Archive for the 'Life' Category
Do you have straight hair and envy all the beautiful curls you see all over the place? Curls are very popular and having straight hair just makes you want them even more. You can do it with a little bit of time and patience.
Start by cleaning your hair. Shampoo and condition as you normally would. You will be using a curling iron, so use a little extra moisture if you can. If you have oily hair and are afraid of moisture, only put the conditioner on the ends to keep them from getting fried.
Next you need to dry your hair. You can either let it air dry or you can blow dry it. Another great way is to let it dry overnight. This will ensure that it is 100% dry. You want it to be completely dry before you start working.
When your hair is ready, make sure you have all your tools: a comb or brush, a medium sized barrel curling iron, hair gel, hair spray. The size barrel you use will depend on your hair. If it’s very straight and seems impossible to curl, use a smaller barrel to make sure it starts off curlier and then if it loses some of the curl, it still looks nice. You could use just gel or just hairspray, but it will hold better if you use both.
To start, gather together a small one inch section of hair. Comb it straight and put a dab of hair gel in between your fingers. Gently rub it together and then run it over your hair from root to tip completely covering the hair.
Make sure you don’t use too much so that it’s crunchy. A little crunch at first is okay because you will scrunch it up later to get rid of the crunch. Use a strong hold gel and not a curling gel. Curling gel is made for naturally curly hair just to keep it in place. It is light and not strong enough to keep curls in naturally straight hair.
When your curling iron is hot, clip it over the strand of hair at the top of your head and pull it down from root to tip. Gently wrap the hair inward around the barrel and hold for 5 seconds. Next quickly unravel it to release the curl and immediately spritz with hair spray.
Once you’ve finished all your hair, turn your head over and spray your hair with hair spray. Shake your head gently to finish off the curls and release them. Flip your head back u pand arrange your curls how you want them and then finish off with a little more hair spray.
Love is nothing if it is not based on the true feelings. These feelings of truth in love are all about passion and unconditional feelings with no strings attached.
It is a challenge because it involves not only giving yourself unconditionally to the other person but also it all about being flexible and amenable to the other person’s desires, likes and dislikes.
The definition of true love is not hard to put down. Simply said it is the feelings of oneness and completeness with the other person. It also means that you completely trust that person with all your heart and there is nothing which you hide from the other person.
To be blind in love is actually good hypothetically but in the real world everything has to be evaluated with care. There are people who can take advantage of other peoples feelings as well as they can be very much non committal. If you think that your relationship is not going anywhere then you should make sure that you get out that relationship immediately.
The importance and the individuality of each person in the team should be intact. That can be achieved in love by having a compassionate and a balanced approach for each others feelings. The feelings should be of mutual admiration and respect. The other person should not feel that the feelings are getting trampled under the burden of expectations.
As in any relationship maintaining equality in every transaction is of prime importance. The other end of the spectrum demands that while in relationship you should be caring and passionate towards the others. It is all about the sacrifices you do for the good of others.
The Roth 401k is particularly attractive to higher-earnings individuals, or those that would mostly likely be phased out of IRA contributions. Unlike the $5,000 max in the IRA, an employee could defer the full $15,500 for 2007, or $20,500 if they are over age 50. The Roth 401k works much like the Roth IRA, in that contributions are made with after-tax dollars and withdrawals are tax-free. Unfortunately, not all employers offer this new plan. The roth 401k, quite frankly, is a dream come true in my opinion. Ok so thats a little exaggeration but it truely is the best of both worlds - 401k and Roth IRA.
The Roth 401k accounts are first and foremost a 401k. Most of the same rules apply, including the early withdrawal penalty on all distribution recorded as “income”. The Roth 401K contribution limit will be $15,000 in 2006. Note that the limit applies to the combimed contributions to the regular 401K and the Roth 401K; for example, a person could not contribute $15,000 to a Roth 401K and $15,000 to a regular 401K in the same year. The Roth 401k was adopted by 14% of Vanguard plans, and 5% of participants within these plans elected the option. Early Roth adopters included new plan enrollees, high savers, Web-registered participants, and high-income households.
The roth 401k bonus election with trap worked. The roth 401k bonus election in Chinese were doubtless an advantage is with the remarkably low weight of 500 lbs. The Roth 401k works inverse with the above idea. The money you earn this year is taxed this year. The Roth 401k is not always as good a deal as you’ve stated. For example, my marginal tax rate is 28%.
The Roth 401k plans are relatively new and many people haven’t heard of them yet. Employers are slowly starting to offer them to employees. The Roth 401k was set to expire in 2010 unless congress renewed it. A lot of employers were reluctant to offer the Roth 401k because of its status. The Roth 401k plan is a post tax contribution where qualified distributions are tax free. The Roth does not allow deductible contributions.
The Roth 401k is a combination of the Roth IRA and the traditional 401k. It is a company-sponsored retirement plan, but it invests after-tax dollars to a retirement account. The Roth 401k minimum distribution rules are also similar to 401k withdrawals - meaning you need to start to take distributions when you reach age 70 1/2. The Roth 401K is a great plan too, and ALL employers SHOULD be offering it. Certainly if your employer is not offering this option, petition them to do so.
http://blog.ira-401k-realestate.com
Money management is an important part of life and unfortunately, it is not correctly taught to most children. Kids that don’t know the value of money turn into teens that don’t know the value of money and they never learn how to correctly manage their money, which puts them in a lot of trouble.
Those who are financially illiterate spend money without a thought. They spend and spend on mindless things they don’t need without thinking about the consequences. This usually leads to credit cards.
Put together a shopaholic and credit cards and you end up with a doomed combination. Shopaholics charge everything and only make the minimum credit card monthly payments. Eventually interest begins to pile up and the debt grows exponentially. When they can’t even afford the minimum monthly payments, they end up filing for bankruptcy.
This situation or even much less severe situations will always lead to a bad credit history. You probably have heard that bad credit is not where you want to be. This is absolutely true. When you don’t pay back money you borrowed with a promise to pay, you feel the consequences.
You don’t get a slap on the wrist when you miss a payment, but it is likely to affect you poorly in the future. If you have bad credit history and a bad credit score, the next time you go to apply for a loan, it will be very hard if not, impossible. Lenders will not lend you money if you have very bad credit, and if they do, you will be charged a very high interest rate.
When someone is lending money to someone else, they are taking a big risk. If they don’t know that you’ll pay them back, why should they lend it? That’s why they look at your credit. If you don’t have any credit, you will have trouble getting a loan, and will most likely not be able to get a large loan such as a mortgage without a cosigner.
When you have no credit, or even bad credit, a cosigner is one way to get the loan you need. A cosigner is someone who has good or excellent credit. If they cosign the loan with you, the lender will check their credit and give you a loan based on that. If you stop paying, they have to pay or else their credit will be damaged. It is very hard to find a cosigner.
Are you worried that you won’t be able to pay your bills? You need to pay off your debt as soon as possible. Take every action possible to make extra money and save every penny so that you can pay off all your debt and get your credit up.
College is expensive, it is a simple fact. College costs keep going up and most people can’t afford it without taking out loans. If they are lucky they can pay for it all with savings, scholarships, financial aid, and grants. Loans are the most popular type of aid for college and most students will graduate with some student loans.
How much are your student loans worth? Did you graduate with a lot of debt? When you went looking for loans, the first loan you got was probably the government Stafford Loan because of the low rate. If you have financial need, you can get the Subsidized Stafford Loan which allows you to not pay interest on it while you are in college.
Once your government loans have run dry, you will need to look for other loans. Your parents could get a loan, you could go to a private student loan service, take out a second mortgage, or use a credit card. I recommend that you don’t take out a second mortgage unless you absolutely have to and I highly encourage you to NEVER use a credit card to pay for college.
Another way to save for college is to go to a cheaper school. Most cheaper schools are state schools. Don’t think that cheap means lower quality. They only cost less because the also get money from the government. Many state schools are even better than a lot of more expensive private schools.
How can you use less loans? The best way to minimize student loan debt is by by not taking out loans in the first place. Unless you are a super genius and feel you must go to an Ivy League school, go to one of the top state schools and save a lot of money.
You can save even more money if you go to a community college for two years first and then transfer to a state school. State schools are cheap, but community colleges (which are state schools too, but they are only two years as opposed to four) are often have the price.
Commuting is another way to save a lot of money. A lot people end up not liking dorm life anyway. If you can commute from home you won’t have to pay room and board and your parents will support you, if they agree, the same as they did when you were in high school.
A final way to pay for college is to work. Get a part time job during the semester and work full time over break to save the most money possible.
College is expensive, it is a simple fact. College costs keep going up and most people can’t afford it without taking out loans. If they are lucky they can pay for it all with savings, scholarships, financial aid, and grants. Loans are the most popular type of aid for college and most students will graduate with some student loans.
How much are your student loans worth? Did you graduate with a lot of debt? When you went looking for loans, the first loan you got was probably the government Stafford Loan because of the low rate. If you have financial need, you can get the Subsidized Stafford Loan which allows you to not pay interest on it while you are in college.
Besides government loans, there are other lending options. You can go through a student loan service, get a personal loan, have your parents get a loan, take out a second mortgage, or use credit cards. I suggest that you don’t take out a second mortgage and that you NEVER use a credit card to pay for college.
Another way to save for college is to go to a cheaper school. Most cheaper schools are state schools. Don’t think that cheap means lower quality. They only cost less because the also get money from the government. Many state schools are even better than a lot of more expensive private schools.
If you really want to minimize your student loan debt, change your college choice. There is no reason to go to a really expensive school unless you either get a full ride there or you are a genius and just most go Ivy League.
You can save even more money if you go to a community college for two years first and then transfer to a state school. State schools are cheap, but community colleges (which are state schools too, but they are only two years as opposed to four) are often have the price.
If you can, go to a school nearby, live at home and commute. You can save a lot of money not having to pay for room and board. Many people find living in dorms overrated anyway. At my college, most students ended up getting their own apartments after the first year because they didn’t like the dorms. If you stay at home, your parents will continue to support you just as they were before and it won’t cost you extra for school fees.
Another way to help pay for college is to get a job. Get a part time job during school to at least pay for all your daily expenses and books. If you are a good saver, you can even stash some away for tuition.
Most people with curly hair can’t go product free. Of course, you need to shampoo and condition, but there is also a need for styling products. The products that work for you might not work for the next person even if you both have curly hair because everyone’s curly hair is different.
Some people have large curls, others have tight spirals. Some people have dry hair, others have very dry hair. The best way to know which products will work for you is to experiment. If you try a product and your hair turns out bad, try something else.
First, you need a good shampoo. Shampoo can really add to the dryness of your hair, so you must make sure you get the right one. Also, because it can be so drying, you should really cut back on your shampoos. Don’t shampoo every time you wash. Shampoo every other time or once or twice a week. Get a shampoo designed for curly hair or a moisturizing shampoo.
Next, it is time for your daily conditioner. Don’t use the really cheap dollar conditioners because they are usually very thin and nowhere near moisturizing enough. Use a thick conditioner like dover or garneir fructis. You don’t need to buy an expensive conditioner, just not the cheapest. Leave it on for at least a minute.
Condition every time you wash your hair. This is important to keep your hair as moisturized as possible. Apply more conditioner on the ends and less on the scalp. The ends are older and usually drier which is why they need more moisture.
Don’t skip the conditioner! It is the most important step for curly hair. Even a daily conditioner still might not be enough. Use a deep conditioner once a week or once a month. A deep treatment will give you that extra moisture it needs when it it needs it.
Now you need to style your freshly cleaned hair. Styling products will get your curls where you want them to be. You can use any kind of products, but it is best to start with a leave-in conditioner. This will allow your hair to stay moisturized throughout the entire day and keep your curls looking beautiful.
Finally finish off your look with a good gel or mousse to keep your curls in place. Add in a serum to help control the frizz if you need it. These products will give you the frizz free curls that stay in place that you are looking for.
Are you a vegetable fanatic and have always wanted to grow your own? Maybe you want to save money and grow your own organic vegetables, or maybe youve always wanted to start a garden and thought a vegetable garden would be more rewarding. Your reason may be one of these, or another one completely. Whatever youre reason, youve decided to start a vegetable garden and want to know how.
Now you need to make a few decisions. What do you want to grow? How much do you want to grow and how much space will you need? Where will you build your garden? Be aware of which types of vegetables you can grow in your region and make sure the plot you choose will get a lot of sun.
Now that you know what you’re going to do, you will need to get all the necessary supplies. Make sure you have everything you’ll need including seeds, fertilizer, garden tools such as shovels, trowels, cultivators, etc., a hose or watering can, and whatever else you think you’ll need.
Now you can finally start gardening. Start by outlining and measuring out your garden plot, them start digging. Remove all the grass and use a tiller if you have one and need it. Use your other garden tools to break up and cultivate the soil. Make sure to remove all rocks, roots, and stuff in the ground that shouldn’t be there.
Once you have all the soil cleaned out, add in any fertilizer or compost dirt that you have. Compost is great because it is full of nutrients form old leaves, bugs, plants, etc.
When you are ready and the garden is set, you can start planting. You can either plant seeds or plants. I prefer to use plants that were either bought or that I planted earlier in the season to make sure the plants are more likely to survive because they are already bigger.
Now read the pack of your see packets for the directions. Plant them at the time specified and water them accordingly. Be sure to weed the garden everyday or at least several times a week. The longer you wait the more it will get out of hand and the more likely the plants you want won’t survive.
Soon your vegetables will start to grow and they will be ready to pick. Gather your vegetables when they are ripe and ready and enjoy them all summer long!
POEMS I WROTE SOMETIME AFTER 1995
I have been asked recently if I have ever written any Poetry . I had said No at first. Then I remembered that some time back after 1995 after a break up with a Girl that I had lived with for a while. (Probably the only real relationship of my life, So Far) I wrote what I would call “two poems”!
The first I wrote right after the break up. I guess I was at the point I was just trying show I was a hardcore man and the break up did not effect me. So I was trying to be funny about the whole thing.
The second I wrote years later after my Dog “Mutely Junior” was killed. Juniors Mother had been the Girl I had lived withs Dog named “Riff Raff”, and his Father was named “Mutely” He had been my Fathers dog . When me and the girl broke up, Junior was still only a puppy about six months old and he was by my side the whole time. He was like my Son. The girl I had dated had kids that I helped take care of while I lived there and I do not think it could have been much harder leaving the kids had they been my own flesh and blood.
I do not fall in love easy and my life has always been about being a Biker and I have often said the last thing I want to do is anything like getting married and having kids. I have always said I want something more from life. So I found it very odd and disconcerting that I found myself so happy living with this Girl playing the roll of Father to her kids ! I guess what we tell ourselves we want and what you really want can be two totally different things! I was young then and as I look back now I can remember I did not keep it much of a secret that I wanted more from life and I can only assume that was a big part of why we broke up.
After the Break up I lived in a Cabin in the woods in upstate NY in a small town for about 4 years. Junior was almost always by my side and he and I enjoyed many adventures during that time. As much as I loved my life in the Cabin. I once again found myself wanting more from life. So I moved to Long Island NY. I was getting myself set up in yet another new life. During this time while I got my new life in order, I had left Junior with my Father to be take care of . One night my Father let him out and Junior ran off . A few days later Junior was found by the Train tracks. He had been hit by a Train and was dead. It was no ones fault. Junior had always loved fast to run threw the woods. It was part of who he was. When I heard about Juniors death I wrote the Second poem. Junior was the last part of what I often think of as a different life I once lived. With Junior gone it was at that point that I truly felt the break up.
These Poems are not of me now but of a Me I once was or maybe a Me I could have been. I believe I have now found my place in the world and I am almost positive I am happy. So I will post these poems for you all to read! Some may say these poems will make me look weak. To them I say always remember looks can be deceiving !!!
I hope you enjoy the poems. LJ James
Love?
I told you Id walk a Million Miles for you. You said Please do.
I told you I would clime the highest Mountain for you. You said I hope you fall off.
I told you I would swim the oceans for your Love . You said I hope you Drown.
I told you my heart was yours You said let me see it.
I told you I would die for you. You said prove it!!!
Sweet Heart I’m starting to get the feeling you don’t Love Me !!!! By L.J. James
———————————————————– Home or Lost
I stand here alone thinking of a place gone Past. Never thinking that I have been away so long.
Its a strange feeling to know your home is no longer yours but now some others.
I can’t go back, but I still wonder if I would.
I was always cold on that hill but my heart was warm.
My Dog was born there but now he too is gone Killed in the Night by a train going some where I have never been.
My heart got broke but I did not cry.
I though I was happy before I really was. Now I wonder can I be again.
My heart calls out for me to follow the sun. But I don’t remember where it is that I was going before I stopped here
Am I happy here, I think so but I’ve been wrong before! By L.J. James AmericanBikerX.com
You need to begin by moisturizing your hair the best you can. You will need a lot of moisture if you have curly hair. Don’t shampoo every time you shower. Condition every time you wet your hair, but only shampoo a few times a week or every other wash at most. This will ensure you get the most moisture possible. Deep condition regularly as well.
After you’ve finished conditioning and are done showering, do one final rinse of your hair with the coldest water possible. Stand out of the way or use a pitcher of cold water so that you don’t get wet because the cold water can be shocking. It’s only necessary for your hair.
The cold water will help seal the cuticle. This keeps the moisture from escaping. Steam will open the cuticle back up, so don’t let the bathroom get steamy, or get out of the bathroom as soon as possible.
Now you are going to use your products. Don’t squeeze out the water from your hair just yet. You want it to stay sopping wet. This will help the products to get evenly distributed without breaking up your curls.
You can use any product you like, but I recommend always starting with a leave-in conditioner. You can either leave in a little bit of your regular conditioner, use your regular conditioner as a leave-in, or use a leave-in conditioner. If you have shoulder length hair, use about a nickel sized amount. Use more with longer hair.
Put the conditioner in your hands, coat your hands, and comb your fingers through your hair evenly distributing it throughout your hair. Try to concentrate it more on the ends because the ends are always the driest. Next, you can add in your other products. I suggest using a light curling gel for hold but without crunch.
You could also use a mousse instead and you could add in a serum to help de-frizz. I like to use a spray gel so that I can just spray it on and then scrunch it. That is the next step, scrunching. Instead of squeezing along the length of your hair, scrunch it up towards your head to help with the curls.
Finally, take a towel and scrunch with it some more to get as much water out as possible. It’s best to let it air dry, but if you want it done faster, you can use a diffuser on a low setting for a few minutes to help speed up the process. Don’t brush or comb your hair or else you’ll break up the curls. Let it dry and then put in some pins or clips if you want.
