Technology makes prayer petitions easier

Hello, guys!

Could you ever imagine that you can use your telephone, internet or fax to pray? But it can be so! Taiwanese who are away from homeland can pray via Internet fax? Don’t believe me? Read the article!

Hordes of Taiwanese swarm to temples around the country before and during the Lunar New Year to pray for good luck.

But now, with the help of technology, those seeking the attention of local deities can use the Internet, ATM machines and even cellphones to connect with the gods.

A number of telecommunication companies, banks and convenience stores have launched “virtual lantern-lighting” and “virtual Taisui-pacifying” services that enable people too busy to visit temples in person to perform the rituals elsewhere.

Taisui is the title of the god whose constellation is designated as the monarch of a particular year of the Chinese zodiac, and who must be pacified by people born in certain years if they want to avoid bad luck.

The companies are seeking to capitalize on local adherence to Taoist tradition, in which “pacifying Taisui and “lighting the lantern” are indispensable rituals.

Lighting lanterns, such as the “Lantern of Light,” the “Safety Lantern” and the “Education Lantern,” are thought to bring health, honor and a brighter future.

Worshippers can use their mobile phones to log on to the Internet and enter their name, birth date and address to pacify Taisui or light a lantern. Fending off the rage of Taisui costs NT$600, while the cost of lighting lanterns depends on the temple. The Matsu Temple in Lugang charges NT$600 to light a “Lantern of Light.”

Customers of Far Eastern International Bank and Chinatrust Commercial Bank can use the companies’ Web sites or ATM machines to perform the ritual, while others can fill out the appropriate forms available at convenience stores and submit them by fax or via the Internet.

One-stop job centers offer free services

Hello!
I don`t think that there are some people who will be indifferent to this note because of the current situation. It is not a secret that the situation outdoors is very difficult for people, many of them lost their jobs, many lost their own business. How to behave in this case? That is the question for many of us. And that is good that there are people who can really help you.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — California’s unemployment rate has more than doubled in two years, rising from 5.5 percent to more than 11 percent. People who have recently lost their jobs often don’t know where to begin looking for another one.

For job seekers, there are many centers in Southern California that offer advice, workshops and free use of fax machines and computers.
Goodwill Industries in Los Angeles is one of the best places for people to begin their search for work. It is one of many one-stop job centers in Southern California.
“We assist individuals who are looking for employment or training. We provide the resources here for them to search for employment,” said Anna Zakarian, Goodwill Job Center.
Resources include computers with Internet access, fax machines, copiers, telephones and even a variety of clothes a job seeker can have to wear to a job interview. The best part is that it is all free.
A one-stop job center can make a big difference. There are over 50 in Southern California. Along with clothing and Internet access, many of them offer classes in everything from language skills, to interview skills and resume writing, to finding a job by computer.

Setting up a home-based business

Hi World!!

Today`s news are about home-based business. As the economy continues to falter and job losses continue to mount, many people have already started such a kind of business. If you are interested in this but don`t know where to start, then these tips are for you:

1. Devise a plan of attack. Before venturing too far down this path, make absolutely sure a market exists for your product or services. Writing up a business plan can help you determine whether your idea is workable. You can visit your local library and check out books about how to write business plans for free.

2. Could you fly solo? If companies in your career field frequently rely on independent contractors to handle certain jobs, perhaps you could become one of those independent contractors and work right out of your home. In that instance, you could do business as a self-employed individual or a “sole proprietor” for tax purposes.

3. Or would you need employees? If your business idea would require you to hire employees, be prepared for life to become more complicated. For information on applying for a business license, contact your state’s department of licensing or department of professional regulation.

4. Pay estimated taxes four times a year. To avoid an unexpected doozy of a tax bill after you strike out on your own, get in the habit of filing estimated tax payments by the deadlines established by the IRS.

5. Save for retirement. This may seem like a low priority when you’re struggling to get a business up and running, but it’s important to set aside at least some money for retirement each month. One relatively easy way to do this is to open a simplified employee pension individual retirement account, or SEP IRA.

6. Think about your work space. When working from home, you ideally should have a separate space for your office. If an entire room isn’t possible, create boundaries for a work area with partitions or drapes. Your work station should be ergonomically sound, which may require an investment in a good chair. You’ll also need a computer, Internet and fax, which could double as a printer/copier/scanner.

7. Think about child care. If you have children, set rules about when they can and cannot enter your work area and how they should behave there. Come up with a workable child-care system, which may involve hiring a sitter for a few hours a day.

8. Consider installing a separate phone line. A separate phone line may be important so that your phone calls can be answered as professionally as possible, without children crying or dogs barking in the background.

9. Look like a pro. You’ll want to have a professional-looking Web site with a domain name that corresponds with the name of your business. Also, your business cards and stationery should be on a par with what a large company would use.

10. Be sure you have enough insurance. You’ll need health insurance for yourself and your family and liability insurance for your business. A good way to find relatively reasonable health coverage is through a business or trade organization in your field.

Hughs Meats offers delivery at wholesale prices

Hi guys!
I wanted to ask, do you use home delivery services that are provided by some markets? I think this is very comfortable to order some producton and get it not even leaving your home!!! Especially if you have not enough time to visit shops. I do. And I found some news about that:

Bangor-based wholesaler Hughes Meats Company Limited has announced the launch of a brand new home delivery service, which will enable consumers to buy meat at wholesale prices and get it delivered to their door.

From 1st May 2009, customers will be able to place orders via the internet, fax, telephone or SMS (text message) and have the meat delivered straight to their home in one of the company’s fleet of refrigerated vehicles.

The delivery service is the brainchild of Paul Williams, quality assurance manager at the Hughes Meats Company Limited, who said: “With the credit crunch and the dire economic situation, we as a company are aware that people are spending less on quality foods. With this service, we aim to bring wholesale meat prices directly to the public so that good, wholesome food is now within everyone’s price range.”

Geraint Hughes, managing director of Hughes Meats Company Limited, added: “We are very excited at the launch of this new service. As a company we have always sought to be innovative in our approach and use new technology to bring our quality products to as many people as possible. This is one of many new projects we have in the pipeline as our company continues to grow.”

Nice news, aren`t they?