Hand Blown Glass Art Created by Glassblowers

In any tourist trap, amusement part, arts festival or fair, they can be found. They are usually in the form of hand blown glass trinkets, doodads that catch the eye. Maybe the glass is a sleeping dog or tiny basket which ends up cracking before you get home. These items are often mass produced, created by people who classify these items as "glass art". Nothing could be further than the truth of course. Many times, these glass works created at these tourist traps are not created with strong glass, nor are they annealed, which is what makes glass much stronger.

I hoped an explanation exhausted that explained the mass of junk garbage available in almost every convenience store between wrestling magazines and the motor oil. What I was looking for was glass sculptures that possessed some genuine character and beauty. Fortunately for me, my quest did not take me to some obscure country and mountain retreat of Buddhist sects searching for enlightenment through glass blowing. Nor did I even have to travel to an Eastern Bloc nation where some banned artist was creating glittering works of protest. Instead, my journey took me barely two miles from my house to a local glassblowing shop where glass art is hand crafted by a few master glassblowers.

So what is different from furnace glassblowers, which is how the tourist trap glass often gets created, and the hand blown glass art which is found at many glassblowing studios? For starters, furnace glassblowers are very limited by assembling different parts into their pieces. Maybe the bowls, vases and glasses that they create are pleasing to the eye when you gaze upon them, but you must understand that they are created from a base mold and simply placed into an oven to finish. There is really very little can be added to these items, which tend to take away from the creative aspect of an artist. A glassblower who uses his breath and a blowtorch to custom make glass art is a totally different situation. These types of glassblowers really are artist, since they must dream up the creations, and work with smaller pieces of glass to create a finished form.

Source by Darren Cox…

How A Complete Body Health Check Up Can Uncover Hidden Diseases

Dalai Lama: “Man surprised me most about humanity. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health… “

You get your car tuned-up every year. Why wouldn’t you get an annual medical check-up as well? An annual health check-up or periodic health check is useful as it can help to detect and identify diseases or the warning signs of an impending disease very early. This makes treatment a lot more effective, less expensive and less invasive. In addition to detecting such diseases before a patient turns seriously ill, such periodic check ups also give you a detailed update on various health parameters like cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and body weight. This helps to gauge your overall health and it enables health care providers to assess health risks and advise you on lifestyle on dietary measures to counter such risks.

Benefits of an annual health check up

There are several advantages of a regular complete body health check up with a doctor. One of the most important benefits is the prevention of disease. Preventive health checks are important especially for individuals with risk factors for different health conditions. A master health check up can also aid in the early detection and treatment of a health problem, which is valuable especially in cases of cancer. The examinations and laboratory tests that will be done during a health check up vary depending on an individual’s age, sex, family history, and lifestyle. Health check ups also promote better patient-doctor relationships and allow the doctor to promote healthy habits through patient education.

Composition of a regular health check-up

Besides an overall physical examination, which includes the eyes and teeth, a standard health check up is meant to assess the functioning of the heart, lungs, digestive system, liver, kidneys and, immune system status. Sometimes certain cancer-specific tests like PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) for men and mammography and some gynecological examinations in women are also included.

A body health check up primarily comprise pathology (blood and urine), imaging (x-ray and ultra-sonography), lungs function test and cardiac stress test. These tests should ideally be carried out in an accredited laboratory or a hospital which is equipped with the best diagnostic tools. It is very important that the results of these tests be interpreted and examined by qualified physicians.

Common investigations in a regular health check up

A regular health check up will comprise of the following investigations:

1. General Physical Examination (body weight, blood pressure, pulse rate, etc.)

2. Laboratory investigations:

a) Complete Haemogram: It is a panel of tests to examine different components of blood and used as broad screening test for such disorders as anemia, infection, and many other diseases.

b) Lipid Profile: Used to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

c) Liver Function Test: Used to assess the functioning of the liver or diagnose liver diseases.

d) Kidney Function Test: Used to evaluate how well the kidneys are functioning.

e) Blood Sugar: Used to measure blood glucose for checking pre-diabetes and diabetes.

f) Chest X-ray: Used to examine the chest and the organs and structures located in the chest.

g) ECG/Treadmill Test: Used as a diagnostic tool to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats and for assessing cardiac stress.

h) Ultrasonography of the abdomen: Diagnostic imaging technique used for visualizing organs and structures in the abdomen including the liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas and the kidneys.

i) Urine Routine Examination: Used for general evaluation of health, metabolic or systematic diseases.

Getting the right type of body health check up is important and while considering it, certain factors like age, lifestyle, family history, and risks should be taken into account. Regular health examinations and tests help detect problems before they start. Opting for a right health check up, screenings, and treatments means one is taking steps to help one live longer and healthier life.

If nothing else, it gives important information about one’s body to ensure peace of mind and to make lifestyle adjustments. Even the most basic body health check up can identify underlying illnesses. An illness picked up in the early stages is, after all, far easier to cure.

Source by Manoj Punde…

The Gifts We Give Our Dogs

Whoever coined the phrase, “It’s a Dog’s Life” wasn’t familiar with 21st century dogs. Time was when the average canine slept outside, ate whatever scraps of food were tossed his way, and if he was lucky, was thrown the occasional bone. He was even expected to earn his keep!

Times have changed. As the world has grown more affluent, so have our pets. We’re obsessed with keeping our canine companions happy, healthy, and properly accessorized. So much so that many of us worry about our own welfare less than that of our dog. This didn’t happen overnight– the trend started decades ago.

Take, for example, my grandmother Rose. During the 60’s and 70’s, Rose and Henry discovered cruise vacations. On every cruise, whenever they pulled into port to “shop”, Rosie made it her mission to find stray dogs and feed them. She’d head straight for the butcher, buy a few pounds of fresh meat, and comb the islands for the hungry and homeless. She would exclaim, “It’s a crime the way these animals live!”– in spite of the fact that the people of those islands were desperately poor!

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not passing judgment on Grandma, or anyone else. I spoil my pets as much as the next guy or gal, and take immense pleasure in it. Truth be told, I’d rather hang out with my dog than with a whole lot of people I know. We share a special bond, my best friend and I. Hey, admit it… lots of you feel the same way!

The fact is, man has always had a close relationship with animals, and has enjoyed having pets around for companionship. Having a pet can bring great pleasure into our lives, and is believed to have a therapeutic effect on the owner. For empty nesters and those who’ve delayed or opted out of having kids, pets almost take the place of children. We bond with our pets especially because they don’t judge us. Dogs in particular offer the kind of unconditional love we all crave. They’re always thrilled to have us around!

So, how do we spoil our pets?

Probably in much the same way that we spoil our children! Aside from all of the care attention lavished on America’s pets, a tremendous amount of money is spent providing goods and services that were once deemed a luxury– but are now considered essential.

Today’s dog sees the vet for regular checkups. She eats premium dog food and munches on gourmet doggie treats, is enrolled in obedience classes, and runs agility courses. She has her own collections of toys, clothing, and possibly even dog jewelry and canine cologne. She sleeps indoors on a luxury orthopedic bed and takes shelter outdoors in her cedar dog house. She wears a safety harness when riding in the family car, a reflective vest on hunting trips, and rain gear in foul weather. She can even dodge UV rays with a pair of doggie sunglasses. Her responsibilities are few.

I could go on (don’t worry, at some point I will!). But one of the most notable signs that we regard our dogs as members of our family is the fact that we buy them gifts. A dog gift for the holidays, a dog gift for a special occasion, or a dog gift to show our appreciation for how much our dogs appreciate us. Any reason will do. Heck, we even wrap our dog gifts!
Here are some very interesting statistics regarding gifts for pets:

* More than half of U.S. households have pets, and many of them are including their “best friends” in holiday plans.

* According to a survey conducted by the Pet Supplies “Plus” chain, 97% of its customers will buy gifts for their animals this Yuletide season.

* 28% of owners will spend more on their pets than on their spouses when buying gifts.

* 47% will spend more on their pets than on relatives other than their spouse.

* 54% will spend more on their pets than on their in-laws.

* 83% will wrap their pets’ gifts.

* 68% claim that their pets will unwrap presents themselves with their paws.

* 71% will buy something practical for them.

Buying gifts for our pets is only the half it. If someone we know is a pet lover, we often show our support by giving the person a pet-related gift. And, since the saying goes, “love me, love my dog”, there’s often pressure to throw in a little dog gift for Spike too. For a casual dog-loving acquaintance, our dog lover gift might be a simple coffee mug with a picture of their favorite dog breed. A set of plush doggie-themed golf club covers could make an amusing gift for a colleague. Maybe Aunt Janine has …

How to Search For Cheap Dental Insurance

Finding good cheap dental insurance can be a hard task. Many people are finding that dental insurance is very expensive and many employers do not offer a plan that is worth anything. There are some options for you when it comes to finding dental insurance that will fit you and your family's needs.

First you need to see what your employer offers in the way of insurance. In many cases they will have a plan that will be good for you and your family members so that they can at the very least get checksups and minor work done. Even though we hate to go to the dentist, waiting to go can only cause many problems in the future.

Secondly there are many places online that offer great insurance that you can get at a reasonable price. It is important that you get multiple quotes so that you can compare cost along with the policy. You want to find a plan that offers you flexibility in case that you need to change the plan at a later time.

Finally you need to decide if you are looking for a simple maintenance plan that will give you bi yearly teeth cleaning and x rays. Maybe you have work that needs to be done and getting a dental options card is your best best so you can reduce the cost of your dental care.

When searching online you always need to compare both price and coverage so you know that you are getting the best insurance.

Source by Bryan Burbank…

Ultra Sexy Louis Vuitton Evidence Sunglasses With 100 Percent UV Protection

Summer is the time most people choose to have fun, this usually means going out in the sun and really enjoying yourself. Having the right pair of sunglasses, like the Louis Vuitton Evidence Sunglasses, is of utmost importance since they can help reduce sunlight exposure that opens the eyes to harmful ultraviolet rays. Sunglasses are also an indispensable fashion statement and needless to say, the design, shape and color of your sunglasses. These sunlasses are designed with all these factors in mind.

The designer inspired Louis Vuitton Evidence Sunglasses are super sexy and will look great with almost everything you chose to wear. They feature complete ultra violet (UV) Protection and their hand polished frames are strong and unbreakable. They are the reinvention of classic sunglasses making them modern and more gender sensitive.

The black, white and gray acetate frame is accentuated with nice, flashy gold and silver metal pieces and embossed with the LV monogram. These sunglasses are constructed by hand in France and this is one of the secret to their great appearance.

Louis Vuitton Evidence sunglasses guarantee total protection from UV rays with lenses that are graduated for high visual quality. You will not have to worry about breaking these sunglasses as the tips and bridge are enhanced with a metal inlay that provides added protection and support. They also come in a variety of colors to fit your taste and style. You will find Louis Vuitton Evidence Sunglasses in colors of Black / Gold, Gray / Silver, White / Gold, Khaki and Burgundy.

The style and model of the Evidence sunglass is also one of the most desirable to come out of the Louis Vuitton design house. This is evidenced by the fact that even celebrities like the Dream have been spotted rocking the white Evidence sunglasses. Louis Vuitton Evidence shades are definitely a big hit with the hip hop community and so you can bet these are bound to be a very hot commodity.

The Evidence lenses guarantee a superior sense of fashion given the great design and colors of these sunglasses. The range gives you almost everything you would ever desire from a great pair of sunglasses. So while you are going on holiday, driving, doing outdoor sports or just for everyday wear, you can be sure that you have the best style and protection when you wear Louis Vuitton Evidence sunglasses.

Source by Andrea White…

What Are Eyeglass Retainers?

While not the most exciting of subjects, the topic of eyeglass retainers is a curious one, especially since there is no corresponding Wikipedia article on it, at least not at the time of this article.

And yet, while there is no Wikipedia article concerning it, a quick search using Google produces an abundant amount of links to stores both online and offline selling said eyeglass retainers.

But the mystery deepens as the term “eyeglass retainer” seems to take on different meaning depending upon which store or shop you visit.

Therefore, the following article aims to take the reader through three different areas of regarding eyeglass retainer knowledge namely:

1. The word “retainer” as it applies to eyeglasses
2. The history and evolution of eyeglass retainers leading to the manifestation of the different objects sold online
3. Popular brand names and the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of eyeglass retainer

The purpose of going into such detail regarding this non-spectacular topic results from the absence of such knowledge on the Internet and the hopes that this article will serve as a reference source for a future Wikipedia article on eyeglass retainers, which is in itself seen as a reference source.

The Word “Retainer” As It Applies To Eyeglasses

Currently, the most common usage of the word “retainer” as it applies to daily living is associated with Orthodontics of which an article in Wikipedia does exist although it is far from exhaustive. We are told that dental retainers are devices made of wires or plastic which are worn to realign the teeth. While there are no official statistics regarding the actual percentage of orthodontic retainer wearers globally, experientially, most of us at one time or another know of someone who has worn them.

And so we take a step back and consult the dictionary in search of a contextual meaning for “retainer” and Merriam-Webster obliges us with the following definition: a device or structure that holds something in place. And naturally, as an example it references dental retainers to illustrate its meaning.

Thus we (referring to those of us who actually wear glasses) slowly start to see how retainers come into play in regards to eyeglasses. Eyeglass retainers hold the glasses in place. Which begs the question: in what way do eyeglasses have to be held in place?

The answer is that with extended wear, eyeglasses tend to slip down our noses and the result is that many of us spend a large proportion of our day pushing up our falling eyeglasses. So much so that it isn’t uncommon to be pushing up one’s glasses at least once every two or three minutes, which easily works out to several hundred times per day if we subtract the sleeping hours.

Now before we proceed, let us allow, that pertaining to falling eyeglasses, we use the term eyeglass to refer to not only prescription lenses with frames, but to mean all such frames and lenses whether common wear or sunglasses, prescription or otherwise.

So pertaining to our first of three discussions: eyeglass retainers are devices which prevent eyeglasses from slipping down your nose.

The History And Evolution Of Eyeglass Retainers Leading To The Manifestation Of Different Objects Sold Online

Any attempt at a relevant history of eyeglass retainers should begin with Cause. As mentioned in the previous section, the need for eyeglass retainers came about because eyeglass wearers found themselves in a very uncomfortable position: their eyeglasses continually slipped down their faces. But why do glasses slip in the first place? Below we list and go briefly into the top twelve reasons:

1. Ill-fitted or non-fitted eyeglasses
2. Cheap quality glasses
3. Deformed eyeglasses
4. Abnormal head shape
5. Asymmetrical ear to nose distance
6. Flat noses
7. Lack of nose pads
8. Heavy prescriptions
9. Paddle temples
10. Temple tips
11. Oily complexion
12. Perspiration

Ill-fitted or non-fitted eyeglasses

For those who are able to spend upwards of a thousand dollars on a pair of quality frames, improperly-fitted glasses aren’t a problem. In these instances, a veteran optometrist or eye care professional carefully considers the shape of your head, the placement of left and right ear, and makes adjustments to the frames with special tools and heating apparatus to customize them for your personal comfort. The fitting process often takes about 10-15 minutes and as a result, your eyeglasses sit properly on your head. While such careful fitting does rule out slipping glasses in most situations, individual factors like perspiration and physical activity still cause eyeglasses to slip regardless of how expertly the glasses were fitted in the first place.

Cheap quality glasses

And then there’s the rest of us. Most of us opt for inexpensive glasses, bought from low end stores or possibly online where fitting is either not done properly or not done at all. As a result, eyeglass slipping is prevalent.

Deformed eyeglasses

Daily …

How Music Bands for Corporate Shows Get Popular

The real success of a music band for corporate show depends on their popularity ie how much they are remembered and referred. The more people remember the goodness of music gigs and the atmosphere of a music group performing live, the more will be the demand of that band.
At corporate events, music is one of the central aspects. The venue, the likes and dislikes of the audience, the agenda of the event, etc. play a decisive role in the style of music that would be played live. The quicker a music band for the corporate show is able to figure that out the better, as it will help them to compose their music gig accordingly. As a result, not only the audience will be able to enjoy the music to the fullest, the band too can perform with full confidence.

There are a few ways a music band for corporate show can increase their popularity

• Quality of music – Good music, simply, has no substitution. Take a moment to look at numerous musicians who made massive music careers in their lifetime. Delivering good music to the right audience is the success formula that they derived from years of hard work and dedication. The same goes for music bands for corporate shows. This is the reason why the bands performing live try to put up original compositions and stage acts that later become their signature. For instance- mashup music or mashup songs became a trend after music bands started experimenting with an urge to create something different and unique.
• Appoint a manager – Several top music bands for corporate shows have appointed bodies for managing their business, who sometimes provide creative inputs too. Both individuals and organizations are included in this list.
• Build a band image – Building an image of the music band is as important as delivering great musical gigs. If the audience can categorize the band as a prototype, it is likely they will find some way to relate to the band. At corporate shows, the audience remains engaged in business activities for most of the part. Here, music groups performing live at corporate events must pay attention to every detail that builds their image as a professional body that has sophistication, etiquettes and style to entertain in the high-scale corporate audience. For instance, the music band for corporate shows may maintain a dress code, play distinct soothing genres of music at special hours, set the lighting scheme, background score and dance performances, etc. to build a particular type of image.
• Promotion – By promoting their music in video or audio format and by engaging in print and digital advertisement, a music band for a corporate show can gain popularity.
• The audience connection – At events like corporate shows, there is an air of formality and mannerisms that bands had to comply by, which, at times, causes difficulty for bands to connect with the audience and entertain them. To become popular in the corporate circuit, music bands for corporate show need to be really good in this.

Lastly, it must be said that even with the formal air, guests at corporate shows can get ecstatic if the band succeeds to strike the right chord. After all, whatever the issue, people want to relax, unwind, enjoy and take home some memories they can cherish. A good music band has to ensure all of these.

Source by Sanjiv Roy…

Stag Night Ideas: 5 of the Best

A stag night is a fun packed experience at in which a guy celebrates his last days as a bachelor. The key to a good stag night is choosing the right types of activities – activities that complement each other and give the night zest and spirit. Another way to spice up the night is to buy stag presents for the stag as well as novelties and mementos to commemorate the occasion.

Stag night novelties are fun gift items to give to the guy the stag party is for. These items are ones that are designed especially to be stag night presents. These can be any ordinary sort of novelty like T shirts, sunglasses, or beer mugs that relate in some way to the stag party theme. There are stores and internet sites that sell these items and they are a great touch to add to the stag party.

The following are 5 popular stag night activities that you can consider:

Paint Ball

Paint ball is one of the most popular stag party activities. It is active, fun, takes aim and strategy, and is fairly easy to arrange. While often considered a daytime activity, you may be able to find paintball places that are open at night. You can certainly do this activity in the late afternoon leading up to the night itself. You can consider buying the stag a paintball gun of his own for the occasion or buying paint ball guns or souvenirs to take home.

Casinos

Casinos are another very popular stag night activity. This is a good kick off for the night. You and your buddies can hit the casinos and see if you can win some money that you can then spend anywhere you go afterwards. And as most people know, casinos often have great bars and restaurants themselves. Whether you end up spending the whole night at a casino is up to you. But casinos will most likely prove a lot of fun for you and your friends on a stag night. Casinos offer many souvenirs as well.

Night Clubs and Dance Clubs

Going to night clubs and dance clubs are another popular and classic stag night activity. There are always lots of girls at dance clubs, so be careful that the stag doesn’t get carried away with someone other than his betrothed. You can choose dance clubs that have a specific theme, such as Hollywood, tropical islands, and so forth. Or you can just hop from club to club and get a taste of the local nightclub scene.

Comedy

Comedy clubs are a great way to get the guys into a laughing mood on stag night. If there are good comics at the club, they will most likely have you splitting your sides within a short time. Comedy clubs may be a bit harder to find than other kinds, but there are a number of them in most towns and cities. Be sure and get tickets in advance if the comic is an especially popular one.

Shooting

Shooting at targets is another good lead in to the stag night itself. And again, you may be able to find shooting galleries that are open fairly late. These shooting galleries may be your basic target practice type, or they may be something more along the lines of clay pigeon shooting. Keep safety in mind and make sure that it doesn’t get too raucous.

Make your stag party memorable by planning the activities well and keeping them varied. Buy great gifts such as novelties items like inflatable cows or a drinking game for the guy who the party is for as this will make him feel liked and appreciated. You can buy some souvenirs during the evening as well so that you all have something to remember from your buddy’s last night of bachelorhood. Don’t spend all night at one location. Hop around a little bit, do different sorts of activities, and get a sense of momentum in which one activity leads into another.

Source by Amy Shepherd…

No-Asset Bankruptcy Cost: How Consumers Can Get Cheap Bankruptcy and Affordable Chapter 7

Many financial experts and analysts have frequently made the case that the no-asset bankruptcy cost should be very low cost, such that most consumers can get bankruptcy cheap and affordable chapter 7. A major reason often advanced by such experts, especially in times of harsh economic conditions and rising cost of bankruptcy such as today, who make the case that the cost of routine bankruptcy to be a cheap, low-cost affair, is rooted in the argument that an overwhelming majority of personal bankruptcy cases, particularly the Chapter 7 types, are simply "no asset" or "minimum asset" cases. This is defined as a bankruptcy case of the type where the debtor who owes the debts legally has or owns absolutely NOTHING – no money or property of the type, or worth or value that the creditors can possibly claim or seize from the debtor under the law , if the debtor does not pay them (quite apart from the fact that the debtor lacks any with which to pay the lawyer's hefty fees).

The basic argument of these bankruptcy experts and professionals, including law professors, lawyers, court trustees and judge, who make this point, is that such no-asset cases are routine, simple and straightforward in character, in that they require nothing complex but only simple routine paperwork by the debtor or an assistant to prepare the debtor's bankruptcy case for the court and to do the processing of the case. And secondly, that in such cases the creditors generally offer no contest or challenge to the case once they become duly aware that a debtor's bankruptcy petition is in fact a no-asset case because they stand to gain or collect nothing any way by doing so. Hence, they generally argue, the no-asset bankruptcy cost should be very little, cheap and most affordable Furthermore, the same argument is used by those who say that such cases really do not need the services of a lawyer in handling them since, they say, that such bankruptcy cases are generally too simple, elementary and largely clerical for one to undertake.

THE BASIC TYPES OF BANKRUPTCY CASES

There are, of course, basically two types of PERSONAL bankruptcy cases provided for under the US Bankruptcy Code – the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 types. These designations derive from the names of the chapters of the Code that describe them. A brief description of each of these:

CHAPTER 7. Often called "liquidity" bankruptcy, this type of bankruptcy primarily contemplates an orderly, court-supervised procedure by which a court-appointed "trustee" takes over the assets of the debtor's estate (to the extent that he or she has any , if at all), "liquidates" or reduces them to cash, and makes distributions of such recovered funds to creditors. The debtor is allowed to retain certain "exempt property" that will allow him the bare necessities to enable the debtor to live on even after bankruptcy. In practice, however, there is usually little or no nonexempt property left in most chapter 7 cases, and since, there is generally no actual "liquidation" of the debtor's assets in the average case. These cases are called "no-asset cases."

CHAPTER 13. This is often called the "adjustment of Debts" bankruptcy for an individual with a regular income. This type of bankruptcy is designed for an individual debtor who has a regular source of income. Chapter 13 is usually preferred to chapter 7 by debtors who have some valuable asset that they need to keep, such as a house, because this type of bankruptcy enables the debtor to propose a "plan" to repay creditors their debts over time – usually three to five years. Chapter 13 is also used by consumer debtors who do not qualify for chapter 7 relief because they do not meet the "means test" requirements. Basically, in a Chapter 13 case, the debtor works up a "payment plan" approved by the court by which he or she then repays the debt, in part or in whole.

What property may you keep in bankruptcy?

In Chapter 7 cases, which is the one that typically involves limited or no assets, the overwhelming majority of debtors who file them keep all of their property. (The basic principle of the Bankruptcy Code or law, aims to give the debtor a fresh start, not to punish).

The following property may be exempt under Section 522 of the US Bankruptcy Code (11 USC 522):

a. Home up to $ 17,425.00 in equity;
b. Disability or unemployment benefits;
c. Life insurance policy with loan value up to $ 9300.00;
d, Alimony and child support;
e. Most pensions and some IRAs (401 K plans are also protected and under New Jersey law do not even become part of the bankruptcy estate. Evans v. Evans, 2001 WL 1711048 [NJ Super. Ch.] IRAs that qualify …

Sunglasses and Headaches

Most people suffer from headaches at one time or another, and many people in North American suffer from migraines, ranging in frequency from several times a year to once a month or more often. In many cases, a migraine or severe headache forces the sufferer into isolation until it goes away, damaging their ability to work, socialize, and generally live life to its fullest.

What most people don’t already realize is that many migraines and headaches can be prevented through the regular use of a good set of sunglasses! Regardless of whether it’s the summer solstice or the frigid depths of winter, a high quality pair of sunglasses is a very useful preventive health item as well as a fashion accessory. Since bright light can trigger migraines, headaches, and contribute to tension and other disorders, a good pair of sunglasses can significantly improve your quality of life, as well as preventing serious eye degeneration that can eventually lead to blindness.

An effective pair of sunglasses should block both UVA and UVB rays, but new research suggests that High Energy Visible (HEV) light may also contribute to eye disorders, particularly in children. There is still insufficient data on this subject, but some manufacturers now design to block UV rays as well as HEV light, reducing your changes or visual damage from light sources.

It’s very important to note that dark glasses are not the same as UV-exclusive glasses. Check to make sure that your shades are made by a reputable manufacturer, and that they’re certified to block out UVA and UVB at least – if they don’t do this, it’s very possible that they’re worsening your exposure to harmful light by tricking your eyes into.

Since damage from UV exposure is cumulative, it’s important to regularly wear a high-quality set of sunglasses, and to start young. If you teach your children at a young age about the value of wearing good sunglasses, you may save their eyes from damage later – and besides, everyone knows how cool a good set of shades look.

Source by Nick Albert…

Monthly Disposable Contact Lenses Care Guide

Monthly disposables are among the most popular type of contact lenses for the 75 million wearers worldwide. This is because they are cost effective and very comfortable owing to the development of new lens material which allows more oxygen to reach the eye.

We have put together a care guide to help you look after your monthly disposable lenses.

This guide has been prepared by our professional optometrists to ensure that it contains the most beneficial and up to date information possible.

1. Always wash your hands prior to touching your lenses. If you can, use a non-spotted soap as fragranced soap leaves a residue on your fingers which can be transferred to your lenses and irritate your eyes.

2. Keeping your fingernails short and filing away jagged edges reduces the risk of scratching your lenses or eye.

3. Always apply make up AFTER inserting your lenses to make sure that you do not get residue in your eye or on your contact lenses.

4. Never soak your contact lenses in tap water because it contains bacteria that can cause eye infections. Instead you should use specially designed contact lens solution.

5. Do not keep the same contact lens solution in your lens store case and use it for multiple soakings- solution should be used once and then thrown away.

6. Rinse your storage case thoroughly every day with a sterile rinsing solution.

7. Change your lens storage case every three months.

Since monthly disposable contact lenses are worn for a whole month before they are treated of it is important to take proper care of them. Failure to do so can cause eye infections which can result in discomfort, redness and even distorted vision.
If you have any questions about the care tips outlined above please contact your optometrist for information and advice.

Source by V Selman…

How to Satisfy a Woman to the Core

An alpha male is a man who knows to satisfy his woman, he is the ladies' man and the sex god. He is the one who the women warn for. In the movie 'Good Luck Chuck,' women just got laid by Chuck because he was lucky and they got charmed to find their soul mate when they had sex with him. But an alpha male, unlike Chuck, makes the women warn for him only. He is a man capable of giving a woman the ultimate orgasmic pleasure. Stimulate her g spot and if you have mastered this, then all women would only come to you. With him a girl is bound to get the experience of orgasm like never before.

So, how can you become an alpha male and be amazing at sex? The answer is simple. You would learn how to give the best sex and how to become an alpha male. You would learn that women also love having sex and now a days they also express their desires and desires sexually. So, an alpha male must be able to fulfill those demands of women with completion. Just humping and getting your 'stand' will not do, guys.

You have to remember that women love their foreplay and not just the direct squeezing. Give her time, caress and explore her from top to bottom, make her feel you in every part of her body. Then see the steam coming out of her as she screams for more and more.

Source by Ray Charles Hamilton…

Comments: Choosing an Eyeglasses Shape That Is Right for You

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Trading Volumes in the Stock Markets and How it Affects Price Action

There is debate among some market observers who say that price is the only thing to consider when buying or selling a stock. They would have you think there is little or no correlation between price and volume levels or the amount of trading activity near price.

The intelligent stock market observer knows that trading volumes are an important characteristic of market health.

Trading volumes are the blood that pumps through the arteries and veins of the markets. (Sorry about the physiology analogy there) If not for trading volume the market itself would cease to exist. Understand, this one simple concept, if not for volume or the interest in traders and investors to own stock there would be no stock market at all. What drives the trading volume, the possibility of, profit. Without the profit motive we would have no reason to trade stocks, bonds, commodities, or other investment instruments.

Trading volumes give us strong indication of the psychology affecting traders at a given time in the markets.

1. In a market that is trending up volumes will begin to pick up as other traders / investors see that other traders are coming into the market. More traders / investors coming into the market and buying stock will inevitably push prices higher.
2. In a market that is trending down volumes will begin to pick up as other traders / investors see that other traders are beginning to leave the market. More traders / investors leaving the market will inevitably push prices lower.
3. In a sideways or consolidating market trading volumes are generally modest and lackluster. This is characterized by prices that oscillate within a limited range. There is no clear indication of dominance by either buyers or sellers. As a result we have a tug of war that resembles somewhat evenly matched opponents pulling on a rope on the beach and trying to pull the other over the line drawn in the sand. For our purposes here the proverbial line in the sand is the price range top to bottom that this tug of war produces.

Commonly these price ranges are equal to 10% or so of the price of the stock or security. There are many examples that would defy that statement and we are not trying to prove every exception. Some stocks are very volatile, even, in their trading ranges and can exceed that threshold. Learn to identify these areas and you can profit.

Trading ranges almost always lead to large runs up in price or down in price. Trading ranges exist for a reason as they are the "lull before the storm". A trading range can develop over a period of days, weeks, months or years. The longer the development period the stronger the move in either direction will, generally, be.

These trading ranges generally indicate a period of quiet accumulation or selling and occur somewhat under the radar. This quiet period does not get swing traders or other short term traders excited about the market as it appears that nothing of significance is occurring. For those investors that sense much higher or lower prices are in the offing this presences a unique opportunity to build a position in a stock that can make them substantial sums of money if they are correct in their assumptions and timing.

In another piece we will detail some of the characteristics of volume patterns in charts and hopefully help make sense of it for those of you that are new to volume interpretation.

Source by Ray Winder…

Choosing Dog Accessories

When you visit a pet store or an online shop to find dog accessories you could spend the whole day looking at all the designs, patterns, shapes and styles that are offered. So how do you choose a fashionable look for your dog?

The first step is to take your dogs size into account. A big scary dog ​​is not going to look very imposing with a big pink bow between his ears. Choose accessories that emphasize the great things about your dog. If he's big and scary get him some big scary accessories, like black leather boots for when he has to walk in the cold and wet weather. A leather jacket would really complete the look if he will wear one. A studded collar and leash would also lend an imposing air to your dogs approach.

The next thing to consider is your dog's personality. Many dogs do not do well with dog clothing such as shirts or jackets. If your dog does that great, you can outfit him in a complete look by adding accessories to his wardrobe. But if your dog is a nudist you can still give him some style with a colorful collar and leash set, or even a bow tie collar. If an item is going to make your dog miserable then do not subject him to it.

Before accessorizing your dog you may also want to consider what he will be doing. If you're going to the dog park where he can run and play you do not want anything that will hinder his movement or that comes off easily. In other words if you feel he needs some eye fashion, go for the strap on goggles instead of the sunglasses. The same goes with hats, if they have a strap they are more likely to stay in place.

A functional and fashionable harness with a matching leash may be all the accessorizing your dog needs to be styling and profiling! It's up to you just how dressed up or dressed down your dog looks when you take him out.

The choices are endless when it comes to adding accessories to your dog's wardrobe. Everything from boots and shoes to hair bows and bells can help pull your pooch's look together. So while everything you see in a doggie accessory department may make you ooh and aah, you have to consider your dog before you actually purchase a fluffy tutu for your Boxer to wear. Sometimes dog accessories just look silly!

Source by Lisa A Mason…

How to Find the Cheapest Scrap Platinum

The oldest record of platinum use is as an inlay in ancient Egypt. However, the Egyptians though it was a variation of electrum, (a natural blend of gold and silver.) Native Americans used it for centuries in small decorative objects. Platinum was unknown to Europeans until Spanish discovered it in Columbia. The Spanish called it platina, meaning little silver. It was not identified as a new metal until the 1700’s. The metal was introduced into Europe from South America in the middle of the eighteenth century. It is always found in association with other metals, chiefly Rhodium, Osmium, Iridium, Palladium.

Platinum is one of the rarest and purest precious metals in the world. The perfect jewelry material for these fortuitous times, Platinum is regarded by many as a “new” metal. Platinum has been held in high regard as a symbol of wealth and nobility, the true worth of Platinum was underappreciated until the eighteenth century, when the Europeans began to recognize Platinum’s beauty. As a matter of fact, France’s Louis XVI proclaimed it the only metal fit for royalty. Legendary jewelers such as Cartier, Faberge and Tiffany created their timeless designs in platinum. The world’s famous diamonds, including the Hope and Koh-l-Noor, are secured permanently in platinum.

Platinum reached its peak of popularity in the early 1900s, when it was the preferred metal for all fine jewelry in America. It dominated the world of jewelry design during the Edwardian era, the Art Deco period and well into the 1930s. At the onset of World War II, however, the U.S. government declared platinum a ‘strategic’ metal and its use in non-military applications, including jewelry, was banned.

Very few countries have platinum supplies, with South Africa (80%) and Russia (11%) accounting for approximately 90% of the world’s supply. The yearly production from these mines is only 150 tons, which is 1/25 of the yearly production of gold. Moreover, the amount of platinum that can be produced from raw ore is relatively small. To make a single small ring of approximately 3 grams requires approximately 1 ton of raw ore.

Today, platinum is much more valuable than gold. Although it is used in many industrial applications, including the automotive industry, platinum jewelry consistently commands higher prices than even pure gold because of its rarity.

Two of the best ways to find the cheapest scrap platinum is through catalytic converters and scrap platinum jewelry. Due to the prices of platinum being so high as of late, a lot of people are becoming victims of thieves who steal their catalytic converters. It used to be you had to worry about your rims, stereos and gps systems, well not anymore.

A catalytic converter is used to reduce the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine. They were first introduced on cars in the US market for the 1975 model year to comply with tightening EPA regulations on auto exhaust. Each catalytic converter contains between three and seven grams of platinum. Not a bad catch if you can find one legally. Catalytic converters are also used on generator sets, forklifts, mining equipment, trucks, buses, trains, and other engine-equipped machines.

From the scrap yards, the converters make their way into the metal-recycling industry, where the platinum and other precious elements, including palladium and rhodium, are removed and used to build high-tech machinery, including more catalytic converters.

Although it is being brought to the forefront thanks to thieves stealing the catalytic converters, platinum still seams to be the big unknown in scrap metal. Some great places to find old catalytic converters for scarp are the local junk yards, online classifieds, such as Craiglist, US Freeads and Kiji. Another great place, as usual is Ebay. Some people even find them at flee markets and garage sales. The trick is once you get them, finding refiners that will pay decent scrap metal prices for the platinum. It will be less than what the price of platinum is due to the fact that they have to extract it, that price is passed on to you.

Now there is a second way to find the cheapest scrap platinum and that is through jewelry. Again the best places to find great deals on platinum jewelry is through the flee market and garage sales, followed by Craigslist, Us Freeads, Kiji and Ebay. Or if you are really resourceful you can invest in a metal detector and hope for the best.

What is so great about scrap platinum jewelry? Well, the number of knowledgeable buyers and sellers are low. Most people don’t understand that platinum jewelry is 90% platinum and that the other 10% is made up of a platinum group metal. If you call around to your local pawnshops, scrap metal dealers, junk yards, coins shops, and jewelers, you’ll find that most of them …

Lens Technologies Found On Glasses

With so many glass lens technologies out there designed to block out all sorts of light, where do you turn? Do not worry; terms like photochromic and polarized may have stumped even Einstein! These words do not have to be as near as confusing as they sound.

In this article I will discuss the major technologies currently being employed on glasses and sunglasses everywhere. By learning exactly what these technologies do, you can decide on whether or not they are worth your money.

Polarized Lenses – In short, polarized glasses stop polarized light. What is polarized light? Polarized light is light that travels in one plane, while non polarized light travels randomly. A good example of polarized light is the glare that comes off of a lake when you look at. Another example is the glare that comes off of a smooth surface, such as a car.

"So how exactly do polarized lenses stop polarized light" you may be asking yourself. Polarized lenses work because of a polarized filter that is applied to them. Polarized filters are generally made from molecules that align themselves horizontally, and will then filter light that matches their alignment. Since polarized light is usually horizontally aligned, these polarized filters absorb this light. Look at using polarized sunglasses if you are around water a lot.

Check out http://travel.howstuffworks.com/sunglass4.htm for a great example of how to test a pair of polarized shades to see either or not they really are equipped with polarized lenses.

Photochromic – Typically tinted gray, photochromic lenses are really a marvel of modern technology. Developed in the late 1960s photochromic lenses are designed to darken when exposed to UV light, and then lighten when UV light is absent. Outside in the sun photochromic glasses will darken – But once they are bought back inside without the presence of the sun, they will go back to normal.

Even under artificial light, photochromic lenses will stay light. The molecules that make up a photochromic lens react only to UV rays, and this is the reason behind their change when exposed to the sun.

Mirrored Lenses – How do mirrored lenses get their signature chromed looks? An ultra thin metallic coating is applied to all mirrored lenses, and this is how they achieve their mirror like shine. Most of the time, only about half of the reflective layer needed for 100% light filtering is applied. What this equates to is that about half of the light that hits mirrored lenses will get through. Some mirrored shades even have graduated mirroring – The top usually being the heaviest, so blocking more of the sun from above.

Anti-Reflection Coatings – One of the many coats sometimes applied to sunglasses, the anti-reflective coating stops back glare. Back glare is from light that comes from behind the wearer, reflecting off the inside of the lenses, and causing an annoying glare.

Scratch-Resistant Coatings – Unfortunately, optical quality plastics are generally not scratch resistant as glass – Especially polycarbonate. What a scratch-resistant coating does is prolong the life of a pair of lenses. Generally a scratch-resistant coating is simply an optically clear hard film, which can take more of a beating than CR-39 or polycarbonate plastics.

UV Coating – Most sunglasses available provide a lot of UV protection, which is exactly what you want. Prolonged UV radiation can cause a whole host of problems which can simply be stopped by wearing sunglasses. Make sure your sunglasses block at least 99% of UVA and UVB rays!

Being able to distinguish the difference between the many lens technologies currently available is not just great for coffee table talk – Knowing the difference can literally save your eyes.

Source by Cody Kahl…