Ronald McDonald the Weatherman?

If a person completes a McDonalds application and goes to work in one of the famous fast food restaurants Ronald McDonald will quickly become a very familiar sight. But did you ever wonder where the concept of the happy clown who loves burgers came from in the first place? Or who the first actor to ever play him was?

In fact the very first person to ever portray Ronald McDonald was, believe it or not, NBC weatherman Willard Scott way back in 1959 after a series of three TV spots were dreamt up by the company’s advertising agency. back then he was referred to as “Ronald McDonald the Hamburger Happy Clown” and the man who played that first Ronald is hard to recognize as the same man who has been doing the weather for NBC’s The Today Show since 1980! Seven other actors have played the happy clown since Scott dropped the part in 1962.


Choosing An E Cigarette

When choosing an e cigarette there are many things to keep an eye out for. Keep in mind that there is no one e cig that will suit all tastes and needs, you may need to test a couple before you find one that is right for you. To narrow down the options it will be a good idea to visit a few review sites to find out first hand what certain products are like.

Take this Sky Cig review for instance, the reviewer has bought the product and tries to give an honest account of what the ecig is really like with both good and bad points being highlighted. At least with a review like this you will be able to make an informed decision.

Also, try not to buy an e cigarette based on price, while there are some good products available at reasonable prices, on many occasions the rule ‘you get what you pay for’ does ring true. On the same rule the most expensive kits don’t always mean they are better. Do your due diligence and once you find a brand that you like it will be one of the best things you could possibly do!

 


How to Become a Security Guard

What does it take to become a security guard?  What skills do you need?  How do you become a security guard?  These are all questions that the people looking to break into the profession should know.

Some basic skills when working security guard jobs include keeping an eye on premises, private properties, buildings, government offices, and theft-prone places such as casinos, malls, and financial institutions.  But if you think being a security guard is easy, think again.  Security guards should be sharp-eyed and highly trained and even though some security guards rarely see action, the job can be risky if assigned in areas with high crime rate or in armoured vans carrying large amount of money or valuables.  Hence, risky assignments require security guards with more training and experience.

People who are interested in securing security guard jobs should over the age of 18 and have completed a training course for security officers.  Some states require a high school diploma while some do not have a minimum academic qualification.  The requirements may differ greatly from state to state.  Yet, it’s important for anyone who wants to pursue this career to have a 2-year degree.  Likewise, a certificate or knowledge in criminal justice can help in securing a position.  You should not have any criminal records as there will be criminal background and drug checks.

In some states, a license is not a requirement in working security jobs.  You can ask a security firm or a job service center in your area whether a license is needed or not.  Either way, having one can undoubtedly add to a security officer’s credibility.  In addition, you can take the 8-hour Pre-Assignment training if you want to have a registration card issued by the state department.  For this, an adequate understanding of suspect arrest, property rights and criminal justice can work to your advantage.  Security officers who need to carry a firearm should obtain a Class G license and complete the firearms training which typically includes weapons handling and safety.

Armed security guards normally work in high risk areas or in government offices.  But no matter where you’re assigned, security guard jobs need people who can respond to a crisis immediately and take proper actions in stopping or preventing criminal activities.


You Do Not Have to Sacrifice Quality When You Make Your Coffee At Home

You are no stranger to coffee in the morning.  If you are like many people who wake up and walk straight to the coffee maker to get the pep you need to survive throughout the day, then you understand how important it is to find the perfect coffee machine.  If you are tired of finding coffee grinds in your cup or you simply need to replace your old coffee maker or if you wake up in the morning 30 minutes early so you have time to stop by your local coffee shop, skip the trip and invest in a good home coffee machine such as the Gaggia Classic.


What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Cordyceps-FatigueMany of us may experience general body weakness and exhaustion once in a while after a particularly stressful week at work. While we may get some sleep and wake up feeling fresh and upbeat, some people wake up feeling the same way, maybe worse but remain largely unaware for a while that they are indeed suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a condition typified by prolonged fatigue, connected with a wide assortment of symptoms.

CFS can affect people of any age. However, this illness is most widespread between the ages of 25 and 45, with women affected more often than men. Symptoms include tiredness, substantial interference of short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headaches, poor sleep, and fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. CFS is diagnosed when these symptoms persist for more than six months and cannot be explained by any other medical or psychological condition.

Though little is known about the exact causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, extensive research has been conducted on the treatment with cordyceps emerging as one of the most natural remedies to the depressing condition. This medicine made from herbal extracts work wonders in relieving and treating of fatigue and its symptoms.

What makes Cordyceps effective as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome is its nutrients. This special mushroom is a natural booster of endurance and stamina. It is the reason why up to this day, Cordyceps is considered as among the best herbs for athletes. Cordyceps also has the unique ability to act in unison with many other dietary vitamins and supplements. It beefs up the body’s immune system and this way, the body can sustain resistance. In this manner, the body recovers much faster from prolonged stress or exertion.

Other natural remedies include Ginseng, a herb that has been used in china to increase energy and fight fatigue; NADH, is a produced from vitamin B3 extracts or otherwise called (niacin) and is in actual sense a molecule that occurs naturally and plays a vital role in the production of cellular energy; and Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) ,a compound found naturally in the mitochondrion, the energy-producing center of our cells which is involved in the production of ATP, the main energy source of body cells and it is also an antioxidant.


Why Is Product Life Cycle Analysis Useful?

In business school, one of the most important frameworks I learned is product life cycle analysis.  This framework proposes that most products follow the same “life cycle.”  It evolves through several stages, as shown in the diagram below.

Each stage of the product life cycle has specific characteristics that help drive a smart marketer’s understanding and marketing decisions related to the product.  It will drive how much the product should be priced at.  It will drive what kind of sales should be expected.  It will also drive how much the company should continue to invest in the product.

The product life cycle development framework is often used in conjunction with the Consumer Adoption Curve.  In many ways, these two frameworks tell the same story – or just different halves of the same, cohesive story about the relation between the product and consumer.  When the product is first launched, adoption will be slow.  Those who are the first customers to buy a product are the Innovators.  They are the techies, for lack of a better word.  They love new gadgets and will pay a high price to have them.  With time, as the product becomes more developed and accepted by the general population, it will get taken up by the majority of the population.  At this point, the product has become refined, product costs have gone down, and initial R&D costs have been recovered.  Also, the majority of the population is more price sensitive and many competitors will have entered the scene by now.  At this point, the price is considerably lower than in the initial phase when only the Innovators and Early Adopters were buying.  The video below shows the Product Life Cycle management in conjunction with the Consumer Adoption Curve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuUJV7fFDzM

There is an important drawback to product life cycle analysis we should note.  Lifecycle analysis is most useful when the structural economics of an industry are relatively stable.  As technology becomes more and more pervasive, life cycles are being compressed and fewer industries fit the definition.


Refrigerator Reviews Are Worth Reading

In my opinion there is nothing more important when buying a new fridge than to consult expert refrigerator reviews.  While it may be tempting to just run down your local store and pick out a model that is on sale, you run the real risk of picking up an inferior product if you do this.

I recommend that rather than doing this, you do some research first. Some people’s research is simply logging into the Amazon website and seeing what other shoppers have had to say about the particular refrigerator freezer they are thinking about buying.

This is actually a pretty good way of getting a feel for the product. Your fellow homeowners have taken delivery of the product and usually have something interesting to say about it.  Unfortunately there are some drawbacks to this approach.

The first is that a lot of criticisms tend to focus on the shipping.  Appliances cost a lot to ship, and sometimes – due to their weight – are delivered by independent freight movers.  This means that a review of a particular model blasting the delivery technique may be completely useless to you if you live in a different city – or even state – to the person who wrote the refrigerator review.

Secondly, many reviews are favorably tilted due to buyer bias.  When people have just purchased a fridge they often like to justify the purchase to themselves.  This can affect the way the refrigerators reviewed.

On top of this, these reviews are usually written when the unit is brand new, so don’t really reflect the opinion they may have formed 6 months or more after buying.  If the unit breaks down 3 months after purchase, the old review someone wrote the week it arrived may not contain that information.

If you are looking for a more rigorous source of reviews, there are many online or print resources that claim to provide truly independent refrigerator review information.  Consumer reports is probably the best of these, as it tests fridges against other refrigerator models.  This allows them to perform comparison reviews, and provide comparative analysis of both features and reliability.

If you are considering buying a new fridge I cannot recommend strongly enough that you first consult some refrigerator review resources.  Any time or money spent on research can save you from making a costly purchase mistake.


You Deserve to Pamper Yourself

I have discovered recently, that pampering me increases my ability to deal with stress. Yes, it is true, I am better prepared to battle tensions at work place or at home, when I take that needed break from monotony. Well, what might this break schedule be? You can choose that depending on what you love to do the most. Few people love to paint, while a few are involved in music, few prefer a short vacation or outing for a day.

I feel relaxed, when I visit a spa center. The massage really soothes me and lulls me to sleep. I searched online for a popular spa treatment center, and did not simply settle for a spa center in our locality. I observed that efficient and popular spa’s, also offer advice on skin care, hair care and body care. Next, I search for available dates for a spa treatment. Since I had been to spa treatment, I know what routines suit me and choose reserving my session online. I also pay them online and got discount for booking online!!! So much, for pampering myself!

I will mark the day in my calendar and start preparing things for my little relaxing outing. This includes checking and managing all servicing aspects of home appliances beforehand, any visits to doctor, dentist or meeting, everything is either postponed or done earlier. I have a pet, so, I make sure that I have filled the automatic pet feeder with food, make sure that its automatic litter box is working properly, and after final check, set off to the venue. Now, I can relax without worrying.


Successful Internet Marketing Strategies

The success of your online business mainly lies with your ability to promote your company and attract visitors that are in need of the products or services that you offer. What good is a company that carries excellent products or services if it is not promoted properly? In my years of experience, I have encountered several companies that had great potential but did not make a significant amount of revenue all because the marketing company was not able to utilize efficient promotion strategies.

Thousands of new websites are put up on a daily basis. For some companies, the competition is so stiff that without effective promotion techniques, a site could exist for years and no one or only a handful or people know about it. The Internet is continuously becoming one of the primary means of doing business, especially if a product can be available to anyone across the globe. More and more businesses hire an internet marketing company to conduct market research but another important factor is to be able to lead the people who are looking for the product or service that you are promoting and gaining their trust so they will know that they are making the correct choice of buying from you.

The successful promotion of any company, product, or service could sometimes require patience and  quality time. There are different promotion strategies but one should be able to look for those that are most appropriate for a specific type of company, product or service. But once you find the right formula, you will be able to launch one successful campaign after another and the earnings would start coming in.


Online Web Designer: How to Become One

Are you interested to pursue an online career as a web designer? Maybe you are amazed how your friend attained this web designing skills and have become one of those highest paid individuals sought by business owners and companies for their intended websites. To become a web designer, the very first skill that you must have a good grasp of knowledge is the use of any free Photoshop download software like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Learning these two software programs require a great deal of time, patience and passion for any aspirant individual to become more familiarized with their usage.

Other skills that anyone who desires to become a competent web designer should take into consideration are: HTML, CSSS, Javascript, Flash and PHP. A background in search engine optimization is a plus factor. Most of these programs can be availed online for free. You just have to set a realistic timeframe on how you will dedicate your time in acquiring these skills one by one. Once you have the expertise in web designing, try creating your own website and apply whatever you learned on these online training courses.

Get as much experience as you can to build up your profile and portfolio for your intended online career as a web designer. Employers looking for the best online web designer would always consider one who can prove his/her expertise and have samples of websites that he/she had created.

Once you get used to web designing, every task is just a piece of cake. Don’t forget to continue learning new techniques and update yourself with the latest trends and tools related in website creation. Remember, learning anything is a continuous process and is doesn’t stop in one phase. You have to aim to become better than ever as you proceed from one project to another. Value each work you have as an additional sample in your profile and a proof of your creativity in web designs.

Remain focus on what you want to achieve as a freelance online web designer. Determine the wonderful traits that any future employer will be looking for their ideal candidate of a web designer and present yourself as one whom they can rely on in a professional manner.

Take your career as a web designer to the next level and become financially rewarded as one of those well compensated website creators in the end. Now is the perfect time to take charge and explore the real treasures of an online career—web designer.


Day Trading — It’s Not as Hard as You Think

In one of my previous posts, I talked about how to trade and purchase stocks online.  In this post, I’d like to touch a little bit on day trading strategies.  “Day trading” is an investment strategy where you buy and sell a financial instrument (e.g., stock, option, bond, futures contract) all in the same day.  Day trading isn’t scary, but you need to have a solid grasp of the instrument that you’re trading.  This may mean you’ve studied it on your own or you have a mentor who can help you learn the ropes and appropriately enter and exit the trade.

One thing to note is that many brokerages require you to have a certain amount of liquidity (cash in your account) before you can day trade.  Before signing up with a broker, you should ask about their day trading requirements.

One of my best tips for day trading is to never risk what you aren’t willing to lose.  Day trading is very different from the traditional “low risk” buy-and-hold strategy that many of us are used to in our 401(k).  Day trading can be a little different and requires you to be faster on your feet.  It can also pay off a lot more — completely worth it in my book!


How to Use an Outdoor Fire Pit Safely

Just like their indoor fireplace counterparts, outdoor fire pits can provide hours of fun and enjoyment as well as warmth to almost any outdoor living space. However, just like an indoor fireplace there are some important safety considerations that must be kept in mind when choosing to install and use an outdoor fire pit.

The first is location. Whether you opt for a “built in” outdoor fire pit or a portable one where you locate it is very important. An outdoor fire pit should never be located closer than ten feet or so from your home itself and it should also be placed well away from sheds or other outbuildings. You should also make sure that there are no overhanging trees near it as obviously these could catch fire very easily.

Location is also important when you consider how you want to use your fire pit. Do you want a fire table style outdoor fire pit that can provide a central gathering point for outdoor entertaining or would you prefer to locate your outdoor fire pit further into your garden for more intimate and private entertaining?

When it comes to lighting an outdoor fire pit you should never overload the pit with too much wood. The best way to start a fire that will last for hours is to begin by setting light to a small amount of kindling and then gradually add larger pieces of wood one by one until you have the nice blaze you were looking for.

You should also never be tempted to use something like lighter fluid to get a fire going faster in your outdoor fire pit as that all too often results in a dangerous fire that simply cannot be controlled. Store bought firelighters are OK to use, but in moderation.

If you keep these tips in mind your experience with an outdoor fire pit should not only be an enjoyable one but a safe one too!


A Trick That Works For Controlling Bipolar Disorder & Anxiety

I have learned a little trick that works for me at least.  When I start “thinking” of my triggers and get high anxiety, I cut myself off before the anxiety even starts.  So the conversation will go something like this now.

Everything in our lives happens for a reason! Whether you believe it at the time or not, eventually you will see that what happened in your past only made you a stronger person! What happened in the past only made you know more about yourself and what you wanted even more from life!

So stop thinking in the past with the phrase “What if…”. It serves no purpose but to keep you trapped in the past and unable to move forward! 

Me:  What if he stops loving me?

Brain: Kelly he has been with you for 11 years.

Me: But what if?

Brain: What if, then you pick yourself up and move on.

(Then I start getting rational)

Me: Yes, I know he loves me, I know he loves me because he has all of these wonderful kids that he is a great father too, he is wonderfully intimate with me, if he wasn’t, then that would mean he has lost interest in me and I know it is the complete opposite, I know he loves when I wake up because he gets all excited and sends me smiley faces over IM since he’s at work, I know he loves me because I feel closer to him more now then ever. I know he loves me because I cry as I type this because I just feel how much he loves me. I know he loves me because he understands and wants to learn more and more about bipolar test and my GAD.  I know he loves me because I just know.

As I am flying all of this, I am cutting off the bad “what ifs” before they can even start. It is almost like making my mind mushy.

I also have a panic session ten minutes a day that Rich brought up.  That is my time to get all of my anxiety out of my head for the day so I can focus.  It is  a really good thing to do if you have severe GAD like me.

Another conversation might go like this.

Me:  What if I am not a good mom?

Brain: You can’t think that way those four kids love you more than anything.

Me: But sometimes I just feel like I’m “here”.

Brain:  It is the little things they appreciate and need you for, even if they do not show it all the time.

(Now becoming rational)

Me: True they do love to give me hugs all the time and kisses, they LOVE when I tuck them in at night and can’t go to bed unless I do so.  If they are sleeping over at Grampa’s they rush to me when they see me pick them up and the first thing they say is “I love you”.  They hold me tight.  If there is a fight between them, they rush to me first to “break” it up.  If they need me to pick out their clothes and help them along, they come to me.  If they want to play their damn Wizard games, they ask me and ask me to set it up.  If they need to be tickled, I’m the first one to play and tickle their little bellies.

Brain: Then see, you KNOW deep down they love you.  Just because you have normal parenting struggles does not mean you are having a bad day.  We all go through thoughts like this and you just have to remind yourself that they love you so much and need you all the time.

It does sometimes take me a few minutes to bypass the “what ifs” but when I do, my mind clears.

My mom told me recently that I will have two steps forward and one step back. I might have two really good anxiety free days but then the next day could be a 3 on my chart like Sunday.

Deflecting in my brain, starting to really work before the bad stuff gets in.

Always keep busy

I have mentioned in the past that keeping busy is key to my anxiety.  If I am not busy, I tend to over think and that of course causes stress.  I have tried to keep myself as busy as can be, whether that is taking the kids out, reading, or watching my favorite poker player.  Today I really sat and thought about how much I think when I am bored.  I really over think.  Even if I am bored for one minute, there goes the brain into a downward spiral.  I also love cleaning, so I like to keep busy chasing the kids all day helping them clean up after themselves.  I am trying to teach them how to do that. With anxiety (and bipolar), you don’t want to stew too long.

I want to start the gym back up and need to really get into that. I was doing so well for three months but then quit all of a sudden back in July of this year. I had lost most of the weight I wanted to lose and felt really thin and I was proud of my body for once.  I was even off of soda! Then one day, I stopped.  No idea why, I do know we were going through some financial “problems” that we worked out quickly, so that might be why I stopped.  My gym fee that I pay is $19 a month so it isn’t like it kills me money wise.  I have been paying monthly now all year and I am not using it.  The downside is that if I want to go, I either have to go at AM, which is so hard, or I have to pay an extra $15 a month to take my youngest child while the other kids are in school.  Working out really gets your mind clear. I REALLY want to get back in.


The Pros and Cons of Dandelions

Dandelions can cause havoc in the garden.  Once they appear they seem to spread really fast.  The easiest way to get rid of them is to pull them out by the roots.  They make good food for rabbits and tortoises.

Dandelions tend to gather around the areas of the garden where there is little disturbance such as greenhouses and fences.  The leaves are green and the flowers are bright yellow.

When the flowers go to seed they are blown away by the wind to create more plants.  You can eat the leaves from them and there is such a thing as dandelion tea which is very healthy.


Wine is a Fun way to Meet People

A lot of us have experienced it: moving to a new city as an adult.  Outside of work and play groups for your kids and the like, how do you really go out there and meet new people?

A wine of the month club which allows some personal interaction can certainly help.  Many of these wine clubs are set up for couples, while others tend to let people mingle with other singles.

A fun way to meet people, a fun way to drink good wine and a fun way to learn more about wine all rolled up into one package.  Personally, that sounds like something I would be interested in trying!


Health benefits of Ginger

Ginger is something which is used as a home remedy in a variety aliments like cough, nausea and morning sickness. Now you can very easily use the ginger in the raw form or you can make ginger into a nice tasty candy form using some sugar syrup. Candied ginger is tasty to consume and easy to store for longer periods of time.

 To make the crystallized ginger you will need ginger which is fresh and has less of fibres. The ginger is made by boiling in water and then immersed in a sugar syrup. Use a coat of dry sugar to give the candied ginger a special taste.

 Ginger is useful in fighting the indigestion, cold and nausea. It is also as a treatment for morning sickness and sea sickness. It is beneficial in strengthening the heart as well as improving the blood circulation. In older women it is claimed to reduce hot flashes.

 In most Asian countries, ginger is definitely used as a must have additive in tea. Ginger tea is in fact used as a remedy for cold and cough.

 Ginger is the underground rhizome of the ginger plant and is typically pale yellow or light brown in color. In fact the ginger is pungent and spicy and is considered an essential ingredient in all South Asian vegetables.


How to Successfully Treat Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that causes people to stop breathing while they sleep which results in loud and obnoxious snoring.   The lack of breath comes from the muscles in ones throat that loosen up and collapse in on the airway, blocking proper airflow.  Not only is this condition very annoying for both the victim and the victims partner, but it can potentially also be life threatening.  The good news is that there are many sleep apnea treatment options available: the most common is the CPAP machine, however this for some people is too uncomfortable to wear at night so many people opt for an oral appliance.  An oral appliance holds the tongue back allowing the air to flow through properly, therefore stopping the snoring.


How To Save Money and Get Out Of Debt

Right now millions of people all across America are stuck dealing with very bad debt situations.  The economy has placed people in financial positions where they had to rely solely on their credit cards merely to put food on the table.  It really has gotten that bad for quite a lot of people.  There is a solution for such folks who would like to avoid bankruptcy but do not have all the funds to pay off the creditors in full.  This solution is debt settlement, a plan in which the main benefits are to save money on the balanced owed and escape the debt trap in a very fast manner.