The last thing you need to worry about while running is your gloves. Not only is it a pain in the neck to have to take them on and off mid-run, but it’s distracting and potentially dangerous. So rather than struggling with your hand wear in order to answer a phone call, switch songs on your mp3 player, or interact with the latest training app, pick up a pair of touchscreen compatible running gloves!

Here are some of the best ones available at the moment.

1. Best Choice: eGlove SPORT ($34.99)

The eGlove SPORT are great running gloves with amazing grip and very good conductivity. Although they are more expensive than many other touchscreen running gloves, they are worth it. These gloves come in three different styles, which range from loud (pictured) to subtle (black on black), so there should be something for everyone. One of the nicest features is the ornamentation on the palms (a large ‘e’ and a circuit board diagram going up the fingers), which is made of an exceptionally effective traction material that has the functional purpose of preventing dropped touchscreen devices.

2. Most Affordable: Manzella Sprint Touch Tip Touchscreen Gloves ($20.00)

Manzella Men’s Sprint Touch Tip Touchscreen Gloves are decent running gloves with good connectivity at a reasonable price. The breathable material and decent tailoring afford users some warmth while still preventing hands from getting too sweaty once up and moving. Additionally, the palms are emblazoned with scores of tiny Manzella logos made from a reflective traction material. Manzella is on the right track with this idea, but it could be improved by using a stickier material. While they may not be the most durable gloves or everyone’s cup of tea aesthetically, they are some of the best value for touchscreen compatible running gloves.

3. SmartWool PhD HyFi Training Touchscreen Gloves ($39.99)

The SmartWool PhD HyFi Training Touchscreen Gloves are well-constructed running gloves with good conductivity from a company that takes an ethical approach to their business. These gloves have traction grip on the palms, though it could be a little bit ‘stickier’ to make it easier to hold onto the user’s touchscreen device. Additionally, the high price tag may make some think twice before purchasing these comfortable, low-profile gloves.

4. Lululemon Athletica Brisk Run Touchscreen Gloves ($28.00)

Lululemon’s Brisk Run Touchscreen Gloves are great regular running gloves with relatively good conductivity. From the breathable mesh palm and extra long cuff, to the discrete, attractive logo on the left hand, the design of the non-conductive elements of the Brisk Run gloves is meticulously laid out and artfully executed. That said, would benefit significantly from the placement of traction material on the palms and a redesign of the touchscreen compatible elements.

5. Agloves Sport ($23.99, list $29.99)

The Agloves SPORT are relatively warm running touchscreen gloves. As with all Aglove models, the entire gloves enjoys conductivity (in this case due to the silver yarn interwoven with the acrylic and spandex. With a snug fit and fitted cuff, these gloves are extremely popular from an extremely popular company.

When property managers hire security guard companies they have a picture in mind of what their contract security force will look like, but too often what they get is not what they pictured. What we have found is that most security guard companies are capable of providing the service that property managers want, but too often do not because of a lack of ongoing quality control procedures.

Security guard companies are unlike any vendor that a property manager usually hires. If you hire a painter, you can see whether or not they are doing their jobs by looking at the walls. But when you hire a security guard company, how often can you see whether the guard company is doing their job which includes running background checks and drug screenings, providing good training for your guards, and effectively monitoring and supervising your guards. In most instances they probably are, but it is important to implement a system of verification and quality control to ensure that problems associated with the lack of performing these jobs do not begin to occur.

In this article we will discuss five (5) easy steps to improving your security guard service and achieving what you picture as your ideal security guard force.

Screen Your Guards Qualifications

In many states, guards are mandated to have a specified amount of training before they can begin working as security guards. If your state is one of these states, ensure that your security guard company is compliant.

If you are in a state where there are no state requirements for guard certification, then investigate the type of training that is being provided by your security company and ask yourself does it seem adequate.

Additionally, is your security guard company performing background and drug screenings on all your guards BEFORE they send them to your property? If they are, they should be providing you with verifications. If not, why?

Another excellent way to screen whether the guard is a good fit for your property is to conduct a short “interview” to get a feel for the guard and to explain your expectations. This initial conversation can tell you a lot about what to expect from that guard and it gives you a chance to request a different guard if you feel that it is necessary.

Assess Guard Training

Although most security guard companies have a very thorough orientation that introduces each guard to the company itself, in many cases the guard’s orientation to his assigned property is not as complete. We call the orientation for the assigned property “Site Specific Training”. Find out what your site specific training looks like:

• Does it occur at your property?

• Who does the training?

• How long is each new officer trained?

• How long does the security company double bank? (Double banking is the process of having a veteran guard working at the same time as the new guard.)

• How thoroughly are your post orders explained?

Determine the answer to each of these questions and make sure that they fit with what you feel is adequate. You should even consider sitting in on your security guard company’s orientation and your site specific training to get an understanding of what goes into preparing a guard to work at your property.

Review Your Guard’s Supervision

Guard supervision is one of the more important factors of good security guard service. When security companies provide poor supervision, there is not enough emphasis placed on preventing mistakes, problems, and complaints. Lack of supervision also removes the opportunity for the guard to learn and better understand their duties. If the guards are not being supervised, they begin to feel that their work is not important and they begin to see themselves as less of a part of the security team. When guards do not feel like part of your team it typically leads to unacceptable practices such as unprofessional behavior, tardiness, and even theft.

Depending on the structure of your contract, on-site supervisors may not be included. If your contract does not require on-site supervision, how does your security guard company remotely supervise its guards? Outside of the normal security company field supervisor spot checks, the two methods of remote supervision that prove most successful are:

1. Officer Tour Tracking Systems

2. Officer Check-Ins

If your guards are required to make rounds of your property, then a system for tracking them while on duty is essential. Officer Tour Tracking Systems provide a remote way of monitoring the guards while they are on your property. These tracking systems allow the security guard company to monitor the time and log the activity of the guards while they are making rounds to various areas on your property. Most Officer Tour Tracking Systems can generate reports that enable the security guard company to quickly get an understanding of whether the guard is making rounds. The property manager should also be provided with an abridged version of these reports. Manufacturers of such systems include Deggy and Timekeeping Systems, Inc.

In addition to Officer Tour Tracking systems, we have found that having a system for guards to check in regularly with the security guard company provides a way of making sure that each guard is safe and alert. By having guards check-in regularly with the security guard company, at least every 30 minutes, guards feel that their safety is important and that being awake and alert is an important part of their job.

Inspect Your Guards

After hours inspections of your guards are always great ways of finding out exactly what is happening with your security while you are not there. During these inspections, make sure to ask your security guards questions about their duties and responsibilities to ensure that they understand their jobs. In fact, we suggest having your security guards audited regularly, formally (i.e. post inspection) and informally (i.e. secret shopped) by a licensed security consultant as part of your ongoing security program.

Firms like Asymmetric Strategies provide a free service aimed at doing exactly that. Remember, when choosing a security consultant be sure that the consultant is not actually a security guard company. If so, your audit is sure to turn up problems with your current security guard company.

Meet with your Security Guard Company Regularly

The fifth and easiest step is to regularly meet with your security company. Without providing regular feedback to your security guard company, property managers are missing out on opportunities to achieve incremental increases in efficiency. Topics such as tenant feedback, guard attrition, feedback from any remote supervisory systems, and any security audits should be discussed during these meetings.

For property managers, getting the security that they want is sometimes just a matter of putting the right processes in place to make sure that all parties understand what is expected. The five easy steps that we outline here are just a few for you to consider. For more ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact us by email at info@asymmetricstrategies.com or contact a licensed security consultant in your area.

Bratz dolls are indeed very popular. Maybe you are a Bratz doll fan, too! If you would love to sew some clothes for them to wear, try some of these great doll-clothing design tips. My clothes are very easy to make, and they are quite fashionable, too. I try to design styles that are both kid-friendly and parent pleasing, using bright complimentary colors and textures.

Doll clothes patterns are available to purchase in many fabric stores, but I have not yet found any patterns for Bratz dolls. So, I came up with these designs through trial and error. Using inexpensive fabric such as muslin, I experimented with new items until I had some that fit the Bratz dolls “just right.” I then traced the muslin clothing items onto paper to use as patterns for future sewing. This sounds scary, I know. But actually, it allowed for greater freedom when sewing dolls clothes to fit “exactly the way you pictured them in your mind.” Sometimes I had to resize and sew up a muslin item many times before getting it to fit well. In other instances, I got things “right the first time.”

Designing your own patterns allows you to incorporate your own style ideas into the clothes. For instance, I made a dress with only one sleeve, and added a vinyl belt that fastens with Velcro. I also created a night shirt pattern that has sleeves cut right in. For that reason, they did not have to be sewn in separately. This worked out well, because I have never really enjoyed sewing sleeves onto the bodice of a garment. Also, I prefer to put an elastic waistband on pants so that it is easier to slide the pants onto the dolls. Being able to adjust patterns, I was able to include this elastic waistband feature on the doll pants.

The best way to go about a project like this is to make sure that you are in a calm, relaxed state of mind. You do not want to feel rushed or irritable, or you may be setting yourself up for frustration. Be patient and allow yourself to make mistakes with the muslin. You may have to “fine tune” your attempts to make the clothes. For remember, some of the best ideas start out as mistakes!

Milwaukee recently released a new line of 12v lithium-ion power tools, a comprehensive line-up containing more that a handful of power tools that will activate any crafters tool lust. Among them is their M12 M-Spector, a digital inspection camera with the sophisticated technologies and the heavy duty chops to deliver an entirely new way of looking at your jobsites.

The 2310-21 M-Spector features a totally advanced digital imaging technology that, when pictured on the camera’s 2.4″ high-resolution (and color!) LCD display, provides users with the ability to see one’s work environment, and to see inside, behind, and beyond that work environment in a vastly improved way. In fact, the camera provides crystal clear visibility into places on your jobsite that would be otherwise impossible to reach. The thing allows you to easily look into pipes and drains, to see behind walls, and get your eyes into dark, tiny, awkward, and otherwise unreachable spaces.

The camera’s digital imaging technology delivers truly superior image quality and clarity of picture ensuring you’re seeing exactly what’s in front of you. So, whether what’s in front of you is inside a pipe or behind a wall, the M-Spector feeds you a clear picture, and with an adjustable 2x zoom capability and LED brightness control (with digital glare reduction), you’ll never be surprised by the things that lurk in unseen spaces.

The camera also features a detachable, flexible, durable and water tight 3-foot extension cable with a small camera head at its end. The extension cable is narrow enough to get into, get underneath and get around small spaces – in fact, the thing squeeze into openings as little as 3/4″ in diameter. This extension allows you to get into the real meat of those impossible to reach areas, and because this cable can combine with others like it, users benefit from a possible 9-feet of camera extension dramatically growing a worker’s range and quality of visibility.

As if empowering you with super seeing abilities on the jobsite wasn’t quite good enough, Milwaukee’s inspection camera is also ergonomically comfortable to hold and operate. In fact, designed for comfortable one-handed use, the camera is entirely optimized for user convenience. Also running on Milwaukee’s exclusive RedLithium battery technology, the camera boasts 15 long hours of consecutive run-time and a charging system that fully charges a battery in just 30-minutes.

I decided to read this book after I watched the Academy Awards a little while ago. John Wayne received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role in the 1969 version of True Grit, and the version that came out last year was nominated for ten Oscars. I have not seen either version, and decided to read the book before checking them out. Westerns aren’t what I normally read, but I have enjoyed reading Louis L’Amour in the past.

The book can be summarized by the first sentence on the first page: “People do not give it credence that a fourteen-year-old girl could leave home and go off in the wintertime to avenge her father’s blood but it did not seem so strange then, although I will say it did not happen every day”. Mattie Ross is after the man who shot her kind-hearted father in Arkansas, and will stop at nothing until he gets what he deserves. The book is written in a matter-of-fact tone, with the spunk of a stubborn young girl who won’t take no for an answer. She tells the story as an intelligent spinster, looking back on events that would stay with her for the rest of her life.

Mattie travels to Fort Smith where her father was killed, and looks to the U.S. Marshalls for help in avenging the murderous Tom Chaney. She find the true grit she is looking for in one-eyed “Rooster” Cogburn. Shortly after she finds him she is confronted by a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf who has been after Chaney for killing a man in Texas. LaBoeuf and Cogburn agree to go after Chaney, but Mattie is not to be left behind. She stubbornly follows them until they reluctantly agree to let her come along.

The journey to avenge her father’s life isn’t quite what she pictured – traveling long hours on a horse, listening to drunken men talk, and sleeping on rough ground is hard work. I loved how Cogburn calls Mattie “baby sister” and seems to grow fond of her in a rough sort of way. The action-packed ending had me shivering a little bit as Mattie finds herself wedged in a pit with bats brushing up against her from the cave below, and the only thing within reach is a corpse with rattlers coming out the chest looking for a snack. Not so much a fan of snakes.

Although I enjoyed the book, I found the straight-forward narration a little emotionally lacking and dry sometimes. I loved the interactions between Mattie and Rooster, with the stories he told her and the way she looked toward him for help. Not a book I would read again, but worth reading once.

There are many types of barrels out there. I prefer the wood ones over the plastic ones. The wood barrels seem to stand up to the weather better and last longer. After you buy the barrel, make sure that it is clean and free of bugs and dirt. Next buy a package of small rocks to put in the bottom of the barrel to prevent the soil from bleeding out. This also helps with drainage. These barrels have a hole in the middle of the bottom. Next buy a 1.5 cubic foot bag of Miracle-Gro potting soil that has peat moss in it. I also recommend adding some mushroom compost to the soil to give the flowers nutrients. Fill the barrel up until you have a 2-3″ space from the top of the barrel to the soil. The above steps insure that the flowers will last a long time. You can also add some organic plant food to the soil. This will feed the flowers for at least three months.

Now is the time to go to the nursery to buy the flowers. Depending on the zone you are in, certain plants will do better than others. For example, I have two barrels like the one pictured. I have verbena and petunias in both. I also have some marigolds mixed in as well. I have also planted begonias, impatiens, and asters in these barrels and they have done extremely well. The butterflies love them! Recently I have seen a couple of swallowtails and a monarch.

After you have planted the flowers, be sure to water with at least half a sprinkling can full to promote root growth. Then water every few days so that the flowers get acclimated to the barrel. Since many days of summer seems to be dry, water is very important on keeping your flowers looking great.

Once in a while, you may have to add more plant food or soil as over time it might sink a bit. I also try to weed every few days to keep my barrels looking great.

Every fall, after the flowers have died, I remove the dead flowers and roots and smooth the soil over for the winter. Then in the spring, I empty the soil in the barrels around the trees and put in fresh soil and compost. This gives the new flowers a chance to be just as great if not better than the first batch.

Getting old is not what is used to be. Traditionally, aging is pictured at age 60 and is characterized by the deterioration of health and major changes in physical characteristics. Aging is actually inevitable, but then it can be stopped and even reversed. Reversing the aging process has been made possible by hormone therapies. It has been known that important hormones such as human growth hormone declines with advancing years. Treating with the deficient hormone is then considered effective way to counter the aging process. 

What is Human Growth Hormone?

Human growth hormone (HGH) is one of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland. HGH is needed in various biological processes including cell repair and growth. During childhood years up to adolescence, there is peak production of this important hormone. Thus, growth spurt occurs. However, as growth stops, the production of the hormone declines significantly. At middle age, the hormone is expected to have been reduced greatly so that the signs and symptoms of aging are observed in the physical appearance and occurrence of age-related health problems. 

In 1990, Dr. Daniel Rudman and the researchers from the University of Wisconsin administered synthetic human growth hormone to healthy men aged 60 to 80 years old. The injections reversed the signs of aging by twenty years. Some of the reported effects of human growth hormone injections include decrease in body fat, increase in skin thickness, increased strength, improved memory, increased vigor and enhanced stamina. The administration of the synthetic hormone was not associated with changes in diet or lifestyle. Thus, the changes were all accounted to the effects of human growth hormone. 

The Age of HGH Supplements

The Rudman study was a landmark in the development of HGH supplements. At present, it is normal to encounter manufacturers of HGH products ranging from injections, pills and sprays. All these products promise to provide the anti-aging benefits of HGH. Essentially, people with hormone deficiency have successfully received the hormone through injections. However, injections are not without risks. Injections, though effective, are very costly. It was reported that due to the high HGH content in injections, some people developed adverse reactions with it. 

Synthetic human growth hormone may not work well with the body. The body may even reject it thus adverse reactions and side effects occur. These drawbacks of HGH injections resulted in the development of alternative methods of increasing the hormone levels. HGH sprays have been found a convenient and highly efficient method of delivering the HGH boosters in the body. HGH sprays supplement the body with human growth hormone indirectly. That is, these sprays do not use synthetic HGH like injections, but it contains the so-called HGH boosters which promotes natural production of the hormone by the pituitary gland. 

Boosting the levels of natural hormone does not cause side effects. The main function the sprays are to deliver the ingredients which would signal the pituitary gland to produce and release the hormone to the bloodstream. Defying the aging process can happen naturally, efficiently and safely with sprays.

If you want to learn more about human growth hormone sprays, visit http://www.sytropin.com.

Known as the running food, Chia seeds use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on Chia during their battles. They outmaneuvered their counterpart Inca’s by surviving mostly consuming chia seeds. They are very cost effective for this worlds’ recessionary climate. One ounce a day is all most people need, especially when you consider they expand to 9 times their size when they come in contact with and food or drink.

9 Healthy Reasons people use Chia Seeds

9. 1 ounce uses 2.8% of the calories in a 2000 calorie diet. The full daily servings only add 1 up to 139 calories.

8. They are high in calcium and naturally have boron in them which transfers the calcium into your bones.

7. They fill you up when they in contact with liquid and slow down the absorption of carbohydrates to control your appetite.

6. They are gluten free and are very good for a Raw Food Diet because they are high in protein, calcium, omega 3 and 6 and don’t need to be cooked. Unlike Flax Seed, you do not have to ground them up when you make a smoothie.

5. They are great for workouts. Prior to a run or an athletic event in which you need to hydrate, take a tablespoon or 2 in a 8 ounce bottle of water which will help you hydrate. They will also help with protein to do the event without cramping up. Also, it is good for the digestive system because it is a hydrophillic colloid.

4. They are high in Omega 3 – 1 oz has 4915mg of Omega 3. Omega 3 fatty acids are loaded with protein which is great for healthy skin, hair, and nails.

3. They are good for Diabetics – High fiber diets can help in managing diabetes. It is harder to lose weight as a diabetic. The seeds supplies fiber in 2 forms: insoluble (won’t dissolve in water) from its outer coat and soluble fiber (will dissolve in water) from its inner shell. Soluble fiber has been found helpful in lowering cholesterol and diabetes. 1 oz has a Glycemic Index of 1.

2. They are known to help with Thyroid – They help with hydration and are known to help deal with thyroid medication symptoms like lack of energy, dry skin and hair, thyroid weight, and colon issues.

1. They are good for lowering cholesterol – The seeds supplies fiber in 2 forms: insoluble (won’t dissolve in water) from its outer coat and soluble fiber (will dissolve in water) from its inner shell. Soluble fiber has been found helpful in lowering cholesterol and diabetes. Also the omega 3 and 6 has been shown to help.

For high quality seeds, look for suppliers who show clear pictures on their websites. They are usually priced similar to flax seeds. They can be taken dry with water or mixed with food. Go here to learn more about pricing, packaging, and recipes.

I was getting late for work, and while I was rushing out the door I spilled coffee from my flask onto the carpet. I had to clean it up to save the carpet from ruin. As I rummaged in my closet for the carpet cleaner I created a big mess on the floor, which I decided to clean up after I would get home. I managed to clean up my carpet, leaving the other mess behind, and got to work.

By now you would have pictured how my day was spiraling down the crisis drain. Yes, I got a little late to the office and will leave out the details of the stressful transit and rest of the day, including sorting out the mess I had left waiting for me at home. This was just another typical day happening in my life.

This brings me to my point, about being prepared for the daily crises we encounter in our lives. How can you avoid such stress and self caused trouble? The first thing that comes to my mind is waking up early. Waking up early will give you time to perform all routine activities without rushing. That would mean, if something goes wrong, since you are not rushing around you can think of a better way to handle it, without causing yourself more trouble. So, no matter what time you sleep make it a rule to wake up at the same time every day. It may be difficult the first few days, but as you practice it for a few days your body will get used to it. That doesn’t exclude the option to sleep early and give your body the required sleep.

Organize your thoughts, tasks and plan your day. When you have a plan in place and your activities organized, you will not have to worry about the how and when. You can’t stop things from going wrong, but when they do you know you can focus on resolving them, as you are not preoccupied with your daily chores. If possible get your things ready for the next day on the previous night. Being prepared in advance will relieve you of the stress of getting things done in a hurry in the morning.

When things are going wrong it is easy to panic or get stressed out. But, remember that you can’t make things right by getting worried. Try to fit in some form of exercise or yoga with meditation. Yoga/exercise not only keeps your body fit but contribute in de-stressing, relaxing and recharging your mind.

Maintain a positive outlook and start your day with a big, bright smile.

Building your own porch railing is a thing you can do on your own. You can even build a modern railing that is based on your very own design and preferences. These designs can be pictured from your choices of colors, materials, and styles that you have in mind. In doing so, planning is of great important. It is a must then that you have a complete figure of how you want your modern deck railing design to appear. Afterwards, you can start listing the materials of your own choice and the building soon after.

The materials of your modern railing design come after you have already figure out what you want for your house. Make a note, picture, and specification on what you want for your deck. When you are already satisfied in how it will appear and how it will affect the total appearance of your deck; thereby your home, you can already choose the materials you will use.

The different materials you can use for your modern railing designs are metal, PVC, vinyl, cable, glass, and aluminum among many others more. The metal materials also include steel, stainless steel, wrought iron, and aluminum. These materials are very good for its high weight to strength ratio with very less to fully no maintenance need. Vinyl and cable materials are also very good components if you want to enjoy safety and the surroundings.

Glass is a very classy railing material. This is maintenance-free material so you can enjoy really good looking deck railing with all the safety you need.

1. Lifestyle. The way you live your life and how you spend your day to day chores will dictate the type of modern deck railing design you need in your deck. If you are one with a busy life and very little time to spend at home, a simple deck and railing is all you need. It will be likely to be small part at the back of your home. If you are one who loves holding late afternoon entertaining events like a BBQ party with your friends, then you would want a larger place and a more convenient railing design.
2. Area. The area of your home and lawn will also have a great effect in your choice of porch and deck railings. A big house will look splendid with a big deck and a nicely accessories deck railing.
3. Theme. The overall appearance of the house and deck must also blend with the type of material and design you want for a deck railing.
4. Impact. The design you will want to have for your deck railing will basically be consistent with the way it impacts on you and your visitors.