by wildcherry on Friday, March 12th, 2010 | Life, Tips | No Comments

Many people have fallen victim to counterfeit Yonex badminton rackets. To make sure you are not one of them, read this guide and realise that there are actually many ways to identify a counterfeit racket.

1. Observation

1.1. Price
Many fake rackets are extremely cheap. However, what you get is a racket which is made of very cheap material. It is obvious that Yonex will not sell their rackets at such price as it will not cover even the production costs of the rackets. For example, it is not possible for Yonex to sell their latest product range, Arcsaber, at $50. Remember, what you pay is what you get. However, be aware that there are some fakes which are sold at the price of the original. For such rackets, further observation is required.

Here are some prices of the genuine Yonex racquets that are available in the market:

1.2. Serial Code
There should be two serial numbers on every Yonex racket, one on the shaft and the other on the cone. The one on the shaft is the serial number which increases with every racket manufactured. The one of the cone represents when your racket is produced, in the format DDMMYXCC, with DD and MM respectively being the date and month of production. The most important information is the year of production Y. For example, if Y is 2, then the racket is produced in 2002. If you spot an Arcsaber with Y = 0, it is definitely fake since Arcsaber did not exist then. CC represents the country which it is distributed from.

Serial code should also be laser engraved and not printed. However, the fake rackets are improving in the sense that the serial codes used are so real that it may not be possible to spot any flaw through mere inspection. In such case, you can always check your serial number with Yonex representatives or with badminton enthusiasts in forums such as Badminton Central and Badminton Forum. If a racket with 7 digit 1234567 is supposed to be distributed in UK but it has distribution code (CC) CH, it is definitely fake (can be verified by Yonex representatives)

Some fake rackets have hologram stickers covering the serial number.

1.3. Additional Minor Details
In many instances, the carry cases supplied with counterfeit rackets are of cheap quality.
Carry cases should have internal thin paddings.
Many Yonex rackets have CSC cones (above the handle) with a slightly curvature. However, this may not be true for all models (e.g. Nanospeed Series)
Grommets are thicker and of higher quality
Authentic rackets always come with tight plastic wrap around the handle with a bar code printed on 1 side. The tight plastic wrap around fakes do not give the “wet/drench look” like the originals.
The orginial grips of some latest rackets (e.g. Arcsaber 10) have yonex logo pattern. Fakes have the plain red grip.
Compare labels around the racket with a genuine one. (I have spotted a JP racket which was perfect in every aspect but had a “Elastic Ti” label on one side of the frame. Genuine rackets with other country codes should have this label but it is not true for JP rackets.)

2. Testing

2.1. String Tension
If you buy the racket from a store, (pretend to) get the stringer to string 29 lbs. Genuine rackets without manufacture defect should be able to withstand string tension up to 31 without breaking upon stringing. Do not do this if you are buying over the net since they may claim that the racket broke during postage and blame you for your own decision.

2.2. Communicate with Seller
Most of the time, fake rackets sellers use the words “Brand New” in their listings and do not dare to include the word “genuine” or “authentic” in their product descriptions, as buyers can always ask for refund as the “item is not as described”. So, ask the seller regarding the authenticity of their rackets. Replies such as “What you see is what you get” or an evasive “This is made in Japan” should serve as a big red warning sign.

2.3. Weight
If you have been in the field long enough, you should be able to know how genuine rackets feel with just a few swings and hits. In most cases, a counterfeit racket is lighter than the genuine version of the same model.

3. Miscellaneous

3.1. Distribution Codes
Some distribution codes are more likely to be a victim of counterfeit products due to bigger market. Some of such distribution codes are TH, CH, and SP. The Australian code, AS, is definitely safe although who knows counterfeit rackets will adopt “safer” codes in the future to avoid detection.

3.2. Warranty
Many Yonex rackets come with warranty. For example, AS coded rackets are covered by Yonex Australia warranty for 12 months. If your racket does not come with a warranty, it is time to do a racket “background check”.

Ultimately, the most obvious feature of a counterfeit racket is its price tag. Always remember, what you pay is what you get. If you want to get cheaper rackets, you may want to settle for other brands, which would have much better quality than counterfeit Yonex rackets of the same price.

Tags: badminton, badminton racket, badminton racquet, badminton racquets, cheap yonex, counterfeit yonex, counterfeit yonex racket, fake yonex racket, is my yonex real, real vs fake yonex, real yonex

by wildcherry on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 | Life, Tips | No Comments

Here are 10 tax deductible items are almost always overlooked.

1. Miles driven for medical related incidences are deductible as an itemized deduction. The rate is $.20 for 2007 and $.19 for 2008. Miles are totaled for doctor visits and hospital visits. Start adding them up and you will be amazed. Think about it on a weekly or monthly basis and then multiply by 52 or 12 respectively.

2. Interest paid on a 2nd mortgage is deductible as long as the residence has a function kitchen and bathroom. Have you ever considered your motor home in this hidden tax deductible item?

3. Charitable donations are often overlooked since we do this out of the kindness of our hearts. But when it comes tax time sit down and figure these up. This includes car, electronic, books, clothes donations and many more.

4. Moving expenses incurred for a job related move are a tax deductible item. There are certain tests to qualify for this deduction so be sure to consult your tax advisor. Deductions include transportation and storage of household goods. Travel including lodging from your old home to your new home is deductible.

5. Deducting alimony can provide an annual tax reduction of $3,360 per year assuming $1,000 paid per month and you are in a 28% tax bracket. Do not pass this one up as the alimony is also taxable to your ex.

6. Student loan interest paid on loans for education is deductible. People often miss this one because a lot of changes take place after graduation and this deduction gets over looked. With rising education costs the student loan interest really adds up.

7. Taxes withheld from your paycheck that have been sent on to your state on your behalf by your employer are deductible. Also if you owed your state for taxes from the year before that you paid during the current tax year do not forget this tax deductible item.

8. Loans made to family and friends who have failed to repay you are deductible as worthless debts on Schedule D. You are limited to $3,000 per year until the full loss is taken. But if you have capital gains then the whole loss can be taken up to the amount of the capital gain plus $3,000.

9. If you are self employed there are countless deductions but for the purpose of this article do not be afraid to take a loss on line 12 of your 1040 resulting from your Schedule C. If I did not make any income from my self employed venture can I take a loss? Yes absolutely.

10. When a family member moves into another home you own often you will forget to report it. The incentive to reporting is that this is a tax deductible item. You can usually create a loss to be reported on your 1040 when these deductions are properly accounted for.

Tags: filing tax online tip, items eligible for deduction, tax deductible items, tax deduction list, tax filling, tax return, tax return 2010, tax return tip

by nate on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 | Health, Knowledge, Life, Tips | No Comments

The authors of the best-selling weight-loss series Cook This, Not That!: Kitchen Survival Guide
have rounded up three of the worst orders of fries available at chain restaurants across the country.

Best Fast Food Fries in America
McDonald’s Small French Fries
230 calories
11 g fat (1.5 g saturated)
160 mg sodium

Worst Curly Fries
Arby’s Curly Fries (Large)
640 calories
34 g fat (5 g saturated, 0 g trans)
1,460 mg sodium

Arby’s is famous for its curly fries—too bad they’re overloaded with fat, calories and sodium. When one side dish accounts for nearly three-quarters of your daily allotment of salt, you know there’s a problem. As fun as these curli-Qs are, stick to the Homefry variety at Arby’s—downsizing to a small Curly Fries will still leave you with a 410-calorie side, which is more than many of Arby’s sandwiches!

Eat This Instead!
Homestyle Fries (Small)
350 calories
15 g fat (2 g saturated)
720 mg sodium

Worst Wedge Fries
Jack in the Box Bacon Cheddar Wedges
715 calories
45 g fat (13 g saturated, 1 g trans)
905 mg sodium

It doesn’t take a nutritionist to identify the hazards of a grease-soaked, cheese-slathered sack of deep-fried potatoes, but by appearance alone, nobody could guess what’s really at stake when you order this side from Jack’s. The American Heart Association recommends that people cap their trans fat intake at 1 percent of total calories. For people on a 2,000-calorie diet, that’s about 2 grams per day. See the problem? Another issue, of course, is the overload in calories—about one-third your daily allotment!

Eat This Instead!
Grilled Chicken Strips (4) with Fire Roasted Salsa
185 calories
2 g fat (0.5 g saturated)
805 mg sodium

Worst Fries for Your Blood Pressure
Dairy Queen Chili Cheese Fries
1,240 calories
71 g fat (28 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
2,550 milligrams sodium

This one’s a no-brainer: Chili, cheese, fried potatoes. But even a savvy eater couldn’t possibly anticipate how bad these 3 ingredients could be when combined by one heavy-handed fast-food company. There’s as much sodium in this side dish as you’ll find in 15 strips of bacon. Stick with classic ketchup and recapture nearly a day’s worth of sodium and 930 calories.

Eat This Instead!
French Fries (regular)
310 calories
13 g fat (2 g saturated)
640 mg sodium

Worst Regular Order of Fries
Five Guys Fries (large)
1,464 calories
71 g fat (14 g saturated)
213 mg sodium

Unfortunately, Five Guys doesn’t offer anything but fries in the side department. Your safest bet, of course, is to skip the fries altogether (you’d be better off adding a second patty to your burger), but if you can’t bring yourself to eat a burger sans fries, then split a regular order. That will still add 310 calories to your meal, but it beats surrendering more than 75% of your day’s calories to a greasy paper bag.

Eat This Instead!
Regular Fries (1/2 serving)
310 calories
15 g fat (3 g saturated)
45 mg sodium

Worst Fries in America
Chili’s Texas Cheese Fries w/Jalapeno Ranch
1,920 calories
147 g fat (63 g saturated)
3,580 mg sodium

The only thing that comes close to redeeming this cheesy mound of lard and grease is the fact that it’s ostensibly meant to be shared with a few friends. Even so, you’ll collectively be taking in an entire day’s worth of calories, three days’ allotment of saturated fat, and a day and a half’s allotment of sodium. What’s even scarier, if you can imagine, is that even if you try to order more sensibly and ask for the “half” order of Texas Cheese Fries, you’ll still receive a disastrous dish that packs in 1,400 calories. There’s one French fries side dish at Chili’s that’s acceptable, although even in its much-reduced form, you’d be better off splitting it.

Bonus Tip: See what other Chili’s items made our list of The 20 Worst Restaurant Foods in America.

Eat This Instead!
Homestyle Fries
380 calories
23 g fat (4 g saturated)
230 mg sodium
source: health.yahoo.com

Tags: arby's, burger chains, Calories, Chili Cheese Fries, Dairy Queen, eat this, eating healthy, Five Guys Fries, french fries, fries, health conscious, healthiest fries, high calories food, Jack in the Box Wedges, junk food, McDonald, men health, tips of choosing fries, worst french fries, worst fries

by nate on Monday, February 15th, 2010 | Beauty, Health, Inspiration, Knowledge, Life, Tips | No Comments

Despite the way it feels, losing weight isn’t a mysterious process. It’s a simple matter of burning more calories than you eat. But, if it were really that simple, none of us would have a weight problem, would we? Weight loss can be such a struggle that we start thinking we have to do something drastic to see results – diets, pills or those weird fitness gadgets on infomercials that promise instant success. The true secret to weight loss is this: Make small changes each and every day and you’ll slowly (but surely) lose those extra pounds. The key is to forget about instant results and settle in for the long run.

1) Weigh yourself daily

Why It Works: Weekly weigh-ins are a staple of many popular weight loss programs, but some studies show that daily weighing can be key to lasting weight loss. When researchers at the University of Minnesota monitored the scale habits of 1,800 dieting adults, they found that those who stepped on every day lost an average of 12 pounds over 2 years (weekly scale watchers lost only 6) and were less likely to regain lost weight. Step on the scale first thing every morning, when you weigh the least. Expect small day-to-day fluctuations because of bloating or dehydration, but if your weight creeps up by 2% (that’s just 3 pounds if you weigh 150), it’s time to skip dessert.

2) Keep TV viewing under 2 hours a day

Why It Works: TV junkies miss out on calorie-burning activities like backyard tag with the kids; instead, they become sitting ducks for junk-food ads. One study found that adults who watch more than 2 hours of TV per day take in 7% more calories and consume more sugary snacks than those who watch less than an hour a day. Wean yourself off the tube by introducing other activities into your life. Eliminate the temptation to watch between-show filler by recording your must-see programs so you can fast-forward through the ads. Or subscribe to a mail-order DVD service like Netflix, and make a movie the only thing you watch all day.

3) Eat 4 g of fiber at every meal

Why It Works: A high-fiber diet can lower your caloric intake without making you feel deprived. In a Tufts University study, women who ate 13 g of fiber or less per day were five times as likely to be overweight as those who ate more fiber. Experts see a number of mechanisms through which fiber promotes weight loss: It may slow down eating because it requires more chewing, speed the passage of food through the digestive tract, and boost satiety hormones. To get 25 g of fiber a day, make sure you eat six meals or snacks, each of which contains about 4 g of fiber. For to-go snacks, buy a piece of fruit; it’s handier than vegetables, so it’s an easy way to up your fiber intake. One large apple has just as much fiber (5 g) as a cup of raw broccoli.

4) Sleep at least 7 hours a night

Why It Works: A University of Chicago study found that people deprived of Zzzs had lower levels of the hormones that control appetite. “The research suggested that short sleep durations could be a risk factor for obesity,” says James Gangwisch, Ph.D., an epidemiologist from Columbia University Medical Center. Sure enough, his follow-up study of 9,588 Americans found that women who slept 4 hours or less per night were 234% more likely to be obese. The key number for most people is 7 hours or more a night, he says, so set an early bedtime and stick to it.

5) Drink 8 glasses of water per day

Why It Works: Water is not just a thirst quencher–it may also speed the body’s metabolism. Researchers in Germany found that drinking two 8-ounce glasses of cold water increased their subjects’ metabolic rate by 30%, and the effect persisted for 90 minutes. One-third of the boost came from the body’s efforts to warm the water, but the rest was due to the work the body did to absorb it. “When drinking water, no calories are ingested but calories are used, unlike when drinking sodas, where additional calories are ingested and possibly stored,” explains the lead researcher, Michael Boschmann, M.D., of University Medicine Berlin. Increasing water consumption to 8 glasses per day may help you lose about 8 pounds in a year, he says, so try drinking a glass before meals and snacks and before consuming sweetened drinks or juices.

6) Stick to an 8-hour workday

Why It Works: A University of Helsinki study of 7,000 adults found that those who’d packed on pounds in the previous year were more likely to have logged overtime hours. Lack of time for diet and exercise is most likely the cause, but it’s also possible that work stress has a direct effect on weight gain through changes in hormones like cortisol. Set firm limits on your workday so that when you’re done, you still have the oomph to take a bike ride and cook a healthy dinner. To help you stay productive enough to finish on time, set an hourly alarm; when it goes off, deal with your most pressing duties.

source: health.yahoo

Tags: diet program, dieting, easy steps for losing weight, good body shape, good shape, how to lose weight, self confident, slim, slimming down, tips to losing weight, weight loss programs

by nate on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 | Health, Knowledge, Life, Tips | No Comments

You know smoking is bad for you. You know inhaling someone else’s smoke is bad for you. Now a US study says third-hand smoke – tobacco residue clinging to surfaces – is also bad for you.

When a cigarette burns, nicotine is released in the form of a vapor that collects and condenses on indoor surfaces such as walls, carpeting, drapes and furniture, where it can linger for months, said the study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

“Our study shows that when this residual nicotine reacts with ambient nitrous acid it forms carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines, or TSNAs,” said Hugo Destaillats, a corresponding author of the study.

Researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory led the study, which they say is the first to quantify the reactions of third-hand smoke with nitrous acid.

source: health.yahoo.com

Tags: bad smoker, Berkeley National Laboratory, do not smoke, health worry, infant, no smoking, smoker, Smoking, third hand smoker, toddler, why smoking is bad

by nate on Friday, February 5th, 2010 | Inspiration, Knowledge, Life, Tips | No Comments

Here are some tips from Money Management International, a consumer credit counseling agency, on meeting a financial goal:

Tags: budget management, Business, easy financial steps, financial goal, financial management, fulfilling financial goal, how to keep your financial plan, Management, money management, tips to fulfill your financial goal

by nate on Friday, February 5th, 2010 | Beauty, Inspiration, Knowledge, Life, Tips | No Comments

Based upon color research, and Ingrum’s years of experience, here is what message is sent when choosing a specific color:

White - Purity, innocence, perfection, hope
White flowers are gorgeous, unique, and non-traditional. They are perfect for a new relationship or for demonstrating your love is pure.

Red - Love, passion, desire, eroticism
Red is traditionally the color of love and romance. A dozen long-stemmed red roses are the classic romantic gift.

Dark Red - Beauty and Love
This is the perfect color to send to let your partner know how truly beautiful they are, while demonstrating how much you truly love them.

White & Red - Unity, togetherness, long-lasting love, bonding
Red and white flowers are a striking combination and they embody all of the feelings and emotions of a true bond.

Pink - Romance, sweetness, playfulness, gladness
Pink is a feminine color perfect for those fun, playful couples. Whether it’s pink roses or lilies, it’s perfect for the sweet, romantic person in your life.

Yellow - Friendship, joy, happiness
Yellow is the traditional color of friendship. With roses traditionally being a romantic flower, you may want to choose gerbera daisies or dahlias that reflect your appreciation.

Yellow & Red - Falling in love, start of a new romance
The yellow symbolizes your current friendship while red shows that you are interested in moving towards a relationship.

Coral - Desire, love
Coral is a shade of love, but more importantly, desire. Sending coral roses to your partner lets them know how much you really want them.

Purple/Lavender - Enchantment, unique, noble, devotion
Purple is the color of true devotion. Sending this color lets them know how truly unique they really are. Often associated with nobility, it’s a perfect color for a long-standing romance.

Tags: bucket, flower bucket, friendship color, Ingrum's research, romantic color, rose, the meaning of flower's color, valentine, valentine's gift

by nate on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 | Career, Inspiration, Knowledge, Life, Tips | No Comments

These five careers prove that opportunities exist across industries, and it’s not too late to transition into a field you’re passionate about.

1. Physical Therapist Assistant

Physical therapist assistants help physical therapists rehabilitate patients, including accident victims and sufferers of debilitating diseases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to grow 33 percent thru 2018, much faster than the national average. In 2008, these assistants earned an average of $46,140.

2. Registered Nurse

Registered nurses help doctors treat, diagnose, and care for patients in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and care centers. Nurses make up the largest employment group within health care, and their numbers are expected to grow by another 22 percent from 2008 to 2018. According to the BLS, registered nurses earned an average of $62,450 in 2008.

3. Elementary School Teacher

If you have a passion for learning and enjoy working with kids, a career as an elementary school teacher may be a good fit. Elementary school teachers teach multiple subjects to students from kindergarten through sixth grade, emphasizing understanding, responsibility, and consideration. According to the BLS, elementary school teachers earned an average of $49,330 in 2008, and the field is expected to grow by 16 percent from 2008 to 2018.

4. Computer Software Engineer

Computer software engineers use principles of computer science and mathematics to design and develop software. From computer games to networking systems, the programs developed by computer software engineers help computers function in our everyday lives. The BLS expects employment of computer software engineers to increase by 34 percent thru 2018, which means plenty of opportunities to enter the field. In 2008, these engineers earned an average of $85,430.

5. Management Analyst

Management analysts (also called management consultants) are business experts that help companies solve problems to remain competitive. Management analysts must think strategically and come up with innovative, effective solutions for their clients. In 2008, management analysts earned an average of $73,570, and the BLS expects their employment to increase by 24 percent in the next decade.

read more details

Tags: career opprtunity, College Degree, degree, early start career, Education, education degree, five jobs, good career, nurse, tips to start your career, top five jobs

by wildcherry on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 | Life, Tips | 2 Comments

The complete list of Federal government closing can be found on the United States office of Personnel Movement (opm.gov). Federal employees can quickly check info on the status of federal government closing and delay due to weather conditions

People who do not have internet access may call (202) 606-1900.

One of the following statuses will be indicated on the site:

Open
Open under an Unscheduled Leave Policy
Open under a Delayed Arrival Policy
Open under a Delayed Arrival / Unscheduled Leave Policy
Early Dismissal Policy
Closed

Under a delayed for arrival status, the OPM would indicate the employee about how many hours late employees may report for work.

Tags: dc government, dc government closing, federal government, federal government closed, federal government weather closing, opm.gov

by wildcherry on Friday, January 29th, 2010 | Life, Tips | 3 Comments

Here are my current best Wordpress plugins for 2010. You can visit the WordPress Plugin Directory to download the plugin that you want for your blog.

SEO Smart Links

SEO Smart Links can automatically link keywords and phrases in your posts and comments with corresponding posts, pages, categories and tags on your blog. SEO Smart links allows you to set up your own keywords and set of matching URLs. It also lets you to set nofollow attribute and open links in new window.

Google (XML) Sitemaps Generator for WordPress

This plugin generates a compliant XML-Sitemap of your WordPress blog. This format is supported by Ask.com, Google, YAHOO and MSN Search.

WP Super Cache

WP Super Cache is a static caching plugin for WordPress. It generates HTML files that are served directly by Apache without processing comparatively heavy PHP scripts. By using this plugin you will speed up your WordPress blog significantly. WP-Cache 2 caches the pages of your WordPress blog and delivers them without accessing the database. If your site is struggling to cope with the daily number of visitors, or if your site appears on Digg.com, Slashdot or any other popular site then this plugin is for you.

WordPress Backup

WordPress Backup is an essential plugin for all WordPress blog administrators. It performs regular backups of your upload (images), current theme, and plugin directories. Backup files are available for download and optionally emailed to a specified email. You can adjust the interval between backups and the email address to which the backups are sent. For database backup you can use WP DBManager.

Branded Login Screen for WordPress

Branded Login Screen for WordPress lets you use custom login screen instead of WordPress default. Branded Admin which lets you change the admin area is also available.

Contextual Related Posts

Contextual Related Posts WordPress plugin helps you display a list of contextually related posts for the current post. You can select the number of posts to display and if you want to automatically display the related posts in your content/feed. It doesn’t require the post to be tagged in order to display related posts and you can manually add related posts where you want them displayed

WP Comment Remix

WP Comment Remix adds to WordPress such features as Reply and Quote links for commenters. You can add a Reply link to each comment, which, when clicked, adds “@OriginalPoster”, and links it to the anchor of that comment. Clicking the Quote link has a similar action to the Reply link, but it adds the entire comment in a blockquote tag. You can choose how you want to order the comments for your readers. You can also separate the Trackbacks from the comments and move them to the bottom of the list, or remove them completely.

Akismet

Akismet is the comment spam fighter that comes built into Wordpress and it does a mighty fine job. Activate this plugin and you won’t need to moderate or captcha your comment submissions. Akismet does 99% of the work for you.

WordPress Popular Posts

WordPress Popular Posts is a sidebar widget to show the most popular posts in your blog. You can set its title (or leave it blank if you don’t want to use any), how many entries to show, whether to display or not comments count and/or pageviews for each entry listed, and to show (or not) an excerpt of each post’s title. You can list your posts either by comment count, pageviews or average daily views.

Tags: best wordpress plugins, best wordpress plugins 2010, most popular wordpress plugins 2010, top wordpress plugins, wordpress plugins