There's no shortage of apps that help people find cheap gas these days, but apps that let you pay for it? And ones that give you a discount for doing it? Sign me up. Regional gas station/convenience store chain Cumberland Farms has done just that with their new SmartPay app, which in addition to letting users pay without leaving their seats, offers them a $.05 cent/gallon discount. Here's how it all goes down: once a driver signs in with a PayPal account, they can pull into a supported Cumberland Farms location and fire up the iOS/Android app or the mobile website. From there, the app uses the device's GPS to hone in on the gas station they're parked at, users punch in their pump number and voila -- their gas charges are sent to PayPal, and users get an email receipt.
A dirty bathtub is the worst. Unlike a sink or even the floors, in order to clean a bathtub you have to get on your hands and knees ? but no more! Whoever said you have to get on your hands and knees to clean your tub must have liked torture. We?re going to get creative here and explain some no-knee tricks for cleaning your bathroom tub.
Scrubbing Tools
When we think about mopping we often think of floors, but why not let this great invention serve multiple purposes. Mops allow you to get those hard to reach sports without bending over. Use them to wash the floors, clean walls from floor to ceiling, and scrub your bathtub. Nowadays, mops are made specifically for the tub with rounded corners and tougher scrub pads. But you can buy just a regular sponge mop to clean your bathtub. Many sponge mops come with two sides: a rough sponge and a softer sponge. The floor shouldn?t have all the fun. Take the mop into the tub and get the job done.
Let it Soak (x2)
The Beatles were almost onto something with their 1970?s single ?Let It Be?. The key to getting your bathroom clean is to let it soak and then let it soak some more. You don?t need to use fancy cleaning products. You can actually use your kitchen sink soak designed to tackle grease. Put the soap into a spray bottle and spray the whole tub down and let it soak. Come back in an hour or so and wipe down with the sponge mop.
Avoid cleaning products with a bunch of chemicals in them, but if your tub is really dirty or you have hard water stains you may have to. If you do use chemicals, be sure to wear a face mask and protect your mouth and nose from breathing in the harsh fumes. Turn on the overhead fan and don?t let these products soak too long, as the chemicals make them more potent.
Bathtub Refinishing
If the mop trick doesn?t work for you may have to resort to the old fashioned hands and knees approach. Now if this doesn?t work, you will have to call a bathtub refinisher. Don?t replace your tub! A bathtub refinisher will be able to apply a no-spray bathtub refinishing product to your tub and restore its natural color and sleek shine. No-spray bathtub refinishing is a unique and eco-friendly alternative to typical spray bathtub refinishing methods.
Once your bathtub is clean, keep it that way with regular cleaning. Spray a non-toxic cleaner every time you finish a shower to help maintain upkeep. For more bathtub home improvement ideas and for more information on upgrading to a soaker tub check out this other My Home Improvement blog.
The first time I came across the name Ray Wylie Hubbard was on the credits of the Jerry Jeff Walker album Viva Terlingua, recorded live in Luckenbach, Texas. While the whole album is brilliant, it was Hubbard's "Redneck Mother" which had really grabbed my attention. It was the first time I'd ever heard a country song that made fun of all the bullshit that one usually associates with country music. The song is also memorable because it saved me from getting my ass kicked in a redneck bar in Western Canada in the late 1970s.
It's a long story involving me being your atypical long haired hippie teenager wandering into the wrong bar early one evening. I only realized my mistake after ordering a beer and looking around and noticing everybody else in the bar was wearing a cowboy hat and nobody's hair was lower than their collar. The long and the short of it was I ended up picking out "Redneck Mother" on the juke box and being told, "You might have long hair, but you have good taste". To this day I always figured I owed getting out of there intact to Ray Wylie Hubbard. Also to the fact that the good ole boys in the bar didn't know the song was making fun of assholes like them, rather than celebrating their bigotry as they seemed to think.
Now I hadn't heard anything of him in recent years so when I found out he had a new recording, I decided I owed it to him to give it a listen. Hubbard may be a few years older and his hair a lot whiter then it used to be, but after listening to a The Grifter's Hymnal, released March 26, 2012 on Bordello Records, I knew what was essential to his musical soul hadn't changed. He's as irreverent as he ever was when it comes to the bullshit in the world and still able to impart more feeling into songs about stuff that matters to him than folk a lot more famous than he is.
Of course the question remains whether or not he what he plays is country music. I guess some would consider him country, but you could also describe what he does as good old fashioned chicken scratching. Southern anarchy mixed up with rock and roll and a life time of hard living. I mean, what else would you call a Texan with the balls to sing that Jimmy Perkins was a son of a bitch who stole from other musicians and belongs in the same circle of hell as the "whores from Fox News", as Hubbard does in "New Years Eve At The Gates Of Hell"?
Then there's the voice. Hubbard sounds like he's been aged in the bottom of a whisky barrel, then rubbed raw by life and finally cracked open by the things he's witnessed as he's made his way through this world. Now there's lots of singers out there with voices like sandpaper, but very few of them do more than just rasp out their lyrics hoping that passes for emotion. Hubbard is one of the exceptions in the way he can do so many different things with his voice. He plays with tone, volume and expression, ensuring he never becomes monotonous. You always know his intent with a song. He may not be able to cover much of the scale anymore, but he does more with what he has at his disposal than singers with twice his range.
The opening track of the disc, "Ask God", is probably one of the most powerful pieces of spiritual music I've heard from a pop music performer. The lyrics are simple, just three lines. "When darkness swoops down on you, ask God for some light/When some devil knocks you down, ask God to pick you up/When death comes a knocking, ask God to open a door". He sings variations on each line a number of times before continuing on to the next one. Half chanted/half sung over what sounds like slide dobro and a beat rapped out on a snare, you're quickly mesmerized by the power of his words and the plea in his voice. It's hard to describe the emotional power of the song, but part of it is he's not pleading with his god for anything. He's pleading with his listeners to find a way to believe in something beyond themselves.
As you listen to the CD you realize its title, The Grifter's Hymnal, wasn't just chosen because it sounded cool. With a grifter being a con-man, somebody who makes his living by taking advantage of people's gullibility, and a hymnal being a collection of sacred songs and prayers, the title gives you a pretty good indication of Hubbard's opinion of the state of the world. While the implied irony of the title might lead you to think he's overly cynical, what you soon find out is that he's using it as a tongue in cheek way of describing his own life. Listening to the songs, you realize that pretty much all of them can be heard as either prayers or as hymns of thanksgiving. On the surface a tune might not sound like it, but certain key lyrics tell the tale.
"I got everything I ever wanted, I done everything I wanted to do," he sings in the chorus of "Coochy Coochy", while in "Coricidin Bottle" he rattles off advice on how to ensure luck and success ("saying prayers to old black gods"), what to do if you ever get scared ("Say the 23rd psalm"), and to make sure you "give thanks if you ever get to heaven". The songs range from the low down dirty blues of "Count My Blessings" to the honkey tonk country of "Henhouse" and everything in between. But no matter what its style, there's a type of sly wisdom to each that keeps you on your toes. Every so often, lyrics jump out and grab you by the ear, catch your heart and rattle your brain.
"Mother Blues" is sort of a talking blues/boogie song that sounds like it could be autobiographical. The title refers to a blues bar in Dallas, Texas where people like Lightnin' Hopkins played. At the opening of the song Hubbard says when he was twenty-one all he wanted was a stripper girlfriend and a gold-topped Les Paul. He sold his daddy's car to buy the Les Paul, the first of what he describes as "one of the many mistakes I made over the next twenty years". However, being young and stupid, when he hooks up with a stripper he thinks his life is made. Well, things didn't go quite as planned. She turned out to have a fondness for tequila and pawned his gold-top three or four times. Eventually she ran off to Hollywood where she became a dancer on The Hudson Brothers TV show.
Yet this ain't no cautionary tale about the evils of drink, loose women and rock and roll. It's about being grateful for the strange twists and turns the world takes. Like how he ended up marrying the girl who ran the door at Mother Blues. They have an eighteen year old son who has inherited the gold laptop and shares the stage with his dad. "The days I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, well I have really good days," the song concludes; one of the best prayers I've ever heard. If you can remember to do that, more often then not I'll bet you're going to be a happy person whether you're a grifter, musician, writer or redneck.
One of the songs on this disc which is most definitely a prayer for someone other than himself is "Red Badge of Courage". It's a song for every young person that's ever been shipped over seas to fight in a war. While this one is specifically set in the Gulf, lines like, "To err is human to forgive is divine/Ain't either Marine core policy, neither's crying," and, "What I say to these ghosts that keep coming round again/We was just kids doing the dirty work for the failures of old men," make it universal to every war ever fought.
With The Grifter's Hymnal, Ray Wylie Hubbard has written a collection of songs that might not find its way into most churches but sure works as a prayer book for modern times. He makes it clear that what you do with your life isn't as important as how you do it and the intent behind what you do. It's easy to be holier than thou and sanctimonious, but it's incredibly difficult to look at your self honestly, own up to your faults and still find reasons to be grateful for the blessings that have come into your life. Instead of being world weary and jaded by what he's seen, Hubbard is thankful for the opportunities he's been given and the gifts he has. The world would be a lot better off if more people were able to live up to that ideal.
Children who develop asthma have lung function deficits as neonatesPublic release date: 30-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org 212-315-8620 American Thoracic Society
Children who develop asthma by age seven have deficits in lung function and increased bronchial responsiveness as neonates, a new study from researchers in Denmark suggests.
"Previous research on the relationship between neonatal lung function and the development of asthma has been conflicting," said lead author Hans Bisgaard, MD, DMSci, professor of pediatrics at the University of Copenhagen and head of the Danish Pediatric Asthma Centre. "Our study shows that children with asthma by age seven already had significant airflow deficits and increased bronchial responsiveness as neonates. Lung function deficits also progressed throughout childhood in our study, suggesting a potential opportunity for early intervention."
The findings were published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The prospective study enrolled a birth cohort of 411 at-risk children of asthmatic mothers. Spirometry was performed at one month in 403 (98 percent) children and again at age seven in 317 (77 percent).
Significant neonatal airflow deficits, as measured by forced expiratory flow at 50 percent% of vital capacity and forced expiratory volume after 0.5 seconds, were observed among the 14 percent of children who developed asthma by age seven. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, which provokes narrowing of the airways, was also significantly associated with the development of asthma. Neonatal airway reactivity was a stronger predictor of asthma than neonatal lung function.
"We found that approximately 40% of the airflow deficit that was associated with asthma in our study was present at birth, while 60% developed through early childhood along with the disease," noted Dr. Bisgaard. "This indicates that both prenatal and early childhood mechanisms are potential intervention targets for the prevention of asthma."
The study used a homogenous study sample, which might limit extrapolation of the results to other populations.
"It seems that lung function changes associated with asthma occur very early in life and maybe even before birth," concluded Dr. Bisgaard. "This may explain the lack of effect from early intervention with inhaled corticosteroids and should direct research into the pathogenesis and prevention of asthma towards the earliest phases of life."
###
About the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine:
With an impact factor of 10.191, the AJRRCM is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Thoracic Society.It aims to publish the most innovative science and the highest quality reviews, practice guidelines and statements in the pulmonary, critical care and sleep-related fields.
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The Society's 15,000 members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care and advocacy.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Children who develop asthma have lung function deficits as neonatesPublic release date: 30-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Nathaniel Dunford ndunford@thoracic.org 212-315-8620 American Thoracic Society
Children who develop asthma by age seven have deficits in lung function and increased bronchial responsiveness as neonates, a new study from researchers in Denmark suggests.
"Previous research on the relationship between neonatal lung function and the development of asthma has been conflicting," said lead author Hans Bisgaard, MD, DMSci, professor of pediatrics at the University of Copenhagen and head of the Danish Pediatric Asthma Centre. "Our study shows that children with asthma by age seven already had significant airflow deficits and increased bronchial responsiveness as neonates. Lung function deficits also progressed throughout childhood in our study, suggesting a potential opportunity for early intervention."
The findings were published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
The prospective study enrolled a birth cohort of 411 at-risk children of asthmatic mothers. Spirometry was performed at one month in 403 (98 percent) children and again at age seven in 317 (77 percent).
Significant neonatal airflow deficits, as measured by forced expiratory flow at 50 percent% of vital capacity and forced expiratory volume after 0.5 seconds, were observed among the 14 percent of children who developed asthma by age seven. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, which provokes narrowing of the airways, was also significantly associated with the development of asthma. Neonatal airway reactivity was a stronger predictor of asthma than neonatal lung function.
"We found that approximately 40% of the airflow deficit that was associated with asthma in our study was present at birth, while 60% developed through early childhood along with the disease," noted Dr. Bisgaard. "This indicates that both prenatal and early childhood mechanisms are potential intervention targets for the prevention of asthma."
The study used a homogenous study sample, which might limit extrapolation of the results to other populations.
"It seems that lung function changes associated with asthma occur very early in life and maybe even before birth," concluded Dr. Bisgaard. "This may explain the lack of effect from early intervention with inhaled corticosteroids and should direct research into the pathogenesis and prevention of asthma towards the earliest phases of life."
###
About the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine:
With an impact factor of 10.191, the AJRRCM is a peer-reviewed journal published by the American Thoracic Society.It aims to publish the most innovative science and the highest quality reviews, practice guidelines and statements in the pulmonary, critical care and sleep-related fields.
Founded in 1905, the American Thoracic Society is the world's leading medical association dedicated to advancing pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine. The Society's 15,000 members prevent and fight respiratory disease around the globe through research, education, patient care and advocacy.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
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[unable to retrieve full-text content]Playing golf for money An estimation of the value of a business The act of reducing spending Cutting down to the desired size or shape Wireless Internet telecommunications Download eBook. The sport of skating on a ...
Business Writing & Speaking Workshop with Ric Willmot
Dates:
For thousands of years, writing and speaking have been powerful ways for us to share our thoughts and ideas. Even in the technologically saturated 21st century, we still express ourselves in writing almost every day. To dramatically build accelerated growth in your business results, the most effective ways are writing and speaking when it?s built on fundamental skills that transform your words from good to great.
There?s an extraordinary number of people who need way too much time?to express themselves in print or to prepare a speaking engagement.?The ability to swiftly write with influence, facility, and speed is critical in creating articles, white papers, proposals, blog entries, client letters, and reports. Imagine being able to write a superb article within an hour, a winning proposal within two hours, and an enticing white paper within a day.
And consider the power and ROI of learning all of this within one day? One outstanding, memorable day, that could change your career, your prospects, and your life.
I?m inviting you to join me in August 2012 for an intensive day of learning The Business of Writing & Speaking. Here?s a sample of what you?ll walk away with:
The ability to change passive, uninteresting language into dynamic, stirring commentary.
A thorough understanding of how to organise an argument, which will help position you as a learned, respected source and expert.
Invention and arrangement; the rules of rhetoric; finding what you need; and using it well.
Speed writing, where you don?t have to second-guess, review, and regret what you?ve done.
How to include pithy, laser-like examples which not only prove your point, but sell it every time.
Techniques to improve your vocabulary and grammar.
How to prepare a speaking engagement to present your business ideas that successfully sells your message.
How to speak to a small group or to a full auditorium with confidence, finesse and mastery.
A video of you delivering a powerful presentation.
Two months of my personal review of your written material?one document of any kind per week.
The day will be from 9 to 5. Lunch and refreshments are included. I?ll name the CBD venue soon.
Because of the nature of the learning we are limiting attendance to only 10 people!
Investment:
Tuition paid prior to 25 May $700 +GST
Tuition paid prior to 22 June $800 +GST
Tuition paid after 22 June $900 +GST
Members of the Mentor Program: Tuition is $500 +GST
There's no shortage of apps that help people find cheap gas these days, but apps that let you pay for it? And ones that give you a discount for doing it? Sign me up. Regional gas station/convenience store chain Cumberland Farms has done just that with their new SmartPay app, which in addition to letting users pay without leaving their seats, offers them a $.05 cent/gallon discount. Here's how it all goes down: once a driver signs in with a PayPal account, they can pull into a supported Cumberland Farms location and fire up the iOS/Android app or the mobile website. From there, the app uses the device's GPS to hone in on the gas station they're parked at, users punch in their pump number and voila -- their gas charges are sent to PayPal, and users get an email receipt.
A dirty bathtub is the worst. Unlike a sink or even the floors, in order to clean a bathtub you have to get on your hands and knees ? but no more! Whoever said you have to get on your hands and knees to clean your tub must have liked torture. We?re going to get creative here and explain some no-knee tricks for cleaning your bathroom tub. 
Now I hadn't heard anything of him in recent years so when I found out he had a new recording, I decided I owed it to him to give it a listen. Hubbard may be a few years older and his hair a lot whiter then it used to be, but after listening to a The Grifter's Hymnal, released March 26, 2012 on Bordello Records, I knew what was essential to his musical soul hadn't changed. He's as irreverent as he ever was when it comes to the bullshit in the world and still able to impart more feeling into songs about stuff that matters to him than folk a lot more famous than he is.
"I got everything I ever wanted, I done everything I wanted to do," he sings in the chorus of "Coochy Coochy", while in "Coricidin Bottle" he rattles off advice on how to ensure luck and success ("saying prayers to old black gods"), what to do if you ever get scared ("Say the 23rd psalm"), and to make sure you "give thanks if you ever get to heaven". The songs range from the low down dirty blues of "Count My Blessings" to the honkey tonk country of "Henhouse" and everything in between. But no matter what its style, there's a type of sly wisdom to each that keeps you on your toes. Every so often, lyrics jump out and grab you by the ear, catch your heart and rattle your brain.![[ Back to EurekAlert! ]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sJ6-D3n18XeiBJfh-uDO07mjCoMvcfMkba5T57035YyjnsK1YbMD7V7mbK-UrnImAaeVLSOzOpsZvC8iRx09ngnl5v0Yj1Os-p5_zeo5s=s0-d){kind=small}
Public release date: 30-Mar-2012
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Today Only, Subscribe to Women?s Fitness Pack #2 Magazine which includes Women?s Fitness and Shape Magazine!
