tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42992786020987518322024-03-05T22:15:18.305-08:00The Business CommunityCollection of all sorts of businesses in the worldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-9888772827475872972011-01-21T02:04:00.000-08:002011-01-21T02:06:12.101-08:00Apple crushes Profit, iPads Ship 7.3 Million<p style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong>Apple crushes Profit, iPads Ship 7.3 Million. Apple</strong> just put up a monster quarter, and investors should send the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD6">stock</span> upwards Wednesday, erasing today’s doubts about Steve Jobs’ <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD5">health</span>.<br /></em><br /><em>Apple’s Q1 EPS was $6.43, beating by a mile</em>, and representing $6 billion in profit. Revenue was massive too, at $26.7 billion, beating consensus by more than $2 billion.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /><img title="Apple Crushes Earnings" src="http://static.businessinsider.com/image/4b71d1c40000000000013762/steve-jobs-apple.jpg" alt="Apple Crushes Earnings, Ships 7.3 Million iPads" height="197" width="263" /><br />Apple Crushes Earnings (businessinsider)<br /><span id="more-10612"></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Apple Crushes Earnings</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>iPad shipments</strong> <em>came in at 7.33 million, way above expectations. </em><span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD1">Meanwhile</span>, Mac unit sales came in at 4.1 million, <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">slightly</span> below the Street’s 4.3 million consensus. Perhaps the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD2">iPad</span> is starting to cannibalize the Mac?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><em><strong>iPhone shipments</strong> of 16.2 million beat the Street, and should be strong again next quarter as the Verizon iPhone ships.</em><ins style="display: inline-table; border: medium none; height: 280px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"></ins> </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Even Apple’s guidance is strong: $22 billion in sales is ahead of the Street’s $20.6 billion consensus, and EPS of $4.90 is way ahead of expectations.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Apple did NOT disclose Apple TV unit sales or iAd revenue.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Key Stats: (Consensus via Yahoo Finance and Piper Jaffray)</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* Revenue: $26.74 vs. $24.4 billion consensus, $25.5 billion “high” Street estimate</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* EPS: $6.43 vs. $5.38 consensus, $6.02 “high” Street estimate</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* iPhone shipments: 16.24 million vs. 15.5 million consensus</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* iPad shipments: 7.33 million vs. 6.2 million consensus</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* Mac shipments: 4.1 million vs. 4.3 million consensus</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* iPod shipments: 19.45 million vs. 20.3 million consensus</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* March revenue guidance: $22 billion vs. $20.6 billion Street consensus, anything over $20 billion solid</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">* March EPS guidance: $4.90 vs. $4.43 Street consensus, anything over $3.92 solid</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Source : <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-earnings-analysis-2011-1" target="_blank">http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-earnings-analysis-2011-1</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-65619065097993953142011-01-21T01:55:00.000-08:002011-01-21T02:00:04.829-08:00Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="http://kabarnet.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/gayus-1.jpg?w=450&h=298" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="261" width="347" /><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;" id="breadcrumbs"><strong></strong>Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet. The phenomenon of the unfolding<strong> picture of Gayus Tambunan</strong> who watch tennis tournament in Nusa Dua, Bali, by the media has been appalling the <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD3">public</span>. Telematics expert also participated in analyzing the photo with <em>original photos of Gayus</em>. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="display: block; position: absolute; width: 1px; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" id="_em_stage__emn"> </div><div style="display: none; position: fixed; width: 1px; height: 1px; text-align: justify;" id="_em_stage__em"><img src="http://www6.effectivemeasure.net/img.gif" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Creativity <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4">designs</span> of <strong>Gayus Tambunan photos</strong> decorate a variety of Gayus photo on the Internet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6I2_Serb3zkSY2D_4NBk9rZxTjgcNnIUeO2J_B61pytLZP2X1zXHwk2Vz71oTSyCBUebY_Fx3_bZ0Rmq5Mo-2buEdWKnBR3opwx_y0TKES2Q4nQCFz7X1AW5N0sUCN8rl1IPprUqoQm5/s1600/Gayus+Tambunan+seorang+petinju.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="382" width="360" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F3Qqm5RYOB5IQd5mZo23BDN6eP_DpVkKDF-PFB7IaQAPr9I4jnVOIqJU_9oQqEOfiGWZ_-gzQOmAyRO4owIfq85vmPR8pJsCU3eFeQ8rQdWo1wUA42y5LlHIvlssyYjuQ93XRDfFTJ5K/s320/Gayus+Tambunan+Seorang+Raper.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="386" width="308" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglvUSSuhUfs8JVDed3wUIM2qbQ8deBVZNmEm5vFJy1-XdCeXh98Y7JqF9vn3CdVD2YSWNTysrX3BrdwvMHY9HbMHcOKfy4oG_doEyr1F6QtcueabnPUMO3qhUmQRHBzzjCwUvQoCX9qY2/s320/Gayus+Tambunan+seorang+astronot.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="385" width="306" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXa84tWOWJ-9CEV0oq26BkhhGmU_pOT5O7RJPPE4BE7msc9b7QPDdzwazGUhWkHZY9F8YyWVkGcnVFsTpCAnR_WH12Rn4LCxIKEbe-Po1hxEsCywaT6-AmY6EKkZPu64phStN2HjkiskA/s320/Gayus+Tambunan+seorang+hansip.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="233" width="310" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAF5cfjlfIUTD3JoP-RR9RfqEHD91FvtO7k3LiS4cqjzhzlEDXv45r2crYttx56MWxjVUMM05t3SOMtaHsOBrdtELxFYWgU4eLrV5G9t6TXAMUQYrqObn2kEf0VVCaW_gpKb3qXqPlOtG/s320/Gayus+Tambunan+penjual+duren.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="376" width="307" /><br /><br /></p> <ins style="display: inline-table; border: medium none; height: 280px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 336px;"></ins> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn_gVIMaHNs3Yav_ljw4wfNew8ABe62jLIXxpTFTgIHxudFuFd8htKhgJ7aLhYzgcJt9jU_AiEOgOiBrKZexJWLAZ-CwjDyihyKvMwHwUaZ-uALOsqrrxg5A7U6tyePhQNgliycS1xXFp/s320/Gayus+Tambunan+anggota+satpol+pp.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="203" width="304" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcobSem6VRBBBU8DxsSF5enpiCNo7MWEEusVTiQLYDCBisEKLyI7Tt5QmbxFf4kdxwhJf21ipSGNhX1ijG0pJ8EXRZXPYi8Gw4wi6rUNu3n6BnpQyJk5dAZtwzJ3siKLSfFCKeX1Tqj79x/s320/Gayus+Tambunan+penjual+mie.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="353" width="303" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErLr0RzNzdz6S_I2UiNlbrkZxYa_GdasulknhkRKmuBj15liosXzCYguIvua4JM3a-37H6AmprN0j19LF1Q3ullMdkCmwb3UClZSyWwvhhsZ7q6QYRhtEsyYNmQe0dVYvtoWCk-p1BSzQ/s320/Gayus+Tambunan+seorang+aktor.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="447" width="302" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="http://www.tribunnews.com/foto/berita/2010/11/17/Gambar_Gayus-1.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="245" width="396" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="http://www.tribunnews.com/foto/berita/2010/11/17/Gambar_Gayus-2.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="244" width="394" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="http://www.tribunnews.com/foto/berita/2010/11/17/Gambar_Gayus-4.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="241" width="390" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="http://www.tribunnews.com/foto/berita/2010/11/17/Gambar_Gayus-3.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="236" width="381" /><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;"><img title="foto gayus tambunan di internet" src="http://www.tribunnews.com/foto/berita/2010/11/17/Gambar_Gayus-5.jpg" alt="Gayus Tambunan Photos on Internet" height="237" width="383" /><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-42675279084476363982011-01-16T05:57:00.000-08:002011-01-16T06:05:36.745-08:0010 countries of the world's richest,<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">1.</span><span id="result_box" class="long_text short_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">United</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">States</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://www.swaberita.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/white-house.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">United</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">States</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">is the</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">world's richest</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">countries</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">to GDP</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">reached</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">U.S.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">$ 12.46</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">trillion</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif"></span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 2. Japan</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://www.aksesdeplu.com/JEMBATAN%20jepang.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">The second position</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">occupied</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">east</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Aia</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">this</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">country</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Japan</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">has a</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">GDP of</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">U.S.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">$ 4.51</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">trillion</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Crazy</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">but</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">ya</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">never</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">country</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">devastated</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">by</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">atomic</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">bombs</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">but</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">could</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">become</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">the richest countries</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 3. </span><span id="result_box" class="long_text short_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Germany</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://gita4.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/germany-2.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text"><span style="background-color: rgb(235, 239, 249);" title="Sama halnya seperti jepang, jerman juga pernah mengalami masa sulit ketika mereka terpaksa dibagi 2 untuk Uni sovyet dan USA.">Just like japan, germany also been having a difficult time when they had divided by 2 for the Soviet Union and the USA. </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" title="baru tahun 1990an mereka bergabung kembali menjadi 1 negara.">new in the 1990s they were joined again into 1 country. </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" title="Jerman memiliki GDP US$ 2,78 triliun.">Germany has a GDP of U.S. $ 2.78 trillion.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 4. </span><span id="result_box" class="long_text short_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">England</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://rbp234.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/taman-inggris-1-riawan-paramarta1.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Although</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">never</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">invaded</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">any</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">country</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">nih</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">is almost</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">1 / 3</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">parts of</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">the world</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">but</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">did not</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">make it</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">into</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">the richest</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">country</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">in the world</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">England</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">are</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">ranked</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">the 4th</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">with a</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">GDP</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">of S $</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">2.19 trillion</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 5. </span><span id="result_box" class="long_text short_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">France</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://www.surya.co.id/images/lourdes-prancis.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">A country known for</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">kissing</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">style</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">that</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">has</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">GDP of U.S. $</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">2.11 trillion</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 6. Italia</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l260/magiddo/italy_map-1.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Country</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">famous for its</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">history of</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">empire</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">has a</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">GDP of</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">S $</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">1.72 trillion</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 7. Spain</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/26/Toledo_Skyline_Panorama,_Spain_-_Dec_2006.jpg/800px-Toledo_Skyline_Panorama,_Spain_-_Dec_2006.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text short_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Spain</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">has a</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">GDP of</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">U.S.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">$ 1.124</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">trillion</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 8. Canada</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://anjangsana.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/canada_2.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text"><span style="background-color: rgb(235, 239, 249);" title="Negara di utara Amerika Serikat ini walaupun bertetanggaan dengan USA tidak membuat GDP mereka menjadi tinggi.">Countries in the northern United States are even adjacent to the USA does not make them a higher GDP. </span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" title="Kanada memiliki GDP US$ 1,115 triliun.">Canada has a GDP of U.S. $ 1.115 trillion.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 9. Brazil</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://www.destination360.com/south-america/brazil/images/st/brazil-beaches.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" title="Sebenarnya dilihat dari kondisi sosial masyrakatnya, brazil masih dikategorikan negara berkembang sama halnya seperti Indonesia.">Actually masyrakatnya visits from social conditions, Brazil is still classified as developing countries as well as Indonesia. </span><span style="background-color: rgb(235, 239, 249);" title="namun Brazil memiliki besaran angka GDP yang cuku fantastis yaitu US$ 794,10 miliar.">but Brazil has a magnitude that cuku fantastic GDP figure of U.S. $ 794.10 billion.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> 10. South Korea</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img alt="" src="http://images.tixik.com/tn/data/2/129/2009/07/21/2357419//2357419.1-80-470x353.jpg" border="0" /></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">The country is</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">also</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">the same fate</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">with</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">germany</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">, just that</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">this country</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">until</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">now</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">remained</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">separated</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">by</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">the state</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">sejirannya</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">north</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">korea</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">South</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Korea</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">has a</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">GDP of</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">U.S.</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">$ 787.62</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">billion</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">source</span><span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">:</span> <span title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif" class="hps">Kaskus</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-14575380750977831682011-01-15T23:13:00.000-08:002011-01-15T23:15:11.233-08:00Driving Technical Change by Terrence Ryan<div style="text-align: justify;"><a name="1541899787398042676"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="blogPost"> <span class="rss:item"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGSiMLu6NXM/TTGymblxgGI/AAAAAAAADDY/nsmhVxTVdks/s1600/Driving%2BTechnical%2BChange.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qGSiMLu6NXM/TTGymblxgGI/AAAAAAAADDY/nsmhVxTVdks/s400/Driving%2BTechnical%2BChange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562423388090237026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781934356609"><em>Driving Technical Change<br /><br />Why People On Your Team Don't Act on Good Ideas, and How to Convince Them They Should</em></a><br /><br />By: <a href="http://www.terrenceryan.com/">Terrence Ryan</a><br /><br />Published: November 8, 2010<br />Format: Paperback, 200 pages<br />ISBN-10: 1934356603<br />ISBN-13: 978-1934356609<br />Publisher: <a href="http://www.pragprog.com/">Pragmatic Bookshelf</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"The goal of this book is to enable you to convince co-workers to adopt new tools and techniques", writes Worldwide Developer Evangelist for Adobe, Terrence Ryan, in his practical and no nonsense book <a href="http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781934356609"><em>Driving Technical Change: Why People On Your Team Don't Act on Good Ideas, and How to Convince Them They Should</em></a>. The author describes the challenges and personality conflicts faced by managers seeking to make technological change in an organization, and how to overcome these obstacles successfully.<br /><br />Terrence Ryan understands the problems that can arise in organizations when new technologies and techniques are recommended to the team. The author realizes that there is a huge disconnect between finding the right tools and technological improvements, and getting them implemented in a meaningful way. Through his experience, and that of other technology change managers, Terrence Ryan points out the patterns of resistance that arise on a regular basis. He has learned that using logic, applying politics, or showing hard evidence to convince reluctant managers adopt the change doesn't work. Through his encountering of the same types of resistance and similar character traits over time, Terrence Ryan offers a patterns approach to understanding the problem.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-8834736168907574892011-01-15T23:04:00.000-08:002011-01-15T23:07:50.047-08:00Auto Review - Aston Martin - V12 Vanquish SThe Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S is the fastest production car manufactured by Aston Martin in 2005.<div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The car was first displayed at the Paris Motor Show in the year 2004, September 23rd. It consists of a 6.0 V12 engine with a capacity of 5935 cc that delivers an output power of 520 bhp at 7000 rpm and 425 lb-ft torque at 5800 rpm. The engine also includes combustion chambers for better air flow, inlet ports and fuel injectors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/search/label/Aston%20Martin"><img alt="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S black" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2609" src="http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/aston-martin-v12-vanquish-s-black-thumbnail.jpg" title="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S black" width="480" height="276" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Vanquish S is a stylish, muscular high performance and the fastest car among the other Aston Martin cars. The grille consists of a rounded open front for better cooling and aerodynamic splitter that provides high speed. Aston Martin claims that it can reach a top speed of over 200 mph and accelerate to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/search/label/Aston%20Martin"><img alt="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S white side view" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2611" src="http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/aston-martin-v12-vanquish-s-white-side-view-thumbnail.jpg" title="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S white side view" width="480" height="188" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The brakes consist of six piston calipers and ventilated discs all around and the rear discs are 2 mm wide compared to the front discs that provides better heat dissipation. The standard features include the short steering arms, stiffer springs and Sports Dynamic Suspension.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/search/label/Aston%20Martin"><img alt="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S white back view" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2613" src="http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/aston-martin-v12-vanquish-s-back-view-thumbnail.jpg" title="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S white back view" width="480" height="258" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 102);"><strong>Specifications</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vehicle Type: - production car, with two doors<br />Configuration: - Front Engine/RWD<br />Engine: - 6.0 V12<br />Capacity: - 5935 cc<br />Mileage: - 11/17 mpg<br />Torque: - 425 lb-ft at 5800 rpm<br />Horsepower: - 520 bhp at 7000 rpm<br />Transmission: - 6-speed Automatic<br />Wheelbase: - 104.5 in<br />0-60 mph: - 4.7 sec<br />Top speed: - 200 mph</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/search/label/Aston%20Martin"><img alt="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S black and red" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2615" src="http://www.thesupercars.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/aston-martin-v12-vanquish-s-red-and-black-thumbnail.jpg" title="Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S black and red" width="480" height="197" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-39777225976930617382011-01-15T23:00:00.000-08:002011-01-15T23:03:09.780-08:00Auto Review - New Car Luxury Lotus Elan 2013<span class="post-labels"> </span> <div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"> </div> <div class="post-body entry-content"> <div style="text-align: justify;"><small class="metadata"><span class="chronodata"> </span> </small> </div><div class="itemtext" style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/2011/01/2013-new-car-luxury-lotus-elan.html"><img alt=" Lotus Elan 2013 first pictures and basic details" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523150360418689634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBusOamw3qX8qDzT91vgO4qUlaTkDmL0SPYXBISun9B-dqW0BPOnx4iBPxIPj5jHb2LUlsEDYhRB5uxdhG8CRmFqCHPrYP6NwsmozsEEyxp1IeEme3ii9c6CJ4q7M-FQe5jB5HJhrTHQI/s400/Lotus+Elan+2013.jpg" style="display: block; height: 243px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/2011/01/2013-new-car-luxury-lotus-elan.html"><img alt=" Lotus Elan 2013 first pictures and basic details" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523150337199391474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMrKrVBghvVXeZfRG4IHWVqvqXIDqtCvXx7ClK9njzMDPifj-eta67bV5Pjkgr_7V7nDDi1q99g1NSP3SkvsrEUce0yHCXaYibqYZS-BV2mXimvyOPoJG-17OdVeJI23UW7ZSfaJz1WY/s400/Lotus+Elan+2013-1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 263px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/2011/01/2013-new-car-luxury-lotus-elan.html"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523150279639979058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbH0l7F0vpjrmLsmG2CjSzIoEj6-HtU_VmEFeyoQObJ9My-EJQEZbh6yO6LL_BvEugtoUdGIat4yHCr09dqlWkIt-Vx_lhiQ1SvOOt1cWVYjuHd250isiseXoCiSIvvWraeMbIfwms7sk/s400/Lotus+Elan+2013-2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 276px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/2011/01/2013-new-car-luxury-lotus-elan.html"><img alt=" Lotus Elan 2013 first pictures and basic details" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523150273400790034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPB_hyomqPnmtVJnPAdpJil5QWAPjI6sAN56OOUqg1ePwFoz-_AHpx5QIxQ3PGjCkNBqUN1iFlrJRy1Ka7kF5OlRoD_hwWGa2llO-YuYV_WtsoFPvJqwGcElyc07BqJvH3xvo9LfMh7I/s400/Lotus+Elan+2013-3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 283px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.automotiview.co.cc/2011/01/2013-new-car-luxury-lotus-elan.html"><img alt=" Lotus Elan 2013 first pictures and basic details" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523150275654387874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVg6iK6M0IzfIy4US_W_egU7cvGXKpogyYxOPLT-l2pw572bh6BxR2tp55L-3Ulq512zVWfSaKlrf8RsCToJhd3tfYSpT0lTQpfeqieYemXcubkWFbWTUt811hGJ3hdlpnxKHASoqRCo/s400/Lotus+Elan+2013-3-interior.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 257px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br />2013 New Car Luxury Lotus Elan. Let us close this chapter in Lotus with the vintage beauty of the Elan 2013 whose task will be to forget the bland design of the 90s, derived from an ordinary Japanese which was thankfully forgotten the name. The new Elan will not disappoint this time fans of the brand because Lotus has done things.<br /><br />Aesthetically first is the new style of the British manufacturer is out and eyeing the expensive stealth to Lamborghini. Under the hood back, we find a V6 Toyota Genuine who will move the 1295 kg of the beast.<br /><br />Dual-clutch gearbox and seven reports, 4-liter, 450 hp and 450 Nm of torque, this V6 that is found under the hood of some 4 × 4 Toyota is unrecognizable here. It can even be coupled to a hybrid system, derived from kers preview last year in Formula 1.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-55591726802752372002011-01-15T22:58:00.000-08:002011-01-15T23:00:25.431-08:0024 Hour Fitness Non Stop<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="post-body"> <div style="float: right;"> <ins style="display: inline-table; border: medium none; height: 250px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"> </ins> </div> <style>.fullpost { display: inline; }</style> <p><a><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 219px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6opb0OiIaGIX9RVZDjJaq_3QOYv2_VjkGPfmUHp6PYsqkZ-L9UlyyKcR1268XYFuO-1TlqMYd5hfcrbFOktBLJBt971zrRhptQzAgyTJfksikSjGBSMDBIc5AxlHi76kpg0QZfzS4hxYx/s320/24+Hour+Fitness+Locations.jpg" alt="24 Hour Fitness Locations" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464021994722626450" border="0" /></a></p>24 Hour Fitness Non Stop Locations: Whether you're considering to launch a fitness program? Good! You only need five steps to start a healthy lifestyle. You do not have to worry about time, because there are <u>24 Hour Fitness Locations</u>. Starting a fitness program can be one of the best things you can do for your health. Physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve balance and coordination body, help you lose weight.<span class="fullpost"><br /><br />Did you start your fitness program to help you lose weight? Or if you have other motivations, such as preparing for the race run five miles? Having clear goals can help you monitor your progress in <span style="font-weight: bold;">24 Hour Fitness Locations</span>. Most adults must reach at least 300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise or weight of 150 minutes of aerobic activity, within a week. Adults also need to exercise power for two or more times a week.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-81766800021751763252011-01-15T22:52:00.000-08:002011-01-15T22:56:24.180-08:00Make Money At Home $500s Weekly<div> </div><div style="float: right; text-align: justify;"> <ins style="display: inline-table; border: medium none; height: 250px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"><ins id="google_ads_frame1_anchor" style="display: block; border: medium none; height: 250px; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 300px;"></ins></ins> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="post-body"><style>.fullpost { display: inline; }</style> <p><a><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 218px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDczIfeNtKDjboXSRXIJrHfmkySpL-3VhbKZJ-su56rhAFmW6JSvibRlwdWrBSej84JO0CVJ6IylFE_A-qD8Opkw5uSDmsXlDi1iNuaKHJpxWmrTGM1LBgEDkUbEJZsyRTkKN44-fGtGJb/s200/Make+Money+At+Home.jpg" alt="Make Money At Home" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491505645012275426" border="0" /></a></p>Make Money At Home $500s Weekly is one way we can do to earn a livelihood that can sustain our lives. And for this modern day and age, <u>Make Money At Home $1000s Monthly</u> may no longer impossible. Because so many business opportunities that can be done at home own.<br /><br />And the way he had all kinds for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Make Money At Home</span>, for example, we can make products from the house after so we can sell. Or we can also work via the internet by marketing products that we have made. Actually this only if we truly have the intention and will be able to generate <span style="font-style: italic;">Make Money At Home</span> that is not small.<span class="fullpost"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-19565127837534271542011-01-07T09:44:00.001-08:002011-01-07T09:44:52.771-08:00Further Thoughts on Health Insurance<div style="text-align: justify;"><address class="byline author vcard">By <a href="http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/author/paul-downs/" class="url fn" title="See all posts by PAUL DOWNS">PAUL DOWNS</a></address> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry-content"><div class="w75 left"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs_v3/boss/boss_stayingalive.gif" alt="Staying Alive" /></div> <p>My recent <a href="http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/my-health-insurance-rates-just-went-down/">post</a> on my health insurance rates brought some interesting <a href="http://community.nytimes.com/comments/boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/16/my-health-insurance-rates-just-went-down/">comments</a>. I’d like to respond to a few and share some further thoughts.</p> <p>I presented my renewal rates for the last five years. They have varied in the amount of increase, but the trend is higher rates, increasing considerably faster than inflation. During that period, the number of employees covered ranged from eight to 20, and the demographic mix varied as we hired and fired people of different ages and family configurations. My policy is an H.M.O. provided by Keystone Health Plan, which is a subsidiary of our local Blue Cross. We kept our plan roughly the same over those five years, meaning we had the same coverages, deductibles and co-pays.</p> <p>In 2007 we looked very carefully at switching to Aetna. The company promised reductions in rates of more than 20 percent, but after submitting our employees’ personal data, the rates turned out to be almost identical to what we were paying Keystone. So we stayed where we were to avoid the hassle of switching. My conclusion: If the plans cover the same geographic area, you won’t see much difference in rates from different companies for comparable policies. The prices are driven by the costs of the local hospitals and doctors.</p> <p>One of the things I dislike most about buying health insurance is not knowing the extent to which the demographics of my workers affects the rates. <span id="more-31449"></span>We are ostensibly part of a group: the American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter. I joined the group as an adjunct in the early ’90s specifically to buy health insurance. I let my membership lapse after one year, but I still see the A.I.A. mentioned in the quotes I get. I don’t know whether the rates I am quoted would be identical to the rates quoted others in the A.I.A. I presume that some portion of my cost is tied to the health and behavior of my workers. This is the way all of the other insurance I buy works — there are audits of our behavior and credit for a lack of claims.</p> <p>However, those credits are stated explicitly in my unemployment, worker’s comp and general liability quotes. I’ve never been shown comparable data in the health insurance quotes. Although I don’t do so, I imagine that many small-business owners who offer health coverage discriminate against older workers. I do know that my oldest, sickest worker, whose wife also had serious health issues, left the company in September, and my insurance rates dropped 20 percent soon after. Correlation? No way to know. It’s hard to avoid concluding that I would be better off hiring younger and healthier workers.</p> <p>Many of my initial ideas on how to treat workers, and what kind of benefit package to offer them, were heavily influenced by the viewpoint presented in <a href="http://www.inc.com/ss/8-tips-for-building-corporate-culture">Inc. magazine</a> in the late ’80s and early ’90s. This is when I first hired employees. I was young and impressionable, and the magazine consistently recommended liberal treatment of employees — flex time, health benefits and a light-handed management style were presented as the best ways to get the most from your people. All of that sounded reasonable at the time and conformed to my liberal political leanings, so I have run the company that way since then. It’s only recently that I’ve started to wonder how much money that approach cost me. I don’t recall seeing a magazine called Hard-Hearted Boss on the newsstand back then, but I’d probably be wealthier if I had. It’s not the norm in my industry to provide generous benefits or very many benefits at all. I’ve failed to show a profit in most of my 25 years in business. High labor and benefit costs undoubtedly contributed to that record.</p> <p>As a business owner, I’m tired of being the one to fund the dysfunctional health care “market.” I don’t buy my employees car, house or life insurance. The disconnect between the consumers of health care and the providers, and the political clout of doctors, means that costs cannot be contained. Meanwhile, it’s an ever growing administrative and cash flow problem for me. I want this off my plate.</p> <p>On to the comments:</p> <p>From JBleep: <em>I love the statement “I pay two thirds of the cost for health care.” Truth is, the workers earn the money Paul is talking about. He can shaft them, which is common business practice in the U.S.A. these days, or he can do the right thing and return a portion of their earnings in health care benefits.</em></p> <p>Insurance is part of a package of pay and benefits that is offered to the workers. Like it or not, I have the power to unilaterally change the amounts any time I feel like it. Of course, I have to suffer the consequences if I do. I offered the benefits in the first place because I wanted my people to be able to live a middle-class lifestyle, so that they would stick with the company over the long run. When the company isn’t profitable, I need to take a long, hard look at all of my costs. Whether the employees deserve their pay or not becomes irrelevant. They work hard, and so do I. But they haven’t had to reach into their own pockets to cover payroll. They haven’t paid rent, or bought machines, or materials or advertising. When ballooning insurance rates eat into the funds required to keep them working, health care is on the table.</p> <p>More from JBleep: <em>Without the workers, Paul would have no business.</em></p> <p>Wrong. Without the workers, I would have a different business. One of my main competitors has no workers, no shop, no store — just a Web site and a phone. He outsources everything to low-wage shops wherever he can find them, in the United States, Canada and Mexico. That’s a perfectly good business model, and he seems to be quite successful. I, on the other hand, spend a great deal of time, money, and heartache providing those “good jobs” that you hear so much about. High-wage, high-skill manufacturing for people who didn’t graduate from an Ivy League university. I get e-mails every day from factories in the Far East who can provide product that I could easily sell. I keep the factory going for lots of reasons, but if it gets too hard, I have options.</p> <p>From Ann S: <em>It might be more cost effective to give your employees a sufficient raise to cover the cost of buying their own coverage on the health insurance exchanges starting in 2014.</em></p> <p>I’m eagerly awaiting those exchanges, although for the life of me I can’t see how they will be any different from existing Blue Cross (or other allegedly nonprofit) plans. Until someone starts throttling back doctor and hospital charges, there’s no magic way to bring costs down. At the same time, I’m cognizant of the need for people to be insured. I do it now mostly because I want my employees and their families to have access to health care when they need it. But if reasonably priced plans appear, I will give them serious consideration.</p> <p>From wts: <em>Wouldn’t some of his skilled employees leave for more secure jobs if he didn’t offer insurance. Doesn’t the security of insurance help his employees focus on their jobs instead of worrying about the untreated child at home?</em></p> <p>They might, if my competitors offer better benefits. But they don’t. I do agree that insurance is essential for my people with children, and that is one of the main reasons I keep offering it.</p> <p>From Clemmie: <em>I believe we would have a much stronger and more stable work force – and as a result, a stronger and more stable country – if ALL employers in ALL industries were required to provide standard health insurance to ALL employees.</em></p> <p>What about the unemployed and their dependents? I think we would have a more dynamic labor market if health care were decoupled from employment, and employers would be better off if they didn’t have the administrative and cash-flow burden. And once people started paying for their health care themselves, you’d see more attention paid to bad behavior and more political pressure for the government to reign in costs.</p> <p>From DW: <em>I wonder if those who insist that health care should be part of any benefits package have ever been employers or have had to pay those premiums?</em></p> <p>I’d bet they have not. It is easy to spend other people’s money. Try rounding that money up yourself, and you end up thinking differently.</p> <p>When the year ends and I have my wage totals, I’m going to calculate whether I qualify for the tax credit. That should be an interesting exercise.</p> <p><em>Paul Downs founded <a href="http://custom-conference-tables.com/">Paul Downs Cabinetmakers</a> in 1986. It is based outside of Philadelphia.</em></p> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-36146298786386843692011-01-07T09:39:00.000-08:002011-01-07T09:41:22.901-08:00Are Small Businesses Going to Be Saviors or Victims?<div style="text-align: justify;"><address class="byline author vcard">By <a href="http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/author/jay-goltz/" class="url fn" title="See all posts by JAY GOLTZ">JAY GOLTZ</a></address> </div><div style="text-align: justify;" class="entry-content"><div class="w75 left"><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs_v3/boss/boss_thinking.gif" alt="Thinking Entrepreneur" /></div> <p>Over the last two years, it has been widely reported that small businesses create more jobs than big businesses and thus are critical to the recovery. It has also been widely reported that small businesses are getting squeezed — by the credit freeze, by skyrocketing costs like health and unemployment insurance, and by cheap imports, to name a few examples.</p> <p>So, if you own a small business, is the deck stacked against you? Can you overcome all of the obstacles? Is it harder than it used to be to start a business? Is it going to continue to get harder? Are the banks going to loosen up? Is the “recovery” ever going to reach small businesses the way it has big businesses? Which is it: Are small businesses going to be saviors or victims?<span id="more-31601"></span></p> <p>Both. The small businesses that succeed will need to do more than just hope. And they will need to do more than just complain about the government and wait for it to solve all problems. The real answer is to cope. It’s <em>always</em> been that way. A successful entrepreneur copes with whatever problems come along, and there are sure to be plenty of them. Business ownership requires the wearing of many hats, which is part of the reason the failure rate for start-ups is high (about half survive for five years). To thrive, you have to understand accounting, finance, marketing, and management. It’s probably not enough to be great at just one or even two of those categories.</p> <p>What is going to get the economy humming and send people back to work? The entrepreneur/warriors who figure out how to get past the problems, how to find money even when it’s tight, how to find opportunity among the ashes and how to find new ideas. Some of those ideas will come from a new generation that has been conditioned to believe that it can do anything. Some among this new generation will fail and move back in with their parents. A few will become fabulously rich and famous doing something with computers that I won’t understand. And others, hundreds of thousands of others, will start, take over from their parents or buy businesses that have a value proposition. They will make better cupcakes, they will clean your clothes in a more green fashion, they will cut your hair and they will recycle your computer (and they will make computers that aren’t toxic). They will be men, women, straight, gay and of every ethnicity.</p> <p>Entrepreneurship has certainly gotten more complicated. In some ways technology has helped, and in other ways it has only added to the list of things we need to know, the hats we need to wear. The government is working through the Small Business Administration to free up more money, and some of the tax incentives are beneficial. I can also report that entrepreneurs have infinitely more resources at their disposal than when I started my business in 1978. Then, the word <em>entrepreneur</em> was rarely used, and when it was used, it tended to be in a negative way, like referring to the guy on the street corner selling watches on his arm. These days, many colleges have entrepreneurship programs that were unheard of 30 years ago. The S.B.A. offers support and loans, and there are several large foundations that have programs. There is help if you look for it.</p> <p>I’ll tell you why the entrepreneurs will continue to succeed, as well as fail. This is America, the land of opportunity, but opportunity does not knock for entrepreneurs — it lurks. It is everywhere that something can be done better, cheaper or faster. Capitalism works (most of the time). Loans will be available because the lenders will make money from them (although the loans may be at a higher interest rate, and they may not be come from the big banks). This recession has been different from past recessions because we are living through some profound changes in the marketplace.</p> <p>But we are beginning to readjust to the new environment. It bears repeating that we have been struggling with a recession, a bank crisis, a real estate meltdown, and a technology shift. It may take a little more time to re-boot. The elections are over, the rhetoric should stop, it’s time to go back to work. Entrepreneurs will find a way and lead the way. Jobs will be created, products and services will be sold, and loans will be paid back — most of them, anyway. Some people will go broke trying. It is not possible to have opportunity without risk. Failure is also part of the American way. The successful will cope. Save your hope for world peace.</p> <p>Happy New Year!</p> <p><em>Jay Goltz owns <a href="http://www.jaygoltz.com/about-companies.php">five small businesses</a> in Chicago.</em></p> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-68799067247070902662011-01-07T09:31:00.000-08:002011-01-07T09:33:46.340-08:00Business Management<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color:black;">Managing a business engage a lot of responsibilities. Here is organizing materials, observance of workers and time sheets, publicity, keep up daily receipts and keep the business clean and upright. Extra function can comprise banking, human resources and customer dealings. Managing a business can be a gratifying experience if ended with satisfaction. A lot of businesses need an amount to manage them, but among a modest facts and ability, anybody be able to effectively run a business.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="display: none;color:black;" ><a href="http://www.ehow.com/account/simple_login.aspx"><span class="text"><span style="color:blue;">I want to do this!</span></span></a> What's This? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:black;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8DHq3-xD7T3_eCnH2EZJfXMct2TgGmzDLXJ4LC823zEyMEgHshcGrti9eLToqxGird3185ljQHeZi-v1b3hgMwvKPYKvM0EATM_7mE7Bf3Hws7zcCUDS4cu41OFS8jBHJNFwb69iZpc/s1600/bba-management.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8DHq3-xD7T3_eCnH2EZJfXMct2TgGmzDLXJ4LC823zEyMEgHshcGrti9eLToqxGird3185ljQHeZi-v1b3hgMwvKPYKvM0EATM_7mE7Bf3Hws7zcCUDS4cu41OFS8jBHJNFwb69iZpc/s200/bba-management.jpg" width="200" border="0" height="200" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:black;">Things You will Need:</span></h2><ul style="text-align: justify;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Devotion </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Good quality client service expertise </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Accounting expertise </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Good employee dealings </li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Great inventory proficiency </li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color:black;">How to Manage a Business</span></i></b></div><br /> <br /><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;color:black;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Publicity of the business is essential to be a focus for opportunity and nonstop business. This can be newspaper advertisements, radio ads, local entertainment, or business magazines. </span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:12pt;">Organizing materials is part of managing a business. The manager has to keep the business operating to make capital. This way maintaining an inventory and detailing what is being spent and what is needed to keep the business operating every week or month.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-size:12pt;color:black;" >Recruiting, training and terminating employees are a different aspect of managing a business. Along with this procedure come keeping daily time sheets and assigning job responsibility. This is a significant part of the business.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-size:12pt;color:black;" >Maintaining a record of daily receipts, cashing out cash registers and bookkeeping are a part of managing a business. Along with these responsibilities move towards to daily banking and money including practice.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-size:12pt;color:black;" >Organization skills are significant as running any business. The perfect aspirant will be capable to be gracious, but so far present direction with authority. Customer and employee relations are looked-for to succeed managing a business.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-size:12pt;color:black;" >Keeping detail records of cleaning schedules is essential to every business. Presenting professional surroundings is important to catch the attention of new business. Employ a person for cleaning or deal out cleaning duties is basic.</span></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-11960489250372062572010-12-22T09:38:00.001-08:002010-12-22T09:41:03.675-08:00Skandal Foto Mesum Rahma Azhari- McMenemy<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdSg4ObZE4iTAAOcyI86yHAsKmBz-0uCU9rbmTw05YMyyaPF99hjybi0UwtrBgg_Rn0RUMIcfNVQEeKMBlI2SLe_Jq3-H4fF30F9oIuFEybeIIy-e_t-J-qnRs5pwzeYVRuTpCVS2978/s1600/6516B392C3C2BA3546E689A5A2F4D.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdSg4ObZE4iTAAOcyI86yHAsKmBz-0uCU9rbmTw05YMyyaPF99hjybi0UwtrBgg_Rn0RUMIcfNVQEeKMBlI2SLe_Jq3-H4fF30F9oIuFEybeIIy-e_t-J-qnRs5pwzeYVRuTpCVS2978/s400/6516B392C3C2BA3546E689A5A2F4D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553562670884074258" border="0" /></a><span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif"></span></span><br /><br /><span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif"></span></span></div><span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">JAKARTA</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">-</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Photos</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">intimate</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Rahma</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Azhari</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">with</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the Philippine</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">national team coach</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Simon</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">McMenemy</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">not</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">make</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Menegpora</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Andi</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Mallarangeng</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">dizziness</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">By contrast,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Democrats</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">were</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">ignored</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span></span><br /><span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"></span><br /><span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><br /><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Because the</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">images</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">intimate</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Rahma</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">with</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">McMenemy</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">who</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">allegedly</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">taken</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">at</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">a</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">night</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">club</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">that</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">is not</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">directly related to the</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Indonesian</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">national team</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">I'm</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">not sure</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">about the</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">photo</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Rahma</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">and</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">coach</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Philippines</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">I</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">also recently</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">received</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">information</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">via</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">short messages</span> <span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">(</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">SMS</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">)</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"said</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Andi</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">at the</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">State Palace</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Jakarta</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Monday</span> <span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">(</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">20/12/2010</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">)</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">But I</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">think</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">everything</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">is</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">going</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">well</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">and</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">fair</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">between Indonesia and the</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Philippines</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">The most important thing</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">now</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">is</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">we</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">focus on</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">how</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">to win</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the match</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">against</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Malaysia</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"said</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">former</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">presidential</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">spokesman for</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">this</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Ayu</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Azhari</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">sister</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">was</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">intimate</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">with</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">McMenemy</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">post</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">photos</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">on</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Monday, December 20</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">approximately</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">at 07.00</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">pm</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Coincided</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">with</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the photograph</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Rahma</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">ngetweet</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">if</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">McMenemy</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">himself with</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">no</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">special</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">relationship</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">He</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'s</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">just</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">a</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">friend</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">..</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">What</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">a</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">lovely</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">person</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">..</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Glad</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">to</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Actually</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">meth</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">uterus</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">!</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Had</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">a</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">great</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">time</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">!</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">wrote</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">one</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">boy</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'s</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">widow</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Not</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">just</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">one</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">photo</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Rahma</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">also</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">post</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">additional photos</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">at 11.00</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">pm</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">He</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">said good-bye</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">to</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Simon</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">who</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">went to</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">their home country</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Hhhmm</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">goodbye</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">simon</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">have a</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">nice</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">trip</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">back</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">to</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Manila</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">xoxo</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">said</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Rahman</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif"></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB8cPujW0HQ6Iqod2qfkKO9yCK8QEJ4iLkXg7q0JocP3XuZ1mYOOB28P43VFIRisbXZZmPJbdo3qdKg2YRRRsfqm2_cfMjod756vFdJTF_YIIJSEHzOcThYzXqPJMuo_W5bTdSJj-oKo/s1600/Rahma-Azhari.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrB8cPujW0HQ6Iqod2qfkKO9yCK8QEJ4iLkXg7q0JocP3XuZ1mYOOB28P43VFIRisbXZZmPJbdo3qdKg2YRRRsfqm2_cfMjod756vFdJTF_YIIJSEHzOcThYzXqPJMuo_W5bTdSJj-oKo/s400/Rahma-Azhari.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553562672262761346" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-54442604784041580542010-12-22T09:35:00.000-08:002010-12-22T09:38:26.883-08:00Foto Mesra Kaka 'Slank' dan Syahrini<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFz_LDOG66G_45lxMV2D6OiHBv-vZkBBW1IUkwCEXpdCA0lOs3XmWFf6I-DdZogD4fH-KexeAJS-uF_Qpu-62mNGJ4H79y8diVXIdyTQCNB5BCgZ1gNE1GL-AQtTRl5f91k67je_VMjo/s1600/1071642.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFz_LDOG66G_45lxMV2D6OiHBv-vZkBBW1IUkwCEXpdCA0lOs3XmWFf6I-DdZogD4fH-KexeAJS-uF_Qpu-62mNGJ4H79y8diVXIdyTQCNB5BCgZ1gNE1GL-AQtTRl5f91k67je_VMjo/s400/1071642.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553562074213378882" border="0" /></a><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif"></span><br /><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif"></span></div><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Jakarta - The</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">intimate</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">hug</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Kaka</span> <span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Slank</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">against</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Syahrini</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">when</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">appearing</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">on</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">show</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'s birthday</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">some time</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">ago</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Slank</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Slank</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">vocalist</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">considered</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">this</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">as a</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">form of</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">expression of</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the stage</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="" id="result_box" lang="en"><br /><span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">I</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">heard</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">he said</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">some</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">fans</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Syahrini</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">not</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">received</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">only</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">this time</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">it</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'s just</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">not</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">that</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">so</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Syahrini</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">only</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">guest</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">star</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">to make</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">gimik</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Slank</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">and</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">all</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">that</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">fun</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">said</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Kaka</span> <span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Slank</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">sidelines of the</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">1000</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Band</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">United</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">:</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Uniting</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Overcome</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Disasters</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">in</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">BUPERTA</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Cibubur</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">East Jakarta</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Saturday</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">(19/12</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">)</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Kaka</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">added</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">in</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">an</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">appearance</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">especially</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the concert</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">required</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the attention</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">of</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the audience</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">to</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">enliven</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the event</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">That</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">'s what</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">he</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">wanted</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">to convey</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">when</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">Syahrini</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">hug</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">on stage</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span><br /><br /><span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">It's a</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">concert</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">yes</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">It's</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">about</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">eye</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">and</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">ear</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">So</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">all</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the attention</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">it</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">from</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">how</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">we</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">see</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">and</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">hear</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">the concert</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">,</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">"</span> <span class="hps" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">he explained</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">.</span> <span class="hps atn" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">[</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">aji</span><span class="" title="Klik untuk terjemahan alternatif">]</span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NZ_WeOHtrS9ELMDt4koF3KQAtInbd39Yy6hiCjwoetbj1xQboRZjcL_z0ASw6OSy3bvRNhIcDUoEgss2d2ywqqoG6HAKGEKAJsbE5BT2WCfYYOFCKgdRfK1gs88_T6yTvNhVxjDT_fU/s1600/0GwDqj6DF1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NZ_WeOHtrS9ELMDt4koF3KQAtInbd39Yy6hiCjwoetbj1xQboRZjcL_z0ASw6OSy3bvRNhIcDUoEgss2d2ywqqoG6HAKGEKAJsbE5BT2WCfYYOFCKgdRfK1gs88_T6yTvNhVxjDT_fU/s400/0GwDqj6DF1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553562069126443298" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-41617806042351443172010-12-12T10:32:00.001-08:002010-12-12T10:34:08.002-08:00Dewi Perssik Foto Bugil di Twitter<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwhWRKvWP8kqrzo-sVhwTV6vD-shtZZUsL066ClBmO8_5EpCquFa9zHNeFYjCgpp9JHvAmqdPCZNDIHFlX87R6QwdT7ohsEWm1jRjGMUTaZR73U8S6eNCv6A6z3T-oKrM18FU8pc4sPQ/s1600/1221425620X310.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwhWRKvWP8kqrzo-sVhwTV6vD-shtZZUsL066ClBmO8_5EpCquFa9zHNeFYjCgpp9JHvAmqdPCZNDIHFlX87R6QwdT7ohsEWm1jRjGMUTaZR73U8S6eNCv6A6z3T-oKrM18FU8pc4sPQ/s400/1221425620X310.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549865595094079618" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title="">JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Chairman of the Islamic Defenders Front Jakarta DPD Habib Salim Alatas explained that the FPI came Sentra Polda Metro Jaya Police Service to report pedangdut and movie player Goddess Perssik since put naked pictures on his Twitter account.</span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span><span style="" title="">"We came willing to report Goddess Perssik (DP) because it was exposing his private parts on Twitter," said Habib Salim told reporters in SPK, Wednesday (08/12/2010).</span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span><span title="">Habib Salim, who came accompanied by his lawyer, showing nude photos of DP with various poses. </span><span style="" title="">"In addition to Goddard Perssik, we also will report on Ahmad Dhani because these photos are also in Twitter Ahmad Dhani," he said again. </span><span style="" title="">"DP is her Indonesian Miyabi. Obviously damaging," he said.</span></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-75766816916717873852010-12-12T10:28:00.000-08:002010-12-12T10:30:25.515-08:00Cut Tari Akan Akui "Main" Berdua Ariel<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki8_SpbQwc-UQCP6wXy0PTJOA1qVv5c5NkejE8V1EMxUT8-vXoxPIKeJ2Oo3d1lu2Pyjfdp0c6OVuOxK2ZRZ8NEVsj_0eGylHfENZqG8uaKfldV5j1VJB9bVzYFg5EOBLyjSiNpuCqTA/s1600/0845585620X310.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgki8_SpbQwc-UQCP6wXy0PTJOA1qVv5c5NkejE8V1EMxUT8-vXoxPIKeJ2Oo3d1lu2Pyjfdp0c6OVuOxK2ZRZ8NEVsj_0eGylHfENZqG8uaKfldV5j1VJB9bVzYFg5EOBLyjSiNpuCqTA/s400/0845585620X310.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549864480422602242" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title="">JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Sunday (12/12/2010), a day before he gives his testimony, presenter Dance Cut through the assistant legal counsel, said he would confess that he was the one woman who were both vocalists intercourse Nazrel Irham or Ariel in sex video </span><span style="" title="">being dikasuskan.</span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span><span style="" title="">The trial continued the case for distributing the videos sex that will be held at the District Court (PN), Bandung, on Monday (13/12/2010). </span><span style="" title="">Agenda, presents Cut Dance as a witness.</span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span><span style="" title="">"We will give testimony in truth, which is required by the judge or prosecutor, in accordance with the facts, about what happened in the case of the video," said Ina, assistant team leader Cut Tari lawyer, Hotman Paris Hutapea, when contacted </span><span title="">via cell phone, in Jakarta, Sunday (12/12/2010).</span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span title=""></span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span title=""></span><span style="" title="">Explained also by Ina, in front of the judges will reveal that Cut Tari sex video actors are correct himself with Ariel. </span><span style="" title="">"To be sure, Cut Tari and their attorneys would give testimony that is in the correct video is her and her male perpetrator is Ariel," said Ina.</span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span><span style="" title="">To stem the spreading accusations, stressing that Cut Tari Ina has an alibi. </span><span style="" title="">"Clearly Cut Dancing with the initials RJ spreaders do not know and never knew. So, Cut Tari was not involved. Anyway, all the facts will be revealed if required by the Council of Judges and the Prosecutor (Attorney General)," said Ina again.</span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span></span><br /><span id="result_box" class="long_text" lang="en"><span style="" title=""></span><span title="">Advanced Ina, sex videos and Ariel Dance Cut also might have played in the trial. </span><span style="" title="">"It's very possible, because it is evidence and Cut Dance is a victim or perpetrator. Anyway, we'll totally give information or testimony in accordance with the facts," he said.</span></span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-74103461129107336002010-11-27T22:17:00.000-08:002010-11-27T22:19:51.364-08:00Top 10 Valuable Video Games<p style="text-align: justify;">Most old video games aren’t worth much money; you can buy yourself a pretty decent collection of games from the 80s with a few bucks and a trip to the <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-bizarre-collectibles.php">flea market</a>. But there are a select few games that are so rare, collectors are willing to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for the chance to put them in a display case and never play them. So keep an eye out the next time you clean up your basement, because you might just strike gold.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">10. <em>Pepsi Invaders</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/pepsi-invaders" rel="attachment wp-att-10853"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10853" title="Pepsi Invaders" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Pepsi-Invaders.jpg" alt="Pepsi Invaders" width="431" height="269" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Pepsi Invaders</em> sounds like the name of one of Pepsi’s many failed product lines, but it’s actually a game for the Atari 2600. Commissioned by Coca-Cola for their 1983 sales convention, the game is little more than <em>Space Invaders</em> with the aliens replaced by the letters that spell out <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-weirdest-japanese-snacks-and-drinks.php">Pepsi</a>. Never intended for commercial release, only the 125 attendees of the convention received a copy. The number of cartridges that survive to this day is unknown, but the most recent one to surface was snapped up on eBay for 2125 dollars in early 2010.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">9. <em>Ultima: Escape from Mt. Drash</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/ultima" rel="attachment wp-att-10855"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10855" title="Ultima" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Ultima.jpg" alt="Ultima" width="373" height="280" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Escape from Mt. Drash</em> is a game for the VIC-20, a very primitive computer from the early 80s. An obscure game for an obscure machine, only 13 copies of the 3000 that were manufactured are confirmed to be in existence today. When it first came out the game was a commercial disaster, and there are<a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-ten-famous-penises.php"> rumors</a> that one retailer even dumped its unsold copies off a cliff. But today the game is worth around 2500 dollars to serious collectors, no doubt making the guy who ordered the cliff toss feel like an idiot.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">8. <em>Mr. Boston</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/mr-boston" rel="attachment wp-att-10857"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10857" title="Mr. Boston" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Mr.-Boston.png" alt="Mr. Boston" width="280" height="277" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Mr. Boston</em>, a promotional game given out by the now defunct liquor company of the same name, is a game for the Vectrex, another machine that will be unfamiliar to anyone who isn’t a huge nerd. <em>Mr. Boston</em> is just a slightly edited version of another Vectrex game called <em>Clean Sweep</em>, which in turn is a knockoff of <em>Pac-Man</em>, which makes <em>Mr. Boston</em> the least creative video game ever made. With only four copies known to exist, the highly <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-best-comebacks.php">unoriginal</a> <em>Mr. Boston </em>is worth about 3000 dollars.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">7. <em>Air Raid</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/air-raid" rel="attachment wp-att-10859"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10859" title="Air Raid" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Air-Raid.jpg" alt="Air Raid" width="425" height="319" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">One of the rarest Atari 2600 games, <em>Air Raid</em> was the only product of Men-A-Vision, who presumably shut down when they realised how bad their name was. Released in the 2600’s heyday as a lazy attempt to cash in on its success, few copies were made before <em>Air Raid</em> faded into obscurity. With only 13 cartridges known to exist, it’s worth about 3000 dollars. But what’s really impressive is that one copy, combined with the only known original box, recently sold for a staggering $31,600. That’s not a typo; somebody paid more than the cost of a new car for a <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-board-games-we-secretly-hate.php">cardboard</a> sleeve. That will teach anyone who threw away game boxes when they were a kid.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">6. <em>Atlantis II</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/atlantis-ii" rel="attachment wp-att-10860"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10860" title="Atlantis II" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Atlantis-II.png" alt="Atlantis II" width="320" height="210" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Another Atari 2600 game, <em>Atlantis II </em>wasn’t even commercially available. The original <em>Atlantis</em> was popular, and its creators held a contest to win a trip to Bermuda: whoever sent them a photo of the highest score won. But so many people got a perfect score that they had to break the tie with a more difficult sequel, sent only to those who had mastered the first game. Compounding its rarity is the fact that the game cart looks exactly the same as the worthless original, making <em>Atlantis II</em> even harder to find. So if you ever see what looks like a copy of <em>Atlantis</em> at a <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-bizarre-collectibles.php">garage sale</a>, go ahead and fork out a couple of bucks; it could actually be worth 6000 dollars.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">5. <em>Ultimate II</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/ultimate-11" rel="attachment wp-att-10862"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10862" title="Ultimate 11" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Ultimate-11.png" alt="Ultimate 11" width="480" height="360" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Ultimate 11 </em>is a soccer game for the Neo Geo, an obscure console from the early 90s. The Neo Geo attracted a small but very dedicated group of fans, and there are quite a few serious collectors out there. This, combined with the fact that a lot of Neo Geo games were made in limited numbers, makes several of them highly coveted. <em>Ultimate 11</em> is the second most valuable Neo Geo game; each of its 10 copies is worth about 10,000 dollars.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">4. <em>Kizuna Encounter</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/kizuna-encounter" rel="attachment wp-att-10864"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10864" title="Kizuna Encounter" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Kizuna-Encounter.png" alt="Kizuna Encounter" width="320" height="240" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">That leaves <em>Kizuna Encounter</em> as the most valuable Neo Geo game, at a cost of up to 13,000 dollars. It’s believed that only 15 copies of the English version were made, although the Japanese version is both identical and common, making it accessible to casual collectors. English copies are for the richest and most <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-opera-in-movies.php">obsessive</a>; in late 2009 somebody paid a mind-blowing 55,000 dollars for both <em>Kizuna Encounter</em> and <em>Ultimate 11</em>. The buyer said he’d never consider selling them for any price, so you’ll have to put aside your dreams and just start saving for a house instead.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">3. <em>Stadium Events</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><em><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/stadium-events" rel="attachment wp-att-10867"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10867" title="Stadium Events" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Stadium-Events.png" alt="Stadium Events" width="400" height="300" /></a><br /></em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Our final three games are all for the original Nintendo, and they each have a unique story behind them. <em>Stadium Events</em> was made by a company called Bandai, and it made use of their “Family Fun Fitness Mat,” a soft plastic controller that players would run and jump on to make their track athlete move. Nintendo bought the rights to the game and the mat, rebranded them, and, confusing themselves for a totalitarian government, ordered the originals to be pulled from shelves and destroyed.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">But 200 copies were sold before Nintendo’s death squads could track them down, although only 20, at most, are believed to exist today. One copy recently sold for 13,105 dollars, the box alone can fetch 10,000 dollars, and a sealed copy, sold in February of 2010, went for 41,300 dollars. To put that into perspective, that’s the cost of about 600 Xbox 360 games. Or, you know, a couple of cars. Meanwhile, the rebranded game, <em>World Class Track Meet</em>, is worth 10 bucks at most.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">2. <em>Nintendo Campus Challenge</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/nintendo-campus-challenge" rel="attachment wp-att-10869"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10869" title="Nintendo Campus Challenge" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Nintendo-Campus-Challenge.jpg" alt="Nintendo Campus Challenge" width="300" height="374" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In the early 90s, Nintendo held a series of competitions across the United States. One of these was the Campus Challenge, where Nintendo representatives visited 58 colleges in 1991. Players would try to get the highest score on a special cartridge; the challenge was a mix of three different games, lasting just six minutes in total. The winner at every college got a free trip to Disney World, where they played in a championship.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Again showing their love of needless destruction, Nintendo ordered all cartridges eliminated once the event was complete. But one employee hung onto his copy, eventually selling it at a garage sale in 2006 for 1000 dollars. In July of 2009 it sold on eBay for $14,000, and three months later it was put on auction again, this time bringing in $20,100. It’s probably off the market for good now, although maybe another cartridge is floating around in some Nintendo employee’s basement. We bet the people who destroyed their copies feel pretty silly. Or indescribably angry, one of the two.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">1. <em>Nintendo World Championships</em></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-valuable-video-games.php/nintendo-world-championships" rel="attachment wp-att-10872"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10872" title="Nintendo World Championships" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Nintendo-World-Championships.jpg" alt="Nintendo World Championships" width="349" height="385" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The holy grail of video games, <em>Nintendo World Championships</em> is very similar to its college counterpart. This was a competition that toured 30 US cities in 1990; there were three age categories, and the winners in every city were taken to Universal Studios Hollywood. The champions of each age group got 10,000 dollars, a new car, a 40 inch TV and a gold painted Mario trophy; not a bad haul for mastering six and a half minutes of three different games.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">116 cartridges were made for the competition: 96 grey and 20 gold. The grey ones are worth a “mere” 6000 dollars at most, but it’s the gold copies that attract the truly serious collectors. They’ve gone for as much as $21,000, and are generally considered to be the most sought after and treasured video games on the planet. So if Nintendo ever does another one of these Championships, take part and grab everything you can!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-60054275394554780892010-11-27T22:16:00.000-08:002010-11-27T22:17:10.768-08:00Top 10 Customized Vehicles From Around The World<p style="text-align: justify;">No matter where you go in the world, vehicles play a major role in almost every aspect of our lives. Vehicle ownership is seen by most as an essential part of existence in the modern world. Whether for pleasure or economic necessity, just about all of us will want or need to own a vehicle at some point. Is it any wonder then that around the world, people have taken their vehicles and made them into <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-unfinished-works-of-art.php" target="_self">works of art</a>? What better way to show your love and appreciation for your vehicle than decorating it with love and care? Here is my top 10 customized vehicles from around the world:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">10. Dekotora (Japan)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/dekotora-trucks" rel="attachment wp-att-11971"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11971" title="dekotora-trucks" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/dekotora-trucks.jpg" alt="dekotora trucks" width="500" height="333" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Long thought of as a homogenous culture of cubicle drones, the Japanese can actually be just as creative and weird as anyone. Dekotora (an abbreviation of “decoration truck”) is a perfect example of how individualistic the Japanese can be. Built and owned by independent truckers, dekotora are regular trucks modified to look like the front of a Las Vegas casino. Except not so boring. A <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-worst-car-recalls.php" target="_self">tangle of lights</a>, decals, and massive chrome fixtures, these trucks light up the Japanese highways and rest stops as their owners gather to show off their designs. No two trucks are the same and owners take pride in making their trucks as outlandish as possible. Best of all, these trucks are actually used to transport goods.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">9. Tourist Buses (Thailand)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/thai-tour-bus" rel="attachment wp-att-11981"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11981" title="thai-tour-bus" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/thai-tour-bus.jpeg" alt="" width="443" height="336" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Like dekotora in Japan, Thai tourist buses are riots of color and design. Custom painted by professionals who devote their lives to the art, these buses cruise around Thailand decorated with millions of different designs and images. From <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-movie-and-tv-cars.php" target="_self">Disney characters</a> to Japanese anime scenes, nothing is too outlandish or colorful to be masterfully rendered on the side of a bus. In fact, the custom painted buses are so widespread that the only kind of bus that would stand out on the streets of Bangkok is one with a regular paint job. In the tourist bus industry, garish colors and giant cartoon characters are the norm. Say what you want about these buses, but they sure beat getting into some crappy old grey Greyhound.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">8. Choppers (U.S.A.)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/chopper" rel="attachment wp-att-11973"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11973" title="chopper" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/chopper.jpg" alt="chopper" width="500" height="376" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">At the end of World War 2, millions of returning GI’s found themselves back home with a thirst for excitement that postwar life couldn’t satisfy. Many of them purchased motorcycles to enjoy the speed and freedom of the open road, but found the factory versions bulky and full of unnecessary parts. Putting the skills Uncle Sam had taught them to peaceful use, they modified and “chopped” their bikes to make them <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-muscle-cars.php" target="_self">leaner and faster</a>. Over the next twenty years, the art developed and a huge subculture was born. Although choppers largely faded from the public eye over the years, they saw a resurgence in the 2000’s with shows like <em>American Chopper</em> and brands like West Coast Choppers marketing the customized bikes to a new generation. Highly modified, dangerous and loud; perhaps no other custom vehicle better symbolizes the U.S.A. Which is lucky because that’s the only country in the world where you can legally drive one.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">7. Itasha (Japan)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/itasha" rel="attachment wp-att-11974"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11974" title="itasha" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/itasha-533x400.jpg" alt="itasha 533x400" width="533" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Let’s say you finally have enough money and power to buy that Italian sports car you’ve always dreamed of. A masterpiece of automotive engineering and raw power, it looks just as cool as it feels. Obviously, the first thing you’re going to do is run out and blow a whole bunch more money to have a sexy cartoon character painted on it, right? Strange as it may seem, for a group of car enthusiasts in Japan, that’s exactly what they do. Known as itasha (which means “pain car”- “pain” for “<a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-worst-vanity-plates.php" target="_self">painfully embarrassing</a>” or “painful on the wallet” – really) these cars are primarily owned, operated, and shown off by guys whose love for performance vehicles is matched only by their desire to make love to a cartoon. Although the itasha are starting to be seen in actual races and sponsored by actual companies, it’s still largely a labor of love. For the men who devote a sizable chunk of their pay checks to letting the world know just how much they love that cartoon schoolgirl with the pink hair, no amount is too much.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">6. Lowriders (U.S.A.)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/lowrider" rel="attachment wp-att-11975"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11975" title="lowrider" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lowrider-560x373.jpg" alt="lowrider 560x373" width="560" height="373" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Although they’ve come to be associated with West Coast hip hop culture in recent years, lowriders have always been an integral part of Chicano culture. First built by Mexican Americans as far back as the 30s, lowriders and the culture around them developed and flourished during the postwar boom. Like the ex-soldiers who cut up their choppers, lowrider enthusiasts heavily modified their cars to ride as low as possible. After first using sandbags and cinder blocks, they moved on to actually cutting and shortening their cars. The goal was to be as “low and slow” as possible. One of the most famous lowrider modifications, hydraulics, was actually done as a response to a punitive law enacted by the state of California. Not pleased to have a bunch of what they saw as undesirables driving low and slow through their neighbourhoods, the state made it illegal to have any part of a car lower than its rims. To get around the law, one enterprising customizer took some pumps from an old B-52 bomber and <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-terrible-inventions.php" target="_self">invented a system</a> where he could raise or lower his car depending on whether there were any cops around.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">5. Mod Scooters (U.K.)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/mod-scooters" rel="attachment wp-att-11976"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-11976" title="Mod scooters" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Mod-scooters-533x400.jpg" alt="Mod scooters 533x400" width="533" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Swinging Sixties may have produced a lot of great music, but at its heart, it was all about style. From the James Bond dinner jackets to the Emma Peel cat suits, the secret mission in 1960’s London was to look as cool as humanly possible, and to spare no expense doing it. One of the more popular subcultures of the time, the mods, expressed their undying love of fashion in their motor scooters. Although they were largely working class kids, mods were influenced by Italian culture and fashion and loved the cheap, sleek Vespa and Lambretta scooters. Once they got them, they heavily modified their exteriors- especially the mirrors and lights. Not content to limit themselves to just two mirrors or one light, some Mods crammed as many<a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-bizarre-road-signs.php"> rear-view mirrors and headlights</a> as they could on their scooters. Never before or since in the history of motor vehicles has being safe been so cool.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">4. Jingle Trucks (Central Asia)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/jingle-trucks" rel="attachment wp-att-11977"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11977" title="jingle trucks" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/jingle-trucks.jpg" alt="jingle trucks" width="512" height="384" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Though the name may sound silly (and maybe even a little offensive) jingle trucks are nothing to laugh at. These heavily adorned commercial vehicles are common throughout Central Asia, but the most elaborate are found in Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. Covered in colorful paintings of houses, animals, vehicles, and pastoral landscapes, the jingle trucks are amazing to look at. Despite a common look, each truck is unique and is meant to be a reflection of the owner’s tastes and personality. One image common to most trucks is a human eye, meant to ward off evil spirits. But what sets the jingle trucks apart from other custom vehicles (and gives them their name) is of course the jingling. To get the signature sound, jingle trucks’ bumpers are decorated with long chains and charms hanging like curtains. In the harsh Afghan wind, these chain curtains act as wind chimes, letting everyone know a jingle truck is approaching. That’s if they haven’t yet see the giant painted eye staring at them.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">3. Jeepneys (Philippines)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/jeepney" rel="attachment wp-att-11978"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11978" title="jeepney" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/jeepney.jpg" alt="jeepney" width="425" height="318" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Originally built on the husks of surplus and worn out U.S. Army jeeps, jeepneys are a great example of how one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. When the U.S. army withdrew from the Philippines after World War 2, they sold or gave hundreds of their surplus jeeps to the locals. Happy to have a vehicle, but not so happy to have one designed for transporting soldiers, the Filipinos stripped the jeeps, extended the cabs, added roofs, and painted over the boring army <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-fuel-efficient-green-cars.php" target="_self">green</a> with all kinds of bright colors. The resulting <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-american-cars-not-sold-in-america.php" target="_self">vehicles</a> were way more fun to look at and served a vital role in re-establishing public transportation in a country still trying to rebuild after years of occupation. They became a part of the culture and still exist today, although they aren’t built from old army jeeps anymore. Some manufacturers have even started to build “e-jeepneys,” jeepneys that run on electricity. These jeepneys of the future will help to ensure that the streets of the Philippines will never be drab, even <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-ways-to-improve-the-fuel-economy-of-your-vehicle.php" target="_self">after the oil runs out</a>.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">2. Customized Vans (U.S.A.)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/custom-van" rel="attachment wp-att-11979"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11979" title="custom van" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/custom-van.jpg" alt="custom van" width="444" height="292" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Does anything say “The Seventies” quite like a customized boogie van? Although they first came to prominence among hippies and surfers in the Sixties, custom vans really came into their cheesy own after 1970. Inside, they were mobile living room masterpieces of shag carpeting, strobe lights and if you were really lucky, a mini-fridge full of cold brews and panty peeler. Outside, they were low culture tributes to the heroes of the day. Every sci-fi and fantasy character from Conan to C3PO was immortalized in air-brushed glory for all to see. Custom van culture combined the free-wheeling nomadism of the Sixties with the do-anything-to-feel-good hedonism of the Seventies. Moving fortresses of comfort, they cruised the streets and beaches, bringing all the comforts of home anywhere there was pavement. All that and they had wicked pictures of barbarians kicking major ass.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">1. Custom Rickshaws (India)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-customized-vehicles-from-around-the-world.php/rickshaw_art" rel="attachment wp-att-11980"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-11980" title="Rickshaw_art" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Rickshaw_art.jpg" alt="Rickshaw art" width="300" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The only human-powered vehicles on the list, the custom rickshaws of India prove that just because your vehicle doesn’t have an engine, doesn’t mean you can’t trick it out. Although their use has largely faded in other parts of the world, rickshaws remain a common form of transportation in many cities in India and Bangladesh. Used as a cheap way to get around, rickshaws are an integral part of the transportation system. But what makes them great is the art. Covered in oil paintings that depict everything from movie stars to products to political commentary, they reflect the owner’s opinions and feelings while giving other people on the road something very cool to look at. In the past, elites looked down on the paintings as gauche examples of low-class culture, but recently artists and scholars have started to take them seriously as an art form. All this, and they’re environmentally friendly!</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">By <a href="http://twitter.com/G_Shakespeare">Geoff Shakespeare</a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-69590866530940144392010-11-27T22:15:00.001-08:002010-11-27T22:15:55.139-08:00Top 10 Strangest Animal Behaviors<p style="text-align: justify;">Ethology is the term used for the study of animal behavior. Strange animal behaviors can be genetically determined or learned behaviors and I have included some of both. Either way, whether learned or instinctive, these behaviors don’t change the fact that some animal behavior is just… <em>strange</em>. Here is my top 10:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">10. Naked Mole Rats</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Queen Gets Pushy And Runs In (Backwards) To 10</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Most commonly known as naked mole rats (also called the desert mole rat and sand puppy), they are neither moles nor rats but a type of guinea pig. They are ugly <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-animals-astronauts-in-space.php" target="_self">animals</a>, often described as resembling a bloated bratwurst with teeth. The behavior they exhibit, in all its hilarity, is their ability to run as fast backwards as they can forwards, in the dark and completely blind. Even stranger, the queen mole rat is the only one to breed and bear young, similar to the queen bee. In order to secure her exclusivity to mate she will push around other female mole rats in order to cause them stress. This releases hormones that make them unable to procreate.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">9. The Bowerbird</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Interior Decorator at Heart </strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">For all those anal-retentive interior designers the Bowerbird enjoys decorating too. Not only does the Bowerbird make great efforts to adorn his nest, he even goes so far as to destroy the nests of his neighbors. In an effort to attract a mate, the male Bowerbird builds what are termed, ‘bowers.’ The Bowerbird is a meticulous decorator and will use flowers, feathers, stones and bits of discarded plastic and glass to decorate his ‘bachelor pad’ in the hopes of impressing a female. The Bowerbird will even decorate using <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-colorful-animals.php" target="_self">one particular color</a>. He will focus on decorating for hours and only break his concentration when he goes to another bird’s home to steal or vandalize.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">8. Cuckoo Birds</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Shirking Parental Duties</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Another strange bird behavior is that of the Cuckoo bird. Cuckoo birds have a rather interesting approach to parenting in that they lay their eggs in another bird’s nest for other birds to take care of . The Cuckoo bird is solitary and will lay or drop its <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-foods-for-brain-health.php" target="_self">eggs</a> into the nest of another bird once she’s observed that the other birds have stepped out momentarily. She will then quickly lay her eggs or transfers them there. Each breeding season she will find new places to deposit her eggs and once her baby bird (or babies) hatch, she will attempt to drop the foster parent’s eggs out of the nest to secure her own babies’ survival. Time to call social services.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">7. The Female Brown Trout</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-strange-animal-behaviors.php/browntrout" rel="attachment wp-att-12017"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-12017" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/female-brown-trout-300x114.jpg" alt="female brown trout 300x114" title="Top 10 Strangest Animal Behaviors" width="300" height="114" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Ever fake an orgasm? She Knows All About It</strong><br />The next time you ladies think you are the only animals in the animal kingdom to fake an orgasm, think again. The Female brown trout <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-things-better-than-sex.php" target="_self">fakes orgasms</a> to encourage males to ejaculate prematurely. By faking the orgasm, the female trout deceives the male into thinking he’s mated successfully when in fact he has failed. Maybe not the strangest behavior for humans, but when you consider first that fish have orgasms, and second that they can fake them, this fish swims up the ranks of strange behavior to number 7.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">6. Zebra Finches</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>He May Not Be Perfect, But He’s All Mine </strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Next in line on the list of strange animal behaviors is the Zebra Finch at number 6. Most female birds lay smaller eggs when their <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-facts-about-nymphomaniacs.php" target="_self">mate </a>is unattractive; however, the Zebra Finch does the complete opposite. She lays a larger egg to give her little ugly finch-ling the best start in life possible (more nutrients, more room to grow) despite the father’s shortcomings.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">5. Adelie Penguins</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>A Rock and Roll Romance</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Adelie Penguin’s mating ritual is strange but endearing. When choosing a mate the male <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-lamest-batman-villains.php" target="_self">penguin</a> rolls a stone to the feet of the female to make it clear that the engagement has been offered. The match only melds once the female has given her approval and responds with a belly-to-belly mating song. They even go a long way from the pack to mate in private making them a strange romantic breed at number 5.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">4. Horned Lizards</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Giving a Whole New Meaning To The Word ‘Bloodshot’</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Horned Lizards have a rather strange and intimidating defensive reaction against their enemies. They shoot an aimed stream of blood from out of their eyes by voluntarily increasing the blood pressure in their sinuses until they explode. This stream of blood can reach distances of up to 5 feet. The blood has no poison, it merely creates chaos and confusion to the attacker. The blood does taste foul to canine and feline predators but it has no effect on bird predators. In honor of the Horned Lizard’s <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-cute-but-deadly-animals.php" target="_self">gruesome defense</a>, it earns number 4.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">3. Elephants</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Stoic Over Death, Elephants Grieve and Bury their Dead </strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The strangest emotionally driven animal behavior is exhibited by elephants. Elephants have a few rituals in regards to death and dying. When they come across elephant bones, for example, they seem to be able to indentify that the bones are of other elephants. They will spend a great deal of time investigating the bones in a very subdued and quiet manner. Often elephants will visit elephant gravesites regularly. They will stay close beside a deceased elephant from their herd for some time, withstanding hunger and thirst before leaving for food or water. Elephants will take leaves, dirt, and branches and cover other elephants after they die. It has also been observed that elephants will do the same for humans and other empathetic animals like dogs. The evidence attests to the fact that elephants are extremely empathetic animals and for that they deserve to be near the top of the list at number 3.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">2. Dung Beetles</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dung Beetles Love their Dung in More Ways than One</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Dung Beetle rolls in, appropriately, at number 2. And, they don’t call it a Dung Beetle for nothing. Dung Beetles are part of the Scarab family: they live and eat and breed in dung. Dung, in case the term escapes you, is excrement (manure, feces…) and the Dung Beetle loves it. The Dung Beetle lives in dung, <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-ten-grossest-foods.php" target="_self">eats dung</a>, lays its eggs in dung, hatches its offspring in dung, and then finally feeds dung to its young. To top it all off with the greatest of all dung deeds, the Dung Beetle rolls balls of dung long distances while standing on its head and moving backwards using its hind legs to push it around. Of all Egyptian symbols, the Scarab beetle was the most important religious symbol. The myth of the Egyptians was that Khepera, the scarab god of the sun, rolled the sun across the heavens and buried it in the evening much like the famed and appropriately termed Dung Beetle does with his little ball of dung!</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">1. Flatworms</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Love and War… and Penis Fencing </strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Absolutely by far the strangest and most outrageous of animal behaviors is exhibited by Flatworms who inch in at number one. Flatworms actually engage in what is called ‘penis fencing’, an act of battle meant to secure a mate. Love and War, baby. Flatworms are ‘hermaphrodites’ which means they can inseminate and be inseminated. Some species have <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/10-two-headed-animals.php" target="_self">two penises</a> and one or more genital pores for the process of reproduction. Flatworms meet and penis fence in order to determine who will be the female and who will be the male. Both worms want to be male because the female role is much more difficult as it takes more energy and sacrifice to develop eggs and raise young. Even worms know this! Okay, not really, but nature knows it and Flatworms fight it out to the finish with the one that pierces the skin of the other winning out the hideous affair.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">By Natalie Jaro</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-40428092910103479192010-11-27T22:12:00.000-08:002010-11-27T22:14:23.366-08:00Top 10 Thanksgiving Movies<p style="text-align: justify;">Not everyone wants to watch a football game (especially with the Detroit Lions as one of the teams playing) on Thanksgiving and with that in mind I offer up these top 10 movies to watch on Thanksgiving. Most will be shown on your local cable or network channels but some may require a trip to the DVD rental store. Also, if you don’t feel like going out on Black Friday you may wish to settle in and watch one of these Thanksgiving movies.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">All that Neal Page wants to do is to get home for Thanksgiving. His flight has been cancelled due to bad weather, so he decides on other means of transport. As well as bad luck, Neal is blessed with the presence of Del Griffith, Shower Curtain Ring Salesman and all-around blabbermouth, who is never short of advice, conversation, bad jokes, or company. And when he decides that he is going the same direction as Neal…. <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Murray%20Chapman%20%7Bmuzzle@cs.uq.oz.au%7D">Murray Chapman {muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au}</a></em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-1622"></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Home for the Holidays (1995)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">After losing her job, making out with her soon to be ex-boss, and finding out that her daughter plans to spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, Claudia Larson has to face spending the holiday with her family. She wonders if she can survive their crazy antics. <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Cyndi%20Kessler%20%7Bckessler@ix.netcom.com%7D">Cyndi Kessler {ckessler@ix.netcom.com}</a></em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The world is astounded when Willy Wonka, for years a recluse in his factory, announces that five lucky people will be given a tour of the factory, shown all the secrets of his amazing candy, and one will win a lifetime supply of Wonka chocolate. Nobody wants the prize more than young Charlie, but as his family is so poor that buying even one bar of chocolate is a treat, buying enough bars to find one of the five golden tickets is unlikely in the extreme. Charlie, along with four somewhat odious other children, get the chance of a lifetime and a tour of the factory. Along the way, mild disasters befall each of the odious children, but can Charlie beat the odds and grab the brass ring? <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Rick%20Munoz%20%7Brick.munoz@his.com%7D">Rick Munoz {rick.munoz@his.com}</a></em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Pieces of April (2003)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In a very poor zone of New York, April Burns and her boyfriend, the Afro-American Bobby, are preparing to receive April’s family for a thanksgiving dinner. While Bobby tries to borrow a suit for him, April realizes that her stove is broken and she tries desperately to find a neighbor that can let her cook the turkey, since she does not want to fail (again) with her family. Meanwhile, in a suburb of Pennsylvania, her dysfunctional family is preparing to travel to New York. <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Claudio%20Carvalho,%20Rio%20de%20Janeiro,%20Brazil">Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil</a></em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Tadpole (2002)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Beautiful, sophisticated women are all over Oscar Grubman. He is sensitive and compassionate, speaks French fluently, is passionate about Voltaire, and thinks the feature that tells the most about a woman is her hands. On the train home from Chauncey Academy for the Thanksgiving weekend, Oscar confides in his best friend that he has plans for this vacation–he will win the heart of his true love. But there is one major problem–Oscar’s true love is his stepmother Eve. Oscar is certain that he could be a better mate to Eve than his work-obsessed father. He fails to win Eve’s heart and is consequently dejected. Oscar’s path to his true love is further crossed by Diane, Eve’s best friend who, one night while wearing Eve’s borrowed perfumed scarf, offers him temporary comfort in an unconventional tryst. For Diane, Oscar fills a void in her life. For Oscar, Diane is somewhat of a distraction, as his continued pursuit of Eve leads to an unexpected resolution. <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Sujit%20R.%20Varma">Sujit R. Varma</a></em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><em> </em></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">During a Thanksgiving Day party we make aquaintance with a numerous and problematic family. The leading characters are three sisters: Lee, the woman of Frederick, an old misanthrope painter; Holly, who dreams of becoming a writer, or an actress, or who knows who…; Hannah, famous actress, beautiful, intelligent, good mother, good wife, good sister, in short perfect, the pivot of the family. The balance begins to break up when Hannah’s husband, Elliot, falls in love with Lee, who leaves Frederick. Holly goes through a deep crisis and meets Mickey, the former husband of Hannah, a hipocondriac TV producer. The affairs evolve and at the last Thanksgiving … <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Maurizio%20Semolic%20%7Bsemolic@oat.ts.astro.it%7D">Maurizio Semolic {semolic@oat.ts.astro.it}</a> </em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Home Alone (1990)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><em>I realize this is movie depicting events around Christmas but it shows every Thanksgiving and is a part of that holiday by association. – ed.</em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Kevin McAllister, 8 years old is accidentally left behind while his family rushes to the Airport to go to France for their Christmas vacation. Kevin learns that he made his family is gone. He spends his first day having fun in his house. Kevin learns that Mav and Harry (The Wet Bandits), two crooks are trying to rob his house. Kevin fends for himself and protects his house from the thieves, by setting traps everywhere. Meanwhile, Kevin’s mother discovers that they left Kevin in Chicago and tries to go back to Chicago while the other members of the family stay in Fance. <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?Inhotenjoys">Inhotenjoys</a></em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Grumpy Old Men (1993)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">John and Max are two former friends turned enemies and have been feuding for a long time, we don’t really know why at the beginning of the film. When they see a new neighbor moving in on the street, a very attractive older woman named Ariel. Now the boys have something new to fight over and are competing for her love. But it almost drives them crazy how much they keep playing tricks on each other and can they realize that it’s finally time to grow up and act their ages or will they stay as grumpy old men? Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1293485/comments">Kristine</a> <em> </em><em> </em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">What’s Cooking (2000)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In LA’s Fairfax district, where ethnic groups abound, four households celebrate Thanksgiving amidst family tensions. In the Nguyen family, the children’s acculturation and immigrant parents’ fears collide. In the Avila family, Isabel’s son has invited her estranged husband to their family dinner. Audrey and Ron Williams want to keep their own family’s ruptures secret from Ron’s visiting mother. In the Seelig household, Herb and Ruth are unwilling to discuss openly their grown daughter’s living with her lover, Carla. Around each table, things come to a head. A gun, an affair, a boyfriend, and a pregnancy precipitate crises forcing each family to find its center. <em> Written by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/SearchPlotWriters?%7Bjhailey@hotmail.com%7D">{jhailey@hotmail.com}</a> </em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> Peppermint Patty invites herself and her friends over to Charlie Brown’s for Thanksgiving, and with Linus, Snoopy, and Woodstock, he attempts to throw together a Thanksgiving dinner</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-41373339108818785572010-11-27T22:11:00.000-08:002010-11-27T22:12:25.557-08:00Top 10 Nightmare Visions of New York<p style="text-align: justify;">No other city in the world has the cinematic history of New York. Long a favorite of filmmakers interested in exploring <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-city-skylines.php">city</a> life, it can become a reflection of whatever they perceive it or the world at large to be. At times, New York is portrayed as a magical place of bustle, commerce, and unlimited potential. Movies like <em>Big </em>or <em>The Secret of My Success</em> take place in a New York that asks for nothing but hard work and ingenuity from its citizens. A place where the best features of capitalism and modern life begin, grow, and prosper.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">But for other, less optimistic, filmmakers, New York is a giant concrete and glass symbol of everything wrong with the world and society. A festering sore of evil and suffering that can only be endured for so long before it swallows you whole. These are the Top Ten Nightmare Visions of New York.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">10. The Warriors</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/baseball-fury" rel="attachment wp-att-12084"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12084" title="baseball-fury" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/baseball-fury-533x400.jpg" alt="baseball fury 533x400" width="533" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The quintessential urban hellscape, The New York of the 1979 cult classic <em>The Warriors</em> is a city so riddled with street <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/10-extremely-dangerous-gangs.php">gangs</a> that they can hold a general meeting in one of the biggest parks in the city with little fear of reprisal. They even seem to have their own radio station. The gangs are so emboldened that their leader suggests they actually take over the city entirely as they outnumber the police 3 to 1. When he is killed, the Warriors of the title are forced to flee back to their home turf in Coney Island. The city they cross is dirty and filled with garbage, human and otherwise. As they dodge blood-thirsty gang after blood-thirsty gang, their numbers are slowly diminished. The New York of <em>The Warriors</em> is so brutal that even a hardened bunch of street fighters can barely survive one of its nights. But it isn’t all horrible. Even though the streets are crawling with murderous thugs, at least they go to the trouble of coming up with interesting themes and wearing colorful costumes. It makes getting the living snot beat out of you just a little more pleasant.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">9. Gotham City (Batman)</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/gotham-city" rel="attachment wp-att-12075"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12075" title="gotham-city" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gotham-city-518x400.jpg" alt="gotham city 518x400" width="518" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Although DC comics calls it Gotham City, there’s no mistaking which city it is that Batman’s patrolling. Longtime Batman writer Dennis O’Neal said Gotham City is “…Manhattan below Fourteenth Street at eleven minutes past midnight on the coldest night in November.” As a New York stand in, Gotham City embodies all of its doppleganger’s worse qualities. It’s dark, filthy, overcrowded, and full to bursting with every kind of scumbag and criminal imaginable. The police are corrupt, organized crime runs the streets, and the one mental institution in town is about as difficult to escape from as an awkward conversation. Things are so bad in the city that even the idle rich feel they have to put on a mask and chip in. The worst thing about Gothan City is that even though they have one of the greatest superheroes ever created on 24hr call, nothing ever gets better. No matter how many punks, thugs, or freaks <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-lamest-batman-villains.php">Batman</a> puts away, there are always about a hundred more on the next block. If that isn’t the definition of a nightmare, what is?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">8. Barney Miller</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/barney-miller" rel="attachment wp-att-12076"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12076" title="barney miller" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/barney-miller-560x389.jpg" alt="barney miller 560x389" width="560" height="389" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Barney Miller? How could a fun-loving, charming sitcom from the Seventies make the list? You’re right. For the most part, Barney Miller presented a calm peaceful world where everyone cared about each other and always had something funny to say. They weren’t supercops, but they did their jobs well and tried to make a difference. Everything was right in the world. As long as you stayed in the station. The outside world (New York) was presented as an almost mythically awful place. Often spoken about but never rarely seen, the characters of Barney Miller accepted it as fact that once you left the safety of the 12<sup>th</sup> precinct, all bets were off. Even the character’s homes were fortresses of barred windows and heavily locked doors. The reason New York is so scary in Barney Miller is that its corruption and decay are so pervasive that the main characters don’t even question it. Things have gotten so bad in the city that even the cops have given up. They were all painfully aware that they lived in an urban <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-deadliest-prisons-world.php">hellhole</a> and there wasn’t a thing they could do about it. Is it any wonder they spent most of their time sitting around the station drinking coffee and cracking jokes?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">7. Death Wish</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/death_wish" rel="attachment wp-att-12077"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12077" title="death_wish" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/death_wish-260x400.jpg" alt="death wish 260x400" width="260" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The New York in <em>Death Wish </em>shares a lot of features with the one in <em>The Warriors</em>. Basically, it’s a stinking pile of human misery. Punks wander the streets robbing and killing whenever they like and good, wholesome folks cower in their apartments behind doors filled with locks. The only difference between this decayed New York and any of the others on the list is here, somebody has had enough. Unfortunately for all the thugs and lowlifes, that somebody is <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-huge-personal-firearms.php">Charles ‘Effing Bronson</a>. Once his wife and daughter are brutally assaulted and left for dead, Bronson takes to the streets with a really big gun and starts plugging any criminal unlucky enough to run into him. The New York depicted is so bad, so beyond hope, that the only solution to its crime problems is a tough guy on a mass murder spree. What’s most shocking is how much audiences identified with the movie. It played right into the fears of urban decay and rising crime that city dwellers felt were swallowing them whole. <em>Death Wish</em> was so successful because it took a real fear and turned it up to paranoid delusion. Just like a nightmare.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">6. Bringing Out The Dead</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/bringing-out-the-dead" rel="attachment wp-att-12078"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12078" title="bringing out the dead" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bringing-out-the-dead-560x315.png" alt="bringing out the dead 560x315" width="560" height="315" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Most of the terrifying visions of New York are external. Crime out of control, streets unsafe for any but the most savage. They play on the idea that everyone in New York is a predator just waiting for a moment to leap at you and tear out your throat. Martin Scorsese’s underrated 1999 flick <em>Bringing Out The Dead</em> takes a different, yet just as nightmarish look at the Big Apple. Instead of a city of heartless crooks and killers, the New York of <em>Bring Out The Dead</em> is filled with the sick and dying. Everyone in the film is suffering from one thing or another. From the crazy people paramedic Nicholas Cage treats every night to the scores of drug addicts in the streets, hospitals and apartments. Set in the last gasps of the pre-Gulianni New York of legend, the movie presents a city so sick, so close to death, that the only thing its poor residents can do is medicate themselves into oblivion. Even Cage’s paramedic, who’s meant to fix all these <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-strangest-philosophies.php">broken souls</a>, can’t make it ten minutes without a drink or a pill. <em>Bringing Out The Dead</em> is the cinematic equivalent of watching somebody slowly succumb to a killer disease. Maybe that’s why nobody likes it.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">5. Grand Theft Auto</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/gta" rel="attachment wp-att-12079"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12079" title="gta" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gta-533x400.jpg" alt="gta 533x400" width="533" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Though later editions were to visit other corners of the game’s twisted vision of America, <em>Grand Theft Auto</em> has never been better than when it takes place in its fictional New York, Liberty City. And what a New York it is. More of a Wild West frontier town than major metropolitan center, Liberty City is a mess of rival gangs, flagrant disregard for law enforcement, and violence so commonplace that most citizens don’t even notice it. If he were so inclined, a resident of Liberty City could wake up, thrown on some clothes, and spend his day savagely beating prostitutes with baseball bats, destroying several cars in the middle of a busy thoroughfare, and randomly shooting passers by, all before he has his morning coffee. Nobody cares. Worst of all, the Liberty City <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-countries-without-military-forces.php">police</a> have the attention span of a distracted 4 year old. No matter how bad the crime, no matter how bloody the carnage, no matter how high the body count, if they can’t catch the guy who did it in the first three minutes, they give up. The residents of Liberty City are like a dysfunctional family scared of their drunk Dad. Everybody plays dumb and looks the other way while one guy indulges every sick, violent fantasy he can dream up. Not a city you want to put on your next vacation short list.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">4. Escape From New York</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/escape-from-new-york-poster" rel="attachment wp-att-12080"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12080" title="escape-from-new-york-poster" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/escape-from-new-york-poster-260x400.jpg" alt="escape from new york poster 260x400" width="260" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The 1981 sci-fi classic <em>Escape from New York</em> presents the ultimate expression of the fear that New York was one mugging away from total anarchy. Set in the impossibly far-flung future of 1997, <em>Escape from New York</em> shows a city where the gangs of <em>The Warriors</em> have completed their mission of taking over the city. Oh, they had some help. Fed up with rampant crime and under the sway of old school tough guys like Lee Van Cleef, America has washed its hands of both the crime problem and New York in general by turning Manhattan into a giant open air prison. The bridges and tunnels are blocked or destroyed and once you go in, you never come out. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any food delivery, power, or any other basic services. That, coupled with the psychotic <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-fictional-doctors.php">cannibals</a> who wander the streets at night and the vicious warlord who runs the place, makes it not a very nice place to live. It’s the ultimate nightmare scenario. The entire city has been swallowed by evil and all the Charles Bronsons in the world can’t bring it back.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">3. Gangs of New York</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/gangs-of-new-york" rel="attachment wp-att-12081"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12081" title="gangs-of-new-york" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/gangs-of-new-york-560x371.jpg" alt="gangs of new york 560x371" width="560" height="371" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Far removed from the concrete jungles of the Twentieth Century, Scorsese’s <em>Gangs of New York </em>presents a young New York, free from the decay and rot that characterizes the portrayals of its later years. This is a new city in a new nation, poised to become one of the greatest places in the history of mankind. Unfortunately, nobody told the street gangs. They may have elaborate themes and costumes, but they’re just as tough. The movie opens and closes with basically a medieval battle scene, albeit one in the middle of a city street. Forget the odd mugging or OD, in this New York, your morning commute is more likely to be interrupted by a thousand men beating each other to death with clubs and knives. Besides the monumental battles, everyone is filthy, and the whole city is run by murderous thugs. We get a small glimpse into the wealthy, beautiful side of things, but then only as a place to steal from. The New York of <em>Gangs of New York</em> is nasty, brutish and short. And most nightmarishly of all, it actually existed.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">2. The Lost Weekend</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/lost_weekend" rel="attachment wp-att-12082"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12082" title="lost_weekend" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lost_weekend-533x400.jpg" alt="lost weekend 533x400" width="533" height="400" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">With its clean streets, pretty young girls, and gentlemen in suits, the New York of <em>The Lost Weekend</em> is practically a paradise compared to some of the other urban disasters on this list. The city looks bright, welcoming, and there’s nary a knife wielding thug in sight. The only real problem for the main character Don is his hopeless addiction to whiskey. Broke and without a friend in the world, Don descends into a swirling vortex of booze and despair. Then the real, nasty New York shows its ugly face. Streets that were once filled with smiling young professionals and welcoming diners are transformed into dark, lurid alleys filled with fellow barflies and drinking pits. <em>The Lost Weekend </em>actually pioneered the famous shot of a guy walking down a street with neon bar signs tempting him. It presents New York as a two-faced city. Energetic and industrious by day, but drunk and pathetic by night. Just like the alcoholic in the story.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="text-align: justify;">1. Planet of the Apes</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-nightmare-visions-of-new-york.php/planet-of-the-apes" rel="attachment wp-att-12083"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-12083" title="planet-of-the-apes" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/planet-of-the-apes-560x237.jpg" alt="planet of the apes 560x237" width="560" height="237" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Although it isn’t revealed until the famous last shot, the monkey controlled, human hating Planet of The Apes is none other than New York herself. Sure, it’s several years after a nuclear war has devastated human civilization and allowed a surly bunch of chimps, orangutans, and gorillas to take over and enslave the remaining humans, and sure, it looks a lot like a studio backlot in Southern California, but it’s still New York. Instead of roving gangs of thugs in <a href="http://www.toptenz.net/top-ten-acts-dissed-by-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame.php">leather jackets</a>, we get roving gangs of Gorilla soldiers in leather jackets. Instead of a frightened and terrorized population of sophisticated urbanites, we get a frightened and terrorized population of scantily clad primitives. And just like all the best New York movies, we get one dude (Charleton Heston in all his scenery eating glory) who’s had it up to here with the garbage and god damn it, he’s going to do something about it. The only difference (well, besides the fact that he’s wearing animal skins) is he kills a lot of apes instead of a lot of criminals. And really, is that any real difference at all?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-1176653254519920672010-11-27T22:07:00.000-08:002010-11-27T22:08:21.244-08:0010 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Google<p>Google is amazing (please thank me for this amazing revelation). There are some things you probably didn’t know Google can do. Take your time and read the information below. You’ll likely learn a few tips and tricks that will make you appreciate Google even more.</p> <h2>10. Find a beautiful wallpaper for your desktop resolution with Google images</h2> <p>Here’s how you do it:</p> <ol><li>Go to <a href="http://images.google.com/advanced_image_search?hl=en" id="th3q" title="Advanced Image Search">Advanced Image Search</a></li><li>Next to “Exact size” click on <strong>“Use my desktop resolution”.</strong> Then, next to “Content types” select <strong>“Photo content.”</strong></li><li>Enter some words. If you want to find cows, enter beautiful cows <img src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt="icon smile" class="wp-smiley" title="10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Google" /> Let’s see the results:</li></ol> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-found-backgrounds.jpg"><img title="google-found-backgrounds" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-found-backgrounds-486x400.jpg" alt="google found backgrounds 486x400" width="486" height="400" /></a></p> <p>Notice that many of the images in the results are from wallpaper sites. Google Images makes it very convenient to go through these types of sites and browse them like a gallery instead of going to each gallery site separately.</p> <h2>9. Create unlimited disposable email addresses with Gmail</h2> <p>Take the following example:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/gmail-addresses.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8955" title="gmail-addresses" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/gmail-addresses-532x400.jpg" alt="gmail addresses 532x400" width="532" height="400" /></a><br />That’s right, you can add one or more dots ANYWHERE between your username and send messages to that ‘new’ email. All of those messages will arrive to your old (without dots) email. Hard to explain without a picture. But somehow Google did find a way to do it…</p> <div> <blockquote><p>Sometimes you may receive a message sent to an address that looks like yours but has a different number or arrangement of periods. While we know it might be unnerving if you think someone else’s mail is being routed to your account, don’t worry: both of these addresses are yours.</p> <p>Gmail doesn’t recognize dots as characters within usernames, you can add or remove the dots from a Gmail address without changing the actual destination address; they’ll all go to your inbox, and only yours. In short:</p> <ul><li>homerjsimpson@gmail.com = hom.er.j.sim.ps.on@gmail.com</li><li>homerjsimpson@gmail.com = HOMERJSIMPSON@gmail.com</li><li>homerjsimpson@gmail.com = Homer.J.Simpson@gmail.com</li></ul> <p>All these addresses belong to the same person. You can see this if you try to sign in with your username, but adding or removing a dot from it. You’ll still go to your account.</p></blockquote> </div> <p>Yep, this is <a href="http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&ctx=mail&answer=10313#" id="uvru" title="an explanation from Google itself">an explanation from Google itself</a>. Now that you understand this, let’s keep going.</p> <h2>8. Search videos durations using Google Video<strong> </strong></h2> <p>I’ve noticed there’s not a single video site that allows you to search videos by duration. Let’s say I want to learn Spanish and I want comprehensive videos for that (longer than 20 minutes.) To search, I go to <a href="http://video.google.com/videoadvancedsearch?num=10" id="ji2j" title="Google Advanced Video Search">Google Advanced Video Search</a> page and select “Long” next to “Duration”. Here’s what happens:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-video-duration.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8959" title="google-video-duration" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-video-duration-560x346.jpg" alt="google video duration 560x346" width="560" height="346" /></a></p> <p>Now all that’s left is to get some free time and watch those…</p> <h2>7. Want to find an iPad alternative using Google Search?</h2> <p>Sure, you can write ‘iPad alternative’ in Google but that won’t give you the best results. Instead, try this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/better-than-google-search.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8957" title="better-than-google-search" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/better-than-google-search.jpg" alt="better than google search" width="582" height="754" /></a>Using “better than product” where <strong>product=any produc</strong>t will give you not only alternatives but <strong>better alternatives</strong> to a particular product. Very cool.</p> <h2>6. Detect any unknown language with Google Language Detector</h2> <p>I have a big problem:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/what-language-is-this.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8960" title="what-language-is-this" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/what-language-is-this-560x99.jpg" alt="what language is this 560x99" width="560" height="99" /></a></p> <p>What’s the solution? <a href="http://www.google.com/uds/samples/language/detect.html" id="n_jn" title="Google language detector">Google language detector</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-language-detect.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8961" title="google-language-detect" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-language-detect.jpg" alt="google language detect" width="330" height="204" /></a></p> <p>Another good way to detect and also translate is to use <a href="http://translate.google.com/" target="_blank">Google Translate</a> and the “Detect Language” option:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-translate.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8962" title="google-translate" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-translate-560x228.jpg" alt="google translate 560x228" width="560" height="228" /></a></p> <h2>5. See what the Dutch haven been searching for recently using Google Insights<strong> </strong></h2> <p>Google is the most popular search engine in almost any country in the world. <a href="http://www.google.com/insights/search/#" id="ozzh" title="Google Insights">Google Insights</a> (like the name suggests) gives you ‘insights’ of what people have been searching for around the world. For example, Netherlands:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-insights.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-8963" title="google-insights" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-insights.jpg" alt="google insights" width="692" height="597" /></a></p> <p>Hyves is a Dutch portal and social network. Weer seems to be a weather portal.</p> <h2>4. When did Google become more popular than Microsoft? Google Trends has the answer</h2> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-trends.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8964" title="google-trends" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-trends-560x364.jpg" alt="google trends 560x364" width="560" height="364" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://trends.google.com/" id="vf2v" title="Google Trends">Google Trends</a> helps you discover the trends on various topics and see what people have been searching for over time. In this case, you can see when people started searching for Google more than Microsoft in early 2005.</p> <h2>3. Hate opening PDF files? Google Docs is the solution</h2> <p><strong></strong>So you’ve been searching on Google for a particular topic and found a PDF file:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-pdf-quick-view.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8965" title="google-pdf-quick-view" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-pdf-quick-view-560x372.jpg" alt="google pdf quick view 560x372" width="560" height="372" /></a></p> <p>Instead of opening the file in Adobe Reader (which is a painful process), you can click on “Quick View” and open the file in Google Docs! It takes seconds to open and it’s way more flexible. If you choose later, you can always save the file as PDF by choosing the export option in Google Docs.</p> <h2>2. Scan and Read your RSS feeds like email messages in Google Reader</h2> <p><strong></strong>You probably know how easy it is to open and read email messages in Gmail thanks to the list view. Well, you can do the same in Google Reader:</p> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-reader.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8966" title="google-reader" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/google-reader-560x310.jpg" alt="google reader 560x310" width="560" height="310" /></a></p> <p>The default view in Google Reader is ‘expanded’ which makes the items pretty difficult to scan and read. If you change the view from expanded to ‘list’, then it becomes WAY easier to SCAN items and pick what you like.</p> <h2>1. Google can tell you the answer to life and the universe</h2> <p><a href="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/googles-answer-to-life.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-8967" title="googles-answer-to-life" src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/googles-answer-to-life-560x106.jpg" alt="googles answer to life 560x106" width="560" height="106" /></a></p> <p>I wish it was so simple <img src="http://www.toptenz.net/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt="icon smile" class="wp-smiley" title="10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Google" /> </p> <p>Written by Darren, the owner of <a href="http://www.findermind.com/">Find People for Free – FinderMind</a> , a website on people search help..</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-68238990836974912042010-11-22T06:45:00.000-08:002010-11-22T06:47:00.461-08:00Tips About Dating, Sex and Romance at Work<h1 style="text-align: justify;"><div class="n2"><span style="font-size:100%;">What's Love Got to Do With Office Romance?</span></div></h1><p style="text-align: justify;" id="byline"><span style="font-size:85%;">By Susan M. Heathfield</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">What's love got to do with it? Quite a lot, actually. To answer Tina Turner's proverbial question, I checked out current research on workplace romance. If it's just about sex, a dalliance, an extramarital affair, or a relationship to move an individual up the career ladder, coworkers and companies tend to frown on love relationships in the office. If a couple is genuinely serious about dating and building a relationship, popular opinion is more favorable.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">After all, where can you meet that special someone anymore? With the amount of time people spend working, and the increasing percentage of women in the workforce, where else is a couple to meet?</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Traditional meeting places such as church, the neighborhood, family events, and leisure time activities do not present the same pool of candidates as they did in earlier times. In contrast, the office provides a pre-selected pool of people who share at least one important interest.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> People who work together also live within a reasonable dating distance, and share a location, so they see each other on a daily basis. Coworkers in similar jobs may also be approximately the same age, and share similar interests both inside and outside of work.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Workplace Romance Policy</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Workplace romance is a worry to employers, but it is not the major faux pas, it may have been in earlier years. In fact, a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Workplace Romance Survey found that most companies surveyed do not even have a formal, written, romance policy.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Of the 617 members who responded to the SHRM survey, 72 percent do not have a written policy; 14 percent say they have an unwritten, but well understood, norm in their workplace. Thirteen percent do have a policy.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In the SHRM survey, 55 percent of the HR professionals responding said that marriage is the most likely outcome of the office romances they have experienced. Other studies have reported a higher level of productivity in dating couples at work.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Respondents who discourage, or the seven percent who forbid, dating in their workplace, cite concerns with <a href="http://humanresources.about.com/library/glossary/bldefsexhar.htm">potential sexual harassment claims</a>, retaliation and workplace disharmony if the relationship should end. They are concerned about potentially lowered morale and the productivity of both the dating couple and their coworkers.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Research on Dating, Sex, and Romance at Work</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In the <i>Journal of Management</i>, May-June, 1998 issue, Gary N. Powell summarized the research that has been conducted over the past few decades about office romance. (He finds that this research has not been pursued with enough vigor by organizational behavior scholars, by the way. He says he reviewed the "meager scholarly literature on the subject to date.")</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> He found that "at some times, workplace romances present a threat to organizational effectiveness through their negative effects on participants and coworkers. At other times, workplace romances enhance workplace effectiveness through their positive effects on participants.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> "Two kinds of romances have the most damaging effect on group morale and organizational effectiveness, (a) hierarchical romances in which one participant directly reports to the other, and (b) utilitarian romances in which one participant "satisfies personal/sexual needs in exchange for satisfying the other participant's task related and/or career-related needs."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Additionally, "Forty-one percent of employed Americans ages 25-40 have admitted to having engaged in an office romance, according to a <a href="http://research.lawyers.com/Research-Reveals-Rise-in-Interoffice-Romance.html?SPC-CNN" target="_blank">joint survey</a> sponsored by <i>Glamour</i> magazine and Lawyers.com." The study states further that respondents had the most problems with romance when a manager dated a reporting staff person. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">In an SHRM white paper, Andrea C. Poe, an HR freelance writer, found that adulterous affairs were a problem in some workplaces. From a recent Vault.com survey of several thousand employers and employees, she states that inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace is also common on company time and at company locations.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Find out what the <a href="http://humanresources.about.com/cs/workrelationships/a/workromance_2.htm">Human Resources professional needs to do</a> about an office romance.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-62331722810686026382010-11-22T06:41:00.000-08:002010-11-22T06:44:28.416-08:00Why Sexy Isn't Better: How Sexual Behavior Can Submarine Your Career<q><img class="photo" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/humanresources/1/G/H/B/WhySexyIsntBettersmall.jpg" alt="" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">By Susan M. Heathfield</span><br /></q><p style="text-align: justify;">Women who wear short skirts that display a lot of leg may be overlooked for promotion and pay increases. So says a recent study conducted by Tulane University. Overt sexual behavior at work, whether men and women are consciously aware of it, or not, can submarine your career.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"> Tulane professor Arthur Brief and colleagues Suzanne Chan-Serafin, Jill Bradley and Marla Watkins searched recent studies and literature and found little about the consequences of sexy dressing and sexual behavior at work. (Most available research studied sexual harassment.) So, they conducted their own study that will be presented at the Academy of Management annual meeting.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The study sought to measure whether sexy dressing and sexual behavior negatively impacted the careers of women - and the researchers found that they did. According to the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2005-08-04-sex-usat_x.htm" target="_blank">article in USA Today</a>, "in the first study to make plain the negative consequences of such behavior, 49% of 164 female MBA graduates said in a survey that they have tried to advance in their careers by sometimes engaging in at least one of 10 sexual behaviors, including crossing their legs provocatively or leaning over a table to let men look down their shirts."</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Consequences of Engaging in Sexual Behavior and Sexy Dress</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The researchers found that the women who claimed that they never engaged in such sexual behavior had earned an average of three promotions. Women who stated that they had engaged in flirting and other overt sexual behavior had only earned two promotions. Women who did not engage in the sexual behavior earned, on average, in the $75,000 to $100,000 income range; the women who did earned, on average, $50,000 to $75,000.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">While these results are new and the study may not reflect the results of additional research, the results are striking for two reasons. First, the percentage of women who admit they have engaged in sexual behavior such as sending flirty or risqué emails; telling a coworker that he looks “hot;” and emphasizing their sexuality while at work by the way they dress, speak, and act, is remarkable. Second, the negative impact of the behavior on the women’s careers taps into the gut feeling I have held for years.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Recently, in a sales office, a young woman wearing low rider pants and a short, tight, stylish top leaned over her briefcase to remove her computer. Half of her back was displayed to the whole office, and the people surrounding her cubicle had all eyes focused on her. My entrance caused several to look away with guilty expressions and all were noticeably embarrassed.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In another office, an applicant for a managerial position, asked me why several young women were wearing lingerie to work. A newly hired manager, in the same office, came to me and suggested that a dress code would be a good idea. She had been embarrassed taking a customer to her office.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">What can you do about <a href="http://humanresources.about.com/od/workrelationships/a/work_flirts_2.htm">sexual behavior and sexy dress at work</a>?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-50989723829281090232010-11-22T06:37:00.000-08:002010-11-22T06:40:33.314-08:00A Formal, Professional Dress Code<div style="text-align: justify;"><div id="title"><span style="font-size:85%;">By Susan M. Heathfield</span><br /><p id="byline"><br /></p></div> <q><img style="width: 183px; height: 121px;" class="photo" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/humanresources/1/G/A/B/BusinessFormalsmall.jpg" alt="" /></q><br /><br />Your Company's objective in establishing a formal work dress code is to enable our employees to project the professional image that is in keeping with the needs of our clients and customers to trust us. Because our industry requires the appearance of trusted business professionals and we serve clients at our site on a daily basis, a more formal dress code is necessary for our employees. You must project the image of a trustworthy, knowledgeable business professional for the clients who seek our guidance, input, and professional services.<br /><br />Formal Dress Code Guidelines<br /><br />In a formal business environment, the standard of dressing for men and women is a suit, a jacket and pants or a skirt, or a dress paired with appropriate accessories.<br /><br />Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your back, your chest, your feet, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate for a place of business. In our work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. All seams must be finished. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable.<br />Dress Down Days<br /><br />Certain days can be declared dress down days, generally Fridays. On these days, business casual clothing, although never clothing potentially offensive to others, is allowed. Clothing that has the company logo is encouraged. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable. You might want to keep a jacket in your office for the days when a client unexpectedly appears on a dress down day, especially if the client is wearing a suit.<br />Formal Business Attire Recommendations<br />This is an overview of appropriate formal business attire. The lists tell you what is generally acceptable as formal business attire and what is generally not acceptable as formal business attire.<br /><br />No dress code can cover all contingencies so employees must exert a certain amount of judgment in their choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable, professional formal business attire for work, please ask your supervisor or your Human Resources staff.<br />Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants<br /><br />Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, flannel pants, pants that match a suit jacket, and nice looking dress synthetic pants are acceptable. Inappropriate slacks or pants include any that are too informal. This includes jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for exercise or biking.<br />Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits<br /><br />Dresses, skirts, skirts with jackets, dressy two-piece knit suits or sets, and skirts that are split at or below the knee are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public. Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh are inappropriate for work. Mini-skirts, skorts, sun dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are inappropriate for the office.<br />Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets<br /><br />Shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, tops, and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work if they contribute to the appearance of formal, professional dress. Most suit jackets or sport coats are also desirable attire for the office. Inappropriate attire for work includes tank tops; midriff tops; shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons, or slogans; halter-tops; tops with bare shoulders or plunging necklines; golf-type shirts; sweatshirts; and t-shirts.<br />Shoes and Footwear<br /><br />Conservative walking shoes, dress shoes, oxfords, loafers, boots, flats, dress heels, and backless shoes are acceptable for work. Not wearing stockings or socks is inappropriate. Athletic shoes, tennis shoes, thongs, flip-flops, slippers, and any casual shoe with an open toe are not acceptable in the office.<br />Accessories and Jewelry<br /><br />Tasteful, professional ties, scarves, belts, and jewelry are encouraged. Jewelry should be worn in good taste, with limited visible body piercing.<br />Makeup, Perfume, and Cologne<br /><br />A professional appearance is encouraged and excessive makeup is unprofessional. Remember that some employees are allergic to the chemicals in perfumes and makeup, so wear these substances with restraint.<br />Hats and Head Covering<br /><br />Hats are not appropriate in the office. Head Covers that are required for religious purposes or to honor cultural tradition are allowed.<br />Conclusion<br /><br />If clothing fails to meet these standards, as determined by the employee’s supervisor and Human Resources staff, the employee will be asked not to wear the inappropriate item to work again. If the problem persists, the employee may be sent home to change clothes and will receive a verbal warning for the first offense. All other policies about personal time use will apply. Progressive disciplinary action will be applied if dress code violations continue.<br /><br />Disclaimer:<br /><br />This sample policy is provided for guidance only. The provided information, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4299278602098751832.post-71838260640640818882010-11-22T06:32:00.000-08:002010-11-22T06:34:49.447-08:00Casual Dress Code: Manufacturing<h1 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Introduction: Casual Dress Code</span></h1><h1 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-size:85%;" >By Susan M. Heathfield</span><br /></h1><div style="text-align: justify;"><div id="abm" class="clear"><div id="abc"> <div id="mimg" class="imgw"><q><img style="width: 288px; height: 351px;" class="photo" src="http://0.tqn.com/d/humanresources/1/G/E/B/BusinessCasualManuasmall.jpg" alt="" /></q></div></div></div>Your Company's objective in establishing a casual dress code is to allow our employees to work comfortably. Yet, we still need our employees to project a professional image for our customers and clients who visit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Because all casual clothing is not suitable for the workplace, these guidelines will help you determine what is appropriate. Learn more about casual dress in this dress code that differentiates between clothing for industry and manufacturing and clothing for the office.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Clothing that works well for the beach, yard work, dance clubs, exercise sessions, and sports contests may not be appropriate for a professional appearance at work. Sun dresses, casual capris, dance club dresses, and midriff bearing tops are examples of clothing not appropriate in a manufacturing work setting or office.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Clothing that reveals excessive cleavage, back, chest, feet, stomach or undergarments is not appropriate for a business setting.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Even in a casual manufacturing work environment, clothing should be pressed and never wrinkled. Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing is unacceptable. All seams must be finished. Any clothing that has words, terms, or pictures that may be offensive to other employees is unacceptable. This includes images that are political or religious in nature, are sexually provocative, use profanity or are insulting of other employees.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Clothing that has the Company logo is encouraged. Sports team, university, and fashion brand names on clothing are generally acceptable. Use common sense when wearing clothing that has words on it; people are easily offended by words.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Dress Down Day</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Fridays have been formally designated by the Company as a dress down day. Certain other days may occasionally be declared as dress down days. On these days, jeans, sneakers and a more casual approach to dressing, although never potentially offensive to others, are allowed. All rules about the acceptability of clothing listed on the next page apply on dress down day.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 style="text-align: justify;">Conclusion About the Casual Dress Code: Manufacturing</h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">This is a general overview of acceptable work attire. Items that are not appropriate for work are listed, too. Neither list is all-inclusive and both lists are open to change. The lists tell you what is generally acceptable as work attire and what is generally not acceptable as work attire.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">No dress code can cover all contingencies so employees must exercise a certain amount of judgment in their choice of clothing to wear to work. If you experience uncertainty about acceptable, professional casual attire for work, please ask your supervisor or your Human Resources staff.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Disclaimer: </b> </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This sample policy is provided for guidance only. The provided information - policies, procedures, samples, examples, and guidelines - while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. While I make every effort to provide and link accurate, legal, and complete information, I cannot guarantee it is correct. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or International governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">See the <a href="http://humanresources.about.com/od/workrelationships/a/dress_code_man_2.htm">specific requirements</a> of the dress code.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0