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It’s that time of year again. Everyone has had their New Year’s parties, watched the ball drop (or whatever your tradition in your country or area), counted down “10, 9, 8…2, 1, Happy New Year,” kissed their significant other, and ushered in another year with as much gusto as before. It is now 2006!

It’s also time for making those things that we all make this time of year. Yes, I am talking about New Year’s Resolutions. I have made mine and it is a little different this year. I say “it” because I only made one this time. What is it? Well, I have decided…

“My 2006 New Year’s Resolution is to Fail Miserably!”

What? Did I say Fail? Why? Surely, I don’t want to fail miserably in 2006…

I know, I know; it doesn’t make any sense to decide to fail this year. And you are right; I really don’t want to or plan to fail in 2006, that’s why I made it my New Year’s resolution. Are you with me now?

You don’t need statistics or a history lesson to know that most people (and if they are really honest, all people) do not keep the greatest part of the resolutions made at the beginning of the year. Heck, some people are lucky to keep any of them. How many times have you heard, “I plan to lose weight this year,” only to find them (or you, if that was your resolution) weighing the same or more in December, than they did in January?

This is my reasoning for choosing such an odd resolution for this New Year. I have no intention of keeping it. I am never able to keep my resolutions either. As a matter of fact, my year is starting off in exactly the opposite direction of my resolution and I hope to keep that trend up throughout the year. Yes, I am already breaking my 2006 resolution, on January 2. Now that’s record time.

If you are in the process of making your resolutions for this year, I would seriously urge you to consider my thoughts for mine and build yours accordingly. This will allow you to start off on the right foot instead of having great intentions that get tripped up by great intentions…make sense? I am putting failure as my resolution and therefore only have “upward” to go from there.

Now, please don’t confuse resolutions with proper planning. My plan for the year allows no room for failure. My goals encompass success and profitability, among other things. These are things that I have control over and that I can choose to make happen. It is the resolution part that seems to be the most uncontrollable force of any New Year and it is the resolution that I have chosen to “trick” into becoming controllable for me in 2006.

Here’s to a happy and prosperous 2006 to you and yours! Happy New Year!

About The Author

Scott Raven is an Internet Marketer. He makes his home in Arkansas, with his Wife and 2 Daughters. Visit Scott’s website at http://www.TheRavenProject.com

This article may be reprinted provided No Portion is changed and all Web Links remain Active. Copyright © 2006 TheRavenProject. All Rights Reserved.

Everywhere you turn today, you hear about payday cash advance loans. Depending on who is doing the talking, what you hear is either positive or negative. If you are thinking about taking out a payday loan, it is important to understand the pros and cons of getting a cash advance.

Cash advance loans come with a high rate of interest.

Payday loans are meant to be short term loans, so the lender has to charge a higher rate of interest. That means that pay day loan lenders charge much more than traditional bank loans. If you are not a good candidate for a traditional loan from a bank, then a payday loan might be the answer to your short term money needs. Just be prepared to pay a higher than average interest rate.

Make sure you read all the fine print in the contract.

If you decide to take out a payday loan, make sure you read all of the terms in the contract, so there won’t be any surprises when repay day comes along. Some companies tell you that they will automatically deduct the loan repayment from your checking account on your next payday. That sounds wonderful, because it means you have one less thing to worry about, but if you read the fine print, it might specify that they will only deduct 25% of the loan total, rolling over the rest of the balance for another month and adding on finance charges for the remaining balance. If this is the case, it is up to you to tell the company at least 24 hours before the loan is due that you want them to deduct the total amount of the loan from your account. Reading through all of the fine print terms of the loan can save you a lot of grief in the long run. If you would like a list of excellent payday loan providers visit www.abcloanguide.com.

Payday loan fees can save you money.

Perhaps that seems impossible, but if the loan fees are less than late fees it is worth it to take out a payday loan.

View ABC Loan Guide’s records for an Online Payday Loan Service. Also, check out their companies listed for an Instant No Fax Payday Loan.

Increasing your cardiovascular endurance should be one of your key goals for your exercise sessions. When your cardiovascular system is performing well, your everyday tasks become even easier. The better your cardio capacity is, then you’ll be able to work out longer and harder, and burn more calories in a shorter timescale. So how do you build your cardio endurance?

By far the best way to start is buy measuring your level of cardiovascular fitness. Use your fitness trainer or gym’s professional testing equipment to measure your aerobic strength. If you don’t have a personal fitness trainer, and don’t work out in a gym, here’s a simple technique that can help you measure your cardio strength, followed by some tips for cardio toning.

Begin by standing with your arms resting at your sides, and your feet shoulder-width apart. Take a deep breath and begin walking, quite briskly, letting your arms swing gently. Do this for about two minutes, and then start doing jumping jacks, using both arms and legs. Do as many of these as possible three minutes, with no resting.

Then stand still and take your pulse. Your ideal pulse rate should be about 75-85% of your maximum heart rate (and to find this, subtract your age from 220). Remember that this is a very basic formula and can only give you a rough idea of your maximum and ideal heart rates. There are a range of devices available that can track your heart rate (and other measures) whilst you exercise. If you are serious about getting the very best cardio conditioning possible, you may want to purchase one of these .

If your heart rate was far above the upper ranges of 85%, you need to lower your activity level and start building more strength without placing so much stress on your body. But if your heart rate 75%, then your aerobic health is likely in good condition, and you should be OK to work harder. If your heart rate was within the 75-85% range, then you are at a comfortable stage with your aerobic capacity, and should work on increasing your activity just a bit, to build more capacity. Always remember, though, if you feel lightheaded or dizzy during a workout, stop moving immediately and rest until you feel better.

Here are some methods to increase your aerobic capacity:

Work Out For Longer

Simply by increasing your workout by quarter of an hour, you can burn up to one hundred additional calories. And you’ll also increase your cardio capacity. It should take you about 3 weeks to notice a difference.

Use Your Arms As Well

If your main exercise is walking, jogging, or running, simply add arm movements to your routine. Try lifting your arms over above your head for two paces and then back down for two more. Yes, it may look funny but your heart rate will increase and so will your cardio capacity. This is an ideal trick for walkers, since the timing of their paces is slower, and so the movements are easier to integrate.

Visit http://www.fitnessequipmentlinks.com for more advice on improving your cardiovascular capacity

The ultimate expectation of shooting Portrait Head-Shots at home or in a hired studio, is made easy with these step-by-step instructions to help you.

Getting Started It’s really quite simple and after having read this article and with some experimentation, you’ll be shooting like a pro…

What You’ll Need, To Start From a Simple Beginning:

1. CAMERA, 35mm. SLR., (single lens reflex), will be fine if possible with a 28-80 zoom lens, or separate prime lenses 80mm., or 100mm., for head shots and 50mm., or wider for fashion shots.

EVEN BETTER, a ‘MEDIUM FORMAT CAMERA’ such as:-

Bronica SQAI, or Hassleblad 501CM, or Mamiya 6, (format size 6×6cm.), with a 150mm. or 200mm., lens for head shots and a 80mm., lens for fashion shots. NOTE, using a medium format camera, will give you a better IMAGE Quality, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, it will slow you down and:-

MAKE YOU THINK LIKE A PROFESSIONAL!

2. TRIPOD, use a solid heavy duty one. Check out the second hand market.

3. FLASH. (Studio Flash), a separate studio flash unit. Start by checking the used photo equipment stores, trying to find good second hand studio flash units.

4. FLASH METER. Visit your photo suppliers and check out the new and second hand stock. Ask for advice, it’s better to find one that you feel comfortable with.

5. DIGITAL or FILM STOCK: If your using film then 100 ASA, film speed, will do just fine in most situations. At this stage you have to decide if you want to shoot with color print film, color transparency slide film, or black and white film.

SIMPLE LIGHTING SET UP For Head Shots.

SEAT YOUR MODEL: On a stool, one or two meters in front of a plain background, talk to her, she’s nervous too. (Read that line again!) It’s Important. Keep a good ‘rapport’ with your model, she will work much better with you. Did she fix her hair and her make up OK. If possible it’s a good idea to have a make up artist and hairdresser on hand to help you, the more attention to detail the better will be the results.

SET THE CAMERA: On a tripod, at the same height as the models head, borrow a stand in model to sit in for a few minutes, while you ‘GET TO GRIPS’ with the lighting set up. At this stage, you will realize what an advantage it was, you spent your ‘hard earned cash’ on a new or used studio flash unit, with built in modeling lights, to give you some idea of your lighting effects.

REMEMBER YOUR STUDIO LIGHTING: Should be set up and ready to use, long Before your model walks on the set.

POSITION YOUR ‘BROLLY’ FLASH: About 45 degrees angle to one side of the camera position and also about 45 degrees angle above the models head. The distance between the Flash and the subject’s head, (for head shot’s), should be about one meter flash to subject distance.

PLACE A LARGE WHITE REFLECTOR: To the opposite side as your flash unit, as close as possible to the subject. Sometimes it’s a good idea to place a flash unit bounced into the reflector as fill in, taking care not to over power your ‘Key Light’. Next, place a small white reflector under the models chin, to bounce light up to the shadow area under the chin.

FLASH METERS: Now, check out what exposure you should use and set the f. stop, (aperture), on the camera. The shutter speed is not so important in the studio, as long as it’s no faster than the camera’s recommended flash sync’ speed, or slower.

IT WOULD BE a good plan to do a test run the day before, allowing you time to process your test shots and check your exposure and lighting. Many professional photographers use a medium format camera in the studio, which can be fitted with a Polaroid camera back, allowing them to make instant tests on the spot. Also there are some Pro Photographers that use medium format cameras in the studio which have been fitted with special Digital camera backs, allowing the images to viewed on screen immediately.

OTHER LIGHTS: It’s also a good idea to add two or three other lights to your studio set up, (if the budget will allow).

A HAIR LIGHT: At the back of the set and to one side, fixed about two meters high, clipping the models hair. This should have a ’snoot’ or ‘honeycombe’ fitted to the front of the light, to prevent stray light falling on the camera lens.

BACKGROUND LIGHTS: Can also be put to good use, to light up, or create effects with the background.

IT’S REALLY A MATTER of experimentation to develop your own technique, until you have perfected a pleasing effect and you are more or less satisfied with your results. In the meantime you can drive your friends and members of your family crazy in trying out your new found skills… And then…

SET UP YOUR own small portrait studio in a spare room or garage at home.

JUST KEEP ON TESTING untill you have mastered the art.

To learn more about Portrait Head Shots, go here: Pro Portrait Head Shots

Roger is from London and started out in the days of the Swinging Sixties when London was quite a place to be. Roger says that In those days he use to shoot catalog fashion shots with a 10X8 inch View camera, so the transparency images would be the same size as the image on the catalog page. “I have to tell you right now that took quite some doing. Now I spent most of my time with my website: Pro SECRETS of Money Making PHOTOGRAPHY writing and teaching photography, shooting the occasional assignment”.


To learn about Shooting Pro Fashion Photography go here: Pro Fashion Shoot

As a chemistry teacher many years ago I instructed my students to heat iron filings and sulfur. Each time they did the result was exactly the same –iron sulfide.

Wouldn’t it be nice if marketing worked the same way? Then all the career and business tips I write would work immediately. Network at a meeting one evening and the next morning tons of potential new clients or employers call you. That would be wonderful and my clients would love it! So would I!

I talk to dozens of people every month who are doing career searches or practice building. The single biggest expectation is that the result will be immediate and when it isn’t the person just stops the activity. “Oh networking doesn’t work for me. I go to a meeting, hand out lots of business cards, and no one ever calls.”

The thing about marketing is that it isn’t fast and it also isn’t that predictable. What works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. Finding what works for you is the important part.

Finding and using your own unique marketing strategy is often done by trial and error. Because there may be errors before success, this can be discouraging and scary. Having a coach, mentor or colleague to work with will keep you focused and upbeat during the process.

There are also many variables when it comes to networking. What event do you choose to go to? How do you identify the people you want to meet? What do you say when you meet them? How do you make sure you can continue the conversation if you want to?

Bob Berg in his book titled Endless Referrals says that people do business with people they “know, like and trust”. What about you? How do you or would you make buying or hiring decisions?

Business decisions usually involve money – your own or someone else’s. To justify the decision you will have to believe whatever is presented by the person making the offer. Certainly knowing, liking and trusting that person plays a big part. Some of us make decisions quickly. Others take time to make up their minds.

So what can you do to speed the process? Think about it. What makes you want to do business with someone? For me there are many answers. It could be continual exposure to the person or company. Sometimes it is seeing that the person has expertise through writings or presentations. At other times it may be a testimonial from a friend or person you respect. Often it is some combination of these.

Once you have met a prospect the next step is up to you. Use your creativity to come up with marketing tools and techniques that make you memorable and trusted. There may be methods that suit you more than others. You also may notice some methods work better for you than others.

The point is that to find the group of marketing methods that work for you, you must stick with it. You want to meet lots of prospects. Not all of them will be interested in you or your product or service. The step after “meet lots of prospect” is have them get to know you better so that eventually they do feel comfortable doing business with or hiring you.

Take Action

1. Review the networking groups you attend. Go to a meeting with the intention of meeting one or two who will be good potential clients or referral sources for you.

2. Find a new networking group to try. Make sure it is a good place to meet potential clients or referral sources. Go to a meeting.

3. Read Parker’s Points March 2005 – Top Ten Ways to Market Your Business By Doing What You Love To Do. http://www.asparker.com/ppts0305.html

3. Read Endless Referrals by Bob Berg for more networking tips.

4. Make a list of the marketing methods you enjoy. Think about your current prospects. Use some of these methods to close the business or get a job offer.

Song from the musical Little Women by Jason Howland

About Alvah Parker

Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker’s Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. To subscribe send an email to join-roadtosuccess@go.netatlantic.com.

Parker’s Value Program© enables clients to find a way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. She is both a Practice Advisor and Coach to attorneys, managers, business owners, sole practioners, and people in transition. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com She may also be reached at 781-598-0388

Wouldn’t it be grand if we had endless funds to spruce up our
fall wardrobe? Well most of us don’t but not to worry. Here’s
some help to build your fall wardrobe on a budget.

First off forget the designe names. Yes they’re great if you can
afford them but if not take their ideas and then go shopping.
There are plenty of similar after market designs that are very
close and won’t break the bank.

Items such as blue jeans, pheasant skirts, v necks, and wool
sweaters can be purchased without the designer name. Also watch
for some great sales as the stores begin to already bring in
their winter stock. This time of year you can save anywhere from
30% to 50%.

Looking fresh and stylish is important and when you get to save
good money you don’t feel so bad about tossing an item that’s
starting to show its wear.

You can also save plenty on shoes by watching for sale or
shopping at a shoe warehouse. The shoe warehouses have plenty of
style choices you just might have to hunt a little bit to find
your size. Well worth the time for the savings!

Most important is fit and comfort, and of course you need to be
certain they’ll work with your wardrobe. This season the wedge
continues in popularity. Slip ons are also still very popular
and we are seeing imitation fur linings this season. Nice and
cozy and still very classy! If you shop carefully you can add
several pair for the price of one pair of designer shoes.

Lastly you can save a whole lot of money on your jewelry.
Costume jewelry is affordable and the selection is great. If you
stick to costume jewelry you can buy pieces for the fall season
and not feel bad because you spent too much and they are out of
style by next year.

There are many good online store with very reasonable prices.
Don’t forget to have a hunt through your old jewelry as well –
you might be surprised at what you find that has made it back
into style. Large clunky jewelry continues to be instyle as well
as wood and bone jewelry. Color is making a big statement this
year. Bold is beautiful this season!

If you need to get some ideas for the spring season – this
months women’s magazines have some great articles and examples.
Vogue, Elle, and In Style are all full of excellent fashion
pages.

So don’t fret, you can look like a million dollars on a shoe
string budget with a little creativity and hunting! Make your
fashion statement!

I have had a lot of emails from people who are looking for a partypoker sign up bonus code. To save some time I have written a simple tutorial on how to get and use a partypoker sign up bonus code.

The first thing you need to do is visit the site (partypoker.com) and download their software. This is quite simple, there is a large graphic in the middle of the site simply click it and follow the instructions.

Ok, so now we have downloaded and installed the software. The next thing you need to do is register a new account, this to is very simple. This is also where you will use the bonus code. There are 2 different codes available. The first one is “ONTHEFLOP” this one will give you an additional 20% on your deposit. The second one is “ONTHETURN” and will give you and extra $25 on your deposit. Note that they are all one word and without quotes. When registering you will notice a little box where it says enter bonus code. Choose what bonus you would like and enter that code. Now when you decide to make a deposit, they will add the additional amount to your account automatically. There you have it, simple wasn’t it?

Want to be a winning player? Poker is a dynamic game that revolves around luck and skill. Both of these are key components of a winning player. Unfortunately you can’t practice luck, but you can always improve your skill. The only way to get better is to practice. I consider reading practice also. What I like to do is read various online poker websites and forums, then apply some of the concepts. When I lose a certain hand, I will post the hand on a forum and get some feedback or I may do a simple search on Google. This helps tremendously. If you keep reading, playing and stay disciplined you can be a winning player. Good luck at the tables.

As I mentioned earlier in the article there are many other online poker rooms you can play at. You can find our reviews of all the ones worth their salt at our Review Section

Mark Lambie is an avid online poker player. He runs a website for players of all skill levels at On The Flop

Have you heard of the FABS? The FABS are quadruplets; they are not identical but they are very, very similar! The FABS are: Fear, Anger, Blame and Shame. This quartet love to arrive, uninvited, at people’s houses and literally stay forever. They will certainly stay as long as you allow them to; they never seem to get tired of hanging around and causing troubles for the unsuspecting host.

The FABS love to attach themselves to abused children, but they really lie in wait for anyone who is vulnerable. Children who have been abused learn early that the world is an unsafe place, and that they have no personal power with which to protect themselves. They internalize everything that is done to them, and believe everything that is said to them. This provides a fertile environment for the FABS to flourish in. And usually, all of the fear, anger, blame and shame is directed squarely at the self. The child feels at fault for everything that happens.

However, the FABS can move in on anyone at any time. When life becomes too stressful or hurtful, then it provides an opening for the FABS to move in. Whenever a person feels guilty for their actions then the side door opens and the FABS can sneak in.

FABS live in the dark. They tend to hide in the dark corners of our minds, avoiding the light of day at all costs. If the sun were to shine on the FABS then it is very likely that the host would take immediate steps to eliminate them. It is much easier to lurk in the subconscious and just spring out whenever the opportunity presents itself. Then the FABS kick in and keep the host from moving forward in their lives.

Some of the symptoms of FABS in your life are:

• Feeling as if everything that happens is your “fault”

• Constant apologizing

• Feelings of depression and unworthiness

• Getting stuck in bad relationships

• Always being a “giver”

• Surrounding yourself with “takers”

• Being afraid of change

• Never standing up for oneself

• Being overweight

• Back problems

  People infested with FABS are often overweight because they use food as a medication, unknowingly trying to eliminate the pain that FABS causes; or they use weight as protection against an uncertain and painful world. Excess weight can be a wonderful buffer, and can become as comforting as a favorite blanket. FABS sufferers often have back problems as well, because they consciously or unconsciously feel that they have no support in their lives. Lack of emotional support=back pain!

  Once FABS have moved into your life they are extremely hard to get rid of, but not impossible by any means! It takes work, dedication and a real desire to get them out of your life. You may need a good FABS exterminator, which can be a therapist or a personal coach. Getting rid of the FABS in your life is a very important step to take, no matter how difficult it may be. Once they are gone, you cannot imagine how good life will feel, how bright the sun shines and how far you can go on your path!

  About The Author

  Sibyl McLendon is 1/2 Navajo, and is a personal spiritual coach for Circle Of Grace http://www.circle-of-grace.com.

  Circle Of Grace is a unique blending of Native American spirituality and holistic wellness coaching. Sign up for a free coaching session!

  Sibyl can be contacted at sibyl@www.circle-of-grace.com

That’s Not Spam, That’s My Newsletter! By Jessica Albon

Copyright 2003, The Write Exposure

For those of us who receive way too many unsolicited emails,
Spam filters are a blessing. Switch to the publisher’s side of
the desk, though, and Spam filters can become problematic.

Before you can keep your opt-in newsletter out of the Spam
filter’s reach, you have to learn a little about the kinds of
Spam filters available. Currently, options range from those
installed by an ISP, like Spam Assassin, to those that run with
another program, like Microsoft’s Outlook, as is the case with
cloudmark’s SpamNet. Spam Assassin uses a point system to
determine whether or not a piece of email is Spam. The more
points a particular email collects, the more likely it is to be
Spam. SpamNet not only filters based on key words (free!, for
instance), but also allows users to submit Spam to then be
blocked for other users. Most Spam filters use some sort of
blacklist of known Spammers to block emails.

The other component you’ll need to be aware of is the blacklist.
As mentioned, most of the available Spam filters use one or more
of these collections of email addresses and domain names that
send out a lot of Spam. Blacklists are primarily compiled by
volunteers. In other words, you mail them the Spam you receive
in your inbox, they take a look at it and then decide whether or
not to add the sender to their list.

Because Spam filters have both a computer component (such as the
points system used by Spam Assassin), and a human component
(such as the blacklists and the new system from SpamNet), you’ll
need to make sure your newsletter doesn’t raise flags in either
camp. Here are some suggestions for avoiding problems.

So your newsletter convinces people

1. Never send your newsletter unsolicited, not even to current
or past customers (it’s easy enough to ask them if they’d like
to be subscribed with a personal email). In fact, it’s a risk
even to send your newsletter to a list you’ve purchased no
matter what you’ve been told about the intent of the list’s
subscribers-can you be sure all of the subscribers expected to
receive your email on widgets just because they checked a box
saying they were interested in widgets? This will help keep you
off the “blacklists” that are available to Spam filters.

2. Provide what you say you will, when you say you will. Don’t
mislead your audience at the subscribing stage and don’t send
out emails with manipulative subject lines. Not only is this not
good for your reputation, but it may also trigger common Spam
filters.

3. Don’t type all in caps. A hallmark of the Nigerian Bank Scam,
typing all in caps isn’t just rude; it may get your newsletter
forwarded to a blacklist. Additionally, make sure to capitalize
the beginnings of your sentences and otherwise use professional
grammar and punctuation. An unprofessional email may be more
likely to arouse the suspicions of your readers.

4. Leave them wanting more. If your newsletter is really, really
valuable, subscribers who don’t get it will miss it. Some ezine
publishers have found their ezines are so popular, people who
stop receiving the emails actually complain.

5. Make your policy clear. Tell readers how to unsubscribe at
your website and in your newsletter. Let them know whom to
contact if they have any trouble. And, of course, make sure to
follow through immediately.

So your newsletter convinces the computer

6. Steer clear of subject lines that scream SPAM! Words like
“free,” “limited time,” and “money” often trigger Spam filters.
Take a look at the Spam in your own inbox for examples of words
not to use.

7. Offer directions for “subscribing” and “unsubscribing.”
Spammers often use the word “remove” in their emails, so you’ll
want to avoid it at all costs. Plus, in some Spam filters, you
actually lose points (the fewer points, the less likely an email
is Spam) when you offer subscribing and unsubscribing
instructions.

8. Send it from a reputable domain name, or better yet, your
own. Free email addresses are often used heavily by Spammers, so
you’ll want to stay away from them if at all possible.

9. Don’t send attachments. Most email readers regard attachments
with suspicion anyway and the attachment may trigger Spam
filters set up to screen adult material. Both are good reasons
to send your entire email in the body of the email. Still not
convinced? Many of your readers will have limited inbox space-by
avoiding attachments you won’t give them an extra reason to
delete your newsletter unread.

When you keep up-to-date on the latest Spam filter technology,
you may find Spam filters are actually your allies-they may mean
your newsletter will have less competition in your reader’s
inbox.

GPS or Global Positioning Systems is a term that most commonly conjures up images of vehicle navigation systems, space-age satellite technology, and interactive maps for outdoors-types and sportsmen. But the reality is that there are far more applications of Global Positioning Systems beyond GPS vehicle tracking or map navigation that everyday people like us can benefit from. All it takes is a bit of creativity, and some trial and error. Here are a few of the many possibilities that can benefit you right now in your busy and hectic life.

1. Know where your children are using services from companies like uLocate Communications.

2. Keep track of elderly members of your family, so that they don’t wander off alone.

3. Plan a road trip around interesting points of interests, landmarks, campsites, diners, etc, and hear fewer “Are we there yets?”- and of course get the most out of that expensive gas.

4. Get emergency road side assistance at a touch of a button from your vehicle, so you can get help exactly where and when you need it.

5. Keep a visual journal and bookmark collection of your favorite hot spots, sceneries, and points of interests, that may not be listed in any travel guide (You can create your own mini travel guides and memories).

6. Find lost pets easily using collars with built-in GPS, better than running around in your pajamas hollering like a maniac.

7. Feel safer with cellular phone 911 calls, so emergency personnel can pinpoint your location once you make an emergency call. Please double check your carrier service to see that it has GPS features and get a primer on how it works if possible.

8. Get to your interview, or any important time sensitive destination or engagement, faster by finding shortcuts and correct directions.

9. Find a good Italian restaurant near your movie theatre on the fly.

10. Track your luggage, laptops, and anything of importance while traveling.

11. Track and find family, friends in a crowded concert, graduation, or any social gathering.

12. When going on a vacation, feel free to separate from group for a while to venture on your own based on your own interests and find them later on with your GPS enabled device- even in an unfamiliar place.

Our ability to use GPS so far is limited by the relatively poor connection to the satellite feeds when we are indoors in buildings, homes, or behind anything that could obstruct the GPS connection. However with the investment and development in a new satellite network called Galileo which should be completed in the near future, these problems should be eliminated drastically. Despite these problems, GPS still offers a world of benefits as mentioned earlier, and with any technology, it will only get better.

In addition to more practical usage applications, GPS will make a great educational and fun gift for your loved one’s and friends as well. Consider just two of the many creative and educational uses of GPS:

1. Stay physically active and fit by playing RayGun! A locational based cell phone game based on GPS technology.

2. Become more cultured, make global friends, and learn about the world playing GeoCache, a global GPS based treasure hunt.

With many affordable feature-rich models to satisfy anyone’s preferences and budgets, now is as good a time as any to learn more about GPS technologies, which are surely to become more assimilated into the mainstream within the decade. One day we will take these things for granted just like we do now for the internet and cell phones. The key is to dive in, without paralyzing yourself with the overwhelming array of choices in the GPS market, and enjoying some truly amazing technology.

Visit GPSZoom.com for a dizzying array of ways in which GPS can improve your lifestyle including with GPS tracking services for people and vehicles, and for those adventurers at heart- technology to help you conquer the outdoors, one trail at a time.