(E/m)^-2 =

• Add salt to flour.
• After yeast has foamed, stir it into the flour.
• Stir in remaining 1/2 cup very marm water.
• Continue mixing dough until it forms a ball.
• Turn dough out onto a floured surface.
• Knead dough and continue to sprinkle small amount of flour until dough is no longer sticky.
• Continue kneading for 10 minutes.
• Place dough back into the bowl, and cover dough lightly with olive oil.
• Place bowl of dough onto a cookie sheet filled with 1/4 inch of warm water.
• Turn off the oven and place bowl inside.
• Let rise until doubled (about 30 to 45 minutes)

• Turn dough back onto table. Knead for 5 minutes
• Cut dough into about 4 pieces. For larger pita, cut larger pieces.
• Shape dough into pitas, cover with olive oil and place on allumin foil
• Let dough rest on top of oven.

While criticized as a leading source of misinformation, used properly, the Internet also puts the truth at our fingertips. It follows logically that as the volume of information increases, so to will the volume of misinformation.

In fact, the Internet allows unprecedented scrutiny of information from all sources.

Be an Open-Minded Skeptic:

Just because news is delivered with a gloss of authority doesn't make it true, it only means that it's been paid for by sponsors with deeper pockets.

For example, even news giant CNN has fully acknowledged they reported substantially inaccurate facts on the Bosnian war. CNN, eager to get a story out, failed to exercise due diligence. Misrepresented "facts" tainted public opinion severely.

Even if a story is covered without bias, reporting false information is equally, if not more damaging to the truth than is biased reporting of real facts.

CBC is famous for presenting national news as if it's a scripted press release read from the Prime Minister's Office. One man's Islamic Terrorist is the CBC's freedom fighter, with time the truth emerges.

Know Your Source

Knowing how and where to find resources is the only difference. Relying solely on off line media sources such as local TV news is a sure way to be manipulated. Even if you are given straight facts, they will form such a narrow viewpoint that you will be effectively sheltered from what a large number of people consider not only the truth, but common knowledge.

The media shapes public opinion because we all think about what we see and read the most. This primes us to find certain political platforms more attractive than we would otherwise.

The truth is, we're all full of our own biases; the only way to keep that in check is to expose ourselves to alternate points of view.

Conflict of Interest:

Most media sources are all owned by a handful of syndications. Does the name, Lord Conrad Blank, ring a bell? (pun intended) It's common knowledge that each source has it's own editorial slant and political bias. But what really drives editorial decisions behind closed doors?

If you think that what we are fed by media has not been selectively manipulated, you severely under estimate the amount of resources invested by special interest groups. Look no farther than the Election 2008 campaign. The amount of money being raised just to select the next democratic nominee is incomprehensible. Leveraging massive amounts of money to buy popular opinion. It all amounts to vote buying, and worst of all, it works. It's a test of who can raise the most money.

Google alone captures roughly 32% of the $21.4 billion in U.S. advertising spending, according to an Oct. 16 report by research firm eMarketer. Now that's a lot of money by any standard.

The dilemma is found in the erosion of the boundary between publishers and sponsors, and it's killing freedom of the press.

Think about the Don Imus case. He was paid to be artificially abrasive in the first place. Once he pushed the envelope too far, sponsors complained, he was cut. Nothing really happened, he just moved someplace else. It created news, and manipulated opinion. Much like staged wrestling, the whole affair catered to a marketing niche, not a news story.

This example was very public but what about all the details that editors must balance to stay within the advertising department's mandate. There is an inherent conflict of interest because publishers have to appease sponsors in order to remain financially viable.

Countering Special Interests and False Information:

It doesn't matter if what's being said about you or your company is true or not, in an vacuum, information will flow from all over the place to fill the void. Politicians can't ignore it, General Motors can't ignore it and neither can we.

How to tell if it's true:

Critical thinking and multiple sources.

Relying entirely on online or offline media sources makes no sense to me. Because the truth is buried somewhere in between all sources combined.

Most people aren't even aware that North America has an entirely different brand of news than the rest of the world, as in CNN International for example. Each populace is spoon fed what sponsors want.

Enter the Digital Divide:

There is a significant fracture emerging between the pre and post boomer generations. Gone are the days when we dared not question the authority of the books we read, the Dr.'s we visited or our mentors. Unless of course they're an infallible expert such as; Bono, Oprah or Dr. Phil.

Compared to 2003 relative purchasing power, at home, Canadians pay 78% more for fuel while Americans now pay 167% more then in 2003. The same is true in many economies as the American dollar weakens against currencies globally.

Now with crude approaching $125 and gasoline following suit at $1.27/litre, $3.50/gallon people should be prepared for crude oil to reach $225 and beyond over the next 4 years.

Expect gas to double in price by 2012:


Canadian Gas Prices versus Crude Oil:

Since mid 2004, Canadian gas prices have increased a mere 65% while crude has tripled.

Since mid 2004, US gas prices have increased by 100% while crude oil has increased 300%


Analysis of oil price versus weakening US Dollar:

The above graph illustrates crude oil as traded in Canadian dollars, indicated in yellow, as compared to retail pump prices in both Canada and the US.

April 2003 Stats:

Crude: $25US - $38 CAD

American gas: $1.25/gal
Canadian gas: $.70/litre

Canadian dollar: $.65 US

2003 American Purchasing power:

In 2003, an American could buy Canadian gas for $.46 US/litre $1.74 US/gallon


April 2008 Stats:

Crude $125 US (400% increase from $25US)
Crude $128 CAD (236% Increase from $38CAD)
American gas $3.40US/gal 172% increase
Canadian gas: $1.25CAD/litre 179% increase

Canadian dollar: $.98 US -a 51% increase from 2003

Purchasing power:
In 2008, an American now pays $1.23US/litre or $4.65US/gallon - a 167% increase from 2003


Purchasing Power Inside Canada:

An American now pay $1.23US/litre or $4.65US/gallon - a 167% increase from 2003
A Canadian now has to pay $1.25/litre for Canadian gas - a 78% increase from 2003

Purchasing Power Inside US:
An American now has to pay $3.40US/gallon for American gas - a 172% increase from 2003
A Canadian now pays $3.47CAD/gallon for American gas -a 95% increase from 2003


At home, Canadians are paying 78% more for fuel while Americans are spending 167% more.

Part of the answer as to why Canadians have been sheltered from sudden price increases is that the US dollar has been loosing value at the same time crude, traded in USD, has been increasing. The sharp gain in the Canadian dollar purchasing power is a whopping 67% improvement in the $.60 dollar of 2003.

Notice the sharp break, indicated by the green shaded area, during mid 2007 when crude increased, breaking through $70/barrel. Since that time, retail gasoline prices ought to be much higher given the retail price has not increased significantly along with crude. This trend applies in both Canada and the US.


The dampened effect on retail price can only be explained by either an increased reliance on domestic oil reserves, and to a lesser degree, a decrease in demand.

It's obvious to me that there must be a lot of domestic oil being pumped into the system, especially since late 2007. What else could keep a cap on the retail price when crude has been rising so sharply. The scary thing is that those reserves can't last long.

With the $.70 Canadian dollar of 5 years ago, crude would now cost $178/barrel Canadian with a resulting price at the gas pump of about $1.80/litre. --That's the difference American's are feeling right now. Because for the most part, the rising price in oil is due to a weakening American dollar.

All this time I've been wondering how inflation in Canada is reportedly at a 14 month low, with banks endlessly driving down interest rates. How can inflation be so low while at the same time, the price of crude oil has doubled in less than two years

I've been imagining how the cost of fuel must be peculating through the supply chain, wondering where and when the cost increase will begin to show. Lately, I've finally started to notice definite price increases.

Now I've heard by word of mouth from friends about the global food crisis with people lining up for rice due to a shortage. I heard this by word of mouth before ever having heard it on the news. With commodities such as rice, the production costs are overwhelmingly driven by the cost of shipping, and the rising cost of crude oil is going to spell disaster.

Now would be a great time to stop day dreaming about global warming and wasting farm land growing corn for ethanol. Lets start building something that will actually work -like lots of clean energy nuclear power plants.

United States Patent and Trademark Office Patent and trademark search.

The bottom is determined by such a simple equation that it ought to be easier than it actually is to manipulate. Buy low, sell high. Earn more, spend less. But alas, numbers don't lie. --no matter how sharp the pencil. Improving profitability requires ongoing efforts which in and of itself represents a costly, yet necessary investment in business health. We go to the seminars, read the books, and strategize. Then proceed to run off, lamenting that there's just not enough time, if only there were more time we could accomplish amazing personal and business transformations. The time is now. –in a slowing economy . Those that do will survive the slump and will reap the rewards by being ready to capture a greater share on the rebound. As times get tough, there are certain double-edge swards to look out for. While on the one hand, labour, finance and material costs typically go down, an increase in advertising expenditures and decreased revenues typically follow while competing in a lean, buyer's market.

A slump represents a fantastic opportunity to reinvest, reinvent and transform on both an organizational and personal level. Why not seize the moment? The organizations that wait out the slump without unraveling at the seams, will emerge re-energized, in a winning position to launch when the time is right.

Let's take a look at proactive profit improving strategies :

The Customer:

Keep them close by building on the relationships and hone in on the customer service experience. Use the downtime to foster existing customer relationships.

1. It takes the same amount of time to answer an email whether it's 5 minutes, or 5 days old. Why is it then, that you make your customers wait 2 to 5 business days for a reply? Instead of making them wait, why not make a policy to blow them away with fast replies!

2. Start a customer care campaign and phone them just to ask how you are doing.

3. Offer existing customers promotional pricing -you're going to be earning less and spending more looking for new clients, so why not offer an existing client a deal they can't refuse.

Technology:

Are you maximizing available technological cost-saving benefits

1. Since it's slow, take the time to evaluate what's working and what's not.

2. Renegotiate telecommunications and IT contracts -technology and competitive climates change fast. Look at wireless mobile, hosting and data costs, and related service agreements.

3. Take the time to evaluate work-flow. Paperwork tends to naturally balloon and needs to be pruned and sometimes slashed radically before it swallows you.

4. Nows the time to call the your hungry vendors that'd been bugging you to demo new systems.

5. Negotiate contracts, or options to renew, now, in a buyers market.

1. Sponsor an amateur sports team.

2. Leverage existing customer base by generously rewarding their referrals

3. Synergize by hosting "solutions discovery" meetings between an existing client and your new prospect. This works well when clients complement each other, such as government agencies and large corporation. This leverages you and your company in amazing ways.

4. Create an online buzz. Delete that old dilapidated home page and start fresh with a new approach. Even Fortune 100 VPs operate blogs to build community within their customer base and is an excellent PR control tool.

5. Ask for referrals. If you feel that you don't have a good enough relationship with your customers to ask for one, then you've got big problems that more advertising can't fix.

Personnel:

1. If sales drop to X, we have to look at layoffs... Any ideas where we can cut costs or increase sales?

2. Offer voluntary layoffs first

3. Cut from the top if only as a statement that you value the front lines

4. Ask if anyone is interested in moving into commissioned sales. Far too many sales professionals are all sizzle and no steak. Most sales departments could really use an injection of technical know how.

1. Create a classified ad: The price is arbitrary, but eBay requires you to assign one. I'm not sure why, because a classified ad can be used to advertise anything -not just items for sale. I guess setting the price to the cost of the lowest item you plan to sell is reasonable. e.g., kind of like $5.95 (and up)
2. Create a Promotions box to display only your class ad.
3. In your eBay store, create a custom page to display a Promotions box you created above.
4. Assign the custom page to be your home page.

With the odds stacked against him; he slips in under the radar, unnoticed. Time and again, he's able to deliver results... Her clients stand in awe of her versatility and resourcefulness while the competition eats her dust. Who are these people, MacGyver? -close, they are the esteemed entrepreneur. A rare breed, and most likely the underdog.

I love being the underdog, don't you? More accurately, I really love to be mistaken as the underdog...

Small and medium sized enterprises form the economic backbone of the free world. These people are constantly challenging, and improving their skill sets -They're able to adapt quickly, and love change. The buck stops with them. They're able to deliver almost instant gratification to clients with straight answers right from the source. No committees, no shareholders to appease, no meetings, and most importantly, no consensus required. -only results.

Entrepreneurs have a huge edge over the big boys: Do you have any idea how badly large corporations would love be adaptable as an entrepreneur? It's a powerful position that they try to fake, let me tell you. The 'single point of contact' ideology is desperately sought after, but poorly implemented, all in in a vain attempt to act entrepreneurial. -they would love to care as much as we do. As if any employee really cares that much about SuperMega Corp's customers anyway. Yeah right! We know. -the big boys are slow, unable to adapt, and operate inefficiently as a result. Big companies are constantly trying to figure out how to behave more like an entrepreneur.

The only true edge large corporations have over the entrepreneur is that they can afford to stay in business for years, possibly decades, while loosing money. Now I don't know about you , but I would rather face life in cubical hell than to work hard and loose my money; so they're welcome to keep money-loosing market share as long as they like.

In my very first month of business, I scored a whopping $400 in billable time. That was the sweetest $400 EVER. Words can not describe what it feels like being thanked for doing a great job AND getting paid for it. All thanks to efforts paid for in my own blood, sweat and tears.

Since that first month, I've changed businesses, gone broke, got a 'real job', and made $1,750 in one day. Needless to say, it's a roller coaster ride highlighted by good and the bad along the way. What gives entrepreneurs the conviction to stick to it while others quit just shy of success?

Winston Churchill perhaps put it best in these words:

I can guarantee you that the more mighty your competitor is, the more opportunities you will find to exploit their weaknesses and shortcomings. My experience is that I flourish dealing with large, complex, multi departmental clients in a way that makes my larger competitors look like an embarrassment. Communication breakdowns, delays and personal conflicts increase exponentially when two large organizations try to work together. Whereas an individual, I can quickly find, and remedy root causes. The only person I need to answer to is me and my client. And all they want to hear is that their problems have been solved.

By far the greatest lesson I've learned along the way is to be proud of who and what I am. In the beginning, I thought projecting a bigger company image was better. All the while I was hiding the single greatest attribute I had to offer: me. No other company in the world can compete because I am an exclusive, one of a kind resource.

Think about how you uniquely add value to your business. The next time you're shaping market position strategy, be sure not to underestimate your value. Not only should you be leveraging your professional skills, but you should also be proud of, and flaunt the number one differentiating resource exclusive to your business -you.

Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never...

-Wayne Doucette

Give me one good reason why I should ever vote Green:

I've been taking transit because it was the right thing to do since BEFORE it was politically correct. While most people get a warm fuzzy feeling "doing their part", recycling tin cans and Tetra Paks, how many are actually willing to modify their lifestyles? By that I don't mean cutting back on toilet paper either. I'm talking about the tough decisions; like parking the car, and quit buying unnecessary, and resource-intensive consumable Chinese JUNK.

Most people stop "doing their part", just short of feeling anything. Especially, pain.

Did you ever notice how the dirtiest cities are found among the poorest developing countries? Know why? Because to do things properly cost more, and the developing world is more concerned with finding their next meal than the environment. Can you believe that? They actually think its more important to eat than recycle! Jeesh! Since I've yet to hear a Green platform that explains how economic goals are going to be achieved, why would I ever vote Green? So that they can collapse the economy? The problem is that 90% of the Green message is hippy-hogwash from LaLaLand, and only serves to hide feasible solutions from voters. Canada is in a fantastic position to lead the world in the emerging green economy, and it's such a shame there's been no sign of feasible green leadership.

Leaders seem void of strategic plans that would validate green initiatives either scientifically or economically. -Just look at the billions the Canadian Government has invested in Ballard Power Systems' starting way back with the Mulrooney Government. All that time and tax dollars to fund a fuel cell technology that was never feasible to begin with. Hydrogen powered car? So what? That might work on the Jetsons, but the fact is that there's never been a feasible means to generate hydrogen, deliver it, or even safely store it.

Then there's the 'Ethanolgate' corn scandal the American's are facing: the science says that even if 100% of their food crops were converted to corn, it wouldn't even put a dent in their foreign oil dependency. Of course the special interests, the squeaky wheels, specifically, the farmers, were all for it. The whole fiasco only damaged their economy and does nothing for the environment.

There's been far too much time and money wasted pursuing lofty goals: Governments continue to throw money at the problem in an attempt to appease voters that, "something is being done." In reality, voters, although concerned with the issues at hand, are by in large naïve, and ill-equipped to understand the viability of proposed solutions. Voters need to scrutinize business plans that are based on solid science: Stronger partnerships with the scientific, technology and the academic communities are desperately needed.

Greens will never elect a single candidate with their present platform because the majority of obvious environmental concerns are already being appeased through existing government policies; HOV lanes, natural gas buses, in-stream power generation and alternative fuel research projects. This is further complicated by the perceived single-issue Green mandate. Separate the rhetoric from reality and take the issues seriously: study and educate yourself on the underlying feasibility. No jurisdiction will ever elect a hippy.

Increasingly, mainstream parties are seen as the same as they converge to capture the centre vote. Given that both the left and the right wings cut down the same trees for different reasons, the Green Party is somewhat uniquely positioned to realize votes from those disillusioned by both mainstream parties. The Green Party simply needs to demonstrate that their mandate is not a single-issue and have a well-rounded plan in alignment with progressive sustainable development based on science and technology. -Voters are ready for Green representation if they demonstrated a feasible platform.

Marketing Plan Overview:

Customer Demographic:

• What are my customers doing right now?
• Where are they?
• What are their interests?
• What do they do for fun?
• What do they do for work?

Marketing Materials:

How to Find Customers with Promotions:

XYZ Bottling Corporation 1234 - Main Street Anytown, USA Attention: Mr. Smith, Plant Manager January 1, 2000

Dear Mr. Smith:

John Smith, Marketing Director

http://wayne-doucette.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

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http://wayne-doucette.blogspot.com/atom.xml

http://wayne-doucette.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default/-/Tech/How-to
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http://wayne-doucette.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?orderby=updated
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for the Google Reader see Google's blog here.

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The Tuner Virtual Radio:

• Crisis Response/Emergency Services (PDF 4.5MB)

• Consumer Involvement and Initiatives (PDF 1.8MB)

• Housing (PDF 4.1MB)

• Inpatient/Outpatient Services (PDF 2.7MB)

• Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery (PDF 2.6MB)

• Family Support and Involvement (PDF 1.5MB)

• Assertive Community Treatment (PDF 1.4MB)

http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/mhd/bpelementsbc.html

Page 2 of each report has this disclaimer:

Important note

The principles of psychosocial rehabilitation form the philosophical
foundation for all best practices in mental health care. These principles
emphasize both consumer involvement in developing and realizing
personal care and life goals, and treatment and supports that help
consumers manage their symptoms and build on their strengths."

The "Insite" program, brought to you by the good people of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority is located at 139 E. Hastings. Hours are 10AM to 4AM 7-days per week open to the drug abusing public. If you're 17 years or older, check it out.. Free parking in rear, be sure to bring your own drugs though because they haven't figured out a way to tax heroine yet. But that's OK, because you can buy outside anyway.

Please be advised that in order to protect the drug use experience of all guests, and in accordance with WCB Regulations, Insite is a NON SMOKING shooting gallery -please refrain from smoking anytime during your trip.

Programs like Insite perpetuate a lifestyle of insanity: Those addicts will never achieve the level of intellectual competency necessary to think past their next hit thanks to the assistance of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and your tax dollars.

Severe mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. A mental illness can strike anyone at any time. What if one day someone you love needs help?


Read my related article: Canadian Socialized Health Care - How do we Compare? here.




-Wayne Doucette

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