Sledgehammer -- Medical Fiction Thriller at Its Best

Looking for a good fiction book to read? Look no further. This medical thriller will have you glued to every page as the drama unfolds and an ER doctor must stop a biochemical nightmare from happening.

6 days … 6 days to stop an epidemic and convince the government that terrorists have indeed used smallpox as a weapon against us. When one of the terrorists shows up in the ER with symptoms, time is of the essence to convince higher ups and the government that indeed this is the dreaded once thought eradicated disease smallpox. If not for the quick action and prior medical expertise of the main character, Dr. Max Kroose, fatalities could be in the millions.

What makes the book even more interesting is that the events unfolding in the ER symbolize real events that occur in emergency rooms daily. The author, Dr. Paulo J. Reyes, is a practicing Emergency Room Doctor and First Responder to disasters in Los Angeles, California with a medical career spanning 25 years. His medical expertise helped to create a medical environment that medical personnel, fans of medical TV dramas, as well as all science fiction fans will enjoy. Added to that, the characters are well developed and passionate in their quest for answers. Although the book is fictional, it’s based on extensive research and leaves you questioning-could it happen today?

With today’s ongoing terrorists’ threats, the growing concern of a biochemical attack, and the fear of a global pandemic, this book shows you how situations like this would be handled. Would the government be prepared? Do we have enough vaccinations for everyone? Should we have voluntary vaccinations now? Questions you will want answers for.

To add this book to your collection, stop by our site at http://www.pauloreyes.com/. The book also sells at Amazon and iUniverse as well as other leading online bookstores. Also, sign up to be an affiliate and start selling Sledgehammer on your site now. Science fiction at its BEST! This book has gotten numerous 5 Star Reviews. Get it now and see why.

Cable TV and satellite TV - which is better?

Cable TV and satellite TV deals - which is the better system? There's a battle going on between Cable TV and Satellite TV. Today, consumers have a choice between conventional cable TV, digital cable TV, and all-digital satellite TV. Do you want to know which of the TV system is best for you? Lets compare cable TV and satellite TV head-to-head here.

First, some general things about Cable TV and Satellite TV:

Cable TV & Digital Cable TV

It is obvious that the conventional cable TV are by far the least advanced. Compare to satellite TV, cable TV provides limited features to their customers. Hence, most cable companies now are pushing hard to get their customers on their digital systems in order to compete with satellite TV providers in the market. Digital cable television has many advantages over conventional cable. Through digital cable signals, consumers are able to get high-speed internet access and video on demand, as well as hundreds of cable channel choices.

Satellite TV

Most of the features offered by digital cable TV are offered by satellite TV. Example? Major dish networks offer their own version of high-speed internet through broadband. DirecTV has DirecWay , and DISH Network has partnered with EarthLink to bring high-speed internet to their customers. Besides, satellite TV providers also provide electronic program guides, parental controls, and automated timers.

Here are major comparisons of cable TV and satellite TV:

Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Popularity

Both Cable TV and Satellite TV are popular. Although cable still is more popular overall, satellite TV has made huge gains on cable TV. Equipment Cable TV systems require a cable to be installed from the network to your house. If your street has no cable you may need to wait a while before it is available in your area. Besides the cable you need a receiver. With digital services you need an additional box. Satellite TV requires a satellite dish, a receiver and a cable from the dish to your TV (no digging in your garden).

Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Reception Quality

Cable TV and satellite TV used totally different systems for signal transfering. Cable TV has analog channels and even though you can upgrade to digital services, analog channels will still be analog, meaning an often fuzzy picture. Satellite TV is completely digital, which gives you all the advantages of digital systems. Very heavy rain or snow can obstruct reception briefly, but generally this happens very rarely. Reception quality is much better with Satellite TV.

Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Programming

Cable TV and satellite TV both served high quality programming channels. Cable TV can handle up to 260 channels. Satellite TV can handle more channels. Also, Satellite TV is more advanced in HDTV (High Definition Television) services.

Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Pricing

Pricing for cable TV and satellite TV have huge differences. Satellite TV is less expensive than Cable TV due to many additional costs that are related to Cable TV: franchise fees, taxes, plus costs for any pay per view services, and equipment costs. Dish Network Programming Package starts at only $29.99 per month.

Cable TV vs Satellite TV: Interactive Services

In general Satellite TV has more interactive services than Cable TV. Digital services like Dish Network's DVR (Digital Video Recorder) which gives the option to rewind while recording even in live broadcasts, EPG (Electronic Program Guide), Instant Weather, video on demand, etc. are all available on Satellite TV, but not all are available on Cable TV.

Cable TV vs Satellite TV: High Speed Internet

Cable has high speed broadband internet services. Satellite has this too, but is somewhat slower. DirecTV: offers Direcway High Speed Internet, which is ultra fast but somewhat expensive. Overall conclusion: Satellite TV is less expensive, has better picture quality (digital signal) and gives you more channels and programming options than cable TV.

I believe that currently satellite TV providers are giving a better services with a lower price. Satellite TV apparently is a must if you want excellent picture quality, fantastic value with excellent features and varieties in TV programming.

Teddy L.Cc., an experienced freelance internet webmaster/writer, frequent writter on Free satellite TV deals, electronics goods as well as web hosting.Also, you can find more consumer info at this site: Dish Network Satellite TV

Scents: Sexy or Not so Sexy?

Among the distractions that invade our space via the Internet and media are commercials that persuade us to buy fragrance products. When you think of fragrance what comes to mind? Perhaps, you think of sexy perfume that drives your man wild. Maybe you want sexy, smooth and baby young skin with talcum powder. Maybe you want a rugged scent that attracts a lovely lady for a date.

One factor that motivates people to improve self-esteem and appeal is romantic intimacy. What happens when the products used for intimacy enhancement are toxic and repel the opposite sex?

According to the National Academy of Science as of 1999 more than 15% of the population suffers from fragrance and chemical sensitivity and cannot tolerate the exposure. That number is steadily rising. Environmental health awareness writer Andrea DesJardins states that the FDA does not regulate the fragrance industry. Andrea DesJardins also states that of the 5,000 different chemicals less than 20% have been tested for toxicity levels. Because there is no scrutiny thousands of chemicals are used to manufacture fragrances. The result is a toxic witch’s brew.

One of the detriments of using fragrance is that it’s difficult to stop the usage. According to Anne Cheyne, contributing writer for the Camp Hill Medical Centre in Nova Scotia, Canada, the chemicals in the fragrance product desensitize the nerves and cells. What this means is that as a person uses the product their nerves experience a dull-like sensation and become somewhat numb to the chemicals. When one is dowsed in fragrance the scent weakens and the user’s senses diminish. Those who don’t wear fragrance and are sensitive will immediately detect the scent. This would explain why fragrance users find it strange when a sensitive person is repelled by it.

When watching commercials depicting sexy women covering their bodies with a beautifying product your first thought is that your skin will feel just as young. You’ll stop the wrinkles. Your new sensual feminine hair will glow with sexy highlights. Everlasting youthful beauty is the biggest motivation that keeps cosmetics sales on the rise.

Look at the listed ingredients. Usually you’ll see a long paragraph, indicating that this product you’re using is loaded with ingredients. Chances are those ingredients are toxic, especially the ones you cannot pronounce. There’s a well-known expression that many health-oriented people live by when buying products. That expression is “if in doubt, do without”. This simply means that if you don’t understand the ingredient you should avoid it. According to Anne Cheyne one of the biggest problems is that many products claim to be “unscented” and “fragrance-free”. Considering that this really isn’t the case this can confuse consumers. While the product may appear to be fragrance-free the product is still scented and contains potentially toxic chemicals to the sensitive user. Scented products are not merely harmful to the consumer. They're harmful to the environment as well.

According to the Fragrance Products Information Network fragrances are volatile compounds, which add to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. Synthetic musk compounds are persistent in the environment and contaminate waterways and aquatic wildlife. The Environmental Health Network states that the compounds found in fragrance and various mainstream commercial products are derived from petro-chemicals, which are essentially fossil fuels. When using these chemical and fragrance products it's akin to putting gasoline on your skin and in your air. It’s time for the million-dollar question.

What’s the solution to this toxic problem? Feeling appealing and having a high self-esteem is important. It’s a natural instinct and should be nurtured in a non-toxic earth-friendly manner. Hygiene and cleanliness are basic needs. In truth you don’t need a dozen products for cleanliness. This is a fallacy. Try a natural organic all-purpose cleaning product with a subtle aroma of pine, spruce, and fir that you can also use for bathing; Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds. It’s very effective and efficient. My husband and I have used it for many years for all our cleaning needs and it’s helped us to save hundreds of dollars and our health. It’s important to vote with your wallet shopping in a natural food store. If you want stylish lively hair natural product companies like Aveda, Aubrey Organics, and Paul Penders have wonderful moisturizing products. These companies exude compassion and integrity for personal health and that of the planet and animals as well. The herbal aromas are wonderful and a small amount is long lasting. If it’s highlights you want I would suggest consulting with an Aveda hairdresser. If dry skin plagues you massage it with creamy moisturizing Aubrey Organics Rosa Mosqueta Hand and Body Lotion. Aveda colorful makeup is beautiful and aromatic. When you want to smell appealing and feel rejuvenated organic essential oils like geranium and sandalwood are wonderful. There’s one for every mood. When searching for cosmetics look for familiar ingredients like geranium, lavender, sandalwood, and rose essential oils without the added chemicals. For every beauty need there’s an effective organic plant-derived product that will enliven your skin and make you feel wonderful. Your local natural food store has an array of products to try. The right one will appeal to you. All you need is an openness to learn. The sky’s the limit and your health is worth it!

D.A. Colvin is a natural living writer and consultant. She and her husband, Bryan, share their wisdom and experience from their own personal journey with those who are ready to simplify and detoxify their life. For more information please visit their web site at: http://www.bodyearthself.com.

Guitars - Gibson

If you play the guitar, then most likely you've heard of Gibson. If not, then you've been living under a rock and having your food delivered to you through a bubble. Gibson is arguably the most popular guitar manufacturer in the world today and have been for quite some time. We're going to take just a surface look at this guitar giant. For more info, just visit their web site. Yeah, they've got one of those too now.

Gibson makes a lot of guitars, but probably none are as popular as the Gibson Les Paul. The Les Paul is probably one of the most widely used guitars in rock music. The guitar first made its presence in 1952 and is still going strong over 50 years later. The Les Paul is a solid body electric guitar that comes in many models including the Les Paul Classic, Les Paul Supreme, Les Paul Standard, Les Paul Studio Baritone, Les Paul Studio, Les Paul Goddess, Les Paul Gt, Les Paul Menace, Les Paul New Century, Les Paul Vixen, Les Paul Special (with Humbucker pickups), Les Paul Doublecuts and Les Paul Melody Maker. Each one of these guitars has its own distinct sound.

But Gibson is more than just Les Paul guitars, even though they are the most popular models and used by more musicians than any other model. Gibson also makes the Americana, which is a fairly new guitar series. This includes the Pioneer Cutaway and the Ranger. These are 6 string acoustic guitars that have a very beautiful tone.

Getting back to electric guitars and to another old favorite, Gibson also makes the Firebird series which includes the Firebird Studio, Firebird V and Firebird VII. This series started way back in 1963 and took electric guitars in a whole new direction with its look and sound. This guitar is still very popular today with people who are looking for something a little different from the classic Les Paul sound.

Even two years before the Firebird was the SG series by Angus Young. This was actually a modification of the Les Paul with a thinner body and pointed horns. Originally part of the Les Paul series, it eventually got its own name. The SG series includes the SG 61 reissue, which is actually an exact replica of the original guitar, the SG Goddess, SG GT, SG Menace, SG Standard, SG Supreme and SG Special.

Gibson also makes other models of electric guitars but in addition to guitars, Gibson also makes electric bases which include the Continental V Bass, Les Paul Double Cut Bass, Les Paul Standard Base and Les Paul Thunderbird Bass which includes the four and five string models.

Sadly, there are some models of guitars that Gibson decided to discontinue for 2006. These include the Blues Hawk, Chet Atkins SST and Chet Atkins CE and CEC. These will be missed as they were excellent guitars, even if they didn't sell as well as expected.

Gibson guitars have been a staple of the guitar industry for over 50 years. They are certain to remain at the top of the guitar world for at least another 50 years.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Guitars

Guitars - Washburn

Washburn Guitars don't quite have the same name and reputation as giants like Gibson and Fender, but this little company has been around for quite some time and manufacturers a quality product. We're going to take a look at the Washburn company, a little history and some of the guitars that is makes.

What most people don't realize is that Washburn itself has been around since 1883. While it didn't make electric guitars back then, it did manufacture other fine instruments. By the 1920s, Washburn had become a music center by itself. It was considered to be the first place where African-Americans would go to back then. This was in the Mississippi Delta which is where the Delta Blues originated. When the guitar industry started to blossom, Washburn became the main manufacturer of guitars for musicians who were heavily into the blues. This seemed like a perfectly natural progression considering Washburn's roots.

Washburn makes a complete line of electric and acoustic guitars and basses. They also manufacture banjos, mandolins and amplifiers.

As for electric guitars, Washburn offers a wide variety of these. There are the famous Washburn Hollow Body guitars which include the HB35, the HB30, the HB32 DM, the J5, the J4, the J3 and the HB15. Then there is the Scott Ian signature series electric guitars which include the SI 75 and SI 70. The features of these guitars alone are too numerous to even list. And the price tags that go along with them (over $2500) are not for the average musician.

In 1999, Washburn decided it wanted to make a guitar for the 21st century. That's when they came up with the Idol series. These guitars cover a wide spectrum of looks and sounds and include the Aaron Fink, Sonny Mayo, Joe Don Rooney and many others.

Other electric guitars in their line include the Maya series, featuring the Maya Pro, the N series, all numbered from N1 to N6, the X series, which includes the really cool looking flame maple Face Eraser and the Anarchy Graphic series which includes the classic V style WV 16, the X 16 and the WI 16. These are some of the most graphically stunning guitars made.

But we've only scratched the surface here. Aside from the large line of electric guitars, Washburn makes an equally long line of acoustic guitars. These include the USA Acoustics, which run as high as $2400; the Jumbo Acoustics, which feature a big low end and a lot of extra volume; the Dreadnought series, which are all handcrafted from premium woods and materials; the Folk style guitars, which are excellent for recording and feature solid spruce tops; their traditional classical acoustics, which are one of the oldest guitars that they make; the NV guitars, which are for pure professionals and come with price tags as much as $1000 plus and some fine travel guitars ranging in price from about $100 to $500.

Washburn offers a guitar for just about every type of musician. They may not have the same name as Gibson or Fender, but they make one heck of a fine guitar.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Guitars

Guitars - Dean

Dean guitars are just flat out kick behind instruments. These are guitars that some of the most hard rocking heavy metal bands use to get their dynamite sound. On top of that, these guitars are just plain awesome to look at. Even a so-so musician is at least sure to look super cool with one of these instruments in his hand. Well, we're going to take a look at just some of the many guitars that Dean manufactures.

Just the guitars that Dean makes that were new for this year alone could put some other guitar catalogues to shame. While we can't possibly review all of them, we're going to pick out some of the cooler models and give them the once over.

At the top of the list has to be the USA Razor Rebelback. The body of the guitar itself has a Hand Airbrushed Distressed Rebel Flag Finish that is just the coolest thing you've ever seen. Some people may be offended by it but you can't argue with the artwork being truly awesome. The rest of the guitar comes with a Dimebucker Treble Pickup and Dimarzio Rhythm Pickup. It also has Grover Tuners and a Floyd Rose Tremolo.

Another Dean classic is the V White Gold guitar. This V shaped guitar has a pure white body with gold pickups. Turn out the lights and you'll still see this thing. It's features include 1 High-Output Gold Covered Humbucking Pickup and Grover Rotomatic Tuners. The sound of this guitar when cranked up is just flat out boss.

Of course you can't go wrong with the Dean Dime From Hell Baby guitar. It is almost impossible to describe what this guitar looks like except to say that the body is mostly blue with what appears to be yellow streaks running through it that can be anything from rivers to lightening bolts. It is certainly very abstract looking. This guitar features 3/4 Size Basswood ML Body, Maple Neck Rosewood Fretboard, Custom Head and Body and Graphic Dual Humbuckers.

No review of Dean guitars would be complete without the Dean Lost 100. This is a limited edition guitar in which only 100 were produced. Want to talk about rare. The guitars were made with serial numbers starting from 77 000001 to 77 000100. These guitars were all built to exact specifications. Each one of the guitars was personally signed by Dean B. Zelinksy and came with a certificate of authenticity. These guitars were designed from the original guitars made in 1977. Each guitar comes with a flame maple top, ebony fingerboard, V profile neck, original Dimarzio super distortion pickups and a number of other features.

Aside from all the electric guitars that Dean makes, they also manufacture acoustic guitars and electric bass guitars. They even have a line of guitars for left handed players. But Dean's electric guitars are the staple of their company.

If you're a hard rocking, heavy metal or speed metal freak, then a Dean electric guitar is just the thing you need to bring your sound to the forefront.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Guitars

Guitars - Yamaha

In the world of guitars, Yamaha isn't exactly the first company that you think of. Known more for keyboards, digital pianos and synthesizers, Yamaha still makes some decent guitars which are more than reasonably priced. We're going to go over some of the guitars that this 40 year old company makes.

Yamaha started in 1966 long before the first synthesizer came out. But by the mid 80s they were making some of the best synthesizers on the market, including the classic Dx-7. But in spite of their reputation as a keyboard giant, the land of guitars was not very far away.

Yamaha guitars are not the fanciest looking models around but they do have a decent sound. The AES series includes the AES 420 through 920 series numbers, with the exception of the 820 which doesn't exist. No explanation is given for the missing number.

The Pacifica series, which has a somewhat sleeker look than the AES series, includes the PAC 012 through 812, again missing a couple of series numbers including, again, the 8 series. They must have something against that number. Yamaha was always very unoriginal when it came to naming instrument models, whether they were keyboards or guitars.

The Gigmaker series is one of Yamaha's newest additions. The look is very similar to the Pacifica series but that's where the similarities end. The Gigmaker series features 20-watt, 2-channel drive guitar amp, protective gig bag, Qwik Tune Digital chromatic tuner, guitar cable, instructional DVD, guitar strap, extra strings and guitar picks. It may not sound like a big deal for those who have purchased the bigger name brands but for the price, this isn't a bad guitar. The best part about this series is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. Even if you drop it off of a building, they'll replace it free of charge.

One of the smaller series of guitars as far as how many are made, is the E series, which consists of only three models, the 112, 103 and 121. The guitars are actually very well made and come with not two, but three pickups. Two single coil and one humbucking pickup. Plus, they come with a vintage vibrato system and tremolo bar. And they don't cost a fortune.

Another small series of guitars is the RGX series. Consisting of the 320, 520 and XA2, these guitars feature two Yamaha humbucker pickups and the original Yamaha AES series bridge. The three position pickup switch is a nice touch.

The Archtop series of guitars, which have some really fat looking bodies include not one but seven different models. They come with three single bar coil pickups, duel three way selector switches and a chrome Bigsby tremolo. These are some nice sounding guitars.

Rounding out their line of electric guitars is the Eterna. This guitar also comes with three pickups, two single coil and one humbucking.

No, you won't find Yamaha guitars being played by your bigger rock and roll bands, but that's not to say that they don't make a decent instrument, especially for somebody who doesn't have $2500 to spend.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Guitars

Guitars - Rickenbacker

Alongside guitar names like Gibson and Fender, you can't mention the best of the best without adding the name of Rickenbacker. This company has been around since 1931, but it wasn't until 1956, on its 25th anniversary, when Rickenbacker began to make a name for itself in the world of guitars.

That year, Rickenbacker introduced the Combo 400. Guitar collectors call it the guitar with the butterfly style body. But Rickenbacker didn't stop there. That same year they added a solid body electric bass guitar. The one thing about these guitars that made them different from any other guitar was that they had necks that extended from the head to the bass of the body. Today they call this neck through body construction. Rickenbacker was the first company to make guitars like this and soon came to be a trademark of the company.

During the 1950s, Rickenbacker had many popular models. Probably the most popular were the hollow body six string Capri models. This guitar was first unleashed on the world in 1958. The guitar itself was designed by Roger Rossmeisl. There were three models of this guitar and each one had a different body style.

But it wasn't until the 1960s that Rickenbacker has sealed its name in rock and roll history when its guitars got permanently fastened to the British invasion of the mid 60s. This invasion came in the form of the greatest rock band of all time, the Beatles. The groups featured several Rickenbacker guitars in its arsenal. Before the Beatles called it quits for good, John Lennon had owned four Rickenbacker guitars himself. The guitars had become so attached to the Beatles that one of the models was known as the "Beatlebacker". Never in history had one guitar been so identified with one particular group or person.

It wasn't long though until Rickenbacker made its way to a number of groups. Roger McGuinn of the Byrds bought himself a Rickenbacker after seeing the Beatles movie "A Hard Day's Night". The sound of the guitar that McGuinn bought actually became the trademark of the Byrds' sound. Other groups and artists that latched onto the Rickenbacker were Pete Townsend of The Who, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Kay of Steppenwolf. By the late 60s there was a six week waiting period just to get one of these guitars. They were beyond popular. They were a true phenomenon.

By the 1970s, Rickenbacker started making guitars with detachable necks. They even matched slanted frets to match the angle of the player's hand. They also started making their famous double neck models that became quite standard. Other groups started jumping on the Rickenbacker bandwagon like Tom Petty and R.E.M.

Currently, Rickenbacker is as popular as it ever was. More current groups like Oasis, Pearl Jam, Radiohead and U2 all use Rickenbacker guitars to get their patented sound.

If you want to get an idea of just how popular Rickenbacker is, George Harrison of The Beatles was once asked what guitar he played and he answered, "Of course it's a Rickenbacker".

Could there have been any other answer?

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Guitars

Guitars - Ovation

The year was 1966. Guitars had already been around for some time. People expected them to be more or less of a certain type and design. There weren't any real radical innovations in the manufacture of the guitar. And then came along a company by the name of Ovation. They weren't going to just make another guitar. They were going to come out with something completely different. So in 1966, when they broke out into the scene, they came out with their very unique round back guitar, thanks to a guy by the name of Charlie Kaman. The pro musicians of the time absolutely loved the guitar. The guitar purists were not quite as enthused. They just didn't get it.

The odd part of how this guitar actually came to be had nothing to do with guitar manufacture at all. Kaman's knowledge of helicopters and more specifically, helicopter blades, game him a really good understanding of vibration and applied this principal to the making of his new guitar model.

Kaman said that he didn't want to just make another guitar. He said that we had the technology to make something truly different and not only different, but better. So Kaman chose a team of engineers and technicians from the aerospace industry to work on his new project. It didn't hurt that many of these guys had taken up woodworking as a hobby.

What these scientists had come up with was that the common flat body of the guitar was actually not a help but a hindrance to the sound of the guitar. So the first thing they did was break the first rule of making a guitar. They chucked the idea of the flat body completely and made the round body. This design actually gave the guitar a more consistent sound from the bass end to the treble end. They also made the guitar stronger and more sturdy.

Today, Ovation makes a large number of guitar models including the LX Series Standard Balladeer. This guitar is a 6 string acoustic/electric. Its body is a mid depth bowl type. It has a bound rosewood fretboard, rosewood bridge and original patented pickups. The Standard Balladeer is one of Ovations most popular guitar models.

Then of course you have the Custom Legend guitar series. The 1779 USA model has a painted American Flag on the body that is just breathtaking. It also has a mid depth body, bound ebony fretboard and ebony bridge. Even if you don't play the guitar, this is one show piece that just having around the house is going to bring up lots of discussions.

The Elite series has a mid depth cutaway body type. The fretboard is bound ebony with an ebony bridge. It comes with an Ovation Hi-Output pickup which is really loud. This is one guitar that you won't have any trouble hearing even in a large hall.

These models only scratch the surface of the Ovation guitar line, all featuring their round body.

Whatever the critics might think, these guitars sound like none other on the planet.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Guitars

Guitars - One For Each Style

Guitar players cover a number of styles of music, from blues to jazz to rock to pop to speed metal and on and on. And since every style of music is different and every guitar is different, it would then seem a natural conclusion that each style of music is going to have a guitar that is more suited for that style. So, the question, for those who are considering taking up the guitar and getting their first one is, what guitar do you get? If you're interested in jazz do you get the same kind of guitar as somebody who wants to play speed metal? Well, it might be an interesting experiment, but most likely the answer would be, no. So, what guitar should each person get, depending on what kind of music they want to play? Hopefully this article will try to answer that question.

Music is very diverse to say the least. Even within each style there are variations. For example, in rock there is hard rock, soft rock, metal, acid and a host of other sub categories. The sounds and more specifically, the dynamics of each are quite different. While The Eagles and the Allman Brothers might both be considered country or southern rock, depending on which side of the fence you're on, their sounds are quite different. So without nitpicking we're going to take the broad approach over the specific.

If you're going to play music that is relatively soft such as folk music, you probably don't want to get yourself a Rickenbacker electric guitar. Most likely you'll want an acoustic guitar with a nice mellow and round tone. Why acoustic? Well, by the nature of the guitar itself it's a lot softer. Sure, you can turn down an electric guitar's volume but it's more than just that. Acoustic guitars are much easier to control dynamics on. The reason is because the sound is not artificially amplified. If you pluck the string softly you're going to get a soft tone. If you pluck it harder, you'll get a louder tone. Of course an acoustic guitar is never going to get up to the volume of an electric unless you mic it.

On the other side of the spectrum, if you're going to be playing in a heavy metal band, your acoustic guitar, with all the other instruments playing, such as keyboards, bass and drums, won't even be heard. Plus the tone quality of the guitar itself just won't fit into that kind of music. By their nature, electric guitars have a sharper and harder sound. Add distortion effects to them, which are hard to do with acoustics and you've got a sound that is quite unique. That's why there are so many different electric guitar sounds.

Obviously, this is a very general overview of style to guitar choice. You can get a lot more specific, such as what type of acoustic do you get if you're a country guitar player as opposed to somebody who plays jazz? John Denver based on lot of his patented sound on 12 string guitars while Harry Chapin stayed more with the traditional 6 strong acoustic.

Maybe for a future article we'll dive more deeply into the finer points of picking a guitar based on the style of music you play.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Guitars

Guitars - Buy Cheap Or Good?

Just like automobiles, where you can buy one for just about any price between $15,000 and $1 million dollars, guitar prices are pretty wide too. So if you're looking to get your very first guitar, what do you do? Do you go for one that is a little cheaper or do you buy one that is of better quality? There are two schools of thought on this subject. We'll present both of them with the understanding that neither is right or wrong. They are just opinion.

The first school of thought is that you want to get a guitar that is well made and sounds good, even if it costs a little more. The question you're probably asking, is why? The school of thought that recommends this bases their argument on the following. If a new guitar player buys a cheap guitar with a poor sound, he is more likely to lose interest early on. The reason is because when you first learn to play the guitar you're mostly playing scales and simple tunes that really aren't all that interesting. It's going to be boring enough just trying to get through this, but at least if the guitar itself is of better quality, it will sound better, stay in tune longer and ultimately provide the new student with a more pleasurable learning experience. This will make it so that the student will have a better chance of sticking with his instrument. The extra money will have, in a sense, saved money in the long run. A good quality guitar for a beginner will probably run about $300.

The other school of thought is to get the beginning student a beginner's guitar, maybe something with a price tag of $100 max. Why? Because the thought here is that the beginning student, because he will have to go through with those boring scales and simple tunes, unless he is really dedicated and has a strong love for the instrument, is more likely to give it up early. This will mean less money wasted if a cheaper guitar is purchased in the first place.

There is something to be said for both sides of this argument and we're not going to take one side or the other. However, if a student gets past that initial period on his beginner guitar, whether you went with cheap or not so, what's next? If you bought a cheap guitar to start with, the student is going to want something better. If he stuck with it this long, he's entitled to it. Certainly he can't play a cheap guitar in a band or professionally. This is where you have to more or less live within your means. Sure, he'd probably love to have a $2500 Rickenbacker signature model but maybe he'll have to settle for a Gibson Les Paul for around $700.

Best suggestion is to talk to your kid after the learning stage is over. Find out how serious he is about his guitar playing. If he's very serious, you might just want to invest in an instrument that he'll cherish for many years to come.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Guitars

Best-Selling Author Cheryl Robinson Releases Third Novel, Sweet Georgia Brown

Hell has no fury like a woman scorned! A humble housewife gets the 411 on her husband in Cheryl Robinson's new release, "Sweet Georgia Brown".

“Georgia Brown has always had her husband’s back; she was the sole bread winner while he struggled to establish a career in show business as a comedian. Now she wonders if the sacrifice was worth it."

In Sweet Georgia Brown (NAL Trade, ISBN: 0451222288, $13.95), author Cheryl Robinson takes Georgia on a magnanimous ride to finding herself. Marvin finally gets his big break and is now a popular national radio personality. But with his good fortune he inherits his thirteen year old daughter, who Georgia knew nothing about. He is constantly away from home, and he has developed a funky attitude about Georgia.

Enough finally becomes enough after Marvin pulls a stunt that Georgia can't forgive. She is through turning her head. Marvin’s female listeners demand his wife have equal time, and Georgia agrees to do the show. Payback is a mother, when Georgia receives an offer from a rival radio show.

Marvelous Marvin, still too full of himself, is treading in waters too deep even for his boots, and Georgia maybe the only one who can save him.

Sweet Georgia Brown is a delightful story of acceptance and empowerment. It shines as a beacon of light for women who find themselves in a position of power.

Praise for Sweet Georgia Brown . . . .

"This is a fabulous African American affirmative answer to “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?”, but with a sweet twist as Georgia punches back in their on the air gender war. Fans including most males will root for Georgia as Marvin cruelly puts her down at home and in public. Told in three parts by Cheryl Robinson, readers will appreciate this fine tale of transformation . . . " -- Harriet Klausner, #1 Amazon.com Reviewer

"Robinson's writing is filled with humor and the revealing, touching moments of everyday life. Women everywhere will cheer for protagonist Georgia as she embraces her dreams and enjoys the fulfillment she has sought all her life."
-- Sheri Melnick, Romantic Times Book Review

About the Author
Cheryl Robinson, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, holds a bachelors degree from Wayne State University. She currently resides in Central Florida and is working on her next novel to be released by NAL trade. Visit her Web site at www.cherylrobinson.com and her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/cherylrobinson.

Sweet Georgia Brown is available nationwide where books are sold and online at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com

Sweet Georgia Brown
Cheryl Robinson
NAL Trade
Fiction: $13.95 US; ISBN: 0451222288
On-sale January 2, 2008

For more information:

The GRITS COM Literary Service
526 Kingwood Drive, Suite 404
Kingwood, TX 77339
281-973-6919
www.thegrits.com

Paramedic exposes the real Saudi Arabia

The new book "Paramedic to the Prince" written by American Paramedic Patrick Notestine is the best book written in decades about this strange and secret desert Kingdom.

"Paramedic to the Prince is a must read by all Americans" So says Ghost Writer Reviews one of the internets top book review sites. This book takes you inside Saudi Arabia like no other book ever writen.

Patrick Notestine spent over ten years working in Saudi as a Paramedic. First working in a Emergency Trauma center and later on the private medical staff of King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz Al-Saud the King of Saudi Arabia. Never has a true life story been told about this desert kingdom that is so raw and in your face. No western writer has ever been this close to the inner circle of the "House of Saud".

Starting with the events of 9/11 as seen from inside this Islamic country, the book is one mans journey into all levels of Saudi society. This book is an important insight into events that effect us to this day.

Camera Bags - Choosing the Right One

In the quest to get great pictures, consumers invest significant sums of money in either a film or digital camera. After sifting through the options of lenses, zoom, resolution, and so forth, the right camera is chosen. Next, buyers need to turn their attention toward a selecting a camera bag to protect their new purchase and to make it convenient and comfortable to take along. Camera bag options are numerous but consumers can simplify the process by considering four things when making a choice.

What needs to go in the camera bag?

Think about what equipment will need to be toted around. For many people a bag that will accommodate their camera, a few rolls of film, and some batteries is enough. A small case with a couple of pouches may fit the bill.

For those who also want to carry extra lenses, cleaning cloths, a small tripod, or memory cards a larger bag with more pockets and dividers will be necessary. A good bag must accommodate all of the equipment that will be used. Some bags offer moveable pouches and dividers that allow more flexibility in storing the various sizes and shapes of accessories that might potentially go in the bag.

How well will the bag protect the camera and other contents?

The bag needs to be well constructed. The stitching on the straps for instance should be reinforced/double stitched. The fabric should be suitable for the environments in which it will be carried. A simple vinyl bag won't offer much protection in wet, rugged conditions outdoors. Waterproof bags or covers are necessary in such environments. Durable cordura is one of several materials that are more suitable. Insulated bags that allow the user to insert solid freezer packs to keep the camera and film cool are good when toting a bag for any extended period of time in hot weather.

Compartments are important to protect the contents of the camera bag. Contents should not be touching, rubbing, and hitting against each other while they are being transported; thus compartments for each item are important. Any bag selected should fit the camera well to limit its movement within the bag. Padding throughout the bag is critical as well.

Zippers offer a more secure seal on the bag than most other closures and thus offer greater protection.

Is the bag comfortable to carry?

The purpose of a camera bag is to allow the owner to take it with them wherever they go. If the bag is uncomfortable or difficult to carry it doesn't serve its purpose. Belt pouches can be a handy, no hands, means of toting around a small camera, a battery, and a few rolls of film but if more equipment is needed, bags with a shoulder strap are more appropriate. Many people find that if a bag will be carried for a significant period of time a back pack style camera bag allows more comfort as the weight is not distributed to one side.

Padding enters the picture again here with comfort. Padding wherever the bag touches the body can be beneficial; particularly on any straps. Shoulder straps generally offer the greatest comfort when they are not only padded but wide as well.

Ease of use is also a "comfort" factor. Buyers should check how easy it is to retrieve equipment and materials from the bag. This includes the ease of operating clasps, zippers and other closures as well as the arrangement of compartments within the bag. All items should be accessible.

Is the camera bag durable?

From quality fabric to reinforced stitching, the construction will determine durability. Closures are also critical. Zippers should be large toothed, and if going into wet environments, they should be covered. Metal clasps are more durable than plastic ones and tend to reduce any issues with breakage.

Author Resource Box

Christine Peppler is the webmaster of homemedias.info, an online home electronics store. Visit the site to learn more about a digital camera, cordless phone, camcorder, television or other electronics.

Memory Card Readers - Why to Use and How to Choose

When it comes to capturing and enjoying the images on a camera or camcorder, downloading the data can be the most complex and time consuming part of the task for those who are a bit shy about all of the cables and inputs. There is a better way however to accomplish the job. Memory card readers allow users to skip much of the complexity and, in some instances, the computer altogether.

There are a number of good reasons for using a memory card reader:

• They are affordable. Prices range from around $15 to over $200.

• They are easy to use. In many instances the card reader remains connected to the computer and the user does not have to spend time reconnecting each time they want to download data.

• They can save the camera or camcorder battery as these devices do not need to be powered on to complete the transfer.

• Downloading is generally a faster process. Most cameras and camcorders use USB1.1 whereas most card readers use USB2.0 which is 40 times faster.

• Card readers can allow the user to transfer information between cards.

• All-in-one type card reader models support multiple file formats, thus they can be used with multiple devices; a camera, camcorder, or MP3 player.

There are many memory card readers on the market for consumers to consider. A few key points to think about before making a purchase include:

• Is the particular card reader being considered compatible with the buyers computer; either Mac or PC? If the card reader uses USB 2.0 or FireWire the computer must accept these inputs.

• Will the card reader support the file format used by the camera, camcorder or other devices used? Again, many card readers support more than one format making this a much easier decision.

• What other features are desired? Some card readers don't require a computer to download and burn to DVD. Others can attach to a television to play content. Does the buyer prefer a card reader powered by AC or with rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries? Is a card reader with write capabilities needed?

Memory card readers can certainly make the task of downloading data from a camera or camcorder a much easier task. Assuring compatibility with other devices and selecting the features that are desired are simple decisions that should allow buyers to make a selection free from the frustration of technology overload which accompanies many other home electronics purchases.

Author Resource Box

Christine Peppler is the webmaster of homemedias.info, an online home electronics store. Visit the site to learn more about a digital camera, cordless phone, camcorder, television or other electronics.

Make Your Home Energy Efficient

The purpose of green building is to reduce energy use, conserve water, improve indoor air quality and reduce reliance on nonrenewable natural resources. Thanks to two new books in the popular "For Dummies" series, you'll now find the process more approachable and easy to understand.

"Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies" (Wiley) covers everything from examining construction sites and working with green professionals to choosing sustainable materials and reducing waste. The user-friendly guide is filled with basic information and simple instruction that anyone interested in green building will find useful--homeowners, architects, interior designers and contractors alike.

The second book, "Solar Power Your Home For Dummies" (Wiley), details the environmental and economical benefits of using solar energy and takes readers step by step through the process of building small and large systems into new and existing homes.

Written by design engineer Rik DeGunther, the guide is filled with helpful illustrations and tips that explain the nuts and bolts of designing solar projects--including lamps, fans, fountains, small-capacity solar water heaters and radiant floors. It covers the different types of solar panels and available technology, pinpoints ten smart solar investments, and provides instruction on how to do a complete energy audit of a home.

Save Time And Money

A little hands-on information can help you be more handy at home and save time and money in the process.

That advice is found in the new "Do-It-Yourself" series from For Dummies, which guides homeowners through common fixes and projects with efficiency, accuracy and confidence.

"Plumbing Do-It-Yourself For Dummies" covers all things plumbing related--from the kitchen faucet to the bathroom shower.

Readers can learn how to unclog a toilet or sink; caulk a sink or tub; replace or repair a sink sprayer; repair a leaking tank or faucet; install a garbage disposal, dishwasher or water purifier and deal with noisy, burst or frozen pipes.

"Painting Do-It-Yourself For Dummies" provides advice on tackling more than 50 of the most common and unique painting projects and fixes. Readers learn how to find the right tools, select a color and style of paint, prime or prep a wall, ceiling or floor and even paint over wallpaper. A range of finishings and techniques are covered.

The books are available in all major bookstores.

(NAPSI)

Suspenseful Page-Turner

Andrew Gross is no stranger to literary success. Along with James Patterson, Gross has co-authored five New York Times No. 1 best sellers, including "Judge & Jury," "Lifeguard" and "Third Degree." Yet he may be one of the most successful thriller writers whose name you don't yet know.

Gross' sensational solo debut, "The Blue Zone" (Harper paperbacks), is the riveting story of a young woman's perilous quest to uncover the dark secrets of her father's past.

Filled with rich characters and an unstoppable plot, "The Blue Zone" is a story of blood and family, deception and betrayal that explores the deadly consequences when one family's tightly held secrets begin to unravel.

Gross' greatest gift to his readers is his ability to create tension, anticipation and suspense. The twists, turns and surprises jump out and grab the reader and drag him into the action.

A fast-paced, compulsively page-turning thriller that is as deeply emotional as it is exciting, the book heralds the arrival of a master of suspense in his own right. It is a wholly original and wonderfully written work that places Gross among the best of today's thriller writers.

"The Blue Zone" is available at bookstores everywhere.

(NAPSI)

Daddy's Girl

A quiet college professor must leave the classroom--and her ordinary, orderly life--behind when she learns of one criminal act and is framed for another. This terrible day kickstarts the latest thriller, "Daddy's Girl" (Harper Mass Market), from New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline.

Frequently overshadowed by her successful parents and testosterone-fueled big brothers, Natalie Greco sees her world turn upside down when she accompanies a friend to a prison for a lecture, only to get caught in a riot--and lockdown--where a guard is killed right in front of her.

Intent on fulfilling the guard's dying request, Natalie's quest runs into some potentially deadly obstacles-and the scholar must learn fast as she fights to save her own life.

Lisa Scottoline is the New York Times best-selling author of 14 novels.

"Daddy's Girl" is available at online bookstores and wherever books are sold. For more information, visit www.harpercollins.com.

(NAPSI)

A Rundown Of The Best Anti Virus Software

Quite often,what normally seems to us good,well liked or admired doesn’t always mean the best unless of course your organization or company bases its character on being the best at safeguarding computers from viruses.Every person can have his or her own choice based on what is important to him or her.

Our ideas will not always be the same as we are all from different cultures and backgrounds.So choicing the best anti virus for your system may be based on what is more important to you as a person.

From my own view and my partners, from our long years of working with different anti viruses.Here is a list of some of the best as we compare anti virus software available to help you decide which may be the best fit for your computer.This will definitely vary from individuals.Take that to heart, it will make a whole lot of difference in your decision.All the best.

Norton Anti Virus

Almost certainly one of the most popular, and best compare anti virus software titles on the market, is the Norton Anti Virus offered by Symantec. Symantec makes a habit of fighting viruses and they have one of the most all inclusive libraries of virus removal tools on the market and they offer their updates free to their existing clients.

It is a craving to fight viruses and the extra lengths that Symantec will go to in offering their usual updates free of charge to their customers that makes Norton Anti Virus one of the best compare anti virus software titles available in the market. The Norton name did not become accepted by accident, it has taken years to develop the reputation of being one of the top virus fighters in the industry and Symantec takes their job very seriously and conciously.

Kaspersky Anti Virus

Kaspersky Labs offers Kaspersky Anti Virus and what makes this one of the best compare anti virus software titles available is their hourly updates to their virus protection files and their interest in protecting laptops. With the Kaspersky Anti Virus a laptop is protected even if it is not connected to the internet to receive the hourly updates. Kaspersky also scans incoming and outgoing email to detect any malicious code that has been unleashed.

McAfee Virus Scan

McAfee virus scan has been around for a long time, and of the other big names in virus protection is McAfee and they offer their Virus Scan software as one of the best compare anti virus software titles available in the market.

McAfee offers safe internet surfing by protecting against any possible Trojan viruses or hackers that may be trying to crack into your computer through your internet connection.

McAfee also pays extra interest to pop up ads and spyware that may try and load itself on your computer or laptop. This is what separates McAfee from many of the other titles and allows it to be considered one of the best compare anti virus software titles on the market today.

Spyware is malicious code that can load computer chocking pop up ads, it can take your internet surfing information and send it back to a marketing data collection agency for sale to other internet marketers, or it can steal your personal information. McAfee is one of the best anti virus software titles at fighting annoying and potentially dangerous spyware we have around.


About the Author: Committed To Your Success, Edwin Hezron, Visit http://www.remove-virus-now.com/virusremoval/ Now For Your Free Info On How To Save And Remove Any Virus From Your System

A “Must Have” Yoga Book

At last, the mystery of how to pronounce Sanskrit terms properly has been revealed. Have you been looking for an English / Sanskrit cross reference? Are the exact pronunciations of Sanskrit terms still a mystery? Would you like to learn a lot more about Sanskrit as it pertains to Yoga?

You don’t have to search anymore. “The Language of Yoga” is an interactive book and double CD set written by Nicolai Bachman. This interactive “course” includes more than 200 asanas with illustrated yoga postures and 300 Sanskrit definitions.

In between teaching Yoga classes and writing, I have some time to read, and I was happy that I took the time to read Nicolai Bachman’s 139 page cross reference book for converting Sanskrit terms to English.

The two CD’s that accompany the book make this work “come to life.” The first CD covers chants for Yoga practice, Yoga Sutras, and Yoga terms. The second CD covers Ashtanga sequences, names of asanas, and much more. In the course of studying this interactive book, you will learn the basic guidelines of pronunciation for many more words.

The author, Nicolai Bachman, guides you through correct pronunciations with the exact rhythm and tone. This book is a masterpiece and a priceless reference tool for any serious student, or teacher, of Yoga. For Yoga book collectors, this book will be remembered with your personal favorites.

At this time, there is no other book on the market that provides this much in-depth study of the Sanskrit Yoga words and cross references it with English. Words are grouped together by subject, such as numbers, Chakras, Bandhas, Mudras, Yamas, and Niyamas. Many of the words that you might hear in the average Yoga class are no longer a mystery to pronounce for English speaking Yoga students.

Nicolai Bachman, has been a teacher of Sanskrit, and
related subjects, since 1994. He has studied extensively at the VagYoga Institute in Varanasi, India, the American Sanskrit Institute, the American Institute of Vedic Studies, the Vedic Chant Center, the Ayurvedic Institute, and received his M.A. in Eastern Philosophy from St. John's College.

Nicolai is a 500-hour level Registered Yoga Teacher. He teaches Sanskrit, Ayurveda, and Yoga Philosophy; Nicolai currently teaches in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This book will be released later this month, at which time we will have them in supply. Don’t stay in the dark about speaking Sanskrit, especially if you are teaching Yoga classes. Now, you can be confident that your pronunciation is correct.

I enjoyed the book so much that I ordered a shipment for our staff, on-site interns, and Yoga teachers, we network with worldwide. If you are interested in getting a copy, feel free to contact Aura Wellness Center.

About the Author:
Paul Jerard is director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He's a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches that along with fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who want to be a teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

The Amazing Jazz Singers and Jazz Music

One of the most beautiful interpreters of song are Jazz singers. The abilities of the human voice is phenomenal in the fact that one could imitate another person or instrument, or sing several octaves on the piano. The human voice can also interpret emotion in a way only a human can. Jazz instruments can express emotion, but the natural gift from within the human voice is conveyed in a variety of ways.

The unique style of Jazz singers is a sound that one doesn't usually hear. For example, the uniqueness can come from the sound quality of the voice or by doing something that sets the Jazz singer on a different plane than the others. Singers of this category are Amos Leon Thomas, Billy Holiday, Lee Wiley, Blossom Dearie, Shirley Horne, Rita Reys, Eartha Kitt, Anita O'Day, Ray Reach, Ethel Waters, Monica Zetterlund, Jimmy Rushing, Louis Armstrong, Cassandra Wilson, Al Jarreau, and Dennis Rowland. Each one has a particular sound of raspy, lush, high pitched, yodeling, vibrato, or gift of humor.

Art Blakey

Art Blakey played with Mary Lou Williams at Kelly's Stable in 1942. Next, with Fletcher Henderson for the next two years, and he toured with. Art then went to Boston to lead a big band, then joined Billy Eckstine's band in St. Louis. Art stayed with that band from 1944-1947.

In 1971 to 1972, Art world toured with the biggest names in jazz music such as Kai Winding, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk. He also performed a lot at the Newport Jazz Festival. The best performance was when he was in a battling performance with Buddy Rich, Max Roach and Elvin Jones in 1974. Art continued to tour nonstop with help from Donald Harrison and Terence Blanchard, along with younger musicians such as Benny Green.

Diana Krall

Diana Krall is an accomplished singer, and jazz pianist. Diana was born in British Columbia Canada in 1964. She learned to play piano when she was just four-years-old. Everyone is her family are musicians. When she was in high school she played in a jazz group, and at just fifteen played in many restaurants in Nanaimo. She won a scholarship from Vancouver International Jazz Festival at 17 years old to go to Berklee College of Music. She stayed for one and a half years.

Her first album came out in 1993, called Stepping Out. John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton were part of that record. Tommy LiPuma heard it and produced her next album Only Trust Your Heart in 1995. Her next album was called All For You: A Dedication to the Nat King Cole Trio, in 1996. That was nominated for a Grammy award and was on the jazz charts in Billboard magazine for seventy weeks. In 1997 Love Scenes was a hit record with Russell Malone on guitar, and Christian McBride on bass guitar.

Dizzy Gillespie and jazz music

Dizzy was born John Birks on October 21, 1917 in South Carolina. He was the youngest in the family of nine children. His father was a horrible man who beat his children all the time, and died when dizzy was 10 years old. He taught himself how to play trumpet when he was twelve years old. He won a scholarship to Laurinburg Institute but, dropped out of school and went to Philadelphia to pursue music full-time. He played with Frankie Fairfax and recorded for the very first time in 1937. He then was a part of Cab Calloway's band, but was criticized for his solos, calling them "Chinese music". He was thrown out because Cab said that he sent a spitball at him, and Dizzy, angrily stabbed him in the leg with a knife.

Dizzy proved himself overseas in France when he began his third big band, and did several concerts and albums.

For a free fun game online and general online entertainment products check out this link: fun and entertainment reviews.

"Love, Mommy: Writing Love Letters to Your Baby" Book Review

"What was I like as a baby?"

All moms know how their kids' eyes light up when they hear stories about themselves as babies and young children.

All moms also know that when a mother takes the time to record these precious stories in written form, she preserves a mystery and a magic that is impossible to recapture any other way.

Still, even the most well-intentioned of us (myself included) have a hard time following through when we have something we wish to write down, particularly those everyday details that make up our lives. Sometimes we are swept away by the daily tasks of motherhood and sometimes we are simply too deep in the enjoyment of the experience itself to take the time out to write about it just then. Sometimes it all seems too much to do, but more often it is a gentle ebbing away of the time.

In Love, Mommy: Writing Love Letters to Your Baby, Judy Siblin-Librach leads us on a journey that helps us capture the major milestones (the birth story, the first day at school) as well as those that may not immediately come to mind (the first time your child caught a baseball, the way her hugs felt, the first time she went through a car wash).

Siblin-Librach's writing style is elegant, perfectly capturing the depth of emotion that all mothers feel at one point or another. We are in good hands with a natural-born poet and mother who will lead us into creating and recording the lyrics of our own lives.

Part of the beauty of this book is the way Siblin-Librach makes it simple to write these life stories, whether or not you have ever enjoyed the process of writing in the past. The book is equally helpful in bringing back memories you may have thought were gone, just in case your baby has grown.

Siblin-Librach opens each chapter with incisive questions to prompt your writing, followed by sample letters from her own family. These examples can really help you to get an idea of all the different ways you can take a particular letter. The author includes notes to parents about how to write the letter, as well as tips and ideas to keep you inspired in this grand task. This book helps us to record the specific stories and memories, as well as the deeper story: the wisdom, the life lessons and the wishes you have for your child.

Judy Siblin-Librach has written a beautiful and heartfelt book that simplifies the process and that reminds us that it need not be a big deal to record these memories and to give ourselves and our children the greatest gift. In doing so, she has given a gift to all mothers and all those who will be mothers.


About the Author:
Susie Cortright is the founder of several popular websites, including Susies-Coupons.com, BestSelfHelp.com and Momscape.com, where you can register to win gift cards from top online merchants.

10 Steps To Tackling Your Credit Card Debt Problem

First of all, you can take comfort in the fact that you are not the only one fighting credit card debt problems. There are hordes of people who have even worse credit card debt problems when compared to yours; all of them seeking an effective way to eliminate the credit card debt. So what is the solution to your credit card debt problem?

Well, the solution really is to smash the credit card debt with full force and eliminate it completely. Now how do you do that?

There are many ways in which you can solve your credit card debt problem. Different people suggest different ways of tackling it. However, here is a simple step by step account of what you can do to get rid of your credit card debt.

1. Take stock of the situation i.e. draw up a table with the following fields – Credit card name, balance, payment due day (the day of the month by which you are required to make payment of your credit card bill), APR, reward points earned, redemption offers applicable for your reward points balance, remarks.

2. Fill the table up with data from your various credit cards.

3. Check if any reward points that you may have accumulated can be used to make partial payments or cover any kind of fees or even if the points can be bartered for something you need.(spending less means preventing the credit card debt problem from getting worse).

4. If you have any available credit on any of your credit cards it would worth your time to call those credit card companies and check on the availability of lower interest rate balance transfers. If they offer reduced interest rate balance transfers, it would be wise to transfer any balance of a higher interest rate credit card.

5. You may also consider applying for another credit card (I know, I know, your trying to eliminate your credit card debt, not create more.) Hear me out first. If you can get a lower interest rate balance transfer credit card that you may be able to consolidate one or more of your credit cards into one, this would allow you to do two things: first you can eliminate at least one (hopefully more) of your higher interest rate cards. Second, it will cause your required monthly payment to be lower allowing you to pay a larger amount towards your principal, not just your interest.

6. First eliminate debt on the credit card contributing the most to your credit card debt problem i.e. highest APR (interest rate) and highest balance. Start with one. Pay the minimum required monthly payment on all the other credit card while applying the most money you can afford to the credit card first on your list to pay off. This will allow you to reduce the balance faster and to break the cycle of the never ending balance payoff.

7. Once you have eliminated the debt from one credit card, do yourself a favor and destroy it. In todays day and age it is almost a necessity to have a credit card, but you only need one and if you have to use it, you should pay the balance off completely every month.

8. Practice controlled and healthy spending habits (after all you are looking to get rid of credit card debt problem for good and not just temporarily.

9. Look for alternative means of adding to your income (more money means earlier termination of credit card debt.)

10. See your debt reduce with time and celebrate the day when you finally put an end to your credit card debt problem.

Remember,it is ultimately up to you to make a change in the way you use and percieve credit cards and credit card debt. You CAN take control of your financial future and put and end to credit card debt forever.

At http://www.creditcardrecap.com it is our mission to not only provide you with the information you need to accurately compare and apply for a variety of quality credit cards, but also provide online resources for all of your credit card matters. For more credit card information and online resources, simply go to http://www.creditcardrecap.com

Best Paper Shredders

Purpose. Best high quality shredders of different varieties near to every one.


POWERSHRED DS1:
Owners reviewed that best paper shredder is Powershred DS1 which is the most secure paper shredder than any other which only cuts the paper into narrow-strips. The characteristics of this paper shredder is that it cuts paper in a very short time period and the its emptying process is quite easier as compared to other paper shredders. This shredder can handle unto 220 pages although less than 100 can be realistic. These are the Fellowes paper shredder are those possessing feature for safety of children. These are the most demanded paper shredders.

BUDGET PAPERSHREDDER:
Usually experts don’t recommend using cheaper paper shredders as they get rid off sooner by jamming and breaking just after a little rough use. However there appreciate the use of Royal 85X as a cheaper one. Since it a crosscut paper shredder so it is considered as a reliable one. It can handle more than 10 sheets at a time and that’s really realistic one. Users like its roller caster and sliding wastebasket. One thing over here with shredder is that it can’t shed CD’s and DVD’s, but with good care use it is best applicable for papers and sheets with minor clips.

BASIC LIGHT-DUTY SHREDDER:
Experts usually review that inexpensive paper shredders aren’t holding much burden of papers and they get jammed or broke very soon. The SPL paper shredders are considered feeble for heavy use of stapled papers. But if its cared and used gently they are okay for twice a day use. At least it is a crosscut shredder and is more secure than strip-cut shredder. Like other paper shredders, it has also one-year warranty.

HEAVY DUTY SHREDDER:
Heavy-duty shredder is good for the office use. And so Fellowes SB-95C is best for this purpose as it is capable of handling 1700 sheets per day. The property of passing 17 sheets at a time is really realistic. It can chew the paperclips and staples credit cards and much more and have a ten-gallon bin. Owners like the narrow design of the shredder as it incomparable of other paper shredders. The good part of this shredder is that it is remarkably quiet than other paper shredders but mind it, no child safety locks and guards are here in this shredder.

Paper shredders at office use are much better as compared with the use at home places, say the experts. They never guarantee the safety of children and say it can be injurious to other users of the device. Usually they don’t prefer the sub standard shredders, as they don’t work for long and mending of such devices are thought waste of money. Usually they are with one-year warranty and so consumers think of buying a cheaper one. As if thought in a better way the heavy one will be expensive but tits utility is prolonged.

http://www.shredderwarehouse.com/shredders.html

A Digital Camcorders Review - What You Should Know Before You Buy

There has been such rapid changes and improvements in the field of camcorders over the last ten years or so that it may be confusing when you start looking to buy one today. There are a handful of competing formats that you should be aware of and know what they mean before you buy. So here is a digital camcorders review on what you should know before you buy:

* First of all the old bulky VHS camcorders of yesteryear are gone. They have given way to much improved versions that are lighter, smaller and produce much better video. However, you can still use VHS tapes for playback if you choose a VHS-C type of camcorder. This is an analog camcorder that records to tape that can be used in a VCR but the tape itself is small and compact to eliminate the big bulk of the old VHS camcorders, Once you record the video, you just place it into an adapter that lets you pop it into the VCR just as you would with any movie and view your video. Although they are small and compact, these are some of the most inexpensive camcorders that are available today and can be had for just a couple hundred dollars at many places both online and offline.

* 8mm camcorders also record to tape but the tapes are even smaller than those used by VHS-C camcorders. The disadvantage is that you can not play them through the VCR, but you can connect the camcorder straight to the TV and play it that way. Hi8 camcorders are just more advanced, better quality versions of an 8mm camcorder that produces the very best picture and sound that you can get this side of digital itself.

* Digital camcorders - These are currently the most expensive camcorders available but they are also becoming surprisingly more affordable too as time goes on. They record video images in digital format which allows them to be much more vivid and sharp, and the sound is vastly improved over the old analog camcorders. Because everything is recorded digitally there is no loss of detail when copies are made and this is a big advantage for some. Of course digital files themselves would take up huge amounts of disk space, so most digital camcorders still record to tape for the extra storage space capacity that tapes offer. The miniDV category of digital camcorders is extremely small and records to tapes that are even smaller than 8mm, while still recording hours worth of video at a time.

So many people think that all camcorders they find are now digital camcorders, but as this digital camcorders review indicates, you can still run across a lot of analog camcorders out there as well, and they are usually easily spotted by their lower price. If they will do the job for you, that may be all you need. But if you want the best audio and video possible consider either the miniDV or the 8mm digital camcorder instead.


About the Author:
You can find broadband satellite internet services and info on satellite internet speed and more by visiting our communication website.

5 Things To Look For When Choosing A MP3 Player

You can't go anywhere these days without seeing this small, digital device attached to cars, hips and clipped to belts and purses, MP3 players are everywhere. Small and portable, the options for styles, shapes, and features is as endless as the places they can be found. So, how do you find the right Mp3 player to meet your particular needs, provided you know what those needs are. Most people want the best mp3 player for the money. Here is a handy, useful guide to help decide which is the best mp3 player for you.

Mp3 players usually come in two categories, these are Flash and hard drive. Flash MP3 players are smaller, usually cheaper and aren't memory intensive. However, they more than make up for it by being a bit more durable. These mp3 players are usually better suited for active, on the go lifestyles and smaller budgets. The best feature is that they are upgradeable, allowing the MP3 player to grow with your needs. Hard drive mp3 players are usually larger, aren't as durable and more expensive. They do have the advantage of being able to hold large amounts of music and even video.

Features

Take a look around. Mp3 players have tons of features, sound and audio options, play options, even software for downloading, and organizing your music files. Mp3 players can literally be entire music libraries in the palm of your hand. When checking out Mp3 players, make sure to check out things like battery life, and any accessories you may want. Sometimes, more expensive doesn't necessarily mean better when looking for the best mp3 player for you. A little research can go a long way.

Display

Have you ever had this happen? I'm sure you have. It happens with cell phones all the time. You can't read your display or have to squint to make it out. Frustrating. Make sure your display is readable and large enough to show you all the information you want to see. Mp3 players are electronic investments. You want to make sure you're going to want to use the mp3 after you get it.

Price

On a tight budget? looking to spend less than $100 dollars? Flash Mp3 players are the way to go. Hard drive Mp3 players rarely go for less than between $150 and $200 because of larger displays, more memory and a greater number of features. If a hard drive mp3 player is what you want but your budget's still tight, check out discount stores and auction sites. Often times, older models are sold at significant discounts.

Brands

Just about any electronics company makes mp3 players - Apple, Creative Labs, Sandisk and Rio to name a few. If you like sticking to brands you trust, you're sure to find an MP3 player in your brand.

Finding the best mp3 player for you can be confusing with all the available options. Take the time to look into your options before deciding.


About the Author:
Get Camcorder reviews at http://www.testfreaks.com/camcorders/