Alexandra Burke Has Become Fastest Selling Female Solo Artist

This years X Factor show was probably one of the best we have had for a while. Talent in Britain is getting a lot more developed and some bright new stars are being born. This year we witnessed some great talent from the show, but from that Alexandra Burke emerged. She is a very talented individual with a huge voice.

Her debut single has made her the biggest success for a long time as she becomes one of the fastest selling female artists ever; her latest single has sold over 576,000 in its first week of release via CD sales and downloads.

There were in fact three versions of the song that were released all at the same time and it is the first time in history that two songs which are of the same have hit top spots in the charts. A 1994 version by Jeff Buckley, who drowned in Memphis in May 1997 aged 30, finished at number two as a result of download sales, boosted by a high-profile internet campaign by fans of his recording.

The song in question is Hallelujah and this has in fact been recorded and released well over 170 times since it was first written over 20 years ago. The song was written by Leonard Cohen and took him over one year to write and perfect, with more than 70 verses being created.

Alexandra Burke though is a great talent to the UK; she has a big voice and a huge personality to go along with it. Sent home in the X Factor 3 years ago by judge and mentor Louis Walsh, she never gave up on her dream to be a singer. Three years later she had matured an incredible amount and delivered outstanding performances week after week.

She has two songs sitting nicely in the Top 40 which is an incredible start for the talented singer. Firstly she hit the number one spot with her fellow contestants when they released a cover of the Mariah Carey song Hero and now with Hallelujah Alexandra Burke has already branded herself as one of the UK's top performers and so she should be.

Do we have another global diva on our hands that was born from the X Factor like Leona Lewis? Well only time can tell and although personally I don't think Alexandra has the vocal range Leona has but she has other valuable qualities that will hopefully make her a great diva.

Tragedy to Triumph: One Man's Story of How He Survived Katrina

Hurricane Katrina survivor and Louisiana native, Terry Fortia knew he was a good cook, but he never imagined his culinary skills, would someday make him one of Hollywood's hottest chefs. Fortia has served up dishes to many celebrities including Justin Timberlake, Cameron Diaz, Ludacris, Kate Moss, Rachel Bilson, Adam Brody, Stevie Wonder, and more. As resident chef at L.A.'s Memphis restaurant, Fortia's recipe for success began with pots, pans, and a dash of ambition.

As a child, Fortia was always interested in cooking. He would spend his time watching his grandmother and mother cook in the kitchen. But it wasn't until Fortia's first job as a dishwasher at the New Orleans Petroleum Club that his destiny became clearer.

A chef by the name of Carlos, sparked his interest by teaching him more about cooking. An attentive Fortia began taking mental notes, building his resume at other restaurants, while exploring the world of culinary arts.

"I call [my training] the school of hard knocks. I didn't think about going to school to be a chef. It just so happened that I got my first job as a dishwasher, and it just automatically happened," said Fortia.

As an adult, Fortia's life in Louisiana was both exciting and content. He had found his niche in the kitchen, and his conditions were stable. He was even looking forward to purchasing a new home for his wife and their five children.

Hurricane Katrina

Then news came that a hurricane named Katrina was on the way.

"My wife and I were planning on evacuating with my uncle, but she didn't wanna leave her mother, so we ended up going to her mother's house and riding the storm out [over] there in uptown New Orleans."

Like many evacuees, his family packed lightly. According to Fortia, family packed "a few outfits, water, canned goods, batteries, flashlights..."

While Fortia was "riding the storm out," on August 29, levees separating two lakes breached, and flooded roughly 80% of New Orleans, inciting a power outage, and submerging entire communities under water.

After Katrina: The Dream Center

After the storms and flooding subsided, Fortia and his family were living in a backroom shelter for a week, when they heard of an enticing offer.

The Dream Center, a large shelter and religious organization in Los Angeles, CA was offering families the option of relocating to their Dream Center shelter in Los Angeles. Fortia was looking forward to having "beds, rooms, and cleaner facilities," where his family could live without separation.

While awaiting his flight in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana airport, Fortia has a chance meeting with NBC Nightly News anchor, Brian Williams. Williams introduced himself and began making casual conversation. "[Williams] didn't approach me like, 'Are you a Katrina victim?' He wasn't looking for something like that. He just started talking like if you and I were at a bus stop or something," said Fortia.

Later that evening, William's broadcast included his interview with Fortia.

Memphis employees watched Fortia on NBC's Nightly News and they were interested in meeting him to discuss a possible job opportunity. Shortly after Fortia's broadcast, they drove to the Dream Center and left contact information for Fortia.

Once Fortia saw southern dishes on the Memphis menu, he said, "This is right up my alley!"

When Fortia was ready to interview with Memphis, he got another helping hand.

Actor, Windsor Harmon, who plays "Thorne Forrester" on The Bold and the Beautiful, had already spent two weeks with Fortia at the Dream Center and offered to drive him to the restaurant. "I was stuck in disbelief," said Fortia. Soon after, Fortia was cooking up a storm, at Memphis.

"I'm blessed to work here," he said. "I have my own job and everything, but you wonder what it would be like if the storm didn't hit. Everybody's trying to get their life back on track," said Fortia.

Although the cost of property in Los Angeles is discouraging, as a father, Fortia is pleased that his children are receiving a better education.

"One of the things I like about L.A. is the school system [is] much better. The worst school here is probably better than the best school [in Louisiana], and it's sad to say. The texas school board wouldn't allow [Louisiana teachers who applied for jobs] to teach because they weren't qualified. That just goes to show you what Louisiana think of its kids education."

What Does the Future Hold?

Fortia has his sights set on opening a restaurant. He already has a theme and menu in mind. His missing ingredient is a partner who will share his vision. His success is the result of the selfless compassion and generosity of strangers, in addition to his strong faith.

"You always have to have faith in God. I knew my God wasn't gonna forsake me. I just knew it was gonna come, I didn't know when, but it came. If you don't have faith, you don't have anything. That's what I think."

Nearly one year post Katrina, Louisiana and many other states still look like a war zone. During an emotional March 8, 2006, press conference country singers Faith Hill and Tim McGraw said they're "embarrassed," and "humiliated" at the Katrina reconstruction effort.

Rock for Love 4 Interview

Marvin Stockwell and Jeff Hullett talk about Rock for Love 4, an epic music event held each year for the Church Health Center, an organization that provides affordable health care to uninsured working people of Memphis, TN. This year's line up is great. Find out more at churchhealthcenter.org or http



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnZT5D0oiFM&hl=en

Why I Chose Southwest - Ron Willis

Insurance agency owner Ron Willis chose to get his associates degree from Southwest and you can too. To learn more about Southwest, please visit our website at ?www.southwest.tn.edu Southwest, Your Best Choice!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXiVU_c9XyY&hl=en

Data Mining Social Networks, Smart Phone Data, and Other Data Base, Yet Maintaining Privacy

Is it possible to data mine social networks in such a way to does not hurt the privacy of the individual user, and if so, can we justify doing such? It wasn't too long ago the CEO of Google stated that it was important that they were able to keep data of Google searches so they can find disease, flu, and food born medical clusters. By using this data and studying the regions in the searches to help fight against outbreaks of diseases, or food borne illnesses in the distribution system. This is one good reason to store the data, and collect it for research, as long as it is anonomized, then theoretically no one is hurt.

Unfortunately, this also scares the users, because they know if the searches are indeed stored, this data can be used against them in the future, for instance, higher insurance rates, bombardment of advertising, or get them put onto some sort of future government "thought police" watch-list. Especially considering all the political correctness, and new ways of defining hate speech, bullying, and what is, what isn't, and what might be a domestically home-grown terrorist. The future concept of the thought police is very scary to most folks.

Usually if you want to collect data from a user, you have to give them something back in return, and therefore they are willing to sign away certain privacy rights on that data in trade for the use of such services; such as on their cell phone, perhaps a free iPhone app or a virtual product in an online social network.

Artificially Intelligent Search Features

It is no surprised that AI search features are getting smarter, even able to anticipate your next search question, or what you are really trying to ask, even second guessing your question for instance. Now then, let's discuss this for a moment. Many folks very much enjoy the features of Amazon.com search features, which use artificial intelligence to recommend potential other books, which they might be interested in. And therefore the user probably does not mind giving away information about itself, for this upgraded service or ability, nor would the person mind having cookies put onto their Web browser.

Nevertheless, these types of systems are always exploited for other purposes. For instance consider the Federal Trade Commission's do not call list, and consider how many corporations, political party organizations, and all of their affiliates and partners were able to bypass these rules due to the fact that the consumer or customer had bought something from them in the last six months. This is not what consumers or customers had in mind when they decided they wanted to have this "do not call list" and the resultant and response from the market place, well, it proves we cannot trust the telecommunication companies, their lobbyists, or the insiders within their group (many of which over the years have indeed been somehow connected to the intelligence agencies - AT&T - NSA Echelon for example.)

Now then, this article is in no way to be considered a conspiracy theory, it is just a known fact, yes national security does need access to such information, and often it might be relevant, catching bad guys, terrorists, spies, etc. The NSA is to protect the American People. However, when it comes to the telecommunication companies, their job is to protect shareholder's equity, maximize quarterly profits, expand their business models, and create new profit centers in their corporations.

Thus, such user data will be and has been exploited for future profits against the wishes of the consumer, without the consumer benefiting from free services for lower prices in any way. If there is an explained reason, trade-off, and a monetary consideration, the consumer might feel obliged to have additional calls bothering them while they are at home, additional advertising, and tracking of their preferences for ease of use and suggestions. What types of suggestions?

Well, there is a Starbucks two-blocks from here, turn right, then turn left and it is 200 yards, with parking available; "Sale on Frappachinos for gold-card holders today!" In this case the telecommunication company tracks your location, knows your preferences, and collects a small fee from Starbucks, and you get a free-phone, and 20% off your monthly 4G wireless fee. Is that something a consumer might want; when asked 75% of consumers or smart phone users say; yes. See that point?

In the future smart phones may have data transferred between them, rather than going through a given or closest cell tower. In other words, packets of information may go from your cell phone, to the next nearest cell phone, to another near cell phone, to the person which is intended to receive it. And the data passing through each mobile device, will not be able to read any of the information which was it is not assigned to receive as it wasn't sent to it. By using such a scheme telecommunication companies can expand their services without building more new cell towers, and therefore they can lower the price.

However, it also means that when you lay your cell phone on the table, and it is turned on it would be constantly passing data through it, data which is not yours, and you are not getting paid for that, even though you had to purchase the smart phone. But if the phone was given to you, with a large battery, so it wouldn't go dead during all those transmissions, you probably wouldn't care, as long as your data packets of information were indeed safe and no one else could read them.

This technology exists now, and is being discussed, and consider if you will that the whole strategy of networking smart cell phones or personal tech devices together is nothing new. For instance, the same strategies have been designed for satellites, and to use an analogy, this scheme is very similar to the strategies FedEx uses when it sends packages to the next nearest FedEx office if that is their destination, without sending all of the packages all the way across the country to the central Memphis sort, and then all the way back again. They are saving time, fuel, space, and energy, and if cell phones did this it would save the telecommunication companies mega bucks in the savings of building new cell towers.

As long as you got a free cell phone, which many of us do, unless we have the mega top of the line edition, and if they gave you a long-lasting free battery it is win-win for the user. You probably wouldn't care, and the telecommunication companies could most likely lower the cost of services, and not need to upgrade their system, because they can carry a lot more data, without hundreds of billions of dollars in future investments.

Also a net centric system like this is safer to disruption in the event of an emergency, when emergency communications systems take precedence, putting every cell phone user as secondary traffic at the cell towers, which means their calls may not even get through.

Next, the last thing the telecommunication company would want to do is to data mine that data, or those packets of information from people like a soccer mom calling her son waiting at the bus stop at school. And anyone with a cell phone certainly wouldn't want their packets of information being stolen from them and rerouted because someone near them hacked into the system and had a cell phone that was displaying all of their information.

You can see the problems with all this, but you can also see the incredible economies of scale by making each and every cell phone a transmitter and receiver, which it already is in principle anyway, at least now for all data you send and receive. In the new system, if all the data which is closest by is able to transfer through it, and send that data on its way. The receiving cell phone would wait for all the packets of data were in, and then display the information.

You can see why such a system also might cause people to have a problem with it because of what they call net neutrality. If someone was downloading a movie onto their iPad using a 3G or 4G wireless network, it could tie up all the cell phones nearby that were moving the data through them. In this case, it might upset consumers, but if that traffic could be somewhat delayed by priority based on an AI algorithm decision matrix, something simple, then such a tactic for packet distribution plan might allow for this to occur without disruption from the actual cell tower, meaning everyone would be better off. Therefore we all get information flow faster, more dispersed, and therefore safer from intruders. Please consider all this.

References;

"Privacy on the Line - The Politics of Wiretapping and Encryption," by Whitfield Diffie and Susan Landau, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, (1999), pp. 364, ISBN: 0-262-04167-7.

Wall Street Journal Article; "On the Web's Cutting Edge, Anonymity in Name Only," by Emily Steel and Julia Angwin.

WSJ article; "The Great Privacy Debate," by Jim Harper of Cato Institute, and Nicholas Carr author, Saturday-Sunday Edition, August 7-8, 2010.

Looking for insurance for you!

When you need Tennessee car insurance you should know the state laws before you start looking for your policy. This will allow you to only buy what is required by the state and stay away from buying extra coverage that isn't really needed. When you only buy the required coverage you can save money in many cases.

There are many ways that you can try and save on your policy, so use every way that is available to you. One way to get savings is through the use of those discounts that you can use. Some examples would be a good driver discount, multiple car discounts, or many others that are out there.

Plus we all know the tricks to adjusting that deductible that is set on your policy. The higher the amount you have the lower your policy rates should be. This is because that insurance company will be less likely to ever have to pay you money on a claim. So they feel a bit safer giving you a bit better rate.

You just need to make sure that you are comfortable with that amount you've set your deductible too. Because if you drive a lot and are around a bunch of traffic you may be more likely to be in accidents.

Having to pay that deductible amount to get your vehicle fixed and be able to use may convince you to set a lower deductible. Really thinking out this part of your policy is suggested so you're not stuck without a car and paying that huge amount of money out.

Some of those recommended coverage's are a good idea if you can afford them. By using those discounts and making your deductible higher you can make them more affordable. Again this can be based on the area that you live in if you feel you need to buy them or not.

Sometimes it's nice to have that uninsured coverage even if your state doesn't require it. But if you live in the country or a less populated area you may not need to worry as much about it. Again think about these ideas and decide what type of coverage you may want to addition.

and buy insurance online is a great way to not worry about things. You can also configure it to pay from your bank account each month. This is a great way to make sure that no late payment accounts and do not worry about getting your cancellation policy.

Car Hire USA - Top Driving Routes

1. Route 66 - Los Angeles to Chicago

This iconic route is definitely the most famous drive in the States, and rightfully so! 'Get your kicks on route 66' as the song goes, starting at Los Angeles and cruising east towards Chicago, where you'll take in the neon strips, dusky backwaters and quirky, movie style diners, motels and gas stations of America's favourite freeway.

You'll meander across the sun and sand of the City of Angels and through the dusty red rocky mountains of the Grand Canyon. Next comes the Native American settlements of the Southwest, and then on to the towering skyscrapers of Chicago - 'The Windy City'. It's the perfect choice if you're touching down at Los Angeles or Chicago Airport.

2. Pacific Coast - Olympic National Park to San Diego

Travel the 1,500 miles along the West Coast of America. Ideal if you're landing in at San Diego or Vancouver Airport (Canada), this drive snakes alongside the Pacific Ocean, taking in the lush greenery and quaint harbour towns of Washington State, the flowing waters of the Columbia River, the tranquil Oregon countryside and the sun soaked surfer shores of Southern California. You'll take in a variety of cities and towns, a wealth of landscapes and a huge cross section of people, not to mention the most majestic of scenery.

3. Atlantic Coast - New York City to Florida

This tour of America's east coast is a real eye opener... take the Interstate 95 route from the famous Statue of Liberty through the streets of New York City to the strands, piers and beach towns that pepper the East coastline. You'll pass through the neon wonderland of Atlantic City and it's countless casinos, the searing heat of motor haven Daytona Beach and the exotically Latin party capital of Miami in Florida, before pulling up at Key West. Offering a colourful palette of scenery, towns and people, this route is essential if your flying into New York or Miami.

4. One Border to Another - Arizona to Canada's Rocky Mountains

Perfect if you're touching down at Los Angeles or Calgary Airport (Canada), this route starts with the arid sands of Arizona, snaking along Highway 93 towards the oases of Sonora Desert. Passing through the Grand Canyon via Route 66, you'll come next to 'The Loneliest Road' - a majestically beautiful but very quiet stretch leading up to the gamblers utopia of Las Vegas.

You'll then hit the Oregon Trail, crossing the lava flows and the Snake River of Idaho, before hitting the alpine landscapes of Sun Valley, America's upmarket ski centre par excellence. This gives way to the captivating landscapes of Western Montana, then the valleys, ski trails and alpine contours of Glacier National Park, and finally onto the imposing Canadian Rockies. Stretching thousands of miles, this route isn't for the faint hearted, but it's a fabulous and varied drive that captures excellently the different landscapes and ways of life that make up America.

5. America's Loneliest Road - San Francisco to Ocean City

This symbolic drive slices right through the middle of America, running from coast to coast over some 3,200 miles along Highway 50. You'll start with the famous hilled streets of San Francisco and move on through California to the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. Once you reach Nevada it's just you, the mountains and the blazing sunshine, before you hit the dusky red cliffs of Colorado and then the rural backwaters of the iconic and typically American Santa Fe Trail.

You'll continue on through Kansas, St Louis and the Mississippi River before hitting the West Virginia forests and on through Washington DC, home of the White House. Next comes the Maryland Coastline and Ocean City, where your epic journey across Americana finally comes to an end. Of course you can do the route in reverse - either way it's a must if you're landing in at San Francisco International or Washington Dulles Airport.

6. The Great Mississippi River Road, Minnesota to Louisiana

This incredible route follows the majestic Mississippi as it carves through the body of America, starting in the Cajun country leading up to the soulful city of New Orleans, and following the river right up to the headwaters in Minnesota. You'll pass through farmlands, rich forests, swamps and rocky cliffs as the road bisects Kentucky and Tennessee (home to Elvis's Graceland in Memphis) then Missouri and Illinois, witnessing some of the most iconic imagery of Americana.

Made famous by the literary works of Mark Twain, the legendary 'Big Muddy' snakes through Iowa, Wisconsin and on through the famous writer's home, taking in a plethora of towns, landscapes and scenery. the GRR shows you the beauty of 'the free world', as well as it's sprawling industrial underbelly, before finally finishing in the rocky mountains of Minnesota. Perfect if you're flying into New Orleans International!

7. Southern Pacific Road - California to Georgia

Running 3000 miles cross country along the southern states of America, this fascinating drive along Highway 80 starts with the lush seashores of San Diego and motors through the cacti filled deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. On the way you'll pass through the former bandit town of El Paso on the US-Mexico border (a must for fans of the old Spaghetti Western genre!) before hitting the stalwart Southern states of texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

You'll pass through the land of Southern Belles, mouth-watering BBQs, boiled shrimp and lobster menus and roguish gents in cowboy hats! Touch upon the darker side of the American dream by following the route of Bonnie & Clyde, seeing the site of JFK's assassination in Dallas or visiting the Wild West Tombstone.

You'll experience the very soul of music as you motor along towards Georgia, passing through the hometowns of famous Rock, R'n'B and Country-Western legends such as Little Richard, Buddy Holly and Otis Redding as you soak up the scene in the bustling juke bars and clubs that scatter the roadside. Ideal if your flying into San Diego International or Atlanta in Georgia, this route is a colourful and fascinating foray into the Southern American way of life, from its scenery, cityscapes and demographics to its alternately colourful and dark history.

Meet the Team at Smith-Berclair Insurance in Memphis, TN!

www.smithberclair.com Meet the team at Smith-Berclair Insurance in Memphis, Tennessee! Were here to help find the right auto, home, business, life, or health policy for you. We serve Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, and Kentucky. Visit our website at www.smithberclair.com to learn more or to get a free quote!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSeTvI1v0IE&hl=en

All There is to Know About About Auto Insurance

Auto insurance in Tennessee is not in any way different from insurance elsewhere in the country. The principles are basically the same and the consequences of an accident are the same as well. But because of the fact that the laws were a lot different years ago than they are now attests to the fact that any form of confusion warrants forgiveness because a lot of things have changed since then.

Previously Tennessee was treated differently from other states when it came to insurance. In this city the state departments did not require that people be insured, surprising right? Well this is true and the residents of Tennessee were very relaxed.

The only requirement that was closest to a mandate for getting insurance is that a person who drives a car must just be financially secure in order to compensate anyone they were involved in an accident with. Perhaps the Department of Motor Vehicles had a system of double checking to ensure that drivers were able to pay third parties they caused harm to.

But all this has changed considerably and people of Tennessee are now obliged to be insured. There is now a lot of insurance companies sprouting in a dotted fashion all over the city and business appears to be going well for insurance companies. Insurance there is also cheap since insurance is a new phenomenon in the area of the United States Of America.

The consequences of not having insurance are pretty harsh but not in any special way different from other states. Like in other states traffic officers who stop you on the road ask for proof of insurance. Failure to furnish the required proof can result in you having to pay hefty fines to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). In other circumstances your license will be withdrawn or the renewal of your insurance can be made difficult.

And if you are ever in a situation where your license has been revoked the insurance company can actually scrap you off their list of those enjoying insurance cover under them. This immediate cancellation of the contract happens often and it is important to make sure that your license is never lost; suspended or revoked.

The SR-22 form is available for clients whose licenses have been suspended whilst they are still covered on an insurance policy. This simply explains to any person requiring proof that you are in fact insured but you are not registered simply because your license was withdrawn or suspended.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTMiHvScPbQ&hl=en

Fedex Jobs - one of the most coveted work in the world!

If you were looking for a great job, you would want to know which were great and which ones were less than stellar. Those that have Fedex Careers will attest that it is one of the best jobs to have considering the working conditions as well as the opportunities.

Fedex is based in Memphis, Tennessee but they have thousands of offices and warehouses all over the world and even own Kinkos. With that huge quantity of workplaces there are a plethora of opportunities.

As a firm that believes that the customer comes first, Fedex believes that proper training and excellent treatment of their employees will cause outstanding customer service. The training is not just your on the job variety as Fedex offers their employees classroom training as well and it is an ongoing process.

The benefit package offered to Fedex employees is second to none as well. Health insurance is available to full and part time employees and a 401K retirement plan is also available. If you open the 401K and contribute, the company will contribute on your behalf as well. That's a nice way to get prepared for your retirement years.

Due to the excellent customer service and their reputation for your packages and letters getting delivered in a most timely manner, Fedex rarely lays off anyone. Having a job that offers that kind of stability in this economy is not just a luxury it is a must.

With all those positive attributes, it is no wonder that a Fedex OCCUPATION, such as seizure

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Use your assets to

Firstly how much cash can you make? Revenue and Customs allow you to earn £4,250 a year tax free from lodgers, that's just over £354 per month. Normally bills are included in the monthly rent so you could charge £80 per week to reach the threshold. That's more than handy money.

On another administrative note, you would also need to check with your insurance company and your mortgage provider. They are unlikely to object but they may need to add it as a note to your policy.

You will need to choose your lodger with care - you are letting a complete stranger into your home afterall. You should obtain references and credit checks and you can also use formal lodger agreements, similar to a tenancy agreement, for protection for both parties. You need to agree the amount of rent, how it is to be paid, the notice period for either party, what is included in the rent and what the lodger needs to pay for (i.e. any damage to property).

Once you have prepared the room and before you advertise the room, write a list of rules. You need to be prepared before you meet any prospective lodgers. When you do have a viewing, interview your lodger and give the chance for your lodger to ask questions. You both need to decide whether you would be able to share your house with this person and whether realistically you will be able to live under the same roof.

House rules that you may want to consider include smoking, alcohol use, visitors, overnight visitors, cleanliness of kitchen and bathroom, laundering, car-parking, noise levels, pets, etc. Lodgers generally share the use of your kitchen and your bathroom but do not use your living room.

Regarding the use of the kitchen and bathroom be sure to have set times when you both have use of them. For the kitchen have a designated place to store your food separately, both in cupboards and in the fridge, which neither of you raid! It's grim if you're looking forward to your meal, having planned it and bought the ingredients, to get to the point of cooking it and someone else has used your ingredients.

Once you have a lodger check that each of you are happy and check if any changes are necessary. Communication is key to a good lodger/landlord relationship.

Having a lodger isn't everybody's first choice but it can work well if you choose the right lodger. If you are willing to make some compromises and share your house, you could make some very handy Money in the air, tightening of credit in particular.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLWbIHM9y7w&hl=en

FHA Mortgage 101 - Highlights of funding.

Have you heard the term FHA mortgage? Ever wonder what makes this financing different than Conventional? Good, this is your opportunity to learn a few important loan advantages, but let's first begin with the definition of FHA.

FHA stands for Federal Housing Administration and is the largest government insurer of mortgages in the world. They are a part of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and they provide mortgage insurance on residential homes. FHA was established in 1934 to expand homeownership. The idea was to have more lenient financing guidelines to increase the number of buyers who could qualify for mortgages.

Below are some FHA loan advantages:

Lower down payment requirements

FHA only requires a 3.5% down payment and this money can be received as a gift from a family member or relative. Conventional financing requires a 5% down payment and the funds must come from the buyers assets.

Higher allowable closing cost credits

FHA will allow a buyer to receive up to 6% sellers assist toward their closing costs no restriction on the down payment. Conventional financing requires a 10% down payment to receive a 6% seller's assist.

Allows for a blemished credit history

FHA will lend to less than perfect credit and is more understanding if you have had financial difficulties in the past. Under FHA you can even obtain financing 2 to 3 years after a claimed bankruptcy or foreclosure if you have had no late payments in the last 12 months and have made an effort to rebuild and establish new credit.

Competitive rates and terms

FHA often has the same rate/terms as a Conventional loan. The rate differences varying as little as.125% on a Conventional loan.

While there are many benefits to an FHA mortgage there are a few drawbacks as well. FHA sets geographical loan limits based on the area and the median housing costs in your City as the program is designed to help low to moderate income families afford the opportunity for homeownership. Depending on the sales price of the home you may need to apply for Conventional or Jumbo financing. Also, keep in mind FHA mortgages only apply to your primary residence so you must occupy the property to maintain FHA financing.

Now that you know a few of the key differences between FHA and conventional financing you can Use this information to help you choose the best financing for you.

Ford Motor Company, Roush and DUB Magazine Create Specialized 2011 Mustang

The Ford Motor Company, automotive lifestyle magazine DUB and Roush Industries teamed up to create a specially customized version of the new 2011 Mustang. DUB is a monthly magazine about car culture, customization and celebrity cars that produces an annual DUB Show Tour which is a U.S. custom auto show and concert tour. Roush Industries offers services ranging from motorsports management to product design, engineering, testing and manufacturing. The company began in 1976 and is now recognized internationally as a premier provider of automotive engineering and systems integration solutions. It employs over 2,500 employees in the world.

The DUB edition Mustang was created based on Ford's new 3.7 liter V6 Mustang, which will hit the market in the fall of 2010. Ford, DUB and Roush worked together to create the DUB special edition Mustang V6. It will be available for purchase in a coupe, convertible or a glass roof option that give a taste of both worlds.

An article on Ford's Web site quotes Mike Wilke, Mustang brand manager, "The Ford Mustang is the most customized vehicle in the world and this collaboration pushes the boundaries even further. We're proud of our relationship with DUB and Roush and how they worked together to bring a new look the Mustang, helping the 2011 DUB edition Mustang V6 appeal to a whole new audience."

The new DUB edition Mustang will have many features that are sure to be adored by Mustang lovers and DUB Magazine fans alike. It will include 20-inch TIS wheels wrapped in Pirelli performance tires as well as Roush front fascia and splitter, Roush lowering springs and Roush quarter window louvers and windshield banner. The DUB edition Mustang will also have a DUB stripe package and DUB edition logo embroidered headrests with a black interior. It will be available in a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and will have a 3.31:1 rear-axle ratio for vivacious acceleration. Customers will also have the choice of four sleek exterior colors, black, grabber blue, ingot silver or race red.

Ford will begin producing the 2011 DUB edition Ford Mustang V6 in August 2010. One DUB Mustang along with two other customized Mustangs has been touring the county with DUB Magazine, which is traveling to various cities through November. DUB also created a custom 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0 for Grammy Award-winning artist, Nelly, which will be on display at each show on the DUB Magazine tour. Nelly's Mustang has sleek, glossy black exterior paint with black racing stripes as well as 22-inch Pirelli tires in the front and 24-inch rear tires. The tour has been going on since January, they've already visited seven cities including, Detroit, Philadelphia, Anaheim, Phoenix, New York, Memphis and Houston. The tour has yet to visit, Englishtown, Ocean City, Denver, San Diego and Las Vegas. The tour is made possible by it's many sponsors, including Monster Energy, Ford, Pirelli Tires, XBox 360, Wheel Pros, TIS Wheels, Dropstars Wheels, Metro PCS, Mobil 1 and 2K Sports NBA 2K10. Each show is a huge event that attracts hundreds of people as well as celebrities and features performances by musical guests and world-renowned DJs.

So whether you're a Mustang enthusiast, a huge DUB fan, in the market for a new car or just became inspired for an upgrade, the new 2011 DUB edition Ford Mustang is always ready to make a statement. The Mustang appeals to a wide variety of consumers because it is easily customized. It can be sleek and sophisticated for the every day business woman but can also be tricked out and transformed into a race car or trophy car for a famous rapper. If you can't wait for the DUB edition Mustang, the 2011 V6 Mustang will hit Cleveland Ford dealerships this fall in eight irresistible colors, as well as the performance Mustang, the Shelby GT500, complete with a new 5.4L 4V supercharged aluminum-block V8 engine, over-the-top LeMans racing stripes with GT500 side rocker stripes and leather-trimmed sport bucket seats. With the Mustang, the possibilities are endless.

Pet Health Savings Account

Perhaps you are one of those Americans who has a health savings account along with a high deductible health insurance plan. I've had one of these policies for several years and I like it. In theory, this costs less in the long run because the premium for a high deductible insurance policy is lower.

The insurance is bought to protect you from financial ruin in case of a very large hospital/doctor bill (a catastrophic illness). You use the savings account (which is tax deductible and the interest builds tax free) to pay your deductible associated with the insurance policy and any smaller healthcare expenses. You can even use it for expenses that aren't necessarily covered by your health insurance e.g. the services of your dentist, chiropractor, eye glasses, etc. If you are healthy and don't spend much on healthcare, the money builds up for when you do need it. It somewhat like an IRA.

The savings account and insurance policy complement each other. It's nice to have the money already set aside when a healthcare expense occurs. You can even have the money for the insurance premium and the deposit into the savings account automatically deducted every month from your checking account. That way the money is budgeted month by month.

There are some companies and individuals who counsel people to put all their money into a savings account and forget the pet insurance. In my opinion, this would be unwise. What if you are $200 into your savings plan and your pet gets ill or is injured and the diagnostic/treatment plan is $5000 with a prognosis of a complete recovery? Do you really want to be faced with the decision of whether you can afford that or not? That's why you have other financing options e.g credit and/or insurance.

While starting your own pet health savings account isn't tax deductible at this time, it's still a good complement to pet insurance and/or credit to help pay for those unexpected/unplanned pet health expenses.

Lil Flip accomplishment Chamillionaire Paul Wall Slim Thug - North 2 Da South

[talking] Whoa yeah, Lil' Flip the Freestyle King Hold up, from the North to the South Uh, uh, uh [Lil' Flip] Welcome to the South, where niggaz ride 84 swangas Nothing but the screwed shit, in they cd changers You know me, as I slide down the block Nothing but princess cuts, slide off my watch As I slide out my block, sipping Sprite syrup Wearing Iceberg, bout to hit the right curb I might swerve, when I'm under the influence They pull me over, but I got my license and insurance You know me, as I'm on six-ten In a big Benz, swangas poke like stick-ends Riding on chrome, with my Prime Co. phone I'm the Freestyle King, cause I'm sitting on my throne The Southside, we ride down MLK The Southside, turn three lanes to a one way The Southside, you gon get some gun play Hands in my pants, but my name ain't Al Bun-day [Hook: Chamillionaire] It ain't a game, we switching lanes Sitting on D's or swangs, gripping and squeezing grain See me, I ain't ashamed to throw up the set I claim It's a Northside Southside, Dirty South thang [Chamillionaire] We on lights that got word, choppers on block 'burbs Make sure that you lock your, Denali's and droppers Got nuts and got nerds, if you caught without your Heat in your boxers, no feathers they got birds Man I'm sitting crooked on a switch, and your misses wondering If she'd freeze her lips, if she kissed my wrist Top of the list top gun, tops for the drop got none Where they pop Don pop gun, and run when the cops come That's where I'm from ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjLR-b1xt3s&hl=en

Dan and Memphis allocution about accepting out Jerry 5:44pm

Well I just tuned bk in and these 2 are coming outside to chat game. It's silly to mention "backdooring" Jerry, that's something you do to a strong competitor in veto comps and the ones he's won were by default. Earlier ollie once again gives me no hope for ever having any respect for this guy.. he just seems like such a loser to me! He admitted driving for 5 yrs with no license or insurance, then he ran from a bird! He complained birds out here aren't afraid and a bird got to close to him so he ran.. as a guy, a man, or anything, to Ollie I say - yuk. :( Oh also Jerry must have expected his speech to put fear in everyone in the house and instead it did the opposite, the whole house saw him as a dolt like I've been saying! He asked Michelle why everyone around (there) was all happy. lol this vid has long silences but afterall it's a couple guys and they don't gab like women-



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJpu9bA_BAY&hl=en

Beat A Speeding Ticket

Brian is a prior Police Officer with 17 years of experience in Memphis Tennessee and he discussed what to do when stopped and how to beat a traffic ticket.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqskt2yHPF0&hl=en

How To Choose A Franchise

You'd like to go into business for yourself, and believe that the best way for you to become your own boss is to buy a franchise. You know it will takes time and money to be successful, and that's OK. But which franchise should you buy? Which makes the most sense for you?

Here are some criteria that can help you make your decision:

1. What products or services would you enjoy selling?

What industries do you like, or dislike? Your best bet is to find a franchise in an industry you know at least a little bit about. All too typical is the case of the Chicago car salesman who decided to change careers and go into business for himself. He bought a basement waterproofing franchise but then found the business boring. He wanted to sell it, but sales weren't as high as he had expected they would be and he had trouble finding a buyer. He was stuck paying off the franchise fee and working at a business he didn't enjoy.

2. How much money do you have available to invest?

The amount of money you have available to invest in a franchise is an important factor. If you've only got $30,000 and the minimum investment for a specific franchise opportunity is $90,000, the opportunity isn't going to be right for you, no matter how much you like the company.

3. What's the total cost of purchase?

The franchise fee won't be your only expense. Find out what you can expect to pay for advertising, training, inventory, insurance, and all other costs in addition to the franchise fee and royalties.

4. How well established is the franchise?

How long has the franchise been in existence? Have they been in business for many years or are they brand-new? How many other franchises have they opened and where are they located?

5. How stable is the franchise?

What is the background of its officers? (Any history of litigation or bankruptcy of the franchise or its officers is supposed to be included in the disclosure document.)

6. What kind of track record does the franchise have?

Have most of their franchisees been successful? Names and addresses of franchisees in your state should be provided before you sign any contract. Call the people on the list and ask about their experiences.

7. What training is available?

Ask what training and support will be provided as part of your franchise fee. Will you get step-by-step instructions and hands-on training? What kinds of manuals and other materials will you get?

8. How close to your store can the franchisor let another franchisee set up shop?

9. Will you be required to purchase supplies or products from the parent company?

If so, compare your cost to the local retail prices of the same goods. There have been instances where the price from the franchise company for goods was higher than the price of the same goods in local retail stores. Selling anything under such conditions would be quite difficult.

10. What do the contract terms say about ownership? Can you sell out to someone else if you wish?

If you want to continue when the contract expires, will it be automatically renewed? Will you be able to convert your store into an independent operation if you should want to?

11. Determine how disputes will be handled should they arise. Watch for clauses requiring arbitration in the franchisor's home state if it is different than yours. Should a dispute arise, you'd have to travel to that state for arbitration hearings.

12. What criteria does the franchise use in selecting franchisees?

Do they do any screening? Or, do they seem more interested in getting your franchise fee?

13. Does the franchise use high-pressure sales techniques to get you to sign on the dotted line?

14. Do you like the people you are dealing with?

15. How big is the market for the franchise's products or services in your area and how much competition is there now?

Starting A Car Rental Business In Memphis

Memphis is the largest city in the state of Tennessee and was established in 1819. It is a port of entry and a rail and air distribution center with a large number of industries. Memphis is the seat of many educational, health, and art institutions. With increasing population, a car rental business is one of the fastest growing businesses. Many people choose to occasionally rent the vehicles rather than put up with high maintenance, repair, and insurance costs of ownership.

Starting a Car Rental Business:

You have the option of becoming either a franchisee of any car rental company or buying your own vehicles and entering the market. Both options are now considered.

As A Franchiser:

Auto Hire is a big car rental company that can guarantee good business and opportunity for growth. The company backs all new franchisees with a comprehensive business plan that includes financing arrangements, vehicle leases, training and hiring staff, and marketing. They also have a tie-in with insurance companies to provide replacement vehicles while the insurance firm deals with the aftermath of an accident.

As A Car Rental Business Owner:

o Location. It is very important to start the business in a good, central location to generate high customer traffic. Marginal retail locations do not attract many customers. Have your own car hire counter at busy airports, rail stations, or bus depots to attract inter-city travelers.

o Finances. Start with a small, manageable fleet of cars by taking personal bank loans and

cash advances on easy collaterals from special state cells for small business entrepreneurs. A good business plan can even get you partners willing to collaborate with finances and expertise.

1. Hiring/Training Staff. It is very important to train first-line staff in the correct handling of customers. If you provide drivers or chauffeur services along with car renting, check the driving licenses. To meet federal standards, as of April 1, 1992, each state must carry out the new commercial driver license program. This includes tests of knowledge and driving skills for certain types of vehicles. Good health, good hearing, vision of at least 20/40, normal use of arms and legs, good manners and etiquette are additional requirements for chauffeurs and drivers.

2. Car Rental Rates. Lease out various types of cars to suit different customers. High-end cars, SUVs, and mid-segment to low-end cars give a wider choice to people. Vary the rates according to the car and the number of days it is rented for. Some car rentals give unlimited mileage on most vehicles as a means of enticing new customers. Some even provide free chauffeur services or expensive cars for important occasions.

3. Tie-In with Local Car Insurance Companies. A tie-in with insurance companies to rent replacement vehicles while they deal with the aftermath of an accident or mishap can be an added attraction.

Starting a car rental business in Memphis, Tennessee, can be a very paying proposition. You have the option of running the business either as a franchisee or as a car rental business. A good business plan and attention to essential details will ensure that your venture is a success.

2009 NBA Mock Draft - Version 1.0

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin, F, Oklahoma

This is a no-brainer pick. He has been the #1 pick in this draft since last November and has won every Player of the Year award you can think of. I've already posted my thoughts on this pick for the Clippers, so I won't go over it again. He's got the potential to be a top power forward in the league in a few years, but also if he doesn't develop much of an offensive game, could have already reached his plateau. I don't expect that to happen, so he will develop into a very good, borderline great, power forward in the league.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio, G, Spain

Rubio's agent has already said they will do what they can to avoid him going to either Memphis or Oklahoma City, but the same agent tried to do this with Yi last year and failed. Ultimately, I think Rubio decides to play for whoever takes him and Memphis, with the #2 pick, should take the 2nd best talent on the board. People widely consider Rubio and Thabeet to round out the top-3 with Griffin, but I could see Memphis consider Jordan Hill at this pick if they do not want to stunt the growth of Mike Conley, Jr. In the end, Rubio is the pick and should embrace the chance to play with OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut

The Thunder have many holes and are not in a position to draft by, well, position. Other than Westbrook, Durant and Jeff Green have solidified their spots on this team. Nenad Krstic was a nice pickup last year, but he's not a center you would want to build around. Thabeet would give them an instant upgrade in the defense department and if his offense ever comes around, he could become a really nice player. He must bulk up, but who in the draft doesn't? Also considered James Harden and DeMar DeRozan at this spot.

4. Sacramento Kings - Brandon Jennings, G, Italy

The Kings have drafted big men in the last two drafts with Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson. Both of them look as if they will grow into good players in the league. Add to those two Kevin martin and Andres Nocioni, the lack of a play-making point guard really holds this team back. Beno Udrih was given a horrible contract and the Kings will be eating that while Jennings runs the show. Though Jennings isn't a pure point guard, his scoring ability will be greatly welcomed by the Kings.

5. Washington Wizards - Jordan Hill, F, Arizona

The Wizards are actually trying to shop the pick, but if they keep it, I think Hill will be a great pick at #5. I think that Hill will be the 3rd best prospect in the draft behind Blake Griffin and DeMar DeRozan. Hill has developed his game to a higher level after every season at Arizona and should only keep getting better. If he can add more weight and some refined post moves, he'll be a very productive player in this league.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - James Harden, G, Arizona State

Harden was considered a top-3 pick all season long, but his showing in the NCAA tournament this season may have hampered his draft stock a bit. Either way, the Timberwolves get a great shooter with a calm and a poise of a 10-year veteran. If he develops a killer instinct and learns to take over games, I definitely see a resemblance to Paul Pierce in this kid.

7. Golden State Warriors - DeMar DeRozan, G, Southern Cal

As I said earlier, I think DeRozan will be one of the top players in this draft class, and going to Golden State will help inflate his offensive numbers. I'm sure the Warriors would have loved to grab either Rubio or Jennings to move Monta Ellis to the off guard, but they will settle for the best player available. DeRozan has great speed and athleticism and has probably the most potential of any player in this draft.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry, G, Davidson

Stephen Curry wants to play in New York. New York wants Stephen Curry. Curry is good friends with LeBron James. The Knicks want LeBron to come to New York in 2010. Looks like not only do the Knicks add a perfect piece to D'Antoni's system, but also a potential key piece in luring LeBron to the Big Apple. Curry will, in my opinion, be a career bench player, but his shooting, basketball IQ and passing will be a great asset as a backup point guard.

9. Toronto Raptors - Earl Clark, F, Louisville

This was one of the tougher picks to make as I was juggling between Clark, Wayne Ellington and Chase Budinger. For now, Clark gets the nod but in later versions of this mock, don't be surprised if that changes. Clark is an all-everything forward, just like Shawn Marion, but doesn't do any one thing very well. Those type of players don't always flourish in the league, but Clark could prove otherwise.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Jonny Flynn, G, Syracuse

This is a lot earlier than other mocks have Flynn, but I think he deserves to go top-10. Milwaukee has Luke Ridnour, who has fallen out of favor, and Ramon Sessions at point guard. Ridnour will be shopped all season once again and I think the Bucks view Sessions as a nice backup point guard. Flynn can come in and spark the offense with Michael Redd, Richard Jefferson and a big man in Andrew Bogut.

11. New Jersey Nets - Chase Budinger, G/F, Arizona

The Nets have a nice core of players with Devin Harris at point guard and Brook Lopez at center for the next 7-10 years. Vince Carter is still a really good player in the league and could use another scorer at shooting guard. Yi Jianlian was supposed to fill the scoring void, but it's looking more and more like the NBA is too much for him to handle. Budinger is 6273 and has great athleticism to go along with a sweet stroke. He may have trouble guarding quicker guards, but he could give teams a nightmare on the offensive end.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - Dejuan Blair, F, Pittsburgh

Blair was a beast in college basketball last year with his wide frame, big body and relentless rebounding mentality. I, personally, am not that high on him, but maybe that's because I've never been a Pitt fan. Blair should be able to carve out a nice role on any team off the bench like a Glen Davis. If he can develop a jump shot like Big Baby, then he could turn out to be a very good player for Charlotte, who is in desperate need of a banger (Sean May where are you?). Other players considered at this pick: Gerald Henderson, James Johnson

13. Indiana Pacers - Eric Maynor, G, Virginia Commonwealth

The Pacers need a point guard for the future as TJ Ford is looking more and more like injuries will hinder him the rest of his career. When healthy, he's a great point guard, but that isn't all too often. Jamaal Tinsley is on his way out and Maynor will be able to step in and play off the bench for two seasons before taking over for Ford. Maynor lead VCU to back to back NCAA tournaments and has the poise to lead a team as well as take the big shot at the end of a game. He's got good size for a point guard at 6233 and would benefit greatly if he added the NBA three to his game.

14. Phoenix Suns - Gerald Henderson, G, Duke

The Suns are in love with Jonny Flynn, but the Bucks ruined the party at #10. Gerald Henderson slips down the draft board just a bit and would fit in with Phoenix's uptempo game very well. He'll need to add a consistent jump shot in order to become a well rounded offensive threat.

15. Detroit Pistons - Tyreke Evans, G, Memphis

The Pistons could really use a big man as they will probably be losing both Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess, but this is too high for BJ Mullens or Gani Lawal to be selected. The Pistons finally decide on Tyreke Evans, the tweener guard from Memphis. He should be able to back up both Rip Hamilton and Rodney Stuckey on a consistent basis. Detroit prides itself on defense, so that will be an area of improvement for Evans.

16. Chicago Bulls - Wayne Ellington, G, North Carolina

I full-heartedly believe that the Bulls will deal Kirk Hinrich, most likely for a big man, leaving some much needed depth at shooting guard. Wayne Ellington is the best player available and fills a need, so the Bulls take the Tar Heel. Ellington has a great jumper and finally became an effective slasher in his junior season. He gives it his all on the defensive end, but he just may not have the tools or size to lock down many two guards in the league. Still, he should get some good looks from Derrick Rose.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - Ty Lawson, G, North Carolina

Back to back picks yield Tar Heels as Lawson was the floor general for this year's national title team. Philly has it's lineup pretty much set with Iguodala, Young, Brand and Dalembert, but the inevitable departure of Andre Miller leaves a huge void at point guard. Lawson gets the nod for now, but Patty Mills could be the pick for the 76ers if he really impresses in workouts.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Patrick Mills, G, St. Mary's

After adding a great prospect in James Harden, the Timberwolves continue to bolster the back court by adding the best Australian player since Andrew Bogut in Patty Mills. Randy Foye was drafted three years ago from Villanova and has been bit by the injury bug. Sebastian Telfair is a decent option off the bench, but they really need someone to come in and stabilize the position. I also considered Jrue Holiday here and hearing that he's soaring up draft boards, he may not even be available at this pick.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Jrue Holiday, G, UCLA

Holiday was brought in to take over for Darren Collison, but since DC stayed at UCLA one more season, Jrue was played out of position at shooting guard. Still, he's got great skills and can be a pest on the defensive end. Two years ago, the Hawks selected Acie Law IV and he hasn't proven to be a worthy NBA point guard. With Mike Bibby free to sign with whoever he wants, the Hawks may want some insurance if he does bolt for another team.

20. Utah Jazz - James Johnson, F, Wake Forest

The Jazz are in disarray. Andrei Kirilenko has been shopped for two seasons now, Carlos Boozer is opting out of the last year of his deal and Mehmet Okur easily could do the same. Their backup power forward, Paul Millsap, is a free agent as well and will command much more than the $800,000 he earned this year. James Johnson is a 6283 small forward, but could move to power forward if the Jazz decided to go small. He's got decent range on his jump shot and should be a very solid player for years in the league. Also considered BJ Mullens at this pick, but with Kosta Koufos, another one and done Ohio State center on board, the Jazz decide one project center is enough.

21. New Orleans Hornets - Gani Lawal, F, Georgia Tech

The Hornets don't lose any of their key contributors and are just looking to add a piece to the puzzle to help get them back to the Western Conference elite. Gani Lawal is a monster on the glass and is relentless in the paint. Could still enforce his will on players in the NBA off the bench. Must work on his shot as he really has zero offensive game outside of the paint.

22. Dallas Mavericks - Darren Collison, G, UCLA

The Mavericks very well could lose Jason Kidd to free agency this season, and if they do, they almost have to go point guard with this pick. The top two left on the board are Jeff Teague and Darren Collison. I view Collison as a more pure point guard as Teague is just a scorer, so the Mavericks won't want to have a duplicate of Jason Terry. This is a reach, but the Mavericks are looking to win a title with their window closing, so they are drafting by position.

23. Sacramento Kings - Omri Casspi, F, Israel

The Kings are in full rebuilding mode and Casspi is being compared to other European forwards like Nocioni and Turkoglu. To me, he reminds me of Austin Daye out of Gonzaga except he's not adept with the American game. Could be a nice building block for the Kings, or could be a bust. Either way, the Kings could do worse with this pick.

24. Portland Trailblazers - Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina

Psycho T is finally off the board at #24 to the Blazers. Brandon Roy said that they could use a big man behind Lamarcus Aldridge and Hansbrough will come in right away and give you energy and a "lunch pail" attitude. His upside is definitely limited, but there will always be a roster spot for him in the league. Also considered Taj Gibson and Jeff Pendergraph.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Taj Gibson, F, Southern Cal

The Thunder, sliding Kevin Durant to shooting guard and Jeff Green to small forward, desperately need a power forward that will just rebound and block shots. Pairing Gibson with Thabeet gives the Thunder two good rebounders with some interior shot blockers. Gibson has a much better offensive game than Thabeet, but isn't going to demand the ball, leaving Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to continue to dominate the ball.

26. Chicago Bulls - BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State

The Bulls added Ellington through the draft and now will add a project center in Mullens. Reportedly, the Bulls are trying to get a feel for the interest in Tyrus Thomas around the league. Brad Miller and Joakim Noah are currently their other big men. Miller won't be there for long, so to allow Mullens a season to just sit and learn would be huge for his development.

27. Memphis Grizzlies - Derrick Brown, F, Xavier

The Grizzlies really would have liked to grab a big man in either Hansbrough, Gibson or Mullens, but with them all gone, they go best player available. Derrick Brown is a great athlete, and at 6283, should be a nice target for Ricky Rubio to get the ball to. The Grizzlies are now forming a true run-and-gun team with Rubio, Mayo, Gay, Warrick and now Derrick Brown.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Terrence Williams, G/F, Louisville

After adding Harden and Mills, the Timberwolves probably look to move this pick. If they can't, I see them grabbing Williams, the do-everything G/F from Louisville. He averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists last season, leading his team in all three of those categories. He's a big short at 6263 to play small forward in the NBA, but he's great at using his body and has great range on his newly found jump shot.

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Dionte Christmas, G, Temple

The Lakers bench could use a spark in the worst way and Christmas has the sweetest stroke in the draft. He's got legitimate three point range in the NBA and playing with Kobe in LA would get him plenty of open looks. The Lakers could look at a point guard here as Derek Fisher is clearly on his last leg and a backup behind Jordan Farmar would be a necessity. Curtis Jerrells from Baylor or AJ Price from UConn could be possibilities.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Sam Young, F, Pittsburgh

The Cavaliers could be a big player in free agency this season with Wally's $13 million coming off the books. Cleveland prides itself on the defensive side of the ball and Sam Young is a great defender as well as an excellent athlete. He may be a bit on the short side, but he's got enough bulk and foot speed to still be an effective defender at the professional level.

The Subway Story

One major franchise that requires a low investment and offers a range of possible locations to franchisees is Subway, owned by Doctor's Associates, a Florida corporation with headquarters in Milford, Connecticut. Started in 1965, Subway has more than 25,278 units in 83 countries and annual sales exceeding $3.9 billion. Franchisee responsibilities include:

1-  Paying a franchise fee

2-  Improving the leasehold

3-  Leasing or purchasing equipment

4-  Hiring employees and operating the store

5-  Paying 8 percent royalty to company (weekly)

6-  Paying 2.5 to 3.5 percent advertising fee (weekly)

7-  Paying additional advertising fees if the local market elects to participate in the program.

In return, the company promises to provide these benefits:

1-  Access to product formulas and operational systems

2-  Site evaluation

3-  Training program at headquarters

4-  Operations manual

5-  Representative on site during opening

6-  Periodic evaluations and ongoing support

7-  Informative publications

8-  Marketing and advertising support

Subway publishes a franchise-offering circular for prospective franchisers that includes the names, addresses, and phone numbers of active franchise holders, listed by state. Subway encourages the prospective franchise buyer to visit and observe the restaurant in which they are training. The initial fee is $15,000 for first-time franchise buyers. This fee is reduced to $4,000 for qualified owners purchasing additional franchises. Total initial investment by the franchisee ranges from $94,300 to $222,800, depending on location and equipment needs. Nontraditional locations may require considerably less capital.

Subway units are located in a wide range of sites that include schools, colleges, offices, hospitals, airports, military bases, grocery stores, and truck stops-even casinos. Most remarkable is the company's statement that less than 1 percent of the units fail, which is partly accounted for by franchise holders' options to sell their unit or resell it to the company. Depending on company approval, the location, hours of operation, and additional food items offered are flexible. The standard Subway menu, however, cannot be omitted.

No one should purchase a Subway franchise-or any other restaurant-without backup learning and experience. Subway franchise buyers attend the Franchise Training Program at headquarters at their own expense. Some 2,000 franchisees each year attend the two-week course covering management, accounting and bookkeeping, personnel management, and marketing. On-the-job training in nearby Subway restaurants is scheduled as well, totaling 34 in-store hours.

Three to four trainees are assigned to a training restaurant. The buyer pays a weekly franchise fee of 8 percent and a 3.5 percent advertising fee based on sales. The buyer has the option of life insurance; health insurance is another purchase option. Each franchise buyer gets a copy of a confidential operations manual containing about 580 pages. Menu Selection Subway's flexibility in offering service in various types of locations is also seen in the kinds of food offered: submarine sandwiches, salads, cookies, a low-fat menu featuring sandwiches with less than 6 grams of fat, and a low-carb option featuring wraps.

Subway features bread items that are prepared from frozen dough and served fresh from the oven. The frozen dough is thawed in a retarder unit in a refrigerator. The bread rises in a proofer and is then baked in a convection oven, in which a fan speeds the baking process. Bread formulas are specified at company headquarters and uniformly followed worldwide. Fresh-baked goods include white and wheat scored bread, deli-style rolls, wraps, breakfast selections (at some stores), cookies, and specialty items such as apple pie.

Subway History The Subway story began when Fred DeLuca, its cofounder, was 17 years old. He and a family friend, Dr. Peter Buck, worked together on a business plan for a submarine sandwich shop. It took them four hours to produce and was implemented with a loan of $1,000 from Dr. Buck. The first restaurant was opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1965.

It did well in its first summer with the help of advertising slogans like ''Put a foot in your mouth,'' emphasizing the foot-long sandwich, and ''When you're hungry,make tracks for Subway.'' When summer ended, so did most of its sales. Dr. Buck suggested opening a second restaurant. ''That way people will see us expanding and think that we're successful.'' It was not until they had five stores and better locations that the stores began making money. DeLuca has changed the company's system of franchise development several times over the years and has kept the concept simple and relatively inexpensive for franchise buyers.

Dying to Vote in Mississippi, Part III

"Birdia was brave, but she also lived in fear of the sheriff and others after she won her voter registration rights in 1961. That made the sheriff and the others really angry with her - more than ever." Rev. Willie Blue

Charles Sudduth, a native Mississippian who has studied and written about Klan murders, confirmed that decapitation and "cleanly severed arms" indicate strong evidence of the Klan's involvement in the deaths of Birdia Keglar and Adlena Hamlett.

"Klansmen were different in their murders than others. They weren't afraid of the law, since many lawmen were Klansmen. They didn't run away from the crime scene but felt comfortable in staying around for a while. They also were known for torture and for mutilating the body."

Rev. Willie Blue, a SNCC member who worked in the Greenwood SNCC office and knew Keglar well, said that he never believed her death was an accident, but that Keglar "had to have been murdered."

"Birdia was brave, but she also lived in fear of the sheriff and others after she won her voter registration rights in 1961. That made the sheriff and the others really angry with her - more than ever."

The Charleston minister tells how he once scared Keglar when she was at work.

"I was driving to Charleston and outside of town a car with Klansmen started following me. I was scared but I drove on into Charleston and to Birdia's office at the funeral home.

"When I walked in and told her what happened, she was terrified and asked me why I had come there. She was afraid I had led a trail to her."

Blue also confirmed that Keglar was found decapitated.

"We all knew this was no accident. She was in the front seat with Grafton driving, and he was injured but not killed. Everyone around here knew that Birdia was murdered but they would not talk about it.

"They were all fearful of what could happen to them and their families. There were no police or deputies who would have taken this seriously, anyway - that she was murdered by the Klan."

Klan shootings and murders were not unusual in Tallahatchie and Leflore counties, said Blue, "in fact they had picked up in the last two years, from 1964 to 1966."

He recalled an earlier shooting that took place in Greenwood "right in front of me" when three Klansmen drove up where he and Silas McGhee, also a SNC volunteer, were working outside of the Greenwood SNCC office.

"It was raining and we were waiting for it to stop. A car came up with three men, one of them was Byron de la Beckwith [the convicted murderer of Medgar Evers] - he was still running loose. They shot McGhee, right out in the open.

"But no one was going to listen to us, especially the sheriff." McGee was injured but not killed in the accident. Robert Keglar was kept away from the accident scene but slipped away to the small town later that night to try to learn what happened to his mother.

"All I saw were some people there [in Sidon] talking about the wreck. It was near a bridge and they were saying that something didn't look right."

Don Whitten, Tallahatchie County Prosecutor, visited Birdia's son at home that night. "He asked me permission for something, I just don't remember what. But he asked me to sign a paper and I did."

Keglar says that he never collected the life insurance his mother carried. "The company would not pay me, and they would never say why."

The Charleston man has continued seeking information about his mother's death. In 2004, he helped deliver FOIAs to sheriffs in Tallahatchie and Leflore counties and later wondered if that was a good idea.

"I was visiting friends a few months later. When I came home, a friend who was house-sitting asked if I knew a short man and a tall man who drove a pickup truck.

"They came to the door while I was gone and asked to see me. They wouldn't leave their names or a card. I don't think it was the FBI."

SEVERAL INCIDENTS surrounding these deaths provide context in searching for what happend (and why) to Keglar and Hamlet.

oIn the same week that Vernon Dahmer, Birdia Keglar and Adeline Hamlet were killed, the Ku Klux Klan was under intensive investigation by the House Committee on Un-American activities or HUAC. The hearings opened at the end of 1965 and continued into the first months of 1966. As Klan representatives from around the country testified, there were planned cross burnings, lynching, bombings and other activities taking place in each of their regions at the same time their members appeared before HUAC.

oThe Mississippi Klan group was scheduled to appear before HUAC on January 13, 1966, the day after Dahmer's death and the Sidon incident. The United Klans of America dramatized its presence in Mississippi by burning over a hundred crosses throughout the state "less than two weeks after Christmas" in protest against HUAC's resumption of hearings on the Klan.

oThe Ku Klux Klan had increased activities in the Delta from 1964 to 1966, including the Hills region around Charleston and Greenwood, state several observers of the region. Klansman and longtime Citizen's Council member, Byron de la Beckwith of Greenwood, who earlier murdered Medgar Evers, became a White Knight Kleagle or recruiter in August of 1965, and later joined the United Klans of America.

Beckwith appeared before HUAC in January of 1966, as did Gordon Lackey of Greenwood, who earlier helped write the 40-page constitution of the White Knights, the state's most secret Klan organization. John Winstead and Wesley Kersey, also of Greenwood, were active Klan members according to HUAC reports.

Several residents of nearby Winona, Greenville, and Yazoo City were also listed as members of their respective Klaverns, according to an Associated Press reporter covering the hearings; hence, Klan activity in Mississippi was not limited to the Southern counties as it was (and is) so often reported.

oA story filed by the Associated Press appearing in the Memphis Commercial Appeal on October 31, 1965, about ten weeks before the Sidon car wreck, stated that FBI and Mississippi officers obtained in advance of the HUAC hearings, a "top-secret document" of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, "including a virtual guerilla warfare order."

The document, a three-page report, was actually an executive order of the secretive White Knights and gave details about harassment of enemies, deception of the public, and instructions for burying firearms and ammunition in case of a "crack-down." The report named Klan members in both Tallahatchie and Leflore counties, including around Greenwood and Charleston. Klan members were also reported residing in Yazoo City, Shaw, and Greenville.

oTwo months before the Sidon car wreck, a Klan leaflet was distributed throughout the small cotton town "around November 18 [1965]," telling white people to get registered in order to "combat communists and liberals." The pamphlet, described in Sovereignty Commission files, also stated that Gov. Johnson and Senator Eastland were "too liberal" and should be voted out of office. The leaflet named 15 "liberals" and civil rights leaders including a local white man who served as a federal registrar.

Also named were Mrs. Laura McGhee and sons Jake and Silas, Mr. Dewey Green, and known activist and union organizer Liz Fusco. Sidon had already been targeted that fall by the Klan as one of several small havens for Klansmen to settle into, according to related Sovereignty Commission reports.

oFinally, on the same day that Dahmer, Birdia Keglar and Adeline Hamlet were killed, J. Edgar Hoover for the first time ever visited the FBI's new Mississippi headquarters in Jackson for the grand opening. He was in Mississippi the day before the state's Klansmen were to testify in Washington, D. C.

MARGARET BLOCK, SNCC volunteer and friend of Birdia Keglar, learned of Keglar's death several months after moving to California.

"I remember thinking right then she was probably murdered. She was a smart woman, a good strategist who usually knew if there was impending danger," Block said.

Block had moved to the west coast, fearing her own life was in danger, and went on to graduate from San Francisco State University and the Pacific Union College in education to become a master teacher in San Francisco.

She returned to the Delta after 22 years where she often teaches black history to children and adults, drawing upon her own experiences, including her time spent in Tallahatchie County.

"You know, I probably would have been in that car with Birdia and Adlena that day if I had not been in California," Block said.

("Dying to Vote in Mississippi, Parts I, II and III Copyright 2005 are excerpted from "Where Rebels Roost, Mississippi Civil Rights Revisited," by Susan Klopfer. See http://themiddleoftheinternet.com)

Aiptek HD-1 720p Opteka Fisheye Mod HiDef Rich Colors TEST

Jeremy(yellow) and Mark(blue) tearing up the park. song:mince meat artist:mf doom/ danger mouse find it: on itunes



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSOnDqmUYRs&hl=en

How to Keep an Eye on Rent Defaulters and Manage Their Account

Get rid of rent defaulters; keep an eye on those defaulters who have been doing this for long. If you think, you can carry out all your property related tasks manually, then you must be doing a mistake. Learn the importance of property software tool and see how easy it is to carry out tasks with the help of this tool.

A complete software tool is the one which allows you to do the following:

Create reports on various tenants

Easy to use tool which provides updates on rent defaults

Keep a track on those who makes half payments

Get updates on property insurance lapse, policy payments etc.

Find out the debt ratio and arrears if any

Create warning notices to rent defaulters.

No landlord can manage reports of multiple tenants and handle multiple bank accounts manually. In order to systematically and professionally carry out tasks, one must resort to a proficient software tool known as letting property tool. This allows you to approach your tenant related issues in a professional manner.

How easy would it be to have a tool which can manage all your tenant report and allow you to make changes appropriately? In addition to this, it can also show pictorial representation of your income and expenses for a particular property. This way you can manage your finances well and understand the profit generated through a particular piece of land.

You will also know when is your property due for its next repair and maintenance service. You will be abreast with any information related to revenue gained. In addition to this, you get a detailed report of rent receipts and invoices. It stores up every piece of transaction you make. Isn't it going to be hassle free for you? With this tool, you can be more systematic and organized too.

Places to Meet Singles in Tennessee

If you are in Tennessee and you are looking for singles in that state you should consider going to various places. You can go to the beaches, the parks, the night clubs and the events that are organized through out the year. You can never miss an event taking place in that state every month. There is the CMA Music Festival event that you can go to. Though you cannot say this is a singles event, you can still meet with singles in Tennessee here. There are a lot of people who go to this events for fun. Once you get there you should make sure you talk to the people who are next to you and get to know some of them better. Make a lot of friends while in this events. They could turn out to be very useful in future.

You can go to the parks and meet with singles in Tennessee. While you carry out your tour, make sure you talk to the people who have also come to visit the park. Talk to as many shingles in Tennessee as you can. You never know, the people you might decide to pass without saying a word could be the ones you would have been good together. There are parks like Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You should also go to the Rock City Garden in Tennessee to meet with singles there. This place is beautiful. It has great gardens and woodland paths. There is also a loves leap that you can go to and silently hope to find someone perfect there. Though it is called lovers leap, you will not miss a single person there because of the great view that it has to offer.

Tennessee has some great night clubs and pubs that you can go to. There is the Atlas Dance, Senses, Full Moon and the Menages. When you go to Menages, make sure you carry your own alcoholic drink. This is because they do not serve them there. They do provide people with mixers though. If you go to any dance club or night club to meet with singles in Tennessee, you will not do yourself any good if you do not talk to the people around. If you are very shy, you should wear an approachable look. One that someone will not get scared of approaching.

There are several beaches you can go to meet with singles in Tennessee. There are beaches like Long Island Beach, Parksville Beach, Shady beach and Willow Beach. There are some beaches that you can go swimming in and there are some you can only sun bath in. Once you get to the beach be a social being. Move around and talk to the people present. If you love cruising you should also consider going for a cruise while in Tennessee. You can go for a cruise in the Blue Moon. You will get a chance to go around the Williams Island while in taking this cruise. You can also go for Chattanooga boat cruise and learn a lot about the Tennessee river.

Using a Standard Rental Contract

A standard rental contract can be useful to protect yourself and you clients or tenants' rights. As for apartment renting and some equipment rentals the renter will be required to make a security deposit, or an amount of money kept by the renter as an insurance policy that will be returned at the end of the rental agreement, provided there are no costly damages to the apartment, housing or equipment. When renting a living space, an agreed upon duration of the rental contract is enough for a landlord to hold onto your security deposit.

Some landlords have more detailed rental contracts than others but it is most definitely a binding contract that tenants must plan their life around. In turn the landlords must also maintain the building and grounds, fixing gas leeks and regular wear and tear damage. It is a liability for landlords to not immediately take action to repair living situations that violate health and safety regulations that could cause a building to be deemed uninhabitable. Lawsuits can arise if both parties are to blame for example if there is bug damage but the tenant in a diagnosed obsessive compulsive hoarder and has created the problem themselves.

Hopefully your standard rental contract has covered your specific situation, or the tenant is cooperative, if not it will be up to the courts and eviction laws as to what is to be done. In case of an immediate and unforeseen need to travel, tenants will often attempt to "sub lease" their living space while they do not need it in attempt to reclaim their security deposit when the standard rental contract matures.

In the standard rental contract landlords may specify if the renters can have pets, smoke, and can set a due date for each months rent with a late charge if the tenants pay the rent after a certain day of the month or week. The lease may end normally or with various types of eviction notices such as a Pay or Quit Notice from non payment, a Cure or Quit Notice if you do something you previously agreed not to when signing your rental contract or if other tenants complain about you, and finally a Non-Eviction Move Out Notice which is fairly open ended they could want to remodel your living space or to get a new tenant. It does require a seven, thirty or sixty day notice depending on if you are renting weekly or monthly and on the laws in your area. The eviction laws are detailed and many and tenants have rights to counter claim and fight back. Usually if the behavior in question is corrected or you pay rent in full, this will resolve the problem.

With cars, sound and video or computer equipment there is always the risk of damage to the rented product. Will the rocker smash the guitar into a speaker or blow it out or will the sixteen year old get in a fender bender? To cover these potential unfortunate occurrences which may produce financial loss for the company, renting companies are free to specify rental details in a standard rental contract. Maybe the car company will only rent to 18 year olds with a valid ID and clean driving records and strongly encourage adding a non refundable insurance fee to the bill. Maybe the band must have enough money for a security deposit that will be held on their credit card till the equipment is returned safe and sound. Often before doing business renters are required to sign these standard contracts after downloading them from company website or when picking up the equipment or having it delivered or before moving in. Standard rental contracts are set in place to protect both the renters and the rental companies' rights.

Fedex As an Employer

Fedex is known as the fastest name in shipping and has been in business since 1971 and was started by Fred Smith with 95 million dollars, most of which was borrowed. Started in Little Rock Arkansas and now based in Memphis, Tennessee they are the nation's largest next day delivery service.

Originally know nationally as Federal Express, it took 5 years for the company to become a profitable entity and at one time Mr. Smith actually had to win money at the gaming tables in Las Vegas to keep the company a float.

The then known Federal Express bought several different companies along the way with Gelco Express International and Flying Tigers the most recognized acquisitions and has benefited by problems with competing entities that have had labor issues over the years.

With a service area of over 220 countries and more than 140,000 employees Fedex moves over 3.3 million packages on a daily basis. The famous ground fleet alone numbers about 44,000 vehicles and it is reported that there are over 1000 planes as well.

Fedex now offers employment opportunities in many different markets with both part time and full time positions. The average consumer sees "The Fedex Man" but there are jobs in customer service, package handling, management, airline pilots... the list is almost endless.

One of the nice things about working for Fedex are the benefit packages available. Fedex offers employees the following:

o Healthcare- Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drugs, Wellness Programs

o Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment & Survivor Income Benefit

o Disability / Income Protection

o Business Travel Accident Insurance

o Pension and 401(k) Savings Plan

o Employee Assistance & Referral Programs

o Dependent Care Reimbursement Account

o Employee Stock Purchase Plan

o Credit Association

o Educational Assistance

o Paid Time Off

The reputation Fedex has in treating it's employees is very good and has been know to be a good company to work for in up and bad economic times. For that reason, turnover is low and because it is a company that is strong and stable wages are very good.

Fedex offers opportunities for those with good work ethics and almost always have available openings because of their constant growth.

There are many opportunities and different positions available to people with good work ethics and there are opportunities inside the Fedex family where one could be considered self employed as well as many of the ground routes are individuals that wanted to be a part of a large organization but wanted the freedom of self employment.