投稿者: HasenChat Music Japan

Laser eye correction might just change your life. Literally. My experience seems typical of so many patients who chose to take this route. Thanks to Lasik MD of Windsor, Canada, I now live a life completely free of vision correction. It’s an amazing experience to say the least. While I was quite impressed with the clinic that did our procedure, this is by no means an advertisement for them. This is simply my testimony to how big of a positive impact this procedure could have on your life.

With a corrective near-sighted prescription of -2.75 and -3.25, glasses were not an option in my life, they were an absolute necessity. I couldn’t drive, read, watch television, or clearly recognize a face from ten feet away. Any activity that caused sweat caused irritation… glasses sliding down my nose and slipping from my ears. The battle of the contact lens was a ritual whenever we planned outdoors summer activities. It was simply a part of life and those of you who have to wear glasses know exactly what I’m talking about. Up until recently, it was just something I had to deal with.

The decision to weigh out the risk involved was a short one for me. Sure, you could go blind. You could end up having worse vision. But, we face risk everyday. This is a small risk I was going to face. I had heard from plenty of folks who were thrilled with the results to convince me I was going to do it, once I had the funds. With any surgery, there are possibilities for complications. After calling a few clinics in Michigan, I quickly found that their was a wide range of prices available, but generally speaking, it was quite a bit cheaper to have it done in Canada. If you’re considering surgery, be sure to look into this option before signing up anywhere in the states. Both eyes ended up costing me about $1,500 USD. Of course, you need to consider the costs of travel, hotel, and follow-up care in your budget process. They even take Visa.

I set up my appointment two weeks in advance, and found Lasik MD to be quite flexible in terms of times available. I scheduled my screening, surgery, and immediate follow up care in one three day span of a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Upon arrival, the Lasik MD offices were surprisingly professional, clean, and inviting.

One thing I found was that thinking about the surgery was much worse than the actual procedure. The procedure itself lasted about 15 minutes total. It’s somewhat of an uneasy thought of having someone do anything to your eyes, but again, I had some confidence because of so many positive testimonies from friends. The craziest sensation during the whole process was when they made the initial incision into my eye on the second day. If you’ve ever looked into a kaleidoscope as a child, this is the real thing ~ an odd feeling but completely painless.

I’d have to say the first few days after surgery were a little concerning, as intermittent cloudiness was how my vision went. But after several weeks, this almost completely went away. The halo effects lingered for awhile (you see a glare around lights noticed mostly when driving at night) but this also went away after a couple months.

Today, my vision is officially 20/20. I went out and bought a pair of expensive sunglasses. You know the significance of this if you’re vision impaired! I see absolutely perfectly six months later and have had no regrets at all. In fact, I’d pay $10,000 for the surgery if I had to. It’s that awesome! If you’re interested in reading a more detailed version of our experience, including the disappointment my wife faced with this process, feel free to check out

There is something about parenthood that gives us a sense of history and a deeply rooted desire to send on into the next generation the great things we have discovered about life. And part of that is the desire to instill in our children the love of science, of learning and particularly the love of nature.

Your fascination with the universe and how to explore it as we so often do in the field of astronomy can be highly academic and dry as maybe it was if you took a course in astronomy. But when you get out there in the field at night, your equipment is just right and the night sky comes alive with activity, there is no other experience like it for majesty and pure excitement. And that is the kind of experience we want our children to come to love as much as we do.

It’s actually not a big jump from play to learning for children when it comes to learning about the natural world, science and astronomy. Exploration is a natural part of being a child and growing up in a fascinating world and universe. So if we can find ways to take that natural desire to explore and instill a life long passion for astronomy, we will have given our children a truly great gift.

So with a few simple family activities, we can instill that love of astronomy in our offspring. Here are some ideas.

* Make star gazing part of family life. You already love to go outdoors as often as possible to enjoy the stars. So don’t let that be your private passion. Get everybody into the act. The kids will love it and look forward to those nights as much as going to the circus.

* Make each new experience in growing into astronomy a fresh threshold. So the first experiences might be what you experienced as a kid, just laying on your back out in the country with the panorama of the stars overhead trying to take it all in. Go ahead and challenge them to count the stars. It’s a fun exercise and one they will save to use as a joke on their kids when they do this same thing in a few decades.

* Take them along the road of learning, introducing binoculars so they can focus on particular areas of the night sky.

* Now they are hooked and want to know about why some of the stars are brighter than others. They have no idea they are going to astronomy school and don’t even know it. You can tell them about the constellations as you point out how to find them by keying off the North Star. By being able to find things in that mass of stars and knowing there is such a vast amount more they can pick out, they are ripe for learning from star maps and about how the galaxies work.

* Think of their excitement as they notice the changes in the night sky. The phases of the moon and the effect of the rotation of the earth on the position of the planets. Help them find their favorite celestial bodies each night. Before long they will learn to chart the movement of the stars just like the early astronomers did.

* Now you will get caught up in the excitement of finding new things to reveal to your excited crew of fledgling astronomers. When you reveal that you are going on a safari to see an eclipse, a meteor shower or the once in a lifetime appearance of a comet, that gift will as big as anything you might spring on them for Christmas.

The wonders of the night sky will captivate your children the way it has you for years. And you will have done them the greatest favor you ever could do by making them lifelong lovers of the universe.

With more and more people participating in outdoor and extreme sports adequate eye protection is a must. The two biggest dangers to the eyes in this environment are ultra violet (UV) light from the sun and impact from a direct blow to the face. The safety aspect of sports eyewear, however, is not solely the concern of the elite or extreme sports person. Sports people at all levels are wise to take some time in considering the type of sports eyewear they choose. With sports participation becoming more and more popular the demand for expertise in sports vision is increasing.

Eye Safety
Both elite and recreational sports enthusiasts need to ensure that their sports sunglasses offer one hundred percent protection from harmful UVA and UVB light as well as being impact resistant in case of mishaps! These are features that many ‘fashion’ sunglasses lack. For this reason fashion sunglasses should never be worn during sport. They are unlikely to withstand impact and may shatter causing eye or facial injury. The ideal material for sports eyewear is polycarbonate which is a thermoplastic polymer. This material is lightweight and has excellent impact resistance.

Always check the label on any sports sunglasses to ensure that the lenses offer maximum UV protection. Exposing the eye to UV light can contribute to the develoment of cataracts, eye tumours and macular degeneration. The eye can even get ‘sunburn’ – a condition known as ‘keratitis’. This is especially a concern in sports during which the eye is exposed to excessive reflected light such as skiing, snowboarding and water sports. UV bounces off snow and water even on cloudy days therefore it is important to always wear tinted goggles or sports sunglasses during these sports. Polarised lenses are the best choice for these sports as they absorb about ninety eight percent of reflected glare. Swimming goggles are now available with tinted or mirrored lenses to reduce glare in outdoor swimming and other water sports.

Sports sunglasses are also designed with features to make sure they stay on your face! This may sound like an obvious point but it is an important safety consideration. Rubber non-slip temple and nose grips are common features of sports sunglasses. Most are available with inexpensive rubber head straps to further increase security.

A safety feature of skiing goggles is anti-fogging properties. Not only is fogging a huge frustration for skiers and snowboarders, it can lead to potential accidents and injury. Double lenses, anti-fog coating and controllable vents are features to look for in goggles.

You wouldn’t wear your regular footwear for sport so why wear your regular sunglasses! Some Optometrists are now specialising in sports vision and are best placed to offer specific advice regarding the safety aspect of sports eyewear. Your eyes are precious and vulnerable – protect them well and enjoy your sport!

All too often people look at marketing ROI in terms of response rate: in other words, “I sent out 10,000 pieces of direct mail and only got 39 responses which is terrible.” This is wrong think.

When it comes to marketing ROI, you have to realize that the term means Return On Investment and the return is measured in dollars (or your local currency). Let’s say you spend $2,000 to get out a bulk mailing of 5,000 pieces and you get 10 calls as a result. Doesn’t look like much. But of these 10 calls you close 6 and get immediate sales of $12,000. That’s marketing ROI! And that’s not even taking into account the future sales to those 6 new customers. It could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The same simple mathematics apply to any other marketing efforts: radio ads, press releases or articles in magazines, print ads, yellow pages, web site, etc.

Obviously you need to keep track of response from each marketing campaign you do so that you can weed out unsuccessful campaigns and strengthen successful ones.

Case in point:

Jeff Lee, CFO of a very successful consulting company, Measurable Solutions, has adopted a successful small business marketing strategy based on direct mail marketing. Key elements are mailing out a newspaper and full color postcards. The design is done in house and the printing and mailing is done by a specialized postcard printing company. In his own words…

“We get our best response from mailing out a newspaper and back it up with postcards. Depends on the postcards. Some postcards have pulled better than others.

“The professionalism of the postcards is something that is effective: it gets attention, it keeps the image that we want to keep, it creates the reach, it creates the response and keeps our leads in a very high range.

“We probably average around 7,500 post cards per week. Out of 7,500 post cards we’ll get in an average of 15-20 leads. Of the 15-20 leads at least a third of them come to our introductory seminar. So say 5 or 7 people show up and they pay $1,700 a piece. Off of that we close a further $30-40,000 for services.

“The money we have put into the postcards is like a drop in a bucket compared to what we get back. We know that the more promotion we send out, the more return we’re going to get. It always works.”

That is excellent marketing ROI. Measurable Solutions spend about $2,275 for 7,500 full color post cards. That includes printing, postage, mailing (including the mailing list). From that they get between $8,500 and $11,900 in immediate response for an introductory seminar and an additional $30-40,000 follow-up sales. Spend $2,275, earn $40-50,000. You don’t need to have majored in advanced math and rocket science to work that one out: that is what is meant by marketing ROI!

Results of direct mail marketing vary from business to business but the principle holds and always works: if you send out enough promotion, you will make sales and maximize your marketing ROI. Don’t worry about response rate if your marketing ROI is high.

Attractive lighting, effective ventilation. These two aspects of home building have been separated for years. However, thanks to Broan’s series of Decorative Fan/Lights, these two challenges have been combined into one inconspicuous yet attractive product that saves homeowners and contractors valuable time and money.

At first glance, all one sees is a decorative light fixture. But upon further, closer inspection, air is felt to be drawn up and around the light as a result of an inconspicuous exhaust fan.

The Decorative Fan/Light combines elegant styling with effective performance to deliver form and function.

For bathrooms up to 100 square feet in area, the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) recommends an exhaust fan provide one cubic foot/minute (CFM) per square foot (approximately eight air changes per hour) for proper ventilation. The Decorative Fan/ Light from Broan offers two power and sound levels-four models offer 70 CFM with a sound level of 3.5 Sones, while three models feature a more powerful and quiet 80 CFM at 2.5 Sones. A Sone is the sound level of a ventilating product. One Sone roughly equals the sound of a refrigerator when operating in a quiet kitchen.

Ideal for a powder room or a bathroom, such a fixture helps control humidity and odor. However, homeowners are likely concerned about how exhaust fans will look installed in the middle of the room. The Decorative Fan/ Light is available in five corrosion-resistant finishes, including oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, satin nickel, white and nutmeg hand-painted cast, seamlessly blending into just about any décor.

Made of rugged, galvanized steel, each Fan/Light houses a plug-in motor and blower wheel. The plug-in light fixture assembly uses two standard 60-watt candelabra lightbulbs, with tapered four-inch round duct fitting providing easy, positive duct connection and quick and accurate installation.

With this new product, homeowners and contractors can save time and money. Because you’re installing two products at once, there’s less hassle and expense and it provides designers with more options for ventilating a room.

Styles change just as quickly as shoe styles and the options are almost unlimited. Finding the best pair for the occasion and your personality isn’t all that difficult as long as you are willing to spend a little time and have quite a bit of fun.

Sport ready

Where the sunglasses really excel are for the active person. Each sport has its favorite while golf players have a design put together just for golf. Glare, in the game of golf is a real pain when tracking the flight of the ball, while peripheral vision is important for keeping the head down and still while following through. Fashion is always important when it comes to sport glasses but practicality is still the important part of the game for serious athletes. Polarized lenses are front and center in this regard. Not letting in damaging rays is important, not only for keeping you at 100% of your game but because real damage can occur if dangerous UV B rays are consistently bombarding your eyes. If the wearer is always at altitude this is an even more important feature.

Go active, go prescription

Just because you happen to be blind as a bat doesn’t mean that you can’t look good and see well while having some fun. Prescriptions are now being put into active eyewear for a range of sports. Check out the web for: skiing, moto-cross, motorcycle riding or swim goggles and face protectors. Any option is available and not particularly expensive if you compare them to the glasses you’re now wearing. A pair of Wayfarers on the web can be found for approximately $180 depending upon the prescription and added options like polarization/scratch resistance and all those sorts of things they offer.

Are they breakable?

Glasses frames of today are a direct beneficiary of technology in many ways. Frames these days are almost indestructible and believe it or not ‘Made in USA’ by many manufacturers. Of course the less costly frames still come from overseas but the quality specs are best found made by US citizens. Frame welds are top notch and lenses are ground to tight tolerances. They are your eyes after all and the only pair you’ll likely get so it is important to spend wisely on them.

The glare of the spotlight

We see them almost every day, the cause celebrity plying their look on the red carpet. Add in some photographers or just a quick stop at a charity high sun outdoor event and the need for sunglasses is a must. DNKY is a favorite of many celebrities on this circuit while Bolle also makes a splash. Depending upon who you are and what your particular claim to fame happens to be, big “Jackie O” type sun glasses are in for the fashionistas while slimmed down action wear works the best for the hunky actor on the scene.

Studious eyewear

Who knew that looking smart was the “in” fashion statement these days. Wearing the correct pair of glasses, to achieve that “smart look”, works well with just about any outfit and gives you the ability to go for an entire new set of looks. Clear wireless frames work well in this regard just as much as those “nerdy” looking glasses frames seen in all the movies stereotyping smart people. These frames, however, are a bit more stylized with a more boxed frame then the typical look you may currently be thinking about. Narrower is also a key part of going for this particular look.

While Maria wanted to undergo laser eye surgery because she was hell bent on improving her looks by discarding her spectacles, Peter was simply bored by the procedure of pushing glasses back up the bridge of his nose for thirty years of his life! So both of them, husband and wife, decided to undergo laser eye surgery. They were determined to equip themselves with all necessary information regarding their duties before and after the surgery and came to me for help. They thanked me for that information after they have recovered. Below is what I had taught them. Consult this guide; it will come to great help if you are also considering a laser eye surgery.

Before Surgery
If you have already taken the decision of undergoing laser surgery, first get your eyes evaluated by a doctor to know whether you make a good candidate at all. In case you wear contact lenses, stop wearing them at least two to three weeks before the consultation to get the right measurements.

Inform the doctor about all your medical history and the medications you are currently on, and the medicines you are allergic to.

After the initial examination is over, the doctor will let you know whether you are good candidate and what you should expect before, during and after the surgery. At this stage, you also ask the doctor questions to clear al your doubts and queries.

On the day before surgery, stop applying the cosmetics like creams, lotions, makeup or perfumes, as the residue of these cosmetics increase the chances of infection. Doctors generally ask to keep the eyelashes clean by scrubbing for a period of time.

An important thing is to arrange for a companion who would accompany you or drive you back to your home after the surgery is over. This is because, after surgery you will be under nerve soothing medication, that will impair your driving ability and also your vision may be slightly blurred just after the surgery.

After surgery
Immediately after the surgery the common sensation that most people experience is an itchy feeling, as if something has gone inside your eyes. The patients tend to rub their eyes in reflex, but be careful not to rub them. Your vision may be slightly hazy and your eyes may water. In some rare cases patients feel pain in their eyes. You may also experience sensitivity to light but that only lasts a matter of a few days. If things do not improve within a week, consult the doctor. You have to revisit your doctor within forty eight hours and the doctor will remove the eye shield, in addition to testing your vision. For at least six months, you have to see the doctor at regular intervals.

At this stage you will be prescribed eye drops to prevent infections. For some time you have to keep away from putting on make up and also refrain from swimming and hot baths.

It is a matter of three to six months for your vision to stabilize after surgery. The most important point to remember is if you notice any unusual symptoms, go to the doctor without any delay, otherwise it may lead to loss of vision.

The card trick is a staple to all magician’s bag of tricks. In fact, many magicians today begin warming up their audience with a few card tricks just to get them in the mood.

Magic is all about visual impact and showmanship projected to the audience. And these to don’t come without countless hours and time spent both practicing the trick itself but the show surrounding the trick as well. A well executed flawless magic trick truly is, at the precise moment, magical to the sitting audience.

Even today a well executed card trick is a favorite of the audience. With most card tricks the audience is closer to the magician in order to be able to see the cards. It is this closeness that the audience thinks will allow them to uncover the magic of the card trick. If for no other reason the magician must execute the card trick without any gaffs.

Because of the familiarity that people have with cards and card tricks, you can see that as a magician you have to be extra prepared and smooth when it comes to performing them. Not only because of the audience’s close proximity but also because of their goal to uncover the trick itself.

The underlying mechanism for card tricks is the sleight of hand by the magician. For a veteran magician who has a well polished sleight of hand, card tricks are some of the easiest to perform as well as the biggest crowd pleaser.

The mechanics of the card trick are easy to learn… it’s the sleight of hand (legerdemain)is what a beginning must master… and this can only be accomplished with patience and practice. In fact, practicing until the sleight of hand is just like having a conversation. The body movements, and the conversation have to appear completely normal lest you loose your audience; because their eyes are going to watch every movement.

A vital component to a magician’s sleight of hand is the redirection of the audiences attention from what they are inevitably trying to catch you doing. By insuring that all of your movement looks completely normal and conversational your actual sleight of hand movements draw no suspicion and the trick is therefore magic in the eyes of the beholder.

So, do your best to engage your audience with conversation, some jokes, and some showmanship so that your audience is not fixated on your hands… in fact when you master this art of misdirection you’ll have the foundation for just about any type of magic trick.

If you’re not familiar with Vacuum coffee makers then a written description of how they work may have you a little lost. How ever, to those that own or use vacuum coffee brewers you know what a great cup they make, and what a joy they are to watch.

If you’re a fan of using a French Press to brew your coffee each day, then you’ll love the coffee made in a Vacuum maker. It works on a similar principle of boiling water flowing over freshly ground coffee beans then filtering the grounds out of the water leaving behind a wonderful tasting and smelling cup of coffee.

There’s something to be said when a paper filter isn’t used with coffee grounds, it allows all the acids and aromas from the beans to transfer into the water and create a very special tasting cup of coffee. One that can’t really be compared to what your regular drip coffee maker makes.

So how does a Vacuum coffee maker work?

Well unlike some of my friends who thought a vacuum coffee maker was a combo vacuum coffee brewing machine it’s actually quite a small glass or sometimes plastic appliance. There are both electric and stove top models available (For a great electric or non electric vacuum coffee maker check out the Bodum Santos).

There are two compartments an upper and lower. The lower one has fresh water added to it, and the upper fresh coffee grounds. The two are connected with a plastic or glass tube which has a filter in the center. Once heat is applied to the lower area either via stove top or an electric element the water begins to boil. Once boiling that water travels up to the upper chamber where the coffee grounds are stored. The two then mix together and the brewing process begins.

It’s really quite amazing to watch the water move up and spill over the coffee, it’s a lot more interesting then watching the drips come from your regular old peculator. Now this is the real amazing part, after a short period of time the mixed coffee then beings to transfer back to the bottom chamber once all the water has boiled away. The coffee grounds are separated from the coffee via the filter that is in the tube connecting the two chambers.

Depending on the size of the holes in your filter and the coarseness of your coffee grounds you may get a bit of sediment in your coffee. Once all of the coffee has transferred to the lower chamber again you’re done and ready to enjoy. Sounds like quite the process to brew a pot doesn’t it? In real time all of this happens quite quickly, and it isn’t any longer to make then what a French press would be.

If you’re a real coffee enthusiast I highly recommend you either try out the coffee made in a vacuum maker, or consider purchasing one for your own kitchen. While it may not take the place on weekday mornings of your regular drip coffee maker, I’m sure it’ll be the treat for weekends, and you won’t be disappointed.

Online college degrees have revolutionized the world of education and, as a result, the world of industry too. Many employers are encouraging their employees to advance their education in order to improve the productivity of their workforce. If an individual has a better foundation of knowledge in a certain role then that can serve the company well in its specific industrial sector. As a result, many employers have a positive view of the online college degree. However, although this is the view of a slight majority, not all employers hold to it. Online college degrees are still a subject of hot debate in the world of work.

Some employers may take a negative view towards online college degrees. This is largely because they prefer to have applicants with college degrees that actually attended the university. Attending a college has made it easier to trace the class content and check out credentials in the past. Although this is not the case now, some traditionalists still hold to this view. However, more and more employers are beginning to come round to the idea of completing online college degrees because they have been educated to the fact that it allows education to be available to all and personal circumstances may dictate that an individual cannot attend school on a full time basis. This is largely thanks to the Internet. Employment opportunities online universities provide are therefore also rising in numbers.

From a different perspective, individuals looking to take an online college degree are usually under the misguided notion that such courses only matter to prospective employers. This is in fact not the case. Although they can enhance an individual’s employment opportunities, online universities and the opportunities that they provide also matter to his or her current employer. Existing employers often encourage their employees to take an online college degree to supplement their on the job learning and prepare them for promotion in the future. It ultimately gives them a better workforce and also means that they do not lose an employee for the period of time that it takes to complete the degree. Online college degrees can be worked around a day job, which is beneficial to everyone. For more info see http://www.onlineuniversitydegreehelp.com/Online_Nursing_Degrees/Online_University_Medical_Degree.php on Online University Medical Degree.

Another reason why existing employers like online college degrees is because they can effectively be used to try and tie employees to the company for a period of time. An employer can offer a funding incentive to be able to commit an employee to a long-term contract and that benefits everyone. It retains talent for the employer and provides job security for the employee.

The perspective of online college degrees that an employer takes cannot be predicted. It is unique to them. However, using the skills that an online college degree will teach you could be used to great effect to persuade an employer that your education is unquestionable. Employment opportunities that online universities can bring are great and thus there is no doubting that an online college degree can be of immense benefit to you.

There are 6 things that your scent should do for you, when it comes to a man.

1. Make a statement about you: This is important when
picking a cologne or perfume. You can usually tell by the
name. Your cologne talks to him. It might say, ” The lady is sweet and of a gentle heart.” or it my say, “She is a Tiger. Can you handle it?”, and it could even leave him in mystery. When a man has questions about you he begins to seek for answers. This is where the fun begins. He does cute things like mention the husband or boyfriend you don’t have, to find out if you are single without asking, “Are you single?” Let him have that one for free. Let him be creative to get the rest of his questions the answered. See yourself as a treasure chest. He is a great explorer (or my favorite the handsome bad-boy pirate).

2. Leave an impression on him: You are branding yourself in his mind, as scent is the closest thing tide to memory. He will associate your fragrance with your face, your
personality and your grace. He will carry that memory in the same place in his mind where he carries his favorite food and that is a good place to be in his mind.

3. Linger after you are gone: You can leave your scent on
his cloths, furniture and pillows.This is important. This is
like leaving a remnant of your presence with him. This will
cause him to slip into a day dream involving you. Every time he is near that chair or pillow (even after the fragrance has faded into nothing) he will think of you. Pretty soon just being in the room will make him think of you. You will never know this. He will never tell you, but it is true. The same thing happens to us women when a man smells good. Smell is an invisible charmer.

4. Keep his attention on you: You know the phrase, “All eyes on you”. His eyes will follow you to know end when ever you are near. He’ll find himself following you around while trying to keep his cool. He’ll be talking to someone and loose his train of thought when you pass by and suddenly you will be the most important thing in the room. He’ll more than notice you; he’ll want to know you. If you’ve got the attitude to go with your fragrance, he will want you.

5. Replay you in his mind: He can’t stop thinking about
little things you did around him like your laugh, your walk.
Even the goofy stuff you don’t think is cute, he’ll fine so
cute. He will connect to you and not even really know why. Then the rest is up to you.

6. Make him thirst for you: He’ll go out of his way to see
you. When a man smells something good, he usually wants to eat it. So let him eat the flavor of you up.

A legendary science fiction series is ending. Star Gate SG-1 will begin the last season of its long run in April 2007 on the Sci-Fi Channel. This is very bad news for SG-1 Fans who have invested ten years and over 200 episodes in the long-running saga. But is there more here than meets the eye?

SG-1 has a loyal fan following. That is best explained by the fact that it blends old style science fiction with new. The scripts give you time to get to know the characters without slowing down the action. More importantly, the emphasis has always been on the storylines, not the personal lives of the cast members.

NBC owns the sci-fi channel and that conglomerate has a reputation for ruining popular shows and storylines with endless morality lessons that teach feel good values and anti-establishment messages. SG-1 remained strangely untouched in that area. In fact, the Air Force has been a supporter of the show for some time.

It wasn’t long ago that SG-1 Executive Producer Richard Dean Anderson (who plays Brig. Gen. Jack O’Neill on the series) was honored by U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, General John P. Jumper. The series was given kudos for continuous positive depiction of the U.S. Air Force and Anderson was made an honorary brigadier general. Given the series storyline, this all seems a bit odd.

While it can easily be argued that SG-1 does present the U.S. Air Force in a positive and respectful way, can the same be said of Anderson‘s alter ego? Jack O’Neill is hardly the poster boy for the behavioral standards of a U.S. Military Officer. He often disrespects superior officers, seems to do his duty in a semi-conscious state, ignores or disobeys orders and disregards military protocol.

I’m sure that the Air Force understands the need for some comic relief supplied by Anderson’s O’Neill character. However, I find it hard to believe that Anderson would receive such an honor just for producing a good sci-fi show and making the Air Force look good. I believe something else might be happening here, whether on purpose or by proxy.

Everything I have read about SG-1 and its production tells me there is probably no conscious effort to allow the show to be used as some sort of U.S. Government Propaganda tool. However, the series is a natural for it. Consider these observations:

– SG-1 continuously presents the idea that the U.S. Government is keeping the existence of alien life and contact with them secret for all the right reasons. The message: Secrecy is for your own good.

– There are rogue elements within the Government that exploit the connection between Aliens and the Government. They do that to obtain secret technology and are willing to sell out their own kind to obtain it. The message: Good cop bad cop, but the end result is basically the same.

– Dr. Frank E. Stranges is Founder and President of the National Investigations Committee on UFOs. I have been honored to share a stage with him on several occasions for speaking engagements and join him for a press conference. His book, Stranger at the Pentagon, tells the story of his meeting during the 1950s with an extra-terrestrial named Commander Thor (that’s Supreme Command Thor for SG-1 Fans) at the Pentagon. Although Dr Stranges tells us that his Thor is more humanlike and not physically akin to the Ascard on SG-1, there are many similarities between the real Thor and the Ascard fictional civilization. The Message: Educate the public on what’s really going on through a fictional series and they are likely to accept the truth when the U.S. Government decides to tell all.

– The Ascard are portrayed as a group of small, gray aliens with large eyes that help the humans, but only after years of abducting them. The Abductions are to solve a DNA problem the Ascard are having and allow them to better understand humans. The payoff is that they protect us from bad aliens and help us to technologically advance. The message: Despite the fact that people have become lab rats for Aliens, it’s all-good.

– Aliens have been visiting the Earth for thousands of years. While some are good, some bad, they come regardless of our military readiness to resist. We cannot remain a solitary planet in a sea of populated worlds and expect to be ignored or left alone. The Message: The Aliens are going to do what they want anyway, so we had better make treaties with the good aliens. If that means losing some personal freedoms and getting abducted for study, it’s a small price to pay for being at peace with our galactic neighbors.

– The use of the names of real places like Area 51 and the complex at Cheyenne Mountain. The Message: The government has places where secret technology and alien artifacts may be securely kept.

– The never-ending secret of the Star Gate program. Despite battles in the skies over Earth, tattletale characters and near misses, the gate manages to remain secret. The Message: The Government can keep a secret for an unlimited period of time and against all odds.

Considering the fact that many of the themes and storylines used in SG-1 come right out of the real UFO and Alien Playbook, it’s little wonder that the Air Force loves this show and has supported it for so long. But are they also setting things in motion behind the scenes? It’s no secret that the U.S. Military has invested heavily in remote viewing and psychic intervention programs.

Whether by subtle suggestion or creative angst, SG-1 has risen to the top. While the series may come to an end for now, it’s doubtful that SG-1 will vanish off the radar screen. Despite a recent ratings dip, over 2,000,000 people still tune in each week to watch and that is a very respectable number. Sales of the series on DVD have been brisk and a number of conventions are held and well attended annually. There is talk of SG-1 films and, who knows, the series can always make a return to television just as Star Trek did.

When many hear the word surgery, they automatically think of a lot of pain and possible complications. Is that also what you think about LASIK eye surgery? Think again.

The eye is one of the most sensitive areas of the body, which possibly enhances the fact that many may consider the surgery to be somewhat risky. However, LASIK eye surgery is the safest and most commonly performed method of refractive surgery.

The amount of pain experienced is also minimal. In fact the surgery is performed whilst the patient is awake. The procedure involves the eye firstly being washed out with a solution to numb the area. Clamps are then used to hold the eyelids open in order to perform the surgery without the patient blinking. Once the numbing solution has taken effect, an incision is made in the cornea. Tissue is removed using the laser and the surgeon then closes the incision opening. It’s as easy as that, the surgery is complete. The surgery is so simple that many patients will be back working again the following day.

There are thousands of people who have undergone LASIK eye surgery, with the benefits of living life without the dependacy of glasses or contact lenses and an increase in the quality of vision the resulting factor.

As with many surgical operations, LASIK can have complications. The patient may experience double vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity and a few other problems.

The cost of having the surgery can vary for a number of reasons, such as the equipment used for the surgery, and also the testing that is carried out before the procedure. You may find that some surgeries will perform different levels of testing so make sure that you research into what is carried out within the quote of each provider. Also, opt for a surgeon that has experience with the procedure, even if they are slightly more expensive than another surgeon – you can’t put a price on your site.

Overall though, LASIK is a safe procedure that is the most commonly performed refractive surgery due to its simplicity and major benefits as a result. It is definately a subject that you should research into further if you are considering having any kind of eye surgery.

“Envy according to the aspect of its object is contrary to charity, whence the soul derives its spiritual life…Charity rejoices in our neighbor’s good, while envy grieves over it.” – Thomas Aquinas

One of the leading causes of stress and anxiety that plagues modern society is envy. A perfect example of how envy can wreak havoc is shown in the movie which is also entitled “Envy.” The movie tells the story of Tim (Ben Stiller) and Nick (Jack Black), best friends who also shared the same predicament at the office: complete boredom. That spell of boredom was broken when Nick hit “big time” by inventing an aerosol spray that makes dog droppings (poop) disappear or vanish into thin air. Nick became a millionaire because of his unique invention. Tim, on the other hand, was still stuck in his “old dreary existence.” Soon enough, Tim became filled with envy as he watched Nick’s lifestyle change from being a regular guy into a multi-millionaire.

Envy has been a human problem since the beginning of time. In the bible, the tragic effects of envy was illustrated in the story of Cain and Abel, sons of Adam. The story about the first ever murder recorded in human history is told in Genesis 4:3-8, where it says that:

“In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought the fat, fatlings, or milk from the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”

This story shows us that envy, if left uncontrolled, can lead to very serious consequences. When we equate happiness with money, popularity, success and a perfect relationship — envy is not far behind. When we constantly compare ourselves to other people, we will always fall into the trap of “not being good enough.” A feeling of discontent and frustration sinks in every time we covet what others are blessed with.

If you indulge in thoughts like those, you will never be happy with what you have. Nothing good will ever happen to you because you see all things in a negative light, regardless of how it impacts your life. Our words, thoughts, and deeds have a profound effect not just your own life but on others as well. Take control of the green eyed monster; it will only make a slave out of you. When we thirst for the things that doesn’t last and things on which you cannot bring it with you; your insatiable thirst will turn into agony because it is never satisfied.

What is really important is peace of mind, true love and undying friendship…now that is real wealth. Fulfillment is not about being perfect and having everything you want. Get rid of envy and be thankful for what you have. Change your behavior and your attitude. Practice living within your means and leading a simple life. Don’t let negative thoughts rob you of your energy. Start getting rid of envy today, not tomorrow and freedom from stress will then be in your reach.

Afraid of drowning in a swimming pool? You shouldn’t be. The Poseidon, an underwater surveillance system, can detect problems and immediately activate beepers to alert lifeguards. The image and location of the drowning person is instantly captured on the CCTV cameras, and a life is saved.

Rewind and fast forward

Once upon a time, people drowning in pools mostly, well, drowned. It was always too late before they were discovered, often already floating lifeless or unconscious. A drowning person probably just slipped without a noise, without the dramatic hand-waving that they do in the movies. Real life drowning is not theatrical and often goes unnoticed because the person just goes under without warning.

The terror of losing a loved one to drowning is something we want to avoid, so you stand watch over your children while lifeguards scan the pool or beach with their binoculars for unusual movements. But still, lapses can happen in the blink of an eye.

Accidental drowning is the 7th leading cause of death for all age groups, the second leading cause of death for children in the 1-14 years age bracket. Drowning can happen at the beach, your home pool, a bathtub or bucket filled with water, or even in soup.

When surveillance is a security, not an intrusion

The welcome arrival of underwater surveillance has changed how we look at surveillance systems. In this case, we understand that when it comes to matters of life and death in very familiar places, like the public and home pool, we dare not object.

True, there is a lot of debate surrounding surveillance security. But debacles aside, the invention of electronic surveillance, including CCTV, has thwarted dangerous intentions. Now the grandfather of all surveillance is here.

This CCTV surveillance is not your regular home and office electronic spies. These are underwater devices designed to detect movement and problems in public and private swimming pools. The Poseidon is a network of cameras that sweeps its unblinking eyes above and below the surface of the swimming pool.

The Poseidon has already saved a life, that of 18-year-old Jean Francois LeRoy of Ancenis, France. Without warning, LeRoy, who was underwater practicing apnea swimming, drowned without warning. The unblinking eyes found him in milliseconds and alerted the lifeguards with incessant beeps. Thus, he was saved in time before brain damage set in.

The Poseidon CCTV is the perfect tool for lifeguards. With this in place, lifeguards increase their chances of saving lives and averting the irreversible damage that may be caused by drowning incidents.

Swimming and safety measures

Still, we can’t be so sure at all times. Here are some safety tips for at home and public pools:

1. The home pool should be high-fenced so children cannot clamber over it.

2. Cover the pool with netting.

3. Do not leave buckets filled or even half-filled with water. Very young children can drown within seconds in buckets.

4. Do not rely on your children’s swim wings, they might slip off unnoticed.

5. Do not also depend on your child’s swimming lessons to save himself. The child will panic and forget all lessons.

6. Never swim alone.

As a further precaution, when swimming in public pools, inquire if there is a CCTV system in and above the swimming pool, just to be sure. You’ll be confident knowing these are around because these cameras never blink.

Do you remember a time when everything appeared to overwhelm you? Things were way too much for you and you just couldn’t cope.

What did you do? Were you calm and collecting or wildly flailing around?

When I was in my teens, I enjoyed swimming and attended a life savers class. One thing that was impressed upon me is that if you are rescuing a drowning man then they have to be calm. If they are flailing around and panicking then attempting a rescue will not only endanger them, but you too.

It occurred to me recently that it’s not just drowning people who flail around. When you are dealing with major issues in your life you have a tendency to flail around wildly too.

Trouble is, as you are doing this, you are slapping away the hands that are trying to help you.

When you are in the midst of a crises, of any sort, take deep breaths from your stomach and stop. Stop worrying, stop panicking, stop trying to work out a solution and just be for a while.

From this vantage point in the eye of the storm, you will be able see the helping hands around you. You’ll be able to see the people who want to help and are trying to help who you’ve been pushing away. You’ll be able to see new ideas and opportunities that can help you out of it.

If someone you know is in this unresourceful state of panic, then, just as in the movies, you need to give them a slap to break their state so they can be more resourceful. This is usually, by the way, a metaphorical slap not a physical one. This could be through words, actions or showing them something. Do something outrageous and shocking that brings them to their senses.

I have one particular friend who recently entered this state. When he did he pushed everyone away who was trying to help.

I chose to give him a slap. I went to see him and told him the truth, unencumbered by niceties. I told him things exactly as they were, exactly how he was behaving.

Oddly enough he stopped in his tracks and looked stunned. Then suddenly his face changed and he hugged me and said, “Thank you, I’ve been such an ass”.

(For those that are interested, he then went on to deal with his problems and accept help from the people around him who cared for him).

When most people think of laser eye surgery, they automatically think of LASIK. While it is true that LASIK is a type of laser eye surgery, there are a number of other laser procedures that can produce equally successful results for individuals suffering from myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. In fact, there are actually four different types of laser eye surgery: PRK, LASIK, Customized LASIK, and LASEK.

PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy, makes use of a specialized cool laser beam, called an excimer laser, to remove excess corneal tissue. The removal of this tissue corrects the shape of the eye so that light entering the eye can be properly focused on the retina. The outer surface layer called the epithelium, is removed to expose the underlying corneal tissue. Once this tissue is revealed, the excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea. The main distinction between PRK and LASIK is that PRK does not make use of a corneal flap. Instead, the epithelium is allowed to gradually heal through the body’s natural healing process. To protect the exposed cornea, surgeons fit patients with a lightweight contact lens to serve as a bandage for the eye. The contact lens also reduces discomfort. The lens is usually only worn for a few days, two to three days post-operative, at which time the eye is allowed to heal as normal with no bandage.

LASIK is the most widely known and performed type of laser eye surgery in the United States. LASIK stands for Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, which literally means to “reshape the cornea from within using a laser.” LASIK differs from PRK in that a small flap is made in the stroma of the eye. This flap, made by either a microkeratome or IntraLase, is then peeled back to expose the underlying corneal tissue. An excimer laser is then used to reshape the cornea to correct any refractive errors. Once the cornea has been reshaped, the cornea flap is put back into place and smoothed out. The flap acts as a natural bandage to help the eye heal and protect the delicate cornea. The benefit of LASIK is that the use of the flap helps the cornea heals more quickly than it would using the PRK technique, and reduces much of the discomfort felt during the healing process.

Many ophthalmologic surgeons are now offered the next evolution in LASIK surgery, which they called Customized LASIK. The general procedure used to correct refractive errors is the same as is used for traditional LASIK procedures, with the addition of wavefront devices used to map the unique surface of the patient’s eye. The wavefront device passes a narrow ray of light through the systems and into the eye, measuring any optical distortions that result as the light exits back out the eye. Any irregularities identified are then fed back into the system so that the laser can automatically correct for aberrations on the surface of the eye. Proponents of Customized LASIK claim that the use of wavefront technology enables surgeons to treat higher order aberrations that can contribute to low-light visual disturbances such as halos and glare not corrected by traditional LASIK, eyeglasses, or contact lenses. Customized LASIK can provide patients who suffer from higher order aberrations with an increase in visual clarity.

The final type of laser eye surgery is LASEK, or Laser Assisted Sub-Epithelial Keratectomy. LASEK is especially helpful for patients who have a thin or flat cornea, making them questionable candidates for LASIK and Customized LASIK procedures. During LASEK, a small trephine blade is used to cut into the outer skin of the eye, called the epithelium. Once the cut has been made, the eye is bathed in a mild alcohol solution to allow the edges of the epithelium to soften. This permits the surgeon to gently tease the epithelium flap out of the way to expose the underlying tissue. An excimer layer reshapes the eye under the flap to correct any refractive errors, after which the flap is replaced over the treated cornea. As with LASIK, the replacement of the flap in LASEK speeds up the natural healing process and serves to minimize discomfort resulting from the procedure.

Although the end result of PRK, LASIK, Customized LASIK, and LASEK is the same – the reduction of refractive errors – the method by which these corrections are made differ. Each procedure has its advantages and disadvantages and is best suited for certain types of patients. Individuals who are considering laser eye surgery to correct their vision and reduce dependency on corrective lenses are urged to contact their ophthalmologist to inquire about available options and learn if they are a strong candidate for one of more of these procedures.

Types of Eye Surgery

Eye surgery, also referred to as ophthalmic or ocular surgery, is a type of surgical procedure that is performed on the eye or the surrounding tissues. There are a number of different types of eye surgeries including refractive surgery, corneal surgery, glaucoma surgery, cataract surgery, and oculoplastic (cosmetic) surgery.

Refractive surgery

The goal of refractive surgery is to improve a patient’s vision. An individual who is either nearsighted or farsighted has a refractive error in the interior of their eye. Light entering the eye does not properly focus on the retina, instead focusing in front of the retina in nearsighted individuals or behind the retina in farsighted individuals. The result is that viewed images appear blurry and out of focus. Refractive surgery corrects this error, allowing light to focus directly on the retina, thereby improving vision and eliminating the need for corrective lenses.
There are numerous methods of refractive surgery, the most popular of which are LASIK (laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis), LASEK (laser assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis) as known as Epi-LASIK, PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy), CK (conductive keratoplasty), and ICRs or Intacs (Intracorneal rings).

Corneal surgery

Corneal surgery is any surgery that involves manipulation of the cornea of the eye. This encompasses nearly all types of refractive surgeries since the cornea is modified in order to improve the individual’s vision. It also includes corneal transplant surgery, a procedure by which a damaged or diseased cornea is removed and replaced with a clear cornea from an organ donor. Other types of corneal surgery are PK (penetrating keratoplasty), PTK (phototherapeutic keratectomy), and Pterygium excession.

Glaucoma surgery

Glaucoma is a disease that attacks the optic nerve, resulting in loss of vision and a rise in intraocular pressure. Glaucoma surgeries assist in combating the disease by lowering intraocular pressure. This may be accomplished by decreasing the amount of aqueous produced in the eye or by encouraging the release of excess aqueous humor from the eye.

Cataract surgery

Cataract extraction is the most common eye surgery performed. Age, illness, or trauma to the eye can sometimes cause the crystalline lens of the eye to become cloudy and opaque. This cloudiness, called a cataract, interferes with the eye’s ability to focus a clear image on the retina, resulting in loss of vision. The presence of significant cataracts requires the removal and replacement of the lens through cataract surgery. Although there are a number of different types of cataract extraction, the two most popular procedures are called ICCE (intracapsular cataract extraction) and ECCE (extracapsular cataract extraction).

Oculoplastic surgery

Oculoplastic surgery is a type of eye surgery that concerns the reconstruction of the eye and its surrounding structures. Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes excessive fat, muscle and skin from the eyelid to correct sagging or puffy eyes. Browplasty, often referred to as a brow lift, is the reconstruction of the forehead and brow bone. Oculoplastic surgery can also involve the removal of the eye itself. Enucleation involves the removal of the eye itself, leaving the muscles surrounding the eye and all orbital contents in place. Evisceration occurs when the eye and all of its contents are removed, leaving just the shell of the sclera in place. Finally, exenteration involves the removal of the entire orbital content. This includes the removal of the eye itself, any extraocular muscles, surrounding fat, and all connective tissues.

One of the most difficult you can take in life is an eye surgery. There are many options, Lasek surgery or even Lasik surgery, so today I want to explain you about the differences of this type of prodedures

Laser eye surgery prices can depend a lot on the location of the eye care center where the surgery is being performed. As with all products and services, this variation has a lot to do with the idea of supply and demand. To be safe you need to find xperienced leading surgeons, safe sophisticated equipment and the highest standards.

Patients who are not qualified for the Lasik surgery may qualify for Lasek surgery. This type of surgery is done by cutting the outer layer of the cornea. Patients who are unable to cooperate or follow commands, including patients with dementia, nystagmus, deafness or inability to communicate because of language, do better under a regional block with IV sedation. Patients with these risk factors are more likely to experience complications with traditional LASIK surgery. This procedure allows a surgeon to use a fine tool (trephine) instead of the microkeratome to cut the corneal flap needed to perform laser surgery.

Laser refractive surgery was made possible through the development of the excimer laser. This laser produces a beam of light that is capable of vaporizing thin layers of the cornea, effectively sculpting it into a more appropriate curvature for the eye. Laser treatment is then programmed to each tiny part of the corneal surface so that every area of the cornea gets the optimised dosage. Contrast sensitivity in low lighting levels is increased and the risk of developing night time halos and glare is greatly decreased. Lasers need to be recalibrated during the surgery day to ensure accurate treatments. We recalibrate our laser between each eye of each patient to ensure the most accurate results.

Laser surgery can open this membrane, helping to clear vision without an operation. This laser procedure is called a capsulotomy.

Lasek, for example, is used mostly for people with thin corneas since LASIK requires more corneal tissue to be successful. PRK is often preferred for patients who may be susceptible to dry eyes since dry eyes are more often a complication of LASIK. LASEK has significantly more short-term side effects than LASIK, not least of which is wearing a contact lens for 4 days – I hate contact lenses at the best of times! I really couldn’t use a computer or watch television for those 4 days, and even going to the super market gave me a massive headache. LASEK is similar to LASIK eye surgery and might be an option if you aren’t eligible for LASIK. During a LASEK procedure, a much thinner layer ?

Cataract surgery and clear lens extraction for high myopia or hyperopia are also offered in a hospital setting. Cataract patients now have an option to see at both near and far distances after cataract surgery! Individuals suffering from cataracts previously had only a mono-focal lens implant option after surgery. Cataracts can only be removed through surgery. No medications or eye drops will make cataracts disappear. Cataracts account for more than half the cases of blindness in thw wolrd. So as you can see many eye surgeries are perfectly safe and you need to consider all the options to go for the safest one

Applying eyeliner can be tricky at the best of times but there are some tried and tested techniques that if followed, should give you fabulous results.

For a fine and natural look, apply a thin line of eyeliner to the lower lid. Then blend in with a brush if needed.

For the fuller, round looking eye, first apply to the upper lid, making a thicker line in the middle of the lid using a pencil or liquid eyeliner. Now blend in with a brush if needed to give a smoother line.

For larger looking eyes, line only the outer half of the upper and lower eyelid. If you are going for the dramatic look, apply a thick line of eyeliner to upper and lower eyelid, blending in with a brush if needed.

For narrow eyes, only use eyeliner on upper lid to avoid closing eyes further. For the outer part of the eyelid, use pale colours to give shape and definition. Artificial lashes beneficial to help open eyes and make lashes appear thicker.

For heavy eyelids, use pale colours only on the eye socket. Apply artificial lashes to the corners to lift the eyes and help to make them appear more open and wide.

If you have close set eyes, for the inner lid, pale colours should be used. While on the outer lid, darker colours should be used. Blend from pale to darker shade using brush, blending darker shades up and out. Use eyeliner on the outer half of the eye. Eyebrows should be shortened at nose to help create a wider gap between the eyes.

If you have deep set eyes, use pale colours only on the eye socket; use a slightly darker shade above the crease of your eye socket. Use eyeliner on both the upper and lower lids, blending in to soften the lines. Mascara or artificial eyelashes is beneficial to help highlight the eyes further.

With wide set eyes, use darker colours for the inner lid and pale colours on the outer lid. Extend the eyebrows towards the nose to narrow the gap between the eyes using an eyebrow pencil.

For round eyes, use pale colours over the entire eye socket and in the crease of the eye, blend in a darker shade. Apply eyeliner to top and bottom lids and apply mascara on upper and outer lashes only.

For almond shaped eyes, use a light shade of eye shadow from lashes to the brow. Use a medium shade on eyelid and a darker shade on the outer third of your eyelid.

Finally, here are some eye makeup tips for the more mature. Avoid black eyeliner and mascara as these can be too harsh. Instead opt for softer neutrals such as grey or brown for a softer, attractive look.

They say you can see a person’s soul through their eyes. Personally, I think you can see how hard they work by looking at the bags around their eyes and drooping eyelids.

Surgical Solutions For Drooping Eyelids

Drooping eyelids are prevalent in our society. The causes of this condition are somewhat mysterious. It can be attributed to genetic predisposition, allergies or the catchall condition of just getting older. A drooping eyelid can occur over just one eye, which creates an “off” appearance that can make people uncomfortable or both eyelids.

As time passes, our body undeniably feels the effect. It is natural that our eyelids will lose some of their high and tight appearance. Generally, this is not a cause for concern. There are two situations where you can consider surgical solutions for drooping eyelids.

The first situation is the cantered head. If your eyelids droop sufficiently that you find yourself tilting your head up to read, work on a computer or communicate, you may have a medical problem. In the lexicon of health insurance, this means your insurance company may pay for plastic surgery to correct the drooping condition. Regardless, the situation is impacting your daily life and you should consider doing something about it.

The second situation is simply one for personal esthetics. If your drooping eyelids cause you concerns about your appearance, you can pursue elective surgery to deal with the issue. Since the surgery is not a medically necessary one, however, your insurance company will politely refuse to pay for it. Still, your face is the focal point of your appearance and interaction with others. For many people, this makes drooping eyelids an issue that must be dealt with one way or another.

To address eyelid issues, a plastic surgeon is going to pursue a procedure known as blepharoplasty. Depending upon your specific situation, the surgeon will look to remove excess fat or skin and modify the musculature. In considering the procedure, you should sit down with your surgeon and view before and after pictures from his or her previous procedures. Do not be shy when doing so. Tell him or her what you like and what you do not. The surgeon can then give you advice on possible, reasonable solutions for your situation.

Unlike eyeglasses or spectacles, sunglasses are fashion accessories which protect the eye from sunlight and dust. As a fashion statement sunglasses have been well known since the 1930’s. You can make all the difference in the world for your eyes with the right pair of designer sunglasses. Finding that perfect pair of sunglasses is not easy, but to make the process a bit easier you can go through reviews and articles written in the fashion magazines. They will give you ample information about what to look in and what can be ignored while buying a pair of sunglasses. Before purchasing one for yourself spend a little time in research and you will definitely get the exact pair of sunglasses as per your need. To make your buying convenient many of the reputed sunglass merchants are available online like Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Prada, Bulgari, Dior which are well known brands all over the world. They work towards style, quality and comfort which can give maximum customer satisfaction. Sunglasses of these famous brands are the hottest thing in the market. Sunglasses are of great use during outdoor activities such as skiing, riding and flying. Doctors also recommend sunglasses for prevention of the eyes from dust and ultraviolet rays that can cause damage to your eyes. People nowadays wear sunglasses more as a fashion statement rather than the protecting the eyes. Wearing a pair of Armani sunglasses or Prada sunglasses will definitely enhance your image. The same is true if you are wearing a pair of Dior sunglasses or Bulgari sunglasses.

Armani releases their trendy collection for men and women every year with unique shades and different styles. These sunglasses are made to suit individual choices and they are perfect someone buying sunglasses to improve their personality. All these eyewear are authentic and belong to the luxury category. You can find the latest collection of these brands online. These glasses are always in demand and never get out-dated. Leading brands continuously refine their style and launch new products every year at different fashion events. Sunglasses give a sophisticated, stylish, elegant look and a graceful-finishing line to anyone who wears them. These brands have also come up with eyeglasses to give a stylish touch to those who use them. Besides being stylish, these eyeglasses are very comfortable and come in all possible fits and for all age –right from a child to aged people. Internet can be one of the best sources of information about all these brands and their collection, and you can also make a good buy at a reasonably discounted price. A feature that makes internet shopping for sunglasses and eyeglasses interesting is the virtual try on facility in which you can select the best piece by trying it on to your photograph. There are many sites which sell these glasses and some sites sell sunglasses exclusively. Hence, it is not a bad idea to buy your sunglasses online. Check the sunglass which suits your style statement and make a quick buy.

Adults, with eyes to see, can learn so much about success in life from children.
When a baby is born, it has instinctively in it everything needed to succeed in life. A child is like a fresh piece of canvas, ready to become a unique contribution to the world. A child has had less exposure to adult conditioning with regards to behaviour and expectations. Every child has the seeds of success for life within them. By observing children being children, adults can re-learn principles of success that have been buried by their adult world.

As I was driving home last week, I noticed a little boy and his mother by the side of the road. They had stopped walking and the mother was adjusting a toy crossbow to fit more comfortably over the boy’s shoulder. I realized that at that moment in the heart and mind of that small boy, he was not on a sidewalk by a busy road. Perhaps he was hunting in a forest, or was an intrepid explorer of the unknown, ready to pull out his bow and arrows at the slightest hint of danger. In his imagination he was a hero, confident, skilled, and brave. He was alert, prepared, with the expectation of overcoming danger or threat with his skill and swift reflexes.

For a child involved in imaginative play, there is very little distinction between fantasy and reality. Children live and play out their dreams totally in the moment.

There are many principles of success that can be learned by looking through the eyes of a child. Children’s eyes see with clarity and perception and reflect the reality of who they are. Children are uncluttered by training, brainwashing, and by living according to the unwritten rules and etiquette that have assailed the adult mind. For a child life has limitless possibilities that have not been squashed by logic, common sense, or limiting expectations that become part of the adult mind.

What principle of success can be drawn from the little boy with his bow and arrow?

One of the most powerful and yet unused principles of success is the process of visualization. Visualization is the act of creating compelling and vivid pictures in your mind. This is just what the little boy was doing. He was “that hero”; he acted like him, dressed like him, and could picture himself in another time and another place. For him, it seemed like reality. This is a spontaneous, natural process for a child.

Researchers have found that visualization accelerates achievement in powerful ways. It has been proved by research that when performing any task in life the brain uses the same identical processes that it would if you were only vividly visualizing that activity. The brain sees no difference at all between visualizing something and actually doing it.

This principle also is applicable when a person is learning something new. Visualization makes the brain achieve more. In a study by researchers at Harvard University, it was found that students who visualized in advance were able to perform tasks with nearly 100 percent accuracy. Students who performed tasks without using visualization only achieved 55 percent accuracy.

Visualization is frequently used by Olympic and professional athletes to improve performance.
Jack Nicklaus, a legend in the golfing world, once described how he uses visualization. “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp in-focus picture of it in my head. It’s like a color movie. First I “see” where I want it to finish, nice and white and sitting high on the bright green grass. Then the scene quickly changes, and I “see” the ball going there: its path, trajectory, and shape, even its behaviour on landing. Then there’s a sort of fade out, and the next scene shows me making the kind of swing that will turn the previous images into reality.” The results of the power of visualization for Jack Nicklaus are convincing: he has won over 100 tournaments earning over 5.7 million in the process.

For a child a high proportion of time is spent in visualization. Adults may say, “He’s only playing” and not see the potential power for success that the child is practicing. Visualization is a process that is naturally strong in the learning and formative years of the child. Research now confirms that visualization activates the creative powers of the subconscious mind. It focuses the brain by programming its reticular activating system (RAS) to notice available resources that were always there but previously unnoticed. Visualization, incredibly, also magnetizes and attracts you to the people, resources, and opportunities you need to achieve your goal.

Next time you see children playing, pause to watch visualization in its purest form. What can you learn and apply to your own life to accelerate and achieve greater success using the principle of visualization?

Success lies in the eye of the beholder. Or maybe that’s just beauty. We all define success differently. Some define it according to a bottom dollar amount. Did the home business owner earn more than he spent? Some will define it according to time. Did the home business owner spend time with his kids this week? Did he log in a date with his wife? Some will define it simply according to relationships. Do his kids like him? Does his wife not want to kill him this week? Home business owners have found success in several arenas with some simple principles.

First and foremost, successful home business owners find a way to balance family and work. They remember why they came home in the first place. Few home business owners choose to come home because they lost their job and had no other choice but to open their own business and work from home. Just about anyone can get a job if he really wants to. So home business owners typically come home for one or two reasons: to be their own boss and to spend time with their family. These home business owners find a way to both work hard and play hard. They take their business and family time seriously.

Secondly, successful home business owners read. They educate themselves on business practices, money management, and even family life. They understand the value of seeking out wisdom in various arenas of life. Additionally, the successful home business owner knows that he will grow as a person and an entrepreneur when he applies whatever he learns to his business and family life. He studies those who have succeeded at what he wants to do. He recognizes their habits, demeanor, and practices, and he mimics them with great detail.

Finally, a successful home business owner manages his money. He understands the need to manage money both at home and in the home office. Before he spends his money on bills or desires, he first writes out a budget. He involves his family in the personal budget, and he involves them in the monthly budget committee meeting. He will show them how they are spending money at home and receive their input on the budget. In the same way, he may involve his family in the business as well, hiring his kids as associates or menial labor, thus giving them the opportunity to learn about money management as well, with the first lesson being the correlation between hard work and money.

Success truly does lie in the eye of the beholder. Some people might deem a man who makes only $40K while spending the vast majority of his time at home a failure, and yet others deem his strong family relationship a success. Thus with this in mind, the home business owner must first of all define his concept of success, and then take the necessary steps to become successful in his own eyes.

Eyewear is now classified as a fashion accessory aside from being a necessity for many people. Styles are being updated every season to cater to the varied tastes of its consumers. For those that couldn’t help but wear glasses, the least they could do is to get a style and frame that will bring out their best facial features.

The trend

These days, sunglasses and various types of eyewear are more than just necessities to protect the eyes from the sun or other elements. They are fashion statements in their own right. Sunglasses can easily make you look glamorous even when you’re only wearing basic jeans and shirt.
It’s interesting how a certain piece of eyewear can define the individual personality of the one wearing it. This is basically why many people spend a lot of time carefully choosing the right sunglasses or corrective lenses. There are even those who collect different types of eyewear to use in various occasions.
Originally, sunglasses were associated with celebrities who need to maintain anonymity when they walk down the streets. Nowadays, people who want to look trendy and chic have also taken to adopting the same fashion trend and donned their own shades.

What’s in style

Shopping for eyewear can be quite daunting because the styles have gone beyond the basic frames. Black will always be in style as far as frames are concerned. It’s actually a classic color that will span all style genres. It’s a good idea to invest in a black frame that will complement the shape of your face. You can wear this style to the office for a more confident look.
If you’re feeling adventurous, this season brings futuristic designs and bolder colors. The Spring 2008 runway features glasses in acid colors such as fluorescent turquoise and really bright orange. You’ll find these colors either as peek-a-boo details on the temples or as the actual color for the frame. Plastic and metallic frames are still in style for this season. Crisp and seamless designs define the eyewear style trend today. These frames can easily update your wardrobe and put some color into your daily getup.

Bigger frames

Bigger frames are still in style today. Square-shaped and aviator glasses are quite a hit. However, larger eyewear can be quite tricky as this style doesn’t necessarily work with most facial shapes. The idea is to carefully select a frame that wouldn’t swallow your whole face. These styles are great for exuding that aura of anonymity and for adding glamour to an ordinary outfit. Wrap styles are quite popular among women. They also make for wise choices in eyewear as these designs offer optimum sun protection.
For corrective eyewear, black is still a good choice but brown, grey and silver are also in season. Wire glasses will go quite well with any outfit. Plastic is also a good material to use as it’s lighter.

Are your eyes strained and tired after hours of work behind the computer screen? Give them a break! Magnify parts of your screen with an electronic magnifying solution and help your eyes relax. Magnifying Glass Pro is designed to help you relax and feel more comfortable while working with the computer by removing eye strain after hours of work.

Do you squint or lean towards the screen while sitting in front of the computer monitor? How do you feel about neck strain and wrinkles? You can avoid these symptoms quite easily thanks to recent innovations in computer display technologies. Help your eyes relax and see better by magnifying parts of the screen! Stop squinting or leaning and fight eye strain with an electronic magnifying glass. Get rid of those wrinkles and forget about pain in the neck with a simple, software-only solution!

Are you giving a presentation, and want to effectively concentrate your audience’s attention on a certain subject? Magnifying part of a presentation screen with a moving magnifying glass works much better than a mouse cursor or a laser pointer! But watch out for low-resolution projectors as they tend to emphasize pixels, giving your image a rough, jagged look. Magnifying Glass Pro is just perfect for this task, providing smooth, pleasant-looking magnified images with no jagged lines. You don’t even have to magnify the image! Just set Magnifying Glass Pro to increase the contrast or color saturation under the electronic loupe, and you’re sure to get your viewer’s attention exactly where you need it to be.

Magnifying Glass Pro electronically magnifies the parts of your computer screen that happen to be under your mouse or text cursor. You can start the loupe by pressing a convenient hot-key, or by simply shaking your mouse – a feature unique to Magnifying Glass Pro. It is much easier to just shake the mouse by moving it here and there in a rapid motion instead of reaching for your glasses!

If you have problems with vision or if you are after some sort of a special effect, look no further. Magnifying Glass Pro can apply a set of stunning visual effects to the magnified image, giving you better contrast and visibility or capturing the viewer’s attention with a visual effect.

Visually impaired computer users will appreciate the ability to see parts of the computer screen more clearly by not only magnifying things under the loupe, but making them crisper and more visible with enhanced contrast.

Increase the image contrast for clearly seeing the fine print, or increase the saturation to view a small image in its best colors, or invert a picture to get an idea of how a color negative would look. Sounds like a lot of configuration clicks every time you need it? But, no, not at all! You can easily have separate profiles for reading the text, drawing pictures, typing or browsing. Switch easily among the profiles to immediately get the effect you’re looking for! You can even have a unique profile for every application on your computer. Magnifying Glass Pro will see which program you are using and adjust the magnification and effect to match your personal preferences automatically and with no intervention needed.

Zooming in to magnify parts of the screen should not be difficult, and Magnifying Glass Pro makes the zoom as simple and easy as possible with the fewest mouse clicks. By using the convenient shake detection triggers, it is possible to invoke the screen magnifier without even a single click!

Magnifying Glass Pro is a fast, easy and convenient way to enhance your computer experience and help ease the strain on your eyes. Download your copy for free at:

Although they don’t have the same cache as trophy King Salmon, Sockeye Salmon or Reds are a very popular sport fish. One reason Reds attract anglers is their numbers. In Alaska’s Kenai River during their runs they are abundant, regularly peaking at 750,000 and sometimes reach 1,000,000! That’s right—one million Reds. Additionally, as far as taste goes, the Sockeye is said to be the best tasting of all salmon (there’s a reason it’s an extremely popular commercial fish). Finally, there is the relatively large daily bag limit, which means you have ample opportunity to flex your Sockeye fishing muscles.

The initial Red Salmon run starts in late May as they make their way to the Russian River, a tributary of the Kenai, by first swimming through the lower and middle sections of that river. Reds become plentiful right around June tenth, peaking sometime between the fifteenth and twentieth of the month. Their numbers begin to diminish by the third week, however there’s still good fishing until the end of the month. Sockeyes are most plentiful in the upper regions of the Kenai, although they are also quite profuse in the middle and lower sections.

The second run of Reds starts in mid-July, peaking in the third week and then dwindling until their migration is finished at the end of the month. Fishermen crowd the banks of the Kenai River, sometimes standing up to 20 thick, as the Sockeye makes its spirited final run to the confluence of the Russia and Kenai Rivers. The crowded conditions with so many anglers focused in specific areas of the river has earned its own descriptive term—“combat fishing.” But despite the hardscrabble name, there are plenty of fish to go around and chances are good you’ll reach your bag limit while meeting other angling enthusiasts.

Sport fishermen especially enjoy battling with Reds because pound for pound they are the feistiest and most pugnacious of all salmon. Ranging from 6 to 12 pounds, with the record Red weighing in at 16, these muscular salmon will break through the water numerous times, testing your tackle’s drag as you try to land them.

Some areas of the Kenai, mainly the upper sections, allow only fly fishing in the taking of Reds, while other areas also allow for spin casting or a basic rod and reel. Trying to catch Sockeye with the bait you’d use for Chinook or Coho Salmon will usually result in little success. The Sockeye, unlike any other species of salmon in the Kenai, is a plankton feeder.

Commonly used lures include a Coho, Russian River or Streamer fly combined with a number 3 or 4 hook on 15-20-pound test line with the right size weight to allow your attractor to reach its proper depth. You’ll want your lure to be about a foot or two above the swimming salmon. Because this species tends to hug the bank, fishing from the shore is often preferred.

When Sockeye swim, they continually open and close their mouths and often roll and splash as they work their way upstream. In trying to catch the Red, you’ll want to get your bait as close to its mouth as possible. It’s important to realize that these fish are not aggressive feeders and that means anglers must take the lead.

Often Reds will simply mouth the fly for a moment and then let go. Because of this, once you feel a minor bump or hesitation in your line, you must set the hook. If you don’t do this, you’ll have a day filled with nibbles and nothing else. It’s a tricky technique but once you get it, you’ll be hauling in the Reds.

The basic technique for catching Sockeye is to cast upstream at 3 o’clock, letting the fly work its way downstream in the current. When your bait gets to 9 o’clock reel your line in and cast again.

When the Reds run, it’s an extremely exciting time on the river, offering innumerable opportunities to fishermen looking for a good fight and a fine tasting fish. On the Kenai River there are numerous licensed guides who can help you get the most out of your fishing experience, helping you insure your stringer or fish box is as full as it can be with this abundant but tricky species of salmon.

When it comes to this season’s big fashion trends, oversized sunglasses are huge. Here are some tips on finding supersized shades from sunwear stylists at Solstice Sunglass Boutique, a luxury sunglass specialty chain:

• If your face is oblong, look for frames with contrasting temples.

• If you have a diamond-shaped face, choose cat’s-eye, square or rimless frames.

• For a round-square face, choose rectangular or geometric frames.

• Frames with heavily accented color on the top half work best with a triangular face.

• If you have an oval face, almost any style will work.

Some of this season’s hottest styles are:

• Sunset Boulevard-Oversized plastic “Jackie O” shapes that provide the Hollywood starlet look or anything that is aviator inspired.

• MetalWorks-Metal is one of the hottest fashion accents and sunglasses with studs, grommets or chain links make a bold, flashy fashion statement.

• Pearl Essence-Any shade from brilliant white to subdued ivory is the perfect accent to a brightly colored ensemble.

• Charms and Jewels-These playfully elegant designer styles are accented with Swarovski crystals and/or charms and trinkets like buttons, hearts or butterflies.

• Signature Style-For personal flair, designer-inscribed sunglasses are in high demand.

• Cutting Edge-Peek-a-boo cut-out temple designs and laser engraved outlines make a bold, edgy, new fashion sunglass statement.

A look at any fashion magazine, TV show or movie proves that eyeglasses are a hot fashion trend.

“With so many people wearing glasses, people are starting to use eyewear as an accessory to match their personal style,” said Kristin Bonfield, accessories product manager of LensCrafters.

The secret to looking good all the time, said Bonfield, is proper care habits that keep glasses looking great.

1. Keep glasses sparkling. Nothing spoils your look like smudged, dirty lenses. Make cleaning a daily ritual. A spray bottle of professional eyeglass cleaner and soft micro-fiber cloth in your purse, car or desk drawer makes it easy.

2. Use the case. If you need to take your glasses off, put them in their case. Stuffing them in a pocket or purse is an invitation to scratching.

3. Keep your shirt on. According to one study, 52 percent of people clean their glasses with their clothing. Dust and particles in clothes can scratch lenses. Even dry paper products can grind dust and fibers into the lens. Disposable moist cleaning towelettes make it easy to keep your world sparkling.

4. Give high-tech lenses high-tech care. Today’s lenses are thinner, made of lighter materials and often have coatings that prevent glare or add other benefits. Don’t damage them by using household cleaners. Even today’s concentrated or “extra strength” dish soaps can damage coatings over time. Eyewear cleaners are formulated to safely remove fingerprints, cosmetics, dirt and grime.

5. Wear goggles for do-it-yourself projects. Removing paint spatters with rough rubbing or chemicals can easily damage a lens. Sawdust and plaster dust can scratch or get ground in during cleanup.

6. Take time for a regular eye exam. Nothing ruins your look like squinting! – NU

Faulty tear glands may not be something you think about until you experience the aching, itching and stinging that can accompany dry eyes. Dry eyes can be more than a minor burden; serious dryness can lead to abrasions of the cornea and possibly blindness if left untreated.

More than 3.2 million women and 1.6 million men (in the United States) over the age of 50 experience the symptoms of dry eye. For some the experience is occasional, while others must learn to deal with constant dryness.

The causes for dry eyes are varied. They can include decongestants, antihistamines, blood pressure medicine, winter winds, air conditioning and indoor heating. Whatever the cause, there is a variety of natural remedies and preventable measures you can undertake to help your eyes stay moist.

Smoking: Simple…Quit. Smoking has been shown to dry out your eyes. In addition, smoking increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Automobile Air vents: Vents pointed at your face and eyes can quickly drain the moisture in your eyes. Make sure to aim the vents away from your eyes or wear sunglasses for protection.

Omega-3: A recent study out of Japan has found that omega-3 supplementation could help prevent dry-eye syndrome.

Vitamin A: Taking a vitamin A supplement or eating vitamin A rich foods such as salmon or eggs can help keep your eyes moist.

Blink: In the electronic age, many of us spend a good deal of time staring at a computer screen. This can irritate even mild cases of dry eyes. When you are concentrating, you tend not to blink as much. Not blinking as frequently will make eye moisture evaporate rapidly. Ever so often, look away from your computer (or television) and take a blink break. Your eyes will thank you.

Humidify: Low moisture levels can dry your eyes fast. The winter can be especially drying during sleep. If possible, get a humidifier for the areas in which you spend a lot of time.

Your eyes are one of your most prized possessions. Think for a second what life would be like without them. It is important not to take them for granted. I hope the above remedies help, if not or if the problem persists, get to an eye doctor.

On the list of your thing to consider before deciding to get a tattoo, the kind of tattoo to get will undoubtedly be at the top. But right behind it will be where on your body you want your tattoo positioned. The size and shape of your tattoo, of course, will eliminate a lot of your positioning options, but one of the most popular places for tattoos, for a variety of reasons, is the shoulder.

Shoulder tattoos date back thousands of years to the Pacific and African tribes who used them as a means of identifying an individual’s tribe and rank within a tribe. hey were also used to commemorate battlefield accomplishments. There is even some thought that shoulder tattoos should represent whatever the wearer wants to carry through life, be it a relationship, a belief, or even a favorite flower.

Shoulder tattoos are great for those who want or need to cover their tattoos periodically, for work, school, or to keep a significant other happy. Unlike upper arm tattoos, shoulder tattoos don’t require you to wear long sleeves in the middle of a heat wave in order to avoid offending people, and unlike back tattoos, they don’t require you to go topless in order to show them off. A tank top is ideal.

If you’re concerned about the level of physical discomfort associated with getting a tattoo, the pain is usually proportionate to the amount, or of lack of, padding on the area being tattooed. Shoulder tattoos are generally considered, after upper arm tattoos, the least painful.

Another advantage of shoulder tattoos is their longevity. One of the realities of getting tattooed is that the location of a tattoo correlates directly to the length of time it keeps its brightness and definition.

The two most important factors you should consider in positioning your tattoo for a long and eye catching life are how much sunlight it will receive and how much bending it will have to endure.

The less sunlight and tanning your tattoo is forced to undergo, the better, because this sun is a notorious fader of tattoo ink And the less bending it experiences, the less likely its inks are to “migrate,” and cause blurring of its details. Having shoulder tattoos, however, does not excuse their wearers from protecting themselves with sunscreen.

Another advantage of shoulder tattoos is that, as well as being some of the longest lasting, they are some of the easiest to do, and therefore, some of the least expensive.

Location has always played a part in the cost of a tattoo, because some parts of the body are simply harder to access and work on, and will require frequent touch-up work, which is usually free.

The biggest positive abut shoulder tattoos, however, is that the contours of the shoulder lent themselves to some truly stunning tattoos.

Floral garlands; shooting stars; never ending Celtic knots and dragons; or abstract tribal designs; in fact, any tattoos to which you’d like add a three dimensional look are all perfect ideas for shoulder tattoos!

Not all thieves are Jean Valjean. Nor are all thieves the type that wear business suits and spout promises every election year. Just as not all thieves are the same, not every thief steals for the same reasons. Some do it out of necessity, such as the Jean Valjean who merely wanted a piece of bread to satisfy his hunger. Others do it for monetary gain, whether for themselves or for others. Others steal as an act of rebellion or defiance, challenging authority by violating the concept of ownership, a fundamental component of the law. For some, the problem relates to a mental health disorder and they literally can’t stop themselves from doing so. When mental health is inextricably linked to someone’s stealing, most people would probably not be mistaken in labeling that person as having kleptomania.

Taking the meaning from the translation of the Greek term, kleptomania, is a form of psychosis that causes a person to impulsively steal things. The items targeted are always tangible and are rarely too large for the patient to effectively hide under normal circumstances. There is no concrete data on whether hard monetary value plays any part in the impulse of the person. Most statistics reflect that the items being stolen rarely ever have a pattern to them, though some consistencies have been known to occur. Most experts have come to an agreement that a majority of kleptomaniacs steal “for the sake of stealing,” and only in rare circumstances will monetary value or personal inclinations determine what, exactly, is being stolen.

In general, kleptomaniacs are simply unable to control the impulse to steal objects and active attempts to prevent those impulses often results in overwhelming stress and anxiety. Of course, attempting to prevent it is only possible if the kleptomaniac is actually aware of the theft. In a number of cases, the patient will have no idea that he has stolen an item until after the fact. Legally, kleptomania is not considered a viable defense. This is primarily because kleptomaniacs can be aware that a theft is taking place. Also, there is very little evidence-gathering methods available that can prove whether a person was aware during a theft or not. However, some territories will accept it as a legal defense, provided that the patient has an established history of lack of awareness.

Kleptomania is often seen to be closely associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), though this is not always the case. Most only relate the kleptomania to OCD when the stolen items are being hoarded or kept, which generally connotes that the items were stolen for their actual or potential value, rather than for the sake of being stolen. Some kleptomaniacs exhibit signs and symptoms that point to OCD behavior, but it is often left up to the judgment of the person administering the therapy to determine whether this is a part of the kleptomania or a sign of OCD being in the background. Statistically speaking, a vast majority of cases of kleptomania are actually independent of OCD, with the common percentages of the two disorders coinciding being 2.2 to 5.9 percent.

For treatment, kleptomaniacs are often subjected to the same methods as pyromaniacs, though geared to better suit the nature of the problem. This means that the most common approach used is cognitive behavior modification, though other methods may also be used. Serotonin-uptake inhibitors can be used as a stand-alone answer, or in conjunction with other techniques. Mood stabilizers have also been used as a means of chemically counteracting the impulses, though results have shown a degree of variance.

Tweezing is the most inexpensive way to remove unwanted hair. A pair of Tweezers will cost between two to five dollars, but the effect of a well shaped eyebrow through tweezing can be very astounding. Your eyebrow’s shape should go along with your brow bone’s natural line. The arch should come out to be the highest at the pupil’s outer corner. To know exactly where the brow should start, align a pencil straight up from the inner corner of the eye. To know where it exactly should it end, a pencil, held diagonally from the outer corner of the eye to the brow bone can help. The very first time you pluck your eyebrows, it could be painful. But after two or three sessions, you feel almost nothing. Eyebrows shape should have an arch. Ideally, it should be over the iris of the eye. Be careful not to overdo it; it should come out natural and conforms with your eye.

1. How To Pluck Eyebrows:

– Look and study your brows in the mirror.
– Pluck when your pores are open. Do your eyebrows immediately after a shower, or apply warm compress to your brow area to open up the pores. This will help in minimizing the pain that plucking can create.
– Apply a baby’s teething pain preparation. If you are plucking your eyebrows for the first time, it will be helpful to apply a baby’s teething gel, to numb the are so you can pluck with comfort.
– Be certain that there is enough natural light available in the room.
– Use a pair of tweezers that you can handle easily. Test that it can grip the hairs well, so it can pull the hair from the roots well, without slipping every time you pluck.
– Soften the hairs with a skin conditioner or moisturizer, so hairs can slide out easily.
– Brush the brows upward so you can see your natural arch and shape your brows from there.
– From time to time, stand back, take a few steps away from the mirror and examine your brows.
– Be conscious always of your eye’s natural shape. Don’t make a super arch if that is not naturally you. It will be very obvious and will give you a funny look. Make the arch as natural as possible.
– With an eye pencil, draw first the desired shape of your eyebrows before you start plucking.
– Focus your plucking on the stray hairs first. These are usually finer and will not be as painful to pluck. Also, they won’t give as much attention, in case you make a mistake.
– Note that you should only pluck the hairs at the bottom side of your brow. Never pluck the hairs at the top.
– First tweeze under the brow and pluck in the direction of the growth of the hair.
– Be sure to pull hair one at a time and close to the root.
– With your thumb and first finger, stretch the skin area tightly so you avoid pinching the skin, which can be painful.
– Comb the brows upward, using your eyelash comb, and trim off any hair extending beyond the brow bone.
– When finished, pat with tea bags to soothe the area.

2. Don’ts Of Eyebrow Plucking!

– Don’t pluck after you have applied lotion to your face. Plucking will open up your pores; lotion may instantly go in the skin and can contaminate it.
– Don’t use electric tweezers. It can be very dangerous.
– Don’t use tweezers for pulling out nose hairs.
– Don’t use alcohol after plucking, as this can irritate the eyes.
– Don’t dye your eyebrows, not only that it can cause severe eye irritation, it could also look bad.
– Don’t soak your tweezers in detergents or in plain water.

3. Tweezer Care:

– Always disinfect it with alcohol before and after each use.
– Always place a cap to protect the tips of your tweezers.
– Be careful not to drop the tweezers as this can dull and miss align the tip.

4. Choosing Tweezers:

When just starting, it will be wise to buy at least four tweezers of different materials, such as stainless steel, copper or plastic coated, so that you will know which ones will quickly tarnish. Stainless steel also do come in different grades. Note that the price of the tweezers does not affect its quality. Both expensive and affordable ones, performance wise, may have the same grip and the same tip that can function well. However, those with high quality materials will cost more, such as a high grade stainless steel. Pay attention to the tip of the tweezers; it should have a wide surface so that it can grip well. Test it to make sure it does the job. Whatever size of tweezers you choose, long, short, wide or narrow, it really depends on your own preference, on which tweezers you can handle best.

On Dec. 7, 1905, Dr. Eduard Zirm performed the world’s first corneal transplant in the what is now the Czech Republic. On the 100th anniversary of that historic procedure, the World Health Organization estimates that corneal transplants could restore the vision of 11 million people worldwide.

Since Helen Keller’s call for Lions clubs members to become “Knights of the Blind” in 1925, Lions have dedicated themselves to aiding the blind and visually impaired. The service organization’s support of eye bank services is one way it is answering this call.

The first Lions eye bank was established in 1944 in New York City, and today there are approximately 60 Lions eye banks in 13 countries. The Lions eye banks are not-for-profit organizations that must be sponsored by a Lions club or district and establish a working relationship with a medical facility.

Lions eye banks often provide healthy corneas to countries in Central and South America, Africa and Asia that do not have eye banks.

There are no professional fees or processing costs to the donor or the donor’s family. Instead, the eye bank assumes all costs involved in procuring corneas.

Lions assist local eye banks as corneal tissue transporters and eye bank volunteers. Lions also encourage the public to become corneal tissue donors. Club members help to financially support the eye banks, holding fundraisers and purchasing necessary medical equipment.

You have no doubt seen a blind person being lead across a busy intersection by a Seeing Eye dog. These functional companions have been used to help handicapped people become independent for years. Nobody knows exactly when the concept of a Seeing Eye dog came into existence but it has been suggested that dogs have been used in such a capacity in various cultures for a very long time. It is known, however, that there was no formal guide dog program in existence until after the First World War.

Why German Shepherds?

Many people have probably wondered why guide dogs and Seeing Eye dogs are so often German Shepherds. There are two reasons. First, the German Shepherd has a strong sense of loyalty to its owner, giving it natural protective tendencies. Having a very protective dog as a companion is an obvious asset for someone who may otherwise be easily attacked by someone with bad intentions. The second reason is far simpler; the first guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired were trained in Germany to provided assistance for those blinded in the war.

After the end of World War I, Germany was in a state of financial depression. Many private businesses failed and the Potsdam, Germany school that trained the guide dogs for the blind was one of them.

The Seeing Eye was born

An American woman named Dorothy Eustis had heard about the program and decided it was a very worthwhile endeavor. Because she owned a company that was training German Shepherds as working dogs, she decided she might try to train guide dogs for the blind. She did not start this right away, however. In fact she was still considering the possibilities when she wrote a story for The Saturday Evening Post about the potential for guide dogs for the blind.

A Nashville man named Morris Frank had heard the story and decided to get in touch with Ms. Eustis and ask her to train a dog for him. She did and Mr. Frank became known as the first blind person to use a guide dog.

As part of an arrangement he’d made with Ms. Eustis, Mr. Frank started training guide dogs in the United States. The foundation that Mr. Frank started was named “The Seeing Eye” and the dogs that were used were dubbed Seeing Eye dogs.

Today guide dogs are trained to assist people with many different disabilities. There are Hearing Ear dogs to assist the deaf and other dogs that assist the physically disabled. All of the people who have benefited from the use of a guide dog, however, owe their thanks to Mr. Morris Frank of Nashville, Tennessee.

If you are planning to visit Seattle Washington any time in the near future I hope you are either bringing along your children, or the child in you at the very least. Why you ask? Well, the answer to that is simple, because there are so many fun things for children to do in Seattle.

In addition to the many parks spread throughout the city, and by that, I mean that Seattle has several extraordinary parks. Among those great parks are: Alki Playfield, Cal Anderson Park (which boasts a wading pool and a gigantic chess set), Cascade Playground (which features free music Fridays from noon until 2:00), Discovery Park, and Woodland Park. But parks and playgrounds are just a start. Seattle really has so much more to offer than just this.

There is the Children’s Repertory Theatre, which offers plays and musicals that are sure to delight children of all ages. In addition to the theatre, Seattle has an excellent Children’s Museum. For hands on learning, there is the Pacific Science Center and to aid in a healthy respect and appreciation of musical arts, there is the Experience Music Project.

If you have a child or are a child that wants to grow up and touch the stars, the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame might be in order. And there’s always Gameworks’ for the child in all of us that has never outgrown playing video games. For little boys that may never grow up there is the Northwest Railway Museum and the Boeing Tour that shows how these huge planes is made. There is also the Museum of Flight, which consistently ranks as one of the top museums in this category worldwide.

If your child is a lover of animals, there is so much to do and see in and around Seattle that it is difficult to know where to begin. I’ll start with Wolf Haven, which offers daily tours that last about an hour and provide visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent animals in a natural surrounding. Next, there is Northwest Trek, which allows guests to take a tram ride through their park for the purpose of observing several animals in a natural environment. One of my favorites is Cougar Mountain Park, which is really a one of a kind experience for any animal lover. This park takes animals that are endangered and shelters them while providing education and enlightenment about the plight of these animals and the effect they have on the ecosystem.

In addition to these animal havens, there is Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Seattle Aquarium, and Woodland Park Zoo. Each of these is more common as far as zoos and/or aquariums go but offer the opportunity to view animals just the same. Also, there is my personal favorite Seattle activity, whale watching. You can either charter a boat or take your child out to Lime Kiln Point State Park to look for these magnificent creatures. Either way, this activity will probably be the highlight of your trip for your child, especially if you happen to see one of these beauties.

If that isn’t enough, Seattle is the host city for several professional sports teams. If you or your inner child loves sports, then this is the city to visit. Almost every major sport is represented. There are the Sonics, the Storm, The Mariners, The Seahawks, and the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are a Western Hockey League team but a professional team just the same and you really don’t want to get me started on the NHL for now, that would take days of writing.

At any rate, it would be really wonderful to me, if I could see Seattle just once through the eyes of a child. The closest thing I can hope for is to see it through the eyes of my children and hope that they develop the same respect and appreciation for this great city that I have.

Aging alone is hard on us all, yet being blind too does not make life easier. You have support however. Being blind makes it hard to be independent, feel safe and secure, which could lead into stress and depression. Even if you have blurred vision but can’t read, a guide dog might just be the answer for you or someone you know.

With the help of a guide dog, one could live independent and go about living a normal life. Imagine living in darkness. This is when a qualified Seeing Eye dog could give someone the healthy life they deserve by guiding them to the light of safety. The feeling of being safe and still be able to have a social life could make one safer and healthier knowing they have protection with them at all times. The giving of dignity and self-confidence that a guide dog can give a person is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened for the blind.

There are also hearing ear dogs trained to keep their masters safe and help them live a normal and healthy life. Hearing ear dogs are trained just like the Seeing Eye dogs to listen and watch for danger giving their master a safe environment. They too are to protect them and help give them a healthier and happy normal life.

A seeing eye dog and the hearing ear dogs have the life of 7-10 years and than is retired and can be replaced. These seeing and hearing guide dogs are trained to watch where the master is walking, to hear and see things that might harm them in some way. People even work regular jobs with their friend beside them guiding them through the everyday working tasks. Seeing and hearing dogs are trained to work not play at all times taking care of their master always watching and listening.

As we age, we need our exercise and socializing to keep us healthy. Being blind and not being able to hear are two very emotional things that can be very depressing especially if they were not born this way. If at one time a person could see or hear normally and all of a sudden diabetes or maybe even a stroke happens to cause them to lose their independence they are naturally going to feel lost and be afraid. A dog is man’s best friend and will give protection where and when it is needed.

When someone decides they might want to have a guide dog but are afraid it might not work out for them or can they trust each other enough to feel safe. The dogs and the new owners are trained together once the dog has learned their manners. The trainer will supervise during the training to teach the dog all your needs and the area so he can guide you through a large city street even. Don’t worry these dogs are trained to keep you healthy and happiness will help provide you with healthy aging?

Healthy aging means many things and one of them is the independence, dignity, safe feeling of protection at all times. What better way to aging if you can’t see or hear than to have a guide dog be your best friend?

If you can’t see or hear and thinking about getting you a guide dog do it soon. You will not forget the experience. Just think you’ll become more independent and will be able to stay alone to have your own personal life again. Keep safe with guide dogs, since being blind puts you at a deeper and higher risk in society.

If art is of interest to you, there is plenty to keep you occupied during your visit to Seattle, Washington. From small galleries to big museums and places where you can create art of your very own, there is a little something that will appeal to almost any art lover.

I could begin by telling you about the various art museums in the area, but I think that is how I will end. I would first like to tell you about some shops that offer unique experiences with art and the processes of creating art. The first of these called Art By Fire. This unique little shop not only displays the artwork of artists but also offers classes in Glass Blowing. The classes are probably not a good choice for those vacationing as they meet once a week for four weeks and each lesson is four hours long. But, regardless of whether you are planning an extended stay or just curious about the offerings, there is great glass artwork to be seen here and I hope you will take me up on my suggestion that you stop by. They also offer bead making classes that are far less intensive and only require two nights effort (usually consecutive nights) that may be of interest to you as well.

The next shop I want to tell you about is called Glazed and Amazed. Slowly we are seeing more shops along these lines crop up across the country, but not everyone has discovered them and they are a great, fun way to bring out the inner artists in you and the rest of your family. You start by choosing a piece of ceramic to paint. You paint your masterpiece, then the kind folks at Glazed and Amazed fire it for you and you get to pick up your finished product in a couple of days. I recommend stopping by this shop early on in your trip as it does take a couple of days for the firing process. I believe you will have a lot of fun here and any children you have should really enjoy the experience as well. I know mine do.

Just a short drive from Seattle, in Tacoma, Washington is the Museum of Glass. While this doesn’t exactly sound like an art museum, it is just that. One of the neatest things about this particular museum is that you can actually watch glass being made in the Hot Shop Amphitheater. This is perhaps the greatest thing about the glass museum, because here, you can actually watch glass become art. This museum is different enough to make it well worth the drive from Seattle to Tacoma and I really hope you will consider the drive if you have a passion for art. I really believe that the experience is one of a kind.

While you are in Tacoma, assuming of course that you visit the Glass Museum, it would probably be a good idea to head on over to the Tacoma Art Museum. You can see more beautiful works of art including more blown glass by Dale Chihuly who is truly is a master of the art.

Whatever your personal interest in art, whether watching it, observing it, or creating it, there is plenty to feed that need in and around Seattle. I hope that you will find this great city to be as much of a home to your artist heart as it is to many other great artists.

Sam was a famous boy in our school. No he was not great at any kind of sports, also it never occurred to any of our teachers that Sam was academically promising. Nor had anybody ever heard or saw him taking part in any kind of extra curricular activities. You might be wondering, then why on earth the boy was famous in the school! Well, he was famous, or should I say made famous by his oversized and thick glassed spectacles. We never met since we had left the school in mid- 1990’s until recently, and believe me it came as quite a shock! Where has gone that bespectacled boy, whose eyes seemed to get lost for ever in the numbers of his thick glasses? Before me stood a new man altogether, smart, handsome and most importantly full of confidence.

Yes, this is what a laser eye surgery can do for you. It can transform your personality, it can enhance your looks, and it helps you to get rid of dependence on sight corrective devices, it promises you freedom to view the world as you wish. Well, there are differences of opinions regarding the result of the surgery. But use your common sense and judge for yourself. Why is it that millions of people in the USA are bidding good bye to their spectacles and undergoing laser eye surgery? The prices of surgery also came down only to indicate their soaring popularity. So definitely people are getting benefits from the procedure. Let us examine, what are these benefits?

The benefits from various types of laser eye surgery are obvious and extensive. These surgeries are aimed at correcting mild to moderate refractive errors of your eyes which are more commonly known as myopia or nearsightedness, hyperopia or farsightedness, and astigmatism or distorted vision. And the best thing about this surgery is that it is a permanent correction. Thus the cosmetic and utilitarian value of laser eye surgery is beyond imagination.

Currently, there are three options available if you choose to correct your vision through laser surgery. Among them is PRK or photorefractive keratectomy, being the oldest as well as simplest the reshaping of the cornea takes place with the help of computer-controlled beam of laser. LASIK, the acronym for laser in situ Keratomileusis is a complex procedure targeted at all degrees of nearsightedness. Here a surgical blade called microkeratome is used to curve out a flap from corneal tissue. After removing the tissue beneath it, the flap is replaced back. The third option is that of EPIFLAP or LASEK, where cornea is revealed by partial removal of epithelium and after the cornea has been gently reshaped, the epithelium is replaced back to its place.

So now you can understand how laser eye surgery works. If you are scared thinking the procedure might be painful, you are mistaken. You can also get back to your normal routine within three days time. And the most interesting thing is the time. It takes just about 15 to 40 seconds!

Thinking about the risk factors? Can you find any kind of surgery, where the surgeon does not warn you about the probable risk factors? In this case you can avoid risks by asking your doctor whether you are right candidate for laser eye surgery. Maybe some time you will get dry eyes or glare around lights at night, but the benefits you get from the surgery are much more valuable than these little inconveniences of life.

UK drivers are putting themselves at risk because they struggle to keep their eyes on the road.

Roadside objects such as billboards, flashing signs and Christmas decorations cause a third of motorists (32 per cent) to lose concentration while behind the wheel. And 41 per cent of these drivers confess to being distracted for up to 5 seconds – which equates to driving 15 car lengths at 30mph – two and a half times the stopping distance needed at this speed. At 60mph, this means drivers would find themselves travelling at least the length of a football pitch without their full concentration on the road.

Overall roadside distractions are pulling the attention of 83 per cent of UK drivers away from the roads, Privilege finds.

And it’s male drivers who are most affected as one in five (22 per cent) confess to being captivated by scantily-clad women on adverts, compared to just one in ten female drivers by semi-naked male models (11 per cent).

As public spaces become cluttered with illuminating and moving visuals, 26 per cent of British drivers have been distracted by huge advertising hoardings, a fifth (21 per cent) by the new vehicle activated signs and 17 per cent by Christmas lights and decorations.

Dr Mark Young, an expert in transport ergonomics at Brunel University, said:
“While we currently know a lot more about in-vehicle distractions such as mobile phones than external distractors, there is a growing body of concern about the lack of any coherent strategy for arranging roadside furniture.

“Drivers’ visual workload varies through the course of a journey, and at crucial times – negotiating a difficult roundabout, for example, there is a small but significant risk of distraction from novel stimuli like advertising. In fact, this risk is probably underestimated and we need to do more research on the possibility of excluding non-essential information when the driver is already busy dealing with the road.”

Ian Parker, Managing Director of Privilege Insurance, said:
“It appears that the development of new technologies, products and advertising techniques is getting in the way of road safety. The implications of the increase in eye-catching roadside objects such as illuminating signs has not been monitored until today. Privilege is providing motorists with tips on how to concentrate while driving amid the increase in distracting objects.”

To help drivers focus on the roads, relevant signs and drive as safely as possible, Privilege is providing drivers with the following tips and advice:

Try to take notice only of official signs and notices which are crucial for driving. Try saying them out loud as you pass them if it helps make you concentrate on them. If someone asks you what the last sign was, you should be able to tell them.

Constantly scan the road environment for other potential hazards. Don’t let your vision wander off from the beaten track.

When you are stationary try to keep your gaze on the traffic in front – or any road signals. Listen to mid-paced music to relieve boredom, rather than allow your concentration to wander to roadside distractions.

Privilege specialises in offering highly competitive insurance for safe drivers, with a guarantee to beat fully comprehensive renewal quotes for any driver with 4 years+ no claims discount. For a competitive Privilege quote, telephone 0845 246 8336 or visit www.privilege.com.