Stock Market Risk

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlTxv2O2cYm-9Lasuwt3AvmL5bjsSjHWULl0zbxa0wwuENhv1eY1gcnBW36IT7OIyU_cKcMtpqh0svdxqHZcmsN3xh0dxlUkAEXxOf3Kq7C6vViDjoVqW0cZtykS_Yl67UV-y8SviiXs/s1600/Equities+vs.+GDP.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlTxv2O2cYm-9Lasuwt3AvmL5bjsSjHWULl0zbxa0wwuENhv1eY1gcnBW36IT7OIyU_cKcMtpqh0svdxqHZcmsN3xh0dxlUkAEXxOf3Kq7C6vViDjoVqW0cZtykS_Yl67UV-y8SviiXs/s320/Equities+vs.+GDP.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />As seen in the chart, the unsustainable exponential growth party ended in the first quarter of 2000. In my opinion, those who think our problems all started during the Great Recession are therefore quite mistaken.<br /><br />Welcome to the new normal! It involves all kinds of <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/03/5-charts-i-shared-with-my-tax-preparer.html">exponential trend failures</a>!<br /><br />Since 2000, we've revisited the median twice. Let's hope we don't revisit the realistic worst case (as seen in the 1950s and 1970s). I say realistic worst case in that historical perspective rear view mirror looking way. Should you be looking out the front window, your realistic worst case may vary!<br /><br />For what it is worth, I've been permanently bearish since 2004. As a retiree, I no longer have any desire to swing for the fences. I just don't think this economy can support sustainable fence swinging any longer, not that it ever really could. As seen in the chart, the 1980s and 1990s were just an unsustainable exponential growth illusion of prosperity. Those expecting to go back to that era are far more optimistic than I could ever be (especially from these already elevated levels).<br /><br />This is not investment advice.<br /><br /><b>See Also:</b><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/08/stock-market-analysis-bearish-case.html">Stock Market Analysis - The Bearish Case</a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=lZF">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Stock Market Risk

Click to enlarge. As seen in the chart, the unsustainable exponential growth party ended in the first quarter of 2000. In my opinion, those ...

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Delusional Hogs Fan Ready to Win it All

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Howdy and WOOOOOOOO PIG SOOOOOOOOOOOOIE y’all! This is Stewie Stevens better known to most as “WooPigStewie!” in the online world and I’m here today to tell you all about how MY Arkansas Razorbacks are on their way to the BCS Champeeenship! WOOOOOOO!!!! GO HOGS GO!!!! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3RfiQFy0ncNp4fuCczxxItv-AeAXsLDhCbOTF4dn-rZEQdGXMNQNWmaQpOwNQF8S9CfIOXZ-eWhKJgJzC964Y3SzodyWQ-uG2VuzTEr3hd3y3UsprMjmrdWzXHVaCDdXMFoMqkfKz4TQ/s1600/Woo+Pig+Stewie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3RfiQFy0ncNp4fuCczxxItv-AeAXsLDhCbOTF4dn-rZEQdGXMNQNWmaQpOwNQF8S9CfIOXZ-eWhKJgJzC964Y3SzodyWQ-uG2VuzTEr3hd3y3UsprMjmrdWzXHVaCDdXMFoMqkfKz4TQ/s400/Woo+Pig+Stewie.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">If you just happened to watch the Hogs dismantle Louisiana-Lafayette over the weekend you saw the beginning of something special. A National Champion was born right before our eyes! Arkansas took the field and not only looked nothing like that dismal team they fielded last year, but look like a team of DESTINY!! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I know you’re saying “But it was just ULL dude.” Yeah, but ULL is BY FAR the best second tier team in America. They’ll go undefeated from here on out and could probably beat every team in the ACC, Big 10, Big 12 and Pac 12. Their QB is gonna be an NFL star someday. And ULL’s coach, Mark Hudspeth is the only coach in all of America who is even close to Bret Bielema’s level. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, let’s just break things down factually, shall we? <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Arkansas has the best offensive line in all of America. Hell, some NFL teams aren’t as good up front as we are. Those guys are HUGE and athletic and every last one of them is a real student of the game. They study film and work on their technique day and night. I’ve never seen a more dedicated, hard-working and competitive group of young men in my life. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Jonathan Williams is the best running back in all of college football. There is simply no argument. He’s has the most amazing combination of speed and power I’ve seen since …. Earl Campbell. IKNOW, IKNOW, IKNOW! But, he really is THAT good.  The only RB who might be as good as him is … <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- Alex Collins is the best freshman running back I’ve ever seen in my life. Even better than Adrian Peterson. Not only does this guy have that “extra gear” that all great backs have, he has best vision of any running back around. He reminds me of …. Barry Sanders. IKNOW, IKNOW, IKNOW! But, I’m telling ya, he sees everything out there and can make defenders think they saw a ghost. The only guy in the country who could stop either Williams or Collins from winning multiple Heisman’s is …. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">- QB Brandon Allen! One week in and I’m pretty sure Allen is the best QB to ever play at Arkansas. Forget Joe Ferguson, Ron Calcagni, Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson! BA is better than all of them combined. I think he reminds me most of …. Joe Montana. IKNOW, IKNOW, IKNOW but, darn it! BA is just like Joe in that you don’t think he has that strong of an arm until he fires one into a small window in traffic or drops one in the receiver’s bread basket 62 yards downfield. Of course, he’s probably more mobile than Joe was and has a bit more football intelligence than Joe had. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">As you can see we are just loaded. All this amazing talent and Bielema’s coaching can only mean a BCS championship. Looking at our schedule I admit we might struggle with Bama or South Carolina or Florida or possibly LSU, but we’re definitely better than all of them. If we weren’t playing Bama, Florida and LSU on the road I’m sure we would stomp ‘em! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsumhd_TX389P26ADmC65wMYJUB50uMuGUjMD4_5G3NlkAxz20f_e_CTE0RmTxBDSfZa7h6cidc3vFARpsK4sD7L4X5qhcgGM32GhoK4FuAzB95FzDMJNFwkVs-LHT6qgIRVLBruI8-vnv/s1600/jen-bielema-hot-sexy-hog-nose.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsumhd_TX389P26ADmC65wMYJUB50uMuGUjMD4_5G3NlkAxz20f_e_CTE0RmTxBDSfZa7h6cidc3vFARpsK4sD7L4X5qhcgGM32GhoK4FuAzB95FzDMJNFwkVs-LHT6qgIRVLBruI8-vnv/s400/jen-bielema-hot-sexy-hog-nose.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">So, WOOOOOOOOOOOO PIG SOOOOOOOOOOOOOIE!!! We gonna win it all! <o:p></o:p><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nVPG_YO2WJOrK8lEBeItr1-5dgo1vNEK8srLvB61QCnorOyqen-ZheMrVe0s6ZrSUP0TexGUQq07Pyz29rycbOxVK6tKTNBu0ZLwGql3jdlIcVGCtXtqBF9E8PX4MopbKvR_5JnH0tO1/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="46" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nVPG_YO2WJOrK8lEBeItr1-5dgo1vNEK8srLvB61QCnorOyqen-ZheMrVe0s6ZrSUP0TexGUQq07Pyz29rycbOxVK6tKTNBu0ZLwGql3jdlIcVGCtXtqBF9E8PX4MopbKvR_5JnH0tO1/s200/signature.png" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com"><br /></a><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com"><br /></a><br /><a href="mailto:Jayman3768@gmail.com">Jayman3768@gmail.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/jayman68">Facebook</a><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/jayman_iws">@Jayman_IWS</a> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">-- <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">In other news <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/09/01/season-4-premiere-extravaganza">Season Four of IWS Radio</a> kicked off yesterday and it was a BLAST! We talked about all the great options there are for dealing with Syria, Twitter’s reaction to Miley, heard from Slyder, Guy, Moneymaker, Rocky, Kirk and Paul Piatt  AAAAAAAAAANNNDDDD …. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">We talked to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TopfreeTess">TESS</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/toplessequality">Topless Equality</a>! She was awesome and did a great job telling us all about her group and their movement to try and get states and cities to pass laws to allow women to be topless in public places just like men. And you know what? She was pretty convincing too! Check it out …</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="370" src="http://player.cinchcast.com/?show_id=5349167&platformId=1&assetType=single" width="400"></iframe><br /><div style="font-size: 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;"><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/comedy">More Comedy Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio</a> with <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid">IWS Radio</a> on BlogTalkRadio</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Delusional Hogs Fan Ready to Win it All

Howdy and WOOOOOOOO PIG SOOOOOOOOOOOOIE y’all! This is Stewie Stevens better known to most as “WooPigStewie!” in the online world and I’m he...

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Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Review!

<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eF1u9nBR74/UiPOkvtGTCI/AAAAAAAAJgw/ZVrM_EGbfQk/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7eF1u9nBR74/UiPOkvtGTCI/AAAAAAAAJgw/ZVrM_EGbfQk/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">When it comes to skin care products I look for one that does the job by keeping my skin clean and doesn't also dry out which is a huge factor.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I was sent their hydra vegetal skin care products for review and couldn't wait to try them to see how they are different from other brands.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I have found the best skin care products ever and I owe it all to <a href="http://www.yvesrocherusa.com/control/main">Yves Rocher</a> not only do they keep my face from drying out it leaves it feeling soft and it gives me a well rested feeling .</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hydrating micellar water face and eyes:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Swab liquid onto cotton ball and dab on face removing makeup and leaves a fresh clean feeling!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Moisture boost concentrate:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Squeeze lotion onto fingertips and apply on face making your face feel smoother than ever!</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Hydrating day cream:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Put oh each morning for perfectly smooth skin for lasting hydration </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Fresh gel under eye bags:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Great to use on puffy tired looking eyes </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Website:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.yvesrocherusa.com/control/main">http://www.yvesrocherusa.com/control/main</a></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Facebook:</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/YvesRocherUSA"><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">https://www.facebook.com/YvesRocherUSA</span></i></a></div>

Yves Rocher Hydra Vegetal Review!

When it comes to skin care products I look for one that does the job by keeping my skin clean and doesn't also dry out which is a huge f...

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Auto Sales vs. Miles Traveled

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFNPJAPZ9fT0JWlcKDbLoRdhSnJHgj3G19j97-AWtDiGst-4JI11Gb6dnj1AHJ5kjWv2G-ZBdUU02p3Dwy0v7SdCxXQa2RhAyIBU3eZMgx8SrM0Yxs7TsB5b1rBAuHIa6qLvff1emElI/s1600/Auto+Sales+vs.+Miles.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFNPJAPZ9fT0JWlcKDbLoRdhSnJHgj3G19j97-AWtDiGst-4JI11Gb6dnj1AHJ5kjWv2G-ZBdUU02p3Dwy0v7SdCxXQa2RhAyIBU3eZMgx8SrM0Yxs7TsB5b1rBAuHIa6qLvff1emElI/s320/Auto+Sales+vs.+Miles.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Oh, yeah. Totally sustainable.<br /><br /><b>See Also:</b><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2010/06/sarcasm-disclaimer.html">Sarcasm Disclaimer</a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=lZn">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Auto Sales vs. Miles Traveled

Click to enlarge. Oh, yeah. Totally sustainable. See Also: Sarcasm Disclaimer Source Data: St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart

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P28 High Protein Peanut Butter Review!

<div style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.p28foods.com/">P28 Foods</a> peanut butters are high in protein and best of all they are all natural and not to mention so flavorful and delicious! </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I was excited and couldn't wait to try their products out for review, however was a bit disappointed when I received small jars of peanut butters.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Their other products such as bagels, breads and flatbread sound delicious as well and would have been great to try the peanut butter with them.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I look for snacks that are high in protein to get me through my workouts and to keep me feeling full especially at breakfast.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I was feeling a bit creative when I came along a recipe on the popular new site Pinterest and thought to myself I love all of those ingredients and should make myself one since I had all of the ingredients at hand, except for honey.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Peanut butter banana smoothie:</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This is the recipe I found on Pinterest here:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zZHmC8m5mUI/UiOeDmuY2wI/AAAAAAAAJf8/r-PHd3Xak0c/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zZHmC8m5mUI/UiOeDmuY2wI/AAAAAAAAJf8/r-PHd3Xak0c/s320/13+-+1" width="209" /></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>So I gathered and measured the ingredients and spooned out the p28 peanut butter and watched as the blender whirred away just waiting in anticipation. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i><i>Banana raisin:</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPkCckv4Pv0/Uiertc_arBI/AAAAAAAAJhE/gQA_QyCt70g/s1600/13+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPkCckv4Pv0/Uiertc_arBI/AAAAAAAAJhE/gQA_QyCt70g/s320/13+-+2" width="320" /></a></div><i><br /></i><i>Not an overpowering banana flavor in the peanut butter which is great, worked perfectly on a cinnamon raisin bagel as shown in the image above. It offered great flavor and wasn't too sweet which I loved!</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>It would of also went great with a banana or as a topping on a muffin or bread!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I couldn't wait to try it!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Here's my photo below:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6ytMUgJlq4/UiHdYbgzykI/AAAAAAAAJeg/9tKAU6wuwr4/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6ytMUgJlq4/UiHdYbgzykI/AAAAAAAAJeg/9tKAU6wuwr4/s320/13+-+1" width="320" /></i></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Wow was this a great breakfast to have or what!? Who would have thought that peanut butter in a smoothie could taste so good!?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It was creamy, nutty, sweet and delicious! </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Best of all it filled me up and works as a fantastic snack after an intense workout.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Almond butter smoothie:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Tasted great and worked as a fantastic Sunday morning breakfast !</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_979743352"></span><span id="goog_979743353"></span>Facebook:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/P28Foods">https://www.facebook.com/P28Foods</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Website:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://www.p28foods.com/">https://www.p28foods.com/</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Twitter:</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://twitter.com/p28foods">https://twitter.com/p28foods</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

P28 High Protein Peanut Butter Review!

P28 Foods  peanut butters are high in protein and best of all they are all natural and not to mention so flavorful and delicious!  I was exc...

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Crops and whips

Wondering where to get a really good whip or crop?  One that's gonna last?  My little helpful info for the day here!<br /><br />The horse tack shop silly!  And yes, there's probably one in your town.  Heck they're in Manhattan, so don't think you're too urban for a tack shop.  And that's the one place on the planet you can buy a whip and nobody will bat an eye at you as you test them out in the store.  <br /><br />These are real whips and crops, made to last a really long time.  The craftsmanship is better than you'd probably see at a "toy store."  The materials stand up to sweat and all the things we spray on the horses' coats to make them shiny and to keep flies away.<br /><br />I've been riding/training/showing horses forever, professionally for many of those years.  So I've got an extensive collection of whips :-)  I replace them because I lose them.  Or they grow feet and end up in somebody else's tack box.  I think I've only had a handful actually fall apart.  That's usually from leaving it outside in the weather for more than a day or two.<br /><br />A crop is medium length and usually has nice springiness.  If it has a wide slapper on the end, it's a slappy springy whack.  If it's a narrow slapper, it's stiffer without the slap factor.  The ones that have a string or cord instead of a leather slapper are usually very stiff, like a narrow rod... or what I picture a cane to be like maybe?  So the wider the slappers tend to be more springy.  And they feel the best ;-) <br /><br />A bat is a short crop.  They are very stiff with no spring.  I don't like them for horses.  It takes a lot of swing and then it's just a thud.  Not useful for a horse unless you're a little pipsqueak of a kid that can't handle a crop.  Perhaps useful for people though!<br /><br />A whip is nearly always springy.  But there's different kids of whips so be careful.  You want a dressage whip.  They are meant to flick the horse anywhere along their length.  They're wonderfully whippy sounding too!  They will have a cord popper on the end.  The longer the whip, the springier it'll usually be.  <br /><br />Watch out for long driving whips and longe (sometimes spelled lunge) whips.  They are both designed to be used only at the end.  The length of the whip is not designed to handle a strike.  It is fiberglass inside.  When it breaks, the fiberglass becomes fine little splinters that embed deeply.  They're itchy and painful at the same time.  Now these whips could be great fun for dramatic displays and sounds, just be very careful not to use the body of it on a body.<br /><br />You might see a fly whisk, similar to a flogger.  Don't think this will do you any good.  They won't hold up to much of anything fun.  Also they're made out of itchy horse hair.  There are some events at certain horse shows that require adherence to strict traditional foxhunting attire.  The whisk is a piece to complete that need.  They were used long ago, before they invented great fly repellants, and used to whisk the flies off the horse's body.  <br /><br />So how do I know about all this?  Well us horsey girls tended to beat the snot out of each other.  Not so much now, but the younger girls do.  And it happened way before my time too, I'm sure.  So I've gotten it all, both clothed and on bare skin.  <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Roma-Rainbow-Glitter-Stick-Purple/dp/B001Z541KO" target="_blank">This one</a></b> is my favorite.   I like purple and they're sparkly.  I've got a few of them in the barn and one in my bedroom ;-)  Hubby only humored me once and it was amazing.  It still sits there in case he comes around again lol.<br /><br />And I just feel obligated to say that no good horse person beats their horse.  Whips and crops are used as communication tools.  It is nearly always a single flick or two that doesn't register as painful to them.  A 1200 lb animal can handle a lot more whack than a person, and they're not receiving anywhere near the intensity or quantity that y'all are.

Crops and whips

Wondering where to get a really good whip or crop?  One that's gonna last?  My little helpful info for the day here! The horse tack shop...

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How Obesity Will Result In Causing Changes In Your Body

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By James Bennett</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>One the primary risks to persons who are overweight and have a high body mass index is that the method in which your organs operate is changed by the excess fat. Individuals often focus on how excess body fat impacts their appearance , surplus fat's affect on overall body functions should not be disregarded. <br /> <br /> Let's take a closer look at some of the most important hazards related to extra fat and its effect on your organs. <br /> <br /> Reproductive System<br /> <br /> Surplus body fats have an effect on the organs and one of the first systems to be effected is the reproductive system. Males who are overweight may not exhibit correctly operating reproductive organs and could in fact become infertile. If a man is very overweight, this definitely should be looked into as this might be the chief reason why the couple is unable to conceive.<br /> <br /> Women with extra body fat can also have problems. Generally primary concerns are a consequence from having too little body fat in women. which causes menstruation to stop, but too much body fat in some extreme cases can cause this as well.<br /> <br /> Your Digestive System: How it Functions When You are Obese <br /> <br /> Excess weight on the body can effect the digestive system, the second group of organs affected by obesity. When so much body fat has been added the liver and pancreas will not function as effectively , if high glucose foods continue to be delivered to the body, thisconsumption and that is what's contributing to the excess weight in the first place, Long-term health problems such as diabetes can be caused by an overworked pancreas that is putting insulin production into overdrive. <br /> <br /> The digestive organs can be kept functioning properly by sustaining a healthy diet with adequate fiber and crucial nutrients that the body needs.<br /> <br /> The Cardiovascular System <br /> <br /> The cardiovascular system is the final group of organs to be effected negatively in individuals with surplus body fat.<br /> <br /> The blood vessels can start to be subjected to an increase in plaque build-up as greater cholesterol levels begin happening in the body and the heart now is going to having to work harder and harder to carry all that added body weight around.<br /> <br /> This can ultimately put a significant amount of strain on this system and can possibly lead to heart disease or even heart attacks.. <br /> <br /> Good cardiovascular functioning is less difficult to keep in persons who have a healthier body weight and often this is one of the major benefits you see upon losing excess weight - your heart condition improves.<br /> <br /> So there you have just a few of the different body systems that will be effected when you begin to become overweight.<br /> <br /> Having additional body fat is much more critical than how it affects your looks. If you're not careful there could be some serious health problems that you set yourself up to undergo in the future if you don't take measures to keep your weight problem under control. <br /> <br /> A recommended diet that will allow you to achieve dietary victory features a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, rich in lean protein, and includes small quantities of healthy fats such as nuts, nut butters, fatty fish, and olive oil. Couple this with Phen 375 to increase the rate of fat burn and curb your appetite and you'll be taking positive steps forward in advancing your health.<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>Want to find out more about <a href='http://bestweightlosspillstouse.wordpress.com '>Phen 375</a>, then visit Betsy's site on how to lose weight and read her <a href='http://phen375-review.org/'>phen375 review</a> in living colour</div><br /> </div><br />

How Obesity Will Result In Causing Changes In Your Body

By James Bennett One the primary risks to persons who are overweight and have a high body mass index is that the method in which your or...

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The Unusual And Amazing Way To Lose Weight

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Sarah H</div><br /><br /> <div class='uawarticle'>Hello, My Name Is Sarah. I Am 42 Years Of Ages, And I Work Full-Time In A Workplace In Upstate New York. I Invest My Days Primarily Taking A Seat In Front Of My Computer System, And Over The Previous Few Years I Have Actually Acquired Some Weight. I Tried A Lot Of Different Diet Plans Just Recently, And I Did Manage To Lose Some Weight ... However I Immediately Got It Back Each Time I Began To Consume Generally Once Again. Then I Found Adiphene. I Simply Need To Share My Experience With You, Since Maybe This Astonishing Product Can Work For You, Too.<br /> <br /> Fifteen years back, I weighed a svelte 130 pounds. Then I started my professional career, which does not enable me to get any workout at work since I sit for many of the day. I work such long hours that I am tired each evening, and I wind up not working out. I had gained over 30 pounds in the previous few years, and I felt dreadful about myself and the way I looked.<br /> <br /> I embarked on a weight-loss experience recently, trying out a lot of different diets. Some of them had me consuming foods I did not enjoy, while others left me starving and grumpy all the time since of the lack of food I was enabled. I did handle to lose weight with these food limitations, however every single time I began to eat normally again, the weight came right back!<br /> <br /> I was at a loss. I did not understand what to do, so I turned to my pal Amy from New York City. She had actually lost a lot of weight over the previous couple of months, and I chose to ask her what her key was. I thought it was going to be another crazy diet ... however it turned out to be Adiphene.<br /> <br /> It turns out that this product is a safe and effective way to increase and stimulate your metabolic rate, which helps you lose weight. Adiphene contains 2 thermogenic boosters and 5 stimulants, along with two fat metabolizers, which are all integrated to help you to quickly take off additional pounds in a brief duration of time, even if you don't exercise.<br /> <br /> I have been taking Adiphene twice daily, as suggested, and after the first week I have currently lost 3 pounds. I have way more energy now than I did in the past, and I do not feel starving all the time either.<br /> <br /> Amy and I have actually prepared a girls-only trip together in a couple months. We have booked a cruise to the Caribbean, and I wish to look wonderful in sundresses and swimwears. Already I will have lost much more weight! I am so ecstatic to be feeling more like my former svelte self once again, all thanks to Adiphene. This item is amazing and fantastic, and if you have some additional pounds to lose, you ought to not waste any even more time ... attempt Adiphene today!<br /> <br /> I attempted a lot of different diet plans just recently, and I did manage to lose some weight ... but I promptly gained it back each time I started to eat normally once again. I did handle to lose weight with these food restrictions, however every single time I started to consume normally once again, the weight came right back!<br /> <br /> She had actually lost a lot of weight over the past few months, and I decided to ask her exactly what her key was. It turns out that this item is a safe and efficient way to enhance and stimulate your metabolic process, which helps you lose weight. By then I will have lost even more weight!<br /> <br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawresource'><br /> <div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br /> About the Author:<br /> </div><br /> <div class='uawlinks'>To learn more about <a href="http://adipheneusa.com/">Adiphene USA</a>, then visit Sarah's website www.adipheneusa.com where you will learn all about this <a href="http://bestweightlosspillstouse.wordpress.com">impressive fat burner</a></div><br /> </div><br />

The Unusual And Amazing Way To Lose Weight

By Sarah H Hello, My Name Is Sarah. I Am 42 Years Of Ages, And I Work Full-Time In A Workplace In Upstate New York. I Invest My Days Pri...

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A medieval peasant got more vacation than you

Unless you're a member of Congress, you get less vacation than a medieval peasant, Lynn Parramore writes in an opinion piece for <a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2013/08/29/why-a-medieval-peasant-got-more-vacation-time-than-you/" rel="nofollow">Reuters</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Plowing and harvesting were backbreaking toil, but the peasant enjoyed anywhere from eight weeks to half the year off. The Church, mindful of how to keep a population from rebelling, enforced frequent mandatory holidays. Weddings, wakes and births might mean a week off quaffing ale to celebrate, and when wandering jugglers or sporting events came to town, the peasant expected time off for entertainment. There were labor-free Sundays, and when the plowing and harvesting seasons were over, the peasant got time to rest, too. In fact, economist Juliet Shor found that during periods of particularly high wages, such as 14th-century England, peasants might put in no more than 150 days a year.</blockquote>What happened?<br /><br /><ol><li>The U.S. has no national vacation policy;</li><li>High unemployment and less job security;</li><li>Corporate greed. </li></ol>You probably knew that. But did you know Congress has <a href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/38177/want-a-job-with-239-vacation-days-become-a-member-of-congress" rel="nofollow">239 days off </a>this year?<br /><br />

Vacation wages A medieval peasant got more vacation than you

Unless you're a member of Congress, you get less vacation than a medieval peasant, Lynn Parramore writes in an opinion piece for Reuters...

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Today's Teamster News 09.01.13

<a href="http://business.time.com/2013/08/30/this-labor-day-much-of-america-will-be-laboring/" rel="nofollow">This Labor Day, Much of America Will Be . . . Laboring</a>  Time   ...39 percent of employers will keep operations open and require some workers to come into work, while a seperate survey of Beyond.com users says that 45% of those folks will spend Labor Day working or looking for work...<br /><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/08/30/2556301/burrito-chain-pays-entry-level-workers-10-hour-pay/" rel="nofollow">The Burrito Chain That Pays Entry-Level Workers $10 An Hour And Wants To Pay More </a> ThinkProgress   ...Boloco, a Boston-based burrito chain, pays its entry-level workers anywhere from $9 to $11 an hour, most of them making $10, with many who advance into higher roles making $17 an hour or more, CEO John Pepper told Fox Business News...<br /><a href="http://progressive.org/Wisconsin-republicans-ban-public-for-miles-from-mine" rel="nofollow">Wis. GOP to Ban Public for Miles from Mine</a>  The Progressive   ...A new bill to allow the Gogebic Taconite iron mining company to bar the public from using public access land on an eight-square-mile parcel near their proposed mine site. This is an area that attracts people from all over the country to enjoy the excellent trout fishing and hunting...<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/business/income-gap-grows-wider-and-faster.html?partner=yahoofinance&_r=1&" rel="nofollow">Income Gap Grows Wider (and Faster)</a>  New York Times   ...when average wages grow faster than the median, as happened from 2009 through 2011, it means that lower earners are falling further behind those at the top...<br /><a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/2013/08/30/freedom-from-jobs/" rel="nofollow">Freedom From Jobs</a>  Counterpunch   ... though some gains have certainly been made over the past half-century toward a more inclusive, egalitarian society, in many respects – particularly in economic matters – there has been little or no progress whatsoever...<br /><a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2013/08/longshore_union_pulls_out_of_n.html#incart_flyout_business" rel="nofollow">Longshore union pulls out of national AFL-CIO, citing attacks at Northwest grain terminals</a>  The Oregonian   ...The West Coast longshore union is pulling out of the national AFL-CIO, citing "attacks" in which the umbrella organization's members blatantly cross picket lines at Northwest grain terminals...<br /><a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-exchange/why-wall-street-wants-larry-summers-why-rest-180751330.html" rel="nofollow">Why Wall Street Wants Larry Summers (and Why the Rest of Us Should Not)</a>  Yahoo Finance!   ...Our recent near-death experience under Alan Greenspan’s anti-regulation Fed chairmanship, aided and abetted by the deregulation pushed by Summers, should cause the President to think hard about banking regulation...<br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/08/27/nsa-snowden-russia-obama-column/2702461/" rel="nofollow">NSA intimidation expanding surveillance state: Column </a> USA Today   ...If you run a business, and the FBI or NSA want to turn it into a mass surveillance tool, they believe they can do so, solely on their own initiative. They can force you to modify your system. They can do it all in secret and then force your business to keep that secret. Once they do that, you no longer control that part of your business...<br /><a href="http://www.zerohedge.com/contributed/2013-08-30/slavery" rel="nofollow">Slavery! </a> zero hedge   ...There are more slaves today working in the world than ever before...<br /><br />

AFL-CIO inequality Labor Day Larry Summers March on Washington public lands slavery spying wages Today's Teamster News 09.01.13

This Labor Day, Much of America Will Be . . . Laboring  Time   ...39 percent of employers will keep operations open and require some worker...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/01/2013

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.moonlyt.com">moonlyt</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">This is an online tutoring site. There are many ways you can tutor now and online is one of them. </p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/tutorinig.">tutorinig.</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/edu_newapp">edu_newapp</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/edu_news">edu_news</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://www.mobymax.com">MobyMax: Complete K-8 Curriculum</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">I got this notice from Moby Max. There are a proliferation of websites that let you check and have kids working in online spaces like this. Remember that these can be helpful, but you should and must have students programming and inventing with computers. These can be very helpful but are only one use of the computer. Below is what they sent me about the service. Please let me know if you're using this (educators only, please). "MobyMax has just released the easiest way to get your students motivated and start the year off right—a free 119 prize school contest. Within the first ten minutes of releasing the free 119 prize contest on Monday with no announcement, 22 schools signed up! Not only are the contest and 119 prizes free, but MobyMax curriculum is free as well. (You may remember that teachers can upgrade to the Pro version for just $79 per year, but the prizes, contest, and curriculum are completely free whether you upgrade or not!) We are also proud to announce our students’ results from the last school year. The results from over 600,000 students showed that those who used MobyMax for 40 hours averaged more than a 1.4 grade level increase in math and a 1.5 grade level increase in language. Students answered over 1 million problems in MobyMax’s new reading module released this summer."</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/assessment">assessment</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='https://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 09/01/2013

moonlyt This is an online tutoring site. There are many ways you can tutor now and online is one of ...

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Some Damn Good Story Tellin'

I know some of you at least must be familiar with Selous Scout over at <a href="http://selousscouts.blogspot.com/">Something Wicked Comes</a>, he's been around quite a while now.<br /><br />A good Survival info site for one thing but he is also a very talented writer to boot.<br />He has a repository of links on his sidebar to his writings and I very highly recommend you take the time to go check them out.<br /><br />His story called <a href="http://selousscouts.blogspot.com/2009/01/cache-part-1.html">The Cache </a>is particularly good and I have to warn you now that if you start reading it, you won't stop, I'm serious.<br /><br />You are by contrast, very lucky to be able to do that. When I first started reading it it was by installments. He would write a chapter and put it up and then you would have to wait until he put up a new chapter. Sometimes that took a while.<br /><br />Now you can start in and when you get done with a chapter you can just go back to his home page and click the link for the next chapter.<br /><br />It's a real page turner about a guy who has to bug out from work because TSHTF and is trying to run a gauntlet to get to his supply cache. Very believable and well thought out.<br /><br />He also has another story called<a href="http://selousscouts.blogspot.com/2008/06/henry-vs-jbts-pt-1.html"> Tales From The Apocalypse</a> you will like. and I am going to give you a taste of the latest installment in it.<br /><br />When you are done here, head over there and take your time checking his place out, like I said, he has been around quite a while and is way overdue for a shout out.<br />Tell him Busted sent ya.<br /><br />Here is just a small taste of his latest piece;<br /><blockquote> <a href="http://selousscouts.blogspot.com/2013/08/tales-of-apocalypse-warlord-iii.html">Tales Of The Apocalypse - Warlord III</a><br />Another September morning, much like the previous, raised its sleepy head and spilled the dawn from its bleary eyes. The early morning fog milled about, lost in its own cloak, seemingly unable to find its way. The crows once again acted as cheerleaders for the coming spectacle of a new day. The wilderness begin it's waking ritual as its inhabitants begin their daily routines.<br /><br />The eyes which had watched him the previous night with such burning hatred were once again scrutinizing his location, noting the lack of activity from the nest in the cedars. There was not much to be seen as the branches did their job with green efficiency. Without tracking ability, they would have never found his location. The hide was just too well constructed.<br /><br />The eyes belonged to a junior tracker from the house of the Owens family, of the Stehekin Free Peoples. His father had just had a kukri buried in his skull. At least the murderous scum who had killed him had given him the courtesy of a funeral pyre and not just left him to rot in the open, food for any passing beast or crawling thing. He was nervous to be in this place as it was too close to shunned areas.<br /><br />The shunned areas were where the plague had ravaged the population to near extinction levels, and strange deadly beasts now found it a suitable abode with the absence of man. Some of the ForRangers roamed these areas, looking for spoils, hunting and foraging for the good of the Trybe. But they were mostly to the north, several hundred miles. The Trybe itself was approximately 300 miles northeast of where he lay in the fog.<br /><br />He was Maddox Owens, nephew to Ted Owens, Patriarch of the House of that name. This was his first training mission, which was also to be revenge for the killing of his older brother, Jayms a few years before. Now he had his father to add to the list of names crying out in his mind for vengeance!</blockquote><br /><br /><a href="http://selousscouts.blogspot.com/"><br />Now head on over and say Howdy!</a><br /><br /><br />

Some Damn Good Story Tellin'

I know some of you at least must be familiar with Selous Scout over at Something Wicked Comes , he's been around quite a while now. A go...

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