Saturday, July 30, 2011

Car Insurance: Basic | Auto Glass Broad Way

Car Insurance: The Basics the> document by Jen Wright pubDate

If you decide to purchase a car, car insurance, but the option is not required. It comes to an accident or theft of your car insurance to protect your investment. This type of insurance in a difficult situation can help you easily. You do not have car insurance you buy insurance to pay for repairs, sometimes if the other parties involved in the. Entirely by accident only if it is not their fault that they are uninsured driver car insurance is part of a policy. uninsured drivers in each country there is no need for insurance. Because I believe you are a good driver, so you can not defer purchasing car insurance. Accidents happen and is why auto insurance is mandatory. In addition, the car does not apply to beopeopyi car insurance. Before being issued with the plates in many countries, one must have insurance. Good car insurance for people who want to drive there are various penalties. These penalties include fines or jail time can be Even without insurance, it is to stop the vehicle driver?s license may be more likely. To take risks that you ready? What are the steps now that you are getting the best benefits of car insurance policies are needed to confirm whether the decision to buy? First, the bare minimum required by your state to determine the knowledge of auto insurance, contact your agent. a> a minimum purchase of at least to some extent, protects you. It you want to challenge your thinking to recover if you own a car, it costs you pay for all repairs, it is important to find the range, including car does not cost a lot of damage. you want for your car in the range of types of insurance for your car and after talking to the agent that you have to pay a monthly premium is the time to figure out. If your car has failed to run a lot of money if you do not want to pay a higher monthly premium then it is recommended that you choose whether to pay. Your monthly charges are high if you do not want to, you can choose a higher deductible. accident.A knowledge of your vehicle is deductible auto insurance agent can guide you in the right way is the pay for recovery. These people are here to help you. Their mission for the automobile insurance plan, it is to be able to find. Additional information on your car insurance is available for purchase. When there is nothing to steal the vehicle you can buy a scale of theft. As you drive auto insurance, you must always be attached to the vehicle. This type of insurance provides you and other disasters. And accidents do occur About the author:. Andrea

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Source: http://www.autoglassbroadway.com/2011/07/car-insurance-basic/

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Rock climbing in India | On The Go Tours Travel Blog

Jess Spate has climbed on every continent except South America and Antarctica. When not halfway up a rock face somewhere, hiking, whitewater kayaking, or surfing, she works for an American?climbing gear?company and writes articles about her travels and outdoor sports adventures.

Silhouette, Hampi by neal_mcquaid

Mention India and climbing in the same sentence and most people assume you?re talking about conquering a Himalayan peak with the aid of ice axes and Sherpa guides, but it doesn?t have to be that way. While they are much less well known than the high Himalayas, India does have some really good rock climbing areas. You won?t need to be an expert mountaineer, you won?t need piles of expensive equipment, and you don?t need to be super-fit to enjoy getting high up in Hampi, for example.

Hampi, in Karnataka, is by far the most popular Indian rock climbing destination. The landscape is dotted with massive granite boulders perfect for relaxed, playful climbing. You can use a rope for the longer routes or climb shorter ?problems? over a crash mat. The latter style is called bouldering, and it?s what Hampi is all about.

Hampi?s boulders are almost everywhere you look, so there is no shortage of interesting things to climb. Most of the best boulders are within a few minutes walk of the main bazaar, and but it?s worth going a little further to the rocks near the Tiruvengalantha temple or those overlooking the spectacular turrets of Virupaksha, for the views alone.

Sanjay Ghandi National Park is another great place to climb. It?s just outside Mumbai and very easy to get to. Most visitors come for the beautifully carved Kanheri Cave sculptures or for the wildlife (deer, antelope, porcupines and even leopards can be seen in the park), but it?s also increasingly popular with rock climbers. SGNP has it all ? history, culture, outstanding natural beauty and great rock, so there are plenty of reasons to go.

Himachal Pradesh is far harder to get to but worth it for those with the experience to climb independently. The chance to get onto almost untouched rock in the shadow of the greatest mountains on Earth is something few climbers would pass up. Manali, some 300km North of Chandigarh, has recently seen visits by top climbers from across the world, and locals are also starting to enjoy the rock in this area.

If you?d like to try climbing but need a little help getting started, there is no shortage of climbing clubs, climbing schools, guides and instructors. You can even try climbing indoors before going outside. Rock climbing is growing fast in India and there are now indoor climbing centers in Delhi, Mumbai, Darjeeling, Calcutta, Bangalore, and most other big cities. Beginners are almost always very welcome.

Even if you?ve never climbed before, a few days on the rock make a great addition to a holiday. It?ll challenge your body and your mind, and let you see views other people never even dream of. We?ve only discussed a few of the possibilities- there are dozens of other climbing destinations to choose from. No matter where you go in India, there is almost certainly a good climbing venue not too far away.

- Jess Spate

Women who eat lots of fiber have less breast cancer (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) ? A fresh look at the medical evidence shows women who eat more fiber are less likely to get breast cancer.

Chinese researchers found those who ate the most of the healthy plant components were 11 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than women who ate the least.

Their findings don't prove fiber itself lowers cancer risk, however, because women who consume a lot of it might be healthier overall than those who don't.

The results "can identify associations but cannot tell us what will happen if people change their behavior," said John Pierce, a cancer research at the University of California, San Diego, who was not involved in the work.

While earlier research has yielded mixed conclusions on the link between cancer and fiber, it would make scientific sense: According to the Chinese researchers, people who eat high-fiber diets have lower levels of estrogen, which is a risk factor for breast tumors.

So to get more clarity, the researchers combined 10 earlier studies that looked at women's diets and followed them over seven to 18 years to see who developed cancer.

Of more than 710,000 women, 2.4 percent ended up with breast cancer. And those in the top fifth of fiber intake were 11 percent less likely to do so than women in the bottom fifth.

That was after accounting for differences in risk factors like alcohol drinking, weight, hormone replacement therapy and family members with the disease.

Still, it's impossible to rule out that big fiber eaters had healthier habits overall that would cut their risk, Jia-Yi Dong of Soochow University in Suzhou and his colleagues write in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

And the potential effect was "very small," Dr. Eleni Linos of Stanford University, who wasn't involved in the research, told Reuters Health in an email.

About one in eight American women get breast cancer at some point, with less than a quarter of them dying from it.

Although the connection between breast cancer risk and fiber is a small one, fiber is "something that we know is healthy for you anyway," said Christina Clarke, a research scientist at the Cancer Prevention Institute of California in Fremont.

Known benefits of a high-fiber diet include lower cholesterol and weight loss. If it turns out to cut cancer risk as well, that would be an extra bonus, Clarke said.

Fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains are all high in fiber.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2010 Dietary Guidelines, most Americans don't get enough fiber. The guidelines recommend that women eat 25 grams of fiber per day and men eat 38 grams, while the average Americans gets just 15 grams a day.

"Increasing dietary fiber intake in the general public is of great public health significance," the Chinese team concludes.

SOURCE: http://bit.ly/qKtsU2 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, online July 20, 2011.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/cancer/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110728/hl_nm/us_fiber_breast_cancer

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Friday, July 29, 2011

The Proper Way to Follow on Computer Training Resources - Article ...

by:MustaphaLateef
Advances in computer technology has created an increased need for Information Technology (IT) specialists: persons trained to get on with all problems computer related. As technology advances, the overwhelming need for more advanced computer training has progressed at an equally fast pace. It would seem that on a day-to-day basis, a new advancement has been manufactured.

Whether you are just beginning your IT career or simply aspiring to upgrade your personal computer training, there are many options available. A Google look for computer training will return a number of options. This is a brief overview of a few typical and atypical computer training resources.

Info Technology (IT) Boot Camp. In recent times IT Boot Camps have become more and more popular. The appeal of this training style is the hands-on environment, and the relatively short period of time required to complete: ranging from one day to one month in length. These IT Boot Camps focus on one particular computer discipline and don't deviate, thereby emphasizing the one topic without disrupting the students thought process. Selecting the suitable IT Boot Camp is dependent upon which computer discipline you desire. These computer training courses are intense, and chock packed with opportunities for personal enrichment. The classes are taught and overseen by trained IT professionals whose sole purpose is to instruct and assist the pupil in accomplishing their goals. Most even go so far as to guarantee certification at the end. If traveling to a site for an IT Boot Camp is not practical, there are yet still more available options.

If time limits are a aspect in deciding which way to go, online could be the suitable answer. There are numerous web sites and institutions dedicated in helping you meet your purpose, at your pace. The normal online training site offers instructor student interaction through email or live chat. The student typically logs in to a secure server with a userID and password. Progress, and test results in addition to other pupil records are maintained on their secure server. This technique allows the pupil to complete a given computer study course to save their work and finished the course at their own pace. In addition, accredited online programs are eligible for government grants. For military members, certain programs of study are eligible for reimbursement through the Montgomery GI Bill.

Formal school training is accessible for those curious about obtaining an amount; be it an Associates, Bachelors, or Masters Degree. Lots of colleges offer computer training or IT degrees. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) stands out as one or more of the preeminent schools committed to IT. Naturally not everybody will be accepted for enrollment at MIT. Another popular avenue of approach has been ITT Tech. Close to other schools for computer training, ITT Tech offers job placement assistance upon successful graduation.

If you are recently graduated from high school and your options are limited for whatever reasons, there is at least a new option available. This alternative would be to acquire your desired computer training courtesy of the US Armed Forces. The military boasts computer training that is in a few ways superior and no less than equivalent to top colleges and universities. Through service in the military, numerous opportunities for computer training abound. Experience and instruction in substitution for service to your country.



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The Long Term Dilemma | Memory Training - Self Improvement-

It is much easier to accept and adopt actions leading to immediate or short-term results, than it is to wait and believe significant improvements will occur over time or in the long run. Why does this keep happening on and on? Why even though we know that sustainable actions bring the real structural improvements, we?re much more eager to do the easy ones?

? Redefining Our Limits

Source: http://ulepicc.org/archives/742

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Thursday, July 28, 2011

Consumer Credit Counseling Solutions for the Debts Situations

You can find many types and groups of personal loans and debts available from the modern age of non-public consumer banking from finance institutions and loan companies. We have an straightforward digesting of the debts that you may will need for the specialized specifications and business plans. There are many different types of debts like house loans and car finance gives.

One more sort of buyer funding products and services available today belongs to credit cards. There exists an array of establishments available through charge cards used on financial institution clients and customers based on their purchases. These include hassle-free means of purchases and acquisitions of different forms.

In the suggestions above, there exists yet another area to the advantage and simple credit ratings variety. This can be away of monthly payments. There exists often maximum desire and several secret costs that placed on various How to Get a Personal Loan with Bad Credit of personal loans. In addition, gleam punishment incurred such as normal bills or maybe element interest charges in the event of nonpayment from the due date.

In addition, in this, chances are you?ll end up getting a predicament where you don?t need any particular personal savings and in some cases your repayments for insurance coverage is disturbed. This might be damaging for disaster and upcoming wants.

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We have an vital requirement for good preparation of assets. You can find portions that should be issued for payment of repaymants as well as other portions should be channelized for workable and successful sorts of personal savings.

There are lots of appropriately managed companies for therapy. These experts are market place specialists of varieties of situations and thus correctly prepared to help you. They should evaluate your state and give you workable possibilities for your situation Payday loans in Georgia clear up your complications.

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Amongst a number of products and services, a vey important stays the research into your case facts and history of credit to give you helpful means of personal loan reimbursement. The sole means of undertaking this can be with debt consolidation. Also, the borrowed funds for debt consolidation is most beneficial if acquired from the identical financial institution.

However, do they really have confidence in you to comprehend dollars once you have credit ratings is disapated pending? Nicely this is when you therapy products and services go to your guide as well. They make a deal in your stead to persuade the bank of your total intentions to get rid of pending and upcoming repaymants of all types.

They can be profitable in bargaining less interest rate for the new personal loan purchase.

Direction products and services also supply you with necessary guidance on investment strategies and safe-guarding far better comes back for the money for upcoming specifications. They support procedures and debris for investment strategies which can be workable and successful. We have a need to have which you understand the regulations of the investment strategies whenever you?re making them as well realize the type of assurances that you have in regards to the comes back of the.

Source: http://www.londonsportscouncil.org/general/consumer-credit-counseling-solutions-for-the-debts-situations/

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Sony officially outs new A, E, and S series Walkmans

When a company sends a boatload of media players through the FCC, specs and all, it kinds of takes the punch out any official announcement, ya know? Still, it's nice to finally see Sony's spate of new Walkman players that we've been reading so much about. The company just announced updates to its A, S, and E series of players, all of which have a karaoke mode, language learning function, voice recording, and Sony's station-creating SensMe feature. At the high-end, you've got the stereo Bluetooth-enabled A860, whose 2.8-inch touchscreen has already been splashed across the internets. The more diminutive S760BT has a 2-inch display and also gets Bluetooth, though it claims longer battery life -- up to 50 hours of audio playback and up to ten for videos. Rounding out the low end, there's the E460, which has the same 2-inch screen, but lacks Bluetooth and instead comes in five colors. All three models will go on sale in September, with the A series fetching $179 or $219 for the 8GB and 16GB models, the 8GB S series costing $149, and the E series ranging in price from $79 to $109 for 8GB to 16GB. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Sony officially outs new A, E, and S series Walkmans

Sony officially outs new A, E, and S series Walkmans originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Spybubble Reviews - Why Purchase Mobile Phone Spy Program - Free ...


Technology is capturing the world. Everyday it gets much easier to obtain connected with the individual you have to talk with. Nevertheless, not everyone is current. Many people still usually do not grab their mobile phones, or they could take advantage of this technology for that wrong factors. Although more and more advancements in technologies appear and turn into offered, additionally it is becoming a whole lot harder to notice the people who attempt to misuse their legal rights. If you happen to identify someone who must be caught, or has to be monitored, then Cellular phone Spy Application can perform the secret to success. This can be the best option, especially when it comes to keeping young kids out of harm's way on their own cellular phones. Somebody that you simply possibly must observe, the workers, husband, or the younger generation, your preferences could be achieved if you acquire this straightforward and easy software.

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Yard banner for U.S. Marine sparks legal tussle (Reuters)

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) ? When Corey Burr left to serve with U.S. forces in Afghanistan in January, his parents erected a banner in their front yard with his photo and a message: "Our son defends our freedom".

Now Timothy and Jodi Burr are entangled in a legal dispute with their Louisiana homeowners' association that has demanded the sign come down.

Residents of a subdivision just two miles from Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, the Burrs assumed neighbors would understand when they placed the 3-foot by 6-foot banner in their yard to pay tribute to their 20-year-old son, a lance corporal in the U.S. Marines.

But a month later, the Burrs received notice from their homeowners association that the sign must come down. The association declared it out of compliance with covenants put in place by the neighborhood's developer, Jodi Burr said.

The Burrs responded with a letter saying they believed their banner should not be singled out from other yard signs throughout the subdivision.

The Gardens of Southgate Association answered with a demand for removal of the sign. Ten days ago, a sheriff's deputy knocked on the door to serve the Burrs with a lawsuit.

Geoffrey Westmoreland, a Shreveport lawyer who represents the homeowner association, could not be reached for comment. He had said in a statement in April that the association's board would not comment on a pending legal matter.

The statement added that Westmoreland "personally supports and agrees with the message contained in the Burrs' sign" and that board members were thankful for Corey Burr's service.

Two lawyers who agreed to represent the Burrs on a pro bono basis have filed an answer to the suit arguing that the homeowner covenants were not being enforced consistently in the neighborhood and that forcing the Burrs to remove the sign would violate their right to freedom of expression.

Meanwhile, Jodi Burr says the family has received expressions of support from neighbors as well as people far outside of Louisiana.

"We have not heard a single voice of complaint from anyone other than the homeowners' association," she said.

The family hasn't heard much from their son either, she added, saying he was expected home for two weeks in October, and was scheduled to return from his deployment in March.

"He's not in a safe location, and he's mobile, so calls are infrequent," she said. "We just want him to know how much we miss him."

(Editing by Cynthia Johnston)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oddlyenough/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110726/od_nm/us_patriotism_louisiana_odd

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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

McConnell: Congress committed to prevent default (AP)

WASHINGTON ? President Barack Obama met for less than an hour Saturday with congressional leaders in debt crisis talks, and a leading Republican said afterward that top lawmakers were "committed to working on new legislation" to cut federal spending and avert an unprecedented U.S. default.

There were no immediate signs of a breakthrough, however. The lawmakers and Obama were unsmiling as the meeting began, and most of them avoided reporters when they left the White House.

In a statement released afterward, the White House said, "Congress should refrain from playing reckless political games with our economy. Instead, it should be responsible and do its job, avoiding default and cutting the deficit." The statement renewed Obama's insistence that any agreement tide the government over until after the 2012 elections, to avoid a rerun of the debt dispute in the heat of the campaign.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell issued a somewhat more upbeat statement of his own.

"The president wanted to know that there was a plan for preventing national default," he said. "The bipartisan leadership in Congress is committed to working on new legislation that will prevent default while substantially reducing Washington spending."

The meeting followed a collapse in negotiations late Friday, when House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio announced he was breaking off talks with the president. A visibly irritated Obama summoned Boehner and three other top congressional leaders from both parties to convene Saturday and try again to find a way to raise the debt limit before an Aug. 2 deadline cuts off the government's borrowing authority.

The president was flanked at the bargaining table by Boehner and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Also at the table were Vice President Joe Biden, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and McConnell, R-Ky.

The president devoted his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday to the impasse and urged Republicans to make a deal.

"We can come together for the good of the country and reach a compromise. We can strengthen our economy and leave for our children a more secure future," the president said. "Or we can issue insults and demands and ultimatums at each another, withdraw to our partisan corners and achieve nothing."

Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas said in his party's weekly address that the Democrats were to blame.

"If we're going to avoid any type of default and downgrade ? if we're going to resume job creation in America ? the president and his allies need to listen to the people and work with Republicans to cut up the credit cards once and for all," he said.

Boehner and McConnell also criticized Obama and the Democrats before the Saturday meeting began.

"If the White House won't get serious, we will," Boehner's office said. A statement from the office noted that Obama has said he wants an agreement that will take care of the problem through the November 2012 elections.

"It would be terribly unfortunate if the president was willing to veto a debt limit increase simply because its timing would not be ideal for his re-election campaign," according to Boehner's office.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee used the troubled talks to raise money with online appeals. An email from the group said that "after hard negotiating for two weeks" Boehner and other top GOP officials "irresponsibly just walked out of the room and quit talks with the White House."

The group said it was "launching a hard-hitting advertising campaign starting this weekend and continuing through August to hold Republicans accountable," but it gave no details.

At a news conference Friday after Boehner said he was withdrawing, Obama told reporters, "We have run out of time and they are going to have to explain to me how it is that we are going to avoid default.

Boehner accepted the invitation for Saturday's meeting even while arguing that Obama bore the blame for the collapse.

The political theater played out even as the deadline neared. Barring action by then, the Treasury will be unable to pay its bills. That could cause interest rates to rise, threaten the U.S. economic recovery and send shock waves around the globe.

The deadline pressure hasn't seemed to bring the parties closer, even though they all insist they do not want a default.

For the first time since talks began, Obama declined to offer assurances that a default would be avoided, although moments later he said he was confident of that outcome.

Obama said Boehner left a deal on the table that was better for Republicans than for Democrats, with $2.6 trillion in cuts outweighing new tax revenue of $1.2 trillion. The president said he was losing confidence that the underlying deficit problems would be dealt with even if the borrowing limit rose.

"I've been left at the altar now a couple of times," Obama said.

Still, aides on both sides said there was agreement on gradually raising the age of eligibility of Medicare from 65 to 67 for future beneficiaries, and slowing the increase in cost-of-living raises in Social Security checks.

Even by the recent standards of divided government, Boehner's decision triggered an extraordinary evening Friday as the Democratic president and then the Republican speaker maneuvered for political position on this vital issue.

Unspoken, yet unmistakable in all the brinkmanship was the 2012 election campaign, still 18 months away, with the White House and both houses of Congress at stake.

Private, sometimes-secret negotiations had veered uncertainly for weeks, generating reports as late as Thursday that the two sides were possibly closing in on an agreement to slash spending. That triggered a revolt among Democrats who expressed fears the president was giving away too much in terms of cuts to Medicare and Social Security while getting too little by way of additional revenues.

Obama said his only requirement for an agreement was legislation that provides the Treasury enough borrowing authority to tide the government over through the 2012 election. Boehner said he had little interest in a short-term extension either.

Republican aides said Obama had upped his demand for higher taxes during the week. The aides said administration officials had tacitly agreed to $800 billion in new revenue over 10 years but that the White House backed away and wanted $400 billion more.

Aides said the two sides were not able to bridge their differences over the triggers designed to force Congress to enact both tax changes and cuts to Medicare and other benefit programs by early next year. Both sides also were apart on the size of cuts for Medicaid, the health care program for the poor and disabled.

Yet aides on both sides said the negotiations had yielded agreement for cuts of $250 billion from Medicare.

___

Associated Press writers Erica Werner, David Espo, Ben Feller and Jim Kuhnhenn contributed to this report.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110723/ap_on_go_ot/us_debt_showdown

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Monday, July 25, 2011

Obvious Already Ramping Up With Two New Founding Team Hires

Back in January of 2009, we noted that a "superstar team" was about to launch in the MMO space, with a startup called Ohai. A few weeks ago, Ohai was sold, as VentureBeat's Deak Takahashi first reported. And at least two of those rockstars have now moved on.?Susan Wu and Don Neufeld are the newest members of The Obvious Corporation, the idea incubator that was just re-started by the former Twitter guys, Evan Williams, Biz Stone, and Jason Goldman. Stone makes the announcement in a post today on the Obvious blog. "The most important part of creating this work culture and building these meaningful products is people ? but not just any people. People that are often smarter than us, different from us, passionate like us, and dedicated to the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," he writes, stating that Wu and Neufeld, employees number four and five at Obvious, are those kind of people.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/_oydc4UC8V4/

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An Introduction to Massage Beds and their Benefits | Articles ...

You probably like the sound of a massage bed, especially if you like getting a massage. Before you run out and buy one, though, it?s a good idea to look at the many varieties there are to choose from. There are significant differences between products, even if they make use of the same name. The following are some facts about massage beds and a look at some of the leading models you can find for sale. The more familiar you are with your options, the more informed your decision can be.

Portable massage beds are the most basic massage beds available and are also the least expensive. Because they are easily transported, these are convenient for massage therapists who travel with their own equipment. While more expensive massage beds use various types of technology, portable units are strictly mechanical and require no power source. These beds may seem simple but they are designed to give you the experience of zero gravity and are quite comfortable. With these models, though, you need a massage therapist to give you the treatment unlike some models that massage you automatically.

Features can be included on some massage beds that allow them to be used for other purposes like providing facials.

This units are available for use in your home but are typically found in spas. These adjustable beds can be used in a seated position or lying down and you can also adjust the position of your legs. This style is a good option for a massage therapist that needs a versatile massage bed and for those who get frequent massages.

You may want to ask an expert for a recommendation if you?re wondering what type of massage bed is right for you. You can ask your chiropractor or massage therapist if you see one. You may think they wouldn?t want to help you for fear of losing you as a client but that isn?t likely. Even if you have you own massage bed, you are still likely to go see them if like or need to get occasional massages or adjustments. You can try posting an inquiry to a natural health or massage based discussion forum if you don?t know an expert who you can ask. As we have seen, you can get more than a massage from massage beds. You can enjoy everything from acupressure to chiropractic treatments, depending on the type of bed you buy. Then there?s the option of purchasing a less expensive portable unit. You will still get a good idea of what you can find on the market from this article, even if we have only analyzed a few of the models available. It is essential that you ensure any massage bed you purchase comes with the features and treatments you need.

You can get more info on Sweating Disease and many other related articles by visiting the coldsweats.org website.

Source: http://articlesentertainment.com/health-fitness/an-introduction-to-massage-beds-and-their-benefits

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Sunday, July 24, 2011

New Pakistan foreign min says no need for cajoling on militancy (Reuters)

NUSA DUA, Indonesia (Reuters) ? Pakistan's new foreign minister, who held talks on Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said the two countries shared the strategic objective of combating terror groups and Islamabad did not need any cajoling on the issue.

Hina Rabbani Khar, Pakistan's first female and youngest-ever foreign minister, also told reporters on the sidelines of an Asian security conference that she expected positive results from a meeting with her Indian counterpart next week, in what could be a major turning point in ties between the two countries since they resumed peace talks earlier this year.

Asked if Clinton prodded her on tackling militants operating from within Pakistan, Khar said: "We have the same strategic objective.

"Pakistan is the first one to suffer because of terrorism, because of militancy. Pakistan is doing it for itself. You don't need cajoling on that, that is in our national interest."

On her talks with Indian Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna scheduled for next Wednesday in New Delhi, Khar said: "My expectation is to have positive development in our relationship with India."

It has been a baptism by fire for Khar, who was appointed to the post just this week, after five months as junior foreign minister. Besides Clinton, she also met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on the sidelines of the security forum in Indonesia.

The meeting with Krishna will put her at the forefront of a complex, mutually antagonistic and volatile relationship between two nuclear-armed powers.

Pakistan and India, which have fought three full-scale wars since independence in 1947, two over the disputed region of Kashmir, resumed a formal peace process in February, which was broken off after the November 2008 attack on Mumbai by Pakistan-based militants that killed 166 people.

Bomb attacks in Mumbai earlier this month killed 18 people and injured over 130, but security forces have said local militant groups are the prime suspects.

Khar, 34, also said she was comfortable about being in a senior post at a young age in conservative Pakistan.

"Our culture reveres anyone who has the ability to work for the country and young or old does not make such a difference as much as what your approach is, what your goals are and as much as how you approach a problem," she said.

(Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Yoko Nishikawa)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/terrorism/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110723/india_nm/india584147

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Saturday, July 23, 2011

RI art dealer gets 16 years in invention scam (AP)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. ? A former Rhode Island art dealer convicted of defrauding a wide range of investors ? from a wealthy collector of Japanese swords to a school janitor ? was sentenced to 16 years in prison Thursday for his elaborate multimillion-dollar scheme.

Judge William E. Smith imposed the sentence on Rocco DeSimone, 58, of Johnston, in U.S. District Court in Providence.

Prosecutors said DeSimone deserved a stiff sentence because he is a "career con man" and criminal who bilked his victims of more than $6 million, saddling them with "broken dreams, empty bank accounts, and untold distress."

"Justice was served today. Rocco DeSimone is a remorseless, recidivist thief," said U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha. "He deserves every day of the 16 years he was sentenced to today."

DeSimone was also ordered to pay more than $6 million in restitution and sentenced to three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Defense attorney Thomas Connors had asked for a lesser sentence. But he noted that Smith did not impose the stiffer sentence of 17 1/2 years that prosecutors sought.

"We expected it was going to be a heavy sentence," Connors said. "I think the judge was fair with what he had to deal with."

DeSimone was convicted in March of money laundering and seven counts of mail fraud. Prosecutors say he used his ill-gotten gains to fund a lavish lifestyle of fancy cars, valuable art works and ancient Japanese swords.

The trial focused on an invention called the Drink Stik, a device that connects beverage containers to respirators and gas masks worn by soldiers in contaminated areas.

Prosecutors argued that DeSimone lied about access to deep-pocketed investors and promised the inventor he would sell the Drink Stik in exchange for a one-third stake in its patent. They say DeSimone then convinced investors to buy shares in his Drink Stik stake by falsely claiming that major international corporations, including Fidelity Investments and Raytheon Corp., had offered to buy it for millions of dollars.

Prosecutors told the jury he employed similar tactics to fraudulently solicit investments in two other inventions, including one in which he had no ownership stake at all.

Defense attorneys countered that DeSimone's accountant, who had a financial interest in the inventions, handled his business dealings. They also questioned the reliability of many of the witnesses against DeSimone, whom they said had money to gain from seeing DeSimone convicted. Several of them have filed a separate lawsuit against him.

On June 30, Smith issued a preliminary forfeiture order on assets DeSimone acquired through his scheme. The items include a 2006 Ford GT sports car valued at $180,000, a painting by French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir known as "Paysage a Cagnes," an antique arrow quiver and nine Japanese swords. The government intends use the assets to partially compensate the victims.

DeSimone was convicted in a separate tax fraud case in 2005. While serving his sentence for that conviction, he briefly escaped from a minimum-security prison in New Jersey in 2008, after he learned that FBI agents had raided his house in connection with the Drink Stik investigation.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/arts/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110721/ap_en_ot/us_art_fugitive

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Prolonged heat wave heads east, blamed for 22 deaths (Reuters)

CHICAGO (Reuters) ? At least 22 deaths have been blamed thus far on the heat wave that for weeks has been taking its toll on the central United States and on Wednesday was expanding eastward, according to the National Weather Service.

Hospitals in Wichita, Kansas, treated 25 heat-related illnesses, according to the Weather Service report. In Des Moines, Iowa, 16 people were hospitalized because of the heat.

In Minneapolis dozens of fans at recent Minnesota Twin games have been treated for heat issues, even though the club did take extra precautions such as providing free water stations and having first aid and guest service staff on hand to monitor crowds.

Day after day of high temperatures and humidity with no relief overnight was taxing the region.

"It's just draining, physically draining," said Chris Vaccaro, a Weather Service spokesman.

At least 27 states were under some sort of heat warning, watch or advisory. In Philadelphia on Wednesday temperatures were forecast to reach 93 degrees. Raleigh, North Carolina, could see 99 degrees, and it could be 95 degrees in Washington, D.C.

At 11:30 local time, it was already 91 degrees in the shade outside the Chicago Board of Trade Building in the Loop.

"It's hot today, but it's going to be hotter later in the week" on the East Coast, said Jim Keeney, a meteorologist with the Weather Service.

In Pittsburgh, some residents said they had plans to stay cool as temperatures rose.

Retired police records clerk MaryAnn Dean was heeding the experts' advice to stay indoors.

"I'm not one that likes the real hot humidity," said Dean, 59. "I'm just staying in the air conditioning."

TO THE POOL TO COOL

Meredith Brown planned to head to the pool with her dog to escape the heat.

"My dog is kind of going a little crazy with it," said Brown, 29, as she walked her pooch. "It's a little hard for him."

The high heat and humidity was stressing U.S. crops, particularly corn, which is in a key production phase.

An atmospheric high pressure ridge hanging over the Midwest was blocking moisture from moving into the crop belt, as well as causing a buildup of heat, said agricultural meteorologist John Dee of Global Weather Monitoring.

The ridge will weaken by the weekend, permitting cooler temperatures and some rainfall in the Midwest.

"It's still hot and humid and it will stay that way this week, a little cooler by the weekend and a few showers can be expected then," predicted Dee.

Corn and soybean crops need more rain to boost production prospects.

Traders at the Chicago grain and livestock futures market exchange said the drought and heat in the Plains was beginning to cause concern about the fate of next year's output of the primary grain used for bread, the hard red winter wheat crop grown in a wide swath from Texas to South Dakota.

Farmers plant that crop in the fall and harvest the following summer. If rains did not come soon, farmers may not plant wheat because of the powdery dry soil.

The prolonged excessive heat was also endangering livestock. Up to 1,500 cattle have died in South Dakota because of the heat wave, according to the state's veterinarian, Dustin Oedekoven, and he expected that number to rise.

"The weather is certainly extraordinary," Oedekoven said.

The high heat and humidity with little relief overnight has made it "a challenge to keep livestock comfortable."

The Nebraska state veterinarian's office also reported a significant number of cattle deaths.

In east Tennessee, early morning storms led to some flash flooding already and Weather Service meteorologist Trevor Boucher said there could be more flooding to come.

"The entire area has a slight chance for storms and the biggest danger is heavy downpours," which he said could lead to more flash floods.

If there were a small silver lining in this massive, oppressive heat wave, it was that a cold front currently moving across Montana was forecast to drop temperatures across the upper Midwest later Wednesday and into Thursday.

"It's starting to break down somewhat," said Keeney. "Even if it does, it's still going to be hot."

(Additional reporting by Sam Nelson, Bob Burgdorfer, Meredith Davis, Tim Ghianni, Kevin Murphy, Daniel Lovering and James B. Kelleher; Editing by Jerry Norton)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/weather/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110720/us_nm/us_weather

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Integrated Hr And Payroll - Small Business plan software

Integrated Hr And Payroll ? The Need Of The Hour To Improve Payroll Processing Function

An Most important movement in payroll solutions Is truly plug-in For Hours applications. Because revolutionary Agencies HR, and yet Advantageous Exercises Encompass extremely overlap As well Giving out The slide images helps to ensure that Everything Methods are typically sync and ultizing Product And afterward Adequate data. Have a tendency to Joining up for spa A lot of incorporated chatrooms Human resources faculties Aided by the payroll software Build service, including:

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Source: http://www.smallbusinessplansoftware.net/integrated-hr-and-payroll-the-need-of-the-hour-to-improve-payroll-processing-function.html

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Sit Back And Relax With A Pedicure Spa ? Beauty, Health and Fitness

We all have times in life when we are stressed and anxious, it could be because of school, work, or a personal relationship. When you feel the weight of the world bearing down on you, it is important to be able to find a way to relax and unwind. An option that can help you to put your worries into perspective is to enjoy a pedicure spa.

Though it is women who mostly request pedicures, today there are also a lot of men who have found out about the relaxing effect of this treatment. A professional salon that offers this service would do a lot more than just trim your toe nails, they will wash and massage the feet, and remove any rough patches of skin. As the feet have various pressure points which when triggered can relieve various bodily aches and pains, most people come out of a pedicure with a spring in their step and feeling refreshed.

There is also the visual improvement that is made to the feet. If you have to wear shoes for most of the day, you may develop corns and redness on your feet that look unsightly. This type of beauty treatment would allow you to be proud of the appearance of your toes and heels.

Most spas and salons understand that their clients should be pampered. You should expect that when your appointment comes around, you will be treated in a regal manner. A professional salon would offer their customers the chance to indulge in some refreshing snacks and also talk about their worries. The service is holistic in nature, and can allow you to feel completely renewed in body and spirit.

If you feel that you simply do not have the time to visit a professional salon, there is always the option of investing in a home pedicure foot spa. These products will allow you to immerse your feet in warm water which bubbles and massages your feet for as long as you want.

After a long day at work, it can be immensely pleasurable to come home and have the option of sitting back and using your own foot spa. Whats more, it can be shared by all your family, people of all ages would love to have the option of using a home pedicure spa.

If you are interested in buying a unit to use in the comfort of your own home, it is important to at least visit a salon for a treatment so that you can understand how the system works. Your local salon may even be able to pass on suggestions as to which products are worth investing in and which should be avoided. It is also possible to be informed through checking out online reviews of home spa equipment.

Modern life is stressful, of this there is no doubt. Treating yourself to a pedicure spa, be it at home or in a salon, is money well spent. Why let the stress and anxiety of the day build up when you can have all your worries released through this type of treatment.

Source: http://www.akcesoria-kosmetyczne.pl/beauty-news/sit-back-and-relax-with-a-pedicure-spa/

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Finance Jobs ? Common Myths about Corporate Finance | Your Home ...

There are several myths about corporate finance. These myths have to be wiped off from peoples minds. Otherwise they will continue to trust an illusion, believing that to be reality.

If you have love towards finance jobs, you can have a very successful career in this field. This field offers you plenty of job types such as accounting, finance management, real estate, banking and some other types. Finance jobs are quite stable and finance careers in general are rewarding. There are plenty of finance jobs in the market. Several organizations are constantly in search for finance professionals.

But if you take an interest in this field, you must get rid of some of the myths related to this career. Some facts are here for you which will help you in dispelling some myths from your head.

The facts:

? Many banks recruit a lot of people in the finance department. This is the most important department in a bank. So banks recruit maximum people for finance department. The figures are much higher than companies. Bank jobs are interesting contrary to the myth that it is boring. You need to meet several people and interact with them too. The corporate banks pay well indeed.

? The primary function of those in corporate finance jobs is to manage the financial issues a company. They also have to raise funds and engage themselves in planning several projects. Those who are engaged in corporate finance jobs have to have good analytic powers. They have to face many finance related problems and they have to solve these problems efficiently. Those multinational companies that employ financial accountants pay them with fat salaries. These jobs are quite stable and always in demand.

? Many people with a background in finance work in the real estate sector also. They have to perform several tasks such as construction, leasing, brokerage, property appraisals and similar types of jobs. These jobs are quite challenging but if you can face these challenges, you will be able to overcome them and you will definitely find the job very interesting.

? The job of a finance manager in corporate sector is very flourishing. They have to take financial decisions for a company. They also have to plan out development projects and guide the company?s business strategies.

? You can also work as a corporate controller. Your job profile will require you to prepare reports of your company in order to present the financial status of your company. You have to tend to income statements, balance sheets, analyze earnings and expenses. Sometimes corporate controllers have to make special reports fro some regulatory agencies.

? After completing your MBA degree in finance you can take up the job of an accounting manager. You need a lot of experience in order to become a successful accounting manager.

? It is good to start your accounting careers with your accounting internships. They will be regarded as your entry level accounting jobs.

By: Silas Reed
Posted:

Source: http://www.beanswax.com/2011/07/finance-jobs-common-myths-about-corporate-finance/

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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Harley-Davidson 2Q profit jumps on bike demand (AP)

NEW YORK ? Americans are buying Harleys again after four years of shunning the pricey motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson reported an increase in U.S. sales for the second quarter, marking what could be a turning point for the iconic bike maker, as well as overall consumer spending habits.

And the Milwaukee-based company is betting that the sales will keep growing. It boosted its shipment forecast for 2011, sending its shares up $3.89, or 9.4 percent, to $45.30 in premarket trading.

U.S. retail sales of new motorcycles grew 7.5 percent to 53,599 bikes, marking the company's first domestic sales increase since the fourth quarter of 2006. Overseas, sales rose just 2.4 percent to 29,797 bikes.

The sales mark a big change from just two years ago when Harley was shuttering plants and cutting thousands of jobs as it tried to ride out one of the toughest economic slumps in its history.

They also helped the company's profit. Harley-Davidson Inc. earned $190.6 million, or 81 cents per share, more than double the $71.2 million, or 30 cents per share, it earned in the same quarter last year.

Motorcycle and related product revenue rose 18 percent to $1.34 billion.

Analysts, on average, expected a profit of 72 cents per share on $1.26 billion in sales, according to a FactSet survey.

Harley's new bike sales plunged 23 percent in 2009, as its customers put off purchases or opted for a used bike instead. Sales fell the next year too, before picking up in the first quarter of this year, boosted by stronger consumer confidence and demand from outside of the United States.

Harley expects to ship between 228,000 and 235,000 new bikes worldwide this year, representing an increase of 8 percent to 12 percent over 2010 levels. It had expected to ship 215,000 to 228,000 cycles.

That could bode well for the economy. Many consumers view Harley-Davidson's bikes ? which can cost upward of $30,000 ? as pricey toys rather than necessary transportation. A jump in sales could signal that the American consumer is starting to feel better about the economy and their own job security.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/earnings/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110719/ap_on_bi_ge/us_earns_harley_davidson

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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Wizards or Jedis?

My daughter Hannah is a ninth-grader, and my favorite person to see movies with. Sometimes we'll see a film and then instant message each other about it later, or tape ourselves talking and do a transcript, then publish the result at my friend Ed Copeland's blog, Edward Copeland on Film. This conversation is on the final Harry Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2." I was really looking forward to seeing this movie with Hannah, not just because it's the final installment in a franchise that's been around nearly as long as she has, but also because Hannah has read all the books and I've read exactly none, which makes her an ideal explainer.

Matt: So here's what I was thinking going into "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2." I was 8 years old when the original "Star Wars" came out in 1977 -- the movie that your generation calls "Episode IV: A New Hope." The timespan between that film and the conclusion of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, "Return of the Jedi," was six years. That carried me from fourth grade through freshman year of high school. Those movies dominated my imagination during that six-year period, and were almost as much a part of my life as any person I actually knew.

Do the Harry Potter movies seem like a comparably big deal to you? Has there been anything during your childhood -- a movie series or a book series or a combination -- that seemed like as big a deal as the whole Harry phenomenon?

Hannah: "The Hunger Games," Percy Jackson ... those are the only two I can think of. And they are nowhere near as big as Harry Potter.

Matt: Do you see these movies as movies first and foremost, or as movies based on books?

Hannah: Movies based on books, definitely. After the first three movies, it's really hard to follow the plot unless you've read the books. Seeing the movies after reading the books is just the icing on top of the cake.

Matt: I have seen all of the Harry Potter films, but I've only read the first 40 pages of the first novel. I remember watching the first movie when it came out and not liking it because it felt too much like an illustration of a book rather than a free-standing movie. I thought, "I should get on track with this series of books, otherwise I won't be able to judge the films as adaptations." But then the second movie came out a year later, and I didn't like that one either, and I decided that I wouldn't read the books after all, because a film has to have a life apart from the book, no matter how good or poor it is as an adaptation.

In the end I feel like their track record as movies is a mixed one. A couple of the films are terrific, a couple are bad, the rest are pretty good. But I should also confess that I have trouble keeping the story straight over the entire saga. I am tempted to give the films the benefit of the doubt and say it's all my fault. But I follow much more complicated stories on long-form TV series and in movie franchises such as "The Lord of the Rings," so maybe the filmmakers are at least partly to blame.

Hannah: I agree when you say that a movie has to take a different life apart from the book. But if you really enjoyed the movies and want to truly respect the invention of the insanely imaginative world that is Harry Potter, the books should be read. I think the key thing to have when you're creating a culturally defining saga/franchise is the ability to create a world unlike our own, and create parallels to what we know in our lives, such as education, career, government, etc. Along with that, I think that it's also key to place human traits in the characters living there, so that it's easy to lose yourself in the universe. The books have all that.

Matt: I feel like the movies were only partly successful -- for this viewer -- at capturing the essence of the books. I only read "The Hobbit" and part of "The Fellowship of the Ring," yet I was tremendously involved with, and excited by, the "Lord of the Rings" films. And I never read Mario Puzo's "The Godfather" until right before the third movie came out, yet I didn't feel I'd been cheated as an audience member. These were substantial experiences that were equal to, but different from, the books they were based on.

The Harry Potter books, though ... I don't know. I always felt there was something missing from the movies, that that there was something incomplete or slightly flat about them. There were only two "Potter" films that I thought were really terrific as cinema, the third and fifth ones. The sixth had its moments. But the rest only grabbed me in fits and starts. A scene here, an action sequence there, a bit of acting that moved me.

For the most part I felt like I was seeing a transcription of something that was absolutely beloved in its original form -- and that the incredible intensity of the love that people felt for the source was carrying over into the movies, and sort of filling them out, or giving them an extra kick. There were definitely times when I felt my attention beginning to wander a bit during one of the movies, and then suddenly the crowd would laugh or applaud as one, because they had obviously read the books and were feeling a great rush of emotion, and I felt it, too, although the rush was secondhand, or once removed.

Hannah: I know exactly what you mean. When it comes to adapting a 700-page book into a two- or two-and-a-half hour movie, you needn't have read the book previously to know that there were parts that were off, or flat, or like something was missing. It's hard to devote yourself to a book and come to love certain scenes, characters, etc., and see them changed, altered or cut on the big screen. The point of the movies is to bring the book to life, and it always sucks when you can't see the entire book come to life exactly as it should.

Another thing that makes the Potter movies hard to follow is the constant foreshadowing. There were times in a Potter movie where one character mentioned a person, place, magical object, etc., and another character said, "Gee, I met that guy/went to that place/learned about that object briefly a few years ago! Who knew that information would be helpful now?" It's easy to constantly foreshadow in books when you're the person creating the story, but when you're a filmmaker adapting that story, I can see how you would look at a script and go, "Crap, we should have mentioned this in a previous movie, because now it's crucial to the plot!"

Matt: Well, I'm glad you mentioned that, because that phenomenon is one of the clunkiest things about the Potter films -- their tendency to say, "Here is this really important character who is right at the center of the ongoing narrative and whose fate is of absolutely critical significance," yet this is the first time you've ever heard them mentioned.

There was a moment like that in the final movie, actually -- the appearance of Dumbledore's brother. Harry says something like -- and I'm paraphrasing -- "You're Dumbledore's brother? He never mentioned you to me." And the brother says something that's almost like a self-deprecating joke, like, "Yeah, that sounds like him."

The "Godfather" films and the various seasons of "The Sopranos" did this, too, as you will eventually see when you watch them. "Hey, Tony Soprano, say hello to your beloved cousin who was like a brother to you growing up." And it's Season 5, and you never heard a syllable about that guy until now! At least when the movie series or TV show is completely original, the filmmakers have a bit of an excuse. They're flying by the seats of their pants, just kind of making things up and hoping it all makes sense with hindsight. But the "Potter" films were based on preexisting books, so the clunkiness there seems strange to me.

The "Star Wars" films are an example of that. You really have to stretch to find foreshadowing of Darth Vader being Luke's father in the original 1977 movie. I think that was because the filmmaker, George Lucas, originally wrote "Star Wars" as an entire series, or a very long film, then had to cut it down and eliminate a lot of the more novelistic flourishes. And then when the 1977 film was a hit and the studio wanted sequels, he had to reintegrate a lot of the things he'd cut, and create a lot of stuff that was never there previously in any form. And that led to some narrative awkwardness.

Hannah: That makes sense. But I'm talking about seven books that are released about a year-and-a-half apart from each other. The makers of the first Harry Potter movie only had the first two or three books to work with, as far as foreshadowing goes. Sometimes in Harry Potter, the foreshadowing is subtle, and the time between when something is foreshadowed and when it happens is short. With the movies being three books behind, it may have gotten hard to take every move into account.

Matt: Fair enough. OK, since you have read all the books and I've read only a tiny part of the first one, so I want you to play expert witness for me and explain some things that I found confusing, OK?

Hannah: Yes, sir, fire away. I am prepared with my geeky answers.

Matt: I am confused about the ownership of the wand that Harry uses to kill Voldemort. Can you walk me through that?

Hannah: Do you mean the Elder Wand? Because that's the one Voldemort used, not Harry.

Matt: I'm talking about the wand that Harry used to kill Voldemort, which I guess was not actually Voldemort's wand? Voldemort took it from Snape, right? What was the line of succession before that? And what are the rules, exactly, governing the possession of wands and how it affects one's ability to do magic?

Hannah: The wands in Harry Potter are pretty complicated. Voldemort is a part of Harry. When Harry got his wand in his first year, rather than him picking out a wand, a wand chose him. The wand had a twin who chose Voldemort when he started at Hogwarts. So there were two identical wands, one possessed by Voldemort and one possessed by Harry. When Voldemort tried to kill Harry in his fourth year, it didn't work because their two wands were the same. So Voldemort set off to find a new wand.

Dumbledore possessed the Elder Wand. The night that Dumbledore died in the sixth year, Draco Malfoy disarmed Dumbledore and took the Elder Wand against Dumbledore's will. Shortly after, Snape killed Dumbledore. Dumbledore was buried with the Elder Wand. But, little did anyone know, Draco Malfoy was truly the owner of the Elder Wand. Whoever takes the wand from the owner against his will is the new owner. Voldemort takes the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's tomb. When the wand doesn't work for him, he assumes it's because it belongs to Snape, because Snape killed Dumbledore, the previous owner. So Voldemort kills Snape. But Voldemort still is not the master of the Elder Wand.

Meanwhile, in the showdown at Malfoy Manor at the end of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1," Harry disarms Malfoy and takes the wand Draco received when he started Hogwarts (made of hawthorn). But since Harry took a wand from Malfoy against his will, that makes Harry the master of the Elder Wand. Harry uses Malfoy's wand for a while because his original wand broke. When Harry is fighting Voldemort, he uses Malfoy's Hawthorn wand to kill Voldemort, who is using the Elder Wand, despite the fact that Harry is the true master.

Matt: That was amazing, and I'm not sure it helped. It kind of reminds me of when a friend asked me to explain the relationship between the Corleone family, the Rosato brothers, Clemenza, Hyman Roth and Frankie Five Angels in "The Godfather, Part II." When I got to the end, even I was confused.

I'm also not sure what to make of the whole Snape evolution. So he's a good guy pretending to be a bad guy pretending to be a good guy? Was he ever really working for Voldemort? Or was he always a triple agent working for the forces of good?

Hannah: Snape knew he was a wizard since he was born. He was a half-blood. His mother was a witch and his father was a muggle. He was very poor, and his parents fought a lot. He lived near Lily, Harry's future mother, and her muggle parents and her muggle sister, Petunia. He recognized that Lily was a witch and filled her in about the wizarding world when they were growing up. He fell in love with her. But when they got to Hogwarts, Lily was sorted into Gryffindor, and Snape was sorted into Slytherin. They remained friends through their earlier school years. Even in his beginning years at Hogwarts, Snape detested Harry's future father, James, because James used to bully Snape and was rather arrogant, and also because Snape knew James had a crush on Lily. Snape was worried about Lily eventually falling for James.

But Snape and Lily drifted apart as Snape befriended his fellow Slytherins who were interested in the dark arts and becoming Death Eaters. When they left school, Lily got together with James and married him, and Snape went off to become a death eater. And yet Snape was still in love with Lily. When the prophecy was told, Snape knew that Voldemort (at this point, his master) would set off to kill baby Harry and anyone that got in his way, such as James and Lily, Harry's parents. Snape begged Voldemort to spare Lily, but Voldemort ignored him and killed her anyway.

Dumbledore told Snape that he had been foolish instilling his trust in Voldemort, and that the best way to pledge his love for Lily would be to protect her son. Snape agreed, but begged Dumbledore not to tell. Dumbledore said, "Fine. I will hide the best of you." When Harry started Hogwarts, despite the fact that Snape was protecting him, he couldn't stand to be around Harry because he was reminded so much of James, whom he hated.

Snape went on to be a triple agent as Voldemort rose to power. Then in the sixth year, Dumbledore was cursed by a ring that was made into a Horcrux by Voldemort. He only had a year to live. Dumbledore was aware of a plan that Voldemort had to make Draco Malfoy kill him. But Dumbledore knew Draco wouldn't be able to do it, so he told Snape that when Draco failed, Snape must kill Dumbledore. And he did, at the end of the sixth year. Then he continued to carry out the tasks that Dumbledore asked of him before his death, despite the fact that many of the good characters in the book distrusted him.

That took a long time! I hope you understand now.

Conclusion: Snape is the awesomest character in Harry Potter. (Faints)

Matt: OK, that was truly epic. Now I really regret not having read the books. I missed a lot of the nuances.

But even so, I agree with you about Snape. He's my favorite character. Nobody else can come close to his complexity. And Alan Rickman is the acting MVP of the whole series, in my opinion. It is really, really hard to play a character like that and not either give the game away early or mislead the audience in a way that seems unfair in retrospect. In degree of difficulty, that performance is at least a 9. The only thing that could've kicked it up to a 10 is if he'd given the entire performance in Spanish or French or something.

Hannah: Did I answer your questions with as much enthusiasm and detail as you would if I asked you about a major plot point in the "Star Wars" movies?

Matt: Oh, absolutely. And this is as good a place as any to admit that while the Potter books and films would not exist without the "Star Wars" films paving the way, they are clearly superior to Lucas' saga in terms of narrative and character. Maybe the only area where Lucas has the edge is visually: the films are more daring in how they are composed and edited. But that's small consolation considering what a big steaming mess a lot of them are.

And like you said, the movies aren't at the heart of the phenomenon, the books are. And judged purely as a pop culture event, the books are huge. There's nothing else like them.

I think if we look at this in terms of a generation's relationship to a defining piece of popular culture, I think your generation definitely got the better deal.

Hannah: Yes, I think we did.

This piece was cross-posted at Edward Copeland on Film, where you can read earlier installments in the Hannah-Matt conversations on Fantasia and Cinderella.

Source: http://www.salon.com/ent/movies/feature/2011/07/19/mzs_harry_potter/index.html

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