PajMon Information Blog

Archive for January, 2009

It is a growing trend to start our children in organized sports at a very young age. Mom, dad, I am sure you proudly recall watching your first born playing soccer at the age of 5. The rules are simple. Everyone plays and nobody loses. Funny how the game always seems to end in a tie. Your little guy chases the ball mixed into a cluster with the other children. It’s wild kicking in that cloud of kids. Thank goodness for shin guards! Amazingly, by the end of the season, they have learned some basic positions and are no longer on top of eachother. It is in that moment that you realized that your little one has some real athletic talent.

His atletic career continues to grow. He dabbles in soccer, basketball, baseball and football until he finds the one sport he really excels in. It is then that you see his passion for the game and his true desire to win. You pay for the private instuction and make the commitment to practice and play 5 days a week or more. That hard work pay off as he and his teammates win league games, tournments and move on to thier sports version of the “World Series”.

As a family, you commit to raise the money to make your child’s “World Series” deam a reality. You sell hotdogs, wash cars, and seek sponsors. Your friends , family and community rally around you, contributing to the cause. You have raised the funds…the team will have their opportunity to play.

Prior to arriving at the tournment, your child’s coach informs you that the tournment allows teams to pick up “stud” players. To stay competitive with the other teams your coach feels he must do the same. The result… Your child and many of his teammates sit on the bench.

What message do we send to our children? “Thanks for all your hardwork this season, but have a seat. You’re not good enough to play these kids”. Isn’t it your child and his teammates played hard to make it to this level? Thats’s when a win doesn’t feel like a win.

Dual monitoring is a very efficient way for individuals to get their work done. Whatever you may use the two monitors for, it allows you to separate applications for your convenience and ease of use. This concept has been around for over a decade and manufacturers are just now coming up with solutions that provide the same efficiency in a more spacious design.

Samsung has recently released the SyncMaster 2263DX, which just might solve some of the special issues of dual monitoring. This system is a combination of a 22″ and 7″ monitor. The 7-inch monitor actually attaches to the 22″ monitor. This gives consumers two monitors that only take up the space of one, with the added bonus of using the small unit for secondary applications only (applications like web browsing, video, or instant messaging).

The primary monitor, 22-inch, has a resolution of 1680 x 1050, a response time of 5mx, and a contrast ration of 1000:1. If you know your monitors, you know this is an average monitor. The big difference with this monitor, from single units, is the fact that you must connect it with a USB port along with a DVI, HDMI, or VGA cable.

The smaller monitor, expectedly, has a much lower resolution and contrast ration along with a slower response time. (Res: 800 x 480, Con: 400:1, RT: 30ms) For a secondary monitor that supports secondary applications, these numbers are definitely sufficient for productivity.

The secondary monitor attaches nicely to the primary monitor, taking up much less real estate on your desk. It is attached via a pivotal arm that allows you to rotate the monitor to the perfect position. Additionally, the 7-inch monitor can be adjusted to either landscape or portrait layout, whichever you prefer.

An added bonus, to this setup, is the fact that the 7-inch monitor can be used as a standalone unit. This counteracts the purpose of the design, but could be useful in some situations. For example, it can be used as a secondary laptop monitor. For those who travel or need portability, this is a great-added benefit.

With the integration of a webcam, speakers, and microphone, the Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX can also be used as a telecommunication platform. There is no need to install additional hardware of software; it is ready to be used out-of-the-box. (The 7-inch monitor is great for the video portion of web conferencing.)

The SyncMaster 2263DX can usually be found for around $550. This is a bit pricey for a 22″ monitor, most of which can be purchased for around $200. You could easily buy two 22″ monitors for less than you could purchase the new 2263DX. However, the 2263DX offers spacious efficiency.

The bottom line is whether you are looking for space saver technology or budget friendly answers. If you have the space, purchasing two monitors is obviously the way to go. If your desk space is slim, you may just have to spend the extra cash. If you are into toys, and just need to have the latest and greatest, the Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX is a must have.

Weight loss surgery has increased in the U.S., partly because of the epidemic of obesity which has struck the nation. Rather than exercise or go on a diet, individuals are turning to surgery as an aid to weight loss that involves losing the pounds faster and simpler.

Most Insurances do not cover the procedure however, and many that opt for the treatment are usually either uninsured or under insured. Growing numbers are going abroad for weight loss surgery. There are several great destinations for this type of treatment.

Most medical insurance policies do not cover weight loss surgery procedures and even in the cases that do, the majority of policy holders have insurance plans that are under-insured for this treatment type. There is an alternative however, and many are now traveling abroad for weight loss surgery. There are several top destinations to select from.

Weight loss surgery procedures are becoming increasingly popular in Mexico. There are several weight loss surgical procedures and the specific surgery needed will of course depend on your personal situation. You can begin by contacting a medical travel coordinator or a medical travel company that will explain the process and schedule the arrangement as well as offer an all inclusive package special. These usually include everything except the cost of flight.

There are luxury hotel rooms available for the patient and family, surgery, hospital stay and the services of a personal assistant who will take care of the details such as transportation for the stay. The flights are arranged and the patient and family or friend head off for weight loss surgery. Mexico is not as far away and the flight actually goes fairly quickly and you end up in one of the larger cities of Mexico.

You meet your personal attendant and check into a luxury hotel room nearby the hospital where you will be having weight loss surgery. Mexico hospitals used for this purpose are modern, clean, and have state-of-the art facilities and equipment. You will meet your surgeon who is board certified in weight loss surgery. Mexico may be their choice of practice, but many have trained in the Western countries on modern techniques and have done hundreds of weight loss surgery procedures.

Costa Rica is also a great nearby location for receiving weight loss surgery. They offer modern facilities and treatment centers that are in line with the U.S. facilities. There are special medical travel programs for weight loss surgery abroad available for those wanting to travel to this destination. The process is fairly easy, you travel to Costa Rica and are greeted at the airport by your English speaking personal assistant that will transport you to your hotel accommodation prior to meeting with your surgical team and doctor.

When it is time for weight loss surgery, Turkey hospitals also offer luxury hospital rooms. The well trained nursing staff will take care of you and prepare you for weight loss surgery. Turkey hospitals have state-of-the-art surgical suites and your surgery will proceed exactly as in the U.S. After the surgery, the nurses will take care of you before your flight home.

Many people, both personally and professionally use dual monitors when computing. This concept has been around since the 90s and is becoming more commonly used. There is; however, a new approach to this concept that could make some lives easier or at least less cluttered.

Samsung has recently released the SyncMaster 2263DX, which just might solve some of the special issues of dual monitoring. This system is a combination of a 22″ and 7″ monitor. The 7-inch monitor actually attaches to the 22″ monitor. This gives consumers two monitors that only take up the space of one, with the added bonus of using the small unit for secondary applications only (applications like web browsing, video, or instant messaging).

These monitors, with their shiny black coating, and beveled edges, will add a bit of elegance to any setting. The 22″ monitor has a response time of 5ms, contrast ration of 1000:1, and a resolution of 1680 x 1050. All of which is pretty standard for monitors today. To connect the 22″ to your computer, you will need to connect not only via the DVI, HDMI, or VGA port, but with the USB 2.0 port as well.

The smaller monitor, expectedly, has a much lower resolution and contrast ration along with a slower response time. (Res: 800 x 480, Con: 400:1, RT: 30ms) For a secondary monitor that supports secondary applications, these numbers are definitely sufficient for productivity.

The secondary monitor attaches nicely to the primary monitor, taking up much less real estate on your desk. It is attached via a pivotal arm that allows you to rotate the monitor to the perfect position. Additionally, the 7-inch monitor can be adjusted to either landscape or portrait layout, whichever you prefer.

The secondary 7-inch monitor can function as more than just an attachment to the 22-inch monitor. The smaller of the two can also be used as a standalone monitor or even a digital picture frame. This smaller monitor was also designed to be used as a secondary monitor for laptops – if desired.

With the integration of a webcam, speakers, and microphone, the Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX can also be used as a telecommunication platform. There is no need to install additional hardware of software; it is ready to be used out-of-the-box. (The 7-inch monitor is great for the video portion of web conferencing.)

The SyncMaster 2263DX can usually be found for around $550. This is a bit pricey for a 22″ monitor, most of which can be purchased for around $200. You could easily buy two 22″ monitors for less than you could purchase the new 2263DX. However, the 2263DX offers spacious efficiency.

Purchasing Samsungs SyncMaster 2263DX all comes down to personal preference, space, and budget. The system offers some great functionality, along with convenience and efficiency. If you are going for dual monitoring only, two monitors would be the cheaper option. If you are looking for new and convenient with an added bonus of technology, then the SyncMaster 2263DX is the answer.

No great accomplishment has ever been achieved without planning. When Sir Edmund Hillary conquered Mount Everest, he wasn’t out for a stroll and all of a sudden found himself at the summit! To make a change to your life you have to plan to make the change or it won’t happen.

Before you embark on your studies, you’ll find it valuable to set yourself a series of goals or targets to help you complete the course. Spending a little time planning these goals will pay dividends down the road. To have a chance of reaching your goals, they should always be S.M.A.R.T. – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Targeted.

Make a personal contract based on the following 5 D’s to immerse yourself in the positive outcome of your studies. This contract should be written down, and signed.

DEFINE (what you want out of it) e.g. the exact car, house, number and type of holidays, income level for partner to give up work etc. Be specific or you won’t know when you’ve achieved it. Re-enforce it with photographs and put them up around where you plan to work.

DESIRE (why you’re doing it) e.g. personal challenge, get out from where you are, you owe it to yourself to have a better job, to prove to someone you’ve got what it takes, to take control of your destiny. This needs to be something that stirs an emotion within you.

Commitment or DEDICATION. Announce to yourself and those close to you that you’re dedicated to your studies by writing up a timetable and sticking with it. However much time you choose to study each week, have it written on a calendar planner that you can cross off once you’ve completed it. Put it in a prominent place so it’s at the forefront of your mind (at least until it becomes a habit). All things that are important get prioritised, so let your friends and family know that this is a priority to you for perhaps ten hours a week for a set number of months. Once your timetable has become established, you’ll take pride in your dedication, and study all the better for it.

DETERMINATION – The will to stick to the plan until completion and see it through. This is your contract to ensure that you won’t let yourself down.

DISCIPLINE. The goals and disciplines you put in place will give you strength to overcome any adversities that inevitably come your way.

Once you’ve done this, sign it and do NOT put it away in a drawer. This is a working document and should be read every day for at least one month so you buy into it and it becomes your new way of life. If and when things get tough, read it again for another month. Always have it close to hand while you study and show it to your partner, kids (if you have them), friends and parents. This will help you to see your goal through.

On Day 6 of the GTD Thirty Day Challenge, I am going to talk about how I set up my tickler file and exactly how to set up a tickler file.

From what I can tell, David Allen is a big believer in the 43 folders tickler file. If you haven’t seen a tickler file before, it is 12 folders for each month and 31 folders for each day. Right now it’s January so I’d have my 31 folders behind January. As each day passes, I’d move the previous date behind February. Since today is the 21st for me. Folders for days 1-20 would now be behind the February tab.

How does this work? Let’s say I got a bill today that I was due on February 3. Since it’s important that I remember, I would put it in the February 3rd folder. When February 3 arrives, I would look in my tickler file and it reminds me to pay the bill.

I really do not like using 43 folders for my tickler file. For starters, it’s hard to remember to check it every day. People then have to remember to check it and they’ll start to ask themselves “how do I remember to check my tickler file?” The next reason is it is very bulky and not very portable. Finally, when you move the daily folders behind the next month, you have to remember to move the items in that months folders to the proper day.

If you use GTD though, a tickler file is essential to set up because there are things in the future that you need to remember. The folder type of tickler is perfect if you have a lot of physical type items you use as reminders. For most people, their work doesn’t create the kind of physical items that really justify a folder tickler file and I suggest setting up a tickler file differently to address the problems above.

How I Set Up My Tickler File

First, I put a plastic folder in my briefcase called “Waiting For” that holds all of the stuff I might need to remember to check on a future date.

After that, I would create a folder in my email setup called “Yahoo Reminders”. If you look at my folder setup in my other article called How To Set Up Your GTD email, you can see how I have this set up. I then filter all of my Yahoo reminders into this folder and they bypass my inbox.

Finally, I use my Yahoo! calendar, to enter any item I need to remember and make it an “all day event” with an email reminder scheduled to be sent to me 2 days prior to when I need to do it. As a back up, I also have it text to me as well.

In the above example, the bill I got needed to be remembered on February 3rd. I enter the all day event on the third like “Pay very important bill” and by default it sends me an email reminder two days before it occurs. The actual physical bill goes into my “Waiting For” folder in my briefcase.

On the 1st day of February, I get a Yahoo reminder that reminds me about the bill that needs to be paid on the third and it goes directly into my Yahoo reminder folder in my email account. In addition, a text goes out as well giving me a backup on my blackberry in case I can’t get to my Yahoo reminder’s folder in my email account. I review my blackberry text messages every day and review my reminders folder too as well if I have access to it.

This system works fantastic for me. It’s extremely portable, it reminds me automatically and I don’t have to rethink the items in my tickler when I move the tabs. If you are not using email reminders to help you remember stuff, you have no idea how this can effect your productivity. Even if you use 43 folders, I recommend email reminders 100% to be a part of your GTD system.

Once I learned how to set up a tickler file in this fashion, it improved my effectiveness at remember everything to a complete level.

Research demonstrates that heart disease is reversible. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or heavy metal toxicity, you may want to try Oral Chelation.

Why do people still suffer from heart disease and cardiovascular diseases, when there are alternative methods to treating these diseases. On option that has been used by doctors for years is called Oral Chelation. You might want to try it out.

Everyday heavy metal toxicity is around us burdening our bodies, and our detoxification pathways. With these toxins around us it is increasingly hard to maintain the levels of nutrients and energy for your daily activities. Some of the toxins we are exposed to are: soil depletion, pesticides, radiation, mercury from dental amalgam fillings, and lead-based paints are just some of the toxins we are exposed to on a daily.

Health problems caused by low level chronic exposure to heavy metals may take years to appear, and are linked to conditions, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, and many more. Many of these heavy metals have been scientifically linked to causing free radical damage, leading to: Heart Attacks, Strokes, Cancers, Fatigue, Memory Loss.

There is a link to Heart Disease and Heavy Metal Toxins. It is worth exploring Oral Chelation as something to help cleanse your arterial walls and thereby reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks while at the same time helping remove heavy metal toxins from other areas of the body.

Art presents itself in many shapes and forms today. To me it is always interesting and gratifying to appreciate other peoples art. You dont necessarily have to like it personally to accept the hard work that has gone into it and the thought behind it.

As a contemporary artist myself I find it gives you freedom to express your inner emotions. If I had a bad day it probably reflects in my paintings appearing more dramatic. On the other hand I also find it calming to paint seasoned skies.

I would say that art is something that is very personal. A work of art that one person loves may have the complete opposite reaction for another. Art is something that is very individual. Thankfully in our modern days there is a such a huge variety of art around that there surely has to be something for everyone. Take Graffiti for example. What one person calls vandalism is anothers work of art.

Just look at pavement artists sketching out their pictures in chalk. This surely is a talent, but one that many passers by can enjoy but yields the artist very little money. Many of us have been to Paris and the Montmartre district where the artists set their easels on the pavements doing quick caricatures much to everyone’s amazement and amusement.

Other forms of art that are popular are sand sculptures which feature greatly here in the Canary Islands, and I am sure in other parts of the world as well. They take all kinds of forms, from biblical scenes to dragons that even have fire breathing out of their nostrils. And what about the old art of mosaics? Many of us see them every day or even have them in our gardens in form of plant pots, walls etc.

And then there are things that surround us every day. Take posters for example. They are a wonderful challenge for children who are encouraged to create posters for a big variety of things form protecting the environment to road safety. And what could a very special individual do with driftwood that was collected along the beach? This I would really like to see.

And here is a theme which you might even have on your desk at home. Paperweights, which can range from glass or simple pebbles which were collected, painted and then varnished. Not only is the paperweight very individual, but gathering the pebbles, feeling their textures in your hand, can also provide great fun.

Other things that are either getting very popular or making a strong resurgence are scrapbooking, felting, needlepoint and patch working. Or what about the great individual gift that are cards? Fantastic artists design and make their own cards in a great variety of ways. Getting enjoyment from creating their art and also from the knowledge that the recipient will greatly appreciate it.

With so many different forms of art surrounding us there surely has to be something for anyone. And if you really want to get involved and learn more then there are a great many workshops that are being run in art stores or at schools. The satisfaction and enormous joy that art can bring to people is something that can never be measured, at least not in monetary terms – thank God for that.

Energy system work is how to lose belly fat fast. The main factor in losing fat fast is through the energy system. By training in an anaerobic manner and having a regular schedule of exercise, increasing exercise intensity and training with intervals, we can quickly lose belly fat.

Oxygen debt is brought about when the body is lacking in oxygen and there is a build up of carbon dioxide and lactic acid in the muscles. When this occurs, the muscles are forced to increase its activity level to clear away carbon dioxide and lactic acid so the oxygen can nourish and repair the muscles.

Having a regular routine of exercise is key to losing belly fat fast. Consistency, will allow the body to become more efficient at providing enough fuel to the increased muscle activity. The body will search for excess fat and break it down to provide more fuel for the increased muscle activity.

The increased metabolic activity of the muscles demand more oxygen to go to the muscles to provide oxygen and repair any damage. This activity has a residual effect and will cause the body to keep burning fat and repairing the body, for several hours after exercise.

Increasing exercise intensity has really been very effective in creating this oxygen debt in the muscles. By monitoring your heart rate and training within your target heart rate zone, you will be better able to effectively increase your metabolism.

Training with interval exercises really jump-starts the metabolic activity of the body. The quick intense exercise followed by a rest period causes more oxygen to go to the muscles to nourish, repair and clear waste products within the muscles.

By increasing our physical activity, the body is forced to adapt by increasing its metabolic activity. The increased fat burning that occurs allows the body to become more efficient at breaking down belly fat and providing fuel for physical activity.

The fast way to lose body fat is to cause an oxygen debt in the muscles by having a regular exercise routine, increasing exercise intensity and using interval training. By incorporating these factors in activities like running and resistance training, you will lose your belly fat fast.

In today’s high speed society, support workers who have the ability to mend PC’s and networks, plus give daily help to users, are essential in all areas of industry. Our requirement for better qualified personnel is enhanced, as we become vastly more reliant on PC’s in the modern world.

Seeing as the computer market provides some outstanding career possibilities for everyone – what questions do we need to be posing and what elements carry the most importance?

A ridiculously large number of organisations only look at the plaque to hang on your wall, and completely miss the reasons for getting there – getting yourself a new job or career. Your focus should start with the end goal – don’t get hung-up on the training vehicle. It’s a sad testimony to the sales skills of many companies, but the majority of trainees begin programs that seem spectacular in the marketing materials, but which deliver a career which doesn’t satisfy. Try talking to typical college students for a real eye-opener. It’s a good idea to understand the expectations of your industry. Which particular accreditations you’ll be required to have and how you’ll go about getting some commercial experience. It’s definitely worth spending time thinking about how far you think you’ll want to progress your career as it will often present a very specific set of exams. Always seek guidance and advice from a skilled advisor, even if you have to pay – it’s much safer and cheaper to find out at the start whether your choices are appropriate, instead of discovering following two years of study that you aren’t going to enjoy the job you’ve chosen and have to return to the start of another program.

All programs you’re considering must provide a widely recognised certification at the end – and not some unimportant ‘in-house’ plaque for your wall. Unless your qualification is issued by a company like Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe or CompTIA, then you may discover it will have been a waste of time – as no-one will have heard of it.

Traditional teaching in classrooms, involving piles of reference textbooks, is usually pretty hard going. If this describes you, dig around for more practical courses which have a majority of interactive, multimedia parts. Where possible, if we can get all of our senses involved in our learning, then the results are usually dramatically better. Locate a program where you’ll receive a selection of DVD-ROM’s – you’ll learn by watching video tutorials and demonstrations, and be able to practice your skills in interactive lab’s. All companies must be pushed to demo some samples of the type of training materials they provide. Make sure you encounter videos of instructor-led classes and many interactive sections. You’ll find that many companies will only provide online training only; while you can get away with this much of the time, consider how you’ll deal with it if your access to the internet is broken or you get intermittent problems and speed issues. It’s much safer to rely on physical CD or DVD discs that don’t suffer from these broadband issues.

There is no way of over emphasising this: You have to get round-the-clock 24×7 professional support from mentors and instructors. We can tell you that you’ll strongly regret it if you don’t follow this rule rigidly. Locate training schools where you can access help at all hours of the day and night (no matter if it’s in the middle of the night on a weekend!) You’ll need direct-access to qualified mentors and tutors and not a message system as this will slow you down – constantly waiting for a call-back during office hours. The best training colleges opt for an internet-based round-the-clock system involving many support centres from around the world. You’re offered a simple environment that accesses the most appropriate office irrespective of the time of day: Support available as-and-when you want it. Find an educator that is worth purchasing from. Only proper live 24×7 round-the-clock support delivers what is required.

One interesting way that training providers make more money is via an ‘exam inclusive’ package then giving it ‘Exam Guarantee’ status. It looks impressive, but let’s just examine it more closely… You’re paying for it somehow. It’s definitely not free – they’ve simply charged more for the whole training package. Should you seriously need to qualify first go, evidence suggests you must fund each exam as you take it, give it the priority it deserves and apply yourself as required. Doesn’t it make more sense to hold on to your money and pay for the exam at the appropriate time, rather than coughing up months or even a year or two in advance to a training company, and to do it in a local testing office – rather than possibly hours away from your area? Including money in your training package for exam fees (and interest charges if you’re borrowing money) is a false economy. Resist being talked into filling the training company’s account with your hard-earned cash just to give them more interest! A lot bank on the fact that you won’t get round to taking them – then they’ll keep the extra money. Additionally, you should consider what an ‘exam guarantee’ really means. Many training companies won’t be prepared to pay again for an exam until you’ve completely satisfied them that you’re ready this time. With the average price of Pro-metric and VUE examinations coming in at around 112 pounds in the UK, it makes sense to pay as you go. There’s no sense in throwing away maybe a thousand pounds extra at the start of your studies. Consistent and systematic learning, coupled with quality exam simulation software is what will really see you through.

A question; why might we choose qualifications from the commercial sector instead of familiar academic qualifications taught at schools, colleges or universities? With 3 and 4 year academic degree costs climbing ever higher, alongside the industry’s increasing awareness that vendor-based training is often far more commercially relevant, we have seen a great increase in Microsoft, CompTIA, CISCO and Adobe based training programmes that provide key skills to an employee at a far reduced cost both money and time wise. Academic courses, as a example, clog up the training with vast amounts of loosely associated study – with a syllabus that’s far too wide. This prevents a student from learning the core essentials in sufficient depth. Just as the old advertisement said: ‘It does what it says on the tin’. The company just needs to know where they have gaps and then match up the appropriate exam numbers as a requirement. Then they’re assured that a potential employee can do exactly what’s required.

The world of information technology is one of the more thrilling and changing industries that you can get into right now. Being a member of a team working on breakthroughs in technology means you’re a part of the huge progress affecting everyone who lives in the 21st century. We’re barely beginning to get a handle on what this change will mean to us. The way we communicate and interact with everyone around us will be massively affected by computers and the internet. The standard IT worker in the UK can demonstrate that they earn significantly more than employees on a par outside of IT. Mean average wages are around the top of national league tables. Apparently there is no end in sight for IT industry expansion across Britain. The industry continues to grow rapidly, and as we have a skills gap that means we only typically have three IT workers for every four jobs it’s most unlikely that things will be any different for years to come.