Saturday, April 18, 2009

Review: the Omega Montage Premier Massage Chair Recliner

By Steve Esquire

Omega Massage has a full line of massage chairs with effective massage therapy. This review will take a look at their best massage chair, the Montage Premier. The Montage Premier boasts some of the most comprehensive therapies built into a massage chair recliner. This review and evaluation takes an in depth look at the advanced features and functions of the Montage Premier as well as touching on the warranty coverage.

The Montage Premier is the high end massage recliner in the Omega massage chair line. Before we jump into the features, let us take a quick look at the warranty coverage for this recliner. The warranty coverage is important for your long term enjoyment and relaxation. Omega provides you with 5 years on the frame, 3 years on parts, 3 years on labor, 1 year of parts shipping and 90 days in home service. This is a solid and comprehensive warranty which you would expect in this category of massage chair.

With the warranty coverage out of the way, let us delve into the advanced technological features of the Montage Premier massage chair. The first feature is activated when you start an automatic massage program. The Montage Premier will create a virtual map of your back in the chair computer. Most notably, it will find the location of both your neck and your shoulders. Furthermore, it will identify the key acupressure points located throughout your back. The back has almost 100 acupressure points. The automatic program is then calculated using your precise measurements for an outstanding massage.

There is a vast array of massage techniques available in the Montage Premier. There are 5 one-touch automatic programs, 4 manual massage techniques and 6 back and shoulder massage courses. The 5 automatic programs have certain themes like nighttime, relaxation, activation which tailor the massage for particular results. One very unique massage is the upper neck and the shoulder and neck massage. You can pinpoint these areas with your favorite technique for soothing relief.

Omega has integrated an air compression massage for the lower body in the Montage Premier. The air compression massage uses a squeeze, hold and release technique to relieve tightness and fatigue in the major muscles of the lower body. The air compression massage uses a compressor that inflates the air bags located in the massage chair. You can also adjust the intensity of the air compression to four levels of intensity ranging from gentle to firm pressure.

Omega created the Montage Premier to provide a massage chair that can fit taller individuals. This massage recliner can fit people up to six foot six and weighing up to 300 pounds. This is the first and only massage chair that really fits people taller than five foot eleven. This is certainly a breakthrough for taller individuals who have had to seriously compromise with the massage chair recliners of the past.

Omega introduces its Footflex technology in the Montage Premier. The Footflex technology uses a series of air bags and the reflexology massage technique for the feet. The airbags target the heel and the arch of the foot with an alternating activation to stretch and massage the bottom of the feet. Meanwhile, the reflexology nodes gently push up into the feet to induce full body relaxation. This is an excellent foot massage therapy and provides great relief for those on their feet all day.

Omega also puts in many functions to compliment the massage therapy. They have included full body heat. Heating elements are built into the chair to help reduce swelling and improve blood flow. One of the more important non-massage features is a music player with headphones. If you get a massage at a spa, they will play relaxing music to create an environment conducive to relaxation. This is a point missed by all the top massage chair brands except Omega.

The Montage Premier is perhaps the top massage chair in its class. It simply has more options that add value beyond just the thorough massage treatments. This massage recliner comes with the most thorough warranty available. There is a lower body stretch function. You get full body heat that can target specific areas. The MP3 player comes with headphones, so you can create your own in home spa. You just cannot find a massage chair that has all the excellent features found in the Montage Premier massage recliner.

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Home Security and Home Alarm System Advice

By Brett Denney

Home security and home alarm systems are becoming more popular as crime statistics are increasing and individuals want to keep their family safe. There are many home security systems available and it can be tricky determining what equipment is best for your home. If you understand the different options then it is easier to chose the necessary components of a home security or home alarm system.

You want to purchase systems in which every part is useful in some way. No matter your budget you will be able to create an effective and useful home security system. The first piece that you should investigate is the motion detector. A motion dectetor will use infrared light to determine motion. As long as your alarm is armed it will pick up any motion in the specified area. It is possible to mount motion detectors both horizontally and vertically on walls. The alarm that rings can be changed so it is possible to determine which room has an intruder based on the alarm.

It is also possible to use an electronic watchdog. These watchdogs come with different settings, mainly watchdog, rainforest sounds and a siren. The chosen sound is activated when and intruder is detected. Watchdog alarms are perfect for those that don't want a dog! These types of home alarms make it seem like you have a large dog.

If you have a pool then adding a pool alarm is a very good idea. Pool alarms will alert you when someone falls in the pool. This is particularly important if you have small children or an open backyard. Pool alarms are easily transportable as they are very small and are only deactivated when in sleep mode. Most times the control unit will be indoors so you are able to hear when someone falls in the pool.

An important factor that many individuals do not think about is the size of your home. The size of your home will dictate how complicated your home security will be. If you have a smaller home or only want to secure a specific room the you may be able to install the system yourself while a more complicated system may require professionals. The more square footage you are covering the more complex the system programming is.

The cost of you system may also be influenced by the number of entrances you want to protect as each entrance will need its own keypad. If you have a pet then a system with pet immunity will be worth the extra cost. You don't want to wake up every morning due to your pet tripping the alarm.

A simple but useful part of the system is the yard sign or window decal stating that your home and property is protected. This will detract many intruders as it makes breaking and entering much more difficult. Your system should be equipped with an outdoor and indoor alarm. Always make sure you completely understand how to use your system. If you can't use it properly then it is not effectively protecting your home and family.

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Seven Secrets for Innovation Leaders

By Stephen M. Shapiro

Want to lead your company to the top of its field? First, you must foster a culture of innovation...and that begins at the top.

Naturally, you want your company to be a leader in the marketplace. How can you achieve this goal? Create and nurture a company culture based on innovation.

First, instill a mindset of continuous innovation at every level of your company. We have to debunk the myth that creativity is a trait a few select people are "born with"...that there are those with "creative personalities" and then there are the rest of us. In fact, we all have the potential to be innovative, at least to some degree.

It's clear that creativity is unlearned as we grow up. The business world has traditionally favored analytical thinking over the capacity to innovate. Business schools produce highly trained young men and women who think along strict parameters. But times have changed, and now the mission has to change - to help people unlearn their uncreative habits.

But where to begin?

I'd like to offer the following seven tips for fostering innovation, gleaned from my personal experience over the years:

1. Encourage a culture of tension. An alliance-based network often results in a highly matrixed organization that focuses on both capabilities and line responsibilities. Although tension is often thought of as undesirable, it has been discovered that debate and discussion unleash creativity in an organization. Issues, and hence opportunities, surface much more quickly. The key is to avoid deadlocks in debates where creativity is stifled and progress is not made.

2. Educate all employees. Company-wide education is essential before any change program is rolled out, if a company's capabilities are to be kept running smoothly throughout the turmoil that such a program inevitably brings about. Most people innately prefer the status quo unless and until they are given some sound reason why an alternative is preferable.

3. Use the new orientation to bring managers closer to customers. Frontline personnel are often quicker to adapt, and less resistant to the idea of a new way of thinking than are a company's managers. Companies can speed up a sluggish start to their transition by nominating a few potential champions at the top of the organization and at successive levels further down. The designated champions can then be sent out to experience firsthand some of the problems that face the organization's customers. This results in bottom-up leadership from those closest to the customers.

4. Buy expertise that you do not already have in-house. In many cases a new idea - and the proposed route of the journey - is so strange that organizations do not have the in-house skills that are needed to make the transition. They need to go out and find help in those areas where they have insufficient expertise - for example, with the techniques of change management. Most importantly, outside help can help you surface and challenge assumptions that may be invisible to the rest of the organization.

5. Communicate clearly, continuously and repeatedly. It is not possible to exaggerate the need for transitional information to be clearly and regularly communicated throughout the organization. If in doubt, remember the Rule of 50s. The first 50 times you tell people something, they don't hear you. The second 50 times you tell them the same thing, they don't believe you. Only during the third 50 times that you tell them do they begin to listen.

6. Build safeguards that prevent backward steps. Senior managers who are not close to their customers can stall a transition that is already well under way and may even cause it to revert back. This can sometimes occur because of an unexpected change of leadership. To minimize the risk from such a changeover, companies should develop several strong leaders on the team so that there is someone to carry on the role of champion if (and when) one of the others moves on.

Additionally, employing a phased approach can help prevent setbacks. Taking on too much change at one time can be a shock to the organization and can lead to a sort of traumatic inertia.

7. Realize that one size does not fit all. Organizations should not try to follow any one case study too literally. No two companies will pass through a transition for the same reasons or by following the same sequence of events. Not only does one size not fit all; one size doesn't even fit two.

Any leader worth his or her salt should be enthusiastic about creating a culture of innovation. After all, a company with such a culture naturally rises to the top. Once innovation becomes a way of life for your company, people will want to work for you. You will begin to attract the best and the brightest. And before you know it, your company will be a leader - not a follower - in the marketplace.

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Benefits of A Network Security Camera System

By Marc Ramsey

There are many benefits to installing a network based security camera system over more the more traditional analog security systems. For starters, remote accessibility provides an accessibility convenience. Higher image quality, flexible video management, easy integration possibilities, more scalability, and cost effectiveness are all advantages that analog security camera systems just cannot provide.

Someone could access, manage, and view live and recorded video from anywhere around the world with an internet connection. Network security systems these days are also referred to as IP-based networks because the communicate over the network using the Internet Protocol, which is the same thing as your office network that you can connect to from virtually anywhere, anytime through the internet.

This allows for a third-party company, such as a security firm, to provide additional services such as diagnosing problems or monitoring the system.

Monitoring an analog security system is restricted to wherever the station is set up. There is one central location that the monitoring, viewing, and managing of video take place. An analog system can be upgraded to take advantage of network capabilities by installing additional equipment. It would require a video encoder to convert analog video into digital to be recorded on a digital video recorder, which is a digital version of a cassette tape used in analog systems.

In terms of video quality, network security cameras can offer high resolution images and digital enhancing technology that analog cameras cannot. Over time, stored analog tapes degrade while digital data do not so the video will always remain in the quality that it was recorded.

With analog systems that uses DVR, there has to be conversions from analog to digital in the camera, then converted back to analog to transport through the analog cables, then again to digital to be recorded. With each conversion the image quality is degraded. Analog video signals also become weaker the more cabling it has to travel through. In a fully digital system, images are digitized once in the network camera and stay digital so there is minimal degradation.

Possibly the best advantage of a network system is being able to add and remove a network camera from anywhere within the network. As long as there can be a connection to the network, be it through a network cable or wireless signal, there can be a camera. This removes the costly cabling of the analog system in which each security camera requires its own cable direct to the central station.

As a video security system grows and cameras are added or removed, the internal infrastructure very flexible to accommodate the systems needs. It helps that all network security products are built to a standard so any of the products can easily be integrated into the system.

It's much more cost effective to have a network security camera system especially if it's a brand new system. The management of an analog system is a dinosaur's headache. With advancing techonolgy analog products are slowly fading into the backdrop as network cables and wireless devices are becoming cheaper to produce and increasing in popularity.

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Leadership's Six Questions for Business Success

By Dr. Al Coke

Leading and managing a business is not a complex process. As practitioners of the art and science we choose to make them difficult. This gives us a reason to go to work each day - to sort difficult situations and solve impossible problems. It gives us bragging rights over a martini. Slaying corporate dragons and living with the resulting stress is a national pastime.

By making business procedures difficult we can hire experts to sort them out. This becomes a perfect default mechanism. You can always blame failure on the consultant's bad advice.

Over years we built up layers of complexity about finances, planning, human resources requirements, and so on. As they get more unsolvable and complicated we have more reasons (read excuses) for not meeting performance requirements. The t-shirt should read, 'Its not the economy - its your bad management - stupid'!

My favorite staff area to hammer is the finance department which in reality is the most simple of all business forms. Let me illustrate. You make a big pile of money. This needs to be done on a regular basis. It is called cash flow. During the year you take big chunks from the pile and give it to your suppliers and employee. That called operational expenses. At the end of the year you take another major portion of that and give to your government. That's called taxes. When those piles are removed a small pile is left. That's called profit for you and the shareholders. See how simple it becomes? For my finance friends reading this - don't worry, I will equally insult other staff functions in other articles.

Now I am going to take a sword to the Gordian knot to the entire complicated practice of leading and managing a business. When you boil the essence of any business down to its purest form it means asking and answering six basic questions. I recommend you work with your management team to find the in-depth answers to these and subsequent questions.

1. Where am I going? This sets the direction of the company with all its variables. 2. Where am I now? This requires a cold hard look at your current performance levels. 3. How do I plan to get there? What are your strategic goals, smart objectives, and connecting strategies to move from the present to the future? 4. What will stop me? What are the show stoppers along the way? I don't mean management lethargy, timid goal setting, and sluggish accountability. 5. How will I get buy-in from others? Okay, you have to sell it to the employees so it better be plausible. 6. How will I measure my progress? This is where everything breaks down. Do you have the courage to install a system that provides authority, permits responsibility, and demands resulting accountability?

In Summary

Approach your business training and development requirements with common sense. In the end that is the only business model that actually works.

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Friday, April 17, 2009

How Rowing Machines Can Transform Your Body

By Federico Loster

If you are looking for the most effective exercise equipment that will help you tone up and look great in the quickest time possible then a rowing machine could be just what you are looking for.

For an all out cardio routine that will blast all your muscles you cant beat a rowing machine. Nothing, with the exception of swimming, comes close to working your entire body and therefore the results are seen all over your body.

It is easy when using other fitness equipment to injure yourself without realising it. With the constant pounding on the treadmill for instance you can find after extensive use that your knees will have become worn from the continual impact. You dont have this problem with a rowing machine.

Make sure that you take proper form seriously though. A full range of fluid motion is the ideal. The biggest mistake people make when using a rower is to not adjust the foot plates. Your knees should be slightly bent when sitting in a relaxed positon.

Okay, so you like the idea of a rowing machine but how on earth do you choose the right one for you? Ideally, you should have tried a rowing machine before to ensure you are comfortable using one. After that, it really depends on how serious you are about it. Try to avoid cheap and nasty machines as these are less solid and could lead to injury.

It is possible to spend upwards of $2000 on a state of the art rowing machine but for your first rower you dont have to look at models like the concept 2 or kettler. Just go for something around the $150 to $200 area and you should have a machine that will support your weight and give you a few years of great service.

If you decide to buy a rowing machine I am very pleased for you because you are going to buy a fantastic fitness machine that if used consistently will bring amazing results. But persistence is the key to all fitness programs. Dont get frustrated with it I promise the results will come.

People use all sorts of techinques for relieving the boredom of rowing machine workouts including placing the rowing machine in front of the television. I do this myself. I watch a 30 minute TV program and that will be my workout. I know I cant stop until the program finishes so it helps with motivation too.

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Get Fit and Efficient With Your Workouts

By Greg Raziawk

In this modern, often hectic time, being able to fit time into your very busy schedule to work on your fitness is becoming very difficult. Most of us do not have the time to get to the gym as often as we would like and so our general health perhaps is not as good as it could or should be.

But I am sure that as you are reading this you know the vital importance of good health and fitness. In fact, more so in this busy world than ever before where stress and obesity are very real dangers to your health. Getting fit will help you unwind and keep you in great shape to face head on all the stress and anxiety the world can throw your way.

The answer to your need is the more and more popular indoor rowing machine. There was a time not so long ago that rowing machines were hardly ever seen in the home and were only rarely seen in the gymnasium and these would be very large machines that would have no place in your home. Then, gradually, small rowing machines were being sold in large department stores but these were often poorly constructed which was shown in the price.

Cheap rowing machines are usually made from poor quality materials that have a low limit on the amount of weight they can carry safely (make sure you read the instructions and look out for this if you are particularly heavy). But don't be put off by this. Any gym instructor will tell you that you can't get a better cardio workout in a gym than by spending 30 minutes on a rowing machine with a high resistance setting. To be honest, you probably won't last beyond a few minutes on your first attempt.

Todays rowing machines are far more accessible. Unlike in days past where you could either invest thousands of dollars on a professional rowing machine or 50 bucks on a budget version you can now choose from a wide variety of low price but quality rowing machines. The rowing machine provides such a great workout and once you quickly realise the power of a workout on a well built machine you won't want to stop using it. Only swimming can beat rowing machines for the all over body workout you get. Fortunately, the rowing machine can easily be stored in your home, unlike a swimming pool.

There is no doubt in any professionals mind that for working out at home and for all over improvements in fitness you can't go wrong by investing in a rowing machine.

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Thursday, April 16, 2009

You Can't Screw Things Up As Fast As Your Company Does

By Mike Satterwaitte

I do sometimes worry about the state of leadership these days I do believe, a substantial number of restaurant employees that take pride in their work, excel at service and believe that they serve the best damn fajitas this side of de Nile. Some do it because they have a righteous work ethic, some because of their innate sense of competition with each other, and still others, of a desire to just make other people happy.

Those that exemplify the highest ideals, elevate their performance because they have to, or its simply how they pay the bills, maintain friends and customers- and keep their job. but, as often happens in the corporate world, the economy takes a turn for the worse, some bad deals are done, prices skyrocket, leadership changes, competition gets tougher or the Vice President of Operations French Fry rebate check bounces. For whatever reason, companies decide to, or are put into a position to, run the prices up/cut corners, and raise additional funds from one area, in order to funnel into another. When this happens, it usually comes from the biggest operations costs: utilities, food and beverages, and the payroll. These areas affect us - the restaurant managers and employees.

Why mess with our world? Small increases in price or pocket change saved here or there, multiplied times many customers, and again by many units, result in piles of money. Did you really think that the chain restaurant upper management was going to give up their spa memberships? stock options? Tee times at the times in preparation for the fall charity fundraiser especially you need them most? A good sign that youre in this savings vortex is a company-wide, new-found awareness of utility waste. The temperature is warmer/cooler than it used to be, managers are bugging everybody about lighting and equipment turn on schedules, manager bonuses are impacted based upon the increase in rolls of toilet paper used this year to date verses last. Not to worry. These symptoms only last about a month or two at tops.

You may notice menu or portion resizing tricks, garnishes no longer being necessary, (I heard parsley futures will be hit hard this season) changes from linens and glassware to paper products, cleaning and armored car services - even doing away with those mints at the front desk that you swore that youd stop eating in this New Years Resolution. A big labor crunch, cutting service levels to the bone (my favorite increasing restaurant managers hours to work in an hourly position) and pushing heart-of-the-house crews to the limit, mean theres not much imagination behind this drive for the dollars. Shortcuts in cleaning regimen and training standards show that restaurant business principles arent cost effective anymore, and the leadership is willing to sacrifice the future business for quick results. All of these measures lead to a lowering of standards once preached by the very same entities that now fear for their own personal money and continued employment. If they visit your locale, be very afraid. Theyre dangerous when its their own club membership on the butchers block.

When your guests start to complain and you notice the movement from great to good on your comment cards because the majority of your staff is new and cheaper. Your cook, dishwasher or bartender walks out because of the increased workload, the climate control is whacked out and the boss has eaten all of the good painkillers from the first aid kit, (I recommend pain-aid it is loaded with caffeine) and you are suffering withdrawal symptoms due to an absence of reasonable standards. The companys current fear crisis is deemed more important than its once lofty mission and vision statement (because it is only for a short time until the economy bounces back).

I do sometimes worry about the state of leadership these days I do believe, a substantial number of restaurant managers and employees do take pride in their work, excel at service and believe that they serve the best damn fajitas this side of de Nile. Some do it because they have a strong work ethic, some because of their sense of competition with each other, and still others, a desire to just like to take care of people. Who do you want on your team?

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Choosing between elliptical machines

By Amanda Jocks

We welcome the New Year with great enthusiasm and reminisce the past year, but it's been a few months now already. Usually, celebration calls for excessive intake of food and liquor. All of this exhausts us very much. Winter is not fun with shorter days and freezing cold weather making it very hard to get away from home or workout.

Ellipticals are considered to be great exercise gear. They're a hit as they allow maximum reduction of calories with minimal efforts which means you can exercise more and lose more weight. First timers express that at first they are feeling light while running on it. The risk of injury is much smaller, as there is no impact on the body. For those who cannot exercise on a treadmill due to injury or pain to the knee or ankle, this is a welcome change.

If you need information on the elliptical trainer, browse the internet or watch TV for all kinds of models. To see how the elliptical functions exactly, you can visit a nearby sports club a couple of times. Choose the most appropriate one for you to have a pleaseant experience.

Irrespective of the information available on the TV or on the internet about losing weight, the only real method is exercising and dieting regularly. Most of the information is misleading and trying to emulate could only leave you angry and cheated upon - like "change the way you see things", "try doing breathing techniques", or "take this medicine". Fat is burnt with any motion. If you have sufficient lean muscle in you, it helps burn enough calories to stay slim and fit. Additionally, you can remain zealous.

You cannot deny the fact that to shed unwanted weight you have to watch what you eat and keep fit. As the whole body is being exercised on the elliptical trainer, you can burn all the surplus calories at a higher rate with visibly less attempts to do so. Don't worry, try the elliptical - it will definitely help you lose the fat!

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Honeywell Security System

By John McCreary

Honeywell security systems are considered one of the best in home security service. Majority of home security system companies all over the United States extensively use Honeywell security systems for residential and commercial property protection and monitoring. You would be able to function peacefully, only when you know that your home and all your loved family members are safe and everything is secure. Data prove that in-security systems had helped in protecting property and in preventing loss of human life. As such, the money spent in a good home security system is one of the best and wisest investments that anyone could think of.

Honeywell security systems for residences had been designed with special care for complete protection. The heart or the brain of the home security system is the control panel, which is normally placed in a basement or a closet. Several sensors are located throughout the house and they are connected to the control panel. When the security system is armed or activated, the sensors detect any intrusion or tampering of the doors and windows. Immediately they send a signal to the central control panel and in turn, the control panel connects to the monitoring station and alerts the dispatchers monitoring the installations on a 24x7 basis. The dispatchers notify the relevant authorities like the local police station or the fire service station.

The specialty of Honeywell security system is that the latest systems function on the breakthrough technology of wireless connections. They overcome the problem of the burglars cutting the telephone wires, as well as the telephone system failing due to a power outage or faulty telephone lines. At the same time, they are very flexible during installation. Drilling of holes in the walls and ceilings are avoided. The wireless Honeywell security system is not only cleaner but also faster. The wireless keypads allow you to operate the Honeywell security system at the touch of a single button. It is also quite small like a car alarm key. Hence, it could be attached to a keychain and carried around easily.

Another innovation of Honeywell security system is known as the interactive telephone module. When this interactive telephone module is appended to the home security system, you would be able to access the system from any landline or a cellular phone, irrespective of your remaining in any part of the world. This system allows you to operate your lights, thermostat, air conditioner, and other home appliances on a remote basis, which is an added advantage at a very small extra cost. Further, the Honeywell security system also comes with add-ons like smoke, fire and gas detectors and pet immune motion detectors for absolute protection of your loved property. The passive infrared motion detector or PIR monitors the entire house and triggers the alarm when somebody intrudes in the property. Install Honeywell security system in your home and enjoy complete peace of mind. Honeywell security system dealers are present in Houston and all other cities in the US.

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Just Buy Pepper Spray Already

By Nui Kahuna

Boy oh boy! Yesterday I thought I would have a little fun quoting Big Frank and his opinion, and a whole bunch of people got upset because they thought I was dissing their favorite rock star. My point really was that Big Frank would know how to handle a mook, and that he could really sing, unlike many rock and rollers, who can only shout with the best of them.

I received emails that reminded me of the Beatles, The Stones (according to Mick, you could be a rock a star if you could play three chords and just shout), El Viz, Buddy Holly, Jim Morrison (the three chord wonder man, but for me he's no poet), Jim Croce and so on and so forth.

As I grew up, I've listened to all this stuff, I have also watched a lot of bands live at different venues, and concerts around the country. But I've moved on in so many ways, though I still like some of them in small doses. And though it doesn't happen very often anymore, I still eventually pull out a Led Zeppelin CD and listen to it.

There are three guys my age on a public television station here who have a weekly rock and roll show where they discuss the minutiae of bands, concerts, and rock and roll, and all I can think of when I listen is; what a colossal waste of time and energy.

I don't really care what a drug addled Jerry Garcia said backstage at a concert in 1993. I don't have the time to wonder that the lyrics of song really meant back in 1978, or if the dude was high on acid when he wrote it. I've moved on, and so have all the others who have achieved something in their life.

Apparently, I have a calling, and that is to help as many people as I can from the hands of junkies, particularly from violent mooks and junkies who easily hurt folks without remorse, hurt their victim as easily as they would eat a burger.

Some school of thought out there thinks that all this chaos, adversity and unrest is a result of inequality and other excuses. But we all know that this reasoning is a bunch of bunk.

Mooks become mooks because they make bad choices. It's easier to be a mook than hold a job. It's fun to intimidate people. It's a rush to take things away from people.

I have a police friend who told me about a crook whom he arrested just a week ago, after the crook tried to rob a couple at a local mall. The crook was so clueless that the couple he tried to rob were the vigilant kind, so the husband sprayed him with some Wildfire pepper spray, the suspect got hurt instead of the victim, the crook found himself with a huge patch of dye on his face. So as for the part of my police friend, it's made easy for them, cause it only took them two minutes to identify the perpetrator.

The mook cried in the back seat of the cruiser, bellowing about how the spray should be illegal. "Nobody should be able to paint my face!" he said. "Once he painted my face, I didn't have a chance!" he said.

Well, if you think that junkies get back on the street easily now, wait till B.O. starts appointing judges. It would be scary having a rapist charged by some occasional addle-head with only 60 days sentences, like in Nebraska and Vermont. And sadly, junkies, including the violent and illegal ones will have more rights and guts than ever before as the sentences are getting more and more lenient as we try more rehabilitation.

buy pepper spray, it's gonna be a very long four years.

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Fat Al Gore Loses More Ground

By Nui Big Kahuna

One of Fat Al's biggest supporters sued her Manhattan cooperative because they aren't digging her plan to expand her modest 6000 square foot apartment to 12,000 square feet by buying the unit next door. Now the Material Girl's modenn NY pad is about three times the size of my modest pad and contains a gym and a hair salon. She didn't give any word on what she would put in the newly acquired space, but we know it won't be a library.

Unless of course it's full of her own literary masterpieces. And a coffee table book or two.

She might need the space for special activities or things like Kaballah water and red strings, the things that a credible spiritualist can't live without these days. Obviously, she won't be wasting the big space with a wide big screen television as she doesn't allow her kids watch TV as she believes that television retards the brain development. It can't either be a corner for a Christmas tree since she and her husband stopped celebrating Christmas together. As a result, the Holiday has rather become imbued with much more meaning.

Probably she's not aware what a half a billion dollars can do, aside from shopping of course. Money like that can make your daily normal day a Christmas every day.

Maybe if she gave up shopping every day we could believe there was something inside that empty head.

By the way, the Trumpster has a penthouse for sale that shouldn't need all those renovations. The price: $34 million. And I hear the security is excellent.

Just so you know, it doesn't matter how big or small your home is, security should always be your top priority.

One of the best things to do is get cameras installed so you always know what's going on when you're gone.

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House Alarms " Your First Line of Defence

By Paul Sum

House alarms can help fend off many different types of unwanted business. When people think of home alarms they mostly think of burglar alarms and while it is true that is what alarms mainly do, there are various other important functions as well. Not having an alarm should never be an option. Take a minute and think about what it would feel like knowing your house was robbed. That feeling of violation is painful.

It gives you this big unease in your stomach that makes you feel like you have been physically violated. Now, think about if you happened to be home at the time and something even more dreadful happened. Just that thought right there should be enough to sell you on house alarms.

Having a House alarm in case of robberies are important for many obvious reasons. But there are some other things to think about as well. For example, where children are concerned if you set the alarm while everyone is in the house and a child happens to walk out without a parent being aware of it, the alarm will sound and disaster can be avoided. Alarms can serve a number of purposes that may not quickly come to mind.

A fire can be just as scary as a robbery because in an instant, everything you have worked so hard for can be gone. Whilst homes can be rebuilt, memories cannot; and all those precious mementos, photo albums, heirlooms and sentimental items can be gone in an instant. And, that is not even thinking about the endangerment of the lives of you, your children and your pets. If a fire breaks out in the middle of the night and theres no alarm, well no one wants to think about that. Protecting yourself, your family and your valuables is of the utmost importance.

House alarms can also be installed for almost anything, even gas leaks or other problems but the main thing to remember is that you must protect your assets as best as you can. You do not want something terrible to happen when it can be easily avoided by simply installing an alarm system. The cost is puny when you think about it compared to losing everything. There is no valid argument to be had against alarm systems and the smart home owner will take the time and spend the money to make sure that their family and their assets are well protected always.

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Sign Up With One Of The Best Identity Protection Services

By David Smith

We already know that there is so much information on the internet about identity protection services; so as a consumer how do we know which one to choose? As a consumer we all want to be able to pick the right identity protection services that are going to take care of us; there are some things that you have to look for when choosing someone to watch over you and your families personal information.

Here are some steps to choosing the right identity protection services:

1. Monthly Fee: Every reputable credit monitoring service is going to charge some type of monthly fee. You can not expect someone to watch your personal information for free.

Before you agree to paying a fee make sure that it is something that fits into your budget. Most of the reputable companies are going to charge a reasonable fee to begin monitoring your credit. If you want to monitor your own credit it is possible; however just remember that it is not going to be the same quality of monitoring.

2. Protection Guarantee: You want to ensure that they guarantee their services; you want to make sure that you are protected if someone does happen to find a way to use your personal information. When you are protected you should be able to sleep peacefully at night without worrying about your credit.

We all know that some people are extremely smart and no matter what type of protection we have; they still may be able to get the hidden information.

If you want to find some of the best identity protection services; visit our site below. If you sign up right now you will be getting some of the best prices on the internet. Not to mention you will no longer have to worry about you and your family becoming victims of identity theft.

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Walkers Guidelines for Walking Shoes

By Julie Jonesboro

Shopping for shoes before is just a matter of choosing between formal or sneakers, and black or white. In today's times however, different types of shoes had emerged in the market that cause the introduction of many other considerations for shoe selection. Considerations for one shoe type will be different with other types. For walking shoes, considerations will also be different.

Shopping for shoes before is just a matter of choosing between formal or sneakers, and black or white. In today's times however, different types of shoes had emerged in the market that cause the introduction of many other considerations for shoe selection. Considerations for one shoe type will be different with other types. For walking shoes, considerations will also be different.

In addition, shoppers can consider more advanced features in choosing their fitness shoes. Science and engineering technology enable shoes to be precise down to the minutest detail of padding support and flexibility. It should be noted that walking shoes should have flexible soles. This will allow easier rolling of foot from heel to toe.

It is also advisable to consider physical appearance of the shoe when selecting a pair. Shoes that are pointy or have high heels should be avoided if your purpose is to use it for walking. However, shoppers should not focus too much on the visual appeal of the shoe because comfort and functionality matter most.

Cushioning is another factor for shoe selection. It should be capable of handling 1.5 times the weight of the user. Breathability features are also important for walkers.

Their shoes should be composed of highly breathable material to facilitate good air circulation to minimize foot sweating and aid in better walking experience. Lastly, its tread should not be too deep and should blend well with shoe sole and walls in providing the perfect grip.

One factor that is usually neglected is the shoelace. While this may seem unimportant, this is can actually affect your walk exercise. Just imagine the trouble of having frequent loose strings on your shoe. This will cause to pause every now and then and disrupt the normal flow of your exercise.

Proper selection of walking shoes can guarantee you a rewarding experience and so, you should be very keen. Though visual appeal should also be taken into consideration, comfort and functionality should be the top priority.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Guy Gets Stalked By His Ex

By Nui Big Kahuna

When you say stalking, its usually about a man stalking and obssessively following a woman. Base on statistics, it's almost always men. But today, I will share to you a different story since this doesn't normally happen, just like in a restaurant, we'll turn the tables.

Jerry of New Jersey lived with his long time girlfriend across the river from Manhattan in a fancy place. Their last years had been unpleasant and things started to crumble, then in about six months, they broke up and Jerry asked her girlfriend to leave and hit the road. There was a big fight of course, and it took the ex-girlfriend over a month to take all her stuff out.

A month or so after she was gone, Jerry returned home one evening, and something just wasn't kosher. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt like someone had been in the place.

In the morning, when he went to his closet, things had been slightly rearranged. Jerry is a former Marine, and like a lot of former military members, including myself, there is a certain order to the way we set things up.

It's just a practice, a habit, it's really comforting in a certain way to know precisely where your things are.

He let it go, and went to work.

Then a couple of days later, Jerry again noticed tenuous changes in his living room, like some of his table lamps were repositioned.

Jerry thought of catching who's doing these things, so he ordered up a Down View Smoke Detector Hidden Camera.

And soon as he received his order, he installed it.

Can you guess who's the mysterious one that messed with his stuff?

The ex was coming in every day. Every day she would search the place from top to bottom. Then she would do a little adjustment.

This treacherous game of the ex-girlfriend had been going on for ten days, and when she started screwing with all the electrical outlets, Jerry got fed up, and so he called the cops and arranged a little surprise for her.

The next morning when she opened his closet, four cops jumped out and arrested her.

Now she'll be staying in one, and it won't be nearly as nice.

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Alarm System Monitoring

By John McCreary

One of the latest in alarm system monitoring is structured wiring systems from security specialists like Honeywell. These systems are classified as intelligent systems, with seamless integration of security control, telephone, satellite, and cable TV connections, computers and Internet, air conditioners, lightings and fans, audio & video, and other home appliances. In such systems, the cables are bundled and distributed throughout the property, with connections to the central control panel. This type of alarm system monitoring is highly useful, since the protection of the valuables is guaranteed and at the same time, remote operation of all the home appliances is made possible. This alarm system monitoring with integrated structured wiring enhances not only the security but also the comfort and stability of peaceful home atmosphere.

With the advent of the Internet and high-speed data communications along with wireless technologies, the latest alarm system monitoring had come a long way from the crude systems introduced several decades ago for home security. The Internet connection module or ICM included in the alarm system monitoring allows affordable and easy control through IP-based web interface devices. This automates and controls home security, while working with other Internet connection modules for enhanced safety, security, and comfort to the modern homes. These systems have built-in setup wizards and are completely user friendly.

The integrated control through these ICMs help homeowners to control and operate not only the security systems but also the HVAC and lighting systems from any web browser, laptop, or wireless PDA. The system could even be programmed to shut down the HVAC airflow, when a fire occurs. This would assist in stopping the spread of smoke throughout the home, while protecting the HVAC system from the threat of fire.

Adding surveillance cameras is quite easy with these ICMs and the homes could be monitored from external monitoring stations through Internet connections. Even though this might require broadband connections and additional hardware and software, homes with high value possessions would benefit immensely from such real time alarm system monitoring. The standby power generators and extended battery backups ensure that the alarm system monitoring does not fail due to unexpected power outages.

However, utmost care should be taken in selecting the right alarm system monitoring provider. The security monitoring company should have proper certification and license to operate an effective 24x7 security monitoring. The company and its operatives should be familiar with the latest technologies. They should be able to work in close liaison with the local authorities like the police department, fire department, medical emergency centers, etc. They should have a proven record of accomplishment and ample experience in the field of security and in alarm system monitoring. They should use only approved and high quality products in the installation of security system and ensure that there is no compromise anywhere. Above all, the charges of the agency for the installation of the security systems and their monthly maintenance and monitoring should be affordable and reasonable. It is advisable to ensure all the above facts by talking to the past clients of the security service providers, before selecting one for your home.

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Houston Burglar Alarm

By John McCreary

Houston burglar alarm is one of the best options for protecting the valuables in your home and your family members from the threat of burglars. Even though several standard Houston burglar alarm products are available in the market, it would be better if the burglar alarm system were custom-designed to suit the specific needs of your home. Burglary is normally defined as one of the following.

Forcible entry into a property or a house Unlawful entry without use of force Attempted entry with or without use of force

Statistics reveal that more than 2 millions burglaries were attempted in the United States in 2006. In 2005, burglaries accounted for about 21% of all property crimes in the US and per home average monetary loss were estimated at $1,725. More than 65% of the burglaries were committed in residential properties and nearly 62% of the burglaries occurred between 6 am and 6 pm. Houston police believe that homes without a proper Houston burglar alarm are three to five times more likely to be intruded than those homes having a good security system.

Further, burglars normally follow a pattern and each burglar prefers a particular type of entry. For example, about 81% of residential burglaries are done by gaining entry through the first floor, while entering through the front door occurs in 34%. Back door entries are estimated at 22% and window break-ins are around 23%. Burglars had attempted entry into homes fitted with Houston burglar alarm only in 15% instances. As such, any good Houston burglar alarm should be custom-designed to provide safeguards against such individual preferences of burglars.

Another favored method of burglars is to come disguised as utility service people like telephone repairers or gas company delivery boys. Such entries pose the additional danger of harm to the personal safety of the inmates. When intrusion occurs in the absence of the inmates, only the loss of valuables could occur. On the other hand, when a burglar enters the house when people are present, the burglar is likely to get violent and even use firearms during the theft attempt. Houston burglar alarm fitted with remote alarm activation wireless keypad provides maximum protection during such occasions.

Houston burglar alarm is most effective when it is connected to a central monitoring station and is watched all the time. It is true that a Houston burglar alarm could be installed with a siren in the house to alert the inmates of the home and an external siren to help neighbors notify the police or other authorities when there is an emergency.

However, these internal and external sirens do not offer complete protection. Burglars are a smart lot and they know how to deactivate the sirens easily. A wireless Houston burglar alarm connected to a central monitoring agency could never be circumvented by burglars. Further, the notification to the concerned authorities is also instant in case of monitored systems, compared to local sirens for which the neighbors might not respond immediately.

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Monday, April 13, 2009

My Freaken Heart Problems

By Nui Big Kahuna

Again, they withheld my chow Friday morning, though sometimes it really can be blessing especially if you're in the hospital. Maybe they just didn't want anything like eggs and bacon showing up on my EDG test. An EDG (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy ) is where they take a camera and show it down your throat down to your stomach then to your small intestine to check what kind of pest might be causing you a mound of fuss.

Before the procedure, they will knock you out then you wake up with smiling nurse right in front of you offering a ginger ale, and hanging out with your for 30 minutes then putting you back to your room where a gilded meal awaits you. Well, as the menu card says, I had a Salisbury steak, though it looked more like an old and rather dried doggy poop. Good thing I requested my wife to bring an alternative food before they rolled me off. My nurse, who tried to get me to eat, just silently took the other platter away.

So, six days in the hospital, all kids of tests, and what we turn up is that I have a heart flutter, and no resolution on the abdominal pain, which is what brought me in. Now I'm not compaining, my heart does need to be fixed, and in the big picture, the heart trumps whatever else is on the table.

So in 30 days I go back for a day to get electro-shock to set my heart rate back to normal. If that doesn't work, they'll do an immediate nip and tuck to fix the problem permanently. It is amazing that all these procedures are considered minor. They weren't even done 10 years ago.

One of you humored me that I should use the easiest way, by stunning myself with a small stun gun. Good idea though I dunno if it will work. But I think I'd prefer to use the service of the professional specialist which by the way is covered by my health insurance.

I want to express my gratitude to all you folks who sent me email and called while I was in the hospital. Your messages and thoughtfulness were highly appreciated, and gave me enough strength when I was in pain. Your prayers have helped me in getting out of the hospital late Friday night. Before I get tuned up back to work, I will first take it easy for a week maybe.

My mailbag was really full, but I just scanned them quickly today and I got what I need to reiterate. There is a huge difference in the level of confidence of those who carry tools and those who doesn't. Those who do, know how to take care of themselves in any unpleasant event.

As multi culturalism and diversity thumped our voices by the anti-dodgeball crowd over the years, our ability to take care of ourselves and those in our charge has somehow gotten lost. The pendulum is swinging the other way, but we have to be aware and watchful in every way.

Do not forget, every year a lot of people were killed and hurt by 2 x 4's, more than by a little Wildfire pepper spray. We must outlaw wood! Bricks! Hammers! Rocks! Crowbars and pipes! And pitchforks, and shovels!

Before I get myself all worked up, this all for now and goodbye.

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How To Defend Yourself From Attackers

By Nui Big Kahuna

It's college spring break season now, and my daughter is back home from school for a week or two. While on break, she's enjoying her time on partying, and just this weekend, she went to the city with her friends to a very raffish club in a very unraffish area of the city.

They went into this area and had no problem getting in. They boogied until the early hours before they decided to hit home. My daughter and her group took their car, and headed out. But the other group they were with encountered a bit of trouble.

On their way to get their car, a flashy Lexus, a couple of junkies from Southeast approached them. They struck the male of the group and the girls were appalled with what happened but couldn't do anything as fear was crawling all over them, and that's what those junkies love, once they see fear they can easily control their victim. Then a few minutes after, the junkies took all their money from five of them and the junkies just suddenly disappeared.

Not any one of these kids can identify who victimized them, all they know was that their attackers were wearing dark clothes and baseball hats. And they couldn't say which direction all those junkies came from and which way they fled after assaulting them.

These kids are only 21 years of age, its the age when you're in the height of partying here and there. They are not aware of the places or areas that where crimes and assulting usually occurs. They drive an attention-getting car so they can party it up, without giving much thought that they are susceptible to any troubles.

But if those junkies had chosen to attack the group with my daughter, then it would have been a different story.

My daughter is vigilant and wise. She always carries with her a mini stun gun and a 4 ounce Wildfire Pepper spray. If those crooks had attacked her group, they would have received a prize they would not forget. My daughter would never hesitate a second before choosing which among her weapons to deploy first.

But the rest of her friends are the happy go lucky type. They think the security blanket of Mommy and Daddy's money and big house in the suburbs is going to protect them.

By taking your Dad's ride out for clubbing in an unsafe area, you have just given those junkies the opportunity to grab and assault you with no sweat, as you are showing them you're a vulnerable dumbass whom they can easily overpower.

And what would you think if you're the guy who gets smacked by these crooks in front of four women? Ain't it a shame?

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Youth Camps Can Be Fun and Provide an Education: How to Choose

By Christopher Pyle

Odds are you're reading this article because you've explored, to some degree the idea of a residential summer camp. Whether you're a veteran at packing the kids off to summer for camp or a newbie to the whole process, there are a few thoughts that cross your mind.

Initially you noticed the shear volume of camps available. Many of those camps appear to have similar programs. Since they are similar, where are you to spend your money, because they can be pricey? Ultimately, since you are spending a fair amount of money, shouldn't there be an element of education to the camp?

You're exactly correct in each thought. The volume of camps is overwhelming. They do cost a fair amount of money, there are similar programs and yes you should be able to have your child's person positively impacted while away.

There are camps that offer a program that will please you as well as your children. Ideally, it will please you unbeknownst to the children for they'll be having such a great time they wont even know it was good for them!

The most obvious camp for education are camps specific to college prep programs or that offer summer classes, often on a university campus. Often kids will rebuff the idea of these camps because they don't appear fun and seem like more school. In these cases you need to be more discrete in the program you're looking at.

Try to locate camps that refer to team building. In their descriptions see what they do that is supposed to build teams. For instance, a rafting camp requires campers to work together to get their raft safely downstream. Hiking a mountain or climbing on ropes will require a team attitude for support and safety.

Try to locate camps referencing behavior requiring people to connect both in a one-to-one manner and in group settings. Industry terms used will be: leadership-skills, discussions, community. These terms are an indication the camp has at minimum considered the benefits to such activities.

Try to locate camps that speak of teaching and learning through experience. Since programs are being pulled from schools at an ever-increasing rate, we're losing this type educational experience. Camps that focus on this type of learning will help to offset some of the loss.

For an example of experiential education applied, we'll look to the rafting camp model. Given the camp is offering experiential education here are the experiences they'll emphasize and reinforce: teamwork is exercised and applied in each phase of a rafting trip from preparing the gear, to suiting up, to learning to paddle as a synchronized crew, learning safety techniques, and learning to swim in moving water. These skills encompass the physical, the mental and the verbal. All of these are employed simply during the one activity of rafting.

If you're exploring residential camps, you probably have the means to send your child. It's natural and good parenting to want to get the most experience for your dollar spent. Your child's life will be greatly enriched from their summer experiences.

While camp is meant to be fun, if you look for the buzz words we mention above, read the guidelines in the previous article linked here for reading between the lines to find the right program, you can have your child in an environment wherein they're learning AND having fun. Both worlds are completely attainable, if you just put a little time in online. Hey, reading this article is an excellent first step. Happy camping!

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The Art and Science of Strategic Management

By Bart Icles

Most, if not all, organizations believe in the value of strategic management in achieving success. Strategic management is often defined as the art and science of making, implementing, and assessing cross-functional decisions that help organizations achieve their long-term objectives. It involves defining the mission and vision of an organization, developing policies and plans that are often translated into projects and programs, and allotting resources needed in implementing these policies and plans - all of which are working together to achieve the objectives and goals of the organization.

It is vital to understand strategic management as a mixture of strategy formulation, strategy implementation, and strategy evaluation. Most managers follow a three-step process in strategy formulation. Performing a situation analysis, self evaluation, and competitor analysis is the first step. It is crucial to take into consideration both internal and external, and micro-environmental and macro-environmental factors in doing the analyses. Next is to set objectives based on the results of the analyses made. Vision and mission statements, overall corporate objectives, strategic business unit objectives, and tactical objectives are formulated in this stage. Objectives set should include both financial and strategic goals, and these should correspond to a timeline.

Strategy implementation covers the apportioning and management of sufficient resources - financial, human, time, and technology, setting up a chain of command and/or alternative structures, delegating responsibility based on specific tasks and processes to particular individuals or teams, monitoring results of the process, comparing results of the process to best practices, evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of the process, exercising control for possible variations, and doing adjustments if necessary. This area of strategic management also involves procuring the needed resources, and improving the process, training, process testing, documentation, and integration with or conversion from legacy processes.

Evaluating the efficacy and efficiency of organizational strategy is as essential as the other facets of strategic management. In doing so, it is beneficial and imperative to do an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, and the opportunities and threats presented by the internal and external environment to the organization. There are three critical questions that can serve as a guide in strategy evaluation: Would it work? Can it be made to work? Will they work on it?

It is not always that organizations succeed in accomplishing their goals. Failure comes to those who overlook certain factors that play important parts in successful strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. Oftentimes, these reasons include: failure to understand customers/clients, failure to foresee and calculate environmental reaction, too much confidence in resource competence that the organization fails to develop new management and employee skills, failure to coordinate, failure to attain commitment from senior management and employees, miscalculation of time requisites, failure to stick with the plan, and failure to manage change. In so many cases, these failures arise due to poor communication.

Strategic management indeed plays a significant role in the success of an organization. On the other hand, it can also cause organizations to suppress creativity. In this age where changes happen more rapidly than organizations can adapt, it can sometimes be an advantage to be more flexible than to adhere to a finely structured strategic plan. As strategy becomes too incorporated into an organization's culture, group think can arise. It can also cause marketing myopia when it triggers an organization to define itself narrowly.

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Preventing Summer Breakins This Season

By Jason Jones

It has been a common report that during the summer vacation there is an increase of burglaries since some people are away from home. Save yourself from being the victim of a break-in by going through some of these tips. The first step you should take is to do a safety walk-through of your home inside and out. See your home as though you were a potential burglar that would want to break in. Search out any security breaches.

Check the outside of the home by walking around it during both daylight and darkness. If anything catches your attention immediately take note of those. Some websites may have a checklist that can be helpful when verifying security around the home.

The area around the home should be given adequate lighting. Be certain that you have landscape lighting around your home. Even this little bit of light is enough to ward off any criminal. If your porch and garage are without any motion sensor lights might as well install them. These are another great way to prevent crime. Since many break-ins happen after dark it is best to keep the outside of your home properly lit.

Definitey the best way to avoid break-ins to your home is by having a good home security system installed. Home alarm systems are ideal for getting hold of theives before they begin entry. Latest home security systems are highly technical. These systems are in the market in almost any price range and with features that you need. The basic home alarm system is still a good idea. It features a keypad that is alarmed to the entry doors and windows.

Police report that one of the biggest problems with catching burglars is that they leave the area even before the police are called. There are little chances in tracing the criminal and so most often than not, he strikes then again. A home alarm system can be an instrument for the police to catch the burglars in the actiont. Systems that feature 24 hour monitoring are the best. The monitoring center will immediately notify the police if a break-in is detected. The police can give quick acton and may even arrive there in time before the burglar gets away.

Just having an alarm system will fend away most would-be burglars. They won't take the risk of trying to break in a home with a security system. Take effort to post the signs or stickers that have your house identified of having an alarm system. This is should keep burglars far from your home. An alarm system will give you and your family assurance and give you security all year long.

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Jiu Jitsu: The Way of Yielding

By Ian Naipaul

The Japanese martial art of Jiu Jitsu mainly employs unarmed techniques to disable an opponent, though weapons are sometimes used. Its primary aim is to teach practitioners unarmed strategies for stopping an armed foe. Just like other martial art forms, jiu-jitsu has evolved throughout the centuries to include a variety of forms and techniques.

What Sets Jiu Jitsu Apart from Other Martial Arts?

Jiu Jitsu developed among the samurai of feudal Japan for use in combat against other samurai. As samurai were usually fully armored, punches and kicks were not very effective. Consequently, jiu-jitsu stressed immobilizing an enemy quickly and permanently using holds, pins, and throws. The idea was to use an enemy samurai's energy against him, rather than directly opposing it.

Jiu Jitsu, literally translated as "the art of softness" or "way of yielding", is a "soft" martial art style. "Soft" styles, like jiu-jitsu, prefer yielding to an opponent's force, using balance and leverage to turn an attacker's momentum against themselves, rather than opposing force with force. "Hard" martial styles (such as Karate and Kung Fu), in contrast, favor forceful, direct attacks requiring power, speed, and strength.

Different martial arts emphasize various forms of combat. As an example, Tae Kwon Do focuses on kicking, whereas Judo emphasizes wrestling. In contrast to these martial art forms, jiu-jitsu focuses on grappling.

"Grappling", though similar to wrestling, is subtly different. Grappling techniques include joint-locks (see below), holds, trapping, pinning, throwing, gouging, biting, choking, and strangling. Jiu Jitsu also includes defensive techniques such as disengaging from an opponent's grasp and breaking your falls.

Joint-locks, as the name implies, are a technique that pressures a joint in the opposite direction of the way it is meant to bend. Not only does this immobilize the opponent's limb to keep it from being used against you, but it also causes more pain the more the enemy struggles. This encourages your opponent to give up. American police officers are taught to use this technique to subdue dangerously aggressive criminals.

Why Should I Consider Learning Jiu Jitsu?

Jiu Jitsu is great as a tool for self-defense. It teaches you how to get away from an attacker, and you learn how to immobilize an assailant without necessarily causing permanent harm. It also teaches the important principle of escalation of force.

First, in terms of self-defense from a mugger or rapist, the longer you stay to fight, the greater the chance that the attacker will overwhelm you (especially since criminal tends to travel in packs, or at least pairs). Therefore, the smartest thing to do is to escape and get to a well-lit public area. Muggers know this, so the first thing they'll to do is grab and immobilize you. In jiu-jitsu, you are taught how to escape from such grips and get away.

Second, if you are only trained in a technique that involves seriously injuring someone, you could face legal trouble. Whether you are fighting in a barroom brawl, or dealing with a mugger on the street, you could face a civil suit or even criminal charges if you injure or kill the person. By using techniques to break away from your attacker, or simply immobilizing or subduing the person without inflicting serious harm, you can avoid these potential problems.

Escalation of force essentially means only using the minimum necessary force to overcome an opponent. There is a huge combat difference, for example, between a New York City mugger with a knife, and drunken Cousin Eddie who's getting a bit rowdy at a family reunion.

Of course, both of these scenarios need to be dealt with. But it should be apparent that you will use much less force against Cousin Eddie when compared to the mugger. Jiu Jitsu teaches you how to deal with either of these incidents with techniques like pins, holds, and joint-locks. In the case of Cousin Eddie, you can pin him until he comes to his senses, without causing him any real harm. But, you can also throw your mugger to the ground to disorient and disarm him and allow yourself time to get away.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is taken from secondary sources and is given in good faith. It should not be regarded as scientific or expert advice in its own right. We recommend you conduct your own research with expert sources prior to engaging or applying any Jiu Jitsu technique mentioned here; we will not be held responsible.

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5 Things To Do Before Hurricane Season

By Riche Goodman

Hurricane Season, which lasts from July to November, is a big part of your life if you currently live in the southern part of the United States and it's really important that you be prepared for it. You normally get some warning of when a storm is approaching, but there are 5 things that you should do before the season gets started so that you avoid inconvenience or shortages.

Lots of folks remember to prepare their households with non-perishable food and water to get ready for hurricane season. However, they forget to do damage control for items like computers. Computers contain lots of personal information, financial records, family photos and other information.

5 items you must take care of before the arrival of hurricane season, to not only make sure you survive, but also keep your data stored away properly for insurance purposes, or even a FEMA loan are as follows:

1. Loss of your important data, emails, financial files, and pictures of belongings during hurricane season is the first reason that you should back it up with Carbonite. They help you protect yourself and Carbonite Online Backup is completely automatic, secure and encrypted and only costs $54.95 per year. Your important information can be irreplaceable if something happens to your laptop or personal computer during hurricane season. All of your personal information will be safe and protected and it will speed up any insurance claims, should you need them.

2. Stocking up on water is one of the 5 things you must do before hurricane season. Often municipal water supplies become contaminated and there is no way to boil water if utility outages occur. Stores become depleted of bottled water and it can take days for rescue workers to reach you with their limited supply of bottled water. Keep gallons of bottled water supplied on a regular basis.

3. Buy plenty of batteries. Batteries are another one of those must haves during hurricane season because they are necessary for powering flashlights, which you will need at night if there is no power, and radios, which you will need to keep yourself informed during and after the storm until power services have been restored. Again, don't wait until the last minute to gather these items because once a storm warning has been issued, people will be running to the store and supplies will be depleted.

4. Keep your pantry stocked with canned goods. This is something people in northern states do to prepare for snow season, and is something that southerners should do as well to prepare for hurricane season. If you keep your shelves stock with non-perishables like canned goods, you will be ready to survive a couple of days without power should that occur, as you will be unable to eat anything out of your refrigerator after 2 days. Therefore, it is important to have ample food, with reasonable expiration dates, in your pantry.

5. Get yourself a flashlight and radio that operate on batteries. You must have these items in order to be informed about what is going on and of course to be able to see at night. Most grocery stores and hardware stores keep this in stock, especially during the season of hurricanes.

Your personal survival and the survival of your crucial information and financial documents are important, but you wont have to worry, if you have followed these 5 things you must do before hurricane season. You can visit www.carbonite.com for the safe storage of your important computer data.

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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Houston Home Security Environment

By John McCreary

Houston had been equally affected by the bleak economic conditions that had been sweeping the United States. Everyone knows the various bailout programs launched by the Federal government, including banking, auto, and insurance sector bailouts. In spite of bold statements and handouts by the government, job cuts are rising without respite. Foreclosures of default home loans are continuing. Naturally, crime rates have also been increasing.

Data show that crime rates, in particular property crime rates, had climbed in every recession recorded from the 1900s. Houston home security environment had been subject to higher threats during all past recessions and the crime rate in Houston is expected to rise in the present gloomy economic scenario also. Here are a few grim statistics about risks to property in the US.

Burglaries in the US

According to an FBI report in 2001 on Crime in the US, every 14 seconds, a burglar had entered a house in the country. Nearly 60% of such burglaries had been committed when the home was occupied. About 38% of such robberies had been accompanied by firearm threats. Other data reveal that more than 80% of house break-ins occur by forcing open the doors or windows. More than half the robberies are done during daytime.

Fire Threat in the US

A report published by the National Fire Protection Association in 2000 showed that a fire occurred in US homes every 86 seconds, with 85% of deaths due to fire occurred in homes. Home fires had resulted in about nine deaths every 24 hours. Every 31 minutes, fire injuries had been occurring in US homes.

Houston Crime Rates

A report by the FBI in 2003 showed that there were 120,005 property crimes in the city of Houston and robbery was nearly 2.46 times more than the national average. Property crimes were about 1.33 times more than the national average and burglaries were around 1.52 times the national average. However, it had to be noted and appreciated that Houston crime rates had been much lesser than several other cities in the US in the recent few years.

Even though Houston is the fourth largest city in the country, the crime rate had dipped to below the national average. Houston does not find a place in the list of the 25 most dangerous US cities, which includes cities like Dallas, Memphis, Tampa, Orlando, New Orleans, Miami, and Detroit. On the other hand, a list of cities that are rates as the best in terms of personal safety includes Houston, along with San Francisco, Winston-Salem, and Honolulu. However, this should not lead to complacency that Houston home security measures could be completely ignored.

It could never be denied that homes as well as commercial establishments definitely require security systems installations to provide protection against burglaries and fire hazards. Security experts say that homes provided with alarm monitoring are at least ten times less likely to be vandalized. Insurance companies also offer discounts on home insurance schemes for homes protected by security monitoring. Hence, it is imperative that Houston home security is given top priority by all homeowners in Houston.

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Get Natural Relief From Heartburn

By William Lagadyn

Heartburn is one of the major medical concerns in the world. It may be a painful sensation in the esophagus or an uncomfortable feeling in the chest that may radiate to neck, throat or jaws. It is caused due to regurgitation of gastric acid in the stomach. If untreated in the early stage, it may lead to other medical problems.

Generally, over-the-counter medications like antacids are prescribed by doctors in treating heartburn. Antacids neutralize the excess stomach acid and provide relief for some time. They just help to control the symptoms and do not really cure them permanently. There are chances of the problem returning and cause some other sufferings.

Lots of people around the world have spent enormous amounts of money to treat heartburn. Their food intake has also been restricted by doctors and they often end up having food which is not to their taste. The natural methods will fix the problem in less time and save lots of money. They improve the general health and can be recommended for people of all ages.

With respect to heartburn, it is the first symptom of reflux. It may be caused by overeating or drinking products that are highly acidic in nature. The esophagus is damaged and hence the intake of food becomes painful.

Sometimes, when the pressure in the stomach becomes very high, it will open the LES valve and let out some gases present there. This results in a sound which is commonly known as burping or belching!

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Special Features of High Quality Home Security Systems

By John McCreary

Normally, home security systems consist of the basic security control pane, the key pad, the pre-wired door and window contacts, internal siren, wired or wireless link to the monitoring station, and power supply with battery backup. However, these might not be sufficient to provide complete protection to your property. Home security systems have several optional accessories apart from the standard systems. It would be advisable for you to have adequate knowledge about such additional accessories also to have effective protection to your house.

Motion Detectors activate the alarm when any kind of movement is detected inside the house. These detectors would be able to cover large areas and watch several entry points simultaneously. The best motion detectors also have a built-in pet immune motion detector, so that pets like cats and dogs left inside the house do not trigger the alarm.

Keychain remote wireless devices help you to activate or disarm the security system whenever needed. Usually, these devices are provided with a panic button that would alert the monitoring agency when you are not able to reach the key pad inside the house.

Glass break detectors are mounted on the ceiling in the center of each room. They cover all the glass doors and windows and trigger the alarm when the glass is broken. This would provide additional security to the doors and windows along with the pre-wired protection.

Smoke and heat detectors activate the alarm when heat, smoke or other harmful gases exceed certain fixed levels. These detectors are necessary for protection against fire and the presence of poisonous gases in the home atmosphere. When the smoke and heat detector alarms are triggered, the security monitoring station notes this specific alarm and informs the local fire department and medical attention center for necessary action.

Cellular backups are also quite common in modern home security systems. These cellular alerts help when there is a power outage, when the telephone line becomes faulty or the line is cut deliberately by an intruder. These digital cellular communication and alarm nets have become part of all home security systems now.

External sirens and lawn floodlights are some of the other specialized accessories that might be needed if your home contains large outdoor areas and high value possessions inside the house. These accessories would alert the neighbors in case of any emergency, apart from the security monitoring center, so that faster action is possible.

It is up to you to decide which of these additional security accessories would be needed for your home. The level of threat and the value of your possessions should motivate your decision to have them installed as further safety measures. Normally, home security system providers would charge extra for each such accessory. Your security needs and your budget should guide you in selecting the required accessories for the right type of home security systems. However, there should be no compromise at all when it comes to protecting your house. It is better to err on the safer side than taking an unwanted risk.

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