Thursday, January 17, 2013

Adware and Spyware Removal - Free Spyware Removal Software

If you own a computer and have an internet connection then it is vital that you have an anti-spyware virus program installed on your computer.

Unfortunately there are people out there who take pleasure in making other peoples lives harder and some of them do this by messing up and even hijacking your computer. Most of us can live our lives quite happily without needing to affect other peoples lives, but for those few people that have nothing better to do than make life miserable for others, they spend their time creating viruses to send out through the internet to as many computers as they can and many of them will effectively destroy computers and the programs on them.

Why these people need to make other people miserable to be happy themselves is something that I personally do not understand, but I know that they do it and I am prepared for it.

A virus can enter your computer through a variety of ways and sometimes you will be completely unaware that you have received a virus. So you really need an anti-virus spyware program that will give you a level of protection that is necessary to protect your computer from a nasty virus.

Some signs that you may have a spyware virus could be that your computer is running much slower than normal, you have annoying pop-ups appearing often or you may even be directed to websites that you haven't asked for.

Some spyware viruses can enter your computer and be able to access your personal information. A virus like this can have some very devastating effects if left undetected.

If you have a virus on your computer you may also pass it on to your friends and colleagues through emails. No-one wants these hassles and no-one wants their private information to fall into the wrong hands so it is extremely important to protect yourself and your computer against these viruses.

There are many spyware removal programs available on the internet and many of them are free. Although the paid programs will offer some choices that the free versions won't, generally the free programs will give you sufficient protection against viruses.

It is important to do some research and make sure that the free removal program you choose has a good reputation and make sure you know what you are getting with the program. You need to be sure that the program will give you the protection that you need to detect and effectively remove any spyware virus that enters your computer.

The only way that you will ever be fully safe to go online and browse the internet is to be protected by a good anti-spyware virus software program. Be sure to set your anti-spyware virus software to run regular virus scans and to scan incoming emails.

If you have a good, reliable spyware removal program installed your computer, your security and your privacy will be safe from those no good computer hackers.

The Facebook Effect by David Kirkpatrick

Book Review: The Facebook Effect - The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World

Facebook is now the king of social networking leaving behind it competitors like Myspace, Hi5 and Orkut way behind as the company grows at an unbelievable pace. Therefore it is the perfect time to bring forth a detailed study on the social networking behemoth! Its history and state of affairs. It has gained half a billion users and this number is still growing while also gaining a lot of private funding. Facebook is unquestionably the most important social utility to ever hit the web.

In the book "the Facebook Effect", former fortune magazine technology editor David Kirkpatrick studies the structure of the company that has gained a strong foothold in the networking sector. He delves into the causes and the inner workings that made Facebook the current Media giant that it is. All the famous stories - from the "borrowing" (stealing?) of the original concept from ConnectU and houseSYSTEM, to the fever-pitched growth, through early stage investor meetings, the move from Harvard to Palo Alto.

The book seems to have received favourable support from most of the big names associated with the company that is still very young. There are multiple interviews conducted with Mark Zuckerberg himself. From all these insights, David speaks of the young company that went through all the turmoil that every young company faces while still remaining true to its goal of making society open, while creating and maintaining the "social graph".

He also gives his take on why some of the features and applications became a raving success like Farmville and Mafia Wars while some turned into utter failures like Beacon. Other issues are also explained like privacy, advertising vs. user experience that are related to the applications themselves.

The author also delves into the life of Mark Zuckerberg in relation to his company Facebook. He seems to have changed himself when the investors wanted more maturity infused into the company. For example he states that when he found a girlfriend, he actually negotiated 100 minutes of time in a week for her. That is how detailed the book is about Facebook and everything related to it.

The revolutionary change in social behaviour that emanates from a 19 year old student is the Facebook effect.

I Want to Get Into Investments - How Should I Invest $10,000?

If I want to get into investments and have some money to get started with, how should I invest $10,000?

Being in a privileged position to say that you have $10,000 to invest, is a little more than a dream these days as the rising cost of living, coupled with the flawed fiscal system is making life very difficult to enjoy financially, let alone encouraging an environment where anyone can save up amounts of up to $10,000 and put that aside for investments.

If you have $10,000 to invest however, you are in very good company as that is a great number to work with, as it allows you the luxury to put some of it into experimentation, tapping into investment markets that are a little bit risky but have possible future prospects of exploding into something really big, as well as playing it safe by investing in the tried and tested investment structures that will have you drawing slow and steady gains, which are almost guaranteed.

It must be said that the biggest portion of your $10,000 investment should be pumped into long term investments, which do have slow and steady gains, but could have very favorable implications to your overall savings. The issue of compounded interest usually takes about seven years for your initial investment to double, provided you don't tamper with your contributions or dig into your long term savings.

Long term investments can include the likes of government bonds, positions on stocks that you hold for periods of up to 10 years or more, pooling your money with other investors to take advantage of bigger overall returns, which translate into bigger dividends and anything else that you don't expect to keep an eye on every second day. Rather, you keep tabs on how it is doing over a longer period of time, if you want to analyze the trend, but you generally tuck it away at the back of your mind and only revisit a long term investment after a set period of time, of minimum 10 years.

From your 10 000 which you have to invest, probably about 4-5k of that should go into long term investments, with the second biggest portion of that going into medium term investments and then obviously the smallest portion to short term investment, which have much higher levels of risk but could really get big if you get it right.

Medium term investments can be rather tricky however, as this is the investment bracket from which you will essentially want to draw your monthly living, so you will have to make sure that the money you make as your ROI (Return on Investment) is enough to cover your living expenses.

The best way to do this is invest in structures that yield passive income, like online marketing and sales as this is one of the fastest ways of making money, since the online commercial scene essentially never sleeps.

You can be sleeping, as a resident of the USA and have your online e-store open for business 24/7 and servicing another part of the world while you enjoy your sweet dreams.

Find Lowest Airline Fares With My Airfare Secrets

If you love to travel, there is an e-book penned by a fired travel agent that can save you a ton of money. Wondering where to get the lowest airline fares? My Airfare Secrets has a wealth of information to save you money on your family vacations or spur-of-the-moment weekend getaways.

When I first took note of this book I was really tempted to purchase it right away since it is relatively inexpensive, but I held off for a few days. Eventually I just had to know what those secrets were! Yes, I was quite curious. And anyway, there was a money-back guarantee if I didn't like it.

The basic premise is, the author of the book was a long-time employee of a major airline, and was let go after many years of excellent service. As his revenge, he decided to write this book which would outline all the major travel agent tips and insider secrets to finding cheap airfare.

I would say he did an excellent job. The inside information in this book is outstanding. After going over the book the first time, my head was spinning with a number of methods I wanted to use to save some money on my upcoming vacation.

Now, was every single thing mentioned in the book going to be helpful to me? No, but I found a lot more beneficial information than I actually expected to. I had already decided if I found even 2 or 3 things that could save me some money on airfare I'd be happy. I found much more than that. There were a few things I had heard of before but quite a lot of tricks and tips I never knew existed, and a few of the tips are really worth the price of the book all by themselves.

I think the information in My Airfare Secrets is really well above average. One of the things that really aggravates me in a lot of informational books like this is there is way too much fluff. I am not sure if the authors are just trying to fill up space or what, but to me it's just a waste of time. Thankfully, this e-book dispenses with that and just gets right to the point. I really appreciated that as I didn't feel I was wasting time reading a bunch of nonsense while waiting to get to what I paid for.

All in all, I feel that if you are looking to save money on your travel, find some great ways to save on cruises, or just find the lowest airfare possible, you could do a lot worse than My Airfare Secrets. Considering the amount of money you may be able to save, it's quite a bargain.

Looking for Really Cheap Airplane Tickets? Here's 4 Strategies for Finding Inexpensive Airfares

There are very few people who like to pay full price for just about anything. Most of the time we have little choice as to what price to pay when we purchase an item. That doesn't mean we aren't on the lookout for good deals wherever possible, particularly when we travel by air.

Nobody wants to pay full price for airfare but most of the time we have little choice. Fortunately if you know where to look and how the ticketing system works it is possible to find really cheap airplane tickets to just about any destination.

If you normally purchase your ticket through a travel agent you might want to rethink that strategy. While they do offer a level of convenience and can find good deals at times you have to remember that selling airline tickets and travel packages are how they make their living. There is normally an added fee for using their services that adds to an already expensive ticket.

If you are looking for inexpensive airfares here are 4 strategies you can use to hunt down highly discounted tickets.

1. Airline Ticketing Search Engines - The internet is a wonderful thing when it comes to planning, pricing, and buying any type of travel package. The problem is wading through all the different travel sites trying to find the cheapest tickets. It can literally take you a couple of days if you were to try and look at every site and find the best deal. Now you can use airline booking search engines that do all that work for you. They search the hundreds of travel sites for you looking for the best deals that fit your travel plans, saving you time and money.

2. Call the Airlines - Pick up the phone and call the airlines ticketing representatives and ask them what kind of discounts they have available. Most airlines offer daily specials but they seldom advertise them to the general public. Here's a tip to really cash in on calling direct. Everyday the airlines ticketing system updates all its fare information, including dirt cheap airline tickets, at midnight. If you call just after midnight you stand a good chance of scoring a big savings on your next air travel date.

3. Plan Ahead - If you know you are going to need to travel a few months in advance then take advantage and find some inexpensive tickets. The window of opportunity is generally between 4 months and 18 to 24 days before a flight is scheduled to depart. Anything more than 4 months out will see little in the way of discounts and once you get to two weeks before a flight the airlines know they can charge the premium ticket price.

4. Be Flexible - Travel at off peak times such as the middle of the week or the off hours of the day. You can usually find savings if you do. If you want to be really flexible you can even score free tickets at the airport by giving up your seat on what is becoming a continuing airline overbooking problem. When they make that call looking for people to give up their seats for a later flight they will usually give vouchers for free tickets to anywhere they fly. Free is about as cheap as it gets.

Once you start to understand how the airline ticketing system works and where you can find the best deals it becomes much easier to find those really cheap airplane tickets. Having extra cash in your pocket because you are able to purchase inexpensive airfares makes learning how to work the system that much better, and who doesn't want extra money to spend at their destination anyway.

Spotting Fraudulent Wholesalers

Staring a new business can be fun and exciting. Unfortunately, when it comes to searching for wholesale suppliers, there are tons of scammers out there ready to rip off unsuspecting small business owners. There are a few warning signs to look out for in order to tell if you are dealing with a legitimate wholesaler.

Not Requesting Required Documents

Most wholesalers will request your sales tax ID and business license before conducting business with you. While this is not a hard and fast rule, you should be concerned if a wholesaler you're dealing with doesn't care either way about those two documents. Chances are they are not running things legitimately so do further research before getting into business.

Requesting Payments Via Wire Transfer

This method of payment is one of the top ways scammers request payment. This should set off all kinds of alarms if you come across this with any wholesaler.

No Contact Information

If the wholesaler Web site does not have their contact information readily available you could end up dealing with scammers. Any good wholesaler will have that information posted as well as assigning a representative who wants to build a good relationship with you. Many representatives will be available via email and phone.

A legitimate wholesale supplier will be well-known and you should be able to find others who currently deal with them. Don't be afraid to ask questions or get testimonials.

These are just some of the warning signs. It's important to exercise your own common sense and if you're not sure about a wholesaler, don't be afraid to research what they're about.

Cell Phones: A Wireless Way to Speak

A mobile phone or cell phone is an electronic telecommunications piece of equipment. The majority of current cell phones connect to the network using a wireless radio wave transmission technology, although satellite phones are exceptions. These cell phones communicate by means of a cellular network of base stations, which are known as cell sites, which is in turn linked to the conventional telephone network and were first introduced in the early to mid 1980s, the so called 1G generation.

Earlier cell phones operating without a cellular network, the so-called 0G generation, such as Mobile Telephone Service, date back to 1946. In anticipation of the mid to late 1980s, most cell phones were sufficiently big that they were time and again permanently installed in vehicles as car phones. In the midst of the advance of miniaturization, at this time the vast majority of cell phones are handheld.

Features of a cell phone In addition to the usual voice function of a telephone, a cell phone can hold up many additional services such as SMS for text messaging, packet switching for access to the Internet, and MMS for transferring and receiving photos and video. A number of the world's largest cell phone manufacturers consist of

Alcatel

Audiovox

Fujitsu

Kyocera

LG

Motorola

NEC

Nokia,

Panasonic (Matsushita Electric)

and a lot more.....

There are in addition specialist communications systems related to, but separate from cell phones, such as Professional Mobile Radio. Mobile phones are also distinct from cordless telephones, which in general operate only within a limited range of a specific base station. Technically, the term cell phone includes such devices as satellite phones and pre-cellular mobile phones such as those operating via MTS that do not have a cellular network, while the related term cell(ular) phone does not. In actual fact, the two terms are used almost interchangeably, with the favored term varying by location.

Technology on which cell phone works Cell phones and the network they function under vary a lot from provider to provider, and even from nation to nation. On the other hand, all of them communicate through electromagnetic radio waves with a cell site or base station, the antennas of which are by and large mounted on a tower, pole, or building. The cell phones have a low power transceiver so as to transmit voice and data to the nearby cell sites, usually 5 to 8 miles away.

When the cellular phone or data device is turned on, it registers with the mobile telephone exchange, or switch, with its only one of its kind identifiers, and will then be alerted by the mobile switch as soon as there is an incoming telephone call. The handset continuously listens for the strongest signal being received from the neighboring base stations. As the user moves in the region of the network, the mobile device will hand off to new cell sites.

Cell sites have comparatively low power (habitually only one or two Watts) radio transmitters, which broadcast their being there and relay communications involving the mobile handsets and the switch. The switch in turn connects the call to a different subscriber of the same wireless service provider or to the public telephone network, which includes the networks of other wireless carriers. The conversation between the handset and the cell site is a stream of digital data that includes digitized audio (except for the first generation analog networks).

The technology or the know-how that achieves this depends on the system that the cell phone operator has adopted. A number of technologies include AMPS for analog, and TDMA, CDMA, GSM, GPRS, EV-DO, and UMTS for digital communications.

Positives And Negatives Are Contagious

I'm a big believer that both positives and negativity can be contagious. Here's an example of what I mean...

Say for instance that I'm feeling a bit stressed out or down in the dumps. If I am not careful or aware of what's going on, suddenly it appears that my entire day begins to take on this feeling.

Certainly good things are happening as well, but I can only focus on the negative aspects (I bet you can identify with this as well, right?). Luckily the same example holds true when we introduce things of a positive nature into our day (or have someone do that for us).

Here's a quick list for turning negatives into positives. Keep in mind that positive thinking is very related to trial and error. What might motivate you, might not me and vice versa. The key is to keep looking for what works for you.

1. Tell someone you appreciate them. This can be done with a simple phone call, letter, or e-mail. For added emphasis use details about what you most appreciate about the person.

2. Read and review lots of inspirational and motivational material. This does wonders for "fighting off" the negative feelings. I keep a series of tapes in my vehicle and my personal library of books within reaching distance.

3. Post-it notes - I am sure you use post-it notes to leave tasks that need to be done. I have them posted all over my computer monitor. Consider using the post-it notes to leave positive quotes (to yourself or those around you). One advantage is that they stay right in view and don't get in the way.

Well, there's a short, but effective list of things to do. I'd love to hear what you do to inspire yourself or those around you.

Here's to your success, Josh Hinds

(c) All rights reserved.

Cut Costs by Ordering Concession Stand Equipment Online

Whether operating a restaurant under a large umbrella franchise, or running a small, independent concession stand, the rules of business remain the same: Buy low, sell high, and reduce costs wherever and whenever you can. Online shopping is truly here to stay, with many online wholesalers and retail outlets conducting most of their business over the web. Large restaurant equipment takes up a lot of space, so stocking inventory and maintaining full shopfront facilities introduces overheads that are simply unnecessary for modern business.

Online business reduces costs for everyone. Retailers can save on inventory and shop floor costs, and accordingly, they are also able to offer more competitive pricing on kitchen equipment for their customers like you. While credit card fraud and scams are plaguing smaller inexperienced retailers who conduct business only online, more experienced online vendors are typically able to offer you better pricing and a more trustworthy exchange. These more knowledgable merchants offer the confidence you expect in a company before making any big purchases.

Concession equipment and restaurant equipment are pretty diverse areas of business, with the product range available to you from professional online retailers including crockery and cookware, cutlery, air purifiers and extractors, barbecues and stove tops, bar accessories, bus and service carts, coffee machines and espresso makers, dishwashers, display cases, drink dispensers, display refrigerators, walk-in and chest freezers, ovens, ice-makers, meat cutters, fruit juicers and shelving, to name just a few. The good online retailers have access to the full range of kitchen equipment that any other seller does, and with their limited requirement for warehousing and inventory space, they are often able to supply you with a much wider product selection than the competition.

Good sellers have access to a wider range of manufacturers also, and as there is no shortage of specialized articles of kitchen equipment, there are hundreds of respected brands to supply good quality equipment for your restaurant or concession stand. With such a wide variety to choose from, competition allows you to make the best selection according to your needs while being guaranteed a cost-effective price-point. Sellers who have access to a wide range of manufacturers evidently have built up a degree of credibility in the business.

As mentioned, one of the ways online retailers of concession equipment cut costs is to reduce or eliminate storage costs. The best retailers do maintain some warehouse facilities by shipping orders first to their own building before moving purchases onto customers. This allows you an extra level of quality assurance from manufactured defects. Some sellers elect to include shipping costs in their list price, ensuring that you pay nothing above the advertised price, even for postage and handling within the US.

Despite the many perils of conducting business online, there are respectable kitchen equipment retailers online who maintain the same shipping, returns, and warranty policies as competing wholesalers who operate conventionally, allowing you restitution in the event of concealed damage during shipping, or premature equipment breakdown. Dealing with a reasonable company who can offer some recourse is always preferable to forcing a point in a dispute by going through credit card companies or the courts, as may be required when dealing with amateur online retailers on fraud-ridden auction sites.

Doing business online can be affordable, be safe, and offer the widest product selection when dealing with good retailers. The best sellers are able to ship products anywhere within the contiguous 48 States, and offer the same reasonable returns and warranties required by consumer affairs laws.

Backyard Fire Pits - A Perfect Way to Entertain Guests

We may not be able to get away for a vacation and relax as often as we would like but backyard fire pits are a perfect way to entertain guests or give you and your family the feeling of being on vacation. A backyard fire pit is a great, inexpensive addition that works well in a variety of homes, apartments and patios.

Incorporating one into your backyard landscaping design allows you to get outside and enjoy the cooler evenings of spring and fall in comfort and style. Many backyard fire pits are decorative and can be used to create a centerpiece for backyard entertaining. A backyard fire creates a peaceful ambiance for you and your guests, you can cook on it, get warmed by the fire and it's romantic.

1. A backyard fire pit is safe for use in most neighborhoods and homes.

2. They are portable and can be moved from place to place around the yard or taken on camping trips

3. They provide a place for a controlled fire and gives the homeowner complete control over the flames.

4. They are very convenient and safe for the environment. You can burn firewood that you have bought for your indoor fireplace. The fires start and burn just like a small campfire.

5. Generally a backyard fire pit is safe for a homeowners insurance and they don't violate local fire policies.

6. They come with a screen cover that will prevent most flying cinders. Generally the screen is the only thing you may need to replace.

7. They are easy to care for and will last for years. There are weatherproof covers available or you can move them to a storage shed when you won't be using it.

8. Portable backyard fire pits are inexpensive and available at many local retailers in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

Unlike a permanent backyard fire pit the portable ones take up less space and are easy to move around the yard for grass cutting or redesigning your backyard landscape. You will need to determine the size you want, the bigger the fire pit the bigger and hotter the fire. If you will be using it as a centerpiece on a patio you will need room for seating without your guests being too close to the fire.

Breathing in wood smoke can have harmful effects on small children and anyone with a breathing condition, it is best for everyone to limit their exposure to the smoke. Using seasoned wood and burning small hot fires will produce less harmful smoke.

Scrapbooking Tools: Product Review: ProvoCraft Tools Sew Crafty Mini

At first glance, the ProvoCraft Tools Sew Crafty(TM) Mini seems like a great idea. Its compact, appears to be easy to use, and has the ability to be battery powered or can plug into the wall, if you purchase the separate power adaptor for it. At around $10, it is also affordable. The machine itself comes with a bobbin of white thread, a needle threader, and a couple of replacement needles. For an additional $10, you can also purchase the accessory pack, which comes with bobbins threaded in every color, several more replacement needles, and another needle threader. Geared more towards a tool for scrapbookers, I was intrigued by this product and purchased one for my supply cabinet.

What seems like a good idea actually is; at least, until you start using it. While the compactness comes in handy when you're cramped for space, and the lack of wires makes it portable, that's where the advantages to using this sewing machine end. Once you've gotten your thread through the needle eye, and you start sewing, you'll find that the thread doesn't want to stay in the tensioner. Once this happens, your stitches are loose and pull out easier. Tightening the tensioner doesn't help this problem, and often if you're in the middle of sewing something, you can't easily slip the thread back in. Instead, you have to stop by pushing the awkwardly placed on/off button and reinsert the thread. If you're trying to sew a longer item, you're in for a lot of starting and stopping.

The Sew Crafty(TM) Mini is also incredibly loud for being such a small tool. It makes an almost deafening whining sound as it works, making it impossible for me to do any quiet sewing when my 10-month old sleeps in the next room. You can also forget trying to watch television or talk on the phone while using this item, because the noise is just that bad.

While it's easy to figure out how to thread the machine, and how to use it, it is also difficult to remove your item from the machine once you've completed your stitching. Many times, the thread gets caught in the area below the foot. Pulling on it to try to remove it threatens to pull out your stitching (which, if the tensioner has come loose several times, has taken a while to accomplish), and adjusting the needle wheel to move the needle up and down and release the thread only works half of the time.

Stitch selection is also a minimum. The Sew Crafty(TM) Mini only does one stitch: a straight line. You can't really expect more than that for $10, but it would be nice if it did another stitch for those who don't own a full-sized sewing machine.

All in all, if I have the time to sit down and try to create a straight line stitch with the Sew Crafty(TM) Mini, I also have the time to pull out my bulky sewing machine and use it, instead. If you would like a sewing machine, but don't have the money or space for one, this is the perfect tool. Otherwise, your money is best spent on the real, life-sized thing.

Edit Diamond Engagement Rings - Passion & Intrigue

Diamond engagement rings, passion and intrigue are inseparable. Why else would a reasonable man give his lover a $5,000, 10,000 or $25,000 diamond engagement ring? The answer is simple - Men give diamond engagement rings to women that awaken their PASSION. Not only are men and women passionate about diamonds, the diamonds themselves have been known to awaken a romantic passion since ancient times.

Diamond Engagement Rings - Cullinan Diamond

Most people purchase a diamond engagement ring that holds a one carat diamond, perhaps two carat diamond, three, four? The "Cullinan Diamond", found in South Africa, was the largest rough diamond ever found, it weighed 3,106 carats. Imagine trying to fit that diamond in her diamond engagement ring. The Cullinan Diamond is on display at the Tower of London and is part of the British crown jewels.

Diamond Engagement Rings -Diamond Origins

The Greek word for diamond - "adamas" - means "unconquerable" and says it all. Since their discovery, diamonds have been passionately sought , fought over, worshipped, traded, stolen, hoarded and used to cast spells in every culture. Given it's history, you would think the diamond is the most complex of stones. Instead, the simplest ! For all it's fiery beauty, a diamond is just pure carbon and first cousin to a pencil!

Love Tokens - Diamond Engagement Rings

Love tokens have been around since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Diamond engagement rings are ideal love tokens because her diamond will look the same way in 50 or 500 years at it does right today in her diamond engagement ring. While a love token may almost anything - book, picture, charm, etc. nothing compares to a diamond engagement ring to capture the heart and imagination of your lover's soul.

Diamond Symbolism - Diamond Engagement Rings

In ancient times, the diamond was believed to make its wearers courageous and victorious over their enemies. For all their power, , diamonds were also considered as symbols of modesty and of innocence. When set in gold and worn on the left side, it held the power to drive away nightmares and soothe savage beasts.

Diamonds, Dazzle & Hollywood - Diamond Engagement Rings

Diamond Engagement Rings are often designed, cast and sold in the same romantic locations as famous movies. Locations such as Hollywood, New York City, London, Los Angeles, Paris, etc. have been the scenes of many famous moving featuring stunning diamond engagement rings and jewelry. The famous designers, movie stars, millionaires and thieves that have bought, sold, stolen and given their women diamonds for one reason - the passion & intrigue of true love.

What Are The Top 7 Fears of Pregnancy?

Pregnant women are often worried about doing something wrong that may affect the health of their baby. Many read books, blogs, and consult other sources of information that offer advice regarding what to do and what not to do while pregnant. If you're ever in doubt, consult your doctor. But for now, the following are seven of the most common fears during pregnancy.

1.) I'll eat the wrong thing. It's important to ensure that you eat a healthy, balanced diet while pregnant, but some foods should be avoided. Raw meat, eggs, and seafood (as well as smoked seafood) should be avoided, as well as deli meat, fish high in mercury, and unpasteurized milk (and cheeses made from it) are examples.

2.) Rolling on your stomach. A lot of women are worried that they'll roll over onto their stomach at some point while sleeping. The fear is that this will harm the baby. While doctors may recommend staying off of the belly in the later stages of pregnancy, it is typically very difficult to roll over onto your stomach when you reach that point, as your belly would be large enough to make doing so difficult and uncomfortable.

3.) Varicose veins won't go away. These are not uncommon while pregnant, but most go away shortly after giving birth. They are often the result of added pressure from the growing belly.

4.) Losing the baby weight. The weight isn't going to disappear right away, so if it's been a few weeks or even a few months and you're not noticing a difference, don't worry. It takes a while for some to lose the weight and get back to their former body.

5.) Pregnancy symptoms in public. Some women experience some degree of bladder control issues, and in some cases this may occur in public. But don't worry. It's unlikely that you're going to experience more than a slight leakage; and it probably won't even show. Now, your water breaking in public is more common, and it's something you'll just have to accept is a possibility. If you feel some warning contractions, it might be a good idea to go home, or to the hospital. Again, don't worry. Most will understand and you might even get a few congratulations.

6.) Miscarriage. This is one of the more serious fears, and it's something best discussed with your doctor. As a mom, all you can do is listen to the doctor and take any precautionary steps. Learn to worry about what you can control.

7.) Will I be a good mom? Most new moms are terrified of bringing their baby home for the first time, but have confidence that all the reading and preparation that you did will pay off. You'll learn very quickly by doing.

Air Force One: A Detailed History of Every Aircraft Flown As the Flying White House

Air Force One By Robert F. Dorr 2002, MBI Publishing Company Hardcover, 156 pages, $29.95

Former president Theodore Roosevelt wasn't scheduled for a biplane ride in 1910, but as he told a reporter afterward, "You know, I didn't intend to do it, but when I saw the thing there, I could not resist it." That was just seven years after the Wright brothers' historic flight at Kitty Hawk.

The first sitting president to take to the air was the other Roosevelt, FDR, who flew across the Atlantic to meet with Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1943. For that historic meeting he rode in a seaplane, a four-engine Boeing 314 called the Dixie Clipper.

Aviation and American history buffs will find a wealth of such detail in Air Force One, a reference book chronicling all of the aircraft assigned to transport the U.S. presidents. Author Robert F. Dorr, a U.S. Air force veteran and retired diplomat, has been writing about military aircraft for decades and brings his years of expertise to bear in this handsome coffee table book. With over 150 color and black-and-white photographs, the authoritative volume allows you to climb aboard and catch a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes of the flying White House.

Dorr was aboard SAM 27000, a Boeing 707-353B, on its final flight from Andrews AFB, Maryland to San Bernardino, California on September 8, 2001. This famous Air Force One had flown every American president since 1972. It carried Richard Nixon to China, Jimmy Carter to Germany (to meet the Iran hostages after their release) and George W. Bush to Texas. At San Bernardino the historic aircraft was disassembled and trucked in pieces to Simi Valley, California where it is now on permanent exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Today, two identical Boeing 747s, a special military version of the familiar passenger plane, wear the imposing presidential livery of Air Force One. The first of the twins was delivered (15 months late) to the 89th Airlift Wing in August 1990, the second followed in December. The first president to fly in it was George H.W. Bush on a trip to Topeka, KS in September, 1990.

Here's a photo caption under a classic shot of the huge aircraft lifting off:

One Air Force officer described Air Force One as "magnificent... like a cruise ship." The high angle of attack is made possible by the enormous push of the four General Electric F103-GE-180 turbofan engines, each rated at 56,750 pounds thrust. Although the aircraft is not aerodynamically capable of it, the engines are powerful enough to stand the 747 on its tail and make it climb straight up.

For extensive coverage of the top secret aircraft currently used by President Obama and exactly what happened in the air on September 11, 2001, Air Force One has the inside information. The book has recently been updated and is available at most bookstores or directly from the publisher: http://www.motorbooks.com

Guanajuato - A New Attraction For Investors

Guanajuato Real Estate has a variety of property choices in a variety of terrains. From San Miguel de Allende with colonial architecture set in the valley and neighborhoods high overlooking the Centro and Jardin, to Guanajuato City with tunnels in the base of mountains for driving, parking and winding through this colorful college town, to yet another magical place of Mineral de Pozos with its ruins, mountains, big sky and historic silver and gold mines. The latter called 'Pozos' for short, is by far the most authentic of the towns with the most room for growth. One of the biggest and richest mining communities at the turn of the 20th century to the now quaint and undisturbed people rooted in old Mexican traditions and a quiet family life.

All of these towns possess the riveting colonial elements that capture the hearts of many internationals. The warm colors, the massive cant era door frames and window frames, the elaborate door-knockers hand-made by iron worker craftsmen, the same iron work on balconies and outdoor windows, the rows and rows of planted terra-cotta pots, the colorful antique mesquite and pine doors, and so much more. Truly, A collage of artistic expression at every turn. No wonder San Miguel, Guanajuato, Mineral de Pozos have all become international homes to writers, sculptors, painters, photographers, musicians and architects.

So looking at and/or buying Guanajuato real estate can and does become a past-time of sorts and another venue for artistic endeavors for the international community. San Miguel has been rated in the top ten places in the world to live and retire and is a big draw for the entire Guanajuato area. Many choose San Miguel because the 'things to do' roster is plentiful and the social calendar will never be empty. For those that want access to this but prefer a quieter more contemplative environment, Mineral de Pozos is just 45 minutes away and the colonial vibe exists without all the traffic and weekend tourists. Guanajuato has the night life, the youth, the laid-back colonial spirit that reminds me of towns in northern Italy.

This state in Mexico, centrally located and in the mountains, bring the perfect climate... cool nights and warm days and almost always sunshine. I also just read that living in higher altitudes can reduce the instance of heart disease and reduce high blood pressure. I would say too, that living here is a huge improvement in the quality of life. Something about the antique surroundings and the lively, friendly Mexican ways, just improve anybody's disposition. It does not hurt either, to have much smaller grocery bills with fresh fruit and veggies on every block. Insurance, property taxes, and dining out are wildly less expensive than the US, Canada, and Europe.

Lastly, there are other cities like Silao, Leon and Salamanca which are all abuzz with manufacturing in shoes, furniture, and namely the car industries. Companies like Pirelli, Audi, VW, Mazda have found their new manufacturing here with less labor costs, and cheaper shipping to their main markets of USA, Canada and South America. So it is only natural that the executives are branching out from their plants and renting and buying Guanajuato real estate in the more colonial towns mentioned above. It is said that this area of Mexico will be exploding in growth over the next five years. This is a very positive development for the real estate market in Central Mexico, Guanajuato.


Twitter Facebook Flickr RSS



Français Deutsch Italiano Português
Español 日本語 한국의 中国简体。