Creating the “Ultimate Home Game Room” isn’t as hard as you may think. “Ultimate” doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive game room either. It just means it’s ultimate for you, your family and your friends.

The basics for every game room include “games & signs”. That’s all it takes to create your game room. Of course some organization is also needed, you don’t want a mess of posters, pub signs and neon signs taking up your walls.

Creating Your “Ultimate Home Game Room”

To do this you start with the wall colors. The best looking game rooms have two-toned wall color schemes. This means a top border around the room that’s 12-24 inches in width. Then paint the rest of the room a complimentary color.

It’s fun choosing a color scheme. Use your favorite sports team, your high school / university colors, the colors of your home country or a favorite painting or place you’ve visited. If those colors aren’t good just select Two Great compatible colors. It’s usually best to make the darker color your border color and the lighter color as your main wall color. This brightens up the room and helps your cool signs and posters to display better.

Next comes the flooring. There is a variety of floors that can be put into game rooms. A few examples would be hardwood, vinyl, cork, bamboo, carpet tiling, ceramic tiling, area rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting. If your game room is located in a basement that eliminates most if not all hardwoods because of moisture problems in basements.

So what’s best? Checkered tiling is what “Ultimate Game Rooms” are all about. Match the tiles up with your wall color for the ultimate effect. Whether you use 6×6, 8×8 or 12×12 tiling squares it’s a checkered floor that makes your game room “Ultimate”.

Now comes the “FUN PART”. You can either theme your game room or create a general all out fun game room.

Let’s start with furniture. If you’re creating a theme then your furniture must match. For example if you want a “Beach or Hawaiian Theme” then the best pub tables, pub chairs and accessories would be made of wicker or rattan. If you’re creating a Green Bay Packer’s Theme then you’d want chrome bar stools with green or yellow vinyl cushion covers to match. Otherwise if you just want a great game room make sure you bar stools and pub tables match.

The next thing to consider is the lighting. If you have a theme, say a sports theme, then find pub lamps, swag lights and floor lamps that have your favorite sport or team’s name on them. For an Asian theme you’d want bamboo lamps and hanging lanterns. For general game rooms, bar lights with your favorite drink or food would be perfect!

Now you’re ready to decorate your walls! Posters, Tin Signs, Neon Signs, Clocks and more are what you’ll need to get started. Have a movie theme then find some great movie posters online to fill up your room. Actually it’s best to have an assortment of each. Leave gaps and spread all your cool stuff out. You want them to be noticed and admired not lost in a mess of other posters and signs. Remember you just spent a few days painting your game room so don’t cover it up. With a general game room theme vintage tin signs are always a big hit. Plus one or two neon signs add atmosphere. Don’t overdue the neon though just choose a few favorites.

Now it’s time to find the best TABLE GAMES. Besides the cost it’s room size that determines which games to include in your game room. By far every “Ultimate Game Room” needs a billiard table. Now days you can get a variety of fabric colors besides green. Also you can find themed billiard tables like NASCAR and more. Two other great additions are foosball and air hockey. Easy to play fast paced games. They also come in a variety of sizes and fun designs. Table Tennis is a fun game but not everyone knows how to play and they take a lot of space if they don’t fold up so you may want to add other games first. One game that is overlooked too much is Shuffleboard. It’s GREAT for the whole family and it’s easy and fun to play.

Think about “Other Game Room Games”. For example if you have a 1950’s Theme then an Elvis Pinball Machine fits right in. Also a retro slot machine would be fun to have. A Pachinko Game or Pachislo is a great family game from Japan worth mentioning. And “Dart Boards & Poker Tables” are in high demand these days and there is such a large variety out there you’ll have no problem finding one for your game room.

A variety of games, some for the adults and some for the kids are what you need. Games can get a little expensive so don’t buy new, buy second hand from an online auction site or look in your local paper for used games. It’s not how new they are it’s how FUN they are! Don’t have enough space? Then try a “Combination Game Table”. They have combos from 3 in 1 to 15 in 1 game tables.

It’s time to liven things up with “Music”. You can’t have an ultimate game room without music. A Juke Box is best when it comes to game room music. Whether it’s a 1946 Rockola or a retro looking CD Juke Box it doesn’t matter. It’s having a jukebox that counts most. Yes a 400 CD changer with a nice surround sound stereo system works even better but looks mean a lot when creating a game room. Just hide your CD or stereo in the corner.

Finally to create the “Ultimate Game Room” you need a TV. One should be mounted on the wall in the vicinity of the pool table / poker table and the other in a sitting area for kids to play video games. This is a must. No game room is complete without a TV or two for the big game.

Now you have all the ingredients you need for creating the “Ultimate Home Game Room”. There are always fun and different accessories you can add to spice it up even more but with the basics covered you’re ready to start having the best parties and get-togethers on the block!

Visit www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com/ http://www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com/ to find other fun and interesting information on creating your ultimate game room. You’ll find information on other decorating themes like Western and Hawaiian themes and much more at www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com/game-room-themes.html http://www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com/game-room-themes.html . To view game room posters go directly to www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com/picture-and-poster.html http://www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com/picture-and-poster.html

Joe Schmieder is the Webmaster of www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com http://www.game-room-decorating-ideas.com .

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Finding a competent book agent that will actually work diligently for you to help you reach your goals can be a lot tougher than you may think. Because there are so many different kinds of literary agents out there, it is important to be careful when picking one for your own needs.

The first thing you should do when looking for an agent to represent your work is to familiarize yourself their area of expertise. Not all agents focus on works of fiction, some are only interested in technical books, while on the other side of the coin others enjoy pursuing works of poetry. After finding the ones that fit your field, you now have to locate the agent who has your best interest at heart and not theirs. Many book agents get caught up with their own agenda.

Locating book agents who are legitimate is nowhere near as easy as you think it is. In reality, there are a great deal of quality agents in the business. Now, if you are looking for people who claim to be book agents but are instead scammers, bad at their job, unhelpful, or in it only for themselves, there are more than you could ever handle. But to locate one relief trust or the than some of that has your best interest at heart in it is to get the job done as a full-time job on itself.

A first-rate book agents work diligently, and have a real good idea of how to do their job by working for a reputable agent. After learning hopes by talking to publishers and authors on their own and understanding the way in which the business truly operates, that they usually start up the presence of their own it are to competently manage it.

They will work for you and never ask anything of you that has to do with money. They will edit books as needed without a charge, as that is part of their job.

Dishonest book agents will be looking for money up front before a book is even sold. Quality book agents wouldn’t do that. They realize that the real money is made as part of a percentage of the amount you are paid on a book that is sold so this is the first true way to tell scamming agents from real ones.

Scammers will also try and hide their client lists as confidential, but it is usually because these dishonest book agents will have a clients because of their shoddy work. Unlike legitimate book agents, scammers will not offer book revisions for free and will usually try to get you to go to an outside source to have your book edited. As book agents, it must have the skills to edit the books themselves as a part of the service they render to you.

It all comes down to doing your homework and checking out the various book agents and being sure you are comfortable with the way they run their businesses. If something doesn’t seem right to you, it probably isn’t so don’t hesitate to move down the list of possible book agents until you find one that meets your needs perfectly. Remember this is about you and your book and they are there to service and help you, not the other way around.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning books. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting www.thebookblowout.com/books/books/locating-top-book-agents.html http://www.thebookblowout.com/books/books/locating-top-book-agents.html .

AP - This doesn’t sound good: The nonprofit agency in charge of the Internet’s addresses recently lost track of its own.

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Arizona presents itself as one of the more developed states in the new world. New and improved industries are coming up and thus more and more people are migrating towards Arizona. Arizona lies in the southwestern United States and thus is an ideal spot for all types of industries to flourish. Not only does it provide excellent facilities to its inhabitants but it is a great tourist spot as well.

Mortgage companies in Arizona provide you with the best of deals, customer support and thus are an integral part in the growing economy. Almost 40% of the economy in Arizona is centered on the mortgage industry. It is quite surprising to believe that such a large number of mortgage companies exist and flourish in Arizona. Mortgage is basically a type of finance option that is available, which people take to fulfill any large monetary requirement they might be having at that point of time. Generally, people go for mortgage to finance the purchase of a new house. Being a southwestern state of United States, Arizona provides a huge opportunity for not only the mortgage companies to flourish but also for people who want credit. As the competition gets bigger the deals offered by Arizona mortgage companies get better and better.

The world is changing quickly and so are the needs of the people. Arizona is considered to be a heaven for getting mortgage done, owing to its reputation of mortgage companies. The service providers here give unmatched service and are enhancing their services according to the needs of the world. The mortgage sales person will come to your house and do the formalities for you. Owing to the fast paced economy, mortgage companies also have to increase their service quality and timely approvals. By filling out a simple form you can get credit. This is why Arizona is considered to be the best place to get mortgages.

Arizona offers a whole lot of opportunities for mortgage companies and in return the mortgage companies offer a whole new experience every time a customer steps into their shop. You get experience, flexibility, knowledge, technology and to top it all, trust. Advanced tools make your life easier as a customer. Most of the mortgage companies in Arizona are a part of multi national firms who saw the opportunity earlier and grabbed it with both hands. These firms in order to preserve their multi-national image have to give unparalleled services and quality to their customers.

Keith Gill is an Experienced Real Estate investor and Mortgage Banking Consultant and Loan Officer. Keith Prides himself on Bring accurate and valuable information to the Real Estate and Mortgage market place. Keith Can be driectly contacted by going to his personal website at www.YourLenderForLife.com http://www.YourLenderForLife.com

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A borrower has certain responsibilities to take care of, once a loan is negotiated. In order to keep your loan in good standing, it is important to fulfill all your obligations. A lapse in making a single payment indicates delinquency. You could get into the default record if you continue to ignore your loan repayments. If you face any trouble in arranging funds for paying back your student loan, you need to contact the organization that provided the loan. There are chances that you may qualify for forbearance, deferment or any other form of payment relief.

In most of the cases, student loans do not require repayment until after graduation. Many fresh graduates do not find a suitable placement very quickly. However, after graduation, there is a six months grace period before the repayment schedule begins. Even though a student may identify a good job, he could initially be underpaid, leading to issues with the repayment of the loan.

There are several strategies that could be adopted to help you repay the loan. Student loan lenders and service providers offer several repayment options. You should check with your creditor to gather details on any such available plans. Repayment plans offer the following options:

- Graduated repayment: The payment is lower in the beginning and increases steadily over a period of time.
- Standard repayment: Interest payments and principals are due each month, throughout the repayment term.
- Income sensitive repayment: A percentage of the borrower’s monthly income forms the basis of calculating the monthly repayment, although this plan applies for certain account borrowers.
- Extended repayment: This incorporates lower monthly payments for an extended period of 25 years.
- Loan consolidation: You can consolidate several loans into one new loan, with a low interest rate and easy finance management opportunities.
- Prepayment: This can reduce your total cost of borrowing because most private student loans allow you to make payment of a part or your entire loan before the scheduled payment. This can be done anytime during the life of the loan.

In addition you should check:

- Your state might be offering programs that reduce or even cancel your loan if you perform certain services like, nursing or teaching. You can get in touch with the state agency for postsecondary education, to check if there are such programs available in your state.
- There are religious and civic organizations that provide certain benefits and aid in repayment.
- Your personal expenses may need to be analyzed and kept minimum. Try to keep your living expenses low initially.
- It is possible to apply for forbearance, deferment or any other payment relief programs.

Deferment: It is the temporary suspension of the loan payment if you re-enroll yourself in a school, are unemployed or facing any economic hardship.

Forbearance: This is also a reduction or postponement of the loan payment, temporarily, while you are in any financial difficulty.

Other forms: These may include graduate or income sensitive loans.

If you are facing financial difficulty and it is impossible for you to repay the loan immediately, you can always take refuge in these options. They not only help you to repay your loan easily, but also help you maintain a good credit report.

Joe Kenny writes for the UK Loans Store for loans UK and offer more information on student loans and other loan topics available on site.

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Children can suffer when Mom and Dad are at odds in their parenting styles.

Mom says the kids have to be in bed by 8:00 p.m., but when she works the late shift, Dad lets them stay up till 9:00. He says, Don’t tell your mother. Dad says, “You wanted to play the piano, so I bought you a piano.” He insists that the child practice every day. When he’s not home, Mom says it’s okay to skip the piano. Mom says, You have to do your homework before you can go outside. Dad says, You need some fresh air. You can do your homework after dinner.

Mom and Dad are divorced. Dad doesn’t want the kids to grow up on X-Box and Gameboy. Mom buys them a Gameboy and an X-Box for Christmas. They love Mom. Mom and Dad are divorced. Mom doesn’t buy sweets, soda, or potato chips. Dad says, It’s okay to eat junk once in awhile. He buys all the junk food the kids can eat. They love Dad.

You get the picture.

Parents often disagree about how to raise their children. Many parents talk out these differences and reach a common ground. When they do not find common ground, the differences cause problems. Parents begin to ignore each other’s desires and act as if there were only one parent. The minor differences that occur in almost every home are not damaging; however, differences become destructive when parents make conflicting decisions. It’s as if the child is exposed to two entirely different home environments.

How do families end up like this? One parent is at odds with the decisions of the other and chooses to do things differently. The other parent responds by making independent choices. Over time, each parent reacts more strongly to the other parent’s decisions. It becomes more important to enforce “my values” than to resolve differences. There’s a lot of underlying animosity in this situation. When the differences are discussed, it’s often in angry exchanges that make the parenting gap seem even wider. This family dynamic is unhealthy for kids.

Parents should offer children a world that includes routines, limits, and exposure to experiences that promote healthy behaviors and healthy choices. For children to learn from their two most important teachers-Mom and Dad-they must see their parents as competent, capable, and reliable. They must know that when you say something, you mean it, and when you set a limit, that’s the limit.

Children learn through consistently bumping into the limits you establish for them. If the limits change from day to day or from parent to parent, it’s very difficult for kids to learn where they really are. In fact, it’s almost impossible for important messages to get through. If one parent says bedtime is 8:00 p.m. and the other says it’s not, the parents’ credibility is undermined in ways that filter into every area of the child’s life. It becomes apparent to the children that Mom and Dad don’t have it together, and it’s easy to leverage one against the other.

Many couples who engage in this behavior wouldn’t dream of saying bluntly, Oh, you don’t have to listen to your dad (mom). They would rightly view this as harmful. But the same parents are willing to subtly undermine each other’s credibility by setting different limits. This is damaging to kids and to a marriage. And yet…Mom and Dad are bound to have differences.

Parental Differences

When we make choices that concern our kids, we have an underlying desire for the children to have certain experiences. One parent may seek structure while another seeks flexibility. One parent may cherish freedom and autonomy while the other thrives on consistency and predictability. One may value routine while the other values spontaneity.

One may be drawn to adventure and risk taking while the other seeks safety and comfort. One may enjoy resisting conventional thought while the other embraces tradition. One is liberal, one is conservative. One likes activity, the other wants quiet family time at home.

Differences exist, and each position has a certain value. When we seek out a particular experience for our children, we have the underlying intention of fulfilling some value.

Some values may seem more worthy than others, but too much of any good thing can be a problem. Too much structure leads to rigidity and overcontrol, but too much flexibility leads to lack of discipline and direction. The goal is for parents to balance opposing values.

It’s important to be honest about what’s really going on. Are you reacting out of anger? Are you more concerned with getting your point across than with what the kids need? Have you let your resentment about not being heard by your spouse blind you to the effect of your judgments?

Transform Your Differences

It’s possible to allow your children to experience the values that both parents support and cherish, even when they’re different. The following three-step model will help you along this path.

1. Commit to getting on the same page.

Accept the fact that children thrive on a consistent message. Resolve to work on your differences and find ways to resolve them.

2. Determine what’s really important to you.

Make a list of your preferences for raising the children. If one of you wants an early bedtime and the other wants a later bedtime, make a note of that. If one of you wants more down time to hang out as a family and the other wants more activity, note that.

List all your differences. Review the list. Don’t react defensively to differences. Instead, calmly ask each other, What is really important about ___________?”

For example,
What’s really important about having the kids stay up to watch a movie with you?

What’s really important about spending all day Sunday at their grandparents’ house?

What’s really important about having the kids play soccer instead of football?

What’s really important about having them get their homework done before dinner?

Take careful notes. What is important to the other parent? Take turns exploring the basis for your preferences, whether it’s bedtime, PG movies, or playing football. Take the time to explore and understand each other’s values and what you want your children to experience through those choices. Search for the broad, underlying motivation behind the experiences you seek for them.

Be honest about what each of you is really saying in your preferences. You’ll find that certain experiences you’re seeking for your children reflect solid values while others reflect values that are questionable. Some of your values may promote healthy behavior and choices while others may simply reflect your desire not to be controlled or your need to defend the way you were brought up.

Ask, How will that serve our children? This is not an aggressive question; it’s an effort to mutually explore and understand. Remain open and interested. Keep exploring until you have a good sense of the underlying values behind the experiences both of you are seeking for your children.

3. Transform values into specific experiences.
Armed with a list of broad values that you agree on, ask yourselves, What specific experiences will fulfill those values? In other words, start with the values and ask yourselves how you can make certain your children experience them.

For example, if I want the kids to have an 8:00 p.m. bedtime because I value consistency and you allow them to go to bed at 9:30 because you value maintaining harmony, we can resolve this problem by developing a plan that gets the kids to bed at 8:00 without a fight.

Maybe I think a PG movie is okay for our 10-year-old because I don’t want to see another Disney movie. You value exposure to age-appropriate language for our daughter. We can agree to go to more adult movies by ourselves and take turns taking her to Disney movies.

I value down time and giving them a chance just to be kids; you want them to get their homework done first, because you value education. Perhaps I can take more responsibility for creating down time with the kids after the homework is done. In this way, they get the message that homework is important.

This Is Work!

Resolving these differences is hard work, and parents tell themselves two big lies to escape the work that’s required to get on the same page.

Lie #1. Consistency doesn’t matter.

We convince ourselves that consistency isn’t important. We laugh about how we’ve told our kids that they can’t watch R-rated movies but they keep renting them at the video store. We tell a child she can’t have dessert if she doesn’t eat the healthy food on her plate. Two hours later, we go out for ice cream.

Consistency matters. It is essential to accept this fundamental principle.

Lie #2. Unhealthy behavior can produce healthy children.

Many parents do not address this fundamental error in their thinking. Their eight-year-old is 40 pounds overweight, but they continue to buy potato chips and ice cream. Somehow they think this doesn’t matter.

A parent comes to me out of concern for his aggressive, mouthy 11-year-old son. Yet he chuckles about how he probably goofed by taking his son to see “Eight Mile,” a movie filled with violence and profanity. Kids listen to music that denigrates women and ethnic groups and shows no respect for authority, and some parents think this doesn’t affect their behavior.

Imagine that you had some poison in your kitchen cabinet that you knew would damage your children. It wouldn’t kill them; it would just take away their energy, limit their activities, and diminish the quality of their lives. Would you feed them this poison? Yet parents allow their children to consume foods that deprive them of energy. They feed their kids foods that make them fat or fill their lunchboxes with nonnutritious sweets. Parents allow children to listen to music that undermines education, cooperation, and responsibility. They allow exposure to violence while insisting that they don’t want their children to be violent.

In the quest to get on the same page, it’s important to raise these difficult issues. At times, the underlying values parents are fighting for are unhealthy. You can’t expose your children to toxins-unhealthy foods, unhealthy music, violent videos-and think that it won’t make a difference. It does make a difference.

Structure is good for children. Within the structure, it’s healthy for them to experience freedom, autonomy, and the opportunity to make choices. These are healthy values, and committed parents, regardless of their differences, can find a way to ensure that their children are exposed to experiences that promote these values. Certain choices-such as promoting exposure to unhealthy activities in the name of freedom-cannot be defended.

I encourage parents to thoroughly explore the values they’re fighting for and make sure that they’re worthy. If they are, you can then turn your attention to how you can offer experiences to your children that promote these values. In this way, healthy differences can be resolved and bad values can be weeded out and left behind.

Dr. Randy L. Cale is a licensed psychologist who offers parental coaching through his website at www.TerrificParenting.com http://www.TerrificParenting.com . Visit Terrific Parenting for more parenting tips and information.

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One of the best TV shows of the modern era, or for that matter any era, The Simpsons rekindled the popularity of the prime time animation genre. A blockbuster series filled with a diverse cast of characters from the fictional town Springfield, the series aided the upstart FOX network in its rise from second-rate TV channel to the elite status of a major network like CBS, NBC, or ABC. This overwhelming success opened the door for a number of similar animated series such as Futurama (1999), The Family Guy (1999), and King Of The Hill (1997). With arguably of the best collection of writing talent in the TV industry, The Simpsons has managed to maintain consistency as one of the funniest shows on television - quite an accomplishment given the length of its run.

The Simpsons (Season DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the season premiere “Treehouse of Horror VII,” one of the best of the annual Simpson Halloween episodes. The three stories covered include the discovery of Bart’s evil twin in the attic, Lisa’s creation of an alternative universe, and an alien invasion propagated by Bob Dole and Bill Clinton look-alikes. Other notable episodes from Season 8 include “A Milhouse Divided” in which Milhouse’s parents decide to get a divorce, prompting Homer and Marge to take sides in the separation, and “The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show” in which Homer becomes the voiceover for the highly anticipated arrival of Poochie, a new character on the Itchy & Scratchy Show. But things take a turn for the worst when reviews of Poochie are unanimously derogatory.

Below is a list of episodes included on The Simpsons (Season DVD:

Episode 154 (Treehouse of Horror VII) Air Date: 10-27-1996
Episode 155 (You Only Move Twice) Air Date: 11-03-1996
Episode 156 (The Homer They Fall) Air Date: 11-10-1996
Episode 157 (Burns Baby Burns) Air Date: 11-17-1996
Episode 158 (Bart After Dark) Air Date: 11-24-1996
Episode 159 (A Milhouse Divided) Air Date: 12-01-1996
Episode 160 (Lisa’s Date with Density) Air Date: 12-15-1996
Episode 161 (Hurricane Neddy) Air Date: 12-29-1996
Episode 162 (The Mysterious Voyage of Our Homer) Air Date: 01-05-1997
Episode 163 (The Springfield Files) Air Date: 01-12-1997
Episode 164 (The Twisted World of Marge Simpson) Air Date: 01-19-1997
Episode 165 (Fountain of Madness) Air Date: 02-02-1997
Episode 166 (Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious) Air Date: 02-07-1997
Episode 167 (The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show) Air Date: 02-09-1997
Episode 168 (Homer’s Phobia) Air Date: 02-16-1997
Episode 169 (Brother from Another Series) Air Date: 02-23-1997
Episode 170 (My Sister, My Sitter) Air Date: 03-02-1997
Episode 171 (Homer vs. The 18th Amendment) Air Date: 03-16-1997
Episode 172 (Grade School Confidential) Air Date: 04-06-1997
Episode 173 (The Canine Mutiny) Air Date: 04-13-1997
Episode 174 (The Old Man and the Lisa) Air Date: 04-20-1997
Episode 175 (In Marge We Trust) Air Date: 04-27-1997
Episode 176 (Homer’s Enemy) Air Date: 05-04-1997
Episode 177 (Simpson Spin-Off Showcase) Air Date: 05-11-1997
Episode 178 (The Secret War of Lisa Simpson) Air Date: 05-18-1997

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find where you can find more reviews of movies and TV series. Source: thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/08/simpsons-season-8-dvd.html http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/08/simpsons-season-8-dvd.html

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Most of your visit to India’s most-famous attraction is natural and inspiring. If it is your first visit, however, it is easy to make the following mistakes

Mistake 1: Make your visit too short.

Buses have been known to allow as little as half an hour to “see” the Taj Mahal, which is hardly time to walk the length of the reflecting pool. If this is your bus’s timetable, consider finding another. Allow a minimum of two hours to fully savor the “poem in marble.”

Mistake 2: Arrive with no prior knowledge of the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum and not a palace; it was created by a Mughal king in honor of his wife who died giving birth to their fourteenth child, and it is covered in real marble. There is much more to the story that will enhance your enjoyment of what you will see and feel. Do yourself a favor and enjoy some reading and research beforehand; the more you know, the richer your experience. Guidebooks, such as Eyewitness, are helpful.

Mistake 3: Remain with your guide or group during your entire visit.

After hearing what they have to tell you, leave them and wander to a secluded spot so you can gaze at this wonder of marital love on your own. Carve out time for solitude. Sit on a bench and contemplate the grace, balance, and beauty of Shah Jahan’s creation.

Mistake 4: Limit your visit to the Taj Mahal to only one time of the day.

Throughout daylight, the marble dome reflects sunshine with hues of pink, orange and white. Clouds and rain add additional interest. In Agra, the sky provides a backdrop for the double dome of the Taj Mahal. See as many of these variations as you can. Count yourself blessed if you are able to see the Taj Mahal in the moonlight.

Mistake 5: Become frustrated with the guides and photographers.

It is a popular business to impart information and produce a lasting memory for you at the Taj Mahal. Guides will ask if you want them to tell you about their country’s most famous attraction. Photographers will want to snap shots of you during your visit. Most of them are citizens of the country you are visiting. If you have made plans that exclude your need for their services, refuse with firm courtesy. Your desire for personal viewing time needs to be balanced with their need to work.

Mistake 6: Don’t take any-or enough–pictures.

The Taj Mahal is the single most photographed place in India. You can add to this distinction with your own images. Unless you are certain you will return shortly, visually record your favorite sights while within the walls of the Taj complex. Are you drawn to the walkway? The row of shoes outside the entrance? The black and white pattern of the platform? The inlaid prayer rugs in the mosque? Whatever they are, record details as touchstones for remembered pleasure

>From the moment you enter through the gate and stroll along the dazzling, rectangular reflecting pool, the lovely mausoleum will draw you to its marble steps. Slipping off your shoes, you will pass into a softly lit interior, and circle two richly inlaid caskets beneath a great domed ceiling. The carvings on the walls, the spectacular dome, and the harmony of all the details are there for you to admire.

The truth of the matter is you could actually make all the mistakes above and still be touched by the Taj Mahal. It is a sight undiminished by expectations.

Sandra Wilson’s historical fiction, reveals the Who, What, Why, When and Where of the Taj Mahal. Go to www.taj-womanandwonder.com http://www.taj-womanandwonder.com for more information on this highly researched novel.

Reuters - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama waded into controversy on Thursday over his plans to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq, first saying he might “refine” his views but later declaring his stance had remained unchanged for more than a year.

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You’ve weighed all your options and have determined that self-publishing makes the most sense for your foray into publishing. You understand that there is an increase in the need to self-market your title, but there is also a correlating increase in profit margin. Other risks have been assessed and you’re comfortable moving forward in the direction you’ve chosen.

Have you applied for an ISBN number?

What’s that? You might be asking yourself. Well, an ISBN (International Standard BookNumber) is a specific number that helps identify your book and has provided the standard of book identification since 1970.

Some brick and mortar stores as well as online retailers have policies that disqualify the sale of a book that does not contain an ISBN.

The cost to purchase an ISBN may seem prohibitive for many. Here’s the basic cost structure…

Registration Fee: $24.95

Service Fee for 10 ISBN’s: $225.00

Annual Fee: $25

Manual Processing Fee (if you file a print application): $50

Express Service (if required): $125

If you needed an ISBN number quickly you would spend close to $450 to get one. The truth is, you receive up to ten ISBN’s for the price listed above, but the acquisition of an ISBN doe note provide a distinction between the need for one or ten separate numbers, ultimately you pay the same price. This can be a benefit I you have additional titles planned, but can be a hefty expense for a single book

The online web address for ISBN acquisition is www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/secureapp.asp http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/us/secureapp.asp

You should know that there are resellers of International Standard BookNumbers and you can purchase a single ISBN for around $50 through these services. Another alternate avenue for the purchase of an ISBN is through your book printer. These printing firms often provide this as a service to their printing customers simply because they realize that you may not need 10 ISBN numbers and you may not wish to pay $300-400 for the use of a single ISBN.

The task of self-publishing may seem daunting, but it can be successfully done. Just as you spent time researching the subject matter for your book, so too is the process for the publication process. Beyond the need for an ISBN you will also need to manage copyright issues as well as filing your work with the Library of Congress. Again in many cases a qualified book printer can address these issues although you may find a less expensive alternative with a little online comparison-shopping.

Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of FaithWriters ( www.faithwriters.com http://www.faithwriters.com ) and many other web projects. FaithWriters has grown to become one of the largest online destinations for Christian writers. Please visit the website at: www.faithwriters.com http://www.faithwriters.com

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Do you ever wonder what happened to the Food Guide Pyramid?

The Food Guide Pyramid was created more than ten years ago by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Pyramid illustrated what the USDA said were the elements of a healthy diet. The Pyramid was taught in schools, appeared in the media and brochures, on cereal boxes and food labels. It seemed like the absolute final word on what we should really eat.

The Food Guide Pyramid is now like a fairytale. It did not point the way toward healthy eating. We are told now the Food Guide Pyramid was based on shaky scientific evidence. It still has not changed over the years to reflect major advances in our understanding of the connection between diet and good health.

Recently, the USDA retired the old Food Guide Pyramid and replaced it with MyPyramid, a new symbol and “interactive food guidance system. This revision is basically the old Pyramid turned on its side.

Good news about the new MyPyramid:

? It tears apart and buries the flawed Pyramid.

Bad news about the MyPyramid:

? The new MyPyramid does not give us enough information to help us make informed choices about our diet and long-term health.

? It continues to recommend foods that are not essential to good health.

? The food quantities recommended may even be detrimental to our overall health.

So…..what do we eat to become and stay healthy?

According to a new dietary guideline released early in January of 2005:

? We are to continue to concentrate on controlling weight;

? Fats were once considered bad. The new guidelines emphasize low intake of Trans fats and to limit our saturated fats. There is not an artificially low cap on fat intake. The latest advice recommends getting between 20% and 35% of daily calories from fats. The new guidelines also recognize the potential health benefits of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats;

? Complex carbohydrates was a term used in the past that has little biological meaning;

? The new guidelines advise Americans to limit sugar intake and stress the benefits of whole grains;

? The guidelines suggest eating half of our grains as refined starch, although refined starches behave like sugar, add empty calories, have adverse metabolic effects, and increase the risks of diabetes and heart disease.

? The guidelines lump together red meat, poultry, fish, beans and soy products and tell us to judge these protein sources by their total fat content. This means to make choices that are lean, low-fat, or fat-free. This advice ignores the evidence that these foods have different types of fats. It also leaves out evidence that replacing red meat with a combination of fish, poultry, beans, and nuts offers numerous health benefits.

So…..if we follow this new dietary guideline we still may not be eating “right,” according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The Harvard School of Public Health nutrition experts created the “Healthy Eating Pyramid.” It is based on the best available scientific evidence about the links between diet and health.

The Healthy Eating Pyramid is based upon daily exercise and weight control. Evidence proves daily exercise and weight control influences your chances of staying healthy. They also stress what and how you eat and how your food affects you.

Some highlights of the Healthy Eating Pyramid are outlined below:

? Whole grain foods (at most meals).

? Plant oils: Good sources of unsaturated fats include olive, canola, soy, corn, sunflower, peanut, and other vegetable oils and fatty fish such as salmon.

? Vegetables (in abundance) and Fruits (2 to 3 times per day).

? Fish, poultry, and eggs (0 to 2 times per day). Eggs which have been a long time noted as being “bad for you” because they contain fairly high levels of cholesterol, aren’t as bad as once thought to be. An egg for breakfast is much healthier than a bagel made from refined flour.

? Nuts and Legumes (1 to 3 times) are excellent sources of protein and contain healthy fats.

? Dairy or Calcium Supplement (1 to 2 times) Dairy products have been American’s main source of calcium. Cheese has also been another popular choice for calcium needs. Try to stick with no-fat or low-fat products. If you don’t like dairy products, calcium supplements are the way to go.

? Red meat and butter (use sparingly): If you eat red meat every day, switch to fish or chicken several times a week to improve cholesterol levels. Switching from butter to olive oil will also improve cholesterol levels.

? White rice, white bread, potatoes, white pasta, soda, and sweets (use sparingly): This group of foods can cause fast and furious increases in blood sugar that can lead to weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic disorders.

? Multiple vitamins: Taking a daily multivitamin, multimineral supplement offers a nutritional backup. They do not replace healthy eating or make up for unhealthy eating. A standard, store-brand, RDA-level is fine. Look for one that meets the requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopeia, an organization that sets standards for drugs and supplements.

? Alcohol (in moderation): Many studies suggest that having an alcoholic drink a day lowers the risk of heart disease. For men: 1 to 2 drinks a day. For women: One drink a day.

The Healthy Eating Pyramid certainly summarizes the information I personally have been reading recently as the best dietary information available to us. It is not something set into stone because nutrition researchers will continue to turn up new information in the years ahead. The Healthy Eating Pyramid will change to reflect the new evidence.

The Healthy Eating Pyramid is not the only up-to-date guide for eating healthy. It does take advantage of more extensive research and offers a broader guide that is not based on a specific culture, such as the Asian, Latin, Mediterranean and vegetarian pyramids.

To sum it all up the number one tip for eating for improving your health would be eat foods that have a lot of vitamins and minerals as well as foods that are not high in fat. Exercise moderately.

More Healthy Tips:

? Find the strong points and weak points in your current diet and improve in those areas where you are weak.

? Make small, slow changes.

? Keep track of your food intake by writing down what you eat and drink every day. Use this record to help you see where you need to improve.

? If you have medical problems talk it over with your doctor or a nutritionist before making any significant changes.

? Good nutrition does not come in a pill. Get your doctor’s recommendations on vitamins and mineral supplements. Your body will benefit the most from eating healthy foods.

? Eat a variety of foods, and learn to try new foods.

? Prepare your meat either by baking, grilling or broiling rather than frying. Take the skin off chicken before eating. Eat fish at least once a week.

? Cut back on extra fat like butter, margarine, sour cream and salad dressings.

? Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables with your meals and snacks.

? Drink no- or low-calorie beverages like water, unsweetened tea and diet soda.

? Exercise moderately daily.

Balanced nutrition and regular exercise are good for your health if your weight never changes. Don’t be discouraged because you don’t loose weight after months of regular exercise. The regular exercise offers you a multitude of benefits toward keeping you healthy.

Connie Limon. Visit us at www.selfimprovementbook1.com http://www.selfimprovementbook1.com and sign up for our helpful newsletters. Self Improvement Book is a guide to information about self improvement, personal growth and self help tips. It is an organized directory referencing information in other websites on the World Wide Web.

AP - Scientists with the Virginia Museum of Natural History have confirmed the discovery of a 500 million-year-old fossil called a stromatolite.

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Most women tell a similar story. “I love my man and I know he loves me. Our sex life is O.K., but most of the time he doesn’t really know how to pleasure me. Our sex is mostly for his pleasure. Sometimes I fake an orgasm, just to get it over with and not hurt his feelings.”

What if you could have a better lover without changing your relationship?

What if your current, less-then-excellent-lover learned to listen to your body and paid attention to those things which make sex great for you? What if you as a couple could learn ways to re-invigorate your intimate times together-even in the midst of much-too-busy schedules and/or the demands of children in the home?

Yes, these “what ifs” could become “the way it is” with less time and energy that you might imagine. The information and skills needed are now available. This new intimacy education goes beyond basic sex education to teach the intimacy skills and relationship-enhancing techniques for great sex rarely taught in our society.

At least two preliminary decisions will pace the way for new possibilities in your intimate relationship. First, women can chose to claim their right to stress-free passion. Second, men can choose to be teachable.

Is your man teachable? Probably. Enlightened self-interest is a powerful concept. You can find ways to stroke his sexual ego that will help him feel good about the process. As he acts on his new intimacy education so that he sees and experiences the results of really Great Sex, you may experience the joy of the sexual pleasure your body was created to enjoy. When he understands that learning how to pleasure you more effectively will probably mean a lot more hot sex for him, he will jump at the chance for intimacy education.

Play with the Possibilities

Women know that really great sex begins in your mind. So start there. Give your mind permission to play with the possibilities. Imagine what it will be like beyond the current “obstacles” to your pleasure as a woman and as a couple.

Make that imagined scene more real by writing your own personal short erotica scene. Use as many senses as possible-sight, touch, taste, smell, hearing. Let the story unfold so that you gracefully provide a way past the all-too-common obstacles to that sexual experience you deserve. Creatively address your real-life situation: the kids, the busy schedule, the tired body, the phone, etc.

Your erotic story need not be perfect. Its goal is to help you claim your own sexual possibilities and to provide concrete examples to your lover. Later you can share the erotica with your lover. The story provides not a demand that (he) change, but an invitation to explore creative solutions. Those creative story lines can lead to your experiencing the passion you deserve while he gets more of the passion he craves.

Kaye Wray, Ph.D., teacher and researcher, is a bisexual woman who knows how a woman receives pleasure and how to provide optimum sexual pleasure to a woman. She shares information with couples serious about improving their relationships, with women ready to claim the fullness of their own sexual passions, and with men who want to be better lovers. For more info, go to lovingwomenwell.com http://lovingwomenwell.com .

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