There has been a lot of talk over the past few years about the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 , otherwise known as the SAFE Act. This legislation was designed to set some minimum standards for the licensing of mortgage loan officers across the country. While this national registry has its benefits, the enforcement and interpretation of many of the finer points of licensing remain in the hands of individual states.

Historically each state has set its own standards and requirements for licensing. This is usually handled through the state’s banking commission or department. They oversee the standards for training and the requirements that must be met to obtain a license. In fact, they are responsible for processing all license applications and renewals and for prosecuting those individuals who operate without a license in their state. Areas of difference between the state range from application and processing fees to whether or not a bond or finger print check is required. Some states require testing while others just require proof that training has been completed.

Because each state has its own mortgage laws in addition to the federal regulations, loan officer training programs must take care to teach the correct curriculum to students. It does no good for mortgage officers in Florida to learn Oregon mortgage regulations. Most states also have continuing education requirements for renewing a license.

The need for clean drinking water is universal on this planet. Without it, people suffer from a multitude of waterborne diseases as bacteria and parasites thrive in natural sources of water. In some areas, the water table is full of metals from the earth or chemicals from industrial society. These are also a source of disease and health problems, including the development of various forms of cancer.

In order to ensure a supply of clean, healthy drinking water, filtration and purification must be performed. This can be as simple as adding a purification tablet to a canteen of water when hiking or as complex as the water treatment plants used by large American cities. In developing countries, programs to clean water and distribute it to the population are of extreme importance. In the US, most citizens take for granted that clean (or mostly clean) water is available from the taps in their home.

The general principle behind water filters is the same whether it is a table top pitcher system or a massive filter handling millions of gallons of water. Particles are removed from the water by pushing it through a filter of some kind. There are natural filters, such as sand and carbon and man-man filters, which can be made of metal or ceramic. Water can also be filtered by manipulating chemical and biological processes which naturally remove impurities.

It takes a special eye to appreciate the nuances of everything, and with theme parks, this is no exception. In the current fascination with the museum, and museum culture, one can find some relevant and rather telling links to amusement parks. It’s no accident that the modern theme park has its closest roots to the turn of the century, when the industrial revolution brought a spirit of expansion to popular consciousness. This is also the time when the world’s fair became more of a center for local populations, as the cities in the U.S. grew thicker. Perhaps no one could have foreseen the time when theme park accidents would change the way the public perceived them, but perhaps that’s also part of the appeal.

There is an inherently layered and nuanced aura around any park. It comes to represent an idealized version of the mundane world, so it isn’t surprising that occasional accidents would also enter its arena. More apparent, however, are the versions of daily life that are represented, and elaborated upon. One would also be able to discern a rather healthy dose of fantasy and whimsy in most of the parks in the modern world. Like the museum, the park becomes a version of what the public has just left. Like the museum, there is always more than meets the eye, and more than can be grasped in just one afternoon’s contemplation.

Company parties are either dreaded or highly anticipated. It generally depends on the a combination of the company’s corporate culture and the memories of previous parties. Even the most staid and stuffy accounting company may have a reputation for throwing outrageous and exciting parties while the casual and laid back office ends up having boring company dinners that no one wants to attend.

If you’re tasked with planning the next company party, consider what reputation you have to live up to — or overcome. You’ll likely find that it’s much easier to live up to a grand tradition of parties simply because there will already be a blueprint for you to follow. You’ll already know what food, music, and other factors resonate with your co-workers and you can just make a few adjustments based on budget and theme and you’ll be sure of a success.

On the other hand, trying to overcome a history of bland and forgettable parties can be much harder. People will be predisposed to have a bad time and that attitude can spell the death of even the best party plans. In that case it’s very important to have some sort of ice breaking component to your party. Something that clearly states: this is different than what came before. Consider doing something outlandish: rent a photo booth , hire belly dancers, incorporate a talent contest or karaoke machine. Do something to shake everyone up and get them relaxed so that they can have a good time.