ChipIn Simplifies Collecting Cash For Group Giving

For some gift-giving occasions, it's more fun to get together with a group and kick in for one big gift to someone. Trouble is, collecting all the money is a big pain. ChipIn can help.

ChipIn is a free, web-based service that tells people you're collecting cash for an event or occasion and gives them a way to contribute to your fund via Paypal and track how much the group is accumulating.

It's super easy to set up an account at ChipIn—all the service needs is the Paypal address (but no login information) of where you want the money sent. Contributors can tell at a glance how much money has already been given, and how close the group is to meeting its goal (if you specified one). ChipIn also keeps track of who's kicked in money already and who hasn't, so you'll know who to thank when the event is over. There are no fees to use ChipIn, but Paypal might charge withdrawal or deposit fees to the account holder, so be sure to check out the details before you start accepting money.

ChipIn is a more transparent way to collect money from groups instead of asking folks to just blindly send money to someone's Paypal account. On the other hand, there's really no way to prevent someone from running off with collected funds, and ChipIn won't help you out if it happens. That said, ChipIn makes a lot of sense for families or connected groups to collect money without a lot of hassle.

What are your thoughts on services like ChipIn? Do you think they're safe to use, or do you rely on other means to collect money from groups? Let us know in the comments.
ChipIn

Game Rush: Mobclix And PlayHaven Predict Record iPhone Game Downloads During The Holidays

Between the presents, family time and the eggnog, iPhone users will be hitting their device for competitive entertainment, says gaming community platform PlayHaven and mobile ad exchange Mobclix. According to data released today, the two companies predict that iPhone game usage is likely to set record in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, called a “Game Rush,” with usage 28 times greater than the same weekly period last year.

PlayHaven says as the number of games on the App Store increases (there are currently more than 15,000 games available), consumers can turn to their iPhone for entertainment vs. consoles. PlayHaven also predicted that in the coming year, discovery of games and applications is increasingly going to originate outside the App Store. By the end of 2010, PlayHaven’s founder and CEO, Raymond Lau, said up to 25 percent of iPhone app purchases may originate at some location other than iTunes or the App Store as companies like PlayHaven seek to capitalize on the increasing complexity of app discovery in a universe of more than 125,000 titles.

Lau may be right. More and more app directories have emerged to help users make sense of the 100,000 plus Apps on the App store. Appolicious, mPlayit, Chorus, Sidebar, and many others not only provide customized recommendations for your application tastes and interests, but also lead users directly to the App Store to purchase and or download the apps. Many of these directories also allow you to share your apps on Twitter and Facebook.

Mobclix and PlayHaven’s “Game Rush” forecast is based on analysis from Mobclix’s mobile ad exchange. Mobclix used historical app download data and calculated a projection based on the increased number of Apple mobile devices sold during the year.

Meaning and Origins of the Star of David

The Star of David, Jewish Star, or Magen David means Shield of David. It is one of the most popular Jewish symbols that has been in use at least since Babylonian times.

As popular knowledge, it is said that the young Israelite lad, David, who would later become King David, used a shield in this shape when he went to battle.

Use of Star of David in Kabbalah

In Kabbalah, the Star of David symbolizes the six spaces of space plus the center; Up, Down, East, West, South, North and Center.

These are also reflected in the seven spiritual building blocks (Sefirot) with which God created the world: Chesed (Kindness), Gevurah (Severity), Tiferet (Harmony), Netzach (Perseverance), Hod (Splendor), Yesod (Foundation) and Malchut (Royalty).

Another kabbalistic meaning is stated in the Zohar:

There are three knots connecting one to another, The Holy One, blessed be He, Torah and Israel. One triangle represents this 3 sided connection on an inner dimension, and the second triangle refers to an external demonsion. The essence of the soul connects with Gods essence through the study of Torah and Kabbalah. The external connection to God is through practical application of these studies.

The number seven has multiple significance in Judaism for example;

Another idea is that a six pointed star receives form and substance from its solid center. This inner core represents the spiritual dimension, surrounded by the six universal directions.

According to G.S. Oegema -

"Isaac Luria provided the Shield of David with a further mystical meaning. In his book Etz Chayim he teaches that the elements of the plate for the Seder evening have to be placed in the order of the hexagram: above the three sefirot "Crown", "Wisdom", and "Insight", below the other seven". [5]

Similarly, M. Costa wrote that M. Gudemann and other researchers in the 1920s claimed that Isaac Luria was influential in turning the Star of David into a national Jewish emblem by teaching that the elements of the plate for the Seder evening have to be placed in the order of the hexagram, but Gershom Scholem proved that Isaac Luria talked about parallel triangles one beneath the other and not about the hexagram. [6] The Star of David at first was only known remotely and would not be considered 'official'. At the time the nearest thing to an Islamic symbol would be a menorah.

The six days of Creation and the seventh day of rest.

In the 17th century, it became a popular practice to put Star of Davids on the outside of synagogues, to identify them as Jewish houses of worship in much the same way that a cross identified a Christian house of worship.

During the Holocaust, the Nazis forced the Jews to wear a yellow Star of David as a method of identification.
Today, in the State of Israel, the Magen David Adom (red Star of David) symbols official emergency medical ambulance service. It is an official member of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Wearing Star of David Pendants is a popular way of expressing identification with Judaism.

Baby Beanie Caps for the Little Ones

Beanie caps come in all sizes, shapes and colors. From adults to children, there is a beanie cap just for you. Babies are not excluded from this fashion line. Yes, there are baby beanie caps for the little heads. There are even sizes that fit the heads of newborn babies. Parents of newborn babies want to keep the heads of their little ones warm and free of any breezes. This prevents the babies from catching common colds or even other viral infections that can be life threatening.

Baby beanie caps are made with both little girls and little boys in mind. They come in both blue and pink colors as well as the neutral colors such as yellows and greens. There are even those colors such as brown, black, and purple for those beanie caps that you want to go with a matching outfit. There are many chooses of colors and styles to choose from. There are also just about as many vendors of baby beanie caps. The question is up to you, the customer as to how much you are willing to pay for your cap. There are cheap made caps (those that are made with a lesser quality yarn) and then there are those that are made with the more expensive yard. Of course, depending on the type and quality of yarn, the cost of the baby beanie cap will be.

What’s funny is that it does not require a lot of yarn to create a baby beanie cap so why is they so costly? Because they are small and it takes a little more patience to make something that is small then it does to make something big. I often wondered why it took more money to buy something that was little then it took to buy something that was big. Now you know. The smaller the item, the more it is going to cost.

Shopping for baby clothes was always a fun thing to do. However I do not find myself partial to shopping for baby items that are for head. Frankly I don’t even like shopping for myself either but there is just something about shopping for baby beanie caps. They are really fun and you will always find them to be adorable when you let your child wear them.

Baby Beanie Caps can be the perfect addition to your child’s wardrobe. They are cute and adorable and come in many colors to choose from. Orange, black, purple, blue, pink, or plaid, they are constructed of all colors under the sun. From winter months to summer months, from picnics, to trips to the beach, from coming home from the hospital to an evening out with parents, baby beanie caps can be worn everywhere. The possibilities are endless. Make them part of your child’s everyday wardrobe while they are young. It eliminates the need for those bulky clothing items on a cool summer night. Just put one on and away you go with the family

Old Time Radio Comedy Shows

Who doesn't like a good laugh now and then? Have you ever tried listening to old time radio? If you enjoy good comedy shows, then you're in luck. There are many very funny shows in old time radio.

One of my very favorites is "Father Knows Best". The role of father is actually played by Robert Young, who played in the TV show by the same name. At times, I find myself laughing out loud at the antics of the Anderson family. All of the funny situations they get themselves are so clever and humorous. If you enjoyed the TV show, I think you'll really enjoy the radio version. The series began in 1949, on NBC Radio and was sponsored by General Foods. The show was heard on Thursday nights and ran until 1954.

Another great old time radio comedy show is "The Bickersons". This is a radio comedy that began in 1946 on NBC, and then moved the next year to CBS where it ran until 1951. The show is very funny. It's about a couple that's always arguing about just about everything. The exchange of verbal jabs is a real hoot. The couple is played by Don Ameche and Frances Langford. They do a great job in their roles. You won't want to miss this show.

Or how about "Fibber McGee and Molly". This series ran from 1935 to 1959, being One of the longest running comedy shows in the history of old time radio. Even after radio stopped being the main form of entertainment in America, this show was still running, due to it's huge popularity. This was one of the best loved shows in radio in it's day. It's a situational comedy that's sure to get a laugh from you. The shows was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1989.

Another one of my personal favorites is the ever popular "Abbott and Costello". You just can't help laughing at this pair of friends who are always finding themselves in funny situations everywhere they go. The most famous skits they performed was called "Who's On First". This is one of the most listened to comedy routines in history. They had their own weekly show starting in 1942. The show was sponsored by Camel cigarettes.

No discussion of old time radio comedy would be complete without mentioning Amos and Andy. What a popular show this once was. It ran from 1938 through the early 50's. It was about the funny adventures of two friends that moved to the "big city" to start a new life for themselves. Of course, they always found themselves in the most comical situations that'll keep you laughing through the entire show.

These are just a few of the hilarious shows you can be enjoying when you join the many thousands of old time radio listeners. But how are you ever going to find these old shows? It's easy. There are so many people who love old time radio comedy shows that there are many websites devoted to sharing these fine old shows with anyone who may be interested in listening to them.

Why don't you give it a try. Listen to just one "Father Knows Best" show and you'll be hooked. Old time radio is a great hobby that'll provide you with hour after hour of pure enjoyment.

What is the Difference Between a TEFL and Trinity Course?

If you’re muttering this question to yourself, the chances are you’re serious about teaching English abroad, but you’ve spent so much time scouting TEFL sites and eavesdropping on forums that you’re more baffled than ever about the training you need. All you want to do is find a decent course so you can get out there and teach, right?

The truth is, although TEFL and Trinity courses have their differences, their fundamental similarity is more important: they offer the same end result. Complete a reputable TEFL course or a Trinity course and you’ll gain a golden ticket to the best teaching jobs across the world – it’s that simple.

So what’s a TEFL course?

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses are designed to train you with all the skills you need to teach English to foreign students – both abroad and in your native country.

And what’s a Trinity course?

A Trinity course is a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) qualification that’s validated by the one of oldest examinations board in the world – Trinity College London. The Trinity TESOL course is often referred to as a Trinity CertTESOL, short for The Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

So which course is for me?

Only you can decide which course is best for you. We understand that it’s hard to make the right choice without all the facts, so to help you make the decision that suits you, here’s a rundown of the most important considerations when choosing a course.
Course requirements

The good news is that neither course has ridiculous requirements. You do need to be 17 or 18 or older for TEFL courses and at least 18 to do a Trinity course, while both courses require you to speak English fluently. However, Trinity courses also ask that you prove you have qualifications for entry into higher education within the UK (or the equivalent if you're not from the UK).

A Trinity course provider will also invite you along for an interview to confirm that you meet the above criteria and to ultimately decide whether you’re suitable for the course. Unfortunately not all Trinity course applicants are successful, so if you’re looking for an easier application process, TEFL courses can be more lenient.
Course Content – the ‘nitty gritty’

Inevitably TEFL and Trinity courses do differ, but the handy thing is they’re both designed for all students, whether novice or expert, so whichever course you choose you’ll gain all the skills you need to ensure you breeze through teaching your first class.

Weekend TEFL courses

Most weekend courses include:

* Teaching practice
* In-depth study of English teaching methods
* Experienced TEFL tutors
* Grammar training
* Job contacts
* Employers reference

Online course:

Most comprehensive online courses offer more in-depth training than a 20-hour weekend course (but it's often better to combine the two):

* 40 hours of online TEFL training
* 20-hour online grammar module
* 40 hours of specialist training across 8 certificates
* Some offer free jobs abroad placement services

Trinity courses

The Trinity course consists of written assignments and at least six hours’ real teaching practice with students. You must complete the following five units successfully to pass the course:

* Unit 1: Teaching Skills
* Unit 2: Language Awareness
* Unit 3: The Learner Profile
* Unit 4: The Materials Assignment
* Unit 5: The Unknown Language

Staying Friends With Your Ex Girlfriend When You Still Love Her

She dumped you, but you're still in love with her. So what's next? Do you walk away and try to move on, or do you work toward getting your exgirlfriend back? Either one of those two choices is fine, but the one thing you simply cannot do: stay friends with your ex. Not only does the exgirlfriend friendship never work out, but it also destroys any chance you might have of ever getting back together again.

"I think we should break up, but I'd like to stay friends..."

It sounded so simple and easy when she said it. And of course, you immediately agreed. Staying friends with your ex girlfriend enables you to still talk to her, email her, text-message and even hang out together from time to time. Instead of losing her completely, you're only losing the romantic aspects of your relationship. You were friends first, right? So why can't you still be friends even after you break up?

Quite simply, friendship after breaking up is impossible. When you're still in love with your exgirlfriend, friendship puts you in some very awkward situations. You'll want to look for signs that your ex still loves and cares for you, but you'll be weighing them against her just trying to be nice. In turn, she's going to feel awkward around you because she knows you still have definite feelings. From here, there's a lot of pretending. You'll pretend to be such a great buddy who's truly happy for her successes in life, but in reality you'll be jealous that her life no longer includes you in it. She'll pretend to care about your own situation, but she'll gauging your every move and keeping you at arm's length. Your ex girlfriend will also hide certain things from you if she senses they will upset you - something true friends would never have to do.

What will happen when your ex starts seeing a new guy? Can you really be happy for her, or will you feel like someone punched you in the stomach? In a clean break, you would never have to witness those things. But in staying friends with your ex girlfriend when you still love her, you get a front-row seat to her new social life. You'll feel envious of every little thing she does without you, and when she begins seeing a new boyfriend it will feel as if your heart is being ripped out all over again.

Instead of trying to swindle your way back into her heart through a guise of friendship, why not trying more legitimate ways to get your ex girlfriend back? If you want to date her again, there are methods and techniques to draw out her more romantic feelings and emotions for you. Learning these methods can help put you on the path to creating an all new relationship with your ex, instead of pretending to be her friend. Only by being honest with yourself can you begin working toward a reconciliation... up until then, you're going to push yourself deeper and deeper into the Friend Zone: a place that's very difficult to climb your way out of.

Getting the Right Cap Displays For Your Store

It is important to know that marketing hats is not the same as marketing apparel because these merchandise have rules which can dictate if they are suitable for your customer or not. Caps or hats have gone beyond their original function which is to protect us from the rays of the sun or drops of water from the rain. Caps have become the coolest ornament in the area that they already have their own category in the fashion business. These cap items can easily spruce up one’s outfit and add life to a normal get-up.

As retailers, if you want other ways to increase your sales, try searching for the opportunity of retailing hats in your outlet. Displaying hats in your establishment should never be a problem since you just have to capture your buyer's attention and then make them get the products that you are selling.

When promoting caps in your store, your personnel should have the knowledge to understand the caps that you are promoting. Do not worry if you are going to spend more for their training and education since the quality of the service and details that they will be able to send to their customers will be reliable and persuasive. Because of this, they would be able to share information and offer advice to your customers on the hats they will get and in turn, convert to sales.

Before displaying caps and hats in your shop, you have to understand the needs of your customers. You have to be sure that the caps you are about to market will be aligned with the apparel you have in your store. This is to give focus on the fact that your customers should buy this to add spice on their outfits. Properly merchandise your caps using cap fixtures. If you partner your hats with the suitable POP display racks, your hats will be more appealing to your customers’ eyes. Customized hat display stands can help encourage people to purchase something and this can become as a clever marketing tactic.

Another way to manage hats and caps in your store is to accurately categorize them. Grouping caps according to gender would be useful for customers to instantly check which is suitable for them. A different way is to display hats according to order such as fixing them from inexpensive to expensive. Start advertising your hats to your customers by placing a sign in front of your outlet that you are currently selling the “hottest statements in town-hats”. Having a good campaign would be great knowing that you are offering something new to them.

Marketing hats is a good opportunity for you to add to your margins and build your store brand. How you present your hats to the public is very important to understand your clients' demands. Getting the appropriate retail display fixture can be tricky but still effective as you will be able to make use of the fixtures for display. Purchase a custom cap fixture for your shop now and see the wonders it brings.

The Devastating Effects of Senior Falls

As we age, simple activities of daily life can become challenges to us. From ascending stairs and doing laundry to simply driving across town to the grocery, the things we used to consider to be commonplace have now become hurdles to overcome.

Some Sobering Facts About Senior Falls

- Nearly three quarters of accidental deaths in people over the age of 75 result from falls

- We spend over $19 billion in medical costs each year on accidents attributable to falls

- 40% of all nursing home admissions are attributable to repeated falls at home

- 1 out of every 3 seniors who lives independently in their homes will seek medical care for a major fall each year

- One in four seniors who suffer hip fractures will die within one year

- About a third of those who experience a major fall ever return to the level of functionality they enjoyed prior to the fall

What Happens When Seniors Fall?

The obvious answer to that questions is “They get hurt” but the truth is a bit more complicated and threatening. First, the injuries can be more serious. Older bones are usually more brittle due to osteoporosis and likely to break. Consequently, a fall that would have been easily enough brushed off in our younger days turns into a broken hip or worse.

Second, we heal more slowly and less completely as we age. In some cases, bones may not heal at all. This can leave the victim bedridden or in an otherwise compromised state.

Third, and perhaps more ominous is the psychological and social impact of the fall. Even an insignificant fall can leave the victim of the fall in an altered mental state. Now afraid of falling again, the senior may retract from the activity that led to the fall. This can even trigger a wider scale reduction in all activities. While sitting still may seem like a prudent response to a fall, the effect can be devastating. As it turns out, lack of activity can lead to muscle atrophy, negative impact on balance and loss of muscle memory which can lead to more falls.

The self imposed isolation sometimes caused by a fall can be as detrimental to a person’s mental state as the fall is to their physical state. The fear of potentially falling again can cause seniors to forgo social and intellectual pursuits. In some cases a senior may avoid going out in public following a fall-related injury to avoid rousing questions about their ability to continue to live independently. In any case, human contact is a necessary part of life. Its absence can lead to depression and other mental afflictions and can aggravate some existing mental issues.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons say “She says she wants to keep living in her home. We say it starts by keeping her on her feet.” What this means is that the surest way to avoid falls is to stay physically active. Maintain your muscle tone, stay agile and flexible.