The Low Down on The Down Undies

The Low Down On the Down Undies

by CHICKMELIONfreelance

We have come a long way since the origins of simple woven loincloth. Our burdens with uncomfortable, oversized and over heated underwear our great grandmothers had to endure seemingly dissolved with “the vote.’’ Opting for more comfortable styles, we then further “liberated” ourselves to express our femininity and sexuality and perhaps as some say sacrificing comfort again for the evolution towards the G-string of today. Our intimates were all about expression and comfort until the scientists came. Yes...invite a few scientists into any mix and now we’re talking a whole new boudoir! Here’s five ways the scientists plan to mess about in your underwear drawer.


1...Surf and turf.

We are truly living in a disposable world, apparently right down to our knickers. Yet on second thought there are some very practical applications for disposable underwear. Aside from the convenience factor the manufacturer’s claim in relation to travel they do provide a sanitary and comforting option in disasters and emergencies. Remember your mother telling you to wear clean underwear in case you have an accident and have to go to the hospital? Well toss that saying out the window, because now there is no reason why hospitals can not comfortably restore your dignity with these affordable disposable alternatives.

In addition, what survivor of a natural disaster deserves to wear hand-me-down underwear because that was all that was available? After the Katrina aftermath, this alternative may have the Red Cross thinking about these products! They were passing out medical attention, food and comfort... yet fresh underwear was seemingly overlooked and a priceless commodity for anyone involved.

These alternatives average around a dollar a piece, and you can purchase them in a variety of styles: classic briefs, bikini briefs, boxers and hey they even come as ankle socks too! Touted as natural, breathable and cool: this earth friendly bio-degradable garment is made of light weight, soft, breathable cotton. And if the frugal side of you kicks in, they can even be washed a few times. There are not hard at all to find, there are a few North American outlets you can purchase them from, just search for “disposable underwear” on the net.


2...Save energy, wash them once a month.

Yes, you heard me correctly and once you get over the “yuck” factor, again in retrospect there are indeed some very practical applications. I am talking to any of you ladies who has ever had to open a gym bag for the first time in who knows how long. You are going to be grateful for this type of fabric invention whose prototype by the way, was tested on the space station and kept on the butt for 30 days with no foul complaints. After all anti-gravity and dirty knickers just don’t mix. I am talking about a new anti-bacterial underwear called J-wear designed to keep foul odors at bay as well as repel static and wick away water. It leaves a girl to wonder what former space station visits were actually like to necessitate such a specialized invention. Manufactured by the globally based Toray Industries Inc and currently not on the “in-this-world” market just yet, but you know it is coming soon.... maybe just in time for the next Olympics, where the fabric’s wicking attributes will be well needed!


3... They are our friends.

We would highly doubt that our intimates are anything but our nemesis every time they “ride up” on us and we find ourselves squirming in our chairs uncomfortably; however nano-technology laced undies provides a claim as “girl friendly” briefs able to rub away body fat quite literally. Teijhn Fibers Ltd. has invented a polyester called Nanofront(TM) originally designed to polish industrial tools. This same fabric also claims the uncanny ability to buff away unwanted body fat as well! Say what?

The company claims that, “the texture feels soft to the skin, and reduces irritation drastically. It is suitable for a variety of applications, including functional sportswear, inner wear, skin care products, antibacterial filter, precision grinding cloth, etc.” (Only a scientist would feel comfortable clumping those attributes together in one sales pitch without batting an eye.) Teijin makes further claims that in test studies, people who have worn the Nanofront(TM) underwear for 40 consecutive days have experienced lowered body fat by several percent and consequently a reduced waist size by serval centimeters.

All giggling aside, this fabric has pretty amazing attributes. A single strand of this fiber is 7.5 thousand times smaller than a strand of hair, yet the unevenness of the fiber’s surface generates a greater friction allowing for very little slippage or movement. Your briefs will be staying put! Nanofront is also 200,000 times more flexible than regular polyester fibers and it has excellent cooling properties, as well as it absorbing and diffusing perspiration quickly. Now we’re talking girl friendly underwear, pass the nano-briefs please... but skip the bra, I need to hold onto what little I have, thank you!


4...Saving you on nail polish.

Moving onto an underwear of a different kind yet no less frustrating; our scientist friends may have the solution in the works to deal with those pesky runs in the nylons.
Who hasn’t silently pursed their lips when a fingernail ripped through a brand new pair of stockings being pulled on and were forced to dab on nail polish in hopes of halting the run. We could only pray at that moment that it wasn’t our last pair! Wishing there would be a more durable nylon that was still lightweight and comfortable. How does a self repairing material sound?

It is not on the market quite yet, but it is showing some surprisingly positive results in the lab at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA It comes in the form of a poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) copolymers (EMAA). In simpler terms it is a plastic and relatively cheap to produce, with this unique and exciting ability to heal itself. This plastic holds the potential for revolutionizing the way materials are engineered for different applications and it is fast stuff, quicker than you can whip out a bottle nail polish. Scientists tried to capture the healing process using a high-speed camera, but the event happens almost instantaneously. Aside from nylons, (which is at the moment low on the priority scale) there is an interest in this fabric being incorporated in space technology, and bullet proof jackets as well.

5...Tights on a different scale.

As if nano-fabric, self healing polymers, and anti-bacterial threads weren’t enough a technological wonder to get any girl’s head spinning, how about a fabric that emits infra-red rays that reduces cellulite? I bet that has your eyebrows raised! And this marvel is on the market right now, but is such a hot commodity you had better cross your fingers it is not sold out at the moment. These intimates are called Scala Bio-Fir leggings, (they also come in pants) and currently sold at John Lewis who reports that the anti-cellulite pants sold out within 30 minutes of going online.

The Bio-Fir hosiery is said to have the capacity to smooth out orange peel skin. It’s scientific explanation goes as follows: the fabric contains crystals that emit infra-red rays and once they come into contact with the skin these infra-red rays induced an increase in the metabolism in the skin cells by warming them up. This creates an increase in the blood flow in the skin which in turn causes the fat layers that make up the cellulite to melt into a liquid, which the body can eliminate. The leggings are claimed to be most effective if worn for six hours a day for a continuous 30 days.

Now as winter approaches, there are some ladies in the north with a big smile on their faces at the moment. I am not sure how you ladies of the south are going to take to such a product though. There is no end to the suffering and endurance required in the name of beauty, is there?



Indeed, science has come a long way with practical applications for textiles of today. It is equally amazing that in their pursuit of aerospace advancement and artillery protection, that they have not forgotten the finer things in life as well... us ladies and our intimates. Which just proves that we do fit quite high on the priority scale, and one might be able to argue that as long as we make our voices heard, it is no longer a man’s world.

5 Bizzare Ways To Get Your "You Go Girl" On

5 Bizarre Ways To Get Your “You Go Girl” On

by CHICKMELIONfreelance

That dating game can be rough on a girl. There are so many in’s and out’s to come familiar with in order to stay on top of your game and remain competitive in a very aggressive arena. Grabbing and holding onto the attentions of men can wear a poor girl down. Fear not though, here are a few unconventional tricks up the sleeve that might just give you that upper hand you need .

Keep fit and trim for him...
Has this ever happened to you. You have the attention of a guy and you have done what your moma taught you...you’re behave like a lady. You are sitting with your legs closed or crossed. You are accommodating, polite, minding your manners and your verbiage; then some slinky partially dressed vixen with an obvious over exaggerated swagger and anatomy swoons on in and “poof”... he’s gone. Well it’s time to multi task then my dear. Shape up that bottom and learn a whole new swagger of your own with “Erotic Dancercizing” Yes I said it, obviously it’s not just for the bad girls any more. You can fight fire with fire. There are a few products on the market you can check into which offer belly flattening, butt tightening workouts centered around pole dancing, chair dancing, booty dancing, and dancing with stripper. The claim is that this is a fun form of exercising with a bit of sweet vengeance rolled on in to one. Just don’t let your moma know!

Add a dab of perfume behind the ear...
Or was that ground beef....hmmmm...maybe motor oil. There are just so many choices out there. The best way to know how to match up to him as a flavorful scented
flower would be to take a test. Step aside E-Harmony... try O-Harmony instead. There is just no end to the useful means entrepreneurs are coming up with to make meaningful lifetime matches for you. How about you head up to and try an “odor matching” dating site? Yea, that’s right. That may just be the magic you were missing out on in the first place! Basisnote.com will be where you are heading, ( It is a German platform, just look for the English or French switch at the top of the page.) The general gist is that the chemistry for that match made in heaven is nasal determined, well partially at least. But before you concern yourself over being nasally challenged on the net, these folks have got you covered. The Basenote scent tests makes it possible to establish a scent profile that replaces the function of the human nose. You are literally scent matched with other profiles thus increasing your chances of smelling flowers bloom.


Get a good night sleep...
Ever hate those mornings that you wake up and you have a kink in the neck, pillow heat, and your bed is a wrinkled mess? And you look at that thing and think, “Could it be possible just for once that I wake up refreshed feeling and beautiful looking , and ready for the world ?” After all is that not what sleeping is supposed to be about? Not spending the next hour undoing the side effects of your sleep. What you need sweetie is a high -tech bed sheet set. Uh-huh.. I said it! How does anti aging sheets sound for you? One of the newest weapons to hit the wrinkle free arena are “SkinGlows” Cupron Copper Technology pillow covers and comforters by London Luxury. Copper ions are woven into the fabric and the moisture from your body activates these ions. Supposedly within four weeks your skin will not only be soft, but there will be a reduction of lines and wrinkles. Now that may be something worth “sleeping on.”

Don’t frown sweetie you will get wrinkles...
Not convinced that bed sheets are pro active enough for you? You need something more oomph! You remember the move that came out a while ago called “The Mask” where the character puts on the mask and suddenly his world is supercharged and as he said, “sexy!” Hey it even worked on dogs. Well my dear you too can have a transforming mask of your own! High-tech and all, so you know it’s got to work! I am talking about your very own electric anti-aging mask. The Rejuvenique RJV10KIT Facial Toning Mask Kit , by Guy Fawkes, (and I am not talking about the guy who was coined as the mastermind behind the attempt to blow up the English Parliament in 1605.) This simple plastic mask with an adjustable headband operates on a single 9-Volt battery, which activates twenty-six gold plated contact points that reduce facial wrinkles. Just fifteen minutes a day with plastic and gold strapped to your face, electrically charged will have the “honeys” doing a double take.


And finally try a little rouge...
The French were apparently onto something here, calling now infamous powdered on cheek blush ...”rouge “(or red) and no doubt all the evolutionists are going to perk up and go uh-huh on this one. Apparently research from the University of Rochester discovered that primate males are known to get aroused to women who redden when they come near to ovulation. They site examples of not only the male human species but also baboons as well, and you all may be quite familiar with these who’s bottoms are reddened in a well timed manner in order to attract their amours. So if you are wearing red, and catch him looking at your bottom... Remember girls, he just can’t help it. One interesting difference between the baboon and human male is that apparently red anywhere on the female human species will do the trick...go figure.

No doubt as often as you are dreaming of that magical blend that will keep you attractive and the heads turning in your direction; there are marketers and product developers in your corner dreaming up the very same thing. We will never run out of options or opportunities to make ourselves glow but if you wonder how you will know if he’s the right one for you when you meet up with him... well that’s a whole other story. But to reassure you the same marketers and product developers have got that one covered too. Yes men are entering into the vanity race as well. Just ask Clinique which has just opened up a whole new skin care line just for men. Or Dial who has developed pheromone laced body soap for him. Consider this very interesting scenario: a night club full of men laced with “Men Magnetic Attraction Enhancing Body Wash.” Now that’s a minute and a half I am just not going to get back.

You're Not Married To That Slogan... Dump It And Change

You’re Not Married to Your Slogan, Dump Her and Change

By CHICKMELIONfreelance

Amid the flurry and bustle of a Berlin tech fair, Sony announces their strategy to convey a single umbrella brand message for all it’s entertainment and electronics businesses around the world. Which just leads some one to ask, “well what was their last one?”

That is a very good question and when asked, the answer seemed to elude everyone. There is “The Advertising Slogan Hall of Fame,” a list of the more infamous and memorable slogans inducted on an annual basis, but Sony could not be found recorded. Perhaps their slogan was not monumentally memorable in the first place? One might wonder how far back they would have to go in order to get some answers. According to the official story you will have to go as far back as 1982. When “Blade Runner” and “Tootsie” were on the silver screens, the first artificial heart transplant was performed and the cost of a first class stamp was 20 cents. And don’t forget...one of the biggest technological hits of the day was of course...”the SONY Walkman.”... Ah yes! To be able to strap your stereo to your back pocket and go was a technological miracle at the time. It seems trivial now but it set the stage for Sony to be recognized as not only a quality product, but in tune with their customers and the times... yes Sony was poised as innovators!

It was also the same time that Sony last revamped it’s corporate identity and came up with an “S” mark for a logo. Yet concerned whether people who saw the logo for the first time would wonder what it represented, a brief catchy phrase accompanied the logo stating, “It’s a Sony!” From then on all Sony TV commercials ended with the “S” mark followed by a voice over with the slogan. This combination of picture and sound quickly became recognized around the world as a unique Sony trait. But that was then, and we have certainly come a long way since than. Quite possibly Sony Corporation took the time to stop and ask themselves,”does anyone remember now?”

Slogans are very important advertising tools, they are like mini vision statements, effectively conveying a companies key characteristics to all eyes: investors, customers, and suppliers alike. Every company regardless of size should have one. They are easy to plant on business cards, T-Shirts, promotional materials, and if they are catchy enough they may end up in the hall of fame. Indeed a well crafted slogan can keep the product forefront in the consumers mind. That is why most giant companies love to use corporate slogans to spur growth. Now not every company is ripe for a new slogan They are particularly effective when you are trying to communicate a major shift in strategy, or reflect a change in societal shifts, or wake up a sleeping giant. In Sony's case it would be safe to say all three.

Computer technology has swallowed the world that we had once known. Who has not been touched in more than one way with this monumental evolution which is changing the way we look and interact in our world? Advertising has changed in leaps and bounds as everyone jockeys to catch the eye of the consumer who is more often than not, tuned into the computer monitor or android phone. The term “games” used to mean kicking a ball outside on a field, now you can kick the ball clear across the world sitting in a comfy chair; enjoying 3D quadraphhonic surreal surround sound. Mind sets are changing, and indeed Sony has jumped onboard.

“Make.believe” (pronounced: make dot believe) is their new brand meassage and in their words and I am quoting:, “believe” is the power of inspiration and “make” is about crafting inspiration into products and experiences for our consumers. The “dot” is the place where they meet-and where magic happens. Would anyone like to guess who they are targeting? Anyone? This slogan unites Sony’s communication efforet across electronics, games, movies, music, mobile phones and network services, aimed at delivering unparalleled user experiences.

Sony is hoping to re-ignite the innovative perception and inspire consumers to embrace the spirit of “make.believe.”

It will be interesting to keep an eye on how receptive their customers will be , if this is a “hall-of-fammer” kind of slogan. Indeed it is safe to say that with a new slogan we can rest assured to be captivated with a riveting advertising campaign that goes along with it. Time will tell. In the mean time... how’s your slogan doing?

Cover Your Cyber Backside Or The Lawyer Will Claim That Too

Cover Your Cyber Backside Or The Lawyer Will Claim That Too

by CHICKMELIONfreelance

You are alone from the all eyes. You have stolen a moment to escape those who watch your performance, demand your attention, or test your patience. You are separated even if only temporarily from being someone's spouse, parent, or child. It is just you and the hum of your technology. You are deceived by the silence, thinking all things are private because you are master of your domain and have deemed them to be so. You can step out of your persona, be who you want to be, say what you want to say....be free! Literally consequence free. Oh really?

Maybe it is because the technology is changing the face of how you perceive your world, being so new the required mindset not yet congealed in your consciousness. You forget that you are playing in the real world, the same cruel world you think you are escaping from; only larger, quicker, craftier and ready to dish up it’s own vengeance at the drop of a hat. Yes the universal rule of “what goes around comes around” operates even here among bits, bytes, and circuits.

No this is not TV land my friend, you are not stepping in to a 3D reality game where you make bad choices yet can start over again You will live with the consequences of your actions on this high speed highway, because unseen by you there are invisible binary threads that tie you to your actions, most of which you have no control of. So as the old adage goes there is nothing hidden that does not come to light some day when you least suspect. Usually at it’s worst possible moment.

Nothing posted online is truly private. This is the first rule of thumb. You can take measures in narrowing down the scope of persons that you allow into your private world; like Facebook, Twitter, Tagged, or Myspace. Make sure that you are using strong passwords as well ; ones that are difficult to guess, with challenging security questions. Although many sites provide privacy controls, this privacy can be more than illusionary. Hackers can enter from your friends sites. People with real life vendettas can enter under the disguise of a new friend and carry out the plans they devised against you on their beds, fictional profiles are easy to generate. You will also bump into a con, and yes there will be a “fatal attraction” or tow as well, threatening the calm of your world, adding more headache than you have Tylenol for. Friends themselves may unwittingly pass on information you may not want out in the open. You have no control over who their friends are and have access to, your indiscretions have met the viral nature of the web and you have no control over the content once it is out on the highway.

In all reality the best defence is to avoid demonstrating any reckless behavior on the web. Don’t post anything on a blog, or a social network page, web-site, or e-mail that you wouldn’t want publicly known. Not only because you may not want your laundry aired in the front page of the newspaper or divorce court; but boasting of income, vacations, lifestyle, and assets (whether true or not) is only going to attract unsavory characters to your front door. There are the means available for technology savvy individuals to hone in exactly to your address ... right to your front doorstep. In addition, avoid displaying private issues in public places. Then your co-worker “duking -it-out” for the same promotion has no ammunition. A good practice to do before posting anything is in asking yourself, “what if my boss, spouse, or kids find this”

You have to come to terms with the fact that the internet is rapidly becoming a place where legal evidence is gathered to be used in divorce courts and civil litigation cases regarding cyber bullying. Investigators , attorneys and others are turning to all means necessary to uncover threads of incriminating evidence that can wind up in a courtroom. It is also common now for law enforcement officials and potential employers to turn to sites for valuable information.

Once again it just has to be said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Ultimately the key is to avoid doing things on the internet that you would not normally be doing in the public’s eye. Cover your backside with both hands my dear friend and play safe!

What Does A Lolly-pop Condom and Battery Charger Have in Common?

What does a lolly-pop, a condom and a battery charger have in common?

by CHICKMELIONfreelance

I’m going to give you a few minutes to think about it, while I recount to you an amazing tale of survivability amid a mountain of bad press and monumental lawsuits. Yet with face lift after face lift the heroine of this tale is still showing up to the ball and turning heads. It helps if you are an “addictive” little beauty as our heroine is. Yes she’s been around for a while and everyone knows her. Like her or not you do have to hand it to her though, she certainly has mastered the fine art of durability by mere evolution.... ”Nicotine” is her name.

How long ago was it that we all knew just one side of her? Rolled up in paper and set on fire. Yes generations would savor her addictive nature, telling tales of how luxurious she made them feel. How grown up and sexy! But as anyone will tell you, once you reach fame... someone’s bound to throw salt on your game.

Photographs started circulating recounting her ugly side, investigations mounted up to prove her destructive nature. Tangled in a legal web one would expect this lady to lay down give up the ghost; but not our dark angel. She just did what any savvy glamour girl has done time and time again... she reinvented herself to stay one step ahead of the law.

Her public relations gurus spun a different feel to her persona, one more altruistic in nature showing compassion for those unsatisfied with their relationship with her. She was willing to offer herself up to help anyone who was just plain hooked on her and wanted to get away.... (but just couldn’t..) If the sage advice often says, “chew gum to kick a habit,” well she was willing to lay herself down to be that gum! Long gone behind her are those who can complain of having to endure her personality unwittingly and unwillingly. No second hand relationships here! She is now exclusive to her fans with an entirely new set of sensitivities to quiet any angry mob of publicity hounds. Or is she?


Candy is sweet, but better yet are her treats! She remembered the days when children adored her and used to buy a pack of “cigarette candies,” pretending to blow elegance into the air as a thin seductive ribbons of invisible smoke? Now days she is not above monopolizing on the nostalgic and satisfying not only the behavioral aspect of attempting to quit her (the need to hold her between the lips) but will take anyone who is willing to a more carefree time in their lives. A time perhaps when one did not need Lady Nicotine’s calming soothing effect but wanted her anyway. Ah remembering childhood! Thanks to her ingenuity and marketing tact, back again are the joys of giggling over a candied product pretending to be something it is not. Yes, I’m talking about nicotine candied Lolly-pops spiked with up to 6mg of her seductive punch.that will have anyone standing shamelessly among their friends (perhaps vibrating a bit) and still enjoying her company without being shunned! Each treat offering sumptuous flavors such as: strawberry, watermelon, lemon-lime, raspberry, grape, cherry, butterscotch and spearmint. She always a good hostess, treating her guests with irresistible flare!

I do however hate to burst anyone’s bubble though, but you have to know that when you revert to your childhood, someone’s just got to step in and rain on your parade. Feeling obliged to regulate like a parent; the FDA with the law as their possy put the ‘suckers” behind lock and key! As the saying goes, “suck it up lolly-pop” these spikes treasures are now prescription only! Sooner or later the relationship with the sweet treats will be forced to an end, even worse by another persons decision!! It hardly seems fair.


Pardon my French... but Lady Nicotine must have felt like she was being violated in some way, because she was compelled to fly in the face of these critics and offer her exquisite taste in the form of a prophylactic. Yes my dear, I said it... a condom! Perhaps to prove to the critics that their views of her toxic personality is not entirely a widely held universal consensus. I could go on about how this may leave a bad taste in the mouth, but you be the judge.

A manufacturer in India (Hindustan Latex) are launching a new condom designed to evoke the bitter taste of tobacco during intimacy. There is no need to stop for a smoke now. Yes indeed this concept puts a whole new spin on smoking in bed. All the while gaining yet more publicity points for the guest of honor by proxy, our dear Lady Nicotine. Or shall we now call her Madame?

She’s saving lives, and may a street workers in India has to be grateful to her for her fine taste; which test studies show will induce them to use a condom just for the sheer satisfaction it adds to the job. It seems that test studies indicate that prostitutes would be most gracious in caring for their own health with the flavor of Madam Nicotine’s coaxing. Now the company ran a “taste” test with sex workers including prototypes of bananna, strawberry and even chocolate, but hey the tobacco flavor topped all. And you can’t knock our Lady for doing her civic duty.


She's a lady of the times! One of the endearing things about her, is that she has her hands not only on the pulse of time but on the pulse of her admirers also; quite literally. Now she can super charge and stimulate that rush of adrenalin and double time their heart rate, just as long as one remembers to plug in the battery charger. Yes, though she’s not quite gone online yet ( though give her time)... she is a progressive minded lady going high-tech electronic!

This is a brash and bold move for her. A kind of stand tall and face the storm sort of attitude. And as a reward to the faithful who refuse to abandon her and her pleasurable effects; hand in hand they will mock the “second hand” (or should I say third wheel) “nay sayers” jealous of their relationship and loyalty to each other. Maintaining their true form our Lady and her exclusive fans are united again in “E-cigarettes”style. Via a battery powered device that looks a lot like a cigarette, but is smokeless, delivering nicotine from a cartridge to a small vaporizer. With a $100.00 cover charge to set up, she will entertain her loyal subjects at $1 dollar a day (to get the same amount of nicotine as one pack of cigarettes.) and all will live happily ever after.

Or will she. Don’t look now Lady Nicotine, but you have lawyers on your tail.. Oregon Attorney General has in mid August, gone to court to block sales of electronic cigarettes made by a Florida company. they allege that there were false claims about the nicotine proponent, and suspected as well to be targeting children with sweet flavors such as bubble gum and chocolate. No doubt these are the first of an endless chain of nay-sayers rallying against our fair lady.

Oh no! Here we go again. This sounds awful familiar; and I am almost scared to watch what Lady Nicotine has up her sleeve this time as a rhetorical pun on this latest attack of character. Yet I am also on the edge of my seat with intrigue, because we all know she is far from ready to go down for the count.

By the way my dear lady, while you have the sleeve rolled up any chance you might be up for inoculation? There’s one in the works which if successful will allow smokers to immunize themselves against cigarette addiction. Apparently the treatment is designed to block nicotine from reaching the brain, making it theoretically easier to give up. Is it too early to mention the possibility of side effects? Perhaps just for the moment it is inappropriate to pre-judge whether the cure will be as toxic as the addiction, but there is no doubt that this saga will continue on. As we all now well know by now... our dear Lady Nicotine is a survivor.

High Speed Car Sharing In America

High Speed Car Sharing In America?
by CHICKMELIONfreelance

Car sharing is not a new concept to North America, although it has not taken the continent by storm quite yet, it is a part of mainstream Europe and touted as a viable means of driving without owning a car. In it’s simplest form, it can be described as "an affordable and viable means of providing cars" parked off-street throughout a number of US and Canadian cities available for use by members for any length of time on a timeshare basis.

This concept is especially beneficial if you live in an urban center and drive less than 12,000 km (7,500 miles) a year. This rapidly growing trend could save anyone who fits well into this segment literally thousands of dollars a year, give them greater mobility and help reduce air quality.

Still in it’s infancy companies like Flexcar and Zip car tout their benefits as being easy as hailing a cab, convenient, affordable (some starting at as low as $8.30 an hour CDN) and faster than renting a car. Patrons reserve the vehicle - by phone, smartphone or Internet, 24-hours-a-day - what ever suits their needs, and then use it for a few hours, or a week. They can pay per trip, and never have to worry about repairs, insurance or monthly parking again.

Another twist that has comfortably made a home in Europe is online car sharing portals. Coupling drivers looking to mitigate their transportation costs and passengers looking to hitch affordable rides. Where even passengers without drivers licenses are being well served Although there is a bit of grumbling about commuters having to register routes in advance, the industry does offer diversified services in recent years such as platforms that cater to women, or even pets. These portals were incorporated to answer a consumer demand that was frustrated with rising fuel , train, taxi, and bus prices; coupled with long waits, long commutes, and occasional strikes. All these frustrations help to boost the popularity of getting around via car sharing.

Yet a communications research group in Berlin plans to take this concept yet another step further servicing customer demand by answering loopholes in the car sharing portal system. They plan to introduce a new application coined as ‘OpenRide.” It answers the need for providing passengers and drivers with a match in a moments notice. Up to this point current platforms can not accommodate connecting interested parties for quick ride shares in every day local traffic. But “Open Rides” developers, Fraunhofer FOKUS who are a research facility devoted to communication and information technologies, are postured to introduce an application that will do just that on 2010.

It is designed to be versatile and easy to use. Patrons simply enter their destinations on their phones or PDA; A server tracks current vehicular locations and scans for ride requests for a match, then notifies the parties via mobile phone. The driver and passenger negotiate a fare for the journey, most typically covering fuel costs. The software’s intelligent search engines can also factor in trip segments, as well as small detours if needed. In the future the Group intends to also incorporate a driver rating function and user histories to create an extra layer of security for users.

It will be interesting to see what will develop from this new diversification of car sharing. A prototype of “OpenRide” was unveiled in Berlin at one of the largest trade fairs for consumer electronics in the world. Indeed many curious brows are raised , anticipating the next press release detailing how it’s practice run faired, which is scheduled for late 2009. It leaves me to wonder which provider, or application developer here in North America is also eying the European advances in coupling mobile technology with greener affordable transportation alternatives. It does offer mobile telephone manufacturers new ways of expanding their services, and the software seems to be also integrated into a navigation system.

This may be something well worth keeping an eye on as a viable emerging trend for North America , who is as everyone else on grappling with the instability of fuel costs and global warning concerns.

Surviving The Future Today

(complimentary designs located at http://photobucket.com/Peaceposters)



Surviving The Future Today

by CHICKMELIONfreelance

In the face of an ever changing world, the ability to see the tides that sweep in on you and your enterprise can mean the difference between optimizing oncoming opportunities; or mitigating losses from their crippling effects. The well prepared entrepreneurs become industry leaders, while those who failed to lift their heads in time to take a glance at global shifts find themselves squeezed out by increased costs, regulations, and obstacles. Shifts in trends are like the sands in the deserts, ever moving and ever changing the face of their environment permanently. The former views, techniques, and avenues of doing business are being re-written. And failure to recognize these shifts means failure to survive long term.


The pendulum effect...

We have all been eyeing the "globular credit crunch," it certainly has our attention because it levied a heavy blow. But this occurrence was a mere domino effect of a much larger wave and one that seems to be passing out again. There are rumors in the wind that our materialistic and consumer dominant point of view are gradually being replaced by a more moderated humanitarian one. As the consequences of a materialistic driven mindset's mount up, so too does motivation to counter balance the ill effects. "Green " seems to be the catch phrase of the recent day and it is still relatively new. You can gauge this by the mixed reactions you get in the marketplace over the concept. However it is safe to say "green" has a toe hold as a mindset in business practices.

Green thinking is rapidly being rewarded as an incentive to get onboard voluntarily. History however has demonstrated that there comes a point in time as the impact of any crisis increases, when societies will call upon their governments to enforce legislation, taxes and even levies to attempt better control of the situation.

The closer to a crisis we get, the more costly it is for the entrepreneur to maintain old standard business practices. For the entrepreneur there is little he can do, but face these winds head on with or with out a plan. Preferably with! And in understanding the pendulum like motion of cause and effect in these global shifts, the entrepreneur can even see opportunities and alliances that will always present themselves with change: which can be less painful and considerably more cost effective if one can see it coming in advance.


　

Flying on the winds of Change.

We are currently suffering from the hangover that our insatiable appetite for goods have created. Directly ahead of us lies climate change issues which (as a small example only) are impacting water sheds and in turn electrical supplies on a globular scale. The effects ripple outward in the forms of costly infrastructure revamps, power outages , rising costs of electricity, as well as tax increases. On it’s heels we hear the admittance that our two most populace landscapes in the world China and India; both report substantial depletions in natural critical resources and arable land. This creates a massive supply and demand shift forcing the re-gearing of marketing mixes. In addition and perhaps consequently, we are also experiencing population shifts from less developed countries to more developed. Loss in arable land will no doubt impact far more than migration statistics.

There is also talk in the air that the international communities are formulating a consensus for global economic reform. There is an idea put forth for economic sharing. The entrepreneur has to wonder how that is going to translate to their market share. Where would they be positioned post reform? How will they survive the transition? Where could they be positioned with a good strategy and financing?

The headlines are also inundated with the consequences of yet another influence hitting the business community. Computers are evolving and become assessable mainstream in the homes and pockets of humanity on a globular scale. It is good example of how a wave can wash in and change the face of each and every business environment in a very big way. Buyer behavior has evolved in the wake of this new era, as new products, avenues of advertising and distribution of goods and services are rapidly searching out means of going online to find their consumers. And yes this trend has it’s casualties too.

For those who fail to recognize the permanence and gravity that technology has taken hold of the world the lesson has been painful. Mind sets have to change. Computers are rapidly molding the way business and consumers alike view the scope and breadth of their world. Not only an entirely new vocabulary is emerging, but a new lifestyle is blossoming as well. Storefronts are being threatened by desk tops in rapid and previously unimaginable way. Consumers are finding in their fast paced worlds the benefits of cost and time savings by interacting online as opposed to chasing down their social lives, goods and services out in the streets. It is only a matter of a time for the creative minds to develop virtual vacation packages in the near future.

Loss of habitats, bio-diversity, global security are rolling in as substantial market influences as well. The waver are mounting up and regardless of what ever size of enterprise you operate, all of these shifts are coming your way. Most of the astute businesses have already on file their tailored continuity and crisis management plans appropriate to handle sudden extreme events. However these have absolutely no relevance in terms of coping with incremental changes. A entirely new set of objectives and strategies have to be considered.



In the face of uncertainty lies opportunity.

As a rule of thumb, if uncertainty is ahead, it should be viewed as a flag to analyze market shifts. Looking at the trends early enough on will allow for better information gathering, decision making, and strategizing. Because these shifts are slow moving, it provides opportunity to enact "what if scenarios" and gather enough resources to adapt to the oncoming waves of change before they impact the bottom line.

Bio-fuels are an excellent example. Though much in their infancy, their introduction in the global energy scene are already irrevocable as an environmental inevitability in order to reduce CO2 emissions. At the same time solar panel technology is also evolving and maturing as a technology and now expanding worldwide. You talk to the industry leaders in both sectors and they will tell you that there is unprecedented global demand which allows them to anticipate continued growth for decades.

For the businessmen that is not thinking in terms of innovative technology, but merely to survive and grow in the face of change. Recognizing the waves coming in can mean the difference between standing and having the rug pulled out under you. A good case in point, and only mentioned as an example, was the decision for a certain mortgage lending company, ( Total Mortgage Services LLC) who attributes not only stability, but growth in the face of recent market volatility to their foresight. Sensing a possible credit crunch approaching, only because everyone seemingly hopped on the same lending incentive band wagon decided themselves not to jump on board, but rather differentiated themselves in service and expertise. The company mandated searching out a more stable and qualified buyer and it certainly paid off as their suspicions came to fruition.

The longer businesses delay the inevitable, the more it will cost them and the more opportunities they will pass by without notice. As a shift approaches and innovators jump in to answer the change in demands, the movement picks up speed to a dizzying pace. But why would a business fail in long term planning? Perhaps they have not considered the issue of adaptation before it was too late. They may not believe themselves to be at significant risk. Or they do not believe they have substantial opportunities available in these shifts.

Motorola can testify to this. On top of the world one moment with their "Razor" phones and now a few short years later struggling for their lives playing catch up. Why? The rapid response and forward thinking of their competitors introduced a newly developed concept called the "Android" phone that offer the convenience of bundling advanced cellular technology with internet applications on the go. Motorola of course not down for the count, is planning to unveil a response of their own, and breaths are held in anticipation of market response. It is deemed to be "a make it or break it" reveal for a now fast paced and ever changing industry.



It is apparent that to survive the future, an entrepreneur has to plan today. Keeping their eyes open for changes, uncertainties, and rumors in the wind. Staying informed, networking, and running "what if" scenarios when they sense something approaching. Not only in their own minds but also on the tables of boardrooms and company meet and greets as well. Involving as much collaboration and creative crunching as possible. Looking at things from every angle of the marketing mix and assessing the potential threats and time lines involved. As the old adage goes, two heads (or more) are always better than one.

5 Good Reasons You Should Never Forgive...

5 Good Reasons Why You Should Never Forgive!

by CHICKMELIONfreelance


"An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth...."

It is funny how varying faiths, beliefs and view points are not only are familiar with but have at one time or another quoted this as a universal rule. Especially when it benefits them. Perhaps we are missing the point in today’s society and have been since the bible era right up to modern civilization. This is when justice was ministered by the hands of the victim and feuds were considered legitimate legal instruments that were regulated to some degree. It seems that the old adage reinforced the instinct to inflict immediate pain on someone who has wrongs us; however the standards of a more mature society desired to impose a measured response, citing that vindication does not come from extending the cycle of violence . This all seemed to put a damper on the ability for anyone to personally carry out their right to obtain an "eye for an eye."

As unjust as it may seem, vindication has now been placed in the hands of the state who will measure, gauge, argue, measure some more and perhaps after a considerable amount of time; come to a conclusion on the justifiable consequences of the offender’s actions. (Providing it is not dealt out with before hand.) This can be a very frustrating and stressful process for everyone, especially for the victim. Consider their perspective when the judgment is not in line with their core values, sense of injury, or even time line. Indeed this only adds to their own desire for personal retribution. In our society more often than not, the victim themselves are merely left with only forgiveness as a tool to pick up the pieces of their lives. But for those who are finding it hard to do so, fear not... here are 5 good reasons you may want to consider when arguing the validity of non-forgiveness.


#1... You are 10 feet tall and bullet proof.

Yes that is you! You are totally immune to any of the long term side effects and illnesses that stress related situations can bring into one’s life. For the average person however unbrided stress is linked to a lowered immune system, some forms of cancers, heart disease and accounts for two-thirds of family doctor visits; as well as half of the deaths to Americans under 65. (According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) It has also been implicated in heart, stomach and mental disorders along with more ordinary: high blood pressure, headaches, backaches and cholesterol issues. But you are in total control because you mitigate your stress by eating well, getting lots of physical activity and a good nights sleep. Only because you have a very important vendetta to stay healthy for!


#2...You have nothing better to focus on in your life.

If not for this issue, life would be pretty much boring. You are positive of this! There were no missed opportunities that have escaped your line of vision because your focus was on vengeance. Surely you would have noticed. Your friends, family and co-workers enjoy hearing "the endless story" about how badly you were hurt and how horribly you were wronged. You are winning friends and creating strong allys with your repetitive reinforcement for vengeance. You are a refreshing breath of positive Karma; positive that you will see vengeance on your wrong-doer that is.


#3...You can shoot lasers from your eyes.

Well maybe not but, your vendetta against the offender is certainly ruining their life. They are miserable over this whole situation. Your hate towards them is harming them and not you. After all it is their lives that are put on hold, while you are free to continue yours. They continually think about how they harmed you day in and day out. They are eternally bound in the chains of the negative energy that your unforgiving casts upon them. While you are as free as the wind.


#4... It is what they deserve.

And in this you are absolutely right. Your forgiveness has absolutely nothing to do with you. It is not about you at all. You must be a strong and unmoved soldier in order to bring about relief from the pain, sadness and suffering. It makes perfect sense to endure even more negative ill effects from this situation in order to ensure justice is served! The more you endure... the sweeter the justice. This is certainly going to halt the cycle of violence and negativity dead in it’s tracks. After all your enemy is not someone else’s beloved child, friend, or parent. They have no one who may possibly get hurt by your focus on getting even. The cycle of bitterness stops at your door!


#5... Then the suffering would have been all for nothing.

There is no possible way to be able to gauge any positive growth from with in a negative experience. It has never happened. Trials do not give birth to compassionate, stronger and wiser individuals. In addition, the integrity of true joy and happiness is not realized and appreciated by experiencing terms of sorrow. No! All these foundational concepts that allow us to survive our future trials and tribulations are all born and bread on calm waters. There fore it is futile to attempt counting your blessings in a hurtful situation. After all you have never been an offender yourself and do not understand the blessings given in second chances.



Perhaps forgiveness is the kindest thing you can do for yourself after all. You do deserve to break the chains that bind you to any hurtful situation in order to move on in joy. You deserve joy! The safest and quickest way to free yourself from an enemy and all associated negativity is to forgive. After all the word forgive is Aramic for "untie". No doubt forgiving is a hard thing to do and you may stumble here and there in your efforts. Yet the benefits from maintaining the course can be seen by everyone you influence... and you will be stronger in your mind, body and soul for it. Perhaps your healing will even have a viral effect on those around you, as you demonstrate taking personal responsibility for your own health and well being. What a better legacy to pass onto the people you love in contrast to demonstrating bitterness and negativity.

"He Can Go First..."


Shifts in market trends provide a wealth of golden opportunities! The businessman who shoots for these open doors will assuredly become that sector’s leaders. But before you kick yourself for not being that innovator, console yourself in this; being first to step into the new frontier can be very costly. Just ask Walmart when they daringly invested in reaching their target market via Facebook(R).

Wallmart saw their target market spending a substantial amount of time on Facebook(R) which also offered a variety of relatively new advertising “in's” for businesses. A Facebook(R) page was created enveloping a back to college theme, but the campaign fell flat on it’s face because at that time advertising on social networks was so new that no one realized a need to approach the campaign with a totally different mindset. But thanks to innovators like Walmart who daringly stepped into a new advertising medium, (and to their credit picked up and kept on going,) effective market information is starting to come together for you to benefit from without spending a dime.

Here’s what was learned: People are on social networks to self express and to communicate with their peers and not to be inundated with ads. They respond well to a simple, fresh and interactive applications geared towards:having fun; that they can share with their friends. So if you were a car manufacturer you may look into developing a “name brand” race application with your product line showcased. Such an application will not only induce repetitive use, but the viral nature of the medium could have your product forefront on the desktops and in the palms of literally millions of potential customers in a matter of minutes. Now that’s high speed product demonstration !