Remembering Snail Mail

Times have changed and along with it the way we go about our day to day tasks. Thanks to the influx of modern technology in our lives, most of us perform common tasks in life in similar ways. When we want to send a mail to a distant relative, we use the power of the internet. Just a few minutes spent in writing the mail is more than enough. At the click of a button, the mail is dispatched and delivered to the inbox of the intended recipient. If the person to whom the mail was sent is online at that time and if his or her mail client is open, he or she will be immediately informed that they have received a mail.

Chances are that they will scan the mail and reply back to it quickly if it is urgent enough. So, by the time we can complete a cup of coffee, our mail has been completed, sent and we have also received the reply. However, these electronic versions of mails do not have that special feeling of love and caring attached to them that were there with snail mail. For those who do not know, most people refer to postal mail as snail mail because of its slow speed compared to the speed of email.

During the good old days (depending how you look at them), we used to send copies of the photographs we had taken while touring another city or country. The photographs were hopefully appreciated by the receiver who would then proceed to date them and affix them in photo albums. The current generation sends photographs as email attachments. They do not have to spend time writing on the envelope "contains photographs... please do not bend." When they are received, the current generation of people just drops the images into folders on their hard drives if they bother to save them at all.

As with so many things, making mail and pictures too cheap and easy also destroyed much of that special value we put on them when they required more effort. Most of you who have corresponded using postal mail will remember quite a few things with nostalgia. Remember those anxious moments that you used to spend waiting for the postman to come with the letters of your beloved? Times are changing and with it our means of communicating are too. This has good and bad points, but our emails and digital images do not have the heart of letters and pictures.

For those looking for a mailbox, Stainless Steel Mailbox offers a wealth of information about mailboxes stainless steel and stainless steel mailbox features.

Pay to Read News Online?

It is not a new concept, It is not even something that has not been done before. What is it? It is the buzz going around that companies may start charging people to access and read the news! Who is behind this crazy change that may come to the world wide web soon? Newspapers and magazines have the most to gain from charging people to read their articles online. For a number of years now these companies have been struggling to survive in a world where information online is so readily available that they have seen fewer and fewer sales of their paper versions. Other companies have also begun to look at this idea of charging for content to visitors. So why would they do this? It all comes down to one simple fact. More and more information can be found online for free. Due to this proliferation of free information, companies that rely on making money from news are hurting more and more. Also even though all this information is usually plastered with ads not enough of us humble internet users are clicking on those ads and buying products to make up for the lack of sales in real world papers and magazines. So where is all this leading us? Will we have to pay to start visiting websites that contain important information and things that interest us? Well here is my take on how things should or could be.

The internet or world wide web or whatever you want to call it is wild animal. It seeks to devour all information and ideas that are out there from everyone and everything. This is a good thing though because as a result individuals, families and businesses both small and large have gained access to virtually anything they could ever want or need. As a result we have seen a boom in the variety of products and services available world wide including in areas that would be hard pressed to gain access to even basic necessities. We have also seen the world open up in the form of communication. Today people are meeting and getting to know more people than anyone ever has been able to before. Online communities and website have allowed us all to be closer to each other whether it be just within the family, friends, or even different cultures. So when it comes to a few companies wanting to charge for their information I think it will prove a bad direction for them to go. For one thing, even if they try to protect that information from leaking out beyond their own domains there are so many other choices out there that readers will just go elsewhere. In the end they will be left with just those loyal readers that prefer to get their news from a favored writer or in a certain format.

No matter what becomes of world of advertising and business we can be sure that the world wide web won't be going anywhere! I am sure it will change and grow in many ways and maybe even morph into a totally new experience for all of us as the world continues to change in ideas and technology. That is what makes the internet so fascinating though, and so alluring to almost everyone. So will i pay to read an article or find some information? Certainly; because I already am paying for it by using the internet through my local provider just as is almost everyone else in the world. Will I pay anything extra to access information from certain companies? Who knows; I guess it just depends on how bad I want it and if I can find the information elsewhere. What will choose to do?

Shopping is way of life!

Share your shopping experiences here. Tell us your shopping experiences both good and bad. Rant n rave, Praise n appraise stores, shops, and products. Join the fastest growing online community and make a difference!

http://ucanshop2.com

Survey Markers - Ensuring Mapping Accuracy and Integrity For Over 120 Years

Survey Markers are used to mark survey earth surface points in geodetic and land surveying. The markers may be either benchmarks, which are vertical elevation markers or trig points, which are markers for horizontal surveying. The markers are usually permanent and can be depicted in a variety of ways.

The simplest survey markers are chisel marks or nails to mark the survey points. Traditionally most professional surveyors use markers that are made of stamped metal discs set in rock or concrete pillars. As a backup, markers are stacked under the ground, in case the above ground marker is disturbed or displaced. The newest line of survey markers are long metal rods that are able to be pushed deep (up to 3 ft) into the ground. After these innovative markers are placed, a special tool is used to engage a patented "root" system that anchors the survey marker into place permanently. One of the most modern uses for these markers are in setting up GPS receiver antennas but their versatility, light weight design and speedy installation has them being used in many other applications such as the marker of choice for swampy areas where using concrete is practically impossible.

Benchmark survey markers are chiseled markers that are placed into stone structures, where an angle iron can be placed across it to form a bench. They are placed by government agencies or private survey firms. Records are kept of registered survey markers in a large computer database. The height is determined by a map of other benchmarks in the area. If you have ever been to a mountain summit you have probably seen a benchmark type survey marker. It could be a large boulder at the top of the summit, at the highest point. The benchmark typically has the station name and date stamped into it, but rarely has the elevation etched on it. The names of benchmark stations are not unique and can be used over and over again. If you see one, maybe take a picture of it.

Trig points are another type of marker and are also referred to as triangulation points. These survey markers are typically found on buildings and in urban areas.

It is against the law to intentionally remove or destroy survey markers. Anyone who deliberately destroys or removes a marker will be charged with a misdemeanor crime in most states. These markers are intended to be permanent and are used by surveyors, engineers, contractors and planners for designing, the construction of a wide variety of residential, commercial and governmental projects. While concrete or some of the newer, lighter and more permanent markers are hard to remove, many older or cheaper ones are frequently moved or just disappear. This can become quite frustrating for workers who need to track exactly where an underground pipe system might be leaking or where exactly a residential lot might end.

Survey markers form a network all the way across the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. It is estimated that there are over one million markers in place today. They are used for many residential applications but also in many major business, research and governmental applications such as the mapping of pipelines, communications grids or simply manhole covers. These markers have been being put in place since 1879 and are responsible for mapping done across the country.

To learn more about survey markers please visit our website at http://www.usmarkers.com.

Catch Hold of All That is Latest in News

The world is advancing with rapid steps and the augmenting technology has made it possible for us to embrace even the most invincible of challenges with grace. Staying ahead with the progressing times is essential for success and thus, keeping oneself updated with happening in the country and around the world can keep you stay a step ahead of others. With a number of news channels mushrooming from every nook and corner of India, even little information is becoming breaking news.

Everything from minor to major is encompassed between the spheres of breaking news and is given undue attention by the news channels. Thus, it is the responsibility of the viewers to differentiate between quality news and trivial news. Spreading information is not only limited to television or the news channels but has also gripped the masses over the internet. Every popular news channel has its own website that hosts latest news India along with top news videos. Through these top news videos one can catch a glimpse of the latest news in India and around the globe, anytime.

Tapping on the surface of moon has been made possible after endless efforts from mankind's end. India too has registered its place amongst those developing nations able to achieve even the impossible with ease as the Indian Chandrayaan discovered water on the moon. The moon mission of the country could well be credited for the biggest finds made in space till date.

This breaking news can be seen on India's news channels. India's other mission to host the next Commonwealth Games is still to be accomplished as the preparations and the games venues were inspected by the foreign delegates. The US president Obama announced that he expects a 'fruitful relationship' with India. The global automobile company Ford too has realized that to strengthen its hold in India, launching a small car is a must, after all the product should reach masses to boost the popularity of the brand. Numerous websites offer the internet users a plethora of information on all that is latest news in India and across the world.

Sourav Sharma is freelance market analyst and is writing reviews articles on breaking news, latest news India, top news videos.

How to Send the World a Message With a Flag

Why is it that at the drop of a hat, many people run pennants up flagpoles to celebrate their successes, or the homecoming of someone much loved? Well, it could be said that this is a perfect visual way to show people either that the person or people coming home are valued. Or, it shows a sense of belonging to one cause or another. Flag stores are usually inundated with requests for family oriented flags or such and most offer a custom flag service.

Everyone will know of the identifying pennants that will be flown from sea going vessels etc. But what they may not know is that the naval service has meanings for each and every pennant it flies. When a ship is coming into port, decoration is not the only reason to fly these delightful strings of pretty colored pennants. They may spell out the name of the home port, or even a message to the country that they are visiting saying something like 'our company is honored to be in your country'.

At other times these pennants, or bunting as it is commonly called, may just be celebrating an anniversary of the monarch of that particular country. In England, the Royal Nave will always celebrate the birthday of Nelson who is considered to be one of the most beloved and respected seafarers of all times.

Cargo ships will use these pennants to show where they are registered. Very often it is not the country where the ship comes from. This is a 'convenience' pennant and is done in this way to take advantage of tax laws in that particular country. So any ships that look like they come from Panama, a favorite 'convenience' country, is normally from somewhere quite different.

Before the days of electronic communications, small pennants were used to signal from ship to ship. Each position adopted by the sailor given the task of sending the message meant a different word or letter and other ships in the area could clearly see what the message was meant to convey.

Today many companies will have a pennant designed to denote what the company does. It may be the company logo, or perhaps show something on the pennant that is relevant to the business concerned. These are usually made bigger than normal to be flown from either the top of the building or from the car park to attract attention of people driving by. Just notice how much bunting car sales lots have all around the place to attract the attention of shoppers.

Finally, for family members it is sometimes good to have a kind of crest designed to denote what the family is comprised of. For example, in many European countries in days gone by, each family would have a family crest to show who the family was. This was used to identify that particular family in times of feuds etc. Anyone not showing the family crest was promptly thrown in a dungeon or hung, drawn and quartered, whichever came first!

Connor Sullivan bought some Custom Flags for the local high school booster club. The booster president ordered custom flags from an internet flag store for the local high school fall sports.

Educational Innovation and Economic Stimulus

The U.S. Department of Education's 2010 fiscal year budget of $47.6 billion includes an allocation of $517 million dedicated to the Teacher Incentive Fund which rewards principals, teachers, and other school personnel who raise student achievement, close achievement gaps and work hard to staff schools.

School districts across the country will be competing for the billions of dollars on the line. They will showcase their great schools, exemplary teachers and innovative ideas. There's no doubt that the stimulus money will be a boon for school reform. For years, school districts have shown that they have innovative ideas, but without proper funding those ideas never come to fruition.

Innovation and change should be energized with both an incentive and reward to replenish resources of ingenuity, commitment, and creativity. Only in public education is going the extra mile a donation expected of the dedicated few.

It is empowering to be recognized for turning gang infested schools from the strong hold of the socially impaired to havens where students can remediate themselves to academic achievement. Yes, placards and pats on the back feel good; but, they don't buy anything. Why are educators the only missionaries who trek the roadways of the under-achievers --prodding them to the higher places with maybe a brief notation in the annual assessment of their deeds and misdeeds in the educational workplace?

When an inspired teacher or administrator makes the difference in average yearly attainment a reward is more than appropriate. It is fully earned for having the tools to enable the struggling student to complete a toolkit that is in ill repair.

Based on the state funding tables issued by the U.S. Department of Education, Colorado is expected to receive $33,845,209 in Recovery Act funding for schools identified for improvement, corrective action and restructuring under Title I. This money is expected to come into play this fall.

If past history is any indicator the incentive program will be a success. Programs such as the Absence Addiction Approach recognized by the National Interagency Drug Institute and the U.S. Department of Education helped an academically impaired high school move from low attendance and floundering graduation rates to turn around status celebrated by its principal winning recognition as Outstanding Individual In School and feted by the state's governor. This turn around scenario was incentivized by outside funding. This shows what dynamic effects special funding can have.

The rewards reaped from the Teacher Incentive Fund will provide a tremendous opportunity for improving schools with hard work and innovation. The real winners though, will be the children.

Busby is a former Colorado Springs high school principal and school board member and an educational consultant with the Women's Workplace and Educational Initiative.

Delia Armstrong Busby is an award winning educator and former school board member. Contact at rubusy1@comcast.net

I Want Free Health Care, But I Don't Want to Pay For It, and Other Pearls of Wisdom

With the news today coming out that the most recent Gallup poll stunningly uncovered the fact that Americans want the best health care but don't want to pay for it, came shock and disbelief albeit only from people that were stranded on a desert.

"The poll of 3,026 adults, surveyed Friday through Sunday, has a margin of error of +/-2 percentage points. Some questions, asked of half the sample, have an error margin of +/-3 points. By 56%-33%, those surveyed endorse the idea of enacting major health care changes this year. Just one in four say it's not important to them. When it comes to financing the costs, six of 10 favor the idea of requiring employers to provide health insurance for their workers or pay a fee instead." from the USA Today Gallup poll.

The fact that this survey was actually paid for by a public company was more shocking to me," said Captain Obvious of I knew it, Florida. Perhaps the greatest idea came from the Gallup poll writers themselves when they decided to go home for the day and stop asking silly questions.

While considering my abnormal viewpoints with a colleague recently, I was reminded of a terrific book I read called the "Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein, a truly thought provoking book, quite the opposite of a Gallup poll. Her book is based on historical facts and statistics that were used by the Chicago School of Economics to shock nations into globalization. This allowed US companies to go into these poor, often battered companies and buy everything from the workers to their public utilities. The reason why many of these countries were so poor was because they were often "spoiled" by social programs they couldn't afford. The IMF and the large corporations would then only loan money to remake the countries if the politicians would agree to open up global trade (which allowed the international companies to go in and buy everything that was attached) and repeal any and all social programs. Largely, these countries of course suffered immensely worse then before the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had gone into the countries and after 5-10 years the local currency etc. would start to gain traction and the economy were modernized into a model of capitalism.

The parallel between these countries (mostly Latin American and Middle Eastern) and our country today is that we are on the precipice of a truly awful economic decline and polls like the one by Gallup confirm that we as Americans want everything but won't sacrifice anything to get it. Of course the politicians will still promise and deliver these programs to us without regard to cost or anything else as long as they are elected time and again. And the ugly truth of the book (which is pointedly liberal) is that we going to need to be shocked out of these habits in order to "reset" the economy. All social programs and anything else that causes deficits and debt will have to be abandoned and then started all over again.

As the most productive nation on earth, this future can certainly be avoided by making good decisions like Universal Health Care but cuts will have to be made elsewhere! But just like after all the recessions that Greenspan avoided by messing with the interest rates (which is causing a larger, more impending crash which will combine all the past recessions as bills from these prior mistakes have never been absorbed, just deferred) and like we are doing again, now by avoiding the current recession and spending money that just doesn't even exist, this final bill is going to come due. And it is coming due. And when other countries wake up and stop financing our debts, as they wake up to the notion that is impossible for us to pay them back. When? I have no idea. But the first part of it is happening already as the dollar continues to decline and China is slowing its ridiculous purchase of our treasuries. I am willing to give up my cushy health insurance brokerage for the good of this country and if we all do something painful it can help defray some of the pain that is coming, what are you willing to do?

East Coast Health Insurance offers affordable Florida health insurance quotes, and will show how to save money on your premiums, and offer a complete research resource for all Florida health plans from Medicaid and Social Security, to the top of the line Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida health plan. Please visit us on the web at http://www.echealthinsurance.com. We are now offering Georgia health insurance quotes as well.

About American Flags - When and Where American Flags Are Displayed

If you're an American citizen, you might purchase a flag at some point, for a holiday, ceremony, or to display on your property as a form of patriotism. For a standard American flag, cotton and polyester versions of the stars and stripes can be found. As, in many cases, the flag will need to stay outside, the material should be strong enough to withstand water, the sun, and wind. Although brick-and-mortar stores selling exclusively American flags are hard to come by, online retailers sell flags with setup equipment like flagpoles and stands. American flags should be displayed at schools and government buildings, and they can be displayed in your home for various reasons.

Holidays, such as July 4th, are often times to display the flag. If you go through any city or town, American flags are almost always on display around this time of year. Although patriotism is appropriate at all times, July 4th is the national day of independence, and showing your pride is accepted all around. July 4th isn't the only holiday in which American flags are displayed prominently, and other summer holidays like Labor Day and Memorial Day have flags displayed prominently to symbolize values associated with it.

Holidays aren't the only times in which the flag is displayed prominently. In fact, American flags should be on display in public schools and government buildings. When you were a student, you probably remember a standard size flag displayed in your school's auditorium. A smaller flag might have been displayed in your classroom each day, so that when you said the Pledge of Allegiance, you and your classmates could turn in the direction of the flag. In addition, a larger flag would have been displayed on a tall flagpole outside. Government organizations and buildings may not have their workers say the Pledge every day, but having at least an American flag outside is necessary.

What if you want to display an American flag in your home? Many who served in the military or those who are simply proud Americans want to display a flag on their properties. Displaying American flags is legal, but all flags need to be displayed according to the Flag Code. The Flag Code specifies how American flags can be displayed, and this includes the direction and how the flag is facing, and also how the flag should be disposed of once it is too tattered to be flown.

2012 - End of World Or Start of the Party?

The 2012 end of world scenario has a lot of people worried. The basic idea is that some people believe that the world is going to end on December 21, 2012, which is the date that the Mayan calendar ends. But what exactly do people mean when they say "the end of the world".

This is really the key to the equation. No one knows what will happen for sure. Some believe that we'll be facing death and destruction, while others feel that things are about to get really good.

"What?" you may ask. Yup, there are actually two sides to this debate (well, three if you count the people that believe it's going to be just another day), both of which can be fairly convincing.

On one side, you've got the people that think the world is about to be destroyed. Science is on their side. Certain scientific signs can easily be interpreted to mean destruction for the planet. I'm not just talking about global warming. For example, some believe that the poles might reverse, which would cause intense earthquakes and tidal waves that could easily destroy most of the planet. Other theories point to asteroids, sun spots cycles, and a galactic alignment.

But you don't have to face certain destruction! On the other side of the fence are the people that believe that there is going to be a sudden transformation for the better. Some interpret this as an "evolution of consciousness". Many religious people believe that this will be the biblical end times, a time when the wicked are weeded out and those that are left will experience a "heaven on earth".

What's really in store for 2012? Will the world end or will the world as we know it end? Where will you be? Click here to learn more about the 2012 end of world. Think it's all a load of hogwash? Express your opinion in the big 2012 debate.

The Most Radical Aesthetic, Much More Than Tattoos and Piercing

While tattoos and piercing are breaking into an increasingly open society, new and surprising forms of aesthetics are arising: the scarification and branding tattoos, the subcutaneous implants and the mutilation. Some of these techniques have thousands of years, such as the scarification, who have been practiced in cultures like the Maya since ancient times. Today, in capitals like Berlin, you can see more and more people with these new forms of extreme beauty.

Scarification Tattooing is one of the oldest tattoo techniques in the world. They make cuts in their skin with a scalpel in order to get scars in the shape of the desired pattern. Other American and African civilizations, as well as the Maya, see scarification as something aesthetic and beautiful. Today it does not other purpose than aesthetics, but some people think that this is a simply self-injury way.

With the branding tattoo people obtain the same results obtain as with a scarification tattoo, but with a different process: scars are obtained by applying some metal plates previously heated to the skin. This is a laborious and painful technique. In both cases they try to get a very bulky a scar in order to the tattoo look better, so people try to provoke wound infections for that purpose.

The subcutaneous implants are the most recently aesthetics pattern included in our society. The society is still very reluctant to this kind of ornaments, but in the United States they extend quickly, as once they the piercing did... This technique consists of introducing surgical supplies pieces under the skin to give it different forms: horns, stars, hearts, everything is valid! The arms, the head and the chest are the most suitable places to place them due to the elasticity of the skin.

Many people are against mutilation: some examples are the cuts in the tongue in order to look alike a serpent, or to sharp the teeth imitating a vampire ... Any way of physical mutilation is good to look different!

What do you think about the extreme aesthetic? Is this fashion, madness or autoinjury? The controversy is served. But do not judge without knowing it, travel to Berlin and discover the most modern aesthetic trends. For your convenience, rent Berlin Apartments and enjoy the trip!

Diana Roig

People far and wide have long used their bodies as canvases to express cultural identity, community status, connection to ancestors or gods andaesthetic standards. The most radical new expresions are the scarification and branding tattoos, the subcutaneous implants and the mutilation. Discover them in the German capital! Rent Berlin Apartments for a comfortable and cheap accommodation.

How Technology Affects America

With the amount of information that is available, people can become experts on just about anything. A perfect example is interior designing. With the internet and television, a person with no experience can go and find the perfect shower curtain for their bathroom. You may think shower curtains aren't important, but it is the fact that it used to be a designer that got paid to do all of that work. Someone can go online and find a how to site that tells them all the steps to installing a sink or new countertops. The increased amount of available information can have both its advantages and disadvantages.

One advantage that many see is that it allows people to do many jobs on their own. This eliminates the hassle and cost of hiring an outside source. The fact that a person can find out how to practically build their entire house could essentially eliminate the whole need for construction workers. It is only a matter of how much time the person may have. That is where all this information can have its downside. Eventually, people are going to become so able to rely on themselves that it will mean there are no need for certain occupations. Some might even say that it could ruin our society because everyone will become so self reliant.

Another argument that can be had over information and its accessibility is its effects on jobs. It can be seen as a plus for the reason that it provides many jobs in the technology world. With so much information, there is a high need for people who can relay it on to the people and keep track of it all. This is a growing field because it has not been around for very long. The other side to this argument is that in a time of economic struggle, it is taking business away from many people. Libraries are losing people because they can find so much online. Movie stores lose business because movies can be found on the internet. The amount of information that people have access to is beyond belief. Now people have become experts at hacking and stealing more information than they are privileged to. Information can be a dangerous thing.

This is a very interesting argument. The internet and other ways of providing information to people are not going away anytime soon. However, no one knows the long term effects that it could have on our society. It is a debate that could be had forever because the future is the unknown. We will not know if there are going to be negative effects until it might be too late. At the same time, we do not know how life would be without television, cell phones, or the internet. Some even argue that the internet is one of the most revolutionary inventions of mankind's history. Despite how you feel about the amount of information available and the ways that we can access it, you cannot deny that it does play a big role in our lives.

Chuck R Stewart recently purchased a beautiful new shower curtain for his master bathroom. He also purchased several new shower curtains for his hotel.

Paying it Forward From Pittsburgh to Chicago

The concept of "paying it forward" - doing a good deed while asking only that the person helped would in turn help someone else - provided the motivation for a Good Samaritan in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to pay it all the way forward to Chicago, Illinois.

Around the beginning of April, the man from Pittsburgh (who wishes to remain anonymous) picked Chicago at random and posted a message on the Internet site Craigslist offering to help anyone in Chicago on the weekend of April 4-5. He wrote that he could assist with such things as groceries, giving a ride, or helping with house or yard work. The only thing he wanted in return was for the person helped to pay it forward by aiding someone in the future. After sifting through the replies, the man decided he could help four of the respondents, all of them strangers.

Armed with tools, a video camera, and some clothing he was planning to give to one of the parties needing help, the man made the long trek to Chicago. During the trip he received an e-mail on his cellphone from one more person requesting assistance; this brought his mission total to five. In an April 16 story, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette quoted the Good Samaritan as saying that he knew he was "taking a big risk" traveling to another city to meet complete strangers, yet he didn't let fear deter him.

His first mission on Saturday was to deliver an automobile battery to a man whose van needed a new one. Mission number two also involved a vehicle: a man had bought a truck on, of all places, Craigslist and needed a ride to Des Plaines, Illinois, to pick it up. The last mission on Saturday - the one received via cellphone - was to help someone remodel a bathroom, which included the twist that the remodeler was himself doing the work to help a friend.

Sunday began with mission number four: tearing down an old wooden swing set in a woman's yard. At this point the Pittsburgh Samaritan ended on the receiving end of one of his own pay-it-forward efforts: the man who had needed the ride to his recently purchased truck showed up to assist with dismantling the swing set. Mission number five brought the altruistic odyssey to completion as the Good Samaritan donated the aforementioned clothing to the Chicago Homeless Sandwich Run, which delivers food, clothing, and personal items to over 800 homeless people every Sunday.

The day concluded with the long journey back to Pittsburgh, putting a grand total of 1,176 miles on the Samaritan's car. Afterward, he posted a video of his adventure on the YouTube website under the user name "friendinpittsburgh" and the title "Pay It Forward - Pittsburgh to Chicago - Random Acts of Kindness." It has since gathered over 5,000 views, and the man from Pittsburgh told the Post-Gazette he is very happy with how it all turned out. "Positive energy rubs off on other people. I figured if I posted something and got a couple of hits on YouTube then other people would do good things, pay it forward, and there would be a chain-reaction. I didn't expect anything to this extent."

The extent of the Pittsburgh Samaritan's influence can be seen in the comments left by his YouTube viewers. A viewer known as missmandie78 wrote: "What a wonderful start to my day to sit here and watch someone truly making a difference in the world!... Thanks for helping inspire those around you." And jswndrsk posted this comment: "I shared the Post-Gazette article with my students today and just finished watching your video.... Bless you! You've given me hope again."

To view the rest of the article, click here - http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/culture/family/1216-paying-it-forward-from-pittsburgh-to-chicago

Texas to Oppose Oklahoma Law

The good thing about the kind of government that the country has is that there is a check and balance. Those who are working the law and doing the legislation can create bills which they think may be good for the people and there are also those who can interpolate and think if the bill is right. If not, they can veto the bill so that it is not passed. Or if it really something that a certain state or the whole country needs, they can approve it and then implement it.

One of the newest pieces of news that is going around is about a law in Oklahoma. This new law (which means that it has already been passed) though is already in hot water though for the officials from Texas are already looking at opposing it. See, it is said that a federal lawsuit has already been filed against it. The lawsuit was set out by the Tarrant Regional Water District. According to the group, they have filed such because the law is saying that those who are not from Oklahoma cannot purchase water from out of the state and those who are not from the state cannot purchase water from the state. Do you think that the law is something that is fair? Is the Tarrant Regional Water District on the right track?

The law is known as the HB 1483. It was just this month of May that the law was passed by the lawmakers from the state of Oklahoma. The group against the law is saying that such a mandate has a hidden purpose which was not said out loud. In fact, they believe that Oklahoma already has policies that are discriminatory and are also unconstitutional. With that, they want to make sure that such a trend does not continue and that not many more will happen like this.

Will the Tarrant Regional Water District win the lawsuit? Or will all their efforts be just put to waste? Well, the general manager of the group, Jim Oliver, is saying that though they may not be really well versed in Lexington law, they believe that they will win this. Lexington law information may be something that they are really knowledgeable about but what is important to them is that they are doing it right and they have the right arguments which will be their weapons towards victory.

Irene Miller is a teacher. She loves words and plays with them.

The American Workplace

There are many places in the world that cater to certain jobs. A Las Vegas DUI lawyer is a perfect example. With the amount of partying and drinking that takes place in the casinos and clubs of the Sin City, it requires that there be a large number of Las Vegas DUI attorneys. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that get in trouble for alcohol related offenses, which means that they will have to deal with going to court and any other legal issues. It is because of the environment of the Sin City that it demands that there are plenty of people to deal with the trouble.

Big cities are areas that need a lot of different people to perform necessary jobs. Police officers are very important to the proper functioning of a city. Unfortunately in big cities, there is a higher rate of crime. This means that there needs to be more police officers on duty than a suburban area. This means that if you want to be a police officer, you have a better opportunity to find work in a big city. New York and Los Angeles are two great examples. They employ a large amount of people to their police workforce, and they are two of the most well respected law enforcement agencies in the country. Big cities also need a lot of people to wait tables and work in restaurants. In a city like New York, there are places to eat on almost every corner or so it seems. This is a great chance for struggling actors, musicians, and artists. It is hard for many of these people to pay bills because their jobs have not made them enough money. You can find a lot of these people working in restaurants to help make ends meet.

Unfortunately in current times, many people are losing their jobs. The economy is in a recession and a lot of people are going to have to do everything they can just to survive. For some, this might mean that they need to move to an area where there are available jobs. A person might have to go from the suburbs to a city because the city is going to employ more people. It is unfortunate, but desperate times call for desperate measures. It is even tougher for those that may not have a great education. This will limit the types of jobs that they can go after. In a competitive job market, you need to have as many marketable skills as possible. A great education is just another plus on your resume that could get you a job. Once the economy turns around, the job market will improve. Everyone in the United States is going to have to weather the storm and hope that the recession ends as soon as possible. Until that point, you may have to commute farther or move to an area where you can get a job to help support your family. It isn't the best situation, but it is necessary.

Chuck R Stewart recently reviewed the cases of a Las Vegas DUI attorney. The Las Vegas DUI Lawyer cases were very interesting.

Deciding What Men Want From a Relationship - Secret Tips to Make You Desirable to Men

Do you want to learn what men want from women? What can you do to attract men and make them excited about you? How can you get inside a man's heart and find out what is really happening. There are some quite simple tips which can be used to determine exactly what men want.

The first thing that you need to do is to make sure you can give men a great first impression. This will make men want to spend time with you. If there is a special guy that you are already interested in then there are quite a few different ways that you can make him interested in you.

In order to make this good first impression you need to understand what men want. One of the easiest ways to do this is to look the part. Men like beautiful ladies and if you take pride in your appearance he will be interested in you. You don't have to look like a model to attract handsome guys. All you need to do is concentrate on your best assets and make them stand out.

You need to concentrate on your assets and highlight them. To do this you should spend some time looking at yourself in the mirror. When you spend time researching what men really want you will be able to highlight attractive features which will help yourself to stand out from the crowd.

You must take your time looking at your body to make sure you know which parts of your body you can highlight and emphasize. If you have a nice neck then you should wear a blouse which shows off your neck. If you like your legs then you can also wear some nice shorts or a skirt to show off your stunning pins.

Keep some things secret and hidden so that men aren't quite sure what they are getting. The imagination are very important and these will help people to understand what men want.

Imagine what if you could make any man adore you, chase you, love you, and commit to you? Click Unforgettable Woman Advice and learn 77 Secrets that ninety percent of women have never heard. You have got to see this!

This article is contributed by Tina Jones. Tina is part of the Unforgettable Woman Publishing Team. She works together with founder Alexandra Fox and writes dating/relationship articles for women who want to understand male psychology, how to attract men, and find true love. You can find more about Unforgettable Woman Publishing by visiting their website.

Essentials of a Happy Relationship

Relationships come in many forms. May it be professional, romantic, friendship-based or business, we wanted one thing; for it to be happy and healthy. Our relationships define us. It shows how we are not just as a person but a partner, a team member and even a subordinate or co-employee. Our relationships build our whole being; it helps develop us and increases our socialization skills. But how do we really create a happy relationship? This has bogged the minds of experts and psychologists. Although science has some explanation on their own, we can sum up the ingredients of a happy and lasting relationship into 4 things.

First, Shower your relationships with love. Time, effort, attention, kindness and respect are essentials in a relationship. Do this by purposely creating time to be together. Be connected by specific activities and be consistent in keeping them. It is important that you regard your time together as sacred and important. Exert efforts to keep them. When you have established these, it will continue to happen and will be part of your routine.

Second, show kindness. This is important because it shows that when you treat your loved ones with kindness you care for them. This may come in simple forms as little as speaking politely, be affectionate, smile and show appreciation, encourage and be gentle. These little things help strengthen the bond that you and your loved ones have.

Third, remember to put people over tangible things. Be sensitive to others' needs and put them before any material things. A good relationship cannot be exchanged for all the wealth in the world. Show them that they are more important than money or material goods.

Last is to help them realize their true potential. Help your loved ones become successful by supporting them. Genuinely show them how your share their dreams and objectives and help them reach it. You can only be truly happy once you see your loved ones happy. Share their dreams and live it.

http://www.answerstolove.com/

Why You Should Prioritize Your Relationships

In this Internet age, there are more and more things that are competing for your attention. While in the past people only have a few options to pay their attention to, these days you have thousands of options.

In such a situation, it's easy to forget the importance of relationships. You might replace them with other things such as your work, hobby, or activities.

But relationships should have high priority in your life. Why? Because your relationships are the place where you can get lasting happiness.

It's through relationships that you can love and be loved. And love is an essential human need. Where else can you get love but through your relationships?

Relationships are also the place where you can get help when you need it. When you have a problem, it will be much easier if you have other people who can help you. On the other hand, the problem would be difficult to overcome if you must face it all alone.

So make it a priority to build your relationships. You can do that by providing more time for your loved ones. Give them the attention they deserve. Spend time and share your life with them.

Also make an effort to keep in touch with your friends. Social networking web sites can be helpful here. They make it easy for you to meet your friends and communicate with them.

Every now and then, make the time to physically meet with your friends. While you can communicate with them through the Internet or the phone, nothing can replace physical meeting.

The essential thing to do in building relationships is giving. Only through giving can you build strong and genuine relationships. Relationship can't be strong if everyone only thinks about his or her interest. So take the initiative to give. Don't wait for other people to start before you give.

Don writes about personal growth and effectiveness. Read his articles on relationship problems and good relationships.

Make Your Kiss Make Me Want You More

I really don't like to give the notion that a man's fate can be made or broken by any single action, but kissing is one of them. I've heard countless friends start sentences with, "He was so cute, but then....(enter some complaint about either a slobbery or forceful kiss). It's usually one of the first forms of physical contact you have with a woman and we make many assumptions about what this means about you and whether we want to go back for seconds. Now before you get all anxious about having to be perfect at this before you test drive your newly acquired knowledge, by following some basics, you will avoid major pitfalls and learn as you go.

Basics

Not only are shaven faces (or trimmed facial hair) and soft, non-chapped and non-scaly lips preferable (you can take your toothbrush and lightly brush them to get rid of dead skin), but so is fresh breath. You'd think this one would go without saying, but trust me when I tell you that I've been slain by many a man's deadly dragon breath. This is especially important for your first few kisses because even if the two of you ate garlic over your dinner date, she doesn't want to experience it a second time through your mouth. Strategically place packs of gum in your pocket, in your car and in your bedroom. One more thing...please suck up any extra saliva before you move in. Wet, sloppy kisses can be gross and unsexy...

Be gentle as you move in for a kiss, allowing your lips, not your tongue or your teeth to lead. Kissing should not involve dangerous tooth encounters. Give her the sense that you're in the lead, that you're commanding the situation by pursuing her lips first, then back off just a bit. This will make her come toward you, both with her mouth and her body...this is where it starts to get fun. Now that you've established that she is responding to your moves, you can initiate some tongue play, but please do not shove your tongue forcefully into her mouth. Your mouth is bigger than hers and your tongue will already feel large in her mouth, so you're better off using only a portion of it. Move it around slowly (please don't rush) and back away from it to resume using your lips only every so often.

Touch

What do you do with your hands and your body? Even if your lips are the only thing that touch her, your body position and stance is important. I like tall men. This means that most of the guys I've kissed are somewhere between 7-11 inches taller than my 5 foot 6 frame. Take height into consideration when you're kissing a woman because chances are, you're taller than her and she's not going to be into it as much if she has to strain and crane her neck to give you a smooch. Place her on a stair or two above you. Lean down and in if you're standing. You'll know if you have it right by the amount of pressure she gives you back or if she's tense and struggling to sustain lip contact.

Safety in how you touch her is paramount - let your kiss be about the kiss. If you're using it as no more than the gateway into harder, more intense interaction, then she may back off and slow you down. This isn't to say that it couldn't move into something else more physical, but rushing the ever-important kiss is in poor form. This let's-get-to-the-point approach makes me wonder if you'd be a one-pump-chump in the bedroom. See? Women interpret a lot. I come from the "How you do anything is how you do everything" philosophy and forceful, rushed or sloppy first kisses reveal some key aspects of your nature.

We're really mimicking sex here and just like good lovemaking, it is a dance of forward and backward moves varying in length, rhythm and intensity. This demonstrates the traits of a skilled dancer, with the confidence and masculinity that will make her want to tango with you under the sheets soon enough.

Jessica Plancich is a Los Angeles based marriage family therapist, wellness practitioner and a writer, coach and co-owner of AverageGuy, Inc. For over 10 years, she's worked with individuals, families and couples to realize their fullest potential and bring it into their relationships. She offers both a clinical and female perspective on coaching men in their relational and personal journeys. Her professional, direct and yet candid approach offers solid insight and practical directives to motivate and inspire men to be exceptional. Visit http://www.averageguy.com/single to get a much more detailed explanation on this subject, including the importance of safety to women according to the programming of our Primitive Brains. Take the opportunity to educate yourself further, it's well worth the effort.

How to Know If You Are Being Cheated On? Sure Shot Tricks to Bring Out the Truth Within Seconds

There are times when everything just doesn't seem alright in a relationship. There is a nagging feeling that something is missing and your spouse is distracted and listless. This logically leads you to develop myriad doubts in your mind and you start suspiciously giving attention to his behaviour pattern and schedules.

With behavioral changes, you may have a doubt, but cannot conclude that he or she is having an affair behind your back. There are a few simple methods by which it is possible to figure out what exactly is going on in a discreet manner. Catching a cheating spouse is pretty easy if you go about the process in the right manner. There are six aspects with which you can identify adultery or cheating.

• Carefully notice your spouse's attitude. If it becomes distant and cold all of a sudden for no reason, then you may conclude that he or she is cheating on you.

• If you notice that your spouse has new things which you did not buy him, then there is a possibility he is cheating on you. If he or she is not the type to go around shopping for gifts for themselves and suddenly possess things which you never gifted them, then there is a strong reason to doubt.

• A shifty behavior where he or she goes out every time a phone call comes is a sure shot sign of cheating. This is all the more strange if they have started behaving like this of late.

• All of a sudden your spouse starts working late and claims they are busy at office. Calling him or her at the office phone can tell you whether they really are hard at work or dating elsewhere.

• A person who is cheating is bound to avoid going out with family on fun outings. He or she will excuse themselves from any such programs claiming work.

• A cheating partner will suddenly start meeting up with old school friends and long lost relatives who you don't even know exist. After all, they cannot keep giving work as an excuse especially if you have started calling them at their office number.

Identify any of these symptoms and you can be sure your partner is cheating on you.

The best possible way to catch your cheating spouse-

Do you know that there are some stunning tricks using which you can catch a cheating spouse within seconds? These ways are so effective that they are guaranteed to reveal the truth and end all the lies within seconds.....You can't afford to miss this at any cost- Click Here

The World is Knocking, You Should Answer

With the expansiveness of media today people are better informed about the world around them than ever before. The topics of politics, economics, business, and international relations are so prominent among daily conversations that to stay uninformed is not prudent for anyone hoping to talk to their fellow man for more than five minutes. In addition to it not being a wise option, remaining completely unaware of major events in today's world is a difficult task to achieve unless of course you are living in a foreign country, though this offers little excuse as well. Satellite television allows people to stay up to date with current information even if they have little more than a few minutes to dedicate to watching the news each day. The frequency of local news broadcasts provides viewers with plenty of opportunities to catch what the pressing issues of the day are.

Along with local news, channels dedicated entirely to relaying news, such as CNN and MSNBC, are a constant source for information about the United States and the world as a whole. By simply turning on their satellite TV and scanning the channels for a small amount of time each day people can stay current with world news, taking in knowledge from different news sources all over the world. Beyond maintaining a working knowledge of late breaking news, viewers can also learn additional useful information to apply to their lives. News channels often venture into the wonderful world of travel, revealing hidden vacationing treasures while recommending accommodations and local cuisine. These pieces can delve into the culture of mostly unknown places and make people feel as if they really are in the audience as they watch a native dance take place in high definition.

The massive influence of different cultures is unavoidable and satellite television works to educate people about these varying perspectives. News channels highlight the meshing of countries and cultures as the world becomes more intertwined. Focusing on international relations reveals the maturation of countries as they are forced to adapt to opening themselves up to the world around them. Much as nations are pushed to open up, so are the people of the world. Isolation is rarely an option and the news works to eliminate fear of the unknown by providing information and familiarizing groups with the common practices of one another.

The news works towards the proliferation of information and the creation of a better understanding amongst sometimes divided parts of the world or society. With the expansion of the news media and satellite television, there is much more knowledge to be had and an even larger audience to receive it. News channels also possess the power to construct a kind of image of a country based on what they choose to report so it is important to utilize the numerous options satellite tv offers and be sure to take in all perspectives. Being able to see the same puzzle from different angles ultimately gives an individual the upper hand in truly understanding what is going on.

Direct TV is the nation's leading provider of satellite television services. For the best in sports programming, movies, and high-definition entertainment, check out the latest Direct TV packages.

Growing Faith in a Community's Future

Today, I'm riding the spanking new, Valley Metro, light rail. I'm not going anywhere specific, particularly. (I'll just feel a brief moment of exhilaration about experiencing a travel modality that is quiet and efficient, and a twinge of modest vindication.) But metropolitan Phoenix surely is.

This is a leap forward in mass transit and in urban planning for America's fifth largest city. It's been a long journey getting here. Here's a bit of history. In 1985, Phoenix had an election for a joint regional freeway RPTA entitled Proposition 300; this was to secure tax funding for the development of a regional Maricopa County freeway system over 20 years (tentative completion by 2005). The initiative also created the Regional Public Transit Authority, whose small percentage of the freeway tax was to be used to plan, design and find a funding source for a regional transit system within 5 years.

By Prop 300 requirements, the RPTA was created to design a transit plan. In 1989, the agency proposed an initiative to secure a one-percent sales tax funding source over 30 years for the following components: A regional Maricopa County-wide bus system (7 day-a-week service on every major street in the county), regional-express rapid-bus transit system, multiple commuter trains which would use freight railroad tracks and a 103-mile, elevated, double track, 60 mph rapid-train system. It was totally ambitious, this VALTRANS plan. It made for a very contentious election, in which many voters felt that the plan was too large, too long, too expensive but, somehow, not detailed enough. Even more voters did not like the idea of transit vehicles travelling overhead above neighborhood backyards and streets. Still more were skeptical, concluding that despite the County's 1985 freeway tax imposed four years earlier, only 10-15 miles of freeway had been built with the taxes collected-so who was to say this wasn't another boondoggle for a few vested interests?

Having served on the City of Phoenix's Surface Transportation Advisory Board for 3 or 4 years beginning about 1985-86, I was recruited by the RPTA proponents to become a vocal supporter of the initiative. I felt up to the task, since I had spent years in Naples, Italy and metropolitan Washington, D.C. depending on mass transit, and I particularly was a fan of the Paris Metro and bus system that Peggy and I rode for miles daily during the first year of our marriage. No one prepared me for the public hostility awaiting me at Kiwanis breakfasts and Rotary lunches where panels or debates on the proposition usually spoiled the meals. Many agendas emerged in the opposition to the VALTRANS proposition, but it clearly was doomed--very early in the pre-election process--and no one was shocked that the voters savaged it by a 3-1 margin.

It seemed not so much that the valley was populated by backward-thinking people. Much of the resistance was from folks who weren't ready to abandon driving their cars, and/or didn't especially care to emulate the transit-heavy eastern cities from which they had migrated westward (New York/NJ, Chicago). Since much of the in-migration of the 1980s was from California, many newer arrivals weren't frustrated by habits of spending hours in vehicles commuting daily. Some of the local communities' entrenched leaders were convinced that freeways alone would address the pressures of sustained growth-and they had waited too long already for the funding with which to lay asphalt.

Well, perhaps that hasn't changed much. Honestly, it doesn't matter tremendously whether the over-40 crowd doesn't ride light rail here. There aren't going to be that many converts among those with a reserved parking stall (except when they realize they are needlessly paying a premium to sit for 30 minutes in a parking garage downtown after a Suns or Diamondbacks game). It's enough that parents don't forbid their children to ride. Those who aren't predisposed to disregard mass transit as a viable mode for travel will in time create the critical mass to reach the "tipping point," where light rail becomes, beyond vogue, a behavior pattern. I used to think that it would take about 25 years for that to happen, but I'm going to make an optimistic prediction: 15 years, and the Valley Metro ridership will more than cover the expense of its ongoing maintenance. If I'm crazy, then Denver is collective-crazy. Take a look at the acceptance of rail travel in the business and hospitality sector corridors in that city. There's no Portland-tree-hugging, chip-on-the-shoulder attitude in Denver. It's Middle America; and the population there understands that transit solves an urbanization problem. And take a look at the impact of Denver transit on its urban form, too. Perhaps that's the most exciting potential for Valley Metro-a transit-driven urban form, and the eventual electrification of Phoenix's downtown that some of us have been waiting patiently for-lo, these many decades.

Mike Widener has practiced law in Arizona for 25 years, and is a Certified Specialist in Real Estate Law, according to the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Arizona. Mike is listed in SuperLawyers (2008 Southwest Edition) and in 1000 People to Know in [Arizona] Commercial Real Estate, 2008-09. Mike's real estate portfolio contains holdings in the States of Florida, Arizona, Tennessee and the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can contact him at (602) 274-1100 or at mnwidener@gmail.com.