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Source: http://www.delmarloscabos.com/blog/amenities-luxury-villas-for-rent/
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Woman Steals Train, Then Crashes It Into a Building
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NBA blogger sees 'clear path' for Kings to Seattle
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Germany's economy grows 0.7 percent in 2012
NEW YORK (TheWrap.com) - "The Muppets 2" will open in theaters March of 2014, "Maleficent," a reimagined "Sleeping Beauty" tale starring Angelina Jolie moves to July of the same year and Brad Bird's "1952" will open before Christmas of 2014, Disney announced on Monday. The news was part of an omnibus announcement, as Disney also announced "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" will open July 10, 2015. The next "Pirates" will star Johnny Depp with a script by Jeff Nathanson, but no director has been attached. Disney's planned 3D re-release of "Little Mermaid," set for September 13, has been called off. ...
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/germanys-economy-grows-0-7-percent-2012-082449805--finance.html
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Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Sherry Smyth...untitled, undefined, unwritten, unfolding...
I've spent the better part of the last few days feeling vulnerable.? Death and funerals can, on occasion, to do that to me.?
Although I would say I'm an "old hat" at death and funerals (and I am), that doesn't mean that I am hardened to emotion and what a funeral represents.? What I do know is that after attending a funeral on Saturday I prefer the way I do things.? But tell me who doesn't prefer how they do things?? It is all about who we are and how we approach endings.
I've buried more than my share of loved ones...a mother, a sister, two in-laws.? I've attended the funerals of friends and extended family.? I know my way around death and I'm comfortable in funeral homes.? Comfort might sound like the inappropriate choice of word but it fits.? I am comfortable but I've worked to make that so.? There are times,? however, like this weekend when even going in to the funeral home I knew I wouldn't be "comfortable".? That has nothing to do with the people and everything to do with the place.
It's an older funeral home in the area of the city where I grew up.? It was one that was used by my family for a number of years and I've been inside enough to know what I know. While they have done some things to renovate and update, there is no question it is still probably the last one in this city to move with modern times.? It's dark and the organ music was "ghoulish".? Heavy burgundy curtains which are closed as the casket is being closed and opened again for the service to begin.? There is a need I suppose for the family to know that there is a finality about the death of their loved one.? But trust me, they know.? They don't need this fake act to bring the reality home.? They know. We know.? Everyone knows.??
I don't like "funerals" for the very fact of their somberness.? What I dislike about this particular place is the darkness and the quiet and the thick carpets and small rooms that make you feel, as you stand having a coffee and a sandwich and expressing your thoughts to the family or to others that you know at the reception, that you yourself are in a coffin.? It's confining and closed in and sad.? People who attend funerals are sad enough thank you very much.? Why add to that unnecessarily?
I like light and an open, airy feeling.? I like to feel that the love in the room can circulate and move about as if it's on wings.? I like to feel that the departed has space to be there with everyone, that the soul can breathe and flow and land where and when necessary to be the comfort to someone struggling.
I like laughter and joy.? I like to say more wonderful and often humorous things about the departed.? I like to see smiles and hear giggles, even if there are tears mixed in with the laughter.? I like to hear life.? I heard a baby early on in the service on Saturday.? It made me smile.? That yes, there is still new life to come as another life leaves this journey.
And it all made me feel vulnerable.? Because as Teflon coated as I am about death and dying, a funeral like the one I attended this weekend leaves me feeling "open" and naked.? It reminds me that I too am mortal and I, as with everyone else, have no idea about time and how much is left.? It reminds me that if I don't make my own arrangements and have written down what I would like and how I would like my final gathering, the last party I'll ever plan to be executed, then I might end up with something that would leave me feeling sad as I'm hovering over the proceedings.? True enough those who love me know what would make me happy and what wouldn't.? And I would like very much for those who love me to include some of the things about me that mean something to them.? But I know this.
There will be no magic curtain act.? There will be no minister that I do not know speaking words about me.? There will be no organ music.? Flowers are nice but unnecessary.? I'd rather the money be spent in a way that would make others' lives richer.? People that I don't know but who would benefit from the kindness of those who know me.? There will be light and plenty of it.? There will be laughter and joy.? There is still plenty of respect in having laughter at a funeral/remembrance/memorial.
I would like the people who know me and love me to miss me and the time we have had together.? I don't want any of them to feel vulnerable after I take my final bow and the sun sets on what a ride this has been.
Source: http://sherrysmyth.blogspot.com/2013/01/free-stock-image-altered-and-texturized.html
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What Prevents People From Seeking Mental Health Treatment ...
Like anything worthwhile, psychotherapy takes time and effort. And often just getting through the door can be tough.
How do you find a therapist? Where?s the best place to look? Isn?t it pricey? Do you even need to go?
You probably have a slew of questions with a side of skepticism and self-doubt. In fact, many hurdles can prevent people from seeking professional treatment.
Below, you?ll find specific obstacles that might stand in your way ? and the solutions to overcome them.
Stigma
?People don?t hesitate telling acquaintances about a trip to their dentist or physician, but most stay quiet about their therapy appointment,? said Ryan Howes, Ph.D, a clinical psychologist and professor in Pasadena, Calif. That?s because even though progress has been made, he said, there?s still stigma attached to seeking therapy.
?Many people feel embarrassed or ashamed of their symptoms because our society places illogical taboos on mental health issues over physical conditions,? said clinical psychologist Nikki Massey-Hastings, PsyD.
To dispel stigma, Deborah Serani, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist who?s struggled with depression, takes a two-step approach by educating others about mental illness and leading by example.
Specifically, she teaches what mental illness is and isn?t. ?Mental illness is a combination of neurobiology and psychological influences, not a weakness in character,? said Serani, author of Living with Depression. She also shows ?how with proper diagnosis and treatment that I live with depression successfully and have a meaningful life.?
Howes underscored that choosing to tackle issues head-on is the opposite of weak or ?crazy.? It?s courageous, he said.
Severity
Many people aren?t sure what warrants a therapy session. But in reality most people wait until their symptoms are unbearable, Massey-Hastings said. For instance, many couples don?t see a therapist until their issues are deeply entrenched, she said. (Specifically, that?s usually when partners attack each other or withdraw from the relationship.)
?It is advisable to seek help when you first feel like you are ?not yourself? [or] have noticed mild to moderate symptoms that are interfering with your life [such as] difficulty sleeping, irritability [or] increased dissatisfaction with your relationship,? she said.
A therapist will assess your symptoms and determine severity, she said. They?ll verify if you have a clinical diagnosis and, if needed, conduct formal psychological testing ?to quantify and parse apart symptoms that are shared among disorders,? she said. For instance, having difficulty concentrating can be a symptom of several anxiety disorders, ADHD, depression or relationship problems, she said.
Then the therapist will talk to you about treatment options, she said. In other words, they?ll provide you with a map to work through your issues, she added.
Getting Started
Again, many are unsure how or where to start. As Howes said, ?Therapy may seem like a strange, foreign land to someone who?s never been.?
When starting your search, Massey-Hastings suggested using Google keywords such as ?find a therapist? and your zip code. You also can search Psych Central by location, and ask friends and family for recommendations.
Another option, she said, is to discuss your symptoms and next steps with your primary care physician. ?Your physician may have a group practice or therapist he [or] she frequently works with and highly recommends,? she said.
This Psych Central guide helps to demystify the therapy process. Howes also writes a valuable blog called ?In Therapy.?
Time & Energy
The last thing you probably want to do after leaving work is rehash your problems. ?Many of us are so tired from working hard and dealing with emotional stressors, there?s no energy left to talk through problems,? Howes said.
While this ? like all the obstacles ? is legitimate, with some effort, you can fine-tune your schedule, he said. ?It?s possible that therapy can actually be a source of energy, not a drain.?
Money
Therapy can be costly. But you can find affordable treatment. For instance, many therapists offer services based on a sliding scale. Community mental health centers offer therapy at little or no cost, Howes said.
(These two articles cover helpful options when you can?t afford therapy.)
Consider the potential price of neglecting your problems and well-being, Howes said. He raised these critical questions: ?How much does a lost job cost? A damaged relationship? A divorce? What price would you place on job satisfaction, achieving your potential, resolving past hurt and learning to accept yourself??
Loved Ones
Well-meaning loved ones are another deterrent. ?People suffering with symptoms may be told by well-meaning friends and family that they will get through it, that it?s just a phase, or they may provide well-meaning but deficient solutions,? according to Massey-Hastings. For instance, if you?re depressed, they might suggest exercising more, she said.
If you?d like to disclose your feelings to loved ones, pick the people you trust most and can truly talk to about these sensitive issues, she said. Also, figure out ahead of time how you?d like them to support you, she said.
?Schedule a private time with one or two of those people and try to share with them what you?ve been experiencing.? And communicate directly how they can help, she said.
?If you feel uncomfortable discussing your difficulties with family and friends, a therapist can help you figure out your boundaries around what information to share, how to communicate what you?d like to be known, and how to ask for support,? Massey-Hastings said.
Again, therapy is anything but easy. As Howes said, ?When you consider the fact that therapy invites a distressed person to reveal, discuss, and wrestle with the most difficult issues in their life, the better question might be ?why in the world would anyone choose therapy???
And there are many answers. But all of them have one key thing in common: Therapy can help you ease your pain and create a healthier and more fulfilling life.
?
Man with magnifying glass photo available from Shutterstock
Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. is an Associate Editor at Psych Central and blogs regularly about eating and self-image issues on her own blog, Weightless.Like this author?
Catch up on other posts by Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S. (or subscribe to their feed).
????Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 14 Jan 2013
????Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.
APA Reference
Tartakovsky, M. (2013). What Prevents People From Seeking Mental Health Treatment?. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 15, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/01/14/what-prevents-people-from-seeking-mental-health-treatment/
?
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Monday, 14 January 2013
Short Sale Homes For Sale Danville CA December 2012 Update ...
?2013 Bay East. ?2013 CCAR. ?2013 EBRD. All rights reserved. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This information is provided from three separate sources: Bay East, CCAR and EBRD. The listings presented here may or may not be listed by the Broker/Agent operating this website. Information last updated on 1/13/13 4:57 PM PST.This IDX solution is (c) Diverse Solutions 2013.
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Sunday, 13 January 2013
LSU absorbs second straight SEC loss, 74-52 against a Florida buzzsaw
On the list of long-term goals for the LSU basketball program, one of them is likely being capable of playing a Final Four-caliber team off its feet. The Tigers aren't there yet, and Florida showed that in resounding fashion Saturday at the Peter Maravich Assembly Center.
Despite starting the game without one starter and losing another right before halftime -- not to mention a few other key players toiling with aches and pains -- the No. 11-ranked Gators found their rhythm when they needed to and bracketed the end of the first half and start of the second with damaging spurts on the way to a 74-52 triumph.
LSU absorbed its worst loss of the season and fell to 0-2 in the SEC. It wasn't because the Tigers (9-4 overall) didn't play hard or with energy with a spirited crowd at the PMAC urging them on.
Instead, this setback was more the product of a talented, deep and focused Florida crew clicking and executing at a high level most of the day.
?"I think we played not only one of the best basketball teams in our conference, but one of the best teams in the country (Saturday)," Tigers coach Johnny Jones said.
No argument after the best team LSU has played put together one of the more complete performances the Tigers have contended with this season.
You want defense? Florida smothered the Tigers all over the floor and limited them to a season-worst 32.3% shooting performance (21 of 65) and even worse from beyond the 3-point arc, 25% (6 of 24).
Rebounding? The Gators dominated the glass 53-34.
And while the offense struggled in the first 20 minutes - LSU's defense deserves plenty of credit for that - Florida adjusted in the second half and shot 53.3% (16 of 30) after halftime to pull away.
"It was tough," center Andrew Del Piero said. "I think the toughest thing is that they had such a deep bench. They had people coming in one after another and that will really wear you down at the end."
That was without guard Mike Rosario, who was ruled out before the game with an ankle sprain, and forward Casey Prather, who hurt his ankle right before the half and had to be helped to the locker room and never returned.
It wasn't so much depth that flipped the game around as it was the Gators' execution.
LSU had fought and clawed to stay close for the initial 14 1/2 minutes by matching Florida's defensive prowess. Both teams shot poorly early on, and the result was a 19-19 deadlock when Shavon Coleman drove the lane for a shot at the 5:38 juncture before halftime.
The Tigers missed a couple of chances to retake the lead when bad passes from Charles Carmouche and Corban Collins resulted in turnovers on back-to-back trips. Scottie Wilbekin put the Gators on top when he sliced through the Tigers' defense for a rare uncontested shot, and that lit the fuse on 10-2 burst that created a 29-20 halftime cushion.
Afterward, LSU point guard Anthony Hickey said the Gators punched the Tigers with that run and they needed to respond.
That didn't happen, at least not soon enough.
Instead, LSU missed its first three floor shots of the second period -- all one-and-dones -- and Florida seized advantage with a Patrick Young bucket inside Boynton's driving shot on a second-shot chance and then back-to-back 3-pointers from Boynton and Erik Murphy in transition.
Hickey buried one of his three treys in the middle of that to end an 8:20 Tigers field-goal drought. But the two Florida 3s ballooned the lead to 39-23 and forced Jones to call a timeout.
Nothing stopped the bleeding, though.
Coleman scored inside on a feed from Andre Stringer to keep the deficit at 16, but after a media timeout, the Gators uncorked nine unanswered points, the last on Will Yeguete's stickback -- two of Florida's 14 second-chance points.
Added together, the blitz to end the first half and the dominant beginning to the second came to a 31-6 stretch. As good as the Gators were in that span, LSU missed 17 of 19 floor shots (6 of 7 from long range) and didn't produce points on consecutive possessions for almost 17 minutes.
"They had good size on them, but we were just missing shots," said Coleman, who was 5-of-13 from the floor. Hickey was the only Tiger who hit 50% or better at 6-of-12. "We had wide-open shots. They contested some shots, but we just missed some shots."
Even with the offensive struggled, though, the Tigers made a nice lunge at Florida after falling behind 50-25, the largest deficit of the season.
Hickey ignited a rally with a 3-pointer off the dribble and Stringer went coast-to-coast for a baseline drive to prompt a Billy Donovan timeout.
LSU came out in a full-court press and it clicked, with Hickey forcing back-to-back steals that led to layups and Malik Morgan knocking another ball loose and passing to Coleman for a 3 from the left corner to cap a 12-0 Tiger scoring binge.
Suddenly it was 50-37, the largest PMAC crowd of the season was alive and hope was flickering -- memories conjured up of stirring comebacks against Seton Hall and Marquette."For these guys to come in here against a good LSU team and find a way to win, I think is impressive because when you look at their team, they've had a history here of being a really good comeback team," Donovan said. "They did it against Seton Hall here and won down 16. They were down by 21 at Marquette and tied the game. This has been a pattern for their team, and I felt even when we got up they were going to make a run at us."
Murphy stemmed the comeback, though, when he jacked on a 3-pointer. One of the Gators' walking wounded (broken rib), Murphy's shot deflated the crowd and the Tigers. Del Piero provided a slam-dunk on the next possession, but LSU didn't score over the ensuing 3:04, missing five shots in a row as the Gators expanded the lead back to 61-39.
That response was emblematic of the day for Florida. Every time the Tigers were poised to storm back, the Gators' defense cranked up the heat. And it wasn't one or two players -- the defense was smothering all over the floor.
"They bring pressure all the way up 1-to-5," Hickey said. "They were able to switch and get length out on the frontcourt and on the bigs."
One of those LSU big men particularly struggled.
Sophomore forward Johnny O'Bryant played 12 minutes in the first half, but only the first 2 of the second. He was 1-for-8 from the floor and still seemed out of sync as he works his way back from a high ankle sprain.
With O'Bryant ineffective, Del Piero picked up some of the slack with 7 points and 5 rebounds. But it's clear the Tigers need O'Bryant to play better, especially in the rebounding department.
"Johnny ain't all the way 100 (per cent) yet," Hickey said. "It's all about getting him better every day.? He will get better."
Hickey led the Tigers with 15 points, 4 assists and 4 steals. Coleman scored 11 and snared 5 boards.
LSU was hurt by Stringer and Carmouche combining for only 9 points, although Carmouche led the team with 6 rebounds. Boynton led the Gators with 20 points, and Yeguete recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
Up next is a home game with South Carolina (10-5), which also dipped to 0-2 in the SEC with a 74-71 home loss to Auburn on Saturday.
"I think we're a team that understands that we have a lot of room for growth," Jones said. "We feel that the things that happened and transpired (Saturday), we can fix. We feel like we've got guys that can continue to improve and areas that we can continue to get better at. We can execute better on the offensive end. We can do a better job of making sure we strike and rebound the ball better."?
BOX SCORE
Source: http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2013/01/lsu_absorbs_second_sec_loss_74.html
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Commend Minnesota Energy Company for New Solar Facility
By Peter Warila
Target:?Governor of Minnesota, Mark Dayton
Goal:?Commend the Minnesota energy company Ecos Energy for beginning commercial operations of the state?s largest solar project.
The largest solar array in the state of Minnesota, built by Ecos Energy and consisting of 7,040 panels, was recently placed into commercial operation. The new plant located, near the city of Slayton, is transmitting the clean electricity it generates to Xcel Energy for distribution to customers. Commend this organization for the completion and operation of the new Slayton solar generation site.
The recently completed project is comprised of 32 rows of solar panels spanning an area equivalent to 7 1/2 football fields. This technology generates a total of 2,000KW of output, enough to power 250 average Minnesota homes. Chris Little, director of development for Ecos Energy, said ?There was no celebration, but it is nice to get things up and running.? Installed solar capacity in Minnesota doubled in 2012 compared to 2011. The completion of the Slayton site this January continues this wave of growth even further into 2013.
All over the country, solar is a growing technology, partially due to the falling price of solar panels. Doug Fredrickson, vice president of operations of Blattner Energy, which constructed the Slayton site, said, ?We expect business to grow considerably in 2013 and 2014. The indicators are really strong. The technology is improving, and the price of panels is going down ? you can hardly keep up with the reductions.?
Ecos Energy intentionally placed its new solar array outside of Slayton near Buffalo Ridge, an area filled with over 70 wind farms. Xcel Energy, the utility that is purchasing the Slayton site?s power, will be studying whether the daytime-only power from solar and intermittent generation from wind facilities can compliment each other effectively. Wind often generates the most energy at night.
The efforts of Ecos Energy will help to provide clean emissions-free energy to hundreds of citizens in Minnesota, while expanding the technology as a viable resource in the state. Their work also enables the utility Xcel Energy to perform valuable generation studies that will improve future integration of wind and solar. Sign this petition to ask Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton to commend Ecos Energy for their?commitment?to keeping our environment clean and safe.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Dayton,
A company called Ecos Energy recently flipped the switch on a new solar plant near Slayton, bringing the largest solar generation facility in Minnesota into commercial operation. The new installation, located near Buffalo Ridge, consists of 7,040 photovoltaic panels which produce a total of 2,000KW of power output. This clean, emissions free electricity is enough to power 250 typical homes.
The work of Ecos Energy follows a continuing trend of growing solar generation in the state of Minnesota and all over the nation. This organization alone has built eight solar projects around the midwest in the past year. Their work providing citizens everywhere with access to renewable energy deserves credit. I urge you to commend Ecos Energy for their completion of the Slayton solar facility and their continued commitment to keeping our natural environment safe and pure.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pink Dispatcher via Flickr
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ForceChange/~3/yCWnFhI6njg/
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No 'Death Star' for US Military, White House Says
The planet-killing Death Star may have been the ultimate weapon for the Empire in the "Star Wars" films, but it has no place in the United States military today, a White House official said Friday (Jan. 11).
The statement, an official response a petition to begin building a real-life Death Star by 2016 on the White House's We the People website, said President Barack Obama's Administration cannot support building the science fiction weapon for several down-to-Earth reasons.
"The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon," wrote Paul Shawcross, chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House's Office of Management and Budget.
The Death Star petition, posted in the November, was signed by 34,435 people and the White House has pledged to respond to any petitions that garner 25,000 signatures in 30 days.
Not the least of the hurdles for a real-life Death Star is the space construction costs, which Shawcross said has been estimated at $850 quadrillion (that's $850,000,000,000,000,000). The White House is trying to reduce the deficit, not expand it, he wrote.
Then there's the Death Star's planet-destroying warship nature.
"The Administration does not support blowing up planets," Shawcross wrote.
And of course, there's the fact that Luke Skywalker destroyed the first Death Star with a single X-wing fighter.
"Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that could be exploited by a one-man starship?" Shawcross explained.
While there will be no moon-size Death Star in the U.S. military's arsenal by 2016, Saturn's real-life moon Mimas does look eerily similar to the fictional warship. [Saturn's'Death Star' Moon Mimas (Photos)]
Last year, astronomers with the agency's planet-hunting Kepler space telescope also announced that they found a real-life version of Tatooine, Luke's home planet with two suns. NASA also plans to send astronauts where no one has gone before ? an asteroid ? by 2025, and then take aim a manned trip to Mars in the 2030s.
And Shawcross also urged the public to go outside at night and look up.
"However, look carefully (here's how) and you'll notice something already floating in the sky ? that's no moon, it's a space station!" Shawcross wrote. "Yes, we already have a giant, football field-sized International Space Station in orbit around the Earth that's helping us learn how humans can live and thrive in space for long durations."
The?International Space Station ?is a $100 billion orbiting lab ??a deal compared to the Death Star ??and is currently home to a six-man crew representing the United States, Russia and Canada. Construction of the space station began in 1998 and today it is the largest manmade structure in space. It has the same living space as a five-bedroom house.
The space station can appear so bright to observers on Earth that at times it rivals Venus, the brightest planet in the night sky. Two American astronauts (of NASA), three Russian cosmonauts and a Canadian astronaut currently live on the station.
And Shawcross said there are other Star Wars technologies besides the Death Star that do have a place in today's society.
"We don't have a Death Star, but we do have floating robot assistants on the space station, a President who knows his way around a light saber and advanced (marshmallow) cannon, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is supporting research on building Luke's [robotic] arm, floating droids, and quadruped walkers," Shawcross wrote.
"We are living in the future!" Shawcross wrote. "Enjoy it. Or better yet, help build it by pursuing a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field."
The Administration and NASA have both been working to spur interest in science, math, engineering and technology among students.
"If you do pursue a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field, the Force will be with us!" Shawcross concluded. "Remember, the Death Star's power to destroy a planet, or even a whole star system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force."
With the Death Star officially the table, there is another science fiction spaceship petition that could draw a White House response.
Last month, an engineer writing as BTE Dan launched a petition to build a real-life Starship Enterprise from the "Star Trek" TV series. So far, 19,234 have signed the petition, so it still has a ways to go to prompt a White House response.
For Shawcross's full response to the Death Star response, visit: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/response/isnt-petition-response-youre-looking
You can follow SPACE.com Managing Editor Tariq Malik on Twitter?@tariqjmalik.?Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter?@Spacedotcom?and on?Facebook.
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Oil near $94 as China inflation picks up
BANGKOK -- Oil prices edged down Friday following a rise in China's inflation that if sustained could limit measures to support growth.
Benchmark oil for February delivery was down 3 cents to $93.79 per barrel at late afternoon Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
The contract rose 72 cents to finish at $93.82 a barrel in New York on Thursday, a gain that traders attributed to a rebound in China's trade growth, which suggests a possible recovery in global demand.
Data released Thursday showed China's export growth in December more than quadrupled from the previous month's level to 14 percent. Imports rose 6 percent, after failing to grow at all in November, in a sign of increasing domestic demand.
It was tempered, however, by data Friday that showed China's inflation spiked to a six-month high in December. Consumer prices rose 2.5 percent over a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said, driven by a 14.8 percent jump in vegetable prices after a severe winter hurt harvests.
Higher inflation could hamper Beijing's ability to support China's recovery.
"Although this shows greater demand in China, it also stokes inflationary fears, which might lead to some form of tightening," said Stan Shamu of IG Markets in Melbourne.
Brent crude, used to price international varieties of oil, fell 31 cents to $110.80 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange in London.
In other energy futures trading on Nymex:
- Wholesale gasoline fell 1 cent to $2.784 a gallon.
- Heating oil was down 0.3 cent to $3.051 a gallon.
- Natural gas rose 2.6 cents to $3.219 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Source: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/01/10/3265200/oil-up-as-china-trade-us-earnings.html
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Saturday, 12 January 2013
My Own Worst Enemy: Hidden Signs Of Self-Sabotage In Recovery ...
What is the number-one enemy of recovery? Many people say drugs, alcohol or the disease of addiction itself. Perhaps you?d point to unsupportive friends or a flawed health care system or a dysfunctional home life. However, there is a much loftier, much more conniving opponent threatening your sobriety: you.
Addicts are expert self-saboteurs. Addiction itself is, in some ways, an act of self-sabotage. Rather than dealing with uncomfortable feelings and finding workable solutions, addicts turn to drugs and alcohol, temporarily escaping one problem only to create bigger ones. Here are a few ways addicts continue to get in the way of their sobriety, even years into recovery:
Negative Self-Talk
Inside an addict?s mind runs a soundtrack of self-attacks: ?I?ll never get it right.? ?I don?t deserve to be happy.? Many addicts suffer from a core belief that they aren?t good enough or don?t deserve anything but the misery they?ve known in active addiction. They accept self-judgments and abuse they would never tolerate from other people.
Often unbeknownst to the addict, these thoughts translate into feelings of hopelessness and defeat, leaving the addict feeling desperate for a high and powerless to resist. Recognizing and intervening in this ongoing negative commentary and substituting more accurate thinking is an essential skill in recovery.
Self-Pity
As Helen Keller famously said, ?Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.? In moderate doses, feeling sorry for yourself serves a useful purpose in recovery. Many addicts have suffered devastating trauma, both pre-addiction and as a result of their addiction. Grieving for one?s losses can be an integral part of the healing process.
The problem arises when self-pity zaps you of your motivation to recover or turns into resentment, hopelessness or blame. Instead of taking responsibility, self-pity becomes a way to justify blaming others or refusing to take positive action. While self-pity may have served a purpose in active addiction, left untamed, it can jeopardize your recovery.
Ego
?I?m not like these people.? ?I can do this myself.? These ego-centric thoughts typically mask deep-rooted insecurities, anxieties and fears. When ego gets in the way of recovery, the addict becomes competitive with others, working harder to be right than to stay sober. As a result, their recovery is superficial and their personal growth stunted.
Isolation
Most addicts know the hazards of isolation in recovery, but the habit is so ingrained that their natural inclination is to withdraw without even realizing it. Isolation fuels loneliness and depression, increasing the likelihood of a return to addictive thinking and behavior. As with many aspects of recovery, the antidote is within your control: Get involved in activities you enjoy and ask for help, whether from family, friends, a support group, sponsor or other trusted source.
Stress
You can?t block all stress from your life, whether you?re in recovery or not, but you can control how you react to everyday stressors. If you take on too much too soon or refuse to say no when you?re overextended, you make yourself more vulnerable to drug cravings and relapse.
Boredom
Another enemy to recovery that is well within the addict?s control is boredom. Meetings and counseling sessions are integral parts of a recovery program, but they aren?t sufficient to make each day fun and fulfilling. To fill the time once spent getting and using drugs, you?ll need to explore new interests, create an enjoyable daily routine and discover what gives your life meaning.
So how can you prevent yourself from getting in the way of your own recovery? The first step is making yourself aware of negative thinking and problem behavior, whether through journaling, self-help support groups, counseling or other means, and taking responsibility for your sobriety. In recovery, you have all kinds of new freedoms, including the ability to turn your inner voice into your biggest supporter. And as the African proverb says, ?When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.?
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????Last reviewed: 10 Jan 2013
APA Reference
Anonymous. (2013). My Own Worst Enemy: Hidden Signs Of Self-Sabotage In Recovery. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 11, 2013, from http://blogs.psychcentral.com/addiction-recovery/2013/01/signs-of-self-sabotage-in-recovery/
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Source: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/addiction-recovery/2013/01/signs-of-self-sabotage-in-recovery/
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Montreux Jazz Festival founder Claude Nobs dies
GENEVA (AP) ? Claude Nobs, the founder and general manager of the Montreux Jazz Festival, whose passion for music and artistry introduced generations of legendary musicians to international audiences on the Swiss stage, has died. He was 76.
The Jazz Festival said Nobs, a native of Montreux, died Thursday after sustaining injuries from a fall while cross-country skiing in nearby Caux-sur-Montreux on Christmas Eve. He was taken to the hospital and fell into a coma from which he never recovered.
Nobs worked his way from being a chef and director of Montreux's tourism office, where he organized charity concerts, to overseeing one of the most iconic music festivals in the world.
On its website, the festival said Nobs' death came by "surprise as if to remind us once more, that in life as in music, each great performance could be the last one even if the show must go on."
A visit to the New York offices of Atlantic Records led to the first festival in his home city in June 1967, featuring musicians such as Keith Jarrett and Jack DeJohnette.
The festival was an overnight success, building over the decades on Nobs' passion for jazz, as much as his gumption and contacts abroad.
"'And why not?' You would repeatedly ask the same question when we tried to explain why a project would not be feasible," festival officials wrote in an homage to Nobs on the web site that praised his audacity to dream big. "The Montreux Jazz Festival is the ultimate proof of that! But not the only one!"
From that meeting in New York, Nobs went on to gain career-forming introductions to musical greats such as Roberta Flack and Aretha Franklin, who would make her first European tour at his request. The musical acts at the festival also would gradually broaden to include rock and pop.
An early incident involving the rock group Deep Purple, which had come to Montreux to record an album after performing with Frank Zappa, became forever linked with Nobs.
During a fire at Zappa's concert in 1971, Nobs rushed to save several young concert-goers. Deep Purple's hit song, "Smoke on the Water," would memorialize the accident ? Nobs as "Funky Claude" pulling kids to safety.
Two years later, Nobs became director of the Swiss branch of Warner, Elektra and Atlantic, a position that gave him added clout to introduce heavyweights on the Montreux stage.
By the 1990s, he was sharing festival-directing duties with the music producer Quincy Jones and bringing in Miles Davis as an honorary host.
Nobs, whose enthusiasm for greeting musicians at his office and chalet home cemented his standing and boosted the profile of his home, also became known for occasionally taking the stage to play harmonica.
In an interview with Swiss video magazine NVP3D posted on YouTube, Nobs' compared the mix of tradition and creative innovation that he sought at his festivals to the popular Swiss German breakfast dish Bircher Muesli, a combination of rolled oats, fruits, nuts and dairy products.
"Which means it's going to be like a fruit panorama, like a rainbow of different music, and this is what I like about Montreux," he said in the interview, published in June 2012. "To make it really with such a variety of sound, of smell, of views and scene, that it makes it a real experience."
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/montreux-jazz-festival-founder-claude-nobs-dies-223514803.html
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Friday, 11 January 2013
8 tips to avoid stress when buying a home - The Real Estate Corner ...
Buying a home for the first time or the fifth can elicit a range of emotions from excitement to anxiety. Owning a home you can make your own can be fulfilling, but taking on the responsibility of homeownership might be stressful. The good news is that you can reduce that stress and focus on the enjoyable aspects of homebuying with these eight tips:
Be a smart saver. Long before you tour potential properties, lay the groundwork for a good home-buying experience by saving up for your down payment. Having some money to put toward the purchase gives you more flexibility when it?s time to get a loan.
Know what your credit report says. You?ll want to check your credit report to see if there are any mistakes or problems you can clear up prior to applying for a mortgage. You can request one free credit report annually from each of the three credit-reporting companies by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.
Learn about loans. Finding out as much as you can about various types of loans and assistance programs will give you the knowledge to find the right loan for you ? one that you will be able to afford for the life of the loan. You can research whether you qualify for any assistance programs at TxHomePrograms.org.
Get pre-approved. You?ll put yourself in a strong homebuying position by getting pre-approved ? not just pre-qualified ? for a mortgage. Be realistic about how much you can actually afford. Take a hard look at your own finances and future plans to make sure you are living within your means.
Determine what you really want. Do you see yourself in a ranch-style home or downtown loft apartment? A neighborhood where you can walk your kids to school?
Figure out what features are most important to you and decide if there are some items you desire but could look past if everything else falls into place. Once you determine the must-haves, you can quickly make decisions about which properties to view.
Make sure you have professional assistance. Buying real estate is much more involved than most other transactions, even high-dollar purchases like automobiles and stocks. It can be a tremendous help to have a professional looking out for your best interests along the way.
A Texas realtor can explain the entire process, help you negotiate, keep the transaction on track and make sure you have the information you need to make good decisions.
Understand what goes into an offer. There?s much more to a good offer than deciding what price you?re willing to pay. Before you start searching for homes, talk to your Texas realtor about earnest money, option periods and fees, inspections, contingencies, closing time frames and other factors that may make your offer more attractive to the seller while protecting your interests.
Don?t let up after your offer is accepted. Not every transaction ends up with a closing. However, you give yourself the best chance of getting the keys to your new home if you and your realtor stay on top of the deadlines and tasks. Don?t be afraid to ask questions during this important part of the process. It will save you time and stress later on.
Buying a home should be an exciting time in your life. If you plan well and work with people who are looking out for your best interests, you can minimize the stress and enjoy the process of purchasing a new home.
For more information on buying a home or finding a Texas realtor, visit TexasRealEstate.com. For your real estate needs, please contact Waymond Lightfoot (RE/MAX Genesis) at 210-386-5201.
Source: http://www.blanconews.com/news/107508/
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Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. HTC M7: Which Android Smartphone is Worth Waiting For?
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Source: www.ibtimes.com --- Thursday, January 10, 2013
Two of the much awaited Android smartphones will battle against this year – Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC M7. ...
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Thursday, 10 January 2013
One Small Business Can Win Highway Billboard - North Baltimore ...
MGH, an advertising and marketing firm, is giving one small business in Maryland the opportunity to kick off 2013 with a big bang.
The company, known for its iconic Smyth Jewelers? ad that has the Natty Boh man proposing to the Utz girl, launched Make It Big, the winner of which gets a billboard designed and placed by the agency on a major Maryland highway for one month.
To enter the contest, small for-profit businesses can submit videos detailing with the company should win until Feb. 13. From Feb. 20 until March 5, the public will be able to vote on three finalists chosen by MGH.
The free billboard could earn as many as 1.6 million impressions, according to a news release.
?I started MGH with my business partners and a couple of credit cards, so I know how scary yet exhilarating it can be to start your own business. This year, MGH decided to honor our humble beginnings by creating a contest to help one Maryland-based small business start 2013 off with a bang,? MGH President Andy Malis said in the release. ?Maryland has a stellar entrepreneurial spirit, so we are excited to see what?s out there and to give a boost to one lucky winner who has what it takes to make it big.?
For more details and rules and contest rules, visit Make It Big?s website.
Source: http://northbaltimore.patch.com/articles/one-small-business-can-win-highway-billboard-397ed4c4
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When Motherhood Hurts
By Contributing Writer, Bambi Moore
As moms we all go through times of discouragement, challenges and temptations that cause us to sin, doubt or cry out to God for wisdom.??We may even have an MMM.? You know.? A Momentary Motherhood Meltdown. But real suffering?
I?m a mom to eight.??Many times I function throughout a?day within varying degrees of exhaustion, as I?m sure many of you do as well.? My family has been ill for several weeks now, sometimes seriously,?and it has made me weary.? But these are still light afflictions compared to what?many are facing.
Lately,? I have heard of some of the?most catastrohpic?trials imaginable to Christian parents.? Trials that make you shudder, cover your mouth with your hands and collapse into prayer for the ones God has afflicted.? Trials that make that fussy baby, sleepless night, or defiant toddler you?contend with each day, look like a walk in the park.
- Children who?were wrongly removed from their loving, Christian home by CPS.
- A three-year-old who accidentally shot and killed?himself in his home.
- A child that has been loved and nurtured, was diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and sent away from his home for the safety of?his siblings,?as his parents cried buckets of tears.
- An adult child who has chosen the path of the prodigal, living a wicked, immoral life.
- A nineteen-year-old, the son of a pastor, who confessed to brutally murdering another man and will spend his life in prison.
- A mother who lives with severe, chronic pain who longs to care for her family but instead they must care for her.? She yearns for the day the Lord will take her home and her pain will cease.
- A mother who has been praying for a child for years, conceives only to miscarry the baby, crushing her heart.
These are real people, some I know personally.? Real trials.? The kind we think happen to ?everyone else.?? Even as I write those words, I recoil inside.? ?Lord, don?t let it be me!?? I far prefer God?s cheerful promises, not the ones assuring me of tribulation and suffering.? I must?ask instead, ?Lord give me the grace required for a valley?such as?these are walking through, if you require it of me.?
All Things Work Together for Good
And we know that for those who love God all things work together? for good,? for? those who are called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)
God?also tells us that all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth. (Psalm 25:10)
How can many of these tragic examples above?possibly serve to?produce anything good?? In many ways, but here are a few ways trials are good for us:
Realizing?His Power
We can know God will uphold us in times of trial, just as he did Daniel in the den of lions, or Jonah is the whale?s belly.? Or how about the three Hebrews in the furnace? His strength will be made perfect in our weakness.
God may?allow into our lives times of loss whether they be relationships, health or finances. The withdrawal of things we value can help us learn to offer ourselves a little more willingly, as we allow the touch of death in areas we clutch tightly with white knuckles. Seeking God and His kingdom doesn?t come naturally to us. Troubles in our lives put the pressure on and lean us in the right direction?His strong arms.
?Though he slay me, I will hope in him.?? (Job 13:15)
Faithful to His Promises
??I will be with him in trouble.? (Psalm 91:15)
God does not bring us into trouble and leave us there.? He stands by us.? He holds us up when we are fainting.? He is our strength in times of trouble. (Psalm 37:39)
We Get to Know Ourselves
Once I was struggling near the end of one of my pregnancies.? I was certain I was to be the only woman alive that remained pregnant forever.? Finally my labor began!? Or so I thought.? Turns out it was a false alarm and boy, was?I ever whining like a spoiled child.? My husband gently reminded me with these words, ?Who we are in adversity?is who we really are.?
And it?s true, isn?t it?? In good times we are, for the most part, strangers to ourselves.? Affliction teaches us to know ourselves.? We see the corruption in our hearts that was there all along, but that we never would have realized?was there apart from walking through the refiner?s fire.? It?s humbling.
We Grow to be More Conformed and Grow in Grace
Christ was ?a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.?? He wept and bled and was crowned with thorns?and we want to be crowned with roses?
?A tree that is shaken by the wind is more settled and rooted; so, the blowing of a temptation does but settle a Christian the more in grace.?? Thomas Watson, All Things For Good
We are, at one time or another, going to share in His sufferings:
?...that I may know him and? the power of his resurrection, and? may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death?? Philippians 3:10
Trials Send Our Souls to Prayer
The more intense the trial, the more fervently a Christian prays.
?The deer being shot with the dart, runs faster to the water.? When Satan shoots his fiery darts at the soul, it then runs faster to the throne of grace.?? Thomas Watson, All Things For Good.
Circumstances that make us pray more are working for good.
Fit to Comfort Others
There is nothing quite like empathy?comforting others in distresses that we ourselves have walked through.? We can?t ?speak a word in due season? unless we ourselves have walked through dark valleys.
He is at Work
?In every situation and circumstance of your life, God is always doing a thousand different things that you cannot see and you do not know.? (Pastor John Piper)
Although there may be times that God allows us to see how He is at work, in my experience they?have been few and far between.? Not many times have I?smacked my forehead and said, ?Ah!? That makes sense!?? But I walk (sometimes stumble along)?by faith and not by sight, thankful for His mercies, filling my mind with His word and truth.
There are many times that He is working His will and it is obscured from our finite eyes.? We cannot possibly see the reason or even the outcome of every situation .? We can?t fully fathom what He is doing in our lives.? But we can be sure He is working.? Lovingly, graciously, mercifully and purposefully?working.
And some day, when we have Heaven?s perspective, we will understand more.? Until then, we will say in faith, ?Yes, Lord.? You do all things well.?
What about you?? Have you found that the ?schoolhouses?are in the valley??? What did you learn about the mercies of God there?
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Related posts:
Source: http://www.visionarywomanhood.com/when-motherhood-hurts/
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Bill Taylor to be awarded John A. Bonner Medal
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Visual effects supervisor Bill Taylor is being honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The academy says Taylor will be awarded the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation at the Scientific and Technical Awards banquet Feb. 9 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
The John A. Bonner Medal is named in honor of the late director of special projects at Warner Hollywood Studios. It's awarded for outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the motion picture academy.
Taylor's visual effects credits include such films as "Lawless," ''Public Enemies," ''Milk" and "Bruce Almighty."
Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards presentations will be included in the Academy Awards broadcast on Feb. 24.
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Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Iranians freed by Syrian rebels arrive in Damascus
In this Sunday Jan. 6, 2013 photo Syrian rebel fighters take their positions on the frontline of the ongoing battle for the military airport in Taftanaz, Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad, in a rare speech Sunday, outlined his own vision for ending the country's conflict with a plan that would keep him in power. He also dismissed any chance of dialogue with the armed opposition and called on Syrians to fight what he called "murderous criminals." (AP Photo/Mustafa Karali)
In this Sunday Jan. 6, 2013 photo Syrian rebel fighters take their positions on the frontline of the ongoing battle for the military airport in Taftanaz, Syria. Syrian President Bashar Assad, in a rare speech Sunday, outlined his own vision for ending the country's conflict with a plan that would keep him in power. He also dismissed any chance of dialogue with the armed opposition and called on Syrians to fight what he called "murderous criminals." (AP Photo/Mustafa Karali)
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) ? A group of 48 Iranians freed by Syrian rebels after months in captivity have arrived at a Damascus hotel.
Officials say they were released after President Bashar Assad's regime promised to free hundreds of detainees in the first major prisoner swap of the country's civil war.
The men arrived Wednesday at the Sheraton hotel in several vans escorted by Syrian security forces.
Iran's ambassador in Damascus Mohammad Riza Shibani greeted them with flowers.
Rebels claimed the captives were linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, but Tehran has denied that, saying the men were pilgrims visiting Shiite religious sites in Syria.
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EzineArticles Alert: Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Email-Marketing ...
Sorry, Readability was unable to parse this page for content.
Source: http://buxmentor.blogspot.com/2013/01/ezinearticles-alert-internet-and_6.html
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Source: http://ninikobe.posterous.com/ezinearticles-alert-internet-and-businesses-o
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Mobile Nations 2013 CES Experience Day 3: CES + BlackBerry CEO = 1 Amazing Day!
After a night of good times, good friends and a few (maybe more) good drinks, today was the BIG day? CES baby! Our crew was raring to get down to the Las Vegas Convention Center, and even though a few had later starts than others? all made it down to the LVCC to check out the goodness (and craziness) that is CES.
Heading into the LVCC
Of course, once our passes were in-hand, the first stop was a private tour of the @NVIDIA booth...
Outside the NVIDIA booth
Robert and Marques at the NVIDIA booth
Up close and personal with the NVIDIA Grid
From there, the team 'fanned out' across the show floor...
Rich with the Qubeey girls
Martin, Marques and Robert (aka 'Bobby Brown') checking out some new tech.
Later on in the evening, we got together one last time with the Mobile Nations team for some food and drink at the Palazzo? and the icing on the cake was a visit from a certain CEO? you may have heard of him...
RIM CEO Thorsten Heins (far right) paid us a visit!
With all the amazing experiences now behind us, it's sadly time to wrap things up. I'd like to personally thank Robert, Michael, TJ, Marques, Rich and Martin (and Tegra Champ Kevin O'Quinn) for coming out and for being such solid dudes. It was really something to see the passion and love you have for mobile technology. Your opinions, beliefs and ideas were all extremely well informed and thought provoking to say the very least. I sincerely hope you share your experiences with the rest of the Mobile Nations communities by leaving comments, starting new threads, and interacting with other members ? and be sure to let everyone know how EASY it was to win? and how FUN this experience was!
Left to Right: Rich Cermele (@pkcable), Kevin O'Quinn, Martin Reisch (@safesolvent),James Falconer (@JamesFalconer), Marques Brownlee and Michael Colvill
Not Pictured: TJ Hardin and Robert Brown (@SunofaBob)
Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't also give thanks to our pals @NVIDIA? with a super special thanks to @WillPark for being our go-to man during the experience. He went above and beyond, and I think it's fair to say he deserves a *tip of the cap* and a firm handshake for a job well done.
I now declare the Mobile Nations 2013 CES Experience? CLOSED!
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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/4ZgSxh1yG3E/story01.htm
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Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Context is important online | Internet Psychologist | Graham Jones
Every day you will visit a website which you have never been to before and say to yourself? ?What?.?? That?s because the website lacks clarity as to its message ? you have no idea what to do, where to go or what benefits it might bring you. However, if you were to question the web designer or the owners of the business they?d say ?But it is obvious?!?
The difference is they understand the context, they already have the background information and prior knowledge necessary to understand things.
Similarly, consider switching on the radio and hearing the phrase ?great tits like coconuts?. You might, at first think you have stumbled into a rather rude and offensive discussion about female anatomy because you lack the context of the programme which is actually about the food that you should serve up to garden birds.
Human beings make relatively instant decisions, but if the context is misunderstood we can make the wrong inference. Walk into a meeting late and hear the boss shouting and ranting and you might think that the individual is extremely cross with someone. That?s until you sit down and realise they were merely mimicking a TV programme that was on last night. Lack of context could lead to the wrong decision by you.
New research shows how important context is to human beings. According to common ?popular psychology? folklore you can tell someone?s emotional state from their facial expression. This new study put that notion to the text by using photo-editing software to put the faces of tennis match winners onto the bodies of their losing opponents. It turned out that people found it difficult to analyse things; in fact the ?happy? faces put on the ?sad? bodies were interpreted as negative. In other words, we don?t assess emotion solely from the face, but from the context of the entire body. It is an example of the need for us to use context to analyse things.
So, when it comes to your website is the context immediately understandable to your visitors? If they have to work at it to find out the context, they?ll end up with the wrong message.
Context includes the colours, the kind of design, the fonts you use, the images on the page and the words in headlines and ?page furniture? (the titles and so on). But is also includes the name of your website, the presence or absence of logos, of advertising and other peripheral features.
Often people concentrate on the ?main business? of their web pages, forgetting that everything around that main content is a potent mix of signals setting the context. So, rather than focus on the main aspect of your website this week, perhaps it is worth taking time-out to consider all that surrounding context to be sure it is sending the right subsconcsious signals.
Source: http://www.grahamjones.co.uk/2013/blog/internet-psychology/context-is-important-online.html
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Film District presents an IM Global and WWE Studios film, 'Dead Man Down'
All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. ? 2012 WWE, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This website is based in the United States. By submitting personal information to this website you consent to your information being maintained in the U.S., subject to applicable U.S. laws. U.S. law may be different than the law of your home country. WrestleMania XXIX (NY/NJ) logo TM & ? 2012 WWE. All Rights Reserved. The Empire State Building design is a registered trademark and used with permission by ESBC.
Source: http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/wwestudios/dead-man-down-preview
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Monday, 7 January 2013
Sales Training Advice: Key to Gaining Customer Loyalty in 2013
Sales Training Advice: Key to Gaining Customer Loyalty in 2013
Posted by Jill Perez on Mon, Jan 07, 2013 @ 07:00 AM
By Geoffrey James, Inc. - Sales Source
You can be successful in sales next year, regardless of the economy.As we enter 2013, the business world remains in a state of uncertainty. Will the economy recover? Will new taxes be in place? Regardless of what happens, your key to success will lie in one thing: customer loyalty.
Customer loyalty builds your business when times are good and keeps you in business when times are bad.
Customer loyalty makes your revenue both more predictable AND more profitable since it costs far more to acquire a new customer than to keep an existing one.
How do you keep customers loyal? Simple:
1. Be more than just a vendor.
Create and market products that make it easier for your customers to sell to their customers. When building your strategies, start with the needs of your customers' customers and work backwards to discover how you can be the most helpful.
2. Be more than just a vendor.
Anticipate what your customers might need from your firm and handle it long before they're aware they need it. Your goal: provide such incredible service that your customers feel like they'd be crazy to even consider buying from anyone else.
3. Be more than just a vendor.
Provide extra value that goes far beyond the customer's expectations of your products and services. For example, find customers for your customers so that they can build their own business and thus give more business to you!
4. Be more than just a vendor.
Whenever possible, meet your customers in social situations rather than purely business ones. Trade shows and industry events are great, but attending a charity event where your customers will be present is even better.
5. Be more than just a vendor.
I think you get the point. Have a great 2013, everyone!
Need some help with your sales performance? Take a look at the sales training workshops available to you and improve sales performance.
Read more sales training articles from CustomerCentric Selling? - The Sales Training Company.
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