How To Tweak Your Pond

Live Like Royalty

Backyard ponds are not only for the filthy rich
individuals. Nowadays, even the simplest homeowner can
make their own backyard pond as luxurious as the
wealthy estates.

Once you get your back yard pond set up, it would
provide both fun and enjoyment. It also provides a
dwelling place for the fish, wildlife, aquatic plants
and flowers. It is a relaxing hobby that not only
provides relaxation but appreciation to Mother Nature
as well.

Plan Ahead

Building your own backyard pond may not be extremely
hard to built but thorough planning should be placed
in constructing one. The hardest part in building one
is digging the pond. It all depends on what type of
soil your region has. This determines how easy or how
strenuous the digging part would be.

The size and shape of the pond depends on your
preferences. It can be a small, preformed pond or one
that needs a pond liner that can hold up to seven
thousand gallons of water.

Location

Consider the location of your pond. Where would it be
best seen? Picture yourself sitting outside. What
location grabs your eye the most? Consider these
important elements. Is the water source situated just
nearby? Is your pond’s location a flat area? Is
electrical supply available? Keep in mind that these
are just some questions you need to be answered.

Equipment

Building a pond of any size requires a complete set of
tools. Now, take hold of these important equipment. In
building and constructing a pond, one must need a
water pump, a UV filter, a pond filter, and some pond
plants among many. Other must haves are the following:
a pond liner of appropriate size, an air diffuser,
pond lightings, a skimmer, the aquatic animals, and
fish food.

Cost

Another thing to consider in pond building is the
cost. Initially, constructing and maintaining the pond
could be quite expensive, that is with no doubt. But
there are now cheaper do it yourself kits available in
the market. Once it is finished, the enjoyment it
brings is worth it.

Another plus for the backyard pond is that it turns an
oh-so-boring piece of land into a thing of beauty. It
works best if you have the proper landscape to go with
your pond. Make your pond the centerpiece of your back
yard.

However, because of too many do-it-yourself
homeowners, they usually make mistakes. Following
these guidelines may help you avoid the pitfalls of do
it yourself backyard pond disasters.

Initially, it is important to incorporate your pond to
the current landscape of your backyard. This works
best for amateur landscapers who just wanted to get
right down to work. Do not let your pond detract the
beauty of your yard. Make it fit and not out of place.

To Sum It Up

Integrate your pond’s design to your landscape. Do not
make it lavish if you have a very simple backyard.
Take time to choose the design that may flatter the
overall landscaping.

Secondly, think of the essential requirements of a
pond. Do not place your pond in complete shade since
this will hamper the amount of sunlight to your pond.
Aquatic animals and plants need ample amount of the
warmth of the sun.

Finally, size does matter. Plant the size of your
pond. Do not place too much fish on a small pond.
Experiment on a variety of aquatic plants.

Provide luster and relaxation to your yard as well as
increase your property’s value. Make your backyard
more attractive and enjoyable by adding a backyard
pond.

Coral Reef Care Tanks Aquarium

When shopping for fish, it might be tempting to pick the rare and fancy fish full of colors, and exotic looking shrimp or crustaceans. An aquarium full of marine life complete with a coral reef and aquatic plants is very appealing. After all, who wouldn't want to have an underwater paradise in their living room?

It may, not however, be the best choice for a beginning hobbyist. Coral reef aquariums require much more care than fresh water tanks or saltwater fish only tanks. Freshwater fish are usually hardier than marine species and therefore a little more forgiving when it comes to water acclimation. It is recommended that only experienced fish keepers with a real commitment to the hobby attempt a coral reef aquarium.

A tank containing coral reef life may require several months of cycling before getting the water just right. The water in a coral reef tank must be regulated for lighting, temperature and ph. Start with tap water and then add a sea salt mix to the water. This type of solution is available at most pet stores.

Salinity of the tank should be between 1.023 and 1.004. Ideal temperature for a marine aquarium is between 75 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also important to test the P.H. of the tank. Ideal P.H. is somewhere between 8.3 and 8.4. Test kits can be purchased online or at your local pet store. They same store will also carry any solutions necessary to adjust the P. H. There is not much wiggle room when it comes to these specific staring points. In order to avoid a costly mistake it is important to be patient, watch the tank closely, and make sure that you don't introduce any marine life until the tank is absolutely ready.

Once the aquarium is ready, start with anemones and clown fish. They are the hardiest of reef species, and who wouldn't love to have Nemo swimming around in their living room? Monitor the marine life closely. Check the activity levels of the fish, and watch for stress. Stress is the most common cause of sickness in fish.

Remember that these creatures may have come directly from the ocean, and it may take a while for them to get acclimated to their new home. Another cause of stress in fish is overcrowding. Make sure there allow about ten gallons of water per one inch of fish. Account for the full grown size of the fish, not the size of fish when it is purchased.

The incubation period for most sickness in fish is about thirty days. So after about a month, if all is well with the tank and the fish seem to be adjusting well, then it is okay to introduce some new marine life. A mandarin fish or a dwarf angel fish might round out the collection nicely, and they are fairly compatible clown fish.

Whenever adding new fish, choose the species carefully for compatibility. The fish should be compatible with water specifics, but also make sure that their food source is compatible. Always remember to be patient when adding new fish. Give the existing tank members plenty of time to get adjusted before making additions to an aquarium.

The best piece of advice is to do research. Make sure that all new purchases will be suitable tank mates for the existing creatures. With a little luck, and a lot of skill you will be on your way to having a reef aquarium that will impress any fishkeeper.

How An Assessment For Dyslexia Changes Your Life

Having dyslexia can have a great effect on your life. It can also affect how people treat you and how they see you. If you and other people are not aware that you have dyslexia, then be ready for a big emotional crisis with your life. This is one reason why getting an assessment for dyslexia, no matter how old you already are, is important.

If you get a formal assessment for the problem, and results show that you are positive for having one, then expect a lot of lifestyle changes to happen with your life. How your outlook on yourself can change along with the outlook of other people around you. That is just one general point of how an assessment can change your life, and there is more to that.

Things Can Now Be Fair

Getting an assessment can make things fair now in your life. For example, examiners or your professors may give you a very low grade, due to your poor performance. But now, once you get an assessment, they can reconsider the marks that they give you and make it somewhat relative to your condition or diagnosed ability.

With dyslexia, what you learn from a course can seem to be less than what normal people do. However, it may only appear less when you are asked to write about it. There are times that you know the lesson and understand it but simply can’t put it into writing. If this is the case, your examiner will be able to rate you fairly and won’t think that you are simply not studying for the subject.

A Different Judgment

If you get a formal assessment, the judgment of other people regarding how you are fit to do a job or not can change. People such as potential employers or admission tutors are some of the people that need to know if you are a dyslexic or not. Since dyslexia can affect a number of functional areas in your life, performing a certain position or a job should be well though of and deliberated on.

Getting into a program, course or job that requires a lot of writing skills can be a problem, especially if this is your major problem area. However, your assessment does not only show your weaknesses, but also your strengths. If your particular strength is pointed out in your assessment, and potential employers see this, their decision can change too.

Support And Grants

Getting financial support and grants are another advantage of getting a formal assessment. There are some organizations, universities or employers that provide additional support to cover for your additional training, guidance or therapy. They can also pay for some learning equipments that you may need such as computers and digital or tape recorders.

Receiving support for this kind of things can be very helpful in a lot of ways, most especially if you are financially challenged. A lot of organizations, companies and institutions are now opening their doors to the disabled population, and this includes the dyslexic population. So there is no reason anymore for you to be afraid of being diagnosed of having the condition.

Extra Time

Getting a formal assessment can also reveal that you may need extra time for taking examinations. In cases of examinations, the extra time given would depend on your assessed skill. Of course, you should not use your being dyslexic as an excuse for personal advantages, or for malingering.

A Pirate of a Birthday Party

Pirates have for a very long time been a source of great fascination for children. This is why a pirate themed birthday party can be one of the most interesting and entertaining party ideas on the planet if you are willing to pay careful time and attention to the planning process. There are things you will need, of course, in order to pull the pirate's party off without a hitch and the most important is a lot of patience and the ability to organize well, plan for contingencies, and be flexible when the big event finally arrives. If you can do all these things with style and grace then a pirate's life really may be for ye.

Set the stage with the invitations. A great idea to use for the invites is a pirate's map. Let "X" mark the spot, give the date and time and remind everyone to dress in their pirate's best (make a costume contest a part of the festivities). This lets everyone know the theme ahead of time as well as the fact that they should show up dressed for the occasion. I suggest making a cute rhyme in a pirate's voice to go along with the invitation. Something like

Ho ho hum and a bottle of rum
Our good lad "name" turns nine
So come ye to the Weatherly's
And have a mighty fine time.

For decorations you will want to make the party room or the exterior of the house, wherever you are actually having the party look as much like a pirate's ship as possible. It really is best if this sort of party can be had outdoors in order to provide great places for burying treasure and hiding stuff. If that isn't possible however, you'll just have to get creative inside the home.

Party games for a good pirate party are almost limitless. You can begin by handing a clue and explaining that there is a treasure map that has been divided into four pieces. The first clue will take you to the first piece, which will then have another clue that will lead you to the next piece until you find all four pieces. This buys a little time for getting things ready for snacks, cake, ice cream or other adventures that may occur later and gives the kids an objective. Once they have all the pieces you can tell the story of the lost treasure and then allow the kids to go on a massive hunt for the treasure. You could of course have teams with two different treasure chests if you want to make it a competition or race though both teams will win their treasure in the end. You could also, for younger kids, have a nice rousing game of pin the peg - leg on the pirate or a game of walking the plank if you have a swimming pool and are certain everyone can swim (though swim trunks are highly encouraged for this rather than pirate's costumes) and there is an adult waiting at the bottom just in case.

Whether or not it's a pirate's life for you, chances are quite good that throwing an excellent pirate themed birthday bash will make you the mom of your little one's dreams - at least for a day and will give the neighborhood and, of course, all your guests something to talk about until the next great event takes place.

Picking Your First Natural Gas Grills

Summertime would not be complete without at least one outdoor barbeque. Once upon a time, there was a very limited array of foods that you could cook on your grill Today, modern conveniences allow you to cook pretty much any type of food on your grill.

The easiest grill to use is by far the natural gas grill. Natural gas grills are designed to hook directly into your home’s natural gas line, eliminating the need to provide the fuel source. This cuts out all trips to the grocery store for more charcoal or propane.

Another advantage when using a natural gas grills is the ability to control the temperature in which you are cooking. Natural gas grills have burner controls which allow you to produce different temperatures for the different cooking areas on your grill. This allows you to cook your meat on one side while keeping your side dished warm on the other.

Natural gas grills, have the ability to come with many different types of cooking surfaces. These different cooking surfaces include a BBQ surface, a flat grill, and a ribbed grill. Some grills even offer these types of surfaces as none stick, which allow you to cook a whole array of foods that you would not be able to cook on a grill otherwise. Some gas grills even contain a Wok type surface for cooking pasta and rise dishes, or a full rotisserie set that allows you to cook rotisserie chicken.

Natural gas grills are by far the easiest type of grill to clean. With other grills such as charcoal and smoker grills, you have to remove the wood and charcoal briquettes each time. Natural grills only have to be wiped down. Some natural gas grills even have a none stick feature.

Natural gas grills are not portable as you will need to be able to hook them up to your natural gas line, so weight should not be that big of an issue when you go to purchase your first grill. Instead, you should look at the surface area available. Will you be able to cook for just yourself and one other? How about a family of 5?

Natural Gas Grill Brands

Broilmaster- One of the most popular brands of natural gas grills is the Broilmasters. This company has been around for a long time and prides itself on creating great grills, even in its companies early years. If you are looking for a reliable name, Broilmaster would be the way to go. One of the most popular Broilmaster grills is the Super Premium Series, which puts out 40,000 BTU’s of cooking power, and has a cooking surface area of over 695 square inches.

Brinkman- These simple natural gas grills put out a lot of power, and can be purchased for much less then it’s competition. The Brinkmans, like the Broilmasters, are built of solid construction and meant to last a long time. Typical power output is around 45,000 BTU’s. Smaller units can range from 12,000 to 15,00 BTU’s.

Lynx- Lynx natural gas grills were specially designed for cooking higher end meats such as steaks and ribs. This grill have a patent design that is suppose to lock in flavor and juices. The Lynx run on the higher end of the price range, anywhere from $500 to $3000. The typical cooking power is about 50,000 BTU and has a cooking surface area of 840 square inches.

Adventure Sailing Vacation Has No Limits

Adventure sailing vacation has no limits when even the physically disabled are able to achieve such a feat. This is as long as there are charities and clubs around that allow people with mixed abilities to work side by side with an able crew on equal terms.

Currently, such groups can be booked for a sailing vacation that will last from 4 days or 4 weeks. Ships can be charted to go from one point in the US to another. Charters those across the Atlantic might sail south or the west to enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean.

Tour groups that provide these cruises are suitable for beginners and veterans alike. First timers get learn the basics and at the end of the course get a certificate. To get more experience, they will have to head out to see regularly. Those who don’t have the time can take an online course because although it is not a substitute for certification, it is a good tool in preparation for your continuing sailing education.

But if you are just doing this for fun to spend time with friends, you don’t have to work. Given that charters already assign a trained crew, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the ocean voyage.

Along the way, the ship will dock in different ports. This allows people to go inland and spend some time ashore. They can sleep there as well or go back to the ship to watch the harbor and the stars at night before it is time to set sail to their next destination.

At sea, the crew might encounter dolphins, seals and whales swimming alongside the ship. As they get closer to land, they will most likely encounter cormorants, guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins, shags, skuas and razorbills among other creatures.

Part of the package includes good quality fresh food so you don’t have to bring anything when you come aboard. Crews will do the cooking but you can assist if you want to get into the action.

To make such tours accessible to those who are and are not physically challenged, companies make it a point that the meeting points are easily accessible by plane and at cheap rates. Booking can be made through your travel agent or you can make the reservation online. You can look at their itinerary for the year so you know where the ship is going on a certain date.

There are also sailing clubs for the disabled. Some will require you to pay a membership fee while others hand this out for free.

Perhaps the biggest achievement for those who are disabled is to compete against others that have similar disabilities. Established in 1998, the US Disabling Team competes in various races annually and the biggest one this year happens to be the 2008 Paralympic Games which will be held in Qingdao, China about 430 miles east of the Capital.

So whether it is just for fun or to race for the grand prize, adventure sailing vacation has no limits even to those with physical disabilities. This is because they can be trained to run the ship just as well as an able bodied person so they are able to set out to sea and return back to port.

Buying Organic Foods Online: The Pros and Cons

Have you just recently made the decision to start eating healthier with organic foods? If you have, you may be looking for ways to improve your shopping. If that is the case, you may want to consider buying your organic foods online.

When it comes to buying organic foods online, many individuals first wonder if they can do so. If you are one of those individuals, it is important to know that you can. Next, many wonder if it is worth it to shop online for organic foods. As for that answer, you will find that it all depends. A great way to determine if buying organic foods online is right for you is to examine the pros and cons of doing so.

One of the many pros or plus sides to buying organic foods online is the convenience of doing so. If you have ever shopped online before, you should already know just how easy it is to do so. A standard interenet search can help you find a number of online organic food stores. When performing a standard internet search, you can search with a generalized phrase, such as “organic food stores,” or you can search for something in particular, such as “organic frozen meals.” Many also like the fact that their foods can be delivered directly to their doors.

In addition to saving you time, buying organic foods online can also save you money. This is because you have the ability to compare organic food sellers online. Not only can you compare their prices, but you can also compare their product selection and you can do so in just a few minutes worth of time. This is something that you cannot do when shopping locally. The ability to quickly and easily compare online organic food stores, products, and prices makes it easy for you to save money when shopping online.

The organic foods that you can find available for sale online are another one of the many pros or plus sides to buying organic foods online. There are many individuals who are surprised with just how many foods they can buy online. Popular foods that sell online include packaged organic foods, such as organic crackers or organic cookies. With that being said, there is so much more that is available for sale. Organic frozen foods and fresh organic fruits and vegetables can also be ordered online and delivered directly to your door.

Although there are a number of pros or plus sides to buying organic foods online, it is also important to focus on the cons or downsides to doing so. One of those downsides is that you must have internet access. Yes, most homes have internet access and a computer, but not all do. In addition to having internet access, most shoppers need to have an ideal way to pay online. For example, many online organic food stores only accept credit or debit cards, which must be processed as credit cards, as payment.

As it was previously stated, you have the ability to save money when looking to buy organic foods online. This is mostly due to the fact that you can easily and quickly compare prices, looking for the best deals. As nice as this is, it is important to proceed with caution where shipping is concerned. If you are not careful, the cost of shipping can add up or be too high. That is another one of the cons or downsides to shopping for organic foods online. With that said, you can eliminate this con by simply being aware and by never paying more for shipping than you need to.

Buying organic foods online is convenient for many, but some individuals can benefit the most from doing so. You may be one of those individuals if you do not have a specialty organic food store located near by your home. Also, if you do, but are unimpressed with the prices or selection of foods, you can and should consider buying your organic foods online.

Deep Sea Diving: Careers in Diving

Have you ever considered a unique career? If you have,
then you may have a lot of types of careers in your
mind that you can think of. If you love scuba diving,
then you may ask yourself what kind of career that can
point you to scuba diving aside from being a dive
master or a scuba diving instructor. Aside from being
able to explore the ocean, you will see that there is
a career that you can get from deep sea diving.

There are a lot of careers that points to deep sea
diving. One career that you may want to try is by
being a commercial diver. This kind of diving requires
a lot of guts and the qualifications are quite strict.

In deep sea diving, you will see that divers here are
involved in a lot of objectives. One is to do salvage
operations on sunken ships, while others are to clean
the hulls of ships. Deep sea divers are also needed in
ocean oil rigs to weld pipes underwater as well as
clean steel.

There is a wide scope of objectives in commercial
diving. The training is very rigorous as you will need
to handle hazardous materials underwater, such as high
explosives and be in dangerous situations.

In commercial diving, you will see that divers here
are different from your average recreational divers.
They are well-trained in the aspects of diving safety
to the point that everything they do underwater should
be perfect.

So, how does one become a commercial diver? First of
all, you have to remember that commercial diving is
different from recreational diving. Having an open
water qualification is not enough for you to become
qualified as commercial diver. You still need to go to
school for this kind of job.

In commercial diving schools, you will learn all about
dive tables and how to use them, and you will also be
taught about underwater welding and how to handle high
explosives underwater. Safety is the most important
aspect of commercial diving.

You will also be taught underwater communications and
emergency safety procedures in case something wrong
happens. In commercial diving, you will also learn
about the hazards of working underwater, especially in
deep diving, wherein nitrogen narcosis is very common.
You will also be taught about the symptoms of nitrogen
sickness or bends and how to detect if a fellow diver
is suffering from nitrogen narcosis.

Also, you will be taught about the different air mixes
in diving, such as air, nitrox, and trimix. This is
important as you will be breathing it underwater.
Using the wrong mix when you go deep sea diving can be
lethal.

Commercial diving is a promising career that is full
of adventure. The pay is one of the best in the world
and you will also be able to use hi-tech scuba diving
equipments, such as rebreathers, state-of-the-art
underwater scooters, underwater radio communications,
as well as hi-tech industrial equipments.

Deep sea diving careers, such as commercial diving is
a rewarding career. If you have the guts for it and
you want a career that is full of adventure, then
commercial diving is for you. Just remember that in
deep sea diving, safety should always come first.
Remember these things and you can be sure that you
will be able to have a wonderful and fulfilling career
as a commercial diver.

Ballroom Dance Competitions

When you think of athletic competitions, chances are you probably don't think of ballroom dancing. Most people tend to think of football games, tennis matches, or track and field meets. While all of these certainly qualify for an athletic competition, you probably already know exactly what to anticipate as a spectator. However, ballroom dance competitions shed a different light on athleticism and are by far entertaining to watch.

Until recently, ballroom dance was something associated with older generations or the wealthy. Around the late 1980's, ballroom dancing began to take light once again but faded around 1995. It remained on the back burner of America's athletic competitions until 1999, when it suddenly gained popularity and has remained stable ever since. With the media taking an interest in ballroom dancing over the past few years, more and more people are learning and competing in ballroom dancing.

Some of the most popular ballroom dance competitions are hosted by Access Dance with competitions held nationwide. Competitions are held all year long with prizes ranging in money to vacation packages. The competition is divided into three main categories: youth, amateur, and professional. This allows everyone of all ages and ability levels to compete in ballroom dancing.

The Maryland Institute of Technology (MIT) also hosts an annual ballroom dance competition. The competition is open to members of the MIT ballroom dance team and anyone else who would like to compete. The competition is divided up according the style of dance you want to enter - for example, the mambo, jive, paso doble, etc. Each dance is classified into two categories, beginning and intermediate, with everyone invited to compete at the championship level. The cost for entering this competition ranges between $10 and $40 depending on your skill level and which category you are entering.

Perhaps the most notorious ballroom dance competition is "Dancing with the Stars", aired twice annually on ABC. This highly addictive dance competition features celebrities from various backgrounds, from the entertainment industry to athletes. The most recent champion of ballroom dancing, Apollo Anton Ono, is a gold-medal Olympic speed skater who had no prior knowledge of ballroom dancing prior to the competition. The prior season of "Dancing with the Stars" also produced a winner from the athlete genre, Emmitt Smith, a former NFL player for the Dallas Cowboys. This competition pairs up celebrities with no ballroom dance knowledge with professional partners who teach ballroom dance. It begins with ten couples and each week, viewers eliminate a couple by voting for their favorite. It was after the first season of "Dancing with the Stars" that people took an interest in ballroom dancing and the craze soon spread all over the world. Now, over twenty countries host their own version of this televised ballroom dance competition.

If you are interested in competing in ballroom dancing, a simple search of the internet will provide you with information regarding a competition near you. Even if you are just starting out, there are competitions for every skill level and ability.

Bill’s Candles

If you are looking to purchase beautiful looking homemade candles, but you aren’t interested in the candle making process yourself, turn to Bill’s Candles. They offer an array of quality candles that you will love. This company started in 1999 after beginning to reprocess candles bought on the market. The candles were reprocessed because the scent had already disappeared. By melting the leftover wax, adding a fragrance, and pouring into a container, new candles were had that held their scent for a very long time.

From there, experimenting with various types of candle waxes and molds lead to the invention of Bill’s Candles. The candles you purchase are the result of many labor intense hours. Some of the experiments worked well while others were complete disasters. Finally, recipes for the perfect candles were done and written down.

Customers are very happy with the candles they receive from Bill’s Candle. They love that the process is still one done by hand rather than in a factory. Bill also gives his personal guarantee that if you are not satisfied with any candle you can exchange it or get a full refund. The only requirement is that you return in before you have used 10% or more of the candle.

Bill’s Candles uses two types of wax. There is the vegetable candle blend and the soy wax. Please note soy wax is only available on the container candle line. Soy candles burn clean without producing smoke. They also burn for a great deal of time. The scent of a candle stays for an amazing length of time with soy candles. The vegetable candle blend is used for pillars and votives. It is American made and gives the candle a very lustrous color.

All of the candles offered from Bill’s Candles are hand poured. It is important that you allow at least two weeks for your order because there is no automated process here. What you get are top of the line candles that are 100% homemade. Customers can be assured there is no shortage of selection at Bill’s Candles.

This company offers container candles that come in an apothecary jar. Choose from a 10 ounce, 16 ounce, 22 ounce, or 26 ounce candle. You can also choose a classic mason jar container candle. The mason jars come in either a pint or half pint. The lids for the mason jars are gold with a flower design on top.

Pillar candles are a very popular type. Bill’s Candles offers a wide range of pillar candles to choose from. Traditional pillar candles can be purchased in most any size. They are available in round and square shapes. Dome top pillar candles add a bit of design to this classic candle. The arch motif has a ridge design in it as well as an arc shape at the top. The fluted spiral has ridges, giving this pillar a very unique design.

Round votives are available in the traditional size of 1 ½ x 1 ½. Once you have decided which types of candles you want to purchase, select the color and fragrance you want. There are 30 great colors and over 200 scents to choose from. You will find a full list of colors and scents posted online and in the Bill’s Candles catalog.

Bill’s candles offers a wonder variety of homemade candles for you to choose from. The quality is guaranteed. Bill takes great pride in his candle making techniques. Each candle is made with care and customer service in mind. If you are considering purchasing candles from Bill’s Candles as gifts, look at their online store. They offer unique gift baskets and gift sets to choose from. They will also work with the customer to make a customized gift set or basket to meet your needs. This is a small business that still enjoys the candle making process as opposed to manufacturing large quantities to make profits. The love Bill has for his candle making shows in his products and satisfaction guarantee.

Cooking Basics for Beginners

When it comes to cooking, it is important to keep in mind that everyone started somewhere. I do not know of a single person who was born with a wooden cooking spoon and ready to go. There is a lot of learning that must be done in order to become a prolific cook and then there is always room for improvement. Not only do you need to begin with the basics when it comes to cooking but you almost need to begin again when learning to cook a new cuisine such as Chinese, Thai, or Indian food.

This means that at any given time in your cooking learning cycles there is quite probably someone somewhere that is better and/or worse at cooking than you. Take heart from this because even the best have bad days when it comes to cooking. There are many people who cook for different reasons. Some cook in order to eat and survive while others cook because they actually enjoy the process of cooking. Some cook during times of emotional upheaval and others cook out of sheer boredom. Whatever your reason for cooking or learning to cook you should always begin with the basics.

The first thing that you need to learn is what the different terminology you will find in recipes actually means. There are many new and sometimes foreign sounding terms that you will find in common recipes. These terms can mean the difference in recipe success or failure. You should be able to find a good section in any inclusive cookbook that explains the different definitions for unfamiliar terminology. If you aren't absolutely certain what is meant by "folding in the eggs" it is in your best interests to look it up.

Another great bit of advice when it comes to cooking basics is to try simpler recipes for a while and then expand your horizons to the more complex recipes that abound. Most recipes will have a little note about their degree of difficulty and you can read through the recipe to see whether or not it is something you are interested in preparing or confident that you can prepare. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day and it will take quite some time to build a reliable 'repertoire' of recipes to work into your meal planning rotation.

The good news is that once you've learned the basics of cooking it is unlikely that you will ever need to relearn them. This means that you can constantly build up and expand your cooking skills. As you learn new recipes and improve your culinary skills and talents you will discover that preparing your own meals from scratch is much more rewarding than preparing prepackaged meals that are purchased from the shelves of your local supermarkets.

You will also discover as your experience and confidence grows that you will find yourself more and more often improvising as you go and adjusting recipes to meet your personal preferences. If you prefer more or less of ingredients or want to make a recipe a little more or less spicy in flavor you can make simple adjustments along the way in order to achieve this goal. In other words you will begin in time to create recipes of your very own. And that is something you won't necessarily learn when it comes to basic cooking skills for beginners but you would never learn if you didn't master those basic cooking skills.

Choosing Baby Shower Cakes

Preparing for a baby shower party can be a tedious task. You need to define the guest list. You need to conceptualize the theme, print and send the invitations, and then prepare for the special date itself.

For the party, you will think about what decorations to use on the place, what will be the program, what games to have, what baby shower favors to give, and, what to serve.

During the baby shower party, the table centerpiece is most likely to be a baby shower cake. The baby shower cake cannot be similar to the cake that can just be bought from the local bakeshop.

It is better if you or one of the guests baked the baby shower cake. Doing so will also assure you that the cake that will be served as a table centerpiece is in accordance with the theme that you have conceptualized.

Of course, preordering the cake will also be fine as long as you give enough time for the cake to be prepared and that you have discussed with the person who will prepare the cake the concept of the baby shower party and how you would like the cake to look.

However, if you have some baking skills, or if you can follow instructions from cookbooks well, it is advantageous to prepare the cake yourself. You can use your creativity for the design and you can always ask for help from friends. Needless to mention, it is also less costly.

To prepare the baby shower cake, check online for tried and tested recipes and designs. You can also choose the flavor of the baby shower cake.

Usually, the designs and shapes of baby shower cakes are nursery items. These are flowers, birds, butterflies, baby-shaped, toys and other kid stuff. The most common icing colors are yellow, pink, blue, green and white.

In addition, if you have scheduled the baby shower after the baby was born, you can also ask for the baby’s picture and have professional cake decorators create and edible cake design using the baby’s picture.

Another idea for the baby shower cake is to use diapers. That’s right – diapers. Of course, this cake is not for the guests to enjoy. However, the mom will definitely appreciate it if there is already a stack of diapers prepared for the baby.

To prepare a diaper cake, all you need to do is carefully stack rolled diapers into several levels (having three levels is suggested). You may use laces and ribbons to keep the diapers in place. However, make sure that you did not tie the diapers too tightly together to prevent them from being deformed. Deformed diapers will be useless and will just end up in the garbage bin.

The diaper cake can also be placed as a table centerpiece. If you still prefer to have a real cake for the baby shower, you can bake or order a simple cake from the bakeshop.

After preparing the table centerpiece, you need to combine it with good baby shower food. Most of the time, snacks, tea, desserts and punches are served. You can also have some barbecues and grilled foods, in case you have invited some male guests. The dads can bond and have some conversation while attending to the grills. This way, everyone can participate in welcoming the new member of the family.

Benefits Of Carpet

In the past and even today, carpet is very popular
with home owners all across the U.S. Carpet is
the most practical, fashionable, and versatile
choice of flooring out there, as it also accounts
for more than half of all flooring purchases that
are made each and every year. The fact is, carpet
has outsold every other type of flooring for more
than 60 years.

Carpet offers you several advantages that other
flooring options can't compete with. Below, you
will find many of the features that carpet will
add to your home.

Warmth
Carpet is the best choice you can make for your
bedroom, family room, and other areas where you
need warmth underfoot.

Insulation
Both carpet and carpet padding will provide an
extra layer of much needed insulation between the
floors of your home. Depending on the density and
weight of the carpet, it contributes to the R-value
of your home, which adds to the energy efficiency
as well.

Safety
Carpet offers a slip resistant surface that will
prevent accidents along with a natural cushion
in the event of someone falling. For young
children and the elderly, this is very important.

Reduction in sound
Carpet will also reduce noise better than any
other type of flooring. Carpet works to dampen
noise in three ways:
1. Reduces surface noise from foot traffic
2. Absorbs airborne sound
3. Blocks transmission of sound
These qualities are valuable in apartments as well
as semi-detached homes.

Surface
Adding carpet to a room can also disguise any
existing damage to the floor and also hide any
other problems such as warped floors. The thicker
density the carpet is, the more problems it will
be able to hide.

Easy to care for
The carpets of today are more stain resistant
than they have ever been in the past, which makes
cleaning even the worst possible spills easier
than ever. No matter type of spill it may be,
there is always a way to clean it up.

Clean air
Research has proven that carpet can indeed improve
the quality of air by trapping allergy causing
dust and allergens if it is properly cleaned and
maintained.

Variety of use
Carpets aren't only for floors anymore, which is
a really great thing. You can easily add carpet
to steps, stairs, walls, posts, and other non
level surfaces, without having to worry about it
slipping, lifting, or buckling.

Flexibility
Carpet is the primary foundation in almost any
room. Because it is available in a variety of
different colors and textures, it helps to
create an unlimited number of possibilities for
decorating. From the neutral tones to rich
solids, carpet is the first step you can take
to make your home look better than ever.

Low cost
Carpet doesn't cost a lot of money, as it offers
an economical alternative to the other types of
expensive flooring. Even with professional
installation, you won't pay near as much as you
would for hard surfaces. Unlike hard surfaces,
carpet can keep you comfortable if you decide
to lay down on it.

Life span
The carpets of today are very durable and can
outlast most other types of flooring available on
the market. All you have to do is select a
type of carpet that has a life span of 5 - 30
years or more, which is very common now days.

Warranty
With most manufacturers, you can get great
warranties with your carpet purchase. This way,
you'll be protected when you install your new
carpet. Once installed, all you have to do is
enjoy it - as the warranty will ensure that you
are very well protected.

Choosing The Right Deep Sea Fishing Charter For You

There are a lot of factors to take into consideration
when picking out a deep sea charter. You do not only
have to look for one that is professional and
reputable, but you also have to find one that can meet
your personal needs. Thus, before you go out to sea,
you have to decide on exactly what it is that you
really want from the trip.

What Kind Of Experience?

Your main concern must be to decide on the type of
experience that you want to get. Is it wreck and reef
fishing that you want? How about inshore fishing?
Probably you’re interested in getting a charter which
specializes on targeting specific types of specie,
like billfish, tarpon, etc.? Factors like these would
definitely depend on what place in the world you’ll be
fishing in. For instance, if you’ll be fishing from
the Gulf of Mexico, you would have different options
if you’ll be looking for a deep sea charter in
Northern California.

What Kind Of Level?

Second, you should decide on the level that you want
to fish in. There’s a big difference between charters
catering to novice fishermen than those designed for
experienced ones. Nevertheless, the great thing about
charter boat’s abundance is that they have one for any
kind of level.

Some specialize on catering to beginners and families,
while some specialize in bringing more experienced
anglers out to sea. A lot of charter services can
actually offer you several options. Most likely,
charter boat captains would offer trolling options,
which is especially for novice anglers, families, and
even kids. For instance, a lot of charter boats
situated in Southern Florida can take their patrons
trolling during spring and fall months, in which they
are given the opportunity to have 6 hours hunting some
redfish, dolphin, etc.

However, high speed trolling would be a great choice
if you’re an experienced one that lack some of the
equipments to have your own expedition. This is best
done around summer months, which is when conditions
are best set to catch bigger game fish, like bull
dolphin, sailfish and yahoo.

Ask! Probably the best advice when looking for a
charter would be directly asking the captain exactly
what it is that they offer, and can offer. You would
definitely don't want to be wasting money and time on
an adventure that is not really tailored for your
needs. A lot of charter services are actually up front
regarding the different choices of service that they
can offer. Thus, you have the ability to determine
what type of charter would be the best for you!

Money Matters After deciding on the type of experience
you would want, now it’s time to settle on how much
you’re willing to pay for the trip. In general,
smaller boats that have the capacity of 2-4 people
have a typical price of $200-$400. If you want to get
a bigger boat for a whole day trip, prices usually
play around $900-$1,200. Additionally, factors like
the charter’s reputation play a role on how much they
charge.

Playing It Safe

Although most charters are headed by quality,
experienced individuals, there are some occasional
shady characters that might try to sell their services
to you. If this is the case, you should try checking
their reputation by asking people around the area and
getting some recommendations from the locals.

Doing this could mean having visits in the local
marinas and bait shops. Basically, you should visit
the docks. Another choice would be asking the hotel
that you're staying in. Such hotels usually have
charter services that they usually use and can
recommend to you.

Lastly, you can directly interview your potential
charter captains. This would help you see what kind of
person you’ll be spending the trip with. Most of the
time, this method is the one that shows whether the
charter service is reputable or not.

Locating the Best Bass Fishing Areas

What is it in bass fishing that everybody are driven on to engage on such activity? People get fond of bass fishing that is why every trend that they hear about it really catches their interests and as much as possible get into it.

“Where are the what...? Where are the bass!” How many of the anglers (tournament and recreational) go to a body of water you've never fished before, drop the boat in the water, then, ask this question to yourself? This is probably one of the biggest topics in bass fishing that an angler should learn more about.

Here you will be getting information on how to locate areas best for bass fishing.
Locating bass and understanding the water would be the number one question among bass anglers today. The next most asked question would be is which baits they should use to catch a "big" bass.

Now when you think about it, there are really only two (2) main topics that go hand-in-hand when it comes to bass fishing. If you understood more about these two, you would definitely become a much better angler, and they are:

1. Knowing how to locate bass.

2. Knowing how to catch bass using all the different techniques, presentations, and baits.

Learning how to locate bass can be somewhat of a challenge to most anglers because there are so many different factors that need to be determined such as:

1. Knowing how to read a map - this is the fundamental skill that you should try to learn because through a map it is easier for you to take on the appropriate location good for bass fishing.

2. Knowing the most practical places to look for Active Bass just after cold fronts and during early spring and late fall periods - weather condition must be especially considered as well.

3. Understanding water depth- this is an important element because the depth or the hollowness of the water will serve as a factor for you to know if it is a good location.

4. Water clarity- it could be easier for you to now have your bass fishing if you are well-oriented about the water clarity of your location.

5. Water temperatures

6. Seasonal patterns- this is in relation with the trend whether bass fishing is seasonal or not.

7. Locating structure areas

8. Finding vegetation areas

But there is more! Being a consistent bass angler is so much more than just getting in your boat, hitting the water, and casting your baits. That's why bass tournaments are so competitive and exciting, because the more you learn about locating bass the quicker you can start catching them right? And hey, isn't that half the battle?

Let's start by looking at a lake map. There are two general types of lake maps that most anglers will use which are referred to as the; “Hot Spot” and “Topographical” maps. The differences between the two is that a “Topo” map shows more detail, and the “Hot Spots” map shows more fishing spots (well, at least they’re supposed to).

The secret (or key) in learning how to use a lake map would be to sector the map. What I mean by this is that I will take the map and study it for a moment (looking for areas where the fish would most likely be.) Next, I will (using a highlighter) divide the map in sections based on how much time I have to pre-fish for a tournament or how many days I have to just fish the body of water for fun.

The size of the sections will vary depending on contours, structure, and how many places I may want to check out during the course of the day based on what the map shows me. I am certainly not one to just cast bait into the water and work it for five minutes and leave; I will try an assortment of baits if I see signs of fish in any given area to try to establish a working pattern.

Here are some key elements that you can usually look for when it comes to locating bass on any given body of water:

1. Vegetation areas

2. Irregular contours

3. Shallow water close to deep water areas

4. Points and point drops

5. Various types of structure

Body Building Clothes

When you are a serious body builder, choosing your body building clothes can be a strange decision you have to make. After all, you have to keep in mind what you are wanting to achieve in your body building workout – and, believe it or not, your clothes can make a difference in the effectiveness of your workout.

Some people really don’t put any thought into their body building clothes. They throw on a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants and head to the gym. This might work for some people, but you really should put a little thought into your body building clothes.

The biggest consideration you need to keep in mind is comfort. When you are undertaking an intense body building routine, you need to be able to move around easily. You should wear clothing that allows you to move freely without constraint.

For both men and women, the ideal body building clothing choice would be a tank top and shorts. This type of clothes allows you to move your body and work your muscles without the restraint of tight fitting or binding material.

When choosing body building clothes, keep in mind that you are going to sweat. That sweat can help you melt off body fat and can also help your muscles work more effectively. So, you might want to choose some clothes that will keep the sweat in and make it work for you.

Spandex clothing can be good for keeping the sweat in. Spandex will hold in body heat and allow the sweat to work for you. You may also want to wear sweat pants that are designed to keep body heat where it can work for you best of all. Reebok even makes body building clothing that will emit peppermint scent when your body starts to sweat. I don’t know about you, but it sure sounds like a smart thing to me!

When you are competing in body building competitions, you will want to choose clothing that can show off your body in the most tasteful way possible. The idea in contests is to show off the muscles you have worked so hard to build, so pick a swim suit that is a complementary color and that makes your body look as good as it has become.

So many people don’t really put much thought into the type of clothes they choose for body building, but it really can be an important part of your workout. While being in the gym is by no means a fashion show, you will still want to dress for comfort as well as effectiveness. Put a little thought into your body building clothes and make your workout work for you!

Telescopes 101

Buying the right telescope to take your love of astronomy to the next level is a big next step in the development of your passion for the stars. In many ways, it is a big step from someone who is just fooling around with astronomy to a serious student of the science. But you and I both know that there is still another big step after buying a telescope before you really know how to use it.

So it is critically important that you get just the right telescope for where you are and what your star gazing preferences are. To start with, let’s discuss the three major kinds of telescopes and then lay down some “Telescope 101” concepts to increase your chances that you will buy the right thing.

The three primary types of telescopes that the amateur astronomer might buy are the Refractor, the Reflector and the Schmidt Cassegrain telescope. The first two are named for the kind of lens that is used. It is pretty easy to see that the lens is the heart of the telescope so the kind that you will use will determine the success of your use of that telescope.

The refractor lens is the simplest because it uses a convex lens to focus the light on the eyepiece. So the lens bends outwards for this purpose. The refractor telescope’s strength is in viewing planets. The reflector’s strength is in seeing more distant objects and the lens is concave or bends in. It uses mirrors to focus the image that you eventually see. The final type, the Schmidt Cassegrain telescope is the most complex and accomplishes the goals of both but it uses an involved system of mirrors to capture the image you want to see.

So to select just the right kind of telescope, your objectives in using the telescope are important. To really understand the strengths and weaknesses not only of the lenses and telescope design but also in how the telescope performs in various star gazing situations, it is best to do some homework up front and get exposure to the different kinds. So before you make your first purchase…

* Above all, establish a relationship with a reputable telescope shop that employs people who know their stuff. If you buy your telescope at a Wal-Mart or department store, the odds you will get the right thing are remote.

* Pick the brains of the experts. If you are not already active in an astronomy society or club, the sales people at the telescope store will be able to guide you to the active societies in your area. Once you have connections with people who have bought telescopes, you can get advice about what works and what to avoid that is more valid than anything you will get from a web article or a salesperson at Wal-Mart.

* Try before you buy. This is another advantage of going on some field trips with the astronomy club. You can set aside some quality hours with people who know telescopes and have their rigs set up to examine their equipment, learn the key technical aspects, and try them out before you sink money in your own set up.

There are other considerations to factor into your final purchase decision. How mobile must your telescope be? The tripod or other accessory decisions will change significantly with a telescope that will live on your deck versus one that you plan to take to many remote locations. Along those lines, how difficult is the set up and break down? How complex is the telescope and will you have trouble with maintenance? Network to get the answers to these and other questions. If you do your homework like this, you will find just the right telescope for this next big step in the evolution of your passion for astronomy.

The One Word Every Prospect Craves

It’s arguably the most important word in the copywriter's arsenal. It ranks right at the top with words like "free," "new" and "savings."

I’m talking about "you."

"You" is the word that gets your prospect’s attention and keeps them involved. As Herschell Gordon Lewis says in The Art of Writing Copy, "Unless the reader regards himself as the target of your message, benefit can’t exist. Benefit demands a ‘We/You’ relationship."

While the "We" in the "We/You" relationship is important, it’s better implied than communicated literally. If your goal is to put prospects first, then it’s best to have the "you’s" far exceed the "we’s."

It’s the "you’s" that matter to prospects. They’re your workhorse for communicating your message and include all derivatives such as "your," "yours," "yourself," "you’re," and "you’ll."

Powerful ‘You’

What makes "you" so powerful? For one thing, it addresses your readers directly. In effect, it says "Hey you," which is much harder to ignore than "Hey somebody."

Say "Hey you" in a crowded room and a lot of heads will turn. Say "Hey somebody" and a few heads might turn.

While your copy won’t actually say "Hey you," it can clearly identify to whom you’re talking. Once you have your audience's attention, use "you" to help keep it.

Personal ‘You’

Why does "you" get and hold attention? For one thing, it’s personal. It’s used in personal conversation every day. What do you think? How was your weekend? You’ll be glad to know …

When people say these things to you, they’re bound to get your attention and involvement. After all, they’re interested in your opinion. They’re interested in the things you do. They have something to tell you that will make you happy.

That’s the goal of you-oriented copy. Address your audience directly, personally and in terms of their interests. Be conversational and "you" will pop up in the copy naturally.

Counting ‘You’

It was mentioned earlier that "you" is a workhorse. A classic example is contained in "The Do-It-Yourself Direct Mail Handbook" by Murray Raphel and Ken Erdman. They highlight a "Newsweek" magazine subscription letter used for nearly two decades.

The subscription letter was written by direct mail expert Ed McLean, who used "you" nearly 30 times on the first page alone. More than 100 million copies of the letter were mailed, a testament to its effectiveness.

Try counting the "you’s" (and "you" derivatives) in your copy. Compare them with the number of "we’s" and first-person derivatives. If the "you’s" don’t outnumber the "we’s," consider reworking your copy.

Excessive ‘You’?

Can you overdo "you"? Yes.

If you load your copy with "you’s" but forget the benefits, your message will have a phony ring.

"You" can’t save you if there’s nothing meaningful to offer your audience. Likewise, it will help put you over the top if there is.

(c) 2005 Neil Sagebiel

Things You Need to Know Before You Buy Digital Camera

Digital cameras come in many sizes, colors, brands, zooms, resolutions, playbacks, etc. There are so many features and qualities that are being placed in the devices that buyers especially first timers become overwhelmed and dizzy with these outstanding arrays of gadgets. This is even without including the various advertisements and different ratings that are used to promote these products.

So what are the things to look for if you want to buy digital camera? To be able to answer these, there are 2 sets of information you have to know before you can decide. The first type of information is defining what YOU need and want in a digital camera. To do this, you can ask yourself the following questions:

- What do you want to take with your digital camera? Before you buy digital camera, it is important to determine what kind of pictures you want to take with it. If you are a digital photography enthusiast, any digital camera will not just do. You have to look for features that can support the zooming you need, the resolution, etc.

- How much is your budget? This is a very important question any person who intends to buy digital camera should ask. Because no matter what your needs and wants are for the device, your financial resource will play a huge part in dictating the type of digital camera you will buy.

- What are you resources? When you buy digital camera, sometimes the spending does not end there. You also have to consider the capacity and the power of the computer and the printer you will be hooking your camera with for your editing and printing needs. Editing software are already included when you buy digital camera but other devices aren't. Aside from a printer, ink and paper for printing, you might also need additional memory cards for your camera and a more powerful computer to support image editing and image storage and retrieval.

After answering these 3 questions, the second set of information you need to know before you buy digital camera are the features that you need in the device. These are:

- Resolution. Before you buy digital camera, check first its capacity to produce high quality photo images. The number of pixels indicated determines resolution. The more number of pixels, the higher the resolution which can make photos to be enlarged without losing image quality.

- Built-in memory. Digital cameras need memory cards for picture storage. When you buy digital camera, make sure that the gadget that you buy does not only have a "built-in" memory but should also have a card slot for external and additional memory. This allows you to change full memory cards conveniently while shooting your pictures.

- Look and feel. It is essential for you to feel comfortable holding your digital camera while shooting. So, before you buy digital camera, it good to test and check if you are comfortable holding it and using it. Consider where the buttons are located and how they are spaced out and see also if you feel comfortable using the viewfinder.

- Battery life. Digital cameras use up batteries fast and batteries are expensive. Before you buy digital camera, consider if the camera's batteries are rechargeable. This way you can recharge them. Take also into consideration an AC adapter when you buy digital camera. You can attach this to the camera when you are viewing your pictures or uploading them

- LCD. The LCD is a special consideration you have to look into when you buy a digital camera. This is a small screen located at the back of a digital camera that allows you to preview the pictures you took. This has to be considered when you buy digital camera because it uses up a lot of battery power.

- Special features. Special features that will suit your needs should be thought about, too before you buy digital camera. If you want your camera to have good zooming, you can opt for those with optical zoom lenses. A diopter adjustment on the digital camera's viewfinder will also be beneficial to those who regularly wear glasses and wish to buy digital camera. Other features such as remote control, tripods, etc. can also be considered when you buy a digital camera.

With these information, you can now figure out what you really need and want before you buy digital camera. If you want to see ratings and rankings of these devices based on price, resolution or other features, check out various websites that have these in the Internet.

Are We A Match?

One of the major reasons people check their horoscopes is matchmaking. After all, if personality is clearly laid out by a person’s sign, then it should be pretty easy to tell whether or not that person is going to be compatible.

It’s not as simple as that, of course. Other factors in a person’s horoscope can influence those basic rules, or even counter them entirely. Just because a person falls within a sign does not mean they’re going to be a perfect match for the general depiction of that sign. Still, it’s fun and interesting to check for compatibility through a horoscope.

As a general rule, your “perfect match” is likely to be at the opposite side of the Zodiac from you. That is, Aries with Libra, Taurus with Scorpio, Cancer with Capricorn, Leo with Aquarius, Virgo with Pisces, Sagittarius with Gemini. Those signs opposing each other across the Zodiac tend to balance out, supporting each other’s strengths and countering each other’s weaknesses—provided, of course, that the personality differences can be smoothed over.

As an example, Cancer has a very strong “family instinct.” Cancers want to have a strong and secure home life. This mindset is likely to drive away several other signs, like dominant Aries or travel-oriented Sagittarius. Capricorn, however, has a similar attitude towards home and in general, the two would get along just fine…provided, of course, the Cancer could learn to cope with the Capricorn’s penchant for gloom and depression.

The signs that definitely do not get along are the ones that have a core difference. Sagittarius is known for traveling, and would drive the home-focused Cancer to distraction. Detail-oriented and critical Virgo would grate on the nerves of self-centered and bossy Aries. And bright and cheerful Libra would never be able to handle a life darkened by shady, mysterious Scorpio.