With so many different designs, packing a backpack will vary considerably. Generally though, the key to packing your backpack is to achieve even weight distribution. Packing your heavy items at the top will pull you backwards - packing your heavy items near the base will drag you downwards. Therefore ensure that your heavy items are packed relatively in the middle to balance the weight.
You can achieve this by dividing the pack into three areas
Area 1
Area one, at the base of your pack should contain your lighter items. Pack your sleeping bag here (many packs have a separate compartment for sleeping bags).
Area 2
Area two should contain the heavy items such as food and cooking equipment. You can pack any small clothes you don’t mind getting wrinkled in any spare space.
Area 3
The rest of your clothing should be packed in area three. You can still take advantage of the space saver bags, but remember while they save on space, the weight remains constant. Pack all your other items anywhere there is space.
Other pointers:
• Pack spare of the moment items or items you will require often in easy-to-access side pockets. If it starts raining, you don’t want to have to unpack everything to get to your raincoat.
• Store any fuel upright and away from food incase there is a spillage.
• Roll up your mattress and carry it outside of your pack. You can also use your mattress as a buffer between sharp cornered items and your back.
• Use your pots to protect delicate items such as cameras etc.
Once you’ve packed everything, take it with you for a long walk. If you’re unable to cope with the weight you should reconsider what you have packed.
Article Copyright © 2005 Travel J - Traveler’s Resources & Information - http://www.travelj.com
Sarah Moore has been in the travel and tourism industry for over 20 years and is currently working with one of the worlds largest coach networks. Sarah is also the webmaster of TravelJ - A Traveler’s Resources & Information Network - http://www.travelj.com
Afraid that someone is monitoring your PC or installed a keylogger to record every single keystroke? Find out which tools you need to get to make sure you are protected.
X-Cleaner Deluxe
http://www.deprice.com/xcleanerdeluxe.htm
X-Cleaner is a top ranked privacy software solution from Xblock, one of the most trusted names in anti-spyware technology. X-Cleaner not only deletes browser and system usage tracks, shreds pictures and generates secure passwords it also features unique anti-spy and anti-adware technology and inoculation features that help prevent infections.
GhostSurf 2005 Platinum
http://www.deprice.com/ghostsurfstandard.htm
GhostSurf Standard is a suite of Internet privacy tools. GhostSurf stops the prying eyes of hackers, Web sites, your Internet Service Provider and even your boss by ensuring an anonymous, untraceable Internet connection. GhostSurf lets you customize your privacy level in real-time to suit your surfing needs. A variety of privacy options enable you to block personal information, mask your IP address, route your data through anonymous hubs and even encrypt your Internet connection. GhostSurf’s TracksCleaner component protects your privacy by erasing your Web history, files, cache, clipboard, cookies and more to Department of Defense standards, and it prevents undelete tools and aggressive hardware recovery systems from retrieving your deleted files.
Outpost Firewall Pro
http://www.deprice.com/outpostfirewallpro.htm
The firewall provides Security, Control, Privacy and Ease of Use. Outpost Firewall starts protecting as soon as it is installed. The program detects and blocks hacker attacks, guards the privacy of data stored on your computer, monitors network activity of your system and applications, provides secure web surfing, and prevents Internet worms from activating from your inbox. Outpost can place your computer into stealth mode, making it invisible to hackers. In addition, the program can remove annoying pop-ups and ads and increase connection speed. To ensure your protection against new threats, Outpost updates information frequently through a custom utility.
CyberScrub Professional
http://www.deprice.com/cyberscrubprofessional.htm
CyberScrub’s Internet clean up erases all evidence of your on-line activity to ensure your valued privacy. Most people are shocked to learn files have been placed on their computer (without their knowledge or permission) that create user profiles and document their Internet activity. Sensitive data can easily fall into the wrong hands. And because Windows is not capable of deleting information beyond recovery, you are at risk. CyberScrub allows you to purge, wipe and erase data with methods that far exceed US Department of Defense standards for file deletion (DOD 5220.22).
CleverCrypt Enhanced
http://www.deprice.com/clevercryptenhanced.htm
CleverCrypt Enhanced represents the latest generation of security products from Quantum Digital Security. Create impenetrable encrypted virtual hard drives to store all of your confidential files in. CleverCrypt Enhanced provides more protection than ever before, with up to 1280 bit military grade encryption. Simply create a secure hard drive and drag & drop your files for ultimate protection. Even if your whole computer (or laptop) is stolen nobody will be able to access information inside your CleverCrypt drive without knowing your passwords.
John Deprice shares his tools and ideas for protecting your identity at http://www.deprice.com
Planting White Pine Trees an EZ to Grow Tree White pines.
Whenever I think of white pines, I remember hunting when I was a
kid and standing near trees that were giants. Now every pine
tree I plant, I can invision those days in the deep woods and
those grand trees and hope someone else will have that same
enjoyment. These trees will help you too in establish a desired
vision to your landscape.
Beyond their size, white pines also fill important ecological
niches. They grow across broad ranges of forest and urban
conditions, finding much of North America to their liking.
Whites pine transplant well which makes the a snap for beginners
to transplant. Follow a few simple guidelines and your planting
success will be high.
White Pine trees need protection from deer, disease, insects,
and competing weeds and shrubs. The better your weed control the
better your trees will grow. When seedlings are planted, it best
to plant them with large spacings to allow more light to the
plant. If these trees are planted in shade, they tend to be more
open. White pines are used around new construction because they
perform in a wide range of soil conditions. If you have
compacted soil from new construction, we suggest smaller trees
of 3-5′ height.
All people handling seedlings and small trees need to help with
the life support of your plants. Seedlings are like fish out of
water and need care which is often overlooked between the time
the seedlings are lifted and transplanted. Improper care means
higher mortality. Do not try and reinvent the wheel. You must
protect seedling from moisture and temperature extremes, as well
as physical damage. Seedlings are living and should be handled
carefully. For a higher survival rate, treat trees carefully and
plant them immediately. I like to have a backup plan for
planting if the weather turns bad. I will sometimes switch from
lining out the seedlings to potting them up if I realize that
the soil conditions will not be right for an extended lenght of
time. If planting must be delayed a few days, keep the plants in
a cold, protected place with air circulation between the trees.
Keep the trees out of the rain and wind. To check if the trees
need water, feel the media at the roots.. If it isn’t damp,
water the trees and allow the excess water to drain. In cool,
damp weather, the biggest threat to these trees is from mold.
Try to keep out of soil seedlings moist by either restricting
water loss with a water vapor barrier or by wetting the roots at
regular intervals. While handling or planting try to reduce
temperature and air movement around the seedlings. Windy days
can dry out seedlings so consider waiting for calmer weather.
Once your soil conditions are correct OUR FREE USE PLANTERS will
make planting a snap so its will be worth waiting for good
planting conditions.
HOW TO PLANT
Ideal planting days are cool and cloudy with little or no wind.
If possible, avoid planting on warm, windy days. The soil should
be moist not wet. Care in planting is more important than speed.
Make sure the roots are never allowed to become dry. Bare root
seedlings should be carried in a waterproof bag or bucket with
plenty of moist material packed around the roots to keep them
damp. Ideally, bare root boxes should be kept refrigerated or
packed in ice or snow. Don’t freeze the trees. Competition from
weeds, grass, brush or other trees is very detrimental to
survival and growth of seedlings. Choose areas free from this
competition or clear at least a three-foot square bare spot
before planting. Seedlings should not be planted under the crown
of existing trees, or closer than 6 feet to existing brush.
Avoid areas near walnut trees. Brush aside loose organic
material such as leaves, grass, etc., from the planting spot to
expose mineral soil. If organic matter gets into the planting
hole, it can decompose and leave air spaces. Roots will dry out
when they grow into these spaces. Open up the hole, making sure
the hole is deep enough for the roots to be fully extended. If
roots are curled or bunched up, the tree will not be able to
take up water correctly, will often weaken and die, or may blow
down later due to poor root structure. Take a tree out of your
planting bag or bucket only after a hole is ready. When exposed,
the fine roots can dry out in as little as 30 seconds. Seedling
shoots and roots lose water to air, roots require more
protecting.Unlike leaves ,they do not have stomata (closeable
openings on the surface of the leaves) or any waxy coatings to
help reduce water loss. If the roots apear dry they are probably
dead. Now I know you are thinking,”I will place them in a
buckect of water and store them there until planting”. This will
not work. Submerge plants for no longer that a couple of
minutes. Placing them in water cuts them off from oxygen.
Remember to remove the container before planting a containerized
tree. A helpful hint to all those new gardeners just starting is
to remember to always plant green side up. Hold the seedling in
place in the hole, making sure the roots are straight, fully
extended and that the tree is neither too shallow or too deep in
the hole. Fill hole, allowing soil to fall in around the roots.
Tamp with hands or with your heel. Don’t crush the roots by
jumping up and down around the seedling like there is a snake
curled up around the seedling. It is delicate. Fill with more
soil, if necessary, and tamp. Tamping is important. If soil is
not firmly packed around the roots, there will be air pockets
that can dry out the roots, and the seedlings may be weakly
anchored. It is far easier to plant the tree strait up then have
the tree leaning and have to adjust the tree later. (Addition of
fertilizer and plant vitamins at the time of planting is not
generally necessary.) Take your time in planting. Proper spacing
will help you grow a more valuable crop. I have tried to get
more production from a limited area by over planting and then
thinning, but I always have had trouble in harvesting ….
digging is slower and poor quality usually results for a portion
of the crop. Avoid these tree planting errors:
Tangled roots Planting too shallow Planting too deep Air pockets
Turned up roots (this is called J rooting) Planting trees that
are not tolerant of wet soils in poorly drained areas Planting
over rocks, septic tanks and leach fields, on sand mounds
CARE OF TREES FOLLOWING PLANTING Check periodically to be sure
that brush, grass and other vegetation is kept under control by
mowing, mulching, spraying or a combination of these treatments.
Always obtain advice from a licensed pest control advisor before
using chemicals. You ag extension agency may offer courses in
application of chemicals. Monitoring the appearance of your
trees will help you to detect signs of insects, diseases or
other problems. Apperances also help sell your product. Look for
foliage turning yellow, new foliage drooping or other signs of
poor health. It is easier to take successful corrective action
if the problem is detected early.
Over watering is a common problem in irrigated plantations. You
probably won’t need to water more frequently than every 7-10
days. Give your trees a thorough, deep soak and then let the
soil dry out before the next watering. This encourages the roots
to grow down in search of water. Frequent, shallow watering
encourages root growth near the surface and the trees are more
dependent on irrigation and are less windfirm. Animals can be a
major cause of damage to young trees. Porcupines, gophers, mice,
rabbits, deer and cattle are the most frequent source of damage.
In many states you may have to call your game commission and get
their recomendations on legal methods to protect your crop. In
our state, you can get help from the Pa. Game Commission to kill
deer that are a threat to your seedlings or obtain a free fence
to keep deer away from your seedlings. Over the years we have
lost more trees to mice than any other animal. Put rat baits out
on a regular basis. Over the years we have lost more seedlings
and plants to mice than any other culprit including deer and
rabbitts combined. You can see other articles written by Bill
Hirst about trees, plants, and shrubs at
http://www.zone5trees.com
http://seedlingsrus.com/Arborvitae.html
http://seedlingsrus.com/FreeFencing.html
http://seedlingsrus.com/Winter
http://zone5trees.com/PlantingInstructions.html
http://zone5trees.com/ProfitsGrowingTrees.html
You don’t have to own a bread machine to enjoy the variety of bread machine mixes. And you don’t have to make blocky, square loaves with holes in the bottom. You can make wonderful rolls, traditional sandwich loaves, and artisan loaves with or without the aid of a bread machine. In this article, we will tell you how to convert any bread machine mix into great breads by hand, with your stand-type mixer, or with your bread machine.
First, we’ll show you how to bake tempting breads from bread machine mixes without a bread machine. We’ll use our Sour Cream Onion Bread Mixes because we like this onion bread so much (and we get to enjoy it when we�re through with this demonstration). We like to make more than one loaf when we bake so we’ll use two mixes and combine them. (When we have more bread than we can use, we slice and freeze it.) We’ll mix these in a bowl instead of using our stand-type mixer and bake one in a pan and make one into a classy artisan loaf just to demonstrate versatility.
To mix in a bowl, empty the mixes into a large bowl. Mix the yeast in the warm water and add the mixture to the bowl. Add melted butter. (Be careful to let the butter cool below 140 degrees so that it will not kill the yeast.) Stir with a spatula until the mass starts to stick together. When you cannot comfortably stir any further, dump the dough onto a floured surface and begin kneading. (The dough will likely be slightly wetter than you can handle by hand. A tablespoon or so of flour on the counter should make it just right. Do not add too much flour–a softer dough will rise better.) Knead the dough until it is elastic–ten to twelve minutes. Place it in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until doubled–about an hour.
To mix using a stand-type mixer, empty one of the mixes into the mixer bowl (or half of one mix if you are baking a single loaf). Add the yeast and the water and mix with your dough hook on medium speed for 40 seconds–to start to dissolve the yeast. Add the other mix (or the rest of the mix if you are baking one loaf) and the melted butter and continue mixing at medium speed for another four minutes to develop the gluten. If the dough is too sticky, add one tablespoon flour. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it and let it rise until doubled–about an hour.
Once the dough has risen, you may form the dough into rolls, a pan-shaped loaf, or a free-standing loaf.
To form a free-standing loaf, pull the dough around the center creating a taut outer skin and a well-shaped loaf. Pinch the seams together on the bottom and place the loaf on a baking sheet that has been greased and sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover the loaf and let it rise until doubled–about an hour.
To form a pan-shaped loaf, pull the dough around the center to form a taut skin and place the loaf in a large greased 5 x 9-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise.
To form rolls, cut away egg-sized chunks of the risen dough and pull the dough taut around the center of the roll as you would a loaf, pinching the seam on the bottom. Place the rolls on a greased pan, cover, and let rise. One bread machine mix should make a dozen medium-sized rolls.
Most artisan loaves are baked with a thicker, chewier crust than pan-shaped loaves. To create these crusts, the bread is baked in a steamy environment and it is baked to a higher internal temperature in order to drive more moisture from the loaf. (Moisture trapped in the interior of the loaf will migrate to the crust and soften it.) The internal temperature of crusty breads should reach 210 degrees. If you would like to bake a crusty, artisan bread, click here for instructions.
Bake the pan-shaped loaf at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until done. The interior of the loaf should be at least 190 degrees.
Bake rolls for 18 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees or until done.
If you would like to try baking these great breads from our Bread Machine Mixes, you can do so for as little as $2.04 per mix.
Baking Hint: The bronze finish that you see on the loaves in this picture was created with an egg yolk wash. Simply mix one tablespoon warm water with one egg yolk and gently brush the wash on the loaf just before baking.
For more articles like this visit The Baker’s Library.
© 2004 The Prepared Pantry
A STRATEGIC AND ESCHATOLOGICAL IMPERATIVE
This week (ending December 3, 2005) in Washington, D.C., the United States and Israel, after a three-year hiatus, resumed their “Strategic Dialogue.” This is differentvery different. Something far more significant has commenced between the two allies facing the likes of a burgeoning insurgency fed by an Iranian President who insists that “ISRAEL MUST BE WIPED OF THE MAP” and a resurgent Syrian-Hezbollah-Hamas (Baathist Socialist-Shiite-Sunni) alliance whose intentions mirror those of Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a “World Without Zionism” (Haaretz).
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev claimed the Strategic Dialogue had broken off for “logistical reasons”not because tensions over upgrading Israel’s Harpy anti-radar aerial drones, originally purchased by China in the mid-’90s under Ehud Barak’s regime, were the actual cause of the estrangement (Israel sent the degraded drones back to China; ipso facto, it’s time to strategize (PINR)). Frankly, the US and Israel are harping about something else . . .
IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM MUST BE WIPED OFF THE MAP
Targeting March of 2006, IDF Military Intelligence Chief, Major General Aharon Ze’evi, and Ariel Sharon have given official notification: Israel is not apt to abide the diplomatic ineptitude of the French, Germans, and British with the Iranians in stemming the inevitable WMD and the delivery systems now in place to fulfill the visions of Ahmadinejad, Osama ben Laden, and Zarqawi on behalf of Israellet alone the aspirations of “democratic reforms” fashioned by Egypt’s Islamic Brotherhood (BBC)!
“‘If by the end of March 2006, the international community (i.e., the inane efforts of the British, French, and Germans) does not manage to use diplomatic means to block Iran’s effort to produce a nuclear bomb, there will no longer be any reason to continue diplomatic activity in this field, and it will be possible to say that the international attempts to thwart [Iran’s efforts] have failed,’ Ze’evi said.” (December 2, 2005, Haaretz)
Indeed, the pivotal Brits (perennial toadies of the US-Israeli Axis) have no need to fear a politically defunct EU aghast at what an attack on Iran might engender throughout the Moslem Worldat least not according to John Laughland in ICH:
“Will an attack on Iran put unacceptable strain on Euro-Atlantic relations? Will Britain be forced further onto the horns of the dilemma it has striven to avoid, namely to be forced to chose between the US and the EU? No. US and British policy has ensured that the EU will itself be in such turmoil over the next year that it will not be able to respond in any meaningful sense to a new act of Anglo-American aggression.”
As the “watch and see” Israelis reach “maximum vulnerability”the US-Israel “special relationship” may, like the Syrian-Iranian Defense Pact of early 2005 (Fox News), evolveby necessityinto a far more sinister tool of Western colonial imperialism. The Moslem Worldand think not that I stereotype all Moslems into that “world”is fixated, notwithstanding the ineffective fringe of moderate-secular Islam, upon the awful and inevitable prospect:
THE US-ISRAEL DEFENSE PACT
This is a huge enchilada to swallow; thence, we shall dismember this wildebeest in four stages: (1) The nature of such a Defense Pact; (2) The circuitous route through Israel’s history it’s taken; (3) Allies behind the pact; and (4) The eschatological imperative embedded within an ultimate security agreement between the US and Israel (let alone the scores of nations who will sign on to such an arrangement). No, I don’t wish to sound presumptuously prophetic; however, if you still can’t see the elephant in the picture (having been mesmerized by the white crane taking a free ride atop the pacaderm) then let me disabuse you of your preposterous pigeon-vision perspective and get a bit stereoscopic: BEHOLD, THE ELEPHANT COMETH!
First, let’s be clear, the aforementioned “strategic dialogue” between the USA and Israel is designed to put Iran on notice: The Elephant Cometh. Secondly, there’s no need to hide the obviousnothing like putting the whole world on notice, for we’re about to see the wave peak: The Sea Change Cometh!
Now, Herr Hitler in Mein Kampf said he intended to kill the Jewsgrief, he meant what he said. Well, today you have Radical Islamicists (who need little “doctrinal platform” from the Koran to launch their aspirations)double grief, they intend to “Wipe Israel off the map.” Next, you have the Commercial West, led by the political chutzpah of the USA and the shock and awe of history’s most awesome military machine ever to countenance the planetunder girded by the recalcitrant “Bush Doctrine”an amalgam of victorious democratic enforcement, buttressed by the Judeo-Christian-Evangelical-Zionist-Neocons, with the corporate elite picking up the rear, hoping they’ll get the contracts from this hyphenated juggernaut and the oil from not only Iraq, but also Iran et al.
Forgive, but at this juncture, the altruistic peaceniksyou know, the Air-head America Radio typeswho have the supercilious notion that a unilateral and immediate pullout of American troops from Iraq and the entire Middle East, along with keeping “international accords” and the like, will somehow regain American stature and alleged credibility in the world. Look, let’s just cut to the chase: The US Congress has spoken401 to 3. We’re staying put!
The Israelis and the US know that their “strategic-special relationship” is not built on thin airbut upon a host of platitudes: Shared values; Judeo-Christian beliefs; Cold War allies; pioneer spirit (settlers); only democracy in the Middle East; over a million Israelis holding dual US citizenship (approximately of the nation); both are terrorized by terroriststhe same ones; Israel’s identification with the West, ad nausea, ad infinitum. Whoops, and as the Moslem World sees it: Shared Western decadence and heretical religious affirmationsright smack in the midst of the 10/40 Corridor, the Holy Land which Saladin et all took fair and square from the Crusaders way back when!
“Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the deepening and strengthening of ties with the United States has always been a central, essential issue in Israeli foreign and defense policy. In this context, the possibility of establishing a formal defense pact with the United States has arisen from time to time . . . since the end of the Cold War and with the progress made in the peace process, some complex elements have been added . . . it is clear that the nature of such a pact in the current period would be significantly different from one during the Cold-War era” (Yair Evron, Jaffe Center for Strategic Studies-Strategic Assessment).
This only gets more specific . . . as Mr. Evronway back in October 1998outlines the reasons for such a “Defense Treaty between Israel and the U.S.” (minor editing):
1. When Israel-Syria negotiations are resumed, a defense pact is likely to serve as part of American ‘compensation,’ offered in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, or within the framework of American guarantees for developing a ‘package’ of security measures, which would undoubtedly constitute a central component of such an agreement.
2. The subject of a defense pact might also arise within the context of the possible ‘leakage’ into the region (Note: Veiled allusion here to, at the time, Iraq, and assuredly Iran and even Syriamy edit) of nuclear materials or weapons from Russia . . . a defense pact would be likely to moderate or preclude the development of dangerous conditions.
3. Assuming the peace process continues, it is likely that a regional security system will be established; an important component of this regime would be (predicated) on (an) Israeli-U.S. defense pact.
Again, Mr. Evron’s perceptions regarding such a defense pact clearly grasps the overall strategic understanding between the USA and Israel; however, if you wouldstrategic peculiarityof a defense pact occupies an “above and beyond” all Memoranda of Understanding, all elements of the existing strategic alliance between the two, and, most definitely, all existing military-cultural-religio affinities to wit:
“The idea of a defense treaty arose again in the 1970s and in the 1980s. During the Cold War period, the U.S. viewed Israel as a ’strategic asset’ and a stabilizing influence in the region . . . Israel clung to this perception in the hope that mutual strategic interests would serve as a foundation strong enough to formalize defense relations between the two countries, despite the absence of a solution to the problem of the territories occupied in 1967. The 1982 Lebanon War and the continuation of the regional conflict, however, prevented such formalization, and it appeared that the U.S. would not be prepared to protect Israel’s borders if those borders included the occupied territories. In the absence of a formal defense treaty, Israel’s status was defined, for the first time, as a Non-NATO Ally in early 1987.” (ibid. Yair Evron)
Be very clearthe U.S. and Israel know perfectly well what such a DEFENSE TREATY entails. During the Peres government (and, who knows, sounds like Sharon-Peres will have a government again if their Kadima party wins in March, 2006same time that Iran gets the bomb) in 1996 Israel pressed for just such an accord. But, that expectation was placed on the back burner when Netanyahu took over as Prime Minister.
BARAK - CLINTON - AND THE DEFENSE PACT
Never mind, Ehud Barak, strolling around Camp David with President Clinton back in 2000 knew precisely the cost of such a DEFENSE PACT. Bruce Riedel, Clinton’s Special Assistant for Near East and South Asian Affairs on the National Security Council spelled out the financial ramifications and parameters of the elusive pact in an article found on bitterlemons.org.
Riedel spent time with Barak’s aides, Danny Yatom and Zvi Shtauber, in formulating the “defense agreement and the compensation package” that Israel would receive if they structured a peace deal with the U.S. Riedel related how the Israelis came to Camp David preparedthey “placed a draft of the DEFENSE AGREEMENT on the table along with a detailed list of financial and security requests” (Aluf Benn, Haaretz). Now, listen how Aluf Benn puts it:
“According to Riedel, Barak wanted a contractual format for the strategic relations between the U.S. and Israel, which had developed substantially over the years but lacked a formal dimension. His proposal was to sign an agreement in which the U.S. would agree to come to Israel’s aid in the event of future attacks and then get the pact ratified by the American Congress and the Knesset.”
Is that clear enough? O.K. let’s spell it out:
(1) $15 Billion in American aidprimarily upgrading the IDF
(2) $10 Billion to compensate the Palestinians
(3) $10 Billion for building desalination plants in Israel, the Palestinian state and Jordan
TOTAL: $35 Billion
Ultimately, the befuddled Riedel pondered . . .
“Two years after Camp David (2002) the tragedy of the missed opportunity that the summit presented is clearer than ever. Imagine a Middle East without the Intafada and with a peace agreement buttressed by an enormous reconstruction fund, akin to the Marshall Plan that President Truman used to rebuild Europe after World War Two” (ibid. Aluf Benn).
PERES AND THE ELUSIVE US-ISRAEL PEACE PACT
Remember, the 82-year old Peres has wanted a US-Israeli Defense Pact for a long timepositioning himself in the new Sharon-Peres Alliance provides ample space to conclude such a pact.
Please view full article/graphics/links @ http://www.the-tribulation-network.com
Doug is a member of the “Last Days Network” . . . a group of evangelical pundits providing news and analysis on Religion in Politics. “Applied Biblical prophecy,” apostasy and deception, the impact of the American New World Order System, and the influence of the Religious Right and Left upon American culture–are topics discussed by the group. He is an educator in the public schools (California) and an administrator. Doug’s articles can be found all over the netbut anchored @ http://www.the-tribulation-network.com (a real upbeat web site, given the name).
Plastic surgery is becoming more and more popular with people all across the United States. Plastic surgeons, like Dr. Reid in Austin, Texas, have an increasing number of professionals wanting to gain the edge in their field with plastic surgery.
All too often the signs of aging cause men and women to look older than they feel and act. For many professional men and women, plastic surgery is an option that allows them to continue competing with their younger counterparts.
No matter what the profession may be, looking older than the rest of your coworkers can have serious effects on your career. If you are suffering from the signs of aging, working at the same level as others may be difficult.
For years, studies have concluded that younger-looking, more attractive people are more successful in their careers. Plastic surgery can provide you with a refreshed, younger appearance and give you the boost in self-confidence you need to excel in your career.
Looking older may not just affect the way look either. For many people, as they age, the signs of aging cause them to feel more self-conscious about the way they look, preventing them from living life the way they like.
Every person begins to gain certain physical attributes as they age. Whether is it lines, creases, or sagging skin, plastic surgery can remove excess skin, fat, or smooth the lines, creases, or wrinkles that are preventing you from getting the edge in the business world.
Plastic surgery techniques like facelifts, browlifts, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), BOTOX®, or collagen injections not only provide the healthier, more youthful look that is sought after, but it can also provide a much needed boost in self-confidence.
A facelift is a plastic surgery procedure to tighten the skin around the face and smooth the lines and wrinkles that cause you to look older. Often times, gravity, sun, and aging cause fat to collect in areas of the face where it didn’t earlier in life. The eyelid area commonly sags and collects fat as people age. Blepharoplasty, or plastic surgery of the eyelids, corrects this problem by removing the skin and fat that makes eyelids droop or sag.
For many people who want to correct some of the signs of aging, but do not want an invasive plastic surgery, BOTOX® is a minimally invasive form of plastic surgery. BOTOX® is an injection that can be used to prevent muscles from contracting, and thus reduces the appearance of lines and creases in the face.
If you are considering plastic surgery to give you the edge in the workplace, or if you just want to look and feel better, contact a plastic surgeon near you. He/she will suggest a plastic surgery treatment that will help you achieve your appearance goals.
Dr. Reid at Restora Austin in Austin, Texas provides professional cosmetic surgery procedures, including facelift surgery and BOTOX injections.
As we grow older and older, the skin losses its elasticity, causing wrinkles to appear. This happens because along with the age comes losing the Elastin and Collagen, the main “ingredients” for an elastic, unwrinkled skin. However, this is just half the problem, because these two natural elements stop reproducing as well. This has been a problem ever since the humankind started to put value on the looks.
The ancient Egyptians were the first to use skin makeup, but the ingredients they used only covered the imperfections that the age brought and did not prevent them. The modern history of anti-aging products started with the Josiah Macy Foundation, in the late 1930’s, when they released “Problems of Aging: Biological and Medical Aspects.” This represents the foundation of anti-aging products and medicine. Cynthia Kenyon made another breakthrough, almost sixty years later, in 1993, when she was able to prolong the lifespan of a certain type of skin-helping worms. After that, a boom was registered in anti-aging products. But as the manufacturers started to grow in numbers, so did the fake products, which not only didn’t help the user, but also could threaten his/hers health. Thus, in late 2001, the U.S.’s Senate came to an agreement: there would be laws to protect the public from fake anti-aging products.
These being said, it’s time to present some of the most respected anti-aging products.
ProPLEXIN-CR® - http://www.ecresearchcorp.com/
This appears to be one of the most respected anti-aging products. This is how its developer presents it.
“ProPLEXIN-CR® works by implementing a comprehensive approach targeting the primary causes of dermal decline. ProPLEXIN-CR® contains a true 10% maximum concentration of Argireline (AH-3) - a neuropeptide which inhibits wrinkle formation by preventing the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles that cause facial wrinkles. Argireline is the most recommended and effective alternative to Botulinum […]
While many competitor products may include one or two of ProPLEXIN-CR’s 12-core components, no single product has ever combined all of them. Only genuine ProPLEXIN-CR contains this comprehensive, proprietary complex. Additionally, most of these materials are extremely expensive. Consequently, the minimal concentrations used in many competing products offer little or no efficacy and are useful only for the marketing of the product. Only ProPLEXIN-CR safely combines all of these ingredients in a unique synergistic manner, at levels that are consistent with the maximum safe concentrations. ProPLEXIN-CR defines a new standard of excellence for the treatment of facial fine lines and wrinkles.”
Prevage Anti-Aging Treatment - http://www.sephora.com/
Another product very intensely marketed is Beauty Naturally. A few descriptions.
“Beauty Naturally® successfully optimizes the immune properties of B-Glucans from yeast extract, combining it with the self-healing power of B-Mannans from aloe vera & other glucans, with botanical AHA/BHA’s, natural moisturizing factors (NMF’s) & anti-puffiness property of a unique phospholipid phytosme of licorice to create a Bio-Skin Care Regimen that is beyond comparison!
The only skin maintenance system you’ll ever need!
The Bio-Skin Regimen is a simple & flexible routine using the most basic skin care principles: Cleansing, Toning, Cell Renewal & Moisturization. Once your skin is normalized to its youthful potential, the same regimen can be your maintenance skin care routine for years beyond!”
Re-Storation Skin Treatment - http://www.zbigatti.com
“The the original ‘all-in-one’ that started a skin care revolution, Re-Storation Skin Treatment is formulated to provide every essential ingredient to repair, nourish and protect skin in one indulgent step. Re-Storation Skin Treatment is a comprehensive age-defying therapy and moisturizer in one jar. Re-Storation’s innovative combination of hydroxy acids, potent antioxidants, vitamins, natural botanicals and enzymes optimize skin tone and texture, fade the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, provide resistance to damaging elements, and replace and maintain moisture necessary for beautiful skin.”
These are only three products in what is a hugely popular marketplace. When it comes to skin care, it is vital to do your own research, take heed of other peoples recommendations and find a product that suits your skin type and budget.
Nick Carter writes for www. my-skin-care.biz - a top resource for skin care and anti aging treatments
The need for good proposals - the business kind, not the marriage kind - struck me again a couple of days ago, when I received a poor proposal. I had talked on the phone with a sales rep, and then she followed up with a proposal.
You know what? Her proposal was even worse than her live sales pitch. It was a completely canned message, which wasted her time and mine. With that, some thoughts on creating effective proposals.
Let’s start by dividing them into two categories: commodities proposals and differentiated (or value-added) proposals.
If you sell commodities, your proposals will be relatively straightforward, as you compete on issues like price, delivery, and product characteristics. The buyer makes a relatively objective decision, and all other things being equal, he takes the best offer.
That likely makes clarity your best proposal writing strategy. For example, if you have a significant advantage in one area, you might create a matrix showing the information in a table format for easy comparison.
Turning our attention to proposals for differentiated or value-added products, we immediately notice an important distinction. There are no easy comparisons among vendors, as there are with commodity sellers.
The buyer has to compare intangibles, which means subjective judgments. He can’t compare one marketing consultant with another, for example, unless he hires both, which he’s unlikely to do.
Since we’re dealing with subjective judgments, it’s good to ask, “What goes on in the minds of buyers?” Solving a problem or exploiting an opportunity probably tops the list for most buyers. While the solution may not be immediately obvious, the need likely is plain to the buyer.
And, that’s why many experts suggest that proposals address at least three specific areas: the problem, the solution, and the process (by which the solution takes care of the problem).
It’s important to note, too, that proposals for differentiated products or services should not focus on you or your organization. Leave the kudos about yourself until you’ve covered the problem, solution, and process. And, make the part about you shorter than the first part of the proposal.
Sophisticated proposal writers also know they can increase their chances of winning by carefully studying the buyer’s problem. By showing the buyer they understand the problem better than competitors, they give themselves an advantage.
There’s another important distinction between proposals for commodities and differentiated products. In the case of commodity purchases, the buyer may not be the user of the product or service, likely reinforcing the objectivity effect. On the other hand, buyers who purchase differentiated or value-added products may be the users as well.
In summary, be strategic when you write a proposal, thinking through what type of proposal you’re creating, and by addressing issues in the prospect’s mind.
Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott’s Communication Letter. Learn how you can use communication to help achieve your goals, by reading articles or subscribing to this ad-supported newsletter. An excellent resource for leaders and managers, at: http://www.communication-newsletter.com
