Month: February 2017

Ask Yourself These Five Questions Before Making Hotel Reservations

/ admin

When making hotel reservations, some people tend to rush and overlook important aspects that can improve, or hinder, their vacation or business plans. Some claim that accommodations can be the single most important aspect of a trip, as where you sleep tends to set the mood for the remainder of your trip. Whether you are traveling in a group setting, with your immediate family or solo, you should take a look at the following five questions to always ask yourself when booking your next sleeping lodge:

1. Am I visiting a great town?

You may not always have control over your destination, but the city or town in which you will be residing does matter. Take a look at the surrounding area and choose a place that can insure you have a great visit. If you are uncertain as to local attractions, contact the hotel concierge or local chamber of commerce for information. Pay close attention to whether there will be any festivals during your visit and make special note of the season. Your attention to the small details of a locale can really help (or hurt!) your visit.

2. Is the staff friendly, professional and experienced?

Making hotel reservations should revolve around your relationship with the staff. If you feel that the staff is immediately rude and unwelcoming, then go with your instincts and find another spot. If it is just one employee, ask to speak with the manager. A well-run hotel should employ a courteous staff that has experience in the hotel industry. A knowledgeable and friendly staff can really help you out with many aspects of your trip, and they really do make a difference.

3. Do the rooms offer what I need?

Most hotels offer a variety of rooms. Consider with whom you will be traveling and look for the best deal in a well-laid out room. Ask about different rental options and compare rooms. Ask about bed, with singles, doubles or full, and pick something that fits your budget and your personality. Also, do not neglect to inquire after both the view from the room, as well as the location of the room to fire exits, and other important buildings.

4. Have I checked for any specials?

Nothing can help you save money quicker than searching for online deals. This can be from different travel search engines, online email lists, or direct phone calls in which you inquire after possible promotions or savings events. Never neglect this as you work to make hotel reservations.

5. Am I pleased with the amenities?

Many people fail to ask about the amenities of a hotel, and this can be a mistake. Traveling to a hotel with a swimming pool can be relaxing or freeing for a family with children. Hot tubs, concierge and room service are also amenities which you may care about. When in doubt, call the front desk of any potential accommodations and ask about specific amenities that you may choose to have. It never hurts to ask.

Enjoying Food Lets You Avoid the Consequences?

/ admin

Have you heard people say this about “off-limit” foods? It’s usually said with a proud, almost defiant, air and possibly a smirk. Have you embraced the thinking behind it? It’s a common School of Thought.

Here’s a bit of information that some people won’t want, but I invite you to stay with me.

I’m not one of the folks who believe that enjoying a food – one that, ideally, we’d avoid – will prevent the negative consequences of that food. Yet I’ve heard this so-called school of ‘thought’ too often. I feel compelled to address it, particularly at this time of year.

Naturally, it’s counterproductive to eat an off-limit food and feel guilty about it – either while eating it or afterward. What I question is the wisdom of having the food.

Everyone gets to decide what she or he will do when it comes to nutrition. Of course, not everyone makes the wisest decision. Some people are unaware of what junk foods do to them. And some people eat junky foods knowing what they do, but not wanting to give up the foods.

What About Eating Everything in Moderation?

Another school of thought is “everything in moderation.” As I’ve maintained for years, not everyone can achieve moderation around all foods – and certain foods can cause big trouble. Those who don’t understand food addictions (or who may not be ready to face their own) tend to talk about moderation.

But when it comes to addictive substances like alcohol and sugar, there’s no such thing as One-And-Done.

The consequences will happen. Those might include:

  • cravings later on or for several days
  • increased appetite for several days
  • changes in food preferences that lead to continued junk-outs
  • negative effects on mood
  • inability to focus
  • fog-brain, and more.

Someone who has been trying to quit sugar but is still early in the process is typically in a fragile state. The consequences are more likely – and likely to be more severe.

It’s not helpful to be surrounded by people who encourage trying everything in moderation or just enjoying a food to make it all okay.

Is There a Plan That Will Work?

So many delicious foods are around at holiday time, I’m not telling you not to enjoy the season!

But setting boundaries is a more helpful – and absolutely acceptable – strategy, no matter what you’ve heard about enjoyment. Know in advance what you won’t eat, shouldn’t eat, can’t eat, refuse to eat. Then stick with that plan, no matter what. Savor the many, many other foods.

Believe me, if simply enjoying a food did the trick, I’d be ‘enjoying’ all kinds of sugar right now and getting into all kinds of trouble.

Maybe this enjoyment thing is another loophole that people look for in the sugar journey, but I’ll continue to maintain that, truly, there’s no loophole.

DUI Record Search and Why You Should Run One

/ admin

Getting a DUI is a big deal for someone. The repercussions of getting a DUI can last years. From getting your license revoked to losing your job, so yes getting a DUI is a serious offense.

But what about the other end of getting into a car with someone that has gotten a DUI in the past and not knowing the risk you could be getting yourself into. Keep reading to find out why you should run a DUI record search and what information you could find.

It will be in your best interest to know who you are letting getting behind the wheel while you’re the passenger.

New Dates or love interest

With advancements in technology there are more apps then ever designed to find love or dating prospects. Before you jump in that car for a night out be sure to run a quick public record search that could uncover past driving records such as a DUI.

Carpooling to work

Carpooling is a great way to share the cost of getting to and from work by sharing a car ride with others.

With that said before you zoom down the highway with Bob or Margarete be sure to run a DUI record search on the individuals that will be driving.

Your Child’s friends Parents.

Believe it or not this can be a much-overlooked search area but one of the most important ones.

Your children’s friend’s parents may take your child to parties, play dates for pizza or anywhere else. Be sure whoever is driving your children around town has a clean record.

What information can you find in a DUI record search

After running a search, you could find all kinds of information from a public record search.

There will be a criminal record section, asset information, related person searches, Dui record data, and much more that users can search and find on their targeted individual.

Keep in mind online services are usually anonymous so your search subject will not know.

In closing

It is worth the small investment in time and money to run a DUI record search on someone that will be driving your or any of your loved ones around town. All you need is the State of the person you’re searching and first and last name.

If your search subject has public data on them, you should be able to see what information is on them within your private report.

Cat Vs Dog – Which Is Right for You?

/ admin

Choosing between a cat and a dog isn’t always a straightforward process. In short, cats are generally cheaper to own and easier to care for because of their independent nature, while dogs are more social creatures, but require a lot more money, attention and time. Here are a few things to consider before introducing a cat or a dog to your home:

Cats

Cats are a perfect choice for people in search of an independent pet or those with a busy lifestyle and limited indoor space. Most cats are able to entertain themselves and will be happy to be left alone to sleep. The ability to venture outside and explore by themselves means there is no need for walking. This is certain to benefit the pet owner that is less active. However, cats do enjoy being played with and like social interaction so shouldn’t simply be left to their own devices at all times. A certain degree of care is required for cats, especially long-haired breeds. Some need daily grooming to avoid issues with matted coats.

Cat owners do not need a lot of space inside the home. However, a safe garden or similar area is certain to be appreciated. A cat can stay content even if kept in the home provided it is given a clean litter box and fed an appropriate diet. Also, they are easier for a neighbor or friend to look after when you are away for a few days. Overall, cats can make the entertaining, relaxing, affectionate and loving pets.

Dogs

Dogs are a practical choice for the active and energetic person or simply those that love to spend a lot of time outdoors. A dog needs regular walks, fresh air and stimulation. Any home with a safe and secure garden is certain to be ideal, although easy access to open spaces like local parks it just as well. Also, dogs are great when traveling and on days out. But, it is important to give appropriate training. This should include being comfortable when traveling in a vehicle if needed. Dogs are a solitary animal, so cannot be left alone all day like cats. They need a lot more attention, so this can impact those with the long and demanding jobs. A further time related issue is putting in the effort to provide proper training and grooming.

Also, individual differences in dog breeds must be considered. Dogs vary in relation to size, hairiness, temperament and shape, so careful consideration is needed to identify the perfect companion.

Maximize the Potential of Your Business Presentation

/ admin

Business presentations are a collateral reflection of who you are. A glimpse of your personality could be seen in the ways and the content of your presentation.

The way you carry yourself, the way you speak, deliver your sentences, tackle tricky questions with confidence and successfully convey your message, speak volumes about your personality.

Still, there are much more ways in which you can support your business presentation to reach its maximum potential.

HIGHLIGHT YOUR SUPERPOWER

A positive way to keep your audience attentive to you is to show them that you are worth their time and trust. Rather than speaking about your achievements and future goals, speak about your credibility because if even little points will exist with which the crowd will not feel connected to then the tables will instantly turn.

Talk about your goals within the first few minutes of the presentation

Choose your presentation design which corresponds with your goals, which should be introduced to your audience as early as possible. This will help your audience to correlate what you are expressing with the ‘why’ and ‘what’ you want to achieve.

Never underestimate the impact of a powerful image/quote

A business presentation is usually a collection of fertile ideas, knit together as one to illustrate a larger picture. So, the smart use of different images/quotes to introduce different ideas will supply more power to your presentation. Vocalizing the quotes or speaking few important words out loud will bring your presentation to life, especially if the presentation has numerous bar graphs, bullet points, and pie charts.

GIVE YOUR AUDIENCE THE POWER TO BRAINSTORM OVER YOUR QUESTIONS

One of the unbeatable ways to make your presentation more interactive is to begin it with a question which you, yourself will answer. Like you can start with “I asked myself what all can my team will be able to do and contribution for making this project a success?”. So, based on this question you can build up your presentation. Be alert to all the questions from your audience as they are icebergs of curiosity. The more you will suffice your audience, the stronger their trust will grow in you.

Be ready to tackle tough questions

Always be confident and logical at answering the questions from the audience. There will always be questions whose responses if given without solid facts and coherence, will put your image down in your crowd’s eyes. If you know your topic as well as you’re your audience, then always keep your business binary clean and do not ever shelve any question from the audience.

KEEP YOUR OWN QUESTIONS READY IF NOBODY ASKS YOU ANY

It could be a possibility that your audience is shy or somewhat hesitant to ask you questions about your presentations. Always remember, if you face this kind of a situation, then always compose a question to yourself because ‘zero curiosity’ turns into ‘zero interest’ overnight.

Take your crowd on a final journey

Always take your crowd on a final journey before you wrap up the presentation. Highlight all the important points and tell the crowd how they will be productive if given proper attention by the appropriate crowd.

Keeping the immense support in mind which we get from the PowerPoint presentations, one should also be able to support her/himself equally well during the closing moments of the presentation because humans invented the PowerPoint and not vice versa.

Tips on How to Improve Your Socks Fashion

/ admin

Socks are an essential component of a man’s wardrobe. They are, in fact, one of those must-have pieces of clothing for men of every age, color, occupation and status in life. But most people usually fail to realize the incredible opportunity they have at enhancing their sense of fashion and style with the right kind of socks fashion. If properly blended in with the right choice of wear, socks can go a long way in not only improving but also showing forth your personality. Below are helpful tips to consider when making a choice of the type and nature of socks to acquire the next time you’re out clothes shopping.

Colors

Professional settings and general black-tie events call for neutral socks. Consider acquiring a good number of black, brown, gray and even navy blue pairs for these occasions. Brightly colored socks, on the other hand, are usually good for blending in with any wear, whether formal or casual. They can be contrasted with practically any outfit and for any occasion. This category includes the different shades of blue, green and purple.

Material

There are all manners of material for socks to choose from. From cotton, which is the most common, to wool and the costlier silk and cashmere, you will be spoil for choice. Only the size of your pocket will limit you in this area.

Patterns

Numerous patterns are available for you to choose from. Dotted, striped and argyle are some of the options available to you. The various patterns in socks communicate lightheartedness in your outfit. Make a point of adding a few striped varieties to your ensemble that will bring a certain finesse and sense of style.

Other Considerations

Consider matching your socks to the color of your long trousers in surroundings that are a bit reserved such as meetings, funerals and dinners. And while you’re at it, play around with the texture of your socks, such as going for the ribbed socks in neutral colors to maintain the reserved appearance. Use patterned socks as well to enhance your personality and project a uniqueness of style. In case you decide to do this, ensure that you match them (socks) with the color you have on above the waistline.

The tips are designed to help you up your sock game and in the process improve your confidence and sense of style. If you put these in mind when you are dressing up for any occasion, then you will well be on your way to a more positive public image.

Win the Interview

/ admin

Some people think that preparing for a job interview is fairly simple. Once you get the call to come in for one you essentially have the job unless you blow the interview. This is not to disrespect Walmart or McDonald’s but unless you are applying for a company like that, the interview process is not easy at all. In fact, getting the interview more times than not is easier than the actual interview itself. This pillar post is going to be for my viewers that are looking for a full-time job and hopefully it’s a highly looked at company.

The first step is having a great resume. There are plenty of good examples on the internet for samples but those are also mixed in with bad ones. Some keys things that you want in your resume are; having as many numbers as possible. It’s much more eye opening for an employer to see you raised over $10,000 in revenue during your 8 week internship than saying you raised a lot of money. Another thing is to make sure the formatting is done correctly. Make sure that everything lines up nicely and that you stay consistent on your word usage such as tenses. Also make sure to use a different starting word for the description of your prior positions. Then there are the more basic things such as make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes because that can instantly lose you an interview chance. LinkedIn is similar to your resume but where your resume should only include your most important and relevant things since it should only be a single full page, your LinkedIn page should include everything you’ve done. It should be a page that an employer can visit and see where you went to school, what you did there, how you did there, strengths, weaknesses, and any jobs you had up to this point.

Now if a company has asked you to come in for an interview, this is where you start researching that company. Everyone has many strengths and weaknesses, but this is where you need to see the companies values and what not and tie your best strengths to those values. It’s also where if you have a weakness of time management and their biggest thing is to have great time management, that’s a weakness you shouldn’t bring up. This next part isn’t always possible but now a days companies will let you know who you are interviewing with or it is the HR recruiter who told you that you have an interview. This is where you should look up the interviewer on LinkedIn, connect with them and learn some things about them. That way you can ask them questions more directed at them at the end of the interview. You should also ask your recruiter what specific position you are interviewing for so that you can plan accordingly for that one. Now it’s time for the dress code during an interview. Almost every job will want you to come in dressed business professional.

Even if they don’t say it, a common saying in business is that it is better to be overdressed than under dressed. For those who don’t know, business professional is a suit collared button down shirt with a suit jacket that matches the dress pants and a tie. I understand you might not already have a suit or that you don’t have the money to buy one. Some companies might understand and in that case you can just come in business casual which is business professional but without the suit jacket. If the company insists you be business professional which is understandable as you might need a suit during your job, such as if you’re visiting a client or on a company dinner. Then a possible substitute is to get one from Goodwill as they usually have an okay selection of them and can actually still be in pretty good condition. This is of course like a flat tire where it should only last you until you have the money to replace it with a real suit.

Now before the interview you should know exactly where the interview is happening at and any more specifics like if it’s in a specific room. If you are supposed to arrive at 10:00AM, leave so that you get there anytime from 8:00AM – 9:00AM. This will leave you plenty of time in case you get stuck in traffic, lost, or need to stop for something. The great part about getting there early is that you can continue to practice for the interview. One way of practicing is by looking up common asked interview questions so that you can be more confident going into the interview.

Now during the interview you’re going to want to shake every persons hand in the room whether there are two people or twenty. With the handshake make sure to have a firm grasp and go directly in, not from an upper angle or lower angle. Seems petty but some people think if you are coming in for the handshake from an upper angle, it’s you trying to show dominance. When shaking hands make sure to look the person in the eyes and introduce yourself. Then when you begin your interview make sure to calm yourself down. This will help you not to ramble on answers and or forget answers. If the interviewer asks a tough question, you don’t have to respond right away. Ask them if you can take a second to think about the answer. Most interviewers will like that you are willing to think first instead of going right into the answer. After the interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. NEVER SAY NO! That can ruin your entire interview because most interviewers are waiting for questions and asking none can leave them with a bad taste in their mouth. Make sure to have 2-3 pre-planned questions and then try to think of 2-3 questions during the interview. That way you can easily ask three or four questions. After you’re done with questions make sure to shake everyone’s hand again and thank them for their time. If you do all of these things correctly, there shouldn’t be a single employer who won’t hire you.

Limos, DJs + Happily Ever After

/ admin

So you’re getting married… congrats! You have some bling on your finger, a smile in your heart, and a few dozen tabs open on your browser window at any given time. Not to mention all the tabs that are open in your brain.

The Questions Keep Poppins’

After that first all-important “YES,” there are many more answers, to many other questions before the big day. Once you’ve chosen a venue and a dress, it feels like you should almost be done, but wedding plans have a way of unfolding like an accordion, and what seemed like a short list suddenly extends into an unwieldy squeezebox of decisions.

  • What’s your budget, and how many grande lattes are you willing to sacrifice to its cause? How much does a wedding cost, anyway? Wow! How much does a SMALL wedding cost? How much does it cost to just elope and blow everything on the honeymoon?
  • If you happen to have a fairy godmother, a couple of mice, and a spare pumpkin around, you might be able to whip up a horse-drawn carriage on the cheap. Otherwise, make sure you put a line in the budget for wedding transportation. Will you roll up with your wedding party sipping champagne in a shiny white limo? Maybe you’re more of a party-bus-with-a-disco-ball couple. Or, if yours is a metropolitan romance, maybe you’ll just throw the train of your dress over one arm and hop on the subway.
  • How much does a wedding DJ cost? Like a GOOD wedding DJ who will pronounce your name right when you walk into the reception and won’t play the chicken dance song no matter how many times your father-in-law requests it.

Practically Ever After

As if all this weren’t enough, it’s probably not a bad idea to spend some time talking to your future spouse about all the parts of life that will happen after the vows have been exchanged and the confetti swept up. It may seem crazy to add to your already extensive to-do list. But look at it this way: a big deal life event like your wedding means you’re already in planning beast mode, so you might as well harness that energy and open up a few more tabs.

Will you combine your finances or keep everything separate and make each other promise not to look at the bank statements around holidays? If you’re planning to have kids, when should you start saving for their education? What about (ugh) life insurance?

Life insurance isn’t the most romantic subject, and it may not exactly be a typical part of wedding preparation, but if you think about it, there’s a lot of sweetness in extending your devotion to each other past “death do us part.”

So pick out your china pattern. Register for the 3,000 thread count sheets. But don’t forget about the things you can’t put on a registry. A life insurance plan might do more to help you sleep at night than the most buttery-soft pillowcase against your cheek.

Made for Each Other

If one major commitment feels like enough for right now, it’s OK to start small… maybe with a 10 year term life insurance policy. Term life insurance provides coverage for a predetermined amount of time (usually 10, 20, or 30 years). It’s a simple, affordable, alternative to whole life (or permanent) insurance.

When you make the decision to be with someone forever, you want it to be the longest forever possible. But if something terrible happens, and your time together is cut short, the second best scenario is that right from the start, you’ve chosen to protect each other, come what may. That’s a love that lasts longer than a lifetime.

Is Nutrition Really 70% of Your Fitness Success?

/ admin

General sayings and quotes are pervasive within the fitness community. Some do a great job of giving the public some guidance, while some in my humble opinion lead to more confusion. I address one of these sayings in this article which has to do with nutrition being the key to fitness success for everyone.

The real answer is one that will irk some.

It depends:

Without a doubt, for some people, eating a diet which includes plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean cuts of meat and poultry and healthy fats from oils, legumes and nuts. But for others, consuming a diet which is less “healthy” by nutritional standard, but exercising 5 to 7 days per week, produces the exact results they wish to achieve.

The point is, every one of us should be eating as healthy a diet as we can for general health, to try to stave off any dis-ease, and for optimal performance. The degree to which the diet or exercise becomes the primary focus of a person’s plan is really a matter of experimentation to find the right balance between the two long-term.

The key is long-term

Listen, it is difficult to eat meticulously 100% of the time for most people. Long-term health is not about exercise vs. nutrition, it’s about making consistent choices which promote well-being and optimum performance. Work is going to get in the way sometimes. School will get in the way. The kids may get in the way. There are many, many factors which will come up that have the potential to knock you off balance on occasion. The goal is though, to try to make sure that 90% of your meals are contain the foods we talked about above, and to take it easy on yourself when you have to eat a meal which isn’t quite so nutritious.

If you focus on this and not whether exercise or nutrition should consume your energy and focus, you’ll generally achieve any goals you may have and live a healthier lifestyle.Begin by getting in plenty of vegetables with each meal. Colors matter! So, try to get in all the colors of the rainbow maybe not each day, but certainly each week. The colors of fruits and vegetables come from specific phytochemicals and phytonutrients which not only give the food its color, but also provide us with nutrients and intermediaries to serve as catalyst to many bodily functions.

Whether you are a Vegan or not is a matter of personal choice form most people. There can be food allergies and intolerance to both meats and certain vegetables and seeds and nuts. You do though, want to make sure you are getting in enough protein over the course of the day to satisfy you unique bodily needs primarily from whole fresh foods, and secondarily from protein supplements if you are unable to get them in via whole fresh sources.

Also get in healthy small amounts healthy fats and drink plenty of water and non-sugary drinks and you’ll do quite well.

If you are doing all of this and weight loss is still a problem, then further digging into the proper amounts of foods being consumed and possibly hormone dysfunction may need investigation.

Experiment and find the right balance for you.

Received a Copyright Infringement Notice? Now What?

/ admin

Are you one of those who just received a TCYK LLC letter? In order for such a letter of claim not to become a TCYK LLC lawsuit eventually, it is a must to know some what-to-do guidelines when receiving notices for copyright infringement. So, read on; this article might help.

Let’s start with some FAQs:

Who sends a letter of claim?

Only 3 sources are authorized to send you a letter of demand for copyright infringement, and these are:

  • An exclusive licensee or someone who has an exclusive copyright license of a certain creative material
  • The owner of the copyright
  • The solicitor/s and anti-piracy entities who have been hired by copyright owners to chase infringers

In some territories and selected cases, the ISP may also have the right to send a copyright infringement notice to warn subscribers of their illegal downloading and/or file-sharing activities.

What to do next?

You need to respond to the letter of claim within the period specified on the letter. In England, it is a general rule to reply to a letter of demand or copyright infringement notice within 14 days after receiving the letter, whether you are guilty of the allegation or you are not directly responsible for the infringement. This is why proper understanding of the letter’s content is a must before even thinking of responding through email or phone call. Take your time knowing the details of the allegation, and consider seeking professional legal assistance if there are things you want to be clarified. Aside from asking legal advice from a solicitor, you may also get in touch with the letter sender directly through the hotline provided on the letter. This way you can easily get more information regarding the allegation against you as well as prevent any more serious consequences like litigation. Responding to a letter of claim immediately also lets you clear your name if ever you did not really commit the infringement.

So what should you do to stop receiving another copyright infringement notice?

  1. Stop downloading copyrighted materials. Yes, it is as simple as that. Most things you see online are owned by someone, and it is better off not to take something that’s not yours, unless you have already acquired permission from the rightful owner. However, there are also copyrighted materials that are made available by the copyright holders themselves through a Creative Commons License, which means you are actually free to make use of certain music and other creative materials online. Although there is this exception, it is still important to note that most free films you see online should not be really free and are still owned by people or entities, therefore you are most likely required to pay for downloading and/or sharing them.
  2. Check your internet connection usage. It is also important to know everyone who has access to your Wi-Fi connection to easily track the person/s responsible for any infringement, especially if you are very much aware that you haven’t really tried downloading or sharing copyrighted materials through your PC and other devices at home. You can check who accessing your wireless router by looking into its logs of connections, which most routers do have. You may also acquire assistance from your ISP in order to make sure that only you and your family or anyone in your household are the only ones accessing your internet connection, therefore not putting you at risk of any illegal downloading and other copyright infringement allegations.

These are just some of the basic precautionary measures you can do to stay away from letting a letter of claim turn into a TCYK LLC lawsuit.