tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7923403407830032362024-03-13T09:32:21.236-07:00Mass InsuranceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-89518811702181531332014-09-15T17:49:00.001-07:002014-09-15T17:51:18.315-07:006 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Replace Your Tires--Unless You Want To Drive Like This Guy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With winter coming up in a few months, it's a good idea to give your tires a good check to see if they need to be replaced, especially if you are not planning to have winter ones put on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But how do you know when it's time to replace them? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some tips that will help you:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Measure thickness of tread:</b> The tread on your tires should never fall below 1/16 of an inch (or 1.6 millimetres). For proper traction on the roads, it is best to have at least double that. To check, you can buy a tread meter that will give you an accurate reading, or you can use the penny method: Take a Canadian penny, and place it in the main groove of the tread with the Queen's crown facing down. If you can see the top of the crown, you need to replace your tires. Refer to the chart below for further information.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tread Depth</span></b></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Action</span></b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6/32"</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your tires have sufficient tread depth</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5/32"</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Consider replacing your tires if wet road conditions are a concern</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4/32" to 3/32"</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You should consider a tire replacement or monitor closely</span></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2/32" (1.5mm)</span></td><td style="border: 1px solid rgb(167, 179, 187); padding: 2px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your tires are considered legally bald and need to be replaced</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Graph from <a href="http://tires.canadiantire.ca/en/info-centre/tireTreadDepth/" target="_blank">Canadian Tire</a></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Check the tread wear indicators:</b> Most tires today have tread wear indicators, which are flat rubber bars that run horizontally across the tread of the tire. When the tires are new, the indicators are not visible; however, they become visible when the tires start to wear down. If one or two of these indicators begin to show, then your tires are beginning to ear down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Tread wear indicators, as seen blocked off by the red squares.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. Look for any uneven tread wear: </b>Uneven tread wear can indicate issues apart from simple tire wear, such as alignment. If you spot this on your tires, have a mechanic do a series of checks to determine what underlying issue is causing the uneven tread wear before you have new one's installed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>AAA: When to replace your tires</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. Check the sidewalls: </b>It's important to check the sidewalls of your tires for any bulges, cracks, or bubbles. If there is such damage, your tires need replacing--and you should have that taken care off sooner rather than later. Such damage can be caused by having driven through a pothole, driving with low air pressure, or other issues. Whatever the cause, driving with cracks or bulges in the sidewalls is dangerous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6. Minimum every 6 Years: </b>The minimum time to replace your tires is ever six years, with the maximum ten years. Check your owners manual for specific requirements and recommendations, and always lean to the side of caution and overall safety for you and your passengers.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-59852543327025096562014-09-12T19:09:00.000-07:002014-09-12T19:09:04.904-07:0018 Things About Burn Out You Need To Know But Probably Don't<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The end of summer may seem like an odd time for people to experience burn out, but it can hit any of us at any time. Understanding what burn out is will help you either spot it in your own or your friend/loved one's life, and obtain the tools to overcome it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Burn out is something that hits many people of different ages and professions; however, one common characteristics seems to be a high-achievement orientation to the world, and a proneness to overwork and push oneself beyond the efforts of the 'average' person. For such people who feel they can do everything, according to <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201311/the-tell-tale-signs-burnout-do-you-have-them" target="_blank">Psychology Today</a>, burn out can creep up unnoticed. And because many high-achievers tend to be passionate about what they do, they often do not realize how many extra hours they're putting into their work, and the extra projects they're taking on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a study by the <a href="https://workfamily.sas.upenn.edu/sites/workfamily.sas.upenn.edu/files/imported/pdfs/FactSheet_Overwork.pdf" target="_blank">Sloan Work and Family Research Network of Boston College</a>, those who overwork tend to fit the following profile:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People between the ages of 30 and 49</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parents of teenagers tend to work longer hours than parents of younger children; and those who are in elder care situations tend to be more overworked than employees without such responsibilities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the past 25 years, dual wage-earners combined work hours per week increased from 80 to 91 hours on average.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Workers of the Baby Boom generation tend to feel more overworked than those of other generations.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The largest number of people in work situations of mandatory longer hours are those in executive and administrative occupations</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Small business owners work the most hours (paid unpaid) at their main or only job with 38% working more than 50 hours per week.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Burn out is a state of chronic stress that is comprised of the following:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">physical and emotional exhaustion</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/your-money/a-solution-to-burnout-that-doesnt-mean-less-work.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>, in an article titled, Dealing With Burnout, describes this condition as "not just when you need a vacation to recharge. It’s when you feel overwhelming exhaustion, frustration, cynicism and a sense of ineffectiveness and failure." It used to be something experienced mostly by people in the human services occupations--health care workers, social workers, therapists, police officers--but has expanded to many other professions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psychology Today outlines the following symptoms of burn out:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Chronic fatigue: </b>In the early stages, you may feel a lack energy and feel tired most days. In the latter stages, you feel physically and emotionally exhausted, drained, and depleted, and you may feel a sense of dread for what lies ahead on any given day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Insomnia.</b> In the early stages, you may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep one or two nights a week. In the latter stages, insomnia may turn into a persistent, nightly ordeal; as exhausted as you are, you can't sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Forgetfulness/impaired concentration and attention:</b> Lack of focus and mild forgetfulness are early signs. Later, the problems may get to the point where you can't get your work done and everything begins to pile up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Physical symptoms:</b> Physical symptoms may include chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal pain, dizziness, fainting, and/or headaches (all of which should be medically assessed).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. Increased illness:</b> Because your body is depleted, your immune system becomes weakened, making you more vulnerable to infections, colds, flu, and other immune-related medical problems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. Loss of appetite:</b> In the early stages, you may not feel hungry and may skip a few meals. In the latter stages, you may lose your appetite all together and begin to lose a significant amount of weight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6. Anxiety:</b> Early on, you may experience mild symptoms of tension, worry, and edginess. As you move closer to burnout, the anxiety may become so serious that it interferes in your ability to work productively and may cause problems in your personal life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>7. Depression:</b> In the early stages, you may feel mildly sad, occasionally hopeless, and you may experience feelings of guilt and worthlessness as a result. At its worst, you may feel trapped, severely depressed, and think the world would be better off without you. (If your depression is to this point, you should seek professional help immediately.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>8. Anger:</b> At first, this may present as interpersonal tension and irritability. In the latter stages, this may turn into angry outbursts and serious arguments at home and in the workplace. (If anger gets to the point where it turns to thoughts or acts of violence toward family or coworkers, seek immediate professional assistance.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're facing burn out, don't give up--you can get back on your feet and to the level of performance that you are capable of; however, it will take some time and discipline. Here are some ways you can work to overcome burn out, according to <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201104/overcoming-burnout" target="_blank">Psychology Today</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Take an Inventory:</b> List all the things that are causing you stress and anxiety right now. Take your time to make the list--don't rush through it. If new things come to mind in 24 hours, write them down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Itemize:</b> Next to each item, jot down ways that you can change those situations so that they don't feel as stressful--little strategies to get around them and reduce the stress. Again, this is a process, not a race--take your time. If you can't find strategies for some--or all--of them, don't worry; just keep working through them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Just say no:</b> It's good to say no to people and situations if you don't want to do them or you feel obligated to do them. Saying no is a way of gaining back a sense of who you are. Some people prescribe saying no for an entire week, even to things you might want to do, just to get in the habit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. Delegate:</b> You don't have to do everything. Get in the habit of delegating to others, even if they won't do it as well or fast as you. Releasing the burdens will start to take the weight off your shoulders, and help you recover.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. Take breaks between big projects:</b> Often we are tempted to rush from one project to the next, especially if it promises monetary reward, promotions, or just keeping your position as Alpha Dog. But taking breaks are an important way of regaining your stamina and having the time and space to reflect on your successes and prepare body and mind to move on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6. Turn off devices:</b> It is not implausible that our devices are the reason for a surge in burn out. We are no longer really in control of our lives--our devices control us, through which we are always on call, always expected to be available, always multi-tasking. Turning off your device gives you adequate time and space to reflect on your actions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>7. Socialize outside of work:</b> If your only source of relationships are work colleagues, then you are ever-mired by the issues and toxins of your workplace. Getting out from under that and hanging out with people of different interests and backgrounds can be very healthy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>8. Avoid bringing work home:</b> Resist the urge to bring work home; you can get everything you need done at the office--the rest is either not that important, or a way of bolstering your ego. We are often validated based on our work, so we do it all the time. Your recovery will require you to rethink your work habits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>9. Effort, not outcome: </b>Be more engaged in process, not product. Enjoy the work, get into its flow; and let the outcome emerge from the joy of the process itself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>10. Consider a support group:</b> This is a common problem, and there are therapists and communities that can help you rethink and re-prioritize. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-5346116267181616682014-09-08T19:19:00.002-07:002014-09-08T19:20:56.045-07:00Why Texting And Driving Is Harming You Without You Even Knowing It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have heard time and time again that distracted driving, particularly with mobile devices, can kill you. We have seen many public service announcements showing the grave dangers associated with driving and texting--both for the driver and those around him/her. And while the importance of these messages is not under challenge here in this post, there is a sense in which we all get it: driving and texting, driving and talking on the phone, driving and tweeting, driving and Facebooking, driving and fiddling with your iTunes playlist are all dangerous activities (think about the number of times you've changed songs on your iPhone--after, of course, searching for about 10 seconds--and you look up and don't know when the last time was that you saw the road). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, there is another serious, perhaps more subtle but just as real, threat to your well-being than simply knocking your vehicle into someone else's, or into the side of a pedestrian or trunk of a tree: <b>that the perpetual engagement of your digital device while driving is taking away important down-time needed for reflection, decision making, and dealing with emotional baggage of the day.</b> In a study at the University of California, San Francisco, scientists discovered that when rats have new experiences their brains show signs of new patterns; but those explorations are processed into persistent memory when the rats have taken a break from those activities. And humans have shown to learn in similar ways: We learn most when we step back from a given activity, and, even unconsciously, have time to reflect on them. The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/technology/25brain.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">New York Times</a> article in which this study was reported continues,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>“Almost certainly, downtime lets the brain go over experiences it’s had, solidify them and turn them into permanent long-term memories,” said Loren Frank, assistant professor in the department of physiology at the university, where he specializes in learning and memory. He said he believed that when the brain was constantly stimulated, “you prevent this learning process.”</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fear with constant distraction from our digital devices is that our brain patterns are literally being shifted in a way that is detrimental to how we have evolved over time as humans. When you are constantly being stimulated, you are unable to back away and reflect in meaningful ways on the interactions and experiences you've had. We may call this constant stimulation "multi-tasking," but according to some brain researchers, such activity is merely repetitious distraction, which, to many, is actually <a href="http://link.highedweb.org/2013/12/are-your-digital-devices-rewiring-your-brain/" target="_blank">rewiring our brains</a>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"Our daily routine is filled with repeated distractions from information that demands our attention; making each day the opposite of “ordinary.” Research is beginning to show that our devices affect our minds cognitive ability to function."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What led to the renaissance period in human history was people's profound ability to learn, reflect on their learning, and create amazing works of art, philosophy, and invention (Leonardo da Vinci was not the anomaly that many make him out to be--there were plenty of them around). We are losing the profundity of the reflective life to the false urgency of the digital device. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What I am getting at here is that the commute to and from work can be a time and space that allows you to reclaim the reflection on your experiences that you desperately need to de-stress, decompress, and just simply process. By remaining hooked up to our digital devices while driving, not only are we endangering our and others' lives, but we are overstimulating our brains, frying our neurons, becoming more stressed, and carrying all that home with us into our families. As <a href="http://www.roughtype.com/?p=1392" target="_blank">one brain scientist responded</a> to a well-known <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/opinion/11Pinker.html" target="_blank">New York Times Op-Ed by popular brain-guru, Steven Pinker</a>, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>"The fact that people who fiddle with cell phones drive poorly shouldn’t make us less concerned about the cognitive effects of media distractions; it should make us more concerned."</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The concern is, according to Steven Yantis, a professor of psychological and neuro sciences and Johns Hopkins University, each time you switch tasks and switch back again, your brain has to recall where you were in the previous task. This may cause you to have to work your way back through the problem again, or re-read the previous paragraph, which makes "Deep thinking about a complex topic...nearly impossible."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are not merely robotic computing machines--we are reflective human beings. We live in a complex world in which stepping back from our experiences, reflecting on them, and making deep decisions on them is critical for our well-being and that of our loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Take the time on your commute, especially home from work, to avoid the device. Consider putting it on 'Do not disturb', and then simply work your to not engaging it at all. For not only does it distract from the immediate task of safely operating a vehicle moving on average 60 kilometres per hour but also from the brains natural function of reflecting on past experiences, learning from them, and planning new ways forward. </span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-40160262385691331452014-09-01T06:58:00.000-07:002014-09-08T18:00:17.845-07:00Check Out Some Of The Cheapest And Most Expensive Cars To Insure In Canada--Especially If You're Justin Bieber<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5pUPYCp7cM/VAR7HoGXQDI/AAAAAAAAApU/5Dhj8PpP1_c/s1600/justinbiebercar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s5pUPYCp7cM/VAR7HoGXQDI/AAAAAAAAApU/5Dhj8PpP1_c/s1600/justinbiebercar.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When considering insurance, there are a number of factors, one of which is the kind of car you drive: Is it a sports car or family vehicle? Does it have a high rate of theft? Is it expensive to repair? Is it a new or older vehicle? All these factors weigh upon the amount you will have to pay to insure the vehicle. For instance, if you're buying a new sports car that is highly attractive to thieves, has a statistical record for high-rates of accidents, and is expensive to repair, you'll pay much more for that car than one that is an older family vehicle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Cheapest Cars To Insure In Canada</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a very detailed analysis of vehicles and they're insurance rates, check out the How Cars Measure Up report by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. For the purpose of simplicity, below are top 10 vehicles that are known for having some of the lowest insurance rates in Canada:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Mazda Tribute</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Jeep Compass</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Pontiac Grand Prix</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Chevrolet Equinox</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Subaru Forester</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Smart Fortwo Coupe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. Dodge Grand Caravan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Honda Odyssey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Ford Edge</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Volvo XC90</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Most Expensive Cars To Insure In Canada</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the cheapest cars to insure out of the way, it remains necessary to list some of the most expensive vehicles to insure, with some being tagged as such for their appeal to car thieves, and others for their capacity for break-neck speed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. BMW M6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Audi R8 Spyder Quattro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Ford F-250 Super Duty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. Honda Civic Si Coupe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Acura MDX</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Toyota FI Cruiser</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Toyota Camry</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a detailed list of the cheapest and most expensive vehicles to insure in Canada, check out <a href="http://www.ibc.ca/en/Car_Insurance/Buying_a_New_Car/HCMU.asp" target="_blank">How They Measure Up</a>: a document put together by the Canadian Insurance Bureau.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-69342973482044438672014-09-03T18:06:00.000-07:002014-09-03T18:08:00.125-07:00If You Have To Drive At Night, These 11 Tips Could Save Your Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCO0koQTUg0/VAe6aRwl-OI/AAAAAAAAApk/1rebts2sOx0/s1600/planes-trains-and-automobiles-movie-clip-screenshot-wrong-way_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCO0koQTUg0/VAe6aRwl-OI/AAAAAAAAApk/1rebts2sOx0/s1600/planes-trains-and-automobiles-movie-clip-screenshot-wrong-way_large.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's late: you're driving home from your cottage and got held up with family members, or that amazing dinner you just needed a little more time to enjoy. Now you're driving home along highways of variegated lighting--some with none at all--and you're pinching open your eyes to stay awake. There's no help from your spouse whose asleep next to you, mouth gaping open, perhaps even snoring; and your kids have long since escaped consciousness in the backseat, with earbuds still left in their ears. "Did the lady at Timmy's give me freakin' decaf?!" you wonder as you imbibe that double-double yawning widely between ill-fated swigs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's lonely out there; you're still two hours to mothership, and the longed-for comfort of bed--</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many of us have experienced this one time or another; and many of us in those moments kick and berate and curse ourselves--we should know better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Indeed, night time driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do--statistically speaking. Some studies have shown that sleep deprived driving causes impairment as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep-deprived_driving" target="_blank">severe as alcohol</a>. It impairs one's abilities in the following four areas:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coordination</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reflex</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Judgement</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moreover, your chances of coming in contact with impaired drivers, sleep deprived drivers, animals, and just plain weirdos increases the later you're driving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those moments, and others like them, here are a few tips to help you with those late night drives:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Check that all exterior lights work properly (front and rear, brake and high beams). If your windshield is dirty, clean it at the next gas station: your ability to see can be compromised if your windshield is full of bug debris.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Use your high beams in areas without sufficient light, but not when it's foggy--the light beams will simply reflect back on you further impairing your vision.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. If your rear-view mirror has a day/night function (usually activated by flicking the knob at the bottom of the mirror itself), use it: someone behind you with high beams on, or a truck whose grill sits nice and high, will blind you otherwise. If someone is coming towards you with high beams on, turn your eyes away from it, and look straight ahead--do not be tempted to look at it head on, which is a natural reflex when we see bright lights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Avoid turning on your interior lights, whether to check a map or otherwise (who uses maps anymore?); and for crying out loud, don't use your mobile device.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. Keep your eyes moving by checking your rearview, and side mirrors intermittently. This will not only keep you well informed of those around you, but will keep you more alert.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. Leave more space between you and other drivers, in the event of hit brakes ahead of you. With attention and reflex impairment, you need to give yourself plenty of time to respond.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. If you have candy or a pack of your kids' bubble gum, use it. Sucking on candies and chewing on gum can increase attention and brain function--same goes for driving. It's good to keep some with you nevertheless as a private stash for just those occasions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. Avoid taking any medications that will make you drowsy. If you have to take a medication, try to take it long in advance to allow the initial drowsiness to wear off. There are serious risks involved in <a href="http://massinsure.blogspot.ca/2014/06/valium-xanax-and-zopidem-drugged.html" target="_blank">drugged driving</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. Eat a meal higher in protein, rather than carbohydrates, before hitting the road. If you are out with family or friends, avoid the big pasta dinner, and go instead with the steak and caesar salad--the protein will not make you as drowsy. And avoid all alcohol content, passing that over for a stiff cup of coffee instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. Keep a road side emergency kit, in the event that you God-forbid get into a collision, or get thrown into the ditch by a collision with a lugubrious moose or darting deer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11. If possible, avoid traveling at night. If you need to be in town the following day for work, consider, if you can, keeping an extra set of clothes, getting some sleep, and leaving early in the morning. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-37560355405914393312014-08-25T04:50:00.000-07:002014-08-25T04:50:26.442-07:004 Simple Tips You Have To Read To Treat A Bee Sting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Db43swYPJc/U_si3SkfExI/AAAAAAAAAos/WUvVn6JO-FQ/s1600/child_playing_with_parents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Db43swYPJc/U_si3SkfExI/AAAAAAAAAos/WUvVn6JO-FQ/s1600/child_playing_with_parents.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bees and wasps are among us; and knowing how to avoid their nests and deal with their stings and bites is an important part of summer life in Ontario.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a recent Examiner report, a pregnant mother of three, named <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/sarah-harkins-stings-family-receives-support-after-death-of-pregnant-mom" target="_blank">Sarah Harkins</a>, was in her back yard when she accidentally disturbed a wasp nest, and succumbed to a wasp attack that ultimately led to her tragic death. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While rather uncommon, there was another wasp death this past July: <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/lucie-roussel-la-prairie-mayor-dies-after-15-wasp-stings-1.2713292" target="_blank">Lucie Roussel, the Mayor of La Prairie, Quebec</a>, died from 15 wasp bites after inadvertently stepping on a wasp nest at her cottage, according to CBC News. It is unclear from the story whether she was allergic to wasps, or had tragically died from the shock of the bites. While deaths by wasp and bee attacks are uncommon, it remains important to know what to do in the event of a sting or bite. If you have a terrible reaction to a sting or bite, you will need to consult your physician for any signs of allergies; he or she may prescribe you an epipen to keep with you in the event of any future run ins with bees or wasps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4 Tips for How to Treat a Bee Sting</b></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Remove the stinger: If it is a honey bee, remove the stinger. Simply pinching and pulling it out with your fingers should work, otherwise find something else, like tweezers, to extract it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Check for allergic reaction: If prolonged swelling in the face, mouth, or throat appear, wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing, or hives spread out beyond the sting, it is likely there is an allergic reaction. Take an antihistamine, or better yet an <a href="https://www.epipen.com/about-epipen/how-to-use-epipen" target="_blank">Epipen</a>, and get to emergency immediately. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Take ibuprofen, such as Advil, to treat the pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. There are a number of <a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Bee-Sting" target="_blank">home remedies</a> to treat the bite or sting. You can simply ice the area, or apply a calamine or antihistamine cream. If you're more desperate, or adventurous, try applying toothpaste or honey to the wound. You can even try rubbing a slice of potato on the sting--but make sure it's raw.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-91201640867463687112014-08-22T05:44:00.000-07:002014-08-22T05:44:21.506-07:003 TED Talks About Risk That Will Strike, Maybe Even Alarm, But Surely Won't Bore You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfYPZc766L4/U_c6s7RJmhI/AAAAAAAAAoc/fKKFdjCxgpQ/s1600/negroponte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfYPZc766L4/U_c6s7RJmhI/AAAAAAAAAoc/fKKFdjCxgpQ/s1600/negroponte.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the rapid pace of information technology, we have access to all sorts of information. These three TED talks cover issues pertinent to our future. This is an important part of this blog simply because the future is becoming more and more rapidly </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NOW</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, especially as technology and human knowledge speed up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a kind of TED theatre. What's important about the exercise of watching multiple TED talks is not the individual talks themselves, but how the ideas from the collection of talks meld with and bounce off each other to create higher-level questions and observations that ultimately lead to discussions with others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is important that we learn more about the future, especially when we are talking about the broader context of insurance as the act of mitigating and securing against risk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Hubertus Knabe: Dark Secrets of the Surveillance State:</b> The first talk is about the dark secrets of the surveillance state. With news traveling about the <a href="http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2014/08/murdoch-says-googles-worse-than-the-nsa/" target="_blank">power of Google</a> and how our locations are being perpetually tracked on a daily basis, not to mention the NSA and other organizations, being aware of privacy issues is critical for living in the 21st Century. Hubertus Knabe studied the Stasi, the East German Secret Service, and was even spied on by them. </span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/IWjzT2l5C34?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> Hubertus Knabe: Dark Secrets of the Surveillance State</b></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Nicholas Negroponte: 30 Year History of the Future:</b> Inventor, innovator, and scholar, Nicholas Negroponte (of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Laptop_per_Child" target="_blank">Negroponte $100 laptop</a> computer), talks about predictions he made in the 70s and 80s that came true, and leaves you with a prediction for the next 30 years.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/5b5BDoddOLA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Nicholas Negroponte: 30 Year History of the Future</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Lorrie Faith Cranor: What's Wrong With Your Pa$$word? </b>Lorrie Faith Cranor has studies thousands of internet passwords and has discovered a number of common mistakes users make when creating them that compromises security. How did she get at these passwords to study them? That's part of the story itself.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0SkdP36wiAU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Lorrie Faith Cranor: What's Wrong With Your Pa$$word?</i></b></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-1123838179038216732014-08-22T04:20:00.000-07:002014-08-22T04:20:03.351-07:009 Tips You've Got To Read Before Hiring A Professional Mover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrDIKyMs4yU/U_cnDSxvi1I/AAAAAAAAAoM/8-RgHYOM-q8/s1600/money-pit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vrDIKyMs4yU/U_cnDSxvi1I/AAAAAAAAAoM/8-RgHYOM-q8/s1600/money-pit.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving is a stressful ordeal; it sounds easy enough, but if you've ever tried to move your family home yourself, it's very difficult and physically and mentally taxing. That's where the professional mover comes in: to take over the stress of the actual move in exchange for money. But how do you know what mover to hire? How do you avoid moving fraud, or, worse yet, horror stories of movers that <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Business/fraudulent-movers-hold-belongings-hostage-steal/story?id=21033030" target="_blank">hold your belongings hostage</a> at the door of your new home while demanding more money. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Here are 10 tips for choosing the best company to help you move into your new home:</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Do your research:</b> Finding the best mover for you based on price and performance will take some work, especially if you haven't moved in many years or are moving for the first time. You want to find a reputable, professional mover that has an excellent performance and reliability record. Ask family members or friends about their movers, as well as do consumer reports online. Choose at least three prospects and then begin the process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Get more than one estimate:</b> There are different costs that movers charge, from weight of the items to packing materials. A professional mover will come to your home and perform a walk through, getting a good understanding of what you are moving, and approximately the weight. Given that different moving companies will most likely charge differently, it'll be important to have your three choices come to your home and give you their best estimate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Make sure you know what you will be moving:</b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It might be helpful to have an already prepared inventory list of all the items you want to move before the moving representative arrives. Everything you add after the quote will lead to a higher cost, so try to determine as precisely as possible what you will or will not be moving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. Purchase mover insurance: </b>Mover insurance is important to protect your possessions while in tow, especially if there is a long commute such as from one province to another. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. Get the lowest price:</b> Moving is very expensive, and there are often hidden costs. Professional movers can be very reliable, but they can also charge a lot. Find the lowest price possible, because the overall cost of moving will be more than you expect, especially if changing provinces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6. Read, refer to, and keep handy the bill of landing:</b> The Bill of Landing is the contract document between you and the mover. Read it carefully before signing it, and keep it handy during the move for reference, especially if something goes wrong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>7. Ask questions:</b> While meeting with the movers, make sure you have asked a lot of questions, especially about hidden costs. Also, et a good sense of the contract: what is being charged, the mover's liability for your possessions, and dates for pick up and delivery. If something is fishy, then get clarification; if it still feels fishy, then move on to the next one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>8. Keep your delivery date:</b> If you change your delivery date while the move is in place, your possessions will have to be stored in a storage unit that will cost you more money. Make sure you are certain about a date before locking it in contractually.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>9. Check inventory:</b> A good mover will have inventory checkers throughout the process who write down every item that is being moved from one location that is then checked off at the final location. And it's often the case that the home owner is volunteered to help out with checking off the items as their being moved into the new home. Ensure that the mover is doing this, and step in to do it yourself if for some reason that procedure is not in place.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-51352393698286967292014-08-20T07:05:00.002-07:002014-08-20T07:06:48.516-07:0010 Must-Read Ways To Save On Home Insurance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB0TF20XZQw/U_Sq4GzYPOI/AAAAAAAAAns/ReM1wSMFXy8/s1600/Fallingwater_in_Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KB0TF20XZQw/U_Sq4GzYPOI/AAAAAAAAAns/ReM1wSMFXy8/s1600/Fallingwater_in_Summer.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">House insurance is necessary for closing on the sale of a property. But how do you know what insurance agency will give you the best rate? And, when you're working with a broker, how do you get as low a rate as possible?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The following are tips from the Insurance Bureau of Canada:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Shop around:</b> If you have been with an insurance company for a number of years, or even on your previous home, it doesn't hurt, and may even beneficial, to shop around for a company that will give you a better rate. There's always the trade-off of more time and effort, but the result may be an extra $20-30 of cash in your pocket per month. As well, while you're talking to a broker, ask about any promotions or discounts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Get a home insurance quote:</b> If you have car insurance, consider taking out your home insurance with that same company. Often insurance companies will bundle home and car insurance to give you a lower rate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Increase your deductible:</b> You can increase the amount you need to pay in the event of an accident which will in turn lower your monthly payment. Make sure, however, that the deductible is an amount that you can actually afford to pay should there be a claim.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. Take preventative action:</b> You can do things to reduce the risk of accidents and damage to your home that will lower the chance of having to make an insurance claim: installing home security equipment, upgrading plumbing, reinforcing roofing, installing a backwater valve, storm shutters, sump pumps, and a fire sprinkler system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. Ask about further discounts:</b> Talk to your insurance companies about any discounts, for instance if you're over the age of 55, or are mortgage or claims-free. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6. Pay premium annually:</b> You can avoid possible interest or service charges by making your payment annually rather than monthly. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>7. Evaluate your coverage every year:</b> An evaluation of your insurance annually will ensure that your coverage reflects the value of your home, including any renovations, upgrades, or major purchases.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>8. Quit Smoking:</b> Many home fires are caused by careless smoking. Insurance companies will acknowledge that non-smokers have a lower risk of house fire than smokers. This simple--but not easy--act will also lower your life insurance premiums, and add years to your life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>9. Don't over-insure your home:</b> You will pay more if you include the value of the land surrounding the home, rather than just the house itself. Insure for what the house would cost to rebuild in the event of a loss, and not the market value of the surrounding land.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>10. Keep your policy until end of term:</b> Terminating your insurance policy before its term is over will result in a cancellation fee. If you choose to be insured with a different company, then wait until your current policy is up for renewal before doing so.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-91085000134526324932014-08-19T14:02:00.000-07:002014-08-19T14:02:38.614-07:00Is The Ebola Virus Really A Global Threat?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ebola remains a concern in our world, as more bodies die in the streets, health care facilities are looted, and even high-profile doctors fall prey to the virus. </span><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WHO Calls Ebola A Global Emergency - August 9, 2014</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But what do we know about it? In conversations I've had with people, it's unclear how it's transmitted, and how serious it is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some things we know about it:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola has a 90% fatality rate, and is one of the most virulent diseases;</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The disease emerged in Africa in two simultaneous outbreaks locations in 1976: one in the Congo, near the Ebola river, and the other in a remote area of Sudan;</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ebola is spread through close contact with the blood of an infected animal (chimpanzees, gorillas, fruit bats, monkeys, forest antelopes, and porcupines);</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It spreads human-to-human through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids, or between broken skin or mucous membranes between a healthy person and the contaminated possessions of infected persons (blankets, clothes, needles);</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding;</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There remains no authorized or licensed vaccine or treatment for Ebola;</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In spite of downplaying in the media, there are some reports that claim that this strain of the Ebola virus <a href="http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/121115/srep00811/full/srep00811.html" target="_blank">may be airborne</a> (transmissible from human to human through the air).</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Knowing as much as you can about the Ebola virus can reduce the risk of you coming in contact with it. Just today, health workers in Berlin, Germany (breathing a sigh of relief, no doubt) claimed that a woman who returned from a trip to Africa and collapsed in a job centre. There are entries on this blog that give you tips for pandemics. It is important that you read them, and stay informed in order to reduce the existential risk of this virus, should it spread to North America, which is more than possible. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-29727091081558375042014-08-18T13:30:00.001-07:002014-08-18T13:31:48.618-07:00The 7 Most Important Safety Tips When Grilling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vsu395ezqcA/U_JhwmF0ZxI/AAAAAAAAAm0/JjkIJaU2Wps/s1600/backdraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Vsu395ezqcA/U_JhwmF0ZxI/AAAAAAAAAm0/JjkIJaU2Wps/s1600/backdraft.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grilling food is a wonderful thing, yet not without some risk. Below are some important grilling safety tips to keep the emergency crews away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors:</b> This seems obvious, but what about places like the garage? Does that constitute "indoors" if the garage door is open? Yes. It's advisable to never BBQ in the garage--your insurance company will most certainly frown on it, as well as the fire department.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Position the grill carefully:</b> Keep the grill well away from the home, deck railings and out from under the eaves and overhanging branches, lest the heat burns these areas and causes a fire. There are many cases of houses in which the vinyl siding has melted because the grill was too close to the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Keep children and pets away:</b> This seems like a no-brainer; but being distracted in the heat of the moment can lead one away from the care of children and pets around the grill. If you need something from inside the house, it's better to have someone else bring it out to you, rather than leaving your kids and pets to a flaming BBQ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. Keep the grill clean:</b> Grease and fat builds up in the trays below the grill and can cause spread flames that may be difficult to control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. Never leave the grill:</b> As with #3, it's easy to get distracted while grilling, such as suddenly wanting to grab that rub or sauce from the pantry, or needing a plate for the burgers while the sausages are still cooking; but again, it's better for someone to bring that out to you rather than leave your grill, in case the fire gets out of control.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6. Let it burn:</b> To get all the gunk build up off the grill during cooking, let the BBQ burn at a high heat for 10 minutes once you've taken the food off--but, again, do not leave it unattended. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>7. Turn gas off first:</b> When shutting off the grill, turn off the propane first, then switch the controls off; this will prevent residual gas from building up in the BBQ. Let it cool down with the lid off, and then brush off the grill to prevent fats and grease from building up and creating unruly flames the next time you cook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-6219659516925418352014-08-18T11:20:00.003-07:002014-08-18T11:27:04.937-07:007 Boating Tips That Will Keep You Safe This Summer--And No, They Don't Promise To Make You Cool Like These Guys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3QhPodcP3s/U_JDavfSPRI/AAAAAAAAAmk/9NK-z2W73zs/s1600/miamivicepic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F3QhPodcP3s/U_JDavfSPRI/AAAAAAAAAmk/9NK-z2W73zs/s1600/miamivicepic2.jpg" height="264" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Boating Can Be Dangerous</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Boating can be dangerous. Think about it: you're in the middle of Lake Ontario with nothing but fibreglass and some vinyl or leather between you and the frigid temperature of the water, even in the middle of summer. The conditions are always changing to the pressure in the air, the speed of the winds, and even the passing of other boats that, depending on the size, can kick up some serious waves if you happen to be in a smaller vessel. What happens if your vessel capsizes and your thrown into the frigid water? Are you prepared? If you have no food on board, and you're hungry or thirsty, you may not have the strength to swim or stay afloat until help arrives. If you don't have a life preserver on, and are not comfortable even in the shallow end of your sister's swimming pool, then how will you handle choppy waters that are 70-100 feet deep? What about your children who love to sit at the bow of the boat while it's thumping 50 kms/hr across the open water? Are they equipped with life preservers? Have they been taught the safety procedures or rules of the boat? A large, open lake can cause even experienced fishers and boaters anxiety. Don't let a freak accident cause you to say, "Should have/Could have..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1. Get a Boating Licence:</b> It is Canadian law that if you operate a watercraft that you carry with you a <a href="http://www.boatinglicense.ca/pleasure-craft-operator-card.aspx" target="_blank">Pleasure Craft Operator Card</a>, which is a boating license offered by Transport Canada and valid in Ontario and all other provinces. To acquire one, you have to take a Transport Canada approved boating course, and pass the multiple choice boating exam with a minimum score of 75%.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2. Wear Life Jackets:</b> It's hard to look cool on your sleek sailboat with a life jacket on, but it's indeed advisable. The lack of a life jacket is the <a href="http://aceboater.com/en/introduction-safe-boating-online-course" target="_blank">number one cause </a>of all boating fatalities. All children and adults must wear life jackets that fit them personally. It's no good to have them on deck unless you wear them; and they'll provide some element of safety in the event of capsizing, or inadvertently falling overboard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>3. Monitor the Weather:</b> You don't want to head out into the lake and drift into a dangerous storm. With cellular networks what they are today, it's easy to stay apprised of the weather before and while you're boating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>4. Know the Area:</b> Make sure you're aware of the depth of the lake, the tides, and the various areas. This will help you when travelling, and in the event of emergency.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>5. Share Your Sail Plan:</b> Let others know about where you're going, including the type of boat you have--even if you're only gone for a couple of hours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>6. Inspect your Boat:</b> Give your boat a thorough inspection prior to taking it out. This includes your first aid kit, tools, and parts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>7. Safety Briefing:</b> Prior to departing, show everyone on your boat where the safety and communications equipment are, and how to use them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>8. Don't Allow Alcohol on the Boat: </b>Approximately <a href="http://aceboater.com/en/introduction-safe-boating-online-course" target="_blank">40% of all boating deaths are alcohol related</a>. Drinking and boating is very dangerous. The lake may not seem like a threatening terrain to the unexperienced eye, but can indeed presents serious danger. Consuming alcohol impairs your eyesight, motor skills, and ability to make careful and spontaneous decisions. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-75756240903042291972014-08-15T04:24:00.002-07:002014-08-15T04:27:20.740-07:00What Keeps Elon Musk Awake At Night Other Than Electric Cars And Vessels To Mars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdpEaLvL6os/U-3si7d6EBI/AAAAAAAAAmU/x8XtYRh8xFI/s1600/ElonMuskPort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdpEaLvL6os/U-3si7d6EBI/AAAAAAAAAmU/x8XtYRh8xFI/s1600/ElonMuskPort.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Insurance is all about determining points of risk and obtaining the requisite securities that mitigate them--as much as one possibly can.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That said, the changes of our world are happening so rapidly that to understand today requires greater levels of insights into the future. If you dig mildly around the internet, you'll see the top corporate leaders (those responsible for all the innovations we witness emerging around us) engaging in research and development based on theories of the future that to the layperson may seem no less than sci-fi fantasy. Look at those running Google who have been involved in the creation of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singularity_University" target="_blank">Singularity University</a>--a post-graduate school for business and thought leaders interested in leveraging tomorrow's technology into today's profits. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One leader who has emerged dramatically as of late, and become unconventionally, and vulnerably, verbal about both the promises and perils of the future is super-tech entrepreneur, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk" target="_blank">Elon Musk</a>. Indeed, his company Tesla seeks to build the best electric cars in the world; and SpaceX, his custom-rocket company, is a high-profile competitor of the next-gen space race to Mars. In addition to the amazing developments of these two companies, news has been trickling out about Musk's investment in <a href="http://news.vicarious.com/" target="_blank">Vicarious</a>: an artificial intelligence company that seeks to build machines that can think and learn like a human. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Musk has gone so far as to recently tweet a startling statement to his 830K followers: <i>that artificial intelligence is potentially more dangerous than nukes.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's an interview clip by Musk recorded a few months ago. It raises some serious and intriguing questions about the future and who's driving it. Musk's motives seem unclear: he is a brilliant entrepreneur and investor, so why would he be investing in a company like Vicarious? Is it to be a watchdog, or to hasten its technological vision for the purpose of power and profit? We cannot really know; and even in this interview, Musk holds to an air of reticence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These issues are not only for the corporate owners and high-profile entrepreneurs to be following, researching, and writing about--it is up to lay-people to be aware of these concerns as well, and use these unfolding new stories when planning, and insuring against, one's personal future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-20770438487580246992014-08-14T06:58:00.000-07:002014-08-14T07:25:29.439-07:00Why You Should Wait Six Years Before Buying Your Next Vehicle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9-h-ZTrf8w/U-zALQegIlI/AAAAAAAAAl8/K-TN32DlQW4/s1600/googlecar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9-h-ZTrf8w/U-zALQegIlI/AAAAAAAAAl8/K-TN32DlQW4/s1600/googlecar.jpg" height="385" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By 2020, the option of having a self-driving vehicle will be a reality--that's only six years away. <a href="http://www.kurzweilai.net/wait-six-years-to-buy-your-next-car" target="_blank">According to Kurzweilai.net</a>, most auto manufacturers are "incrementalists," adding automated features such as adaptive cruise control, self-parking, and traffic-jam assist. But, as <a href="http://massinsure.blogspot.ca/2014/07/driverless-cars-are-going-to-be-reality.html" target="_blank">we've covered in other posts</a>, what we know about technology is that it is spiky, not linear. This means that the latest technology builds on the advancements and strength of the previous technology. It thus can spread very fast. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Mercedes Benz S500 Intelligent Drive Autonomous Car</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are three options when looking at automated vehicles: </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Partially automated:</b> Here a car can take over some aspects of driving, such as speed and steering, but cannot control much beyond that;</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Highly automated:</b> The car can drive itself, but is also equipped with a human over-ride system.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fully automated:</b> Drives itself without human over-ride.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don Norman, a professor of design from University of California, San Diego and author of The Design of Everyday Things, gave a lecture endorsing Google's project for fully automated vehicles in which he claimed that a highly automated car would be less safe than a fully-automated one. Airplanes, Norman pointed out, have been highly automated for years; however, the over-ride system provides several minutes for the pilot to take over control. The problem with cars, at least thus far, is that would have only a split second or two to take over, should the vehicle be unable to handle driving conditions. </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don Norman: Three Ways Design Makes You Happy</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But don't hold off on purchasing that new vehicle just yet; for while it's very likely that highly-automated cars will be on the roads by 2020 and fully-automated by 2030, it remains very difficult to predict the accuracy of these seemingly arbitrary timelines. Many insurance companies, for example, remain unprepared to welcome even incremental hands-free driving, according to a recent article in <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/insurance-sector-holds-handsfree-car-key-to-future-of-driving/story-fnay3ubk-1227018334619" target="_blank">the Wall Street Journal</a>: "Why buy an autonomous vehicle if you have to maintain control? says Adrian Lund, the President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety." Lund predicts that autonomous vehicles won't be around anytime soon as a result of barriers presented by the legal and insurance sectors. For while it may be permissible for some experts to test autonomous vehicles, it remains a long-way off for the average person to be permitted to take his or her hands off the wheel for significant periods of time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There remain a panoply of issues related to autonomous vehicles, but technology marches on. The insurance and legal sectors are some of the slowest moving when it comes to policy adjustments in the wake of new innovations. If I were to place a bet, I'd put it on Google and the technologists; for while there are complex issues surround these technologies, there's nothing like a product oozing with cool-factor shot through with high levels of practicality that can shake up a market and get even the most truculent policy-makers to move their feet and march. Time will only tell...</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-79544084622573510702014-07-02T22:05:00.001-07:002014-08-14T07:25:08.634-07:00These Self-Driving Cars Are Going To Disrupt Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Driverless cars are a reality--whether we know it, believe it, accept it, love it, hate it, or not. This will be one massive disruption to numerous industries, including insurance. While some skeptics in the insurance industry claim it will take decades for insurance as we know it to become obsolete, we have very recent examples of industries that have collapsed due to disruptive technologies, even though the signs had been there for anyone able to see them. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like <a href="http://www.kurzweilai.net/" target="_blank">KurzweilAI.net</a>: it's a website that lays out news stories for futurist nuts like me, based on the research and thought of futurist, inventor, and thought leader, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_kurzweil" target="_blank">Ray Kurzweil</a>. One study it paid considerable attention to was the <a href="http://press.ihs.com/press-release/automotive/self-driving-cars-moving-industrys-drivers-seat" target="_blank">IHS Automotive Study</a>, released on January 2, 2014, that forecasts nearly 12 million yearly self-driving cars sales and almost 54 million in use on global highways by 2035. According to this forecast, self-driving cars (SDC) that are a hybrid of computer and driver-control will become nearly ubiquitous by 2025, followed by a complete transition to self-driving-only vehicles by 2030. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tRmd_ydtIc/U7Ti92CZcCI/AAAAAAAAAe0/9umgf1OY5_0/s1600/Self-driving-car-evolution.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_tRmd_ydtIc/U7Ti92CZcCI/AAAAAAAAAe0/9umgf1OY5_0/s1600/Self-driving-car-evolution.png" height="226" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>The rise of SDCs is forecasted to emerge along the above trajectory, comprised of five distinct levels, as shown above.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Accordingly, complete ubiquity of self-driving personal and commercial vehicles will emerge by 2050. Such vehicles will provide greater safety to drivers and pedestrians: near-zero crashes of SDCs (although non-SDCs will crash into SDCs), near-zero pedestrian deaths, and less traffic congestion and air pollution. It is indeed presumed here that SDCs will be electric, not gasoline-fuelled, vehicles, given for instance the European Commission's comprehensive strategy, titled <a href="http://www.transforum-project.eu/transforum/white-paper-on-transport.html" target="_blank">Transport 2050</a>, whose primary goal is "To halve the use of 'conventionally fuelled cars in urban transport by 2030; phase them out of cities by 2050; achieve C02-free city logistics in major urban centres by 2030." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What these reports are <a href="http://www.globalchange.com/future-of-the-automotive-industry-auto-trends.htm" target="_blank">forecasting</a>, and admonishing, is the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=3254079142690211478;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=link" target="_blank">disruption of the entire global transportation industry</a>--all within only about 15 years' time! In this very short time-period, most--if not all--gas-powered vehicles will be obsolete, and removed from the roads, as well as all human-driven vehicles. This is a possible shift of millions of vehicles world-wide and trillions of dollars in lost and recovered profits. According to the IHS Report, North America will account for 29 percent of worldwide sales of SDCs in 2035, or nearly 3.5 million vehicles. China will be not far behind, capturing the second largest market share with 24 percent or 2.8 million units, and Europe will have the third largest market share with 20 percent of the total, or 2.4 million vehicles. Who will be on the right side of this change? Technology companies, such as Google. Who will find it very difficult to compete? Traditional companies, whether auto or insurance--unless they have been able to reinvent themselves and intentionally drive the change rather than merely react to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>GM VP, Larry Burns, Gives This <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/reinventing_the_car" target="_blank">TED Talk</a> On The Future Of Cars</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If cars are self-driving by 2030, then auto insurance will by that fact undergo a massive change. Insurance companies will have to innovate to stay both relevant and profitable; and they'll have to compete with the likes of Google which will most likely enter the insurance business to cover any litigations as a result of their vehicles succumbing to accident. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=2077043848758024699;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=0;src=postname" target="_blank">But as you'll read in a future post</a>, it appears that by 2020 highly-automated vehicles (those that are autonomous, but with human over-ride) will be hitting the roads--that's only six years away and may present a good reason to hold off on buying that new vehicle.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-49927322418175501702014-08-13T12:40:00.000-07:002014-08-13T12:45:23.941-07:00Do Gamers Really Make Better Drivers? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VwbuSTejGyM/U-u-7omaK8I/AAAAAAAAAk0/TCBu9TDxTQQ/s1600/Gaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VwbuSTejGyM/U-u-7omaK8I/AAAAAAAAAk0/TCBu9TDxTQQ/s1600/Gaming.jpg" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Video games are often thought of as juvenile and even deviant behaviour; but can they in fact have a positive impact on your decision making and even your driving ability?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is no question that driving requires making at times very quick decisions to emergent phenomena on the road, whether a pedestrian jumping in front of you, a cyclist veering from the bike lane into yours, or a detour that requires split-second adjustments while flying down the 401. In a study by the <a href="http://rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=3679" target="_blank">University of Rochester</a>, cognitive scientists have discovered that playing action video games trains people to make decisions faster. As the report states, "The researchers found that video game players develop a heightened sensitivity to what is going on around them, and this benefit doesn't just make them better at playing video games, <i>but improves a wide variety of general skills that can help with everyday activities like multitasking, driving, reading small print, keeping track of friends in a crowd, and navigating around town.</i>" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">According to the popular book, <i><a href="http://gladwell.com/blink/" target="_blank">Blink</a></i>, by notorious pop-culture author Malcolm Gladwell, spontaneous decisions (what he calls "Thin-slicing") are often better than those wrought from careful planning and deliberation. If this is the case, then those who play action video games, linking up the Rochester study, are better at making those blink decisions described by Gladwell as the most wise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the Rochester study is not the only one on the positive impact of action video games on the ability to make faster decisions. The cognitive scientist, Daphne Bavelier, has done extensive research on the cognitive benefits of action video games, particularly on decision-making and multi-tasking. Her <a href="http://cms.unige.ch/fapse/people/bavelier/research/plasticity-video-games/" target="_blank">Bavelier Lab</a> has put out this synopsis of its research: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"We have recently shown that playing first person point of view action video games affects several aspects of perception, attention, and cognition."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Daphne Bavelier TEDx: Your Brain On Video Games</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The report from the Bavelier Lab states that action video games create and enhance the following skills:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">low-level vision (enhanced contrast sensitivity function);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">various aspects of attention (ability to monitor several objects at once, to search through a cluttered scene, to detect an event of interest in fast-forwarding video);</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">more cognitive tasks (multi-tasking, task-switching); and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> a general speeding during decision making. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bavelier claims that the average age of video games is 33 years old, and not 8-10 years old as popular perception might have it. She also foresees, according to her research, that seniors will make up the majority of gamers of the future. Why not? If it improves one's cognitive-motor skills, including those needed behind the wheel of an automobile, then more power to them.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-59649204401311210652014-06-22T08:07:00.001-07:002014-08-13T11:39:21.777-07:0010 Secrets To Surviving A Global Flu Pandemic That You Really Need To Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poupi8bYbW8/U6bxLYEVFHI/AAAAAAAAAbA/JY9BHtv6blQ/s1600/pandemic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-poupi8bYbW8/U6bxLYEVFHI/AAAAAAAAAbA/JY9BHtv6blQ/s1600/pandemic.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The World Health Organization (WHO) months ago confirmed a new
type of avian influenza virus in humans, identified as A(H7N9) in the People’s
Republic of China. Most cases develop severe pneumonia and breathing
difficulties, with some resulting in death. Today, <a href="http://www.digitaljournal.com/science/bird-flu-map-produced/article/387289" target="_blank">the publication Science released a digital map</a> of the regions with the highest risk for transmission and spread of H7N9. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG-Mw6IRbW8/U6bwpUfeA3I/AAAAAAAAAa4/j72KO8c3cDM/s1600/BirdFluMap310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG-Mw6IRbW8/U6bwpUfeA3I/AAAAAAAAAa4/j72KO8c3cDM/s1600/BirdFluMap310.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is emerging information that suggests the possibility
of some limited human-to-human transmission of this virus in China; however,
there is currently no evidence that suggests on-going human-to-human
transmission. According to the Health Agency of Canada, the risk to Canadians
remains low. That said, full extent of this outbreak, the source of infection
and the mode of transmission are currently unknown. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There also remain very serious tactical and logistical problems that exist, particularly for the delivery of vaccination over a global landscape when hours and days matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>This is Professor Adrian Hill (Co-Director, Institute for Vaccine Design, <a href="http://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/about" target="_blank">Oxford Martin School of the Futur</a>e) talking about the complex issues surrounding vaccine distribution in the event of a pandemic. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The question remains, in spite of low risk, "What would you do in the event of a widespread global pandemic?</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The question remains, in spite of the current “low risk” in
Canada, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what would you do in the event of
a pandemic? </i>According to Daniel Barnett, M.D., an instructor at the Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Preparedness Programs, “With a deadly
influenza pandemic, it’s a question of when, not if.” With global warming and
poverty, the risk of highly disruptive pandemics continues to grow.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are some things you
can do to prepare for a pandemic:</span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Stay Informed: </b>Should
such a pandemic flare up, the World Health Organization, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Agency of Canada will provide
information on the spread of disease, as well as updates on vaccines and other
medications, tips for keeping safe, and other advisories. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Wash Your Hands
Frequently:</b> This is the single most powerful defense against avian
influenza and many other infectious diseases. Also, keep with you an
alcohol-based hand-sanitizer. Be sure not to touch your face while out in
public. If you are opening doors, or pressing buttons on the elevator, get in
the habit of using a tissue as a buffer between your hands and the
handle/lever/button.</span></div>
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you have enough food to last for at least 8 weeks, choosing shelf-stable foods,
such as rice, canned goods, dry goods, cereals, and powdered milk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Hydration:</b>
Stock up on drinks, water, coffee/tea, and other forms of hydration, including
electrolyte replacement drinks, such as Gatorade. At the least, you should have
a 2-month supply of water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Medication:</b>
Stock up on prescription medications, with a two-month supply. Include in this
Tylenol and Advil as forms of fever reduction. Keep vitamins well stocked up as
well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. Hygiene:</b> Have
a two-month supply of hygiene products, such as toothpaste, toilet paper,
feminine products, diapers, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. Practice Social
Distancing:</b> Avoid going out in public. The greatest way to prevent becoming
infected is to avoid exposure to infected people. Social distancing, especially
avoiding contact with large groups of people, is a reasonable precaution to
take in the event of a pandemic. </span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Stay
at home</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Try
to work from home</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Keep
children home from school</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Avoid
public transportation</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Stay
away from public events</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8. Wear a Respirator:
</b>These look like surgical masks, but protect the wearer from inhaling germs.
You can buy reusable ones with replaceable filters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9. Wear Medical
Gloves:</b> Medical gloves can prevent germs from getting on your hands. They
should be removed if torn, damaged, and hands still must be washed after
wearing them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10. Seek Medical
Attention at Onset of Symptoms:</b> The effectiveness of antiviral medications
decreases as the illness progresses, hence prompt medical treatment is
critical. If you’ve come in contact with someone who you think is infected,
seek medical attention immediately, even if you are unsure whether or not
you’ve been infected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now, in August of 2014, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=1941253911737259584;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname" target="_blank">the Ebola Virus</a> is spreading through Africa, and causing us here in North America to pause at its spread while one patient in Brampton is currently being held under testing.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-19412539117372595842014-08-13T11:33:00.003-07:002014-08-13T11:37:09.893-07:00Why The Ebola Virus Remains A Concern And What You Can Do About It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zG33rFI-dpg/U-uvTcTQzUI/AAAAAAAAAkk/8xR4pSRHwC8/s1600/ebola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zG33rFI-dpg/U-uvTcTQzUI/AAAAAAAAAkk/8xR4pSRHwC8/s1600/ebola.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/why-you-shouldn-t-panic-about-the-ebola-virus-1.1951315" target="_blank">CTV News</a> reported on August 8, 2014 that the ebola virus (spreading through, now, four countries: Guinea, Sierra Leon, Liberia, and Nigeria) is nothing to panic about. That it does not travel "in the air and is not efficiently spread to humans." However, the <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/13/kissing-the-corpses-in-ebola-country.html" target="_blank">Daily Beast</a> has reported that the virus is spreading like "wild fire" as a result of West African burial practices in which the bodies of the dead are touched, causing the Red Cross to create the </span><a href="https://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/news-stories/africa/sierra-leone/burying-ebolas-victims-in-sierra-leone-66528/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Dead Body Management Team</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> that goes into communities and disinfects bodies and prepares them for burial. Timing is everything, however, simply because there are many communities whose members do not believe the ebola virus to be real. According the </span><a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/13/kissing-the-corpses-in-ebola-country.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">the Beast</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">, "Insufficient medical care, shortage of supplies, and lack of money are undoubtedly contributing to an epidemic the World Health Organization has a deemed a 'national disaster.' But with a death toll now topping 1,000 in four countries, it’s the battle over dead bodies that is fueling it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While we like to believe that the good news is the real news, given the complexity of our globalized world, it is not implausible for North Americans to see people infected with the ebola virus. There is an update as of August 9, 2014 about the patient being tested currently in <a href="http://news.ontario.ca/mohltc/en/2014/08/update-on-patient-being-tested-for-ebola-virus-disease-in-ontario.html" target="_blank">William Osler Health System's Brampton Civic Hospital</a> who recently travelled to Canada from Nigeria and presented with symptoms including fever, headache and malaise. While there are many precautions being taken, it remains plausible that this individual, if he in fact has Ebola, has already come in contact with loved ones and others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether you believe the good news by the CTV or not, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=5964920440131121065;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=16;src=postname" target="_blank">here is a recap</a> of important tips for surviving a global flu pandemic:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some things you can do to prepare for a pandemic:</span></b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Stay Informed: </b>Should such a pandemic flare up, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Agency of Canada will provide information on the spread of disease, as well as updates on vaccines and other medications, tips for keeping safe, and other advisories.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. Wash Your Hands Frequently:</b> This is the single most powerful defense against avian influenza and many other infectious diseases. Also, keep with you an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer. Be sure not to touch your face while out in public. If you are opening doors, or pressing buttons on the elevator, get in the habit of using a tissue as a buffer between your hands and the handle/lever/button.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Food:</b> Ensure you have enough food to last for at least 8 weeks, choosing shelf-stable foods, such as rice, canned goods, dry goods, cereals, and powdered milk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. Hydration:</b> Stock up on drinks, water, coffee/tea, and other forms of hydration, including electrolyte replacement drinks, such as Gatorade. At the least, you should have a 2-month supply of water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. Medication:</b> Stock up on prescription medications, with a two-month supply. Include in this Tylenol and Advil as forms of fever reduction. Keep vitamins well stocked up as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6. Hygiene:</b> Have a two-month supply of hygiene products, such as toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine products, diapers, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>7. Practice Social Distancing:</b> Avoid going out in public. The greatest way to prevent becoming infected is to avoid exposure to infected people. Social distancing, especially avoiding contact with large groups of people, is a reasonable precaution to take in the event of a pandemic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">o Stay at home</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">o Try to work from home</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">o Keep children home from school</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">o Avoid public transportation</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">o Stay away from public events</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8. Wear a Respirator: </b>These look like surgical masks, but protect the wearer from inhaling germs. You can buy reusable ones with replaceable filters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>9. Wear Medical Gloves:</b> Medical gloves can prevent germs from getting on your hands. They should be removed if torn, damaged, and hands still must be washed after wearing them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>10. Seek Medical Attention at Onset of Symptoms:</b> The effectiveness of antiviral medications decreases as the illness progresses, hence prompt medical treatment is critical. If you’ve come in contact with someone who you think is infected, seek medical attention immediately, even if you are unsure whether or not you’ve been infected.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These are not simple issues. Our world is more complex than it once was. We are under constant threat of pandemics, both those that are known and tracked, and those that are not yet known. To understand that this is one of the most important issues facing the 21st Century and to take the necessary precautions is simply living wisely. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-47727555455908213932014-08-13T11:03:00.001-07:002014-08-13T11:04:32.706-07:00Why You Need To Read This If You Are Driving Under Depression<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z2dFQuqgxA/U-un_0plsRI/AAAAAAAAAkU/idpjXvf3_gk/s1600/robinwilliams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z2dFQuqgxA/U-un_0plsRI/AAAAAAAAAkU/idpjXvf3_gk/s1600/robinwilliams.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the shocking death of famed comedian, Robin Williams, in the news, there are countless stories, tweets, and posts about depression. Depression is a serious mental disorder that strikes countless north americans, but often goes unreported given the stigma that surrounds it. Moreover, depression can impact many areas of one's life, especially if one takes medication for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But does depression effect one's ability to drive? It is important to note that depression is not just a feeling of prolonged sadness, but, according to the <a href="http://www.psnpaloalto.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Depression-Diagnostic-Criteria-and-Severity-Rating.pdf" target="_blank">Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</a> (the definitive, if not contentious, manual for mental disorders), involves at least five of the following nine states:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Irritability most if not everyday</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Decreased interest in pleasure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Significant weight change or change of appetite</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Change in sleeping patterns: insomnia or hypersomnia</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fatigue or loss of energy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guilt or worthlessness: feelings of worthlessness and/or prolonged guilt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Concentration: diminished ability to think, concentrate, and make decisions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suicidality: Thoughts of suicide and/or having a suicidal plan</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These symptoms of depression reveal significant problem areas for drivers who suffer from depression: </span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Irritability that is often a large part of depression will cause a driver to be restless, aggressive, and perhaps even prone to road rage</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The change in sleeping patterns can cause one to be drowsy behind the wheel or over tired and unable to think and react to emergent road conditions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fatigue and loss of energy, <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as well as d</span>iminished concentration, will retard cognitive-motor functioning needed to respond to emergent road condition</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If one is taking medication for depression, the complications for driving can increase. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to a report by <a href="https://www.sjhc.london.on.ca/sites/default/files/pdf/driver_assessment_clients_depression.pdf" target="_blank">St. Joseph's Health Care of London, Ontario</a>, it is critical that physician feels your medications are stable and that one is on maintenance doses. And any dosage </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">readjustment should initially be carefully monitored by a physician to observe any evidence of side-effects, such as drowsiness that can impair one's ability to drive. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Given the complications of driving while taking medication for depression, St. Joseph's advises having a comprehensive evaluation by a physician before getting behind the wheel that includes:</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Review of medical history and medications</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Functional ability</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vision</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reaction time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Behind the wheel evaluation</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you or someone you know is having difficulty driving due to depression, a driver evaluation may be critical. It's better to have a driver rehabilitation specialist provide you with a comprehensive evaluation than to suffer from a harmful or fatal accident.</span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-46341490631630922292014-07-26T12:26:00.000-07:002014-07-26T12:26:38.529-07:006 Pool-Side Tips You Can't Live Without<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Sz5A-RIl4/U9QAXps4ihI/AAAAAAAAAj0/zzfYLREd774/s1600/adamsandler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Sz5A-RIl4/U9QAXps4ihI/AAAAAAAAAj0/zzfYLREd774/s1600/adamsandler.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Swimming pools are a great way to cool down and stay active during hot summer days; however, it remains a significant safety hazard. Drowning is considered the second leading cause of preventable deaths in Canada among children under 10 years old; and approximately 30 Canadians die in backyard swimming pools every year. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a <a href="http://www.lifesavingsociety.com/media/157475/2013-cdndrowningreport.pdf" target="_blank">Canadian Drowning Report</a> by the Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada in 2013, there was a increase in drownings in 2010 marking "the 6th successive year of 470 or more drownings"--up 7% from 2006-2010 in contrast with the previous 5-year average from 2001-2005. More troubling for Ontarians, there were 105 preventable water-related deaths from 2011 to 2012--greater even than Quebec (77) in spite of its <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/explaining-quebecs-love-of-the-backyard-plunge/article4432113/" target="_blank">reputation for having the most number of backyard pools</a> than any other province in Canada.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A striking finding of the report is that drowning victims are indeed getting older, with a marked increase of deaths among those 50-64 years old; and there are more overall deaths among 18-34 year-olds, with a 19% increase in fatalities between 2006-2010. In spite of these growing numbers, risk-taking 18-24 year-olds continue to have the highest water-related death rate of any age group in Canada, with 8 out of 10 being men--a pattern that has alas remained consistent from year to year, reportedly as a result of the tendency among men for high-risk behaviour around water. Overall, 83% of Canada's water-related deaths during 2006-2010 are men.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">According to the report, deaths among children under 5-years-old has decreased from 2006-2010--a great improvement from the 90s when deaths among that age group were as high as young male adult risk-takers. Education in drowning prevention among children and parents seems to be a reason for this improvement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To continue this trend of drowning education, here are some important tips for enjoying city and backyard pools this summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Backyard pools require adult supervision</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whenever your backyard pool is in use, designate one adult to be responsible for supervising swimmers both in the pool and around the deck area. The adult's primary responsibility is to prevent any form of accident from occurring. The pool supervisor should be trained in basic water rescue and first aid. The lifesaving society recommends a minimum of Bronze Cross and Standard First Aid certification for all backyard pool supervisors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. If you're not within arm's reach, you've gone too far</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Children require extra-supervision around the water, and thus must be within an arm's reach of an adult at all times. Never leave a swimmer unattended--even for a minute. Drowning can occur in as little as 10 seconds. Most drowning victims cannot call out or even wave for help. In fact, the image of a person drowning as one who is flapping one's arms and crying out in the middle of the water is not accurate--often drowning victims just dip under the water to a rather silent death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Equipment is not a substitute for adult supervision</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lifejackets, noodles, and water wings can augment a swimmers ability to stay afloat, but are not at all substitutes for the alert eyes and solid arms of an adult. As well, pool toys must be removed from the pool when swimming is over, for often children will drown trying to reach for them at a later time from the pool deck.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. Pool equipment must-haves</b></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Telephone and emergency phone numbers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First Aid kit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whistle or other sound-signaling device</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reachable pole</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ring buoy</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buoy line between shallow and deep end of pool</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunscreen</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pool chemicals stored in secure location</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. Pool fence</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The pool should be surrounded by a fence that is a minimum of 1.5 metres (5 feet) in height--in fact, many Ontario cities have by-laws in this regard that should be consulted. As well, all gates and doors opening to the swimming pool or pool area must be equipped with locking devices and kept locked at all times--unless an adult is present and supervising the swimming pool. An additional fence should be installed around the pool itself to prevent direct access to the pool from the house. Children are known for climbing out of windows and even through doggy doors to get to the pool, so such a fence adds that extra barrier of protection from an unseen fatality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6. Basic safety rules</b></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never swim alone. Many adult deaths occur during times of solitary swimming</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't drink and swim; alcohol is involved in over 1/3 of all preventable swimming deaths in Canada</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never swim during a thunder-storm</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never use pool when you can't see the bottom of the entire pool</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jump--never dive--into shallow water. And don't ever dive into an above-ground pool.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Always walk on the pool deck--never run.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Swim only during daylight hours</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By considering these very basic safety tips, and educating those around your pool deck of them, you will greatly reduce the probability of a preventable drowning. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-69339930882154221602014-07-24T12:17:00.001-07:002014-07-24T12:17:29.763-07:00Mosquito Bites Suck--Here Are Some Awesome Easy Remedies To Reduce The Itch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMatV14-2R4/U9FbvLVh6OI/AAAAAAAAAjk/qN2ZpE_kd2Y/s1600/mosquitobite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zMatV14-2R4/U9FbvLVh6OI/AAAAAAAAAjk/qN2ZpE_kd2Y/s1600/mosquitobite.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mosquito bites suck. While those who have lived in Ontario most, if not all, of their lives, it's a very common thing to deal with; and yet, there remain ways of treating them that are largely unknown. So while you're bushwhacking out in Muskoka over the weekend, or cutting your back lawn, here are some tips to treating bites from those pesky critters.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Some Medicinal Remedies For Mosquito Bites</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Deal with the initial itch:</b> Itching is caused by the mosquito's saliva: an anticoagulant that causes the body to produce a histamine response. Scratching will only make the itch more irritated, so try to resist the urge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. Treat the area immediately:</b> To reduce the itch, clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol, alcohol wipes, or just plain water. If you have a severe reaction, apply an antihistamine cream or lotion, especially ointments containing a combination of antihistamine, analgesic, and coricosteroid. If an infection due to the bites, see your physician.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Select an itch-soothing solution:</b> This may require some shopping based on budget, availability, allergies to certain ingredients, and familiarity with the solution. Always speak to your doctor if you have concerns, or have a history of allergic reactions to certain products. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Natural Remedies For Mosquito Bites</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below are some natural treatments:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Baking soda + warm water:</i> </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One tablespoon to one pint of water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gently apply the affected area. Use your clean fingers, a cotton swab, or popsicle stick to apply</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leave on for a few minutes, then wash off with warm water. </span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Baking soda + amonia:</i></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mix a few drops of household cleaning ammonia with baking soda to form a paste</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Apply to the affected area and allow to dry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remove with warm water.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cider vinegar:</i></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Place soaked cotton ball over the mosquito bites. You can hold it or tape it into place</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Leave it there for a few minutes</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Cooled Tea:</i> Apply cooled tea to the area as a compress</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Ice Pack:</i> Put an ice pack on the bite for 20 minutes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Clear Liquor:</i> Use neat gin or any clear alcoholic liquor on the bites. This'll cool the skin and stop the itch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Toothpaste:</i> Use any non-gel toothpaste, and rub it on the bite, and leave a glob of it to dry overnight. Wash it in the morning with cold water and mild soap: the toothpaste will dry out the bite and take away any irritation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mouthwash: </i>Go into your medicine cabinet and pull out the mouthwash and apply onto the bite and leave to dry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Lemon or lime:</i> Cut a lemon or lime into pieces and rub on the affected area or just squirt a bit of juice on it. The acid in the juice as itch-relieving properties.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Banana peel skin:</i> Peel a banana or pull out the peels from the garbage and rub the inside of it on the bite. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Raw potato:</i> Cut a potato in half and rub an open side of one half on the bite. The potato sap will dry on the bite and reduce the itching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Finger nail:</i> Use your fingernail to press an 'x' into the bite; this will disperse the protein and stop the itch for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Saliva:</i> Place your own saliva over the bite and let it soak in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Copper:</i> Hold a penny or copper coin over the bite. Copper often makes the skin feel better after being stung. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sterilized Male Mosquitos?</span></h2>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_NZ4UX-a0Xc/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_NZ4UX-a0Xc&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_NZ4UX-a0Xc&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dr. Flamina Catteruccia On Ending Malaria</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14422440" target="_blank">According to the BBC</a>, researchers and Scientists of mosquitos have discovered that females mosquitos will mate only once with a male, keeping its sperm for the rest of its life and dispensing it over its reproductive cycle. Moreover, the female does not know the difference between fertile and infertile mosquitos, the understanding of which has led to the drive to find sterilization treatments of mosquitos that do not involve radiation, thus keeping them active enough to engage with females in breeding activity. The current method is to inject male embryos with tiny doses of RNA designed to turn off a gene (called zpg) that is essential for normal sperm development. This method tricks the female mosquito into thinking that she has successfully mated, thus continuing to lay eggs without knowing that they have not been fertilized. According to Dr. Catteruccia, as quoted in the BBC article, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"You [could] in principle release large numbers of sterile males over many generations...and eventually all the females will have mated with the sterile males and...you can really reduce the number of mosquitos."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The objective is to reduce the number of hatching mosquitos, and hopefully eradicate what many consider to be the world's most deadly killer of humans. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-34618259170566137252014-07-11T07:18:00.001-07:002014-07-13T20:57:42.245-07:00Extend Your Longevity And Amp Your Productivity With These Awesome Stand Up Desks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-rOpLH-9gQ/U7_yI_4GmZI/AAAAAAAAAik/1kh_y6o5Ax4/s1600/hemingway2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-rOpLH-9gQ/U7_yI_4GmZI/AAAAAAAAAik/1kh_y6o5Ax4/s1600/hemingway2.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As stated in the <a href="http://massinsure.blogspot.ca/2014/07/this-discovery-about-sitting-down-on.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, sitting down all day at your desk is very bad for your health--indeed, it is considered now the "<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/is-sitting-the-new-smoking-ask-alberta-researchers-1.2635596" target="_blank">new smoking</a>." As new research is being done on the effects of being sedentary on the job, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc, there is an emerging wealth of tips and design ideas for either buying or building your own stand up desk. The state of your health impacts the kind of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=2557342680769767603;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=4;src=link" target="_blank">life insurance</a> policy you will qualify for, so it's appropriate that we make some remarks here about a way of working that will, as research is showing, significantly improve your health in a similar way to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=5639128881892475838;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=3;src=link" target="_blank">quitting smoking</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have used a stand up desk in my studio at work for about 4 years now, and I would not work any other way. It is a large drafting table whose height I can adjust, as well as the angle of the surface itself. When I am tired of standing, I have a simple wooden stool that I sit on that keeps me from slouching or reclining back and drifting to sleep. (Indeed, I <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=6566801652602061094;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=1;src=link" target="_blank">nap</a>, but not at my drafting table. Instead, I have a small pillow stashed in my drawer that makes the floor behind my drafting table quite comfortable--at least for the 15 minutes that I maintain with military consistency). For technology, I carry a small laptop into work, which I connect to an Apple Thunderbolt monitor and control with a wireless mouse and a wireless keyboard. The laptop can be operated with the wireless mouse and keyboard while in a closed position, which allows me to keep the laptop on a shelf under my drafting table out of the way of action. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An important point here is that many of us spend more time at our jobs than in our homes or, really, any other 'place'. Thus how your workspace works for you is a vital part of optimizing not only your productivity but also your very well-being. These different models of stand-up desks, though merely scratching the surface of a growing body of knowledge about good workplace design, will help you get on your way. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e3fYzek0gs/U7_lUULqFMI/AAAAAAAAAg0/nX-Ndqao5Sw/s1600/standingdeskergo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9e3fYzek0gs/U7_lUULqFMI/AAAAAAAAAg0/nX-Ndqao5Sw/s1600/standingdeskergo.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The basics of stand-up desk ergonomics: the table height should be at or slightly below elbow height.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-standing-desks/" target="_blank">Wirecutter</a> has done extensive research on a number of standing desk models, which would be good to read. For their research, they ordered six different standing desks and tried them all out determining which ones worked best. There are two different kinds of standing desks: fixed-height and adjustable, the latter of which has a control panel tucked under its surface for convenient raising and lowering. Unfortunately, many of them are quite expensive, with the cheapest one retailing for about $500 and moving up from there into the $2000 range. Fixed-height stand up desks are great for those just getting into using them, and are the favourite of workspace diy hackers everywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Below is a mere sample of some great stand up desks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>High-End Designer Models</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjDdZlh4mgs/U7_nWyrFDjI/AAAAAAAAAhA/VRRNdiIt5Qo/s1600/nextdesk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GjDdZlh4mgs/U7_nWyrFDjI/AAAAAAAAAhA/VRRNdiIt5Qo/s1600/nextdesk.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.nextdesks.com/terra-photos" target="_blank">nextdesk Terra</a>, with Apple monitor, wireless trackpad, and wireless keyboard. The desk has good surface space while looking very stylish. The height is controlled by a little panel that sits just below the man's right hand, for convenient adjustment. A well-recognized stand up desk in publications such as <a href="http://www.wired.com/2013/08/ff_gearheadstandingdesk/?viewall=true" target="_blank">Wired Magazine</a>.</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bqdaLlL15CA/U7_qqPco32I/AAAAAAAAAhY/wHmc3pEIPuY/s1600/geekdeskmax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bqdaLlL15CA/U7_qqPco32I/AAAAAAAAAhY/wHmc3pEIPuY/s1600/geekdeskmax.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Max, by <a href="http://www.geekdesk.com/gallery" target="_blank">Geek Desk</a>. 350 pounds of lifting capacity, 4 programmable height pre-sets, and an LED height display. This model boasts a more industrial aesthetic with a starting price of about $1000.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ikea Hacks</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some cool standing desk hacks that are made from Ikea furniture pieces combined in very creative ways. These hacks boast a much leaner price tag--a good kick-off point for those who want to give standing desks a try--and can be customizable. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xdxj30iFO9g/U7_sVbha0QI/AAAAAAAAAhk/FhB8oG4z5os/s1600/cornerfloatingdesk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xdxj30iFO9g/U7_sVbha0QI/AAAAAAAAAhk/FhB8oG4z5os/s1600/cornerfloatingdesk.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5805952/the-floating-corner-desk?tag=diy" target="_blank">corner floating desk</a> is assembled with Ikea butcher blocks and some simple brackets. A great hack for about $200</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp3llCUjmFA/U7_tJyzGH1I/AAAAAAAAAhw/K-mHKjTnCR4/s1600/ikeahackdesk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp3llCUjmFA/U7_tJyzGH1I/AAAAAAAAAhw/K-mHKjTnCR4/s1600/ikeahackdesk.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This <a href="http://spacekat.github.io/blog/2012/07/26/diy-standing-desk/" target="_blank">stylish stand up desk</a> is created by fusing together an Ikea T.V. stand with Gallant table legs. The legs are adjustable, and the T.V. stand offers some cool storage for your various supplies. The total cost is under $200. </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9hP8xzIFuY/U7_uLOtWkpI/AAAAAAAAAh8/5emGypQ-xrA/s1600/apartmenttherapy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c9hP8xzIFuY/U7_uLOtWkpI/AAAAAAAAAh8/5emGypQ-xrA/s1600/apartmenttherapy.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For those with <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/todas-panoramic-view-design-studio-creative-workspace-tour-187235" target="_blank">home offices</a>, try fusing your standing desk with a book wall for this very stylish and practical hack. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Famous Standers</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agmX4Fqhiwc/U7_vbOmK0AI/AAAAAAAAAiI/1GXJCWsr98I/s1600/hemingway-standing-desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-agmX4Fqhiwc/U7_vbOmK0AI/AAAAAAAAAiI/1GXJCWsr98I/s1600/hemingway-standing-desk.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ernest Hemingway, replete with sweeping bay window and deer head--or is that a moose?</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1CPTHtx4OQ/U7_wBmRQd1I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/PdEwWQjZ9CU/s1600/Winston-Churchill-Using-a-Standing-Desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L1CPTHtx4OQ/U7_wBmRQd1I/AAAAAAAAAiQ/PdEwWQjZ9CU/s1600/Winston-Churchill-Using-a-Standing-Desk.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Winston Churchill, whom we've covered before in the <a href="http://massinsure.blogspot.ca/2014/06/warning-this-unbelievable-secret-to.html" target="_blank">Art of Napping</a>. I don't see his day-bed there, but maybe it's somewhere off stage left...</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gE7zc35oyJc/U7_wmHR8XAI/AAAAAAAAAiY/PU7ToJ4HDZs/s1600/19thCStanding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gE7zc35oyJc/U7_wmHR8XAI/AAAAAAAAAiY/PU7ToJ4HDZs/s1600/19thCStanding.jpg" height="640" width="500" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Not simply a 21st Century phenomenon, offices in the 19th Century had combinations of sitting, standing, and communal desks. More on the <a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/07/05/become-a-stand-up-guy-the-history-benefits-and-use-of-standing-desks/" target="_blank">history of the standing desk here</a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-68770488147132647702014-06-22T07:20:00.002-07:002014-07-11T07:25:23.177-07:00Have Your Kids Or Dog (Or Both) Jacked The Interior Of Your Car? Here Are 9 Tips For Reclaiming It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpBw4t8Q2lU/U6bl4LFAAHI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Ur8byDUf_Vo/s1600/disgusted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpBw4t8Q2lU/U6bl4LFAAHI/AAAAAAAAAaE/Ur8byDUf_Vo/s1600/disgusted.jpg" height="531" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you lament over the days when you took pride in the
interior of your car? Does it now look like a play-pen gone wild? Or worse yet,
a dog crate? It’s time to reclaim your vehicle. Here are some simple tips to
bring back those halcyon days of pride in your car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Slide seats forward
and clean out the junk underneath: </b>This is a brutal job—definitely enemy
territory. Lord only knows what’s under there: bowl of half-eaten cereal,
baby’s diaper, take-out refuse. Also clean out those door pockets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Vacuum:</b> After
clearing all that stuff out, vacuum the seats, remove the mats and vacuum the
carpet underneath. If you have a brush feature on your vacuum, use it on the
dashboard control panel of your car. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Get Serious: Use a
Carpet Cleaning Machine: </b>If you look under your rubber mats and the carpet
is in rough shape, you might want to consider renting a carpet cleaning machine
for both the carpets and cloth seats, if applicable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Use a Microfibre
Cloth for Surfaces: </b>Wipe down the dashboard and in and around the doors,
plastic armrests, etc—anywhere it is dusty. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LlICPGgfRlo/U6boHP7uRaI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Dhikyqd3q34/s1600/car+interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LlICPGgfRlo/U6boHP7uRaI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/Dhikyqd3q34/s1600/car+interior.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>These microfribre cloths are awesome for interiors. They're even good to keep in your glove compartment for those time when you're sitting at a red light and notice your dashboard is covered in dust. Simply take it out and do a little detailing while you're waiting for the light to turn green.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">5. Clean Inside of
Windows: </b>Use either a window-cleaner, a natural, non-chemical product is
recommended, or make your own with one-part vinegar and three-parts water in a
spray bottle. Use a rag or paper towel to remove streaks. And remember: open
the window to reveal the top edge and get that whole area clean—it’s one of
those things you just can’t hide when you’ve drawn down the window on that
commute home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6. Brush Out Air Vents:</b>
These louvers are a real magnet for dust, and a vacuum with brush attachment
won’t get at it all. Take an inexpensive paintbrush and a light shot of Pledge
furniture polish. Work the brush in and through the crevices to collect the
dust. Wipe the brush off with a rag and move on to the next one.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Meyv8UQ4IH4/U6bqrLmJ_CI/AAAAAAAAAac/SQtEyrPzF5E/s1600/ventbruch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Meyv8UQ4IH4/U6bqrLmJ_CI/AAAAAAAAAac/SQtEyrPzF5E/s1600/ventbruch.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>This gets into some real detailing, but if you want that meticulous interior, or you're preparing to sell or lease bust your vehicle, this is an important step.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7. Scrape Off Annoying
Stickers: </b>Have your or someone else’s kids gone sticker crazy in the back
windows of your car? High-quality stickers will pull off if you can get under a
corner and work it carefully through at a 90-degree angle. Others will leave
grimy residue and demand more attention. Use a plastic putty knife and some Goo
Gone to get rid of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8. Remove Odor: </b>There
are countless products on the market to get rid of those nasty odors in your
vehicle. Choose one you like, and put it to use. Just because you have a dog or
a child, doesn’t mean your car should smell like it.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqIdDxp6Exo/U6brnpVhe7I/AAAAAAAAAao/Lenf1XN4zm4/s1600/mandrivingcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqIdDxp6Exo/U6brnpVhe7I/AAAAAAAAAao/Lenf1XN4zm4/s1600/mandrivingcar.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9. Take it Out for a
Spin: </b>Enjoy your clean car. Get it out for a spin—it’ll feel great. Just
remember to lay some newsprint down on the floor to keep it spotless—at least
for one day…</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-74011218300916451642014-06-28T13:51:00.002-07:002014-07-11T07:25:05.784-07:00Check Out These Amazing Glow In the Dark Roads Tested Now In The Netherlands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="text-align: start;">We are applying technology to every facet of human civilization. What if a road were more like a computer screen? This road design in the Netherlands is being prototyped and tested right now, as part of the <a href="http://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/smart-highway/" target="_blank">Smart Highway Project</a> as a way to create more sustainable and interactive highways, states the <a href="http://globalnews.ca/news/1272844/glow-in-the-dark-highway-of-the-future/" target="_blank">Gobal News</a>.</b></div>
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<b>Another similar project in road technology is called <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10391802/starpath-glow-street-lighting-council-cambridge-city.html" target="_blank">Starpath</a>, which is a road surface that takes in light during the day, and glows at night. This is in response to city councils in the UK cutting power at night to conserve energy. The spray creates an illuminative surface on roads and sidewalks that restore much-needed light for pedestrians and motorists. </b><br />
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<b>Will these technologies be available in Canada? Over time they most likely will: who doesn't want to conserve energy and light roads at the same time. Given that these are very new technologies, it will take time to move from prototype to ubiquity--but not too much time, given the laws under which technological change emerges.</b><br />
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<b>Another solution is <a href="http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml" target="_blank">Solar Freakin' Roadways</a>: The use of solar panels to replace asphalt on the roads with energy regenerating, money saving, highly visible solar panels. As you see, the possibilities are endless.</b><br />
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<b>We have seen a latency period in development of roadways; we've created countless more roads than at any other time in human history, but have put very little innovation into the actual 'stuff' of roads--what materials they're manufactured with, and how those materials respond to a panoply of environmental conditions and vice versa. We have created roads whose materials heat up the atmosphere, but do nothing with that wasted heat. Waste, according to the futurist Buckminster Fuller, is unharnessed energy. This is what these new road designs are attempting to solve, and it's very promising--unless legislative bureaucracies and myopic decision makers mess the whole thing up...</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792340340783003236.post-90037298421305431142014-06-30T22:15:00.001-07:002014-07-11T07:24:57.000-07:00Why This Report On Speeding Is Sadder Than The World Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UOnM6-UNLQs/U7JDX-oobqI/AAAAAAAAAc4/b_f7oG9M8Wg/s1600/Suarez-main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UOnM6-UNLQs/U7JDX-oobqI/AAAAAAAAAc4/b_f7oG9M8Wg/s1600/Suarez-main.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Tournament of Sadness</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/javiermoreno/everybody-hurts" target="_blank">Buzzfeed</a>, the 2014 World Cup is referred to as the tournament of sadness; but what is even sadder is the <a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1377893/speed-related-road-deaths-up-more-than-double-from-last-year-says-opp" target="_blank">recent report</a> that speeding-related deaths have increased over the last year. In fact, speeding is the leading cause of vehicular deaths than distracted or impaired driving. Of the 113 deaths so far this year on Ontario roadways, speed was a factor in 33 of those cases. Incidentally, distracted driving is in second place at 24 fatalities, with impaired driving making up less than 10%. According to OPP, in 2013 officers doled out approximately 300,000 speeding charges, with about 1% of them involving the motorist driving 50 km/h or more over the speed limit. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who's to blame for these deaths? Speeders? Roads? Vehicles? Those who set the limits on the various roads? Is speeding the only reason why these deaths occurred, or are the factors much more complex than that? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have Modern Vehicles Overwhelmed Human Biology?</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In an opinion column for <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21034-cars-have-evolved-to-go-faster--but-humans-havent.html#.U68abdy-VvY" target="_blank">NewScientist</a>, Frank McKenna maintains that while our modern vehicles have indeed evolved into faster, more accurate machines, our human bodies have not, which leaves a significant gap between the mechanical performance of ever-faster vehicles and the biological limits of the human body particularly our reflexes that impede our ability to react to a faster vehicle, and our skeletal make-up in withstanding impacts at higher speeds. When we run full speed, every part of our body is honed in on that act: our heart is pumping, we feel the wind in our face, and this incredible experience of movement that is pushing our strained bodies through space and time. Contrarily, in a vehicle, the only bodily pressure we feel is from our large toe on the gas peddle, and yet we are easily traveling at speeds 4-5 times faster than what our bodies have been designed for. There is in such cases very little feedback: we do not feel strain or the wind in our faces; in fact, other cues that would point to faster speed, such as engine strain, has been eliminated from modern vehicles. Not to mention that we really feel no movement at all compared to running at 30 km/h. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Author Douglas Rushkoff On Present Shock--When The World Moves Too Fast</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Present Shock As Driver Of Speeding Fatalities</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is another factor that contributes to such speed related deaths other than simply speeders: We are living in a world driven by technology that is becoming smarter and faster everyday. Our technological world is thus creating daily conditions in which we expect everything to move faster, to be downloaded faster. Our expectations of the amount of work that ought to be completed has been skewed by the continuous increase of technological intelligence. This too, in support of Frank McKenna's observations about the speed of cars, overwhelms our biological limitations. We are not designed to move, think, meet, complete tasks, communicate so fast--and the trouble is, technology is only moving faster. This, according to Douglas Rushkoff, is called <a href="http://www.rushkoff.com/present-shock/" target="_blank">"Present Shock,"</a> that is, when the present moves so fast, we are shocked by it and cannot get a clear handle on it. We are no longer overwhelmed by future states, but the present moment by it's sheer complexity and change overwhelms us. Such social and cultural conditions play a tremendous role in our need for speed; and our automobiles become not only an extension of our present shock, but of an entire world being dragged behind by technology run amok; as if our vehicles are a symbol for our inability to keep up with the shock of the now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now this will eventually remedy itself once we transition fully to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=7954408462257351070;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=3;src=link" target="_blank">self-driving vehicles</a> (in fact, such statistics on speeding and death indeed <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=792340340783003236#editor/target=post;postID=3254079142690211478;onPublishedMenu=posts;onClosedMenu=posts;postNum=2;src=link" target="_blank">further warrant such a transition</a>) whose speed will be controlled by the vehicle itself; but for the interim, we need to individually allow the knowledge of these statistics to encourage us to change our behaviour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can We Not Slow Down?</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How do we stop it? We have to start at the level of our individual selves: try to slow down, limit technology, and learn to drive slower. If speeding fatalities is such an issue, then our legislators need to be petitioned to lower the speed limits, otherwise such articles as that referenced in this entry is just a whack of blown smoke, and no use to anybody. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02267994899752860117noreply@blogger.com0