February 28th, 2009
As auto insurance costs keep increasing, auto owners are looking for deals on auto insurance. There are several assorted types of discounts available and if you can save some money, then why not? Below is a list of general discounts that may be available to you. Check with your insurance underwriter to see if you’re entitled.
Individual-Associated Deductions
Person-related price reductions are ones that depend on the driver’s own personal situation, status and driving history.
Attending Traffic School If by any chance you have recently been ticketed, you may attend traffic school either online or through a traditional setting to have your ticket expunged from your driving history. Indirectly, this will have an effect of lowering your insurance costs
Good Student Price Reductions. You may also take into consideration your childs grades to get automobile insurance discounts. If youre insuring your child who drives and he satisfies the GPArequirements of the insurance underwriter, you may ultimately receive price reductions as well.
discounts for Your Profession. There are many professions that can make you entitled for car insurance price reductions. Surgeons, scientists, government employees, to name a few, all may be eligible to receive price reductions on their automobile insurance.
Senior Citizen Discount. If youre a mature driver, aged 55 or over and have completed a Defensive Driving course being offered by the DMV in your state, then you may qualify for a discount.
Loyalty Credits. If you’ve been a loyal, solid, long-standing customer of your insurance provider, they may reward your patronage with deductions too.
Uphold a Good Driving Record. Your unspoiled driving history will also allow you to receive automobile insurance price reductions. Some insurance underwriters offer up price reductions for drivers and insurance policy owners who have not been in accidents or have not received any traffic tickets for a certain period of time.
Home + Car Packages. Your insurance carrier may give you multi-line deductions if you insure your household and other vehicles with them as well.
Car-Related Price Reductions
Your car is a huge factor in defining how much you’ll be giving for car insurance. Depending on the overall safety and other features of your car, you can receive special discounts on auto insurance.
- Car Air Bags. There are various types of airbags: front, rear, side-curtain, etc. The better you’re protected, the bigger the insurance discount you may be able to receive.
- Anti-Lock Brakes System (ABS). Many automobiles on the road today are equipped with ABS. Many insurers offer discounts if your car is fit with these types of brakes and many states even require the insurance company to do so.
Anti-Theft Devices. Installation of anti-theft devices like LowJack is a way to get cheaper insurance rates. There may be an added bonus if the alarm automatically activates when the car’s turned off.
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February 27th, 2009
Isn’t That Bigamy (c) 2005, ISBN 1411634241, Mike Vogel, Lulu Press
You have just broken up with your girlfriend who leaves you in a busy restaurant with no way home, a tough waitress dumps a drink in your lap for no reason, and now you have to walk home with a wet crotch. If that is not enough, while walking across a bridge, you witness a mob hit quite by accident. This is what happens to womanizer Stan Smith in Mike Vogel’s Isn’t That Bigamy.
But wait, there is more. The waitress turns out to be Asian undercover agent and lesbian, Becky Li, who is charged with the ungrateful task of posing as Stan’s wife in the witness protection program in Utah.
Through a series of events, witnessed from all points of view, Vogel takes us on an entertaining romp into fictional city, Tamarind, Utah, where Becky mistakenly takes Stan and where polygamy is not just practiced, it is the law. To attempt to blend in, Stan not only marries the mayor’s daughter, whose twin has an unhealthy obsession with her, he marries the town lesbian, who has more than an eye for Becky.
And if things are not messy enough, Becky is recognized by the murderer’s associate as she and Stan board the plane headed for Utah in the first place.
Vogel’s writing engages the reader through multiple accounts of the same events. Isn’t That Bigamy will also find a following in fans of Seinfeld, who enjoy a story that just snowballs into hell through a series of unfortunate coincidences.
The characters are brought to colorful life, with the exception of Stan, who remains nondescript throughout the novel. One would be hard pressed to remember Stan’s hair color, let alone his physical appearance.
However, Stan’s womanizing personality comes through loud and clear.
Isn’t That Bigamy is a light, enjoyable, summer read.
SelfPublisher News, August 2005, Volume 1, Number 1, Copyright © 2005, SelfPublisher News, Washington DC, http://www.selfpublishernews.com, editor@selfpublishernews.com
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February 26th, 2009
Percival Everett’s Erasure takes a look at how racism affects various aspects of our lives that we may be unaware of. An excellent example of this is when Ellison ventures into the bookstore to look for his novel only to realize that they are in the Africa-American literature section. A place, as he points out, that is wholly inappropriate for the type of novels he writes and makes it impossible for anyone who might be interested in his re-workings of obscure Greek texts to find them.
I think the point Everett was trying to make with the bookstore scene is how racial classification permeates our life in ways that we don’t even think about. Referring to someone’s work as African-American fiction is automatically labeling it less than. It is already being made an “other” to other texts they may be very similar and this othering makes the work less acceptable to more audiences.
And when the text has undergone this othering process then it automatically shuts off any conversation about what the text is really about. There are many works found in the African-American literature section that don’t belong there. Biographies of MLK Jr. or Sojourner Truth should be found in the same place I’d find works on Roosevelt or Reagan. Brenda Jackson, or Bebe Moore Campbell should be found where I’d find Jude Devereaux or Sandra Brown. But that’s not what happens. Instead, if it is by a black person and, in the case of many biographies, about a black person then it is automatically placed in the black book section which sends out the idea of : Hey, this book is by someone black, and must be about someone black and therefore only for black people. That sort of attitude immediately shuts off an entire audience that may find a use for or enjoyment in a novel that they may never encounter because it’s labeled as being for, “African-Americans.”
How does this othering of Ellison’s work fit into the other themes of othering that occur in Erasure? Is this labeling of works by blacks as automatically African-American literature a form of racism? And how does the labeling of work as African-American literature ultimately affect Ellison and his ability to make it as a writer in Erasure?
Tamika Johnson is a freelance writer and owner of PrologueReviews.com. If you’d like to read more articles by Tamika or would like to have your music, film or book reviewed visit http://www.prologuereviews.com
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February 26th, 2009
Some people do not recognize how essential a debt settlement company can be to their future financial security. Using a debt settlement company to restore bad credit can affect many different areas of life and create better opportunities in the future once your bad credit has been repaired. Utilizing a debt settlement company can help a person establish great credit faster and go a long way towards helping them attain the things that they need in life.
In most examples, using a debt relief company can better your opportunities for getting okayed for some other loan in the future. Having the chance to recieve additional loans can come in very handy when attempting to buy a new car or home. Having your debt relief company fix your bad credit will help you to get authorized by the credit card company or lender that you have picked out to work with.
People that have used a debt relief company will usually get lower interest rates for credit cards and loans when equated to a individual that bears bad credit and negative marks on their credit report. Credit card companies view the individual as a small risk customer when they have utilized a debt relief company to aid. This supplies the credit card company with the option to offer the individual a lower rate because they think that they will recieve their payments on time. Aquiring a lower interest rate can spare you tons of money over the years of your loan.
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February 25th, 2009
Jocelyn has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the writing craft. The author interweaves multiple, strong, leading characters and two completely different time frames masterfully. Crest of Eagles reminds me of some of the great works of Wilbur Smith. This book certainly ranks with some of the best that I have reviewed to date and I would not hesitate to give Crest of Eagles the highest rating available.
Mandhla is taken prisoner by terrorists during an attack of a mission run by white people with generous hearts for children who had no one to turn to. Everyone was mercilessly killed except those who could not be turned into soldiers or whores.
Peter Kennedy, leader of the top military team, set out to save the children, but in fouling the job, Peter earned the revenge of one very mixed-up boy. Kuru joins Peter in the war against the terrorists with the hope of saving his brother - never dreaming that when he did meet Mandhla again, it would be as enemies.
Ancient tribal religion works its way into present day. The lives of Tcana, a high priestess, and Rebecca, a bombshell journalist, are connected in some kind of cosmic manor - though they live centuries apart.
Romance, adventure, suspense, ancient tribal history and modern day action - this book has it all! Crest of Eagles is destined to be one of the most dog-eared fiction books in my collection.
ISBN#: 0976773252
Author: Jocelyn Howe
Publisher: A Better Be Write Publisher
~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry. (www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)
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February 23rd, 2009
When I first considered online selling, I had trouble thinking of a product to sell. I did not have a storefront or any particular talents to offer.
I started testing the waters by selling odds and ends on Ebay. I would visit consignment shops, stores which sold overstock or discontinued items and purchase the products for a fraction of the retail cost.
I sold several different items to see which ones sold best. I finally settled on porcelain dolls. I found a company where I could purchase the dolls in bulk quantity at wholesale prices and sold them on Ebay. It was great for a while, especially during seasonal holidays. I even became a Power Seller. But I had two big problems. I did not have a functional place to store the products and the slower selling products tended to just collect dust on the shelf. Therefore my basement became cluttered with dolls, taking up valuable space.
THEN, I learned about reselling authorized reprint rights, particularly, ebooks, and downloadable software. It is the perfect solution for making a fortune online with little investment. For example, I purchased a reseller bundle package for $29.95 which included over 85 ebooks and software resell rights. With very little effort, I resell the same product over and over without having to re-purchase additional licensing rights. I only needed one sale to break even. The possibility really is this easy to make continuous profits over and over again. Because the products are downloadable, I don’t have to worry about storage locations. I simply provide a download link to the customer upon receipt of payment. It’s perfect.
You can sell the products as a bundle (as in the original purchase) or sell the products individually for as much you want. The best part is that many of these ebook and software packages come with professionally designed websites for each of the products. You just need to modify the contact information and payment method and host them on a web hosting server.
Now, there are few important things to remember. It is wise to sell a product that you actually believe in and have enjoyed using yourself. Also in order to maximize your profits, you should market your product. Establish a mailing list and introduce your product (no spamming). Advertise your product on other websites. There a numerous of marketing techniques you can use to make immediate self generating income (even while you sleep).
Copyright, Kaaryn Walker
Author Kaaryn Walker is a work from home owner of a successful online business. For more information or to purchase quality ebooks and software with master resell rights visit http://www.internetmarketingsource.com/ebooks/
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February 20th, 2009
Val Cenis is one of the better domains for much play and repose. Val Cenis is an idyllic area and offers the group climbing, rafting, mountain biking, festivals and many other things for the group to savor.
However when the first snow begins to blanket the spruces and mountain tops, and the rivers freeze up, Val Cenis shifts its feel from vivid fall colors to glistening white with bright blue skies. Val Cenis abounds winter fun ” sledding, ice climbing and telemarking.
Val Cenis was named the no. one snowboarding mountain in Europe year after year by snowboarding publications and keen skiers. A majestic 2300 metres high, it has 94 trails, the longest being 7 km. kilometers, and there are 625.5 miles of piste. There are slopes for beginners and good skiers, and 35 slopes for skiing experts.
Val Cenis’s chair lifts handles 18000 skiers per hour and so theres no waste of time standing to catch a lift. One is able to pick the gondola for a fine view of the mountains and the surrounding resorts. For the hungry tourist, there are a lot of cafes which have hot chocolate and soups, baguettes or lavish meals. What are you hesitating for? Book your chalet holiday now.
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February 14th, 2009
Bebe Moore Campbell weaves a tale of unrelenting love and pain in her latest novel 72 Hour Hold. 72 Hour Hold tells the story of Keri, a successful owner of an upscale Los Angeles Boutique whose beautiful, intelligent 18 year old daughter has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Quite gifted and on her way to Brown University, Trina’s life has come to an abrupt halt as her disorder overtakes her and Keri tries everything, legal and illegal, to try to save her daughter from this debilitating disorder.
Moore Campbell does an excellent job of portraying the hell a family has to go through when a loved one has been diagnosed with a mental illness. The struggles with the health care system, the erratic behavior, the toll it takes on the healthy family members, are all told in breathtaking detail and roll off the pages in a fast paced, rollercoaster ride that keeps you guessing from beginning to end.
The best part about 72 Hour Hold is that it manages to never come off as preachy or judgmental. There’s some scathing commentary on the problems with the mental health industry in this country and the novel handles that discourse in a way that allows you to understand both sides of the issue from patients rights, to the needs of the families trying to save their relatives and the overworked and under-funded system we have in place to deal with some of our most troubled citizens. Moore Campbell offers insight into a world that few are privy to or want to admit they are a part of and in so doing challenges all of us to do something to better the treatment and understanding of those who suffer from a mental disorder, whether we are personally affected by it or not.
The one criticism I have of the novel is how the main character, Keri is very difficult to sympathize with. She is judgmental, unforgiving, arrogant, short-sighted and all around a person that is very hard to like. She is incredibly inconsiderate of those in her life and completely unaware of the needs and desires of others. I spent the whole novel being amazed at her sense of entitlement and superiority. At the same time I found Keri’s character trying, I also recognize that making her such an imperfect person, one who expects and has attained success it makes her daughter’s illness all the more devastating and ultimately makes the novel much more dynamic and interesting.
Bebe Moore Campbell has always been good at creating characters and stories that are compelling and believable. Her characters jump off the page and feel like they could be people you know in your own life. 72 Hour Hold is no exception. It’s a great read and excellent social commentary on an issue that doesn’t receive near as much attention as it deserves.
(C)T.S. Johnson 2005
In Need of a Review? PrologueReviews.com Offers Professional Reviews for Everyday Artists. To Have Your Book, Music, Film or Video Reviewed Visit http://www.prologuereviews.com Today!
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February 14th, 2009
King Bartholomew and the Jester’s Riddle by Pina
Mastromonaco is a wonderful, fun book with a humor level
perfect for children aged four to eight. Entertaining riddles
entice readers to try to guess the answer while enjoying the
tale.
Childlike King Bartholomew is obsessed with toys and
solving riddles. The chubby, balding King learns to balance
play and work time so that he can take responsible care of
his land and citizens, yet still enjoy a playful life. The
moral-of-the-story is not laid on thick - it is lightly applied so
it will be easily accepted by young children. Teachers,
librarians and caretakers will enjoy reading this pleasant
book to children who like to play rather than accomplish
chores or school assignments.
The illustrator, David Martin, is extremely accomplished and
very gifted. Each page is filled with incredible detail that
reveals more the longer one gazes at them. Many
illustrations some form of nature included from the
fantastically sculpted bushes, an array of birds and a maze
of hedges with a big ‘B’ in the center (B - for King
Bartholomew). Richly colored clothes and hilarious
costumes for the jester and the King’s servants prove to add
an interesting twist to this fun-loving book.
ISBN#: 0974430714
Author: Pina Mastromonaco
Illustrations: David Martin
Publisher: Merry Lane Press
~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment Author of Towards Understanding, a collection of poetry.
http://www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit
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February 11th, 2009
Have you ever considered writing a book and then putting it online or selling it online thru an online eBook distribution website? It is not all that hard you know. Recently someone asked me to write eBooks for them, they indicated that they needed many books written and that my writing style was acceptable to their potential audience. Well, I am not a writer for hire and have never really considered it as a career. Maybe you have not either, that does not mean you should not write a book if you desire too? Maybe you have been considering something like that; maybe just maybe there is something you want to say to the world and you could do that in an ebook. Perhaps you do not have anything that you feel you would like to say or do not have the confidence yet to write about what you wish to say? Maybe you might practice by helping someone else write an ebook, by using your writing talents.
You see, I have never done anything like this before either and like you I am not necessarily opposed to the idea seeing as my maximum output for a one month period has been 286,000 words which seems to outpace all other writers. Maybe you can write 20,000 words in one month, which is equal to one good solid e-Book. Previously I have written two-ebooks, many years ago, before the eBook concept was really invented. Here is a sample of one:
http://www.carwashguys.com/fundraisers/LAschools.html
See that is not too spectacular and anyone could write a book like that right? So why not try? Writing for money is something new to me, as I am a retired entrepreneur and have never written for money. I don’t even have any idea what the going rates are. If I chose to write an eBook for someone else, I would only have to ask them that you do not abuse my efforts and understand my writing will need editing, as I am not a writer and to please pay me a fair rate.
You see for me and perhaps you too writing, well it is more of a hobby to keep my mind busy and enlighten the masses. If things work out, well, I would be glad to write more and more, if someone wanted to pay me to write, sure I would consider it. Would you consider it? Have you thought about that at all? Maybe you should write an eBook this year and really what is stopping you? Think on this in 2006.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
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