Monday, March 8, 2010

Beautifying Your Life With Scented Candles

Scented Candles are a great way to decorate, scent, or just add warmth to any area. Scented candles are a favorite of most people because they create a clean smell, the smell of home, or even the smell of the season with scented Christmas candles and such. Candles are so universal that they are used just about everywhere, such as work, home, and there are even wedding candles that are a great addition to any wedding decorating scheme. Highly scented candles are quite popular because with just one candle you can make the whole home or office smell great!

If you like your candles scented you’ll find that there are an almost unlimited number of scents for you to try. Online scented candle offers will often offer new scents that you can get in your local stores, or just great deals on the scents that you know you already love! Everything can be found online from scented Christmas candles to your typical tapers and pillars that you like for every day use. You can even find homemade scented candles online, or kits to help you learn how to make them yourself so you can customize colors and scents.

Candles are simply a great addition to any setting as they can add beauty along with wonderful scents that can make a new house feel like home, a decorated home feel like Christmas, or a just give the home a very clean scent. Because candles come in so many varieties and scents, there is a candle out there that is for everyone.

Grand Illusions was created by Nick Ronald and David Roberts in December 1987, initially with just one small store in St Margaret's, Twickenham. The mission was to promote gifts, cards and accessories of good design and taste at an affordable price - still very much the core business ethic to this day.

Shortly afterwards, they discovered and developed a paint range that was to transform their lives. In those days, painted furniture was something of a rarity, and a twenty two drawer chest painted in one of the new paints caught the eye of 'Homes & Gardens' magazine - the small feature resulted in over a thousand telephone calls and the seeds of the highly acclaimed furniture collection were sewn.

This also led to the publication of three Grand Illusions books on decorating techniques and design inspiration, published in five countries by Ebury Press and accompanied by guest appearances on BBC2's Home Front and various local BBC radio stations.

They published their first mail-order catalogue in 1990 which was immediately voted as one of the top 200 catalogues in a new worldwide review and several issues later, they were awarded the contract to operate 'Country Living by Post' on behalf of the magazine, in addition to their own unique programme.

Today, the company's activities are currently concentrated on their two stores in St Margarets and Shaftesbury, with mail-order, paint studio, trade-sales and distribution also located in Dorset. The team regularly exhibit at quality retail and trade fairs like Country Living, Top Drawer and the RHS Flower Shows at Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park. Their products are now available at quality retail outlets across the UK and some stores in Japan, USA and Germany.

The publication of this web-site sees the return to mainstream mail-order for the accessory collection, which is just one of the exciting developments planned for the near future - so watch this space.

Beat The Kakuro Monster

Trailing the revival and the reign of the sudoku puzzles in 2005, another Western game gives a Japanese twist hit the puzzle scene. Kakuro puzzles, formerly known as cross sums, are now making waves as the newest puzzle craze. Bearing similarities in look and style to the more popular sudoku, kakuro puzzles promise to be more challenging and even more addictive than sudoku.

We know how brain and mental workouts enhance mental functions and sudoku has been included among the list of top brain boosters. Rightly so, since sudoku certainly poses quite a challenge to players. But if you think that simply placing numbers on squares in correct logic is challenging enough, try solving kakuro puzzles. They provide added difficulty and challenge of a higher degree since they require logic, cognitive, and practical mathematics. They are sure to provide you with a tougher and grittier mental exercise than the tamer sudoku. Certainly, these puzzles are not for the faint-hearted.

Kakuro puzzles are daunting, but they are not impossible. Enthusiasts emphasize that players need not have exceptional mathematical abilities or a genius like Einstein's to solve the puzzles. Practical mathematical knowledge is often enough to solve the puzzles as long as players employ effective strategy and logic. Having sufficient grasp and mastery of the puzzle rules make it easy for players like you to use the right tactics. The rules of the puzzles are relatively simple. The "playing board" looks similar to a crossword with white and dark squares. However, there are no clues at the bottom of the box. The numbers on the white spaces are the only clues a you have. Each number represents the sum of the missing numbers in cells or boxes it refers to. Note that same numbers can't be addends for the same run. For example, if the number in the box is 4, you can use 1 and 3 but not 2 and 2. Though the trial-and-error technique is often used, there are more sophisticated and logical techniques than filling your boxes with erasures and pencil marks.

A popular tactic is to search for cells with least combinations. These are usually the digits on the lower end of the number spectrum like 3, 5, 4, and other single digits. This limits the possible answers or numbers for a specific cell. Applying the same technique for the adjacent cells gives you a shot at the correct figure. Another tactic used in solving kakuro puzzles is looking for common numbers. This happens when two cells share a number. Finding the common number allows you to decide where to position the other number. To illustrate, if 3 and 1 are your answers for the number 4 at the vertical column or run and 1 and 5 for 6 at the horizontal line, 1 is your common number. Therefore, 1 merits the box at the intersection of 6 and 4. Experienced players solve puzzles by finding all possible and valid combinations plus correct cross referencing. Because as in sudoku, the position of the numbers matter in kakuro.

This third trick is probably the most elementary and least sophisticated. Marking answers on the edges of the boxes or cells with a pencil does not help you to solve the puzzles. However, it does help you track down your digits and combinations. This is especially helpful since kakuro puzzles have no definite limits. The "playing board" can measure as little as 3 by 3 or extend to God knows where. Over time, playing becomes easier because of practice. Also, you would have stock combinations in your head which you can use in playing. This is also a sign that you need to ditch the easier puzzles and move on to more challenging kakuro puzzles.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Bean Shaped Kidneys

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs in our bodies vertebrates, they are part of the urinary system. The kidneys are responsible for filtering wastes like urea from the blood system. Once the Kidney has filtered out the waste it excretes them, along with water, as urine.

A Humans kidneys are two organs which can be found in the posterior part of the abdomen. There is one kidney on each side of the spine located just below the liver. Beside each kidney is what is called an adrenal gland which can also be be called a suprarenal gland. Behind the lining of the abdominal cavity is where kidneys located. This corrolates to approximately T12 to L3 at the vertebral level. In orderd to accomodate the left liver, the right kidney usually lies just a bit lower than the left.

A average size kidney in a human adult is approximately 11.5 cm in length and about 4.5 cm depth. It isn't unreasonable for a kidney to weigh up to 160 grams. Kidneys have adopted the name, the "bean-shaped" organ, due to their concave sides facing inwards. On these concave sides to each kidney is an opening, which is called the Hilus. The Hilus admits to the renal artery, the renal vein, nerves, and the ureter.

Because of the Kidney's resonsibility for filtering out waste in the human body there are lots of infections and different diseases that can start to take them over. Some of the common diseases include Kidney Stones, Cancer in the Kidney. And often times these different infections can cause the entire kidney to fail.

Beach Parties

Without a doubt one of the best places to party is the beach. Any beach for that matter is going to be more fun than almost any other location. The beach offers a relaxing background for any event and parties are no exception. Any kind of party works well for beaches.

Although daytime beach parties are the most popular, the beach is an excellent location for evening parties. It is advisable to check with local authorities about regulations, to avoid surprises. Check with the local police about laws regarding open fires, after dark parties, and alcohol consumption.

Due to its informal nature, beach parties are very easy to organize. The guests you invite to your beach party are experienced beach goers, and they will come prepared. Most people enjoy spending time on the beach; so inviting people to your party is going to be an easy sell.

Even though the beach is great fun, it is not without its challenges. Sunburn and wind are almost inevitable parts of the beach party. Sand on you and on your food is part of the day. Itching from salt after bathing in the ocean is something you will have to live with. Even with its challenges, a day at the beach is a lot of fun. Having a meal prepared on a grill at the beach is good as it gets.

Make sure you come prepared with suntan lotion, and apply it as soon as you arrive to the beach or before you leave home. Once you have applied the suntan lotion reapply it every 30 seconds. Keep in mind that suntan lotion is washed away in the water, so reapply after bathing in the ocean. To be safe, you should have your party on a beach with a lifeguard on duty. Drowning and rip tides are a reality of any beach party, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Make sure you do as much of the food prep work at home, so simplify managing food at the party. Keep meat, dairy, and cheese products. Only remove perishable foods from the cooler when consuming. Bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration on the beach. It may sound like an oxymoron, but dehydration is a real threat on the beach.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Be A Video Game King With Online Video Game Rentals

Are you a video game buff? And you keep hosting and attending video game parties frequently, despite the fact that they, at times, get too heavy on your pockets? And being a video game buff, it remains your wisest ordeal to review the game as and when it enters the market?

Come on. You can overcome this unnecessary expense. No I am not telling you to restrict your video gaming passions. Rather go for online video game rentals and find a total answer to all your video gaming.

For all this and more, all you need to do is visit a website offering you online video game rentals and place the order as per your choice. Many times, the games which are short on stock in the market are available for rent online. And by getting the new title release on rent, you can write reviews and enjoy being the real king of video games.

But before you go for online video game rentals you must know many aspects regarding online video gaming and video game rentals beforehand.

First things first, what is a video game rental? If you order an online video game rental, you get an access to an online video game on rent at the complete comfort of your own home. As you order online, the games are sent to you online only. You can definitely browse and order the video games online, as per your choice.

But before you do so, you must ask– if you want to play one game or many games at a time. Check for the fact if shipping cost of the game is included in your subscription or it may come as a surprise expense to you. Most importantly, check for the fact if the website offers the games that are compatible to your game platform or not? This is essential as most of the websites support Xbox and Playstation2, but they do not have games for original Playstation.

Always compare the prices and offers, well in advance. Even if the prices offered by various sites seem similar to you, they make a huge difference in the long run. While the prices are all in a similar range, it may seem a minute difference in the beginning. But over the course of a year, the difference adds up hugely.

There are literally innumerable video game sources on the internet. And you can very easily have access to video game rentals for all the popular game titles for major systems such as Xbox, GameCube, Playstation2, Nintendo DS and GameBoy Advance.

The popular video game websites such as GameFly, Gamerang, GameznFlix and Gplay offer you thousands of game titles on rent. You can avail the benefits by subscribing with these webmasters for $15-20 per month. The multiple picks at a time, definitely, are more beneficial to you. Your rental habits can also decrease the cost of your future deals with the website.

Now as you know the ease at which these electronic game rentals are available at, you might again ask why you should pick a game rental rather than buying it. The answer to this query is simply the fact that the rental deal is far cost-effective as compared to a total game buy. Within a few dollars you get to know if the game is worth a purchase or not.

You certainly get to know if you need to buy or just rent the game for a small period of time. If you loved the time spent with your video game rental, you can decide to buy the game. Online video game rentals also help you rack up the new genres of video games, prior buying them.

You can also avail video game rentals from video game rental stores and movie rental outlets as well. But online video game rentals undoubtedly remain the most convenient source for video game rentals.

Video game rentals in fact decide for the ratings of most popular games. The most popular online video game rental picks are: ‘Madden NFL 06’, ‘NCAA Football 06’, ‘God of War’, ‘Sid Meier's Pirates!’, ‘Destroy All Humans’ and ‘Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith’.

Now if you want to know the downsides of the video game rentals, my answer to you is there is none. The problem, if any, is you must remember to send the games back on time. So happy video gaming!

BBC Banned Music: Top Singles Banned By the BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation also known as the BBC is a public broadcasting corporation. Therefore, it allows itself to ban materials that deviate from certain standards of civility. During the years, many singles that were seen as too explicit, distasteful or bear the potential for offending the British public were banned from BBC airplay. Here you can read about some of them.


In 1977, when England was celebrating the Queens Jubilee, the Sex Pistols had released their second single titled God Save the Queen. The single includes controversial lyrics that rhyme the national anthem title with fascist regime. Moreover, the record cover displayed a picture of the Queen with a safety pin stuck in her nose.

The single was found to offensive to be air played by the BBC, but it did not stop it from reaching number two on the BBC official singles chart. According to the myth, God Save the Queen was the top selling single in the UK at the time, but it was held back of number one to avoid controversies.

Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin scandalous duet Je TAime ... Moi Non Plus, translated: I love you... me neither, was the first ever number one hit to be banned by the BBC. Although at the time of its release, in 1969, the sexual revolution was celebrated, the British radio still was not able to cope with such explicit lyrics, not to mention Birkins moans and groans.

The BBC ban and The Vatican denounce, did not stop Je TAime ... Moi Non Plus from being a top selling single in the UK and worldwide. In October 7, 1969, the single reached number one in the BBC official singles chart. At the same time, it had reached number 69 at the US singles chart.

Je TAime ... Moi Non Plus was a major influence on another BBC banned single, Donna Summers disco pioneer from 1976 titled Love to Love You Baby. After counting 23 faked orgasms performed by Summer in Love to Love You Baby, the British Broadcasting Corporation banned the song. However, it did not stop it from becoming a massive hit. Love to Love You Baby reached number four on the UK single charts but peaked to number two on the Billboard pop chart.

Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood is one of the most controversial singles as well as commercially successful singles in history. The BBC did not only ban the song it also did not stop BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read to publicly express his feelings of disgust from the single's explicit lyrics. In 1984, Relax stayed in the UK singles charts for 42 weeks. In five of them, it stayed in number one. By the end of 1984, embarrassed Auntie Beeb removed the ban. Relax is still very popular worldwide and it is one of the most recognized symbols of the era. The arguments on whether it gained such a huge success despite the BBC ban or the BBC ban helped promoting it have not been settled yet.

Paul McCartney and the Wings response to the 1972 Bloody Sunday events titled Give Ireland Back to the Irish, was banned by every media resource in the UK. It was forbidden from being broadcast by the BBC, Radio Luxembourg and the Independent Television Authority. In addition, the song title was not allowed to be pronounced on the air, so when it arrived to the BBC Radio 1 chart show it was presented as a record by the group Wings. However, Give Ireland Back to the Irish hit the top of the Irish singles charts.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Bass Guitar Essentials

Picking out my very first bass guitar was an exciting event. It is the first instrument I have ever purchased that I plan on learning how to play. Why not learn guitar first? Well, I have a love for the bass and not only that, I have been told on many occasions that is is easier to learn than the guitar.With all of the excitement of my purchase, I decided to make sure I have all of the essentials needed for my new bass. Below covers several accessories that you may want to include if you are looking to purchase a new bass guitar as well.

Bass Guitar Cases

The first thing you will want to do is protect your new investment. This requires a sturdy bass guitar case. Cases come in various styles and materials. The lower-end cases are very thin and don't offer much protection if you plan on toting your bass around town. There are sturdier cases which are molded and padded on the inside. These cases have a hard shell and the padding keeps the bass secure. I'd highly recommend a molded case if you will be doing a lot of traveling.

Extra Bass Strings

Bass guitar strings are relatively sturdy but it doesn't hurt to keep some spare strings handy. There are several types of bass strings available to include flatwound, roundwound, and groundwound.

Bass Guitar Straps

Depending on the bass you purchase, it may already come with a strap included.Of course there are various types of straps to choose from as well. The most popular guitar straps are usually made of leather or suede. Many are often woven and come in a variety of colors to suit your tastes. If you're not into the fancy straps, you can always choose between vinyl and polyester.

Extra Guitar Picks

Out of all of the accessories you can have for your bass, the pick comes in more styles than anything else. You can choose from hundreds of colors as well as the thickness of the pick. Having multiple guitar picks always comes in handy.

Guitar Tuner

Keeping your bass in tune is a must and there are various types of guitar tuners available on the market. They all range in price from lower end tuners at $10 up to high-end versions that go for $100 or more. If you're a beginner, it's probably safe to stick to a low-end model until you become better at playing the bass.