caravan site, but he’s more than well known for bemoaning the number of caravans being driven on the roads and the desperation of getting stuck behind one.

Caravan towers aside, which drivers or actions make other motorists fume? Research by a UK broker unsurprisingly found anything that compromised your own space or safety to be the most annoying, listing tailgating, cutting up or lack of indication amongst the worst offenses. In fact, a quarter of those who responded put not indicating the top of the list.

Perhaps it’s not always a deliberate action that causes annoyance. The research pointed out the difference between pedestrian behavior and motoring behavior: for instance, if we bump into someone whilst walking along it’s a natural response to say sorry, but in a car it’s not easy to get close eye contact and even if you pull a ‘sorry’ face it may not be seen. Easier perhaps to pretend nothing happened and drive on your way!

Are classic car owners more considerate drivers?

Whether the answer’s yes or no, you can rest assured that whether you tow a caravan or forget to indicate when turning, it won’t actually affect your Cherished Vehicle Insurance. And the specialist team at Cherished Vehicle Insurance will be only too pleased to maneuver you into the best possible classic car cover and price!

Marketing

Tips On Creating Engaging Mobile Websites For Pharma Marketers

The world of pharmaceutical advertising and marketing always brings with it its own set of unique challenges… and designing a mobile site is no different. Here are some tips to help with the process.

Looking back, I feel it’s safe to think of 2011 as the year of the mobile website. At least, it was for me. I had the opportunity to be the User Experience Design lead on the creation of a pharmaceutical product’s mobile website. Remember the Mark Twain saying, “I would’ve written you a shorter letter but I didn’t have the time”? Well, when creating a mobile site less is definitely more.

Tips On Creating Engaging Mobile Websites For Pharma Marketers

Having a mobile presence for pharmaceutical products that are optimized for smartphones to engage the public is almost a requirement today. According to the Manhattan Research 2011 Year in Review 61 million consumers are using mobile devices for health, and smartphone consumers are twice as likely to use mobile websites rather than apps for health-related information.

Regardless of the industry, the objective of any mobile site is to be as intuitive and informative as possible. Crafting a site that is agile, engaging, and relevant requires a creative team to focus on only the most important information and actions. To do this, you need to find the right blend of relevant content with the user experience. Every piece of imagery, audio, video, and a copy is thoroughly thought-out, evaluated, re-evaluated, and then re-evaluated again to see how it relates to the whole experience. This basic formula is “the secret sauce” of a successful pharma mobile site.

With an artfully designed mobile site, a user is engaged and thinking only about the information they came for, not the mobile site navigation.

Mobile users are like information-seeking ninjas. Engage them with what they want fast or they leave as quickly as they arrived. Our multi-disciplinary team created the site by keeping the client’s objectives and the user experience always at the forefront. Here are a few helpful findings from our process. Think of it as Developing Pharma Mobile Sites 101.

The Content:

  • Use only easily digestible information and use no content of questionable value.
  • Base the content on data, and use site analytics to determine what people want.

The Design:

  • Keep the interface simple and intuitive.
  • Use high contrast visuals to keep the information legible.
  • The site’s navigation layers should be wide rather than deep—with relevant options near the top level of navigation.
  • Design a flexible layout from the beginning.
  • Prototype, evaluate, and re-evaluate. Rinse and repeat.

The Experience:

  • Don’t make the user think. Users should be able to find the information they want quickly and easily.
  • Use rich media and videos whenever possible. It’s more engaging and less work for the visitor than reading.

The Creation Process:

  • Take other mobile sites into account but don’t copy them. They may have done something right but use informed common sense to evaluate them and learn from their successes and failures.
  • It is an iterative process. Evaluate and re-evaluate. Rinse and repeat.
  • Create a finished product and don’t leave important elements until the next time the site is updated.

Tips On Creating Engaging Mobile Websites For Pharma Marketers

It’s important to have the first launch to be a quality-finished product. Don’t fall into the trap of saying, “It’s the web we can just change it later.” Just because online assets can be updated quickly doesn’t mean you should plan to put up a lower quality or incomplete site with the thought that it will be “fixed” in the next update. Taking a bit of extra time to develop a quality site the first time around can save time and effort down the road—especially when you consider the lengthy approval processes that pharmaceutical websites can require even for small changes. Updates to the site can then be strategic improvements based on the current data from the visitors using the new site rather than crutches to prop up a site that just limps along.

In 2012 the landscape will continue to change as mobile and tablet users evolve. One thing that won’t change is the challenge of presenting relevant information in an intuitive experience. It’s not rocket surgery, but it does take a commitment to have the user experience is baked into the mobile site from the beginning.

What was your most engaging experience on a mobile site?

Or better yet, what was your most frustrating mobile experience?

Mood

Where's Susan?

It’s Sunday and it’s seven a.m. and I’ve been up for quite a few minutes. This is fine now because the weather is nice and it always feels good to get a jump on an old day. Later, though, I will be yawning and rubbing my eyes like a child. I’ll need to do a sleeping cap and my eye-mask and hop into bed no later than eight p.m.! Eight p.m., can you imagine it? How embarrassing! How dreadful! How unlikely! It will never happen. I can most usually be seen howling at the moon all night long, going nuts, partying until the sun comes up.

Last Monday was my birthday, and I spent it well. I’m not too keen on birthdays, to be honest. It’s not that I’m sad about growing older. I’m aware that the transition from twenty-two to twenty-three is nothing special or impressive. I like celebrating the birthdays of others, and I remember a time when I was stoked on my own, but it’s been awhile. I wonder when the switch happened. Probably the year that I had a sleep-over and we watched IT because the film caused me to fear to shower, and dirty is no way to enter a new year of life.

Where's Susan?

I think I just don’t like the type of attention birthdays bring. It embarrasses me. While I’m sure it’s not as visible as I think it is, I get awkward and shifty about the whole thing. And also, I didn’t really do anything on that June 1st two decades ago. My mom did all of the work. She walked around the hospital corridors alone and tried not to barf while the big, fat, sweaty nurse with major body odor took blood and things in a tiny, June-hot room. While my heart feels squeezed when I think of that, it really was the most appropriate way for a difficult person like myself to arrive, and here I am, still.

So, I took off work Monday and hung out at Central Park. I snagged an epic spot and read a bit of P.G. Wodehouse. I also got a hair cut, used FAO Schwarz for their nice bathroom and ended up looking at all kinds of toys, and then ate Shake Shack for the first time. It was delicious and only made better by Tim Robbins being in line ahead of us. Vince noticed first and said, “Shawshank Redemption guy?” and I said, “Huh?” and he said, “In line ahead of us,” and I said, “WHERE’S SUSAN!?!?” At least, that’s how I remember the conversation.

Where's Susan?

I really love seeing celebrities, if we’re being honest. Not so much because of who they are, but because of how people, myself included, react to them. Once while I was enjoying some alcohol with Chelsea, I thought I saw Darrell Hammond. He’s not exactly on the top of his game or anything, but I was still young and excitable.

I nudged Chelsea and said, “Chelsea…CHELSEA….dodon’t….look….now…..but Darrell Hammond is right over there!” She proceeded to look around and I scolded her, “Don’t look like that, he’ll see you!” When she spotted the person I was talking about, she laughed at me and said, “That is not Darrell Hammond.” I meekly argued for thirty seconds before conceding that not only was it not Darrell Hammond, but also that it didn’t look anything like him at all. I had jumped the celebrity spotting gun, and Chelsea continues to make fun of me for it to this day.

Health

Is Breast Cancer Preventable?

Breast cancer is a devastating disease. Can it be prevented? You cannot change some risk factors. You cannot change the fact that you are getting older which increases your risk, the start of your first period, or when you start menopause. You also have no control over your family history and genetic history.

Although breast cancer isn’t considered preventable, some of the risk factors can be reduced and give you a better chance of not developing this disease. If you are young and still bearing children, you can reduce your risk of breast cancer by breast-feeding your baby. If you are beginning menopause, you may want to look into other ways of copying other than hormonal replacement therapy. Using birth control pills will also increase your chances of developing breast cancer.

Get proper screening and do once month self-breast exams. In fact, you can make it fun and interesting if you teach your husband how to do your breast exam each month. Regular doctor. Early detection is the best weapon we can use against breast cancer.

Having your children before the age of 30, breast-feed them, and control your weight gain during pregnancy, these can reduce breast cancer risks. If you are menopausal, avoid if possible, the use of long-term hormone replacement therapy.

Limiting your alcohol intake, controlling your weight, and getting the proper exercise will keep; you healthier and reduce your risk of breast cancer. The proper diet and taking care of your body will help prevent this horrible disease.

Studies have been conducted that, although not final, do suggest that Vitamin A may protect against breast cancer, but more studies are needed before it is recommended as a prevention of the disease. Other vitamins such as E and C are being investigated because they carry high numbers of soy. These tests are also not conclusive but are being researched for more information.

Tamoxifen, although not used for prevention of breast cancer, could be used if you are in a high-risk group for developing breast cancer. Tamoxifen is mostly used after breast surgery to prevent breast cancer from redeveloping. The drug is being tested with a select group of qualified women to discover if taking this drug will prevent breast cancer. Tamoxifen has several notable side effects, although most are not serious. The most common are hot flashes and vaginal discharge. In rare occasions, Tamoxifen can cause blood clots, stroke, uterine cancer, and pulmonary embolus. These are life threatening and if you are taking Tamoxifen, you should be aware of these potentially dangerous side effects.

It is important to remember that women, who have high-risk factors for developing breast cancer, do not always develop it. On the other hand, those who have no clear risk factors can still develop this disease. Keeping your body healthy, regular self-breast exams and prescreening can help reduce the chances of developing this disease. Breast cancer, if caught early, can be cured and many survivors can attest to that fact.

Health

Learn How to Get a Flat Belly - Your Life Depends On It

We see the advertisements daily – “learn how to get a flat belly” or”create six-pack abs”. And yet while we might see flat stomachs as more desirable than fat ones, we must understand that appearance is the least of our worries. Put simply, belly fat is extremely dangerous for our health.

What health hazards does belly fat bring with it? Research has shown that a large midsection is linked to heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol. If you’re not sure if your stomach is at a dangerous size or not, then use the following guidelines for best health – a man’s waist should be no more than 40 inches round and women should be at or below 35 inches.

Want to know how to get a flat belly? Use these time-tested tips:

Get Moving
You’re going to have to get active, there’s no way around it. Your metabolism needs a jump-start and cardio work is just the tool to get it going. But don’t be discouraged if gyms aren’t your style. There’s plenty of things you can do to burn calories. We heartily recommend that you buy a game console like the Nintendo Wii. You certainly won’t get bored with the many different and fun fitness games (sports, dance workouts, yoga, and more!) that you can play on this weight loss friendly device. You can buy one in our Amazon Get Fit! Store. Other tips? Jump on your bike and ride around town. For that matter, ride your bike to work if you can. Take brisk walks. Learn an active martial art like taekwondo. Play games like soccer and tag with your kids. Take up gardening. Join a running club or ultimate frisbee team. Canoe on a nearby lake. Ice skate. Just get out there and get moving and you’re sure to get rid of belly fat!

Key to sticking with any cardio exercise is shaking up your routine. Do lots of active pursuits and you won’t get bored. Variety helps you stick with and enjoy physical activity for life. Plus, variety helps challenge your body so it doesn’t get used to and “immune” to one activity.

To fully know how to get a flat belly involves more than just learning about cardio training. You also need to build up your abdominal muscles to get the firmness you desire. Some excellent exercises as recommended by the American Council on Exercise include captain’s chair leg lifts, supine bicycle, vertical leg crunches, exercise ball crunches, and twisting crunches. You can find detailed instructions and video tutorials online. Your efforts will burn both calories and strengthen your core, giving your body a solid foundation as you move to a healthier lifestyle.

Eat Well
Learn how to eat real food again and you’ll have the key to how to get a flat belly. The sugary, ’empty’ carbs and packaged foods we’re accustomed to eating are often so heavily processed they no longer contain the necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need and do nothing but produce belly fat. Instead of these belt busters, opt for foods that burn fat. Many whole foods do just that. Concentrate on complex carbs like brown rice, quinoa, millet and other whole grains (but try and avoid wheat products if possible as most people will find that weight loss comes easier without it in their diet); sources of lean protein such as lean meats and nuts; and the fiber richness of fruits and vegetables.

Relax and Lose Fat
You’ll see it mentioned more than once on this site because we love what this exercise does for your mind and body. We’re talking about yoga. This activity is fantastic for relieving stress and shedding pounds. What’s the big deal about getting rid of stress? Because stress is proven to lead to belly fat and a host of other ailments including high blood pressure, a suppressed immune system and more.

Yoga doesn’t just help with a relation. It helps create a firm belly, increases flexibility and builds a toned, pain-free body. This is one serious, life-changing tool at your disposal. (By the way, we highly recommend you check out Brilliant Yoga, an excellent resource for giving you a personal ‘yoga prescription’ that gets you the very best yoga fat loss results for your efforts.

Learning how to get a flat belly is all about moving, eating well and relaxing. Start today and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this earlier.