BestBlogPosts

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:03 GMT

Body Piercing: An Overview

Body piercing is a practice in which a part of the body is cut or punctured to create an opening for wearing jewelry. It is a very old practice whose use can be traced back to ancient cultures. Body piercing has been attached to a variety of cultural norms and may serves as a reflection of spirituality, religion, conformism, eroticism, fashion, or any other kind of sub-cultural identification. The most popular types of body piercing are discussed below-

Ear piercing - This type of piercing has been practiced since ancient times and continues to be the most common form of body piercing. It is said that ancient tribes believed that metal blocked evil spirits. Thus by piercing their bodies, they thought that they could stay protected from evil spirits. The use of earrings was more common among men, than in women in parts of the Roman Empire, since it was introduced by Julius Caesar. However, modern ear-piercing is popular among both sexes and is still the most common form of body-piercing.

Nose piercing - Nose piercing which is quite common nowadays as a fashion trend was practiced by many tribes of Native America and Alaska. They pierced their septum as a way of symbolizing their male status.

Tongue piercing - Many pre-Columbian tribes used to practice the art of tongue piercing as a part of their rituals. It was more of a sacrifice which involved wounding one's organ of speech.

Lip piercing - Lip piercing has its roots in American and African cultures. Lip piercing among African tribes is meant exclusively for the female, who may have to wear lip rings after getting married to signify that she is owned by a male.

There are many other types of body piercing and people keep experimenting with it, however those who opt for any type of body piercing are advised to do so in consultation with a professional.
Posted by: Crista      Read more     Source

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 03:45:43 GMT

Should Teachers Friend Their Students?

I got my August copy of Learning & Leading from ISTE (the International Society for Technology in Education) this week. There was an interesting counterpoint on the question of whether teachers should "friend" their students....

Marsha Redd says "yes." She's a library media specialist in a Michigan school. Jeannine Ortiz says "no." She's an English language arts teacher in New York.

The arguments are familiar. I published my own pieces about what's good and what's bad about social networking in school. Some people say it's become normal social behavior - no different than acknowledging your students when you see them at the mall. Other's feel it's somehow inappropriate (and they throw in that teachers ought to be allowed to have a private life).

I side with Marsha in most ways. I don't think there's anything inherently inappropriate in friending your students on a social network. (Like Marsha, I never actually initiate that relationship, I just respond when they friend me.) Social networking is just a medium. We talk constantly about extending learning beyond the classroom and this is just part of that.

On the other hand, I do have a life of my own. How do I reconcile that? I do it partly by maintaining separate social networks. Students (and their parents) friend me on MySpace, and I friend them back. My life on Facebook is my own, more or less. So far no students have tried to friend me there. But about a third of my students have friended me on MySpace.

The state of West Virginia may soon make the situation even less of a problem. They're working on their own closed social network for educators and students. Despite stereotypes about the state, West Virginia is leading the nation in the use of educational technology. Their model for social networks may make dealing with this issue a little simpler.

It's an issue that's likely to hang around.



Posted by: Nancy      Read more     Source

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:38:59 GMT

Ideas for children's playground equipment

Growing up, most people admit that the best years of their life were often spent in the playground or in their backyards, clambering on swings and balancing on see-saws. So, if you have children, it is only natural that you want to help them have the same kind of joyful experiences. In any case, most children spend too much time in front of the TV set and a good outdoor playground is excuse enough to bring them out to exercise their limbs and minds.

These days, ideas for children's playground equipment are varied. Children's playground equipment may be store bought or homemade. These are even available in kits. With a little creativity and hard work, it is possible to make different kinds of playground equipment. For those with the carpentry skills, putting up a fun structure is not hard. This is also an economical way of building a playground that is full of fun. However, not all of us have the skills or time required for a DIY option.

Before choosing the equipment for the children's playground, you must consider how children will play with these pieces, not just in the immediate present but in the future too. If you use elements that are suited to young children only, you will need to discard them in a few years. Consider whether your child would like the sandbox, the wall, the ladder and so on. Many brilliant playsets may be included in the playground so that children can have loads of fun in these playgrounds for many years to come.

The item that is on the top of every child's wish list is the swingset. Different kinds of swings are available these days. There are plastic swings for infants and there are swings for older children. With so many varieties of swings available in the market, it is not difficult to get the specific variety that is perfect for your own needs. Of all the varieties, swingsets made of wood is the most popular as these look great and do not damage easily. If you decide to use metal, make sure that they are rustproof. In case of plastic, ensure that these are UV protected. It is always a good idea to choose at least two varieties of swings.

Many playgrounds have equipment that challenge the child's physical and creative limits. The monkey bars, trapeze and ladders are great examples. It is a good idea to choose some of these elements because these toys will entertain your children and their friends as they grow older, and possibly grow out of swings and slides.

Safety is an important consideration. So are other considerations like space, drainage etc. To achieve these in a proper balance, you may want to hire a licensed playground installer who knows how to lay out a playground and install the required elements in their proper place.
Posted by: Joslyn      Read more     Source

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:01:36 GMT

Mintpad gets attainable, UK is lucky first on the list

Remember all the gushing we did about Mintpad - the cute touchscreen PMP from Mintpass? Then allow us a bit more, thrilled as we are that the little one has come several degrees closer from where it first debuted, albeit a little inconspicuously for the world to take notice of the great potential. Mintpad is now on sale in the UK, in a 4GB avatar that leaves little to be desired.

The specifications : WinCE OS, 2.9-inch LCD touchscreen display, 1.3 MP camera, 4GB internal storage, microSD slot, WiFi, USB 1.1/2.0 interface, voice recording, and support for most audio/video file formats. Plus, there is the chat facility that enables you to chat with other Mintpad-ers within a 98 feet radius, without the need to connect to the internet. The battery life is approximately 30 hours of audio or 5-6 hours of video.

Definitely the first address if you are looking for a media player cum smart digital assistant. The asking price for the device in the UK is £139, which translates to $229 on American shores.

Via Engadget. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:05:10 GMT

Remote controlled candle is wax-free, flame-free

When principal household appliances such as the TV, DVD player, or home theatre dance to your tunes via that indispensable authority called a remote control, why should it not be possible to extend the luxury to other aspects of your home too? Well now, how about a remote controlled candle?

Strange as that might sound, you might soften your stand once your hear out the benefits. The Mooncandle has no wax or flame to get it going. Instead, it is a safe, color-changing LED candle controlled by a remote. What role does a remote play in the life of a candle you ask? It can switch the candle on/off, change the color, and best of all - make the candle accessible even when you place it in hard-to-reach corners of the house. You can even set a 4-hour or 8-hour timer for the candles to automatically switch off. Each LED candle has a shelf life of over 50,000 hours. And ofcourse, there are 3 x AAA batteries per candle that you"ve gotta consider. Only after you have convinced yourself of the $50 (per candle) price tag.

Via Gear Diary. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:54:29 GMT

Success, Failure, and the Need to Keep Trying

Scott M. Messinger published a little chunk of perspective not long ago that I thought I would pass along....The quote - "I have not failed. Ive found 10,000 ways that wont work" - To me addresses the trials and tribulations of a small business owner or entrepreneur. Failure in start ups happens. It can happen again and again, and will happen. Failure doesn't get dealt with as a defeat, rather is viewed as a setback. Many failures turn into policy and/or procedure to avoid similar future problems. If you buy a business you can have a pretty good feel on what to expect assuming you've performed adequate due diligence.As a teacher I end up telling kids a lot that you can't learn if you don't try, and you learn a great deal from trying and failing. Critical thinking has become a big emphasis in education. You have to consider why something doesn't work, think about how it could be don't differently.

It's no different in business....


© kaibara87


Posted by: Doris      Read more     Source

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:59:23 GMT

MyTouch 3G Gets the Oprah Seal of Approval

All Oprah loyalists have to do is enter the promotional code "kickoff24″ at the checkout screen at T-Mobile.com and $100 is magically shaved off the price. You do of course, have to be a new T-Mobile customer and be willing to commit to T-Mobile for two years. C"mon, you knew there had to be a catch somewhere.

The offer is valid until September 24th. So now you have a decision to make. Do you jump on this discount like the last chopper out of "Nam and get a myTouch or do you hold out for one of the hotter Android phones like HTC Hero or the Motorola Cliq? Choose wisely. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:19:18 GMT

Compare Credit Cards to Get the Best Deal

Are you planning to get a credit card for yourself? Then it is essential to know about the facilities before you actually get it. Money is the means for life and when it comes to saving it, people are extremely careful. Money is the means that helps us realize our dreams and credit cards are a manifestation of money. Hence, credit cards also help us in fulfilling our desires and plans. Therefore, people are extremely meticulous while getting credit cards.

Before getting a credit card for yourself you must compare the facilities provided by others so that you can get the best deal for yourself. Sometimes even the most astute of the customers get confused while getting a credit card for themselves. In fact, comparing credit cards is not at all difficult as it might apparently sound. With just a few clicks you can compare the facilities of different credit card companies and enjoy the benefits. You can do all this sitting within the confines of your cozy abode.

Internet is making the comparison of credit cards easier
Since the introduction of the Internet life has become easy. This applies to comparing credit cards as well. There are several websites in the present times which provide the facility to compare credit cards. These websites are bridging the gap between the prospective clients and the card issuing company. These websites guide the prospective client regarding the best features of the respective credit cards. While comparing credit cards there are certain points to be taken into account. The interest rate, lowest charges for all types of withdrawal of cash, travel reward system, cash back offers and many more such features are important to be taken note of.

Points to be kept in mind while comparing the credit cards
There are certain sections in the websites that will guide you to go through the process of comparison. They also provide expert advice on such matters. The searches are based on name and type of card and they can help you in comparing the features of different cards. By searching using their tools you might also stumble upon credit cards that offer breathtaking cash back reward up to 5%.

A good credit card will be that from which you can draw the maximum benefit. When you are looking for a good credit card some of the points to be kept in mind are credit limit, annual fee, balance transfer, rewards, rebates, cash backs, and interest rates. Therefore, the credit card that will provide all types benefits is the fittest one for you. Hence, comparing your credit card is important to get the best deal.

Posted by: Julia      Read more     Source

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:44:14 GMT

Urgent cash advance - how and where to get it?

Those unable to manage their monthly expenses within available income due to ever increasing food and other utility costs, always fall back on urgent cash advance to meet additional and urgent expenses. Urgent cash advance, also known as payday loan, is a short term small value loan which treats borrower’s next payday check as collateral. That mean borrower has to pay back loan amount on next payday.

Urgent cash advance or payday lending business has become a thriving business. This financial option is available everywhere. Urgent cash advance loans are very handy during most urgent cash needs such as medical emergencies or payment of college and school fees, or car repair until your next payday. The use of urgent cash advance loan is at the discretion of borrower.

In order to get urgent cash advance, borrower hands over a post-dated personal check to the lender who then deposits it in company account 14 days or 30 days thereafter. In turn lender immediately offers cash advance of maximum $1500 depending on certain parameters.

For online urgent cash advance transaction, transfer of money takes place electronically both during payment to borrower and repayment to lender. For every $100 urgent cash advance, borrower is charged $15 as fee. In fact urgent cash advance loans are better deal than other credit alternatives. Late utility bills can cost you 1,203% and delayed credit card payment will make you shell out 965%. Urgent cash advances are really fastest and easiest loans to get money during emergency.

Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:02:37 GMT

Startup Models: Push or Pull?

© toffehoff

Young Entrepreneur examined two contrasting startup models recently. If you have thought much about the difference between a "push" model and a "pull" model for your startup, you should.

The difference between the two models is this:

• In a push model an entrepreneur develops a product or service "whose time has come" (in the entrepreneur's opinion) and when development is finished the entrepreneur goes looking for customers or clients.


• In a pull model an entrepreneur a product that a particular client or customer needs (and maybe has even asked for), either with the anticipation that that one client (or group of clients) will make the product profitable orwith the hope of marketing the product to other clients after the first client tests the product.

In the first case, an entrepreneur is pushing the product onto the market with the hope that consumers will see its value (which seems obvious to the entrepreneur). In the second case, a consumer is pulling the product onto the market.

The article provides some good insights into the advantages and disadvantages of each model. Posted by: Mattew      Read more     Source