Lt. Dan Choi has been an active and outspoken gay-rights activist. Image from Flickr.

Just outside the White House today, openly gay Iraq veteran Lt. Dan Choi and others were arrested while marching to the White House after a Human Rights Campaign rally. No word yet if group members will be getting quick loans to bail out Lt. Dan Choi or the other arrested individuals. The group was marching on the White House in support of repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that discharges openly gay men and women from the military.

Lt. Dan Choi arrested

Lt. Dan Choi was arrested earlier today by the United States Park Police, and he and Jim Pietrangelo were charged with failure to obey a lawful order. Both Lt. Choi and Pietrangelo are scheduled to appear in the D.C. Superior court tomorrow. Both Lt. Dan Choi and Jim Pietrangelo are openly gay. Pietrangelo has been discharged from the military under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell; Lt. Choi’s discharge is “pending.”

Lt. Dan Choi has been outspoken against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Lt. Dan Choi originally revealed his sexual orientation on “The Rachel Maddow Show.” Soon after that show, he received a discharge letter from the U.S. Military. His open letter to the President and Congress made international headlines. Since then, Lt. Dan Choi was one of the founding members of Knights Out, an organization of West Point alumni who support LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) members of the military being able to serve openly. Lt. Choi has also spoken at numerous gay rights events.

The history of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

The policy that Lt. Dan Choi and other protesters were marching against today is referred to as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Officially federal law Pub.L. 103-160, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell prevents any openly gay person from serving in the U.S. military while allowing closeted LGBT individuals to continue serving.

The current military loans several hundred gay servicemen and servicewomen time to complete their service, as long as they do not reveal their sexual orientation. As the New York Times reported earlier this month, a bill has been presented in Congress that would repeal this policy and allow openly gay members of the military to continue serving their country. The U.S. Military is currently conducting a review in conjunction with congressional hearings on the issue.

Lt. Dan Choi’s arrest started at a Human Rights Campaign rally

The march that Lt. Dan Choi led to the White House today was not pre-planned. According to The Advocate, Choi reportedly crashed a Human Rights Campaign rally and asked attendees to march with him to the White House. The president of the Human Rights Campaign, Joe Solmonese, did not join in the march. The HRC did release a statement about Lt. Dan Choi’s arrest:

“Today more than 1,000 people showed up at a rally — 500 of which signed up to become more involved in the fight to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ Joe Solmonese along with (gay Iraq war veteran) Eric Alva and others felt it was important to stay and engage those at the rally in ways they can continue building the pressure needed for repeal. This does nothing to diminish the actions taken by Lt. Choi and others. This is the nature of social change and everyone has a role to play.”

See video of the protest where Lt. Dan Choi was arrested

Scratch-off tickets are the most popular way to play the Oregon Lottery. Image from Flickr.

If you’ve purchased a St. Patrick’s Day raffle ticket from the Oregon lottery, you’ll be happy to hear that winners were picked today. The $1 million ticket number is 130,338. The raffle isn’t the only offering that the Oregon Lottery has, though, and while I wouldn’t recommend looking into no faxing payday loans to pay for a ticket, playing the Oregon lottery benefits more people than just the lucky winners.

The Oregon Lottery St. Patrick’s Day raffle

The Oregon Lottery started its St. Patrick’s Day raffle years ago – and it has always been a very popular game. Unlike the one-in-a-million chances of some lottery games, this Oregon Lottery raffle has comparatively good odds: 1-in-250,000 to win $1 million, and 1-in-250 to win $100. The tickets go on sale in January each year, and the winners are announced on St. Patrick’s Day. Even if you missed out on this year’s Oregon Lottery raffle, you can mark your calendar to purchase tickets next year.

Oregon Lottery benefits Oregon projects

Created in 1984, the Oregon Lottery is set up specifically to benefit Oregon residents and state projects. Fifty percent of the revenue from the Oregon Lottery is legally required to be returned to the residents in the form of lottery prizes. Another 34 percent of revenues are returned to public purposes that voters in Oregon determine — a simple vote sends money to projects, no governmental payday lending necessary. Currently, revenues from the self-funded Oregon Lottery go to the Education Stability Fund, economic development, state parks and national resource programs. Since 1985, the Oregon Lottery has given more than $5.9 billion to these state projects.

Using the Oregon Lottery as a model

While the Oregon Lottery was not the first public lottery in the United States (that was New Hampshire in 1964), many states have modeled themselves off of the Oregon Lottery’s system of voter-approved funding allocations. According to Wikipedia, 42 states currently run some form of state lottery, and most of them also participate in interstate contests that have huge prizes, but very low odds of winning.

Oregon State Lottery tackles gambling addiction

Oregon, like many other states, has recently had to tackle the issue of gambling addiction. Some argue that the almost ubiquitous availability of state lotteries gives the state some responsibility for helping treat problem gamblers. In Oregon state, there are a variety of free services offered for problem gamblers, partially funded by the state lottery.

Sometimes, asking a complete stranger, such as Dear Abby for advice can be the best thing to do. Image from Flickr.

In 1956, when Pauline Phillips started the Dear Abby column, she answered questions on etiquette, manners, money and tough situations with a combination of common sense and gentle humor. Dear Abby quickly became a nationally known column, and Pauline Phillips was syndicated for newspapers across the country. While she was writing Dear Abby, Pauline had twin daughters – Jeanne Phillips and Eppie Lederer. Jeanne eventually took over Dear Abby, while Eppie started her own advice column, Ask Ann Landers. These two are no longer the only names in the advice column business, however. Now you can get advice specific to just about anything from relationships to credit counseling. So who are five advice columnists you may want to check out, other than Dear Abby?

1- Dear Prudence

Written by Emily Yoffe, Dear Prudence takes the idea of an advice column and gives it a bit of a real-world update. Prudence, like Dear Abby, is known for not putting up with a lot of “nonsense,” and every once in a while gets quite worked up over tough situations – up to and including family secrets and bad toupees.

Dear Prudence, much like Dear Abby, does tend to come down on the side of settling family differences and seems to be of the “fake it ’till you make it” camp. With her combination of humor and real-world examples, Dear Prudence is a good every-once-in-a-while read.

2- Miss Manners

Miss Manners is one of those columns that has been around forever. Perhaps it’s a bit old-fashioned, but reading Miss Manners is like chatting with Dear Abby’s grandmother. Always a fan of thank-you notes and proper etiquette she has the kind of sly wit that leaves you wondering if you were really just schooled that badly by a grandmother. Miss Manners will unfailingly teach you how to have the best etiquette, but sometimes she can be a bit short on real-world common sense.

3- Amy Alkon / Advice Goddess

A favorite of weekly alternative newspapers across the country, Amy Alkon is just about the opposite of Dear Abby. She is unfailingly down-to-earth and sometimes even a bit harsh. One of her recent columns included telling a woman that “while men like curves, they don’t like folds.” It’s sometimes tough to read, but Amy Alkon just says the things that advice columnists like Dear Abby tend to dance around.

4- Savage Love

One of the few guys to make it in the advice-column world, Dan Savage, author of Savage Love, answers questions that advice columnists like Dear Abby would round-file before they got halfway through. Not always safe for work, and sure to make you blush at some point, this sex-and-relationships column got its start in Seattle’s Stranger newspaper, and it lives up to that rough-around-the-edges history. Beyond the shock factor, though, Savage Love usually offers advice as good as guaranteed loans — telling people to get out of bad relationships, stay true to themselves and generally be good people.

5- The Green Lantern

While it’s not a traditional advice column, The Green Lantern is one of those columns that unfailingly comes up when someone needs advice about environmental matters. Like Dear Abby, this column makes it a point to cover everything from child rearing to relationships — plus several topics Dear Abby wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. Solidly based in both science and common sense, The Green Lantern can give you a guiding star on remaining friendly to others around you and the environment at the same time.

Building on Dear Abby’s example

Dear Abby definitely started the modern advice-column movement, and reading her words of wisdom can still be helpful when you’re in a tough situation. Dear Abby isn’t the only advice column on the block anymore, though, and checking out a few other advice columnists can give a good counterpoint to Dear Abby’s long-appreciated work.

Shipping container homes have a long history of green building. Image from Flickr.

In countries recovering from natural disasters, such as Haiti and Chile, rebuilding housing is simultaneously one of the most important and most difficult tasks for recovery. In developed countries, there is always a demand for housing that is inexpensive, durable and environmentally friendly. Recently, UK company Affresol announced it was launching a line of modular homes made out of recycled plastic waste. If you are looking for a new type of house to buy with your mortgage loan modification, Affresol is claiming that these recycled waste homes can be put up in four days and less expensively than traditional building. However, is living in recycled trash a good option?

Affresol’s Thermo Poly Rock homes

The newest player in the recycled housing market is Affresol’s Thermo Poly Rock manufactured homes. As Business Wire reported, these homes use approximately 18 tons of recycled plastic waste in each full-size home. The patented process takes waste plastics and processes them into a rot-resistant, well-insulated, waterproof, fire-retardant material that is stronger and lighter than concrete.These homes are estimated to cost about 12 percent less than traditional construction, as well.

The estimated life cycle of these homes is 60 years – well above the Indiana University estimate of 14 years for traditional manufactured homes, but well below the 80-120 year life cycle of new construction. However, all the materials in these TPR homes can be recycled at the end of their lives, unlike new construction.

Other options for recycled housing

Affresol’s recycled TPR houses are not the only options for recycled housing, however. There are many options out there for recycled housing – some that have been fully realized and are being used around the world. Other recycled housing concepts are pretty much only concepts — but offer promise. Much life Affresol’s recycled plastic houses, these concepts each have their benefits and drawbacks

Recycled shipping container homes

Shipping containers are pretty much the definition of recycled living. Flexible, plentiful and relatively easy to move, shipping container homes have enjoyed quite a bit of press over the years. The incredibly sturdy steel containers are stacked and used in place of traditional wood framing. They still must be insulated, wired, and plumbed, but the $60 to $90-per-square-foot price tag is incredibly attractive.

Members of the U.S. Military have already had experience with offices and living quarters built in a similar method, and military payday loans are enough to start a recycled shipping container project. Traditional home building usually costs between $150-$300 per square foot. The Lego-like flexibility of shipping containers can also lead to a wide variety of designs, as the DesignCrave photo essay proves.

Earthship recycled homes

Much less flexible and portable than shipping container homes, but more insulated and airy than Affresol’s TPR houses, the Earthship design maximizes environmental factors.

First designed in the 1970s, a “classic” Earthship house starts with old recycled tires. To build the house, recycled tires are crammed full of soil and stacked as the north, east, and west walls of the house. The southern face of the house is usually made of glazed glass to make use of passive solar heating. These homes are made almost exclusively of recycled materials and most suited for climates similar to the Southwestern U.S.

Traditional homes out of recycled materials

Many builders are beginning to realize that, more than the construction of a home, it is the materials that truly make a difference. Many builders around the country are beginning to specialize in recycled material homes, proving that homes made with reclaimed materials can be just as safe, just as beautiful, and much less expensive than traditional building.

Recycled housing: Options for rebuilding devastated areas?

Of course, having a recycled and sustainable home only does good if it can actually be used and lived in. Obviously, we cannot ask countries, states or cities that are just beginning to rebuild from disasters to spend more money and time on using “environmentally friendly” construction techniques. However, with options such as the Thermo Poly Rock and recycled shipping containers that get cheap, safe housing up quickly and inexpensively, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to not consider recycled housing.

Five measures of efficiency

Little things can make big differences when it comes to getting through a day as efficiently as possible. The report identified five simple criteria for measuring urban time-efficiency and ranked cities based on their combined scores in all categories.

1. Ease of movement and travel (traffic congestion, commute and walking efficiency, airport timeliness)
2. Ready accessibility of health and safety services (waiting times for medical appointments, number of physicians, emergency response times)
3. Availability of information and technology (broadband and wireless, bookstores and libraries, telephone hotlines)
4. Environmentally sensitive time-savers (efficient and inexpensive recycling programs, bicycle friendliness, farmers’ markets, community gardens)
5. Lifestyle time-savers (take-out restaurant food, personal trainers, personal organizers)

Honorable mention for a sixth modern convenience

Ready availability of payday installment loans and short term loans for bad credit didn’t merit a separate time-efficiency category in the CNN Living report.  In all major U.S. cities, however, the best payday loans can be found online very quickly; and logically, their availability is subsumed in the information and technology category.

Ten top time-saving cities

1. Seattle. Seattle boasts extensive public-transit systems and a state-of-the-art signal-optimization program that synchronizes hundreds of traffic lights to promote smooth vehicular travel through the city. Seattle is also known to have one of the most on-time airports in the country, and in the last two years, the city has added 50 miles of new bike lanes. Seattle has several Neighborhood Service Centers where people can pay utility bills and parking tickets, apply for passports and even hold a hearing with a magistrate — all in one stop. Waiting times for doctor appointments are said to be short. Not surprisingly, the city has more coffee shops than any other city in the U.S. as well as the most Wi-Fi spots.

2. Portland, Ore. Bike-friendly Portland is home to the nation’s fourth-largest light-rail system, and airport delays are few. Emergency services are so responsive that the city has one of the country’s highest cardiac-arrest survival rates. Equally important from a time-saving perspective, finding an inexpensive lunch is reputed to be very easy.

3. San Francisco. San Francisco offers smart technology to help residents make the most of time. San Francisco ties Seattle for the most booksellers per capita and offers an endless array of fast dining options. San Francisco has a 24-hour 311 information hotline, a 511 hotline and online services providing updates on biking, public-transit and traffic conditions.

4. Boston. Not only does Boston have the highest walk-to-work rate in the nation, it also offers technological tools such as Boston’s Citizens Connect app for instant reporting of problems or complaints (with or without photos for proof) from an iPhone. Single-stream recycling pickup means residents don’t spend time sorting, and abundant farmers’ markets make “green” a time-efficient choice.

5. Minneapolis. Minneapolis is number one for farmers’ markets, number two for bicycle accessibility and among the top few in terms of community gardens per capita. Snow alerts are available via text message, e-mail and online social networks. No matter how cold the day, in just a minute and a half, residents get hot Neapolitan pies at Punch Pizza, a popular Twin Cities restaurant chain.

6.  Denver. Denver offers a city-wide bicycle-share program that makes commuting by bike a time-efficient choice. Waits for doctor visits are short, and Denver has the largest number of certified personal trainers per capita in the nation. Denver also speeds the flow of information with wide-spread library services and internet accessibility.

7. Washington, D.C. The nation’s capital has the second-highest non-car commuting rate and one of the highest ratios of farmers’ markets to population. Other time-savers include proportionally large numbers of take-out restaurants, certified personal trainers, and professional organizers.

8. Pittsburgh. Public transit in Pittsburgh is impressive for a city of its size. Most notably, the system includes three bus-only highways to maximize commute-time efficiency. Pittsburgh is also one of the top five cities in the country in terms of the number of bookstores per capita.

9. Miami. Miami has the highest number of doctors per capita of any city surveyed, which should translate to short wait times for appointments. It’s also easy to save time when parking on Miami city streets. Miami is the first major U.S. city to make it possible to pay for street parking by cell phone. Not only do you save time by not having to run somewhere for meter change, when you pay by cell phone, text alerts tell you when time is running out. Miami also has widely available internet access, free single-stream curb recycling, and a wide array of take-out food.

10. Atlanta. Atlanta has the shortest wait for doctor’s visits of all cities surveyed. Traffic moves at a snail’s pace, but the city makes up for lost time with abundant community gardens and an efficient recycling program.

Eleven more time-efficient cities

To see how Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and eight other major U.S. cities help people save time, read the full report at CNN Living.

Even the Tin Man gets into St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Image from Flickr.

For Catholics, St. Patrick’s Day was once a holy day of obligation – and for Irish everywhere, St. Patrick’s day is a chance to celebrate this amazing little country that gets overlooked far too often the rest of the year. If you’d like your St. Paddy’s Day celebrating to go beyond some corned beef and cabbage on your dinner menu, give these ideas a try. For most of them, you won’t even need pay day loans – just a little planning ahead.

10- Drink an Irish beer

The history of beer in Ireland goes far beyond getting a little tipsy in a pub. For a very long time, most water was simply unsafe to drink. Many monasteries as well as households brewed their own beer as a way to have a safe beverage to drink. The alcohol killed bacteria that would otherwise be dangerous. Breweries in Ireland have a long history, sometimes going back hundreds of years. Sip a dark Irish brew and appreciate the fact that without beer, life would have been much more difficult in the dark ages.

9- Try a new stew recipe

Corned beef and cabbage is not actually a traditional Irish meal; beef was too expensive for Irish peasants. Instead, try giving a good, thick Irish stew a try. Layer a pound of carrots with two small onions, a pound or two of potatoes, frozen peas, and two pounds of lamb or mutton, and beef broth or water in your crockpot. Set it on low and let it stew for 8-10 hours while you’re at work. You’ll be able to come home to a truly traditional St. Patrick’s Day feast.

8- Wear green

The wearing of green on St. Patrick’s day started with a political statement in 1790. Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms in hopes of making a statement about Irish nationalism.

7- Travel to Butte, Montana

If you’ve got some extra money from secured loans, then you should try traveling to Butte, Montana for its St. Patrick’s day celebration. It’s not the largest celebration in the country, but this little mining town has a St. Patrick’s day party that is worth the travel. There are even bars in Billings that open only for St. Patrick’s day – and if you’re lucky, you’ll see the governor of Montana delivering their liquor license.

6- Enjoy an Irish drama

Check out your local theater to see if you can see an Irish playwright on the stage – Samuel Beckett, Paul Vincent Carroll, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and W.B. Yeats all hail from the Emerald Isle.

5- Find Irish music

Stepdancers or not, you can almost always find good Irish music around St. Patrick’s day. Call around to pubs, bars, and performance spaces to find a rousing concert to celebrate the day.

4- Have a leprechaun visit

If you’ve got wee ones in the house, then set up a “leprechaun visit” for them to discover when they wake up or come home from school. Use baby shoes and washable paint or green construction paper to put footprints all over the house. If you want to make it extra special, have one trail of footprints lead to a rainbow with chocolate “gold” at the end of it for them to find.

3- Curl up with a good book

No matter if you love fiction, fantasy, or semi-autobiographical books, Irish authors have you covered. Pour yourself some Irish whiskey and celebrate St. Patrick’s day by reading James Joyce, Jonathan Swift or George Moore.

2- Watch an Irish movie

OK, so they may not be entirely “authentic,” but what could be more fun than watching movies with a “touch o’ the blarney” to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? “The Luck of the Irish”, “Far and Away”, “The Departed”, “Finian’s Rainbow”, or even the new movie “Leap Year” all showcase the people, places, or feelings of the Emerald Isle.

1- Plant potatoes

St. Patrick’s day also marks the beginning of Spring in many parts of the world. Celebrate the coming growing season and have never-to-be-topped fresh potatoes for your table throughout the fall by planting your own Irish Gold. Your local seed store or online sources offer seed potatoes, and potatoes can be grown anywhere you’ve got (or can put) a square foot of dirt.

The author of The 48 Laws of Power was inspired, in part, by Machiavelli's book The Prince. Image from Flickr.

Written in 1998, Robert Greene & Joost Elffers’ The 48 Laws of Power is a book that is part self-help, part philosophy, and part history. The 48 Laws of Power takes the view that human interaction is based on an exchange of power and provides an outline for how to manipulate that power exchange for your benefit. Though much like getting a fax payday loan, getting the upper hand often takes effort and consideration.

The 48 Laws of Power are amoral

Similar to the book’s inspirations, The Prince and The Art of War, Greene and Elffers take a very amoral view of the world. Rather than saying certain actions or laws are good, bad or otherwise, the book just lays them out with real-world examples. By writing in this style, the authors are asking readers of the book to make their own moral judgments about the laws and whether they should be followed or not. This amoral style of writing can be tough to read at times, but in the end it encourages discussion and deeper thought.

What are the 48 laws?

While the book The 48 Laws of Power itself is more than 400 pages, just reading the 48 laws themselves can be a starting point for thought or discussion. So what are the 48 Laws of Power?

• Law 1 Never Outshine the Master
• Law 2 Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies
• Law 3 Conceal your Intentions
• Law 4 Always Say Less than Necessary
• Law 5 So Much Depends on Reputation. Guard it with your Life
• Law 6 Court Attention at all Cost
• Law 7 Get others to do the Work for you, but Always Take the Credit
• Law 8 Make other People come to you, use Bait if Necessary
• Law 9 Win through your Actions, Never through Argument
• Law 10 Infection: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky
• Law 11 Learn to Keep People Dependent on You
• Law 12 Use Selective Honesty and Generosity to Disarm your Victim
• Law 13 When Asking for Help, Appeal to People’s Self-Interest, Never to their Mercy or Gratitude
• Law 14 Pose as a Friend, Work as a Spy
• Law 15 Crush your Enemy Totally
• Law 16 Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor
• Law 17 Keep Others in Suspended Terror: Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability
• Law 18 Do Not Build Fortresses to Protect Yourself. Isolation is Dangerous
• Law 19 Know Who You’re Dealing with. Do Not Offend the Wrong Person
• Law 20 Do Not Commit to Anyone
• Law 21 Play a Sucker to Catch a Sucker. Seem Dumber than your Mark
• Law 22 Use the Surrender Tactic: Transform Weakness into Power
• Law 23 Concentrate Your Forces
• Law 24 Play the Perfect Courtier
• Law 25 Re-Create Yourself
• Law 26 Keep Your Hands Clean
• Law 27 Play on People’s Need to Believe to Create a Cultlike Following
• Law 28 Enter Action with Boldness
• Law 29 Plan All the Way to the End
• Law 30 Make your Accomplishments Seem Effortless
• Law 31 Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal
• Law 32 Play to People’s Fantasies
• Law 33 Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew
• Law 34 Be Royal in your Own Fashion: Act like a King to be treated like one
• Law 35 Master the Art of Timing
• Law 36 Disdain Things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best Revenge
• Law 37 Create Compelling Spectacles
• Law 38 Think as you Like but Behave Like Others
• Law 39 Stir up Waters to Catch Fish
• Law 40 Despise the Free Lunch
• Law 41 Avoid Stepping into a Great Man’s Shoes
• Law 42 Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter
• Law 43 Work on the Hearts and Minds of Others
• Law 44 Disarm and Infuriate with the Mirror Effect
• Law 45 Preach the Need for Change, but Never Reform too much at Once
• Law 46 Never Appear Perfect
• Law 47 Do not go Past the Mark you Aimed for; In Victory, Learn when to Stop
• Law 48 Assume Formlessness

Source: Perdue University

The Influence of The 48 Laws of Power

In a CNN article today, reporter John Blake examined the influence of The 48 Laws of Power. Most recently, rapper 50 cent teamed up with Greene, the author of the original 48 Laws of Power to write The 50th Law which uses the 48 Laws along with stories from 50 Cent’s life to illustrate the “admittedly cutthroat” principles.

This success, however, does not mean that The 48 Laws of Power is not without criticism. Some say that the book uses examples that are too “isolated” to truly illustrate their truth, while others claim that the 48 laws are simply too many for people to effectively understand. The only way to really form an opinion aboutThe 48 Laws of Power, though, is to read it yourself. Once you’ve done the research, just like with finding the best personal loan rates, you’ll be able to make an educated decision about The 48 Laws of Power.

City manager Susan Stanton, who was born Steven Stanton, will be profiled in a CNN documentary. Image from Wikimedia Commons.

Tomorrow night, CNN will be premiering a documentary called “Her name was Steven” – a very intimate profile of Lake Worth, Florida city manager Susan Stanton. In 2007, Steven Stanton found himself in the center of controversy when he announced he would become Susan Stanton. Since then, Steven Stanton has completed her transition to Susan Stanton and works in Florida as a city manager, helping her city work on debt settlement relief, among other issues.

Steven Stanton fired for transition plans

In 2007, Steven Stanton had been serving as city manager in Largo, Florida for 14 years. He had a wife and a young son, and was a very respected member of the city government. When the local newspaper broke the story that Steven was planning on becoming Susan Stanton, the city almost immediately placed him on administrative leave, followed by termination. This action was very controversial, and as a St. Petersburg Times survey found, was not supported by most Largo citizens. However, Stanton eventually decided not to sue the city, announcing on Larry King Live that it would be “like suing my mother.” This move angered many GLBT advocates, some who offered a personal cash loan to help her pursue the issue.

Susan Stanton became a reluctant representative

A large portion of the transgendered community almost immediately rose to support Stanton in the fight to reverse Steven’s firing by the Largo city council. She also testified in front of congress about transgendered rights. However, Susan Stanton stepped out of the public spotlight as a transgender advocate rather quickly. As the TransAdvocate reported, the internal debates with various GLBT support organizations played a role. Additionally, being in a very bright international spotlight only a few months into her transition was very difficult for Susan Stanton to handle.

Steven Stanton’s experience helps Susan Stanton get hired

After Steven Stanton’s transition to Susan Stanton became a public issue, it was very difficult for Susan to get a job. There was also anger in the transgender community that Susan made the decision not to sue Largo for Steven Stanton’s firing. After applying for over 100 city manager jobs, Susan Stanton was hired as the Lake Worth, Florida city manager in April of 2009.

CNN Documentary “Her Name was Steven” airs this Saturday

After several years of relative anonymity, Susan Stanton will be the subject of a very extensive CNN documentary called “Her name was Steven.” This documentary will cover not only Steven Stanton’s transition to being Susan Stanton, it will cover Steven’s career as city manager, Susan’s relationship with her son, her divorce, and the reaction of Largo city leaders to the announcement of her transition. CNN reports that Susan “Stanton agreed to participate in the documentary to “put a human face on [something] people still have a profound misunderstanding of.”

See the preview of Susan Stanton’s “Her Name was Steven” documentary here

Roxanne Spillett's 2008 compensation was more than double that of CEOs for comparably sized non-profits. (Photo: Bgcc.org)

Without question, the Boys & Girls Club of America has done an admirable amount of charity work for the youth of this nation. But when CEOs like Roxanne Spillett take home a total salary of $988,591, it makes some Republican senators nervous. It makes them so nervous that they begin to question whether her organization should be receiving the millions in instant money federal funds they take in each year, according to The Huffington Post.

And Roxanne Spillett has been closing various Boys & Girls clubs

Tax filings indicate that in the same year that Roxanne Spillett took home nearly $1 million, organization officials spent “$4.3 million on travel, $1.6 million on conferences, conventions and meetings and $544,000 in lobbying fees.” That’s high overhead for a non-profit that’s closing down locations. If only the children could tap their blueblood country club buddies into this – then perhaps they’ll be able to keep Boys & Girls clubs open. Maybe the leftovers would be enough for a foosball table, maybe even a box of store brand popsicles!

Is Roxanne Spillett helping the children as she should?

Some children, yes – but could she be doing more? Could she make it with a pay cut during this recession. I don’t know about you, but I could barely make do with a $1 million salary. OK, it isn’t all “salary.” According to The Huffington Post, that amounts to a base salary of $360,774, a $150,000 bonus (was she paid by Kevin Garn, too?), $83,152 in “other compensation,” a whopping $385,000 deferred compensation and $9,165 in nontaxable benefits. Oh well, kids, perhaps you can find safe fun on the street corner.

And… drum roll… Boys & Girls club posted $13.6 million loss

This is also backed up by tax records. The senators responded to this with

“We find it hard to reconcile this loss with the amount spent on executive salaries, perks, and lobbying expenses. We are especially concerned because it is our understanding that some independent clubs have closed or are on the cusp of closing because of a lack of funding.”

Roxanne Spillett is no doubt well aware that the Boys & Girls Club of America received $41 million in government grants (our tax dollars, mind you) and $51 million in gift and contributions. If they spent $57.6 million on grants to local clubs and $37.5 million in salaries and benefits that same year, you can see that something has to give. The Post has the figures.

Roxanne Spillett made more than double the non-profit CEO average

Spillett’s near $1 million 2008 compensation more than doubled the $462,000 average non-profit/charity CEO money now – and that’s for non-profits with expenses over $100 million per year, according to Charity Navigator. As Charity Navigator President and CEO Ken Berger told the Post, “If you want to be a millionaire, go and work in the for-profit sector.”

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Some cyclists love big hills, but if you don't, check out Google Maps

Yesterday, Google announced that it has added biking directions to Google Maps for the United States. Whether you ride for exercise, to run errands, to commute to work, or just for fun, Google Maps can now make your life little easier, a little more scenic, and even a little safer.  No matter why you ride a bike, chances are you’ll appreciate this: Google Maps bicycling directions will help you avoid hilly terrain whenever possible.

Google Maps now includes a “bicycling” layer showing bike lanes, bike-friendly roads, and bike trails. The directions feature of Google Maps, which previously included walking and public transit as well as automobile driving, now provides detailed routing directions for bicycling, too. When you’re strapped for cash and out of gas, you can pull up Google Maps, print out directions, hop on a bike, follow the best possible route to any number of payday lenders, and fill out a quick personal loan application.

It’s as easy as riding a bike

Just like Google Maps for driving, bicyclists simply type in a starting point and a destination, choose “bicycling” from the drop-down menu, and customize their routes by clicking and dragging. Before starting out, bicyclists who prefer not to sip on the fly can use Google Maps to figure out where to take water breaks, and those who aren’t comfortable fixing flats on the fly can figure out where bike shops are along the route. True to form, Google Maps even provides bicyclists with time estimates based on route length, terrain, fatigue over time, and other factors.

Naturally, there’s more

As if that weren’t enough, the “more” drop-down menu on Google Maps displays a color-coded overlay to indicate trails (dark green), bike lanes along roads (light green), and roads without bike lanes that are appropriate for biking (dotted green), based on traffic, terrain, and intersections. It’s really pretty impressive. Take a look: It could make you turn off your computer and go ride a bike.

Working with others, including you

Google has partnered with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to provide bicycling information for more than 12,000 trail miles in the United States. Rails-to-Trails is a nonprofit organization that builds walking and riding trails on former railway lines. Google encourages bicyclists to provide feedback by using the reporting tool found at the bottom of the map.

Soon, you may not need these in order to game. Image from Flickr.

Gamers have long been very attached to their consoles, computers, and disks – but OnLive and competitor Instant Action are aiming to change that. Both video-gaming platforms based entirely on “cloud computing,” InstantAction and OnLive promise a video game experience comparable with console or disk games, but without the set-up expense that sometimes require installment payday loans just to cover.

How OnLive & Instant Action are alike

Both OnLive and Instant Action are video gaming systems that are missing most of what we have come to associate with video games. There is no separate console (unless you want there to be). There is also no disk to buy, unwrap, and install. Subscribers simply “dial in” to the company’s servers, choose the game they would like to play. This platform means that players can use any internet-connected computer to log into their favorite obsession, at any time.

How OnLive is different

Announced at the GameBeat conference this week, OnLive plans to roll out its offerings by June 17th. OnLive has been working with video game designers since its early days, and will be offering the blockbuster games Assassin’s Creed 2 and Mass Effect 2. This big-name games have already proven themselves as hits with gamers. OnLive is also going to offer a deck of cards sized “MicroConsole” that hooks up to any TV free with it’s $15 subscription. OnLive will use a “walled garden” approach that will keep their games secure and running only on their proprietary system.

How Instant Action is different

Instant Action approaches cloud gaming slightly differently, and they intend to release their first game at the end of this month. Instant Action intends to make gaming an integrated experience. With Instant Action, players will be able to play games in web browsers, share them across networks, and email them to friends. Instant Action will also be offering the option of purchasing a full game or paying for “all you can eat” monthly subscriptions. The biggest-name game they will be offering soon is The Secret of Monkey Island : Special Edition.

Instant Action & OnLive both cut out retailers

The goal of both OnLive and Instant Action is to do something that sounds like it should be simple – cut the disks out of gaming. If game creators are able to provide their product to customers without having to print disks, they would cut costs by half or more. However, many big-name games are now huge files that take days to download on even the fastest of internet connections. Both OnLive and Instant Action claim to have solved this problem – though their software is proprietary, and how they have solved it remains a mystery. However it is done, most retailers are not very happy that they will be cut out of the cycle of gamers getting a small personal loan just to purchase the newest video game.

Time to dump your console?

Both OnLive and Instant Action are gaming platforms that have set their sights on existing gamers as well as new gamers. OnLive will definitely be offering game titles and TV interactivity that users of the XBox 360 and Playstation 3 have come to love. Instant Action has not yet made plans to work with the makers of games for these consoles. However, neither Instant Action nor GoLive will be able to yet offer cross-platform gaming. In other words, if you’ve already got your friends all on XBox Live, don’t expect to switch your platform and keep your connections. At least, not yet.

Is there room for both OnLive & Instant Action?

In a market already glutted with consoles, games, and playing options, is there really room in the market for both OnLive and Instant Action? I believe there is. OnLive seems to be focusing its sights on the hardcore gamers that enjoy fully immersive gaming experiences. These are the guys (and girls) that are willing to pay $15 a month to not have to buy $60 games they may or may not enjoy. Instant Action, on the other hand, seems to be focusing more for the “causal gamer” that doesn’t consider instant payday loans to feed their gaming fix. Instead, these will most likely be the people that enjoy a game now and again, but more for the social aspects. Two different types of gamers, and two different services that cater to them.

Sharpen your pencils and get ready to take the Wonderlic Sample Test. Image from Flickr.

Most people outside of the NFL haven’t heard of the Wonderlic test, but with player’s scores recently making headlines, perhaps you want to find out what your Wonderlic score might be by taking a sample test? The full Wonderlic test is expensive enough that you might need an instant cash loan, so you should know what you’re getting yourself into when you have a Wonderlic score in-hand.

The Wonderlic Personnel Test

Clocking in at only 50 questions and 12 minutes, the Wonderlic Personnel Test was developed, according to Wikipedia, as a way for hiring managers to “assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a wide range of occupations.” The test has only been updated once, in 2007, although Wonderlic Inc now offers over a dozen tests designed for both workplaces and schools. Like most standardized tests, the Wonderlic Personnel Test asks both multiple-choice and open-answer questions.

Giving Yourself the Wonderlic Sample Test

The contents of the Wonderlic test are closely guarded by the Wonderlic, Inc company that has built its name on the use of this test. However, you can find many Wonderlic sample tests online, including this one on Professor Money and a very extensive set of practice questions on Test Prep Preview. No matter what Wonderlic sample test you choose to take, it will be less expensive than getting installment loans for bad credit.

Interpreting your Wonderlic Test sample test results

The Wonderlic test was designed to be administered and interpreted by “an average office worker,” so understanding your own results should be fairly simple. The generally accepted formula to equate your Wonderlic Test score is to take the number of answers you got right on the 17-question sample test and multiply it by three. That creates a general understanding of your possible Wonderlic Personnel Test score. If you want to stop there, compare your score to either NFL position averages or a sampling of professions.

Getting more out of your Wonderlic Sample Test

If just having your Wonderlic online sample test score doesn’t feel like quite enough, you can extrapolate your score out to a general IQ equivalent. Take your 50-point test score, multiply it by 2, and add 60. With your IQ score, you can compare yourself to others or maybe even apply to be a part of Mensa.

Constance McMillen wanted to wear a tuxedo to her prom. Image from Flickr.

Prom may or may not carry the best memories for everyone, but it is a tradition for most high school students – getting fast cash loans so they can dress up and have a good night. The ACLU has been offering help to high school senior Constance McMillen, who is now fighting to have her high school reinstate their canceled prom. The school board of Itawamba Agricultural High School announced recently that it would be canceling Prom rather than defend their decision to not allow Constance McMillen to bring her girlfriend to the dance.

Constance McMillen just wanted to go to Prom

Itawamba High School, where Constance McMillen is a senior informed her earlier this year that she would not be allowed to both bring her sophomore girlfriend to the dance and to wear a tuxedo, as she had planned. Constance McMillen then contacted the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, who sent a letter to the district asking that they change their policy. The school then circulated a memo to students, including Constance McMillen, specifically prohibiting same-sex couples at the school dance.

Itawamba high school cancels Prom because of Constance McMillen’s involvement

In the statement recently released, the school board indicated that “Due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events, the Itawamba County School District has decided to not host a prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School this year.” Later in the statement, as reported by Clarion-Ledger, they “encouraged the community to organize a private prom.” No organization has yet stepped up and offered to take on the short term loan of students in formal wear for an evening.

Constance McMillen’s reaction to the cancellation

In her interview with USA Today, Constance McMillen reacted to the announcement: “Oh, my God. That’s really messed up because the message they are sending is that if they have to let gay people go to prom that they are not going to have one,” she said. “A bunch of kids at school are really going to hate me for this.” Constance also pointed out that “If they set it up privately they probably aren’t going to allow gay people to go and there is nothing that you can do about it.”

The constitutional concerns of Constance McMillen’s situation

In a prepared statement, Constance McMillen outlined the concerns she has about the school board’s decision. “All I want is the same chance to enjoy my prom night like any other student. But my school would rather hurt all the students than treat everyone fairly. This isn’t just about me and my rights anymore — now I’m fighting for the opportunity of all the students at my school to have our prom.” The ACLU is framing this debate as a constitutional issue of free speech. They argue that as a publicly funded institution, Itawamba Agricultural High School cannot ban Constance McMillen from attending prom based on her choice of date or clothing choices. They also argue that equal protection prohibits publicly funded schools from banning gay students from school activities. The school is defending itself by claiming that Constance McMillen and her girlfriend attending prom would create distractions that would damage education in the school.

How have situations like Constance McMillen’s been decided in the past?

High schools across the nation have a patchwork of policies about gay students and school activities. As USA Today reported, some schools do allow same-sex dates while others continue to ban homosexual couples. There are also some schools, that have bans but do not enforce them. Schools are allowed very wide latitude by most courts in determining the eligibility and limitations on school events, clubs, and activities.

Image from flickr

Christie King Collbran never wanted to become a Scientology defector. In her interviews with The New York Times and The Today Show, she still adamantly insists that she believes in the philosophies of Scientology – but that she and her soon-ex-husband both saw too much to remain in the organization.

Scientology defector breaks her silence to the media

Christine, who was born into a Scientologist family, has been a member of the Church of Scientology her entire life. She and her husband met and were married as Scientologists. While she was very close to her parents, they could not attend the marriage, because they had spent extensive money loans on rising in the ranks of the church. At a very young age, she was recruited for the elite “Sea Organization” – the leadership of the church. After 13 years within SeaOrg, Christine and Chris went through an allegedly harrowing, expensive, and personally dangerous process that took over a year, and they were still labeled as “suppressives” – cut off entirely from friends and family as punishment. That is when they decided to break their silence about defecting from Scientology.

Christine and Chris, Scientology defectors, saw alleged abuses

Christine, the Scientology defector that is breaking her silence claims that both she and her husband worked long days for as little as $17 a week. She also alleges they they both witnessed abuse by Mr. Miscavige, the head of the Church of Scientology. There have been other claims from former Scientologists breaking their silence that have included the same accusation – including physical, as well as emotional abuse from the church leader. The Church of Scientology vehemently denies all of these claims.

Leaving Scientology required silence not be broken

As members of SeaOrg, Christine and Chris were required to sign a contract stating that she would “be a member of the church for a billion years,” based on the belief that church members live forever. When they decided to defect, the Church of Scientology billed them for $90,000 worth of “counseling services.” They were able to negotiate the bill down to “only” $10,000 of cash today. Beyond the bill, both Christine and Chris claim to have spent over a year going through the process to leave SeaOrg – including being asked to sign affidavits they had not written. They “could have just walked away,” but they feared being labeled “suppresives” and cut off from their friends and family. After a very long, frustrating process, Christine and Chris finally decided to get pregnant. This was the ultimate act of defection, because, as the Church admits, members of SeaOrg are not allowed to have children.

Defectors still believe in the tenants of Scientology

In the interviews that broke her silence about the abuses she had witnessed within the Church of Scientology, Christine is very careful to point out that both she and her husband still believe in the philosophy of Scientology. She points out in the Today Show interview that “there is a creed in the church that says all people are free to believe and practice” as they wish. While she breaks her silence, this Scientology defector has also been left with practically no money, no family, and cut off entirely from a church she believes in.

Weaknesses exposed by Scientology defectors?

There are small groups of Scientology defectors around the nation, and they tell a very different story than the Church of Scientology. As Christine says, “There’s a lot of PR to make it look like a successful, expanding organization. I wish that were true, but it’s not.” The New York Times article points out that in the American Religious Identification Survey, that the number of Scientologists in the United States fell from 55,000 in 2001 to 25,000 in 2008. There are also many other high-profile defectors, including Mark Rathbun, one of the former top aides to Mr. Miscavige.

Scientology defector breaks her silence in hopes of change

Like many “Independent Scientologists”, Christine is talking with the media in the hopes of seeing changes within the church that she still believes in. However, those changes do not appear likely to happen within the church anytime soon – the official statement from The Church of Scientology is that Christine is “a liar.” No matter what happens in the church, this Scientology defector has been effectively cut off because she broke her silence.

The Story of Stuff book even talks about books! Image from Flickr.

When The Story of Stuff video was released in 2007, it quickly went viral. The video asks us to re-think the “materials economy” – where people purchase stuff, sometimes using cheap payday loans, use it, and then dispose of it. Over 10 million views later, Annie Leonard has released a 300-page book that goes much more in depth than The Story of Stuff’s original 20-minute video.

The Story of Stuff, the original

The original 20-minute video The Story of Stuff features single mom Annie Leonard talking about the realities of how stuff is made, purchased, and disposed of, including it’s environmental impact.

The Story of Stuff becomes a book

While at first it may seem counter-intuitive that The Story of Stuff Project would grow into a book – another piece of “stuff” – author Annie Leonard outlines the multiple reasons for writing the book on her website. A book is able to provide so much more information about her 10 years of research into The Story of Stuff (including sneaking into illegal factories). The Story of Stuff book also answers hundreds of the questions people asked her when they first saw her Story of Stuff video – like how do they get involved and where do they get more information.

The Story of Stuff book bridges divides

Just as importantly as sharing even more information about The Story of Stuff, a book is able to go places and make an impact in ways an online video never could. Only a small minority of people have internet access fast and consistent enough to do things like watch videos – and a book can go anywhere.

The Story of Stuff book is hopeful

Watching The Story of Stuff can seem kind of depressing. Not only are we using up the world’s resources, but we are doing it so quickly that faxless payday loans get used to feed the obsession. Amazingly, in the book even more so than the video, The Story of Stuff becomes a hopeful tale. Yes, it covers in detail what is going wrong, but it also covers in even more detail the hopeful signs. The Story of Stuff distills down to the fact that yes, things are bad – but we can get involved and we can make a difference.

The Story of Stuff book is even fairly stuff-free

If, after watching The Story of Stuff, you feel guilty about wanting to buy, rent, or read the book, you won’t need to. The Story of Stuff book is printed on 100% Post-Consumer Waste paper, uses soy inks, solvent-free glues, and even used electronic editing. Even better than that, an MP3 CD of the book is set to be released soon, so you can listen to the book instead. Yes, the book does contribute a bit to the Stuff on your bookshelf, but it does so in the way that will help The Story of Stuff become a much more positive story.

That’s right, I said sugar daddies

When there’s cash now, people are interested. While some would argue that sugar daddies and sugar mamas and their beneficiaries simply reinforce the downward spiral of co-dependency that plagues thousands of relationships, there’s no disputing that enough people are interested to make being sugar daddies an online industry. Web sites like SugarDaddie.com, SeekingArrangement.com and MillionaireMate.com are a current phenomenon that has some people crying prostitution, while others see it as a way for people already in the relationship market to meet.

The founder of SeekingArrangement.com wrote the book

Specifically, in “Seeking Arrangement: The Definitive Guide to Sugar Daddy and Mutually Beneficial Relationships,” we see that current online sugar daddy companies are looking to smash old stereotypes. Being honest about such things as sex, money and morality are vital in any healthy relationship. Brandon Wade suggests that this emerging market is “not a rich decrepit ‘captain of industry’ exploiting empty-headed vixens for hedonistic pleasure, but a mature gentleman seeking fun and pleasure with women of substance.”  If his business can help interested parties avoid scams and find happiness, Wade questions why such a thing should be considered “wrong.” But he admits that it isn’t everyone’s cup of “sugar.”

Sound dating advice

That’s one of the major selling points SugarDaddie.com uses. Their commitment to quality includes both online and telephone support, which is more than many fly-by-night online companies offer. Shady deals don’t sell well when it comes to online dating through paid sites, which may be why Web sites for sugar daddies and their ladies claim they’re looking to bring customers not simply a happy ending, but lasting happiness with their chosen lifestyle.

Well, if Dr. Phil approves…

OK, so he isn’t really a doctor anymore. But sugar daddies dating sites are garnering attention from noteworthy public figures… this isn’t pickup on South Street, but a portal for quality interaction. If I myself were in the position to be a sugar daddy, perhaps I’d test it out and report to you. As it stands, the word of the media must suffice – and “Dr. Phil,” “Richard and Judy” (UK), the New York Post, The Sun (Canada) and News of the World (also UK) all have given the sugar daddies phenomenon their due attention.

“Our success can only be measured by your success”

That’s what SugarDaddie.com says about what they do. Think about it – if this were some cheap, tawdry dead end, would the glorious American and British popular media cover it so extensively? Would customers come back for more? Repeat business keeps the registers ringing, so pucker up, all you sugar daddies and sugar mamas – your business is a real stimulus package. Some people need cash advance loans – others have sugar daddies and sugar mamas.

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TigerText does exactly what legions of Judge Judy litigants, wandering spouses (yes, Tiger Woods, that means you), and college kids would take out huge cash advance loans to be able to do – keep text messages truly private. As the company puts it on their website, they help you “cover your tracks”.  For the record, TigerText was named long before the golfer’s scandal, but you can bet he wishes he’d used the application, too.

TigerText keeps your text messages private

The concept of the TigerText App is simple – you set how long you want a text message to “live” and at the end of that time, the message gets deleted. If you would like to keep messages around for a week, you can. If you would prefer that a text message gets deleted as soon as you read it, TigerText can do that too. Rather than storing text messages on your cell phone provider’s server or cell phone handsets, TigerText runs a set of independent servers that completely erase the text messages when they are set to expire.

Both people need TigerText

Simply downloading the TigerText app onto your iPhone does not mean, though, that your text messages are safe. The coding of the program requires that both the sender and the recipient of the text have TigerText installed. Receipients who do not have TigerText installed must install the application, and then they can read whatever message you send for free. However, if they want to send their own self-destructing messages, they only have 15 free days before they have to pay. The pricing depends on the number of text messages sent each month, so some teenagers may end up having to take out overnight loans just to pay their phone bills.

TigerText for Blackberry and Android

Right now, TigerText is only available for the iPhone. This means if you’ve got a Blackberry or Android smartphone, TigerText isn’t going to be able to keep your messages off of Texts From Last Night. The company says they are working on versions for both of these smartphone operating systems. If your phone is a little less smart, well, then deleting your text messages is your own responsibility. Just remember that when a text message is sent over normal SMS systems, your phone company can store that message and retrieve it later, even if you delete it off your handset.

Know how much TigerText will do for you

Like every good cell phone application, TigerText does give you a few options. The date, time, and recipients of your text messages will be saved on your handset unless you select the “delete history” option. Any message sent through TigerText cannot be forwarded and cannot be saved – though anybody who really wants to save a message can always take a photo. It may not be perfect, but TigerText can certainly give you a hand next time you want to feel like you’re sending a Mission Impossible style message.

Onboard a Carnival Cruise Lines ship. Image from Flickr.

Carnival Cruise Lines is getting record-breaking business this year. From the beginning of 2010 to Feb. 21, bookings were the highest they’ve ever been. I have advice for people thinking of going on a cruise and speculations about the reason Carnival Cruise Lines is doing so well.

Carnival Cruise Lines announces rate increase

Carnival Cruise Line tickets are in such high demand, the company is doing what any free-market-thinking enterprise would do: raising prices. The Carnival Cruise Lines web site says “rates increase on all summer sailings” on March 22. It appears as though wannabe cruise-goers will have to wait until then to make their travel plans.

I was excited when I went to the Carnival Cruise Lines web site and saw price tags smaller than most faxless payday loans. Did you know you can go on a cruise for just a few hundred dollars? Unfortunately, the cruises at the current listed prices are all sold out, so don’t get your hopes up. Still, if you want to go on a cruise this summer, be sure to book as soon as possible. Carnival Cruise Lines has an Early Saver Program.

Carnival Cruise Line pricing

I was pretty surprised when I saw how much it costs to go on a voyage on Carnival Cruise Lines. On the home page at Carnival Cruise Lines’ web site, it says 3-day cruises start at $169! In the past I’ve always written off cruises as being just for rich people. However, some of the cruises are cheaper than plane tickets, which brings me to my next point.

Airlines versus cruise lines

Airline ticket prices, terrorist threats and stressful airports have no doubt contributed to the record bookings at Carnival Cruise Lines. People are finding out that some cruises are cheaper than flights. Add the fact that cruise ships are not common targets of terrorist bombings and subtract the lengthy, annoying process of going through airport security, and you’ve got yourself a dream vacation. You probably won’t even need a small personal loan to pull it off.

Some people don’t fly because of fear, and some don’t want to pay ridiculous baggage fees. The fact that Carnival Cruise Lines has drawn a record number of customers despite the recession shows the price is right — and for many the time and travel method are right, too. If you want to avoid airports and save some money, mark March 22 on your calendar to take advantage of Carnival Cruise Lines’ lowest available prices.

In a struggling economy, families find it especially hard to find satisfying, yet inexpensive weekend activities. This doesn’t mean that a good time cannot be had on a budget; it simply means that adults have to find creative ways of planning family activities that will not break the bank or do not require elaborate credit card spending. The following suggestions are affordable and can be enjoyed by small and large families alike:

Rent Movies from the Library

Public libraries offer DVDs at much lower prices than most rental stores do, and some even loan them out for free. Titles are generally the same that would be found in a retail store, and movies are usually loaned for at least a week. One of the best inexpensive weekend activities that families can enjoy together is a movie marathon, and public libraries all across America make this an easy, affordable way to enjoy a little family time.

Community Events

Every community hosts public events that are family friendly and offered at little or no cost. This means that the entire family can participate in local activities together while saving money at the same time. Events can range from free concerts to cultural activities and can usually be found in a local newspaper or by calling a local Chamber of Commerce.

Join a Community Sports Team

Sports are a great way for children and their parents to learn the value of teamwork and discipline. Team sports also help families maintain good health and adequate physical exercise. Most are offered at very reasonable rates and give family members an activity each can enjoy together as either a spectator or as a player.

Volunteer Activities

Inexpensive family activities don’t always have to be recreational in order to be enjoyable. Volunteer activities are rewarding in a variety of different ways. Not only do families learn to come together to help others and build a sense of community, but most also meet interesting people who enrich their lives in the process. Volunteer activities are usually free or may require a very small, but affordable monetary donation.

Have a Garage Sale

Everyone has junk that they used to treasure, but now have little or no interest in. Someone else may be able to get some use out of these items and selling them at a yard sale is a great way of making extra money to pay off credit card debt or for spending on a planned family activity. Children and parents can easily participate by donating their items and spending a day working together to create an income stream that the entire family can benefit from.

Host a Board Game Night

This can be done at home, at a neighborhood park or even at a local coffee shop, but inviting a few other families to join in on a board game marathon is a great, fun and wildly inexpensive way to enjoy a weekend. Most people have board games that are collecting dust in their homes that can be used to host a board game tournament or just a friendly family get-together.

Elaborate family outings are fun, but inexpensive weekend activities are often discovered to be the most enjoyable since they are not accompanied by stressful spending. They also create an opportunity for families to enjoy themselves even when living on a budget. Anyone who is interested in plain, simple fun is encouraged to try a few of these while teaching children that it is possible to have a good time without going into debt in the process.

Many workers have given up their vacation time as a result of the recession. With heavy cut-backs and layoffs, employees are trying their best to make an impression on their bosses. That means not giving them time to even consider letting them go. People these days see taking a vacation as giving an employer the chance to see how well the company runs – without them. According to a survey done by Right Management, a human resource consulting division of Manpower, 66% of workers ignored their accumulating vacation days in 2009. With layoffs at record highs last year, many people who are employed are treading carefully with their jobs. Since the recession, the economy has eliminated 2.7 million jobs.

Should workers go on vacation?

The question remains as to whether or not workers should take their entitled vacation time in spite of the economic climate. Researchers say they should. There have been studies done and each one shows that workers who don’t take vacation time throughout the year feel higher levels of stress and greater levels of disengagement at the workplace. In particular with the stress of today’s world, taking a vacation can be critical to keeping emotionally sound.

Many workers who have remained employed throughout the recession have suffered. Although access to financial tools like personal loans remained, stress levels were high. They have seen colleagues let go and have had to pick up their slack with no additional compensation. Add to that the emotional drain of hearing the employment rate still at an all-time high and that makes for a worker who is stressed and worried. When that is pushed to the max, it can be disastrous.

Taking a vacation in this economy

Many workers also believe that in the current economy they can’t afford a vacation. They believe it takes a good amount of discretionary spending to go on a vacation. There is the added stress of leaving that plagues them, and they opt to not go at all. Connie Thanasoulis, a career expert at Vault.com, said, “It is silly to think that giving up vacation is going to make your colleagues think how important you are. Take your vacation and let them miss you.” Many vacation days are also not retroactive and once they are gone, they are gone for good.

It isn’t as difficult to take a vacation in the economy with a strict budget. Taking a few days to visit out-of-state friends or family can work well with a limited budget. In addition, today’s economy has pressed many vacation spots, hotels and bed and breakfasts to create deep discounts. A simple online search can bring a wide range of cost-effective places to go for any vacationer. Thanasoulis added, “Vacations are underrated. People think they are fluff. I believe they are crucial.”

The power of a vacation

Every worker in the market today has gone through their own strains and stresses. It’s not easy to perform at top performance while hearing that the job market eliminated over 2.7 million positions over the past two years. Of course people are worried, but there are emotional benefits of taking a break. Experts agree that vacations offer stress reduction, regeneration and rest and satisfy the innate need people have to feel that they are in control of their own time.

In today’s world, payday loans have become a reliable funding option. Many people find themselves at a shortfall when it comes to paying their monthly bills. Since the recession, credit cards have proven to be not as reliable as once thought. Credit lenders closed their doors sharply when they faced huge losses due to the overwhelming number of defaulting accounts. Interest rates skyrocketed, credit limits were slashed and lending companies altered their rules to make it difficult for even their best customers to use credit like they used to. The credit market is still leveling itself off and only time will tell what the future holds. In the mean time, consumers have gotten creative with how to pay their bills.

One option many people have used successfully is the payday loan option. These loans are built for people in need of quick cash. Normally the requirements include having a job, being over 18 and having direct deposit. The loans are helpful for those who qualify, and they can save applicants from over-limit fees and late fees that a late payment can trigger.

Saving money is becoming the new trend

Despite the popularity of payday loans though, there are some people who are turning to good old-fashioned saving as a means of facing hefty bills. For anyone looking to bring in extra money in savings, it isn’t as difficult as it sounds. Here are some ways people are using to bring in part-time revenue:

• EBay. Many people make a good second income by selling things online. The good news is that EBay has been around long enough to create a great customer service team and a product listing procedure that is simple. Some people specialize in hunting for finds at thrift stores. They then double the price, factor in shipping and sell the item online for a good profit.
• Caterer. Catering is one of those jobs that anyone can do. For people with a few years of hosting or waitressing under their belt, it can be a lucrative second job. Many people are putting ads online on Craig’s List citing their availability. In particular during the popular wedding season, workers can easily make enough to equal, and even go beyond, the money they could get from payday loans.
• Maid. Office buildings and homes all need someone to clean them. After hours or weekends are normally when the shifts start, so they are perfect for people with full-time day jobs. One online job seeker wrote a review of her experience as a maid and said, “I do this extra job two nights a week and it earns me an extra $70 a week…I normally have an extra $300 or so, by the end of the month.”
• Online expert. Some people have found their second job possibility by using their knowledge of the internet. People who know how to update web pages, maintain websites or code have an advantage over others. Normally these services cost companies big bucks when they hire professionals. Finding a freelancer or a part-time worker can save them thousands. One recent poster on Craig’s List wrote, “I used to maintain a company website for about $13 an hour as a part-time thing on the side. It was convenient because I could do it from home in the evening or the weekends.”

The changing economy

Though analysts are professing that improvements in the economy will be visible in mid-2010, they don’t truly know to what degree those changes will affect people. People have relied on payday loans since the recession began, but are now looking to ways of creating added income. With some creativity and research on what their skills are, everyone can find a way to bring in more income.

Need payday loans? Start your application HERE!

What’s it going to be for lunch? You do have a lunch hour, don’t you? Or at least a lunch period?

Some people use their lunch time at work to catch up on errands and E-mails. Others actually eat their lunch. I find myself surfing the Net more often than not, during and after the time that I enjoy my food. But leave it to a Web site called Dumb Little Man to set us straight on the top 5 ways to spend your lunch hour that don’t involve anything illicit or illegal. These ideas would amount to the kind of power lunch so many of us desperately need in our cubicle-bound lives. Call this info instant cash for what ails you, working men and women.

1)      Got a full hour? Use it!

This is the perfect way to start the list. Thanks, Dumb Little Man. It may not take you a full hour to consume your lunch, but you should use the time allotted to you. Give your mind a break. Recharge. Get outside of the office. If you actually think that you’re too busy to take lunch, something is wrong with you or anyone else in the world who agrees. But it can easily be corrected. The world needs to siesta once in a while.

2)      Eat a balanced meal

This is a tough one, I know. Lunch is your energy boost for the rest of the afternoon, not coffee or sugary energy drinks. Go light if you want to stay alert in the afternoon, Dumb Little Man advises. Maybe even sneak in a snack a couple of hours after lunch. If you think you can imbibe some liquor and still power through work, think again. You want whole grains, fruits, veggies and lean meats (if you aren’t vegetarian).

3)      Get physical

And I don’t mean with a co-worker in the supply closet. I’m talking simple exercise. Stay loose and alert, manage your weight and kick stress to the curb. That’s easier said than done with a desk job, but there are ways to make it happen. If there’s a gym nearby, consider joining. If not – or if the thought of gym membership contracts give you hives – then consider taking a 15-minute walk. You may even be able to recruit your colleagues to join you, if you can stand to be around them. If you stare at a computer screen all day, give your eyes a break every hour. Stand up, stretch your arms and legs and roll your head. Two of my co-workers have mini-bikes under their desks. Pedal your way to health as you work!

4)      Expand your mind

Surfing the Web and reading magazines is sometimes necessary to give your mind a break. However, why not mix in something that can help further your career? Numerous medical experts have found that learning new things is good for the brain, so much so that it can even postpone the onset of things like Alzheimer’s disease. Study textbooks and other materials. It could inspire you to go back to school (if you’re able). It could even change your life.

5)      Expanded mind = Expanded career?

Some of us hate our jobs. It’s a fact. Why not plan your escape? Of course you must be careful not to violate company policies at your current place of employment (unless getting fired isn’t a problem for you). Spend your lunch hour outside the office, and if you have a laptop or smart phone, see what’s out there. If you’re expanding your talent base, you’ll be in a position for something better in no time at all. Just be patient and don’t give up. Determination is instant cash in your life’s account.

I like the “point system” suggested by Jeffrey Fox. Each day, try to score at least one point by either researching a new company, applying for an interview or following up via phone and/or in writing. If you’re in a position to do some sort of freelance work, your lunch hour is also a possible time. Just remember to keep it out of your current job and don’t tell anyone. So long as it doesn’t violate some non-compete clause you’ve signed, what’s the big deal anyway? It’s your time, and time is like instant cash. Just don’t spend it all in one cubicle.

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B. Kliban advises "never eat anything bigger than your head."

If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, the Christian Science Monitor reports that American pet owners spend upwards of $50 million on their beloved animal friends each year. That’s indicative of serious commitment, but when it comes to those who own show dogs, some would argue that the dollar figures are justifiable grounds for being committed. According to the publication, “owners of show dogs can spend more than $1 million a year on a single dog in a run for Westminster.” Grooming, warm-up shows and advertising in the doggie magazines are quite expensive, apparently. I’m sure that owners borrow money somewhere down the line.

Now the Westminster Dog Show 2010 results are in

Sadie the Scottie (aka Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot) was named “Best in Show” at the famous competition, the veritable American doggie show of shows. We’re talking 2,500-plus dogs and 173 separate breeds. The Westminster Dog Show is 134 years strong and there are no signs that business is sagging. I think affluent pup owners should read about Random Acts of Kindness Day and see where their dollars take them.

Is it all about the love of the pup?

I find it hard to believe money doesn’t wag this dog, but there it is in the New York Times: “When Uno the beagle won best in show at Westminster two years ago, his owners weren’t paid even when Purina featured him in a full-page USA Today ad.” If our media masters say it’s true, who am I to argue?

More play than the Knicks

The Monitor reports that the Westminster Dog Show is the “number six sporting event in New York.” The Knicks certainly have a lot of catching up to do; they probably fall behind competitive vagrant rolling these days. I hear where the team is hoping to lure Dwayne Wade and LeBron James via free agency. They’re more likely to attract the attention of the Silly Nannies. At least they won’t have to borrow money to pay their salaries.

Help – not because you have to, but because you want to.

Are you a kind person? Do you care about others? Most will likely respond in the affirmative to both questions, if for no other reason than to convince themselves. Altruism asks for no one; it demands nothing. What you give to your fellow man is entirely up to you. Instant loans from a consumer lender demand eventual repayment, and your time is a precious commodity. What will be the rate of exchange when you give to others? What will be your currency of reward? It all depends upon your perspective.

Random Acts of Kindness Day is a reminder, not a mandate

Encouraging people to give of their time and resources to those in need can be a benevolent gesture, unless you’re the most fundamental objectivist around. Your scientific, philosophical or spiritual views may shape your individual experience, but many people agree that helping others feels good. That’s where Random Acts of Kindness Day (or Random Acts of Kindness Week) come into play: people are encouraged to help others without having to have a reason or hope of repayment. But none of it points toward obligation, or saving your efforts for just one day or week. Why not simply be kind? Various sources claim it’s good for your health, including this one.

The little things count

Help someone open a door. Spend extra time playing with your kids. Volunteer with a local charity. Say hello and smile before that pair of eyes you meet on the street (but don’t overdo it). Compliment friends, family or your significant other. You can even be good to yourself on Random Acts of Kindness Day. If you are looking to spark more ideas, check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

I’m sure you can think of many more! You can check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. Heck, if Nutley, New Jersey can do it, why can’t you? Instant loans may boost your budget temporarily, but instant random acts of kindness any day can boost your human currency.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/yourdon/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Some of us move in and out of relationships with supernal ease. When the final curtain falls and the arc lights fade, what’s left but to remove the grease paint and start pressing the flesh en route to the next gig? For others, however, finding a path out of the blast crater is a bit more challenging.

If you’re looking for quick loans, apply here. Of course, if you’re looking for my advice rather than money, try this: tell the story of when your relationship died at “It Was Over When.” The cathartic release will do you some good. Of course, quick cash for those annoying bill collectors can be cathartic, too.

Laugh that loser right out of your life

Stories tend to come from either side of the relationship cold war. There are escapees with horror stories of dating atrocities. Then there are ceremoniously dumped who know they have baggage that includes a sense of humor. Clueless individuals need not apply, as they probably don’t see how a site like “It Was Over When” could be important – or that anything they do could possibly end up there.

The exact moment when the relationship ended

The tipping point as documented on “It Was Over When” is akin to William Burroughs’ “naked lunch: a frozen moment when everyone sees what is on the end of every fork.” It could come after two dates, two years or (what seems like) two lifetimes. Whether it’s funny, sad or patently unbelievable, sharing the moment can be good for the survivor. As founder Robert Elder puts it, “It Was Over When” aims to “provide a bit of comfort, humor and, hopefully, healing identification.” For those who want to read of when love began, Elder also has “It Was Love When.” It all amounts to quick loans of sanity during an insane time, perhaps.

For our enjoyment, broken down by category

“It Was Over When” organizes the experiences of others into helpful categories. Here they are, along with my notes on personal favorites.

Chemistry

“Kim’s” story of the late date cracks me up:

“We met online and, after a few months, set up a date. He was supposed to arrive @ 7 p.m. He didn’t show until 11:30 p.m. Kept getting lost and calling me from various “lost” locations. I’m sorry, only an idiot would get this lost. Nonetheless, I kept the date and let Lost Boy into my home. At 12:30am, I yawned. He shot up from his chair and barked at me: “Sorry if I’m keeping you up or anything” and ran out the door.”

Sex

Here we have great stuff I cannot relate to you in this forum.

Quirks

“Nicole’s” relationship ended once she realized that her man preferred to play with her online avatar rather than be with her in person. He could “never really love me,” she writes.

Clashes

Manners

It’s interesting how more than one of the front page stories for this category has to do with money. Do I smell commentary on our society here?

Secrets!

Weird

And finally, Best of

Life is too short to cater to crazy. That’s why “Mark” left his relationship. His girlfriend was keeping a list of all his friends that she “hated for taking attention away from her.” Thankfully, as Mark relates, these friends are all still alive.

Your quick loans blogger enjoys “It Was Over When” and will contribute his own story soon

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Death Bear is ready for Valentine's Day. (Photo: animalnewyork.com)

“I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.”
- Bene Gesserit “Litany Against Fear” from Frank Herbert’s “Dune”

We fear emotional pain more than anything else brewed in the nightmare world buried deep within the heart of dreams. This pain can take many forms, from the loss of a child to the fear of death. How many of us are able to face our fear? Like a knight at the end of the journey, can we place the pieces upon the board and still maintain the focus needed to endure beyond hopelessness?

Death Bear is available for the lovelorn

How we deal with a relationship that has met its end is another exercise in dealing with our fear. For those who need a little help, Death Bear is there, free of charge. You won’t need a pay day loan for his services. Nate Hill, a 32-year-old Brooklyn performance artist, will dress as Death Bear, come to your home and take away most all that your former lover leaves behind. The broken heart remains, of course. Even Valentine’s Day can’t heal that. We must suffer and we must persevere.

Death Bear’s mission statement

Straight from Death Bear’s Web site:

“We all have someone or something we would rather just forget. Things fall apart. Love hurts. Dreams die. But when you summon Death Bear to your door, you can rest assured that help has come.

“Death Bear will take things from you that trigger painful memories and stow them away in his cave where they will remain forever, allowing you to move on with your life. Give him an ex’s clothes, old photos, mementos, letters, etc. Death Bear is here to assist you in your time of tragedy, heartbreak and loss.”

Interestingly, Hill told “Today” that he holds on to much of what he takes.

Why is it easier for us to give up part of ourselves to an anonymous Death Bear?

A seven-foot cartoon character in black, Death Bear treats his customers with great politeness. Letting go of material objects to Death Bear is mostly symbolic, but I think the fact that people do not see the face of another human being in the transaction girds the heart. It keeps the dam from bursting, keeps the caravan of loss from carving a path through the lines of years. Or it could be that a cartoon bear keeps it from hurting.

Occupy yourself

Death Bear has his role, but the real work rests upon those left behind. Be good to yourself after a breakup – within reason. Don’t shut out your friends and don’t shut yourself in your cave for too long. Go outside, avoid self-destructive behaviors and remember that you are valuable. Your pay day loan blogger has told himself that before, and the inner eye continues to follow the path of my being.

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Heidi, Tim and Nina must be so proud. Image from Picasa.

For those of you who were disappointed that Daniel Vosovic didn’t win “Project Runway” season two, you’ll be happy to hear that he launched his own fashion line today, in the form of a New York Fashion Week runway show. It takes a lot more than payday loans to make it to that runway, and it sounds like he’s making it work.

Twitter is going crazy with comments about Daniel Vosovic’s show at New York Fashion Week. People are mostly posting photos and commenting on his usage of only Asian models. People are “loving the photos” and that his collection has “interesting pieces featuring sculptural construction.” It may have taken him a few more years than it would have if he’d taken the “Project Runway” season two title, but he got there: He’s the designer creating buzz at New York Fashion Week.

Daniel Vosovic’s big win

Of course, one can’t say that Daniel Vosovic never won “Project Runway,” it was just that first time he was on. When he came back for the Project Runway All-Star Challenge he won, and low and behold, a few months later he is showing his very own collection at New York Fashion week.
You can check out photos of Daniel Vosovic and some of the pieces he sent down the New York Fashion Week runway at Closet Couture.

Daniel Vosovic history

So what did Daniel Vosovic have to do to get here at the tender age of 28? Like many frugal-minded people seeking an education, Daniel Vosovic started out in community college in Michigan. He graduate and moved on to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

His education didn’t stop there, though. He attended fashion seminars by Li Edelkoort in Florence, Milan, and Paris, and went through lots of on-the-job-training at Gorland/Ittiere in London. He also wrote a book, “Fashion Inside Out,” which came out in 2008.

Image from Flickr.

It seems when Google sees a good idea, the humongous company just can’t seem to keep its hands off of it. From everything I have read about Google’s new product, which people are referring to as Gmail Buzz or Googlebuzz, it’s the same thing as Facebook. PC World reports:

Using Buzz, you can share pictures, videos, and links, pulling in media from other sites like YouTube, Picasa, Flickr, Google Reader, and even Twitter. Google put an emphasis on sharing media, with features like inline video playback and a custom photo viewer that lets you quickly skim through shared photos.

That sounds pretty much exactly like what Facebook does. It does automatic compilation of information for the sites mentioned, but I am not so certain that is a good thing. I don’t want to have to think through all my gmail contacts and whether they want to see every picture I ever post online. I’m just glad that I can still get a cash until payday loan and be sure that my privacy will be protected.

Signing up for Gmail Buzz

You can check out this new service for yourself at www.google.com/buzz. A lot of people who know more about technology than I do are saying good things about the fact that “the data is geotagged.” But I also read that you will get an email every time someone comments on your status or comments on your comments. I am sure that will be easy to turn off just as it is with Facebook, but that sounds pretty annoying.

So here is my question: Why would people, who already have a social network built  up on Facebook want to start from scratch with Gmail Buzz? Sure, all of your gmail contacts will automatically be a part of your social network, but I think that only people who have gmail can use Googlebuzz. So what about my sister, who still stubbornly sticks with her Yahoo address?

More info on Gmail Buzz

For articles by people more technologically savvy than I, check out these articles from The Seattle P.I. and PC World for more information.

Will you be signing up for Gmail Buzz, or Googlebuzz?

Single mothers in need of money now have some choices to make. It’s difficult in today’s economy for anyone to manage, but with the added stress of raising children, it can be a daunting task. There are millions of unemployed Americans in the job market and a good portion are single mothers trying to make ends meet. The hardest part of combining motherhood with work is the schedule. A single parent has to be available in the morning to get children to school, and be ready to pick them up afterwards. There are illnesses to deal with and holidays where children need supervision. Even the best employer may not always be willing or able to accommodate.

Jobs for single mothers

There are some jobs that cater to single mothers due to the schedules and responsibilities. Here are the top five:

1.) Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. Without question, being in pharmaceutical sales is not easy, but more and more companies in the industry are creating flexible policies for workers. For example, GlaxoSmithKline has an official “Flexible Working Policy” that allows home workers, part-time workers, annualized hours, and term-time working. The company also provides workers with on- or near-site daycare services and pay-for-performance incentives.

2.) Teachers. Teaching is one of the top careers for mothers because the schedule is congruent to children’s school schedules. This field is known for its family-friendliness and some professionals choose to work in the same district or school where they reside. It’s much easier for a teacher to be a parent if their child is down the hallway or a few miles away. An added benefit is that teachers can also pick up extra work with private tutoring or teaching additional classes on the side.

3.) Freelance writer. Freelance writing offers a flexibility that few other career choices provide. Some famous freelance writers are Jacquelyn G. Mitchard, author of “The Deep End of the Ocean” and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series of books. Most professional writers have some help with childcare but due to being able to set a schedule themselves, most can get by with minimum outside assistance.

4.) Registered nurse. Becoming a registered nurse is a particularly effective way to find money now due to the many bonuses involved. The health care industry is looking for qualified workers and the job market promises to be a continuingly growing one. Americans are getting older and health care is in demand now and is projected to grow exponentially throughout coming years. In addition to high-paying positions, there are also lucrative bonuses ranging from $500 to upwards of $15,000.

5.) Part-time or Temporary Professional. Many single mothers are more prone to having part-time jobs than full-time. Companies like Adecco, Office Team and Accountemps offer a wide variety of part-time jobs that pay well and are flexible for even the most rigorous schedule. For those looking for full-time but flexible professional work, AFLAC may be a good option. Workers make their own schedules and can easily opt for a schedule with no weekends or no nights. In addition, the company offers competitive commissions, incentives and contests for all workers.

Managing parental responsibilities

Single mothers in need of money now have a good selection of options. Each one above is lucrative, but still offers the flexibility needed to parent small children. It may take some searching, but with some good research and skill, any mother can find employment that fits in with her parental responsibilities.

Need money now? Apply HERE!

I remember Dexter Manley. He was a lights out defensive end out of Oklahoma State who was sure to make a big splash on the NFL stage. But Dexter Manley had problems. For one, he struggled with dyslexia and skated through school without learning to read. Second, his personal behavior was very unpredictable – even violent – due to a drug addiction that included a cocaine habit. In spite of this, Manley was able to stick around in the NFL for 11 seasons, which is far above average. Sadly, the ride ended in 1991 when Dexter Manley was banned for failing drug tests. Numerous drug arrests followed.

He tried to pawn his Washington Redskins 1983 Super Bowl ring – for cocaine

Some people resort to payday loans when they need cash. It isn’t an act of desperation; it can make economic sense. But Dexter Manley’s addiction led him to desperate acts. The Houston Chronicle reports that friend and lawyer John O’Quinn, a reformed alcoholic himself, gave Dexter jobs to keep him focused on other things than his addiction. He held on to the Super Bowl ring for his friend, and wouldn’t relinquish it for fear that it would immediately go into hock.

O’Quinn and Dexter Manley helped each other

Everyone I’ve ever spoken to on the matter say that the road out of addiction is treacherous. Having a buddy – a sponsor, in 12-step language – to help you navigate is important. John O’Quinn is no longer living, but Dexter travels the road with strength and bearing, at least in part to honor his friend’s memory. Chemical dependency never entirely disappears, but Dexter did manage to overcome his dyslexia and learn to read.

Dexter Manley made mistakes

But unlike Michael Irvin, he isn’t facing a rape charge. Dexter Manley fell to the bottom and has begun the climb back. He overcame adversity and should be an example to us all. No matter the difficulty, you can achieve. Your payday loans blogger says that instead of paying much mind to the Michael Irvin shenanigans and the misplaced Tim Tebow propaganda, take a page from Dexter Manley’s book and continue to stand up to the challenges in your life.

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Image from Photozou.

I originally heard of the Beer of the Month Club as a suggestion for a Valentine’s Day gift. Of course, the suggestion was that it’s a great gift for men, but obviously a lot of women would love this gift, too. However, before you go signing up for the Beer of the Month Club, here are a few things you should know.

First of all, the shipping and handling costs are as much as the fee on a small online personal loan. The difference is that an online personal loan fee is usually about 15 percent of the overall cost, while the shipping and handling for Beer of the Month Club is about 75 percent of the total cost. Ouch!

Doing the math

When I first went to the Beer of the Month Club web site, I thought the price for the Original Microbrewed Beer Club was reasonable — even good. For a 12-pack of 12-ounce bottles it’s $20.95. That is a totally reasonable price for microbrews, especially “lightly distributed” microbrews. Plus, you get three bottles of four different types of beer.

However, after that $20.95 price tag is the kicker: “plus additional S&H.” So I checked out what it would cost to sign up, and the monthly price after shipping and handling is $34.95. So now we’ve gone from $21 per month to $35 per month. For people with a lot of money, that’s probably not a huge deal. However, for the majority of us, the difference between paying $21 for a 12-pack of beer and $35 is pretty substantial. Can we justify it?

Perks of Beer of the Month Club

So now that we’re talking about paying $35 for 12 beers, it’s time to examine whether the price is worth it. First off, having stuff delivered to your house is nice. Obviously, beer is heavy, so it costs a lot to ship. Furthermore, they are shipping beers from all over the country.

It says the beers are “lightly distributed,” so likely you’ll be receiving stuff that you don’t have access to in your area most of the time. So for $35 a month, you can try four different beers that you probably wouldn’t be able to try without taking an expensive trip. Clearly, the Beer of the Month Club is for connoisseurs who want to try as many different types of beer as they can, not economy drinkers.

Is Beer of the Month Club a good gift idea?

But back to the Valentine’s Day gift idea, you can sign up for as many months as you like — only one if you choose. You can also choose to have the beers of the month delivered every month, every other month, or every third month. So perhaps if you want to scale down the price, you could get a yearlong membership but just have one delivery per season.

There are other options, too, including International & Domestic Variety Beer Club,The International Beer Club and The Rare Beer Club. Of course, when you’re ordering rare beers and beers from overseas, you pay for what you get.

For sports fans, the Super Bowl is the culmination of the NFL season. Even for casual fans, Super Bowl time is a pop culture chill out, as the viral commercials fly fast and furious and the halftime show always presents the chance to either see the performers have a wardrobe malfunction or finally succumb to rigor mortis, perhaps both. Payday loans for mummification supplies are available, and hotlines are at the ready in Roger Goodell’s skybox.

But how about this chocolate-peanut butter collision?

Television commercials alone aren’t enough anymore; online social media like Twitter, Facebook and more have ramped up the Super Bowl experience to an entirely different level. Fans, advertisers and players are all in on the action, from Facebook fan pages to contests and various other promotions, it’s a completely interactive experience that mere television cannot match.

What Super Bowl social media can do for you

Thanks to Mashable’s round-up, here are a few highlights of what to expect from Super Bowl social media this weekend:

Lots of controversy

• GoDaddy: Watch out for the “Lola” ad online that was banned by CBS. It’s received it’s share of negative buzz, but perhaps the Danica Patrick-driven ads are cashing in on the “no publicity is bad publicity” concept.
• ManCrunch: See the video below. Men need intimate time, apparently.
• Focus on the Family: This is the pro-life Tim Tebow commercial that the makers insist isn’t a politically charged religio-political ad on national television. Yes, all organized religion is politics. You heard it here first.

Creating a sports buzz (w/product tie-ins, of course)

• Coca-Cola: Live Positively on Facebook, football fans. Share a virtual Coke and send some money to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. You’ll feel just like the kid who got the “Mean” Joe Greene jersey.

• Budweiser: Fans are being encouraged to vote on Facebook for what ad they want to see.
• Target: Not technically a Super Bowl social media player, but their Super Love Sender is a Valentine’s Day attraction.
• Monster: A Super Bowl advertising veteran, Monster is featuring a microsite called Fiddle a Friend. Because what job hunter in this economy couldn’t use a fiddle-playing beaver?

If you don’t care about the game

Then something is wrong with you. Sorry, kidding. It will be a good game, but I can understand wanting to do something else. I’d rather be watching baseball, or playing it, but that’s just me. Here are alternatives in Super Bowl social media:

• Pepsi: No Super Bowl commercial, but plenty of social media fun to be had, thanks to the Pepsi Refresh Project.
• Fill in your favorite social media time-waster here.

NFL players twitter and tweet

• The NFL: The Tag the Super Bowl #SB44 is a joint Twitter/Flickr venture, and as a whole this is the NFL’s first official foray into Super Bowl social media madness. According to Mashable, the “initiative encourages fans to tag their tweets and Flickr photos with the SB44 hashtag.” The NFL will pull it all together into a great photo album.
• Chad Ochocinco: Lots of players past and present are on Twitter and Facebook. Not to be outdone, however, Chad Ochocinco will be on Motorola’s OCNN to cover the game and rap about the color of his underwear – or something.

Slow down; untwitter your brain

Your payday loans blogger says that Super Bowl social media is changing the way fans interact with the game and its players. Yet it still can’t make him care more about football than baseball. Baseball operates outside the boundaries of time – there is no game clock. Since we’re all rushing toward our social media graves at 4G speed these days – with nary a moment to Twitter our parting shots – I think it’s nice to have something where the game continues until it ends, not until a clock runs out or advertisers tell us.

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During the course of a marriage, debt is often a major issue between spouses. Prior to tying the knot, most people have developed their own habits of saving money, budgeting, paying bills and spending, in general. While one may balance their accounts daily, another may wait until the end of the week to do so. One person may prefer to have their bill payments automatically debited from their checking account, while the other prefers to mail their payments. These methods of budgeting and spending may have worked fine before marriage, but afterwards, these spending actions may not go over as smoothly.

Unfortunately, misunderstandings about money in marriage lead to frequent arguments and frustrated feelings. In order to avoid such clashes, smart couples engage in discussing and creating realistic plans about how they will manage their marriage, debt and finances. Some even go so far as to create a prenuptial agreement, as well as familiarizing themselves with state and federal laws pertaining to marriage, debt, and the commingling of assets.

Here are a few of the most common concerns about marriage debt, joint finances and assets:

If one spouse had bad debt prior to marriage, does their new spouse become automatically liable for this debt, too?

No. After marriage, debt that a person acquired beforehand is not automatically attached to a new spouse. However, depending upon how finances are handled after marriage, a new spouse can feel the sting of their spouse’s former debt. For instance, if couples commingle their assets after marriage, a creditor can attach those assets in an attempt to collect on any premarital debt. Also, the IRS is empowered to place a lien on any refunds due to a person because of unpaid taxes, student loans or other government loans. In cases where a couple has filed a joint tax return, many are surprised to find out that the refund they were expecting is reduced or will not be received at all.

If one spouse incurs excessive debt after marriage, are both spouses liable?

Maybe. Mostly, a firm answer depends upon the state in which the couple resides. Also, if one spouse files bankruptcy as a debt management strategy, creditors can pursue repayment from a non-filing spouse if the two were legally married at the time that the debt was incurred. In marriage, debt liability presents a major risk. However, couples can better arm themselves against such risks by knowing what state and federal laws have to say about any potential issues pertaining to marriage, debt liability, and joint assets.

How do the courts view real property that a spouse owned before marriage?

Generally, property owned before marriage is considered the sole and separate property of an individual spouse. However, if the non-owning spouse ever contributes their own money toward mortgage payments, repairs to the property, general maintenance or helps make improvements to the property, or if this spouse has free access to the property, the courts may then view the property’s ownership a little differently. Again, this depends on the state in which the couple resides, how long a couple is married, as well as the specifics regarding the time and money that the non-owning spouse put into the property.

The financial considerations of marriage, debt and the commingling of assets are all very important discussion points for people who are considering spending their lives with another. While these issues do present major stumbling blocks to some, those who are unafraid to discuss and plan for these realities find that they fare a lot better as a result. For couples who choose to sign a prenuptial agreement or simply familiarize themselves with state and federal laws governing marriage, debt and the protection of assets, many of these issues come as no surprise.

Money now is sparse and consumers are cutting back. Businesses know this, and in an effort to turn things around, they are using more aggressive tactics to spur people into buying. One age-old trick is putting together a flashy and interesting infomercial. Everyone has seen them – the infomercial is a half-hour TV commercial that exudes the best qualities and features of a product. Advertisers use a “live studio audience” to hype the product, along with an energetic pitchman to sell. He or she espouses the many virtues of the product and tells viewers how much more fulfilling their lives will be if they buy one, or even better, two!

Infomercial products to the test

Consumer Reports magazine did a survey of various infomercial products and questioned buyers about their performance. The “Slap Chop”, a tool used to dice foods, does so unevenly. It isn’t as seamless as it looked on TV. “The PedEgg”, a pedicure device, works, but unlike the TV infomercial, it isn’t a “self-cleaning” tool. Most consumers reported that it “left a mess.” Overall, there were a few high-performing items, like “The Magic Jack”, a voice over internet medium, but for the most part, infomercial items were a disappointment.

What to do about the flashy infomercial

When watching infomercials, there are some tips to avoid buyer’s remorse. Here are some of them, as compiled by Consumer Reports.

•Think for ten minutes. Infomercials are high-paced and that’s for good reason. The excitement of the host and audience increases viewers’ dopamine levels. That causes them to buy more readily. It’s that excitement that can be curbed by taking a few minutes to let the frenzy die down. Once it does, an impulse buy is less likely to occur.

•Listen for clues. One of the clear clues that an item isn’t worth the price is when suddenly the host of the infomercial drops the price, or if they suddenly throw in a “two for the price of one” special. That means the manufacturer is paying way less for the item and the markup is probably obscene. Money now is a highly coveted asset and consumers have to be able to read between the lines before they make the buy.

•Consider the options. Though the infomercial may claim to take care of an everyday problem, Consumer Reports’ writer Joan Santopaulo said, “Consumers should think of how they took care of the problem in the past.” She added, “If a pan of water and soap worked before, why spend more money on something that may not work…it’s the old adage: If it ain’t broke, why fix it?”

•Add-ons are unnecessary. When consumers call to buy an item, there are operators who will try to add on more features. Whether it is a supplemental item that costs an additional $4.99 or a totally different item that is discounted if a consumer buys, is it really worth it? Consumers should think about the total price they are paying for an item and stick to it.

Think before the buy

Money now is difficult enough to manage without the added stress of infomercial pressure. Although items may sound good for 30 minutes, research is showing that few products maintain their advantages when consumers bring them home. Using forethought and wisdom can save everyone money and free up wasted space on a garage shelf.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joelogon/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Need money now? Apply HERE!

Melissa is a Greek name. In Greek, it means "honey bee." In Persian, it means "red rose."

Another day, another slew of Urban Dictionary name definitions on Facebook. I wrote yesterday about this wildfire of a Facebook trend — it seems to be one that even anti-trend Facebookers want to take part in.

Everyone is pretty familiar with the Urban Dictionary name definitions trend on Facebook, so I have painstakingly gone through my Live Feed to bring you my top 10 favorite Urban Dictionary name definitions on Facebook. Some are suggestively dirty, some contain foul language and the last one is just downright weird, so proceed with caution. The first is from my friend who often posts about emergency cash loans.

1. Jene

A french name originally derived from the Ancient Greek. The feminine form of John. People with this name are amazingly calm and sensitive to other people’s needs. Being friends with them is a great investment of time. Once friends with a Jene, You will always be friends!

2. Rachel

The most edible female name. (As you can see, I am steering away from the run-of-the-mill “awesme, sexy, fabulous” definitions in favor of more interesting or humorous ones.)

3. Nicolas

Often used when describing a male teenager who is under the impression that because he lives in the ghetto he is in fact a home boy gangsta. Every aspect of his life is influenced but the notorious 50 Cent, and he becomes extremely violent on the intake of alcohol followed by various whole fruit being thrown at him.

4. Sharrin

(My friend made this up. It’s not really on Urban Dictionary.) An antidepressant. Sharrin must be taken every night before bedtime. But Sharrin may cause lightheadeness, a sense of euphoria, and an uncontrollable urge to repeat the word yes. Sharrin is not for everyone. Ask your doctor if Sharrin is right for you.

5. Eric

A term used to describe a mentally retarded cat that has the ability to fly by moving its tail in a circular motion. Once in the air, Erics are known to land on top of statues to catch and eat birds. Once they get the taste of blood, they turn into a form of vampire and attack fat people.

See, I told you that last one was weird. That does it for my five favorite Urban Dictionary name definitions on Facebook. I wonder what the next trend will be?

"Mommy, why is that man so skinny?"

“L’Homme Qui Marche I,” a life-sized bronze sculpture of a man in stride, has sold at Sotheby’s Auction House in London for a world record price of £65,001,250. That’s about $103,872,319, in case you’re wondering – and it took bidders only EIGHT MINUTES to reach those dizzying heights. The bidding opened at £12,000,000 (a mere $19,176,059) and ended when an anonymous person bid £58,000,000 via telephone. Buyer’s premium upped that to the £65,001,250 figure.

Oh, for the artistic life

I wonder what 20^th century Swiss sculptor Alberto Giacometti would have thought about this. He was considered to be a Surrealist artist, and the Surrealists considered themselves to be revolutionaries who liberated humanity through artistic interpretation of dream. Their politics vacillated between Communism and Anarchy, and neither of those carnivals had much time or use for people who had £65,001,250 to play with.

And here you were thinking about taking out payday loans to fix your car. Start sculpting!

A dash of Alberto Giacometti

Alberto Giacometti lived from 1901 to 1966. In addition to being a sculptor, he was a painter, draughtsman and printmaker. While some art critics group him among the Surrealists, other terms associated with his work are “Formalist” (if that’s your De Stijl… art nerds giggle) and “Expressionist.” French philosopher Gilles Deleuze described the quality of Alberto Giacometti’s work as being “blocs of sensation.” Whatever the case, it’s probably safe to say that Giacometti’s work reflected his feelings about the subject. Why wouldn’t an artist take that route, I ask you? Heck, through mise-en-scène you can even achieve the same end in photography, which some consider the purest way to document reality in an impassive style.

Modern life devoid and empty? Check.

At least that’s what one scholar said of Alberto Giacometti’s work. In his book “Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy” (1962), the same Mr. William Barrett writes that “All the sculptures of today, like those of the past, will end one day in pieces… So it is important to fashion ones work carefully in its smallest recess and charge every particle of matter with life.”

Who knew such life would cost $103,872,319?

Pardon me. I probably need to go apply for payday loans for something.

(Photo Credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/jblndl/ / CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Many consumers miss their payday cash. The reason is that there are millions of Americans out of work these days. Though the recession is over, the unemployment rate is still huge and employers aren’t creating enough jobs to turn things around. For the lucky few who are on the road to employment, facing a job recruiter is the first step to conquer. They have already researched the company and know how they fit in with the business, but their next job is to convince the recruiter that they are right for the job. With an unemployment rate average of 10% throughout the country, recruiters have more than a few options to sort through when trying to fill a position. And anyone who wants to stand out needs to know how to manage their limited time with a recruiter and put their best face forward.

Dealing with a job recruiter

Recruiters are usually the first base of meeting with a new employer. It’s important to remember what to do and what not to do. Here are some tips:

1.) Don’t be overly friendly with the recruiter. Yes, applicants want to make the recruiter like them, but they need to remember that the recruiter is a respected coworker. It’s best to keep them at that level and remember that the tone an applicant sets is the one the recruiter will bring back to managers. All conversations should be kept professional and personal anecdotes and joking kept to a minimum. Job recruiter Erin Hovanec said, “A useful rule of thumb: Don’t say or do anything in front of a recruiter that you wouldn’t say or do in front of your boss.”

2.) Don’t come in looking for counseling. Applicants need to remember that the recruiter is working for the company they want to work for. He or she is not an independent worker there to offer suggestions on the interviewee’s career choice. Hovanec added, “If you are looking for suggestions, talk to a career coach first, but during the interview, leave that outside.” The goal of finding a job is creating payday cash and an interviewee who isn’t sure they want the job will be weeded out quickly by a good recruiter.

3.) Don’t request delicate information. Never ask a recruiter who the other applicants are or how well you weigh up against them. Hovanec stated, “Asking about other applicants is like going on a first date and demanding to know who else your date is seeing… it makes you seem insecure with your own skills.” There are some acceptable questions to ask like “Are you still interviewing?” and “How would you describe the ideal applicant?” Engaging in a dialogue about general job requirements is perfectly acceptable during the interview.

4.) Don’t request special treatment. Though it may be tempting to ask the recruiter to “put in a good word”, it’s not acceptable. It is always best for candidates to rely on their experience, skill and education to do the talking. If a candidate is right for the job, the recruiter will convey that to a hiring manager with no problems.

The crucial 20 minutes

The ratio of jobs to candidates is high in today’s market and it’s a good idea to act as carefully as possible with a recruiter. He or she is there as a screener and their job is to find the perfect candidate for the job. For applicants wanting payday cash to start again, it’s crucial to understand and manage the relationship. Even though it most likely will only last for twenty to thirty minutes, it can make all the difference in getting a job or walking away empty-handed.

Apply for a payday cash advance HERE!

XKCD image from Wikimedia Commons.

I remember when I was a little kid, and I always looked forward to the Sunday paper because of the comics. Of course, there were comics in the paper every day, but I was only interested in the ones that were in color.

So it strikes me as funny that now, in an age when I only look at comics on the Internet, one of my very favorites is in black and white. Whether you’re waiting to get approved for payday cash advances or goofing off at work, here are 10  great online comics.

1. Toothpaste for Dinner

Yep, it’s black and white, and it’s been one of my favorite online comics for a very long time. Toothpaste for Dinner is always simple line drawings — not even very good ones — but the comics are always clever and often make me laugh. One of these days, I will break down and actually buy one of the T-shirts.

2. XKCD

If you want to know what XKCD means, you’ll have to go to the site and read the “about” section. XKCD describes itself as “a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math and language.” So it appeals to nerds of all kinds. XKCD is usually black and white, also. My how things have changed.

3. The Oatmeal

I love The Oatmeal because it is often about grammar and often directly addresses my personal pet peeves. The one titled “10 words you need to stop misspelling” is truly a masterpiece.

4. Dinosaur Comics

It took me much longer than it should have to realize that Dinosaur Comics is always the same picture and only the text changes. Luckily, the text is clever enough that it’s worth reading every day anyway. This comic also has grammatical themes frequently, but also delves into politics, space travel, etc.

5. Shlock Mercenary

I haven’t been following Schlock Mercenary long, but what I’ve seen so far is pretty funny. It’s “an online comic space opera,” and displays subtle, dry humor. My favorite.

6. Real Life Comics

Real Life Comics is another very funny one, based on everyday annoyances and situations. I can really relate to the ones with the guy playing online video games and talking into a headset. Be careful, this comic has more than 10 years of archives.

7. The Perry Bible Fellowship

Despite what you might think from the name, The Perry Bible Fellowship probably will offend a lot of Christians. If you like blasphemy and satire, check it out. Beware though, dark humor and adult language abounds.

8. Achewood

Achewood is little bit of satire that features a cast of animals. Common themes are hypochondria, organic foods, composting and talking to plants. If you want to know what one man’s version of an alcoholic tiger looks like, check it out.

9. New Adventures of Queen Victoria

The New Adventures of Queen Victoria is another silly, satirical webcomic that generally pokes fun at current events, such as Groundhog Day and iPads.

10. Multiplex

Multiplex is a work-based webcomic that centers on the employees at a movie theater. Recently, one of the characters tried to convince another that the coffee machine is possessed by the devil. Warning: foul language.

Silica is the main component of spray-on liquid glass. Unlike these beads, however, the spray goes on completely clear.

We can all appreciate the difficulty of keeping up with household cleaning. Not only can it be back-breaking work, it can also be expensive, with one cleaner for this surface, yet another for the next. Not everyone can afford to keep up such a spotless regimen, and some resort to payday loans when their budgets threaten to break.

But what if you could spray household surfaces, products or even clothing with a substance that would enable you to clean them with just a quick wipe? That’s what the inventors of spray-on liquid glass are claiming will be possible soon.

Transparent and allegedly non-toxic!

Spray-on liquid glass can “protect virtually any surface against almost any damage from hazards such as water, UV radiation, dirt, heat, and bacterial infections,” according to reports on Physorg.com. It bends, it’s breathable and it’s beautiful. Did I mention that it’s essentially bacteria-proof, as they cannot grow and divide easily on the substance? Oh, and if you pour an entire bottle of wine on a silk shirt that’s been sprayed, it will supposedly come right off. One spray is intended to last a year, according to reports.

Also known as “SiO2 ultra-thin layering,” the Turkish-invented spray-on liquid glass is made up almost entirely of silicon dioxide taken from quartz sand. To make the spray, water or ethanol is added. Scientists say that the spray bonds to surfaces due to quantum forces. It’s considered environmentally safe, but it isn’t entirely clear whether breathing in the particles will be harmful. Wild guess on my part would be yes, but those involved insist otherwise.

And you can wipe it with a damp cloth!

According to current patent holder Nanopool, all products will soon be coated with spray-on liquid glass. It’ll be Scotchguard for future generations. And it will provide a great sterile surface for cooking. Wipe it down with hot water and you’re set. Bleach or similar cleaners aren’t necessary. In addition to home uses, hotels, hospitals, restaurants and even cemeteries are considering the implications of spray-on liquid glass.

At around $8 a bottle, save money on dangerous chemical cleansers!

You thought it would be more expensive, didn’t you? I know I did, but that’s the price point identified by Nanopool. Spray-on liquid glass should be popping up more often in the U.S. soon, perhaps keeping more people from having to depend on payday loans to keep their homes clean.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/omakakii/ / CC BY 2.0)

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Budget travel tips are a great way to break away from the mundane and enjoy a vacation without having to borrow money in order to have a little fun. Besides, enjoying leisurely activities during one’s off days helps to relieve stress and increase productivity. Although a cash advance or a payday loan can also help relieve stress, few things compare to a good old fashioned vacation.

Some of the best budget travel tips include:

Off Season Travel

Consider traveling during periods considered to be off season in order to get better rates on hotels and sightseeing activities. For instance, in the Caribbean, hurricane season begins in May and ends towards late September. As fears of being caught in a disaster zone keep people away from the Caribbean at these times, those who venture into these parts anyway find that they are able to pay a fraction of what they normally would for room accommodations and activities. Further research may also reveal that severe hurricanes have been few and far between in certain areas. This is a “travel at your own risk” tip, but many do so and find that they have a blast without breaking the bank.

Get off the beaten path

Consider traveling to rural areas in Canada and the United States, which are beautiful and may cost far less than more active tourist destinations. Since these areas are generally targeted by fewer vacationers, their rates for hotel stays tend to also be far less than one would ordinarily pay for a comparable vacation elsewhere. This is, by far, one of the best budget travel tips for those in need of a quality vacation.

Check out early

When it is time to return home from vacation, if an early morning flight is booked, consider checking out of a hotel the day before to save money. For instance, if a flight is scheduled for the wee hours of the morning, there is really no need to pay for an extra night at a hotel. Considering that airport security on domestic travel requests travelers to check-in two hours before the flight takes off, this means that one needs to arrive at the airport sometimes before dawn breaks. In calculating the time it takes to wake up, dress, check out of the hotel, travel to the airport and return a rental car, some find themselves getting up at two or three in the morning to prepare. By now, the lack of a need for a hotel room should be apparent. Since it’s the last day of vacation anyway, budget travel tips like this one suggest that people check out the day before they leave, store their luggage somewhere and find something fun to do until it is time to go to the airport. Of course, for travelers with children, this budget travel tip may not be the best.

Travel the old fashioned way

Consider traveling by train or bus. Often these options offer very affordable travel prices along with unforgettable scenic routes. As budget travel tips go, it doesn’t get much better than this. In today’s busy world, people often want to get to their destination in a hurry, but patient travelers are smart enough to consider the cost efficiency of old-fashioned rail or bus travel, as well as are appreciative of an inexpensive way to experience a breathtaking countryside.

A new outlook

Just because you’re short on cash and sometimes need a little loan till payday, doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy life on a budget. Once people learn to do so, even when they no longer need help from a payday loan or cash advance, they discover that saving money by spending less is easy to do and most adopt it as a permanent lifestyle choice. These budget travel tips, when used wisely, are proof that it doesn’t take a whole lot of money to have a ton of fun.

Apply for a small loan till payday HERE!

(Image from cote, Flickr.com)

In part one of this series, readers learned that Twitter can be useful in creating additional income streams or just useful for fast cash in emergency situations. As we journey further into the opportunities for making money on Twitter, we’ll show you how to use it to save money in order to pay down debt or how it can be used to raise funds for charitable efforts.

The following ideas round out our series for making fast cash on Twitter:

Search for Deals

It is likely that you’ve fallen into debt because you’ve been paying too much for items that you use every day. Therefore, it is time to tighten your belt and start searching for deals on these items, instead. Make a list of the products that you regularly use and then go in search of their manufacturers on Twitter. Follow them to receive regular updates on sales and coupons being offered on many of these same items.

Also, follow coupon sites that offer a variety of different coupons or sites like Woot or SlickDeals, which offer or advertise a wide selection of deals on different items every day. While deal mining won’t put fast cash directly into your pockets, it will save you money that can be applied to your existing debt.

Solicit Donations

If you are raising money to benefit a charitable cause or if you are just in a tight bind and in need of a little fast cash till payday, ask your Twitter followers if they can share a few bucks to help you out. While this isn’t something you’d do every day, most people don’t mind contributing a dollar or two to charity or directly to your PayPal account when you need emergency cash. If fifty of your kindest followers are able to share two bucks, you’ve made $100 for your charitable efforts or to help you get out of a crunch. Chances are you’ll need more space than the 140 characters Twitter allows per tweet to explain your situation, which is where sites like ChipIn come in handy. By setting up an event there, you can explain your need and give your followers an opportunity to chip in. You may even want to offer an incentive, such as a service in exchange for donations. For example, if you are adept at making Twitter backgrounds or setting up WordPress blogs, offer your followers a special gift of one of these for the money that they donate.

Stay Home and Tweet

Twitter and other social networking sites are free to use and can introduce you to people all over the world. So instead of going out and spending money on admission, food, drinks, gas and other expenses, why not stay home and socialize online instead? Sure, it’s not face to face interaction, but it’s also not costing you an arm and a leg to participate. When trying to get out of debt, your focus has to be on saving money, so if you’re a social butterfly but fluttering from event to event in the real world is keeping you in debt, learn to tweet, instead.

While these tips on making money with Twitter won’t make you rich, each one of them can help you climb out of debt if you apply them properly. When you are in need of fast cash, it helps to think outside of the proverbial box and try things that you ordinarily wouldn’t. Bear in mind that, although Twitter does represent a money making opportunity, the key to success in any social networking activity is to personally engage those who are taking the time to follow you. Do not bombard people with advertising or financial requests simply because you have a need for fast cash. Instead, take the time to interact and build strong relationships and then, if you find yourself in need of emergency cash or swimming in debt, you are in a position to use these, and other, creative ways of turning your tweets into cash.

Looking for fast cash?  Apply HERE!

(Image via keiya, Flickr.com

Just a few years ago, twitter was something people did with their thumbs when bored. Today, it still involves using your fingers, but engaging in Twitter connects you to a world of people with similar interests. For those in debt or who are involved in a charitable effort and frantically searching for ways of making fast cash, why not consider the opportunities literally at your fingertips via social networking?

The following are a few possible ways of making fast cash on Twitter:

Promote a Business or Service

This one is obvious, but if you haven’t tried it yet, it’s time to start. Everyone from your neighborhood Avon lady to Bill Gates is using Twitter to promote their business. People engage in social networking with others based on their common interests. Now, we all know that, in business, what you’re selling first to the public is yourself. So, since you’ve already been successful in selling yourself, making friends and building a following, why not take the next step in inviting your online networks to do business with you?

Sell Your Stuff

Look around your house and consider that any gently used items you’re not using anymore can be sold to someone else. When you find yourself in debt and in need of fast cash, think of Twitter as your own personal garage sale site and offer these useful wares to your followers.

Get Paid to Tweet

A lot of business owners would like to advertise on Twitter, but don’t have the time to engage in social networking. Therefore, smart entrepreneurs have taken to paying others, who are savvy at social networking, to tweet about their special sales, discounts, new products, special events, etc. Rates for this service may vary according to the amount of people following you or if you have to establish a separate account and build a following for each particular client, but the payoff can be big if you work hard at it. While having one client pay for this service may not produce enough fast cash to get you out of debt, if you extend this service to multiple clients, you just may be able to get the cash you need while building a new business niche.

Sponsored Tweets

It is rumored that Kim Kardashian charges up to $10,000 for sponsored tweets running in her timeline. Now, while you probably don’t have the following that Ms. Kardashian does and, therefore, cannot charge nearly what she and other celebrities do for sponsored tweets, you can still benefit from sponsored tweets. Internet companies, like Ad.ly exist for the sole purpose of connecting you with businesses willing to pay you for the opportunity to advertise to your followers.

In part two of How to Make Money on Twitter, you will learn more on how to use social networking to make fast cash, but you’ll also learn how to use sites like Twitter to save money when you need to tighten your budget or raise money for charity. Individuals who are serious about making fast cash on the Internet to get out of debt can do so with these tips and other creative social networking ideas that are applied with serious effort.

For Fast Cash, apply HERE!

(Photo from allaboutgeorge, Flickr.com)

Homeownership certainly has a number of benefits, from the tax advantages to the equity you’ll build in your property. However, the maintenance and upkeep that a traditional single family home requires isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t ready to spend weekends on yard work or home repairs, why not consider buying a condo?

The advantages of owning a condo

As a condo owner, your liability is limited to the interior of your unit – the structure of your building and all exterior spaces are owned communally by the home owners’ association (HOA). What this means for you is that the cost of major repairs – like a new roof or new siding – are shared by all the members of the association, instead of falling squarely on your shoulders. While you’ll still be required to pay for interior improvements and repairs, your overall costs will be much lower than with a standalone home.

But lower repair bills aren’t the only advantage to condo ownership. In addition, your complex may offer community facilities – like a pool, gym or clubhouse – onsite for you to use, free of charge. Your monthly bills may also be lower than single family homes, as shared condo walls cut down on heat and cooling expenses. Finally, condo complexes offer a sense of community you won’t find in your own home – if you’re ever feeling lonely, your neighbors and friends are just a wall away.

What you need to be aware of with condo ownership

Of course, there are some downsides to condo ownership. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

1. HOA Fees

Although you aren’t responsible for many traditional homeowner tasks, you aren’t off the hook altogether. Every month, you’ll be required to pay a home owner association fee which goes towards the maintenance of common areas, on top of your mortgage and tax payments. The size of the fee depends on the association and the level of service it provides, but in most cases, you can expect to pay between $100-400 per month to the HOA.

2. Rules and Covenants

When you buy a condo, you agree to abide by the rules and covenants set forth by the HOA. These may include such things as how you’re allowed to decorate your home, how much noise you can make and whether or not you can rent out your condo in the future. Breaking these rules can result in penalties or fines, and a strict HOA board can make your life miserable if you aren’t prepared to abide by them. Basically, if you need the freedom to choose your own paint scheme, think long and hard about buying a condo.

3. Future Resale Values

Traditionally, condos appreciate less in value than single family homes and often take longer on the market to sell. This isn’t always the case – condos in desirable neighborhoods can turn over quite quickly – but you should be prepared to wait a little longer than normal when it comes time to sell. If potential resale values are a concern for you, you’ll want to do your homework to determine whether a condo or a single family home makes more sense for you.

There's goofing around, and then there are full-on girl fights. Teenagers must learn that street justice is not a long-term solution.

For a faded rose
Will I be the one that you save?
I love when it showers
But no one puts flowers
On a flower’s grave
- Tom Waits, “Flower’s Grave”

If you ask a teenage girl today what they think about concepts of feminine fragility and ladylike grace, chances are that many will laugh at you. We live in a hyper-sexualized, violent soup of popular culture that teaches young girls not only to grow up fast, but to come out swinging. That includes – but is not limited to – the fists. If girl fights on YouTube are any indication, you’ve come a long way down a dead-end street, baby. Seek counseling. Have mom and dad take out payday loans if necessary, but seek help now.

Disputes turn violent

CBS News ran a recent story on this, and the presence of cell phone video is making it easy to document. Now girls can act out their favorite LiLo – Samantha Ronson dust-ups and become viral stars. And in many cases, viruses of a communicable nature are actually involved! How long until the Tequila gets in on this action, and will she have all her shots before entering the octagon?

Seriously, CBS reports that one video of a violent girl fight shows that adults were on camera watching. This isn’t “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” meat sacks. If you’re profiting from this, you should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, just as the people who originally staged “bum fights” were.

15 minutes of infamy

District Attorney Gerry Leone of Middlesex, Mass. told CBS, “We found three different videos posted to YouTube, and it was female-on-female violence, where young females were fighting in a very violent way, and being exhorted to do so by friends who were both boys and girls.” The viral masses appear to like the concept of girl fights, too. If what educators tell CBS is accurate, 80 percent or more of school fights are girl fights – and the Web is partly to blame.

Wait. Isn’t that the “guns don’t kill people, people kill people” argument? Not exactly. By nature of how easy it is to become “famous” on the Web, teenagers and other impressionable types might be more apt to act out. Girl fights in front of the camera give them an added incentive to spice things up. However, the root problem lay with what our youth learn about conflict resolution. Environment is an inescapable piece of the puzzle, I fear.

Nature, nurture, knuckle sandwich

This isn’t all about the boys anymore. Psychologist Jennifer Hartstein told CBS that “Boys always fought physically. Girls fought with social aggression, with slander and making rumors and all that stuff, and now it’s going this extra step. And girls are mean and they fight dirty. It’s hard to watch.”

Yes, as Little Walter sings, “I play dirty… I hit kinda hard below the belt.” Human beings are violent creatures by nature, and that includes women. However, we also possess a genetic imperative that falls under the “preservation of the species” column. Violence may be shocking and even entertaining to some, but learning how to deal with problems in a constructive way most of the time is necessary. Unless the human race consuming itself is entertaining to you AND “Left Behind” readers, that is.

Working out physical energy

Why not try, oh, I don’t know… SPORTS?

Competition is natural, and on the field of sport, people can learn to work with one another in the team concept. Payday loans aren’t necessary to buy that blueprint; you either learn to co-exist, or you die. That’s the way life works.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewmoir/ / CC BY 2.0)

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Image from Flickr.

I had never heard of ReserveAmerica before today, but I can think of a few trips that would have gone a lot more smoothly if I had used it. ReserveAmerica is a web site that allows you to reserve campsites, RV sites, cabins and other outdoorsy lodging. Where I live, it’s far too cold to consider camping. However, if you want to go camping over Memorial Day, the Fourth of July or another popular camping holiday, it’s a really good idea to reserve a spot now.

I suppose some people in warmer climates could use ReserveAmerica to reserve a camping spot for President’s Day, but don’t forget that weekend is also Valentine’s Day, so make sure that roughing it is the romantic getaway your partner is looking for. A nice retreat in a cabin or a yurt might be just the right formula for romance.

ReserveAmerica features

If you need cash to get that perfect gift for Valentine’s Day, remember you can get the best payday loans online. At ReserveAmerica you can choose just the right outdoor getaway, whether that’s an RV site, a group camping site, sites that allow horses or sites that have spots for boats or trailers. You can specify whether you want water or sewer hookups or sites that allow pets.

If you want to reserve a camping spot at a specific park you can, or you can just choose a general area. You can also choose activities such as boating, biking, golfing and fishing. There’s also a “winter activities” category. I guess that one is for people who are not as wussy as I am when it comes to the cold. You can also find out about getting hunting and fishing licenses through ReserveAmerica. I may seem early to be reserving spots for Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day, but ReserveAmerica makes it easy, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

I'll bet you 10 bucks this guy is singing "Bohemian Rhapsody." Image from Flickr.

I have heard a lot of karaoke. The times I have gone to karaoke definitely number in the hundreds. Possibly thousands. I have gone to karaoke at dive bars, Thai food restaurants, fancy piano bars, my significant other’s work party, smoke-filled Chinese restaurants and hotel lobbies. Here is a good place to go for Karaoke Downloads.

I have noticed, regardless of whether karaoke is going on at a tiki bar, an Irish pub or a Mexican restaurant, the same songs always seem to end up in the rotation. Of course, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll hear these songs every time, but if you ever want to get into predictive karaoke gambling, get some quick personal loans and put your money on these.

10. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

Karaoke “regulars” don’t do this song. They know that it’s nine minutes long, and it’s kind of rude to take up that much time when other singers are waiting. However, a first-time karaoke singer who loves “Wayne’s World” and doesn’t know that he isn’t the first person to come up with this brilliant idea will inevitably get up and sing this.

9. ‘Black Velvet’

I can understand why “Black Velvet” gets so much stage time at karaoke joints. It’s fun to sing and considered cool in a rock-n-roll sort of way.

8. ‘Hey Jude’

Much like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” this song is a bit long as a karaoke selection. I think people forget that selecting “Hey Jude” ultimately means singing “na na na na na na na” for two minutes. It’s a great song, but if you ever sing it you’ll probably notice half the audience singing along and swaying while the other half checks their watches.

7. ‘Tiny Dancer’

Elton John songs are very common during karaoke, and “Tiny Dancer” seems to be the Elton John picker’s favorite.

6. ‘Summer Nights’

Songs from movie soundtracks, and specifically “Grease” songs, often make their way into the karaoke rotation, but none so often as “Summer Nights.”

5. ‘Hit Me with Your Best Shot’

For women who want to rock out, “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Pat Benetar is the go-to choice.

4. ‘Sweet Caroline’

Neil Diamond is, of course, a very popular choice at karaoke, especially when there’s a more mature crowd. “Sweet Caroline” is the most popular of the Neil Diamond selections. Multiply the popularity of Neil Diamond with the popularity of this particular song, and you end up hearing this song a lot when you’re a karaoke junkie.

3. ‘Friends in Low Places’

This Garth Brooks song is similar to the Neil Diamond situation. Popular artists plus popular song equals lots of people slurring along with the performer. It’s a crowd-pleaser.

2. ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’

For some reason that I can’t explain, people from all different demographics love to sing this song. I have heard people of all ages and both genders belt out, screech out and slur out this song. For some reason, really bad singers often choose this song. If you go to karaoke as much as I used to, this song will be ruined forever.

1. ‘Picture’

Every time a man and a woman get up to sing a duet together, I shudder because I know what’s coming. The first man/woman duet of the night, no matter where you are, is always “Picture.” I once saw a pair sing this song when there were only eight other people present. If you go to a public karaoke event, there is a 100 percent chance you will hear this song.

A new survey done by the Conference Board showed that job satisfaction is at an all-time low of about 45%. That is the total amount of employees who are content with their current situations. Part of the problem is the economy. When the recession began back in 2008, companies cut workers. That loss of a workforce caused existing workers to have to pick up the slack. They were called upon to take on bigger responsibilities, bigger projects, more worry, but without any more pay. The added strain brought workers to a new place of unease when comes to their jobs.

The history of job satisfaction

Job satisfaction has been declining for some time now. In fact, since 1987, the trend to be unsatisfied with employment has risen consistently. Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board, said, “What we have seen over the last 22 years is that irrespective of whether the economy is boom or bust, the overall level of satisfaction expressed by US workers has been steadily declining across every single aspect of the job.” Those aspects include pay, benefits, job security, promotional possibilities, bonuses, workloads, communication, and future growth.

A major contributor to the feeling of displeasure is the feeling that workers cannot get ahead. Financially, it has become increasingly difficult for people to overcome high expenses. According to the 2009 Kaiser Family Foundation report, the average worker contributes $779 for single workers and $3,515 for family coverage. The prices of food, shelter and household items has also increased. In contrast, pay has stayed the same. Franco said, “The shifting of health-care costs from employer to employee and the fact that wages have not been growing all that rapidly means purchasing power is diminished.”

People respond by taking higher-paying jobs

To make it through the difficult economy, many workers are taking higher-paying jobs that are less rewarding. Robert Frank, author of “Falling Behind: How Rising Inequality Harms the Middle Class”, said, “If people are feeling more economic pressure, they are more willing to sacrifice other dimensions of job satisfaction in order to get more money.” It has long been a standard goal of Americans to earn as much money as possible, but to still maintain job satisfaction. Studies are showing that as the economy struggles, more people are willing to forgo satisfaction for the sake of making ends meet.

Satisfaction denied means lag in productivity

Some experts suggest that discontent is a very difficult result of taking any job. Although people believe that money is a panacea, studies have shown that it isn’t. In fact, once you have a pool of people doing jobs that they don’t necessarily like, it creates a team of people who are much less productive. Ideally, employers should be looking for workers who are engaged in their jobs and the business. Without that connection, jobs suffer. Adam Grant, a management professor of at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, said, “There has to be a connection to a real outcome for the end users – clients, customers, patients, etc. As the world globalizes and companies begin to do more outsourcing and more international work, they are using more 24-hour communication and technology to make it easier to get jobs done without a face-to-face connection with the people benefiting from the work you do.” That can seriously cut back the amount of job satisfaction workers experience.

Overall it is a good market to find a job

Overall, it is a good market to find a job in, but at what price? The economy is showing signs of a turnaround and most likely will return to its healthy state by mid-2010. That change should encourage people at their jobs to look forward to a time when their employers can return to old practices. The workers will be in line for their standard annual raises, 401k contributions will resume and benefits will no longer be on hold.

Image from mediaspin.com.

I don’t know exactly when this happened, but somewhere along the line, Facebook became my most-used method of communication. I use text messages and online instant messaging for a lot of communication, but in terms of number of times of day, Facebook is my most frequently used tool for getting messages out to people. Granted, I get a lot of messages out to people through this payday loan company web site, but Facebook wins for most-used medium.

Facebook has caused me to communicate with several more people on a daily basis than I ever have before. I have cousins who live halfway across the country, and I have gone through stints of more than five years without having any contact with them at all. Since becoming Facebook friends, we “talk” to each other several times a day, through status updates and comments. Now, I know more about what’s going on in my faraway cousins’ lives than I do about my coworkers, who I see every day.

Staying up on statuses

Granted, my cousins and I fit into a certain category of Facebook user. We update and check statuses frequently. Thus, I know a whole lot of things about a whole lot of people. I know specific details about peoples’ lives whom I haven’t seen since high school or even longer.

Why do Facebook users like my cousins and I update people on the minutiae of our lives? Why do want to be so frequently updated on what seem like mundane details of other people’s lives? In order to find the answer to this question, I’ve compiled a list of the most common topics people discuss on Facebook, according to my entirely unscientific analysis.

Music

It’s understandable that music is among the most-talked-about topics on Facebook. Not only does music elicit strong emotions, it elicits strong opinions. People have long defined themselves, and others, according to the music they listen to.

One of the things that I like most about this area of discussion is that it generally produces positive updates. People talk about loving a song or being in a good mood because of one. Sometimes they just post an inspirational line from a song. It’s a breath of fresh air after reading through a bunch of updates about how horrible the weather is or how bored someone is at work.

Plans for the immediate future

Many of my friends and I often post what our plans are for the evening, for tomorrow or for the weekend. People do this for a lot of reasons, including letting their friends know in case they want to join. Some people do it because they like people to see that they are active and busy, and they like people to know what they are active and busy doing. Personally, letting the Facebook universe know what I am up to makes me feel safe. It comforts me to know that a whole lot of people out there know what I’m doing.

The main reason people post status messages of any type on Facebook is in effort to start a conversation. Instead of cornering one friend or coworker who may not care about adverbs and apostrophes, people can toss a status message up for all to see, and anyone who is interested can comment. So what do people most often try to start conversations about? Check out my Top 3 Facebook topics list.

Think you can take the heat? Find a hot wing challenge! Image from Flickr.

Yes, it sounds boring, but sometimes after a long, hard week at work, some relaxation is just the ticket. Plus, if you get in some good R and R Friday, you’ll be fresh and rambunctious for Saturday.

9. Go out to a movie

This weekend, drama “Extreme Measures,” starring Harrison Ford, Brendan Frasier and Keri Russell hits the theaters. If a horror thriller is more your style, check out “Legion.” There is also a movie called “The Tooth Fairy,” which stars The Rock. As the tooth fairy. I am not recommending you see that, I’m just saying it’s coming out.

8. Go out for dinner

Going out for meals on a regular basis gets expensive. But it’s nice to splurge once is a while. Let someone else cook, wait on you and clean up for a night. You deserve it. One of the keys to successful debt management is to give yourself a break once in a while. It’s kind of like having a cheat day on a diet.

7. Have a dinner party

Having dinner with friends is one of the best life experiences, in my opinion. Invite over a few close friends, make something delicious and simple, bust out the wine and let the conversation flow.

6. Have a cocktail party

Dinner for six can get expensive and stressful, so if you think you’re not quite ready to take on a dinner party, just have a cocktail party. Invite over your friends, have some mixed drinks or just wine and beer, and just enjoy each other’s company. All you need is background music, drinks and furniture. Make sure everyone has a safe way to get home.

5. Go out!

All it takes is one wingman, wingwoman or a significant other to hit the town and have a great time. Walk, bring a designated driver or budget for cab fare and head to your favorite bar; just see where the night takes you.

4. Bar crawl

If done responsibly, a bar crawl can be great fun. The key here is to only have one drink at each place so you can last through the event. Bar crawls make for hours of fun because instead of just sitting at a table ordering round after round, you take breaks from drinking while you walk to the next location. Slowing down on the drinks means more time for fun! Of course, the key word here is “walk.”

3. Game night

Get some friends and board games or find a place in your area that’s holding a trivia night. Or go bowling, find an air hockey table, play some darts or shoot some pool.

2. Find yourself a challenge

Many restaurants have challenges: eat a five-pound burger, chug a gallon of beer, finish the hottest hot wings. If you’ve seen “Man vs. Food” you know just what I’m talking about. Find a food challenge near you and DO IT!. I have done a hot wing challenge, and it was really fun.

1. Go sing some karaoke!

People seem to either love or hate karaoke, and a lot of people make fun of it. But I am here to say: Don’t knock it ’til you try it. The other day a guy said to me “I don’t get karaoke.” I asked “Have you ever done it?” What do you think he said? “No.” Give it a shot!

Grant Desme has left many people scratching their heads in dumbfoundment. (Photo: 3.bp.blogspot.com)

According to mlb.com, the Oakland A’s have announced that Grant Desme, a highly-talented outfield prospect who appeared to have all the tools necessary for Major League Baseball success, has retired from baseball to pursue a career as a priest. Desme is 23 years old, and I predict he will be needing payday loans quite soon. Unless he founds a mega-church, that is.

Some would say there are more important things than money

And I would agree. I just wouldn’t say that this is one of them, at least not for Grant Desme right now. A 30-30 type player like him could build a nest egg that would enable him to start his run at a religious career with full wind in his sails. There would be no shame in that, if such is what he considers to be important. A person must pursue their desired course in life, free to pursue liberty, happiness and payday loans if they so choose. I wonder if Grant Desme will be returning his no-doubt lucrative signing bonus?

Scouts drooled over him

“If he keeps putting up numbers, it’d be hard not to bring him in [to Spring Training],” said A’s Director of Player Development Keith Lieppman to mlb.com. “There’s a lot of good things happening with him right now. At this stage, he looks like the complete package.”

Grant Desme was drafted in the second round out of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. If Major League Baseball wasn’t his dream, then I imagine that whatever his real dream may be, he’ll display the drive and devotion to achieve. But I wouldn’t have turned down an opportunity to play a game for a lucrative chunk of change. Considering that sporting careers are short, he would have had plenty of time to pursue the priesthood afterward.

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