Make Money Easy For You

Top Ten Causes of Global Warming ( part 1)

Global warming has been discussed over and over again. In recent months even politicians like Al Gore have gotten involved. He created a documentary called, “An Inconvenient Truth”, to try and push for more action as well as to enlighten the public. His view is that there are solid facts that global warming exists and skeptic scientists don’t. Many people believe that global warming does not exist because they are not being affected directly; however, scientists believe that the increase in natural disasters comes from global warming.

In NY, I hear a few people here and there saying, “you call this global warming” just because the temperature is at 10 degrees even though this winter it only snowed once compared to the past. Have you ever seen the painting of George Washington sailing across the Delaware River? If you have, you know there is ice in that water. Now if you look at that river during the time of year that picture was taken, there is no ice. What about in the summer when you feel the heat of the sun and realize it is a little hotter now then a few years ago? That could all be in your mind due to media hype and all, but how can you tell?

Where does all this global warming stem from anyway? Who or what is the cause of all this debate and discussion? Some People are afraid and they want answers to their questions. The following is the list of the top 10 causes of global warming. With all the facts laid out, one can make a better decision about what global warming is and how it might affect them.

1. Carbon Dioxide From power Plants

One of the largest contributors to global warming is said to be pollution from power plants. Every time you turn on a light, you add to the tons of carbon spewed into the sky by long tubes connected to these massive coal or oil driven “machines”. According to recent studies, approximately 40% of all carbon dioxide emissions comes form power plants. Natural gas, coal, and oil are the 3 types of polluting power plants. Coal is the biggest contributor out of the 3 because of it releases more carbon than the rest of them per capita. Studies, like the one done in the film, “An Inconvenient Truth”, show that the levels of carbon in the atmosphere has increased drastically in recent years and will probably continue to increase in the years to come.

Some skeptics believe that the levels of carbon are completely normal. According to http://www.geocraft.com, the levels of carbon found in the atmosphere today mirror those found hundreds of thousands of years ago. They believe the scientific “proof” that global warming exists is taken out of cortexes because they look at the past 100 years instead of the bigger picture. The earth has been around of billions of years; earthquakes, monsoons, ice ages, meteors, and so forth, have all affected the earth without destroying every living thing on it.

Despite what others say, many people have created solutions for the pollution caused by power plants. For example, products that help to reduce the green house emissions have emerged. Filters that improve the quality of the air released into the atmosphere have been created to solve this problem. In addition, government regulations have been placed to force owners of large industrial buildings to improve the quality of the air produced by their buildings. Finally, hydrogen power has also become a way of reducing carbon. According to Tom Simonite of http://www.newscientisttech.com, using carbon is better than using water to generate power, and it is completely environmentally friendly.

Read more: Top Ten Causes of Global Warming ( part 1)

Internet Money

The internet is unbelievable as a business environment. The whole Google Adsense and Adwords thing, with Pay-per-click and what not…well all of this is making people very rich. Okay, not everyone. But you can generate a substantial second income from this. Put in more time, and you can definitely quit your day job (if you have one…no assumptions here). To be honest, it isn’t that complicated. It takes a little work to get started but, once you can grasp the concepts, you are set. To this end…I have gone through a large number of internet sites that have information on this. There are a few resources that I believe are worthy of your time. I’ll say why below.

The marketing on most schemes out there is truly atrocious. Some people will be put off by it; the other group will fall for it. I am going to try to go beyond that. It can be hard to see beyond what is staring you blindly in the face (usually in great big red letters). Claims of millions and, nowadays, Paypal account statements with large transfers shown. Basically, these people are trying to sell their products. They have read their own manuals. They know about marketing, about raising hopes in people and about presenting “evidence” of the merits of their products. They exaggerate in some instances; leave out bits that have to do with your own actions. Everybody seems to do this online; however, some of these resources do have real merit, which is why I mention them here.

In my experience, it’s the little things that make a difference. You might have everything done properly, but if your introduction is missing the right punch, then you don’t get any sales. The details are important. They can be, and are usually the difference between getting a lot of money and not getting a lot of money. I feel like it’s those that cover these fine points that are the ones you want.

“I am better than you, I am a jerk etc, etc” one proclaims on his website. You can see the angle he’s going for here. It works though. He’s even had an infomercial done. This means people are buying his product. This must mean that his tips work…at least for some people. That’s really all that matters. This one is guide to basically every effective way of making money online, like a lot of others. What makes it really good is that he cuts out a lot of fluff and lays it down like it is. For me, the real clincher is the forum on the website. There are loads of people who are trying this stuff out. They like to talk about their experiences. This means you can see where mistakes have been made and where progress has been made. That’s value. People can repeatedly come back for help and advice. Not too many schemes have something like that in place.

The people factor is really important. This sort of thing has been around long enough for others to have tried it. Find out what it’s been like for them. Get a second opinion. Forums are a good place. I know my eyes still ache from all the forums I have gone through. It might not clear up all your doubts, but it will certainly eliminate some bad choices.

That brings us to the main point. It really is down to you to follow through. Whichever one you go for, it could take some time for you to start to see real results. You have to have the drive and fortitude to see it to the end. The investment is not too great, particularly in the context of the potential rewards. How brave are you?

There’s a lot of stuff on making money on the internet. You have to be careful. Most people are just looking to make a buck, but if you can just sift out the dodgy ones, there really is a lot to be gained from the right sources.

Good luck.

Read more: Internet Money

How to celebrate this Mothers Day

Mother’s Day is believed to have its origins in the annual spring festival celebrated in Ancient Greece to pay esteem to Rhea, the wife of Cronus and the mother of many deities. The second Sunday in May is celebrated as Mother’s Day not only in the United States, but in other countries also. Mother’s Day is a special day of the year, as we have the pleasure of honoring and celebrating the most important women in our lives in-fact the first girl in our life and i.e. our MOTHER.

This is why giving gift on Mother’s Day has implicit a lot of significance. Walk in to any gift store and you can get a lovely and beautiful gift for your mother. However this is an activity that you need to spare some time for. And in today’s busy world, everybody is short of time. In this case you can always find other options i.e. online gifts; from there you can find lots of gift ideas to decide the right gift for mother’s day.

If you want to give your mother something different on Mother’s Day, a personalized gift is the best way to go. You can get your mother’s name and maybe even her favorite picture or painting printed on every individual sheet of paper. You can choose a matching bracelet, chain or ring for your mom. Another gift idea is the usual photo on t-shirt or shirts and a bowl, mug, or plate with a photograph.

Mothers of grown-up children would appreciate matching jewelry too with matching necklaces, bracelets and earrings. This gift idea is great for all ages of mothers. One other virtue jewelry and it surely lasts longer than chocolates and roses. After all, how special can these gifts be? Think about it. It’s one way of saying “Thank you, Mom, and I love you!”

There is other fantastic gift idea – flowers. Millions of flowers are sent out on Mother’s Day celebration every year. The flowers have been the symbol of mother’s love for centuries. White, pink and red flowers are common colors for Mother’s Day Flowers. Each color has unique meaning in Mother’s Day celebration. White flowers are considered as the flowers for those who have missed their mothers either because of death or of distance. Red flowers regarding life and love and considered the pictogram of love for living mothers. Even Roses are always a popular choice and a perfect gift idea. Nowadays, you can always easily pick perfect flowers online for your mother, no matter how far she is away from you; you can send that within 24 hours.

The Internet has helped to make shopping not only for Mother’s Day but even other important occasions. Online shopping offers large discounts and offers with wide range of choice and suits all budgets.

So celebrate this Mother’s Day with your mom, wife, mother-in-law, sisters, friends or co-workers with one of the Mother’s Day gifts suggested above. There’s no better way to let them know that how much they mean to you.

Read more: How to celebrate this Mothers Day

People Skill and the 4 Basic Types

Do you have the people skill needed to handle difficult people? Best selling author, Peter Urs Bender has come up with four basic personality types. Based on the fact that you really can’t understand someone who’s being difficult, until you can see the world through his or her eyes, here are the four basic types:

1. The Analytical person:

Give this person details, statistics and a stack of ‘how-to’ books. This person wants exact numbers and answers. Usually introverted; in a problem situation don’t try and plead an emotional case – stick to the facts and provide plenty of data to back it up!

2. The Driver:

‘My way or the highway’ might be this person’s motto. They want to know what saves time and the fastest way to get results. Not overly emotional, this personality type is extraverted. Greatest fear? Losing control.

3. The Amiable person:

The question they want answered is ‘why?’ This person doesn’t like disagreements. An emotional type, the amiable person will give others support and attention. They enjoy building relationships and values the opinions of others. In a conflict situation the amiable person needs reassurance – and lots of it.

4. The Expressive:

The question they are likely to want answered is ‘who?’ A pat on the back is a good thing to this person and they love social events. Another extravert, this type fears being rejected. The expressive shows emotion easily and readily and loves to inspire others.

So to use your people skill to work with different personalities, you don’t necessarily want to use the golden rule. You want to do to others what THEY would like done to them. The only way to really know what that would entail is to really listen to that person.

It may take some time to establish the personality trait that seems to fit the person you are dealing with the most. Nevertheless, it will be time well spent.

Probably the hardest part comes next. You will want to adopt their ways. Let’s say you are the Amiable type and want to develop your people skills with a certain Driver individual. If you’ve taken the time to really understand that the driver needs to feel that he or she is getting the problem resolved their way, you’ll have a better chance at reaching an agreement.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a ‘let people walk all over me’ people skill set. This is more about a shift in our own personality patterns towards someone else’s.

Peter Urs Bender wants us to remember that there are no difficult people, only different ones. He goes on to guarantee that his approach, albeit needing enough courage to change, always pays off.

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Higher Education – A Woman’s World

At first glance, higher education today might seem like a woman’s world.

Government officials have warned that men will face a struggle for good jobs in future as teenage boys shun university.

In 2006, 22,500 more young women than men went on to higher education. Ministers are increasingly concerned at the widening gender gap in higher education. Employers increasingly look to hire staff with degrees.

Consequently, men might find themselves marginalised in the jobs market.

Girls have been outperforming boys at GCSE, A-level and in university for years. But now girls are doing better at work too, earning more than boys in the first eight years of their careers.

In 2005, 80% of girls passed national curriculum tests in English, compared with 67% of boys.

At A level, girls passed 23.9% of exams at grade A, compared with 21.5% of boys.
According to Higher Education Funding Council for England Figures last year showed 47% of 17-30 year-old women had gone into higher education in 2004, compared to 37% of young men.

Hefce chief executive Professor David Eastwood said: “We need to understand better why this is happening and start taking some action sooner rather than later.”

Higher Education Minister Bill Rammell said “The government has introduced a number of strategies to address the gap in gender achievement and to raise the performance of all pupil”.

The Raising Boys’ Achievement Project which looked at exciting and innovative ways of raising achievement across a range of primary, secondary, and special schools to identify and evaluate strategies which are particularly helping motivating boys.

Schools will be better able to address underachievement in the performance of boys and girls if they know when and where they emerge. A careful analysis of data, mapping the development of male and female pupils, particularly the value-added data, including a breakdown of data by key pupil sub-groups, will enable schools to plan when and
how to intervene. Schools should monitor pupils’ progress regularly by gender.

Read more: Higher Education – A Woman’s World

Earth Day Every Day

Each Spring, my family and I participate in a town-wide Earth Day clean-up effort. We don heavy gardening gloves and set out with buckets and trash bags to clean up a nearby portion of state forest that borders a busy street. This quarter mile stretch seems to be a magnet for bottles, cans, cigarette butts and fast food wrappings. We are always amazed by how much we accumulate in a short time. We sort the trash into rubbish, which we throw away, and recyclables, which we clean and bring to the recycling area of our public works department. (We collect far more than what would fit in our curbside recycling bins.) Afterwards, it is so rewarding to admire the pristine woods.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t stay clean for long. Within a few days, I often spot several new cans and wrappers as I walk or jog by, and I’ll come home with another handful of trash. This makes me realize that it’s not enough to do an annual clean-up blitz on Earth Day. To really make a difference, we need to think of every day as Earth Day. Here are some practices we can adopt to contribute to a greener planet:

REDUCE If you’ve recently looked around on a trash collection day, I think you’ll agree that we produce a staggering amount of garbage. There’s a disposable version of most consumer goods: contacts lenses, razors, grocery bags, paper plates, plastic utensils, juice boxes, and now even disposable cutting boards. Consider using cloth napkins, canvas bags for your groceries, reusable plastic containers for sandwiches, and refillable bottles for water and juice. Single serving packages may be convenient but they create more waste than buying in bulk. See how much you can cut back on what you throw away.

REUSE Before you throw something out, think if there is someone else who could use the item. There are many organizations that welcome donations of clothes, shoes, furniture, household items, computers, books, toys, bikes, and even cars! One man’s trash can be another’s treasure.

RECYCLE Educate yourself about what’s recyclable in your area and take full advantage of curbside and town recycling. Bottles, cans, plastic milk containers, paper-including newspaper, magazines and junk mail all belong in the recycling bin, not the trash. From my observations, many people don’t realize that cardboard boxes, pizza boxes, egg cartons, and even cereal boxes can also be recycled. You may have to take some items to designated recycling bins at a local dump or public works department.

DETOX Pollutants are taking a toll on our air, water, soil, and health. There are environmentally friendly lawn and garden products that can be just as effective as pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Using compost as a mulch and leaving nitrogen-rich grass clippings on your lawn are just two natural landscaping strategies. Inside the home, you can choose non-toxic cleaning supplies. On the Internet you can find many recipes using common pantry staples like vinegar, salt, and baking soda to replace many household cleaners. Also, learn what items, such as computer and TV’s with their cathode ray tubes, oil-based paint, motor oil, mercury thermometers, and some batteries are considered hazardous waste, and find out how to properly dispose of them.

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The Conflict with Diamonds

Back in the year 2000, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict. In taking up this agenda item, the General Assembly formally recognized that the illicit diamond trade plays a significant role in armed conflict, especially in the case of Sierra Leone.

Conflict diamonds are diamonds that are sold to fund the activities of rebel, military, and terrorist groups. The countries most affected by the illegal diamond trade are Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These are all places where citizens have been terrorized, mutilated, and killed by groups in control of the local diamond trade.

“The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme” is an international effort to rid the world of conflict diamonds. The goals of the process are to document and track all rough diamonds entering a country, while ensuring that shippers transport their diamonds in tamper-proof containers and provide proper documentation to ensure that the diamonds in question do not originate in conflict zones.

The Canadian government has also made some advances in identifying diamonds originating in its mines. “The Voluntary Code of Conduct for Authenticating Canadian Diamond Claims” is a program that aims to identify and document Canadian diamonds. The program is voluntary, but serves as a viable model for the governments of other nations to emulate.

As a consumer, you can do your part to ensure that you are not supporting regimes that terrorize their citizens. You can demand that your jewelry retailer provide you with documentation regarding the origins of the diamond in question. If the diamond originates from a questionable source, shop elsewhere. That very simple act can send a very powerful message!

How would your wife-to-be feel knowing that the diamond in the engagement ring you gave her originated in a war-torn nation? How would she react to the prospect of people having suffered immensely over the diamonds in her ring? My guess is that she would not be very happy to know that the thing that brings her so much joy brought so many others so much sorrow. Change begins with you. Follow your heart when buying diamonds for the ones you love.

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Birthday Poems to Irritate Men!

Over the years I seem to have amused and delighted many friends and colleagues by composing funny poems and writing them in their birthday cards. I have now decided to publish my anthology of wit, humour and downright rudeness for the world to enjoy!

These rhymes have proven to be particularly popular with women – demonstrating how cruel and heartless the ‘gentler’ sex can be to the men in their lives. They can be copied into birthday cards, Father’s Day cards, Christmas cards, or simply cut and pasted onto an email … in fact they can be used anytime someone you know needs cheering up – or bringing down a peg or two!

Many of the poems rely heavily on the shortcomings of we poor men; ie, drunkenness, uncontrolled flatulence, lecherousness, good old fashioned plain laziness, inability to master DIY, thinning hair, suspiciously thickening midriff etc, etc. Characteristics which I’m sure apply to some extent to all husbands, boyfriends and sons.

You will see that each poem contains a man’s first name, but not as part of the rhyme. In other words, you can easily ‘personalise’ the rhyme by replacing the name with the name of the person you would like to send it to. (This works best if the names have the same number of syllables. For example, ‘Bob’ can be changed to John, Dave, Mick, Paul etc; ‘Andy’ can be changed to Simon, Roger, Alan etc).

For whatever reason you decide to send one, the poor unsuspecting fellow will receive a very amusing rhyme poking fun at some of his – shall we say – less romantic characteristics. A possible side effect is that he may also be impressed at your wit, humour and resourcefulness – but please don’t expect him to admit to that. Here they are;

*

Ian doesn’t much like it, When you tell him he’s losing his hair; And he gets just a little bit grumpy, When you point out his tyre is spare.

So be sensitive now it’s his birthday, And remember, the man’s not bionic; Sit him down in his chair, don’t mention the hair And pour him a large Gin and Tonic.

*

John likes booze and John likes women, He doesn’t like running and he doesn’t like swimming; He likes sitting down and he likes eating grub, He doesn’t like work but he does like the pub.

Being John’s Missus is a pain in the neck, When he dresses up smart, he still looks a wreck! He thinks posh restaurants and theatres are above him, But I suppose all these things are just reasons I love him!

*

There once was a young man called Laurence, Who when urinating did so in torrents, When asked, “Was it Venice That inspired this menace?”

He replied, “No, I learnt it in Florence”.

*

Matthew wants presents for his birthday, Matthew wants jewellery and cars, Matthew wants to go out to restaurants, And meet gorgeous women in bars.

Well I’ve got a present for Matthew, For this playboy who thinks he’s so cool, It’s what he got me for my birthday, Coincidentally that’s B*GGER ALL!

Read more: Birthday Poems to Irritate Men!

Adult Incontinence Diapers

It is estimated that more than 19 million Americans suffer from varying degrees of incontinence. We have traditionally and incorrectly assumed incontinence to be a normal side effect of childbirth or that it is something to be expected as we grow older. Doctors now know that incontinence can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. A physician should examine all cases of incontinence. Some may treat the underlying disorder, while others may choose to prescribe a medicinal treatment.

Adult Incontinence Diapers

Although we have always assumed that getting older was the cause of incontinence, we now understand that there are many causes for the disorder. It is estimated that nearly 86% of those suffering can seek medical treatment and expect to see results. Results may vary from a much lesser degree of incontinence to fully regaining bladder control. While some cases of incontinence are caused by aging, most cases are signals of underlying medical issues, such as enlargement of the prostate in men and loss of estrogen in post-menopausal women. These examples highlight the importance of seeking guidance, evaluation and treatment from your physician.

You can also look into the various other methods that can help to treat incontinence. Kegal exercises, which help to strengthen the pelvic muscles, are often an effective method of controlling incontinence. More serious cases may require medication, or even surgery. It all depends on the severity and your level of discomfort. Adult incontinence diapers are a good way to ease the discomfort from loss of bladder control.

While you are in the process of seeking treatment, whether it is medication, exercise or surgery, you will need to decide what kind of adult diaper to choose. Your doctor can assist you in finding the best brand of adult incontinence diapers for you. Fortunately, for most suffers of this disorder, many products are available to make their lives more comfortable.

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Influencing Others With Your Energy Force

You can make those that you come in contact with feel as you do, because you radiate vibrations of the way you feel and your vibrations are felt by others. When you concentrate on a certain thing you turn all the rays of your vibrations on this. Thought is the directing power of all Life’s vibrations. Cultivate the art of feeling, for you can only make others feel what you feel. Hold only those mental states, which you wish other to take on.

A persuader is a transferor of emotion. Emotion is power, you’ve got to have it within yourself before you can give it to somebody else. You can’t transfer that which you are not experiencing. You have to have confidence because you are capable of doing something, not because you have already done it. If confidence comes from having already done something, you probably wouldn’t even get started. You have to act as if you are already what you want to become.

It is the mind that moves energy. Will is the ruling faculty of mind. You move the energy by willing it. The will is feeling force. As you feel so energy moves. You exert your energy outwards by feeling it move from you. Feeling is energy force, energy field and force field. Energy is matter and matter is energy. You can literally affect reality on every level with feeling force or energy force. You can summon up energy and shape it with the will. Your feeling affect everybody else’s etheric-physical reality. This feeling or energy force is your personal magnetism. You must be able to control energy with the will in both ways. You must be able to stop the flow of energy when it is too much and you must be able to summon up energy when you need it.

People in positions of power walk with a certain space around them. The greater their power, the greater the space they have. The effect of how people move around you depends on the nature of your energy force. Whether it is weak or strong, erratic or stable. Whether you are exerting it or not.

Walk with the mentality of being a prince or someone who is powerful and you will exert your personal magnetism outwards, which creates a space around you that people will stay clear off for you to move it. You can move round like a prince or royalty. Your energy force will affect other people’s subconscious minds and influence the reality matrix continuum to create reality in which people move in such a way as to make space for you when you walk. The force will also direct you to move in such a way that is optimal for you to navigate freely and fluidly without much effort. With this power, you can literally control reality around you. This force of making things go your way can be used in situations other than walking in public.

You will soon become conscious of the flow of nerve-force from you, into the field of your personal atmosphere or aura, to a distance of several feet on all sides of you. You will become aware of the effect of your physical magnetism upon others who come in contact with you. You will be able to perceive the reaction and response to your strong magnetic influence on them. They will, unconsciously, let you know that they feel the power of your presence, and acknowledge your strength.

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Do You Want a Beautiful Life?

Your life is more than days and years. It is what you do with your time and how closely your choices match your values. It is how you maximize the possibilities that cross your path.

Life is full of surprises. Sometimes it can be confusing, messy, and discouraging. What seems to be a rock in your path may end up being a stepping stone to something important. You may look for shortcuts to tomorrow and not find any. Even so, it is still possible to find your way to a beautiful life.

“Beautiful” can mean different things to different people. Webster’s dictionary defines it as “having beauty; very pleasing and satisfying to the senses, eye, ear, and mind.” When it comes to applying “beautiful” to your life, begin by assuming that your basic needs for food, water, shelter, and physical and financial security are met.

Next, visualize what your beautiful life looks like. To do this, you need to know where you are going as well as where you have been. Make the picture of your beautiful life in color; it makes it more enticing. Make it large to make it more compelling.

Then, focus on your emotional and mental well-being. Get in touch with your purpose for being here. Your purpose grounds you and keeps you moving forward. If you feel lost, people who love you will find you.

In addition, to make a beautiful life which you deserve:

1. Love yourself. This means enjoying your own company and making peace with who you are at this moment in time.
2. Make time for yourself so that you can listen with your heart for your purpose in life.
3. Think positively and be happy. Remember, mistakes are opportunities to learn.
4. Put effort into things important to you; try. Be willing to stretch yourself and move outside your comfort zone once in a while.
5. Learn to be accepting and flexible when you cannot alter or avoid a situation to decrease your stress level. There is a saying, “When you don’t have what you want, try wanting what you have.”

If you want a challenge and to stretch yourself, add two more ideas to this list that you know would make your life beautiful. This will make the list more uniquely yours. Then, choose one of these ideas. Begin to focus on it until you feel it is a part of who you really are. Continuing to take one idea at a time from your list, you can move forward whenever you feel you are ready.

Having a beautiful life is not about having a perfect life or all the material things you want in your life. It is much deeper than that. It has to do with knowing what is important to you and being able to take action in a positive way. You have control over the choices you make. Your feelings about yourself and your life depend on your choices. Choose wisely.

Read more: Do You Want a Beautiful Life?

The Weirdness of the Japanese

I hope Hollywood decides to make no more horror movies based on Japanese ones. They’re really boring and not the least bit scarey. Right now I’m thinking of ‘The Ring’ and the ‘The Grudge’ and I’ve seen ads for ‘Black Water’ which I absolutely will not see or rent in the future because I learned my lesson from those first two. Both of them I fell asleep watching. The Ring, I know, got some good reviews and it was really beautiful to look at but I didn’t like the characters and I didn’t understand what was happening most of the time. I wasn’t the least bit frightened because I didn’t care so much if bad things happened to these two dimensional characters and I didn’t quite get what was supposed to scare me, anyways.

The problem with Japan is that it’s not America. In college I got interested in Anime films because they were really beautiful and I loved the concept of using cartoons to tell a story, but again – and please tell me if I’m really just stupid – I didn’t get at all what was going on. Like in this one anime all the characters were really frantic about this glowing egg from which a magical dragon would pop out of and I knew it had to represent something – but what? I’m not Japanese. A glowing egg that a dragon pops out of is just a glowing egg that a dragon pops out of. That’s all. I don’t know what it means.

And what is the deal with Japanese school-girls? In all of these anime films there would be Japanese school-girls who would be represented as fully sexualized, eager and active. And the movies would let it be known that they were thirteen or fourteen. For a Westerner like me, it just seems more than a tad bit creepy. I know, in Japan they have vending machines that dispense used School-girl panties (Yes. True) And I also know that books about how to rub up against School-girls in the subway are best-sellers. It’s their culture and I should respect it and not make judgements … but, c’mon.

I rather enjoy some Japanese video games, but again, the weirdness just gets to me. One of the first games I played was called Zone of the Enders on Playstation 2. It’s what’s called a mech game, (ie) you control a giant fighting robot which you ride in, in this case the robot also flies.

I was already familiar with this variety of game from watching the Power Rangers on TV, mainly because of the delightful Amy Jo Johnson AKA The Pink Power Ranger. My ten year old nephew was quite confused as to why she was my favorite power ranger. He’s older now and I presume he understands my preference.

In Zone of Enders you fly around in your giant robot, but the cockpit (so to speak) is at the top of a structure in the lower mid-section of the robot that bears more than a passing resemblance to a woody several stories high. Forgive me, but it just makes me uncomfortable playing a game from the tip of a huge robot penis. I don’t why. Maybe it’s just me.

Some Japanese video games I’ve enjoyed are Onimusha (the whole series) and ICO. They were so great because of the lovely worlds they created and if I never knew exactly what was going on, well, they were video games and I alway knew enough that if a monster attacks you then you fight it. The plots were just beyond me and I learned to stop asking myself why this or that was happening or who this person was and why they had wings. Here’s one I still don’t get: For some reason in Japanese video games chickens, of all things, seem to be set as the most terrifying monsters imaginable. The hugest Boss fights would be with gigantic, awful chickens. I’ve never been much scared of poultry, but it must reach deep into the dark depths of Japan’s psyche.

Time for a little cultural relativism. Is it possible that perhaps some things about Americans seem a little off to the Asian mindset? Perhaps they find some things about us ‘weird? Well, I’ve also played a few American video games where part of the plot of the game involved the elements of fire, water, earth, and air, like in Myst where you have to travel to worlds that represent each one, or any number of other games where you had to collect parts that represent the four elements and then put them together in some meaningful way.

It makes sense to me, but is the whole world as familiar with medieval European alchemy as we are in America? Probably not. Not everyone has the same background of myth as we do. Joseph Campbell didn’t design their video games and movies like he did for us, so if they’re a little backwards in that area, it’s probably his fault.

Sad to say, I think this lack of cultural understanding is a generational thing, too. A lot of entertainment product that they wee ones are getting are coming to us courtesy of our good neighbors in the Far East. Our kids are growing up with this stuff. They know it, and they like it, while dinosaurs like me – and maybe you, too – are perplexed and baffled. Ever have a kid try and teach you Yu-Gi-Oh? I have and I guarantee you that I’m not now, nor ever will be a skilled Yu-Gi-Oh player.

And one day when all these kids grow up having been exposed to all these foreign Asian games, we’ll all seem like the weird ones to them.

Well, we probably already do.

Read more: The Weirdness of the Japanese

Writing a cover letter for a new Construction Job

When applying to a new construction job, your cover letter is the first thing an employer will read, even before a CV, so it is one of the most important things to get right!

The role of the cover letter is to highlight your main skills and experiences that match what the company is looking for in order to emphasize that you are right for the job.

There is no strict formula but there are some important things to remember when writing a cover letter.

Introduction

This sets the cover letter tone and focus and is the most important sentence of the whole thing. You need to provide a catchy start to encourage the reader to carry on. It should be brief, stating the construction job you are applying to and an explanation as to why you have applied for this role. You must address the letter to the individual if you have this information.

Main Body

This is your opportunity to match your skills, qualifications and experiences to that of the job you are applying. First, focus on the company’s needs and the actual role, explaining why you have applying to them. This shows you have done your research on the company and that you are tailoring the letter to them personally. Next, match these to your skills and abilities; show how you are right for the job and elaborate on your achievements. Try not to just regurgitate your CV as they will come onto that after.

Closing Paragraph

End on a positive note and urge the reader to contact you. Mention when you may be available for interview and say you very much look forward to hearing from them. Sign it off professionally and sign and print your name.

Finally

Once you have written the letter, make sure that it is presented properly. Put your address on the top right hand side with the company’s address to the top left. Ensure your paragraphs are justified to the left and the font is consistent throughout. Keep it to one side of A4 and no more than 4 paragraphs long. Do a spell check and ask a friend to check through it.

The last thing to remember is that you must not mass-produce your cover letters. These will stand out a mile and will be thrown in the bin. Making sure it is written specifically for the construction job and company you are going for will be massively impressive!

Read more: Writing a cover letter for a new Construction Job

American Morality – A Glimmer of Hope on the Horizon

Has the United States lost it’s basic principle of morality? Has the United States moved away from the guiding principles that this country was founded on? A single line from the Declaration of Independence describes these basic principles, and it is the meaning of these words which provided the foundation for the formation of the United States:

“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” – Thomas Jefferson

All Americans are created equal and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is a right granted to every citizen of the United States. Our founding fathers acquired these principles from their religious beliefs, and regardless of what people may think, the United States was founded on Biblical principles. Our founding fathers did not use certain aspects of the Bible just to satisfy what they wanted in a country. They used the Bible as a whole in order to create an understanding of what the basic rights are for an individual. They concluded that these rights are from God and are given to all individuals.

One of the unalienable rights given by our creator is the right to live our lives. Our creator placed each individual on this earth for a reason. Is it not true that other people in the world have that same unalienable right to live and fulfill God’s purpose? So, if this is a founding principle for our country, does it not follow that we as a country should help others less fortunate then us? Should not others, who were born in underdeveloped countries, have the same right to life? In this article, I will address some of these questions, with the hope that by examining these issues, we can as a society, move in a direction our founding fathers had envisioned. Americans have lost site of the fact that excess without giving is not really what our founding fathers had in mind. Lets examine some examples which are symbolic of this immorality that currently exists within the American society.

Before presenting this first example, we need to have a clear definition of what morality is. From WordNet, a lexical database for the English language, developed at the Cognitive Science Library at Princeton University, morality is concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong. This first example of immorality may be considered by many as one that does not have anything to do with morality, but if you give it more then cursory thought, you would most likely consider it a morality issue.

This first example has to do with Americans and their relationship with their automobiles. Yes, immorality can be seen at such a insignificant level. More importantly, this example shows the pervasiveness of immorality within the American society. Most Americans, if typical, need an automobile for basic functioning within most areas of the United States. The automobile has become a perfunctory status symbol. Many people within the United States can barely pay their rent or mortgage, but they will shovel out money per month on an automobile they really can not afford. They spend money per month in the form of a car payment or lease, just to have a “nice” car.

The American obsession with the sport utility vehicle is one I still do not understand. One basic argument of the SUV owner is that by driving a SUV, they feel safer. If your driving skill is so poor that you can not avoid poor drivers, try working on your driving skill. This to me makes more sense then driving a tank (SUV) which consumes large quantities of fuel and concomitantly contributes to an increase in fuel demand. This increase in fuel demand drives fuel prices upward. With Americans so reliant upon their automobiles, higher fuel prices mean less extra money in their pocket. Money that could be used to help feed those dying from starvation throughout the world.

The American car companies for many years pushed the SUV on the American public, and now these car companies are suffering the consequences. The thinking as to why these companies offered these vehicles to the American public was that they thought Americans would continue in their mind set that excess is better. The American car companies today are doing poorly as a business. They have continually laid off workers in order to maintain a level of viability. They have been very slow to innovate and the federal government has had to mandate fuel efficiency. Because of their sluggish response to the need for fuel efficient vehicles, American car companies are now suffering the consequences.

On the other hand, Toyota and Honda, companies which have put fuel efficient hybrids out into the market place, are now doing very well. Toyota is now the number one car seller in the world. Toyota and Honda have always placed fuel efficiency as a higher priority. A glimmer of hope lies in the fact that Americans are starting to create the mind set that excess is not good, and frugality is the way of the future. Simply put, driving SUVs is not intelligent.

Driving an SUV when it really is not necessary is an example of overindulgence in the United States. Granted, there are situations where an individual needs a SUV such as Alaska or any area of the country where road conditions are poor or winters are severe. Or, there are occasions where material needs to be transported in a SUV because of it’s increase carrying capacity. In these cases, there is a legitimate reason to own a SUV because of it’s utilitarian value. But the majority of SUV owners are not in these situations or extreme conditions frequently enough to warrant owning such a fuel wasting vehicle. Driving a hybrid is an example of intelligent frugality. In order to buy a Toyota or Honda hybrid, you will have to be put on a long waiting list. This is a good sign that Americans are starting to develop the mind set that having less is better and frugality is the way of the future.

Our society has been through a period of excess and overindulgence but changes, hopefully, are on the horizon. Morality in the form of giving needs to be reincorporated back into our society. It makes more sense to drive a more fuel efficient vehicle, and use some of the saved money to contribute to the world hunger problem. For most morally conscious individuals, this type of sustained and continual activity leads to greater long term happiness.

Giving does not have to be monetary, it can be in other forms, such as giving time or knowledge. This brings us to our next example of morality reduction that has been in existence in the United States. Many parents today are not giving enough time to their children. Children need to be nurtured. A parents wisdom, gained through a life time of experiences, needs to be imparted to their children. Parents need to impart to their children the value of giving and a feeling of concern for others . When I was a child growing up, school shootings where kids are killing teachers and fellow students, was virtually unheard of. Today, school shootings are occurring at an alarming frequency. To me, part of the problem is due to parents not spending enough time with their children. Again it comes down to giving. In this case, it comes down to giving time and knowledge. Parents not giving enough time to their children is another example of morality reduction within our society.

Another example of the immorality prevalent within our society is displayed by the films which come out of Hollywood today. I am sorry to say that most of these films really are to put it bluntly, garbage. Most of these films lack the cerebral quality of the earlier films. From a technical perspective i.e. special effects, they are excellent, but from a cerebral perspective, they are lacking. Most of today’s films rely heavily on special effects in order to appeal to the audience. The common theme for today’s films almost always involves action sequences, sex, and violence. They are always trying to appeal to the dark side of human nature with very little thinking required of the audience. Therefore, most of today’s films are lacking in moral quality. They are produced only to make money for those who are producing them, without any understanding to the implications they may have on society, especially younger people.

Creativity is basically gone from Hollywood and many of the movies coming out today are remakes of successful earlier films. Once and a while a good film will be presented to the American public, but generally speaking most are junk. Most of today’s actors are not really household names. They come and go fairly quickly and lack the staying power of a John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, or Humphrey Bogart. These actors displayed a level of integrity and they new about the personification they were displaying to the American public. They were not perfect, but they did display a higher level of morality.

Is our society spiraling downward into the oblivion of lost hope? I believe not. More and more we are seeing examples which display the positive value of giving. A case in point. Time Magazine finally got it right when they named rock star Bono, and Bill and Melinda Gates as the Persons of the Year for 2005. They were named persons of the year not because of anything that happened at Microsoft and not because Bono is a rock star, they were named persons of the year for their charitable work and activism aimed at reducing global poverty and improving world health. Finally a media organization is recognizing the value of giving.

Another sign of hope that Americans may be moving away from the mind set of excess and non-giving, can be seen in the enormous outpouring of giving monetarily in the wake of the worst hurricane season the United States has had on record. Americans have also given monetarily to the tsunami relief effort. Americans have not been giving readily to the current starving in Africa. In December 2005, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization issued a warning that nearly 12 million Africans face the immediate threat of famine. Americans have not been giving to the Pakistani earthquake relief efforts.

This lack of giving is not really due to Americans not willing to give, but rather due to the lack of media exposure. CNN would rather spend hours talking about whether President Bush broke the law by wire tapping potential terrorists in the United States, then talk about the important world issues such as the thousands that are dying in the wake of the Pakistan earthquake or the starving in Africa. It is very important that the media expose these type of stories. You can not give if you do not know about the need.

The point is this. Giving on a continuous basis, produces feelings of long term happiness. For this country to get back to it’s moral principles, giving to others in need is one way to move in that direction. Which brings me back to my original point. Americans need to fully get back to the mind set that giving and having less is of greater value then having more. We must move away from trying to produce short term happiness via artificial means.

Artificial symbols such as what type of car you drive, how fancy your clothing is, or how many vacation homes you can acquire should be of less importance to any one who has some substance to them. The next time you find yourself propagating one of these excesses, think of the 24,000 people per day that are dying of hunger. Think about the six million children under the age of five which will die of hunger each year. Think about the downtrodden, the abused, and the tortured. When you think about these things, giving makes more sense. Give what you can and when you can.

Albert Einstein once said “ the value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.” What many people do not realize is that Albert Einstein was a deeply religious man. He knew that only a God could produce such a complex universe, and that such complexity could not have been produced by random chaotic events. He saw the order in the universe and the relation of the universe with God. He simply did not wear his religion on his sleeve. He also had insights beyond physics in that he realized what truly gives a man a sense of happiness and inner peace.

Einstein had it right in that happiness does not come from what you hold, but really from what you give. No matter what your religious belief, a life time of giving to those less fortunate then yourself, will result in long term happiness. Give it a try. You might be surprised at the feeling it produces. A glimmer of hope is on the horizon. The United States can move back to it’s Biblical principles. But we must all do our part.

Read more: American Morality – A Glimmer of Hope on the Horizon

The history of African American magazines

African American Magazines

The market has a wide array of