american idiot

While America has given birth to the song “Young at Heart”, and the phrase “you’re as young as you feel!” can be heard from coast to coast by millions of people, demographic trend point firmly toward the other direction: aging.

Currently, the 65+ population comprises slightly more than 12% 35 million of the total US population. By 2030, this percentage is predicted to almost double to just below 20% 71 million[i]. In other words, within a generation, an unprecedented demographic reality will exist in the US: 1 in 5 Americans will be older than 65.

This is indeed news worth celebrating, because it means that more Americans are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Yet this trend also presents some very real health-related problems that American society must solve.

Various sectors are frenetically trying to position themselves to deal with this aging demographic inevitability. The dental care field is loudly lobbying to increase awareness and resource-support for age-related ailments such as defective denture and reduced saliva-flow conditions[ii]. At the same time, the allied health care field is similarly trying – and admittedly struggling -- to develop the immense resources, such as many more doctors and nurses, who will somehow absorb the imminent and overwhelming old age-related demand for surgical procedures and other health care commodities[iii].

Yet while the dental and health sectors strive to adjust to this demographic trend, the nutritional sector has not kept pace. A quick look at any health food store shelf will see energy bars and powders that are according to their marketing images suitable only for high-performance e.g. young consumers. Similarly, the nutrition sector has not done a good job at destroying the myth that macronutrients such as protein are essential parts of all healthy diets – regardless of age.

The nutrition sector’s general neglect of the senior community is something that is just barely beginning to show as the population ages, and as the “baby boomer” generation of 76 million strong moves towards retirement[iv]. However, it is inevitable that this service gap will become larger as the future unfolds. Essentially, tens of millions of seniors are going to need to find new and innovative nutrition solutions possibly for the first time in their lives.

The prospects that face a 65-year-old searching for a nutrition solution are in some ways much the same as those facing a 25-year-old: there are an array of promised solutions on the market, including energy bars, drinks, and supplements.

However, this is where the similarities between the average 65-year-old and 25-year-old end because while the latter may be able to get away with experimenting, the former cannot. In other words, a 25-year-old consumer may add energy bars to their eating regimen and realize in a few months that they’re really eating glorified, calorie-rich candy bars. A 65-year-old consumer does not have that same luxury to try, and possibly err, when it comes to making nutritional choices. His or her choices must be wise and relevant from the start, particularly since older people tend to suffer from diminished appetite, and often have poorer access to balanced nutrition than their younger counterparts.

This is a serious problem that the nutritional sector must accept and take ownership of. This means that more than simple awareness is needed actual tangible solutions are required. The basic fact is that senior citizens – like all other age groups – require balanced nutrition, and for many of them, the best and most convenient way to access it is through nutritional supplements.

This much-delayed awareness does seem, however, to be abating. There are currently innovative companies that are creating nutritional supplements suitable for all ages, regardless of physical activity. This suitability is the result of a carefully balanced protein blend that captures all essential amino acids. Since many seniors continue to lose nitrogen and thus protein as they age, it is incredibly important that seniors access ways to compensate for this gradual loss.

These low-calorie, carbohydrate-free, fat-free nutritional supplements also help seniors avoid adding unwanted body fat that would weaken muscle mass and destabilize body strength and energy levels. Furthermore, the ideal product would be available in liquid form, allowing seniors with dentures or other tooth concerns to easily ingest a serving without anxiety.

The fact that America’s population is aging is just that: a fact. It is not an opinion, an educated guess, or a possible expectation. It will happen, and it is essential that America’s seniors be provided with the solutions that they need in order to continue living full, happy lives. The dental and health care fields are already hard at work positioning themselves, as best that they can right now, to absorb this unprecedented demographic change. Thanks to a very small – but hopefully growing number – of senior-friendly supplements, there is finally a reason to add the nutrition field to this list as well.

References

[i] Source: “Public Health an Aging: Trends in Aging – United States and Worldwide”. Center for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5206a2.htm

[ii] Source: “Caring for America’s Aging Smiles”. Healthfinder. http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspdocID=521247

[iii] Source: “Aging Population Creating Higher Demand for Surgery”. ANNews. http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/20http://prsc0825.htm

[iv] Source: “Baby Boomers Envision Their Retirement: an AARP Segmentation Analysis”. AARP. http://research.aarp.org/econ/boomer_seg_prn.html

About The Author

Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - www.protica.com

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com.

Are you a guy who’s interested not only in dating beautiful women, even celebrities, but would like to get beautiful women to approach YOU first Can it really be done The answer is an unqualified “yes” IF you know what to say and do, and what to avoid saying and doing.

Most guys have no clue about the day to day life of stunningly beautiful women. They have no idea how many times a DAY these beautiful women are approached by guys whose obvious interest is to “sex them up.” And for celebrities, it’s even worse. Day in, and day out they hear the same thing: “oh you’re such beautiful women… do you have boyfriends… can I take you out…” and on and on and on. Beautiful women simply become numb to guys asking them these questions, and tune them out.

Now, that’s not to say these beautiful women don’t want to meet men… because they do. Many of them desperately. But beautiful women like a guy who’ll say something different to them, something unusual, something that will create attraction in them. And most of all beautiful women crave a man who “defines authority” for them, one who is not intimidated by their looks or fame. Let me give you an example.

I’m in the business of teaching other guys how to get desirable, beautiful women to approach them first for a date, no matter their looks, age or income see www.womenapproachyou.com. And while I rarely take clients, occasionally I’ll make a mistake and let someone talk me into helping them.

A few weeks ago I was working with a guy who was desperately in need of help. Like I always do, I asked him, “What specifically do you want in beautiful women What don’t you want And most importantly, what’s your ideal experience with a woman” Most of guys, of course, have no specific answers to these questions—and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, it’s extremely difficult to achieve any measure of success—whether with beautiful women or in any area of your life.

This guy, amazingly enough, didn’t pause with his answer: “I’d like to sex Paris Hilton—and other beautiful women” he leered. I was a bit taken aback—apparently I don’t speak the “new lingo.” “Sex Paris Hilton,” I said. “What the heck does that mean, sex Paris Hilton”

“It means I’d like to get with her you know, sex her up, sex Paris Hilton—or a woman like her.” Ah-ha. “So your goal is to share a few adventures with celebrities, or beautiful women who look like celebrities” He nodded eagerly—“I’ll settle for a look-alike,” he said, “but what do I say, what do I do to get beautiful women to even speak to me”

Here’s what I told him in regards to beautiful women: first off, get all thoughts of lust out of your head. If you want to spend time with beautiful women, you need to get to know them as people first.

Here’s what to do: when you see a beautiful woman or beautiful women you want to approach, look her in the eye, and smile slightly, using your “naughty little boy smile.” Your intent is to make her smile back at you, while you continue to hold her gaze, and smile wider and “naughtier.” Look for something unusual about her that few other guys would notice, and bring it to her attention. For example:

“You look like a well-conditioned athlete… what are you training for”

“Hmmm, that’s a most unusual tattoo… what made you decide to get that particular one”

“That’s a very professional looking business suit… what’s the occasion for dressing so professionally”

“You have a great energy, much like my friends in the martial arts… what kind of physical training do you do to have such a great energy… or is it just natural”

Or if all else fails, “What are smiling about… remembering something that makes you grin”

The key is to notice something about her environment, and ask her an open ended question letting her know you’re sincerely curious about her. Don’t tell her, “you’re a beautiful woman and I like beautiful women.” She’s heard that. You want to give her an opportunity to talk about herself, something few guys ever do. They’re trying to impress her, instead of shutting up, listening and letting her impress herself about you.

By doing this, you let her know you’re interested in her as a person as opposed to a sweaty piece of meat, that you appreciate her beauty and beautiful women but you’re not intimidated or especially impressed by it, and that you need to hear more before you let her into your life. When you do this, you will stand out from the crowd that asks her the same questions over and over and over—and she’ll be more than happy to pick YOU up! for more great tips, see www.womenapproachyou.com

About The Author

John Alanis is the author of “Secrets of Natural Attraction: How to Get Desirable, Beautiful Women to Chase You.” He also publishes a daily “politically incorrect attraction and dating tips” newsletter that reveals, in detail, how to get desirable, beautiful women to approach men for a date first, no matter your looks, age or income. You can subscribe to John’s daily secret by going to http://www.womenapproachyou.com Upon subscription, John immediately sends you five free “how to get beautiful women to approach you!” reports.

Weve all read about personal goal setting. Weve all tried it. According to the stats, most of the time we all fail.

I often used to slap hand to forehead and mutter through clinched teeth, Idiot! after realizing that I have, yet again failed to accomplish even the simplest of personal goals much less the grand New Years goal. Over the years, though, I have managed to develop a cohesive method for curing this ailment as well as curing the ever-present handprint on my forehead.

Making a positive use of the once negative pet name that I had for myself, I developed Idiots Guide to Goal Setting. Ready to cure the ever-present handprint on your forehead

First, there is one pre-requisite before launching forth.

Before we even get out of the gate, we must first get beyond the list of things that should be our goals and first commit to making ourselves priority and believing that what WE want IS important! Too often we are convinced that what we should do for ourselves is what we want to do for ourselves. This is not the case.

Push aside the should thoughts and focus on what you passionately want for yourself. What are you willing to commit to and see through to the end

In order for this commitment to be different from all of the others you must have a support system that will uphold you when the tide of daily life rigors begins to arrive once again.

This is the essential ingredient that most people dont include when they make a commitment to change. The following 5 steps are designed to help you create a resolution that is clear, specific, and planned out with the necessary support and accountability to make this swing at goal setting one for the records!

5 steps to success with goal setting

1. Keep It Simple!

Theres a temptation, to generate a list of everything youve ever wanted to change. Dont fall for it! Youll have better luck fulfilling one or two goals than you will with a list of fifty.

2. Be Specific

Lets say your goal is to create a better balanced life between health, relationships, and work. Word this carefully. Try not to think of it as "I am going to balance my life." Thats a tall glass of stress ready to be gulped! It forces you into thinking of the resolution as something you must do, not something you want to do.

Make it sound a little gentler: "Im now going to explore different ways of balancing my life." This also suggests more of a plan. You will fulfill the goal by experimenting with strategies for life balance.

The first phrasing sounds as if youre going to force yourself to have a balanced life by sheer willpower.

3. Make the Plan

Once you know what your goal is, plan it out in clear steps. Your plan doesnt have to be a complicated one. Start by answering the question, What is the first step I need to take toward accomplishing my goal

For life balance, it might look like this: Work no more than 40 hours a week Walk 3 times a week Create a date night for significant relationships

4. Write it Down

Write down your goal and your plan of action. Stick it up on the fridge or in your office. Write in the activities in your day timer or wherever you know youll see it. That way youll have a constant reminder of the resolution.

5. Get Support! In order for this goal to be different from all of the others you have set, you must first have a support system that will uphold you when the tide of daily life rigors begins to rise. This is the essential ingredient that most people dont include when they make a commitment to change. All of the previous steps hinge on this one!

Personal or Life Coaching is a perfect example of such support. Accountability, guidance and clarity are the prime focuses of these practitioners. Coaching sessions are devoted completely to setting and accomplishing your goals. Unlike family and friends, a coach is objective, well trained and committed to seeing your goals come to fruition.

Regardless of the goals you set for yourself, what is most important is making yourself priority and committing to living the best life possible with the minimal amount of handprints on your forehead!

© 2004 by Dr. Robert A. Eubanks

Article URL: http://www.bridgetosolutions.com/pages/9/index.htm

Terms of use: This article may be published electronically or in print, as long as the byline at the end of the article is included without alteration.

About The Author

Dr. Robert A. Eubanks is the founder of Bridge to Solutions Coaching. He coaches people around the country via telephone to improve organization, time management, goal setting and to create the best darn life possible! For a free 30 minute coaching session, e-mail bridgetosolutions@yahoo.com or visit www.bridgetosolutions.com.

Heather had been dating Ben for a little over two months. She quite enjoyed his company but was beginning to realize he was not the man for her. She wasnt so much physically attracted to him as she was entertained by his offbeat sense of humor and his sense of the ridiculous. Theyd had some great times together but she was contemplating giving him the “lets just be friends” speech.

On the night of her twenty-eighth birthday, Ben told her he had something special in store for her. Heather felt a twinge of discomfort but told herself she was overreacting. Ben tended to over-dramatize ordinary events, which was part of what made him fun. They enjoyed a fabulous dinner at a beautiful restaurant, then returned to Bens place so he could present her with his gift.

Heather was amused to discover that Ben had set up a treasure hunt in his apartment. In each of the rooms hed planted objects containing small folded notes. On each note hes written an obscure message which would lead her to the next clue. Ben pointed out the location of the first clue, then left her to discover the rest.

Heathers anxiety began to mount as she reached the sixth clue. She found it in Bens walk-in closet, just after she stumbled across three long dart blowers hidden behind his clothes. Shed already noticed the gun cases under the bed. At that moment Ben called out from the living room, “As soon as you find it, Ill shoot us!” Her imagination went into overdrive.

Two minutes later she found the box. It was large and beautifully wrapped. Inside it was a smaller box, and inside that one a third. When she opened the fourth box she saw the diamond ring. Heather was stunned.

By now Ben was beside her. He looked at her face and decided she was overcome with gratitude. “You dont have to say anything now,” he murmured. “Just nod if you want to marry me.”

Heather calculated her chances. Did he have any poison darts handy Could she reach the front door before he opened a gun case No, she decided. Shed have to tough it out.

“What on earth possessed you to buy this for me” she blurted.

Ben hesitated but quickly recovered. “It doesnt have to be an engagement ring,” he backpedaled. “Just accept it as a birthday gift. You can always change your mind later.”

“But I cant accept something like this,” Heather explained. “I cant stand wearing jewelry.”

Ben was so caught up in his fantasy that he hadnt noticed the blatantly obvious. On both counts.

Heather was relieved to discover that the only shooting Ben intended that night was with his camera. But the celebratory mood was over and she left shortly afterwards, minus the ring. She didnt go out with Ben again.

Have you ever miscalculated with a gift Perhaps not as blatantly as Ben did but there may have been times when you gave the wrong thing to the right person or the right thing to the wrong person. And then wondered why they didnt seem particularly grateful.

Gift giving involves thought and a certain amount of premeditation. If you dont know what to buy, ask. It doesnt have to be the person himself or herself; you can ask their father, mother, sister or best friend. Just make sure its someone who knows them well and can tell you what they would like. And dont count on someones response on a previous occasion. Many people wont tell you if they dont appreciate a gift in an effort to spare your feelings.

Putting thought into your gift selection is usually worth the effort. And perhaps the best thing about receiving a gift you love is the feeling that the other person knows you so well that they knew exactly what to choose.

About The Author

Marguerite Bonneville is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming NLP whose passion is publishing information online. She is a contributing writer at http://www.romantic-gift-ideas-online.com, a resource site dedicated to helping visitors find the perfect romantic gift.

When Bob Hope moved into television, he lost the opportunity to hold his script in his hand , something he had gotten used to working in radio. The presentation would look too stiff to his audience. He tried to memorize his monologues, but that proved to be too cumbersome of a task and it took away from his golf game. The solution was cue cards, or idiot cards as they are known in the industry. This worked well for the performer, but was hazardous for others. On one of Hopes early NBC broadcasts a well meaning assistant director held up the cards so his star could read them, then tossed them back over his shoulder almost decapitating several members of the studio audience.

Idiot cards are a way for performers to lose the respect of their co-stars. James Caan, Robert Duvall and the rest of the cast of the 1972 classic, The Godfather , were thrilled to meet the star of the movie Marlon Brando. Actor Lenny Montana, who played the thuggish character Luca Brasi was so in awe of Brando he kept fumbling his lines when they both shared the same scenes. Director Francis Ford Coppola made it work by having the character of Luca nervously rehearse what he was going to say prior to meeting the Don, making the situation appear seamless. But if Montana was willing, if unable to learn his lines, Brando was not. In his scenes there were cue cards everywhere, causing Duvall to yell at him," Marlon, why dont you learn your lines you fat #*^%*@!"

Brando stubbornly refused to change. A year later when performing in the controversial and sex charged Last Tango In Paris he wrote some of his lines on the bottom of his shoe and in a few scenes had to hop around awkwardly to read them.

For some actors, idiot cards are the ultimate security blanket. Shortly before he died the great John Barrymore had a scene where he only had to deliver one line: "Yes". Dutifully, his personal assistant stood ready to hold up a cue card. One of the film techs informed the director that Barrymores helper was standing in the way, they would not be able to light the scene properly. The director waited for his star to arrive. "Jack, Can I talk to you" "Certainly." "Would it be possible for you do this one scene without your idiot card" "Absolutely Not". The director sighed," Jack you only have to say yes, thats it. What happens if I order your friend to leave" Barrymore looked at him coldly. "I might say no." In the end new lighting arrangements were made.

About The Author

Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com. orgofhlly@aol.com

When Bob Hope moved into television, he lost the opportunity to hold his script in his hand , something he had gotten used to working in radio. The presentation would look too stiff to his audience. He tried to memorize his monologues, but that proved to be too cumbersome of a task and it took away from his golf game. The solution was cue cards, or idiot cards as they are known in the industry. This worked well for the performer, but was hazardous for others. On one of Hope's early NBC broadcasts a well meaning assistant director held up the cards so his star could read them, then tossed them back over his shoulder almost decapitating several members of the studio audience.

Idiot cards are a way for performers to lose the respect of their co-stars. James Caan, Robert Duvall and the rest of the cast of the 1972 classic, The Godfather , were thrilled to meet the star of the movie Marlon Brando. Actor Lenny Montana, who played the thuggish character Luca Brasi was so in awe of Brando he kept fumbling his lines when they both shared the same scenes. Director Francis Ford Coppola made it work by having the character of Luca nervously rehearse what he was going to say prior to meeting the Don, making the situation appear seamless. But if Montana was willing, if unable to learn his lines, Brando was not. In his scenes there were cue cards everywhere, causing Duvall to yell at him," Marlon, why don't you learn your lines you fat #*^%*@!"

Brando stubbornly refused to change. A year later when performing in the controversial and sex charged Last Tango In Paris he wrote some of his lines on the bottom of his shoe and in a few scenes had to hop around awkwardly to read them.

For some actors, idiot cards are the ultimate security blanket. Shortly before he died the great John Barrymore had a scene where he only had to deliver one line: "Yes". Dutifully, his personal assistant stood ready to hold up a cue card. One of the film techs informed the director that Barrymore's helper was standing in the way, they would not be able to light the scene properly. The director waited for his star to arrive. "Jack, Can I talk to you?" "Certainly." "Would it be possible for you do this one scene without your idiot card?" "Absolutely Not". The director sighed," Jack you only have to say yes, that's it. What happens if I order your friend to leave?" Barrymore looked at him coldly. "I might say no." In the end new lighting arrangements were made.

Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks Fascinating Walt Disney and Tales Of Hollywood. The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.

orgofhlly@aol.com

About the Author

Marguerite Bonneville is a former NLP Master practitioner who now works full-time creating informational web sites. Her latest project is a joint venture site called Romantic Gift Ideas Online, located at http://www.romantic-gift-ideas-online.com

Recently I received an email from someone who had read one of my articles online. This reader told me that, while reading my article, she had noticed that I had used "their" where I needed "they're." A simple mistake, but one that could have been avoided with a little better proofreading on my part. I would have been pleased to receive this reminder to be more astute, but the message didn't stop there. The reader went on to call me, among other things, an idiot.

Now we all make mistakes, and we all have our pet peeves. (Mine happens to be dawdlers.) Clearly this reader's peeve is the mixing up of homonyms, and my mistake made me a criminal in her eyes. Thus, hidden behind the anonymity of email, she attacked.

As a frequently published author, I am used to criticism, and always open to a reminder to pay more attention, even if that reminder stings a little at the time. I am not, however, nor do I think I will ever be, open to being called an idiot. Was I upset by this person? Mildly. Do I think there's a problem with web etiquette in general? Absolutely. The insulting reader wasn't doing anything different than so many other self-appointed web critics do all the time.

The basic problem with web etiquette lies in the inherent anonymity of e-correspondence. The fact that we can't see someone, or hear their voice, does not entitle us to treat them rudely. Anonymity makes us bold, and some of us tend to forget our manners when sending emails or posting on discussion boards. I have a feeling that if this reader had been speaking to me face to face the word "idiot" would never have been invoked.

Think about it, when dealing with mistakes or service problems in person, we always try to be polite while still getting our point across, right? That is a basic social rule, but one that has been all but thrown away on the web. I have read atrocious things online that I believe never would have been spoken aloud had the people involved been in the same room together.

Let's try to bring good old fashioned manners to the web. When composing an email involving a complaint or a correction, write it as though you will be reading it aloud to the person you're writing to. Yes, you want to get your point across, but do so without being nasty. When posting on a discussion board, try to keep a conversational, even-tempered tone, even if someone has attacked your statement or question. Rise above the situation and keep things polite and decorous. If we all remember our manners, the web can be a much friendlier, and more professional place.

Alvin Apple helps everyday people start businesses they will enjoy. Then he teaches them how to succeed. Read all his helpful strategies, including his latest article, "Use Hands-on Marketing to Sell Like Crazy" at http://AlvinApple.com. Reach Alvin at 801-328-9006 or alvin@drnunley.com.

When Bob Hope moved into television, he lost the opportunity to hold his script in his hand , something he had gotten used to working in radio. The presentation would look too stiff to his audience. He tried to memorize his monologues, but that proved to be too cumbersome of a task and it took away from his golf game. The solution was cue cards, or idiot cards as they are known in the industry. This worked well for the performer, but was hazardous for others. On one of Hope's early NBC broadcasts a well meaning assistant director held up the cards so his star could read them, then tossed them back over his shoulder almost decapitating several members of the studio audience.

Idiot cards are a way for performers to lose the respect of their co-stars. James Caan, Robert Duvall and the rest of the cast of the 1972 classic, The Godfather , were thrilled to meet the star of the movie Marlon Brando. Actor Lenny Montana, who played the thuggish character Luca Brasi was so in awe of Brando he kept fumbling his lines when they both shared the same scenes. Director Francis Ford Coppola made it work by having the character of Luca nervously rehearse what he was going to say prior to meeting the Don, making the situation appear seamless. But if Montana was willing, if unable to learn his lines, Brando was not. In his scenes there were cue cards everywhere, causing Duvall to yell at him," Marlon, why don't you learn your lines you fat #*^%*@!"

Brando stubbornly refused to change. A year later when performing in the controversial and sex charged Last Tango In Paris he wrote some of his lines on the bottom of his shoe and in a few scenes had to hop around awkwardly to read them.

For some actors, idiot cards are the ultimate security blanket. Shortly before he died the great John Barrymore had a scene where he only had to deliver one line: "Yes". Dutifully, his personal assistant stood ready to hold up a cue card. One of the film techs informed the director that Barrymore's helper was standing in the way, they would not be able to light the scene properly. The director waited for his star to arrive. "Jack, Can I talk to you?" "Certainly." "Would it be possible for you do this one scene without your idiot card?" "Absolutely Not". The director sighed," Jack you only have to say yes, that's it. What happens if I order your friend to leave?" Barrymore looked at him coldly. "I might say no." In the end new lighting arrangements were made.

Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks "Fascinating Walt Disney" and "Tales Of Hollywood". The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.

What are you? An electrical outlet waiting for a plug, so you can finally light up the world? Frankly, when I hear the word "soulmate" I tend to give a little shudder, especially when I think about some of the people in my past that I have considered to be my soulmates. Quite frankly, most of my soulmates were idiots! The Buddha would say that they were also my teachers -- people I have known in a previous life time who have come back in this lifetime to teach me a lesson. Boy did they, but unfortunately, it sometimes takes several soul mates to teach us just one lesson. (Hint, hint -- I think the lesson is supposed to be about "letting go" and stop trying to control, or own people -- a common problem in this society.) Most people think that they have found their soulmate just because they feel a strong connection to a person. Unfortunately, that connection may not have anything to do with spirituality at all. It is amazing how lust can convince us that we are spiritually connected to a person. The person may just seem familiar, because they remind you of an ex boyfriend, a parent, or even someone who molested you as a child. I also hate the way the term soulmate is often used by people as an excuse to stay in a relationship where they are clearly being abused ...half the time the abuser is using the concept of the soulmate as blackmail: "but you have to take this crap from me! You're beholden to me. I knew you in another life!" You can tell your soulmate is an idiot, if he left you eight months ago and you feel like he is still hanging around in your aura, or even worse, visiting you in dreams, or plaguing you with unwanted thoughts like "this was really all your fault, you know." Time to evict this tenant from your cosmic field.When it comes to soulmates, I subscribe to Oprah's theory "that everybody is your soul mate." In theory, you don't have to have sex with every soul mate you meet -- a soul mate can also be a child, a relative, a co-worker or even just a good friend. One of the hazards of getting involved sexually and emotionally with someone who we believe was sent to us by God, or who we think was sent to us as "an angel on earth" is that we often become over attached to them and have trouble severing the connection. Notice how anyone you've gotten rid off doesn't qualify as a soulmate... but anyone who dumped you automatically ALWAYS makes the grade ... ironically, you hear most people describe the last person who dumped them as their one and only soulmate. If they were such a great soulmate, then why didn't they stick around to build a future with you? Oh right, your soulmate was an idiot, too. It's O.K. to admit your soulmate is an idiot, by the way. It makes the angels laugh ... Forget meditation. There's nothing that dissolves bad karma faster than a bit of humour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sam Steven's metaphysical articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. You can meet Sam Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com where she is the staff writer. Currently she is studying technology's impact on the metaphysics.

About the Author: Joel Turtel is the author of “Public Schools, Public Menace: How Public Schools Lie To Parents and Betray Our Children." Website: http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com, Email: lbooksusa@aol.com, Phone: 718-447-7348.

That would be me! From what I can see, I’m just beginning the second year of a minimum four year sentence as a Village Idiot. I say minimum because the sentence may be extended at any time and without advance notice – written or verbal.

Actually, I’m not treading on unfamiliar turf. I received a similar sentence earlier in my life. If I remember correctly, that one lasted about 14 or 15 years give or take a half dozen years or so. These things tend to get blurry after a while.

My first sentence began when my oldest child was about 13 years old. It continued uninterrupted until somewhere around the time my youngest offspring began to develop a sincere appreciation for early morning physical conditioning and hurried breakfasts in the presence of cranky, uniformed seniors. My current sentence as Village Idiot comes compliments of a teenage granddaughter who is living with us.

For those of you who have lived in a “teenager house”, this really doesn’t require much in the way of explanation, does it? It’s pretty much of an automatic transition for us parents – or grandparents in many cases. Here we are, cruising through life as wonderful, caring, nurturing, wise adults. Then suddenly one morning we wake up with ninety percent of our brains having been mysteriously removed while we slept soundly in our little beds.

We are the result of a negative parental metamorphosis. We have become the slugs of the earth. Pond scum. We are uncaring ogres – trolls guarding the bridge to a teenage life of fun and excitement.

“You don’t care about me anymore!”

“You never listen to me!”

“You hate me!”

“Stop treating me like a baby!”

“But everybody’s doing it!”

“You just don’t understand!”

“You just don’t care!”

The plaque reads “Certified Village Idiot”. Mine has four oak leaf clusters. Not bad - and I must say it does look rather nice on my office wall. I look at it and think about the day when I presented my parents with the exact same document. I remember how difficult – and frustrating - it was to try to make the transition from child to adult. To want the independence so badly without understanding what the word really meant. To desperately believe at the ripe old age of sixteen that I was all “grown up” and ready make my way into the big wide world – or at least to the edge of town.

I remember – and understand at least to some extent, the turmoil, frustration and confusion faced by teenagers. Turmoil that today is made worse by a myriad of temptations and attitudes that just didn’t exist when I was that age. Frustrations that are exacerbated by a brain still in the formative stages. And confusions that are compounded by a bombardment of conflicting messages and lifestyles.

“Certified Village Idiot.” What an awesome responsibility! What a tremendously challenging, potentially rewarding task! What a pain in the butt! (Honesty is good, remember?) All parents are bound to receive this designation sometime in their lives. And all we can do when this happens is dig deep into our patience drawer and continue to do the best we can to provide the guidance, understanding and love that will prepare our blossoming adults to someday accept the very same certificate from their children. Well worth doing, I’d say…

About The Author

Gene Simmons, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable self-help and self improvement books & materials - all designed to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life’s “secrets for survival” in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/.

gene@nupathz.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR A great one to learn from is Marlon Sanders. He REALLY has"Sold 1000s of Products From Home Using the Net." Learn how at: http://www.netplaynewsletters.com/sell1000s.html

A simple way to find out how much time your company or department is wasting through putting out other people's fires. All right, all right! This is a little harsh, I know. We don’t get to shoot the idiots. No, this isn’t a diatribe against arsonists, although anyone who’s seen a lovely stand of trees burned where one of these criminal types has been at work might agree with this solution. This little essay is about time, your time, and how much of it you spend handling things that have nothing to do with getting out the products you are paid to create.

When I was teaching Total Quality Management I had Problem Solving Teams run the following exercise in a selected departments. It was a successful way of finding problem areas for process improvement. This particular exercise could be applied to any department. I have run it on production lines, HR, Billing, Shipping & Receiving and many others.

Before I began the exercise I had a meeting with the personnel of the selected department. After describing what I meant by ‘fires’, I asked them the following question. ‘For any given week what percentage of your time is spent putting out fires?’ This question was asked of each individual in the group and I wrote each person’s answer on a white board. The more emotional said 60% to 70%. Those who worried someone in the class would think they were complaining, said 5%. The larger number of the group members thought about it and gave me their most realistic number.

In none of these exercises was this number ever less than 20%! That’s right, 20%. If you are the CFO or someone who pays the bills and salaries of your organization, this is the place where you scream in agony and start looking for someone to shoot. Don’t shoot anyone. It won’t help. You’ll just get new fires.

Here’s how the exercise was run. Each of the participating employees was given the following items at the start: A categorized Talley Sheet to log events, a stop watch and a little fireman’s hat I bought at a specialty store. They were given the following instructions. Every time you have to handle an event that does not relate to the production of those things you were hired to handle, start the stopwatch. Write a brief description of the ‘Fire’; log the time it started and the time you put it out or simply dropped it. Usually I asked for categories of ‘Fires’ from the students or provides them with a canned list. The list included things like: phone calls not related to job, requests to solve problems not related to the work, deliverables promised but not delivered, meetings that they should not have attended or that wallowed in irrelevancies, and on and on.

You’ve probably added ten categories of your own. The fireman’s hat was put up in their work area to remind them that the exercise was on going. Yes, it was necessary to go around and get people to be disciplined about taking data. It was necessary to be very firm and persuasive about it.

Usually I ran the exercise for one or two weeks. The rule is; be sure you get sufficient data that if you present your findings to management it is statistically convincing. At the end of the exercise period the group would meet and do Pareto charts of their findings. Then they analyzed and put dollar values (including overhead) of the lost time for every category of ‘Fire’. I would have them do the numbers for the two-week period, a quarter and a year. To say that the numbers were an eye opener is a vast understatement.

People are smarter than think. They asked, if everyone is averaging the same amount of lost time what are the numbers for the whole company for a year? The number is always in millions. That’s correct, millions.

Fires are upsetting. Putting out fires at work mean jobs you were supposed to be doing not getting done, schedules being delayed, you being so frustrated by the foolishness of it all that you snap at your co-workers, who then go off and snap at everyone else.

Just as a fire in a community or forest can affect many lives, so can a fire at work. If you wanted to be a fireman, you’d be out riding a bright red truck and sliding down poles. The best way to fight fire is prevention. Ferret out every possible source and get rid of it. And finally, if nothing else works shoot the idiots who start them – metaphorically of course.

About the Author

Mr. Ladew has traveled and worked all over the world. He spent many years as an aerospace engineer. He works as a technical writer and trainer. Mr. Ladew is also a novelist (2 books published), writes articles, essays, short stories and Haiku. he has also written a best selling business book for mid-level supervisors.

About the Author

A great one to learn from is Marlon Sanders. He REALLY has"Sold 1000s of Products From Home Using the Net." Learn how at: http://www.netplaynewsletters.com/sell1000s.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks "Fascinating Walt Disney" and "Tales Of Hollywood". The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.

About the Author

Stephen Schochet is the author and narrator of the audiobooks "Fascinating Walt Disney" and "Tales Of Hollywood". The Saint Louis Post Dispatch says," these two elaborate productions are exceptionally entertaining." Hear realaudio samples of these great, unique gifts at www.hollywoodstories.com.

Heather had been dating Ben for a little over two months. She quite enjoyed his company but was beginning to realize he was not the man for her. She wasn't so much physically attracted to him as she was entertained by his offbeat sense of humor and his sense of the ridiculous. They'd had some great times together but she was contemplating giving him the “let's just be friends” speech.

On the night of her twenty-eighth birthday, Ben told her he had something special in store for her. Heather felt a twinge of discomfort but told herself she was overreacting. Ben tended to over-dramatize ordinary events, which was part of what made him fun. They enjoyed a fabulous dinner at a beautiful restaurant, then returned to Ben's place so he could present her with his gift.

Heather was amused to discover that Ben had set up a treasure hunt in his apartment. In each of the rooms he'd planted objects containing small folded notes. On each note he's written an obscure message which would lead her to the next clue. Ben pointed out the location of the first clue, then left her to discover the rest.

Heather's anxiety began to mount as she reached the sixth clue. She found it in Ben's walk-in closet, just after she stumbled across three long dart blowers hidden behind his clothes. She'd already noticed the gun cases under the bed. At that moment Ben called out from the living room, “As soon as you find it, I'll shoot us!” Her imagination went into overdrive.

Two minutes later she found the box. It was large and beautifully wrapped. Inside it was a smaller box, and inside that one a third. When she opened the fourth box she saw the diamond ring. Heather was stunned.

By now Ben was beside her. He looked at her face and decided she was overcome with gratitude. “You don't have to say anything now,” he murmured. “Just nod if you want to marry me.”

Heather calculated her chances. Did he have any poison darts handy? Could she reach the front door before he opened a gun case? No, she decided. She'd have to tough it out.

“What on earth possessed you to buy this for me?” she blurted.

Ben hesitated but quickly recovered. “It doesn't have to be an engagement ring,” he backpedaled. “Just accept it as a birthday gift. You can always change your mind later.”

“But I can't accept something like this,” Heather explained. “I can't stand wearing jewelry.”

Ben was so caught up in his fantasy that he hadn't noticed the blatantly obvious. On both counts.

Heather was relieved to discover that the only shooting Ben intended that night was with his camera. But the celebratory mood was over and she left shortly afterwards, minus the ring. She didn't go out with Ben again.

Have you ever miscalculated with a gift? Perhaps not as blatantly as Ben did but there may have been times when you gave the wrong thing to the right person or the right thing to the wrong person. And then wondered why they didn't seem particularly grateful.

Gift giving involves thought and a certain amount of premeditation. If you don't know what to buy, ask. It doesn't have to be the person himself (or herself); you can ask their father, mother, sister or best friend. Just make sure it's someone who knows them well and can tell you what they would like. And don't count on someone's response on a previous occasion. Many people won't tell you if they don't appreciate a gift in an effort to spare your feelings.

Putting thought into your gift selection is usually worth the effort. And perhaps the best thing about receiving a gift you love is the feeling that the other person knows you so well that they knew exactly what to choose.

About The Author

Marguerite Bonneville is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) whose passion is publishing information online. She is a contributing writer at http://www.romantic-gift-ideas-online.com, a resource site dedicated to helping visitors find the perfect romantic gift.

About the Author

Alvin Apple helps everyday people start businesses they willenjoy. Then he teaches them how to succeed. Read all hishelpful strategies, including his latest article, "Use Hands-onMarketing to Sell Like Crazy" at http://AlvinApple.com. ReachAlvin at 801-328-9006 or alvin@drnunley.com.

Most guys have no clue about the day to day life of stunningly beautiful women. They have no idea how many times a DAY these beautiful women are approached by guys whose obvious interest is to “sex them up.” And for celebrities, it’s even worse. Day in, and day out they hear the same thing: “oh you’re such beautiful women… do you have boyfriends… can I take you out…” and on and on and on. Beautiful women simply become numb to guys asking them these questions, and tune them out.

Now, that’s not to say these beautiful women don’t want to meet men… because they do. Many of them desperately. But beautiful women like a guy who’ll say something different to them, something unusual, something that will create attraction in them. And most of all beautiful women crave a man who “defines authority” for them, one who is not intimidated by their looks (or fame). Let me give you an example.

I’m in the business of teaching other guys how to get desirable, beautiful women to approach them first for a date, no matter their looks, age or income (see www.womenapproachyou.com). And while I rarely take clients, occasionally I’ll make a mistake and let someone talk me into helping them.

A few weeks ago I was working with a guy who was desperately in need of help. Like I always do, I asked him, “What specifically do you want in beautiful women? What don’t you want? And most importantly, what’s your ideal experience with a woman?” Most of guys, of course, have no specific answers to these questions—and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, it’s extremely difficult to achieve any measure of success—whether with beautiful women or in any area of your life.

This guy, amazingly enough, didn’t pause with his answer: “I’d like to sex Paris Hilton—and other beautiful women” he leered. I was a bit taken aback—apparently I don’t speak the “new lingo.” “Sex Paris Hilton,” I said. “What the heck does that mean, sex Paris Hilton?”

“It means I’d like to get with her you know, sex her up, sex Paris Hilton—or a woman like her.” Ah-ha. “So your goal is to share a few adventures with celebrities, or beautiful women who look like celebrities?” He nodded eagerly—“I’ll settle for a look-alike,” he said, “but what do I say, what do I do to get beautiful women to even speak to me?”

Here’s what I told him in regards to beautiful women: first off, get all thoughts of lust out of your head. If you want to spend time with beautiful women, you need to get to know them as people first.

Here’s what to do: when you see a beautiful woman (or beautiful women) you want to approach, look her in the eye, and smile slightly, using your “naughty little boy smile.” Your intent is to make her smile back at you, while you continue to hold her gaze, and smile wider and “naughtier.” Look for something unusual about her that few other guys would notice, and bring it to her attention. For example:

“You look like a well-conditioned athlete… what are you training for?”

“Hmmm, that’s a most unusual tattoo… what made you decide to get that particular one?”

“That’s a very professional looking business suit… what’s the occasion for dressing so professionally?”

“You have a great energy, much like my friends in the martial arts… what kind of physical training do you do to have such a great energy… or is it just natural?”

Or if all else fails, “What are smiling about… remembering something that makes you grin?”

The key is to notice something about her environment, and ask her an open ended question letting her know you’re sincerely curious about her. Don’t tell her, “you’re a beautiful woman and I like beautiful women.” She’s heard that. You want to give her an opportunity to talk about herself, something few guys ever do. They’re trying to impress her, instead of shutting up, listening and letting her impress herself about you.

By doing this, you let her know you’re interested in her as a person (as opposed to a sweaty piece of meat), that you appreciate her beauty (and beautiful women) but you’re not intimidated or especially impressed by it, and that you need to hear more before you let her into your life. When you do this, you will stand out from the crowd that asks her the same questions over and over and over—and she’ll be more than happy to pick YOU up! (for more great tips, see www.womenapproachyou.com)

About The Author

John Alanis is the author of “Secrets of Natural Attraction: How to Get Desirable, Beautiful Women to Chase You.” He also publishes a daily “politically incorrect attraction and dating tips” newsletter that reveals, in detail, how to get desirable, beautiful women to approach men for a date first, no matter your looks, age or income. You can subscribe to John’s daily secret by going to http://www.womenapproachyou.com Upon subscription, John immediately sends you five free “how to get beautiful women to approach you!” reports.

About the Author

Sam Steven's metaphysical articles have been published in many high-standing newspapers and she has published several books. You can meet Sam Stevens at http://www.psychicrealm.com where she works as a professional psychic. You can also read more of her articles at http://www.newagenotebook.com where she is the staff writer. Currently she is studying technology's impact on the metaphysics.

There's an old saying that goes, "God takes care of babies and idiots."

Truly this statement applies to me, because when it comes to my search engine optimization skills, I'm on the idiot side of scale. But that's okay because idiots are loved, and can easily survive in the search engine game too.

Let me explain.

Although NONE of my 6 web sites rank in Google's top 10 (or top 20 and 30 for that matter), and I only advertise 2 of my sites using AdWords, Google still helps me make a lot of money.

That's probably because I went into this search engine optimization 'thingy' with a grain of salt. I don't keep any secret arsenals of software tools that reverse engineer web sites to figure out why their ranking high. I haven't read any of the latest must-have volumes on search engine optimization. (Although they're on my to-do list when - and IF - business ever slows down.)

And still my MVP Google does its best to make me happy. And I do my best to give its searchers relevant content. But not in the way that most SEO savvy webmasters would recognize.

"It's actually very easy to get traffic from Google if you think outside the box."

My strategy for getting traffic from Google is quite simple.

You see I don't go out of my way looking for link partners. My sites are basically 1-2 page sales letters, and nobody wants to link to me, unless they're getting paid.

Nor do I put a tremendous amount of effort into on-page optimization. I sprinkle my targeted keyphrase here and there, and I'm done with it. I write for my paying customers.

What I do is follow this process:

I find other established sites that already have good PageRank and adequate incoming links.

I make sure these sites add new content every day. Sites with frequently added content get visited by the Googlebot often... sometimes every day.

I then place an advertisement on these sites, promoting my actual web site. When the Googlebot pays these sites a visit, the ad itself (NOT my web page) is ranked in Google for the keyphrase I've used. On many occasions my ad's have reached the #1 position in Google for my targeted keyphrase, in as little as 48 hours.

"Where can you readily find such sites?"

Believe it or not, a handful (literally a handful) of classified ad sites fit the description to a tee.

Backpage.com (http://www.backpage.com/) is one of them.

Backpage.com is a free classified ad service run by New Times, a publisher of alternative news weeklies. They offer classified ad listings for 14 US cities. However even if you're not in one of their specific cities, you may still place an ad.

Certain advertisements placed through Backpage.com have reached top 10 positions in Google. The ad's that get favorably indexed in top 10 positions normally have less competitive keywords in the title. My personal synopsis is that these are keywords that receive fewer than 3,000 searches a month, according to the Overture Search Term Suggestion Tool.

An example is 'mobile pc repair.'

This is a low-traffic, but extremely targeted keyphrase.

If you do a search on Google for 'mobile pc repair' you'll notice an ad placed on Backpage.com is featured in the #5 position. Okay, so it's not the best advertisement in the world, but that's irrelevant.

The point is-- The ad got indexed in a top 10 position in Google. Backpage.com allows advertisers to include web site links in the advertisement. So even though this particular advertiser didn't include his/her URL, they very well could have. This would've generated traffic to their site.

"My point?

This is cure for getting targeted traffic while waiting for your actual web site to get ranked."

Early February 2005 webmaster forums around the world were abuzz with groans, gripes and periodic fits of happiness.

Why?

Because Google was doing a major update (dubbed Allegra).

Sites that had ranked in the top 10 for years were being mercilessly tossed around. Other sites that hadn't gotten any decent rank in the past were beginning to see the light. And still others didn't notice any changes.

As for me... well my actual sites still didn't rise much in the ranks. I'm still hovering somewhere around #50+.

But that hasn't phased me one bit.

I look at the big picture and understand that getting traffic from Google is much more than having my site reach the top 10.

If I have 50 advertisements (similar to the one's from Backpage.com) that are in top 10 positions, and they're all delivering traffic from targeted keyphrases, I haven't lost anything. All those keyphrases delivering trickles of traffic equal a flood of clicks and orders at the end of the day.

Not a bad deal for somebody who's SEO illiterate. I guess the old saying is true... God really does take care of babies and idiots.

Copyright 2005 Alexis Dawes

About The Author

Alexis Dawes is the author of "Taking The Back Road To Get On Google's First Page." This report offers details on several more loopholes you can use to get a top Google ranking. You can find more information at (http://www.Get-In-Google-Now.com).

About the Author

Stephen Brennan is the author of the popular ebook title ‘The Affiliate Guide Book’ - The Definitive guide to Affiliate SUCCESS. He also runs The Home Based Business and Affiliate Center and HomeBasedBiz Safelist

About the Author

Perfect Home Based Business Opportunities - The Net’s Top Growing Source for Home Business Information.Attention:Free Web Site Content

About the Author

Chris van der Walt is a freelance writer of self-help articles for all kinds of subjects. He has a passion for Jesus Christ, beach volleyball (savolley.com), computers and the internet. He is also owner of AJC Consulting - Affordable Website Design.

The Intrepid Inquisition (A letter from a boy to the one dear to him) By sai First of all I don’t know what to say. Second of all I think I’m starting to say something. Third of all I think I’m quite getting it. Fourth of all here it goes. It begins every morning when I wake up and get ready for school. Normally I’d wait for my friends and for that trusty jeepney. It would just be any ordinary day until I started to notice a car pass my way. I could say that I didn’t appreciate anything by that view. Then my friends and I had a fight. It was a pity we didn’t talk for days, for weeks until a month passed. I didn’t see the importance of standing in the corner and wait for someone because I had no one. Still the car passed by but now I witnessed a silhouette of a girl. She has that stare that seems endless. I just ignored it. Other mornings came but still I found no reason to position in that area and wait. No friends, lots of jeepneys but why wait? I can’t seem to figure it out. Day after day I kept on wondering what I am waiting for. I think it’s instinct that I wait but for whom or for what? Then one morning, it hit me. The car passed again. I realized that I’m waiting for a person. I don’t know. All I know is that she’s behind that tinted car’s window. It’s been three years and the window hasn’t been opened yet not even once. Maybe chance didn’t come along for me to take. There was no way. I mean I couldn’t run after the vehicle and knock on the window and try to introduce myself. That’s idiotic and typically crazy. I don’t want to bastardize the morning. Then one day I was surprised to see that the window was opened. No one was there except the father. I felt so damned. I wanted to leave. Before I turned to leave I took one last look at the car and saw the very reason why I was waiting in that corner for more than an approximate of 1,095 days of my life. Finally I got a glimpse of her! I was dumbfounded. I saw her! I couldn’t describe the feeling within me. I felt I had accomplished a goal. I can’t seem to put into words the way she looked that day. She didn’t seem happy or sad but to me she looked so beautiful. For the next days, I hoped to see more of her but the window was closed. I thought it would open until further notice. I almost gave up. I know that patience was never my virtue but I guess I have a little amount of it knowing that I’ve waited for three long years. I tried to ask people if they are familiar or acquainted with her. To my dismay, no one responded. I felt that fate wouldn’t allow anything or any way to make me know her. Maybe I chose the wrong person or maybe I assumed too much that she’s the one. Sometimes I even question if she had thoughts about me. I even doubt if she ever saw. Am I the one she’s staring at? Then time came that opportunity rested on my hands. Their car broke in the middle of the road. Her father pushed it aside but he literally couldn’t do it alone. I then decided to help. When I reached the stretch she went out of the car. I was amazed to see her. We successfully forced the car at the side. Her father thanked me and to my delight she spoke a simple “Thanks”. I felt glorious. But the most awaited event happened when one afternoon, on my way home, I rode this jeepney, which happened to be the same PUJ she rode in. I sat across her but she didn’t perceive my presence. I thought this is so hard. Then she turned to my direction and smiled. I smiled back. Mine was bigger than her smile, which indicated that I was pleased to see her. I finally broke off and said, “How’s your car?”. She replied and we conversed for the rest of the trip. Now we’re good friends and I’m glad that the three long years of waiting ended splendidly or it has just begun. I bet you get what I’m trying to narrate. I’m thankful that I got the chance to know the girl who makes my mornings better. I feel blessed with your company because I learned to have patience and I treasured the value of friendship. I set my ego aside and reconciled with my friends. I was relieved to know that they understood. Now it’s you. For the 1,095 plus days that I sacrificed in silence, I found the encouragement to make this decision. I decided to accept the fact that I loved you and still love you at the present. It is not of my requirement that you respond or not for as long as I let you know what my mind and heart speak of. This is and will always be a fact. I dare not end this because I still have forever to wait. The Inevitable Riposte (Her reply) By sai It’s really out of the ordinary that one expresses his feelings through personal mail. It is yet is much appreciated. First of all may I borrow your words? Second of all receiving the letter came as a shock. I never imagined that someone like you would write that lengthy composition for someone like me. I feel I’m not worth it but you made me feel I am. Thank you for the effort and the heart you placed in it. Third of all the three long years was very hard and extensive. I didn’t know anyone who could wait that long as you did. I admit that I have seen you for countless times already. It has also been three years that I’ve been catching a glimpse of your early morning condition. You were the first one I noticed on the first day of our permanent vacation in the vicinity. I’d catch you at least twice or thrice a week. Sometimes you were with your friends or sometimes all alone. Then I’d see you again in the afternoon when we pass by your school on the way home. You seemed to have the best time of your life with your friends in that little eatery. Lately I’m surprised to see you standing unaccompanied. I knew you were waiting for your friends but one day I have observed that you and your pal had your backs against each other. I wondered if you were just being catchy or if you had an argument. I saw you one afternoon with another buddy. I thought it was a miracle to see you go home that early. Turned backs, new friend, early curfew, I concluded that there was really something going on. Until now you are still standing by yourself, waiting. I stared at you. You seemed to stare back. I asked myself once whom you have been waiting for. You were in a quarrel with your friends and there are lots of jeepneys around but why wait? Now it’s the issue about the window. Since it’s early in the morning the cold breeze would freeze me and the unbearable dust would fly around. I never thought about the fact that you could see me from the outside until a friend of mine once waved at me behind the closed window. I was quite horrified. I had this generalization that you could see me too. Then our car broke. I was not expecting you to help since I had this impression that guys would never dare or even try to sweat and smudge themselves with filth early in the morning. Perhaps I was wrong. You had more important priorities than vanity. I was enchanted to see you work hand in hand with the others. I thought you all deserved a “Thank you”. The jeepney ride was pure coincidence wasn’t it? I never wanted to do anything that would suggest of something meaningful like a “Hello” but I remembered that you did a great deal of helping my father with the car. I was stunned yet felicitous to see you reply with that big smile. It did mean something to me. Fourth of all it’s a good start. This time fate was just testing our persons. How would you imagine this: in 1,095 days, you kept on seeing this person, that same old face you catch a glimpse of every morning yet seemed to look better each day? Don’t be flattered by what I’m saying because they’re not meant to flatter you. I’m not trying to be apathetic or naïve but I’m trying to keep this simple yet substantial. I know it’s hard for your part to pour out everything that your mind and heart are screaming of. I congratulate you for being courageous enough to step up to the challenge and show the other side of you- the side I never knew. I admit that this is amazing. We were complete strangers but because of a reason that I don’t know we became good friends. I’m quite fortunate to have you around. I don’t want to say anything to you for now but this question is all that I could leave you with: How long is forever?

About the Author: I write, that's all >> Please do judge my work. I'm open to criticisms.

"Menis - the author translates as "indignant rage" - It is the kind of rage arising from social betrayal that impairs a persons dignity through violation of "whats right." p21, Achilles In Viet Nam - Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character, Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph D.

"The vulnerable relationship between child and parent is a metaphor for the relationship between a soldier and his army. It is also more than a metaphor when we consider the formation and maintenance of good character. The parents betrayal themis - the ability to feel good about oneself , self esteem, self image - through incest, abuse, or neglect puts the child in mortal danger. Despite intellectual limitations, the small child usually grasps the danger, although the childs mental representation of the danger differs from adults. The childs inner sense of safety in the world emerges from the trustworthiness, reliability, and simple competence of the family.

"Similarly, the childs acquisition of self-control, self esteem, and consideration of others depends upon the family. Absent inherited mental disorders, good parenting will produce good character and all the other adult resources of dignity and maturity, including ideals, respect for others, self respect, ambitions, self-care, pro-social rather than anti-social activity, reliable capacity to distinguish reality from fantasy, and so forth.

"Lurking behind these supposedly settled truths is the platonic assertion that good character is a firm wall between a good person and evil acts, regardless of the betrayals of "whats right" and other blows, such as bereavement that may simply happen to an adult. Often there is the invisible unstated assumption that those that hold power in society exhibit loyalty and care in fulfillment of themis. p 32

"If military practice tells soldiers that their emotions of love and grief - which are inseparable from their humanity - do not matter, then the civilian society that has sent them to fight on their behalf should not be shocked by their "inhumanity" when they return to civilian life. p 67

"Viet Nam narratives reveal that the events that drive soldiers berserk are betrayal, insult, or humiliation by a leader; death of a friend-in-arms; being wounded; being overrun, surrounded, or trapped; seeing dead comrades who have been mutilated by the enemy; and unexpected deliverance from certain death." p 80

Even in families without children the parents are leaders. Parents make financial decisions that impact the future of their children, their stature in the community, self worth, and dignity. There is nothing dignified about the effects of predatory financing. Yet there is an initial assumption that those who impact the credit scores of Americans are exhibiting loyalty and care in fulfillment of their chosen occupation. Americans believe our laws and regulations such as Regulation "Z" protect their rights. There is a strong belief that the system will work.

The economic downturn of 2000 through 2002 is firmly grounded in consumer spending and consumer debt. The real estate boom infused more disposable income into the economy. Exportation of manufacturing and services sector jobs to foreign countries, plus the huge trade deficit add to our woes. In early 2003 the federal budget deficit and the threat of war add to troubled economic times. Bankruptcies achieved record high levels. However, as with history and military battles, we must learn from the past to see the future and prevent future mistakes.

William F. Aldinger started his career with CitiGroup, learning quickly that sub-prime financing in the CitiFinancial subsidiary was a lucrative business. After leaving Citi, Aldinger went to Wells Fargo, and then to Household International as CEO. All three companies are now classified as predatory financing companies, and all three have been forced to settle with the states, government, and consumers. Household restated earnings for the entire time that Aldinger was with the company. HSBC has a four year agreement with Aldinger to continue as Chairman and CEO of Household under HSBC, and then he will become chairman and CEO of HSBC North America, Inc and director of HSBC Holdings. The past tells us the future. HSBC contends that there will be no changes to their business model. Therefore it is safe to predict that HSBC will become the largest global predatory lender ever witnessed by a civilized orderly society.

Those that managed to delude themselves into thinking they are financiers providing a service to society, while masquerading as predators, argue that they are servicing a sector of society that would otherwise not receive adequate attention. Countering that argument, the Community Reinvestment Act perhaps should be revisited and strengthened. Perhaps federal and state governments should remove predatory abilities from the private sector while providing structure and funding. Americans should not be abused by a system that is failing.

Historically, if we use the actions of predators to show us what areas need reform we can reverse the economic downturn we see today. Just like gangs, organized crime, and similar activities, the government should look for the cause of the problem while instituting prevention and removal of the opportunity for predators.

Credit cards are responsible for a huge portion of American debt. Easy credit and the need for credit is expected in todays society. Again predators have an opportunity. Household International provides financing for, and ongoing compensation to merchants under their existing contracts. Again, there is an initial assumption that those who impact the credit scores of Americans are exhibiting loyalty and care in fulfillment of their duties, that they will follow Fair Credit Reporting and Fair Credit Billing, etc. With over twenty million transactions a day, and over sixty participating merchants, Household International impacts the lives and family values of many taxpaying Americans every day.

Consumer watchdog organization Household Watch receives consumer complaints daily. Based on their web site log statistics Household Watch only receives complaints from 5% of those who visit. Many others get the information they need from their web site data. Over 400 people per day use the Household Watch web site to find links which enable them to pay their bill online. The Federal Trade Commission, therefore, recognizes Household Watch and sister site BestBuyCard as a source of consumer help. Where predators see an opportunity the government should step in to stop them. When the government does not step in, consumer organizations step in to fill the gap. We sincerely hope, therefore, that the consumer organizations will be heard a loudly as the predators and the government when decisions are made. They speak for the public, with emphasis on the public that experiences violations of regulation "Z" and other areas where they expected special trust and confidence.

About The Author

Timothy Blake has a Bachelors Degree in Business with a specialty in Management of Technology. He is an investigator for Consumer Advocacy organization Household Watch at www.householdwatch.com

A gadfly on a dinosaurs butt, or the hood-winking of the American stock investor.

Have you ever noticed how some words in the English language are so perfectly named for what they describe And how some words seem to be, I guess you could say, backwards For instance, the word sunflower! How wonderfully aptly named is the sunflower, that beautiful yellow flower that follows the sun from sunrise to sunset.

And then there are those words in the English language where there meaning appears to be backward, so to speak - like parkway and driveway. When my car is parked at home, I would think it would be parked on, well, a parkway - and when I’m on the road driving somewhere, I would think I’d be driving on a – a driveway.

In the stock market world, I think the word analyst is a perfect word in the English language and stockbroker sounds right to me, too. And this leads me to what I call the ‘brainwashing mantras’ of Wall Street.

The brainwashing mantras of Wall Street may take the form of a number, such as a stock rating of 1, 2, 3 etc. Or the mantras may be a star, 1 star, 2 stars etc. The mantras may be a word or a group of words- attractive, unattractive, neutral, market perform, market out-perform, market under-perform, market under-weight, market equal weight, market over-weight, sector perform, strong buy, buy, sell, strong sell.

These mantras are so ingrained in Wall Street and investor’s minds that they have created multi-billion dollar industries. There are other types of mantras, such as RSI relative strength index-a trading volume indicator, Bollinger Bands named after its creator John Bollinger he use to be a regular on CNBC and the bands deal with the channels a stock trades in, in relation to its ‘moving average’- another mantra, Stochastics used to tell if a stock is 75 % overbought - too many people have been buying or 25% oversold too many people have been selling, Momentum, MACD Convergence/Divergence- price of stock, up or down, in relation to its moving average, 50 day, 200 day moving averages, triple bottoms and tops, pendants, flags, bear and bull markets, head and shoulders formations, double bottoms, P/E ratios etc, etc, etc, etc. All these mantras serve a purpose and if you’re inclined to trade in the market they are, I admit, useful tools - they create commissions.

And in my opinion, have no meaning what-so-ever for the long-term, dollar-cost averaging, buying investor of company’s shares, free of commission charges, whose companies raise their dividend every year, with the investor’s idea or purpose being to provide an 85% tax-free income, through ever-increasing dividends for the rest of their lives, no matter what the price of the stock at any given time in the market place may be. Whew! What a sentence!

Here’s another mantra that comes to mind – ‘consensus estimates’. The analysts that follow a company on Wall Street created this mantra. There may be three analysts or thirty analysts following a company and a consensus estimate of the company’s next quarterly earnings will be projected from these analysts. For example, last quarter the company XYZ had record earnings of 90 cents a share. The company’s consensus estimate predicted by the analyst for the next quarter is for one dollar a share. XYZ on the day the earnings are to be announced is selling at $40.00 a share. The earnings for the company are reported during the day and XYZ reported making 95 cents a share, missing the analyst consensus estimates of one dollar and the stock immediately drops to $38.00 a share. Never mind that XYZ had just made another quarter of record earnings, never mind that XYZ is paying a 4% dividend and has raised their dividend for the past twenty-five to thirty consecutive years and three months from now the normally scheduled dividend increase will occur; after all, they’ll have the money to raise it again, with record earnings and all. The only words that I can come up with to explain this type of stock price behavior after seeing something similar happen time and again through the years are ‘brainwashing mantra at work.’

I think I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention the mother of all mantras – the mutual fund, though I hesitate to mess with this mantra. They being soooo big in investor’s minds, and me just being a lowly gadfly on a dinosaurs butt; it really shouldn’t matter what I say, one way or the other. As I write this, some are in such a mess - caused by illegal trading practices costing investors tens of millions of dollars. One mutual fund has been fined $100 million, another $125 million. I wonder where they’ll get the money to pay the fine. I believe all investors in a fund pay the fund’s operating expenses, as well as the fund’s marketing and management fees. They are called ‘hidden fees’ I don’t believe there is a hidden ‘fee-fees’- this would be a fee that enables you to pay the fees - naw! Don’t laugh- one mutual fund recently had been fined 450 million for ‘hidden fee’ practices. It is really, at the time of this writing to early to determine if the mutual fund industry has been ‘riding a good horse to death.

There is an enormous amount of investor dollars supporting some whopper salaries on Wall Street. Just recently the summer of 2003, Richard Grasso, the once former head CEO of the New York stock exchange was forced to resign, after his salary for the past 2 years were made public. His salary - 12 million a year for the past two years, a check for $48 million, which his advisor suggested he return which he did and a pay-package of $139.5 million which he hasn’t returned, as of this writing-mid-2004 and a lawsuit to recover some of the monies is pending. Now, that is just one man’s salary on Wall Street and it is certainly good work if you can get it! Where did all this money for his salary come from If the money didn’t come from investor’s dollars, why were Pension fund managers so outraged by Grasso’s salary that they threatened to pull billions of Pension fund dollars from the New York exchange

I really don’t know where the money came from to pay his salary. What I do know is the one place where the money for his salary didn’t come from, and that is from the Stockopoly investor. Not one cent!

For more excerpts from the book ‘The Stockopoly Plan’ visit http://www.thestockopolyplan.com

About The Author

Charles M. O’Melia is an individual investor with almost 40 years of experience and passion for the stock market. Author of the book ‘The Stockopoly Plan’, soon to be released by American Book Publishing.

You have permission to this article either electronically or in print as long as the author bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way typos excluded Please provide a courtesy e-mail to charles@thestockopolyplan.com telling where the article was published.

chassmo99@yahoo.com

Yeah, we are a nation of financial dummies.

Look at all the worthless get-rich schemes on the Net and TV. These ads exist BECAUSE people are buying.

Watch the confused look on the cashier’s face when you hand over extra coins AFTER the register displays your change.

Witness the people standing in line overnight for the privilege of “25% savings.” Aren’t they waiting to SPEND money

If you’re a non-believer, read these statistics:

According to fool.com, “68% PER CENT of graduating high school seniors surveyed by the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy failed a personal finance test in 2002, compared with 44% who failed in 1997.”

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group states that “40 percent of college students are graduating with unmanageable levels of student loan debt, and half of those have an average credit card debt of $3000.”

Near retirement age baby boomers have saved only 12% of what they think they will need for retirement.

THE REASONS WHY

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group attributes the debt issue to rising costs.

The deputy assistant secretary for financial education at the Treasury department testified before the House, "The downstream, adult problems of rising bankruptcy rates, low savings rates and misuse of credit can all be traced upstream to how our schools FAIL TO adequately prepare children for their financial futures."

So far, the reasons why we we’re financially dumb are because of rising costs and inadequate schooling. But clearly, these are not all the contributing factors…

There are other reasons, including…

Math skills are declining. This is the author’s observation. It’s based on teaching high school math 30 years ago compared to teaching college-level math in 2003. Kids in the same area are less skilled than 30 years ago.

Parents forget they are financial role models. They miss opportunities to develop their kids money smarts.

CONSIDER THIS SOLUTION

Hate to ride the “family values train” because there are conflicts with the conductor. And the author’s opinion is an educated guess.

But, parents, consider this…your kids reflect your money habits, attitudes, and behavior. What are YOU teaching your kids about money

About The Author

Valerie Mills is a sales copywriter specializing in direct mail and web advertising. She has written sales letters, web pages, and brochures for the finance, self-help, and technology areas. Using her background and experience as an educator and corporate trainer, Valerie has also written several articles and an ebook for parents Please refer to http://teachyourkidsaboutmoney.com for more information. vmills@comcast.net

Any man who has dated Asian ladies who live in the United States, has witness the wrath, jealously and prejudice of American women towards Asian ladies. I know I have, as have many of my friends. The stereotypical has some merit: American women can’t compete against the Asians’ sexuality, American women feel threaten and some American women simply think Asians are stealing their men. These all bear some truth.

My experience is first hand. I dated many Asian ladies and have heard the comments. If we frequent a typical American club, I have had my dates threaten by American women in the restroom. In time, Asian clubs sprung up in the United States. At an Asian club, American women are welcome. I have never seen an American lady being threaten by Asians in a typical Asian club. It just isn’t their nature. The crowd in these clubs are usually Asian ladies and American men.

There are many Asian ladies in the U.S., especially from the Philippines. A lot of these ladies arrived via meeting an American G.I. I really don’t know the percentage, but there is no doubt that most Filipina ladies have a military connection in some way. They met in the Philippines, got married, and came to the United States with their military husband. Consequently, you’ll meet Asian ladies in clubs who are married. If you mingle with Asian ladies that frequent the clubs for any length of time, you will eventually meet ladies who are unfaithful. This unfaithfulness is how Filipina ladies are branded as whores by American women. This doesn’t carry the same stigma for American women who may do the same. Hypocrisy is always evident when behaviors of the two cultures are compared.

What the American GI has discovered is now catching on with non-military men. Asian dating sites have sprung up all over the internet. Some of these sites try to exploit the Asians’ sexuality. However, there are many Asian ladies who want to meet a sincere gentlemen for a relationship. As attractive as Asian ladies may be, American men are also captivated by the Asians’ behavior towards men. A man’s dream of having a wife who wants to please him, appreciates his love and treasures his efforts in making a home seems to have been found by American men in the Asian culture. You’ll hear American men call these values “traditional values” because at one time these were the values that held the American family together.

The tired argument about these women being a servant to their husband, is one sided. Do these women like serving their husband Yes, most do. But not as slaves. They are not forced to do so, but have the desire to please their man out of appreciation and love. These ladies are doing what they want to do. I repeat, they WANT to please their man, do things for him and show their appreciation. In turn, these men are happy, want to provide for their wife and have no desire to look elsewhere for this appreciation. It’s chemistry that once prevailed many years ago in the United States and has been lost in the myriad of women rights in American society.

Why do Filipina women want to marry a foreigner from another country I’m not going to argue the fact that these ladies want a better life. It’s probably true. I will argue that most women, no matter the country, want to marry in to a better life. Again, it is the hypocrisy of who you are that makes a behavior negative or not. Most women, in the United States, need to look in a mirror before judging ladies from other cultures. Besides wanting a better life, most Asian ladies want better treatment. In a Filipina lady’s eyes, men from the West treat women better then men from their country. Is there truth to this The feed back I get from the ladies at my website is yes or at least they perceive it to be so. I’m sure the social status of your family makes a difference of how you are treated regardless of your gender, but I’m talking about the average Filipina lady. The difference is simple. In her country what she does for her man or husband is expected without appreciation. Here in the United States, most men come to expect a lady isn’t required to serve him, to want to please him, and love him for who he is. When an Asian lady does, his appreciation is certain. For an Asian lady, the man doesn’t have to be super rich or look like a movie star, just treat her well and show his love. It’s a merry-go-round with respect and love as it’s focal point. She wants to please him, he loves her for pleasing him, she loves him for showing he appreciates her love and so on.

All the above words, statements and my observations have their exceptions. There is no doubt, there are bad men in every country. There is no doubt that some women only are in it for the money or to get a free pass to the United States. These are the exceptions and it is this minority that the media and others will use to blanket a whole culture in a negative light. I’m sure most of you have seen in print or on the news about “mail order bride” scandals or “mail order bride” mistreatment as if this defines all courtships and marriages that develop through the internet. If a few instances defines the standards, then just getting a marriage license in the United States should have a warning imprinted in gold. No matter if a couple met through the internet or at the neighborhood church, you have your share of scandals and mistreatment. The last culture of experts that needs to be giving advise about how to meet and marry a women is the United States – is there any other country whose divorce rate is higher

The Philippines does not condone online dating sites. For that matter, it is against the law. I’m not going to quote their law here, but it has to do with moral issues. Again hypocrisy!. If the Philippines are so worried about women rights, there are other issues they could concentrate on besides taking away a women’s right to find happiness, love and a better life for herself. She wouldn’t be looking elsewhere, if the Philippine government took care of her needs. Should I complain Probably not, or most Filipina women would not be joining online dating sites to meet American men. My objection to this law is how it is used in the Philippines as a political vehicle rather then sincere concern for women’s rights. Hypocrisy, it is everywhere, isn’t it

I started this article to comment on why a lot of American women despise Asian women. Not all American women, but a lot. But the discrimination doesn’t stop there. It is evident in the media, politics and indeed in their own country. The people who are forgotten, are the couples themselves. Why not just ask them If two people who found each other are happy, in love and want to be together, why does the media and politician think they know better. More then likely, it isn’t about what the couple want, but more about politics and sensationalism to sell news. Take your hatred, your narrow minded views and negative publicity elsewhere and let us find love – even if we find it on the internet.

About The Author

Steve Eyes is the webmaster and owner of FilipinaEyes Association. His experience comes from finding love on the internet and helping others do the same. http://www.filipinaeyes.com http://www.filipinalady.biz http://www.filipina-lady.net http://www.filipina-lady.org

Youve made up your mind, its the American Pit Bull Terrier you want as your companion. Are you ready for this breed Read this article and then decide if you want to go ahead with your decision.

Does your lifestyle fit the ***American Pit Bull Terrier lifestyle

These dogs are packed with energy from head to toe. Craving a good run like a champion athlete. Exercise is critical to a heathy, happy bulldog. High energy is their middle name and is a large part of their personalities. Play, work, and activity is something you must be able to give these dogs

If youre a couch potato you should find another breed to live with.

Do you have the security

American Pit Bull Terriers are the Houdinis of the canine world. Able to leap tall fences with a single bound, dig under them with amazing speed and stealth, and unlock gates that adult people would have trouble with. Escaping will happen if you dont take the precautions to secure their living area.

You should have 6 privacy fence, beware of dog signs, hot wiring at the top and bottom of the fence, out door housing that keeps them out of the sun even if they live indoors, and supervision are required for these dogs. You cant leave them alone for long outside because one of two things may happen:

1. They escape.

2. Theyre stolen.

Are you prepared for the scrutiny of neighbors and friends

American Pit Bull Terriers are notorious. They have a bad name and the misinformed public is out to get them. It seems like everyday another "Baby mauled by pit bull" story runs, diminishing your choice of breed.

People will dislike you for your choice. Some may even try to kill your dog. Others will direct comments at you, vulgar, hateful comments, and friends and family may also be in conflict with your choice.

Be prepared for some rude behavior and protect your dog by teaching food refusal from strangers.

Can you train your dog

There are two methods of training. One is to train your dog by showing it how to sit and lay down and then quitting. The other lasts forever. Real training is life long training that starts when the puppy arrives at your home and ends with death.

Unless youre prepared to work with your dog 5-10-15 minutes per day, everyday, all week, every week, all year, every year, you may want to rethink your decision to get a Pit Bulldog. Actually, if youre not prepared to train your dog, you should rethink getting any dog. Training is a fact of life and must be done in order to prevent a lot of trouble down the road.

If you can not control your dog, you dont need one.

Can you afford them

Dog food, vet bills, training, leashes and collars, and dog houses all cost money. Money you may not have right now. A quality dog food can cost as much as $800 per year. Do you have this kind of extra money to spend on food If not, wait until you do before you bring home that puppy.

Do you want a American Pit Bull Terrier to impress people

If this is the case, stop! Do not, repeat, do not bring one home. Youre doing yourself and the dog a great injustice.

American Pit Bull Terriers are in demand because of their all around strength, agility, great looks, and mystic. Breeders are pumping puppies out like unleaded gasoline. Puppies are being neglected and bad breeding practices are producing unstable dogs. Beware before you make any final decisions.

If I may point you in a different direction. Every day there are thousands of great bulldogs put down because no one will adopt them or they are deemed "unadoptable" by shelters.

Consider a Rescue Dog.

People who love this breed have created rescues for these dogs and hundreds of dogs are available for adoption.

Rescues are a win-win-win way to go. You give a dog that would otherwise not have a home, a home. You give your money which in most cases is a small adoption fee to the rescue so they can continue their work, and you get an awesome dog that will 9 times out of 10 deliver more than any pure-bred dog could on their best day.

In closing, before you run out and buy a American Pit Bull Terrier, think about your options, make sure you have what it takes to provide and care for the dog, and take your time to find a dog that matches your desires.

About The Author

Jason Mann is the proud dad to two American Pit Bull Terriers. Angel and Honey. If would like to learn more about the American Pit Bull Terrier visit his website at: http://www.pitbulllovers.com.

This article is Copyright 2004 Jason Mann and PitBulllovers.com if you would like to reprint this article you may do so only if you keep the article as is.

webmaster@pitbulllovers.com

As pointed out by Jack Shapiro, an internationally-known healthcare marketing consultant For the first nine months of this year, the U.S. imported $40 billion in pharmaceuticals and exported only $21 billion. In 2003, we imported $50 billion and exported $23 billion. So what makes buying from your local U.S. based pharmacy any safer then purchasing from Mexico or Canada

Many of todays elderly U.S. cross the borders of Mexico and Canada in order to get their prescriptions filled at a huge discount. For some it has become a necessity because they simply cant afford necessary drug treatments any other way.

But what about those who dont live near the borders; how can they take advantage of these savings Fact is there are a lot of prescription drugs that can be purchased online from international locations for a fraction of the cost people pay here in the United States. A good example of this is RXMex.org where many of todays best known brand drugs can be found such as Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, Zocor, Zoloft, Propecia and more. However they not only offer name brand drugs at sharp discounts they also give seniors the opportunity to buy generic versions of most of these name brand drugs for savings that can reach up to 80% less then their name brand counterparts!

When a drug company first invents a drug eg. Prozac that company is the only one allowed to make that drug for a certain number of years approximately 10 years in the US. After this time period, other companies are allowed to make the same drug. These drugs are called generics. The original drug eg. Prozac is called a brand name drug. Brand name drugs and their generics are IDENTICAL in terms of active ingredients. The generic pills may look different because they are made by a different company but inside is exactly the same active ingredient which works in exactly the same way. The only difference between brand name drugs and generic drugs is that generics are always less expensive.

Most all drugs found at http://www.rxmex.org require a prescription so this licensed pharmacy can fill most orders by having the purchaser fax them their prescription and the shipped order can be tracked online. Another benefit to ordering this way is that there is no tax to be paid and orders are shipped internationally.

While some headway has been made in the last year or so in regards to reducing prescription drug costs for seniors, for now its simply not enough for so many of our elderly. With the political clout of todays drug companies who converge on Washington D.C. like vultures Im not sure the costs will ever get to the point where it should be. Until then places like http://www.rxmex.org with their name brand and generic low cost versions of many prescription drugs will continue to be another excellent low cost source for todays seniors.

About The Author

Stephen Dayton is the author of this article, featuring RxMex Pharmacy, a website providing people information and options to save money on their prescription drug purchases by buying Generic Prescription Drugs: http://www.rxmex.org.