The 16th-seeded Hawks now move on to face the Minneapolis Regional's top-seed, Villanova. As everyone knows, no 16-seed has ever beaten a top-seed in 84 previous tries. Only four No. 15 seeds have beaten a No. 2 seed, with all four of those upset winners losing in their second round games.

My free play for Wednesday is BYU over Houston in the NIT at 8:30 ET. In tonight's NIT tonight, I'm releasing one of my exclusive LEGEND Plays, a game you WON'T want to miss! In the NBA, I'm looking to continue my consistent winning (64% since Feb 3) with not one but two, 15* plays. My NBA 15* plays are on an 8-3 run, that's 73% ATS, after last night's win on the Suns.

Monmouth's first-ever NCAA win leaves four schools in this year's tourney without an NCAA win. Air Force is 0-3 in three previous appearances, George Mason is also 0-3, San Diego State is 0-4 and Winthrop is 0-5. Prior to Monmouth's win, 10 schools in this year's tourney have won just one NCAA game.

The school with the most tries and just one win, is Murray State. The Racers are 1-12 in 13 previous NCAA appearances. Also of note are Iona and Montana (both 1-7) plus Southern and South Alabama (both 1-6).

In 19 of the last 21 years, at least one No. 12 seed has beaten a No. 5 in the first round. Since 1985, 14 No. 12 seeds have made the Sweet 16, including Wisconsin-Milwaukee last year. However, just one No. 12 seed has ever won a game in the Sweet 16.

LSU was an 11-seed when it reached the Final 4 in 1982 (lowest-seed to ever get there) and Villanova was an eight-seed when it upset Georgetown to win the 1985 national championship. Villanova's win still stands as the lowest seed to ever capture an NCAA title.

Five schools accounting for six of the last 10 national championships are seeded fifth or lower this year, or in Maryland's case, not even here. Maryland is a No. 1 seed in the NIT (I bet that make's them feel good!), while Arizona and Kentucky are eight-seeds, Syracuse a five-seed and Michigan State just a six-seed.

Louisville, a member of last year's Final 4, is like Maryland a No. 1 seed this year but in the wrong tournament (NIT). The Cardinals join Marquette, as the only two schools in the last nine years to have made the Final 4 one year and not even get invited back the next.

The AP's final poll of the year was released on Monday, with Duke finishing as the nation's No. 1 team for the fifth time since 1999 and for the seventh time in school history. UCLA and Kentucky have both been ranked No.1 in the AP's final regular season poll a record eight times. However, being ranked No. 1 in the final AP poll has not been a good thing for quite a long time.

Over the last 26 years (from 1979-2005), only four schools, ranked No. 1 in the final AP poll, have gone on to capture the national title in that same season. The list includes, North Carolina (1982), Duke (1992), UCLA (1995) and Duke (2001). Six times, the nation's No. 1 team made it to the championship game but lost (Illinois did it just last season) and four other times made it to the Final Four, only to lose in the semifinals. Much more NCAA 'dope' tomorrow!

John Chaney skipped Temple's game last night (his wife is sick) and he didn't get to see his Owls lose at home in OT to Akron, in one of eight opening round NIT games. Home teams went just 4-4 SU and 3-5 ATS Tuesday night. The 40-team field has now been trimmed to 32 and seven first round games are on tonight's schedule. Six 20-win teams are in action tonight, including 20-8 BYU at 20-9 Houston and 21-9 Old Dominion at 20-9 Colorado.

Also, 20-12 La Tech is at Clemson and 23-7 Western Kentucky is at South Carolina, the defending champs. ESPN will air Vanderbilt at Notre Dame (7:00 ET) and the Irish are favored by 5 1/2 points (142 1/2). ESPN2 carries Wake Forest at Minnesota (7:00 ET), where the Gophers are 3 1/2 point favorites (134). The tourney's four No. 1 seeds all get late starts. Michigan plays tomorrow, Cincinnati and Louisville don't play until Friday and Maryland doesn't play until Saturday.

Dallas and San Antonio both won last night and remain tied at the top of the Southwest Division and the Western Conference at 50-14. Dallas beat Cleveland 91-87 and the Cavs have now lost three straight and are only two games up on Indiana for the East's fourth seed. The Spurs beat the Hornets (96-81) and New Orleans has now lost a season-high seven straight games. New Orleans finds itself a game back of the Lakers for the West's final playoff spot.

Speaking of the Lakers, they lost in Sacramento last night (114-98) and fell behind the Kings (who have won 13 straight at home, including 10-0 SU and ATS with Artest) by a half-game. The 33-31 Kings are now in the 7th playoff spot in the West, just two games behind Memphis. The 33-32 Lakers are 8th, one game up on New Orleans and two games up on Utah. In a rematch of the league's highest-scoring game since 1995 (Seattle beat Phoenix on Jan 22, 152-149 in 2-OTs), the Suns beat the Sonics in Seattle last night, 129-120.

The Suns host the Clippers tonight on ESPN at 9:05 ET, leading a 10-game NBA schedule. The Suns are favored by 5 1/2 points and the total is 216 1/2. Detroit still owns the league's best record (50-12) but the Pistons are just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games. Tonight, they are in Toronto (7:05 ET), where they are favored by seven points (194). The Mavs can move a half-game ahead of the Spurs tonight, with a win in Houston (9:05 ET). The Rockets are 1-15 without McGrady in the lineup (he's out) and are four-point home underdogs (174 1/2).

The Lakers are 0-3 this year vs the T-wolves but Minnesota enters its game tonight in LA (10:35 ET), losers of 19 of their last 22 road games. LA is favored by five points (201). The Magic have lost 19 of their last 23 and the Knicks have lost 24 of their last 28, yet both are favored tonight! Orlando hosts Utah at 7:05 ET and is favored by 3 1/2 points (181 1/2), while the Knicks host the Hawks at 7:35 ET, as three-point favorites (205).

Ness Notes is available by 1:00 ET Monday through Friday.

Larry Ness is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at procappers.com/Larry_Ness.htm procappers.com/Larry_Ness.htm

According to the numerology system of rhythms, we humans journey through cycles that are nine years in duration.

Each year you enter a new vibration pattern for the cycle you are in.

Knowing your major energy expression for a particular year, you are more likely to govern your life more effectively.

You only need your Birthday Numbers you can play this game.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS

Combine the numbers of your month and day.

An example: Oct 25 – translates into 10 25, which adds up to 35. Reduce this to a single digit and you get 8.

Now add up the number of the present year, 2006. 2006 adds up to 8.

So, 8 8 = 16 = 7. If Oct 25 were your actual birthday, your number for 2006 would be 7. This would be your seventh year in the nine-year cycle.

WHAT IS 2006 LIKE FOR YOU?

If this is a #1 year for you, you are beginning a whole new cycle. Before launching into your new cycle, be sure no loose ends are carried over from the previous nine-year cycle.

It may take all of January to rehearse what the previous nine years have been for you. What major life lessons were you grappling with and did you resolve those issues?

Next get a sense of what is before you to address in terms of personal growth. What will you want to accomplish for yourself in the next nine-year cycle? This is your year to focus on you.

These are big questions. Might mean a full year, this 1st year of the nine years, devoted to this kind of self-examination.

Important to recognize the key features of your particular nine-year cycle, which are based on the nine stages of life. A person in her 20’s will be at a different stage of development compared to one in her 30’s or 40’s…and so on.

If this is a #2 year for you, in terms of your major theme for this nine-year cycle, you will do well to cultivate your cooperative style. Arriving at a more balanced place with yourself, and becoming more harmonious with your fellows could be your major accomplishment for this year.

If this is a #3 year for you, then this is your year for making big strides with your interactions with self and with others. This means: become more creative, more flexible, more daring. Don’t hang on to the tried and true mannerisms and ways that have become ruts in your repertoire.

If this is a #4 year for you, then this year is best spent in stabilizing and integrating the newly grasped accomplishments of the previous three years. Get yourself ready for the big action coming up in the next year. This can be viewed as your quiet period. Your friends might wonder if you’ve buried yourself in a cave because you were so expressive the year before. But in actuality you are establishing more firmly the foundation from which you will be operating during the remaining years of the cycle.

If this is a #5 year for you, then it’s the best year to be fully active in your work or play. Your energy is high. This is a pivotal point as well. You stand at the midpoint and can see where you have come from and where you are going in terms of this cycle of personal growth. You can clearly see how much you have improved your way of being. You are ready to plunge into the world with your new sense of the inner power that has made you more sturdy.

If this is a #6 year for you, now you are fully able to reach out and be of service to others, more effectively than during the previous years of this cycle. Your heart has matured to a more meaningful depth of feeling. And you are able to bring your inner power to the fore and apply it in all that you do, in your professional calling and in your personal relationships. And in the way you regard yourself as well.

If this is a #7 year for you, you find that your energy for learning new things is quite high. You can afford to be more inquisitive than ever. You feel as if you’ve returned to your school years, all there is to learn and discover excites you. Wisdom will seem to be more accessible to you.

If this is a #8 year for you, then your leadership qualities want to have expression. You are approaching the end of this cycle. You may be in your 30’s and have come to a better understanding of your power to lead. Your urge to take charge of things will be ineluctable. You just know what needs doing and how to get things moving. Obstacles are easily and creatively dealt with. You can do what needs to be done with sensitivity and with a caring heart.

AND FINALLY

If this is a #9 year for you, then you’ve reached a new level of wisdom. Your thoughts and actions reveal a beneficent heart. There’s a mellowness in your Style and others take notice. They want to benefit from your insights and support. You find yourself able to be more caring than ever. It’s been a good nine years.

Vitae has been a spiritual counselor for over 25 years. He is an All Game Guide and has trained 22 new guides. All Game is a self-discovery workshop in the form of a board game.

Vitae is as well as master numerologist and teaches numerology online. JoyfulNumerology.com/ JoyfulNumerology.com

One very effective way to deal with objections is to preempt them as part of your presentation, you will be aware of the four or five concerns that your average prospect has so you can incorporate them into your presentation. This can be effective at promoting you and your company in a professional manner. Rather than operate a head in the sand approach, you tackle these reasonable concerns as part of your pitch coming from a position of strength and demonstrated that you do not run from the hard questions.

When dealing with objections it is important to be aware of body language and unconscious communication. I sat in on a presentation reasonably and the salesperson was interrupted mid sentence and asked a hard question with regards to a competitor. While he verbally came across quite well and was able to deal with the issue, the difficult question prompted him to fold his arms and promote a closed stance. This subconscious communication gave away the fact that he was uncomfortable with the question and probably was one of the reasons that he was unable to secure the deal.

I will not be dealing with particular objections as part of this piece but rather giving you a four-step technique for dealing with any objection. Try to remember that objections should be welcomed and they mean that you are in with a good chance of selling.

The first step when dealing with the objection is to acknowledge the concern. Ensure that you make the prospect aware that you understand where they are coming from and their concern is reasonable.

The second step is to qualify the objection, find out exactly what they mean for instance “time to think” means what? What is it that they need to think about? Are there still some issues that you haven’t dealt with? What are they not convinced about?

The third step is to re-sell the corresponding benefit, this time been aware that your approach first time round didn’t work so you will at least have to expand and take different angles to re-enforce the point

The final step in dealing with objections is to seek agreement with the prospect. Ask them if they are happy and understand what you said and that you have been able to relieve their concern. Obviously if the answer is no, you will need to do some more convincing.

You need only to become skilled at handling the most common objections don’t worry about strange or once off objections. Practice and role-play objections as the more times you deal with the particular objection, the better you will become.

We will look at managing expectations later this year, which as mentioned requires a different approach and should not be confused with objection handling. Remember an objection denotes an expression of interest and should be welcomed as part of the sale. Learn to love em.

Niall Devitt is a Sales Training Consultant with Real World Sales Training based in Ireland web:www.realworld.ie

The story is about a successful young banker whose life had changed radically once and forever, as he got accused in the double murder of his cheating wife and her lover. Even though the movie doesn’t give a straight answer on the question whether he murdered them or not, we understand from the events described that probably he had no relation to the murder. He got life sentence and had to spend the rest of his life in prison. Different movie reviewers agree with the success of the movie and with its powerful and deep message, but still some of them have different opinions about the plot and its contains. For example Leonard Schwarz writes in his review:

“So does the bright young banker contact his lawyer? Not a chance. That would put an end to his victimization and ruin The Shawshank Redemption’s completely implausible plot and theme. Instead, like the fool he isn’t, the banker appeals to the warden’s non-existent sense of fair play and ends up in solitary confinement--an experience that does nothing to crush his indomitable spirit.”(Schwarz, L. Shawshank redemption)

Actually this is the first point that makes the movie look strange: the banker, especially a successful one has to know all tips of judicial system and especially has to know his very rights especially if he appears to be in such kind of a trouble. Besides, as we see then in the movie, he was quite a firm personality with a sense of dignity and will power, so had to know how to act in that kind of situation.

Despite the difficulties that every imprisoned faces, despite the unlimited power of prison administration which is corrupted and which makes business inside the prison walls, Andy Dufresne, former successful banker gets used to the conditions and moreover he stands and remains to be a person: “But Andy does not cry, and Red loses the cigarettes he wagered. Andy turns out to be a surprise to everyone in Shawshank, because within him is such a powerful reservoir of determination and strength that nothing seems to break him.” (Ebert,R. Shawshank redemption)

Moreover he appears to be able to save human and healthy relations with others even makes a friend with old imprisoned Red Redding, an “implacable” man for prisoners who could find anything they wanted.

Red Redding is shown as lifer who had integrated into prison system and who probably would not be able to survive outside in everyday life as prison had had made a great impact on his personality. He dreams about being rehabilitated but in fact he doesn’t know what we will do outside of Shawshank. He thinks about another life who committed suicide after being paroled as he could find a place in free world.

After a while Red and Andy become friends, this event was one of the key moments in Andy’s life as he found a real support. Red lets to know that: “Andy will not kiss butt. He will not back down. But he is not violent, just formidably sure of himself.” (Ebert,R. Shawshank redemption)

After a while prison administration gets an interest in imprisoned banker who knew accounting and could do all calculations for prison administration who was involved into illegal business. As they use Andy’s service his respect grows and in fact soon Andy also makes a retirement plans for prison administration.

The images of prison and the description of characters will definitely make the viewer to agree that its director had made a wonderful job. Music used in the movie and images of prison colored in gray and in shadows help to imagine the real atmosphere of confinement and the experience of those imprisoned. Besides, the use of music made more colorful the life of characters, their emotions and feelings which could not be explained by the use of common visual effects. Even though those critics as Leonard Schwarz say that this movie is worth watching only:

“Unless you feel compelled to discover how imprisoning 140 minutes of harsh brutality and simple-minded, self-congratulatory humanism can be, spare yourself from this redemption” (Schwarz, L. Shawshank redemption)

The use of two quite different figures: an eager stoic young man and an old-lifer in the movie adds more colors and makes it multisided as Roger Ebert writes in his review: “Andy, as played by Robbins, keeps his thoughts to himself. Red, as Freeman plays him, is therefore a crucial element in the story: His close observation of this man, down through the years, provides the way we monitor changes and track the measure of his influence on those around him. And all the time there is something else happening, hidden and secret, which is revealed only at the end.”(Ebert,R. Shawshank redemption)

The humanism and triumph of human will described in Shawshank redemption make this movie to be worth watching as it shows that humanism and virtues exist in any environment even in the most inhuman and unbearable.

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Studies conducted over the past decade suggest that gambling activities remain particularly attractive to today's youth and that its popularity is on the rise amongst both children and adolescents. Prevalence studies conducted in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, and in Australia all confirm the rising prevalence rates of youth involvement in both legal and illegal forms of gambling. While approximately 80% of High School students report having gambled for money during the past year, 4-8% of adolescents presently have a serious gambling problem with another 10-14% of adolescents at-risk for developing a serious gambling problem (Jacobs, 2000; National Research Council, 1999; Shaffer & Hall, 1996). Yet, for most parents and teens, gambling is viewed as an innocuous behavior with few negative consequences.

Gambling Only for Over 18s

Most sportsbooks will be very cautious when opening accounts, and also when placing bets by phone. Most of them will check if an account is being used by a minor or ask for a proof of age, but for online sports betting becomes really difficult for a Sportsbook to know if an account is being used illegally.

There is a couple of ways to prevent your children from gambling, and it's called Parental Control Software, sure you have heard of them Net Nanny, Spy Parent, Cyber Sitter, Control Kids are just a few of them. These programs will stop theme related pages from displayed in your computer if the parental lock is activated. Please be sure to check them to keep your children safe from youth problem gambling.

The good thing about them also is that they will stop your children from viewing any inappropriate content, ranging from online gambling to adult sites.

Professional SEO. He helps a number of online gambling sites like:

doylesroom.com/ Poker
pokeraffiliatesprogram.com/" title="Poker Affiliate Poker Affiliate Program
hollywoodsportsbook.com/ Sportsbook Online

If ordinary, hard-working, people ran the bank... the very first thing to get rid of would be loans. Absolutely no more loans!

Because once they’re gone, there wouldn’t be any more:

- Due dates

- Interest charges - at any rate of interest

- Late fees or penalties

- Liens

- Applications or rejections

- Credit reports [Old joke - If it weren’t for bad credit, I wouldn’t have any credit at all]

- Playing catch-up month after month

And that means all the related emotional frustrations vanish as well. That would certainly make a lot of people happier. Don’t you think?

Instead of lending money, how about just giving it away? That should make everyone happier still.

Imagine a bank saying, "Help yourself - and never worry about paying it back." If it doesn’t matter whether money ever gets repaid - there goes accounting and bookkeeping. There goes financial records. There goes debt - along with bad debt. But that’s not a stretch for a bank that re-writes the rules. If you thought familiar bank policies were cast in stone, think again.

Up with Emotional Solvency - Down with Debt

A whimsical bank that just started on the Internet eliminates debt and loans. Won’t touch ’um. No way, for nobody. That’s because it rates a person’s emotional health higher than their financial wealth.

This quirky website places more value on emotional solvency than wealth accumulation. Huh? How’s that possible? It’s the logical (illogical, more like it) outcome of putting feelings first. And its other policies are equally unprecedented and unique. joyfulbanker.com/goofypoliciesdept.html

The Joyful Banker is a parody of all things financial. It just wants to make you happy - and it wants to keep money worries at bay (even if only for a little while). It exists solely to amuse and delight. To make people feel both generous and rich - with access to unlimited money (admittedly funny munny). This site delivers a high level of frivel (wordplay), giggle, and absurdity in the process.

People are More Valuable than Money... Really

Joyful Banker’s avowed purpose is to deliver joy and up-beat energy to all comers. But it can’t pull it off without putting money in its rightful place - which isn’t first place. Or even second. This is the only bank on the planet devoted to what’s really valuable - relationships, generosity, kindness and joy.

Joyful Banker is the Mother Lode of Binkle Lore and Wisdom

A binkle is the energy that’s created when people really connect with each other, with nature, or anything that inspires. It’s the zizz of energy one feels. Although the word is new that feeling is not. It’s been part of every profound or happy experience you can remember. That sensation is always called something else: love, awe, the thrill, peace, inspiration, etc. But the energy of that moment is binkle energy.

This joyous website is devoted to increasing binkle energy in any way possible joyfulbanker.com/binklepage.html It’s not hard to find binkles showing up anywhere - if you’re looking for them. Can’t have too many. But if you run low, just come beck to fetch some more.

Probably should warn you - it’s addictive. The zizz of binkle energy keeps you constantly alert for how to get more. And if you can’t find any... that’s a downer. But a moment of caring and sharing is sure to get them flowing.

The Binkle Standard Simplifies Your Life

1. Spend MORE of your time and attention with people (or activities) that give binkles

2. Spend LESS time and attention on people (or activities) that drain binkle energy

3. Pass it around! Leave a trail of binkles wherever you go

That’s it! But the rewards you feel cannot be exaggerated. Playing "spot the binkle" sure beats a Do List when it comes to banishing stress. Not to mention, it attracts some pretty nice people.

There are still a few bugs being worked out. The funny munny is just for fun. Not to knock fun, but you can’t use joy bucks to pay the phone bill.

Come to the Joyful Banker for Binkles and Joy

Anyone who comes to the website has an account (their email address), so can partake in the Unlimited Withdrawals or Open Vault policies. This is one financial institution that won’t leave you empty handed. Or empty hearted, either.

©2005, Lynella Grant

This is Part 1 of a 5-part series.

Read the rest joyfulbanker.com/articles.html

--Lynella Grant The Joyful Banker, a parody of all things financial joyfulbanker.com joyfulbanker.com The funnest, most joyous fool service non-bank in the world. With unlimited withdrawals. Off the Page Press (719) 395-9450 mailto:banker@joyfulbanker.com

Flying Stars or Fei Xing is a powerful form of Feng Shui derived from the famous Xuan Kong Fengshui. It is an Analysis of the Five Elements and Star Combinations (representing certain energy patterns) that occupy every building. Each new year these annual stars change, Qi (energy) shifts happen, bringing good and bad energy with them - thereby producing different effects.

In February 2004 all the Feng Shui Energy Patterns underwent huge transformations to the NewAge of Land Luck called Period 8 Energy Cycles. It means that a large scale evolution of the human race with completely new energy dynamics has started. The significance is that the new, vibrant energies of Period 8 impacts on the buildings differently than before and energies that were previously activated now need to be remedied, in order to reduce any bad effects from the past influences.

The Flying Stars Chart or the 9-Grid Meteor Plan for the Bing-Xu, Year of the Yang Red Fire Dog has been plotted and the effects of their energy patterns are analyzed. The analysis also contains suggested remedies/cures for reducing the impact of negative energy and recommended enhancers for increasing and improving upon the beneficial energy.

For the remedies/enhancers to be effective, they should be cleansed, energised, blessed and programmed not only for the particular individual/family but also for the specific purpose/problem. They should also be placed in the indicated location.

The direction in which your main door lies is very important to any form of Geomancy, including Fengshui & Vaastu. The primary reason for this is that the air currents and energy flow in and flow out through the mouth of the main door. Thus you receive positive energy for the year, if the main door faces a direction of auspicious stars or meteors (powerful energy bodies) and receive negative energy for the year, if the main door faces a direction of evil stars or meteors. In case negative impacts are forecast, you can simply offset the negative energy by installing the recommended remedies there. Any or all of these remedies can be reused for the coming years, the only thing is that they should be repositioned according to the new year.

Please note that the effects may be felt in varying degrees depending upon the exact compass degree of the main door.

ANNUAL FORECAST & REMEDIES FOR FLATS/HOMES/OFFICES/FACTORIES WITH MAIN DOOR FACING NORTH WEST :

An year that can enhance knowledge, performance, joy and elevate your social status. But the presence of unlucky stars indicates many hidden dangers. Display a Dragon Head Turtle here to minimise the negative effects. If you are a journalist, scholar, teacher, researcher, creative designer or an actor, you are in for a good time. Wearing an Amethyst Crystal Pendant will ward-off some of the negativity. You can also grow 4 Water Bamboo Plants in the center of your home. If you are a student, keep a green Pagoda Tower.

If any of your family member is, according to the Chinese Zodiac, a Dragon or Dog or Ox or Goat or Rooster, you should hang a natural Chinese Wou-Lou on their headboard side, in their bedroom. Additionally they should all wear a Fengshui Rabbit Pendant or display the Rabbit statue in the East. When any of these people have to sign any documents, make 100% sure you have read and approved all the fine print.

If your bedroom falls in this sector, romantic luck will be very poor. Place a bowl of water with a Rose Quartz Egg or Ball, near the maindoor. To avoid third party involvement, place a Rooster figurine near the main entrance. Use curtains or blinds of green colour.

A good year for singles to marry.

The position of Tai Sui corresponds to North West this year. Tai Sui is also popularly called as Grand Duke of Jupiter and is an intangible energy body of war-like nature that should not be disturbed. Do not install any moving objects like Fish Aquariums or Water Fountains here, this year. Do not dig, construct, renovate, redecorate or repair this year near your main door. Do not drill or even drive a nail in this wall. If you do any of these, you will be inviting accidents, injuries, financial loss and even bankruptcy. If you had already started any of these work last year and would definitely have to continue to complete in this year, then hang a golden, metal Wou-Lou and a Wind Chyme near the main door. If you have a secondary door that is not facing NW, then use it for this year. Otherwise, It is recommended to place an icon of Kuan Kung or Three Generations Dragon Head Turtle or a pair of Pi-Yau near your main door, facing NW, as even opening and closing the door is considered as “violating” Tai Sui. Also remember to sit with your back facing NW (don’t confront the Tai Sui by facing it) when you read, eat, watch TV, operate computer, etc.

Display the “Safety Talisman for 2006” in the North West sector and carry a miniature version of it always.

Door Mat Colour for the Main Door : Grey or Blue (on the outside or inside), with a piece of green cloth under it.

COMMON MINIMUM REMEDY FOR ALL BUILDINGS FOR 2006 :

To minimise damage due to gossiping and rumours, arguments and disputes, avoid the colours green and blue in the center of your home. Do not place any moving water features like fish aquarium or water fountains here. Display 8 red roses without thorns and leaves in the center of your home/office/building and light up a small red coloured bulb which will burn continuously, 24/7. This is applicable for all buildings, irrespective of the direction of the main doors.

This is copyrighted work. Permission is granted to republish (both in electronic media as well as print media) the article in it's entirety only, including the full bio of the author and his links. All links should be "clickable" hyperlinks. An acknowledgement mail from Republishers will be appreciated.

The Author of this article Sri Janarrdhana Guptha is an Energy Consultant, Vaastu & Fengshui Researcher, Crystal Master and a Clairvoyant Karma Reader. His speciality is in permanent, life-time Remedial Solutions, especially Crystal Energy Fields. His wife Srimathi Kalpana Guptha is also a Psychic Reader. The Energy Couple can be reached through ]]> http://accountingworldtoday.com/general-motors-is-taking-some-serious-steps-to-get-its-north-american-operations-back-on-track.html Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:54:25 +0000 admin http://accountingworldtoday.com/general-motors-is-taking-some-serious-steps-to-get-its-north-american-operations-back-on-track.html There has been buzz in the auto industry for quite a while that GM will have to go in to bankruptcy protection to save its North American operations. Dwindling sales, a shrinking market share, and production facilities running well below peak levels add up to a very difficult situation. Add in the fact that GM's biggest supplier, Delphi, entered into bankruptcy protection in October, and a few accounting errors have added an addition $2 billion loss for 2005 (for a total of $10.6 billion) and things don't look any better.

Rick Wagoner, CEO and Chairman of General Motors Corporation, can't be held responsible for all of GM's woes. Sure, it was under him that GM failed to invest seriously in hybrid technology that is fueling (pun intended) the rise of Toyota and Honda. And he was at the top of GM while they introduced such flops as the Aztek and Chevrolet SSR. But those aren't the real problems. GM's underutilized production capacity in North America is a result of decades of missed sales targets. GM's bloated payroll for blue-collar workers is rooted in over half a century of union greed and corporate indifference. Though Wagoner is not responsible for many of GM's woes, it is up to him to fix them.

Over the last 6 months, Rick Wagoner has been working on a turnaround plan that is intended to restore GM to profitability and realign its North American production capacity with its market share. This plan calls for a reduction of 30,000 blue collar workers by 2008, the closure 9 manufacturing facilities, renegotiated healthcare benefits for all employees, a product offensive throughout all of GM's brands, and the selling off of non-core business assets.

What's been done so far:

GM has offered generous buyout packages ranging from $35,000 to $140,000 to 113,000 hourly employees in hope of negating the need for extensive layoffs to achieve a reduction of 30,000 hourly employees.

Cut executive pay by 10%-30%. GM also cut bonuses and other executive compensation.

Hourly employees must now contribute to their healthcare plan. The change will reduce GM's annual healthcare liabilities by about $1 billion.

Sold a 17.4% stake in Suzuki Motor Corporation for $2 billion.

Sold their 20% stake in Fuji heavy Industries (maker of Subaru) for $315 million in cash.

Unlike restructuring of the past, General Motors is heavily investing in a product offensive, introducing up to 15 new vehicle this year alone. The most important was the introduction of the GMT900 platform that underpins large SUV's and pick-ups. So far sales of the Yukon, Tahoe, and Escalade have been very strong. The new Silverado and Sierra will be introduced later this year.

General Motors has also reduced its dependence on incentives. Today, the amount of money GM is spending on incentives is at its lowest point in almost 3 years. Incentives undermine the value of a brand and drive resale prices lower.

But the biggest news so far may be the sale of 51% of GMAC to a consortium of investors for $14 billion. This will restore the division's debt rating, making it easier and less expensive to borrow money. This, along with other steps made in the turn around plan will provide GM with considerable liquidity, strengthen their balance sheet, and help fund future growth initiatives.

Will Rick Wagoner be able to restore GM back to health? Only time will tell with certainty, but if I've learned one thing about North American cult ure, it's that we love a comeback story.

Peter Johnson is the chief writer for all-about-car-selection.com all-about-car-selection.com

Once in Maui, there was a storm. I was on vacation, and when I got there they shut the whole island down. That’s right, the whole damn place. I couldn’t get a coke, or for that matter, gumball. I walked along the shore though. I like the winds. I think the biggest adventure in Maui, was the storm. You can tell I didn’t care for Maui all that much, or the hotel I was at. They’re all acting like hot shots. Go to Malta, or some other island, they will treat you better I believe. I did get to see some whales; thirty feet from me. But Maui is not my cup of tea. I guess you can’t love every place. In a way it was alright, the more I think of it. But you’d have to pay my way to get me back there. Of the five-days there in December, 3 ½ were days of winds and rain and, oh well, I’m glad I did not go there for the sun. I hate the sun. But the people that thought they were going to get it, did not, it was a costly “no sun ½ week.”

But back to Minnesota, land of the ice cube, the ice donut, the ice parades, the snowball, and snowmen. I was in St. Paul. In an area called the Midway area of town. I have a few friends there. And a bank I used was work at, in that area. And a storm came. Like out of the blue. One minute it is a great cold day, and the next minute, it is a hell of a cold day. I mean a rainy cold storm day, a bad one. I found myself dodging ice balls of hail. So hard they were like little bullets. And I must have got hit, because when I awoke, there were bears all around; dead bears. As I walked up the block to University Avenue, they got even bigger, huge; just lying dead. I was waiting for one to move as I walked by, but it didn’t. I knew the storm was bad, but not that bad. I slowly went up and down the streets, by Lexington and Dale Avenues. –I think I counted twenty of those fury creatures, or so. I just can’t get over this: big furry bears. I wanted to jump on one, and bounce. They actually looked like they were hibernating, all curled up. No cars coming. No humans walking the sidewalks. What was going on I asked myself; very mysterious.

I made it to the place I was staying, and noticed another storm was coming,

“OH, god!” I said, with no disrespect intended.

“Not another one.” And yes it was another one. I went back to the Midway area, not sure why but I did, and there was a huge tower there, I must have not noticed it before, (before: meaning, I had lived in St. Paul, off and on for 50-years) and a man was calling to all the people below,

“You have 16-minutes to get home.”

I said, “What!”

He said again, “16-minutes and I am counting.”

I told myself as I was looking up at him, I am missing something. In any case, I started walking back to my place quite fast. I heard a loud noise. Like a bomb. Several police come up to me asking where I head the voice. I pointed to the tower. And many people were running by me. They stopped,

“We need to investigate,” someone said, and so I followed (I followed the someone).

When we got to the tower, we slowly climbed the stairs. The tower was about seven floors I think. A man was lying dead on the floor in the tower room. It seemed like it was an airport tower, but how could it be, it was in the middle of the city. I guess you can make them to look like anything you want I thought. Yet, it still remained in my mind, it was a strange place to have it, so I told myself.

I left the scene, and started walking back to my apartment again. As I sat down on my bed, I noticed I had a letter sitting by the phone. I opened it, it read:

“Go to Panama City, Florida quick.”

As usual, I found myself walking along the beach, of Florida, it was hot, and people were running and screaming, and everything; chaos to the max. What a city I told myself. I was in this city some twenty-years ago, and it was quite calm; but not today. The city was chaos.

As I sat down on a large rock looking at all the happenings, I simply told myself, I have come to the conclusion; I have no control, and went to take a shower.

See Dennis' web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com dennissiluk.tripod.com

The MP3 format is a compression system for digital music that helps reduce the size of a digitized song without disturbing the sound quality. Digital music is converted to MP3 format and made available for use, usually via the web. MP3 files can be downloaded onto your computer from the internet and special software, either commercial or freeware. Using your computer and software you can convert digital music from a CD into MP3 format.

MP3 files can be played in three different ways:

1. They can be played directly onto your computer.

2. They can be decompressed and recorded onto a CD.

3. These files can be played on a portable MP3 player.

The advantage of MP3 players is that they are small, lightweight and rugged. They are a great way to carry your MP3 files with you!

With a portable MP3 player, a personal computer, and the appropriate software, you can do the following:

1. Obtain free or low-cost music from the web.

2. Create your own mix of music by downloading MP3 files from the web and converting the tracks from CDs.

3. Listen to near-CD quality music wherever you go.

4. Listen to more music (up to 10 hours' worth).

If you want to convert your songs from your CDs into MP3 files, you can use ripper and encoder software. A ripper copies a song's file from the CD onto your hard disk. The encoder compresses the song into the MP3 format. By encoding songs, you can play them on your computer or take them with you on your MP3 player. The ripper and encoder software may come with your MP3 player.

The specific instructions will vary with the individual software programs, but the following steps will definitely take place:

1. Place the CD from which you want to convert songs into your drive.

2. Select the track(s) that you want to convert to MP3 format.

3. Convert the selected track(s).

4. Copy the new MP3 files on to your computer's hard disk.

Now you are ready to download these MP3 files into your portable MP3 player.

Once you have MP3 files on your computer, you can use the software that came with your MP3 player to download the files into your MP3 player. Again, the specific instructions will vary depending upon your software program and player, but you will:

1. Create a playlist from your MP3 files.

2. Plug the player into your computer's parallel of USB port.

3. Transfer the MP3 files according to the instructions.

Once you have downloaded the MP3 files into your portable MP3 player, you are ready to take your music anywhere. Most MP3 players are small, lightweight, and solid-state. Because most players are solid-state, there are no moving parts to break down or skip, so the sound quality is uninterrupted regardless of your physical activity. MP3 players are equipped with various types of headphones or earpieces.

Portable MP3 players can play music longer than a portable CD player. The length of play for a CD player is about 74 minutes, the length of one CD. However, the length of play for an MP3 player depends upon its memory capacity, which can be upgraded on some models. A standard MP3 player can play for about half an hour (32 MB) to a few weeks (40 GB)! Some models can be upgraded with additional memory devices.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher, offering information on downloading mp3's such as 4-mp3-downloads.com Eminem MP3 and finding radio-stations.allspecialoffers.com free internet radio stations