eternal-quest

When looking for some great fun at your next Halloween party or masquerade ball, and yes, they are still around; you can have the hottest pirate costumes fit to walk the plank on the high seas. When looking at pirate costumes, you will find pirate hats and pirate swords, pirate mustache, pirate eye patches, but also the right pirate costume just for you. Halloween is not only October 31, where kids go door to door, make Jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkin carvings, but it is also Samhain, a Celtic Holiday, All Hallow’s Day, and All Saints Day.

Many may think that they are too old to play dress up or cannot find the right costume in the right size, but that is where the world has not changed, only now you can find the costume you are looking for online. Buying online, you will find the convenience of knowing what costume will fit without ever having to step into a dressing room. Just imagine dressing up as the scandalous Jack Sparrow, or as a female version in a women’s pirate captain costume. Halloween Costumes are meant to be fun, so why not a Sexy Pirate Costume.

Piracy has been around since men first sailed the seas, and is still around today. The pirates we think of range from swashbuckling heroes to actual historical ones like Barbarossa, Blackbeard, Redbeard, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and William Kidd. There were both male and female pirates and they would all pillage and plunder to their hearts desire. The word pirate inspires by its meaning alone, “attempt, experience”, basically “to find luck on the sea”.

Piracy in the Caribbean has sparked not only the minds of young children but fictional writers, and movies as well. The infamous Jolly Roger flag and Edward England’s flag have been under the spotlight of history and Hollywood as well. Piracy reigned in the Caribbean from 1560 to the 1760s and still today, yet this was when Piracy was at an all time high. It sparked interest because of conflicts between England, Spain, the Dutch, and France. Most of the pirates of that time were of English or Dutch Origin.

Halloween, and the costumes surrounding it, gives not only children but also adults as well to be something else even if only for a few hours. It’s striking that many believe that America was the first to don Halloween costumes but masquerades and masks have been around for centuries. Halloween is also celebrated in other countries as well, including Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales.

Dressing up in a sexy Halloween costume gives you a chance to attract the opposite sex in a hot and appealing way to say trick or treat, whether you decide to hide yourself behind a mask or not. It is a time-honored tradition to celebrate a festive holiday. Halloween does not have to be scary, horrifying, or only about haunted houses. It is simply a way to dress up in theatrical costumes and have fun. Why not go as that sexy pirate and steal the heart of the one you love.

Autumn is the perfect time of the year to throw away your ordinary wardrobe and go to costume parties wearing the latest Halloween fashions. Therefore, why not have some fun while you are getting candy and other sweets wearing a risqu

Belly dancing originated from various sources which are why there are lots of theories about its origin. It is known world-wide and practiced by a lot of people.

As far as world history is concerned, Belly Dancing is among the oldest societal dances. It is believed that it originated from the Eastern Mediterranean. This is due to the fact that there are similarities in Egyptian artwork poses and modern dance.

Belly dancing have two forms that are called raqs baladi and raqs sharqi. Raqs baladi is a social dance in Lebanon and Palestine. It is performed by everyone during festivities such as weddings that are intended for celebrations and mere fun. The theatrical version of Belly dancing is the “raqs shargi”. Raqs sharqi is the most popular type of dance in the United States today. Both forms of Belly dancing can be performed with female and male dancers.

Belly dancing is a native dance that is why it is generally learned in the early stage of childhood. The children learn the dance informally by imitating and observing their elders through community and social celebrations, along with informal gatherings like most social dances. Nowadays, belly-dancing classes are offered throughout the world. Skilled dancers of this art share their knowledge that was even passed down from the indigenous people.

The real and exact origin of Belly dancing is widely debated by dance enthusiasts. Dancers who attempt to understand the origin of this dance did some research. This is because these dancers overlooked the fact that most Middle Eastern dances take place only in social backgrounds rather than going with the current glamorous and more visible background of professional dancers in nightclubs these days. There are lots of theories about the origin of belly dancing due to the misunderstandings of the people who want to learn its art. It is also regarded as a fusion of different dance styles. This is why belly dancing has many origins. Thus, most of the dance styles are derived from folk dances.

Here is a list of theories about the origin of belly dancing, according to most dancers:

1. Belly dancing originated in Greece and it spread because of Alexander the Great.

2. Belly dancing originated from a religious dance that a Temple Priestess made.

3. Belly dancing originated from the Upper Ancient Egypt through indigenous dancing.

4. Belly dancing descended from Uzbekistan and traveled to India because of the slave trade.

5. Belly dancing was spread during the Romani people’s migrations (termed as “gypsies”) and other related groups.

6. Belly dancing originated in Northwest India, particularly in Banjara of Rajasthan.

7. Bally dancing is part of a traditional birthing practice in its region or regions of origin.

From all the theories stated above, the first one is considered as the most “believed” theory. This is although the most popular theory is that it originated from a religious dance. The theory about the “birthing practice” has several movements that are incorporated in the modern “raqs sharqi”. This is because some of the movements demonstrated a type of exercise in order to ease childbirth. Thus, there are two points stated above that suggests that the so-called “Roma dance” is the origin of belly dancing. Regardless of where this dance began, it has a vast history and this eventually traveled fast around the world. It has a wide history in Africa and the Middle East as well.

The Costume

The most popular costume style include a bra or a fitted top that usually have coins or beans, along with a skirt and a fitted belt placed in the hips that have fringes of coins or beads. The skirts may be layered, paneled, circular or straight -styled. A veil is sometimes used in performing a complete dance. The veil must be four or three and a half yards in length. It is used as a part of the dance in order to frame and see the movements of the belly dancer. Egyptian belly dancers wear dresses that are fully beaded and designed according to tradition and dance. In the western world, dancers are free to choose the design of the costume according to fantasy and taste.

Dancing Techniques

The basic step of this form of dance is doing a circular motion on an isolated part of the body. An example of this is a step where in the dancer performs in a circular motion that is parallel to the ground and a body part. This is, in which, the shoulders or hips become isolated.

Belly dancing both have physical and mental benefits. Dancing alone gives a good workout to any person’s cardio-vascular muscles. This can increase the strength and flexibility focused on the “core muscles” or the torso. This form of dance also builds up leg strength. Most belly dance steps emphasize the so-called “muscular isolations” due to the fact that it teaches the ability to move different muscle groups or muscles in the body independently. The veil work can build the shoulders, arms and the general upper body system. Playing the “zils” builds independence and strength on the fingers. This form of dance is good for all body types and all age groups.

Belly dancing is now a part of the modern pop culture as well. Some pop icons of this age fused belly dancing into the modern hip-hop dancing. The Latin star Shakira has recently popularized belly dancing for she uses Latino dance along with belly dancing and modern dance. The late R&B singer Aaliyah used this form of dance as her “signature move”. Ssliyah named her dance the “belly roll” and it was featured in music videos. Some singers or performers that featured a kind of belly dancing in one of their music videos include Ciara, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Nelly Furtado. Out of all the singers that performed belly dancing on music videos, only Shakira had a professional “Belly Dance training”.

For more information on Belly Dancing please visit our website.

We use the word “commencement” to refer to graduation from high school or college. Most graduation speeches express a theme similar to the following:

“Today we are turning a page of the book of life and entering a new chapter.”

Commencement is defined in the dictionary as the beginning of something new but it is also a continuation. Rather than leading to a new chapter every graduate must realize that the learning experience, formal and informal, will continue throughout life. Lifetime learning has become a reality of the 21st Century.

It is estimated today that more information will be generated in one year than in the previous 5,000 years. The amount of new technical information is doubling every two years. By the year 2010 it is predicted that it will double every 72 hours. Perhaps the most important lesson today’s students can learn is that they will always be training and learning. For those who are starting a 4-year technical or college degree program in 2008, one-half of the information they learn in their first year of study will be outdated by their third year.

Graduation at every level (high school, technical school or college) is a great achievement but is only the beginning. Facing the reality of lifelong learning requires educators to cultivate positive attitudes toward learning. Taking mandatory classes and passing tests can result in superficial or negative motivation. Rather than the desire to learn the subject matter, the student is motivated by the fear of negative results. The likely consequence to this negative orientation is a lack of motivation to engage with course material. This experience may reinforce a feeling of incompetence and lead to poor performance in the classroom. It is probable that students in this category will shy away from lifelong learning. As educators it is our mission to turn negative motivation into a positive desire to learn.

D. Stipek in his book Motivation to Learn states the obvious - “Individuals always do best when learning is enjoyable.” Learning becomes enjoyable when students engage in learning for their own intrinsic reasons (i.e. because they want to rather than have to). Positive motivation will result when a student develops a positive feeling from mastering subject mater with challenging material. Then by internalizing achievement values the student will also engage in academic activities (mandatory courses) that may be of low interest.

How does an educator motivate his or her students to become ready for lifelong learning? There is no answer that applies to every student but it has been well established that we learn better when the subject matter relates to a real-life situation as in the following example.

The geometry teacher invited a construction engineer to speak to his class. The engineer took the class to an outdoor area. Using string and state-of-the-art surveying equipment he helped the students lay out the foundation lines for a house. This exercise reinforced the importance of calculating accurate angles i.e. geometry.

Such a real-life application of subject matter makes learning enjoyable, practical and long-lasting. The student is also introduced to a career that actually applies the subject matter to a real-life experience. The human resources available in every community are an asset to the educator and help to reinforce the relevance of subject matter.

“Commencement” is definitely a step forward but the path of learning continues. Knowing that there is always more to learn creates a positive energy and excitement as we face the challenges of the future.

Jim Leatherwood is the author of Facing the Future Together: Forming Successful School-Business Partnerships. Website: Successful School Business; E-mail: thebrookepress@aol.com.

My first post about comics as an educational aid generated an interesting response — from the managing director of Classical Comics, a comic book company in the United Kingdom. Not to be confused with Classic Comics, often teasingly referred to as a study guide for college literature classes here in the State, Classical Comics turns classical literature into high-quality visual graphic novels.

Founded two and a half years ago, Classical Comics first title was Henry the V in November, 2007, followed by the launch of a Macbeth graphic novel in February, 2008. The Macbeth title received the endorsement of Shakespearean actor, and former Star Trek, The Next Generationstar Patrick Stewart. Upcoming titles for the remainder of 2008 include: Jane Eyre, Frankenstein, and a Christmas Carol. Seven new titles are planned for 2009.

Unlike prior educational efforts, Classical Comics’ titles come in four text options: the original text of the play or novel, plain text translation, a quick text for younger readers, and, a blank text where readers may fill in the captions and bubbles. The first titles are also accompanied by detailed study guides, aimed at the British equivalent of grades kindergarten through middle school. While the titles are too new for the company to have collected readership data, the original version would be likely targeted at ninth and tenth graders with the translations to be more popular with younger readers. I will know better shortly, as the company has shipped me a box of the titles. I have been warned that it will be a very heavy box!

Classical Comics’ managing director Karen Wenborn, a marketer and self-professed avid reader said that the first titles have been well-received because of their high visual quality, substantial feel (gloss paper, much like hardbound graphic novels) and efforts to be true to the period of the story. From viewing covers for the titles at Classical Comics’ website, artwork and action are quite similar to the modern superhero genre. Wenborn pointed out that past efforts to represent classical literature in comics have faltered because the artwork had not been kept up to date; she added that while those titles are being reprinted in the original art, their largest market in the U.K is nostalgia buffs, as opposed to students and educators.

I agree with Karen that visual quality is essential for the success of these titles. Super heroes are actually “old” characters in the United States, for instance, Batman and Superman characters from the 1940’s. Spiderman, Hulk and Ironman are creations from the early 1960’s. Yet these titles succeed, not because they have been made into cartoons and movies, but because their look has been considerably freshened up to appeal to adults (who bought the titles as kids) as well as children. Characters from the 1940’s and 1960’s have had to keep up with the times, as well as technology.

A graphic novel of a classic book, by comparison, does not need to be “updated,” but artistic techniques, combined with historical research, make the story truer to the time it took place. The reader will be comparing their first exposure to these stories with movies that use computer-generated images. A plain text book with no illustrations or one of the original comics will appear dull compared to the visual representations kids see today in comics, video games and movies.

However, Karen explained that Classical Comics are more expensive to produce than similar graphic novels because of the research required for powerful visual effects as well as translations. I see only two obstacles to success: cost to schools versus a more traditional book (which is serious in times of tight budgets in U.S. public schools) and past beliefs about comics among individual educators. I have to ask if librarians might be a stronger market for U.S. expansion; they are more likely to promote the entertainment value of reading than teachers. However, if I were a teacher, and especially if I were the head of a high school English department, I would be trying to negotiate a fair price on original and basic text versions of these books. I know they would entice students to read other titles on their own.

Karen told me that the titles have been very well received in the U.K; they have received the endorsement of Shakespeare for Kidz, an international non-profit organization that provides Shakespeare education to children through a variety of media, and the National Association for the Teaching of English.

I look forward to seeing these titles and reviewing them for you.

Contact Stuart Nachbar at Educated Quest, a blog on education politics, policy and technology or read about his first book, The Sex Ed Chronicle, a novel on education and politics in 1980 New Jersey, at Sex Ed Chronicles.

Once you graduate from your high school and enter college, you become eligible for a student credit card. Many banks and financial institutions offer student credit cards to college students. They are very easy to avail of and are ideal for a student to establish a good credit standing. Nonetheless, there are some problems associated with student credit cards that most students fail to understand.

Things You Need to Consider:

Once you decide to avail of a student card, ensure to consider a few things. First, you need to ascertain the annual fees of a bank issuing credit cards. It is the amount that a credit card company charges on their card every twelve months. Some student credit cards do not have such annual fees.

Before applying for a student credit card, understand how this credit card works and how you can avoid getting yourself in troubles. Usually, credit cards offer loan on purchases. You may purchase anything without paying instant cash using your student card. Eventually, you need to pay such purchase charges with certain interest to credit card companies. Most companies permit 30 days to repay the due amount.

If you fail to repay this amount within a certain stipulated period, the credit company may charge an interest on your card. Usually, credit card companies charge a percentage of interest on the overdue amount. Hence, if you have a balance of $100 and if your credit card company charges 15% interest on your credit card, then you owe $115 to your credit card company. You also need to consider the interest rate and other charges levied on your credit card. Most of the credit card companies also charge penalty fees for going beyond the credit limit.

The interest rates charged on student credit cards are rising since the past few years and hence, if you possess any student credit card, you need to ensure yourself by paying the minimum amount due duly to avoid any sort of hefty interest on your credit card. Hence, it is advisable to get enough knowledge on the ins and outs of credit cards and a credit card company’s interest charges on their cards.

At times, if you spend more than your credit limit, your credit card company may charge some amount of interest on your excessive amount. This not only triggers additional fees on your credit card, but also suggests that you no longer can make use of your credit card. If you pay more attention to the different norms and conditions of student credit cards, you can choose a suitable one for usage.

Suggestions:

Avoid spending more than the credit limit, since it is likely to cause to pay more than your budget and damage your credit standing. Student credit cards are an ideal way to build credit standing. However, one needs to be very careful while using them. Ensure to use them only when need arises. Try deriving maximum benefits from them and avoid calling for any difficulty.

Find a student credit card and more of Tom’s work at FINDcollegecards.

UK has many popular antique shops. These establishments present a huge array of products from furniture, to instruments, to clothing, to paintings.

For people who are visiting the UK to search for antique products, here is a list of UK’s most popular antique shops.

The Uzella Court Antique Centre presents more than 20 dealers offering a wide array of collectibles and antiques. Located in Cornwall, this shop specializes in fine silver, paintings, jewels, and vintage furniture. Prices of these antique products start at around five pounds. Furthermore, the shop itself is a historic building, being a part of the Duchy Palace.

Nanadobbie is another popular antique shop in Cornwall. This shop focuses in all things retro, from ceramics, to lighting and furniture, to glass items. Other related products such as instruments and devices from the 60’s and 70’s can also be purchased from this antique shop. Nanadobbie lets its customers purchase most of its products online through its website.

The Antiques Centre York is the largest antique shop in York. With five showrooms in three floors, visitors can definitely find the item they are looking for. This shop features Products taken from eras that range from Ancient Rome, to Victorian, to Edwardian, to modern day. After browsing through its catalog, guests can relax in the coffee shop in the center.

If you are looking for antique books, you can visit Kingdom Antiques in Scotland. This shop has a wide collection of books which includes the famous Hammond’s World Atlas. This shop also features oil paintings, pastels, watercolors, and other artistic prints. Other products include antique mirrors, China, brassware, and vinyl records.

The Romantic English Woman is an antique shop which focuses on feminine products. Situated in Cornwall, this store is perfect for ladies who collect antique items and men who are looking for splendid gifts for a woman. Some of its products include baskets, hand-made photo albums, stuffed animals, and paintings.

For people who are searching for busts and other figures, the Aberdeen Antique and Art Centre is a good place to find such items. Located in the heart of Aberdeen Scotland, this shop has a huge selection of statues, busts, ceramics, and antique clocks. The Buddhist Temple Monks is one of the shop’s most notable figures for sale.

Another popular antique shop that specializes in figurines is West Yorkshire’s Hebden Bridge Antiques Centre. This shop has two floors full of figures of various types such as the famous plaster lion figurine. In addition, this store also has vintage clothing, jewelry, pieces of classic furniture, and other collectibles.

For collectors of antique musical instruments, there is Harbour Antiques in North Devon. Showcasing many products from the 18th and early 20th century, Harbour antiques has gained much recognition from people who are interested in grand pianos and other smaller musical instruments. Apart from this, the shop also has antique items from the Regency and Georgian periods.

Old Palace Antiques is a shop in Lostwithiel that buys and sells various types of items. The main feature of this shop is its diverse set of antique products. It presents pine and oak furniture, curios, kitchenalia, old toys such as dolls and bears, and textiles. This shop also performs valuation of products brought by visitors.

Finally, an antique shop in Cheshire England known as The Source offers products ranging from decorations and ornaments, chandeliers, silverware, architectural items, and most importantly, period clothing. Some of its most famous pieces of clothing are the silk jersey dress, the magenta shawl, and the mink coat. All of the said items have a historic significance.

For more information on The 10 Most Popular Antique Shops in the UK please visit our website.

Astrology is often used for knowing and predicting the future.

The term Astrology came from the Greek word “astron” which means “star”, and “logos” meaning “study”. Astrology also means knowing or learning about the traditions and beliefs. This is where in an information of the relative positions of different kinds of celestial bodies plus its associated details are held very useful in accepting, interpreting, and arranging personalities, human relationships, and other earthly matters.

A person who studies astrology is usually called an astrologer, or, sometimes an astrologist. A number of traditions for these relative astrological ideas that arose along the initial period of the third millennium even Before Christ are, up to now, being applied. Aside from this, Astrology played a major role in shaping our culture, as well as in instilling other teachings throughout our history.

Astrology and astronomy is sometimes impossible to differentiate especially in the modern era. With the belief in foretelling and divinatory information, this made it become one of the basic influential factors for astronomical observation. Thus, Astronomy, subsequent to this, started to move away from astrology and follow a period of slow division from the Renaissance even up to the eighteenth century. In the long run, astronomy identifies itself as a methodical study of astronomical objects and phenomena which lacks the regard for the astrological assumption of these phenomena.

Astrology is also commonly defined as the study of hypothetical influences of the cosmos living on earth. Modern astrologers describe astrology as an emblematic language, an art form, and lastly a form of prediction. In spite of various differences of definitions, a most common theory of astrology is the use of outer space or celestial placements in order to clarify past and present events as well as predict the future. The overwhelming mass of the scientific society considers astrology a fallacy. Faith in astrology remains prevalent, with 30 to 35% of Americans trusting in it. Thus, according to a separate study, 40% considers it scientific.

The beginning of the astrological technique that would later build up in most parts of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East are found in the middle of the ancient Babylonians and their classification of celestial omens which started to be compiled approximately in the middle of the 2nd millennium BCE. This classification of famous celestial omens were later on spread also indirectly or directly all over the Assyrians and Babylonians as well as to other places such as the Middle East, India and Greece, where in, it merged with pre-existing native forms of astrology. This so called Babylonian astrology went to Greece as early as the middle part of the 4th century BCE. Then during the early part of the first century BCE, just right after the Alexandrian conquests.

However, this Babylonian astrology was somehow mixed with the Egyptian custom of decanic astrology in building horoscopic astrology. This new type of astrology, which originated in Alexandrian Egypt, rapidly reached across the prehistoric world of Europe, the Middle East as well as India.

Here are some tips on How to Interpret Astrology Charts

Step 1

The initial step is to accept the Chinese astrology chart by knowing the significance of the 12 houses, where in, each house represents at least one feature of your life. Almost all of the houses are evidently defined, describing to such areas like “Health”, “Children” and specially “Wealth”. You can check out “The Life Palace” which usually represents one’s personality and even foretells one person’s destiny.

Step 2

The second step is the study of the stars. Based on the order of thought, there are between 100 up to 115 stars used in the Chinese astrology charts, where in, each would represent a certain side of your life. These types of stars are mathematical symbols which represents different kinds of energies that greatly affect your life experiences.

Step 3

Look for certain patterns. Often times the patterns created are more significant than the individual stars on the chart.

Step 4

You should interpret a Chinese astrology chart with lots of intuition. Comparing their patterns and at the same time, their groupings. You can asses how these stars would go down in its corresponding houses. Thus, Chinese astrology usually leaves more space to have a meditation period about the result as compared to the conventional Western astrology.

Chinese Astrology:

In Chinese astrology, the zodiac of the twelve animal signs represents twelve different types of personality. You can actually check your year of birth in order to find out what your Chinese astrology is.

1. Rat: 1900 1912 1924 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008 2020. Straightforward, disciplined, systematic, careful, charismatic, hardworking, diligent, charming, eloquent, friendly, shrewd. Can be manipulative, heartless, dictatorial, rigid, stingy, obstinate, critical, over-confident, ruthless, intolerant, crafty and sturdy.

2. Ox : 1901 1913 1925 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009 2021. Dependable, calm, systematic, patient, hardworking, resourceful, conventional, steady, humble, logical, resolute, persistent. Can be headstrong, narrow-minded, materialistic, firm, and demanding.

3. Tiger : 1902 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 2022. Can be unpredictable, rebellious, bright, powerful, passionate, bold, impulsive, vigorous, enjoyable, sincere, affectionate, altruistic, and generous. Can be restless, rash, impatient, irritable, obstinate, and selfish.

4. Rabbit: 1903 1915 1927 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011 2023. Gracious, kind, sympathetic, soft-spoken, amiable, refined, reserved, cautious, creative, thorough, tender, confident, keen, compassionate, flexible. Moody, detached, shallow, self-indulgent, opportunistic, and sometimes slothful.

5. Dragon : 1904 1916 1928 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012 2024. Generous, stately, vigorous, powerful, self-assured, vain, noble, direct, dignified, enthusiastic, fiery, passionate, positive, pioneering, ambitious, charitable, loyal. Can be arrogant, imperious, dictatorial, demanding, eccentric, pretentious and extremely bombastic, biased, dogmatic, over-confident, violent, impetuous and bold.

6. Snake : 1905 1917 1929 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013 2025. Can be deep thinker, wise, visionary, graceful, soft-spoken, arousing, creative, prudent, quick, ambitious, elegant, careful, responsible, calm, powerful, constant, and purposeful. Sometimes loner, bad communicator, jealous, hedonistic, self-doubting, and deceitful.

7. Horse : 1906 1918 1930 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014 2026. Most of the time cheerful, popular, quick-witted, variable, earthy, perceptive, loquacious, agile mentally and physically, captivating, intelligent, astute, ductile, open-minded. Can be inconsistent, anxious, rude, trustful, stubborn, lack stability and determination.

8. Sheep : 1907 1919 1931 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015 2027. Can be righteous, sincere, sympathetic, pleasant, shy, artistic, lovely, gentle, compassionate, patient, determined, self-satisfied, and generous. Can be moody, indecisive, worrier, pessimistic, over-sensitive, grumble.

9. Monkey : 1908 1920 1932 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016 2028. Inventor, motivator, imprudence, quick-witted, inquisitive, adaptable, innovative, problem solver, confident, sociable, polite, reserved, competitive, objective, accurate. Can be egotistical, vain, egoistic, cunning, envious, and suspicious.

10. Rooster : 1909 1921 1933 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017 2029. Keen, neat, meticulous, neat, self-assured, decisive, traditional, critical, perfectionist, attentive, zealous, practical, systematic, responsible. Can be over enthusiastic and critical, puritanical, arrogant, and abrasive.

11. Dog ; 1910 1922 1934 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018 2030. Can be honest, intelligent, straightforward, faithful, sense of justice and fair play, good-looking, amiable, unpretentious, friendly, open-minded, idealistic, righteous, practical, and affectionate. Can be hostile, lazy, unfeeling, judgmental, despairing, worrier, stubborn, argumentative.

12. Pig : 1911 1923 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007 2019 2031. Sincere, simple, gallant, powerful, sociable, peace-loving, diligent, loyal, hard-working, trusting, honest, calm, understanding, pensive, scrupulous, passionate, bright. Can be naive, over-reliant, wicked, gullible, fatalistic, and sometimes materialistic.

Signs in WESTERN ASTROLOGY:

• VIRGO – Aug 22 up to Sept 23

• SCORPIO – Oct 24 up to Nov 22

• LIBRA – Sept 24 up to Oct 23

• ARIES – Mar 21 up to Apr 20

• AQUARIUS – Jan 21 up to Feb 19

• GEMINI – May 22 up to June 21

• LEO – Jul 23 up to Aug 21

• CANCER – Jun 22 up to Jul 22

• PISCES – Feb 20 up to Mar 20

• CAPRICORN – Dec 23 up to Jan 20

• TAURUS – Apr 21 up to May 21

• SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23 up to Dec 22

For more information on Astrology Charts: Its Origin and Interpretation please visit our website.

As you are reading this article then there is a good chance that you have come across the red ring of death on your XBox 360, which is indicated by 3 red lights displaying on your gaming machine XBox’s ring of light.

There is a also a good possibility that you have searched the internet for ways to fix this error and come across a method of repairing your XBox 360 called the towel fix or towel trick.

This seems like a quick and easy way of getting your XBox 360 back up and running, but you need to be aware of the drawbacks of using this method.

* What is the towel fix?

Basically the towel fix involves wrapping a towel around your XBox 360. In short the fix goes as follows:

1. Wrap a towel around your Xbox 360.

2. Switch your XBox 360 on for around 10-15 minutes.

3. Turn off your XBox; remove the towel and leave to cool down.

4. Switch your XBox back on.

If this doesn’t resolve your problem then try again.

* Why is the towel fix supposed to work?

The 3 red lights on your XBox 30 error is caused by overheating which makes the solder connections inside your machine to loosen and crack. Supposedly the towel fix raises the temperature inside your XBox to such a degree that the solder softens and causes the connections to re-join.

* Why shouldn’t I try the towel fix?

Because it is only a temporary fix. Those who have tried the towel fix and got it to work have also reported that their XBox 360 was repaired for only a short while. In some cases it has a caused their XBox to work for a few weeks, but in most cases it has only worked for a day or two.

Also, the 3 red lights on your xBox 360 is an overheating error, think about it, how can wrapping a towel around your XBox 360, consequently covering all vents and causing your XBox to overheat even more be a permanent fix.

There is a potential for bringing the temperature inside your XBox to such a high degree that it can start a fire which could transfer to the towel and possibly your home.

* So what can I do?

1. Get in touch with Microsoft support and send it away for repair. The main drawback with this option is that it could cost you around $150 if your XBox is no longer covered by its warranty and it could take between 1 and 2 months to be repaired and returned to you.

2. Buy a new XBox 360. Some people with this error (especially if it is out of warranty) have simply decided to purchase a brand new to enable them to get back to gaming as quickly as possible. In some cases they have sold their faulty XBox 360 on eBay in order to cover some of the cost of their new purchase. Many people who know how to fix the red ring of death buy faulty XBox 360’s in order to fix and resell them. Of course there is a potential for your XBox to either not sell or only sell for a few dollars.

3. Your third choice is to fix the XBox 360 red ring of death yourself. This is not as hard as you may think, there are many guides to fixing the Xbox 360 red ring of death which you can get for much less than the price of a new XBox 360 or the cost of sending it back for repair to Microsoft.

These Xbox 360 repair guides give you full instructions, many with instructional videos, to enable you to fix the 3 red lights on your XBox 360 error yourself, with tools you probably already have in your home, in around 1 - 2 hours.

At the end of the day it’s up to you if you want to take a chance and try the towel fix, but you do so at your own risk. Just be sure you have taken into account all the points and options raised in this article and make sure you do not leave your Xbox 360 unattended.

Stuart Archer invites you to check out 3 Red Lights On Xbox 360 where he provides a free review to the best guides he has found on how to Fix the 3 Red Lights On Your XBox 360 error. He also has a blog which can be found here 3 Red Lights On Xbox 360 Blog

Before you can begin to enjoy photo sharing with family and friends, you need to take great digital shots that are razor-sharp and crystal-clear. After all, there’s nothing quite so frustrating as when your photos of memorable events like a graduation or a vacation turn out blurry or fuzzy or just plain dull.

The good news is great photos can really be a snap — if you keep in mind a few important tips. I guarantee that in no time you’ll be having fun with photo sharing and easy photo printing!

Tip #1: Buy a camera you’re comfortable with!

There are many digital cameras to choose from and, with all the bells and whistles, making a selection is not easy. While all these “extra” features are great to have, ask yourself these two question: What do I really need and what can afford? Then make your selection and learn all you can about the model you buy. And keep the camera’s manual close at hand so you can continually refer to it. You’ll definitely want a camera that makes uploading photos to your computer a snap, as that allows for photo sharing.

Tip #2: Keep the camera steady

The #1 reason our photographs turn out fuzzy or blurry is that the camera is shaking. As you probably have found out, the slightest movement can be disastrous, especially when your looking for high-quality photo sharing and easy photo printing. You don’t want to waste your time taking photos or end up with blurry prints.

But keeping a steady hand is not easy. So to ensure that you take photos that are really sharp and clear every time, you can do 3 things — use a tripod (not likely but it is foolproof)…or simply put your camera on any flat surface (not always realistic)…or you can just lean back on a wall or tree and hold yourself steady.

Remember, a still holder and a still camera will make all the difference in the world if you want to produce clear, sharp photos share you’ll be proud of.

Tip #3: When to use your flash

The flash is used to eliminate dark shadows. But it’s also tends to create a barrier that can actually wash out the natural mood that’s so important to capturing mood and feel. So the important decision is when to use it — and not use it. Disregard the urge to use the flash when you camera tells you to.

Instead, whenever you can, use the natural light that’s available. In a darkened setting, instead of the flash, turn out all surrounding lights to highlight the room. You’ll be amazed at how easily your will create photos that are beautiful and poignant.

Be sure to know your flash’s range. For most cameras, the maximum range is less than 15 feet. Keep this in mind and you’ll enjoy photo sharing and easy photo printing because all your photos will be outstanding!

Tip #4: Bring your photos to life

Here’s a simple way to turn ordinary photos into unusual and interesting shots. Don’t keep your subject in the middle of the frame. Instead, simply shift the image slightly to the left or the right. You’ll be delighted with the results.

Tip #5: Turn your camera sideways!

Now why would you want to do that? The answer shouldn’t be a surprise. With a vertical shot, you can create a picture that is much more intriguing. Try it for yourself. You’ll soon be taking all sorts of vertical photos –- and enjoying the more! And the better the picture, the more you’ll enjoy photo sharing.

Tip #6: Be creative!

Don’t let the photo control you. You control the photo. Use your imagination and your creativity and you’ll get plenty of compliments.

Change locations. Add props. Arrange your subjects and photograph them in different poses. You’ll take photos that will be a source of pride and joy forever.

Tip #7: Preserve your memories

You never know where or when that next great photo op will present itself! So be prepared — carry additional memory cards. Just like a computer, you need some backup. Believe me, sooner or later, you’ll need that extra storage capacity. And when you enjoy photo sharing and easy photo printing with the people in your life and see the smiles on their faces, you’ll be glad you had the extra backup.

Photographs can help you create wonderful family keepsakes that tell the stories of your life. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll look forward to years of photo sharing and easy photo printing, and preserve a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy.

CJ Carroll writes for a variety of clients, including Hoorray, a photo sharing website that offers a free online photo album to new members and is the easiest place to create a digital photo album, calendar, and more.

When Bill Cosby spoke out against the parenting of inner-city youth a few years ago, a firestorm erupted in the Black community. Cosby argued that inner-city parents did not spend adequate time enforcing the importance of education in the Black community.

Some called him elitist and out of touch, but in all honesty he was correct in his assessment of the Black community.

Unfortunately, African Americans trail practically every other ethnic group across the country when it comes to standardized tests. The high school drop out rates for African American males is approximately 50 percent and the incarceration rates for that group is approximately the same.

To combat this horrific trend, Darrell “Coach D” Andrews, motivational speaker, consultant and author of books like Believing the HYPE-Seven Keys to Motivating Students of Color and The Purpose Living Teen—A Teen’s Guide to Living Your Dreams is speaking out about problems concerning education in the Black community.

Andrews has been recognized nationally for his HYPE (Helping Youth Pursue Excellence) Program, which provides hope for students and parents of color.

“Parents and schools must get over their differences and unify around synergistic goals. Reaching all of our students through effective relationship building and parental involvement should be two priorities,” he said.

“I have found that many African American and Latino parents are using their past education experiences as a foundation for their interaction with schools. If the experience was beneficial, their children usually get high parental involvement. If it was negative, they avoid the school like it was a plague and their children get little to no parental involvement,” said Andrews.

He added, “This has a damaging effect on student academic performance. My mother had a negative school experience however she did not use this as a foundation for our academic experience. She built effective relationships with my brother and I as well as the school. As a result, both my brother and I have college degrees.”

Coach D suggests three strategies to improve education in the Black community. He believes educators and parents should make student success the goal and the two groups should meet regularly to discuss the subject of student achievement.

Andrews also believes education in the Black community would improve if educators helped students identify special talents and gifts.

Lastly, he believes if students and parents receive rewards and praise for their success, it will motivate others to follow their lead.

In majority minority North Forest Independent School District in Houston, students habitually test extremely low on standardized tests, money is constantly mismanaged and the district is in now on probation from Texas Education Agency.

Classrooms are often filled with uncertified teachers and many of the district’s graduates enter college well behind their peers.

It has become so bad that many North Forest residents catch the city bus to attend schools in neighboring Houston Independent School District. This sad reality is proof that students want a quality education if they are willing to transfer districts. And although they may fail standardized tests, it is not them that are failing it is everyone else failing them.

In order for education in the Black community to become something required and demanded, it is up to adults, from teachers to parents, to demand more from themselves.

Todd A. Smith is the web master for Regal Mag The preeminent Online Magazine for African American Men