Key Coin: A coin that is among the toughest and Most Expensive to obtain within a series. In the Lincoln Cent series, for example, the 1909-S VDB would be considered the key, as would the 1914-D and often the 1922-Plain.
A coin somewhat lesser in stature but still among the tougher in a series to collect is called a semi-key; the 1909-S and 1931-S fulfill this role within the Lincoln Cent series for many collectors.
The Concept of “Key” may also apply to the Type or Purpose of the coin collection, rather than the individual coin. For example, if a collector is putting together a collection of Walking Liberty Half Dollars, without regard to the Condition of the coins, then the “keys” are the 1921, 1921-D, and 1916-S.
But, if the Collector is putting together the same set, in Gem BU Condition, the 1919-D and the 1921-S would be considered the “keys” and the 1916-S likely would not, because the 1916-S either not available at all, or is plentiful. Also Key Date may be a replaceable term.
Another example, using Lincoln Cents: The "key dates" for the Lincoln Pennies, from 1909 -1958 (wheat cents) are: 1909s, 1909s VDB, 1914 D, 1922, and the 1931 S.
The “semi-key” dates are: 1910 S, 1911 D, 1911 S, 1912 S, 1913 D, 1913 S, 1914 S, 1915, 1921 S, 1922 D, 1923 S, 1924 D, 1926 S, 1931 D, and 1933 D.
Certain Sellers use the term “Key Date” to generate interest in a coin, whose date may be “Key”, however, the Condition of the coin is usually less than desirable. Pay Attention!
Have fun collecting your Perfect Coins!
-- Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright © 2006
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Fabric Stores: The Nuts and Bolts
There was a time when going to the fabric store meant you were looking for material to make a dress. No longer is this true. Today, beautiful fabrics by the bolt are available to everyone who has designs on reupholstering their furniture. When you visit the fabric store it can be a bit overwhelming. Your mind will go from not being sure of what you want to recover your furniture with, to having so many options it seems like a daunting task to make a decision. Be prepared for the myriad of choices you will have.
The first thing that you need to do is make a list of the furniture that you would like to recover. Have an upholsterer visit your home and give you measurements for all of the pieces you would like to have recovered; they should happily do this in anticipation of the business it will bring them. Typically, you will be given a measurement in yards. This is the number you will want to take with you to the fabric store because, upon finding the perfect material, a store representative will ask how many yards you would like to have cut from the bolt.
Next, you will want to take some small things from home, that will give you an idea of the color for which you are looking. You might have a favorite accessory that would assist you in matching fabrics to your room. One helpful tip is to take color chips from the paint store with you. These can easily be taken in your tote bag and will be invaluable in selecting your fabric.
Make a game plan as to how you navigate the stores. Most fabric stores have a very deliberate way that they organize their bolts. A particular arrangement is the store’s method of enriching a customer’s experience for them. Upon arriving at the store ask about the store’s sample policy. Most fabric stores have a specific sample policy which they will ask that you adhere to because you are sampling their inventory and cut after cut slowly but surely costs the store money which raises the prices for you. So sample lightly! Here are three sample policies from around the Atlanta area.
1. Samples have been cut and are provided on a safety pin attached to the bolt.
2. You can obtain a pair of fabric scissors from the desk and cut your own samples. When doing this make sure the sample is smaller than a dollar bill.
3. A store representative will cut the sample for you.
Keep in mind that more expensive fabrics, such as silks, will require a store representative to assist you or have samples already available.
After learning about the stores sample policy, you must then determine how the store is organized. You may also want to ask someone from the desk about this when you are inquiring about sampling. Most likely you will find the fabrics have been organized in one of the following ways.
1. By Color: Solids and patterns of the same color will be grouped together.
2. By Pattern: Solids will be separated from stripes without regard to color, etc.
3. By Fabric Type: Silks will be separated from chenilles, etc.
Once you have determined the layout of the store, pull out your accessories and color chips and begin your search. There will be an overwhelming amount of fabric from which to choose. Do not let that intimidate you. Once you have chosen your color, material or pattern of choice, begin looking in the appropriate section. Decide what attracts you to particular fabrics. What is the most important thing in making your decision? Is your room in need of glamour, or do you need a sturdy, durable weave to withstand the children? In general, lighter weight fabrics will be less durable that weighty fabrics. When selecting a fabric, also pay attention to the weave. Is it dense? The denser a fabric is, the more durable it is. Thick and tightly woven fabrics are great for the years when you are raising a family, while silks add glamour and are far more delicate and difficult to clean.
Whatever your goal in selecting fabrics, you can be sure that you will find the perfect one at a local fabric store. Surprisingly, they are very reasonably priced and you can take your selection home with you the same day. You will love your reupholstered furniture all the more because you selected the material on your own. Have fun shopping for fabric. It will bring out the designer in you.
The first thing that you need to do is make a list of the furniture that you would like to recover. Have an upholsterer visit your home and give you measurements for all of the pieces you would like to have recovered; they should happily do this in anticipation of the business it will bring them. Typically, you will be given a measurement in yards. This is the number you will want to take with you to the fabric store because, upon finding the perfect material, a store representative will ask how many yards you would like to have cut from the bolt.
Next, you will want to take some small things from home, that will give you an idea of the color for which you are looking. You might have a favorite accessory that would assist you in matching fabrics to your room. One helpful tip is to take color chips from the paint store with you. These can easily be taken in your tote bag and will be invaluable in selecting your fabric.
Make a game plan as to how you navigate the stores. Most fabric stores have a very deliberate way that they organize their bolts. A particular arrangement is the store’s method of enriching a customer’s experience for them. Upon arriving at the store ask about the store’s sample policy. Most fabric stores have a specific sample policy which they will ask that you adhere to because you are sampling their inventory and cut after cut slowly but surely costs the store money which raises the prices for you. So sample lightly! Here are three sample policies from around the Atlanta area.
1. Samples have been cut and are provided on a safety pin attached to the bolt.
2. You can obtain a pair of fabric scissors from the desk and cut your own samples. When doing this make sure the sample is smaller than a dollar bill.
3. A store representative will cut the sample for you.
Keep in mind that more expensive fabrics, such as silks, will require a store representative to assist you or have samples already available.
After learning about the stores sample policy, you must then determine how the store is organized. You may also want to ask someone from the desk about this when you are inquiring about sampling. Most likely you will find the fabrics have been organized in one of the following ways.
1. By Color: Solids and patterns of the same color will be grouped together.
2. By Pattern: Solids will be separated from stripes without regard to color, etc.
3. By Fabric Type: Silks will be separated from chenilles, etc.
Once you have determined the layout of the store, pull out your accessories and color chips and begin your search. There will be an overwhelming amount of fabric from which to choose. Do not let that intimidate you. Once you have chosen your color, material or pattern of choice, begin looking in the appropriate section. Decide what attracts you to particular fabrics. What is the most important thing in making your decision? Is your room in need of glamour, or do you need a sturdy, durable weave to withstand the children? In general, lighter weight fabrics will be less durable that weighty fabrics. When selecting a fabric, also pay attention to the weave. Is it dense? The denser a fabric is, the more durable it is. Thick and tightly woven fabrics are great for the years when you are raising a family, while silks add glamour and are far more delicate and difficult to clean.
Whatever your goal in selecting fabrics, you can be sure that you will find the perfect one at a local fabric store. Surprisingly, they are very reasonably priced and you can take your selection home with you the same day. You will love your reupholstered furniture all the more because you selected the material on your own. Have fun shopping for fabric. It will bring out the designer in you.
Using Data Loggers to Document Temperature
Data Loggers
A temperature or temperature/RH data logger with an LCD display like the ThermaViewer is vital for anyone who needs to monitor and document temperature. The ThermaViewer performs the following functions:
1. Meets accreditation and customer requirements: FDA, ISO 17025, JCAHO
2. 24/7 Alarming provides an early warning for out-of-spec temperature conditions which triggers an auto dialer and local alarm .
3. Bullet proof data storage (you never lose data!): Each data logger stores a complete copy of the records in its battery backed up RAM memory.
4. Immunity to power outages: Each data logger has two batteries to protect your data from power outages. A nine-volt DC battery and a smaller button cell battery.
5. Easy Installation: The ThermaViewer is easy enough for a 12 year old to install and use. It immediately begins to collect data when power is supplied. You can set the date and time and the display parameters in just a few seconds with the help of the Care and Use guide.
The most accurate and least expensive way to document temperature is with a data logger like the ThermaViewer. Data loggers come with or without an LCD display. A display is very useful because you can see the temperature history at any time without having to first download it into a computer. Data loggers without a display must be programmed by wiring them up to a computer.
Data loggers are programmed to sample and document temperature electronically. They collect data constantly and can be downloaded to a computer to generate a printed record to be reviewed or filed away.
The initial cost is not only less than a chart recorder. It last for years has no moving parts, requires no paper, pens or ongoing maintenance.
A temperature or temperature/RH data logger with an LCD display like the ThermaViewer is vital for anyone who needs to monitor and document temperature. The ThermaViewer performs the following functions:
1. Meets accreditation and customer requirements: FDA, ISO 17025, JCAHO
2. 24/7 Alarming provides an early warning for out-of-spec temperature conditions which triggers an auto dialer and local alarm .
3. Bullet proof data storage (you never lose data!): Each data logger stores a complete copy of the records in its battery backed up RAM memory.
4. Immunity to power outages: Each data logger has two batteries to protect your data from power outages. A nine-volt DC battery and a smaller button cell battery.
5. Easy Installation: The ThermaViewer is easy enough for a 12 year old to install and use. It immediately begins to collect data when power is supplied. You can set the date and time and the display parameters in just a few seconds with the help of the Care and Use guide.
The most accurate and least expensive way to document temperature is with a data logger like the ThermaViewer. Data loggers come with or without an LCD display. A display is very useful because you can see the temperature history at any time without having to first download it into a computer. Data loggers without a display must be programmed by wiring them up to a computer.
Data loggers are programmed to sample and document temperature electronically. They collect data constantly and can be downloaded to a computer to generate a printed record to be reviewed or filed away.
The initial cost is not only less than a chart recorder. It last for years has no moving parts, requires no paper, pens or ongoing maintenance.
Traffic Mapping For Your Mobile Phone
In late July, Google announced that it will be offering live traffic information to mobile phones in more than thirty U.S. cities. Plans to provide the traffic feature to PCs are still in the works. The Google traffic feature will be released as an update to the free Google Maps for Mobile service, which has been available for 18 months for download on the Google web site. Google would not disclose how many subscribers it has, but it says the number is growing rapidly.
The feature expands Google's mapping technology into an area where Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo already have a presence, but in different ways. Yahoo and Microsoft offer real-time traffic information on their Web-based mapping services for PCs. Microsoft has chosen to move into the mobile “space” by licensing traffic-monitoring technology for mobile devices to a Kirkland-based startup, InRix Inc. Yahoo currently has no mobile traffic service. MapQuest, an AOL property, offers traffic reports over cell phones for $2.99 per month.
With typical bombast, Microsoft announced that when operable, the InRix mobile service will actually predict upcoming traffic problems – however currently the MSN mobile mapping technology provides no traffic information at all.
In the cities where it works, the Google feature will show traffic conditions on most major highways - indicating green for clear roadways, yellow for medium congestion and red for high congestion or stopped traffic. Google Maps will work on most Java-enabled phones offered by Cingular and Sprint and all color BlackBerry devices. The service does not currently work on phones from other major carriers such as Verizon or T-Mobile USA. Google Maps sends the data – obtained from an undisclosed source - every five minutes.
Although Google's free service doesn't identify traffic hazards or accidents, it will let drivers know if there is a clogged road. Google also shows the expected drive time for a route when phone users search for driving directions. It has introduced a feature that lets users save their favorite locations and frequently used driving directions for future use.
The three search engines are not alone, however. In February, Rand McNally Traffic began offering a downloadable mobile application that delivers news of real-time traffic flow, accidents, weather conditions and road closures to 94 cities. Rand McNally Traffic is available on Sprint, Nextel, AT&T Wireless and other services for $3.99 a month.
Media giant Clear Channel Communications' Total Traffic Network feeds content in 125 markets in the country to 15 services. One of them provides the information to subscribers with Sprint mobile phones for a $9.99 monthly subscription. That service is relatively new. In addition to weather conditions and traffic information, the service also provides data on gas station prices.
Cell phones are rapidly turning into GPS devices, with localized information as an added feature. It remains to be seen how many people will turn to their cell phone screens for traffic news, one eye on the road and another on the phone. In some states and several local jurisdictions, it is already illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Some of these jurisdictions allow hands free use, but that won’t help with a visual feature. It will be interesting to see if this new functionality is limited by governmental concern over safe driving habits.
The feature expands Google's mapping technology into an area where Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo already have a presence, but in different ways. Yahoo and Microsoft offer real-time traffic information on their Web-based mapping services for PCs. Microsoft has chosen to move into the mobile “space” by licensing traffic-monitoring technology for mobile devices to a Kirkland-based startup, InRix Inc. Yahoo currently has no mobile traffic service. MapQuest, an AOL property, offers traffic reports over cell phones for $2.99 per month.
With typical bombast, Microsoft announced that when operable, the InRix mobile service will actually predict upcoming traffic problems – however currently the MSN mobile mapping technology provides no traffic information at all.
In the cities where it works, the Google feature will show traffic conditions on most major highways - indicating green for clear roadways, yellow for medium congestion and red for high congestion or stopped traffic. Google Maps will work on most Java-enabled phones offered by Cingular and Sprint and all color BlackBerry devices. The service does not currently work on phones from other major carriers such as Verizon or T-Mobile USA. Google Maps sends the data – obtained from an undisclosed source - every five minutes.
Although Google's free service doesn't identify traffic hazards or accidents, it will let drivers know if there is a clogged road. Google also shows the expected drive time for a route when phone users search for driving directions. It has introduced a feature that lets users save their favorite locations and frequently used driving directions for future use.
The three search engines are not alone, however. In February, Rand McNally Traffic began offering a downloadable mobile application that delivers news of real-time traffic flow, accidents, weather conditions and road closures to 94 cities. Rand McNally Traffic is available on Sprint, Nextel, AT&T Wireless and other services for $3.99 a month.
Media giant Clear Channel Communications' Total Traffic Network feeds content in 125 markets in the country to 15 services. One of them provides the information to subscribers with Sprint mobile phones for a $9.99 monthly subscription. That service is relatively new. In addition to weather conditions and traffic information, the service also provides data on gas station prices.
Cell phones are rapidly turning into GPS devices, with localized information as an added feature. It remains to be seen how many people will turn to their cell phone screens for traffic news, one eye on the road and another on the phone. In some states and several local jurisdictions, it is already illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Some of these jurisdictions allow hands free use, but that won’t help with a visual feature. It will be interesting to see if this new functionality is limited by governmental concern over safe driving habits.
Traffic Mapping For Your Mobile Phone
In late July, Google announced that it will be offering live traffic information to mobile phones in more than thirty U.S. cities. Plans to provide the traffic feature to PCs are still in the works. The Google traffic feature will be released as an update to the free Google Maps for Mobile service, which has been available for 18 months for download on the Google web site. Google would not disclose how many subscribers it has, but it says the number is growing rapidly.
The feature expands Google's mapping technology into an area where Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo already have a presence, but in different ways. Yahoo and Microsoft offer real-time traffic information on their Web-based mapping services for PCs. Microsoft has chosen to move into the mobile “space” by licensing traffic-monitoring technology for mobile devices to a Kirkland-based startup, InRix Inc. Yahoo currently has no mobile traffic service. MapQuest, an AOL property, offers traffic reports over cell phones for $2.99 per month.
With typical bombast, Microsoft announced that when operable, the InRix mobile service will actually predict upcoming traffic problems – however currently the MSN mobile mapping technology provides no traffic information at all.
In the cities where it works, the Google feature will show traffic conditions on most major highways - indicating green for clear roadways, yellow for medium congestion and red for high congestion or stopped traffic. Google Maps will work on most Java-enabled phones offered by Cingular and Sprint and all color BlackBerry devices. The service does not currently work on phones from other major carriers such as Verizon or T-Mobile USA. Google Maps sends the data – obtained from an undisclosed source - every five minutes.
Although Google's free service doesn't identify traffic hazards or accidents, it will let drivers know if there is a clogged road. Google also shows the expected drive time for a route when phone users search for driving directions. It has introduced a feature that lets users save their favorite locations and frequently used driving directions for future use.
The three search engines are not alone, however. In February, Rand McNally Traffic began offering a downloadable mobile application that delivers news of real-time traffic flow, accidents, weather conditions and road closures to 94 cities. Rand McNally Traffic is available on Sprint, Nextel, AT&T Wireless and other services for $3.99 a month.
Media giant Clear Channel Communications' Total Traffic Network feeds content in 125 markets in the country to 15 services. One of them provides the information to subscribers with Sprint mobile phones for a $9.99 monthly subscription. That service is relatively new. In addition to weather conditions and traffic information, the service also provides data on gas station prices.
Cell phones are rapidly turning into GPS devices, with localized information as an added feature. It remains to be seen how many people will turn to their cell phone screens for traffic news, one eye on the road and another on the phone. In some states and several local jurisdictions, it is already illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Some of these jurisdictions allow hands free use, but that won’t help with a visual feature. It will be interesting to see if this new functionality is limited by governmental concern over safe driving habits.
The feature expands Google's mapping technology into an area where Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo already have a presence, but in different ways. Yahoo and Microsoft offer real-time traffic information on their Web-based mapping services for PCs. Microsoft has chosen to move into the mobile “space” by licensing traffic-monitoring technology for mobile devices to a Kirkland-based startup, InRix Inc. Yahoo currently has no mobile traffic service. MapQuest, an AOL property, offers traffic reports over cell phones for $2.99 per month.
With typical bombast, Microsoft announced that when operable, the InRix mobile service will actually predict upcoming traffic problems – however currently the MSN mobile mapping technology provides no traffic information at all.
In the cities where it works, the Google feature will show traffic conditions on most major highways - indicating green for clear roadways, yellow for medium congestion and red for high congestion or stopped traffic. Google Maps will work on most Java-enabled phones offered by Cingular and Sprint and all color BlackBerry devices. The service does not currently work on phones from other major carriers such as Verizon or T-Mobile USA. Google Maps sends the data – obtained from an undisclosed source - every five minutes.
Although Google's free service doesn't identify traffic hazards or accidents, it will let drivers know if there is a clogged road. Google also shows the expected drive time for a route when phone users search for driving directions. It has introduced a feature that lets users save their favorite locations and frequently used driving directions for future use.
The three search engines are not alone, however. In February, Rand McNally Traffic began offering a downloadable mobile application that delivers news of real-time traffic flow, accidents, weather conditions and road closures to 94 cities. Rand McNally Traffic is available on Sprint, Nextel, AT&T Wireless and other services for $3.99 a month.
Media giant Clear Channel Communications' Total Traffic Network feeds content in 125 markets in the country to 15 services. One of them provides the information to subscribers with Sprint mobile phones for a $9.99 monthly subscription. That service is relatively new. In addition to weather conditions and traffic information, the service also provides data on gas station prices.
Cell phones are rapidly turning into GPS devices, with localized information as an added feature. It remains to be seen how many people will turn to their cell phone screens for traffic news, one eye on the road and another on the phone. In some states and several local jurisdictions, it is already illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Some of these jurisdictions allow hands free use, but that won’t help with a visual feature. It will be interesting to see if this new functionality is limited by governmental concern over safe driving habits.
Buying a Projection Screen
Buying a projection screen is just like any other purchase you will make. You will have many options available to you, and then you will have to make a decision as to which one will best suit your needs. As you are shopping for a projection screen, there are a few details that you can keep in mind in order to make the experience more enjoyable.
First off, you will want to decide what type of screen you want. There are several different screen types to choose from, and by doing your research you will be able to determine which one best suits your needs.
After you know what you want, the next thing to do is shop around. Do not ever buy the first projection screen that you come across. If you do this, you may be wasting hundreds of dollars. When you shop around you will give yourself the best chance of finding the screen that will match both your budget and your needs.
Finally, make sure that all of your questions are answered before you make a final decision. In other words, you cannot make a buying decision if you do not know what you are getting. By not having your questions answered up front, you may be in for a few surprises and problems down the road.
Buying a projection screen can be done in a short amount of time if you follow the steps listed above. As long as you know what you are getting, and avoid making a snap decision, you will get the projection screen that you want.
First off, you will want to decide what type of screen you want. There are several different screen types to choose from, and by doing your research you will be able to determine which one best suits your needs.
After you know what you want, the next thing to do is shop around. Do not ever buy the first projection screen that you come across. If you do this, you may be wasting hundreds of dollars. When you shop around you will give yourself the best chance of finding the screen that will match both your budget and your needs.
Finally, make sure that all of your questions are answered before you make a final decision. In other words, you cannot make a buying decision if you do not know what you are getting. By not having your questions answered up front, you may be in for a few surprises and problems down the road.
Buying a projection screen can be done in a short amount of time if you follow the steps listed above. As long as you know what you are getting, and avoid making a snap decision, you will get the projection screen that you want.
Kubotan for Self Defense
My first experience with a Kubotan made me a true believer in their effectiveness.
It was an autumn day about 5 years ago when I was walking home from a local softball game. I was approached by a rather large man who asked me for a light for his cigarette, when I said “I don’t have one” he grabbed my arm and said “then how about your money”. I reached into my pocket but instead of money, I pulled out my Kubotan and jammed the end hard into his forearm.
As he pulled away screaming in pain, I wrapped my fist around the Kubotan and prepared to punch him in the face, but it never came to that because he backed away saying “I was only joking” to which I replied “if that’s your idea of a joke, don’t quit your day job”.
The Kubotan was originally introduced by Grandmaster Takayuki Kubota.
Its popularity began in the mid-1970s when Grandmaster Kubota brought the weapon to the attention of the LAPD and began teaching officers how to effectively use the Kubotan to subdue unruly suspects.
The Kubotan gradually expanded toward civilian self-defense application and is now one of the most popular and widely carried self-defense tools around.
The Kubotan is often seen as an oversized key ring ornament.
The end of the Kubotan is a very effective pressure point weapon that can attack any point a finger can, but with greater effectiveness.
If someone grabs you from behind, you can jam the end of the Kubotan into their hand or forearm causing instant pain to your attacker.
The principal targets for use in self-defense are boney parts, such as forearms, back of hand, shins, or even the rib cage, but no matter where a person gets hit, it’s likely to hurt quite a bit.
The Kubotan can also be used to stabilize your fist for punching.
Kubotans are highly accessible, extremely durable, effective self-defense weapons. The Kubotans are 5 inches long and made of aluminum. They come in various colors and have either pointed or flat tips.
Kubotans are considered non lethal and are legal in most states, but as with any self defense weapons, you should check the legality of Kubotans in your own area.
And as with any weapon, they are intended for self-defense purposes only. If you were to attack someone unprovoked with a Kubotan you would still be guilty of a felonious assault.
It was an autumn day about 5 years ago when I was walking home from a local softball game. I was approached by a rather large man who asked me for a light for his cigarette, when I said “I don’t have one” he grabbed my arm and said “then how about your money”. I reached into my pocket but instead of money, I pulled out my Kubotan and jammed the end hard into his forearm.
As he pulled away screaming in pain, I wrapped my fist around the Kubotan and prepared to punch him in the face, but it never came to that because he backed away saying “I was only joking” to which I replied “if that’s your idea of a joke, don’t quit your day job”.
The Kubotan was originally introduced by Grandmaster Takayuki Kubota.
Its popularity began in the mid-1970s when Grandmaster Kubota brought the weapon to the attention of the LAPD and began teaching officers how to effectively use the Kubotan to subdue unruly suspects.
The Kubotan gradually expanded toward civilian self-defense application and is now one of the most popular and widely carried self-defense tools around.
The Kubotan is often seen as an oversized key ring ornament.
The end of the Kubotan is a very effective pressure point weapon that can attack any point a finger can, but with greater effectiveness.
If someone grabs you from behind, you can jam the end of the Kubotan into their hand or forearm causing instant pain to your attacker.
The principal targets for use in self-defense are boney parts, such as forearms, back of hand, shins, or even the rib cage, but no matter where a person gets hit, it’s likely to hurt quite a bit.
The Kubotan can also be used to stabilize your fist for punching.
Kubotans are highly accessible, extremely durable, effective self-defense weapons. The Kubotans are 5 inches long and made of aluminum. They come in various colors and have either pointed or flat tips.
Kubotans are considered non lethal and are legal in most states, but as with any self defense weapons, you should check the legality of Kubotans in your own area.
And as with any weapon, they are intended for self-defense purposes only. If you were to attack someone unprovoked with a Kubotan you would still be guilty of a felonious assault.
Are Hidden Cameras Watching You Right Now
I was enjoying a meal with my wife the other day at a local restaurant. After we ate, we decided to sit at the bar and have a drink while watching the local band play a few numbers. As I looked around at the small crowd of people, I couldn’t help but wonder if there were any hidden surveillance cameras in the bar. (Being in the hidden camera industry, I tend to be a little paranoid about being watched)
But this time my paranoia was justified. As I glanced over at the display of liquor bottles on the shelf, there it was, a dark bottle of wine with a small hole not much bigger than a pencil eraser right in the side of the bottle.
I leaned forward and gave a little smile, then I waved, and then I stuck my tongue out at the bottle. After a few minutes of my peculiar behavior, the manager came over to ask me if I was O.K. When I explained that I was just showing off for the camera, he seemed clearly surprised that I knew it was there. When I explained what I did for a living, he gave me a perceptive nod of his head and asked if I would please not tell anyone else about the hidden camera. “It’s there for security purposes” he said “just to keep an eye on things”. I agreed not to let his secret out, and the free drinks he gave to my wife, and me sealed the deal. I wasn’t going to say anything.
While it was easy to spot cameras twenty or thirty years ago due to their large size, this has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Cameras have become much smaller and consume a fraction of the power that they did just a few years ago. Due to this, hidden cameras can be installed in nearly any place you can imagine.
Hidden cameras are easy to use, readily available, and the dropping prices are making them very affordable. In fact hidden cameras can be purchased, installed and operated even by the average citizen these days.
Hidden cameras are very easy to hide due to the fact that the basic unit is generally nothing more than a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) “board camera”. A board camera is a camera fully contained on a single circuit board including camera optics and all the electronics needed for generating the video signal. Board cameras range in size but on the average they are approximately 1½ X 1½ inches, which makes them very easy to hide in even the most inconspicuous places. Most of these board cameras only need an opening of about 1mm in their hiding places for complete room surveillance. From there, the video signal can be sent to the receiver and either watched in real time or recorded for later viewing, or both.
Another type of camera that has shown up more recently is based on CMOS technology. CMOS cameras are gaining ground with consumer products such as handheld devices, photo capable cell phones, and webcams.
Miniature CMOS cameras usually come as modules packaged in small plastic cases, and are about half the price of CCD cameras, less sensitive to electrical distortions and consume far less power. They can also be built much smaller than CCD cameras. CMOS cameras have disadvantages as well. CMOS cameras are not as light sensitive, which mean that the image quality is not as good under low light conditions.
Another disadvantage is the lower picture quality in general, as the individual pixels can be quite noisy. Technology is catching up with this issue though, and CMOS cameras are likely to supersede CCD cameras within the next few years.
Due to the small size of these imaging devices, they can be placed into compact everyday items such as alarm clocks, wall clocks, and even small kitchen appliances can house a hidden camera.
To make a long story short, miniature cameras are small, very small, and they can be hidden in more places than you could ever possibly imagine looking for them. So the next time you’re out at a restaurant, or in a business meeting, or even at a friend’s house, look around and ask yourself, am I being watched? Or maybe just paranoid?
But this time my paranoia was justified. As I glanced over at the display of liquor bottles on the shelf, there it was, a dark bottle of wine with a small hole not much bigger than a pencil eraser right in the side of the bottle.
I leaned forward and gave a little smile, then I waved, and then I stuck my tongue out at the bottle. After a few minutes of my peculiar behavior, the manager came over to ask me if I was O.K. When I explained that I was just showing off for the camera, he seemed clearly surprised that I knew it was there. When I explained what I did for a living, he gave me a perceptive nod of his head and asked if I would please not tell anyone else about the hidden camera. “It’s there for security purposes” he said “just to keep an eye on things”. I agreed not to let his secret out, and the free drinks he gave to my wife, and me sealed the deal. I wasn’t going to say anything.
While it was easy to spot cameras twenty or thirty years ago due to their large size, this has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Cameras have become much smaller and consume a fraction of the power that they did just a few years ago. Due to this, hidden cameras can be installed in nearly any place you can imagine.
Hidden cameras are easy to use, readily available, and the dropping prices are making them very affordable. In fact hidden cameras can be purchased, installed and operated even by the average citizen these days.
Hidden cameras are very easy to hide due to the fact that the basic unit is generally nothing more than a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) “board camera”. A board camera is a camera fully contained on a single circuit board including camera optics and all the electronics needed for generating the video signal. Board cameras range in size but on the average they are approximately 1½ X 1½ inches, which makes them very easy to hide in even the most inconspicuous places. Most of these board cameras only need an opening of about 1mm in their hiding places for complete room surveillance. From there, the video signal can be sent to the receiver and either watched in real time or recorded for later viewing, or both.
Another type of camera that has shown up more recently is based on CMOS technology. CMOS cameras are gaining ground with consumer products such as handheld devices, photo capable cell phones, and webcams.
Miniature CMOS cameras usually come as modules packaged in small plastic cases, and are about half the price of CCD cameras, less sensitive to electrical distortions and consume far less power. They can also be built much smaller than CCD cameras. CMOS cameras have disadvantages as well. CMOS cameras are not as light sensitive, which mean that the image quality is not as good under low light conditions.
Another disadvantage is the lower picture quality in general, as the individual pixels can be quite noisy. Technology is catching up with this issue though, and CMOS cameras are likely to supersede CCD cameras within the next few years.
Due to the small size of these imaging devices, they can be placed into compact everyday items such as alarm clocks, wall clocks, and even small kitchen appliances can house a hidden camera.
To make a long story short, miniature cameras are small, very small, and they can be hidden in more places than you could ever possibly imagine looking for them. So the next time you’re out at a restaurant, or in a business meeting, or even at a friend’s house, look around and ask yourself, am I being watched? Or maybe just paranoid?
Motorola Ring Tone- Milestone In Ringtone History
Literally speaking, there are not only tens but hundreds of cell phone models that are sold in the market. Sometimes, you will run out of time in choosing the best that you think will fit your needs. Dozens of manufacturers are also competing in the world of technology. Over time, new features and versions are being advertised in billboards and televisions that caught your attention.
The decision of making a choice on your cell phone is crucial although for some it is just a quick one especially for those people who can afford to change their units monthly or even weekly. The customers cannot be blamed about this attitude because in the first place, the innovative features that are being presented by the manufacturers are incomparable.
Fooling as they seem but it is indeed true. There are cell phones that are appealing to your eyes but the features are not commendable though some are on top rank when it comes to quality. One is the Nokia Manufacturer. It is known for its credibility in the different fields of cell phone technology. This is also one of the pioneering companies of cell phones.
When you try to choose one, you have to consider certain criteria. These are important determinants for you to arrive at a good choice and these include quality design, dependability, handiness and over all user satisfaction. If you are able to find all those factors in one, then you will not regret your choice.
Aside from Nokia, another brand of cell phone that marks the mind of the users and subscribers is the Motorola. Yes, it is also tested for high quality, resolution and tones. In fact, some of the clients of cell phones prefer to buy Motorola because of its quality and affordability.
Some of the regarded features of Motorola cell phones are 10-second video capture and playback, mega pixel cam with digital zoom, Led spotlight to bring more emphasis to the picture and many more. The multimedia service also allows the users to transfer data from one cell phone to another in just a flick of a finger.
Above other important features of Motorola cell phones is the ringtone. The phone is designed to have its own Media Center where the user can manage all images, voice recordings and ring tones. This is the reason why the tones are organized in the phones to a specific area.
The quality of the ringtone that you will hear from a Motorola phone is very pleasant to your ears because this is also polyphonic. There are some easy ways on how you can transfer the most recent tones in your cell phones; it can be through a direct purchase to your network or better do a free download from the Internet.
It is much better to download tones in the Net because you will not consume big amount of money. Aside from that, you can also choose your favorite version and composer of the song. It can be done with the use of your Personal computers via USB.
From the built in composers of ringtone in your old phones, Motorola now brings a milestone in ringtone history. This can be cherished and even more improved in the next generations.
There are more to come. However, let us enjoy first what we have these days.
The decision of making a choice on your cell phone is crucial although for some it is just a quick one especially for those people who can afford to change their units monthly or even weekly. The customers cannot be blamed about this attitude because in the first place, the innovative features that are being presented by the manufacturers are incomparable.
Fooling as they seem but it is indeed true. There are cell phones that are appealing to your eyes but the features are not commendable though some are on top rank when it comes to quality. One is the Nokia Manufacturer. It is known for its credibility in the different fields of cell phone technology. This is also one of the pioneering companies of cell phones.
When you try to choose one, you have to consider certain criteria. These are important determinants for you to arrive at a good choice and these include quality design, dependability, handiness and over all user satisfaction. If you are able to find all those factors in one, then you will not regret your choice.
Aside from Nokia, another brand of cell phone that marks the mind of the users and subscribers is the Motorola. Yes, it is also tested for high quality, resolution and tones. In fact, some of the clients of cell phones prefer to buy Motorola because of its quality and affordability.
Some of the regarded features of Motorola cell phones are 10-second video capture and playback, mega pixel cam with digital zoom, Led spotlight to bring more emphasis to the picture and many more. The multimedia service also allows the users to transfer data from one cell phone to another in just a flick of a finger.
Above other important features of Motorola cell phones is the ringtone. The phone is designed to have its own Media Center where the user can manage all images, voice recordings and ring tones. This is the reason why the tones are organized in the phones to a specific area.
The quality of the ringtone that you will hear from a Motorola phone is very pleasant to your ears because this is also polyphonic. There are some easy ways on how you can transfer the most recent tones in your cell phones; it can be through a direct purchase to your network or better do a free download from the Internet.
It is much better to download tones in the Net because you will not consume big amount of money. Aside from that, you can also choose your favorite version and composer of the song. It can be done with the use of your Personal computers via USB.
From the built in composers of ringtone in your old phones, Motorola now brings a milestone in ringtone history. This can be cherished and even more improved in the next generations.
There are more to come. However, let us enjoy first what we have these days.
The Nintendo Wii is NOT the Game Cube
As Nintendo chief Miyamoto says about the Wii…
‘The hardware is basically a GC. We’ve upgraded our development tools to new versions but, you can still use GC programs as they are. With that in mind, I thought we could remake GC titles for the Wii and modify them to work with the Wii remote so that they’re more fun to play.’
This statement been making its speedy journey around the web, with the predictable result.
‘i tuld u tha Wee sux0rs!’ ‘Thus proving the Wii is infact.. a repackaged gamecube’ ‘Rofl @ Nintendo’
The argument need to be split in half to avoid confusion. Lumping the two arguments together ends in a negative situation, where neither of the debating parties can influence the opposition.
Firstly, The Wii is GameCube 1.5?
Miyamoto, in his cute little ‘Wish we had an international auxillary language to stop english speaking ‘l33t’ gamers from mocking our consumers’ way, was accurate with his statement. The hardware is similar to the GameCube. WAIT! Don’t go running away just yet, for here is a word equation that will float your boat.
The Nintendo Wii hardware is similar to the Gamecube, as A gaming PC is similar to a Windows 95 word processing computer.
What! Says you, but my ‘uber el33tzo0r’ Gaming PC has 4 GB of Ram! It has 6.7 Gigahertz of processing power! THINK. Instead of thinking about the technological specifics of ‘hardware capabilities’, when the above statement is made, one is referring to the style in which hardware and software are created. The Architecture of the device.
Going out on another tangent, Nintendo would not be stupid enough to make the GameCube mistake again. The GC was not a high point for flailing Nintendo. Why now, riding on the success of the Nintendo DS, an innovative handheld device that has taken the world by storm, would Nintendo choose to release an updated version of a failure?
Wii Vs Xbox360 Vs Playstation3
To be blatantly honest, the next-gen console battle will be fought between the Xbox360, and the Playstation3. Unfortunately for Sony and Microsoft, they have launched products capable of the same types of activities, with the same types of controls and the same types of games. It’s a marketing battle to see who will triumph. But for those looking for new, innovative [ie: Not BluRay] technology with an element of fun and a totally unique experience will choose the Wii. There is nothing else on the market to compete with it.
So who would buy the Wii? Just little kids right? Nintendo has many different demographics to target. From the very young, to the very old. The DS has opened the eyes of previously video game free generations, and inspired those just entering the market, as well as gameboy fans looking for a quality handheld. Half-core gamers want something fresh. they want to play with their friends and have fun. They don’t want to shell out big bucks for a gaming system, but would be happy to pay a much lower price for entertainment.
You can not compare consoles on specifications alone. You must use implementation examples to compare things. On paper, the Playstation 3 is the strongest console. Better than the Wii, better than the Xbox360. But does it have quality games? Will there be many games? Will Sony finally be able to create a game that creates a third of the hype that Halo does? Until all consoles have been released internationally, it is futile to argue over which console is ’superior’ and which will succeed.
The Nintendo Wii is not a Game Cube. As the old saying goes, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Both are in the same general class, yet there are fundamental differences that make comparing them pointless.
‘The hardware is basically a GC. We’ve upgraded our development tools to new versions but, you can still use GC programs as they are. With that in mind, I thought we could remake GC titles for the Wii and modify them to work with the Wii remote so that they’re more fun to play.’
This statement been making its speedy journey around the web, with the predictable result.
‘i tuld u tha Wee sux0rs!’ ‘Thus proving the Wii is infact.. a repackaged gamecube’ ‘Rofl @ Nintendo’
The argument need to be split in half to avoid confusion. Lumping the two arguments together ends in a negative situation, where neither of the debating parties can influence the opposition.
Firstly, The Wii is GameCube 1.5?
Miyamoto, in his cute little ‘Wish we had an international auxillary language to stop english speaking ‘l33t’ gamers from mocking our consumers’ way, was accurate with his statement. The hardware is similar to the GameCube. WAIT! Don’t go running away just yet, for here is a word equation that will float your boat.
The Nintendo Wii hardware is similar to the Gamecube, as A gaming PC is similar to a Windows 95 word processing computer.
What! Says you, but my ‘uber el33tzo0r’ Gaming PC has 4 GB of Ram! It has 6.7 Gigahertz of processing power! THINK. Instead of thinking about the technological specifics of ‘hardware capabilities’, when the above statement is made, one is referring to the style in which hardware and software are created. The Architecture of the device.
Going out on another tangent, Nintendo would not be stupid enough to make the GameCube mistake again. The GC was not a high point for flailing Nintendo. Why now, riding on the success of the Nintendo DS, an innovative handheld device that has taken the world by storm, would Nintendo choose to release an updated version of a failure?
Wii Vs Xbox360 Vs Playstation3
To be blatantly honest, the next-gen console battle will be fought between the Xbox360, and the Playstation3. Unfortunately for Sony and Microsoft, they have launched products capable of the same types of activities, with the same types of controls and the same types of games. It’s a marketing battle to see who will triumph. But for those looking for new, innovative [ie: Not BluRay] technology with an element of fun and a totally unique experience will choose the Wii. There is nothing else on the market to compete with it.
So who would buy the Wii? Just little kids right? Nintendo has many different demographics to target. From the very young, to the very old. The DS has opened the eyes of previously video game free generations, and inspired those just entering the market, as well as gameboy fans looking for a quality handheld. Half-core gamers want something fresh. they want to play with their friends and have fun. They don’t want to shell out big bucks for a gaming system, but would be happy to pay a much lower price for entertainment.
You can not compare consoles on specifications alone. You must use implementation examples to compare things. On paper, the Playstation 3 is the strongest console. Better than the Wii, better than the Xbox360. But does it have quality games? Will there be many games? Will Sony finally be able to create a game that creates a third of the hype that Halo does? Until all consoles have been released internationally, it is futile to argue over which console is ’superior’ and which will succeed.
The Nintendo Wii is not a Game Cube. As the old saying goes, it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Both are in the same general class, yet there are fundamental differences that make comparing them pointless.
Amp'd Mobile Phones: Can Your Phone Do This?
Amp'd Mobile has phone features that are extraordinary and will meet the expections of the younger generation! Something that will being ringing in our ears will be, "Don't you wish your cell phone was hot like this?" Say good bye to live Larry King streaming video!
Amp'd Mobile is springing forward with such powerful features, that other cell phone companies will watch and learn. The most ingenuis marketing move is using viral videos. Amp'd Mobile phones will allow the use of not just listening to music, but also downloading crazy videos. The use of humor in marketing is extremely effective and is the driving force behind the success of many large corporations. When you see a person laughing at their phone, it just might be a funny video!
Amp'd Mobile cell phones will let you surf the web, play games, access sports information, download music at speeds that will make your jaw drop. Amp'd Mobile does claim to have the fastest speeds in North America! If your looking for some flashy style, that will make your friends take notice, then Amp'd Mobile will meet your desires. Be prepared for the ultimate in dazzling entertainment from Amp'd Mobile.
Let's take a quick look at Amp'd Mobiles cutting edge technology: Text and multi-media messaging support, a vivid 256k color display, EV-DO high-speed data access, a built-in camera with flash and video capture, push-to-talk/walkie-talkie functionality, and a built-in speakerphone. This has got to be the hottest high-tech candy for entertainment on earth!
Let's face it, we have become a society that is so strongly dependent on cell phone technology, that we cannot live without a cell phone. Asurion insurance is the company, that covers the Amp'd Mobile cell phones. If your phone is lost, stolen or damaged Asurion is the ultimate insurance provider. Keep in mind you will need to file a police report for lost or stolen phones.
Wireless Network Magazine said, "Amp'd Mobile brings communications to the next level by providing a smorgasbord of entertainment options to the cellular phones of their subscribers."
Imagine your out somewhere and you set your Amp'd Mobile cell phone down on a table, next thing you know it is gone! This is happening to a lot of Amp'd Mobile cell phone users and this will continue to increase. The Amp'd Mobile phones are very expensive and this makes them a desirable target for stealing.
If you have an Amp'd Mobile cell phone, do not set it down anywhere! Do not leave your cell phone in a car or lay it down in a cab seat! I have heard of cell phones being stolen out of a persons house, while entertaining friends! You may being asking yourself, "why would someone steal a cell phone?" People can use the phone and rack up thousands of minutes, so you want to contact your service provider and have it deactivated immediately. It is wise to have a back up for your cell phone contacts, just in case your cell phone is stolen.
If your phone is stolen and has a lot of personal pictures in it, then someone will be enjoying your personal life! Not to mention, your pictures could be uploaded to the internet! Again, you have to implement a strategy for protecting your cell phone. Worthless belt clips will lead to insurance claims and partying in night clubs is an easy way for someone to snatch your cell phone!
Amp'd Mobile is springing forward with such powerful features, that other cell phone companies will watch and learn. The most ingenuis marketing move is using viral videos. Amp'd Mobile phones will allow the use of not just listening to music, but also downloading crazy videos. The use of humor in marketing is extremely effective and is the driving force behind the success of many large corporations. When you see a person laughing at their phone, it just might be a funny video!
Amp'd Mobile cell phones will let you surf the web, play games, access sports information, download music at speeds that will make your jaw drop. Amp'd Mobile does claim to have the fastest speeds in North America! If your looking for some flashy style, that will make your friends take notice, then Amp'd Mobile will meet your desires. Be prepared for the ultimate in dazzling entertainment from Amp'd Mobile.
Let's take a quick look at Amp'd Mobiles cutting edge technology: Text and multi-media messaging support, a vivid 256k color display, EV-DO high-speed data access, a built-in camera with flash and video capture, push-to-talk/walkie-talkie functionality, and a built-in speakerphone. This has got to be the hottest high-tech candy for entertainment on earth!
Let's face it, we have become a society that is so strongly dependent on cell phone technology, that we cannot live without a cell phone. Asurion insurance is the company, that covers the Amp'd Mobile cell phones. If your phone is lost, stolen or damaged Asurion is the ultimate insurance provider. Keep in mind you will need to file a police report for lost or stolen phones.
Wireless Network Magazine said, "Amp'd Mobile brings communications to the next level by providing a smorgasbord of entertainment options to the cellular phones of their subscribers."
Imagine your out somewhere and you set your Amp'd Mobile cell phone down on a table, next thing you know it is gone! This is happening to a lot of Amp'd Mobile cell phone users and this will continue to increase. The Amp'd Mobile phones are very expensive and this makes them a desirable target for stealing.
If you have an Amp'd Mobile cell phone, do not set it down anywhere! Do not leave your cell phone in a car or lay it down in a cab seat! I have heard of cell phones being stolen out of a persons house, while entertaining friends! You may being asking yourself, "why would someone steal a cell phone?" People can use the phone and rack up thousands of minutes, so you want to contact your service provider and have it deactivated immediately. It is wise to have a back up for your cell phone contacts, just in case your cell phone is stolen.
If your phone is stolen and has a lot of personal pictures in it, then someone will be enjoying your personal life! Not to mention, your pictures could be uploaded to the internet! Again, you have to implement a strategy for protecting your cell phone. Worthless belt clips will lead to insurance claims and partying in night clubs is an easy way for someone to snatch your cell phone!
Shopping Survival Tips for Moms
Each month there are special days to celebrate, whether it is someone's birthday, anniversary or a major holiday. Many times the task of choosing gifts becomes Mom's responsibility.
Getting Started
It is good to organize your list if you are shopping for the holidays or several things at one time. Before you go, write suggestions on your list for the gifts you have to buy.
Making choices for individuals is sometimes the hardest part of shopping. Relating to a person's interests or hobbies can be helpful to get started. For someone who likes to use computers and laptops, buy accessories for them, such as Skype extra services. Other popular electronic gifts are Xbox and video games. Children and grandchildren will get many hours of pleasure in these activities.
Traditional gifts are always appreciated. For ladies, jewelry, perfume, and clothing accessories. If the man you know is hard to buy for, consider a gift card, luggage, gym bag or laptop bag. Gifts for the home could be decorative or ornamental, such as a water fountain for the front yard, pewter charger plates, holiday decorations, food gifts, and floral arrangements.
Before You Buy
Before shopping, take time to research products and browse the sale papers to find the best prices. As you make your list, decide on the prices you can afford for each item and stay within your budget so you don't come up short. Many times toys, electronics and computers have a wide range of prices. It might be wise to compare before you shop instead of impulsively buying the first one you see in a store. You may be able to save on one item and spend a little more on another one and stay within your budget.
More people are finding out what a convenience it can be to shop online. There you can search out products and compare brands and prices without leaving home. When shopping online, keep in mind shipping costs that will be added to the final prices. There are sites that offer discount shipping when you purchase multiple items. This could save in the final costs. Some of the best bargains are at online auctions and discount store web sites. Also, by state law you aren't charged sales taxes on purchases made outside your state.
Be Prepared
If you decide to go shopping at your favorite stores, make sure you are prepared. Have your list ready and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Start shopping early and during the week instead of waiting for the weekend. Also, buy heavy gifts last to avoid carrying them around all day and take advantage of gift-wrapping. These practical steps will make your shopping experience more enjoyable.
Getting Started
It is good to organize your list if you are shopping for the holidays or several things at one time. Before you go, write suggestions on your list for the gifts you have to buy.
Making choices for individuals is sometimes the hardest part of shopping. Relating to a person's interests or hobbies can be helpful to get started. For someone who likes to use computers and laptops, buy accessories for them, such as Skype extra services. Other popular electronic gifts are Xbox and video games. Children and grandchildren will get many hours of pleasure in these activities.
Traditional gifts are always appreciated. For ladies, jewelry, perfume, and clothing accessories. If the man you know is hard to buy for, consider a gift card, luggage, gym bag or laptop bag. Gifts for the home could be decorative or ornamental, such as a water fountain for the front yard, pewter charger plates, holiday decorations, food gifts, and floral arrangements.
Before You Buy
Before shopping, take time to research products and browse the sale papers to find the best prices. As you make your list, decide on the prices you can afford for each item and stay within your budget so you don't come up short. Many times toys, electronics and computers have a wide range of prices. It might be wise to compare before you shop instead of impulsively buying the first one you see in a store. You may be able to save on one item and spend a little more on another one and stay within your budget.
More people are finding out what a convenience it can be to shop online. There you can search out products and compare brands and prices without leaving home. When shopping online, keep in mind shipping costs that will be added to the final prices. There are sites that offer discount shipping when you purchase multiple items. This could save in the final costs. Some of the best bargains are at online auctions and discount store web sites. Also, by state law you aren't charged sales taxes on purchases made outside your state.
Be Prepared
If you decide to go shopping at your favorite stores, make sure you are prepared. Have your list ready and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Start shopping early and during the week instead of waiting for the weekend. Also, buy heavy gifts last to avoid carrying them around all day and take advantage of gift-wrapping. These practical steps will make your shopping experience more enjoyable.
Football Crazy Wall Clock
Do you know someone who is football crazy? Is your Dad a footy nut? Is your brother a soccer Fanatic? This is possibly the bestest Crimbo pressie you can make them. You can make it fit any football team of your choosing, or add an assortment of football teams. You could also adapt this idea to make a net-ball, basketball, or rugby clock.
To make a Football Crazy Wall Clock you will need...
Paint, thick card or an old grocery box, a clock mechanism and clock hands (you will find these at craft shops) and a print out of pattern of football shirts which is available at the link below.
Colour the football shirts in the team’s strip you choose. You can colour them randomly if you wish. Number each shirt 1 to 12.
To make the clock face, draw around a large dinner plate or a tea tray onto some card. An old grocery box is great. Cut out two identical circles, and glue them together so that the lines in the cards structure cross, this will give the clock face extra strength.
Once the glue is dry, paint the clock face green. Again leave to dry. With white paint, paint on a centre line through the middle of the clock face, and paint a kick off circle in the middle of the clock.
Push a pencil through the centre of the clock face ready to attach the clock mechanism. Be very careful and use the old Plasticine trick - Put a ball of Plasticine on the table, put your card on top of it where you need the hole to be, and push the pencil through the card and into the Plasticine.
Arrange the football shirts on the clock face and stick them down.
Push the clock spindle through the hole and push on the hands. The mechanism has a hole for hanging the clock on the wall.
Put a battery in the clock and set the time.
To make a Football Crazy Wall Clock you will need...
Paint, thick card or an old grocery box, a clock mechanism and clock hands (you will find these at craft shops) and a print out of pattern of football shirts which is available at the link below.
Colour the football shirts in the team’s strip you choose. You can colour them randomly if you wish. Number each shirt 1 to 12.
To make the clock face, draw around a large dinner plate or a tea tray onto some card. An old grocery box is great. Cut out two identical circles, and glue them together so that the lines in the cards structure cross, this will give the clock face extra strength.
Once the glue is dry, paint the clock face green. Again leave to dry. With white paint, paint on a centre line through the middle of the clock face, and paint a kick off circle in the middle of the clock.
Push a pencil through the centre of the clock face ready to attach the clock mechanism. Be very careful and use the old Plasticine trick - Put a ball of Plasticine on the table, put your card on top of it where you need the hole to be, and push the pencil through the card and into the Plasticine.
Arrange the football shirts on the clock face and stick them down.
Push the clock spindle through the hole and push on the hands. The mechanism has a hole for hanging the clock on the wall.
Put a battery in the clock and set the time.
Edirol R-09 Wave/MP3 Recorder Review
My Sony Hi-MD (mini disc) kicked the bucket somewhat prematurely. It chews and chews on a disc without engaging. I suppose the mechanism got mangled on one of my trans-Atlantic flights. I had to drag myself into the modern recording age and invest 300 quid in a flash recorder, AND stump up another 25 for an SD memory card. And do you know what? It was worth it.
The Edirol R-09 by Roland of seventies synthesizer fame won’t win any prizes in a beauty contest. It looks more like an electric shaver than a digital recorder - but that hasn’t stopped me falling in love with it. I’m suspicious of in-built microphones, but those silver grills on the top are pretty good - fine for journalistic notes at any rate. The plastic record and play buttons are big and chunky, but they are dead easy to use without reference to the manual. Even someone like me who is all thumbs and struggles to send a text message can use them with ease. There are buttons on the back for mono or stereo, automatic recording levels, etc. Volume controls are on the side. In other words, you can do most things without scrolling through a menu on the LCD screen. Transfer of sound onto the laptop is a doddle. You plug it into the USB and it becomes an external disc. I just open up SoundForge on my computer and start editing away. I have a 2 Gig SD card so it holds several hours of audio.
And what about the quality? It records in mp3 or WAV, the latter being uncompressed and very high quality indeed. It’s 24 bit, which is ample. You might want more bits for recoding the Boston Philharmonic, but short of that it will do for most things. I find it works best with my microphone routed into the sound mixer via the Line In. When I plugged my Sure SM58 directly into the R-09 I got a certain amount of hiss. Not much, but discernible. Perhaps the impedance does not quite match (or some such technical guff). Edirol recommend buying one of their own external condenser mics, but they would say that, wouldn’t they. I might try a transformer. I would hate to buy yet another mic for out and about interviews, but it might come to that...
The Edirol R-09 by Roland of seventies synthesizer fame won’t win any prizes in a beauty contest. It looks more like an electric shaver than a digital recorder - but that hasn’t stopped me falling in love with it. I’m suspicious of in-built microphones, but those silver grills on the top are pretty good - fine for journalistic notes at any rate. The plastic record and play buttons are big and chunky, but they are dead easy to use without reference to the manual. Even someone like me who is all thumbs and struggles to send a text message can use them with ease. There are buttons on the back for mono or stereo, automatic recording levels, etc. Volume controls are on the side. In other words, you can do most things without scrolling through a menu on the LCD screen. Transfer of sound onto the laptop is a doddle. You plug it into the USB and it becomes an external disc. I just open up SoundForge on my computer and start editing away. I have a 2 Gig SD card so it holds several hours of audio.
And what about the quality? It records in mp3 or WAV, the latter being uncompressed and very high quality indeed. It’s 24 bit, which is ample. You might want more bits for recoding the Boston Philharmonic, but short of that it will do for most things. I find it works best with my microphone routed into the sound mixer via the Line In. When I plugged my Sure SM58 directly into the R-09 I got a certain amount of hiss. Not much, but discernible. Perhaps the impedance does not quite match (or some such technical guff). Edirol recommend buying one of their own external condenser mics, but they would say that, wouldn’t they. I might try a transformer. I would hate to buy yet another mic for out and about interviews, but it might come to that...
Personal Alarm FAQ's
What is a personal alarm?
A personal alarm is a self defense device, that when activated, emits a extremely loud, high pitched, ear piercing alert.
Are all personal alarms the same?
No, most alarms are electronic and operate on batteries. Many have flashlights or strobe lights and some double as a travel alarm protecting doors of hotel rooms and motor homes. They are activated by pushing a button or removing a pin from the device and will continue to operate until the pin is re-inserted. The other type are small canisters, pressurized with an inert gas. When the button is depressed, gas escapes through the nozzle which causes a shrieking blast. This type will only continue to operate as long as the button is being depressed and there is pressurized gas remaining in the canister.
How can a personal alarm help me?
The theory is that an attacker is looking for an ' easy mark ' that will be submissive to their advances. If confronted with this sonic blast, they will become startled and disoriented. They will also become concerned about the attention they will soon be receiving and break off the attack.
How effective are personal alarms?
For the most part, personal alarms are very effective, but they are not without disadvantages. They are a passive device in that they don't actually disable the assailant. Also, the attacker may go after the alarm, in an attempt silence it and possibly injure the victim. If obtained, the device could also be disabled. Remember, for the alarm to work, it must have fresh batteries and be close at hand!
With these disadvantages, are personal alarms worthwhile ?
Without a doubt. If you use it and the attacker retreats, then the alarm has done it's job. Many people opt for passive personal alarms as their first line of defense, while maintaining a more controlling pepper spray, or stun gun as their second. The combination of both really strengthens your self defense plan.
What other uses do personal alarms have?
Personal Alarms are perfect devices for seniors and the disabled. Attaching one to a wheelchair for instance could only increase their odds of being heard in an emergency. Individuals who are uncomfortable using a defense spray or stun gun will also find value in personal alarms. During an catastrophic event such as an earthquake ; hurricane ; or avalanche, a personal alarm may prove invaluable. As mentioned above, they may also double as a travel alarm, used on doors. College students also, will find value in personal alarms by protecting their dorms while they sleep ; and protecting themselves at other times.
How loud are personal alarms?
Most personal alarms operate at an impressive 120 to 135 decibels. The list below can give you an idea how loud that is :
weakest sound heard 0 dB
normal conversation at 3-5 ft 60-70 dB
city traffic inside car 85 dB
train whistle at 500 ft. 90 dB
subway train at 200 ft. 95 dB
regular sustained exposure may cause permanent damage 90-95 dB
power mower 107 dB
power saw 110 dB
Pain begins 125 dB
air powered riveter at 4 ft. 125 dB
jet engine at 100 ft. 140 dB
loudest sound that can happen 194 dB
Are personal alarms heavy and bulky?
No, on the contrary, in recent years, as technology has improved, the weight and size of these units have decreased, while observing an increase in performance while maintaining a respectable price. Many alarms are small enough to be used as key chains. Some use a wrist strap connected to the activation pin. Others have a clip for your belt and some are even shaped like a pen and clip to your shirt pocket.
A personal alarm is a self defense device, that when activated, emits a extremely loud, high pitched, ear piercing alert.
Are all personal alarms the same?
No, most alarms are electronic and operate on batteries. Many have flashlights or strobe lights and some double as a travel alarm protecting doors of hotel rooms and motor homes. They are activated by pushing a button or removing a pin from the device and will continue to operate until the pin is re-inserted. The other type are small canisters, pressurized with an inert gas. When the button is depressed, gas escapes through the nozzle which causes a shrieking blast. This type will only continue to operate as long as the button is being depressed and there is pressurized gas remaining in the canister.
How can a personal alarm help me?
The theory is that an attacker is looking for an ' easy mark ' that will be submissive to their advances. If confronted with this sonic blast, they will become startled and disoriented. They will also become concerned about the attention they will soon be receiving and break off the attack.
How effective are personal alarms?
For the most part, personal alarms are very effective, but they are not without disadvantages. They are a passive device in that they don't actually disable the assailant. Also, the attacker may go after the alarm, in an attempt silence it and possibly injure the victim. If obtained, the device could also be disabled. Remember, for the alarm to work, it must have fresh batteries and be close at hand!
With these disadvantages, are personal alarms worthwhile ?
Without a doubt. If you use it and the attacker retreats, then the alarm has done it's job. Many people opt for passive personal alarms as their first line of defense, while maintaining a more controlling pepper spray, or stun gun as their second. The combination of both really strengthens your self defense plan.
What other uses do personal alarms have?
Personal Alarms are perfect devices for seniors and the disabled. Attaching one to a wheelchair for instance could only increase their odds of being heard in an emergency. Individuals who are uncomfortable using a defense spray or stun gun will also find value in personal alarms. During an catastrophic event such as an earthquake ; hurricane ; or avalanche, a personal alarm may prove invaluable. As mentioned above, they may also double as a travel alarm, used on doors. College students also, will find value in personal alarms by protecting their dorms while they sleep ; and protecting themselves at other times.
How loud are personal alarms?
Most personal alarms operate at an impressive 120 to 135 decibels. The list below can give you an idea how loud that is :
weakest sound heard 0 dB
normal conversation at 3-5 ft 60-70 dB
city traffic inside car 85 dB
train whistle at 500 ft. 90 dB
subway train at 200 ft. 95 dB
regular sustained exposure may cause permanent damage 90-95 dB
power mower 107 dB
power saw 110 dB
Pain begins 125 dB
air powered riveter at 4 ft. 125 dB
jet engine at 100 ft. 140 dB
loudest sound that can happen 194 dB
Are personal alarms heavy and bulky?
No, on the contrary, in recent years, as technology has improved, the weight and size of these units have decreased, while observing an increase in performance while maintaining a respectable price. Many alarms are small enough to be used as key chains. Some use a wrist strap connected to the activation pin. Others have a clip for your belt and some are even shaped like a pen and clip to your shirt pocket.
Self Defense and Stun Guns
Stun Master stun guns have been on the market for over 10 years. These personal protection devices have a proven track record, and are some of the most popular and reliable self defense devices in the world! I carried one of these devices while on assignment to some pretty hairy areas of the globe, and always felt more confident and secure knowing I was not totally defenseless. You must realize that there simply are places and situations where it is not wise to be without some type of protection. I found this especially true overseas, where lawlessness can often be the norm rather than the exception. Even in the U.S. there are many unsafe areas and environments. Carry a self defense device like the Stun Master series, might make the difference between life and death.
Folks, I am no “James Bond” believe me, so preparing for a deadly encounter with a thug is not always the foremost thing on my mind. I have always been too busy with my work in forensic entomology to give much thought or time to planning for some kind of assailant. Most of us are in situations where we are very busy with work or family to have extra time. The simplest thing for me, and perhaps you, was to educate myself about some different kinds of personal defense. I found that, with some reading, I could make myself more aware of dangerous situations, and prepare as best I could for my response to these potential threats. I researched different types of deterrents and defense weapons, and finally decided on a stun gun. These non-lethal personal defense weapons are safe to use, compact, and most importantly effective. The effectiveness of any self defense plan is the most crucial aspect of any decision to select a weapon. It is also vitally important for the user to be comfortable with whatever weapon he/she chooses. The Stun Master weapons were a perfect fit for my situation, as they are inexpensive, easy to use, and compact.
Every one of us has been in a situation where we felt threatened or out of control. Being armed with knowledge, preparedness, and a means to diffuse these situations is so crucial for every person. Stun guns are non-lethal weapons that disable an attacker without doing permanent harm. Any self defense class will teach you that evasion is the best defense. That is what a weapon like the Stun Master can do for you! Any attacker can be put on their knees with one jolt from these powerful devices. The assailant will remain helpless to do harm for 10 minutes, while you are free to make your escape and cal the authorities. It is your safety we are talking about, so do the homework and feel free to ask us any questions. Please surf our site and gather information about Stun Guns and other defense solutions. You will find the one that suits you best, and we will help in any way we can. If you need time to decide, it may be a good idea to bookmark this site so that you will have access when you need it.
Stun guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker for several minutes. The stun gun does not rely on pain for results. The energy stored in the gun is dumped into the attacker’s muscles causing them to do a great deal of work rapidly. This rapid work cycle instantly depletes the attacker’s blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid. In short, he is unable to produce energy for his muscles, and his body is unable to function properly. The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control and direct voluntary muscle movement. When the attacker’s neuromuscular system is overwhelmed and controlled by the stun gun he loses his balance. Should the attacker be touching you, the current will NOT pass to your body! Look at some of these amazing gadgets at: http://www.ento-guard.com/
Folks, I am no “James Bond” believe me, so preparing for a deadly encounter with a thug is not always the foremost thing on my mind. I have always been too busy with my work in forensic entomology to give much thought or time to planning for some kind of assailant. Most of us are in situations where we are very busy with work or family to have extra time. The simplest thing for me, and perhaps you, was to educate myself about some different kinds of personal defense. I found that, with some reading, I could make myself more aware of dangerous situations, and prepare as best I could for my response to these potential threats. I researched different types of deterrents and defense weapons, and finally decided on a stun gun. These non-lethal personal defense weapons are safe to use, compact, and most importantly effective. The effectiveness of any self defense plan is the most crucial aspect of any decision to select a weapon. It is also vitally important for the user to be comfortable with whatever weapon he/she chooses. The Stun Master weapons were a perfect fit for my situation, as they are inexpensive, easy to use, and compact.
Every one of us has been in a situation where we felt threatened or out of control. Being armed with knowledge, preparedness, and a means to diffuse these situations is so crucial for every person. Stun guns are non-lethal weapons that disable an attacker without doing permanent harm. Any self defense class will teach you that evasion is the best defense. That is what a weapon like the Stun Master can do for you! Any attacker can be put on their knees with one jolt from these powerful devices. The assailant will remain helpless to do harm for 10 minutes, while you are free to make your escape and cal the authorities. It is your safety we are talking about, so do the homework and feel free to ask us any questions. Please surf our site and gather information about Stun Guns and other defense solutions. You will find the one that suits you best, and we will help in any way we can. If you need time to decide, it may be a good idea to bookmark this site so that you will have access when you need it.
Stun guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker for several minutes. The stun gun does not rely on pain for results. The energy stored in the gun is dumped into the attacker’s muscles causing them to do a great deal of work rapidly. This rapid work cycle instantly depletes the attacker’s blood sugar by converting it to lactic acid. In short, he is unable to produce energy for his muscles, and his body is unable to function properly. The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control and direct voluntary muscle movement. When the attacker’s neuromuscular system is overwhelmed and controlled by the stun gun he loses his balance. Should the attacker be touching you, the current will NOT pass to your body! Look at some of these amazing gadgets at: http://www.ento-guard.com/
Making it Easy to Compare Cellular Plans
If you are planning to buy a brand new cell phone, there is a good chance that you will be surprised at the number of different service providers available in the today’s market.
Several years ago, only Motorola and Sprint were available to the public. Nowadays, there are many different service providers that are offering a lot of different deals. It can be overwhelming for the everyday shopper. In order to make a good decision, a buyer would need a convenient method to compare cellular plans.
I used to think that the only way to compare cellular plans would be to visit every cell phone sales booth or to transact with other authorized dealers personally. This method takes up a lot of time and I would usually stop after examining the merchandise of a couple of stores. I am well aware of the advantages of comparison shopping, but I don’t want to consume several days on the activity.
I chose to go home and find out if it is possible to compare cellular plans on the World-Wide-Web. I have no idea why I didn’t think of this idea before. After all, people can do pretty much everything on cyberspace these days, and my task wasn’t exactly an unusual one. As I had hoped, it was quite simple and easy to compare cellular plans on the Internet.
I discovered that it would be a lot simpler to go directly to a couple of different consumer-oriented sites instead of visiting each individual service provider’s website. These consumer-oriented sites enabled me to compare cellular plans from different providers all on the same page. This format makes it convenient to see which deal were the best and which deals were too damaging to my budget. After I found a suitable plan from the comparison chart, all I need to do was visit the nearest shop and order what I need.
I was able to save money on my service contract because I took time to compare cellular plans before paying for a phone. I was only required to pay for the features that I would actually use and did not get locked into a long-term deal. I was really satisfied with the cell phone plan that I was able to get. Before you buy a new cell phone or sign with a new provider, I advise you to compare cellular plans first. Doing so will give you the satisfaction of getting the best deal possible.
Several years ago, only Motorola and Sprint were available to the public. Nowadays, there are many different service providers that are offering a lot of different deals. It can be overwhelming for the everyday shopper. In order to make a good decision, a buyer would need a convenient method to compare cellular plans.
I used to think that the only way to compare cellular plans would be to visit every cell phone sales booth or to transact with other authorized dealers personally. This method takes up a lot of time and I would usually stop after examining the merchandise of a couple of stores. I am well aware of the advantages of comparison shopping, but I don’t want to consume several days on the activity.
I chose to go home and find out if it is possible to compare cellular plans on the World-Wide-Web. I have no idea why I didn’t think of this idea before. After all, people can do pretty much everything on cyberspace these days, and my task wasn’t exactly an unusual one. As I had hoped, it was quite simple and easy to compare cellular plans on the Internet.
I discovered that it would be a lot simpler to go directly to a couple of different consumer-oriented sites instead of visiting each individual service provider’s website. These consumer-oriented sites enabled me to compare cellular plans from different providers all on the same page. This format makes it convenient to see which deal were the best and which deals were too damaging to my budget. After I found a suitable plan from the comparison chart, all I need to do was visit the nearest shop and order what I need.
I was able to save money on my service contract because I took time to compare cellular plans before paying for a phone. I was only required to pay for the features that I would actually use and did not get locked into a long-term deal. I was really satisfied with the cell phone plan that I was able to get. Before you buy a new cell phone or sign with a new provider, I advise you to compare cellular plans first. Doing so will give you the satisfaction of getting the best deal possible.
Webcam Basics
Instead of just communicating over the internet with text and emoticons, people are beginning to realize just how easy and fun it is to send video clips through cyberspace. Webcam setups range from simple to complex, and increasing the complexity is only a matter of adding functionality through software, custom code and/or equipment connections.
A simple Webcam setup consists of a Digital Camera attached to your computer, usually through the USB port. The camera part of the Webcam setup is just a digital camera -- nothing out of the ordinary so far. The "Webcam" functions of the camera originate from the software. Webcam software takes a frame from the digital camera at a preset interval (for example, the software might grab a still image from the camera once every 30 seconds) and transfers it to another location for viewing.
If you're interested in using your Webcam for streaming video, you'll want a Webcam system with a high frame rate. The frame rate indicates the number of pictures the software can grab and transfer in one second. For streaming video, you need a minimum rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps), and 30 fps is optimal. To achieve high frame rates, you must necessarily have a high-speed internet connection.
Once it captures a frame, the software broadcasts the image over your Internet connection. There are several broadcast methods. Using the most common method, the software turns that image into a JPEG (compressed) file and uploads it to a web server using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). You can easily place a JPEG image onto any web page in this manner and post your webcam images on the internet.
If you don't have your own Web server or web site, you can also use your web cam to send a video email. First, launch the software that comes with the camera. Depending on the model, the process of e-mailing and recording your video messages may vary. Press Start or Record to begin the video message. Click Stop and then preview the video. You can then click E-mail or Send, which automatically opens your default e-mail program.
When sending a video e-mail, the longer the video message recorded, the bigger the attachment will be, so make sure the recipient's computer can handle the size. The recipient of the e-mail does not need special software to see your video message; they simply choose to open the attachment and the mini movie will play.
Another increasingly popular way to use your web cam is a chat session with webcams in "real time" with instant messaging (IM) programs. During an IM chat, there will be an option to start the webcam right on the screen, or under the Options or Tools menu. In Windows Messenger, for example, the words Start Camera are on the right-hand side of the screen. It is also possible to adjust the volume, window size, and video resolution with IM options. The person on the other end also needs a webcam to visually chat.
Adjust your camera's focus, point it toward your face, and most importantly, look right into the "eye" of the webcam so your friends on the other end see more than just your forehead. Keep in mind that some webcams require an additional microphone to record audio.
Don't expect terrific video quality. It's often possible to adjust the video resolution by toying with the webcam's software settings, but the higher the quality, the choppier the video frame rates will be. Webcams can also be used for remote security monitoring, but beware of hackers who could intercept your video feed and then spy on YOU. Make full use of passwords and encryption.
Brian Lee
http://www.WorldCameraVideo.com
The World's Best Brands of digital cameras, camcorders, webcams, security cameras, camera phones, photo printers, and accessories. Get yours now.
A simple Webcam setup consists of a Digital Camera attached to your computer, usually through the USB port. The camera part of the Webcam setup is just a digital camera -- nothing out of the ordinary so far. The "Webcam" functions of the camera originate from the software. Webcam software takes a frame from the digital camera at a preset interval (for example, the software might grab a still image from the camera once every 30 seconds) and transfers it to another location for viewing.
If you're interested in using your Webcam for streaming video, you'll want a Webcam system with a high frame rate. The frame rate indicates the number of pictures the software can grab and transfer in one second. For streaming video, you need a minimum rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps), and 30 fps is optimal. To achieve high frame rates, you must necessarily have a high-speed internet connection.
Once it captures a frame, the software broadcasts the image over your Internet connection. There are several broadcast methods. Using the most common method, the software turns that image into a JPEG (compressed) file and uploads it to a web server using File Transfer Protocol (FTP). You can easily place a JPEG image onto any web page in this manner and post your webcam images on the internet.
If you don't have your own Web server or web site, you can also use your web cam to send a video email. First, launch the software that comes with the camera. Depending on the model, the process of e-mailing and recording your video messages may vary. Press Start or Record to begin the video message. Click Stop and then preview the video. You can then click E-mail or Send, which automatically opens your default e-mail program.
When sending a video e-mail, the longer the video message recorded, the bigger the attachment will be, so make sure the recipient's computer can handle the size. The recipient of the e-mail does not need special software to see your video message; they simply choose to open the attachment and the mini movie will play.
Another increasingly popular way to use your web cam is a chat session with webcams in "real time" with instant messaging (IM) programs. During an IM chat, there will be an option to start the webcam right on the screen, or under the Options or Tools menu. In Windows Messenger, for example, the words Start Camera are on the right-hand side of the screen. It is also possible to adjust the volume, window size, and video resolution with IM options. The person on the other end also needs a webcam to visually chat.
Adjust your camera's focus, point it toward your face, and most importantly, look right into the "eye" of the webcam so your friends on the other end see more than just your forehead. Keep in mind that some webcams require an additional microphone to record audio.
Don't expect terrific video quality. It's often possible to adjust the video resolution by toying with the webcam's software settings, but the higher the quality, the choppier the video frame rates will be. Webcams can also be used for remote security monitoring, but beware of hackers who could intercept your video feed and then spy on YOU. Make full use of passwords and encryption.
Brian Lee
http://www.WorldCameraVideo.com
The World's Best Brands of digital cameras, camcorders, webcams, security cameras, camera phones, photo printers, and accessories. Get yours now.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Minute 10+10 Rainbow Chopped Salad for Weight Loss
You’ll get a kick out of this – watching me in my own arena, sweating bullets.
You see, my big sister, Wendy (okay, not really bigger anymore, but older – once a big sister, always a big sister to a little sister), and I were recently visiting our parents.
We both eat the same crazy way – like rabbits. So we get the stuff out for our first, second, and main course – a huge, hunkin’ salad for two – and she says to me, “Okay, Leslie, I want to see you do what you claim. Make this salad in 10 minutes.”
The challenge was on, and I was the one on the hot seat. (Big sisters are such a pain sometimes and forever bossy!)
How could I refuse? I looked at the clock and jumped into the game.
I started washing the Romaine and butter lettuce. Oh dear, where was my mother’s salad spinner. Stop the clock. Search for the spinner. I finally find it tucked away, out of reach, and lo and behold, it is a baby one. Oh, no, I’d be all day a spinnin’ those green leaves.
Start the clock. Wash, wash, wash, spin, spin, spin, and spin some more. Okay, whew, the minutes are ticking away, but the lettuce is washed and spun dry.
Next: chop the lettuce. Wait a sec. Stop the clock! I can’t find a knife with a large enough blade to quickly chop vegetables and, oh, yeah, I had forgotten – my mother doesn’t like sharp knives. Greeeeat – my only choice of weapon is a dull, kindergarten knife.
I take a deep breath. Start the clock….oh, no, is this the only cutting board my mom has – it’s too small – okay, Leslie, quit moaning (and big sister, QUIT gloating) and get to chopping - chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop.
Finally…the greens are washed, spun dry, and chopped. Now to find a large enough trough for the green bounty. Oh, dear. The frantic hunt through the cupboards is on – where, oh, where is there a bowl big enough for this gigantic salad for two. Stop the clock!
“Moooooooommmmmmyyyyyy, where is your largest bowl?”
And yes, at that point, my mother’s name went from a middle-aged woman’s “Mom” to a whiney little girl’s “Mommy.”
My mommy comes to my rescue. I smile sweetly. Glare at my sister with that big “I told you so” grin on her face. I grit my teeth on my tongue to prevent spillage of words. Start the clock.
Now to wash and chop the raw vegetables to add to the greens – darn this knife – chop, chop, chop, chop, and chop some more. Okay, whew, I throw the veggies into the lettuce to make my signature salad with 10 different vegetables, including the two kinds of lettuce and sprouts.
Voila! Done. Oh, no, I’m not – I have to find a lemon and some kind of vinegar for the dressing. Don’t bother stopping the clock – 10 minutes is long gone.
At least 45 minutes from start to finish, my smirking big sister and ever-so-humbled me sit down to a feast – we feast our bodies with the best food and feast our spirits with each other’s love, companionship, and the fun of keeping little sister in her proper place.
Okay, I totally get it. Now I know why so many of you complain about how long it takes to make a salad. Wash your greens and veggies ahead of time and keep them together in the refrigerator. Make sure you have the right tools and they are strategically located.
The recipe and instructions below were birthed from two sources: sheer exasperation and my sister’s strong “suggestion” to write down what I do to make my 10+10 signature salad.
I pass the challenge on to you. After you have practiced with all the right tools, see if you can make a 10+10 salad in 10 minutes? I promise, cross my heart, when I am home, I can and do every day.
Let me know how you do. And I would love your suggestions, helpful hints, and additions that you have incorporated into your own healthy salad-making.
Happy creating and happy eating to make your body a happy body!
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Minute 10+10 Rainbow Chopped Salad
Ingredients (Dr. Leslie’s favorites—choose 10 favorite vegetables to build your own salad)
• Lettuce (2 lettuces=2 different vegetables for “10” count): 2 kinds equivalent to 1 head (Romaine, green-leafy or red-leafy, bib, and/or butter—NOT iceberg)
• Spinach: couple of handfuls
• Sprouts (3 different sprouts=3 vegetables): alfalfa, mung bean, or mixed bean
• Red vegetables: 1 tomato, ½ red bell pepper, ¼ cup radishes, ¼ cup red onion
• Green vegetables: ½ cucumber, ½ cup green cabbage
• Purple vegetable: ½ cup purple cabbage
• White vegetable: ¼ cup cauliflower
• 1 avocado (yes! actually a fruit!)
• Other options: broccoli, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, green or orange pepper, snap peas, yellow onions
II. The “Must” Tools
• Large salad spinner—10¼” in diameter (Note: no holes in the bottom)
• Large cutting board—20¾” x 15”
• Chef’s knife (sharp) with 8” blade
• Boning knife (sharp) with straight, narrow 6” blade
• Peeler
• Large bowl (the largest of the 4 stacked Pyrex glass bowls)
• Two oversized spoons or fork and spoon for tossing
III. Directions
1. Take all ingredients out of refrigerator and wash. If possible, wash vegetables for 2 salads ahead of time so they are ready to go.
2. Using salad spinner, spin the lettuce and spinach until very dry
3. Finely chop lettuce and spinach—it’s easier to chew—and fill up a bowl large enough to contain a salad that will fill you up. (It takes time to learn how much salad is the right amount for you.)
4. Finely chop vegetables and place on top of large bed of lettuce and spinach.
5. Squeeze ½ a lemon over salad, along with a couple of shakes of balsamic vinegar (or any vinegar of choice).
6. Mix salad until the avocado coats the lettuce and vegetables very well. The salad will shrink down about 1/3.
IV. Helpful hints
Wash all green-leafy vegetables ahead of time so they are ready to go when you are ready to eat a salad.
Spin lettuce and spinach as dry as possible—they store better—and store in air-tight container.
Store all vegetables in the same area or same bag in your refrigerator so they are very accessible.
Chop green-leafy vegetables and other vegetables very finely to make chewing easier.
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Second Secret
Salad Dressing
I. Ingredients
1 huge green-leafy salad with 10 different vegetables
½ of a fresh lemon or lime
Organic balsamic vinegar (or any favorite vinegar)
(BONUS: Almost no calories in dressing and extra nutrients from the lemon or lime)
II. Directions
1. Cut one lemon or lime in half and use fingers to squeeze the juice out of the lemon or lime onto the salad.
2. Give the bottle of balsamic vinegar a few shakes over the salad for desired amount.
3. Mix very well. If an avocado has been added to the salad, the avocado coats the salad, giving it a wonderful flavor and texture.
4. Stick fork into the vegetables, insert vegetables into mouth, bite down, and chew!
5. Stop eating when your brain tells you to stop. Throw the rest away. It is more of a waste to eat more food than you need than it is to feed the garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are cheaper and easier to replace than your body—a little different perspective than the “lick-your-plate” mentality that most of us were raised with.
After eating a large salad for lunch, you will get hungry in a couple of hours because raw vegetables digest quickly. That’s what’s supposed to happen—good food goes in, moves through you relatively quickly, the nutrients become a part of you, and the waste comes out. Very simple and normal process.
After eating a large salad for lunch, I get hungry within about 2½ hours. Very easy solution to hunger…EAT!
Simple rule: eat when hungry; stop eating when your brain tells you that you are satisfied.
Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a motivational health speaker, writer and lifestyle coach. Visit Dr. Leslie at Http://DrLeslieVanRomer.com for practical direction, hope and inspiration.
You see, my big sister, Wendy (okay, not really bigger anymore, but older – once a big sister, always a big sister to a little sister), and I were recently visiting our parents.
We both eat the same crazy way – like rabbits. So we get the stuff out for our first, second, and main course – a huge, hunkin’ salad for two – and she says to me, “Okay, Leslie, I want to see you do what you claim. Make this salad in 10 minutes.”
The challenge was on, and I was the one on the hot seat. (Big sisters are such a pain sometimes and forever bossy!)
How could I refuse? I looked at the clock and jumped into the game.
I started washing the Romaine and butter lettuce. Oh dear, where was my mother’s salad spinner. Stop the clock. Search for the spinner. I finally find it tucked away, out of reach, and lo and behold, it is a baby one. Oh, no, I’d be all day a spinnin’ those green leaves.
Start the clock. Wash, wash, wash, spin, spin, spin, and spin some more. Okay, whew, the minutes are ticking away, but the lettuce is washed and spun dry.
Next: chop the lettuce. Wait a sec. Stop the clock! I can’t find a knife with a large enough blade to quickly chop vegetables and, oh, yeah, I had forgotten – my mother doesn’t like sharp knives. Greeeeat – my only choice of weapon is a dull, kindergarten knife.
I take a deep breath. Start the clock….oh, no, is this the only cutting board my mom has – it’s too small – okay, Leslie, quit moaning (and big sister, QUIT gloating) and get to chopping - chop, chop, chop, chop, chop, chop.
Finally…the greens are washed, spun dry, and chopped. Now to find a large enough trough for the green bounty. Oh, dear. The frantic hunt through the cupboards is on – where, oh, where is there a bowl big enough for this gigantic salad for two. Stop the clock!
“Moooooooommmmmmyyyyyy, where is your largest bowl?”
And yes, at that point, my mother’s name went from a middle-aged woman’s “Mom” to a whiney little girl’s “Mommy.”
My mommy comes to my rescue. I smile sweetly. Glare at my sister with that big “I told you so” grin on her face. I grit my teeth on my tongue to prevent spillage of words. Start the clock.
Now to wash and chop the raw vegetables to add to the greens – darn this knife – chop, chop, chop, chop, and chop some more. Okay, whew, I throw the veggies into the lettuce to make my signature salad with 10 different vegetables, including the two kinds of lettuce and sprouts.
Voila! Done. Oh, no, I’m not – I have to find a lemon and some kind of vinegar for the dressing. Don’t bother stopping the clock – 10 minutes is long gone.
At least 45 minutes from start to finish, my smirking big sister and ever-so-humbled me sit down to a feast – we feast our bodies with the best food and feast our spirits with each other’s love, companionship, and the fun of keeping little sister in her proper place.
Okay, I totally get it. Now I know why so many of you complain about how long it takes to make a salad. Wash your greens and veggies ahead of time and keep them together in the refrigerator. Make sure you have the right tools and they are strategically located.
The recipe and instructions below were birthed from two sources: sheer exasperation and my sister’s strong “suggestion” to write down what I do to make my 10+10 signature salad.
I pass the challenge on to you. After you have practiced with all the right tools, see if you can make a 10+10 salad in 10 minutes? I promise, cross my heart, when I am home, I can and do every day.
Let me know how you do. And I would love your suggestions, helpful hints, and additions that you have incorporated into your own healthy salad-making.
Happy creating and happy eating to make your body a happy body!
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Minute 10+10 Rainbow Chopped Salad
Ingredients (Dr. Leslie’s favorites—choose 10 favorite vegetables to build your own salad)
• Lettuce (2 lettuces=2 different vegetables for “10” count): 2 kinds equivalent to 1 head (Romaine, green-leafy or red-leafy, bib, and/or butter—NOT iceberg)
• Spinach: couple of handfuls
• Sprouts (3 different sprouts=3 vegetables): alfalfa, mung bean, or mixed bean
• Red vegetables: 1 tomato, ½ red bell pepper, ¼ cup radishes, ¼ cup red onion
• Green vegetables: ½ cucumber, ½ cup green cabbage
• Purple vegetable: ½ cup purple cabbage
• White vegetable: ¼ cup cauliflower
• 1 avocado (yes! actually a fruit!)
• Other options: broccoli, carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, green or orange pepper, snap peas, yellow onions
II. The “Must” Tools
• Large salad spinner—10¼” in diameter (Note: no holes in the bottom)
• Large cutting board—20¾” x 15”
• Chef’s knife (sharp) with 8” blade
• Boning knife (sharp) with straight, narrow 6” blade
• Peeler
• Large bowl (the largest of the 4 stacked Pyrex glass bowls)
• Two oversized spoons or fork and spoon for tossing
III. Directions
1. Take all ingredients out of refrigerator and wash. If possible, wash vegetables for 2 salads ahead of time so they are ready to go.
2. Using salad spinner, spin the lettuce and spinach until very dry
3. Finely chop lettuce and spinach—it’s easier to chew—and fill up a bowl large enough to contain a salad that will fill you up. (It takes time to learn how much salad is the right amount for you.)
4. Finely chop vegetables and place on top of large bed of lettuce and spinach.
5. Squeeze ½ a lemon over salad, along with a couple of shakes of balsamic vinegar (or any vinegar of choice).
6. Mix salad until the avocado coats the lettuce and vegetables very well. The salad will shrink down about 1/3.
IV. Helpful hints
Wash all green-leafy vegetables ahead of time so they are ready to go when you are ready to eat a salad.
Spin lettuce and spinach as dry as possible—they store better—and store in air-tight container.
Store all vegetables in the same area or same bag in your refrigerator so they are very accessible.
Chop green-leafy vegetables and other vegetables very finely to make chewing easier.
Dr. Leslie’s 10-Second Secret
Salad Dressing
I. Ingredients
1 huge green-leafy salad with 10 different vegetables
½ of a fresh lemon or lime
Organic balsamic vinegar (or any favorite vinegar)
(BONUS: Almost no calories in dressing and extra nutrients from the lemon or lime)
II. Directions
1. Cut one lemon or lime in half and use fingers to squeeze the juice out of the lemon or lime onto the salad.
2. Give the bottle of balsamic vinegar a few shakes over the salad for desired amount.
3. Mix very well. If an avocado has been added to the salad, the avocado coats the salad, giving it a wonderful flavor and texture.
4. Stick fork into the vegetables, insert vegetables into mouth, bite down, and chew!
5. Stop eating when your brain tells you to stop. Throw the rest away. It is more of a waste to eat more food than you need than it is to feed the garbage disposal. Garbage disposals are cheaper and easier to replace than your body—a little different perspective than the “lick-your-plate” mentality that most of us were raised with.
After eating a large salad for lunch, you will get hungry in a couple of hours because raw vegetables digest quickly. That’s what’s supposed to happen—good food goes in, moves through you relatively quickly, the nutrients become a part of you, and the waste comes out. Very simple and normal process.
After eating a large salad for lunch, I get hungry within about 2½ hours. Very easy solution to hunger…EAT!
Simple rule: eat when hungry; stop eating when your brain tells you that you are satisfied.
Dr. Leslie Van Romer is a motivational health speaker, writer and lifestyle coach. Visit Dr. Leslie at Http://DrLeslieVanRomer.com for practical direction, hope and inspiration.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Mommy Burnout - 6 Ways To Lose It
Feeling burnout as a Mom is very common. It does not mean that you are failing as a Mom.
It’s mostly due to the isolation that a lot of Moms face in our culture, as well as the overscheduling and overwork that a lot of us deal with.
Here are 6 things you can do to prevent burnout and treat it if it comes up.
• Find your tribe
Find a support group of like minded Moms. There are neighbors, people you worship with, family, Moms at storytime, the park, or anywhere else Moms hang out. It’s extremely important for Moms to have a social network. Talk about your feelings with someone who won’t judge you, and return the favor. Spend time with good friends, and don’t forget to nurture your relationship with your spouse.
• Set boundaries
Setting good boundaries isn’t just about limits with your kids. Boundaries are something that protect you from being overburdened with other people’s responsibilities. Learn to say no to things that don’t honor your values, and don’t overextend yourself.
• Lose the guilt
Don’t feel like you’re a bad Mom because you feel burnout from time to time. In fact, you are probably a very conscientious Mom who is neglecting her own needs! Be as forgiving and empathic with yourself as you are with your kids, and remember, when you take care of your own needs, you’re in better shape to care for your family. It’s kind of like when the flight attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first in case of emergency!
• Take care of your body
Eating poorly leads to fatigue and stress. Nurture your body with healthy foods and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which only deplete you.
Exercise is also very important because it helps you deal with stress and floods your body with endorphins, the “feel good hormones”. Don’t make excuses! Get moving for 20 minutes a day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do.
Exercise is also good for the kids because it helps them discharge excess energy that they may have from being inside too much.
Spending some time every day in the sun is also a good idea. Sunlight improves mood and helps you sleep better.
• Take a break
Nurture yourself every single day in small ways. Take a hot bath by yourself. Go outside for a few minutes and breathe deeply. Say your prayers, journal, pursue a hobby that you love.
Even if all you can do are 5 minute increments, take the time!
• Focus on what’s truly important
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself that the most important things on your to do list are your children, not the dishes or the dusty blinds. Put everything aside for 15 minutes and just play with your kids. Have fun, laugh together, spend time in nature together, and enjoy life.
The rest can wait. Kids have a way of growing up despite us. And keep hugging those babies!
It’s mostly due to the isolation that a lot of Moms face in our culture, as well as the overscheduling and overwork that a lot of us deal with.
Here are 6 things you can do to prevent burnout and treat it if it comes up.
• Find your tribe
Find a support group of like minded Moms. There are neighbors, people you worship with, family, Moms at storytime, the park, or anywhere else Moms hang out. It’s extremely important for Moms to have a social network. Talk about your feelings with someone who won’t judge you, and return the favor. Spend time with good friends, and don’t forget to nurture your relationship with your spouse.
• Set boundaries
Setting good boundaries isn’t just about limits with your kids. Boundaries are something that protect you from being overburdened with other people’s responsibilities. Learn to say no to things that don’t honor your values, and don’t overextend yourself.
• Lose the guilt
Don’t feel like you’re a bad Mom because you feel burnout from time to time. In fact, you are probably a very conscientious Mom who is neglecting her own needs! Be as forgiving and empathic with yourself as you are with your kids, and remember, when you take care of your own needs, you’re in better shape to care for your family. It’s kind of like when the flight attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first in case of emergency!
• Take care of your body
Eating poorly leads to fatigue and stress. Nurture your body with healthy foods and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which only deplete you.
Exercise is also very important because it helps you deal with stress and floods your body with endorphins, the “feel good hormones”. Don’t make excuses! Get moving for 20 minutes a day. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Walking is one of the best exercises you can do.
Exercise is also good for the kids because it helps them discharge excess energy that they may have from being inside too much.
Spending some time every day in the sun is also a good idea. Sunlight improves mood and helps you sleep better.
• Take a break
Nurture yourself every single day in small ways. Take a hot bath by yourself. Go outside for a few minutes and breathe deeply. Say your prayers, journal, pursue a hobby that you love.
Even if all you can do are 5 minute increments, take the time!
• Focus on what’s truly important
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself that the most important things on your to do list are your children, not the dishes or the dusty blinds. Put everything aside for 15 minutes and just play with your kids. Have fun, laugh together, spend time in nature together, and enjoy life.
The rest can wait. Kids have a way of growing up despite us. And keep hugging those babies!
Saturday, December 02, 2006
The Mechanics of Deception Cryptography
Secret communication is nothing new. Books on the history of cryptography reveal that hidden messages date to as far back as there are records. After millennia of efforts to conceal messages, one might think that every imaginable cryptographic technique was tried long ago and is now widely known. "Not so," according to Morten St. George, author of a book on cryptic thinking.
St. George maintains that forty-two of the Nostradamus prophecies employ a unique type of cryptography that until now has never been identified, catalogued, or reused. Moreover, St. George claims that it may be the most powerful form of cryptography ever devised. Surprisingly, however, its techniques are extremely simple; it employs no complex mathematical codes or anything like that. As St. George puts it: "Its enormous strength lies in deception. If you don't know that cryptographic techniques are being employed, if you don't suspect that there is a hidden communication underneath, then you look no further than what's on the surface and the real meaning forever evades you." St. George calls it "deception cryptography."
To illustrate deception cryptography and its techniques, I will return to the "historical secrets" of an earlier article to show how those secrets were uncovered. In case an acknowledgment box for this article doesn't appear in all places, I am inserting here an opportunity to thank Morten St. George for this follow-up interview, for technical assistance, and for permission to derive material from his cryptic thinking book. Note that the book's analysis often spans many pages and in a paragraph or two I can only hope to point to the key elements.
*** Napoleon Bonaparte was murdered on his island of captivity by poison in the wine, instigated by a woman enraged over the defeat of his army in 1813.
St. George informs me that countless Nostradamians have meticulously examined each and every stanza looking for tie-ins with Napoleon, and in the end they believe they found dozens of stanzas that apply to Napoleon. St. George observes that there are only two stanzas that really do apply to Napoleon, and to his knowledge, no Nostradamian has ever found either one of them.
The stanza that deals with Napoleon's death is numbered VIII-13. There, the road to Napoleon lies in the first few words of the third verse: "Army to a thousand years." You need a number for adding a thousand years, but internally this stanza has no numbers. You are therefore forced to resort to the stanza number, VIII-13, or 813, producing the year 1813. The army of 1813 was one of the most famous in all of history, Napoleon's Grandee Armee. In 1813, in the aftermath of its retreat from Russia, that great army wholly disintegrated. In the last verse, the poison drink (inferred from elsewhere to be wine) kills two people. The second person was Napoleon's bodyguard.
Often, the prophecies affirm a theme elsewhere. In VIII-13, the affirmation lies in the second verse that invokes Greek mythology, a classic myth of betrayal, referring to the hero Bellerophon by name. Bellerophon was the name of the English ship that took Napoleon into captivity.
*** President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a group of conspirators led by his vice-president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Officially accused by the Warren Commission, Lee Harvey Oswald was completely innocent since the bullets that killed Kennedy were fired from a rooftop, not from an open window.
St. George derives this from the stanza numbered VI-37. "From a rooftop, evil ruin... Innocent of the act, after his death, he shall be accused." Then comes the all-critical final verse, beginning "The guilty one hidden." According to St. George, "hidden" is a magical word in the prophecies. You have to take it literally. The name of the guilty one is hidden in the French words that follow: "taillis" to the "bruyne." Symbolic of the death of a Roman Catholic (Kennedy) would be the Latin cross, so that's what you have to create. Put "taillis" directly on top of "bruyne." For the left side of the cross, bring down the three letters "B", "A", and "I". For the right side of the cross, bring down the three letters "N", "E", and "S". That spells out "Baines." Now looking at the middle of the cross, up on top, we see the letters "LY". Four letters have to be invented to complete the central shaft on the bottom end. The guilty one: LYndon BAINES.
*** The JFK conspirators were also behind the assassination of Kennedy's brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, several years later.
The answer here lies in stanza VI-11. This stanza begins by talking about a family with seven children, retroactively clarifying that the children at that time consisted of four sisters and three brothers, of which the oldest two will be surprised by death. The last two verses read: to kill the two brothers (an instance of grammatical deception) they shall be seduced; the conspirators shall pass away in their sleep. It's clear: these conspirators killed both Kennedy brothers, and since the conspirators died of natural causes, we can infer that they got away with it.
In The Mechanics of Deception Cryptography - Part II, I plan to show how deception cryptography ingeniously conveys information about the assassination of Martin Luther King, the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, and other secrets. At this point, I took a break from the technical stuff to ask Morten St. George if he can foresee future events in the prophecies.
Unfortunately, St. George answered in the negative. He says that beyond the inherent obscurity of deception cryptography, future events are rarely envisioned, and if you can't envision it, you can't predict it, no matter how clear or unclear the wording might be. St. George gave me a couple of examples, "Can you envision before the event that a phrase like "dead alive like a stump" could be alluding to Ronald Reagan's brain-dead Press Secretary? But after the event you can see it. Or can you envision before the event that a phrase like "from the sky shall come a great king of terror" could be alluding to hijacked airplanes on a terror mission? Only after the event it makes sense."
St. George continued: "For sure, anyone can use the prophecies to make predictions but that doesn't mean they will come true. I have a good one for you, a natural disaster beyond human manipulation: Earthquake Strikes in December 2006. It could be an earthquake in the North Atlantic, with tidal wave reaching London, or it could be an earthquake that hits the Greek city of Corinth. Mind you, the stanzas in question were already spectacularly successful for past events, and normally there would be no expectation of a second application. But here there is. I see a danger of failure, not of prophecy, but of one of the fundamental ciphers of deception cryptography. The prophecies do not fail."
Deception cryptography clearly has its weaknesses, and also a few unusual strengths, on which I plan to expand next time.
St. George maintains that forty-two of the Nostradamus prophecies employ a unique type of cryptography that until now has never been identified, catalogued, or reused. Moreover, St. George claims that it may be the most powerful form of cryptography ever devised. Surprisingly, however, its techniques are extremely simple; it employs no complex mathematical codes or anything like that. As St. George puts it: "Its enormous strength lies in deception. If you don't know that cryptographic techniques are being employed, if you don't suspect that there is a hidden communication underneath, then you look no further than what's on the surface and the real meaning forever evades you." St. George calls it "deception cryptography."
To illustrate deception cryptography and its techniques, I will return to the "historical secrets" of an earlier article to show how those secrets were uncovered. In case an acknowledgment box for this article doesn't appear in all places, I am inserting here an opportunity to thank Morten St. George for this follow-up interview, for technical assistance, and for permission to derive material from his cryptic thinking book. Note that the book's analysis often spans many pages and in a paragraph or two I can only hope to point to the key elements.
*** Napoleon Bonaparte was murdered on his island of captivity by poison in the wine, instigated by a woman enraged over the defeat of his army in 1813.
St. George informs me that countless Nostradamians have meticulously examined each and every stanza looking for tie-ins with Napoleon, and in the end they believe they found dozens of stanzas that apply to Napoleon. St. George observes that there are only two stanzas that really do apply to Napoleon, and to his knowledge, no Nostradamian has ever found either one of them.
The stanza that deals with Napoleon's death is numbered VIII-13. There, the road to Napoleon lies in the first few words of the third verse: "Army to a thousand years." You need a number for adding a thousand years, but internally this stanza has no numbers. You are therefore forced to resort to the stanza number, VIII-13, or 813, producing the year 1813. The army of 1813 was one of the most famous in all of history, Napoleon's Grandee Armee. In 1813, in the aftermath of its retreat from Russia, that great army wholly disintegrated. In the last verse, the poison drink (inferred from elsewhere to be wine) kills two people. The second person was Napoleon's bodyguard.
Often, the prophecies affirm a theme elsewhere. In VIII-13, the affirmation lies in the second verse that invokes Greek mythology, a classic myth of betrayal, referring to the hero Bellerophon by name. Bellerophon was the name of the English ship that took Napoleon into captivity.
*** President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by a group of conspirators led by his vice-president, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Officially accused by the Warren Commission, Lee Harvey Oswald was completely innocent since the bullets that killed Kennedy were fired from a rooftop, not from an open window.
St. George derives this from the stanza numbered VI-37. "From a rooftop, evil ruin... Innocent of the act, after his death, he shall be accused." Then comes the all-critical final verse, beginning "The guilty one hidden." According to St. George, "hidden" is a magical word in the prophecies. You have to take it literally. The name of the guilty one is hidden in the French words that follow: "taillis" to the "bruyne." Symbolic of the death of a Roman Catholic (Kennedy) would be the Latin cross, so that's what you have to create. Put "taillis" directly on top of "bruyne." For the left side of the cross, bring down the three letters "B", "A", and "I". For the right side of the cross, bring down the three letters "N", "E", and "S". That spells out "Baines." Now looking at the middle of the cross, up on top, we see the letters "LY". Four letters have to be invented to complete the central shaft on the bottom end. The guilty one: LYndon BAINES.
*** The JFK conspirators were also behind the assassination of Kennedy's brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, several years later.
The answer here lies in stanza VI-11. This stanza begins by talking about a family with seven children, retroactively clarifying that the children at that time consisted of four sisters and three brothers, of which the oldest two will be surprised by death. The last two verses read: to kill the two brothers (an instance of grammatical deception) they shall be seduced; the conspirators shall pass away in their sleep. It's clear: these conspirators killed both Kennedy brothers, and since the conspirators died of natural causes, we can infer that they got away with it.
In The Mechanics of Deception Cryptography - Part II, I plan to show how deception cryptography ingeniously conveys information about the assassination of Martin Luther King, the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, and other secrets. At this point, I took a break from the technical stuff to ask Morten St. George if he can foresee future events in the prophecies.
Unfortunately, St. George answered in the negative. He says that beyond the inherent obscurity of deception cryptography, future events are rarely envisioned, and if you can't envision it, you can't predict it, no matter how clear or unclear the wording might be. St. George gave me a couple of examples, "Can you envision before the event that a phrase like "dead alive like a stump" could be alluding to Ronald Reagan's brain-dead Press Secretary? But after the event you can see it. Or can you envision before the event that a phrase like "from the sky shall come a great king of terror" could be alluding to hijacked airplanes on a terror mission? Only after the event it makes sense."
St. George continued: "For sure, anyone can use the prophecies to make predictions but that doesn't mean they will come true. I have a good one for you, a natural disaster beyond human manipulation: Earthquake Strikes in December 2006. It could be an earthquake in the North Atlantic, with tidal wave reaching London, or it could be an earthquake that hits the Greek city of Corinth. Mind you, the stanzas in question were already spectacularly successful for past events, and normally there would be no expectation of a second application. But here there is. I see a danger of failure, not of prophecy, but of one of the fundamental ciphers of deception cryptography. The prophecies do not fail."
Deception cryptography clearly has its weaknesses, and also a few unusual strengths, on which I plan to expand next time.
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