Agnese Beatrice: November 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012

How to Choose the Right Web Development Company for Your ...

How to Choose the Right Web Development Company for Your Business
Are you looking for Right Web Application Development Company for Your project ?

Here Are Some Simple Steps:
Figure out your goals
Find out how much you can spend
Choosing the right web Development company

Here is few tips to identify the right web development company for your project.
* Company's own site
* Experience and Service
*
The Market Survey
*
Service Portfolio
*
Work Procedure
* Reputation
* Customer Service
*
Share references
*
Cost Effectiveness
The above mentioned summation of few tips for choosing the best web design
company will surely help you to select the best web development company.
You can choose industries best web development company for your better
bossiness with Cost Effectiveness service.
To know more information for one of the best Indian web development company
for your success business visit here :
www.hiddenbrainsindia.com

Source: http://pdfcast.org/pdf/how-to-choose-the-right-web-development-company-for-your-business

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Is it Possible to Save Too Much for Retirement? : Money Smart Life

On the surface, this seems like a ridiculous question, but I?m going to put on my contrarian?s hat here and dare to raise the question. There are probably far more people who are inadequately prepared for retirement than there are people who are over-funded for it. And yet retirement preparation can be a little bit obsessive at times.

It?s not that being well-prepared for retirement is a bad thing, but more that nothing that we do ever happens in a vacuum. While we?re preparing for retirement other things are happening in life. We could miss them if we?re too focused on planning for retirement.

Are You Forgetting The Near Future?

Retirement planning is about preparing for the final years of life. We can become so focused on preparing for our later years, that we can neglect the present and the many years that will play out between now and retirement.

A factor that is often neglected in the retirement equation is that many people may find themselves in their peak earning years during what we normally think of as the retirement years. If for example, you have a very successful business, you may find that the business increases throughout your life. Many people who have their own businesses never retire. When you work for yourself the desire to retire often doesn?t exist.

If this turns out to be your situation, then retirement preparation will have been mostly to develop an income/asset supplement more than anything else.

Paying Off and Staying Out of Debt

It?s possible to get so caught up funding your retirement that you find other ways to pay the bills in the present. That sometimes takes the form of debt. Your retirement plan rises over time, but so do your debts. Because so much money is going into retirement, less available for routine purchases, for making large down payments on major items (like cars), or even for paying down your mortgage.

If you have $100,000 in your retirement plan but you also have $50,000 in car loans, credit card debt and other loan types, it?s almost like having a margin loan on your retirement plan.

Having a well-funded retirement plan is an important goal, but so is maintaining a debt free position. And getting out of debt actually helps your retirement planning in a major way. The less debt you owe, the more money you have available to put in your retirement plan.

Investing Outside Retirement

It?s not unusual for people to have most of their money sitting in a retirement plan. But as important as retirement is, it?s equally important to save and invest money for other contingencies as well.

You can have an emergency fund that will help you in times of crisis, such as the loss of a job. But what happens if you have a sequence of major expenses or if the job loss is more than short-term? Your emergency fund will be drained in a hurry, and if you have no other savings or investments, you?ll either have to borrow money or consider tapping your retirement plan.

Another situation that?s becoming increasingly common is either forced or voluntary early retirement. It?s important to have non-tax sheltered money available for just such an event. That will prevent you from having to draw down your retirement savings ahead of schedule.

Helping Others

Most of us have a certain amount of discretionary income that will cover non-survival expenses, such as entertainment and travel, paying off debt and funding retirement. Somewhere in there should be room to help others. This is particularly true of those who are close to us, such as extended family and close friends.

How many people you want to help and how far you go with each is a personal decision. But if you have the means, leaving a little extra for just that purpose can enable you to help out where you can.

Building a Business

It?s possible to be so concerned with building your retirement plan that you?re hesitant to do anything to interfere with the process. You could stay at a job that you don?t especially like because your 401(k) plan is doing particularly well. You may harbor thoughts in the back of your mind of one day leaving your job to start a business in something you really enjoy. But you put that off because it might interrupt or even end your contributions to your 401(k) plan.

The years pass and you never do pursue the business idea. Retirement becomes a self the filling prophecy?you can?t quit your job because you have to fund your 401(k), so that you can retire and get away from your job. Throughout your career however, though your 401(k) is healthy, you?re never truly happy.

But let?s say that you do decide to quit your job and start a business? You?d be doing work that you enjoy while building your business and increasing your income. Soon enough you?ll be able to start a retirement plan through your business and resume increasing your portfolio. But even better, when you do reach retirement age you?ll have a business and that will open up some options.

You can either decide to sell the business to raise extra money for your retirement savings, or you could keep the business into retirement and use it as a nice supplement to your retirement income.

But that kind of opportunity will only happen if you?re prepared to let go of your job ? and the 401(k) attached to it ? and take a chance on starting the business. If retirement planning is the main force that drives you, you may never take that chance.

As important as it is to save for retirement, it should never dominate your financial situation. Many other obligations and opportunities are developing all around you, right here and right now. Make some preparation for the future, but don?t allow today to be neglected in favor of a retirement that may be decades away.

Are you investing for retirement? Or are you focusing on other financial goals? Leave a comment and let us know!

Kevin Mercadante is professional personal finance blogger, and the owner of his own personal finance blog, OutOfYourRut.com. He has backgrounds in both accounting and the mortgage industry. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and two teenage kids and can be followed on Twitter at @OutOfYourRut.

All posts by Kevin Mercadante

Related Articles

Written by Kevin Mercadante ? Filed Under Retirement?

Source: http://moneysmartlife.com/is-it-possible-to-save-too-much-for-retirement/

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Hamilton wins pole position for Brazilian GP

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, of Britain, wearing a helmet with a painting of the Brazilian flag, gets in his car during free practice session at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Nov. 23, 2012. Brazil's Formula One Grand Prix will take place Sunday. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during free practice at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Brazil's Formula One Grand Prix will take place Sunday. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during a free practice at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Brazil's Formula One Grand Prix will take place Sunday. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain steers his car during free practice at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Brazil's Formula One Grand Prix will take place Sunday. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain walks to his pit before a free practice at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. Brazil's Formula One Grand Prix will take place Sunday. (AP Photo/Victor Caivano)

SAO PAULO (AP) ? Lewis Hamilton won the pole position for the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Saturday, while Formula One leader Sebastian Vettel will start fourth and title challenger Fernando Alonso eighth.

Hamilton set a lap of 1 minute, 12.458 seconds with his McLaren at Interlagos, just .055 in front of teammate Jenson Button.

Vettel's Red Bull teammate Mark Webber will start third after a lap of 1:12.581, with Vettel behind him following a run of 1:12.760.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa was fifth after clocking 1:12.987, while teammate Alonso only managed a lap of 1:13.253, hurting his chances of overtaking Vettel for the championship.

Vettel needs to finish fourth or better on Sunday to become F1's youngest three-time champion at age 25. Alonso, also seeking his third title, needs at least a podium finish to have any chance of overcoming a 13-point deficit in the standings.

Vettel said a mistake at the end of the qualifying session cost him a chance to start closer to the front, but he didn't think the result was "a disaster."

"Maybe it's not the best position that we could've gotten, but still we can be quite happy" he said. "I think there are more people behind us than in front of us. If we were 24th, than that would be disappointing, but I'm happy with fourth and there's plenty of opportunities for tomorrow in terms of tactics."

Hamilton, who won the 2008 championship at Interlagos, will be driving his last race with McLaren before joining Mercedes next season. He is coming off a victory at the United States GP last week.

"I think we put ourselves in a really good position and we are just going to do the best that we can from here, working together as a team," Hamilton said.

McLaren has been strong all weekend and seems set to play a role at the title showdown between Vettel and Alonso. Hamilton led the practice times on Friday and Button did the same earlier on Saturday. Vettel was always close behind the McLarens, while Alonso was well behind the pace.

Drivers had faced very warm temperatures during practice but it dropped significantly for qualifying. It started raining about half an hour before the timed session but it stopped by the time the cars hit the track. The top teams waited several minutes to avoid the slippery conditions at the tricky 2.8-mile track in South America's biggest city.

Michael Schumacher, preparing for his final race before retiring for a second time, couldn't do much with his Mercedes and will start 14th.

Mexican Sergio Perez, taking over Hamilton's seat at McLaren, will start 13th with his Sauber.

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean didn't make it past the first qualifying session after running into the back of Pedro de la Rosa while trying to make a pass at the front straight. He got off the throttle to avoid running into the slower HRT but it was not enough, forcing him to return to the pits for a new front wing.

Vettel enters the deciding race in a comfortable position to win his third title. He has been dominant recently, finishing on the podium in the last six races and winning four of them.

A fourth-place finish will be enough on Sunday even if Alonso wins the race. And if the Ferrari driver is second, Vettel can clinch the title by crossing the line seventh or better. The German driver holds the tiebreaker because he has more wins than Alonso ? five to three.

Vettel has a chance to become the first driver to win three titles in a row since Schumacher won five straight from 2000-04. The only other driver to win at least three consecutive titles was Juan Manuel Fangio from 1954-57.

Alonso hasn't won a race since the German GP in July, but he finished on the podium in six of the final seven races, including the last four.

It will be the sixth time since 2005 that the F1 season will be decided at the Brazilian GP. Alonso won both of his titles at Interlagos in 2005 and '06.

Red Bull has won the last three races at the track, with Vettel second to teammate Webber last year.

Schumacher, F1's most successful driver, retired for the first time in 2006 after winning seven world titles. He returned in 2010 with Mercedes, but struggled and managed only one podium finish, at the European GP in July.

___

Follow Tales Azzoni at http://twitter.com/tazzoni

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-24-F1-Brazilian%20GP/id-5804567f3d484859b7f0395bb6fdbe7b

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Tentative ceasefire agreed between Hamas and Israel

A ground war may have been averted thanks to US pressure and Egyptian diplomacy. But how long the Gaza Strip ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will last is the question.

By Kristen Chick,?Correspondent, Christa Case Bryant,?Staff writer / November 21, 2012

Palestinians celebrate what they say is a victory over Israel after an eight-day conflict in Gaza City November 21. Israel and the Islamist Hamas movement ruling the Gaza Strip agreed on Wednesday to an Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire to halt an eight-day conflict that killed 162 Palestinians and five Israelis.

Ahmed Zakot/Reuters

Enlarge

Israel and Hamas agreed to end the conflict in Gaza in an agreement mediated by Egypt.

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Both sides claimed victory after the ceasefire was announced in a press conference involving Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Cairo.

According to the terms of the deal, Israel will end all hostilities in Gaza -- including assassinations of Hamas leadership -- and Palestinian militants will end all rocket and ground attacks against Israel. It also stipulates that the crossings into Gaza will be opened to both goods and people, which, if fully implemented, would be a significant change for the territory that has been under an Israeli economic blockade since 2007. Egypt will act as a guarantor of? the agreement.

"This is a critical moment for the region," Secretary Clinton said as the agreement was announced. "Egypt's new government is assuming the responsibility and leadership that has long made this country a cornerstone of regional stability and peace."

Many in the region are holding their breath to see if the truce holds. Hamas has agreed to stop firing rockets, but it must also keep smaller, militant organizations from breaking the truce by firing rockets of their own. Many in the Arab world are skeptical that Israel will hold up its end of the deal. In the hour after the deadline passed, militants launched roughly a dozen rockets into Israel.

But If the ceasefire lasts, it could represent an achievement for Egypt's new president Mohamed Morsi, who has sought more diplomatic prominence for Egypt. It would also enhance the standing of Hamas and could revitalize Gaza if the border crossings, particularly the one with Isreal, are opened to normal trade.

"This is not a status quo arrangement in my mind at all," says Michael Hanna, a fellow at the New York-based Century Foundation. "Obviously this goes a long way toward normalizing Hamas's political role, and that's a big deal. Depending on how the next steps are implemented, it also goes a long way toward ending the closure policy and the blockade of Gaza."

Victory? Or defeat?

The agreement comes after eight days of fighting that claimed the lives of more than 140 Palestinians and five Israelis. The recent escalation began when Israel assassinated Ahmed Al Jabari, leader of Hamas' armed wing, and began pounding Gaza with airstrikes, prompting a barrage of rocket fire into Israel from Hamas and other militant factions.?A bus bombing in Tel Aviv today had caused worry that a ceasefire would not be reached and Israel would launch a ground invasion.

In a press conference in Cairo, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal declared victory for the Palestinians and "great defeat" for Israel. "Our demands were met," he said of the agreement. He also had high praise for Egypt's role in securing the agreement. Tomorrow evening, he asserted, 24 hours from the time of the ceasefire, Israel's blockade on Gaza would be "lifted," and Gazans would be able to live like "any other" people.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/acR7OS1ROVY/Tentative-ceasefire-agreed-between-Hamas-and-Israel

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Friday, November 23, 2012

Learn About Different Ways To Get Self Help - Jim McGilvary

You might have received a wake up call recently that you will alienate people close to you if you do not change your behavior. The quality of your personal life begins through personal development, but how can you address this? The information you will read in this article will guide you in the right direction to get your life back on track.

If you suffer from anxiety, try going to see a movie with a friend. You will be out and about, but not in a setting that requires a lot of social interaction. This will also help you to become comfortable in settings that involve crowds.

Being a selfless person is a big step forward towards your own self improvement. Your inner character will benefit greatly from helping others, and making sacrifices to do it. Caring for the ill and feeding the hungry can help you become a more empathetic, loving person.

TIP! There is a separation between where you?re at and where you want to go. Understanding this is essential for beginning your quest for getting where you would like to be.

By becoming more healthy inside and out, you will be setting yourself up for success. Everyone feels much better when they?re in good physical health. A healthy lifestyle can make you feel wonderful and allow you to save money that would be otherwise spent on medical problems. Make adopting healthier habits a goal.

It is important to treat your body well and listen to its signals. Listen to what your body is saying to you, so if it is exhibiting hunger, thirst, etc., then it?s up to you to rectify that situation quickly. Start to listen to what your body is telling you, and act on what you?re hearing. You?ll become better attuned, and the result will be better overall self improvement. If you do not give your body what it needs, you will have a hard future ahead of you.

You must know what you want out of your life in order to develop personally. Having long term goals will make quite the difference in how you perceive the world around you.

TIP! Begin a special savings for emergencies. Many people handle every unexpected expense with a credit card, building up debt.

Nobody is perfect, and most of us make the occasional dietary error. Unchecked stress can be very damaging to both your mind and your body. Make an honest effort to live life to the fullest without sweating the small stuff.

You should always want a higher level of self restraint when working hard for self improvement. Use self-control over your body?s desires. Try and curb your desires to overindulge on harmful items. Controlling these desires will prevent negative impacts on your body and spirit.

Be realistic and smart about everything you face in life. Learn from your mistakes and past situations that you are faced with every day and learn to recognize circumstances that you are unable to change. Keeping a humble attitude will help you find your limits. Wisdom will help you do better in the future, based on the past!

TIP! If failings don?t respond to efforts at improvement, it may be wise to consult a therapist. Though self-help books and online resources are great, they typically will not offer as much as a one-on-one therapy session can.

The goals you have set for your personal growth need to be specific so that they can lead you to success. If you set goals that are clearly laid out, you will improve your chances of meeting or surpassing them. You will have an easier time overcoming your challenges and you will be able to have success quicker.

Pinpoint what is getting in the way of your success. This can prove problematic for most folks. Identifying and acknowledging your weakest points is a crucial element in transforming them. If you are able to overcome some hurdles, you might get a clearer picture of what your future holds.

Your mental health can be directly influenced by the physical heath of your body. Develop a regular fitness routine and follow a nutritious, satisfying diet plan. Your mind and body are both part of your whole being; you cannot keep one entirely healthy while neglecting the other.

TIP! Pick one thing that you feel needs attention the most and concentrate on that first. Even if you have more than one area on which you wish to work, focusing on one area at a time will make it easier to succeed.

Pick up a book to find out more about self improvement. A good book can provide you with the information that you need to get started on your journey toward a new you. Make sure you select a book which has a few good reviews because some books in the self improvement genre can be very badly written.

Personal development often requires personal sacrifice. It may not, however, always be easy. Plan everything carefully, and do your research before you start working toward a new goal. These tips can make it easier to take your first steps.

Hello I am Jim McGilvary and I have one of the fastest growing team of online entrepreneurs that are building their business on autopilot. We are a team of over 600 of online entrepreneurs that are working as one. It is a very powerful way to grow and build your business.

?Click the banner below and register on our team site for free and hold on ?

If your team doesn?t have a step by step plan for your success, then check out what my team has to offer. We have a free automated recruiting system that will build your business on autopilot. We walk you through a step by step process with daily marketing assignments to ensure your success. Click here to see what my team has to offer.

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I invite you to register for free on any of my team sites and take a look around and see if my team has what you need to have success in this great industry. Click here and?promise?that today is the day to take action today

Source: http://www.jimmcgilvary.com/learn-about-different-ways-to-get-self-help/

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#9: Driving Test Success All Tests Premium New 2013 Edition (PC ...

Find Out Various Best Sellers in Software... Business and Office Software, Children's Fun and Learning Software, Digital Imaging Software, Education and Reference Software, Hobbies and Pastimes Software, Home Computing Software, Languages Software, Operating Systems Software, Programming and Web Development Software,Security and Antivirus Software, Student Licences Software, System Builder (OEM) Software, Video and Music Software

Source: http://educationsoftwarezone.blogspot.com/2012/11/9-driving-test-success-all-tests.html

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Thursday, November 22, 2012

oregon fans - Health, Fitness, and Sports

WP Members: > 70,000

New Today: 8
New Yesterday: 40

oregon fans

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Age: 29
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Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 5:41 pm?? ?Post subject: oregon fans

oregon fans here. Ducks or beavers, who you favor for the civil war.

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New Zealand volcano erupts; dozens of hikers safe

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) ? A New Zealand volcano erupted with a brief blast of dark ash Wednesday, canceling flights but causing no significant damage. Schoolchildren and dozens of other hikers who were walking on trails along the mountain's base were safe.

The eruption of Mount Tongariro, its second in less than four months, sent a dark ash plume about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) into the sky. Authorities issued a no-fly alert above the mountain located in the sparsely populated area of central North Island.

National carrier Air New Zealand advised travelers that some of its flights could be delayed or canceled because of the eruption. Airline spokeswoman Brigitte Ransom said two flights had been canceled by midafternoon.

The New Zealand Herald reported that about 100 middle-school students and teachers were safe after they were hiking on the Tongariro Track at the base of the volcano when it erupted. Dozens more adults hiking in the region were also uninjured.

Tongariro National Park has three active volcanoes, is a popular tourist destination and was the backdrop for many scenes in "The Lord of the Rings" movies.

Civil defense authorities were advising people in the region to remain indoors and shut their windows to avoid the ash, which could be a health hazard.

Tony Hurst, a volcanologist with GNS Science, said the eruption lasted about five minutes and was unexpected, although scientists had placed the volcano on a higher alert after it erupted in August for the first time in more than a century.

Hurst said the dark ash indicated that magma pressure deep underground caused the eruption. A steam-driven eruption typically produces white ash.

New Zealand lies on the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire" and has frequent geothermal and seismic activity.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/zealand-volcano-erupts-dozens-hikers-safe-034342703.html

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Economics and Investing: - SurvivalBlog.com

This page contains a single entry by Jim Rawles published on November 21, 2012 1:52 AM.

Odds 'n Sods: was the previous entry in this blog.

Letter Re: Can You Take To The Sky? is the next entry in this blog.

Find recent content on the main index or look in the archives to find all content.

Source: http://www.survivalblog.com/2012/11/economics-and-investing-1357.html

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Video: The fight within the GOP

Elmo puppeteer quits 'Sesame' after new claims

Kevin Clash, the voice actor and puppeteer who made furry red Muppet Elmo famous, has resigned from "Sesame Street," Sesame Workshop said in a statement. The announcement came Tuesday, the same day that a second man alleged Clash had a sexual relationship with him when he was underage.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/49908417#49908417

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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

HealthSaaS Today Announced the Release of Pain Tracker Plus for ...

Portland, OR, November 20, 2012 ?(PR.com)? Frank Ille CEO of HealthSaaS states, ?Pain Tracker Plus for the iPhone allows us to expand our solutions for pain management and further illustrates our commitment to developing innovative solutions that help improve decision making for people with chronic pain. ?As a long term chronic pain patient who has undergone five low back surgeries and bilateral TMJ surgery I understand the many challenges patients have in managing their pain and communicating important information to their care team.?

Pain Tracker Plus features include:

Male and female gender options

Six body views
(Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, and Bottom)

Seven pain industry standard color coded pain types
(Aching, Stabbing, Throbbing, Burning, Pins and Needles, Numbness and Hurts to Touch)

Zoom & Panning allow you to focus on exact pain locations

Summary Reports on the phone provide a detailed view of your pain history

"Store and forward" engine allows the application to run in a "standalone" mode as well as "paired" to the PainPHA portal.

In standalone mode all data is stored on the device. In paired mode, whenever network connectivity us available, the data is sent to PainPHA. If not initially paired, all previous entries will be sent to PainPHA.

PainPHA by HealthSaaS is a complimentary service which also allows you to track medical history, medications, naturopathic remedies, sleep patterns, treatments, therapies, exercise, activities, additional symptoms and quality of life concerns.

Graphical pain reports available at PainPHA include:

Pain & Intervention Report

Bodymaps Pain Report

Pain by Type Report

Pain High/Low/Average by Day Report

Pain by Time of Day Report

http://www.painpha.com/EN-US/aboutus/mobile/main.aspx

Contact Information:
HealthSaaS, Inc.
Frank Ille
503-882-8951
Contact via Email
www.healthsaas.net

Click here to read the full story: HealthSaaS Today Announced the Release of Pain Tracker Plus for the iPhone

Press Release Distributed by PR.com

Source: http://health.rambergmedia.com/healthsaas-today-announced-the-release-of-pain-tracker-plus-for-the-iphone/

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Will Breezy Point's Firefighters Who Lost Their Homes to Fire During ...

Buried in the Fine Print, Little-known Clause Could Result in Denied Fire, Wind, and Flood Claims

Washington, D.C. ? November 20, 2012 ? (RealEstateRama) ? When Superstorm Sandy battered the East Coast with high winds and a massive storm surge, 111 homes in the Queens, New York neighborhood of Breezy Point were destroyed by a fast-spreading fire. First responders, including firefighters, owned a significant number of these homes.

In an effort to ensure that claims for these and other homes harmed by fire, wind, and flood are paid promptly, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) called on Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, Benjamin Lawsky to take immediate action to prevent a little-known insurance clause from resulting in denied claims.

?Anti-concurrent-causation clauses (ACC) apply when a loss is caused by a combination of covered events, such as fire or wind, and non-covered events, such as a flood,? said J. Robert Hunter, Director of Insurance at the CFA. ?When a policy contains an ACC, insurance companies can deny an otherwise covered claim ? like fire or wind ? regardless of the sequence of events. They can also deny an otherwise covered claim even if both events are shown to have contributed to the loss at the same time.?

For example, if a homeowner has both a homeowner?s insurance and flood insurance policy, the coverage will likely be granted and the insurer will cover losses associated with fire or wind while the National Flood Insurance Program will cover losses associated with flooding. However, if the homeowner has a homeowner?s insurance policy but not a flood insurance policy in force, an ACC could result in denied claims for fire and wind damage, as well as flood damage. Approximately 70 percent of New Yorkers in flood zones do not have flood insurance in place, putting their claims ? even their wind and fire claims ? at risk.

After Hurricane Katrina, ACCs were used to deny numerous claims, prompting litigation that we believe has not sufficiently clarified the circumstances under which ACCs can be enforced. In separate cases, courts ruled both ways; that ACCs were valid and could be used by insurance companies to void otherwise present coverage, and that ACCs were ambiguous and could not be enforced.

?We believe that additional clarity is needed and can be provided by the New York Department of Financial Services,? said Hunter. ?We call on state regulators to take action to help New Yorkers whose fire and wind-related insurance claims payments are at risk of denial due to an unfair and legally unclear clause buried in the fine print.?

Contact:

J. Robert Hunter, CFA, 703-528-0062

Homeowners with Flood Insurance Should File Claims for Damages
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS (USVI) - November 19, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials urge homeowners and individuals who suffered damages caused by the recent rains and floods and who have flood insurance, to file claims through their insurance agent or company without delay....

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Word-detecting baboons are a tough read

Studies differ on whether monkeys learn to recognize letter combinations

By Bruce Bower

Web edition: November 19, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS ? Baboons use the order of regularly appearing letter pairs to tell words from nonwords, new evidence suggests.

Psychologist Jonathan Grainger of the University of Aix-Marseille reported earlier this year that baboons can learn to tell real four-letter words from nonsense words (SN: 5/5/12, p. 5). But whether these animals detect signature letter combinations that enable their impressive word feats has been tough to demonstrate.

Monkeys that previously learned to excel on this task are more likely to mistake nonwords created by reversing two letters of a word they already recognize as real, much as literate people do, Grainger reported November 16 at the Psychonomics Society annual meeting.

?Letters played a role in baboons? word knowledge,? Grainger concluded. ?This is a starting point for determining how they discriminate words from nonwords.?

Grainger?s team tested the six baboons in their original investigation. Some of the monkeys had previously learned to recognize many more words than others. In new trials, the best word identifiers made more errors than their less successful peers when shown nonwords that differed from known words by a reversed letter combination, such as WSAP instead of WASP and KTIE instead of KITE.

Grainger?s team fed the same series of words and nonwords into a computer simulation of the experiment. The computer model best reproduced the animals? learning curves when endowed with a capacity for tracking letter combinations.

Psychologist Emmanuel Keuleers of Ghent University in Belgium is skeptical of the findings, he said. His own computer simulations mimicked baboons? word learning in Grainger?s experiments without being able to track specific letter combinations.

Keuleers? program calculated the similarity of new words to previously learned four-letter strings based on the number of insertions and deletions of single letters. As with the baboons, this computer system easily learned new nonwords but often stumbled when supplied with new words. That?s because, using this single-letter strategy, new words presented to baboons in Grainger?s experiments were typically most similar to previously learned nonwords, Keuleers suggested.

?Baboons? processing strategy for discriminating words from non-words is inconclusive,? he said.

Source: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/346591/title/Word-detecting_baboons_are_a_tough_read

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Jose Baez, Casey Anthony Attorney, Will Defend Detective In Trayvon Martin Case

Trayvon Martin Photos

Benjamin Crump, attorney, for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, talks to the media after the release of 911 call at the Sanford City Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Martin, 17, was shot to death after being confronted by Sanford neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, on February 26, 2012. Zimmerman told Sanford Police that he shot the unarmed black teenager in self-defense. Family members are calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Trayvon Martin Photos

A memorial for the late Trayvon Martin sits at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Martin, 17, was shot to death after being confronted by Sanford neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, 28, on February 26, 2012. Zimmerman, white, told Sanford Police that he shot the unarmed black teenager in self-defense. Family members are calling for Zimmerman's arrest. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Trayvon Martin Photos

Local historian and activist Francis Oliver adjusts a memorial she placed for the late Trayvon Martin at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Trayvon Martin Photos

Valera Pinkard, of Orlando, Fla., holds a sign near a memorial for the late Trayvon Martin at the neighborhood where he was shot on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Sanford, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Trayvon Martin Photos

Sybrina Fulton, mother, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media with Martin's father Tracy Martin, left, on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Trayvon Martin Photos

Sybrina Fulton, mother, of the late Trayvon Martin, left, hugs Selma Mora Lamilla, after addressing the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Tracy Martin, father, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Trayvon Martin Photos

Benjamin Crump, attorney for the family of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

Trayvon Martin Photos

Tracy Martin, father, of the late Trayvon Martin, addresses the media on Friday, March 16, 2012 in Orlando, Fla. Credit: David Manning for The Huffington Post

A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin rally in Union Square during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters marched through the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Supporters of Trayvon Martin block traffic as they march on W. 14th Street during a 'Million Hoodie March' in Manhattan on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white neighborhood watch captain. The protesters took to the streets after holding a large rally in Union Square. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Tracy Martin (L), and Sybrina Fulton, parents of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, address supporters at a Million Hoodies March on March 21, 2012 in New York City. Family members joined hundreds of protesters calling for justice in the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was was pursued and shot on February 26 in Sanford, Florida by 'neighborhood watch' member George Zimmerman, reportedly because the teenager's hoodie made him look suspicious. Under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime in the shooting. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

A Million Hoodies March Protests Death Of Trayvon Martin

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: Sybrina Fulton, mother of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, speaks at the Million Hoodies March on March 21, 2012 in New York City. The family members joined hundreds of protesters calling for justice in the killing of Trayvon Martin, 17, who was was pursued and shot on February 26 in Sanford, Florida by 'neighborhood watch' member George Zimmerman, reportedly because the teenager's hoodie made him look suspicious. Under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, Zimmerman has not been charged with a crime in the shooting. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Federal Government To Investigate Shooting Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 21: Protesters hold cans of ice tea and Skittles which is what the 17-year-old Trayvon Martin is reported to have been carrying when he was killed by neighborhood watch person, George Zimmerman on February 26 in Sanford, Florida, on March 21, 2012 in Miami, Florida. The Justice Department and the FBI opened an investigation into the death of the black teenager, and the local state attorney announced that he had asked a grand jury to investigate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Federal Government To Investigate Shooting Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: A reporter waits to broadcast at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Protesters demonstrate at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: People attend a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: A protester holds a sign with pictures of George Zimmerman at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Sanford resident Rodney Stokes carries his son Rodney Stokes Jr. on his shoulder at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Rev. Al Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Rev. Al Sharpton (R) looks on at a rally with Tracy Martin (R), father of slain teenager Trayvon Martin, on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Shooting Death Of Unarmed Teen Trayvon Martin Sparks National Outrage

SANFORD, FL - MARCH 22: Rev. Al Sharpton departs as media are reflected in a vehicle window at a rally for slain teenager Trayvon Martin on March 22, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Sanford Police Department Chief Bill Lee announced today he will temporarily step down following the killing of the black unarmed teenager by a white and Hispanic neighborhood watch captain. Sharpton organized today's rally. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/20/jose-baez-casey-anthony-attorney-detective-trayvon-martin_n_2168036.html

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Amid meningitis crisis, critics say Medicare may promote risky drug compounding

NEW YORK (Reuters) - With 34 deaths and 474 cases of fungal meningitis linked to tainted steroids from a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy, blame has fallen on everyone from the pharmacy to state and federal regulators. Now a new potential culprit has emerged: Medicare, which reimburses for almost all compounded drugs.

"Medicare's reimbursement policy is certainly relevant in the government's role in supporting purchases" of compounded drugs, Senator Richard Blumenthal told Reuters, referring to the customized medications meant to be prepared for an individual based on doctor directions.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. Because it is such a large player in healthcare policy, its coverage decisions have an outsized impact on the market.

As long as a physician has prescribed a compounded drug, Medicare as well as some private insurers cover it even if the Food and Drug Administration has approved a version of the drug from a pharmaceutical manufacturer.

In a letter sent on Monday to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the consumer advocacy organization Public Citizen charged that by paying for compounded drugs Medicare "created an economic environment that allowed large-scale drug production by compounding pharmacies to flourish."

"Medicare played a role in fostering the widespread use of compounded drugs," Dr. Michael Carome, deputy director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, said.

In reply, an HHS spokesman told Reuters that if the FDA finds that a company is producing compounded drugs in violation of the law, "Medicare will not reimburse for drugs produced in that facility." But because the FDA's authority over compounding pharmacies is severely limited, "we urge Congress to strengthen FDA's authority to ensure these kinds of outbreaks do not happen again."

In a letter to Medicare on Monday, Senators Debbie Stabenow, Al Franken, Dianne Feinstein and Blumenthal - all Democrats - also raised concerns about how compounded drugs are "reimbursed at the state and federal level."

The senators cited a section of Medicare's policy manual which explains how the program can deny payment for compounded drugs. In addition, they asked how Medicare works with the FDA "to determine which companies have received violations for mass compounding of drugs."

Medicare pays for compounded medications mostly under what is called Part B, which covers drugs that patients cannot administer themselves, such as spinal injections and intravenous cancer drugs. "These medications are vital and often life-sustaining and should be covered in full," said David Ball, a spokesman for the International Academy of Compounding Pharmacists.

Also weighing in on compounding on Monday, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions asked all 50 state boards of pharmacy - which, rather than federal regulators, oversee compounding pharmacies - for information on "actions you have taken to address this meningitis outbreak."

Specifically, the committee asked the boards whether they had reported problems with drugs from New England Compounding Center, the company that produced the tainted steroids, to the FDA, and whether they require compounding pharmacies to report whether they produce large volumes of drugs.

Although traditional pharmacy compounding is small-scale, producing one prescription for one specific patient at a time, the company that produced the tainted steroids in the meningitis outbreak manufactured thousands of doses for hundreds of patients at once, documents show.

OUT OF BUSINESS

The suspicion that Medicare's payment policy encourages large-scale compounding has arisen in part because in the single instance when Medicare denied payment for an entire class of compounded drugs - respiratory medications used in special inhalers called nebulizers - the decision drove compounders out of that business.

At the time, Medicare said that because compounded drugs are not tested for safety and effectiveness, they have "the potential of putting a patient at increased risk of injury, illness, or death."

The nebulizer-drugs decision came in 2007, after patient advocates led by Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics argued to Medicare that the compounded nebulizer drugs had contamination and potency problems, said Sandra Fusco Walker, who led that effort.

That coverage decision "is absolutely relevant" to the question of Medicare's support for compounding pharmacies, Blumenthal said, "because it reflects an awareness of this issue. Whether that should be a precedent for denying coverage of all such (compounded) drugs is a separate question."

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is part of HHS and runs the Medicare, regularly decides whether to cover diagnostic tests, medications, surgical procedures and other medical treatments. It bases those decisions on whether the intervention is "reasonable and necessary." For drugs, that almost always means that the medication has received approval from the FDA.

"We believe that Medicare's policy manual clearly establishes the agency's authority to deny coverage for compounded drugs," said Carome.

But he admits that the manual is "internally contradictory."

In a section of the manual related to compounded drugs, CMS says that compounded drugs that have not received FDA approval - which describes essentially all compounded drugs - are excluded from Medicare coverage.

"If the FDA has not approved the manufacturing and processing procedures used by these (compounding) facilities, the FDA has no assurance that the drugs these companies are producing are safe and effective," the manual adds.

But the same section also says that payment for such a drug does not stop unless CMS notifies the local carriers that it contracts with to process Medicare claims "that it is appropriate to do so."

"Clearly, if compounded drugs weren't covered to the extent they are, there wouldn't be an economic environment that allows large-scale compounding to continue," said Carome.

(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/amid-meningitis-crisis-critics-medicare-may-promote-risky-005518363--business.html

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Monday, November 19, 2012

29th AT HOMESTEAD FOR JASON BOWLES IN THE THRUSH ...

?Bowles and team happy with a successful 2012 season?

(HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA) November 18, 2012 ? There is no doubt the NASCAR Nationwide Series season is a long, grueling one, travelling across the country for 10 months straight. The MacDonald Motorsports No. 81 team has seen it all this year and Homestead became the final chapter to the story. Jason Bowles and the team welcomed Thrush & Son Complete Home Improvement and their web-based software system C.H.I.P. back to the No. 81, but struggled to find grip all weekend. Jason and the team still fought hard all weekend long, and brought home a 29th place result to finish off the season.

?We just could never make the car comfortable for me for some reason,? explained Bowles after the race. ?I wish we could have finished off the season with a strong run but these things happen. It was great to have the Thrush?s here at the track with us again and I really hope to be working more with them in 2013. Thrush & Son has really been a great partner for us for the second half of the season.?

On lap 74, the 23 car got loose under Bowles, making contact with the Thrush & Son/HI-Technologies No. 81. The damage from that accident didn?t help, but the MacDonald Motorsports crew got to work and kept Jason in the mix. The guys have battled hard to recover from adversity a number of times this season and Homestead was no different, showing the team?s great resilience.

Even though the team struggled to hit the setup Saturday, the 2012 season is still going to go down as one of the best ever by MacDonald Motorsports. Bowles was able to secure 13th in the driver standings while the MacDonald Motorsports No. 81 ended the season 22nd in the owner standings. The team finished the year with 17 top-20 finishes including two 14th place runs at Road America and the July Daytona race.

?We?ve had some great partners this season that I really want to take the time to thank as well,? said Jason. ?American Majority, Thrush & Son, Random Acts, Support Military Foundation, ITEX, Echolight Studios, megabus.com, 505 Southwestern Chile Sauce, and Monte Carlo Casino & Resort were all a big part in our year and we couldn?t have done it without them. I met a lot of really great people this year running my first full season and I?m looking forward to 2013.?

Daytona is only three months away already and the MacDonald Motorsports team will immediately switch gears to preparing for 2013. It will be here before you know it. MacDonald Motorsports has many options open for 2013 for new partners to get their feet wet in the sport. If you have ever considered growing your company?s exposure through NASCAR, give us a call and we can discuss some of the options for next season.

Follow Jason Bowles on Social Media?..Keep up with everything that Jason is doing by following him on twitter @bowlesjason. Fans can also follow the race team on twitter @mmotorsports81.

Follow Thrush & Son on Social Media?..Learn more about Thrush & Son and HI-Technologies on facebook, at their websites, www.thrushandson.com and www.hi-technologies.com, and on twitter @thrush_and_son and @HI_Tech_CHIP.

About Thrush & Son Complete Home Improvement

Thrush & Son: Complete Home Improvement Company has been a respected leader in the home improvement industry since 1960. W. Allen Thrush (Pres/CEO) purchased the company from his father in 1989 and that?s when the company began to grow and evolve into the industry leader that it is today. Thrush & Son has been recognized in numerous national publications. Thrush & Son takes pride in their quality craftsmanship and the fact that after 52 years in the industry, they are still truly a family owned and operated business. Whether your home has been damaged by a severe storm or you are interested in a new roof, windows, siding, patio covers, gutters, or insulation Thrush & Son has all the bases covered when it comes to transforming a house into a dream home.

About HI-Technologies

H.I. Technologies is dedicated to developing home improvement business solution software. The foundation of the company first came about in 2005 when W. Allen Thrush noticed a need for a business solution for his own home improvement company, Thrush & Son. CHIP is a 100% web based business software that saves time and money. CHIP tracks closing rates while also controlling commissions of a company?s sales force and contracted labor costs. This program organizes customers? information and record keeping. It also configures mailing lists, creates material orders and generates all work orders for projects that are sold. CHIP also offers the capability to track profit and loss for each project that is entered into the program to let an owner or manager know where they stand on that job. All of this is done with a few simple clicks of a button and can be from accessed anywhere via internet explorer.

MacDonald Motorsports

MacDonald Motorsports Owner Randy MacDonald has been around the NASCAR circles since 1985, when he began his own racing career with the loving support of his father ?Doc? and his mother Pat MacDonald. As a NASCAR driver, Randy was successful in making it all the way to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The MacDonald family became NASCAR team owners in 1986 and have fielded cars in all three of NASCAR?s elite series following faith based principles. MacDonald Motorsports focuses on assisting our sponsors with strategically increasing the overall awareness of corporate messaging or brand recognition by consistently articulating the message to be delivered through motorsports. MacDonald Motorsports offers drivers opportunities to gain experience from grass roots all the way through the elite series of NASCAR.

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the publisher. All comments other than website related problems need to be directed to the author. ?SpeedwayMedia.com.

Source: http://www.speedwaymedia.com/?p=51578

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TweenTribune | News for Kids | Do you want a Wii U? | tweentribune ...

In the six years since the last major video game system launched, Apple unveiled the iPhone and the iPad, "Angry Birds" invaded smartphones and Facebook reached a billion users. In the process, scores of video game consoles were left to languish in living rooms alongside dusty VCRs and disc players.

On Sunday, Nintendo Co. is launching the Wii U, a game machine designed to appeal both to the original Wii's casual audience and the hardcore gamers who skip work to be among the first to play the latest "Call of Duty" release. Just like the Wii U's predecessor, the Wii, which has sold nearly 100 million units worldwide since 2006, the new console's intended audience "truly is 5 to 95."

But the Wii U arrives in a new world. Video game console sales have been falling, largely because it's been so long since a new system has launched. Most people who wanted an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or a Wii already have one. Another reason: People in the broad 5-to-95 age range have shifted their attention to games on Facebook, tablet computers and mobile phones.

U.S. video game sales last month, including hardware, software and accessories, totaled $755.5 million, according to the research firm NPD Group. In October 2007, the figure stood at $1.1 billion.

The Wii U is likely to do well during the holiday shopping season, analysts believe ?so well that shoppers may see shortages. But the surge could peter out in 2013. The Wii U is not expected to be the juggernaut that the Wii was in its heyday, according to research firm IHS iSuppli. The Wii outsold its competitors, the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, in its first four years on sale, logging some 79 million units by the end of 2010. By comparison, IHS expects the Wii U to sell 56.7 million in its first four years.

In the age of a million gadgets and lean wallets, the storied game company faces a new challenge: convincing people that they need a new video game system rather than, say, a new iPad.

Critical thinking challenge: If you had to choose between a WII U and iPad, which would you choose, and why?

Define these words: predecessor, languish, heyday

- Posted on November 18, 2012

Source: http://tweentribune.com/tween/do-you-want-wii-u

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Note to Self (187) Fake Online Relationships ? The Manicheans

On my learning adventure through all the TV shows made available to me out there (and yes, I watch the good and the bad), I came across a show on MTV called Catfish. The host experienced love but it was an online relationship, only to discover a few months later that all the things said with the girl of his dreams happened to just be a big fat lie. After confronting the person he called ?the love of his life?, he decided to use his experience and film a documentary called ?Catfish? that won a lot of awards.

MTV is now following the stories of people who are in a similar situation. People who have found love through an online portal, but have never met the person they claim they fell in love with. Too crazy to happen to you? Would you ever fall for someone you?ve never physically met?

Well? I know it sounds crazy, but I relate to this experience. I, too, fell in love with someone online, and was ready to leave everything behind to make my dreams come true. It happened on a chat room, in 2003. I started talking to someone called Tyler, and we connected right away. Tyler pretended to live in New York, only I found out later he was living in San Antonio, Texas. Tyler was twenty-one, had a bad break-up, was going through a lot with alcohol and drugs. Dropped out of school. Had a girlfriend who got pregnant, then lost the baby, who then cheated on him with his best friend? And to top it all off, Tyler committed suicide a week before my twenty-first birthday.

When you read this, you wonder how I could ever have fallen in love with such a person. Tyler didn?t even exist. Tyler was a woman with three kids, a husband, bi-sexual, bored, and ready to fool the world into believing her lies. What?s even crazier is that I knew her, and she sent me pics of her kids. We talked on the phone. We exchanged letters, emails, and she sent me memorabilia! All a lie.

The love I felt was real though. Everything made sense. There was no doubt in my mind I had found the perfect person. I was completely heartbroken when I thought Tyler had really committed suicide. People around me thought the whole gig was a joke. I didn?t. Because I would never pull such an awful prank on anyone. But I was wrong.

Tyler didn?t exist. The love we shared was nothing but a story born from a cheap soap opera. I moved on from it the day I hung up the phone on Tyler?s impersonator, and decided I should just forget about the whole thing.

I don?t believe in relationships where there?s no physical contact. Talking on the phone, even through Skype, doesn?t replace the emotion you feel once you stand close to the person. I had a few other beginnings of relationships build that way after that insane experience, but I pulled the plug on each of them every time.

I can?t fall in love through a keyboard. I need the real deal. Especially as a writer, I can say whatever I want just because it reads nice. Online dating, please. I stay away from that thing like it?s the plague.

Hooking up with people you meet at a bar isn?t better, but at least, the physicality of it still exists. And I realized many times, people put up a facade that fades very quickly once you peel off the layers. Online relationships manage to keep the romance going for a long time, and cause heartbreaks. I?ve been there. Not only did I lose a beautiful dream, I also felt humiliated and embarrassed for being such a fool.

I know now love doesn?t come easy. Yet, I?d rather stay single that run after deceit. At least, I don?t get hurt anymore.

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Source: http://themanicheans.wordpress.com/2012/11/18/note-to-self-187-fake-online-relationships/

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