We’re in the process of getting things rolling again at Confronting Intelligence. Check back during October!

Regular posting will resume August 1.

I recently came across some advice for late-night snacks from Men’s Health.  According to the Weight Loss Coach, any combination of these can make the perfect late-night snack:

• Fruit
• Nuts
• Nut Butter
• Dairy (such as milk, yogurt, cheese)

It’s important to remember to stay away from carbohydrates for your late-night snacks.  As far as cheese goes, I’m a huge fan of Kraft’s Natural Marbled Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese Cubes.

Here’s some interesting links I’ve come across the past few days that are worth a look:

• How to Ask for Work Without Looking Desperate  [Freelance Switch]
• 10 Habits Men Need to Develop and Maintain for a Healthy Heart  [Self Help Daily]
• Tips to Cutting Your Grocery Bill  [WalletPop]
• Seven Ways to De-Stress Instantly  [Dumb Little Man]

We’ve all been in this situation:  you are about to go to an interview and you have no idea how to pronounce the interviewer’s name.  Or, you have to give a presentation but have no clue how to pronounce a few of the key terms you need to discuss.  The end result of these types of situations can be pretty awkward.  

Luckily, the internet has plenty of solutions for these situations.  There are various sites that offer “audio pronunciations” for words, places, and names.  Here’s a list of a few popular sites that offer audio pronunciations:

•  Merriam-Webster Online – This is the old faithful of online dictionaries.  Fortunately for our generation, we are not required to lug around those think heavy dictionaries that our parents and grandparents had to use.  The most popular dictionary is now available online and it provides audio pronunciations for most of its words.
• inogolo – This simple, easy-to-use website offers a searchable database of pronunciations for names of people, places, and various things.
• Voice of America Pronunciation Guide – Provides audio pronunciation guides for names of people and places in current events.
• Say How? – This site provides a directory of pronunciation guides for names of public figures.  The site prides itself on providing guides for lessor known figures in addition to popular ones.
• How To Say That Name – This site offers an extensive audio pronunciation database for names.  The databse may be searched by entering the name or by searching by category. 

Here’s some interesting links I’ve come across the past few days that are worth a look:

• Build Your Personal Brand by Working for Free  [Stepcase Lifehack]
• The Best and Worste Beers in America  [Men's Health]
• 9 Uses for Ketchup That May Surprise You  [The Daily Green]
• How to Save Your Keyboard After a Spill  [Lifehacker]
• How to be More Productive in Your Business  [Stepcase Lifehack]

Here is a video that provides a simple introduction to Twitter.  If you’re still curious about what this whole Twitter revolution (twevolution?)  is about, Mashable had a post today with the Top 7 Twitter Tutorials on YouTube.

Here’s some interesting links I’ve come across the past few days that are worth a look:

• Rendeznew Locates a Midway Point for Multiple Travelers  [Lifehacker]
• Grilling Over Wood is a Sweaty, Smokey Sport  [New York Times]
• A Recipe for Longevity: 33 of the Healthiest Foods on Earth  [Huffington Post]
• Simple Ways to Boost Your Energy Levels  [Web Worker Daily]

In this day and age, cash seems to be going the way of the dinosaur.  People simply do not carry cash with them anymore.  As much as I personally tried to avoid joining this increasing majority, I’ve become one of them.  I always keep a few dollars in my wallet and always have an emergency $20 folded and tucked inside my wallet, but, other than that, I stick with me debit card.

This trend has lead to a much-debated question:  Should you use a credit card or a debit card?  I’ve chosen to use a debit card but many people swear by using a credit card for all purchases.  Below, I’ll outline a few of the benefits of choosing to use a credit card.

Avoid Fraud

Using a credit card helps reduce the risk of becoming a victim of fraud.  When fraudulent charges are discovered, they are marked as disputed and you are only responsible for paying the undisputed charges.

Maintaining Records

The information contained in your credit card statement, both paper and online, provide you with the ability to easily keep track of your spending.  This benefit is also available with debit cards.

Rewards Programs

This is probably the biggest benefit of using credit cards.  Most credit cards offer a rewards program.  The most common examples include cash-back programs and reward points programs.  Many people choose to make all of their purchases on a credit card so that they can receive the rewards, then simple pay the bill at the end of the month.  The logic behind this is that you would be spending the same amount of money if you wrote a check or used a debit card.  By using a credit card, the reasoning goes, you get more for your money in the overall picture.  If you can use self-discipline to control your spending, then I see where this method would be beneficial.

Here’s a few links to help you find more information about President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor:

• How to Pronounce Sotomayor  [Slate Magazine]
• Official White House Background on Judge Sonia Sotomayor  [Whitehouse.gov]
• Wikipedia’s Sonia Sotomayor Page  [Wikipedia]
• Judge Sotomayor’s Appellate Opinions in Civil Cases  [SOTUS Blog]
• Sotomayor’s Resume, Record on Notable Cases  [CNN]
• Judicial Biography   [Biographical Directory of Federal Judges]
• The Dynamic of the Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor  [SOTUS Blog]
• Slate’s Complete Coverage  [Slate Magazine]
• Roundup of Reaction to Sotomayor’s Nomination  [The Blog of Legal Times]