Unsecured Loans Bad Credit - No Collateral Is Required Against The Loan

Unsecured business loans for bad credit is meant for such borrowers who do not have any of their valuable assets to pledge as collateral and at the same time are tagged with poor credit. In unsecured personal loans, the borrower is not required to pledge any collateral to avail the loan amount. These bad credit loans can be utilized for the couple of ways that includes Consolidating debts, electricity bills, wedding expenses, shopping bills, car repair expenses, and monthly expenses, educational expenses such as admission fees and examination fees, car purchase bills, home improvements bills and so on.

These days, bad credit loans are becoming very famous in the monetary market. Because of this reason, bad credit loans are offered by number of lenders in the fiscal market. In addition to the numerous lenders in the physical market, there are many Online lenders as well that offer bad credit loans at better as well as low rates. It has been discovered that the borrower think that bad credit loans usually carry high rate of interest as it involves no collateral. However, one should note that they are high only when it is compared to number of other secured loans; otherwise they are also competitive as well as cheap in the monetary market.

Number of borrower's can apply through the hassle – free process which is none other than the Online method. unsecured loans bad credit can be availed in an easier manner. Here, the borrower just has to offer some of his personal details to the lender for getting an approval over the loan. This includes your name, age, sex, identity proof, address proof, current bank account details, working details such as salary slips and more. Once the lender is verified with all these details, he will directly transfer the funds into the borrower's account without any further delay. So, this is one of the best ways to avail the loan without pledging any of your valuable assets.

SUMMARY - Bad credit unsecured loans are gaining lot of popularity as they are offering loans even to those people who are suffering from bad credit or who do not have any of their property to be pledged against the loan.

Loans For People With Bad Credit - No Difficulty In Getting Loans With Bad Credit

If you require a personal loan but you are suffering from bad credit troubles in the past or you are presently in monetary difficulty for whatever the reason may be, you might feel that you will not be able to qualify for a loan. However, this is no more true as there are number of lenders who are willing to design loans for people with bad credit.

There are two kinds of loans that are feasible with poor credit, and they are like unsecured and secured loans. Depending on your credit status you can easily qualify for one loans or the other. The secured poor credit loans are secured by the any security that you may own like your home, car or any other type of real estate asset. But an unsecured loan is a loan that is not in the form of secured loans and you are not required to offer any collateral and is therefore more hard to qualify for and in many cases might come with a higher interest of rate.

To secure a poor credit loan, the better option is to look around as there can be a big variation in the needs of people's banks. Some need extensive documentation as well as proof or status while other need very little of the facts. And the most important the rate of interest can vary in a wide way particularly for unsecured loans. So it pays to have a complete research and not accept the first offer you may get.

When you are researching for loans for unsecured loans bad credit lenders, it is critical that you may compare as number of loan offers as possible. Not only compare the rate of interest on offer but even any extra charges and fees that are associated with the loan. Make sure that you are taking on a loan that is easily affordable and you are familiar with all rules and regulations of the loan.

SUMMARY - Loans for people with bad credit can be a huge support in times of monetary crunches. But it is even essential that you should only borrow that amount, what you can afford to pay back. By being capable and even responsible with borrowing and making the payments within given time you will even get support in rebuild your credit status.

Ergonomic Chairs: Read This Before You Buy

So you've finally decided to make the jump from a traditional chair to a more ergonomic alternative. Congratulations! You're well on your way to relieving your pain, improving your posture, and strengthening your core.

If you do a search for "ergonomic chair" on Amazon, you may be intimidated by the sheer number of models available. Don't get discouraged! With a little research and the following three tips, you will be able to find the ergonomic chair that is perfect for your needs.

Tip 1: There four primary types of ergonomic chairs

Here are the four types of ergonomic chairs:

1. Ergonomic desk chairs: these chairs have a similar form to standard desk chairs, but with two key differences: (1) they are highly adjustable and (2) they often have better back and lumbar support
2. Ball chairs: these chairs consist of an exercise ball (also known as a "swiss ball" or "balance ball") supported by a chair-like base
3. Kneeling chairs: these chairs consist of a rest for your seat and a rest for your shins, thus allowing you to sit with your thighs dropped to an angle of about 70 degrees from vertical (as opposed to 90 degrees)
4. Saddle chairs: as the name implies, these stool-like chairs are designed to be straddled as you would a saddle for a horse

Tip 2: You don't always get what you pay for

Office chair manufacturers represent a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States alone. Many of these companies are seeking to profit from the growing obsession with ergonomics by charging exorbitant amounts for chairs of this type. An infamous example is the Aeron chair, which costs ~$900 and has become a symbol of fast times of the 1990s dot-com bubble.

The same principle applies for other types of ergonomic chairs as well. For example, exercise ball chairs can cost as much as $150 full-price (see the Aeromat Ball Chair Deluxe), but Amazon customers rate an $80 model significantly higher (see the Giaim Balance Ball Chair).

Tip 3: Know what the experts are saying

Not all ergonomic chairs are created equally - in fact, health benefits can vary a lot between chair models. If you know what the experts are saying, you can separate the truth from the hype.

For example, researchers disagree about alleged health benefits of using a kneeling chair. An early study of the original kneeling chair by Drury and Francher (1985) found that the design was "no better than conventional chairs and could be worse than well-designed conventional office chairs." However, a later study by Bettany-Saltikov, Warren, and Jobson (2008) found that kneeling chairs maintained standing spine alignment better than the traditional computer chair.

The health benefits of the expensive Aeron Chair (mentioned above) have also been questioned. In a 2010 Business Week article titled "Your Office Chair is Killing You", Danish ergonomics expert Dr. A. C. Mandal criticized elements of the chair's design, such as the height adjustment options. In the same article, the original designer of the Aeron chair, Don Chadwick, admits that he was not hired to design the perfect chair for the eight-hour workday, but rather update the design of the company's previous bestseller.

What next?

The first step you should take is choose the type of ergonomic chair you want, keeping in mind the health benefits and price considerations. Once you've settled on a chair type, compare the models in that category by looking at expert opinions and customer reviews.

There are great sources for this type of information on the web. Look for sites that are dedicated to reviewing a particular category of chair - these will often include helpful how-to articles as well. However, beware of spammy sites that might include misleading information. You can identify these sites by their poorly written content, abundance of advertisements, or unattractive design.

As final note, remember that good ergonomics is not just about buying a new chair. There are many other important ways to make your daily routine healthier, including using other ergonomic products or integrating stretches and exercises into your day. Continue to improve your ergonomics and enjoy relief from pain, improved posture, and a stronger core.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Tajmahal Tour

Taj Mahal is the most sparkling jewel of the crown of India. It is an epitome of architectural beauty and a symbol of love. It is a must-see attraction of India which attracts millions of tourists every year. This architectural marvel is a mausoleum located in the enchanting city of Agra. This city is an important part of the famous Golden Triangle Tour of India. The other two are Delhi and Jaipur. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, TajMahal is the pride of India.

Taj Mahal is laced with glorious history which adds more charm to it as a destination. It was built 1653 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It was built in white marble. Its unparalleled architectural beauty never fails to capture the hearts of the tourists who come here from far and wide. The construction of this masterpiece took around 22 years. Its architectural principles of interlocking arabesque concept and self replicating geometry make it a wonderful architectural piece. You can see the perfect harmony between all the architectural elements of this structure.

From calligraphic work to floral designs and intricate carvings, there is so much to notice in this majestic structure. Semi-predacious and precious gems were used to add royal look to Taj Mahal. It is set amidst lush green sprawling gardens fitted with fountains where you can sit and enjoy its beauty.

On your Taj Mahal Tour in Agra you can also visit other famous attractions of Agra.

Other major attractions of Agra are:

Agra Fort

Built majestically in red sandstone, this fort was the brainchild of the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the year 1565. It is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has its own glorious history. There are several beautiful apartments inside the fort such as Sheesh Mahal, Khaas Mahal, Diwan-e-khas, Diwan-e-aam, Jehangir Mahal, Musamman Burj and Pearl Mosque.

Sikandra

It is a destination 13 km off Agra Fort which is known for the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Fatehpur Sikri

It is a famous city of Agra known for the tomb of a Sufi Saint Salim Chisti. This highly revered mosque is visited by people from all religious backgrounds.

Taj Mahal Tour is a famous attraction of north India tourism. Taj Mahal Travel Guide offers famous attractions like Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra. Visit Taj Mahal India for a memorable experience.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Solar Cells Light Up the United Kingdom

Thoughts of the United Kingdom are laden with visions of Big Ben, Parliament, and other historic sites; however, bright, sunny days usually aren't the first thing someone thinks of. Maybe this is because the UK does not have an abundance of them. In fact, until July 2008, photovoltaic energy, or renewable energy created from the use of solar cells, was not deemed a viable alternative to current energy sources. In addition, grid electricity was relatively cheap in comparison to other countries in Europe. In fact, the United Kingdom represented only 0.3% of Europe's photovoltaic energy production as recently as 2006.

This changed in 2008 when the European Union agreed to produce 15% of the continent's electricity by means of renewable energy by 2020. In June of 2008 homeowners in the United Kingdom received an incentive to install solar panels containing solar cells by way of a program that involves feed-in tariffs. The incentive program is not a feed-in tariff program in the strict sense of the term. Homeowners who install solar panels will be allowed to sell surplus energy back to the grid at a premium rate. Because the electricity sold is extra, a commercial feed-in tariff does not apply.

After much campaigning in the United Kingdom by concerned homeowners and environmental groups, the government revealed its plans to reward those who install solar cells to produce renewable energy in order to power their homes. The upfront investment is considerably large, near the £12,500 mark, but those who institute a photovoltaic system in their homes will receive a 7-10% return, tax-free. Best of all, since the return is percentage based, it will compensate for inflation by rising along with income. The United Kingdom has guaranteed payment for the next 25 years, ensuring more money returned to the homeowner than they invested. More importantly, not only does the investor of solar cells benefit from their use, the environment can breathe easier as well.

Solar cell incentives in the United Kingdom have reached the schools as well. The Green Energy for Schools program will provide solar panels to 100 schools around the UK. Tavernspite School, located in the Welsh town of Whitland received £20,000 worth of panels capable of an annual production of 3,000 kW. Though Whitland boasts many sports teams, they lost their dairy and one railway line, both of which provided the town with much of its income. By focusing on the proliferation of solar cells and solar panels, Whitland and the entire United Kingdom may generate goodwill as well as renewable energy for the future.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Wireless Head Sets

Wireless head phones will grant you the ability to enjoy the freedom of not having a wire attached to your head set, plus free you from the problem of having a very short or very long wire attached to it making it very uncomfortable to use.

Just remember that the head phones can just be plugged directly into your TV, radio or PC, the wireless headphones work with infrared signals or radio signals and you can then do what you want with these headphones on your head listening to your music while exercising, cooking or even lay down on your bed.

These head phones are designed to work on almost all the different stereo brands, making it easy for you to buy these wireless head sets knowing that it will work on your stereo system, the wireless headphones functions by sending and receiving signals from a device plugged in to your stereo system, mp3 player or your TV.

These head sets are able to connect to a specific number of these audio channels at the same time, your headphones will need battery's but do not panic most of the batteries used by these headphones can be recharged so your are set for a while on buying batteries.

Wireless headphones can work with infrared signals almost like your TV remote, most of these headphones have a certain distance limit from the main sender and receiver these distances can differ from the different wireless headphones brands, the average distance that these headphones are able to send and receive are more or less 10m but remember it must be in line of sight of the receiver.

If you need any more information about wireless head sets, wireless headphones products or reviews visit the following site.

wireless surround sound

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

Beauty of Winter Photography

Gorgeous landscapes, early morning fog lifting off the frozen lake, the glistening icicles on the tree branches. Photography opportunities meet you at every corner.

When your winter vacation takes you to the secluded, covered in snow, corner of Ontario; and you just discovered that perfect winter paradise scene; now you want to get it on film, or store it for latter so you can plaster it all over your desk top... Or maybe your children build that perfect snowman and you need to make a digital record of it, so you can show it to their children someday...

There are countless reasons to take pictures in winter time. But heard the horror stories about the underexposed snow scenes, or foggy lenses...

If you are convinced that trying winter photography will only leave you with less then perfect prints, you don't need to worry.

The art of winter photography is no longer reserved for the professional, you too can have exceptional results with your digital or 35mm camera.

First things first, if you plan to take spectacular winter landscape photographs, you will need to get yourself ready for the cold. As with dressing for any other winter outing, it is best to put on layers, as opposed to one bulky piece of clothing. You can always take off layers if the weather changes.

Wear appropriate winter walking shoes, ones that will grip the snow and ice and not slide on it. We don't want you dancing on ice, sliding and slipping. You may not only fall, damage your camera but also become a suitable object for other photo enthusiasts out there. So lets get some good winter boots.

Other things that you need are warm hat and a pair of thin, warm gloves. It is so much easier to take pictures wearing a slim glove and not the fat, bulky one. If you wear thick gloves, it may be nearly impossible to operate your camera, especially if it is a manual focus one. You may need to take the gloves off, exposing your hands to the cold, winter air. Your hands will quickly become cold and stiff and the photo session will be over...

Since you are ready, now we have to take a look at your camera. First thing that will happen when you step outside, will be a fog on your lens. To overcome this, simply wait couple of minutes and let the optics adjust to the temperature. The fog will disappear with time. Please be patient and do not try to wipe it off. You may not only damage the lens, but also smudge it, so when it does adjust to the cold, the smudge will dry up and be impossible to remove on the spot.

Make sure that your camera is protected from snow and water. If the snowflake lands on your lens it will melt and smudges will form, just like described above. So keep your equipment well protected and covered, if it is snowing outside.

If you have a dog, take it with you on your shooting trip. It may surprise you how playful dogs can be in the powdery snow. The picture of the friendly mutt's face covered with the white fluffy stuff will make your heart melt.

With Digital cameras, and the flexibility of processing that they offer, you have the greater ability to choose the finished format of your photograph. The winter scenery may work well in the wide landscape format.

Other options for outdoor winter photography may include horses in the pasture, colorful birds at the feeder, wild animals in the forest.

Your children will provide the endless array of images that you can work with. Just remember to dress them in layers and let them have fun. Make sure to get down to their level, and get in close. If you are afraid to spoil their fun, or you know that they will be camera shy, step back, use a telephoto lens and a tripod for stability. The final results will be well worth the hassle.

If you are lost for choices in winter photography themes, you can always try the close-up shots. The beauty of the frozen patch of grass, sparkling in the sun on the background of glistening snow, may be discovered only through the viewfinder of your camera.

So be brave, dress warmly, get out there and shoot, the world of winter photography awaits you!

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

The Beauty of Nature Photography

Nature is all around us, and its beauties are unlimited. In this fast-paced world of mocha-lattes and traffic jams at rush hour, too many of us take the beauty of nature for granted. Luckily, there are still people in the world who see this beauty and choose to share it with those of us that are too busy to normally take notice. Poets and photographers are great at this. They take what seems like the ordinary and present it to us in a way that shows us the elegance, the magnificence and the amazing that is on this rock we call Earth.

What is Nature Photography?

So what do we mean when we say nature photography? Well, it may seem obvious but let's go ahead and explain. Nature is our natural environment. It is those things that exist in our world without human intervention; such as trees, grass, flowers, a forest, a river, and animals in their natural environment.

Nature photography is the photography of these things. There is a wide spectrum that is included in nature photography. Pictures of sunsets, sunrises and ocean waves lapping at the shore are all nature photography. So are the trees in the forest and beautiful flowers growing in an open field.

But nature photography can go even deeper than that, showing us parts of the world that we may not be able to see otherwise. If you live in the south, you may not see snow-capped mountains if it wasn't for nature photography. You may not be able to see a deep canyon, a volcano, or a beautiful beach if it were not for photographs of these places.

The photographers that bring us pictures of these places give us an image of something we may never see. It's truly an amazing gift to give.

Nature Photographers

But what if you are one of the people taking these pictures? What if you are the nature loving photographer that gives this fantastic gift to someone else? You are giving a gift to other people. But you are also doing something you love. Nature photography can only be achieved by someone who has a love for nature and sees its beauty and can capture it in a photograph so others can view it and have a touch of the same experience.

So how do you take great nature photography? The first step is to have an eye for these beautiful images. The second step is to have a camera. That's really all it takes. But as you grow as a photographer, you will learn how to take the best pictures and capture the image in a way that others can view it as the amazing sight that you saw. You will learn about lighting and backgrounds and focus and you will take better pictures.

Nature photography is a rewarding experience for the photographer and also for the people who get to view the results. You have taken a piece of nature that may otherwise go unnoticed such as a rainbow, and you capture it permanently in an image that you can look at any time you choose. This is a pleasing and rewarding part of photography. In nature photography, you are able to take two things that you love and combine them in a beautiful and artistic way.

Article Source:EzineArticles.com

The History Of Coffee

Coffee - THE Drink of Choice

Did you know coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world. How did coffee get this ranking? What country first figured out coffee was safe for consumption? When was the first drink of coffee prepared? Where did the first coffee shop come in being?
There are many questions about the starting point of drinking coffee. It has been so long ago no one really knows all the facts. But, one thing is for sure, coffee is the most consumed beverage on the planet.

The Beginning of Coffee

It looks as if the first trace came out of Abyssinia and was also sporadically in the vicinity of the Red Sea around seven hundred AD. Along with these people, other Africans of the same period also have a history of using the coffee berry pulp for more than one occasion like rituals and even for health.

Coffee began to get more attention when the Arabs began cultivating it in their peninsulas around eleven hundred AD. It is speculated that trade ships brought the coffee their way. The Arabs started making a drink that became quite popular called gahwa--- meaning to prevent sleep. Roasting and boiling the bean was how they made this drink. It became so popular among the Arabs that they made it their signature Arabian wine and it was used a lot during rituals.

After the coffee bean was found to be a great wine and a medicine, someone discovered in Arabia that you could also make a different dark, delicious drink out of the beans, this happened somewhere around twelve hundred AD. After that it didn't take long and everyone in Arabia was drinking coffee. Everywhere these people traveled the coffee went with them. It made its way around to India, North Africa, the eastern Mediterranean, and was then cultivated to a great extent in Yemen around fourteen hundred AD.

Other countries would have gladly welcomed these beans if only the Arabs had let them. The Arabs killed the seed-germ making sure no one else could grow the coffee if taken elsewhere. Heavily guarding their plants, Yemen is where the main source of coffee stayed for several hundred years. Even with their efforts, the beans were eventually smuggled out by pilgrims and travelers.

Coffee Shops Appear

Around 1475 the first coffee shop opens in Constantinople called Kiv Han two years after coffee was introduced to Turkey, in 1554 two coffee houses open there. People came pouring in to socialize, listen to music, play games and of course drink coffee. Some often called these places in Turkey the "school of the wise", because you could learn so much by just visiting the coffee house and listening to conversations.
In the sixteen hundreds coffee enters Europe through the port of Venice. The Turkish warriors also brought the drink to Balkans, Spain, and North Africa. Not too much later the first coffee house opens in Italy.

There were plenty of people also trying to ban coffee. Such as Khair Beg a governor of Mecca who was executed and Grand Vizir of the Ottoman Empire who successfully closed down many coffee houses in Turkey. Thankfully not everyone thought this way.

Coffee Tips Arrive

In the early sixteen hundreds coffee is presented to the New World by man named John Smith. Later in that century, the first coffee house opens in England. Coffee houses or "penny universities" charged a penny for admission and for a cup of coffee. The word "TIPS" (for service) has it's origin from an English coffee house.

Early in the 17th century, Edward Lloyd's coffee house opens in England. The Dutch became the first to commercially transport coffee. The first Parisian café opens in 1713 and King Louis XIV is presented with a lovely coffee tree. Sugar is first used as an addition to coffee in his court.

The America's Have Coffee

Coffee plants were introduced in the Americas for development. By close to the end of the seventeen hundreds, 1,920 million plants are grown on the island.

Evidently the eighteen hundreds were spent trying to find better methods to make coffee.

The Coffee "Brew" in the 20th Century

New methods to help brewing coffee start popping up everywhere. The first commercial espresso machine is developed in Italy. Melitta Bentz makes a filter using blotting paper. Dr. Ernest Lily manufactures the first automatic espresso machine. The Nestle Company invents Nescafe instant coffee. Achilles Gaggia perfects the espresso machine.
Hills Bros. begins packing roasted coffee in vacuum tins eventually ending local roasting shops and coffee mills. A Japanese-American chemist named Satori Kato from Chicago invents the first soluble "instant" coffee.

German coffee importer Ludwig Roselius turns some ruined coffee beans over to researchers, who perfected the process of removing caffeine from the beans without destroying the flavor. He sells it under the name Sanka. Sanka is introduced in the United States in 1923.

George Constant Washington an English chemist living in Guatemala, is interested in a powdery condensation forming on the spout of his silver coffee flask. After checking into it, he creates the first mass-produced instant coffee which is his brand name called Red E Coffee.

Prohibition goes into effect in United States. Coffee sales suddenly increase.
Brazil asked Nestle to help find a solution to their coffee surpluses so the Nestle Company comes up with freeze-dried coffee. Nestle also made Nescafe and introduced it to Switzerland.

Other Interesting Coffee Tidbits

Today the US imports 70 percent of the world's coffee crop.
During W.W.II, American soldiers were issued instant Maxwell House coffee in their ration kits.

In Italy, Achilles Gaggia perfects his espresso machine. The name Cappuccino comes from the resemblance of its color to the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order.

One week before Woodstock, the Manson family murders coffee heiress Abigail Folger as she visits with her friend Sharon Tate in the home of filmmaker Roman Polanski.

Starbuck's Hits the Coffee World

Starbucks opens its first store in Seattle's Pike Place public market in 1971. This creates madness over fresh-roasted whole bean coffee.
Coffee finally becomes the world's most popular beverage. More than 450 billion cups are sold each year by 1995.

The Current Coffee Trends

Now in the 21st century we have many different styles, grinds, and flavors of coffee. We have really come a long way even with our coffee making machines. There's no sign of coffee consumption decreasing. Researchers are even finding many health benefits to drinking coffee. Drink and enjoy!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Ice road trucking is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. With a job description that includes sub-zero working conditions, long hours with little sleep, and the risk of potentially falling through a road made of ice, it's amazing that anyone signs up for the job. Incredibly, these are only a few challenges of being an ice road trucker.

Ice road trucking has been dubbed as a two month long "dash for cash." Road crews spend weeks preparing the ice road for the trucks. Using ground-penetrating radar to measure the ice depth, road crews ensure the ice is thick enough (usually a minimum of about 27 inches) to support the big rigs. In what can become a scheduling nightmare, 600-900 truckers are tasked with delivering 10,000 loads at an average speed of only about 20 miles per hour. Drivers haul loads throughout the day and night, often getting little or no sleep before receiving their next load. In addition, drivers constantly battle the cold, physical injuries and mechanical problems. TJ Tilcox is one driver that was unlucky enough to experience all of the above in just his first season on the ice road.

Tilcox, a 22-year-old truck driver from Hillsburg, Ontario, read a newspaper advertisement about a job hauling equipment, blasting materials and food in Western Canada. While relaxing in a bar with some friends in Yellowknife, NT, Canada, a camera crew came in and asked TJ about documenting his journey on the ice road. As it turns out, this crew was from The History Channel's new hit series "Ice Road Truckers." With a 'Why not?' approach to braving the frigid ice road with cameras watching every step, Tilcox agreed and embarked, not looking for the extra money, but for the experience. That's a good thing, because throughout his two month run, there were lots of experiences.

TJ's first careful entrance onto the ice was an experience in itself. The ice, under the extreme weight of the truck, cracks loud enough to be heard inside the cab of the truck. Tilcox remarked that you get used to the fact that you usually hear the ice crack while driving. The times that you get out of the truck on the ice road can be unnerving. "When you're standing there with the truck you can see air bubbles popping in the ice from the weight of the truck sitting there ... and you're just like 'Oh God, I gotta get outta here!'" TJ explained. But it's not only the ice road that poses a hazard to the truckers. Sometimes it can be the truck itself that's dangerous.

One of the first episodes of "Ice Road Truckers" shows TJ tying down a load with a load binder. "I was chaining down a load and the load binder snapped open--I was still hanging onto it and it slammed me into the truck behind me," TJ recalled. Not feeling any immediate pain, TJ finished tying down the load and went back to work. Several days later, TJ began experiencing severe abdominal pain and was to forced struggle through the remainder of his trek before he could receive medical attention. His injury was so severe that he had to be flown to the nearest medical center where he made a speedy recovery.

After getting back on the road from his injury, TJ's truck woes continued. He had been given a 1999 Freightliner Classic flat top with no heat to battle the bitter cold outside. "There's an episode where you can see me building snowballs in the sleeper because that's how cold it got ... and me duct-taping the door ... because the wind just blew through it. Another guy was going home and he asked me if I wanted to drive his truck and I said, 'Sure I'll drive it, as long as it's got heat,'" TJ remarked. As it turns out, TJ's new ride was a brand new 2007 Volvo; a far cry from his last truck.

Things were looking up for the ice road rookie, right? Wrong.

TJ didn't even get to the ice road with the Volvo before he was again plagued by misfortune. An air line in the trailer detached, disabling the brakes. TJ slid on the icy roads until he collided with a pick-up. Tilcox was quickly cleared of responsibility and allowed to continue driving on the ice road.

With the trucks under such enormous strain during the two month stretch of pulling loads in excess of 50 tons, it is understandable that they often have problems. In fact, only minimal modifications are made to the trucks before they hit the ice road. For starters, mechanics install a "belly tarp" under the truck in order to better hold in the truck's heat. Drivers have all the oils and lubes changed in order to minimize the stress on the truck and hopefully prevent mechanical failure. It's also imperative that the truck stays on if at all possible. "You don't want to turn it off because, fifteen minutes [without running] and you might not start it again," Tilcox said about the frigid conditions. TJ added that tire chains are only needed in case of a spinout on an icy hill, or if you get stuck.

While it is important to have the truck in top running order, it could be said that it is even more important to make sure the driver is well rested. With some trips requiring 20 or more hours one-way, driver alertness becomes an issue. When it comes to keeping focused, TJ advised, "The best thing to do is to talk to the people [other drivers on the ice road] around you." He also mentioned that he brings along plenty of snacks and drinks to help him not only stay awake, but also be prepared in case of a breakdown. TJ always makes sure that he is properly rested before he gets out on the road.

With all the precautions taken to ensure the safety of the drivers, none is more important than that of the drivers' speed. As the drivers make the transition from the hard top to the ice, a wave immediately forms under the ice. The heavier the load, the bigger the wave becomes. The danger occurs when two loaded trucks meet at normal speeds, with each truck's wave slightly in front. When the two waves meet, the pressure becomes too great for the ice to withstand and it causes the ice to "blow out." This can result in a truck falling through the ice, and it is for this reason that drivers carrying heavy loads must slow down to 7mph when meeting another loaded truck. When a loaded truck and an unloaded truck meet, it is not necessary for either truck to slow down because the unloaded truck's wave is not significant enough to cause a problem.

To further maintain the safety on the ice road, speed limits vary by location. Near the southern end of the ice road, where the ice is thinner, speeds can be as slow as 7 mph. At the northern end of the ice road, thicker ice allows loaded trucks to travel up to about 25 mph. Unloaded trucks can travel up to about 37 mph.

So what do you do if your truck does start to slip into the icy waters below, you ask? "Jump out!" replied TJ quickly. It's as simple as that, with no special safety procedure or high tech gadgets in place. TJ stated that some drivers have been known to drive with one hand on the wheel and the other hand on the door in case of an emergency. "The ice is pretty safe, it's watched and the depth of the ice is checked by ground penetrating radar so they're constantly out there checking the ice and flooding it and making it thicker. They figure about 45 seconds is all you have to live once you go in the ice," he said.

TJ has enjoyed being able to meet new people and see different places as a result of being featured on "Ice Road Truckers." One place he never expected to be was on the set of the late night television show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." "I never liked an audience, I never like to be in a crowd and stuff like that. But you get used to the video camera and I guess being on Jimmy Kimmel you zone in on whoever's watching you and just pay attention to what Jimmy's saying," TJ revealed. "The cameras were a bit different in the truck and stuff like that to start ... but you just start hee-hawing and having fun," TJ said.

Television has not changed TJ, however. "I drive because I love driving and nobody's looking over my shoulder," Tilcox confessed. When he's not driving a truck, TJ still enjoys going hunting, fishing, hanging with his friends, and skeet shooting. He also finds it amusing when people recognize him in public. "They look at you and they're trying to figure out who it is and they've seen you before but they don't know if they should ask, so I get lots of that," Tilcox joked.

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Girls Cute Tattoo Ideas

When you are deciding on cute tattoo ideas for girls, you should look into Zodiac designs. There are many different Zodiac signs which can be applied using different fonts and colours to bring out the personality and style which is all your own. There are other great ideas, which include religious symbols. Many people who are adamant in their faith will get tattoos of Madonna and Child, of Christian crosses, Latin crosses, or even Jesus.

Other ideas are Celtic knots, Celtic crosses, or flags for the country of your origin. There are endless phrases and words which can turn into cute tattoos. These are all based on the personal experiences and which things, people, or places matter most and/or have had the biggest effect on your life. If you are married or in love, the name of your significant other can become one of many great tattoos ideas, while those with children can incorporate the names of their children or a symbol for each child.

Every animal makes for an adorable and meaningful tattoo, especially those which are often associated with me ethereal natures such as goats, sheep, rabbits, or even dogs, cats, fairies, flowers, stars, moons, teddy bears, hearts, or vines. The ideas are only limited by your imagination, creativity, and personal desires. Ideas for girls include Chinese Zodiac symbols or Zodiac signs such as the dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dog, and pig.

Once you have determine which tattoo you want, the next step is working with yourself, an artist, friend, or tattoo artist to develop the design. It is not abnormal to go through many drafts of your cute tattoo ideas for girls. Because of the permanent nature of tattoos, designing the right look for your tattoo is one of the most important steps. Once you have decided on a design and are comfortable with the design, you must think in terms of the placement of the tattoo. If you want a detailed dragon tattoo with an elongated tail and neck, putting it on your wrist or fingers would not provide enough skin to achieve the level of detail you wish. Therefore, you need to consider the location before finalizing the design.

There are many popular locations on the body for cute tattoo ideas for girls. Some of the most popular placements include the lower back, the shoulders, around the ankles, around the wrists, on the fingers, around the waist, on the feet, or on the hips.

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Man Vs Wild - Dangerous Advice

There are some who say that the star of the television program Man Vs. Wild, Bear Grylls, is a fraud. I am not one of them. I think he has a lot of skills and training. He probably can climb and swim better than most of us, and more easily chokes down scorpions and worms for food. But he also sets a terrible example in almost every program, doing things that nobody in a survival situation should do.

For examples, I'll refer to just one program, the one in which he parachutes into the Montana wilderness. He starts by dropping into a lake because there are supposedly no other open areas to land, other than the grassy stretches the camera can't quite exclude. Obviously this is done for show, and choosing to get wet in a survival situation in the mountains of Montana would almost always be a bad idea.

To get to lower ground where it will be warmer, he then runs down a slope of loose rock. Scree-running may be fun, but if you are truly lost in the wilderness, the last thing you want to do is risk injury. This is just plain foolish.

The Waterfall

Grylls then follows a stream, which isn't a bad idea. But when it becomes a seventy-foot waterfall, he assures us that the best way to proceed is to climb down the slippery dead tree leaning against the cliff between the two parts of the falling water. The tree doesn't quite reach the bottom, so a ladder of sticks and para-cord is made, which still doesn't quite get him to the bottom.

I missed the last part (right after a commercial), but it is safe to assume that Bear Grylls did his trademark jump into unknown water to finish his descent. All you have to do is imagine a sharp point of a stump or rock just under the surface, right between where your legs will go into the water, to understand why this is a bad idea. Don't jump into water when you can't see what's there.

Of course, soaked again, Grylls must start a fire to dry his clothing. Now you have to ask it the time spent building a ladder, descending a slippery dead tree, swimming out and drying off for hours really saved time versus finding a safe way around the waterfall. In fact, I can tell you from experience that it is very rare to find a waterfall that doesn't have a relatively quick and safer route around it versus climbing down it.

The Rest of The Story

Bear finds a lake that is several miles across, and decides, without really explaining why, that it's important to cross it rather than follow the shore. As in many episodes of Man Vs Wild, he runs into the water fully clothed, ignoring the common sense rule to keep clothing dry when in a wilderness with cold nights. He finds a broken canoe in the muck and cleans it out, patching the holes poorly.

Almost across the lake using a kite made from the remains of his parachute, the canoe is full of water and capsizes, soaking him for the fourth time that day.

Later in the program things get really ridiculous when Bear decided that rather than finding a safe way into a deep gulley (which he thinks he must enter), he'll create a "zip line" and slide over to a tall tree. I won't get into all the details, but he uses a grappling hook made with a deer antler, and a cable he found by an old homestead. Hooking onto a tree with an uncertain attachment and climbing out over a deep gulley on a thin cable is clearly reckless and unnecessary, to say the least. Anyone with modest abilities could have found a safe route down and been waiting for him at the bottom long before he completed this asinine maneuver.

Along with other reckless actions I probably forgot, he eats uncooked grasshoppers, risking parasites while standing next to a perfectly usable fire. He later climbs at least 100 feet up a train bridge over a meadow, in order to follow the train tracks, rather than simply walk along them below. He even throws a chain over the lip at the top and swings out into space to climb up, with no idea what he hooked the chain on. Of course he probably knew, had safety crews up there, etc, but that wouldn't be the case in a real survival situation.

Did I mention the death-run out of the narrow train tunnel by the whole film crew, ending in them jumping to safety just as the train came through? Man Vs Wild is entertaining. Bear Grylls is fun to watch. But it seems likely that people will be hurt if anyone in a true wilderness survival situation follows his advice or example.

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Kitchen Lighting - Everything You Want To Know About Them

The scale of activity that takes place in the kitchen makes it an important place where use of effective practical and also decorative lighting is a must. Some things to look at;

Some questions to ask before you start lighting your kitchen

First and foremost question you need to ask while design your kitchen lighting is how much you are ready to spend. After all the light fixtures do cost something – and this are not only the wires and switches but also the type of light fixtures, shades and bulbs. Next question that should come in your mind is whether you have a kitchen lighting plan. A good plan will surely blend lighting into the architectural and decorative details of the room. A plan will help you out it investing wisely into kitchen lighting needs. If you want to go for a gradual lighting design process seeing you don't have enough budget say for example for a series of pendants over the center island or a glass chandelier at least install enough junction boxes The fixtures can then be purchased at a later date and easily added to the kitchen lighting needs. After determining the budget and a plan, you need to think about the space area of your kitchen. This is important in determining the amount of lighting required and in which areas of the kitchen need specific lighting. One also needs to consider whether the room apart from needing single central light, how many other multiple lighting options may be needed. This is determined by the area or space of the room, all the activities that are place in the kitchen and are important, as well as the placement of all interior objects such as the cooking range, counter top and the kitchen-cum-dining table if present. For example, small kitchens may require only a central ceiling pendant light and some recessed task lighting tucked under a cabinet. More elaborate kitchens will demand a blend of general, task and accent lighting.

Know the types of Kitchen lighting

Lighting a kitchen is a different ball game compare to lighting other rooms in your house since no single light source can provide all the necessary kitchen lighting needs. It is very important to know that good kitchen lighting is not only considered from an aesthetic standpoint, but also from a functional standpoint. This will allow us to make sure that we incorporate different types of lighting and nowadays techno paced LED lights to fulfill the various levels of Kitchen activities. This is commonly referred to as layering of lights which instead of single lighting, demands a blend of three to four varied types of lighting. To meet these demand of layered lighting, there are basically four types of lighting that meet up the mark;

Task Lighting or Chore Lighting: It illuminates the most functional and practical part of your kitchen by providing adequate lighting for kitchen core tasks like chopping vegetables, cooking food and yes, reading recipes. Most of the accidents which occur in kitchen are mostly due to this tasks and proper task lighting design can really prevent them. Task areas should have sufficient light so you can easily see what you're working on without too much brightness or eye-straining dimness. The main thing to remember here is most of the time task lighting instead of brightening up a task area, shadows it. For this to not take place, task lights is best placed between the actual work place and your head which makes lighting located say below the upper cabinets very helpful. For example, task lighting is placed over the sink, gas cooker and food preparation area, where close work is done regularly. Most of task lighting is achieved by using conventional recessed lights that assure even illumination, surface lights or table tops lights. Remember that each task lights if possible should have its own switch and honestly you will be pleased with the result. Considering the types of bulbs for task lighting then halogen and CFL (in energy efficient bulbs category) being bright and shadow less with large surface area are best to go for. It electrifies the look of granite and marble counter tops and it even let you enjoy your food cooking task, seriously.

Ambient or Glow or Indirect Lighting: This type of lighting lends a pleasant glow to your kitchen, thus giving a warm welcome to the people entering into the kitchen. It plays a major role in softening unwanted shadows, reducing kitchen room contrast and lighting vertical surfaces to give the space a brighter feel. It is generally observed that out of the four types of lighting, ambient is most often overlooked. In fact, the most dramatic and soft look you can achieve in a kitchen is by blending indirect lighting with other types of lighting. It is often created by hiding the light source from view where it bounces off a ceiling or a wall and produces a warm glow that adds enormous amounts of ambiance if done correctly. Best places for ambient lights can be hidden on top of wall cabinets if the ceiling is bit high or they can be installed in layered ceiling areas that surround the entire kitchen space. In case your kitchen has light colored surfaces and lots of windows then you can desire to have plenty of natural ambient light during the day. CFL based lights tubes (light link) are well suited to the job of providing ambient light.

Accent or Prominent lighting: This type of lighting gives a depth and dimension to your kitchen. It helps you to display your most decorative items in your kitchen like a fancy glassware or tableware, stylish luxury cutlery sets, beautiful canvas art prints or may be your nicely prepared food. For example lighting fixtures can be placed inside glass-front cabinets to illuminate glassware, and other collections as well as recessed, adjustable low-voltage fixtures used to spotlight canvas art prints. You can put to use spotlights to illuminate your cooked food which will also help it remain hot for longer period of time.

Decorative or ornamental lighting: This type of lighting is basically used for adding sparkling effects to the kitchen that can be envious to your neighbours. It can be further helpful to look at this type of lighting especially if kitchen is also used as the dining area of the house. Nowadays due to wide range of lights available, you can opt for decorative lights which can be functional also. For example, many functional lighting fixtures come in a number of finishes like wrought iron, rust, nickel which will provides an aesthetic feel to your kitchen. Painted finishes are also popular along with catchy colored glass bypasses plain white. You can also consider a decorative fixture with three or more lights. Like a trio over an island provides good light since it breaks up the kitchen into decorative module areas but you can still see through it. Some other decorative lighting ideas could be like dinner table space is illuminated with a decorative candelabra-style fixture, which provides ambient light during meals.

Finally some tips and common mistakes to avoid

No matter how many lights you install in your kitchen, it is recommended to circuit them separately so the lighting is zoned. This allows you to create ambience by mixing the various lights which is turned on.

If possible even while you shop online, take a picture of your kitchen or at least know your kitchen dimensions. How tall is the ceiling? How much space is there between the cabinets and the ceiling? How much space is there between the cabinets and the countertop? To make sure you cook up the best lighting scheme for your kitchen, use some free advice from light shop professional. The best thing is to do some window shopping before the actual purchase.

You might have found the perfect light fixture, but we can’t forget the equally important light bulbs. To make the most of your lighting, try using bulbs with different beam spreads for different effects. Flood lights are great for creating widespread lighting like a on central ceiling, while spotlights are ideal for shedding light on specific areas like for accent lighting.

No matter how many types of lighting or fixtures you install, use lights of the same color for all the kitchen lighting

If you are spending the money on nice cabinets or a dinner table in the kitchen, for example, you want to make sure they are lit properly. If not, the light actually creates gray shadow areas. If you have deep cabinets in dark corners, you might even want to consider installing lights inside them so you can see what's hiding in the back

When it comes to kitchen lighting, the most common mistake is trying to light the entire room with one ceiling-mounted fixture. The result ends up visually overpowering everything in the kitchen space. Recessed lighting, if installed in a generic grid, isn't much better. A lot of people do it incorrectly, and they'll end up with too much light in some areas and shadows everywhere else

On the other end, another common mistake we all do is over-lighting and result is, the kitchen gets too hot. The goal here is to have moderate, even lighting and more importantly blends of different lightings. For example, you just can’t keep on adding recessed lights for the sake of visual look, instead of mixing various lighting types.

We at in trying to make your better homes gardens really hope the above provided information will help you to make a sound decision on your kitchen lighting design and let you enjoy your food more. So when are you inviting us over a meal!!

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Digital Camera Information

A combination of a digital camera, a color scanner and image manipulation software is highly recommended. The software digital camera software that is included also provides professional level workflow solutions for seamless use.

Most of the software is designed for digital camera users, compatible with most current digital camera models.

photo editing software & photo printing software that's renown for its ease of use. At last there's easy-to-use digital camera software for both home and business users.

Image

The image sensor employed by most digital cameras is a charge coupled device (CCD). Some current digital camera models store combinations of video (MPEG or AVI movies), image sequences or sound. Although Canon's images are slightly better, the Casio is an ultra-thin, sleek digital camera that doesn't sacrifice overall image quality.

Easy-to-understand information about digital cameras, accessories, image editing and more. Image quality depends on the resolution of the digital camera. To make image files smaller almost every digital camera uses some form of compression. This EasyShare digital camera's resolution of 5 megapixels, 3x optical zoom and an all-glass lens combine for amazing image detail and clarity.

With an image stabilizer, this digital camera produces clear, even images even in shaky conditions. Resolution is the most talked about digital camera characteristic and is often used to describe image quality.

If you have the option, choose optical rather than digital image stabilization in your camera. It is probably the best digital camera made and produces image quality that rivals medium format film (e.g., 6x6cm Hasselblad).

Image processing for single-sensor digital camera: a mathematical challenge This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. A typical slave unit will fire on the pre-flash it senses while the digital camera captures the image on the last flash. The image quality available from digital cameras is astonishingly good.

Film

In fact, a digital camera is better quality than a film camera in many important respects! The digital cameras enjoy the advantage of a built-in digital signal processor that your roll of film doesn't have.

Add an external or speed light flash to your digital camera or film camera. Many digital cameras are comparable to a 35 mm camera in price without the extra added cost of buying or developing film. Back to top Printing pictures Unlike with film cameras, you can print digital photos at home.

Is considering laying off the development of new film cameras as it focuses resources on its digital camera business. Though digital cameras don't use film, they have adopted the same rating system for describing the sensitivity of the camera's imaging sensor. So far, very few digital cameras have been produced with a receptor using the full size of 35mm film.

Whether you're using film or a digital camera, bring a sturdy tripod. Shooting with a digital camera is somewhat like shooting slide film. A couple years ago, I got into the digital camera thing to the point that I pretty much parked my roll film cameras. The digital camera scenario is similar in that mega pixels are similar to film size. To design and build a high performance digital cine camera with the quality of 35mm film and convenience of a camcorder.

Quality

The quality of your pictures can be enhanced by the digital camera accessory you choose. You'll find quality brands of digital cameras, 35mm cameras, lenses, video cameras, memory cards and camera accessories at great prices. An easy to use quality digital camera purchase will be fully used by staff and students. However, not all digital cameras can produce prints of the same quality. I wanted a go-anywhere high quality digital camera that's user-friendly with both auto & manual controls. At the cheaper end of the digital camera scale, the quality can be remarkable for the price.

Buy

It is better to buy a digital camera with a 100% glass lens for the best pictures. Many retailers advertise their best buy digital camera as one with a plastic lens. You should also look for the best buy digital camera packages with the most RAM that you can afford. A lot of unscrupulous retailers will advertise a price for a best buy digital camera but then charge high shipping costs.

Finally, ensure that you have accounted for any shipping costs before you make your final decision over which best buy digital camera you purchase. There's never been a better time to buy a digital camera. Having to buy re-chargeable batteries and a charger will typically add from $20 to $100 to the cost of your digital camera.

As a person constantly taking photos I made this page as a lot of people keep asking me what digital camera they should buy. Find discount computers, cheap digital camera, buy digital cameras. Try before you buy - I've always been a firm believer that you should handle a digital camera before you buy it.

Size

Experienced digital camera users know pixel size isn't everything. The small size and versatility allow easy integration of digital cameras into all parts of the curriculum. If you care more about price and features than compact size, choose a standard size digital camera.

There are three basic "sizes" of digital cameras, and knowing what size camera suits your needs will make your search much simpler. For digital SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses it's more difficult as different cameras have different size sensors. This is why I am currently looking for an extra digital camera featuring a minimal size combined with a maximum amount of useful features.

These are about the size of a matchbook and used in digital cameras made by Nikon, Canon, Kodak and many others. When choosing a digital camera you have to think about the resolution of the pictures, size and memory. A larger inner diameter makes the L-Ring 3200 perfect no matter the lens size of your digital camera. This has nothing to do with your camera being digital it is entirely a result of smaller frame size.

Video

Webcams are digital cameras attached to computers, used for video conferencing or other purposes. However, modern digital photography cameras have a video function, and a growing number of camcorders have a still photography function. Modern compact digital cameras are typically multifunctional, with some devices capable of taking photographs, video, and/or sound.

Classification Digital cameras can be classified into several groups: Video cameras Professional video cameras such as those used in television and movie production. Some digital cameras have direct video out..... Another alternative, although not directly a digital one, would be to purchase one of the analog peephole video cameras.

Lens

The super multi layer lens coating reduces flare and ghost, a common problem with digital cameras. The vast majority of digital cameras are "point-and-shoot" models with a single, non-interchangeable lens. Because auto focusing in most digital cameras is done through the lens, the focus shift is automatically taken care of. Focus and Exposure: Fixed-focus digital cameras have a lens that is preset to focus at a certain range. These depend on the actual (as opposed to relative) diameter of the lens aperture, which makes them especially painful for digital cameras.

Memory

You can find a memory card reader or extra battery to keep your digital camera powered up for any circumstance. Some professional digital cameras and memory card readers connect to the computer over FireWire. SD is now the most popular type of digital camera memory. Many types of memory cards are available for use with your digital camera. Files deleted from PC, digital camera or memory stick can be restored with high speed and reliability. When using your digital camera to make movies it is also very important to have ample Flash Memory on hand too.

Battery

All digital cameras can run on rechargeable batteries of one of two types: an expensive battery pack or a set of AA batteries. A battery is taped to the inside cover of the box that the Olympus digital camera came in. Take a few moments to look around, keep your camcorder, digital camera or laptop computer working like new with a fresh battery today! The Digital Camera Battery can power two devices at the same time and has adjustable outputs that match each device automatically.

Photography

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All About the Twilight Series

You'd have noted that the Vampire based movies such as the Dracula, Van Helsing and many more to list have become greatest hits in the Hollywood. Things aren't very different in the case of the novel world. The Vampire based fantasy novels will always create a spark among the readers worldwide. Infact there are thousands of such novels with millions of fans for them around the planet. One such world famous vampire based fantasy novel is the "Twilight Series" comprising of four great novels of all time. This series which is a love story combined with the fiction of the existence of Vampires is written by Stephenie Meyer. Now since this article is about a novel based on love story and vampires, I am sure that you will find it very much interesting to read the rest of this passage.

The Storyline:

Unlike the common novels based on the fantasy of Vampires, the Twilight series is based on a rare concept of love between a human and a Vampire. This novel is centered on the changes occurring in the life of young "Bella Swan" who falls in love with "Edward Cullen" who is a Vampire. The Twilight series is written as the life of Bella is narrated by herself. This novel is interesting to read as it covers the purity of love and the excitement of Vampires. The uniqueness of this novel lies in the nature of the vampire Edward to whom Bella falls in love with. Unlike other Vampires who drink human blood, the Vampires of the "Cullen Family" drink only animal blood. The ending of the novel has the Vampires of the Cullen family defend the human blood drinking Vampires and help Bella to escape to Phoenix, Arizona.

The Records

The Twilight series has set many records in the novel world. Surveys indicate that over 53 million copies of this novel series have been sold worldwide till date. Twilight series is available in 37 languages too. This book has become one of the largest sold books in the United Sates for 3 consecutive years till 2008.

The Twilight Fans

This novel gathered millions of young fans across this planet. There are Twilight fan merchandises like Twilight shits, Twilight posters, Twilight Jewelry and much more. The rise of the concept of social networking has given birth to some Twilight Fansites too. These twilight fansites are engaged with groups and forums where the fans of this fantasy novel can share their thoughts. Some of the twilight fansites allow people to express their design ideas to be printed on Twilight T Shits, coffee mugs and other such products.

If you still haven't read this great fantasy novel, you should really start reading it now. It's for sure that you will be searching for the Twilight fansites as soon as you finish reading the novel.

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Cut Glass and Glass Blowing History and Development

Natural glass, like obsidian, is a dense volcanic glass, and has been used by man for millennia. To early man, obsidian glass was an extremely rare and valuable commodity, Because of the way volcanic glass fractures, sharp edges occur. This inherent quality of natural cut glass was put to use and was often made into sharp spear points and blades.

Man-made rudimentary glass was made from silica sand, plant ash and lime. Over time it was discovered that if glass was heated until it became semi-liquid, it may be molded or shaped and left to cool into a solid new piece or vessel. In ancient times glass pieces were valued as a substitute for precious stones or gems.

During first century BC, the craft of melting and blowing glass into useable objects was developed. Glass pieces and items gradually became more common after the discovery of glassblowing. Objects such as vases, bottles, and cruets were mouth blown and mold blown during the Roman Empire, usually for ordinary purpose and daily use.

Common glass normally has a greenish hue. The green tint is caused by miniscule amounts of iron impurities in the sand used to make glass. Glass producers learned to make decorative and colored glass by adding metallic compounds and mineral oxides such as cobalt. Colored glass of reds, blues and greens became prevalent. After craftsmen learned to score and cut glass, they found clear glass refracted light in spectacular fashion. Thus, clear cut glass became popular, and demand for colored glass plummeted.

Around 1000 AD, a new development was made in glassmaking. The glass making component of soda-lime, was replaced by potash obtained from wood ashes. From this time on, glass from the northern part of Europe differed greatly from that made in the Mediterranean area, where soda-lime remained in common use. Centuries later in Bohemia, ashes from beech trees were used. The production of Bohemian "forest glass" was progressively refined over the years.

During the 11th century new ways of making sheet glass came about in Germany. Glass blowers would blow spheres, and then form them into cylinders. They would cut the glass while still hot and then flatten the glass into sheets. Glass makers in Venice, Italy improved this method in 13th century. By the late 1300's there was as many as 20 glassworks in Bohemia and Moravia. The 12th century saw the arrival of stained glass production. Stained glass, another form of colored glass, was made by adding metal impurities. Church and monastery applications of stained glass can be traced back to examples that remain today, i.e. St. Bartholomew church in Kolin. A glass wall mosaic is preserved there from around 1380.

Venice became the dominant center for glassmaking during the 14th century. Here new glass making methods were developed and export trade such as mirrors, tableware, and decanters flourished. Secrets of glass making were highly guarded in Venice, but eventually glass workers moved to other areas of Europe taking their knowledge and skill with them.

A technique called "the Crown glass process" was used to make glass until the mid part of the 1800s. A glassblower would spin around 9 lbs of molten glass at the end of a rod until it spread out into a flat disk nearly 5 feet across. The glass disk would then be cut into panes. Glass from Venice was highly prized for over four centuries as they managed to keep this technique secret. In 1688, a method for casting glass was invented. This led to glass and glass panes in becoming a much more common material. The glass pressing machine was invented in 1827 and facilitated mass production of relatively inexpensive glass items. The glass pioneer, William J. Blenko, is recognized as first glass producer in America to use the cylinder method of creating flat glass by the 1920s.

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