Burlington Northern Santa Fe

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Burlington Northern Santa Fe - Photo: Flickr

One of the most profitable railways in the world is Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). They have been hauling goods for more than 150 years and have one of the best safety records in the train industry. They also offer some of the best prices on freight out there, making it very easy for them to obtain new contracts and to maintain those they already have in place.

The origin of BNSF is a long journey that involves acquiring many small railway companies over the years. One that took place more than 20 years ago was with Santa Fe, thus the changing of the company name. 

As a result of these buyouts, BNSF has been able to continually expand the number of miles of quality railroad tracks they have available. They have gone the extra mile on their own to place railway tracks where it is difficult but necessary even though it is expensive and there are plenty of challenges to completing such projects.

BNSF combines the very best equipment and technology with highly skilled employees. All of their train cars and engines are in top working condition to help reduce downtime and accidents. They also have skilled employees to investigate railway crossings and the tracks themselves. 

There is always plenty of ongoing training taking place for BNSF employees so they can keep up on the latest technology, evaluate their strengths and weaknesses, and continue to be motivated to strive for excellence in all that they do. BNSF has a very rigorous employment screening process. They check references and criminal backgrounds. They also contact previous employers to determine a person’s level of responsibility and reliability. 

As a condition of employment, each person must consent to a drug test and a physical exam. Should the drug test come back positive the person will not be hired? They also have a random drug testing policy that all employees must agree to during the term of their employment. If an employee files a workman’s compensation claim they are mandated to submit to a drug test as well.

The physical examination is required to ensure the individual is healthy enough to take on the responsibilities of working for a railway company. This includes a hearing and vision test as well. There is simply too much at risk if a person isn’t healthy enough to be engaging in the various types of employment offered by BNSF. 

If you are interested in finding out what positions they have available and the locations, go to their website. You will find plenty of quality information about the business as well as an application you can complete online. This is one of the best railway companies to work for because they are dedicated to excellence with their employees, their shipments, and the public. 

They take pride in offering a diverse group of employees as well. They appreciate the fact that each person can bring unique qualities to the workplace. They encourage suggestions from their employees to make the railway business safer, faster, and more profitable. Today more than 38,000 people are employed by BNSF. Most of them find the experience to be very pleasant. They enjoy being part of the BNSF team. 

BNSF continues to strive for excellence. They are dedicated to offering quality train services to those businesses that need goods to be moved. They are also dedicated to providing a safe way to do it. They work hard to prevent accidents among their employees, on their train tracks, and with people who happen to be crossing at various train intersections.

There is always plenty going on at BNSF to help make their trains operate faster to get the deliveries done in less time. They have won numerous awards for their excellent service, implementing the latest technology, and always putting safety above making a profit. They also give plenty of money back to communities in the way of charitable events that support various causes. 

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Historical Timeline for TELESCOPES

Hubble - Photo: Wikimedia

It seems all the technology for telescopes started back in 2560 BC.  Artisans in ancient Egypt polished rocks, glass, and semi-precious stones to make eyes for the sarcophagi.  What follows is some major points in the history of how telescopes came to be today.

• In 470 BC, Mozi, a Chinese philosopher, focused the sun's rays by using concave mirrors.
• In 4 BC, Seneca the Younger used water to magnify letters and words.
• In 23, Pliny the Elder discovered doctors using a crystal ball with the sun's rays beaming through it to cauterize wounds.
• In the ninth century, telescopes were possibly made from Visby lenses, a Middle Eastern glass.
• In 1520, Leonard Digges, an English mathematician, invented two telescopes – Reflecting and Refracting.
• In 1608, A Dutch lensmaker, Hans Lippershey, applied for a patent on a design for a telescope.
• In 1609, Galileo improved on Lippershey's design and renamed it “perspicillum” - An Italian word for a telescope.
• In 1616, Niccolo Zucchi invented a reflecting telescope.
• In 1663, James Gregory, a Scottish mathematician, produces a telescope with a parabolic primary mirror and an elliptical secondary mirror.
• In 1668, Isaac Newton designed a telescope using a parabolic primary mirror and a flat diagonal secondary mirror.
• In 1733, Chester Moore Hall created the achromatic lens.
• In 1880, Ernst Abbe invented the first orthoscopic eyepiece.
• In 1910, The Ritchey-Chretien telescope that is used in many of the large astronomical telescopes is invented by George Ritchey and Henri Chretien.
• In 1930, The Schmidt camera is created by Bernhard Schmidt.
• In 1937, Grote Reber developed a telescope for wavelengths ranging from radio to Xrays.
• In 1944, The Maksutov telescope is designed by Dmitri Maksutov.
• In 1962, The UK launched an orbiting solar telescope.
• In 1990, the Hubble Telescope was launched into space.
• In 2013, the James Webb Space Telescope will be launched and take the place of the Hubble.

And this all started with the polishing of a few stones.

More and newer information on Wikipedia

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1967-68 Shelby GT-500: When Shelby's 'Stangs Moved From Race Grid to Cruise Strip

Shelby GT 500 - Photo: Flickr

Let's face it, some like their performance cars raw, some like them with a healthy dose of seasonings and side dishes. And sometimes a machine's recipe evolves from one style to the other.

That was certainly the case with one of ex-racer Carroll Shelby's most famous cars. For 1965, he began production of hopped-up Mustangs at his shop in California. For those first couple years, his 'Stangs, called GT-350s, were barely-disguised competition tools. 

With a road-racing suspension setup, high-strung small-block V8, and lack of a backseat on which to haul buddies, those original GT-350s weren't a popular pick with the burger-joint crowd. And that was fine with Ford, at least at first -- Shelby's cooperation on the Mustang was initially sought to give competition credibility to Ford's pioneering pony car, which GT-350s did handily by winning sports-car races. 

But starting with the '67 model year, Ford began expecting Shelby's machines to speak to a more mainstream performance crowd -- the typical muscle-car buyer. 

Signaling this shift toward street appeal over race-track prowess were mandatory power steering and power brakes, along with a number of optional comfort and convenience features, including air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, and tinted glass.

And, perhaps most importantly, a backseat was now standard.

But despite the added weight of such amenities, Shelby's machines hadn't lost their bite. Although the base GT-350's V8 was now somewhat tamer, that model for '67 was joined by the new GT- 500, powered by a torquey 428-cid big-block V8 rated at 360 hp.

For '68, the GT-500 packed an even bigger wallop, with the midyear introduction of the GT-500KR "King of the Road," which had a 428 that was some 40 hp stouter yet. Also that year, the Shelby Mustang's fastback body style was joined by a convertible, to further appeal to the boulevard cruising set.

Development and production of Shelbys continued along similar lines into the next generation of Mustangs, ending in 1970.

Today, muscle-car fans are divided on which of the Shelby Mustangs are the greatest -- the almost race-ready early versions, or the punchier, plusher, more street-appropriate later ones. Regardless, any flavor of Shelby Mustang is counted among the great performance cars, a fact clearly reflected in the hefty prices these cars command nowadays.

Author: David Bellm

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ARCHERY Equipment

Archery - Photo: Pxhere

Archery is an ancient technique, with the main purpose, was used during battles but is still popular today.  There are many people who are fascinated by archery.  Today archery is mostly confined to the sporting arenas but there was a time when it played a very vital role on the battlefield. 

There are innumerable stories about great archers in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, India, Greece, and Persia. These archers are revered even today.     

Archery equipment consists of bows and arrows.  Studies have shown that the bows were developed in either early Mesolithic age or late Paleolithic age.  Earlier pines were used for making arrows but later different materials started to be used for the construction of the arrows.  

The archery equipment should be properly constructed and the material used should be of fine quality.  If the bows are not proper then the archer will face difficulties in mounting the arrow. The arrows should be such that it is easily mountable on the bows. If the arrows are not properly mounted then the archer won’t be able to properly shoot the target.

The bows commonly used are the longbow, shortbow, flatbow, recurve bow, crossbow and compound bow. Longbow, as the name suggests, is very long; the length of the bow is equal to the height of the user and in some cases even exceeds the height of the user.   

The limb of the Flatbow is wider and the cross-section is rectangular in shape. Shortbow is shorter in length; it is lightweight and has a short range. It was basically used for hunting purpose.  In crossbow, the limbs are mounted in a horizontal manner and not in a vertical manner. The compound bow is designed in such as manner that the archer is at his ease while mounting the bow. 

Shaft, arrowheads, nock, and fletching constitute an archery arrow.  Aluminum alloy, carbon fiber, wood, and fiberglass are used for the construction of the shaft. If the material is too heavy or too brittle then it should be discarded. 

The shaft should not be too flexible; it should be straight and easy to handle. At present arrows made of carbon, alloys are popular and are being widely used by the archers.  In fact, arrows used in popular sports events like Olympic are made of carbon alloys. 

Archery equipment should be such that when an archer shoots an arrow the target should not be missed owing to air pressure. So it is important that the arrowhead and the fletching should be properly designed using a fine material.

The arrowhead and the fletching provide balance to the arrows.  The fletching is generally made of plastic or bird feathers. Fletching is at the rear end of the arrow and it helps in the projectile motion of the arrow. 

While shooting the arrow the archer needs to have proper physical balance.  The posture of the body, the eye and the way the archer is holding the bow should be proper.  Proper archery equipment is needed for better archery.  Never comprise with the quality of the equipment. 

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Derailed FAMILY HISTORY Search

Pennants of family history societies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The importance of family is given emphasis wherever you go. This group of people is the one mainly responsible for giving you the form and being that you are right now. Family history search may be a laborious task but the rewards that can be reaped after the long and winding research endeavors are truly worth the pain and sacrifices. Along the way, it is inevitable that certain issues and events may derail you from your historical quest back to the roots of your ancestors. Let’s take a look and investigate further in order to get a better analysis. 

There are common misconceptions revolving around the field of genealogy. Don’t be fooled and lose your focus on what you are set to accomplish. The first on the list is that your family heraldry as symbolized by a crest can be easily purchased. Certain family items and commodities are widely available stores everywhere and throughout online shops. But to say that families have crest is untrue. Individuals are the ones that have the right and privilege to be given crests. In most cases, these coat of arms is merely granted. How can you do this? Well if you believe that you are qualified as a descendant of a male line who can be granted with a crest then you just have to prove it and the crest is yours.

If you’re from an American descent or root then this is an issue for you. It is said that the 1890 census was voluntarily burnt to the ground. This has been opposed by genealogists. It is said that after the fire that broke down the records were soaked in water and were left in a storage facility without efforts or plans of having it restored.

Another one of the rumors circling around the family history search area is that you can easily and readily find your whole family’s record online within the comforts of the internet’s technology. This is a dream come true for those researchers and historians who don’t give emphasis on hard work and self-reliance.

In fact, there are lots of records available online such as those coming from the census, the military, immigration, and other collection resources. But errors are also abundant throughout online facilities. In order for you to really get accurate results, you have to spend actual research time within the four corners of a local or large library.

Along the way, you may come across a data stating that you are part of a family related to some historically acclaimed personnel such as one of the presidents of even one who is a member of a royal clan. Legends are easily formed by mouth and eventually in written form. So before you jump into conclusion and you spread the word about your famous ancestry take time to prove the acuity level of such information. Remember even if you have the same surname with a proven celebrity that doesn’t mean you are actually related.

After the courthouse came down because of a fire all the records were gone. This is not entirely true as some of the records may have been salvaged or copies were done and sent to other offices and agencies.

Do not be easily derailed by certain misconceptions about genealogy. Family history search really entails hard work and common sense. You just have to learn to work your way and come on top of the entire information overload that may occur.

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POKER rules: Play it fair or be square

Poker - Photo: Pixabay

Anybody who hasn't heard of the poker game? Anybody who hasn't played a round of poker game? I think not. Even celebrities nowadays participate in celebrity poker games. But who knows how poker came about? In truth, there is a dilemma as to who can lay claim for the birth of this card game. The French have it 'poque' which descended from the Germans' 'pochen' which means "to knock". 

However, it can be contested that it could have originated from the Persian game of 'as nas' that could have been taught to the French settlers by Persian sailors in New Orleans. However poker came about, everybody is playing it and loving the challenge. Poker rules, therefore, are extremely important since you might be betting your car keys already, for all you know. The poker rules guide the greenhorn on how to lose graciously the first few deals. Thus learning to play a good game of poker is expensive.

We need to know the basics of how to play poker, the poker rules according to the poker variant, poker etiquette and poker hands to be able to passably play. Winning is everything in poker since this is a mind game more than anything else.

First off, we need to clarify the different poker game variants to know which poker rules need to be in play. There are many variants to the poker game but the more universal poker game variants are: draw poker, stud poker, widow poker game, and miscellaneous poker games (which include Stud Horse poker, Oxford stud, Billabong (and Shanghai), Guts, and Blind Man's Bluff). However, the most commonly played poker games for the first three variants are the five-card draw, seven-card stud, and the Texas hold 'em. 

Since this is the most played poker game variant, poker rules for the five-card draw are generally easy to remember. It is assumed that you basically know the general poker gameplay, the hand values, and the betting system. Poker rules differ from the home-style games to the more formal games as played in the casinos. For formal games blinds are commonly used while for home games, it is more typical use an ante. Ante is where the first betting round starts from the player to the dealer's left, then the second round betting begins with the player who opened or made the first non-zero betting in the preceding round. 

A common house rule in playing five card draw in home or social games is that a player cannot replace more than three cards unless he holds an ace or a wildcard so that the deck stub will not be easily depleted. Another common house rule is that the last card in the deck stub is not dealt anymore to ensure that anybody who might have seen it will not use that information.

In the seven card stud, poker rules are a bit more complex than the five card draw since two to eight players can play. The only poker rule to remember, (better make it your mantra) is two down, four up, one down. This is the lay of the cards and not meant to mean something else.

The third most commonly played poker game is the Texas hold 'em. The poker rules here are the same with the first two but what makes this different is the introduction of lipstick cameras where spectators were able to view each player's cards.

Definitely, we've seen that poker rules change a bit depending on the game of poker being played. Now that we've learned the different poker rules, playing it like the pros would be as easy as pie.

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Fundamental Skills Required for SOCCER Training

Soccer Training - Photo: Wikimedia

As with any type of training for a game in sports, soccer training requires some fundamental skills. These skills can be cultivated many different ways. One of the most popular methods is through observing the skill that you wish to acquire. Once you understand the basic concept of the skill, you should put your knowledge to work by trying it yourself. Generally, the skill must be practiced repeatedly in order to be mastered. Many people use the concept of visualization in order to perfect a particular soccer skill. Here, you will learn about the many fundamental skills required for soccer training. 

The most important thing to understand when it comes to soccer training is that a player is successful when they become accustomed to a certain motion that they perform. As the soccer player continues to practice the skill in which they are trying to acquire, they quickly gain confidence in their abilities. This is the second most important concept to master when attempting to acquire soccer skills...confidence. If you are confident in your ability to perform the skill and continue to practice during soccer training, you will master the skill quickly. 

In soccer training, it is essential to acquire the skill of kicking. There are two basic types of kicks that are used in the game of soccer. One is referred to as the "ground kick", and the other is called the "volleys kick". These particular kicks in the soccer game are established by how the ball is positioned on the ground. When you focus on the skill of kicking, it is important that you also practice balance and the stance of your body. This is the secret behind successful kicks in soccer training. 

The next essential skill required in soccer training is being able to control the ball. If you are unable to control the ball, the entire team will suffer tremendously. There are a few moves that will allow you to control the ball effectively during soccer training. These moves include the inside cut, cut underbody, and the outside cut. It is important that your coach reviews these moves with you so that you can get in plenty of practice performing them!

During soccer training, you will be required to learn the skill of heading. This is the process by which you use the upper side of the forehead in order to create an assortment of "heading" techniques for greater control of the ball. The most popular techniques include the following: diving, standard, glancing, and flick. Your soccer coach will accurately describe all of these heading techniques so that you can master this particular skill in your training regime. 

Dribbling is another necessary skill that should be acquired during soccer training. There are many different kinds of dribbles. These include cone, basic, intermediate, and advanced. You may learn about the Cruyff move, fake kick move, nutmeg move, stepover move, and more during this part of your soccer training. While there are many methods of dribbling, these remain among the most popular choices in soccer games. 

There are many fundamental skills required for soccer training. This article outlines the most basic. If you have any questions or concerns about these moves, or how to perform these moves, you should work carefully with your coach during soccer training. The coach will aid in your overall development as a master soccer player. 

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