Quite possibly the best voice you will hear all day, that’s because when you hear Chris Malone weekdays from 3pm to 7pm, your workday should be about done. Chris keeps your favorite music going strong as you head down the home stretch. Keep 98.5 KTK with you in the car, as hitting the rush hour adds stress; Chris keeps it away with the Stress-Free Drive Home, starting weekday afternoons just before 5.
Well gas is creeping up towards $4 a gallon and it isn't even summer yet! So once again we dig deeper to pay at the pump and ways to be more fuel efficient. As we look at ways to save, here are 3 myths about your car and fuel that most of us believe. Get ready for a dose of reality!
-Chris Malone
Your fuel economy gauge should be your guide.
That’s just not so, Edmunds says. “Our testing reveals that one such gauge claimed fuel economy 19% higher than the actual result,” Edmunds says. “Calculating gas mileage manually is the most accurate way to monitor your car's fuel economy.”
Cheap gas will wreck your car's engine.
Again, this “fact” is right up there with the existence of the Easter Bunny and the ability of leprechauns to find gold. Edmunds performed a blind test on three samples of gasoline from major and independent gas stations and found no difference. “Because of the advances in engine technology, a car's onboard computer is able to adjust for the inevitable variations in fuel, so most drivers won't notice a drop-off in performance between different brands of fuel, from the most additive-rich gas sold by the major brands to the bare-bones stuff at your corner quickie mart,” Edmunds reports. The firm does point out the value of fuel tank cleaning agents, which consumers may want to use twice a year.
Using lower octane gas in a premium-recommended car will cause the engine to knock.
Edmunds says that with the average cost of premium gasoline north of $4 per gallon, “drivers who are pumping premium are undoubtedly asking themselves if they can safely switch to regular grade, which is about 30 cents a gallon cheaper. In many cases, the answer is yes,” Edmunds reports. The company says that with advancements in fuel technology, even regular gasoline is sufficient enough to avoid “knocking” from your vehicle’s engine. Edmunds does say performance may suffer “slightly” from using regular gasoline over premium, with engine speed a half-second slower on the way from zero-to-60 miles per hour. But knocking won’t be an issue. Just be aware, not following the manufacturers recommendations in the owner's manual may void your warranty.
Ahh the marketing department of food corporations! They will try just about anything to re-invent the wheel. Some are successful while many fail. Here's a list of 10 foods that, thankfully, failed.
-Chris Malone
1. The Chicken Dinner Candy Bar
Fortunately for gastrointestinal tracts worldwide, this candy bar didn't actually include chicken in its list of ingredients. And equally lucky for Sperry Candy Co., which introduced the "treat"Â in the 1920s, consumers actually figured this one out on their own. The company introduced the chocolate-and-peanut butter bar right before the onset of the Depression, hoping the name would give consumers the feeling they were about to have a big home-cooked meal at Grandma's house—hence the juicy roast chicken on the advertisements. Strangely, the gimmick worked, even well after the economy recovered, and Chicken Dinner candy bars were available until the 1960s. Does this mean it qualifies as a true marketplace "flop"Â? No. Did we put it on the list anyway because it sounds like it really should have been? Absolutely.
2. Cereal Mates
Sometimes, new products fail because they're simply bad ideas (ahem, New Coke). Other times, it's because they're just impossible to market. Such was the case for Cereal Mates. Beating the dead horse of über-convenient breakfast foods, Kellogg's introduced Cereal Mates in 1997. The idea was simple: a small box of cereal, a container of specially packaged milk (no refrigeration required!), and a plastic spoon. It was the perfect A.M. answer for the person on the go ...who enjoys warm milk on cereal. Trying to patch up one mistake with another, Kellogg's then moved the product to the dairy section, where no sane person looks for cereal. On top of all that was the price. At about $1.50 for only four ounces of the stuff, Cereal Mates was deemed too expensive for most consumers. After two years, Kellogg's pulled it from the shelves.
3. Flower-Flavored PEZ
No, that's not a typo. Although it would be equally disgusting, we're talking about flower, not flour. Introduced in the late 1960s, flower-flavored PEZ was designed to appeal to the hippie generation—complete with a groovy, psychedelic dispenser. But even in the decade of free love, no love could be found for the flavor power of flower. Floral scents make for great perfume, but nobody eats perfume, and apparently, there's a reason why. The flower version flopped, and became the next addition to PEZ's long and disturbing list of flavor failures. Since its introduction in 1927, the company has also sold coffee, licorice, eucalyptus, menthol, and cinnamon flavors.
4. "I Hate Peas!"Â
For as long as children have been shoving Brussels sprouts under mashed potatoes and slipping green beans to the dog, parents have been hunting desperately for a way to end the vegetable discrimination. Finally, in the 1970s, American Kitchen Foods, Inc. came to the rescue (or at least tried) with the release of "I Hate Peas!"Â Since kids love French fries so much, the company decided that disguising peas in a fry-shaped form was a sure-fire way to trick tots into getting their vitamins. Not a chance. Children all over America saw through the ruse. After all, a pea is a pea is a pea, and the name of the product was more than apropos, no matter what it looked like. There were other thinly disguised vegetables in the company's "I Hate"Â line, but kids hated those, too.
5. Reddi-Bacon
Any company smart enough to bless mankind with sprayable whipped cream—the sort that promotes direct-to-mouth feeding—has got to know a thing or two about immediate gratification. But sadly, the makers of Reddi-wip® were unable to meld their keen understanding of human laziness with one of processed meat. They figured, if you're cooking breakfast in the morning and you've got a hankering for bacon, why dirty up a pan you'll only have to clean later? The solution: foil-wrapped Reddi-Bacon you could pop into your toaster for piping-hot pork in minutes.
While it seemed perfect for the busy 1970s household, the absorbent pad designed to soak up the dripping grease tended to leak, creating not only a fire hazard, but also a messy (if not totally ruined) toaster. Ultimately, the product lasted about as long as it took to cook; the company scrapped it before it went to market nationwide.
6. Coffee-Flavored Jell-O
In 1918, the makers of Jell-O introduced a new flavor: coffee. Its release was ostensibly based on the logic that, since lots of people like to drink coffee with dessert, they'd be game for combining the two after-dinner treats. Not the case. The company soon realized if anyone wants dessert coffee, they're going to have a cup of it. In fact, if anyone wants coffee at all, they're going to have a cup of it. Not surprisingly, this realization came about the time they yanked the product off the shelves. Coffee wasn't Jell-O's only misstep: Cola-flavored Jell-O was sold for about a year starting in 1942, and for a brief while, the clear, wiggly dessert was sold in celery and chocolate flavors, too.
7. Heublein's Wine & Dine
In the mid-1970s, Heublein introduced Wine & Dine, an upscale, easy-to-make dinner that included a small bottle of vino. How refined. How decadent. How confusing. Consumers knew Heublein for their liquor and wines, so how were they supposed to know the wine included in Wine & Dine was an ingredient for the pasta sauce? Hasty consumers who didn't read the directions closely ended up pouring the contents of the bottle into a nice glass and getting a less-than-pleasant mouthful of salted wine.
8. Funky Fries
In 2002, hoping to follow the success of Heinz's new "kiddie"Â ketchup versions (in green and purple), Ore-Ida introduced Funky Fries: chocolate-flavored, cinnamon-flavored, and blue-colored French fries. An awful lot of money was sunk into the product, but after a year of marketing, consumers still found the idea funky—in the bad way. Funky Fries were pulled off the shelves in 2003, and images of blue fries with green ketchup were once again relegated to the world of Warhol-esque pop art.
9. Pepsi A.M.
Creating a super-caffeinated soda worked well for the makers of Red Bull, but not for the folks at Pepsi. With 25 percent more caffeine than a cup of Joe, PepsiCo introduced the cola-flavored product in 1989, only to discover that most people just couldn't bring themselves to drink soda with their cornflakes. For those who wanted a Pepsi in the morning, regular Pepsi did just fine, thankyouverymuch. Pepsi A.M., like the coffee-flavored Pepsi Kona before it, was scrapped after just a few months.
10. Gerber Singles
At some point in time, almost every adult has tasted baby food and discovered that the stuff isn't half bad. But that doesn't mean people want to make a meal out of it. For some reason, Gerber had to learn that lesson the hard way. In 1974, the company released Gerber Singles, small servings of food meant for single adults, packaged in jars that were almost identical to those used for baby food. It didn't take long for Gerber execs to figure out that most consumers, unless they were less than a year old, couldn't get used to eating a pureed meal out of a jar—particularly one depressingly labeled "Singles."Â Baby food for grown-ups was pulled from the marketplace shortly after its birth.
Of course you're going to be stinky and sweaty after a long run or working in the garden. But what if you're stinky and sweaty at 2 p.m. on a Wednesday and all you've done is sit at your desk all day? That's when you need some help. Prevention magazine outlined five surprising, natural ways you can fight body odor.
1. Choose natural fabrics.
Instead of wearing synthetic fabrics, switch to cotton because it will better absorb perspiration and then allow it to evaporate.
2. Skip the garlic and onions.
Garlic and onions not only give you bad breath, but also can be absorbed in your body in such a way that the odor is released in your sweat. In addition, these strong cooking odors can cling to your hair and clothes and will stay there until you shampoo your hair and launder your clothing.
3. Apply some apple cider vinegar.
if you're looking for a natural underarm deodorant, use apple cider vinegar. Really! Just apply it directly to your armpits to kill body odor.
4. Cut back on meat.
Extracts of proteins and oils from certain foods, especially meat, as well as some types of spices, can remain in your body's excretions and secretions long after eating--and they can make you stink.
5. Benefit from good bacteria.
Take a daily acidophilus supplement to fight odor from the inside out. Acidophilus is a probiotic bacteria that helps aid digestion.
As a child I was brought up to know that stealing is wrong as I think the majority of us were. But according to a recent survey of 1,000 people by Paintballing.co.uk, people have no guilty conscience when it comes to taking certain things without paying.
1-93% Hotel shampoos, lotion and other room items. OK, shampoo and lotions are complimentary and implied for you top take home but towels, sheets, coffee and even batteries from the remote control you may have a Klepto problem.
2-88% unsecured Internet connection. With the monthly fees of Internet access routinely over $30 a month it's no wonder that people look for a free ride online (just walk inside a Panera or Starbucks). Stealing your neighbor's Internet signal via an unsecured WiFi connection is perfectly OK to 4 out of 5 people. Yet if you were to ask if stealing $30 from the guy who you steal Internet from I bet the percentage would drop. If anything, offer to pay half of the Internet bill for a clearer conscience.
3-55% restaurant condiments. One of my favorite episodes of My Name Is Earl was when Joy was refilling the family's ketchup bottle with individual packets of ketchup lifted from a fast food store. Funny joke but sad in reality. Considering condiments are one of the lowest priced grocery store items, it pretty sad to be tipping the basket of saltines into your purse, pocketing a salt shaker and loading up on sporks!
4-37% steal beer glasses from a bar. i must admit I fell in love with a pint glass from a local bar once. After remarking about it the bartender for what must have been hours, the bar key washed out the glass and handed it to me. I guess looking back at it, I am guilty of stealing (although I left a big tip afterwards) a glass. I hang my head in shame but to this day I still have the pint glass and only use it for special occasions as I do not want the lettering to fade or the glass to fall and break.
5-27% stationary from work. Ahhh yes a box of staples, a couple of post-it pads and a few ball point pens from the supply closet have found their way home. If you were to do this at Target or Walmart, Loss Prevention would escort you to a back office while calling the police to come and arrest you! Yet we feel little shame in doing the same thing from our employers.
6-22% co-workers food/beverages. It's been scandalous for years here at 98.5KTK. From cartons of half & half to frozen burritos stored in the office freezer, 1 in 5 of your co-workers see no problem of helping themselves to your coffee creamer, tea bags and left over lunch containers...even with colorfully-worded post-it notes warning to keep their hands off!
7-17% loose candy. An after dinner mint or chocolate is just that., for after your mea, not to load up for later! Or better yet the Brach candy displays at grocery store where an honor system box asking for a dime for a piece of candy is often overlooked.
8-11% fruit. Walking past the grapes at the grocery store, it's almost irresistible to pick off a grape or two or three. Of course we are just wanting to know if the grapes are sweet and tasty...but be honest, even if they are sweet and tasty do you take from the bunch of grapes you tasted? Or an unopened bag?
9-8% taking pens. Unless you are inside a bank, where the pens are secured with a chain, we find it acceptable to take a pen from stores and restaurants.
A spokesman for Paintballing.co.uk, which carried out the survey, said: “Everyone loves a freebie but it seems the lines between what is intended as a complimentary giveaway and what is someone else’s property isn’t always clear.
It has become very hard to tell anymore if a picture you see online is real or fake. Now with a little help from Photoshop, and Tim Mathenson’s tutorial, you can tell.
• Open Photoshop
• Open questionable image
• Press CTRL+U or go to Image -> Adjustments -> Hue/Saturation
• Set Hue to low
• Set Saturation to high
• Scroll the light bar back and forth, looking for areas of the image that don’t match
• If you find a splotch of discoloration, that may indicate the picture was retouched.
Tim says this will work on any retouched photo, not just Photoshopped ones.
At the office when someone isn't feeling well, we are quick to banish them to home so that we don't catch whatever they have. But when it comes to your family there is little to avoid catching what they being home. So here's some helpful advice on what you can do to ward off the flu season sickness from the experts. I'm sure common sense has taught you most of what covered but there are a couple of things I didn't know about and will certainly begin until the sickness season is over!
-Chris Malone
Practical Defense
The common sense ways of avoiding the spread of germs are well known to most parents, but it doesn't hurt to go over them again. Sometimes, when your child is sick, you're so focused on being a caretaker that you can easily lose sight of these simple ways to avoid becoming ill.
Wash your hands frequently. If you're dealing with a sick child, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after coming into contact with the child. Make sure your hand washing is effective; a quick swish under the water probably won't do the trick. According to The Centers for Disease Control, a 20-second scrub should be enough. A gel hand-sanitizing product also comes in handy. It can kill germs hand-washing may have left behind, or it can be used in a pinch when you can't get to a sink.
Most respiratory illnesses, like the common cold or flu, are spread through the air. When a sick person sneezes or coughs, their germs find their way into the air and can be inhaled by other people. Teach your children to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. You can also use a spray disinfectant to kill airborne germs.
Don't forget that germs can live on surfaces. Use disinfecting wipes or sprays to attack germs on surfaces your children frequently touch, such as computer keyboards, refrigerator handles and doorknobs.
Kids like to wrap themselves up in their coziest blankets when they're sick and these comforting objects can pick up lots of germs. Wash sick kids' bedding in hot water to make sure they're extra-clean.
Immune Boosters
Even when you follow all the rules for keeping germs at bay, some are bound to make their way into your body. Thankfully, our bodies have an immune system to help fight these germs off and keep them from becoming full-blown illnesses. In healthy people, the immune system does a great job fighting off illness, but it can always use a little extra boost, especially when cold and flu season comes around.
Eating a healthy balanced diet is one important way to keep your immune system strong. This is easier said than done, but it's definitely not impossible. Make sure you're getting adequate protein and other nutrients in your diet. A good-quality multi-vitamin can give your diet some extra help.
Keeping hydrated is another way to keep your body at its best. True, water can taste a bit boring, but you can always jazz it up with some flavoring. Flavored herbal teas work well for this, and they're caffeine free. Another simple and tasty way to flavor water is with lemon juice.
Lemon is a great immune booster because it helps balance your body's supply of healthy bacteria. For sweetness, add some honey or stevia. Stevia is a plant-based natural sweetener that is fairly new on the mainstream market. It's about 300 times sweeter than sugar so a little goes a long way.
Staying fit doesn't just help you look great; it benefits your immune system too. Even during the frosty days of cold and flu season, be sure you make time for some physical activity. Walk around the block, take the stairs at work, or go sledding with the kids
Do your best to maintain good mental health. When you're stressed or anxious, your body can't properly fight off illness. Use relaxation techniques and other stress-management strategies to help keep your mind in a positive place. Seasonal depression can affect the immune system, too, so be sure you're getting enough sunlight. Get outdoors on sunny days and talk to your doctor about treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Natural Remedies
Echinacea is the most popular natural immune-system enhancer available. Many people swear by it, and wouldn't go a winter without it.
Probiotics help maintain a healthy stomach, but they also contribute to the overall health of the body's immune defense. You can take probiotics year-round to keep your body working in top condition.
Occillococcinum is a difficult to pronounce but easy to use homeopathic treatment for flu. It's said to be effective against flu symptoms when taken at the first signs of illness. It has performed well in clinical trials and is available at many national drugstore chains.
There are many natural supplement products that have (or claim to have) immune-boosting potential. Always do some homework before shopping for these products so you get one that's right for you.
It's Friday night and that annoying guy at work keeps asking you out on a date. So when you say that you have plans tonight washing your hair, try one of these 8 DIY hair treatments that is sure to make your locks even lovelier! Seriously, some really good info that will save you money and probably be better to your hair and scalp than store chemicals! (Woman's Day)
-Chris Malone
Eggs, yogurt and honey are, at first glance, all components of a tasty breakfast — but they also happen to be hair treatment ingredients, and affordable, all-natural ones at that. And they're not the only ones. Did you know, for instance, that the oils in avocados more closely resemble our own skin's oils than any product in the beauty aisle does? Or that the mild acidity in lemon is an effective — and gentler — alternative to chemical-laden products? Next time your locks need a lift, save money by using one of these kitchen fixes.
For all hair types
"The [raw] egg is really the best of all worlds," says Janice Cox, author of "Natural Beauty at Home". The yolk, rich in fats and proteins, is naturally moisturizing, while the white, which contains bacteria-eating enzymes, removes unwanted oils, she explains.
To use: For normal hair, use the entire egg to condition hair; use egg whites only to treat oily hair; use egg yolks only to moisturize dry, brittle hair, Cox says. Use 1/2 cup of whichever egg mixture is appropriate for you and apply to clean, damp hair. If there isn’t enough egg to coat scalp and hair, use more as needed. Leave on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water (to prevent egg from "cooking") and shampoo hair. Whole egg and yolks-only treatments can be applied once a month; whites-only treatment can be applied every two weeks.
For dull hair
Styling products (as well as air pollution) can leave a film that both saps moisture and dulls shine — but dairy products like sour cream and plain yogurt can help reverse this damage. "Lactic acid gently strips away dirt while the milk fat moisturizes," says Lisa Belkin, author of "The Cosmetics Cookbook".
To Use: Massage 1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt into damp hair and let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water, followed by cool water, then shampoo hair as you normally would. Treatment can be applied every other week.
For itchy scalp
To fight flakes — brought on by poor diet, stress and climate, among other factors — try a lemon juice and olive oil mixture in your hair. "The acidity in lemon juice helps rid your scalp of any loose, dry flakes of skin, while the olive oil moisturizes the [newly exposed] skin on your head," says Cox.
To Use: Mix 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons water, and massage into damp scalp. Let mixture sit for 20 minutes, then rinse and shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every other week.
For limp or fine hair
To add body to hair, reach for an unlikely beauty beverage: beer! The fermented drink contains generous supplies of yeast, which works to plump tired tresses, explains Cox.
To use: Mix 1/2 cup flat beer (pour beer into a container and let it sit out for a couple of hours to deplete carbonation) with 1 teaspoon light oil (sunflower or canola) and a raw egg. Apply to clean, damp hair, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or add flat beer only to a spray bottle and spritz onto dry hair. "When the liquid evaporates, the remaining protein residue (from the wheat, malt or hops) continues to strengthen and structure hair," says Belkin. Treatments can be applied every other week.
For dry or sun-damaged hair
Whatever your hair-dehydrating demon — hard water, sun overexposure, your trusty flat iron — nature's sweetener can help. "Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and locks in moisture," says Cox.
To use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp hair, let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application. For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 tablespoons of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment can be applied once a month.
For oily or greasy hair
"Used properly, [cornmeal or cornstarch] is an inexpensive way to remove oil and grease," says Belkin.
To use: Pour 1 tablespoon cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it all. After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.
For frizzy hair
Home beauty experts swear by avocado — and not just to repair damaged hair. Its oils (which are light and moist like our own natural skin secretions) and proteins boast the best combination of nutrients for smoothing and weighing down unruly hair, explains Cox.
To use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 tablespoons of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.
For residue-ridden hair
"Nothing eats through product buildup like baking soda," Cox says. Sodium bicarbonate essentially breaks down anything acidic.
To Use: Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons baking soda with small amounts of water until a thick paste forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with water, then shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.
Here we go again, the fine art of finding out about your personality! The way you answer "yes" or "no" questions reveals much about you, says Dr. W. Beryl West, a professor of psychology. "When someone asks you to respond in a positive or negative way, they're asking you to put yourself on one side or the other. This clearly expresses the way you feel," says West. "The way we usually or most often say yes or no definitely reveals our personality."
If you respond "yeah" or "nah," it means you are a casual person, spontaneous and fun-lovin. You enjoy throwing last-minute parties, and always see an easy way to accomplish things.
If you answer "yessiree" or "nosiree" -- or "yo", "yay" or "nay" -- you're generally a happy person, a free spirit. You're extremely flexible, well-liked and have an active social life.
Responding with "yes, sir" and "no, sir" means you're extremely polite, consider manners to be very important and enjoy being in charge. You're good at setting priorities and sticking to them.
If you answer "yes" or "no" you are a precise person. You're always on time. You usually have your days planned in your head. You're very sensitive and always know the proper thing to do or say.
If you respond with "mm-hmmm" for "yes", and "uh-uh" for "no," you're a physically strong person who believes in teamwork and likes people a lot. You also love animals and enjoy having pets.
People who reply "yep" or "nope" are extremely creative and set high goals for themselves, have lots of self-confidence and style, yet are tactful and polite when speaking their mind.
Online dating is here and here to stay. According to Deborah Ballard-Reisch, a communications professor at Wichita State University specializing in quantitative research in interpersonal communications, the odds of meeting a dating partner, if not your soul mate, are stronger than ever online. Ballard-Reisch says that 40 million U.S. men and women have tried online dating, a staggering figure given the number of single American adults.
“There are 54 million single Americans today,” she says. “Forty million of them are online in one way or another. You have a better chance of meeting Mr. or Ms. Right today than you ever have.”
She estimates that 20% of all long-term romantic relationships are launched online, and that figure really has changed the “dating game.”
“We used to develop romantic relationships with people we went to school with or knew through church, or family or friends introduced us to, and now we supplement that by meeting people online,” Ballard-Reisch says. “And the world of people available to us has exploded exponentially because of that.”
That doesn’t mean cyber-dating comes without risk. There is no shortage of con artists and fraudsters who leverage online dating sites to separate you from your money.
“Like any new technology, there are some downsides to online dating, too,” she says. “One of the biggest is fraud. There are a number of international consortiums that get on online dating sites and pretend to be someone they’re not in order to get money out of people.”
Ballard-Reisch cites two warning signs you are about to be ripped off:
You’re asked to send money. If this happens, it’s time to evacuate — fast. “If someone asks you to send them money, especially out of the country, run,” Ballard-Reisch says.
”Americans” Who Don’t Know English.“One of the things to look out for in online dating is that, when people claim language fluency and then they have grammar and syntax and spelling errors,” she adds. “If their language doesn’t seem right, it likely isn’t” and they may be contacting you from overseas.
What can you do to date safely?
Make Like Sherlock Holmes.
Avail yourself of the research sides of the Internet and find out all you can about a prospective online dating match. “This might sound coarse, but so much information is available to us online now,” Ballard-Reisch says. “If you’re thinking of meeting someone you have met only online, Google them. Use multiple search engines. Consider seeking criminal background checks. Make sure that people are who they say they are. We used to be able to rely on our support networks — our family, our friends, et cetera — to vet people for us, and when we meet people online, we can’t do that anymore.”
Be Ultra-Cautious.
If you do decide to meet someone you met on line, follow Ballard-Reisch’s security checklist. “Always meet in a public place the first few times,” she advises. “Drive yourself. Let your friends and family know where you’re going, with whom and when you plan to return. Have a panic word in case you have a quick second to call them if you need help. And keep your phone online so you can be tracked through GPS if necessary. Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, get out.”
Guard Your Personal I.D.
Make sure to keep your identity safe. Even a slight breach or misstep can cost you plenty from a con artist. “Don’t give information about yourself too quickly,” she adds. “Get to know people before you share with them personal information about who you really are.”
Botox, that's so 2008! The latest craze for youthful skin sounds like something out of a horror novel, snake venom!
Why Snake Venom?
While you probably think of snake venom as harmful, it actually can produce anti-aging benefits when applied topically to the skin. Some have even said the results are better than Botox! Through years of research, it was found that snake venom temporarily inhibits muscle activity, which prevents and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Who would have thought to incorporate such a lethal substance into your skin care routine? Well, several years ago Israel and Nate Dakar, creators and co-founders of Sonya Dakar Skincare, discovered the benefits of temple viper venom. Yes, they studied the effects of real cobra viper venom, but have no fear, the snakes were not harmed during the process.
Is It Safe To Use?
After years of research and development, Sonya Dakar Skincare produced a synthetic version, a.k.a. "syn-ake," a harmless synthetic tripeptide that mimics the effects of snake venom when applied on the skin.
Why should people choose Microvenom over other anti-aging formulas? Good question! “While everyone has different skin care needs, our exclusive MicroVenom formula is ideal for individuals looking to incorporate a preventive and/or restorative anti-aging component into their skin care regimen. Choosing skin care products with "syn-ake" may prove to be a viable alternative to invasive procedures like lasers, Botox or Juvederm. Our MicroVenom technology includes nine anti-aging ingredients, helping cells from all angles ” says Sonya Dakar Skincare’s Beauty Director, Sarah Dakar.
It is recommended to have a consultation with a skin care specialist before use, but the synthetic snake venom is engineered to be completely safe and harmless.
Is It Really Better Than Botox?
With Botox, you have to get frequent injections to maintain results. Snake venom, on the other hand, is painless and relatively hassle-free, making it an easy step to add into your skin care regimen to achieve the same results. After about three weeks of consistent application, users should notice a dramatic difference in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
This new skin care miracle has even slithered (get it?) its way onto the faces of Hollywood's hottest celebs such as India.Arie, Josh Duhamel and Fergie, who are already fans of this fake facelift frenzy.
Whether you're a young fresh-faced beauty or just looking for a new product to spice up your daily routine, snake venom skin care products might be the perfect beauty secret for you!
We tend to think reality shows end like a fairy tale, where they lived happily ever after. Now we now learn that once the reality show cameras are off and production is over, the fairy tale ends and reality hits hard.
#5. No One from The Biggest Loser Can Keep the Weight Off
The Biggest Loser puts extremely overweight people through an intense diet and exercise regimen to see who can shed the most pounds by the end of the show's run. The first few episodes look like a bunch of circus bears doing jumping jacks, but gradually the contestants lose extra weight like car keys on a roller coaster. For instance, first season winner Ryan Benson lost a total of 130 pounds. Benson's current weight is around 300 pounds, which is just 30 pounds less than what he weighed at the start of The Biggest Loser. Benson isn't an anomaly -- almost every Biggest Loser winner has gained back a chunk of the weight he or she lost on the show. The worst example is Season 3 winner Eric Chopin. Chopin began the show clocking in at 400 pounds, and won after successfully dropping 200. Once the show was over, however, Chopin bounced right back up to 370 pounds.
The unfortunate truth is that people on The Biggest Loser don't do anything but train for the entirety of the season -- the show's producers cover all their expenses during filming. It's not like they're going to work and then driving over to the gym to film some sit-ups. They aren't doing anything except training, under constant supervision, for however many weeks production lasts. Once the show is over, they go back to their normal 9-to-5 lives, which typically do not include controlled diet and exercise.
#4. Almost Every Restaurant on Kitchen Nightmares Goes Out of Business
Kitchen Nightmares is a show where angry celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay goes to failing restaurants to scream at the owners for two weeks straight until their food and service improves.
Oddly enough, restaurateurs who are terrible at running a business don't suddenly become successful. In actuality, only about a third of the restaurants Ramsay "rescues" actually manage to stay open. For instance, in the first two seasons of the show (2007 to 2009), Ramsay rescued 21 restaurants. Only two are still open. Now to be fair, Ramsay doesn't visit a restaurant unless it's teetering on the brink of disaster. So it could be argued that without him and his very expensive intervention (often buying them all new equipment and decor, and even lending them staff), 0 percent of them would have survived. Still, each episode ends with inspirational music, owners who have seen the light, and a restaurant that has undergone a complete renovation with a brand new menu and a dining room full of customers. There's no hint that all Ramsay has done is delay the inevitable.
#3. The People on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Can't Afford to Keep Their New Homes
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition features the world's most excitable man, Ty Pennington and his impossibly attractive crew building awesome new houses for people who have been shorted in life. The family gets sent on a complimentary vacation while the crew either does extensive repairs and renovations or replaces the entire thing. Truly, there is no aspect of this that anyone could be upset about. Sure, the show's producers may cover all the construction costs, but the lucky homeowners are left on their own to figure out how they're going to cover the utility bills and property taxes that have skyrocketed as a result of their extreme home makeover.
One family, which had a new home specifically designed to help their developmentally challenged son, was forced to put the house on the market after just a little over a year because they simply couldn't afford what it cost in both time and money to maintain a palatial four-bedroom estate while trying to raise three children, one of whom has special needs.
#2. Oprah Makes People Pay for Their Free Cars
Oprah is famous for giving out free stuff to her audience. She started small, slinging gift cards and promotional material from her various guests to "giving" away 276 brand new cars to members of her studio audience.Unfortunately, receiving a luxury item as a prize on a television show doesn't exempt you from having to pay the accompanying taxes, which is the precise situation faced by everyone who has ever been given a car by Oprah Winfrey.
For the purposes of her own tax records, Oprah declared all of her giveaway cars "prizes" instead of gifts. This may seem like a trivial distinction, but as far as the IRS is concerned, anything that's designated a gift is non-taxable, but a prize is basically just like any other income (otherwise Oprah herself would get the tax bill on each of those cars). So, Oprah listed the value of each car at its full MSRP of $28,500, and that money counts as income whether you received it in the form of a car or a paycheck. And like any income, the audience owes taxes on it. This meant that each lucky audience member who received a car from Oprah had to immediately pay as much as $7,000 out of their own pocket for a car they neither asked for nor were expecting.
#1. Storage Wars Capitalizes on People's Misfortune (and Is Probably Staged)
Storage Wars documents the adventures of a group of risk takers who buy storage lockers at auction to (hopefully) sell the contents for a tidy profit. These are lockers full of what were once people's prized possessions that have since been abandoned. The risk/reward aspect of the program has proven to be a huge draw, resulting in two spinoffs and a handful of copycat shows. If you've ever watched Storage Wars, you may wonder why a person would leave a $6,000 coin collection in a storage unit and then default on the rent. The answer is really sad, no matter how you look at it.
Originally the show's producers intended to delve into the background of each locker featured on Storage Wars, but unsurprisingly, all the information they uncovered was pure, unmitigated misery. The reason these abandoned treasures are abandoned is that the original owners of the units failed to make their rent payments. This is because they could no longer afford them due to unemployment, homelessness (hence putting all their belongings in a storage locker), divorce,illness or death and were therefore no longer able to pay.
But don't worry, because according to former Storage Warrior Dave Hester, the show is all rigged anyway. Hester claims that all of the valuable items found inside the lockers are actually planted there by the show's producers, which would explain how the bidders could inexplicably find something like a Rembrandt stashed in a 6-by-12 unit alongside a box full of magazines. He also insists that all of the auctions are staged, meaning every "bidding war" you witness on the show is actually entirely scripted.
But hey, it's entertainment right? True but it makes me think twice about submitting myself for one of these shows and adds credibility that there is no such thing as a free lunch!
-Chris Malone
Ever wonder what a successful marriage looks like? Well, according to José-Manuel Rey of the Complutense University in Spain, it looks something like this:
Rey has identified a number of variables which, if calculated together, seem to predict why some marriages last and others fail. He has published his work in the journal PLOS ONE.
The formula is based on something called the second law of thermodynamics for sentimental relationships. In physics, the second law of thermodynamics states that in any closed energy system, order will gradually deteriorate into disorder (as entropy) over time. The second law as applied to relationships works under a similar principle: that relationships tend to deteriorate over time unless effort is consistently introduced to sustain them. In other words, love isn't enough. Relationships take effort. And, according to Rey, relationships can be put on predictable trajectories when levels of effort are properly quantified.
The purpose of the formula is to deal with an omnipresent concern in most western societies: high divorce rates. Divorce isn't just stressful for those involved, but it also poses a dilemma for sociologists and therapists looking to diagnose the problem. Of course, some failed marriages seem easy to predict from the beginning: the couple was too young, they married too quick, they had opposing values, etc. But Rey isn't concerned with these kinds of failed marriages. His formula is more ambitious than that. He aims to predict why divorce still happens among seemingly stable marriages, when both partners have similar emotional attributes.
In other words, marriage is difficult to maintain even for those who have the best of intentions. This is what marriage researchers occasionally refer to as the failure paradox. Rey has identified some key variables that help to predict the outcome even in these situations.
Basically, all relationships have something called an effort gap. According to Rey, "a remarkable finding of the model is that the level of effort which keeps a happy relationship going is always greater than the effort level that would be chosen optimally a priori [or logically]." The effort gap is therefore the difference between these two levels of effort.
Instability is commonly introduced into a relationship through the effort gap, mainly because putting out the extra effort on a consistent basis isn't typically much fun. (That's what makes it an effort.) So whether a relationship can be maintained depends in large part on whether the effort gap is tolerable or not. If it's not, then even well-intentioned couples will begin to feel worn out and the relationship trajectory will rapidly deteriorate.
So what does all of this mean about the odds of your relationship lasting? Well, it means what you probably already knew: it's complicated. The good news for marriage counselors is that they're unlikely to be replaced by calculators anytime soon. The research, while fascinating, still has a lot more to assess.
The method offers more insight to sociologists, who are burdened with having to explain complicated phenomena such as divorce rates, than it does to lovers contemplating marriage. But the findings do reinforce a cold fact that lovers would do well to remember: when it comes to relationships, love alone isn't enough. Relationships are destined to deteriorate without effort.
What's the difference between a good employee and a great one? Beyond dependable, reliable and proactive, the answer is "the qualities that are often unnoticed, but make an enormous impact on job performance." That's the word from BNET.com writer Jeff Haden, who has identified nine such traits.
1. A Little Bit "off."
The most outstanding employees are a bit quirky--different from the others. They can be irreverent and unusual, but all in a good way. They shake things up and make work more fun, adding flavor and flair to an otherwise dull workplace. They aren't afraid to challenge authority or test the boundaries, and in so doing they often come up with the best ideas.
2. Know When To Reel It In.
The quirky personality only succeeds in the office until it goes one step (or hundreds) too far. For eccentrics to be outstanding employees, they must know when to rein it in, fit into the team and get the job done. It's knowing the difference between when it's OK to play and when it's time to be serious and work hard.
3. Ignore Job Descriptions.
This is especially important in small companies where priorities shift rapidly, and employees need to do what it takes to get things done no matter what their official job title.
4. Eager To Prove Others Wrong.
Tell a kid who didn't graduate from college that he can't do the job, and it may be just the incentive he needs to prove the doubters wrong. While education, intelligence, talent and skill are all important, it is drive and motivation that are most critical.
5. Praise In Public.
Giving praise in public is a great way to boost morale. Outstanding employees are on the giving end of praise, recognizing the contributions of others.
6. Complain In Private.
while brainstorming solutions in a group is quite effective, some problems, especially those that are sensitive or controversial, are best dealt with one-on-one. Outstanding employees discuss such concerns with the stakeholders behind closed doors.
7. Ask Questions For Others.
It's not uncommon for even the most vivacious employee to clam up in a meeting. Outstanding employees have a gut sense of the issues and concerns of others and take the lead in asking the tough questions when others are hesitant.
8. Start Work On Time.
The best employees don't waste time in the morning getting coffee, chit-chatting and checking their personal e-mail. They start work with a bang.
9. Tinker.
Call it tinkering. Or tweaking. Or editing. Or redoing. Outstanding employees aren't satisfied with the average. They're willing to rewrite a report, rework a process or revise a spreadsheet to make things better.
I saw this top 10 list compiled from supervisors from America's biggest companies and thought it might be insightful on what can make you stand out from your co-workers and possibly a more lucrative and secure future of employment for you!
-Chris Malone
1. What You Do Outside Of Work Matters.
Your boss doesn't watch your every move -- unless you give them reason to but they are keeping tabs on you. Ask yourself, "Would I want my boss to read this?" every time you post something on Facebook or any another social media site, suggests Edith Onderick-Harvey, president of Factor In Talent, an Andover, Massachusetts-based corporate consulting firm. "Be careful about how much you share about your weekend or what a jerk [you think] your coworker is," she urges. Otherwise, your boss may start seeing you in a less-than-professional light, and that could carry over to how she values you as an employee.
2. Your Attitude Is As Important As Your Assignments.
Like 'em or not, office politics matter both day to day, and in the long run. "What your manager won't tell you is that what may be even more important than completing tasks and following directions is your ability to work with her and your coworkers," says Onderick-Harvey. Even if you're getting the job done, if your coworkers find you to be abrasive, rude or just unpleasant, it will be hard for your boss to promote you.
3. Speak Up!
Don't be afraid to make yourself heard. The most valuable employees take initiative, says Patty Briguglio, president of MMI Public Relations in Raleigh, North Carolina. "I like having an employee who isn't afraid to show her personality," she says. "I don't want someone to just fill a spot at a desk." If you want a promotion, ask for it, says Briguglio. Also, let your boss know what you need to succeed, urges workplace consultant Steve Langerud, director of professional opportunities at DePauw University, whether it's training, time or money.
4. Follow Our Lead.
if you're not sure whether your boss prefers to communicate in a meeting or via email or phone, ask, suggests career and executive coach Lauren Mackler. Also ask how they want to be consulted on and what they prefer you handle on your own. And take cues from their personality, says Mackler: If your boss is introverted, don't keep pushing for face-to-face time.
5. Toot Your Own Horn.
(This is a toughie for me!-Chris Malone) Your boss can't possibly keep tabs on what every employee is doing every day -- it's up to you to let him know! "When you wrap up a project, send a congratulatory email to your team and CC your boss," suggests Mackler. You might also send him a monthly overview of the projects you've completed and other accomplishments, and have these month-to-month emails on hand at your annual performance review. And speaking of performance reviews...
6. We Don't Like Performance Reviews, Either!
"They're just as painful for your boss as they are for you," says Daniel Debow, co-CEO of Rypple, a web-based feedback tool. "But you can help make them easier." Rather than trying to recall the details of a project from 10 months ago on the day of your review, keep track of your successes as they happen, suggests Debow. You should also try to connect with your boss regularly throughout the year -- not just on review day.
7. Dress Like You Mean Business.
"Dress every day as though it's possible you'll be called into the company president's office for a meeting," urges former business manager Sue Thompson, a consultant and speaker with Set Free Life Seminars. Even though your manager has more important things to focus on than your clothes and your business etiquette, if you fall short in either category you're just asking not to be promoted -- and you may be on the verge of a very uncomfortable conversation.
8. We Appreciate Positive feedback, Too.
if you make your boss look and feel good, you'll reap the rewards, promises Stefanie Smith, head of executive consulting and coaching firm Stratex. Generally your boss is the one doing the encouraging and nurturing, but you can turn the tables to your advantage. Compliment your boss in front of other people, suggests Smith. Just be sure to keep your kind words sincere -- and brief.
9. Be A Problem Solver.
"Most employees bring up problems and expect the boss to solve them," laments Jennifer Prosek, CEO of consulting firm CJP Communications. "The employees who stand out are a part of the solution." If you're struggling with a project or a client and aren't sure what to do next, present your boss with three possible options. Even if they instruct you to do something entirely different, they'll appreciate that you're thinking ahead.
10. Take Responsibility For Your Actions.
Whether you're running late ("The traffic was terrible!") or botched a big time project ("Well, the email late!"), don't try to push the blame elsewhere. Instead, acknowledge your mistake and take care not to repeat it. "Even if you're a nice person with decent skills, I can't promote you if you refuse to accept the blame when you mess up," says Deborah Becker, the owner of a State Farm Insurance agency in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. And when you make a mistake, keep your apology concise. "The phrase 'I'm sorry. It won't happen again,' goes a long way."
Family movie night is a great way to bond with your kids and end a busy week. Check out these ideas that will turn movie night into a fun experience for the whole family that will surely fill up a book of memories for years to come.
Mix Classic Movies With Current Releases
Movie night is a great excuse to expose your children to some great classic movies. Alternate weeks between classic movies and current releases to keep everybody happy. They may balk at the idea at first, but you would be surprised how much they end up loving these golden oldies.
Some kid-friendly classic movies include Singin' in the Rain, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and It's A Wonderful Life.
Decorate According To A Theme
Decorate your living room according to the theme of the movie. For instance, on Harry Potter movie night, turn your living room into Hogworts by printing off movie posters online and placing them around the room. Drape tables with black sheets and sprinkle star confetti around. Have each family member wear a magician's hat or carry a wand and serve Harry Potter's Bertie Bott's Jelly Beans. For Shrek, create a green-colored room, and have every family member get decked out in green clothes to watch the movie. A Twilight movie night would be especially fun for your teens to decorate!
Turn Your Living Room Into A Theater Room
Transform your living room into a cozy theater room by adding lots of pillow and blankets to the sofa and chairs. You can also create a comfy spot on the floor for the kids with pillows and blankets. Create soft theater lighting by placing white Christmas lights around the perimeter of the room and turning the other lights off. If it is within your budget, go with a surround sound system so you really get the movie theater experience.
A New Twist To Popcorn
For a true movie theater experience, serve freshly popped popcorn in a movie theater popcorn box. You can buy them online for around $10 for a pack of 50. You can also make easy popcorn balls that are both fun to make and are a tasty treat. For another fun option, set out toppings for the popcorn, such as popcorn seasoning, cinnamon/sugar mixture, melted butter or caramel, and let each family member top their popcorn as they wish.
Schedule An Intermission
To make family movie night a pleasant experience for all, plan an intermission halfway through the movie. This allows everyone to use the restroom, and get food and drink refills without disturbing anyone. Once intermission is over, flicker the lights to indicate the movie will be starting.
After the movie is over, take the opportunity to give your reviews (thumbs up or thumbs down), what you did or didn't like about the movie, lessons learned and discuss how they would or would not have acted differently from the main character in the movie.
This is the time of the year when many give up on their resolutions to lose weight. After weeks of jogging, the gym, yoga and diets, nothing seems to work. If this describes you let me ask one question: Have you considered your metabolism? In the battle of the bulge, how you body uses food is so important. But how to increase your body's use of energy? here are 8 simple steps you can use now.
Tip #1: Eat Real Food
Ask yourself if something you’re about to eat was around more than 10,000 years ago. If not, don’t eat it. Better yet, if you’re really serious about boosting your metabolism, raid your pantry and fridge to purge it of any products that you highly doubt were around just a few generations ago.
If you have a hunch that the Jell-O, Twinkies, potato chips and Twizzlers in your cabinets weren’t enjoyed by cavemen, trash them and never buy them again. Lean meats, plenty of fresh vegetables, some fruit and a small amount of seeds, nuts and natural oils should comprise 99 percent of your food intake. (Cheat once in a blue moon so you don’t completely fall off the wagon.)
Start reading food labels. If a product has as many items as the periodic table of elements, it won’t boost your metabolism. Don’t eat something if it has more than three to five ingredients (less is best). Foods loaded with preservatives, excessive natural sugar, and cheap sugar surrogates like high-fructose corn syrup lead to weight gain because these substances are a shock to the liver and have a tendency to get stored as body fat.
Tip #2: Eat 3-6 Times Per Day
On one hand, it seems like many people have heard the wise tip of eating several small meals throughout the day. Why then is there still a prevalence of fasting to lose weight? The psychological factor of stepping on a scale and seeing the weight go down is huge. If someone skips meals, say to lose 10 pounds for a wedding, they may be successful in dropping the weight.
When someone steps on a scale, however, the number before them does not tell the whole story. The reading on the scale fails to decipher how much weight was attributed to fat loss, how much to muscle gain and how much to water-weight fluctuations.
Eating smaller, balanced meals throughout the day keeps blood sugar levels from fluctuating. As a result, cravings for foods that tend to put on fat are greatly reduced.
If you go several hours without eating (more than four or five), your body’s neurological wiring will still act as it did in prehistoric times, shutting down your metabolism to prepare for a period of starvation.
Tip #3: Eat 10 Grams Of Protein By 10 a.m.
Every meal you eat should contain the three main macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein and natural fat. The trick is to figure out which proportions of each to eat at every meal. (An online test called Metabolic Typing can help you figure this out).
And if you’re following tip #2, chances are, you’re eating breakfast. That’s smart because it will fire up your engine and make sure your metabolism gets cranking early in the day.
By 10 a.m. every day, including Saturday and Sunday, eat 10 grams of high-quality protein to kick start your metabolism. (One egg has about 6 grams.) Even waiting to eat your first meal of the day at an 11 a.m. brunch will throw your metabolism off for the rest of the day.
Tip #4: Exercise, But Don’t Do Too Much Cardio
Some runners and joggers can’t figure out why, despite all the cardiovascular exercise they’re doing, those last 10 extra pounds won’t melt away. Too much cardio will actually burn muscle tissue. A better way to boost metabolism through exercise is to start a strength-training routine.
Don’t have the money or desire to join a gym or hire a personal trainer? No problem. Your own body is the only piece of exercise equipment you need. You also don’t need to exercise for an hour or more at a clip to boost your metabolism.
Recent studies have demonstrated that several short bursts of resistance training can be more effective at boosting metabolism than an hour-long workout. Pushups off your knees, even for men, are a great way to get back in shape and boost metabolism. Perform several sets of 10 repetitions throughout the day.
4 Extra Tips To Boost Metabolism:
Drink green tea throughout the day.
Make sure to also drink plenty of water.
Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night to regulate hormone levels.
Check with a health professional to see if your hormone levels are balanced.
When I was in a relationship I shunned February 14th. I mean, why should one day be singled out over the rest to say I love you? But I quickly discovered although I had a more liberal view of Valentine's day, most if not all expect some sort of gift tomorrow. But are the cliche gifts of roses and candy really a gift from the heart? Here are some easy and more importantly thoughtful ways to show your love...and we'll keep the savings between us! :)
-Chris Malone
An appointment book with one date filled in -- that of a romantic getaway for the two of you. It doesn't have to be a Caribbean cruise. A day of "playing hooky" together at an out-of-the-way park and a back table at a dim bistro are perfect for creating that loving feeling.
A gift certificate for your honey's choice of pampering treatments performed by you. A massage, shampoo, and a bubble bath with room service -- their wish is your command.
A heart-shaped box from card or novelty store. Place a handwritten note inside: "Contains 365 blown kisses just for you -- take one a day."
Pajamas for the two of you. He wears the pants, she wears the top.
A cozy picnic. Never mind the snow. Lay out a blanket on the living room floor and serve up finger foods you can hand-feed each other. Don't forget the candles.
Sweep your sweetie off his or her feet with tickets to a ballroom dancing class so you can stay cheek to cheek all year round.
Indoor "sky writing" is a great way to say I love you to that special someone. Simply make a poster with a declaration of your devotion and tape it to the ceiling right over the bed. It will be the first thing your sweetheart will see upon wakening Valentine's Day -- and your final, sweet-dreams message.
A fortune -- or more. Get a handful of fortune cookies from a specialty market. Compose your own personal messages.
A dozen red balloons. Before you blow them up, insert tiny trinkets or love notes. Give the blowup, treasurer filled results to your beloved for a popping good time.
A blank journal you'll head "Reasons I Love You." Every reason will have it's own page.
So what does your home decor say about who you are? A lot according to many. Our decorating color choices for the home are without a doubt highly personal decisions, and we often choose colors that speak to us and our personalities. And as it turns out there's a bit of science behind color-personality correlations, and there's evidence to give this some thought according to Angela Wright's Color Affects System, a psychological theory that links color choices to personality types. According to color expert Kate Smith of Sensational Color, "when it comes to our home, our color choices usually reflect how we see ourselves and how we want the world to see us. Interior color selections can also reflect how we want to feel -- calm, comforted, upbeat, etc." So take a look at these colors and their personality characteristics. Do you agree?
Colors: Red, Yellow
Personality: Extroverted
What it says about you: If you love red and yellow accents, you are outgoing and impulsive. You hate sitting around twiddling your thumbs. Make it work: Use accents like pillows, rugs, and art frames to make sure that a room matches your high-energy level. Carrying a red or yellow notebook can also help with that.
Colors: Blue, Purple
Personality: Introverted
What it says about you: Cool, calm and collected. You are not necessarily the life of the party, but your witty one-liners are always unforgettable. Make it work: Blue and purple and their range of shades from navy to lavender is are the best colors to incorporate into a room using throw and ceramics. But don't be afraid to break out of that decorating shell sometime and match blue and purple them with other colors like red and yellow.
Colors: Orange, Green
Personality: Stubborn
What it says about you: Intense and strong, you are proud of your opinions and you are always ready to defend them. But keep an eye on the time, even Susan B. Anthony stepped off her soapbox during a family meal. Make it work: Both orange and green can be used to add drama (and a strong sense of personality) to any room with strong design statements such as turquoise glass tiles, painted walls, and fabrics. You are proud of your ideas, but just make sure to not make the room too loud to live in. , you are complex, perceptive, and goal-oriented. But remember to stop and look around sometimes.
Colors: Black, Pink
Personality: Attention-loving
What it says about you: Respected and charismatic. Whether quietly or loudly, your presence commands notice in a room. and modern. How to make it work for you: While seemingly opposites, black and pink can pair nicely together. However, use with care since too much of either color can mean you're forgoing comfort in your own home. Try finding unexpected ways to introduce the color into your home, like hints of pink on tableware or painting one wall completely black.
Marketing fascinates me and in a Capitalist society where competition can be tough, business owners look for any advantage over the others to get your dollar; even appealing to our primal instincts. Here are three techniques that marketers use that you probably had no idea were being rendered to get your business and to keep it.
-Chris Malone
Cold Weather Affects Your Taste In Movies
If you take a look at a list of the most popular romantic movies of all time, you notice something weird: Half of the top 10 came out in November or December. This is despite the fact that normally summer blockbusters make all the money. Scientists decided to look into this and noticed that you find the same trend in movie rentals as well -- romance does better in winter. Then, they found that in Europe, you can actually chart what genre of movie does best in a country by measuring its average temperature.
It all points to the same thing: You're simply more likely to enjoy a good romance when the weather is cold.
In one experiment, researchers put half of their participants in a cold room with iced tea and the other half in a hot room with hot tea. After a while, the audiences were asked which movie they'd prefer out of four different genres: romance, thriller, action, or comedy. And sure enough, being physically cold made them prefer romantic movies.
You Touch It, You'll Want It
Really persuasive people know that it's all about touch: the salesman or politician is quick to pat you on the back or shake your hand; the waitress knows that a touch on your arm gets a bigger tip. If the thing they're selling is a physical product, they know they'd better let us customers put our greasy mitts on it. This is why car salespeople are so big on making you test drive the vehicle (they literally phrase the technique as "The feel of the wheel will seal the deal").Why? Because in humans, touch is almost a form of mind control. Whatever it is, if you touch it for a while, you'll become attached to it. Not only are people more likely to buy something they've touched, but they're actually willing to pay more. This is why if the product comes in a box the store will try to put a display model out that you can handle to your heart's content. Even if you can't actually gain any information about the usefulness of the product, it doesn't matter. Running your paws over an object makes you feel connected to it, and can even give you a false sense of ownership.
Your Name Is A Big Influence In Your Decisions
This is bizarre! Your given name, or the nickname you like to be called is a big influence in your day-to-day decisions. Subconsciously we are drawn to letters, symbols and other common traits that we feel are superior to others. For instance, in the 2000 Presidential election, people whose last names started with a B were more likely to vote for Bush, while Al Gore profited from the G people. A similar study suggests that men named Michael or Michelle were more likely to purchase Michelin tires. It's called the name-letter effect, and it can subtly influence everything in your life. The theory is that this is all because our brains think the bits of the alphabet that start up our names are somehow better letters. Some psychologists believe it's linked to a phenomenon called implicit egotism: We respond more favorably to anything that reminds us of ourselves. No matter how illogical and arbitrary. Check it out for yourself. List all the names of the products you prefer and I'll bet you'll see a pattern of letters that are in your name or that are special to you.
Happy Monday Lovers! Every once in a while I'll get a call from the listener who says they can not reach our website. One case in particular where a listeners said every time she typed in our address, a different page would show up. I knew instantly she had a malware infection and those can be annoying. To a computer user whose skills don't go much further than basic Web browsing (Me), a malware infection can be frightening. Even seeing an alert that your anti-virus software has detected something serious can be enough to rattle your calm.
However, ridding yourself of a virus or other malware can be simpler than you realize.
The first step is to detect whether or not your computer truly has been infected.
"Many individuals become concerned that their computer is infected with a virus when their system begins to perform erratically, or otherwise not function normally, such as [when having] no Internet access or lots of pop-ups," said Dodi Glenn, product manager for GFI VIPRE Antivirus in Clearwater.
A malware infection can often be detected or classified based on a few telling behaviors, such as:
The new software was installed without your permission, such as through a browser exploit, or drive-by download, in which the end user doesn’t actually perform the installation.
The new software disables your anti-virus software.
You notice that your browser redirects search queries, common URLs and other sites. (For example, typing "Google.com" will take you to a different website.)
The new software automatically reinstalls itself after you attempt to remove it.
So if you believe you do have an infection, then what should you do?
Reboot your computer into Safe Mode and run a full scan with your anti-virus software, said Glenn. Your anti-virus software will alert you to any virus or malware problems. It may also delete or quarantine the problem.
If that doesn't work, take note of the type of malware you have. Use a different, clean computer to find instructions online on how to best eliminate the problem.
If all that seems too complicated, don’t hesitate to ask a computer-savvy friend for help. He or she can talk you through it in person or on the phone.
The important thing is to always perform these removal steps while in Safe Mode, which uses the minimal amount of programs and applications.
Prevention Is The Best Cure
Once your computer is clean, you'll want to keep it that way.
First, make sure you've installed the latest updates for your anti-virus software. Better yet, let those updates happen automatically.
Then you'll want to make sure you have a current backup of your entire system. You can either use a cloud-based backup system, or regularly save everything to an external hard drive — whatever works best for you, as long as it allows you to access your data if you do lose something to malware.
Just make sure anything you save is virus-free. You don’t want to save a virus to your backup.
"It is a good idea to have a bootable DVD with Linux or some other OS installed on it, as well as an empty thumb drive or external hard disk," said Daniel Ayoub, security expert at Dell SonicWALL in San Jose.
"You can download and create a bootable Linux DVD for free, and it's relatively easy to do," Ayoub said. "I recommend using Ubuntu. Download the ISO file and burn it to a blank DVD. Keep this disc handy in case you ever get infected."
To keep your system clean, it isn't just your anti-virus software that needs to be regularly updated, Ayoub said.
"Make sure that software applications, including the operating system, are always kept up to date," he said. "Whenever you get those annoying pop-ups from [Adobe] Flash Player or Windows telling you that a new version or update is available, be sure to install it. "Those updates are usually security enhancements that will patch bugs which can be used to exploit your system and install malware.”
Of course, don't forget the basic safety rules: Don't click on unknown links in email messages or in social media, and question anything you are asked to download in order to access a website.
Most importantly, don’t fall for fake anti-virus scams, which appear when an on-screen pop-up window says your computer is at risk and you need to click on a link right away to scan your system.
"The best thing to do when presented with a fake AV warning is to close the tab or the Web browser," said Julien Sobrier, senior security researcher for Zscaler ThreatLabZ in San Jose. "A website cannot scan a computer, so any security warning seen on any website has to be fake."
Thanks to Sue Marquette Poremba of TechNewsDaily amd MotherEarthNetwork for thier research!
Mention album cover to someone under 30 and you are guaranteed to get a puzzled look on their face. Well not everyone under 30 but my point is that we all must evolve with an ever-changing world. This is true of your resume. Just like there are trends in fashion, there are trends in writing resumes and cover letters, too.
The modern resume is more relaxed and less formal than its predecessors, and focuses more on results than duties. It's friendlier and more personal, and looks more polished. So how can you modernize your resume and get a better chance of an interview? Start by removing these 7 dated resume phrases:
"Career Objective"
Objectives have faded from use, and are now the mark of a not-so-modern resume. What has replaced them is something far more powerful: target jobs and positioning statements. Knowing that you are a Marketing Manager for Technology and Biotech says what you bring to a company, rather than outlining your expectations, which are not really the company's concern.
"Responsibilities included but were not limited to…"
A resume is not a legal contract, and no one expects you to give a disclaimer because you didn't list every little thing you did. Just give a summary of your role and then list a few of the most important and pertinent things you did. Don't overwhelm with too much detail.
"Consistently met and exceeded goals…"
That might be technically accurate, but it's so boring it drags your great accomplishment down with it. Bring some life to your story with something more engaging like never missed a quota and beat sales targets every month by up to 45%, which sounds far more energetic and confident.
"20+ Years of Experience in…"
In the past, it was popular to emphasize years of experience, but now it just looks old-fashioned to count your years. Modern companies are interested in what you can do, and long experience is not always valued. The best resumes and cover letters focus on what you do and what you have to offer, rather than how many years you've done it.
"Self-Starter, Excellent Communication Skills, Team Player."
Clinches are overused and trite, so avoid them. You can still describe yourself but find more interesting words, and better still, in your resume, help people picture these skills in action by talking about the project you started, written in a way that highlights those awesome communications skills, with job descriptions that include collaborative work.
"Fax Number"
Seriously? Faxes are rarely used in business now, and if an employer has something a legal document they need to fax you, they'll ask for the number. The only contact information you need to include on your resume is your cell phone and your email, and a home number if your cell isn't dependable.
"References Available On Request"
We know you'll give references if asked. You should gather your list of references and their contacts in advance so they're ready, but no need to waste precious space stating the obvious in your resume and cover letter. Instead, the modern resume should include the link to your LinkedIn profile, where the reader should find all kinds of recommendations for you.
Much like our own human culture, our pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. But even with this longevity a change in your pets diet is necessary as they grow older and that includes the treats they love.
So take a look at these particular dog treats recommended by experts. They are designed for older dogs and can be beneficial for Canines with heath problem common as they get older. From missing teeth, arthritis and joint issues to eye and any other health issues that exists.
-Chris Malone
Zuke's Hip Action treats
Zuke's is a brand of natural and high quality pet treats. Many of the ingredients are human-grade, meaning you can rest easy knowing these treats are not just tasty but they are good for them too. These treats are specifically formulated with glucosamine, chondroitin, whole food antioxidants and eggshell membrane. Each ingredient is added to help maintain and support healthy hip and joint function.
Blue Super Bars: Blueberry and Pomegranate Blue Buffalo makes a range of natural dog food and treats that are available at most pet supply stores. These fruity bars are filled with nutrients like Vitamin A, C and E and beta carotene which will give your dog's immune system a boost. The antioxidants from the fruit will also help keep your senior dog happy and healthy.
Greenies Senior Dog Chews
Greenies is known for their brand of dog treats and bones formulated specifically for dental health. As your dog ages, they may suffer from dental issues. Since major dental cleanings and extractions require anesthesia which can be risky for an older dog, trying to prevent those issues is best. Greenies makes a chew specifically for senior dogs that not only helps their dental health but also includes ingredients like glucosamine to give their joints a boost.
Halo's Liv-a-Little Salmon Protein Treats
Halo is a holistic dog food company co-owned by Ellen DeGeneres. The company donates a lot of money to help animals in need making these treats a win-win for all. These salmon protein treats not only give your dog an added dose of protein, but the fatty acids from the fish are good for their joints and coats.
From Your Kitchen
There are several things you likely already have in your kitchen that you can give to your senior dogs as a special treat. Eggs are an excellent source of protein for your dog and the soft texture is easy for dogs that have sensitive or missing teeth to eat. Other items you can feed your dog include plain yogurt, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and fish oil. If you have specific concerns about your dog's health and what you can do to supplement their diet in their senior years, talk to your vet.
One thing my mind is full of is useless and pointless trivia. That's great if I'm on a game show but for everyday life it cumbersome; especially when I can't remember things I need to like what were the two items I need at the grocery store?
Anyway, here are some interesting facts about celebrities that you'll find hard to believe, Useless? Maybe but interesting none the less! :)
-Chris Malone
Elvis Presley Was A Natural Blond
The jet black hair was the product of dye, known as Black Velvet (the inspiration of the Alannah Myles song), that The King of Rock N' Roll donned since his days in high school.
Simon Cowell Polished The Axe in The Shining
Who can forget the infamous movie scene of Jack Nicholson breaking in a door in the movie The Shining and uttering the phrase, "Here's Johnny"? That very axe in the movie was care for my none other than American Idol and X Factor creator and judge, Simon Cowell. In his earlier life, he was a runner for the production company behind The Shining.
James Doohan Was Part Of the D-Day Invasion
The actor who played Scotty on the TV and movie series 'Star Trek' was a true hero. Before uttering his best known phrase "I don't think shoe can handle it Captain', he was a a lieutenant in the 13th Field Artillery Regiment of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division during World War II. His first combat was the invasion of Normandy at Juno Beach on D-Day. Shooting two snipers, Doohan led his men to higher ground through a field of anti-tank mines, where they took defensive positions for the night. Crossing between command posts at 11:30 that night, Doohan was hit by six rounds fired from a Bren gun by a nervous Canadian sentry: four in his leg, one in the chest, and one through his right middle finger. The bullet to his chest was stopped by a silver cigarette case. His right middle finger had to be amputated, something he would conceal during his career as an actor.
Dr. Ruth Is A Trainer Killer
Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the 4' 7" sex therapist with her heavy accent and openly talked about the taboo subject of sex on TV and radio is actually a trained sniper. In her adopted home which is now Israel, she joined was trained as a sniper for the Haganah, the predecessor to the Israeli Defense Forces. She can load a Sten automatic rifle in under a minute blindfolded.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Was A Trekkie
This is one of the most interesting and widely unknown fact about the civil rights leader. Martin Luther King Jr. was a huge Star Trek fan. He was such a fan that he became a friend to Nichelle Nicholas, who played Lt. Uhura on the series and gave her the best talk of her career. He convinced her to stay on the TV show even through she was thinking about leaving it for a Broadway show.
Green Eggs And Ham IS The Result Of A Bet
One of the most treasured books for children came to be as the result of a bet. Dr. Seuss made a wager with his publisher that he could write a best-selling book with only 50 words. Take a look for yourself, the only words used in Green Eggs And Ham are: a, am, and, anywhere, are, be boat, box, car, could, dark, do, eat, eggs, fox, goat, good, green, ham, here, house, I, if, in, let, like, may, me, mouse, not, on, or, rain, Sam, say, see, so, thank, that, the, them, there, they, train, tree, try, will,with would, you.
Valentine's day is a little over a week away and doing something beyond the box of chocolates and dozen roses means this could be the best one ever. So here are 4 easy steps on surprising your sweetheart with a romantic dinner for two.
-Chris Malone
Step 1: Plan Your Meal In Secret
Keep your romantic Valentine’s Day meal a secret. When you plan your meal, keep the recipes and ingredients hidden in the days leading to Valentine’s Day. Prepare to set a special table using your special-occasion dishes and romantic touches like candles and flowers. Put together a playlist on your computer or MP3 player to add to the romantic ambiance for your meal at home. Pay attention to prep and cooking times, and schedule the cooking process so that everything is hot and ready to eat at dinner time. Try dishes or desserts that can be prepped ahead of time and heated up at the last minute.
Step 2: Cook Delightful Finger-Food Appetizers
As you both wind down from your day and prepare to enjoy the main course, spend time chatting and eating sexy finger foods. Try small appetizers that can be enjoyed in a few bites or eaten from toothpicks and skewers. Fondue is always a hit, especially when you can cuddle up next to the warm pot of seasoned cheese. When planning your appetizers, avoid strong-smelling ingredients like garlic and onions. You may not have time to brush your teeth before you proceed to dessert.
Step 3: Whip Up A Romantic Main Course
Think aphrodisiacs when you plan your main course. Oysters are probably too high-maintenance, so consider lesser-known sexy foods like avocados and almonds. No one wants to get frisky on an overly full stomach, so stick to a main course that’s nice and light, like a dinner salad topped with rare cuts of marinated beef. Top the salad with figs, another aphrodisiac. As you plan your main course, stay away from messy, heavy foods like ribs or barbecue. Keep in mind that the best aphrodisiacs are the foods you and your partner have come to love together. Try replicating a meal from one of your first dates if you’re short on ideas.
Step 4: Pair With Appropriate Wine
Dial up the romance with a glass of red wine as you enjoy your meal together. Choose wine carefully, pairing it with the foods you’ve selected for your main course. If you’re not much of a wine connoisseur, visit your local wine seller with your menu and let a pro help you choose the wine. When it’s time to serve it, open it and let it breathe as you finish cooking. Serve red wine in a generous glass that shows off the deep color and gives off the intoxicating aroma as you drink.
Today is National Pancake Day and at all participating IHOP Restaurants across the country from 7am to 10pm, you can enjoy a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes. In return, diners will be asked to leave a voluntary donation to support the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals programs at Shands Children's Hospital at the University of Florida.
Years ago I remember watching some championship game where it had just ended. To my surprise when flipping past a home shopping channel, I stopped to notice they were selling the winning team's championship printed on t-shirts, hats, blankets and sweaters. How did they get those printed so fast?
Since then I've realized that companies print two sets of products proudly proclaiming each team as the champion weeks in advance of the actual game. Retailers simply wait and see who wins the game and promptly begin selling the winning teams stuff the second the final score is announced.. But what happens to the losing team's "Championship" swag? In the case of the National Football League, they donate these items to World Vision, who distributes these clothing items to 3rd world countries.
Prior to the last 20 years, these items would simply be destroyed but now all these misfit apparel items are sent to poor countries that could care less of their printed inaccuracies and given to our fellow man.
So if you happen to see a photo of a child wearing a San Francisco 2013 world champion sweater in a poor country, you'll know that San Francisco's loss has helped a poor child keep warm half way around the world!
I've followed this development since it was first announced over a year ago. Canada has decided to ditch the penny, er, their penny which looks similar to ours. As of yesterday (2/4) the Canadian penny is no longer a valid form of currency and can only be used for payment if the merchant accepts it ( but since it isn't backed by the government why would they?). Our friends to the north will now round up or down prices. So if an item is $5.04, you will pay just $5 if paying in cash. If an item is $10.58, then you'd pay $10.60 unless paying by debit or charge in which case you pay the sticker price.
The reason is simple, it costs more money to make a penny than its worth. The Canadian Mint expects that this move will save taxpayers $11 million a year, which makes sense to ditch the cent.
So what about doing the same in the lower 48?
Not so fast says a recent survey that shows 2/3 of Americans still want the penny! WHHAATTT?!?!?! According to the US Mint, it costs 2 cents for every penny produced, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out keeping our nostalgic love of the penny is a pricey practice.
So in an era when there is a rumbling by citizens of government waste and talks of reducing the deficit, why are so many people stuck on producing pennies? According to Americans for Common Cents, a group (lobbyist in my opinion) aims to inform and educate policymakers, consumers, and the media about the penny’s economic, cultural, and historical significance says 77% of Americans are afraid merchants would simply raise prices and that cutting the penny would actually balloon government spending!!!!
Here is my opinion, this penny talk echoes a growing problem in our country, where we all talk about cutting wasteful government spending but none of us want to make the sacrifice to make those cuts. A "lower my taxes but keep my benefits" talk out of both sides of the mouth thinking that explains why government seems stalled in getting anything done! I understand the fear of prices going up but they are going up all the time and it generally not by a few pennies. And although Americans For Common Cents argue that it will increase federal spending because of the rounds ups, keep in mind it works with rounding down too. The simple math is that our country would save billions of dollars ditching a coin that is rarely used and ends up in a drawer in the kitchen or a can in the garage not being used. For me, I would welcome the elimination of our penny. To me, it makes sense.
In a related topic, if the talk of the game, commercials and half time show is a little too much around the office, consider asking your company to purchase a bubble desk!The French-designed bubble desk has just taken off in Paris and protects the worker under a plexiglas dome, cutting them off from the rest of their colleagues.It ensures the worker remains detached from the sneezes and banter of daily office life although quite what it does for one's popularity remains to be seen!
As quickly as we welcomed the new year, it's first month is in the history books! February is the month for lovers and if you love bargains...and who doesn't...then consider snuggling up to these items that are on sale.
-Chris Malone
1. Winter clothes
During the middle of winter (of lack of one here in Florida), chances are you already have the outerwear you need for the rest of the season. But if you think you’ll need a new coat for next year’s winter, the time to make this purchase is now.
“In February, retailers still have substantial stock on their shelves — both online and in store. However, now the stores will clear the winter clothes to make room for the upcoming spring inventory,” said Jon Lal, founder of BeFrugal.com.
To move the inventory and clear the shelves faster, stores use February as a time to offer discounts.
2. Electronics
February is also prime time to make that big-ticket electronic purchase.
“For plenty of consumer electronics, the product cycle runs around the Consumer Electronics Show in January, and availability of those new products is in the months following. As a result, retailers need to clear out the current inventory to make room for the new items,” Lal says. As with outerwear, the electronics sitting on the shelves now will need to be discounted to make room for items from CES.
3. Furniture
Whether you’re furnishing a new home or just one room, this is undoubtedly a major expense. Making this purchase in February is bound to save you some money
“Furniture manufacturers tend to roll out new designs in the spring. In February the retailers will be making room for newer models, hence why we’ll see more deals,” Lal says.
4. Air conditioning unit
As the winter weather hits most of the country, no one is thinking about air conditioning, making this the ideal time to buy an air conditioning unit for next summer. “Scoring the best deals comes down to thinking about what products are out of their natural season, and if you happen to be in the market for these items, you’ll get a better deal,” Lal says.
5. Prom and wedding dresses
Don’t wait until the spring or summer months to buy a wedding or prom dress. “Wedding season is during spring and summer, while winter is a lot slower,” Lal says. And during slow seasons, that is when retailers put forth the discounts. Notice the pattern?
6. Valentine’s Day items
Aside from chocolate and flowers, think of all the other items consumers typically buy for their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Lal says perfume, as well as Broadway show tickets, will be discounted in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day.
7. Ski equipment
If you’re looking to replace your old ski gear, now is the time.
“The end of the ski season is a great time to score deals on ski equipment from sport shops and resale sport shops. The stores want to clear out the old inventory to make room for the new models,” Pavini says.
8. Luggage
The travel industry is slow in February, making this the best month to buy luggage. “You can get luggage at any of the major stores, but check out coupon codes for both online and in-store luggage deals,” Pavini says.
9. Bikes
In keeping with the off-season buying theme, another item that’s not typically bought in February is a bicycle. Instead of waiting until the warmer months to buy a bike, Lal suggests making that purchase now.
And you’ll have better luck by heading to the some of the smaller bike shops in your area, as they tend to have more room and flexibility when it comes to negotiating the price down even further.
It may cost you more to put it on your charge card! Every time you use a credit card, there is a small fee, usually 1.5% to 3% that is charged to the retailer (with American Express charging the most, which is why many businesses won't accept it). But as of January 27th, retailers can now pass along this fee to you in the form of a credit card checkout fee, if you use a Visa and MasterCard.
That means a family that uses a credit card to purchase $100 of groceries a week would pay up to an additional $156 per year if their grocer charges the fee. $50 in gas per week could mean $78 in checkout fees per year. A $3,000 family vacation could result in a $90 checkout fee
But there is some good news for us who enjoy the ease of paying with plastic. The fee doesn’t apply to debit card purchases, the new law does not include American Express credit cards which retailer agreements specifically states they cannot pass along usage fees to customers.It also appears most major retailers, like Target and Walmart, are not planning on passing along any credit card fees to their customers...at least for now.
Most of this new legislation will not effect us in Florida as checkout fees are illegal in our state as well as in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.
But keep in mind as you plan vacations and trips out of state that there is the potential to pay more if you charge it. How can you tell? Retailers are required by this new law to notify you before ringing up your purchases that there is a checkout fee for using Visa or MasterCard...most likely with signage.
Happy Friday! There is so much going on this weekend. Tomorrow night I will emcee the Moonlight & Martinis fundraiser event, along with Anthony Clarizio, for Elder Care of Alachua county and Al'z Place, a day care center for people with Alzheimer's disease and memory disorders. I'm still pretty new at this so I hope to do well! IT's a night filled with delicious food, silent auctions and scrumptious Martinis. Plus the money is needed to keep this service alive, which gives caregivers of Alzheimer's patients a place to safely leave their loved one's for a few hours off time. Buy a ticket if you can and come out Saturday night to the University Air Center!
Sunday of course is the Big Game and as I mentioned in a previous post, even if you are not a football fan, nearly everyone will watch a portion of the event. From the commercials to the half time entertainment show (Beyonce this year) to the game itself. All that TV watching, cheering and dining usually results in a hangover the next day...which is a work day. Many people will simply use a personal day and take it off while some will mysteriously get the flu and call in sick. But if Josh Moore has his way, the day after the Super Bowl will be a holiday.
"This has been an issue that my friends and I have been talking about for years," Moore told BusinessNewsDaily. "It seems like every year we talk about how many people watch the Super Bowl and how many people don’t feel like going to work the next day. Then last week, I was actually at the WhiteHouse.gov petition site signing something that was a bit more policy-related and I thought it would be a great platform to get the idea about the Super Bowl thing from talk to actuality."
Moore seems to have the support of more than just his friends on his side. Since posting his petition on the White House We the People page, it has gained over 12,000 signatures. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures by Feb. 23, it will warrant an official response from President Obama and his staff!
Though unlikely to ever become a holiday, there are some valid points to having the day off after the Super Bowl. Josh does made a valid argument that, much like Christmas eve day and New Year's eve day, there is very little productivity at work; especially on the east coast if the game is held in the Pacific time zone.
Quite possibly the best voice you will hear all day, that’s because when you hear Chris Malone weekdays from 3pm to 7pm, your workday should be about done. Chris keeps your favorite music going strong as you head down the home stretch. Keep 98.5 KTK with you in the car, as hitting the rush hour adds stress; Chris keeps it away with the Stress-Free Drive Home, starting weekday afternoons just before 5.
