This weeks quotes come from Star Jones, one of my favorite Attorneys and talk show celebrity:
I guess the President says the majority of the people didn’t elect him, he doesn’t have to listen to ‘em anyway.
I want people to make the same choice I made to get healthy.
I want the big drama. I always said I don’t want a wedding I want a parade.
No, you’re not allowed to be bossy when you’re married. You have to learn compromise, and compassion and patience.
This is the time that I really miss being in my courtroom because I believe that that’s the last place in this country where there’s supposed to be fairness.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/star_jones_2.html
1. Is your house in a high-traffic area? While many are advertised in the newspaper, on the Internet and in fliers, it’s still drive-by and foot traffic that brings most open-house visitors. Amanda Staines, a sales director from Atlanta and a former agent, says she plans to hold an open house every weekend until her newly renovated two-bedroom townhome sells. The reason? “Location, location, location. My house is off a major road, so the signage can really pull” people in, she says.
2. Does it have special features or was it recently renovated? An especially beautiful house can make buyers out of the most casual visitors.
3. What’s your home’s sale price? Many real estate agents say they no longer hold open houses for high-end homes, because they consider them a draw for thieves and gawkers. They prefer to schedule private tours.
4. How much time and money am I willing to invest in an open house? In some markets, much of the competition is using stagers and investing in costly upgrades such as painting and landscaping. If you aren’t wiling to spruce things up, an open house might not be worth it.
5. Is my real estate agent behind the idea? If they don’t think it’s a good idea for your home, or are unenthusiastic about it, it might not do much for you.
Read at: http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=13108453
The annual remodeling of the Apple iPhone has made it less of a tech tool and more a fashion accessory. As a result, the iPhone is the tech equivalent of Angelina Jolie — people just can’t get enough info. Though the iPhone 4 is less than two months out of the box, it’s time again to start the rumor mill about the next round of upgrades for 2011 and beyond. And this goes far beyond the buzz of a handset that is compatible with Verizon. A look at some recent Apple patents reveals some radical changes in the works for the next generation of iPhones. Here are five of the most compelling patents and prospective upgrades:
Your iPhone will remember your favorite snack: Imagine that you’ll only need to get your iPhone on the same table as a bag of chips for it to know how many calories there are per serving. Based on a patent published in early July, that’s exactly the kind of intelligence future iPhones will have. The patent hints at “Products+,” an app that will use near-field communications technology to research products. It’s essentially a weak version of WiFi between your iPhone and microchips inserted in products by their manufacturers. The patent for “Products+” also describes a feature that would let you see a device’s user manual after scanning its bar code. Don’t know how to set the clock on your microwave? Scan it, press “View Extras” in “Products+” and find out how.
Your iPhone will recognize you: The next iPhone won’t just know more about your favorite snacks — it will also know more about you. An Apple patent entitled “Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorized Users on Electronic Device” was revealed just this week, and it describes not only how iPhone 5 security may work but also how your family can share an iPhone. The technology would recognize a user by scanning his face, recognizing his voice and even monitoring his heartbeat. Any irregularities, and the iPhone won’t unlock. It will even look out for unusual activity like hacking or “jailbreaking,” and it will report the activity to you via text message, e-mail or phone call. The tech described could also be used to set up multiple users for a single machine. This means that when you hand your son the phone so he can play games in the car, the iPhone will know not to let him access the e-mail app when he’s done with “Frogger.”
iPhones will replace business cards: Getting current iPhones to share information with one another isn’t very convenient. Two iPhones first need to detect each other as wireless devices and then must be synced before they can exchange basic user information like phone numbers or data like photos. The “Exciter” technology revealed in an Apple patent just two weeks ago would make the process much smoother by letting iPhones exchange certain information as soon as they were within a specified proximity to each other. That means when you meet a new client, all you have to do is tap iPhones and voila — contact info is exchanged.
An iPhone keyboard: Apple’s “Multi Touch with Multi Haptics” patent revealed earlier this summer describes a new iPhone touch screen that provides a whole new level of feedback to users. Rather than just creating tactile resistance to make it feel like you’re pressing buttons on the screen, the new patent describes a technology that will trigger vibrations in specific parts of the screen when you’re touching multiple spots. It would add a greater level of sensitivity to an already versatile machine and open new doors in app development.
A solar-powered iPhone: The next iPhone might have the best battery life of any model yet, provided you spend time outside. A patent revealed in January describes a new power system for Apple’s mobile devices that would allow the next iPhone to get its juice from both an internal battery and solar cells lining the device. The Energy Saver in the iPhone’s preferences would even allow users to set how much solar power the device should save up to be used later on.
Read at: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/top-stocks/blog.aspx?post=1795087&_blg=1,1795087
Elvis Presley is running for Arkansas governor. No, not that Elvis. Elvis D. Presley, of Star City, filed papers with the secretary of state’s office Wednesday to run as a write-in candidate for governor. Presley indicated in the paperwork that he wants to “supply the people with a broader array of employment and newer chain of state government.” He declined to tell The Associated Press how he got his name but says he is an Elvis impersonator in his spare time. “People will find out I’m for real,” Presley told the Arkansas News Bureau. “I hope to debate the governor on TV.” Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe is seeking re-election in November. He faces Republican Jim Keet and Green Party nominee Jim Lendall in November. Two other candidates have filed to run as write-ins for governor. Presley must still file with each of the state’s 75 counties.
Read at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38570173/ns/politics-decision_2010/?GT1=43001
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy — at least it can be for gardeners. Aside from tasting, weeding and watering, essential gardening tasks are at a lull in August. Never fear, gardening addicts: There’s always something to tend for those who are determined. But go easy on yourself and take advantage of the occasional cool day to work in comfort.
Annuals
- August is a relatively low-maintenance month for flowers, but regular watering isn’t the only task that will keep your garden in top shape.
- Keep deadheading flowers as they fade; not only will the plants look better, but if they’re allowed to produce and shed their seeds, they’re more likely to stop producing new blooms.
- In areas with mild winters and longer growing seasons, annuals should have another feeding of fertilizer in late summer.
Perennials
- Along with the tips below, water perennials weekly and deeply.
- To check on water levels, trowel into the soil and look for moisture to a depth of three or four inches, or deep enough to ensure that water is reaching roots.
- Deadhead spent blooms before they have a chance to seed.
- Dahlias are probably getting leggy right about now; if so, support them with stakes.
- Iris and other early-blooming perennials can still be divided this month and even into September. Choose a cool day or time of day, and give them a tall drink of water in their new locations.
- If you’re gardening in a mild climate, fertilize roses once again this month.
Lawns
- Since August is usually the hottest month of the year, watering is a top priority in lawn care.
- Water deeply once a week (more often during scorching dry spells) for an hour at a shot.
- Raise the cutting height on your mower to keep grass longer, conserving water and helping roots stay cool.
- If water is scarce, consider letting your lawn go dormant, and reduce watering to once a month. It may look a little scrappy, but that glowing green hue will return with fall rains.
- Wildflower seeds tend to be ripe by late summer, so if you have a meadow to mow, this is a good month to hop on the tractor.
Watering
April may be the “cruelest month,” but for gardens August is worse if the weather is hot. Even in mild climates, a single heat wave can put the kibosh on your garden if it doesn’t receive enough water.
- Water evaporates quickly on sunny days, so water early in the morning to give plants a head start.
- Make a frequent check of flowers and vegetables for their watering needs. Generally, you’ll want to give them about an inch of water each week; deep, less frequent watering is better for them than frequent surface watering.
- Add a light layer of mulch around young plants to help their roots retain water.
- If you’re keeping a green lawn, give it an inch of water once a week or slightly more often.
- Check hanging baskets and container plants every day in hot weather.
Planting
Here are a few tips for extending your growing season:
- Early in the month, plant seeds in the ground for fall and winter vegetables such as spinach, radishes, scallions, carrots and lettuces.
- There’s still time to transplant greens such as kale and collards, broccoli, cauliflower and early cabbage.
- Container plants, including perennials, trees and shrubs, can be put in the ground now.
- Plant crocus bulbs for delicate splashes of fall color.
- Order fall bulbs for planting.
Pest control
Keep up the battle against slugs and aphids.
- Slugs will tend to be more abundant now due to extra watering; plant saucers of stale beer around the garden, especially around mulched areas (a favorite slug hiding place) and near tender greens.
- At first notice of aphids, hose-blast them off of leaves or spray them with an insecticidal soap.
Weeds
Extra watering and hot weather make August a red-letter month for weeds. Expect weeds to germinate and drop their seeds faster; pull them out as soon as they pop up.
Pruning and grooming
- Shrubs and trees are approaching dormancy and should not be pruned except in mild climates. In colder climes, they may not have time to harden off before the cold weather sets in.
- Prune hybrid roses late in the month.
- Cut back lavender once it has finished flowering.
- Pinch back tomato plants for a higher yield.
- Prune raspberries after the last harvest: Cut out old flowering canes, leaving shoot tips and three or four younger canes per foot of raspberry row.
Harvest
- To avoid giving pests a free lunch, pick fruits and vegetables as soon as they’re ripe.
- It’s apple-pickin’ time! Early apples should be ready to pick this month.
- Garlic and onions can generally be harvested now; pick them when you notice their dry tops beginning to fall over, and let them air-dry.
- Harvest raspberries, which should be producing the last of their fruit this month.
- Tomatoes and melons should be harvested as soon as they’re ripe, before pests have a chance to dig in.
Houseplants
- Houseplants will need to be watered more often this month, especially if they’re in a sunny window.
- Before you head out for your Lake Minnehaha vacation, move plants out of direct sunlight, especially those in south-facing windows.
- Check the undersides of leaves for aphid clusters and send them to their doom with an appropriate insecticide.
- Flowering houseplants should be pruned after flowers fade; make cuts directly above leaf joints.
Greenhouse
- Be especially vigilant about ventilation and watering needs in the greenhouse this month.
- Take cuttings of geraniums.
- Give tomatoes plenty of water and food.
Read at: http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=20823708
