You might not ever have heard of eBay consignment centers - don’t worry, most people haven’t, as they’re a relatively new concept. The idea is that you drop off anything you want sold, and then the consignment center will sell it for you and share the profits.

You Can Sell at Consignment Centers.

Just find something to sell and take it to a consignment center - they’ll sell it for you on eBay, handling all the listing, description and shipping.

You do, however, give up some profit when you sell through a consignment center, not to mention losing all control over your auctions - and who’s to say that you couldn’t sell it better than they can? The chances are they will only give you a fraction of the item’s real value, to the point where you might as well have just taken it to the pawn shop.

You Can Be a Consignment Center.

A better option is to be a consignment center for the non-eBay-using public in your area. After you’ve been selling things on eBay for a while and you’ve told a few people about it, someday a friend will walk up to you and say “Hey, could you sell this on eBay for me?” Give it a try - if you like doing it, then why not start up your own consignment center business?

Put an ad like this in your local newspaper or anywhere else you think is appropriate:

“Create Space and Get Money For Doing It! How would you like someone to come and clean out the old stuff in your house that’s taking up all your space, and then give you cash for the lot? I am currently looking for things to sell on eBay and I can do this for you. Call me on [your number].”

Go round to a few people’s houses and take some things that you think are sellable, giving the items’ owners a sensible amount for them - not too much, since they don’t know how much they’re worth. It’s best to try to take things that are part of a set or collection, so you can sell lots of the same kinds of items. You’re in a strong position: why would they so no when you’re offering them money for things that, to them, are rubbish?

The only requirement to be successful with this is that you need to know what you’re doing, and be able to spot a high-value item when you see one, regardless of what it might be. It’s also worth opening a new account to sell items you get from other people. You can’t guarantee quality as well, and your regular account should only be used to sell the one kind of item that you decided you’re an expert in.

One thing many sellers don’t realise when they sell items is that they need to change their strategy depending on what season it is - things sell for different prices depending on the time of year. We’ll take a look at this in the next email.

Kirsten Hawkins is an Ebay and internet auction enthusiast from Nashville, TN. Visit www.auctionseller411.com/ for more great tips on how to make the most from Ebay and other online auctions.

Comments Off

by Neal Walters

“SEO Web Hosting” - what exactly is it? SEO of course is Search Engine Optimization. Hosting, involves where and how you host your websites. The main concern is how addresses link to each other.

In general, you want many linkbacks with appropriate keywords, but you don’t want them all coming from the same IP Address. An “IP Address” is a unique address that represents each website on the web. There are four numbers between 0 and 255, and they typically like something like this: 201.55.98.1.

When your website is setup, the hosting company assigns a unique IP address to it. But when you setup multiple accounts on the same hosting service, they often are in a series, such as 201.55.98.2, 201.55.98.3, 201.55.98.4, etc… However, you want diverse IP addresses when doing SEO linkbacks.

You don’t need to fully understand all the technical details about Class-C IP address. You just need to make sure that your links DO come from DIFFERENT Class-C addresses. You want them to look like they are coming from different independent websites, owned by different people, even in different parts of the world.

You can get diverse IP addresses by putting putting your websites on different hosting companies. However, this can be expensive to pay for websites individuals, and it can be a headache to keep track of where all your sites are located. On the other hand, you can “stack” websites in groups or hubs, where each hub would have a set of diverse or unique IP addresses.

Thus, internet marketers who are creating a large number of SEO websites will almost always use reseller hosting. Even if they don’t “resell” hosting to other people, they can setup as many domains as desired for themselves. Each account will get it’s own IP address, userid, and password, and can be administered separately using the standard control panel (CPanel).

One expensive alternative is SEOHosting.com. For about $5 to $7/month, you can easily put every website on a totally unique class-C IP address. That company provides WHM and CPanel as normal with unix-based hosting for PHP and MySQL.

A more afforable solution is the website in our resource box below. You simply get a reseller account. When you use their custom control panel, you can assign your website to one of 10 different locations spread around the world - and yes - each one has a different CLass-C IP Address.

Affordable Class-C IP address hosting alternatives SEO Web Hosting Reseller Accounts Get your own completely unique content version of this article.

Comments Off

(ARA) - This is a story of passion and passionate differences, experienced by couples facing the strategic and often wrenching shifts taking place on the home front. One aspires to live in a home filled with the warmth, beauty and romance of a log home, while the other agonizes over the concept.

Why are people drawn to log homes? According to surveys, nine out of 10 people who choose a log home say they made their decision because they liked its distinctive look. Given the weight of the aesthetics, why do so many couples agonize over the details?

For some, a little research can give pause. That’s how it was for John and Katherine Overbee, who had long dreamed about building a log cabin as a retirement home. “We backed off a little,” he said. “Unless you have a lot of time and money, the intricacies of solid log construction can be worrisome.”

Even with all their uniqueness, there are basically two different types of solid log home construction: handcrafted, the most extreme log home, which may take years and millions to complete; and the milled D-log, in which the top, bottom and one side of the log are milled flat. With both methods, one log is stacked on top of another to form a wall, and then the roof is built off the walls. Proper allowances must be made around windows, doors, stairs, and cabinetry to allow the log walls to settle through the years.

“I love the look,” says Katherine. “But it seemed like everyone we spoke with has had problems.” The problem is the way cold air finds its way through the solid log wall. “During the first three years the log walls can actually shrink and settle,” John says, as he shows how he held a piece of paper by a log wall and watched it move from the air infiltration. “If a guy likes to caulk there’s less of a problem,” he adds with a smile.

So . . . should you go out on the limb? For many, like the Overbees, building a solid log home was not a logical decision. The solution came when the couple discovered a hybrid form of log home construction.

It was more than two decades ago when David Janczak, founder of Wisconsin Log Homes, began testing new-energy-efficient designs and introduced the Thermal-Log building system. To eliminate heat loss and stop the settling problems, Janczak designed a super-insulated, 6-inch thick-framed wall. Just as important, he also originated the precut half-logs with full log corners. In essence, he created an entirely new category of log home construction.

The insulated log home construction not only satisfied John but also gave him the peace of mind to build the home they dreamed about. “I absolutely love it,” says Katherine. “We’re at home — it’s a place of peace.”

Just under 2,000 square feet, it’s a home of pleasures for Katherine and John. “We were surprised at how well this space accommodates our daily activities,” Katherine says. The people at Wisconsin Log Homes suggested they look carefully at their lifestyle and how they really live.

“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to work with a team of people who want to help you build your dream home,” says John. “They guided us through every step of the process.” He credits Wisconsin Log Homes for making their home a better place to live.

Katherine admits that she did get ahead of the process when she selected a 3,666-square-foot floor plan within 10 minutes of paging through Wisconsin Log Homes planning guide. The 144-page catalog is filled with color photos and over 100 floorplans but most importantly, helpful building information to guide people in a logical sequence.

Upstairs, two bedrooms flank the bathroom. The loft doubles as an office. The open downstairs contains a kitchen, living and dining room, plus the master bedroom. Just off the dining area is a cozy room that Katherine uses as her art studio.

The Overbees were also delighted when they discovered that Wisconsin Log Homes had a Design Center and an in-house interior designer for creative support. Working with an open floor plan, it was important to integrate the kitchen. Wood flooring connects the kitchen with the living and dining space. Lighting, cabinets and unique furnishings complement the elegant yet rustic log interior.

“It all came together so nicely and it’s so beautiful. The end result is a home that emphasizes who we are,” Katherine says. “Friendly, relaxed, nothing fancy, nothing extravagant. It fits us like a glove.”

Oh, one other thing: It wasn’t the large floor plan that Katherine loved, it was the large custom-tailored window wall — it makes a striking statement and frames a special view from the great room.

If you would love living in a log home but have concluded that the intricacies of solid log construction are depriving you of your dreams, then perhaps you should contact the people at Wisconsin Log Homes. And if your choice is this hybrid form of half-log construction it will not only satisfy, but also delight you. For more information about designing and building log homes, call (800) 678-9107 or visit www.wisconsinloghomes.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

Comments Off

When you first begin exercising - no matter whether it’s weight training or cardio - your muscles immediately begin to use energy to allow them to work. For the first three minutes of activity, your muscles burn glycogen, the form of sugar stored in the muscles for a quick infusion of energy. During this period fat is not burned. This process is called anaerobic metabolism. During the first few minutes of strenuous activity, especially during anaerobic metabolism, you may experience a burning sensation in the muscles of your arms, legs, or back. This is caused by the accumulation of lactic acid, which is the result of burned glycogen. This burning sensation will soon pass and should not disrupt your workout. Anaerobic metabolism is the main form of energy for activities that require short bursts of power such as sprinting, football, and bodybuilding.

As your exercising continues, your body will eventually burn up all the glycogen stored within the muscles. Your muscles will then move into the aerobic metabolism phase. When this occurs, lactic acid production stops. This occurs because the glycogen is now being burned in the presence of oxygen, which is brought to the muscles by the blood stream. Provided you continue to breath correctly, your system will continually bring oxygen to the muscles. These stores of glycogen are expended after about 20 minutes. The body will then start burning its fat stores as an energy source. Thus, the longer you exercise, the more fat your body will burn.

What this means for you

For optimum health and fat burning, your bodybuilding workouts should consist of both anaerobic training and aerobic training. Weight training will strengthen and build the muscles, as well as boost your metabolism so you’ll be burning fat even after you leave the gym. Aerobic exercise such as cardio machines or aerobic classes will both stimulate your cardiovascular systems as well as burn body fat while your doing it.

© Bob Howard 5/5/2006

Comments Off

It seems like only yesterday that all my problems started. I guess you could say I began to lose touch with The Real World.

My first mistake was to even ask what seemed like a reasonable question at the time: Why am I watching a houseful of sophomoric brats argue about who should rightfully wash the dirty dishes? My second mistake was to so hastily assume such a preposterous excuse for television programming could never catch on. Well, that was some fifteen years ago. Suffice to say this brand of reality broadcasting has become so pervasive, Orwell himself could not have predicted a Big Brother so nightmarish. In fact, so ludicrous has this altered television reality become, I truly feel as if I’ve been Punk’d.

Not only can I still watch the petty squabbles and sticky pursuits of so many dumbstruck dormitory dunces, even iconoclasts of academic rebellion now aspire to regress to such stunted developmental stages, simply for the chance to have a million-dollar camera document their every meaningless move. How aghast I was when I watched Motley Crue’s bad-boy drummer hang up his leopard-skin thong to join the ranks of ordinary campus co-eds in Tommy Lee Goes to College. Then again, I realize how tragic it is that rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison were never taken seriously in their time because they hadn’t completed that pesky baccalaureate degree before their untimely deaths. And, if nothing at all else, Mr. Lee will now have an opportunity to stand tall before the world and proudly proclaim that he’s finally read The Iliad. Or at least had his buxom, scantily-clad tutor read it to him. And no one will ever be able to take that away.

Of course, using this undergraduate credential to find “real” work would oblige the gangly, unkempt has-been to cut his hair, button up his tank top, and endure a sixteen-week job interview, which also qualifies as “reality” television these days. Call me crazy, but I’m pleased to say I’ve never had a job interview that’s lasted more than sixteen minutes. How gullible have we become when we’re willing to sacrifice our blood, sweat, and tears for the privilege of being reviled and then fired before we’ve ever been extended the courtesy of being included on the payroll? The Apprentice emeritus nips that right in the bud. They report in with their suit jacket pressed and their
briefcase in hand, well-groomed and ready to go that extra mile to promptly demonstrate how incompetent and unqualified they truly are as a contestant on Fire Me.

In this climate, to say that as a reasonable, responsible employee I feel a little obsolete would be an understatement. It’s enough to make a civilized person want to throw in that proverbial towel and run away to some remote island in the Pacificfar away from all the corporate shills and product placement, smug comb-overs and back-stabbing confrres. But, alas, even this fanciful notion has lost its charm.

It seems you can’t go anywhere these days without being followed by a production crew. Funny thing is, we can now only long for more logical days, when the cast happened to be a lost band of misfits and screw-ups who couldn’t get OFF the island. Hard as it is to believe, nowadays it’s become fashionable to actually compete for the honor of transforming oneself into the bane of the Skipper’s existenceon The Real Gilligan’s Island. In my humble opinion, this is a development that would have been difficult to imagine for even such a visionary as the Professor.

The painful truth is there is no escaping this trend of reality television and there is seemingly no end in sight. And I have to admit, it’s taking its toll on this already beleaguered spirit. Although I’ve never actually squandered any real talent, or flushed any considerable wealth down the toilet, I know all too well what it’s like Being Bobby Brown. Albeit with a full set of teeth.

I’ll never forget how devastated I was when I learned I could no longer depend on even the most incontrovertible of truths in this crazy, mixed-up new world. Once upon a time we held our collective breath as a chaste and unsullied princess eliminated one by one her potential suitors with the promise of love conquering all in the end. Or, at the very least, a made-for-television wedding to air during prime time. Sadly, these days months of anticipation and countless rose ceremonies yield little more than insignificant personal insights and inexcusable revelations about wishing to remain single, as was the case with Jen Scheft in the disappointing last season of The Bachelorette. Although this Average Joe still has network hits like Bridezillas and Beauty and the Geek to restore his faith in romance, gone are the days when we all gathered ’round the gazebo to witness Trista profess her undying love for Ryan, before riding off into a commercial-free sunset to reclaim the anonymity she complained she’d lost. After one final encore, that is, as a prima ballerina on Dancing with the Stars.

The skeptic in me wants to lash out and chide her for such hypocrisyso uncharacteristic of quality individuals who have no question about who they are and what they want. Those honorable folks who are not afraid to stand up and declare I Want To Be a Hilton, and/or I Want To Be a Soap Star. But when such cynicism begins to rear its ugly head, I remind myself that sometimes even a loser like Rob can catch a winner like Amber, and that after one more requisite appearance on The Amazing Race, perhaps domestic bliss really is the ultimate Survivor. This is particularly reassuring in the wake of Martha Stewart’s abrupt departure, which I know changed my life foreverat least where folding napkins and pruning ferns is concerned.

On the other hand, heaven knows there is no shortage of culinary advice wafting from Hell’s Kitchen these days.
Trouble is, it’s so peppered with profanity and chock-full of unsightly confrontation that it’s become anything but palatable. In fact, there is now an entire network devoted to the preparation, consumption, and career possibilities inherent in food. But had you told me ten years ago that the professional paths of not merely aspiring chefs, but hairdressers, babysitters, and home repair subcontractors alike would make for compelling television, I would not have believed you. I only hope I live to see that glorious day when custodians and typesetters are given the season in the sun they so richly deserve.

What’s worrisome is the sheer volume of reality shows finding their way into the pages of TV Guide. Those programs that are so presumptuous as to showcase and reward genuine talent are a perfect example, such as American Idol. I’m just not sure that a star in one’s eye and a song in one’s heart are still enough to carry a career tune. Baring one’s soul to an international audience once held the promise of an actual recording contract. I can even understand and appreciate the considerable skills necessary for greenhorn clothing designers to survive The Cut on a program like Project Runway, where they compete for their own clothing line. But what can possibly be the crowning jewel of a show like So You Think You Can Dance: Gettin jiggy wid it? It certainly can’t be a plaque inscribed “World’s Greatest Choreographer.” This is a job title requiring at least a modicum of education and trainingif only to pronounce the word. Of course, it doesn’t take The Scholar to realize this is definitely not a problem faced by any contestant lucky enough to be named America’s Next Top Model.

Yes, gone are the days of father knows best. Frighteningly enough, we’ve relocated to a global village where, apparently, Hogan Knows Best. I would say Welcome to the Neighborhood, but mark my words: With The Osbournes living next door, property values are most certainly going to plummet. And what concerns me even more than the prospects of selling our collective soul at half its original value is the effect all of this reality television will have on the unfortunate generation that finds itself Growing up Gotti. When individuals are willing to stand in lines that stretch for ten city blocks for the chance to partake in a sixteen-week job interview, while complaining that the more traditional sixteen-minute garden variety involves too much “real” work, the cultural harvest we are going to reap will be decidedly unreal.

Call it the age of poor taste or The Surreal Life, it may take longer to clean up this mess that just 30 Days…

My name is Jeff Kulick. I grew up in a small Midwestern hamlet in the heart of America’s Dairyland. I currently reside in New York City, also known as The Big Apple. I guess I instinctively gravitate toward those destinations I know can be found in any grocery aisle. I’ve had a few brushes with greatness over the years, like the time I received my AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) union card after playing drums in a music video for the singer Laura Brannigan (of “Gloria” fame). All right, it was one brush with someone else’s greatness. In the end, it turns out my real passion is writing. Admittedly, my work is quirky, at best, and downright cynical at its most disagreeable. At least that’s what I’ve been told. But I hope in its own humble, albeit carpish way, it can provide an alternative to that old, worn-out conventional wisdom that’s found us here in this capricious 21st century: consumed by prescription pharmaceuticals and processed food, cable television and video game consoles, nanotechnology and 24-hour news networks.

Comments Off

Seeking a great online family movie or family movie review?
Family movies sell lots of tickets at the box office and every year there are one or more blockbuster movies that are family films.

With the high price of theater tickets and concessions, viewing movies on DVD as a family movie night in the luxury of your own house, is quickly becoming very creditable.

With online movie rental clubs, there are quite a few family movies available, but only a few actually specialize in providing quality family films.

While other companies produce some family movies, none has come close to the massive library of movies that Disney has disclosed to us.

Walt Disney brought us Steamboat Willie in 1928 starring Mickey Mouse and in 1973, the Disney Studios gave us Snow White, the first feature length animated movie.

Family Movie - Disney Movie Rental Club

Online Disney Movie Club offers their signature classic movies, recent releases, preschool videos, sing-a-long video and other respectable family choices.

Family Movie Clubs located on the Internet

Other online family movie clubs include Family Pass (formerly known as Mentura) which names itself as “your ticket to family entertainment.” Family Pass provides a massive selection of family titles, television shows, educational and home school videos and some with spiritual fare. All targeted at a family audiences and kids alike.

Family Movie - Edited Movies

Another unmatched popular source of movie titles suitable for family viewing comes from companies that specialize in editing movies to take away any profanity, prodigious violence and more adult content.

Club members can rent the edited, family safe version of popular movies that might otherwise be far less than family friendly.

Online clubs that edit movies include CleanFilms, Flicks Club, Family Edited DVDs and CleanFlix to name a few.

Family Movie - DVD Software Filters

A company called ClearPlay offers DVD software that removes graphic violence, profanity and more adult situations. Movie filters are put together for specific movies and ClearPlays list continues to grow.

Family Movie Reviews

Online is also a great place to discover family movie review sites that will help parents when it comes to choosing which titles to see in theatres or on DVD.

Family Movie Night

Watching movies at home on DVD as a family has become very popular with the ongoing rise of popularity within the entertainment field.

Why spend a small fortune taking your family to see a movie at a theatre when you can have quality fun withinin your own hosuehold? With a family movie night you control the movies your family sees. No more unpleasant surprises! You are guaranteed the best seat in the house for you and your family.

Its easy to join an online movie club that offers family movies or better yet “specializes” in family movies and video.

So take a look at whats on the internet and join a family movie club. Most offer a variety of special benefits to club members that make online club membership very convenient and affordable.

Then pick up some delicious popcorn and start the wonderful tradition of family movie night within your home, a tradition you and your children will fondly remember for years to come.

And remember, some of the best and most popular films of all time have been family movies.

The #1 Rated Online Family Movie Rental Club Review Guide. Expert Reviews, Offers, Articles, Movies, and Releases.
http://www.movierentalclubguide.com/reviews.php

Comments Off

The so-called television reality shows such as “Big Brother” are catering to those in our society who prefer to “dumb-down” their intelligence. And just look at the size of the audience that programs like this command.

This is actually very good news for those of us who detest trash like this. Why? With so many people committing themselves to this farcical nonsense it leaves a relatively small percentage who prefer to do something to improve their knowledge and intelligence.

While all the others are absorbed in the pathetic, crude and oftentimes vulgar behavior served up to us by the television moguls as “entertainment,” those of us who refuse to be duped can be doing so many other worthwhile things, such as:

Any of the above are far more worthy pursuits than watching a bunch of talentless miscreants engaging in voyeuristic gutter behavior.

In case, I haven’t made myself clear - yes, I DETEST moronic television chaff like “Big Brother.” There are many other similar asinine television offerings but BB, as it is so affectionately referred to, in my opinion, is the most insidious. It is almost like a template for ratbag behavior - something that the world certainly does not need!

As far as entertainment value goes BB is about as puerile as it can get. One can only assume that the intent of this particular show is to feed the voyeuristic nature of society. What amazes me is the fact that so many people look forward to watching these D-grade wannabe-actors cavorting about naked and semi-naked and engaging in the most lewd behavior. Is that entertainment? I don’t think so.

There is another option that you could add to the list above - sleep. It would be far more beneficial.

Just to let you know - yes, I have watched snippets of this garbage. I suffered through several short segments just to see what so many other people were so enamoured with.

So for all those people who have been mesmerized by this assault on our intelligence, might I suggest this alternative:

Go to your local bookstore and purchase a copy of “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. Next time you get the urge to watch such turgid rubbish read a chapter of this wonderful book. It will put you streets ahead of the voyeurs.

About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary’s email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his “Zenspirational Thoughts” plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book “The Power of Choice.”

Comments Off