$(function() {

    var $el = $(),
        speed = 175;  //  1000 = 1 second

    // SECOND TECHNIQUE
    $("#menuist li a").hover(function() {

        $el = $(this);

        $el.stop().animate({ backgroundPosition: "(0px 0px)", color: "white" }, speed);

    }, function() {

        $el = $(this);

        $el.stop().animate({ backgroundPosition: "(0px 26px)", color: "#026aa0" }, speed);

    });
    
    $("#menuist li.active a").hover(function() {
        
        $el = $(this);
                
        $el.stop().animate({ backgroundPosition: "(50% 24px)", color: "000" }, speed);
    
    }, function() {
    
        $el = $(this);
                
        $el.stop().animate({ backgroundPosition: "(50% 24px)", color: "#000" }, speed);
    
    });


});