If you want your receiver to focus purely on two-channel audio, the TX-8255 could be just the answer. It`s perfect for your living room, or anywhere else you like to sit back and soak up your music.The TX-8255`s rock-solid construction incorporates a heavy-duty extruded aluminum heat sink to ensure cooler operation.The whole unit is housed in a rigid, reinforced chassis-finished off with a hairline-brushed aluminum front panel-to help eliminate vibrations. Add compatibility with RI dock for the iPod(R), and you have a superb stereo solution that brings out the power and dynamism of your audio sources.

Price: $249.00

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The TX-SR508 arrives brimming with processing and connectivity features previously unheard of at this level: Four 3D-ready HDMI® 1.4a inputs for connecting your high-definition sources; Studio master-quality HD audio formats from Dolby and DTS; Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz for new surround-sound possibilities; Powered Zone 2 and bi-amping for more speaker flexibility; and a Universal Port and front-side input for connecting peripherals and portable devices.

Price: $399.00

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The Pioneer VSX-520-K delivers amazing home theater performance in an elegant package at a surprising value. With connectivity options for all your latest high-definition home theater components, the VSX-520-K takes it a step further with support for the latest high-definition audio formats, and support for your portable devices via a front panel mini-jack input and compatibility with Bluetooth sources (using the optional AS-BT100 adapter, sold separately). Specifications: * Power Output: 110W x 5 (1kHz, THD 0.05% @ 8 ohms) * Auto Surround * Stream Direct for pure and unprocessed digital sound playback * HDMI connections: 3 inputs, 1 output * Component video connections: 2 inputs, 1 output assignable * Digital audio connections: 2 optical inputs, 1 digital coaxial input *2.1 Preout (Subwoofer + Surround Back/Front Height Channels) *30 tuner presets * Dimensions: 6-1/4" H x 16-9/16" W x 13-11/16" D * Weight: 19.6 lbs.

Price: $199.00

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What could possibly make 3D video better? The high-quality audio, and simple setup you get from the Pioneer VSX521K 5.1-channel receiver. Not only capable of passing through 3D signals, an audio return channel makes sure you need fewer connections for your home theater system. AutoMCACC speaker setup automatically optimizes your speaker sound, and an on-screen GUI makes tweaking your system simple.

Price: $249.00

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Learning a musical instrument is arguably one of the most important aspects of your child's education. In getting children started in music, parents need to do more than merely provide the financing and car rides to music lessons. This article will discuss 5 mistakes that parents can make when getting their child started in music.

1. You might enroll your child into a group music lesson when you should have enrolled him/her into private lessons, or vice versa.

This really depends on the age of your child. If your child is very young, around 3-5 years-old, I would enroll him/her into a group lesson like a Suzuki class. I like group lessons, especially during the early childhood stages because it teaches social skills that will enrich development. And this is not too young to start because the Suzuki Method teaches how to play the instrument first and learning to read music later.

If the child is between 6 and 12-years-old, I would enroll her in private instruction. She will get the most out of the one-on-one attention. If you have it in your budget, you could enroll your child in the Suzuki class for a year, which meets once a week, and then also enroll her in private instruction once a week. This would give your kid the best of both worlds because the teaching methods are different. After a year of the Suzuki Method, I would just keep your kid in private lessons going forward.

2. You may have forced your child into taking lessons before they were ready, or you piqued her interest

It's very important to begin culturing your child into enjoying music. You can never force someone to like music. But there is evidence that suggests that young children who are exposed to music on a regular basis during the very early years will develop an inclination to the pleasures of music. You can have classical, jazz, or even pop music on all the time! The developing mind loves music.

I would also add that it's never too late to start having music on in the house and car regularly. If your child is above 6-years-old, you can still do the same thing. The difference will be that you should engage with your child in a conversation about the music you're listening to together. It will not only develop an appreciation for music but also a bond between you and your kid.

3. You may have chosen an instrument for your child that he/she is not interested in learning

You can't choose an instrument that you always wanted to learn or that you may already know how to play. Also, please don't choose an instrument for your child because you like it. Even though kids don't always no yet what they like and don't like, you should let them choose. This will give them a chance to make a commitment and take responsibility for their decision. You will have to stress to them they will be practicing on that instrument every day so they understand their new responsibility.

4. Your child might quit and you don't know the real reason why

There could be many reasons why your child has decided to quit learning their musical instrument. But one reason that you should consider first is the teacher. If your child is enrolled in group lessons, sit in the back of the classroom and observe. Don't go out to run errands. Stay there and see how the teacher is instructing the class. Is she teaching in a way that you would find fun and interesting? If the answer is no, then your kid probably doesn't think so either.

If your child is taking private lessons, it would be wise to observe as well. Many private teaching studios have a window on the door so that you can watch the lesson without your child knowing. This is one way to investigate how the teacher is instructing your child, and also to see if your child is either misbehaving or not paying attention. If your child is misbehaving in the lesson, you are going to have to put a stop to this. It's the parent's job to put a little pressure on the child for this problem.

I would also have a conversation with the teacher to find out the reason why your child doesn't want to learn the instrument any more and if possible, how the lesson plan can be modified to pique interest again.

If you find that the teacher is not very good, not engaging, and not doing everything he/she can to motivate your kid, then you may want to consider changing teachers. But before you do that, send your child to a new teacher for one lesson to see if she likes it better. Just make sure you are present at that lesson. Even if you have to be in the room with them. Grab a magazine, sit behind your kid and out of view if possible. Just pretend to read your magazine, but pay attention to what's going on in the lesson.

5. Your child may have a lack of motivation to practice and you don't know how to deal with it correctly

Lack of motivation to practice doesn't mean the your child wants to quit altogether. It could mean that the material is very difficult. Or it could be just laziness. Your child needs support from her teacher and you to achieve. Learning a musical instrument will be one of the most challenging subjects that your kid faces in education. But the value of musical achievement will make everything else in your child's life much easier.

You could also create a "rewards program" at home. Offer your child a reward for practicing 30 minutes a day. Try your best to not make it bribery. You know what your kid likes. Use these things to entice her to practice and to take it seriously. When your kid learns a new song, you need to applaud her for the accomplishment and to encourage her to keep practicing and learning new songs.

Parent's: Keep Up The Good Work!

If you follow my instructions to avoid the mistakes above, I want you to know that you are doing a great job in getting your child past the challenging early stages of music education. The main point is to get involved and stay engaged in your child's music education and development. By doing this, you'll find comfort in knowing that you're doing all you can in helping your child.

Tony Margiotta is the founder of The Musiconomy, a publishing company advocates musical training as an essential focus in childhood education and development. Sign up for the Free monthly newsletter and special report here: http://www.themusiconomy.com/newsletter.html

Tony is the author of "A Parent's Guide: How To Get Your Child Started In Music," a step-by-step approach that takes you through the process of inspiring musical interest in your child, to making the correct instrument and book purchases, and finding the right teacher. Full of tips, checklists, and more.

http://www.tonysmusicbooks.com/Parents-Guide-How-to-get-your-Child-started-in-Music-201101.htm

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British contemporary art started during the 1960's and is present until now, this birthed the era of many Great Northern British Artists. This movement saw a large shift in wealth for the nation, and the common individuals power to spend increased. During around this time was an Artist named Lowry. Known for his modern urban landscapes, Lowry became known in Britain as a great artist.

Lowry was raised in the streets of northern England, Lancaster. His father Robert was an estate agent and his mother Elizabeth, who showed disinterest for his talent as an artist, was a concert pianist.

At school he was shy and made few friends and did not have great academic achievements. He devoted most of his time doing sketches and paintings. He had a habit of using whatever was with him in order to make an artwork of the place around him. He left school and engaged himself for some private art lessons during dusk on traditional and freehand drawing.

Lowry was persistent in continuing to learn from the French Impressionist artist Pierre Adolphe Valet and was lucky enough to have an outstanding and well respected teacher who encouraged him to find his own distinctive style. Later he developed his interest on industrial landscapes and began to create his style.

During interviews conducted later in his life, Lowery retained that he had an unmemorable childhood. His mother had a hard time giving birth to him and was uneasy looking at him because she longed for a daughter, jealous of her sister Mary, who had three daughters. She used her illness to get attention and controlled her son's life. She became an imperative figure in Lowry s life and when she became bedridden, he took care of her until her death in 1939.

In later years, Lowry regrets that he had received little gratitude as an artist. During the time of war, he enlisted as fire watcher in Manchester and became a legitimate war artist. During the coronation of Elizabeth II, he was appointed as Official Artist in 1953. He was selected to the Order of the British Empire as Officer and Commander which he both turned down. He seems to grasp the record of most honors wilted following the refusal of a knighthood and appointment to the Order of the Companions of Honor. He was given an honorary award degree of Master of Arts by the University of Manchester, and that of Doctor of Letters in 1961.

He succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 88 at the Woods Hospital in Glossop Derbyshire on February 23, 1976. He was buried in Charlton Southern Cemetery in Manchester. He left a cultural legacy of greatness, with his works inspiring other artists and works of art.

A collection of Lowry's work known as 'The Lowry' consisting of 55 paintings and 278 drawings are on permanent public display in a contemporary built art gallery in Salford Quays. In 1968, one of his paintings called Coming Out of School which depicts great artists was made a stamp by the Post Office.

David Tatham, specialist art dealer for more than 25 years, and has a detailed knowledge of work by modern British artists. Visit the website David Shepherd to see an extensive collection of work and biography of the artist. Signed, prints and originals can be seen and bought from the website.

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With the undoubtedly vast improvements in technology in today's world, great improvements in the art industry also continue to flourish, and such improvements are becoming ever more evident in our daily lives. Many people not connected or involved in the art world in any way can now take advantage of this beautiful, authentic pop art canvas style.

One concrete example of such rectification is the more durable art canvas being used for pop art canvas. Such canvas has been designed for life long usage and it is expected for such canvas art to last for a decade, given that it is properly cared for. This is exactly the reason why more and more people turn their treasured photographs into pop art canvas. Not only for oneself, but as a gift, as the artwork makes a wonderful and unique gift idea to give to their loved ones. If you are looking to preserve a favourite photograph of your family, then simply head to your local art shop and have your digital photo converted into a fully customised pop art canvas. Not only does it serve as touching memorabilia of the memories embedded in your chosen photograph, but it can also double up as an interesting piece of modern art which you can hang in your living room. A few specific colour requests to meet your needs and you will be surprised at how naturally it matches your house décor.

Pop art portraits are readily visible in our daily life's as more artists get hooked on the challenging way that such artworks are to be made. Besides museums, such styles can be seen regularly in magazines, on the web, and in many books and comic strips. For decades the art form has been used repeatedly without saturating the style. Saturating such art styles unfortunately truly becomes the death of the style. However, the true love and passion from the artists working with this art form on a daily basis have undoubtedly brought the techniques in to the modern world for all to become part of.

Due to the vibrant colours and attention grabbing shades of each pop art canvas, such art techniques are used for posters, advertisements, and just about any other form of media that you can imagine.

This is probably due to the fact that the vibrancy that each artwork exudes is very similar to positive energy and good vibes we love to experience as humans. The cool shades and crisp hues clearly convey a message of its own, this is why the art form catches the eye of many advertisers who would like to grab the attention of the youth and the kids who seem subconsciously attracted to colourful hues.

Aside from being an interior house piece and a unique gift idea, items made from pop art canvas can also be used for making personalised shirts, customised pillowcases, and even handbags. With the advancement in the modernisation of arts and art techniques, it is now possible to see these pop art artworks almost anywhere we go in the world. The life of these amazing art pieces will undoubtedly live on for eternity.

Learn more about our passion for pop art portraits at MattsCanvas. MattsCanvas invite you to share our love of transforming your treasured imagery into amazing pop art canvas. With over 15 years experience we want to share our love of pop art with you.

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There is an art to organizing parties that have the ability to give guests a wonderful time. There are certain people whose party invitations are never rejected and greatly coveted because guests know that they will have a wonderful time there. These hosts usually go into great detail to provide guests with food and entertainment that keeps them enthralled. This art is something that most people wish they have. If you want to make sure that you are a popular host as well then you should start by selecting the right party venues for your event.

Hiring the right party venues is a short cut that many successful hosts employ because there are certain venues that have the entire infrastructure required for guests to have a great time. This reduces the amount of pressure on the host who can relax entirely until the event begins and just focus on mingling with the guests.

There are many places where you could hold a party but you should always check the credentials of the people who operate it because the success of the event can lie upon this. A dedicated team of professionals who know how to organize a variety of themes and the entertainment to match each theme is a very important resource to have. These people will suggest what theme would go best for each event and will ensure that all details are looked into so that nothing is left out. The team looking after your event should also be very professional so that they do not miss out on anything important. This lack of attention to detail can cause all arrangements to unravel.

People will always remember the food they ate at a party, even if they forget other details. The best party venues have excellent catering staff or at least the ability to organize them for you. They also invest in the best infrastructure to ensure that food is prepared and served properly. Have a good talk with the chef so that you can communicate information about the composition of your group and their special dietary preferences, if any, so that arrangements can be made accordingly.

Make sure that you spend some time to select the best one out of the many potential party venues you check out. Select the place that impresses you most with its facilities as well as the enthusiasm and experience of the team that runs it.

Selecting party venues is a big task and the success of your event depends upon it. Make sure that you check out http://www.redscooter.com.au/ to find the best best party venue in Melbourne

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In ancient times, and in various cultures, the human body and making love was admired and encouraged and was shown through paintings, sculptures, or ceramics. The genitals would often be publicly shown or would even be considerably exaggerated. The extent of the genitalia was declared a symbol of amorous authority or power in man.

Clearly, sex and eroticism are two different things. Eroticism can just be expressed by a human being. Unlike human beings, animals are incapable of producing sensual behaviors.

Art may be classified in the sexy genre if it gives off a sensual appetite or pleasure. Sensual art can be displayed in paintings, sculptures, literature, songs, etc.

In sensual art we discover not solely bodily enjoyment, like we find in physical sex, yet we additionally detect satisfaction in our other senses and in other manners such as visual, audio, and as well as through our imagination.

When sex is shown through some kind of art it can become not solely the pursuit of physical pleasure but also an adoration of beauty and aesthetics. Erotic literature is a specific genre where the subject matter is entirely linked to sex in general. Very explicit scenes and words can be found that could just about be declared to be adult literature. In the genre of sensual literature we may find short stories, manuals, poems, and novels. Ancient erotic literature is characterized by its union of heavenly and earthly beings.

The Kama Sutra, penned in the fourth century in India, is considered to be the most influential manual of sexuality. It was composed as a religious book, marked to the people, and contained writings of love making techniques and advice.

In today's time, artists who design erotic art are still not, even yet, approved in society as those of other genres are.

In songs, the genre of eroticism, or sex music, has not yet been totally investigated or experimented. Though in other cultures, like in literature, artists have composed music which has embodied spirituality with sexuality.

There are various styles in contemporary music that express sexual and erotic feelings. In electronic and experimental music we can find various sub-genres that can carry an erotic denotation.

Several contemporary styles of sex songs nowadays have rhythms that were originally borrowed from the jungle cultures of Africa. We may now find several mixtures of various music styles from all over the globe which involve the use of ethnic and native instruments. World music is a sure example of the union of art through culture.

Though it has gone through several ups and downs and prohibitions, sex has continually been seen in art since the existence of man and is still a very essential artistic and human form of expression.

One of the most imperative ingredients for preparing a sensual atmosphere that may help build a passionate and erotic spice and will hike up heaps of eroticism to your lovemaking life is by using and listening to sex music.You can get more advice about this topic at http://www.sexmusicx.com/

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Do you want to get great results when miking someone for broadcast or film? Who wouldn't?Here is some sure fire advice for getting the best results when recording your subject with lapel mics. Discussed are some of the problems associated with lapel mics and some ways to solve them. Ready?

Wardrobe:

To make it easier for placement the talent will do better wearing a buttoned shirt. With a button-down shirt you'll do best by placing the lapel mic between the top two buttons. Despite its name it's best not to place it on your collar or lapel. The mic should be about 8" from the mouth. If your subject is wearing a t-shirt wrap the mic cable behind their neck and bring it under the t-shirt. Fasten the mic underneath so the mic still points upward. When wearing a t-shirt the mic tends to want to point downward, so check and make sure that it's fastened in such a way as to ensure that it's upright.

Diplomacy:

Discretion and diplomacy are, needless to say, very important. The subject is probably used to being somewhat harshly handled in placing the mic. Let your talent put on their own microphone. Request them to thread the cable comfortably and stabilize it as they wish. After the the person has positioned it, casually ask him/her if it's OK to adjust it yourself to make final
tweaks.

Wind Noise:

When it is windy outside you will want to make sure that the mic has a wind sock or foam filter. Even if there's no wind it's prudent to have it just in case the wind kicks up. Even a light breeze can ruin a perfectly done broadcast. It will also protect somewhat from the ambient noise that these mics are prone to picking up. Even if you don't have one or want to go to the expense of buying a filter, one can always fashion one - utilizing a bit of foam and affixing it with a rubber band in order to secure it.

Also concerning the wind screen, if you have somebody that can stand by and hold a large
piece of foam core blocking the direction of the wind source, the assistant can act as a screen to prevent the wind from registering.

Headphones:

Always listen with a pair of headphones. With a mixer this will be very easily a done by wiring it to the headphone input. When it comes to hearing what the mic is really capturing headphones are essential,whether it's distortion or wind noises.

Although these tips are not comprehensive for the lapel mic user, they provide some extra information for becoming a better and more successful shooter.

Howard Fine has achieved a preferred place in the world of broadcasting and video. Through his knowledge, these tips can lead one to better standards of recording with lavalier mics, from the novice to the professional.

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Medicaid and the Reality of special needs dentistry

A more in-depth look at a recent report and other data.

In case you didn't already know it, being poor can cost you in more than dollars; and having special needs can cost you even more.

In a new study released by the journal Pediatrics, kids on Medicaid were reportedly 38 times more likely to be denied an appointment by any dentist, but were also 18 times more likely to be rejected by dentist offices who said they accepted Medicaid and other public forms of insurance.

This snapshot validates prior studies about the overall disparity between those on Medicaid and those with private insurance who are looking for care. As this news article from the LA Times pointed out, though, the difficulties of children with special needs finding coverage is a verified issue as well.

How Medicaid impacts special needs children

I'll share a little secret with you. My guys are on Medicaid. I don't need a study to tell me something I have already witnessed over the years. After years of having great insurance with my husband's former employer, he lost his job and we found ourselves with two special needs children (this was before Logan joined the Moody gang) and no insurance.

The boys needed surgery; they needed to see specialist after specialist. They needed--they needed so much. We turned to Medicaid. And while we were thankful to eventually receive the benefits for our children, and while we grumble about the coverage sometimes, I couldn't begin to tell you how often we have been stigmatized simply because our children receive this needed resource.

This is how it works when you have a child who needs services, who has special needs: you fight for Medicaid because your regular insurance won't pay for everything your kids need and you don't want your family to go bankrupt; you still amass thousands, hundreds-of-thousands of dollars, worth of bills because this procedure or that specialist isn't covered; so you finally fight for and receive Medicaid; and then you fight to find a specialist your kid can see.

It's this convoluted approach where you fight to prove your child in need of services, and then once they get those services you fight public perception about them having those services, those services that they need because of their special needs. What about public perception? How does that fit into a discussion about dentists or other doctors denying a child an appointment?

The circle of discontent

It goes something like this: you reach out, desperately, for services like Medicaid because you need every resource you can get to take care of your special needs child. Instead of seeing the need, other people--people who don't understand your very real needs--are quick to point out how lazy, how shiftless, how irresponsible you are because you can't pay for your kids' insurance yourself. You research more specialists then you ever thought possible because so many offices are strangely 'unable' to see your kid anytime this year, or they don't think they could handle having a kid with that degree of special needs to be responsible for, or because they don't take Medicaid.

The sad reality is that Medicaid as a service is utilized by millions of kids and families, millions of families struggling to find coverage for someone with special needs. And there is still a stigma attached to being one of those millions who need the benefit.

Medicaid does a lot of good.

Numbers released in February by the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) stated that one-third of all children and fifty-nine percent of all low-income children are covered by Medicaid or another program that insures children, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

In her 2008 testimony before Congress, Executive Vice-President of KFF Diane Rowland said that while Medicaid is known as a primary "source of health insurance coverage for millions of low-income children and parents, the program has become the largest single source of health insurance and long-term care and the largest source of public financial support for people with disabilities." [emphasis mine]

The problem is that if you or a loved one has Medicaid, though, it is harder to find an appointment when you need it, even in emergency situations. Consider that if your child has special needs, the likelihood of needing an emergency appointment rises significantly.

The difficulty of finding care if you or loved one is a patient with special needs

The LA Times article has this caveat:

There also is literature on dentists' unwillingness to treat certain populations, including young children, patients with developmental disabilities...(par 5)

While the focus in this study is on access to dental care, patients with special needs find it harder to find willing providers more often than their privately insured counterparts, according to a multitude of reports published by the journal Pediatrics (keywords "Medicaid" and "access to care") and other Medicaid reports put out by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).

What does this mean in the real world?

While Medicaid provides care for an overwhelming one-third to fifty-nine percent of the nation's children, and a majority of those with special needs, lingering attitudes and very real Medicaid reimbursement concerns keep many providers from offering the same access to care that those with private insurance enjoy.

The LA Times article suggested some of the underlying reasons for this, data from Pediatrics shows that the issue is much more complex than whether or not the dentist or pediatrician around the corner wants to see more Medicaid-insured patients. Other factors play a role in denying that access to care.

Those in Washington already looking at cutting Medicaid should be considering the effects of this action, and before they cut one penny, they should be addressing the underlying proclivities of Medicaid to set reimbursement rates and effect policies that make it harder for physicians to want to comply with the program.

For those of us in the special needs community, the benefits can't be over-emphasized, but that benefit is tempered by the inability to receive the coverage needed.

A final thought, not all of the problems with Medicaid stem from problems with management. Overall public stigmatism is still high among those who aren't familiar with the program. Fighting this perception of being inherently flawed because of being on Medicaid will take more than studies or changes in Washington, it will require folks to talk, openly, about the program and the benefits (as well as the drawbacks).

Those of us in the special needs community, who require the coverage extended by Medicaid, need to be proactive in helping change public perception while at the same time fighting for our kids to receive the care they need while covered under Medicaid and related services.

Source: LA Times article

Chime in with your opinion: Do you or a loved one have Medicaid? How does information like this make you feel about your coverage?

If you or a loved one has special needs, have you ever been personally affected by perception or denied an appointment?

Katrina Moody is Kat, of Kat's Cafe: wife and mother, writer and editor, advocate and dreamer. She writes passionately about disability-related topics.

Her passions stem from the real experiences of being a mother to three amazing boys who all have a rare disorder called Rieger Syndrome. They also share diagnoses of autism, epilepsy, visual impairment, cerebral palsy, and more. Her Moody-gang is the inspiration for articles meant to raise awareness and understanding of the complicated world of special needs parenting.

Find her at Kat's Cafe: http://www.katscafe.org/

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The show is nothing with no work behind the curtain. The confusing and apparent tangle mesh having to do with electrical wires, hooks, chains, as well as lighting make the platform come alive as well as the theatre morph into yet another environment. The rigging makes the whole dream reality. However, it is a quite difficult design, it ought to be faultless as well as genuine. Stage rigging tips and hints and Checks lists are all a lot more accepted to the designer as a result of this.

The actual lighting is arguably the most crucial impact in the display. This sets the atmosphere and leaves everyone in the suitable mood. And so, so that they are able to alter the stage towards the way you wish, be sure to obtain additional equipment and lighting than you might need. But if your source go short it will probably be much trickier to set-up the required atmosphere. Become thorough concerning the placing with the lighting fixtures. Look at be resourceful and you should not be happy with less than what you desire. The actual lighting is everything, one can't devote to much time getting it proper.

In the back stage there is lots which could go wrong. Retrace the project which has been done, and then retrace again. A person can't commit to enough time of this type. The actual riggings are likely to catch and loosen that can lead to accidents. Without doubt unchecked work will be obvious throughout the show.

It really is improbable that you will be responsible for every rigging around the theatre. Consequently you'll likely ought to work in conjunction along with people in the group. This will make this very important that there's a sensible comprehension relating to the stage. Comprehension may be made in a number of ways; off stage connection, effective communication, or simply lots and lots of practice. A good crew provides a great exhibit.

The second essential point is usually to be sure that your machinery isn't sub par. If a chain breaches or possibly a link snaps the results can wreck your show, let alone end up being quite risky. Regularly replace light bulbs, take a look at weights, and continue to keep things moving. Whenever the situation is extremely static the gear may atrophy.

An organised and strict checklist not to mention hearkening to these hints will make the very difficult project involving stage rigging that little bit smoother. Paying attention to the small details can certainly make moving the top things together seamlessly.

Theater staging They might also explain to you on instruments, that is best suited to your specific wishes and systems. Allow me to recall the 1st stage lighting platform I messed around with back when I was extremely young. You can get their professional help and advice from some employee prior to getting equipment.

When evaluating a small business that will design, deliver and install customized lighting truss and staging components, be sure to ask to look at a few of their past concerts. A good agency worthy of it's salt should have lots of pics and media involving past stage festivals to show you. Stage-Tech would certainly design and style your actual stage using specialized software and change areas about the way you like ahead of time letting you view the stage rendition before it's built. This is the perfect way to layout the ideal creation with a bit of confidence.

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Last week, I wrote a post entitled Ten Reasons Prospects Hate Your Website. While it is important what people think about your site, you have another group of visitors you need to attract and engage on your website - search engines.

Unfortunately, unlike people who generally respond the same way, there is a lot of conflicting information on the web about SEO and SEM, and the rules seem to change daily.

As we work with small business owners to improve their website these are the type of things we keep in mind:

Too much flash - Or worse yet, an entire site built in flash. A once popular designer's toy, flash tools create visual interest to a site. They are however, losing popularity as visitors tire of the time they take to load and are frustrated by the fact flash animation isn't visible on their iPhone. But this list is about search engines, and unfortunately search engines can't watch the video or see clever effects. Our recontamination - reduce or eliminate flash completely.
Unlabeled pictures - Web crawlers are getting smarter, and they have limited ability to "see" images, but why make them guess. When you add an image be sure to name it correctly, with keywords/phrases ( image1.jpg is not a good idea). Be sure to include an tag and description. Supporting text such as a caption or description, explanation near, below or somewhere beside the image further clarify what it is.
Duplicate content - Search engines see this as a way to "game" the system. If you share content from other websites don't simply lift the entire article. Your content will have more value if you pull just a segment and add your own unique spin.
Frame-based site structure- Until a few years ago, many websites were built with frames. The box structure organizes information on the page, but makes it difficult for a search engine to figure out what is the most important content. Cascading style sheets (CSS) provide a search engine friendly alternative, helping the search engine "see" what is most important. ( This is just one of the many reasons we enjoy working with WordPress)
Repetitive page titles and meta tags - (See note above) Meta tags and page titles are the bait which lure search engines. If every page on your site has the same page titles and tags, the engines will be less likely to take a closer look. It is fine to have similar phases, but every page has a reason for its existence. Use page titles to identify the unique reason
No page titles, slugs or headers - A worse offense then repeating titles, is having none at all. This is your opportunity to lead engines through your website in an organized manner, making sure they notice the most important information.
Too many key words - More is not better! When it comes to attracting the attention of search engines, adding in a large number of semi-relevant key words will actually lower your search engine rankings. Instead of stuffing each page to capacity, use your blog to create lots of pages, and vary the key words by page.
Irrelevant tags or key words- If you want to win search, it is not enough to title a page Small Business Marketing and use the term in key words and tags. Your content must contain the exact key phrase or Google will deem your key words and tags irrelevant .
Old content - Just like people, search engines get bored. As search engines crawl your site, they look for new content. If they find it, they are more likely to return again and again. If you are neglecting your site, so will Google.
You don't look good on all browsers - OK, so this is more a "people" then a search engine issue, but I already had 10 items on that list. The days of Internet Explorer dominance are long gone. As of August 2010, Firefox held 45.8 percent of the browser market, Internet Explorer had fallen to 30.7 percent and Chrome was climbing with 17 percent. Safari with 3.5 percent and Opera with 2.3 percent made up the balance. Each of theses browsers will display your website slightly differently. Be sure you test design and function on all of them before you launch.

As you read the list you may think winning the attention of search engines is about gaming the system. It isn't. It is about content. To attract people and search engines write smart, relevant content and everything else will fall into to place.

Want to know who your website measures up? Give us a call!

Lorraine Ball is focused on Small Business. As founder of Roundpeg, Indy's leading small business marketing firm, Lorraine helps small firms become big firms!

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Pioneer's DEH-2200UB is an affordable replacement for your bare-bones OEM system, giving you playback of WMA/MP3 files from disc or USB devices, optional direct iPod control, selectable green/red key illumination, and then some.

Pioneer Car Audio Systems Pioneer's Mobile Business Group is known for offering the kind of in-car products that make driving more enjoyable by offering high quality audio and video, seamless connectivity and ease-of-use. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including audio video, navigation and satellite radio, while maintaining its strong heritage in products for car audio enthusiasts and sound competitors.

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Front USB and auxiliary inputs.

Remote control included.

DEH-2200UB Features

Detachable Faceplate
When you're away from your car, remove the face from the receiver for protection against theft.

The faceplate features a one-line, 10-character LCD display, along with a large rotary volume control.

Dual Color Illumination
Choose the button illumination color from Red or Green to suit your vehicle--or mood.

CD-R/RW Playback
Play back your favorite CDs and burnt CD-R/RW discs in the slot-loading CD player.

MP3 and WMA Playback
Don't let your favorite music downloads languish on your computer hard drive. Burn them to a CD-R or CD-RW and play them right on the car stereo. Each disc you burn has the capacity to hold up to ten complete albums of MP3 music and twenty for WMA discs. Trust us, that's a lot of music.

iPod Made Easy
It's easy! Simply plug your iPod directly into the unit using the optional CD-IU50 iPod cable, and you are ready to rock and roll. Listening to an artist that you just can't get enough of? Now you can hold the "List" button down and it will pop up folders containing that specific artist, album, or genre. You can also have your passenger control your music directly from the iPod.

Bring Your Music to Life with Advanced Sound Retriever
This year you can hear the detail, warmth, and clarity the way the artist intended it, from all of the highly compressed MP3, WMA and AAC files playing on your CD player. By restoring data that tends to get lost in the digital compression process, we can make your music sound close to CD quality.

Supertuner IIID AM/FM Tuner
Pioneer's legendary Supertuner IIID combines the best of digital and analog tuner technologies to reduce distortion to bring you exceptional FM and AM performance. If you live in an area where reception is weak, you'll hear a big improvement in signal strength. And when you're near tall buildings, Supertuner IIID reduces the effect of multi-path noise, which occurs when the signal is reflecting off of the buildings.

MOSFET 50W x4 Amplifier for the Power Hungry
Compared to conventional power supplies, the MOSFET amplification circuit is smaller and more efficient, delivering power with less distortion and absolutely zero on/off switching noise. And that doesn't just mean a boost in volume: it means that your music will be cleaner at higher volumes because you're not pushing the limits of the amplification circuit. Clean, efficient power that will rock your vehicle.

Inevitably, there will be those who still need more. The DEH-2200UB is therefore equipped with a pair of 2.2V rear preamp outputs for system expansion with external amps/speakers.

Get Plugged In
Use the built-in AUX input for connecting any digital portable player and other external auxiliary devices. For extra-convenient access, the input is on the front panel.

Dial In Your Sound
Tweak the sound to your liking with the on-board three-band EQ. A Loudness feature ensures ample low-end even during quiet listening, and standard balance/fader controls let you adjust the stereo image to suit your vehicle and preferences.

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DEH-2200UB Basic Specs

iPod Control:	Built-In (Cable Required)
iTunes Tagging:	--
USB Input:	Yes
Sound Retriever:	Yes
RCA Pre-Outs:	1 set (2.2V)
Display:	Segment LCD (10 x 1)
Bluetooth:	--
CD Formats:	CD/CD-RW, MP3, WMA
HD Radio:	--
SAT Radio Ready:	--
Auxiliary Input:	Built-In (Front)
Key Illumination:	Selectable Red/Green
Power:	MOSFET 50W x 4

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What's in the Box

Pioneer DEH-2200UB In-Dash CD Receiver, Wiring Harness, Installation Hardware, Owner's Manual

Price: $135.00

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Here are some great tips to help you on your path to becoming a successful model:

Step 1. Check yourself. What kind of model are you? There are all types of models. High fashion, runway, swimsuit, commercial, plus size, young, old, and everyone in between.Take a look at yourself in the mirror. Ladies, If you're 5'7" or taller you can try for runway and high fashion. Not so tall? How's your bikini body? Swim suit and lingerie models can get away with being shorter, however, 5'6" is usually the minimum, but there are many, many exceptions-I have seen them!. Plus size models are typically a at least a size 10. For commercial modeling, any height is acceptable and a great smile is a plus. The world of advertising needs all shapes and sizes. Take a close look at ads and commercials. You'll see families, and all ages and races in them. Someone has to model for things like BBQ sauce and nasal spray, and those jobs pay really well.

Step 2. Find an agency. You should live within an hour of a major city. Modeling agencies are located where the business is. When you work as a model, you spend a lot of time going to castings (auditions), so you don't want to drive three hours for a 5 minute casting and find out you're one in three hundred girls who are going for the same job. If you're in a big city, find some agencies online, and check out their websites. Most agencies will have instructions for new models on their sites. They will ask you to email photos or go to an open call. This is where anyone is welcome to come in and meet with an agent to see if they are interested. Make sure and check their requirements first. When you show up to the open call or send a photo, remember less is more as far as make-up goes. Too much make-up looks like you're covering something up. Agents know what models look like with no make-up, and that's what they want to see. Be confident in your natural beauty.

Step 3. Photos. If you find an agent, they will recommend a photographer for you to work with. Some agencies pay for these photos and take the money out of your earnings; that is the ideal situation, and what the top agencies will do. Some photographers will work with you for free if they need new photos too. Some agents refer you to a photographer who will charge for photos. Make sure you stay within your budget; if you fell like it's a scam, it probably is. If you're not having luck finding an agent, you can get some photos done yourself. Look for photographers whose work you like. Set up a shoot with a few different looks, and get your hair and make-up done. One good photo will make all the difference in your portfolio, but it's best to show versatility. A headshot, a full body shot, and one showing your smile are all important. Photos cost money, but don't go broke. See if a photographer can work within your budget, or find someone who needs photos as well and will work for free. The photos may not be as good, but you should get lots to choose from, and getting in front of the camera is always good practice.

Step 4. Be Aware. There are scams out there. If no one is interested in you as a fashion model except for one place that wants to charge you $1000 and has never booked a model work, be worried. Modeling schools can be fun, but they aren't agencies and you do NOT need them to be a model. An agency should never charge you to be a model. They are supposed to make money from the work they book you on, that's it. Do your research with agencies, and the same goes with photographers. There are dishonest and/or dangerous people out there. Be confident and trust your instincts.

Step 5. Be professional. This is a real job and a real industry. No one wants to work with someone who is always late, or whose portfolio is warped and dirty. Take it seriously, and people will take you seriously.

Hope those tips are helpful and you're one step closer to making your dreams come true!

Angela Daun has appeared in Maxim, Cosmo, Ugly Betty & more. She's been the face of major cosmetics campaigns, appeared in hit movies & TV shows, and travelled the world walking the runway.

Sign up for her FREE newsletter to receive an information packed expose' on how to become a model PLUS a FREE video course 'How To Get An Agent.' Click the following link now to get your FREE reports: http://www.howtomodelcoaching.com/

© Copyright - Daun Creations LLC, 2011 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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If you've got an Xbox 360, then you're probably very happy with the system's fantastic graphics, bountiful title selection, and sleek design. Now, what about a high-performance sound system to enhance your gaming experience? Designed to match the style of the Xbox 360, Pioneer's HTS-GS1 5.1-Channel Surround Sound System may be just what you're looking for. After setting up this home-theater-in-a-box (HTIB) system, we sat back and enjoyed several hours of pure gaming bliss. Whether we were battling online against other Halo 2 gamers, or saving the planet in the Xbox 360 title, Prey, this system delivered awesome and inspired surround sound.

Easy Set-up and Configuration
Everything you need to set up the HTS-GS1 is included in the box. Using the handy Quick Start Guide, we had the entire system wired in less than an hour. The easy-to-follow instructions and color-coded wires made the set up of the center speaker, subwoofer, and two rear and two front speakers a cinch. One word of warning: the included wires are an adequate length for a small-to-medium sized room, but if you really want to spread out, you'll need additional wiring to complete the task. But for our purposes, the HTS-GS1 provided everything we needed to get the job done.

The HTS-GS1 is an ideal choice for any small-to-medium sized space that is dedicated to Xbox 360 gaming.

Once the speakers were in place, we took advantage of the system's auto MCACC microphone calibration technology. We simply placed the ultra high-end calibration microphone on the back of the couch -- directly behind our favorite gaming position -- and the HTS-GS1 automatically adjusted the sound for the distance, volume, speaker size, and equalization. Once the system calibrated the speakers to match the layout of our room, we were off to the races --literally -- tackling the toughest race tracks available on Project Gotham Racing 3.

Although all the connections were easy to distinguish and connect, we do have one complaint: there are loads and loads of wires to deal with. This is not a problem unique to the HTS-GS1, but we found it a bit ironic that a home-theater-in-a-box designed to complement the Xbox 360 -- a gaming system noted for its clean design and wireless capabilities -- would be so overloaded with wires.

Sleek, Xbox 360 Design
This surround sound system offers an attractive white design, accented with gray speaker grilles, and features five small satellite speakers (center, two front, and two rear), and a large subwoofer that is about the size of a standard CPU tower. Although the subwoofer is a bit bulky, it houses all of the system's electronics and connectivity jacks. And since this theater system lacks a DVD player (the assumption is you'll use your Xbox 360 for movies), the display unit is quite small; in fact, it's not much bigger than the included remote control. It features tiny, silver control buttons and a large, circular power button. The front panel delivered all the information we needed via a scrolling single-line display. The included easy-to-use remote control is packed with features, and, like the rest of the system, it also matches the Xbox 360 design. With it we could control all of the system's features, as well as our Xbox 360 gaming console.

Sound Designed for High-Performance Gaming
With the HTS-GS1 we could hear every audio effect the Xbox 360 had to offer -- from the lightest wind to bone-rattling explosions. The system delivers great audio performance with a powerful 600 watts of total RMS power, and dynamic 5.1-channel surround sound with Dolby Digital/Pro Logic II and DTS decoding. In addition to playing video games, the Xbox 360 also plays DVDs and MP3 files. We took advantage of both and spent an afternoon watching movies, and an evening listening to a stack of CDs. The system responded to every form of entertainment that we could throw at it -- games, film, and music -- with crisp, clear, and powerful sound.

The HTS-GS1 also features Front Stage Surround Sound, a virtual surround-sound feature. To test this function, we moved all the speakers to the front of the room. Through its sophisticated digital sound processing and directional speakers, the system can mimic surround sound without the hassle of running wires to additional rear speakers. Although the traditional surround sound set-up delivered the best audio surround sound quality, the Front Stage option was still much better than our regular, old television speakers.

The HTS-GS1 can be a bit pricey when compared to other home-theater-in-a-box systems, but Pioneer's design may trump the cost for those who want an attractive, surround-sound option that matches the Xbox 360's style. And even though his system may not be the optimal home-theater system choice for a large family room, the HTS-GS1 is an ideal choice for any small-to-medium sized space that is dedicated to Xbox 360 gaming.

Pros

• Attractive, Xbox 360 design
  
• Simple set-up and great sound
  
• Ideal for any small-to-medium sized gaming room

Cons

• Lots and lots of wires
  
• A bit pricey when compared to similar HTIBs

What's in the Box
Receiver/subwoofer, five satellite speakers (two front, two rear, and one center), display unit, remote control, two AA batteries, two display unit stands, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, display unit cable, optical cable, power cord, five speaker cables, microphone (for Auto MCACC setup), non skid pads (small and large), mounting brackets, screws, operating instructions, and warranty card.

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The man behind the establishment of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927 was Louis B. Mayer, boss of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios. The organization's goals were defined as developing a means of honoring notable achievements in film in order to encourage even greater efforts and achievements in the future of the industry.

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, have been distributed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of excellence and achievement within the film industry since 1929, making it the oldest awards ceremony in the history of all media. These awards established the paradigm upon which the Grammys, Emmys, and Tonys are based (its music, television, and theatre industry equivalents, respectively).

On May 16, 1929, the Academy Awards ceremony, honoring 15 statuette winners (who had already been announced three months in advance of the event) took place in the Blossom Room at the Hotel Roosevelt in Hollywood, California during a private banquet for approximately 260 attendants. Director William C. deMille hosted the event, along with Douglas Fairbanks, actor and Academy president, who distributed all the awards himself that night. Emil Jannings was the recipient of the first Academy Award for Best Actor, for his roles in both The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh. Best Picture that year was Wings, the only silent film to ever win the award for Best Picture in the entire history of the Academy Awards. The inaugural Academy Awards ceremony cost five dollars to attend, and an after party took place at the Mayfair Hotel.

From 1930 until 1943, the awards ceremony took place at either the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood or the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. However, by 1944, increased guest attendance rendered the usual banquet halls impractical, with theatres seeming to be more appropriate venues from that year on. Thus, from 1944-1946, the ceremony took place at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, then at the Shrine Auditorium from 1947-1948. The next year, they took place at the Academy Award Theater in Hollywood; then for the next ten years, they took place at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. From 1953-1957, Academy Award ceremonies were held on the East and West Coasts simultaneously, with one taking place in Hollywood, and one taking place in New York. Beginning with the 1958 Academy Awards, a single awards ceremony has been held on the West Coast each year, taking place that year and the next at the RKO Pantages Theatre. For the 1960 event, the ceremony moved to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. In 1969, the ceremony moved to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Los Angeles County Music Center. Since 2002, the awards ceremony has been broadcast from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

As of the last Academy Awards ceremony, in 2010, 1825 awards have been won, with 2,789 Oscar statuettes distributed since the very first in 1929. Since the early days of the awards, they have gone on to become one of the most highly anticipated events among film industry professionals and movie lovers alike. The most watched of any entertainment industry awards shows, Academy Awards ceremony broadcasts have received 195 Emmy nominations, and won 47 times. Various corporate and crystal awards are available for purchase online, for those companies or organizations who are inspired by the Oscars tradition of honoring excellence.

The author of this article is 10 year veteran in the crystal awards and recognition gifts industry.

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Today I was pried out of my office chair by Mike who insisted I needed to go for a walk! The truth is, I DO need the exercise. Winter has been long and hard on me this year! Mike told me to get a flu shot, I didn't, and guess what... need I say more. After 10 weeks I am now feeling human again, and the warmth in the sun and the slow miracle of life outside the window that is Spring has been calling to me.

It was a glorious day here in Nova Scotia, the snow has almost all gone, and our favourite walking trail, which was once a railway line, is now ice free and full of spectacular vistas. There are great granite outcrops and hills deposited during the last ice age, now covered in trees and lichen, babbling brooks and roaring rivers and many fabulous fishing lakes. The railway line was cut into this landscape back around 1910 and it was no easy task. The tracks were ripped up about 90 years later when the line had become abandoned and turned into a walking trail. It is also a great place to exercise our two energetic English Springer Spaniels!

Our dogs named Hunter and Britney, are brother and sister, born in a cosy den in our basement 10 years ago to a mother and a grandmother before them, also born in our basement. We do not bred dogs to sell, but bred only to propagate our own line of cherished pets.

Hunter is a rambunctious lad with a heart of gold. For a Springer, he is very calm and would have made a wonderful hospice dog. He's a big lad with huge feathered feet, a perfect blaze down his nose and a penchant for running. As a pheasant hunting dog he's a disaster as he is always a number of counties over from where he should be, and no good to the hunter at all. He also will go where 'no other dog has gone before'. Head shaking really!

Britney is the timid one and was slated as the family non-hunting pet. A beautiful petite dog with a big heart, delicate paws and a breathing problem - she snorts. In fact, she sounds just like a pig! She also seemed on the down side of the scale when God dished out intellect. Lack of luster is what we called it! But both dogs were trained to follow voice, hand and whistle commands and she did quite well.

When Hunter was officially retired in disgrace for disobedience from hunting at the tender age of 5, Mike decided to take Britney with him in Hunter's stead - more to give 'Little Missy' some exercise than anything else. Who would have thought that she would excel in the field - certainly not us! The light switch was flicked on in her brain, her eyes started to shine, and Britney suddenly realized there was a lot more to life than being the pampered pooch. She yipped with delighted excitement and became the almost perfect little huntress, perhaps the best hunting dog Mike has ever had.

How dogs know they are going for a walk is beyond me! You can walk out of the house to the car 10 times and they will be quite happy to go with you and settle on the deck. But the moment you leave the house to go for a walk, they start yipping/snorting with excitement and roiling around your feet. Once in the car they squirm with excitement and constantly 'talk'. Little squeaks and whines - yes, and snorts - which increase in volume the closer we get to the walking trail. They know each and every bump on the road and should we not turn into the designated parking lot, there is total consternation!

The doggy crowd of hikers seems to walk mid afternoon and we have got to know many other pets by their first names. Their owners on the other hand, go nameless as probably do we. Most dogs are allowed the luxury of running loose and are only leashed when other dogs or people are coming their way.

Hunter loves to run and once given the command will take off at a high rate of speed down the banks and into the countryside hoping to flush a pheasant. If he's successful he will follow it, tree it and then get very frustrated when the bird sits there on the branch mocking him. Britney on the other hand, will walk at heel and does not venture far. Should she pick up the scent of a pheasant, her nose will go down and she starts to track it, yipping and snorting as she goes. There is a great deal of excitement all around and it is wonderful to see these dogs work. They are absolutely and completely in their element.

At this time of year the little streams and ponds are still ice covered, but the ice is rotten and crumbling away. One of our biggest fears with the dogs is that they will go running out on the ice and fall through. When there is dense bush around, the recovery would not be easy, if not impossible, so we tend not to let the dogs range too far and are constantly calling Hunter back.

You can just see him plotting his escape as he walks along the trail and although told to go left or right, he leans in the direction he'd like to take, giving us his unintended warning. He will eye the escape route and then pretend to ignore it hoping we have not noticed, then before you can blink an eye, he's gone!

Down the bank he goes like a bullet into the undergrowth, all you can hear is the breaking of twigs, branches and the tinkling of a bell. Hunter now has a bell attached to his collar so that we can monitor his movements - kinda! If he is in pursuit of a pheasant, nothing on this green and rocky earth will stop him. Dad pipping on his whistle is totally ignored. This is considered very bad doggy behavior and unfortunately now becoming a fairly regular thing.

This afternoon he did just that. Mike and I were watching him knowing that he was going to try and bolt and then the moment we let our guard down, he was gone. All we could hear was the breaking of branches and the tinkle of the bell which grew fainter as the distance got farther. Then we heard the ice break!

The countryside stood silent, Mike and I looked horrified, and Britney stood at our feet wanting to get on with the walk. What started as little pips ended up being frantic blows on the whistle - but to no avail. There was nothing we could do but listen as the vegetation was too thick to follow the dog. Silence reigned!

Then, out in the far woods, in a totally different direction came the sound of a bell. It was a long way off but coming in our direction. A couple of minutes later Hunter appeared on the trail a hundred yards away looking very pleased with himself. He was literally smiling from ear to ear! Stern words were uttered to the pooch by both Mike and I. I must admit to having been overjoyed that he was safe and sound and my stern words didn't really mean much. Hunter was put on a leash and his venturing was over for the day.

Once home and settled in the kitchen on his nice warm bed with his sister. A very tired Hunter still smiled!

Linda Maclean was born and raised in Southern Africa where she lived for 25 years. She now lives on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia with her partner Mike and two Springer Spaniels.

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The five things that you do need to be able to draw a portrait

What most people think that you need to be a good portrait artist is to be born with a gift, or have the privilege of attending an art college for several years or maybe being blessed with a photographic memory and an almost magical ability to transfer that image to paper. Yes of course anyone of those things would do the job nicely but none of those requisites are actually necessary to become an excellent pencil portrait artist. The good news is you do not have to be born an artist but you can easily learn the skills and in a relatively short time it is possible to become very proficient at drawing excellent portraits.

Initially all you need is a passion and a desire to want to be able to do it and then an easy step-by-step structure to follow. The good news is that you do not have to be born knowing how to draw a portrait but is it most definitely something that you can easily learn to do. So regardless of your current level of drawing skill you can become an expert portrait artist.

Secondly you will need to make a commitment to practise what you learn and be prepared to fail many times along the way before really pleasing results occur. This is where the fear of failure and being a perfectionist can seriously hold you back from success. If you are a bit of a perfectionist then maybe think about this, and ask yourself the question "Do you honestly know anyone who is perfect? Be honest, he or she does not even exist, so why pursue something that doesn't even exist? Here is something else for people battling with perfectionist traits to consider, it is not unusual for some folk who can only settle for perfection for their innate fear of failure to motivate them to decide not to do anything at all. However if you don't enter the race in order to avoid coming last then even that person who comes last has achieved so much more than you!! A final message to those would be perfectionists amongst us, it is definitely not all bad news to have that attitude, so take heart, the secret is to swap the hard and fast rule of trying to be perfectto a new rule ofalways striving to do your best. That way you can always achieve your goal and it's kind of obvious but how could you ever do better than your best anyway. There is of course nothing to stop you trying hard to do even better in the future.

Thirdly it is important to have good understanding of the structure and the proportions of the face. It is surprising how little most of us really notice about the layout and general proportions of a face, considering we look at them every day, maybe even hundreds of them.

And fourthly, an insight into the five main components of a face, ie eyes, ears, nose, mouth and hair. The same is true here as well in terms of the lack of precision and detail we notice of the individual parts of a face. Although we look at people's faces every day, we tend to only get an overall picture of whoever we are looking at and many of us would struggle to even give a detailed description of our love ones let alone strangers. It is to do with how the brain works, the right half of the brain that is responsible for images processes the information holistically rather than a step-by-step detailed account. As a result of that we frequently see what we expect to see rather than what we are actually seeing. An example of that phenomena is when I shaved my beard off recently that I had worn for years and some members of the family never even noticed until it was pointed out. One response was "I thought there was something different but I wasn't sure what it was". It just proves the point that when viewing things holistically we just fill in the gaps but not always accurately. Being aware of this phenomena means that we need to become much more focused with our observations when learning how to draw a portrait.

Then finally the glue that puts this all together and brings your drawings to life is "shading" thus creating a 3 dimensional result and brings it all to life. Shading is not something that comes naturally for most of us but most certainly a simple skill that can be learnt.

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Since the 1930s and the 1940s, superheroes have provided comic book aficionados with a prototype of the all-American hero, who, via superhuman powers, protects the public from all danger and harm. These same comic book readers are all grown up today, when events occurring around the world make all of us wish for real-life superheroes to come along and save the day, making everything safe again for all those that live here.

One of the most popular reasons the appeal of superheroes remains a constant in our society is simply because everyone can identify with them. From the bespectacled cubicle worker who sees himself as Clark Kent, who, at any moment, becomes the strong and suave Superman, to the inept college student who sees himself as Peter Parker by day, and Spiderman at night, even to the socially awkward teenage girl who dreams of becoming the calm and cool Wonder Woman when she grows up. It's just this appeal that is the stuff of daydreams, evidenced by every little boy who has tied a towel around his neck and pretended it was a cape.

Hollywood filmmakers realize the appeal of superheroes to the public, and capitalized on this fascination with the introduction of Superman in 1978, with the man of steel perfectly cast with blue-eyed Christopher Reeve in the title role. This franchise, along with subsequent superhero movies, opened the merchandising door to millions of dollars generated in every conceivable novelty item - from t-shirts to bed sheets, and posters to lunchboxes. In addition, thousands of dollars change hands in high-end auctions of actual movie props. Children who owned five dollar action figurines now have a chance to spend five thousand dollars on just a piece of a costume their favorite character wore during the filming of a movie.

Aside from the movie industry, the appeal of superheroes continues to be a huge part of mainstream society with numerous animation conferences taking place all over the country. The Florida Supercon 2011, being held in July in Miami, is expected to draw thousands of comic book and superhero fans. Along with well-known celebrities, there will also be comic book artists on-site, along with the inaugural Geek Film Festival for self-described geeks and lovers of all things animated. So as a heads-up for any as-yet-unknown superheroes looking to help save the world, this just might be your big chance to get discovered.

For all of your favorite comic book and superhero novelties and memorabilia, please visit our website:
http://manofactionfigures.com/

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Japanese art is amongst probably the most respected all over the world and it's famous for many diverse art movements across distinct mediums, together with wooden block prints amongst the top known, together with traditional landscapes and calligraphy as may also be found in much Chinese art as well. This write-up provides a brief summary of the major Japanese prints from the history of this country famous for adding inspiration and also innovation within the arts universe.

The top identified artists from Japan inside the western art public are currently Katsushika Hokusai, Morita, Ando Hiroshige and Kitagawa whose original paintings and wooden block prints make popular selections as reproductions framed prints or wall posters for those seeking to add just a little colour and culture to their houses. It is not basically those with Japanese history in their loved ones that are attracted to the country's art, but also other people who just appreciate it is traditional style and classic approach to landscape painting.

Aside from landscape prints, fairly well every Japanese print recounts a tale, usually bloody, of bound couples, envious spouses and suicidal warriors. Japanese prints are rich with human sensation. Japanese folk lore is filled with the fantastic samurai of history, the shoguns, the warlords or the pretenders - this vivid history, frequently elaborated and embroidered informs an enormous number of prints loosely known as musha-e or warrior prints. Aside from the excellent battle photos you will find also genres on spiritual subjects; the nineteenth century Japanese becoming particularly fascinated with ghosts, demons and spirits. Then there is possibly the largest genre of all: yakusha-e or actor prints. These may be portrait busts of actors in role or individual scenes from kabuki performances. Despite the fact that these prints had been of contemporary actors, the dramas that they portray are usually historical or mythic, meaning that the print itself can be a representation of an historic or famous event, the plot and also the narrative typically very complex entailing melodramatic outcomes for the principal characters.

The artists and publishers had been frequently quite opaque in what they presented. There was an entire category of mitate-e, (literally, likened) prints. These were contemporary recreations of nicely known historical subjects. Playfulness in meaning and language was a fascination in nineteenth century Japan, a scenario exaggerated by the a lot of edicts on artists to censor the subject matter of their work. This was occasionally by means of a fear of the popularity of kabuki and also the fear of political insurrection, hence artists would allude to subjects through the use of other images.

One thing individuals notice is that prints by the exact same artist vary widely in cost...why is this? Condition is quite crucial, don't forget these are fragile things and it occasionally seems miraculous that they've survived at all. Prints are prone to fading, attack by worms and insects, water damage, damp, fire and careless handling and excess trimming. Condition is paramount for value but also specific prints by artists are regarded as to be of exceptional artistic value, other people are rare due to the fact the editions were extremely tiny. If you purchase from reputable dealers nevertheless, then marketplace value will on the entire be fairly reflected inside the cost. Most of all buy prints simply because you like them; a great dealer will provide a lot of details on a piece: the date, subject matter, who is depicted and so on. Details like this enriches the expertise of ownership enormously. It is also probable that your print will likely be in a considerable museum collection; the MFA in Boston has thousands of ukiyo-e prints numerous of which are on the web. With an artist like Utagawa Kuniyoshi, there a significant number of significant exhibition catalogues, coffee table books and so on which might have your print illustrated.

Check out the following link to see a little more about Japanese prints and fine art.

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In the beginning there was just one person living on the earth and he was named Adam. He was a very happy and well-adjusted fellow because there was no one around to say otherwise and also because he never had to contend with any traumatic childhood memories whatsoever. In fact, he never even had a childhood, but rather began life as a fully functioning adult. Even so, he began with more childlike wonder than anyone who has ever lived, just as surely as he was forced to carry a great deal more regret than the worst villain in any story. Such is the stuff of which fascinating tales are made, however, and it's about time someone got this particular story straight once and for all.

Now as the first human, Adam was designed and then brought into existence by Creator, who has over time acquired more different names than anyone could ever need. It might be best if we just stick with Creator here, I think.

Creator, as the name implies, really, really, really enjoys making things. And while the things he makes seem simple enough from a distance, nearly everything Creator creates is very precise and extremely complicated. So complicated, in fact, that the smartest people who have ever lived with the help of the biggest computers ever built and using some of the coolest machines ever manufactured still cannot figure out how and why Creator's creation works the way it does. So even though much of creation (that's what we call Creator's designed and finished product - "creation") is simple enough for most people to understand, some parts will apparently always remain just beyond human ability to really explain to anyone's lasting satisfaction. Gravity, bumblebees and wave-particle duality come to mind here.

To keep Adam safe and occupied with making healthy life choices, Creator gave his very first human a lovely green garden in which to live. It was stocked with mostly friendly animals, scenic vistas and plenty of vegetation, much of which was delicious to eat year round. Creator was overly generous and even let Adam name all of the animals absolutely anything he wanted ("gnu," in case you were wondering, is an acronym). However, and this part is rather integral to the story, Adam was instructed that he could eat just about anything that grew in the garden except for the fruit of one particular tree called "the tree of good and evil." That was the one exclusive part of the rather sizable garden area where Creator told Adam to stay away. You will quickly observe that the garden was a pretty simple setup for the first man. Enjoy yourself and your surroundings every day you are here, but whatever you do, do not eat from that one tree over there in the corner. What could possibly go wrong?

I'm joking, of course, but wouldn't you think the name of the forbidden tree alone would have been enough to put just about anyone off eating from it? I mean, if your lunch menu choices are hamburger, hot dog, pizza, or the sandwich of good and evil, it is pretty obvious that the proprietor of that eating establishment doesn't want you to select that last item. And let's face it, when the waiter conspicuously smirks at an inquiry regarding whether the G&E sandwich comes with fries, well, most of us would probably just go with the burger.

Adam lived the good life, stayed away from the you-know-what tree, and everything went well for him for a nice long stretch of time. It is not clear exactly how long that was, but there is not even one animal today without a moniker of some kind, so do the math and calculate how long it would have taken to tag them all with a different name.

Early on, Adam made no stupid choices, had plenty of fun locating and naming all the animals (buffalo were originally called boffalu, by the way, although the reason for the change isn't really all that interesting) and in the cool of the evening when things settled down a bit, Creator would show up mostly just to hang out with Adam and give him some instructional information and positive reinforcement. Every day he would patiently explain to Adam how everything worked the way it did and sometimes would let Adam in on some of the secrets of creation that even the angels couldn't figure out.

In case you didn't know it already, angels are beings just like people only they don't have bodies, which sort of makes them nothing at all like people, I guess. But they surely are like us in that they can choose to do things however they decide on their own and it must be said that far too many of them chose rather poorly. Now these bad choosing angels saw that Adam was receiving special treatment from Creator and they became very jealous. Plus, they all agreed that the name "serpent" was stupid and insulting. They spent much of their time trying to figure out how to bring unhappiness to Adam. Their leader, a particularly unlikable fellow called Lucifer, kept saying they needed "just the right angle" to overcome Adam's obvious love and respect for Creator, but the other angels were a bit dim and thought he was really meaning "just the right angel." Needless to say, they weren't much help and Lucifer was forced to come up with a plan for Adam's downfall mostly on his own. Alas.

One morning Creator realized that Adam needed someone to live with who was more like himself because all of his other sentient creations had mates, while poor Adam was the only human in existence. Sure, he was happy enough, but Creator knew he could be even happier still if he had a little companionship. Also, Creator had some minor improvements and modifications on his whole human design concept and he was quite eager to try them out! Enter Eve.

Eve was beautiful. Eve was smart. Eve was decisive. Eve was soft and cuddly. But mostly, Eve was someone with whom Adam could have a meaningful relationship. That is, the monkeys (temporarily referred to as "banana biters" early on) were great fun for Adam to run and swing with, but Creator had made Adam - and then Eve also - using something he referred to as his "likeness." This meant that anyone in the creation called by the name of human would always be more interested in trying to learn about the true meaning of things than they would in the far simpler approach of taking things as they readily appeared to be. So while the more spontaneous and less judgmental monkeys rarely feel the need to add much additional thought to the world that greets them each morning, humans always want to ask why.

Our story turns sad now, I'm afraid.

Remember that unappealing angel named Lucifer? Well, he had the nerve to show up in the body of a serpent and somehow was able to get Eve (some say he tricked her into it, but that's not really accurate) to eat the fruit of the tree of good and evil. And then she in turn got Adam to eat some also. Can you believe it? Adam and Eve had it made living there in that lovely green garden and they threw it all away on a piece of fruit that probably didn't even taste that good at the time they were eating it.

Today everyone now knows that Creator is the sort who says what he means and then means what he says. Not just sometimes, but all the time! So Adam and Eve had to leave the garden and live with their newfound knowledge of good and evil. Bad news for them and even worse news for their offspring. The truly sad part of this story is that such hard won insight into "good and evil" never served any real value to them or to any of their billions of children. In fact, all that most people have ever done through the years since is to argue over what exactly is good and precisely what is evil. How ironic is that?

Naturally, there is more to the story of Adam and Eve. How they had two sons and one kills the other, thus wiping out 25% of the world's population. How they had to work so hard just to live. How their own attempts to create others like themselves is necessarily accompanied by a whole lot of pain, suffering, blood, sweat and tears. The list of harsh things coming out of their one really poor jointly made decision is far too lengthy to review now, that's for sure.

Still, the story of the first two humans isn't all completely bad, although to be fair, it's surely more bad than good. Creator did leave some real joy for humans to experience during their lives, so that helps some. There never seems to be quite enough of it to go around, which is a difficult distraction for many humans, but this joy we children of Adam and Eve can still possess comes from that "likeness" ingredient consistently used in creating all of the people who have ever been created, including you and me.

Essentially, this means that the story of Creator and man isn't officially over yet and that there may well be good reason to presume it has an acceptably nice ending. As it did with Adam and Eve, however, the ending very much depends on whom we choose to believe.

Of course, that last thought is for the most part a completely different story, so that means that this one which I am telling you now must have come to....

THE END.

David Douglas Ford is an author of books, plays and essays and has long been preoccupied with the story of Adam and Eve. Ford has written a play and a novel starring the first human couple and this obsession (as well as some of his less troublesome behavior) can be further explored at http://www.daviddouglasford.com/

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