I want to write a novel. Science fiction, in particular. Yes, I'm one of those geeky guys. And no, I'm not talking about being Heinlein or L. Neil Smith, writing serious books weighted down with political meaning and philosophy, but also backed up with good story-telling. No, I just want to write something fun and pleasurable to read --"escapist literature."

The problem is that I don't know where to begin. Writing a novel is a lot different than writing a blog, with its relatively short posts. I'd need to plot out a story, develop some good characters, and then actually write the darn thing!. That sounds like a lot of work, since my strong suit is not creative writing.

Not long ago, I came across a website that says it can teach me how to write a book in just 28 days. It claims that if I follow its plan I can complete the book while writing only one single hour a day -- and in bursts of no more than five minutes. That is astounding. And they do offer a money-back guarantee if you don't have a publishing contract within three months.

Why don't you drop by WriteQuickly.com and take a look -- and then tell me what you think.

Posted by: Greg at 06:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I have to tell you, my life has not been the same since we got a Dell notebook computer over the summer. We have really been impressed with the quality of the machine, and how convenient it is to take it along with us to doctor's appointments, events away from home, and even to a couple of local spots that are wi-fi sites.

As i think about the possibilities for our next computer purchase (the notebook was a gift), I wonder if I want to get a Cordless Desktop, to do away with all the wires. Or maybe another notebook, so we don't have to share. But regardless, I think my next purchase will be a Dell.

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I had not realized that yesterday was World Alzheimer's Day, a day intended to raise awareness of that terrible degenerative disease that afflicts so many people worldwide. It was a day marked with educational programs, government events, walkathons, and parties.

Yes, you read that correctly -- parties.

Why celebrate Alzheimer's disease? Well, that isn't the purpose of the "Purple Parties", friends. Rather, they are intended to raise money for research into Alzheimer's disease, in the hopes of curing and preventing it.

And you can still help. You can throw a Purple Party to help find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

Here's what you need to do.

Visit the website at http://www.actionalz.org/fundraising/, or at one of the above links.

Register your party on the website. If you commit to raising at least $150, you will even receive a party kit to help you plan your party and supply your guests with important information about Alzheimer's disease.

If you can hold it by September 30, all funds raised will be matched by the Harrah's Foundation, so all gifts are doubled.

But the best thing is that you will be working towards a cure for a disease that has taken loved ones and heroes from us all, so that in the future no one will have to fade away into the misty twilight of mental decline that is Alzheimer's disease.

Posted by: Greg at 08:20 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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When we bought our Texas home six years ago, we were very fortunate. We worked with a mortgage broker who was based in our real estate agent's office. Since I really didn't know anything about Mortgage Loans when I started, it may have been a good. She found a 30-year mortgage at a fixed rate comparable to other mortgages out there -- but with no money down because I'm a teacher. The loan was underwritten by a major national bank, so I knew it was reputable. The broker even managed to lower my rate by an additional 1/8 of a point just before closing due to a market fluctuation.

It wasn’t, however, perfect. Nobody noticed that my school district taxes through the neighboring county, not the county where the house is located. The result -- they missed $1200 in property taxes annually, which resulted in a $200 increase in my payment the second year as I struggled to fund my escrow to cover the shortfall as well as paying the full tax bill! So while the broker got me a great loan, the mistake put a squeeze on the budget for the first couple of years in the house.

Now would I look at refinancing my house? No -- the rate is still good and my equity and income would not shorten my loan term. And while I liked my broker, I wouldn't be using her again because of that tax oversight.

Posted by: Greg at 06:53 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Everybody needs help finding dates sometimes. I know that some folks just don't run in the right circles to find a mate or a date. My church, for example, has few singles, and some workplaces are teh same way. For that matter, sometimes you just want to expand your horizons.

That is where AmericanSingles.com comes in. They have millions of members from all walks of life, backgrounds, professions and ages who are looking for HOT Dating experiences. If you are looking for someone for fun, friendship, or a long-term relationship, check them out -- you won't be disappointed.

Posted by: Greg at 10:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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At Nets2Go.co.uk, they've got all sorts of wonderful window treatments for you. My favorite? The roller blinds, because one of our neighbors has just installed a motion activated halogen lamp in their driveway that comes on every time the wind blows through the trees. Roller blinds are great for keeping out sunlight by day, cooling your home by blocking the rays, and helping you sleep at night by darkening your room. Drop by and look at all their great stuff!

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I'll be honest -- I never thought much about erectile dysfunction before I was diagnosed with diabetes. Then my doctor told me that it could, one day, be an issue for me because of the diabetes. Suddenly, what had been a topic for off-color humor because a medial issue to be concerned about (along with a host of others).

That's why I'm glad that there are internet resources out there for men with that condition, men who are looking for a way to deal with a life-altering medical problem. ManOfPeople.com is one such website, offering comparisons of different treatments and medications that can help with ED. It also maintains a pair of lists of online pharmacies -- one a blacklist, one a whitelist -- that provide medications such as Cialis, Viagra, and Levitra. If you have problems with this sensitive medical issue, look at the site to help understand your options.

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Are you looking for a great deal on a cellular phone in the UK? Are you trying to find the best mobile phone contracts? Did you know that there are 12 months free line rental offers out there, often including a free phone, that will allow you to get your cellular phone service for nothing or mighty close to it!

Where can you find 12 months free line rental contracts? Well, you have to look closely at online mobile phone shops like FreeLineRentalMobiles.co.uk, which has all variety of deals that include free phones, free service, or heavy discounts. I’ll be honest – I wish that we Americans had the deals that you Brits have! You certainly have the cheapest mobile phone deals I have seen. I wish they were available internationally.

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There are a lot of blogs out there about making money online. As with most blogs, some are good, while others leave a lot to be desired. One I've noticed that seems to have some potential is AndrewTalk.com, which seems to focus on affiliate programs, increasing page rank, and SecondLife. AndrewTalk.com is clearly written and offers a review of a number of reviews on these topics that clearly and succinctly evaluate what is going on with various affiliate programs. Still, my favorite is about a simple method of ensuring that your blog pings all the major services when you update. – a sure way to generate more traffic and increase your page rank. So while AndrewTalk.com is new, I’d have to say that I have already found it a worthwhile read. Drop by and look for yourself!

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If you are an aspiring entrepreneur with an idea and a plan for a business, it can be hard to get started. After all, where do you find the money to cover those start-up costs? You may have lots of drive and a great idea, but without the cash your intellect and willingness to invest your "sweat equity" in the venture counts for little.

On the other hand, there are folks out there who want to invest in startup businesses that have a real chance of success. But how does a venture capitalist find the opportunities that are out there, with someone who just needs financial assistance to jump-start their dream?

There is a place where these two groups of people can get together and begin down the path to business success and economic growth -- http://www.RaiseCapital.com. It is a place where there can be connections made between budding businesspeople, successful small business owners, and eager investors ready to make money while helping these folks pursue their dream. Submitting your profile and plan allows the high net worth investors (most of them American, though there are some international investors) to find your idea and provide the capital that you need to move forward.

Do you have the plan for the next big business success story? Visit http://www.RaiseCapital.com and make the plan into a reality.

Posted by: Greg at 10:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Looking for great deals, both on the Internet and in brick-and-mortar stores? Well that means WebbyPlanet.com is for you. They are a site where you can find a great online coupon good for savings at one of over 5000 direct producers, online stores and discount online marketplaces, as well as some that you can print out and use in retail establishments near you. Search by product, company name or service, and then link right to their site to use the discount. What a great way to save money!

Posted by: Greg at 06:05 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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There is just something about cedar. It is beautiful, and has that wonderful smell that is so intoxicating. And it is durable, too. That is why so many folks have cedar outdoor furniture.

CedarStore.com produces and sells a full line of outdoor furniture to suit any taste.

Personally, I like this Red Cedar Southern English Garden Glider. Made of durable red cedar, it blends both the class of an English garden with the comfort of a down-home southern porch. We have a swing out in the yard, but when the sun starts to beat down, it would be nice to have a glider in the shade to sit and rock in comfort. And not only is the price of this item quite reasonable, there is free shipping on it (and all furniture) as well!

Posted by: Greg at 10:20 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Weddings are a wonderful, festive time, but they are also a lot of work and stress, especially for a bride. This is particularly true as the bride seeks out just the right wedding dress for her big day. That is one place that the internet can be of help.

Take TheBridalShop.com, for example. They have many wonderful wedding dresses from a variety of designers available for you to choose from at reasonable prices. For example, there is this dress by Mary's Bridal.

It is beautiful, with a V-neckline and extensive bead and embroidery work on the bodice and the train. What bride wouldn't look lovely in this dress?

Oh, yes, there is one other reason I love it -- it reminds me of the one my wife wore at our wedding.

Posted by: Greg at 06:54 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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When I was younger, I could almost always be found wearing a pair of boots. Come to think of it, I don't know that I owned a pair of dress shoes for a stretch of about 5 or 6 years in late high school through college.

I've not worn boots for some years now, mainly because I am on my feet most f the day in front of my classroom. However, I recently came across some boots from Danner Boots that might make me switch back to the look, if not a full boot. I'm talking about these.

Over at MetBoots.com they have a variety of great boots from Danner -- work boots, hiking boots, and hunting boots, to name just a few. Prices are great, and you can even get free shipping on orders over $100.

You know, it will be nice to get into something with the look and feel of a boot again.

Posted by: Greg at 09:30 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Got a hot tub or spa? Have you found that leaving it uncovered results in algae growth and unwanted debris and insects in the water with you? Or have you found that many of the generic covers available are simply not that durable or effective? Well, the solution is to go for a quality product and purchase the Best Spa Covers from HotTubWorks. These covers are made of marine grade vinyl and a durable poly-laminate liner around a foam core -- and even have a custom cut that helps to seal in the heat so that your water is always warm and your energy bills are always lower. Check them out -- and see how reasonable their prices really are on hot tub covers and other accessories for your spa.

Posted by: Greg at 06:56 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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We live in a world that is increasingly interconnected on an astounding number of ways, and in virtually every area of one's life. This is nowhere as true as it is in the area of personal and business finance. Our institutions are international, and if you are doing business online it is very likely that you will eventually find yourself involved in international business transactions.

But in such cases, how does one arrange for payment in different forms of currency? How does one access those funds? And where does one locate them for maximum advantage in both business and legal terms?

That is where ePay enters the picture. They are an international financial portal which allows you to send money to and receive money from any nation, anywhere in the world, using a variety of methods and forms of legal tender to do so. It doesn't matter if you want to use dollars, pounds, or yen, or even more exotic payment methods like e-gold, pecunix, or 1mdc. Heck, you can even set up bank transfers, like is commonly done in Europe. The folks at ePay allow you to do it all with their comprehensive package of international money transfer services!

Even better, you can access these off-shore funds in a variety of ways. For example, ePay allows you to make and receive payments via email and mobile text messaging. Using their secure service, you can make financial transactions on the go from anywhere that you are connected to the international communication grid -- telephone, cellular phone, and internet services are options to receive or send money as a part of your business and personal financial activity.

Better still, ePay offers a variety of credit card and debit card options to its customers, allowing you to access your cash from anywhere that accepts MasterCard. The internationally accepted ePay premium debit card is accepted internationally, and allows you to engage in secure transactions online and at over 1 million ATMs worldwide. Even better, it requires no security deposit, so you can have access to all your funds deposited with ePay. What's more, you can send these debit cards worldwide, meaning that you can use them to make payments in countries such as South Africa, Philippines, Morocco, India, Ukraine, Mexico, China, Pakistan, Brazil, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam and other nations where accepting online payments is difficult or impossible. And the ePay credit cards can be pre-loaded with any amount of money, either for one-time or multiple use. That makes their services incredibly flexible and customized to your needs.

Posted by: Greg at 02:09 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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About two years ago, I stumbled upon my main car almost by accident. I was looking for a vehicle at a good price with plenty of trunk space in case my wife needed to start using a wheelchair (something that has since come to pass). My wife's old Neon was on its last legs, and my car was already in semi-retirement with over 200K miles. We knew a hurricane was coming soon, and we needed to get reliable transportation right away -- and that was when I laid eyes on my Suzuki Forenza.

While it isn't my favorite car ever (I still love that Escort), I have been quite happy with the Forenza. It rides great, runs well, and has given me precisely NO mechanical difficulties during the two years I've been driving it. Indeed, it would never have been in the shop at all were it not for the hit-and-run accident during the Hurricane Rita evacuation and the full-body keying that it took from an angry student last spring. I get great gas mileage, have plenty of room in the car, and have space to spare in the trunk with the wheelchair.

Now I had time to shop for that car. I had time to compare car insurance companies and quotes, and found that the company I am with offers me the best price and coverage. And since Suzuki got very safety conscious after the problems with one of its early models 20 years ago, my insurance rates are very good. And after a little bit of haggling about a couple of possible loans to pay for it, I ended up with a great rate through my bank that topped what the dealer was offering.

Yeah, you could say that I'm quite happy with my car. Why wouldn't I be?

Posted by: Greg at 08:11 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Are you into getting free stuff or cash back on your purchases? Do you like getting high-end merchandise for low-end prices? Check out LuxeLoot.com and see the deals they have for you -- and get paid for it, too! Yeah, that's right -- for every offer you take, you can get paid real money for your effort. Check out their blog for details.

Nice stuff.

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Posted by: Greg at 06:58 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I had dinner with a congressional candidate the other evening. I know he is setting up his campaign offices around the district. He's got the locations all scoped out, but hasn't yet set them up. I wonder what he is doing about phone services for those offices, and if he has ever considered a VoIP system as his communication solution.

After all, a campaign is really noting more than a small business. And that means that it will need a small business phone operation like any other organization with a small number of employees.

Packet8 offers such services. I suppose that a campaign would do well to go with their Unlimited Extension Plus package, which would eliminate the need to purchase the equipment. Leasing just makes sense for a campaign, which will, in any event, be shutting down by November or December of the election year, even if it is a successful campaign. I'd probably also include the Fax Metered Extension Plus for the same reason.

Why go VoIP? Because it is ultimately cheaper and more reliable than traditional phone services, eliminating much of the cost of long distance calling. Besides, in this day and age you need to be wired to the internet, and this uses the same high speed connections. And since it is digital, you get clearer signals to boot. So check out what Packet8 has to offer.

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Posted by: Greg at 02:20 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You folks know by now that our pampered pooch is our pride and joy. Indeed, she is curled up by my feet right now, happily dozing as she dreams of chasing down the squirrels in the yard (I keep hearing little woofs and her feet are twitching). Yes, Carmie is our baby.

And I'll be honest with you -- if our baby ever got lost, we would be grief-stricken. With no kids, the dog is our family. And so I have been thinking about micro-chipping her. But there may even be a better solution for keeping track of her and finding her if she ever got out and got lost. Would you believe there is now a canine GPS unit?

Now I'll be honest -- it is a bit pricey for me, and more bulky than I would probably want to inflict upon Carmie (who is definitely an indoor dog living the life of luxury). But it seems like it would be a great resource for folks who use dogs as hunting companions, or for farmers/ranchers with dogs working the herds. At $599, it would probably be a good investment to keep track of a valuable, highly trained animal. The cost of dog tracking collars and their accessories would certainly be less than what one would spend finding a good animal and getting it trained for hunting of herding.

Posted by: Greg at 06:44 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I'll be honest -- "I can fix it" are words that my wife came to dread during our first couple of years in the house. I found little projects that needed doing around here -- and they did not come out nearly so well as we would have liked them to. Indeed, one of them led to a rather expensive visit from a locksmith to clean up after the mess I made within days of moving into the house.

It seemed like an easy enough task -- change a couple of door locks so that the keys were the same and we were sure that the previous owners and their family/friends didn't have keys still floating around. Its not like they were bad folks or anything like that, but just a desire for a sense of security.

Well, I headed over to Big Orange Cube for a a set of door knobs and locks that would be keyed to a single key. I found what I wanted easily enough, and immediately got to work on the project when got home. Naturally, I decided to start with the front door. I removed the old knob and lock and began to place the new one. But being the butter-fingered soul that I am, I dropped the assembly, which split into a couple parts. I simply put the thing back together and continued.

Unfortunately, nothing would line up. If the lock mechanism was in place, I couldn't screw the door knobs together, and the door would not latch if I did get them to screw together. I had damaged the entire assembly when I dropped it -- and had broken the old assembly removing it (it was 25 years old, and not in good shape). And what on earth are you going to do on a Friday night at 7:00 pm when you have no working lock on the front door? Call a locksmith, who ended up charging me the night-and-weekend rate.

My later projects have become more successful as I've gotten more experience. It also helps that I've acquired a few resources to help me better understand how to do the tasks before me. Knowledge is power, so now I can build bookshelf or fix a door, or even tile or drywall if I need to. And I've found websites that can supply me with plans and tips to make sure I'm prepared for anything that might face me in the course of my future projects, like DoItYourself.com. Check them out before you begin your next project.

Posted by: Greg at 10:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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When I was a kid, it seemed like every business gave them away to customers in order to earn a little good will and keep their name in the sight of the public. I'm talking about calendars, of course, in all their various varieties and configurations. The ones that we always liked were the wall calendars with scenes and sayings on them that helped widen my horizons to other, more exotic places. Even our church did a print calendar with all the holy days and a devotional picture that fit with the liturgical season.

But you know, you businesses can still do such calendars As I linked above, they even have beautiful 2008 calendars with some of those beautiful sights -- the Coliseum, the Parthenon, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Stonehenge, and other bits of European scenery. I'd love to hang that one in my classroom, just to expose my kids to a little bit more culture, and to sites that go beyond American shores.

But you don't have to stay with that design. You can pick from a number of calendar templates -- or even upload your own images to make a calendar suited to your business. Add your logo and business information and you have an ad that is guaranteed to be seen for at least 12 months, through the entire year of 2008. That is a great use of your advertising dollar -- and guarantees to keep bringing them back.

Posted by: Greg at 06:41 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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When I was a kid, I had a directors chair in my bedroom -- I just loved it. Well, directors chairs are a hot promotional item these days -- from providing seating at trade shows to serving as promotional swag for your business, they are quite popular. Imprinted with your name and logo, directors chairs can help provide a boost to your name id and sales.

Camelback Displays has a great selection of director's chairs in stock, ready to be imprinted with logos, names, and art. You just decide what you want, and they can make it happen for you.

Posted by: Greg at 10:05 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Christmas is coming. Well, you need to start thinking about the gifts you are going to buy for the holidays. And if you are going to be buying gifts online, you need to remember Coupon Chief.

At CouponChief.com, you can find all sorts of great savings on gifts for the whole family. Are you looking for a new computer? Coupon Chief has coupon codes for HP desktop and laptop computers that will really make your holiday a merry one. They've got coupons for high dollar discounts and promo codes for big money off the cost of that new computer. That will certainly stretch your holiday budget.

Or maybe you'd rather buy a computer from Apple -- Coupon Chief can help hook you up. They have free shipping to go along with that free gift with certain purchases. Again, you can make that gift-giving dollar go a lot farther just by using these great coupons and promo codes when you make your purchases.

Hey -- these are gifts you were planning to buy anyway? Why not be a smart holiday shopper and save yourself some cash in the process?

Posted by: Greg at 06:03 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Billing and payroll are two of the most important functions of any any business, especially in service and professional fields in which sell their professional expertise by the hour. Such businesses need a Timesheet that will enable them to keep accurate track of hours worked, billable hours, and even hours spent on projects (so that one can analyze the efficiency of one's business and employees).

Journyx Timesheet is a program ready-made for all of those tasks so that you can achieve per-person, per-project profitability. This integrated software allows you to coordinate billable hours and expenses, project costs, and to do payroll more quickly and easily.

Best of all, Journyx Timesheet is available for a 45 day free trial. Test it and see if it is right for you and your business.

Posted by: Greg at 09:47 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Trinidad is one of those places I've always wanted to visit, mainly because I keep having various folks from Trinidad enter and leave my life as friends and co-workers. What I've noticed is that Trinidad natives are among the warmest, most friendly folks you could ever want to meet. And the cultural variety of these people has been incredible -- the people of Trinidad run the gamut from East Asian/Indian to African to European to various mixtures of ethnicity reflecting that diversity. What's more, because of the rich and diverse history of both Trinidad and its sister island, Tobago, the culture and architecture of the island reflects a unique blending of styles and customs.

So I'll have to see if I can make my way south to the islands one day, to see if I can experience for myself what I first heard of from my friends Elizabeth and Paul when we were kids together. I wonder if they followed their parents into the hotel business. After all, toruism and hospitality are among the most important industries for Trinidad.

Posted by: Greg at 06:21 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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A lot of my friends have been doing licensure exams lately. The new teacher in the classroom next door just took the state's certification exam, and one of my friends who is getting ready to retire just took the Mortgage Broker Exam. One of the things that has changed over the years is that many folks no longer use test preparation booklets -- they use computer programs for that purpose. They come with many more questions than the books had, and they are much more interactive.

CompuCram has a great system with hundreds of possible questions in their test bank, presented in a format that is accessible and easy to use. The price is reasonable, and those who have used the product say that it went a long way towards preparing them for the exam. If you are preparing for a licensure exam, you should take a look at their full line of products, which includes Real Estate, Appraisal, Insurance, Mortgage Lending, and the NASD Securities Exam.

Posted by: Greg at 09:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I've been talking with my students recently about the need to obtain a new costume for our school's mascot. That old horse has started looking really ragged the last few years -- as well it should, given that it has been in use since the Reagan administration. I found a replacement for it on a site that specializes in halloween costumes, and they have quite a selection of mascot costumes as well. I wonder if the student council would be interested in raising the money for a replacement?

Of course, they do have some great halloween costumes as well. I just love this kid's penguin outfit! I wonder if my wife and I can find something good to scare the trick-or-treaters?

Posted by: Greg at 06:08 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Well, friends, I spent today watching my Houston Texans beat the Kansas City Chiefs over at Reliant Stadium. Great game. But I'll tell you, it also put me in mind of the other great sporting event that goes on RodeoHouston.

Just like with the Texans, my wife and I have season tickets for RodeoHouston. We have since we moved first here eleven years ago and bought Houston Rodeo Tickets for the first time. And I'll tell you, we consider it to be the entertainment bargain of the free world. After all, where else can you go and watch a sporting event -- and yes, boys and girls, rodeo is a sport -- and see a spectacular concert for under $30? And those are the expensive seats on the club level, where my wife and I sit! We sure couldn't afford them for the football season, I can assure you of that. In fact, I made my payment for this year's tickets just this past week. I can't wait to hear who the concert entertainers are for those twenty nights. What I do know is that they will include some of the top acts in country music, as well as other musical entertainment in other fields.

What is great about RodeoHouston, though, is the fact that when you buy those Houston Rodeo Tickets you are not just getting great seats and great entertainment at a great price -- you are also contributing to a scholarship fund that helps send many young people from around Texas to college. So whether you are on the field level, in the club seats, or up in the 500s and 600s, you are a part of something greater than yourself -- the future of our young people.

Posted by: Greg at 09:20 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I have always been fascinated by clocks and the telling of time. Maybe it is that fascination with time that led me to my fascination with both the past (history) and the future (science fiction).

Now I've owned many clocks over the years, but my favorite has to be one given to me to mark my fifth anniversary with my school district. It is a Howard Miller alarm clock, and it sits next to my bed. It is absolutely beautiful, and keeps excellent time. Frankly, I'm rather impressed by the quality, and am still surprised that the district treated us all so well that year. I guess it is true that clocks make great gifts.

Now I knew nothing of the Howard Miller brand when I received this clock, but my wife was quite impressed. I've since discovered that Howard Miller clocks are considered to be among the best in the world -- especially their grandfather clocks.

As my wife and I continue with the redecorating planning, we want to make sure that we have a clock in the living room that really helps set the tone for the space and the Old West/ranch house theme. It will, of course, have to be predominantly wood, and appear to fit with the time period. Personally, I'm rather fond of this wall clock, though there are several others that I could be quite happy with if my wife prefers them.

Posted by: Greg at 12:19 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I really believe that banks and other lenders are sometimes too ready to loan money. The current problems in the home loan market and with other secured loans are a great example. So are the credit card offers received by my dog -- many of them pre-approved, despite her lack of employment or a verifiable source of income!

Of course, the most clear example I can think of are the credit cards I see my tenth graders flashing around. Yeah, that's right -- fifteen-year olds with credit cards. I then hear them say that they have maxed them out and will simply transfer the balance to another card. I'm sure that many of them have ruined their credit scores before they have a high school diploma.

That isn't to say that borrowing money is always a bad idea. Rather, it is important that one take out personal loans responsibly -- do your research to find cheap loans with the best interest rates and terms. That is called being a responsible borrower -- and is likely to keep you out of financial trouble.

Posted by: Greg at 01:07 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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One of the many products that have become more commonly used in America as our population ages is Adult Diapers and other products designed to help deal with issues of urinary incontinence. Many Americans find it necessary to use Adult Diapers and related products, whether during an illness and convalesence or as a long-term solution to the problem of incontinence. There are many sources for these products, including Adult-Diapers.com, which has a wide selection of such products in a variety of styles.

Posted by: Greg at 06:09 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You know, if I ever rally get the house the way I want it in terms of setting up a work area in the garage, I'd like to be able to do a bunch of my remodel work myself. That includes redoing some cabinet doors around in the kitchen and the knick-knack shelves in the living room. The big task, though, will be redoing the entertainment center/bookshelf in the living room. And since my wife is planning on an Old West/Ranch House theme for those areas, I'd like to incorporate some hand-crafted western design into these wood to accent that.

Now I've used wood routers before to work with wood, but this will be Greg's big adventure. Fortunately, I've come across a great site that is devoted to wood routers and their accessories. They've got articles that can advise me about the router bits I'll need to accomplish my task, as well as woodworking plans. They even have a great series of articles about how to select the right wood router -- something I hadn't given much consideration yet.

What I especially like about the site, though, is the straight-forward way in which it deals with the subject. There is a great quote that really brings into focus the nature of the tool -- one so simple that it is often overlooked.

A wood router is basically a motor with a bit stuck on the end. All of the features available today simply make it easier, safer, or more efficient to use that basic combination.

Such simplicity makes this a great site for a beginner, and an one that will be useful for those who are more experienced. I'd really encourage folks interested in this sort of woodworking to take a look at Just-Wood-Routers.com for solid, down-to-earth information and guidance on the subject.

Posted by: Greg at 09:47 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You are going to pay lots of cash when you buy a house, in part because of the commission to both real estate agents. How would you like to save some of that money?

You can, by using ePERKS.com to find an agent in your area. I know I've got one agent in my area rebating 15% of her fees to ePerks.com customers. that can be hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars! I don't know about you, but I wouldn't turn that much cash down.

Posted by: Greg at 06:02 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I could live in my shower. Really -- my day isn't complete without a luxurious time under the water. . . well, maybe that is an image that you don't want in your head!

But this is an older house, and we are needing to update some things, including a shower faucet that has started to leak around the handle and which doesn't give the pressure it used to. It is time to find a new one -- and I think I have at Faucet.com. For what a lower price than I can buy it local, I can get a Price Pfister "Marielle" in a finish I like (I prefer brushed nickel). It has a big head that will just rain down warm water on my back and shoulders before I start my day.

if you are looking for beauty, luxury and great prices on shower faucets, look at Faucets.com!

Posted by: Greg at 09:58 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I'll admit it -- I've got an old ford Escort that I love to drive. It is a great car that has been reliable for me over a decade. And even though it is now semi-retired, I still love it because of some great features and the fact that it has given me over 200K miles of faithful service with relatively low maintenance costs.

Why did I get the car in the first place? A combination of brand loyalty and dumb luck. I'd been driving a Mercury Lynx (same car, different nameplate) for the previous eight years. Unfortunately, some kids vandalized the car one weekend -- and insurance totaled it out on me and just cut me a check for the value of a car with 160K miles on it. That left me with a nice check and a car that looked awful -- when two days later the tranny dropped two blocks from the Ford dealer. Sitting on the lot was a recently returned lease vehicle with low mileage and an even lower price. I cut arranged financing, cut the check, and drove off the lot in two hours -- probably the easiest sale this guy ever had. I was the proud owner of a white 1995 Ford Escort.

I drove that car to my wife's hometown for our wedding. We took our honeymoon in it. We moved from Illinois to Texas in it - and I even taught my wife how to drive in it. There is even a nice ledge in the hatchback for the dog to sun herself in when we are on the road! This car is really the fourth member of our family.

What can I say -- she still doesn't burn much oil, and still gets right around 28 mpg all these years later. Aside from standard maintenance, I've spent very little on her -- brakes, a new timing belt and water pump, and a few other miscellaneous repairs. But she still handles well, and has a comfortable feel like my favorite chair in the living room. For an old Used Ford Escort, she still seems like a luxury car to me. I plan on nursing her along for as long as I can.

I cried when Ford quit making the Escort. Having driven this one for years (and the Lynx before), I was displeased that I would not be able to get another. And I plan on buying from Ford again in the future. They've earned that loyalty.

Posted by: Greg at 06:43 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Interested in living in Miami Beach or South Beach? Those are some hot places to live, no doubt about it, surrounded by beautiful people and a beautiful environment.

And if you are after South Miami Beach condos or other real estate, the best way to find it is to start viewing the MLS listings for the area. Oh, and you need a good real estate agency -- which is where South Beach Investment Realty can be a great help to you. With the help of SBIR, you can find the place you want. SBIR has agents with expertise in all of these areas, and can get you settled in the just the right place. After all, there really is no place like home.

Posted by: Greg at 09:59 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I'll be honest -- I never thought much about mortgage before I bought my house. I knew they were secured loans with the money guaranteed by the house itself, but never about the ins and outs of getting one. Today I hear about too many folks who are not good credit risks who got unsuitable loans, and are losing their shirts because of adjustable rates or outrageous payments.

Frankly, I'm glad I'm not looking for a house today or seeking to refinance because I am locked in at a very good rate that I've found I cannot beat. However, I keep hearing about folks getting a bad credit mortgage to try to reduce payments on their home. Others have begun to seek some sort of mortgage payment protection in case adjustable rates increase or unfortunate circumstances cost them a job or otherwise make paying the mortgage untenable.

Posted by: Greg at 06:49 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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As this teacher is all too aware, summer is over. But on the bright side, that means it is time for the summer clearance sale at OnlineDiscountmart.com -- which means great savings on home and yard decor. But even better, that means that the Halloween Decorations are coming in fast, and you can snatch up yours before they sell out! Remember, OnlineDiscountMart.com has all of your home and garden decoration needs. Make sure you check them out.

Posted by: Greg at 09:30 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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You folks know me, and that politics is one of the great passions of my life. I look forward to election season the way in a way that some of my friends think is a little bit weird -- but let's just say that I consider this fall to be sort of the equivalent to Spring Training for baseball.

But where do you go to find a community of fellow political junkies, ready for teh campaigns to really begin to heat up? Where do you go to find fellow supporters of your preferred candidates, but also your political opponents to argue with? Why not try the 2008 Presidential Election Forum, where boards are open and waiting for discussion of every candidate and every issue.

What is the purpose of the 2008 Presidential Election Forum? Well, to identify the issues that are most important to American voters in the upcoming election, and the candidates who resonate with those voters. It is also a place to take the temperature of the users of the internet – sort of neutral forum for multipartisan discussion. It isn’t like the big sites, where one side or the other dominates because of the host’s perspective – this is really meant to be a forum for all comers.

You know, dialogue.

What a concept.

Posted by: Greg at 06:55 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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