Archive for September, 2009

How To Bore People

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Anonymity

A couple of years ago, I introduced myself to an insurance salesman at a Chamber of Commerce networking function. An honest mistake… After being educated for 9 and a half agonizing minutes about the benefits of whole life insurance versus term, I made my getaway, mumbling something about grabbing a coffee. It later occurred to me that there must be other entrepreneurs out there who aren’t sure exactly what to do at business networking functions. “There ought’a be a manual!”, I thought. Now, there is…

The Twelve Steps to becoming an Anonymous Entrepreneur

1. Wear grey! If grey is not available, curtain beige or sofa brown plaid will do.

2. Tell them that your business “specializes in promoting facilitation of soft skills development and incorporation of logistical solution systems in a pro-active communications environment…”

3. Make sure they get the full 60 second shpiel. If they interrupt you, start again at the beginning. You’ve crafted your infomercial, don’t let them throw you off by asking questions.

4. Tell them that you have 25 years experience doing what you said in point #2 above, and repeat it, just in case they didn’t get it all the first time.

5. Tell them you also do HR outsourcing on the side.

6. Don’t ask about them. They’re interested in you! Well, they asked, didn’t they? This is your chance to impress!

7. Hand them a two to three page photocopied pamphlet about your business in case they want to go straight home and read more about your “facilitation of soft skills development and incorporation of logistical solutions in a proactive communications environment,” and give them a couple of extra pamphlets in case they want to give some to their friends and neighbors.

8. Don’t tell them about the time you went skydiving in the Himalayas to rescue baby llamas or that you got a Line Dancing scholarship to the University of Texas because this is business. They are much more interested in hearing about ALL the features and benefits of your doodad.

9. Avoid talking to anyone who does what you do. No sense wasting time on the competition. What if they try to copy some of your techniques or worse, hit on some of your prospective customers? Hopefully they’ll never show up again anyway. Giving them the squinty eye will seal the deal.

10. Make sure your cell phone is on a string around your neck so you don’t miss any important calls and, besides, you want to show these guys you are a busy professional. Juggling a few clipboards and briefcases helps as well.

11. Avoid smiling, business is serious, and make sure your suit looks exactly like everyone else’s.

12. Did I mention that you should wear grey or sofa beige (a slightly different shade than curtain beige). Some points can’t be stressed enough!!

I could go on and on but I was only paid for 12 tips . . . Happy Networking!

TSUFIT
http://www.articlesbase.com/marketing-articles/how-to-bore-people–134877.html

5 Tips For Writing A Killer Online Dating Profile

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Your online dating profile is the first glimpse into you that your prospective dates get. It is the first, and it could be the last if you write a boring and typical profile like 99% of people out there. You, however, have an advantage over all those average Joe’s out there – you are reading this article! So here are some can’t miss tips on how to write a great, eye catching and attractive online dating profile that will be sure to land you the date you have been looking for.

1. Don’t ever be “Mr. Lonely”. You want to trigger attraction online without the physical aspect – you do not trigger attraction by playing the poor me’s, you do it by accentuating your strengths and attributes. Tell the single women out there what a catch you are by outlining your great characteristics in a confident and no-BS way. Take your strengths and showcase them in your profile or online and then COMBINE them with a vision of romance that paints a picture of a life that’s more exciting than the life she’s living. This shows her that you are not only a man who knows who he is, but also a man who knows how to truly discover the inner core of a woman. Communicating to women on this level drives them absolutely CRAZY… and you need to try it out.

2. Create an exciting life! Don’t have one, make one. You are not going to meet a fantastic, interesting, single man or woman if you present your life as dull and ho-hum. Remember, they are looking for a little excitement too. So step out of your comfort zone and DO something adventurous – skydive, rappel, go bungee jumping – do something that’s “radical” and BOLD. Now you have a very interesting experience you can talk about, not only online in your profile or in a singles place, but with anyone!

3. Show them your confidence. Every guy has things about him that are attractive to single woman. The only problem is we usually don’t know what they are. If you do know, can you communicate your attractive qualities in a way that AMPLIFIES or MAGNIFIES them? When trying to meet women online – don’t use weak phrases like “some people say I’m…” or “I’m sort of…” Instead, demonstrate that you’re a man who knows who you are by describing yourself in strong, concise terms. Don’t exaggerate… but don’t be a wuss either.

4. Expand your “Self”. Here’s another killer dating tip for meeting women or men online. Do not get stuck defining yourself as the “Nature Lover”, the “Clubber” or the “Bookworm”. Why? Because once you do that, much of the MYSTERY is gone… and she just won’t be as interested. That is one of the basic laws of attraction, whether you are meeting women online or in person.

5. Show your sensual side. Every woman wants a man who appreciates the sensual side of things. A single man who is “in touch” can ignite powerful, passionate feelings inside of a woman. But if you’ve ever done any “reconnaissance” online and read other guys’ profiles – I’m sure you’ve seen that most men have NO CLUE about how to attract women… let alone “ignite feelings” in a woman who they are trying to meet. Lucky you!

So how do you do this? Well unfortunately, you can’t just TELL a woman directly “Oh, I can make you feel great.” You can do this so easily with the right words, whether you are meeting women online or whispering them in her ear. To do this in an online dating or singles arena, simply use vivid details. For instance, if you talk about the food you enjoy, don’t just say you like fine wine… talk about how you love how a fine wine releases intoxicating aromas as it rolls around in your mouth. If you talk about a walk in the woods, don’t just say you like walking on through the woods – describe in detail how you love the scent of the unsullied air or the sounds of the wind teasing the leaves the trees. Use sensual words like full, ripe, supple, harmonious, sway, grace, tender, etc. When you use words like these, although you’re not talking directly about sex… you send a strong message that you know how to make a woman feel these erotic yet subtle feelings.

Maureen Arnold
http://www.articlesbase.com/dating-articles/5-tips-for-writing-a-killer-online-dating-profile-101215.html

Time to Change your Real Estate Strategy

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

We have all heard it. The real estate bubble has burst or is at the very least deflating. Homeowners in approximately two-thirds of the country are watching their home equity melt away. While bemoaning the fact your equity loss is painful, there is still time to look sensibly for housing deals and act accordingly if we begin reassessing how we view real estate.

This article is the first of a series that will provide an explanation of the phenomenon of the housing bubble, why it had to burst and perhaps most importantly, how we should now approach housing as the housing market corrects. Rest assured, the long term picture of rising property values will return as it is fundamently still your best and most important investment. However, in the meantime we need to take stock, just as we would any investment, and assess which way to go from here.

Unless you are a professional investor, most people view their home as a place to live and raise their family while paying bills using wages earned in a growing local economy. Perhaps it is time to look at your home for what it really is a commodity. And just as any commodity, whether it is common stock, pork bellies or real estate, it is subject to the same economic principles that will make its price increase one day and fall the next. The only real difference is the amount of time it will take for the housing market to respond to those factors influencing its price.

What is it that causes your home to have value? The obvious answer is and always will be how much demand is there by potential buyers of your home. Think of it a like selling art. Its selling price is determined solely by what others will pay for it. If the art looks as if it were scrawled on the back of an envelope, you will have few buyers. Conversely, if the art has mass appeal, much like the famous Currier and Ives prints seen so frequently on classic Christmas cards, then there will be more potential buyers.

The greater the number of potential buyers creates the demand (as defined in economic terms) for your home. If you are located in an area where the local economy is brisk, companies are expanding, everybody is enjoying an increasing standard of living, there will obviously be greater demand for housing in the area as more job seekers move to the community in an effort to cash-in on the local prosperity. If you are one of the lucky ones who own a home in the community, the increase in the value of your home is a direct result of its demand. You can see from this example that the value of your home is not a reflection of the construction cost, but rather demand. This is the very reason a home in Sioux City, Iowa is priced less than a home of comparable size and construction cost in Boston.

How expensive must house become before no one will buy? Let us look at an example that has existed in numerous communities in California and south Florida. We will use an an example someone who wishes to purchase a home in California. In this market it is quite common to pay in excess of $450,000 for a 1,300 square foot house. If this small house were purchased with the buyer financing 95% of the purchase price ($427,500) using a typical 30-year, 6.125% mortgage, the monthly payment for only principle and interest would be $2,453. Since most mortgage underwriting limits the maximum monthly payment the homeowner may make to 28% of gross income, the buyers combined annual household income must be not less than ($2,453 x 12) / 0.28 or $105,151 excluding taxes and insurance. And just what percentage of households in California have an income this great? Fewer than 10%! This in no way implies there are nott numerous families who wish to live in the area. It is simply that there are few families who are able to qualify for the requisite financing.

As housing prices increase, the fewer families are able to secure the necessary financing. This situation has spawned a whole group of mortgage programs designed to permit more individuals to qualify for larger mortgages allowing the purchase of these higher priced homes. Mortgage programs that have emerged vary from numerous types of adjustable rate mortgages to those that during times of higher interest rates result in payments which are less than the amount required to pay only interest. The risk of this type of mortgage is that it creates greater debt for the homeowner. Many of these mortage programs effectively cause the homeowner to gamble on creating home equity through appreciation without any debt retirement. This is a good bet when the demand by potential qualified buyers is larger than the supply of available houses in the market, but what happens if there is either an increase in mortgage rates or even worse an economic downturn in the local or national economy.

As interest rates for mortgages increase, fewer prospective buyers are able qualify for the a mortgage. As the number of qualified buyers becomes smaller, home owners must reduce the cost of their house in an effort to sell. Those who remember the when Jimmy Carter was President may also recall that the Federal Reserve Board during the 1970s caused mortgage money to be loaned at interest rates in excess of 14%. During this period many homeowners discovered that if you could sell your house it was usually at a loss. The price of housing was almost in a freefall because the number of individuals who could qualify for a mortgage was so small in relation to the large quantity of houses for sale. Supply had exceeded demand creating a buyers market. While this does not compare to the minor increases experienced recently by the mortgage industry, it does point to the reason home prices have been reduced in most overheated housing markets.

Now that you have the basic economic fundamentals of supply and demand, what do you do if you currently live in one of these formerly hot markets. The answer is very simple. TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN! In investment circles this is called profit-taking. However, remaining in the same market requires you to re-invest your profits returning to the same financial position as you were before. Hence, my recommendation is to consider seriously the advantages to relocating to a city where both housing is more affordable and it is possible to enjoy the same or better quality of life. I am not going to recommend you move to the middle of the Mohave desert, but rather to a location the value of housing is appreciating. Just as anyone with a sound investment strategy, your simple goal is to sell high, take your profits and buy low with the reasonable expectation that you will again be able to do it again.

I would like to introduce you to a little gem you should consider for your next home address. Located within a two hour drive of sandy ocean side beaches and a three hour drive of world class mountain ski resorts this metro area provides all any family could desire — plus the potential of a solid 7 percent growth on your home value rate as predicted by Veros Real Estate Solutions. This area has moderate climate with little snow each winter. So where is this little gem? Raleigh, North Carolina.

Formerly thought of as just another sleepy southern city, Raleigh North Carolina began capturing headlines because of its growth in the late 1970s. Fueled, in part, by the Research Triangle Park in conjunction with three major research universities: Duke University, NC State University and the University of North Carolina, Raleigh has grown consistently and now rates as a technical and cultural center in the region.

The US Census Bureau currently ranks Raleigh North Carolina together with the adjacent city Cary North Carolina the 10th fasting growing metropolitan area in the United States. Forbes magazine has named Raleigh North Carolina the 2nd best place for business and careers. Kiplingers Personal Finance has named the Raleigh-Durham area one of the Seven Cool Cities for Young Professionals. Rated the 3rd most educated city in the country by the US Census Bureau, Raleigh provides a wealth of talent creating what Entrepreneur magazine has called 3rd Hottest City for Entrepreneurs.

Check Raleigh, North Carolina out. Look at how much your housing dollar will buy where the advantages are many and housing is still affordable. The local multiple listing service can be accessed through a number of real estate agencies serving the Raleigh regional area — where you can discover how taking the money and running to Raleigh, North Carolina could be the smartest move you will ever make.

Tim Butler
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/time-to-change-your-real-estate-strategy-68955.html

Low-cost Florida Health Insurance Scarce – Health Insurance Higher Than Minimum Wage

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Florida residents who can afford health insurance pay an average of $11,480 per year for family coverage, which is about what the average minimum-wage earner brings home. Premiums are up 87% according to Kaiser Family Foundation. The days of “low-cost” health insurance are all but gone unless you have help from a professional insurance consultant.

The cost of caring for “disease” continues to rise faster than inflation according to an article this month in Newsweek magazine. It said “over 47 million Americans don’t have health insurance at all”. Those with low-cost health insurance usually get these from employers, but with costs rising, it is obvious that the health insurance situation in Florida is getting worse.

Taking care of employees is the primary concern of a good employer. But that has been perceived as “expensive” by some companies as it means providing the employee with vacations, bonuses, incentive pay, and of course, health insurance coverage. In the future, Florida businesses may be able to offer low-cost health insurance to residents who are willing to make a few changes in lifestyle.

The New England Journal of Medicine published a major study on health insurance recently that said low cost insurance rates may be made available to those willing to go through a certified “health risk assessment”. These health risk managers look at your lifestyle, and your current state of health, and certify that the person is “healthy” and a “low-risk” which can qualify the applicant for lower insurance rates. The only other way to get low-cost health insurance in Florida is to get it from your employer as part of their group health insurance plan.

There are many health insurance consultants out there who can help Floridians find low-cost insurance, such as Florida Health Insurance Web – www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com – insurance consultant, Morgan Moran said, “Change a few things about your lifestyle, and lower rates could be available”. The insurance industry believes, most people would change a few things to get lower insurance rates, and assure living a longer happier life. These changes may include a better diet, more exercise, and less high risk behavior like “skydiving” or “bungee jumping”. Until now, insurance plans rarely took behavior into account.

Many Floridians are looking for a quick fix. If they can take a pill or have a stint plugged into their heart they would, rather than change their lifestyle, after all, it does sound easier. The New England Journal confirmed what other research showed— that angioplasties and stints don’t prolong life and don’t even prevent heart attacks, yet $30 billion was spent on those last year. Mutual of Omaha found that almost 76% percent of people eligible for angioplasty or heart bypass surgery were able to “safely avoid it by making the comprehensive lifestyle changes”, saving almost $30,000 per person. It is plain to see that changing lifestyle is more cost effective than surgery.

Low-Cost Insurance Consultation

In an effort to find affordable health insurance rates, many are turning to health insurance consultants for help. In a phone interview, consultant Morgan Moran said, “The best way to find affordable, low-cost health insurance is to have an employer-sponsored group health insurance plan.” Group health insurance plans are the most affordable, low cost health insurance plans out there, aside from state-sponsored health insurance plans. If you can obtain health insurance from your employer, you will pay even less for your health insurance than you would if you purchased a group health insurance plan on your own.

Most employers have certain requirements an employee must meet before he or she can be a part of the employer-sponsored group health insurance plan. These requirements range from the number of hours the employee works, to the employee’s status, i.e., whether the employee works full-time or part-time. Employers sometimes have time requirements as well. This means the employee must be with the company for a certain amount of time before he or she is considered eligible for the employer-sponsored group health insurance plan.

Employer-sponsored group health insurance plans are usually the most affordable, low cost health insurance plans for a variety of reasons. If you have an employer-sponsored group health insurance plan, the health insurance premiums are either divided between you and your employer, or paid completely by your employer. This means one of two things. Either you are required to pay half of the health insurance premiums plus a low cost co-payment or you are only required to pay an affordable co-payment.

Employer-sponsored group health insurance plans like this have become even more affordable and low cost when you factor in your spouse and children. Rather than purchase individual health insurance policies for each of your family members, or pay out-of-pocket for health care costs, you can add your spouse and your children to your employer-sponsored group health insurance plan.

Rates on health insurance policies change daily, and vary from carrier to carrier so it’s a good idea to speak to a consultant like Moran. Their fees are paid by the carrier without passing the cost along to the consumer. Find out more at www.FloridaHealthInsuranceWeb.com

Zane Durant
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/lowcost-florida-health-insurance-scarce-health-insurance-higher-than-minimum-wage-134985.html

Finding The Best Volcano Vacations

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Volcano vacations: fun-filled and exciting! Adventure trips are fun and some people like to go on such trips over and over again. You may be a fun loving and adventurous person and thus you may have gone for the cruises in Alaska or for the freefall skydive in Gananoque. Trad climbing and scaling the Matterhorn is also equally exciting. So what if you have done all this, and want to do something different now. Well, try visiting a volcano. It is quite an experience in itself. Many families visit the volcanoes every year! So it does not take too much of courage!

Santorini Volcano:

This place is located close to Apronnisi and Thirasia islands. These islands were actually a part of this Greek island till 1650 B.C. till a explosion separated them. This is quite a popular tourist spot.

You may need to take a donkey ride or a gondola trip to reach the volcano top. These volcanoes of Santorini are moderately active. There are some other places of interest also like the black beaches of Kamari which is quite famous. You can also go for a short boat ride. There are also many archaeological sites which you can visit.

This is the perfect family vacation spot and you can have a great time with your family here.

Stromboli Volcano:

Stromboli is situated in Italy. This island is present in the Mediterranean Sea and belongs to the Aeolian Islands (a group of volcanic islands). There is a small town situated at its base in spite of the fact that Stromboli is still quite an active volcano. Tourists can stay in this town when they visit this place.

There are guided tours in case you are the adventurous type and want to get to the top of the volcano. Others can visit the Sciara del Fuoco, where an active volcano send out magma into the sea. You can take a guided tour for visiting this place too.

It is quite a thrilling experience to see smoke coming out of the crater. Those who love adventure will love this view. The atmosphere here is different and electrifying and you will have a great time here.

Shiprock Peak Volcano:

This extinct volcano is situated in New Mexico. This place is especially for those who want to avoid the sulfur fumes which come out from the active volcanoes. The peak is situated on the Navajo Indian Reservation. You can get here by the tribal road. You have to get the permission if you wish to get closer to the peak. Climbing the mountain is prohibited.

You can only go till the base of this volcano. The peak is a part of the Four Corners Area tour. A small jeep trail along side the rock is also a great viewing experience.

Halema uma u Volcano:

This place is located on the main Hawaii Island. This is supposed to be the home of “Pele”; the volcano goddess. The volcano is present at the top of Kilauea which is a part of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You will love this experience whether you are a seasoned hiker or an armchair traveler. There are many outlook platforms and there are about 150 miles of trail. Some of them are accessible through wheelchair.

In case you love biking, get in the volcanic sites through the Crater Rim Trail which is 11 miles. The trail leads to blackened basalt rock. They are then replaced by the flora of tropical rain forest.

There are plenty of non-volcano activities available here. You can enjoy a great vacation with your family here. In case you love adventure, or you love mountain climbing or you are an armchair traveler, a visit to a volcano is just the right thing for you. You can enjoy this exciting travel with your whole family!

George Wood
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/finding-the-best-volcano-vacations-76952.html

Universal Orlando 2007 Thrill Ride Guide

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Universal Orlando’s two world-class theme parks – Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure – each boast one-of-a-kind thrill rides such as Incredible Hulk Coaster, Dueling Dragons, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride and much more.

A diversity of thrill rides can be found in abundance at Universal’s Islands of Adventures, which features five uniquely themed islands – Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, Marvel Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon. Experience classic roller coasters like Incredible Hulk Coaster, which speeds you from zero to 40 miles per hour in just two seconds aboard a “gamma ray accelerator” at Marvel Super Hero Island; and Dueling Dragons, the world’s first inverted, dueling roller coasters – Ice Dragon or Fire Dragon – that reach speeds up to 55 miles per hour (“Past this point of no return, your only choice is freeze or burn!”).

In addition to Incredible Hulk Coaster, Marvel Super Hero Island is home to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, a fascinating indoor thrill ride that features a great mix of 3-D special effects and live action as Spider-Man battles assorted villains; and Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, a “free-fall thrill ride that sends you speeding 150 feet high straight into the air and then hurls you back down just as quickly.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure also features several thrilling water-based rides (prepare to get soaked!) such as Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Jurassic Park River Adventure. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is a Toon Lagoon raft ride that spins you through some serious rapids as you wind your way around Me Ship, The Olive play area. The highlight of Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, an exciting water flume ride also located in Toon Lagoon, is a 75-foot plummet down the falls. At Jurassic Park River Adventure, take an amazing boat ride as you try to escape from the Raptor Containment Area full of animatronic dinosaurs and shoot down 85 feet into the pool below.

Even though Universal’s Islands of Adventure is home to all the roller coasters at Universal Orlando, several not-to-be-missed thrill rides can be found at Universal Studios as well such as Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride, a state-of-the-art “psychological” thrill ride where you must battle an army of “warrior mummies” and other obstacles as you cruise through total darkness at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. Other classic thrill rides at Universal Studios include Twister . . . Ride It Out, a live action/simulated ride based on the 1996 hit movie, and Earthquake – The Big One, which allows you to experience an earth-shattering quake complete with crashing subway cars, exploding gas trucks and collapsing ceilings.

“In addition to a great variety of thrill rides and attractions, Universal Orlando boasts three world-class hotels, numerous dining opportunities and CityWalk, a spectacular entertainment complex that features some of the hottest nightlife in Orlando,” said Kyle Collins, Director of Interactive Marketing for HotelsCorp.com. “And by purchasing your tickets to Universal Studios or Universal’s Islands of Adventure before you arrive in Orlando, you and your family will enjoy incredible savings on your Orlando vacation.”

Note: Be sure to check height and medical restrictions that are listed at the entrance to each of the thrill rides at Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventures.

Ryan Wiseman
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/universal-orlando-2007-thrill-ride-guide-103817.html

Pigeon Forge Attractions Provide Lots to Do for Kids of All Ages

Monday, September 28th, 2009

There are many Pigeon Forge attractions that will provide hours of entertainment for the whole family. Whether you like amusement parks, museums, miniature golf, scenic helicopter rides, arcades, go carts, or a day of exciting white water rafting, youll have tons of fun at Pigeon Forge. And that doesnt even include the dozens of Pigeon Forge shows.

Of course when you think about the many Pigeon Forge attractions, you cant start without thinking about Dollywood Amusement Park. Named after Dolly Parton herself, Dollywood is a unique theme park. Located on 125 acres at the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Dollywood is the number one tourist attraction in the Pigeon Forge area. The park has many festivals throughout the year but the best time of the year that I highly recommend is the Smoky Mountain Christmas! This is one amusement park that has fun to offer for all ages.

If you like museums, there are a couple of car museums such as The Smoky Mountain Car Museum and the Muscle Car Museum in Sevierville. There is an Elvis Museum in Pigeon Forge and the Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum in Gatlinburg. And the Tennessee Museum of Aviation is found in Sevierville. Also in Pigeon Forge is the Carbo Police Museum, Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum and the Dinosaur Walk Museum.

Do you like miniature golf? There are several miniature golf places to choose from. In Pigeon Forge is Adventure Golf, Fantasy Golf, Firehouse Golf, Professor Hackers Golf and Tree House golf and games to name a few. In Sevierville, there is Ripleys Old McDonald Farm Mini Golf. Youll see pigs fly!

If you are the adventurous kind then there are many different Pigeon Forge attractions that are great for you. Outdoor adventures of the Smokies provides Monster Truck Rides, Helicopter Rides, ATV Rides, Horseback Rides, Jeep Tours, Whitewater Rafting, Balloon Rides, Day Hikes and Plane Rides. For horseback riding there is Five Oaks Riding Stables. There are two businesses in Sevierville and one in Pigeon Forge that provide scenic helicopter rides. There is Scenic Helicopter Tours and Smoky Mountains Helicopters Inc. And in Pigeon Forge there is Helicopter Headquarters. You can take guided ATV tours through the scenic mountains at Bluff Mountain Adventures.

There are several other Pigeon Forge Attractions. Have you ever wanted to go sky diving but you were afraid about jumping out of a plane? Well try indoor skydiving at Flyaway Indoor skydiving, one of the unique Pigeon Forge attractions. For loads of family excitement you might want to try a relaxing canoe or tube trip down one of the local rivers. Enjoy the breathtaking views with a tour through Mountain View Canoe Rentals.

One of the newest Pigeon Forge attractions is known as Wonderworks. It is an amusement park for the mind. Youll go inside an upside down building and inside you will find over 100 interactive exhibits. It is 55,000 square feet of excitement for the entire family! Be sure to bring your camera as you wont believe some of the things you will see!

For the kids or the kids at heart, there are lots of arcades and go kart tracks for your enjoyment. Star Tracks and Arcade offer both and the arcade also has pool tables inside. There are several Go Cart tracks which many also have bumper cars and arcades. In Pigeon Forge there is Adventure Raceway, Fast Tracks, Rockin Raceway, Smoky Mountain Slick Track, Speed Zone Fun Park, and The Track. For the Nascar fans, Sevierville features/has Nascar Speedpark.

There are other fun Pigeon Forge attractions to select from like Ultrazone Lazer Tag and Lazerport is for the laser tag fans. . Rainforest Adventures has over 500 animals from our worlds tropical rain forests. Take a boat ride through the dinosaur infested Jurassic Park at Jurassic Jungle Boat Ride. Movie Rider is an action packed movie thrill ride.

During the summer, check out the Tennessee Smokies, a AA minor league baseball team in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. They perform in a 19.4 million dollar stadium located right off the interstate. The stadium accommodates over 6,000 fans and many times have free giveaways at special events. See the fireworks every Friday night after the game!

So as you can tell there is plenty to do in town. The kids will never be bored but it wont take long for your bank account to become empty! One money saving tip is to get some vacation guide books at the local welcome centers as they contain many discount coupons to many of these Pigeon Forge attractions.

Terry Burns
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/pigeon-forge-attractions-provide-lots-to-do-for-kids-of-all-ages-125385.html

Sailing Whitsunday Welcomes you to the Fabulous Whitsunday Islands

Monday, September 28th, 2009

“Welcome to the Whitsunday Islands

Vacation Australia welcomes you to the wonderful Whitsunday Islands. Our team are able to help you organise your sailing adventure or accommodation and create a memorable and unique holiday. The Whitsunday Islands are situated 20° 4′ South and 148° 5′ East and are on the same latitude as Rio de Janeiro, Mauritius and Tahiti. The superb climate is tropical with an average daily temperature of 27°C. January is the warmest month averaging 30°C and July the coolest month averaging 23°C. The wet season is from December to March. The water temperature remains a pleasant 23 – 27°C, the average year round water temperature being an enticing 24°C.

Deluxe Sailing Holidays:

Deluxe Sailing vessels are superior vessels offering the passenger comfort and privacy a in small or large group. Most deluxe vessels offer private cabins with ensuite’s and are perfect for honeymoons or romantic getaways. So why not spoil yourself whilst in the Whitsundays and enjoy your holiday in style. Please visit here www.sailingwhitsunday.com.au for more information.

Adventure Sailing Holidays:

Adventure Sailing includes all different vessels which offer a degree of comfort combined with an exciting and adventurous sail or cruise. Friendly crew, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking or maybe even a paddle in the sea kayak provide for great entertainment and memorable experiences. Usually cater for group numbers around 12-18 passengers of all ages. Please visit here www.sailingwhitsunday.com.au for more information.

e and rainforest tours we have something for everyone. The Whitsundays offer a diverse range of activities to entertain you whether it be an adrenaline pumping skydive or a relaxing rainforest walk. Please visit here www.sailingwhitsunday.com.au for more information.

Dan Roulston
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/sailing-whitsunday-welcomes-you-to-the-fabulous-whitsunday-islands-121776.html

Disney Fanatic? Test your Knowledge of Disney World & Orlando

Monday, September 28th, 2009

1. What year did Disney’s Magic Kingdom open its doors?

A) 1955

B) 1971

C) 1975

2. What Orlando attraction is known as “The Alligator Capital of the World”?

A) Gatorland

B) Jungle Adventures

C) Holy Land Experience

3. Which Major League Baseball team plays its home games at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex during Spring Training?

A) Houston Astros

B) Atlanta Braves

C) Milwaukee Beers

4. What is the tallest structure at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Space Mountain

B) Swiss Family Treehouse

C) Cinderella Castle

5. Scenes from which 1998 Adam Sandler movie were filmed at the Citrus Bowl?

A) The Waterboy

B) Happy Gilmore

C) Deuce Bigalo: European Gigolo

6. What is the name of the new water park scheduled to open across the street from SeaWorld Orlando in the spring of 2008?

A) Seatopia

B) Aquatica

C) The Life Aquatic

7. Which PGA Tour golf tournament takes place at Bay Hill Golf Club each March?

A) Arnold Palmer Invitational

B) Arnold Jackson Invitational

C) Arnold Ziffel Invitational

8. What is the name of Disney World’s major promotional celebration that runs throughout 2007?

A) Year of a Million Dreams

B) Year of a Thousand Dreams

C) Year of 10 Dreams

9. What is Orlando’s “tallest, fastest, longest and only floorless roller coaster”?

A) Incredible Hulk Coaster

B) Kraken

C) Shamu Express

10. Which performing arts troupe will find a permanent home at Universal Orlando during the summer of 2007?

A) Cirque du Soleil

B) Milli Vanilli

C) Blue Man Group

11. What year did the Orlando Predators win the Arena Bowl championship?

A) 1965

B) 1998

C) 2000

12. What Orlando attraction is billed as the “world’s most interactive dinner show”?

A) Pirate’s Dinner Adventure

B) King Henry’s Feast

C) Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede

13. What is the tallest artificial mountain at Disney World?

A) Expedition Everest

B) Splash Mountain

C) Space Mountain

14. Which annual Orlando festival is billed as “10 Days of Theatre, Art, Music and Madness”?

A) Orlando International Fringe Festival

B) Epcot International Wine & Cheese Festival

C) Ocoee International Sailing Regatta

15. What is the fastest ride at Disney World?

A) Space Mountain

B) Test Track

C) WEDway PeopleMover

16. Which Cirque du Soleil show takes place at Downtown Disney?

A) Mystere

B) La Nouba

C) La Strada

17. Encompassing more than 500 acres, which is Disney World’s largest theme park?

A) Epcot

B) Boardwalk and Baseball

C) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

18. What is the name of the indoor interactive theme park at Downtown Disney?

A) DisneyQuest

B) DisneyInterQuest

C) Cirque du Quest

19. Name the “living, biblical history museum” that lies just off Interstate 4 in Orlando.

A) Holy Land Experience

B) Bible-o-Rama

C) Holy World

20. What is the name of the free reservation system Disney World uses for its most popular rides and attractions?

A) QUICKPASS

B) FASTPASS

C) SUNPASS

21. Which Major League Baseball team plays its home games at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee during Spring Training?

A) Houston Astros

B) Atlanta Braves

C) Durham Bulls

22. What year did Disney-MGM Studios open its doors?

A) 1982

B) 1989

C) 1998

23. Who is the head coach of the Orlando Magic?

A) Grant Hill

B) Brian Hill

C) Benny Hill

24. Which Orlando attraction is home to the Dr. Phillips Cinedome?

A) Orlando Museum of Art

B) Xanadu: Home of the Future

C) Orlando Science Center

25. Which is one of the seven enchanted lands that make up Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Seussland

B) Copland

C) Adventureland

26. Which of the following countries is represented at Epcot’s World Showcase?

A) Bangladesh

B) Morocco

C) Algeria

27. Who was the first champion at the inaugural Walt Disney World Open Golf Invitational in 1971?

A)Jack Nicklaus

B) Tiger Woods

C) Arnold Palmer

28. What is the former name of the Astro Orbiter attraction in Tomorrowland?

A) Skyrockets in Flight

B) Star Jets

C) Mon Calamari Star Cruisers

29. Which astronaut took the first ride during the grand opening of Space Mountain in 1975?

A) Major Anthony “Tony” Nelson

B) Commander Neil Armstrong

C) Colonel Gordon Cooper

30. What is the name of Disney World’s first water park, which opened at Fort Wilderness Campground in 1976.

A) River Country

B) Splash Country

C) Wilderness Country

31. What did EPCOT originally stand for?

A) Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow

B) Experimental Polyester Clothes of Tomorrow

C) Every Pocketbook Comes Out Trashed

32. Which thrill ride can be found in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot?

A) Troll Trauma

B) Maelstrom

C) El Rio Del Norway

33. Singer Gloria Estefan owns which Downtown Disney restaurant?

A) Raglan Road Irish Pub

B) Bongos Cuban Cafe

C) Latin Quarter

34. Which is one of Disney World’s two miniature golf courses?

A) Disney’s Winter Summerland

B) Disney’s Summer Winterland

C) Disney’s Fall Springland

35. What International Drive landmark is known as “ Orlando’s only upside-down attraction”?

A) Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!

B) Skull Kingdom

C) WonderWorks

36. Which PGA golf tournament takes place at Disney World each October?

A) FUNAI Golf Classic

B) Arnold Palmer Golf Classic

C) Bushwood Golf Classic

37. Summit Plummet, the world’s fastest and tallest free-fall waterslide, can be found at which water park?

A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach

B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

C) DisneyQuest

38. Which legendary rock band is associated with a thrill ride at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Guns N’ Roses

B) Aerosmith

C) Insane Clown Posse

39. Which annual event takes place at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Fear Factor Live Weekend

B) K-Fed Rapper Wannabe Weekend

C) ABC Super Soap Weekend

40. What is the airport code for the Orlando International Airport?

A) MCO

B) MCKY

C) ORL

41. How much does it cost to ride the I-Ride Trolley?

A) 25 cents

B) 75 cents

C) 99 cents

42. Which Kissimmee dinner show bills itself as a “Storybook Tale of Romance and Adventure”?

A) Medieval Times

B) Arabian Nights

C) Battlebots: Metal Munching Maniacs

43. What Orlando attraction gives you the opportunity to swim with bottlenose dolphins?

A) Discovery Cove

B) Wet ‘n Wild Water Park

C) Splendid China

44. Which shopping, dinning and entertainment complex in Kissimmee is home to the SkyCoaster thrill ride?

A) Celebration

B) Pointe*Kissimmee

C) Old Town

45. Who did the Orlando Magic select as its No. 1 draft pick in 2004?

A) Dwight Howard

B) Juwan Howard

C) Clint Howard

46. Which NASCAR legend offers a stock car “Driving Experience” attraction at Walt Disney World Speedway?

A) Dale Earnhardt Jr.

B) Richard Petty

C) Ricky Bobby

47. Which of the following attractions is still open on International Drive?

A) Titanic: The Experience

B) Skull Kingdom

C) Hard Rock Vault

48. Disney World is actually located in what city?

A) Orlando

B) Lake Buena Vista

C) Bithlo

49. Which Disney World theme park has more than one entrance?

A) Disney-MGM Studios

B) Disney’s Animal Kingdom

C) Epcot

50. The Living Seas Pavilion at Epcot has changed its name to honor which Disney animated character?

A) Nemo

B) Arial

C) Foghorn Leghorn

51. Which is the largest of the five islands that make up Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) Jurassic Park

B) Marvel Super Hero Island

C) Seuss Landing

52. What year did Epcot open its doors?

A) 1978

B) 1982

C) 1989

53. Which is not one of the characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies to be added to the Pirates attraction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Captain Jack Sparrow

B) Barbossa

C) Cap’n Crunch

54. Which is one of the five “islands” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) Looney Tune Lagoon

B) Bufoon Lagoon

C) Toon Lagoon

55. The world’s first inverted, dueling roller coasters can be found at which Orlando theme park?

A) Universal’s Islands of Adventure

B) SeaWorld Orlando

C) Fun Spot Action Park

56. Mount Gushmore serves as the centerpiece of which Orlando area water park?

A) Disney’s Blizzard Beach

B) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

C) Wet ‘n Wild Water Park

57. Which Fantasyland attraction boasts the world’s largest seamless projection screen?

A) It’s a Small World

B) Peter Pan’s Flight

C) Mickey’s PhilharMagic

58. The theme and characters for Splash Mountain were inspired by what 1946 Disney movie?

A)Song of the South

B) Fantasia

C) Splash

59. President Richard Nixon gave his famous “I am not a crook” speech during a convention at which Disney resort in 1973?

A) Polynesian Resort

B) Contemporary Resort

C) Motel 6

60. Which science fiction writer assisted in the design of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?

A) Ray Bradbury

B) Isaac Asimov

C) Thomas Anderson

61. Who is the actor that currently narrates the Spaceship Earth ride at Epcot?

A) Jeremy Piven

B) Jeremy Irons

C) Jeremy Shockey

62. How many ghosts reside at the Haunted Mansion?

A) 99

B) 999

C) 9,999

63. Name the body of water that lies directly in front of Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

A) Discovery Lagoon

B) Seven Seas Lagoon

C) Toon Lagoon

64. Which was not one of the original attractions when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?

A) Haunted Mansion

B) Jungle Cruise

C) Pirates of the Caribbean

65. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland was replaced by which attraction in the late ‘90s?

A) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

B) If You Had Wings

C) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

66. How much did a seven-ride attraction ticket book cost when Disney’s Magic Kingdom opened in 1971?

A) $4.75

B) $8.75

C) $67.75

67. How tall is Space Mountain?

A) 89 feet

B) 189 feet

C) 29,028 feet

68. Which of the Country Bears sings “Blood on the Saddle” during the Country Bear Jamboree?

A) Big Al

B) Mr. Big

C) Notorious B.I.G.

69. What is the name of the fort that is connected to Tom Sawyer Island by a swinging suspension bridge?

A) Fort Courage

B) Fort Longhorn

C) Fort Langhorne

70. What is the nickname of the vehicles used at The Haunted Mansion?

A) Doom Buggies

B) Creepy Carriages

C) Haunted Hearses

71. Which is not a location of one of the three Walt Disney World Railroad stations at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Frontierland

B) Adventureland

C) Mickey’s Toontown Fair

72. What is the highest rank you can achieve through accumulating points at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin?

A) Galactic Hero

B) Starfleet Captain

C) Space Nerd

73. What is the maximum speed of the Indy cars at Tomorrowland Indy Speedway?

A) 2.5 mph

B) 7.5 mph

C) 160 mph

74. Which of the following animated films was worked on at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Mulan

B)Treasure Planet

C)Fritz the Cat

75. What is the original name of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority?

A) Mach Go Go Go

B) Blade Runner

C) WEDway People Mover

76. The Leave a Legacy Sculpture is located near the entrance to which Disney World theme park?

A) Disney’s Magic Kingdom

B) Disney-MGM Studios

C) Epcot

77. Which Epcot attraction gives you a bird’s-eye view of California landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland?

A) Soarin’

B) Flyin’

C) Glidin’

78. Who was the original narrator of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth?

A) Walter Cronkite

B) Carl Sagan

C) Butch Patrick

79. Which of the following is one of the audio-animatronic characters that host The American Adventure at Epcot?

A) Mark Twain

B) Abraham Lincoln

C) Donald Trump

80. What is the nickname of the water tower icon at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Eyeful Tower

B) Earffel Tower

C) Falafel Tower

81. The Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney-MGM Studios reaches 0 to 60 miles per hour in how many seconds?

A) 2.8

B) 3.8

C) 23.8

82. Which thrill ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure boasts two corkscrews, two vertical loops, a double-inverting cobra roll and a zero-g roll?

A) Dueling Dragons

B) Incredible Hulk Coaster

C) High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

83. The Sounds Dangerous show at Disney-MGM Studios stars which TV comedian?

A) Carrot Top

B) Andrew “Dice” Clay

C) Drew Carey

84. How many stories does the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror plummet?

A) 15

B) 13

C) 2

85. Which of the following attractions is no longer open at Disney-MGM Studios?

A) Muppet Vision 3-D

B) Voyage of the Little Mermaid

C) Who Wants to be a Millionaire – Play It

86. What year did Disney’s Animal Kingdom open its doors?

A) 1989

B) 1998

C) 2000

87. Which attraction lies underneath the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

A) It’s Tough to be a Bug!

B) Expedition Everest

C) Kali River Rapids

88. Expedition Everest takes you on a thrilling adventure that leads to a confrontation with what mythical creature?

A)Yeti from the Himalayas

B) Yoda from The Empire Strikes Back

C) Sloth from The Goonies

89. What is the nickname of the Tyrannosaurus Rex replica that serves as the unofficial mascot of DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

A) Dino-Mite

B) Dino-Sue

C) Dinah-Shore

90. Surfing instruction can be arranged at the Surf Pool of which Orlando area water park?

A) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

B) Disney’s Blizzard Beach

C) Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park

91. Which of the following theme restaurants is not located at Universal CityWalk?

A) NBA Café

B) Chuck E. Cheese’s

C) Hard Rock Cafe

92. A walk-through exhibit near the entrance to Universal Studios honors which legendary TV actress?

A) Lucille Ball

B) Mary Tyler Moore

C) Yasmine Bleeth

93. Which attraction at Universal Studios involves the use of “OgreVision googles”?

A) Shrek 4-D

B) Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast

C) Jaws

94. What is the name of the kiddie roller coaster located in The Lost Continent at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) The Flying Spaghetti Monster

B) The Flying Dragon

C) The Flying Unicorn

95. What is the newest attraction in Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure?

A) Caro-Seuss-El

B) Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride

C) The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

96. The grand opening of Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971, drew approximately how many guests?

A) 10,000

B) 20,000

C) 100,000

97. Which is one of the classic attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom that originally made its debut at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair?

A) Carousel of Progress

B) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

C) Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm

98. The Great Movie Ride at Disney-MGM Studios is housed in a replica of which famous theater?

A) Mann’s Chinese Theater

B) Apollo Theater

C) AMC Pleasure Island 24

99. Which Adventureland attraction was once sponsored by Florida Citrus Growers?

A) Pirates of the Caribbean

B) Tiki Room

C) Jungle Cruise

100. A replica of what famous icon can be found in the center of Liberty Square?

A) Declaration of Independence

B) Liberty Bell

C) Michael Jackson’s Chimp, Bubbles

101. What thrill ride at Epcot is so authentic that motion sickness bags are available just in case of emergency?

A) Mission: SPACE

B) Test Track

C) Ellen’s Energy Adventure

102. Where does “intergalactic lounge singer” Sunny Eclipse perform daily at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

A) Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Tomorrowland

B) Johnny Appleseed’s Tavern, Liberty Square

C) Big Bamboo Lounge, Highway 192

103. What is the name of the audio-animatronic dog in the Carousel of Progress?

A) Rover

B) Spot

C) Triumph

104. Which of the following movies had scenes shot in Orlando?

A)Police Academy 6: City Under Siege

B)The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie

C) Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector

105. Who won the 2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge?

A) Tiger Woods

B) Happy Gilmore

C) Vijay Singh

106. What is the name of the one-of-a-kind “watercoaster” ride at SeaWorld Orlando?

A) Beyond Atlantis

B) Journey to Atlantis

C) Pelt a Penguin

107. Which new after-hours event did Disney’s Magic Kingdom introduce during the winter of 2007?

A) Disney’s Very Merry After Christmas Party

B) Disney’s Pirate & Princess Party

C) Disney’s It’s A Dead Man’s Party

108. Which body of water in Central Florida is the fourth-largest lake in Florida?

A) Lake Apopka

B) Lake Orlando

C) Lake Bithlo

ANSWERS:

1. B

2. A

3. B

4. C

5. A

6. B

7. A

8. A

9. B

10. C

11. C

12. A

13. A

14. A

15. B

16. B

17. C

18. A

19. A

20. B

21. A

22. B

23. B

24. C

25. C

26. B

27. A

28. B

29. C

30. A

31. A

32. B

33. B

34. A

35. C

36. A

37. A

38. B

39. C

40. A

41. B

42. B

43. A

44. C

45. A

46. B

47. A

48. B

49. C

50. A

51. A

52. B

53. C

54. C

55. A

56. A

57. C

58. A

59. B

60. A

61. B

62. B

63. B

64. C

65. A

66. A

67. B

68. A

69. C

70. A

71. B

72. A

73. B

74. A

75. C

76. C

77. A

78. A

79. A

80. B

81. B

82. B

83. C

84. B

85. C

86. B

87. A

88. A

89. B

90. A

91. B

92. A

93. A

94. C

95. C

96. A

97. A

98. A

99. B

100. B

101. A

102. A

103. A

104. C

105. C

106. B

107. B

108. A

Ryan Wiseman
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/disney-fanatic-test-your-knowledge-of-disney-world-orlando-140471.html

How to Find an Affordable Life Insurance Policy Online

Saturday, September 26th, 2009

You want to buy life insurance to protect your family in case of your death, but you don’t want to spend more than you have to. Fortunately, the Internet is a great source for finding an affordable life insurance policy.

Finding Affordable Life Insurance Online

To help you find an affordable life insurance policy online, start by signing on to an insurance comparison website. Such websites will give you fast access to affordable life insurance quotes from numerous A-rated insurance companies.

On the best sites, you’ll also have access to licensed insurance professionals who can answer your questions and help you choose an affordable life insurance policy that’s right for you and your family. (See link below.)

When you get to the insurance website, you’ll complete a form with information about your …

* Desired insurance coverage

* Job

* Hobbies

* Health and medical history

So the insurance website can match you with the best companies and provide you with accurate quotes, it’s important that you complete the form accurately, completely, and honestly. If you don’t admit that your hobby is skydiving and you later die in a skydiving accident, your family may not receive the death benefit you wanted them to have.

Insurance Tips

There are some ways you can make your online life insurance policy more affordable:

* Find out if you can save money by paying your premium annually instead of monthly.

* Don’t get more life insurance than you need. As you decide how much life insurance you need, take into account any life insurance benefits you have through your job and any Social Security benefits your survivors might receive.

* If you want the investment benefits offered by a whole life policy, look for a no load policy, which will be more affordable.

* If your health isn’t the best, work on improving it. Stop smoking, begin an exercise program, lose weight, or do whatever else you need to do to improve your health.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/life-insurance.html or click on the following link to get an affordable life insurance policy quote online and see how much you can save. You can also get more insurance tips there.

ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/how-to-find-an-affordable-life-insurance-policy-online-137629.html