Multilinguism?

Maryland Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in Maryland

Maybe you?re buying your first home in Maryland, or perhaps you?re relocating to Maryland from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on Maryland home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in Maryland:

The median price of a home in Maryland is $146,000. Recently, homes in Maryland have been appreciating at record highs for the state. As a result, income levels in many parts of Maryland are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many Maryland cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

The price of homes in Maryland varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Annapolis, Maryland, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $315,000; however, in Fort Washington, Maryland, the median price of a home was $375,000, and in Silver Spring, Maryland, it was $450,000. Average interest rates in Maryland are above the national average, and job growth rates are ninth highest in the nation.

In Maryland, the borrower employs the settlement attorney or title agent. The lender is not permitted to do so. Maryland has strict anti-predatory lending laws. Among these include the prohibition of prepayment penalties and reduced-rate options on adjustable rate mortgages and fixed-period adjustable rate mortgages.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about Maryland Mortgage Rates and Loans .

Buy To Let Property ? How To Get Big Capital Growth and Income

More people than ever are looking at buy to let property. They want a second home they can enjoy an appreciating capital asset and the opportunity for rental income.

There is no better way to make money quickly and with low risk than investing in property in the right location and this article is all about getting the best return on your money.

More investors than ever are looking to buy to let overseas as properties are cheaper capital growth potential can be up to 100% per year and in the right area rental income is great.

Why Look Overseas

In the US and UK there have been massive increases in real estate prices over recent years, but the market is slowing and we already are seeing price falls.

The buy-to-let market in many industrialized countries has become less profitable than it was at the start of the decade and with slowing economies in developed countries investing overseas is becoming more popular and lucrative.

Destinations for capital growth and income

Property markets in other countries are performing well and the scope capital gains on buy to let properties is huge.

A fantastic destination in Costa Rica because:

? Property prices are 70% cheaper than in the US

? Many investors buying in the right location are making triple digit annual gains

? Downside risk is low

? Buying property is easy and you get the same rights as residents

? Property tax is nominal and its extremely tax efficient

? The country is the proffered destination in Central America for Americans ensuring high demand

So you can get triple digit gains but you also have a buoyant rental market. The best place to buy is in the region around the town of Jaco on the central pacific coast.

This area is popular with Americans and the area has fantastic infrastructure that will see it continue to grow and that means triple digit capital gains and good buy to let rental income.

There is no better way to get a holiday home an appreciating asset and good rental income than buying in Costa Rica

FREE REPORT

On how to make money investing in property as well as all the facts you need to make money in property visit http://www.costaricalandlots.com

How To Choose A Good Backpack

Bags are an essential accessory for most people, there seems to be a style for every occasion. The difficulty comes in finding the right one for you at the right price.

Sometimes the purpose of a bag and its practical application is more important than how it looks; this is often the case with a backpack. The backpack has many advantages, but the most obvious one is the fact that it leaves both hands free. Below we will review the whys and wherefores of a good backpack.

Why Should You Buy A Backpack?

Using shoulder bags, worn either on one shoulder or across the body will still leave the bag free to move and slip around. If you are hiking or walking over rocks or mud, the swing of your bag can be enough to off balance you. A backpack would be securely fastened to you and would be less likely to cause a slip. If you are not used to carrying a backpack there is a simple test you can do which may be quite an eye opener. Next time you are out shopping or commuting to work take note of which arm/shoulder you usually carry your bag on. On the return journey try to carry the bag on the opposite side of your body, this will probably feel quite uncomfortable the reason for this is that either you have developed stronger muscles on one side of your body, or in the case of shoulder bags, you have learn to hold the bag on by moving your shoulder up and down. Both of these options could suggest that you are walking in a lopsided manner; this potentially can damage our spines. So the carrying of an uneven load can be harmful and should be avoided if we want to keep our back in good order. The design of a backpack should allow one to carry your load evenly, you will probably also find that you can carry a heavier weight without straining any muscles

What Should You Look For When Buying A Backpack?

First you need to establish when you will be wearing your backpack; will you be using it for long periods of time? If you are hiking and will be carrying it all day, it is best to choose a backpack with wide supporting straps. If you are simply carrying your book and house keys when commuting to work, you can go for backpack with thin straps which would be quicker and easier to slide on and off. If you are going for a backpack with wide straps, make sure that these are fully adjustable; you will need to be able to adjust the backpack to fit not only your build, but also be able to adjust it depending on the weight you are carrying. It is important to make sure that you try the backpack before buying it and also wear clothes that will be worn when you are using the backpack the majority of the time; for example, if you are buying your backpack for hiking, make sure that you can fit any waterproofs underneath comfortably.

What Do You Need It For?

You should also consider what you will be carrying in your bag. Firstly for weight purposes and secondly to make sure that you have enough pockets and compartments laid out in suitable positions. If you have small children, you may want to make sure there is a section where you can put their spare clothes or snacks in, which is easily accessible.

Where will You Be Using Your Backpack?

Although you can never guarantee the weather it is worth thinking about how waterproof or water resistance you need the backpack to be. Another consideration worth bearing in mind when deciding what size of backpack to buy is that warm winter clothing takes up a lot more space than lightweight summer waterproofs.

Good luck with choosing your backpack, remember, if you are not sure it is the right one then keep trying on more of them until you are happy with your choice.

By: Jon Kelly

How To Negotiate Real Estate Commissions When Selling A House "As Is"

A real estate commission is a specified charge, which is paid to the agent or the broker hired for the purpose of selling a house. To avoid being duped by paying unreasonable amounts of money as commission, it is advisable for sellers to study the market themselves and get to know the general range of commission rates first. In reality, the commission rates are never fixed and most of the states forbid the Real Estate Commissions from doing so. This means that the agents can quote any price they like as long as the customers are willing to comply with the demands. However, this does not imply that the customers are compelled to pay the stated rates; they have the option of negotiating as much as their negotiation skills allow them to. The competition factor between agents also helps keep the commission rates from soaring too high.

The rules of estate commissions

Usually the Realty companies set the minimum and maximum rates of commission and leave the finalization of the rate to the brokers. The agents however, are not allowed to discuss their company commission rates with agents of different realty companies. No realty company is allowed to advertise its rates to attract customers. The commission to be paid to the seller's agent is decided when the listing contract is being drawn and the commission payable to the buyer's agent is determined when the contract for the sale of the estate is being written. Usually, the total commission is divided equally between both the agents.

Tips to negotiate

Here are certain pointers for you to keep in mind when you try and negotiate the commission payable to you real estate agent:

Study and calculate the value of your home and draw an estimate of how much would be the ideal commission charge for that value.

Enquire about other homes in your area that have been put up on sale and find out how much those owners are paying their agents.

Keep a track on the market trends, whether it is favoring the sellers or the buyers. In case it is supporting the sellers, then the negotiation power lies more with the sellers.

Make a precise budget before negotiating the commission rate.

Before hiring an agent, make a background check to see if he is adequately qualified to carry out the job. Carefully observing the agents' weaknesses and use them to your benefit.

Discuss payment options other than straight commissions such as a flat fee or a dual fee. The dual fee states that a certain percentage will be paid if the house is sold for more than a specified rate.

Alternatives

In the situation where you do not manage to find an appropriate agent or broker, you can always sign yourself with a real estate firm that charges a flat rate instead of any percentage. Moreover, if your house is in a good condition and well maintained, you will not only pay a nominal fee for the sale procedure but also get a good value for your house.

Caution

It is advisable that individuals wanting to sell their house do not fall for tempting offers made by certain agents who promise to sell the house at a higher price, and in turn, charge a higher commission. The customers should also be wary of the agent who says that the value of the house is very low and would require a lot of effort and time to sell. These are just tactics to extract as much money as possible from the client.

We will buy your house As Is Now! Forgot For Sale By Owner. Contact us at http://www.asisnow.com/

Florida For Sale By Owner
Phone 1800.As Is Now, 1800.274.7669
Email webmaster@asisnow.com

Breast Cancer Recurrence

One of the issues that every breast cancer survivor must deal with is the possibility of the cancer coming back. We call this a recurrence and even though rates of breast cancer recurrence are lower and survival rates much higher, there is still that chance that the breast cancer will come back after the initial occurrence and treatment. There are three ways in which breast cancer can recur.

The first type of recurrence is called a local recurrence. when cancer recurs locally, it will come back in the original breast area. This is because of a failure of the original treatment. Even when there is a mastectomy, a local recurrence can happen because it is impossible remove all the breast tissue, skin and fat from the area. If even one cancer cell remains after the initial treatment, a local recurrence can happen.

The second type of recurrence is regional in nature. By regional we mean that the cancer has come back outside of the original breast and lymph node area. This is considered to be more serious than a local recurrence, but not as serious as a distant recurrence. The areas in which regional spread of the disease occur include the chest muscles (pectoral), the lymph nodes surrounding the neck area, the internal breast lymph nodes in the breast bone and rib areas and in the lymph nodes above the collarbone. This type of recurrence is rare.

The third and most serious type of recurrence is called a distant recurrence. This is also referred to as a metastasis. The areas where distant spread can occur are most likely to occur are bone (25%), liver, brain, bone marrow, lungs or other organs. Sometimes this is referred to as metastatic disease or Stage IV breast cancer. The survival rate becomes much lower once metastasis occurs, with a life expectancy of 18 months on the average after discovering it.

Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer may include bone pain, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, weight loss (possible indication of liver metastases, neurological pain or weakness and headaches.

If you are a breast cancer survivor, you should be aware of the symptoms of metastatic spread. These symptoms can include bone pain (bone), weight loss (liver), loss of appetite (liver), headaches (brain), neurological pain or weakness (brain/spine) and shortness of breath (lungs). However, keep in mind that having one or more of these symptoms does not mean you should panic. A good rule of thumb is the hree week rule. If you have a pain or other symptom that lasts more than three week, see your doctor. If you have an unrelenting pain or constant pain, see a doctor. Cancer pain does not go away compared other types of pain which will come and go. Like back pain caused by muscle spasms and/or non-cancer related disc problem.

If you suspect you have a recurrence of breast cancer, see your doctor. They will schedule some diagnostic tests like a CAT scan, bone scan, or MRI to try to find the root of your symptoms. Usually surgery is not a treatment option, but there are many other treatments, like radiation and/or chemotherapy that could possibly put a recurring cancer back into remission. There are amazing advances in treatment being made all the time.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Breast Cancer

Buying a Home? Here Are 8 Important Steps to Follow

Learn eight important steps to take when purchasing a home.

1. Know your financial status When you decide to buy a home, check your credit report. You probably haven't seen it in the last few years and you don't really know how good (or bad) it is right now. It is very probable that you greatly overestimate (or Underestimate) your financial abilities. What's more, your credit report may contain mistakes you will have to correct (as this happens quite often) - and you'd better do it before you start shopping for a mortgage.

2. Choose your loan lender and the type of loan/mortgage When your credit report is accurate, then begin researching Mortgage Brokers and types of mortgages. When shopping for a loan, keep an eye on: 1) the interest rate and the term (the most important factors), 2) additional fees (they can spoil everything), 3) and your likelihood of getting the approved (they are different for different institutions). Generally, it is good to visit at least a few potential creditors and learn to use and understand a financial calculator before making the final decision.

3. Learn what you want and what you can get Only when you know what you can afford can you decide what exactly you want from your new house. How big should it be? How many rooms should it have? How much time/effort/money are you willing to put in the refurbishment/redecoration? Where exactly would you like to live? After you answer these questions, you will be able to narrow your search and make it much faster.

4. Understand who the agents work for Most people imply that the agents work only for them and they expect they will protect their best interest. The point is that's not entirely true, as the agents may work for a buyer, for a seller and for both of them. Learn where the agents loyalties lie before you start to rely on their opinions and confide personal information to them.

5. How to read offers As a rule of thumb, every offer seems to be better than it really is. In order to assess the offer properly, pay attention to such details as the neighborhood, acreage and furniture (if the house is sold with it). All these factors affect attractiveness of the offer just as much as the house itself.

6. Make an offer Only if everything seems to suit you just fine, should you make an offer. However, before the deal is sealed, there is one more thing you have to do: a home inspection.

7. Home Inspection: where to look When the offer seems to be good, make an appointment for another visit to the house in question. In some states you take your real estate agent with you. Now, everything depends on the results of the inspection. While you can do it yourself, the best option is to hire a professional home inspector. Then, you can expect a full report concerning the homes status. If there's anything wrong - from termites and mold to toxic paint on the walls or low quality of water, it will be found during a professional inspection.

8. Signing the contract Before you sign a contract, learn exactly what the fixtures are (i.e. what stays at home). Sometimes you will be given virtually everything, but sometimes you will learn that the previous owners have taken the swimming pool with them. Talk to the previous owners in order to learn what they want to take and what will stay and put it down into the contract!

When the contract is ready, the rest is relatively simple. Your agent or attorney will help you to make out all the payments, and assist with insurance and title transfer details you have to do in order to buy a home.

For more information on real estate buying, visit http://www.1st-real-estate.com

Poker Etiquette Key Points You Must Follow When Playing Poker

In poker, the best rule to follow is to treat your opponents as you would like to be treated. All other rules and principles originate from this one concept. Not only will your opponents appreciate your good intentions, but by following this concept and some other key points, you will feel like a more confident, knowledgeable and skilled player at the poker table.

The first rule of thumb is to be as polite as possible. You should always play the game like you are playing with your best friend, except without all the talking. Maybe a better person to imagine is your boss. If you imagine your opponents that way, you will avoid swearing and other inappropriate behaviour. This will also likely improve your game. Bad form can really damage even the best hands, as it is likely to distract you.

Never toss your chips. This is rude and it prevents other players and the dealer from counting your bet. You may be forced to place more chips if your bet cannot be determined. Always move your chips neatly toward the dealer.

Use appropriate language, especially when talking the dealer. It's not the dealer's fault when you receive bad cards and it's not his fault you're a bad player either. He or she is merely doing his or her job, which likely entails long hours and low wages, so treat him or her with respect.

Rely on the dealer if you don't know how to read your hand. This is especially important if you are an inexperienced player. Don't ask other players for help at the table. This is extremely bad form.

The general rule to follow is that for every one player, there is one hand. That means you should avoid giving other players advice about their hands. This is better for you and better for your opponents, because your motives and strategy cannot be questioned.

Think about tempo. It is bad form to play too slowly. It can cause your opponents and the dealer much frustration. It also makes the game less exciting and can cause your opponents to lose their cool and take it out on you. You shouldn't play slowly unless you want to get a bad reputation at the tables.

Even though you may want to, don't pocket your chips. It is in appropriate to mislead other players about how much money you have at the table. Even if your only motivation is to hide them from yourself, keep them on the table.

Play only when it is your turn. This means that you keep your poker face at all times, especially when it is not your hand. This includes not making folding gestures out of turn and refraining from betting out of turn. Failing to do this can give your opponents insider information.

You shouldn't eat at the poker table. Anything that adds clutter to the table should be avoided. And, eating can make the cards or chips needlessly greasy.

If you have the winning hand, don't delay. It is bad form to hold your hand back to gain suspense if you suspect you are the winner. It will be embarrassing for you if you have to be asked by the dealer.

Don't expose your cards during the game. This is a simple idea, but one to follow nonetheless.

And, one of the most important rules of etiquette is to be silent. Even if you've been dealt an awesome hand and the community cards only make it better, there is a chance someone else can beat you. You don't want to have to eat crow later. Also, don't comment on others' actions, previous hands or games, your hand, opponents' hands and any other time you consider speaking, really. Choose your words carefully. It can protect your hand and others' hands.
About the Author

Everything You Need To Know About Buying The Perfect Backpacking Tent

Whether alone or with friends, backpacking can be a fun and adventurous way to spend a weekend. It gives you a chance to escape the madness of the city, explore a natural surrounding and get some great exercise to boot.

One should never go unprepared, however. Take it from me, not having the right gear or equipment can make a backpacking trip go from an exciting weekend to a frightening two day disaster with no end in sight. There's nothing worse than being stuck on a mountain in a sudden and unexpected rainstorm, without the right water resistant protection. One of the most very important items a backpacker should bring to avoid such a watery suffering is a good backpacking tent.

Though important, backpacking tents are a tricky commodity it can be difficult to pin down exactly the kind you should get. If you are planning on going backing soon and are in the market for a tent, here are some simple tips that may give you a place to start.

First of all, the kind of environment you plan to be mountain climbing through is important to keep in mind as you choose your tent. Even if it is suspect to rain, it is a good idea to purchase a tent that is completely water resistant and closed on all sides.

Even though a 'lean to' or cover like tent with open sides is an well organized and simple form of shelter, these kinds of tents can only protect from the mildest of weather conditions. Additionally, most wilderness areas popular for backpackings are safe places for insects, such as mosquitoes, and an open tent will offer no protection against these pests.

Secondly, you should consider the length of your trip when looking for a backpacking tent. Also, what kind of land are you going to pass through? Are you going for a rough and nearly vertical thirty mile plus climb, or a pleasant and easy five mile trip through the woods? If the latter is the case, weight is not an issue and you can purchase as large a tent as you please. The larger the better; you can house all your equipment inside to avoid damage from morning dew or from night animals with a sufficiently large tent. If you are taking a more arduous journey, you'll want the lightest possible tent you can get that offers adequate protection.

Lastly, choose a good brand name. Ask for advice at the store you visit, or if you are ordering one online, choose a name that you are familiar with. Backpacking tents are important, and not an area to hold back on on financially speaking. If you are pressed for cash, bring cheaper food items. I'd rather eat freeze dried sauce while warm and dry in a nice, functional tent, than eat bone mignon while soaking wet in a heap of junk that fell apart as soon as it started really pouring.

Personally I prefer to sleep under the stars while backpacking, if the weather permits. A good insect disgusting can reduce the mosquito problem and there is something refreshing about waking up covered in dew. However, it only took one bad and very wet experience for me to learn that you should always bring a tent on a backpacking trip, whether or not you plan to use it.

Tavis J. Cooper provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for travel, leisure and other related issues.

Backgammon Board Setup

If you want to learn to play backgammon and you already know how to play checkers it would be piece of cake as it is very muck like checkers. Basically it is the same concept except some little differences. The board set up is quite simple and you can have a backgammon game ready to be played in a couple of minutes.

Backgammon set up is easy. Both the game pieces and the board come in the same box. The more experienced players may already own a complete set with board and game pieces; they could choose to personalize it.

You can purchase the boards from any game store or department. They are pretty cheap and are perfect gifts for your kinds or friends.

Into a backgammon box you should find a board and thirty checkers of two colors. Take out the board from the box and split the game pieces by color, one color for each of the two players. They will be placed on the board in a specific order before the game starts.

Also in the box should be a pair of dice which will be rolled and each player will take turn and move his checkers with the number marked on the dice to the opposite end of the board.

Each player will try to get all of his fifteen checkers to the home board and then bear them off. The first player to bear off all of their checkers wins the game.

It is a very fun game that you can even play on the go. The board set up is fun and easy and the clean up is even faster. If you choose for a travel board, they are smaller and more compact so they are easier to keep in the car or in the office so you can play the game whenever and where you please. The game cases are useful for keeping all the pieces together so you don't misplace them.

You can even choose to have your game board and checkers custom made. They can be made of wood, plastic or even glass if you want. And if you like to play a lot you can have them made from lasting material so they don't get worn out for several years.
About the Author

Before You Jump in the Free Agent Pool!

Before you Jump Into the Free Agent Pool!
by Linda Blew Carlson

A free agent used to be a sports figure, or entertainer whose contract had run out and was looking for a new one. But with the change in our economy and the survival mode that companies have switched to, a vast number of people have entered the arena of free agents. Recent books and articles claim we are becoming a Free Agent Nation, within a Free Agent Economy.

Are you ready to join the millions who have chosen to become free agents? If you have or are planning to change your work life and want more choice in what you do and how you do it, you need to consider two things. How good are you at working with others? Do you know what you naturally do best?

If you can answer these two questions quickly, think about whether these are skills you have learned or whether they come naturally. Many people think that being trained to do something well is good enough; others will buy this knowledge or skill from them. That may be true or it may be short lived. There isn't much today that you can learn that will not become obsolete about the time you learn it. People aren't very flexible when they learn a skill. They learn how to do it best and lack the flexibility to adapt when the skill is no longer required. How do you stay flexible? Identify what you were born to do and you easily adapt to changes!

Being a successful free agent depends heavily on people skills. The Income part depends on your being able to cut directly through the defenses of people who are inundated with info the minute they get out of bed in the morning. It is pretty unrealistic to think you will get enough work to support yourself by relying on others to tell someone else how good you are. So brushing up on your people skills is essential.

There are some great resources for you, the prospective free agent. For instance Dan Pink in his new book defines what you are feeling right now. He says that people by the thousands each day are fleeing the organization to become free agents. He says; This person is the independent worker who operates on his or her terms, untethered to a large organization, serving multiple clients and customers instead of a single boss. This is good information. You need to know where you fit in the scheme of things.

Toni Lonier wants to give free agents the tools they will need to succeed. Barbara Reinhold recognizes the personal fears and gives advice and resources to deal with them. Sara Horowitz has developed a place where free agents can get similar and sometimes better benefits than organizations offer. This takes care of the basics. But no one has asked or answered the really important questions yet. How good are you at working with others, really? Do you know what you naturally do best? (This is usually very different from what you have been trained to do.)

Many free agents recognize that going it alone does not mean being alone. A recent issue of INC. has its cover page devoted to an example of going solo and teaming. Newer web sites do recognize the need for building teams that share projects and personal support. These sites talk about the need to get along well with others, and how to make significant contributions to the team. But just getting along with others doesn't mean you know how to get the best performance from them, or yourself for that matter.

So, what we have going today, is a growing understanding of the role of the free agent. We also have an expanding amount of information generated by people who are free agents themselves to help us. We have existing groups and new ones forming that will share and support us. What is missing?

Recent ground breaking research, provides answers for the two questions you must face, before you really stand a strong chance of making it as a free agent. It explains how to get others to give willing cooperation consistently. It explains what you have as in-born skills, that not only showcase your learned skills, but also come to your rescue when you need help.

It is important that you create and environment for yourself that removes the uncomfortable stress you have felt in organizations, and provides the greatest opportunity for your success, while being yourself. That means you need to maximize your strengths and minimize your liabilities. It also means that you can capitalize on your natural skills and be able to help others do the same. This new research gives you the ability to do all of this, along with the insight into how to form powerful teams, that quickly gain recognition for outstanding performance.

There are two simple steps to take before becoming a free agent. First, I suggest you go to the web site at http://www.styleworks4u.com and get information that will make establishing your free agent status faster and easier. It will give you an opportunity to take some free assessments that will identify what you are naturally good at. This is the starting point.

The authors books mentioned above, and many others, can be secured at any major library, or from most of the major Internet book sellers. Also a couple of key sites to get information on free agents and business are: www.fastcompany.com and www.business2.com. As you surf the search engines and directories, you will find many excellent sites and web pages. When you make the jump into the free agent pool - give yourself the very real chance for success!

Linda Carlson is President of Focus I. Inc. and has been a free agent all her life. She is dedicated to helping others work freely and powerfully. Her bio and story can be found at; http://www.styleworks4u.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi/about/index.html

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South Carolina Mortgage What to Expect When Buying a Home in South Carolina

Maybe you?re buying your first home in South Carolina, or perhaps you?re relocating to South Carolina from another state. Either way, it?s important that you educate yourself on South Carolina home loans before shopping for a home and mortgage. This article explains what you?ll need to know before buying a home in South Carolina:

The median price of a home in South Carolina is $94,900. The price of homes in South Carolina varies widely between zip codes. For example, in Charlestown, South Carolina, the median price of a home in the summer of 2005 was $307,000; however, in both Columbia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the median price of a home was $190,000. Average interest rates in South Carolina are above the national average.

Recently, homes in South Carolina have been appreciating at rates below the national average. However, in some parts of South Carolina, appreciation rates are at an all time high. As a result, income levels in many parts of South Carolina are too low to purchase a median-priced home with a conventional loan. In fact, homeowners in many South Carolina cities pay more than the recommended 30% of their incomes toward housing.

South Carolina state law prohibits prepayment penalties on home loans less than $100,000. It does not allow closed-end fixed-rate second balloon loans. South Carolina law requires private mortgage insurance on loans with loan-to-value ratios greater than 80%; however, private mortgage insurance may be cancelled once the loan reaches 80% loan-to-value ratio.

South Carolina?s Fair Housing Act prohibits mortgage lending discrimination against individuals based on their race, color, religion, gender, familial status, or national origin.

Jessica Elliott recommends that you visit Mortgage Lenders Plus.com for more information about South Carolina Mortgage Rates and Loans .

Growing up is Optional

A recent poll in England on people approaching retirement age revealed that over 50% were considering retiring to a warmer country. Spain was by far the first choice of destinations. Economics were the first reasons cited, with climate and pace of life following.

There is no way to identify from initial enquiries what age the person is, but not too much land, easy access to shops as requirements are good indicators, plus the ?old give away? better spelling and formal use of grammar in emails! I am still often surprised by them when we finally meet in the office. Most of them are very positive and well informed on the implications of their move, with knowledge of the systems for retiring here ie pensions and health care issues. Some comments made by this group once they have settle, are lovely ?????

He was easier to live with, when he was out to work all day

I see more of my children and grandchildren since moving here!

I always wanted time for a hobby, now I have so many hobbies it?s like full time work again (was this comment a moan or bragging?).

It?s true, the more you have to do the more you achieve (well not in this office!)

The days in Spain are so much shorter. (This comment still makes me smile.)

What does it feel like being retired in Spain? (I will let them know in a good few years, a quick look in the mirror confirms a tired look, must get an early night!)

When I was in my late teens an elderly French woman living opposite my flat befriended me. Softly spoken, very independent and proud she invited me into her home. I was fascinated with her life story and wisdom. On the subject of age her accented voice I can still hear. ?Don?t dust the mirrors too often?; ?soft lighting will put you and your guests at ease.? ?If there is nothing to laugh about use your memory to go back to a funny moment?. ?Don?t stop eating what you like as you get older; be grateful you have the choice?. ?Worry not about tomorrow, just hope that it comes?. There were many pearls of wisdom this eighty something lady offered me. Less than a quarter of her age, I did not understand their importance but her most often used line was, live each day with the person you love as though it is the last one you will have together. As I get older I see that time is precious, this point has started to be relevant. So all those things I have always wanted to do I plan to achieve soon, as later may just be too late!

The short email a friend sent a few weeks ago has prime place on my desk Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. Laughing at yourself is therapeutic.

Finally, I came across this abbreviation S.K.I in an article about retirement. Spending the Kids Inheritance. Yes this feels good??????Sorry Darling, but Mum and Dad are just enjoying life now! The house is all yours, including the sand, cement and bricks it you want to finish it.

One in five British - nearly 10m adults - are considering leaving the country amid growing disillusionment over the failure of political parties to deliver tax cuts, according to a new poll by ICM.

Science vs. Healers

Sherry (My ex) had a couple of problems of a medical nature. Her hypoglycemia had been miss-diagnosed and she had been given massive cortisone shots that I believe had contributed to the cancer that resulted in the partial mastectomy. I got her off caffiene and through the power of LOVE she was healed in two years. Women are not treated as men are when it comes to medical treatment; as well as every other aspect of misogyny in society. My studies of wholistics and hermetics were becoming quite extensive and alchemy founded and continues the real science. I am going to quote two authors from quite different sides of the fence.

Sherry (My ex) had a couple of problems of a medical nature. Her hypoglycemia had been miss-diagnosed and she had been given massive cortisone shots that I believe had contributed to the cancer that resulted in the partial mastectomy. I got her off caffiene and through the power of LOVE she was healed in two years. Women are not treated as men are when it comes to medical treatment; as well as every other aspect of misogyny in society. My studies of wholistics and hermetics were becoming quite extensive and alchemy founded and continues the real science. I am going to quote two authors from quite different sides of the fence.

These books are recent but representative of the studies I was engaged in as well as giving the reader an insight to the continuing problem of censorship and supposed 'expertise' that prevents a great deal of truth. David Depew and Bruce Weber of MIT wrote 'Darwinism Evolving' in 1995 and it says on pages 492 & 493:

They also made it harder for the scientific worldview to be received with equanimity by other sources of culture. Indeed, since the reducing impulse undermines fairly huge tracts of experience, people like Wallace, who feel deeply about protecting phenomena they regard as existentially important, frequently conclude that they have no alternative except to embrace spiritualism, and sometimes even to attack the scientific worldview itself, if that is the only way to protect important spheres of experience that have been ejected from science's confining Eden.

In response, scientists and philosophers who feel strongly about the liberating potential of a spare, materialistic worldview began to patrol the borderlands between the high-grade knowledge scientists have of natural systems and the low-grade opinions that in the view of science's most ardent defenders, dominate other spheres of culture and lead back toward the superstitious and authoritarian world of yester-year. 'Demarcating' science from other, less cognitively worthwhile forms of understanding was already a major feature of Darwin's world. A line beyond which the Newtonian Newton was a Rosicrucian who achieved the status of an alchemist per Haeffner's 'Dictionary of Alchemy') paradigm could not apply was drawn at the boundary between physics and biology. We have seen how hesitant Darwin was to cross that line and what happened when he did. Twentieth-century people are sometimes prone to congratulate themselves for being above these quaint Victorian battles. They may have less reason to do so, however, than they think, for the fact is that throughout our own century, the same sort of battles with emotional overtones no less charged, have been waged at the contested line where biology meets psychology, and more generally where the natural sciences confront the human sciences. Dualisms between spirit and matter, and even between the mind and body, may have been pushed to the margins of respectable intellectual discourse. But methodological dualisms between what is covered by laws and what is to be 'hermeneutically appropriated' are still very much at the center of our cultural, or rather 'two cultural', life. Cognitive psychologists and neurophysiologists are even now busy reducing mind- states to brain-states, while interpretive or humanistic psychologists are proclaiming how meaningless the world would be if mind is nothing but brain. Interpretive anthropologists are filled with horror at what would disappear from the world if the rich cultural practices that seem to give meaning to our lives were to be shown to be little more than extremely sophisticated calculations on the part of self-interested genes. Conflicts of this sort would have given Darwin stomachaches almost as bad as the ones he endured over earlier demarcation controversies.

These authors use the term hermeneuts much as the early 20th Century supposed scientists ridiculed the quantum physicists by calling them 'atom-mysticists'. Hermeneuts is a new epithet for alchemists such as myself who OBSERVE and try to fit ALL the facts together and don't eject anything 'from science's confining Eden'. This quote continues to raise the spectre of the 'Bible Narrative' and Bishop Ussher whose late nineteenth century proponent was Wilberforce.

The rhetorical pattern of these battles is still depressingly similar, in fact, to Huxley's confrontation with Wilberforce. Hermeneuts ridicule scientists like Hamilton, Dawkins, and Wilson when they suggest that nothing was ever known about social cooperation until biologists discovered kin selection. Reductionists in turn criticize hermeneuts, now transformed largely into 'culturists', for bringing back ghosts and gods, just as their nineteenth-century predecessors were taxed with being 'vitalists' every time they said something about the complexity of development. Humanists identify scientists with an outdated materialistic reductionism. Scientists insist that hermeneutical intentionality is little more than disguised religion.

Perhaps, a way out of this fruitless dialectic between the 'two cultures', can be found if each party could give up at least one of its cherished preconceptions. It would be a good thing, for example, if heirs of the Enlightenment Credited to Bacon, Shakespeare, Jonson and others with an alchemical background. would stop thinking that if cultural phenomena are not reduced to some sort of mechanism, religious authoritarianism will immediately flood into the breach. They should also stop assuming that nothing is really known about human beings until the spirit of reductionism gets to work. Students of the human sciences have, after all, been learning things alongside scientists ever since modernity began. Among other things they have learned that humans are individuated as persons within the bonds of cultures and cultural roles, they are bound together with others in ways no less meaningful and valuable than the ways promoted by strongly dualistic religions. By the same token, it would be helpful if advocates of the interpretive disciplines would. abandon a tacit assumption sometimes found among them that nature is so constituted that it can never accommodate the rich and meaningful cultural phenomena humanists are dedicated to protecting, and that therefore cultural 'ought never' to be allowed to slip comfortably into naturalism. Humanists seem to have internalized this belief from their reductionist enemies, whose commitment to materialism is generally inseparable from their resolve to show up large parts of culture, especially religion, as illusions. These opponents, we may safely say, take in each other's laundry.

I wonder if these authors and their reductivist buddies are aware that all humanists are not without the ability to incorporate hard physical science to an even higher factual degree than they do. The quantum physicists like Wigner (Nobel laureate), Schrdinger and Heisenberg think that humanistic richness is robbed by reductionist unspiritual thinking. The global reifying thrust of materialism (Dr. Boddy of U of T, anthropology) is hopefully, in due course, going to return to a global deifying thrust of spiritualism. The only REALITY is NATURE and it assuredly includes ALL observable facts not just the 'Toilet Philosophy'.

If I may be allowed to quote someone who tries to keep an 'open mind' and use WHATEVER WORKS even if it isn't 'modernity'. I choose to quote a wholistic doctor by the name of Zoltan Rona who has his M.D. and M. Sc. He edited the 'Encyclopedia of Natural Healing' in 1997 which says on pages 33 and 34:

It is misleading to call the natural health movement alternative medicine as is often done. Natural Medicine is considered the founder of contemporary Western medicine. What we now call modern medicine is actually an aberration, the result of social change at the dawn of industrialization in the eighteenth century.

He continues to discuss one of the greatest alchemists of all time whose books I found contain the key to understanding how to make the Philosopher's Stone. He does not identify Paracelsus as an alchemist due to cultural bias against alchemy that has led to many of them being burned at the stake. He says on pages 34 & 35:

PARACELSUS (1493-1541)
At the close of the Middle Ages, Paracelsus dared to challenge the orthodox medicine of his day, which, like today, had abandoned the teachings of Hippocrates Another alchemist. and become bogged down in superstitious, dogmatic practices. With the dramatic successes he achieved through observation and deduction to discover nature's latent healing powers, Paracelsus revolutionized medicine for centuries.

Born Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim He used some other names in conjunction with these such as Phillipus Aureolus. in Switzerland, this courageous genius had the early opportunity to accompany his father, a physician, on his rounds. He learned the value of observation and became acquainted with herbs and medicinal plants. In his university years, Paracelsus appreciated the critical spirit which reigned in Ferrara, Italy, compared to the close-mindedness in universities in other European cities. He was not content to limit himself to academic knowledge. He learned what he could practically from professionals and anyone else who had something to teach him about how to use the latent forces in nature. Due to his healing successes, notably in treating the plague, he began to gather a large following.

After returning to Basle, Switzerland, Paracelsus saved the leg of the rich printer Frobenius from amputation by applying his knowledge of nature's inner healing power. Paracelsus became Basle's official physician and was offered a professorship at the University of Basle. He soon ran into trouble with the authorities due to his blatant criticism of modern medicine. In a dramatic gesture Paracelsus burned the books of the medical authorities. Within several months he was forced to flee the university and found himself wandering penniless. . For the next eight years he lived with friends 'and worked on his manuscripts. The publication of DIE GROSSE WUNDANTZNEY in 1536 restored his reputation, and his fortune turned once more. Paracelsus became wealthy and was sought after by noblemen and royalty.

His actions against the sins and demons origins of disease and illness mirror the free medicine and knowledge of the Gnostic Cathars a couple of centuries earlier that led to their genocide in a crusade that was won by the new head of the Dominican Order of the Catholics. Man, Myth, and Magic promotes the MYTH that alchemy was dominated by hermits in pursuit of wealth and gold from lead. They say that Paracelsus was poor and proof that no Philosopher's Stone was ever created and that alchemists were greedy failures. This author says 'Paracelsus became wealthy' but that assuredly was not his purpose and when he died he had only one special goblet to give to someone who he knew understood its value. Continuing to quote Mr. Rona:

Paracelsus attacked the dogmatic belief of modern doctors that the human body is controlled exclusively by the stars and the planets. He insisted upon the right to discover latent powers of nature by daring to use his faculties of observation and imagination. He stressed the healing power of nature, and raged against modern methods, such as wound treatment that prevented natural drainage of bodily fluids.

One of Paracelsus's most important medical discoveries concerned the treatment of syphilis. He maintained that syphilis could be treated with carefully measured doses of poison mercury compounds taken internally. This contradicted all medical opinion of the day, but he was proven right. Paracelsus was the first to show that, if given in small doses, the cause of an illness also cures it. This discovery was an anticipation of the modern practice of homeopathy. In the summer of 1534, Paracelsus cured many people in the plague-infested town of Stertzing by applying the same principle.

At the time of the Plague the Flagellants were part of the Catholic hierarchy; they were burning Jewish people in cities across Europe. Men, women and children were surrounded in their neighborhoods and burned. The genocide in Rwanda that was initiated by the hatred' fostered by the Roman Catholic Church' according to the July 2000 report released by the Organization of African Unity is little different than the holocaust. The Catholic fostered anti-Semitism that was politically useful to Hitler (or Mississippi Senator John Stennis of the House Un-American Activities Committee) who was a Catholic and never ex-communicated; has been used throughout recent history to empower the Empire-builders from the Holy Roman Emperor Constantine to this very day. Yes, I know the Pope has meekly apologized, but the behavior continues. The 'War on Women' founded in the 'original sin' of St. Augustine and formalized at the Council of Carthage in 397 A.D. has far reaching influence across sociological norms in the Judaeo-Christian-Islamic complex. Thus we can see this author correctly uses the word courageous when referring to Paracelsus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author of Divere Druids
World-Mysteries.com has many of my books

Land Cruiser The Most Recognizable Way To Explore The Unfamiliar From Toyota

Current Version:

Land Cruiser is most valued brand from the Toyota. For half a century, over 4 million Land Cruisers have traversed paths from the Dead Sea to the Himalayas. The latest Land Cruiser 2007 model comes with a verity of new features like built in Bluetooth hands free technology, DVD entertainment and a sumptuous interior have softened its edges. But its husky VVT-i V8 will remind you of why Land Cruiser is a legend throughout the world.

General Introduction:

Land Cruiser is a prestigious model from Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. It is a series of popular four-wheel drive sport utility vehicles. The Land Cruiser is the most popular vehicle in the world's most grueling terrains and climates. This helps you understand the strength of Land Cruiser.

Land Cruiser was first designed in 1951. However, the first model came out in 1954 under the tag Toyota Jeep. After that, Toyota Land Cruiser has undergone many transformations. Some of them include convertible, hardtop, station wagon and even pickup trucks.

A Toyota designer explained the origin of the Land Cruiser, Growing up after the war, I was really impressed by the US Army personnel's Jeeps... and how they could climb up and over obstacles. We have many classic shrines with stairs leading up to them, and these cars simply climbed up those steps. I decided that one day I would make a similar kind of 'mobile', something more like an animal or insect than a car, which could do even better.

Current Available Features:

Exterior Features:

Toyota Land Cruiser is available with a lot of options in 2007. The exteriors come with aerodynamic multi-reflector, halogen headlamps with Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and auto on/off feature. The fog lamps are also integrated into the model. There is also Full-time 4WD system with locking center differential facility.

The newer model also comes with a All-Weather Guard Package. This package includes heavy-duty battery, starter and windshield washer fluid tank; rear-seat heater ducts. Color-coordinated front and rear bumpers and body side moldings gives the new Toyota Land Cruiser a great look from the outside. Front and rear frame-mounted towing hooks add up to that look. Dual color-keyed power heated outside mirrors comes as a big plus. Privacy glass with UV reduction helps in protecting the travelers from the Ultra Violet Radiation.

Interiors:

Power tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and leather-wrapped shift lever is definitely a must for this legendary vehicle and is provided with this newer version. There is also tilt/slide power glass moon roof with sunshade and one-touch open/close operation with jam protection. Auto-dimming electro chromic rearview mirror with compass is also provided with the model of 2007. Key-integrated multi-function remote keyless entry system with panic feature is a great addition for this historical Land Cruiser.

Voice-activated DVD navigation system, with 7-in. display and backup camera, Bluetooth wireless technology, integrated audio and climate controls, and JBL AM/FM Cassette/center console-mounted 6-disc CD/DVD changer, seven speakers, 300 watts (maximum possible output), FM diversity reception and adjustable power antenna.

Instrumentation:

The model of 2007 comes with various instrumentation options like speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, fuel level, oil pressure and voltmeter gauges; digital odometer and twin trip meters. JBL 3-in-1 AM/FM Cassette/6-disc in-dash CD changer, seven speakers, 300 watts (maximum output), FM diversity reception and adjustable power antenna also included.

Safety:

With this legendary model, safety is also a big advantage. Star Safety System -- includes Vehicle Stability Control, Active Traction Control, 4-wheel Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and Brake Assist. This 2007 model also includes 3-point Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor seatbelts in all outboard and second-row center seating positions; 2-point lap belt in center position of third row. Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and front- and second-row side curtain airbags are as usual with this model.

Child Restraint System (CRS) top tether anchors and ISO-FIX lower anchor points. This option along with Child-protector rear door locks helps in protecting children effectively

Pricing:

With all these additions in the new version of 2007, Toyota has priced it?s legendary Land Cruiser at $56,215 as the starting price. By depending upon the accessories and upon the place of delivery, the price can vary a bit.

Srinivas is a prolific author with more than 5 years of expereince in writing on various subjects. He did MBA from SYMBIOSIS, INDIA. He can be reached at srinivas@techzing.com Apply for IT Jobs here

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About the Author

Try These Yoga Poses for Jet Lag

Jet lag appears definitely to be one these things: A Condition resulting when travel across time zones leaves a person feeling ?out of sync? with local time at his or her destination. That considered, to get you 'back in sync', one highly recommended solution will be Yoga

What, with the poses balancing effects on the body (namely the inversions), yoga helps immensely to deal with the effects of jet lag, of course when used correctly.

The two main poses will be the Shoulder stand (and its counter poses) and if possible, the Sun Salutations.

In regards to the latter choice, the Sun Exercises, these are definitely a wise choice in that they stimulate and balance all the systems of the body including the endocrine, circulatory, reproductive and digestive system.

The main benefit one can look to attain from using Yoga for Jet lag will be restoration and balancing which it brings about as one executes the use of some of its poses.

This perhaps reiterates why using the shoulder-stand yoga pose for jet lag as previously mentioned may indeed be a great and wise choice as this pose as well affects all the bodily organs. By pressing the chin-lock, it stimulates the thyroid gland, balancing the circulatory, digestive, nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems. It tranquilizes the mind, alleviates stress and psychological disturbances. It is indeed a panacea, a cure all

One can also try the yoga-esque Hindu-Push-ups as this helps drain the brain of unwanted ?debris? and the incorporation of the Yoga Relaxation Pose does just as its name suggests, relaxes the entire body while simultaneously relieving stress and speeding up the elimination of metabolic wastes.

It's safe to say Yoga has something for everything and everyone so for Jet Lag; you will do very well to strike some Yoga poses!

In Friendship,

Foras Aje is an independent researcher and co-founder of BodyHealthSoul LLC. Stop by His Website today for more on Healthy Living Tips and information on Yoga for Beginners.

Death Becomes Her

I had the funniest moment today. I called up a client only to hear the words, Abby is no longer with us. Pause. He then proceeded to say, She hasnt passed away, shes just not with our company anymore. I didnt want you to think she was dead. I was in a work mode, so I was a little slow on the uptake. However, he made me think how often we dont clarify ourselves so that what we say can be taken in the right or wrong way. Misunderstandings were best played out in the immortal, Threes Company. That crazy Jack Tripper. But, I digress.

Take an email for example. It has no tone, or personality. In our quest for quick, responsive communication, email has become almost rude. We ignore em, dont address people properly, open them and promptly forget them, place high importance priorities (!) on emails that arent urgent, misspell, lack the proper grammar or punctuation (spell check isnt foolproof) and capitalize letters which are equivalent to SHOUTING! We know of Road Rage, but theres also the wrath of the email thats slowly terrorizing the countryside. No one has been killed so far on account of an email, but remember this caution and advice if you email colleagues and clients. Dont take for granted picking up the phone or speaking face to face to clarify issues and make deals. Cause maybe youll hear the same thing being said about you, So-and-so is no longer with us. Maybe we wont think its terribly funny when our ex-company is saying the same thing about us.

Respectfully In Memoriam of John Ritter-1948-2003

Tamara Jong is the Marketing Coordinator for Venturelabour.com and handles the career column, and online content management for www.canjobs.com-Your source for jobs in Canada

O. S. ARI - Some Anecdodes of Him -he was famous also for his wit and wisdomeoa uk

ANECDOTES OF THE LATE O. S. ARI

...Aris voice, full of wit, filled the room...
(Mustafa Dogrusoz in Kibris -5 February 1999)

...He always wore a smile...
(Harid Fedai in 'Halkin Sesi' -27 December 1992)

(In his newspaper columns [mostly between 1968-1992 in Cypriot Halkin Sesi -also Birlik etc. often by a little story or joke did the hailed teacher-thinker-poet the late Orhan Seyfi Ari [1918- 1992 made or highlighted his points ~so also in his lectures, debates, discussions, teaching his school pupils. These simply put anecdotes are hoped briefly and miscellaneously to familiarise with his wit and a few of the less involved of the very many views he was also popular for)

DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQES, he thought, were rather like broadcasting live on the radio a match between two boxers called Abdi and Bandinelli, and announcing the winner as Abdinelli

NEVER TOO LATE to change ones mind or to make a start was not of more use to one, sometimes, or to a nation, than it would be to the driver of a car rolling down a cliff to then decide to drive carefully

IRRELEVANCY was a natural and common refuge of man ~You have gone bald! he joked with a friend who he had not seen for a long time his friend looked at him, then responded, Ha..! As if your sons got more hair than I..!

THE TROUBLES OF THE WORLD had much to do with this, that some with breathing difficulties had become deep sea divers

IGNORANT WE ALL ARE of many things, he thought some of us, even of our ignorance

PERSEVERANCE it was an example of, the little delicate plant that shots and grows through the concrete of the pavement

WHINING O-oh!.. his friend explained, I missed my train.. oh, I was twenty minutes late.. I am so sorry He replied: Dont be you would have missed it also if you were only twenty seconds late..!

EVOLUTION.. we were apes Now..?! Were we not, now, man!?..

JUSTIFICATIONS of some reminded him of someone in his early teens to whom he had given leaflets, booklets, on how harmful smoking was some months later the teenager came to him waving a newspaper which mentioned that an elderly person was a smoker

RELATIONSHIPS had much to do with knowing that one could not stand before a mirror and make faces and expect to see a smiling image...

STRENGTH did not necessarily suffice ~I am a wrestler! threatened one the other laughed: But.. I am a runner...

GOD Perhaps does not exist; he said but, Sir, what if He does..!?

POPULARITY it helped to wear a smile the vinegar merchant who smiled had more customers than the honey merchant who did not

Author's research unfortunately could not include all of the articles of the late thinker -his anecdotes above are not from those articles themselves

Consultant 2004Bernard Romanycia

Santana rocks.

Independant.

The Prodigal Prince Fred, (Tasmanian Fred, Royal Spoiled Brat)Troy Nilsson

The Prodigal Prince Fred,
(Tasmanian Fred, Royal Spoiled Brat)

THE SETTING Luke 15:11 There was a man who had two sons.

Far away, long before children had beds, There lived a Tasmanian 'Devil' named Fred Prince Frederick the Fifth, Son of Frederick the Fourth Who ruled the Tasmanian Kingdom, of course.

King Frederick was noble and goodly and nice The Tasmanians loved him- from mooses to mice They also loved King Freddy's nicely son Ned But oh how they hated that nasty Prince Fred.

Prince Freddy was snooty and cocky and smuggly He hung with his gang, The Tasmanian Thugglies They loved to break furniture, quarrel, and fight And steal kiddies' candies on Halloween night.

They'd cruise through the countryside hooting and howling Kicking the kangaroos, shooting and scowling Scaring the children asleep in their beds And thumping the night owls on top of their heads; they'd

throw rocks through windows and break into stores They'd put piles of doo-doo by people's front doors And laugh at the look in the nice people's eyes When they stepped out and stepped in Fred's poo-poo surprise.

And the townspeople said, For these prattles and pranks We'll break out our paddles- PRINCE FRED NEEDS A SPANK!

And oh how they spanked him- they swatted and popped him But Prince Freddy liked the attention it got him - His horrible habits would not go away So he pranked every night and got spanked every day.

Luke 15:12
The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

But what Fred only knew was that he had grown weary Tasmanian teasing was boring and dreary He'd broken or messed up most everything there And he ached for a change- a breath of fresh air.

So he said hey King Daddy-O, gimme my Money I 'm sick and I'm tired of you, Neddy and Mummy I'm gonna go where the grasses are greener The girls are much cuter, the cows are much leaner We'll conquer the world, my Thugglies and me THEY'RE my real family- They love me, you'll see.

King Frederick wiped a big tear from his eye, said, Dear Son Freddy, please don't say goodbye The world is a jungle, cruel and abusing You'll get bamboosled, you'll get a bad bruising.

But Freddy shouted, Quiet, you looney old man Just gimme my money, as fast as you can!

King Frederick thought I don't owe him a thing But I'll follow the counsel of Cousin King Sting Who said Sometimes love is to let people be for If you love someone you must set them free.

King stood up and said, I'll give half of my kingdom Then Fred will see just how much I love him (But Freddy just stood looking bored and half-sick And said good enough, Daddy, -let's make it quite quick!).

Out came the servants with barrels and trunkets Silver by truckloads, Doubloons by the buckets Deeds for the land, for the houses and castles Clothes with gold hats zippers and diamonds on tassles.

And when finally they'd loaded the loot and the booty Prince Fred turned around with a shout super-snooty Good riddance, Good King, and Tasmania too I'll conquer the world, just like I conquered YOU!

THE SQUANDERING
Luke 15:13 Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

So Fred bought a ship and a giant Jalope The Thugglies and some of the girlies came hopping They sailed off to Greece, to Italia and Thebes Germania, San Pedro, the Isle of Saint Dweebes Morocco, Swahili, Israeli, Bombay Calcutta, Cape Cod, Albakerkie and Spain The Thugglies all cheered 2,4,6, and 8 Freddie's the Thugguly we 'preciate We really love you, not just for your money- You're every boy's buddy, and every girl's honey.

They sailed to Cape horn where the Africans dance Got drunk on bamboo juice and wet in their pants (They drove the Jalope all through the Sahara 'til it broke down in the hot desert weatha') They Flew on a flybird to HulaHuLoo And swiggled and swayed like the hulahoo's doo They took a fast train to Bermuda for fishing And snork'ling and swimming and winnihee wishing Then off to Arabia seeking the carpet- The magic one- and when the found it Fred bought it They rode like the wind on a magical flight So close to the stars they could kiss them goodnight And they laughed and they sang and they never once worried ... Til they ran out of gas in Pougkipsee, Missouri Starving and thirsting from singing and lauging They searched out a truck stop for eating and gassing They ordered hamburglers and ice cream and coke- That's when Fred said with a gasp- Friends, I'm broke!

His 'friends' said, Hey, Freddy-O, you must be jokin' Fred said I'm not... and they started to choke him Why have you brought us out here to Missouri?!- they cried and they cried 'til their vision was blurry.

They beat Fred that night 'bout the head and the shoulders Kicked him and pelted him hard with small boulders, Then pooled every cent they'd embezzled from Fred Hopped a bird home and left Fred for dead.

PIGS
Luke 15:14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

When Fred awoke in the ditch the next tuesday, Angry and dizzy and battered and bruisedy Seeing he needed some doct'ring and nursing He wobbled and bobbled back into Poughkipsee.

'These people will serve me as soon as they see My royal credentials, my choice pedigree I'm Frederick the Fifth, Son of Frederick The Fourth Heir to the crown of Tasmania, of course!'

Tasmania!, they laughed, why it sounds to me Like this boy's been eating the wackety weed! He thinks he's a Prince, but it's clear, he's a fake (disgrace) From the thuggardly look on his uggardly face He's nothing but trouble, repair bills, and grief Poughkipsee has no need for this little thief!

Luke 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
Luke 15:16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

So Fred limped down the road, saw a farmer named Rooflus (fat, bald, and sweaty and dirty and toothless) Who said, You can feed all my pigglies, you dooflus!

So Fred slept in the barn with the hogs in Missouri Where roachies and rats and reegreechies would scurry So dark and so cold in the yuck and the storm He'd hug to the hogs in the mud to keep warm.

And up with the sunrise Ol' Rooflus came screaming TIME TO SLOP HOGS- STOP YOUR SNORING AND DREAMING And oh- how Fred hated to wake up each day For he dreamed of his soft bed, back home, far away.

Then Rooflus would swat with his sluggardly-stick Fred'd jump for the bucket of schloppettyschlick, full of sloopage and scumdredge and leftover lardy, rotten vomatoes and chunkies of barfy.

Fred got so hungry his tummy would gurgle When he'd spy a bitey of uneaten burgle Floating about in the schloppetyschlick But Rooflus said NO SIR, NOT ONE LITTLE BIT For hogs need to eat, they are useful and tasty But you're good for nothing; you're stoopid and lazy .

And the only thing Fred was the Prince of was pigs (But the pigs ate much better than Fred ever did!)

REPENTANCE
Luke 15:17 When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
Luke 15:18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Luke 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'

And slowly, sneaking as if by surprise an idea began growing behind Freddy's eyes 'til one day he came to his senses and said, If I stay with these hogs pretty soon I'll be DEAD! The servants that work for my Dad eat like Kings And all I can eat is regreechichies and squings And moldy old swatches of schlochettyschlick Left where the piggelet's tongues couldn't lick.

So I'll hike back to Father and beg for a job 'cause I've got experience slopping these hogs! Of course he won't let me back into the house Since I spent all his money out being a louse I'm no longer worthy of being his son But I'm great with the hogs- I can get the job done.

EATING HUMBLE PIE
Luke 15:20 So he got up and went to his father.

So Fred ran away from Pougkipsee and Rooflus Hitchedhiked a wildebeest down to San Lucas Stowed away in the gut of a whale named Jonah Til the whale barfed him out on the beach of Pomplona! He ran in a rickshaw to Katmandudu Nambibia, Naples and Kalamazoo.

After 7 long years of swimming and running (It takes a long time without daddy-o's funding) Fred saw the land he'd remembered in dreams- The shores of Tasmania- sparkling and clean.

FATHER WELCOMES HIM:
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Now King Frederick feared that young Fred had died But day after day, the King strained his old eyes Peering through periscopes over the hills Praying that Fred would come home to him still.

And that day, the greatest day, what did he see? Floundering Freddy afloat on the sea The King ran like an antelope, threw out a raft Pulled Freddy onto the beach with a laugh.

Luke 15:21 The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

Freddy coughed up all the seaweed and water said, please don't kill me, but hear me out, Father I've sinned, I'm a joke, I'm a heel of a schmuck I'm mother's worst nightmare- bait for bad luck, so Just let me live in the shack with the peasants Slopping the hogs, or dressing the pheasants I'm no longer worthy to be called your son But I've learned to slop hogs- I can get the job done!

Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Luke 15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
Luke 15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

King said,
Son, we've no hogs, we're Tasmanian Jews But you're home alive- That's the greatest of news! So bring him my robe, put my ring on his hand Let's throw a party all over the land Strike up the band let the hoopla abound For Prince Fred was lost; HOORAY, he's been found!

OLDER SON GETS MAD:
Luke 15:25 Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
Luke 15:26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. Luke 15:27 `Your brother has come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
Luke 15:28 The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
Luke 15:29 But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

But Fred's brother Ned wasn't dancing with glee Ned sat there, lips pouting all pitifully Saying, Hey daddy-o - I'm as nice as can be- But when did you throw a big party for ME? I worked and I slaved and busted my buttocks While that little twirp spent your loot like a dumb-ox.

FATHER GIVES MORAL
Luke 15:31 `My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'

But Ned, said the King, You're already with me What's mine is all yours, far as eagle eyes see So come on! Let's party, let's rock & get down 'cause Fred, left for dead, is alive and in town!

And this, goobs and gurls, is the way God loves you Whatever you say, sin, bamboozzle or do, When you come running home with your arms open wide God says, Come on in, love! There's a party inside!

Copyright 1989 Troy Nilsson You may reprint this story in whole or in part if you: 1) Notify Troy Nilsson of the use, 2) Prominently include credit Troy Nilsson of NilssonMedia.org with the used material.

See http://www.troynilsson.com

2007 Fiesta BowlA Game Never To Be ForgottenAnd A Team Still Without A Shot At 1

Who would have ever thought? Who could have ever predicted? Who could have ever imagined? The answer to all of the above is NO ONE! It would have been virtually impossible for any body to envision that the 2007 Fiesta Bowl would unfold the way it did, in an unthinkable fashion!

At the end of a long and gut wrenching night, the Boise State Broncos prevailed. The underdog Broncos upended the Oklahoma Sooners 43-42 in overtime in one of the most dramatic finishes in BCS history. A statue of liberty, a hook and ladder, and last but night least, an engagement capped off the Boise State Broncos season in very impressive fashion.

So, the question remains? How does the BCS fix the problem that the Boise State Broncos created in deciding who should be number one? Or, at least have the shot at playing the best of the best! Yes, the Florida Gators proved to be a worthy national champion considering the way they defeated The Ohio State Buckeyes. But, how can you tell the players and coaches at Boise State that they don?t deserve a shot at playing Ohio State? The only two undefeated teams in the country! I guess we will never know.

The debate and conflict over the BCS will go on and on until it is fixed. Personally, I think it makes for great college football discussion, entertainment, and drama from a fans perspective. I just feel bad for the players and the coaches who put in such a terrible situation after practicing and playing their hearts out for months in hopes of being national champions of college football.

I leave you with this. Everyone has their own opinions, thoughts, and arguments about the BCS. I think that is what the BCS committee wants. They want 100% fan indulgence in college football and in the BCS?regardless of the ultimate end result it has on players and coaches. Don?t ever forget, that to the BCS committee, it is a business, not a game. They will do what sells tickets?and nothing less.

Ryan Rutman is an avid sports fan who loves to talk about sports and loves to share his thoughts on college sports. If you are an avid fan, visit Ryan?s website, http://www.collegesportsdvdstore.com, to view his library of some of the greatest moments in college sports history on DVD.

Good News for Owners Sale of New Homes Down but Existing Home Sales in Good Shape

Over the past months, we have all been inundated with projections on the housing market bubble ? Will it burst? It is going to burst soon, be prepared! Sell Now! Buy Now! And the forecast differs depending upon the television channel you are listening to or the media article you are reading.

According to James Cooper of BusinessWeek magazine, the numbers point to a gradual slowdown of the market ? not a sudden crash, as many have predicted. In his July 10, 2006, article, Cooper cites how different indicators for the housing market are up one week and down the next. Some homes for sale indicators decline, while others rise. Though it is difficult to accurately project the future of the housing market for the remainder of 2006, he is optimistic ? in spite of all the noise that changes the market outlook on a daily basis.

Compared to last year?s peak numbers, the housing market is in decline for both new and existing homes for sale and the growth rate of prices continue to slow. Yet, the expected drop in sales has not been as bad as predicted, and the market collapse forecast has not occurred. The progressive slowdown is expected, however, to continue through the remainder of 2006.

The area of the homes for sale market that has been hit the hardest is the new single-family homes and existing condominiums and co-ops. Existing single-family homes for sale have faired the best with only a gradual decline in prices.

New home sales have fallen off sharply in 2006 and have the most volatile market indicators that cause the chaotic forecasts. There have been some ups and downs since the first of this year; however, new home sales are down overall by 10.9 percent since the end of 2005. Currently, builders have large inventories of new homes for sale that are expected to create further declines in both sales, prices and new construction starts for the future.

In May of 2006, the number of new homes for sale was up nearly 24 percent from last year for the same period. Median prices of new homes for sale were up by 5.1 percent for the same period but now have slowed drastically. With the average time to sell a new home being almost six months, builders are offering incentives to buyers, including helping with the closing costs, and are more willing to lower prices in order to sell off their inventories.

Condos and co-ops sales were off by 6.7 percent during the first half of 2006. The number of such homes for sale on the market has soared in the past year, gutting the market and bringing down prices and sales. The number of unsold units are up 73 percent.

The good news is for existing homeowners with homes for sale. This market is currently in good shape with both sales and prices holding up better than the new homes for sale market. Such sales have declined in seven out of the past nine months, but median prices are up 8.2 percent over the same period in 2005. According to Cooper, homeowners are not as willing to lower their prices as are builders, preferring to leave their homes on the market in order to find buyers willing to meet their price.

The bad news for owners of homes for sale is the number of existing homes currently being put on the market. In May of 2006, the number of existing homes for sale rose to 3.6 million, that?s one million more than in May of 2005. This is sure to begin affecting the existing homes for sale market. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates soon that will affect mortgage rates for buyers. Right now is the best time to sell your home as buyers race to lock in current mortgage rates before the Federal Reserve takes action.

The predicted housing bubble crash is not expected in the near future. Consumer confidence is up by one point in June of 2006, according to the Conference Board?s index on consumer confidence, weighing in at 105.7. With good buyer confidence in the homes for sale market, a solid economy, and good labor markets, owners with homes for sale are still at a competitive advantage for now.

John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more on San Diego Homes for Sale visit http://www.twtrealestate.com

An Elegant Fast Car

The long wait is finally over. The elegant, stylish and all new 2007 Jaguar XKR concept is finally revealed. Do you want to know the latest pick?

The four-seater two-door convertible vehicle is the forefront of the latest technology of future lightweight car structure of Jaguar. The lustrous car model was also made to show off unique design and outstanding performance. If you are into a smooth and sporty drive, Jaguar XKR is the right car for you.

According to the Director of Designs for Jaguar, Ian Callum, they are pre-occupied with the development of new and gorgeous fast cars. In fact, they are developing new ideas that can be applied for the car they are designing. The release of the Jaguar XKR last year was extremely overwhelming to the Jaguar Car Corporation. They were proud of the positive reactions of many and the vehicle has also over passed the most expectations. Callum also emphasizes that Jaguar XKR is a good definition of a “beautiful fast car”.

The Jaguar XKR is one among the most outstanding car models in the family. It has the features you are looking for in a sports car. The Jaguar XKR also has technology applied such as its aluminum monocoque body structure which is just like any other Jaguar car model. It also has the Jaguar XKR front bumper design that shows how sporty this car is. Jaguar XKR also uses a supercharged V-8 4.2 liter engine with a high class calibration and six speed automatic transmission that aides the driver to have a swift and fine drive on the road.

The new Jaguar XKR shows improved performance as well. Additional Jaguar XKR auto parts are installed on the engine components for a more relaxed and smooth driving. And for the first time, the makers have equipped the XKR with the Variable Inlet Camshaft Timing System that enables the engine to be adjusted in several situations depending on the speed and load volume. Spacious and high-class sports designed seats placed on the interior will definitely give the riders a comfortable ride.

With all these special features, you will never turn your back on a car like it. The new 2007 Jaguar XKR is truly an excellent and elegant sports car.

About the Author:

Jaguar Parts and Jaguar Auto Partshttp://www.jaggparts.com/jaguar-xkr-parts.htmlMichelle Crimson holds a degree in business administration. She is currently working as an editor in New Orleans, Louisiana. This 32 year old mother of two is also a car racing fanatic. ###

5 More Games to Improve Your Brain Power

Games provide an excellent and fun way to improve your brainpower; if these games are played on a regular basis they will undoubtedly improve your concentration, memory and increase brain performance. Regularly playing brain games can also increase other mental abilities, such as mental processing speed, cognitive control, and reaction time.

It is a well-documented fact that the human brain starts to slow down as early as 30 years of age. But by spending as little as 15 minutes a day training your brain, you can prevent your brain from deteriorating.

All of the games mentioned below can be found and played for free online.

Cribbage or Crib - is a card game, which is traditionally for two players, but can be played my multiple players. Crib involves playing and grouping cards in combinations, which gain points. This is a game which requires a lot of strategy, tactics and counting skills.

Sokoban - Is a logic game, it is a transport puzzle game in which the player pushes boxes around a maze, viewed from above, and tries to put them in designated locations. Only one box may pushed at a time, not two, and boxes cannot be pulled. Sokoban is a classic game, which will expand your mind.

Chess - Is a board game played by two players, It is played on a board of 64 squares. Each square can be empty or occupied by a piece. The initial position of the game consists of 16 white pieces and 16 black pieces. The ultimate goal of the game is capture your opponent's king. It has been claimed that chess is good for, improving concentration, improving memory, developing calculating skills, helping with attention span and developing patience.

Solitaire Board Game - Even though Solitaire is easy to learn, it presents you with an ongoing challenge to master, and has become an especially popular solo board game in recent years. To play this challenging brain-teasing game all by yourself, you set up the thirty-two wooden pegs on the six-inch square wood board - leaving the space in the very centre empty. Then, by moving any peg just one space horizontally or vertically (no diagonal moves allowed!), you begin eliminating other pegs. It takes a lot of thought and brain power to finish the game with one peg left on the board.

ZYRX - Simple but challenging memory test game, which will give your short-term memory a good workout. . All you have to do is look at the pattern and memorize it. Then click those same dots on the main game area. It is harder than it sounds!

I have personally noticed a big improvement since I started playing these games on a daily basis. When I first started out playing them, my head would literally hurt from having to think so much. But I preserved and now I can feel the benefits.

http://www.2milliondollarbills.com

By Garry Winter

Endless possibilities in playing online backgammon

The first online backgammon site was created in 1992, many years have past since then and the Internet has become much more advanced and online backgammon much more popular.
Unlike poker and other card and board games, backgammon on the internet has become popular just in the last couple of years.
There are numerous web sites offering playing internet backgammon, and once you found the backgammon website you want to join, you have to decide between playing against the site's computer and playing online backgammon against a human being from all over the world. The possibilities in internet backgammon are endless and diverse, including joining a league, playing a tournament, playing for cash prize and moving forward in the site's rank.
The First Internet Backgammon Server (FIBS) was created by Andreas (marvin) Schneider in 1992. It allows Internet users to play backgammon in real-time against real people (and even some bots). There are players of every conceivable ability logging onto FIBS, from absolute beginners to grand masters.
Online backgammon is offered by many sites, some of them widely known- YAHOO and MSN. With MSN, a player can choose playing backgammon online or any other online favorite game he wishes. Online backgammon is played in a variety of time and shape; friends can play against each other, or invite the computer for a match.
YAHOO offers many online backgammon rooms, with interesting and funny names where you can enter and find the level you want to play with.
Players are able to form their own online backgammon rooms according to their skill in backgammon.
There is also the option of the friendly online backgammon game, where players can chat with one another and meet new people. For an extra payment, the site can create leagues for backgammon, which only authorized members can take place and play with each other.
Before you invite somebody for a game of backgammon online, it's best to improve your playing techniques by following these recommended steps:
1. The basic rules and object of backgammon are simple and many sites offer explanations for free.

2. It's free and easy to download backgammon software to your own computer. The level of this online backgammon software is usually beginners to intermediate and therefore perfect for you to practice on, because you already can win some of the games.

3. When you have reached the point where you are constantly winning it's time to download the upgraded software. These programs have been developed and improved by playing against themselves and reached the very highest level, and are capable of being the world's best backgammon players.

When you have reached the stage where you can handle the advanced backgammon software, it's time for you to face a human rival for a game of online backgammon.

The Internet offers endless possibilities for online backgammon.
About the Author

Investors Who Missed The Recent Real Estate Boom Should Look Here

If you are a real estate investor and missed the housing boom, you may get another chance. Overheated in the eastern and western markets are cooling off, but there are new opportunities out there. Some of the cities that sat out the boom of the last few years are now showing stronger appreciation gains. Cities such as Dallas, Houston and Atlanta are showing signs of a strengthening real estate market.

Real Estate in hot markets like the San Francisco Bay area market is showing signs of s a slowdown. Prices are rising slowly, however inventory is up. Another sign of slowdown in this hot market is the time it takes to sell a property. Last year some were getting nervous because there were only three multiple offers on a property instead of nine. In one year we have seen quite a change. Now homes that would have sold in one or two weekends are sitting on the market longer. It is not uncommon to see homes sitting on the market thirty to sixty days. This is more like a normal market.

Meanwhile in Texas the demand for housing is increasing. With the new boom in the oil market aiding the job market, workers are coming to Texas from the US and abroad. This is putting upward pressure on the housing market. There are no signs of this slowing down anytime soon. While home prices in Dallas and Texas may not appreciate at the high rates of 20% + seen in some areas in the last few years, the appreciation rates should still be healthy. Real Estate Investors have been aware of this and are investing in these markets that have previously been very slow.

The Atlanta market is benefiting from a healthy job market. Unlike the Texas markets, the Atlanta market is also seeing a rise in inventory. This rise in inventory should restrain the appreciation in Atlanta.

A number of cities in the southwest which have seen high appreciation rates are seeing a strong increase in inventory. Cities such a Phoenix and Las Vegas are also showing a strong job market. Inventories of homes in these cities will need to be watched. If inventories continue to rise sharply, prices will tend to stay flat or fall slightly.

Meanwhile the California market is looking vastly different from a year ago. In Sacramento and San Diego the market is cooling rapidly. In California it now takes an average of six months to sell a home. I was not that long ago that in some California markets, homes were selling in one weekend.

In California the average home now costs over $500000. This is out of reach for many families. The pressure is now on housing prices to come down in some areas. Higher interest rates, slower sales, home prices beyond the reach of the average family all point to falling prices in some areas.

Another scenario is that home prices will remain flat until wages catch up.

As the market changes, more and more homeowners are getting caught in foreclosure. As prices appreciated quickly, homeowners who could not meet their mortgage obligations benefitted from an increase in equity. That will not be the case in the coming years. There are a number of sites dedicated to homeowners wanting to sell their homes without a Realtor, investors looking for deals, and agents looking for new business. RealtyTrac is one such site. Here you can find home bargains, sell a home without an agent, and discover your homes value.

Andrew Goldman is president of Metal Rabbit media services, the operator of http://www.Exchangetradedfundinvesting.com and http://carealestateinvest.com He has written a number of articles on finance and investment over the last ten years.

Q&A With The Physique Transformation Expert

Q: l have heard you talk about keeping your macronutrient ratio pretty much the same as you try to get leaner, and simply reducing the number of calories you are taking in each day based on the results you are seeing. Does that mean as I continue to lose weight (weekly or daily), I should continue to drop my calories, but keep the same ratios? Right now I'm multiplying my bodyweight x 10 to get my daily calorie total. I'm currently weighing in at 190 so 1900 cals per day. For example, regarding your statement, if I weighed in at 185 by Sunday I would lower my total cals to 1850. Is that right? As you can see I'm currently cutting to get rid of my fat, but after this phase is complete I plan on doing a clean bulk. Thanks for your time Russ....

Regards,



Mathew



A: Yes, that is exactly what I mean about keeping your ratio of protein, carbs, and fat the same as you decrease your calories. I personally like using an approximate 40% protein, 40% carbohydrates, and 20% fats. I may bump up my protein percentage a little and decrease my carbs when attempting to get very lean, but I am more concerned with the total number of calories I am consuming than the macronutrient ratio. Burning body fat comes down do taking in fewer calories than you consume, no matter what type of calories those are. I personally feel that this ratio provides the best environment for maintaining and even building lean muscle mass while dieting.

As far as the number of calories goes, that is a little tough to give advice on since I don't know how often you are training, doing cardio, and most importantly what your goals are. The number of calories you are taking in per day would really come down to 1) how much fat you want to lose 2) how quickly you want to lose it. If you want to lose a lot of fat in a little amount of time then your calories will need to be lower (or cardio increased) than if you are allowing yourself more time to lose the same amount of fat. For your weight 1900 calories/day seems pretty low. The best advice I can give is to give 1900 calories a try for a week and see how your body reacts. If you are losing body fat at an acceptable rate and still have energy to train intensely then you are on track. Otherwise, adjust upwards or downwards accordingly by 100-200 calories a day. Don't get too caught up in calculating your bodyweight by 10 but more on measuring the results you are achieving at a certain calorie level and then making the necessary adjustments.



Q: Hey Russ,



Every time I do legs, I always pop blood vessels in my shoulders.....is this normal?



A: I think it is pretty normal to get red marks or even scratches on your rear deltoids when performing barbell squats. I doubt that you are actually 'popping' blood vessels, although it may be possible with heavy weight exerting pressure on the traps. I would not be too concerned about it. If you are worried about the appearance factor then it will help to wear a sweatshirt or use a pad on the bar during your squats.



Q: Mr. Yeager,



I recently signed up for your newsletter. I am a 53 year old male that has decided to get into shape I have no interest in body building because I believe the rigorous routine will probably kill me (LOL). I would like a decent hard body and abs. I have used a treadmill to shed most of my stomach fat. I can see signs of my upper stomach muscles peeking through. To increase my muscle tone I am considering using a product called Mega Milk (Nature's Anabolic). Are you familiar with the product? It is made by Dymatize. Since all the limelight is on steroids these days I'm wondering whether this product is steroid free. Will something like this actually build muscle? I would also appreciate your suggestion to aid me in my quest.



Thanks,

John



A: Hi John,



Thanks for your e-mail and for signing up for my newsletter and congratulations on your decision to get in shape!



As far as supplements go, remember first that nothing can replace hard work in the gym and proper nutrition. Supplements can definitely help you build muscle and lose body fat if you use the right ones in the right ways. I have never used the Dymatize products but am pretty sure that the product you refer to is a high protein meal replacement, which does not contain steroids. High Quality Meal replacements are one of the best investments you can make in terms of supplements. My personal favorites in terms of quality and taste are Ny-tro Pro 40 made by AST Sports Science, Muscle Milk made by Cytosport, and Intake Performance made by InStone.



Unfortunately, while there are some supplements that can be very beneficial there also some that are pretty much worthless and made only to make the supplement companies rich! This is why one of my missions is to help people weed through all of the confusing and conflicting information on supplements and make an educated decision so that they get the most out of the supplements they purchase with their hard-earned money.



I am always happy to answer any questions others may have about specific supplements before they make a purchase so they don?t waste money on an ineffective product or even something that may be a quality product but unnecessary for that individual?s goals.



I encourage you to read through the free information on my website on training, nutrition, and supplementation as well.



Take care and good luck with your fitness endeavors!



Q: Dear Mr. Russ Yeager,



For one week during my summer vacation, I will be going camping with my family, and was wondering how will I be able to work out in the Rocky Mountains? Do I just do push-ups and crunches for my week workout there or what?



Oh, by the way, good luck on your upcoming bodybuilding competition. You've been training really hard and are very determined to win, as I can see!



Good luck and keep up the good effort!



Take care,



Mark



A: Mi Mark,



Thanks for the kind words. I would do this...If you have not taken a week off in a while then train really hard and intensely up until it is time to go on vacation. I?m talking as hard as you can striving to make each workout significantly better than before. Your body will then be primed for some great growth but at the point of almost overtraining. Then take that whole week off from weight training. One week out of the gym will not hurt your progress and is actually good for your physical and mental recovery. Also, since you trained so hard and then gave your body a break you should initiate some new muscle growth. Remember, your muscles grow outside the gym, not inside!



Enjoy your vacation!



Q: Hi Russ Yeager. My name is Patsy, I am preparing for a bodybuilding competition in 5 Nov 2005. You look great! My goal for this competition is to be as sculptured as you are. Giving my age, 50 plus, do think I can get that cut? Since I read your article on intense cardio, I have been focusing on my cardio. This week I have done four days of med high intense work out. My goal is to reach high intensity training. Do you have any advice on how I should go about this high intensity cardio training to prepare me for the best I can be come Nov 5th?



Thank you,



Patsy. Looking forward to hearing from you.





A: Can you get as cut as me? I can't answer that for sure, but I do know that if you are completely dedicated from now until Nov. you can achieve outstanding results! Heck, you may even be more cut than me.



You should be proud of yourself for your dedication and passion for bodybuilding and fitness!



A great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your intense cardio work is to record the distance and/or calories burned on the piece of cardio equipment each time you perform a session. The next time you work on the same piece of cardio equipment you have to beat the numbers from last time. This forces you to raise your standards and metabolism each time and ensures you are working hard enough to progress! Good luck with your contest preparation!



? Russ Yeager's Fitness Solutions 2006 All rights reserved. Use of this article is permitted for your newsletter, website, or other publication as long as the content is not altered including all active links.





To learn how to get a free copy of Russ's brand new E-book 27 Must-Have Tips For a Complete Physique Transformation visit

http://www.completephysiquetransformation.com







Russ Yeager has been called a Physique Transformation Expert. His passion is helping others make dramatic improvements to their physiques, health, and level of life happiness. Russ is a Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT), writer, amateur bodybuilder, nutrition and fitness coach, and owner of Russ Yeager's Fitness Solutions. For more information visit http://www.russyeager.com


To learn how to get a free copy of Russ's brand new E-book 27 Must-Have Tips For a Complete Physique Transformation visit
http://www.completephysiquetransformation.com