Article Avenue

Help! I'm a graduate...now what?

2011-07-06T03:02:00.000-07:00

Graduating can often be an over-whelming experience for many. You're out in the real world with a plethora of options to choose from. If you're ready to embrace the future to its full potential, the outcome will be significantly rewarding. So let's get right down to it. Find a role that is in line with your needs and then start checking off the below: Use industry and keyword filters to further refine your search.

Getting your CV ready
Arguably the stepping stone into your chosen employer's world. This 1 or 2 page document is where it all begins and highlighting your experience and qualifications in a clear and concise way is critical to proceed to the next stage.

Layout matters – Employers spend around 20 to 30 seconds scanning your CV so it needs to remain clutter-free and easy to read. For helpful examples try our free CV templates.
Tailor your CV to your audience – It may sound like a time consuming process, but making the effort to tailor your CV to suit the requirements of each particular job that you are applying for can greatly increase your chances of securing an interview.
Keep it error free – It's deceptively easy to make mistakes on your CV and exceptionally difficult to repair the damage. Spell check and pass it around to trusted friends and family members for critique.

Getting your cover letter ready
With the amount of competition out there for each individual job, one way to stand apart from the crowd is by including a supporting cover letter with your CV.

While your CV will precisely list out your selling points, your cover letter will help make each area come to life and give you enough real estate to sell yourself.

Know the employer – Research the company, learn about their culture and business needs, and speak directly to those needs. This will help show your willingness to learn and pro-active attitude even before the first interview.
Be passionate – This is where you get to really talk about how your volunteer work/extra-curricular activities are directly relevant to the job in question and will help bridge the experience gap.
Understand what the role requires – Show a clear understanding of the role and how your real life examples position you as the ideal candidate.

If you're still not feeling too confident about starting up your own cover letter, try one of our free cover letter examples to help you along.

Questions, questions, questions
With a shiny CV and cover letter to support each job application, it's only a matter of time before you land your first face to face meeting with the guys in charge.

At this point rehearsal is critical and it pays to go over some common interview questions with a friend or family. We've even got a "Virtual Job Interview" to help emulate that feeling to keep those nerves from going hay-wire on the big day.

Do your research – You are certain to be asked specific questions about the company, so make sure you've done your homework on things like their last year's profits and latest product launches.
Look the part – Appearances shouldn't matter, but the plain fact is that you are often judged before you've even uttered a word. Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes fit correctly and that your accessories are subtle.
Ask questions – You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job, and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.

Satisfied with your current CV? Thinking of making a few alternatives? Why not upload or create a brand new CV on Monster. Make it "public" and let employers find you.

Facts About CCTV Cameras

2011-07-06T00:07:00.000-07:00

Closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras are commonly implemented to deter crime. Especially used in the United Kingdom, CCTV cameras can be seen on nearly every corner of London and other major cities. Many cameras are needed for monitoring cities, and the number of cameras used has grown tremendously over the years. The majority of CCTV cameras are used for basic security surveillance, normally to prevent theft.

Purpose

There are a couple of purposes behind the implementation of CCTV cameras. One basic idea is that by having cameras everywhere, any crimes that are committed will have video evidence that can be reviewed. With video evidence, crimes are much more likely to be solved.

The other idea behind CCTV is that it will serve as a prevention technique. If everyone knows that they are being recorded, then they should be less likely to commit crimes in the first place to avoid the repercussions.
Introduction

CCTVs were introduced in the 1970s as an analog system. Since then, the majority of cameras have been upgraded to digital, which are easier to manage and don't have to rely on large cable systems for data transmission and recording.
Numbers

CCTV is very popular in many areas throughout the world, mostly as a surveillance technique in small areas. The United Kingdom has implemented them as police surveillance techniques for cities as well. More than 25 million CCTVs are in operation around the world, 2.5 million of which are in the UK.

Statistics show that in major cities like London, the average citizen is caught on CCTV cameras at a rate of almost 300 times per day.
Theft Prevention

One of the main focuses of CCTVs is theft-prevention. The idea is that this serves to deter theft, as well as to ensure a guilty verdict is carried out when a theft occurs. According to Hugh Marriage---a crime reduction officer for the southeast of England, "CCTV pictures means there have been an enormous increase in guilty verdicts." Each guilty verdict saves an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 pounds.
Terrorist Incident

One of the most highly documented success stories of CCTV cameras is the July 2005 bombing in London, where CCTV images helped with the identification of people that played a key role in the attack and ultimately lead to their convictions.

Refrigerator Water Filters

2011-01-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Many people love the convenience of having a refrigerator that offers water and ice. Yet the water that is used for them many not be all it can be. It is very simple to add a water filter to the system though. This will ensure the water you drink and the water used to make the ice tastes the best it can. You will immediately notice a difference in it. You will also find that your family and your guests drink water more often due to it.

You will need to do your research carefully if you are going to add a water filter to the refrigerator. Make sure that what you buy is compatible with your make and model of refrigerator. There are many options out there though and you will find water filters for all the major brands of refrigerators with this feature. It is just a matter of matching things up correctly so it works like it should.

The process for installing a refrigerator water filter is extremely simple. You should be able to complete the process in about an hour or less. They are smaller than the water filters that go under your sink so the installation will move along at a much faster speed. The cost of a refrigerator water filter will run you about $80. It really depends on the size you need and the brand of refrigerator you have though.

There are many models of refrigerators that you can buy with a water filter system already installed in it. Many people find this to be very convenient. In fact, it may be one of the contributing factors to them buying this type of refrigerator in the first place. After\ all, why get such a model if you aren’t sure anyone will want to drink the water that is dispensed from it?

The benefits from a refrigerator that dispenses water and ice are too great to pass up. Many children love being able to get these items on their own. If you have some paper cups handy the will likely come in and help themselves to a refreshing drink of water. You will love knowing they are drinking something good for them without you having to force them to do so.

Different Types of Drugs that Can Cause Mood Swings

2011-01-11T06:23:00.000-08:00

Drugs, particularly recreational ones, have a nasty reputation for causing mood swings and hallucinations. Most of the drugs that are popular among users and addicts today are especially prized or formulated for their specific effects. Unfortunately, these very same effects could also become uncontrolled, creating unpleasant physical, mental and emotional stress. Often, these emotions can be either extremely positive or extremely negative. Depending on the amount of drugs that enters the body and the person's own physiological reactions to it, mood swings can be prolonged and intense.

Drugs that can cause mood swings
There are several types of drugs that lead to mood swings. These are:

Cocaine
Cocaine was a drug that soared in popularity in the 80s and 90s. It is a known stimulant that may be dissolved and taken through an IV, although it is commonly inhaled. Cocaine, like its derivative crack, produces a feeling of intense euphoria, which makes it very popular with users. It can quickly stimulate the central nervous system, increasing energy and confidence and reducing inhibition.

The problem with cocaine is that once the initial effects wear off, the negative effects begin. This is then replaced by depression, guilt, anxiety and nervousness, exactly the opposite of the emotions it produces initially.

Inhalants
Inhalants frequently come in the form of adhesives such as glues, gasoline, aerosol propellants, spray paints and cleaning liquids. Although safe in small quantities and if used as indicated, inhalants may be abused.

Inhalants produce a 'high' but this is only temporary. Unless a new 'hit' is taken, the user could begin to suffer from negative emotions, leading to mood swings.

Amphetamines
Amphetamines were the drug of choice for nearly two decades starting in the 1950s. It was actually a prescription drug, used to treat mild depression, fatigue and obesity. The only problem is that amphetamines can lead to addiction, which has now severely limited its use today.

Over-the-counter drugs that have amphetamine-like effects are frequently being abused by some users. Because of its stimulant effects, it helps keep people awake and alert. It can also suppress the appetite, making it the drug of choice of people who want to lose weight.

The problem is that amphetamines are also drugs that cause mood swings. People who use them frequently exhibit insomnia, restlessness and irritability. In some cases, it can even cause tremors.

LSD
LSD or lysergic acid diethylamide is a synthetic substance, a drug that was made popular in the 60s and 70s. It is a hallucinogenic drug, capable of changing the user's perception of reality. It is so strong that it can work even in very small doses.

Like most drugs, LSD can also lead to mood swings. Although its initial effects are mainly producing hallucinations, it can create confusion and anxiety in users.

There are also other naturally-occurring drugs that function in similar ways to LSD. Peyote, for example, contains mescaline, while certain types of mushrooms contain psilocybin. These ingredients both produce hallucinations, which made them very popular for use by people practicing certain religious rituals.

Although both substances are quite effective, they are not as potent as LSD, which is 200 times more potent than psilocybin and around 4,000 times more powerful than mescaline.

Antidepressants
Antidepressants are prescription drugs that change the levels of neurotransmitters in the body, including norepinephrine and serotonin. Antidepressants include monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclics. Although quite effective, these drugs do have side effects, including mood swings.

Your First Magick Divination

2011-01-10T09:17:00.000-08:00

I am going to show you a simple way of Divination called Scrying. The first thing you need to do is get some sort of reflective object... like a mirror or a crystal ball, etc. This will actually allow you to catch a glimpse of things to come if you follow your current path.

Now, turn out the lights, and get some of your favorite incense going. The only light that should be in the room is a dim light, such as a candle set behind you. Cover the table you are going to use with a black cloth or piece of fabric. Now place the object you chose to use for Scrying on top of the table.

Start by warming up and getting into your meditative space, setting the tone for what you will be doing. When you are ready, open your eyes and look into the surface of your scrying instrument. Your focus should shift past the surface to a point somewhere approximately five or six inches beyond the surface. This may or may not work for you, but it is the best way to shift your focus for scrying. Have you ever looked at those pictures that are completely comprised of colored dots and/or splotches and had to “look past” the surface to see the three-dimensional image in the picture? It is the same principle used here for scrying.

Try to keep your mind blank, open to whatever may be shown to you, unless you are scrying for the answer to a specific question. Your eyes will want to blink. That is all right, let them blink and regain your shift in focus. When you are first beginning, try to keep your scrying time to no more than ten or twenty minutes. If you are not successful, put it away and try again another time.

Images may come to you in any number of forms. Some may be full images, even moving pictures as though you are watching a movie. That is not common, however, especially when you are first beginning. At first you may only get a “cloud” or “mist”. This may eventually part to allow images to come through, or it may just move in one direction or another in answer to yes or no questions.

If you do see images, they may be simple symbols left open for interpretation. These symbols usually mean something to you, and are not necessarily the symbols you may find written in a book. For instance, a dog may generally symbolize loyalty or protection, but if you were traumatized at some point in your life by a dog attack, it could mean something entirely different to you.

"5 Ways To Ensure You Will Have a Happy Life After Divorce"

2011-01-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

In fact, think about having a life after divorce while getting a divorce can be a sticking point for some people because they just aren't sure what their life will "look like" after divorce.

Here's 5 things to keep in mind so can have a life after divorce:

Life after divorce item 1: Think about your emotional stability...if you wanted the divorce or not, you must face it head on.
Divorce is tough and whether you're going through it or your are already past it, your emotional stability is of vital importance because you might tend to be somewhat touchy after going through an emotional ordeal. Keep in mind that your life after divorce can be great but you must admit that you will go through (or have gone through) a trying time in your life. Admitting this and facing your situation head on is important to your emotional stability and critical to you having a happy life after divorce.

Life after divorce item 2: Look at the bright side, having life after divorce could be a new start for you!
How may times in your life do you wish you could have just started over knowing what you know now? If you answered "many", don't worry, that's a common thought most of us have. Having a positive mental attitude about your new beginning will make a huge difference in how happy your life will be after divorce. Life after divorce can be fantastic and it can also be very tough if you don't remain positive about a what's in front of you. Look at the glass as being "half full" and realize that, in order to be happy after divorce, you must take advantage of the opportunity to get a fresh start!

Life after divorce item 3: Surround yourself with people you like in your free time.
Too often times people start new relationships with just about anyone because they are lonely while getting a divorce or after getting a divorce. Sparking a relationship, romantic or friendly, with anyone and everyone who will spend time with you can contribute to unhappiness in your life after divorce. Stop and think about the people that you spend time with and ask yourself, "Once my emotional turmoil has ended, would I really want to keep the relationship going with this person?". Life after divorce is tough...so, when you're deciding about divorce, going through one, or already have been through a divorce, make sure that you carefully choose who to spend your free time with or you may fall into more negativity in your life after divorce.

Life after divorce item 4: Make it a point to spend time doing things that you like to do every week.
Make sure that you spend time enjoying your life after divorce - don't forget to 'stop and smell the roses'. Some people vent, work, go into hiding, or just plain go haywire after getting a divorce and their subsequent life after divorce isn't as healthy as possible. At least once a week, take the time to go and do something that you really enjoy doing...it will help you deal with your life after divorce in a more pleasing manner.

Life after divorce item 5: Set specific goals and implement a plan to achieve those goals.
Life after divorce is a tumultuous time, your life can seemingly be 'in the balance'. In order to make sure that you feel good about yourself and enjoy the feeling that accomplishment brings, think about a goal or set of goals that you've always had but never attained. Then, prioritize those goals and devise a plan to obtain them, one by one. Implement each plan and be happy (in fact celebrate) once you've reached your goal. Your life after divorce will be markedly better and healthier if you take this concept to heart and follow it.

Visualizing your life after divorce (and thinking about what your life might be like after divorce) is a sound and logical thing to do in order to be happy after divorce. Your life after divorce does not need to be a continuation of the pain you might have gone through or are currently going through.

Life after divorce can be extremely liberating if you act based on logic plus positive emotions rather than negativity. If divorce is eminent or you've already been through divorce, take the time to actually plan your life after divorce.

The Facts About Romantic Compatibility

2011-01-10T08:11:00.000-08:00

Romantic compatibility in a relationship is such an important thing to both couples. There’s no such romantic relationship if you’re not compatible with your mate. You have to be compatible when it comes to certain vulnerable things so to avoid misunderstanding and trouble dealing with one another. Usually, the astrology has something to say and have to guide you and your mate about the romantic compatibility insight through the different sun signs, for you and for your love, or for a certain someone that you’re having an eye on. Of course, you want to know how compatible you are to your mate before having a relationship with her or him, or before settling down.

It is good to know to whom you are compatible with before you enter a relationship. By this, you will know the best and the worst things that might match love. Others say birth compatibility is important so to create a romantic compatibility in a relationship. Good mates are the only child and youngest; the first-born and youngest; the middle child and the youngest. The gender plays a role too. It is possible to everyone to keep the relationships growing and create a romantic compatibility through understanding even there are ups and downs in a relationship. You must feel comfortable in a relationship that you’re in, because it indicates how much at ease you feel with your mate and that how you can tell how romantic compatibility works between you and the other person. Communication is still a good source of building up a romantic compatibility, where it indicates your ability to understand each other and exchange those sweet talks to each other. A good chemistry that binds you and your mate can make a good sense of romantic compatibility, too.

Romantic compatibility is important in a relationship, combined with love and understanding. Through this, it keeps the flame of passion that’s burning in a relationship. Sometimes, teaming up with those incompatible partners can lead to tensions, broken hearts and a lot of misunderstandings in a relationship, and of course, you don’t want a broken relationship that leaves painful scars in our lives. Romantic compatibility tells about the romantic relationship from a variety of angles. It also tells about the nature of your attraction, or how do you relate to each other. Romantic compatibility can tell you too what are the traits you are both compatible with and the specific dynamics of your chemistry together in building up a romantic compatibility.

Astrologers have been using charts to let couples understand and discover their own horoscope and the horoscope of their potential partner. Most compatibility charts can give more information about your partner and that can tell you to whom you are compatible with. It compares your partner’s individual birth information and gives you insight into your relationship. It compares and contrasts the interrelationship of two separate charts; the professional astrologers can reveal the many ways and many levels that the two people relate with each other. The romantic compatibility chart provides a comparison between two people with regards to all the things that affect their ability to harmonize with each other, from relationship personality and lifestyle to sexuality and passion. This is one of the most comprehensive ways that you can find and that will help you to understand on how you should relate romantically to another person, and how you both can better understand and appreciate each other.

Actually, romantic compatibility in a relationship relies to both couples, and not just to what astrology says. If you think you both find each other compatible and that you love each other, for sure, the romantic compatibility slowly will grow between you and your mate. The astrology just guides and gives you some important details that might help you in choosing your potential mate in the future and certain aspects that will help you enhance your personality and building up the romantic compatibility in a relationship.

Byzantine Art

2011-01-10T00:25:00.000-08:00

A Painting In studying their prototypes the Byzantine artists learned anew the classical conventions for depicting the clothed figure, in which the drapery clings to the body, thus revealing the forms beneath—the so-called damp-fold style. They also wanted to include modeling in light and shade, which not only produces the illusion of three-dimensionality but also lends animation to the painted surfaces. Religious images, however, were only acceptable as long as the human figure was not represented as an actual bodily presence. The artists solved the problem by abstraction, that is, by rendering the darks, halftones, and lights as clearly differentiated patterns or as a network of lines on a flat surface, thus preserving the visual interest of the figure while avoiding any actual modeling and with it the semblance of corporeality. Thus were established those conventions for representing the human figure that endured for the remaining centuries of Byzantine art.

B Architecture In contrast to the artistic experimentations in the Justinian age, the mid-Byzantine period was one of consolidation. Recurring types of the centralized church were established, and the program of their mosaic decoration was systematized in order to conform to Orthodox beliefs and practices.

A common type of the mid-Byzantine centralized church was the cross-in-the-square. As at Hagia Sophia, its most prominent feature was the central dome over a square area, from which now radiated the four equal arms of a cross. The dome was usually supported, however, not by pendentives but by squinches (small arches) set diagonally in the corners of the square. The lowest portions of the interior were confined to the small areas that lay between the arms of the cross and the large square within which the whole church was contained.

Under imperial sponsorship, Early Christian architecture flourished throughout the empire on a monumental scale. Buildings were of two types, the longitudinal hall, or basilica, and the centralized building, frequently a baptistery or a mausoleum.

Christian worship, being congregational, requires a hall, and the Roman basilica—a civic hall—became the model for both large and small churches. In Rome the principal shrines became the sites of enormous timber-roofed basilicas, all erected in the 4th and 5th centuries—Old Saint Peter's (replaced in the 16th century), Saint Paul's Outside the Walls, and Santa Maria Maggiore, among others. The plan often included an atrium, or forecourt; a narthex, or porch; a long nave (central hall) flanked by side aisles; a transept hall crossing the nave; and a semicircular or polygonal apse (east end of a chapel, reserved for clergy) opposite the nave. In front of the apse, the altar was set directly over the shrine. Pagan spoils (stolen, pillaged goods) were used throughout; columns, decorative panels, masonry, and bronze roof tiles from imperial buildings were incorporated in the new structures. Smaller basilican churches were built in large numbers, as exemplified by the Church of Sant!

' Apollinare in Classe (5th century) in Ravenna, and the Church of Santa Sabina (5th century) in Rome.

B The Centralized Building Baptisteries, mausoleums, and martyria (martyr shrines) were built in centralized form. They were either circular or polygonal, with the object of veneration—the baptismal font, the sarcophagus, or the holy place—visible to the faithful from the cloister or aisle circling the site. A typical baptistery is that found next to San Giovanni in Laterano, Rome, parts of which date from as early as 313. Built entirely of spoils, the elegant circular building has massive bronze doors and, for the font, a huge porphyry (very beautiful and hard rock) basin, both from the Baths of Caracalla. A typical mausoleum is the domed, circular Church of Santa Costanza (4th century) in Rome, built as the tomb of Constantia, daughter of Constantine the Great. Her magnificently carved porphyry sarcophagus, now in the Vatican Museums in Rome, stood under the dome. Mausoleums were also built in the equal-armed Greek cross form, such as the famous Tomb of Galla Placidia (5th century) in Ravenna. The most famous martyria are the domed Church of the Holy Sepulchre (4th century; numerous rebuildings) in Jerusalem, and the octagonal shrine of the Church of the Nativity (4th century; rebuilt 6th century and later) in Bethlehem. Both have adjoining basilicas to accommodate the crowds of pilgrims.

The exteriors of Early Christian buildings were generally plain and unadorned; the interiors, in contrast, were richly decorated with marble floors and wall slabs, frescoes, mosaics, hangings, and sumptuous altar furnishings in gold and silver (see Metalwork).

A clear picture of Roman architecture can be drawn from the impressive remains of ancient Roman public and private buildings and from contemporaneous writings, such as De Architectura (trans. 1914), the ten-volume architectural treatise compiled by Vitruvius toward the close of the 1st century BC.

The typical Roman city of the later Republic and empire had a rectangular plan and resembled a Roman military camp with two main streets—the cardo (north-south) and the decumanus (east-west)—a grid of smaller streets dividing the town into blocks, and a wall circuit with gates. Older cities, such as Rome itself, founded before the adoption of regularized city planning, could, however, consist of a maze of crooked streets. The focal point of the city was its forum, usually situated at the center of the city at the intersection of the cardo and the decumanus. The forum, an open area bordered by colonnades with shops, functioned as the chief meeting place of the town. It was also the site of the city's primary religious and civic buildings, among them the Senate house, records office, and basilica. The basilica was a roofed hall with a wide central area—the nave—flanked by side aisles, and it often had two or more stories. In Roman times basilicas were the site of business transa!

ctions and legal proceedings, but the building type was adapted in Christian times as the standard form of Western church with an apse and altar at the end of the long nave. The first basilicas were put up in the early 2nd century BC in Rome's own Forum, but the earliest well-preserved example of the basilicas (circa 120BC) is found at Pompeii.

The chief temple of a Roman city, the capitolium, was generally located at one end of the forum. The standard Roman temple was a blend of Etruscan and Greek elements; rectangular in plan, it had a gabled roof, a deep porch with freestanding columns, and a frontal staircase giving access to its high plinth, or platform. The traditional Greek orders, or canons (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), were usually retained, but the Romans also developed a new type of column capital called the composite capital, a mixture of Ionic and Corinthian elements. An excellent example of the canonical temple type is the Maison-Carrée (circa AD 4) in Nîmes, France. Roman temples were erected not only in the forum, but throughout the city and in the countryside as well; many other types are known. One of the most influential in later times was the type used for the Pantheon (AD118-28) in Rome, consisting of a standard gable-roofed columnar porch with a domed cylindrical drum behind it replacing the traditional rectangular main room, or cella. Simpler temples based on Greek prototypes, with round cellas and an encircling colonnade, such as that built about 75BC at Tivoli, near Rome, were also popular.

Importance of History in our life

2011-01-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

When the working day is over and you have spare time to sit in the living room in front of the TV with a cup of hot chocolate, we think about the events that happen during the day and the things that we didn’t manage to do. We may regret or file genuine happiness and satisfaction, but everything we do is in the past, its history. Nobody will reject the fact that history is one of the most important out of the other disciplines. To know other subjects we are supposed to learn history and use it to our profit and prosperity. History gives us the “today”, by which we mean all the things we use to make our lives easier and more comfortable. History is not only a college book or an article or a news paper published three hundred years ago, it is every single thing that we’ve experienced, our own history, united with others. The beginning of the history comes not only from the first record of human existence but from the first trace, a footprint of a first creature with abstract thinking.

We pose ourselves with questions daily. Where do we come from? What are we destined to do? What are me and the surrounding? These questions may sound very philosophical and practically useless, but still sometimes we lye sleepless in bed thinking about what awaits you next day. If to take a closer look at the events that we consider history, we may find these answers easily. There is a hypothesis about things running in the circle. Old things return to change something new. Here we even can apply a proverb “Something new is fairly forgotten old”. I think it is also the reason for us to learn history and to predict, or at least try, the future and your role in it. When do people usually start to learn history? Not out of the first history book of course. The learning process starts when you hear the world famous “once upon a time” from your granny or father. This is the history of your family, you are to know perfectly well and understand the importance of knowing it.

At school and at the university you learn history, weather you like it or not. Some of us become excited and read piles and piles of history books and usually get best results in writing history essays. Some consider this to be nonsense, used only to waist our time. But what is the way your outlook and your ideology were formed? According to the common sense, out of history. It is the biggest treasure of ours and we have to value it. We take lessons from famous scientists and technicians that lived even hundreds of years before our grandparents were born. Their lives are like a history essay, short revision of a nice old story. We use their experience and their inventions daily, even every hour. It is very important for us to show respect to those who left us priceless works that we enjoy every day, watching plays in theatres and reading books. We don’t want to be ungrateful for we are also to leave a trace in history. What kind of trace, will depend on our attitude towards what we do and the knowledge of history, the inheritage we are to pass to our posterities.

Autism and Nutritional Concerns

2011-01-09T09:08:00.000-08:00

Autism is one of many developmental disorders. Infantile autism is described as a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by abnormal emotional, social, and linguistic development in a child. Symptoms include abnormal ways of relating to people, objects, and situations (Mosby, 1998).

Autism tends to affect more males than females. The ratio of affected males

to females is approximately four to one. Autism and its associated behaviors have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 500 individuals (Autism, 2001). It is estimated that one half million people in the United States today have autism or some form of pervasive developmental disorder (Autism, 2001).

The etiology of autism is unclear and can be determined in only approximately 20 percent of the diagnosed children (Huffman, 2001). Researchers continue their search for the cause. It has been noted that autism may have multiple causes, including structural abnormalities of the brain, viruses, genetic disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, metabolic disorders, or seizure disorders (Ekvall, 1993). Autism is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and neurochemistry in the brain. The exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown, but this is a very active area of research (Greene, 2001).

Children with autism share some biochemical abnormalities. Studies have shown that serum calcium levels run low, while urinary calcium levels are high. Uric acid levels are decreased in both serum and urine (book).

There are no biochemical tests used in the diagnoses of autism. In order to diagnose autism, the person's behaviors are documented. The behaviors are

evaluated and compared to a standard list of diagnostic criteria. If eight of

the sixteen listed items are present, autism is considered.

There is debate in whether or not the MMR vaccine causes autism. A recent review from the US Institute of Medicine rejects that such a relationship exists (Heller 2001). Intake of gluten (wheat protein) and casein (milk protein) has also been blamed for causing autistic behavior. A theory exists that autistic persons cannot completely break down these proteins. The undigested proteins (peptides) then enter the bloodstream and cause abnormal brain development and an opiate-like effect (Gluten-free 2001). According to professional journals, this theory has not been proven. Neither is it recognized by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or other government agencies.

It has also been suggested that there is an association between inflammatory bowel disease and autism. Research has not yet proven this hypothesis (Fombonne 1998).

Vitamin and dietary treatments have been investigated for their possible role in helping children with autism and other developmental disorders. Implementation of megadoses of vitamin B6 and magnesium has been studied,

as well as folate and calcium supplementation. In some cases, supplementation appeared to help autistic children, though it remains unproven. Therefore, supplementation is not recommended at this time (Ekvall 2001).

A cure for autism has yet to be found. Although there is no cure, early intervention may help maximize the child's functional level. A teaching regimen should be specifically developed for each child. Teaching should include a highly structured schedule of activities, an extensive use of visuals to accompany instruction, and the use of positive reinforcement (Autism 2001). No one approach is effective in alleviating symptoms of autism in all cases. Various types of therapies are available, including applied behavior analysis, auditory integration training, dietary interventions, music therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sensory integration, speech/language therapy, and vision therapy. Medications may be useful for treating some of the behaviors. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and trazodone, among others, have been widely used in children. Referral to a child psychiatrist may be needed to help guide treatment decisions (Autism, 2001).

According to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, the position of The American Dietetic Association states "Program planning for person with developmental disabilities should include comprehensive nutrition services as part of health care, vocational, and educational programs." The American Dietetic Association also recognizes that persons with developmental disabilities are at increased nutritional risk. Specifically, the factors that

contribute to the risk in autistic persons include feeding problems, drug-nutrient interactions, and pica (Journal of the American Dietetic Association 1997). Pica is the craving to eat nonfood substances, such as dirt, clay, chalk, glue, ice, starch, or hair (Anderson, 1998).

Autistic persons often have problems associated with food acceptance or rejection. Such behaviors contribute to poor dietary intake and bizarre feeding patterns (Ekvall, 1993). Caregivers that do not know how to manage the unusual feeding problems exemplify the problem. Also, autistic children often cannot effectively express feelings of hunger or thirst to the caregiver.

An increased frequency of physical anomalies and the persistence of primitive reflexes in children with autism may contribute to feeding problems as well. Delayed development of hand dominance, unusual postures, and unusual movements also affect the development of feeding skills. Food cravings, specific food or food preparation preferences, and retention of food bits in the mouth for long periods of time are common (Ekvall, 1993).

The three types of food habits most often seen are (1) the need for ritual; (2) specific eating behaviors; (3) limited and rigid food preferences. For example, some base their preferences due to texture, color, or flavor (Ekvall, 1993).

Despite the concern for the diets of autistic children, studies have shown that the intakes of children with autism were overall not statistically different

from those of the control children. However, autistic children should be

closely monitored for dietary adequacy. The desire for little food or water must be closely monitored to avoid deficiencies and dehydration (Ekvall, 1993). Other concerns include the possibility of obesity, particularly during adolescence due to certain medications. Positive reinforcement is often used when working with autistic children. If food reinforcers are used frequency, obesity may become a concern (Ekvall, 1993).

Teaching a child how to self-feed often presents a challenge to caregivers. Prompting is often practiced in teaching children how to feed themselves. Once the child completes a step in the process, a cue is given for the next

step. Upon completion of the task sequence, the selected goal would be accomplished (Ekvall, 1993).

When assessing the nutritional status of an autistic person, one must take into account that nutrient needs may be altered as a result of long-term medication therapy for conditions such as epilepsy, recurrent urinary infections, and behavioral problems. Disorders of vitamin D, calcium, and bone metabolism

result when anticovulsants are used for extended periods. The use of other medications may also affect food and nutrient intake (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 1997).

Dietetics professionals who provide services to persons with developmental disabilities need to acquire and continuously update the specialized skills required to work successfully with this population (JADA, 1997).

The clinical dietitian must screen for nutrition-related problems to identify persons at nutritional risk and provide medical nutrition therapy to those individuals (JADA 1997). Assessing the child's intake and monitoring their growth curve is important. Drug-nutrient interactions also need to be closely watched. A clinical dietitian should also be prepared to answer questions from parents who are interested in the special diets that are highly publicized. It is also important to provide information to caregivers on how to deal with feeding issues.

The Invention Of The Atomic Clocks

2011-01-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

Louis Essen was born in 1908 in a small city in England called Nottingham. His childhood was typical of the time and he pursued his education with enjoyment and dedication. At the age of 20 Louis graduated from the University of Nottingham, where he had been studying. It was at this time that his career started to take off, as he was invited to join the NPL, or National Physics Laboratory.

It was during Louis’s time at the NPL that he began working to develop a quartz crystal oscillator as he believed they were capable of measuring time as accurately as a pendulum based clock. Ten years after joining the NPL Louis had invented the Essen ring. This was an eponymous invention which took its name from the shape of the quartz which Louis had used in his latest clock and which was three times more accurate than the previous versions.

Louis soon moved on to newer areas of research and began to study ways to measure the speed of light. During World War II he began to work on high frequency radar and used his technical ability to develop the cavity resonance wavemeter. From 1946 it was this wavemeter which he used, along with a colleague by the name of Albert Gordon-Smith, to make his light speed measurements. It has been acknowledged recently that Louis’s measurements were by far the most accurate to have been recorded up until that time.

During the early part of the 1950’s Louis began to take an interest in research which was being carried out at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in the United States of America. He learnt that work was being carried out to invent a clock which was more accurate than any other. The American scientists were using the idea of maintaining a clock’s accuracy by using the radiation emitted or absorbed by atoms. At that time the Americans were using a molecule of ammonia but Louis felt that this was not working as well as if they were using different atoms, such as hydrogen or cesium, and so he began working on his own clock using these materials instead.

1953 saw Louis and a colleague, Jack Parry, receiving permission to develop an atomic clock at the NPL based on Louis’s existing knowledge of quartz crystal oscillators and other relevant techniques he had learned from the cavity resonance wavemeter he had previously designed. Only two years later Louis's first atomic clock was running, Cesium I, designed by the UK scientists. Development in the United States had all but stopped due to political difficulties.

Louis continued to work on his atomic clock and by 1964 he had managed to increase the accuracy of the atomic clock from one second in 300 years to one second every 2000 years! The continued success of Louis’s work resulted in the definition of a second being changed from 1/864000 of a mean solar day to being calculated as the time it took for 9192631770 cycles of the radiation in an atomic clock.

Louis Essen died in 1997 and before his death had been honored with, amongst others, an OBE and the Tompion Gold Medal of the Clockmakers’ Company.

Human Resorce Menagement: A Comparison of Training and Development Programs

2011-01-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

In today’s workforce, training and development systems or programs have become critical features. These systems often have diverse goals. Perhaps, the primary objective is to provide a new employee with the skills necessary to adequately perform his or her job. Even college graduates must generally be taught the specific tasks that will be required in the individual organization. Development issues are also prominent during the course of an employee’s tenure with a company. When new technologies become available the employees must receive training in order to learn additional skills. Given the numerous legal rules by which employees must conduct themselves, training and development in such issues as discrimination and appropriate conduct between the two sexes may prevent expensive lawsuits. Additionally, by training workers to be culturally sensitive, they become better suited to global commerce (Stumpf, Watson, & Rustogi, 1994). Appropriate methods of maintaining safety also becomes vital material in training and development systems in occupational workstations that are potentially hazard. Thus, whether training and development consist of a department or an individual, most organizations will determine such a need existing in their company. Unfortunately, some companies often feel the need to cut back on training programs even though the long-term impact may be disastrous (“Feeling Frugal,?2002). The purpose of this paper is to examine selected training and development programs in various companies, noting positive and negative features. Training and development systems do not always involve the employees of an organization. It may also include the training of vendors or customers. Nowhere is this more clearly necessary then in organizations that sell complicated or technical products. While many items may be purchased with instructional manuals or instructional sheets, other products require more assistance. This is particularly true when it comes to software products for the computer. Lotus Development offers a two-prong approach in their training and development: they train solution providers who will install their software and then provide additional training to the consumer (Carbone, 2001). The solution providers participate in technical training, while also having a web site available that provides solutions to additional problems. Corel simply encourages its customers to utilize their product daily in order to become more familiar with it, while providing limited support in the form of a web site where customers. In comparing these two training programs, there are some difficulties. Of course, for the consumers with regard to training, the Lotus system has more positive features in that they are able to ask questions that the solution providers have ample resources from which to seek answers. Corel’s web site may be very informative. However, if the solution that the customer seeks is not there, he or she will become frustrated. Microsoft provides seminars to its customers to assist in the training of small and medium enterprises. This most likely facilitates the interactive process (“Smart Worker,?2002). However, computer organizations do not simply limit their training to customers. Given that “the average life cycle of a computer product has dropped from the two years in the late 1980s to six or nine months in the 1990s,?many companies must hold regularly scheduled training programs for their employees in order to stay competitive (Keegan & Jacobson, 1995, p. 38). Apple Computer, Inc., is one such organization. In order to facilitate training, they constantly review their process in terms of evaluating the needs of their “internal customers.?They have made the following changes to their system of training in order to facilitate this process: ?Trainers shift from behavioral to experiential training. ?Trainers shortened training sessions from three to three hours. ?Trainers train intact work groups rather than groups of people who don’t work together. ?Trainers moved from generic training to customized training. ?Trainers decreased the training-development cycle from six months to two months. ?Trainers reduced class sizes at Apple from 24 to 12 trainees. ?Trainers moved training from a remote location to the customer’s location. ?Trainers shifted from providing training as a program to providing training as an intervention. (p. 39). Consequently, there are many positive aspects to this training method including specificity, efficiency, and purpose. Perhaps, the only negative aspect of such a program may be that participants see it as too frequent of an endeavor, thinking that having to participate in training every two months might interfere with their work schedule. However, it is likely that Apple requests feedback after each training session to determine the success of each module.

While many organizations provide training for both their internal and external customer, there are some organizations that request local trainings services to do their training for them. For example, the Honda plant in Alabama has contracted with the Alabama Industrial Development Training and the Department of Industrial Relations to perform the training of new employees (Grossman, 2002). The positive feature of this is that it reduces costs for Honda, but at the same time, Honda has no control over the quality of the training, which could be an important negative consideration in the competitive car market.

Other organizations participate in training and development that is external to the company. This example involves professions that must stay current with the industry’s practices and legal issues. Many doctors and other health care professions must participate in continuing education programs to retain their licenses. Insurance agents also must participate in training programs to maintain certain licensures whether they represent a one-person office or a corporation (Koco, 2002). The licensing organization, such as Health Insurance Association of America, holds seminars and examinations before allocating licenses. Students must travel to these seminar locations. The positive aspect of this type of program is that it facilitates standards of quality for an entire industry. The negative aspect is that it may be expensive and difficult to rehabilitate an employee who cannot pass the examinations. Another negative drawback is that just because an organization creates a particular license does not mean that it is a valuable one.

Thus, in comparing four types of training organizations, customer training of Lotus, Corel, and Microsoft, internal customer training of Apple, the external training program of Honda, and the training and licensing programs of the Health Insurance Association of America, there can be seen many positive and negative aspects in training and development. By far, Apple appears to have the most positive features in that it has been developed and redeveloped upon the needs of their employees and is highly customized. The training program that probably has the most negative features is the one that Honda participates in. Ultimately, they have little control over the quality of the employees that come to work for them. The Health Insurance Association of America also has the drawback that once an individual is licensed, there is little opportunity for the individual to ask questions or seek advice. But this system has the positive feature of training numerous individuals from across the country.

In summary, training and development may be aimed at many different individuals within the workforce setting and may have numerous variations in how the goal of training is accomplished. Each training and development system must be created so that it can meet its goal with as few negative features as possible.

Serial Killers

2011-01-09T01:45:00.000-08:00

Countess Erszebet Bathory was a breathtakingly beautiful, unusually well-educated woman, married to a descendant of Vlad Dracula of Bram Stoker fame. In 1611, she was tried - though, being a noblewoman, not convicted - in Hungary for slaughtering 612 young girls. The true figure may have been 40-100, though the Countess recorded in her diary more than 610 girls and 50 bodies were found in her estate when it was raided.

The Countess was notorious as an inhuman sadist long before her hygienic fixation. She once ordered the mouth of a talkative servant sewn. It is rumoured that in her childhood she witnessed a gypsy being sewn into a horse's stomach and left to die.

The girls were not killed outright. They were kept in a dungeon and repeatedly pierced, prodded, pricked, and cut. The Countess may have bitten chunks of flesh off their bodies while alive. She is said to have bathed and showered in their blood in the mistaken belief that she could thus slow down the aging process.

Her servants were executed, their bodies burnt and their ashes scattered. Being royalty, she was merely confined to her bedroom until she died in 1614. For a hundred years after her death, by royal decree, mentioning her name in Hungary was a crime.

Cases like Barothy's give the lie to the assumption that serial killers are a modern - or even post-modern - phenomenon, a cultural-societal construct, a by-product of urban alienation, Althusserian interpellation, and media glamorization. Serial killers are, indeed, largely made, not born. But they are spawned by every culture and society, molded by the idiosyncrasies of every period as well as by their personal circumstances and genetic makeup.

Still, every crop of serial killers mirrors and reifies the pathologies of the milieu, the depravity of the Zeitgeist, and the malignancies of the Leitkultur. The choice of weapons, the identity and range of the victims, the methodology of murder, the disposal of the bodies, the geography, the sexual perversions and paraphilias - are all informed and inspired by the slayer's environment, upbringing, community, socialization, education, peer group, sexual orientation, religious convictions, and personal narrative. Movies like "Born Killers", "Man Bites Dog", "Copycat", and the Hannibal Lecter series captured this truth.

Serial killers are the quiddity and quintessence of malignant narcissism.

Yet, to some degree, we all are narcissists. Primary narcissism is a universal and inescapable developmental phase. Narcissistic traits are common and often culturally condoned. To this extent, serial killers are merely our reflection through a glass darkly.

In their book "Personality Disorders in Modern Life", Theodore Millon and Roger Davis attribute pathological narcissism to "a society that stresses individualism and self-gratification at the expense of community ... In an individualistic culture, the narcissist is 'God's gift to the world'. In a collectivist society, the narcissist is 'God's gift to the collective'".
Lasch described the narcissistic landscape thus (in "The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an age of Diminishing Expectations", 1979):

"The new narcissist is haunted not by guilt but by anxiety. He seeks not to inflict his own certainties on others but to find a meaning in life. Liberated from the superstitions of the past, he doubts even the reality of his own existence ... His sexual attitudes are permissive rather than puritanical, even though his emancipation from ancient taboos brings him no sexual peace.

Fiercely competitive in his demand for approval and acclaim, he distrusts competition because he associates it unconsciously with an unbridled urge to destroy ... He (harbours) deeply antisocial impulses. He praises respect for rules and regulations in the secret belief that they do not apply to himself. Acquisitive in the sense that his cravings have no limits, he ... demands immediate gratification and lives in a state of restless, perpetually unsatisfied desire."

The narcissist's pronounced lack of empathy, off-handed exploitativeness, grandiose fantasies and uncompromising sense of entitlement make him treat all people as though they were objects (he "objectifies" people). The narcissist regards others as either useful conduits for and sources of narcissistic supply (attention, adulation, etc.) - or as extensions of himself.

Similarly, serial killers often mutilate their victims and abscond with trophies - usually, body parts. Some of them have been known to eat the organs they have ripped - an act of merging with the dead and assimilating them through digestion. They treat their victims as some children do their rag dolls.

Killing the victim - often capturing him or her on film before the murder - is a form of exerting unmitigated, absolute, and irreversible control over it. The serial killer aspires to "freeze time" in the still perfection that he has choreographed. The victim is motionless and defenseless. The killer attains long sought "object permanence". The victim is unlikely to run on the serial assassin, or vanish as earlier objects in the killer's life (e.g., his parents) have done.

In malignant narcissism, the true self of the narcissist is replaced by a false construct, imbued with omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. The narcissist's thinking is magical and infantile. He feels immune to the consequences of his own actions. Yet, this very source of apparently superhuman fortitude is also the narcissist's Achilles heel.

The narcissist's personality is chaotic. His defense mechanisms are primitive. The whole edifice is precariously balanced on pillars of denial, splitting, projection, rationalization, and projective identification. Narcissistic injuries - life crises, such as abandonment, divorce, financial difficulties, incarceration, public opprobrium - can bring the whole thing tumbling down. The narcissist cannot afford to be rejected, spurned, insulted, hurt, resisted, criticized, or disagreed with.

Likewise, the serial killer is trying desperately to avoid a painful relationship with his object of desire. He is terrified of being abandoned or humiliated, exposed for what he is and then discarded. Many killers often have sex - the ultimate form of intimacy - with the corpses of their victims. Objectification and mutilation allow for unchallenged possession.

Devoid of the ability to empathize, permeated by haughty feelings of superiority and uniqueness, the narcissist cannot put himself in someone else's shoes, or even imagine what it means. The very experience of being human is alien to the narcissist whose invented False Self is always to the fore, cutting him off from the rich panoply of human emotions.

Thus, the narcissist believes that all people are narcissists. Many serial killers believe that killing is the way of the world. Everyone would kill if they could or were given the chance to do so. Such killers are convinced that they are more honest and open about their desires and, thus, morally superior. They hold others in contempt for being conforming hypocrites, cowed into submission by an overweening establishment or society.

The narcissist seeks to adapt society in general - and meaningful others in particular - to his needs. He regards himself as the epitome of perfection, a yardstick against which he measures everyone, a benchmark of excellence to be emulated. He acts the guru, the sage, the "psychotherapist", the "expert", the objective observer of human affairs. He diagnoses the "faults" and "pathologies" of people around him and "helps" them "improve", "change", "evolve", and "succeed" - i.e., conform to the narcissist's vision and wishes.

Serial killers also "improve" their victims - slain, intimate objects - by "purifying" them, removing "imperfections", depersonalizing and dehumanizing them. This type of killer saves its victims from degeneration and degradation, from evil and from sin, in short: from a fate worse than death.

The killer's megalomania manifests at this stage. He claims to possess, or have access to, higher knowledge and morality. The killer is a special being and the victim is "chosen" and should be grateful for it. The killer often finds the victim's ingratitude irritating, though sadly predictable.

In his seminal work, "Aberrations of Sexual Life" (originally: "Psychopathia Sexualis"), quoted in the book "Jack the Ripper" by Donald Rumbelow, Kraft-Ebbing offers this observation:

"The perverse urge in murders for pleasure does not solely aim at causing the victim pain and - most acute injury of all - death, but that the real meaning of the action consists in, to a certain extent, imitating, though perverted into a monstrous and ghastly form, the act of defloration. It is for this reason that an essential component ... is the employment of a sharp cutting weapon; the victim has to be pierced, slit, even chopped up ... The chief wounds are inflicted in the stomach region and, in many cases, the fatal cuts run from the vagina into the abdomen. In boys an artificial vagina is even made ... One can connect a fetishistic element too with this process of hacking ... inasmuch as parts of the body are removed and ... made into a collection."

Yet, the sexuality of the serial, psychopathic, killer is self-directed. His victims are props, extensions, aides, objects, and symbols. He interacts with them ritually and, either before or after the act, transforms his diseased inner dialog into a self-consistent extraneous catechism. The narcissist is equally auto-erotic. In the sexual act, he merely masturbates with other - living - people's bodies.

The narcissist's life is a giant repetition complex. In a doomed attempt to resolve early conflicts with significant others, the narcissist resorts to a restricted repertoire of coping strategies, defense mechanisms, and behaviors. He seeks to recreate his past in each and every new relationship and interaction. Inevitably, the narcissist is invariably confronted with the same outcomes. This recurrence only reinforces the narcissist's rigid reactive patterns and deep-set beliefs. It is a vicious, intractable, cycle.

Correspondingly, in some cases of serial killers, the murder ritual seemed to have recreated earlier conflicts with meaningful objects, such as parents, authority figures, or peers. The outcome of the replay is different to the original, though. This time, the killer dominates the situation.

The killings allow him to inflict abuse and trauma on others rather than be abused and traumatized. He outwits and taunts figures of authority - the police, for instance. As far as the killer is concerned, he is merely "getting back" at society for what it did to him. It is a form of poetic justice, a balancing of the books, and, therefore, a "good" thing. The murder is cathartic and allows the killer to release hitherto repressed and pathologically transformed aggression - in the form of hate, rage, and envy.

But repeated acts of escalating gore fail to alleviate the killer's overwhelming anxiety and depression. He seeks to vindicate his negative introjects and sadistic superego by being caught and punished. The serial killer tightens the proverbial noose around his neck by interacting with law enforcement agencies and the media and thus providing them with clues as to his identity and whereabouts. When apprehended, most serial assassins experience a great sense of relief.

Serial killers are not the only objectifiers - people who treat others as objects. To some extent, leaders of all sorts - political, military, or corporate - do the same. In a range of demanding professions - surgeons, medical doctors, judges, law enforcement agents - objectification efficiently fends off attendant horror and anxiety.

Yet, serial killers are different. They represent a dual failure - of their own development as full-fledged, productive individuals - and of the culture and society they grow in. In a pathologically narcissistic civilization - social anomies proliferate. Such societies breed malignant objectifiers - people devoid of empathy - also known as "narcissists".

Superb Beds To Create A Truly Homey Bedroom

2011-01-04T00:34:00.000-08:00

Beds are plainly the first furnishing one should have in a bed room. Beds are purchasable in different sizes. There are twin, full, king, and queen size beds. With the numerous sizes, one does not have to be controlled in determining the exact type of bed for their room. Beds are also made either of fine-grade wood or alloy.

Since it is the feature of the bedroom, beds must be given decent importance and decoration. You want to dress it up with the best and most dashing cloth, since it is the most salient thing that you will see when you move into the bedroom.

One of the more frequent items owners put in to emphasize their beds is the bed cloth. Bed linens put a feeling of quality and class in any sort of bed. Bed linens can be developed out of cotton, silk, polyester, and linen which is considered the most expensive. Linen sheets are effective for hot climates because they tend to cool, and they can also last for a long time. On the other hand cotton sheets are good for any type of season, and they are considered a toughened fabric. These sheets should be washed through machines on a warm setting, bleached only using non chlorinated bleach as specified by washing instructions. Vintage linens then must be hand washed in warm water using mild soap.

You should also consider the placement of the bed in your room. Situate the bed against the middle part of the wall, or opposite the entrance to the room. This makes the headboard the focal point of the room once one enters the room. If you cannot place the bed against the middle portion of the wall, then place it on the part of the wall which is sufficiently extended and spacious to contain the bed.

There are also limitations in placing the bed. You cannot just place it anywhere you wish. Specifically, you cannot place the bed under a window, especially if the window will be opened frequently. A bed under two windows is more feasible.

To complement the look of the bed, you can put some essential pieces of bedroom furniture such as dressers, cabinets, and night stands. Other bedrooms host chairs, loveseats, and benches where one can place extra linen and clothes, and of course, provide a nice place for guests to sit.

In choosing a bed, avoid shopping online as much as possible. You need to try the bed yourself in order to appreciate how it feels lying on it. One of the best ways to determine the right texture of the bed is to place a hand on your back and try to move it while lying. If the hand can move easily then it means the bed is too hard. If you are having a difficult time moving your hand, the bed is soft. If your hand can move with little resistance then the bed is good enough for your comfort.

In buying a bed, do not hesitate to spend. You need to pay more in order to have a more quality item. People tend to be tightfisted on buying bedroom furniture and accessories, believing that they can settle on less expensive materials. But in reality what they are getting is a poor quality bed. So if you have some space in your budget to afford another thousand of dollars or two, then do so! You will be benefiting from a more durable and stylish bed in the long run.

You also have to take into consideration the space that the bed will take up in the room. Beds should not eat half of the bedroom. The bed's size, for one, should be big enough to take substantial space in the room. It should not be oversized though for the room since it could take space more than the room can offer, leaving you with little space to add other essential furniture like drawers, writing desks, and night stands.

Vitiligo

2011-01-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

Vitiligo isn't the most deadly thing that you can come down with, like other diseases though you don't want to get it. Vitiligo is the loss of skin pigmentation in patches. This disease and several others are as a result of an auto-immune attack, which actually occurs by your own body's immune system, specifically on skin melanocytes.

Vitiligo most oftenly occurs late in adulthood. The early patches that will begin to appear on skin, may continue to grow, or may remain constant in size. Often times these patches will be irritated due to their location. A simple example of this, is on your feet and ankles, where the patches are constantly in contact, with shoes, socks, sandals, etc. Often times Vitiligo will first occur as a result of stress that hits the immune system, which makes the body react in a funny way and start to eliminate skin pigment.

Unlike most diseases, Vitiligo, is not a medical problem. In can and does in most situations cause a mental problem, as socially it is different from the norm. The only real and thing that people affected with the disease have to be careful of is to protect themselves from the sun, and other uv lights. This is required because skin pigmentation acts the barrier for our body, to protect against the sun. Without this 'layer', you can only burn, never tan.

The severity of the noticeability of the patches is different among all people, and varies greatly with the natural skin color of your body. For example if naturally your sking color is quite dark, light patches are going to be much more noticeable then if your skin is a light shade to begin with.

As always it is recommended to visit a physician immediately if you suspect that you have Vitiligo. This can save you from burns, and help to protect your body, from skin damage,etc.

Diffuse Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

2011-01-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma, or DMM, is a rare but highly aggressive type of cancer. It occurs in the thin layer of tissue, the pleura, lining the chest cavity and lungs. Once diagnosed with DMM, most patients do not survive beyond one year. This cancer is more common in men than in women, and in older people.

Most people with DMM have a history of exposure to asbestos; however, if they are not aware that such exposure occurred, they may be unaware that they are at risk. A patient with DMM typically has one or more of the following signs and symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, or a cough. An x-ray usually shows that the pleural tissue around the lungs has thickened due to the development of a number of nodules or small cancerous growths. Sometimes, there may be a single large growth. When a biopsy of the cancer tissue is done, the types of cells that make up the cancer may be epithelioid, mixed, or sarcomatoid. People with epithelioid cell cancers tend to survive somewhat longer; those with sarcomatoid cancers usually have the shortest survival.

DMM is always treated as aggressively as possible. The type of treatment depends on the dominant cell type the cancer is made of, the extent of spread of the cancer, and the overall health of the person undergoing treatment. Surgery is a preferred option where the bulk of the cancer can be removed. Many anti-cancer drugs are being tried to treat DMM, with varying levels of short-term success. Radiotherapy may also be an option. A number of clinical trials are currently underway to try and find a treatment that may improve the outlook for DMM patients. However, only seven percent of people with DMM survive beyond five years.

Body Oil Massage - For Smooth Skin

2011-01-03T12:25:00.000-08:00

Like our face our body too has to be properly nourished and for that we need to engage ourselves in some of the beneficial activities like massaging which would be very useful for our body. Many are not aware about the importance and beneficial properties these body oils provide. Once you start using the oils there won’t be any turning back. Hop along with thousand others who have benefited from these oils. In the meanwhile, you can gain some therapeutic uses of these oils.

There are different ranges and fragrances in the market which you can apply on yourself and gain the valuable benefits. Most of the oils we come across are very different due to its special quality. These qualities are the ones which help in making your body smoother and refined which is what it was lacking for a very long time.

Many external factors works in favor of the body oil massage. Due to changing weather your skin keeps facing some or the other problems. It faces the wrath of all the climatic changes including your different skin type problems. By the use of body oil, your skin remains supple as well as the oil which is used would benefit the skin with its different properties.

These oils help to moisturize your skin. The natural oils proves to be extremely useful too as they do not contain any artificial colors or fragrance. Such high level of natural content just makes it very essential to be your body oil. These body oils become very useful due to the various amounts of herbs and essence used in it. With the richness of vitamins and other health benefits it becomes an integral part of your toiletry item.

The oils are very refreshing due to the presence of fragrance extracted from fresh fruits and plants. This gives you a sensual feeling when you apply it on your body. The smells which these oils carry along with them are very refreshing and intoxicating taking you to a higher level of existence.

Many don't have a clue that these aromas can come from our very backyard which is what makes it so fresh and fragrant. These natural ingredients just make things easier for you as you can easily make your body healthy and protect your skin from any untoward and unwanted skin problems.

These products are widely being used in many of spas and for which you have been charged a bomb. You can make your own body massage oils at home by using some of the prevalent oils you have and some of the exotic ones to give you that extra level of fun and excitement.

Want To Live Longer? Detox Today!

2011-01-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

Never before has the need to detoxify our body system become more important than today. With the advancement of technology there are now more things that negatively affect our health and our environment.

The air we breathe, the water we drink, even the food we eat is polluted in one way or the other. This is because the air we breathe has carbon byproducts and the water we drink has heavy metals and the food we eat is not as natural as it should be. Most of it is chemically enhanced or genetically modified one way or the other.

All these things make the statement that "We live in a very toxic age" very true!

In order to live longer and healthier there is a growing need to detoxify our bodies. If you don't detox regularly, these poisonous substances from the air you breath, the water you drink and the food you eat will lead to ill-health such as insomnia, gastric problems, poor skin, premature aging due to accumulation of toxins over the years and ultimately untimely death.

You can decide to naturally detox or take herbs and vitamins to detox. A lot of people choose to detox naturally because they know the body has its own ability to clean itself up.

Our bodies have natural defenses and resources that work to constantly to clean up our systems, even when we sleep.

Unfortunately, most people's bodies are unable to detox mainly because of poor health. If the body is performing at optimal level, it should be able to detox itself.

As I’ve mentioned before, because of the polluted air, water and food we eat, it becomes impossible for anyone's body to perform at optimal level. There is always some form of pollution affecting the body one way or the other.

That is why it is necessary to use some detox herbs and vitamins to assist the body in detoxifying itself. These detox herbs and vitamins can help to restore the body to its optimal level, thereby giving it the strength to detox it self.

These detox herbs and vitamins and some healthy habits can really go a long way in helping the body to take care of it self, thereby allowing us to live longer.

So, if you want to live longer and healthier, there is the need to constantly detoxify your system either naturally or with the help of detox herbs and vitamins.

John Of Gaunt: A Short History

2011-01-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, the fourth son of King Edward III of England and Queen Philippa, was born in March 1340 at Ghent, from which his name is derived. On the 29th of September 1342 he was made Earl of Richmond; as a child he was present at the sea fight with the Spaniards in August 1350, but his first military service was in 1355, when he was knighted. On the 19th of May 1359 he married his cousin Blanche, daughter and ultimately sole heiress of Henry, Duke of Lancaster. In her right he became Earl of Lancaster in 1361, and next year was created Duke. His marriage made him the greatest lord in England, but for some time he took no prominent part in public affairs. In 1366 he joined his eldest brother, Edward the Black Prince, in Aquitaine, and in the year after led a strong contingent to share in the campaign in support of Pedro the Cruel of Castile. With this began the connection with Spain, which was to have so great an influence on his later life. John fought in the van at Najera on the 3rd of April 1367, when the English victory restored Pedro to his throne. He returned home at the end of the year. Pedro proved false to his English allies, and was finally overthrown and killed by his rival, Henry of Trastamara, in 1369. The disastrous Spanish enterprise led directly to renewed war between France and England. In August 1369 John had command of an army which invaded northern France without success. In the following year he went again to Aquitaine, and was present with the Black Prince at the sack of Limoges. Edward's health was broken down, and he soon after went home, leaving John as his lieutenant. For a year John maintained the war at his own cost, but while in Aquitaine a greater prospect was opened to him. The duchess Blanche had died in the autumn of 1369 and now John married Constance (d. 1394), the elder daughter of Pedro the Cruel, and in her right assumed the title of king of Castile and Leon. For sixteen years the pursuit of his kingdom was the chief object of John's ambition. No doubt he hoped to achieve his end, when he commanded the great army which invaded France in 1373. But the French would not give battle, and though John marched from Calais right through Champagne, Burgundy and Auvergne, it was with disastrous results; only a shattered remnant of the host reached Bordeaux.

The Spanish scheme had to wait, and when John got back to England he was soon absorbed in domestic politics. The king was prematurely old, the Black Prince's health was broken. John, in spite of the unpopularity of his ill-success, was forced into the foremost place. As head of the court party he had to bear the brunt of the attack on the administration made by the Good Parliament in 1376. It was not perhaps altogether just, and John was embittered by reflections on his loyalty. As soon as the parliament was dissolved he had its proceedings reversed, and next year secured a more subservient assembly. There came, however, a new development. The duke's politics were opposed by the chief ecclesiastics, and in resisting them he had made use of John Wycliffe. With Wycliffe's religious opinions he had no sympathy. Nevertheless when the bishops arraigned the reformer for heresy John would not abandon him. The conflict over the trial led to a violent quarrel with the Londoners, and a riot in the city during which John was in danger of his life from the angry citizens. The situation was entirely altered by the death of Edward III on the 21st of June. Though his enemies had accused him of aiming at the throne, John was without any taint of disloyalty. In his nephew's interests he accepted a compromise, disclaimed before parliament the truth of the malicious rumours against him, and was reconciled formally with his opponents. Though he took his proper place in the ceremonies at King Richard II's coronation, he showed a tactful moderation by withdrawing for a time from any share in the government. However, in the summer of 1378, he commanded an attack on St. Malo, which through no fault of his failed. To add to this misfortune, during his absence some of his supporters violated the sanctuary at Westminster. He vindicated himself somewhat bitterly in a parliament at Gloucester, but still avoiding a prominent part in the government, accepted the command on the Scottish border. He was there engaged when his palace of the Savoy in London was burnt during the peasant's revolt in June 1381. Wild reports that even the government had declared him a traitor made him seek refuge in Scotland. Richard had, however, denounced the calumnies, and at once recalled his uncle.

John's self-restraint had strengthened his position, and he began again to think of his Spanish scheme. He urged its undertaking in parliament in 1382, but nearer troubles were more urgent, and John himself was wanted on the Scottish border. There he sought to arrange peace, but against his will was forced into an unfortunate campaign in 1384. His ill-success renewed his unpopularity, and the court favorites of Richard II intrigued, against him. They were probably responsible for the allegation, made by a Carmelite, called Latemar, that John was conspiring against his nephew. Though Richard at first believed it, the matter was disposed of by the friar's death. However, the court party soon after concocted a fresh plot for the duke's destruction; John boldly denounced his traducers, and the quarrel was appeased by the intervention of the king's mother. The intrigue still continued, and broke out again during the Scottish campaign in 1385. John was not the man to be forced into treason to his family, but the impossibility of the position at home made his foreign ambitions more feasible.

The victory of John of Portugal over the king of Castile at Aljubarrota, won with English help, offered an opportunity. In July 1386 John left England with a strong force to win his Spanish throne. He landed at Corunna, and during the autumn conquered Galicia. Juan, who had succeeded his father Henry as king of Castile, offered a compromise by marriage. John of Gaunt refused, hoping for greater success with the help of the king of Portugal, who now married the duke's eldest daughter Philippa. In the spring the allies invaded Castile. They could achieve no success, and sickness ruined the English army. The conquests of the previous year were lost, and when Juan renewed his offers, John of Gaunt agreed to surrender his claims to his daughter by Constance of Castile, who was to marry Juan's heir. After some delay the peace was concluded at Bayonne in 1388. The next eighteen months were spent by John as lieutenant of Aquitaine, and it was not until November 1389 that he returned to England. By his absence he had avoided implication in the troubles at home. Richard, still insecure of his own position, welcomed his uncle, and early in the following year marked his favor by creating him Duke of Aquitaine. John on his part was glad to support the king's government; during four years he exercised his influence in favor of pacification at home, and abroad was chiefly responsible for the conclusion of a truce with France. Then in 1395 he went to take up the government of his duchy; thanks chiefly to his lavish expenditure his administration was not unsuccessful, but the Gascons had from the first objected to government except by the crown, and secured his recall within less than a year. Almost immediately after his return John married as his third wife Catherine Swynford; Constance of Castile had died in 1394. Catherine had been his mistress for many years, and his children by her, who bore the name of Beaufort, were now legitimated. In this and in other matters Richard found it politic to conciliate him. But though John presided at the trial of the Earl of Arundel in September 1397, he took no active part in affairs. The exile of his son Henry in 1398 was a blow from which he did not recover. He died on the 3rd of February 1399, and was buried at St. Paul's near the high altar.

John was neither a great soldier nor a statesman, but he was a chivalrous knight and loyal to what he believed were the interests of his family. In spite of opportunities and provocations he never lent himself to treason. He deserves credit for his protection of Wycliffe, though he had no sympathy with his religious or political opinions. He was also the patron of Geoffrey Chaucer, whose Boke of the Duchesse was a lament for Blanche of Lancaster.

Common Men's Health Issues that you Should be Concerned About

2011-01-03T00:54:00.000-08:00

It is well known that men are much less likely than women to seek basic or routine preventative medical care. However, there are certain common men's health problems that are treatable if caught early enough, but can be permanently debilitating or even fatal if they are not detected until symptoms make themselves known. Common issues of this type include heart disease, prostate problems, and hypertension. These are all potentially silent killers that can be prevented or treated if detected early enough.

Heart disease is the most common killer of both men and women in America. In the U.S., an estimated 61.8 million people live with cardiovascular disease. The sad fact is that most Americans eat high fat diets and do not exercise much if at all. This leads to high cholesterol levels that can block the crucial cardiac arteries causing heart muscle failure or can lead to blood clots elsewhere in the body that can progress to the heart and cause a heart attack. Fortunately, if heart disease is detected before major damage to the heart muscle has occurred then treatments are available. Lifestyle changes are the first line of defense in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Medical interventions range from drugs to surgery. Taking medication and by following a physician approved program of diet and exercise means that men can live a long and full life, even with heart disease.

The statistics on prostate cancer are grim. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer, excluding skin cancers, in American men. The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that during 2006 about 234,460 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.It is estimated that eighty percent of men who reach the age of eighty will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. As Americans continue to live longer lives, the overall impact of prostate cancer is becoming more prevalent. Fortunately, prostate cancer is easily treated if it is detected early in the disease's progression. For this reason, it is very important that men over the age of forty receive annual prostate examinations. Typically, the progression of prostate cancer is quite slow, and many people can live with the disease for years without experiencing any symptoms.

Some of prostate cancer Symptoms: --
1. Increase in urination frequence, specially at night.
2. Difficulty in starting urination with painful or burning sensation
3. Painful ejaculation
4. Blood in urine or semen
5. Pain or stiffness in the back, hips, or upper thighs

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is often called "the silent killer" because it is usually asymptomatic until a heart attack or stroke occurs. For this reason, everyone should receive regular blood pressure screenings regardless of age or sex. If caught early enough, hypertension can be treated via medication and/or by change in lifestyle.

Buying Your First Cello Is Not As Difficult As You Think

2010-12-31T13:19:00.000-08:00

For those of you not too familiar with what a cello looks like or sounds like, just imagine the sound and image of the violin, and then amplify the size and the sound texture many times over. Although the cello and violin differ quite a bit from each other, they also resemble each other in quite a few ways.

The cello originated in Italy, and this string instrument is a member of the violin family. In terms of size, the cello is larger than the violin while smaller than the bass.

The cello is considered as one of the most complex instruments created. It is made up of various materials, such as wood and also steel, rubber and metal. It has a unique shape, with a wide breadth on the top and bottom and a narrow middle.

This instrument produces a rich alto sound that is beautifully suited for special occasions. However, it is quite difficult to play a cello particularly for beginners. Do not expect to produce a very pleasant sound when first starting out. You need years of expert training and plenty of practice in order to bring out the cello's rich and melodic sounds.

For those of you who are hesitant about learning to play the cello, or are about to make your first cello purchase, here are a few things to watch out for:

1. Ask the right questions. Is this the right instrument for me? Can I learn it easily? Am I committed to practicing? This is especially true for beginners.

Gauge yourself whether you are a slow or fast learner when it comes to playing the cello. Make sure that you are committed to learn and to practice so that the money spent on your first cello is not wasted.

2. Consult experienced cello players about the most suitable brand to start out with. Ask them for advice on assessing the quality and authenticity of the cello you are looking to buy.

It is important to ask people who are experienced cello players. These people know more than you about the cello instrument.

3. Set a budget. Shop around first and get a better feel about the pricing of cello instruments before you decide on a suitable price range.

Make sure that for the price you are going to pay you are getting the quality you are paying for. It is a good idea to make the purchase with a reputable cello dealer just to be sure.

4. Look for cello dealers that provide warranty on the cello. It is important that your purchase of the instrument is secure for your peace of mind.

Most of the credible cello dealers give their customers a warranty paper good for six months to a year.

5. Check the net. Websites offering free information on cello instrument are also available on the internet.

By reading up more information about the cello online, you will be more knowledgeable in making your purchase.

Buying and selecting a cello instrument can be agonizing and time-consuming. Hopefully these tips will help somewhat in making your cello-buying experience as stress-free and uncomplicated as possible for you.

Circus Clowns - Without Skill Laughter Turns Into Disaster

2010-12-31T12:53:00.000-08:00

We all love clowning around and playing the idiot bringing laughter to those around us but sometimes our antics seen as bit of fun can turn laughter into disaster. Circus Clowns are similar to that of the jester in many ways in how they entertained crowds of people with performances which included daft tricks and funny doings like face pulling even throwing buckets of water over fellow Circus Clowns.

As funny and hilarious as the clowns pranks are, what you have to remember is, these funny folk are well rehearsed in their profession - it takes years of training to perfect what they do. The Circus Clowns performance may entail death defying stunts which have had to be carefully supervised and pieced together because of the risks taken to claim laughs and giggles. Displays from the Circus Clown can consist of acrobatics where the clown now becomes a stunt man - for example knowing how to break a fall or tumble without causing injury to himself or to other clowns in on the act.

A travelling circus show that come to town will no doubt highlight the main event of entertainment with classic performances from the Circus Clowns. It is quite common for the clown to ask for audience involvement in their circus act where the clown gets a little naughty with the onlookers. Just the mention of the circus is coming to town is enough to start a riot among the happy customers queuing for tickets. Besides all the circus animals like the elephants - lion taming acts and dancing dogs - it is without doubt that it is the Circus Clowns that draw the crowds.

The clown entertains in many different ways, some acts may just be floor shows but others may include bareback horse riding - and it is because of this that any clowning you may have in mind for a friend or friends at a party needs to be well thought through. Clowns take risks but are trained to do so and you are not - so think twice before engaging on any dangerous mission you have planned just to get a laugh.

Fancy funny displays from Circus Clowns are no doubt hilarious just like that of their funny costumes and disguises - but take away the disguise - the ginger wig and cosmetic make up and we have a very serious person that takes their profession just as serious. Clowns are very skilled people.

If you are having a party then consider calling in the skilled to provide the entertainment for you. Warning if you are not skilled then don't take any chances because laughter can turn to disaster which is no laughing matter.

Buyers Guide To Electric Guitars

2010-12-31T12:20:00.000-08:00

Live rock concerts were the rage in the 70's and they are still the rage. The essence of rock music does not just lie with the lyrics; it also lies with the electric guitar and the various sounds that it can produce. There are so many kids across the block who would give up anything to play like Ritchie Blackmore, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Kirk hammett, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page etc. These men are not just some of the best guitarists of their times, they are legends.

Now if you are interested in learning how to play the guitar then the first thing you will need to buy is a guitar. Most people start with an acoustic and graduate to the electric guitar. It is quite difficult for anyone to choose the right electric guitar since there are hundreds of models and several brands out there in the market. If you are buying an electric guitar then you will need to also buy amplifiers, pick-ups, pick, tuner etc.

Electric guitars are available in a lot of variety, colors, and designs with the aerodynamic designs being one of the most popular. Don’t go for the first electric guitar you see. You need to look around a bit and check out the prices and models before you buy one. In fact, one of the best ways to choose a guitar is by the brand or by the style. Here’s our take on the four important styles:

Stratocaster
This certainly is a show stealer and has a typical style. The most famous is the red and white color combination, which was extensively used by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. The Stratocaster is from Fender and has a neck bolted to the guitar body. Apart from this, it has double cutaway sides, 22 frets accompanied by a tremolo system or the wammy bar and three single-coil pickups. Fender designed the first Stratocaster in the early 50’s. Some of the popular designs include:

1. Fender Deluxe Stratocaster:
2. Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar in Rosewood:
3. Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar in Maple:
4. Fender Standard Stratocaster Electric Guitar in Rosewood:
5. Fender Stratocaster Eric Johnson Signature model:

Telecaster
The Telecaster is another creative instrument from Fenders. It is more than just a guitar it is a complete orchestra. It is a solid body electric guitar and comprises of dual pick-ups. The first Telecaster was manufactured by Leo Fender in the 1940's and has a single cutaway body. It doesn't have the tremolo or wammy bar but has two different single-coil pickups. Some of the popular Telecaster models include:

1. Fender American Telecaster HS guitar:
2. Fender Standard Telecaster Electric Guitar:
3. Fender 63 Telecaster Relic Solid Body Electric:
4. Fender 72 Telecaster Custom Electric Guitar:

Les Paul
This is a classic guitar that has been designed by Gibson. The salient feature of a Les Paul's is its set neck construction, which means there are no joints or bolts. The body is a single cutaway and rounded. It is equipped with two humbucker pickups as well as a raised scratch-plate. If you want to play distorted sound then the Les Paul’s will provide you with a varied range of such sound. Some of the legends who use the Les Pauls include Eric Clapton, Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Slash (ex-G’N’R). Some of the famous Les Paul models include:

1. Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar:
2. 1959 Les Paul Standard Guitar:
3. Les Paul Vintage Mahogany Electric Guitar:
4. Les Paul Classic Electric Guitar:

Gibson
Gibson is one of the greatest brands in music and all their guitar models are classic and can't be compared to any. Gibson was actually started in 1902 by Orville Gibson and has been responsible for giving the world some of the best acoustic and electric guitars. Some of the famous models include the arch-top Gibson L5 model, the ES-150 electric, Gibson Explorer, Flying V etc. Some of the legends who have played a Gibson or are still using it include Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Ace Frehley (KISS), Frank Zappa, and Toni Iommi (Black Sabbath) to name a few. Some of the popular Gibson models include:

1. Gibson Flying V Electric Guitar:
2. Gibson SG 61 Classic Electric Guitar:
3. Gibson Faded SG Special Electric Guitar:
4. Gibson Explorer Pro Electric Guitar:

These are the best brands in electric guitar. The other aspects that will help you to pick up a guitar include fretboard, the pick-ups, and the body. Full-bodied guitars are normally preferred as they can produce some of the best sounds that you will ever get to hear.

Is it Safe to Sell Coins to a Dealer?

2010-12-31T09:23:00.000-08:00

Coin collecting can be a lot of fun. This hobby which dates back to 2500 BC is much larger now since people are now able to collect currencies from other countries.

If a person decides to dispose of some of the coins in the collection, it is necessary to know its value by looking at a coin catalog or price guide. There are many ways to do this and one is looking for a coin dealer to do business with.

There are a lot of coin dealers around. Some can be found by asking the local coin club or a numismatist who can give a good referral while others can be found at an auction or in a coin exhibit. These people frequent such events looking for a good buy to add to an existing collection. A lot of these individuals can also be found on the web.

To be sure that the person is getting a good price from a coin dealer, it is an excellent idea to visit more than one place to find out who is willing to buy it at the highest price. If the person feels that the price is too low, then perhaps it is better to wait until another time since the value of coins depends on scarcity, condition and demand.

Some people think that doing business with a coin dealer isn’t a good idea since this person will offer to buy the coins at a lower price. This notion however is wrong since there are ways to ensure that this person will be honest.

To avoid by being conned by someone who claims to be a dealer, it is necessary to determine that this person is a member of the Professional Numismatist’s Guild. This organization is composed of the world’s renowned collectors of antique coins and paper money. Since there are strict rules that members abide by, one can be sure that the transaction is safe.

Coin dealers are not just there to buy something, these people may also offer for sale a coin that is valuable to the other person. By getting to know the dealer, an agreement can be reached that will benefit both parties, which does not always end mean buying, but also trading or bartering.

Everyone has the potential of making money even if this starts out with only a few coins. By knowing where to find these rare collectibles and doing business with a reputable dealer, one can be sure of making a profit – if not a small fortune.

How to Buy Cigars as a Gift

2010-12-31T08:33:00.000-08:00

Is there a cigar aficionado on your gift list? Wondering how to choose a decent cigar for a friend or loved one? Even if you know nothing about cigars or choosing a good cigar, just learning a few basics can help you sniff out (sometimes literally) a good cigar to give to a friend.

Fortunately, cigars have now entered the mainstream. Once the symbol of the rich and powerful, it's easier than ever for just about anyone to purchase a good cigar. Of course, you probably won't be able to buy your friend a box of top-tier Cuban cigars, but you can definitely buy them a good quality cigar that will put a smile on their face.

First, visit your local tobacconist or specialty smoke shop for the best quality and widest selection. Avoid 'drugstore' cigars. Although they may be inexpensive and convenient to purchase, drugstore cigars are usually filled with preservatives and generally of poorer quality. They may contain, at minimum, saltpeter, paper, glycerin, and other preservatives and irritants. You should make sure that the cigars you purchase are made of 100% tobacco. If you have any questions regarding the cigars ingredients, ask the salesperson. An experienced and knowledgeable sales clerk will be able to tell you extensive information about the ingredients.

Your local tobacco shop is a good place to shop because you will generally be allowed to smell and touch the cigars. Squeeze the cigar gently. A good quality cigar will give a little when squeezed. The cigar should be firm, with no excessively soft or hard spots. Never buy a lumpy cigar. Look at the wrapper. If you notice any drying or discoloration, best not to buy it. Ideally, the wrapper should be tight and smooth. Inspect the color of the tobacco to make sure it is even. Do this by inspecting the end of the cigar. Some color variation is normal, but if the color changes abruptly, chances are the cigar was not rolled properly. A cigar that is not rolled properly may result in an uneven burning and unpleasant odors.

If you're not sure how much your friend smokes, choose a longer cigar. Longer cigars tend to have a 'cooler' taste—an excellent choice for beginners. If you know your friend is an experienced and regular smoker, choose a cigar that is greater in diameter. These cigars tend to have a richer flavor that experienced smokers will appreciate.