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How Twitter Can Help Your Business

I’m sure most of you have heard of Twitter by now. It is a social network that helps people connect and keep in touch by sharing information in the form of Tweets, or little bits of information at a time. You are limited to just 140 characters per Tweet to tell people what you’re doing or share some information you’d like them to know about.

Like most social networks, it is used and was created for individuals to connect, but businesses have also jumped on the bandwagon to get information out about their products and services. This is accomplished by posting tweets that contain information that followers will find interesting. In addition, they are able to include links to their websites or blogs in their tweets that can be followed to direct traffic to their sites.

The key to using Twitter to help your business lies in making sure that the information posted in the tweets is interesting and engaging. The goal is to attract followers who will see each and every post they make. If the post is interesting enough, followers will be likely to retweet the message to their followers. This extends the reach of the message greatly.

One advantage to using social media in this fashion is that it provides a source of free advertising. The message reaches a potential audience much larger than could be achieved with local or television advertising and the cost is negligible.

Once a following is built up, the number of people who click through to a business’s website or blog increases exponentially. This gives the advantage that these people are already interested in what the business has to offer, making them that much more likely to purchase whatever product or service is being offered. This makes the ROI for using Twitter go very high when compared with other forms of advertising.

All forms of social media hold the potential for high returns on investment. Twitter is just one of many sites that exist with this potential. Its advantage over the others is that it has one of the widest reaches and takes the least amount of time to generate content. Due to the limit on the number of characters one can use, they have to keep their messages short and succinct. They must catch the attention of potential customers quickly and convince them to follow up by clicking on the link in the post.

Of course, there is one mistake that many businesses make that causes their attempts at using Twitter, or any other social media, as a means of advertising to fail miserably. That mistake is making overt attempts at selling. People are looking for interesting content, not advertising, when they use sites of this type. One can slip in a short sales pitch occasionally, but effort must be made to provide something of value to readers in addition.

Using Twitter to help your business can be one of the best ways to advertise on the internet. However, one must remember that this site was not created to provide free ad space. That is simply a side effect that can be made use of by smart businesses.

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Travel: Couples Vacations While Staying Close To Home

Getting away for a relaxing vacation with the one you love can be easier than booking an expensive cruise or a lengthy international flight. Staying local and spending time with each other can be just as romantic as booking a vacation abroad while allowing you to save money and travel time. A change of scenery in a hotel or cabin you’ve never been to is sometimes all it takes to make your holiday seem like an exotic adventure.

Escaping the City

When your day to day life is the hustle and bustle of the city you probably don’t want to check yourself into a hotel room that offers the same view as your downtown apartment. Depending on where you live, driving an hour out of town could put you into a drastically more rural area where you’ll find quaint bed & breakfasts or charming cottages available to rent.

If you live near an ocean, booking a beach house for a night or two can be a relaxing change of pace from the noise and traffic you’re used to. Local lakes often have cabins available to escape to for the weekend as well. Or if hanging out by a body of water doesn’t suit you, driving up into the mountains for a couple of days of hiking and camping can be a fantastic way to get some time alone together in the quiet and beauty of the wilderness.

Downtown Getaways

Living in an area where you already have all the peace and quiet you could ever want may leave you with the need for a little more excitement. Heading to the nearest big city and checking into one of the nicer hotels in the area can provide a welcome contrast to your everyday routine. If you have a few extra dollars to spend, book the penthouse suite and unwind in a luxurious Jacuzzi while sharing a decent bottle of champagne.

Staying downtown can give you access to a wide variety of dining and entertainment options you may not always have. Before your vacation, check out what live shows are going on in the area and surprise your partner with some tickets. Reading reviews of the local restaurants and making some reservations in advance can also take the worry out of deciding where to eat when you should just be relaxing.

Most cities can surprise you with what they have to offer when you don’t take the time to be a tourist in your own town. For more ideas on exciting things to do in your area, pop into your city’s tourism center or go to your local tourism website to take a look at your hometown from an outside perspective.

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Wine: What are the Differences between Red Wines and White Wines?

Aside from the obvious colour differences, red and white wines can vary in numerous ways. The differences in their composition can affect their taste, the foods they should be paired with, and their ability to age. Different types of grapes may be used for each type of wine, but in some instances the same grape varietal can produce both a red and white type with contrasting flavours and bouquets.

Fermentation Process

The first difference to be mentioned regarding red wine and white wine is the way they’re made. Red wine will generally be made form black grapes while whites can be made from black or green or a combination of both.

When making red wine, the manufacturer leaves the skins, seeds, and stems in the fermenting vat with the juices to allow the extra tannins to leech into the liquid. For white wine the juice would first be extracted from the skins, seeds, and stems then fermented on its own. Blush wine is produced by removing the skins part way through the fermentation process.

Taste and Tannins

The tannins in wine that give it a more bitter flavour come mostly from the skins. Because red wines are fermented in a vat with the skin, they a have higher tannin content and generally have a more dry and bitter flavour. Whites usually taste fresher and crisper as their tannin content is lower.

Aging

The tannins in wine help to preserve it, so for the most part, red wines can be aged longer and will taste better with age as the tannins mellow. Some of the tannins can be removed to make the wine ready for immediate consumption, which is why white wines are usually ready to drink much more quickly as they naturally have a lower tannin content.

Flavours

Generally speaking, red wines will have a more bitter, mouth puckering taste while whites will be much smoother and sweeter. Reds may taste heavier and full-bodied and lights may be fresher and fruitier, but in some cases those characteristics could be reversed. Tasting as many wines as possible will give you the best idea of what to expect with each type and can give you a better appreciation of the differences between white and red wine.

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Using Social Bookmarking to Find Information

Social Bookmarking

Because of the internet, it’s possible to gather huge amounts of information quickly. You can utilize search engines to gather this information, but it’s not necessarily the best choice. Social bookmarking is an excellent method of gathering information quickly, but not everyone understands social bookmarking.

I’m sure you have found websites that you thought were useful and have bookmarked it in whatever browser you use. That’s the way that social bookmarking works, except that instead of saving the bookmark to your web browser, you save it to a site on the Internet set up to save your bookmarks. Saving it to a social bookmarking site allows you to share your links with friends and family who might also enjoy the resource.

When you bookmark a site in this fashion, you can create public tags that identify the type of content that other users can expect. There are also websites that gather tags and rank sites based on user comments and tags. Tags can be a more useful and meaningful way to search than search engines when looking for information.

Some of the more well-known social bookmarking sites like digg, reddit, stubleupon, and delicious.com are used widely to bookmark and find information based on tags. As sites that are submitted to these bookmarking sites get more recommendations from their users, they move to the top of listings. So based on user popularity, for any topic there may be numerous listings, some with many recommendations and others with only a few. Obviously, the ones with the most recommendations will be the most useful of the listings.

You can also browse through information using categories on social bookmarking sites. There is often a way to sort the listings by most popular, recently added, or by the niche or type of site that it is, such as technology, sports, news, etc.

While social bookmarking began as a simple way to share links with friends and family, it has grown over the years and has become a very useful way to search for information. People often use these sites to stay current on topics that interest them. It’s easy to follow news and trends just by clicking on the categories that interest you and checking out the listings that will be shown from most popular to least popular.

Social bookmarking sites make finding information easier than searching through page after page of results that are often irrelevant in traditional search engines.

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Fitness Routines: Choosing One That Suits Your Lifestyle

Hearing that word “exercise” can frighten a lot of people and turn them off the idea of physical fitness. Don’t panic, because the road to good health doesn’t have to be unpleasant! Starting off slow and getting to know what exercise is all about could change your life and be possibly life saving. A few things may be holding you back from a regular exercise routine so take a look at your lifestyle and figure out what you can change to make fitness a part of your life .

Time

In this day and age, most people are too busy to take enough time for themselves. A lot of people are always on the go so trying to add a regular exercise routine into their lives may seem out of the question. Well your personal health is not worth that sacrifice! Taking a walk on your lunch break at work can get you at least 2 and a half hours of exercise a week. Spending time with your family can be turned into that gets everyone out of the house and off the couch for an hour a few times a week. Once you change your routine and get into new habits you’ll discover how easy it is to get in even just a quick workout everyday.

Money

A good work out routine definitely doesn’t have to be costly. Gym memberships can be expensive and buying a whole bunch of new exercise equipment may not be something you want to invest in immediately. You also don’t need to buy yourself a bunch of new supplement and vitamins to get started adding a fitness routine into your schedule. Going for a hike or jog is free and there are strength training exercises you can do from the comfort of your own home with no equipment. You can eat healthy buy just choosing the right food when preparing your meals. Especially when you’re starting off, there isn’t much you’ll need. You may decide to invest in a yoga mat or a few weights down road, but you can decide what you’ll need once you figure out what kind of workout routine works best for you.

Health and Well being

The benefits you’ll get from a healthier lifestyle aren’t limited to just looking better or losing weight. Being in better shape can have a huge affect on your mood and can battle depression. Having a regular exercise routine can also greatly impact your ability to deal with stress. If you’re already feeling down about yourself or need a lifestyle change, make a commitment to get started today! If you haven’t been active much (or at all) in a long while, then it might seem a bit rough at first, but it does not take long to get over that initial hurdle to a place where exercise becomes purely pleasurable. Give physical fitness a chance and you will be opening a door to an invaluable experience.

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50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #31-50

50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #31-50 …

31. Mix it up.
Don’t just use Twitter as a promotional site. Try to keep a dialogue going, let people know what’s happening, and other things aside from over promotion.

32. Partner up.
It can never hurt to form a partnership with some of your fellow tweeters. Come up with a network within a network, and you’ll be amazed at the results.

33. Realize there are other avenues, and then expand on them.
While Twitter is great, don’t neglect your other social media sites, blogs, or your own website!

34. Take out the trash.
You can always “unfollow” people who are not posting positive comments, other companies who spam you, or “junk” Twitter friends. Don’t be afraid to clean house every once in a while.

35. Future tweets reap sweet treats.
You can now use tools that allow you to type up your tweets in advance so you can plan ahead, and then they will post to your account when you’re ready. A great time saver!

36. Automated Tweets can help you prioritize.
There are tools where you can select certain topics or sub-topics for notification, so that the topics important
to you will be delivered daily, or however you like.

37. Use the advanced search to your benefit.
Twitter and other tools related to it have advanced search options, so you can really find that niche poster or specified topic that you’re interested in.

38. Use links.
Never mention a resource without linking if at all possible, this way people trust your opinions because they’re backed up with real links.

39. Try not to abbreviate too much.
While Twitter only allows 140 characters and that can be tough to express yourself, try to avoid too many abbreviations.

40. Avoid offending people by using bad language.
While this seems obvious, a lot of people get carried away on Twitter. As a business, you want avoid foul language.

41. Be as thorough as you can …
… when explaining who you are, what your company does, and what you have to offer.

42. Stay away from arguments if possible.
Some people may get obnoxious or belligerent on Twitter. Try to avoid arguments by just ignoring them, otherwise you can dig your own hole and make yourself look bad.

43. Don’t be boring.
Do not talk about what you had for breakfast or the weather. Keep your posts fresh, fun, and interesting.

44. Counts don’t count.
Do not worry about how many followers you have. This can distract you from the quality of your posts.

45. Refuse spammers.
Keep spammers and spam emailers out of your Twitter feed or else they can ruin your page.

46. Ask and ye shall receive.
Don’t be afraid to ask others to retweet your tweets, or to link you to their blogs, etc. Most people will oblige if you just ask.

47. Open up to your audience.
Try to loosen up and have your other Tweeters do the same by being honest, intimate, and real with your readers. People will really enjoy the candid postings and stay enthralled.

48. Offer downloadable material.
You can always offer a PDF download or other material on your Twitter page for people to look at and get more information.

49. Use SEO to your advantage,
… and do not forget to implement important keywords in the Twitter posts.

50. Do not stop abruptly.
If you have to go on vacation, make sure you have a sitin tweeter to fill your post so your readers stay tuned.

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50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #21-30

50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #21-30 …

21. Digging for other blogs through Twitter:
Twitter is a great way to get some insight into other blogging websites such as Digg and other related sources. This can be a good way to not only find other peoples’ blogs, but link to them and inform other people about their content. By doing a search you can find tons of great blogs on the web that can be linked to your Twitter.

22. Contests are tons of fun on Twitter.

Host an impromptu giveaway contest on Twitter. You can do this every day, every week, monthly, whatever you choose. It’s a great way to get all of your followers to stay interested and engaged, and freebies are always a guarantee of new contacts.

23. Ask for feedback.
Don’t just tell everyone what you’re doing via Twitter, try to ask everyone for their opinion or feedback. It’s a good way to start a dialogue and open up a forum for new suggestions and changes that can be made.

24. Colors matter.
Think about the color scheme of your Twitter page, and try to make it appealing and something that will fit your business’ niche. For example, a NASCAR Twitter page wouldn’t use a pink and red color scheme! Choose colors that fit your message and your style.

25. Fonts are Important, too.
The fonts you use for the main Twitter page should also fit the theme of the business or page.

26. Make Twitter followers feel special
… by offering “Twitter followers only” specials and coupons. This encourages new purchases as well as new followers.

27. Offer more than just Twitter.
If you’re so inclined, let people know they can contact you outside of Twitter via email, text, or even phone. Open up the lines of communication.

28. Use behind the scenes tools.
Don’t forget to look at metrics and what people click on, and from where. This is definitely an invaluable tool.

29. Get into a routine.
Figure out a Twitter rhythm, and then stick with it. Once you get into the flow of posting, your readers will stick with you.

30. Participate as much as possible.
Contribute, and be a part of others’ Twitter pages as well. Don’t just stand in the shadows, or you might lose followers.

Stay tuned for 50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #31-50 …

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50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #11-20

50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #11-20 …

11. Why email when you can Twitter?

Don’t send out short and sweet emails to your subscribers. Most people who sign up for emails from companies expect
a monthly and at worst weekly update that is chock full of information. They don’t want to open a short email with not much to go on. Save this for Twitter, where people hunger for the short sentences and blurbs. Then, you can compile all of these over the span of a month or so into one email for the others.

12. Use a cool “follow me” graphic.
There are now hundreds of different follow me graphics to choose from that will grab peoples’ attention. You can even customize your graphic if you want to, so people will see something distinctive about your page. Just like the template, the follow me graphics get you notice and entice people to want more information, so make sure this graphic is done well.

13. Keep it casual.
Remember that Twitter is a social site, so it’s got more of a casual feel than some websites might. Make sure the posts are generally light, with a touch of humor otherwise you might lose your core audience. The purpose of following others on Twitter is so that it’s entertaining. If you post too serious or heavy posts, it might turn some readers off.

14. Sub-divide your Twitter page.

You don’t have to just have ONE company page. Instead, try to come up with a page for all of your staff. This way, your customers get to know others on the team. It also adds a bit of diversity for the business, and gives people a cast of characters to follow instead of a faceless, nameless company. It also entices people to follow more so they stay connected to both you and your business.

15. Incorporate video into your Twitter page.
Many people may not know that now Twitter allows for multimedia additions, so feel free to include video plug-ins on your page. This makes it more exciting, and people will want to follow your postings more closely if there’s video included.

16. Divide and conquer.
You can actually separate your followers into different groups. This is actually quite useful, especially if some people are customers, some are peers, some are competitors, and some are personal contacts. This way, you only update the people who care about certain things with particular tweets, while the others don’t have to see those, and vice versa. It’s a good way to hone in on your audience’s interests.

17. Itunes, Iphones, and Twitter:

There are plenty of new tools available right now that incorporated into Apple’s applications. This makes your Twitter updates available to busy people who are on the go, and for people who access your
page solely on their Iphones.

18. It’s not just for Iphones any more:
Aside from the Iphone specific applications, there are plenty of other mobile Twitter-related apps out there you can use. Not only can your users download these apps and use them on their cell phones, but you can do the same and follow your friends and cohorts as well.

19. Inform your customers of stock status.
Twitter also has tons of great features and plug-ins that will notify your customers when certain items you carry are in stock, and when they go on sale. This is an excellent way to notify people so they can make it purchase. This is also helpful for you, so you can get a jump start on your suppliers and what they are offering for you.

20. Map it out.
Google Maps and many other map websites now integrate with Twitter. This can be fun to show your followers where you’re traveling, or just to show them where your business is located. It’s also handy so that you can find posters and look up where they are located.

Stay tuned for 50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #21-30 …

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50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #1-10

50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #1-10 ….

1. Network with noteworthy business associates, competitors, and peers.

You don’t have to simply befriend every person you can that requests you or vice versa on Twitter. Instead, choose your networking buddies carefully. Look for fellow executives or business owners who work within your particular niche. Then, follow their progress, look for advice, and of course, throw in some of your own two cents as well. By befriending people who are in the same line of work as you, you’ll get an insider’s look at how their successes compare to yours.

2. Update your audience fairly regularly, but don’t over load them.
A lot of people are most likely interested in what you have to say, otherwise they probably wouldn’t have added you to begin with. This means you should be updating them on a fairly regular basis so they can keep up with what’s happening in your world or your business’ world. On the other hand, you don’t want to overload people so much that the feel of your Twitter site feels “spammy” and they turn away. Try to maintain the balance between good updating and overwhelming people with insignificant updates.

3. Use Twitterfeed to help people stay updated.
Twitterfeed is basically the website’s answer to an RSS feed, and it’s a great way to automatically keep your followers updated without them checking your page too often. It also allows things to be updated on their own, so you don’t have to spend extra time telling everyone you have an updated; it’s all done for you.

4. Use Twitter at conferences and trade shows.

When you’re out and about networking in the REAL world, don’t forget to use Twitter then as an
opportunity to update your customers and peers on what you’re seeing and doing. This shows them that you’re being proactive and it’s a lot of fun as well. You can tell them some funny things you might be seeing at the trade show, or maybe inform them of an interesting vendor you’ve hooked up with. By sharing your experiences as you go along, you’re garnering more interest in what is happening with your business.

5. Keep an eye on what people are saying.
Don’t forget that Twitter, like any other virtual conversation, is a two-way street. Pay attention to what other
members are saying, and see if they’re Twittering about you. If they are, you might want to use that as an opportunity to either thank them for a nice compliment, or to make good if they are posting a complaint. Remember that you’re never 100% safe from someone who might try to talk negatively about you, your website, or anything else on Twitter. Be sure to use this to your advantage in a diplomatic way.

6. Display your Twitter profile on business cards, your website, and in email signatures.
Remind people in other ways that you’re on Twitter. Some clients and customers might not know his until you pass the information along. Get a nice snapshot of your Twitter home page and then display it along with a link to the Twitter page on your actual website. Include the page’s URL in email signatures and you can even print this on a business card if you like.

7. Make Twitter another home hub.
Use Twitter to display your business growth, charts, statistics, and other factual data. This way, people who prefer to watch what’s happening with you on Twitter have the same basic information and access as those who usually just visit your website.

8. Promote Events.
Remember to not just update people on the comings and goings of your business, but also to get them hyped up for any big events you may have coming up. This can be anything from an appearance at a trade show to a huge seasonal sale or a launching of a new product. Always keep Twitter in mind when it comes to these updates, and remember that it can reach a lot more people than just your email subscribers.

9. Filter your traffic to other places.
You can use Twitter to also steer people to other resources that you use for marketing such as a blog page or website updates. The exchange of information through Twitter can go both ways, so keep that in mind. It’s a good way to get others moving to different resources that you have available that they might not know about.

10. Find a cool template that says who you are as company.
Twitter now allows users to customize the look of their home page. Use something individual and creative as your Twitter page. This can be the same graphics you use on your website, a company logo, or something you’ve customized just for Twitter. No matter what it is, make sure it’s appealing to the eyes and does not look too “busy.”

Stay tuned for 50 Powerful Twitter Tactics for Serious Twitter Users: #11-20 …

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Wine: Choosing the Right Wine for Your Meal

When pairing a wine with any given meal, a few guidelines should be followed. It’s important not to overpower the food being served while choosing something that will compliment the taste. If you want to keep the process simple there are some very general rules you can follow, but to choose the perfect wine a little more experience and research may be required.

Wine and Food Pairing Basics

Generally speaking, it’s usually a safe bet to pair red wine with richer foods and white wines with lighter meals. You may also choose to use a wine from a certain region with foods that come from the same area. The right wine should prepare your palate for the meal you’re enjoying rather that clash with it, so choosing a wine that is less complex that your food can be a good start.

When to Use a Red Wine

On most occasions, a red wine can be served with red meats and red sauces. They can go well with beef, lamb, pasta, or anything rich and hearty. Some red wines are more bitter than others, so depending on your personal tastes and your own experiences, you may find a personal preference for which wine variety you like best with different types of meats.

White Wines with Your Meals

White wines are usually crisper and fruitier and can be paired best with lightly seasoned foods. Chicken, fish, pork, and foods with light sauces will usually taste best with a white wine. Sweeter whites can be served with fruits and salads while a drier type may taste best with something that has a bit more spice.

Getting More Information on Specific Wines

A certain degree of trial and error may be required if you have a pickier palate, but starting with the basics will point you in the right direction. Tasting more wines can expand your knowledge base and being open to the suggestions of experienced sommeliers when dining out may introduce you to potentially new and delightful wine and food pairings.

The proper wine should add to the flavour of the meal rather than distract from it. If you’re serving a multi-course meal, it can be a good idea to offer a different type of wine for each course. Your own tastes will be the final deciding factor on which wines to serve with which meals, but additional tips and advice can be found on manufacturer’s websites, in-store from your wine retailer, or even by the suggestions of regular dinner party guests.

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Social Media Sites: What Are They?

Social Media is a way for people to share information from numerous sources. One of the real advantages to using social media to disseminate information, is it is shared in real time, meaning that when you share it, people can read it immediately. Social media sites facilitate this by giving users the platform to share information and connect with many people. Users can share this information through posts, articles, news stories, videos and more.

FaceBook is another such site. Here, users can create online profiles, upload photos, and share information with friends all around the world. Users can even make friends with people located all the way around the world and share information with them through their friend pages.

Twitter is also considered a social media site. On this site, users are asked the question, “What are you doing right now?” They may answer in any fashion they wish, though responses are limited to only 140 characters, including spaces. Other individuals may choose follow a person on Twitter and be able to view any of that person’s posts, called “Tweets.”

Flickr is a social site that allows individuals to upload photos and share them with other users.

In addition to the examples mentioned, the internet contains thousands of forums where people with similar hobbies, jobs, tastes, and other traits can visit and post discussions of these interests. Other users have the option of making a direct reply or posting a comment on the post and sharing this other readers as well.

Users also have the option of creating Blogs, user generated sites where an individual can compose and write his/her own content about any subject. The content of these entries immediately becomes searchable on the internet and can be viewed by anyone with access and an interest in the topic of the content.

Social media sites were created for the use of individual users who wished to share information. More and more businesses are finding that these sites are useful tools for them to use in raising product awareness. They can use these sites to generate trust in their opinions and expertise. However, directly trying to push a person to buy a particular item does not work on these sites and could get a business banned from access. Consumers are usually repelled by such overt advertising techniques.

The most important thing one needs to know about social media sites is that 100 percent of the content is generated by users of the site. This content is fluid in that it can be edited or changed at any time by anyone. These sites allow individuals to reach a worldwide audience and to interact with others located anywhere in the world, often in real time conversations.

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Poker Player Styles Of Play

Poker Player Styles Of Play

poker-player-styles-of-play

Reading your opponents for the most part comes down to identifying what poker style they play with. Knowing what poker styles you are playing against will help you become a winning poker player because you can make adjustments in your play.

LAGs (loose aggressive) play many hands, very aggressively. Extreme LAGS are maniacs. They rely on luck and tend to have very big swings – they will occasionally have big wins, but more often have big losses. Their undisciplined play will tend to confuse you, which adds to their success when they’re running hot.

LAPs (loose passive) play many hands, very weakly (few raises, many calls) I call these players lambs (calling stations). This is by far the worst player. They see almost every pot and almost every street and almost never maximize a win (unless someone else is doing the betting for them). They could have the nuts and may very well check/call (which can be a bit confusing, but at least it’s not as costly as losing to a LAG!)

TAGs (tight aggressive) play few hands, but play them very aggressively (ideal style) players who can play this style well, tend to do very well – they typically maximize their wins and control their losses.

TAPs (tight passive) play few hands, but play them very weakly (lots of calling and folding) – also known as rocks, they tend to be winners, but fail to maximize their wins, but do minimize their losses. They will get very little action because they are so rarely involved in a hand that any one with half a clue will get out of their way. Watch out for the check raise from these guys.

So what poker style should you integrate into your game? This is a hard question to answer. I think it comes down to your natural style and whatever you are comfortable playing. Whatever style you are playing, you never want to become too predictable because the good players will pickup on it and you will get owned.

I like to play against LAGs when I am sitting to their left. If you are playing solid poker and have patience, you will always get them in a spot where you have a premium hand and they have overplayed a pair, and you will get all their chips.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Poker Blog …

Posted in PokerComments Off on Poker Player Styles Of Play

“How To Get Buckets Of Hands Free Traffic And Explode Your Sales In ANY PROGRAM Faster Than A Jack Rabbit On Viagra…”

“How To Get Buckets Of Hands Free Traffic And Explode Your Sales In ANY PROGRAM Faster Than A Jack Rabbit On Viagra…”

Over 130,000 people agree…

“Use this time tested, paint by numbers system for ANY of your own products, affiliate products, and home based businesses — Then watch your profits skyrocket…”
by David Wood

Today, people want content. They want to be able to trust you. They want to either know that they are buying from someone who knows what they are talking about (and proves it by publishing content on a blog or website)…

Or they want to buy from someone who is entertaining, and that they like.

I realized this early on, and while everyone else ran around “pitching” – I started creating valuable content.

I actually set-up a blog (even though it ended up costing me thousands to finally get it the way I wanted it). And on that blog, I wrote articles, reviews, and shared my thoughts, ideas, and the little value I had to offer at that time.

And do you know what? Even though I wasn’t a “guru”, and I didn’t have all the answers, people started coming back to read my posts, and they subscribed to my email marketing list (so I could follow up with them and sell them stuff)…
and eventually, something magical happened

“I started to out produce everyone around me!”

Little ole me. The ex-homeless ‘van man’. Out producing everyone around me, even the guys on the phone all day (I actually didn’t have a phone then, and still don’t have a phone to this day).

After 3 months of using this strategy… I had my first $30,000.00 month!

My secret: create unique content on my blog that intrigued online “prospects” and built relationships with them, automatically, without ever picking up the phone.

And do you know how much it costs me to start making sales hand over first? Well, I did pay thousands of dollars to get my damn blog set-up and working how I wanted it to work – but as far as advertising …
– I paid NOTHING. All free marketing.

Because I figured out the traffic I generated to my blog was a higher quality than any other traffic online. So I never even bothered with paid advertising. Especially after they had watched my videos, read my articles, and started to know, like and trust me.

Over the next 2 years I became the number one recruiter in 4 companies. I earned tens-of-thousands of dollars a month, and I ended up moving to Costa Rica to live on the beach, drink out of coconuts, and sink my toes into the hot sand.

“And now, as one of the most well respected, successful, and most followed marketers on earth – If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be this…”

You have to have your own blog. Not only that, you have to have it OPTIMIZED to get hoards of traffic AND to make insane amounts of sales.

Because you can get all the traffic in the world, but if you’re not converting visitors into buyers… you’re HOSED. Game over.

There’s still a major problem…

It’s easier said than done. Everyone these days seems to be on a blog bandwagon. They all say how “Easy” it is to get set up and running…

That’s a bunch of BULL CRAP.

Look, I’m no PhD. But I also didn’t just fall off the stupid truck either.

When I got started I knew I had to stand out more. I knew I didn’t want to chase people. It’s all about people chasing you and throwing money at you.

So I decided to start a blog…

PFFFF… What a fricken NIGHTMARE!

No joke, it took me countless hours a day staring at my computer, many sleepless nights, and a total of SIX MONTHS just to figure out the formula. (Hell, I actually know one person that took TWO YEARS to get set up)

And like I said before, thousands in programming, designs and improvements to get it working right.

PLUS, it took another six months to get traffic rolling in and become an authority.

BUT, once I nailed it… I became the top distributor in four different companies.

Look, you don’t want to spend a minimum of six months just to get set up… do you?

You don’t want to wait another six months like I did to start getting traffic and become an authority… do you?

You want your money, and you want it NOW… right? (Just like those corny TV commercials)

Well, here’s how…

“The Secret To Making Anything You Touch Turn Into Gold…”

What if you could take all my mistakes. And all my past failures. And all my wasted money and time…

…and PROFIT from it.

Imagine for a second, you posting on your first blog 5 minutes from now, and then your first visitor landing on your page, reading about your product or business – and pulling out their credit card and buying.

Imagine people coming to your blog, and giving you their email address so you can send them email promos to buy products, or join your business.

Imagine building a list of leads that is so big, you can send out ONE email and make $1,000 … $2,000 … or even $5,000!

It’s possible. People are doing it right now. The questions is…

“So how can I get set-up with my own blog and start making money ASAP?”

I’m glad you asked (it’s a smart question to ask right now).

Let me introduce to you…

“The Empower Network Viral Blogging System”

Have you ever heard the saying “Some people can trip in shit and turn it into gold“?

That’s what this viral blog platform can do for you.

Because just about EVERYTHING IS ALREADY DONE FOR YOU…

– You don’t have to spend countless hours trying to figure out the geek speak…

– You don’t have to buy a domain name…

– You don’t have to know how to point your DNS…

– You don’t have to get expensive high speed hosting…

– You don’t have to FTP a damn thing…

– You don’t have to pay a designer thousands for a kick ass, high converting theme…

– You don’t have to pay a programmer to code everything and solve problems as they come up…

– You don’t have to set up a MySQL database…

– You don’t have to learn how to use cPanel…

– You don’t have to do any complicated installs…

In fact, all you do is pick a theme, add your autoresponder to build your list if you want, place a banner ad or two, and start blogging. That’s it. All the geeky crap is taken care of.

We’re talking stuff so simple you’ll feel like a fourth grader cheating on a math test. If you can color inside the lines, you’re good to go.

How’s that for EASY set up?

No headaches. No worries. No frustration. You can literally be set-up and blogging within the next 3 minutes

Listen, one way or the other this work needs to be done. That is if you really want to have a snowballs chance in hell to start seeing $10,000.00 a day paydays like we do.

So the only question is… are you going to spend a year doing a bunch of grunt work and spend a fortune in the process?

Or…

Are you going to do what over 130,000 SMART marketers do and let us do the hard part for you?

Here’s what they say about the Viral Blogging System …

“I originally bought the blogging system because I was planning on using it to start a new business. However when I saw how great it worked and how awesome the business was I decided to market Empower Network instead. As a result I was able to experience my first $1500 day marketing online part time.”
— Roosevelt Cooper

“Prior to using this system, I was a struggling network marketer’s who was following the 2-4 year plan for 6 years and was spending more money than I was making. Then I joined Empower Network system, decided to go all in and found out all the key components I was missing all this time and have finally made my first $3000 online and the commissions keep on coming daily. Thank you Empower!”
— Alexandra Ambrois-Pierre

“I love having my $1,000 or $3,000 mornings in my Business, while I am having breakfast with my son. The money is great in Empower Network, but whats more valuable is the time freedom it provides.”
— Elena Fraga

“I spent 1K on a blogging product that I won’t mention… got nowhere with 6 months of hard blogging and ranking…Got in with Empower and the $25 blogging system, learned to leverage some good SEO, and now have over 10 posts ranking on page 1!”
— Aaron Chen

“I didn’t know how to rank my exact keyword on Google, until I used my Empower Network Viral Blogging System. The keyword,”Empower Network Philippines” ranked number 1 on Google, and helped me out to connect and attract new business partners within the country. On February 11th 2011, I quit my job…and retired at age 33.”
— Anonymous 1

“I use the Viral Blogging System to write my real estate blogs. In my local market, clients Google your name and look up your license. When they search my name, all they see is articles, blogs, and videos about real estate and entrepreneurship. My Empower Network blog gives me authority in my local market.”
— Charles Butler

“I figured out my purpose in life by blogging! Sharing the power of Yoga and meditation is something I had gotten away from, but now, I make money just by sharing it with the world, because I’m using the Empower Network blogging platform.”
— Anonymous 2

“I definitely got what I was looking for in the 15K Formula. However, In my 10 years online I have NEVER experienced this high level of training. However, what really BLEW ME AWAY was the power of the blogging platform. I decided to use it as a showcase for my listings, and within days I completely dominated the first page of Google for every one of my listings. This tool is the most powerful thing I’ve seen for ANY business, PERIOD.”
— Michelle Breuer

But wait, we’re not stopping there…

“The Real Secrets To Making Gobs Of Cash In ANY Home Business Or Affiliate Program…”

Check this out…

Having your blog set up and ready to rock is only half of the puzzle. (Even though that’s the part most people never get past)

Now that you’ve gotten past the hard part, you still need to know what to do with it to make maximum money.

So we’re also giving you…

“The Eight Core Commitments” Fast Start Training…

This is truly revolutionizing the industry. You’ll discover the secrets Dave Sharpe and I used to go from homeless and broke… to becoming online millionaires in less than two years.

This is the kind of training no networking or affiliate company teaches. In fact it goes against all the crap they tell you to do…

– You won’t be cold calling leads that get pissed off at you…

– You won’t be chasing friends and family who think you’ve lost your marbles…

– You won’t be hitting up strangers at Wal-Mart…

– You won’t be sticking tacky flyers on car windshields…

– You won’t be “tricking” people into coming to “Pitch parties”…

– And you won’t be doing all the other crazy stuff that causes most people to drop out and fail…

Nope, the only thing you’ll be doing is letting people track you down and beg you to take their money!

Listen, I did all that crazy stuff before… and IT SUCKED! Talk about massive rejection…

If I hadn’t figured out a way to do it without talking to a soul I would have probably dropped out too…

But once I discovered these simple secrets, my whole life turned around.

I can honestly say without any shadow of a doubt… If you do exactly what we show you in these eight videos, your life will change for good.

And the best part is, this ain’t rocket science. Seriously, it’s so easy a sixth grader could do it.

I know from my own experience, it’s one thing to read about all this stuff… but it’s another entirely to do it… and crucially, to KNOW it works.

You’ll know without question that following these eight steps is as simple as falling off a log.

Once you do these 8 steps, you’ll bust through the final barrier holding you back. Here’s a taste of what’s inside…

Module One – This is the starting point to becoming the heavy hitter you deserve to be. You’ll discover how just ONE secret… ONE simple shift in the way you do things will transform your life almost instantly. I know, because this was the tipping point for me.

Module Two – To become wealthy, this step is an absolute MUST. I do it, my partner Dave does it, and everyone we know who’s successful does it. The best part is it only takes a few minutes a day and it’s as easy as getting wet in the rain.

Module Three – This picks up where module 2 left off. You’ll discover how to take what you did in module two, add a little “Special sauce”, and put your business into hyper-drive doing this ONE thing.

Module Four – Here you’ll discover how to make the most money possible from all your new leads. It’s kind of like a “Jedi Mind Trick” (Ethical of course) that causes you prospects to eagerly give you more money, and thank you for it.

Module Five – This one is easy… but don’t think for a minute that just because it’s so simple you can skip it. It’s one little thing to do each week that can make all the difference in the world to your business.

Module Six – This is better than taking your vitamin in the morning. It’s a once a day ritual you can do at any time (I prefer morning to start the day out right), and don’t worry, it’s not exercise. What it does is gets your head in the game, and prepares you to be the best you can be.

Module Seven – This adds a little “kick ass” to module six. Add this and you’ll see even better results. I can guarantee you this… EVERY successful person in the world does this and you should too.

Module Eight – This is the kicker. This is the final step to making your wildest dreams come true. It’s the difference from making an OK income like everyone else … Or making an income most people only dream about. Time to make this your reality!

Once you do these 8 steps, you’ll bust through the final barrier holding you back.

When you banish all doubt and see it working in front of your own eyes… it changes your income potential for good.

Don’t fall into the Chronic Learning Syndrome death-trap. You know, where all you do is read and read without taking action… Spending hours floating around forums and digging into eBooks and high-ticket courses that don’t deliver.

Remember, this works for ANYTHING you’re trying to promote and get leads for.

This alone is a $1497.00 value.

“How much is this going to cost me…?”

Let’s put this into perspective using REAL numbers…

– First, you need a domain and hosting.
– Domain from GoDaddy- $20.00 (private registration)
– Dedicated IP hosting from BlueHost- $300.00
– SSL certificate- $50.00
– Site Backup- $13.00
Total- $383.00 per year.

And that’s the cheap part…

– You also need a GOOD designer that knows all about web conversion. (And finding a designer like that is NOT easy). They have to build out your kick ass template to convert visitors into sales. Expect to pay in the $5000.00 range.
– Next, you need a programmer to install your databases, FTP your files, secure your site, code your files, and handle all the tech stuff to get you online. Average wage for a good programmer is $150.00 an hour. Expect to pay for about 4 hours to start. I’m not even including the times in the future when something breaks and you have to hire them to fix it.

Total start up $600.00

And to get ‘free traffic’ rolling in, you can…

A) Stay up day and night hanging out in the forums trying to learn the newest, hottest, black hat SEO strategy that will get you to the top of Google

B) You can hire an SEO expert to do all the ‘dirty work’ for you

C) You can leverage the authority of the Empower Network viral blogging platform and get instant authority and rankings in the search engines because the search engines love our community of bloggers, our established domain and the hundreds-of-thousands of pages of unique content on our site.

But, let’s just say you want to be stubborn and do things your way — and you decide to hire an SEO expert. Guess what, good ones START at $5000.00 a month.

So when we add everything up…

Doing everything yourself will cost you conservatively $65,383.00 your first year.

Wanna know a secret? Currently we pay around $75,000.00 A MONTH just to keep The Viral Blog Platform operating like a well-oiled machine.

The good news is you’re not going to pay $75,000.00 a month like we do. Not even close…

– And you won’t even pay $5448.00 a month (That’s $65,383.00 divided by 12 if you did everything yourself)…
– You won’t even have to pay $497.00 a month which would actually be a good deal…
– Not even $97.00 a month which would be just insane…
– And not even $49.00 a month which is highway robbery…

Your final price today for everything you see here is just a measly $25 a month, and you can easily cancel at any time if you’re not blown away.

BUT YOU HAVE TO ACT FAST…

My partner Dave was not too crazy about this price. So I made a deal with him. After we reach a certain number of members we are raising the price back to the original $97.00 like we had first planned.

And we are fast approaching that number… don’t wait another second, click the link below before it’s too late…

[CLICK HERE, NOW! … Viral Blogging System]

Let’s recap what you get…

The Viral Core Blogging System: $497 Value
You get a core “done for you” blogging system, INSTANTLY set-up with all the “bells and whistles”… so I can be ready to generate traffic and leads as soon as you place your order!

8-Part Fast Start Video Training Series: $297 Value
In this high-value video training series, you’ll discover the most effective ways to leverage your blog (if results are what you’re after), the core “must have” secrets to FAST online business building, and a downloadable PDF “Core Checklist” that will outline your biggest money making details all in one place.

Website Hosting, Design, Theme and Plugins: $247 Value
Because you want to get marketing and making money fast, you don’t want to have to set-up your blog – and here, you don’t have to! You’ll get free hosting for your blog, a free theme with a sleek design (complete with profit pulling sales psychology), plus valuable paid plugins so you can save money and avoid set-up! Also, you get a blank theme template included so you can create your own custom look geared towards ANYTHING you’re promoting!

24/7 Easy access to the most successful “Money-Getting Bloggers” in our online community. (Priceless).
Read, review, comment, like and more. You can even re-blog other people’s content on YOUR blog to provide your visitors with great information they can’t get enough of.

BONUS: Instant Access to Empower Network’s NEW Mobile Application (FREE Upgrade)
Upload Text & Images right to your Blog with just a few clicks from any MOBILE device … giving you the ability to build your business on the go, and Instantly plug in to training from any where in the World!

BONUS: Multiple Blogs!
That’s right – Blog about your Products. Blog about your Business. Blog about your Family, or your favorite Hobbies, or Sports Teams, or ANYTHING, all on different Blogs, for the same low price of only $25! And control them all from one simple, proprietary Viral Blogging Dashboard! (Priceless)

.. We provide the tools, but it’s still up to YOU to use them.

We make no promise or income claims, because that part is up to you. Again, we provide the tools, the blueprint, and do all the tech work for you, all you need is to be committed to yourself and your business.

You still here? Are you committed?

Congratulations, you’re the kind of person we want in our circle.

Imagine for a moment…

You’ve got your blog set up, you’re following the eight core commitments, and you’ve got mad, effortless traffic flooding your blog uncontrollably…

Its morning, no alarm clock, you got up when you felt good and ready, and you grab a nice hot beverage or juice…

You open your email and see line after line saying “Congratulations, you’ve got a commission”… and that’s about the hardest work you’ll have to do for the day…

Maybe you walk the dog while you decide what YOU feel like doing today…

Do you go play golf? Maybe plan your next vacation? Go to the beach? Go shopping just for the hell of it?

Or maybe you just relax and do nothing!

The point is the choice is 100% yours. No “Bosshole” telling you what to do. You are free and your time is yours.

Oh, and all the people who thought you were batshit crazy to try that whole internet thing are eating their words and sheepishly asking YOU how to change their lives.

And imagine this… You get an email from your primary company saying you’re the number one affiliate. They want to fly you FIRST CLASS, all expenses paid to a special awards convention to honor YOU.

It’s a good feeling, isn’t it.

“So what are you waiting for…”

Grab your spot now while you can still get the 75% discount. Click the link below and you’ll get instant access to your blog and your training…

We’ll see you on the inside,
Dave and Dave

PS- Don’t spend $65,383.00 your first year trying to get your blog set up and getting traffic. We do all the hard work without breaking the bank thanks to the Viral Blogging Platform.

PPS- over 130,000 people and counting can’t be wrong, this system ROCKS. And you can get it today for 75% off the normal price… but you have to act fast.

GET ACCESS NOW!
Ready to JOIN… JOIN NOW!

Un-decided? Watch the FREE VIDEO (click the video on the right sidebar) For More Info on Empower Network & the affiliate business.

[CLICK HERE, NOW! … Viral Blogging System]

Posted in Home Income, Motivation & InspirationComments Off on “How To Get Buckets Of Hands Free Traffic And Explode Your Sales In ANY PROGRAM Faster Than A Jack Rabbit On Viagra…”

Travel: Romantic Vacation Destinations for Couples

Travel: Romantic Vacation Destinations for Couples

Any vacation you take with your sweetheart can be made into a romantic getaway just by enjoying the time alone with each other, but some vacation destinations can add a little more to the mood you’re trying to make if you want your next vacation to be extra special. Whether it’s for an anniversary, Valentine’s Day, a honeymoon, or just because you want to reconnect, choosing the right spot that you’ll both appreciate can guarantee you’ve set the stage to make some unforgettable memories with the one you love.

Overseas Vacations

If you can afford it, flying to another country can be an incredible experience to share with your partner. Some of the most romantic spots in the world are the in the oldest countries with the richest history. France and Italy can provide a traditional romantic atmosphere while India or Africa may give a more exotic experience. Depending on the interests you share with your significant other, you may find the jungles of the Amazon the most enticing and romantic spot on Earth.

Planning an international vacation can sometimes come with complications and extra effort in the vacation planning process. In order to keep your getaway a romantic and pleasant experience, take any extra steps available to ensure you have everything in the proper order and triple check your reservations on flights, hotels, and car rentals. Using a travel agency and utilizing the safety net of travel insurance will be a big relief to both you and your partner should there be any unexpected surprises on your vacation.

Staying Local

You don’t need to fly across the globe to have the most amazingly romantic experience with the person you share your life with. Driving to a nearby coast town to rent a cabin or heading into the city to stay in a penthouse suite can become the most extravagant getaway possible with the right planning.

Even when you’ve lived in an area your whole life, you may not know what your city has to offer. Every city has its most romantic dining spots so seeking out a place neither of you have ever been to could be a lovely surprise. Be sure to read up on reviews before making any reservations to avoid any potential let downs on your romantic evening.

Romantic Vacation Activities

If your romantic vacation puts you on a resort with a spa, take an afternoon to enjoy a couple’s spa treatment. If the penthouse you’re staying in has a Jacuzzi, put it to use by sharing a bubbly soak with a quality bottle of Champagne. In any old style city, a carriage ride in the evening while gazing into each other’s eyes will have you feeling like you just fell in love all over again. Regardless of where you travel to, checking in with the local tourism center will help you plan a few romantic activities to share together.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Travel Blog …

Posted in TravelComments Off on Travel: Romantic Vacation Destinations for Couples

Wine: Choosing the Perfect Wine to Give As a Gift

Wine: Choosing the Perfect Wine to Give As a Gift

Wine can always make an incredibly classy gift for any birthday, anniversary, wedding, or retirement party. It can be a great thank you gift, house warming present, or hostess gift at a dinner party. The only tricky part to giving wine is determining the tastes of the recipient, but with a few wine choosing tips you should be able to pick something that will be much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed.

A Casual Gift of Wine

If you’re unsure of the type of wine your gift recipient enjoys, sticking to a white variety will be your safest choice. Because white wines are usually sweeter and lighter they are usually enjoyed more often by those who may not drink wine regularly. Examples of popular wines that are smooth and easy to drink would be White Zinfandel, Riesling, or Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay is a bit drier but may be a good choice if you have an idea of your gift recipient’s tastes to some degree.

Buying For a Wine Enthusiast

For those who drink wine more often and can appreciate a more complex or bitter flavour, a decent bottle of red wine can make an excellent gift. Merlots are usually on the sweeter side for a red wine while a Pinot Noir will be more bitter and intense. Red wine has a higher tannin content which gives wine that mouth puckering sensation. Because of the unique flavours found in red wine, this type of wine is best given to an experienced wine drinker.

Give Them Something to Experience

You may intend to give your gift to an avid wine drinker, in which case you may want to impress them and find a wine they’ve never tried before. If it’s within your budget, looking for a rare vintage could make your gift a big hit. If you’re unsure about the different varieties of wine, be sure to buy your gift from a retailer that can provide expert feedback and advice.

Wine Gift Baskets

It’s hard to go wrong with a gift basket of any type, and a wine gift basket can be perfect for so many occasions. Because you’re giving multiple items at once, you can afford having a few hit and miss wines in the basket. Adding some cheese, crackers, or chocolates can be a nice touch and will be appreciated by everyone at the party if your recipient opens and shares their gift on the spot.

When you aren’t sure what to get, sticking to a white wine will be your safest option. For any celebratory types of occasions, a nice Champagne or sparkling wine can give a fun and exciting touch to your gift. Even if you buy something your recipient doesn’t normally drink, you may be introducing them to a new flavour they’ll come to love.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Wine Lovers Blog …

Posted in WineComments Off on Wine: Choosing the Perfect Wine to Give As a Gift

How to Use Twitter

Different social media sites have different uses, strengths, and advantages. Twitter could be called a ‘real time social networking’ site, a place for sharing information as it happens, and for connecting with others in real time, often resulting in lasting friendships and contacts.

Learning how to use this fun, free, and useful tool can be a bit intimidating for the beginner, but don’t be put off – with a little effort and a lot of intuitive “feeling your way through”, you’ll soon be able to use Twitter well–and you might even become ‘digitally’ famous!

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Facebook Twitter Social Media Blog …

Posted in Social Media, TwitterComments Off on How to Use Twitter

Fitness: Choose From Different Styles Of Exercise Routines

A regular workout routine is a fantastic way to get into shape. However, when I say “regular routine” that doesn’t mean doing the same thing day in and day out is your best bet. It’s important to change up your routine to “shock” your muscles and to keep the workout interesting for yourself. A stale workout routine could get you in a slump and you may get bored of working out altogether.

Weight training is a great way to add mass and strength; however you may have no interest in that. If that sounds like you then you may need to look again at weight lifting. You don’t need to load up on heavy weights and over strain yourself to get the best out of this type of workout. A nice change from your everyday cardio routine could be to go for a quick jog to get your heart rate up, then do some light weights while maintaining a decent heart rate which will encourage continuous weight loss.

Even if you just want to bulk up and lift weights, throwing a bit of cardio into your routine can help with your heart strength and lung capacity. If you’re already an avid aerobic exerciser, don’t think you can’t mix it up by changing your routine a little. If you mainly go just for jogs, try taking a few cardio dance classes and burn calories to a beat. Or if you stick to cycling you could try doing a few laps and see if you can’t just hit a few more muscle groups.

Circuit training or boot camp types of exercise could also be a fun way to liven up your workout. These types of exercise already incorporate variety into their routine. A boot camp style workout may consist of a lot of different calisthenics such as jumping jacks, push-ups, pull-ups, or sit-ups. Circuit training could be a series of weight and cardio stations that alternate between aerobic and anaerobic exercise.

Stretching is something that should be incorporated into any exercise routine whether you’re looking for variety or not. You may decide to use a stretching routine as the main body of your workout with any of the many forms of yoga, or you can use it just for your warm up and cool down periods, but this is one thing that should definitely not be overlooked.

When adjusting your workouts don’t forget you need to progress your difficulty level and increase your intensity. Variation will keep your workout fresh and fun and your body will respond positively to the change in your routine.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Ultimate Fitness Blog …

Posted in Fitness, Health & WellnessComments Off on Fitness: Choose From Different Styles Of Exercise Routines

Poker Pot Odds And Probability

Poker Pot Odds And Probability

poker-odds-and-probability

How much does pot odds affect your hand-to-hand play? Are you getting the pot odds to call a bet? This is a question you are constantly asking yourself at the table and becomes second nature after a while. Where pot odds becomes really useful is when you already have a lot of money invested in a pot, so even though you may think you don’t have the best hand, if you have enough outs to make the best hand you may be getting the odds to make the call which would be profitable in the long term.

Here’s what I suggest as a first approximation for beginners.

1) Count how many ‘outs’ your hand has. Make sure to count only the outs that will give you a likely winning hand.

2) Know how much of an underdog you are based on the number of outs. There are a few numbers that come up quite often, so memorize those. You’ll be able to approximate others that you need on the fly. This will tell you that you’re an x:1 underdog.

3) Know how many bets are in the pot (y). You can count them as they’re put in – as the action progresses, increment your count.

4) If there are more bets in the pot than you are an underdog (if y > x), you have the pot odds to continue.

There are books with charts that convert ‘outs’ to ‘odds’ but I really don’t think it’s necessary.

If you want to figure it out yourself, here’s how:

There are 52 cards in the deck. You’ve seen 2 of them in your hand and either 3 or 4 of them on the board. That leaves either 46 or 47 unknown cards. Call this U.

You have G good cards that can help you (your ‘outs’). That leaves U-G = B bad cards that won’t help you.

The odds of hitting your hand are B/G:1.

For example, say you have a 4-flush on the turn. There are 46 unseen cards left. 9 of them make your hand. 37 of them don’t make your hand. You are a (37/9):1 underdog, which is 4.1:1. If there are 4 or more bets in the pot, you have a clear call.

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Travel: Taking a Couples Vacation to Bring You Closer Together

Travel: Taking a Couples Vacation to Bring You Closer Together

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Regardless of where you’re currently at in your relationship, taking a trip together is a great way to bring you closer to your significant other. Whether it’s a new relationship and you’d like to get to know each other better, or you’ve been together for years and you’d like to reconnect, a couple’s vacation will give you the time alone you need to focus only on each and forget about the distractions of your everyday life.

Vacations for the First Timers

If you’re in a new relationship and have yet to travel together or spend much time alone for longer periods, starting off small can be very important. Taking a weekend trip together can be a great opportunity to get a better feel for one another, but going anywhere for too long or too far away could strain a new relationship.

Driving an hour out of town and checking into a romantic little bed and breakfast or spending the weekend in the penthouse suite of a local hotel will keep you close enough to home to let you stay in your comfort zones. A casual getaway that doesn’t involve any complicated flights or reservations will keep things light and stress free.

The Honeymoon Vacation

Even if it isn’t your actual honeymoon, a vacation with the person you’re in a serious relationship with should be exciting and romantic. You know each other well enough at this point that you can go away for a week or more and take that extra time to see and do all the exciting things your destination has to offer.

Traveling to a tropical location that’s a little further from home can add an exotic and exciting feel that a local vacation might lack. Take this opportunity to not only enjoy each other’s company, but to pack in as much sight seeing, guided tours, and thrilling activities as you can into your trip.

Reconnecting After Decades of Marriage

If you’ve been together a long time, you’ve probably been on plenty of vacations. You’ll likely have your favorite spots you go to year after year, but while you may enjoy them just fine, you could be missing out on destinations you’ll potentially fall in love with. Spend a little time with your spouse to research some new travel ideas and spice things up with a vacation destination you’ve never seen before.

If you have the opportunity to travel for longer periods of time, taking an extended vacation to places such as India, Africa, Greece, or Europe will allow you to tour through different countries and see more than you’d have ever thought possible. These locations could be quite a bit more expensive than your standard week you spend in Las Vegas or New York, but it might be worth it to skip one or two vacations and save up for something a little more extravagant and exciting for your next escape.

Read More at ChangingMyStars.com Travel Blog …

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