Digital Marketing

Do you want to get more leads? narrow down your choices

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In order to get more leads, you may have researched and found many different methods to do so. This due diligence can end up turning good advice into a train wreck. If you are guilty of this, take heart; you can fix it simply by reducing the options it offers.

Let’s explore this idea.

blog posts

When you write a blog post, it’s tempting to include all the links to everything you have within the post. While you want to include some links in the content to giveaways to build your list, when it comes to the point of the post and the offer you make to your audience, you should narrow it down to a single call-to-action, one that fits in the best with the point of publication.

If that post is supposed to go viral, ask them to share it. If it’s supposed to promote something you bought, the link should go to the product’s home page, so you know what to do to get it. You get the idea. If you have another purpose that you would like to fulfill, write another post.

Email campaigns

When you send an email, you want to keep it short. It’s tempting to include every offer you have in your signature, but the truth is, you’ll get a more positive response if you only have one email CTA. Having said that, sometimes it’s okay to put one more if it’s closely related and time sensitive. If not, another short email is best.

dirty pages

Building a sales page should mean giving your audience only one option, but sometimes there are so many different features that you may need to offer more than one option or levels. This is true with software. But you still want to keep the bids as low as possible. One way to overcome overwhelm is to highlight the top pick or offer a survey to help them narrow down their choice.

Guest Post Biography

When you get the chance to guest post on that million-view blog, it’s hard not to want to put the three links you were given in the signature line. But the truth is, you only have to put one link and it has to be to a special landing page just for them. You’ll get more responses, and the upside is that more landing pages make your website more attractive to search engines.

your home page

When you create your home page, it’s hard not to include links to everything you have so they don’t miss out. But the best way to do it is to have a menu hierarchy with just a few main links or even a “get started” or “start here” link to help newbies find their way.

It seems that if you want to get more leads, the answer is to give fewer options. While you are giving them fewer options per commitment, you can still make more offers since you are making them one at a time. Don’t slow down your offers, just do them one at a time and include them in your funnel.

Relationship

What Makes Caregiving Rewarding

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Many caregivers come and go, but the dedicated ones stick around for the long haul. Most caregivers are family members, friends, next-door neighbors, spouses, nurses, medical personnel, and passing strangers. They worry without compensation; no pay, no fringe benefits, no retirement plan, no vacation or sick leave rewards. Imagine, if you wanted, what is a caretaker? Bed maker. rear rubber. Drug giver. Listen. Driver. Housewife. Cook. Delivery courier. Hand holder. Sometimes a peacemaker. So what makes caregiving rewarding?

Is it the nights when your newborn or elderly mother cries herself to sleep? Or why she cried. Maybe because of a broken heart or lost dreams! Loss of loved ones or severe physical pain. Instead of feeling fulfilled, you felt powerless. Because you tried to calm her down with warm blankets, music, noise, warm milk, a calm voice, and even alcohol. Not for her, but for you!! You tried position changes, pillow fluff under your head, and a warm bath, but it all seemed useless. Then ride in the caretaker. You know the one that comes once a month. You see the look of fulfillment in her eyes, and the call of wanting to serve. You know, because the room lights up, the warmth is in the air, and your mother seems to relax. Remember when she saw monsters, had a nightmare, and when you just need to be held. Also, your mom just touched your hand and said, “I’m here, just go to sleep.” Wow, and it worked. Right? That is the vocation of a caregiver. She just touches the hand and your heart melts.

Certainly, the caregiver’s vocation involves these traits. The look of passion, the sweetness of the voice, the sound of feet, the smell of milk chocolate and the touch of caring hands. The hands are soft, tender and invite a peace that will last a season. Oh how the caretaker loves art and he always projects that confident feeling on me!

What would happen if that caregiver, that nurse, could be close to their patients and attend to their every need? Do nursing rounds, listening to the heart, breathing and abdominal sounds. Passage of scheduled oral and intravenous medications. Monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, respiration and body temperature. The nurse administers that personal touch by checking the patient’s forehead for fever, calming the trembling hand with a touch of the hand, a special soulful look. The nurse’s voice is reassuring, relaxed, and she manages to convey “You are in good hands.”

However, nursing skills are refined, precise, artistic, yet sensitive. The nurse performs a blood sugar check, offers orange juice as needed, notifies the doctor, and continues her rounds. They remember to hang an IV bag, complete the admission, administer pain medication, and discharge the anxious patient in room 312. Still, they take the time to sit down with the dying patient in room 308.

However, they forget to take care of themselves. No lunch breaks. No bathroom breaks. No vacation time. No sick call. Insufficient staff. Rotating shifts. Over time. exhaustion Sound familiar? But wait. What about the reward of providing care? What about the rewards of touching patients’ lives, when the nurse comes in on her days off to see patients who never get visitors?

In addition, nurses who attend the funerals of patients to care for the family. Just because the nurse held the hand while the patients took their last breaths. She hugged the family members and cried with them until she had no tears left. What do you say to that mother who lost her son in the prime of her life? Or to a family member when her loved one is being transferred to hospice and you know it’s the last time she’ll see him? Only sixteen years old!

The heartfelt emotions of the caregiver receiving a phone call in the middle of the night, a thank you note, or a dozen red roses. What if a call that says, “I’m cancer free” could mean so much? Though they see different patients come and go, true caregivers will touch hearts for eternity. Caregivers never enter life without making a difference. Whether caring for newborns, patients, friends, family, or strangers, touch those lives with lots of love. Because caregivers believe that one touch will transform and impact the world for years to come. The reward of caregiving is touching lives wherever they go; patients, their families or strangers.

Health Fitness

7 Ways to Get Your Marriage Back on Track

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Marriage is not easy but it is through committed relationships that we grow the most. I have read before that relationships are really about us. The person we have chosen to be with is really a mirror of ourselves, but many times we cannot see it. Have you ever noticed that when people leave a relationship, the next person they end up with is very similar to their previous partner? We all probably know at least one person, or know of at least one person who has had multiple relationships with the same person; just a different face. Barring the obvious deal breakers in a relationship, it’s usually worth working out your issues in an open and honest way so that you both grow and learn.

Here are 7 ways to help get your marriage back on track if it’s starting to go off the rails.

1. Commit not to blame your partner for everything that goes wrong in the relationship. Learn to ask yourself, “How am I contributing to this problem?”

2. Create a life of your own outside of your marriage to make yourself a more fun and interesting person. Many times we let small things bother us when in reality the problems are more about us than about the other person.

3. If you insist that your way is the only way, learn to accept that there are many “right” ways and insisting on doing things your way all the time creates resentment. Ask yourself, if your partner had it your way, what’s the worst that could happen?

4. Commit to a weekly or bi-weekly date night. This is especially true for people who have small children. It is absolutely necessary to take some time as a couple. Remember the reason you got together in the first place. Find a babysitter you can trust and take care of the parents of her children.

5. Every day tell your partner at least one thing that you appreciate about him or her. Everyone wants to feel appreciated. Even if you don’t reciprocate right away, kind words will strengthen your marriage. Even on days when you don’t really like the person, find something nice to say. It will also change your mindset.

6. Accept your partner for who he or she is. Nobody wants to be someone’s project. If it really bothers you that your husband eats junk food, let it slide. If you can’t stand your wife watching so many reality shows, let that happen too. We are all human and we all have strengths and weaknesses, funny habits, crazy moods, and passions for things that are sometimes not shared by our partners. It’s okay.

7. Take 5 minutes out of your day to say a few kind words over email to your partner. It will make their day to see “I LOVE YOU” in the subject line of their inbox. It takes minutes to make a significant difference.

Legal Law

IMT Center for Distance Learning

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The Institute of Management Technology-Centre for Distance Learning, based near Delhi, equips future managers to take up the challenge of an increasingly global and technological workplace. Managers must be able to adapt and be flexible. The CDL curriculum and programs are designed to do just that.

CDL’s vision is to establish itself as an integrated global business school recognized for its strength in management education, business leadership, and excellence in the corporate field. Consequently, The CDL’s mission is to create an academic community committed to innovation and lifelong learning.

IMT-CDL students have sixteen programs to choose from. Students have the opportunity to win:

• a one- or two-year degree in Management,

• a Master of Science in Cyber ​​Law and Security, a newly added program in collaboration with Jodphur National University of Law,

• One-year degrees in Cyber ​​Security, Taxation, Business Administration, Financial Management, Materials and Supply Chain, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Export Management, and Retail Management.

IMT-CDL also offers two PhD programs: a Management Fellowship and a PhD program, which was recently created. For students in the corporate sector, there are two-year degrees available in Management.

These programs are conducted by highly esteemed faculty, led by Director Dr. AM Sherry, Professor of IT at IMT-CDL. Dr. Sherry joins a faculty of the best and brightest graduates from internationally renowned institutions of higher learning. The faculty is attuned to the ever-changing needs and expectations of a global industry, and has first-hand knowledge of what today’s managers need to know to be successful.

Prospective students are evaluated by a selection committee. Students interested in two-year programs take an admission test. Students who have already earned a one-year IMT-CDL degree, military personnel, senior public administrators, and professionals in academic, technical, or legal fields are exempt from this exam. For students with a degree from a foreign institution, admission is subject to approval by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India.

There are currently six regional information centers to serve students. At these centers, students can receive academic advising and speak with university staff. These centers can be found in: Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

IMT-CDL students have access to an extensive digital library, powered by Referenceware. This library provides searchable remote access to the complete and unabridged editions of thousands of business, technical and financial texts.

In addition to student study programs, IMT-CDL also operates a Research and Consulting Division. This division offers training programs, industrial planning, feasibility studies, market studies, software development and other activities to provide professional enrichment for its students.

IMT-CDL offers Management Development Programs to educate students on critical current management issues. These programs focus on the relevant topics of Leadership, Financial Management, Information Technology, Human Resource Development, Strategic Mentoring and Professional Renewal.

Students enrolling in IMT-CDL will find themselves at the forefront of innovative thinking in management technology. Graduates can feel confident that they are equipped with the best possible tools to establish themselves as a world leader in management technology.

Lifestyle Fashion

Penile Health: Choosing the Right Lubricants

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Having lube available for both partnered and solo sexual activity is a great idea. Excessive friction from masturbation and sex can eventually lead to partial desensitization of the penis, which impedes a man’s ability to enjoy sexual activities. So, for the sake of maintaining proper penile health, men need to lubricate themselves. But where does one start? There are a variety of lubricants on the market and many household products that men may be tempted to try for this purpose. The following guide will help men determine when to use certain types of lubricants and which types to avoid.

Shampoo: No. Do not masturbate with shampoo or conditioner. These products tend to be too harsh for the delicate skin on the penis and can cause dryness and irritation.

soap: Not too, and for the same reasons that shampoo is not recommended as a lubricant for masturbation (or sex!).

Lotions: Most guys have a bottle or two of body lotion lying around, and may be tempted to reach for one when it’s time to make it up. This might work well, but sometimes the ingredients in body lotions, like chemicals or fragrances, can be too harsh for the skin on your penis. May result in irritation. In general, it is a good plan to opt for a product designed specifically for sexual lubrication.

Water based products: These are the most common types of lubricants on the market. They are compatible with sex toys made of various materials and, most importantly, with latex condoms. Water-based lubes are generally great for partnered sex, but be careful with the glycerin ingredient; this can promote vaginal yeast infections. Water-based lubricants can dry out more quickly than other types and require more frequent reapplication. However, they are cheap and easily washed out of clothing and bedding.

Oil based products: Products like Vaseline, baby oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil are super slippery and tend to feel great on the penis. However, they cannot be used in conjunction with latex condoms, as the oils tend to break down the material. When used without a condom or with a different material, they can promote yeast infections in women who are prone to them. These products are messy and difficult to clean, and therefore not ideal for partnered sex. Men may prefer them for solo play. Just keep in mind that these greasy products can clog pores, so acne-prone men may want to avoid them.

Silicone-based products: These products last longer than water-based ones and can be used with latex condoms. However, they should not be used with sex toys that are made of silicone. This type of lubricant is more expensive than water-based lubricant and more difficult to clean. Some women experience a noticeable reaction to silicone-based lubricants, so a product should be tested on a small area before smearing it on for partnered sex.

Ingredients to Avoid

The following ingredients are associated with yeast infections, bacterial infections, and other complications when used during sexual intercourse with a partner:

– Sorbitol

– Glycerin

– Parabens

– Petroleum

– Chlorhexidine

– Nonoxynol-9

Read ingredient labels carefully to make sure the product is safe for both you and your partner.

Even when men pay attention to the need for adequate lubrication, they may find that frequent masturbation and/or sex can lead to chafing and dryness in the manhood. In this case, it is a great idea to also invest in a penis health cream. (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). This product is not a sexual lubricant, but rather a daily moisturizer that can help protect skin from friction, keeping it smooth, soft, supple, and well-hydrated. Containing shea butter and vitamin E, Man1 Man Oil is a superior skin care product for men’s favorite body part.

Pets

Humifulvate Rx: hype or hallelujah?

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I don’t know about you but I get tired of reading about the latest miracle product someone has discovered. The next thing you know, 100 companies are producing and promoting a product because it showed promise in a lab experiment on rats. Later, after millions of dollars have been milked from the unsuspecting public, the actual studies are finally completed and guess what? The latest miracle proves to be no more effective than hundreds of other fruits and vegetables out there.

This is why when I decide to research a product, I always rule out any animal studies conducted by the company trying to promote it and look for clinical studies conducted in humans and supported by peer-reviewed medical articles. In other words, I don’t fall for all the HYPE! I was very excited when I started studying Humifulvate Rx. What I found out about the ingredients in Humifulvate Rx is amazing. The 3 components are fulvic acid, humic acid and Norwegian kelp. There are hundreds of testimonials as well as clinical trials conducted by doctors. After reading just a few of the proven benefits in studies, you’ll have to agree. This product is definitely HALLELUJAH worthy!

Some of the benefits and features:

Helps remove heavy metals from the body.

It helps prevent the absorption of toxic substances from the air we breathe, the beverages we drink, the food we eat, and the products we use on our bodies.

Helps maintain and support the immune system.

Helps increase the absorption and retention of trace minerals.

Increases energy through better oxygen transport.

Helps neutralize the oxidative properties of chlorine.

In use and studies around the world, it has been shown to help with the following conditions:

Detox Colds Inflammation

Heavy metal fatigue Rheumatoid arthritis

Viruses Asthma Multiple Sclerosis

Herpes Eczema Immune System

HIV Psoriasis Lupus

Flu Irritable Bowel Pesticide Elimination

Humifulvate is also one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man due to its ability to lend or borrow electrons as needed to neutralize free radicals.

The studies are too extensive to list, but I will mention just a few below:

In an iron deficiency study (2nd most prevalent deficiency in the world), patients returned to normal levels within 3 weeks of Humifulvate supplementation. Additionally, patients who had high iron levels also returned to normal ranges, demonstrating Humifulvate’s ability to facilitate homeostasis in humans.

It is estimated that up to 70% of the population suffer from thyroid problems, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves disease, and Wilson syndrome. Many thyroid symptoms are often misdiagnosed as a disease and treated with medication, which simply masks the problem. In hospital outpatient medical studies using fulvic acid (found in Humifulvate Rx), overactive thyroids had a 90.9% cure rate.

Studies from outpatient medical hospitals on thyroid tumors when using fulvic acid show a 90% success rate and an 80% cure rate.

Hospitalized patients with skin ulcers had a 92.5% success rate when treated with humic and fulvic acid baths (the ingredients of Humifulvate Rx).

HIV/AIDS affects nearly 40 million and is known to be incurable. Numerous studies show that fulvic acids kill the virus effectively and safely. In fact, a pharmaceutical company has found a way to patent this natural product and uses it to purify blood for transfusions without damaging the blood cells.

The fact is, Humifulvate with its humic acids, fulvic acids, and kelp (for minerals) may be the most powerful supplement you can take to help restore your body’s health. Hallelujah!

For more information, you can read bulletins about this product on the Enerex USA site.

Real Estate

Pocket PC Survey

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Do you want to take a survey about Pocket PC? Small, lightweight PDAs are ideal for conducting in-person surveys at malls, amusement parks, movie theaters, airports, and other public places.

On the Internet, you’ll find reviews of survey software that offer superior features for conducting simple and complex interviews on Windows-based Pocket PC handhelds on the go.

Do you want to obtain management information quickly so that you can be proactive in the provision of your services? Take a look at the reviews on the software that allows you to create, capture and store survey questionnaires.

You can collect information outside of the office, with questionnaire software. Collect information in a structured way and eliminate data re-entry…quickly and efficiently. Stay one step ahead of the competition.

You can create quizzes with a word processing interface and then deploy them to a handheld device. Once the mobile survey is complete, the data is dynamically collected, stored, transferred and displayed.

Get a pocket PC software survey module that offers features to record respondents’ responses with their own voices. Effortlessly turn your paper quiz forms into stunning electronic quizzes with a variety of question types with the click of a few buttons on a toolbar!

If you’re working in facilities management, you’ll have the tool you need to create complex asset questionnaires quickly and efficiently. If you are involved in asset property management, you will have the power to create large and complex questionnaires, such as condition questionnaires, of any size.

Are you a surveyor who has never designed an electronic questionnaire before? You’ll be producing questionnaires to transfer to your mobile workforce in just a few hours. Be proactive in your marketing strategies, conducting surveys. You can even generate reports online.

Shopping Product Reviews

Top 5 Self Defense Targets – Finish Any Attack Using These Devastating Targets

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Target-focused self-defense training is the key to a successful self-defense system. Knowing which targets to focus on and how to attack them is really the foundation of any successful fighting system. This is where many martial arts fall short when compared to self defense systems. Martial arts often focus heavily on fine motor techniques that are amazing to look at and extremely difficult to master, but sadly less effective than some simple self defense moves.

The real secret to self defense is knowing which targets are the most vulnerable, annoying and painful. Before I list the top 5, keep in mind that you should never develop targeting (focusing on a single target as your only hope of stopping an attacker). You have to be able to switch targets easily as the fight or altercation progresses. More on this later…

The 5 main objectives:

  1. Groin – This is not a huge surprise, but it is often overlooked. Most fights will start with a right tedder. A good fighter will go straight for a valuable target like the muzzle (if he isn’t protected). The groin is an effective target due to the extreme pain and involuntary reaction it causes in men. It’s almost impossible not to double down with a good muzzle shot. This makes for the perfect combination of vulnerable, distracting, and hurt.

  2. Eyes: The eyes are a great target because they are our primary sense used in fighting. Hitting the eyes also triggers an emotional response in attackers because it is such a valuable target. An eye gouge will instantly bring tears to the eyes, blurring vision for a second, allowing you to get the upper hand. Eye strikes should only be attempted if the eyes are not shielded. They are especially effective when an attacker has his hands full grabbing your shirt or shoulders etc. Instead of fighting his hold, he just punches in the eyes.

  3. Throat: The throat is a particularly sensitive and vulnerable part of the body. Often the natural instinct in a fighting or self-defense situation is to headbutt. This is great if you happen to land a knockout punch, but chances are you won’t. Aim for the throat instead. It’s soft (won’t break knuckles), damaging (can cut off your air supply), and can end a fight quickly (a blow to the neck can cause a knockout). Best of all, a blow to the throat, even if not executed perfectly, is very distracting (I can prove it… press your thumb into the spot just below the Adam’s apple, yeah, not very comfortable, to say the least).

  4. Ear: This may seem a bit dark, but the ear is a great self-defense target (and I don’t mean a Tyson ear bite). A slap to the ear can be a very damaging and painfully excruciating blow. A punch to the ear won’t damage his hand (as a punch will), if executed right it will burst the eardrum causing a lot of pain, temporary hearing loss and dizziness. This certainly meets the criteria for vulnerable (requires minimal force to deal a large amount of damage), distracting, and painful.

  5. Knee: So far I’ve only mentioned targets that will distract and cause pain by allowing you to escape an attacker by taking advantage of the distraction and running. The knee is a target that can easily prevent an attacker from following you or following through with any type of attack. The knee is not a very strong joint. Yes, they take us all day, so they’re strong in a couple of directions, but they’re very vulnerable when hit in the right place.

The good news is that people rarely protect their knees. Only a seasoned martial artist (not your average street thug) will defend their vulnerable knees effectively. The trick is to hit the inside of the knee. This is the most vulnerable part of the joint. A well-placed blow to the inside of the knee will tear some of the ligaments and tendons in the knee, eliminating your ability to walk, run, or stand. This makes it a perfect target for self defense.

This target is especially good if you are being grabbed from behind. You can strike the inside of the knee with the heel. The front knee is also effective, but requires more strength.

3 principles for using objectives effectively:

  1. Know how to hit all of these targets from various self defense scenarios (while being held from behind, being held face to face, from a shooting range, etc.).

  2. Learn to always scan attackers or combat partners for open targets, these will constantly change during a self defense situation.

  3. Always follow up a high-value target attack with another (can be the same target, but not always). For example, if a muzzle blow doubles an attacker, take advantage of this moment to slap him on the ear or an elbow to the back of the neck. The point is that you should never expect one punch to end a fight no matter how brilliantly executed. Hit him until he’s incapacitated (on the ground or you have a real chance of escaping).

These are universal principles. Targets should be the focus of any good fighting or self defense system. As a leader in the self defense industry, I have my own system that I teach, but these principles should be the foundation of any system. How do I know this? Over the years, I have met and worked with dozens of black belt instructors in many martial arts, bar bouncers, Special Forces military personnel from various countries, defense contractors, police chiefs, and high-profile security guards. . Although each person had a different teaching style and set of strokes they taught, they are all very focused on goals (because goals are the real key). Just think about it, a fancy punch is just a fancy punch until it lands in the right spot. Every self defense tool known to man is useless unless he hits the right target.

Sports

Was Sunday’s Wimbledon final bigger than the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines?

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In elementary school science classes, we learned about a simple classification system used to group living things together, and if I remember correctly, a favorite memory device our teachers used was “King Philip Came from Germany.” browsing”.

If we divided sports into classifications, surely golf and tennis would share the same subdivision. So naturally it was inevitable that shortly after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal wrapped up their epic battle at Wimbledon on Sunday night London time, the comparisons and debate between the historic tennis match at the All England Club and The historic US Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines begin.

For five days and ninety-one holes, Rocco Mediate matched shot for shot the incomparable Tiger Woods. Over five sets, lasting four hours and forty-eight minutes, the 22-year-old Nadal traded booming groundstrokes with the 26-year-old Federer. Both events were equally compelling and historic on their own, but divided into a smaller ranking, the people involved in Wimbledon give tennis a substantial edge over golf.

The big difference between Woods and Jack Nickalus has always been and likely will continue to be the lack of a true rival, a spirited challenger to his throne to push him to the limit and legitimize his greatness. Federer has found that in Nadal, but it could also be argued that the young Spaniard has found it in the consummate Swiss champion.

Let’s take Mediate out of the equation for a second and insert Phil Mickelson at the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines. Certainly, Mickelson’s presence would have created more of a stir in San Diego and left us with an even more memorable event for history. Without a doubt, golf has a harder time delivering No. 1 vs. No. 2 than tennis and even the BCS, but during the Tiger Woods era, it has happened much less frequently than it did during the Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player era.

Some have called Woods’ win at Torrey Pines the greatest performance in golf history. There are already cries that Nadal-Federer was the best match in tennis history. However, not even a double at the Woods-Mickelson US Open tops the history that the top two talents in tennis have made.

For the comparison to be fair, Woods and Mickelson would have had to have played in the final pairing on Sunday at the last three Masters and US Open. What is fair; Federer and Nadal have combined for six championship matches at the French Open and Wimbledon in the past three years.

Even if Federer, who is three Grand Slams away from eclipsing Pete Sampras’ record of 14 major titles, is Woods, Nadal is far superior to Mickelson. If Woods and Mickelson are No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, then Federer and Nadal are 1A and 1B and now that order is in question. The duo have dominated in an unprecedented way; Federer has led the rankings for a record 231 consecutive weeks, and Nadal has been a solid second with a record 154.

With Woods sidelined, Mickelson may still be out of a career this season. And the winner of this year’s tournament at Riviera Country Club and the event at Colonial, who trails Woods by just over $1.8 million on the money list, may not even top Tiger in 2008 earnings. Sure, if Nadal or Federer left the tennis scene for one year, the other would quickly rise to the top.

While Federer vs. Nadal is the tennis version of Yankees-Red Sox, Duke vs. UNC or even Magic vs. bird, woods vs. Mickelson is like any team that represented the NFC in the Super Bowl in the mid-90s vs. the Buffalo Bills; technically a matchup pitting No. 1 vs. No.2 but with a practically predetermined outcome.

I’m not naive enough to think that golf can consistently give us the two best players in the world in close competition over the stretch of even half of a season’s majors, but it would be nice to see them once in a while.

Maybe it’s just that Tiger is too domineering and an equal just can’t exist. But isn’t that what they said about Federer just a few years ago? Wasn’t Nadal supposed to just win on clay and leave his mark as a single-surface specialist? Well, it turns out that the 22-year-old Nadal is just as mentally tough as Woods and Federer. Sorry Lefty, but this lefty has given tennis something our current age of golf will never be able to appreciate: true rivalry.

Woods’ painful performance at Torrey Pines will certainly go down as one of the greatest individual efforts of all time, but his official dance partner just doesn’t have what it takes to win the argument. As we saw on Sunday at Wimbledon, it takes two to tango and a truly epic battle ensues.

Tours Travel

Jungle Notes – The Rainy Season

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It rains non-stop in this small Caribbean town. It has rained incessantly for 3 days in a row; the only exception was the first day after the night of my arrival. Unfortunately, I spent that beautiful first day inside the local jungle internet cafe working on my website, falsely assuming there would be plenty of time for the beach. In addition to the rain, my stomach’s abrupt and vehement rebellion against the local cuisine has put a damper on my visit here.

It’s my last day in Puerto Viejo and I’m feeling surprisingly melancholic. The rain in this town brings a certain element of tranquility that is perfect for my creative flow. However, with my departure for San José fast approaching, I look forward to enjoying the beautiful stretch of beach that I remember so well from my last visit here. There is a narrow jungle path that leads to a vast expanse of untouched coastline. I started the walk yesterday afternoon eager to relax on the warm sand and swim in the calm waters, but a darkening sky and a rumble of thunder in the distance sent me back to the refuge of the peaceful Hotel Casa Verde. The rain has hampered my ability to enjoy the new addition at the beautiful Casa Verde, a beautiful pool built to resemble a natural lagoon, with interesting rock formations and a relaxing waterfall that gently spills into the clear blue water.

I’m sitting in my favorite hangout Café Rico, an open-air bamboo hut tucked within a dense clump of gorgeous tropical foliage. The place feels like a remote jungle hideaway. The voices of local children and a sweet floral scent waft through the balmy air as I watch locals and tourists wander the muddy dirt road just beyond the cafe. My new friend Liza, whose boyfriend Roger owns the cafe, kindly pours me unlimited servings of the best cappuccino in town and shares her latest impressions of the eccentric American man who has taken up residence here to promote the health benefits of colloidal silver. and the inherent dangers of government-sponsored terrorism.

A Canadian surfer walks in and orders a sandwich and a fruit shake. A local doctor named Gregory offers to make me a cup of medicinal tea made from a native plant to cleanse my ailing colon. Puerto Viejo seems to feature a constant stream of random characters and I never know what new surprise awaits me around the next corner. Will it be a Canadian surfer, a group of European backpackers, a retired Australian journalist or a local doctor? I’ve been spending time these past few days with a dance choreographer from Astoria, Queens. We have decided that we are soul mates dealing with problems of parallel lives and seeking the illumination of our soul through solitary journeys.

The rain has just intensified and is pounding hard against the bamboo roof of this makeshift cafe, drowning out all other noises from the surrounding village. I’m safe inside a tropical hideaway with delicious coffee and a constant supply of spinning bums with a story to share. This is a writer’s paradise, and yet the inner stillness and spiritual fulfillment I seek continue to elude me.

My mind is still occupied with superfluous details. I am reflecting on the stark contrast between my current experience in Puerto Viejo and memories of my exciting and sunny week nine years ago, when I was a young graduate student from Manhattan traveling the country in search of new adventures. During those restless young adult years, I was a hopeless romantic with idealistic views on life and love. I was carefree and naive, always looking for validation in people and places while not looking within for my sense of peace and fulfillment.

Through the passage of time and overcoming several harsh storms in my life, I have come to understand that true happiness cannot be found in the material world, as it must originate from within the heart and soul. Even so, I wrestle with many of the same emotional dynamics that challenged me during my last visit to Puerto Viejo nine years earlier. Perhaps the solo travel experience brings these issues into sharper focus due to the amount of time spent in deep introspection.

It’s funny how time works. The last nine years have brought many changes: losses and triumphs, blessings and heartaches. Despite the passage of time, I now sit here watching the rain fall and wondering how much has really changed inside of me. I could only wear it yesterday when I stumbled across this cafe laughing and seeking shelter from the tropical storm that drove me off the beach. Tomorrow I must leave this town and go to San José, where I will spend the night before continuing my journey through the Pacific side of the country. I wonder if I will return to Puerto Viejo in nine more years and reflect on this period of my life with the same feeling of bittersweet nostalgia.

Time goes by so fast and yet, at the same time, it seems to have stopped. There is no denying the aging process, and yet time is an artificial construct created by man, a dimension born of the human mind designed to locate the ego and apply order to chaos. We place enormous emphasis on the passage of time. Perhaps we would be better off concentrating on the empty space between the hours and the minutes, the universal sense of timelessness where inner peace and stillness meet.

I am the same soul that I was nine years ago, despite the aging of my physical body. If the soul continues after the physical body collapses, then we are all intrinsically capable of entering the space of universal consciousness where the gift of eternity awaits. That gift is the present moment, and we are all free to step into it whenever we are ready. This, I realize, is my goal for this journey, and my journey will continue long after I leave this town.

Brief description of two hotels on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica:

Almonds and Corals Resort – Manzanillo. almondsandcorals.com Luxury bungalow tents located in the heart of the Manzanillo wildlife refuge, approximately 10 miles south of Puerto Viejo, offering five-star service, accommodations and amenities. The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable with an IF (Insect Factor) rating of A-. While I didn’t see a single critter in my own room, people in the bungalow next to mine complained of several large bugs in the bathroom area. The bungalows are elevated by platforms raised on stilts and connected by narrow wooden walkways lit by gas lamps. The rooms include comfortable queen-size beds surrounded by mosquito nets and outdoor showers. This beautiful and quiet complex is located in the middle of a tropical jungle on a stretch of beautiful beach. The beach is not ideal for swimming due to strong currents, but it is perfect for relaxing.

The nearest swimming beach is a ten minute walk from the complex. The resort is constantly in the shade of the sun due to the surrounding rainforest, giving the place a true jungle feel similar to a five-star campground for adults or the set of the 1960’s TV show Gilligan’s Island. In the huge open-air restaurant, a warm and friendly Jesse will greet you with a beautiful smile, eager to make your stay a pleasant one. A full buffet breakfast is included. The dinners are tasty and satisfying and the food portions are more than generous. An unlimited supply of delicious Costa Rican bananas and coffee is available to guests throughout the day. The resort has its own zip line, a full-service spa, and plenty of comfortable nooks and crannies, perfect for reading, napping, or just relaxing and meditating. This is the perfect place to relax, unwind and commune with nature. However, if you are looking for cell phone service, Wi-Fi connection, or a resort located within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and nightlife, this is not the place for you, as the closest town (Puerto Viejo) it’s a good 15 minute drive. .

Green House Cabins – Puerto Viejo. cabinascasaverde.com Located in the heart of Puerto Viejo, Casa Verde offers a clean, friendly and safe environment, away from the dust and noise of the town center, but within walking distance of the beaches, cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the village. The place has a strong hippie vibe and tends to cater to backpackers and budget travelers looking for quality accommodation at a reasonable price. Walking through the hotel grounds, it’s easy to forget you’re in Puerto Viejo. The IF at Cabinas Casa Verde is a solid A+, as I didn’t see a single creature inside my basic room with private bathroom and two double beds. This little piece of heaven with its beautifully landscaped gardens, lagoon-style pool, soothing waterfall, outdoor Jacuzzi, and spa area can easily be found elsewhere in the Caribbean, yet maintains Costa Rica’s wild and natural appeal. Casa Verde serves breakfast in a beautiful outdoor garden surrounded by exotic birds and beautiful tropical flowers.

Guests can help themselves to an unlimited supply of coffee and the kitchen serves up delicious breakfast options such as homemade crepes filled with tropical fruits and fresh fruit smoothies. Owner Rene and his wife Caroline reside on the premises, and Rene is a constant friendly presence in the open-air lobby and grounds of this beautiful tropical oasis. It is clear that she takes tremendous pride in her surroundings and treats guests as personal friends visiting her home. The front desk arranges bike rentals for guests to enjoy the beautiful jungle trails and beaches that line the outskirts of town. Bottled water, snacks, juices, and soft drinks can be purchased in the open-air lobby. The place feels like a little piece of heaven, comfortably secluded from the rest of the town like a little island paradise. If you decide to visit Cabinas Casa Verde, be sure to request one of the rooms with a private bathroom, and bring plenty of mosquito repellent, waterproof clothing, and comfortable walking shoes. Be sure to ask for Rene at the front desk and get ready to enjoy the wonderful pleasures of Pura Vida.