Ideas for Inexpensive Centerpieces

Filed under:Life Of Relationships — posted on October 28, 2007 @ 11:29 pm

The following paragraphs summarize the work of wedding experts
who are completely familiar with all the aspects of weddings.
Heed their advice to avoid any wedding surprises.

Traditional floral centerpieces can be expensive especially if
you plan on having a large number of tables at the wedding
reception. While floral arrangements have traditionally been the
centerpiece of choice at many weddings there are many more
original centerpiece ideas that are also very inexpensive.
Depending on the theme and color scheme of the wedding, there
are a variety of low cost options available.

A wedding with a light-hearted theme hosted by a fun loving
couple might be a suitable opportunity to utilize candy to
create festive centerpieces. Clear glass bowls can be filled
with colorful candies such as jelly beans or M & Ms to create a
lovely and very inexpensive centerpiece that reflects the
personalities of the bride and groom. The candy and bowls can
probably be purchased for a fraction of the price of floral
centerpieces and create a lovely centerpiece that is easily
assembled and can be enjoyed by all of the guests.

The bride and groom can also opt for silk floral arrangements if
they are intent on having flowers as their centerpiece. Many
hobby stores sell a wide variety of attractive artificial
flowers that can be arranged by the bride and groom to create
attractive centerpieces for the tables. Using fake flowers gives
the couple more of an opportunity to express their creativity.
The hobby store also likely sells inexpensive vases so the
couple may be able to purchase everything they need for the
centerpieces in one location. Arranging the flowers in a vase is
nice but long stemmed flowers such as calla lilies also look
very attractive tied with twine or ribbon and simply laid in the
center of the table. The couple could either choose seasonal
artificial flowers or artificial flowers that fit the theme of
the wedding and arrange them in inexpensive vases or tie them
with attractive ribbons to create inexpensive centerpieces for
their wedding.

Another inexpensive option for a couple wishing to utilize
flowers for their centerpieces is to use potted plants. You can
find a multitude of inexpensive potted plants at home
improvement stores, greenhouses, and even grocery stores. The
couple can choose plants that match the other decorations for
the wedding or that will stand out amongst the other
decorations. These plants could be repotted into festive pots to
create attractive centerpieces for a relatively low cost.

It’s really a good idea to probe a little deeper into the
subject of weddings. What you learn may give you the confidence
you need to venture into new areas.

Balloons can be another option for a couple looking to have fun
yet inexpensive centerpieces. Balloons are relatively
inexpensive and can be easily found in a wide variety of colors
and patterns. The couple could choose solid or print patterns
that match the colors of the table linens. An extra tip for
these centerpieces is to weigh down the balloons with a piece of
candy. This will encourage each guest at the table to take home
a balloon as a souvenir. With a typical centerpiece only one
guest has the opportunity to take home the centerpiece but using
balloons makes it possible for each guest to take home a part of
the centerpiece.

Another inexpensive wedding table centerpiece is a picture frame
in the shape of cube that allows the insertion of a photo into
each side of the cube. The couple may choose to include pictures
of themselves during their courting or they may wish to include
pictures of them with the guests who will be sitting at that
table. This is a great opportunity for the couple to express
their individuality and share a little bit of themselves with
their guests. Artfully arranged photographs create fun
centerpieces that are also very inexpensive.

Candles also create a very attractive yet inexpensive
centerpiece. The couple may choose to purchase many of the same
candle or candles of varying shapes, sizes and colors to arrange
on the tables. Candles of the same size, shape and color can be
arranged in a uniform pattern to create a beautiful centerpiece.
Candles that vary in size, shape and color can be placed at
random on the table to create an eclectic appeal.

With a little bit of thought and creativity a couple can find
centerpiece options that are affordable, attractive and well
suited for the couple. The traditional centerpieces of floral
arrangements can be boring and also extremely expensive.
Utilizing creativity and ingenuity to create centerpieces that
are an accurate representation of the taste of the couple often
creates a more appealing centerpiece at a very affordable price.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your
understanding of weddings. Share your new understanding about
wedding with others. They’ll thank you for it.

Allergies - Dogs May Suffer Too

Filed under:Pets — posted on @ 11:03 pm

Many people don’t realize that their dogs, just like human beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form of allergies in dogs. Other types include atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant allergies.

Signs and symptoms of dog allergies may vary but are often marked by persistent itching and discoloration of the skin (most common in skin allergies), coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and mucus discharge (most common in inhalant allergies), and nausea, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea (common to food allergies and other ailments.)

Over-the-counter preparations and treatments for common dog allergies exist and may be purchased at any good pet supply store, but care should be taken when choosing such treatments. Consultation with a vet is the best first course of action for several reasons. First of all, what you think is an allergic reaction may actually be signs of a more serious ailment and a vet should be the one to determine whether that is the case. Secondly, if the allergy is severe enough, over-the-counter treatments may not be sufficient to treat the symptoms and a prescription strength treatment may be required. There is also the chance that the dog does not have an allergy at all. The last thing you want to do is medicate your pet unnecessarily.

If you do think your dog has some type of allergy, consult your vet. The doctor will be able to perform tests to determine whether an allergic condition exists, how severe it is, and what the proper treatment will be. If the dog has an allergy to certain foods, it will be imperative to restrict the animal’s diet to eliminate those items that cause a reaction. The vet’s testing methods can help to determine whether this type of allergy exists as well. If the dog has flea allergy dermatitis (an allergic reaction to the saliva of fleas, rather than to the insects themselves), an extreme flea prevention regimen will be recommended.

Just like humans, dogs that suffer from various allergies can live comfortably with them if they are detected and treated properly. It is important to keep in mind that this is not a time to “play doctor” by attempting to diagnose and treat a possible allergic condition yourself. Only your veterinarian is qualified to determine whether your dog is suffering from allergies and what course of action to take.

About the Author

This article courtesy of http://www.dog-obedience-solutions.net

The Business of Speaking for Profit, Pleasure, and Personal Growth

Filed under:Living With Publishers — posted on @ 10:51 pm

I believe that public speaking can be rewarding in many ways. First of all it can provide you with an opportunity to earn a fantastic full time or part time income working from home. Groups, organizations and businesses are always looking for informative, entertaining speakers to address their members at banquets, annual meetings, conferences etc. As you become well known as a speaker the invitations increase. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising. As your reputation spreads you will find people from outside your local area approaching you to present to their group. Since I began my speaking career I have spoken to numerous groups throughout Canada and the United States. Not only are the financial rewards terrific, but I get to travel, all expenses paid, meet new people and see new country. What a great life and what great rewards for doing what I love to do.

Another appealing feature of a speaking career is that you control your own schedule. You accept only those engagements that fit nicely into your other family duties and obligations. If you want a month off, you just don’t accept bookings during that time. When you add this to no traffic jams to face twice a day and no boss to contend with it starts to hit you just how appealing this career is.

Not only do you determine how many speeches you would like to give per month but you also can negotiate how much you will charge per speech. When just starting out in the speaking business you will receive in the neighborhood of $200.00 per presentation. Within a year you could be receiving between $500 and $1000 per talk. Not bad part time money for doing something you love.

I like to have a fee range to accommodate the various budgets of different groups and to provide room for negotiation. I am in the business of opening doors of opportunity not closing them because my fee is rigid. This is entirely up to you. I know speakers who will not negotiate their fees. That is their choice.

If you just want to speak locally you can. If you want to spread your vocal wings across the region and the continent the possibilities are endless. Marketing yourself and your service will bring opportunities galore. If you have a computer and are online you can advertise on your own web site. This brings inquiries from all over the planet and spreads the word about your speaking topics and availability to millions of potential clients.

Added Benefits of a Public Speaking Career

1. Public speaking builds confidence. When you experience the thrill of holding an audience in the palm of your hand and receive their appreciative applause your confidence soars.

2. Public speaking boosts your self esteem. When you see the audience relate to you as someone who really knows what you are talking about your self esteem increases. And we all can use an increase in self esteem.

3. People start looking at you in a more positive way. Even if you never use your public speaking skills in giving formal presentations, people will notice that you are more articulate and confident in expressing an opinion or sharing an insight. You will discover that they begin looking to
you for advice and opinions on many issues.

4. It helps you become a more organized thinker.. Planning, writing and delivering a well researched , well organized presentation has an overflow effect in other areas of your life. You begin to plan and organize your thoughts more effectively.. This is especially helpful in your
career or business. When your manager or supervisor asks your opinion on some work- related issue you are better able to express your ideas in a clear, concise and well organized manner.

5. Public speaking begins to alter your self perception. As you begin to use the skills involved in public speaking you will notice that you begin to start talking to yourself in a more positive way. You begin to see yourself as capable and confident.

6. By accepting the challenge to speak in public you begin to explore and actualize your own potential. Many of us go through life not realizing how much we are capable of achieving. Public speaking is an effective tool in the process of self discovery.

7. Public speaking gives you the courage to break out of your comfort zone. I believe that the comfort zone is the enemy of human growth. When we are too comfortable where we are we tend to become stagnant. Speaking in public pushes us out of the comfort zone and reveals to
us our enormous capabilities.

If you feel compelled to share your expertise or message with others do so. Start slowly and start small but start. The benefits and rewards are tremendous.

Mike Moore is an international speaker on the role of humor in human relations. Mike’s articles and cartoons have appeared in publications throughout the world. For more on what Mike can do for your organization visit http://www.motivationalplus.com

http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?speakbiz

A Gift Of Immense Value - Buying A Tag Heuer Sports Watch For A Loved One

Filed under:Helpful Information — posted on @ 7:46 pm

When my son who was on vacation from college telephoned me long
distance and said he would like to visit me to get some help to
accompany him to select and purchase a Tag Heuer Sports Watch, I
was not at all surprised. After all, Tag Heuer Sport Watches are
well known for their quality and value.

So three days later, we headed off to the Watta Time Watch Shop
and was greeted by the Sales Supervisor.

The first thing you should know in buying a Tag Heuer sports
watch is that Tag Heuer watches come in different ranges. The
brand Tag Heuer is synonymous with sports, and there were three
ranges that were introduced to us. The first range was the
Formula 1 sports range which did not appeal to us as they were
far too rugged and looked really roughly made, then Year 2000
series which was being phased out and the new Aquaracer series.

The Aquaracer series appealed to us most. This range refers to
the Tag Heuer sports watches designed primarily to withstand
aqua activities and sports, and the watches would be able to
withstand a good depth of water pressure. It was too bad, the
Sales Supervisor did not felt it of any purpose to tell us
exactly the technical details or how deep it can go under the
water or what water pressure it can withstand, so we are none
the wiser.

The second thing to know in buying the Tag Heuer watch is that
of the color of the watch face. The watch face can be a dark
face of black or dark blue or a white face. Normally a dark face
watch would look really smart on my son’s wrist, but this time
around the dark face watch that was tried out on my son’s wrist
did not look any smarter or nicer at all. Even the Sales
Supervisor agreed that when the watch was viewed independently
as a standalone on the counter, it looked very smart but not on
my son’s wrist. Once again, she failed to offer a reason why,
but we can surmised that most probably the design of the watch
itself is very much the reason.

The third thing to know in buying a Tag Heuer watch is that of
the thickness of the watch. A thicker Tag Heuer watch would cost
at least a thousand ringgit (malaysian dollars) more, and there
was no reason why someone would want to buy a thicker and a
heavier watch, and the Sales Supervisor once again did not take
the trouble to explain why. But on further investigation, we
found the thickness was due to the fact that the watch was an
automatic self winding feature without needing a battery.

The fourth thing to know in buying a Tag Heuer watch is that of
incremental value. To get an indication of the rate of gain in
annual value, I checked out with a sportswoman who was the most
avid tennis player I have ever known. She had purchased a Tag
Heuer sports watch some 10 years ago at $2,500 ringgit during a
closing down sale from a specialty watch shop. The same series
was selling now at $3,500 making an annual increment of $100 per
year. So if you are seeking to invest in a Tag Heuer watch with
a view for capital gain, you can expect a similar rate of gain
in value. If you are looking at better incremental value, you
may need to consider other brands.

The final thing to know about buying a Tag Heuer watch is that
of warranty. The Sales Supervisor told us that all Tag Heuer
watches are guaranteed for a 2 year period. However on checking
the manual, it was found that this only applies to watches
purchased within the United States of America. The fine print on
the warranty card showed a period of just one year for Tag Heuer
watches purchased elsewhere.

There are also shops that accept trade in for your current model
and an upgrade to a newer and more costlier model. So when you
are buying a Tag Heuer watch from such an outlet, make sure you
are buying a really new Tag Heuer watch and not getting a
refurbished or reconditioned Tag Heuer watch at new prices! By
the way, there are unadvertised discounts as well during certain
periods of the year.

Consider all these factors when you are buying your Tag Heuer
watch and you will find the most suitable and smart looking Tag
Heuer watch. You can then enjoy years of good service from your
Tag Heuer watch and be able to see it increase in value as the
years go by. It will also make a good watch if you are buying
one for your loved one, especially for those memorable occasions
such as Valentine day or birthdays, and can even have a Tag
Heuer watch that is paired for a He and a She. Tag Heuer watches
can put a dash of romance as well for love-birds!

Marble Blast Ultra Heading To Xbox Live Arcade

Filed under:Games Playing — posted on @ 7:38 pm

GarageGames, the leader in independent games, has announced that they will launch Marble Blast Ultra on Xbox 360 Live Arcade.

“Multiplayer functionality and HD graphics represent an amazing evolution in the Marble Blast franchise, and unveiling Marble Blast Ultra alongside the launch of Xbox 360 is a historic moment for GarageGames and independent game developers,” said Mark Frohnmayer, President of GarageGames. “We hope Xbox 360 users have as much fun playing Marble Blast Ultra as we have.”

If you are unfamiliar with the Marble Blast, it takes place in a futuristic arena suspended high in the clouds. Players can compete with each other by maneuvering with marbles through moving platforms and endless hazards.

“We are thrilled that Marble Blast Ultra is now available on Xbox Live Arcade on Xbox 360″, said Ross Erickson, Games Portfolio Manager for Xbox Live Arcade. “This enhanced version of Marble Blast represents a quantum leap forward in graphical fidelity and gameplay fun over the original Marble Blast. GarageGames has done a fantastic job of taking advantage of the unique technologies in Xbox 360, creating a great single-player and multi-player experience for Xbox Live Arcade.”

“Marble Blast Ultra has an extremely high fun-factor and a high level of visual polish that we were able to achieve in a relatively short timeframe using our Torque engine technology,” commented Jay Moore, GarageGames and Torque Evangelist. “The Torque Shader Engine allowed us to quickly and easily take advantage of the extensive graphical capabilities of the Xbox 360, while our award-winning netcode delivers high quality and fast-paced Live! play, while maintaining rock solid performance.”

The Torque Shader Engine on the Xbox 360, enriches the game through the enhances graphical ability – marbles have reflection and power-ups glow using the “glow shader.”

Currently, the demo is available for “free” on Xbox Live.

For more news, check out our Nintendo Revolution site or our PS3 site.

Mesothelioma in the UK

Filed under:Hall Of Medical Resources — posted on @ 7:03 pm

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the external lining of the lungs (pleura) and the lower digestive tract (peritoneum). The disease has been linked to exposure with asbestos dust. Cancer of this kind is uncommon and rarely is a result of anything other than asbestos exposure. It is also very difficult to diagnose. Tumors of the mesothelieum can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Most mesothelial tumors are malignant. However this disease is not very responsive to therapy.

Between a person’s first exposure to asbestos and the onset of this disease can be anywhere from 15- 60 years. By the time symptoms first appear and the cancer is diagnosed, the disease is often in its advanced stage. The average survival time is one to two years. If found early enough almost half of the patients reach the two year mark and approximately twenty percent survive five years.

Symptoms of malignant mesothelioma include shortness of breath, abdominal pain, a persistent cough, fever, sweating, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, muscle weakness, pain in the lower back or side of the chest and sensory loss. Many people mistake the symptoms of this disease for other common everyday ailments and do not seek treatment.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published statistics regarding work related mesothelioma deaths in the UK, spanning the years 1981- 2000. The study was published in 2003. The statistics showed that the highest rates of mesothelioma deaths in men were in West Dumbartonshire, Barrow-in-Furness, Plymouth, Portsmouth and South Tyneside, which were areas that were involved in shipbuilding, thus the high incidence of asbestos.

Other areas, which were considered high risk, were areas that were situated close to, or contained railway engineering sites. These areas included Crewe, Eastleigh and Nantwich. Also high risk was Barking, Dagenham and Newham, which housed factories that made asbestos products.

The mortality rate for mesothelioma related deaths showed higher in men than in women. The average for women was approximately fifteen percent of the annual deaths due to this disease. The results for women were considered less reliable but showed the following: the areas with the greatest incidence of death for women included Barking and Dagenham (because of asbestos factories), Sunderland (manufacturing and shipbuilding) and Blackburn with Darwen (gas masks were manufactured in this region during the war).

* The statistics for this study are available on the HSE website which can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/area8100.pdf.

Anika Logan is a freelance writer and librarian who writes on a variety of topics including fashion and beauty, food and dining, entertainment, weddings, writing, home improvements and alternative medicine. She is new contributor to http://www.mesothelioma-24-7.com.

A Primer on Life Insurance for Mothers

Filed under:Internet Insurance — posted on @ 4:24 pm

One of my client’s wives paid me a visit to ask about life insurance, a product I was well acquainted with. She told me that she and her husband were visited last night by a life insurance agent. “Jan, what did he try to sell you?”

“A $90,000 whole life policy with an annual premium of $500. Is that okay?”

Knowing that few people really understand life insurance, I asked her if she really understood what the agent was talking about.

“I thought I did last night,” she replied, “but when I woke up this morning, I wasn’t so sure. That’s why I’m here. You once told me to never buy life insurance unless I talked to you about it. Well, I’m here. Could we chat about it?”

I was glad that Jan was here instead of Mark. I have learned that it is much easier to talk to women about life insurance than men. Women seem to better understand the financial consequences of their spouses’ death, especially if they are mothers. Most men, however, don’t want to face life insurance because they think that they will never die. Women know better.

I was no stranger to the murky world of life insurance. Throughout my 20 years as a CPA, I’d often locked horns with insurance agents and financial planners who wanted to sell garbage life insurance products to my clients. In my role as a CPA, I always believed that it was my job to act as a mother hen and protect my clients from the wolves.

I began by asking Jan a question that zooms to the heart of the matter. “Tell me Jan, why are you buying life insurance? What do you hope to accomplish?”

She answered, “To protect me and the children in case Mark dies.”

That quickly established the fact that Jan knew about the key issue: that life insurance has but one purpose: protection in case disaster strikes.

Then I asked her another question. “Just suppose that you knew for sure that Mark was going to die tomorrow. How much life insurance would you buy on his life —$90,000 or $450,000 — assuming the premiums were identical?”

She looked at me as if I was crazy. “I’d buy the $450,000 policy. Who wouldn’t?”

I then gave Jan a quick education about life insurance, explaining that there are only two kinds of life insurance, term and cash value. The problem is knowing which one of them is the better buy.

Term insurance is pure insurance ( protection) coverage. If you pay the premium and die , the insurance company will pay the face value of the policy to your beneficiary. It is available to age 95 and can be purchased yearly, or on a guaranteed level premium basis for 5,10,15, or 20 years. The product is uncomplicated and very inexpensive. The premiums, however, do increase each time the policy is renewed since the insured has grown older.

Cash value life insurance (sold as whole life, endowment, straight life, permanent life, universal, and a zillion other names) is the second type. It differs significantly from term because there is a savings or investment feature attached–the cash value. About 75% to 80% of every premium dollar goes to this cash value “kitty” and the remainder pays for the actual life insurance protection. These policies typically last to age 100 and the premiums remain level for one’s entire life.

Thus, in one slick package, a cash value life insurance policy claims to accomplish two worthy goals: death protection and family savings. It was my job to convince Jan that cash value insurance fails miserably on both counts and that she must, for her and her children’s sake, buy pure term life insurance and nothing else.

“Jan, there are two reasons why you must not buy that whole life policy or any other cash value product. First and most importantly, cash value life insurance is anywhere from five to ten times more expensive than the equivalent amount of term insurance. It’s like paying $75,000 for a $15,000 automobile just because you went to the wrong dealership.”

To keep their customer’s attention away from the high cost of cash value, agents focus their sales spiel on the investment feature, usually with the aid of reams and reams of incomprehensible computer printouts. This sales tactic has literally duped the American public out of trillions of dollars in the last 150 years, ever since cash value was invented.

“Jan, how much time did the agent spend last night talking about the actual insurance protection versus how much money you’ll earn from the cash value policy?”

She thought a bit before answering. “Well, he spent the whole evening going over a bunch of computer printouts that showed us how rich we’d be in fifty years when we retire, and how much we could borrow from the policy if we ever needed a loan.”

“But what did he say about your protection needs?”

“Come to think about it, hardly anything at all. After we told him that we could afford a $500 yearly premium, he looked in a book and said that he had found a great $90,000 whole life policy that we could afford. But about protection, he really said very little.” I could tell that she was starting to bristle in anger, a sign that I was doing a good job.

I then told Jan that people with children living at home should have, as a rule of thumb, about eight to ten times their yearly gross income in life insurance protection. For Mark and Jan, that translated into at least $475,000. The agent who met with them should have figured that out and done his utmost to assure such adequate protection.

“You see Jan, that agent’s sole emphasis should have been on your financial protection in case Mark dies tomorrow, not about making you a rich lady in 50 years. The agent’s decision to sell you the anemic whole life policy would literally rob you and your kids of $385,000 if Mark dies tomorrow.”

“But Mark is not going to die tomorrow. Don’t say that!”

“Jan, you don’t know that. He could die tomorrow or in a week from any one of a thousand and one different causes. And so could you or I. That’s why you must be fully protected right now. Life insurance is a today need.”

I continued…”Jan, remember when I told you that there were two reasons to avoid cash value life insurance?”

“Yes.”

“You told me Jan that the agent spent most of last night talking about the wonders of the cash value investment. Now I am going to give you the real scoop about that.” This one always puts the final nail in the cash value coffin.

“The cash value,” I continued, “is not like an ordinary investment such as stocks, bonds, or a bank savings account.”

“But the agent said it was just like a bank savings account…”

“It resembles a savings account about as much as a shark resembles a goldfish. Tell me Jan, what do you think happens to the cash value—the promised pot of gold—if Mark dies? Who gets it?” The fun starts…

“That’s easy,” she replied, “I do…it’s our money…our investment…right? Marsh…tell me I am right!”

“Sorry, you are wrong. If Mark dies, the insurance company keeps it. That means that all that extra premium you paid for so many years goes up in smoke.”

“So what do I get if Mark dies?”

“You get the face amount of the policy…but you could have gotten that for a fifth of the premium with a term policy.”

“Marsh…you can’t be serious. In my worst nightmare, I would not expect something like this. Are you sure?”

“Very. But if you want some proof of your own, get the book What’s Wrong With your Life Insurance by Norman Dacey. That’s just one of many books in the library that echoes what I have been yapping about. Don’t think I am the Lone Ranger on this.”

Apparently she got fed up. Her voice rose as she said, “The agent never said word one about any of this! Are you telling me that he bent our ears off last night just to sell us a chump change policy that will leave me seriously underinsured just so he could make a bigger commission…and that they steal my investment to boot if Mark dies?”

“That about hits the nail on the head. And one more thing…when you tell the agent you want a term policy instead, expect another visit from him. Be aware that they are very well trained in changing minds. Plus, you might want to shop around for the best deal. Even among term policies there is a wide variance in price.”

End

Postscript:

It is this author’s hope that anyone in possession of this article pass it onto their relatives, friends, and neighbors. The information in this article can put many thousands of extra dollars in the bank accounts of those who need it most.

Copyright 2000
Marsh Kaminsky CPA (retired due to disability)
e mail: Thetermite@aol.com

Because of Multiple Sclerosis, I am a retired CPA. Besides my interest in life insurance, I have a very strong interest in early preschool learning.

Basics of Asphalt and Material

Filed under:A Life Of Leisure — posted on @ 4:12 pm

Material

Over 70 million metric tons of asphalt paving material is
recycled each year. Today, asphalt pavement is America’s most
recycled material. You’ll learn why asphalt has been the most
popular roofing material for the past 100 years. An asphalt
emulsion or a recycling agent is added, then the material is
placed and compacted. How asphalt shingles are made: Asphalt
shingles are made of asphalt flux, a material which is refined
from petroleum in the distillation process. It occurs also in
asphalt rock, a natural mixture of asphalt with sand and
limestone, which when crushed is used as road-building material.
Summary Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is added to virgin
paving material at a 15% rate, reducing paving materials costs
and avoiding landfill disposal costs. The material will now be
at least 300 degrees F and the asphalt is added at that
temperature. The sector has achieved 100% recycle of used
asphalt, which makes it the most recycled material in Wisconsin.
Air Emissions The mixing and drying of asphalt material produces
dust and all plants are required to have emission controls to
remove particulate. Then drive over the patch with your car to
press the material into the asphalt. In this measurement method,
the hot mix asphalt plant is considered as including the
loading, unloading and discharge areas of aggregate material.
Because asphalt bears the weight of cars extremely well, it has
become a very popular material for parking lot construction.
Patching asphalt is usually a matter of bringing new material to
the affected area and pressing it into the cracks or potholes. A
mixture of asphalt and rocks makes good roadway material after
it hardens.

Pavement

After everything of value is removed, the leftovers are made
into asphalt cement for pavement. When properly designed for
traffic conditions, asphalt pavement provides a permanent
pavement structure. The initial cost of asphalt pavement
construction is usually less than that of concrete. A major
concern of Governmental and Industry representatives throughout
the country involves extending training efforts to a wider
universe of asphalt pavement technologists. Prior to application
contractors must repair pavement cracks, chips and joints and
prepare the concrete surface for the rubberized asphalt overlay.
A recycling agent is used to soften and rejuvenate the existing
asphalt pavement. The award honored the turnpikeâ%u20AC%u2122s
asphalt pavement because after 50 years of use, motorists are
still traveling on the original pavement structure. The mixing
of recycled asphalt pavement into new bituminous concrete is
also standard practice in this industry. The project will study
the relationship between good pavement construction practices
and the long-term durability of asphalt pavements. Engineers
select and calculate the correct quantities of each rock size
needed to produce a strong asphalt pavement. The roller is very
heavy and smashes all of the air out of the pavement which helps
to make the asphalt very strong.

Concrete

Recycled asphalt concrete (RAC) is the product of mixing RAP
with new aggregates, asphalt and/or recycling agent. Finally a
one and one-half inch layer of hot asphaltic concrete is
applied, raked and rolled. Aggregate Industries is your one-stop
source for asphalt, aggregates, and ready mixed concrete.
However, while porous concrete is available on the island, so
far porous asphalt is not. After a short mixing period to coat
all the particles with asphalt the bituminous concrete mixture
is conveyed to the load out storage tank. The ATD-G is primarily
characterized by bi-block concrete sleepers directly supported
by an asphalt layer. Cut-back Asphalt Concrete is produced by
dissolving the binder in kerosene or another lighter fraction of
petroleum prior to mixing with the aggregate. Natural asphalt
concrete can be found in some parts of the world where rock near
the surface has been impregnated with upwelling asphalt.

Power Your Word for Profit

Filed under:Brand Promotion — posted on @ 4:06 pm

Discovering and owning a powerful word that reflects you and your business is the true key of successful branding.

Some organisations invest fortunes in this endeavour but there’s nothing stopping any of us from doing the same at a fraction of the cost.

Today I’ll introduce you to a simple, low-cost, branding process that will magnetise your business without breaking the bank.

Our discovery begins by answering three simple questions:

* What Are You Like?

* What Do You Do?

* How Do You Do The Things You Do?

So let’s begin…

STEP #1 - What Are You Like?

Understanding your names (or nouns) can really help to trigger your imagination. If I were to ask what you’d be if you were an animal, you’d feel a certain affinity with a particular animal and quickly be able to answer… Monkey, Cat, Tiger, Lion, Bird, Fish, Dolphin etc.

If asked for your profession you’d say one or more of the following… Coach, Therapist, Consultant, Teacher, Chef, Speaker, Author, Trainer etc.

If I asked you what you’d be if you were a car you might think… Ferrari, Rover, Mini, Porsche, Maserati, Lexus, Rolls-Royce, BMW etc.

If I asked for your role you might say things like… Man, Woman, Leader, Supporter, Parent, Carer, Entrepreneur, Explorer, Protector, Guardian, Helper etc.

If I asked what thing you sold you might say… Comfort, Books, Time, Inspiration, Words, Tools, Skills etc.

Brainstorm as many of these nouns as you can - it’s good to have more than one for each category. This process will trigger all sorts of other ideas to help you to realise your unique coaching name.

Time To Write…

Read the following statements and come up with as many answers as you can for each one:

* If I were an animal I’d be…

* If I were a car I’d be…

* If I were a colour I’d be…

* If I were to announce my occupation I could say…

* If I were to announce what I had to offer I’d say…

* If I were a famous figure from history I’d be…

STEP #2 - What Do You Do?

Once you’ve got a good list of names you can start asking what you actually do. Spend a good time on this. It may seem a challenge at first to think entirely in terms of what you do so use your lists of people, animals and things for inspiration. What do they do? Here’s some ideas…

* Coaches… encourage, listen, support, reflect

* Trainers… share, instil, empower, guide, teach

* Tigers… leap, hunt, run, survive, inspire, stalk

* Birds… fly, soar, see, dive, migrate

* Leaders… lead, inspire, persuade, encourage

* Chefs… cook, create, nourish, feed etc

You’ll notice a pattern here, you’ll have created a big list of doing words (or verbs).

Time To Write…

Go through your lists and play word association by answering the question… “What does an XYZ do?” for each one.

STEP #3 - How Do You Do The Things You Do?

Once you’ve got a good list of names and doing words it’s time to add spice to the mix…

As the song goes, “T’Ain’t What You Do It’s The Way That Cha Do It”

Discovering how you do something will give your brand a lot more clout than just knowing what you are and what you do.

We use adjectives to describe how we do something, how we compare to others, what makes us unique or what makes us easy to identify. For example…

A Tiger is… big, bold, fast, fearsome, stealthy

This is good, but it’s not all, you can go further by adding adverbs if you’re struggling by linking a noun with it’s verb to see what happens. Here’s another example…

A Tiger Leaps… stealthily, quickly, decisively, smoothly

You can take the “ly” ending off most words to create more appropriate adjectives for your brand. So in this case you’d have a list of words as follows: stealthy, quick, decisive and smooth.

Time To Write…

How do people describe you and what you do?

How would you like people to describe you?

What sets you apart as different? (think about your appearance, voice, manner, style etc)

How do you do what you do? (are you slow and methodical? fast-paced and energetic?)

Now, do the same for your list of animals, cars, roles, famous figures etc until you have a really big and full list of words.

Summary

You’ve now collected all the information you need to discover your unique business identity. You may already be getting a feel for how this process can give you a lot more ways to view and describe yourself but this is just the first step…

There are two more steps covered in this F’REE eBook, which you can download immediately, entitled Find Your Power Word….

Enjoy the book and thanks for staying tuned!

‘Dangerous’ Debbie Jenkins

‘Dangerous’ Debbie Jenkins
debs@debbiejenkins.com

(c) Copyright 2005 www.BookShaker.com

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How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt Once and for All

Filed under:Managing Credit — posted on @ 3:09 pm

Credit card debt is a major cause of over one million bankruptcies each year. The reason is the sad fact that many people get a credit card without researching and reading the fine print. By the time annual fees are added on, along with spending indiscriminately, payments are missed, which causes their balance to skyrocket. Although we all like to place the blame on the credit cards and the credit card companies, you need to keep in mind that the real cause of your financial mess is you.

One shopping spree does not usually cause high debt. It’s rather a pattern that develops gradually with increasing purchases thus adding up to a large debt. The great thing is that it can be very easy to get out of debt. The key is to start spending less than you make. This is a long-term solution that can help you to whittle your debt down. Although it may sound simple, it can be very difficult if you have a problem with willpower. It is important to stick with spending less than you make or you will find yourself in exactly the same place as you were before. Overcoming your debt will take willpower and a great deal of time.

It may be difficult to stick with a debt repayment or consolidation program, but keep yourself strong and you will find yourself out of debt before you know it. It is important to learn how to get out of debt and then stay out of debt. If you can summon enough willpower and strength towards your finances and spending, then you will find yourself the winner in the game of debt. It may be easy to get into debt, but getting out of debt is much more difficult, but worth it.

One simple but powerful ‘word of wisdom’ can sum up the solution to your financial problems. If you don’t have the money to spend, then don’t spend it!

Terje Ellingsen - EzineArticles Expert Author

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website 1st-In-Loan.net. Terje gives advice and helps people with personal financial issues like debt help solutions and finding the best credit card offer.


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