and more boys than girls are born during the day; more girls are born at night and the odds of having a boy are now 51.5%.
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All posts for the day January 1st, 2013
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
1. Fuel Efficiency Ratchets Up the Cost of Cars
Gas prices may be falling, but cars that run on it are getting more expensive. Earlier this year, the Obama administration issued new standards that require automakers improve fuel efficiency, and the cost of upgraded engines alone is driving up prices. Toyota hiked prices on its mid-size Camry by roughly $175, and among best selling luxury vehicles, the 2013 Lexus CT 200h will be almost $3,000 more than the 2012 model.
2. Grocery Prices to Increase by as Much as 4%:
Meat, poultry, and dairy prices are all expected to rise thanks to this summer’s. Since drought conditions forced farmers to reduce the size of their herds to combat higher feed costs, the price of beef and chicken is also slated to rise. The cost of dairy products, too, will be affected, as fewer and leaner cows produce less milk. Overall, the USDA expects food prices to rise 3.5% to 4% in 2013.
3. Grain Prices Affected by Drought
Cereal and bakery product prices will rise too, as a result of the 2012 drought and lower wheat yields. Prices in this category began creeping up in October, and the USDA’s Economic Research Service forecasts cereal and bakery product prices to rise 2.5% to 3.5% next year.
4. Health Care Premiums on the Rise</strong>
Obamacare not withstanding, employee health care premiums are expected to rise an average of 6% in 2013.
5. High-End TVs and Home Theater Systems Hit New Highs
While there will always be budget home entertainment options, folks who want the latest and greatest in this department will face some shockingly high price tags in 2013. High-end audio manufacturers too aren’t holding back, as they incorporate premium features like Apple Airplay or standard DLNA that lets users control the entire system wirelessly.
6. Computers Push High-End Features
As tablets continue to gain momentum in the consumer electronics realm, computers are returning to their original function as work-related machines — albeit more powerful and expensive.
7. Copper Will Be in Demand and Beer Prices Will Suffer
Move over gold, it’s copper’s time to shine! Copper prices could be on the rise thanks to a move by the SEC to approve a fund to trade the metal. The fund could lead to scarcity and higher prices, as it did for gold
8. Say Goobye to Subsidies for Smartphones
The U.S. smartphone market has long been subsidized by service providers, offering phones at reduced prices with the signing of long-term contracts. In 2013 T-Mobile will eliminate the subsidy and charge full price for its phones.
9. Services from Daily Deals Will Become Scarce
In spite of lots of bad press, the daily deal isn’t dead yet. It will, however, continue to evolve in 2013. Too many competitors and not enough profits are forcing these sites to focus more on product deals, lead by Groupon Goods.
10. Tuition Goes Up as States Can’t Subsidize University Expenditures
While tuition costs are always on the rise, state schools in particular are feeling the pinch. As education costs continue to increase, many states will no longer be able to subsidize much of its students’ tuition costs.Tuition and fees are expected to rise for public 4-year colleges. Students can expect in-state tuition to increase 4.8% and fees to rise 3.7%, according to the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center.
11. iPhone 5 Accessories Will Be Costlier Than Previous Generations
Although there have been several iterations of the iPhone at this point, one thing had remained the same for several years: the dock connector. iPhone 5 features a radically different Lightning connector, resulting in a fleet of brand new accessories that have no prior-generation alternatives — which means premium prices. These higher prices debuted in late 2012, and they will continue in 2013 until manufacturers begin releasing updates to these items.
12. Shipping Costs on the Rise
While somewhat unsurprising, 2013 will see a 4.5% to 4.9% hike in shipping costs from both UPS and FedEx, the latter of which is slated to raise rates beginning January 7. Since merchants end up paying for the handling and delivery of orders that “ship free,” the increased UPS and FedEx rates may affect the frequency of, and threshold at which, online orders receive free shipping in 2013.
danetteoneal1
Danette O'Neal, PhD 