Lance Armstrong bracelets, the yellow rubber wrist bands inscribed with the motto LiveStrong, are tangible parts of champion American cyclist Lance Armstrong’s legacy. Diagnosed with testicular cancer on October 2, 1996, Armstrong battled with the disease and didn’t let it get in the way of his will to wear the yellow jersey once again to compete in the Tour de France cycling tournament. In partnership with sports apparel firm Nike, he started selling his Lance Armstrong bracelets for a dollar apiece, with the profits going to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to fund cancer research. It is not so surprising to find that the Lance Armstrong bracelets have become a cultural phenomenon. Aside from being very affordable, people feel they are contributing to a worthy cause by buying and wearing the yellow bracelets. Add this to the fact that the wrist band is not difficult to wear as a fashion accessory. It goes along well with almost any attire: from your regular jeans-and-shirt attire to preppy to sports outfits. School children and teenagers think it is hip to be seen wearing one, and it doesn’t make a huge dent in their allowance to buy it. Professional athletes have been seen wearing them at sports events. Even corporate executives in power suits have taken to wearing these Lance Armstrong bracelets. Made from rubber, it is similar to other cause-related bracelets that have emerged over the past years, such as those for breast cancer and diabetes. Many Americans collect these wrist bands, including the Lance Armstrong bracelets, because aside from being fashion-friendly and easy to wear, they have philanthropic and social significance. Why yellow? This color is especially significant to Lance Armstrong. Aside from imparting feelings of warmth and optimism, yellow is the color of the jersey that the leading Tour de France cyclist is given to wear, and which he has worn to victory numerous times. The yellow Lance Armstrong bracelets are his standard bearers in his fight against cancer, and they bear witness to the things that have given his life new meaning. Since ancient times, women and men have worn one form of jewelry or another as a way of expressing some sentiment, feeling or as a symbol. The Lance Armstrong 'Live Strong' bracelet is a modern version of an age old tradition; jewelry as a symbol of hope, courage and support of a worthy cause.
Sunday, October 2, 2016
The benoit tragedy was it negative effect of steroids
The Canadian Crippler – Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel were found dead in their Fayetteville, Georgia home on June 25, 2007. The subsequent investigations revealed that Benoit murdered his wife by strangling her, and then killed his son before hanging himself in the house's weight room. According to the media speculations, the Benoit tragedy was mere negative effect of steroids; 'roid rage had played a part in the tragedy. The court papers released on June 2, 2007 revealed that the pro wrestler who strangled his wife and son and committed suicide last month bought injectable steroids excessively. According to the complaint filed by the Department of Drug Enforcement Administration, Dr. Phil Astin, Benoit’s doctor who has been charged with improperly prescribing drugs, prescribed a 10-month supply of anabolic steroids to Chris Benoit every three to four weeks between May 2006 and May 2007. Astin also prescribed testosterone for Benoit. The document states that Benoit was identified as an excessive buyer of injectable steroids. The affidavit also revealed that various controlled substances, including injectable anabolic steroids, were found in Benoit's home. The anabolic steroids found in Benoit's home led the investigating officials to wonder whether the tragedy was the negative effect of steroids; whether the drugs played a role in the killings. According to experts, the people taking steroids may experience the negative effect of steroids; steroids can cause paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as “roid rage.” According to sources, Chris Benoit was a regular customer of MedXLife, a Florida-based, anti-aging clinic that had two of its owners pleaded guilty in April to illegal steroid distribution. The sources also revealed that several high profile wrestlers had been using anabolic steroids and consequently experiencing negative effect of steroids. HCG and the steroid stanozolol were often sent to the WWE star Eddie Guerrero in early 2005. Eddie died on Nov. 13, 2005, in a Minneapolis hotel room due to what a coroner later ruled as heart disease, complicated by an enlarged heart – i. e. negative effect of steroids – resulting from a history of anabolic steroid use.
Amazing uwb enabled vehicular safety system revealed
Imagine a world with real time vehicle speed monitoring with vehicles “talking” to each other, and reducing the collision rate highly. It is now possible with UWB Technology !! With Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, vehicles can have real time monitoring of vehicle speed, and enhances safety by triggering safety mechanisms automatically during imminent danger. The target users are the road users, the car companies and the government. The system can be integrated seamlessly into the existing system, and no additional user intervention is necessary. It works by having both the transmitter and receiver on the particular vehicle, and through reflection from front objects, analyze the speed and determine if there is a need to trigger the safety mechanisms. Through this system, car users can be assured of the safety of the vehicle, and hence increase their confidence in their vehicles and the car companies. Currently, there are substitute products available such as that from Volvo which is equipped with a radar sensor, and through monitoring the speed, decide if automatic braking is necessary. However, UWB is also a force to reckon with and the advantages of the UWB technology are as follows: Firstly, an advantage will be in terms of performance. Given UWB’s minimum speed of 100Mbps and up to a potential of 500Mbps, there can be better instantaneous monitoring, and hence a better triggering of safety mechanisms which will be the deciding factor between life and death. The current products are not capable of getting total collision avoidance, which might be possible with UWB due to a faster processing rate of data with UWB technology. Secondly, the current collision avoidance products mostly utilize wave radar, laser, or infrared spectroscopy, which is highly dependent on the weather conditions, the road surface conditions and the amount of interference present in the surrounding. Ultra-Wideband(UWB) gets a clear advantage as it has been found that UWB actually works better in the presence of multipart interference, and is independent of the weather conditions. Thirdly, UWB technology can blend in with the existing technologies, and given the low power consumption, it also need less system complexity and low costs to set up. Hence UWB create value by low investment costs. Fourthly, UWB create value by giving the customers assurance of the safety of their vehicle every time they use it. The road users who have used UWB will have more confident in their vehicles and the car companies, and creates more demand. However, challenges are present, and one of them is the need to ensure that it does not interfere or disrupt existing radio-communication services. As such, a set of technical specifications and operating conditions for UWB devices has been defined, to be aligned with international standards such as those set by Europe's Electronic Communications Committee. To conclude, although there are some challenges ahead for UWB technology, it is nonetheless a very promising technology, which is already set to revolutionize our lives in the near future.
Instant car loans using credit score to get a lower rate
Smart car buyers know the advantages of getting pre-approved for a car loan before entering a dealership. Because dealerships have shady practices that involve charging higher interest rates and fees, many people choose to secure private financing and compare various auto loan offers. One way to get a low rate on an instant car loan is to have good credit. Here are three tips on improving credit before applying for a car loan. Auto Loan for People with Good Credit Regardless of credit rating, almost everyone can get approved for a car loan. Auto loans are secured, thus lenders have easy lending requirements. In their mind, it's a win-win situation. If a person with bad credit defaults on the loan, the lender simply repossess the vehicle and re-sells it. However, because individuals with bad credit are charged higher fees, lenders are able to recoup some of their loss. Unfortunately, many auto finance companies also charge good credit borrowers higher rates and fees. Because the majority of car buyers are unfamiliar with the auto buying process, they fail to take the necessary steps to ensure a low rate. Know Your Personal Credit Score Many people do not know their credit score. They likely know their credit category: good, fair, bad, etc. When determining an interest rate on auto loans, lenders review credit scores. If your score is above 680, you are a prime borrower and entitled to a low rate. However, deceitful lenders do not inform borrowers of the prime credit rating, and charge more interest. To avoid this scam, car buyers should obtain a copy of their credit report and score before applying for a loan. This way, you have an idea of the rates you may qualify for. Boost Credit Rating Because instant car loan approvals are usually based on credit scores, maintaining a high or good credit rating is essential. Credit reports can be ordered and viewed online. If your score needs improvement, attempt to boost score by a few points before applying for a loan. This may entail paying bills on time, limiting number of credit inquiries, reducing debts, or settling past due accounts.
Is a christian debt relief consolidation company a better option
Many practicing Christians and others who do not subscribe to the Christian faith may have grave reservations when it comes to the idea of a Christian company that offers debt relief consolidation. Christian debt consolidation companies take the stance that their services are not only permitted by Biblical precedent, but that they are also some of the only companies that can be fully trusted in a situation where a consumer finds himself in need of debt consolidation. The big sticking point among Christians is the same one that has been around for centuries; the same issue that Muslims also struggle with: whether or not a Christian can owe money or property to another person. In other words, there is doubt about whether or not a Christian can get into debt. There are some hard line evangelicals who state that no Christian should be in debt, even for a car or house loan, according to Biblical law. Another view suggests that if the item purchased which caused the debt has potential to grow in value, the debt incurred in the gaining was okay. A third stance suggests that debt is all right if it was necessary for securing an income or if the debt does not go overboard as far as the budget is concerned. Many Christian companies which offer debt relief consolidation point to Biblical quotes which clarify the issues of debt and debtors. One of these verses is Proverbs 22:7, which states that the rich rule over the poor, and that the borrower is a servant to the lender. "Owe no man anything, but love one another" is a passage found in Romans chapter 13. The Christa in companies point out that they are actually helping others to fulfill Biblical mandates, as Psalm 37:21 states that "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously". It is clear from the Bible that God wants all of His children to live an abundant life. Think how impossible this is to achieve under the weight of accrued debt! Once debtors have an action plan in place to free them from their outstanding debts and keep them out of debt in the future, they are that much more able to enjoy the feelings of freedom that come from being a part of the family of God. Christian companies set up with the purpose of freeing people from the burdens of debt and helping them to fulfill their potential. Moreover, many Christians will frankly feel that they cannot do business with a non-Christian company which offers these services, but will be comfortable talking to a company owned by Christians about heir financial issues. It is important to note that while the financial companies run by Christians feel that this is an important point to clarify, that does not mean that their help is restricted to Christians only. People of all faiths can use the services of these companies. Of course, some might wonder why then these companies do not just call themselves debt consolidation companies without stressing the Christian part. The biggest reason for choosing a Christian debt consolidation company would be the fact that they label themselves as such. All consolidation companies claim that they will be able to reduce the interest rates on outstanding loans, possibly even to zero. Both Christian and non-Christian companies have been caught making false promises, so really the choice and the decision is still in the consumer's hands and they must choose with facts and not faith in mind.
Saturday, October 1, 2016
6 Factors of career success
What do employers look for in potential employees? That was the question that was posted recently on a career discussion forum online. Naturally, for each different position, the particular answers to that question would be different. However, there are some common skills that employers look for in all employees, whether the employee happens to be a network engineer or a fry cook. In-Demand Skills for Success 1. BASIC SKILLS‚ Reading, writing and arithmetic! Believe it or not, a good portion of high school graduates (and some college grads) do not read at an 8th grade level and cannot do multiplication in their head. Employers are seeking employees who can read well, can write coherently, and who can calculate mathematics in a business environment (fractions, percentages, etc.) Add to that the modern basic skills of keyboarding skill, basic computer knowledge, and ability to use most computerized tools (e. g. fax machine, basic word processing program, etc.) to round out the basic skill sets needed for employment success. 2. PERSONAL SKILLS‚ Can a potential employee speak well? Can he/she answer questions of customers in a positive, informative manner? Can the prospect provide good customer service? While not everyone has an outgoing sales' personality, successful employees can communicate in a non-confrontational, positive manner with their coworkers, team members, subordinates, management, and customers. Being able to work well with others is a vital skill for success in all jobs. 3. JOB ATTAINMENT‚ Job search is a process that requires a great deal of dedication and attention to be conducted successfully. It follows the old principal that many veteran programmers refer to as GIGO ‚ Garbage In, Garbage Out. If you put lousy effort in, you will receive lousy results. Employers are seeking employees who know how to present themselves in a positive manner and who display enthusiasm and knowledge about the companies they approach. Not only do candidates get evaluated on their skills and experience, but also on how they are approaching the job search. Enthusiastic candidates with fewer skills have an even chance of getting the job as dull candidates with better skills. 4. JOB SURVIVAL‚ Now there's a hot topic in this period of layoffs. Who gets the ax and who doesn't is often a matter of numbers, but it is also often a matter of performance. Employees who have consistently demonstrated their worth, taken initiative, and made themselves a valuable asset to the company have lower incidences of being downsized than employees who put forth mediocre or average effort in their jobs. Surviving within a company through layoffs or moving up the career ladder is a success skill that is learned and is consciously cultivated among successful professionals. 5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT‚ As all high tech and engineering pros know‚ it's learn or burn in today's work environment. Attaining new skills, applying new concepts, updating established skills is an absolute necessity to succeed in today's work force. The successful individual is constantly attending seminars, taking classes, attaining training on new products or releases, and otherwise learning new skills that will keep them marketable in their careers. Successful people are lifelong learners. Employers are looking for people who have the training necessary to fulfill their needs. 6. CAREER DEVELOPMENT‚ Career Development differs from Professional Development. Professional Development is learning while Career Development is a planning and goal setting process. Successful individuals design a career plan with written goals for short term and long term. They lay out the steps needed to move their careers from Point A to Point B within Time Frame C and plan how they are going to achieve those steps. Successful people have someone to whom they are accountable for their progress and who will monitor their success in achieving their goals. Employers are seeking individuals who (believe it or not) wish to commit to the company for a long period of time. Good career progression is a high selling point of candidates to prospective employers. How do you measure up? Do you have the 6 In-Demand Skills for Success? Feel like you need some help? Give us a call!
Got acne limit your dairy foods intake
Many experts estimate that Acne affects 85% of Americans making it the most common skin disorder in the United States. While it mostly affects teenagers, unfortunately, Acne can carry through to adulthood as well causing self esteem issues for anyone who has this particular affliction. With so many remedies available, what is an Acne sufferer to do? Dermatologists believe what largely determines whether a person develops acne are genetics and hormonal fluctuations, thus the tendency for it to occur during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Many folks believe that another contributing factor is chocolate and/or greasy foods, but dermatologists are not quite sure yet. Continued research has now revealed there is one food group that has now been shown to contribute to higher outbreaks. The food group is dairy products. That's right, got milk? A study published last year in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology by a team at Harvard suggests that a diet high in dairy products can increase your likelihood of Acne. The researchers analyzed the habits and diets of nearly 50,000 people, looking especially at what they ate while in high school. Those who drank three or more cups of milk a day, the study found, were 22 percent more likely to experience severe acne compared with those who drank one serving a week or less. Skim milk had the greatest effect. Cream cheese and cottage cheese were also associated with outbreaks, while chocolate and greasy foods were not. The researchers attributed the effect to hormones in milk; other studies have had similar findings. It is interesting to note the wide range of intake of dairy products for this study. Students who drank three cups of milk a day vs. those who drank one serving a week were the ones who were 22% more likely to experience severe acne. That is a huge difference in daily intake. Those in that group suffered “severe” acne. As you know, each person reacts to a specific food or medication differently. Taking this study into consideration, it proves that diet can have an impact on your acne breakouts. While dermatologists are in disagreement about chocolate and greasy foods, my own personal experience suggested that they did indeed impact my outbreaks. As an Acne sufferer, you need to monitor your diet to test if certain foods are contributing to your outbreaks. Our diets and the foods we eat are significantly different that what we ate 25, 50 or 100 years ago. It is very likely that these changes have contributed to such a high percentage of the population suffering from Acne at some point in their life. So how can you tell which foods are causing your Acne outbreaks? Start keeping a log of the foods you eat and when Acne outbreaks occur. While this may sound simple enough, it will require some diligence on your part to truly keep an accurate log. Pay special attention to foods that are not natural. For example, it is unlikely carrot sticks will cause an outbreak, but that big bag of Sour Cream and Onion Ruffles might. I know from my own experience, it seemed like anytime I ate a chocolate bar, I had an outbreak within 1-2 days. When keeping your logs, pay close attention to these patterns. If you are a heavy consumer of dairy products, you may want to pay special attention to your intake in this area and modify your diet accordingly. Make sure to pay special attention to what nutrients you might be losing if you cut back on milk, such as calcium and vitamin D. As always, consult your doctor and/or dermatologist if your problem persists.