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Natural Gas: The Answer to Energy Problems

March 8, 2012 By
Drilling for natural gas at the Marcellus Shale Formation(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Finding alternate energy sources is the key to being able to use various resources for energy. Releasing our dependence on foreign oil sources as the major source of energy will boost the economy here in the United States, and help pave the way towards no longer being energy dependent on the Middle East.

Natural gas is the country’s chosen alternative. There are many benefits to taking advantage of this type of energy.

It is abundant here in the United States

With natural gas being available right here in the United States, natural gas almost seems like the most logical choice for energy needs. Marcellus Shale is a mineral rock that serves as a great source of natural gas, and fortunately, it can be found in in the country.  There are also storage facilities in many places around the US. There is no doubt that energy demands are only going to grow. Being able to get the source of energy, as well as have the facilities to store it, definitely makes a strong argument for making natural gas an energy source.

Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels

Natural gas is composed mostly of methane. Its combustion products are made out of carbon dioxide and water vapor. Coal and oil have much higher carbon, nitrogen and sulfur contents, leading to more pollution when used as fuel. On the other hand, natural gas, when used as fuel, emits much less pollution than coal or oil.  

Decreasing industrial emissions

The use of natural gas to power industrial boilers and equipment can greatly reduce the pollution caused by other sources of fuel. With the sheer volume of pollution an industrial equipment can release into the air, the use of natural gas as an energy source can significantly improve the level of pollution in the industry.

Natural gas vehicles

Natural gas vehicles are in development, and with millions of cars, vans, SUVs and trucks on the road, this can definitely decrease pollution, as well as keep costs of fuel to a minimum.

The discussion to use more and more natural gas is an important one. There are obviously some very good reasons for using this source of energy instead.

The demand for more energy is not going to lessen in the near future. It is imperative to find ways to get more efficient fuel. While natural gas may not be the complete answer to our energy problems, it certainly is a good starting point.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , ,

Famous Firsts: How Four Talented Asian Americans Changed the World

March 4, 2012 By

America has a renowned reputation for being a “melting pot” of cultures, where all nationalities can come together to live in a unique and diverse society. The United States of America has produced a lot of famous people from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Asian Americans are a particularly large group and there are individuals who have set the world alight with their unique skills.

Image via Wikipedia

Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma is one of the world’s greatest cellists and began playing the instrument when he was only four. He and his mother lived briefly in Paris before settling in New York and becoming US citizens. Ma played his first concert at the famous Carnegie Hall venue when he was nine, and has now recorded over 50 albums and won dozens of awards. He also takes an interest in teaching young children music, particularly the cello, earning him a reputation as one of the most benevolent and famous Asian Americans in the world.

Michelle Kwan

A person can’t have a good conversation about ice skating without mentioning Michelle Kwan. Born in California, Kwan began skating when she was five and won her first event when she was seven. She has achieved a record 37 perfect scores during her career, more than any other female skater in history. Although proud to be an American, Kwan highlights her Asian roots by wearing a Chinese good luck charm whenever she skates.

Jerry Yang

Jerry Yang made his name by mastering the Internet, despite the handicap of coming to America when he was ten and knowing only one English word – ‘shoe’. At school, Yang was consistently top of his class and won a place at the renowned Stanford University. In later years, he met another technical wizard, David Filo, and together the pair created Yahoo!, which went on to become one of the largest search engines on the Internet. To encourage other young people to take up web mastery, Yang and Yahoo! also launched the Yahoo!ligans program, teaching the art of the Internet to youngsters.

Connie Chung

Connie Chung is a household name across America due to her background as a news reporter. She attended the University of Maryland before going on to become a reporter for CBS. However, Chung first really began to make her mark in 1993 when she was the first Asian news anchor for one of the major networks. She is married to talk show host Maury Povich, with whom she has one son, and lives in New York City.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , ,

6 Items in Life Worth Committing to Installment Loans

August 22, 2011 By
troubling debt load, it’s easier than ever to wonder just what purchases merit a move into carrying debt in one’s personal life. Numerous politicians make decisions for the entire nation in regards to the total amount of debt to be brought upon the federal balance sheet.

While they may have been overspending in an egregious fashion in recent years, that’s not an example individuals need follow too closely! With careful thinking and monitoring, it’s often a wise decision for the individual to only accrue a manageable amount of debt. Why? Otherwise, you may never be able to afford to make certain relatively essential, personally beneficial purchases. Like what? Read on.

1. A Roof Over Your Head

At the top of any list of installment loans purchases is a home. The recent market bubble has led to more stringent down payment rules, but down payments have historically always been around to demonstrate the commitment of the buyer. And a home is worth committing your funds to-–especially now–even if those funds are partially borrowed and result in a mortgage.

Home prices went up for a very long time. They’ve come down for about four years now. Probably very few people are capable of spotting the exact bottom of the housing market, but one thing is for sure: the premiums of years past have been removed from the housing market. That’s great, because any home purchase made from here on out should result in the classic scenario—the home rises in value over time as your installment loan is paid off with an ever easier to manage monthly payment.

2. Education

College is the modern era’s version of what a high school diploma could land someone decades ago-–decent employment for life. It’s worth taking one’s education a step or two further, moving into the master’s or doctorate realms. These degrees now offer the true prize: excellent employment amongst other professionals, as well as an outstanding pay grade! It’s worth a few years of debt to make the investment in one’s own skills, which will have lifelong benefits.

3. Medical Expenses

Beyond furthering one’s financial picture or educational level, there are a host of other reasons to take on a bit of debt. One is to cover medical bills that pop up, as most medical bills do, unexpectedly. With or without insurance, if you or a loved one encounters a serious medical issue, you’ll face steep medical bills. Hospitals don’t post their prices like virtually every other establishment that charges a ‘customer,’ so it’s easy to end up with very large bills despite your usual efforts towards personal thrift.

Unfortunately, hospitals and the doctors behind medical treatment typically demand rather immediate payment. This may not fit in with the balance in your checking account. A loan can get medical folks paid off, which will keep the bill collectors off your back. It will also keep any threat of bankruptcy at bay, as you have time to pay down the balance.

4. Nontraditional Education

Take a sabbatical. Different people have various terms for the same thing, but the end result is that people take time away from their career to do something which will further their knowledge base. This can involve traveling the world for a year, or immersing oneself into Buddhist culture to learn more about world religions.

The flip side to the educational process is the lack of income during the time spent away from the regular job world. Most people who have embarked on such a life changing adventure would relay that it’s worth taking on some debt to get it done in good style–-a full block of time–-rather than working on the same theme a few weeks at a time over the space of years.

5. Personal Goals

 

Learn how to fly. Course instruction and airplane rentals won’t cost nearly as much as college or a home, but they’re not inexpensive, either. And once you’ve got your license, you’ll want to be able to fly frequently. Getting a loan at the outset can help you keep the lessons occurring regularly, which will help to ensure success.

Trying to finance ‘luxury learning’ might become questionable if personal funds suddenly become tight for some reason. Setting up the full range of financing at the outset is wise if you truly want to set your wings free!

6. Life Enrichment

Enroll in a series of life coaching sessions with an established life coach. Most people aren’t reaching their true potential despite any efforts on their part. Spend some time at personal betterment under the tutelage of someone who can examine your shortcomings and focus on your strengths. Their skill at being more objective than you is what makes the price, and the results, worth the investment.

CONCLUSION

There are many reasons besides the purchase of material possessions to take on a chunk of debt. While the government isn’t quite looking into self improvement with its debt efforts, most of the reasons suggested here will improve your life over the long haul. Perhaps they’ll convince you that smartly managed debt is a good thing.

Filed Under: News

Another Mystery Man Shows up; Where do They Come From?

August 4, 2011 By
Homeless in Amsterdam

Image via Wikipedia

 

It isn’t the first time we’ve heard of this. First it was a man from Croatia that hid his identity from police. We now know who he is, but what was his real motivation? Now there’s another US man who’s been arrested and he doesn’t want anyone to know who he is, either. 

He was arrested on July 1st for trespassing in a Utah parking garage. He’s very well mannered, has lightly graying hair and a stubbly gray beard. He’s articulate and polite. 

He’s thought to be in his sixties and he’s had a very pleasant characterthe entire three weeks he’s been incarcerated. He says the food is good and he doesn’t even mind the uniform. He gets three squares and even clean clothes every day. 

John Doe Keeps Them Asking 

It wouldn’t be the first time a homeless person tried going to jail to get a warm bed and hot food. Maybe there’s another state that wants this guy, or maybe he’s hiding from someone and wants the protection of the jail. 

Maybe he’s on sex offender registries somewhere, or some other kind of registry. Maybe he’s wanted in another country?  The man has been very guarded about his past and where he came from and he was too smart for the police department’s trick of giving him a prepaid calling card to call home with. He thanked them for the card, but he called nobody. 

The police are completely baffled. They’re asking the Utah public to take a look at him and see if anyone recognizes him. He’s pretty confident that, somehow, nobody will.

 

 

Filed Under: Celebrity Comebacks, News, Politics Tagged With: , ,

6 Favorite American Classic Cars

August 1, 2011 By
Time too often shatters value, renders all style weak — but the classic designs of American automobiles prove instead to defy convention. Their inventive appearances allow them to be without flaw. And there are six cars that most embody that sense of perfection:

Plymouth Road Runner

Celebrating high performance is the Plymouth Road Runner: the precursor of an entire generation of muscle cars. Forged in 1968 by the Chrysler Corporation, the Road Runner was a return to high standards but low costs. Its 383 CID V8 engine, along with a Hurst shifter, offered quick reactions and smooth transitions — allowing it to become a favorite of all drivers.

Pontiac Bonneville Special

Experimenting with chic curves and powerful mechanics is the Pontiac Bonneville Special. This 1954 concept car was proof of the American fascination with stars and exploration. Its bold design resembled a rocket, with gull-wings and deep wheel enclosures. The four-speed automatic transmission, however, made it worthy of the road; and this remains one of the most sought after classic cars on eBay.

Ford Mustang Boss 429

Proving to be ever elusive is the Ford Mustang Boss 429. This muscle car was created in 1969: when its production span was just a single year, with only 900 units created. A lack of quantity doesn’t obscure its quality, however. The 429 boasted a Hemi-engine and a horsepower output of over 500. Its speed was unparalleled, dominating the roads through 1970 (when it was discontinued due to struggles within the Ford factory regarding its engine capabilities. Insurance companies feared it was simply too much to control).

Oldsmobile F-88

Innovation doesn’t always succeed — as proven by the Oldsmobile F-88. This stunning car (with its chrome accents and flared fenders) was an attempt to redefine the American market. Its utilization of a V8 engine and a fiberglass body was impressive, but it was still overlooked in the wake of high production costs. The Oldsmobile F-88 was poorly received by General Motors and, unfortunately, only a few were marketed.

Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt

Epitomizing the notion of rebellion is the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt: a 1964 limited edition creation. This Plexiglas vehicle (which featured lightweight components, leaf springs and rounded exhaust headers) was meant only for drag racing. Its intention was a flawless performance, and its 600 horsepower output allowed that intention to succeed. An aerodynamic design ensured that no mile was wasted, and the Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt embodied the American need to challenge the road in style.

Pontiac GTO

Ushering in the age of power is the Pontiac GTO. This original muscle machine (crafted in 1964) began the quest for streamlined transportation. With its front-engine layout, four-barrel carburetor and automatic transmission, it challenged the notions of driving. It was the first American car built purely for speed, and its arrival summoned endless changes within the market. The Pontiac GTO is responsible for all of the innovations that followed.
Drivers wish to conquer distance and these six cars allow them to. What could be better?
Filed Under: News

5 Most Unusual Cars

July 29, 2011 By

Most of us are content to drive around in everyday cars. There are some people, however, for which nothing less than unusual will do. These unusual cars can sometimes lead to advancements in the technology of everyday cars. This is especially the case if it is a concept car.

Let’s take a look at some of the most unusual cars.

The Three Wheeled Car

Who needs four wheels when three will do? This might have been what Matus Protaczka was thinking when he designed the MAG Magnetic, a car with only three wheels. The car runs on an electric engine, however is only able to operate on magnetic embedded roads. The concept car design may not be practical for most roads and situations, but it sure does take the cake for ingenuity.

The Car That Knows how You are Feeling

The Nissan Pivo 2 is a concept car which focuses on being eco-friendly and user-interactive. The car is powered by electricity, but unlike other electrical cars, can omit more than double the power. The pint-sized power packet also comes equipped with a robot which interacts with the driver based on the information it receives from voice and facial recognition systems. Who knows? It may even be able to remind you of things you need to do that day, like paying your
car insurance.

So those are a couple of concept cars you may not have known about. Such cars may sound weird and wonderful at this point in time, but car designers use them as a way of testing out technology for future models for the mainstream market.
Now, for some unusual cars that are all about having fun.

The Car That Looks Like a UFO

Perhaps this person has an intense interest in alien spacecraft, or perhaps they just want to freak a few people out when they drive down the street. Whatever the reason, this car shaped like a UFO is enough to have anyone believing!

The Wooden Car

Perhaps this is the way that eco-friendly cars should be going? This wooden car is totally recyclable! Although its design harkens back to the romance of the art deco era, the polishing may be too much upkeep for some. And be careful when it rains, who knows if it is waterproof?

The Double Car

You’re probably thinking, what?! Well, take a small car, and then place another one exactly the same upside down on the roof of the original car, and you’ve got yourself a double car! It’s a mirror image that is real, complete with fake legs sticking out the top (or should that be bottom) of the car.

From concept creations to current marvels, there’s a plethroa of vehicles unusual enough to deserve a double take.  What is the most unusual car you’ve seen?

Filed Under: News

5 Highest Paid Careers in the Entertainment Industry

July 28, 2011 By

It’s fun to be able to use your creativity at work. It’s even better if you get paid handsomely to be creative. Here are the 5 highest paid careers in the entertainment industry.

1. Executive Producer

When it comes to the film industry, being a film producer can be very profitable. This job can include anything from writing for, investing in, or managing the movie that’s being produced. Producers typically decide on which film ideas should actually go into production, and then they either pay to produce the film or raise the capital to pay for production. Then the executive producer will hire writers, the director, casting directors, etc. Typically, the producer will have a big say in the direction of the story line and who is cast for the major roles.

2. Fashion Designer

If your passion is fashion, then being a fashion designer can be very profitable. Many who dream of becoming a fashion designer start by getting a fashion degree. This lays the foundation for success in the fashion world. Many designers begin their careers as fashion merchandisers or stylists before launching their own fashion lines. This helps in networking in the fashion industry and understanding what is involved in creating fashion lines that are successful. If running your own fashion line interests you, getting a business degree with a firm foundation in marketing, in addition to your fashion degree, can also help you.

3. Screenwriters

There are two ways to get hired as a screenwriter:

  1. Write a script, and then shop it around to film producers.
  2. Get hired to write a script for a movie that has already been chosen to be produced.

Depending on the deal that’s made when screenwriters are hired, screenwriters usually get a percentage of the money that the film produces, in addition to normal pay. That means that writers for big box office productions make quite a bit of dough.

4. Artist and Repertoire Administrator

An artist and repertoire administrator, often abbreviated A&R administrator, works for record labels. This job includes duties such as watching budgets for artists, including keeping track of studio time, musicians, and other miscellaneous expenses. The A&R administrator also works with the A&R coordinator on the progress of artists.

5. Film Editors

When it comes to producing high-quality films that have tight story lines, sometimes it comes down to the film editor. Editors spend hours in front of monitors choosing the best take for each scene, fulfilling the vision set out by the director.

Although a career in the entertainment industry may sound glamorous, the fact is that many of the jobs are tedious. Still, if you love what you’re doing, you’ll enjoy it. And if you choose the right career path, you could end up making a very nice salary. If you worked in the entertainment industry, what would your dream job be?

Filed Under: News

Low Tech Stuff Still Useful, in a Way

July 13, 2011 By
In these days of high tech everything, it’s hard to imagine that there’s anything that can’t be done, somehow. Technology keeps doubling and tripling itself every year and gadgets keep getting smaller and smarter.

 

However, sometimes it’s the low tech stuffthat surprises us, teaches us something we hadn’t seen coming. For instance, take Bavarian couple Rudi and Beate Greithanner, who recently discovered an ancient system of tunnels under their farm with some very low tech equipment. In fact, it’s so low tech that you can’t really call it equipment. 

It was their cow. She was grazing in the pasture and suddenly she sank in the wet ground up to her hips. Everyone around came to help get the cow out of there, leaving a gaping hole in the ground. 

Local Historians Baffled 

Rudi went and examined the hole. It looked bigger under the surface. He stuck his head down into it and looked around – then he got down inside it and found a damp, dark tunnel that descended diagonally into the earth. 

When others heard of the farm anomaly they came to see the great tunnel. It went 82 meters and connected to another tunnel, revealing a network of underground tunnels believed to be built in the 18th century. They tried to guess what the tunnels could have been for. 

Some think the tunnels were where they punished people and some thought maybe animals were kept down there. But, no feces or anything that could give them a hint; it appeared to be swept clean, which they think meant it was for spirits. The tunnels are still a mystery to this day.
Filed Under: Celebrity Comebacks, News, Politics Tagged With: , ,

The Concepts Behind International Relations

June 19, 2011 By
Ethics & International Affairs (journal) 

Image via Wikipedia

The study of the relationships between countries which include inter-governmental organizations the roles of states, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations, and international non governmental organizations is known as International Relations or IR and can also be categorized as International Affairs.

This study is both a public and academic policy field and can be either normative and positive because both of these aspects targets analyzing in addition to formulating the foreign policy of certain states. A great way to learn of international news is through reportingtheworld.org which is an important around the world news resource. IR is frequently perceived as a part of political science, but a key part of the academic world prefers it as a field of study that is in the interdisciplinary field.

IR, as an aspect of political science, centers on diverse fields such as sociology, international law, anthropology, social work, geography, philosophy, gender studies, nationalism, global finance, economic development, human rights and so much more.

One important concept of IR decision making is called Conjuncture, which in correlation with equality and freedom of action are essential elements. A decision maker must consider international conditions when he/she takes a role that would result in creating various responses. Another important concept of IR is power and can be explained in degrees of capabilities, resources, and international affairs influence. This power is often separated up into concepts of soft and hard power, with soft power covering cultural influence, diplomacy, and economics, and hard power covering coercive power such as using force.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , ,

Cricket’s Muve Music Feature Now Available in Houston Market

May 25, 2011 By

A typical Bluetooth mobile phone headset.

Image via Wikipedia

The Houston market is getting a big boost in the way of cell phones. The Muve music phone from Cricket is now available for the greater Houston area. It’s something that people will be happy to see. For some time now, the world of cell phones has been dominated by over-priced plans that are geared toward making the cell phone company money, but not plans that were geared toward providing real savings to the customer. The more bells and whistles, the more money it costs.

The Muve music phone has changed all that. For just the low price of $55 dollars a month, users can get the best unlimited talk and text, and they can get unlimited music downloads as well. Unlike some phones that can download music and be charged by the song, the Muve allows users to pay a monthly fee to download unlimited music to their phone.

The music download feature isn’t the only thing that makes the Muve music phone one of the better bargains out there on the market. The Muve is Bluetooth compatible. This means you can play the music on your phone through Bluetooth headphones, stereos, and car radios. It’s the best part of the phone, and that feature won’t cost you a single dime.

The world of cell phones doesn’t always throw you a bargain. This team it’s giving you one that you can love and will allow you to get all the hottest music for a fraction of the cost you would spend anywhere else. Houston just got a big upgrade.

Filed Under: News
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