Do Toys Create a Happy Childhood?

When I was small, I admit I enjoyed my toys but they weren't the highlight of my childhood. My fondest memories are of climbing trees, writing stories and imagining fairy villages in my backyard. I remember the kids in my neighbourhood and picking fruit in my grandmother's backyard. Toys? They were fun but hardly defined my childhood.

Toys have changed and evolved with our changing culture. Many argue that toys are encouraging children to grow up too fast by introducing concepts like sexualised fashion, hairstyles and adult concepts like nightclubs.They are also more technological encouraging children to become passive and sedated rather than active and creative.

Whenever a parent steps out to accuse a toy of being inappropriate or detrimental to a child there is an overwhelming message - "Relax! Toys are apart of childhood - just let them enjoy it!".

Since when are toys (or more specifically branded & marketed merchandise) synonymous with childhood? As a culture, we've learnt to associate 'toys' with 'childhood' as if denying our children the latest toys means we are denying them a happy childhood.

I think we need to question what childhood is and what it means to us as parents.

What sort of childhood do we want to give our kids? One primarily influenced by industry and filled with every toy they could ever want? Or by us, the caregivers who have their best interests at heart? How can we encourage our children to be more creative instead of sedated? How can we encourage our children to be active instead of passive? The answer is really for us as parents to become more pro-active in limiting exposure to toys and technology and encouraging other activities.

Unfortunately, filling our children's lives with toys does very little to make their childhood happier. It just grooms them for a life of mindless consumerism. It also teaches children to value what they can get from the world rather than what they can give and contribute.

Of course there is nothing wrong with children enjoying a few toys. The concern is that we try to use toys, games and gadgets to create a happy childhood for our children instead of focusing on the things that really matter - the things that children will remember for a lifetime.

Our children are growing up in a world that is very different to the world we were raised in. It's a world that is changing constantly and requires a pro-active approach to protecting and preserving the very essence of childhood.

Let's keep it real and provide our kids with a childhood experience based upon something deeper than whatever toy is dominating popular culture.

For more info on the media and parenting visit MUMmedia

How to Calm the Raging Inferno of Acid Reflux

More than 60 million people suffer with acid reflux disease every week of their life. Acid reflux is a very unpleasant and annoying condition. It is not considered to be a severe condition such as acid reflux, unless it occurs over twice a week over a time span of several months.

If acid reflux disease goes untreated for a prolonged period of time, it can cause permanent damage to the esophagus.

Acid reflux disease is caused by acid from the stomach washing back up into the esophagus repeatedly. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak and relaxed.

The main cause of the relaxed esophageal sphincter muscle is high fat foods which have been shown in studies to temporarily weaken the esophageal sphincter muscle.

The most common symptoms of acid reflux disease are a burning sensations in the chest, a sour acidic taste in your mouth, sore throat, and bad breath. Usually laying down right after eating will make symptoms worsen.

Many people suffering from acid reflux have found relief in positioning their bed in an upright position. They usually do this by putting 4 to 6 inch blocks under the 2 bedposts at the head of the bed.

The answer to most people who suffer with acid reflux disease is to reach for an antacid. These are o.k. for short term use, but reducing the acid in the stomach is not the answer.

In recent research, results indicated that reducing the acid in the stomach can cause several other diseases. So, what can you do? When you have acid reflux you absolutely have to have relief- and the quicker the better.

To start with, you can use these tips to help wean yourself off of the antacids for good. Lifestyle changes can go a long way in helping keep the flames at bay.

Things such as quitting smoking, drinking, and reducing stress will set you on the right road. Then, making changes in your diet is the best thing you can do to keep acid down in the stomach where it belongs.

The first thing to do is start eating foods that are high in fiber. Then make sure that you eat smaller meals so you won't overfill the stomach, causing sloshing of the fluids in the stomach up into the esophagus.

Eat more complex carbohydrate foods and lay off of the fried fatty foods. Last of all, but not least it will help you tremendously if you can start an exercising program.

The most common foods that are known for causing acid reflux are fried foods, caffeine, and alcohol. Smoking also causes the esophageal muscle to relax causing a problem for acid reflux sufferers. There are even some medications that can cause problems for some patients with acid reflux disease.

Be sure to consult with your physician concerning interactions of medications he has prescribed. A physician administering an acid reflux treatment usually prescribes various drugs as a first line of defense.

The stomach is designed to be very acidic with a pH of 3.0 or less. When your stomach has the proper pH, it digests your food so that it is broken down into vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are absorbed.

When the acid is reduced greatly in the stomach by antacids, it leaves too little acid for the functions in which it was designed for. Vitamins and minerals are severely depleted in cases where the patient continues over long periods of time to consume antacids.

Herbal supplements have rapidly gained popularity over the past decade because they are safe and affordable solutions for chronic health problems. Herbal supplements are a natural and effective solution for revitalizing your health.

There are several herbs that are well known for alleviating heartburn. One of my favorites is a very refreshing drink- ginger tea. As always, consult your physician before taking any treatment of any kind.

Breathe Easier with the Help of an Air Filter

Are you plagued by allergies or asthma throughout the year? If so, you may be considering purchasing one of the many air filters available for your home or office. Healthy living promotes all over wellbeing and with today's quality of air, it makes sense to consider the purchase of an air filter. Air filters work with your home's circulation and help to filter out any contaminants that can cause health problems and irritate breathing conditions. As these particles are removed from the air the quality of oxygen increases and you can breathe easier.

Over time, furnace and central air systems have a tendency to become filled with unhealthy particles. When the furnace or central air system begins to work, these particles are scattered throughout your home. Purchasing an air filtration system will keep these particles at a minimum.

Dust is one of the main irritants for people who have allergies. Coughing, sneezing and wheezing can all be reduced by simply taking the necessary steps to clean the air you breathe. If you purchase the proper air filter, as the air naturally circulates through your home or office, dust particles will be reduced and as a result the symptoms from your allergies will reduce.

Asthmatics have a difficult time breathing any time, something as simple as a climate change will cause an asthma attack. Other particles that may irritate this condition are mold or mildew, which also cause many difficulties for people will allergies as well. With these invisible irritants floating in the air an asthmatic can have an attack and reach a life threatening state. Purchasing an air filter to reduce the amount of pollutants in the air can drastically reduce the number of breathing attacks.

People with other chronic breathing conditions such as Emphysema and COPD should also give careful consideration to buying the proper air filter system. These conditions are rather serious and can prove to be life threatening. Reducing the amount of pollutants in the air can add to the person's current quality of life.

Children are exposed to many germs that can cause the common cold or flu. Unfortunately you can not control their exposure outside of the home, but proper air filtration system will help you limit your child's exposure to certain germs.

When choosing the proper air filter it is important to keep several things in mind. First you must determine what specific substances the particular air filter will remove from the air. Second, what size of room will the filter clean, as well as how often will the filter need to be changed and the level of difficulty when changing it? Other issues to keep in mind- determine the item's clean air delivery rate, the noise factor and can you run the air filter while you sleep?

Bottom line is that purchasing an air filter for your home can and will help the over all quality of air. As you can see it does take some thought and searching for the proper system does take time, however in the end the benefits will prove that it is worth the effort. Your family will breathe quality air day in and day out; therefore maintaining a healthy environment in your home.

The Dangers of Mold Growth In Your Home

Mold belongs to the fungi kingdom and is part of the natural environment. Outdoor molds play a significant part in the environment by breaking down the deceased matter such as dead trees and fallen leaves. Molds that grow at home indoors should be best avoided.

Mold has some resemblance with plants as well as bacteria, but is neither a plant nor a bacterium. Mold has an individual kingdom and belongs to the fungi kingdom. The term mold is used to describe fuzzy fungi grown on various moist surfaces.

Molds look like tiny smug marks; up close you may notice a fuzzy or hairy appearance. They produce millions of tiny seed like structures called spores that are invisible to the naked eye. These spores float through air indoors as well as outdoors. Mold begins growing indoors when the mold spores touch a moist surface. There are various types of mold that require different water levels, but none survive or multiply without the presence of moisture or water.

The human eye can at best see objects that are 10 or more microns. Mostly the indoor spores are merely 2 to 10 microns, while some spores are long, a few hundred microns.

Mold toxins also known as mycotoxins are discovered primarily on various toxic mold types such as toxic black mold also known as stachybotrys along with nearly ½ dozen other types of toxic molds. Mycotoxins and allergens are found on dead spores or living spores as well.

Mycotoxins are produced by several species of toxic mold. These are defences against being eating by insects, and are also powerful weapons employed by toxic molds in a microbial combat to assist them when competing against several other molds and bacteria. The toxic black mold is commonly found by our inspection firm in South Florida, and is likely world wide, as it was first reported as a problem with solders and their hungry horses in the Ukraine near Russia almost 100 years ago. However, even if the mold spores observed in residential areas are a result of toxic black mold production at high levels, they may not always bring toxic illness effects on humans through normal indoor inhalation. A human gets poisoned only when we inhale lots of spores.

History reveals the toxic effects of toxic mold mycotoxins in farm animals and humans including birth defects, coma, internal bleeding, cancer, and death, mostly via eating foods contaminated with toxic mold. Remember the hungry Ukrainian horsed mentioned above, let's just say they did not have a happy ending, and the solders that slept on mouldy hay did not fare much better.

The main reasons for mold growth at home are damp or moist surroundings. Molds are concealed behind the wall paper, on or behind dry wall, on top of ceiling tiles, beneath the pads or carpets, inside AC units, and behind the furniture. Cleaning concealed mold with chemicals is not the suggested remedy in most cases. Chemicals such as chlorine bleach are not recommended to clean mold. Mixing chlorine bleach solution with any other detergent or cleaning solution is best avoided as other items may contain ammonia leading to toxic fumes. If you kill the mold on the surface of your wall with bleach you are left with a false felling of security while the majority of the mold will still continue to grow hidden inside your walls.

It will turn from a small problem to a large more expensive growing hidden mold problem if not handled correctly the first time.

You must call a certified mold inspector to get to the root reasons for mold growth via investigations and testing or it will likely keep coming back.

Are Your Hygiene Practices Causing Yeast Infections?

Many women think that a yeast infection occurs because of poor hygiene. Truth is, those things that we "think" are good hygiene practices can actually be the factors that cause these infections! Some of the most common, douching and scented products, are the two worst things that you can do for your vagina. Simple practices such as cleansing daily with water and a mild soap are all you need to do to keep your vagina healthy.

Douching is a practice that supposedly flushes out the vagina with excess amounts of water, vinegar, and other cleansing products. This flushes out all the bacteria in the vagina which can in turn, lead to a yeast infection. See, the vagina is supposed to have some bacteria and a little yeast. The presence of these things keep the vagina at a natural balance that is able to fight off bad bacteria and keep the vagina in a healthy state. The good bacteria is what keeps vaginal yeast levels in check; so when those good bacteria are wiped out, the yeast can get out of control.

Smelling good, especially "down there" can sometimes define how clean a woman is. The last thing woman wants is to have a fishy smell, and the last thing anyone wants to smell is a fishy woman! Using scented products on or around the vagina causes irritation which in turn causes yeast infections. With all of the vaginal sprays, scented tampons and pads, fabric softeners and soaps, its hard to steer away from using these products. As far maintaining a healthy vagina however, these are products that you want to stay clear of. Opting for unscented products versus fragranced ones can help reduce your risk of vaginal irritation and lessen your chances of getting a yeast infection!

Now I know what you're thinking? How can you tell your vagina is clean, if it doesn't smell clean? Well, the vagina is an interesting thing and shouldn't have a smell (good nor bad) at all. Having an odorless vagina is the best way to make sure you are doing everything right.

What are those things that need to be done right to prevent getting a yeast infection? Keeping your vagina dry, cool, and free from irritations are the three key things you can do to stay infection-free! When physically active or in water make sure to completely dry yourself, and change damp clothes when necessary. When considering your wardrobe, wear clothes that are breathable and allow some airflow to your genital areas. This will help your vagina stay cool and decrease the chances of forming a warm and damp environment. Lastly stay away from scented products that can cause irritations, because that can be the easiest way to get a yeast infection.

Intermediate Ways To Get Started With RSS

Really Simple Syndication or RSS has turned out to be one of the most effective marketing tools around. As the name suggests, RSS is about syndicating content from some other site. Marketers have woken up to the importance of RSS feed as a marketing tool and it is now being used to promote different products. How can this be done? Well, let's see.

o Find some article directories that provide for RSS feeds. Submit articles about your products to these directories with links to your website in the "about you" section. If your directory allows you to promote your website you can include the links in the articles itself.

o Keep on updating the content and provide it to your subscribers for free. This would make your site more visible and would see higher traffic improving your search engine rankings. The direct result is marketers getting interested in your site to advertise.

o The feeds should be informative as well as interesting with proper search engine optimized key words. It should be pertinent. The next step would be including ads of your sponsors in your RSS feed as this is what is going to earn you money.

o Always pay attention to the content. Don't let it get stale. And try to make it available to as many people you can. The wider audience you would have the more popular you site would be and the more lucrative you would look to the advertisers and this means big money.

The Beginner's Guide to Skateboarding

Want to learn how to ride a skateboard? Skateboarding is a fun way to spend time with your peers and to learn new skills. At the same time, skateboarding is a sport that demands a lot of time and dedication from you, especially if you're planning on taking it up seriously.

But since you're just starting out, let's show you some of the basic things that will introduce you to the exciting world of skateboarding. We'll show some of the important stuff that you need to know about this fun and amazing sport, including your safety while on the board, the gear that you need, and exercises to keep your skateboard moving.

Ready? Let's get started.

Safety First

First off, let's talk about your safety. We'll talk about safety because many skateboarders tend to forget about this, causing hundreds of skateboarding-related injuries every year. For your safety, you'll need to wear a helmet, and the appropriate safety pads for various parts of your body.

When buying a helmet, make sure it is designed specifically for skateboarding. This would provide you with ample protection particularly at the back of your head, an area that is prone to injuries in this type of sport.

Buying Your Skateboard

Of course, you'll also need to buy yourself a skateboard. But what kind of skateboard? Find out first the kind of skateboarding moves you want to do, as some types of skateboards have specific designs for you to perform particular tricks.

Should you buy an expensive skateboard already? We suggest not. But at least buy skateboards from reputable brands as they will ensure that you'll have a skateboard that you can use for a very long time.

Now it's pretty difficult to recommend a particular skateboard for you, because each rider has his/her own preference. What we suggest instead is that you search for particular skateboard brands and types online, check out reviews, and find out which among them suits you best. Also, get recommendations from your more experienced friends who are into skateboarding. They can provide you with very useful advice on your quest for that elusive skateboard.

Skateboarding Exercises to Get You Started

Once you've bought yourself a skateboard and the necessary safety gear, you'll, of course, want to ride it right away. But you might be surprised that it's quite challenging to balance yourself while on the board. Because of that, it would be a good idea to do a few exercises on your board first. The most basic exercise would be standing on your board. That would give you a feel of your board, and will help you find your balance while you're on top of it.

Another thing you should learn is how to fall down correctly. Yes, there's such a thing as that. Falling down correctly will help you minimize the impact of your falls. Some exercises include lowering your center of gravity, learning how to brake, and learning how to land on parts of your body with ample tissues to cushion your impact.

It takes time to learn how to ride your skateboard wheels properly. But we hope that with your persistence and the beginner's guide to skateboarding that we have for you, you'll be equipped with the basics to get you started enjoying this fantastic sport.

Facts About Cervical Cancer

If you have heard of cervical cancer, then you must surely know about two vaccinations that have come up in past few years. The vaccines are Gardasil and Cervarix that are efficient in preventing the disease.

The two cervical cancer vaccinations have gained popularity worldwide due to rise in number of cases of cervical cancer. Along with this tremendous media penetration has led to the global platform for the vaccines. The increasing concern of health and fitness among major countries in the world has also given rise to advance treatment facilities for cancer.

Numerous women population around the world suffers from cervical cancer, which often leads to death. So vaccines are boon to prevent the deadly disease. However, it has to be clearly borne in mind that every medications and treatment including artificial drug, pharmaceutical product or vaccine comes along with some side effects both negative and positive. Cervical vaccines also belong to the same category.

The media should take responsibility in generating mass awareness about true facts of the cervical cancer vaccination. So you need to take care of it.Some of the health risks associated with the vaccines includes paralysis, loss of consciousness, hospitalization, Guillain Barre Syndrome, permanent disability or death.

It is better for patients and persons to know more about beneficial effects of the vaccines before using them. So you need to consult with Doctor If you face any problem.You have the right to information, so don't believe in media exaggerations, judge it by yourself.

Common Legal Mistakes Businesses Make and How to Avoid Them, Part II

In Part I of this article, we covered common mistakes that businesses make and how to avoid them. In this part of the article, we cover some additional mistakes, and some additional steps that can be taken.   Mistake Number 6: Ignoring Key Contractual Provisions   Many businesses, particularly small businesses hungry for new opportunities, simply sign whatever contractual terms are put in front of them by the other party. In general, this is a mistake, because the terms are almost always worded to favor the party presenting them. Further, businesses often do not understand some of the key terms that may have particular significant effects on their potential liabilities. Some of these key terms include the following.    Warranties. In Part I of this article, we discussed how sales talk can create unintended express warranties, and how that potential issue can be avoided. We also discussed how, if not disclaimed, the law creates implied warranties. This discussion is not about those circumstances, but is about written warranties contained in the contract.    Many business people simply ignore the warranty language. Obviously, whether a party is a buyer or a seller will affect their view of whether it is advantageous for a warranty to provide broad or narrow protection. In any event, a party considering signing a contract should carefully review these key warranty provisions: (a) what is covered and not covered; (b) the length of the warranty; and (c) the remedies that are provided.    Regarding the remedies provided, the Uniform Commercial Code generally permits parties to limit the available remedies. Accordingly, sellers will often limit the remedy for a breaching warranty to repair or replacement of the goods in question. This may well be reasonable, but it depends on the circumstances. The important point is to evaluate these issues from the perspective of your side's interests in entering the contract.    Indemnity Provisions. Indemnity provisions are often misunderstood. In a general sense, an indemnity provision is a promise by one party to "hold harmless" the other party in the event a third party asserts a claim against the party indemnified. Typically, the "hold harmless" obligation includes two parts: First, an obligation to provide or pay for a defense of any lawsuit or legal proceedings, and, second, an obligation to pay any settlement for judgment. Indemnities are often very broadly worded in form contracts. As such, a business on the receiving end of a request to provide an indemnity should be very careful.    Some of the key issues in reviewing an indemnity are as follows. First, consider the breadth of the indemnity. Does the indemnity, for example, include claims that are based on the indemnified party's negligence or fault? Many indemnities include such claims, although some states limit the enforceability of such provisions. If enforceable, these types of indemnities can obviously have substantial consequences for the party providing the indemnity. Second, is there any dollar limitation on the indemnity obligation? The potential harm associated with an indemnity can sometimes be limited by restricting the indemnity obligation to no more than a fixed amount.    Third, and most importantly, is the indemnity obligation covered by your liability insurance? Any party that is asked to provide an indemnity in a contract should provide a copy of the indemnity language to their insurance broker for review. The broker can usually provide advice on whether your liability insurance will come in and pay for the defense and other obligations in the event of an indemnity claim, subject, of course, to policy limits and other policy terms and conditions.    Limitations of Liability. Many contracts contain provisions limiting one party's liability to the other. For example, a contract may limit a party's total liability to the sales price of the contract or the amount of fees received under the contract. In many instances, these limitations are enforceable.    It is also common for contracts to exclude various types of damages. For example, incidental and consequential damages are often excluded. Although a discussion of what constitutes incidental and consequential damages could fill at least several chapters of a legal treatise, the most common example of consequential damages is probably lost profits.    Many businesses will insist on excluding consequential damages. Such limitations are common in many types of contracts, such as for the sale of production or manufacturing equipment. The reason is simple: All equipment, no matter how well made, can break or malfunction. If the equipment is production equipment, the customer's business may be shut down for hours or even days. If the equipment supplier is faced with the prospect of having to pay for the customer's lost profits, it in effect becomes an insurer, and not an equipment seller. Sellers undertaking such an obligation might be driven out of business by a single claim. As a result, these types of exclusions are quite common, and are typically enforceable. Parties should carefully consider whether such limitations and exclusions are appropriate for their circumstances.   Termination Provisions. At the time parties enter into a new business agreement, they are often positively giddy about the prospects of their future success. As the new venture is being toasted with champagne and praised, no one expects that anything will go wrong. Unfortunately, over 25 years of litigation experience have taught me that things sometimes do go wrong. Therefore, it becomes important to consider termination provisions at the outset.    Parties should consider the following issues. First, how long does the contract last?  A long term may involve greater risk. Second, what right does your business have to terminate the contract for the other party's non-performance before the end of the ordinary term? Third, under what circumstances can the other party terminate the contract before the end of the term? Fourth, can either party terminate the contract early for convenience, instead of for cause? Finally, what rights and duties continue to exist following termination? Contracts are often drafted so that certain provisions (such as, for example, confidentiality obligations) continue to apply long after the contract has terminated. Again, such provisions may well be reasonable for particular transactions. However, it is important to consider those issues at the outset and to understand the risks being assumed before the contract is signed.   Dispute Resolution Provisions. Many contracts contain dispute resolution provisions. For example they may contain a forum selection clause, which requires any claims or disputes to be brought only in the courts of a certain state, or perhaps even a certain county. In most instances, these provisions will be enforced. Contracts may also contain provisions requiring binding arbitration of any disputes. Arbitration clauses require that disputes be resolved outside of the court system by an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators. Arbitrators are usually lawyers or retired judges. There are pros and cons to arbitration that are beyond the scope of this article. The important thing to know is that, particularly in commercial contracts, arbitration provisions are almost always enforced. Accordingly, whether your company should agree to arbitration is something that should be considered at the outset. However, in my experience, parties often overlook dispute resolution provisions in their contractual review.    Mistake No. 7: Assuming it's Non-Negotiable   Many businesses, and particularly small businesses, assume that the other side's form is non-negotiable when it is presented to them. My experience is that is generally not true. The key point is getting to a decisionmaker with the authority to agree to reasonable changes to the contractual terms.   Occasionally, a business will encounter another party that absolutely refuses to discuss contractual changes. At that point, the value of the potential business should be carefully weighed against the contractual obligations that will be assumed. This can only be done through a careful review and analysis of the contract.    One option that is always on the table is walking away from the potential transaction. You may wish to consider what it would be like doing business with another company that is not even willing to discuss contractual terms. In this regard, I offer the words of a very experienced mentor of mine when I was a younger lawyer: "Some of the best deals are those that were never made."    Mistake No. 8: Using Internet Forms

In this day and age, the Internet affects everything we do. There are forms available on the Internet for free or services that provide supposedly "professionally drafted" forms for various business and legal needs. If you are considering the use of such forms, I would ask you to review and remember the prime directive (see Part I, Mistake No. 1). Saving a little money now by using an Internet form instead of seeking professional advice and counsel may seem like a good idea. However, if you do not really understand the form and you are not able to interact with a lawyer concerning what the document means and your business's particular needs and circumstances, I strongly doubt the result is going to be very satisfactory.    One truth in the law is that "one size does not fit all." Documents need to be tailored and crafted to the particular client and to the client's particular circumstances. Small businesses can find competent legal counsel who can serve their needs for a reasonable price, and that money is usually well spent. Someone recently remarked to me, "What is the value of the lawsuit avoided?" I think that pretty much sums up why "do-it-yourself' is probably not a good idea regarding legal issues.   Mistake No. 9: Letting Your Employees Vary Your Terms and Conditions

If you have worked with an attorney and have developed a set of terms and conditions of sale, there may well be a time when a customer will ask for changes. As you can tell from the discussion above, I certainly think you should be willing to discuss reasonable changes with the other party. However, it is not a good idea to allow your employees (particularly sales people) to vary terms and conditions at a whim or any time a customer requests a change.    For example, consider the issue of a forum selection clause, a topic that was discussed earlier. If your company is a small business doing business in Georgia, it may have a strong interest in making sure that any disputes are resolved in Georgia so that it does not have to bear the potential expense and difficulty in litigating out of state. If a customer from the West Coast requests that the forum selection clause be changed to mandate the courts of say, Montana or Oregon, that would prove to be highly detrimental in the event of a dispute.    The point is that any changes should be carefully considered in light of the needs and circumstances of your business and the legitimate requests and interests of the other party. Sometimes, changes will be acceptable. However, allowing employees to disregard terms established in consultation with your counsel any time they see fit effectively undermines your company's efforts to manage legal risks.    So there you have it. In Parts I and II of this article we have discussed nine common mistakes that businesses (particularly small and medium sized businesses) often make. We have also discussed ways in which those mistakes can be avoided. Of course, this article is purely for information, and is no substitute for discussing these or other issues with your own lawyer. Please note that this discussion is based on general principles of Georgia law, and that you should always discuss legal issues with an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

The Things You Dont Like About Other People Say More About You Than It Does About Them!

One of my favorite people in the world is named Billy. I used to visit Billy when I dated one of his co-workers. Billy would ask about what I was teaching. I would tell him the topics of the week and we would have some very interesting conversations.

I would share comments that I heard from "a friend" with my students. Billy was the friend. The students looked forward to what he said and good discussions would result.

Back in April, I started a book tour. Billy came with his wife, Judy, who is a teacher. I told her about our conversations and how Billy was "the friend" that would get my students stirred up. Judy wasn't surprised at all. Their older children are teachers and their younger son is a bright and energetic student athlete. I imagine they all have strong opinions. Judy also told me about some of the ways that Billy helps people from different circumstances and how he serves as a Christian. That didn't surprise me at all.

What makes Billy unique is that he can voice his opinions so openly. He has absolutely no desire to be politically correct. I respect that. It would be nice if we all thought the same way, but, in reality, we don't. Mostly, he is funny.

I never felt the need to debate with Billy. He's a grown man and his sentiments come from many experiences. He's come to logical conclusions. He has common sense and he has never been offensive. I just listened. In a world full of so many different kinds of people, 100% agreement on every topic can not be expected.

The wonderful thing about people like Billy is that their respect for other people keeps their minds open. New information and experiences are presented every day and they take it into consideration. They think about things because they always want to do the right thing. It doesn't matter where you are from and what you have seen when it comes to that.

People can't help but develop opinions about how the "other" people are living. The difference nowadays is that the "other" people are your neighbors and co-workers. In fact, it's likely that you are the "other" person here. In a city like Philadelphia, you can easily find a cluster of people who are similar to you and conduct your daily business within your comfort zone. There are people there who have never had significant interaction with people who are unlike themselves. I choose diversity over that every time.

Not that mixing with different kinds of people is easy. You learn some really unpleasant things about yourself when you leave your comfort zone. Usually, the things that you find wrong with the "other" people are exactly the things that are wrong with you.

My personal pet peeve is snobbery. I grew up with a whole lot of emphasis on "people like us" and staying within certain social and economic boundaries. Lawrence Otis Graham wrote a book about it called "Our Kind of People" that people like us might have found embarrassing, but mostly we just looked for our names or people we knew. It's a tiny world and people want to keep it that way.

A few days ago, I pulled into my driveway and someone in another car slowed down and waved at me. I didn't recognize the person, so I gave him my best "Keep Moving" look. Random friendship never happened in my world. It's a tiny world where everybody knows each other. If not, you wait to be introduced. You can see a person regularly and still not know them. I didn't make the rules, but apparently, I am good at following them.

A co-worker reminded me that I live in a small town. People wave here! The waver probably knows me from church. I know. Pray for me.

I thought about Billy and how I used to tell him that he had "issues." Now I see that appreciating diversity is just accepting people whose issues are different than yours. I take students on a semester-long journey to that point. A little while with someone like will get you there too and you will laugh all the way.

The Appearance of Disability - What Does Disability Look Like, After All?

I found a remark on a blog recently and the remark basically said this (I'm paraphrasing): "I'm tired of people who aren't disabled but try to get benefits from the government".

I guess it goes without saying that, today, we live in a fairly judgmental climate. And regarding individuals with disabilities, perhaps it has always been that way. However, for those who think like the person who made the statement above, consider the fact that many individuals with disabilities have conditions that allow them to work, but only on a limited basis, or for short durations. In other words, just because you see someone at the grocery store pushing a cart, don't assume that they're not being truthful about being disabled. For all you really know, after making a short trip to the store, they may be flat on their back when they get home, and in a considerable amount of discomfort.

This example, of course, raises the question: Can you necessarily "see" a disability? And the answer is no, of course not. And, in fact, when it comes to most mental and physical impairments, even when the condition is truly disabling, the average watcher won't be able to determine that's the case. Contrary to myth, most disabilities are not apparent to the untrained eye, making them effectively invisible.

To use a personal example, I have an in-law with bipolar disorder. My brother-in-law has had electroconvulsive therapy on an outpatient basis for nearly two years, which is fairly significant as far as treatment goes (this was enough to qualify him for social security disability benefits). By any thoughtful consideration of his impairment he is certainly disabled. But you can't "see" his various deficits when you see him putting gas in his car, or when he is picking up milk at the grocery store. In the same manner, you can't "see" the disability of a person who has depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, or migraines.

The mere concept that a person with disabilities should have to pass a visibility test belies a depressing degree of ignorance on the part of those who are not disabled. That a person with a physical disability should have to possess a limp, or a person with a mental disability should have to carry on a conversation with himself in public before a non-disabled person can accept that a disability, in fact, exists shows just how far the disability rights movement still needs to go.

How To Stop Your Mac Running Slow!

If your Mac is running slow and it is driving you barking mad, here is a simple quick fix solution for those tired Macs...

I know I can speak for many when I say, "I hate slow computers!" Computer's that are painstaking slow to load or do anything, really does drive me up the wall. I like to think I am quite a patient person, but this is one topic that really gets me going.

Not only is it mind numbing boring waiting for your Mac to switch on or load a simple application, like the internet, it is also very time wasting. This adds to the frustration. It is especially annoying when your Mac is running slow. No offence to Windows, but Mac's are known for being lightning fast. This is one of the reasons they are so expensive to buy, let alone fix.

Just taking it to your nearest Apple Mac store and have a Mac genius diagnose the problem and order in the supplies, can cost you an arm and a leg. But what if I told you that there is a much simpler, not to mention, cheaper way to get you Mac running as good as new.

You need to clean it!

Please don't take offence, I am not saying that you are dirty and left your Mac to fall into a dirty, sorry state. It is not the outside that needs cleaning, but the inside. 99.9% of the time, a Mac runs slow because the hard drive is clogged up with mess and old files you didn't know you had stored.

Don't worry, you do not have to manually search through your entire hard drive and pick out the lurkers. There are softwares that can do this at a click of the button.

Now we have identified the reason your Mac is running slowly. The next step it to find the best Mac cleaner...

How Low Income Single Mothers Can Get Grants

There's nothing to be ashamed of if you can't pay for your education as a single mom. It shouldn't limit you from getting the degree that you want and providing a better life for you and your children. If your income isn't where you'd like it to be, and you can't see any way you'd be able to pay for college, there are programs and systems in place for situations just like yours. Especially since President Obama has been making changes to provide more and more resources to working single mothers.

Perhaps you think that because you don't make much money you won't be able to get any free money for college. This is one instance where the rich don't get richer. Federal grants are reserved for those that have financial need. In fact, they calculate how much they think you should be able to pay for school and subtract that from the estimated budget. This becomes the amount that they calculate as how much you need. They will then offer you as much as possible in the form of grants that you don't need to pay back. Whatever is left they will give you the opportunity to take out low-interest student loans so you'll be able to go to school right away.

The whole process is initiated by filling out the FAFSA. This is a free application that anyone can fill out and submit. What they are looking for is a way to calculate your financial need. This means that they will want to know how much you have in your checking and savings accounts, any investments you have, any assets you own, any large pieces of property you own, and so forth. They want to make sure you're not sitting on any assets that could be easily liquidated to pay for your education. If you are a low income single mother, you probably only dream of having assets such as these that you could use to fund your schooling.

In the expenses portion of the FAFSA make sure you don't leave out any expenses that you pay regularly. They will be knocking these expenses off of your monthly income and figuring out how much you'd be able to contribute to your tuition and other school fees. If they see that you could afford a large monthly payment it could increase your financial ability and decrease your financial need, therefore lowering the amount of grants you'd be eligible for.

The last piece of advice is to not be deterred if you get denied grants by the government. There are plenty of other foundations and organizations that provide assistance to mothers with the ambition to get the schooling they need. Don't give up and fill out as many applications as it takes in order to get the funding you need.

Commonwealth Games Badminton Preview: Malaysia Favourites

2006 champions Malaysia are overwhelming favourites for the team gold in the badminton event at the Commonwealth Games, in Delhi, while England and hosts India are likely to contend for silver.

Twenty teams in all are set to take part in the badminton events, and they are divided into four round robin groups; seeded teams India, Malaysia, England and Singapore belong to different groups of five teams each.

Malaysia have been placed in Group A, which also has Australia, Nigeria, Seychelles and Isle of Man; Group B comprises Singapore, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Northern Ireland and New Zealand; Group C will see England, Uganda, Canada, Mauritius and Falkland Islands vying with one another; in Group D, apart from hosts India, Scotland, Kenya, Barbados and Wales are the other four teams. The top two teams from each round robin group will advance to the next round.

In the 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne, Australia, Malaysia won the gold medal, while England won the silver and India finished third and took home the bronze. Playing in front of a huge crowd of cheering home fans, India will at least aspire for silver, at the New Delhi event.

In the men's event, the Malaysian effort will be led by the world's top ranked player Lee Chong Wei. Indian players P Kashyap and Chetan Anand will need to get past the England players before they can match their might against the Malaysian players and aim for gold.

In the women's doubles event, India are represented by Aparna Balan and Jwala Gutta, while their mixed doubles pair are Gutta and V Diju. The latter, who have a world ranking of 12, will have to contend with the top ranked England pair of Jenny Wallwork and Nathan Robinson if they want a shot at gold.

But India can justly consider themselves as favourites to take the gold medal in the women's singles event, represented as they are by the world number two Saina Nehwal. The Hyderabadi girl has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and a Commonwealth Games gold medal appears to be just reward for this immensely talented 20 year old, at this stage of her thriving career.

The Siri Fort Sports Complex has five match courts and three warm up courts, and can hold 4,748 spectators. The badminton event to be held at the complex promises to be a mouth watering affair for Indian badminton aficionados. The event will be played between October 4 and 14.

Beyond Dancing - Book Review

I had an interview with Anita Bloom Ornoff who is the author of the book, BEYOND DANCING. While this may not seem like a big deal there are several things that you might want to consider. Anita is 85 years old and she wrote her book a year ago. Anita is also a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. She was the first woman to get a drivers license by using only her hands and she was the first handicapped female to enter and receive her degree from NYU.

Anita lost the use of her lower limbs at the start of World War II. She enrolled in the WAAC which later became the WAC. A cut on her finger got infected and malpractice ended up with an infection requiring that her spinal chord be severed. She has had three husbands and four marriages and two children. You will have to read her book to figure the math Keep in mind that this is a female who became handicapped long before the American Disabilities Act. Her struggle was constant and up hill. She had to fight the VA for benefits and she had to fight a society that was not yet ready to accord all equal access to the benefits and rights that most of us take for granted. When asked about how things were for the handicapped now, as compared to after World War II, Anita said that by comparison, today is like heaven.

This brings to mind the issue of whether or not we can control our lives and partake of happiness, regardless of circumstances. Many are brought up in situations that seem insurmountable. But the fact that there are those who rise above those situations should be proof that we each have more control over our happiness than we are led to believe. Anita said that above all; do not let others keep you down. Do not let people say that what you desire is not possible. Do not accept the norm since the norm and conventional wisdom is often wrong.

Despite all of the forces that seemed to be arrayed against her, Anita Bloom Ornoff refused to accept a "no can do" attitude. She fought for what she desired and has led a happy and joyful life. History is replete with those who, against all apparent odds, rose above the "trials and tribulations" of life and created a reality that was of their own liking, and not that dictated by others. Books like the recently released, "The Secret" say that with the power of the mind, all things are possible. Anita is an example of an everyday person who brings that refrain into perspective and reality. Perhaps there should be a little less whining in our society and perhaps we should listen to those, like Anita, who have paved the way in proving that what we think is what we create.

The novel is published by Bartleby Press, ISBN 091015550X, 311 pages, hardcover.