Invest in Gold for a Brighter Tomorrow

Gold is one of those precious metals that has stood steady, and its value has increased by several folds in the past years. Having a look at the price of Gold from mid-1973 when it was first legalized to own gold, you can see that there has never been a drop in the price. From 2006 to 2016, the price had increased more than three-fold even when the world was battling the economic crisis. Some of the top financial experts have given the important advice of saving for tomorrow with gold. It is the best and safest element that will protect the owner to combat harsh economic conditions.

Gold in History

The first findings of gold were in the streams, and it was one of the earliest metals known to man. Even though iron and copper metals had been responsible for bringing about significant changes to our world, gold was the earliest known one. The first use of gold was for adornment due to its brilliance, malleability and lustre. They have been linked to the royal class and deities of God since ages. Gold was valued and in high demand even before the monetary value of gold was determined, in the times of the kings when there was no money and coins to describe its value.

Later Gold and Silver bullion themselves were used as money. They were used to barter goods. At the times of Aristotle and Pluto, they described gold to be made of water and sunlight.

Gold-Tears of the Sun

Gold has been money for over 5000 years.

Even when currency values of several countries declined, gold value has always increased in exponential values.

In the situation of inflation, the monetary value may drop when the currency is overprinted.

Financial investments like bonds, funds and stocks fall steeply down the slope in such inflation conditions, while the amount of gold bullion and silver remains unaffected.

Hyperinflation and Gold Value

The economic situation of the world has not been balanced after the recent crisis. The currency value of all countries including the United States is dropping. Why does this happen? The main reason for this the excessive currency printing without supporting it with gold. The value of the money will go down and to prove their point, the country may go into increase the distribution which will create a condition of hyperinflation. Through ages, several countries have created this situation and finally had to back their currency with gold. When all other investments drop, the value of gold increases with a decrease in money value.

Reasons to invest in Gold

1. Finite supply of Gold: Gold has its use in various industries, and there is only a limited supply of gold available in the world. They are not like stocks or currency-based investments which increase the assets by increasing the printing. The gold reserves will drain out over time, and people who have caught on to this precious metal will be kings at that point. As the quantity of fresh gold supply decreases, the value will keep increasing as there is always a high demand for gold.

2. Steadily Increasing: There are several kinds of investments like property, funds, etc. But they have ups and downs. One day it might be on a high note and another day it might get too bad. Studying the value of the gold in the past years, there has never been a fall in gross value even though there have been some regular times. Last 10 years the rate of gold has increased by a peak on the graph.

3. International access: With the world coming closer each day, investing in gold will give you an international option. Holding a bond in your country cannot be cashed in another country. With gold bullion, you have a form of money which you can use in any country. Sometimes it is even more tempting as a gold coin may fetch you more money in another country.

4. Various kinds of Gold Investments: There are several types of gold investments like gold bullion, stocks and coins. Each has its pros and cons, and it is essential to know more about these before investing in gold.

5. Gold in high demand: Most investment kinds drop as their demand decreases. Gold is a precious metal and is always in demand. It is used highly as jewelry and also in several technical parts. The demand will always increase and will ensure that your investment in gold will never fall.

Kinds of Gold Investments

1. Gold Futures: Its is a rather risky but least expensive gold investment form. It works on complex calculations and is used by experienced gold traders with intricate detailing.

2. Junior Gold Stocks: This one is also one among the other risky gold investment forms. It involves the purchase of stocks from mines which are in the exploration stage and have a high loss chance. They require less capital than matured gold stocks.

3. Gold Mutual Funds: It means to invest gold through mutual funds. Senior gold stocks have a lower risk factor attached to it.

4. Gold Exchange Traded Funds: This is safer than gold stocks and is a new way of gold investment. They are gold stock backed by gold bullion. There ETF's have gold bullion as the assets.

5. Physical Gold: This is the safest and easiest form of gold investment. Over the ages gold coins and bullion have been the best form of investment. There are no complicated calculations involved, and however small your investment amount is, you can easily buy the gold bullion for that value from a reliable gold dealer.

Buying Physical Gold

Make sure that the gold you buy is pure and meets the world gold standard. In times of need, selling gold bullion is comparatively easier against all other forms of gold investments. There is always a value for gold, and the value of gold does not depreciate with age. When you sell gold, you get the current market price of gold. With physical gold, you do not have to be constantly looking at the NYSE. It is also an excellent way to save your retirement currencies and even pass on inheritance. The main reason for investing in gold is that there is no second thought required and no reason for why you should not invest in gold.

Batman: A Telltale Series – The Wait is Over

Telltale Games is back with a bang after hit games like Minecraft and Game of Thrones. These games were still topping the list when the studio had it all getting ready to tell the story of Batman. You might be feeling, why again Batman? There are so many variations of Batman out there like the famous ones by Nolan and Arkham games.

So what's the difference?

The main notable difference is that this one is more about Bruce Wayne. This will be the first time that this human version of the Batman will form a crucial part of the gameplay with enough storytelling and conversation. Even though the story line has a base from the various other Batman lore, Telltale Games have added their elements to bring up a new and enticing story. You will realise this when you begin with the game as there are the same characters but a different scenario and several new characters. There have been some top Batman characters like Batgirl, Robin and Nightwing. You will be seeing less of them and more of others like Alfred Pennyworth, Renee, Vichi and Gordon.

The player can change between Bruce and Batman when required. As in any other Telltale game, every action will pump up a series of consequences.

Release of First Episode

The first episode of the game was released on August 2, 2016, and will be one of the top games being released this summer. Other popular game releases this August are Abzu E3, No Man's Sky, Grow Up, Deus EX: Mankind Divided and Madden NFL. The game trailer which was premiered at the Game Awards did not give much idea on what the game would look like. Episode One: Realm of Shadows is structured by Pierre Shorette who is attractive for the Tales from the Borderlands.

Understanding Bruce Wayne

The game offers much more than action. The user gets to become Batman mentally, understanding the life and emotions of Bruce. The users will get involved in the storytelling with an intricate play of feelings and understanding the role of saving the city. The player will be able to comprehend how it feels for Bruce to be Batman. It can also be chosen if you want the character to face the situation as Bruce or as Batman. The scenario will also be entirely different and may only bear a proximity to the comics.

Play of Emotions with Bruce Wayne

With Telltale Games, you fear of making a move as the consequences of a wrong action usually ends in deep trouble. But being Batman, the coolest detective, Telltale wouldn't be able to play on its usual emotional side this Dark Knight wouldn't be swayed much. That made the creators shift to concentrate on Bruce Wayne. In the first episode, he significantly plays the role of the hero.

Episode One: Realm of Shadows

Storyline

Harvey Dent is out in campaigns to hold his position as a mayor while Bruce is his support. Gotham City is getting ready for a primary change to put out the criminals and city officials backed by the criminals. The people of Gotham believe in Bruce and hold him in high regards. Bruce aka Batman has to make some crucial choices in the first episode. These are all rational decisions, and the decision that the player makes will decide the changes in gameplay. These are not do-or-die situations, but will have to make choices depending on the trust that the people of Gotham City have placed on Bruce.

Most of the cases revolve around the criminal head Carmine Falcon. At a point in the game, Bruce will have to choose between joining hands with Carmine to increase the support for Harvey's campaign or turn down the offer knowing that these tarnished hands initiate all crimes in the city.

Make the Right Choice

Telltale has played its usual trick of setting up a dramatic situation in front of the player making it difficult to make the choice. There is a weird fear created in the minds of people which makes them take a second look at the situation. The internet is already overflowing with messages that say “ Batman screws up”. With the decision made, lies the further game as the first episode is set when Batman is at stage zero of his life as the superhero. Batman is one the best detectives ever and this has been made use optimally in the gameplay to solve mysteries and puzzles.

First Scene

The scene opens in an attempt to a robbery in the Gotham City Hall targeted at the mayor's office. Bruce Wayne is talking to Alfred, and the next scene shows Batman launching right into the thieves through a window. It gives the thrill of combat by still clutching to the QTE gameplay. Quick and precise moves are very essential, and you will have to stay on your toes to make the right move. The gameplay is rather quick, and you have to remain vigilant at all times to release the right button.

Detective Mode

The detective mode brings out your ability to solve puzzles. An example is a scenario of attack in a warehouse where Batman reaches there and tries to pick out detail. These pieces of pieces will have to put together and interlinked to come to a conclusion. The first episode is about 2 hours. It also allows you to make decisions on how the enemy can be fought giving you the best control over the game.

Final Note:

Even though there are enough fights, stunts and puzzles, the base of any Telltale game is the story telling and its great conversations. The bottom line is that with this new version of the Batman game, you get to choose how this flying superhero works it out. You decide if your Batman will be good or bad, brutal or lenient. The character of Bruce is what exactly you get to control rather than the Batman sections.

The twists and turns in the game are rather interesting and by the end of the game, you will be caught up with a screaming element of suspense. We would recommend you to play the game without taking a look at the gameplay storyline to get involved in the character and explore it.

Chapter 2: Getting the License - Driving License Handbook US E-Book

There are several drivers licensing offices in each state of the United States. The application can be placed in these offices, or the form can be downloaded online from the respective state government website. While applying from the office, the applicant can apply for the voter application also alongside.  

Documents required for License Application

While applying for license either online or at the office, it is necessary to present the below documents for verification

Primary identification

The following documents can be used to verify US citizenship:

• Birth Certificate for proof of birth in the US or territories and District of Columbia supplied by the government.  
• US Passport
• Certifications of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization

Primary identification documents to be produced by immigrants are

• Green Card or Permanent Resident Card
• Passport with US Visa stamp and other required stamps.  
• Immigration Judge Order  
• Document with A-number proving that the person has been granted asylum in the US. This also applies to refugees.  

For Canadian citizens, they have to produce the below documents:

• Canadian passport
• Canadian Birth Certificate
• Canadian certificate of citizenship
• Naturalization Certificate

The documents to be produced by non-immigrants are:

• Government issued employment authorization card
• Certificate of non-immigrant from US Customs and Border Protection with specific documents depending on the classification.  
• Passport with US Visa
• Employer or student card

The documents are verified by the Motor Vehicles Department of the respective state, and the legal clauses are checked. The identity of the person, once verified, the identification card or driving license will be processed.  

2. Secondary Identification

Social security number and some other documents are required for secondary verification.  

The documents requested in the second stage are

Social security card

Paycheck

Military ID

W-2 Form

1099 Form

The name in the documents should be the same. If any issues, it should be verified and cleared before applying for the license.  

3. Proof of address

Two papers are required as a proof of residential address. Any two from the below can be produced for that purpose.

• Lease, rent, deed or mortgage agreement.  
• State Voter Card
• Vehicle registration document
• Selective Service Card
• Health Card with address
• Insurance policy  
• Document from educational institution
• Documentation for shelter address
• Bank account Statement/Utility bills with address

After the documents are submitted, the next step is to subject to tests and verifications to prove that you are fit to drive the vehicle without any problems.  

Vision test and Medical Screening

The individual has to undergo a vision test to become eligible to gain a driving license. If the test results express the need for a corrective lens, this will be mentioned on the license. The test also checks for mental of physical issues that can cause obstruction in driving safely.  

Driving knowledge test

This is to ensure that the individual has proper knowledge about the various driving practices, signs, signals and laws governing driving in the state. Booklets and driving schools provide appropriate education classes to impact this experience to prepare you to attend the test. The test is conducted on a computer at one of the driving schools in your state or at the driver licensing office. The test detailing differs between the states but mostly it is multiple choice questions, and there is a minimum pass mark. If you do not pass the exam, you can reattempt. After three failed attempts, you will have to reapply with new application and fee. Some states also have different knowledge exams for different classes of driving.  

Driving test

For a person to attain the driving license, it is required that he proves his proficiency in safe driving on the roads. The exam can be given at the driving license office or at the third-party skills testing school (TPST). The TPST schools are not implemented in all states, you can check with the driving office for the same. The TPST can conduct driving test except for non-commercial driving license. Driving test if not required for a learner license.  

The examiner will ride along with the applicant and check the driving skills bases on various parameters. The examiner will not ask the person to do anything illegal. Try not to engage in conversation during the ride which may distract your driving. Make sure you have a person with proper valid license drive you to the test spot and even take you back.  

The parameters checked during the driving test are:

• Absolute control over the vehicle and proper maneuvering skills.  
• Keeping an eye for traffic and preventing from creating a traffic issue.  
• Driving in lane
• A Proper response to traffic signals and giving turn signals when required.  

Some particular skill tests may be provided to check the following like  

• Manual parallel parking skill.  
• Quick stop when instructed without skidding the tires.
• Taking reverse in a straight line without the use of an automatic backing system. You may use the backup camera.  
• Response to signals
• Appropriate use of the clutch.  
• Slowing down and observing at intersections.  
• Taking proper turns
• Good posture.  
• Safe driving adhering to the rules.  

The driving test can be attempted only after passing the knowledge test. Make an appointment with the driving school or department after passing the knowledge test. Make sure to appear before time and well prepared with a vehicle in perfect driving condition, insurance documentation, and other necessities.  

To pass in the driving test  

• You should drive as per the driving rules.  
• Follow the instructions of the examiner keenly.  
• Drive smoothly. Rash driving will have your license request rejected right away.  
• Score high points in the various parameters.  

Most of the Driving Offices will issue a temporary driving license which is valid for 45 to 90 days till you receive the original and new license on mail.