The Blast Alliance

Supposing you haven’t got the picture on gambling house odds, feel free to read on…

To clarify terms, a betting establishment is an edifice that focuses on gambling. Clients are expected to bet by challenging the slot-machines or a slew of other gambling games. Casino games in the main have mathematically determined likelihoods governing them which insure the gambling hall reserves an edge above the gaming fans.

Numerous gambling house games can get you habituated swiftly. We can consider the stereotypical one-armed bandit, a coin munching appliance with three or more discs which revolve if a bar affixed to it is operated. This appliance customarily will pay up according to a row of pictures perceptible on the lit panel of the contraption. Regrettably, casino pastimes proffer the illusion of being in control, thus tricking the gambling enthusiast: the victim is handed alternatives, but they do not match the player’s long-term negative odds. This is precipitated by the gaming room not returning the full wager as expected. This arrangement is generally noticeable in well-known casino games such as stud poker, craps, roulette or blackjack.

Texas hold’em poker is indisputably an incredibly fashionable casino game. The gambling devotees, religiously guarding their screened cards, will wager into a central pot that is ultimately granted to the last gamester controlling the best combination of cards. (As everybody knows, the coolest bluffer may well prevail as well.)

best online casino review

Much the same as Texas hold’em, blackjack too is a highly fashionable casino pastime. A generous portion of its renown is due to its particular mix of chance and know-how and choice making, not to forget a trick titled “card counting”. This is a pretty sophisticated strategy by which gaming enthusiasts may dramatically bend the winning odds of the card game for their own good both by wagering and procedural actions in accordance with the cards dealt.

Craps is yet another well known gambling hall wagering game involving the roll of a couple of dice. Customers may make wagers on the end result of one cycle, or on a succession of rolls on 2 dice. Dissimilar to blackjack, there’s absolutely no practicable bona fide winner strategy punters can play on to beat the odds.

Roulette is an incredibly popular casino based gambling pastime — a croupier twirls a roulette wheel encompassing a set of exactly thirty-seven (applies to European roulette) or thirtyeight (American roulette) differently numbered chambers in which a rolling ball must come to rest, marking the winning number as well as the other chances that come with it. If the participant wagers on a single number and actually makes it, which is to say she’s having a streak of luck, the set recompense is 35 to 1, the initial pledge will be tossed back. Hence in total it’s increased by a factor of thirty six.

Whether or not you will be faced with questions you are expected to answer depends upon the type of presentation you are giving, the time available, and your topic. To handle this possibly daunting feat, you should find my following suggestions helpful.

1. Repeat the question. Even though you heard the question, others in the room might not have, so repeat it for their benefit. Also, repeat it for your benefit. You may not be positive what the questioner is actually asking, so repeating it will give you the chance to clarify the meaning. It will also give you a bit of time to phrase your answer.

2. Practice answers before the presentation. As you are preparing your presentation, think of the questions that most likely would be asked. Then rehearse or outline your answers. This will cut down on your nerves and give you credibility and stature as the expert in this area.

3. Have questions ready. Besides rehearsing answers, you should have questions that you would like to answer prepared. Sometimes, when we reach the question and answer portion near the end of a presentation, no one asks a question. At this point, you can say, “One question I am often asked is …” This usually breaks the ice and is followed by many more questions.

4. Control the questions. It depends upon your ease and whether or not you want to take questions during or at the end of your presentation. If I am giving a long workshop, I tell the participants at the beginning that I welcome questions throughout. The caveat here is to make sure that you stay in control. Often, there may be someone in the audience who keeps interrupting with questions, and the rest of the participants begin to get antsy. At this point, I would say something like, “Why don’t we come back to that later.” Or, “Why don’t you and I talk about that after the workshop?”

5. Admit when you don’t know the answer. Rather than guessing an answer you are not sure about, admit that you don’t know the answer. You could ask the audience if anyone there might know the answer (which creates a hero among the participants), or ask the questioner for his/her business card and say you’ll find out the answer and get back to them with it. Just be sure you do follow up.

6. There are no dumb questions. Someone asking a question may feel like they are asking a stupid question. To encourage that person and others in the audience to feel good about posing questions, I always say, “That’s a good question.” It’s amazing how many excellent questions will follow.

7. Embrace the question and answer session. Why? Even though this portion of your presentation may be the most taxing for you in the beginning, it will help you with planning upcoming presentations. You will get a feel for what your audiences want to know and it will give you more confidence as you become more at ease with speaking “on the spot.”

Chris King is a professional speaker, storyteller, writer, website creator / designer, free agent, and fitness instructor. You will find her powerful presentations website at http://www.powerfulpresentations.net and her business website at http://www.creativekeys.biz

Regardless of one’s nationality and culture, cartoons and comic strips are the most universally accepted format for humor in public speaking engagements. These pieces of visual humor are seen in newspapers and magazines in most areas of the world. They may be found in newsstands in large cities, or in large libraries.

It might be fun to collect cartoons and comic strips when you travel so you have a ready supply when you need one for a speaking engagement. Be careful to avoid cartoons that have political overtones. If you are speaking to a small group, you can show the periodical or pass it around. If you want to use the cartoon or comic strip in a visual, you may need permission from the artist or copyright owner. Always read the caption for a foreign audience and give them time to mentally translate what you say. It may take what seems to be forever (4-6 seconds) for the idea to sink in. Another good resource for cartoons is ‘Witty World International Cartoon Magazine’ by Creators Syndicate.

Other forms of visual humor that transcend most cultural barriers are juggling and magic. Good resource materials are available on both topics. ‘Speaking With Magic’ is a book by Michael Jeffreys that not only teaches you simple tricks, but gives you the points you can relate to the trick. Two good magic videos for speakers by master magician Tom Ogden are ‘Teaching and Training with Magic’ and ‘The Magic of Creativity.’

In Thailand, I used props as icebreakers. I used oversize money to pass out to the crowd because I knew they were interested in ‘BIG MONEY.’ I also used some softballs that looked like dollar bills so they would have money to ‘THROW AROUND.’

Copyright © 1998 – 2005 Advanced Public Speaking Institute

Tom Antion provides entertaining speeches and educational seminars. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, having owned many businesses BEFORE graduating college. Tom is the author of the best selling presentation skills book “Wake ‘em Up Business Presentations” and “Click: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Marketing.” It is important to Tom that his knowledge be not only absorbed, but enjoyed. This is why he delivers his speeches laced with great humor and hysterical jokes. Tom has addressed more than 87 different industries and is thoroughly committed to his clients’ needs. http://www.antion.com

Advanced Public Speaking Institute
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Contact: cmckinney@public-speaking.org
http://www.GreatPublicSpeaking.com

Visit our Blog at http://www.GreatPublicSpeaking.BlogSpot.com

Cell phones have come a long way – regardless of whether you’re a business person or stay-at-home mom, having a cell phone with you is no longer a privilege – it’s a NECESSITY. In this modern technology age, the cell phone has progressed from being just your average communication device. The cell phone is now also a personal organizer, diary, calculator, timer, alarm clock, emailing device, faxing equipment, news reporter, etc.

In times of emergency, a cell phone can and will definitely prove to be a life-saver and 14-year-old Kelly Emerson can attest to that. Getting lost in a jungle is no fun for the teen. But thanks to her careful and wary mom, Kelly took a cell phone with her and when she got lost in the jungle, the cell phone she had with her saved her life. Within 3 hours, they found her hanging to her cell phone and praying. Wet, crying, hungry – but safe!

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently suggested that communication companies work harder to incorporate a location pinpointing device and technology on cell phones so that call receivers can check the location of the caller in times of emergency. For people like Kelly Emerson, the cell phone saved her life – but with an advancement of technology, the caller or owner of the cell phone may not even need to be awake or conscious in order for others to detect their location. Well, there are pros and cons to that kind of technology, and currently, this recommendation has come under fire and is under a lot of debate today. People are not keen on turning their cell phones into personal tracking devices because of very obvious reasons – it’s a form of intrusion into their personal lives. And instead of saving lives, cell phones with this ability may even become a threat. Let’s say, a murderous husband is trying to track down a runaway wife and is able to detect her location via her cell phone.

While individuals are quite confused about this new cell phone technology, large corporations are more than happy to welcome this new cell phone technological advancement. Imagine…with this personal tracking device installed into their customers’ cell phones, companies can locate the customers via their cell phones. If the customer is within the vicinity of their outlet, they can instantly send messages or make calls to that customer!

However, telecommunication companies are stumped on whether this new cell phone feature should be incorporated into future cell phones. Like the Internet, privacy is a huge problem. Personal information is big in the data-mining business, but so is privacy.

We’ll just have to see how far cell phone companies are willing to go to make their bucks!

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.cellphone-source.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

About the Author

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.cellphone-source.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Far-reaching environmental legislation continues to change the way Americans live, work, and run their businesses. For the past decade and a half, companies have worked toward meeting the latest air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In 2005, regulations introduced by the Clean Air Act of 1990 came into full effect with the goal of reducing harmful emissions by 57-billion pounds per year. The act continues to have a huge impact both economically and environmentally as it targets the sources of urban air pollution, acid rain, and stratospheric ozone depletion.

Air pollution is not a new problem in the United States. During the 1940s, a series of pollution-related disasters forced Americans to acknowledge the need for clean air standards. The worst of those incidents took place during a five day period in 1948, when smog caused by industrial emissions and coal-burning furnaces killed 20 people and sickened nearly 7,000 others in the small town of Donora, Pennsylvania.

The tragedy spurred the federal government to take control of air quality management. In 1955, the Air Pollution Control Act was introduced to mandate the national investigation of air pollution. More stringent air quality controls were later established with the creation of the Clean Air Act of 1970 and the formation of the EPA. In 1990, the Clean Air Act was revised to include the following amendments:

* Title I – strengthens measures for attaining national air quality standards

* Title II – sets forth provisions relating to mobile sources

* Title III – expands the regulation of hazardous air pollutants

* Title IV – requires substantial reductions in emissions for control of acid rain

* Title V – establishes operating permits for all major sources of air pollution

* Title VI – establishes provisions for stratospheric ozone protection * Title VII – expands enforcement powers and penalties

The legislation not only provides the EPA with innovative regulatory procedures, but allows for a variety of supportive research and enforcement measures. Individuals may face fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment up to 15 years, with each day of violation counted as a separate offense. Businesses may face fines of up to $500,000 for each negligent violation and up to $1 million per day for knowing endangerment. Many corporations must apply for national operating permits because of the emissions released by their processes.

Current industrial air quality testing is driven by the latest amendments. A major focus for manufacturers under the new provisions can be found in Title III, which identifies and lists 189 HAPs (Hazardous Air Pollutants) to be reduced within a ten-year period. This is a tremendous increase since the EPA had previously established standards for only seven HAPs out of only eight listed. These pollutants can result in serious health effects, such as cancer, birth defects, immediate death, or catastrophic accidents.

Among the air pollutants the act pinpoints for monitoring are VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These chemicals are identified as organic because of the presence of carbon, but many are synthetically created. VOCs include gasoline, industrial chemicals such as benzene, solvents such as toluene and xylene, and tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, the principal dry cleaning solvent). Many VOCs, such as benzene, are present on the HAP list because of the threat they pose to human health. These pollutants may cause death, disease, or birth defects in organisms that ingest or absorb them.

There are a variety of methods for the determination of TO (toxic organic) compounds in ambient air at parts-per-million (ppm) and parts-per-billion (ppb) concentration levels. Following the EPA’s TO-14, TO-14A, or TO-15 Methods, VOCs in air are collected in specially prepared canisters and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) instruments.

To test air quality using these methods, a sample of ambient air from a source must be drawn into a pre-evacuated specially prepared canister. After the sample is collected, the canister valve is closed, an identification tag is attached to the canister, a chain-of-custody (COC) form completed, and the canister is transported to a laboratory for analysis.

Upon receipt at the lab, the proper documentation is completed and the canister is attached to the analytical system. Water vapor is reduced in the gas stream by a dryer (if applicable), and the VOCs are then concentrated by collection in a cryogenically cooled trap. The refrigerant, typically liquid nitrogen or liquid argon, is then removed and the temperature of the trap is raised. The VOCs originally collected in the trap are revolatilized, separated on a GC column, and then run through one or more detectors to identify the components and concentrations in each sample. Findings are thoroughly documented in a written report which is presented to the client.

The qualitative and quantitative accuracy of these analyses is of the utmost importance. Difficulty arises in part because of the wide variety of TO substances and the lack of standardized sampling and analysis procedures.

To facilitate the improvement of laboratory air quality testing and analysis, one proactive company, Scott Specialty Gases, offers a cross-reference program for labs. Now laboratories can evaluate their own proficiency by comparing their results against Scott Specialty Gases’ as well as the blind results from other participating labs. By employing the highly accurate and stable gas mixtures manufactured by Scott Specialty Gases, laboratories can also calibrate their GC/MS instruments to achieve more precise readings of samples.

Chemical manufacturing plants, oil refineries, toxic waste sites or land fills, and solid waste incinerators are just a few of the many sources of hazardous air pollutants. The financial cost to install state-of-the-art controls is great.

Thanks to the services offered by companies like Scott Specialty Gases and to the more stringent requirements of the Clean Air Act of 1990, the environment is on the mend. The impact of industry compliance with the Clean Air Act of 1990 has been astounding. Careful testing has already shown a significant improvement in national air quality thanks to anti-pollution efforts. According to studies conducted by the Foundation for Clean Air Progress, exposure levels for ozone and particulates have decreased and four of the six most serious pollutants identified by the Clean Air Act of 1970 are no longer being released into the air at unhealthy levels. These improvements fly in the face of data that shows increased population growth and energy usage in the United States. Regulatory vigilance and technological advances in environmental monitoring have made cleaner air a reality.

This article is provided by Scott Specialty Gases. Scott Specialty Gases, a leading global manufacturer of specialty gases located in Plumsteadville, PA. More information on the company can be found at http://www.scottgas.com.

This article is copyrighted by Scott Gases. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part and may not be posted on other websites, without the express written permission of the author who may be contacted via email at scottgas@digitalbrandexpressions.com.

Sources:

“Clean Air Act.” Jan. 25, 1996. DOE Environmental Policy and Guidance. US Department of Energy. http://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/laws/caa.html

Faletto, John S. “1990 Clean Air Act Amendments – Impact on Small Businesses.” March 1994. Illinois Municipal Review. Illinois Periodicals Online (IPO). http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/im940311.html

“History of the Clean Air Act.” Environmental Resources for Teachers. Foundation for Clean Air Progress. 2002-2004. http://www.cleanairprogress.org/classroom/cleanairact_text.asp

McIntosh, Hugh. “Catching Up on the Clean Air Act.” August 1993. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 101, No. 3. Sept. 11, 1998. http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1993/101-3/focus1.html

“Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Chemicals in Ambient Air.” Cincinnati, OH: 1999. US Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/files/ambient/airtox/tocomp99.pdf “The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act.” April 1993. Air Quality Planning and Standards. Updated: May 13, 2002. US Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/pegcaain.html

Scott Specialty Gases. “Toxic Organic mixtures come in returnable cylander.” Feb. 12, 2004. Managing Automation. 2004. http://news.managingautomation.com/fullstory/30553

Autosurf programs are big online moneymakers. For people who
have always wanted to earn money online with very little effort
autosurfing could be the way.

Exactly what is autosurf and how can you make money with paid
auto surf programs? Companies that have web sites will pay for
traffic. They will pay to have people visit their sites and
hopefully buy what they are selling. Autosurf web sites
are the go-between, the connection between you and the companies
looking for more traffic. They will pay you to view web sites
and online content specifically targeted to web promotion
professionals like yourself.

Some people are making hundreds of dollars every day in just a
few minutes of time. And maybe you want to do the same thing. It
is a very simple process to get started making cash with paid
autosurf programs. This article will explain the basics of what
you need to do to get started in the amazing world of auto
surfing.

There are many online money making scams, Ponzi schemes or
pyramid schemes available to people who are willing to invest
their hard earned money before doing their homework. Greed can
cost you a lot of money if you are not careful. This article is
not concerned with those schemes, but will cover the
high-earning potential of paid autosurfing, also known as
autosurf for cash.

Let’s say a company called ABCD Investments (a make believe
company) wants to get more traffic to their web site. They
contact an autosurf company such as 12 Daily Pro and pay them
money to increase their web traffic. ABCD Investments believes
that a certain percentage of people visiting their web site will
buy what they are selling. So they are willing to pay to get
potential buyers to their site.

In exchange for this payment 12 Daily Pro turns around and pays
internet users like you and me to view ABCD Investments’ web
site for a few seconds. This way ABCD Investments gets the
traffic they want while the web site surfers like you and me get
paid to view their web site.

There are thousands of companies that will pay to get additional
traffic to their sites. Auto surf companies such as 12 Daily Pro
have thousands of web sites that they are supposed to get
traffic for and thousands of people that they pay to view those
sites. Web surfers just like you can “auto surf” those web sites
for just a few minutes a day with the possibility of making a
huge return on their investment.

To make money with paid auto surf programs there is usually a
membership fee required. The larger the membership fee the more
money the member can make. Getting started in autosurfing is a
very simple process. A person will sign up with an auto surf web
site and then deposit money to become a paid member. Once they
are a member they will autosurf for a few minutes each day to
earn money. After a specified period of time, usually several
days to a month, the member who autosurfs can cash out their
earnings. They can then take their earnings and stop or they can
put the money back in for more autosurfing and more earnings.

One thing to be aware of is that there are probably more scam
autosurf sites than there are legitimate ones. So it pays to do
your homework and only invest in auto surf sites with a good
history of paying what they owe their members. Like all
investments there is a risk that you could lose every cent you
put into it. So be very cautious before investing your hard
earned money in a risky venture.

12 Daily Pro is a company that has a long track record of paying
their members on time, every time. They are at the top of the
list. There are other companies that have so far proven very
reputable and reliable, but one needs to do their homework
before putting money into an autosurf company.

Many a better has asked me “Why would I benefit from any poker rakeback? I play on the web when there is a bonus to play.” What will you do if one of these days you take the opportunity to be a full time poker gambler? There are many bettors who are really vexed at not using poker rakeback but now the majority of them have now opted in for each leading poker website and skins. Don’t let this happen to you.

Full Tilt Poker Rakeback

If you are a better that wagers less than a couple of dollars and then just plays when you are clearing bonus sign-up rewards, you are taking in most cases around a hundred percent rakeback considering the bonus on the stake. A certain well known site lately shut down card players who employed their site only for this purpose. It’s anyone’s guess if this exercise might start a trend. Should this materialize then instantly a rake back offer will be a necessity. One day you might just find your greatest game and then discover you are very lucky, that’s if you aren’t by now. I was injured by an on the job accident and found poker during my recovery and I have never regretted it. That is a couple of years ago now and believe me I have never required to work since because of betting and of course rakeback. It is always brilliant idea to look ahead. Consider it an investment in tomorrow, even if you don’t imagine Full Tilt Poker rake back is desirable for you today it just might become an excellent option tomorrow, there is no danger. If you’re considering checking out any different poker room checking out rakeback is essential.

The online gambling help association Rakeback Professionals is pleased to have such a lot of reputable affiliates. It is as uncomplicated as logging into any The online gambling advice association Rakeback Professionals affiliate web site or even as accessible as e-mailing. The affiliate can get everyone started in no time. You will be able to start playing directly. Should you sign up with a partner thru Rakeback Professionals you can rest assured this affiliate has been screened and in addition have agreed to grant permission to Rakeback Professionals to mediate any dispute that may happen. Nevertheless since we screen each of our affiliates, problems have been relatively few and in addition we will always move instantly to get to the bottom of the complaint for the protection of all our gamblers.

Remember the time when you attended a job interview and thought you had done exceptionally well? As you travelled home, you thought about how well your qualifications and experience matched what the firm wanted; you thought about how impressed your friends would be when you went to work for The Prestigious Company; you envisaged yourself in the nice new office that went with the job, and the extra money you’d have for your family. Wow, life was great!

A week later when you received a letter with The Prestigious Company’s logo on it, you felt it could be a letter of offer, but then a cold chill came over you and you thought it might be to advise that you had been unsuccessful. You took the letter inside your house, poured yourself a drink and eventually sat down to open the letter that was about your future. When you read it it said:

Dear Mr Yourname,

BAD Writer, Human Resources Manager

Your heart sank into the pit of your stomach and you felt a surge of shattering disappointment. This was the eighth job for which you had applied … nobody wanted you.

At the end of the day, bad news has to be conveyed just as good news does. However, the way in which it is conveyed can create a different response for the recipient. There’s a mnemonic: KKK which stands for: K – Kiss; K – Kick; K – Kiss again.

This suggests that what we should do is write something positive first (Kiss), then deliver the bad news(Kick) and Kiss again with another positive statement. Here’s an example of a “No” job letter that follows this formula. See if you can identify the KKK elements:

Dear Mr Yourname

GOOD Writer, Human Resources Manager

This type of letter is of course, still disappointing for recipients. But letting them know that they were worthwhile candidates, that there were numbers of other equally well qualified candidates and you found someone who was more suitable, is a less damaging approach.

The last sentence helps to create goodwill for the company.

Obviously, there are dozens of different scenarios for bad news letters and I can’t deal with every scenario here. If you remember the formula and sit in the receiver’s chair ie, think what it would be like for you to receive the letter you write, you’ll do a better job.

The trick is to say “no” or deliver the bad news with compassion for the dignity and feelings of the recipient. If you follow the formula, you’ll find it works well.

Copyright 2005, Robin Henry

Robin Henry is an educator, human resources specialist and Internet entrepreneur. He helps small and home-based businesses and individuals improve performance by applying smart technology and processes and developing personally. He runs his business Desert Wave Enterprises from his home base at Alice Springs in Central Australia, although at present he is working in the United Arab Emirates.

If you need to streamline your business email system, implement a link management program, get a world class Internet site management program, or simply need to know how to apply for a government job, Robin can help.

TGI’s ERP system, Enterprise 21, is geared for food and beverage
manufacturers with one plant center or multiple manufacturing
and distribution centers. The data is available to optimize the
supply chain to minimize costs and maximize profits. All
applications are inherently integrated in the TGI product suite,
so enterprise transparency truly exists. Food and beverage
executives are frequently too busy to review detailed reports or
analysis; exception reporting and alerts can be established to
provide interaction only when needed. Food and beverage industry
executives struggle due to lack of system integration and poor
visibility of major business functions. According to Rebecca
Gill, Vice-President with Technology Group International (TGI),
“Food and Beverage executives do not want to simply manage their
business, they want to lead and direct the future of their
company. These executives need real-time sophisticated tools to
make educated decisions.” Viewing inventory levels or reviewing
current production capacity is a requirement that many ERP
(Enterprise Resource Planning) software systems lack. Gill
asserts, “Advanced decision support systems and business
planning models using linear programming take the average food
and beverage executives’ day to the next level by placing all
relevant business data at their fingertips and within their
reach whenever they need it.” About Technology Group
International, Ltd. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Toledo,
Ohio, Technology Group International is a proven technology
leader delivering Tier 1 application software functionality at a
price performance level that can be readily accepted by
organizations of all sizes. Specializing in software solutions
for small and mid-market manufacturing and distribution
companies, TGI’s integrated Enterprise Series software suite is
a complete business process management solution. The product
offering includes Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP),
Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP), Supply Chain Management
(SCM), Warehouse Management System (WMS), Advanced Planning and
Scheduling (APS), Decision Support System (DSS), Business
Intelligence (BI), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and
eCommerce. TGI implements, maintains, enhances, and supports its
packaged distribution and manufacturing software solutions
directly and via its channel partners. Technology Group
International www.tgiltd.com Rebecca Gill 800-837-0028

Writing and walking are a seemingly odd mix of topics for an article, but they go well together. Particularly if you write during breaks in your walk.

Writing Journals

Whether you are writing articles or the great American novel, you will inevitably suffer from writer’s block. A good way to defeat the block is to go for a walk or hike in a park or open local area. Walking gives you a chance to think through things, let your mind wander and clear out the riff raff.

As you walk, your subconscious will be working and kicking out ideas to get you going again. You don’t want to lose these ideas, which can be a problem when you are a few miles from home and your computer. Frankly, nothing is more frustrating than getting an idea and then losing the thread while you hustle home.

I primarily write information articles for web sites. Unlike a novel, the pure volume of articles is problematic. Coming up with hundreds of unique topics can be maddening, particularly if the subject matter is rather dry. Just imagine trying to write 100 articles on tax issues! One tends to end up staring at the wall for hours on end.

I come up with my best ideas while walking on the beach here in San Diego, California. While the beach and tax articles might seem an odd mix, the ghosts of IRS agents apparently congregate on the beach and ideas become plentiful. I’ve tried two methods of keeping track of ideas while walking.

I first tried taking a dictation machine with me, but it didn’t really work out. You would be surprised how loud the ocean is on the recording. I also found it difficult to pick up the thread again when I sat down to listen to my ramblings. Fortunately, writing journals turned out to be a better option.

An author friend of mine that publishes novels suggested taking a writing journal with me on the beach strolls. He apparently had great success working out plot twists for his novels while hiking around Palomar Mountain, a good hiking spot to the east of San Diego. I gave it a try and the rest is history.

I prefer writing journals to dictating for a few reasons. Initially, it is easier to just sit down wherever you are and write out an idea and story lines. I also find it easier to pick up the thread when I plop down in front of my computer to actually start writing.

Writer’s block is a problem for every writer, regardless of the type of writing. If you’re having problems with it, you might try going on a walk and taking a writing journal with you.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of diary and writing journals with cases for the outdoors. Blank journals make great gifts for writers. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more articles on journal writing.