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As you know, my wife and I are owned by a somewhat neurotic, highly affectionate mixed-breed dog who thinks that she is a person. We love her and feel we did a good job training her as a puppy, but recognize that we made a few mistakes in training her early on that we were never were able to correct her and were largely responsible for her separation anxiety. But unlike kids, puppies do come with instruction manuals, and you can find this puppy training online. After all, that adorable ball of fur is going to be a part of your life for years to come -- start her off right so that she is always a valued and valuable member of the family.

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My wife and I have had the same furniture since for over a decade. I mean just about all of it -- dining room, living room, bedroom. It is getting a little worse for wear in some cases, though we have done our best to keep up with it. Still, we talk sometimes about what we would like our next house full of furniture to look like – and more than once I have taken the time to browse around an online furniture store just to get some ideas of what we might do when we do finally find ourselves ready to buy new furniture.

I mean, let's consider the living room furniture for a moment. We definitely need a new sofa -- and my wife would really like for us to go with a sectional sofa this time around, preferably one with a chaise. We are unlikely to go for a leather sofa, though, both due to aesthetics and the fact that we have an indoor dog that could damage the leather with her claws

And what about the bedroom furniture? Well, she might not want the sleigh bed any more because of some of the practical issues one would present in our home due to her mobility issues. Personally I'd like to get us a couple of twin or full beds so that my tossing and turning does not disrupt her sleep by setting off her ache and pains but still allows us to share the same bedroom.

There is definitely one non-negotiable aspect of our home office furniture. One piece has to stay -- Dad's old marble-top roll-top desk that he and mom bought in Asia 20 years ago. However, a new computer desk that harmonizes with that family piece, and some comfortable desk chairs would certainly be appreciated by both my darling wife and I.

Of course, I am talking about a pipe dream right now -- but someday, maybe sooner than I expect, we will make the change.

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We all know people who like to get stuff for free -- and maybe you are one of those folks. Well, you can get lots of Free Samples and SavingsFree Samples and Savings over at MySavings.com. And the site really does offer an interesting variety of free samples and savings for you if you take a few minutes and browse through what is there.

But the really interesting thing about MySavings.com is that they have tried to make it into a community, not just a website with Free Samples and Savings. They have also established an online community and forum with prizes for folks who post about free offers. In addition, there is a regularly updated entertainment blog. more...

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Frankly, I don't know how anyone can get by today without having credit cards packed away in their purse or wallet. Used responsibly, such little conveniences can be a life-saver in emergency situations. But how do you sort through the many credit cards out there? What you need is a site that lets you compare credit cards.

You often have a chance to transfer balances from one card to another. This can save you a wad of cash. If you have typical card with a 15% interest rate, it is possible to find opportunities to transfer the balance from that card to one of the many low-rate balance transfer credit cards that are available for a year or longer! Or maybe you can get an offer of a interest free credit cards which will allow you to make some of those purchases with no interest for an extended period of time. Either way, you save if you act responsibly with your credit.

Of course, you do need to behave responsibly with that credit. Never take out more than you can afford to pay back, or else you find yourself in a real jam.

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I've mentioned before that I live within four blocks of Galveston Bay in the Clear Lake area of the Houston metropolitan area. As such, I have lots of opportunities for using a boat, but unfortunately don't have the means to buy one.

Well, maybe I do, if I go for an inflatable boat. Such a watercraft might not be ideal for going too far out into the Bay itself, but most of the local bayous and lakes (even Clear Lake itself) would be navigable for purposes of fishing, which is what I'd be interested in doing. I like the idea of an inflatable pontoon boat for getting up close to shore or maneuvering into some of the close quarters out there, like around some of the structural supports in Taylor Lake. I suppose I could also try a zodiac inflatable boat, but I don't know that it would be as good for my purposes. On the other hand, a 2 person inflatable kayak is definitely not what I want or need -- aside from being impractical for a fishing trip, I am just too out of shape to paddle myself around these big bodies of water -- though I wish I had taken up that sport 20 years ago so that i would be in better shape.

One nice thing about inflatable boats -- they are easy to transport and much easier to afford than most other boats you would consider. Like I said, that means I might just be able to afford one some day.

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Fritz's Skate and Surf is a great action sports shop in Miami -- you've probably seen it if you have ever been on the Strip. Well, they have a website selling their products, including now-classic rollerblades (I doubt you can even buy rollerskates with keys today) and heelys for active folks looking for a bit of skating fun. Check out all of their action sports gear at their website -- 123Skate.com.

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Hey vato! You gotta see the camisetas over at TChirts.com, the home of many funny t-shirts with a Latino flair. Really, you can find shirts for tu madre, your sancha, and even la abuelita. And there are plenty of shirts for los machos tambien.

OK, enough with the Spanglish this gringo teacher has picked up from a room full of Hispanic kids. I have to tell you, I suspect that I might just end up seeing shirts like these around school this year -- I know that the soccer guys (and girls) at my school would just love to have the Mexico World Cup shirt, and probably even the Diego Maradona shirt as well.

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Now here are some folks I find working around my neighborhood on a frequent basis -- All-Tex exteriors, one of the top siding and window companies in the Houston area. They've done work for several neighbors in town, as well as a number of the homes around the school where I teach. Experts with James Hardie siding and Simonton windows, they are also responsible for a lot of Houston decks. With a reputation for craftsmanship and reasonable prices, they really are one of the best-known companies for home exterior work here in Houston. So whether you are after Vinyl Replacement Windows, Decks, Siding, Pergolas and Covered Porches, you need All-Tex Exteriors.

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We all know people who like to get stuff for free -- and maybe you are one of those folks. Well, you can get lots of Free Samples and Savings over at MySavings.com. When I peeked in a few minutes ago they had pages of free stuff for teachers like me, and lots of other neat stuff. I even found a good resource for my diabetes and a road atlas for my next trip. more...

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As you may recall, I talked about that very issue recently, and why I didn't buy my wife a diamond but instead chose a different ring with speachial meaning to us. That said, I am not against making that big purchase of a diamond ring for the woman you love -- indeed, I am all for that token of love.

And if you are trying to find just the right Diamond Engagement Ring, you want to give the best quality ring you can find. That ring symbolizes commitment to the woman you want to marry -- and that commitment is a precious thing of great value. So if you are preparing to make that commitment, be sure to find a ring that says you love her enough to get the very best.

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If you shop online, coupon codes and promo codes can save you lots of money. That's why you need to visit KeepCash.com They have online coupons, promo codes, and discount codes that can save you 10%, 20%, even 30% off your purchases from online retailers like Lane Bryant and 1-800-FLOWERS. They also have promotional codes for free shipping or other great bonuses. So before you buy on line, check out the coupon codes at KeepCash.com. And if you don't find the code you are after today, check back tomorrow because they are constantly updating their site with even more bargains just for you -- bargains tht help you keep your cash.

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I am always fascinated by trade show displays at events I attend. Some are pretty basic, but others get quite elaborate. How do you design some of these displays, and where do you get the supplies to best market your wares to the most interested and motivated audience you are likely to encounter? Try CamelbackDisplays.com for a wide variety of flooring, graphics, furniture, banner stands, truss, stages, printed table covers, printed directors chairs, hanging signs, literature stands and more that will make your display stand out from the crowd.

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Are you into shooting sports that don't involve "live" ammunition? You know what I'm talking about -- air guns, paint ball guns, pellet guns, air soft rifles and bb guns. Or maybe you are interested in blank guns. If you are, then AirGunDepot.com is a site that you really need to check out. They have a great selection and supply of these guns at reasonable prices. And unlike many websites, they are laid out in a manner that makes it really easy to find exactly what you are looking for. And given their constantly expanding stock, it is likely that they will have what you want soon if it isn’t a part of their stock today.

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You love this kind of stuff, don't you. You know what I mean -- those business promotional items that businesses give out to promote themselves with clients and the public in general. It is quite surprising how much good will they generate with consumers and clients -- and employees.

Well, if you are in the market for business promotional products for your business, Gimmees.com is a great place to turn for all your promotional item needs. They have gone way beyond the traditional pen, key chain and koozie type merchandise and offer items like picture frames, watches and clocks, and computer supplies. I honestly don't think there is anything that they won't print with your logo -- I'm almost overwhelmed by the options available. So drop by Gimmees.com to see how you can best promote your company!

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I keep hearing a lot about hoodia and its impact on weight loss. Now I'll admit to being generally suspicious of diet fads, but some folks seem to have success with hoodia. There is a new website out presenting information on hoodia, including testimonials and weight loss journals. This would be a good site to look at if you are interested in learning more about or are considering using hoodia.

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You know, I've got lots of questions about Lap Band surgery. I know that one of my colleagues underwent the procedure last year, and she certainly lost lots of weight and has kept it off. I've never really known, though, how it works and what the cost of the procedure is.

That is why I find the concept behind MyLapBandSurgery.com to be a really interesting one. This website, which has helped thousand of happy patients receive life-saving and lifestyle altering gastric bypass surgery to facilitate weight loss. Indeed, it is a real God-send for folks who don't have the sort of insurance coverage to get the surgery done under their health plan -- and I know that I don't.

Part of the secret is to have the lap band surgery performed in Mexico. Yes, you read that right -- you travel to Mexico and have the surgery done there. This seriously reduces the cost of the procedure, and puts it within reach of many more patients seeking to lose that excess weight. Of course, many of you reading this might have some serious doubts about going to another country -- especially Mexico -- to get surgery done at an inexpensive price. But that does not mean that you are putting yourself at risk. MyLapbBandSurgery.com is affiliated with a reputable hospital and works with licensed, certified physicians to see to it that every surgery is successful and has no problems. Indeed, the team has performed over 48,000 lapband and other gastric bypass surgeries with a success rate of over 98%.

How does it work? You fly into Mexico and are taken to the hospital for your surgery, You spend one night as an in-patient in a private room, and a second ioght in a local hotel before returning to you home. The staff with whom you work all speak English. All materials and procedures meet American standards for care. It is just that everything is so much less expensive in Mexico that you will save thousands of dollars, even with the travel.

So contact MyLapBandSurgery.com for more information, and look at their resource guide to what you can expect.

Posted by: Greg at 06:30 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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OK, I admit it -- my dog probably owns me more than I own her. My wife sometimes has to offer me a gentle reminder on this point. "Greg, YOU are the person, not Carmie."

Hey, I dote on her (as does my wife), in large part because with no children she is truly a pet-child. That is why I spoil her. And with her eleventh birthday coming up on Wednesday, my wife and I both are thinking about a good present for her.

Given that the lovable mutt is getting older and just a bit stiffer, I'm thinking about a set of raised dog bowls for her, so she doesn't have to stoop as much to get at her food and water. Maybe I'm spoiling her a bit, but I don't think so.

There are lots of good raised dog bowls out there. I personally like this one with the simple metal frame. Let's be honest here -- she is a dog, and doesn't really have a great flair for interior design! While there are many very attractive raised bowl offerings, I just don't think she would fully appreciate the more subtle decorating nuances. And to be honest, we don't feed Carmie in a high-traffic area where a more stylish set-up would be cover up the decor sins of having dog bowls in the room.

I think we might also need to get a seat cover for the car as well. Carmie has always enjoyed playing the queen, riding in style in the back seat. Since my car just got freshly detailed (as well as repainted, courtesy of the insurance company -- thanks to the student who keyed my car with obscenities on every single metal panel!), It would be nice to keep the fur off the seats. I particularly like this hammock variety that will allow my wife and I to store some things on the floor in the back seat. Carmie will still be able to ride in style (when her head isn't out the back window), but the things on the floor will be safe, too!

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The more I think about it, the more I realize there are lots of safety issues around the home -- everything from basic issues like preventing and detecting break-ins to dealing with medical emergencies. Are you really safe in your own home? Is your home really secure?

I suppose the first issue is whether or not to get a good Home Security System. I've wondered about that issue a lot, especially after a home security company began calling me about the alarm going off at my home? The problem? At the time we didn't have a home security system, much less a monitoring service. They were calling me about someone else's home! And I'm not talking about a fly-by-night company -- this was one of the big names in the industry. SO I have to wonder -- is it better to be hooked -in with a company or to instead work with a system that makes contact with you and police automatically when a problem is detected?

I also wonder about the desirablilty of security cameras. Is my home a likely enough target that a security camera would be a reasonable investment instead of overkill? Or is a decoy sufficient? Personally, in my neighborhood, I don't think that either is a real important investment -- but depending upon what the new development brings to the area, I might be changing my mind on that.

But really -- what is necessary in the way of home security? Do we really need to be on camera all the time, like at school? Do we really need massive security systems? I suppose that it ultimately comes down to you neighborhood and your style of life.

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Things around this place are really quite chaotic -- no place for anything and nothing in its place! We have got to get organized!

Fortunately there is a great home organization at ShopToGetOrganized.com. They have all sorts of organizers and other household items that would certainly be useful -- like this earring organizer, now that my darling bride has gotten her ears pierced (at age 45). For that matter, she might like this item for the bedroom as well, for those days she aches too much to get around the house much. For that matter, these shower organizers might come in handy for her as well.

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If you are trying to manage Pay Per Click accounts, Acquisio has some great software that you might want to look at. This acquisio bid management software accounts for where your traffic is coming from and where it moves on to, as well as what links are productive ones for you, and includes keyword management. Such knowledge enables you to maximize your profit -- which is, after all, why you went into business in the first place, right?

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As I mentioned in another context today, there really is a cult of celebrity in our society today, with many worshippers just waiting to get the latest scrap of information about their favorite stars and personalities. I guess that has always been the case, because fan magazines, celebrity tabloids, and scandal sheets have been popular for as long as i can remember.

But where to you get your celebrity news on the internet? Well, you can look at CelebrityGossip.com, a news aggregator that brings together all the latest in celebrity news, happenings, an gossip. Not only that, you get the pleasure of voting on the stories to rate them, so you can help push the news about your favorite stars to the top of the charts!

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A few well-placed accessories around your home can really spruce the place up. The same is true with your garden. Some of the accessories can even be functional -- things like Rain Gauges, thermometers and such things. They also add value to your home when you try to sell -- the address plaque in our yard was one of the little touches that we found attractive.

Anyway, OnlineDiscountMart.com has a bunch of new home and garden accessories like Bird Baths just in time for summer. You really ought to check them out.

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Did you see Reno 911! Miami The Movie? Did you like it? Well, guess what -- the new UNRATED version of the film is out on DVD, and it is even more hilarious than the original!

In honor of the release of the DVD, the official website for the Reno 911! Miami The Movie DVD has added four new games that you can access by clicking in the upper right hand corner of the site. These four games are:

Game # 1 - Most Wanted
Game # 2 - Calling All Units
Game # 3 - Midnight Shootout
Game # 4 - PSA

Each of them is fun in its own way, but the one that I really struggled with is Calling All Units. I had to get my squad car to the corner of Wett & Panty to stop a crime, without destroying my car and too much civilian property along the way. Well, thank God I drive better in real life than I did in the game. I never did make it to the scene of teh crime, finally seeing my squad car explode just feet from teh marker. I'd managed to rack up $151,000.00 in costs to the city while earning a mere $1900.00, with no Bustin' Bonus for successfully fighting crime. I'm starting to think it is a good thing that I'm the teacher and my kid brother is the cop!

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Did you know that Asheville, North Carolina is noted for its great architecture? Really, it is a hidden treasure at in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Not only is tehre the Biltmore estate, but there is a beautiful Art Deco City Hall, the Neo-Gothic Jackson Building, and the Arts and Crafts-style Grove Park Inn. Not only that, but there is a historical district chock-full of Victorian-style houses and other buildings. The Biltmore Village area, where many of the craftsmen responsible for constructing the Bitlmore Estate lived during their labors is also noted for unique architectural features that are not found outside of the Asheville area. There is even the Spanish Renaissance-style Basilica of St. Lawrence,

You can get your own little bit of architectural history in the Asheville area by purchasing Asheville Real Estate. Prices are good, values are appreciating, and the local beauty is astounding. There are even great rates on your Asheville mortgage. So come on! What are you waiting for?

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You guys have probably figured out that I am not always the most together person in the world when it comes to some areas of my life (but then again, that is true of most folks). One area for me is yard maintenance -- especially mowing the law in our fire ant infested part of Texas. And because I strive to get teh job done as quickly as possible, I sometimes do some really stupid things.

Take last summer. Rushing around to beat the rain, I neglected to put the gas cap back on the mower after topping off my fuel supply. No big deal, just pick it up and replace it, right? Wrong -- I put it on top of the engine cover, and as we mowed it fell off. Again, no problem, except for the fact that I discovered my mistake when I was hit in the leg by a mangled plastic object that at one time had been sort of vaguely round with thread on the interior -- my gas cap.

For a while it seemed I might have to replace the entire mower, since I could not find a replacement cap for love or money. Nobody in the area had one -- not Walmart (where I had bought it several months earlier), not the hardware store, and not even the local lawnmower repair shop (well, that isn't quite true -- they wanted $35.00 for a replacement, which included a half-hour labor charge to find the right one). Where else could I find lawnmower parts?

Luckily, I did manage to find the part online through the engine manufacturer -- for $8 plus tax and shipping.

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There are lots of ways to meet the person you were meant to spend the rest of your life with. Maybe you meet them through at work or school. maybe you are introduced by friends. Perhaps you share some common activity. Or maybe you meet through some sort of match-making service. I'm not going to judge, because I've known folks who have met their perfect mate in all those ways.

And that leads me to this business that specializes helping to match men with Russian brides. LoversPlanet.com selects intelligent, attractive Russian and Eastern European women looking for love and marriage in Western Europe, Canada, and the United States and seeks to match them with men in those areas. Both the men and the women are screened before being admitted to the program, including personal interviews via telephone for men interested in their service. This match-making service claims to have high-quality female members who are generally educated, computer-literate, employed and have a good command of the English language. This does set them apart from other such services, which tend to be less selective.

Is this service for everyone? No, and the folks at LoversPlanet.com are among the first to admit that – hence their screening of their male clients. But if you are interested in establishing an intimate relationship with a woman from Eastern Europe, their service strikes me as a good place to start.

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I've got to tell you -- Asheville, North Carolina is a beautiful place. During the Great Teaching Job Hunt of 1997 (when I sent resumes to over 500 school districts around the United States), one of the areas where I concentrated my search was North Carolina. During that time, I became quite familiar with Asheville, because there were a number of openings in districts in that area. And since my wife and I had spent our honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains, this location was particularly attractive.

But it was more than that. The Asheville area was already growing, and seemed to be a dynamic place with lots of entertainment, recreation, and dining opportunities for a "relatively) young couple looking for a place to become an older, retired couple in 30 or so years. After all, there is a lot to do there -- but it still retains that small city charm that so many parts of the South have always had. In some ways, I remain disappointed I didn't end up teaching down there.

One other nice feature was the availability of homes at a reasonable price. And I mean href="http://www.redwolfrun.net/">Asheville Real Estate is reasonably priced and appreciating in value. There are many reasonably priced Asheville homes available, including luxury homes Asheville in and the neighboring communities. It was, and appears to remain, a good place to find a place to settle down in for life.

So take a look around – Asheville might just be calling you home. Posted by: Greg at 12:45 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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“The director himself warned you not to date the Bush twins, Mr. Weston! By order of the President, you are hereby terminated – with extreme prejudice.”

Those were the last words Michael Weston heard over his headset before the cruise missile on his radar screen turned towards his position in the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan rather than continuing on towards the mountain lair he had laser targeted. There were supposed to be al-Qaeda bigs in the cave, maybe even THE big target – bin Laden himself. Now he knew it was all a set-up – of him.

As he knocked aside the laser, the beam stayed in place – he was, in fact, the target, as another team had sited his observation post. No way could he survive – unless he could deflect the beam. Breaking the ancient mirror in the filthy hotel, Weston skillfully redirected the beam to a hillside several miles away. He heard the “whoosh” of the cruise missile’s engines as they shattered the windows for blocks around before slamming into the pasture. He only hoped that those goats never knew what hit them.

OK, so I have absolutely no idea how USA Network's Burn Notice actually begins. I don’t really know how or why Michael Weston gets fired by the CIA, so my speculation above is as good as anything until I watch Burn Notice when it premieres on June 28 (you can find our yourself by clicking here -- I don't want to spoil the fun).

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Let’s talk about other blogs for just a minute. I do like to surf around and look at the work of other bloggers, and sometimes find a real good one. And by “good”, I don’t necessarily mean “agrees with me”.

For example, there is a site operating out of the San Antonio area called The Blog Revolution, run by a fellow named Mike who is studying to be a history teacher. Now that sounds like a blog right up my alley, right – a guy headed into the same field in which I toil over here in Houston.

And I’ll be honest – I don’t know how much Mike and I would see eye-to-eye on things. Take this recent post on Government Run Gas Stations and Refineries. Anyone who knows me or has read my stuff for any length of time knows that my initial reaction to what I read was to clutch at my chest gasping "communism" as I dialed 911 to get an ambulance. Well, maybe I wasn't quite that outraged, but I did look askance at his position.

What is the basis of his argument? Well, Mike is arguing that since oil companies are making record profits (at least in terms of net dollars, not return per share or return on dollars spent), there is no need for subsidies for building oil refineries. Unfortunately, I can't check out his statistics on profits or his claims about oil company demands for higher subsidies to build new refineries because he fails to link back to any of the articles he references. I think he should make a point of linking back to his sources in the future, just like he will one day expect his students to cite their sources.

What Mike proposes instead is that the government build refineries and gas stations, with the profits "going to a good cause, the money would be indirectly going back to the citizens of this country whereas the money at a commercial gas station goes to the pockets of the shareholders." Of course he overlooks the fact that many of those shareholders are, in fact, citizens of this country -- and that public employee (and private) pension funds are among the largest investors in the oil companies. What he is effectively suggesting, therefore, is a cut in his own future pension, because it is (in part) the return on investment in petrochemical stocks that will fund the Teacher Retirement System he will be depending on in a few decades.

And therein lies the problem -- it isn't the position he takes, but a failure to give his position a deeper analysis. He has a very idealistic solution (hey, I remember being a Communist for a few weeks when I was 16) that overlooks the greater problems his solution would bring about. He fails to recognize that government entry into a field almost invariably results in either the destruction of competition or the inflation of prices, all without doing anything to improve service to the consumer.

What I am really trying to say is that there is room for improvement in how he blogs and in the positions he takes. Still, I will be back over to The Blog Revolution in the future. I see a spark of something intriguing in what he writes, and want to watch him grow as a blogger and as an intellect -- not to mention as a peer. Who knows, maybe he is going to be in a classroom down the hall from me one of these years.

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I work with teenagers. I know what sort of trouble they can get into. And let's be honest -- teens can make a real hash out of their lives very quickly if they make the wrong choices.

Fortunately, most teens are able to be redirected pretty easily when they get into trouble. Unfortunately, there are some who can't, and who need much stronger intervention. Where do you turn when that troubled kid is YOUR kid? Do you know where to turn or what to do when your best efforts to help you kid have been unsuccessful?

That is why a service like Help My Teen - Teen Help Options is so very important for parents of troubled teens. This is not a fly-by-night Johnny-come-lately company which has just sprung up out of nowhere. For over two decades, Help My Teen has been involved in counseling and connecting families with appropriate situations for their troubled teen. During that time they have been recognized for their success in dealing with troubled teens by the most important group out there -- the parents who have turned to them, who over the years have given them a 96% satisfaction rating, which should tell you they are doing something right.

Help my Teen offers a number of residential programs for troubled young people. Hopefully you will never need their services – but if you do, they are available to you 24/7 to help you do right by your child.

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As you apply for a mortgage, you need to seriously consider where you will get your mortgage advice? Will you go to the bank you have always done business with, or will you work with a mortgage broker who can offer you deals from a variety of mortgage providers on mortgage rates and terms. I took the latter course, and was able to get myself a mortgage with a low down payment and low interest rate -- one that was tailored people in my profession. Had I gone to my bank, I might have missed that one because it was offered through a different lender that I did not do business with. So if you are looking for Texas mortgage brokers, you might want to look here -- and for Houston mortgage brokers (including the one I worked with), check out PersonalHomeLoanMortgages.com.

Posted by: Greg at 12:58 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Looking for online backup for your blog? Why on earth would you need that? Well, think of two words -- SERVER CRASH. Or how about these two -- VIRUS INFECTION. Or even this pair -- HACKER ATTACK. They all happen. That's why you need to check out IDrive-B. They have a great deal on a new service -- Online Backup for your blog -- 1 Gigabytes free, $4.95 a month for unlimited online storage. Templates, entries, graphics -- everything! You can be up and running again in no time if you avail yourself of this service.

Think it can't happen to you? I've seen it. And I'm not just talking about the cyber-jihadis that go after Jawa Report of the angry lefties who attack Little green Footballs. One of my buddies lost everything when a virus infected his server. Another made a mistake and deleted everything. Heck, the other night I accidentally deleted the entire template for my blog -- thank God I had a backup copy to restore what I had lost by hitting a button when I shouldn't have!

The nice thing about IDrive-B is that it does a regular backup of your site automatically. That's right. You set it up and it takes care of the issue for you instead of requiring you to do it manually. Then you don't have to think about it at all -- until the unexpected happens. Just call it Blog Insurance.

Posted by: Greg at 12:24 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I never thought much about mortgages before I bought my house. Yeah, I knew mortgages were secured loans with the money guaranteed by the house itself, but never about what went into actually getting one. I went in blind, never stopping to look at a mortgage calculator to figure out what I could afford or doing any research. Nor did i give any consideration to seeking mortgage protection insurance. Fortunately, I got in with a good broker who found me an excellent loan at a good rate -- but we all know folks who are having trouble paying their loans, especially those who got adjustable rate mortgages that have seen interests rates balloon. I'm glad I'm not looking for a house today or considering remortgages/refinancing, mainly because I am locked in at a very good rate that I cannot beat.

Posted by: Greg at 06:56 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You folks know how important handicapped accessibility is to me, given my wife's mobility issues. Well, Ameriglide is a leader in the field of handicapped accessibility. They provide stair lifts, vertical lifts and wheelchair lifts of all varieties to make homes accessible for their residents and to make going out into the community to be easier. If you or a relative has accessibility issues, check out Ameriglide.

Posted by: Greg at 04:10 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Are you the sort of person who likes sending greetings to your friends via email. Tired of the cookie-cutter offerings from many greetings sites? Well, you can make your own "phreeting" (photo + greeting), which is designed and created by YOU. Select a photo, type your message, and send! Quick, easy, and PERSONALIZED!

Posted by: Greg at 06:12 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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From time to time, even the most law-abiding people need an attorney. And yes, that can include facing criminal charges, even if you are not guilty. And if you do, you want the best, most experienced lawyer you can find, lawyers that provide you wit an aggressive courtroom defense.

If you need Los Angeles Criminal & DUI Lawyers, one of the best firms available is the firm of Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin. The firm has been in business for over half a century. They are Bar Certified Speciliasts, and they have beenrecognized as among the preeminent lawyers in their field. Not only that, but they are available to you 24/7 if you find yourself in need of counsel.

Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin -- when you need legal representation in the Los Angeles area.

Posted by: Greg at 02:01 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Drug abuse happens in our society, all too often. So does alcoholism. We have all seen it, and the toll it takes on family, friends, and co-workers of the addict. But the impact is most pressing upon those who are addicted. They need help to get the intoxicant of choice out of their system and to develop a sustainable, healthy way of life that does not continue in enslavement to the addiction that has come to dominate their lives.

Where do you turn when you need to seek help for someone in need of rehab -- or for yourself? Well, there are many fine Drug Rehabilitation facilities out there -- including Cliffside Malibu, located on the California coast in overlooking Zuma Bach. The program is individualized to meet the needs of the individual patient.

Cliffside's program focuses upon the following elements.
* Determine appropriateness for treatment for each resident
* Detox affected residents, when necessary
* Evaluate individuals for substance use disorders and any co-occurring (dual diagnosis) disorders
* Offer each patient an individual drug rehabilitation plan which maximizes comfort and the potential for success
* Provide treatment for residents' families through our three day family program
* Develop an aftercare plan which supports the program's philosophies and objectives

If this sounds like a program that you or a loved one needs, contact them via this link or at 1-800-501-1988

Posted by: Greg at 01:47 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Looking for a great place to live? Try Asheville, North Carolina, nestled in the mountains of western North Carolina. The Asheville Real Estate market is great right now, so now is the time for you to find yourself the home you want. Not only that, but since the market is booming you are certain to see your investment retain and increase its value over the years. There are many new Asheville homes on the market, and luxury homes Asheville in are also readily available at reasonable prices.

Why Asheville? Well, it is a small city with good schools, a university, and fine entertainment and night life. With a nice climate and beautiful natural surrounding, who wouldn’t want to move to Asheville, given the chance?

Posted by: Greg at 01:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Well, PayPerPost.com just keeps on expanding! They just today, they got themselves $7 million in new funding, which will allow them to continue expanding operations in the field of consumer generated advertising via the blogosphere. They have also announced, in celebration, the "Lucky 7's" promotion.

What do I think they need to do with the cash? Well, I personally want to see them use it to increase the client base of PPP, which will certainly put money in both their pockets and in the pockets of bloggers like me. After all, the more they can get folks to advertise on blogs -- especially as they have begun to get movie studios and a band like the Police to do, the more opportunities there are for me to make more and bigger money as the business grows. And as much as I like some of the great promos out there, like this one, HD Tuesdays and Oppapalooza, I’d still rather see more and higher paying opportunities directed towards those of us with a Google Page Rank of 5, not just the ones that are tantalizingly out of reach for PR 6 & 7 bloggers. Still, whatever happens is bound to help me and the rest of the regular posties out while helping their bottom line and the high level of blog ethics they encourage.

more...

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