This post is sponsored by blogitive.
Gold was seen by the ancient Egyptians as sacred because it does not corrode or decay. But, what is its value today as an investment? Most people don't buy gold solely as a commodity to trade, but more to diversify their portfolio. In these unsteady times, some people believe if markets ever crash again that gold will keep them wealthy and safe in times of crisis. Maybe it's that idea that gold doesn't corrode or decay with the passage of time, making it seem indestructible in any crisis. Whatever it is, people will buy gold ingots, coins, or bars for just that little bit of added insurance.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Business On The Web
Wouldn't it be nice if search engines had rankings for women-owned businesses? Well, falling short of that, I suppose getting your website optimize with SEO tactics coudl be equally profitable. While you can pay Google to be in their sponsored ads, they normally include two organic ratings on their ads list. These organic rated websites are just sites that made it to the top of the search result through good content (amongst other things) and didn't pay to be added to the Google list. Local Marketing from US Web helps local markets place themselves higher in Google to achieve an organic rating that can pay dividends in the future without the cost of buying AdWords. Whether you are a small woman-owned business or not, this will help in creating that edge you need to stay competitive in the online marketplace.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Let The Lawyers Fight Amongst Themselves
This post is sponsored by Blogitive.
It's the law of survival of the fittest when disaster strikes, but it doesn't help when those that are supposed to help you, try to take advantage of you. This story by simmons jannace & stagg is a good example. A widow of 9/11 hired a lawyer to represent her in a 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund hearing and subsequently was served a 2 Million dollar bill for the contingency fee. Simmons Who knows if she even had 2 Million or if that's what she got as compensation and they wanted the entire thing. The point is: There she is, a widow no less, suffering a traumatic loss and her lawyer then serves her with 2 Million dollar fee too. Exactly what did he do to earn such an exorbitant fee?
Jannace & Stagg was retained to dispute the declaratory judgment the lawyer was seeking in Federal court on the grounds that the Federal courts did not have jurisdiction. The court agreed and the case is now back to the state's Surrogate court. They also said pointed out there was no precedent for such exorbitant fees for having representation from the Victim's Compensation Fund.
So, at least she was smart enough to let the lawyers fight it out amongst themselves...
It's the law of survival of the fittest when disaster strikes, but it doesn't help when those that are supposed to help you, try to take advantage of you. This story by simmons jannace & stagg is a good example. A widow of 9/11 hired a lawyer to represent her in a 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund hearing and subsequently was served a 2 Million dollar bill for the contingency fee. Simmons Who knows if she even had 2 Million or if that's what she got as compensation and they wanted the entire thing. The point is: There she is, a widow no less, suffering a traumatic loss and her lawyer then serves her with 2 Million dollar fee too. Exactly what did he do to earn such an exorbitant fee?
Jannace & Stagg was retained to dispute the declaratory judgment the lawyer was seeking in Federal court on the grounds that the Federal courts did not have jurisdiction. The court agreed and the case is now back to the state's Surrogate court. They also said pointed out there was no precedent for such exorbitant fees for having representation from the Victim's Compensation Fund.
So, at least she was smart enough to let the lawyers fight it out amongst themselves...
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Do You Know How To Measure Profitability?
This post is sponsored by Blogitive.
Acorn Systems does. Acorn provides consulting and software services to help businesses measure and improve profitability, supply chain efficiencies, cost allocation and cost reduction. Their activity based costing system track and predict costs, net operating profits, EVA, capacity and resources at within areas of business defined by the customer, supplier, product, facility, or transaction level. Their mission is to provide a way for their customers to quickly and dramatically improve their profitablity.
Acorn Systems does. Acorn provides consulting and software services to help businesses measure and improve profitability, supply chain efficiencies, cost allocation and cost reduction. Their activity based costing system track and predict costs, net operating profits, EVA, capacity and resources at within areas of business defined by the customer, supplier, product, facility, or transaction level. Their mission is to provide a way for their customers to quickly and dramatically improve their profitablity.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Women Outnumbering Men
Many universities are noticing that women are outnumbering nad outperforming men in the higher education venue. There is a lot of controversy over why men are falling behind in this area. Whatever it is, it can only be good for women who will continue to get the higher degrees and land better-paying jobs because of it. In turn, they should go back to those universities and help the next generation of women to graduate. Money that goes to universities could thus be seen as helping the gender pay gap.
Recently the corporation of Brown University received monetary gifts that would permit the establishment of endowed professorial positions, much like the one Sloan Lindemann and George Lindemann Jr. Distinguished Professor in Environmental Studies Osvaldo Sala has been appointed to. Money is something George Lindemann appears to be very familiar with as one of George Lindemann Jr. Florida Homes is worth 2.23 million. It would be nice to see some of that money trickling into higher education and enhancing the career opportunities of women.
Recently the corporation of Brown University received monetary gifts that would permit the establishment of endowed professorial positions, much like the one Sloan Lindemann and George Lindemann Jr. Distinguished Professor in Environmental Studies Osvaldo Sala has been appointed to. Money is something George Lindemann appears to be very familiar with as one of George Lindemann Jr. Florida Homes is worth 2.23 million. It would be nice to see some of that money trickling into higher education and enhancing the career opportunities of women.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Distance Learning is Perfect for Single Mothers
Years ago, I wanted to get a Master’s in Business Administration, but then I got pregnant and on-line distance education was not available back then. Knowing I would be somewhat incapacitated and housebound for a few months during the start of the first semester, I chose to delay my entrance. That delay for that university turned out to be permanent. Despite having taken the GREs and done all the work to get in to one of the best Master’s programs for business, I couldn’t go due to the travel and inflexibility of my own soon-to-be mother’s schedule. With the advent of distance learning these types of excuses for not furthering our education simply don’t exist anymore.
The things to look for in a distance learning program are:
1. Accreditation
2. Hardware Requirements
3. Time Requirements
4. Prerequisites
5. Cost
Accreditation
Many distance programs are not accredited. Those that are should proudly claim that accreditation and this makes a big difference in whether your degree is recognized as a course of study or just a piece of paper from a degree mill. If you are going to spend an enormous amount of money on your education, make sure it is from an accredited institution.
Hardware Requirements
One of the important factors in on-line education is how well your own home computer resources fit the standard necessary to take courses on-line. Universities usually have a web application that tests your system to see if it will work with their courses. However, don’t let that stop you from taking an on-line course.
Currently, my machine at home has no sound. This can be a problem when I am asked to open up videos with sound. I simply go to Kinko’s and listen to them there. I've also ordered an external sound card I hope will fix this issue. So, even though you may not have all the resources for hooking in completely, you can go to other places to download and view your course.
Time Requirements
Just because a course is online does not mean it is lax. Usually, the courses are much more intense, requiring a lot of reading and writing. Most on-line courses have tests that you can take at the end. These tend to be a bit harder than just multiple-choice and many teachers rely on essay and short answer to test a student’s knowledge. Office hours are usually chat sessions where a teacher is available to take questions on-line. Most on-line courses also seem to require one or two term papers.
On-line education also provides statistics for your on-line activities. You can usually tell average number of times you were on-line, how many posts you replied to, and whether you are missing assignments. If you take a quick pop quiz, often the system can automatically grade you and you can see if you’ve pass almost immediately. Also, some systems keep track of your number grade as you progress through the course so you know whether you are falling behind or not.
Prerequisites
Some counseling graduate degree programs require prerequisites to be accepted for entry. Know what they are and look for programs that may not have those requirements, if you feel that is too much time, money, or committment for you. However, usually, if one program needs those prerequisites, others do too. So, knowing what they are will help you to take ones that are acceptable at more than one university and thus allow you to apply to more distance learning programs and have a choice when it comes to actually entering a degree program.
Cost
Distance learning is expensive, but there are many financial aide packages available. Try to apply with the FAFSA at the beginning of the calendar year that you are thinking of entering a program. If you have your FAFSA score ready, the schools can offer you a financial aide package of loans or grants, depending on your income status. Single parents usually don't make much and if you are an ethnicity that has scholarships available, you may even benefit because of your race.
In Conclusion
People who do very well in on-line education are usually self-motivated. They can manage their time and resources without needing tremendous outside guidance. One should probably have a decent typing speed as all things are done via the computer keyboard. One of the drawbacks of an on-line education is that one can become even further isolated from one’s peers. Some universities address that issue by requiring some time in intensives or on-campus seminars to bring everyone together face-to-face.
One thing is for certain, if distance education was still not available, I would not be able to take a Master’s program. With the cost of gas, a teenage daughter, and being a divorced single mother, my time is still somewhat inflexible for traditional campus classes. Distance education has really come of age and everyone should find ways to take advantage of this invaluable and flexible resource.
One Distance Program to Look Up
Although Capella does not offer Transpersonal Psychology graduate programs, I did look into this university when I was trying to determine where to go. It is accredited and that also is an important requirement for distance programs. It does have a Psychology department, just not Transpersonal Psychology. It also offers graduate degrees in business, information technology, education, human services. It has undergraduate programs available using distance programs as well.
The things to look for in a distance learning program are:
1. Accreditation
2. Hardware Requirements
3. Time Requirements
4. Prerequisites
5. Cost
Accreditation
Many distance programs are not accredited. Those that are should proudly claim that accreditation and this makes a big difference in whether your degree is recognized as a course of study or just a piece of paper from a degree mill. If you are going to spend an enormous amount of money on your education, make sure it is from an accredited institution.
Hardware Requirements
One of the important factors in on-line education is how well your own home computer resources fit the standard necessary to take courses on-line. Universities usually have a web application that tests your system to see if it will work with their courses. However, don’t let that stop you from taking an on-line course.
Currently, my machine at home has no sound. This can be a problem when I am asked to open up videos with sound. I simply go to Kinko’s and listen to them there. I've also ordered an external sound card I hope will fix this issue. So, even though you may not have all the resources for hooking in completely, you can go to other places to download and view your course.
Time Requirements
Just because a course is online does not mean it is lax. Usually, the courses are much more intense, requiring a lot of reading and writing. Most on-line courses have tests that you can take at the end. These tend to be a bit harder than just multiple-choice and many teachers rely on essay and short answer to test a student’s knowledge. Office hours are usually chat sessions where a teacher is available to take questions on-line. Most on-line courses also seem to require one or two term papers.
On-line education also provides statistics for your on-line activities. You can usually tell average number of times you were on-line, how many posts you replied to, and whether you are missing assignments. If you take a quick pop quiz, often the system can automatically grade you and you can see if you’ve pass almost immediately. Also, some systems keep track of your number grade as you progress through the course so you know whether you are falling behind or not.
Prerequisites
Some counseling graduate degree programs require prerequisites to be accepted for entry. Know what they are and look for programs that may not have those requirements, if you feel that is too much time, money, or committment for you. However, usually, if one program needs those prerequisites, others do too. So, knowing what they are will help you to take ones that are acceptable at more than one university and thus allow you to apply to more distance learning programs and have a choice when it comes to actually entering a degree program.
Cost
Distance learning is expensive, but there are many financial aide packages available. Try to apply with the FAFSA at the beginning of the calendar year that you are thinking of entering a program. If you have your FAFSA score ready, the schools can offer you a financial aide package of loans or grants, depending on your income status. Single parents usually don't make much and if you are an ethnicity that has scholarships available, you may even benefit because of your race.
In Conclusion
People who do very well in on-line education are usually self-motivated. They can manage their time and resources without needing tremendous outside guidance. One should probably have a decent typing speed as all things are done via the computer keyboard. One of the drawbacks of an on-line education is that one can become even further isolated from one’s peers. Some universities address that issue by requiring some time in intensives or on-campus seminars to bring everyone together face-to-face.
One thing is for certain, if distance education was still not available, I would not be able to take a Master’s program. With the cost of gas, a teenage daughter, and being a divorced single mother, my time is still somewhat inflexible for traditional campus classes. Distance education has really come of age and everyone should find ways to take advantage of this invaluable and flexible resource.
One Distance Program to Look Up
Although Capella does not offer Transpersonal Psychology graduate programs, I did look into this university when I was trying to determine where to go. It is accredited and that also is an important requirement for distance programs. It does have a Psychology department, just not Transpersonal Psychology. It also offers graduate degrees in business, information technology, education, human services. It has undergraduate programs available using distance programs as well.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Online Shopaholics Can Still Save
This post is sponsored by Blogitive.
There are an abundance of online deals for the savvy shopper. However, we usually have to time them right. What if you could get online coupons for more than 800 popular stores online? With gas prices as high as they are, it makes sense to shop online and why not get from 5% to 25% more savings on specific deals? And if you have a big heart and want to be thrify at the same time, you can automatically donate the cash back you earn by shopping through Ebates.com to your favorite charity.
There are an abundance of online deals for the savvy shopper. However, we usually have to time them right. What if you could get online coupons for more than 800 popular stores online? With gas prices as high as they are, it makes sense to shop online and why not get from 5% to 25% more savings on specific deals? And if you have a big heart and want to be thrify at the same time, you can automatically donate the cash back you earn by shopping through Ebates.com to your favorite charity.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Personally, I Think Age Denotes Wisdom
I'm not afraid of a few wrinkles. I may not like a lot of wrinkles, but I'm not afraid of a few wrinkles. I think many women are beginning to feel this way. Age denotes wisdom, but we would still like to look and feel our best. Here are some ways to deal with some of the symptoms of aging:
Age Spots
My mother had them and now I have them. They are sometimes unflatteringly called "liver spots." Although, one can do plastic surgery to remove them, I found out by accident that tea tree oil fades them quite nicely.
Poor Memory
You don't use it, you lose it, girls! Just because we may have to be running around wiping our kid's noses or caring for a sick parent, doesn't mean we should stop cultivating our minds. The research has shown that people that do crossword puzzles or read, delay onset of mental problems like Alzheimers. Find a hobby that uses your brain and keep yourself alert as long as you can.
Wrinkles
My mother loved hydrating creams and many women swear by them. But, San Jose plastic surgeons believe Botox or Restylane treatments are really the way to go. They claim the procedures are minimally invasive. Whether that's true, I wouldn't know. At this point I can't claim wrinkles yet as a badge of honor. However, there are other alternatives available like acupuncture that are said to work just as well. Obviously, you would have to be a woman who is okay with alternative treatments, but for me, this is an option to regular plastic surgery.
What treatments do you use to delay signs of aging?
Age Spots
My mother had them and now I have them. They are sometimes unflatteringly called "liver spots." Although, one can do plastic surgery to remove them, I found out by accident that tea tree oil fades them quite nicely.
Poor Memory
You don't use it, you lose it, girls! Just because we may have to be running around wiping our kid's noses or caring for a sick parent, doesn't mean we should stop cultivating our minds. The research has shown that people that do crossword puzzles or read, delay onset of mental problems like Alzheimers. Find a hobby that uses your brain and keep yourself alert as long as you can.
Wrinkles
My mother loved hydrating creams and many women swear by them. But, San Jose plastic surgeons believe Botox or Restylane treatments are really the way to go. They claim the procedures are minimally invasive. Whether that's true, I wouldn't know. At this point I can't claim wrinkles yet as a badge of honor. However, there are other alternatives available like acupuncture that are said to work just as well. Obviously, you would have to be a woman who is okay with alternative treatments, but for me, this is an option to regular plastic surgery.
What treatments do you use to delay signs of aging?
Women Should Shop Around For Car Insurance
Car insurance companies love women. They also like older women. And, if they are married, all the better! No, I'm not talking about some illicit tryst! They actually have statistics that say that older, married women are better risks than young, unmarried, men.
It's funny what statistics will prove. I wonder where that leaves the myth of the ditzy female driver?
Some insurance providers serve women drivers exclusively now, like Shielas' Wheels. This insurance company is even promoting the use of "Buddy On Demand" an inflatable male companion that comes alive with the flip of a switch and is supposed to deter road rogues.
Either way, if you are a woman, it pays to shop around for car insurance. You are a valuable commodity in the car insurance game and a valued customer. So, do get your free online car insurance quote and compare to others. You may find that your gender and age are finally getting the respect they deserve.
It's funny what statistics will prove. I wonder where that leaves the myth of the ditzy female driver?
Some insurance providers serve women drivers exclusively now, like Shielas' Wheels. This insurance company is even promoting the use of "Buddy On Demand" an inflatable male companion that comes alive with the flip of a switch and is supposed to deter road rogues.
Either way, if you are a woman, it pays to shop around for car insurance. You are a valuable commodity in the car insurance game and a valued customer. So, do get your free online car insurance quote and compare to others. You may find that your gender and age are finally getting the respect they deserve.
Vacation Travel Tips For Women
It might have been unheard of in the past for a woman to vacation alone. But, now there are even travel agencies that cater to women-only tours with activities that women might like to do without a male around. In addition, some organizations are meeting the safety needs of women traveling alone on vacation by providing other women as companions.
If you are visiting the U.S., personal safety is not a big issue for women. However, it is still preferable for women to stay in a residence rather than staying in a hotel alone where they might end up targets. As our economic power increases, many women now can even afford to buy an Orlando Vacation Home. One of the nice things about buying a vacation home, especially in Florida, is that it can be rented out during peak season and you can visit it during off-season. Orlando is one of the top vacation destinations in the U.S. It offers a variety of entertainment from amusement and wildlife parks to spectacular beaches and opera events.
If you are visiting the U.S., personal safety is not a big issue for women. However, it is still preferable for women to stay in a residence rather than staying in a hotel alone where they might end up targets. As our economic power increases, many women now can even afford to buy an Orlando Vacation Home. One of the nice things about buying a vacation home, especially in Florida, is that it can be rented out during peak season and you can visit it during off-season. Orlando is one of the top vacation destinations in the U.S. It offers a variety of entertainment from amusement and wildlife parks to spectacular beaches and opera events.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Vacation Ideas For Single Parents
One of the best vacations I ever took was to Atlantic Beach with my daughter. We are a single parent household. The beach is only a few hours from us, so we packed up the dog and got a hotel which allowed pets. We didn't spend a lot of time on Atlantic Beach but we got to see a lot of the surrounding area. It was the first time I had tried to vacation with my daughter alone and it was well worth the adventure.
Families come in all shapes and sizes now, so when someone says they have Family Vacation Packages, sometimes we wonder if our family will fit the mold. Luckily, many vacation planners now understand the various needs of single parents or people who are crunched for time. There are different needs for different families like going to a wholesome location like the beach for families with children, or ending up in Las Vegas to gamble if you have no children or are intent on leaving the children behind.
Whatever your own family situation, we all need down time and it's nice to take it as a family - even if that family is not the traditional family!
Families come in all shapes and sizes now, so when someone says they have Family Vacation Packages, sometimes we wonder if our family will fit the mold. Luckily, many vacation planners now understand the various needs of single parents or people who are crunched for time. There are different needs for different families like going to a wholesome location like the beach for families with children, or ending up in Las Vegas to gamble if you have no children or are intent on leaving the children behind.
Whatever your own family situation, we all need down time and it's nice to take it as a family - even if that family is not the traditional family!
Creative Ideas For Wedding Rehearsal Dinners
This post is sponsored by Blogitive.
Times have changed for weddings. Before, girls might have dreamed of that special day when they wore white and went to a big church and had the most formal and expensive wedding money could buy. After Britney Spears' "Pimps and Maids" weddings (where men wore track suits saying "pimp" and the woman wore pink ones saying "maid") themed galas became even more popular. I don't think anyone would have believed it if it hadn't been for the wedding cameras that later told that story.
Now, this is extending to the rehearsal dinner. If you do plan a formal wedding, you can still have an informal BBQ for the rehearsal dinner, complete with picnick tables. Or you can try a wine-tasting theme, taking your guest around town on various wine-tasting tours. At least that has more class than making them wear a track suit with the word "pimp" on it.
Times have changed for weddings. Before, girls might have dreamed of that special day when they wore white and went to a big church and had the most formal and expensive wedding money could buy. After Britney Spears' "Pimps and Maids" weddings (where men wore track suits saying "pimp" and the woman wore pink ones saying "maid") themed galas became even more popular. I don't think anyone would have believed it if it hadn't been for the wedding cameras that later told that story.
Now, this is extending to the rehearsal dinner. If you do plan a formal wedding, you can still have an informal BBQ for the rehearsal dinner, complete with picnick tables. Or you can try a wine-tasting theme, taking your guest around town on various wine-tasting tours. At least that has more class than making them wear a track suit with the word "pimp" on it.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Will Japan's Patrilineal Line Continue?
Apparently Japan is not happy that no male heir to the Chrysanthenmum Throne has been born in over four decades. But, that may soon change if a male child is born to Princess Kiko. The furor arises over Japan's patrilineal roots which typically has put women in an inferior status on their social system. But, will it be a boy? Apparently, the royal couple did not want to know the gender of their baby.
One thing is sure, the legislation to change the old male-dominated lineage to one allowing females may be side-railed if it is a boy. I would like it to be a girl. It would force Japanese to take a good look at the difference in socio-economic class and privilege in their society based on gender. If it is a boy, this will simply be swept under the rug the way it's been done for centuries.
One thing is sure, the legislation to change the old male-dominated lineage to one allowing females may be side-railed if it is a boy. I would like it to be a girl. It would force Japanese to take a good look at the difference in socio-economic class and privilege in their society based on gender. If it is a boy, this will simply be swept under the rug the way it's been done for centuries.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Misogyny and Sexism Alive and Well in Religion
In case, we think it can't happen in America: guess again. There are plenty of religions in America that believe women have less rights then men. As this article indicates, many in the Mormon cults that still preach polygamy believe that women are to be pretty much given to whichever man somebody in the church hierarchy decides. The woman has no say in the matter and is brainwashed into thinking she'll "lose her salvation."
We may criticize muslim nations for their backwards stance on women, but even in America we see areas where religion plays a central role in the suppression of women's rights. If women want to be able to choose their own husbands and lead their own lives, they will have to take a stand and defy the church hierarchy. They can leave the church, if they have to. Not an easy choice for the faithful, I'm sure. But, if women don't take a stand, the next victim will be their female daughters. Women have to look at their own lives and begin to take some responsibility for what they allow in their world. Women need to unite, whether they be mormon or atheist. Women's rights are about standards of decency and a woman's right to make her own choices in life. It's not about religion, although many churches make it so.
We may criticize muslim nations for their backwards stance on women, but even in America we see areas where religion plays a central role in the suppression of women's rights. If women want to be able to choose their own husbands and lead their own lives, they will have to take a stand and defy the church hierarchy. They can leave the church, if they have to. Not an easy choice for the faithful, I'm sure. But, if women don't take a stand, the next victim will be their female daughters. Women have to look at their own lives and begin to take some responsibility for what they allow in their world. Women need to unite, whether they be mormon or atheist. Women's rights are about standards of decency and a woman's right to make her own choices in life. It's not about religion, although many churches make it so.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Women and Lawyers
Men like to play games and they like to play hardball. Women, on the other hand, have been taught that it's not nice to play hardball and that communication and negotiation are the best solutions. However, this tactic simply doesn't work for ruthless people who don't understand how to give as well as take.
I have a friend who isn't divorced yet, but she has made a mistake already. She moved out of her house and left her children with her husband because, as rumor goes (and no one can really tell the truth in any divorce), he cheated on her and she can't stand to be near him. Okay. Fine. But, instead of understanding the game, this woman has chosen to play the victim. What can this cost her? Without an attorney, she could lose the house and custody of her children if he begins to realize that he has grounds for "abandonment" even though he allegedly committed adultery. The issue is that in a game of hardball, you need a lawyer before you decide to take things into your own hand. I have kept lawyers available to me year-round with a pre-paid legal plan and I have never in any instant regretted it. Some people are simply unscrupulous and require someone with equal lack of scruples for them to deal with, and I do admit, that is a lawyer. Nothing right or wrong about that.
Take for instance the case of simmons jannace & stagg. They represented a woman who hired a lawyer after 9/11 to represent her in her claim for compensation from the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund. It was already stated within the guidelines for seeking compensation that contigency fees for lawyers were disfavored. However, this lawyer thought it would be worth his while to then turn around and sue his female client, a widow now, for 2 million dollars for his "fee" in Federal courts. So, she hired another lawyer from the firm of simmons jannace & stagg to represent her. Clearly, a lawyer is entitled to a fee but 2 million dollars to represent one woman? So, simmons jannace & stagg managed to get the case stayed on the argument that the Federal courts had no jurisdiction in the matter, and they agreed. Only state courts have jurisdiction.
So, whether this case goes to state court or not, the implication is obvious. If a lawyer or any unscrupulous person wants to sue you - get yourself a lawyer. Do not talk. Do not negotiate. Simply steer clear and let someone who likes these sorts of games play for you. If the lawyer then wants to sue you, get yourself another lawyer. These people only understand one thing: how to play hardball. They are not interested in justice or fairness, merely money. If you can hire another lawyer who is willing to be paid less that 2 million to get some other lawyer off your back, go for it! Women need to learn how to protect themselves and how to play the game when they choose and how to avoid it completely when they don't want to play it. Let those who like to play, play. And then go on your merry way keeping yourself as free from these shenanigans as you can.
I have a friend who isn't divorced yet, but she has made a mistake already. She moved out of her house and left her children with her husband because, as rumor goes (and no one can really tell the truth in any divorce), he cheated on her and she can't stand to be near him. Okay. Fine. But, instead of understanding the game, this woman has chosen to play the victim. What can this cost her? Without an attorney, she could lose the house and custody of her children if he begins to realize that he has grounds for "abandonment" even though he allegedly committed adultery. The issue is that in a game of hardball, you need a lawyer before you decide to take things into your own hand. I have kept lawyers available to me year-round with a pre-paid legal plan and I have never in any instant regretted it. Some people are simply unscrupulous and require someone with equal lack of scruples for them to deal with, and I do admit, that is a lawyer. Nothing right or wrong about that.
Take for instance the case of simmons jannace & stagg. They represented a woman who hired a lawyer after 9/11 to represent her in her claim for compensation from the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund. It was already stated within the guidelines for seeking compensation that contigency fees for lawyers were disfavored. However, this lawyer thought it would be worth his while to then turn around and sue his female client, a widow now, for 2 million dollars for his "fee" in Federal courts. So, she hired another lawyer from the firm of simmons jannace & stagg to represent her. Clearly, a lawyer is entitled to a fee but 2 million dollars to represent one woman? So, simmons jannace & stagg managed to get the case stayed on the argument that the Federal courts had no jurisdiction in the matter, and they agreed. Only state courts have jurisdiction.
So, whether this case goes to state court or not, the implication is obvious. If a lawyer or any unscrupulous person wants to sue you - get yourself a lawyer. Do not talk. Do not negotiate. Simply steer clear and let someone who likes these sorts of games play for you. If the lawyer then wants to sue you, get yourself another lawyer. These people only understand one thing: how to play hardball. They are not interested in justice or fairness, merely money. If you can hire another lawyer who is willing to be paid less that 2 million to get some other lawyer off your back, go for it! Women need to learn how to protect themselves and how to play the game when they choose and how to avoid it completely when they don't want to play it. Let those who like to play, play. And then go on your merry way keeping yourself as free from these shenanigans as you can.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
When my daughter was young, she used to get a big kick out of hiding under a blanket and sneaking up on us. She thought we wouldn't see her because she couldn't see us. I guess even adults play this game: "What you can't see, won't hurt you." That's why many of today's policies are geered towards obvious discriminations like the color of a person's skin or gender. But, there are stil hidden factors that never get highlighted that do affect the quality of life for people. We are a society geared towards "image" and what it represents. And this in effect, makes us myopic towards things that aren't easily distinguished through differences in image.
Guy Debord speaks of this in his book:"The Society of the Spectacle." Although, I found the format a difficult read, it was still worthwhile in concept. Guy believes we are a society of the spectacle, accustomed to image and gearing our entire society on only things we see. This is how we identify value in something or not.
Google is beta testing a search algorithm that now will rank pages based on accessibility standards as well as content. These accesibility standards are not based on image, but rather, on how well a site is coded for handicapped individuals to access and text. Blind people who surf the web often use machines to read text off the web sites. But, if a site is all images, they end up reading image tags all day! Quite a frustrating experience! So, here we see a little of that shift going from only an image-based society to something deeper which is more egalitarian to everyone.
There is a search engine marketing firm, called Usweb.com, that specializes in search engine optimization, including web accessibility standards. They note that certain sites will fall in rankings as Google unrolls this new algorith while others, like .gov and .edu sites will increase ranking. Another bright point: Blogs will also increase in rankings since they are mostly text!
Guy Debord speaks of this in his book:"The Society of the Spectacle." Although, I found the format a difficult read, it was still worthwhile in concept. Guy believes we are a society of the spectacle, accustomed to image and gearing our entire society on only things we see. This is how we identify value in something or not.
Google is beta testing a search algorithm that now will rank pages based on accessibility standards as well as content. These accesibility standards are not based on image, but rather, on how well a site is coded for handicapped individuals to access and text. Blind people who surf the web often use machines to read text off the web sites. But, if a site is all images, they end up reading image tags all day! Quite a frustrating experience! So, here we see a little of that shift going from only an image-based society to something deeper which is more egalitarian to everyone.
There is a search engine marketing firm, called Usweb.com, that specializes in search engine optimization, including web accessibility standards. They note that certain sites will fall in rankings as Google unrolls this new algorith while others, like .gov and .edu sites will increase ranking. Another bright point: Blogs will also increase in rankings since they are mostly text!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Speaking of gender beliefs...
We all have them, but some are less liberating than others. I find it interesting that the woman's movement began by focusing on what men did wrong. As women, we have been indoctrinated to always look at others before self. We're rewarded for playing with dolls and taking care of their needs. We're told we are "good girls" if we do things for others, even to the point of denying our own dreams and desires. The religious institutions all over the globe claim we are somehow only put on this earth to propagate humanity and it's our holy role to be good mothers and care-takers for all dependent people whether it is children, the sick, or the elderly. That that's not men's role. That is uniquely a female role. What this does is take our attention away from self and instead of becoming forces of social change by using our feminine energy to address social issues, we become mired in petty roles that sometimes hold no intrinsic value for us. All giving and receiving should come from the heart and not the social expectation, otherwise, it limits our sense of self and our ability to self-develop and progress. And oftentimes, we are made to believe that is in our benefit! There are ways to stay self-focused and be giving when it aligns with our own sense of being. To enforce a role of martyrdom and victimhood on all of the female gender goes beyond holiness, it's pure brain-washing. And often, it is the women themselves who are indoctrinated that are most vocal defendents of this belief system.
So, as a humorous look at just one of the destructive belief systems that women have aligned with in our own gender, I wrote another blog in response to a challenge by a man named Deorre. He asked us to take any subject and write a conspiracy theory on it. I chose: Women's Holy Mission To Serve Humanity. I got a lot of feedback on this blog as many women saw themselves in it and many men breathed a sigh of relief. Someone had to say it.
So, as a humorous look at just one of the destructive belief systems that women have aligned with in our own gender, I wrote another blog in response to a challenge by a man named Deorre. He asked us to take any subject and write a conspiracy theory on it. I chose: Women's Holy Mission To Serve Humanity. I got a lot of feedback on this blog as many women saw themselves in it and many men breathed a sigh of relief. Someone had to say it.
Who is Wafa Sultan?
She is a Muslim women who has immigrated to to the United States, become a psychiatrist, and is fiercely speaking out about the Muslim culture as it regards to women and religion. In an article in the International Herald Tribune, entitled A voice agains Muslim 'hostages' to terror, Sultan's views are quoted thus: "The world's Muslims, who she compares unfavorably to the Jews, have descended into a vortex of self-pity and violence."
A direct quote attributed to Wafa Sultan in the same article states: "I believe our people are hostages to our own beliefs and teachings..."
We create our reality through our alignment with particular beliefs. It seems that only when they become absolute truths to us and we attempt to convince others that war and conflict results. Is Wafa Sultan helping free Muslims or is he hurting them? Is she helping Muslim women? Is it necessary to oppose something in order to change it? Or can we simply accept these beliefs and learn to use different aspects of the same beliefs that are more positive? What does you, the reader, think?
See what other people are saying about Wafa Sultan.
A direct quote attributed to Wafa Sultan in the same article states: "I believe our people are hostages to our own beliefs and teachings..."
We create our reality through our alignment with particular beliefs. It seems that only when they become absolute truths to us and we attempt to convince others that war and conflict results. Is Wafa Sultan helping free Muslims or is he hurting them? Is she helping Muslim women? Is it necessary to oppose something in order to change it? Or can we simply accept these beliefs and learn to use different aspects of the same beliefs that are more positive? What does you, the reader, think?
See what other people are saying about Wafa Sultan.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Sexual Liberation and the Muslim Woman
My favorite shows are reality tv shows, and so I have watched the plastic surgery reality tv shows. I remember one in particular where a muslim woman came for hymen reconstruction. It was shocking to me that a young woman would be forced to go to such extremes in this day and age. Virginity is highly prized in the muslim faith, but more so it is regarded as a question of family honor. If a woman is found to have lost her virginity before marriage her family may even undertake an honor killing to avenge this supposed wrong. When life becomes less valuable just because it is female and has chosen to give of itself when it chooses, then there's something seriously wrong with a culture. It's no less different than when Chinese couples kill their female children because they prize their male children more.
I weep for the women around the world who have to put up with such indignities. I hope someday these things will be a thing of the past. Until then, despite the mostly narcissistic reasons for plastic surgery, there are actually times when plastic surgery is warranted as in when it saves a life due to religious ideals gone wrong. The show I watched was about a beverly hills plastic surgeon who provided provided expert breast enhancement with both saline and silicone breast implants. He did liposuction and facelifts also, but by far, the most touching episode was the hymen reconstruction. It speaks a lot to the discrimination women put up with every day all over the world.
I weep for the women around the world who have to put up with such indignities. I hope someday these things will be a thing of the past. Until then, despite the mostly narcissistic reasons for plastic surgery, there are actually times when plastic surgery is warranted as in when it saves a life due to religious ideals gone wrong. The show I watched was about a beverly hills plastic surgeon who provided provided expert breast enhancement with both saline and silicone breast implants. He did liposuction and facelifts also, but by far, the most touching episode was the hymen reconstruction. It speaks a lot to the discrimination women put up with every day all over the world.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Where Being Female Pays
So, we often are so focused on the discrepancy between male and female wages that we forget to actually look for where it might pay to be female: Car insurance. I'm sure I still have plenty to write about automotive maintenance, but when it comes to car insurance, we girls win! Yes, gender and age are taken into account when being handed a car insurance quote.
All insurance companies set their rates by way of determining their risks. They do this through compilation of various statistics and according to the insurance companiees, women are far less riskier than males of the same age when it comes to driving behavior. Age and marital status also influence what type of rate you get. The older you get, the more experience and maturity the car insurance companies believe you have. Being married, apparently lowers your car insurance rate, which I think is just plain bias. Why should a woman have to marry just to lower her insurance even more. You'd think they would penalize her for marrying a high risk driver!
Anyways, apparently, car insurance companies think women are far calmer drivers that males. Kind of shoots the old "bad women driver" myth in the foot, doesn't it?
One wonderful idea has come about of the UK: temporary comprehensive coverage. Seriously. You can get a car insurance quote for that special someone who wants to loan your cars for a couple of days. You can choose to cover someone for up to 28 days. Why do I think this is a great idea? Simply because in the UK it's about 10 pounds per day and 4 pounds (about $20 and $8 respectively) thereafter. If it was established in the US, why cover your husband or boyfriend for the time he's not driving your car? He's a high risk anyway.
Then if you take a trip to your Orlando Vacation Rental and need to share the driving, take your husband or whomever and take your car (with the lower insurance rate) and add them on temporarily. You might save money that way. An interesting coincidence about Orlando is that just a 45 minute drive from the theme parks takes you countryside very similar to the UK with rolling hills and oak trees. Orlando has some of the best shopping experiences in the U.S. and the Everglades just to the South, as well, but you got to drive to get there! Coincidentally, the UK is where the temporary comprehensive coverage appears to have started. But, it doesn't appear to be available in the U.S. yet.
Also, if you don't drive your car every day, maybe they would let us get short term insurance for ourselves! I think that would save a lot of money on insurance! I would just schedule certain days when I use the cars, and others when it just stays parked, if they had such a flexible plan. Seeing that regular insurance costs hundreds a month, this would be a real flexible way to handle insurance for those of us who don't go out a lot or who have people who constantly want to borrow our car. Or we could just have one car for several people. Co-oping cars! We could reduce a ton of waste in this country if we did that.
All insurance companies set their rates by way of determining their risks. They do this through compilation of various statistics and according to the insurance companiees, women are far less riskier than males of the same age when it comes to driving behavior. Age and marital status also influence what type of rate you get. The older you get, the more experience and maturity the car insurance companies believe you have. Being married, apparently lowers your car insurance rate, which I think is just plain bias. Why should a woman have to marry just to lower her insurance even more. You'd think they would penalize her for marrying a high risk driver!
Anyways, apparently, car insurance companies think women are far calmer drivers that males. Kind of shoots the old "bad women driver" myth in the foot, doesn't it?
One wonderful idea has come about of the UK: temporary comprehensive coverage. Seriously. You can get a car insurance quote for that special someone who wants to loan your cars for a couple of days. You can choose to cover someone for up to 28 days. Why do I think this is a great idea? Simply because in the UK it's about 10 pounds per day and 4 pounds (about $20 and $8 respectively) thereafter. If it was established in the US, why cover your husband or boyfriend for the time he's not driving your car? He's a high risk anyway.
Then if you take a trip to your Orlando Vacation Rental and need to share the driving, take your husband or whomever and take your car (with the lower insurance rate) and add them on temporarily. You might save money that way. An interesting coincidence about Orlando is that just a 45 minute drive from the theme parks takes you countryside very similar to the UK with rolling hills and oak trees. Orlando has some of the best shopping experiences in the U.S. and the Everglades just to the South, as well, but you got to drive to get there! Coincidentally, the UK is where the temporary comprehensive coverage appears to have started. But, it doesn't appear to be available in the U.S. yet.
Also, if you don't drive your car every day, maybe they would let us get short term insurance for ourselves! I think that would save a lot of money on insurance! I would just schedule certain days when I use the cars, and others when it just stays parked, if they had such a flexible plan. Seeing that regular insurance costs hundreds a month, this would be a real flexible way to handle insurance for those of us who don't go out a lot or who have people who constantly want to borrow our car. Or we could just have one car for several people. Co-oping cars! We could reduce a ton of waste in this country if we did that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)