Mini Blob

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have been testing extreme shyness in teenagers and have found that at least one out of every eight of them that participated in the study had some form of shyness that went beyond simple hesitancy in interacting with other people. For some, the researchers say, it’s a…

It’s time to draw the line between the man and the player. Michael Vick didn’t cure cancer? The messianic praise that has been heaped upon the formerly imprisoned freak of nature would lead one to believe he is not beyond such a feat. Everybody loves a reclamation project, especially an American, or so the story…

If you are a member of the Yahoo! Contributor Network, you can use its Community Forum to find and share information. You can find information by reading posts in existing threads (topics). You can share information by writing new posts in either existing threads or new threads. Note: This document focuses on writing basic forum…

Instead of another great encore dance from J.R. Martinez and Karina Smirnoff who got two perfect scores Monday night on “Dancing with the Stars”, we were treated to a lavish dance number of “I Am Woman” by the female pro dancers and troupe members.” At least there was a lot of interesting guests on Tuesday…

The guest room is an important space in home decor. It’s where guests come to relax, close their weary eyes and get a few winks. Of course, it’s also a space that should be decorated well to help them feel comfortable in the space. That means having the right combination of home accessories and decor….

Concrete is used in construction to build floors, driveways, patios, walls and more. It’s been around since the times of the Romans, who invented it. Time takes its toll, however. Nothing stands up to Mother Nature forever. Blistering heat and bitter freezing cold can crack the toughest of concrete. Learn here how to make concrete…

COMMENTARY | Last week, Ohio residents voted down Issue 2 (Senate Bill 5) and a multitude of school levies across the state. Issue 2 would have slightly increased employee contributions to personal health insurance, pension plans and replaced the automatic pay increase system for public employees with a necessary merit based initiative. While liberals and…

Have you ever heard about Camellia Sinensis? This is the scientific name of the tree which green tea is made from. Black tea and white tea are made from this tree as well, through different ways of processing its leaves.Camellia Sinensis originated in China, where green tea is considered a medicinal beverage since ancient times….

Dolly Parton (G.G. Sparrow) and Queen Latifah (Vi Rose Hill) lock horns as two opinionated members of a small town church choir in “Joyful Noise.” The pair fights against and beside each other in the quest for a national music title. Georgia’s Pacashau Divinity Church Choir has lost at the regional level repeatedly through the…

I am sure you knew from the very moment you joined the coaching industry that your activity would initiate a strong connection with your clients. If you want to be successful at what you do, you must see from the start that coaching is not just about selling a product or service; it is about…

It sounds like a bad joke: What’s the difference between the internet and the human brain? But the truth is the internet may be closer to merging with humans than we think. The internet has progressed from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 all the way to Web 3.0 (also known as the semantic web), which…

Yard sales attract different kinds of people. Many are looking for cheap trinkets or clothes for their children, while others are hoping to bag some inexpensive kitchenware to kit out their first home. If you are hoping to sell furniture, you may shy away from listing it in the ad or bringing it outside. What…

A new year begins with the opportunity to set and accomplish your goals. One question that may need some consideration: Do you need Insurance or Assurance in achieving your goal? First, we will define insurance and assurance. Afterwards, we will show how they relate to goal setting and goal achievement. Mostly everyone has some type…

While most of the press was busy making the announcement that Texas Governor Rick Perry was running for President, the Washington Post reported that Perry was doing the most important thing in American politics, drawing up plans for fundraising. The campaign has announced different levels of power and benefits for bundlers. “Patriots” (those collecting over…

Milwaukee has been given $54million taxpayer dollars to serve the taxpayers of Milwaukee and Wisconsin has lost Millions in light rail grant money says the Mayors office. http://city.milwaukee.gov/Mayor. Some want light rail some want buses, the mayor says we can have both. Yet we need to move into the future without wasting the present. Investing…

We are living in an historic time. There is talk of the dissolution of the European Union, protestors are demonstrating in major US cities, our economy is in shambles; some cannot secure employment, and the stock market is eratic. If the current state of affairs is a source of concern for you and your family,…

Bath fizzies or otherwise known as bath bombs are easy to make and make great gifts. They can easily be customized with fragrances and moisturizing ingredients. It only takes three ingredients to make a bath bomb: baking soda, citric acid and a small amount of water. However we are going to make a moisturizing and…

When aspiring writer Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan finds herself now the writer for a housekeeping column she needs to find some material that will get her noticed by big publishers so she finds what she needs in the maids her society uses.Film Making 24/25Video 23/25Audio 23/25Bonus Features 10/25Total 80/100 The Help is all about those individuals…

For those who love adventure and traveling off the beaten path, but are also looking to spend some time away with that special someone, here are three unique and romantic European destinations that you should consider. There are times for lying on a beach in the sun and sipping margaritas, and then there are times…

So you want to be a comic book artist? There’s more to getting your dream job then sending off a few illustrations to your favorite comic book company. Many a like-minded individual has tried that approach and met with the dreaded form letter or no answer at all. But fear not, there is a method…

While driving through many towns in Northern Indiana, it is clear that we are in a recession. All throughout towns in Northern Indiana, there are signs of the current economy and recession. Abandoned factories (increased unemployment) and empty stores (small business bankruptcy) seem all too common nowadays. That is unless you travel to Heritage Square…

We all like to be associated with and belong to the ‘in crowd,’ especially if it is a group that is truly at the top its game. And what does it take to be in a top-notch automotive in crowd? Well, cars that can hit 60 mph with the stopwatch stopping before hitting the three…

Veterans around the world will be accorded due honor in many ways on November 11, 2011, just as they have since President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. Numerous resolutions and acts of Congress followed that proclamation, resulting in an official change in name on June 1, 1954, when Congress…

Before the time of elegant concert and marching instruments, inventors fought to create the “perfect” instrument, fusing a sound and range concept with versatility and accuracy. With brass instruments, this was particularly difficult before the invention of the valves we see on brass instruments today. One early concept, quite popular before the American Civil War,…

It’s the season of family vacations, whether you’re going to Nana’s house or flying a warmer destination. How can you not look forward to getting away for a week or two to just relax? Whatever your reason for getting away, there are several technical gadgets you’re not going to want to be without. These gadgets…

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,Not a creature was stirring, not even the rescued strays were aroused. Our stockings were hung over the doorway with care, In hopes that economic relief soon would be there. Brother & sister nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of Hannah Montana danced in…

The modern version of an old comic “Captain America” by Marvel Entertainment opened this summer, we were there, were you? I found the show to be enjoyable and awesome! Think of the most picked on, scrawny person you know and then compare that person to Steve Rogers in Captain America and your acquaintance will still…

Putting serious issues in the hands of elected officials is risky business since one never knows where their loyalties lay. Nonetheless, that is what the Mesquite (Nevada) community organization for a Smoke-Free Mesquite is doing when they ask the Mayor and City Council to pass an ordinance banning smoking in local casinos and bars. Mesquite…

“Ho! for the Klondike. Stick to the trail and mush on!” Those were words to live by in 1898 when more than 100,000 excited gold-seekers poured into Seattle, Washington to outfit themselves for their journey to the gold fields up north. The frenzy had begun the previous year when the SS Portland arrived from northwestern…

My husband and I are frugal. In fact, though we had four kids before we were 30, we still managed to be completely debt free (including our mortgage) before we were 40. And just as importantly, we have managed to stay debt free, despite funding college degrees for our four kids, and two weddings thus…

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Lifeline program, run by the FCC has provided free telephone service to those who cannot afford it for the past twenty five years. Now, Bloomberg News is reporting that the FCC has voted to start a pilot program to test the feasibility of adding broadband internet service to…

2011 Texas Straight Talk – The Illusion of Safety – Congressman Ron Paul Recent incidents of violence in Norway and London have made us understandably uncomfortable here at home, as many fear that a worsening economy will lead to violence and unrest in American cities. This is why Congress must view the economy as its…

Elizabeth Stuart was the daughter of James VI of Scotland and his wife, Anne of Denmark. When Elizabeth was six, her father became James I of England and Ireland, succeeding to the crown after the death of Elizabeth I. She was said to have been a happy and pretty child, and before long plans were…

Ah, to be young, beautiful and broke…it’s just as fabulous and simultaneously horrible as it sounds. Over the past five years, I’ve watched my 20-something peer demographic search for careers in a dismal job market, struggle to pay off student loans, cringe at climbing rent and gas prices, all while desperately trying to justify $17…

It’s your first day at college – very exciting! You have just moved your stuff into the dorm room and bid good-bye to your parents. Now, while unpacking all the boxes, you anxiously await your roommate’s arrival. What will she look like? What kind of interests does he have? Where is she from? Most importantly,…

KERSHAW COUNTY, South Carolina – Sheriff Jim Matthews and Elgin Chief of Police, Harold Brown, have placed their officers on high alert after Kershaw County Republican Party Co-Chairman, Jeff Mattox, “Liked” an article on Facebook.com – a popular social-networking website. Chief Brown said, “We take this very seriously,” according to the Chronicle-Independent. Camden Chief of…

I am now a mother of four and have had to find ways to tighten my spending, and thanks to my mother, I have sought out every DIY solution to cleaning that our mothers and their mothers have known since the beginning. The number one must have in your pantry, Baking Soda!! It can clean…

Everyone knows about all the famous classic holiday films. They were watched repeatedly each Christmas season, are on various DVD releases, and some movie theaters even have revival showings. But there are a number of holiday films from Hollywood’s Golden Age that many people may have never heard of that are far more worthy of…

When Jesus was a little boy he liked to sit under his fathers work bench. Joseph, his Dad was an accomplished finish carpenter and cabinet maker. Under the bench little Jesus would play with the wood scraps, chips and curls falling from his father’s wood plane. Out of these bits and pieces little Jesus would…

One of the challenges I have faced as a small business owner is understanding state and local tax obligations. The issue for me is not how much my business pays in state and local taxes, but the number of taxes that apply to it at the state and local level. While each of these taxes…

With a variety of tourist activities you can do when visiting New York City, deciding which ones to include in your itinerary can become quite a challenge. Narrowing down options in reference to your interests and available budget can help in making the best choices. If you want to attend TV program tapings for free,…

Buddhism as a belief system evokes a few common images in our head, not the most obvious of which is the 14th Dalai Lama, along with various depictions of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama and monastics in Southeast Asia. When you study Buddha’s teachings, you’ll find that the first of the Four Noble Truths, a…

A new generation of consumers has quickly made video a built-in feature to their lives and a “must have” for any social interaction. Yet for all the hoopla in the consumer world, adoption still lags in the workplace. So why is the business community dragging its feet? Until recently, the technology hasn’t been quite right…

The Philadelphia Flyers 2011 season reached its one-quarter mark last week so I thought I’d take a moment to review the blockbuster deals that occurred during the offseason, particularly the Mike Richards deal. Considering the salary cap situation the flyers would have been in had they not made the big deals of carter and Richards…

Since I joined the senior citizen age group seven years ago, I have always been interested in finding fun activities to do and finding winter activities is especially challenging. Here are some activities that are enjoyable for seniors in the winter. They are not listed in any particular order. Trivia Nights My first impression of…

So you’ve brought your car in for a repair, quite commendable. Regular maintenance of your vehicle will prolong your vehicle’s life and help to protect you and other people on the road from any circumstances stemming from a failure of your vehicle on a busy roadway. So you go in, get the estimate, hand them…

A restaurant went up in Grandville, MI about 2 months ago and I’ve finally gotten a chance to try it out. From my first visit, I’d say it’s the best Chinese buffet I’ve ever been too. The food was fantastic. I went around 2:30 in the afternoon which most people would know that usually buffet…

Tuesday’s GOP debate, sponsored by the Western Republican Leadership Conference and hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, was broadcast live from fabulous Las Vegas. Spectators seated within the Venetian and Sands Expo and Convention Center and those observing from their virtual ring-side sofa’s at home did not have to wait long for the verbal smack down…

The last few seasons have been tough to take for fans of the New York Islanders. With rumors swirling about the team leaving Long Island and no playoff appearances in the last four years, hope is about all an Islanders fan has to hang his or her helmet on. But this year could be different….

This is a compelling murder mystery set in the heart of one of the most dysfunctional families in cinematic history, all of whom seem quite normal compared to the girl with the dragon tattoo. She is totally bizarre but at the same time endearing and somehow manages to give dysfunction a very good name. Mikael…

I remember when I was a kid seeing a commercial for the Sega Dreamcast. I didn’t know what it was about it, but I really wanted one. That Christmas, Santa, or should I say, my mother got me one. Just to think of all of the hours I spent playing Sonic and other games like…

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion “Smokin’” Joe Frazier died Nov. 7 in Philadelphia after a short battle with liver cancer. He was 67 years old. It was particularly sad for me because Frazier provided one of the first – and, to this day, best – interviews I’ve done in the newspaper business. I was 18…

Stop here every day for a new question and answer, practical help for busy parents. Question I’m an adult daughter living at home with my mother. One of the reasons I haven’t moved out is because she needs my help financially. She bought a house after her divorce while making good money. The economy caught…

Do you think you would enjoy owning a purebred cat? Do you wonder which breed is purrfect for you? Here are some pointers to help you in your decision. First, think of the type of cat your want. Do you want one that is laidback or one that has a lot of energy? Do you…

Even with our beloved, Peter (Joshua Jackson) absent from “Fringe” Season 4 has started out very strong. The first two episodes of the new season have featured strong acting and interesting cases. The writers are doing a wonderful job of blending the time spent between the two universes. The second episode “One Night In October”…

If you have ever found yourself putting off naming numerous files because it’s so time consuming, you may just need a bulk file renaming tool. Think about pictures you’ve imported. Many people of hundreds of photos on their computers with no better name than what their digital camera or phone decides to name it, such…

You can use a fake IP to hide your IP address online. When you download torrents, there are a number of problems you may run into. Free music and movies are cool, but its probably a good idea to use a fake IP address to download. Here’s why. Copyright Infringement Laws Torrents themselves aren’t banned,…

Green is an eye-pleasing color that can be used successfully in any room in the home, even the living room. When paired with tan it is even more appealing. This very light russet hue is softer and less harsh than white, and it is the better choice when trying to create a relaxing atmosphere. Discover…

This crafty mom and teacher loves a craft store and crafts catalogue as much as the next crafty lady but even better I love it when our family creates crafts from things we have around the house. We’ve kicked the plastic water bottle habit with our reusable Sigg water bottles but we still purchased plenty…

If you live in the southeast, you may have noticed a little brown bug that you have never seen before. No, you are not crazy. According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), this little creature first made an appearance here in November of 2009 in Barrow County, Georgia. Now, in August of…

This weekend I learned a lot. Shrouded in the relentless mental fog of burning red Venus, I found that goddesses are particularly difficult to handle, especially when loaded with gin and tonic. I also learned that there are too many thugs posing as NYPD officers, and something very drastic should happen to those offensive brutes….

When I read the news this morning about the Nile River in Egypt, I was reminded of the scripture in Exodus 8 that says, “The Nile River will swarm with frogs. They will come up out of the river and into your palace, even into your bedroom and onto your bed! They will enter the…

The modern day monster movie “Creature” came out in limited theaters this weekend. Clips and images from the movie reminded me of “Swamp Thing” and “The Creature form the Black Lagoon” if they were mixed with a slasher like “Friday the 13th” and others of that nature. Did “Creature” entertain or frighten critics and moviegoers…

It’s almost impossible to fathom that a team which led the NFL in total offense failed to make the postseason. However, that is precisely what happened to the San Diego Chargers in 2010. It’s evident that Philip Rivers cannot lead the team to the 2011 playoffs on his own. The backfield that once featured future…

Do you spend too much time in meetings? If so, you are in good company. One of the most common complaints of office workers is that their productivity is hampered by too many unproductive meetings. Ineffective meetings lead to frustration. They waste the time of the participants and they undermine the effectiveness of the whole…

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of them. When you log onto websites looking you will soon find yourself adrift in a sea of dogs. Adopting a dog for your family is a daunting task that involves a lot of research, a great deal of patience and a little bit of luck. Here are some ways…

Senior Mag highlights that senior citizens buy in excess of 40 percent of new cars and account for 80 percent of luxury car purchases. At the same time, they control 70 percent of disposable income. What are the cars that the mature set is actually buying – as opposed to the vehicles that marketers claim…

For most people it is difficult to maintain a positive attitude every day. Whether you experience mild depression from time to time, or chronic sadness, nature has supplied soothing remedies to help with common problems such as anxiety, stress and depression. Try a cup of calming vervain tea in the afternoon as a natural remedy…

Adolf Hitler is one of the most infamous individuals in human history. He is responsible for millions of deaths and many would argue that he is responsible for World War II. Have you ever wondered what happened to him as a child? Who created this monster? He lived an abused childhood and had a troubled…

Tim Tebow gets a lot of attention due to his religious beliefs, and some people have taken to call him “Jesus”. I however believe that the “Holy One” already exists on earth, and that God is known by the name of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers and the Packers delivered the heavy blows when they needed to…

With budget cuts and rising costs receiving grants for animal shelters is a key component in keeping many of these shelters open and serving the animal needs of their local communities. Most animal shelters have no shortage of volunteers willing to devote many hours of service to providing for the welfare of abused and neglected…

When you’re a teenager and it’s summer, the world is a beautiful place. You stay up late. You sleep until noon. You hangout with your friends. You sit on the steps and watch short skirts with shapely legs walk by. Life is just great! Such was the summer of my first real girlfriend and the…

An angel of the Lord descended upon an abandoned theater that lay like a wasteland of webs and snares. Searching for hope within the ruin, she spotted a piano, a grand piano, weathered and dusted to the point of revulsion. In a whirlwind she descended upon the instrument, removing every visible blemish until it glistened…

Need more kitchen storage space but renovating is out of the question? Been there and done that and found several useful ideas that helped me double my kitchen storage without renovating. These simple (and cheap) ideas help keep my kitchen countertops cleared and my utensils at my fingertips and essentially doubled my kitchen storage space….

Most important business meetings include someone whose job is taking meeting minutes – a person who will keep a written record of all that is done and said during a meeting. This document will be saved and those both inside and outside the company might consult it as needed. Learning how to write meeting minutes…

The licenses and permits you need to start up and operate a business in New York City depend on the type of business you plan to operate. Licensing is administered by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. The NYC Business Express is a one-stop website that simplifies the process for starting a business…

It is not too early to start considering your next family vacation. Because of the economy, I will take steps to save money and still have an enjoyable trip. This article will provide some helpful ideas for saving, while planning my next trip. When: The last thing that I want to do is lose money….

“Scarface” Al Capone, known as one of the most ruthless and violent Chicago gangsters, controlled one of the largest criminal organizations in Chicago, Illinois during the 1920’s and ’30’s. But he always remained elusive to prosecution for his network of illegal businesses by paying off the police from the top of the department to the…

With the show coming to an end, the 2012 Grammy Awards have named the year’s big winners during a fun-filled Staples Center ceremony on Sunday night (February 12). Taking home the top prize and a total of six trophies was Adele, while other big winners included the Foo Fighters, Kanye West and Taylor Swift. With…

Choosing a new television is a snap for a lot of folks. Size and price generally rule, and when that 60 inch LED is on sale buyers tend to jump all over the deal. When the unit arrives at the house however, the new owners are sometimes surprised on two fronts. Number one, the television…

Emotional resilience-the ability to bounce back from failure, or perceived failure, and delay gratification-is at the heart of children’s emotional and social development. A child going back to school, especially if she’s changing schools and taking on more academic and social complexities, can feel as though she’s taking the ultimate resliency test. As parents we…

Cats suffer from infections such as common colds just like their human counterparts–and feel just as miserable. From stuffy, runny noses to wheezing congestion–cold symptoms take their toll on a cat much in the same way as owners. What can cat owners do to make cats feel better when kitty has a cold? There are…

I started to hate my boss. I swear she was doing this to get back at me for hitting on her daughter but on the other hand I was the best BINDER on the force. See I hate to fly and that mainly has to do with watching my father die in a Zeppelin crash….

It was no real surprise who made it into the final three next week on Tuesday night’s “Dancing with the Stars” results show. Before we knew who they were going to be there was the usual filler entertainment of musical guests as well as the guest and pro dancers. Carson Kressley lightened things up after…

If you own a business that offers towing services for a customer’s vehicle, you’ll need to purchase on-hook towing insurance from your commercial insurance provider. On-hook towing insurance, coupled with liability insurance, can protect you from a costly lawsuit in the event that your customer’s vehicle and the tow truck are involved in an accident….

Years ago while making a purchase on EBay I signed up for a free PayPal account. Since then, I have made thousands of online purchases and occassionally sell on EBay.PayPal isn’t new, but I often speak to people that have no clue what PayPal is. I’m an active online shopper and usually don’t make online…

Kittens are oh so cute. It’s hard not to want one. Our family’s story isn’t all that atypical. We have two children and two (mostly except for in-climate weather) outdoor dogs. We lost our dear Winston a few years ago but the kids were little, our dogs were still puppies and between my grief over…

It says a lot about John Carpenter’s “The Thing” that it could generate a prequel almost 20 years after its release. A critical and commercial failure when released back in 1982, it has since been justly revered as a true horror classic and remains Carpenter’s masterpiece as it proved even more terrifying than “Halloween.” It…

Step One: Decide the size and style of garden pond you want. You can look at examples of styles online or at garden stores. Step Two: Mark off you garden and pond area. Lay black garden liner to kill the grass and weeds that might be growing there. Black yard trash bags will also work…

The Incan empire in the video game Civilization 5 is one of many different types of civilizations in the game. This guide will give cover the benefits this civilization receives along with their leader, Pachacuti, the Great Andean Road ability and their unit the Slinger and unique improvement, the Terrace Farm. Civilization Leader: Pachacuti Pachacuti…