Using a Bluetooth Headset with your PC

Bluetooth

For those of you not familiar with the term, Bluetooth refers to a wireless protocol (or set of rules) designed for short range electronic applications (usually less than 30 feet in distance). Although the technology has been around for several years, Bluetooth support for PC users has been limited due to hardware manufacturers focusing on the more traditional 802.11 wireless network protocols (wifi). In reality, Bluetooth and wifi achieve different purposes and each has its pros and cons.

Cellular Telephone Bluetooth Headsets

The cellular telephone community has long embraced Bluetooth technology, developing and refining numerous wireless devices. One of the more popular Bluetooth applications for cellular telephones has been cordless headsets which enable users to leave their telephone in their bag or pocket while still being able to make and receive calls. Bluetooth headsets are generally very lightweight, worn over one ear and achieve talk times from 1-4 hours before needing a recharge.

Bluetooth PC Headset?

So if cellular telephone users have warmly embraced Bluetooth headsets, why not the PC community? At the time of writing, this author knows of no PC hardware manufacturer who has designed a Bluetooth Headset primarily for use with a PC. However, there is nothing to prevent a PC user from using a cellular phone Bluetooth Headset with their PC. Keep in mind though, these headsets were originally envisioned for cellular phone use and may need a bit of 'tweaking' before they'll perform as well as 'corded' headsets on your computer.

USB Bluetooth Adapter

Unless you own a relatively expensive notebook PC, odds are that your computer doesn't natively support the Bluetooth protocol. If this is the case, you'll need an 'Adapter' or 'Dongle' in order to make your computer 'Bluetooth enabled'. Bluetooth adapters are generally very small (a few inches long) and insert into a vacant USB port on your computer. When purchasing an adapter it's critical that you buy one that supports the 'headset protocol'. The headset protocol is merely a set of rules which enables your Bluetooth adapter to communicate with and make use of Bluetooth headsets in its vicinity. If your adapter does not support the headset protocol, no amount of 'tweaking' will get your headset working with your PC. Adapters generally run between $20 - $80 USD and can be purchased at most PC retailers.

Buying a Bluetooth Headset

Bluetooth headsets for cellular phones are generally very expensive when compared with conventional 'corded' PC headsets. Depending on where you buy your headset, you could spend anywhere from $20 to $200+ USD. If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive headset that'll simply enable you to make wireless VoIP calls using your PC, I recommend looking on Ebay. Although prices vary considerably on Ebay between merchants for similar products, overall they are considerably less expensive than purchasing the same headset from a telephone store. A word of caution about Ebay though; ensure that you read the fine print associated with shipping costs. Some Ebay merchants advertise Bluetooth Headsets for $5 USD however the real cost quickly rises to $35+ when you account for their often exorbitant shipping charges.

'Pairing' the Headset with your PC

Once your computer is 'Bluetooth enabled' and you've obtained a Bluetooth headset, you'll need to 'pair' the headset with your computer in order to use it for VoIP applications. This is usually just a matter of setting your headset in 'discovery mode' and allowing your PC to 'search' or 'discover' Bluetooth devices. The steps needed to enable discovery mode on your headset and adapter will vary between devices and should be clearly explained in the documentation accompanying your devices.

Adjusting your Audio Settings

Depending on your hardware and operating system, you may need to make adjustments to your audio settings after the headset is 'paired' with your PC. In the Windows operating system, this will involve accessing 'Audio Properties' through the 'Control Panel' and setting the audio and voice devices to your newly paired Bluetooth headset. Again, adjusting these settings should be covered in the documentation accompanying both your headset and Bluetooth adapter.

Once you're up and running, you'll wonder why you didn't adopt this wireless headset solution sooner. The freedom to wander away from your computer whilst maintaining voice over Internet conversations is something you'll come to appreciate and love.

Nathan Smith

Nathan is the owner of bluetoothpcheadsets.com which contains information about using Bluetooth Headsets with computers (PCs) and netphonedirectory.com which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP.

Nathan Currently lives in New Brunswick, Canada

Mystic Vision Opens Mind Body Connection

Worldwide extensive research is being published related to the mind-body connection, and many investigators have come to the conclusion that the mind is simply not confined within the brain, that the brain is a vehicle for the mind, and not the source of the mind.

So phenomena like out-of-body experiences and near-death experiences and so on can only be explained if we expand our understanding of the mind. The relationship of the mind and the brain is like the relationship between electricity and a battery.

I am someone who is interested in reality and not a subjective opinion. I have come to realize over the years that equating reality with what we discover in scientific labs is too limited. Also, we have confused knowledge with scientific knowledge. Science is one way of knowing, but there is knowledge that comes from philosophy, and there is knowledge that comes from intuition.

Our civilization in the last 300 years has constricted and limited the belief about knowledge as coming only from the sensate world, namely that the only valid knowledge is the knowledge available through our five senses aided by scientific methods. That's a tragic error, and we're still paying the price for it.

All these things, combined with research about remote viewing and the impact of thought on matter under controlled experiments, has convinced me that the mind is not confined within the brain.

Many books and articles have been written about trying to study mystical phenomena scientifically. Huston Smith, the great comparative religion scholar, claims that if there's one thing he discovered in his life, it's the following: that we can only control and study things that are below us. Science can study humans, animals and the physical, but that which is above us is beyond our power to control. Therefore, God cannot be subject to the requirements of science.

However, what science can do is record and describe states of being of people who are considered to be great saints and mystics. Today they are talking about alternate states of consciousness. They found out the people who are in those states, their brainwaves are radically different from other forms of consciousness, such as hypnosis, being on drugs or dreaming. What some have called the shamanic state of consciousness is a reality unto itself. We can identify and record this and study it scientifically.

Anthropologists are quite familiar with these things. In the very nature of anthropology, you are forced to examine other cultures outside the sphere of Western rationalism. In the modern West, we tend to think of numinous phenomena, to the extent we think of them at all, as something largely alien to Christianity and found primarily among Eastern and shamanistic religions.

There is a mystical tradition in Christianity that has been ignored because of what happened in Western Christianity as it confronted the challenge from science. However in Eastern Christianity, this mystical tradition has been preserved.

Western people disenchanted with materialism are trying to find it in Hinduism or Buddhism. They go to India and Tibet looking for renewal, but what they're looking for can be found in mainstream Christianity: how to experience the divine. I should say that much of Orthodoxy is not aware of this tradition, but it's there. These things are not paranormal phenomena. These are buried within each person's soul. We normal people live paranormally; our ultimate journey should be union with God.

Many of my clients over the years have told me about their experiences with the divine, angels, loved ones who have passed on, many other incidents of awareness. There is this fear of the paranormal, that somehow we will lose our precious reason and regress to the Dark Ages. If we look at it from a different perspective, we're not abandoning reason but incorporating it on a higher level, expanding our use of it.

I think the rationalists are like dinosaurs. I am not anti-reason; it is reason that takes me in the direction of belief. The rationalist position is totally irrational given what's happening on the frontiers of science today. I think rationalists live in a different world. They want to cling to the materialism of the 19th century. I think it's only a matter of time before they come around ? or they will become irrelevant.

Christopher Stewart is a Medical Intuitive assisting others in their healing process. His work is compassionate, uplifting and empowering. You can visit Christopher's website at http://www.clairvoyantguide.com for further information and to schedule a private consultation. You can also look for frequent updates to his blog at: http://intuitiveliving.blogspot.com/ Publisher's Guidelines: You may freely publish this article online, in email newsletters, or in print so long as the resource box and byline are in tact. Author would appreciate a notification, however that is optional.

Creating More Effective Proposals

The need for good proposals - the business kind, not the marriage kind - struck me again a couple of days ago, when I received a poor proposal. I had talked on the phone with a sales rep, and then she followed up with a proposal.

You know what? Her proposal was even worse than her live sales pitch. It was a completely canned message, which wasted her time and mine. With that, some thoughts on creating effective proposals.

Let's start by dividing them into two categories: commodities proposals and differentiated (or value-added) proposals.

If you sell commodities, your proposals will be relatively straightforward, as you compete on issues like price, delivery, and product characteristics. The buyer makes a relatively objective decision, and all other things being equal, he takes the best offer.

That likely makes clarity your best proposal writing strategy. For example, if you have a significant advantage in one area, you might create a matrix showing the information in a table format for easy comparison.

Turning our attention to proposals for differentiated or value-added products, we immediately notice an important distinction. There are no easy comparisons among vendors, as there are with commodity sellers.

The buyer has to compare intangibles, which means subjective judgments. He can't compare one marketing consultant with another, for example, unless he hires both, which he's unlikely to do.

Since we're dealing with subjective judgments, it's good to ask, "What goes on in the minds of buyers?" Solving a problem or exploiting an opportunity probably tops the list for most buyers. While the solution may not be immediately obvious, the need likely is plain to the buyer.

And, that's why many experts suggest that proposals address at least three specific areas: the problem, the solution, and the process (by which the solution takes care of the problem).

It's important to note, too, that proposals for differentiated products or services should not focus on you or your organization. Leave the kudos about yourself until you've covered the problem, solution, and process. And, make the part about you shorter than the first part of the proposal.

Sophisticated proposal writers also know they can increase their chances of winning by carefully studying the buyer's problem. By showing the buyer they understand the problem better than competitors, they give themselves an advantage.

There's another important distinction between proposals for commodities and differentiated products. In the case of commodity purchases, the buyer may not be the user of the product or service, likely reinforcing the objectivity effect. On the other hand, buyers who purchase differentiated or value-added products may be the users as well.

In summary, be strategic when you write a proposal, thinking through what type of proposal you're creating, and by addressing issues in the prospect's mind.

Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. Learn how you can use communication to help achieve your goals, by reading articles or subscribing to this ad-supported newsletter. An excellent resource for leaders and managers, at: http://www.communication-newsletter.com

Are You Sure You Know What Youre Doing?

Because when it comes to public relations, non-believers can produce a double-bummer -- missed opportunity AND a ton of wasted money. It really is a shame because we do public relations to change the behaviors of certain groups of people important to the success of those very Doubting Thomases.

And speaking of non-believers, what's the real reason some shy away from public relations? I believe it's because they don't understand, or believe, the direct connection between what public relations is capable of delivering and their need to achieve specific business objectives.

So, what do we say to non-believers?

Surely it's not that difficult a concept to understand or accept? People act on their perception of the facts; those perceptions lead to certain behaviors; and something can be done about those perceptions and behaviors that leads to achieving your organization's objectives. That's pretty good!

Better yet, you can establish the degree of behavior change you want, up front, then insist on getting that result before you pronounce the public relations effort a success.

That way, you KNOW you're getting your money's worth.

But it gets better. How can you measure the results of any activity more accurately than when you clearly achieve the goal you set at the beginning of that activity? You can't. It's pure success when you meet that goal.

Public relations is no different. The client/employer wants our help in altering counterproductive perceptions among key audiences which almost always change behaviors in a way that helps him or her get to where they want to be.

But, the Doubting Thomases might ask, are we really qualified to do that job?

I think yes, because everything we do is based on the same realities -- people act on their perception of the facts, and we can do something about those perceptions. So, when public relations activity successfully creates, changes or reinforces that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired- action those people whose behaviors affect the organization, the public relations effort is a success.

In practice, you may want people to perceive your organization more positively, thus strengthening its reputation. Or, you could communicate a company's strengths to a target audience leading them to a positive perception of the firm, in turn leading to new investments in the company's shares.

I know our non-believers are not primarily interested in our ability to communicate, paint images or schmooz with the media. Nor are they especially fascinated with our efforts to identify target audiences, set public relations goals and strategies, write persuasive messages and select communications tactics.

What I believe they DO want is a change in the behaviors of certain key audiences leading directly to the achievement of their business objectives.

Which is why I continually stress that quality planning, and the degree of behavioral change it produces, defines the success or failure of a public relations program.

Done correctly, when public relations results in modified behaviors among groups of people important to an organization, we could be talking about nothing less than its survival.

But that means public relations professionals must modify somebody's behavior if they are to help hit the objective and earn a paycheck - I believe everything else is a means to that end.

But, we can't let the Doubting Thomases off the hook without reminders that some very basic but unattended perceptions may be out there that could lead to very costly negative behaviors. For example, if sales prospects are unaware of your product or service, you will not get them as customers; if your customers don't remain convinced of the value of your product or service, you lose them; and if employees believe you don't care about them, productivity suffers.

And on and on when still more audiences like citizens, journalists, regulators, investors and legislators don't believe you.

So, what do I believe the unbelievers still want from us whether they know it or not? I believe they want us to apply our special skills in a way that helps them achieve their business objectives. But no matter what strategic plan we create to solve a problem, no matter what tactical program we put in place, at the end of the day we must modify somebody's behavior for them if we are to earn our money.

Which is why I say that when you measure our real effectiveness, you will be fully satisfied with those public relations results only when our "reach, persuade and move-to-desired-action" efforts produce that visible modificationin the behaviors of those people you wish to influence. In my view, this is the central, strategic function of public relations - the basic context in which we must operate.

As for the Doubting Thomases, I hope these remarks contain a nugget or two that assists you in leading them to a better understanding of how public relations works. Especially how it can strengthen relationships with those important groups of people - those target audiences whose perceptions and behaviors can help or hinder the achievement of their business objectives.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Robert A. Kelly ? 2005.

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.

Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com; bobkelly@TNI.net

My Husband Prioritizes Making Money Above Family Time

"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything he can to make more of it. It's gotten so bad that he's lost interest in our daughter. He hardly spends any time with her anymore. What can I do?"

Sounds familiar? I've heard countless stories similar to the above. Husbands ignoring family because of work. Are males wired to provide for the family so much so that they forget to enjoy raising their own children? Just strolling down the park with their wife and kids? For those women in such situations, I thought I'd share the following tips with you.

Tip 1

Be willing to communicate your feelings to your husband. Tell him EXACTLY how you feel. Communication is the key in a relationship. Make sure he is aware of how you feel about this because he can't read your mind and if you didn't tell him he don't know.

Tip 2

Present the problem to your husband not as one of blame ("You never spend any time with her and it's ruining her life"), but as one of lost opportunity ("Honey, I feel so bad that you are missing all the fun times with X. Why don't we try finding something that you like to do, so you can have some fun together.") This way he knows you are concerned, and he gets to have some control.

Tip 3

Men are in general more career-oriented than women. It is hard for women to really understand the drive men have to provide for their families. Cut him some slack.

Tip 4

Try changing the way you see things. If money is tight and it is his responsibility to provide it then that is what he is doing. You may have to carry the load with your child until things are under control. Be thankful you have a husband that has enough integrity to fulfill his obligations as a father.

Tip 5

One suggestion (for moms who do not work) is a job two to three evenings a week. It will bring in some extra income to allow your husband to spend some great quality time with your children.

I hope the above tips will help you somewhat in this problem of your husband working too hard. Oh, by the way, I'm a man ... so I can vouch that the above tips work!

About The Author

Need Some Advice on Parenting and Baby Care? Gary Hendricks has compiled the best articles on parenting, baby care and baby products => http://www.baby-product-guide.com

gary_hendricks@baby-product-guide.com

Cell Phone Accessories - A Guide To Wireless Phone Accessories

Cell phone accessories are a big business on the commodities' market today, and most folks have invested in at least one of the many options that are available for outfitting these handy little communications devices. From the practical to the bold-enough-to-make-a-statement, cell phone users of all walks of life can find just what they're looking for in order to personalize their equipment.

Car Chargers

Whether you're on a road trip for vacation or find it necessary to do a great deal of on-the-job traveling, there may be times when it isn't convenient ? or possible ? to find a place to stop in order to recharge your mobile phone battery when it runs low. For those who need something that's adaptable to life on the road, cell phone chargers are available which allow you to plug your cellular phone in to the cigarette lighter, making it possible to charge the device directly from your car's battery.

Hands-Free Sets

With the focus on safety, many states are considering a variety of laws that will abolish the use of cell phones while driving. One practical suggestion would be to invest in a hands-free set ? also known as a wireless headset ? that will allow you to continue driving without having to forego the conversations that may become necessary while you're driving. They're safe, convenient and ? since some cellular phones respond to voice activation ? round out the package to make the driving experience as safe as possible.

Faceplates (Cell Phone Covers)

For those who take their cell phone experience a bit more personally, a myriad of faceplates are available to spice up the look with a design or color that reflects your personal tastes or interests. Bold, bright colors, patterns, specialized logos ? you name it; they can be found to fit your particular brand of cellular phone and are easily interchangeable with other cell phone faceplates, if you prefer a new look every now and then.

Cases

Without a case, it can be pretty inconvenient to store your cell phone when you've finished using it and are away from home. Women often toss them into a purse, but this is problematic, as well, since the buttons are sometimes activated when an item inside makes contact with it ? even when the buttons are locked, it isn't difficult to unlock them when something inside of a purse rubs against the device. Cell phone cases typically have a clip on the back that will allow you to attach them to a purse, belt or pocket, making it much easier and more convenient to keep track of the device when it's not in use.

Belt Clips/Holsters (Cell Phone Holders)

As an alternative to the cell phone case, which completely covers the device, belt clips and holsters allow you to attach the unit to your belt, purse or pocket while keeping the bulk of the phone uncovered. Just a simple click on or off, and you can make a call when you need to and clip it back into place without a lot of fuss. The added perk to this type of accessory is that you don't have to struggle with a plastic covering that can hinder your ability to quickly place or answer calls when necessary.

Antennas

If you find that your cell phone reception is lacking, due to the area in which you live or travel frequently, then you might be in need of an attachable cell phone antenna. There are many options available, offering different levels of power, complete with internal or external boosters, as well as a wide variety of styles and prices to fit every budget. These are typically quite easy to attach and often have a very modest price tag, making them great gift ideas for those times when you just don't know what to give for a gift-giving holiday or other special occasion.

Phone Straps

Another way to spruce up your cellular phone is to attach a colorful strap. These are available in various styles, such as beaded, with cartoon character figureheads, with holiday figures or other specialized baubles that make your cell phone experience a bit more fun. For the youngsters, there are lots of fun characters from which to choose, as well as bright neon shades which can help kids to identify their phones and make a sassy presentation when they don them at home, school or during those times when they're just on the run.

Radiation Shields

Since the threat of radiation exposure through the use of mobile phones has sparked a number of studies by medical researchers, who have shown evidence that the radiation contamination is so significant that it can penetrate 1 ?" into the brain when the cell phone is held to the ear, then a radiation shield is a great asset, indeed. Easy to attach and effective enough to virtually eliminate the exposure to this deadly element, radiation shields are available in a variety of styles and prices, and may be purchased through cell phone carriers or online.

Designer Keypads

There's no better way to jazz up a cell phone than through the addition of a designer keypad. Kids especially love the bright colors and flashing buttons that can be found ? some of which even come in packs of interchangeable keypads, allowing them to change their look whenever they get the urge to do so. No matter what your tastes are, you'll definitely find something that you like when you go keypad shopping for your cell phone!

Personalize Your Cell Phone

Will all of the options to personalize your cell phones these days, they can be used as an expression of your very self, or just to spice things up a bit so that you'll be able to locate your phone at a glance. Just as the first land lines ? which were nothing but black boxes that offered nothing in the way of mobility ? have evolved through the years, so have mobile phones. With the choices that today's market has to offer, there's no need to walk around with a dull, black hand-held unit that reflects nothing about who you are. Instead, you can use your cell phone as an extension of your interests, hobbies and personality ? for a very reasonable price.

About the Author

Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for cell phone batteries, wireless headsets and cellular accessories.

Industry Regulation and Recent Legislation

A number of states from coast to coast are attempting to impose further regulations on the payday loan industry, but without much success in many cases. Consumers of payday loans have generally argued against more stringent measures and limitations, that would limit their access to payday loans. And, in the meantime, the payday loan industry continues to grow, both in the numbers of loans issued and the dollar amounts of loans issued.

In Washington State, there were no less than 14 bills introduced during the 2004-2005 legislative session, with the specific intent of more tightly regulating the payday loan industry. Nine of the most aggressive proposals stalled in committee. If passed, these bills would have lowered payday loan interest rates and decreased the maximum amounts that a borrower could access.

Even more heavily opposed was a proposal to establish a statewide database of payday loans, giving both the industry and the state a way of looking at how many payday loans a borrower already had when he or she applied for another. This measure was designed to prevent borrowers from seeking loans from multiple lenders. Some analysts viewed the proposal as a potentially dangerous intrusion into people's personal finances. The payday loan industry contended that cutting interest rates and putting a lower cap on loan amounts would significantly damage their business.

Most of the regulations proposed in Washington were stalled in legislative committees and never reached the floor of the legislature.

A bill passed two years ago in Washington already provided a number of consumer protections. The state requires, for example, that borrowers have the right to cancel a loan within one business day. A borrower 'payment plan' was also made mandatory, requiring that once a borrower has received four loans from the same lender, he or she is allowed to work out a repayment plan over at least 60 days.

The State of Oregon has also been embroiled in a payday loan controversy including attempts to restrict an industry that is largely unregulated in that state. A bill proposed during the 2004-2005 legislative session would have imposed mandatory 31 day loan periods, effectively eliminating the practice of rollovers.

More than 1500 clients of just one payday lender wrote urging the Oregon legislature not to pass the proposed restrictions. In general, those individuals said they valued being able to access short term loans quickly and easily, without having to depend on the good will of family or friends when they ran into an emergency cash flow situation. They also indicated that they did not consider the interest rates unfair.

At the same time, the dollar amount of payday loans granted in Oregon has grown by 285 percent in the past five years, and the number of loans issued has grown 138 percent in the same time period.

In New Mexico, the State House of Representatives introduced a bill that would limit payday loans to $1,000 each and imposed restrictions on some fees and charges. While the legislation did not prevent rollovers, it specified that a loan was forgiven once the customer had paid twice the amount that was originally borrowed. Consumer groups and the state's Attorney General pushed for a payday loan interest cap. Arizona's governor has stated that he will not sign the measure because it fails to provide adequate protection for borrowers.

On the other side of the U.S., in the State of Maine, lawmakers have been asked to approve changes to existing laws that would allow significant expansion of the payday loan industry. Under current state law, fees are capped at $15 for loans up to $250, and at $25 for loans exceeding $250. One of the proposed changes in that state would allow lenders to charge as much as 17.5% per week, which would amount to $17.50 per $100.

In addition, payday lenders in Maine would be exempted from the state's existing consumer credit code. They would be allowed to use advertising methods that are currently prohibited and to have greater leeway in collection methods in the event of default.

The U.S. Military contends that military personnel are disproportionately targeted by payday loan companies and that lenders adjacent to military bases charge higher rates of interest. A recent study lends some validity to that point of view.

Most of the recent legislation aimed at regulating payday loans across the country, however, is aimed at in-state, storefront businesses, rather than Internet based lenders. It may be that Internet payday lenders have not been targeted as aggressively because they tend to be much more competitive, offering lower interest rates and lengthier repayment terms.

Ethan Hunter is the author of many credit related articles. If you are looking for help with Payday Loans or any type of credit issue please visit us at http://www.PaydayLoanChoice.com

The Nature of Anger

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life by Kevin B. Burk

Many of us have some very definite ideas about anger. We see anger as destructive and hurtful. We consider it to be an inappropriate response. We equate anger with violence. In short, we feel that anger is simply wrong, and that when we experience anger, there's something wrong with us. Anger isn't nice. Anger isn't polite. And anger certainly isn't our friend.

Anger can be all of these things. But anger is also useful, necessary and even healing. We need our anger. We simply need to learn how to express our anger in appropriate, conscious, supportive ways. On its own, anger is neither good nor bad. It can be used to hurt, or it can be used to heal. It may not be a particularly pleasant emotion, but it's an important one. We can all benefit from exploring the nature of anger.

Guy Williams, a friend of mine who also happens to be a minister of Religious Science offers a tremendously insightful approach for understanding anger. Guy says that anger arises from a communication not delivered or an expectation not met. Anger is actually a tertiary response: our initial responses are grief and fear. First, we grieve the death of the expectation that was not met. Next, we fear that things will never change. Finally, we experience anger.

So few of us recognize that anger can be a positive, healing response. When we allow ourselves to experience anger, it focuses our minds, and strengthens our resolve. We discover reserves of strength and power. Our anger is what gives us the courage and the power to confront our fear that things will never change, by creating change.

Let's consider an example. We expect that our boundaries will be respected by others. When someone crosses a boundary, that expectation has not been met. The first thing we do is grieve the death of the expectation that other people will respect our boundaries. We feel unsafe because our boundary has been violated. But we also experience fear. We're afraid that things will never change: that our boundaries will not protect us because other people will not honor them. Our anger, however, is what allows us to change this. Our anger gives us the strength to defend ourselves. Our anger gives us the power and the courage to stand up and demand that our boundaries be respected. Our anger, in fact, enables us to feel safe again. Expressing our anger helps us to redefine and reinforce our boundaries. We know we can defend ourselves, and therefore we feel safe.

When we don't express our anger in healthy, conscious ways, we buy into the fear that things will never change. We feel unsafe. More importantly, we expect that we will always feel unsafe. Unexpressed anger inevitably turns to resentment and depression.

Anger is our call to awareness. Our anger encourages us to become conscious of a limiting belief. The key to experiencing anger in a healing way is to own our anger. We can then choose how to express our anger. We do not need to lash out, nor do we need to hurt anyone with our anger. Instead, we can choose to alter our thinking, change the limiting belief, and reclaim another piece of our true selves. When we embrace and understand the true nature of anger, anger can empower us, and help us to feel truly safe.

Kevin B. Burk is the author of The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship in Your Life.

Visit http://www.everyrelationship.com for a FREE report on creating AMAZING Relationships.

Choosing Steelhead Gear

Steelhead Gear

Like many things in fly fishing you can ask 10 different fly anglers a single question and you'll get 10 different answers. Asking what steelhead rod one should use for fly fishing is no different. Every circumstance is different. And the answer varies with each situation. However let's try to get a generic answer so everyone can at least get started in this rewarding aspect of fly fishing.

RODS

Most steelheaders use at least a seven weight rod. And in fact that is my recommendation. There that would be the end of it, except for one thing. We, fly fishermen have a perpetual habit of complicating things. Choosing rods is no different. A seven weight, in my opinion is an ideal all around steelhead rod, that will work for any steelhead conditions. However if one is fishing out west in big water, under windy conditions, fighting bigger than average fish, then you will be cursing your seven weight rod in no time, as being too light. Therefore before you buy, think about the fishing you most plan to do. If your favorite river is large and the fish are big and the current is strong then seven weight will not be big enough, if the stream is smaller and the fish are in the six pound range than seven weight will be plenty. And some thrill seeking fly fisher's will use six.

As for length, the absolute shortest rod I would use is 9 foot. With 9 and a half recommended, especially for weights over 7. Again think of the conditions and the same rules for weight, more or less work for length. Longer rods provide longer casts, and more control. Out west two-handed spey rods are becoming more and more popular for steelhead fishing. With roll casting often required. Two handed rods allow the longest casting and can lengthen the fishing season, when high waters would force one off the river, when using a single handed rod.

REELS

When playing a steelhead, the reel becomes much more than just a place to store your fly line. The reel needs to be reliable as steelhead switch directions instantly peeling off line. They need to be large enough to hold your fly line and 150 yards of backing. Large arbor reels are becoming popular as they pick line up in a hurry, when your prized steelie decides to run at you.

LINE

Erie steelheaders tend to use floating line as the rivers are smaller, they are perfect. If you would like a little boost in casting then get a weight forward line, marked by WF on the package. On big rivers one should carry a floating line and a sinking tip line, as the conditions change during the season. Getting the fly down to the fish is vital.

LEADERS

Most steelheaders actually make their own leaders. Using Maxima Chameleon more often then not. Tippets should be 0x or smaller, Erie steelheaders can go up to 4x on clear water days. But bigger river anglers should stay around 0x or .011 diameter to turn over the bigger flies, and to allow for strong arming the fish. For detailed leader recipes check our www.globalflyfisher.com.

Well that's it if you have never tried steelhead fly fishing you are in for a treat. Use this guide as a starting spot for acquiring the proper gear, pick up a few flies from www.bigyflyco.com and just add water.

About The Author

Cameron Larsen is a retired commericial fly tier and fly fishing guide. He now operates The Big Y Fly Company - http://www.bigyflyco.com. He can be reached at info@bigyflyco.com.

How to Deal with Hire Purchase Debt

WHAT IS HIRE PURCHASE/CONDITIONAL SALE?

Although people often talk about "buying on HP", Hire Purchase Agreements are quite unusual these days. Cars are the most usual goods sold under Hire Purchase or Conditional Sale Agreements. With Hire Purchase and Conditional Sale Agreements, you do not own the goods until you have paid the credit agreement off. This means they are not the same as ordinary credit agreements.

This means you cannot sell the goods yourself without the creditor's written permission. If you sell the goods without permission, it can be a criminal offense.

On ordinary credit agreements, the goods you buy belong to you from the time you take out the credit. The lender cannot take the goods back. They can only ask you to pay the money you owe under the agreement.

WHAT IF I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY?

If you fall behind with your payments on a Hire Purchase or Conditional Sale Agreement, the creditor may be able to repossess the goods. Look at your agreement. There will be a box telling you how much you need to have paid to stop the creditor taking the goods back without a court order. This should be a third of the total amount payable under the agreement.

If you have paid a third or more of the total owing, the creditor must go to court to ask for the goods back. They cannot just come round and remove them. Even if you have not paid more than a third of the agreement, the creditor will need an order from the court to remove the goods from "any premises" they are on.

This appears to include your garage or drive but not a car park or roadside. If your car is parked on the road, or in a public car park, then it would be at risk.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE IF THE CREDITOR HAS TO GO TO COURT BEFORE THEY CAN GET THE GOODS BACK?

There is still a chance that you can keep hold of the goods, as the court has the power to agree to this as long as you can pay the debt back in reasonable instalments.

If you have a third or more of the total payable under the agreement, the creditor will ask the court to send you a Claim Form asking for the goods to be returned.

This is called an application for a "Return Order". Notice of a hearing date with a District Judge is included. This hearing should be in your local County Court.

There will be form with the Claim that you should fill in and send back to the court within 14 days. You must fill this in if you want the court to suspend the Return of Goods Order and allow you to keep the goods at home. You need to offer to pay the debt back in monthly instalments you can afford. It is important to treat this debt as a priority over ordinary credit debts and offer as much as you can.

Send the form back to the court, not the creditor. The court will send a copy of your form to the creditor. If the creditor accepts the offer the hearing will be cancelled. If the creditor does not accept the offer the hearing will go ahead.

You must attend the hearing. The court will decide at the hearing whether they will suspend the Return Order and what monthly instalments you should pay from now on. If you do not fill in the admission form there will be a hearing anyway. If you don't go to the hearing the court will probably grant the creditor an order telling you to return the goods.

WHAT IF I HAVE PAID LESS THAN A THIRD AND THE CREDITOR WANTS THE GOODS BACK?

If you want to keep the goods you should ask the creditor to agree to a payment arrangement with you. The creditor is most likely to accept if you can afford the full monthly instalments plus something towards the arrears. If you can't make the full payments, the creditor may agree to reduce the payments, but usually by a small amount and only for a short time. In certain circumstances you may be able to go to court and ask to pay less than the full monthly instalment and extend the length of the agreement.

HOW MUCH WILL I OWE IF THE AGREEMENT ENDS?

If you have to decide whether to end a Hire Purchase or Conditional Sale agreement there are two options:

* return the goods voluntarily;

or

* let the creditor end your agreement and repossess the goods.

There can be a difference in the amount you end up owing depending upon how the agreement is ended.

YOU END THE AGREEMENT

You have the right to terminate your agreement under Section 99 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974

If you decide to end the agreement voluntarily and hand back the goods to the creditor, you should only have to pay up to half of the total figure on the original agreement, minus what you have already paid, plus any arrears from missed instalments, and damages to the goods (in certain circumstances). It is very important that you tell your creditor in writing that you are ending your agreement voluntarily. If you do not do this, then your creditor does not have to act on your request. Keep a copy of your letter in case you need proof. We have included a sample letter in Appendi x III, you may want to adapt to send to your creditor when ending the agreement.

Warning: If you have a Default Notice sent to you by the creditor because you are behind with the payments on your agreement, this may mean you will have lost the right to end the agreement voluntarily and return the goods yourself. It depends upon your agreement. Your creditor may have called in or "terminated" the agreement when the Default Notice runs out. Some agreements say another notice to terminate the agreement has to be sent to you after the Default Notice has run out.

THE CREDITOR ENDS THE AGREEMENT

If you fall behind on the agreement, the creditor will terminate the agreement in writing. They must send you a "Default Notice" under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. They will then order you to return the goods. The Default Notice tells you what payments are outstanding and gives you a date by which to make up the arrears. The whole balance may then automatically become payable and the agreement terminated. Some agreements need another notice to be sent to you before the agreement is terminated. You may have to pay the full amount owed on the original agreement, minus what you have paid and minus the amount the creditor gets back from selling the goods. The "option to purchase fee" is also deducted. Most agreements will include a clause telling you that you must take reasonable care of the goods. This means the creditor might argue that there will be an extra charge for damage or unusual wear and tear. It is important to look at any charges to see if they are reasonable.

Some creditors try to charge you for collecting the goods after the agreement has been terminated. It appears that this is not allowed under the Consumer Credit Act. If asked to pay an additional charge, you can complain to your Trading Standards Department. Your agreement may say that you have to return the goods to your original supplier or somewhere similar. You should not be asked to return the goods further away than is reasonable on the grounds of cost and distance.

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE CAR HAS BEEN RETURNED?

Once the car has gone back to the creditor, they can try to recover any balance still owed from you. You can treat the debt as an ordinary credit debt and make an offer of payment using the information pack and your personal budget. If the creditor does not accept your offer, they can sue you in the County Court for the balance.

If you dispute the balance the creditor says you owe, then it is important to write to the creditor and tell them. This may be because they claim you damaged the goods and you want to dispute this. You may have to put a defence in when they send you the County Court Claim Form.

If you put in a defense, there will be a hearing at the County Court where the District Judge will make the decision about how much you owe. They may decide that you owe less than the creditor has claimed. You will then have a County Court Judgment which you can offer to pay in instalments that you can afford.

Also the creditor may work out the amount you owe using a different calculation to those shown in Appendix I. The Office of Fair Trading agree with this way of working out the debt owed but creditors often dispute it.

APPENDIX 1

EXAMPLE AGREEMENT HOW THE AMOUNT YOU OWE CAN DIFFER:

Total price on Hire Purchase Agreement ?4,000

Amount you have paid off ?1,600

Arrears (unpaid instalments) ?200

Damage to goods ?250

Value/sale proceeds of goods ?900

"Option to Purchase fee" ?5

IF YOU END THE AGREEMENT

Half the Hire Purchase price ?2,000

Amount you have paid off minus ?1,600

Equals ?400

Damage to goods plus ?250

YOU WILL OWE ?650

CREDITOR ENDS AGREEMENT

Total Hire Purchase price ?4,000

Amount you have paid minus ?1,600

Sale proceeds minus ?900

"Option to purchase fee" minus ?5

YOU WILL OWE ?1,495

APPENDIX 3

Company's Address

Dear Sir/Madam

Re: Account Number (Car Make/Model and Registration Number) Voluntary Termination

I am/we are writing to notify you that I am/we are exercising my/our right to terminate the above Agreement under Section 99 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

(Optional - add details of your circumstances and financial situation)

I/we understand that I shall/we will be liable to you for the amount calculated under the formula in Section 100 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Please send me/us details of how the vehicle can be returned to you.

Please confirm receipt of this request by telephone/fax to me/us on (your telephone number or fax number).

Yours faithfully

Your Name

Author
Michael Sherriff
Michael has written 100's of articles relating to credit and credit repair as well as writing a UK top selling ebook "UK Credit Secrets" with the latest edition being updated for 2005. UK Credit Secrets