Junk In The Trunk In Texas Is Caused By Caloric Imbalances

The fat surplus linked to excess weight and obesity is caused by an imbalance between the amount of calories we consume and the amount of calories we burn during physical activity. So, in order to avoid putting on weight, which strategy should be adopted? Eat less or exercise more?

Calories are a measure of the energy contained in food as carbohydrates, proteins or fats. The amount of calories we need each day directly depends on the amount of energy we use. For example, a construction worker in Dallas, Houston or anywhere in Texas must consume more calories than an office worker does.

As a general rule, it's estimated that the majority of people need between 2,000 and 3,000 calories per day to meet their physical needs. Unless you are a nutrition expert, however, it's extremely difficult to know precisely the number of calories you eat daily.

If you have a stable weight, you don't have to rack your brain you consume the right amount of calories. On the other hand, if you have a tendency to put on weight, this means your calorie intake exceeds your physical needs and the surplus is stored as fat.

Adding Air to the Spare Tire

If you want to stop accumulating excess pounds, you must either reduce your calorie intake, increase your physical activity so you burn more calories or, even better, adopt a combination of the two approaches.

Despite having an increasingly sedentary way of life, many individuals have increased their consumption of calories by almost 20 percent during recent years. Several factors contribute to this over consumption, the most important being the major role occupied by "fast-food" and manufactured foods in our diet.

Supported by billions of marketing dollars, sales of these products are reaching record highs and are now part of the basic diet of a growing number of people, especially for young individuals. This is a bad situation, because these products often contain extraordinary amounts of fat and sugar that lead to the absorption of a large number of calories.

There are two options available to reduce the negative impact of these products: Reduce consumption and avoid their related calorie intake, or increase the level of physical activity to burn the excess calories.

For example, to burn the calories contained in a simple snack that includes one soft drink, one bag of chips and one candy bar, you must walk more than 2 hours (150 minutes) or go out for a bike ride of an hour and a half. That's a pretty high price to pay for a snack eaten in barely ten minutes.

Get Moving!

Physical activity is essential to maintaining good health. Aside from burning more calories, exercise can have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system reduce the risks of some cancers, like colon and breast cancer. However, many overweight individuals can't hope to control their weight just by being more active. They also need to reduce their caloric intake by adopting a healthy diet, rich in vegetable products.

No matter what your age, you have to watch what you consume, and balance your diet with the proper exercise. As youll discover, what affects your health also will eventually affect your bank account. If youre a young individual who tries to keep healthy, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. For more information, visit us at our website, http://www.precedent.com We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled real time application and acceptance experience.

Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at http://www.precedent.com

Opal - A Gemstone Of Ancient Fantasy

Just like fantasy, opal has the magical power to show you all the colors of the rainbow with just one look. Opal reflects a multitude of colors that gives the impression you are looking at the colors of a rainbow on close range. It can be captivating and needs to be seen to be admired. It is the birthstone of those born in October and is a symbol of many ancient beliefs. However, which ever belief makes you the happiest, it is without question that opal is a gemstone that cannot fail to be in awe of and which will form a valuable part of any jewelry collection.

It originates from various parts of the world Australia, Nevada and Former Czechoslovakia for example, and has had a varied history from lovers of the gem to those that thought it had a darker origin. Beliefs abound in respect to opal!

There are three main classifications of opal: black, white and transparent. A black opal, that which reflects the most luminous colors, is the most valuable of all. Not included in this classification are those that do not reflect a display of colors. These are the fire, prase and blue-green opal. One other amazing thing about opals is that they contain water from 3 to 10% of their full weight!

With a display of rainbow colors, opal is really the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow because its iridescence renders it as one of the most precious stones in the world today. It is now a popular choice for gem collectors and lovers of fine jewelry around the world. believing that opals fell from heaven. However popular it was, opal somewhat lost its charm when a widely-read novel pictured opal as an unlucky stone. But the stigma did not last, and opal won back its popularity among the collectors circle and possibly every gem lover.

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on jewelry, silver and gems and visit our associated site articles for free.

College Planning Checklist

Planning for college takes time. Its never too early to start thinking about where you want to go and what you want to study. Take stock of your college planning concerns before you start applying to different schools.

As application time draws nearer, you should already have a few different schools on your list. There are the schools you absolutely know will take you. These arent your number one choices. Theyre safe picks. Next, you have the colleges that are right within your reach. You probably meet most of the general requirements (like minimum GPA and test scores), but you arent entirely sure youll get in. The last category of colleges is reserved for the fantasy picks. Theses places have absolutely no reason to take you, but your going to apply to at least a couple of these dream schools anyway, just in case.

Schedule campus visits (months in advance) so that you can scope out these institutions and the areas where they are located. Investigate the majors offered. Talk to people in different departments. Meet with professors, academic advisors and counselors. Find out specifics about your major and the courses you wish to take. Chat with students that pass by you and ask them for honest responses to basic atmospheric questions. Discover answers that cant be found from reading a brochure. Whats the nightlife like? Is living on campus fun or not? And so on.

When you are on your visits, make sure to pay a visit to the financial aid office. Investigating funding options is an important part of the college planning process. You need to know what the tuition bill is going to be like, and how much of it will be paid for by the school, the government, you or your family. Youre also going to have to secure funds for housing, meals, learning materials and living expenses. Make sure that you have crunched the numbers, so that you know what the financial implications of choosing a particular college will be.

Geography is also an important consideration. Of the four years that you will spend attending a university, not every moment is spent in the classroom or on campus. You need to be sure that you can exist comfortably in whatever environment youre considering. If you want to live in a small town, dont move to the big city. If you want to live by the beach, dont choose a college in the Midwest. Identify what it is youre looking for in a location, and target those types of areas.

If you take the time and do your research, you can simplify the daunting task of planning for college. Information is power, and the more info you have about a particular institution, the better. As acceptance letters start arriving in the mail, youll be confident in your final school selection. Youve already done your homework, made your visits, asked questions, crunched the numbers and pondered the geography. Now you can be self-assured about accepting your enrollment offer from the college of your choice.

Take a look at more industry related articles by Chris Stout at CareersandEducation.com . Chris Stout is a frequent contributor with articles pertaining to using Distance Learning and Career Advice.

Books That Boost Your Morale

Research has shown that laughter can reduce stress hormones. And disease-fighting white blood cells go up as well. The anticipation of happy times can slash depression levels by 51% and fatigue by 15%. So here is a list of books to make you smile. They are easy to read! Boogers are My Beat by Dave Barry Dave Barry is a humorist and newspaper columnist who pokes fun at the lunacies of everyday life.

You Know You're 40 When.......by Ann Hodgman and Patricia Marx These authors remind us that the funniest target is ourselves. For example, "You know you're 40 when.....someone offers you a seat on the bus. And you don't refuse."

What Wendell Wants by Jenny Lee You don't have to be a dog lover to laugh at Lee's over-the-top love of her terrier. When her dog's ball loses its squeak, her husband frantically restores it with Lee looking on.

Girls' Night In edited by Lauren Henderson, Chriss Manby and Sarah Mlynowski A "line" once meant a bad come-on or the group waiting to get into a club. Now a line means wrinkles on your face. You can probably relate to this book--containing essays--by such humorists as Lauren Henderson, Jennifer Weiner, and Marian Keyes.

Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen An heiress seeks revenge after her greedy husband dumps her overboard

House Husband by Ad Hudler This book is about perfect people who can do it all. Perfect parents who home-school their chiildren, make gourmet meals, keep their home spotless, and grow beautiful gardens. All the while they are cheerful and hide that they are control freaks

Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris About a young gay man whose father wishes he would play baseball

Sun Tzu Was a Sissy by Stanley Bing Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War. In the past it was required reading for all generals and CEO's. This is a spoof of that advice

Accomlished gourmet cook and author. Visit my website: http://www.phyllisrecipes.com Soon!

Battling The Bulge

North American's seem to be losing the battle against weight gain. Why is there such a struggle with weight loss and keeping it off?

The diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and they want to keep it that way. Is it possible that the diets and miracle pills that are supposed to make you thin are actually made to set you up to fail?

There are hundreds of diets out there all claiming a quick weight loss, and there are certainly too many to list. I know that if you were to think of three people, I'm sure two were on some form of diet within the last three months. And, I'm also pretty sure that the diet was probably lacking in vitamins, minerals, calories and fiber.

To guarantee a rapid weight loss, most diets restrict calories. This is not a wise practice for the long term. Many women regularly go below 1200 calories a day to help them lose weight. This is a pretty low number, considering your body generally needs this amount just perform bodily functions like breathing, your heart pumping blood through your body and organs performing their tasks. Put in even the smallest activity and you require some extra calories.

Now that being said, that doesn't mean you need to go to your favourite restaurant and order a large plate of fries. North American's over eat and don't move enough, so the need for regular exercise and balanced nutrition is more important than ever.

Let me be frank. There is no quick fix, and if someone tells you there is, they are only concerned about getting your money, not about helping you achieve your weight loss goals.

I know how hard it is to lose weight. I don't have a naturally high metabolism and after the birth of my three girls my excess weight didn't just fall off (like it did with some of my friends-I wasn't that fortunate!)

It takes careful planning of all your meals and regular, consistent exercise. If you begin eliminating entire food groups, you generally rob your body of important vitamins and minerals.

So what's the trick to weight loss?

No trick. Slow and steady wins the race!

Forget the quick results or no exercise needed plans and begin your very own personal health plan today. All you need is a pen and paper and some determination. Start by making a weekly menu. Write down what you will eat each day and what exercise you will perform. Remember it doesn't have to be fancy. A good walk will do wonders.

I will give you a hint to "faster" weight loss. Eliminate sugar from your diet. If you write down everything you eat and drink for 1-2 days, you will be amazed how much of it contains refined sugar. sugar is a silent killer that not only causes weight gain but many other health problems.

So if you're looking for a place to start, start with sugar--and get rid of it!

As you make small, consistent changes to your diet and exercise routine, you will see the desired changes you want.

Consistency is key. Keep with it, I know you can do it. You will have more energy, look great and feel amazing knowing you made and kept your health and fitness goals.

Kelly Parker is an ACE and Can-Fit Pro certified fitness professional and has been helping people reach their health and fitness goals for over 11 years.

Visit http://www.how-to-get-fit.com to learn more on how to burn fat and get the toned body you've been striving for.

How Automatic Watches Work

Whatever Happened to Winding?

Depending on your age, you may or may not remember seeing your father wind his watch each night before going to bed. If he did not, he would surely wake to a watch that had stopped. Those days became history with the advent of the automatic watch. What makes it automatic? It still has the same basic mechanism to keep the watch working, but how that mechanism is powered changed the way we cared for our watches.

All mechanical watches work in a similar manner. They require a movement of a series of gears to tick of increments of time, which in turn registers as movements of the hands on the face of the watch. A rotor in the watch sits on a staff in the middle of the watchs movement. It rotates in a circular motion and winds the mainspring which is the source of power in mechanical watches. With an automatic watch the winding of this spiral spring is done automatically with any arm or wrist movement.

Self-winding, automatic watches work great for people who wear the watch each day, but if you do not wear the watch frequently, it needs manual winding about twice a week. Even automatic watches will stay working better if they are wound manually about once every two weeks because this helps keep the watch lubricated. It is a misconception that automatic watches never need any winding, since it all depends on the movement of the arm to keep it functioning well.

A power reserve lets the movement of your watch keep time for anywhere between 10 and 72 hours. There is something called a power reserve, and the bigger the reserve, the longer your automatic watch will keep running without further movement or manual winding.

Rolex was the first watch manufacturer to devise and patent the rotor system that is still used today. They called it the Perpetual and it was part of the popular Oyster line created in the early 1930s. Emile Borer was the Rolex technician who came up with the system, but he was not the first to develop a rotor. That distinction goes to Swiss watchmaker, Abraham-Louis Perrelet as long ago as 1770. This was quite the invention because it wouldnt be until much later in time that wrist watches were worn and there just wasnt enough physical movement with a pocket watch to make it a feasible way to move the rotor and wind the mainspring.

Automatic watches differ from quartz watches which are powered by batteries and not by either a manual or automatic winding system. Powered by a battery, the quartz crystal inside a quartz watch vibrates nearly 33,000 times per. Watch batteries last about two years, where automatic watches have a never ending source of power: movement or motion.

Quartz watches account for most moderately priced watch sales today, but connoisseurs of watches still like the prestige and elegance of a finely crafted mechanical watch. Automatics have started to regain some of the quartz market in recent years accounting for huge increases (95%) in sales between 1993 and 1995.

Lubrication is essential to keeping an automatic watch running well. Watches can be lubricated by manually winding the watch periodically and taking it in to a jeweler once about every 3 to 5 years. When winding an automatic watch, just wind it about 30 to 40 times or until you feel some resistance. Keeping the watch is a watch winding box is also a good way to keep the watch lubricated.

Automatic watches are also quite affordable. They actually come in every price range. Some economical brands include Invicta watch and Orient watch, and then the price can reach into the very expensive range depending on the embellishments or the prestige of a specific brand.

Zai Zhu is a watch collector and a watch dealer. Shop over 800 fine watches including Citizen watches, Invicta watches, Orient watches, Mido watches, Luminox watches and many more at http://www.discountwatchstore.com . Read reviews and watch articles.

Featuring the 2006 Toyota Avalon and the Best Toyota Parts

You probably have not heard of a Toyota car that flopped, a clunker in the market, so to speak. This can be due to Toyotas excellent marketing strategies or simply, to Toyotas high level of expertise and dedication to what it does. From being the largest Japanese auto maker, Toyota has now become Americas third largest auto maker and one of the biggest and the well-known in the world.

Heres a brief insight on the Toyota Avalon model and its latest edition, the 2006 Toyota Avalon.

Toyota Avalon

Toyota Avalon is one of Toyotas best passenger cars; in fact, Toyotas flagship family sedan. It is a full-size car, first introduced in 1994 as an early 1995 model. This front wheel drive four door sedan is produced in United States and in Australia.

Originally, the Avalon was based on the technology of the Toyota Camry, also a popular model from Toyota. Its counterparts in the market include the Buick Park Avenue and LeSabre, Pontiac Bonneville, and Dodge Intrepid.

2006 Toyota Avalon

Competitively vying in the full-size sedan market is the 2006 Toyota Avalon. Much of its styling and features are taken from last years completely redesigned models. As expected, this years Toyota Avalon features the latest technology in safety, fuel efficiency and performance.

The cabin is quite comfortable and spacious, lavished with high quality features such as the perforated leather-trimmed seats and ergonomically designed controls. The serene interior complements well 2006 Toyota Avalons perfectly tuned suspension, its quiet but powerful double-overhead-cam 3.5 L V6 engine and its smooth electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission.

Avalon is not extravagant in terms of styling, as most luxury cars are; however, its sleek and more contemporary styling gives it a sophisticated and elegant look you cannot simply ignore. Among its exterior highlights are the well-designed tall deck, large Toyota taillights, dual exhaust outlets, sporty Toyota wheels, and horizontal Toyota grille with chrome-accented bars.

Toyota Parts Online

Toyota grille

---------------------

Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an offroad enthusiast.

A Few Words On Turbocharging

Well, I'm no expert on turbocharging, but in November 1998 I did purchase my own Sunny turbo engine and boy did I learn a lot. I have read a good bit on the topic in both on the net and in the popular import car publications. I have a reasonable knowledge of the theories and the equipment involved in turbocharging a small 4 cylinder engine.

I would like to say first and foremost, turbocharging a naturally aspirated vehicle is not as simple as buying a kit or engine and bolting it up and driving. There is a lot more involved in this if you plan on having dependible transportation that will last longer than a few weeks.

Bolt on Mods:

First, the engine you want to turbocharge cannot have a high compression ratio. The traditional compression ratio for a four cylinder engine is 8.5 to 1. You can go a little higher with multi-point injection. Most non-turbo cars have 9 to 1 or higher compression ratios. You can get away with about 9 to 1 turboed but beyond that, and the boost you add with the turbocharger will cause pre-detonation and blow your engine. Also, the higher the compression ratio, the less boost you can pump into the engine.

So you'll be rebuilding the engine with custom low compression pistons to lower the compression ratio, and at the same time, you'll be strengthining the block to take the additional stress of the turbocharger.

Obviously the entire computer system in you car has to be changed over to the the system for the used engine. You will need to get the the ECU, the engine wiring harness, all of the engine sensors, all of the solenoids and actuators and additional electronics which control the turbo system. So ensure that a trained mechanic is with you when making the purchase.

Next up , the fuel system delivery will have to be upgraded. You'll need higher flow rate injectors, a higher pressure fuel pump and sub-pump, and a rising rate fuel pressure regulator. Without the additional fuel, the engine will run too lean under the boost of the turbo, and will detonate, and blow.

You have to convert the entire induction system, which includes intake manifold, exhaust manifold, air plenum, waste gate, intake piping, and intercooler.

Now we're done with the engine up grade or replacement, it's time to look at all of the other changes you have to make.

The clutch is the most obvious, the turbo needs a stronger clutch. You'll burn your stock one out in no time with the extra power . If it's a transmission, the stock tranny is not like the heavy duty tranny used on turbo models. You may be replacing cluster gears on an annual basis if you don't upgrade or change yours for a turbo model tranny.

The crown wheel and pinion gears and differential in your stock application are most likely not as durable as those in the turbo models. You'll pop a few diffs until you upgrade to the turbo parts.

The heat form the turbo can affect the engine's cooling, thus requiring you to upgrade radiator or fans. Also affected by the heat is the paint on you bonnet, please insulate the engine room.

Do not forget the cash outlay for gauges, turbo timer, etc.

So it becomes quite obvious that it is no small task to put a turbo onto a non-turbo car. I cannot imagine that installing the turbo and accompanying parts your car would cost less than $2000. Even though if you shop around in the scrap yards you could manage to get the parts to get you going for around $1500 including installation.

There is another option though. There are several US companies who make custom turbocharging kits that work on non-turbo import cars even those whose compression ratio is a little too high for the stock system changeover. This will involve lots of custom piping and some electronics that will be piggybacked onto your ECU and sensors to trick the computer into thinking that your car is operating within normal parameters. This still doesn't solve the drive train durability issues, but the end product will likely out perform the stock turbo counterpart and additional tuning for more power will be easier, because you are starting out with more flexible equipment which won't need to be upgraded from OEM to work with.

Duane Boodasingh http://www.trinituner.com

New Car Protection

There is nothing quite like the feeling of getting a new car, it would be really nice if your car could be new the whole time you own it, not least because a few years down the line when you come to sell it you will sell it quicker, easier and get more money for it.You are probably agreeing with me, yet so few people do anything much to keep the car in it's current condition. You will probably run it through a car wash once in a while, maybe get it detailed/valeted once a year but that's it... what else is there you can do?

The first thing you should always do is look at your old car with a critical eye, work out what is wrong with it. The chances are that unless you change your habits then your new car will end up looking much like your old one. For example, are there scratches down the sides? What caused this? Was it the kids trying to squeeze past with their bikes? Was it caused by overhanging bushes on your driveway?

What about scuffs and wear on the seats? Kerb marks on the wheels? Stone chips on the front? Now is your chance to play at CSI. If you can figure out the cause of the wear or damage, there is a fair chance you can change your ways and prevent it happening again to your new car.

Protective coatings

You can now get protective coatings for just about every part of a car. You wouldn't think about running your engine without oil because you know that the moving parts need the oil's protective qualities to prevent wear, so it makes sense to apply a protective sacrificial barrier to the parts of a car which make up its general appearance. These days cars are very reliable so when buying a used car the expectation is that it will be mechanically sound, this means that the value will be judged mainly on cosmetic appearance.

Wheels

I'll start off with the wheels (not bodywork) because no other singe factor can make or break a car's overall appearance. Tatty wheels add years to a car. There are now a number of wheel protectors on the market that are really effective. They are much like a car wax but especially designed to protect alloy, painted and chrome wheels which are closer to the road and take more punishment than any other part of the car. These wheel protection products will make your wheels easier to clean and prevent stains (but they aren't bullet proof, so don't bump your car up and down kerbs. Scuffs and kerb marks are to be avoided at all costs). Ensure that you clean your wheels often to prevent a build-up of brake dust which harbours corrosive contaminants, re-applying your wheel protector each time. One final word on wheels. If your dealership offers you an alternative to chrome wheels - take it! This 'bling' may look good on a new car but chrome wheels are murder to keep clean and free of stains. And should you kerb your wheels they are very expensive to refurbish.

Bodywork

Paint protection technology has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years. Not only does this mean that your paintwork can stay fresh looking, but you have to put in less work! You no longer have to wax and polish your car every couple of weeks, the 3, 5, and 7 year paint protection packages offered at the dealerships are very effective. The market leaders in the UK are Supagard and Diamondbrite and although they can be quite a lot of money, they are worth every penny -- not only will you gain this money back when you sell, but you will spend far less of your precious free time cleaning, waxing and polishing your car.

As good as they are, you still have to clean your car, and this is where most people hit problems. Don't use an automated car wash if you value your paintwork. The brushes used are far too harsh and scratch your paintwork, the touchless washes are not as bad but don't get your car very clean. All-in-all just stay clear of them.

The next option is the one most people seem to be going for these days, and that is the hand car wash. It seems the going rate is around 5. I can only tell you that there is a huge danger that you will get what you pay for... which is somebody who is over-worked-and-under-paid, scrubbing their car down with dirty water and a manky old sponge! They don't care about your car, they don't even care about getting it clean, they only care about getting it done and moving on to the next one. The results can be horrific and often I have seen paintwork damaged beyond repair.They aren't all bad but choose wisely, watch these people working before you buy. Stay well clear of the supermarket washes and only go to a proper company with a fixed location.

If you really want the job done properly, the only way is to clean the car yourself. I cannot recommend this enough, besides being good exercise (and lets face it, I need it!) it also allows you to thoroughly inspect your car meaning you can keep on top of any problems and get them fixed as soon as possible, which is the best way.

Stone Chips

Stone chips are almost impossible to avoid but there are two ways to reduce them. The first is to reduce your speed and keep your distance from the car in-front. The second is to have a stone-chip film fitted to your car. This is a thing rubbery clear film which absorbs the impact of flying objects (including bugs which can cause more damage than you might think!). The a good quality and properly fitted film is virtually invisible but will make a huge difference.Depending on the size and style of your car it costs around 300 to 600 which may seem a lot, until you consider the cost of a respray and the effect this can have on your car's residual value.

upholstery

Many cars these days come with leather as an enticement to buy. keep in mind that if you are the kind of person who likes to wear blue jeans, your upholstery will end up stained blue and scored by rivets in no time at all. Leather just doesn't suit everybody, such as people with dogs! There are a number of companies producing seat covers including ones especially for protecting your car from pets. Leather wears less when it is supple so condition it twice a year and maybe 3 times a year for convertibles.

Fabric can be treated with chemicals which are a bit like Scotchgard which is provided on household carpets. It doesn't stop them getting dirty but it does prevent permanent stains and makes them much easier to clean. Maintain them by wiping them over with a damp microfibre cloth every couple of weeks.

Little and often

Dirt is abrasive, it is what causes much of the wear to your car. On the exterior it can also harbour corrosive contaminants which eat away at paintwork. So clean regularly, this will also make your life easier because it's easy to clean a car which is already fairly clean.

Resources -- http://www.valetshop.co.uk - Products to help you keep your car in tip-top condition. Carefully selected by the author of this article, all of the products listed are actually used in the day-to-day running of our auto detailing business. http://www.carcareadvice.co.uk - A website full of practical car care advice. About the author -- Danny Argent director of training and business developmentfor a UK based car valeting and smart repair company.

Online Gaming and Marketing

The commercial potential hidden in the ever growing online gaming market has been known to marketers for a long time. It is known that millions of people around the world are playing different types of online games. The wide range of available games - from single player trivia, puzzle, sports and casino games to classic multi player games such as backgammon and chess to massive role playing and strategy games like World of Warcraft and Lineage attracts diverse variety of players.

Recent surveys show that online gaming is not an exclusive territory of 25-35 males. More than 50% of women at the same age are playing online games on a regular basis, plus a decent percentage of older (and of course, younger) men and women are also preoccupied in the internet gaming world. For marketers, these numbers mean unique opportunity to expose all kinds of products to millions of potential customers.

Marketers use variety of online marketing techniques to approach the massive crowd of online gamers including traditional advertisements and more creative and advanced types of online marketing tools. From chewing gums to automobiles through anti-depression drugs, it seems like everyone is after the online gamers' attention.

One of the most common ways to promote a brand is by online games. For example, the Chrysler Group, the owner of the Dodge brand, has an exclusive game website dedicated to racing games, in which the player can drive the company latest models, and if played well, the players are rewarded with a HEMI Power Bonus!

Online Pool as a Test Case

Let's say that you want to shoot some pool online. By clicking "online pool" on one of the biggest internet search engines, you will find two major food manufacturers battling for the opportunity to promote their brands on your virtual pool table.

The giant chewing gum company Wrigley's is the sponsor of the popular gaming portal, mostly known for its online billiard games. Once you've entered Candystand virtual pool room, you will be asked to customize your playing able from a selection of three designs, each one represents a different chewing gum brand, which its logo is spread all over the pool table. Will you consider chewing an Ice Breakers later?

You will be facing the same dilemma if you choose to play at Nabisco World. However, if you go for the most popular choice today, Yahoo! Pool, you won't be able to escape advertisements as well; right after you've registered and before entering the desired game room, you'll be hit by Yahoo! Games' sponsors' messages.

As you can see, today's marketers have learned how to take advantage (not necessarily in the negative meaning) of the increasing interest in online games. From industries tycoons to small, local businesses, most of them came to the conclusion that online gaming marketing is far more affective and profitable than advertisement campaigns.

Saul Rivers is a new media expert who covers the online gaming industry and related topics. Rivers contributes articles to various skill gaming websites including online billiard, chess and backgammon sites such as http://www.play89.com, for example.

Creativity And Jewelry

The human mind craves for something extraordinary, something different, and something that is capable of removing the monotony of life. This urge gives rise to inventiveness, thus man creates. Imagine how tedious this world would seem if people wore the same clothes everyday, the same jewels on every occasion and so on. New things pulsate, and then only man survives.

This world has known dress designers and appreciated their creativity. Likewise, it has watched jewelry makers design the most elegant pieces of jewels the world has ever known.

Diamonds are a girl's best friend! Gold is what women love and beads is children's ornamental force. Whether it comes to going out to the beach or attending wedding ceremony jewelry is the top most priority of women. Individuals have designed clothes on their own since centuries, while jewels have been the craftsmen's job, with some exceptions of course. Jewelry making in factories and industries is common. Their designs are undoubtedly fine-looking yet they signal a droning affect. They work professionally and the designs are too typical because they are usually the replicas of what already is in the market.

Men and women stepping into the fashion line are now creating their own jewelry pieces. Any new trend that steps as an infant grows into an old being in a matter of days in the fashion industry. Girls and boys like amateur artists or musicians begin by taking a few broken beads, pieces of strings, using a few tools and end up creating fine jewelry designs. For young jewelry designers it is a tough competition in the market, their designs have to swim through oceans to reach the shore. It seems as though every person is more comfortable with making his own jewelry in his own line. In order to make something the only thing required is the desire to create. And mind has the power to create.

This trend probably drifted in the societies due to the increasing prices of jewels. A drastic change in the people's choice can be yet another reason. Women are more social and work along with men, their dresses therefore have to be light and comfortable and the jewelry preference too has to be something compact, light weight and fashionable. An individual can have fun while being creative, what more, you can design something that you have always wanted and at a very economical, reasonable price.

Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Jewelry, Society, and Beauty

Who Killed The Electric Car?

Ever watch this movie; Who Killed the Electric Car? starring Ed Begley Jr. and Phyllis Diller; directed by Chris Paine. Its an awful site for anyone who loves the environment. We hate to see the smog when we look out over a cities horizon, but we do. Cars are known to cause the most pollution out of any culprit. After learning this why are we still driving in those gas guzzling polluting machines? Well, this movie sheds a little bit of light on that.

The movies underlying message is all about the death and return of the electric car. It goes into the history of on particular electric car the Prius; where it began, how it sold at first, how its doing now, and how it will do in the future.

Who killed the electric car picture one

The film talks about why we have entered an age where we are almost completely dependent on foreign oil. Instead of buying cars that are energy efficient, people are more likely to buy huge SUVs that suck down more gas than necessary. Obviously, if you walk around and look at the cars driving, you can see this in action. People are driving huge cars; why? Commercials will say that they are safe and insurance companies lower your premiums. If you are in the business world, you know that large cars sell for higher prices even if there is only a little more production cost. Companies have to stay competitive in the market. GM, in recent years, has had problems and need to make more money; thus, they need to sell the high marked items, not electric vehicles.

Although, the movie does shoe the bad side of the car companies and how they destroy the image of the electric car, there are others who see that the movie is not truthful. Like any documentary of this sort ( Like Supersizeme) some of the facts are very one sided. For example, one fact not mentioned is;10 years ago, electric cars were less effective because the batteries they ran on held less power. In addition, the price of the cars were about, $299 to over $574 per month which is pretty steep compared to other cars leaving it only to a small minority of car purchasers. Also, there are no numbers shown in the movie that coheres with there accusations. Finally, they never mention the fact that electric cars are powered by power plants which cause harm to the environment in the end anyway (the only difference is this is easier to control rather than 100k cars)

If you are interested in electric power and electric cars, I assume you will go off and watch this film. It is one side of the story that should be supplemented by other research. There are two sides to this conspiracy so you do need to see both sides. Read all the information including specifications of all the vehicles on the market today as well as in the past. Some of the information might get confusing like the drag coefficients and all of that but you can still learn a lot.

George Christodoulou

Gas is costing you a small fortune annually! Learn how to run your car on water.http://run-my-car-on-water.com to learn more and stop being a slave to big oil.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want more information about the movie, "Who Killed The Electric Car", please visit http://electricvehiclesite.com for more information.

The Art of Choosing The Right Cellular Service Provider

These days it is difficult to find someone without a cell phone, even the kids in schools. it is just plain out of the question to be out of touch, and with the younger generation, even considered rude. For the business person, it allows them to be available to their customers almost 24x7, which can be both a blessing and a curse. The biggest problem faced by most today is what phone to choose and which cellular service provider to use.

Like anything else, you first need to determine what you are going to use the cell phone for. You use it for talking, obviously, right? Right and also wrong. Today's cell phones are electronic marvels in a small package, and the fact that you can talk on it is just the tip of the iceberg with many of them.

Many cell phones are also MP3 players. The fact that the cell phone can handle MP3 files, in my mind, only serves a single purpose, and that is the fact that you can download songs to it and use the songs as ringtones. So when your son calls from college, the phone would ring with the song "Money" because that is undoubtedly what he is calling about. When your whacky neighbor calls and wants to talk with you about the latest scheme he has uncovered, your phone could play the theme song from "Looney Tunes". In this way, you can tell who is calling just from the ringtone you have assigned to them, and you don't even need to look at your phone.

But as far as using the cell phone as an MP3 player so you can listen to tunes all day long, I cannot recommend getting a phone with that feature, or at least paying more for it if that feature is not already included. Using your phone all day long to listen to MP3 tunes that you have downloaded to it is going to take a toll on your battery life, and the fidelity of the music is not going to be the greatest. If you have a job where listening to tunes all day would work out, you are much further ahead to get a separate MP3 player or even an Ipod for that purpose instead of using your cell phone for it. The quality of the music will be better, and you won't be draining the battery on your cell phone all day long.

As far as which cellular provider to use, one of the main criteria is to find out which carriers does a good job of providing cellular service in your area or the area where you would be using the phone the most. If you are in a major metro area, you can probably choose any of the "big four" national carriers; i.e., Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Cingular.

If you are in a "less than metro" area, you need to find out which carrier provides the most reliable cellular service in that area. Watch for the specials from the carriers and choose a plan with the features and number of minutes that suits your lifestyle and how you would plan to use your cell phone.

Is one of them better than anything, assuming that multiple of them have good coverage in your service area? Yes and no. In my experience, Sprint and T-Mobile provide the highest levels of customer service when you have a problem, and are also more than willing to credit you back minutes when you drop a call. If you are not really "techno savvy" and would probably use customer service with your cellular carrier a lot, then Sprint or T-Mobile are good bets.

Cingular would be my next choice in terms of customer service. They are not as good as Sprint and T-Mobile but their service has been improving and Cingular would not be a bad choice.

From a customer service perspective, Verizon has consistently been at the bottom of the barrel. Some have said that Verizon customer service would actually have to IMPROVE to be rated as high as "bad". This is unfortunate since Verizon has wide coverage nationwide, but the reputation for extremely poor customer service is something that Verizon seems unable, and even UNWILLING to rectify.

Bottom line: choose your cell phone and your cellular service provider based on how you plan to use your phone, not based on the extra features that you probably would not use after the novelty wears off!

For more insights and to get additional information about comparisons of Cellular Service Providers please visit our web site at http://www.cellinsideinfo.com

There's No Secret To Losing Weight - The Plain and Simple Solution

The obesity and overweight problem usually starts at a very young age, but don't despair. Being a post-war child, born in 48, our generation of children were generally slim just like our parents and grandparents. We were raised on a usually big breakfast, had very little for lunch, and on to the biggest meal of the day, supper. There were no snacks and in-betweens. But then again, we didn't have McDonalds, Wendys, Taco Bell etc. as this was the 50s and money was also scarce.

Later on in years, however, I continued being a breakfast guy skipping lunch except for a short period when I decided I would be more sociable and have lunch with my work buddies at the local tavern. My favorite meal was a hamburger steak with fried onions, fries and gravy, washed down with a couple of beers. In a matter of a month or two, I had overgrown my tailor made shirts with buttons popping at every breath. I quickly gave up that routine and went back to skipping lunch and returned to my normal size.

Today however, according to statistics, more than 1/3 of low income family children are obese and overweight by the time they reach the age of 3. Over 2000 families in 20 US cities including Boston, were visited and evaluated measuring the height and weight of every 3 year old child, with alarming results. 35% had twice the national rate for obesity amongst pre-school children of all income levels and racial groups.

Bottom line, children are the mirror images of their parents and at the very least, pick up their habits at a very young age and carry it over into adulthood. As a child, I seldom saw lunch on the table except maybe for a few sandwiches, and only occasionally. The rule was breakfast or you didn't eat until supper. My 5 children always have breakfast and seldom have lunch. They hardly go to a fast food place, since we as parents don't go.

Times have changed and so we pay the price. With generally two parents working, there's no time for a big breakfast. So lunch, with all its fatty ingredients, replace the breakfast and often followed with fast food at supper time. The solution is simple and more accessible than you think, even if you skip breakfast in the mornings. Eat your breakfast equivalent at lunch time, and I guarantee you'll lose weight naturally in no time. Just plain skip the equivalent of a fast food lunch.If you can't do it that way, then replace your lunch with a natural suppressant.

J.G. Michel author/ freelance writer is also webmaster of http://www.cancer-help-treatment.com Get your FREE weight chart while they last! For the perfect natural appetite suppressant, consider visiting his site.

Free Pilates Exercise to Shrink Your Thighs, Hips and Butt

Pilates exercises are an amazing technique to tone and shape your butt, hips, and thighs. If you want to narrow in on these areas of your body and get them in great shape, Pilates is the way to go. When you workout these areas, you gain greater confidence and strength.

Thighs

Thighs are a problem area for most women, especially the inner thighs. Pilates thigh lifts are a great way to tone this area. Try the free Pilates exercise below to focus on these areas.

Thigh Lifts

1. This free Pilates exercise will require the same position as the other exercises. Lie on your side with your head propped up.

2. Take your top leg and place your foot on the ground in front of your hips.

3. Place your hand through that leg to brace it, grasping your ankle.

4. Tighten the thigh muscles on your other leg, and lift it about 4 inches from the floor. Hold for a few seconds, and then lower it.

5. Repeat 10 times and then switch to do the other leg.

Hips

Hips are another area that women want to address the most. Toning, shaping, and tightening the hips will make you look and feel sexy. Pilates leg kick exercises are a great way to tone and shape the hips. Try out the free Pilates exercise below to target your hips and butt.

Leg Kicks

1. Lie in the same position as for the Side Leg Lifts, on your side with your body in a straight line. Place your top hand on the ground for support, and prop your head up with the other arm.

2. Move your legs out again, just a bit for support. Extend your top leg up slowly toward the ceiling. Point your toes toward the ceiling.

3. Tighten up your abs and exhale while you slowly lower your leg.

4. Repeat 10 times, and then switch to do the other leg.

Butt

We all would love to have a great butt. Using Pilates is a simple way to shape, tone, and lift your butt. This area is best addressed using side leg lifts. The free Pilates exercise below will teach you how to use Pilates to shape and tone your butt and it also works on thighs as well so you get to work two areas at once.

Side Leg Lifts

You will need a padded mat for this free Pilates exercise. You dont want to have a great butt and a million bruises!

1. Lie on your side with the bottom arm extended out and your head resting on it. Your body should be one straight line. You can place the other hand flat on the ground in front of your neck for support. Now, move your legs out just a bit for support.

2. Pull your abs in while you do this free Pilates exercise to get benefit there as well. Now, lift both legs off the ground about four or five inches. Keep your legs together.

3. Pause a moment at the top of the lift, and then slowly bring your legs back down.

4. Repeat this 5 times.

Have fun getting in shape with these great free Pilates exercises. Youre going to get in shape quickly and look great.

You are invited to visit PilatesWorkouts.net to discover secrets to successful Pilates and uncover mind-blowing discounts on all the brand-name Pilates supplies and equipment you will ever need.

Personal Protection Skills for Children?

I don't believe that ANY "physical" maneuvers or "techniques" are really worth teaching children. An EIGHT year old vs. a GROWN adult who is most likely a violent psychopath with a HISTORY of violent criminal behavior? I can't see it.

Instead, emphasize the following:

1. RUNNING at the FIRST sign of trouble. IMMEDIATELY and in a "zig zag" pattern and using the environment as a "hedge".

2. SCREAMING as LOUDLY and HYSTERICALLY as possible.

3. Wriggle, twist, turn, jump......ANYTHING to make the potential victim HARD to hold and control..........THEN 1 & 2!

4. RUN towards any source of HELP and SAFETY.

5. ONLY two potential "physical" maneuvers even worth considering - jabbing, clawing and scratching at the eyes with either one or both hands in a CONTINUOUS VIOLENT manner and BITING. ANYTHING carried: Knapsack, book bag, school books should be TOSSED at the LEGS! Anything to make the skel trip, maneuver to dodge, stumble ANYTHING that will SLOW him DOWN!

7. Carrying a HI decibel safety whistle(FOX is a good one) on a WRIST strap NOT around the neck AND a small hi powered LED light also on the wrist.

8. EMPHASIZE ESCAPE! If dragged to a vehicle(almost always the perp's MO) seize the KEYS(from the ignition) at the first opportunity and TOSS THEM, either out a window or into the back seat(the farthest, longest, hardest place for the perp to attempt to retrieve them).

9. If forced into a trunk, pull, yank, kick or BATTER out a tail light and shove anything through the hole that will ATTRACT someones ATTENTION!

10. NEVER, EVER, EVER GO ANYWHERE WITH A STRANGER!!!!!!!! Fight, scream, run ON THE SPOT! This goes for ANY abduction! NEVER GO WITH YOUR ABDUCTOR! NEVER!

11. Awareness. But DON'T use "scare" tactics with a kid.

12. TIME is of the ESSENCE! Increase the TIME that the perp is in PUBLIC VIEW and you'll go a LONG way in FORCING him to abandon the attack and FLEE. DRAW ATTENTION in ANY WAY possible to the scene IMMEDIATELY! NEVER give in a GO with an abductor. WHENEVER POSSIBLE MARK HIM! Try to remember EVERYTHING about the assailant, his vehicle, etc.

13. DO EVERYTHING to make oneself a HARD TARGET! Attackers what VICTIMS that are easily dominated, controlled and done so in as SHORT an amount of time as possible. MORE TIME. MORE EXPOSURE, MORE CHANCE OF GETTING CAUGHT!

14. Once again, DISTANCE as far and fast as possible is YOUR ALLY!

Hope this helps!

Copyright 2003 www.thetruthaboutselfdefense.com

Carl Cestari began his study of the martial arts with judo at the age of 7 under the direction of Yoshisada Yonezuka. During the past forty plus years Carl has dedicated his life to studying the martial arts, hand to hand combat systems, history and religion. He is continually improving himself through his studies. What makes Carl unique is his combination of martial arts, law enforcement, military and real world experience. Carl has been exposed to a multitude of people with a wide variety experience. Below is a list of some of Carls ranks and honors.

Shinan (Founder)Tekkenryu jujutsu

Ryokudan (6th degree)Koshinkai Karate under John Burrelle

Godan (5th degree)Jujutsu under Clarke of the World Jujutsu Fedaration (now defunct)

Sandan (3rd degree)Nippon Kempo under Narabu Sada

Nidan (2nd degree)Judo under Masafumi Suzuki

Shodan (1st degree)Judo under Yoshisada Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree)Shukokai Karate under Kimura, Kadachi and Yonezuka

Shodan (1st degree)Daitoryu Aikijujutsu

Instructors Certificate-Charles Nelson System of Self Defense under Charlie Nelson

Cool Contact Lenses

Having to wear those gaudy and tasteless rim glasses is downright abhorrent, and that's probably been the worst news since you learned you need prescription glasses. Sometimes life just isnt fair because glasses are hackneyed to geeks and weirdos, which is not characteristically you. And they are mighty sucking, too.

But dont despair, however. Answers might be brighter (and cooler) than what you first perceived. Have you ever heard of Cool Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are originally intended for corrective purposes: Toric contact lenses for treatment of astigmatism. However, in the advent of several doodads and thingamabobs (and several silent pleas for more appealing contact lenses), colored contact lenses are conceived into these optical labs of the several eye care giants such as Bausch & Lomb, CIBA Vision, and Johnson & Johnson. Now they make cool contact lenses that are also corrective and therapeutic at the same time.

That makes fretting a nonsensical posture. You need your glasses for your eye condition, but who says you cant be cool at the same time. Here are some examples.

For Astigmatism

Nerdy boys and girls dont have to exist. Because you have astigmatism, you need to have toric lenses to correct your vision. But then, youd also have to look cool. Nowadays, you can choose from a wide variety of fresh colored contact lens with corrective refraction lens for your astigmatism. You dont have to look nerdy, or sucking because you have the opportunity to wear the eye color of your choice. And frankly, only quite a few people can do that freely.

Non Corrective

Those that dont have eye conditions can also fit themselves with cooler stuffs. Frankly, they can wear a lot more stuff because non prescription contact lenses have the widest array of design. From mirror tinted (like Riddicks eye shine) to Vampiric design (like we see on Underworld) to all black, these are among the coolest contact lenses available.

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of popular and comprehensive Contact Lens web site. For more articles, reviews and resources on Contact Lenses, Color Contact Lenses, Toric or Bifocal Contact Lenses, Discount and Inexpensive Contact Lenses and much more visit his site at =>http://contact-lens.need-to-know.net/

RV Recreational Vehicles and Kansas

Most people do not realize how big Kansas is until they try to drive through it. Kansas is one of the largest states and it takes a day or more to drive across in an RV. But what most people do not realize is that there is a lot to see in Kansas. If you are into aviation there are two extremely excellent air museums in Kansas. One is a liberal Kansas; The Mid America Air Museum. The other great museum is in Wichita, Kansas at the airport, lots of history there.

While you are in Wichita, Kansas you will like to check out their old brick city area, as it has been completely redesigned and is a fun tourist place. The Riverwalk in Wichita, Kansas is also spectacular. I also have to recommend Dodge City, Kansas and their museums as well. Dodge city Kansas has a lot of historical value for our country and you can tell when you visit.

Topeka Kansas is the capital of Kansas and the Capitol building is quite impressive and there are several museums in Topeka. Then as you head towards Kansas City you will not believe the size of Kansas City.

It goes on forever and you must stop in at the local chamber of commerce and pick yourself up a map of all the things you can see. You should also plan to stay there for at least three weeks in Kansas City so you can see all the sites as they are too numerous to mention. Please consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Fun Facts About Chile

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Chile has many idols: Claudio Arrau (pianist), Gabriela Mistral (writer), Pablo Neruda (writer), Nicolas Massu (sportsman), Fernando Gonzalez (sportsman), Miriam Hernandez (singer), Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Isabel Allende (writer), Jorge Edwards (writer), Christian de la Fuente (actor), Roberto Matta (architect), Hernan Bchi (economist), and Jose Piera (economist).

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Michelle Bachelet Jeria is currently president of Chile.She is South Americas second elected woman president.

DID YOU KNOW THAT
In 1987, Pope John Paul visited Chile.

DID YOU KNOW THAT
The 1945 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Gabriela Mistral, a poetess. Her real name was Lucila de Maria del Perpetuo Socorro Godoy Alcayaga. She was the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize for Literarure. Gabriela Mistral is a national heroine of Chile.

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Santiago de Chile hosted the FIBA 1959 Mens World Championship.Brazil won the tournament in Chile.

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Like South Korea and Mauritius, Chile has one of the best democracies in the Third World.

DID YOU KNOW THAT
UNESCO has declared Rapa Nui National Park (2005), Churches of Chiloe (2000), Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso (2003), Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (2005), and Sewell Mining Town (2006) World Heritage Sites. Like Petra (Jordan), Tikal National Park, and Taj Mahal (India), Rapa Nui National Park is considered among the wonders of the world.

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Chile is also known for its International Song Festival of Via del Mar. In the 1980s and 1990s, Many artists went to Festival of Via del Mar, including Julio Iglesias (singer), Jose Luis Rodriguez (singer), Thalia (singer), Gina Lollobrigida (actress), Lucia Mendez (actress), Celia Cruz (singer and actress), Sting (singer), Bryan Adams (singer), and Maria Conchita Alonso (actress and singer).

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Different from many Third World countries, Chile has competed in the Winter Olympic Games 14 times (Saint Moritz-1948, Oslo-1952, CortinadAmpezzo-1956, Squaw Valley-1960,Innsbruck-1964, Grenoble-1968, Innsbruck-1976, Sarajevo-1984, Calgary-1988, Albertville-1992, Lillehammer-1994, Nagano-1998, Salt Lake City-2002, and Turin-2006).

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Chile has more Nobel Prizes than Brazil (0), Cuba(0),Venezuela (0), Colombia (1), South Korea (0), Puerto Rico (0), and Bangladesh (1). Chile has two Nobel Prize winners: 1945:Gabriela Mistral (Nobel Prize for Literature). 1971:Pablo Neruda (Nobel Prize for Literature).

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Chile has had famous athletes in the past century: Marlene Arehns (track and field), Ivan Zamorano (soccer), Carlos Caszelly (soccer), Elias Figueroa (soccer), Javier Margas (soccer), Marcelo Salas (soccer), Marcelo Rios (tennis), Jaime Fillol (tennis), Alfonso de Irruarrizaga (shooting), Oscar Cristi (equestrian), RicardoEcheverria(equestrian),Cesar Mendoza (equestrian), Ramon Tapia (boxing), Claudio Barrientos (boxing), and Carlos Lucas (boxing).

DID YOU KNOW THAT
Chile has had spectacular beauties in the past century: Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Margott Montt (Miss Chile World 1986), Jenny Purtho Arap (Miss Chile 1982), Claudia van Sint Jam (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1985), Maria Veronica Sommer (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1976), Marianne Muller Prieto (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1978), Mariana Villasante Aravena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1986), Maria Macarena Mina Garachena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1989), and Urania Haltenhooff (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1990). Chile has had spectacular beauties in the past century: Cecilia Bolocco (Miss Universe 1987), Margott Montt (Miss Chile World 1986), Jenny Purtho Arap (Miss Chile 1982), Claudia van Sint Jam (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1985), Maria Veronica Sommer (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1976), Marianne Muller Prieto (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1978), Mariana Villasante Aravena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1986), Maria Macarena Mina Garachena (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1989), and Urania Haltenhooff (semi-finalist at the Miss Universe 1990).

DID YOU KNOW THAT The Chilean metropolis has hosted the FIFA World Cup in 1962

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: Alejandro, best known as Alex, is a freelance writer. Different from other freelance writers, Alejandro is a versatile writer, who has written articles about biographies, culture, ecology, tourism, and international relations.

He admires Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA), Maria Felix (Mexican actress), Mario Vargas Llosa (writer from Peru), and Osmel Sousa (currently President of Miss Venezuela Organization).

His favorite writer is V.S.Naipaul. His hobbies and interests are writing essays, going to the gym, browsing the Internet, Foreign Politics, learning about cultures, reading , cooking Peruvian food, listening to American and British Music...

I Have a Little Chat with Adam and Eve

I sent a postcard to Peter to see if I could have another chat with God. He said that I would have to wait my turn which would occur in 2788. He added that I would be dead by then but I might be able to catch Him on the bicycle path once I got there. He said that would be between 4:17 and 4:19 a.m. except on Sundays when he has about a trillion zillion prayers to answer. However, Adam was available.

I found myself standing in front of Peter at the Gate and he pointed and said, Adam wants to meet you in the park. He likes the outdoors.

Of course, I was flashed there and found Father Adam sniffing a huge red rose blossom. The fragrance was strong and made my head spin. Wow!

Adam didnt look up at me but said, Im sorry you are not getting The Grand Old Eternal today. Ill have to do. He is just too busy to handle everything. He depends on the rest of us to help him. Like on earth, he doesnt impose on us. We have to want to help out. Not everybody does.

I said, Do you mean that those who live in Heaven defy God?

Adam looked up at me with his translucent blue eyes and said, No. Never! They just dont always do what he wants when he wants it. What is it that you want? I hope it is not great wealth, good health, or peace in the world. Those things are so ephemeral. Dont you have something important for me today?

I said, If those that live here are not doing Gods will, is there a chance for another war in heaven? I dont want to come to Heaven if you are going to have another war. Ive had too much of that on earth.

Adam said, There are no belligerents here. There will be no war. There are those here who have decided that their heavenly reward should be doing what they want to do when they want to do it. They are off half the time taking space cruises. On the earth, they spent their time on sea cruises. They are not bad, just very useless.

I said, Ive always wanted to go on a sea cruise. I havent because they are expensive, you eat too much, the ship is crowded with other eaters, and you might catch the bubonic plague.

Adam laughed. Then I heard a woman laugh. Adam said, Is that you, Eve?

Eve came out from behind the rose bush. Adam said, You werent Eve Dropping were you? Then he laughed.

I though it was a pretty funny too but I decided to keep a straight face less Mother Eve was offended.

Adam said, This is Taylor Jones, the hack writer.

Mesmerized by Eve's beauty I just nodded. Eve said, Ive been reading your stuff on the Internet. I like your UFO articles. There is one correction, however, Xrytspet from Fanton in G10009845788899990766 does not fly an FnL7 Time Craft anymore. She has the newer FnL7-A Time Craft.

I said, That little snit. She told me that she didnt know where God lives. Shes been here hasnt she?

Eve smiled, her brown eyes shining. That could be right, Taylor Jones, the hack writer!

Adam said, Thats what you wanted to talk to God about, isnt it? You think you are going crazy. Well, worse things could happen to you. No use taking being crazy too serious. It might even lead you to greatness. Einstein had the delusion that if you put a large object into space, that space would be distorted around it.

I got Father Adam out of earshot from Eve. I said, Was Xrytspet from Fanton in G10009845788899990766 really here?

He laughed again. No, Taylor Jones, the hack writer. Eve likes to snoop around. She saw the briefing sheets on my desk saying that you had been writing a zillion articles for http://www.ezinearticles.com. Thats where she learned about Xrytspet from Fanton in G10009845788899990766.

I said, Ive got to get back home. My wife wants to go shopping tonight. Oh, and Einstein was right wasnt he?

John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of R&D for Lenox China, is author of detective & western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine, Jones is Executive Representative of International Wealth Success. He calls himself "Taylor Jones, the hack writer."

More info: http://www.tjbooks.com

Business web site: http://www.bookfindhelp.com (IWS wealth-success books and kits and business newsletters / TopFlight flagpoles)

I Have a Utopian Dream - Dysfunctional State of the Union

In light of recent and previous cave-ins by the wussiecrat majority in congress, we should all, by now, be disabused of any notions of political hope. But I have a dream. Actually it happens sometimes in those Intermediate Bardos between sleep and what is called the wakeful state, or better regarded as the sanctioned hallucination, where a cosmic crack occurs in the collapse of a probability wave and you think you might be waking up to a sane world.

"Wow, I just had this nightmare...it was awful. An idiotic leader had been installed by a neo-reagonite contingent of twisted pricks warmed over from the contra-hell of the eighties. They had declared war on Iraq, of all places, and were constantly sending diplomats in the form of highly aggressive lesbians abroad to threaten and scold any country that refused to comply with their criminal agenda or religious superstitions...I know it sounds crazy...anyway, we had virtually voted into some black hole Diebold machines and then five shills on the supreme court effected a coup, declaring, 'You assholes don't know how to vote. We'll vote.' So they voted for the loser...the winner?. Oh he was an amiable type who would never deign to interfere with fascism in the making...some black women in congress tried to intervene and I was rooting for them but they were dismissed as belligerent and, in a twist of irony theretofore unsurpassed, the loser presided ceremoniously over his own deposing. It seems so real when you're dreaming this stuff.

Anyway, the news media were a coagulate of bewildered dishrags in thrall with the willingly complicit and reduced to absurdists in self-parody. There was introduced a blend of Orwellian newspeak and Cheneyesque boardroom jargon, such as Clear Skies and Healthy Forests and Iraqi Freedom and No Child Left Behind (just to cite a few) while any agencies conducive to those ends were maniacally sabotaged by mouth-breathing appointees. Unsatiated by having heaped even more riches, if it can be believed, upon the rich, it was now time to relegate the population to abject slavery, bringing it in line with globalistic ambitions. A plethora of outsourcers, offshorers and their lesser, yet no less enthusiastic, off suckers emerged.

While these mugs were delivering irreversible blows to the economy, the war profiteers sallied forth with a vehemence that would hold up to shame all those namby pamby totalitarian disasters of the past. Domestic and international laws were rendered to the document shredders as dissenters and people standing in the wrong place, such as in their homes, were rendered to black sites around the globe. A few 'terrst' attempts were foiled in spite of Homeland Security and we were protected from evildoers the likes of Cat Stevens who, lest we forget, penned that anthem for international terror, Peace Train. One shudders to think of the devastation a guy like that could visit on an already crippled nation. Oh yeah, then there was a storm on the gulf coast and no one could get a drink of water because this was no longer the country that had conducted the Berlin airlift, indeed, had set foot on the goddamn moon. And then you wake up.

Tim Hollis
Artist, Activist, Writer, Voice of Dissent

What Is A Diamond?

Diamonds are the glamorous stones that decorate the finest jewelry in the world, but just what exactly are diamonds? How are they formed? Where are they found? If you are curious about these questions then read on because I would like to share with you the most important facts about diamonds.

First of all, diamonds are made of carbon. Charcoal and graphite are also composed of carbon, but their chemical structure is different. In diamonds each carbon atom is bonded to four other carbon atoms in a tetrahedral structure, like a pyramid.

Each link or bond is the same length, and the tetrahedral formation is completely regular. It is the structure, strength and regularity of this bonding which makes diamonds very hard, non-volatile and resistant to chemical attack.

Diamonds are one billion to three billion years old. They were formed deep within the Earth's crust, and come to the surface via volcanoes. Most diamonds are found in Kimberlite, which is a volcanic rock.

Diamonds seem to have been known for about 3,000 years. However, in early times, other hard minerals were often confused with diamonds. The earliest diamonds were found in about the 12th century B.C., in India. India remained the most important, if not the sole, source until 1725, when diamonds were discovered in Brazil.

The Indian and Brazilian deposits had been almost exhausted when, in 1866, the Eureka diamond was discovered in South Africa, followed by the Star of South Africa in 1869. Soon afterwards, the great South African diamond rush had started and till today South Africa remains one of the world's most important sources of diamonds. However, diamonds have since been discovered throughout the world, including Russia and Australia.

Until the South Africa finds, diamonds were so rare and valuable, that they were only owned by the very wealthy.

Diamond possesses many qualities, which make it an ideal gemstone.
They are extremely hard, and also very tough and hard-wearing and this helps it to take a very high polish. In its pure form the diamond is colorless and has a high refractive index, so has a very high luster. Diamonds possess high dispersion qualities and different light wavelengths are diffracted differently, giving a strong scintillating play of prismatic colors. Despite these general qualities, 80% of the world's diamonds are not suitable for jewelry.

Pure diamond, if it existed, is colorless. Most diamonds have a slight color, although the color is almost imperceptible. The commonest color is yellow, which is caused by tiny amounts of nitrogen being present in the crystal structure.

Other colors include gray, light brown or greenish. Diamonds can be almost any color, although strongly colored, attractive specimens are very rare. In addition, colorful diamonds have not been widely promoted by diamond manufacturers because if consumers liked blue, red, green and other colors then they might start buying sapphires, rubies, emeralds and other gemstones instead.

In any case, colored diamonds can be artificially produced or modified. Some fancy colored diamonds are produced by irradiation and heat treatment. Natural, fancy colored diamonds command very high prices, especially if they are the more popular colors. Fancy colored diamonds where the color is artificially produced are no less beautiful, but sell for more normal prices. Occasionally, fancy colored diamonds are available in blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple, brown and even black.

The next time you see a beautiful diamond, you can reflect on the one billion year history of this glittering object.

Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of Pandora Jewelry. For more information, contact Lewis Jewelers at 877-88-LEWIS or visit www.pandorabraceletsusa.com.

Authorized distributed of beautiful pandora bracelets and beads.

Omega Watches Are Heirlooms

Omega watches have been around for over 120 years with the company first producing watches in 1885, yes, that is a long, long ago! You figure that any company that has been around that long must make a really great product or they would have gone out of business a long time ago. They are located in Biel/Bienne Switzerland and it is one of the more prestigious brand names in watches today.

The company has been able to change with the times and works hard to meet the needs of its customers. They have a rigorous set of steps and procedures that each newly designed product must go through to ensure that it meets the companys strict set of quality controls.

The company boasts that it was an Omega watch that was the first on the moon with the US Astronaut Buzz Aldrin. It has been associated with the famous James Bond movie franchise since 1995. That year, Pierce Brosnan took over the role of James Bond, and the producers wanted to update the image of the fictional "super-spy" to a more distinctly sophisticated "Euro" look.

Now, with this background information you definitely want to get an Omega watch for yourself. What better timepiece than the one worn by James Bond! Every man wants to lead an exciting life just like him.

If, you are fortunately enough that someone left you and older model of an Omega pocket watch, you should consider yourself very lucky. If it has been sitting around in someones drawer collecting dust, do not attempt to start it without having it first checked by a professional watch repair person. Your heirloom watch should be checked out because friction will gradually wear down the components of its mechanisms.

It should be oiled every three years and professional cleaned every 10 years. You can pretty much assume that it has been sitting around for a long time in a drawer and that you should first take it to a professional. If replacement parts are needed, remember to only have those items replaced that are absolutely necessary. You want to ensure that you keep the monetary value of it intact and a conservative approach is best when it comes to replacement parts.

Oh well, you were not left an old Omega watch by anyone in your family, so you are going to go out and purchase one for yourself. There are so many different watch styles to choose from that you will probably be overwhelmed during your search. You can begin by narrowing your search down a bit-do you want a pocket watch or a wristwatch? What special features do you want it to have? Is it important to you that it be self-winding, battery operated, water proof, tell you the date, have a stop watch? By figuring out exactly what you want, you can begin looking at the different models.

Figure out which Omega watch you want and then go out and buy it. You will know that you have purchased a watch that it is truly a fine piece of jewelry. And while no one left you an antique heirloom, may your watch handed down for a few generations will eventually be an antique that is treasurer by someone.

For more information on watches try visiting http://www.Watches4All.com, a website that specializes in providing watch related tips, advice and resources to include information on the omega watch.

Athletic Scholarships - The Student-Athlete's Gameplan for Finding One

There are over seven million student-athletes who play high school sports in America. Football rosters list more than a million of those athletes, and smaller sports, like soccer, have over 600,000 teen competitors per year. Yet, in NCAA Division I, college athletics' biggest arena, only 151,000 students play intercollegiate sports. (Division II has 75,000 athletes) So what are the odds of, a high school basketball player making it to play big-time on the college hardwood? Less than 1 in 100.

What should high school athletes be doing to earn a scholarship -- or find a place on a college team?

The Solution is in Your Actions

Athletes can reach out to college programs, become informed, inspired, and organized about reverse recruiting, improve skills, and must be persistent to have the best chance of having a successful college sports experience.

1)Send personal letters or e-mails with your basic information directly to college coaches. Its necessary for all but the top 2% that are elite high school athletes.
2)Attend a camp hosted by a college sports team to get an idea of your talent level and meet college coaching staff members who can evaluate your skills.
3)Of course, joining the rat race of competing and playing your sports year round or working with a private coach or club team are ways to increase your skill level and better your chances of becoming a standout athlete.
4)Follow up when coaches send letters to you. Make follow up phone calls about the letters and e-mails you have sent.
5)Balance in academic and athletics is always part of the recruiting game. Getting a college degree through your sports experience should be part of the larger goal.

Teenage athletes in the top cities in America are training at a high level. Athletes with dreams of competing at Americas top sports universities should have a gameplan for action that will lead them on the path to finding a successful college sports experience.

FOR MORE DETAILS OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT www.athleticinspiration.com

Author Laura Mitchell is a former NCAA Head College Basketball Coach, NCAA two-sport athlete, and High School Volleyball and Basketball Coach. Mitchell was also an outreach academic counselor for the University of California's Central Section. She is the CEO of Sports Dreammakers and the college sports counselor for America's largest charter school. Mitchell travels the country offering her workshops and seminars to student-athletes and parents who seek information about how to make their dream of playing college sports a reality. For more info visit http://www.athleticinspiration.com

Voices in my Head: Brain Waves

They finally figured it out. Ive been waiting for this day my whole life. A new technology created in Japan allows you to control electronic devices by reading brain activity.

According to MSNBC, the "brain-machine interface" developed by Hitachi Inc. analyzes slight changes in the brain's blood flow and translates brain motion into electric signals. This is great news for those of us who believe the remote control is as old fashioned as outhouses. Having to actually lift my arm and point a device at the television to change channels is primitive and has made me feel like a cave man at times.

If I understand this correctly then with this new brain reading machine I would be able to mow my lawn from the front porch. I can probably even open the mailbox and get the mail from my living room couch. I wonder what kind of range my brain can get. Its probably determined by your IQ. People with a high IQ can move things like cars and small buses but people with low IQs can only open doors and pull down shades at night.

I wonder if my brain waves can get crossed with other peoples brain waves. Wouldnt it be terrible if I accidentally changed my neighbors television set to the baseball game while they were watching COPS?

Speaking of neighbors, this brings undressing me with your eyes to a whole new level. I wonder when Janet from next door is going to go jogging next. I might have to start getting into shape.

Wont this be great for practical jokes too? Im sure there will be some people who cant move things with their minds yet because they havent evolved like those of us with the superior minds have evolved. That means we can play jokes on them and they cant retaliate. Just wait until I hide behind the couch and start moving lamps across the room. My kids are going to think the house is haunted.

I wonder whats next. Maybe Ill be able to will myself invisible the next time a meeting at work gets boring. That way I can just take a nice little nap at the back of the room and nobody will know. In reality my friends, I feel bad for the inventors of this wonderful device. You see it was already invented in the 1960s although I dont think anyone actually submitted a patent application for it. Its called lysergic acid diethylamide or LSD for short. No Mom, I never tried any of that stuff in college. I was always at church when my friends did those things. My poor sinner friends, I feel bad for them.

I do know (from what Ive heard, NEVER experienced) that when you take LSD you can at least appear to move things with your mind. Wouldnt it be funny if these guys over in Japan were actually on LSD when they invented the device that allows moving things with their minds? How do you explain to your boss that it was all a big mistake that started when you were licking those funny looking stamps with your other scientist friends?

Your boss would then take a closer look at your device and discover that its actually made from used Popsicle sticks and Legos. The only way out of this mess for these scientists is to quickly come up with an even greater invention so that their bosses will forget all about this little mishap. Time travel sounds like a good idea. Go grab the cardboard box that the air conditioner came in, paint the sides blue and white and put some fake antennas on it. Now crawl in and pretend you can see dinosaurs.

Sure, we all believe you. In fact, I think Ill be the first in line to purchase one of these brain wave devices. I wonder how much theyre going for on eBay.

Theres a terrible rumor going around that Barbara Bush bought one of these devices for her son President George. When he put it on not only was he unable to move any objects but he soiled his pants and started speaking in tongues. I guess they havent flushed out all the kinks yet.

My name is Artie Leary. I am a humor columnist based out of a small New England town. You may not have heard of me before so let me introduce myself by telling you four things about me that you probably couldn't guess.

1. My parents wanted a girl when I was born and they were going to name her Stephanie. This lovely little anecdote is told by my dear old mother annually at my birthday party.

2. When I was seven years old I stole a zucchini from Mr. Chalke's garden and brought it home to my parents for dinner. It was that night as I cried myself to sleep after my dad slapped me on the head and called me an idiot that I decided I didn't have what it takes for a life of crime.

3. I cut my own hair and shave my own back and it isn't easy.

4. I once told my Great Aunt Alice who was suffering from Alzheimer's that my name was Charlie Manson and she was part of my "family". My mother grounded me for two weeks for that "misunderstanding".

What Do You Think About Soccer?

Growing up in the country that soccer is a dominated sport, I can say that soccer is a part of my life. I can not even remember the first time I play soccer, because I was way too young. But one thing that I knew since I was young, I enjoy playing it as well as watching the game on TV, both national team and teams from European leagues.

When you watch the game, especially when the team that you love play against the rival team. The mixed feeling during the game cannot express in words. To play soccer, its not only requires a players skill, but also tactics from player and manager as well. Its a sport that teamwork plays a major role to success. Yet, soccer makes you believe in miracle. A miracle, sometimes, comes when your beloved team has one goal behind the opponent and suddenly came back with two goals in the last few minutes and gain a victory. The feeling of come-back victory against the rival team is incredible!

In contrast, some people may find its kind of bore during the game when two teams cannot score any goal. However, when the game is in tense even there is no goal has been scored, but your heart is pounding every single minute when your team is in the control of the ball and take it to the opponents zone, because any moment can be a goal. Also, soccer is a kind of sport that can bind nations together, because it is the sport that is being played around the world. Thats it, the fascination about soccer; anyone can play it, no expensive apparels or equipments required and it can be played at any level of society. Its the sport that brings people in harmony, soccer rule!

If you're Thai, don't miss to check out best soccer community

Man Made Diamonds - Save Big Money And Avoid Mined Diamond Scams

High quality man made diamonds are a bargain at about $80 per carat, and they do not increase in price exponentially as carat weight increases. For example, a one-carat synthetic diamond costs about $80; a three-carat man made diamond would then sell for $240. A one-carat mined diamond that sells for $3000 would go for $45,000 in a three-carat size, all things being equal, which with mined diamonds is never the case. Perplexing comparative evaluations, exponential price growth, consumer confusion, and the reality of diamond industry antics is why the mined diamond business is awash in dirty tricks. Here are descriptions of the most sneaky and pervasive mined diamond scams:

THE BLUE-WHITE SCAM: A jeweler tells you, "This is a blue-white diamond." This is a very old term. The dealer will probably tell you that it is a better diamond, but actually it is just the opposite. Blue-white refers to the fluorescence that results in natural light, which contains ultraviolet wavelengths. This blue fluorescence actually makes a colorless diamond look a little oily or milky in sunlight and decreases its value.

THE LIGHT MAKES WHITE SCAM: Bright lights make every mined diamond look better. Of course, every jeweler wants to show his or her diamonds in the best light, but there are some lighting tricks you should avoid. Some bulbs have a strong blue component, which makes yellow stones look whiter. Special bulbs are often used with strong ultraviolet wavelengths, which make most diamonds fluoresce blue. This also has a whitening effect for stones in the lower color ranges.

THE GRADE BUMPING SCAM: A jeweler exaggerates the grade. The FTC says that a jeweler must be accurate within one grade of color and one grade of clarity on a diamond. So many jewelers bump the color and clarity just one grade. Unfortunately, this can mean a great deal of money if you are talking about a fine-quality, 1-carat diamond. For instance, you might find a stone that the jeweler quotes as a 1.00 carat F color / VS1 clarity for $6,500. However, if you sent it to a reputable gem lab like GIA, it would come back as a G color / VS2 clarity, which is only worth about $5,500. This means you lose (and they profit) about $1,000.

THE FRACTION SCAM: The tag says 3/4 carat, and the FTC allows jewelers to round off diamond weights. So a diamond labeled as 3/4 carat in weight might actually weigh anywhere between .69 and .81 carat. This could mean a significant amount of money, since diamond prices leap at certain popular sizes. In this example, you might be buying a .69 carat round G/VS2 worth about $2,100... but paying for what you thought was a 0.75 carat worth $3,000. You lose $900.

THE LASER DRILLING SCAM: Dealers drill holes to burn out black carbon spots. About 1 in 3 diamonds in the United States is laser drilled. Dealers use lasers to drill a tiny hole into the depths of a diamond to burn and evaporate large black inclusions to make them disappear. The trouble with this little trick is that laser drilling can make the diamond a little more fragile to breaking with a good knock. Most dealers trade laser-drilled stones for much less.

THE HIDING THE FLAWS SCAM: Every jeweler hides flaws under the prongs if he can. In many cases, this can make an I1 clarity appear like a VS2 if you look at it in a ring setting. Structural flaws like feathers and cleavages can be damaged by the high pressure exerted by the prong on the diamond to hold it snug in the ring.

THE FRACTURE FILLING SCAM: New treatments to make flaws invisible. There is a new process patented a few years ago that melts a kind of crystal into surface-breaking fractures in a diamond. This technique will slide by consumers unnoticed. The treatment is considered slightly fragile because it can be damaging under the extreme heat of a torch when the diamond is set into a ring. Fracture-filled diamonds should trade for much less than diamonds without this treatment, but in reality they often sell for as much or more because they look like a higher, more expensive clarity grade.

THE CHEMICAL COLOR COATINGS SCAM: A little paint goes a long way. This very deceptive practice involves a little point of blue or purple paint on the lowest tip of the diamond, called the culet. This is small enough that you might not detect it, but the location spreads the color throughout the stone. This counters the yellow tint in lower color grades, making a diamond look like a more expensive, colorless grade.

Man made diamonds or synthetic diamonds are manufactured in a laboratory under controlled conditions. If anything about synthetic diamonds is called into question it is that they are too perfect. And since all mined diamonds have inclusions, flaws, and birthmarks, under magnification a trained jeweler can tell the difference. Considering that man made diamonds cannot be distinguished with the naked eye, lab-created diamonds have aesthetic beauty matchingoften bestingmined diamonds, and huge savings are realized, jewelry lovers must regard synthetic diamonds as an intelligent option. Plus, there is no insurance to buy after purchasing man made diamond jewelry and the thousands of dollars in savings can be banked!

Robert Joseph is an expert jeweler and founding partner of Diamond Nexus Labs, a renowned online jewelry store that specializes in pristine affordable diamond simulants set in Solid 14K Gold.

Copyright 2002-2005 Diamond Nexus Labs.

http://diamondnexuslabs.com/ All Rights Reserved.

Permission to reprint this article is granted if the article is reproduced in its entirety, without editing, including the bio information. Please include a hyperlink to http://diamondnexuslabs.com/ when using this article in newsletters or online.

To receive a FREE comparison chart on how Diamond Nexus Labs lab-created diamonds stack up against mined diamonds and register for a FREE no-obligation $50 Gift Certificate giveaway send E-mail to: freechart@diamondnexuslabs.com and just type Free Chart followed by your first name in the subject line.

2005 Mazdaspeed Mazda MX-5 Miata

Whats so great about the new Miata? Theyve been making them for years and they are virtually unchanged. Sure, the Miata is a classic sports car with rear wheel drive and a perfect 50:50 weight distribution. But Mazda introduced a new version of the Miata called the Mazdaspeed Miata. It has significantly more features than the standard Miata.

You can get a black cloth top and black leather seats with cool red stitching. The car also has Mazdaspeed spoilers and badges. The Miata still gets 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. It has all the modern features, too, like a 225 watt stereo with a six disc in dash CD changer, remote keyless entry, power windows, and subtle tuner touches like a silver painted tower brace and red painted stabilizer bars. The calipers have also been painted silver. The car weighs only 2529 lbs which always helps performance.

The 1.8 liter engine has been upgraded with a turbocharged and intercooled engine. This 8.5 psi turbo boost gives the Miata 178 hp compared to the base 142 hp. They coupled this power with a short throw six speed manual transmission and a new heavy-duty clutch powering a torque sensing limited slip differential. The suspension has been tuned further with stiffer springs and returned gas-filled Bilstein shocks. With all of these improvements, it was also necessary to make the sway bars larger, both in front and in rear. Add some ABS brakes and 17 wheels and standard EBD Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and you have a handling package to compliment the new power plant.

0-60 in a mere 6.7 seconds. The standard Miata can make it to 60 in 8.1 seconds. But get this the Mazdaspeed Miata is only about $900 more than a similarly equipped Miata LS with the six speed. For the turbo, intercooler, and suspension upgrades, $900 is a small price to pay for so much more performance. Finally, Mazda has given us the Miata weve all been waiting for.

Stuart Simpson
Miata fan with pictures of the new Mazdaspeed Miata in Lava Orange Mica. http://www.miata-links.com/

Lift Your Team's Spirits with Team Equipment Custom Bags

If you're wondering how to improve team morale, there's nothing better than team shirts, jackets, hats, and of course, team equipment custom bags. These usually have the team name, player number, logo, and team colors screened onto the materials so everyone on the team can wear identical outfits or carry matching team equipment bags.

Boosting Team Morale

Individuals on a team never feel totally united unless they have something in common. Team equipment custom bags serve this purpose well. They are practical and can be printed with matching decals or logos so that every team player has matching team duffle bags. Team players will have a sense of pride as they carry their new bags to every event!

Team Equipment Custom Bags have many Uses

Team bags can be used for trips to "away" games. Players can use them to carry their uniforms, equipment, or even personal items. They're great to include in some team lifestyle photos as well. They can also be used for any sport, including baseball, soccer, swimming, cheerleading, basketball, football, lacrosse, gymnastics, and hockey.

There are also different styles of team bags - small, large, with outside or inside pockets, etc. Bags can differ in how they zip. Some may have the zipper going straight across the mid-top while others may zip around the top edges. Many bag colors and screen-printing colors are available so you can match your team colors perfectly with a team bag of choice. Also, some team bags include Velcro straps on the sides for carrying additional items.

Tips for Choosing Team Equipment Custom Bags

1. Choose Durable Materials

A team equipment custom bag is only as good as its materials. Choose team bags with heavy-duty, two-way zippers for easy access to the bag and long-lasting enjoyment. The material for the bag itself should be thick and enduring in all types of weather. It should also be double-stitched at all stress points. This enables your team players to carry heavy items in their team bags without the fear of it busting at the seams!

2. Choose Colors Wisely

Team equipment custom bags will likely have the colors of your team; however, pick dark colors for the bags if possible. White, light blue, light pink and other light colors tend to become "dingy" in appearance after only a short period of time - especially for games played outdoors. If your team colors happen to be blue on a white background, ask for the opposite for your team bag logos. You can have a blue bag with white lettering for the same effect.

3. Choose the right Size

There are several different shapes and sizes of team equipment custom bags. Choose the size that best fits your team's needs. If the team players must carry sports equipment, a larger-sized bag will probably work well.

4. Save Money on Team Equipment Custom Bags

Don't ask team members to order the bags individually. Instead, order them in bulk and take advantage of quantity discounts. You can usually find great prices online as well. Online stores such as BagsforSports.com offer team equipment custom bags for almost any kind of sport. You can even include a logo to be printed or ask the company to make one for you.

Using team equipment custom bags is one way to encourage your team and give them a boost of confidence as they carry their new team bags with pride and enjoyment!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Tips for Team Equipment Custom Bags or Majon's Sports directory.