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Mike's Blog (51)Mike Morgan Gets You Through Your 9 to 5 Workday. Weekday's from 10am-3pm. Food and supplies checklist for storm preparation3-day supply kitStart with an easy to carry, watertight container – a large, plastic trash can will do, or you can line a sturdy cardboard box with a couple of trash bags. Next, gather the following items and place them in your kit:
Prepare your paperworkStart with a portable, waterproof (airtight) bag that's brightly colored, so you can quickly find it in the dark. Diving equipment shops stock the ideal bag, but gallon-sized or larger zip-lock bags will do in a pinch. Print this checklist and keep it inside your waterproof bag to help you collect the items listed below:
Remember: When packing, be realistic about what you can carry. Pack only what is essential for surviving the storm and its aftermath. Don't forget to hurricane-proof your digital information. Backing up to a portable hard drive leaves you open to the same storm-related dangers your computer faces. Cloud-based backup preserves your data and grants you secure access from anywhere.
14-Day Supply KitThe experiences of Hurricanes Hugo, Bertha and Fran have taught North Carolinians to be prepared to live without utilities and basic services for two weeks or more. In addition to the three-day supply kit, these supplies will be good to have if you find your self going 14 days without electricity or running water:
Source: WRAL.com
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SHOCKER: COUPLES FIGHT A new study says that couples who fight won't stop just because they get married. The Ohio State University study suggests couples who bickered at the beginning of their relationships still did so 20 years later, while tranquil couples stayed ... tranquil. But is it a bad thing? Nope. Couples who fight might just learn to communicate and settle their differences. The study even suggests that a complete lack of conflict might indicate apathy or indifference, which can destroy a relationship in the face of live-altering events (birth, death, etc.). Source: YourTango.com
GUYS THINK TALKING ABOUT PROBLEMS IS A WASTE OF TIME According to a new study from the University of Missouri, guys don't talk about their problems. And, the reason guys don't talk about their problems -- according to researchers -- is that they think it's a waste of time. "For years, popular psychologists have insisted that boys and men would like to talk about their problems but are held back by fears of embarrassment or appearing weak," said researcher Amanda Rose. "But, when we asked young people how talking about their problems would make them feel, boys didn't express angst or distress about discussing problems any more than girls. Instead, boys' responses suggest that they just don't see talking about problems to be a particularly useful activity." Source: PsychCentral.com
THE SOCIAL NETWORK: Teen Facebook Users More Likely To Drink And Use Drugs According to a new study, teens who regularly log on to Facebook and other social networks are more likely to smoke, drink or use marijuana than teens who don't visit the sites. The researchers believe that the teens who spend time on Facebook see lots of images of their peers drinking or using drugs, and those images convince them that using the stuff is a normal, acceptable activity. "We're not saying Facebook causes it," said researcher Joseph Califano. "But we are saying that this is a characteristic that should signal to parents that, well, you ought to be watching." Source: Chicago Tribune
Ways Young People Can Keep Their Jobs The economy has been so bad for so long that some young people who have never entered the workforce just don't know anything else. Researchers from Purdue University had young people in mind as they studied ways to get and keep jobs -- even in a "down" economy. They found that the three key ingredients to a successful career are:
The study showed that people who maintained high career aspirations and were clear about their career goals from ages 18 to 30 were more likely to be employed when they were 33 to 36 years old and to have higher wages than those who were indecisive about their career goals.
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THE GEEKIEST CITIES IN AMERICA Over the past 20 years or so, there has been a nerd revolution. Back in the day, nerds were looked down upon and laughed at. These days, they're billionaires, buying NFL franchises and Caribbean islands. So, if you're smart, awkward and good at math, embrace your inner nerd. The world is yours for the taking. According to U.S. National Science Foundation, here are the cities with the highest nerd concentrations -- the geekiest cities in America: 5. Durham, North Carolina -- Part of the "Research Triangle," Durham has Duke University and the third-highest percentage of adults with at least a bachelor's degree. 4. Huntsville, Alabama -- Plenty of pocket protectors all around because of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. 3. Framingham, Massachusetts -- There are nerd magnets all around, including Bose, Genzyme and Capital One banking offices. 2. Boulder, Colorado -- Boulder features a large state university campus, numerous scientific institutes and a strong tech sector. 1. San Jose, California -- The grand daddy of geek cities, San Jose is the epicenter of Silicon Valley. Source: Yahoo! Real Estate
VIDEO GAMES BOOST PARENT-CHILD BONDING Despite the fact that parents are often railing on their kids to spend less time playing video games, a new survey has shown that video games actually have a positive effect on the bonding between parents and their kids. The trick is, of course, for parents to actually spend the time playing the games with their kids. Some survey results:
Source: ITProPortal.com
People Using Cell Phones To Avoid In-Person Contact According to a new survey, 13 percent of people have faked being on the phone to avoid in-person contact. That number more than doubled, to 30 percent, among people between the ages of 18 and 29. Many said they didn't just pretend to use their phones, but instead actually made calls to create "social force fields" in different situations, such as getting away from aggressive sales people and avoiding small talk in elevators. Source: Denver Post
Single People Die Younger If you love being single, you better enjoy it while it lasts -- because a new study has found that single people may die younger. Researchers found that single men could die about eight to 17 years earlier than married men -- and single women could last seven to 15 years less than married women. But, lead researcher David Roelfs warns, "The study is all about probabilities -- and not certainties. The last thing we want is for some single person to say, 'Oh my God, I'm going to die young.'" Source: MSNBC
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WOMEN GAIN WEIGHT AFTER THE WEDDING, MEN AFTER THE DIVORCE According to a new study from Ohio State University, women are likely to gain weight after their wedding -- and men are likely to gain weight after their divorce. The researchers called the changes in marital status "weight shocks." "Divorces for men and, to some extent, marriages for women, promote weight gains that may be large enough to pose a health risk," study leader Dmitry Tumin said. The likelihood of major weight gains following weddings and divorces increases the most for people over the age of 30. Source: Fox News
STUDY: Slacking Off Online Is Good For Productivity According to new study, slacking off at work by surfing the Internet is actually good for productivity. Researchers found that goofing off by checking stuff out online refreshes tired workers. But, the results weren't so great for such activities as checking e-mail, sending text messages or making phone calls, which seemed to be mentally taxing for people. The problem, of course, is getting people to restrict their Internet use to small, controlled breaks -- and avoiding letting Internet use get out of control. Source: Time
Trying To Be A Supermom Can Make You Depressed According to a new study, trying to be a "supermom" can be bad for your mental health. Researchers found that supermoms have higher rates of depression compared with working moms who let things slide. The least depressed moms are those who do NOT expect to combine work and family life seamlessly. "Somewhat ironically, women who don't expect to be able to balance work and family have better mental health than those who do," explained lead researcher Katrina Leupp. Source: MLive.com
GALLUP POLL: Republicans Neck-and-Neck with Obama If the presidential election were to happen today, it would be a tight race no matter which Republican candidate was going up against President Obama. According to a new Gallup poll released yesterday, Obama's approval rating is now around 40 percent. He leads Michele Bachmann 48 to 44 percent and Ron Paul 47 to 45 percent, but he's tied with Texas Governor Rick Perry with 47 percent each, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is ahead of Obama 48 to 46 percent. Source: NationalJournal
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PHONE (OVER) SEX It's no secret that we all love our cell phones. But do we love them more than chocolate ... or red wine ... or coffee ... or sex? Turns out -- we do. A recent poll by TeleNav found that a whopping 70 percent of women said that they'd skip a week of sex before going a week without their phone. More Results ...
Source: TheFrisky.com
SIZE MATTERS When it comes to online dating, women seem to really care about height -- and income. An economist at Duke University used online dating statistics to determine that in order to compete with taller guys, short men need to earn at least $30,000 more per year to get as many online dating responses as a guy who's got just one inch on them. No joke -- the study showed a 5-foot-9-inch man needs to make 30 grand more than a 5-foot-10-inch guy to be as successful in the dating pool. Source: Charlotte Observer
DIET & EXERCISE: Nutrition Labels Helping Fast Food Eaters Cut Calories As the debate about whether or not nutrition labels at restaurants is helping people get healthier, a new study has shown that the information is at least helping fast food eaters make better choices. The trick is, of course, that the customers have to actually read the information. Researchers looking at New York City's fast-food restaurants found only one in six customers actually read them. But, the customers who do look order something healthier -- choosing items with 100 fewer calories. The researchers also found that women are more likely to use the information when deciding what to order, as were people in wealthier neighborhoods. The least likely to look were young people. Source: CBS News
BALLOON GOWNS It's no secret that a wedding gown can cost as much as some people's entire wedding. But, if you're on a budget and willing to stray FAR from the beaten path, there could be a really cool alternative for you ... the balloon gown. There is a whole movement of quirky women who are trading in the lace and beading for rubber and helium -- and some of the dresses are actually incredible. Don't believe us? There was even a Balloon Fashion Show in Las Vegas, so SOMEBODY thinks this is a good idea! Source: Yahoo Shine
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SHOPPING AROUND HOT PEOPLE Shopping for clothes can be a really fun experience. We all like to throw on a new, hot piece of clothing that makes us feel sexy and stylish. But, according to a new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, if you go shopping with a bad body image, you're more likely to hate the clothes you try on -- especially if you see someone you think is better looking wearing the same outfit. This can be a real problem for clothing stores that have attractive salespeople wearing the store's brands. Source: Jezebel.com
VIDEO GAMERS TRY TO BE THEIR "IDEAL SELVES" According to a new study published in Psychological Science, people who play video games aren't just doing it for the action and adventure. They're doing it because of a desire to find their "ideal selves." Researchers traced the dreams of video gamers back to their childhoods, when they used their imaginations to be all sorts of things -- an athlete, a rock star, a superhero, among many others. The researchers then found that games let people actually live out that fantasy. "A game can be more fun when you get the chance to act and be like your ideal self," said study author Andy Przybylski. "The attraction to playing video games and what makes them fun is that it gives people the chance to think about a role they would ideally like to take and then get a chance to play that role." "Players are not escaping to nowhere. They are escaping to somewhere." Source: Time
Positive Teens More Likely To Lead Happier Lives As Adults According to a new study, young adults with a positive outlook on life are more likely to enjoy a happier, safer adulthood. Researchers at Northwestern University looked at data from teenagers in 1994 and found that those who reported a positive well-being as teens were healthier and less likely to indulge in risky behaviors like drug use and binge drinking as adults. Source: Chicago Sun Times
MICHELE BACHMANN: Promises Gas Below $2 a Gallon The always controversial presidential candidate Michele Bachmann is making some pretty big promises on the campaign trail. Earlier this week, she said if she's elected president, gas will drop below $2 a gallon. Just how Bachman will accomplish this remains unclear. Her campaign website says that if elected, she'll ease restrictions on drilling and cut federal regulations on the shale gas industry. But experts say that might be good for creating some jobs and reduce our reliance on foreign oil, it wouldn't have a huge impact on gas and oil prices. Besides, oil analyst Tom Kloza says that lower gas prices could spell more trouble. Says Kloza, "You have to be careful what you wish for because the recipe for cheap prices these days is economic disaster." Source: CNN Money
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PAGEANT WEIGHT GAIN Most of us gain and regain that five or six pounds all the time -- without noticing it too much. But then again, most of us aren't a part of the beauty pageant circuit. Cynthia de la Vega was the runner-up in Mexico's national beauty pageant, which earned her a spot in the 2011 Miss World pageant. But she didn't keep the spot for very long. With all the pressures from the competition drawing near, De La Vega ended up gaining 6 pounds, thus getting her kicked out of the pageant and replaced by another competitor. Source: Yahoo Shine
MEXICAN WOMEN PROTESTING ALL-MALE CANTINAS In Mexico City, some bars still do not allow women -- and some women aren't happy about this. Despite government anti-discrimination rules, some neighborhood bars exclude women "by tradition." They either don't serve the women -- or only grudgingly tolerate their presence. Well, the women are fighting back. A group of women calling itself Mujeres a las Cantinas (roughly, "To the Bars, Ladies!") has vowed to fight back. The women have been entering these bars and having male patrons chase them away by whistling and clapping -- and waiters have also been escorting them to a side room where they can eat and drink in peace. Source: Fox News
STUDY: Education Does Not Lead To Happiness According to a new Australian study, older people with the most formal education are the least happy of all their peers. People born in 1955 or earlier who hold a Master's or Doctorate degree expressed much less satisfaction with their lives than those with less education. Those who had left school before graduating high school -- or just earned a GED -- were the happiest. Source: Sydney Morning Herald
SCHOOL TERROR ATTACK: Thwarted by Police in Tampa A 17-year-old in Tampa, Florida has been arrested after authorities discovered that he planned to set off explosives and kill dozens of student at his old high school, officials said yesterday. Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor said that police found explosive materials and a manifesto at Jared Cano's home that detailed his alleged plot at Freedom High School. According to Castor, Cano planned to kill two school administrators and approximately 30 students, in a massacre that would have topped the body count of the 1999 attack at a high school in Columbine, Colorado. The attack was planned to take place at the start of the school year, but a tip helped police stop what Castor called "a potentially catastrophic event." Source: CNN
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SHOULDER PADS COMING BACK There are some fads from the '80s that are coming back, whether we like them or not -- like shoulder pads! Cowboys and Aliens star Olivia Wilde showed up to the premiere wearing a little red frock with a couple of exaggerated shoulders. And as much as we'd like to hate it ... she looked great! Source: OMG.Yahoo.com (with photo)
MEN ARE GETTING FULL WAX WORKS A chain of waxing boutiques in London has found that guys are visiting to get all-body wax treatments. That's right --head-to-toe hairlessness. For $430, guys are having the hair ripped out of their eyebrows, nose, ears, back, chest, stomach, legs, arms, underarm and of course a Brazilian or Hollywood wax. If you're interested, keep in mind that you'll only stay hairless for six weeks, at which time you'll have to do it all again -- and fork over another $430. Ouch. Source: ThisLondon.co.uk
Healthy Eating Adds $380 To Yearly Grocery Bill According to a new study, healthy eating adds $380 to your yearly grocery bill. So, while health officials have lots of ideas about how to eat more nutritious foods, they really haven't offered up too many ideas on how to pay for all these expensive health foods. "Almost 15 percent of households in America say they don't have enough money to eat the way they want to eat," said nutrition expert Hilary Seligman. "And, right now, a huge chunk of America just isn't able to adhere to these guidelines." Source: MSNBC
Vinyl Record Sales Are Surging Here's some surprising news ... vinyl record sales are booming, growing faster than any other form of music. While CDs sales continue their downward spiral that began after a peak in 2001 -- and MP3 downloads have pretty much flatlined -- people are buying more LPs today than at any time since 1991. It looks like young people have discovered vinyl albums and are buying them because of the way they sound, the album cover artwork and the extensive liner notes. The biggest selling vinyl album? For two years running, it's been The Beatles' Abbey Road.
Source: ComputerWorld.com
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WE'RE EATING MORE HAMBURGERS THAN EVER Despite the fact that everybody's banging the drum about obesity and heart disease -- and companies like McDonald's are under siege from health advocates -- Americans are eating more hamburgers than ever. According to a new survey, nearly half of consumers (48 percent) say they eat a burger at least once a week -- compared with 38 percent in 2009. And, 36 percent of respondents say "cravings" are the primary reason for their most recent burger purchase. The love for burgers isn't totally unhealthy, though. Nearly a quarter of young adults are interested in vegetarian burger options and people are increasingly asking for all-natural, hormone-free, steroid-free and antibiotic-free beef. Source: LifeInc.Today.com
MONEY MATTERS: Products To Avoid Buying Used As the economy continues to sputter, families are trying to cut corners where they can -- and one of the ways to save money is to buy things secondhand. But, according to Consumer Reports magazine, here are some products to avoid buying used:
Source: Consumer Reports
STUDY: Chocolate Improves Eyesight According to a new study, chocolate improves your eyesight -- even more than carrots. Researchers found that dark chocolate was especially effective in improving your ability to see in low-contrast situations, such as poor weather. So, add improved eyesight to the list of benefits from chocolate. For those of you keeping score, chocolate has been proven to make your brain sharper, lower your blood pressure, improve your cholesterol levels, platelet function and sensitivity to insulin. Source: MSNBC
SURVEY: Family Caregivers Do Billions Of Dollars In Unpaid Work According to a new survey, family caregivers who watch over adult family members, partners or friends with chronic conditions or disabilities do $450 billion worth of work each year -- totally unpaid. And, as people are living longer than ever these days, this number continues to grow. Source: GreenwichTime.com
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BEARDED MACHO MEN BACK IN STYLE Here's a weird side effect of the crappy economy ... bearded men. It seems the recession has caused guys to reject their old metrosexual ways 00 and embrace a new bearded, macho man image. Metrosexual is out. RETROsexual is in. It seems alpha males are taking charge and roughing it in a big way, as there has been a severe sales slump in male grooming products over the past couple years. Source: Times of India
WORKING WORLD: The Workplace Is Rude And Getting Ruder According to a new survey, there is a growing problem with "workplace incivility." That's right. The workplace is rude and getting ruder. Researchers from Indiana Wesleyan University found that the economic downturn has created a work environment where fewer workers are putting in longer hours and are under more stress. So, those workers "lucky" enough to have a job are burning the candle at both ends -- and are more likely than ever to lash out at co-workers. A full 86 percent of workers surveyed reported incivility, such as rude behavior, insults and just plain bad manners. So, when companies cut back and lay off workers, productivity doesn't suffer, but good manners end up disappearing. Source: Chicago Sun Times
STUDY: Brown Bag Lunches May Be Hazardous To Your Kids' Health Sending your kid to school with a brown bag lunch is a time-honored tradition, passed down through the generations. Unfortunately, it could be a dangerous tradition. According to a new study, many school lunches packed at home may reach unsafe temperatures by the time a child eats -- and can cause foodborne illnesses, which are particularly rough for preschool-aged kids. Researchers at the University of Texas found that more than 90 percent of lunches were at an unacceptable temperature at lunchtime. And, this was even true when lunches were packed in an insulated container with ice packs. The researchers suggest parents pack food for their children that aren't so dependent on being kept at a proper temperature, like fruit or peanut butter. Source: ConnectMidMichigan.com
OBAMA: Approval Rating Dips Below 40 Percent There's more bad news for President Obama. According to a new Gallup daily tracking poll, his approval rating dipped below 40-percent yesterday. Only 39-percent of those who responded said that approved of Obama's job performance. In Sunday's survey, which calculates a three-day rolling average, 54-percent said that disapprove of Obama's performance. Source: Los Angeles Times
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