Hobbies Apek Gitu-Gitu

Backyard Croquet

2010-02-19T23:37:00.001+08:00

Backyard Croquet
by: PlayCroquet Column

Backyard http://www.PlayCroquet.com>croquet is a gift that keeps on giving. You can use a croquet set and you can use it again and again and again and again for friend or family entertainment. I recently bought a http://www.PlayCroquet.com/croquet_sets.php>croquet set and played a game of backyard croquet or poison croquet â€“ another form of backyard croquet â€“ with my family in my backyard. We had a nine-wicket, six player croquet set. Now that we have a set, we can play it as much as we want as a free, fun family outdoor activity. Anyone in the family can also invite their friends over for some cheap outdoor entertainment. They can also take it on dates or other group activities. For my family it is especially nice to have outdoor games such as croquet to play. Each Friday we have a family barbecue and find ways to entertain ourselves during the barbecue. Outdoor games provide a form of entertainment that we can enjoy many times over for an affordable price. We also have other outdoor games like ping pong, frizbee, Kubb, and more. We just had to buy one croquet set and now we can use it as often as we like. The last time that we played outdoor croquet in my backyard, during our barbecue, hardly anyone in my family had played it before, so I got to teach them all how to play. It is always fun when it is someoneâ€™s first time, especially when they learn the rule of roquet or of placing your foot on your ball, next to another playerâ€™s ball, to hit their ball far out of play.

During our first game, the lawn was not mowed, so it made the game a little more interesting. It was harder to aim and set the correct distance for your shot, so it made it more difficult for the experienced players to get an easy win. My brothers and sisters were able to keep up with me or at least keep pretty close throughout the game, although, I had not played for years myself. My sister just younger than me even pulled ahead of me near the end. I thought she might even beat me. My brothers and sisters thought it was fun to roquet or hit my ball, since I was the experienced player. Everyone always gangs up on the leading player in any game, it seems like.

My sister missed the wickets at the end and passed them, so it gave me the opportunity to pull ahead hit the final stick and become poison. I stayed close by my sister just younger than me for a while, threatening to kill her ball with my poison ball, to stop her, but also to give the other member of my family the chance to catch up and feel like they had a chance to win before I crushed them. Finally, I finished my sister off, and subsequently defeated all of the others. Even though none of them had ever played before, I still felt a sense of pride from defeating them.

We mowed the game for the second game, and this time everyone knew how to play and understood the rules, so I did not have to play that time. So it was a little better. I recommend playing on a nice cut lawn. It is more fun to be able to hit your ball a further distance without hitting it hard. The second game was probably a little more fun for everyone once they knew the rules. We did not have to stop and explain things to anyone either, so it flowed a little quicker and more smoothly. Peter Jay is a Vice President with Yard Game Central and a manager and web administrator with PlayCroquet.com. For more information about http://www.PlayCroquet.com/croquet_sets.php>croquet sets, visit http://www.PlayCroquet.com.

A Comedy of Comic Book Industry Errors

2009-07-17T10:05:00.002+08:00

A Comedy of Comic Book Industry Errors
by: Comics Galore

Although lacking in popularity for years, the mid-50s through early 60s brought back a resurgence of the superheroes. This in itself was not bad, especially since I like superheroes. But as the publishers wanted to cash in on this rebirth, all other genres within the comic book industry started to fade. The romance comics, the westerns, the hard-boiled detectives, the war comics and science fiction comics all started to pass by the wayside. The superhero was being driven by the market forces, which became to exist in the US comic book industry. Suppliers and consumers alike developed an obsessive preoccupation with superheroes, which ultimately became a detriment to the medium as a whole. By catering too much to the limited market of superhero lovers, a much broader audience became neglected. One analogy presented in the past was that superheroes are like really good desert. We all like desert, but who can eat it all the time?
Another concern with this market saturation was the aesthetic merits under the weight of the superhero longevity itself. This was not necessarily the fault of the genre itself, but of the market upholding its lone cash cow. The very nature of art of storytelling within the superhero arena, was greatly affected. We all have learned from the time we were young, the fundamental elements of storytelling. There is the beginning, a middle and an end. The telling of superheroes defies these fundamentals. There is a beginning, a continuous middle and NO end. The most obvious (and arguably most drama killing) story telling convention is that a leading superhero character can not die, at least, not for long.

Where is the sense of suspense in knowing the peril of the superhero against the super villain, will not last for long. Knowing that to sustain the market popularity, the hero must return issue after issue. While thrilling, it becomes and unconscious exercise in waiting to see how our hero survives. This does not command the drama as that of a character whose outcome you are uncertain of for any given issue. This leaves no ending to an otherwise great story line, and thus a paradox. How could our superhero characters continue, as we would have them, if they were truly to die?

Cognitive psychology has demonstrated that memory retention is stronger with beginnings and endings. We wonder then, how can a story be memorable if there is no ending? It can be theorized, that to keep comic books good, and this includes super heroes, they have to ultimately come to an end. It has been quoted before that all good things must come to an end. Would this help to keep the comic book industry on a more successful track? This can now only be to the speculation of each of us as individuals. Think about what your opinion is.

One of the easiest mistakes to spot in the comic book industry, but the hardest to avoid, was the creation of the Direct Sales Market. This was intended so dealers could purchase direct from the publishers, for a lower cost and in bulk. This in turn would allow the dealers to make their own profits. Not a bad idea. Isn't this how wholesale/retail transactions operate? Apparently though, this became the only method of distribution and eliminated mass venues and comic books were only sold through small isolated venues. What do you think would happen if Time Magazine, for instance, took itself off the newsstands and sold only through these small outlets?

Imagine, although pure profits for the publishers, turning a mass publication into a niche market publication. Who would deliberately do this? Who would be that crazy? Well, apparently the comic book industry did. Over 70 odd years they had managed to always make the wrong decision, by looking at the shortest-term results and throwing every egg into that basket.

And if all this is not enough, the final mistake made by the industry was to shift from Product to Personality. This entailed the move toward selling who was doing the book instead of what the book was all about. While a few bright lights in the comic book writing field shined and some over the short term prospered, can an industry in general, continue to be successful? If none but the most well know and successful writers can prosper, what would become of the bulk of the comic book genre, if this attitude persists? Many otherwise excellent magazines may go down the proverbially flaming tubes. Do keep this in mind.

Can the comic book industry be saved? Very possibly, but when the individuals in charge of the saving are as eager as ever to make the same mistakes all over again, what will the outcome be? They don't even appear to be cleaver enough to make new mistakes.

Dave Gieber, a former rocket engineer, has decided to take up residency on the Internet. He is the owner and editor of several websites, one of which was built around one of his childhood passions; www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com . You can visit here to keep up to date on the world of comic books and comic book collecting. Feel free to sign up for my comic book ezine.

10 Best Ways to Justify Your Airplane Purchase

2009-03-05T11:07:00.001+08:00

10 Best Ways to Justify Your Airplane Purchase
by: This Month's Noise
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For those of us who've caught the "aviation bug" finding a way to justify the purchase of an airplane becomes an all consuming mental task. Make this task simple by choosing the appropriate reasons from the list below:

1. The airplane will make money for me.

This one actually works! Learn about leasebacks and/or using your airplane in your business by visiting: http://www.airplanenoise.com

2. My business will benefit from my increased productivity when I fly instead of drive.

Save time and money by flying yourself! You can avoid hours at the security gate and layover time by flying yourself. Most regional trips will be completed in a fraction of the time youâ€™d spend driving or flying commercially. Learn more by visiting: http://www.airplanenoise.com/answers_to_why.htm

3. The airplane will keep my family together.

Many people find their children off to college and their parents staying in the south. A personal aircraft allows you to stay in contact and maintain the relationships that are so important to you. After all. . . is there anything more important than our relationships with our family and friends?

4. Learning to fly provides a new challenge.

Most of us have dreamed about flying since our childhood. Whatâ€™s preventing us from taking that step? Lifeâ€™s too short to procrastinate!

5. I can vacation every weekend!

No doubt, every weekend can be earmarked for a new destination. Start with you own state, and expand to other states. Visit museums, recreation areas, friends . . . the skyâ€™s the limit! Start with this list: http://www.airplanenoise.com/great_trips.htm

6. I can make an airplane payment instead of an IRS payment!

With minimal business use (30%), your airplane purchase may be a depreciable asset. New tax laws significantly increased the tax benefit to owners. Learn more by downloading a FREE audio TeleClass at: http://www.airplanenoise.com/download_teleclass.htm

7. I can enhance my childrenâ€™s educational experience.

Children learn more from an experience rather than sitting in a classroom or reading a book. Trips to Washington D.C., Niagara Falls, Gettysburg, PA, Kitty Hawk are all great reasons to fly the family. Re-live your childhood at the same time.

8. Flying as therapy?

Well, believe it or not, some people fly for its therapeutic benefits. Lifeâ€™s problems seem to disintegrate as altitude increases. Try it next time youâ€™re feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges!

9. An airplane is a terrific status symbol.

If status is what youâ€™re looking for. . . you canâ€™t beat an airplane. Not only are pilots looked up to, but when itâ€™s your own airplane. . . â€œYouâ€™ve arrived!â€ No one even needs to know that the airplane is generating a positive cash flow.

10. I just WANT one!

Sometimes we just need to satisfy or desires! â€œIâ€™m worth it.â€ â€œIâ€™ve worked hard and this is my reward.â€ â€œI only live once!â€

I know you can add to this list!

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About the Author Pat Redmond, Brighton, Mi usa airplanenoise@airplanenoise.com http://www.airplanenoise.com Pat Redmond, helps business owners who are tired of long lines and baggage claims, fly their way to freedom! Enjoy dinner with your family tonight! To learn more about the General Aviation Business, sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.airplanenoise.com

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©2005 - All Rights Reserved

All About Bonsai Tree And Plant - Discover Practical Secrets

2009-02-18T13:13:00.001+08:00

All About Bonsai Tree And Plant - Discover Practical Secrets

By: Paul Emile

If you possess a bonsai plant, you have to remember that caring for them is akin to caring for a infant. Loving and caring is important but it's not sufficient; you also need to show some "parenting" abilities to make sure that your bonsai plant will enjoy a long and healthy life.

Tip #1 The source of life for all creatures is water but it's particularly so for bonsai plants. Although they need to be watered more frequently than other types of plants, they also need a precise amount of watering. Anything that's less or beyond the ideal amount of water can kill your bonsai plant so it's essential that you ask for professional advice.

There are many factors that affect the amount of water required by a bonsai plant such as the sort of tree you're taking care of, what season it is at present, if the tree's is growing outdoors or indoors, and so forth.

Tip #2 Light is another source of energy for your bonsai plant. Your bonsai plant will benefit from exposure to sunlight just like any other plant|Just like any other plant, your bonsai plant will benefit from exposure to sunlight}. You'll have to arrange for artificial lighting however, if you're growing it in an indoor garden. In such cases, it's important to use a timer so that you avoid risking overexposure for your plants.

Tip #3 Humidity is unfortunately one of the most important but overlooked factors when caring for bonsai plants; the best way to make sure that perfect humidity levels remain regular is by using a humidity tray. You may use decorative stones to make your bonsai plant appear more attractive.

Tip #4 If you're determined to keep your bonsai plant indoors, you need to choose the pot for your bonsai plant very carefully. To be safe, be certain that you purchase pots that are specifically designed for bonsai plants. These pots have pre-made holes for drainage and training wires.

Tip #5 Many people are not sure as to precisely what role fertilizer plays in taking care of bonsai plants. To begin with, fertilizer is required when you are keeping your bonsai plant indoors since this provides the added nutrition that your indoor soil is missing. Secondly, fertilizer is not medicine so don't use it as a cure for sick or dying trees. Finally, make certain that you thoroughly water your bonsai plant before fertilizing.

Lastly, don't risk your bonsai plant's health on the basis of any assumption. If you're not certain, always ask for professional advice!

Author Resource:-> Nathan Knightley a busy author is also an Communication enthusiast and truly takes time to share his information with others. Discover more now about Bonsai and about Bonsai Tree Secrets at his website

target="_blank" href="http://www.bonsaitreesandplants.com">http://www.bonsaitreesandplants.com

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How to Shop for Comfortable Pilates Workout Wear

2008-07-15T12:34:00.001+08:00

by: Pilates Insight

Studies show that an estimated 60% of Americans do not receive the recommended amount of physical exercise per day. It is also estimated that of those 60% who are not active enough, there are 25% who are completely inactive on a daily basis. Being active is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and living a longer life. Perhaps, thatâ€™s why so many people have showed interest in Pilates. Pilates has taken over the workout world and has received so much hype because of the wonders it performs on the body. So now that youâ€™ve decided to become a part of the whirlwind, letâ€™s figure out what youâ€™re going to wear.
Many individuals are confused as to what types of clothing are most appropriate for Pilates. Here is a list of criteria you might want to consider when shopping for Pilates workout wear:

â€¢ Comfortable Clothing - Comfort is key in Pilates. If you are not comfortable in what you are wearing you will be self-conscious and hesitant to perform some of the positions.

â€¢ Clothes that are body hugging - This means clothes that enables you to breathe and move, but not so loose that when you move around you are afraid of your shirt lifting or your tummy showing.

â€¢ Light and Airy Clothing - You do not want to show up to a Pilates class wearing huge track pants that weigh about as much as you do. You want your clothes to breathe. You are going to work up a sweat and therefore you want the lightest clothing possible. â€¢ Stay Away from the Extras - Extra detailing, such as buttons and zippers, can cause discomfort during your workout and become painful if they are jammed into you when performing certain poses.

â€¢ Respect Your Classmates - Be respectful to others in the class and refrain from wearing any clothing which advertises sex, drugs, religion or otherwise as it may be offensive to other individuals taking the class.

Most of all, be comfortable and have fun! The clothing you choose is not as important as the fact that you are improving your lifestyle, creating a better life for yourself and setting a better example for others.

Harriet Spinzer is an avid Pilates enthusiast who writes as a contributing editor for http://www.pilatesinsight.com â€“ a site dedicated to offering information on things like winsor Pilates, Pilates exercise and more.

Buy a Flower Shop: Serious Considerations

2008-06-13T21:41:00.001+08:00

Buy a Flower Shop: Serious Considerations
by: Karen Marinelli

You've always liked flowers and you think the idea of turning emotions into floral expressions sounds like tremendous fun. You are between careers and have been investigating business opportunities in your community. Yesterday, while perusing the real estate magazine in your county, you notice that the family owned, downtown flower shop is for sale. The ad says it's a turnkey operation. This is your lucky day. Or is it?

Let's look before we leap, OK? Here are some factors to consider:

What is the current state of health of this business?

You should be able to see the financial records and consult professional help if needed.

What is the reputation of this business in the community?

If there are negative feelings about the business in the community, you need to consider a name change and making a big show of the change in management. Factor in the cost of a face-lift on the faÃ§ade of the physical facility.

What assets are included in the selling price?

If you are buying the building, equipment, coolers and inventory, you need to carefully assess the age, condition and viability of these items. For example, there may be $10,000 worth of inventory in the store, and the seller may be able to document the value by showing invoices. However, if the inventory is shop worn, out of date or not in keeping with your business plan, the value of that inventory to you may be quite a bit lower than that $10,000.

Are you also buying the Accounts Receivables as an asset?

If so, you should do some serious research into the exact state of these accounts. Many traditional florists have struggled with house accounts. They have extended credit as a matter of tradition, rather than good business sense and have found themselves in extreme cash flow trouble.

What liabilities are you buying?

You'll need to be very clear about any debt or bills you will be taking over. Be sure that you hire professional help to outline any such debt in your sales agreement. Because of seasonality of the flower business and the existence of house accounts, many retail florists have difficulty with cash flow; you should avoid any situation where you will be paying bills run up by the previous owner.

Also, you should take time to consult with the Wholesalers that you will be buying from. Discuss your payment terms and lay the groundwork for a healthy business relationship with a reputable Wholesaler or two.

What about the business name? If the name of the business is valuable in your market, you probably won't want to change the name of the business. In any case, consider a clause in the bill of sale limiting the use of the name by the previous owner in the future. This can be very sticky in the case of an owner's own name, for example "Smith Florist".

Will you need to hire all new staff?

Sometimes a previous owner chooses to stay on and work for the new owner. This can pose tremendous difficulties for all involved, so tread lightly on this territory. It's an extreme analogy, but think about the difficulties in open adoptions between birth and adoptive parents. Everyone has their own style and it can be difficult to accept change or let go of something you have worked very hard to build.

That being said, many valued staff members at successful florists have weathered the change in ownership of their place of employment. Do make every effort to retain good people. Just be sure to be clear about your expectations so that the separation can be as painless as possible should that become necessary.

What is the correct timing?

Take the holidays into account when you plan your purchase of a flower shop. Valentine's day is the single largest day, but Christmas is more of a marathon. Mother's Day, weddings, proms, graduations and anniversaries team up to make the spring months a nice busy time. Depending upon your market, the summer can be a difficult time to make ends meet.

Ideally, you'd take over a shop with enough time to get your feet wet before a holiday, but not with so much down time that your funds dry up before you can get going.

What other opportunities exist, and at what cost?

Here's the acid test. Take the time to sort out the options. Let's work on the assumption that you WILL own a flower shop in the next year. Take a big sheet of paper and draw a line down the center. At the top of the left column, write "Buy and Existing Flower Shop". In the Right column, write "Open a New Flower Shop". Now draw a line through the middle of the paper, so you have a top and bottom. The top is for pros and the bottom is for cons. Fill in the grid with as many items as you can figure. Ask your trusted business friends and floral professionals for help. You'll be considering such items as the finances and the marketing plan of your business. When you have completed this exercise, you should have two things. One is a good tool to help you make a decision. The second is the beginnings of a business plan.

Whatever your decision, a business plan is essential. It is your roadmap for success and will be necessary for a business loan. It is worth the extra time at the onset of this journey to compare the options and make the best decision you can.

About the Author Karen Marinelli is a Floral Industry Professional with nineteen years of experience in the academic, retail and wholesale sectors of the industry. She believes the common goal should be to sell more flowers to more people, more often. For information on How to Open a Flower Shop, visit http://openaflowershop.com/.

To order flowers online, visit http://send-flowers-online.ws/.

This article may be reprinted without permission under the following conditions:

Article must be printed in its entirety.
Author information and links must be printed exactly as above.

Creating Great Birthday Party Videos

2008-05-09T17:39:00.000+08:00

Creating Great Birthday Party Videos
by: Colton Wright
You may reprint this article in an online magazine, e-zine, or newsletter provided you leave the byline intact, donâ€™t change the content, and make web addresses clickable in the byline. Please send a courtesy copy for my records. Send an email to articles@digz-it.com .
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Creating Great Birthday Party Videos

By Colton Wright, Digz-it.com

My son recently had his third birthday party and it was mayhem. There were kids all over the place doing all sorts of funny things with parents following them around trying to prevent the next catastrophe. Believe it or not, this environment makes for a fantastic video. The key is to plan a little before heading to into the chaos.

Sequence of Activities First think in general terms about the sequence of events that go into a party. At first, all you may envision are children running around and the best strategy is to sit back, and tape events as they occur from a safe, comfortable distance. After all, how can you possibly control how your video will turn out with the certain anarchy that will ensue? Well, the answer is to pick your spots. The â€˜spotsâ€™ Iâ€™m talking about are those more creative moments you donâ€™t want to miss.

Preparty â€¢ The birthday wish list â€¢ Sending invitations â€¢ Buying the cake â€¢ Decorating â€¢ Creating goodie bags

Party Time â€¢ Friends arrive with presents â€¢ Everyone gets comfortable â€¢ Entertainment arrives â€¢ Lots of laughing, singing, dancing, kazooing (is that a word?). â€¢ Let the games begin â€¢ The Birthday Procession â€¢ Now the real mess: cake and ice cream â€¢ Finally, the presents â€¢ The goodie bags and farewell

Perspective To really make a great birthday video, be creative and think about the world through a childâ€™s eyes for a moment. Kids get excited for a reason. They have all their friends over, most rules go out the door, and there are games, cake, ice cream, and presents; what else could make a child more excited? On top of this, your child is right in the middle of it all, loosing their breath trying to keep track of whoâ€™s doing what, where, how and why. The goal is to capture that excitement, and it doesnâ€™t mean standing in the corner, towering 6 feet over the scene panning back and forth with a wide angle lens filming. Youâ€™re going to have to do some extreme filming for a few minutes and get down in the action.

Walk Through Now letâ€™s get creative. What I would like to do is walk through the party and give you some examples of creative camera work that will make your videos more exciting to film, edit and share. I donâ€™t expect you to use all of these ideas in one video, but using just a few will improve your storytelling dramatically.

Preparty taping Taping all the preparty items will probably only take less than 10 minutes in total but this video will come in handy when editing. These moments are difficult to plan, so an idea is to keep your video camera fully charged and in an easy to reach spot. This way when the discussion of what they want for their birthday comes up, youâ€™ll be able to capture the moment quickly.

The preparty video you tape will be good flashback material. For example, as you tape your child opening their favorite present, you may want to include a brief flashback to when they initially told you what they wanted and how bad they wanted it. Flashbacks can also be used to show before and after shots of the cake or your home before and after the destruction.

The Party One of the best techniques to make your final video more interesting is to create a few scenes where the viewer experiences the party from the childâ€™s perspective. These are commonly called point of view shots. This involves getting down to their level, literally.

Friends arrive with presents This is a great opportunity for capturing some interesting conversations between the children as they arrive. Try to get your son or daughter to greet the first few arrivals. Kneel down and tape over their shoulder so that the person they are speaking to takes up maybe 2/3 of the frame. For the effect, it should be filmed from the height of the kids. For a more dramatic, meeting of the minds, effect, move the camera around so that it is looking slightly up at the two as they talk. Or, start over the shoulder of one of the subjects and move around to the shoulder of the other.

Note: An important comment is in order here. If you are filming indoors during the day, make sure that you are positioned between your subject and the outside light source (ie. your windows). The primary reasons for this are 1) natural light is an excellent light source and 2) if you shoot a darkened subject against a bright background, the auto-exposure on your camera will compensate for the bright background and darken your subject further. You will essentially end up with a very dark subject (underexposed) with little color and a very bright, white background. Actually, this is the opposite effect of taking a night, flash photo outdoors of your friends against a beautiful city skyline. Your friends end up too bright (overexposed) and the background is entirely black.

Everyone gets comfortable If your party is at a playground with a slide and swing set, then take the camera down the slide or on the swing set. Climb on the jungle gym and hold your camera knee high and chase the kids. You can obviously do the same at indoor play areas or at home as the children play with the toys. As you edit your video, you can work in these point of view clips.

Entertainment Arrives A typical setup for an Entertainment scene is where the children are gathered together and watch a performance. A good shot is to sit behind the children and peer through the crowd at the performer. Then shoot a few close ups of the childrenâ€™s faces from behind the performer. If the kids stand up and dance or play a game, stand with them, hold the camera knee high and mingle. You can edit these point of view clips to create a nice final scene.

Let the Games Begin Playing games is one of the highlights of being a kid. Try to immerse your viewer in the moment and capture the excitement. One of my sonâ€™s friends had a piÃ±ata at their birthday party. You can create a great scene by filming another point of view shot before the party begins. Hold the camera and stick together so the stick is visible in the shot. Wave the stick around and pretend to hit the piÃ±ata. Once you are at the party, and the children have gathered for the fun, stand in the center with your camera knee high and turn around a few times. Now, step back and tape the actual blindfolding and stick waving from a distance. Your final edited clip will include your child being blindfolded, spun around (from their point of view), the stick trying to locate the piÃ±ata (from its point of view) and finally the candy and toys that result from a direct hit.

The Birthday Procession Many different birthday traditions exist in the world but the one most followed by Americans is the birthday cake with candles, a happy birthday song, a wish and blowing out the candles. Birthdays were originally reserved for royalty, hence the crowns kids often wear at parties. Taping this scene could have a royal feeling to it as you tape a close up of the lighting of the candles, the act of proceeding to the table with the cake, the singing, the wish and finally the attempt to blow them all out. Try and create the feeling of a grand gathering, using a wide angle to capture all the family and friends who attended. This makes a scene fit for a King or Queen.

Now the Real Mess: Cake and Ice Cream This is a great opportunity to capture some video of some cute messy faces. Tape a few face close-ups and some wide angle shots of the scene. When you edit the video, try using the slow motion function as a scoop of ice cream falls off a cone or as the cake doesnâ€™t quite make it into a mouth. Or, try increasing the speed of the scene while editing and show the kids devouring their whole plate of cake and ice cream in under 10 seconds. Using various speeds can make these scenes really funny.

Finally, the Presents Opening the presents is a much fun for parents as it is for their children. Bring the camera level with your childâ€™s eyes and catch their reaction as they open their gifts. If youâ€™re really ambitious, you can cut a hole in the bottom of a box, push the camera lens against the hole and film as they open the box. Place som ething silly in the box so when they open it, you capture their smile. In addition, the video you taped prior to the party of your son or daughter explaining what they wanted for their birthday can be used here as a flashback. Itâ€™s magical to see a childâ€™s wishes come true.

The Goodie Bags and Farewell The goodie bags and the mess are all that is left. Try to put a fun item in the goodie bags that the kids can wear. A few ideas include a funny clown nose, silly glasses, candy lips, or tiaras. You can gather the kids together at the end for a funny shot of their new identities. Have them wave goodbye to the camera for the farewell scene.

Parting Words I hope that you have a better understanding of how to create a more exciting birthday video using various camera angles and editing techniques. Remember that the goal is to fit just a few of these ideas into your finished video. You can accomplish your goal with just a little planning and by picking your spots at the party. With a little thought, you can adapt these ideas to any party situation. Good luck and have fun!

*****

Colton Wright a writer for http://www.digz-it.com , a video and photo sharing website targeted to families.

Autograph Collecting

2008-03-15T22:26:00.001+08:00

Autograph Collecting: More Questions and Answers
by: The AutoGram

Autograph collecting terminology and common sense are vital for the hobbyist in order to make informed purchase decisions.
Question: What advantages does autograph collecting offer as compared to other collectibles?

Answer: Autographs have been called â€œfrozen moments in time.â€ Autograph collectors are curators of history. The most personal item that one person can give is his or her signature. Anything that can be signed can be considered collectibleâ€¦letters, documents, photographs, books, memorabilia, etc. Few objects give a collector the opportunity to own a unique or one-of-a-kind item that is actually part of someone who is known by millions of people. That is the main reason why autograph collecting has become one of the fastest growing hobbies in recent years.

Question: What guidelines should I consider when purchasing autographs?

Answer: Buy autographs that capture your interest. Donâ€™t purchase items presented as â€œinvestmentsâ€ or sold through pressure. Learn as much as possible the language of autograph collecting. The more you study, the easier it will be for you to determine what items are authentic and which items to purchase. Use common sense when buying a signed piece. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Purchasing from reputable dealers, who will help you avoid risks and problems, is paramount. Most dealers offer a certificate of authenticity, which is only as good as the reputation of the dealer. If the dealer cannot tell you when and where the item was signed or how it was obtained, go elsewhere.

Question: I see many pre-printed autographed photos on eBay. What are these and is there any value?

Answer: These are facsimile reproductions of actual signed photos. With todayâ€™s technology, sellers can easily copy an authentic item with great detail and sell at a drastically reduced price. Novice collectors or those on a limited budget are usually the target of these sellers. Unfortunately, many buyers are unaware that the item is a copy because of the vague description. We recommend that collectors avoid these pre-printed photos and be extremely careful when purchasing autographs online.

Question: What is a COA? Must I have a COA with an autograph I purchase?

Answer: COA is an abbreviation for â€œcertificate of authenticityâ€. Many collectors require a COA before they purchase an autograph. Frankly, a COA is just a piece of paper that is only as good as the confidence of the buyer and the reputation of the seller. Always make sure you are purchasing from a person who knows how and where the signature was obtained and will guarantee the item to your satisfaction.

These are just a few of the questions we receive from autograph collectors. If you have a question, feel free to contact us.

Get a Hobby

2008-03-06T22:53:00.000+08:00

Get a Hobby
by: Peter Jay

According to Dictionary.com, a hobby is “an activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure” (Dictionary.com). Merriam-Webster defines a hobby as “a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation” (Merriam Webster Dictionary). A hobby is relaxation and pleasure, OUTSIDE of one’s occupation. Many people today, go to work, come home, do not do anything, and then go back to work the next day, like mindless drones slaving away at their job, making money for bosses and owners who are pursuing their own interests and hobbies. That is why they started the business in the first place; it was something interesting to THEM that THEY could pursue. Well, it is time to work to live, not live to work; that is my motto. Find something to do outside of the workplace, something that YOU enjoy, something that relaxes you and brings you pleasure. Find something you can do with your family or with other people, to have good experiences, rather than that job you are always doing.

It is time for such working people to find a new hobby. Find something they like to do. There are a million hobbies or interests one can pursue. Just think of all the things you like, or all of the things you ever wanted to do. Think of what you need to do to achieve those things, and start doing it. Do it in your spare time. You will be surprised what a difference just half an hour a day focused on one particular interest will do. Many of my own hobbies I learned by studying them on my own in my spare time. If you can learn anything, you can learn anything, it just takes time, and if you prioritize right, time is something you do have. Learn another language, a new game, a new sport, a new musical instrument, or a hobby craft you would enjoy.

Maybe you have many interests or hobbies you would like to pursue. That is great, the more the better. Variety is the spice of life. Find a variety of hobbies you would like to pursue and spice up your life a bit. Some of the hobbies I enjoy or camping and hiking. I bought myself an acoustic guitar and taught myself to play. I taught myself to play the piano a little, and I also play the trumpet. One hobby is designing websites. I speak English and Russian, but I want to learn some other languages as well.

Geocaching is a fun new hobby; use Global Positioning Systems to find hidden treasures. I also like to play yard games like croquet, kubb, bocce ball, and others. Sports have always been a way for me to find pleasure and relaxation. I play tennis, basketball, golf, football, and others. Some people find pleasure in scrapbooking or other hobby crafts.

If you cannot think of a hobby now, come to VarietyAccess.com your online hobby store and browse our hobbies. See if you cannot find one that interests you. We provide everything you need or want to pursue your hobbies or interests from sports hobbies to craft hobbies, music hobbies to camping and outdoors hobbies.

Whatever your interests are, start pursuing them. Find an activity or interest outside your regular occupation that YOU can do for pleasure and relaxation. Start living again. Do not live to work, but work to live. Think of anything and everything you enjoy or that makes you happy and fill your lives with a “variety” of those things. Quit living your life for things that are not important to you and start living for the things that are important, recreation with family and friends, relationships, self-improvement, and the pursuit of happiness.

Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access – Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com.

Comic Book Collecting, I Canâ€™t Get Enough!

2008-03-02T01:01:00.001+08:00

Comic Book Collecting, I Canâ€™t Get Enough!
by: Comics Galore

Have you ever read a comic book before? I imagine just about everyone, at some time in their life, has read at least one comic book. But do your interests and enjoyment level go beyond that? You may have said to yourself, at sometime or another, I would like to start comic book collecting some day. Heck, you may even have several comic books lying around that you have just never organized.

What do I do to start comic book collecting and what all do I need? Well, as I am sure you realize, you need to start with a passion. You have a comic book collecting passion, you say, but you don't want to be labeled a "comic book collecting geek" and remain alone in your enjoyment. Well, my suggestion to you is "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" and believe me, you are not alone. You would be amazed at the multitudes of individuals who have a passion for comic book collecting. And there are a plethora of related sites on the Web.

I couldn't get enough of these colorful action-packed little devils when I was young. But like any supposedly responsible individual, I lay my comic book collecting passion aside when I got older and went to college and got a good job. Well in the last several months, I have rekindled that childhood passion and have spent a good share of my time researching and creating my own comic book collecting website. And what a rush it has been reintroducing myself to myself. I am finding quite an avid interest in all the new comic book hero movies Hollywood is cranking out. I have even started my own comic book hero DVD collection. And this is big business, so I know there are throngs of people out there with my same comic book collecting interests and I hope to connect with many of them through my comic book collecting website.

I ran into a major thrill the other day glancing through the want ads of my local newspaper. Lo and behold, someone was selling a comic book collection. A quick call and a meeting in the shopping mall parking lot and I was the proud owner of 189 comic books kept in beautiful condition. And get this; it cost me $50.00 for the whole comic book collection. I have as yet to determine the actual worth of the collection, but it has got to be substantially more than what I paid for it. As time goes on, I will be organizing all of these comic book collecting items in a spreadsheet and using my trusty copy of the Overstreet Comic Book Collecting Price Guide to determine my new comic book collection's total worth. As I do that, I will be reporting results on my website.

Through all my research over the last many months, I have even created an ebook product on how to start comic book collecting, which is filled with Internet resources. I want to have an inexpensive resource available to help others, with the same passion I have, to get started. If you care to see what the book is about, you can check it out at

http://www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-collection.html

and let me know what you think.

When you start your comic book collecting, you will need to start thinking about sources to purchase your comic books from. You will want to start learning about comic book supplies to help preserve and organize your magazines. You will want to learn how the rest of the industry goes about grading physical condition and what your individual comics are worth. Personally though, I believe some of the greatest worth in a comic book is what it means to you and the enjoyment you receive from owning these little pieces of art. You may even what to find where all the great comic book conventions are and if there are any close to you. All of this information is available on the Net and I am hoping to build a central hub to all this other great info.

Want to start comic book collecting? Come on over and visit me. Kick your shoes off and stay for a while. I don't think you will be disappointed. You may even want to bookmark my site. Have something of value you want me to add or a question that needs an answer? I am all ears. So start scanning the want ads and I will see you at my site. Flame on! Or was that "Up, Up and Away"?

About The Author:

Dave Gieber owns and edits a website built around one of his childhood passions. Learn the basic essentials to comic book collecting success at: www.comic-book-collection-made-easy.com/comic-book-collection.html

A Comedy of Comic Book Industry Errors

2008-02-25T22:51:00.000+08:00

AIRCRAFT OWNERSHIP: IS THE TIME RIGHT?

2008-02-18T21:28:00.004+08:00

AIRCRAFT OWNERSHIP: IS THE TIME RIGHT?
by: This Month's Noise

In the hours and days immediately following the tragic attacks on America of 9/11, there was much speculation about the effects on the general aviation industry. While the events of September 11, 2001 have had a significant impact on the economy as a whole, sales of personal aircraft in Michigan have experienced a surprising boost. Certainly, the convenience of personal transportation has played a major role in this increase as airport lines and security have become more time consuming. The reduction of flights resulting from the airline cost-cutting have limited flexibility for the business person and affected the productivity of companies relying on commercial transportation. These factors alone canâ€™t explain surge of people joining the flying community for more than just pleasure. Rebates, low and 0% interest rates, training allowances, and yes, even the IRS played a role in creating an environment that has introduced more people to the benefits of aircraft ownership and had an effect similar to that seen after the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1995.

The IRS is here to help you? Well, believe it or not, a new tax law passed earlier this year represents a renewed attempt by our nationâ€™s leaders to jumpstart the economic recovery. The bill applies to new airplanes acquired after September 10, 2001, and before September 11, 2004, and provides tax savings from economic stimulus provisions included in the Internal Revenue Code designed to encourage investment in capital assets. Visit your local airport and youâ€™re sure to see plenty of forty and fifty year old aircraft operating for both business and pleasure. Even prior to the new tax law, Congress recognized that capital investment is an important part of our economy, and therefore allowed a five year depreciation of these assets. To further encourage investments, they do not require the depreciation to be spread evenly over the five years, but through a concept know as â€œdouble declining balance,â€ greatly accelerate depreciation during the first two years of ownership. Now with the additional incentives of 30% bonus depreciation on new airplanes, tax deferral opportunities are greatly expanded.

So how might a business person benefit from these new changes? First of all, the impact of these depreciation changes greatly reduce net cash investment for the purchase of a new airplane. Specifically, an operator in the 40% tax bracket who can successfully write off his aircraft ownership expense may have no cash investment in the airplane during the first four years. Additionally, when properly structured, many taxpayers have an opportunity to convert personal use into business use. The Internal revenue code provides an optional method of taxing an individual for personal use of an aircraft which many times amounts to less than 10% of the actual deductions flowing from the investment. Consult your tax professional prior to purchasing your new airplane or ask your Aircraft Dealer for the name of an Aviation Tax Specialist to set up your purchasing entity.

And you say youâ€™re not a pilot? Local aircraft dealers like Suburban Aviation, Inc. in Lambertville, Michigan will actually teach you to fly your new airplane and even reimburse your expenses when you purchase a new Cessna airplane from them. Most of todayâ€™s pilots learned to fly in a Cessna airplane and the majority of these pilots continue to experience the freedom and flexibility that flight offers in one of Cessnaâ€™s many single engine models. For 75 years, Cessna has been the leader in general aviation aircraft providing a safe and reliable alternative to commercial airlines and the automobile.

So if your business can benefit from improved efficiency and tax savings, why not consider a company airplane? There are few tax saving opportunities as effective as fully depreciating an aircraft on a five year accelerated basis, and with todayâ€™s interest rate environment, a well-structured transaction often results in little or no after tax cash flow holding costs during the early years of ownership. Of course, arriving at your meeting on time and with all your luggage can also be pretty convincing!

About the Author Pat Redmond, Brighton, Mi usa airplanenoise@airplanenoise.com http://www.airplanenoise.com Pat Redmond, helps business owners who are tired of long lines and baggage claims, fly their way to freedom! Enjoy dinner with your family tonight! To learn more about the General Aviation Business, sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://www.airplanenoise.com

Favorite Hobbies - River Rafting

2008-02-17T21:18:00.005+08:00

Favorite Hobbies - River Rafting
by: Variety Access Hobbies

One of my favorite hobbies is river rafting. I have always lived near a river or creek, and since I was a kid I loved to go tubing or rafting down the river. I think every kid loves to go tubing or rafting. I have gone many times, nearly every summer of my life. Usually I would just go on tubes. We could find tubes at a random tire repair shop. Often they just had inner tubes for sale that many of the kids in town would just go buy to go tubing. The creek was fine to tube on as a kid. It is not very large or fast, but felt like it was when I was younger. Now the creek by my house is kind of boring to tube, but there are bigger rivers around to raft and tube on also.

One river rafting trip I once went on lasted a week. We rafted down the green river in Utah for about seventy-five miles. It lasted nearly a week. The whole time the river was surrounded by towering cliffs, around one-hundred feet straight up. Each night strong winds would come rushing down the canyon. We had to unpack and sleep on sandbars, often with the wind trying to blow all of our rafts and equipment away.

The green river is kind of slow and does not have many rapids, if any at all. It is just a kind of relaxing river run. There is always the possibility of flash floods though, that could come at night. It could rain anywhere miles and miles upstream and we could still end up having a flashflood where we were at. We always tried to find a sandbar as high as we could, so that we would not be washed out if a flashflood came. Fortunately none ever came. It might have been fun though, to have a flashflood come. It would have added a little more excitement to our trips and give us something more to talk about. I have not ever really gone white water rafting, although I would really like to. It looks pretty fun. I have just done the slower rivers. They are kind of nice too though. It is nice to be able to just sit back and relax as you float down the river.

I went kayaking for the first time this last summer. That is a www.VarietyAccess.com hobby I really enjoy and would like to start doing more. I went with a large group, and was on a two man kayak. It was fun though, much more fun than just tubing or rafting. You have a lot more control in a kayak, and you can speed up and move around much quicker. It can move much faster than a tube or a raft can. We only kayaked for an hour or so, but I really want to go again. I need to get my own kayak at the www.VarietyAccess.com online hobby store and more so I can go as often as I like.

Anyway, river rafting is one of my favorite www.VarietyAccess.com hobbies for many reasons. I do not know why. Maybe it is just because I like to be in the water so much. It gets so hot in the summer sometimes, even in Utah, and it is nice just to have something to do to cool off. I like that it is an activity that I can do for free too. After I have my tubes, rafts, or kayaks, it is something I can do over and over again without a cost for anything, except the gas to drive up the canyon.

Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access â€“ Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com

Gardening

2008-02-08T18:42:00.002+08:00

Gardening - Using Bulbs in Your Landscaping
by: Jill Dow

Naturalized bulbs look beautiful in a wooded setting. You can plant them and leave them to multiply. After the bulbs bloom the foliage will die down, but you can interplant bulbs with ground covers for a carefree and beautiful garden.
For a natural look you should arrange your bulbs informally. If you toss them and plant them where they land, with small adjustments for spacing, it'll look much better than if you arrange them.

Bulbs also work well in a perennial garden. When your bulbs finish blooming your perennials are just ready to get started and they're now filling in the spaces and hiding the soon to be dormant foliage of your bulbs. This is a great way to extend color in the garden for a good 6 weeks.

Summer bulbs can be used to fill in areas that need color when perennials have finished. Keep in mind that most summer bulbs do need to be dug up and stored over the winter. The good part is that next season when you replant them you can totally redesign with them.

Whatever your garden style, make sure you add some bulbs. They'll provide you with years of enjoyment!

Favorite Picks

Early Spring

Crocus,Grape Hyacinth,Early Tuplips,Hyacinths,Snow Drops

Mid Spring

Daffodil,Crown Imperial,Iris,Tulips

Summer

Dahlias,Gladiolus,Lily

For more information about gardening with bulbs see http://www.bulbandseed.com

Hobby Ideas

2008-02-05T23:08:00.000+08:00

Hobby Ideas
by: Variety Access Hobbies

There are as many hobbies as there are ideas. A hobby can be any leisure activity you pursue outside of your work or career. Hobbies can range from raising fish to or growing algae in your fish tank to watching the stars through a telescope. A hobby can be anything you want it to be. It can be anything you want to do. Hobbies are limitless. Just think of all of the things you have ever wanted to do, and start doing them in any small way you can. You can read books about it. For some people reading books may even be a hobby. Studying and researching various things may be a hobby. Some people are just curious and want to know everything.

I have many different interests in my life. Because of this, it took me a long time to choose a major in college. My freshman year, I was a music major, but I never wanted to pursue music as a career. It was not that I did not like music, I loved it, but it was something I wanted to do as a www.VarietyAccess.com>hobby instead. I really like astronomy, and thought of majoring in physics and astronomy; I found it was something I also enjoyed a lot, but I decided to have those be www.VarietyAccess.com/hobbies as well. I ended up majoring in Political Science, with minors in Russian and Business. For some people, what I studied in college is a hobby for them. Some people love to participate in politics as a hobby; others love to learn foreign languages as a hobby or personal interest; and some people like to pursue business as a hobby - this is especially evident by those who follow the stock market and invest their money as a hobby. Investing in the stock market is a hobby I enjoy myself.

Some women like to grow plants and flower gardens as their hobbies. Men also like to work in the garden or yard as a way to get away from work. There is something relaxing about working in the dirt or soil. I actually read once in a popular science magazine that there is actually a chemical in the soil that makes people feel good. It is no wonder that some people enjoy working in the yard and garden so much. It really does make you feel good.

Camping is a hobby that many people also enjoy. I know some people who just cannot stay out of the outdoors. They always want to be up in the mountains or out at the lake. Some love to fish, some love to hunt, some love to trap, while others just like to look at the scenery and take pictures. Photography itself is a popular hobby for many people and the possibilities there are endless also with all of the sceneries and backgrounds to take pictures of, from city life to the mountains and backcountry.

Travel may be your hobby. Some people just like to see new things and visit new places they have never been before. I met one family who said they just could not be happy. They could not find what they liked until they began to travel. That is what made them happy, going and seeing the world, visiting new, diverse, and exotic places. The possibilities there are endless too. A new place for many people is often an hour or just a little more away. Think of all of the places you would like to visit and which ones are feasible and start visiting them. Figure out how to make the other places and hobbies feasible in the long run. In the meantime, bring your hobby ideas to life at the www.VarietyAccess.com>online hobby store and more.

Peter Jay is the Owner/President and CEO of Variety Access â€“ Your online hobby store and more. For more information about hobbies, hobby products, or Variety Access, go to www.VarietyAccess.com.