Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Lamar Odom Signs Contract To Return To NBA Champs

By Ross Everett

After some tense moments during a 'communication breakdown', both Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers got what they really wanted all along. The Lakers retained the services of their valuable sixth man, and Odom will return to the team after an intense recruiting pitch from the Miami Heat.

Terms of the deal weren't immediately released, but both player and team appeared relieved that things had worked out. In early July, negotiations broke down after some miscommunication between Odom's agent and Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss. While Odom worked to mend fences"including several personal phone calls to Dr. Buss"his agent was receiving interest from Miami, Portland and Dallas. Miami, in particular, was extremely interest bringing out the big guns in the personage of Dwayne Wade and Pat Riley to make a recruiting pitch.

None of the competing offers were as compelling as returning to the NBA champion Lakers. At the official signing ceremony, he hinted that a dynasty could be in the making:

"I guess basketball-wise, I feel complete. I want to feel it again. It's kind of an overwhelming feeling. I get goose bumps when I think about it, and as long as I continue to play professional basketball, I want to always feel that. The way I feel during the summer, I always want to feel that. If we can win six, seven, eight, nine, 10 championships in a row, I want to experience that."

While talk of 10 straight championships may be mere hyperbole, theres no reason the Lakers cant run off a repeat or better with their current lineup. In fact, with the teams signing of Ron Artest the lineup may be better than a year ago. Artest brings not only his infamous swagger and intensity, but an element of toughness and versatility that Ariza lacked. Such was Odoms commitment to the Lakers is that even during his free agency, he helped recruit Artest to sign with the team:

"I spoke to Ron two days before he signed, and I told him how important I think it is for him to come here. Because I know how hard he works, he needs to experience basketball at its best, at the highest level, and he needs to become a Laker. Two days after that, he signed."

Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak sounded relieved that everything worked out in the end:

"Three or four months ago, I didn't think it could be possible that we could basically bring this team back in whole. Lamar had a wonderful season that ended on the best possible note you could have, and Lamar had a lot of options. ... Here it is, July 31, and we have brought back everybody that we wanted to bring back."

Odom noted that Los Angeles was home to his family, and he never really wanted to play elsewhere:

"I didn't want my kids to have to change schools -- just the little things. I'm comfortable here. I've been here since I was' years old. I'm proud to be playing for what I think is the most popular brand in sports.

About the Author:

See The Hit Movie The Last Dragon

By Dwayne Todd

The Last Dragon was a film produced by Motown Records in the mid-eighties, and while it was sort of created as a way to market a few singles, notably Oh Sheila, the film still stands as a pretty good Kung Fu movie, a good comedy, and one of the all time must download movies of the eighties. It's fun, funny, sort of corny and very eighties.

The movie follows a young martial artist nicknamed Bruce Leroy as he teaches the kids at the local dojo and works at his father's pizza parlor, delivering pies on foot throughout Harlem. He also tries to maintain his composure while dealing with hsi rival, Sho'Nuff, the Shogun of Harlem... Yep. Sho'Nuff... He's the Shogun of Harlem, you see.

Sho'Nuff is really one of the all time great screen villains. Everything about him is just... Wild, ridiculous and hilarious. He walks around with a crew of lackeys, and wherever he enters the scene, he's preceded by a little call-and-response speech between himself and his crew, as if they were the mirror on the wall, he asks them if he is the prettiest, the meanest and the baddest, and Sho Nuff, he is. He wears shoulder pads, visor sunglasses and hakama, those baggy pants worn by samurai. For style and attitude, he's really one of the funniest heavies of all time.

If there's one downside to the movie, it's the whole subplot about the Cyndi Lauper wannabe singer and her promoter/boyfriend. He's trying to play hardball in order to get her played on the local music show, and... Well, it's just not really the high point of the movie. It's not too much of a distraction, but you'll find yourself wishing they'd just get back to the kung fu already.

But don't worry, it gets back to that soon enough when the promoter hires the meanest hombres in town to take Leroy down, culminating in a massive brawl with Leroy and his students on one side, and a gang of colorful thugs on the other, including a great big fat white guy with a gray Mr. T mohawk and a gold colored jumpsuit... Strange characters, indeed.

There are also some really fun, corny moments along the way. At one point, Leroy tries to seek wisdom from the guy who writes the fortune cookies at the local Chinese restaurant, only to find that they're written by a computer. Therein he finds that zen wisdom of emptiness and being.

Could the movie have been a bit better without the subplot about the record promoter and his girlfriend? Sure, but there's always something about every movie where it "could have been better". Regardless, what's there is a fun, funny, corny, exciting little gem of a film. Half kung fu, half spoof of kung fu, and all eighties.

Next time you want a goofy, fun eighties flick, and you want to see a little kung fu while you're at it, go ahead and give The Last Dragon a download.

About the Author:

What Are The Benefits Of Past Life Hypnosis?

By James McCubbing

If you are someone who has interest in things related to the soul and the spirit, you will find that past life hypnosis might be something that you need to take a look at.

Various religions and philosophies in this world believe that the lives that we are living right now are not the only lives that we will have. In fact, there is even a belief that we have all had a past life or lives and we will continue to do so.

Some people have images of the lives that they have lived before, and other people believe that they remember whole segments of their previous lives. Many people remember using hypnosis with a past life regression.

One belief that many people have is that the memories of these past lives are locked within us, and that they can have a lot to tell us about the people we are and the needs that we have in this life.

There are also other philosophies that say that we should not be able to remember these past lives and that if you do, it is a sign of issues that need to be resolved. Take some time and consider how you feel about either of these philosophies.

Do you wonder why you have thoughts that are not yours, or do you ever remember incidents that have never happened to you? This might be your imagination working overtime, nonetheless, there are things that feel rather real and are not easy to dismiss.

Past life hypnosis can be a great help in cases like these. With the guidance of an esteemed past life hypnotist, you will go into a deeply suggestible state where you will be able to open up your subconscious and the things that it is trying to relate to you.

Events that were well buried can fast come to life and you will discover that you can recall incidents more clearly and with a larger degree of completion. You may also be able to remember the theme of your previous life, or even specific details, depending on how clearly you recollect the facts. Some people see that they can even recognize people from their past lives, which are in their current lives too.

The question becomes, why would anyone want to undergo past life hypnosis? For some people, past life hypnosis is something that is a matter of curiosity. They want to know if they are simply imagining the things that their brain presents them with or if it simply their imagination.

For others, there are things to be learned that their previous lives are tying to remind them. No matter if it is to be more caring, to live life to the fullest extent, or to respect others in their life, there are lessons that are expressed, and the more clearly they could be heard, the better!

If you are in a place where you are simply curious about the idea of a past life, or you are concerned that there are lessons that you need to be reminded of, take some time and consider how past life hypnosis might serve you!

About the Author:

Monday, August 30, 2010

Avenue Productions, Inc. On Your Audition Game Plan

By Carrie Flohr

Avenue Productions, Inc. Great Audition Tips

There are some basic strategies and ideas to pay attention to whenever you're going off on the next audition in your modeling or acting career. You must present yourself in the proper manner and show everyone at the audition that you belong there and have what it takes.

You've got to relax. Even if you perform better than someone else, if that other person is more relaxed in their performance, the director may leave the audition feeling better about them than you. Be sure to relax your feelings and be alert but not too alert.

Avenue Productions, Inc. Comprehensive Audition Advice

In preparation for being relaxed before you hit the audition, you should get good at practicing your breathing. When you can control your breathing through deep breathing exercises, you're going to get more oxygen to your brain and this results in an alert brain and relaxed heartbeat.

Once you enter your audition, you should pay great attention to how you shake hands with the director. Be sure to great each director with a strong professional handshake rather than a weak, limp one. This is your first and last impression so do a good job with your handshake.

Avenue Productions, Inc. Want a Great Audition?

Your listening skills are a big part of success on your audition. If the director is explaining to you the script and your role inside that script and you're not actively paying attention, then you'll look like you have no interest in truly being a part of the production. This is why you want to be relaxed going in...a relaxed state creates a better listener.

You also need to take care of yourself in terms of diet and a good night's sleep before the audition day. There's nothing worse than walking into an audition with red eyes from a night of partying. If you pay attention to these simple, yet effective tips, you'll find that your audition performance improves.

About the Author:

Getting The Best Picture Possible From Your Television

By Jason Thomas

When watching television, you want the best image quality and the best sound possible. That means you must have an HDTV. Many people have already made the switch to high definition, but if you have not, there are some things to consider.

First, you need to know that television is going to go. Thus, size and resolution can be taken into account. If you need something less than thirty-two inches, then you can go with 720p resolution have not happened up to 1080 because the untrained eye can not detect the difference in small screens. All great, however, you must walk to the highest resolution, and be sure to get a model that has multiple HDMI inputs. You will need at least three for any growth and new components. If you do not have enough tickets, they will regret later. You'll need an HDMI input for cable or satellite, and you'll have to upgrade their service to HD. There is no point of watching TV on a standard definition TV.

It is like deinking fine wine out of a plastic cup. It doesn't make any sense. You will also need an HDMI input for a Blu-ray player or a video game console and the surround sound system. You will definitely need a surround sound system to watch the movies and high definition television shows. There is nothing quite like watching Shark Week on Discovery in HD. It totally changes the experience and makes it even better than it ever was.

Once you go HD, you'll never be able to watch TV regularly again. In fact, if your friends have not yet updated, you will find excuses to get people home to watch television. Another advantage of having a great set-up HD in your living room is that you do not have to go to the movies more. You do not deal with the hassle and expense of going to the theater again.

No more teenagers to talk or jigging with their cell phones ringing at a crucial plot. No more having to walk into the hall to the toilet and missing parts though the film. You can even sit on your own bed and do not have to invite everyone over if you do not want.

About the Author:

Legal Movie Downloads Have No Spyware Or Virus Issues

By Mandy Dejesus

Legal movie downloads are out there, just waiting for you to watch online. Heck if you have a newer TV you can even buy a cable and hook it up to your computer. Making a home theater that you and your family can watch movie downloads on.

Most of these movie download services will charge you a monthly fee and you can get unlimited movie downloads, and movie rentals. Which if you watch a lot of movies you will be paying very little for each movie that you watch online or rent.

Movie download services can be found all over the internet, but you should compare many of them. Try and find the one that gives you unlimited movie downloads and movie rentals. That way if you're an avid movie buff, you will be paying even less per movie.

Some of these movie download services may have you downloading Divx downloads, which you may have to download software to run. However, most of the time these programs can be tested for a free price.

You can go get a movie, 24/7 unlike the real world where store hours can be a problem when you decide that you want to watch a movie at 3 AM. The movie download sites are always open and ready to help.

You can also choose to use a movie download rental service. These are usually streaming videos that you won't store anywhere. Even Netflix is offering this type of service now.

Watching streaming video rentals you don't have to commit to a purchase until you decide whether you like the movie. You don't have to wait for the full download and if you hate the movie you can stop and get another on immediately.

Many of the movie download subscriptions you can get are unlimited movie downloads, or movie rentals too. Normally you may have only so many you can place in the system, but once you watch them you delete them and get more.

Movie download services are so easy to use, that you will find you want to watch more movies than ever before. Plus if you have a newer TV you can connect your computer and TV, allowing those movie downloads to be watched by everyone.

The beauty of using movie download services like this is that you will not risk any money trying a movie that you might like but aren't sure. You can give any hopeful title a try and not feel like you are wasting money.

Most of these sites will offer anyone a trial period or a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. Once you see the value of watching movie downloads on your computer or TV (it's easy to connect your computer to your TV these days) you will be hooked.

About the Author:

Sunday, August 29, 2010

How To Examine Your Contact Lenses

By Ben Johnson

Contact lenses are far superior to glasses, in more ways than one. Over the years contact lenses have established themselves, and are now used by more than a million people throughout the United States. Although contact lenses are great to wear if you need vision corrections, there are some things you should know.

Before you put your contact lenses in your eyes, you should always inspect them for tears or defects. Sometimes, contact lenses can get tears in their material, resulting in serious problems if you put them in your eyes. You should also inspect your lens for debris or smudges as well, and clean them thoroughly if you find anything wrong. If the lens is torn, you should immediately discard it and replace it with a fresh contact lens.

No matter type of contact lenses you use, you should always inspect them. Depending on how you handle them, you may sometimes scratch the material. Scratches on the contact can be very serious, especially if you aren't aware of it and put the contact in your eye. It can cause you serious trouble, such as an infection or even scratch your cornea. The easiest way to prevent this is to examine your contacts before you wear them.

Before you put your contacts in your eyes, simply let them rest on your index finger and look them over. Once you have inspected that side, simply put the in the palm of your hand and give them a thorough inspection. You should always do this one contact lens at a time, before you plan on wearing them. If you wear contacts, you should always make inspecting them a part of your daily routine.

Along with inspecting your contact lenses you'll need to keep them clean. You can clean your contacts after you have inspected them, by putting a few drops of your solution in the palm of your hand and gently rubbing your contact around. This will help to remove any dirt or debris that you find on the contact, and keep them clean. If you don't clean your contacts on a regular basis, you may end up getting an eye infection.

Contact lenses are a great investment for anyone who needs vision correction, although you'll need to take care of them. Whether you wear soft or hard contacts, you'll need to clean them on a regular basis and examine them for defects, dirt, or tears. Contacts can get torn or damaged rather easily, and the only way to tell is to examine them. If you catch the defect before you put the contact in your eye - you should be able to replace it with a clean lens before it can do any damage.

About the Author:

A Synopsis About The Animation Movie Wall-E

By Alexander Willis

WALL-E is a Disney Pixar movie that came out in movie theaters on June 27th of 2008. Critics have rated this film very highly. It has it's funny moments, it's serious moments, and the in between. Wall-E has stolen the heart of many viewers. This post-apocalyptic robot is growing in popularity, and growing fast.

WALL-E has been nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. This is such a milestone! No animated movie has ever won Best Picture. This film not only represents friendship and the extend that some go to keep it alive, but it also symbolizes love. Some of you might laugh at that remark, but when you can feel a connection between two animated characters, you know it has been put together very precisely.

This post-apocalyptic robot embarks on a journey that could change society in the blink of an eye. He first leaves for the distant future because of another attractive robot he meets named Eve. Eve seems to be on some sort of mission, but Wall-E over looks this because he is so pre-occupied with the attraction he feels towards her. Just like humanity, this little robot is absorbed with Eve and her "beauty".

Wall-E was originally created to clean a waste-covered world. He piled up, picked up, and compressed trash every day. Who knew this might be the best job he has ever had. It leads him to Eve, which leads him to outer space, which leads him to the fate of mankind. Destiny is in the hands of a small robot!

Once arrived to the future, Wall-E is engrossed with Eve. He doesn't know where he is, or what's going on their. Things slowly start to unveil. Wall-E realizes that the jeopardy of humanity is at hand. I will not share the ending of this movie. You will have to find out yourself, by watching it!

Briefly, I will run through a couple of the cast members in this marvelous movie. Ben Burtt is the voice of Wall-E and MO. As an american sound designer, ben has been involved in many world hit movies including Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E. T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Obviously then, Ben is very productive in his job! Go Ben!

The costar of Wall-E is Elissa Knight, who is the voice of Eve. She is an actress in many other animated movies. Elissa plays Lil aka "3" in Toy Story 3, Tia in Cars, and a woman in the restaurant in Ratatouille. A couple other character voices consist of Fred Willard who voices Shelby Forthright - BnL CEO, John Ratzenberger who voices John, and Kathy Najimy who voices Mary.

If you haven't already, go enjoy this movie. It is filled with laughs, but it also has it's sad moments. It has a heart warming plot. If you like animated movies, you will love this one. Disney Pixar creates sensational animated films. This is another movie to add to your Pixar collection! Watch it, love it, spread the word!

About the Author:

Movie Download Sites Will Definitely Save You Money

By Amalia Fitzpatrick

There are many ways you can rent a movie now. The old way of getting movies was the video sore. A new option is movie downloads from the web. Merely make a few clicks and you will soon be watching one of your favorite films.

There are many legal movie download sites that will allow you to download movies which you can then burn into DVDs. These downloads are licensed from the film makers. A number of other movie download websites are low cost, or even offer free downloads. The low cost sites can be illegal downloads, and you need to be careful.

The key to finding a great site for movie downloads is making a thorough search. You will want to find a site that has all the latest movies. Some sites might even have free downloads. In addition the procedures should be simple and straight forward. Most movie download sites recognize this and make the process very easy.

People often prefer the use of peer to peer file sharing programs. Examples of these file sharing sites are BitTorrent and Kazaa. Using these types of sites could violate copyright laws. There are many websites now that have this structure and use the file sharing method.

Most of the sites are organizing their titles for specific movie genres since they have huge selections for your viewing pleasure. There are some sites where you will be required to use a download manager. It is a program where your movies are added to a queue and it keeps track of your movie downloads. Also, it will ask you to install a video player if your computer does not have one.

Movie Capital is one example of website using a membership fee system. Once you join you have unlimited download access to all the movies they offer. This is a user friendly site as well.

YouTube is a legal site with the film producers allowing purchases with a "pay per click" download system. Now the whole world is getting in on the movie downloading frenzy. Finding high quality, user friendly legal movie download sites is getting easier and easier.

Movie downloads are a great idea for entertainment. It is preferable to theaters because you don't need to leave the comfort of your home. If you have a good TV you are all set.

About the Author:

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Seahawks Blitz Broncos To Remain Perfect On The NFL Preseason

By Ross Everett

Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck and Denver's Kyle Orton both played fairly well in the first half, but the Seahawks reserves pulled away in the second half. The Seahawks improved to 2-0 on the NFL preseason with a 27-13 win while the Broncos dropped to 0-2 in their exhibition contests.

Hasselbeck completed 16 passes in 23 attempts including two touchdowns, though he was sacked three times. That was a big concern as he missed considerable time last season due to a back injury, but appeared to suffer no ill effects here. Still, the Seahawks starting QB said it was a traumatic experience:

"It's just like I remembered- no fun. ... I forgot how hard people hit in here. It's just like a car accident. It's part of the game ... and it was probably good that it happened."

After a rough opening weekend as the Denver Broncos starting QB, Kyle Orton recovered to post decent numbers. After the game, Orton indicated that hes feeling confident about his play:

"I've got an awful lot of confidence right now, I really do. This is the best offense I've ever played with. This is the best talent around me that I've ever had. I just feel that my game right now is as good as it has ever been.

Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels was more measured in his assessment:

"I think he acquitted himself fairly well. He played, you know, fairly well. There's still obviously room for improvement. But he did what we feel he is capable of doing.

It would have been hard for Orton to have played worse than he did in the Broncos opening NFL preseason contest against the San Francisco 49ers last week"in that game Orton threw three interceptions in his first three drives.

The Seahawks will continue their NFL preseason slate next Saturday against the Chiefs in Kansas City. Denver, meanwhile, will host Ortons old team"the Chicago Bears"and face their former starting QB Jay Cutler for the first time.

About the Author:

Mel Gibson In Mad Max Two: Review

By Estela Todd

The Road Warrior, known as Mad Max 2 in Australia, is, simply put, one of the all time classics. It is, without a doubt, one of the greatest action stories ever put to film and, perhaps, one of the all time great films, period. It is sort of the action film answer to Citizen Kane or Casablanca. The movie is well crafted and the story well told. Even with the breakneck pace and chaos within the story, the movie remains clear and coherent the whole way through, and is one of the all time must download movies.

There aren't a lot of movies that work so well on so many levels, much less action films, which are typically used just to turn over a quick and easy profit at the box office. The movie is just, very, very strong on all possible levels. It's exciting, fun and has some moments of great humor, drama and humanity.

If you haven't seen it, and somehow have no idea what it's about: Mad Max Rockatansky is a former cop wandering a wasted outback in Australia. Food and water have become scarce after World War III, as has gasoline. Max is trying to find enough resources just to keep himself alive from day to day as he wanders across the wasteland.

Throughout his trials in the previous film, Max became just as much of a ruthless beast as the criminals he'd been chasing. Here, he's offered a chance at redemption, at becoming a part of society, or what is left of it, once more.

The movie is essentially one long chase scene, stopping here and there just long enough to give us a breather and some more character and story development. Of course, the majority of character and story is developed through the action, which is how it's supposed to be. Too often, action is only thrown in to get in the way of the story and put the viewer's brain on pause. Here, the action IS the story, just as it was in the days of the old westerns.

In the end the movie is really a statement on heroism, delving into Joseph Campbellian mythological structure and coming up with what many Australians consider to be "Star Wars Down Under". It's certainly one of the most successful films to ever come out of that country, and is still considered a national treasure of the Australian cinema all these decades later.

It will likely go down as one of the great westerns and western influenced films. It should stand alongside Stagecoach in that regard, in that it really is just great action and physical heroism from beginning to end.

The movie is loud, spectacular, full of crazy characters and stunts, and, perhaps, one of the ten greatest films ever made, depending on how you evaluate films on a personal level. At the very least, it is one of the most well crafted and well told action stories of all time, and certainly belongs on your download queue if you haven't seen it yet.

About the Author:

Download And Watch The Switch Movie - Basic Steps

By Dan Moore

It can be a very good idea if you will be able to download and watch The Switch movie. This is definitely a film that you should see at it is very hilarious and romantic at the same time. This is a story about a lady who wants to have a baby through arterial insemination with the objection of his best friend. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, this is definitely a romance-comedy flick that you should never miss.

It is also very convenient if you are able to download and watch The Switch movie. This way, you will no longer have to go to the theaters just so you can see the film. You no longer need to go to the DVD rental stores. In general, you can now see the flick wherever you go and whenever you want to.

It is also a good thing that it is very easy to download and watch The Switch movie. The only thing that you need to do is to look for a site that streams various films and copy the film through your player. This is definitely very easy and anyone can actually do it.

However, you also need to know that this task is not as simple as you might have thought it to be. This is because there are still a few things that you will have to consider. For instance, it is very important for you to look for a site that has a very comprehensive database. You should make sure that it is updated as this flick is just released this August.

It is also essential that you check the speed of the tool. As much as possible, the speed should be satisfactory so that you can complete the process in just a matter of minutes. As you already know, a very slow speed can negatively affect the quality of the files.

And speaking of quality, it is also essential for you to check that the videos are very clear and defined. You should avoid those that are pirated or bootlegged because they have a very poor quality.

It is also a good thing that some sites will allow you to download and watch The Switch movie for free. However, it is still much better if you will access premium portals because they are more reliable.

And lastly, you should only look for a legal portal if you want to effectively download and watch The Switch movie.

About the Author:

Friday, August 27, 2010

Considering A Tattoo Should Be Serious Business

By Rian Haswanda

Tattoos are a design in ink, normally symbolic or decorative, permanently placed under your skin. Tattoos are more popular today than at any time in recorded history. They are quite popular among many different age groups and are a common thing these days. Once confined under suits and ties from 9 to 5, tattoos are now out in the open for all to see. If tattoos are becoming more mainstream, the tattoo industry is growing up as well.

Choosing a design is obviously the first decision to make for most of us, and there are thousands of designs to pick from. How much you enjoy your tattoo for a long time is all in the tattoo design and the artist's skill of course. Picking a mythical creature for a tattoo design is a powerful way to express your individuality and creativity. Entire galleries shows are being dedicated to tattoo art and are focusing on not only the standard of the tattoo design, but also on the value of the body as a medium for fine art. Find a good tattoo portfolio online and take a good look at their portfolio. Make sure that you see a sketch of your design before getting it inked, because you want to be completely satisfied with your tattoo and not take any unnecessary chances. When hard to get a tattoo design inked, always ask yourself for what reason you're doing it.

Typically the most popular tattoos are still tribal designs but dragons, lotus flowers and eastern symbolism looks like it's popular as well. Tattoo lovers are looking in many new directions for new ways to express themselves. This may explain why Celtic tattoos are being mixed with tribal tattoos creating a style of tattoo known as tribal Celtic tattoos. Hawaiian Tribal and arm band tattoos are what's in and popular yet still liked.

Tribal tattoos can be traditional 'black work' on the arms and legs or more colorful styles characterized by the 'Modern Primitive' look covering the entire body. Tribal tattoos are symbols of the Native American culture Tribal Tattoos. Tribal tattooing was originally performed as a camouflage and then, later, as synonymous with loyalty. Today we find the tribal aspect of the designs very beautiful and powerful. Though there was a recent resurgence in native and tribal tattooing, most tattoos today are done strictly as an easy way of decorating one self in an artistically expressive manner. If looking for an Indian tribal tattoo with an authentic flare, consider having the tattoo designed by an artist trained in tribal tattoo.

Mind you, tattoos are not only found for men. Girl tattoos are best known to feature small designs that cater to the woman who wants to add a small image without going overboard on the idea. Female tattoos or feminine designed tattoos are usually favored by women or girls. Tattoos on women are becoming increasingly familiar as tattooing has become more socially acceptable, largely due to the many celebrities who publicly sported tattoos. Flower tattoos are mostly favored by women, they are like clothes accessories except that one could wear your tattoo to bed. A lot of men find women with tattoos more appealing, sexier, more feminine and more powerful. Heart tattoos on the chest of the women are said to make a sexier image. Lower back tattoos are also very common for women. The lower back is just about the most sexual and sensual areas on a women, making the ideal spot for a tattoo. Often times, women tend to include a tribal that spreads, covering the bottom of their hips as well.

Shop around before you trust someone to mark you permanently. They are permanent, and with today's divorce rate, you can see that permanent is not something that we tend to face very well. While lovers appear and vanish, tattoos are intended to be permanent. You need to know that tattoos are permanent and once you get them, they are hard and costly to have removed. Tattoos are expensive and, more importantly, permanent; so choosing an image is definitely a big decision.

Tattoos are available on people of every age group, most professions, and most walks of life but three out of four respondents believe that visible tattoos are unprofessional. A study by Career builders shows the perils of tattoos for aspiring professionals, and conforms the conventional wisdom that Tattoos are a sign of immaturity, bad judgment and bad taste. Over 42 percent of managers said their opinion of someone would be lowered by that person's visible body art. It's no surprise that tattoos are more popular among the poor and under educated.

Seriously open your eyes and see the real world, tattoos are just art that people get put onto them i am not saying they are evil or idiots. Other people besides sailors, bikers and soldiers may express themselves using body art. I think tattoos are incredible expressions of ones personality, as long as you do the expressing, not the tattoo artist who developed some idea that he thought would be cool, and 50 other people come in and get the same exact tattoo. I think tattoos are a personal choice. Don't panic it you can't locate lots of tattoo's of dragons and numerous tribal design keep looking and believe me you will discover many. Before choosing a design, it may help to browse the various tribal tattoos online. No matter male or female the right tattoo design has to look good and should be something that means something to you, is an extension of your character and something to be proud of.

About the Author:

Live Wedding Bands - Have A Day To Remember!

By Elaine Frith

Employing the services of live wedding bands to play at your wedding is a sure way of making certain your day goes with a bang. This kind of entertainment simply cannot be compared to the local DJ and his mobile disco equipment.

You should, however, be prepared to go the extra mile as far as cost is concerned when you hire live wedding bands. There will probably be between four and six people playing in the band so the fee you pay has to be split amongst them. The majority of band members have expensive equipment which needs replacing every now and again too, not to mention the extra hours they need paying for setting all the equipment up on stage and then clearing it away again afterwards.

For this reason it really does not pay to take the cheaper option. After all, it's your special day and you don't want anything to ruin it, do you?

So now you have made up your mind you would like a live band playing at your wedding, you just have to find the right band for you.

Generally speaking, bands can play music to suit any occasion but even though you do not have to go out searching for a specific type of band it may pay you in the long run to find out if they have performed at weddings before.

Start your search of live wedding bands by looking at your local yellow pages or carrying out an on line search.

Once you have discovered a few bands, you need to know they are the kind of band you are looking for. There are easy ways that you can do this.

If the bands you are considering to play for you have a website or social networking page, this is a great place to start. Here you can listen to their music and watch their on line videos.

When you have completed your research its important to make sure the band is available on the date you require and you must do this well in advance in order to avoid disappointment at a later time.

If you have any doubt at this stage as to whether or not you are hiring the perfect band for your occasion, then you could check out what other people who have hired the band have to say about their performance and if that doesn't help you to make up your mind, go along and watch the live wedding bands at their local gigs.

About the Author:

Live Bands For Wedding - A Good Idea?

By Abi J Ponton

Live bands for wedding entertainment are a great option if you want everyone to remember your day. A good live band will provide fun and excitement for every guests, or you can find a band the will be in the background, creating an ambiance where guests can unwind and visit.

When deciding on live bands for wedding, the internet is full of options. A simple google search yields a wealth of choices. It takes a little more than "google" to find the right band. The first thing you need to do is decide what kind of music you want for the big day (jazz, upbeat, classical, etc). Once you have this choice made, you need to streamline your search

Live bands for wedding will have probably already done a few weddings in the past. Any good band will also have a website or face book page with songs or videos on it for you to watch or listen to.

In order to make sure you have the right band for your day, call previous clients and get references. Another option is to go watch them play at a local venue where you can get a feel for their style.

Because you are having a live band at your wedding your ability to communicate with the band well is vital. A lot of people just simply do not realise what work goes in to setting up a band at different venues.

Your live wedding band will need ample parking, and close enough to the site to unload equipment. Another consideration for your band is electrical outlets. Make sure that it is easy for your band to unload, set up, play and break down. They will appreciate your efforts, and it will make the experience easier for everyone.

Double check that your venue of choice doesn't require that you have a license to play live music. As the host, this is your responsibility. The band may not know, and you will need to have appropriate paperwork.

You also need to inform the band if the venue has a sound limiter because if they play too loudly the power to their equipment will be cut off. This is nothing to worry about as the band just need to know about, it should not affect their performance if they already know about it.

Once you have all the arrangements made with the live band for weddings on your special day, all you have to do is relax, enjoy, and pick the perfect song for that first dance as husband and wife.

About the Author:

Thursday, August 26, 2010

The Dominator Of Darlington: David Pearson

By Ross Everett

South Carolina's Darlington Raceway is an egg shaped terror that has become known as the track too tough to tame. If thats true, David Pearson came pretty close--during his illustrious career, he posted 10 victories and 12 poles at Darlington. These are both records for one of NASCAR's most unforgiving tracks. Pearson's ability at Darlington bordered on the unreal, and he was able to follow the conventional wisdom about performing well there better than anyone. The old saying is that you need to race the track, not the other drivers, but that's a lot easier said than done. Pearson, however, made it look easy.

David Pearson was born three days before Christmas 1934 in a tough textile town near the North Carolina/South Carolina border called Whitney. His parents both worked in the local mill and did their best to provide. David quit school after the 10th grade and also worked in the mill. He was soon drawn away by his love of fast cars. He bought his own car and began racing at short tracks in the area. He ran his first race in'52 in Woodruff, South Carolina and won his first championship at the old Greenville/Pickens Speedway in'59.

Pearson never sought out stock car racing immortality, but some of his friends had other ideas. They began raising money to buy a car to race in the NASCAR Grand National series (the forerunner to today's Sprint Cup). With a patchwork of financial backing, David began racing a limited schedule on the Grand National circuit and was named the'60 rookie of the year. In'61,he attracted sponsors and started to race a full time schedule. Not long after, he was considered among the best in the sport winning Grand National titles in'66,'68 and'69.

The'70s saw Pearson cut back his schedule somewhat, focusing on superspeedways. In'72, he started driving for the Wood Brothers in the #21 car that he was to make a legend. In'73, he won 11 races in' starts"an incredible feat even by today's standards. Through the end of the'70s, Pearson won 43 races. In addition to his mastery of Darlingon, he posted remarkable numbers all over the circuit. He is one of two men to have won more than 100 races, and his 105 is second only to The King Richard Petty's 200 wins. Hes also second on career poles (113) to Petty. Head to head, however, he has a slight edge over NASCARs legendary King: in races where he and Petty finished 1-2, Pearson won 33 to Petty's 30. His 11 consecutive poles at Charlotte is a feat that will likely never be matched. Another record that may never be broken is his'.29% winning percentage, as well as his record of starting from the pole in 20% of the races he ran.

In March, 2000, SC Highway 221 through Spartanburg County was renamed David Pearson Boulevard in his honor. He lives in Spartanburg to this day. Pearson still takes to the track occasionally--he and current NASCAR driver Carl Edwards were the first to race on the newly repaved Darlington Raceway last Spring. We should all hope to be able to run with a 20 something NASCAR driver when we're in our mid 70's. Incidentally, he got the nickname Silver Fox due to his prematurely gray hair and cunning style behind the wheel.

About the Author:

A Full Synopsis Of American Beauty

By Tasha Russell

The best movie in the year 2000 was the hit film American Beauty. The film captured 5 Oscars including best picture. The film's star Kevin Spacey also received an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

The story line is about a family in turmoil with everyone struggling with who they are. It is a small family consisting of a couple and their lone child, a teenage daughter. The movie chronicles their battles with each other and themselves.

Kevin Spacey plays the father Lester, and he is going through a mid-life crisis. He hates his job, his family hates him, and he is simply bored with life. His wife Carolyn is always criticizing him, and his teenage daughter Jane is rebelling against her parents. She is disgusted by how they behave.

His wife Carolyn is all about the money. She acts like a bitch, and is always disapproving of both Lester and their daughter Jane. She is also having an affair with a married man who is a real estate agent like she is also.

Jane, their daughter, is rebelling from the fighting couple and trying to "find herself". Her best friend is a high school hottie who everyone is after, but Jane feels unsure of herself. Even her dad has the hots for her best friend.

Lester finally cracks and quits his job. He makes a good severance deal for himself and to keep busy takes a job at the local fast food establishment. He starts smoking pot and getting back into physical shape. He has a thing for Jane's friend Angela, but at the moment of truth decides not to pursue her.

Jane meets Ricky, the new kid in the neighborhood, and they become close. He is weird and also has a dysfunctional family. This seems to bond the two of them together.

All these issues blend into an intriguing and interesting story with a stunning ending. I won't tell you any more so you can enjoy the movie fully. Don't miss out on this classic film.

About the Author:

UFC 98 Review: Machida, Hughes Big Winners

By Ross Everett

When golf legend Jack Nicklaus was still a young upstart in the sport and only starting to tear up PGA courses, legend Bobby Jones commented following 'The Golden Bear's''65 Masters win that "he plays a game with which I am not familiar". Following Lyoto Machida's absolute destruction of Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC 98, there's likely a few MMA fighters saying the same thing. Machida completely befuddled Evans en route to a 2nd round TKO victory after which 'The Dragon' looked as if he'd barely worked up a sweat.

The fight started slowly, with each man trying to get a feel for his opponent and wait him out to see who blinked first. Late in the first round, Machida went on offense with frightening suddenness, flooring Evans with a nice straight right hand. Evans was able to recover and survive, but it only delayed the inevitable as Machida used another right hand to send his opponent down again. Evans gamely tried to fight back, but a final right hand from the Shotokan Karate master left him out cold.

After the fight UFC announcer Joe Rogan proclaimed the start of the Machida era and this is not just mere hyperbole. Machida is unlike any fighter before him, rooted in mastery of traditional martial arts but with the versatility of a modern MMA competitor. He's essentially a Mortal Kombat character come to life--in a more realistic cross disciplinary comparison he shares many of the same characteristics as boxing great Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as he combines insane handspeed, underrated stopping power and nearly impenetrable defense into an unorthodox and extremely lethal package.

The comparisons with the insanely talented but equally insanely arrogant Mayweather end when the final bell sounds. Outside of the cage, Machida is a modest and respectful gentleman who is quick to give credit to his father and his karate teachers for his MMA success. He spent most of his UFC 98 postfight interview not singing his own praises, but imploring others to strive to realize their dreams.

An odd trivia note about Machida serves as further repudiation for MMA neophytes who think that the sports kinship with pro wrestling began with Brock Lesnar: Machida was discovered by Japanese wrestling legend Antonio Inoki, and became something of his protege. He trained for some time at the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo in Tokyo.

Perhaps the most frightening thing about Machida is that hes only now reaching his full potential as an MMA fighter. In other words, hes only going to get better which is a scary prospect for opponents given the fact that hes never lost in MMA competition. Early in his UFC career he had a reputation as a boring fighter, but in his recent bouts hes shown a downright lethal ability to end fights.

Machida will very likely face Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson at some point and its difficult to see him faring much differently than Evans did. One thing working in 'Rampage's' favor is his greater experience and a resume filled with high level opponents of various fighting styles. Still, everyone comes back to the fundamental reality that no one has ever really seen a fighter quite like Machida before.

In the co-main event of the evening, Matt Hughes defeated Matt Serra by unanimous decision to gain the upperhand in their long running feud. It was a surprisingly entertaining fight, with Serra taking the first round with his power punching before Hughes used his takedown and ground control abilities to win rounds two and three. The two men embraced after the fight so, for now at least, their well known dislike for one another that began during their stint as rival coaches on The Ultimate Fighter may have ebbed.

About the Author:

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

How To Uncover Your Comedic Voice

By Erin Garcia

You will need to obtain your voice for comedy before you get out there and deal with that brutal world referred to as an audience. You'll have to get the thinking on paper and do some writing.

Work with a notebook with lined paper (preferably letter-size paper or smaller) and take note of any thought you have. Anything which is distinctive to you or your family could be considered. Don't use situations which are private in nature. Your friends as well as family members might not really like you after that.

Go to certain comedy performances and analyze professional comedians. You will not see the same routine, but it is a good decision to see them to get some insight on exactly what you want to perform. Be acquainted to some of them so that you can have an opportunity.

Do the job on some stand-up comedy material for yourself. See what you can discover in yourself which could possibly end up being usable as a great comedy piece. Make use of scenarios that you sense have a lot of sensation and significance.

Once you have enough to carry on for a while then get an open mic practice session. Take your own note pad in the event you need a skills update. Hit up the crowd with some jokes and help to make yourself noticeable as much as possible.

While you're out, and if you observe something that could be a premise for future comedy material then take notes of your own findings and researches.

Many people love to hear you tell jokes. Your family and friends exclaim about how much you can get people to laugh. They seem to consider that stand-up comedy can be your true calling. Now you have to discover how amusing you really are as well as what you can do in order to make the most of this particular gift.

See some top professional comedians on television. Examine the way they do their own techniques and share their stories. If you are a born storyteller, then you can start off by doing that. Or perhaps if you're the kind that's very watchful, then you might want to get into that sub-genre. Regardless if you hit the big time, it's not necessary to rest on your laurels. There can always be new material that you can study from.

Get some family and friends together and show your material. Ask all of them to give you their thoughts on your efficiency. Please feel free to inform them to be truthful. It can be challenging with someone who you are acquainted with simply because they don't wish to harm your feelings when they feel you suck and need to make improvements. Make sure you take notes.

Examine your notes in order to sort out good points and weak points. Assess those notes together with your activities on video and find out what comes closest or is right on point with the personality you perform. Whatever you do the most and the very best of, is what you should start out with.

Rehearse your own stand-up acts in front of a mirror. Stick to what you do best and take out anything that isn't part or should not be part of the act. Maintain the exact same character and style of comedy throughout. You want the audience to get used to your way of making them laugh.

Don't stop practicing. The more you train, the more you get better with your routine. Practicing is the only way you're going to get your stand-up act the way it needs to be. Go to various locations and watch how the crowd welcomes you.

Every performance needs to be videotaped. Take a look at them soon after and just listen if you see any kind of imperfections that can be taken off for future stand-up acts. Avoid being somebody that you are not. Your acts must be unique and natural. Don't pressure yourself to make changes that could let down your audience.

About the Author:

How To Develop A Style Of Comedy

By Bethy Shaw

Even though their road to stardom could be challenging at first, when they start getting a captive and receptive audience, they're on their way with their reward. At the start, they have to utilize their thought process and look at what could make the audience laugh.

Comedians consistently need to tweak and get tune their material till they get to a point where everyone is attentive to them. Still, there will be instances where they should think about what they say.

Think of what type of comedy can fit you. How do you speak? Are you full of life and animation? Or do you think you're rigid and just stand there wishing to tell jokes? Do you know of any funny tales from your childhood that can make great fodder to the audience? When you are aware of what you want to accomplish, you will be able to make a name.

Look for comedians who perform in the same way that you just do. The simplest way to advance would be to check out various comedy clubs and look at what expert comedians are doing. Take a look and pay attention at how they connect, share stories and render punch lines.

Some comedians may talk very quickly, while some may talk slow. Some will speak soft, while some will talk loud. It depends upon their personality as to how they deliver.

Get related on a personal level. Try to find some issues that you witnessed you want and don't want. Think about things or incidents that make you happy or sad. Comedians must have to be able to connect with their listeners on a personal level. Free your mind and note precisely what comes to you.

There are different types of funny acts which you could practice with:

Observations - this is when you're identifying foolish occurrences or other activities that happen everyday.

Mimicking - this means you are attempting to sound like another person.

Comparison Jokes - comparing yourself to someone else, recognizing differences.

List Jokes - the primary two areas offer a similar experience and the third part is opposite of the first two.

Don't forget the punch line when you are attempting to woo your viewers with humor. A punch line will be the last portion of a joke or comedic sketch where there's a term or a few words that the comedian use to make the audience have a good laugh. When you take too much time to do the punch line, the audience may become disinterested.

With stand-up comedy, you should rehearse your comedy routine. You may first want to practice it in front of people that you don't know. You are searching for an honest opinion, whether it's good or bad.

Doing the work in front of people you know may be tough. A lot of times they don't wish to hurt your feelings, thus you might not receive a genuine opinion from them. You want to know if your component is any good. If it's not, you should modify it to exactly where you'll get people to respond positively. Work in the comedy clubs and anywhere else you can try out your element.

Comedy clubs are the ideal place to start your career. Keep on getting a feel of what you can do in order to get the pleasure of your audience. Make sure that your comedic routines are original and they have not been raised from other comedians.

Doing stand-up comedy is not easy. Back in the days if you could get your buddies to laugh at your jokes, it was ok. Back then, people would easily think of you as a comedian. However, when you are performing in front of a live audience, it is a different story.

About the Author:

Weeds Is A Showtime TV Hit Series About Selling Pot

By Alexis Snow

For the last ten years, there's been a defining trend in fictional television: Realism. It started with reality television and influenced fictional television before long like Sopranos, and Weeds is definitely one of the funniest in this trend, and certainly belongs on your downloads queue the next time you pay a visit to your tv and movie download service.

The realism trend probably began with shows like Survivor. See, for a time, TV shows were becoming incredibly predictable. You always knew exactly what was gonna happen, you knew every punchline to every joke, it was just the same old stuff time and again, and people just didn't care anymore. It wasn't hard for shows like Survivor and Top Chef to steal viewers away by the thousands.

Along came reality television. Say what you will about it, but it did make some changes. TV producers found that viewers really responded better to more realistic scenarios, more real people. Even if reality shows are staged, even if they can be crass and artless, the fact remains that they use real human emotions and drama to build the whole package, even if that real drama is sometimes twisted around in editing to seem more extreme than it really is.

With fictional television, the first to really catch on was The Sopranos, which could have been just some mob show twenty years ago, but post-Survivor, it became much more, a show about a real character, Tony Soprano. In Goodfellas, all the characters have to worry about is mob stuff, who's gonna get whacked and so on. In Sopranos, Tony has to consider that, plus where is his daughter going for college? How does he deal with his own and his son's panic attacks? How does he make his wife happy? This was real life seeping into a fictional scenario.

Weeds follows a suburban widow and her two sons as they deal with family issues and... The family business. It follows Sopranos in a way, in that the family business is... Well, she's a weed dealer. She sells pot to all of the local yuppie potheads. A constant source of humor is the fact that she doesn't always fit in with the shallow vapid people of her neighborhood, being a weed dealer amidst investment bankers and soccer moms.

The show is really defined by some great characters. The Candyman is one of the best. She's actually a female character, codenamed the Candyman. She runs a bakery that specializes in marijuana goodies. She's also a fitness nut, refusing to sell to anyone who doesn't promise to exercise and burn off the extra calories provided by her brownies and cupcakes.

When you watch the show, you have two big plot threads to root on: First of all, she has to keep her family in order and make sure her children are safe and happy, and secondly, she wants to keep building her weed empire to eventually become the primary provider of primo stuff in her sprawling suburban community.

Be warned that the show is quite addictive. Each season is really designed as a self contained story, as opposed to each episode, so when you watch one, you'll want to watch the next one right away. Make sure to download a whole season at a time if you really want to enjoy the series. Just be ready to set a few hours aside whenever you want to sit down and watch.

About the Author:

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Jim Zorn To Remain Redskins Coach Until End Of Season

By Ross Everett

Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn is off of the hot seat-at least temporarily. After a recent swoon that saw him stripped of play calling duties for the NFL team, Zorn got a vote of confidence from upper management on Friday. His head isn't entirely out of the noose, however, as the reprieve will last only to the end of the season unless some marked improvement is seen in the second half.

Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato had the following statement:

"Jim Zorn is the head coach of the Washington Redskins and will be for the rest of this season, and hopefully into the future."

"The frustration is very high, everywhere around here. But the relationships internally within this organization, quite frankly, remain the same."

For his part, Zorn was nonplussed by the vote of 'semi-confidence':

"I don't necessarily have a reaction to that because I am the head coach. I want to be here for the next 10 years. That's my story."

While he didn't express much personal relief from the management statement, he said he hoped it would benefit his players:

"If it comforts the players - awesome! But I think our players are focused regardless of what the situation is. Whatever has to be said, I guess it has to be said, but we go on."

Quarterback Jason Campbell sounded relieved that the drama was over for the time being:

"That should relieve a lot of tension and a lot of stress. Guys don't have to worry about thinking about it or talking about it. We were the soap opera for the NFL the last two weeks so hopefully it'll calm down a little bit."

Ceratto also had a different take on the removal of Zorn's play calling duties:

"Look at all the things that we've done to try to help. You could have done other things drastically. No, you have confidence in him, because you want him to do well. Hopefully we can just concentrate and focus on winning football games.

He also expressed confidence in offensive consultant-and new offensive playcaller-Sherm Lewis' ability to do the job:

"You don't forget how to ride a bike if you hadn't rode your bike in four years."

The Redskins have slumped to a 2-4 record in the early part of the NFL season despite being the first team in league history to play six straight games against winless teams. Washington will host the Philadelphia Eagles this Monday night before a bye week. After the bye, they'll return to action on the road against the Atlanta Falcons on November 8.

About the Author:

Kobe, Iverson Miss NBA All Star Game

By Ross Everett

The NBA All Star game was played without a couple of high profile participants this year as the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson would not play due to injury. Kobe and 'AI' were the latest in a string of injuries to All Star players that also claimed Portland's Brandon Roy and New Orleans' Chris Paul.

Kobe Bryant has been plagued with minor injuries all year, but missed the Lakers' last three games prior to the All Star contest due to an ankle sprain. Los Angeles is hopeful that by not playing in the game that Kobe will be able to return to action immediately after play resumes following the All Star break. Bryant did travel to Dallas to participate in All Star game festivities.

Iverson has missed Philadelphia's past five games due to an illness suffered by one of his young children. Unlike Kobe, Iverson wasn't expected to be in Dallas this weekend due to the nature of his situation. It's debatable that Iverson deserved an All Star game nod in the first place. He quickly wore out his welcome in Memphis to start the year, and eventually landed back in Philadelphia where he's averaged 14.4 points per game since his return. He was voted in to the starting lineup by NBA fans, and this renewed calls from the media to revise the procedure for selecting All Star game participants.

Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks was chosen to replace Bryant in the Western Conference lineup, while New York's David Lee was the East's fill in for Iverson. The West already had two 'fill ins' named to their roster as Denver's Chauncy Billups and the LA Clippers' Chris Kaman took the place of Chris Paul and Brandon Roy respectively.

NBA betting enthusiasts had several options on the menu beginning with the annual 'rookies vs. sophomores' game on Saturday. The Sophomores were a -12 point favorite with the total set at 245' but were crushed by the rookie team. This year's game in Dallas set an all time record for All Star game attendance.

About the Author:

Oklahoma QB Bradford Looking At Season Ending Surgery

By Ross Everett

Oklahoma's junior quarterback Sam Bradford will likely opt for season ending shoulder surgery. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was to announce his plans at a Wednesday night press conference, but that has been canceled with no official word from Bradford expected before Saturday. Despite the delay, unnamed sources close to the situation indicate that there is "a very good chance" that Bradford will go under the knife in hopes of insuring a better opportunity with a NFL team next season.

Despite every indication that the decision to undergo surgery to repair an injured AC joint in his throwing shoulder is to eliminate the potential perception that he is 'damaged goods' in advance of the NFL draft, University officials stressed that there has been no official decision in this regard.

On Wednesday, Sooners' coach Bob Stoops addressed the media about Bradford:

"He just wasn't ready to fully answer everything that'll want to be asked and for sure what he wants to do just yet, until he has a few more people to visit with. That's it. I won't say another word about it."

"Sam's whole situation, he'll have something to say when he knows what his path will be, and that isn't right now. I'm not the one to answer it. He will. And I will once he feels he's ready to and knows for sure what he wants to do."

OU quarterbacks' coach Josh Heupel talked about the conflicting issues that Bradford is currently dealing with as he tries to decide what the best course of action to take is:

"I think it's extremely difficult for him, coming back for all the right reasons, wanting to have an opportunity to go compete on the football field, compete for championships and then having all those things taken away from you. There's a lot of hard work that goes into it and when you invest that much, it's going to be extremely disappointing. It's not an easy situation for him, certainly."

Despite their 3-3 record, Oklahoma has played well this year. The losses came to top level opponents BYU, Miami and Texas by a total of five points. Still, barring a cataclysmic collapse by higher ranked teams of historic proportions there's no real hope for a return to national championship contention.

Had Bradford opted to go to the NFL last season, he could have been one of the highest players selected in the draft. He had a monumental season last year, throwing for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns. With his struggles this season and his injury, his future at the next level has grown somewhat more problematic. He could elect for surgery and opt for the draft this season, realizing that he'd be viewed as something of a 'risky choice'. Otherwise he could return for his senior season in hopes of improving his stock though that is always a dicey proposition due to the risk of additional injury.

About the Author:

Monday, August 23, 2010

Starcraft 2 Gameplay - How To Master Starcraft 2

By Sean Rezine

If you've played the original Starcraft, Starcraft 2 gameplay should look very familiar in many aspects. There are still 3 races with most of the same strengths and weaknesses. Quite a few of the original units also return. Apart from the standard gameplay similarities, blizzard has taken Starcraft 2 to a whole new level.

The graphics are downright mind-blowing. They are more on par with most major RPGs than that of an RTS. The unit-terrain interaction is more realistic as well. Some units will visibly climb higher ground and ships get blown to fiery bits and slide down ramps.

Every single game begins using the same base/unit set. It'll still end under the same conditions, and whether you win or lose can be determined by seemingly minute details at the time. Are you a tower junkie, do you love unit rushes, or is it a fast tech game? Each choice could mean the difference between winning or losing the game.

Due to the fact that Starcraft 2 is still in its infancy at the time of this writing, there will be a sizable learning curve for all players. You can take advantage of this time period and hit top ladder rankings rapidly. This is done by short-cutting the learning curve by grabbing a game guide.

Starcraft 2 gameplay isn't an exact science, and if it were it would be convoluted beyond the scope of any video game guide. It does, however, help to have knowledge of a variety of approaches you may use and weaknesses you may exploit. Is a certain race or unit combination giving you trouble? You will save a lot of frustration in this department by grabbing a Starcraft 2 guide. If you aren't ahead of the competition, you're behind them.

Some may well lie to you and tell you that a selected game guide will make you a pro overnight. It will not. There are some things in the game that can only be acquired with practice and instinct gained through practice. The amount of practice it will take you to become a master is going to be seriously decreased should you have a guide though.

Do not be against a guide because you don't like reading gobs of text about the game though. A very good game guide will involve video instruction also. Choose wisely which guide is suitable for you.

About the Author:

Find Unlimited Movie Downloads Services Online

By Corey Townsend

I am sure that no one would dispute the fact that a lot of people love to watch movies. It is one of the worlds most favorite past times, and people are willing to pay money on a regular basis to enjoy all of the newest films that come out on cinema and DVD. All this can be a costly affair, and therefore people will not always see all of the films that they might want. It is also something that is time consuming and for busy people. It is simply not viable to take time out to do all of this very often. However, with the use of the internet we are now able to do unlimited movie downloads that will allow us to watch films whenever and wherever we want. So what are the main advantages of this?

Well, the first benefit to speak of is the convenience of downloading movies from the internet. Going out and buying a film on DVD is fine but at the end of the day isn't it a lot easier to do all of this without ever having to leave your home? Instead of going out into the local town, queuing up with everyone else, buying the product, heading all of the way home and then finally getting to watch the film, all you need to do is jump online and after a few clicks your movie will be available for your viewing pleasure.

The second advantage to consider is the price. As I said, when you go out and actually buy a DVD you are going to have to shell out a few bucks, even for older films and for the newer releases you are going to need to be spending quite a bit. If you are a bit of a film fan and are regularly buying the latest releases, this is something that can really add up.

Rather than doing this you are easily able to find one of the download sites that can offer you all of the movies you can imagine. You will be able to sign up to one of these for a flat fee, and from here you can enjoy all of the downloads that you want.

The third benefit to consider is the fact that these downloads are perfectly legal and safe. A lot of people will think that doing all of this is not actually legal and they may get caught by the authorities for some sort of illegal download, but this is not true.

However, with these legal movie download sites you do not have to worry about the legality of what you are doing and you can also feel pretty safe that the site is going to protect all downloads against the onslaught of any sort of internet violence.

In addition to this another problem that people think about is the fact that downloading a film might well open up their computer to potential attack from some sort of hacker or virus. This however is not something that you need to worry about as these legal sites will have all of the up to date protection that you could need.

These are only a few reasons why people are downloading movies from the internet. Movie downloading is less expensive, fast and very convenient.

About the Author:

Lead Guitar Scales: These Can Help You Become A Master

By Soudai Kunai

If you want to hear someone who knows their scales.... Check out Paul Gilbert. You will never be the same after you hear him play scales. While learning lead guitar scales can be boring, it is absolutely important for you to master them. Once you have, you can easily learn to play any lead guitar part, from any musical genre.

There are boatloads of ways to learn scales. But if you want to make things easy on yourself, just lock into the to key scales.... the Pentatonic and the Major scales. If you think about it, the Pentatonic scale is one of the key lead guitar scales. Learn the Minor and Major Pentatonics and you can cover just about every playing situation that exists. If you learn the Major and Minor versions of this. You've got 90% of the situations covered. Technically, the Pentatonic Scale is a scale thats made up of a simple five notes.

To get started with the Minor Pentatonic, pick a string on your guitar. Any string. On that string, choose a fret, and play the note. Next, move your finger up three frets. Play that note. Doing good! Next, move your finger up two frets. Play the note. And now move up two more frets. Play that note. Next, move your finger up three more frets. Play that note. Ok, one more....move up two frets. Play this note. When you play it.. it should sound about the same as the first note you played. This is the octave of that very first note.

Done? Now you can pat yourself on the back! You can use this scale to play anywhere on the neck of your guitar. Its the Minor Pentatonic. So keep practicing this one. One other thing...this pattern can be used to play the major pentatonic scale. Just begin on the second note of the pattern to get started. That's it. And when you compare the major scale vs the pentatonic scale, the major uses all seven notes. The pentatonic uses just five notes. Ok, and something else I forgot to mention.. when you are playing major scales, keep your fretting fingers in the right position.

One idea for learning major scales is to play just three notes per string; and by doing this, you'll increase the speed of your playing.... once you've mastered it. Lets begin with the sixth string. Now just use your first, third and fourth fingers for fretting and position them separated by one fret. Strum them downwards, then upwards and then down again. Repeat with the fifth string, but in the up direction. Now go down and up again.

Alright, now when you move to the fourth string, move your first finger just one fret down, and keep your other fingers in the same position; keeping in the same position for the third string, and on the second string, move with the first finger, moving one fret down, and with the third finger two frets down, and with the fourth finger, just one fret below that. Now that you've moved, play and keep the exact same position on that last string. Make sure that throughout, you continue your alternate picking patterns.

About the Author:

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Taxi Driver With Robert DiNero

By Ernest Gillespie

Scorsese is always considered the greatest living filmmaker. Whether or not you agree, even his critics consider him one of the greatest that's ever lived. Even when doing some fairly standard genre biopic material with the Aviator or remakes like The Departed and Cape Fear, he still manages to put a personal touch on the material and create the sort of film, like Taxi Driver, that simply pulls you directly into its world.

There aren't many directors so capable at effortlessly building a world around you. You'll feel as if you're really sitting in that grimy taxi cab, right next to Travis Bickle. It almost has a documentary like feel with the gritty look of the film and the spontaneous nature of the script. It is as close as you can get to the "found footage" feel without gimmicks like hand held cameras.

You could consider the film the second part of a trilogy with Wim Wenders' Paris, Texas, and John Ford's The Searchers, which both of the other films are loose remakes of. All three of these films tell a very similar story, and it goes to show that a movie not so much about what it's about, but how it is about it.

The Searchers is an adventure film rotating around the themes of racism and lonesomeness. Paris, Texas takes a similar story and tells it in a sweet way, focusing on issues of lonesomeness and family, and Scorsese focuses on lonesomeness and the use of violence as a means of personal validation. In all three, the heroes serve as escorts, attempting to rescue people and put them where they need to be, reuniting them with their families, but in all three, the heroes must leave once more in the end, forever alone.

In each film, a real statement on loneliness is made. This is what helps the heroes of these films to be so easy to relate to, even as they do things that most of us would never be proud of having done. Even Travis Bickle, who commits so many acts of grisly violence, is such a human and endearing character in spite of his mental illness, because we know what it is to be that desperate for validation.

At one point or other, everyone has been in Travis Bickle's shoes. Most of us work it out with less extreme measures, but we've all known what it's like to be surrounded by so many people and still feel so isolated. We know exactly where Travis has been and while that doesn't forgive his crimes, we do understand him.

What many people don't talk about in regards to this film really is that there's a part of you that roots for Travis, even as he commits serious acts of violence at the end. We wish that we could cast the film as a simple cowboys and Indians tale of right and wrong. The tragedy is that it's just not that simple.

The film serves as a great companion piece to The Searchers and Paris, Texas, but it also goes hand in hand with Stallone's First Blood, which was similarly about an outsider, a Vietnam veteran, who turns to violence as a way to find personal validation.

About the Author:

Tattoo After Care

By Rian Haswanda

So, you should know about tattoo after care because you are ready to get a new tattoo!

It might be your first time, or it could be your tenth time, but in every case, you should review your tattoo after care instructions prior to getting your new tattoo. You might wonder about the logic about studying the instructions before getting your new tattoo, but it is like baking a cake, you just shouldn't make any mistakes with these instructions because new tattoos are open wounds and susceptible to infection.

You must be attentive to your new tattoo, and keep it as clean as possible to ensure it heals as cleanly as possible so you prevent infection and have the nicest looking tattoo possible.

While the healing stages of a tattoo will be as unique to each individual and there is people on this planet, the tattoo healing process does follow a general pattern. The specifics of each tattoo's healing process relies on the different skin type of the individual, the location of the tattoo figure, an the techniques of the tattoo artist. These factors can all cause a variance in the healing process from individual to individual.

You will end up given aftercare instructions by your tattoo artist. These aftercare instructions differ from artist to artist. My recommendation to you is if uncertain about anything, always get back on your tattoo artist before seeking the assistance of a doctor. Your tattoo artist can have a look at your tattoo and tell how to proceed if there is a problem to correct any healing problems.

If your tattoo artist cannot help, they should send you for medical attention from a doctor. If they can't, then of course, you must go yourself to make sure that your health is not at risk. Here's your responsibility.

Many times doctors aren't aware about tattoos and will prescribe unnecessary medications that may harm your tattoo's healing process. Some doctors may even be biased against tattoos. For this reason I suggest that put forth the tattoo artist first if you feel there is a healing problem with your new tattoo. The artist works with tattoos day in and day out and is familiar with the ultimate way to heal their work.

When you leave the tattoo studio, you will have a bandage on your new tattoo to protect it from outside contact. This bandage should be removed 2- 3 hours after getting your tattoo. Your tattoo may bleed a little for the first 24 hours, remember, your new tattoo is akin to an open wound.

Before you remove your bandage, you should definitely wash your hands with soap and warm water, in between the fingers, and under the fingernails. Then dry your hands with a clean paper towel. Avoid the use of any old towel that is laying there, or possibly a clean towel as lint may be transferred to your hands.

Be sure to have not let a large amount of blood dry on your bandage so that it sticks. Be very, very gentle as you remove your bandage so as not to start the tattoo bleeding again. If you just rip off your bandage, you can mess up the appearance of your new tattoo, and ensure do that, now do you?

Wash your tattoo gently, very gently with anti-bacterial water and soap to clean it. Do not scrub your tattoo, avoid the use of a washcloth, or anything else other than your fingers or hand to clean the tattoo. Do not rub, but "pat" the tattoo as you wash it. Then, if you are finished, pat the tattoo dry with a clean dry paper towel. Or, use clean toilet paper even, without any paper towels on hand.

Let your tattoo air dry for 15 minutes or so. This will promote healing.

After your tattoo has dried, apply a few drops of Emu Oil to your tattoo. The presence of essential fatty acids with the hyper-oxygenation of Emu Oil naturally increases the circulation to the applied area which is why Emu Oil works so well and so quickly to heal.

Although it is an oil, it has been proved that Emu Oil does not clog pores (unlike most commercially made tattoo aftercare products that are petroleum based), therefore allowing the skin to breathe during the healing process. Emu Oil penetrates through all seven layers on the skin and is rich in nutrients (efa's) that feed the skin to aid in new cell development that can hasten the healing process. Emu Oil is also a natural emollient keeping the skin moist and pliable.

The application of the Emu Oil immediately after the tattoo has been cleaned will also relieve the discomfort and reduce the inflammation and redness of the new tattoo. Emu Oil will help set the new colors due to its deep penetrating properties and will help reduce plasma oozing.

Using Emu Oil 2-3 times a day after repeating the cleaning process while the tattoo heals will keep the area moist reducing or eliminating the flaking or scabbing that often occurs as new tattoos heal. Emu Oil can prevent the need for touch ups which saves the artist time and money, and makes for a happy tattoo customer.

New tattoos will look red and swollen immediately following the tattoo procedure. The tattoo will continue to appear this way a couple of days throughout the tattoo healing process. Within a week to ten days the skin surrounding the tattoo should be more normal again - most tattoos are completely healed in three weeks time.

While it is healing it is necessary not to do these things or you may damage your tattoo:

- Do Not scratch your new tattoo

- Do Not pick at your new tattoo

- Do Not expose your tattoo to sunlight or tanning beds under any circumstances

- No swimming, hot tubs or baths the first two weeks after getting your new tattoo

- Do Not shave the tattooed area for around 30 days following the tattoo procedure

- Only touch your tattoo with clean hands, do not let others touch your tattoo

Not only is Emu Oil good for healing new tattoos, it is good for restoring older, aged, sun damaged tattoos as well. This is a result of the natural hyper-oxygenation of Emu Oil which brings blood and oxygen to the surface on the skin. This, coupled with Emu Oil's ability to moisturize through all seven layers on the skin, allows users to see quick results when the oil is applied to older tattoos.

With the proper care of your tattoo from the start, there isn't a reason why you shouldn't enjoy the beauty of your tattoo for years.

About the Author: