You’ve been looking forward to your vacation for a long time. Finally you can get out of the office, out of the house, and onto a tropical beach or a cabin in the mountains.

But while you’re taking pictures of stunning sunsets and alpine vistas, did you make sure to lock all the doors and windows of your house? Forward your mail? Cancel your newspaper delivery? There are a lot of things to do before leaving your house for an extended period of time.

Here’s a look at seven things that jeopardize home security if you don’t take care of them.

1. Not canceling your newspaper

Nothing screams “Nobody’s home” louder than several days’ worth of unopened newspapers littering your doorstep. If you let your newspaper know you’re going to be gone, it’ll not only keep the driveway looking neat, but also make it appear that someone in the house is taking in the newspapers. A burglar scouting properties will be less likely to realize your place is empty.

2. Not forwarding your mail

Just like #1, an overflowing mailbox is an obvious indicator that no one’s at home. Ask your local post office to forward your mail to a friend’s house for as long as you’re away. From the outside of the house, it’ll look like the mailbox is cleared every day.

3. Not having someone do the lawn

If a would-be burglar notices your lawn has not been mowed, that’s an invitation. Ask a neighbor or friend (or a trustworthy kid who needs some money) if they’d do some basic yardwork while you’re gone. Your house will look nice, but more importantly, it’ll look occupied.

4. Not arranging for someone to check in

Keeping up appearances is one thing, but movement and activity around your house is better. If you can get a neighbor or a friend to go over to your house two or three times a day — perhaps to water the plants, remove flyers from the door, and feed the cat — your property will appear far too risky to break into.

5. Failing to take out the garbage

Some criminals are smarter than others. Some believe that garbage and recycling bins that haven’t been emptied are a sign that the owners won’t be around for a while.

If you’re going to be gone on garbage pickup day, ask a friend or neighbor to put the bins on the sidewalk for you, then put them back in place after collection. Any sign that your house has activity will deter potential thieves.

6. Not installing an electronics/appliances timer

If you can’t get someone to visit your house daily, it might be worth investing in a timer that controls the lights and sounds coming from your home. With optimum configuration, timers can turn your lights on and off at random, and switch your TV and radio on — to give the impression there is someone in the house.

7. Not replacing your smoke detector battery

Break-ins aren’t the only thing to worry about when you’re on holiday. A gas leak, an errant spark, or an innocuous beam of sunlight that hits the glass at just the right angle can cause a fire. That’s when you’ll wish you had made sure your smoke detectors had new batteries in them, to protect your home from sustaining too much fire damage before 911 got a call.

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It’s okay, we know what you’re thinking. I’m used to shaving my chest rug in the car while driving and not while I’m cooking dinner. I say, we stand up to our universal law of shaving and shave it loud and shave it proud. We can manscape anywhere we want! It’s our ubiquitous, universal right! Stop staring at this and join the contest to earn your right of passage to manscapage via a Phillips Norelcos and Style razor here. Only 100 left. We’re just the messenger and we’d lead you horses to water to drink up this bitch! Don’t forget to watch the Broxygen network for your dude Adam DeVine in Dude House…bro.

Some critics say that concussions that don’t lead to injuries shouldn’t be considered. However, what’s the grace period? Some concussions can take a long time to lead to permanent brain damage, or it might not be noticeable right away. Injuries likechronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) can have far-reaching impacts.

Should Have Known Better

The defendants say that, basically, NFL players should know better. They point to the numerous research studies, brain imaging tests and other evidence that when people are repeatedly hit in the head, they can receive brain injuries that can cause a host of problems. Dementia, depression, Alzheimer’s loss of memory, insomnia, changes in personality and mood swings are just a few of the possibilities associated with CTE. CTE has also been a factor in many suicides involving NFL players like Junior Sea, Ray Easterlins and David Duerson.

Surprisingly, two of the NFL suicide victims left specific notes asking that their brains be donated to CTE science. Many of the players will live for many more years with serious medical issues, all requiring ongoing care and expenses. At the moment, everyone is waiting for the Honorable Anita Brody to weigh in with her ruling. She’ll be making history in terms of NFL safety, head injuries and just what’s covered by the player’s association.

The Possibilities

If Judge Brody rejects the arguments, there are three possible routes the attorneys might take. The first question is just how much information the NFL had about brain injuries and how long they’ve had this knowledge. The second issue is whether or not players hid concussions in order to get back on the field. Finally, just how big should the monetary damages be in order to “make up” for the risks these athletes take?

The amount of money will be influenced by CTE research and whether or not the protein deposits connected with CTE have a direct link to head trauma. If that link is confirmed, millions of dollars will likely be awarded for lifelong medical care and related expenses. Experts are torn about the connection between CTE and head injuries, but some people wonder what other explanation there could be.

Brain Experts Weigh In

One Boston University pathologist says she’s certain CTE stems solely from head injuries. However, just because there’s no feasible alternative right now doesn’t mean it’s a sure thing. Another Harvard University professor has agreed there have been great advancements in the study, but more is needed to find a genuine answer. A different Harvard researcher was recently awarded $100 million in grant money from the NFL Players Association to take a closer look at brain damage.

Another big controversy is if the NFL was a part of fraud, considering the league should have known the risks and they were contributing to negligence. The big question here is whether the league knew for sure that CTE and head injuries are connected, in which case they’ll be guilty of fraud. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and it’s likely that it will take years to resolve this case. However, it might be financially best for both parties to settle outside of court, which might help speed things up.

The players originally built their case simply by putting two and two together: It might seem obvious that repeatedly getting hit in the head causes brain damage and/or CTE, but “knowing” something doesn’t make it a fact legally. However, the sheer number of victims added up to a solid case.Working with actual injury attorneys is the first step in any successful lawsuit.

1. Say Your Name

You want people to remember you, but if they don’t know your name they will not. Funny thing about folks and the good times they have, they’re not always trying to remember the DJ. Make them remember you. Every time you crack that mic you need to say your name.

Do not say it in the same place every time you speak though. Open up with it sometimes, close with it others and vary it up in between. You only need to say it once, though. Say it several times each time you talk and people will get annoyed. You want to self-promote, you don’t want to pester.

2. Don’t Talk Too Much

The average intro to a song is about 18 seconds. That’s all you need to say your name and get your point across. If you’re talking for longer than that you’d better be comedian too. They came for the music. Not your voice.

3. Be Brief And Be Clear When You Do Speak

Being brief as opposed to not talking so much means that what you say has a point. Don’t just get on the mic and riff whatever comes to mind. Make sure that what you say is focused and clearly explicates what you wanted to get across.

You control the microphone. You control the party. As the DJ what you say should make them want to pay attention. If you’re just running your mouth about how much fun you’re having, you may find that folks will tune you out when you have something important to say. Be brief and be clear so that your words carry weight every time you crack the mic.

4. Write Down What You Have To Say (If Need Be)

‘Um’ and ‘uh’ are your enemy. These words will extend the amount of time you talk. These words will steal power from what you’re trying to say. They will injure your presence and steal the effectiveness of your set. Do not say those two words. Ever.

You’re a DJ so you probably have a laptop nearby if not right in front of you at a gig. If not, then you probably have a smartphone. If you can’t get through talking without saying ‘um’ and ‘uh’ then type out what you need to say and read it when you have to say it. Yeah, this is a beginner move, but after a few gigs you’ll get the hang of it and won’t need to write it down so much. But don’t be afraid to do it. Almost no one will know and whoever does will forget it. But they’ll remember what you said though. That’s what’s important.

5. Announce Your Next Gig

Every time you DJ you should be telling your audience where and when you’ll be next performing. Consider your crowd first though. If you’re DJing at a club and your next gig is the county fair, you don’t necessarily need to tell everyone where you’ll be next. Also, be careful about announcing a gig at a competing venue since that may be frowned upon by management (as well it should). Aside from that, make sure people know how they can next experience a set tailored by you. If you don’t self-promote, who will?

Truth in the nightmare

As unlikely as this sounds, the “sleep driving” defense is being argued more and more frequently, with varying levels of success, especially in cases of alleged drunk driving and sexual assault. “Sleep driving’” is exactly what David Hamnett, a 47-year-old resident of Lancashire, England, said caused the accident which occurred Saturday, July 9, 2011.

Hamnett, a marine engineer, was on the M5, a route that connects his Ormskirk home to his job in Devon. He reportedly drove his Volvo S40 erratically and at increasingly high speeds when the incident occurred. The crash, which began with the rear end of another vehicle and ended with at highway’s center partition, caused so much damage to Hamnett’s vehicle that the rescue team was forced to cut him out of the car’s wreckage.

They found a man who was clearly intoxicated (twice the legal driving limit), barefoot, and wearing a T-shirt and shorts, an outfit he would later describe as his pajamas.

A sleep driving defense

A married man with two children, Hamnett admitted to drinking whiskey and wine before putting on his “sleeping clothes” and going to bed, and claimed that due to his parasomnia he had absolutely no recollection of driving, and simply woke up to find himself trapped in the wreckage of his collapsed Volvo.

In his defense, Hamnett said: “I was in my pajamas, I had no money and wallet, and I had just driven all the way back from work, so why on earth would I want to go back there on a Saturday morning?”

Dr John O’Reilly corroborated Hamnett’s parasomnia claim, testifying that Hamnett had previously been treated for sleep disorders at the North West Regional Sleep Service in Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital. During the time of the accident, Hamnett was being actively treated for sleep apnea, which causes sufferers to stop breathing while they are asleep.

A questionable crime

Still, the probability of such an extended episode of parasomnia, involving a two-hour, 150-mile drive before the crash occurred, has been questioned by individuals like Dr Chris Idzikowski of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre who called Hamnett’s version of events “highly unlikely.”

Nonetheless, Judge Peter Barrie, who called the incident “highly dangerous … high speed, weaving on a motorway,” and reminded Hamnett that he and “occupants of another car suffered significant injuries,” did not impose jail time on Hamnett due to the “aggravating feature” of Hamnett’s blood alcohol levels.

Instead, the judge agreed that the defendant’s sleeping disorder was real and that it was possible he’d been asleep when he entered his vehicle on the night in question.

The judge also made it clear that he believed the majority of Hamnett’s fateful trip had occurred while he was conscious. Barrie convicted Hamnett of dangerous driving and sentencing him to 12 months of community service with a suspended license for six of those months, to be followed by a driving test.

Since the crash Hamnett has lost weight, which he says has improved his sleeping and stopped his sleepwalking.

Defending against DWI

Building a defense against DWI and DUI has become increasingly difficult over the years. Well-intentioned groups like MADD and SADD have taken the reins in many municipalities where they feel drunk driving isn’t being seriously addressed, and made it complicated and expensive to argue against DWI and DUI charges.

Knowing the charges against you, and the mitigating and aggravating factors that offer avenues for defense is essential for successfully clearing a drunk or impaired driving charge. For someone like Mr. Hamnett, a citizen with no previous history of DUI, the “sleep driving” defense was critical to preserving his freedom.

For job hunters who want low-hanging fruit, check out these seven industries that need workers STAT.

1. Transportation

This includes everything from light rail operators to bus drivers and CAT operators. The great thing is that these jobs also pay relatively well, they’re stable, they often have a great benefits package, and no degree is required. However, a commercial driver’s license is necessary, but this is not difficult to study for and earn. The transportation industry is booming, so right now is the perfect time to join.

2. Skilled trades

Electricians, solar panel installers, plumbers … if it’s a skilled trade, there’s a high demand. To get in on these fields, you can often find apprenticeship programs in place. There’s no degree, but a willingness to accept low wages or other compensation for an apprenticeship is necessary to start.

3. Auto manufacturing

Detroit might be suffering, but auto manufacturing as a whole is booming. It’s estimated that up to 100,000 of these jobs may be added every year through 2020, and this is another career with no degree requirement. The salaries are often high and there’s plenty of room for advancement.

4. Health care workers

From physicians to medical assistants, there’s a growing need for health care workers. Applicants can opt for an entry-level assistant position or use their newly minted MD as a negotiating tool. There are also increasing opportunities overseas; plus, these fields come with the added bonus of helping people on a daily basis.

5. Engineering

This includes software design, Wimax engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering … the list goes on and on. Usually, at least a bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree may be preferred. There are entry-level positions with no degree requirements, but a natural tech ability is a must.

6. Teachers

There might be cutbacks, but schools can’t survive without teachers. There are also options for loan forgiveness if teachers work in a high-need district after graduation. Private schools can offer more security and higher pay. Of course, public school teachers also get the benefit of a pension.

7. Customer service reps

If you have mad sales skills, you can make a fortune. Even during a recession, people will spend, so this is always a safety net. No degree is required, but your personality has to mesh well in this high-stakes environment.

Employers who want to properly train new employees should start with a well-designed training program. This can’t be thrown together willy nilly.

Seek the guidance of training professionals, consider both personality and background when hiring, and remember that to attract the best candidates, the benefits have to be impressive.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that the Internet is growing rapidly in developing nations. As the global economy sparks growth in third world nations, Internet usage inevitably increases.

This is due in large part to the amount of commerce conducted through Internet-based companies, and the sales, marketing, and general communication required to run a thriving business in the 21st century. Social media is changing the face of business and marketing, and the great hunger for it in growing nations is reflected in the swift growth of Internet connections and users.

Seven nations emerging in the Internet era

1. The Philippines

The Philippines is one of the Asian countries that is developing Internet technology at a rapid rate. Google launched a “Dubbed Free Zone” in the Philippines late last fall, which essentially allows users to get access to Google-based sites and Google search from their mobile devices without worrying about data charges from their cellular service providers.

2. China

Countries like China and Japan have had their economies plugged into the Web for a while, but the more recent leap in Internet usage has been among China’s growing middle class. Internet providers are pushing for further economic improvement, with the hope that the new middle class will mean an even greater increase in usage in China in the near future.

3. Nigeria

A number of African nations are pressing toward increased Internet technology. Nigeria tops the chart, according to InternetEvolution.com, with about 8 million users, or a little less than 6% of the population.

4. Morocco

Second in line in a survey of Internet usage in African nations, Morocco bases most of its economy on tourism, and tourists from developed nations want the Internet services they are accustomed to. It only makes sense to integrate those services into the culture.

5. Egypt

Egypt started a revolution on the Internet, and Web culture continues to thrive. Social media has become a huge part of the youth experience in this North African nation, and it will continue to thrive despite some political setbacks with the Egyptian government of late.

6. India

India has a huge number of people and urban environments — the perfect place for an Internet service provider to step in and take the reins. Much like China and Japan, urban Indian environments typically have some Internet service these days, and the numbers are sure to grow.

7. South Africa

Another nation that draw a huge number of tourists, South Africa has to please its visitors. Most urban environments are likely to have some Web access, though the rural areas of the country are still off the grid by American or European standards.

Want the best advice ever for planning a graduation party? Have the party a place where the host is comfortable, clean-up is easy and it’s worth showing off. This can be anywhere from the garage to a restaurant, but keeping the host sane is critical. No matter who’s hosting the event, there’s a good chance the grad also has a core group of friends happy to help with the planning, so get them involved.

Start by keeping it simple, simple, simple. Play it conservatively, and don’t feel like a party needs to rival student loan amounts. Focus on what the grad enjoys and what the host enjoys–for example, if a host loves to BBQ, that should be the focus of the food. Hire a caterer only if it’s in the budget, and take advantage of everyone’s natural talents, whether it’s DJing or making the cake.

Grad Party Tips to Use

Cleaning house for a graduation party can be stressful, and it’s not always feasible to get a deep clean in. If that’s the case, just make sure the kitchen, foyer, bathrooms that will be used and room for the party are clean. Guests shouldn’t be heading anywhere else anyway, so it’s not the time to deep clean the bedrooms or closet. Clean what will be seen, and focus on cleaning throughout the year from here on out.

When it comes to beverages, simplicity is also key. Choose bottled water and no more than two sodas–one diet and one without caffeine. If the party will be outside, that’s great, but always have a Plan B in case weather doesn’t cooperate. No single host can do it alone, so ask for backup and have people in charge of the drinks, garbage and food. To get the word out, take advantage of Facebook invites, but make sure friends can’t invite friends–otherwise, it will turn into an epic party (and not in a good way).

Get Nostalgic

For memorabilia, a single 8×10 portrait of the graduate on a thick matte so everyone can sign their well wishes is more than enough. Another option is Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” as a guestbook. Also consider a poster board with pics for the graduate, grade school photos. When choosing food, keep it alcohol-free, stock up on bottled water, have a few finger foods or serve “just desserts.” Hosts can also choose a food theme (preferably the grad’s favorite), food on a stick and/or cupcakes instead of cake.

Candy makes great centerpieces, but they’re not necessary. Favors aren’t required for grad parties, either. Get party supplies at an affordable price by comparing prices online, or duck into the local dollar store. Supplies are often only used once, so don’t overspend. Get creative, make it personal and shop the discount stores for great deals.

In the US, the number of students entering university already diagnosed with depression is the highest in history according to Duke’s Counseling and Psychological Services director. What is it that’s causing so many young adults to struggle? Is it simply a case of more diagnoses, not necessarily more sufferers? Here are seven reasons why the depression rates in universities may be at an all-time high.

1. Younger Patients Treated

It’s not necessarily a bad thing that more college students are depressed. NPR suggests that there are more depressed college students simply because people are getting treatment at a younger age, like in high school. Someone who’s depressed at 15 is better off getting treated at that age than waiting until they’re out of college.

2. Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is a depressant, and college is when many young adults experiment (or binge) for the first time in their life. They may already be predisposed to depression, and imbibing on a regular basis puts them over the edge. After all, a depressant usually works effectively.

3. The Mounting Pressure

There has always been pressure to succeed in college. However, nowadays college students were young adults when their families were impacted by the recession and they’re all too aware of how difficult jobs will be once they graduate. That’s a lot more pressure to succeed than college students ten years ago faced.

4. Constant Chemical Intake

In general, more people are using prescription drugs of all kinds today than in the past. Some medications can cause depression. Some students may be taking prescriptions for depression when they’re not actually clinically depressed. Since it’s socially acceptable to reach for pills, more people are doing it.

5. The Massive Changes

Living away from home for the first time, a brand new environment, an entirely new system to learn and total immersion in a foreign culture can be exciting–but it can also lead to depression. Students may feel alone, overwhelmed, anxious and they might start to shut down. Flying the nest can sometimes trigger depressive symptoms.

6. The Poor Diet

The freshman 15 can do a lot more than make someone reach for the stretchy pants. A poor diet and excess weight can lead to a host of problems including depression. It’s no secret that college students struggle with their diet, but sometimes the effects are more serious than people think.

7. It’s Natural

Many mental health issues naturally develop when people are young adults, and this happens to coincide with college perfectly. There may have been just as many depressed young adults a few years ago, but they’re more willing to reach out nowadays.

NBC News recently reported that four in 10 college students are depressed. It led to insomnia, low energy and generally feeling hopeless–however, many of the students in this anonymous survey admitted they hadn’t sought help. It’s very likely that more students are depressed than people know, but schools across the country are making a great effort to reach out and continue to fight any lingering stigmas. Reaching out to someone who exhibits signs of depression is a great thing, and may even save a life.

Seeking treatment via a therapist, counselor or psychiatrist is a great start. There are hundreds of doctors, students, and programs that can match almost any budget level or life situation. Most college students have access to free or low-cost student health services – either through their school or because they are a student. Take advantage of it, and try out some natural remedies to complement treatment.

Spring cleaning is the springboard for getting ready for summer, and there’s no better time for a little DIY improvement project. The weather is sunny and warm, the days are longer and people have more energy to put into their home. The lines at Home Depot are getting longer and there are high hopes for those summer barbeques. Isn’t it about time to install a backyard pool, too?

However, not all homes are created equal and some houses just shouldn’t have some improvements done–now or ever. The same number of people plan on home improvements this year compared to last (64 percent in 2013 compared to 62 percent in 2011), but only around $3,400 will be spent. Last year, homeowners planned to send $6,200. Why this big change?

Hired Help Goes Down

It looks like homeowners want to save money, since in 2013 only 20 percent plan to hire help, but 47 percent planned to do so last year. According to a study at Harvard University, the amounts of home improvements are plateauing and will likely only increase .2 percent this year–in other words, people have bigger plans than what they’ll actually do. What’s going on with the economy that’s making such big swings?

Consumer confidence is down, not having been this low since last November. At the same time, those pesky summer gas prices are on the rise and are hovering around the four dollar mark. Homeowners should be conservative with their spending, and that’s exactly what they’re doing. Does a new driveway really need to happen this year or a backyard pizza oven? Probably not.

Need vs. Want

Instead, home improvement projects for summer 2013 should be angled more towards needs vs. wants. For example, does an EPDM roof coating need to be applied? Roofs are expensive to replace, so keeping them maintained and even lowering energy bills to boot is a smart move. However, a new outdoor patio set isn’t a necessity and many homeowners are choosing to go without.

Other possibilities include true investment projects that will improve a home’s value. However, this is only important if a person plans to sell in coming years. Curb appeal, or projects on the front of the home, are more valuable than anything happening in the backyard. This might include properly grading soil away from the foundation to avoid flooding or a new garden bed.

No matter how homeowners plan to spend their summer, they seem to be “spending” them more wisely. That’s good news–getting back into savings is smart and it’s been a challenge for many people during and post-recession. Perhaps a movement back to frugal spending, getting those home warranties and DIYing more than relying on hired workers will set the foundation for a healthier financial future.