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Those notions that the internet has made some kinds of learning a thing of the past are very likely in process of being proved wrong.  The web has certainly changed the possibilities for learning, and there are more channels and materials than ever before.  But it’s far more likely that the ways of learning are still the same ones that the last generation had at their disposal.  The thing that has shifts the most is the educational models that are available, and these are often the results of how a culture wants to represent itself to itself.

The idea of the book is one that is entirely in flux, where many people read the physical objects, but many more are using electronic versions of these objects.  People do still read, and perhaps it’s even more than before, but the tools are different.  This is very similar to what’s happening with the flash card.  These have always been particularly effective for a certain type of learner.  It combines a visual cue with a physical object and action, and even if the visual cue is purely typographic, it appeals to senses other than purely linguistic.

For those who fear that flash cards might go away in another generation, there are some signs that suggest this will not be the case at all.  Although it seems somewhat obvious that the laptop computer has an attractive power to adults as well as very young children, the things that make it most useful for learning are virtual versions of the same methods as before.  There are a number of very useful flash card directories, where parents can download and print their own versions, or use the laptop as a kind of virtual flash card.  The mechanisms and reflexes for learning are still very much the same as they were before computers were invented.

So parents of small children can absolutely find ways to help the young ones learn, sites where kindergarten worksheets and other very useful tools are available.  There are enough resources to keep learning interesting and fun for all the parties involved, with cool stuff on new websites all the time.  If there is a big difference, it may just be one of access.  Resources are more widely available now.  It’s not just a matter of logging on and doing a little research, however.  The most useful tools are still other people.  Checking with a teacher about what might be best for a child will always be more fruitful than looking up opinions from unreliable sources.  The benefits as well as the drawbacks are still the same, but the possibilities are much more open.

Imitations of reality are always on the verge of taking over the mundane world.  They become either easier to construct in mass culture, or they are harder to spot.  The original of anything is hard to find any more.  Things that are viral become the placeholder for the original.  It’s one thing to become singularly obsessed, but when things multiply, obsession can move forward in amazing geometric progressions.  In conversations about movies, a certain amount of knowledge really is power.  This is probably because knowledge has to reflect experience, when it comes to something as tangible as a car.

In terms of movie stars and movie cars, that’s not the worst thing that could happen.  Top ten car movies are the perfect kinds of lists that make everyone want to talk, revealing that this singular obsession has been haunting all of us for some time.  Movie cars are cool.  Almost everyone wishes they could drive one.  It’s also not impossible to get close, to drive something very much like a favorite car from a favorite film.

One of the more appealing things about a movie car, then,  is that it has an essence that is entirely original, like the Trans Am Burt Reynolds drove in “Smokey and the Bandit.”  But it is also one of many other Trans Ams, and part of the appeal for the viewer is that there is a possibility, even if it’s terrifically remote, of driving one someday.  Even if the version of the famous car is not exact, no one will know that the intro wheels may not match the ones from the film.  It isn’t necessary to make an exact copy, only a decent approximation.

This is why some car movies have more staying power than others.  There’s a kind of divide in the culture that keeps running tabs on favorite cars on film, and the divide is somewhere between Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bullitt.  In the former, there is a dream of a fantasy machine, but in the latter, the fantasy is possible, because one can conceivably ride a mustang in this lifetime.  But there are also divides based on cost.  Most car fanatics understand that it is unlikely to drive a James Bond car without access to a very rich relative, but lots of relatives have owned a Dodge.  And it’s entirely possible to find an old version of a cool film car, get a friend to help with a new paint job, and find a match for the general tire, and suddenly an imitation of life becomes as good as the thing itself.

Is golf your true love? Perhaps you’ve got what it takes to make a living from your favorite sport. There are numerous opportunities out there for golf aficionados, a smattering of which are listed here for your perusal. For most of them, you don’t even have to be a great golfer! (more…)

Once you have found the perfect person to marry and the perfect ring, you must decide on the perfect proposal. It’s no secret that the marriage proposal is one of the most memorable moments in any couple’s life together. It is one that you will both remember for the rest of their lives. It is a moment that friends, loved ones and future children will ask you to recount over and over.

When thinking of marriage proposal ideas, remember that ultimately, the proposal should be something special and appropriate for you and your significant other. However, you are likely thinking that you want to do something original. Keep in mind that you will want to propose in a way that is creative, emotional, surprising, personal and original—with elements that are unique to you as a couple. Here is a list of some original and creative ideas that may help get you started:

1. Send your girlfriend on an exciting treasure hunt. Begin with a clue and then send her to spots that are symbolic of your relationship—perhaps the first place you met, your first date, etc. The last location should be the place where you ask her to marry you, perhaps dressed up in a tuxedo rental and on one knee with the ring. Make the clues cute and tell the story of your courtship.

2. Surprise your girlfriend with a vacation. Don’t tell her where you’re going. Perhaps you could propose on the plane so that you have the memory of proposing thousands of feet in the air. Then, you can enjoy the rest of the vacation celebrating your engagement.

3. Take out a full-page ad in a publication your girlfriend reads frequently. Get copies and lay them around her house so that when she comes home, she sees them everywhere.

4. Get others involved. Perhaps it is a waiter, a street artist or workers at your local zoo or aquarium. Think of ways to get them involved in the proposal so it is more of a surprise.

5. If your girlfriend is extremely tech savvy, consider a proposal that fits with her personality. Upload a YouTube video, sneak a proposal podcast onto her iPod or take pictures of the words “will,” “you,” “marry,” and “me” on her digital camera.

6. Have personalized fortune cookies made with the question. Show up with takeout Chinese food and then at the end she can open the fortune cookie with the proposal.

7. Show up dressed to impress in a tuxedo at a casual event where she will be there with family and friends.

8. If she has a pet, try tying the ring to their collar. She will be so surprised and charmed that you included her furry friend!

9. If you are artistic, include some of your artwork in the proposal. Write a song; paint a picture or whatever else will make the proposal stand out.

10. If you are a more low-key couple, have the ring delivered in something that she may not otherwise expect such as in a pizza or flower arrangement.

No matter what you decide, think of your budget and location. Make sure that the proposal suits your girlfriend’s personality. Does she like to be the center of attention? If so, you may want to consider a public proposal. If she is shy, you will want to make it something that is intimate between the two of you. Consider interests such as sports, hobbies, friends, family members and other details about your future wife that will make the proposal memorable for her. Think of keepsakes from the event that you may want to take so that you can remember and honor the moment forever. Make sure you are prepared with all details, including a tuxedo, ring and flowers. Are you ready to prepare for the perfect engagement?

As the world becomes more technologically advanced and we continue to grow in population numbers, the new generations of children face greater career competition challenges. This is evidenced by an ongoing focus on teaching our children specialized skills and advanced subjects at early ages. With this in mind, it becomes increasingly important to provide your children with the greatest educational and skill development resources as is possible. This is actually easier than what many people realize, and it can even be a matter of simple life style adjustments in your home that make all the difference. This is particularly appealing to families who are suffering from the recent economic setbacks and simply can’t afford private schools and tutors. However, your current financial situation should not stop you from providing your child with every advantage possible to succeed and excel in this highly competitive academic climate.

How do you provide your child with an extra advantage with little to no extra income? One of the answers is by turning your family time into learning time. You can create numerous activities and games that will inspire your child to learn more and this in itself is the key to giving them an early edge. When education is placed into play activities, which anthropologically speaking is the point of play in most animals, it builds new skill sets and solidifies certain perspectives and intellectual orientations. This is possible with all subjects, from music and the arts to science and mathematics. Offering your child or children this space to explore and learn also promotes their self discovery and early realization of their own interests. This is another great tool for helping your child develop their potential at an early age. This also begins an early SAT prep habit, which will be essential as they approach their college years.

You don’t have to be a math wiz yourself to help your child learn. In fact, the games you create can even benefit your own intellect. There are plenty of great online resources for developing family games and there are programs and math worksheets that will not only provide you with the answers and tools you need, but will also guarantee your child focuses on the necessary topics and problems. It’s easy to get, or at least feel, left behind in your child’s academic career, and if you involve yourself in the process, you’ll not only further your family bonds and enrich your own life, but most importantly, you will be helping your child develop an early educational or intellectual edge. This investment in time, energy and attention, will cost you little to nothing, and will pay off enormously in your child’s future and overall life satisfaction and happiness.

Keeping up with the latest financial trends can be a very daunting proposition, especially for someone just learning the principles and general rules.  Once the basics of investing and risk-taking are understood, however, there are some who will go further.  Undaunted, looking at stakes and possibilities, the financial world becomes very much like any other game.  Like any other game, those who can remain detached are the ones who possess the greatest skill and have the best chances.  Like any other game, the best way to keep up with the latest trends is to set them.

Taking to hand the familiarity with institutions like the Wall Street Journal and blogs like moneymutual.com blog, there is enough breadth of experience to consider starting one’s own financial blog.  If that thought isn’t daunting in and of itself, then there’s probably enough basic knowledge of the money game to begin blogging.  Keep in mind that most any issues that might arise are ones that have been faced by other bloggers in the past.  That means there are also elegant solutions for these issues, possibly already on the web, since bloggers do have a propensity for sharing lots of information.  Most people who do write for a general audience on the web are fairly approachable, too.  This is all to say, there is always plenty of help available for the beginner.

Deciding to do it is the biggest step, and once that corner has been turned, then it’s a matter of a few logical steps.  The next step is to find the place that best suits the blog, and this is a matter of taste.  Sites like blogger are wonderful for beginners, and also slick enough that experienced bloggers use them.  With a wide range of templates and styles, it’s not at all difficult to set up a blog that’s eye-catching.  The sites are also relatively easy to navigate, so that it’s also easy to change the entire look of the blog, sometimes in a matter of moments.

At this point, it’s unlikely that it will be necessary to start advertising, but it’s never too early to start thinking about it.  Seeing how other financial sites present themselves on the web, places like www.MoneyMutualAdvertising.com, can be an excellent way to learn how to enter the next phase: marketing and pr.  Again, it is too soon to be making any major moves or action plans, but absolutely essential to start keeping these things in mind.  Having a big picture in mind is always beneficial to any enterprise, and running a financial blog can definitely be a valuable one.  This will certainly come into play when one starts moving forward, writing with detachment and engagement, using the same principles that make investing profitable and exciting.

Many people let their finances run away from them.  They go with the flow and hope that everything will work out for them.  It’s a fact that most people spend 10% more than they earn!  Therefore if you have major financial obligations it is well worthwhile setting up some type of budgeting system to ensure all of your payments are made accurately and on time.

In fact if you are preparing to purchase a home it is advisable to do this in advance.  This will give you a realistic figure on which to base your expected monthly payment, its inpact on your expenses and also the type of home you can afford.  The beauty of a budget is that it will prevent financial disasters and ensure that you have the money available for things you really want.

Now preparing a budget is not a minor task.  You need to get all members of your household involved as you gather information .  You should document current monthly loan payments (car etc), fixed monthly expenses (insurance, school fees etc),  variable monthly expenses (utilities, food, repairs etc), variable one off expenses (taxes, medical, dental etc).  Then you should also work out your personal expenses (travel, vacation, entertainment etc).

You can look through your past years bank statements, credit card statements, credit reports etc to find much of this information.  Now one you have noted all the payments you make you can compare it to your monthly income.  Most people have no idea how their spending relates to their income.

If you find that your spending is greater than your income then you need to look at ways to cut back on this.  Compare items that you need and distinguish them from items you want.  Things that you need such as food, car etc are items that are necessary for living.  Items that you want such as a boat, new phone etc are more luxury items that are not really necessary.

Look at big ticket items such as your car, mortgage etc and determine if there is any way to cut back.  Look at options to refinance your mortgage and a lower interest rate.  Could you downsize your vehicle? Do you really need two cars?  Shop around for insurance or go with a higher deductable.  Purchase generic items as opposed to brands when shopping for food or clothing.

These are all things you should consider if your spending exceeds your income.  Also make sure to discuss the household budget with your family members to make sure they participate in reducing costs.

Information prepared by Mortgage Payment Calculator helping you to determine you financial options with home ownership.

DUI or driving under the influence is a criminal offense in the United States. When a suspect driver is stopped by a police officer the police officer may undertake three field sobriety tests to determine if there is a suspicion that the driver is under the influence of alcohol.  The limit for blood alcohol in the US is 0.08%.  Therefore a reading of this amount or greater can lead to the driver being charged with DUI.    Estimates are that around 38% of all deaths on the road in the US involve alcohol intoxication.

If that suspicion exists the officer may test the blood alcohol content via a breath test, also known as a breathalyzer.

A breathalyzers is a screening device used to determine the blood alcohol content of a subject using their breath.  These devices do not directly measure the blood alcohol content, rather they estimate the content by analyzing the alcohol content of the breath.  Police officers are instructed to keep a driver under supervision for 15 minutes before giving a breath test.

In the past the limit in the US was 0.10% but most states have standardized it to 0.08%.  In fact the American Medical Association state that 0.05% is the level at which people can become impaired when drinking alcohol.  Many European levels are currently lower than the US level.

Given the facts are breathalyzers accurate or can the give false results or be manipulated during the test?   Well, the short answer is that they are accurate and reliable and are not open to be manipulated.

Eating food prior to the breath test or sucking on breath mints or even using mouthwash can hide the smell of alcohol, but they do not remove the alcohol content from the breath.   Many types of mouthwash in fact have alcohol in them and may add to the alcohol content!  Caffeinated drinks may help to wake you up or keep you alert, but again do not remove the alcohol.  Common myths that pennies or batteries may lower the alcohol content have also been proven wrong.

Alcohol can be tested in the breath because it is absorbed into the blood via the stomach and intestines and also the mouth and esophagus. Alcohol is passed from the blood into the lungs and into the air while breathing.  The alcohol that is breathed out is in direct proportion to the alcohol in the blood.  This makes the breathalyzer test a satisfactory substitute to testing blood alcohol content in the field.  A reading of 0.08% or more gives an officer due reason to arrest the driver.

Brought to you by Knoxville DUI Attorney serving residents and visitors with DUI services.

Cartography, it sounds like a funny word for something fancy, but in reality, it is the study and practice of making maps. Cartographers combine science, aesthetics and technique to communicate spatial relativity. Now that sounds all very complicated, but it really just means that they take the world and draw it out visually and accurately.

Cartography is extremely interesting because it is steeped in history. So here are some neat facts and information that you might not have known about the realm of map making.

People have been trying to document land and the surrounding geography since the beginning of time. Having a map or visual representation of where things are is very helpful when trying to travel, find food, set up shelter, or collect water. Some of the earliest maps of the world were created by the Babylonians in the 9th Century BCE. The first world map is credited to Martin Waldseemuller in 1507 which included a map of the U.S., or America, before it was settled.

The first maps were created on parchment with brushes and ink, which left room for error but it also allowed Cartographers to be creative and artistic. Once printing was invented, map making became much more precise and allowed more people to be able to read or have access to the maps.

Some cartographers even play “practical jokes” by adding things to their maps which are not actually there. For example, in the 1970s, Richard Ciacci added a fictitious mountain, Mount Richard, to the Rocky Mountains and the map ended up as the Boulder County map of Colorado.

The art of map making is fascinating and although may seem out of date with the cutting edge technology of today, is very relevant to history.

There are two main reasons that people spend more time working on their cars in the summer. The first is that the days are longer, giving people more hours to do the things they love. The second is that people love to make use of those hours to drive places , meaning that cars need more attention to keep them running properly. The two actually go hand in hand.

Now, somewhere along the line promoters realized the connection between summer and increased car activity. They started scheduling car shows during these months to capitalize on the longer days and the increased interest. Shows are a great place for drivers to see what’s new in car designs and accessories. They can purchase custom wheels , car care products, and just about anything associated with car ownership at these shows.

There is a second type of car show or rally. These are held by local car clubs and aren’t designed to sell products. Instead, they are an opportunity for drivers to show off their fancy cars. Owners will display their classic cars with american racing rims , their vintage and antique autos as well as later model cars that have been “pimped out” with custom paint jobs and all sorts of bells and whistles.

Either type of car show is a great way for a car lover to while away a few hours on a hot summer day.