April 2017 Sun Sign Horoscopes

These horoscopes are completely original and based on the planetary movements combined with my channeled guidance.

Woven into these forecasts you will find words of wisdom from masters of Kabbalah and other spiritual teachers.

This is my gift to you, my valued clients and newsletter subscribers. Look for YOUR sun sign below.

Get ready for an amazing year ahead.

...

Aries (March 19 - April 18)

Expect the unexpected this month when Uranus, the planet of miracles joins the Sun for the April 10th full moon. Every full moon delivers a harvest of some kind, and all of this action in your solar first house benefits you personally. Jupiter and the Moon aligned in Libra at this time suggest that you will advance through partnerships. Surrender, Aries - you need help, but it's there for you.

...

Taurus (April 19 - May 19)

It's critical that you keep your spirits up this month, Taurus. Mars traveling through your sign gives you energy and drive, but asteroid Ceres is also dining at your sun sign table. Goddess Ceres must be handled with kind discipline; her lesson is to learn to flow with change and not hold on to the past. Anger does nothing to clear the way for your next step - remain a lover of all that life has to offer.

...

Gemini (May 20 - June 19)

It's critical that you speak out, Gemini. With Mars and even retrograde Mercury in your solar 12th house, what you suppress sits in your energy field like undigested food. April is a critical, turning point month and your core vital energy is highlighted. The stars deliver a lesson in management of your personal power. Choose wisely because the way things shape out now will have a long lasting impact

...


Cancer (June 20 - July 21)

April is a key month for your career success, Cancer. All that you have been working towards finally comes together cohesively as you gain needed traction. There may be lingering issues that demand your time and attention at home, but know that there is a silver lining to everything that happens at this time. Stay focused in times of chaos; the winds of change are blowing positively in your favor.

...


Leo (July 22 - August 21)

Consider April to be your transitional month, Leo. Accept this state of flux as a time to establish new work and health routines. Focus on the small things in your life and honor each morning as a critical time to set a tone of peace for the day. You need some 'down' time to replenish your vitality. Remember that gracious Sol is your planetary avatar; let the Sun shine on your soul as you rebuild your body.

...

Virgo (August 22 - September 21)

There may be uncertainty in your exterior world, but find a way to calm your nerves and focus on the abundance that is possible for you now. Your rightful place is one of comfort, so, even if you have to overlook minor annoyances right now - settle into a zone of feeling good. And, when in doubt - the correct answer is 'yes'.

...

Libra (September 22 - October 21)

Finally, Libra, things are running smoothly and you're ready to take on the next phase of your work. Partnerships are important to your sigh, but the critical relationship now is the one you have with yourself. Be prepared for a sudden opportunity to materialize - your ability to act swiftly and decisively is key to a successful outcome. Make like a good scout, and be prepared.

...

Scorpio (October 22 - November 20)

There is a so much energy available to your this month, and the secret to success is time management. You may feel invincible, and generally you are, provided you don't take on too much. Focus on the small picture, and the overview will fall into place nicely. Balance with play and find a moderate exercise routine. Just don't go overboard and take on more than you can comfortably handle. Practice saying 'no'.

...

Sagittarius (November 21- December 20)

The fire energy of an Aries sun enhances your sign, Sag. Take a deep breath and embrace the good energy that is coming your way. Another bonus for April is that the full moon of April 10th is joined with Jupiter, your planetary ruler. This bodes well for you with a promise of benefits coming through both personal and professional partnerships. Expect the best!

...

Capricorn (December 21 - January 19)

You are now in a reorientation phase and new people and situations will enter your life quickly. So much of what was once a part of your life is simply no longer interesting. Embrace this season of Light and joy. You tend to get serious, and it's time to give that up. Hard work will not really win the day for you now; allow the Universe to gift you, and accept the easy gains with delight.

...

Aquarius (January 20 - February 17)

There is no denying that the full moon of April 10th will reverberate through the ethers. With the Sun conjunct your ruling planet, Uranus, think of this event as setting up a new energetic template for us all. You're an important cog in this wheel. You may not be impacted personally, but know that you play a role in the Universal connection that is needed for the human race to survive.

...

Pisces (February 18- March 18)

Venus retrograde in your sign until April 15th invites you to enrich your life in every way. Tune in and listen to the tonal whispers in art and music; open your inner eye to an ever present world of subtle colors. Like the gentle rising of an ocean tide, you are present to expand what is good. Embrace your role as a planetary healer in what appears to be a world of troubles.


 By Maya White


Article Source: April 2017 Sun Sign Horoscopes

Have You Ever Wondered About The Origin And Reason For Aprons?

Aprons came about out of necessity. Users never had the luxury of a large wardrobe, washing clothes everyday was not an option so a cover worn over clothes to protect them from being soiled and hence the apron was born. Coming from the old French word "Naperon", meaning a small tablecloth or napkin. Maybe once per week you would wash and dry clothes, being smaller in scale and quicker to dry every couple of day's aprons received a good cleaning.

Aprons became not only a necessity but also a fashion statement by Housewives, Teachers, Children, Secretaries and Cobblers worn every day. Styles and lengths changed often, some with cinched waist, no waists, trims, pockets, white, colors various materials, all were expressive and loved by the wearers. Some of the first aprons constructed used feed and seed sacks, when showing signs of wear the sacks became parts to a patchwork quilt.

In the 40's and 50's, they became popular, used to advertise women selling irons, kitchen appliances, food products and more. Later television shows with Moms wearing aprons appeared and were popular, seen weekly on shows like "Leave it to Beaver", "Father know Best" how about Alice wearing one with the "Brady Bunch". Later message aprons appeared, "Kiss the Cook", and Barbeque slogans.

I remember Dorothy's Gingham blue and white apron in the Wizard of Oz, Disney's Cinderella's apron, and my dear Grandmas' aprons, always part of her daily clothing. There were times Grandma would not only wear while cooking; she wore hers to clean, sometimes using the corner to dust off the windowsills, tables and banisters. I remember days playing outside seeing her pick tomatoes, vegetables and flowers bringing them inside tucked away in her apron for safekeeping. How about using her apron to wipes noses and tears away and even cleaning and drying her hands? Wow today due to our knowledge of sanitation practices and the why and how, this would be frowned upon. Somehow, we luckily survived. Just for fun, share with us some of your fond memories of an aprons use.

Aprons were used by Glassmakers, Masons, Woodworkers, Barbers, Beauticians, Mechanics, Welders, Cobblers, Sculptors, Farmers, Florists, Make-up artists, Gardeners, Maids, Nurses, Blacksmiths, Line cooks, Carpenters, Artists, Chefs and the Beloved Homemaker.

As for their uses, aprons became a first line of defense against splashes, stains and messes and possible burns. Aprons also served as baskets gathering firewood, crops and eggs. Whoever thought of this, was a genius. We are not sure of the year, but a big Thank You.

Today aprons are available in many styles, lengths, fabrics and colors. Aprons keep our clothes clean, and are now becoming fashion statements in restaurants and our individual homes.

Today at   TheUpScaleKitchen, we are pleased to carry a selection of stylish, fun and colorful aprons. We hope you will find one to suit your style for everyday or a special occasion. Just remember, Have Fun in the Kitchen,and visit http://www.TheUpScaleKitchen.com for large selections of aprons.



 By Sandra Sabatelli


Article Source: Have You Ever Wondered About The Origin And Reason For Aprons?

5 Items To Pack In Your Emergency Kit For A Cruise Travel

Emergency situations are sometimes unavoidable and you have no control on them. Cruising seems fun and entertaining and completely safe but who knows when an emergency or unnatural situation arrives? Previously a lot of ships have been full of reports such as storms, weather delays, disabled ships and many other situations that have spoiled the fun and upset the passengers.

Due to such reports, passengers have now started packing an emergency kit along with their other stuff so that even if some emergency situation comes up, they would know what to do.

So, if you are also super excited for your trip and scared too of the inevitable situations then here is a packing guide for your emergency kit which would later aid you a lot.

Headlamps And Flashlights

Just in case the power of your ships is gone and it is dark everywhere and you've got you, kids, along then flashlights and headlamps are a must for you. Headlamps would be more preferred as they can easily be worn on the head and are easy to use than a flashlight.

Food Storage

The worst situation that can come up on your cruise travel is that if you get stranded on the cruise and the water and food supply of the cruise have come to an end. In that case, you don't have to panic and just use your food storage that you brought with yourself. Buy the food which has got some proteins and vitamins in it so that you can maintain your energy levels.

Medicines

You yourself are aware of what medicine you need in case you or your child gets sick. And on the other hand, it might be possible that the cruise is not having the medication that you require, so always bring your own medicine box. It is but a fact that everything on a cruise ship is double the price and so is the medicines, so avoid spending too much money on the unnecessary stuff rather bring it on your own.

Power Banks

As said earlier, there are situations that reported a complete power shut down in cruises and people were deprived of lights and batteries. In such cases, you must have power banks with you that can charge your mobiles and tablets so that you can stay in contact with your family and friends and keep them updated about your cruise travel.

Hand Sanitizers And Wipes

It, in fact, is a very awkward situation but there are times when the toilets of cruise ships stop working and you actually have no way out to keep yourself clean so for that kind of a disaster, you must have a huge supply of hand sanitizers and wipes to keep yourself clean and also don't forget to keep a few reusable plastic bottles as they will aid you a lot when the toilets are blocked.

We hope you enjoy your cruise journey to the fullest without having to worry about anything!

For more information, tips and tricks regarding travel and cruising follow our website and stay updated to the latest travel trends and news.


 By Hammad H Sheikh


Article Source: 5 Items To Pack In Your Emergency Kit For A Cruise Travel

Isn't Evolution Just a Theory?

There are some who are in favor of public schools teaching the "controversy" of evolutionary theory. Complaints often come from people, most notably Christians, that evolution is "just" a theory and therefore does not prove anything conclusive. Evolutionary scientists will readily point out that saying "just" a theory is incorrect. They will rightly state that theories are an integral part of the scientific method and one of the foundations of modern science.

The term theory as used in science is actually the result of many observations, empirical testing and the accumulation of vast amounts of data. As such, to say that evolution is "just" a theory only shows ignorance of the scientific method on the part of the commentator. I personally do not think that the theory of evolution is "just" a theory. In fact, I do not think that it is a theory at all.

From a typical dictionary: "Theories are intended to be an accurate, predictive description of the natural world." Note the word "predictive". A scientific theory should be able to explain past and current events. It should also be able to predict future events as well. The "theory" of evolution claims great prowess in explaining what has happened in the past but is impotent in predicting what may happen in the future.

The theory of evolution is often compared to gravitational and atomic theory. There is however one big difference between these various theories. Gravitational and atomic theory are both explanatory and predictive. The theory of evolution cannot predict anything.

Atomic theory explains the spectrum of individual atoms, the bond strength between different elements and a whole host of other observations. Atomic theory was also used to design the first atomic bomb. When that first bomb went off in the New Mexico desert what happened was not a surprise. Scientists had a pretty good idea of what would take place based on the current atomic theory of the day. No doubt some things were different than expected but all in all atomic theory was used successfully to build the A-bomb.

Gravitational theory explains the motions of the planets, the path of projectiles and even why we fall down. Gravitational theory was also used to put a man on the moon in 1969. When Apollo 11 left the ground the scientists that designed the rocket didn't just push a button and hope for the best. They knew how much fuel was needed, how fast the craft had to go and where the ship should land. They also knew exactly what was needed to get the astronauts back home alive. All of this was based on the predictive power of gravitational theory.

Evolutionary theory on the other hand is like taking a car ride and spending the whole time looking out the back window. You see where you've been but you have no idea of where you are going. You can never anticipate what will happen next because everything you see has already happened. Evolutionary theory attempts to explain past events based on circumstantial evidence. But it is powerless to predict any future events.

A classic example of this inability to predict future events is antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics were first developed in the 1940's. They proved to be so effective that they became known as miracle drugs. The Surgeon General of the United States even went so far as to predict that all infectious diseases would "soon be a thing of the past". And yet in just a few years doctors were stunned to find that bacteria were no longer as susceptible to antibiotics as they were at first. Some bacteria had become resistant to these new "miracle" drugs. This antibiotic resistance is often used as evidence of evolutionary theory. And yet evolutionary theory could not predict antibiotic resistance beforehand so that it could have possibly been avoided.

Evolution was claimed to be the cause of antibiotic resistance only after this resistance had already occurred. Darwin published his theory of evolution in 1859. Antibiotic resistance was first discovered in the 1960's. This means that the theory of evolution had been around for more than 100 years. So where was evolutionary theory when we needed it most? It was too busy trying to explain what happened to the Trilobites more than 400 million years ago.

Evolutionary theory attempts to explain the past but it has absolutely no bearing on the future. Therefore evolutionary theory is really no theory at all. It is in fact just an idea (one of many) that is used to explain past events. Calling it a theory gives this idea more stature than it deserves.

Jeff Van Fleet Please visit my blog at http://www.jeften.com/blog/


 By Jeff Van Fleet


Article Source: Isn't Evolution Just a Theory?

Rock Orinted Suggestions For A New College Basketball Tournament Theme

Bob Christian enjoyed a ten year playing career in basketball, a six-ten center who starred at Grambling State in the late sixties and was selected in the 1969 draft. He spent his first two seasons in the American Basketball Association with the Dallas Chaparrals and the New York Nets, but spent the rest of his career in the NBA with the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns.

Even though Christian has the distinction of being drafted with fellow center Kareem Abdul Jabbar of UCLA, it was similarly named Bob Christianson who has left a far bigger legacy to the sport he never played. His contribution becomes very important each March, even though most people do not even recognize his name.

The composer became a little more well-known recently, when The New York Times on March 31 published a feature on Christianson. He came up with the theme 25 years ago, crediting its basketball popularity to the fact that it had a simple melody but a lot of energy.

The article states that Christianson's theme also works because of its timing. There are 168 beats per minute just like the human heart, according to composer James Kellaris. He studies music besides teaching marketing at the University of Cincinnati, which happens to be one of the few teams that has reached the tournament for seven straight years.

Had the college basketball commissioners desired a theme resembling popular rock rather than classical, they could have chosen from already well-known hits with connections to the annual tournament to determine the college basketball champion. Here are five of those tunes.

Madness by Elton John

This title is synonymous with college basketball in March, and it is the highlight of Sir Elton's A Single Man, his first album without long time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.

When I'm 64 by The Beatles

Every bracket starts out with exactly 64 blank lines, and each ends with all but one of the teams being crossed out.

Sole Survivor by Asia

After six rounds in three weekends, one college finally earns the distinction of this song from the debut album of the eighties supergroup.

The Ole College Try by L.E.O

An old expression in the chorus of a modern song, from the Jeff Lynne-produced Alpacas Orgling album, could be a great complement piece to the current theme.

Cinderella by Firefall

Everybody roots for the neglected stepsister of the higher seed to upset a perennial powerhouse, so this hit by the band who recorded "Strange Way" and "Just Remember I Love You" would fit nicely as a theme for the annual tournament.



 By Doug Poe


Article Source: Rock Orinted Suggestions For A New College Basketball Tournament Theme

Importance of Lyrics for an Ideal Song

Recently, while I was listening to music, I was thinking of lyrics and music of that song. Does lyrics play a prominent role or music in a song? Maybe this is the most common thinking that many of music listeners have them in mind. Let us gain some clarity for this confusion. Lyrics contain verses and choruses that make up a word and these words make a song. Any song before it is being done goes through several interpretations and to become an ideal song, it should have a message in it. Since lyrics are used to convey this message, it is definitely considered as important part of any song.

However, there are few songs that concentrate only on music rather than lyrics. Though lyrics are fine enough, if the music is not good then listeners won't show interest in that song. Let us think that you have the best songwriter to write a beautiful yet lovely song, but if there are ugly music sounds in the background no one would show interest in it. Here comes the importance of music in a song.

It is not good to rely completely on lyrics or on music to make your song popular. Both of them have their own importance which is an acceptable truth. However, you can find many artists who become popular for their lyrics alone or music. The quality of song is determined by both lyrics and music. They both go hand-in-hand. Nowadays, lyrics have become the effective medium to convey any social message, especially to young people. We should never underestimate the power of lyrics, as this has more significance than ever. Every one of us relates ourselves to the lyrics in our special song and it becomes the important song in our lives.

We cannot imagine this world without music as it has become an essential part of our life. From celebrations to grief, every occasion begins and ends with a music. Music makes us feel and lyrics make us think. This is the reason we can emotionally relate to the song and it can manipulate our mood without our knowledge. Thus both the aspects of music and Lyric are equally important, but we should never ignore the meaning of lyrics as it can show an impact on the listener. The key element to be considered while listening to music is give Value to the lyrics and enjoy tune of music.

To know more about  how to make a lyric video, please check our website.



 By Achal Mehrotra


Article Source: Importance of Lyrics for an Ideal Song

The Essence Of Photography - Light

Coming at photographic creativity utilizing some artistic principles allows you to view the world through a slightly different lens than most. All the tips, tutorials, tricks and techniques that you can easily learn by doing a quick online search are predicated on one underlying principle, photography is about painting with light. In fact the actual word photography itself comes from a combination of two Greek words: Photo, meaning light and graphia: meaning writing or drawing. Hence photography equals painting with light - literally.

Light sits at the heart of photography, without it there would not be any! This is photography at its most fundamental core. Without light it doesn't matter about composition, subject or the myriad number of settings available to us as photographic creatives, and yet it is one of the last things that a lot of photographers actually think about.

Keeping in mind the message that lies behind the imagery that you are trying to create is key in this process. The best lighting does not always mean sunrise or sunset. Perhaps the mood that you are trying to portray is one of harshness - midday to mid-afternoon sun! Or the darkness and bleakness in a scene - the lighting condition just prior to a storm. The conditions need to complement and enhance the mood, feelings and emotions that you are trying to capture in that one split moment.

Sometimes we get blessed with the correct natural lighting conditions at just the right moment. Other times we're not so lucky. Be patient and don't rush because all it takes is a couple of minutes in the right conditions for an ordinary photo to become an absolute masterpiece. This is one of the key differences between a hobbyist who just 'snaps and captures a moment in time' and someone that is passionate about their creativity.

A burning desire to capture not just the moment but to capture and relay all the emotion, feelings and the story behind the scene.

Everybody's journey in life is different with completely unique experiences. Some photographers or as I like to call them, creative artists have the time and freedom to be able to visualize a scene in their minds and literally wait weeks, months or even years for the correct lighting and conditions to happen to make their masterpiece. Others don't have that option and that's neither good nor bad.

Sometimes we just have to make the best out of the moments that we do have, as long as we all keep following the light!

My crazy world has included successfully combining all the skills of a artist, photographer, designer, programmer, and marketer into one crazy life.

I'm available for guest blogging, article writing and speaking events.

~ Frank

Tazz 1 Pty Ltd

Follow me in my crazy world via my site
or Insta!



 By Frank Perez


Article Source: The Essence Of Photography - Light

A Simple Guide To Incorrect White Balance In Photography

There's numerous sources and articles about getting the 'correct' white balance settings from your camera. I've written some myself to help out those looking to get true color representation out of your images.

In this article, I'm going to take a different angle. How to choose the wrong white balance settings.

Wait a minute. Why would I deliberately dial in the wrong settings for an image?

Simple. Artistic and creative imagery is all about looking at things different to the norm or perhaps even highlighting further a 'cold' or 'warm' look in your images. Something as simple as setting your white balance to 'Tungsten' will have the result of making an image appear cooler. Perhaps next time I'm in Antarctica!

Most DSLR's have some built-in predefined wb settings such as Tungsten, Cloudy, Flash or Fluorescent. These are prebuilt settings for the Kelvin scale. If your camera has a direct setting for Kelvin temperature it will give you even finer control over the wb setting and allow you to get even more creative and artistic.

Below is a rough guide to the Kelvin scale. For those who have trouble remembering all the different settings and what they do just keep in mind:

The lower the white balance setting the cooler the image. The higher, the warmer the final image will be.

A Rough Guide to Kelvin



1000-2000 K Candlelight

2500-3500 K Tungsten Bulb

3000-4000 K Sunrise/Sunset

4000-5000 K Fluorescent Lamps

5000-5500 K Electronic Flash

5000-6500 K Daylight with Clear Skies

6500-8000 K Slightly Overcast Skies

9000-10000 K Shade or Heavily Overcast Skies


The fun part is to check out all the different settings using the same scene at the same time, or roughly.

There are no rules when it comes to your creative imagery. Next time you are out at the golden hour for sunset or sunrise, try setting a different wb into the mix. Perhaps throwing more blue or setting the wb to Tungsten or flash and then see what difference it makes to your image. The results may surprise you and push your creative juices along a little bit.

I know a lot of people who will probably be thinking, 'I can do that in post-production'. True. You can.

Personally I prefer to get the image that I'm after straight from the shot and not playing in post-production to get the results. Whichever way you go just remember, that white balance is not just for correcting the color representation but rather a tool that can be used creatively for artistic purposes.

All those crazy settings on your camera are just that - settings. They are not rules to live by. Drop me a line or message if you would like me to cover some aspect of photography, art or creativity in general. My door is always open!

My crazy world has included successfully combining all the skills of a artist, photographer, designer, programmer, and marketer into one crazy life.

I'm available for guest blogging, article writing and speaking events.

~ Frank

Tazz 1 Pty Ltd

Follow me in my crazy world via my site
or Insta!


 By Frank Perez


Article Source: A Simple Guide To Incorrect White Balance In Photography

How To Make The Most Of A 3-Day Vacation

Nowadays, taking a long holiday has become tough due to the demanding nature of jobs. Which is why most people prefer taking short trips in between to detox and come back with a refreshed mind. If you are one among them, then it might do you some good to go on a 3-day vacation. However, when you are going on such a short holiday, it might be difficult to get the best of it. So, here are some tips that will help you have the best experience.

Choose a Location That Requires Minimum Travel Time

If you are going to need a long time to travel to your destination, then you will be wasting a lot of time on just getting from one place to another. Pick a place that you like and is also close to your place of residence. You could choose a small place on the outskirts of your city. If you, however, want to fly out then make sure that you keep the travel time in mind. Also, if you are looking for the lowest airfares on domestic flights, then the shorter the distance, the cheaper they will be.

Decide What You Want to Do

When you are going on a vacation, you might have some idea about what you would like to do while you are at it. If you are just going to destress, then you don't have much planning to do. All you need to do before flying out is to book a hotel so that you don't have to worry about it later. On the other hand, if you want to explore a place, then you must narrow down the places you would like to visit. Get in touch with a travel agent or a local guide who will be able to take you to these places.

Visit a Spa

One of the best ways of giving your body some much need relaxation is to get a spa massage. This will loosen up your knotty muscles and also improve blood flow in your body. Additionally, it will also help you get rid of all work related worries and just enjoy the vacation. However, pick a spa wisely. Generally, hotels have spas or can put you in touch with one. Consult a spa expert before going in for a massage so that you get the best out of your experience. They will be able to recommend the right kind of treatment for you.

These are some ways in which you can have an amazing 3-day vacation. You will come back fully relaxed and rejuvenated to take on the world again. Bon Voyage!

Get in touch with us and book   lowest airfares on domestic flights today or call us now 1300 837 920. Complete travel agent services for corporate travelers. The experienced business best travel agents at Fortune World Tour support in your business travel management needs


 By Anubhav Yadav


Article Source: How To Make The Most Of A 3-Day Vacation

At the Sneeze Sitters Inc Annual Convention 2017

Chairman: "Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the 2017 Annual Sneeze Sitters Convention. I'm Bern Droplets, president of this wonderful company. In 1976 Joseph A. Gesundheit had a vision, or rather, a sneezing fit, in which he sneezed over seventy-six times in his own home without anybody around. According to his memoirs, titled "76 Sneezes", after recovering for more than an hour, Gesundheit remarked, I wish someone would have said, "Bless you." with a loving, caring voice. So, he started "Sneeze Sitters" because he understood a revolutionary belief that everyone who sneezes deserves a person to say to them, "Bless you!" This is how he set up the company- with people who can say, "Bless you!" to those who have sick relatives but must work to pay the bills."

"Gesundheit remembered history. Many centuries ago people believed that sneezing forced the soul to leave the body. Saying, "God bless you." chased evil spirits away. Even during a plague that occurred around 590 A.D.,the Pope blessed those who sneezed."

Mr. Droplets continued: "Let's look at how well the business has done well since its beginning. It's very simple. Revenues have increased. It's easy to understand why - people are getting sicker every year, so we employ more sitters. Of course, our company doesn't want anyone to get sick, but we do make a profit. I uphold the fact that we don't take measures to make people sneeze, such as using feathers to tickle noses, or blowing pepper at our clients' faces."

(Everyone in the audience laughed.)

"We're not in the business of getting rid of illness, but we sure can "soften the blow." Next year, we will start calling our "Sneeze Sitters" the "Achoo Sitters." A big "Achoo!" should be met with a hardy "Bless you!"

"Now, we come to last year's "Sneeze Award." Each year, this is given to our most dedicated Sneeze Sitter. This year's award goes to Nurse Mary Jones from Chicago, Illinois. Her "sneeze" patient, Mr. John Allen Snot sneezed more than 2,031 times in three hours while Mary sat by his side, holding his hand. She called 911. An ambulance came in time, just as he was finishing his last sneeze. The good news is that not only did he survive, he asked Mary to marry him a few months ago. "So, Mr. and Mrs. Snot, could you stand up and come to the microphone."

(Everyone applauded as Mr. Snot and Mrs. Snot walked to the microphone where they accepted a trophy in the shape of a nose. Without giving a speech, they walked back to their seat.)

"Folks, what do we say to them?"

(Everyone) "Bless you!"

Mr. Droplets concluded the meeting: "Everyone! Thank you for attending our meeting this year! There is food and drinks at the back table and if you want copies of "76 Sneezes", "Hold that Sneeze!" "Please Use a Tissue", "Ten Steps to Less Snot".

After everyone is dismissed, someone in the audience sneezed. Of course, everyone in the room said, "Bless you!"


 By Harrington A Lackey


Article Source: At the Sneeze Sitters Inc Annual Convention 2017

Liars In Public Places: How A Lying Lunar Volcano Hides Its True Age

"The truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people," said the Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, mathematician, poet, and cosmological theorist, Giordano Bruno (1548-1600)--who was ultimately martyred for his beliefs. Some lies, of course, are worse than others and lying about one's age is not considered to be a particularly sinister lie. Indeed, while orbiting Earth's Moon in 1971, the astronauts aboard Apollo 15 photographed a bewitching, bothersome, and bewildering geological feature--a strange, bumpy, D-shaped depression approximately two miles long and a mile wide, that has sung a sirens' song of tantalizing mystery to scientists ever since. Some scientists have proposed that the bizarre feature, named Ina, is evidence of a volcanic eruption on Earth's Moon within the past 100 million years--a billion years or so after most volcanic activity on the Moon is thought to have come to an end. However, new research released by geologists in March 2017, indicates that Ina may be deceiving scientists about its age, and is really not so young after all.

The new research, published in the journal Geology, concludes that the strange feature was really formed by an eruption around 3.5 billion years ago, making it approximately the same age as the dark volcanic deposits streaking the Moon's near-side. It's this very same peculiar form of lava that erupted from Ina that helps hide its real age, the planetary scientists propose.

"As interesting as it would be for Ina to have formed in the recent geologic past, we just don't think that's the case. The model we've developed for Ina's formation puts it firmly within the period of peak volcanic activity on the Moon several billion years ago," explained Dr. Jim Head in a March 28, 2017, Brown University Press Release. Dr. Head is co-author of the paper and a professor in Brown University's Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences in Providence, Rhode Island.

Footprints Left In Lunar Dust

Earth's Moon is the only body beyond Earth that we have walked upon, leaving our footprints behind in the lunar dust--a silent testimony that we were once there. Earth's companion Moon-world has been with us almost from the very beginning, when our Solar System was still forming, approximately 4.5 billion years ago.

As human beings, we apparently have a need to understand and explain our origins. The universal drama of natural phenomena cannot be explained entirely as exclusively scientific--it is, instead, something generally human. Through magical, bewitching myths and remarkable, lovely tales that involve superhuman heroes and heroines, as well as gods and goddesses, ancient pre-scientific civilizations tried to understand the mysterious, elusive complexities of the Cosmos. Earth's Moon has always presented humanity with a special fascination, long inspiring our very human imaginations to transcend some very frustrating limitations and--as we hunt for that which may exist beyond our Earth-bound lives--help us to progress towards an understanding of who we really are, in the Cosmic scheme of things, in all our bewildering human complexity. The fabrication of ancient gods and goddesses mimics our lovely Moon's gentle tug on human life existing on our planet. In this particular context, it may be lacking in wisdom to completely dismiss ancient, wild myths--tossing them aside as merely the inventions of those who lived in an unsophisticated, long-forgotten, and long-lost past.

There are more than 100 moons orbiting the eight major planets of our Solar System. The majority of them are icy, small worldlets, that contain only a relatively sparse amount of rocky material--and most of these frozen little objects do their mesmerizing dance around the quartet of gaseous, giant planets inhabiting the distant regions of the outer Solar System--Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. In dramatic contrast, the warm and well-lit inner region of our Solar System--where are own Earth is situated--is almost moonless. Of the small, solid quartet of relatively tiny terrestrial planets--Mercury, Venus, our Earth, and Mars--only Earth can boast the existence of a large and significant Moon. Mercury and Venus are entirely without a companion moon, and Mars is circled by an interesting, but small, duo of lumpy, misshapen moons, dubbed Phobos and Deimos. The two potato-shaped moons of Mars are frequently considered to be asteroids that escaped from the Main Asteroid Belt, situated between Mars and Jupiter, that were ultimately captured by the gravitational embrace of their adopted planet very long ago.

A moon is a natural satellite in orbit around a larger body--such as a planet--that, in turn, orbits a star. The moon is kept in place both by the gravity of the object that it orbits, as well as by its own gravity. Some planets have moons; some do not. Some dwarf planets--such as Pluto--possess moons. Indeed, one of Pluto's quintet of moons, Charon, is almost 50% the size of Pluto itself, and some planetary scientists think that Charon is actually a big chunk of Pluto that was ripped away in a monumental, disastrous collision with another object when our Solar System was much younger. Also, some asteroids are circled by very tiny moons of their own!

Volcanism On Earth's Moon

Vast plains of basaltic lava coat much of the lunar surface. Early astronomers, using primitive instruments, erroneously thought that these plains were seas of water on the Moon. Therefore, these dark regions were named mare (pronounced mahr-ay), which is Latin for "sea". Furthermore, other volcanic features also appear within the lunar mare--such as sinuous rilles, dark mantle deposits, and small volcanic cones and domes. However, the majority of these volcanic features are somewhat small, and they account for only an insignificant percentage of the volcanic record left to scar the surface of the Moon.

Volcanism on the Moon is different in several ways from volcanism on Earth. First, there is the matter of age. Volcanism on our own planet is a continuing process, and many of Earth's volcanoes are actually quite youthful on geologic timescales--frequently less than a few hundred thousand years old. In dramatic contrast, most of the volcanism on the Moon appears to have occurred between 3 and 4 billion years ago. Mare samples usually are about 3,500,000,000 years old.

Even the most youthful mare flows have approximate ages of almost 1 billion years. These "young" rocks have not been sampled directly or dated. Therefore, the age of these rocks has not been precisely determined. By comparison, the oldest rock on Earth has been dated at about 3.9 billion years old. The most ancient sea floor basalts on our planet are a "mere" 200 million years old--a brief span on geologic timescales. Because the Moon shows no sign of recent volcanic or geologic activity, it is sometimes referred to as a "dead" object.

The locations of mare volcanism show yet another significant difference from the volcanism that occurs on our planet. Earth's volcanoes primarily are situated within long linear mountain chains, such as the Andes, that mark the edge of a lithospheric plate. Mountain chains such as the Hawaiian Islands trace out past plate movements over a hotspot on Earth's mantle.

But the lunar mare usually occur at the bottom of ancient, large impact craters. Therefore, most mare are almost circular in shape. In addition, lunar mountain chains form the edges of these impact basins and have a tendency to encircle the lunar mare. There is also no evidence that plate tectonics ever occurred on the Moon.

The lunar mare are most frequently found on only one side of the Moon--covering almost one-third of the lunar near-side--but a mere 2% of the far-side. However, the lunar surface is much higher on the far-side, and the crust is usually much thicker there as well. Therefore, the most important factors controlling volcanism on the Moon appear to be surface elevation and crustal thickness.

There are some major physical differences between volcanism on our planet and its lunar companion. First, lunar gravity is only one-sixth that of Earth's. This causes the forces that are driving the lava flows to be significantly weaker on the Moon than on Earth. The flat, smooth mare surfaces suggest that the lavas that formed them were rather runny. They could flow easily and spread out over large areas of the lunar surface. In addition, the comparatively weak gravity could be responsible for explosive eruptions that can hurl debris on the Moon further than on the Earth. Eruptions on the Moon, therefore, should smear lavas out into a broad flat layer, in contrast to the cone-shaped features on our planet. Second, Earth's dry Moon has essentially no dissolved water. In fact, the so-called "seas" are dry as bone. In dramatic contrast, water is one of the starring players in Earth's lavas. Water also is important in driving violent volcanic eruptions on Earth. Therefore, the lack of water on the Moon should significantly affect lunar volcanism. This is because, without water, explosive and violent volcanic eruptions are much less likely to occur on Earth's Moon than on Earth. Indeed, lunar lava should flow quietly, smoothly, and even gently on the Moon's surface.

Ina: A Lying Lunar Volcano

Ina is situated near the summit of a gently sloped mound of basaltic rock. This location has caused many planetary scientists to propose that it was probably the caldera of an ancient volcano on the Moon. However, it has been difficult to determine just how ancient Ina really is. While the flanks of the volcano appear to be billions of years old, the Ina caldera itself looks considerably younger. One misleading sign of Ina's so-called "youth" is its bright appearance relative to its environment. The brightness indicates that Ina is of tender years, and has not had sufficient time to accumulate a great quantity regolith. Regolith is the layer of loose rock and dust that builds up on the surface as time goes by.

In addition, there are about 80 distinctive mounds found on Ina. These mounds are smooth hills composed of rock, with some reaching as high as 100 feet, dominating the landscape within the caldera. The mounds show far fewer impact craters when compared to the surrounding area--another sign of relative youth. Old surfaces are scarred by more craters than younger surfaces. This is because, over time, it's expected that a surface should accumulate more and more craters, as a result of impacting objects. The craters should be of various sizes and accumulate at fairly constant rates. Planetary scientists, knowing this, use the number and size of craters to calculate the relative age of a given surface. In 2014, a team of planetary scientists performed a very careful crater-count on Ina's mounds, and came to the conclusion that they must have been formed by lava that erupted to the surface within the last 50 to 100 million years--thus indicating youth.

"That was a really puzzling finding. I think most people agree that the volcano Ina sits on was formed billions of years ago, which means there would have been a pause in volcanic activity for a billion years or more before the activity that formed Ina. We wanted to see if there might be something about geologic structure within Ina that throws off our estimation of its age," Dr. Head explained in the March 28, 2017 Brown University Press Release.

In order to solve the mystery of Ina's true age, the team of scientists looked at well-studied volcanoes on Earth that were similar to Ina. Ina is a pit crater on a shield volcano, a gently sloping mountain that is comparable to Kilauea volcano in Hawaii. Kilauea displays a pit crater similar to Ina that has been named the Kilauea Iki crater, which erupted back in 1959.

The lava that was shot out from that eruption solidified. As it did so, it formed a very porous layer of rock inside the pit, with subsurface vesicles reaching three feet in diameter, as well as surface void space two feet deep. Dr. Head and his colleagues propose the porous surface is formed by the type of lava erupted during the later stages of events like this particular eruption. As the subsurface lava supply began to diminish, it erupted what has been called "magmatic foam", which is a frothy combination of lava and gas. As it cools off, magmatic foam turns into a solid, and as it does so it creates the highly porous surface.

Dr. Head and his team propose that an Ina eruption would also have manufactured magmatic foam. Furthermore, because of the Moon's comparatively weak gravitational grasp, and almost nonexistent atmosphere, the lunar magmatic foam would have been fluffier than that seen on Earth. As a result, the scientists suspect that the structures hidden within Ina are even more porous than on Earth.

It's the high porosity of those surfaces that presents problems in respect to date estimates for Ina, both by hiding the buildup of regolith and by throwing off crater counts.

A very porous surface, according to Dr. Head and his colleagues, would cause dust and loose rock to invade the surface void space. This would make it appear as though less regolith has accumulated. That process would be perpetuated by seismic jostling in the area, much of which is the result of continuing meteor impacts. "It's like banging on the side of a sieve to make the flour go through. Regolith is jostled into holes rather than sitting on the surface, which makes Ina look a lot younger," Dr. Head explained in the March 28, 2017 Brown University Press Release.

This high porosity would also affect crater counts. Laboratory experiments using a high-speed projectile cannon have demonstrated that impacts pelting porous targets create much tinier craters. Because of Ina's high porosity, the planetary scientists propose, its craters are considerably smaller than they would normally be. Furthermore, many of the craters might not be visible at all. This would drastically alter the age estimate derived from crater counts.

The team of planetary scientists then went on to estimate that this highly porous surface would diminish, by a factor of three, the size of craters pockmarking Ina's mounds. This is because an impactor, that would excavate a 100-foot-diameter crater in lunar basalt bedrock, would form a crater of only a little over 30 feet in the magmatic foam deposit. Taking this crater-size-reduction into consideration, the planetary scientists arrived at a revised age for the Ina mounds of approximately 3.5 billion years. This age is similar to the surface age of the volcanic shield that surrounds Ina--and also places the Ina activity within the time frame of calculated volcanism on the Moon.

The planetary scientists think that this research presents a plausible explanation for Ina's formation without having to resort to the mysterious billion-year absence of volcanic activity.

Le Qiao, a doctoral student visitng Brown University from the Chinese University of Geosciences, is the lead author of the research.

Dr. Head said in the March 28, 2017 Brown University Press Release that "We think the young-looking features in Ina are the natural consequence of magmatic foam eruptions on the Moon. These landforms created by these foams simply look a lot younger than they are."

Judith E. Braffman-Miller is a writer and astronomer whose articles have been published since 1981 in various journals, newspapers, and magazines. Although she has written on a variety of topics, she especially loves writing about astronomy because it gives her the opportunity to communicate to others the many wonders of her field. Her first book, "Wisps, Ashes, and Smoke," will be published soon.


 By Judith E Braffman-Miller


Article Source: Liars In Public Places: How A Lying Lunar Volcano Hides Its True Age

Moving Away From Negative Energy

Some of the most malicious and destructive psychic attacks originated out of an ignorant thought form from someone who has no clue of the damages they are projecting. These are all too common in today's competitive world of jealousy, arrogance, greed, and envy. Each and every one of us have had these negative thought forms attaching themselves to us at some point in time. Affecting us numerous ways of depressions, energy drained, fear, and nightmares are just a few of these dreadful incidents not to mention the actual physical phenomena of objects flying across the room. Accidents occurring when there is no logical explanation of the incident is another sign of a localized accumulation of negative energy.

It is important to recognize these negative pockets of energy not for identifying its source but to attract a positive solution to dispel it. Once we shift our perception from the negative energy, we then open up to the greater flow of positive energy. From this viewpoint alone we are able to clearly see how we have personally reacted under the stress of negativity. We then have control over it at that point because we have stepped out of the way of being victimized to being an observer.

As an observer we are able to fully recognize the negative patterns that manipulate peoples energy, goals, and projects for their lives. By seeing it for what it is, we are able to develop our own maneuvers to stop the loss and promote the healing. It is only through detaching from any emotional reaction that liberates us past these pockets of negative energy. Once you acknowledge that all those involved were behaving with whatever intelligence or ignorance they had it is easy to detach from the situation and forgive them. Creating a positive solution can now be established without any attachment to the situation.

There are many disciplines that are effective in repelling negative energies such as visualizations, prayers, meditative imagery as well as sound and light frequency generators. Whatever resource you choose, the challenge is to put all of this into daily practice. It is essential that you develop a specific routine. We live within fields of a clever, responsive, energy-dynamic universe, in which other people's anticipations and assumptions radiate outward to influence us.

The last step, therefore, is to raise your own energy field so that you not only move out of negative energy pockets but that you create a new pocket of positive energy through your intention and your attitude wherever you go. It's all about energy. Everything, including ourselves, is nothing more than a field of energy, all interacting and influencing each other. You can do this, I can do this, we can all do this together.


 By Barbara Garcia


Article Source: Moving Away From Negative Energy

A PMP Certification Course Is Essential for the Job Seekers

PMP denotes for Project management professional and is a well-known accreditation required by any job seekers. Along these lines, an expert individual must know the significance of being particular for advancing in a field. PMP is a well-known certification course. This sort of program has turned out to be a tremendously prevalent course in recent years as they empower experts to make the best utilization of their project administration expertise set and in addition help them in their profession also.

What are the advantages of a PMP Certification course?

Being not the same as other job seekers

One of the greatest preferences of obtaining such PMP Certification course is, to the point that individuals can be distinctive and more amazing than the rest. They will be equipped for showing their capacity to deal with activities much better as a result of the valuable and broad course substance that can help in boosting their administrative aptitudes to an extraordinary degree and also help them to lead groups in a vastly improved manner and handle projects effortlessly. Such an authentication will increase the value of their resume in this field and they are completely fit for being a project supervisor.

Acknowledgment of the ability in the worldwide market

A PMP certification course is acknowledged around the world. Along these lines, a man will have the capacity to demonstrate to officials that they hold the right capabilities to lead a group and additionally deal projects with specialized skills. This course is valuable for each sort of business beginning from Telecom to business administration, as they help in boosting the aptitudes of experts. In this way, it is exceptionally prescribed to get such certification.

Shows the ability to deal with and lead projects

Such a program is perceived all around and individuals with such a certificate will have the capacity to show individuals that they are fit for being a part of the project administration world. Besides, organizations will likewise get an unmistakable thought of their abilities and consequently give the correct position which they were looking for.

Ascend in openings for work

Such PMP Certification course authentication is constantly useful in landing different job position openings. In this way, this authentication will make managers feel that the individual is promptly fit for taking care of a position and subsequently will offer them the position. An administration proficient must be prepared to deal with testing undertakings, and this program will make individuals build up the mentality and aptitude to deal with testing works. In this manner, businesses will be pleased to see such an able representative and will offer them the occupation position.

Institutionalization of abilities

Such a preparation program prepares and creates individuals to experience the business norms and in addition meet the benchmarks that are set by top organizations for their ventures. A declaration will make individuals ready to connect with a substantial occupation showcase. Numerous giant companies make it mandatory for individuals to deliver such an endorsement on the off chance that they need to be an individual from their associations.

An outline of the PMP Certification exam strategy

The initial step of this exam procedure starts with the self-assessment of a man's own abilities and in addition capabilities. This is critical to be a part of the course. The following stride includes picking the correct tutorial program. There are various foundations that give such tuitions. Before joining programs, individuals must ensure that the association is a valuable one and gives proficient tutoring programs that will help individuals over the long term.

There are additional alternatives of picking the enrollment that will help in the exam. Individuals ordinarily get the approval to the exam following few days of working. Individuals then need to pick their test site and afterward plan their exam in like manner.

For more details visit us:   https://www.excelr.com/pmp-online-training/

Bharani Kumar is an experienced technical article writer. He has been providing useful tips and lot of information with their readers by online since 4 years. Through his article, you can get knowledge about business analytics course and Project Management which is needed for young generation especially.


 By Bharani Kumar


Article Source: A PMP Certification Course Is Essential for the Job Seekers

Bardenas Reales - The Old 'American West' in Spain

Located in the Navarra region of Spain, the Bardenas Reales is stark, rugged and dry and looks very much like the old wild American West.

This semi-desert region is in the southeast of Navarra, close to the border with Aragon and right in the heart of the Ebro Valley. Exploring the scenery, with its amazing natural structures, you would be forgiven for expecting a couple of cowboys to come riding up on the plain.

These natural and fascinating structures are caused by the erosion of clay, chalk and sandstone to form almost lunar scenes, with plateaus, gullies and hills and the occasional really strange, stand-alone shape. These unusual scenes have inspired writers and painters in the past, and the Bardenas Reales natural park has been used as a backdrop for several Spanish films, music videos and television adverts.

The Bardenas Reales natural park covers an area of 42,500 hectares and has been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. There are various hiking and cycling routes, clearly marked and accessible throughout the park and the area can be crossed on foot, horseback or bicycle, or more comfortably by car. The only exceptions are the best viewpoints in the park, namely the "Alto de Aguilares" and the "Balc�n de Pilatos," which are accessible only by bicycle or on foot.

As for somewhere to stay, the city of Tudela is the most convenient stopping off point and is a very charming place to visit and sleep over. The park is easily accessed via the NA-134 road, which runs from Tudela to Arguedas. The city is interesting by itself, and is known as the capital of the "Ribera Navarra." Tudela has several historic sites and buildings, dating back to its occupation by the Romans and the Celt-Iberians in the distant past.

Of interest to visit are the central public square, known as the "Plaza de los Fueros" and the various palaces in the city, as well as the Mu�oz Sola Museum of Modern Art. The cuisine of the city tends to center on fresh vegetables and meat, all grown and produced locally and one particular dish, the traditional menestra, is a tasty combination of those vegetables.

While the city has several excellent hotels and smaller pensions on offer, possibly the most fascinating and appropriate accommodation in the area is located outside of Tudela, right on the border of the natural park. The Hotel Aire de Bardenas has been designed to merge with nature and features an indoor garden, as well as an indoor and outdoor pool.

In the way of cuisine, the onsite restaurant and bar serves only the best and fresh locally-grown produce, most of it grown on the property, including asparagus, artichokes, and the best tender lamb, as well as a special Tudela lettuce. Vegetarians are also well looked after at the hotel's restaurant.

Naturally the views surrounding the hotel are simply amazing, whether looking across at the mountains and unusual shapes in the sandstone, or gazing towards the city of Tudela itself.

Take a different route on your next Spanish trip and head to Bardenas Reales. You won't regret it.

Anne Sewell lives on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain and enjoys writing about the many fascinating destinations in this country.


 By Anne Sewell


Article Source: Bardenas Reales - The Old 'American West' in Spain

Reading Comprehension - An Educational Failure

Despite and in spite of all the electronics in our world, one still has to read and one has to comprehend what has been read. Today's readers must be versatile, effective, and be able to read many types of material for many different purposes. It doesn't matter if it's an iPhone, iPad, PC, e-book, or printed material, comprehension is essential. Modern teachers at all levels of the educational ladder must be aware of the need to adjust learning material to a wide range of instructional purposes to ensure reading comprehension. There are six major categories of comprehension ability.

1. Reading for factual information
2. Reading to organize
3. Reading to evaluate
4. Reading to interpret
5. Reading for appreciation
6. Reading to skim.

It should be noted that rarely is one of these comprehensive reading skills used in its pure form. Does a child need a wealth of experiences emphasizing each of these six comprehensive abilities? The immediate answer is no. As the child moves through the educational system, the materials he or she reads become more and more complex. Situations become remote, dealing with concepts and locale outside of his or her first-hand experience. Ideas become debatable as organization expands in scope. The reader's purpose becomes more highly specialized and increases in number. Comprehension skills become more specialized as the reader's need to differentiate more sharply comes into play. Coming back to the question about the wealth of experience emphasizing the six comprehensive abilities a child needs, the long-term answer is an emphatic yes!

Educators at all levels must provide for the continued development of reading skills, especially that of comprehension and its six components. Children are not taught reading. They are taught how to read. How to read becomes important in today's testing crazed educational systems. Interpretation of what questions mean, what they are asking for often determines the success or failure of standardized examinations. If a child is having difficulty in reading, the teacher should create material that that student can read. This does place an additional burden on the teacher, but the end reward will be well worth the effort. If the student doesn't have good comprehensive skills he or she is condemned to failure. After all, an important role of the school is to promote success rather than failure.

Dr. Wilson, a critic of contemporary education, is the author of DUH! The American Educational Disaster. With forty years of experience as an educator, he writes and speaks with authority.



 By Norman W. Wilson, Ph.D


Article Source:  Reading Comprehension - An Educational Failure

10 Best Places to Visit for Seniors

Every destination on our earth is filled with amazing opportunity for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Tropical destinations are often the most popular choice for our current generation, but there are also many underrated destinations to visit as well. While there is no one "best" place for anyone to visit, these ten destinations, in no particular order, will better suit the interests of seniors.

1. Hawaii

While Hawaii isn't just a vacation-spot for retirees, it is definitely an ideal place to visit! Here, retirees can spend their days at golf courses, relaxing on the beach, or simply basking in the gentle sun. Oahu includes many popular tourist spots along with the tropical paradise that everyone seeks. To avoid tourist bustle, book your vacation to Maui or the Big Island.

2. St. Petersberg and Clearwater, Florida

Known as the Sunshine City, because of its yearly 361 days of sun, St. Petersberg is an amazing spot for seniors. It offers beautiful warm, sandy beaches along the western coast of Florida as well as a lively pier. Additionally, this sunny city offers world-class museums and more.

3. Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe, with its beautiful, towering trees is a great spot to visit no matter the season. In the winter, the beautiful snow caresses the sky-high trees and glazes the clear waters. During the summertime, the water of Lake Tahoe is as extremely clear and serves as an optimal picnic spot.

4. Niagara Falls, Canada

This beautiful waterfall is one of the seven wonders of the world, which attracts people from all over the globe. Seeing the sharp drop of the waterfall cliff may be a slight thrill to those who are afraid of heights, but the overall falls is breathtaking in itself. There's also a boat, the Hornblower tour, that takes tourists practically under the thundering falls. Additionally, the falls is located in an area that contains more than sixty wineries.

5. Key West, Florida

Part of the Florida keys, Key West is often described as an area with a calmer, slower pace. Not only does its coasts include coral reefs, but they also have beautiful white, sandy shores. The location, less than 100 miles from Cuba, is also often included in many cruise tours as well.

6. Alaska

Alaska is a popular destination for seniors, as it is often a final stop for cruises from the western coast of California. The beautiful landscape contains massive glaciers, waterfalls, and of course the Northern Lights, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Not only that, but there are plenty of whale-watching boats available for seniors to take part in as well. Seniors can also partake in fishing trips or relax in cabin homes during their vacation.

7. Cuba

Cuba, most known for its tropical weather and clear blue waters is one of the best destinations for seniors. Havana, Cuba's capital, carries all the culture and history that the entire Caribbean has to offer. If there's particular interest in Spanish colonial culture, Cuba is the place to go.

8. Sicily, Italy

Located at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily offers spectacular views of the ocean and the Valley of the Temples. Not only that, but seniors can go wine-tasting and feast on unique Sicilian dishes as well as pizza, of course.

9. Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand, home of colorful, unique Asian culture, offers luxurious vacationing opportunities for only a fraction of the price. Not only does the country serve as the habitat to exotic animals, but it also is home to some of the world's most striking, flavorful dishes. There are also opportunities to visit amazing, religious temples including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun.

10. Reno, Nevada

There's no denying that gambling is a popular hobby for seniors or retirees. Instead of visiting Las Vegas, where the hustle and bustle of the younger generation might be overwhelming for seniors, Reno offers many of the same opportunities as well. Not only that, but Reno, past the casinos, also is home to many natural parks. Additionally, if seniors are planning a family trip with grandkids, they will be happily entertained at the kid-friendly Circus Circus.

>>   Read more senior travel tips


 By Richard Hsu


Article Source: 10 Best Places to Visit for Seniors

Do Students Benefit From Hand-Holding or Strict Discipline?

I expect you to listen during my class lectures.

Here, let me help you. I can provide you with the answer.

As an educator, are you someone who is tough on students because you believe strict discipline is essential to their growth and development? Or do you believe in an approach that is kinder, much more easy-going and laidback when it comes to helping students - even to the point of being willing to give students the answers they need?

A disciplinarian is the traditional educator who upholds policies, processes, and procedures without exceptions. Those instructors are usually not counted among the favorites by students; except for those students who are excelling and find that strict discipline is necessary for them to continue to do well.

The educator who is more willing to bend the rules on occasion for students, when there is a reason or justification for the long-term benefit of the students, is the one viewed as easier to get along with and as a result - this educator is usually included on the list of favorite instructors. This instructor will also provide answers and "make it easier" for students to complete the required tasks, believing this helps students in the long term.

This is not to state that teaching students, especially adult students, must be a popularity contest by any means. What this does involve is a matter of perception. Consider how willing a student might be to receive and implement coaching and feedback from a strict instructor in comparison to an instructor who is willing to work with them. In other words, it is not about bending the rules but working with students. It is not about passing students along or giving away grades. It is about providing support and assistance.

This goes against the beliefs of many educators as there is a perception in higher education that maintaining anything other than a strict approach to teaching means you believe in handholding and coddling students. I believe there needs to be an instructional balance between the two methods and in my own practice, I have found an approach that provides this type of balance.

How Do You Focus Your Attention?

I've worked with hundreds of online faculty members over the past ten years in the role of faculty development specialist. I have also been an online educator during this time and understand the lived experience of the faculty members I have observed. What this means is that I can relate to the time it takes to manage a class, especially as an adjunct instructor. I have also worked full time during the day and taught online at night, and I make this point not as an excuse but as a reminder of the reality that many adjunct instructors face. When an instructor is running short on time, not all of the required duties and responsibilities may be met. This can even extend to working with students as they may find it challenging at times to receive assistance when needed.

Whether or not an instructor is working full time and teaching as an adjunct, teaching a class takes time - and the more students there are, the more tasks and responsibilities are vying for the instructor's attention. When there are high achieving students in a class, it almost lessens the amount of instructional work required as those students are usually the ones who do not require a lot of time and attention. The students who are under-performing are the ones who require more effort. These are the students who either benefit from receiving additional assistance, or handholding as some educators view it, or a constant reminder that they must comply with strict requirements as stated by the school and other in documents such as the course syllabus.

Is One Approach More Effective Than Another?

I know that every educator has a distinct view of how students must be addressed or managed, and it is usually based upon personal preferences and past experiences. When instructors are provided with training, it is usually procedural in nature to begin with and then expands into instructional practices. What I have not seen provided in faculty training are direct instructions that state how an instructor must manage students in the classroom. In other words, instructors are not told they must be lenient or strict. They are provided with policies and processes, and methods of instruction. Sometimes they are taught methods of interacting with students, similar to customer service training methods. The general expectation is that instructors must uphold academic policies and create an environment that is conducive to learning.

A question that often comes up is this: Why are there such diverse types of instructors? From my perspective working with faculty, a better question might be: Is one approach more effective than another?

Consider first the instructor who is a strict disciplinarian. This is someone who upholds the policies as defined by the school, such as academic writing standards and policies in place for the degree program level. This instructor makes no exceptions to the rules.

Consider next the instructor who seems very strict but in a different sense. This is the instructor who has established high personal expectations of students and their performance in class. This instructor expects all students will strive for an "A" grade and they will submit high quality papers.

The last instructor to consider is the seemingly easy going instructor who is very popular and has a flexible approach to school policies. This instructor is more willing to listen and adapt when needed, especially if a student needs a "break" or a second chance. This type of instructor is one who is willing to provide extra time and attention for students. I have worked with a few instructors who go so far as to give their students the answers or information they need, rather than help students find it. This is where the idea of handholding has become associated with an easy going instructor.

Finding a Balance Between Discipline and Handholding

Are one of the three methods described above better than the other? I do not put myself in a position to judge others; however, I can speak from my own experience to answer the question. When I began my work as an educator, I was very strict. The most effective method of learning school policies and processes was to follow them as strictly as I could. Over time, I learned what flexibility I had as an instructor and I also gained experience as an educator. From this experience, I learned how to find a balance between these strategies to become effective with upholding disciplinary processes while providing additional care, concern, and assistance.



Establishing Discipline: What I have learned is that the manner in which discipline is administered matters for my relationship with students. I can uphold every school policy and procedure just as effectively, and perhaps even more so, as someone who demonstrates empathy when compared to someone who demands complete compliance to everything I state. Students already know that there are school policies in place and their instructors are expected to uphold those policies. As an instructor, my reinforcement of the rules happens whenever there is an occurrence or a request made by a student. That is a time to listen and effectively administer the rules, or implement disciplinary action as required. I should also be familiar with my level of authority or flexibility available, with regards to making any exceptions.


Establishing Expectations: There is nothing wrong with having expectations of my students, unless I have established something unrealistic of every student. For example, it would be unrealistic for me to expect that every student will submit a well-researched and written paper that demonstrates critical thinking - even at the graduate level. A more realistic expectation might be for students to the best of their capabilities and ask for assistance when needed. The most important expectations I can establish are those concerning student performance. Students experience a great deal of anxiety about grading, especially written assignments. That is when the use of a rubric is very helpful for establishing uniform expectations with students. It becomes even more effective if I provide a rubric before the assignment due date so that students can utilize it as a guideline when editing and revising their papers. The most important aspect of establishing expectations is that they are realistic and communicated to students.


Offer Handholding: When students need assistance or extra attention and you provide it, do you consider that to be handholding? I dislike that word itself as I believe it does a disservice to the work of an educator. I understand the general idea of the concept and over time I have tried to help students without giving them information or answers. For example, when students cannot find a particular answer or resource I will provide instructions on how to find it without actually giving it to them. In other words, I teach them how to be independent and find it on their own so the next time they remember how to do it. I would never be one to tell them to "go and see the course syllabus" as a pat answer. I will find a way to help, even if it involves providing a different set of instructions that offers clarity and better directions. My roles as an educator is to instruct and to teach.

I have seen a number of discussions in the field of higher education over the past few months about working with students and more specifically, addressing the idea of coddling college students. From my experience as an online educator and online student I find there is nothing detrimental about having a lot of contact time between an instructor and the students. However, it seems there is a trend now in higher education that finds courses being delivered without instructor to student interaction. I know that MOOCs have been very popular and those students receive very little direct instructor contact. There is also a competency-based online university that is gaining traction, one without instructors that allows students to study at their own pace - and one of the primary concerns being raised is that these are correspondence-style courses.

My preference is to provide instructor to student interactions. I want to be available and accessible for my students. The following is my approach to teaching adult students that seeks a balance between strict discipline and handholding.

I will be happy to assist you and I will help you find the answers you need.

For courses that have been established in a traditional manner, with instructor to student contact, the nature of that contact is relational. An instructor can uphold academic policies and all appropriate disciplinary procedures, while still maintaining an attitude of care and concern, when an appropriate balance has been found. Students understand that instructors must uphold the rules established by the school. What this means is that a productive working relationship may be more effective than demanding compliance from students at all times. And while it is important to establish a strong working bond with students, that does not mean you need to try to become the most popular instructor either by being willing to bend the rules or give away answers. The most important job you have is to teach and the most effective approach you can embrace is one of knowing your level of authority, understanding your responsibilities, and being willing and available to assist your students.

Dr. J has been working in the field of higher education and distance learning since 2005, with roles that have included Chief Academic Officer, online instructor, college instructor, and online faculty development specialist. Dr. J has also acquired significant experience with instructional design and curriculum development, having developed hundreds of online courses for bachelors, masters, and doctorate programs.

Dr. Bruce A. Johnson is a professional writer, resume writer, learning and development consultant, social media strategist, and career coach. Dr. J founded Afforded Quality Writing in 2003 and has written hundreds of resumes every year in most industries, utilizing a skill set based approach to highlight the best of each person's career.

Dr. J writes blog posts and articles to help inform, inspire, and empower readers. To learn more about the resources that are available for career and professional development from Dr. J please visit: http://www.drbruceajohnson.com/


 By Dr. Bruce A. Johnson


Article Source: Do Students Benefit From Hand-Holding or Strict Discipline?

Beauty in Language and Emerging Economies

We cannot do justice to the beauty of French by droning on with facts and figures. Nevertheless, or n�anmoins as the French say, we need to have a brief idea about the origins, history, and the importance of French as one of the most, if not THE most, beautiful languages in the world.

French is a Romance language
Don't mistake this with 'the language of romance,'- which it also is! It has its roots in the Vulgar Latin of the Roman Empire. Once again, the language is not vulgar: the word embraces the 'popular' Roman dialects of the Middle Ages.

French is not just limited to being spoken in France. It is the official language of 29 countries- the members of la francophonie, the community of French-speaking countries. These were formerly French colonies spreading from the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick, parts of Belgium and Switzerland, Monaco, and as far flung as some parts of sub-Saharan and North Africa.

40% of the Francophone population is in Europe; 15% in Africa and the Middle East!

Lingua Franca
The dictionary definition of this term is: a language that is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different.

French was the language of diplomacy and international relations from the 17th till the middle of the 20th century. That is why lingua franca (literally French language) came to denote a universal language. The United States became the dominant power at the end of WWII, and English gained ascendancy.
French is now the most influential language after English.

England's French Connection
The earliest king of England, William the Conqueror, was French!

A large part of the early English monarchy's holdings was based in France and French was the language of the English court. English nobility and upper classes were thus heavily influenced by the French and their language.

Gradually, the French nobles became English but took a fair amount of French into the English Language. Commonly used words like courier and dentist are actually French.

The British monarch's motto is in French: Dieu et mon droit which means 'God and my right.'

This short history lesson is important for us to understand why French is considered the language of sophistication and culture even today.

Each person has his/her reason why he/she feels French is the most beautiful language in the world:

#1. Consonants which end a French word are not pronounced. This is why French vowels flow with ease, and one word melts into the other. It's like music.

#2. French is ardently 'euphonic' or sounds harmonious. For example, a word that ends with a vowel sound is never followed by a word that begins with a vowel. There are precise linguistic rules that promote euphony; it is not just coincidence.

#3. French is the language of romance. A recent Google Translate survey shows that "Je t'aime" (I love you) is the most requested translation and "tu me manques" (I miss you) comes highly ranked.

#4. French is the language of love. This might have originated in the love songs sung by roaming troubadours in medieval France and transferred to England with French nobility and their court poets and singers. This is probably why the English-speaking world came to consider, and STILL considers, French to be the language when the feeling is LOVE!

#5. More emotional than rational. French creates emotions and desires, and a few phrases are enough to encourage fantasies. French is a language that appeals to the imagination.

#6. The sensuality of French is because of the accent. This maybe something that non- native speakers say because they find the intonation appealing. There are those who insist that even French swear words sound smooth and attractive.

#7. French is unique and is filled with picturesque phrases which lose their music and evocative meanings in translation. "L'appel du vide." translates literally to "the call of the void" but in French, it describes the urge to jump that people might get when they look down from a great height. Four small words convey a wealth of feeling.

#8. French is �l�gant, sophistiqu�. Easily understood when you read. With its history, French is considered the language of the classes and the classy. When we talk of the best chefs and cooking, we use the term 'cordon bleu' (blue ribbon), and high fashion is 'haute couture.'

#9. French is full of nuances and details which make it special. "Manger les pissenlits par la racine" means to eat dandelions starting by the root.
This is a phrase for being dead and buried, an example of how colourful French is.

#10. Through the ages, French has held on to the correct way of speaking and writing. Many languages have been taken liberties. English, for example, has been twisted and maimed out of its original structure by native and other influences. "For your above, see my below" was actually an official reply to a letter in a Government Department (identity withheld for reasons of delicacy).

The importance of French translation today
Globalisation has driven businesses far across the wide world. Language is the primary means of communication: translations and interpretations have, thus, gained importance.

French is spoken in 29 countries as the official language today. Experts say that this could see a dramatic increase in the commonality and popularity of French as an international language, the lingua franca of old, in fact.

Emerging economies in French-speaking countries are coming into prominence. As their populations increase, so will the numbers of French speakers.

Research by Cardiff University shows that, as far as business and trade are concerned, English is barely enough to make the initial market entry internationally. Many markets prefer the use of French; for example, French is commonly used in trade negotiations with African countries.

Fluency in French, understanding the heart and soul of the language is important in today's world of business, literature, education and art.

Do not lose the exclusivity, the sophistication, the elegance, and the beauty of the most musical of languages by generalised machine or sub-standard translations. Use the experienced services of expert translators who will do full justice to French.

Vive le Fran�ais. Long live French.

I am an Expert in the medium of translation and language services. I have working knowledge in documents translation, Translate from English to German,   English french translation and provide Multilingual E-mail Support.I am passionate in Localizing global brands to reach the target audience in the most efficient way.


 By Shreya Gupta


Article Source: Beauty in Language and Emerging Economies

Slush Casting for Hollow Objects

Mold making is a wide-ranging art form which invokes varied materials as well as techniques. The choice of mold making procedure depends as much on the model as the skill and dexterity of the mold maker. So is the case for the mold making materials.

The simplest form of mold is a block mold where you simply pour the mold making material over the object or statue to be replicated. Intricate shapes may require the mold to be made in two or even more parts. More complex techniques range from blanket molds and glove molds to injection molds and more.

And once the mold is ready, the artist moves on to making the final cast from the mold. Again, the choice of the techniques and materials varies from artist to artist and application to application.

A lesser known technique of making casts is the slush casting. This is a traditional method of permanent mold casting wherein the liquid casting material is not allowed to completely solidify in the mold. Once the desired thickness is obtained, the remaining material is simply poured out.

This technique comes in handy for casting hollow items such as toys, decorative pieces, statues, ornaments, components, etc.

The procedure is pretty simple in fact. The mold is placed on a flat surface so that the opening is on the top. The casting material is slowly poured into the mold opening. This could be clay slip, liquid latex rubber, molten metal (usually zinc, tin or aluminum) or even something else. The mold should be rotated a bit so that the material swirls around and completely coats the sides and bottom.

Once the material starts cooling or setting in the mold, it is turned over and the remaining material is poured out of the mold. A thin skin is left behind and this will solidify to form the hollow cast.

To form a thicker shell, the casting material simply needs to be left in the mold for a longer period. Alternatively, if the cast seems to be too thin, the pouring in and out process is repeated until the desired thickness is built up.

The cast is then removed and allowed to set properly. The cast will turn out accurate and have a smooth outer finish as well. As it is hollow, the cast is definitely much lighter than a solid metal or clay object would be.

Slush casting is usually used to make decorative bowls, vases, lamp bases, candlesticks, miniatures and so on, without the use of cores. The same process is successfully adapted to create a latex mask and other thin skin latex products as well. Cosplay costumes, props and even helmets are made using similar techniques.

Sometimes, closed molds are used for slush casting. The mold is broken apart to reveal a uniquely beautiful cast that cannot be replicated again.

And now that you know how to make molds as well as slush casts, what is stopping you from creating your own hollow ornamental objects?

The author,    Aarron Barry is an enthusiastic writer who loves writing on creativity; art likes topic and attention the detail. Through this article he shared his valuable information on    how to make molds, latex rubber or two part molds. Want to know more about those topics, visit the website.


By Aarron Barry

Article Source: Slush Casting for Hollow Objects

Restoring The Creative Spirit - A Day In The Life Of Photography

It's been a hectic time of artistic painting creativity over the past few months. So much so that I had a hard time remembering the last time I was behind the lens! I could name a million reasons as to why I haven't picked up the camera but let's face it, they would all be excuses not reasons!

So it was with much enthusiasm and a lot of coffee that I went back behind the lens. Some images required for a small campaign for my own hometown and backyard, the Otways, Great Ocean Rd and Apollo Bay Victoria, Australia.

3AM wake-up call and packed into the car, ready for a few hours on the road.

For those of you not familiar with the Great Ocean Rd - its mile after mile of twisting, curving, winding one lane road that hugs the coast line of Victoria. Awesome if you love driving which I do. It can be a nightmare during the day when the road is usually taken with tourists, some of which aren't sure which side of the road they should even be driving on, let alone actually doing the right speed limit on hair-pin turns with a steep plunge into the ocean on one side and a cliff wall on the other.

Driving 3 hours in pitch dark blackness with nothing but the sound of the ocean coming in the window and no-one else around was an absolute joy. Nothing like getting out of your comfort zone or doing something so pleasurable to actually put your mind into the right place to be creative.

First stop, a small inlet in Apollo Bay popular with the locals for surfing. Sunrise just about to happen and the tide far enough out that I could actually walk 100 meters out into the ocean before getting close to the water and the crashing waves. A few choice clicks at the right time and back to the car it is.

A further 10 KM's up the road to a nice high spot to capture a great panorama of Apollo Bay in all its glory, with the sun still throwing up gorgeous colours.

So next up, Hopetoun Falls in the Otways. Back in the car for another one and a half hour drive into the Otways. This time, the winding, curving one-lane road was caressed by a cliff wall on one side and a sheer drop of up to 50 meters on the other right down into forest. Still early enough that all the tourists were snuggled up nice and cozy in their beds.

Even though the sun had risen by this time, darkness still fell upon the valley where the falls are. Park the car, take some time to pull out a thermos and have a luke-warm coffee before heading up through the forest trails.

Once again, surrounded by the sounds of nature and nothing else, the creative juices start pumping through my body and I can't wait to get to the falls and I'm not disappointed. Crashing water, clear crisp air and the sun just beginning to peak over the valley. Awesome views and a life-giving feeling.

Prepare the shots and angles and get the work out-of-the-way, then sit back and just enjoy the serenity and peace for a while, before the roads start getting busy.

Time to head back home - this time taking the quicker less-scenic route. Three and a half hours later back home safely with some new memories and a few choice shots of some of the most picturesque places on Earth.

I could have made up more excuses if I had chosen to, but I chose otherwise. These are the moments in life that will make you a true professional creative or just another hobbyist.

The outcome of your life is based on the choices that you've made in the past. Tomorrow's outcome will be based on the choices that you make today. What will you choose?

Check out the images that go along with the above story on my social media pages or website. Links below.

My crazy world has included successfully combining all the skills of a artist, photographer, designer, programmer, and marketer into one crazy life.

I'm available for guest blogging, article writing and speaking events.

~ Frank

Tazz 1 Pty Ltd

Follow me in my crazy world via my site
or Insta!



 By Frank Perez


Article Source: Restoring The Creative Spirit - A Day In The Life Of Photography