Know Who I'd Love To Advertise With Social Spark?

Just a couple of months ago, Izea launched its SocialSpark.com social networking/advertising website and service. So far, it seems to be off to a great start, especially in terms of getting a buzz going for a number of shows on the USA Network and some very trendy clothing and personal care products. I like what they have done, and find the service itself to be well-managed and the social networking aspect to be developing in a positive manner. What it needs is additional advertisers for it to really take off, because there are some really great writers out there with good readership, ready to help promote products.

What would I like to see? Quite honestly, I’d really like to see some publishing companies to step up to the plate and begin advertising on Social Spark. As a science fiction lover since about the age of twelve, I’d be in heaven if Tor or Baen or one of the other science fiction Publishing houses began to offer some opportunities – maybe providing reviewers access to a chapter or two of some of the releases that folks are expecting. Imagine the possibilities if one of these publishers decided to start promoting their younger talent with a campaign of internet buzz – say for Naomi Novik’s latest Temeraire novel being published soon by Ballentine Books, or John Scalzi’s latest twist on the universe he created for Old Mans War that Tor will soon be bringing out. Think what such a campaign could do for a new author – or for the latest novel by one of the well-loved elder statesmen (or stateswomen) of the genre. Give bloggers who love the genre access to a preview and let the viral excitement begin!

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Scuba Do!

Years ago, when my father was stationed on Guam, I had the opportunity to learn to scuba dive. It was fun, but I never pursued scuba diving lessons to get the certifications that I ought to have, so that I could keep up with the sport as a hobby. I often think that now, as i live within a few blocks of Galveston Bay and only a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico itself.

Now if you are looking for a place to learn to scuba dive, you really ought to find a school that offers lessons taught by certified professionals. What's more, you should consider the reputation of the program. And you can find good programs just about anywhere -- including scuba diving lessons Arizona!

Where would you scuba dive in the middle of the desert? How about some of the many scenic lakes that exist in Arizona? Or for that matter, why not travel with Ultimate Dive and Travel to some of the great dive spots like Fiji, Truk, Honduras, or even California's Channel Islands or the Bahamas if you are not looking for a trip halfway around the world. Ultimate Dive and Travel is also a great source for equipment sales and repair, as well as scuba diving lessons Scottsdale. Like any reputable dive school, their instructors are PADI and SSI qualified. And with a decade of experience and a reputation for professionalism, you can feel confident in trusting them with your equipment and your safety.

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Blingin' Like A Gnome

Recently I encountered an MMROPG game called Dungeon Runner. It is an online video game where you get a magical sidekick called a Bling Gnome that eats any unwanted item and turns them into gold. How does it do that? Well, let’s just say “this too shall pass”! As you can imagine, this sidekick is mighty beneficial.

Well, the gameÂ’s creators have a contest to celebrate the release of Dungeon Runner. This 'Pimp Your Gnome' contest allows you to create your own gnome, pimped out to the max. Do it well and you can win a copy of the game and a $350 Best Buy card!

How do you win? First, visit your local craft of garden supply store and buy yourself a gnome – you know, one of those little guys like the one you see in commercials for that online travel company. Next, dress him up in a way that makes hi the “King of Bling”! Make him a pimp, a thug, or just a fat-cat gnome – have some fun with it. Jewels, clothes, accessories – do it all!

But then comes the fun part. You next have to some pictures of your pimped-out gnome from at least 2 angles and post them at the site. Even better, you can get extra points if you post pictures with people admiring your gnome or by being dressed as a gnome in a public place like a mall or something. In other words, there is great fun to be had!

By the way, I did download the game, and was impressed. Good graphics, reasonable adventure opportunities for you to roleplay, and even some good interaction with others. If you are a big-time online gamer, you will enjoy – and probably get a laugh as your Bling Gnome produces his new cash for you. And you get to see some of the pimped-out gnomes entered by others – varying from hip-hop to pimp-daddy to some that are really out of this world.

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Clubs For The Special Folks In Your Life

I’m not much of a drinker any more, not since my wife started taking medication that interacts badly with alcohol. But I do have a drink from time to time – and I have a special fondness for micro-brewed beer or other exotic products of the brewer’s art. Where did I acquire such a taste? Probably from my college buddies during my first couple of years away from home – I started my studies at a private East Coast school where I found myself hanging out with guys who came from a significantly higher socio-economic background than a Midwestern military brat. Let’s just say I got introduced to some of the finer things of life.

That’s why I appreciated it a couple of years back when a friend signed me up for the Beer of the month club. Yeah, you read that right – each month for a year I got the Beer of the month (actually four different beers) shipped to me, allowing me to indulge my taste for something a little out of the ordinary. Talk about your gift that keeps on giving! A whole year of beer, including brands that I generally would not be able to get easily in my area. What a gift for the beer lover you know.

And if you don’t know anyone who would be interested in Beer clubs, there are also clubs for connoisseurs of fine cigars (not my thing) and wines. And for the Chicago boy a long way from home, there is even pizza club – three specialty pizzas from Chicago each month! Surely you know someone who would enjoy a membership – whether for a full year, or for a shorter term. To learn more visit http://www.greatclubs.com/ for more information.

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Dealing With Debt

A lot of folks out there are carrying around a lot of debt. The problem, though, is that making all those separate payments can really become a hassle, especially when you are trying to pay on multiple credit cards. Wouldn’t it be a great thing to be able to make one payment – and at a lower interest rate?

That is why debt consolidation programs are an option worth considering. Yes, you can get a loan, but there are also professionals who can provide you with various strategies for paying off that debt through debt consolidation loans or other strategies. Such Credit Card Debt Consolidation programs can help you preserve your credit rating and get out of debt more quickly.

What are some of these options? There is always the standard debt consolidation loan. You get one large loan that will cover those debts and start making payments over 36 to 48 months (though some might run larger if you are really in debt). Then you simply pay on that one loan while avoiding the bad spending habits that got you into debt in the first place. It might not be a bad idea to seek credit counseling as a part of the plan.

You can also negotiate new repayment terms with your creditors. They want their money and they are usually willing to work with you to make that happen. You can often do this yourself, or you might seek professional help with this.

Then there are debt settlement options for you. These are something that you rarely can do yourself, so you almost certainly need professional help on this one. The companies that negotiate settlements for you can often reduce what you owe to “pennies on the dollar” – cutting your amount owed by half or more. You might take a credit rating hit, but it isn’t as ugly as the blot of a bankruptcy on your record.

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Check 'Em Out

Given my support of a lawsuit regarding the release of school district/state run teacher background checks to the public, it might surprise you that I am all in favor of the public being able to do background checks on individuals in their lives. It mainly boiled down to a question of what information could and could not be released – and whether the bar of privacy would be lowered to too great a degree.

But I do believe that we should be able to look into the public information available about those with whom we begin to have some sort of intimate association, whether they are employees, romantic interests, babysitters, teachers, or the parents of children’s playmates. That is where services like those offered at http://www.sentrylink.com are a valuable thing in my book. They allow you to do a Background Check about individuals who have the ability to get inside our normal defenses. They can run a Criminal Background Check for you, just to make sure that you, your family, or your business are not open to any undue risks. Such a Criminal Check will enable you to get access quickly and easily to publicly available information that you might not have the time or knowledge to access. That is not an intrusion into anyone’s privacy – it is actually a prudent step on the part of a wise, safety conscious individual to check out the public domain information to help ensure that you are not being taken in by a dangerous individual.

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Metal Wall Art

One of the stylistic features I have always loved when it comes to interior design is metal work -- especially metal wall art. At Wall Decor and Home Accents, they have a great selection of metal wall art at affordable prices Their site is well-organized and easy to search for just the item you would like, whether you want wall wine racks or a decorative metal wall cross. They also have non-metal wall art as well, including a wonderful selection of architectural pieces.

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Sports Picks Forum

If you are like me, you enjoy watching a good game. In my case, I love football, and enjoy discussing the game. I even blog about the NFL in season. Well, if you are interested in getting some free nfl picks or baseball picks, check out addictsports.com. I know I will when I'm looking for free football picks.

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Goldyn

Are you a woman who is into clothes? You know, nice clothes by top designers in the latest style? Well if you are, then you need to check out this incredible site that one of my coworkers sent me to pass on to my wife – it is the website at ShopGoldyn.com.

Well, what is so great about this site? Well, for starters they offer pieces from some of the top names in womenÂ’s fashion today. You know, things like clothing from French Designers whose clothing isnÂ’t always available here in the US. For example, Paris-based designer Erotokritoshas a nice line ofParisian Clothing available at ShopGoldyn.com Similarly, DiabÂ’less garments are also featured on the site, adding some pizzazz to the chic and trendy fashions featured there with their selection of hand-made knits, detail-laden coats and one-of-a-kind evening wear. There is also the vintage-style clothing of Charlotte Ronson, whose line of clothing and shoes is simply.

And even better, the site is nicely laid out and easy to navigate. You can shop in at least three different ways that I noticed. Each designer has his/her own separate page for you to peruse, and the clothing available can also be viewed by the type of item you wish to look at, such as French Dresses. And there is also the “Look Book”, which allows you to browse across designers and garments to create just the sort of look that you are seeking. So if you love beautiful clothes, check this site out.

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Insurance

I don’t know about you, but I certainly see it as incumbent upon every person to take the time and make the effort to ensure that they and their families have health insurance. Yes, many Americans receive it as a part of a benefit package through their employers, but not everyone. And while it is possible to rely on the government for medical care, this is neither desirable nor ethical to do if one has other options – and there are some good plans out there within the budget of most Americans.

If you don’t currently have health insurance, why not check out what Kaiser Permanente has to offer at http://www.kphealthplans.com? It doesn’t matter if you need a plan for individual or family heath insurance, or whether you are a business owner looking for an affordable group health insurance, plan for your employees KPHealthPlans.com probably has something that will help get you (and your employees) decent insurance. In Georgia, for example, kaiser insurance offers some of the lowest rates around, with flexible and affordable plans that will go a long way in meeting your goals. And this is important – after all, a serious illness without health insurance has consequences for families and individuals that are frightening to contemplate. So take the responsible step and seek health insurance now.

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Well I've Never Been To Spain

But I sure would like to go there. Indeed, so much of Europe is filled with history for a person like me who is fascinated with the study of the past. That is one reason I would love to find the time and money to visit the city of Seville in Andalusia. After all, it's history dates back at least to Roman times, with a continuous existence through the time of the Vandals and Visigoths. It was one of the early cities conquered by the Moors when their jihad brought them into the lands of Christian Europe in the early eight century, and remained under Muslim rule until its liberation in 1248 under King Fernando III.

If you visit Seville today, you will find a great variety of site to see. There is the cathedral, built following the Reconquista, as well as the Alcázar, which was begun during the Muslim occupation of the city in the 1100s and was built in various phases over the next 500 years, giving it a striking blend of various cultural influences. The city is also know for its many beautiful parks and gardens, which will by a delight for anyone interested in botany or simply the beauty of a natural setting.

Where does one stay if one visits Seville? There are many options, but I understand that Seville Hotels Destinia offers some real great values if you are seeking cheap hotel reservations in the city. be sure to check out their website at http://destinia.com/hotels/hotels-in-seville/sevilla/spain/europe/805/en.

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NFR Tickets

Have you folks figured out that I am a big fan of professional rodeo? Really, I am – both in person and televised. And as much as I love the big show here in Houston, and the less well-known one in Pasadena, Texas, there is one I want to see even more -- the National Finals Rodeo, which happens every December. After all, the NFR features the best of the best in every event.

The National Finals Rodeo takes place every year in Las Vegas, Nevada, over a period of ten-day. The top money earners for the year in each rodeo event get an invitation to compete for the title of champion of the world. The featured events are bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. The competition is always intense, and you donÂ’t just get to see the top cowboys and cowgirls, but the top bulls and broncs as well.

As much as I enjoy watching the National Finals Rodeo on television each year, I would really like to go to Las Vegas some December to be there in person. National Finals Rodeo tickets can be a challenge to get on short notice, because they are the biggest thing in town for those ten days. IÂ’m told you need to buy them long before the rodeo actually starts. However, I also hear that tickets can be found through different ticket agencies if you canÂ’t make plans to attend early enough to order tickets for yourself.

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Sleep Well, Not Lightly

When I was younger, I had a hard time sleeping. To say I was a light sleeper was an understatement. Noises would wake me in a snap if they were at all out of the ordinary -- neighbors on the back porch, the paperboy tossing papers in the neighborhood yards, whatever. I couldn't find anything to help get me through the night.

Until I found out about White Noise Machines and how they could really help by providing a soothing background noise to help one sleep. That really did the trick for me, until my body learned to sleep more soundly.

To find such products, and many others besides to help you sleep, check out DreamEssentials.com.

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Custom Gift Cards

I don't know about you, but I love receiving gift cards. After all, who knows what I need better than I do? I also like to give gift cards to the other hard to please members of my family. But here's something great -- you can now get Gift Cards customized with the design of your choice -- a family photo, a loving sentiment, or a logo for your business if you are using them as a promotional item. And best of all, these gift cards are VISA cards -- so they can be used anywhere that VISA is accepted!

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Business Loans

One reality of the business world today is that you sometimes need a business loan just to keep going through a cash crunch. You know how it is -- there is a temporary cash flow issue as you await payment from your customers. One way to get such Business Loans with out a hassle is by dealing with the folks at EXUnsecured.com. They offer business loans of all kinds – lines of credit, short and long-term loans, and business credit cards. With EZUnsecured.com, you get an easy application and approval process, fast funding of your loan, and great service from the associates you work with. Stop by and check them out.

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Senator John Cornyn

Senator John Cornyn has served in all three branches of the government -- Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. He met with bloggers today at the Texas GOP convention, at the Blogger's Row sponsored by RightOnline.com.

Cornyn meets the bloggers,
including me in the Hawaiian shirt.

He began with a discussion of gas prices, in particular the need to open the off-shore areas of the rest of the United States to exploration and drilling, as well as ANWR and the oil shale deposits. He asks why, when only 42 senators would vote in favor of that exploration, these same senators can complain about gas prices. Talking about the new exploration, he noted "unfortunately, our Democrat friends don't want to do that." Windfall profits taxes and lawsuits against OPEC were described as part of the Democratic "No Energy" plan. In particular, the windfall profits tax was described as a tax on the stockholders in American oil companies, not the foreign nations who control the supply. He also supported alternative sources, including nuclear power and renewable fuels like bio-diesel. However, he noted that the use of "food for fuel" has resulted in 25% of the nation's corn crop has led to higher food prices.

On earmark spending, Senator Cornyn noted his support for proposals to end earmarks. The light of day needs to be shed on these earmarks, to help eliminate the pork while preserving those that have merit.

On immigration, the senator was asked about what the future holds in regard to stopping a return of last year's bad immigration bill sponsored by John McCain and Ted Kennedy. He noted the importance of creating border security and verification of legal work status. In particular, he noted that Senator McCain has come to recognize the need for border security before amnesty.

Senator Cornyn noted that yesterday's decision on habeas corpus for terrorist detainees was clearly erroneous, and that the dissenting opinions of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Scalia were correct -- the majority of the court substituted their opinion for the judgment of the Legislative and Executive branches. The basic problem is that the court wants to treat terrorism as a crime, not an act of war and the need to prevent attacks before they happen rather than punish perpetrators afterwards. "We cannot allow the Supreme Curt's decision to stand without addressing it." Otherwise, the result will be endless litigation.

Regarding Open Government, the Senator noted that the legitimacy of the government is based upon the consent of the governed. However, the people cannot give real consent if they don't know what is going on. He has been partnering with Senator Pat Leahy to effect reform of Freedom of Information Laws. On such issues, it is very possible to make common cause with Democrats. This gives the people the power to evaluate what those in power are doing.

Unfortunately, Senator Cornyn noted that Leahy and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have fallen short of their commitment to confirm judges in a timely manner. He noted that the laws passed by Congress don't matter if judges believe they can set aside the wisdom of the elected branch and the people. Electing McCain is therefore important, because he will nominate judges who will interpret the law and Constitution, whereas liberal Obama nominees would implement policies that the people and the elected leaders of the country reject.

UPDATE: One of the delights of the convention has been the introduction videos for our candidates and elected officials. Turns out some of them (or their handlers) have a great sense of humor. John Cornyn's was a delegate favorite.

OPEN TRACKBACKING AT Outside the Beltway, Rosemary's Thoughts, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, McCain Blogs, Woman Honor Thyself, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, Shadowscope, Pirate's Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, , Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, Right Voices, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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Web Design

I like a blog with a good looking design that really attracts my attention – one that is clean and not cluttered with too much crap. Over the years, I’ve found a lot of blogs that have managed to design blog elements that really make them look fantastic. When that happens, I begin to get an itch to tinker with the design I currently have. Unfortunately, I don't have the knowledge I need to really do a top-notch job at a redesign. As a result, I’ve been trying to check out sites that talk about how to do it. You would be surprised at the number of websites and blogs that I found that give interesting and helpful tips on creating your own custom web design. I found one, Stylish Weblog, at http://www.stylishwebdesign.us/directory/.

This web design blog is quite informative and has an extensive archive of good articles. If you want to learn more about web design, they are certainly a site to visit for that are interesting and educational. Best of all, they offer a fresh take on many issues in web design from different angles than most sites IÂ’ve seen. So if you want to design your blog, drop by and take some of their great advice.

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Soy Candles.

I donÂ’t know anyone who doesnÂ’t love candles. They provide a touch of class to a table, a touch or romance to a special time with one you love, and a touch of warmth to that place we call home. Candles provide atmosphere, illumination, warmth, and a gentle scent that makes them something special.

Most candles are made from a petroleum-based wax. Well, given what oil prices are doing, we can expect to see candle prices go up in the weeks and months ahead as the cost of abarrel of oil sky-rockets. But what if I told you that there is another substance that you can make a candle from – one that is renewable and biodegradable. Believe it or not, that source is soy. Yes, that is right – Soy Candles!

Caterpillars Candles is a reputable seller of candles made from soy wax. Unlike many soy wax candles, theirs are made of 100% soy wax. Not only that, their candles are certified organic – no pesticides, herbicides, or genetically-modified beans go into these candles. So whether you want Soy tealights, pillars, or jar candles, you can be assured that you are getting a high-quality, safe product.

Not only that, but you can even buy Wholesale Soy Candles for resale at your place of business, starting with an order of as little as $100.

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trade Show Booths

I've always found trade show booths to be fascinating in their scope and variety. Some displays are basic, others quite elaborate. How do you design such displays, and where do you get the supplies to best market your wares? Try GodfreyGroup.com for a wide variety of products that will make your display stand out from the crowd.

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Light Up, Everybody!

One of the first things my wife and I did when we moved into our house seven years ago was start making some changes with the lighting and ceiling fans. If you could have seen some of the stuff that was here when we moved in – good lord, there was even a wagon-wheel chandelier in the dining room!

You can guess, no doubt, what the first move we made was in the lighting department – we found a black wrought-iron chandelier to replace it. We also standardized all the kitchen and hallway lights throughout the house, using Forecast lighting products. There had been such a mish-mash of styles that we just had to scrap them all and find something better.

In the end, though, we had particular fun with the ceiling fans – something that is a real necessity in most rooms here in Texas. We found several attractive fans, chosen to accent the size and color of the rooms. Most importantly, they were significantly more quiet than the older fans installed only a few years before – and I made sure that they were properly secured to the ceiling so they didn’t shake and rattle like the old ones.

WeÂ’ve not made all our changes, though. When we reface the cabinets, we will definitely add under cabinet lighting. After all, it would be nice to see clearly into every corner of the kitchen.

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Tick Tock Says The Clock

I love clocks. They are fascinating to me both as mechanical devices (which are well-beyond my technical understanding) and as signifiers of the passage of something that is both real and ethereal in nature – time itself.

That is part of why I regularly check in on the folks over at clocks blog -- they talk about different types of clocks, how to use them in decorating schemes, and how to maintain them so they give you a long life. I particularly like this post on how to incorporate clocks into a bedroom setting – after all, we all need one there, even if we don’t always give much thought to the question of style.

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Incorporate

There are any number of advantages to incorporating. Some of those have to do with taxes, others with liability, and still others with providing a structure for one's business. But regardless of the reason for incorporating, the second question you have to ask yourself is what state you want to incorporate in. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages that go with your choice. Today, however, the site of choice appears to be Nevada if you want to obtain the most favorable treatment under the law.

But let's be honest here -- most of us do not know the process of creating a Nevada LLC Corporation or other corporate structure. It just isn't something that we do every day. That is where the folks from Nevada Corporate Headquarters Incorporated can come in handy. For nearly 20 years, NCH has been company to go to for assistance in Nevada Incorporation. They can also help you develop asset protection strategies, establish business credit and provide you with many other business/financial services that are essential for a fledgling corporation. At NCH, they pride themselves on the quality of the service and guidance they provide their clients in order to help them succeed. So whatever the reason you have for wanting to Incorporate in Nevada, NCH is the company to turn to for the assistance you need in doing it right.

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On A Rail

I'll be honest with you -- I've encountered a lot of specialty stores in my time, including some really specialized sites on the internet. After all, if you can find your niche, you can eventually grow your business into something much larger and expansive that it is the day that you begin. But i have to be honest -- when I first heard about the website at BuyRailings.com, I was a bit taken aback. That really seems like a pretty precise niche they are out to fill.

But then I looked at the site, and I was really surprised at the sorts of products that you can get at BuyRailings.com. I was thinking exclusively of stair rails, but found out there is so much more. Indeed, there are all sorts of guard rails and bar rails and other items that you and I encounter every single day that fall into the category of railing. Take the handrails along many hallways -- they have them. Similarly, the guard rails that are used to guide customers into well-organized lines in some businesses are also among the products they sell. And then there is the old-fashioned bar rail. And their selection and inventory of items is quite good. Drop by and take a look at everything they've got!

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Boating Safety

I live only a few blocks from the water, so I see some really dangerous things done out there on a regular basis. Unfortunately, one of the most dangerous combinations I see is drinking and boating -- a combination every bid as dangerous as drunk driving.

Boating Operating Under the Influence is really a dangerous practice. But it is possible to get Boating Education Online to help you operate your water craft more safely. Here's an example of information about Arizona Boating safety that contains information relevant to every state..

Remember -- Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober.

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Car Loans

Are you in the market for a new car? If you are, you are probably looking for some sort of financing. After all, how many of us actually have sufficient liquid cash reserves to plunk down the entire price of a new car in cash? Of course this means you need to get a Car Loan to pay for the thing. Without question, you are going to want the best terms available. After all, who wants to pay more than they have to for their vehicle? Where can you find Online Car Loans that fit your needs? Why not try BasicCarLoans.com? They offer great loan terms to fit the needs of folks in all sorts of situations – I’m sure they have one for you.

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Real or Not?

Yesterday I asked you about programs that create wealth, like the one at Nouveau Riche University. I suggested that you might find yourself interested in the distance learning program that they offer, the one that was featured in the January 2008 Issue of Your Business at Home Magazine.

According to the folks at Nouveau Riche University, the education you receive through their program will be affordable and designed to teach adults the path to financial success, whether you are an experienced investor or a novice in the field of personal finance and investing.

But let’s be honest – it sounds really good – perhaps even too good to be true, doesn’t it. Is this just a Nouveau Riche University Scam? Or do they really succeed in helping their students get rich. Is it really the sort of innovative educational program they claim or just a rip-off?

Well, they’ve established a blog that does nothing but collect and share the Nouveau Riche University experience from the viewpoint of the students. Nouveaurized.com is a one-stop site that gives you the inside view of Nouveau Riche University – from the point of view of the successful individuals who have completed the program. So if you are interested in Nouveau Riche University, be sure to stop by and read about the program from those who have experienced it for themselves, and then decide if it is real, or just a Nouveau Riche University Scam.

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SeatExchange.com

Do you want tickets to the big game? Or did you miss out on concert tickets for the concert by your favorite group wne they went on sale. You know, such situations are really lousy -- you'd love to go, but don't have a chance. And trying to deal with a scalper is just crazy and way too expensive.

But you do have another option. There is SeatExchange.com, which has tickets available on their site for many of the events that you will want to go to. All you have to do is check them out and you will find likely find what you are looking for at a reasonable price.

Here's how it works. There is someone out there who has those tickets you want. And guess what -- they can't go because of some conflict or other. SeatExchange.com provides you two with a place to link up so that you can buy their tickets. And we all know how expensive sports tickets have become in recent years -- you can't even get into an NFL game for under $50 a person in most cities.

Best of all, SeatExchange.com has made it safe and easy for you to make a connection fast. Sellers have a choice of setting a fixed price or allowing for the best price by a given time. Once a buyer makes the connection, all the seller does is print out the shipping label and send the tickets on -- with the payment going to seller's PayPal account upon delivery of the tickets. What could be easier for you -- whether you are the buyer or seller?

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Becoming Nouveau Riche

Are you looking for an educational program that can teach you the way to CREATE WEALTH? If you are, you might be interested in the checking out the distance learning program of Nouveau Riche University, which was recently featured in the January 2008 Issue of Your Business at Home Magazine.

Not only that, but Nouveau Riche has been getting attention from other media outlets as well. For example, CNNÂ’s Business2.0 has featured Nouveau Riche as well as a great start-up that is showing great results for both its investors and its students. Now who wouldnÂ’t be interested in that? After all, Nouveau Riche is the sort of program that not only promises you a rags-to-riches result, but ha delivered for its alumni. And it is the results that count, after all.

The education you will receive through Nouveau Riche University is the sort that you can afford and which is about teaching you how to walk the path to financial success. That is true regardless of whether you are an experienced investor or a novice in the field of personal finance and investing. After all, they teach you the strategies of investing in assets and equity that have been shown to work– hopefully making you America’s next millionaire!

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Copper Clad Conservatories

Would you like to have a conservatory in your own home? Wouldn’t it be a fantastic addition to your home? Just think about how nice it would be to have one where you can spend some time among lovely plants in comfort all year round – even when the temperature outside is a bit chilly!

Of course conservatories do not serve only as green houses any more. Now they an integral part of the home, an architectural feature that adds beauty, utility, and value to the property. Not only are they places for growing things, but they serve as a place to entertain guests or to take a little time out for yourself. Best of all, it is like having a little bit of the outdoors inside your. WhatÂ’s more, it is a hand-crafted addition to your home which will be a constant source of pride and pleasure for years, because it is uniquely yours.

Now Tanglewood Conservatoriesis offering a new style for those folks interested in a conservatory as an addition to their home – the copper clad conservatory. A Copper Conservatories, so reminiscent of the nineteenth century, will add a whole new level of beauty and sophistication to your custom-built conservastory.
more...

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WebHostingRating.Com

Are you looking for a new web host for your site? There are lots of reasons for doing so, of course, but they all add up to one thing on some level -- you are not happy with your current host and want to make a change. Well. there are some things you might want to consider as you look -- and there is a great website full of web hosting articles that you might want to consider before making your choice. I know that I never considered a point made by one article i saw that the presence of certain "bad sites" on a hosts servers might lead to the blacklisting of my site as well. So if you are looking to make a change, drop by and do some research first. You won't be sorry.

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HeartLibrary.com

Heart disease is a subject that has always interested me. After all, there is a history of heart disease in my family -- I lost both grandfathers to heart attacks, and Mom has had a heart condition for as long as i can remember. That's why I find the site at HeartLibrary.com to be interesting -- it provides information o n heart health, including topics likeatrial fibrillation and other serious heart-related medical conditions. I encourage you to check them out -- for the sake of your heart.

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Summer In Chicago

Hot town! Summer in the city. And I don’t know about you, but for me “the city” will always be Chicago, given the amount of fun I had there in my younger years. It is just too cool of a town to not spend a couple of days exploring.

And I used to love summer in Chicago. There was almost always baseball in town – Cubs and Sox, my friends, so you can see the best players from both leagues! And then there are the many great restaurants for you to visit -- pizza at Uno’s or Due’s, ethnic cuisine in one of Chicago’s many neighborhoods, or the experience that is Ed Debevic’s, And don’t forget the many summer festivals! I’d be in the city pretty near every weekend!

Are you interested in finding the best things to do in Chicago this summer? Why not sign up for the eNewsletter from Trusted Tours & Attractions? They will email you with great ideas for a summer trip to San Francisco, things to do in Atlanta or sightseeing toursin one of the other great cities in which they do business. Then you can purchase your tickets on their website.

Best of all, if you sign up for Trusted TravelÂ’s eNewsletter at their sign-up page before May 31, you could win a $150 iTunes gift card!

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Zookoda Builds Blog Traffic

I started my blog on a whim just about four years ago, seeking to pay tribute to a hero of mine on his death. I soon found it to be a daily part of my life – sometimes obsessively so – and something I have tried to keep alive and vigorous in many different ways. Well, four templates and two hosts later, I am on the verge of another major change in design and platform, so have been considering how to make my site more user friendly and how to keep traffic coming in and regular readers happy.

Well, I’ve recently had it suggested to me that there might be a way to make my blog more attractive and marketable – and a better way to keep up with traffic statistics. This would involve working with the folks at Zookoda. What is Zookoda? It is an email marketing application designed specifically for bloggers like me -- and many of my readers. Its major feature is that it enables us bloggers to send a daily, weekly or monthly summary of our latest blog posts directly to the email of folks who choose to subscribe to our newsletter. And the price is right, folks – it is FREE!

What does Zookoda offer in the way of services? Well, it allows us loggers to do the following:

1. Manage email newsletter subscribers.
2. Enhance the blog with custom newsletter subscription forms.
3. Design eye-catching newsletters to match the blog design.
4. Schedule recurring broadcasts for each day, week or month.
5. View real-time open, bounce, click and unsubscribe reports.
6. Access mobile users by emailing blog content in text format.

Now are all of these things important? Yeah, they are, some more than others. But to be able to lure back readers through emails is a great thing, trumping even the “older technology of the RSS feed. I’m going to give Zookoda some serious consideration as I prepare to launch what I hope to be a new and improved RWR in the near future.

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Debt Consolidation Options

There are a lot of folks out there carrying around a lot of debt. Sometimes, though, making all those payments becomes a hassle – especially if you are trying to pay on multiple credit cards. Wouldn’t it be a great thing to be able to make one payment – and at a lower interest rate?

That is where debt consolidation can enter the picture. Yes, you can get a loan, but you can also get in touch with debt consolidators who can provide you with various strategies for paying off that debt through debt consolidation loans or other strategies. All of these can help you preserve your credit rating and get out of debt more quickly.

What are some of these options? Well, as I mentioned before, there is always the standard debt consolidation loan. You get one large loan that will cover your unsecured debt and start making payments over a number of months – often 36 or 48 months, though some might run larger if you are really in debt. Then you simply pay on that one loan while avoiding the sort of spending habits that got you into your predicament in the first place. Sometimes credit counseling might be a part of the plan.

You can also negotiate new repayment options with your creditors. They want their money back – and they are willing to work with you to make that happen. Believe it or not, you can often do this yourself. Similarly, there are companies that will do this for you.

Then there are debt settlement options for you – something that you rarely can do yourself and almost certainly need professional help to accomplishment. The companies that negotiate settlements for you can often reduce what you owe to “pennies on the dollar” – cutting your amount owed by half or more.

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Cell Phones

After 3 1/2 years using the same cell phones, my wife and I decided to get new phones. Looking to get them free, we went with the biggest name among "free cell phone" sites to save money. Bad deal -- they sent me a RAZR that didn't work right, and then didn't want to replace it in a timely fashion.

And frankly, I've not been happy with the phone. I'd rather have one that is simple to use and which included a full keyboard for texting. For instance, if I look at verizon cellphones I find a reasonably priced Blackberry. Or if I wanted to try something different, I could get Samsung Instinct with its touch screen keyboard. Or I could stick with my provider and just look at the AT&T Cell Phones to find the phone I want. And since we share a plan, my wife and I would need to consider the best cell phone family plans to make sure we don't overpay. But the key is to get the best in cell phones -- so I'll definitely look at BestInCellPhones.com next time around.

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Great Deals From VistaPrint!

If you are thinking about planning a special even, you must send out invitations of some sort. And in all honesty, what would be nicer than printed invitations? Whether it is a formal occasion like a wedding, or something less formal like a birthday party, beautifully printed invitations are sure to impress. You can even print up thank you notes to send out to those who have been kind enough to give you gifts. No matter what, VistaPrint is able to help you find the right materials based on your style and preferences.

Of course, VistaPrint also offers an incredible selection of printing services including business cards, checks and stamps. Whenever you order their products, you can customize them to suit your needs. You can also buy magnetic signs for use on your vehicles -- fully customized to your satisfaction.

VistaPrint always has a great special for you for you. As a part of their latest promo VistaPrint is offering you the chance to get 250 business cards for free! And let's be honest, friends -- you really can't beat free, can you?

So, if you need are in need of virtually any kind of printing services, you really need to check out VistaPrint first because they can usually offer you a deal that beats the competition. And since they are also offering you the chance to score free products, youÂ’d be crazy not to take a look.

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Looking For Deals?

Do you like the idea of shopping via your computer? If you do, might I suggest a site on the net that I recently came across? It offers a great range and variety of items for you, from household products to stuff you need around the office.

Seriously -- it seems like they have anything a person could reasonably want. It seems to me that if you are going to try to buy on the web there cannot be a more helpful site than Dealtime.Co.UK and its seemingly endless supply of products.

What are some of the things you can get? How about computers and digital cameras? Or maybe you are looking for new appliances. If you want it, tehy probably have it -- so drop in and check it our!

Posted by: Greg at 09:18 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Identity Theft Sucks

We've all heard the stories -- someone gets the personal information of a neighbor or co-worker and obtains loans, credit cards, and even mortgages in their names, only to default on it all. The result -- an innocent victim stuck with mounds of paperwork as they attempt to undo the damage, if they ever can. And after all, that credit rating and personal reputation is all any of us really have -- especially if we would like to own a home or buy a new car.

And it can happen to you. Only a few weeks ago I received a phone call from a major department store with which I have a credit card. It seemed that someone else was trying to open a new account in my name. Their fraud protection system caught the attempt -- but imagine the problems if it had not.

That is where life lock enters the picture. They work to protect your identity from theft, and offer up to $1 million in protection to make your life right if someone does manage to circumvent their efforts to lock down your information. So check them out today to see how you can benefit from their services.

Posted by: Greg at 07:17 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Celtic Wedding bands And More

There are just so many decisions to make when you and that special person in your life decide that it is time to make a life-long commitment though marriage. There are major life decisions, such as where to live, and more transient ones like wedding locations, themes, and decor. But one decision that you face every day is the decision about the wedding rings that the two of you will wear -- for the result of that decision will hopefully be there at arm's-length for decades to come.

While my wife and i ultimately decided upon plain gold bands because of the unique nature of our engagement ring, we did consider some that were special in their appearance. These included celtic wedding rings with some design elements that had special meaning to the two of us.

One of the top sellers of such celtic wedding bands can be found at Wedding-Band-Ring.com, where they have a wide selection of Celtic wedding rings in different designs and styles, as well as other sorts of wedding bands. The selection is amazing, and the prices is hard to beat. And not only are the rings available in traditional gold, but you can also find rings in titanium and platinum as well, in addition to a number that feature white gold or the rose gold shown above. Best of all, they offer a money-back gurantee on the rings, as well as free shipping to you. so if you are looking for quality wedding rings at a good price from a reputable source, be sure to check them out.

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Coventry University

Usually, we Americans think of attending a college or university in the United States, and of international students coming to our country. However, there are some fascinating opportunities out there for those interested in being the international student studying abroad.

Take Coventry University as an example. Known for its beautiful campus and its superior engineering program, Coventry is now offering the UK's first program in disaster management. Check out this video for more details.

Posted by: Greg at 09:25 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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