How to Finish Pressure Treated Wood

CCA (chromated copper arsenate) is used to pressure treat lumber to prevent it from decaying however, this does not prevent the wood from weathering which is why painting or staining is a must. To prevent cracking and splitting, oil or latex stains provide the best results.

1. Apply preservative. After you have completed your project, allow the wood to dry for at least two months. The wood must be very dry to allow the stain or paint to penetrate the pressure treated wood
2.  Sand. Sand the wood by hand to remove any splinters as pressure treated wood tends to have more splintering than non treated wood.
3. Add Fungicide. Pressure treating does not prevent surface infestation of mold and mildew. To prevent these issues, add fungicide to the paint or stain you are going to use.
4. Paint and stain. From this point on, paint or stain the wood as you would ordinary wood by following the directions provided with the product.

Changing Brake Pads on Acura TI

If the breaks are squeaking on your Acura TI, it’s time to replace them. This is a moderately difficult procedure that requires at least a little knowledge about disc breaks. This knowledge can easily be acquired from your local auto-parts store. The specific pads you will need will depend on the year and transmission on your Acura TI.

1. Loosen lug nuts. Put the car in park (1st for manual transmission), make sure the parking break is set, and block the back tires as to prevent the car from rolling. Loosen the lug nuts on the front tires.
2. Jack the car up. Use a floor jack to jack up the front end of the car and place jack stands on both sides of the car under the front axel. Completely remove the lug nuts.
3. Pivot caliper. Use a ratchet and metric socket to remover the lower caliper mounting bolt allowing the caliper to pivot up over the brake pads and caliper mounts. Tie the caliper up out of the way.
4. Remove pads. Remove the pads and then use a wire brush to clean the surfaces of the caliper and caliper mount.
5. Install new pads. Make sure the wear indicator is located on the upper portion of the inner brake pad.
6. Compress piston. To compress the piston of the caliper, first loosen the bleeder screw on the caliper itself and then compress the piston until there is enough room to move the caliper over the pads, tighten the bleeder screw, and reinstall the caliper.
7. Bleed the brake system. Fill the master cylinder with brake fluid and then have an assistant get into the vehicle and pump the brake pedal five or six times holding it down the final time. Open the bleeder valves by loosening the bleeder screws on both calipers and then close them once air and fluid stop coming out. Repeat this process until there is no more air coming out of the valves.

How to Repair Peeling Clear Coat

Peeling clear coat is not a pretty site. Many things can cause clear coat to peel, such as poor paint materials, poor preparation, and ultraviolet rays from the sun. This is a serious problem not only for aesthetic reasons but because this issue can lead to rust. The best way to repair this is to strip the entire affected panel and repaint however; there is a temporary fix that can last over a year.

1. Scuff the car. Use either a red scuff pad or 400 grit sandpaper to lightly scuff the affected panel removing the clear coat. Be careful not to cut into the base coat.
2. Scuff again. This time use a gray scuff pat or 1000 grit sandpaper to remove the scratches left by the first step. A smooth surface is a must.
3. Protect the car. Protect the areas around the affected panel by using masking tape and clear coat to ensure the areas are completely covered.
4. Spray clear coat. Holding the can about 10 to 12 inches from the car, spray a thin even coat of clear coat starting at the top and working towards the bottom. Apply 3 to 4 coats allowing each coat to dry for about 30 minutes.

How to Paint a Car Without Using an Air Compressor

Don’t feel like you have no hope of painting your vehicle if you don’t own a spray gun or air compressor, as there is another way. Automotive grade paint is now available in aerosol spray cans, which you can purchase at your local auto parts store.

1. Sand the car. Use 120 grit sandpaper either by hand or with a dual action sander to remove all the old paint. The dual action sander will make this task so much easier. Sanding also prepares the surface to be painted by making the surface smooth.
2.  Cover areas. Cover all areas you do not want painted (glass, trim, etc.) with making tape and paper. Make sure to cover all areas.
3. Wipe the car down. Use grease remover to wipe down the entire car to ensure there are no fingerprints or dust particles that can leave imperfections in the finished paint.
4. Spray primer. Spray two thin coats of primer on the entirety of the car and allow each coat to dry at least thirty minutes. Start at the top of the car and work your way down. Hold the can about ten inches from the vehicle as to avoid drips.
5. Paint the car. Use the same method as with the primer to apply the paint except this time you will want to apply at least three or four coats.
6. Apply clear coat. Three coats of clear coat will prevent the new paint from being damaged. Apply using the same method as with the paint and primer.

What Judges Look For in Car Show

Knowing what the judges are looking for before entering your classic car into a classic car show greatly increases your chances of placing. In addition to the specific criterion that has been made clear for your category there are some additional measures you can take and should take to ensure your vehicle winds up in the winner’s circle.

Clean Car

A spotless car should always be a must regardless of the category your car has been entered. No dirt or mud should be visible on the outside and not a spec of dust on the inside.

No Scratches

Touch up any scratches and nicks before even considering entering a car show. A single scratch will distract a judge from the rest of your show car.

Custom Paint

Custom paint will set your car apart from the all the other cars that have been painted to match the original color. Paint it whatever color you like as long as it is custom and original.

New Tires

Tires are one thing most show car owners don’t consider when entering their car. Tires should have minimum wear and should be just as spotless as the rest of the car.

Car Soap

When cleaning a car, it is important to use a soap that will not damage the car. Dish soap, for example, can cause the paint to peel after continued used. To preserve the integrity and look of your vehicle’s paint, be sure to use soap like some of the types described below.

Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo

Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo is designed to remove unwanted dirt and sand without scratching the vehicle. IT leaves the car looking very shiny and clean as it even preserves the protective wax while still getting rid of all the girt and grime.

Simple Green Car Wash

Simple Green Car wash soap is based on the Simple Green All-Purpose cleaner in that it is non-toxic and is safe for the environment as it is biodegradable. When mixed with water, this soap forms a foamy substance that removes all of the dirt without leaving streaks or swirls on waxed surfaces.

Homemade Car Soap

Homemade car soap can be just as effective and half the cost of commercial car soaps.  Start off with a vegetable based soap and then add about a half cup of borax to a few gallons of water. Mix the ingredients and you now have a soap that is safe for your vehicles paint and will leaving it spic and span.

Purchasing a Used Vehicle

Purchasing a used car has benefits such as the greatly reduced purchase price and reduced cost of insurance however, the down sides are the car is not new and usually does not come with a warranty leaving the buyer more vulnerable to having vehicle issues. To reduce this risk, there are sever precautions one can take when shopping for a used car.

Portion of Warranty                 

A vehicle normally comes with a three year or 36,000 mile warranty at the time of initial purchase. Purchasing a used vehicle that still has a portion of the warranty left can give the purchaser time to figure out any glitches or problems the vehicle might have.

CPO                                                 

CPO stands for Certified, Pre-Owned vehicles. These vehicles usually have less than 50,000 miles and have been given a multipoint inspection. These vehicles are the absolute best of the used car market as they often come with a no-cost extended warranty.

Look at Service Records

If there are no service records chances are the car was not well maintained. Ideally a complete set of service records will be available to show that there were no unusual problems.  If no service records can be located, have the car looked over by a good mechanic.

VIN

Get the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) off of the plate located on the top of the dashboard and use it to run a CARFAX history report. This report costs about thirty dollars but can save you a ton of money and frustration in the long run.

Dating Agencies

Dating agencies are businesses are matchmaking services designed to place people looking for romance together who share common interests. Dating agencies can be face-to-face, online, speed dating, or an international marriage agency. The Internet and speed dating are the most common and biggest dating agencies.

Face-to-face agencies require men and women to personally go see a matchmaker as to find a potential partner.

Internet dating agencies are a website designed for people to register with a profile containing details about one’s self and a picture with the ability to contact others with similar interests and with a picture appealing to the individual.

Speed dating is when each person has a set time limit to talk to each other person. This is accomplished by having either males or females remain stationary while the opposite set rotates around.

International marriage agencies or agencies introduce men from wealthy countries to potential mail order brides.

The Internet and speed dating agencies are by far the most popular as todays generation is always short on time.

The United States office supplies sales average over fifty million dollars every year however, the market is becoming ever more competitive with over two-thirds of the total sales coming from large wholesalers. If one can get into this market as a sales representative, it can be a very rewarding venture.

1. Education. The majority of employers will require at leas an associate’s degree. However, it is possible to become an office supplies sales rep with a high school diploma and a strong sales background.
2. Educate yourself. Being an office supplies rep requires knowledge of all types of office supplies such as furniture, digital equipment, computers, as well as all of the basic types of office supplies.
3. Nail the interview. Once you get an interview with a office supply company, be ready to undergo multiple interviews both via the phone and in person. Have a very professional appearance taking careful care to make sure all of the details of your appearance are perfect. Sales companies like people who are very observant. When being interviewed, be very outspoken and answer every question with a lot of detail as a sales person should be very outgoing and not shy around new people.

Purchasing a Car Security System

A car security system is an excellent way to protect your vehicle and it’s valuable belongings. A good car security system not only makes it difficult for your vehicle to be stolen but also provides piece of mind and convenience with most having a remote to unlock and lock the car. Some even have remote start.

There are a few aspects to consider before purchasing a new car security system suck as motion sensors, glass-break sensors, driver’s side priority unlock, and remote outputs.

Motion Sensors
Motion sensors will tell you details about your vehicle such as weather or not your car’s windows or top are open and are perfect for cargo areas in vans and trucks. The alarm will go off if someone attempts to get into the vehicle and accidently causes the vehicle to sway.

Glass-Break Sensors
Glass-break sensors work by reacting to the sound of breaking glass. Most thieves believe they can bypass the alarm by breaking a window as to not have to use the door. Glass-break sensors are a perfect solution to this misconception.

Driver’s Side Priority Unlock
Driver’s side priority unlock allows you to unlock only the driver’s side door while keeping the other’s locked. This feature is for those times when you are in a situation warranting panic and can very well keep an intruder from entering your vehicle.

Remote Outputs
Remote outputs are required for expanding your alarm’s compatibilities such as remote start or window controls. The majority of alarms will come equipped with at least one remote output.

Centralizing Office Space

Staplers and rolls of tape always seem to disappear in the majority of office environments. By centralizing office supplies, a business can save a tremendous amount of money. The most effective way to do so is to centralize all of the office supplies and then give out the supplies to employees on a need-to-use basis.

1. Utilize a lockable storage room. First determine if there will be enough room to store all of the excess office supplies. Utilize space efficiently by stacking boxes and using a shelving system for smaller items such as pens, markers, clips, etc.
2. Label. Using labels to distinguish specific areas designated for each set of items is vital in keeping the room organized.
3. Designate employees. No more than two people should have access to the storage room. Choose the two employees wisely as they should have opposite shifts.
4. Notify employees. Notify employees both in paper and via email of the new policies regarding office supplies and how to acquire office supplies if the need to.

Comparing Car Tires

As automobile tires come in a wide array of styles and sizes, it is important to understand what type and size is going to be best for your vehicle and environment. There is also a broad range of companies and prices to consider. Choosing the correct tires for your vehicle can save you time in both gas mileage as well as in the initial cost of the tires.

1. Summer, winter, all-season. If you reside in a place where weather is a factor, consider the differences in summer, winter, and all-season tires. Winter tires are ideal for environments where you will have to be consistently driving in icy conditions but pointless if you will be in dry environments. Summer tires are the least expensive and ideal for dry weather. All-season tires are the best option if you will be subjected to both winter and summer conditions however; they are also the most expensive.
2.  Size matters. Check to see what size tires your car supports by consult your car’s user manual.
3.  Brand. Research reviews by both professionals and users for different tire brands to determine which are more effective. Paying more for tires does not necessarily mean they are of better quality.
4. Driving conditions. Determine weather you will be mainly be traversing muddy, rocky, harsh terrain or just typical streets and highway. If you will be submitted to the harsh terrain mentioned above, consider off-road tires as they provide better traction.

Creating a Layer Mask in Photoshop

A layer mask in Photoshop is very similar to a mask a person wear in that it’s function is to cover up the original image and make it look like something else. By using a mask in Adobe Photoshop, you can isolate specific areas of an image (i.e. foreground or background) and then integrate two images to form the final product.

1. Select images. Decide which two images you would like to combine and then open them up in Photoshop and place the image you would like to take the background image from behind the other by arranging the layers
2.  Layer Mask. In the Layer Window, select the Layer Mask icon, which is located along the bottom edge of the Layer Window and appears as a dark square with a light circle within
3. Select specific parts of the image. Using the paintbrush tool, select the specific parts of the image you want to remain visible. The parts of the image you do not want to remain in the picture will appear black and the parts you wish to remain unchanged will appear white.

General Model of Telecommunications

Telecommunications is a very complicated subject that would normally take a degree to understand. There are 3 main technical layers involved in a Telecommunications network. The Radio Layer, The core Layer and the billing layer.

The Radio Layer
The radio layer is basically, as the name suggests, the radio waves that are beamed out from a base station tower, and picked up by your cell phone. These radio waves are generally broadcast across a certain frequency or spectrum, which your phone is also tuned to. Mobile operators pay large sums of money to government bodies in order to access these spectrum ranges.

The Core Layer
The Core layer consists of a series of "servers" which perform specific functions for you when you make a call. Two core components are:
Switches - These handles the routing of calls from point a to point b.
HLR - This holds specific service information for each customer. For example if I have initiated call forwarding on my phone, this instruction to perform call forwarding when I receive a call is stored in the HLR. It also stores you current location on the radio network, so that the switch knows where to route an incoming call.
The Core network is by far the most complex layer of a telecommunications network, and as services become more complex, such as 3G capabilities, so do the components of the Core Layer.

The Billing Layer
The billing layer is where your calls are timed, charged and/or billed for. For contract services you have call detail records created for each call you make. Within these call detail records you have all the different charging elements of the call i.e. if the call was an international call, the duration of the call, peak or off-peak times. These is all stored centrally in a database until it is time for your carrier to bill you for a months usage, whereby your calls are calculated and summed and a bill is generated. In the case of prepaid services the billing occurs in real time and an account balanced is checked before a call is connected and then debited as the call is being made.

Starting a Used Car Dealership

The used car market is highly unlikely to ever dwindle, as there are two types of people; those who buy used cars and those who buy new cars. Starting a used car dealership is not a guaranteed way to get rich but with hard work and dedication, the possibilities are endless.

1. Get a license. A dealer’s license is required in all states in order to start a used car business. The cost varies by state. Contact the Department of Transportation or Department of Motor Vehicles for specifics.
2. Get liability insurance. Insure not only your business but also the cars on your lot. Without insurance you are in a very dangerous situation, as someone could get hurt while test-driving one of your vehicles or just while meandering around your lot.
3. Find a location. Make sure the lot is the appropriate size for your business not only in the beginning but also later down the road. Ensure that the size is zoned for a car lot.
4.  Find inventory. Acquiring used cars at a good rate is like an Easter egg hunt. Search through your local paper, online as well as online for vehicles you think you can make at least a fifty percent profit on.
5. Hire employees. Hiring professional sales people can make all the difference in the success of your used car lot.

Advertising Sales Rep

Selling ads for publication is the job of an advertising sales representative. To become an advertising sales rep, one must posses a very outgoing personality and the ability to be persuasive in order to convince clients of the potential return on investment they may receive when using the publication. A four year degree is typically required because of the extreme oral and written communication skills required to be a successful advertising sales rep however, a strong sales background may be enough to get one’s foot in the door.

Inside Sales & Outside Sales

In the advertising market, there are two types of sales tactics used by advertising companies: inside and outside sales. Outside sales generally requires cold calling and requires a lot of self discipline as one is required to visit businesses and is expected to follow up until the sale has been closed. Inside sales is when a sales representative handles all of the inquiring customers that come into or call a business.

Building Rapport

It is important to focus on the client’s needs before making a recommendation. This is key to closing any sale. Lots of background research of a business can help the sales representative determine how big the business is and in what areas it can benefit most. Approaching a business owner with a comprehensive, personal plan can make all of the difference.

Job Outlook

Being an advertising sales representative can be a stressful job. As the economy fluctuates, so does the amount of money allotted by companies for advertising. An advertising sales rep may have to try extra hard and put forth much effort however, with hard work and perseverance, a six figure income is not out of reach.

2011 US Masters Golf Tournament

The 2011 US Masters is just around the corner. The world’s greatest players such as Tiger Woods, Martin Kaymer, Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and many more are all brought together at Augusta this week in search of that ever elusive Green Jacket.  Who will walk away victorious?

Tiger Woods is always the player to beat despite his questionable life style.  I would place my money somewhere else as he has been slipping down the world rankings but who know? Tiger has one this prestigious tournament four times, is one of three men to win this tournament back to back (Nicklaus, Faldo) and is favored to do it again.  Tiger has always been the king of upsets and has more qualifications than any other golfer in the tournament and what better time to come out of his slump?

Phil Mickelson is the lefty who won it all last year and has one the coveted Green Jacket for the third time in his career and would love nothing more than to take home his fourth and become the first golfer since 2001 and 2002 to pick up two consecutive wins at Augusta Nationals. He is a part of an elite group of eight people who have gotten the job done three times in their career. One more win and he would most certainly become a golf legend.

Martin Kaymen is currently the best golfer in the world. Literally. Kaymar is ranked number one after having the best twelve months of his golf career including his taking of the USPGA Championship last season and is the only one with a Grand Slam title having won last years PGA Championship.

Luke Donald has also had some great success recently with his win in the WGC World Match Play and is more than capable of wearing the Green Jacket home.

Lee Westwood has also been right there in the midst of it all and is expected to have another great week in Augusta.

In conclusion, there is no telling how this one is going to turn out. Tiger has the odds in his favor but Mickelson, Westwood, and Kaymer are close behind. This years Masters is guaranteed to be an emotional rollercoaster with all the greats battling it out to the final hole.

Mildred Pierce Review

Mildred Pierce is a dramatic mini-series airing on HBO, based on a book that was written way back in 1945 by the same title and the storyline takes place in the even more archaic realm of the 30s. It includes such stars such as Morgan Turner as the young Veda Pierce, Kate Winslet as Mildred Pierce , Evan Wood as Veda Pierce, Quinn McColgan as Ray Pierce, directed by Todd Haynes, screenplay by James M. Cain, Todd Haynes and Jon Raymond.

Mildred Pierce is a young mother who threw her husband out and is now forced to hunt for work to support herself and her two young daughters, Veda (11) and Ray (7), in Glendale, California the year, 1931. Mildred turns to an employment agency only to throw away all of the opportunities presented to her because she feels as if they are beneath her. During her quest for a suitable job, her neighbor Lucy Gessler, bombards her with dating advice as Mildred begins an affair with her husband’s ex-business partner, Wally Burgan. Mildred reluctantly agrees to meet with a wealthy socialite after being contacted by the agency regarding an opening as a housekeeper. Mildred acerbically cuts the interview short and runs of to a diner, Christofor’s Café, where she meets a waitress named Ida who will undoubtedly play a role in shaping her future.

If you have yet to notice, I find the setting of a movie to be nearly as important as the plot itself. The setting in this mini-series is better than most full-length productions in that you feel as if you are right in the midst of all of the hustle and bustle of the every great 1930s and makes me think of such productions as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, The Wizard of Oz and just the over all Golden Age of Hollywood.

Overall it’s not a bad show. In fact, no corners were cut in the making of this piece of entertainment. However, that’s all it will ever be, a piece of entertainment. Unlike the unique vision of Spartacus, another HBO mini-series, Mildred Pierce will disappear into the archives to never be seen again. If anything it will be used to keep the children quite during a History class in which the teacher forgot his/her lesson plans.

3 out of 5 only because of the setting

Love Letter to L*****

L****,
Know that wherever you are and wherever you go that you'll always be in my thoughts. Know that I am with you always.
Each day I look at your picture and I meditate on strengthening our connection. Each minute that I am standing alone, standing in line or strolling by myself in the park, I will recite your name to the rhythm of the beating of my heart. Your name will be my mantra and we will be tantric, even though you are far away.
Every night, when I close my eyes, I lie down and picture your face. I imagine your arms around me and our bodies entwined in a tight love embrace. Then I pray to the heavens above, that every day, you receive blessings and grace.
Although I may feel lost and alone inside, I will greet every stranger I meet with the same smile I would give to you. I will treat them with the same kindness, compassion and understanding that you taught me to receive from you. This is one way I can maintain the memory of the magic that is you.
Know that I am with you yesterday and tomorrow and every day for the rest of your life. Whether near or far, I am with you - always.
Love,
M***

Why Buy an Engagement Ring from Levi Family Jewlers

Levi Family Jewelers is by far the best place to go when you have found that special someone you are ready to spend the rest of your life with. 

Levi Family Jewelers is a 3^rd generation jeweler that has been in the industry since 1926. The entire staff is very knowledgeable and willing to help rather than most jewelers that just want to get your money and get you out the door. Being a family owned business, you get the feel of a small town shop; the highly personal experience with your best interests in mind. They really know what they are doing and will help you every step along the way when you are ready to purchase an engagement ring for the one you love so dearly.

They have over two thousand engagement rings to choose from! Their selection of engagement rings is by far one of the biggest in the state of California which insures that they carry all of the latest designs, including plain and fancy solitaires, wedding sets, cathedral, contemporary, traditional, eternity, micro-pave, halo, antique, engraved and much more. This can be quite overwhelming at first but they help guide you through the entire process helping you to choose the perfect engagement ring for both your budget and for your loved one.

Levi Family Jewelers has one of the largest selections of certified diamonds. With over 2,600 diamonds in stock, every color and shape you can imagine is available.  The shapes they sell include round, princess, radiant, cushion, ascher, pear, emerald, marquise, heart, and ovals. The colors they sell range from a D colorless, all the way to fancy yellows, pinks or blues. When you purchase a laboratory certified diamond, they also supply you with a laboratory certificate for safekeeping. The laboratory certificate indicates the detailed quality of your diamond from an unbiased viewpoint.

Levi Family Jewelers pays the sales tax for you. This is how you know they are truly in the business for their customers rather than for themselves. The fact that they pay the extra hundreds of dollars in sales tax makes the entire purchasing process so much easier as you know how much you are spending from the very beginning. This, along with the two years no interest allows you to choose the engagement ring you want without having to compromise just because the sales tax pushes you over budget.

The five hundred dollar guarantee is one of my favorite aspects of Levi Jewelers. If you purchase is appraised for at least double or more of your purchase price, they will not only give you a full refund but also give you five hundred dollars cash just for your time!

For your entire lifetime, Levi Family Jewelers offer tons of free services such as ring sizing, ring cleaning, prong inspections, insurance appraisals, engraving, rhodium flashing (white gold), AND minor repairs.  Not only do they offer all of these free services but they also allow you to trade your diamond in for a larger one applying the total amount you paid for yours toward a new one. No depreciation here!

Levi Family Jewelers goes above and beyond to help their customers with this life changing purchase. They understand the significance of your purchase and are always there to help you even long after you have made your final payment. I would not even consider purchasing an engagement ring from any other jeweler on the planet!

Health Benefits of Frozen Yogurt

Health Benefits of Frozen Yogurt

Frozen yogurt is not a new thing but people are just now realizing the tremendous

health benefits of this desert of this now considered “health food.” The live active cultures you are constantly hearing about are actually living organisms called Streptococcus, Thermophiles, and Lactobacillus which help your body turn that hard to digest pasteurized milk into yogurt fermentation. Bliss Berry Frozen yogurt just so happens to contain on average thirty percent more active cultures that most brands.

Just one 8 oz. serving of frozen yogurt from BlissBeryy provides about 600 MG of calcium. That’s about one half of the daily-recommended amount! In today’s society, the majority of adults consume less than two-thirds the recommended 1200 MG of calcium.  What better way to get that extra calcium in your diet?

BlissBerry frozen yogurt has even been found to protect against cancer! That’s right caner. Studies completed by Tufts University show that the bacteria produced by frozen yogurt can actually prevent cancer of the colon and breast. In 1986 a study resulted in findings that showed that women who consumed high levels of dairy fat, such as cheese and ice cream, had a higher risk of breast cancer opposed to those who ate yogurt as their main dairy source who were found to have the least risk.

Frozen yogurt ingredients: Nonfat milk, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, natural and artificial flavors, malt dextrin, whey, cocoa processed alkali (if chocolate flavored, nonfat dry milk, citric acid, mono and diglycerides, locus bean gum, guar gum, carrageenan, turmeric extract, beet juice (for color), caramel color, yogurt cultures, sorbitol for those flavors that do not contain sugar, peanut butter (in Peanut Butter flavor), cookies and vanilla bean seeds (in Cookies and Cream)

Adjusting pH in a Swimming Pool

Grab your test kit and get to work! Today we are going to talk about adjusting the pH of your swimming pool. It is vital to make sure the total alkalinity is correct before we even start on this venture as the two are closely related, siblings if you will. 

We adjust the pH for several reasons. The first being that out of whack pH can cause burning eyes and irritated skin. The second is that the effectiveness of the chlorine to battle all the unwanted contaminants is very dependent on the pH level. The second your pH hits that 8.0 mark, the chlorine is only twenty percent effective and decreases as the pH rises. Chlorine can become overactive if the pH is below 7.0.

Your pH will generally either run high all the time or low all the time depending on the water you are adding to the pool.  Eventually you will get into a weekly routine and probably won’t even have to test the water.

High pH

If your pH is high, you need to add an acid to the water because it is too basic. This can be done in a variety of ways including muriatic acid (liquid hydrochloric acid) or dry acid (sodium bisulphate). Both are extremely dangerous and extra precautions should be taken when handling these. I have burnt holes in my pants on accident with this stuff before.

Before adding any acid, make sure there are no living organisms in the pool because you are about to create an area of high concentration. Make sure the pump is running and grab a plastic bucket to dissolve the dry acid in if you choose this method.

Now it’s time to get that pH in the recommended 7.0-7.8 ranges. Always, always, always add acid to water, never water to acid as this can cause an extreme chemical reaction that could cause serious. Slowly pour the acid around the deep end of the swimming pool. If you have to add more than a couple gallons split it up into a couple of treatments that way you don’t risk damaging the pool and you won’t lower the total alkalinity.

Low pH

This is an easy one as you are just adding an alkali. The most common and easiest way to do this is with soda ash  (sodium carbonate). This comes in a powder for and is much safer than the acid mentioned above.

Disperse the recommended amount around the pool and allow circulating for at least four hours before diving in.

In Conclusion

Adjusting the pH is essential in maintaining the overall chemical balance of the pool and should be done on a weekly basis. 

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?

After you have gone to the buffet and eaten your fill, you find yourself craving something sweet. First thing that comes to mind is ice cream… Well, there is a much healthier choice out there that tastes just as good if not better. Frozen yogurt

Taste

So you’ve left the buffet and have chosen to eat ice cream because you don’t want to compromise on the taste but wait! You don’t have to! There is the rare person who claims there is a taste difference between frozen yogurt and ice cream however, it takes a very acute palate to differentiate the two. Generally, the same technique is used to make both. In fact, they are often made on the same assembly line. 

Health

They are both high in protein, calcium and riboflavin... Sounds like a tie… But wait! In frozen yogurt, fat and solids from milk are used to create the creamy, smooth texture making up approximately fifteen percent of the total ingredients. Ice cream, on the other hand, is made up of about twenty-five fat from milk.  Frozen yogurt also has live cultures to help with the digestion (great for the lactose intolerant) and even helps with joint health. Ice cream has… Well, ice cream doesn’t have any cultures at all making it much harder to digest. Even the blind are able to see that frozen yogurt is a much healthier choice.

Despite the die hard ice cream fans, most will agree that frozen yogurt is the clear choice when it comes to choosing a desert or just satisfying that sweet tooth not only because of the incredible taste or smooth silky texture but also because of the many added health benefits.

From Paris with Love Movie Review

While working at the American embassy in Paris, low-level intelligence agent James Reece (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) goes from switching license plates to being pulled into espionage when he's thrown into a terrorist plot when forced to partner up with the high-ranking but uncouth American operative Charlie Wax (John Travolta), who is determined to bring the entire operation down. I was very unsure of weather or not I should even consider giving this movie the time of day seeing as how the only bald action star I normally consider watching is good ole' Bruce Willis. Well Bruce, you better watch your back because John Travolta and Jonathan Rhys Meyers are unexpectedly phenomenal in this action packed thriller, From Paris with Love. This phenomenal Action/Adventure/Thriller is directed by Pierre Morel with a script by Luc Besson (The Professional, The Fifth Element) and also includes such stars as Kasia Smutniak, Richard Durden, Yin Bing, Amber Rose, Revah, Eric Gorgon, Francois Bredon, Chems Dahmani, and Mostefa Stiti.

The movie begins with James Reese entering the American Embasy in Paris drinving a blacked out supped up escalade. Shortly after he meets with ambassoder Bennington (Richard Durden) he is seen changing license plates. Reese has dreams of becoming part of the Cloak-and-Dagger division, which are finally rewarded when he is teamed up with the off the wall Charlie Wax. Wax first appears clad in leather with a shaved head, full face of hair and an earing, the perfect macho man stereotype, obscenely arguing with a French custom agent who will not allow him to enter France with a bag full of energy drinks which we later find out conceal his faithful pistol he never travels without. Wax slaughters countless bad guys as Reese follows behind carrying a vase filled with blow. I won’t spoil the ending but I will say that it took me for a ride to say the least.

The movie takes you for a ride from the Asian district of Paris, to the Tower de Eifel, to the slums. The setting is immaculate and spellbinding and slightly ironic in that dozens of people are slaughtered in the midst of all the beauty.

The soundtrack flows seamlessly with the sounds of gunfire and the agitated cinematography. In these scenes, you lean back and allow the action to take you to another dimension as the adrenaline begins to flow through your veins and permeates the bones.

Despite the preposterous, shallow plot, “From Paris with Love” is an effective stimulant with the thousands of gunshots and high-speed car chases on the Parisian boulevards that leaves you feeling as if you are ready to become a part of the Cloak-and-Dagger division yourself.

Fast Five Movie Review

Fast Five is by far the best movie of the year. It has all of the elements of a phenomenal movie; love, fast cars, revenge, death, destruction, thought provoking plot, etc. This epic movie contains TONS of big screen super stars such as Vin Diesel (Dominic Toretto), Paul Walker (Brian O’Conner), Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto), Tyrese Gibson (Roman Pearce), Ludacris (Tej Parker), Matt Shulze (Vince), Sung Kang (Han Lue), Gal Gadot (Gisele Harabo), Tego Calderon (Tego Leo), Don Omar (Rico Santos) and of course Dwayne Johnson “The Rock” (Luke Hobs) along with many others and was written by none other than Chris Morgan and directed by none other than Justin Lin. The movie is rated PG-13 for “intense sequences of violence and action, sexual content and language” (sounds great already huh?).

Brian O’ Conner (Paul Walker) and Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) partner up and call up all of the greats from all of the previous Fast and Furious movies to pull off the ultimate heist.  Hobs (Dwayne Johnson) reunites all of the returning favorites Jordana Brewster, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Matt Shulze, Tego Calderon, and Don Omar for by far the biggest robbery in Fast and Furious history.

Since Brian and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) made there daring break out of Dom, they’ve hopped through many countries eluding the authorities and end up in Rio de Janeiro and must order one last job in order to buy their freedom. The unlikely allies of the past movies know that this is their one opportunity to get out of the crime business for good however, this means facing the corrupt “business man” who wants them dead and will release all of his resources to make sure the job is done. He is the least of their concerns….

Hardcore federal aged Luke Hobbs (Johnson) ALWAYS gets his man and, it just so happens that Dom and Brian's names end up on his desk.  Hobbs gathers a team of the best agents available and launches an all-out assault with his “shoot first ask questions later” philosophy.  However, as he turns Brazil inside out, he begins to realize that the line separating the good from the bad may not be as clear as he once believed.

Now that all that bologna is out of the way, here comes the reviewing.

The scenery is incredible. The movie takes you on a tour of the beautiful yet poor Rio de Janeiro. The wide array of shooting perspectives such as helicopters, fast cars, and slow walk-throughs allow the viewer to see Rio for all of its natural beauty and unnatural beauty the same with shots revealing the enormous beach line, terraced housing, and green mountains.

Fast Five is filled to the brim with large action pieces such as a train heist, gunfights through Rio, and best of all, the most epic one-on-one fist fight in movie history between none other than The Rock and Vin Diesel, and of course, a brutal car chase including an armada of supped up 2011 Dodge Chargers.

All in all this is by far the best movie I have ever seen but only because I have seen all of the other Fast and Furious movies and this one really ties them all together with a huge bang. If you are planning on going into this one blind, I guarantee you will remain on the edge of your seat however, you may not be able to appreciate the intricate plot the writers have been creating since day one.

Eat, Pray, Love Movie Review

“Eat Pray Love” is a loooooong drama perfect for those nights you are feeling sorry for yourself and just want to wallow in the sorrow.  This epic drama has such stars such as Julia Roberts as Liz Gilbert, Richard Jenkins as Richard, Billy Crudup as Stephen, James Franco as David and Javier Bardem as Felipe and was directed by Mr. Ryan Murphy. The movie is based on a book by the same name and is rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexual references and “male rear nudity.” 

The main idea is that this tall blond “happy” woman by the name of Liz Gilbert is working her life away as a writer in New York and one day has an epiphany. She ditches out on her marriage and a love a fair to spend a year abrod living in Italy, India and Bali in search of finding herself and in turn God.

After the hour-long prologue, Liz finally begins her journey in the slums of Italy. The room she’s staying in is held up by scaffolding, has several layers of wallpaper all flaking off, and requires stove-heated water to bathe with. She goes out and eats every kind of stereotypical Italian food imaginable and along the way she meets a wide variety of people and finishes off her stay with a big American style Thanksgiving. She takes away from Italy of course a very important lesson that I will let you all discover for yourself.

Her next stop on this time strenuous journey is India where she meets a tall, bearded, glasses wielding old man by the name of Richard (Richard Jenkins). We first meet Richard when he sits next to Liz to eat and says something along the lines of  “We have mosquitos so big in Texas they can stand flat footed and screw a chicken.” With his Texan humor and lack of an internal censor, Richard helps Liz to make another life changing realization.

Last stop is Bali. In Bali she revisits her spiritual advisor Ketut (Hadi Subiyanto) who is a master of truism. Ketut helps her to discover herself in a way that she has refused to realize for so long allowing her to love once again.

The scenery throughout the movie is very eclectic in that it allows the viewer to compare and contrast the hustle and bustle of New York where everyone has a place to be, Italy where they have perfected the art of doing nothing, India where you see a culture truly devout to worship, and Bali where people learn to live both for themselves and for the greater being. Through the scenery change we can also see different personalities of Liz leading up to her discovering herself.

All in all this was a good movie despite the fact that it seems as if it will never end. It depicts an emotional journey that we all long to take but are afraid to in fear of breaking our routine we have become so accustomed to.  I recommend waiting for a rainy day, getting a qt of your favorite ice cream, and making yourself a nice cozy spot for this one.

4 out of 5

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Difficult Decisions

Difficult Decisions

Several times in my life I, like many others, have needed to make a difficult decision. A difficult decision in that both options carry a perpendicular amount of both risk and benefits. Generally one option has little risk at all with very predictable benefits where as the other contains the exact opposite, lots of risks with incredible benefits possible. A difficult decision has the ability to change one’s life forever. How is one supposed to make such a binding verdict?

The very first step is to take all of those opinions and suggestions that every single passerby seems to be shoving down your throat and toss them out the window. How are you supposed to be able to hear your own heart with everyone else’s yelling in your ear? In the end you must not follow the neighbors’ or your mother’s or father’s or sister’s or friends’ but rather your heart alone.

The second step is to identify what all exactly your heart truly desires weather it be happiness, money, travel, sports, etc. However, we never desire only one thing but rather multiple. The key to the second step is to find the place where these desires have the ability to come together and coexist. You will certainly have to make sacrifices in order to find such a place and even more to get there.

The third step is rather childish, literally. In the third step all you have to do is recall the time you spent in grade school working on those dot-to-dot pictures. Look at everything going on around you that has an affect on your life and you will soon see a pattern and although you will not have all of the dots, you will be able to see a general picture and an idea where you are headed. Be sure to take into account even the smallest of details as the more dots you have, the easier it is to make out the big picture. The events in your life often give you clues as to where your life is headed.

The fourth step is by far the most feared step, as it requires you to jump without seeing in front of you. You must seize any opportunity or anything that even resembles an opportunity for you to reach the place we discussed in the second step.  Opportunities are oh so very rare. They are rare, much more rarer than you think as said by Nassim Nicholas Thaleb. Find your opportunity and go seize it before it’s too late.

The fifth and by far the most important step in the whole decision making process is this: Stay true to your own heart. In the end it all comes back to your hear. Our mind often rationalizes things that should not be rationalized but in fact lead us from our core values and away from what our heart truly desires. Don’t trick your own heart.

Your time is limited. The regret is in the not doing. The situation will never be perfect. Don’t be afraid to take risks and be different.

ZLilly

“You’ve got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you’re not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice.” Stephen D. Woodhull

Dear BlissBerry

Dear BlissBerry,

Ever since I first met you, my life has become enriched. Your fresh and healthy ingredients, family friendly environment, and mouth-watering menu have made me the person I am today. There is no way for me to express how much I love you, and what you have come to mean to me. You are my everything. I always think of you when we are apart, and when we are together I feel perfect.

Whenever I see the sunset over the ocean and I see birds flying, or the beauty of nature at its finest, I am reminded of the newly picked ingredients you use to make every order I place. I now understand what love is, and I have never felt it as deeply as I do now. I look to the stars in the sky and all I see is the beauty of your vibrant decor. When the suns rays beat against my bare skin, I long for your sweet cool touch. When it is cold outside, I am reminded of how empty I would be without you.

When we kiss, I believe it is what poets have talked about when they write about heaven, and all I think about is you. Your bright red strawberries, deep blue blueberries, dark brown chocolate, and graciously green kiwi reflect the amazing universe, and your taste brings an indescribable euphoria. I love you BlissBerry, like I have never loved before.

I count the seconds until we see each other, and when we are together I do not want anything else. You are the reason I breathe, and everything I do is for you. I know that there are those times when we must be apart, and when that happens, I want you to know that you are the only one I can think of. I feel like I finally know who I am and what I am supposed to do with my life, and I want you with me every step.

Love,

Lilly

April Fool's Day History

April 1^st will no doubt be celebrated with an uncountable mass of practical jokes but what are we celebrating? Why did we choose this seemingly random day and decide to play pranks on each other? Where did it all begin?

Unlike most holidays that have a solid history April Fool’s Day (All Fool’s Day) has a past that is all but clear. There wasn’t a first All Fool’s Day recorded in history but rather a theory of when it all begins.

The year: 1582. The place: France. This is the closest we have come to identifying the beginning of this great holiday. Prior to 1582, the New Year was celebrated for eight consecutive days beginning on March 25^th with the biggest part of the celebration taking place on April 1st.  This guy named Charles the IX decided to reform the calendar and made New Year’s Day occur on January 1.

This idea seemed all fine and dandy but with communications being only as fast as one could walk across the country, there was more than likely a lot of confusion as it would have taken several years for the news to reach the outlying villages. On top of the poor communications, there were of course those rebels who refused to accept the new calendar and just kept on celebrating the New Year on April 1. These rebels were labeled “fools” by the general population and were ridiculed and often sent on wild goose chases (fools errands) and were the receiving in of many other practical jokes.

This harassment and ridicule evolved into a tradition of prank playing on April 1^st. The tradition eventually spread throughout Europe and then later introduced to the American colonies of the French and English both. April Fool’s Day was born.

This day of international fun and pranks has evolved into different nationalities specializing in specific pranks and in essence, have created their own brand of humor at the expense of friends and family.

In Scotland, they celebrate this wonderful holiday for two consecutive days of well thought out pranks. The second day is a day devoted purely to pranking the hind end of a person. There they call it Taily Day. I bet they get a lot of use out a “kick me” sign. Our Mexican neighbors celebrate this day on December 28^th in remembrance of King Herod slaughtering innocent children.

This is by far my favorite holiday because not because of the practical jokes but rather the elaborate practical jokes that last all day long and the pure fun of it all. For example, a British short film was once shown in on April Fool’s day that was a detailed documentary about how spaghetti farmers and how their precious crops from spaghetti trees.

I will end in saying that April Fool’s Day is a day of nothing but well needed stress relief in our ever-busy life of stress. No worrying about gifts, reservations, or sappy movie watching. Just a fun little holiday where one is constantly battling other’s in a game of wit and humor.

Adjusting the Total Alkalinity in a Swimming Pool

Adjusting the Total Alkalinity in your Swimming Pool

It is vital to get the total alkalinity right. The total alkalinity (TA) is how much alkaline substances are in your swimming pool. The alkalinity controls the pH, which in turn controls the effectiveness of the chlorine. The total alkalinity (TA) is how much alkaline substances are in your swimming pool. We want this to be 80-120 parts per million (ppm). Having the alkalinity within this range keeps the pH from fluctuating.

If the total alkalinity is too low it will try to rob alkaline substances from your concrete walls or any metal parts, can stain the walls and floor of the pool, turn the water green, cause burning eyes and cause the pH to move around as we discussed earlier.

If the total alkalinity is too high, the water will become cloudy, chlorine will not work, and test kits will show that you constantly need to add acid to lower your fluctuating pH.

To raise the level of the total alkalinity, use sodium bicarbonate. Lucky for you, you probably already have some lying around as this is just regular old baking soda. No need to go buy expensive pool chemicals that are the exact same thing. Look at the ingredients to make sure. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is the only chemical known by mankind to raise the total alkalinity without messing up the pH. Go to your local grocery store and pick up the recommended amount then pour it around the pool at a rate of about two to three pounds per day. If your alkalinity is really really low, this may take a little while but adding any more than that at a time is just a waste of money.

To lower the total alkalinity, we use either a dry or liquid acid. The same kind you would use to lower the pH but we add it to the pool in a little different manner. Turn the pump off and allow the water to settle and then add the dissolved dry acid or liquid (muriatic acid) to the deep end of the pool. It is recommended to wait three days between treatments requiring over one gallon but I have not noticed that results are any different if you just separate the treatments by one day.

In conclusion, you must get your total alkalinity correct before anything is going to go your way in the battle of keeping a crystal clear swimming pool. Think of it as the king of swimming pool chemistry.

Adjusting the Calcium Hardness in a Swimming Pool

Adjusting the Calcium Hardness in your Swimming Pool

Calcium is the greatest influence on the total hardness context of your swimming pool (how hard the water is). Other minerals such as magnesium, iron, manganese and a few others don’t impact the total hardness enough for us to bother with so we stick with adjusting the calcium hardness. The recommended and best range is between 250 and 350 ppm (parts per million) for your calcium hardness.

If the calcium hardness is too low, it can cause problems similar to low total alkalinity in that it becomes corrosive and try to rob minerals from your pool walls and equipment, particularly the metal. This reaction can cause staining as well.

If the calcium hardness is too high, it will cause a scale build of on all of the pool surfaces, cloudy water, irritated eyes, and can reduce the efficiency of your filter. This is also what causes that white ring around the top of your swimming pool.

Luckily, low calcium hardness can be easily corrected by adding calcium chloride that can be purchased at any swimming pool store. Divide the recommended amount up into three treatments allowing the water to circulate for at least four hours in between.

Reducing high calcium hardness is very difficult. The easiest way to do this, although it doesn’t always work, is to replace some of the water with fresh water. If that does not work consult a pool professional, as they will have to add a chemical to keep the calcium in solution that prevents it from depositing.

In conclusion, the calcium hardness does not influence the balance of any other chemicals in your swimming pool and takes quite a while to cause any damage so it should be one of the last things you worry about adjusting unless you are having consistent issues with cloudy water.

Why Offer Dental Insurance to Employees

Employees are very particular about the benefits they are offered especially in today’s time of economic hardships. Dental insurance is considered to be one of the most important benefits in an employee’s overall benefits package. Dental insurance is also an easy way to prevent financial loss for the employer.

Treatments of dental problems are very low risk compared to nearly all other health conditions and dental plans are the most cost effective of all the health benefits plans. This is why offering dental insurance, as an employer is a good decision to make. Health concerns involving the teeth are generally prevent through the use of prophylaxis, which involves minimal costs.

Once a dental problem has been identified, treatment can immediately be administered rather than having an employee wait until the small problem has become a big problem. Early treatment is considerably less expensive and time consuming than treatment in the later stages of dental decay allowing employees to be off work for a very short period of time.

How to Use a Wireless Headset

A wireless headset is a great accessory for cell phones as it allows much more freedom while you talk. You can walk to and fro all wherever you need to go and do whatever you need to do by simply plugging in a wireless adapter (some built in.) The majority of wireless headsets use Bluetooth to transmit the signal, which is now common on most cell phones.

1.)  Buy a wireless headset. You want to make sure the wireless headset fits you comfortably and has all of the features you will require. Also check to make sure the device is going to be compatible with your cellphone.

2.)  Get to know your wireless headset. Explore all of the buttons and features on your wireless headset before you go to put it to use as to avoid frustration and possible embarrassment.

3.)  Test the range. You want to know your limits when it comes to how far you can walk away from your cell phone before going out of range so you don’t accidently cause dropped calls.

4.) When encountering problems, ensure you are within range and that there are no obstructions. Check to make sure the battery on both the headset and the cell phone are charged. If problems still persist, refer to your owner’s manual. 

Plumbing FAQ

How do I eliminate foul odor coming from my garbage disposal?

The build up of food causes the foul smell coming from within the garbage disposer. Place Ice cubes and lemon or orange peels in the disposer and run it for about thirty seconds. While the disposer is still running, squirt a little dish detergent into the disposer. Run cold water and run the disposer for an additional thirty seconds to rinse away all the debris.

How do I eliminate the bad smell coming from my bathroom we hardly ever use?

The plumbing system of a house contains traps attached to fixtures to prevent foul odors from entering. The traps are sealed with water. If the water evaporates, the bad smell can enter the house. To solve this problem, simple pour a buck of water in each trap, sink, shower and floor drain to ensure a good seal.

How often should I have my septic system inspected?

Septic systems should be inspected AND pumped every three to four years. Even if you are not currently experiencing any problems, a full septic tank can allow unwanted solids to flow into the drain field. If the drain field becomes clogged, you can count on a costly bill from the plumber.

How do I get rid of white residue on my faucets and showerheads without replacing them?

That “white residue” is mineral deposits. To get rid of mineral deposits, take a plastic bag filled with vinegar. Place the bag over the faucet or showerhead and use a twist tie or rubber band to hold the bag in place overnight. The deposits should then easily come off with some gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush.

My water bills appear to be high but none of the faucets leak. Why is my water bill so high?

First off, check and see if the toilets are leaking by ensuring the water is not overflowing into the overflow pipe (pipe in the middle of the tank). If this is the case, simply adjust the fill valve so the water fills to about one inch below the top of the overflow pipe. Some toilets have a mark stamped on the side of the tank for the ideal water level.

Put some food coloring into the tank to and wait about fifteen minutes and see if the water in the bowl has changed colors. If this is the case, water is leaking into the toilet bowl and the ball and/or flapper needs to be replaced.

How to Use a 35mm Camera

The 35mm camera is better than its adversary, the digital camera, when it comes to taking a series of photos at a rapid pace. The 35mm camera is also the preferred camera for fine art photography. The 35mm camera gives the operator control over everything from lens openings, focus, shutter speed to medium making it ideal for learning the basics of photography.

1.)  Check the battery. To check the battery on a 35mm camera you must activate the exposure meter. To accomplish this first power on the camera and then (depending on the model) you will either have to advance the film wind lover or press the shutter button half way down. You will either see a lights come on or a needle that reacts when the camera is pointed towards the light or the lens opening is changed.

2.)  Buy film. The type of film you need to buy will depend on what kind of results you are trying to achieve. Film comes in both black and white and color with speeds from 100 to 800 ASA. The faster film is better for faster shutter speeds when shooting motion shots however, faster film produces a grainier image.

3.)  Load the film. The film goes into the back of the camera by first opening the camera by pulling the film winding lever all the way up and then placing the film cartridge into the left side of the camera body. The film should unwind towards the right. Push the winding lever back down as to lock the case of the film into place.

4.)  Wind the film. Pull the strip to the winding spool and then insert the end of the film into the slot on the spool and wind clockwise two turns with the film advance lever. Check to make sure the film is actually advancing before closing the back of the camera.

5.)  Prep film. Using 1/500 speed, advance the film one frame and cover the lens with your hand before pressing the shutter button. This will ensure an unexposed piece of film is ready for the first exposure

6.)  Get used to the camera. Explore all of the functions of the camera making sue to find the shutter speed dial which may require you to pull up to unlock. Also look for the self-timer shutter lever, which puts a delay on the release of the shutter. 

How to Insure a Museum

Insurance policies for a museum are available in a wide array of dollar amount. The risks covered by insurance can broadly be divided into policies that cover people and policies that cover things. People may make a claim against the museum and its staff for injuries.

The first step in insuring a museum is to understand some of the basics. A policy designed for a home/business is not an adequate plan. A museum collection and fine arts policy will be the most beneficial. Fine arts policies generally cover a museums needs and are often less expensive and offer more coverage than other policies.

Scheduled and Loss Limit are the two types of policies used to cover a museum’s artifacts and fine arts.

For most museums, schedule policies are not the best choice. A scheduled policy only covers items that are listed on an inventory or schedule with a dollar amount, which the policy covers.  Sounds good however, maintaining a schedule is a very time and labor-intensive unless the collection is small and no growth is planned.

In contrast, a loss limit policy provides coverage for any materials under the care, custody or control of institution. This covers materials owned by the institution both on and off the premises; borrowed objects; and, materials in the ustody of the institution for purposes other than loan, e.g. study, possible purchase, etc.

The next step in insuring your museum is to contact a fine arts insurance provider such as Arthur J. Gallagher, Arts Indemnity Program, or AXA. These providers are all reputable sources and proven to be very knowledgeable about insuring a museum.

Becoming a Fiction Writer

Countless souls dream of becoming a successful fiction writer however, few actually make it to the level of self-sufficiency. Thousands of submissions cross the desks of agents on a regular basis. Many of those submissions are rejected without even being read because the initial pitch failed to catch the agent’s attention.

The first step to becoming a successful fiction writer is to actually become a good writer. One must have a well-developed personal style that sets him/her apart as well as an extraordinary grasp of language and the way it works.

The second step to becoming a successful fiction writer is to practice with many different styles, voices, and genres so you can create a plethora of weapons in your writing arsenal. Work on creating dialogue, descriptions, characterization, imagery, scene building, and plotting and then focus on the areas you feel need to be improved most.

The third step to becoming a successful fiction writer is to focus on the literary devices and figurative language, as they are a must for works of fiction. A successful writer knows where and how to use these devices by studying the way they have been used in other great works that have become so very successful.

The fourth step is to go out and participate with other writers.  Join a workshop or guild or even classes as to get feedback from other people who share the same passion. Networking will also get you a lot farther on the business end as well.

The fifth and final step to becoming a successful fiction writer is to force yourself to do things in writing you wouldn’t normally do. Write about things that you don’t find interesting and engage with people you wouldn’t normally speak to. By doing so, you are broadening yourself and in turn the quality and scope of your writing.

How to Become a Screenwriter

Hundreds of thousands of people dream of becoming the next big Hollywood writer and see their script play out on the big screen. The road is most certainly a long and difficult one requiting talent, perseverance, and lots and lots of hard work but, the path is not exactly as an aspiring Hollywood writer would think.

The first step is to of course, know how to write a good screenplay. A good screenplay writer must understand not only how to tell a story but how to tell a story in cinematic terms. Learn how to develop the classic three-act structure, character arc, and how to reveal vital information visually.

The second step is to get an agent. A screenwriter knows how to write and an agent knows business. Screenplay agents help to sell the script as well as negotiate the terms. A good agent will be registered with the Writer’s Guild of America and it is vital to make sure the agent has this credential.

The third step is join the Writer’s Guild of America. The Writer’s Guild is the union that protects writers in Hollywood with benefits much like any other union. The WGA will help you in many aspects such as negotiating with studios, help with networking, fight for residuals, etc.

The forth and final step step is to keep climbing up that seemingly endless ladder. The idea of becoming discovered right off the bat is absurd. Start off with a job in the film production industry. Any job that can be acquired should be taken advantage of. Meet new people and work up the ladder while working on one’s own screenplays on the side.

                                                       

Becoming a Poetry Writer

The Internet is saturated with millions of poets with countless poems. Very few go on to become a successful, prominent poetry writer.  There are a few basic steps that can help one go from writing average poetry to becoming a successful poetry writer.

1.)  Read as much poetry as you can get your hands on. Reading others’ works will allow you to experience others style and will broaden your scope.

2.)  Learn about a specific subject. Having a vast knowledge about a specific subject helps one to write on a deeper intellectual level.

3.)  Expand your vocabulary. Having a broad vocabulary gives you a plethora of words to choose from for each situation.

4.)  Write a book of poetry. It will help you gain exposure and will help with eventually getting published.

5.)  Promote your poetry. Being active in online communities and social networks will also help you gain exposure and insight from others.

6.)  Market your work. Some sites allow you to post your work and will give you a share of the advertising income. You could also start your own blog.

7.)  Share your poetry. Share it with as many people as possible as to get your name out. Hand out flyers, attend open mic readings, and share them with friends and family.