Handy Lanka

How to Increase your internet Speed?

2009-08-12T16:53:00.001+05:30

http://www.nidokidos.org

Shared via AddThis

B--R--E--A--K--I--N--G NEWS

2008-07-19T11:42:00.024+05:30

Pirubhakaran Has Escaped This Morning !

Sri Lankan troops capture key Tamil Tiger town
COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka's government said Tuesday it had dealt a major blow to Tamil rebels by capturing the key northern town and guerrilla bastion of Mallavi after heavy fighting that left dozens dead.
Security forces marched into the town on Monday evening and on Tuesday morning were "hunting for remaining Tigers," the island's defence ministry said.
"Domination of the well-known Mallavi town... marked one more decisive and impressive phase of the 'war for peace,'" the ministry said, referring to its drive to take the Tigers' nearby political capital of Kilinochchi.
The ministry said 33 rebels and four of its own troops were killed in fighting across the north of the island. It said 49 guerrillas and 11 soldiers were also wounded in the fighting on Monday.
The capture of Mallavi, where the Tigers had medical facilities, would be a psychological blow to the guerrillas as it is regarded as the birthplace of Tiger supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran's wife, defence officials said.
"Hundreds of valiant soldiers under the able military leadership are now stepping further towards adjoining boundaries of Mallavi town to capture remaining vulnerable areas located in Mallavi," the defence ministry said.

The latest casualty figures raised the number of rebels reported killed by troops since January to 6,238. The military admits losing 589 of its soldiers during the same period.

The Sri Lanka government pulled out of a Norwegian-brokered ceasefire with the rebels in January, and are engaged in a massive offensive aimed at dismantling the rebels' northern mini-state.
The defence ministry said security forces raised the national flag at Mallavi to the "thundering applause" of troops. It also released pictures of the local hospital and other town landmarks now under military control.

There was no immediate word from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but the pro-rebel Tamilnet.com website said the rebels had offered stiff resistance on another front along the northwestern sea board.

The site said "heavy fighting was also reported near Mallavi," but gave no further details.

According to Sri Lankan officials, government forces are now just 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) outside Kilinochchi, the Tigers' main administrative base, which is 330 kilometres north of the capital Colombo.

The Tigers have tacitly admitted losing ground -- but in the past they have surrendered territory only to strike back in devastating counter-attacks.

The town of Kilinochchi has been in government hands during previous episodes of the long-running conflict, and was most recently taken back by the LTTE in 1999 when they reversed months of hard-fought government gains in the space of several days.

Military commanders have said they are adopting better tactics and moving in smaller groups to prevent a repeat of the 1999 debacle.The LTTE is seeking a homeland for minority Tamils from the majority Sinhalese community in the island's north and east. Tens of thousands have died on both sides in over three decades of bloodshed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proud of Sri Lanka

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7 dont's after a meal
* Don't smoke-Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of cancer is higher).

* Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.

* Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid.This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.

* Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted &blocked.

* Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease. This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.

* Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

* Don't sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly. Thus will lead to gastric & infection in our intestine.

FINALLY DONT JUST KEEP THIS Message PLEASE FORWARD IT TO YOUR FRIENDS. LET THEM BE AWARE!!

Another tax for mobile phones!!!!!

The Government has decided to levy a new tax from those who use mobile phones. The 'environmental conservation tax' will add 2% to the present bill. The gazette regarding the levy of the new tax has been published on the 1st and collection of tax will commence from the 15th of this month.

extracted from lankatruth

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pass THIS Message TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

01 & ½ Months old baby of Mt Lavinia who is suffering fromLeukaemia

Patient's Name : Thaluni Thimethya Mallikarachchi,
Hospital : National Cancer Hospital , Maharagama
Ward : Ward No 15 A
Patients Blood Group : O - veBlood Group(s)
Required : Only O -veAmounts Required :
As much as possibleLocation to be donated : Blood Bank, Cancer Hospital , Maharagama.

For further details please contact, Mr. Prageeth – 0115555545

Please pass this massage to everyone you know & help to save this "baby''
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

India tour of Sri Lanka, 2008

July 2008
Fri 18 - Sun 20 10:30 local, 05:00 GMT
Sri Lanka Board XI v IndiansNondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo
Wed 23 - Sun 27 09:45 local, 04:15 GMT
1st Test - Sri Lanka v IndiaSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Thu 31 - Mon 4 10:15 local, 04:45 GMT
2nd Test - Sri Lanka v IndiaGalle International Stadium

August 2008
Fri 8 - Tue 12 10:15 local, 04:45 GMT
3rd Test - Sri Lanka v IndiaR Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Fri 15 10:00 local, 04:30 GMT
TBC v IndiansNondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo
Mon 18 10:00 local, 04:30 GMT
1st ODI - Sri Lanka v IndiaRangiri Dambulla International Stadium
Wed 20 10:00 local, 04:30 GMT
2nd ODI - Sri Lanka v IndiaRangiri Dambulla International Stadium
Sun 24 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT
3rd ODI - Sri Lanka v IndiaR Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Tue 26 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT
4th ODI - Sri Lanka v IndiaR Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Fri 29 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT
5th ODI - Sri Lanka v IndiaR Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Signing for CEPA postponed
Lanka Truth 19th July, 2008. 12.58 PM

Signing for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Aggrement was postponed.

Media minister Mr.Anura Priyadarshana Yapa revealed this to media yesterday at a press conference .

Same time, we told that government had leaked the decision of not signing for the agreement to political parties like Jathika Hela Urumaya and Jathika Nidahas Peramuna to get its political value.

Our Heroes to Olympic
Team leader Susanthika
Lanka Truth 19th July, 2008. 01.17 PM

The team participating to Olympic Games at Beijing – China on 8th August is ready now. Susanthika is the team leader and she will take the pride of carrying national flag at inauguration ceremony.
Members of the team are

Susanthika Jayasingha 100/200 m Running

Chinthaka Geethal Weight Lifting

Nadeeka Lakmali Javelin

Anuruddha Rathnayaka Boxing

Thilini Jayasingha Badminton

Daniel Lee Swimming

Mayumi Raheem Swimming

E.M. Senanayaka Shooting

Kandy Train trip

Awisharya Pass Port

Cartoon Corner

Picture Jokes

2008-07-19T11:20:00.003+05:30

Tasty of Divorce Cake

2008-07-19T11:17:00.007+05:30

How to Avoid Next World War ????????

2008-07-19T11:15:00.001+05:30

The Crab Dance

2008-07-19T11:03:00.002+05:30

Sex Jokes for the Week

2008-07-19T10:59:00.001+05:30

The Whistling Pussy
Joe is sitting on a train across from a busty blonde wearing a tiny mini skirt.Despite his efforts, he is unable to stop staring at the top of her thighs. To his delight, he realises she has gone without underwear.The blonde realises he is staring andinquires, "Are you looking at my pussy?""Yes, I'm sorry," says Joe and promises to avert his eyes."It's quite alright," replies the woman, "It's very talented, watch this, I'll make it blow a kiss to you."Sure enough the pussy blows him a kiss.Joe, who is completely absorbed, inquires what else the wonder pussy can do."I can also make it wink," says the woman. Joe stares in amazement as the pussy winks at him."Come and sit next to me," suggests the woman, patting the seat. Joe moves over and is asked, "Would you like to stick a couple of fingers in?"Stunned, Joe replies, "Good grief! Can it whistle, too?"

18 goes into 54
A professor of mathematics sent a fax to his wife. It read:"Dear wife, You must realize that you are 54 years old and I have certain needs which you are no longer able to satisfy. I am otherwise happy with you as a wife, and I sincerely hope you will not be hurt or offended to learn that by the time you receive this letter, I will be at the Grand Hotel with my 18-year-old teaching assistant. I'll be home before midnight. - Your Husband"When he arrived at the hotel, there was a faxed letter waiting for him that read as follows:"Dear Husband. You too are 54 years old, and by the time you receive this, I will be at the Breakwater Hotel with the 18-year-old pool boy. Being the brilliant mathematician that you are, you can easily appreciate the fact that 18 goes into 54 a lot more times than 54 goes into 18. Don't wait up."

The Perfect Day - Her
8:45 Wake up to hugs and kisses9:00 5 lbs lighter on the scale9:30 Light Breakfast11:00 Sunbathe12:30 Lunch with best friend at outdoor cafe1:45 Shopping2:30 Run into boyfriend's/husband's ex and notice she's gained 30 lbs3:00 Facial, massage, nap7:30 Candlelight dinner for two and dancing10:00 Make love11:30 Pillow talk in his big strong arms

Types of Sex
HOUSE SEX When you are newly married and have sex all over the house in every room.BEDROOM SEX After you have been married for a while, you only have sex in the bedroom.HALL SEX After you’ve been married for many, many years you just pass each other in the hall and say “FUCK YOU”COURTROOM SEX When your wife and her lawyer fuck you in the divorce court in front of many people for every penny you’ve got.

Two Penises
There is a teacher teaching sex education to a bunch of 5th graders. She walks to the chalk board and draws a huge penis on the board! She truns to the class and simply asked the class, “Class, does any one know what that is?”The class sits silently for a second or two than peter stands from the back! He yells, “I know what that is! It’s a PENIS! I know cause my dad’s got two!”“The small one he pee’s from, the big one he brushs the babysitters teeth with!”

Bedroom Manners
The nervous young bride became irritated by her husband’s lusty advances on their wedding night and reprimanded him severely.“I demand proper manners in bed,” she declared, “just as I do at the dinner table!”Amused by his wife’s formality, the groom smoothed his rumpled hair and climbed quietly between the sheets. “Is that better?” he asked, with a hint of a smile.“Yes,” replied the girl, “much better.”“Very good, darling,” the husband whispered. “Now would you be so kind as to please pass the pussy.”

Public Toilets in Switzerland

2008-07-19T10:56:00.003+05:30

Here is a picture of a public toilet in Switzerland.

Now that you can seen the outside view of the toilet.

Just spend some more time scrolling down to see how it looks from inside..!!!!

That is made entirely out of one way glass. No one can see you in there, but when you are inside, it looks like you’re sitting in a clear glas box.

Would you use it ??????????

Olympic Games 2008 - No more No Play

2008-07-19T10:50:00.003+05:30

Mobile Phone Tips

2008-07-19T10:34:00.013+05:30

Consider the following…….
It is not only the choice of phone, but how you use it that is important when you want to control the amount of radiation you are exposed to. Here. You will find a few simple tips that can considerably reduce radiation and therefore also health risks.

2. Use Hand Free set
The further away from your body the phone is, the less radiation you are exposed to. Using a hands-free set is the easiest way to radically reduce the amount of radiation you are exposed to if you use a mobile phone.

Hold it at the bottom

By covering large areas of the phone with your hand, you reduce its ability to send and receive signals. The phone then increases its power and transmits stronger radiation to compensate this. So hold the phone as far down as possible, so it can operate at low power.

4. Get the best position …..
You can see the signal reception strength in the display. When reception is good, the phone reduces power and radiation. If reception is poor, the phone uses maximum power and radiation.

Use regular phone if possible
If you have a regular phone, then make calls with it. The amount of radiation is directly connected to the length of time you talk on the mobile phone.

Don,t talk too much ….
The radiation you are exposed to is directly related to the time you spend talking on your phone. For longer calls it is safer (and cheaper) to call from a regular phone.

7.Hazadous Areas 0f use
n Do not use a mobile phone when driving a car. Stop at a safe place and talk.
n Do not use your mobile phone in places where there is a lot of electrical equipment, such as hospitals and aircraft.
n Do not bathe with your mobile phone.
n Do not let small children talk on your mobile phone for long periods. They are more susceptible than adults.

Mobile Phone ethics
Ø Show consideration to those around you when you have your phone with you.
Ø Your colleagues may not be as keen on your phone as you are.
Ø Turn off your phone when you are in public places such as movie theatres and cafe.
Ø Make a habit of turning it off? it is good for you too.

Miss World 2008

2008-07-19T10:27:00.010+05:30

Miss Venezuela is Miss Universe 2008

By BEN STOCKING, Associated Press Writer 12 minutes ago
Miss Venezuela was crowned Miss Universe 2008 on Monday in a contest marked by the spectacle of Miss USA falling down during the evening gown competition for the second year in a row.

An elated Dayana Mendoza received the crown from her predecessor, Riyo Mori of Japan, and then prepared to meet a gaggle of reporters. Miss Venezuela, 22, was once kidnapped in her homeland and says the experience taught her to remain poised under pressure.
Tension got under the skin of Crystle Steward of Texas, the second Miss USA in a row to fall down during the Miss Universe pageant. She tripped on the train of her bejeweled evening gown as she made her entrance.

The New York Times looks at concerns about the upcoming change.
During the 2007 Miss Universe contest in Mexico City, Miss USA Rachel Smith also tumbled during the evening gown competition and became an unintended star on You Tube, where the video was shown over and over again.

Like Smith, Stewart quickly stood up after her fall and continued on as if nothing had happened.
Stewart, 26, is a motivational speaker and former track and filed star who is working on a book called "Waiting to Win."

Her mishap occurred just after the judges had narrowed the field of 80 to the final 10: Miss USA, Miss Kosovo, Miss Australia, Miss Spain, Miss Mexico, Miss Colombia, Miss USA, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Russia, Miss Italy and Miss Venezuela.
The NBC show was hosted by talk show star Jerry Springer and Spice Girl Melanie Brown and broadcast live to hundreds of millions of viewers in 170 countries.

Eighty contestants gathered in the seaside city of Nha Trang, Vietnam, vying to succeed reigning Miss Universe Riyo Mori of Japan.
Sporting yellow, green and orange bikinis, the 15 semifinalists strutted across the stage during the swimsuit competition to the sounds of Lady Gaga, who belted out the pulsating "Just Dance" in a platinum blond wig. Miss Vietnam, Lam Thuy Nguyen, was greeted with a roar from the Vietnamese audience.
The final 10 then competed in the evening gown event.
They performed in front of a panel of judges that included international fashion experts and Donald Trump Jr., whose father, the real estate magnate and TV star, co-owns the pageant with NBC.

This year's contestants span a wide range of experiences and aspirations.
Miss Albania was a professional basketball player. Miss Argentina says she has paranormal experiences. Miss Antigua & Barbuda is fascinated by snakes.
Miss Angola was in a plane crash while trying to escape a conflict during her country's civil war.
The shortest contestant in this year's show is Miss El Salvador, a petite 5-foot-3. The tallest are Miss Jamaica, Miss Mexico and Miss Peru, who measure 6 feet.
The show has been a publicity bonanza for Vietnam, where beauty contests are very popular. The contest featured segments on many of the nation's most popular tourist destinations, such as Hue, Hoi An, Sapa and Ha Long Bay.
The program set has been dominated by iconic Vietnamese images, such as bamboo trees, conical hats and lotus flowers.

The tuxedoed Springer made a grand entrance on a motorbike -- the vehicle of choice in Vietnam where the streets are teeming with millions of the speeding two-wheelers.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

Beauty Parade in Sri Lanka

2008-07-19T10:23:00.011+05:30

Enjoying the 'Good Life' on a Budget

2008-07-19T10:18:00.002+05:30

Enjoying the 'Good Life' on a Budget

How did you think of the idea behind You're So Money? I was 26, living in Manhattan, and working as a financial journalist. I had figured out a way to pay down debt, spend within my means, but also live a bit beyond my means, with [things like] dinners out, expensive shoes, and a Bahamas vacation. After all, it was my job, more or less, to learn and understand financial matters. I was comfortable facing money and viewed money as a vehicle to achieving my goals, rather than as a setback because I had student loans and some credit card debt once upon a time.

Meantime, my friends, largely, didn't have as much of a grip on debt and spending. I knew I wasn't any smarter than my friends. I just had exposure to money matters, unlike the average 20-something. I felt I was in a good position to give my friends advice—but also knew this book couldn't be like anything else out there. It had to be fun, engaging, and relevant. It couldn't talk down or make readers feel guilty or embarrassed about their financial issues, be it their thousands of dollars of credit card debt or wanting to spend $100 on a haircut.

Do you think it is really possible to live it up on entry-level salaries? I do. Don't get me wrong—having more money means you can spend money on more things. But the "good life" should not be about quantity. Rather, it's about spending your time and money on the very things and events that make you feel happiest and most fulfilled.

I use the example of a young 20-something who was making very little money as a budding artist in New York City. She was sharing an apartment in Brooklyn, living very simply. Her good life meant having the opportunity to travel. By paring back on day-to-day expenditures, like meals out and cab rides, she was able to utilize her money toward a greater joy, which was taking weekend trips. In her mind, she was "living it up."

You recommend defining a "hierarchy" of needs and wants—what does that mean? The hierarchy is all about discovering what's important to you—and what you can't live without.
Saving and paying down debt should be at the top of everyone's hierarchy of needs. After that, it's all about you and your definition of the "good life." What are your values? Where do you see yourself in the next five years or so? Questions to consider include: Do I want to go back to school? Do I want to move? Do I want to travel more? Do I want to start a business? Do I want to buy a house? Then figure out what in your immediate spending world is or is not contributing to those goals. That's how you can then develop this hierarchy—and begin spending and saving in a more self-tailored way.

What are examples of easily overlooked items that people might want to consider cutting from their budget so the money can instead go to something more meaningful to them? It's easier to give advice once you know each person's "good life."

But there are some general things to consider:

Gym memberships. The average person visits the gym just four times a month. The average gym membership is about $60 a month. You can do the math. If you can't remember the last time you hit the gym, consider canceling or getting on an a la carte system where you pay as you go.

ATM fees. I live by my debit card. I opt to use it in stores wherever I can in order to avoid the ATM, which charges me on average $2 a withdrawal. In some cases $3! If you hit the ATM once a week, that's at least $100 a year in fees. In 10 years, at a 3 percent interest rate, that $100 a year becomes close to $1,200! Or if you want, it's $100 toward last month's Visa bill...or if you're debt free—a one-hour facial at a fancy spa.

Purchased books and DVDs. The library is becoming more popular with the under-30 crowd these days. No joke! If you're a bookworm, get a free library membership and instead of spending $20 to $30 a month on a couple of books, get them free from the library. Same goes for DVDs.

Adult beverages. You can slice your dinner bill in half at the restaurant by nixing two glasses of wine.
If you want to make a toast, consider a BYOB restaurant instead. Know that, as a way to profit, restaurants and bars jack up wine bottle prices by three to four times what you'd pay in the liquor store.

How do you decide when to buy things and when to skip it?

Your spending diary suggests you make economical choices. There are some things I do very consciously. I have a little rule of thumb, which is I needed to at least have one to two homemade meals every day. If I know I'm going to be eating out for dinner, I will usually eat breakfast at home, pack a lunch, or have a small bought lunch at work. It's healthier and saves a bundle. For things that aren't necessary, like shoes—although nice clothes and shoes are a part of my "good life" equation—I try not to go crazy all the time. A $7 cotton tee is just as good as a $30 one, especially if I'm just going to layer it under other tops and wash it 18 times. I consciously went to DSW for shoes, too, because I get a kick out of saving on shoes. I recently splurged $330 on a pair of Marc Jacobs shoes, but it was my New Year's gift to myself, after learning about my raise. And I totally love them!

But you also do seem to spend money on things that aren't necessarily necessities, like brunch—is that also a conscious decision, because those things make you happy? Why work hard for your money if you can't enjoy it? I've gotten to a point in my financial life where I feel like I can splurge on some things with more freedom than when I was just starting out in New York. I'm further enough along in my career where I have a bit more discretionary income. A leisurely brunch was always something I'd have to budget for. Now I can afford it better. That said, there are definitely some weekends when I prepare breakfast. That $12 granola and yogurt bowl across the street is just $3 or $4 when prepared at home!

Is soda bad for bones? 3 reasons to think before you drink

2008-07-19T10:15:00.002+05:30

Is soda bad for bones? 3 reasons to think before you drink

Although I never developed a regular soda habit, I’m an avid seltzer drinker and I love to mix carbonated waters and beverages in healthy summer cocktails. But I’ve heard that drinking seltzers, sodas or other carbonated drinks may harm your bones. So I asked Joyce Hendley, an EatingWell contributing editor, if that rumor is true. She wrote about this question in EatingWell’s June issue. Her answer? "Perhaps."

3 reasons to think before you drink:

1. There’s research that links drinking certain types of soda with weaker bones—but carbonation doesn’t seem to be the problem. (Keep your bones strong with recipes from EatingWell’s Bone Health Recipe Collection.)

2. Nutrition experts once believed caffeine could be the culprit. In a 2001 study out of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, people lost measurable amounts of calcium after drinking caffeinated sodas. Drinking decaffeinated sodas didn’t appear to have the same effect. As it turned out, though, people tended to make up for the losses by excreting less calcium later in the day. The researchers concluded that if sodas harm bones it’s probably because people drink them in place of milk. (Make sure you’re getting enough calcium with these delicious calcium-rich recipes.)

3. But another study, reported in 2006 by researchers at Tufts University in Boston, suggests that colas, specifically, might be problematic. Among the 1,413 women whose dietary records and bone-density scans they reviewed, those who drank a diet or regular cola at least three times a week over five years had significantly lower bone densities than those who sipped cola once a month or less. No such effect occurred with other carbonated drinks, even after researchers factored in intake of calcium from foods.

The likely cause? Phosphoric acid, which is unique to colas, says Katherine Tucker, Ph.D., lead author of the study. When the body breaks down this compound, the acidity (or concentration of free hydrogen ions) of the blood increases. To neutralize acidity, hydrogen ions bind with minerals, including calcium and magnesium. If they’re not available in the blood, says Tucker, “the body draws calcium from bones.” The occasional-cola drinker probably needn’t worry. “The real risk is for those who drink cola every day,” says Tucker. (Find out how to boost your bone health with EatingWell’s diet tips and menus.)

Joyce’s bottom line: There are plenty of good reasons to quit a regular soda habit; carbonation isn’t one of them. In fact, sparkling mineral waters sometimes contain a little calcium and magnesium so they might even benefit bones. So skip the soda and try one of EatingWell’s healthy recipes for summer drinks.

Here's a refreshing and low-calorie alternative to sugar-laden sodas:

Raspberry SpritzerMakes 2 servings
2 cups seltzer2/3 cup frozen raspberries2 sprigs fresh mint3 ounces raspberry-flavored syrup or ChambordIce cubes
Combine seltzer, raspberries, mint and raspberry-flavored syrup (or Chambord) in a small pitcher. Pour over ice.

How to Survive the 5 Most Embarrassing Dinner Date Mishaps

2008-07-19T10:11:00.001+05:30

How to Survive the 5 Most Embarrassing Dinner Date Mishaps

Dining mishaps come in all forms. And no, we're not talking about using the wrong fork for your salad! Spills, slip-ups, unsightly smears, these can turn a delightful dinner into a bit of a nightmare. Here's a guide to make the best of some messy situations...

§ The Spray Chatting while in the midst of chewing a bite is never desirable, although sometimes it's unavoidable. If you accidentally spit a bit of "collateral" on your company, it can be downright mortifying! Take a napkin and playfully wipe them off. A laugh and a shrug can do wonders! If you get lucky and they don't happen to notice that spot of food that landed on their sleeve, reach over and brush it off by touching their arm to emphasize something you're saying -- they'll never know.

§The Whole Tooth Poppy seeds, fresh ground pepper, and shredded lettuce are top threats to your dignity. There's nothing like enjoying a delicious meal and leisurely conversation only to discover you've had a ribbon of green stuck around your tooth for the last hour. If your date points it out, laugh it off and graciously excuse yourself to remove it. Do not try to pick it out at the table! If you discover it on your own by way of a trip to the restroom, let it slide or make a light joke of it when you return to the table (depending on whom you're dining with).

§The Spaz You pick up your fork to take a bite of tomato basil linguini and then SPLAT, it's all over your lap. Whether it's pasta sauce or iced tea, there's nothing slick about spilling food on yourself or the table, but you can handle the aftermath with grace. Just smile and say "whoops," then gently wipe yourself off with a napkin. If the spill calls for a more hardcore anecdote, excuse yourself to the bathroom to wipe it away with soap and water. It's better than feverishly scrubbing at the table.

§The Drop Out If you drop a utensil on the floor, flag the waiter and politely ask for a replacement. He or she will generally retrieve the fallen item, so you don't end up diving under the table. Handle it as a non-event and move on with your meal. If you're at someone's home, subtly retrieve the item and go to the kitchen to rinse it off.

§The Food Face Even for the most cautious diners, certain foods are always a bit messy -- take hot-and-cheesy pizza, sauce-laden barbecued chicken, and double-decker burgers for instance. If a speck ends up on your cheek, no worries. Delicately wipe it off. If you aren't aware of it, and your companion points it out, wipe it away with a good-natured laugh and a "thank you!!" When your dinner date is the one with a little stray sauce on his or her face, a simple "you've-got-a-little-yummy-right-here" will let them know in an amusing embarrassment-free way.

04 Tips for the Broken Heart

2008-07-19T10:03:00.003+05:30

Four Tips for the Broken-Hearted

When I broke up with my boyfriend of five years, I cried so hard that the skin on my nose started peeling from blowing it so much. I didn't cry on Valentine's Day, his birthday, or the other "big" occasions when I thought loneliness would set in. I cried at the tiniest things -- when I saw a monkey on TV that I knew he'd laugh at, or when I smelled a whiff of his sporty deodorant at Duane Reade. Of course people told me it would get easier with time -- and it did -- but what they didn't tell me was that it would get harder with time before it got easier.
Every day that passed was marked. I'd think, "I can't believe this is the first Saturday without him as my date", or "How could 4 months have passed without us talking?"
Breaking up is more than hard to do... it feels totally unnatural, counter-intuitive, and down-right unfair to stop talking to someone you're used to talking to daily.
Of course, if the breakup was fueled by something lousy that your partner did -- or something hurtful that you did -- anger and guilt can transform the mourning process. More often than not, however, people break up when they still have feelings for their partner.

While you're blowing your nose, here are a few tips to consider:

1. Write down a list of your five 'must-haves' and five 'can't-stands' for your future partner. It can be as silly as wanting to date someone who loves to dance or as serious as wanting to be with somebody of the same faith. If it is important to you, include it in your list.

2. Make new relationship resolutions.
Try to identify how certain fears influenced your last relationship, and decide whether you're prepared to take steps to face those fears.
Try to identify how certain fears influenced your last relationship, and decide whether you're prepared to take steps to face those fears. For instance, if you feared losing your independence in your last relationship, how will you cope in your next one so that you don't feel you have lost yourself while in a partnership?

3. Ask yourself, "Why did you stay as long as you did?" Were there moments when you knew it wasn't working? How did you deal with it? What would you do differently if you did it again?

4. Allow yourself to grieve in a way that's comfortable to you. For some, playing sad love songs and spending many nights inside with Ben and Jerry feels best. For others, jumping into the dating game in a casual way and having fun is a good way to cope.
My friend Dan always says that breakups happen twice -- once in your heart, and once out loud. By the time the breakup is done, no doubt that there were sleepless nights or resolutions made to change the situation. Once you get to the point where a relationship just isn't working, or if the other person has terminated something you thought had more potential, don't beat yourself up. It's easier to say with distance and time -- but usually these things are a blessing in disguise.

When we start to date again, we often realize how wonderful it feels to be appreciated for some of the quirks that annoyed or upset our ex, or how amazing it is to be fulfilled and fully present with

How to deal with a Car Dealer

2008-07-19T10:00:00.002+05:30

10 rules for dealing with a car dealer

Haggling is virtually essential, or you'll pay more than you really need to. And then you'll pay interest on that higher price.

Dealing with a dealer scares a lot of would-be customers when it need not. The key is doing your research on the vehicle of your choice before you go to a lot.

When you are dealing with dealers, it's hard to recall every fact you've researched, but keep these 10 key points in the back of your mind:

·Dealers have a profit margin commonly between 10 percent and 20 percent. Usually, this is the difference between the sticker price (the price they want you to pay) and the invoice price (the price they paid for the car).

·If you don't see exactly what you want on a new car lot, consider ordering it. This may take time, but at least you'll be paying for what you want and not paying for extras the salesperson talked you into.

·Now reverse that last idea. If you are sure of what you want and don't budge, a dealer may offer to let a car go cheaper if it is "almost" what you want. Have an idea in your mind of what your second choice would be, and if the offer comes you'll know whether to say yes or no and won't be confused. Here's a chance to pay a lot less and get something very close to what you wanted.

·Emotions can cost you money. If you let a dealer get you too "high" on a vehicle, if you reveal you have to have a certain vehicle or if you are excited but not well researched, you'll almost always pay more.

·Do not be too embarrassed to walk out. Many dealer tricks are designed to keep you in the showroom.

·Consider beginning the process by phone -- getting some competitive prices is your first step, but there's no need to get involved with a salesman just for that. Don't accept a refusal to talk over the phone. A dealer who demands your presence before offering any numbers is not speaking your language.

·Get all the dealers you talk with to use the same figure. Use the factory invoice price as a basis. Then each dealer must give you a number you can compare to other dealer prices (every dealer pays the same for the same car -- the factory invoice price).

.Dealers sometimes get extra factory incentives and may be able to sell below factory invoice price.

·Negotiate for a price, not a monthly payment. Price first, then payments!

.Don't pay for things you don't have to pay for. Be prepared to pay extra for taxes, registration, licenses and destinations charges. Don't pay for delivery, promotion, handling, sales charges, floor charges or any other fancy words the dealer is using to have you pay for something you don't have to pay for. Be prepared to turn down fancy extras like rust proofing and pin striping. They're expensive and you don't need them.

Six Natural Cleaning Wonders

2008-07-19T09:51:00.004+05:30

6 ingredients for a green, clean home
6 Natural Cleaning Wonders

Sure, it’s great to find that one magical product that solves a very specific household problem. (The Gonzo Pet Hair Lifter a multiple-cat-owning friend received as a Christmas gift truly has no equal.) But the truth is, you need little more than the following six ingredients—baking soda, borax, lemon juice, salt, olive oil and white vinegar—to clean just about anything in your home (pet hair excluded). Here are just a few of the many uses for these, well, magical multi-taskers:

1. Baking soda: Acts as a scrub to remove hard water stains; polishes metal; deodorizes pretty much anything it touches (try stashing some in the fridge).

2. Borax: Mixed with three parts water, it makes a paste for cleaning carpet stains; mixed with ¼ part lemon juice, it cleans stainless steel and porcelain. (Note: although borax is a natural substance, you still shouldn’t eat it—and neither should your kids or pets.)

3. Lemon: Deodorizes and cuts grease on counter tops; rubbed on cutting boards, it bleaches stains and disinfects; combined with baking soda, it removes stains from plastic food storage containers.

4. Salt: Another natural scrubber—sprinkle it on cookware or oven surfaces, then rub; add citrus juice to turn it into an effective rust remover.

5. White vinegar: Deodorizes and disinfects; combine with water (and a little liquid soap—I know, it feels like cheating) to clean windows, mirrors, and floors; use at full strength in a spray bottle to fight mold and mildew.

6. Olive Oil: Mix two parts oil with one part lemon juice and use as a natural wood polish. (Save the really good stuff for dinner.)One added bonus of using natural cleaners: as part of your spring cleaning regimen, you can now clear out all those bottles of specialized (and possibly toxic) potions.For more tips on rounding out your eco-friendly cleaning closet, see Christina Strutt’s cleaning-pantry-checklist from her new book, A Guide To Green Housekeeping; for a video demonstration of how to mix up some natural cleaning solutions with these ingredients, watch this clip from Decor It Yourself.

What are your best natural cleaning techniques?

Healthy Living - 06 Diet Busters

2008-07-19T09:43:00.002+05:30

Healthy Living

6 Diet Busters: Healthy-Sounding Foods That Really Aren’t

My friend Henry, recently bought a huge box of Yogos, confident that these “yogurty-covered, fruit-flavored bits” were a healthy choice for his kids. No doubt Henry was deceived by the “health halo” effect. Words like “yogurt” and “fruit” positively glow with such halos, since we consider these foods healthy in their natural state. Don’t be fooled.

Although most foods can fit into a healthy diet if you know your limits, do a reality check and read labels first. Here are some of the worst offenders:

1. Energy bars
Energy bars usually contain protein and fiber—nutrients that help you feel full—but also may be loaded with calories. That’s fine if you occasionally make one a meal, but most of us eat them as snacks. You might as well enjoy a Snickers, which at 280 calories is in the same range as many energy bars.
Lesson learned: Look for a calorie-controlled bar with about 5 grams of protein or try EatingWell’s Low-Fat Granola Bars.

2. Granola
Granola sounds healthy. But it’s often high in fat, sugar and calories. Don’t be fooled by a seemingly reasonable calorie count; portion sizes are usually a skimpy 1/4 or 1/2 cup. Low-fat versions often just swap sugar for fat and pack as many calories as regular versions.
Lesson learned: Stick with recommended portion sizes and try EatingWell’s Cranberry Oat Granola.

3. Salads
Most of us could use more vegetables—so what’s not to love? Toppings. The pecans and Gorgonzola cheese on Panera Bread’s Fuji Apple Chicken Salad (580 calories, 30 grams fat, 7 grams saturated fat) propel it into double-cheeseburger territory. A McDonald’s double cheeseburger has 440 calories, 23 grams fat, 11 grams saturated fat.
Lesson learned: Before ordering a salad, check its nutrition information or try more than 20 EatingWell recipes for healthy salads and dressings.

4. Smoothies
Smoothies may seem like a tasty way to get your recommended fruit servings—but studies show that beverages are less filling per calorie than solid foods. Added sugars can make some the equivalent of drinking fruit pie filling: the smallest (16-ounce) serving of Jamba Juice’s Orange Dream Machine weighs in at 340 calories, with 69 grams of sugars that don’t all come from juice. You’re better off with fresh-squeezed juices; orange juice has 110 calories per cup.
Lesson learned: Look for smoothies made with whole fruit, low-fat yogurt and no added sugars. Check out EatingWell’s 15 healthy smoothie recipes for ideas.

5. Sushi rolls
There is a wide variety of sushi rolls and the fried tidbits and mayonnaise in some can really tuck in calories. Some 12-piece Dragon Rolls (eel, crunchy cucumbers, avocado and “special eel sauce”) have almost 500 calories and 16 grams of fat (4 grams saturated).
Lesson learned: Order something simple like a California roll (imitation crabmeat, avocado and cucumber) or a vegetarian roll which supplies around 350 calories and 6 or 7 grams of fat (mostly heart-healthy monounsaturated) or try EatingWell’s Brown Rice & Tofu Maki.

6. Yogurts
Some premium whole-milk yogurts can give you a hefty dose of saturated fat. Many low-fat versions are every bit as creamy. Enjoy a fruit-flavored low-fat yogurt, but understand that the “fruit” is really jam (i.e., mostly sugar). Or opt for low-fat plain and stir in fresh fruit or other sweetener to taste. My favorite, a tablespoon of Vermont maple syrup (52 calories), provides all the sweetness I need.

Lesson learned: Although they are still good sources of calcium, fat and added sugars make some yogurts closer to dessert than to a healthy snack.

04 Restaurant Slimming Tips

2008-07-19T09:39:00.002+05:30

77% of users found this article helpful.

Dining out can be quite the challenge when you’re looking to knock off a few pounds or simply eat healthy. Here are four slimming tips you can use at your next restaurant outing:

1) Think small: Restaurant portions are often gigantic. Scale back by ordering one to two non-fried appetizers instead of an entrée – or consider sharing an entrée with a friend. You can also divide your main course in half and take half home for a future meal.

2) Delete the bread basket: Each slice adds about 100 calories – plus 50 additional calories for every teaspoon of butter or olive oil you add. That said, politely (and immediately!) ask to have the entire basket removed.

3) Lose liquid calories: Beverage calories add up quickly – calories that don’t necessarily fill you up. Try your best to pass on soda, fruit drinks, fruit juice, smoothies, fattening cocktails, and coffee loaded with milk and sugar. Instead, drink lots of water, seltzer, and unsweetened ice tea. For coffee and tea, use skim and/or 1% reduced fat milk – and limit the sugar to 1 packet per cup.

4) Special request: Speak up and ask your waiter for a few substitutions. Request foods which are baked, steamed, broiled, grilled, poached, or roasted…. and ask to replace fatty French fries with a baked potato or side vegetable. Also, request your sandwich on whole wheat bread instead of white, specify brown rice instead of white rice and ask for salad dressing, gravy, and sauces on the side. These minor adjustments translate into major calorie savings.

LIp Gloss: Can it Give You Skin Cancer?

2008-07-19T09:37:00.002+05:30

Lip Gloss: Can it Give You Skin Cancer?

A recent article suggested that there might be a downside to lip gloss's shiny benefits: Much like a magnifying glass, those goopy glosses can actually focus more of the sun's rays on lips. So is there any truth to the claim? Yes, there is -- but this story also serves as a great reminder of how easy it is to prevent this kind of damage.

Lips do not have sebum glands so they don't naturally produce oil like skin does -- the result is that lips can quickly become dry. Even more importantly, though, lips don't benefit from any of the natural protection of sebum, which makes them more susceptible to sun damage. The result? The degeneration of collagen and elastin -- which leads to a loss of lip fullness and increased lines -- and an increased risk of skin cancer.

The trouble is, many people only treat lips' dryness without considering the issue of sun damage. And what the article above has underscored is that shiny lip glosses can actually intensify the sun's rays -- slather it on without also considering SPF, and you're doing your pout a great disservice. For that matter, leave your lips entirely bare in the sun, and you're not much better off

But there is an easy solution: Use a lip gloss that includes SPF! Devoted to a particular sunscreen-free brand? Then pick up any number of inexpensive lip balms with sunscreen and reapply often. That way, you can use whatever lipstick or gloss you love and still protect your lips. Bonus points if you use a balm, gloss, or lipstick that also includes vitamin E, which is both a rich moisturizer and a powerful antioxidant that can fight whatever sun damage you do incur.
Wishing you great skin!

How Karma Works

2008-07-19T09:33:00.004+05:30

How Karma Works

See all Eastern Spirituality articles
The idea of secularized, new age karma is having its moment in the limelight. Newspapers and magazines use the word to spice up headlines or subtitles with colorful flair. Restaurants plaster their tip jars with signs promising good karma for only a dollar or two. Singers ponder over the power of a vaguely vindictive karma in songs like "Instant Karma" and "Karma." And according to the Social Security Administration, "Karma" even made it into the top 1,000 baby names for girls in 2006 [source: SSA]. But what is karma, and how did it get transplanted from Eastern religion to Western pop culture?

Novice Buddhist monks pray in Myanmar.

Karma is a central concept in Eastern religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.The word "karma" has its roots in the Sanskrit word "karman," which means "act." In general, it is believed that actions affect the quality of life and the quality of future lives. Good deeds create good karma and evil deeds create negative karma. Karma's effect can manifest immediately, later in life or after multiple lifetimes. Some religions view karma as the law that governs reincarnation. Others believe that karma is actual particulate matter, something that gets stuck to the soul and must be removed through acts of piety.

In the West, the relatively modern idea of karma is not so much a spiritual reality as type of luck influenced by deeds. It's an appealing attempt to influence fortune -- something seemingly beyond our control -- with definite action. Most people would agree that it's reasonable enough to believe that good behavior merits a reward and bad behavior warrants punishment. Karma is also a convenient way to explain ostensibly random hardships. In a rational age, karma is a popular and fairly legitimatized form of superstition, unlike its closely related partner, reincarnation.

Bad Karma
Offensive and poorly worded statements about reincarnation and karma left England's football coach Glenn Hoddle without a job in 1999. The coach, who believes in reincarnation, suggested that people suffered from disabilities as the result of bad karma from previous lives. He told the London Times, "You and I have been physically given two hands and two legs and half-decent brains. Some people have not been born like that for a reason. The karma is working from another lifetime." The public uproar surrounding the comments eventually forced the Football Association to terminate Hoddle's contract [source: BBC].

In this article, we'll learn about karma in Eastern religions and philosophies and in Western popular culture.

What's Height Got to Do with LOVE?

2008-07-19T09:25:00.002+05:30

She Says vs. He Says: What's Height Got to Do With Love?

Agreeing on the "right height" for a healthy relationship has been a hot topic since before Darwin tried to explain why both genders finally stood up. In this debate, authors Christine Hassler and Jason Ryan Dorsey attempt to demystify what each gender thinks about height and its impact on dating. This discussion is particularly important for single people who want to improve their chances of finding a date online by adjusting their personal height stats.

SHE SAYS: When it comes to initial attraction, height matters. A woman wants to look up to a man, both literally and figuratively. Now I know a lot of women may disagree with me here and say it's all about equality, but when it comes to height, many women aren't drawn to a level playing field. I don't know if it's feeling a taller man can better protect us or simply look good on holiday postcards, but short guys definitely have to work harder to stand out in a crowd.

But here is the thing,

if you take the time to get beyond the superficial stuff and see someone for who they are, then height doesn't matter at all

if you take the time to get beyond the superficial stuff and see someone for who they are, then height doesn't matter at all. When it comes to love, physical attraction may spark a relationship but it rarely sustains one. And, hey, as a woman, I know that there's a lot a guy has to offer when he is not standing. The things that matter when it comes to love are whether or not your values, life goals, priorities, and communication skills align -- not whether you can see over him when you wear your favorite stiletto heels.

HE SAYS: As a guy who is vertically mediocre, I don't think height is the deciding factor when it comes to falling in love -- unless you want your future children to play college basketball on scholarship.

However, when a short guy shows up at a restaurant on a date with a much taller woman you know that some of the other guys in the place are thinking, "What does he do?" That particular situation has never happened to me, but it sure sounds cool. What I do know is that love doesn't come with a minimum height requirement like a ride at Six Flags. Sometimes the one you end up falling head over 3-inch heels for doesn't necessarily fit your "type," but then maybe she is exactly your type after all. I mean you may not end up seeing eye-to-eye on your wedding day, but that shouldn't matter because you can always PhotoShop the pictures. I did.

Do You Need a Vitamin D Sopplement?

2008-07-19T09:21:00.002+05:30

Do You Need a Vitamin D Supplement?

88% of users found this article helpful.

With all the recent news about vitamin D's protective powers, you may be thinking you have to start taking a supplement immediately. But here are a few things to consider before you jump on the supplement bandwagon.

Multivitamins and most calcium tablets usually contain a healthy dose of vitamin D. So if you're currently taking other vitamin supplements, check their labels to see how much vitamin D you're already getting. Both children and adults, by the way, should ingest no more than 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day.

People who are at risk for a vitamin D deficiency and so may need supplements include:

· Infants who are breastfed. Breast milk doesn't contain enough vitamin D to meet a baby's needs, and infants also don't usually get enough exposure to sunlight to make enough vitamin D on their own. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfed infants receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU per day.

· Individuals who have limited exposure to the sun. People who are homebound or who don't often get outside are probably not making sufficient vitamin D.

. Vegetarians and vegans. People who don't eat fish, eggs, or milk may have a harder time getting vitamin D from the foods they eat.

· People who are lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy. Milk is fortified with enough vitamin D to be a good source of it, but if you need to drink an alternative to milk, such as soymilk, make sure it's fortified, too.

· Adults over age 50. People over age 50 need extra vitamin D because, for one thing, our skin becomes less able to make vitamin D as we age. For another, our kidneys lose some of their ability to convert vitamin D into the particular type our bodies can use.

·People with dark skin. The more melanin in the skin, the less vitamin D the skin can produce.

·People who are obese. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and so can be stored in fatty tissue.
The bodies of people who have excess fat, however, may store up too much of the vitamin and not be able to release it into circulation when it's needed.

·Those who use sunscreen. Don't, however, limit your sunscreen use for fear of not making enough vitamin D. Some vitamin D is usually still made, even when we wear sunscreen because most people don't cover every inch of skin, or they don't apply as much as they need, or they don't reapply it as often as needed.

·Individuals who have liver disease or whose bodies don't absorb fat properly. Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, people whose bodies either can't tolerate fat or can't soak up enough fat may not be able to absorb the levels of vitamin D they need.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause weakened bones and lead to osteoporosis. Recent research has now linked a vitamin D deficiency to breast-cancer progression. Think about your diet and your average daily time in the sun, and then talk with your doctor about whether you might need a supplement.

Hollywood Dancing Girls

2008-07-19T09:16:00.003+05:30

Asbestos Related Lung Cancer

2008-07-19T08:51:00.000+05:30

Asbestos Related Lung Cancer
This web site has focused on mesothelioma. Not every asbestos-related lung cancer, however, is a mesothelioma. Other thoracic carcinomas, such as adenocarcinoma, are also known to be caused by exposure to asbestos.

The connection between asbestos exposure and lung cancer was noted as early as 1925, and confirmed over the next 70 years by many epidemiologic studies of asbestos-exposed workers. The four main types of commercially used asbestos, chrysotile, amosite, anthophyllite, and mixtures containing crocidolite, have all been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. About one in seven people who suffer from asbestosis, a lung disease resulting from exposure to asbestos, eventually develop lung cancer.

There is a relationship between cigarette smoking and asbestos exposure in causing lung cancer. Individuals occupationally exposed to asbestos who smoke face a much higher risk than those who do not smoke. According to the National Cancer Institute, evidence suggests that asbestos-exposed workers who quit smoking can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by 50% within five years of quitting.

Relationships between Smoking and Lung Cancer

A great deal of attention has been paid to the relationship between smoking and lung cancer. Indeed, many people presume a causal relationship. It is therefore important to understand that while smoking is certainly a potential cause of lung cancer, it is not the sole cause of lung cancer in humans. Statistics have shown that cigarette smoking alone increases the risk of lung cancer by a factor of 10 or so; heavy asbestos exposure alone increases the risk of lung cancer by a factor of 5 or so; and the combination of the two independent carcinogens increases the risk factor by about 50 times.

Thus, you do not merely add the risks posed by asbestos to the risks posed by cigarette smoking. The combination of asbestos and smoking multiplies the risk by an unquantifiable, but significantly greater, factor. This relationship is what is referred to as the "synergistic effect" of smoking and asbestos exposure. In short, one plus one does not equal two-it equals five or more.

What Are The Clinical Signs of Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer?

In general, the clinical features of asbestos-related lung cancer depends upon the state of the tumor when detected. Early detection enhances the prospect of surgical care. Symptoms can include the following:

Cough
Chest pain (usually in later stage)
Difficulty breathing
Chest x-ray detection of new mass. A tumor may not be visible on a chest x-ray until it is at least 1-0 cm in diameter.

In its late stages, typical symptoms, signs and syndromes of advanced carcinoma emerge.Management of an asbestos-related lung cancer depends largely on the staging of the tumor. Early diagnosis and surgical resections of the tumor increase the survival rate. The presence of severe associated asbestosis, however, can affect surgical intervention. Additionally, radiation and chemotherapy may be helpful in the overall therapeutic program.

10 Must Know Tax Terms

2008-07-19T08:46:00.000+05:30

10 Must-Know Tax Terms

One of the hardest things about taxes is learning the language. You've got all the forms and instructions, but it seems they're harder to decipher than your VCR user manual! Here are 10 common tax terms to help you start talking taxes.

AGI -- Adjusted gross income
, AGI, is all the income you receive over the course of the year such as wages, interest, dividends and capital gains minus things such as contributions to a qualified IRA, some business expenses, moving costs and alimony payments. The adjusted gross income is the first step in calculating your final federal income tax bill.

Credits --
Tax credits are much like credits you get from a store. After you figure your tax bill, you can use the credit to reduce the amount of the check you must write to Uncle Sam. Tax credits are more valuable than deductions because they directly cut the amount of tax you owe, rather than reducing the amount of taxed income. A $200 credit, for example, will turn a $1,000 tax bill into only $800. And a few even could give you a refund you weren't expecting.

Deductions --
Deductions are expenses that the Internal Revenue Service allows you to subtract from your AGI to arrive at your taxable income. In most cases, the lower your income, the lower your tax bill. If, for example, a single filer has income of $35,000 and $5,000 in deductions, then he would pay taxes only on $30,000. The IRS offers all filers a standard deduction amount (more on this later). Some other deductions, such as student loan interest, moving expenses, deductible IRA contributions and alimony payments, also are listed directly on the 1040A or long Form 1040. But the term is most commonly associated with the itemized deductions (more on this later, too) that are claimed by taxpayers who file Schedule A.

Standard deduction --
This is a fixed dollar amount that a taxpayer can subtract from his or her income. The standard deduction is available to all filers and is determined by the taxpayer's filing status. The amounts change each year because of inflation adjustments; you can find the current standard deduction levels listed on each of the three individual tax forms. This deduction method is used by most taxpayers and eliminates the need for them to itemize actual deductions such as medical expenses, charitable contributions or state and local taxes.

Itemized deductions --
These are expenses that can be deducted from your AGI to help you reach a smaller income amount upon which you must calculate your tax bill. Itemized deductions include medical expenses, other taxes (state, local, property and sales tax), mortgage interest, charitable contributions, casualty and theft losses, unreimbursed employee expenses and miscellaneous deductions such as gambling losses. Some itemized deductions must meet IRS limits before they can be claimed. When you itemize, you must file Form 1040 and detail your deductions on Schedule A.

Exemption --
This is an amount that the IRS lets you subtract from your income to reflect all the people who count on your income. Exemptions can be claimed for yourself, your spouse and your dependents. The IRS allows a set amount for each exemption and, as with deductions, this total is subtracted from your adjusted gross income to come up with your final, lower earnings amount upon which you must figure your tax bill. Your personal exemption amount is in addition to any deductions, either standard or itemized, that you claim.

Progressive taxation -- T
his is the system in which higher tax rates are applied as income levels increase. The U.S. tax system uses progressive taxation with tax brackets starting at 10 percent and rising to 35 percent for the wealthiest taxpayers.

Taxable income --
Your overall, or gross, income reduced by all allowable adjustments, deductions and exemptions. It is the final amount of income you use to figure just how much tax you owe.
Voluntary compliance -- This describes the philosophy upon which our tax system is based: those U.S. taxpayers voluntarily comply with the tax laws and report their income and other tax items honestly.

Withholding --
Also known as pay-as-you-earn taxation, this method enables taxes to be taken out of your wages or other income as you earn it and before you receive your paycheck. These withheld taxes are deposited in an IRS account and you are credited for the amount when you file your return. In some cases, taxes also may be withheld from other income such as dividends and interest.

Baby Herbal Soup - Please Stop This !!!

2008-05-10T13:40:00.015+05:30

Shocking news circulated in China. A town in Canton is now on trend taking baby herbal soup to increase health and sexual performance/stamina. The cost in China currency apprx $ 4000 (it is about Rs 2000) A factory manager was interviewed and he testified that it is effective because he is a frequent customer.

It is a delicacy whereby expensive herbs are added to boil the baby with chicken meat for 8 hours boiling/steaming. He pointed to his second wife next to him, who is 19 (he is 62), and testified that they have sex everyday. After waiting for a couple of weeks he took this reporter to the restaurant when he was informed by restaurant Manager that the spare rib soup (local code for baby soup) was now available.

This time it was a couple who have 2 daughters and this 3rd one was confirmed to be a daughter again. So the couple aborted the baby which was 5 months old. Those baby close to be born and die naturally costs 2000 in China currency. Those aborted ones cost a few hundreds in China Currency. Those couples who did not want to sell dead babies, placentas can be accepted also for couple of hundreds. The reporter making comment that is this the problem raised from Chinese being taking too much attention in health or is the backfire effect when China introduced one child in a family policy (since majority prefers to have male babies and those poorer families need ended up selling their female babies.)

Please Stop That !

Plase Stop That !

Please Stop That !

Shooting a Film Under the Bed

2008-05-10T13:37:00.005+05:30

Jokes - Udurawana went to Colombo

2008-05-10T13:36:00.000+05:30

Udurawana went to Colombo for an official matter and called to his house over the phone. Servant takes the receiver. Udurawana: Who is speaking? Servant : Servant Sir. Udurawana: Where is the Madam? Servant: She is sleeping with her husband in bedroom. Udurawana: What?!!!! I am her husband Servant: What can I do now sir? Udurawana: Open the cupboard, pick the Gun, shoot both of them, come back and tell me, till then I am waiting in the line. After some time ... there come 2 shooting sounds ... after that ... Servant: Yes, I did Sir. But what can I do next Sir? Udurawana: Open the back door, throw both of them into the swimming pool Servant: There is no swimming pool in our house Sir Udurawana: What...? No swimming pool? Servant: Yes Sir Udurawana: Sorry, wrong number !!!!!!!!

Udurawana went to Colombo for an official matter and called to his house over the phone. Servant takes the receiver. Udurawana: Who is speaking? Servant : Servant Sir. Udurawana: Where is the Madam? Servant: She is sleeping with her husband in bedroom. Udurawana: What?!!!! I am her husband Servant: What can I do now sir? Udurawana: Open the cupboard, pick the Gun, shoot both of them, come back and tell me, till then I am waiting in the line. After some time ... there come 2 shooting sounds ... after that ... Servant: Yes, I did Sir. But what can I do next Sir? Udurawana: Open the back door, throw both of them into the swimming pool Servant: There is no swimming pool in our house Sir Udurawana: What...? No swimming pool? Servant: Yes Sir Udurawana: Sorry, wrong number !!!!!!!!

Software Jokes 2- Converting Girl Friend 5.0 to Wife 1.0

2008-05-10T13:25:00.003+05:30

Girlfriend 5.0 to W i fe 1.0

Dear Tech Support Team:

Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 5.0 to Wife 1.0.I soon noticed that the new program, Wife 1.0 installed itself into all other programs and now monitors all other system activities. Applications such as BachelorNights 10.3, Cricket 5.0, BeerWithBuddies 7.5, and Outings 3.6 no longer runs, crashing the system whenever selected. I can't seem to keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run my favorite applications.

I'm thinking about going back to Girlfriend 5.0 , but the 'uninstall' doesn't work on Wife 1.0.

Please help!

Thanks,
"A Troubled User"

REPLY:

Dear Troubled User:

This is a very common problem that people complain about. Many people upgrade from Girlfriend 5.0 to Wife 1.0, thinking that it is just a Utilities and Entertainment program. Wife 1.0 is an OPERATING SYSTEM and is designed by its Creator to run EVERYTHING!! !

It is also impossible to delete Wife 1.0 and to return to Girlfriend 5.0.

It is impossible to uninstall, or purge the program files from the system once installed.

You cannot go back to Girlfriend 5.0 because Wife 1.0 is designed not to allow this.

I recommend that you keep Wife1.0 and work on improving the environment.

I suggest installing the background application "Yes Dear" to alleviate software augmentation.

The best course of action is to enter the command C:\APOLOGIZE because ultimately you will have to give the APOLOGIZE command before the system will return to normal anyway.

Wife 1.0 is a great program, but it tends to be very high maintenance. Wife 1.0 comes with several support programs, such as Clean 2.5, Sweep 3.0, Cook 1.5 and DoLaundry 4.2. However, be very careful how you use these programs. Improper use will cause the system to launch the program NagNag 9.5 . Once this happens, the only way to improve the performance of Wife 1.0 is to purchase additional software. I recommend Sarees 2.1 and Jewellery 5.0

STATUTORY WARNING : DO NOT, under any circumstances, install Secretary With Short Skirt 3.3. This application is not supported by Wife 1.0 and will cause irreversible damage to the operating system.

Best of luck,
Tech Support ...

Laptop Notebook Data Recovery Services

Have you lost important data because of a notebook or laptop hard drive failure or outage? If so, we can definitely help. Having concluded thousands of successful laptop hard drive recoveries, our capable staff of technicians is experienced and ready to handle the most difficult of any data recovery situation.

For all sizes and makes of laptop/notebook computers, SalvageData's expertise in the area of data recovery is second to none. No matter what caused your data loss, whether it was accidental, mechanical, environment related, or the work of a hacker -even a natural disaster, our team of recovery professionals has the capability and skill to make things right.

Although there are similarities in design architecture among laptop and desktop drives, laptop drives are smaller. The micro environment of these devices makes laptop/notebook recovery a delicate task, requiring not only specialized knowledge but also specifically designed tools. No other company utilizes proper equipment in conjunction with skillful handling more effectively than SalvageData. The art of micro mechanics for notebook drives and other small portable storage devices is challenging for even the most experienced of engineers. For this reason, we make it our business to train all of our engineers on the latest notebook drives in the marketplace.

This is why it makes sense to contact SalvageData when your hard drive crashes!
We can recover your lost data in as little as 24 to 84 hours after receiving your hard drive at one of our conveniently located labs.

Supported Laptop Recovery Types
· Fire damage
· Water damage & Floods
· Will not boot
· Dropped, cracked casings
· Strange clicking noises
· Virus attacks
· Failed components (read/write heads, head assemblies)
· Drives that have been formatted or overwritten
· Inaccessible drives or partitions
· Corrupt or missing critical file system structures
· File deletion
· Surface contamination and damage
· Partitioning or boot-up problems
· Damage due to a power failure or surge

OEM Warranty Safe Data Salvaging
If you choose to have us professionally recover you data can rest assured that existing manufacturer warranties from IBM, Maxtor, Fujitsu, Toshiba and Western Digital will not be voided.

SoftWare Jokkes - Installing a Husband

2008-05-10T13:19:00.004+05:30

INSTALLING A HUSBAND

Dear Tech Support, Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance -- particularly in the flower and jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0

In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5 and then installed undesirable programs such as AFL 5.0, The Ashes 3.0, and Golf Clubs 4.1.

Conversation 8.0 no longer runs, and Housecleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail !!.

What can I do?

Signed, Desperate

.....................................................................

Dear Desperate:

First keep in mind, Boyfriend 5.0 is an Entertainment Package, while Husband 1.0 is an Operating System.

Please enter the command: "http: I Thought You Loved Me.html" and try to download Tears 6.2 and don't forget to install the Guilt 3.0 update. If that application works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewellery 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

But remember, overuse of the above application can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5,Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1.

Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will download the Snoring Loudly Beta.

Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-law 1.0 (it runs a virus in the background that will eventually seize control of all your system resources).

Also, do not attempt to reinstall the Boyfriend 5.0 program. These are unsupported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider buying additional software to improve memory and performance.

We recommend Food 3.0 and Hot Lingerie 7.7.

Good Luck, Tech Support !

Hard Disk Data Recovery Process for Desktop Computer Failures

Begin the CBL data recovery process by filling out our online hard drive recovery form or simply call us toll-free at 1.800.225.7464 to speak to one of our customer care professionals. Your CBL customer care professional will ask you a series of questions to determine the cause of your data loss situation and will guide you through the recovery process.

Depending on the level of service you require, your data could be recovered in as little as 24 hours. Once your disk drive is received by CBL, it is immediately logged into our system. At this point, you will receive a call from your CBL customer care professional who will confirm receipt of your media and gather any additional information required by our data recovery engineers. Your hard drive is then placed in our lab for a free evaluation. During this evaluation, a copy of your media is made. As part of our service commitment to you, a workable copy of your media is necessary in order to ensure the integrity of your original data is maintained at all times. As soon as the evaluation is complete, your customer care professional will contact you with the lab results. If data recovery is possible, a quotation will immediately be e-emailed to you for approval. Once your data is recovered it is taken through a strict quality control process to ensure the data is in a useable format. Your data will be returned to you on the media of your choice. In most cases, DVDs are utilized but hard disk drives are also available when needed. In some cases, CBL can send data back online via FTP transfer. This allows you to download data from our servers quickly and securely.

In the unfortunate situation where no data is recoverable, there will be no charge to you for the evaluation or data recovery attempt. To arrange shipment of your hard disk drive, please fill out our online data recovery form. Our online data recovery system will provide you with a job reference number for tracking purposes along with shipping instructions for your media.

Husband and Wife

2008-05-10T13:15:00.002+05:30

Husband - hey dear, I am logged in.
Wife - would you like to have some snacks?

Husband - hard disk full.
Wife - have you brought the saree.

Husband - Bad command or file name.
Wife - but I told you about it in morning

Husband - erroneous syntax, abort, retry, cancel.
Wife - hae bhagwan !forget it where's your salary.

Husband - file in use, read only, try after some time.
Wife - at least give me your credit card,
i can do some shopping.

Husband - sharing violation, access denied.
Wife - i made a mistake in marrying you.

Husband - data type mismatch.
Wife - you are useless.

Husband - by default.
Wife - who was there with you in the car this morning?

Husband - system unstable press ctrl, alt, del to
Reboot.
Wife - what is the relation between you & your
Receptionist?

Husband - the only user with write permission.
Wife - what is my value in your life?

Husband - unknown virus detected.
Wife - do you love me or your computer?

Husband - Too many parameters.
Wife - i will go to my dad's house.

Husband - program performed illegal operation, it will
Close.
Wife - I will leave you forever.

Husband - close all programs and log out for another User.
Wife - it is worthless talking to you.

Husband - shut down the computer.
Wife - I am going

Husband - Its now safe to turn off your computer

r.PROMOTE

r.Submit + Advanced promotion toolsRecommended for individuals ready to add advanced technical tools to their search engine optimization toolbox. In addition to being able to automatically submit your Web site and analyze your keywords and traffic, you'll gain a greater understanding of how your site looks in various browsers, how long your site takes to load and which other sites are linking to yours. This added information can help you steer your Web site to online success.

Evolution

2008-05-10T13:14:00.001+05:30

Is this Your Dream Girl!!

2008-05-10T13:10:00.006+05:30

Bill Gates daughter.

Hey guys… Look who is she… May be this is your dream girl also … J
Are u sleeping!!!!get up and see this.....who is she......any guess...........

TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA WORX

Technology & Media Works, Inc. is a Technology Services Company, specializing in Media Duplication and I.T. Services.Comprised of industry professionals who are leaders in their field, the "Tech Media WorX" team combines established methodologies with reliable products to provide clients with the best solutions in:

CD & DVD Duplication
Graphics Services
Packaging & Fulfillment
Bulk Media Products
I.T. Services and Hardware Support

To learn more about who we are and the services we offer, we invite you to navigate through our web site or contact one of our sales professionals to assist you. Please be sure to take note of our duplication specials, as they can change on a month to month or seasonal basis.

Media Duplication

Tech Media WorX is an "end-to-end" solution for your CD-Rom, CD-R or DVD media project. We can provide help with any of the steps involved with a CD project. We offer:
CD-ROM mastering, replication, packaging CD-R (recordable) fast turn-around duplication, content creation, labeling, packaging

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ech Media WorX can walk you through developing and implementing an I.T. strategy for your business. With consultants experienced at Network Planning and Architecture, large format database design - imports and extracts, and software design and implementation, Tech Media WorX has experience to share with your business. Whether you are planning for growth or need to increase efficiency of an existing process, Tech Media WorX's consultants will work with you to understand your business, and then propose a cost effective solution.

OUR VISION To deliver truly exceptional service and business solutions, by leveraging Tech Media WorX expert knowledge of current media and computer technologies.

How Girls are Fighting

2008-05-10T13:05:00.004+05:30

A Three Step Guide To Credit Cards
Credit cards are a convenient method of obtaining credit and, despite some bad press, when used properly they can provide flexibility & a range of useful benefits for the cardholder. Our three step guide to credit cards tells you all you need to know about your plastic friends.
Step 1 - Choosing the right card(s)

To get the most out of your credit card it’s important to decide whether it’s actually suited to the purpose for which you intend to use it. It’s surprising how many people use a card that doesn’t fit with their spending or repayment habits, and as a result end up paying more than they need for the privilege. A credit card is a useful tool if you make it work for you, but remember you can always save money in interest charges by finding a better deal - the market’s awash with them at present. Beware though, card issuers do have tricks up their sleeve and often manipulate their terms & conditions in order to claw back interest in other ways. The best way to avoid such tactics is to use a different credit card for each different purpose, that way you’ll be getting the most out of your credit card for as little cost as possible. So which card is best for you? Our guide to spending and repayment habits may help you to decide.

Special Uses

Withdrawing cash

Withdrawing cash on credit cards is never recommended as you’ll generally be stung by high interest charges and added fees. It’s well worth knowing the pros and cons before you start, and familiarizing yourself with the terms of your card is a must for anyone considering drawing cash off their credit card. You’ll generally be charged from the date of the transaction so there’s no interest-free period. If this isn’t bad enough, you’ll also be hit by a set fee or percentage of the amount withdrawn just for using the facility. Occasionally card issuers do offer promotional rates on cash advances, sometimes as low as 0%, although consideration should also be paid to cash advance fees and conditions.

Added benefits

Many card issuers reward their cardholders with a range of useful benefits, and these can prove to be a valuable asset to any household. Examples include domestic warranty cover that’ll protect your electrical purchases for up to a year after the manufacturer’s warranty expires, price promise cover that ensures you’ll be refunded the difference should you purchase an item and then find it cheaper elsewhere (including in the January sales), and free purchase protection insurance to cover your purchases against loss, theft or accidental damage for a specified period. You can compare credit cards offering free purchase protection

Donations to charity

Charity cards cover a whole range of good causes and are issued in partnership with the charities themselves. Usually a one-off amount is donated when you first open the account or use your card and in many cases an ongoing donation is made by the card issuer, usually based on a percentage of your spend - all at no extra cost to you. There’s plenty of choice, no matter where your interest lies. To do your bit for worthwhile causes click here

Other
Price-for-risk

Some card issuers use a price-for-risk strategy to determine the rate of interest you’ll pay. In basic terms this means an assessment of your personal circumstances and credit history will be conducted and from this you’ll be offered one of a number of rates. The rate you are offered may be different than the typical rate quoted but this type of pricing often means the card issuer can accept more people for more cards. Look out for our price-for-risk indicator.
Down-sellingMany credit card issuers are able to offer credit cards to more people through the practice of “down-selling”. By down-selling their products card issuers can offer an applicant an alternative product when they fail to qualify for the product they applied for. One of the reasons for down-selling is an applicant’s failure to qualify on annual income, for example a person who has applied for a platinum card may not meet the minimum income requirement and as a result will be offered a classic or gold card. This practice is different from pricing-for-risk and the two should not be confused.

Allocation of payments

Unless you clear your balance in full each month it’s worth paying some attention to the small print surrounding the allocation of payments, otherwise known as the payment hierarchy. Manipulating the payment hierarchy is one of the sneakier methods of clawing back interest currently used by card issuers. It explains how the repayments you make will be used to clear your outstanding balance, and unfortunately it is never as simple as oldest item first. Often balances at promotional rates are cleared before balances at the standard rates, which sees your outstanding balance accumulating interest at a higher rate for a longer period. For example, your transferred balance at 0% p.a. would be cleared before your new spend at 15.9% APR, which could leave you feeling the pinch. Depending on how you use your card, or intend to use it, the payment hierarchy may carry as much weight as the interest rates on offer so bear in mind that disregarding it could end up costing you dear.

Summary or “Honesty”

boxFrom March 2004 all credit card issuers will be obliged to summarise their key product features such as interest charges and fees in an easy-to-understand format, known as a summary or “honesty” box. This will appear in all credit card marketing information, making it easier for consumers to compare deals and assess the implications of opening an account. As part of this overhaul each credit card company will be required to calculate annual interest rates on credit cards using one agreed method rather than one of the two methods used at present.

Step 2 - How do I apply?

You can apply for a credit card without leaving this site. If you haven’t already used the hot links to go direct to a card comparison table then click the button below to find the card that best suits your circumstances.

Step 3 - What if things go wrong?

If you are unable to meet your monthly repayments and are struggling to repay your outstanding balance, you should immediately contact your credit card issuer. The earlier you approach them, the more sympathetic they will be to your situation. Alternatively, consider switching your card to one with lower rates and fees before you become too bogged down with your repayments but beware - if you leave it until it’s too late you may find getting accepted by a new company is a hurdle you may not be able to clear.

If you are refused a credit card and wish to make enquiries concerning your own credit file you can apply to the credit reference agency for your record. Credit reference agencies provide a detailed analysis of your own financial position. In particular your past repayment history, any County Court Judgements or defaults registered against you, electoral roll details and previous credit searches made.

07 Ways to Reduce Job Stress

2008-05-10T12:52:00.002+05:30

Reducing Job Stress

93% of users found this article helpful.

Our surroundings directly affect our health and wellness: consider that we spend 40 or more hours on the job weekly. Creating an inspiring environment for wellbeing in our working space is crucial to living a long and meaningful life.Inner Peace on the Job: 7 Ways to Minimize StressAlthough it is not possible to eliminate stress completely, there are some things we can do to reduce it. Here are effective ways to reduce stress in your day.

1. Slow down and be in the present.

It is natural to believe that the harder you work, the more you will get done. However, though it may seem paradoxical, if you work at a slow and steady pace with full awareness, you will most likely turn out better work with fewer mistakes - and feel better while doing it!

2. Set boundaries.

Are you the go-to person for every favor and question that is needed in your workplace? Learn to respectfully set your boundaries and say no. Also, take a look at your calendar and make sure you are not over-scheduling yourself after work. Write in one night a week for yourself, and treat yourself to a tai chi or meditation class, a bath, or just an evening curled up with a good book.

3. Remember to breathe deeply all day.

Most people who are under a lot of stress or tension breathe shallowly, up in the throat area. When you breathe deeply into your lungs, you are naturally bringing in more oxygen and activating energy in your body.

Try this to remember to breathe: set your intention to take 10 deep breaths once every hour. (If necessary, set a timer to help you remember.) It will only take a minute, but the rewards will be tenfold.

4. Bring nature inside.

As much as possible, let natural light and fresh air permeate your workspace. Surround yourself with the inspiring colors of beautiful flowers, which have a powerful influence on a person's mind-set. A beautiful bouquet can lift a less-than-lovely mood and even eliminate stress. In fact, one study showed that people who sat next to an arrangement of colorful flowers were able to relax more during a five-minute typing assignment than those who sat near foliage-only plants.

5. Give yourself a time-out.
Take the breaks that are given to you. In this high-paced world, people often work through their breaks, claiming they have too much work to do - this will lead to serious repercussions in the future.

Remember that you are a human, not a machine. Even a machine needs downtime for maintenance! Try taking a 15-minute powernap on your lunch break. If you only have five minutes to spare, just close your eyes. Even this brief rest can reduce stress and help you relax.

6. Meditation brings relaxation.

Meditation gives your body a rest and produces slower brain waves that are similar to sleep, effectively combating tension. Regular practice of meditation, tai chi, or yoga can help you slow down and bring peace, not only in your job, but also in your life.

7. Perk up naturally!
Skip the second latte, which stimulates your central nervous system, makes your mind race, and adds to your stress. Instead, try these simple and natural pick-me-ups:

• Take a tea break. Instead of coffee, go for teas that gently boost your energy, such as ginseng, eucalyptus, or ginger.

• Find ways to keep moving all day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Drink a glass of water from the water cooler every hour. Park your car a few blocks away from where you're going. Not only will this perk up your energy, it will also improve your mood.

• If it's a nice day outside, eat lunch outdoors or just take a walk around the block. The fresh air and the break from routine will be an invigorating addition to your workday.

• Get sustainable energy with snacks. Eat a snack at mid-morning and another one at mid-afternoon consisting of nuts, seeds, fruits, or protein-rich foods like humus made from beans will help you sustain your energy and prevent low blood sugar from setting in. I hope you find the ways to minimize stress in your work environment! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

Beauty Surgery to Rduce Wrinkles of Face

2008-05-10T09:55:00.002+05:30

Beauty surgery to reduce wrinkles of face

A face-lift is the most extensive way to remove or reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging of the face caused by age. The skin is literally lifted off the face so that the skin and the tissues beneath can be tightened and the skin can be repositioned smoothly over the face.
Why it is done

Face-lifts are done to make an older face look younger by eliminating wrinkles and tightening the skin.

How well it works
Having a face-lift can make your face appear younger and healthier. Your face will continue to age, but a face-lift does indeed “take years off” your face. For some people, this may increase self-confidence and reduce anxiety over growing older.

A face-lift can reduce signs of ageing to a great extent, but it cannot remove all facial wrinkles around the eyes, below the nose, and around the lips.

For the procedure, you are either given general anesthesia or a sedative through an intravenous line and local anesthesia to numb your skin. Next, the surgeon makes an incision that starts in the temple area and circles the ear. The skin is raised, and the muscle and tissue underneath is tightened.

The surgeon may remove some fat and skin. The skin is then re-draped over the face and the incision is sutured. The incision usually falls along the hairline or in a place where the skin would naturally crease so that it does not show after the surgery.
The surgery usually takes several hours. You may be able to go home that day, but people sometimes spend one night in the hospital.

What to expect after surgery
Your face will be bandaged after the surgery. The dressings are usually removed 1 to 2 days later. If a drainage tube has been placed (usually behind the ear), it will also be removed 1 to 2 days after the surgery.

Your doctor will remove your stitches within 5 to 10 days.
Most people have very little pain after the surgery, but your doctor may prescribe pain medicine for you in case you do have pain. Expect to have swelling and bruising of the face. Cold compresses can help relieve these side effects. Your doctor may instruct you to keep your head elevated and still as much as possible.

It is important to avoid smoking and even second-hand smoke for 2 to 4 weeks before and after surgery. Tobacco smoke increases the risk for skin and tissue death and will delay your face’s healing process and make scarring worse.

Most people can return to their normal activities 2 to 3 weeks after a face-lift.
At first your face will feel stiff and will probably look and feel strange to you. This is normal, but it is important to be prepared for it.

Numbness of the skin may last for weeks or months after the surgery. Your skin may feel rough and dry for a few months. Men sometimes have to shave in new places because the skin has been rearranged, but the surgeon can sometimes avoid this.

The effectiveness and safety of your face-lift surgery depends heavily upon the skill of your surgeon.
Risks/ problems that may be caused by having a face-lift include:
Reactions to the anesthesia.
Bleeding under the skin.
Infection.
Damage to the nerves that supply the muscles of the face. This can cause paralysis or spasm in the face, but the effects are usually temporary.
Hair loss (alopecia).
Tissue loss.
Scarring.

Blood clots in large veins traveling up to the heart and lungs (pulmonary embolism). This is not common.

As with all cosmetic procedures, there is also the risk that the results will not be what you expected. However, an experienced plastic surgeon can usually give you a very clear idea of what to expect after surgery.

What to think about?
As with other cosmetic procedures, you are more likely to be happy with the results of your face-lift if you have clear, realistic expectations about what the surgery can achieve and you share these with your plastic surgeon.

Insurance companies do not cover the costs of face-lifts. It is important to know what the total costs of the procedure will be, including fees for the operating facility, the anesthesiologist’s and surgeon’s fees, medicines, office visits, and other services and materials.

Sunday Observer- 20.04.2008

Made in China

2008-05-10T09:46:00.003+05:30

Conference call
A conference call is a telephone call in which the calling party wishes to have more than one called party listen in to the audio portion of the call. The conference calls may be designed to allow the called party to participate during the call, or the call may be set up so that the called party merely listens into the call and cannot speak. It is often referred to as an ATC (Audio Tele-Conference).

Conference calls can be designed so that the calling party calls the other participants and adds them to the call. In most cases, the participants are able call into the conference call themselves. They do so either:

by dialing into a "conference bridge" (a specialized type of equipment that links telephone lines), or
by using a special telephone number set up for that purpose.
Usually, most companies use a specialized service provider who maintains the conference bridge, or who provides the phone numbers and PIN codes that participants dial to access the meeting or conference call.

Three-way calling is available (usually at an extra charge) for most customers on their home or office phone line. To three way call you call the first person you wish to talk to. Then you must press the Hook Flash button and dial the other person's phone number. While it is ringing press flash again. This will put your three people together. This option allows callers to add a second outgoing call to an already connected call.

Usage

Business
Businesses use conference calls daily to meet with remote parties, both internally and outside of their company. Common applications are client meetings or sales presentations, project meetings and updates, regular team meetings, training classes and communication to employees who work in different locations. Conference calling is viewed as a primary means of cutting travel costs and allowing workers to be more productive by not having to go out-of-office for meetings.
Conference calls are used by nearly all United States public corporations to report their quarterly results. These calls usually allow for questions from stock analysts and are called earnings calls. A standard conference call begins with a disclaimer stating that anything said in the duration of the call may be a forward looking statement, and that results may vary significantly. The CEO, CFO, or Investor Relations officer then will read the company's quarterly report. Lastly, the call is opened for questions from analysts.
Conference calls are increasingly used in conjunction with web conferences, where presentations or documents are shared via the internet.
Conference calls are also beginning to cross over into the world of podcasting and social networking, which in turn fosters new kinds of interaction patterns. Live streaming or broadcasting of conference calls allows a larger audience access to the call without dialing in to a bridge. In addition, organizers of conference calls can publish a dial-in number alongside the audio stream, creating potential for audience members to dial in if and when they wish to interact.

Party line
Conference calls can also be used for entertainment or social purposes, such as the party line or a group call. People call in to a specified telephone number, and are connected to conversations with other callers. This serves as a way to talk to and perhaps, subsequently, meet new people. However, conference calls are most commonly used by businesses.

Free and Flat Rate Conferencing
Flat rate services are now being offered which enable conference call users to have unlimited access to a conference bridge at a fixed monthly cost. Because telecommunication carriers offer free long distance bundled with local service, this alternative is gaining widespread popularity for budget conscious businesses and non-profits.

In the UK, there are conference services offered on a pay as you go basis where the cost of the phone calls (using 0844, 0870 or 0871 numbers) from each of the participants covers the cost of the conference service. With this service type there is no monthly charge and usually no contracts to sign.

Prepaid Conference Calls
Prepaid conference call services allow businesses and individuals to purchase conferencing services online, and conduct conference calls on a pay-as-you-go basis. Typically, a conference call PIN and it's associated calling instructions are displayed immediately online after being purchased and/or sent via email. Generally, prepaid conference call services are used with a landline telephone, mobile phone, or computer, and there is no need to buy additional expensive telecommunications hardware or add/switch long distance service. Some services allow you to start or join a conference call from virtually any country worldwide--with appropriate telephone access.

Large telecommunications providers such as AT&T, Sprint Nextel, Venison, MCI, and other large to medium conferencing service providers maintain a dominate position in the conferencing niche; servicing many of the World's biggest brands. However, the Internet and improved global VoIP networks have helped to significantly reduce the barrier of entry into this niche.

Lying ? Your face will give you away: Study

2008-05-10T09:41:00.002+05:30

Lying? Your face will give you away: study

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Liars might think they are good at covering up their deceit but a new Canadian study shows there's one thing they can't control that will give them away -- flashes of emotion in their faces.

Researchers at Dalhousie University's Forensic Psychology Lab in Halifax conducted the first detailed study on the secrets revealed when people put on a false face or inhibit various emotions, and found their faces told the truth.

But instead of clues like shifty eyes or sweaty brows, their expression would crack briefly, allowing displays of true emotions such as happiness, sadness, disgust and fear to come through.
"Unlike body language, you can't monitor or completely control what's going on your face," Stephen Porter, who worked on the research, said in a statement.

The researchers, who reported their findings in journal Psychological Science, examined the case of Canadian Michael White who sobbed as he made a public appeal for the return of his missing pregnant wife Liana White in July 2005.

But three days later, flashes of anger broke through his sadness and he said he was so frustrated with the police that he was going to find his wife himself, leading volunteer searchers directly to her body in a ditch on the outskirts of Edmonton.

He was charged and convicted of second-degree murder.
When Porter and his team analyzed White's plea frame by frame, they found hints of anger and disgust in his face, not noticed by most of the public.

The researchers also studied adult who were asked to view images that ranged from happy (puppies playing) to fearful (a close-up of open-mouthed rabid dog) and disgusting (a severed hand).

They were told to respond with genuine or deceptive expressions and their reactions recorded.
Porter said no one was able to falsify emotions perfectly. Some emotions were harder to fake than others. Happiness was easier to fake than disgust or fear.

Luxurious Train

2008-05-10T09:39:00.001+05:30

BEIJING (AFP) - China will launch "the most luxurious train in the world" to ply the route from Beijing to Tibet's capital Lhasa, state media reported Sunday.
However, a ride on the train, which will begin operations on September 1, will be about 20 times more expensive than the ordinary fare of about 2,000 yuan (280 dollars), Xinhua news agency said.

"The interior of the train will be decorated according to the standards of a five-star hotel, making it the most luxurious train in the world," said Zhu Mingrui, general manager of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway Corporation.

"Such a train can only seat 96 passengers. The fare would be about 20 times the normal price and also much more than an airline ticket," he said.

There will be three trains, which will head from Beijing to Lhasa every eight days. The luxury journey will take five days.

Each train will have 12 passenger cars, two dining cars and a sightseeing car. Each passenger car will have four ten-square-metre (108-square-foot) suites featuring a double bed, a living room and bathing facilities.

The train line to the Himalayan "roof of the world" went into operation in July 2006.
Chinese authorities see the 1,142-kilometre (710-mile) railway as an important tool in modernising and developing Tibet, which has been part of China since its troops occupied the region in 1950.

However, critics say that the line is allowing the Han Chinese, the national majority, to flood into Tibet, leading to the devastation of the local culture as well accelerating environmental degradation of the region.

Compassion

2008-05-10T09:32:00.001+05:30

Compassion

The wife came home early and found her husband in their bedroom Having Sex with a very attractive young woman. And was somewhat upset. "You are a disrespectful pig!" she cried. "How dare you do this to me -- a faithful wife, the mother of your children? I'm leaving you. I want a divorce straight away!" And the husband replied "Hang on just a minute love, so at least I can tell you what happened." “Fine, go ahead," she sobbed,” but they'll be the last words you'll say to me!" And the husband began -- "Well, I was getting into the car to drive home and this young lady here asked me for a lift. She looked so down and out and defenseless that I took pity on her and let her into the car. I noticed that she was very thin, not well dressed and very dirty.

She told me that she hadn't eaten for three days! So, in my compassion, I brought her home and warmed up the enchiladas I made for you last night, the ones you wouldn't eat because you're afraid you'll put on weight. The poor thing devoured them in moments. Since she needed a good clean up I suggested a shower, and while she was doing that I noticed her clothes were dirty and full of holes so I threw them away. Then, as she needed clothes, I gave her the designer jeans that you have had for a few years, but don't use because you say they are too tight. I also gave her the underwear that was your anniversary present, which you don't use because I don't have good taste. I found the sexy blouse my sister gave you for Christmas that you don't use just to annoy her, and I also donated those boots you bought at the expensive boutique and don't use because someone at work has a pair the same.

The husband took a quick breath and continued - "She was so grateful for my understanding and help and as I walked her to the door she turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, Please ... do you have anything else that your wife doesn't use?'

Balu Weda

2008-03-04T15:31:00.002+05:30

Liposuction garments are compression garments. Upon completion of a successful liposuction surgery, patients are advised to wear liposuction garments for a given time. It has to be worn by individuals who have undergone liposuction surgeries in the abdominal area, waist, thigh, knee, and arm. These garments help reduce swelling and also provide support and compression for the treated area of your body. If it is not worn by the patient in the correct manner, the final result of the liposuction procedure may be compromised.
A wide range of liposuction garments with varying degrees of tightness from full body liposuction garments to lower body liposuction garments are available for both men and women. Usually, they look similar to a body suit or leotard and come in different colors, textures, sizes, and shapes. Once a liposuction surgery patient returns to work, it is advisable to wear loose fitting dark clothes.
Compression sleeves are used mostly by women as a liposuction garment to treat liposuction surgery performed on the arms. For the tops, tight-fitting exercise tops that can cover the upper body are available. In order to cover the mid and lower parts of the body, mixed compression garments are offered. Generally, the price of female liposuction garments ranges from $50 to $200.
Since most of the male patients undergo liposuction surgery around the abdomen or chest areas, the options of liposuction garments for male patients are relatively lower than female patients. A vast range of liposuction garments to be worn on the abdomen or chest area are found especially for men. The cost of male liposuction garments ranges from $30 to $200.

Get Sporty
Sporty Chic - that eternal, modern style - is favored by It girls, girl Fridays and all-around girls on the go. And the central garment in any sporty chic ensemble is - of course - the sports bra. Sports bras are definitely not what they used to be - designers are now aware that women who lead active lifestyles want to avoid that 'uni-boob' pressed-in look. Natori produces a sports bra that has amazing underwire support, with wide band-style straps and a racer back. Women find this sports bra to be so comfortable and supportive, that they wear it as a favorite day-to-day bra. The Natori Sports bra also allows for a natural shape, so you won't compromise your sex appeal within your active lifestyle.

Natori Sports Bra: 34439
For sporty, versatile girls who require many stylish alternatives, the Wacoal Halo Lace Convertible Strapless Bra is the answer. Available here at Freshpair, this strapless molded bra is made from smooth microfiber and has removable straps - making it perfect for day-to-day, or when you want to go strapless. With the Wacoal Convertible Bra, you can also start thinking creatively - by tying the straps into a halter or pulling the lengths out and wearing them criss-crossed. This Wacoal undergarment is the latest rage in convertible bras.

Style Secrets of the Red Carpet
Have you ever wondered how Hollywood's starlets achieve that truly seamless look under their Valentino and Dior gowns as they traipse down the red carpet? No bulges, no seams...that perfectly fitted look. The secret is body shapers, such as the Nancy Ganz Sleek Underneath Bodybriefer and the Flexees One Fabulous Body Everyday Control Bodyliner. These bodyshapers have underwire cups and their one-piece design smoothes out lines, helping you avoid rolls and bulging. So if the day comes when you do find yourself on the red carpet, you'll be virtually fearless in the presence of Joan Rivers' acid tongue.

Mind Reading

2008-03-04T13:18:00.001+05:30

What is sports watch package?

The Sport-Watch Package is a nice assortment of twenty trusted Name Brand Sport-Watches. We try to keep up to ten current Sport-Watch Package choices on the web at all times. You will receive the actual 20-piece package you chose. These Packages are designed for small stores; flee market operators, small business and others that want to offer their customers more items to choose from. This package also works well as an employee incentive, gift etc.

These are some of the names you can expect to receive with your 20-piece Sport Package, Fossil Relic, Armitron, Elgin, Sierra Club, Aqualite, Mudd, Timex, Milan, Laguna, ABC Sports, Nelsonic, Aquatech, Advance, Rumours, Acqua, Action Sport, Seiko Lorus, and other trusted Famous Maker brands.

Marriage

2008-03-04T13:15:00.001+05:30

Become one flesh
The next principle from Genesis 2 says that a husband and wife shall become one flesh; that is, to enjoy an intimate sexual relationship with one another (verse 24; compare 1 Corinthians 6:16).

The steps that lead to a loving sexual relationship are vital to a successful marriage. While God wants those planning to marry to develop a deep and lasting friendship, He also teaches us that we should not indulge in sex until after the marriage ceremony. Regrettably, many people today fail to follow God's instructions in this matter. "Dating" someone now has often come to mean sleeping with him or her.

In Western societies the majority of young adults of both sexes engage in sexual intercourse before marriage. They take the supposedly enlightened view that sex is not part of a sacred, loving relationship but simply a biological function to be indulged in whenever both parties want. Many couples believe they should do this before marriage to know whether they are "sexually compatible," thinking this will improve the odds of their marriage succeeding.

However, studies have conclusively shown that when people live together and have sex before marriage, this action increases the likelihood that when they do get married, their marriage will fail.

God intended sex to be part of the marriage relationship and that it not take place outside of marriage. Only in the married state does God permit sexual relations (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18; 7:2-5). His instructions for us to refrain from any kind of sexual activity before or outside of marriage are safeguards for the marriage relationship.

God intended sex to be an intimate experience that binds a husband and wife together. In marriage it certainly is, and following these instructions helps marriages survive and flourish.

But disregarding God's instruction carries a price. As we'll see in the next chapter, engaging in this intimate act with multiple partners before marriage dramatically lessens one's ability to form that kind of close and lasting bond after marriage. Since so many men and women engage in sex before marriage, it's no wonder so many find it difficult to build and maintain that kind of closeness after marriage.
Also, since about a third of married men and a fourth of married women in the United States admit to having indulged in adulterous affairs, we shouldn't be surprised that approximately half of American marriages end in divorce. These are all part of the vicious and destructive cycle that ensues when we ignore God's direction regarding sex and marriage.

The way to reverse the trend of broken marriages and safeguard one's own relationship is simple: Accept and practice God's instruction to restrict sex to marriage. Such an approach shows honor and respect for the sexuality God has given us.

In this approach, sex is not cheapened or lowered to a common animal behavior. Instead it is an honorable act reserved for the most intimate human relationship of all, entered into with the most honorable intentions.

What Happened ?

2008-03-04T12:51:00.000+05:30

Who is Illankoowan

2008-03-04T12:48:00.000+05:30

LTTE teaching vialence to school children

2008-03-04T12:09:00.000+05:30

Join Army

2008-03-04T11:54:00.000+05:30

Let's Join Hands & Give Fullest Support To All Our Armed Forces To Wipe Out LTTE In This Year 2008.

Boss and his Secretary

2008-03-04T11:40:00.000+05:30

Boss and his Secretary

Boss walked into the office one morning not knowing that his zipper was down.

His secretary walked up to him and asked, "Boss this morning when you left your house, did you close your garage door?" This was not a phrase that

Her Boss understood, so he went into his Office looking a bit puzzled.

When he was about done with his paper work, he suddenly noticed that his Zipper was not zipped up. He zipped up and remembering what hisSecretary had told him, finally understood. He then intentionally went out to ask for a cup of coffee from

his secretary. When he reached her desk, He said, "When you saw the garage door open did you see my jaguar parked in there?"

The secretary smiled for a moment and said, "No, Boss I didn't. All I saw was a Maruti 800 with 2 flat tires."

Jokes for the WEEK

2008-03-04T10:36:00.000+05:30

How Bussiness and Sales Persons done

2008-03-04T10:09:00.000+05:30

Father: I want you to marry a girl of my choice..

Son: "I will choose my own bride!"

Father: "But the girl is Bill Gates's daughter."

Son: "Well, in that case...OK" Next Day

Father approaches Bill Gates.

Father: "I have a husband for your daughter."

Bill Gates: "But my daughter is too young to marry!"

Father: "But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank."

Bill Gates: "Ah, in that case... OK" Finally Father goes to see the president of the World Bank.

Father: "I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president."

President: "But I already have more vice- presidents than I need!"

Father: "But this young man is Bill Gates's son-in-law."

President: "Ah, in that case... OK" This is how business and sales persons is done!!

Weight Loss Facts

2008-03-04T10:05:00.000+05:30

Weight Loss Facts:

Low Fat Foods DON'T WORK.

You cannot lose weight using Low Fat Diets. Low fat foods have been popular for more than 15 years, but yet our society is getting more overweight as each year passes. This fact alone should tell you that eating a purely low fat menu is not the answer to losing weight.

Low Calorie Diets DON'T WORK.

You won't lose weight using a Low Calorie Dieting Plan either. In fact, eating low calories is the worst thing that you can do to your body, since that will only slow down your body's fat burning engine and ruin all chances of losing weight (low calorie diets may allow a few pounds of weight loss for the first few days, but then after that all weight loss comes to a halt --- known as a dieting plateau). You can never get slim by starving yourself.

Low Carb Plans DON'T WORK.

You'll probably find it extremely difficult to get slim using a Low Carb Dieting Plan. Low carb diets have recently become popular over the last couple years, but the problem with low carb menus is that they are too strict and TOO HARD TO FOLLOW for average people. Low carb menus tend to rob your body of too much energy (carbohydrates) and make it nearly impossible to remain on the program for very long. This is why so many dieters find it difficult to follow a strict low carbohydrate menu.

What about Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig Dieting Plans?

Weight loss programs such as Weight Watchers (and Jenny Craig) usually involve slower dieting progress over a longer period of time, since such programs generally promise only 2-3 pounds of weight loss per week. Also, programs such as Jenny Craig usually involve buying special meals and/or dietary supplements during the initial phases of the program. While some people may like these types of dietary programs, we prefer a dieting plan which focuses on faster weight loss, such as the Accelerated Fat Burning Program shown below...

Beauty of Maths

2008-03-04T09:43:00.001+05:30

Beauty of Maths

Absolutely amazing!

Beauty of Math!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9

12 x 8 + 2 = 98

123 x 8 + 3 = 987

1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876

12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765

123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654

1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543

12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432

123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11

12 x 9 + 3 = 111

123 x 9 + 4 = 1111

1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111

12345 x 9 + 6 = 1111111

23456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111

1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111

12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111

123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88

98 x 9 + 6 = 888

987 x 9 + 5 = 8888

9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888

98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888

987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888

9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888

98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1

11 x 11 = 121

11 x 111 = 12321

1111 x 1111 = 1234321

11111 x 11111 = 123454321

111111 x 111111 = 12345654321

1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321

11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321

111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...

101%

>From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help

answer these questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

.If

:H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN,

look how far the love of God will take you:

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

It's up to you if you share this with your friends & loved ones just the way I did.

Have a nice day & God bless !!

How not to be Single at this Valentine's Day !

2008-02-08T14:49:00.000+05:30

Ugh, It's Another Valentine's Day and I'm Still Single

9 empowering things you can do to tone down that "ugh" feeling

So, you are not in a relationship at the moment and Valentine's Day seems to be putting a big red spotlight on your singleness. Here are some practical and empowering things you can do to tone down that "ugh" feeling.

1. Wallow, But Just a Little
It's important to acknowledge your real feelings, so give yourself permission to wallow a little bit
It's important to acknowledge your real feelings, so give yourself permission to wallow a little bit if you're feeling extra sad or lonely. The key words here are "a little bit." Don't allow yourself to dwell or obsess. Confine your wallowing to a certain time period -- say, 15 minutes of self-pity and that's it.

2. Watch "Love Actually"
The movie "Love Actually" (rated R) is great cinema therapy for V-Day because it shows that romantic love is important, but other kinds of love are just as important, such as the love of family and friends. Don't let Valentine's Day be co-opted by couples. Send valentines to all the people you love in your life!

3. Go on a Trip
A new trend for singles is to elude Valentine's Day by taking a short getaway
A new trend for singles is to elude Valentine's Day by taking a short getaway with friends to a place where they are not constantly bombarded with images of hearts and cupids. There is nothing wrong with this trend as long as you are using it as a fun escapade, rather than an escape.

4. Re-energize Your Relationship Search
If you are feeling down at this time of year, channel your negative energy into something positive. Have you been browsing online profiles but never send an email? Have you been using work as an excuse that you are too busy to meet people? Have you been dating the wrong types of men or women for you? Use Valentine's Day as a new start to self-reflect and be proactive.

5. Ask Someone Out
If you really want a date for Valentine's Day, don't wait to be asked -- go ahead and do the asking. Even if it's someone you think of as "just a friend," you'll still have fun going out and celebrating.

6. Cuddle Up to Something Warm and Fuzzy
Warm fuzzies just make you feel good. Those V-day stuffed animals are great. So are warm cozy blankets and floppy slippers. Many would agree that the best warm fuzzies are pets. If you have a pet, get him or her a Valentine's Day treat. If you don't, maybe it's time to consider a dog or cat... now that's unconditional love!

7. Eat Some Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is good for our hearts in more ways than one. Besides containing potent antioxidants, it has the power to boost endorphins, the "happy juice" in our brains. The higher the percentage of cacao, the better. On Valentine's Day get your friends together for a chocolate tasting -- including chocolate fondue. Enjoy in moderation!

8. Don't See the World as One Big Happy Couple
"I see happy couples!" And that's all many single people see around V-Day. But it's a trick your mind is playing on you because that's what you are focused on. Not everyone is in a relationship and, certainly, not everyone is in a happy relationship. Keep your focus on the millions of single people out there just like you!

9. Remember This Is Just ONE Valentine's Day
Maybe you've been single for one V-day. Maybe you've been single for ten. Don't get completely discouraged and project into the future that you are going to be single for every Valentine's Day to come. No one has a crystal ball and life has a way of surprising us. Help make a good surprise more likely by keeping a positive attitude and being persistent about finding the healthy, happy relationship you want.

Valentine's Day Celebration e Cards with Songs

2008-02-08T11:41:00.000+05:30

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Send this eCard !

Joke of the Week

2008-01-28T10:28:00.000+05:30

A tribute Defense Forces of Sri Lanka

2008-01-28T09:55:00.000+05:30

A tribute Defense Forces of Sri Lanka Your alarm goes off;

you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes

He stays up for days on end

You take a warm shower to help you wake up

He goes days or weeks without running water

You complain of a 'headache', and call in sick

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward

You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again

You complain about how hot it is

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong

He doesn't get to eat today

Your wife/mother/ maid makes your bed and washes your clothes

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean

You go to the mall and get your hair redone

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume

You roll your eyes as a baby cries He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded - and of the innocents who have no one to stand up for them

You see only what the media wants you to see

He sees the broken bodies lying around him

You stay at home and watch TV

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable

He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be awakened by gunfire

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse place because of men like him If only there were more men like him!

WHO is HE?

If you support him, then please re-send this to everyone you know... Perhaps people will change their attitude and behavior to support HIS worthy cause... HE is sacrificing his today for our future Sri Lanka .

WE MUST LOOK DOWN UPON RACISM IT HAS CLAIMED TOO MUCH IN OUR PRECIOUS PARADISE ISLE !!!

Top 10 Ways to Get Lucky at Love

2008-01-28T09:13:00.000+05:30

Top 10 Ways to Get Lucky at Love

1. Know what you want. Your looks change and fade, character does not. While a certain amount of "chemistry" is nice, don't rely solely on lust. What qualities are you looking for in a mate? My book "Find a Sweetheart Soon! Your Love Trip Planner for Women" helps readers define their love goals.

2. Get clear about what you don't want. Knowing what you really can't tolerate in a partner is important. Make a list of your "don't wants" and then cut it down to the 10 most important. Any more than that and you'll be too picky.

3. Live your life. Once you know clearly what you want (and don't want) in a relationship, shift your focus to living your life. You'll find that you start noticing those who might fit, and passing by those who don't.

4.See the big picture. Don't try so hard that you miss the obvious. If you are great at focusing, step back now and then and look at the big picture. Work on having a playful, whimsical attitude towards life.

5. Get out of the house. Cultivate opportunities to
expand your social circle and meet new people
expand your social circle and meet new people. Vary your routine. Have you thought of entertaining to enlarge your social circle? My new ebook "Looking for Action? The Find a Sweetheart Party Planner" tells you how to throw parties to build a wonderful group of close friends - it's easy!

6. Open your eyes and your attitude. Lucky people notice, create and maximize chance opportunities. Chat with other shoppers while you are waiting in line. Be ready with a "calling card" -- a personal business-type card with basic contact information. (Want to know how to get calling cards for free? Email me for instructions).

7. Get curious. Don't content yourself with the obvious. Ask questions. Wonder why. Find answers.

8. Try something new. The best way to have things stay the same is to never do anything different. Vary your daily routine, just to keep yourself awake. Shake yourself up and notice what happens. Keep yourself open to chance opportunities, and then take advantage of them.

9. Expect good luck. Monitor your self-talk for negative messages that interfere with luck. Replace the negative thoughts with positives. Surround yourself with examples of lucky people.

10.Learn from bad luck. Take steps to prevent more bad luck from what you have learned, then let the "bad" go. Don't dwell on or rehash the bad experience. Look for the positive elements.

How Not to Look Old

2008-01-28T09:04:00.000+05:30

How Not to Look Old

Article Tools
Fashion-and-style expert Charla Krupp is not one to mince words. "Aging sucks," she declares in her bestselling new book, How Not to Look Old: Fast and Effortless Ways to Look 10 Years Younger, 10 Pounds Lighter, 10 Times Better (Springboard). There's no reason to look like an

"OL," or old lady, in Krupp's parlance, when you can look Y & H — younger and hipper, that is.

"My whole focus is about the workplace," says Krupp. "It's not about getting a man, or holding on to your relationship. Of course, it spills over. But my focus is for the Boomer woman who is finding herself looking older than everybody else at work, and realizing that she's very vulnerable." Krupp knows her way around the beauty business: She was the beauty director at Glamour magazine and a senior editor at In Style; she's appeared on dozens of national TV shows, including the Today show (132 times!) and the Oprah show. The author is married to Richard Zoglin, a TIME senior editor. TIME's Andrea Sachs spoke with Krupp.

TIME: Aging sucks, but isn't it just reality?

CHARLA KRUPP: I don't think we have to accept it. I think we can fight like hell to do everything we can to look younger.

Are you talking about plastic surgery?

I really feel that plastic surgery is aging. My favorite quote in this whole book is from Isaac Mizrahi: "Do you want to look 70? Get a facelift." People think, I'll just go under the knife and I'll look younger. That's not the answer, because if you have a bad facelift and you look like you had a facelift and your skin is tight and you look like a frozen monkey, you're going to look old! You're going to look old enough to have a facelift, because young people don't look like that. So we have to find the perfect balance of doing something to get rid of our wrinkles and lines and sagginess — but we can't go overboard, because it doesn't work that way.

What kinds of skin procedures can we do that are not surgical?

I think that we are so fortunate to be coming of age at a time when we can go to a dermatologist and get Botox, and can get the wrinkles in our forehead and the crow's feet to disappear in a week, 48 hours sometimes. We also have so many FDA-[approved] fillers right now, these injectables — there's a new one coming out almost every single month. One of the things that happen as we age is that our faces get thinner and gaunter, and we lose fat. A thin face is an old face, so you want to keep it plump. So we can plump it up with these fillers.
To get rid of sun damage and unevenness — we were a generation that sat in the sun with record albums covered with tin foil and baby oil — we can get peels, and we can have laser work. All that is just so much easier and less abusive on your body than undergoing plastic surgery.

All of that is expensive, right?

Yes, it is. It costs a fortune. I think that you have to decide if that's the way you want to go. A lot of women do have a lot of money, and they can spend money on these things. If you can't, you're just going to have to make do with a really good skin-care system, and be diligent about your face, and maybe get Botox once a year, and not every three months. It's like hair color: Some people can afford to do it every three weeks; some people have to do it twice a year. It's whatever your budget will allow.

Hair is a big issue too, isn't it?

Yes, the older we get, the thinner our hair gets. So we have to do things to disguise a bare scalp from showing, because that's really aging. So there are haircuts that you can do, and there are bangs, and a lot of volumizing products that will make your hair seem thicker. If it's really serious, you can get a prescription from your doctor for Rogaine. And if it's super serious, you could get a hair transplant, but that's surgery. And the other thing that we really need to do is color our hair.

Do all women really need to color?

I think that most women will look younger with colored hair. Now, there's this big gray-hair movement. I understand and appreciate women who have silver hair, and I think that they can look amazing, but it's such a luxury to be able to go gray. Because it is an aging look, and it means that you don't care about people knowing your age. If you have to support yourself, if you're going back into the job market — say your job was just eliminated, and you need to get back into the swing of things — you're not going to do well with gray hair.
You write that even eyebrows can make you look old.

It's such an easy fix! To go get your eyebrows professionally plucked, even if you just do it once, is not a big deal. You can probably do it for $25 to $30 somewhere. It will make a difference, because the eyebrows can be an instant facelift. They really lift your face up. The thing that happens in so many [areas] — from your eyes to your breasts to your mouth to your stomach — is that everything starts hanging and heading south. [Laughs.] So the whole idea of looking younger is to pick everything up.

You also give tips about eyeglasses.

Glasses are a really easy fix. They're the first things that somebody sees on your face. So they should really be making a statement about how you want to look. There are glasses that are really aging, like granny glasses, wire glasses and glasses that are rimless. But when you wear a young, modern frame that's rectangular, in a tortoise shell or plastic, your frames are very edgy. They have a lot of style. Right now, a really thick temple is really hot. You're giving up your style if you're just wearing one of those classic frames. They don't say anything, those classic frames. They just say old. A young person, a teenager or a 20-year-old, who wears glasses would not wear one of those rimless frames.

Women tend to think they need to wear more foundation on the face as they get older. In the book, you say no.
Wearing less is the secret. So many women are really caking it on. The truth is that the best look your skin can have is to look like your own skin is just glowing. The further you get from that, the more you put on it, the less you're going to have the shine and the radiance and the glow. So if you have good skin, you should put very little on it. One of the best products you can use these days is tinted moisturizer with SPF. Some days, that's all I wear.

What about lipstick?

That's another really easy fix. Dark lipstick is SO aging. This dark burgundy that some people wear — it's like Elvira! If you have any kind of cracks on the top of your lips, a dark lipstick with a dark pigment — like a red or an orange or a burgundy — will just find those cracks and seep in, and [your lips] will look worse. But if you're wearing a light pink, no one will see what's going into the cracks. Also, you should have a heavy-duty gloss on it, because it gives you this luminosity around your mouth. Light colors will make your lips look fatter.

You're an advocate of teeth-whitening.

Yes, I think teeth-whitening is great. The older we get, the grayer or yellower our teeth look. It's not a youthful sign. Young kids have big, white shining teeth. And now everybody does. Because we can all buy it! A lot of women are embarrassed about their mouth, and they cover up with their hands when they smile. It's really kind of an aging thing. There are different price points for better teeth. This is a very American thing, by the way. Teeth are not that important in other parts of the world.

Nails — long, short, fake, real?

Well, this is a very polarizing debate in this country. [Laughs.] Women in the South love really long nails. And any woman who is involved in the nail industry likes really long nails. Because the truth is when you have these long, fake nails, you're a slave to those nails, and it's going to cost you a lot of money at the manicurist to get them done. Aside from the money it takes, I really don't think it's healthy to put a lot of glue and whatever it is they use to adhere the nails. Also, the look of a really long, dragon-lady nail is not youthful, because we need to use our hands for so many things, especially now with Black Berrys and text-messaging. Long nails really get in the way.

What about nail polish colors?

Dark nail polish is very hip and trendy right now. But if you do that, you just have to be careful that they're not chipping. If you have dark nail polish, it could chip much more easily, or at least show up more easily than a sheer color. I think it's just easier to stick with a clean, light pink sheer. It's fun to wear a dark burgundy also — it's much easier to wear that on your toes.

Do people also need to readjust their wardrobes as they get older?

Yes. There is such a thing as clothes that are too young, and then clothes that are too aging. You want clothes that are totally right and age appropriate, and make you look young, hip and powerful. It's also a matter of getting rid of things in your closet that really date you.
You’re a proponent of shape wear.

I love shape wear! I wear it every single day. If you want to look thinner than you really are, just slip on a pair of bike shorts. They really hold everything in, and they won't give you visible panty lines — VPLs. It gives you a sense of control and competence to wear shape wear under pieces, and they're not like your mother's girdles that are so tough to wear. They're actually really comfortable; there's a lot of Lycra in them.

What about hose?

Pantyhose are the devil! Nude hose is something that is very old-ladyish, because it bags up by your ankles. There are so many cooler things to wear, like dark, opaque stocking in the wintertime, or fishnet hose.

What would you say to the person who dismisses all of this as an excess of vanity?

I really, really believe that we have to stop thinking of beauty as superficial because it's what makes us feel good. It gives you the confidence you need to exist in this world, and to survive. If anyone has any doubts about it, think of the days that you're sick and you never get out of your bathrobe and you look like hell — you feel like hell! But the times you get dressed up and look in the mirror and say, "My God! I look fantastic!" — it's such an up. I remember when I was sick and my aunt used to say, "Take a shower. Do your hair. Put makeup on." It does make a difference. I just think if you treat yourself better, you'll just feel so much better, competent and happier.

Source: Internet

10 Secrets About Men

2008-01-28T09:01:00.000+05:30

10 Secrets About Men

Here's my take on what they and their sisters don't know about men.

1. You don't want to be judged for your looks; we don't want to be judged for our wallets. Unless we're ugly and have lots of money. Then it's OK.

2. You're not the only person who likes to be called "sexy."

3. Saying "I love you" is a major step in a man's life. That's why we wait for you to take that step first.

4. We are not being cheap when we make $35,000 a year and can't afford to pay every single date. We are merely being practical.

5. A guy who spends too much time in the gym is making up for something else that's lacking. Unfortunately, you can't figure out what it is until it's too late.

6. Don't get mad at us because we don't remember what you were wearing on our first date, or the angle of the light during our first kiss. We were probably drunk.

7. You're good in bed if you make us feel like stallions.

8. Jealousy isn't a sign that you love us more, it's a sign that you trust us less.

9. Hanging up on us is a surefire way to make sure we go to bed mad.

10. We're sorry. Whatever it is, we're sorry.

8 First Date Tips for Women

2008-01-28T08:55:00.000+05:30

8 First Date Tips for Women

First dates are all about getting to the second date. Here's how to make him fall all over himself for a second date with youAs a love coach, I've heard the following question more times than I can remember:

"What happened? I'm so confused. At first, he seemed to really like me. He made reservations, picked me up, and took me to a fabulous restaurant. But for some reason, over the course of dinner, he became a little cold and distant. By the time he dropped me off, he seemed withdrawn and just sped off into the night. I haven't heard from him since! And I really liked him. I'm so bummed! What do you think happened?"

Does this sound familiar to you? If so, you may have broken some cardinal first-date rules without knowing it. Here are eight tips to ensure that a first date will turn into a second if you'd really like it to:

Tip 1. Don't be negative about dating. Why should a man pursue someone who isn't happy? It's ineffective manhandling to dump your dating disappointments on bachelor No. 3.
Talking to a man about how awful dating is just begs the question, "Are you in therapy?"
Talking to a man about how awful dating is just begs the question, "Are you in therapy?"
Manhandling Tip: Be a romantic challenge, not a mental health challenge.

Tip 2. Don't get tipsy. Always maintain enough sobriety to assess your date's character. Practice restraint, and don't have more than a drink or two when you're out on a first date. Otherwise, how in the world can you possibly observe him and decide if he's remotely right for you?
Manhandling Tip: Always stay sober enough to remember how naughty you were the night before!

Tip 3. Don't talk badly about your exes. I don't care if he cheated on you with your sister, don't recite a laundry list of grievances about your exes. This will only make you sound unavailable at best, or worse, wounded.
Reveal your secrets when you're both on a beach in Hawaii or, better yet, engaged!
Reveal your secrets when you're both on a beach in Hawaii or, better yet, engaged!
Manhandling Tip: We all have baggage. Keep it in the closet on first dates.

Tip 4. Don't spook your suitor. Now is not the time to point out your physical flaws. Only bring these complaints to people who can actually do something about them, and not to men who will now be forced to lie to you if they possess good manners.
Manhandling Tip: Confidence is sexy! Sometimes, thoughts are for the inside.

Tip 5. Don't talk about your personal pet peeves. Although your therapist might get butterflies inside when you talk about how traumatized you are by the staggering number of germs that thrive in public restrooms, the typical male will be horrified. You'll have violated the sacred air space of "romantic quality time" and these little monologues of strange pain will be as off-putting as if you started sorting unwashed laundry in a restaurant.
Manhandling Tip: You already know all about you. Keep your problems to yourself and get to know him.

Tip 6. Don't chase your date. Never deprive a man of the thrill of the chase. Besides, it's so much fun being caught! A woman can always initiate a first tea date, but after that, it's up to a man to decide whether he wants to pursue you. Entice men, play with them, and then release them! Allow men to initiate and take the lead in moving your relationship forward.
Manhandling Tip: When men chase you, they're much less likely to fly away.

Tip 7. Don't keep squawking. Don't feel pressured to try to fill up every second with meaningless chatter. If the conversation falls silent for a moment, don't panic, just let it happen. Natural pauses are sexy, and body language can be so much more powerful than words. Slowly smile at him and breathe. You may be surprised when he blurts out in the middle of a deliciously pregnant pause, "Come here and kiss me!"
Manhandling Tip: Remember, sometimes less conversation really is more.

Tip 8. Learn how to leave.
Anyone can be pleasant when they're enjoying themselves, but the true test of character is how one behaves when terribly bored
Anyone can be pleasant when they're enjoying themselves, but the true test of character is how one behaves when terribly bored, or worse, treated shabbily. There's nothing to be gained by suffering through a terrible date, so if you're having an awful time, depart quickly and gracefully, without being rude. When you're itching to leave, say: "Thank you so much for meeting me. I think it's time for me to go on home, Jerome. (Smile) Take care." Extend your hand for a quick shake, swiftly turn on your heel and depart.
Romantic Rule: If you're on date number one and aren't having fun, release men back into the wild immediately.

5 Steps to Disaster-Proof Your Dating

2008-01-28T08:51:00.000+05:30

5 Steps to Disaster-Proof Your Dating

Read all 10 comments
If you want a dating life that's free from disaster, you need to invest in a little insurance. As hurricane victims know, it does no good to buy insurance after the storm has wreaked its damage. Here's how to get your own dating insurance package together:

1. Be ready. Some folks approach life as if they were jumping into a cold swimming pool: They squeeze their eyes shut, hold their nose and jump. Who knows if they know how to swim?
It's far better to go into dating with your eyes open and your senses sharp. Take some time and review your current situation. What needs attention? Your physical self? Your surroundings? Your fears? Taking care of yourself first will help ensure your future success in love.

2. Get a life.
Nothing is more unattractive than someone with nothing to offer.
Nothing is more unattractive than someone with nothing to offer. While having space in your life for a partner is important, too much space will seem overwhelming to another. It's not up to a future partner to give you the life you haven't made for yourself.
Get out and get active! One of the best strategies for getting invitations is to give them. Try entertaining. If the thought of throwing a party scares you more than dating, you can invite people to all kinds of events as your guest. (But you might as well get your domicile ready for visitors. Where do you expect to entertain a sweetie?)

3. Enhance your good luck.
Many singles are so discouraged about the process of finding love
Many singles are so discouraged about the process of finding love that they can't help but feel unlucky. And most folks feel that there is little they can do to influence Lady Luck.
But research has found that is not so. What you think and do has enormous effects on bringing you good -- or bad -- luck. Taking steps to increase your luck will help you find the best of the best. Listen to your lucky hunches. Maximize chance opportunities by varying your routine. Above all, expect good fortune in your life. What have you got to lose? More bad luck? For more suggestions, check out my Top 10 Ways to Get Lucky at Love.

4. Be prepared to tell the hard stuff. Often singles are so worried about how to tell bad news to a new partner that it gets in the way of doing any dating at all. We all have pasts, and none of us gets much beyond the age of 21 without accumulating a bit of baggage that we are not so proud of.
Part of getting ready to date is dealing with your truth and coming to terms with your life so far -- and what you have learned in the process. Tell the hard stuff now, before you are put on spot.

5. Toughen up. Do you want to avoid rejection entirely? Well, you'd better stay off dating sites, because rejection is the name of the game. Because you are jumping into a very large pool of potential candidates, you will be saying "no" to many perfectly nice people, and they will be saying (or acting) "no" to you. Saying and getting "no's" is part of getting to that big "YES!" If the no's are too much for you, you are in big trouble right now.

If you are still not sure of your ability to adequately insure yourself from dating failure, visit my Find a Sweetheart Store. You'll find at least one remedy there for every one of the issues I've written about here. Why not take advantage of my experience? I want you to get what you say you want: love!

3 Email Dating Secrets

2008-01-28T08:44:00.000+05:30

3 Email Dating Secrets

You can boost your response rate if you remember to be original Of all the things that clients (especially men) ask me to help them with, the most common query involves assistance with writing introductory emails. And while I never write emails for others, the request makes perfect sense. After all, most people's profiles don't exactly give you a ton of material to work with, do they? So how do you cobble together something from a pile of nothing? Well, you can start by remembering these three basic rules:

Three basic rules
1. If someone else can say it, don't say it. Ask yourself if what you're writing sounds completely original. If not, the person you're contacting probably has 10 emails just like yours.

2. Cut to the chase. Don't waste time with a whole bunch of text that doesn't tell the recipient anything new. Look at this message:
Dear JB, I read your profile and thought it was really amazing. Plus, you're really cute. So please look at my profile and if you like what I had to say, write back to me when you get a chance. Yours, Evan

Every line of this message can be thrown out
Every line of this message can be thrown out. Why? Because anyone whom you contact knows by virtue of you writing to them that a) you liked their profile, b) you liked their photo and c) you'd like a reply.

3. Be flirty. Be confident. Be different. Keep in mind that YOU are the commodity here. Even though you're writing to someone out of the blue, do so with the belief that this person would be lucky to have you. If you're too complimentary in that initial email, you can come off as desperate and needy. So don't go overboard. Say a couple of funny, coy lines and get out. Your profile ultimately does the selling; your email just has to pique their interest.
How to separate yourself from the pack
Still, the question remains:

how do you say something original and flirty?
how do you say something original and flirty? That, my friends, is what separates the most successful online daters from the rest of the pack. Here are three steps to set you on the right path. In this case, I've written them for men replying to women, but the steps are applicable to everyone.

Step 1: Read her profile closely. Every word of it. Men who treat women as unique and interesting individuals stand a much greater shot of receiving a response. The thing is, even if she's interesting, she most likely wrote a whole bunch of cliches in her profile: "I'm nice, smart, kind, warm, funny, honest and family-oriented. I like hiking, biking, movies, music, travel. I'm looking for my best friend, lover and partner in crime for a lifetime of love and laughter." (Scary how easy it is to approximate the typical online dating profile, isn't it?) Obviously, there's not much to respond to here. So let's think outside the box, shall we?

Step 2: Find the most interesting tidbit in her profile. NOT the thing you like the most, NOT the thing you have in common. The most interesting tidbit in her profile is the thing that sounds like it couldn't have been written by anybody else in the world. It might be how she hates pigeons. It might be how she was once a foot model. It might be how she doesn't know how to program her TiVo. Whatever it is,
take her quirky tidbit and turn it into your pickup line
take her quirky tidbit and turn it into your pickup line.

Step 3: Take her factoid and apply it to yourself in a fictional fashion. The sillier and more over-the-top your email, the funnier it'll be. A good joke doesn't require an explanation - it's obviously a joke. For example, if you're writing to the foot model, you might say:
Once upon a time, I was a knee model. Great money, tons of fame, you know the deal ... Then I skinned my knee when rollerblading. I never modeled again. Let's drink to our fashion careers, Evan

Sure, it's a little goofy, but people actually respond to this stuff. Why? Because it's different, it's audacious and, in a strange way, it's kind of smart. Most importantly, it's confident. It's not an idle compliment or a generic, "Look what we have in common" line. It's a joke and, as we all know, people like people who make them laugh.

Wanna try again? Let's take the TiVo woman. Start your comment in the subject heading of the email, like this:

TiVo for Dummies
I can fix your computer, landscape your backyard and probably even hotwire your car, but, for some reason, TiVo programming seems to elude me as well. So if you're interested in watching the entire season of "When Animals Attack" ... in Spanish ... with subtitles ... I'm definitely your guy. Talk to you soon, Evan

High blood pressure and exercise: Why activity is key

2008-01-28T08:38:00.000+05:30

High blood pressure and exercise: Why activity is key

High blood pressure and exercise are closely related. Learn how small changes in your daily routine can make a big difference.

The risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) increases with age. And like it or not, you get older every day. But you don't need to sit back and wait for high blood pressure to strike. Get moving! Regular exercise can help prevent high blood pressure, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. And if your blood pressure is already high, exercise can help you control it.

How exercise helps
How are high blood pressure and exercise connected? Regular physical activity makes your heart stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. And the less your heart has to work, the less force, or pressure, that's exerted on your arteries.

Becoming more active can lower your blood pressure by an average of 10 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). That's the same effect as some blood pressure medications. For some people, it's enough to reduce the need for blood pressure medication.

If your blood pressure is at a desirable level — less than 120/80 mm Hg — exercise can keep it from rising as you age. And there's more. Regular exercise also helps you maintain a healthy weight, another important way to control blood pressure.

The caveat? You need to keep it up. It takes about one to three months for regular exercise to have a stabilizing effect on blood pressure. The benefits last only as long as you continue to exercise.

What counts?
Flexibility and strengthening exercises are an important part of an overall fitness plan, but it takes aerobic activity to control high blood pressure. And you don't need to spend hours in the gym every day to benefit. Simply adding moderate physical activities to your daily routine will help.

Any physical activity that increases your heart and breathing rates is considered aerobic. Mowing the lawn, raking leaves or scrubbing the floor counts — as long as it takes effort. Other common forms of aerobic activity include climbing stairs, walking, jogging, bicycling and swimming.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity most days of the week. If you can't set aside that much time at once, remember that shorter bursts of activity count, too.
When you need your doctor's OK

Sometimes it's best to check with your doctor before you jump into an exercise program, especially if:

You're a man older than age 40 or a woman older than age 50

You smoke
You're overweight or obese

You have a chronic health condition, including high blood pressure or high cholesterol
You've had a heart attack
You have a family history of heart-related problems before age 55
You feel pain in your chest or become dizzy with exertion
You're unsure of your health status

If you take any medication regularly, ask your doctor if increased activity will make it work differently or change its side effects — or if the medication will affect the way your body reacts to exercise.

Keep it safe
To reduce the risk of injury while exercising, start slowly. Remember to warm up before you exercise and cool down afterward. Build up the intensity of your workouts gradually.

If you'd like to try strength training or other resistance exercises, make sure you have your doctor's OK. Some of these exercises may increase your blood pressure — especially if you hold your breath while contracting your muscles.

Stop exercising and seek immediate medical care if you experience any warning signs during exercise, including:

§ Chest pain or tightness
§ Dizziness or faintness
§ Pain in an arm or your jaw
§ Severe shortness of breath
§ An irregular heartbeat
§ Excessive fatigue

Monitor your progressThe only way to detect high blood pressure is to keep track of your blood pressure readings. Have your blood pressure checked at each doctor's visit. If you use a home blood pressure

Diabetes and exercise: Take control with physical activity

2008-01-28T08:29:00.000+05:30

Diabetes and exercise: Take control with physical activity

Exercise is an important part of any diabetes treatment plan. Here's the connection between diabetes and exercise — as well as how to get started and how to stay on track.

Thinking about adding exercise to your diabetes treatment plan? Good for you! Diabetes and exercise go hand in hand. Regular physical activity can help you improve your blood sugar control, as well as boost your overall fitness and reduce your risk of heart disease and nerve damage.

Learn more about how exercise affects your diabetes. Assess possible limitations, and keep your blood sugar on track as you increase your activity level.

Buy into the hype
Besides boosting your mood and energy levels, exercise leads to:

 Improved blood sugar control. When you exercise, your muscles use sugar (glucose) for energy. This reduces your blood sugar. The more strenuous your workout, the longer the effect lasts. And there's more. If you have type 2 diabetes, exercise can increase your insulin sensitivity. That means your body requires less insulin to escort sugar into your cells. Along with a healthy-eating plan, exercise may even reduce — or eliminate — your need for glucose-lowering medication.

 Improved heart health. Diabetes increases your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Exercise counteracts the risk by improving blood flow, increasing your heart's pumping power and improving your cholesterol levels.

 Improved weight control. Exercise can help you lose weight — and keep it off.
Get the green light Before jumping into a fitness program, get your doctor's OK to exercise — especially if you've been inactive. Discuss with your doctor which activities you're contemplating and any limitations you may have.

For example, if you have diabetic retinopathy — abnormal growth of blood vessels on your retina — strenuous activity could lead to bleeding or retinal detachment. You may need to avoid certain activities, such as weightlifting or jogging. If you have reduced sensation in your feet, your doctor may recommend non-weight-bearing activities, such as swimming or biking.
Also discuss with your doctor the best time to exercise. If you take insulin, you might need to adjust your insulin dose before exercising or wait a few hours to exercise after injecting insulin.

Exercise good judgment
When you're ready to exercise, start slowly. Work your way up to 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. While you're working out, remember to take good care of yourself.

 Monitor your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar before, during and after exercise — especially if you take insulin or medications that can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Carry glucose tablets or hard candy in case your blood sugar drops too low or you feel shaky, nervous or confused.

 Pay attention to your feet. Wear smooth-fitting socks and comfortable athletic shoes. Examine your feet before and after exercise for any signs of potential damage, such as cuts or blisters.

 Drink up. Drink plenty of fluids while you exercise, especially when it's hot. Dehydration can increase your blood sugar. If you exercise for more than an hour, drink carbohydrate-containing beverages rather than plain water.

 Identify yourself. Wear a diabetes identification bracelet or shoe tag while exercising, in case of an emergency.

 Know when to stop. If you experience any warning signs — severe shortness of breath, dizziness, faintness, nausea, chest pain, heart palpitations, or pain in an arm or in your jaw — stop exercising. If you don't feel better within 15 minutes, seek immediate medical help.

Keep your eye on the prize
Try not to get discouraged if exercise causes significant changes in your blood sugar and upsets your normal management routine. Continue to test your blood sugar frequently until you begin to notice a pattern and can adjust your meals and medications accordingly. Your health care team can help, too. Once you understand how your body responds to exercise, you'll be even closer to a healthier you.

Lower Your Electric Bill

2008-01-08T09:00:00.000+05:30

Electric bill got you down? Fight back with this energy – saving ideas

Keep your fridge and freezer full
Food acts as insulation and lessens the amount of time that the fridge has to run to stay cool.

Clear your refrigerator’s coil
When your refrigerator has dirty condenser coils it has to work harder to cool your foods. Perform maintenance once every three months to optimize its efficiency.

Don’t put uncovered foods/drinks in the refrigerator
Condensation makes the fridge work harder and costs you more money.

Allow foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator
Placing hot foods in your fridge will increase the interior temperature and cause your refrigerator to work harder.

Only wash full loads
Your washing machine and dish washer use a lot of electricity. Minimise the drain by only washing full loads.

Wash laundry in cold water
90% of the energy consumed by your washing machine goes to heating water. Turn the dial to cold and skip the bill.

Clean your dryer lint trap
If you use a drying machine, remove the lint from your dryer trap after each load to maximize its efficiency. Then scrub it down with soapy water and a brush once every couple months to remove any additional lint trapped in the screen.

Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs
CFL light bulbs use four times less energy than incandescent bulbs. Switch out the most widely used bulbs in your home. Then replace the rest as they burn out.

Shield your home from the sun
Cut down on your air conditioning use by closing curtains and blinds on the sunny side of your home. For even more savings, consider installing tinted window film.

Schedule yearly AC maintenance
Increase the efficiency of your AC system by having it inspected and cleaned once a year. Added bonus: cleaner air in your home.

Install ceiling fan
Keeping the air circulating in your home reduces the amount of work your air conditioner has to do.

Landscape for shade
Plant trees to shade your home and your air conditioning won’t have to work as hard.

Eliminate phantom loads
A surprising 75% of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they are turned off. These “phantom” users include: TVs, VCRs, Stereos, computers and many kitchen appliances. Look for anything with a digital clock. A simple solution? Plug all of these items in to power strips and then get in the habit of turning off the strips between uses.

Lower the temperature on your hot water heater
13% of your home electricity goes to heating water. You can lower this percentage by setting your hot water heater to 130 ~ 140 degrees. For even more savings, install an insulation jacket, and insulate the first six feet of piping that comes off of your heater.

Install low flow shower head
Less water flowing through your shower head means less water to heat.

Cook with the lids on
Foods cook faster with lids on because the heat can’t escape.

Source: Home Builder

DID I REALLY JUST WIN AN EMAIL LOTTERY OR SWEEPSTAKES?

2008-01-08T08:28:00.000+05:30

I received an email from a [name removed, just in case] of London England stating I had won US$ in a sweepstake organized by Microsoft and AOL. In the email numerous words were misspelled. I was told to contact [name removed], Claims processing agent, [number removed], Courier Firm: [name removed]. This email mentioned a [name removed], Microsoft Promotion Team, Vice President. The one stipulation is the winner remits part of the winning fund to a charity organization. Is this email for real or just another fraud email?

Did I really just win an email lottery or sweepstakes?

Man, if every "you've won!" sweepstakes message I've received in the last year were true I'd be a very rich man. Heck, if even one of them were true, I'd be doing pretty well.
Short answer: it's fraud. Run away. Delete it. Ignore it. Don't ever be tempted.
That clears enough?

Let's examine just why that is and what some of the clues are.
I just checked my Junk Mail folder, and in the last week I've received at least a dozen or more "winning notifications" of various flavors. "Staatloterij" (Dutch for state lottery), "End of the year lottery promotion", "YOU HAVE WON!!!", and so on.

Every one of them is totally bogus.

And worse, they're actually scams to take your money, not give you any.
Let's look at some of the clues the show you just how bogus these emails are.
And for the record, these clues apply to 99% of the all spam you get as these are excellent indicators of scams and other bogus emails.

"It's fraud. Run away. Delete it. Ignore it. Don't ever be tempted."
It's email. Let's face it, if you really won a lottery, someone would more likely knock on your door (with lots of proper identification) or at least send you a certified/registered letter. Email is an unreliable notification mechanism at best and should never be used for something this important.

The email's not even addressed to you! This just gets me every time I see it. None of the messages that say I've won actually have my name in the "To:" line. None. In fact, none of them even mention me by name. You'd think that if I had in fact won some kind of lottery that my name would be known to the organization, and that they would actually use my name when they tried to tell me that I'd won. It doesn't get much more bogus than this.

English is clearly not their native tongue. You said it yourself, "numerous words were misspelled". Once again, a legitimate organization would simply not do that. Even if they were based in another country they would take the time to make sure that spelling and grammar were up to business correspondence standards.

They ask for money. This is the big tip-off in my book. In your case: "one stipulation is the winner remits part of the winning fund to a charity". Here's how it works: in most cases you'll have to actually send money before you "receive your winnings". It'll either be in the form of fees that they say must be paid up-front, or in your case I'm guessing that you'll need to make your charitable donation before you get your winnings. And those winnings? IF you get anything at all, there are several scams right now that actually send you a check that's so real-looking that it even fools your bank. Until it bounces a week later and your "winnings" are removed from your account, that is. All that after you've paid the up-front fees with your own real money.

They ask for your details. Lottery scams are another great venue for identity theft. "Winning the lottery" seems like a perfectly legitimate reason to be asked for lots of personal information like Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and the like. It's not. Do not divulge your personal information to anyone you don't absolutely positively trust. Ever.

The fact is that the old adage is very, very true: If it's too good to be true, then it's not.
Unfortunately the sad reality is that these schemes exist because enough people fall for them every day. Out of ignorance, greed, or desperation, people think that they've actually won and fall for the trap. The net result is that they don't win at all, they lose. They lose their money, their belongings, their identity, and more.

It's fraud. Run away. Delete it. Ignore it. Don't ever be tempted.
That clear enough?

Meaning of A to Z

2008-01-08T08:26:00.000+05:30

Why Americans were not back to moon after 1969...!!!!

2007-12-28T13:42:00.000+05:30

4 Weeks to Getting Slim, Strong and Sexy

2007-12-28T13:07:00.000+05:30

1. Trunk Rotation
Targets: shoulders, abs, obliques

Lie back holding one 8- to 10-pound dumbbell horizontally in both hands about 6 inches above chest. Bend knees 90 degrees, thighs perpendicular to floor. Tilt knees 45 degrees to the left while bringing shoulders and dumbbell 45 degrees to the right. Do 12 to 15 reps per side. Crunch straight up, reaching dumbbell toward toes, for another 12 to 15 reps.
Too easy? Try this: Perform one rotational crunch to each side, then reach weight straight up toward toes; continue alternating movements for 2 minutes (about 30 reps each) without taking a break.

2. Alternating Shoulder Raise
Targets: shoulders, thighs, calves

Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding a 5- to 8-pound weight in each hand. Rise up onto the balls of both feet. Keeping your heels lifted, raise left arm out to the side to shoulder height and right arm to the front to shoulder height. Hold for 2 counts, return to starting position, and switch arms. Do 15 reps per side.
Too easy? Try this: Do this exercise on a stair or at the end of a step bench to challenge your balance. Each time you switch arm positions, do 1 calf raise.

3. Warrior Lunge
Targets: shoulders, abs, butt, thighs, calves

Stand on left leg and hinge forward from the waist, bringing chest parallel to floor. Extend right leg behind you while spreading arms out to sides like wings. Hold for 30 seconds; come back to starting position (not shown). Bring hands to hips and step back with right foot into a reverse lunge. Hold for 2 counts, then bring right foot next to left. Do 10 reverse lunges with right leg, bringing toes to floor behind you; return to starting position. Switch sides and repeat combo.
Too easy? Try this: To challenge your upper body, keep arms extended overhead, palms facing each other.

4. Traveling Power Squat
Targets: back, arms, butt, legs

Stand holding a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell horizontally in front of your rib cage with both hands. Squat and hold for 2 seconds.
Jump up explosively, as if you're reaching over a volleyball net. At the same time, lift dumbbell overhead, arms extended. As you land, bring the weight back toward your rib cage. Do 12 to 15 reps. To modify, stand up explosively without allowing your feet to leave the floor.
Too easy? Try this: Travel a few inches forward each time you land -- this will force you to jump higher in order to propel yourself forward.

5. Alternating Push-Up
Targets: shoulders, chest, arms, abs, legs

Begin in a full push-up position, hands on floor under shoulders, legs extended and abs tight. Do 1 push-up. As soon as you finish, drop your knees to the floor and do 1 bent-knee push-up. Do 20 to 25 reps total.
Too easy? Try this: Either do all the push-ups on your toes or come to your knees on every third push-up.

6. Plié with Hammer/Biceps Curls
Targets: biceps, butt, thighs

Stand holding a 10- to 12-pound dumbbell in each hand, arms at sides with palms facing each other and toes pointed out. Bend knees 90 degrees, keeping knees aligned over toes, while curling weights toward shoulders with thumbs up; keep elbows tucked into sides.
After 1 rep, straighten legs (keep feet wide) and do a regular biceps curl, turning arms out 45 degrees. Lower and repeat plié squat and hammer curl; do 12 to 15 reps, alternating moves.
Too easy? Try this: Do the entire exercise balancing on your toes.

7. Clam Dig with Rotation
Targets: shoulders, butt, thighs

Lie on your left side with left hand supporting head, elbow bent. Bend knees 45 degrees in front of body. Hold a 5- to 8-pound dumbbell in right hand with elbow pressing into right side. Lift both right leg and arm toward ceiling; hold for 2 seconds and lower. Keep hips stacked and right upper arm on side throughout the exercise. Do 15 reps; switch sides.
Too easy? Try this: Use 2-pound ankle weights (pictured).

8. Weighted Back Extension
Targets: shoulders, arms, back, butt, thighs

Wrap 2-pound weights around each ankle (or do without weights) and get on all fours. Extend left arm up to head height and right leg back to hip height. Slowly touch left elbow to right knee; hold for 2 counts, then extend arm and leg out again. Do 10 to 15 reps; switch sides.
Too easy? Try this: Place 5-pound dumbbells in front of each hand, then lift the weight as you extend and curl.

Cardio Component
This fat-blasting routine intersperses shadowboxing and jump-rope intervals to burn up to 300 calories in 30 minutes. If jumping rope is hard on your joints, jog or march in place or do a mix of calisthenics like knee lifts and side steps.

How to Whiten Your Teeth

2007-12-28T12:59:00.000+05:30

How to Whiten Your Teeth on Your Own

Over-the-counter products are best for those who don't want to spend megabucks and don't need the instant gratification of a professional treatment. Follow these steps to get the best results.

1. Start with super-clean teeth. Toss your manual brush for a motorized version (try the Oral-B Vitality, $19.99, drugstores). "You can't possibly move as fast as a battery-charged motor," explains Richard Rosen, DDS, a cosmetic dentist at Madison Dental Partners in New York City.

2. Pick your method. Toothpastes and mouthwashes will contain the least amount of peroxide (approximately 0.5 to 1 percent) but can help brighten your smile by as much as one shade with consistent daily use. At-home trays and strips usually have more whitening power (from 3 to 8 percent peroxide) and are designed to have longer contact with your teeth for even better results (up to three shades lighter).

3. Read the ingredients list -- and follow the directions. Look for bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide and carbomide peroxide, which penetrate the enamel to temporarily oxidize the natural color of your teeth, explains Dr. Rosen. Remember, whitening isn't permanent, so your teeth will eventually either return to their original color or go darker than your desired shade.

How to Whiten Your Teeth at the Dentist's Office

In-office bleaching could set you back $300 to $600, but the 16 to 25 percent peroxide can lighten your teeth six shades or more. Here's how to get the most out of spending the extra money:

1. Get a professional cleaning first. Peroxide should immediately penetrate your teeth to lighten the color, not have to fight through layers of buildup. "Removing tartar before a whitening treatment will allow the active ingredients to work more efficiently," says Marc Liechtung, DMD, a cosmetic dentist at Manhattan Dental Arts in New York City.

2. Try at-home trays. This gives you the option of whitening at home while still getting the benefits of professional peroxide levels (it just takes several weeks to achieve maximum results). "Trays can be especially effective because they're in contact with your teeth on a daily basis," explains Dr. Rosen.

3. Or opt for a light treatment. Here's what pros are talking about right now: Discus Dental's Zoom! Advanced Power system, which combines a new whitening lamp with a 25 percent hydrogen peroxide gel to whiten teeth an average of eight shades after 45 minutes (visit zoomnow.com for more information and locations). Sapphire Professional Whitening system (877-586-4633 for locations and dentists) uses a UV-free light and a desensitizing enhancer to decrease sensitivity.

Whitening: The 4 Most Common Questions

Can bleaching harm my teeth?

There are no studies that have proven that hydrogen or carbomide peroxide can cause permanent damage, because they maintain the enamel coating, according to Dr. Rosen. However, skip a product if it has an acid on the ingredients list (although most brands on the market don't include acids, it's still smart to check the label). "It etches away the superficial layer, leaving a chalky residue," explains Dr. Rosen.

Why do my teeth feel sensitive after whitening treatments?

Sensitivity can be caused by overuse of at-home products containing acids (like citric acid), which strip outer layers of enamel. "You can feel a slight zinging to a more intense pain, especially with hot or cold temperatures," explains Dr. Liechtung. This is normal and should diminish in 24 to 48 hours post-treatment, but if it lasts longer, consult a dentist.

How white is too white?

On the shade guide used by dentists, B1 is the whitest hue. However, due to overbleaching, new shades have been added that are considered whiter than what's naturally possible (OMI, OMII and OMIII). "Teeth in the OM category can stop reflecting light and appear gray," says Dr. Rosen. To reach this super-white level you'd have to have repetitive professional whitening, which would likely not be recommended by a dentist.

Can I change the color of my caps and veneers?

No, only your natural teeth can be lightened by bleaching agents. Because caps and veneers are artificial, peroxide can't change their hue, so dentists recommend that you seek a professional's advice instead of using over-the-counter kits. Dentists can usually bring caps and veneers back to their original shade through cleaning and polishing, helping your teeth to maintain a uniform look.

How to Prevent Car Accidents

2007-12-17T12:36:00.000+05:30

Top 10 Tips to Prevent a Car Accident

1. Avoid the "fast lane."

By using the center or right lane on multilane roads, you have more "escape routes" should a problem suddenly arise that requires you to quickly change lanes or pull onto the shoulder. Most highway accidents occur in the left lane. Furthermore, you are more conspicuous to highway patrol if you are in the "fast lane."

2. Keep your eyes scanning the area ahead.

Don't just eyeball the car in front of you but watch the traffic in front of that car as well. This increases your chance of seeing a problem while still having enough time to react to it, and decreases your chance of rear-ending the vehicle in front of you should they make a sudden stop.

3. Beware of blind spots.

Yes, adjust your side mirrors and rearview mirror to provide you with one near seamless panoramic scene of the view behind you, but don't rely solely on them. Actually turn to look directly into the lanes beside you to avoid missing something left undetected by your mirrors. Also consider the blind spots for other drivers around you, especially truckers, and try to minimize the amount of time you spend in them.

4. Drive with your hands in the 9 and 3 o'clock position.

Instead of the lazy, typical way people drive with one hand at 12 o'clock or both hands resting at the bottom of the steering wheel, this recommended position facilitates maximum vehicle control when you're forced into quick maneuvering to avoid a potential car accident.

5. Get racecar driver control of the wheel.

Another trick to maintain control of the wheel is to move your seat close enough to the steering wheel so that your wrist can rest on the top of the wheel with your arm outstretched and your back against the seat. This not only ensures your arms won't easily fatigue but they'll be in the optimum position for some last-minute evasive maneuvers.

6. Judge a driver by his/her car's condition.

If a car's condition indicates an inattentive owner because of body damage or dirty windows, it could easily suggest an inattentive driver, too. Also, drifting in the lane often identifies a tired, drunk or cell phone-preoccupied driver — so you should get away from that person.

7. Know your car's limits.

After getting behind the wheel of everything from minivans to exotic sport cars, our editors know the performance limits of the cars they drive. Pay attention to how your particular vehicle reacts in certain situations — if the vehicle leans a lot when you're rounding corners, this means that wrenching the wheel at high speeds to avoid an accident will be a scary proposition. It's also key to be familiar with the limits of your car's brakes and tires. How long does it take to stop when you apply maximum pressure? How much grip do your tires have? If you replaced your car's stock tires with a cheap set, chances are you've reduced its braking and handling capability.

8. Keep your car in good shape.

At Edmunds, we stick to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule for our long-term cars. This ensures that they'll accelerate, stop and steer when we need them to. Reconsider the wisdom of "getting another 1,000 miles out of old tires" — if you encounter an unexpectedly slick road, you may find yourself rubbing up against the guard rail.

9. The nighttime is not the right time.

Some people like to travel at night to avoid traffic, but with it come certain hazards. In addition to your own increased fatigue and decreased field of vision, you need to be aware of joyriding teens and drivers who may be tired or drunk. Drive extra defensively around the witching hour, after midnight when some people are leaving bars, parties or sports arenas. And for goodness' sake, don't drive down a dark road with burned-out headlights or taillights.

10. Learn how to drive a racecar.

It may sound like a frivolous expense, but going to a high-performance driving school is one of the best ways to improve your skill as a driver. Here you'll learn what it feels like to drive a car "at the limits" and have an opportunity to practice accident avoidance maneuvers and skid recovery in a safe, controlled environment. Understanding how to make your car do what you want it to do in emergency situations could save your life.None of these are surefire ways to prevent a car accident. You can only control what you do behind the wheel, not what your fellow drivers do. But take responsibility when you drive and focus on the task at hand. It's not a time to return phone calls or shave or log onto your e-mail. Take it from our editors: Driving isn't a mindless activity, it's an exercise in self-restraint, self-defense and self-preservation.

Source:Internet

What Happened at Nugegoda Blast ?

2007-12-14T11:00:00.000+05:30

HAIR CARE - LADIES

2007-12-03T11:30:00.001+05:30

CAUSES OF HAIR DAMAGE· CAUSES OF HAIR DAMAGE
As it grows out of our scalp, our hair is no longer alive. Once the hair is damaged, the hair has no way of repairing itself because it’s already dead.
So many things can damage our hair, and although natural wear and tear can't be avoided, you CAN protect your hair from many damaging elements.
Healthy looking hair has a smooth, tightly closed cuticle layer that protects the inner cortex from drying out. The cuticle layer allows hair to maintain its moisture balance, and gives hair its elasticity, strength and shine.
Hair damage can range from uplifted cuticle scales resulting in dullness and decreased shine to bubbled and brittle cuticles to complete removal of the cuticle layer. Damaged hair is dry, porous, weak and hard to manage.

Some of the signs of damaged hair are:
Hair looks dull and lack-luster
Hair feels dry and brittle to the touch
Hair is difficult to comb because it is always tangled
Hair is flyaway and has split ends
Hair is hard to manage and may be difficult to style

Some of the causes of hair damage are:
Excessive brushing and tearing of the hair. Excessive brushing or combing, especially when your hair is wet can seriously damage your hair. Hair is most vulnerable to breaks and tears when wet. Be gentle and use a wide-toothed comb (not metal though!) or a brush with natural fibres.
Hair pins, clips. These types of accessories clip onto the hair so tightly to stay in place, and often the tightness will cause hair to break. Never use rubber bands to tie the hair back. Use a fabric scrunchie or loose fitting comb or clip with rubber padding.
Too much heat. The best advice is to allow hair to dry naturally and not to use any type of heating tool. However, in reality this is hard to do. If you can't live without your hairdryer or flat iron, try to use it on the lowest setting possible.
Sun damage. Skin isn't the only part of your body that needs protection from UV rays. Summer sun worshipers are especially at risk for hair damage, but UV rays damage your hair every time you step outside into daylight-even in the winter. No, you don't need to wear a hat everywhere you go, but definitely be conscious of the sun's rays and cover up if you're going to be out in the sun for a while.
Chlorine and Salt Water. When swimming in chlorine water or in salt water, always wash hair afterwards with a clarifying shampoo. There are specially formulated shampoos for swimmers. The chlorine and the salt in the water can dry hair and make it very brittle. By washing the salt and chemicals out of the hair immediately after a swim may prevent this from occurring.
Over-perming. You should never re-perm hair until the original perm has grown all the way out. A normal perm damages hair, so a perm on top of a perm is a double whammy.
Over-washing. Yes, washing your hair too much can dry out your scalp, cause flakes, and lessen the natural oils on your head that protect your hair's roots.
Cold weather. Cold weather dries out hair more quickly because there is less humidity in the air. This dryness, combined with the cold makes hair brittle and susceptible to breakage. Weekly deep treatments can help to protect hair from being dried out.

COMMON HAIR MISTAKES

1. NOT TRIMMING YOUR HAIR EVERY 6 WEEKS.
The tip of each hair is weaker then the root, making it more vulnerable to breakage and split ends. Having the tips trimmed every 6 weeks helps to maintain the condition of your hair and its style.

2. WASHING HAIR ON A DAILY BASIS.
Regularly washing your hair strips it of essential oils and can leave it dry and brittle. If you have naturally oily hair, use a mild, pH-balanced shampoo. When washing your hair don't rub the scalp vigorously as this will stimulate the oil glands to produce more sebum. Champion Sports Bra

3. RUBBING YOUR HAIR VIGOROUSLY WITH A TOWEL.
The action of rubbing you hair with a towel actually roughens the hair cuticle, which can lead to frizzy, flyaway hair.

4. LEAVING SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER IN YOUR HAIR.
Shampoo and conditioner that is not thoroughly rinsed out of the hair is the worst culprit for bad hair days. It counteracts styling products, leaves your hair looking dull, limp and unmanageable. Try to rinse your hair for an extra couple of minutes after shampooing and conditioning.

champion spotrs bra champion sports bra champion sports bra champion sports bra
5. BLOW-DRYING HAIR UNTIL COMPLETELY DRY.
Overheating your hair makes it susceptible to breakage and strips it of shine. A better idea is to blow-dry hair until its 80% dry and then let it air dry, naturally. Alternatively use a leave-in conditioner or styling product that protects your hair from heat styling. Also, hold the hair dryer at least 30 centimetres away from your hair.

6. NOT USING PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED FOR YOUR HAIR TYPE.
Many people misdiagnose their hair type and subsequently purchase the wrong hair products to style hair. Using the right product will help to recreate that special salon style.

7. NOT USING A CLARIFYING SHAMPOO ONCE A WEEK.
Everyday pollutants cling to hair and leave a thin coat of grime that dulls and weighs down the hair. Using a clarifying shampoo once a week will give hair a residue free fresh start.

8. THINKING THE LATEST FASHION HAIR CUT WILL SUIT YOU.
Let's face it; we're not all beautiful models. Not all of us can get away with the latest, trendiest, most fashionable hair cut. May be that fashion cut can give you a worst look.
It all depends on individual, their texture, their lifestyle, their quality of hair.
Drastic haircuts take a long time to grow out, so be sure you want to take the risk before sitting in the char and letting your hairdresser go to work. Be specific and take lots of photographs to ensure you are getting the look you want.
Source:Internet

HAIR CARE - GENTS

2007-12-03T10:57:00.000+05:30

Hair Styles for Handy Men

HAIR LOSS

Male Pattern Baldness:
On average, there are 90,000 to 150,000 hairs on the scalp. The hairs grow from roots called follicles. Blood vessels at the base of each follicle provide nourishment vital for hair and hair growth. Hair growth in each root occurs in a cycle independent of each other.

At any time about 90 percent of the hairs on the scalp are in the growth phase, while the other 10 percent are in the resting phase. The growth phase can last an average of up to five years, after which the follicle goes into a resting phase, which can last up to four months. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out and is replaced by a new hair. This is all a perfectly normal part of the growth cycle.
In fact, on a typical day, up to 150 hairs can be lost. Baldness occurs when hair is lost at an unusually high rate and hair replacement occurs at an unusually slow rate and/or when normal hairs are replaced by weaker, smaller ones.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?
Almost all cases of hair loss is the result of Male pattern baldness (or androgen tic alopecia). Male pattern baldness occurs much more frequently in men than in women. Even in mild cases it affects roughly 50 million men in the United States. Balding may begin at any age after puberty.

While some types of hair loss is reversible, male pattern baldness tends to be permanent. It occurs in a very typical pattern on the scalp. Hair loss usually begins at the temples and at the top of the head toward the back, causing a receding hairline and a bald spot. Sometimes progressing further until the two sections become joined, leaving a horseshoe pattern on the sides and back of the head.
Male pattern baldness progresses slowly and is not associated with any physical discomfort.

What causes male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness is thought to be a combination of hormonal and genetic factors. Testosterone and its more potent derivative dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the contributing factors of the degree of baldness. Whatever the exact causes of male pattern baldness may be, it is hereditary. A tendency toward baldness on either side of a man's family (mother or father) indicates The speed, pattern, and degree of the balding.
Usually, the earlier it begins, the more severe the hair loss will be. Balding is not caused by wearing a hat, you can’t regrow hair by Massaging or brushing, or excessive shampooing stimulates hair growth. These are thought to be false. Stress may contribute to a form of hair loss, but normal everyday stress does not contribute to balding. Sports Watch

What are the treatment options for male pattern baldness?
Herbal Shampoos
Herbal Remedies
Specialty Shampoos(for example Helsinki Formula)
Wigs
Transplants
Medication(Propecia,Minoxidil etc)
Home Remedies
Others

Hair transplantation
In hair transplants, healthy live follicles are removed from a donor site on the scalp and transplanted to the balding area. The follicles are commonly taken in "plugs" of one hair to two hairs (micrografts) from the sides or back of the head and moved to the balding area, with the hairline being slowly reconstructed. Larger plugs may be used. Donor sites with full hair make transplants more successful. Some scarring may occur.
Transplanted follicles are usually permanent. Synthetic hair has also been used for transplants but has been known for to have a high rate of infection and has been banned. As with any surgical procedure, hair transplantation presents certain risks. If you are considering a transplant, consult your doctor.

Wigs
A hairpiece can be custom made to cover a balding area. Hairpieces may fade and over time. It is important to clean the scalp under the hairpiece regularly. Another option is a weave, in which fake (synthetic) hair is sewn into existing hair.
This just a quick run down of what happens when most men reach a certain age. Here are a couple of sites that we have found that will educate and inform and give you everything you want to know about Male Pattern Baldness. The reviews are very positive and even might give you possible solutions to this problem that has afflicted almost every man for generations

Source:Internet

FRIENDS

2007-12-03T10:39:00.000+05:30

╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬

Friends Clubs
Samanthi Mithuru Samajaya, Malwana
Reg. No. W/P 6655
077 4367480

Subhasiri Friends Club, Galigamuwa
Reg. No. KG 1555
035 5781721 (Sauri/Susantha)

Seuwandhi Mithuru Sewaya, Biyagama
Reg. No. WP 6748
011 4992494 (Nadeshani)
011 4987600 (Roshini)

Dedunu Friends Club, Nugegoda
Reg. No. WP 81708
071 6116330

Essex Fan Club, Hanwalla
Reg. No. WP 2859
077 3259995

Suhada Mithuru Samajaya, Gampaha
Reg. No. WP 223
011 4955188 (Sauwandhi)
033 4924672 (Thushari)

╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬

Pen Pal
We invite you to mail your name, Age, sex, occupation, address and contact details to admin.handylanka@gmail.com to publish in this page.

╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬

sports Bra Sports Bra Sports Bra Sports Bra

Brilliance of Murali - Congratulation! 700 Wickets

2007-12-01T13:49:00.000+05:30

Name: Muthiah Muralidaran
Pet Name: Murali
Born: Nattaranpotta, Kundasale in Kandy, Sri Lanka
Birth date: 17 April 1972

Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Weight: 60 kilos
Schooling: St Anthony's College, Katugastota
Bats: Right hand
Bowls: Right hand off-breaks & others
First Coach: Sunil Fernando
First Club: Tamil Union & Athletic Club
Test Debut: Sri Lanka v Australia at Colombo (RPS) 2nd Test 1992-93
ODI Debut: Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), 2nd ODI 1993-94

> Murali equal the World Record of Shane Warne on 02 December 2007 at 2.04 pm, Asgiriya Sports Ground against England. Victim: Ravi Bopra

Matches Wickets Avg. 5WKt

Muralitharan 116* 708 21.70 60

Shane Warne 145 708 25.41 37

The Muthiah Muralidaran Arm - A Study in Pictures

Murali's hand cannot be fully straightened. His elbow range of motion is limited and below the specified amount as shown below.

Depending on the direction of viewing, his arm may be seen as straight or bent.

3 views of Murali's arm. First and third views show a straight arm but the centre figure shows a bent arm. Most of the controversy is as a result of this illusion.

Source : www.muralitharan.org

How to Save a Wet Cellular Phone

2007-11-28T08:47:00.000+05:30

Ever Dropped Your Mobile in a Puddle?
Usually it means that you have to replace your gadget, but sometimes, if you act fast, you can save yourself from an expensive purchase.

How to Save a Wet Cellular Phone

Step 1
Turn off your gadget and immediately remove the battery. No matter what you do, do not turn it back on. If you dropped your phone and it has a SIM card, remove that too. Some or all of your valuable contacts (along with other data) could be stored on it. To some people this could be more important than the phone itself.

Step 2
Dry it off as much as you possibly can. Even take a Q-tip and get into the cracks and crevices. You can never be too thorough.

Step 3
Put the gadget and battery in a dry, warm spot and wait. Don’t try putting the battery back into see if it works as this would risk damaging the phone with a short circuit. Remember: Water and electricity don’t mix …. don’t let your short patience get the best of you. You will have to wait this one out and your best bet is to let it dry for two to three days and not a minute less.

Step 4
Put your battery back in and cross your fingers. With a little luck, your gadget will be back in working order. Note: This can work for your kids’ electronic toys too.

Tip:
If something other than water ( like coffee or soda) was the culprit, you may need to add another step… after drying you will want to take your Q-tip and clean the gadget with alcohol (use sparingly) and then dry again. Unfortunately, liquid other than water will corrode the inside parts and the longer it dries without being cleaned out, the more concentrated the substance will become.