Forbes - Jacqueline Mitchell
The summer travel season officially kicked off on the May long weekend. Not long after, gas topped $4 a gallon in some U.S. cities and $1.30/litre in Canada, but many travelers have not canceled their road trips.
In a poll conducted in April by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Ypartnership, 59% of motorists who are planning a trip by car, truck or SUV this summer responded that "they will not change their travel plans, even with additional increases in the price of gas." But they won't wind up spending the entire vacation budget on fuel if they follow a few simple tips.
In Depth: How To Save On Gas This Summer
The Simple Things
Saving on gas involves, in some cases, the normal car-care tasks, such as keeping your tires properly inflated and staying on top of routine maintenance, such as replacing clogged air filters. Both will save on gas by as much as 10% at home and on the road, according to the Car Care Council, an organization that promotes the benefits of regular maintenance.
Perhaps one of the most overlooked means for conserving gas is to watch your speed while driving. Fuel efficiency diminishes rapidly above 100 km/h. Drivers can assume that each 8 km/h they drive above 100 km/h is akin to paying an additional 20 cents per gallon of gas(20 cents per every 3 litres), according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
"People really need to think about vehicle speed and fuel efficiency," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal at http://www.greencar.com/, which tracks automotive environmental technology and trends. "You are trading cash for time. You may get there quicker, but it will cost you in gas."
An even better alternative is to park the car and walk or ride a bike when you have the opportunity, says Erin Huffstetler, a writer for the Frugal Living channel on About.com, where she provides money-saving tips. "You can see a city in a different and much more intimate way. It's an easy and fun way to enjoy your vacation," she says.
Planning Ahead
Other gas-saving strategies require some advance planning and organization, but are just as simple. Using an in-car navigational system or the Internet to map out routes, identifying cost-saving local transportation options and making smart lodging choices closer to attractions can all help keep your gas consumption from getting out of control.
Of course, the easiest way to save gas on summer vacation is to pick a destination closer to home. Forty-one percent of the respondents in the TIA-Ypartnership survey said they would make changes to their travel plans if gas prices continued to rise; they said they'd drive a shorter distance, spend less on souvenirs, meals and entertainment or shorten the trip altogether.
Part of that planning even extends to how you pack. Ed Hewitt, features editor at IndependentTraveler.com, says that motorists can benefit by "dropping the weight." Piling scuba toys, beach gear and an extra month's worth of clothing on roof-top luggage racks and then cramming other non-essentials in the trunk makes the vehicle work harder, gobbling up fuel at a rate of 1% to 2% for each additional 45 kilograms.
If none of these sound like good options, the car you choose to take your trip in could be. If you own a gas-guzzling SUV, you may substantially reduce the cost of travel by renting a more fuel-efficient car for the trip instead. A lot depends on the distance of the trip and what car-rental options are available, so you have to do a lot of homework.
But it may pay off. If you drive a car like a Chevrolet Trailblazer, which gets an Environmental Protection Agency estimated combined average of 14.7 L/100km, and you are planning to travel more than 1,600 km, say round trip, do the math.
"If the goal is to save money, then some number crunching is required," says Cogan. "You really have to plan ahead to save money and gas."
In Depth: How To Save On Gas This Summer
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
6 things you should never say to a car salesman
By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer
In a car-buying transaction, even the nicest, most honest car salesman has interests that are very different from yours.
He's paid to sell you what his dealership has at as large a profit as possible. The better he does that, the more he, and the dealereship, make.
You, on the other hand, want the best car you can get at the best price you can get.
Welcome to capitalism. At some point, you have to negotiate those conflicting interests. As in all negotiations, there are certain things you definitely shouldn't let slip.
Working with Phil Reed, consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, we boiled down the six things you least want to say when you're shopping for a car.
1. I love, love, love this car
Even if a car has your heartstrings in a white-knuckled stranglehold, never let on. Stay calm and pretend you're looking over a microwave oven.
By admitting that you're smitten, you've given a salesman - and the sales manager and everyone else in the process - the combination to your personal safe.
The salesman will, of course, sympathize and want to help you out. But he'll tell you the sales manager, you see, well... That's a really hot car and we had someone in here just the other day and... He just won't take less than...
They know you're not about to walk away. Bottom line: Cars you're not in love with are usually a lot cheaper.
2. I need to get a car by tomorrow
If there's anything worse than being in love, it's being in desperate need. Letting on that you need a set of wheels immediately is, basically, telling the salesman "I won't be thinking too much about any of this."
He knows you won't be looking too closely at the particulars of the deal and you aren't likely to drive across town to try to get a better price.
It also means you're more likely to accept whatever he shows you from the dealership's inventory even if it doesn't exactly suit you. In other words, you may be presenting yourself as an opportunity to unload a bit of slow-moving inventory.
Even if you really do need a car quickly, act like you have a month to decide. But you would consider buying today if you found a car that really pleases you at a price you like.
3. I need a monthly payment of...
It's understandable that many car shoppers are "payment shoppers." Most of us have no idea how much car we can afford except by looking at how much it would cost us each month.
But saying "I want a payment of less than $350 a month" is like going into a box store and asking for a two-inch box. You'll notice that some dimensions are missing. You could end up with a box that's 12 feet long.
Almost any given monthly payment is possible provided the loan is long enough and the downpayment is big enough. Over the course of, say, seven years, $350 a month can add up to a lot more than $350 a month for three or four years.
To understand how much car you can really afford, you need more than a monthly payment figure. Know what monthly payment you want, for how long and how much you want to pay up front. You also need a fairly good idea of what your trade-in is worth.
To keep it really simple, just figure out what price you can afford for the car -based on your monthly budget and trade-in value - and negotiate that one big number. Talk about downpayment and monthly payment and negotiate the value of your trade-in after that.
4. My trade-in's outside
A salesperson will usually want to know, early on, if you have a vehicle to trade in. If you tell him that you do and that it's parked, conveniently, right outside, he'll ask you for the keys.
That way the used car manager can assess its value while you're negotiating. It'll save time.
Well, he has a point there. But consider the downsides. You've just handed the salesperson your car keys and he's given them off to someone else.
Guess what's going to happen if you reach an impasse in the negotiations and decide it's time to leave. You'll have to ask for you car keys back. And, odds are good, they will have been misplaced.
You'll be negotiating a while longer.
5. I don't know anything about leasing
Even if you're never going to lease a car, you need to know about leasing, if only to know exactly why you're never going to lease a car.
That's because there's a good chance someone will try to sell you on the idea. And they might be right. It could be a good choice for you. But it probably isn't.
First of all, leasing makes sense only for people who know - really know - they will not be keeping a car for more than a few years.
Beyond that, you need to understand the terminology and costs of leasing beyond the monthly payments, the number salesperson will focus on. You need to know how many miles are included in the lease and if there's additional money you need to pay up front or at the close of the lease.
6. My credit's a little spotty
Many people underestimate their own credit rating - and they're the people who are big moneymakers for car dealers. Part of the interest you pay is shared with the dealership, so they might be pleased to confirm your belief that you don't qualify for a low interest rate.
To make sure you're getting the best financing deal, secure your own financing before you start shopping. Having another loan in place - one you can use if you don't like what the dealership is offering - gives you negotiating power. It also lets you know exactly what you qualify for.
In most cases, a dealership's finance office - working with a manufacturer-affiliated auto financing company - should be able to get you a more-than-competitive rate.
In a car-buying transaction, even the nicest, most honest car salesman has interests that are very different from yours.
He's paid to sell you what his dealership has at as large a profit as possible. The better he does that, the more he, and the dealereship, make.
You, on the other hand, want the best car you can get at the best price you can get.
Welcome to capitalism. At some point, you have to negotiate those conflicting interests. As in all negotiations, there are certain things you definitely shouldn't let slip.
Working with Phil Reed, consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, we boiled down the six things you least want to say when you're shopping for a car.
1. I love, love, love this car
Even if a car has your heartstrings in a white-knuckled stranglehold, never let on. Stay calm and pretend you're looking over a microwave oven.
By admitting that you're smitten, you've given a salesman - and the sales manager and everyone else in the process - the combination to your personal safe.
The salesman will, of course, sympathize and want to help you out. But he'll tell you the sales manager, you see, well... That's a really hot car and we had someone in here just the other day and... He just won't take less than...
They know you're not about to walk away. Bottom line: Cars you're not in love with are usually a lot cheaper.
2. I need to get a car by tomorrow
If there's anything worse than being in love, it's being in desperate need. Letting on that you need a set of wheels immediately is, basically, telling the salesman "I won't be thinking too much about any of this."
He knows you won't be looking too closely at the particulars of the deal and you aren't likely to drive across town to try to get a better price.
It also means you're more likely to accept whatever he shows you from the dealership's inventory even if it doesn't exactly suit you. In other words, you may be presenting yourself as an opportunity to unload a bit of slow-moving inventory.
Even if you really do need a car quickly, act like you have a month to decide. But you would consider buying today if you found a car that really pleases you at a price you like.
3. I need a monthly payment of...
It's understandable that many car shoppers are "payment shoppers." Most of us have no idea how much car we can afford except by looking at how much it would cost us each month.
But saying "I want a payment of less than $350 a month" is like going into a box store and asking for a two-inch box. You'll notice that some dimensions are missing. You could end up with a box that's 12 feet long.
Almost any given monthly payment is possible provided the loan is long enough and the downpayment is big enough. Over the course of, say, seven years, $350 a month can add up to a lot more than $350 a month for three or four years.
To understand how much car you can really afford, you need more than a monthly payment figure. Know what monthly payment you want, for how long and how much you want to pay up front. You also need a fairly good idea of what your trade-in is worth.
To keep it really simple, just figure out what price you can afford for the car -based on your monthly budget and trade-in value - and negotiate that one big number. Talk about downpayment and monthly payment and negotiate the value of your trade-in after that.
4. My trade-in's outside
A salesperson will usually want to know, early on, if you have a vehicle to trade in. If you tell him that you do and that it's parked, conveniently, right outside, he'll ask you for the keys.
That way the used car manager can assess its value while you're negotiating. It'll save time.
Well, he has a point there. But consider the downsides. You've just handed the salesperson your car keys and he's given them off to someone else.
Guess what's going to happen if you reach an impasse in the negotiations and decide it's time to leave. You'll have to ask for you car keys back. And, odds are good, they will have been misplaced.
You'll be negotiating a while longer.
5. I don't know anything about leasing
Even if you're never going to lease a car, you need to know about leasing, if only to know exactly why you're never going to lease a car.
That's because there's a good chance someone will try to sell you on the idea. And they might be right. It could be a good choice for you. But it probably isn't.
First of all, leasing makes sense only for people who know - really know - they will not be keeping a car for more than a few years.
Beyond that, you need to understand the terminology and costs of leasing beyond the monthly payments, the number salesperson will focus on. You need to know how many miles are included in the lease and if there's additional money you need to pay up front or at the close of the lease.
6. My credit's a little spotty
Many people underestimate their own credit rating - and they're the people who are big moneymakers for car dealers. Part of the interest you pay is shared with the dealership, so they might be pleased to confirm your belief that you don't qualify for a low interest rate.
To make sure you're getting the best financing deal, secure your own financing before you start shopping. Having another loan in place - one you can use if you don't like what the dealership is offering - gives you negotiating power. It also lets you know exactly what you qualify for.
In most cases, a dealership's finance office - working with a manufacturer-affiliated auto financing company - should be able to get you a more-than-competitive rate.
Monday, June 30, 2008
戒菸的方法
菸害防治專欄
菸草的由來
一氧化碳的危害
尼古丁的作用
香菸有害物質
香菸對人體的危害
戒菸的方法
菸草的由來
菸草是土生於南美洲的一種植物，其葉子可用來口嚼或做成捲菸來吸。最早享用菸草的是美洲的印地安紅人。當歐洲探險家抵達新大陸時，菸草的使用在美洲已經相當普遍。到了十六世紀，菸草被傳入歐洲，然後再流傳到世界各地。二十世紀以前，菸草大部分以咀嚼、嗅聞（snuff）、煙斗以及雪茄的方式被使用。十九世紀末期、由於製造香菸的機器被發明，紙菸成為菸草使用的主要型式。受到香菸促銷廣告的影響，吸菸人口日益增加，吸菸對人體健康所造成的影響逐漸受到世人的重視。1964年Surgeon General諮詢委員會首先發表報告指出吸菸和健康兩者間的關係。這是第一篇完整地探討吸菸對人體健康所產生不良影響的報告。該報告指出吸菸與肺癌及喉癌有關，而且是引起慢性支氣炎的最重要危險因素。在往後的數十年中，許多探討吸菸對健康所造成之影響的報告陸續被發表於各類文獻上。
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一氧化碳的危害
一氧化碳在香菸煙霧中的濃度約四百ppm，與血紅素的結合力為氧和血紅素結合力量的約二百一十倍，所以一氧化碳被吸入人體後，血紅素輸送氧氣的能力會降低，而使體內缺氧。正常人的血中一氧化碳血紅素的含量不超過百分之一，但是吸菸者可以高達百分之十五，平均在百分之五左右。血紅素輸送氧氣的能力減少，久而久之，會因身體防衛機能的調整，而造成紅血球數目的增加。動脈內壁對膽固醇的滲透力也會增加，容易造成動脈粥狀硬化、 狹心症及血栓塞症等，對身體健康造成很大的威脅，尤其是冠狀動脈疾病更是死亡率非常高的一種疾病。
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尼古丁的作用
初學吸菸的人，都會出現頭暈目眩、噁心慾吐、冒冷汗等症狀，有時真的會嘔吐、失神或拉肚子等，這些不適主要是由於身體所吸收的尼古丁引起的慢性中毒。但是，反覆吸過幾次後，這種反應就會自然消失。但是，人們對尼古丁的抵抗力並非永久有效，即使是老菸槍，一旦吸了過量的香菸，或戒煙一段時間後再吸，都可能出現同樣不適應的反應。尼古丁能影響一個人的中樞神經,它能使人興奮,也能產生相反的鎮靜作用並且引起吸菸的副作用-上癮!除此之外尼古丁也會影響人體 自律神經系統中的特殊神經細胞，自律神經又紛分為交感神經及副交感神經，這兩種神經的作用正好背道而馳,少量的尼古丁能同時刺激這兩種神經的神經節細胞,大量的尼古丁則會抑制這兩種神經的神經節細胞。此外,尼古丁還會促進腎上腺素的分泌,因而引起心臟血管和皮膚等處相當於交感神經受刺激時的狀態。結果,血管變細,流經血管的血量也相對的減少,同時,脈搏次數增加,血壓也隨著昇高,收縮壓約增十至二十度，舒張壓約增五至十五度，同時由心臟輸出的病的人是為危險的。況且，這種生理變化持續的時間愈長，所能導致的惡果愈多。多數專科醫師規勸心臟病和有高血壓患者戒菸，其因即在此。
香菸中所含的尼古丁，絕大部分市被肺部毛細血管吸收，其餘少量則由口腔內的黏膜吸收，尼古丁被吸收後，能迅速分解，而且多半隨尿液排出體外。所以，尼古丁在人體內的儲存量並不如想像中的多。
吸菸時，體內原本狹窄的血管會收縮而變得更細，所以，心臟就不得不費力得把血液輸出心臟。曾經有人作過實驗，讓受測驗者一邊吸煙一邊助注射尼古丁，一邊照心電圖，實驗結果顯視，除了脈搏次數增加外，並無其它明顯不同，但是有些受試驗者的ST 波下降或T波扁平化，一般認為，這個現象意味著心臟肌肉血液循環的變化。患過狹心症的人，抽菸時，香菸也會誘發狹心症的再發作。
除此之外，注射尼古丁也和吸菸殊無二致的影響身體。曾經有人作過實驗，絕不吸菸的人注射尼古丁，他們的反應是「覺得怪怪的」，可是替已經吸過菸的人注射時，他們就說「我覺得好像在吸菸」，如果繼續注射尼古丁，就是原本菸癮極大的人，也不太想吸菸了，吸菸的慾望愈來愈微弱。也許有人會異想天開，既然尼古丁有害，我們是否可以吸不含尼古丁的香菸呢？事實上已經有人作過實驗，但是香菸的靈魂可說全在尼古丁，有尼古丁才有吸菸的滋味，目前世界各國都埋頭研究製造不含尼古丁或含量極少的香菸，但是，這種香菸究竟能給癮君子多大的滿足就大有疑問了。這就彷彿飲用不含咖啡因的咖啡，能給人多大的樂趣呢？
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香菸有害物質
剌激物質(irritants)
香菸所產生的剌激物質不但會對眼睛、鼻子、咽喉產生剌激，吸入體內後更會抑制呼吸道纖毛清除異物的作用，並抑制肺內白血球與吞噬細胞的作用，剌激支氣管黏膜下腺體的分泌，導致反覆性急性支氣管發炎及慢性支氣管炎。
香菸燃燒所產生氣態剌激物有:氰氫酸(hydrocyanic acid)、丙烯醛(acrolein)、氨(ammonia)、甲醛(formaldehyde)、乙醛(acetaldehyde)等。
致癌物質(carcinogens)
根據美國學者Doll及Peto的研究統計指出，因吸菸致癌而死亡的人數占所有癌症死亡人數的百分之三十，為已知或預測各種致癌因素中影響最大的一項致癌因素。如果人們能夠停止吸菸的話，將可減少三分之一的癌症死亡。
香菸中所含的致癌物質可分為四大類:
(一)致癌起始因子(tumour initiato)
(二)對肺有特異性之致癌物(specific lung carcinogen)
(三)致癌促進因子(tumour promoter)
(四)共同致癌物(co-carcinogen)
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香菸對人體的危害
香菸在世界上是非常普遍的，然其對人體的影響也與其在世上的產量一樣大，這種極為人所喜愛的物品，當人在吸食它時身體上的享受是無與倫比的，然傷害也與其所感受到的快感成正比，很少有人會在意它對自己的影響有多沉重，甚或根本不曾在意過，但這種傷害確實是存在的。
其所可能造成的疾病有：肺癌、 肺氣腫 、咽炎、喉癌、 鼻咽癌、慢性阻塞性疾病 、食管癌、胃癌、胃潰瘍、冠心病、 動脈性高血壓 、四肢麻痺症、性功能障礙、膀胱癌 、乳腺癌、子宮頸癌及胰腺癌……等等。而這些疾病卻鮮少有人知悉，實為研究上之遺憾。為使民眾對其有更深入之了解，故特為此做深入之研究及探討。
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水戒菸的方法
（一）多喝開水，兩餐間喝六至八杯，以幫助濾出體內尼古丁．
（二）勤沐浴：每天作二至三次二十分鐘溫水浴，使身心完全放鬆．
（三）生活有規律：充分休息，定時進餐，定時上床．
（四）飯後勿閒坐：最好到戶外散步十五到三十分鐘，不要坐在喜歡的安樂椅上，引起吸
菸慾望．
（五）不喝酒、茶、咖啡及可樂：避免一切鎮靜劑及興奮劑，以免剌激神經．
（六）避免吃剌激性食物，改為各種豆類，花生之蛋白質食物．
（七）兩餐之間不要吃別的東西，若一定要吃，只能吃不含糖分的口香糖．
（八）額外維生素的幫助：多種維生素B，可以安定神經，沒有糖衣的健素糖，放幾粒在平
時放香菸的口袋，可幫助戒菸．
（九）不倚靠任何萬靈藥．
（十）有宗教信仰者可以祈禱方式渡過難關．
（十一）盡量不與其他吸菸的人待在一起，不要給自己再吸一支的機會．
（十二）不要久忍飢餓，而要經常按時進．食不要想在戒菸期間減輕體重，反之，在此期
間你可能會加胖，在戒除之後，再設法減重也不晚．
回到前面
菸草的由來
一氧化碳的危害
尼古丁的作用
香菸有害物質
香菸對人體的危害
戒菸的方法
菸草的由來
菸草是土生於南美洲的一種植物，其葉子可用來口嚼或做成捲菸來吸。最早享用菸草的是美洲的印地安紅人。當歐洲探險家抵達新大陸時，菸草的使用在美洲已經相當普遍。到了十六世紀，菸草被傳入歐洲，然後再流傳到世界各地。二十世紀以前，菸草大部分以咀嚼、嗅聞（snuff）、煙斗以及雪茄的方式被使用。十九世紀末期、由於製造香菸的機器被發明，紙菸成為菸草使用的主要型式。受到香菸促銷廣告的影響，吸菸人口日益增加，吸菸對人體健康所造成的影響逐漸受到世人的重視。1964年Surgeon General諮詢委員會首先發表報告指出吸菸和健康兩者間的關係。這是第一篇完整地探討吸菸對人體健康所產生不良影響的報告。該報告指出吸菸與肺癌及喉癌有關，而且是引起慢性支氣炎的最重要危險因素。在往後的數十年中，許多探討吸菸對健康所造成之影響的報告陸續被發表於各類文獻上。
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一氧化碳的危害
一氧化碳在香菸煙霧中的濃度約四百ppm，與血紅素的結合力為氧和血紅素結合力量的約二百一十倍，所以一氧化碳被吸入人體後，血紅素輸送氧氣的能力會降低，而使體內缺氧。正常人的血中一氧化碳血紅素的含量不超過百分之一，但是吸菸者可以高達百分之十五，平均在百分之五左右。血紅素輸送氧氣的能力減少，久而久之，會因身體防衛機能的調整，而造成紅血球數目的增加。動脈內壁對膽固醇的滲透力也會增加，容易造成動脈粥狀硬化、 狹心症及血栓塞症等，對身體健康造成很大的威脅，尤其是冠狀動脈疾病更是死亡率非常高的一種疾病。
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尼古丁的作用
初學吸菸的人，都會出現頭暈目眩、噁心慾吐、冒冷汗等症狀，有時真的會嘔吐、失神或拉肚子等，這些不適主要是由於身體所吸收的尼古丁引起的慢性中毒。但是，反覆吸過幾次後，這種反應就會自然消失。但是，人們對尼古丁的抵抗力並非永久有效，即使是老菸槍，一旦吸了過量的香菸，或戒煙一段時間後再吸，都可能出現同樣不適應的反應。尼古丁能影響一個人的中樞神經,它能使人興奮,也能產生相反的鎮靜作用並且引起吸菸的副作用-上癮!除此之外尼古丁也會影響人體 自律神經系統中的特殊神經細胞，自律神經又紛分為交感神經及副交感神經，這兩種神經的作用正好背道而馳,少量的尼古丁能同時刺激這兩種神經的神經節細胞,大量的尼古丁則會抑制這兩種神經的神經節細胞。此外,尼古丁還會促進腎上腺素的分泌,因而引起心臟血管和皮膚等處相當於交感神經受刺激時的狀態。結果,血管變細,流經血管的血量也相對的減少,同時,脈搏次數增加,血壓也隨著昇高,收縮壓約增十至二十度，舒張壓約增五至十五度，同時由心臟輸出的病的人是為危險的。況且，這種生理變化持續的時間愈長，所能導致的惡果愈多。多數專科醫師規勸心臟病和有高血壓患者戒菸，其因即在此。
香菸中所含的尼古丁，絕大部分市被肺部毛細血管吸收，其餘少量則由口腔內的黏膜吸收，尼古丁被吸收後，能迅速分解，而且多半隨尿液排出體外。所以，尼古丁在人體內的儲存量並不如想像中的多。
吸菸時，體內原本狹窄的血管會收縮而變得更細，所以，心臟就不得不費力得把血液輸出心臟。曾經有人作過實驗，讓受測驗者一邊吸煙一邊助注射尼古丁，一邊照心電圖，實驗結果顯視，除了脈搏次數增加外，並無其它明顯不同，但是有些受試驗者的ST 波下降或T波扁平化，一般認為，這個現象意味著心臟肌肉血液循環的變化。患過狹心症的人，抽菸時，香菸也會誘發狹心症的再發作。
除此之外，注射尼古丁也和吸菸殊無二致的影響身體。曾經有人作過實驗，絕不吸菸的人注射尼古丁，他們的反應是「覺得怪怪的」，可是替已經吸過菸的人注射時，他們就說「我覺得好像在吸菸」，如果繼續注射尼古丁，就是原本菸癮極大的人，也不太想吸菸了，吸菸的慾望愈來愈微弱。也許有人會異想天開，既然尼古丁有害，我們是否可以吸不含尼古丁的香菸呢？事實上已經有人作過實驗，但是香菸的靈魂可說全在尼古丁，有尼古丁才有吸菸的滋味，目前世界各國都埋頭研究製造不含尼古丁或含量極少的香菸，但是，這種香菸究竟能給癮君子多大的滿足就大有疑問了。這就彷彿飲用不含咖啡因的咖啡，能給人多大的樂趣呢？
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香菸有害物質
剌激物質(irritants)
香菸所產生的剌激物質不但會對眼睛、鼻子、咽喉產生剌激，吸入體內後更會抑制呼吸道纖毛清除異物的作用，並抑制肺內白血球與吞噬細胞的作用，剌激支氣管黏膜下腺體的分泌，導致反覆性急性支氣管發炎及慢性支氣管炎。
香菸燃燒所產生氣態剌激物有:氰氫酸(hydrocyanic acid)、丙烯醛(acrolein)、氨(ammonia)、甲醛(formaldehyde)、乙醛(acetaldehyde)等。
致癌物質(carcinogens)
根據美國學者Doll及Peto的研究統計指出，因吸菸致癌而死亡的人數占所有癌症死亡人數的百分之三十，為已知或預測各種致癌因素中影響最大的一項致癌因素。如果人們能夠停止吸菸的話，將可減少三分之一的癌症死亡。
香菸中所含的致癌物質可分為四大類:
(一)致癌起始因子(tumour initiato)
(二)對肺有特異性之致癌物(specific lung carcinogen)
(三)致癌促進因子(tumour promoter)
(四)共同致癌物(co-carcinogen)
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香菸對人體的危害
香菸在世界上是非常普遍的，然其對人體的影響也與其在世上的產量一樣大，這種極為人所喜愛的物品，當人在吸食它時身體上的享受是無與倫比的，然傷害也與其所感受到的快感成正比，很少有人會在意它對自己的影響有多沉重，甚或根本不曾在意過，但這種傷害確實是存在的。
其所可能造成的疾病有：肺癌、 肺氣腫 、咽炎、喉癌、 鼻咽癌、慢性阻塞性疾病 、食管癌、胃癌、胃潰瘍、冠心病、 動脈性高血壓 、四肢麻痺症、性功能障礙、膀胱癌 、乳腺癌、子宮頸癌及胰腺癌……等等。而這些疾病卻鮮少有人知悉，實為研究上之遺憾。為使民眾對其有更深入之了解，故特為此做深入之研究及探討。
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水戒菸的方法
（一）多喝開水，兩餐間喝六至八杯，以幫助濾出體內尼古丁．
（二）勤沐浴：每天作二至三次二十分鐘溫水浴，使身心完全放鬆．
（三）生活有規律：充分休息，定時進餐，定時上床．
（四）飯後勿閒坐：最好到戶外散步十五到三十分鐘，不要坐在喜歡的安樂椅上，引起吸
菸慾望．
（五）不喝酒、茶、咖啡及可樂：避免一切鎮靜劑及興奮劑，以免剌激神經．
（六）避免吃剌激性食物，改為各種豆類，花生之蛋白質食物．
（七）兩餐之間不要吃別的東西，若一定要吃，只能吃不含糖分的口香糖．
（八）額外維生素的幫助：多種維生素B，可以安定神經，沒有糖衣的健素糖，放幾粒在平
時放香菸的口袋，可幫助戒菸．
（九）不倚靠任何萬靈藥．
（十）有宗教信仰者可以祈禱方式渡過難關．
（十一）盡量不與其他吸菸的人待在一起，不要給自己再吸一支的機會．
（十二）不要久忍飢餓，而要經常按時進．食不要想在戒菸期間減輕體重，反之，在此期
間你可能會加胖，在戒除之後，再設法減重也不晚．
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圓香─在地人的餐廳
圓香─在地人的餐廳
作者：應淑蘭
最近和朋友們見面的熱門話題是──去『圓香』吃過了沒？
三月三十一日新開幕的餐廳─『圓香生活餐飲』，位於高貴林港，若從高貴林方向前往，一過了鐵橋就右轉進Shaughnessy街，左前方就可以清楚的看見橘紅色的招牌字『圓香』。這個商圈的知名購物商店包括Canadian Tire、Safeway， 及Earls等，共用停車位超過一千個。停車方便、營業時間長、用餐環境高雅，並且物美價廉，圓香提供本地人一個用餐的好去處。
『圓香』高貴林分店由三兄弟中的大哥Jeff Wu主理，約一百個座位。前兩家店分別位於列治文的百家店及置地廣場，這是第三家分店。吳家是一個三代同堂的大家庭，全家十二個人一起住在高貴林港已經超過十二年，所以這家分店可以說是名符其實的『在地人的餐廳』。
筆者某次於晚餐時間前往時，發現門口竟然已經開始排隊了。詢問店主才知道原來『圓香』不接受預先訂位，並且只收現金；這倒是極為不便之處！至於口味如何？那可真是要看個人的喜好！但是，筆者要提醒大家如果點『三杯鷄』，要小心裡面的碎鷄骨，尤其是要特別提醒小孩子們留意，預防噎著。還有豆酥鱈魚，豆酥偶爾會燒焦帶苦味，這是比較美中不足之處。其餘無論火鍋、小點、北方麵點和簡餐，都有一些精選之作。
去『圓香』吃過了沒？如果你有冒險精神，就先試試『牛奶海鮮鍋』、『左宗鷄』、『紅糟炒飯』和『原汁牛肉麵』這些招牌餐吧！
作者：應淑蘭
最近和朋友們見面的熱門話題是──去『圓香』吃過了沒？
三月三十一日新開幕的餐廳─『圓香生活餐飲』，位於高貴林港，若從高貴林方向前往，一過了鐵橋就右轉進Shaughnessy街，左前方就可以清楚的看見橘紅色的招牌字『圓香』。這個商圈的知名購物商店包括Canadian Tire、Safeway， 及Earls等，共用停車位超過一千個。停車方便、營業時間長、用餐環境高雅，並且物美價廉，圓香提供本地人一個用餐的好去處。
『圓香』高貴林分店由三兄弟中的大哥Jeff Wu主理，約一百個座位。前兩家店分別位於列治文的百家店及置地廣場，這是第三家分店。吳家是一個三代同堂的大家庭，全家十二個人一起住在高貴林港已經超過十二年，所以這家分店可以說是名符其實的『在地人的餐廳』。
筆者某次於晚餐時間前往時，發現門口竟然已經開始排隊了。詢問店主才知道原來『圓香』不接受預先訂位，並且只收現金；這倒是極為不便之處！至於口味如何？那可真是要看個人的喜好！但是，筆者要提醒大家如果點『三杯鷄』，要小心裡面的碎鷄骨，尤其是要特別提醒小孩子們留意，預防噎著。還有豆酥鱈魚，豆酥偶爾會燒焦帶苦味，這是比較美中不足之處。其餘無論火鍋、小點、北方麵點和簡餐，都有一些精選之作。
去『圓香』吃過了沒？如果你有冒險精神，就先試試『牛奶海鮮鍋』、『左宗鷄』、『紅糟炒飯』和『原汁牛肉麵』這些招牌餐吧！
Sunday, June 15, 2008
轉載:梁弘志與蔡琴、蘇芮的故事
獻給英年早逝的梁弘志....他寫給鄧麗君的「但願人長久」他寫給蘇芮的「請跟我來」、「變」是經典中的經典--------------------------------------------------------------作者:王祖壽【2004/07/23 民生報】當我問梁弘志，「恰似你的溫柔」是如何產生的？他告訴我兩個故事，一個是蔡琴的故事，一個是蘇芮的故事。
70年代尾聲那幾年，大學生流行民歌運動，梁弘志唸世新，他很早就開始寫歌。他說，沒有模仿的目標，連憧憬也沒有，作夢也沒有想過會進入流行歌壇。寫歌純為興趣，純為創作，那時他到餐廳應徵做歌手，抱著吉他唱西洋老歌，唱著唱著，梁弘志忽想：「為什麼不唱自己創作的歌？」他把「恰似你的溫柔」拿出來唱，一下子就流傳很廣，變成同學心目中的「世新校歌」。當時出現一個「民謠風」比賽，梁弘志坐在台下看，很多人報名唱他的歌，有一天，梁弘志接到通知，找他去錄音室試音，梁弘志說：「我唱完，聽到接在我後面試唱的歌聲，我停下腳步，心想到底是誰？這就是我要的聲音！」梁弘志說：「我看到一個好執著的學生，第二天，我打電話給唱片公司，『恰似你的溫柔』這首歌，我希望給那位同學唱。」那位同學，是就讀實踐家專的蔡琴，當時她參加「民謠風」比賽僅得第4名，但命運之神安排梁弘志與她前後試唱，讓梁弘志聽到她的聲音，1980年，「民謠風3恰似你的溫柔」出版，蔡琴從此一炮而紅，後來蔡琴才知道這件事，她對梁弘志說：「好在你的拗脾氣救了我」。80年代，大學民歌已漸枯竭，電影「搭錯車」因緣際會開啟流行歌曲的新頁，當年的歌舞片循例由女主角唱主題曲，而且也已練唱，有一天，梁弘志在崔苔菁主持的「夜來香」節目裡，聽到一個唱西洋歌曲的女歌手 Julie，第二天，梁弘志就去說服導演、製片：「這個聲音是對的，這件事應該這樣做，出來的東西會很棒。」Julie憑著唱西洋歌曲高亢有力的唱腔，將搖滾風味加進國語歌曲，1983年蘇芮首張專輯電影「搭錯車」主題曲「一樣的月光」席捲市場，這張專輯不僅造就蘇芮，也成就一家唱片公司，更引導整個國語歌壇進入新的階段。梁弘志不僅為國語歌壇催生了一位重量級歌手，他在專輯裡譜寫的歌曲「請跟我來」、「變」，不論歲月如何流變，公認是最具代表性的流行歌曲。陳昇就說他最欣賞的歌詞作品，是梁弘志為蘇芮寫的「變」(誠品好讀7月號)，用季節變換談戀愛思緒起伏，僅僅一句就幾乎道盡愛情的本質。梁弘志的作品，含蓄婉約，留有餘地，看似無意卻有意，旋律耐人尋味，一如其人。表面上他的歌不具困難度，卻千錘百鍊，支支精品。梁弘志對華語歌壇的貢獻，不言而喻，沒有梁弘志，或許華語歌壇仍將有蔡琴、蘇芮，卻絕對沒有這麼多足以支持她們歌唱生命內涵的歌曲。
70年代尾聲那幾年，大學生流行民歌運動，梁弘志唸世新，他很早就開始寫歌。他說，沒有模仿的目標，連憧憬也沒有，作夢也沒有想過會進入流行歌壇。寫歌純為興趣，純為創作，那時他到餐廳應徵做歌手，抱著吉他唱西洋老歌，唱著唱著，梁弘志忽想：「為什麼不唱自己創作的歌？」他把「恰似你的溫柔」拿出來唱，一下子就流傳很廣，變成同學心目中的「世新校歌」。當時出現一個「民謠風」比賽，梁弘志坐在台下看，很多人報名唱他的歌，有一天，梁弘志接到通知，找他去錄音室試音，梁弘志說：「我唱完，聽到接在我後面試唱的歌聲，我停下腳步，心想到底是誰？這就是我要的聲音！」梁弘志說：「我看到一個好執著的學生，第二天，我打電話給唱片公司，『恰似你的溫柔』這首歌，我希望給那位同學唱。」那位同學，是就讀實踐家專的蔡琴，當時她參加「民謠風」比賽僅得第4名，但命運之神安排梁弘志與她前後試唱，讓梁弘志聽到她的聲音，1980年，「民謠風3恰似你的溫柔」出版，蔡琴從此一炮而紅，後來蔡琴才知道這件事，她對梁弘志說：「好在你的拗脾氣救了我」。80年代，大學民歌已漸枯竭，電影「搭錯車」因緣際會開啟流行歌曲的新頁，當年的歌舞片循例由女主角唱主題曲，而且也已練唱，有一天，梁弘志在崔苔菁主持的「夜來香」節目裡，聽到一個唱西洋歌曲的女歌手 Julie，第二天，梁弘志就去說服導演、製片：「這個聲音是對的，這件事應該這樣做，出來的東西會很棒。」Julie憑著唱西洋歌曲高亢有力的唱腔，將搖滾風味加進國語歌曲，1983年蘇芮首張專輯電影「搭錯車」主題曲「一樣的月光」席捲市場，這張專輯不僅造就蘇芮，也成就一家唱片公司，更引導整個國語歌壇進入新的階段。梁弘志不僅為國語歌壇催生了一位重量級歌手，他在專輯裡譜寫的歌曲「請跟我來」、「變」，不論歲月如何流變，公認是最具代表性的流行歌曲。陳昇就說他最欣賞的歌詞作品，是梁弘志為蘇芮寫的「變」(誠品好讀7月號)，用季節變換談戀愛思緒起伏，僅僅一句就幾乎道盡愛情的本質。梁弘志的作品，含蓄婉約，留有餘地，看似無意卻有意，旋律耐人尋味，一如其人。表面上他的歌不具困難度，卻千錘百鍊，支支精品。梁弘志對華語歌壇的貢獻，不言而喻，沒有梁弘志，或許華語歌壇仍將有蔡琴、蘇芮，卻絕對沒有這麼多足以支持她們歌唱生命內涵的歌曲。
Friday, October 26, 2007
what is the rules of War?
The only rule for War is to win and survive.
If you can not win then try to survive, flee away from battlefield and try to come back again.
make a full preparation with one strike on his weakness when the enemy is arrogant and corrupted.
what is the rules of War? be prepared(economy), be united(alliances), be powered(technology).
If you can not win then try to survive, flee away from battlefield and try to come back again.
make a full preparation with one strike on his weakness when the enemy is arrogant and corrupted.
what is the rules of War? be prepared(economy), be united(alliances), be powered(technology).
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