Carpentry Career Competencies

A carpentry career takes work and planning. Competencies and skills have to be built following a certain period of time. And just like any other career, success in this field also depends on the core competencies developed as one starts on the job. This is aside from the skills that are required to become a competent carpenter.

Certain competencies need to be developed as each carpentry task in different areas of work can be somewhat different. But usually, most of them involve the same basic steps. Most jobs in carpentry initially involve working from blueprints or from just instructions given by supervisors. Carpenters may also need to do the layout of the structure which now involves measuring, marking, and materials planning. Carpenters should also put into consideration if the layout fits in accordance with local building codes.

After the initial layout, carpenters may proceed with cutting and shaping wood and other associated materials. And during this time, carpenters may already be adept in using hand and power tools. Joining the materials together with nails, screws, staples, or adhesives comes next. After that, carpenters would then do a final check of the accuracy of their work according to the blueprint provided.

This would require the use of levels, rules, plumb bobs, carpentry squares, and measuring equipment. If there are corrections, carpenters should also know how to make the necessary adjustments. Just by going through the basic process, it can be understood that certain carpentry competencies can be important, even in entry level jobs.

For future carpenters, there is an important need to develop entry level competencies from the very start. Before one can become a well-rounded and experienced carpenter, there might be a need for a student to take the job as a carpenter's helper. Entry level knowledge and competence usually involves learning about basic helper duties and how to perform them.

As a carpenter helper knowledge about the use and care of basic materials might be needed. Entry level carpentry jobs may also require knowledge about basic interpretation of drawings and blueprints. Safety considerations on the work site as well as in the use of tools are also essential for developing entry level competencies.

After getting through the entry level carpentry basics, would be carpenters may need to equip themselves with additional developmental knowledge and training. This level would allow the carpenter to have the skills that would be required to perform standard construction and repair jobs.

Carpenters in training would go on to learn about how to work using sketches and blueprints as well as following work orders. Setting up and operating standard tools and equipment as well as learning how to work independently performing standard construction and repair tasks would already be practiced and performed at this level of competency.

From the basic and standard construction tasks and knowledge, the more experienced carpenter will now proceed to learning about more complex carpentry career knowledge. Learning how to interpret and perform more complex blueprints and drawings to exact specifications is learned at this level. Carpenters now would know how to develop and implement working schedules as well as becoming more adept in selecting and using appropriate materials.

Knowledge of advanced shop mathematics is also important since working with precision instruments and equipment are also being tackled.

How to Make Money Selling Mobile Phones on Craigslist?

Do you want to make money buying and reselling mobile phones, but do you want to limit your startup costs? If so, instead of opening a full fledge online mobile phone store, consider selling on Craigslist.org.

If you didn’t already know, Craigslist.org is a popular online classified website. So, why is it a good way to make money selling mobile phones? Because it is free. There is no fee for internet users to buy, sell, or trade on the website.

The first step in making money by selling mobile phones on Craigslist is to have phones to sell. Decide if you want to sell new phones, used phones, or of both. As for how you get these phones, try various different avenues. Although most wholesale suppliers have a minimum purchase requirement, not all do. You may be able to purchase just one case of mobile phones to resell. Search eBay.com and even Craigslist for cheap phones. It is easy to find used phones for sale cheap because current owners don’t know their full value or they just want to get rid of the phones. For new phones, look for good deals. If a local store has a buy one, get one free sale, you could resell both phones for a profit.

To sell mobile phones, create a free account on Craigslist.org. An account is not required to post for sale advertisements, but it will only take a few seconds of your time. This also enables interested buyers to contact you through the website.

Once you have a created a Craigslist account, you are ready to post a for sale listing. First, determine where you want to sell. If you want to sell locally only, find your state and the nearest city from the main page. Craigslist targets local buyers, but you can post a for sale advertisement in a different city or state. If you take this approach, state you will ship the mobile phone. To generate interest, offer free shipping.

After visiting the Craigslist section for the city you want to post an ad, click on the “post to classified,” link. This link can be found on the left-hand side of the page. You will need to select which type of advertisement you want to place, which is a for sale ad. Next, choose a category. For mobile phones and accessories, choose electronics. Now, you are ready to create your for sale listing.

Even if you are selling mobile phones part-time or in your free time, it is important to conduct business in a professional matter. This begins by clearly outlining what you are selling. It is fine to sell used cell phones with cosmetic damage, as long as you state this. Don’t let a buyer think they are getting a brand new mobile phone if they aren’t. So, start by describing the phone. State whether it is new or used, if it has cosmetic damage, list the make and model number.

It is common to find cell phones for sale on Craigslist. For you to make money, set your listings apart from the rest. This begins with fair prices. Yes, you want to make a profit, but you also want to make a sale. Don’t try to sell a mobile phone for a lot more than it is worth. The key to making a profit with resale is to buy it yourself at a low price. That is why you should examine wholesale suppliers. Make it known your buyer is getting a good deal. Do you have a like-new phone available for sale for $50 that retails new for $150? State this. Buyers want to see they are getting a good deal.

Most importantly, post pictures. For sale listings with pictures not only help to generate interest, but they increase sales. In terms of mobile phones, most people want to see if there is any cosmetic damage and make sure they are getting a “cool phone.” Don’t use a stock model, but take a picture of the phone you are selling. Use a digital camera or another cell phone with picture taking capabilities.

In your listing, post contact information. This can be an email address, phone number, or both. Most buyers will extend an offer if interested, but some will contact you with additional questions.

Dictionaries helping with Learning Disabilities

Dictionaries are helpful for teaching people with learning disabilities. The Thesaurus and dictionary combined can do wonders for an individual suffering Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorders (ADHD) or Attention Deficit Disorders (ADD). The dictionary can benefit those of us that suffer mental illnesses.

Ironically our Department of Education hinders children from the start of school by (forcing) them to comply with the rules and regulations of a controlling system. Children grow up with parents that teach them how to behave, think, and feel. It is all in accordance to their upbringing (beliefs) and the child moves ahead until he walks in the door of the public school system.

Thus, his or her beliefs are reversed, since they now believe according to someone else’s standards. We just can’t win in a world filled with unrelenting believes. It seems virtually impossible to stay afloat when superiors control us. Leaders include the schools, law, politics, and even religious leaders.

The influences can create a chaotic mind and torture the minds for decades, since the world is never changing in their actions. Now we must look at an entirely new law to govern our own mind and avoid the difficulties that others send our way.

The dictionary contains thousands of words that have many different meanings. For example, deadlines are dates in which a publication is expected. On the other hand, deadlines are fences around a prison walls. If a prisoner steps over that deadline he or she is subject to be shot by the wardens. Therefore, we must learn the meaning of words before we can understand what the words mean.

One individual that spent five years in prison may misinterpret deadlines if a person is explaining in vague definition. For example, if I do not make that deadline I am in trouble. If a person spent time in prison, the person may understand the deadline as a potential threat, since he or she spent time in prison.

Therefore, the meaning is not clear. Another example can be seen when we consider the words assertive and aggressive. One person may misunderstand the terms or definitions when they encounter a person asserting them self. For example, assertive means to speak out boldly with great confidence, while aggressive individuals may speak out bold.

Aggressive does not mean that a person is violently acting out when he or she feels aggressive; rather it means that the person is defending his or her rights.

Often an aggressive person feels his or her emotions were attacked, thus acting out boldly.

This is all linked to beliefs, which is a factor in learning. Living in a controlled world, we all have hindrance that comes our way. The hindrance prevents us from understand a meaning.

Facts play a large part in learning. Since we all grow up and observe the different influences about us. For example, if a child grows observing friends that are polite, this child is learning behaviors patterns from his or her influences.

Learning falls into place. However if a child sees polite people and is approached by adults claiming that the child is too passive then we see a rewind fall into place.

The child knows the rewards that politeness brings, but does not know the boundaries of polite. As you can see this child is confused, since his observation taught the child to behave in accordance to the majority of influences.

If an adult approaches the child’s passive behaviors incorrectly, this is where disability steps in. Since the child now feels inadequate.

Underestimating observation over teaching can prove disastrous if the observed actions were clearly a good behavior situation. I am a firm believer that observation goes further than words. However, when a person is confused the dictionary and thesaurus is the best teachers.

The tactic not only promotes self-talking, but it enforces the mind to elaborate on the meaning of each word.

My child suffers Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and as he observed me, he too picked up the dictionary and began his journey to understanding. It has taught him that learning means that his confidence is in tact, since not many individuals can disrupt his mind.

DISCLAIMER:

This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.

Since natural and/or dietary supplements are not FDA approved they must be accompanied by a two-part disclaimer on the product label: that the statement has not been evaluated by FDA and that the product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

Freestyle Frisbee

There are many types of activities one can do with a Frisbee and one of them is Freestyle Frisbee. What is it all about?

Many players around the globe are captivated with this type of Frisbee activity. Players usually watch with awe as the discs hover and take flight with the wind. There are also different moves that you can use when playing freestyle Frisbee. Just as the word ‘freestyle’ suggests, you can do whatever move like spins, brushes, rolls, tips, catches, and trick throws. Its popularity is continuously increasing over the years and it is ‘highly contagious’. If you’ve tried playing this sport, you will surely be thirsty for more games.

Set rules are not implemented so that the players can create their own personalized moves. Most freestyle Frisbee players are able to develop their very own playing styles which sets them apart form other players. Most players simply flow with the Frisbee disc and hardly think about their moves; that’s why they enjoy so much during the game.

There are already freestyle Frisbee competitions. Each game consists of several with 2-3 players and they will perform for 4-5 minutes. Routine music is played as each of the players shows their unique moves. Judges will base the scores on the movement styles and their technical difficulty.

Large events have already taken place like the World Disc Games last July 2008 in Santa Cruz California, FPC World Championships last July to August 2008 in Bologna Italy, European Freestyle Championships or EFC last August 2008 in Czech Republic, and Italian Open.

You have to know some techniques in order to play freestyle Frisbee effectively. Keep in mind that you can’t spin the Frisbee disc using your fingers because you can only spin it using your finger nails. Before you start playing the game, you should have your own Frisbee disc so that you can practice anytime and of course, you will also need a lubricant like silicon spray. The spray will keep the disc’s surface slick. Try to do some experiments like making trick throws, catches, and spins.

So where can you start playing the game? Freestyle Frisbee is very popular in Europe and North America. Most of the players come from Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, San Francisco, Rome, Milan, Amsterdam, Paris, Stockholm, Berlin, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. If you can find players in your neighborhood, you can also join them so that you can practice some moves with them.

In Europe alone, freestyle Frisbee is definitely becoming more and more popular. Events also keep on rising every year so you can expect that more people will be into the sport.

The word ‘freestyle’ is probably the best word that describes the sport. It pertains to physical action which encompasses lifestyle. Many players of the game consider freestyle Frisbee as a philosophy. Creative movements can be developed by the players and so they can define their play. They are able to express themselves better through the moves they make. Some of the terms used when playing the sport are catch, combination, competitors, co-op, delay, move, movement momentum, take-in, and throw.

Know more about the game so that you can also learn to play it. You don’t have to play like the pros because as long as you have your own unique style, you can go a long way. Freestyle Frisbee is a very creative and active game; get into the game today.

The Blurry Reality of Entourage

Many times in the arts the lines between reality and fiction blur to where you are not sure if you are looking at an artistic representation of truth or a factual presentation that has artistic merit. The HBO show Entourage is such a work of art that is not a parody of Hollywood but it is not a report about Hollywood. Entourage is a story that happens in a fictional Hollywood that is very, very similar to the real Hollywood. In fact, the imagined Tinsel Town of Hollywood is so close to reality that the lines between real and imaged sometimes disappear entirely.

Much about Entourage borders on stereotype and morality play. The character of Vincent Chase who is the core of the show is very much an amalgam of many of the most striking working actors of our time. In Vincent you can see the striking good looks of a George Clooney or a Brad Pitt but the flamboyance of a Tom Cruise combined the with explosive career potential of a Johnnie Depp. The almost impossible good looks of those actors all point right at Vincent to say, yes, he is shining a light on these popular Hollywood icons.

The close link to reality is made more dramatic because the core of Entourage is about four close friends from Queens going to Hollywood to have adventures and reach for stardom. The actors who play the primary characters in Entourage, Kevin Dillon as Johnny "Drama" Chase, Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold, Jerry Ferrara as Turtle, Adrian Grenier as Vincent Chase and Kevin Connolly as Eric Murphy are young actors from Queens and Entourage is their big break to stardom in many cases. The similarities are both eerie and lend to a reality to their performances because in many cases, they are not acting. These characters are who they are.

The parallel universes continue in the guest appearances by many of Hollywood's best known young actors and actresses. Very often, the plot calls for these performers who appear as themselves to be eagerly seeking the chance to appear with Vincent on the hottest new show of the season where they can be shamelessly self-referential in their dialog. Meanwhile each of these guest stars ARE appearing on the hottest new show of the season (Entourage) where they are shamelessly self-referential of their previous achievements.

Entourage is in many ways a very unique show. It has been compared favorably to Sex and the City and that’s not a bad comparison in that it is an HBO production and in some ways HBO was preparing the show to fill that niche as Sex and the City began to move toward its natural conclusion. But besides being a fast paced show based on glamorous people leading glamorous lives, there are real differences between the shows. The most obvious one is that Entourage is full of warmth and relationships. The strength of the show lies in the strong male bond between the friends that is always what Vincent relies on to help him stay grounded in his quest for greatness.

But like Sex and the City, Entourage is tremendous fun and full of adventure and excitement for the viewers. The inside jokes and the almost eerie disappearances of the lines between reality and fiction that so often happen on Entourage are buried in the fabric of the show so well that it is very likely that the fans either don't know about them or don't care. What they care about is the growth of this core set of characters who, despite their love of fun and wild living, are guys with hearts of gold. And that is what makes the audience love them and love Entourage as well.

Dexter Character Rita Bennett

We first meet Rita Bennett played by actress Julie Benz in the first episode of Showtime’s Dexter. We learn that Dexter’s adopted sister Deborah “Deb” Morgan introduced them after she saved Rita’s life during a domestic violence incident involving Rita’s husband.

Deb Morgan has no idea that her brother Dexter is a serial killer and she only sees the good in him. After seeing how broken Rita has become, she introduced the two as she knew that her adopted brother was a great guy who would never hurt the abused Rita.

For his part, Dexter appreciates the relationship with Rita. She’s emotionally broken and unstable at first and that was just fine with Dexter. After the repeated abuse and rapes of her husband, Rita just wanted someone who nice to her and two children, daughter Astor and son Cody.

Dexter was perfect because he was undemanding in every aspect of their relationship. Rita was put off of sex due to her husbands past rapes and Dexter liked that because he felt that sex was “undignified”.

Rita Bennett is an enigma because she appears weak most of the time and she is, however if you push her enough, you will eventually find that she does have a backbone. Rita lets you see the woman she would have been if not for the abuse of her husband Paul Bennett.

At first, Dexter appreciated his small relationship with Rita because he figured that she was too damaged inside to notice that he was far from normal. Although Dexter claims that he has no feelings and cares about no one, you see that he cares for Rita’s children and they love having him around.

When Paul Bennett is freed from jail earlier than expected, he begins to cause new problems for Rita and Dexter is less than happy about it. Even though he claims to have changed, Paul still has violent outbursts and is extremely jealous of Dexter being around his family. After Paul claims to love his children while simultaneously threatening Rita, Dexter puts a plan in motion to keep Paul away from Rita, Cody and Astor.

Rita is both strong and weak at times. She stands firm against her husband and does not want him around the children unless he can show that he has changed from the cocaine addicted abuser that he was. When he comes to her home drunk, she doesn’t take his abuse. She instead fends him off with a baseball bat to the head.

On the other hand, her next door neighbor begins to ruin her times at home when her dog barks all day and night. Dexter tried and failed to talk the woman into quieting the dog or having it transferred elsewhere and Rita paid her a short visit. It became quite clear that the neighbor is aware of Rita’s abused past.

The neighbor laughs and throws verbal jabs at Rita as she finds it ironic that Rita could not stand up to her drug using husband, but wants to stand up to others. Rita eventually creates a plan with Dexter that consisted of kidnapping the noisy dog and giving him to a fellow coworker whose kids wanted a pet.

Next to her marriage to Paul Bennett, Rita’s mother Gail is another cause of her daily stress. One has to wonder if Rita’s overbearing mother made her susceptible to Paul’s abuse in the past. In season two of Dexter, Gail comes to visit Rita after she received the bad news about Paul.

We learned that the relationship between mother and daughter was always strained but it reached its breaking point when Rita married Paul against her mother’s wishes. Gail refused to visit Rita and feels that her daughter got what she deserved for ignoring her advice and demands about Paul. Gail is also suspicious of Dexter but it’s only because she feels that Rita is bad at picking the men in her life.

Gail began taking over Rita’s life and sucking the joy out of her grandchildren with extra strict rules. She also forbids them from calling Dexter. Rita finally shows that she is tough by standing up to her mother after she insulted the children. Rita finds out that her mother wanted to live with her because she was fired from her career as a teacher. Rita realizes that she is not the only one that can’t put up with her mother. Gail is just an unpleasant person to deal will.

Budgeting For Home Improvements

Home improvement costs can be quite steep but by following a few simple steps you can help to cut the costs and save your self a fortune. Budgeting is very important when it comes to home improvements as many people find themselves constantly spending money even though the project is just almost done! Always try and spend as much as you can on materials though but don’t be silly with the money, materials follow the law that if it is expensive it is good! Although it may not be worth what you are about to pay for it and you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere but if it means that then its going to be better than the cheaper item sitting next to it!

Budgeting is crucial, always budget for more than you are willing to spend that way if something comes up like an extra cost somewhere or something was more work than was thought out then you are prepared for it. If you don’t budget then you will keep on spending and keep on forgetting where all the money is going. It is always the little things that bite you in the backside, little things like wallpaper expenditure and tiling are usually always forgetting about so make sure you are not part of the norm.


Home improvement costs are easily cut down by making sure you only buy what you need, there is no point purchasing something that you’re never going to use. That would just be silly and wasting money! Costs are a very if not the most important factor in any home improvement project basically because you need money to get the job done, you cant get anything for free these days but you can minimize on the cost of things by a great deal by budgeting!

At the end of the day you don’t have to go for the most expensive bath suite of the nicest plushest carpet, all you have to do is make sure that your home is what you want and is comfortable for you and you family to enjoy it, sometimes money is power but not always and home improvement is in the not always category! That of course is the main part of any home improvement project.