The Raffles Resort on Canouan is very special indeed, both beautiful, and relaxing, with stunning views.
Our villa was quite superb with two bathrooms, two big closets, a huge bedroom, and an enormous sitting room, up on the hill looking out to the reef, a view we couldnt tire of, ever. The furnishings were very high class with Frette sheets.
To help you get around there are golf carts for every villa, which makes travelling around the resort pretty easy especially with members of staff to guide you wherever you go.
The staff were very attentive, and very good at remembering names, and wow, did they spoil their guests down at the beach!!
The restaurants are very good, especially La Varenne, and Jambu's, in both places the chef makes a point of meeting the guests which is a nice touch, and should be done more often.
The golf course is difficult and offers wonderful views of the island, so much so, that even if you are a non golfer you should ask for a tour.
The spa is very nice with the massage situated to provide gorgeous views of the ocean.
It is well worth taking the Catamaran to the Tobago Keys, the crew and captain will just make your day.
There is a well organised kids club, and the children can come and go during the day.
Possibly one issue is the high price of food and drink, probably caused by the need to import everything, but as the resort is not a cheap option anyway I suspect most of the guests arent counting!!
This is a truly lovely place, and The Raffles resort has been well designed with great attention to detail, but remember it is still the Caribbean, and even in top resorts service can be slow!!!
2007年11月29日星期四
Plan Your Trip To Dubai Using The Internet
Visiting Dubai today, in the age of the Internet, is far easier than it was before the world wide web made it possible to communicate with people across the globe in the blink of an eye. If you have even the most basic familiarity with search engines and web research, you can find out the most relevant information about your trip from the comfort of your own home. With a few clicks of the mouse you can uncover the details about what sort of visa you will need for your trip, what to expect when you reach Dubai, what the money exchange rates are, and even what the weather will be like so that you will know what to pack in your suitcase.
Of course, the Internet has much more to offer future visitors to Dubai than just information. It is increasingly possible to make travel arrangements over the web, and the excellent telecommunications in Dubai make communication with hotels, airlines, and even government agencies very easy. Thanks to the Internet, you can compare the prices and schedules of several different major airline companies that provide service to Dubai, and you can book your preferred flight directly over the web without going through a travel agent. Once youve researched the various lodging options for your stay, you can look at the rates of many different Dubai hotels for the period of your stay, and you may even be able to reserve the room of your choice with a few keystrokes. From how to get to Dubai to what you will do during your stay, the Internet makes travel to this unique part of the UAE a snap.
For many international travelers, visa and passport issues are a big headache. Luckily, the official website of the Dubai Department of Naturalization and Residency provides a comprehensive guide to the various types of visas and permits you may need in order to enter the United Arab Emirates for your visit. Although you need to submit your visa application through the mail along with a processing fee, you can set the wheels in motion to get your visa by printing your application from your computer. All the forms you will need are available on the web, which saves you the trouble of spending an afternoon tracking down paperwork before you head for your destination. Whether your trip to Dubai is for business or pleasure, you are sure to find that the Internet makes the process of obtaining the visa you need much easier than it would have been a decade or two ago.
Of course, the Internet has much more to offer future visitors to Dubai than just information. It is increasingly possible to make travel arrangements over the web, and the excellent telecommunications in Dubai make communication with hotels, airlines, and even government agencies very easy. Thanks to the Internet, you can compare the prices and schedules of several different major airline companies that provide service to Dubai, and you can book your preferred flight directly over the web without going through a travel agent. Once youve researched the various lodging options for your stay, you can look at the rates of many different Dubai hotels for the period of your stay, and you may even be able to reserve the room of your choice with a few keystrokes. From how to get to Dubai to what you will do during your stay, the Internet makes travel to this unique part of the UAE a snap.
For many international travelers, visa and passport issues are a big headache. Luckily, the official website of the Dubai Department of Naturalization and Residency provides a comprehensive guide to the various types of visas and permits you may need in order to enter the United Arab Emirates for your visit. Although you need to submit your visa application through the mail along with a processing fee, you can set the wheels in motion to get your visa by printing your application from your computer. All the forms you will need are available on the web, which saves you the trouble of spending an afternoon tracking down paperwork before you head for your destination. Whether your trip to Dubai is for business or pleasure, you are sure to find that the Internet makes the process of obtaining the visa you need much easier than it would have been a decade or two ago.
Progressive Jackpot Odds and Probabilities
Calculating odds and probabilities for classic slot machine games with 3 reels with 10 symbols on each reel is simplicity itself. You simply multiply the chances of hitting the correct symbol on each real times the chances of hitting it on the other 2 reels. The formula looks like this in fact:
1/10 X 1/10 X 1/10 = 1/1000
A brief explanation: if there are 10 possible symbols on each reel, then the chances of hitting 1 of those 10 is 1/10. The chances of hitting that same symbol on all 3 reels is the product of the chance of hitting it on each reel.
A casino makes its money by having payouts that aren't equivalent to the true odds of hitting the jackpot. In a case where you have a 1 in 1000 chance of hitting a jackpot, if you paid out 999 to 1 or 998 to 1, the difference in the payout versus the actual odds would be your resulting profit.
But progressive jackpots are sometimes tremendous. Sometimes you can even find progressive jackpots of $1 million or more. In order to accomplish this, slot machine manufacturers had to become programmers, because realistically, a mechanical slot machine was limited to 3 or 4 reels with 20 or so symbols on each reel. A mechanical slot machine's reels are actual strips of metal, and having more than 20 symbols on each of them made them too large to actually operate the machine.
But with a random number generator program, a casino can set up "virtual reels" with an unlimited number of symbols on each. They can also set up multiple reels. Since the odds of hitting the jackpot become much smaller, the amount of the jackpot can become much larger.
Here's what the odds of hitting the jackpot are on a 3 reel machine with 30 symbols, and for a 5 reel machine with 30 symbols:
1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 = 1/27,000
1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 = 1/810,000
If the odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 810,000, you could easily have a payout of $500,000 or even $600,000 and still maintain a solidly profitable slot game.
Since progressive jackpots grow constantly until someone hits the jackpot, you could theoretically make a positive expectation bet on a slot machine game, IF the jackpot were large enough. In the above example, if the jackpot were $810,001, you'd be making a positive expectation bet.
The problem is that the slot machine manufacturers don't make it that easy. They use algorithms in their random number generator software that set up a % payout, so it's unknowable to a player what the dollar amount on the jackpot must be to have a positive expectation bet.
If I only knew the settings for Cash Splash or Wow Pot, maybe I could wait until the jackpot were large enough to play, and make positive expectation bets all the time. But on the other hand, just having fun is usually positive expectation enough to suit me.
1/10 X 1/10 X 1/10 = 1/1000
A brief explanation: if there are 10 possible symbols on each reel, then the chances of hitting 1 of those 10 is 1/10. The chances of hitting that same symbol on all 3 reels is the product of the chance of hitting it on each reel.
A casino makes its money by having payouts that aren't equivalent to the true odds of hitting the jackpot. In a case where you have a 1 in 1000 chance of hitting a jackpot, if you paid out 999 to 1 or 998 to 1, the difference in the payout versus the actual odds would be your resulting profit.
But progressive jackpots are sometimes tremendous. Sometimes you can even find progressive jackpots of $1 million or more. In order to accomplish this, slot machine manufacturers had to become programmers, because realistically, a mechanical slot machine was limited to 3 or 4 reels with 20 or so symbols on each reel. A mechanical slot machine's reels are actual strips of metal, and having more than 20 symbols on each of them made them too large to actually operate the machine.
But with a random number generator program, a casino can set up "virtual reels" with an unlimited number of symbols on each. They can also set up multiple reels. Since the odds of hitting the jackpot become much smaller, the amount of the jackpot can become much larger.
Here's what the odds of hitting the jackpot are on a 3 reel machine with 30 symbols, and for a 5 reel machine with 30 symbols:
1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 = 1/27,000
1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 X 1/30 = 1/810,000
If the odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 810,000, you could easily have a payout of $500,000 or even $600,000 and still maintain a solidly profitable slot game.
Since progressive jackpots grow constantly until someone hits the jackpot, you could theoretically make a positive expectation bet on a slot machine game, IF the jackpot were large enough. In the above example, if the jackpot were $810,001, you'd be making a positive expectation bet.
The problem is that the slot machine manufacturers don't make it that easy. They use algorithms in their random number generator software that set up a % payout, so it's unknowable to a player what the dollar amount on the jackpot must be to have a positive expectation bet.
If I only knew the settings for Cash Splash or Wow Pot, maybe I could wait until the jackpot were large enough to play, and make positive expectation bets all the time. But on the other hand, just having fun is usually positive expectation enough to suit me.
2007年11月28日星期三
Rawhide Lamp Shades For A Country, Southwest Or Western Kitchen
The unique look of rawhide lamp shades for kitchens and country decorating has been popular since the end of the great depression when women first began to look at their homes in ways other than utilitarian. This was the case with not only kitchens, but living rooms and later family rooms and dens as well. What is also now called southwest dcor and western style as well as ranch style came naturally as the designs sprung from the use of everyday items. The same was true with country style homes. As the wealthier class began to have second homes called country homes, the working class began to use the same techniques in their homes too.
As lanterns and oil lamps gave way to the first rustic lamps it was rawhide that was one of the first chosen materials to serve as a shade. If you like the handcrafted work and style of a bygone area, the rustic texture and color tones of natural rawhide will definitely be part of what you want to incorporate into your country kitchen. There are also a few other elements that will help you create the country style look.
For a country kitchen consider the natural look of wood. Its best to keep with a primitive or rustic style. Rough edges and uneven surfaces are desirable. If you have a large kitchen, darker woods can be used whereas lighter tones are better for smaller areas. Rawhide lamp shades should be used in any area where a table lamp or desk lamp would be placed. Depending on the layout of your kitchen, a floor lamp may also be utilized. One fabulous feature of rawhide shades is that they are available in light or dark as well as colors to fit your particular color palette.
As you use rawhide lamp shades and rustic wood furniture you will be delighted to see the dramatic impact they make. With these two elements in place the back drop will be set. Now, there are a few other things to consider that will bring the kitchen to life. Along with rawhide, lamps and rough wood furniture pieces in the kitchen, the single largest contributors to a country kitchen are area rugs. Not the machine made versions but real hand woven wool rugs with their rich colors and wonderful textures. This is where you can really shine. You have complete control at this point.
Play it safe with earth tones of tan, cream and rust or be bold and use a rich orange, red, blue or green. If you would like to have a western kitchen flavor just add dark red with grey, black and white. If you feel like a southwest kitchen, choose a southwest rug with a turquoise background or accents. Different patterns can be used around the space if the same color schemes are used. The great thing about wool weavings is they are so versatile. Not only great on the floor, they also make perfect wall hangings because they are of tapestry quality. Place a long narrow wool table runner or a small woven rug on your table as a centerpiece base. Carry the theme to floor runners in hallways, in front of the counter or behind an island. Its hard to go wrong because woven wool rugs add so much to the overall design with the hand hewn wood and hand laced rawhide shades.
By now your room is coming alive and looking great. It just needs some accessories to give it the wow factor and pull the whole thing together. One of the best types of accessory is Indian pottery. Use clay vases on the table or counter with dried flowers or eucalyptus. Native American pottery is perfect for the look because it is usually hand coiled and more primitive in appearance. Place it around the room and use pitcher and bowl sets or painted dishes to set the table atmosphere. Add to the homey feel with hand carved wooden dough bowls, a primitive log ladder or wrought iron. As you will see, all of these elements build on each other for a wonderful country kitchen and with a few variations on color you can also include elements of western style or southwestern decor.
As you consider adding rawhide lamp shades to your kitchen, along with the other design elements, it may not be necessary to buy new lamps. Rustic lamps are desirable but it is the leather lampshades that make the difference. You may be able to use lamps you already have. Its amazing what a transformation is made with rawhide lamp shades.
As lanterns and oil lamps gave way to the first rustic lamps it was rawhide that was one of the first chosen materials to serve as a shade. If you like the handcrafted work and style of a bygone area, the rustic texture and color tones of natural rawhide will definitely be part of what you want to incorporate into your country kitchen. There are also a few other elements that will help you create the country style look.
For a country kitchen consider the natural look of wood. Its best to keep with a primitive or rustic style. Rough edges and uneven surfaces are desirable. If you have a large kitchen, darker woods can be used whereas lighter tones are better for smaller areas. Rawhide lamp shades should be used in any area where a table lamp or desk lamp would be placed. Depending on the layout of your kitchen, a floor lamp may also be utilized. One fabulous feature of rawhide shades is that they are available in light or dark as well as colors to fit your particular color palette.
As you use rawhide lamp shades and rustic wood furniture you will be delighted to see the dramatic impact they make. With these two elements in place the back drop will be set. Now, there are a few other things to consider that will bring the kitchen to life. Along with rawhide, lamps and rough wood furniture pieces in the kitchen, the single largest contributors to a country kitchen are area rugs. Not the machine made versions but real hand woven wool rugs with their rich colors and wonderful textures. This is where you can really shine. You have complete control at this point.
Play it safe with earth tones of tan, cream and rust or be bold and use a rich orange, red, blue or green. If you would like to have a western kitchen flavor just add dark red with grey, black and white. If you feel like a southwest kitchen, choose a southwest rug with a turquoise background or accents. Different patterns can be used around the space if the same color schemes are used. The great thing about wool weavings is they are so versatile. Not only great on the floor, they also make perfect wall hangings because they are of tapestry quality. Place a long narrow wool table runner or a small woven rug on your table as a centerpiece base. Carry the theme to floor runners in hallways, in front of the counter or behind an island. Its hard to go wrong because woven wool rugs add so much to the overall design with the hand hewn wood and hand laced rawhide shades.
By now your room is coming alive and looking great. It just needs some accessories to give it the wow factor and pull the whole thing together. One of the best types of accessory is Indian pottery. Use clay vases on the table or counter with dried flowers or eucalyptus. Native American pottery is perfect for the look because it is usually hand coiled and more primitive in appearance. Place it around the room and use pitcher and bowl sets or painted dishes to set the table atmosphere. Add to the homey feel with hand carved wooden dough bowls, a primitive log ladder or wrought iron. As you will see, all of these elements build on each other for a wonderful country kitchen and with a few variations on color you can also include elements of western style or southwestern decor.
As you consider adding rawhide lamp shades to your kitchen, along with the other design elements, it may not be necessary to buy new lamps. Rustic lamps are desirable but it is the leather lampshades that make the difference. You may be able to use lamps you already have. Its amazing what a transformation is made with rawhide lamp shades.
Take A Free Marketing Lesson From Martha Stewart
A Free Lesson in Marketing from Martha Stewart
Think you have to pay hundreds of dollars for marketing advice and help, not at all. Enjoy a free lesson form one of the best, Martha Stewart.
I will recount for you my free lesson. The other day I happened to be at home during a week day. I felt I needed some entertainment so I turned on the TV. There was Martha Stewart just beginning her weekday show.
The show began with Martha greeting her audience and then telling them what she did over the weekend. Ho hum, you say, but wait. Martha tells her audience how she is on a book tour and that while promoting her book she was on the Tonight Show with Borat. (Sacha Baron Cohen, the actor /comedian). Then she mentions how crazy he is and shows her audience a video clip from the Tonight show with her, Jay Leno and Borat attempting to make a bed.
So, in case you missed it. Martha, or her marketing team, went from a straight up promotion of her book to linking herself (which is her brand) with one of the top grossing films in the USA and linking her own video clip with one of the most searched keywords on the internet Borat. She then tells her audience to check out the video at Youtube.com Talk about search engine optimization, wow. Martha has integrated her brand into a top level key word search in a matter of minutes but not just key words but images and video.
Of course her marketing team is aware that she is a regular on Youtube as the butt of many jokes and parodies so why not use her own video on Youtube.com to drive traffic to the Martha Stewart web site and who better to link her with than a high profile person with a movie and who has a super high ranking in the search engines.
But wait there is more. In the next few moments of her intro to the show she responds to a viewer email. The question is how does she maintain her wonderfully white teeth? She explains that she has naturally good teeth but she uses ( here it comes) A certain brand of electronic tooth brush and then she calls in a dentist to show how to get the best results from the brush. She follows the whole thing up by saying go to Martha Stewart.com to get all the details.
Sony maybe the king of product placement but Martha is hot on their heels.
In less that five minutes Martha has promoted her book, linked her brand with the top grossing film in the US and highest ranking search on the internet, provided content for Youtube, and provided content for her viewers.
Can you market like Martha? Sure you can.
Lets see how. First remember Martha is her own brand and she is also a life style. She promotes not just her products ,her books and TV show but a way of living. But for the average small business here are the lessons.
First if you do not have a web site, get one. They are one of the best returns on business advertising investment you will make. You can now find easy to use do it yourself basic sites for very little money. For help and resources check out my profile box at the end of this article. There are lots of inexpensive easy to use choices.
Next what to put on your web site? Provide information about your business or service, hours, location, product line ,phone numbers, email, and fax number, your address and zip code, email address. Also any helpful information about your product or service.
Why is this so important? Because Google will bring your information up with Google maps every time someone looks for directions or a business in your area. Now that cell phones have search and GPS this is becoming the way people find products and services.
Next to make sure Google finds you go to their Google local page and sign up to list your small business web site, it is free and believe me it will help your small business in many unexpected ways.
Again taking a tip from Martha, give your target consumer what they want. Provide information details, helpful hints whatever will help them decide to purchase your service or product.
Still another tip from Martha offer a special discount or price if the customer lets you know they visited your web site. Keep in mind your web site will work for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year so reward the visitor who uses it to find you.
And finally pictures and video. If either will help sell your product or service by all means use them. Pictures of your staff, your office, your service, your product. Internet search is now adopting image search and making that a choice when you search for something. Adding some video does not need to be elaborate, a short two minute clip using your digital still cameras video feature is fine. Keep it short and to the point. Two minutes is great maximum four minutes. This will help people find your product or service when they search.
The reason web sites, internet search, images and video are so important now is the wide spread availability of broad band internet service and the cell phones GPS and search functions. The cell phone is now an essential tool, not just for business users but for people in general so take some free marketing tips from Martha and help your small business succeed.
Think you have to pay hundreds of dollars for marketing advice and help, not at all. Enjoy a free lesson form one of the best, Martha Stewart.
I will recount for you my free lesson. The other day I happened to be at home during a week day. I felt I needed some entertainment so I turned on the TV. There was Martha Stewart just beginning her weekday show.
The show began with Martha greeting her audience and then telling them what she did over the weekend. Ho hum, you say, but wait. Martha tells her audience how she is on a book tour and that while promoting her book she was on the Tonight Show with Borat. (Sacha Baron Cohen, the actor /comedian). Then she mentions how crazy he is and shows her audience a video clip from the Tonight show with her, Jay Leno and Borat attempting to make a bed.
So, in case you missed it. Martha, or her marketing team, went from a straight up promotion of her book to linking herself (which is her brand) with one of the top grossing films in the USA and linking her own video clip with one of the most searched keywords on the internet Borat. She then tells her audience to check out the video at Youtube.com Talk about search engine optimization, wow. Martha has integrated her brand into a top level key word search in a matter of minutes but not just key words but images and video.
Of course her marketing team is aware that she is a regular on Youtube as the butt of many jokes and parodies so why not use her own video on Youtube.com to drive traffic to the Martha Stewart web site and who better to link her with than a high profile person with a movie and who has a super high ranking in the search engines.
But wait there is more. In the next few moments of her intro to the show she responds to a viewer email. The question is how does she maintain her wonderfully white teeth? She explains that she has naturally good teeth but she uses ( here it comes) A certain brand of electronic tooth brush and then she calls in a dentist to show how to get the best results from the brush. She follows the whole thing up by saying go to Martha Stewart.com to get all the details.
Sony maybe the king of product placement but Martha is hot on their heels.
In less that five minutes Martha has promoted her book, linked her brand with the top grossing film in the US and highest ranking search on the internet, provided content for Youtube, and provided content for her viewers.
Can you market like Martha? Sure you can.
Lets see how. First remember Martha is her own brand and she is also a life style. She promotes not just her products ,her books and TV show but a way of living. But for the average small business here are the lessons.
First if you do not have a web site, get one. They are one of the best returns on business advertising investment you will make. You can now find easy to use do it yourself basic sites for very little money. For help and resources check out my profile box at the end of this article. There are lots of inexpensive easy to use choices.
Next what to put on your web site? Provide information about your business or service, hours, location, product line ,phone numbers, email, and fax number, your address and zip code, email address. Also any helpful information about your product or service.
Why is this so important? Because Google will bring your information up with Google maps every time someone looks for directions or a business in your area. Now that cell phones have search and GPS this is becoming the way people find products and services.
Next to make sure Google finds you go to their Google local page and sign up to list your small business web site, it is free and believe me it will help your small business in many unexpected ways.
Again taking a tip from Martha, give your target consumer what they want. Provide information details, helpful hints whatever will help them decide to purchase your service or product.
Still another tip from Martha offer a special discount or price if the customer lets you know they visited your web site. Keep in mind your web site will work for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year so reward the visitor who uses it to find you.
And finally pictures and video. If either will help sell your product or service by all means use them. Pictures of your staff, your office, your service, your product. Internet search is now adopting image search and making that a choice when you search for something. Adding some video does not need to be elaborate, a short two minute clip using your digital still cameras video feature is fine. Keep it short and to the point. Two minutes is great maximum four minutes. This will help people find your product or service when they search.
The reason web sites, internet search, images and video are so important now is the wide spread availability of broad band internet service and the cell phones GPS and search functions. The cell phone is now an essential tool, not just for business users but for people in general so take some free marketing tips from Martha and help your small business succeed.
2007 Whats Hot, Whats Not On The Homefront
If you are building a home, remodeling a home, or just plain trying to sell an existing home, you will find some tips below on what to look for in 2007. Whats hot and whats not will add resale dollars and enjoyment to your new home, increase your investment payback in a remodel, and maybe even help you sell your home quicker.
Whats Hot:
Clean, organized garages. People love organization (or they think they do). Offer them multiple cabinets, attic space, cubbies, shelves and a custom painted floor.
Multiple places in the home for computer space. Gone are the days of the one computer family. Many times mother and father work from home and / or children have their own computers for homework or leisure time.
Brick pavers on the pool deck. Kool deck finishes only look good when they are brand new. Over time they crack and discolor. Nothing wows a potential buyer like brick pavers and they last forever. Spend the extra money when you have the pool installed.
Granite countertops or other stone materials. Laminate anything is out, especially on the countertop. Unless it is a back bathroom for the kids, spring for an upgraded countertop.
Plantation shutters or custom drapery treatments. Ditch the metal window blinds or the curtains you tried to make yourself. Go for sleek window treatments in a neutral shade so if you or someone else changes the rooms colors, they will be timeless.
Whats Not:
Wallpaper or wall border. Wallpaper is trying its hardest to make a comeback. But, chances are no matter what you pick and fall in love with, the next person buying your home is going to rip it out before they even unpack.
Dark and obvious accent walls. If you are not a professional designer, stick with one paint color or slight differences in intensity on the walls in your rooms. Same thing goes for faux painting. An unprofessional faux painting technique can actually make some people cringe.
Carpeting or wood look laminate flooring. Hardly anyone wants a fully carpeted home these days. Stick with large ceramic tiles and hardwood flooring in all the family areas of your home. Resist the urge to use the laminate flooring. Youll never impress a potential buyer with it.
Inadequate garage space. Never before have we had so much stuff in our lives and everyone in the family has or will have their own car. Dont settle for a 1 or 2 car garage if you really need a 3 car. Its not something you can easily add later.
Whats Hot:
Clean, organized garages. People love organization (or they think they do). Offer them multiple cabinets, attic space, cubbies, shelves and a custom painted floor.
Multiple places in the home for computer space. Gone are the days of the one computer family. Many times mother and father work from home and / or children have their own computers for homework or leisure time.
Brick pavers on the pool deck. Kool deck finishes only look good when they are brand new. Over time they crack and discolor. Nothing wows a potential buyer like brick pavers and they last forever. Spend the extra money when you have the pool installed.
Granite countertops or other stone materials. Laminate anything is out, especially on the countertop. Unless it is a back bathroom for the kids, spring for an upgraded countertop.
Plantation shutters or custom drapery treatments. Ditch the metal window blinds or the curtains you tried to make yourself. Go for sleek window treatments in a neutral shade so if you or someone else changes the rooms colors, they will be timeless.
Whats Not:
Wallpaper or wall border. Wallpaper is trying its hardest to make a comeback. But, chances are no matter what you pick and fall in love with, the next person buying your home is going to rip it out before they even unpack.
Dark and obvious accent walls. If you are not a professional designer, stick with one paint color or slight differences in intensity on the walls in your rooms. Same thing goes for faux painting. An unprofessional faux painting technique can actually make some people cringe.
Carpeting or wood look laminate flooring. Hardly anyone wants a fully carpeted home these days. Stick with large ceramic tiles and hardwood flooring in all the family areas of your home. Resist the urge to use the laminate flooring. Youll never impress a potential buyer with it.
Inadequate garage space. Never before have we had so much stuff in our lives and everyone in the family has or will have their own car. Dont settle for a 1 or 2 car garage if you really need a 3 car. Its not something you can easily add later.
第一卷混在社会 第四十一章和你没完
“嘀嘀！”从后面传来两声车鸣，李天没有在意。 “嘀嘀……！”这个时候，一辆白色的宝马高级轿车在李天的身边停的下来。李天转头一看，心理不由苦笑，不是别人，正是许洋。看来今天是躲不过了。 当李天转过头，宝马的车窗拉了下来。 “许总，有什么事情吗？”李天问道。 “上车！”许洋看着李天，面无表情的说道。 “上车？” “快点！” 听见许洋的话，李天无奈，最后只好上了许洋的车，车子再次缓缓的开动了起来。两人坐在车中，谁也没有跟谁说话。 “不给我一个解释吗？”过了许久，许洋看着前方对李天说道。 “解释？什么解释？”李天也猜不出来许洋到底是为了什么而要解释，所以只好问道。 “为什么要去酒吧做兼职，你很缺钱吗？”许洋面无表情的问道。 “算是吧！”李天回答道，因为他也找不出其他的理由。 “喝几千元红酒，也有缺钱的时候？”许洋继续问道。 “就是因为喝所以才缺钱的！”李天顺着许洋的话说道。 “以后不许再喝酒了！”许洋用命令的语气说道。 “为什么？”李天不解的问道。 “因为……。”说到这里，许洋一愣，也不知道自己该怎么回答。 “因为酒是穿肠毒药，我不想公司里面出现一个浑身带着酒气的酒鬼！”许洋对李天说道：“更何况你晚上到酒吧简直，没有充足休息的时间，第二天到公司后精神一定会有问题，所以你以后也不要去酒吧当那个什么调酒师了！” “这你可就说错了。适当的饮酒可以促进血液的循环，有力于消化，吃饭时还可以开胃。”李天不同意道，让他不喝，还不如杀了他痛快。 “那是只适当，你觉的你喝酒是适当吗？一下子少说也要两瓶，两瓶多少钱？几千还是过万？”许洋皱着眉头对李天。 “那也没有办法，我也没有其他的爱好了！”李天摊了摊手说道。 “你是我们公司的职员，我不想因为酒而毁掉你的前途。”许洋继续对李天说道。看见李天没有说话，许洋想了想说道：“这样好了，你退一步我也退一步，一天只喝一杯，怎么样？”许洋建议道。 李天听见后还是没有说话，凭什么样让自己听她的，只因为她是公司的老总？下班时间属于个人，也碍不着她什么事。 “你和阿凤是怎么认识的？”许洋看见李天没有说话，继续问道。 “恩？”李天转过头看着许洋，难道她看出了什么？不会吧，自己掩饰的很好呀！、 “就是严凤，你和她是怎么认识的？”许洋问道。 “就是你让我陪酒的那天认识的，你知道的！”李天小心翼翼的解释道。 “就这么简单？那你怎么会去她的酒吧应聘呢？”许洋听见后又问道。 “我也不知道她就是那家酒吧的老板。我只苏茜黄是北京酒最好，美女最多的八个酒吧之一，所以想去试试，顺便看看那里还有什么隐藏的好酒！”李天说道。 “恐怕你不禁是冲着酒最好去的吧？美女最多是不是也是你去那里的主要原因？是不是觉的一个摇来摇去，变换花样的调酒能吸引许多女孩子的注意，是不是会感觉特自豪？”许洋对李天逼问道，显然李天刚才回答她的答应另她不满意。 “我怎么觉的你的话里有刺呀？”李天歪着头看着对方问道。 “有没有刺你心理明白，公司有条例，正式的职工禁止在其他公司或场所兼职，作为一个主管，你难道对这些事情都不知道吗？你不觉的影响公司的形象吗？要是让可户看见你会给我们公司带来多大的影响吗？”许洋转过头看着李天狠很的说道。 “可我现在不是公司正式的职工，时期期为两个月，我现在还在实习期间，这就说明我还有权利做兼职。我的形象怎么了？我自我感觉还不错呀！”李天指了指前面回答道，提示她开车应该目视前方他可不想就这样英年早逝。 “我要求你以后禁止喝酒，禁止到外面兼职，你答不答应？”许洋没有把李天的警告让在眼里，依然紧紧的看着李天。 “为什么？为我一个合适的理由？”李天说道，本来自己也没打算在酒吧干活的，今天只不过是为了应付一下场面而已，没有想到许洋竟然连自己喝不喝酒都要管，李天不禁和她对着干上了。谁怕谁？大不了一起撞车。 “我说，不许喝酒，不许到酒吧做兼职！”许洋看狠狠的看着李天一字一字的说道。 “你不是说一天一杯吗？怎么又不许我喝了？再说喝酒和兼职是我自己的事情，与许总你好象无关？再说，现在是下班时间，你没有权力也没有人赋予你这个权利来管我，我想做什么事情就做什么事情和你好象没有丝毫的关系，你又不是我什么人，即使是，也管不了我！”李天觉的对方的条件停无理的，而且还拿出一副命令的样子，好象谁欠她似的，把自己当女王了。 “滋……！”一个急刹车，车停了下来。 “你疯了，想死别拉着我！”李天被一晃，头正好撞到了车窗上，对着许洋不禁怒道。 “下车！”许洋冲着李天冷冷的说道。 “开什么玩笑，这里是高速！”李天看着许洋说道。 “我让你下车！”许洋再一次对李天说道，眼睛狠狠的瞪着李天。 “要不你再向前面开一点，下了高速我再下？”李天商量的说道。 “我刚才和你商量，你答应我了吗？”许洋看着李天说道。 “你也没和我商量什么呀！”李天说道，刚才哪里是商量，那里语气简直就是命令。 “回答我的话！”许洋声音一大说道。 “没有！”李天也同样干脆的回答道。 “那么我也不同意，下车！”许洋面无表情的看着李天说道。 “下车就下车，有什么了不起！”看见对方的样子，wholesale pearl虽然和年漂亮，但是李天却没有心情欣赏，门一开走了下去。 “你混蛋！”许洋看见李天下车后朝着李天狠很的骂道，然后发动引擎，飞快的离开了。 “哼，有什么了不起，不就是人聪明点，漂亮点，家境好了点吗？有什么了不起的，象你这样的女人北京……还真没有几个！”说到最后，李天的语调降了下来，看着已经消失了的车，李天不由的浑身打了一个哆嗦。虽然快要到夏天了，但是北京的夜晚还是很冷的，更何况这里还是高速路，也不知道这里是哪！李天看着一望无际的高速路想道。 看着过往的车辆，没有办法，只要伸手准备搭便车，可是过了十多分钟，车过去了好几百辆，就是没有一个人停下。 “*，这素质也太低了吧！”李天不由的骂道，最后没有办法，总不能在这里待一个晚上吧，只好沿着一个方向一直走，一边走还一边摇手，希望能有好心人停下来。 半个小时，北京北六环的高速公路上 “许洋，你他妈给我拉到哪里了？这他妈到底是什么地方？”李天望着前面仍然一望无际的高速公路，仰天长喊道。 一个小时，李天走了一个小时的告诉公路，终于看见前面一个指示牌，上面写着‘小汤山’三个字。李天这才知道自己被许洋从朝阳西门一直拉到小汤山，两地光直线距离就有三十多公里，难怪自己见不到头。 “许洋，我跟你没完…….！”wholesale necklace小汤山附近响起一惊天动地的声音。
2007年11月26日星期一
Puppy-Proof Your Home Before Your Shih Tzu Arrives
Ah, Shih Tzu puppies.so adorable, filled with boundless energy and curious about any-and-everything around them. Taking the appropriate steps to puppy-proof your home will go a long way in protecting these little ones from harm. Your precautions will also safeguard your belongings from possible damage.
Try to imagine life from a Shih Tzu puppys point of view. You might be saying, well how can I do that? Go to each room of your house. Get down on your hands and knees. Take a good look at what your Shih Tzu puppy might be enticed by. Remember, they are new to your home. Shih Tzu puppies are somewhat like toddlers. Shih Tzu puppies will eventually explore their surroundings. Some Shih Tzu puppies will start right away investigating this new place. Other Shih Tzu puppies may take awhile to settle in. Eventually all Shih Tzu puppies will be exploring their new home. They will roam around like a toddler putting things in their mouth and poling around in nooks and crannies. It is your responsibility to check out what there may be in your home that could possibly harm the new Shih Tzu puppy. You are also looking around for those items of yours you do not want the new Shih Tzu puppy to explore.
Cabinets
Watch out for cleaning supplies and personal care items that are stored in low storage areas like kitchen and under-sink bathroom cabinets. The ingredients in these products are extremely harmful and can even cause death. If the cabinet doors can be easily opened by the mouths and paws of Shih Tzu puppies, try to store these items in some other place. Another option is to purchase plastic child-proof cabinet locks that can be temporarily attached to the handles or knobs. These safety locks can usually be found online or in local pet supply (or baby) stores.
Electrical Cords
How tantalizing is an electrical cord especially when it's looping down from a table or desk? "I can jump at it, pull on it, wrestle with it and even gnaw on it. Shih Tzu puppies will most likely perform all these tasks with an electrical cord. The dangers here are obvious: a falling lamp or electrocution can cause serious injury or worse. Wrap up loose hanging electrical cords or at least block access to them. And for cords that need to run across the floor, use rubber or plastic cord/cable runners that can be purchased at an office supply outlet or home improvement store. If you dont mind plastering a nail in the wall, you can also do this, and hang the cord up out of Shih Tzu puppys eyesight.
Plants
Household plants are attractive to most Shih Tzu puppies. A lot of household plants are poison to Shih Tzu and dogs in general. Ingesting a bite or two can cause nausea, vomiting and in some cases death. It is probably an excellent idea to re-position your plants so that they are out of reach. You dont want your Shih Tzu poisoned or made ill by your beautiful plants. Neither do you want your beautiful plants destroyed by the curiosity of a Shih Tzu puppy.
Small Objects Around the House
Be alert to small items around the house that can be swallowed. Items in this category would be coins, jewelry, sewing supplies, batteries, medication and miniature knick-knacks left on low surfaces. Sometimes worse than swallowing these small items is that the Shih Tzu puppy may choke to death. Don't forget to block access to trash receptacles in the kitchen, your home office and even the bathroom. Shih Tzu puppies love pushing on a trash can until it falls over and then wow all that is inside is within reach. This is so amusing to a Shih Tzu puppy; however, it is a disaster to the Shih Tzu puppys owner. Take heed now before you bring home your adorable little Shih Tzu puppy and block access to trash bins.
Toilet
To an adventurous Shih Tzu puppy, the challenge of climbing up, up and over the rim of your toilet is a tail-wagging delight. Unfortunately, falling head first into this big, slippery bowl of water is not so delightful especially for a smaller-sized pup. Simple solution: make it a house rule to keep the bathroom door closed at all times.
Puppy-proofing your home before your wonderful little Shih Tzu buddy arrives may seem like a hassle, but providing the safest environment possible is a necessity. After all, your lovable, four-legged bundle of joy is worth it.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Try to imagine life from a Shih Tzu puppys point of view. You might be saying, well how can I do that? Go to each room of your house. Get down on your hands and knees. Take a good look at what your Shih Tzu puppy might be enticed by. Remember, they are new to your home. Shih Tzu puppies are somewhat like toddlers. Shih Tzu puppies will eventually explore their surroundings. Some Shih Tzu puppies will start right away investigating this new place. Other Shih Tzu puppies may take awhile to settle in. Eventually all Shih Tzu puppies will be exploring their new home. They will roam around like a toddler putting things in their mouth and poling around in nooks and crannies. It is your responsibility to check out what there may be in your home that could possibly harm the new Shih Tzu puppy. You are also looking around for those items of yours you do not want the new Shih Tzu puppy to explore.
Cabinets
Watch out for cleaning supplies and personal care items that are stored in low storage areas like kitchen and under-sink bathroom cabinets. The ingredients in these products are extremely harmful and can even cause death. If the cabinet doors can be easily opened by the mouths and paws of Shih Tzu puppies, try to store these items in some other place. Another option is to purchase plastic child-proof cabinet locks that can be temporarily attached to the handles or knobs. These safety locks can usually be found online or in local pet supply (or baby) stores.
Electrical Cords
How tantalizing is an electrical cord especially when it's looping down from a table or desk? "I can jump at it, pull on it, wrestle with it and even gnaw on it. Shih Tzu puppies will most likely perform all these tasks with an electrical cord. The dangers here are obvious: a falling lamp or electrocution can cause serious injury or worse. Wrap up loose hanging electrical cords or at least block access to them. And for cords that need to run across the floor, use rubber or plastic cord/cable runners that can be purchased at an office supply outlet or home improvement store. If you dont mind plastering a nail in the wall, you can also do this, and hang the cord up out of Shih Tzu puppys eyesight.
Plants
Household plants are attractive to most Shih Tzu puppies. A lot of household plants are poison to Shih Tzu and dogs in general. Ingesting a bite or two can cause nausea, vomiting and in some cases death. It is probably an excellent idea to re-position your plants so that they are out of reach. You dont want your Shih Tzu poisoned or made ill by your beautiful plants. Neither do you want your beautiful plants destroyed by the curiosity of a Shih Tzu puppy.
Small Objects Around the House
Be alert to small items around the house that can be swallowed. Items in this category would be coins, jewelry, sewing supplies, batteries, medication and miniature knick-knacks left on low surfaces. Sometimes worse than swallowing these small items is that the Shih Tzu puppy may choke to death. Don't forget to block access to trash receptacles in the kitchen, your home office and even the bathroom. Shih Tzu puppies love pushing on a trash can until it falls over and then wow all that is inside is within reach. This is so amusing to a Shih Tzu puppy; however, it is a disaster to the Shih Tzu puppys owner. Take heed now before you bring home your adorable little Shih Tzu puppy and block access to trash bins.
Toilet
To an adventurous Shih Tzu puppy, the challenge of climbing up, up and over the rim of your toilet is a tail-wagging delight. Unfortunately, falling head first into this big, slippery bowl of water is not so delightful especially for a smaller-sized pup. Simple solution: make it a house rule to keep the bathroom door closed at all times.
Puppy-proofing your home before your wonderful little Shih Tzu buddy arrives may seem like a hassle, but providing the safest environment possible is a necessity. After all, your lovable, four-legged bundle of joy is worth it.
This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.
Finding The Right Weight Loss Program
Unfortunately, many of us find ourselves overweight and not really sure what are the best ways to lose weight. Finding the right weight loss program is something that many of us have tried over and over again, only to find that it is simply not working. Either it leaves us feeling like we are starved or we find ourselves craving the foods we enjoy - or we end up cheating. The key to finding the right weight loss program is to find a healthy diet plan and exercise to lose weight.
One of the worst things you can do is to choose a weight loss program that leaves you feeling hungry all of the time. A good weight loss program will consist of a healthy diet that allows you to leave the table feeling full. Using a healthy diet plan, it will give the nutrients your body needs, as well as the calories you need in order to get energy. Many individuals who are on the wrong weight loss program find themselves feeling a lack of energy and feeling tired most of the day. Your healthy diet plan needs to get your body the fuel it needs to get through the day.
Your weight loss program should also not deny you the foods you love. The key to making your weight loss program work is to do things in moderation. For example, if you love carbohydrates, such as breads and pastas, you do not want to go on a carbohydrate-free diet plan. In order for your weight loss program to work, your diet plan should include items from all of the food groups. If you deny yourself the foods you love, you will slip up and your diet plan will have failed.
The weight loss program you choose should include physical activity to go along with your healthy diet. In order to lose weight, you will need to burn off calories. The healthy diet in your weight loss program will help you to manage your calories; however, the activity you choose will help to burn off the body fat. The important thing is to choose a physical activity that you enjoy and will stick to. Choosing one that you hate to do is going to cause your weight loss program to fail. Your physical activity, as part of your weight loss program and combined with a healthy diet, will cause you to burn off body fat and youll notice the results within a few short weeks.
When you choose your program, it is best to choose one that allows you lose the weight slowly. There are programs that will tell you that you will drop the weight fast. Unfortunately, many of these so called weight loss programs do not provide to you the nutrients your body needs and do not consist of a healthy weight loss diet plan. Theyre simply a way for you to become dehydrated and unhealthy. To be safe, when choosing a weight loss program, make sure it consists of a healthy diet, allows you to eat the foods you love, and includes exercise. Stick with this program and you may be surprised by how you lose weight safely and quickly.
One of the worst things you can do is to choose a weight loss program that leaves you feeling hungry all of the time. A good weight loss program will consist of a healthy diet that allows you to leave the table feeling full. Using a healthy diet plan, it will give the nutrients your body needs, as well as the calories you need in order to get energy. Many individuals who are on the wrong weight loss program find themselves feeling a lack of energy and feeling tired most of the day. Your healthy diet plan needs to get your body the fuel it needs to get through the day.
Your weight loss program should also not deny you the foods you love. The key to making your weight loss program work is to do things in moderation. For example, if you love carbohydrates, such as breads and pastas, you do not want to go on a carbohydrate-free diet plan. In order for your weight loss program to work, your diet plan should include items from all of the food groups. If you deny yourself the foods you love, you will slip up and your diet plan will have failed.
The weight loss program you choose should include physical activity to go along with your healthy diet. In order to lose weight, you will need to burn off calories. The healthy diet in your weight loss program will help you to manage your calories; however, the activity you choose will help to burn off the body fat. The important thing is to choose a physical activity that you enjoy and will stick to. Choosing one that you hate to do is going to cause your weight loss program to fail. Your physical activity, as part of your weight loss program and combined with a healthy diet, will cause you to burn off body fat and youll notice the results within a few short weeks.
When you choose your program, it is best to choose one that allows you lose the weight slowly. There are programs that will tell you that you will drop the weight fast. Unfortunately, many of these so called weight loss programs do not provide to you the nutrients your body needs and do not consist of a healthy weight loss diet plan. Theyre simply a way for you to become dehydrated and unhealthy. To be safe, when choosing a weight loss program, make sure it consists of a healthy diet, allows you to eat the foods you love, and includes exercise. Stick with this program and you may be surprised by how you lose weight safely and quickly.
What You Need To Know To Become A Singer
You love singing and know that you are destined to become a singer. You admire popular artists and wish your music could also be recognized. This has been a dream of yours since you can remember. Well, the good news is that you can achieve your dreams. All it takes is some hard work, goal setting, and a little luck.
Here is some information that will help you learn what you need to know to become a singer.
Develop your Voice. Without excellent vocal skills, your career will not amount to much. Practice as much as you can and work with a vocal coach. You will need to find a coach who understands your musical style and your goals and will also push you and challenge you. The goal is to turn you into not only a technical artist, but help you develop your potential.
Your Personal Style. When working with your vocal coach and practicing your voice, some attention should be paid to developing your personal style. If your goal is to sing jazz, learn technical jazz style singing but also learn to put your own special mark on the songs.
Write Some Music. Another essential step is to write some music, or have someone else write it for you if you dont have a particular talent for it. You can also work with someone who will help you get your ideas down and set them to music. Your goal is to write or help develop a collection of songs to perform and record.
Learn to Perform. Another essential step is to learn how to perform. When recording in the studio, you can easily cover up any flaws in your voice or in the music. If you mess up, you can start again. It takes a truly great singer to wow the audience while playing live. Resist the urge to lip synch. Though an astonishing number of performers do this, it is very hard to gain respect as an artist if you do this.
Get Even More Experience. Besides performing your own songs, it might be a great experience to join a chorale group, choir, or other singing ensemble to get more experience. A benefit to this is that you can learn how to interact with other singers and learn new songs and different techniques.
Record your Music. When you feel confident that you have mastered your songs, it is time to find a studio and some musicians to record your music. Depending on your goals, you can either put together a CD and sell it yourself or use this studio time to create a demo. Find someone to work with who understands your genre and has a track record for success.
Enter Contests. Entering contests and competitions is another great way to get exposure. These contests can really draw attention to your talent, especially if the contest is fairly big. Check your local area, any nearby cities, and watch for other events that may be televised. Agents and other industry professionals may lurk at these events, looking for the newest talent.
Dont Give Up. Unless you are extremely lucky from the beginning, you will probably face rejection from time to time. You may not win every contest you enter. In fact, you may not win any. Your demo may get lost in the mail or you wont get any responses. Dont give up. Success could be just around the corner and you wont know this if you dont stop trying.
Learn Other Skills. Depending on what style of singing you want to do, you may need to learn other skills. Pop singers need to learn how to dance. Folk singers should learn how to play the guitar. You may also want to learn the piano or electric guitar. Spend time working on these things without neglecting your voice- your true goal.
Find an Agent or Manager. It may also be worth your while to find an agent or a manager. They can help you get gigs, submit your demo to producers, and in general represent you. This can be very helpful because a lot of managers and agents have industry contacts. Just be careful to choose one that is sincere about their interest in you.
Here is some information that will help you learn what you need to know to become a singer.
Develop your Voice. Without excellent vocal skills, your career will not amount to much. Practice as much as you can and work with a vocal coach. You will need to find a coach who understands your musical style and your goals and will also push you and challenge you. The goal is to turn you into not only a technical artist, but help you develop your potential.
Your Personal Style. When working with your vocal coach and practicing your voice, some attention should be paid to developing your personal style. If your goal is to sing jazz, learn technical jazz style singing but also learn to put your own special mark on the songs.
Write Some Music. Another essential step is to write some music, or have someone else write it for you if you dont have a particular talent for it. You can also work with someone who will help you get your ideas down and set them to music. Your goal is to write or help develop a collection of songs to perform and record.
Learn to Perform. Another essential step is to learn how to perform. When recording in the studio, you can easily cover up any flaws in your voice or in the music. If you mess up, you can start again. It takes a truly great singer to wow the audience while playing live. Resist the urge to lip synch. Though an astonishing number of performers do this, it is very hard to gain respect as an artist if you do this.
Get Even More Experience. Besides performing your own songs, it might be a great experience to join a chorale group, choir, or other singing ensemble to get more experience. A benefit to this is that you can learn how to interact with other singers and learn new songs and different techniques.
Record your Music. When you feel confident that you have mastered your songs, it is time to find a studio and some musicians to record your music. Depending on your goals, you can either put together a CD and sell it yourself or use this studio time to create a demo. Find someone to work with who understands your genre and has a track record for success.
Enter Contests. Entering contests and competitions is another great way to get exposure. These contests can really draw attention to your talent, especially if the contest is fairly big. Check your local area, any nearby cities, and watch for other events that may be televised. Agents and other industry professionals may lurk at these events, looking for the newest talent.
Dont Give Up. Unless you are extremely lucky from the beginning, you will probably face rejection from time to time. You may not win every contest you enter. In fact, you may not win any. Your demo may get lost in the mail or you wont get any responses. Dont give up. Success could be just around the corner and you wont know this if you dont stop trying.
Learn Other Skills. Depending on what style of singing you want to do, you may need to learn other skills. Pop singers need to learn how to dance. Folk singers should learn how to play the guitar. You may also want to learn the piano or electric guitar. Spend time working on these things without neglecting your voice- your true goal.
Find an Agent or Manager. It may also be worth your while to find an agent or a manager. They can help you get gigs, submit your demo to producers, and in general represent you. This can be very helpful because a lot of managers and agents have industry contacts. Just be careful to choose one that is sincere about their interest in you.
2007年11月25日星期日
Which WRs Will Drive Football Tickets Sales In 2006? NFL WR Rankings
Hold on tight, football fans - before you know it, youll be using your football tickets to games that matter. As the games draw near, we want to be able to help you decide which games you must see on your favorite teams schedule. Today were going to rank the best WRs in the NFL, and this subjective ranking goes much farther than just statistics. Certain players are great because of their statistics, while others are great despite the lack of great stats. Of course, there are a few WRs who could easily crack the Top 5, so well include an Honorable Mention section as well.
1. Torry Holt
Although he does it somewhat quietly, Holt is the most consistent top-end performer at WR in the NFL. Over the past four seasons, Holt has AVERAGED 101 catches per year and has piled up at least 1,300 receiving yards in every season as a pro except for his rookie year. Holt is not big, not a sprinter and not enormously powerful. He just does everything really well and is the picture of consistency, even when circumstances around him, such as oft-injured QBs, would disrupt many others. Not to mention, his very nickname is Big Game, which should tell you all you need to know about how he performs in pressure situations.
2. Chad Johnson
Johnson is a bit of a polarizing figure with football fans, but we think that even though hes got a bit of a big mouth, his trash talk is mostly good-natured and he definitely backs it up. Johnson catches the long ball, can catch the quick outs and help move the chains, and is someone who needs to be accounted for on every snap. Hes had 90+ catches and over 1,200 yards in each of the past three seasons, and he brings an element of fun to the game as well. Not to mention, hes one of the hardest-working WRs in the league. Johnson alone is worth the price of admission, so make sure to get your hands on football tickets if hes headed your way this season.
3. Hines Ward
Ward is the ultimate do-everything WR that is an integral piece of the World Champs offense. Hes not going to wow you with huge stats, and hes not dominant in one particular aspect of the game. However, hell beat you in every way imaginable. He can get deep, he can catch the short pass and turn it into a long gain, he can run, he can throw, and if youre going to be cheating up to stop Pittsburghs running game, watch out - hes a lethal blocker. Every team would be better with a player like Hines Ward.
4. Steve Smith
Smith would be higher on the rankings, but he had to come back last year after missing almost all of 2004 with an injury. However, did he ever come back last year, with 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was almost impossible to stop towards the end of the year, and almost single-handedly destroyed the Bears in the playoffs. Smith isnt big, but hes tough, extremely fast, and is lightning-quick in and out of his cuts. Hes also got Velcro hands, so anything thrown in his direction is going to be caught.
5. Terrell Owens
Owens would also be higher on the list, as he may be the most talented WR in the game. However, despite his freakish size and speed, hes a team killer. If you want proof, just take a look at what he did to the Eagles last year. If Owens just worried about playing football and forgot about his contract, hed be pressing for Jerry Rices all-time records. As it is, hes too super-talented not to crack the Top 5, and given that he usually behaves in his first year with a team, hell do great things in Dallas this season.
6. Honorable Mention
Three WRs are just outside the Top 5 for different reasons. Rod Smith is Mr. Reliable, and is as consistent as any WR in the NFL. However, hes not a game breaker, and an average-at-best QB keeps his game down a bit. Larry Fitzgerald could soon crack the Top 5, but hes still learning the position. If he stays healthy, hell be a premium WR for a long time. Donald Driver makes the most of his ability, but until theres another WR in Green Bay to help, hell never be able to take over games. Regardless, all three of these players are worth the effort of obtaining football tickets all by themselves.
1. Torry Holt
Although he does it somewhat quietly, Holt is the most consistent top-end performer at WR in the NFL. Over the past four seasons, Holt has AVERAGED 101 catches per year and has piled up at least 1,300 receiving yards in every season as a pro except for his rookie year. Holt is not big, not a sprinter and not enormously powerful. He just does everything really well and is the picture of consistency, even when circumstances around him, such as oft-injured QBs, would disrupt many others. Not to mention, his very nickname is Big Game, which should tell you all you need to know about how he performs in pressure situations.
2. Chad Johnson
Johnson is a bit of a polarizing figure with football fans, but we think that even though hes got a bit of a big mouth, his trash talk is mostly good-natured and he definitely backs it up. Johnson catches the long ball, can catch the quick outs and help move the chains, and is someone who needs to be accounted for on every snap. Hes had 90+ catches and over 1,200 yards in each of the past three seasons, and he brings an element of fun to the game as well. Not to mention, hes one of the hardest-working WRs in the league. Johnson alone is worth the price of admission, so make sure to get your hands on football tickets if hes headed your way this season.
3. Hines Ward
Ward is the ultimate do-everything WR that is an integral piece of the World Champs offense. Hes not going to wow you with huge stats, and hes not dominant in one particular aspect of the game. However, hell beat you in every way imaginable. He can get deep, he can catch the short pass and turn it into a long gain, he can run, he can throw, and if youre going to be cheating up to stop Pittsburghs running game, watch out - hes a lethal blocker. Every team would be better with a player like Hines Ward.
4. Steve Smith
Smith would be higher on the rankings, but he had to come back last year after missing almost all of 2004 with an injury. However, did he ever come back last year, with 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was almost impossible to stop towards the end of the year, and almost single-handedly destroyed the Bears in the playoffs. Smith isnt big, but hes tough, extremely fast, and is lightning-quick in and out of his cuts. Hes also got Velcro hands, so anything thrown in his direction is going to be caught.
5. Terrell Owens
Owens would also be higher on the list, as he may be the most talented WR in the game. However, despite his freakish size and speed, hes a team killer. If you want proof, just take a look at what he did to the Eagles last year. If Owens just worried about playing football and forgot about his contract, hed be pressing for Jerry Rices all-time records. As it is, hes too super-talented not to crack the Top 5, and given that he usually behaves in his first year with a team, hell do great things in Dallas this season.
6. Honorable Mention
Three WRs are just outside the Top 5 for different reasons. Rod Smith is Mr. Reliable, and is as consistent as any WR in the NFL. However, hes not a game breaker, and an average-at-best QB keeps his game down a bit. Larry Fitzgerald could soon crack the Top 5, but hes still learning the position. If he stays healthy, hell be a premium WR for a long time. Donald Driver makes the most of his ability, but until theres another WR in Green Bay to help, hell never be able to take over games. Regardless, all three of these players are worth the effort of obtaining football tickets all by themselves.
Bustiers: For Brides And For Every Woman
For the bride-to-be, a bridal bustier is a must-have. You want to feel like the most beautiful woman on earth when you walk down the aisle. A bridal bustier helps by making sure you look amazing in your wedding dress. They slim, flatten, and hoist, all while looking smooth and seamless under your gown.
Heres how the bridal bustier works. Bustiers start at the bosom and go down to the hips. Theyre like corsets in that they feature boning that helps keep everything in place, so to speak.
Bridal bustiers are created to be invisible. Often, theyre totally seamless and feature hidden underwire, a low-cut back, and straps that can be removed. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of bridal bustiers are white.
Bustiers, corsets, and basques are actually three different pieces of lingerie. If you hear the term bustier corset, it usually refers to a bustier thats made to firmly cinch and hold. The bustier corset is something women turn to when an ensemble calls for a near-perfect figure. You probably wouldnt want to wear one every day, but theyre ideal for occasions when you want to be an absolute knock-out. A bustier corset can instantly trim 3 or 4 pounds off your figure and make you appear curvy yet toned.
Almost all bustiers come with removal straps. The strapless bustier has a couple of different uses. Theyre ideal for wearing under a strapless gown and tube tops. In fact, theyre also great for a top or dress with thin spaghetti straps. A strapless bustier provides all the support you need, but with no unsightly appearances from your bra straps.
A strapless bustier can also be a fashion statement. Increasingly, women are wearing strapless bustiers as tops. Theyre sexy and sassy for a night on the town. Paired with a blazer they can even be toned down enough for less wild occasions.
Lots of sexy costumes feature bustiers. Using a bustier in the costumes design can make even Little Red Riding Hood a red hot temptress. A witch costume complete with a bustier says no warts here, only delightfully devilish spells. Here are just a few of the sexy costumes that typically include bustiers:
Devil
Pirate
Fairy
Bar maid
Princess
Santas little helper
Of course, as you already know, bustiers make for sizzling sexy lingerie. No piece of sexy lingerie is truly sexy unless it makes you feel fabulous. And fabulous you will feel with the womanly, hourglass shape that an exotic bustier will give you.
When meant to serve as sexy lingerie, bustiers come in less functional varieties. That is, the vertical seams and lacing are meant to be visually appealing and not to constrict. You get the best of both worlds: an exotic bustier thats seductive yet fairly comfortable to wear.
Sexy, lacey bras and panties are great, but can become common-place. An exotic bustier makes you look and feel like a take charge kind of gal. Really wow that special someone with a piece of lingerie they never expected. Even the shyest of women will feel like a total goddess in an exotic bustier.
Heres how the bridal bustier works. Bustiers start at the bosom and go down to the hips. Theyre like corsets in that they feature boning that helps keep everything in place, so to speak.
Bridal bustiers are created to be invisible. Often, theyre totally seamless and feature hidden underwire, a low-cut back, and straps that can be removed. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of bridal bustiers are white.
Bustiers, corsets, and basques are actually three different pieces of lingerie. If you hear the term bustier corset, it usually refers to a bustier thats made to firmly cinch and hold. The bustier corset is something women turn to when an ensemble calls for a near-perfect figure. You probably wouldnt want to wear one every day, but theyre ideal for occasions when you want to be an absolute knock-out. A bustier corset can instantly trim 3 or 4 pounds off your figure and make you appear curvy yet toned.
Almost all bustiers come with removal straps. The strapless bustier has a couple of different uses. Theyre ideal for wearing under a strapless gown and tube tops. In fact, theyre also great for a top or dress with thin spaghetti straps. A strapless bustier provides all the support you need, but with no unsightly appearances from your bra straps.
A strapless bustier can also be a fashion statement. Increasingly, women are wearing strapless bustiers as tops. Theyre sexy and sassy for a night on the town. Paired with a blazer they can even be toned down enough for less wild occasions.
Lots of sexy costumes feature bustiers. Using a bustier in the costumes design can make even Little Red Riding Hood a red hot temptress. A witch costume complete with a bustier says no warts here, only delightfully devilish spells. Here are just a few of the sexy costumes that typically include bustiers:
Devil
Pirate
Fairy
Bar maid
Princess
Santas little helper
Of course, as you already know, bustiers make for sizzling sexy lingerie. No piece of sexy lingerie is truly sexy unless it makes you feel fabulous. And fabulous you will feel with the womanly, hourglass shape that an exotic bustier will give you.
When meant to serve as sexy lingerie, bustiers come in less functional varieties. That is, the vertical seams and lacing are meant to be visually appealing and not to constrict. You get the best of both worlds: an exotic bustier thats seductive yet fairly comfortable to wear.
Sexy, lacey bras and panties are great, but can become common-place. An exotic bustier makes you look and feel like a take charge kind of gal. Really wow that special someone with a piece of lingerie they never expected. Even the shyest of women will feel like a total goddess in an exotic bustier.
Restaurant Quality Sauces At Home
We've all been served great sauces in our favorite restaurants and would love to recreate them in our own kitchens but we are not sauciers. (French term for sauce chef)
Professional chefs go to culinary school for years to learn the secrets of making classic French sauces and the more modern sauces derived from them. So what are we supposed to do?
Yes, there are some sauces that require strong cooking skills. Making a Hollandaise sauce with butter and egg yolks is difficult because so many things can go wrong but with a little practice and a lot of focus, anyone can make a decent Hollandaise.
Mayonnaise is another emulsion sauce that many cooks imagine is too hard or two much work to prepare but nothing could be further from the truth. Mayonnaise is oil, egg, vinegar, condiments and spices. Again, all it takes is some skill with a whisk, the right ingredients and some patience.
Then there are the butter sauces that scare a lot of new cooks. When we hear "beurre blanc sauce we automatically think, "This is going to be hard but truth is they are easy if you start with well chilled butter, keep the heat low, add butter a little at a time, stay focused and serve immediately.
White sauces including Allemande (German sauce), Supreme, and Normande are a little tricky because they all start with a chicken or fish base called veloute and then other ingredients are added to give the sauce its flavor. Veloute is simple a white stock that has been thicken with a white roux.
Let's back up for a second. A stock is a flavored broth that has been extracted from meats, fish, or vegetables by cooking them in water slowly for a period of time. A white stock is made with meats, chicken, fish or vegetables that have not been browned and are pale in color.
For example, simmering the carcass of a chicken along with some aromatic vegetables can make a white chicken stock but to make a brown chicken stock, you first roast or brown the carcass.
A roux is a mixture of flour and fat that is cooked together and used to thicken soups and sauces. Depending on how long you cook the roux will determine if it called a white roux (the lightest), a blond roux or a brown roux.
So the veloute, a combination of the white stock, butter and flour, is the base or start to most of the classic white sauces. For sauce allemande you add egg yolks and mushroom cooking liquid. For sauce supreme, heavy cream, mushroom cooking liquid and some more butter.
Are they difficult to make at home? Absolutely not! They just take time, patience and focus. The ingredients are readily available whether you make your own homemade stock or purchase a good quality commercial brand.
As for tools, all you need is a heavy bottomed saucepan and a whisk. Professional chefs will typically strain their veloute and sauces through a fine strainer called a chinois but it's
not absolutely necessary. A common household strainer with small holes will work too.
When we start talking about brown sauces, here's when many new cooks start to get nervous. Just thinking about making "the gravy at Thanksgiving gives some cooks the yips so how are they suppose to make a classic brown sauce like bordelaise or chasseur?
These sauces are all derived from the same base called demi-glace or some form of meat stock reduction. If you can get your hands on some demi-glace by either making it yourself (very time consuming) or purchasing a good quality product on the market, making any of these classic sauces is not difficult at all.
For example, the classic bordelaise sauce is basically shallots, wine, fresh thyme, butter, parsley and demi-glace. Chasseur sauce, also called hunters sauce because it goes well with wild game, is a combination shallots, mushrooms, butter, white wine, sometimes tomatoes and demi-glace.
If you go any high-end restaurant's kitchen, you will most likely find some form of demi-glace or other meat stock reduction cooking on the stove. Culinary students are taught first thing about making stocks and their reductions. They spend hours making them day after day because they are the basis for all classic French sauces.
This doesn't mean you can't prepare these same sauces at home to serve with your chicken, veal, beef or fish. All it means is you have to find a quality commercial product, know someone in the restaurant business or spend the time to make a batch yourself.
A weekend spent preparing a good demi-glace will give you enough to last quite a while. Because these sauce bases freeze so well, you can have rich sauces year round or you can find a classic recipe at http://www.gatewaygourmet.com/demi_glace.htm to try at home.
If you not excited about making it from scratch, there are sources listed at the same site for manufacturers who are making restaurant quality demi-glace for both home users and
commercial establishments.
Either way, making restaurant quality sauces at home is not as difficult as you might have thought. The myth that only professional chefs with years of experience can prepare classic sauces is not true. With a little practice and the right ingredients, you can be wowing your family and friends at your next dinner party.
Copyright 2006 Bill Long, GatewayGourmet.com
Professional chefs go to culinary school for years to learn the secrets of making classic French sauces and the more modern sauces derived from them. So what are we supposed to do?
Yes, there are some sauces that require strong cooking skills. Making a Hollandaise sauce with butter and egg yolks is difficult because so many things can go wrong but with a little practice and a lot of focus, anyone can make a decent Hollandaise.
Mayonnaise is another emulsion sauce that many cooks imagine is too hard or two much work to prepare but nothing could be further from the truth. Mayonnaise is oil, egg, vinegar, condiments and spices. Again, all it takes is some skill with a whisk, the right ingredients and some patience.
Then there are the butter sauces that scare a lot of new cooks. When we hear "beurre blanc sauce we automatically think, "This is going to be hard but truth is they are easy if you start with well chilled butter, keep the heat low, add butter a little at a time, stay focused and serve immediately.
White sauces including Allemande (German sauce), Supreme, and Normande are a little tricky because they all start with a chicken or fish base called veloute and then other ingredients are added to give the sauce its flavor. Veloute is simple a white stock that has been thicken with a white roux.
Let's back up for a second. A stock is a flavored broth that has been extracted from meats, fish, or vegetables by cooking them in water slowly for a period of time. A white stock is made with meats, chicken, fish or vegetables that have not been browned and are pale in color.
For example, simmering the carcass of a chicken along with some aromatic vegetables can make a white chicken stock but to make a brown chicken stock, you first roast or brown the carcass.
A roux is a mixture of flour and fat that is cooked together and used to thicken soups and sauces. Depending on how long you cook the roux will determine if it called a white roux (the lightest), a blond roux or a brown roux.
So the veloute, a combination of the white stock, butter and flour, is the base or start to most of the classic white sauces. For sauce allemande you add egg yolks and mushroom cooking liquid. For sauce supreme, heavy cream, mushroom cooking liquid and some more butter.
Are they difficult to make at home? Absolutely not! They just take time, patience and focus. The ingredients are readily available whether you make your own homemade stock or purchase a good quality commercial brand.
As for tools, all you need is a heavy bottomed saucepan and a whisk. Professional chefs will typically strain their veloute and sauces through a fine strainer called a chinois but it's
not absolutely necessary. A common household strainer with small holes will work too.
When we start talking about brown sauces, here's when many new cooks start to get nervous. Just thinking about making "the gravy at Thanksgiving gives some cooks the yips so how are they suppose to make a classic brown sauce like bordelaise or chasseur?
These sauces are all derived from the same base called demi-glace or some form of meat stock reduction. If you can get your hands on some demi-glace by either making it yourself (very time consuming) or purchasing a good quality product on the market, making any of these classic sauces is not difficult at all.
For example, the classic bordelaise sauce is basically shallots, wine, fresh thyme, butter, parsley and demi-glace. Chasseur sauce, also called hunters sauce because it goes well with wild game, is a combination shallots, mushrooms, butter, white wine, sometimes tomatoes and demi-glace.
If you go any high-end restaurant's kitchen, you will most likely find some form of demi-glace or other meat stock reduction cooking on the stove. Culinary students are taught first thing about making stocks and their reductions. They spend hours making them day after day because they are the basis for all classic French sauces.
This doesn't mean you can't prepare these same sauces at home to serve with your chicken, veal, beef or fish. All it means is you have to find a quality commercial product, know someone in the restaurant business or spend the time to make a batch yourself.
A weekend spent preparing a good demi-glace will give you enough to last quite a while. Because these sauce bases freeze so well, you can have rich sauces year round or you can find a classic recipe at http://www.gatewaygourmet.com/demi_glace.htm to try at home.
If you not excited about making it from scratch, there are sources listed at the same site for manufacturers who are making restaurant quality demi-glace for both home users and
commercial establishments.
Either way, making restaurant quality sauces at home is not as difficult as you might have thought. The myth that only professional chefs with years of experience can prepare classic sauces is not true. With a little practice and the right ingredients, you can be wowing your family and friends at your next dinner party.
Copyright 2006 Bill Long, GatewayGourmet.com
The Story Of The Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is one of the best known and easily recognized vehicles on the road today. Who doesn't recognize the sporty chrome pony emblazoned on the shiny paint of a Ford Mustang?
But I bet many of you don't know the history of the Mustang. Well jump in your time capsule and join me for a ride back to the year 1964. To be more specific, March 9, 1964.
That was the day that the first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line it was a white convertible with a red interior. It created a sensation all across the nation. As a matter of fact, within 18 months, Ford sold over 1 million Mustangs!
Just months after its introduction, Ford began introducing changes for the '65 Mustang, including a bigger engine, reverse lights, and an AC alternator.
In the first two years of its existence, the Mustang broke sales records, wowed the public, and left competitors in the dust.
The next job for the Mustang was to take down the Chevrolet Corvette in the world of racing. That job was tackled by Carroll Shelby, the famous race car driver and designer. The result was the famous GT / Cobra series of cars.
In 1967, Ford introduced a newly redesigned Mustang, with a 335 HP engine, and other improvements, allowing it to continue it's massive popularity.
Ford continued to make improvements and adjustments to the Mustang, and it remained highly popular, even when rising gas prices, rising insurance costs, emissions standards, etc caused muscle cars some hard times in the early 70's. Several of the Mustangs competitors, such as the Barracuda, went out of production, but the Ford Mustang continued to sell.
The Ford Mustang almost died in the late 80's, though, due to slumping sales. But Mustang fans started writing Ford letters, and Ford decided to give the Mustang a redesign and another try. Sales went back up, and the Mustang continues to be a popular car to this day.
But I bet many of you don't know the history of the Mustang. Well jump in your time capsule and join me for a ride back to the year 1964. To be more specific, March 9, 1964.
That was the day that the first Ford Mustang rolled off the assembly line it was a white convertible with a red interior. It created a sensation all across the nation. As a matter of fact, within 18 months, Ford sold over 1 million Mustangs!
Just months after its introduction, Ford began introducing changes for the '65 Mustang, including a bigger engine, reverse lights, and an AC alternator.
In the first two years of its existence, the Mustang broke sales records, wowed the public, and left competitors in the dust.
The next job for the Mustang was to take down the Chevrolet Corvette in the world of racing. That job was tackled by Carroll Shelby, the famous race car driver and designer. The result was the famous GT / Cobra series of cars.
In 1967, Ford introduced a newly redesigned Mustang, with a 335 HP engine, and other improvements, allowing it to continue it's massive popularity.
Ford continued to make improvements and adjustments to the Mustang, and it remained highly popular, even when rising gas prices, rising insurance costs, emissions standards, etc caused muscle cars some hard times in the early 70's. Several of the Mustangs competitors, such as the Barracuda, went out of production, but the Ford Mustang continued to sell.
The Ford Mustang almost died in the late 80's, though, due to slumping sales. But Mustang fans started writing Ford letters, and Ford decided to give the Mustang a redesign and another try. Sales went back up, and the Mustang continues to be a popular car to this day.
A Whale of a Journey Exploring Oregon
Oh wow, a whale! I heard my wife exclaiming outside the motel room. I wondered where on earth she was and what kind of prank she was pulling as her voice drifted in through a window. I lay in a semi-conscious state in the room, trying to catch a few more winks after our late night journey down the Oregon coast. The kids voices chimed in with hers, back behind our motel room somewhere, exclaiming about their first sitings of whales - out there. Startling awake, I realized that they were talking about actual whales, and were calling me to get out there before I missed them - no kidding involved!
A good thing I moved too, because I had never seen anything like that in my entire life. I certainly never expected to be so lucky on this jaunt we mountain people from Montana had taken to the Oregon coast. After I stumbled from the motel room, down the hall and around the building, to my astonishment, there it was. As big as life and to our complete amazement, right
off the rocky shore below the motel we were staying at in Seaside, Oregon, a couple of whales were working their way along within close view of the shore. To local folks and to others that live along the nations shorelines that may not have been any huge deal. But to me, my wife Evie and the kids, Ash and Rob, actually seeing a whale spouting - just blew us away!
We were on a journey - a hut exploration journey - to the coast which Ill dig into more in another article. Briefly, we first passed through Washington, studying the Mt. Tahoma Hut System over near Mount Rainier. Our second stop was at the Oregon State Park at Beverly Beach to see what they had done with the magic of yurts. Our third stop was back in eastern Oregon, looking at the Wing Ridge Ski Tours hut/wall tent configuration back up in the Wallowa National Forest end of Oregon. Pretty awesome stuff they were putting together and well have to cover those more on down the story-line.
A genuine high point of the journey, Seaside, Oregon provided a bit of magic to the exploration on a scale I had not even remotely anticipated. Our coastal basecamp was an outstanding motel, the Seashore Inn, right there on the shoreline. It was the sort of place that when you went around to the sea side of the accommodation you were able to clambor over the rocks and right down to the waters edge. As mentioned before, having grown up in Colorado and Montana, the possibility of actually landing a motel room right on the ocean shore was one of those dreams that hardly ever comes to reality. But, the amazement of finding actual whales working the waters right off shore from that spot - that truly pushed the envelope of my expectations.
Our little family had traveled late into the night, working our way to this Seaside location, and collapsed into the motel room in the wee hours. To our delight, following the discovery of the whales, second thing in the morning the kids discovered that the place had a great indoor pool. They settled in there to play and unwind from the previous days journey. We also found we were within an easy walk of the gift shops, coffee shops and restaurants of Seaside, a truly charming, quiet, right on the shore little community, with a full panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean right across the street - Highway 101.
Right around the building corner from our room we had our own piece of Pacific Ocean shoreline for the couple of days we stayed in that wonderful spot. The kids found star fish around the rocks under water, the most amazing little multi-colored sea urchins, and an unending collection of sea shells along the shore once the tide went out. The crowning touch of course were the whales, actual spouting whales swimming right out in the nearby waters.
We stayed in that little corner of paradise for just a couple of days, enjoying the area around Seaside. We explored the nearby coastal treasures, marveling at the formations at Canon Beach, drinking in those amazing views out to the ocean, and marveling at the roar of the waves on the rocks. Unbelievable pieces of a world of the sort folks from the Rocky Mountains never imagined possible.
The third day we gathered up our belongings, pulled the water-logged kids out of the pool, and continued our exploration of the huts and yurts of the Pacific northwest. During a brief stop-over at Beverly Beach we studied the wonderful yurts of the Oregon Parks system, checking out a yurt they had set up for camper rentals. That was definitely an item for future reference on some return trip to the area - a yurt on the Pacific coast - imagine that.
Our travels finally led us to depart the coastal areas and head inland to the far northeast corner of Oregon, back up into the Wallowa area of the state and the Wallowa Mountains. Outside of the little town of Joseph, Roger Averbeck of Wing Ridge Ski Tours led me on an excursion up toward the Eagle Cap Wilderness, showing me his accommodations for winter ski tours. He provides completely furnished and insulated wall tents back up in the timber, just down from pristene mountain faces and bowls, perfect terrain for the hardcore backcountry ski enthusiast.
That journey through Oregon was an excursion to remember from the sea shores to the eastern mountains. We were so thankful that at every basecamp spot along our lengthy trail there were outstanding motel accommodations, all at reasonable prices. In the case of the unbelievable Seaside location, they actually threw in the whale watching phenomenon at no extra cost. Check out the wonderful options available throughout Oregon through our Western States WildernessTours site at: http://www.montanaadventure.com/out/state/us-or.html. Then start planning your own Oregon trail journey! Happy explorations
A good thing I moved too, because I had never seen anything like that in my entire life. I certainly never expected to be so lucky on this jaunt we mountain people from Montana had taken to the Oregon coast. After I stumbled from the motel room, down the hall and around the building, to my astonishment, there it was. As big as life and to our complete amazement, right
off the rocky shore below the motel we were staying at in Seaside, Oregon, a couple of whales were working their way along within close view of the shore. To local folks and to others that live along the nations shorelines that may not have been any huge deal. But to me, my wife Evie and the kids, Ash and Rob, actually seeing a whale spouting - just blew us away!
We were on a journey - a hut exploration journey - to the coast which Ill dig into more in another article. Briefly, we first passed through Washington, studying the Mt. Tahoma Hut System over near Mount Rainier. Our second stop was at the Oregon State Park at Beverly Beach to see what they had done with the magic of yurts. Our third stop was back in eastern Oregon, looking at the Wing Ridge Ski Tours hut/wall tent configuration back up in the Wallowa National Forest end of Oregon. Pretty awesome stuff they were putting together and well have to cover those more on down the story-line.
A genuine high point of the journey, Seaside, Oregon provided a bit of magic to the exploration on a scale I had not even remotely anticipated. Our coastal basecamp was an outstanding motel, the Seashore Inn, right there on the shoreline. It was the sort of place that when you went around to the sea side of the accommodation you were able to clambor over the rocks and right down to the waters edge. As mentioned before, having grown up in Colorado and Montana, the possibility of actually landing a motel room right on the ocean shore was one of those dreams that hardly ever comes to reality. But, the amazement of finding actual whales working the waters right off shore from that spot - that truly pushed the envelope of my expectations.
Our little family had traveled late into the night, working our way to this Seaside location, and collapsed into the motel room in the wee hours. To our delight, following the discovery of the whales, second thing in the morning the kids discovered that the place had a great indoor pool. They settled in there to play and unwind from the previous days journey. We also found we were within an easy walk of the gift shops, coffee shops and restaurants of Seaside, a truly charming, quiet, right on the shore little community, with a full panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean right across the street - Highway 101.
Right around the building corner from our room we had our own piece of Pacific Ocean shoreline for the couple of days we stayed in that wonderful spot. The kids found star fish around the rocks under water, the most amazing little multi-colored sea urchins, and an unending collection of sea shells along the shore once the tide went out. The crowning touch of course were the whales, actual spouting whales swimming right out in the nearby waters.
We stayed in that little corner of paradise for just a couple of days, enjoying the area around Seaside. We explored the nearby coastal treasures, marveling at the formations at Canon Beach, drinking in those amazing views out to the ocean, and marveling at the roar of the waves on the rocks. Unbelievable pieces of a world of the sort folks from the Rocky Mountains never imagined possible.
The third day we gathered up our belongings, pulled the water-logged kids out of the pool, and continued our exploration of the huts and yurts of the Pacific northwest. During a brief stop-over at Beverly Beach we studied the wonderful yurts of the Oregon Parks system, checking out a yurt they had set up for camper rentals. That was definitely an item for future reference on some return trip to the area - a yurt on the Pacific coast - imagine that.
Our travels finally led us to depart the coastal areas and head inland to the far northeast corner of Oregon, back up into the Wallowa area of the state and the Wallowa Mountains. Outside of the little town of Joseph, Roger Averbeck of Wing Ridge Ski Tours led me on an excursion up toward the Eagle Cap Wilderness, showing me his accommodations for winter ski tours. He provides completely furnished and insulated wall tents back up in the timber, just down from pristene mountain faces and bowls, perfect terrain for the hardcore backcountry ski enthusiast.
That journey through Oregon was an excursion to remember from the sea shores to the eastern mountains. We were so thankful that at every basecamp spot along our lengthy trail there were outstanding motel accommodations, all at reasonable prices. In the case of the unbelievable Seaside location, they actually threw in the whale watching phenomenon at no extra cost. Check out the wonderful options available throughout Oregon through our Western States WildernessTours site at: http://www.montanaadventure.com/out/state/us-or.html. Then start planning your own Oregon trail journey! Happy explorations
Artist Song Demos - How To Break Through And Sell Your Songs!
As writers, its often difficult to be objective about writing and any aspect related to writing and creating the demos that are used to shop songs. As a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency, I can tell you that with all of the vast array of talent and gifted writers, only a few make it to the inner circle. There are various reasons for this, but none that come close to what we will spend the remaining time in this article talking about. Many a hopeful writer and artist walked through the doors of William Morris only to find that the magic they thought they had come upon, vanished in a moments notice. Why is that? Why do some get the writers and artist deals with virtually no writing innovation, while others, with up in your face talent, not getting the due recognition and artist album cuts so richly deserved? Lets spend a few minutes together talking through a few basic concepts to hopefully get you moving in the right direction.
As founder of ReelMusician.com, it is and has always been my goal to see rising talent succeed and make it to the top. We strive to always remain approachable, authoritative with music industry resources and information and provide relevant services such as creating master quality song demos for rising song writers, top notch jingle demos for singers trying to break into singing commercials and effective press kit writing for artists trying to establish their careers. We are already in that mode of how to help singers and writers break through, which is the foundation to why we exist and with all of that in mind, I want to share with you some ideas that will help you get your career jump-started.
Always remember that content is king. You cant very easily take a story without a decent plot and try to pitch it. Same thing holds true for your writing and career. One of the problems today, is that many would be artists and writers clutter the playing field by utilizing technological advances and use their friends computer, keyboard and mic to record music and think they have a chance. And because music equipment and software has become so affordable, many who would not ordinarily approach the idea of writing or becoming an artist now feel that they have to have their chance at stardom and so the A&R, managers, booking agents and all other ancillary music industry offices are flooded by material that is not even close to being a go. Its a waste of everyones time. The thinking is just because so and so made it, I could make it to. Well that might be true, but for the every one of the so and sos that make it, there are thousands to possibly millions that dont. Think about that. Go for your dream, but make sure that you have a decent plot to back up your artist story line.
Once you have established that you have credible talent, and the fact that you are reading this article is probably a good indication that you have some credible talent, you will want to figure out the best approach to selling your songs, artist deal or break into jingle singing, whatever the case might be. I will tell you, as Ive stated before, that everyone has their own story to tell in how they broke into the music industry, but I will tell you that there are a few golden concepts that you should employ to increase your odds. Always remember that creativity coupled with authenticity will go along ways in your career. There are so many phony people out there inside the industry and out, that when individuals who are decision makers inside the industry find authentic and truly gifted talent, they are pulled to it. Do you have a record cut or a record deal, maybe, maybe not. But the fact that you now have an ally inside the inner circle creates a much broader platform for your career to take off from. The fact that now someone who holds some influence and who has taken a liking to you is strong really strong. You develop these types of relationships whether at area writers meetings, artist showcases, or other various ins that you can find and think of in your area, and you will be well on your way to getting your demos not only listened to, but listened to with interest and on an inside path. Dont be users. Figure out ways where you can have conversations totally outside the music industry where an individual truly thinks you care if your career comes up the conversation great, but if not thats fine to. And if it does come up in the conversation, dont make a big deal of it.
Your song demos have got to be the best no questions asked. Your productions better sound better than whats on the radio. Figure out the key musicians in your area and produce your song demos with no excuses. Ive said it before and its worth repeating, that its better to have a slimmed down song demo version with an incredible guitar or piano player and vocals that just melt, than a fully produced song demo thats pretty good. You hear that. Dont produce pretty good demos Theyre not good enough. When you get the opportunity from a heavy weight in the industry to listen to your song demo, artist demo or jingle reel, its far better to have an incredible demo done with a few musical elements that just wow the listener. Chances are you wont get another chance, and so your listener better remember that your demos not only sound good, but will make him or her look good when they go to pitch your material. Dont hesitate to contact us at ReelMusician.com if you have any questions about demos, what youll need and your current writing and artist demos.
In closing, and I never feel like I have enough space to cover all of the relevant ideas in a given article, please take these few simple concepts seriously and implement them in your career goals. Dont get all stirred up about the latest and greatest this or that or your having to be in the in musical crowd to get a record deal or to get your songs cut. Just develop authentic relationships and make sure that your song demos, jingle reels and artist demos are simply the best! Please feel free to contact us for any questions you might have!
As founder of ReelMusician.com, it is and has always been my goal to see rising talent succeed and make it to the top. We strive to always remain approachable, authoritative with music industry resources and information and provide relevant services such as creating master quality song demos for rising song writers, top notch jingle demos for singers trying to break into singing commercials and effective press kit writing for artists trying to establish their careers. We are already in that mode of how to help singers and writers break through, which is the foundation to why we exist and with all of that in mind, I want to share with you some ideas that will help you get your career jump-started.
Always remember that content is king. You cant very easily take a story without a decent plot and try to pitch it. Same thing holds true for your writing and career. One of the problems today, is that many would be artists and writers clutter the playing field by utilizing technological advances and use their friends computer, keyboard and mic to record music and think they have a chance. And because music equipment and software has become so affordable, many who would not ordinarily approach the idea of writing or becoming an artist now feel that they have to have their chance at stardom and so the A&R, managers, booking agents and all other ancillary music industry offices are flooded by material that is not even close to being a go. Its a waste of everyones time. The thinking is just because so and so made it, I could make it to. Well that might be true, but for the every one of the so and sos that make it, there are thousands to possibly millions that dont. Think about that. Go for your dream, but make sure that you have a decent plot to back up your artist story line.
Once you have established that you have credible talent, and the fact that you are reading this article is probably a good indication that you have some credible talent, you will want to figure out the best approach to selling your songs, artist deal or break into jingle singing, whatever the case might be. I will tell you, as Ive stated before, that everyone has their own story to tell in how they broke into the music industry, but I will tell you that there are a few golden concepts that you should employ to increase your odds. Always remember that creativity coupled with authenticity will go along ways in your career. There are so many phony people out there inside the industry and out, that when individuals who are decision makers inside the industry find authentic and truly gifted talent, they are pulled to it. Do you have a record cut or a record deal, maybe, maybe not. But the fact that you now have an ally inside the inner circle creates a much broader platform for your career to take off from. The fact that now someone who holds some influence and who has taken a liking to you is strong really strong. You develop these types of relationships whether at area writers meetings, artist showcases, or other various ins that you can find and think of in your area, and you will be well on your way to getting your demos not only listened to, but listened to with interest and on an inside path. Dont be users. Figure out ways where you can have conversations totally outside the music industry where an individual truly thinks you care if your career comes up the conversation great, but if not thats fine to. And if it does come up in the conversation, dont make a big deal of it.
Your song demos have got to be the best no questions asked. Your productions better sound better than whats on the radio. Figure out the key musicians in your area and produce your song demos with no excuses. Ive said it before and its worth repeating, that its better to have a slimmed down song demo version with an incredible guitar or piano player and vocals that just melt, than a fully produced song demo thats pretty good. You hear that. Dont produce pretty good demos Theyre not good enough. When you get the opportunity from a heavy weight in the industry to listen to your song demo, artist demo or jingle reel, its far better to have an incredible demo done with a few musical elements that just wow the listener. Chances are you wont get another chance, and so your listener better remember that your demos not only sound good, but will make him or her look good when they go to pitch your material. Dont hesitate to contact us at ReelMusician.com if you have any questions about demos, what youll need and your current writing and artist demos.
In closing, and I never feel like I have enough space to cover all of the relevant ideas in a given article, please take these few simple concepts seriously and implement them in your career goals. Dont get all stirred up about the latest and greatest this or that or your having to be in the in musical crowd to get a record deal or to get your songs cut. Just develop authentic relationships and make sure that your song demos, jingle reels and artist demos are simply the best! Please feel free to contact us for any questions you might have!
2007年11月23日星期五
Ready Set Sell! Preparing Your Home To Sell In A Buyers Market
Sluggish. Slow. Decreasing. Those are words that are being applied to the recent housing sales markets. If youre planning to sell, the news is nowhere near as bad as the doomsayers are making it sound. The problem is that there are so many people trying to sell their homes right now. The number of choices on the market encourages buyers to be choosy and to hold out for the perfect home at the best price. Any Realtor will tell you, though, that homes are selling and when they sell, its because the prospective buyer fell in love at first sight.
The homes that sell are those that wow buyers from the curb and woo them all the way through to the back yard. So how do you turn your hearth into a new buyers heart throb? The same way that youd attract a new beau freshen up, put on a little makeup and sport the most attractive outfit you can find.
Five Steps to Wow Them at the Curb.
Curb appeal is the real estate equivalent of sex appeal. That first view of your house may not break a sale but it can definitely make it.
1. Get rid of clutter in the yard. Dont kid yourself that the bikes and Big Wheels tell buyers a home is well-loved and family-friendly. Stow the stuff the kids toys, the gas grill, the rake leaning against the porch - and not in the garage. Youll want that to look nice and clean, too.
2. Make any cosmetic repairs that the house needs. Clogged gutters? Hanging drainpipe? Shutter off kilter? Spend a weekend doing all those little things youve been saying youll do for the last three years.
3. Freshen up your houses face. If you can, give it a new coat of paint. If your house is sided, this is the time to rent a power washer and give it a good hose down. Dont forget to wash the windows and hang pretty window treatments inside, too. While youre at it, make sure that mini-blinds are all at the same level in the windows facing the street. Youd be surprised what a difference, symmetry makes.
4. Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, get the tree guy out to lop off those overhanging branches. Fix cracks in the driveway, dig up the moss in between the paving stones. The keyword is manicure everything should look very, very well taken care of.
5. Wrap it up with a bow. You cant exactly put a ribbon in your houses hair, but you can do the next best thing. Flowers offer instant appeal. Hit your local garden shop for a few flats of colorful, in bloom annuals and put in a flower beds along the walkway, or encircle a palm with a bed of impatiens.
Five Steps to Woo Them All the Way.
Give the inside of your house the same attention that you did the outside. Heres how to turn attraction into love.
1. Get rid of clutter. Take down family photos, remove those report cards from the front of the fridge, tuck away the cherished collection of knick knacks. When youre done, you should have clean counters, clean tables and clean shelves.
2. Clean. Clean. Clean. The key word is spotless. Scrub down walls, wash windows, get rid of the gray fingerprints around doorknobs and light switches. Clean your grout especially in the bathrooms. Shampoo carpets. Added bonus youll have to do far less deodorizing.
3. Pare down furniture to the essentials. Sofa, chair and tables in the living room. Bed, dresser and lamps in the bedroom. Engaging the services of a professional home stager is a very worthwhile investment.
4. If your budget allows for it, go for one or more of these high-ROI home improvements.
-Repaint your kitchen and bathroom walls. Choose a warm neutral color.
-Replace worn carpets.
-Update your kitchen.
-Update your bathroom.
5. Try a few psychological tricks. Hang a mirror on the wall opposite your front door. Invest in fresh flower arrangements but be sure to keep them fresh. Wilted flowers are NOT inviting. Play classical music softly when the house is being shown. And a favorite quick-pretty-up trick toss a clean damp towel and fresh scented dryer sheet in the dryer about half an hour before a showing. Clean laundry smell is even more appealing than chocolate chip cookies or apple pie baking in the oven.
The homes that sell are those that wow buyers from the curb and woo them all the way through to the back yard. So how do you turn your hearth into a new buyers heart throb? The same way that youd attract a new beau freshen up, put on a little makeup and sport the most attractive outfit you can find.
Five Steps to Wow Them at the Curb.
Curb appeal is the real estate equivalent of sex appeal. That first view of your house may not break a sale but it can definitely make it.
1. Get rid of clutter in the yard. Dont kid yourself that the bikes and Big Wheels tell buyers a home is well-loved and family-friendly. Stow the stuff the kids toys, the gas grill, the rake leaning against the porch - and not in the garage. Youll want that to look nice and clean, too.
2. Make any cosmetic repairs that the house needs. Clogged gutters? Hanging drainpipe? Shutter off kilter? Spend a weekend doing all those little things youve been saying youll do for the last three years.
3. Freshen up your houses face. If you can, give it a new coat of paint. If your house is sided, this is the time to rent a power washer and give it a good hose down. Dont forget to wash the windows and hang pretty window treatments inside, too. While youre at it, make sure that mini-blinds are all at the same level in the windows facing the street. Youd be surprised what a difference, symmetry makes.
4. Mow the lawn, trim the shrubs, get the tree guy out to lop off those overhanging branches. Fix cracks in the driveway, dig up the moss in between the paving stones. The keyword is manicure everything should look very, very well taken care of.
5. Wrap it up with a bow. You cant exactly put a ribbon in your houses hair, but you can do the next best thing. Flowers offer instant appeal. Hit your local garden shop for a few flats of colorful, in bloom annuals and put in a flower beds along the walkway, or encircle a palm with a bed of impatiens.
Five Steps to Woo Them All the Way.
Give the inside of your house the same attention that you did the outside. Heres how to turn attraction into love.
1. Get rid of clutter. Take down family photos, remove those report cards from the front of the fridge, tuck away the cherished collection of knick knacks. When youre done, you should have clean counters, clean tables and clean shelves.
2. Clean. Clean. Clean. The key word is spotless. Scrub down walls, wash windows, get rid of the gray fingerprints around doorknobs and light switches. Clean your grout especially in the bathrooms. Shampoo carpets. Added bonus youll have to do far less deodorizing.
3. Pare down furniture to the essentials. Sofa, chair and tables in the living room. Bed, dresser and lamps in the bedroom. Engaging the services of a professional home stager is a very worthwhile investment.
4. If your budget allows for it, go for one or more of these high-ROI home improvements.
-Repaint your kitchen and bathroom walls. Choose a warm neutral color.
-Replace worn carpets.
-Update your kitchen.
-Update your bathroom.
5. Try a few psychological tricks. Hang a mirror on the wall opposite your front door. Invest in fresh flower arrangements but be sure to keep them fresh. Wilted flowers are NOT inviting. Play classical music softly when the house is being shown. And a favorite quick-pretty-up trick toss a clean damp towel and fresh scented dryer sheet in the dryer about half an hour before a showing. Clean laundry smell is even more appealing than chocolate chip cookies or apple pie baking in the oven.
Best Practices For A Warrior In World Of Warcraft
The Job of the Warrior is to get relentlessly beat upon. While there are a handful of classes in World of Warcraft that have the capability to tank, the Warrior stands above them all with more talents, abilities and equipment geared for the role. In a group setting, if the warrior dies first, they died knowing they did their job to the best of their abilities. Some players are better at holding the agro from the monsters than others, but its a common adage that effective tanking is 10% gear, 10% talent build and 80% skill.
A large part of effective tanking is outside the hands of the warrior. One common fallacy held by the players of World of Warcraft is that if a tank loses control of a monster, hes a bad tank. While this very well could be true, the case could actually be quite the opposite. There is a limited number of things a Warrior can do to generate threat on a creature. Assuming that the skill, talents build are in place and the gear collected, he can build a lot of threat. There is an upper limit to the threat obtainable. When a character is assigned to tank, he will not be generating the majority of his threat from dealing damage to a target. Outside of the Warrior class, dealing damage is the best way to increase threat on a monster. Over a period of time, the threat from damage caused by another character can overcome the threat generated by the tank. In such a situation, as long as the warrior was using all his abilities to their maximum effectiveness, theres nothing else he could have done to keep the focus of the enemy. A party who knows this, and can manage their own threat makes the tanks life that much easier. At lower levels, the group tends to blame the tank if he loses control of the monster. In the end game forty man instances, the smart groups tend to blame the player who pulled the target for not managing his own threat.
Warriors are very dependant on the sort of gear they use. If the goal is to play the higher intensity raid instances, a lot of time will be spent gathering up the equipment. For a tank, there are three main things to look at while gathering gear: Stamina, Armor Rating, and Defense. Stamina gives the character ten hit points per point. That may not seem like a lot, but just like pennies in a piggy back, it starts adding up. Armor Rating lowers the incoming damage percentage. Defense ups the skill of the same name, and lowers the chance that enemies will critically hit the tank by a percentage point for every twenty five points of defense. Thankfully, World of Warcraft offers many different dungeons to crawl in order to gather equipment with all of these perks. On epic pieces of armor, players will find bonuses to blocking skill or dodge percentages, and those are nice too, but those will only come after time spent tanking. There will be a long time when the characters will be relying on uncommon and rare equipment that is much easier to obtain.
Of the 51 talent points World of Warcraft offers its players, eighteen of those should be dedicated to the protection tree. For a tank to excel at his job, it is in his best interest to send points on the talents Defiance, Toughness and Last Stand. Neither five point talent on the first tier of talents a warrior can access truly outdoes the other, one raises the chance to block with a shield, the other raises the characters natural defense. Both are good options, yet not required for optimum tanking. On the second tier, five points in Toughness gives you ten percent more armor contribution, and at the high armor ratings a warrior can achieve this talent can decrease all incoming damage by up to five percent. Also on tier two is the Improved Bloodrage talent. This two point talent is useful, but not required to tank. It is required to gain access to the tier three talent Last Stand. Last stand increases the warriors current and maximum hit points by thirty percent for twenty seconds, great for the times when that heal is coming just a second too late. Lastly, the Defiance talent raises the threat generated by the warrior by fifteen percent. Without all these talents, the warrior is not able to tank to the best of the classs ability.
The gear is in place, the talent build is good, but the most important thing to tank effectively is the skill. Its not hard to tank. It just takes knowledge. Sunder Armor is the staple of every tanks retinue. It is the most efficient way to gather rage early in a fight, and it makes the enemy easier to kill by lowering its armor rating. Another ability widely used is Heroic Strike. Some tanks use these two abilities and they manage to control the monster. In a prolonged fight, this will not be enough. There are three abilities other than sunder armor that allow the tank to gain as much agro as possible. Shield block, while not an threat generating ability in itself, it guarantees a block, which in turn allows the tank to use the Revenge ability. Revenge is the lowest cost and highest threat generating ability in the game. Finally, Shield Bash, a high threat producing ability used primarily to stop a spell caster from casting can be used liberally on non-magical foes to generate high amounts of threat. Each of these abilities should be used when they are cooled down and available. Once the basics of tanking are understood, each individual player can add their own flavor to the game and improve on their own abilities.
A large part of effective tanking is outside the hands of the warrior. One common fallacy held by the players of World of Warcraft is that if a tank loses control of a monster, hes a bad tank. While this very well could be true, the case could actually be quite the opposite. There is a limited number of things a Warrior can do to generate threat on a creature. Assuming that the skill, talents build are in place and the gear collected, he can build a lot of threat. There is an upper limit to the threat obtainable. When a character is assigned to tank, he will not be generating the majority of his threat from dealing damage to a target. Outside of the Warrior class, dealing damage is the best way to increase threat on a monster. Over a period of time, the threat from damage caused by another character can overcome the threat generated by the tank. In such a situation, as long as the warrior was using all his abilities to their maximum effectiveness, theres nothing else he could have done to keep the focus of the enemy. A party who knows this, and can manage their own threat makes the tanks life that much easier. At lower levels, the group tends to blame the tank if he loses control of the monster. In the end game forty man instances, the smart groups tend to blame the player who pulled the target for not managing his own threat.
Warriors are very dependant on the sort of gear they use. If the goal is to play the higher intensity raid instances, a lot of time will be spent gathering up the equipment. For a tank, there are three main things to look at while gathering gear: Stamina, Armor Rating, and Defense. Stamina gives the character ten hit points per point. That may not seem like a lot, but just like pennies in a piggy back, it starts adding up. Armor Rating lowers the incoming damage percentage. Defense ups the skill of the same name, and lowers the chance that enemies will critically hit the tank by a percentage point for every twenty five points of defense. Thankfully, World of Warcraft offers many different dungeons to crawl in order to gather equipment with all of these perks. On epic pieces of armor, players will find bonuses to blocking skill or dodge percentages, and those are nice too, but those will only come after time spent tanking. There will be a long time when the characters will be relying on uncommon and rare equipment that is much easier to obtain.
Of the 51 talent points World of Warcraft offers its players, eighteen of those should be dedicated to the protection tree. For a tank to excel at his job, it is in his best interest to send points on the talents Defiance, Toughness and Last Stand. Neither five point talent on the first tier of talents a warrior can access truly outdoes the other, one raises the chance to block with a shield, the other raises the characters natural defense. Both are good options, yet not required for optimum tanking. On the second tier, five points in Toughness gives you ten percent more armor contribution, and at the high armor ratings a warrior can achieve this talent can decrease all incoming damage by up to five percent. Also on tier two is the Improved Bloodrage talent. This two point talent is useful, but not required to tank. It is required to gain access to the tier three talent Last Stand. Last stand increases the warriors current and maximum hit points by thirty percent for twenty seconds, great for the times when that heal is coming just a second too late. Lastly, the Defiance talent raises the threat generated by the warrior by fifteen percent. Without all these talents, the warrior is not able to tank to the best of the classs ability.
The gear is in place, the talent build is good, but the most important thing to tank effectively is the skill. Its not hard to tank. It just takes knowledge. Sunder Armor is the staple of every tanks retinue. It is the most efficient way to gather rage early in a fight, and it makes the enemy easier to kill by lowering its armor rating. Another ability widely used is Heroic Strike. Some tanks use these two abilities and they manage to control the monster. In a prolonged fight, this will not be enough. There are three abilities other than sunder armor that allow the tank to gain as much agro as possible. Shield block, while not an threat generating ability in itself, it guarantees a block, which in turn allows the tank to use the Revenge ability. Revenge is the lowest cost and highest threat generating ability in the game. Finally, Shield Bash, a high threat producing ability used primarily to stop a spell caster from casting can be used liberally on non-magical foes to generate high amounts of threat. Each of these abilities should be used when they are cooled down and available. Once the basics of tanking are understood, each individual player can add their own flavor to the game and improve on their own abilities.
Piggy Banks - A Short History
After selling piggy banks for more than a year it suddenly dawned on me - why are they called piggy banks? What does a pig have to do with saving money? A pig would be the last animal youd associate with saving! Why not bunny banks or doggy banks and for that matter, why an animal at all?! Additionally, piggy bank sounds like it was intended as a childs item as how many adults would use a piggy bank for collecting change?
To satisfy my curiosity I did some piggy bank research and have learned some interesting things and thought I would share them with you.
As you well know, many, particularly ceramic, piggy banks do not have an opening to remove the money. Why is that? The theory goes that this is to serve as a lesson in finances for children. The piggy bank enables a child to save his money but forces him to justify its spending as in order to access the money he needs to break his piggy bank. This lesson seems to have been forgotten by many adults! Maybe we should keep a piggy bank in our front foyer and deposit our loose change as we come home each day! I digress
The question still remains, why is it called a piggy bank and why is it in the shape of a pig?
One theory is that just as it was common to purchase a piglet and feed it with scraps until it was finally ready for slaughter, so too we feed our piggy bank with small change (scraps) until it is full and then break it to reap the rewards of our investment. According to this, the piggy bank would also be appropriate for adults.
A more popular theory is that, in fact, the original piggy bank had absolutely nothing to do with a pig! In the Middle Ages, when metal was expensive, an inexpensive, orange colored clay, called pygg, was the common media for making pots and jars, and was referred to as a pygg jar, for example. One of these jars was often used to hold coins. Eventually, the pygg jar or pygg bank used for coins, surely accidentally, became known as a pig bank or piggy bank! The general consensus is that this evolution transpired a few hundred years ago in England when crafters were hired to make pygg banks and not being familiar with pygg they made pig shaped banks.
The oldest recorded piggy bank in the shape of a pig is claimed to be 1500 years old from Indonesia. If this is so, it precedes the pygg theory by around 1000 years! Perhaps there was some connection between the pig and saving money in that culture but it seems to have not influenced Western culture, where the modern piggy bank only evolved from pygg clay just a few hundred years ago.
Understandably, the piggy bank is not popular in all cultures. The pig is considered an impure animal according to the Old Testament and hence is not owned, eaten nor benefited by Jews. Similarly, Islam forbids the eating of pork due to being impure. Hence, one would not expect to find too many piggy banks in Muslim countries and in homes of those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths.
The modern piggy bank, whether made from ceramics, plastic, beads or metal, has been a very popular collectors item and gift for children due to its appealing and humorous appearance. In addition to the smile or chuckle we experience each time we drop some change into our piggy bank let us be reminded by the lesson it teaches us!
By the way, the famous phrase, break the bank, has nothing to do with the piggy bank!
To satisfy my curiosity I did some piggy bank research and have learned some interesting things and thought I would share them with you.
As you well know, many, particularly ceramic, piggy banks do not have an opening to remove the money. Why is that? The theory goes that this is to serve as a lesson in finances for children. The piggy bank enables a child to save his money but forces him to justify its spending as in order to access the money he needs to break his piggy bank. This lesson seems to have been forgotten by many adults! Maybe we should keep a piggy bank in our front foyer and deposit our loose change as we come home each day! I digress
The question still remains, why is it called a piggy bank and why is it in the shape of a pig?
One theory is that just as it was common to purchase a piglet and feed it with scraps until it was finally ready for slaughter, so too we feed our piggy bank with small change (scraps) until it is full and then break it to reap the rewards of our investment. According to this, the piggy bank would also be appropriate for adults.
A more popular theory is that, in fact, the original piggy bank had absolutely nothing to do with a pig! In the Middle Ages, when metal was expensive, an inexpensive, orange colored clay, called pygg, was the common media for making pots and jars, and was referred to as a pygg jar, for example. One of these jars was often used to hold coins. Eventually, the pygg jar or pygg bank used for coins, surely accidentally, became known as a pig bank or piggy bank! The general consensus is that this evolution transpired a few hundred years ago in England when crafters were hired to make pygg banks and not being familiar with pygg they made pig shaped banks.
The oldest recorded piggy bank in the shape of a pig is claimed to be 1500 years old from Indonesia. If this is so, it precedes the pygg theory by around 1000 years! Perhaps there was some connection between the pig and saving money in that culture but it seems to have not influenced Western culture, where the modern piggy bank only evolved from pygg clay just a few hundred years ago.
Understandably, the piggy bank is not popular in all cultures. The pig is considered an impure animal according to the Old Testament and hence is not owned, eaten nor benefited by Jews. Similarly, Islam forbids the eating of pork due to being impure. Hence, one would not expect to find too many piggy banks in Muslim countries and in homes of those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths.
The modern piggy bank, whether made from ceramics, plastic, beads or metal, has been a very popular collectors item and gift for children due to its appealing and humorous appearance. In addition to the smile or chuckle we experience each time we drop some change into our piggy bank let us be reminded by the lesson it teaches us!
By the way, the famous phrase, break the bank, has nothing to do with the piggy bank!
2007年11月21日星期三
How to be the Leader in Wholesale Handbags
There are hundreds of wholesale handbagswhy would customers buy their handbags from you and not the numerous competitors?
They want wholesale handbags that are cheap. They want wholesale handbags in a variety of styles. They want wholesale handbags that represent the whole spectrum of available designs. Can you give it to them? Are you really offering the best in wholesale handbags, or will they leave your site in frustration and go to another wholesale handbags provider?
Remember that there are hundreds of wholesale handbags sites on the Internet. If they dont like your wholesale handbags, theyll go elsewhere, and take their money with them. With this kind of competition you have to make yourself different. You have to have either the most affordable prices or the latest trends or the widest variety of wholesale handbags theyll ever find at a click of the mouse.
Now you can really get the best suppliers, the best designers, and the best prices to stock your wholesale handbags inventory. Our extensive directory of wholesale handbags suppliers puts you in touch with the companies that can give you the competitive edge. Now you can sell wholesale handbags that include the latest handbags from this seasons runways, as well as the inexpensive and classic styles that many people look for when they visit wholesale handbags sites.
This extensive directory of wholesale handbags suppliers will immediately increase your edge over other wholesale handbags websites. Since you can talk to more suppliers, you have better bargaining power. You can find cheap sources for wholesale handbags, or negotiate for a better price, and then carry over those savings to your customers. You can be the wholesale handbags website with the best bargains, or the wholesale handbags website with the most frequent sales.
Our directory of wholesale handbags will also enable you to expand your inventory. You can include all the major designer labels and position yourself as the fashionistas source for wholesale handbags. And if orders come pouring in for a particular styleas if often the case when something is declared as the It accessory by all the fashion magazinesand you run out of stock, you can always find an alternative supplier. You dont lose money and turn away disappointed customers because youve run out of the hot item. Having this wholesale handbags directory means you always have what you need.
They want wholesale handbags that are cheap. They want wholesale handbags in a variety of styles. They want wholesale handbags that represent the whole spectrum of available designs. Can you give it to them? Are you really offering the best in wholesale handbags, or will they leave your site in frustration and go to another wholesale handbags provider?
Remember that there are hundreds of wholesale handbags sites on the Internet. If they dont like your wholesale handbags, theyll go elsewhere, and take their money with them. With this kind of competition you have to make yourself different. You have to have either the most affordable prices or the latest trends or the widest variety of wholesale handbags theyll ever find at a click of the mouse.
Now you can really get the best suppliers, the best designers, and the best prices to stock your wholesale handbags inventory. Our extensive directory of wholesale handbags suppliers puts you in touch with the companies that can give you the competitive edge. Now you can sell wholesale handbags that include the latest handbags from this seasons runways, as well as the inexpensive and classic styles that many people look for when they visit wholesale handbags sites.
This extensive directory of wholesale handbags suppliers will immediately increase your edge over other wholesale handbags websites. Since you can talk to more suppliers, you have better bargaining power. You can find cheap sources for wholesale handbags, or negotiate for a better price, and then carry over those savings to your customers. You can be the wholesale handbags website with the best bargains, or the wholesale handbags website with the most frequent sales.
Our directory of wholesale handbags will also enable you to expand your inventory. You can include all the major designer labels and position yourself as the fashionistas source for wholesale handbags. And if orders come pouring in for a particular styleas if often the case when something is declared as the It accessory by all the fashion magazinesand you run out of stock, you can always find an alternative supplier. You dont lose money and turn away disappointed customers because youve run out of the hot item. Having this wholesale handbags directory means you always have what you need.
The Reality Of Anti Aging Supplements
The key to this game is finding anti aging supplements that work well for you. My wife swears by Este Lauder Fruition and Lancome eye cream. While these anti aging supplements work well for her skin, they may not work at all for others. You basically need to understand your skin type and what it requires to look healthy and vibrant.
An ideal place to browse for anti aging supplements is your local department stores. These places are infused with cosmetic products. A second place to find anti aging supplements is online. It's simple when you shop from home.
Just the other day we were strolling through the local drug store when she spotted some new anti-wrinkle serum. For some bizarre reason she had to buy it. There's another item to add to the collection of anti aging supplements.
Could this have anything to do with the way females are scrutinized when it comes to image? Well, regardless of how the "staying young forever" trend began, one thing is for certain; it sparked a whole market of anti aging supplements. If you don't already have a few, then you probably will at some point or another. They're a little hard to avoid these days.
How many anti aging supplements are sitting in your medicine cabinet? Which ones work the best for you? It's funny when I take a look at my wife, I see such a young and beautiful woman. However, she has certainly been concerned with anti aging supplements lately. I take one glance at her vanity and think, wow. What does this woman do with all of those wrinkle-reducing creams and eye gels?
What is the deal with youth these days? Is it no longer accepted to grow old gracefully? Well, if you're hip to the latest media and trends, then you know that answer is a resounding "NO." People across the world are no longer interested in growing older. Okay, I should specify more clearly. No one actually wants to look older. This new trend especially applies to women.
It actually looks like she's starting a collection. The funny part is that she doesn't even have any fine lines or wrinkles yet. That's not bad for a lady with a 19 year old daughter. Most people actually think she's in her twenties. One thing is for sure; she has conformed to the new-age concept of avoiding the issues of time. She wants to look as young as she possibly can. Well, who am I to complain.
An ideal place to browse for anti aging supplements is your local department stores. These places are infused with cosmetic products. A second place to find anti aging supplements is online. It's simple when you shop from home.
Just the other day we were strolling through the local drug store when she spotted some new anti-wrinkle serum. For some bizarre reason she had to buy it. There's another item to add to the collection of anti aging supplements.
Could this have anything to do with the way females are scrutinized when it comes to image? Well, regardless of how the "staying young forever" trend began, one thing is for certain; it sparked a whole market of anti aging supplements. If you don't already have a few, then you probably will at some point or another. They're a little hard to avoid these days.
How many anti aging supplements are sitting in your medicine cabinet? Which ones work the best for you? It's funny when I take a look at my wife, I see such a young and beautiful woman. However, she has certainly been concerned with anti aging supplements lately. I take one glance at her vanity and think, wow. What does this woman do with all of those wrinkle-reducing creams and eye gels?
What is the deal with youth these days? Is it no longer accepted to grow old gracefully? Well, if you're hip to the latest media and trends, then you know that answer is a resounding "NO." People across the world are no longer interested in growing older. Okay, I should specify more clearly. No one actually wants to look older. This new trend especially applies to women.
It actually looks like she's starting a collection. The funny part is that she doesn't even have any fine lines or wrinkles yet. That's not bad for a lady with a 19 year old daughter. Most people actually think she's in her twenties. One thing is for sure; she has conformed to the new-age concept of avoiding the issues of time. She wants to look as young as she possibly can. Well, who am I to complain.
Warning: Woodworking Shows Could Be Hazardous
Are you becoming a woodworking show junkie?
If so let this article be a great warning to you and your financial life, because many of these shows are driving people to go after home improvement renovations that they cant afford, making them feel as if they need to keep up with the Joness.
In recent studies and surveys it was shown that twenty seven percent of those people who renovated their homes spent a lot more than they had counted on because they hadnt planned and budgeted their product before they began. Luckily, there were sixty percent who were wise enough to plan and not end up in over their heads.
Its the truth, keeping a home improvement budget can be difficult, even more so when the home improvement shows that seem to constantly be on the television stir up and persuade you to go in deeper than you had planned on doing. They get you excited for the latest home appliance gadgets and the most expensive dcor that you simply do not need, and likely cant afford. You may begin with good intentions to stick to your budget, but if youre not careful, with the influence of these shows you could likely end up stretching that budget well beyond your means, which will no doubt cause much financial stress later on.
This is simply something that nobody needs, dont you agree?
A good financial plan will give you the ability to expect extra expenses, which therefore will reduce the stress of home, your renovations. Experts advise that you should secure financing before the renovation, such as a personal or homeowners line of credit, which give you the financial cushion that you need to keep stress levels low. However, just because you have a line of credit available doesn't mean that you should use it; it just provides extra security in case you hit unforeseen expenses, for instance re-wiring your home.
The survey showed that 68 per cent of respondents used cash from investments or savings to pay for their home improvements, however not planning could likely mean financial difficulty down the road. This survey also revealed that thirty four percent of homeowners are borrowing to finance their renovations.
Could a Home Improvement Show Devastate Your Marriage?
It looks like this may be the case according to a study done by a UK website called British Gas. They reveal that those who are attempting to emulate TV dream homes could be turning DIY into fuel for divorce. More than half of our do it yourself craze is forged by the influence of TV shows. The bad news is that eighty percent of families admit to having had arguments over botched makeovers. That doesnt include all of the added arguments due to financial stress on these marriages, which is the greatest cause of divorce.
Bottomline, save yourself a ton of headache by creating a budget before starting any home improvement project, be strict with your budget, and dont let the shows that tout easy and simple renovation influence you, simply let it inspire you. Be savvy and keep your savings and your marriage.
If so let this article be a great warning to you and your financial life, because many of these shows are driving people to go after home improvement renovations that they cant afford, making them feel as if they need to keep up with the Joness.
In recent studies and surveys it was shown that twenty seven percent of those people who renovated their homes spent a lot more than they had counted on because they hadnt planned and budgeted their product before they began. Luckily, there were sixty percent who were wise enough to plan and not end up in over their heads.
Its the truth, keeping a home improvement budget can be difficult, even more so when the home improvement shows that seem to constantly be on the television stir up and persuade you to go in deeper than you had planned on doing. They get you excited for the latest home appliance gadgets and the most expensive dcor that you simply do not need, and likely cant afford. You may begin with good intentions to stick to your budget, but if youre not careful, with the influence of these shows you could likely end up stretching that budget well beyond your means, which will no doubt cause much financial stress later on.
This is simply something that nobody needs, dont you agree?
A good financial plan will give you the ability to expect extra expenses, which therefore will reduce the stress of home, your renovations. Experts advise that you should secure financing before the renovation, such as a personal or homeowners line of credit, which give you the financial cushion that you need to keep stress levels low. However, just because you have a line of credit available doesn't mean that you should use it; it just provides extra security in case you hit unforeseen expenses, for instance re-wiring your home.
The survey showed that 68 per cent of respondents used cash from investments or savings to pay for their home improvements, however not planning could likely mean financial difficulty down the road. This survey also revealed that thirty four percent of homeowners are borrowing to finance their renovations.
Could a Home Improvement Show Devastate Your Marriage?
It looks like this may be the case according to a study done by a UK website called British Gas. They reveal that those who are attempting to emulate TV dream homes could be turning DIY into fuel for divorce. More than half of our do it yourself craze is forged by the influence of TV shows. The bad news is that eighty percent of families admit to having had arguments over botched makeovers. That doesnt include all of the added arguments due to financial stress on these marriages, which is the greatest cause of divorce.
Bottomline, save yourself a ton of headache by creating a budget before starting any home improvement project, be strict with your budget, and dont let the shows that tout easy and simple renovation influence you, simply let it inspire you. Be savvy and keep your savings and your marriage.
2007年11月19日星期一
The Best Weight Loss Program Does It Really Exist?
Deciding on the best weight loss program for you can be confusing. You need a healthy weight loss program that will allow you to lose weight safely, but there are so many diets out there today; its hard to know what the best one really is! Its no wonder that time after time, your diet fails and youre right back where you started, or worse, you put on extra pounds. Each new diet is advertised as the best out there, but they dont put the emphasis where it should be on a healthy weight loss program that lets you lose weight safely.
Why do so many diets fail? Why is it so hard to find the best weight loss program that will help you lose all the weight you want? The answer is simple diets fail because theyre too restrictive. We need to eat a variety of foods to survive. When you break a diet, thats your bodys way of telling you to take care of yourself!
The best weight loss program isnt a crash diet. Its not one of those diets where you deprive yourself of your favorite foods. The best weight loss program wont make you feel hungry all the time. It is one of those diets where you still get to eat your favorite foods. It will let you eat enough that you dont feel hungry every minute youre awake. The best one is the one that allows you to lose weight safely.
Thats what it comes down to the best weight loss program is a healthy weight loss program. It doesnt cause you to lose weight too quickly, and it allows your body to get all the nutrients it needs, so that you dont feel hungry all the time. It is one where you dont feel like youre even on a diet!
So what is a healthy weight loss program? One where you can lose weight safely and naturally? Does it even exist? It sure does. And it is really simple. There are no gimmicks, no fad foods, and you dont have to spend hours a day in the gym. If you want to lose weight safely, the best weight loss program is simply a combination of eating a balanced diet, portion control, and exercise.
Why is it the best? Because its healthy and will let you lose weight safely, at a moderate pace. Losing a lot of weight very quickly isnt good for your body, and when you lose weight too quickly, youre more likely to gain it back. On the best weight loss program you still get to eat your favorite foods, so youre not depriving yourself of anything. Fad diets tell you what to eat and when to eat it. The best weight loss program is the one that lets you eat when youre hungry, because starving yourself makes you more likely to overeat. By adding some gentle exercise, such as walking, youll feel healthier and burn extra calories.
Thats the best weight loss program. Its a healthy one, and you can lose weight safely. No special exercise equipment to buy and you dont have to starve yourself!
Why do so many diets fail? Why is it so hard to find the best weight loss program that will help you lose all the weight you want? The answer is simple diets fail because theyre too restrictive. We need to eat a variety of foods to survive. When you break a diet, thats your bodys way of telling you to take care of yourself!
The best weight loss program isnt a crash diet. Its not one of those diets where you deprive yourself of your favorite foods. The best weight loss program wont make you feel hungry all the time. It is one of those diets where you still get to eat your favorite foods. It will let you eat enough that you dont feel hungry every minute youre awake. The best one is the one that allows you to lose weight safely.
Thats what it comes down to the best weight loss program is a healthy weight loss program. It doesnt cause you to lose weight too quickly, and it allows your body to get all the nutrients it needs, so that you dont feel hungry all the time. It is one where you dont feel like youre even on a diet!
So what is a healthy weight loss program? One where you can lose weight safely and naturally? Does it even exist? It sure does. And it is really simple. There are no gimmicks, no fad foods, and you dont have to spend hours a day in the gym. If you want to lose weight safely, the best weight loss program is simply a combination of eating a balanced diet, portion control, and exercise.
Why is it the best? Because its healthy and will let you lose weight safely, at a moderate pace. Losing a lot of weight very quickly isnt good for your body, and when you lose weight too quickly, youre more likely to gain it back. On the best weight loss program you still get to eat your favorite foods, so youre not depriving yourself of anything. Fad diets tell you what to eat and when to eat it. The best weight loss program is the one that lets you eat when youre hungry, because starving yourself makes you more likely to overeat. By adding some gentle exercise, such as walking, youll feel healthier and burn extra calories.
Thats the best weight loss program. Its a healthy one, and you can lose weight safely. No special exercise equipment to buy and you dont have to starve yourself!
2007年11月18日星期日
Motorola Two Way Radios
The Basics of Motorola Two Way Radios
Motorola two way radios work almost like a cellular telephone in that they are used as a method of communication between people in different locations but there are a few major differences between the two way radio communication and telephone communication. The most noticeable difference between two way radio and telephone communication is that to the people talking on two way radios have to take turns talking -- this is called the 'half-duplex' mode of operation (telephone conversations, where people can be talking at the same time, uses what is called full-duplex mode).
There are two frequency bands in use for two way radios these are the Family Radio Service (FRS) band and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) band. The FRS band is specifically used for short-range communication between two way radios -- short range is defined as 2 miles or less. The GMRS band is used for two way radios uses that require longer range operation, where the users may be up to eight miles from each other.
Some two way radios are only able to use the FRS band but almost all Motorola two way radios in commercial use are able to take advantage of both the FRS and GMRS bands.
One important note about GMRS operation: The FCC regulates two way radios that operate on the GMRS band and requires users of this type of radio to obtain a license and pay a fee. The GMRS license is good for five years and costs $80.00; the license must be obtained by an adult (the radios operating under the license may be used by minors but only with the licensed adult's knowledge and permission). Go to the FCC's Internet page at: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=general_mobile
for more information on GMRS licensing.
Channels! There are 22 channels commonly used on two way radios: Channels 1 through 7 can be used by all two way radios whether they are using the FRS range or the GMRS range; channels 8 through 14 are reserved for used by radios using the FRS band and channels 15 through 22 are reserved for use by radios using the GMRS band. How this works in practical terms is pretty simple; basically, all the two way radios within eight miles of each other that are set to the same channel will be able to communicate with each other. The catch is, everyone with a radio receiver set to that channel's frequency will also be able to hear whatever is said -- so be careful about what you say. To combat that problem, most Motorola two way radios are also equipped with "privacy codes." These privacy codes will break up a single channel into many sub-channels which gives the radio users much more privacy.
Motorola two way radios work almost like a cellular telephone in that they are used as a method of communication between people in different locations but there are a few major differences between the two way radio communication and telephone communication. The most noticeable difference between two way radio and telephone communication is that to the people talking on two way radios have to take turns talking -- this is called the 'half-duplex' mode of operation (telephone conversations, where people can be talking at the same time, uses what is called full-duplex mode).
There are two frequency bands in use for two way radios these are the Family Radio Service (FRS) band and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) band. The FRS band is specifically used for short-range communication between two way radios -- short range is defined as 2 miles or less. The GMRS band is used for two way radios uses that require longer range operation, where the users may be up to eight miles from each other.
Some two way radios are only able to use the FRS band but almost all Motorola two way radios in commercial use are able to take advantage of both the FRS and GMRS bands.
One important note about GMRS operation: The FCC regulates two way radios that operate on the GMRS band and requires users of this type of radio to obtain a license and pay a fee. The GMRS license is good for five years and costs $80.00; the license must be obtained by an adult (the radios operating under the license may be used by minors but only with the licensed adult's knowledge and permission). Go to the FCC's Internet page at: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=general_mobile
for more information on GMRS licensing.
Channels! There are 22 channels commonly used on two way radios: Channels 1 through 7 can be used by all two way radios whether they are using the FRS range or the GMRS range; channels 8 through 14 are reserved for used by radios using the FRS band and channels 15 through 22 are reserved for use by radios using the GMRS band. How this works in practical terms is pretty simple; basically, all the two way radios within eight miles of each other that are set to the same channel will be able to communicate with each other. The catch is, everyone with a radio receiver set to that channel's frequency will also be able to hear whatever is said -- so be careful about what you say. To combat that problem, most Motorola two way radios are also equipped with "privacy codes." These privacy codes will break up a single channel into many sub-channels which gives the radio users much more privacy.
2007年11月17日星期六
Home Made Gourmet Chocolates.
A few weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to make some gourmet food for a party I was going to arrange. Well I put on my chefs hat and finished up making some truffles, and wow, my friends thought they were fantastic and actually thought that they were gourmet chocolates that I had bought from a quality gourmet food store.
I would like to point out that making gourmet chocolates for yourself is difficult and will take a lot of time, however to be positive it does give you the opportunity to try out some recipes that you probably could not get from the local store.
The key to making amazing gourmet chocolates:
Choosing and buying the ingredients of your gourmet chocolates is part of the fun. To start with I melted excellent quality dark chocolate over a double boiler. Secondly I rolled some small balls from marzipan and covered them with chocolate. Finally I rolled the chocolate covered marzipan in ground almonds, I also rolled chocolate covered peanut butter in more chocolate and then gave them a covering of ground peanuts.
Making Gourmet chocolates opens up your creative juices, and so when making your own gourmet chocolates, you can create many different variations like, chocolate covered candied ginger, chocolate covered citrus peels; even chocolate covered chili peppers, wow.
Sharpen your sculpting talents when making gourmet chocolates:
A popular TV chef had a recipe for a honey chocolate cake, which inspired me to make a honey marzipan truffle. Start by melting some very good quality chocolate over the double boiler, and add a little honey, this will create a nice glaze. Now get the marzipan and with a paring knife carve some simple shapes like flowers, bunnies or hearts then dip the shaped marzipan carefully into the chocolate and let the chocolate set on the marzipan. Then dust them with confectioner's sugar. The glaze will be a little sticky, so the sugar will stick. This will make a great gift for all occasions, and is an especially good idea for gourmet chocolates, because you can make the marzipan into any shape to suit the occasion, and finish off by dusting them with the confectioner's sugar.
A Fantastic gift for someone you care about:
It's difficult to find someone who doesn't like chocolate, so as gifts they are an excellent choice to show someone you care. By making gourmet chocolates yourself, you can take your time, and make them look great for that special person in your life. Food and wine followed by some gourmet chocolates will definitely score you some brownie points.
Gourmet chocolates are normally made by master chocolate makers, there's no pressure here, but be sure you don't make something thats looks terrible and boring, because this will defeat the object of making them yourself. If the chocolates you create are lumpy, uneven or mis-shaped people will not think much of them. You need to be sure the quality is fantastic when offering your friends some of your gourmet chocolates.
I would like to point out that making gourmet chocolates for yourself is difficult and will take a lot of time, however to be positive it does give you the opportunity to try out some recipes that you probably could not get from the local store.
The key to making amazing gourmet chocolates:
Choosing and buying the ingredients of your gourmet chocolates is part of the fun. To start with I melted excellent quality dark chocolate over a double boiler. Secondly I rolled some small balls from marzipan and covered them with chocolate. Finally I rolled the chocolate covered marzipan in ground almonds, I also rolled chocolate covered peanut butter in more chocolate and then gave them a covering of ground peanuts.
Making Gourmet chocolates opens up your creative juices, and so when making your own gourmet chocolates, you can create many different variations like, chocolate covered candied ginger, chocolate covered citrus peels; even chocolate covered chili peppers, wow.
Sharpen your sculpting talents when making gourmet chocolates:
A popular TV chef had a recipe for a honey chocolate cake, which inspired me to make a honey marzipan truffle. Start by melting some very good quality chocolate over the double boiler, and add a little honey, this will create a nice glaze. Now get the marzipan and with a paring knife carve some simple shapes like flowers, bunnies or hearts then dip the shaped marzipan carefully into the chocolate and let the chocolate set on the marzipan. Then dust them with confectioner's sugar. The glaze will be a little sticky, so the sugar will stick. This will make a great gift for all occasions, and is an especially good idea for gourmet chocolates, because you can make the marzipan into any shape to suit the occasion, and finish off by dusting them with the confectioner's sugar.
A Fantastic gift for someone you care about:
It's difficult to find someone who doesn't like chocolate, so as gifts they are an excellent choice to show someone you care. By making gourmet chocolates yourself, you can take your time, and make them look great for that special person in your life. Food and wine followed by some gourmet chocolates will definitely score you some brownie points.
Gourmet chocolates are normally made by master chocolate makers, there's no pressure here, but be sure you don't make something thats looks terrible and boring, because this will defeat the object of making them yourself. If the chocolates you create are lumpy, uneven or mis-shaped people will not think much of them. You need to be sure the quality is fantastic when offering your friends some of your gourmet chocolates.
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