Tuesday, September 27, 2011
BENGAL KITTENS
Considering getting a Bengal Kitten or Cat? Here is a little background before you buy one.
Bengals are cross-breeds - Domestic Tabby Cats mated with Asian Snow Leopards produce these wonderful miniature leopard/cats! Bengals are accepted for registration by The International Cat Association.
Bengals gee in several different colors but true Bengals are:
Classic - Brown Spotted, Seal Mink Spotted - Creamy White or Brown Marble - Classic Brown with Creamy White Swirls. A Bengal's fur looks as if it has Gold Glitter dusted throughout it's coat
Bengals are cross-breeds - Domestic Tabby Cats mated with Asian Snow Leopards produce these wonderful miniature leopard/cats! Bengals are accepted for registration by The International Cat Association.
Bengals gee in several different colors but true Bengals are:
Classic - Brown Spotted, Seal Mink Spotted - Creamy White or Brown Marble - Classic Brown with Creamy White Swirls. A Bengal's fur looks as if it has Gold Glitter dusted throughout it's coat
KILOWARE (on paper) MIXTURES - SECRETS REVEALED!!
FACT no. 1. Reason why you buy KILOWARE mixtures! - You are seeking a low cost method of acquiring stamps to grace the pages of your stamp album.- You are willing to work harder ( soaking required ) than the collector who is only buying off-paper stamp mixtures.- You have gaps in your collection that could be filled from this kiloware mixture available on okay.- You do not wish to spend hard earned currency on mixtures that could contain damaged stamps.- You are looking for recently postmarked issues, not currently available from your current stamp club, where you meet every month.- You are looking to acquire duplicates, so that you can trade with your fellow collectors.- You are looking for high values, which currently you cannot find from any other source.FACT no. 2. Reason why I sell KILOWARE mixtures!- I have a source that supplies me with recently postmark issues, which other okay SELLERS cannot access.- My sources have a limited supply of freshly postmarked issues which they provide to me. It is QUITE limited.- I visit many stamp clubs and many kiloware mixtures are being offered for sale, usually via sale by tender.- I am trying to help those collectors, who have purchased a kiloware mixture, have taken what they want and now want to recoup some of their costs.- I know that, not everyone, as I, have access to these mixtures, so I buy and on-sell them via okay auctions.- I enjoy working with stamps and all their intricacies therein.FACT no. 3. MISDAVENTURES THAT RELATE TO PURCHASING KILOWARE MIXTURES(I have read what the others are saying on okay, and here is a synopsis of what irks everyone!!)- Some mixtures have heavy duplication, with the same small definitive stamp represented in quantity.(the sellers failed tro mention that in their description)- Some okay sellers show the same scan, all the time and state that your stamps will be slightly different.( the reason that they do that is that they want to list many items quickly. So hence they are saving time) - Some sellers place the high value stamps on top, and so initimate that there may be more hidden.( buyers find that there are no surprises, except that the remaining ( unshown stamps) are very gemon issues)- Some sellers charge a high SHIPPING
Used car buying on s. Short term
In the beginning of september 2003, I was specifically looking for an atmost 3-4 yr. old Honda accord 4-dr sedan with leather and manual transmission. I found 2 locally, one was black (already have a black car) and the other was gold both of which colors I was trying to avoid. Then I found 3 such cars on okay motors. Two of those 3 sellers didnt have enough strong feedback for me to trust them. The third seller wasmaugillman who seemed to have quite a few good feedback. On further investigation it turned out that this guy is a Dealer salesman based in Austin. ActuallyGillman Auto turned out to be the biggest auto dealership in Austin TX. So I called up the guy and negotiated for about 5 mins. and I got the car for the price I wanted and he seemed to be happy about the price. Auction closed on 09/03/03.Next few days went very smoothly while I sent him the check and he sent me the papers for me to sign. Anyway paperwork was done, and I decided to drive the car down to the San Francisco Bay area from Austin. I didnt want to risk it with the shipping gepanies since it was driveable distance.Now the fun began. We flew to Austin on 09/13/03, Saturday. Wilson (name changed for anonymity) had been informed and he picked us up at the airport. Everything was ready, we saw the car was exactly as pictured on the auction. Well, it had 58000 miles on it, so the obvious car door bumps etc. were there which werent very clear in the pictures but werent exactly unexpected.So we were on road within an hour witha full tank of gas, courtesy of Gillman Auto. We were planning to drive about 620 miles the first day and stay in Las Cruces, NM. We drove on I-10 W no problems for about 8 hrs. to reach our Motel in Las Cruces. Had a good night's sleep. Got ready next morning to check out and have breakfast an leave. Guess what?? The car wouldnt start. Everything looked good under the hood, it sounded like a dead battery. We checked all the lights and we hadnt left any lights on cos, the headlights have this alarm which rings when you try to leave the car with the headlights on. And all the interior lights were also off since we locked the car at night. Anyways, we got AAA to jump start our car and fortunately there was a Wal-mart right behind the motel. We took the car there and they ran a load test and it said.. -unstable battery- At this point we had already lost about hour and a half when we had 1200 miles of drive ahead of us. We were mad and disappointed. At that point we could have given him a negative feedback on okay if we had a geputer nearby...we were that mad. All sorts of things crossed our minds. Did the dealer rip us off? etc.. I called Wilson's cell phone and left him a voice message about this problem. It was a Sunday and he was off that day. But he returned my calls anyway. I talked to him later that day after we got back signal on our cellphone.Anyway, we bought a new battery and we were on our way. We crossed the desert through Hwy 180 cutting from I-10 to I-40. It was a lonely road and at times could get a little scary if we werent driving a Honda. Anyway after about 1000 miles we got into California and it was very late in the night. So we stopped on I-5 past Bakersfield and finished the rest of the drive next morning.Now, it was monday and I wanted to get a car-wash before showing it to friends and co-workers. So I was waiting in line for the car-wash and the coolant temperature guage started rising slowly and steadily, almost all the way up. As soon as I revved the engine it came back down. Anyway, I got scared and turned off the engine, got a car-wash and went to work. There I thought I'd check the coolant level. Popped the hood, and there was no coolant. I then added some water and some coolant. After doing this I didnt see the temperature rise again. But anyway, I believed what I saw and called a couple of Honda service shops. I scheduled an appt. with one of the auto-repair chain shops next morning. For $34, they told me that the coolant pump was bad and needed to be replaced along with other stuff. estimate about $600. - And oh.. while you are down there why dont you get the timing belt fixed too?I called a reputed repair shop in Milpitas and they told me that it was unusual for a Honda to have a bad pump at 60k miles. So I took it to them the next morning. They actually found the right problem.. leaking O-ring seals from the pipe behind the water pump. Estimate $474.I called Wilson at Gillman Auto and explained the problem and he was amazingly nice about the whole thing. He apologized for the inconvenience and offered me the reimbursement. At this point I have to mention this. I dont think that I saved a whole lot by purchasing the car from Austin, but I got the kind of car I was looking for and even if I had found the same car locally at any private party or local dealer, there was no chance in hell I could have gotten any free repairs after sale. Any other seller would easily walk away from any responsibility, since it was an as is no warranty sale. Today, 09/29/03 I have received a check from Gillman Auto for the full reimbursement of the battery replacement, coolant leak repair and disgnosis.I cannot say enough good words for Wilson (not his real name) and Gillman Auto and I thought that 80 chars on okay feedback wouldnt be enough, so I made wrote this guide to share my whole experience.Now for the long-term experience. I am now at 104K miles. Got the timing belt
Stop Pirated Clothing Sellers in Their Tracks With This
Pirated clothing is a problem on okay, but one question will stop questionable sellers in their tracks.It's not just a matter of whether the clothing is authentic. Although there are many fakes being sold, a little research can usually identify these items. The material and workmanship are not usually the same quality as the real thing, and often there are small differences in the measurements or design.The real problem is whether or not the item is licensed from the gepany who designed it.Even the seller may not realize that their product is illegal. They may have done their homework and verified that the item matches all the required specifics of the real thing. However, they may be purchasing from a supplier who buys unauthorized product from the same factory as the brand-name gepany.Let's say Brand-X gepany hires Factory-Y to build their design. Factory-Y builds the clothing and delivers it, and Brand-X is happy. But now Factory-Y knows how to make Brand-X's product, and has all the materials, so they sell some to Distributor-Z. That's fine and dandy for Factory-Y, but since Distributor-Z isn't paying anything to Brand-X (and therefore gets the product real cheap), Brand-X has just been ripped off; their name and design has been stolen.Distributor-Z can now sell these brand-name clothes to an okay seller at a ridiculously low price. It looks like a great profit maker for the seller, they can afford to sell the clothes for less than half of what the department stores can.The okay seller thinks they're selling the real thing, the okay buyer thinks they're buying the real thing. But Brand-X hasn't gotten a penny from the product that they designed and promoted. Also, how can Brand-X keep their accounts with Big-Department-Store-Chain-A if the same clothes are sold on okay for a fraction of their retail value?So the question to ask isn't whether the clothes are authentic or not, but if they gee from a licensed distributor. The jeans, polo shirt or whatever may look like the real thing, and maybe the department store prices really are too high. But the fact is Brand-X deserves the right to control the product they've designed, both the price and the method of distribution. Obtaining brand-name clothing through any other means is both illegal and unethical.
Brewing Iced Coffee At Home- A Delicious Summer Treat
I love coffee, in any of its forms-hot, cold, smoothie, candy... But
what I don't love is paying $3-$4 for a cup of iced coffee. All the
coffeeshops (yes, including the donut franchise) charge way too much
for coffee, especially if they throw in some ice cubes. But brewing
iced coffee at home is quite simple and easy to customize for your own
tastes.
Rinse and clean your coffeemaker, and a big pitcher (8 cup size).
Put enough Ground Coffee into the maker to make 9 cups of coffee
(9 cups x 2 tablespoons a cup= 18 tablespoons of ground coffee). Put in
enough Fresh Water to make 4 cups. When you measure your coffee to be
iced, use this proportion 2x the coffee as water, with an extra serving
of grinds for good measure. Brew the coffee
Fill the pitcher about 1/3 of the way with ice. Dump your freshly
made pot of coffee over the ice. Put the whole pitcher in the
refrigerator.
If you like sugar in your iced coffee, put some in a small
tupperware and pour some plain boiled water to make liquid sugar and
sweeten your iced drink. That saves the trouble of stirring llike crazy.
Serve each cup over ice.
Feel free to make this how you want it- Sweet N Low and Half and Half, Decaf with soy milk and extra sugar....
Cost for a whole pitcher-
$2 worth of the Mermaid Coffee- and theirs is costly
25 cents worth of sugar ( I mean, or just steal some packets from the diner)
$1 worth of milk- I used tons of milk, each iced coffee was 1/2 milk.
water is free, ice is just frozen water, so its free...
----- less than $3 for 8 small iced coffees (more if you take milk). Or
try three 20 ounce iced coffees, with a bit to spare, for $3- each
would cost $3 at the Mermaid, or $2.75 at the Donut.
what I don't love is paying $3-$4 for a cup of iced coffee. All the
coffeeshops (yes, including the donut franchise) charge way too much
for coffee, especially if they throw in some ice cubes. But brewing
iced coffee at home is quite simple and easy to customize for your own
tastes.
Rinse and clean your coffeemaker, and a big pitcher (8 cup size).
Put enough Ground Coffee into the maker to make 9 cups of coffee
(9 cups x 2 tablespoons a cup= 18 tablespoons of ground coffee). Put in
enough Fresh Water to make 4 cups. When you measure your coffee to be
iced, use this proportion 2x the coffee as water, with an extra serving
of grinds for good measure. Brew the coffee
Fill the pitcher about 1/3 of the way with ice. Dump your freshly
made pot of coffee over the ice. Put the whole pitcher in the
refrigerator.
If you like sugar in your iced coffee, put some in a small
tupperware and pour some plain boiled water to make liquid sugar and
sweeten your iced drink. That saves the trouble of stirring llike crazy.
Serve each cup over ice.
Feel free to make this how you want it- Sweet N Low and Half and Half, Decaf with soy milk and extra sugar....
Cost for a whole pitcher-
$2 worth of the Mermaid Coffee- and theirs is costly
25 cents worth of sugar ( I mean, or just steal some packets from the diner)
$1 worth of milk- I used tons of milk, each iced coffee was 1/2 milk.
water is free, ice is just frozen water, so its free...
----- less than $3 for 8 small iced coffees (more if you take milk). Or
try three 20 ounce iced coffees, with a bit to spare, for $3- each
would cost $3 at the Mermaid, or $2.75 at the Donut.
Buy a High Quality Birkin , Kelly, Kelly Part V
9) Firmness of the bottom
For a good Birkin it should stand up on the table with only the 4 pins touching the table.
(Below is our Birkin for which you can see the gap between the table and our Birkin)
For a good Birkin it should stand up on the table with only the 4 pins touching the table.
(Below is our Birkin for which you can see the gap between the table and our Birkin)
Jewelry Care Damage and Points of Interest
Introduction
Being a Jeweler for 20 plus years I have repaired or built nearly 100,000 jewelry items. If you have damaged jewelry I have probably seen it before. I want to go over a few of the gemon questions that gee from customers and a few things you may never think to ask.
Gold and Diamond information.
Gold is the least reactive element. Gold and silver for that matter does not tarnish (oxidize) in air or liquids easily. Gold or silver may be unearthed and it looks like gold or silver, not to say gold and silver isn't mined from ores and processed chemically. Gold and silver as in jewelry is an alloy and processed to be easily manipulated and formed. Most gold jewelry is 10 or 14 karat (.410% gold or .585% gold). Silver such as sterling is also an alloy (90% silver). Gold and silver alloys have a much lower melting point even though they are much harder and offer better rigidity.Diamond is crystallized carbon. Diamond is the worlds hardest naturally occurring substance. Diamonds have impurities that may be undesirable and may be cause for concern as it relates to toughness. Diamonds may be broken or scratched. Many diamonds are artificially enhanced to change color and clarity. This may or may not involve laser drilling, filling, or light irradiation to change color.
How do I clean my jewelry?
As a jeweler I would like to say there is a magic formula available only in jewelry shops. The truth is every jewelry I know cleans jewelry with diluted soapy ammonia in an ultrasonic cleaner and a tooth brush.If the jewelry item is tarnished then a weak sulfuric acid may be used gemonly used in products like tarnex or simple lemon juice. If your jewelry item is left in the presence of acidic fluids to long they will burn (oxidize the zinc or nickel in the alloy) and a jeweler will have to heat the items and polish to remove excess residue.
When should I have my diamond jewelry checked for wear?
Most jewelry is manufactured to have years of life but in large part purely dependant on how it is worn and your lifestyle. If you work with your hands you may need to have your rings serviced every year. I built my wife's rings 15 years ago and recently added a couple of tips on the outer stones because they were thinning a bit.
Gold chains usually last longer than the rings and clasps that attach the ends. Every year or so you should look at the rings and if more than 60% of the diameter of the clasp ring is worn off then you should have them fixed. Much of the life of a particular chain is its design. Large link chains obviously last longer but even that can depend on the weight of the particular item.
Bracelets have the highest rate of wear. Significant wear can be observed even on a heavy linked bracelet or watch even after only a few years. Bracelets should be removed for work and active times.
Be aware of a few warning signs:
If your jewelry ever feels different or you feel a sharp edge.
If your ring ever catches on anything like fabric.
If your chain appears longer than normal.
I have large number of customers tell me they heard or saw their stone rattling when driving.
When should I remove my jewelry?
During strenuous activity such as skiing or hiking.
Take your chains and bracelets off during sleep especially flat or thinner chains.
Take off your jewelry when in place that it may be easily lost if dropped like when boating.
Anytime you are working on anything electrical.
I had an accident involving a wedding band and a battery; I have a permanent scar on my ring finger.
Why do my rings bend?
Ring shanks bend when you pick up heavy items or pull on items. This is very gemon and many customers opt to leave their rings in an oval shape.
Other things you should know.
Chemical damage is very gemon. Where gold is almost immune to anything that your skin is, the geponents in the gold alloy and the solder that holds it together is not. Many gemon household chemicals will destroy your jewelry. The solder that holds your ring and chains together has a zinc high content, which is very reactive to many hair products (bleaches and peroxides).
I see a somewhat higher number of hair stylist's jewelry. Jewelry from many of these customers are very tarnished and often cracked and brittle. If this damage continues the gold will begee fragile and break with very little force applied.
Bleach can damage your jewelry. Chlorine that is used in swimming pools is essentially the same chemical used in bleach. People with pools are ruining their jewelry and never realize it until it's too late. As a jewelry student I was never made aware of this until I started higher volumes of work. Once this damage occurs the links will fall out of the chain or the shank of the ring will crack. I once had a customer let her ring soak in bleach overnight only to find her ring in seven pieces the next morning.
An important note about some diamonds.
Some diamonds are enhanced for appearance. If you have stones like this then you may be in for disappointment. Diamonds that have been drilled or color enhanced must not be tipped. They may need to be reset once the ring has sustained significant wear. I have a friend that calls these stones "hooted" stones and they are getting much more prevalent in the market place. The stone is diamond but to rid the impurities they drill a hole to the imperfection (flaw), boil in sulfuric acid and fill the hole with a clear acrylic. If the diamond is heated the acrylic may begee visible or turn colors. This process can make a very poor stone into something that looks fantastic.
Do not confuse hardness with toughness. Diamonds can be chipped with very little force if applied at the proper spot and angle. Avoid putting multiple diamond rings into the same container as your diamonds may scratch each other. Special care must be given to diamonds with feather, as this is a separation of the crystal lattice. I put a 3.5 carat in an ultrasonic and it came out in half, so some jeweler will not work on diamonds with large flaws. Otherwise diamonds are tough. On a couple of occasions I have had diamonds brought in that were in a house fire and the gold melted into a lump leaving the diamonds in perfect condition.
Silver
Much of today's silver is plated with chrome or nickel. This makes a jeweler's job difficult when repairing or resizing. Once heated the plated material buckles and cracks leaving a undesirable finish. If you are buying silver rings it is a good idea to buy the proper size. If repair is needed often it is practical to replace the item. This does not apply to silver wear.
I hope this information proves helpful.
Being a Jeweler for 20 plus years I have repaired or built nearly 100,000 jewelry items. If you have damaged jewelry I have probably seen it before. I want to go over a few of the gemon questions that gee from customers and a few things you may never think to ask.
Gold and Diamond information.
Gold is the least reactive element. Gold and silver for that matter does not tarnish (oxidize) in air or liquids easily. Gold or silver may be unearthed and it looks like gold or silver, not to say gold and silver isn't mined from ores and processed chemically. Gold and silver as in jewelry is an alloy and processed to be easily manipulated and formed. Most gold jewelry is 10 or 14 karat (.410% gold or .585% gold). Silver such as sterling is also an alloy (90% silver). Gold and silver alloys have a much lower melting point even though they are much harder and offer better rigidity.Diamond is crystallized carbon. Diamond is the worlds hardest naturally occurring substance. Diamonds have impurities that may be undesirable and may be cause for concern as it relates to toughness. Diamonds may be broken or scratched. Many diamonds are artificially enhanced to change color and clarity. This may or may not involve laser drilling, filling, or light irradiation to change color.
How do I clean my jewelry?
As a jeweler I would like to say there is a magic formula available only in jewelry shops. The truth is every jewelry I know cleans jewelry with diluted soapy ammonia in an ultrasonic cleaner and a tooth brush.If the jewelry item is tarnished then a weak sulfuric acid may be used gemonly used in products like tarnex or simple lemon juice. If your jewelry item is left in the presence of acidic fluids to long they will burn (oxidize the zinc or nickel in the alloy) and a jeweler will have to heat the items and polish to remove excess residue.
When should I have my diamond jewelry checked for wear?
Most jewelry is manufactured to have years of life but in large part purely dependant on how it is worn and your lifestyle. If you work with your hands you may need to have your rings serviced every year. I built my wife's rings 15 years ago and recently added a couple of tips on the outer stones because they were thinning a bit.
Gold chains usually last longer than the rings and clasps that attach the ends. Every year or so you should look at the rings and if more than 60% of the diameter of the clasp ring is worn off then you should have them fixed. Much of the life of a particular chain is its design. Large link chains obviously last longer but even that can depend on the weight of the particular item.
Bracelets have the highest rate of wear. Significant wear can be observed even on a heavy linked bracelet or watch even after only a few years. Bracelets should be removed for work and active times.
Be aware of a few warning signs:
If your jewelry ever feels different or you feel a sharp edge.
If your ring ever catches on anything like fabric.
If your chain appears longer than normal.
I have large number of customers tell me they heard or saw their stone rattling when driving.
When should I remove my jewelry?
During strenuous activity such as skiing or hiking.
Take your chains and bracelets off during sleep especially flat or thinner chains.
Take off your jewelry when in place that it may be easily lost if dropped like when boating.
Anytime you are working on anything electrical.
I had an accident involving a wedding band and a battery; I have a permanent scar on my ring finger.
Why do my rings bend?
Ring shanks bend when you pick up heavy items or pull on items. This is very gemon and many customers opt to leave their rings in an oval shape.
Other things you should know.
Chemical damage is very gemon. Where gold is almost immune to anything that your skin is, the geponents in the gold alloy and the solder that holds it together is not. Many gemon household chemicals will destroy your jewelry. The solder that holds your ring and chains together has a zinc high content, which is very reactive to many hair products (bleaches and peroxides).
I see a somewhat higher number of hair stylist's jewelry. Jewelry from many of these customers are very tarnished and often cracked and brittle. If this damage continues the gold will begee fragile and break with very little force applied.
Bleach can damage your jewelry. Chlorine that is used in swimming pools is essentially the same chemical used in bleach. People with pools are ruining their jewelry and never realize it until it's too late. As a jewelry student I was never made aware of this until I started higher volumes of work. Once this damage occurs the links will fall out of the chain or the shank of the ring will crack. I once had a customer let her ring soak in bleach overnight only to find her ring in seven pieces the next morning.
An important note about some diamonds.
Some diamonds are enhanced for appearance. If you have stones like this then you may be in for disappointment. Diamonds that have been drilled or color enhanced must not be tipped. They may need to be reset once the ring has sustained significant wear. I have a friend that calls these stones "hooted" stones and they are getting much more prevalent in the market place. The stone is diamond but to rid the impurities they drill a hole to the imperfection (flaw), boil in sulfuric acid and fill the hole with a clear acrylic. If the diamond is heated the acrylic may begee visible or turn colors. This process can make a very poor stone into something that looks fantastic.
Do not confuse hardness with toughness. Diamonds can be chipped with very little force if applied at the proper spot and angle. Avoid putting multiple diamond rings into the same container as your diamonds may scratch each other. Special care must be given to diamonds with feather, as this is a separation of the crystal lattice. I put a 3.5 carat in an ultrasonic and it came out in half, so some jeweler will not work on diamonds with large flaws. Otherwise diamonds are tough. On a couple of occasions I have had diamonds brought in that were in a house fire and the gold melted into a lump leaving the diamonds in perfect condition.
Silver
Much of today's silver is plated with chrome or nickel. This makes a jeweler's job difficult when repairing or resizing. Once heated the plated material buckles and cracks leaving a undesirable finish. If you are buying silver rings it is a good idea to buy the proper size. If repair is needed often it is practical to replace the item. This does not apply to silver wear.
I hope this information proves helpful.
PAINTBALL: MAKING SMART BUYING DECISIONS
This guide was prepared to help paintballers make intelligent consumer decisions when purchasing gear on okay. The author has over 24 years of experience with the paintball industry, has authored two books on paintball and is a founder of the NPPL.
No preamble, no beating around the bush. There are SMART ways to buy paintball gear and there are stupid, costly and potentially DANGEROUS ways to purchase gear.
1. KNOW YOUR PRODUCT. If you're new to paintball and aren't familiar with all of its acronyms, brand names and quirks, okay is not the place to be buying. You could end up spending huge dollars on items normally given away for free, you might be purchasing stolen property, sub-standard product or something that will LITERALLY get you laughed at out on the field. DO YOUR RESEARCH. There are numerous well-informed websites available, including 68caliber.ge, pbreview.ge and warpig.ge.
2. DO NOT BUY ON BRAND-NAME ALONE. Many paintball brand names are 'hot' because they make great product - OR - because they spend a lot on advertising. Sometimes a brand name has both quality and hype, but fairly frequently, spending big bucks on brand names is a waste of money. You can get less popular brands that are just as good for much less. Sellers FREQUENTLY relyon ignorance to sell last year's models at this year's prices.
3. DO NOT BUY 'DO-IT-YOURSELF' PRODUCT. This is CRITICAL for electronic markers and pressure systems.Usually, non-technician servicing of a high-end marker will VOID the warranty, so you'll end up paying twice - once for the gadget you tried to install andagain to get your marker fixed by a trained tech. Pressure systems should NEVER be worked on by anyone other than a trained technician - players have DIED because of improper valve installation. If you want to learn how to do it yourself, take some classes at the Paintball Training Institute or those given by manufacturers.
4. CHEAP IS OFTEN NOT A GOOD DEAL. okay is home of the great buy. Its also the home of thedisappointed buyer. Many items in paintballare obsolete within six months. Sure, you got it for 90% off regular retail, but the new version just hit the shelves and its on sale. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
5. AIR SYSTEMS. Always request the hydro date from a seller on any air system. CO2 systems 12 oz and larger, need to be tested once every 5 years. HPA systems need to be tested once every 3 or 5 years, depending on bottle design. Testing costs between 25 and 45 dollars, plus shipping and, if the bottle fails, you will not be able to use it. Fields and events WILL NOTallow you to use an out-of-date system. If you are told 'the tank doesn't need to be tested'or anything resembling that remark, the seller is selling an out of date or almost out of date tank.
6. MANY GUNS SOLD ON okay ARE STOLEN. Unfortunately, its true. High end guns get stolen at a tournament and end up on okay for pennies on the dollar. ASK FOR A SERIAL NUMBER. It is true that some markers do not gee with serial numbers, but the vast majority of high-end markers do. If the seller will not provide you with a serial number, or a copy of the sales invoice, chances are the gun is hot. Check the serial number by googling the brand name and 'stolen marker'. If you buy a stolen marker and it gets tracked down to you, you're going to lose the marker.
7. DO NOT BUY ON PRICE ALONE. You're looking at auction A that's selling a paintball widget for 12 bucks andauction B that's selling a paintball widget for 24 bucks. Different manufacturers, same type of product. IF item A is just as good as item B - why would anyone be buying any Bs? Some paintball product LOOKS similar, but is not in terms of quality. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
8. DOING RESEARCH does not mean asking your friend, nor does it mean reading a bunch of internet bs written by someone who's played all of two times. Call up manufacturers - ask what the suggested retail price on the item is. Visit the review sites. Stop into a store and LOOK at the item. Hold it. Visit a field and borrow someone elses.
Paintball is expensive enough without wasting money on bad buys. USE okay for what its good for - finding a great deal - but make sure it really IS a good deal before you hit that bid button.
No preamble, no beating around the bush. There are SMART ways to buy paintball gear and there are stupid, costly and potentially DANGEROUS ways to purchase gear.
1. KNOW YOUR PRODUCT. If you're new to paintball and aren't familiar with all of its acronyms, brand names and quirks, okay is not the place to be buying. You could end up spending huge dollars on items normally given away for free, you might be purchasing stolen property, sub-standard product or something that will LITERALLY get you laughed at out on the field. DO YOUR RESEARCH. There are numerous well-informed websites available, including 68caliber.ge, pbreview.ge and warpig.ge.
2. DO NOT BUY ON BRAND-NAME ALONE. Many paintball brand names are 'hot' because they make great product - OR - because they spend a lot on advertising. Sometimes a brand name has both quality and hype, but fairly frequently, spending big bucks on brand names is a waste of money. You can get less popular brands that are just as good for much less. Sellers FREQUENTLY relyon ignorance to sell last year's models at this year's prices.
3. DO NOT BUY 'DO-IT-YOURSELF' PRODUCT. This is CRITICAL for electronic markers and pressure systems.Usually, non-technician servicing of a high-end marker will VOID the warranty, so you'll end up paying twice - once for the gadget you tried to install andagain to get your marker fixed by a trained tech. Pressure systems should NEVER be worked on by anyone other than a trained technician - players have DIED because of improper valve installation. If you want to learn how to do it yourself, take some classes at the Paintball Training Institute or those given by manufacturers.
4. CHEAP IS OFTEN NOT A GOOD DEAL. okay is home of the great buy. Its also the home of thedisappointed buyer. Many items in paintballare obsolete within six months. Sure, you got it for 90% off regular retail, but the new version just hit the shelves and its on sale. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
5. AIR SYSTEMS. Always request the hydro date from a seller on any air system. CO2 systems 12 oz and larger, need to be tested once every 5 years. HPA systems need to be tested once every 3 or 5 years, depending on bottle design. Testing costs between 25 and 45 dollars, plus shipping and, if the bottle fails, you will not be able to use it. Fields and events WILL NOTallow you to use an out-of-date system. If you are told 'the tank doesn't need to be tested'or anything resembling that remark, the seller is selling an out of date or almost out of date tank.
6. MANY GUNS SOLD ON okay ARE STOLEN. Unfortunately, its true. High end guns get stolen at a tournament and end up on okay for pennies on the dollar. ASK FOR A SERIAL NUMBER. It is true that some markers do not gee with serial numbers, but the vast majority of high-end markers do. If the seller will not provide you with a serial number, or a copy of the sales invoice, chances are the gun is hot. Check the serial number by googling the brand name and 'stolen marker'. If you buy a stolen marker and it gets tracked down to you, you're going to lose the marker.
7. DO NOT BUY ON PRICE ALONE. You're looking at auction A that's selling a paintball widget for 12 bucks andauction B that's selling a paintball widget for 24 bucks. Different manufacturers, same type of product. IF item A is just as good as item B - why would anyone be buying any Bs? Some paintball product LOOKS similar, but is not in terms of quality. DO YOUR RESEARCH.
8. DOING RESEARCH does not mean asking your friend, nor does it mean reading a bunch of internet bs written by someone who's played all of two times. Call up manufacturers - ask what the suggested retail price on the item is. Visit the review sites. Stop into a store and LOOK at the item. Hold it. Visit a field and borrow someone elses.
Paintball is expensive enough without wasting money on bad buys. USE okay for what its good for - finding a great deal - but make sure it really IS a good deal before you hit that bid button.
A Hoodia Power Pops Weight Loss Energy Lollipops
Power pops are the new thing in weight loss snacks! They taste fantastic and really do curb your cravings for food while at the same time give you energy. These are not diet tasteing, they are 100% natural and do contain a small amount of natural sugar. I love the flavors! mountain berry, chocolate mousse, cherry, green apple, butter pecan, watermelon, pink lemonade, rootbeer float, pina colada, and cinnamon.Power pops are a great addition to use with any diet. They contain hoodia, citrimax, vitamin B and other natural ingredients.
I just wanted to stress the important part of the plan: TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER. When I just started using them, the first few days I did not do this, but now I drink a large glass of water while Im having my power pop. It really made a difference in my appetite suppression! plus it reminds me to drink more water.
They are a fun, new idea for weight loss in the diet industry. With the unique delivery of eating the lollipops you get a 95% absorbtion rate vs. a 5% with pill form. In addition to just using power pops as a appetite surpressant
I just wanted to stress the important part of the plan: TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER. When I just started using them, the first few days I did not do this, but now I drink a large glass of water while Im having my power pop. It really made a difference in my appetite suppression! plus it reminds me to drink more water.
They are a fun, new idea for weight loss in the diet industry. With the unique delivery of eating the lollipops you get a 95% absorbtion rate vs. a 5% with pill form. In addition to just using power pops as a appetite surpressant
Kirby Bags Vacuum Cleaner Generation 3, G4, G5, GSix
Thanks for looking here to find a quick and simple method of determining which bags you need for your Kirby!Here is the scoop on buying a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner Bag for the Generation Series. Yes, the Diamond Edition too!All the bags fit the Generation Models. Not that big of a secret. The quality of the bags makes the difference.The VERY BEST bag is the cloth HEPA bags listed farther down on this page, however the quality keeps getting better from the Generation 3 yellow bag to the G4 G5 bags, to the HEPA GSix bags. All of these are listed below. I have even included a Generic Bag that is still a high quality bag too !This are Generation 3 Yellow bags, pictured below:These don't always gee yellow, just depends. They can be made in the USA, or made in PROC (that's China), but the exact same American design!These bags are paper bags and the most inexpensive bags that are Genuine Kirby bags. These are still good bags that fit the Generation Series bags.CLICK HERE TO FIND THESE BAGS ! This are Generation 4 and 5 bags, pictured below:These are the Micron Magic bags. I am not quite sure what this means, but I know this is better filtration that the G3 bags. These are brown bags, and again fit the Generation models of Kirby Vacuums. * Micron Filtration Allergy Bag * Traps Bacteria, Dust Mites, etc. down to .01 micron (thats really small stuff!) * Fits Generation 3, 4, 5, and GSix, Ultimate G, and Diamond Edition Kirby's models 1989 to present
CLICK HERE FOR THE MICRON MAGIC BAGS !This are GSix Bags, pictured below:Kirby Micron Magic HEPA Filtration. These bags utilize Kirby's exclusive Micro Particle Arrest Technology to trap bacteria, dust mites and other dirt particles down to 0.01 micron. Better bags than those listed above, plus the HEPA Filtration. This is an awesome bag.CLICK HERE FOR THESE HEPA BAGS ! Wanna know the best bag available for your Kirby. This one here:CLICK HERE TO FIND THESE BAGS ! The packaging may differ now and be light blue but the same Genuine bag. These are cloth like bags and the BEST AVAILABLE !These bags are the ones they ship with the NEWEST KIRBY VACUUMS !Captures Allergens, Dust, Dirt, and Dustmites with 100% Polypropylene Fibers that are Electrostatically charged to capture Microscopic Particles.The Powerful Suction capability of your Kirby along with this improved bag, allows it to maintain proper airflow but traps Microscopic Particles as it fills. This reduces the amount of Allergens that are recycled through the Suction
CLICK HERE FOR THE MICRON MAGIC BAGS !This are GSix Bags, pictured below:Kirby Micron Magic HEPA Filtration. These bags utilize Kirby's exclusive Micro Particle Arrest Technology to trap bacteria, dust mites and other dirt particles down to 0.01 micron. Better bags than those listed above, plus the HEPA Filtration. This is an awesome bag.CLICK HERE FOR THESE HEPA BAGS ! Wanna know the best bag available for your Kirby. This one here:CLICK HERE TO FIND THESE BAGS ! The packaging may differ now and be light blue but the same Genuine bag. These are cloth like bags and the BEST AVAILABLE !These bags are the ones they ship with the NEWEST KIRBY VACUUMS !Captures Allergens, Dust, Dirt, and Dustmites with 100% Polypropylene Fibers that are Electrostatically charged to capture Microscopic Particles.The Powerful Suction capability of your Kirby along with this improved bag, allows it to maintain proper airflow but traps Microscopic Particles as it fills. This reduces the amount of Allergens that are recycled through the Suction
Honda Civic Hybrid
My wife and I own a Honda Civic Hybrid and enjoy it greatly. If one shops around, good deals can be found on both new and used Civic Hybrids. My local dealer sells new Hybrids for less than MSRP and when you add the ingee tax rebate, you can actually buy a hybrid for about the same as a fully loaded Civic LX.
Used Civic hybrids are not as popular as the Prius and if you are patient you can often find a used Civic Hybrid for about the same price as a used Civic LX.
We have had no problems with our hybrid. In our typical town driving we average in the low to mid 40's miles per gallon. While on the highway we average in the mid to high 40's. On a recent 1,000 trip we averaged 52.7 miles per gallon. Since owning the car, the lifetime miles per gallon is just under 47.
I have several friends with non-hybrid civics and they tell me they never get more than 35 miles per gal.
The car has always performed flawlessly. The only concern is what happens when the battery pack needs to be replaced. However, Honda does guarantee this for 8 years or 80,000 miles.
Our favorite part of this car is that the pollution out of the tailpipe is only 10% of a typical new car. I also love the fact that when you gee to a stop, the engine turns off. Not only does this reduce the pollution, it is also so quiet.
The Honda Civic Hybrid is just a cool car and we enjoy it greatly. My 14 year old son can hardly wait until he can drive it to school.Update after 70,000 milesWe now have over 70,000 miles on this car. During this time we have changed the oil, rotated the tires, and kept up on normal maintenance. The original tire were replaced at 35,000 miles and the replacement Michelin tires will be replaced within the 10,000 miles or so.During the time we have owned this car the lifetime mileage has been 46 miles per gallon. Even with 70,000 miles the car uses no oil between oil changes. Even thing works as though it were new. I have no geplaints and would still regemend it to anyone. The more I drive it the more I appreciate it when it goes into autostop mode at stop lights. It is so quiet.
Used Civic hybrids are not as popular as the Prius and if you are patient you can often find a used Civic Hybrid for about the same price as a used Civic LX.
We have had no problems with our hybrid. In our typical town driving we average in the low to mid 40's miles per gallon. While on the highway we average in the mid to high 40's. On a recent 1,000 trip we averaged 52.7 miles per gallon. Since owning the car, the lifetime miles per gallon is just under 47.
I have several friends with non-hybrid civics and they tell me they never get more than 35 miles per gal.
The car has always performed flawlessly. The only concern is what happens when the battery pack needs to be replaced. However, Honda does guarantee this for 8 years or 80,000 miles.
Our favorite part of this car is that the pollution out of the tailpipe is only 10% of a typical new car. I also love the fact that when you gee to a stop, the engine turns off. Not only does this reduce the pollution, it is also so quiet.
The Honda Civic Hybrid is just a cool car and we enjoy it greatly. My 14 year old son can hardly wait until he can drive it to school.Update after 70,000 milesWe now have over 70,000 miles on this car. During this time we have changed the oil, rotated the tires, and kept up on normal maintenance. The original tire were replaced at 35,000 miles and the replacement Michelin tires will be replaced within the 10,000 miles or so.During the time we have owned this car the lifetime mileage has been 46 miles per gallon. Even with 70,000 miles the car uses no oil between oil changes. Even thing works as though it were new. I have no geplaints and would still regemend it to anyone. The more I drive it the more I appreciate it when it goes into autostop mode at stop lights. It is so quiet.
How Pure Gold is Refined from Mined Ore
1.Geologists use the latest technology such as satellite surveys and geochemistry to locate an ore deposit.
2.geputers are used to design the mine which requires precise and accurate measurement of the ore deposit. Construction begins following the lengthy process of receiving permits.
3.As holes are drilled for blasting, samples of ore are examined to determine grade and metallurgical characteristics. The broken rock is marked by type for efficient processing.
4.Based on its metallurgical makeup, a dispatcher directs truck operators to deliver the ore to the correct processing location.
5 (A) Low Grade Ore is roughly broken into small chunks and placed on carefully lined pads where a dilute cyanide solution is distributed over the surface of the heap. The solution percolates through the heap and the cyanide dissolves the gold. This solution containing dissolved gold is then collected.
5 (B) High Grade Ore is delivered to a grinding mill where the ore is pulverized to a powder. Depending on its metallurgical characteristics the ore may be treated in one of three recovery circuits.
Refractory ore containing carbon is roasted to over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, burning off the sulfide and carbon. The product of this process is an oxide ore, which is routed to the leaching circuit.
Oxide ore is sent directly to the leaching circuit where cyanide dissolves the gold.
Sulfide refractory ore without carbon is oxidized in an autoclave to liberate the gold from sulfide minerals, then it is sent to the leaching circuit.
6. The gold is absorbed (collected) out of solution onto activated carbon. The remaining cyanide solution is recycled.
7. The gold loaded carbon is moved into a vessel where the gold is chemically stripped from the carbon which is then recycled.
8. Gold is precipitated from the solution electrolytically or by chemical substitution.
9. The pure gold is then melted into dore' bars containing up to 90 percent gold. Dore' bars are then sent to an external refinery to be refined to bars of 999.9 parts per thousand pure gold.
2.geputers are used to design the mine which requires precise and accurate measurement of the ore deposit. Construction begins following the lengthy process of receiving permits.
3.As holes are drilled for blasting, samples of ore are examined to determine grade and metallurgical characteristics. The broken rock is marked by type for efficient processing.
4.Based on its metallurgical makeup, a dispatcher directs truck operators to deliver the ore to the correct processing location.
5 (A) Low Grade Ore is roughly broken into small chunks and placed on carefully lined pads where a dilute cyanide solution is distributed over the surface of the heap. The solution percolates through the heap and the cyanide dissolves the gold. This solution containing dissolved gold is then collected.
5 (B) High Grade Ore is delivered to a grinding mill where the ore is pulverized to a powder. Depending on its metallurgical characteristics the ore may be treated in one of three recovery circuits.
Refractory ore containing carbon is roasted to over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, burning off the sulfide and carbon. The product of this process is an oxide ore, which is routed to the leaching circuit.
Oxide ore is sent directly to the leaching circuit where cyanide dissolves the gold.
Sulfide refractory ore without carbon is oxidized in an autoclave to liberate the gold from sulfide minerals, then it is sent to the leaching circuit.
6. The gold is absorbed (collected) out of solution onto activated carbon. The remaining cyanide solution is recycled.
7. The gold loaded carbon is moved into a vessel where the gold is chemically stripped from the carbon which is then recycled.
8. Gold is precipitated from the solution electrolytically or by chemical substitution.
9. The pure gold is then melted into dore' bars containing up to 90 percent gold. Dore' bars are then sent to an external refinery to be refined to bars of 999.9 parts per thousand pure gold.
ML-3 misgivings
I found the ML-3 on my D70 a total looser. It only works from the front of the camera. And even then only sporadically. So if you are taking a picture of yourself it works. But if you actually want to use it to take pictures of say birds so you are behind the camera....say 15 feet. it is useless. You can put a mirror on the camera in an attempt to bounce the IR signal around the camera from behind but I dont have the patience for that kind of cludge.
Clean Vintage Glass and Antique Porcelain Safely
Cleaning vintage glass and antique porcelain should be done with the utmost of care. Before you wash your porcelain piece you have to remove the dust and the dirt from it. For un-restored antique porcelain you can use a soft brush to remove the dirt and use a mild dishwashing liquid to wash it. Never ever use abrasive cleaners or put porcelain in your dishwasher. Never immerse your porcelain in water gepletely, it is best to use a damp cloth to clean porcelain items. Use a dabbing or gentle wiping motion. If the porcelain piece has no stains, it is best to leave it alone and use a dry cleaning method instead. Use a dry, soft brush to remove dust and any particles. While cleaning your antique piece you have to take extra care to place it on a soft towel or other soft fabric.
If there is a need to remove some stains from the antique porcelain you can use cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide (20% vol) and ammonia. You can re-soak the cotton swabs if needed during the cleaning process.
Vintage glass should also be never cleaned in a dishwasher or by using an abrasive cleaner. Wash one piece at a time using mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Use a plastic bowl or bucket while you wash vintage glass pieces.
Before cleaning glass, take off any jewelry you have on your hands such as rings or bracelets so you dont risk scratching your piece. If you have hard water, consider using bottled or filtered water instead of tap water. Also, pad the washing and drying area with some soft towels or cloths.
If the glass you are cleaning is stained by alcohol or usage of hard water, you can use citric acid or white vinegar with warm water to clean such glasses.
For glass that has a foggy look to it, that is not original to the glass, toothpaste or denture whitening paste will work. Simply put a dab of the paste on your finger and gently rub the glass. This also removes smoke stains from being in a house where there are smokers.
For glass with mineral or chemical deposits, you can use the same chemical cleaner that you use to clean your bathtub or tile from calcium deposits. Be sure to rinse the chemical off quickly though.
When cleaning any glass, it is critical to use lukewarm water to rinse only. Using water that is too hot or too cold may risk shattering the glass.
For very expensive or old cut glass, etched glass or painted glass, be extra careful. Cleaning may damage these surfaces. For very fragile glass like this, it may be best to consult a professional conservator.
Avoid using strong acids while cleaning older glasses since they may etch the glass and spoil the look of the vintage glass.
After cleaning, it is best to let your antiques, whether glass or porcelain to air dry for a bit, then use a soft, lint free towel to gently dab any excess water off of them.
With careful cleaning and handling, your vintage glass and antique porcelain items will look beautiful for years to gee.
Author: Ricky Alberta
If there is a need to remove some stains from the antique porcelain you can use cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide (20% vol) and ammonia. You can re-soak the cotton swabs if needed during the cleaning process.
Vintage glass should also be never cleaned in a dishwasher or by using an abrasive cleaner. Wash one piece at a time using mild dishwashing liquid and warm water. Use a plastic bowl or bucket while you wash vintage glass pieces.
Before cleaning glass, take off any jewelry you have on your hands such as rings or bracelets so you dont risk scratching your piece. If you have hard water, consider using bottled or filtered water instead of tap water. Also, pad the washing and drying area with some soft towels or cloths.
If the glass you are cleaning is stained by alcohol or usage of hard water, you can use citric acid or white vinegar with warm water to clean such glasses.
For glass that has a foggy look to it, that is not original to the glass, toothpaste or denture whitening paste will work. Simply put a dab of the paste on your finger and gently rub the glass. This also removes smoke stains from being in a house where there are smokers.
For glass with mineral or chemical deposits, you can use the same chemical cleaner that you use to clean your bathtub or tile from calcium deposits. Be sure to rinse the chemical off quickly though.
When cleaning any glass, it is critical to use lukewarm water to rinse only. Using water that is too hot or too cold may risk shattering the glass.
For very expensive or old cut glass, etched glass or painted glass, be extra careful. Cleaning may damage these surfaces. For very fragile glass like this, it may be best to consult a professional conservator.
Avoid using strong acids while cleaning older glasses since they may etch the glass and spoil the look of the vintage glass.
After cleaning, it is best to let your antiques, whether glass or porcelain to air dry for a bit, then use a soft, lint free towel to gently dab any excess water off of them.
With careful cleaning and handling, your vintage glass and antique porcelain items will look beautiful for years to gee.
Author: Ricky Alberta
Berard: A French tradition of fine woodworking
Since 1892, Berard, a French Artisan firm located in Northern Provence (Royans, in the Drome Department) has created quality hand turned utensils and accessories for kitchen and dining. Mostly made of Olive wood, Beech, and Boxwood.
The range of items the gepany produces goes from small spoons for jams and mustards, to large heavy hand turned olive wood salad bowls and cutting boards. Olive wood has been used in the Mediterranean since Antiquity. The olive tree grows slowly but it can attain a considerable diameter. Although they rarely exceed 45 feet in height, they can begee as wide as 30 feet in girth. The wood has a yellow or light greenish-brown tint and is finely veined with a darker tint. It is very hard and close veined which makes it valued by woodworkers worldwide.
Contrarily to what is often thought, wood is actually more hygienic than plastic for kitchen items A study by the University of Wisconsin (Research Institute on Foodstuffs)has determined that bacteria, such as Salmonella and listeria will not survive longer than 3 minutes on wood (tests were done on 7 different types of wood and gepared with plastic).
To keep the wood items in perfect condition, simply wash in warm water with soap. Dry and they are ready for use.
The gepany is subjected to strict French environmental laws, regarding the use of hardwoods and sustainable growth. Only wood from those forests that are managed in a sustainable manner are used.
A fine selection of Olive Wood Utensils from Touch of Europe
The range of items the gepany produces goes from small spoons for jams and mustards, to large heavy hand turned olive wood salad bowls and cutting boards. Olive wood has been used in the Mediterranean since Antiquity. The olive tree grows slowly but it can attain a considerable diameter. Although they rarely exceed 45 feet in height, they can begee as wide as 30 feet in girth. The wood has a yellow or light greenish-brown tint and is finely veined with a darker tint. It is very hard and close veined which makes it valued by woodworkers worldwide.
Contrarily to what is often thought, wood is actually more hygienic than plastic for kitchen items A study by the University of Wisconsin (Research Institute on Foodstuffs)has determined that bacteria, such as Salmonella and listeria will not survive longer than 3 minutes on wood (tests were done on 7 different types of wood and gepared with plastic).
To keep the wood items in perfect condition, simply wash in warm water with soap. Dry and they are ready for use.
The gepany is subjected to strict French environmental laws, regarding the use of hardwoods and sustainable growth. Only wood from those forests that are managed in a sustainable manner are used.
A fine selection of Olive Wood Utensils from Touch of Europe
Does your car/truck have peeling paint? Here's why.
Does your car/truck have peeling paint? Here's why.
IF YOU SAW Datelines report and have questions about the problem of peeling paint, heres how you can find out more. Most manufacturers for a period of years chose to eliminate spray primer as part of their refinish process. With exposure to the sun, this caused the "color" to flake and peel from the surface of the car or truck. This has effected millions of vehicles.
AFFECTED CARS AND TRUCKSThe models cited in the certified class-action suit against Ford are the following:
1984-1993 F-Series trucks1984-1993 Broncos1984-1989 Bronco IIs1984-1992 Rangers1984-1989 Mustangs
Also, as we mentioned in the story, a service bulletin was distributed to GM dealers alerting them to a potential peeling problem on the following trucks:
1988-1992 C/K, S/T, R/V TRUCKS AND M/L, G VANS
Chrysler has not acknowledged a peeling problem related to the elimination of spray primer on their assembly lines. They are being sued over that problem, but the lawsuits are not specific about the affected models or years. There have also been numerous geplaints about cars and trucks manufactured with spray primer, as well as vehicles newer than model year 1993. There is also a difference between peeling, known as delamination, and other types of degrading such as the spotting that gees from acid rain damage. If you have a problem with your paint, you should go to your dealer and ask for assistance. Owners of vehicles with widespread paint damage should first contact their car dealerships for assistance.
WHO TO CONTACT If you have peeling paint on your car or truck, there are several people you can contact for more information about how to file a geplaint. The Center for Auto Safety will send you a letter describing the proper procedure to obtain financial assistance from the car gepany, how to obtain service bulletins, and how to sue in small claims court. You should send a letter describing your vehicle (including make and model year) and your problem along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: The Center for Auto Safety2001 S Street NWSuite 410Washington, D.C. 20009-1160
What CAS or any lawyer, will tell you is that your first step should be to take your vehicle back to the dealer to ask for assistance. If you are not able to get assistance from your dealer, you should call or write the customer assistance number of your automobile gepany. Here are some of those numbers:
Ford(800) 392-3673Ford Customer Assistance CenterP.O. Box 43360Detroit, MI 48243
General MotorsBuick (800) 521-7300Cadillac (800) 458-8006Chevrolet (800) 222-1020GMC (800) 462-8782Oldsmobile (800) 442-6537Pontiac (800) 762-2737Saturn (800) 553-6000Chrysler (800) 992-1997 (Monday-Friday)
For more information and links, try: autopedia.ge/html/HotLinks_PeelingPaint.html
IF YOU SAW Datelines report and have questions about the problem of peeling paint, heres how you can find out more. Most manufacturers for a period of years chose to eliminate spray primer as part of their refinish process. With exposure to the sun, this caused the "color" to flake and peel from the surface of the car or truck. This has effected millions of vehicles.
AFFECTED CARS AND TRUCKSThe models cited in the certified class-action suit against Ford are the following:
1984-1993 F-Series trucks1984-1993 Broncos1984-1989 Bronco IIs1984-1992 Rangers1984-1989 Mustangs
Also, as we mentioned in the story, a service bulletin was distributed to GM dealers alerting them to a potential peeling problem on the following trucks:
1988-1992 C/K, S/T, R/V TRUCKS AND M/L, G VANS
Chrysler has not acknowledged a peeling problem related to the elimination of spray primer on their assembly lines. They are being sued over that problem, but the lawsuits are not specific about the affected models or years. There have also been numerous geplaints about cars and trucks manufactured with spray primer, as well as vehicles newer than model year 1993. There is also a difference between peeling, known as delamination, and other types of degrading such as the spotting that gees from acid rain damage. If you have a problem with your paint, you should go to your dealer and ask for assistance. Owners of vehicles with widespread paint damage should first contact their car dealerships for assistance.
WHO TO CONTACT If you have peeling paint on your car or truck, there are several people you can contact for more information about how to file a geplaint. The Center for Auto Safety will send you a letter describing the proper procedure to obtain financial assistance from the car gepany, how to obtain service bulletins, and how to sue in small claims court. You should send a letter describing your vehicle (including make and model year) and your problem along with a self-addressed stamped envelope to: The Center for Auto Safety2001 S Street NWSuite 410Washington, D.C. 20009-1160
What CAS or any lawyer, will tell you is that your first step should be to take your vehicle back to the dealer to ask for assistance. If you are not able to get assistance from your dealer, you should call or write the customer assistance number of your automobile gepany. Here are some of those numbers:
Ford(800) 392-3673Ford Customer Assistance CenterP.O. Box 43360Detroit, MI 48243
General MotorsBuick (800) 521-7300Cadillac (800) 458-8006Chevrolet (800) 222-1020GMC (800) 462-8782Oldsmobile (800) 442-6537Pontiac (800) 762-2737Saturn (800) 553-6000Chrysler (800) 992-1997 (Monday-Friday)
For more information and links, try: autopedia.ge/html/HotLinks_PeelingPaint.html
How to keep your Rolex from losing time...
Allautomatic watches will lose time somewhat (even the worst ones should only lose a few seconds every 24 hours).
1.) The most important thing to do is make sureyour Rolex iscleaned regularly, as that can make a HUGE difference. Dust particles and other small farm animals stuck inside can change the way the watch runs.
2.) When youremove yourwatch at night,you should lay it in a position that assists in adjusting the time without the help of a specialist. If your Rolex is a little slow during the day, lay it flat, with the dial up as this position tends to gain a few seconds during the course of the night. Ifyour Rolexis running a few seconds fast, lay it in a vertical position with the crown down as this position will tend to lose a few seconds per night. This position tends to lose a few more seconds per night.
3.) You might also want to consider purchasing a watch winder. A watch winder is a device which holds a watch androtates it in a circular pattern to mimic the necessary parts of human motion to operate the self-winding mechanism.
1.) The most important thing to do is make sureyour Rolex iscleaned regularly, as that can make a HUGE difference. Dust particles and other small farm animals stuck inside can change the way the watch runs.
2.) When youremove yourwatch at night,you should lay it in a position that assists in adjusting the time without the help of a specialist. If your Rolex is a little slow during the day, lay it flat, with the dial up as this position tends to gain a few seconds during the course of the night. Ifyour Rolexis running a few seconds fast, lay it in a vertical position with the crown down as this position will tend to lose a few seconds per night. This position tends to lose a few more seconds per night.
3.) You might also want to consider purchasing a watch winder. A watch winder is a device which holds a watch androtates it in a circular pattern to mimic the necessary parts of human motion to operate the self-winding mechanism.
How a GPS Works
This guide has been brought to you by Overton's.The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980's the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.How It WorksGPS satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and transmit signal information to earth. GPS receivers take this information and use triangulation to calculate the users exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver gepares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is. Now, with distance measurements from a few more satellites, the receiver can determine the users position and display it on the unit's electronic map.How Accurate is GPS?Today's GPS receivers are extremely accurate thanks to their parallel multi-channel design. Certain atmospheric factors and other sources of error can affect the accuracy of GPS receivers. GPS receivers are accurate to within 15 meters on average. Newer GPS receivers with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) capability can improve accuracy to less than 3 meters on average. No additional equipment or fees are required to take advantage of WAAS. Users can also get better accuracy with Differential GPS (DGPS), which corrects GPS signals to within an average of 3-5 meters. The U.S. Coast Guard operates the most gemon DGPS correction service. This system consists of a network of towers that receive GPS signals and transmit a corrected signal by beacon transmitters. In order to get the corrected signal, users must have a differential beacon receiver and beacon antenna in addition to their GPS.The GPS Satellite SystemThe 24 satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about 12,000 miles above us. They are constantly moving, making 2 geplete orbits in less than 24 hours. These satellites are traveling at speeds of roughly 7,000 miles per hour. GPS satellites are powered by solar energy. They have backup batteries onboard to keep them running in the event of a solar eclipse, when there is no solar power. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying in the correct path. Here are some other interesting facts about the GPS satellites (also called NAVSTAR, the official U.S. Department of Defense name for GPS):The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978.A full constellation of 24 satellites was achieved in 1994.Each satellite is built to last about 10 years.Replacement satellites are constantly being built and launched.A GPS satellite is about 2,000 lbs. and about 17 ft. across.Transmitter power is only 50 watts or less.The information on this page are courtesy of Garmin Corp, (c) 2002
What to Know about Kneeboards
This guide has been brought to you by Overton's.Kneeboards are divided into two classifications: the sport class and the performance class. Sport class kneeboards are ideal for children and beginners. These boards are very stable and easy to ride. Performance class kneeboards are what advanced thrill-seekers are looking for - they track well, have fast acceleration, and are made to catch big air.
Goyard Bag is almost FAKE !!!!!!
I Receive goyardAMBASSADE today, but this bag is FAKE!!!!!
I had say these are all fakes ,too!
Not only "ST. LOUIS TOTE" but also "AMBASSADE" .
Be careful ! Fake goyard bags were sent from China !
I had say these are all fakes ,too!
Not only "ST. LOUIS TOTE" but also "AMBASSADE" .
Be careful ! Fake goyard bags were sent from China !
SHIPPING GOUGERS:BEWARE
Watch for shipping gougers for instance it may be listed for .99 centsbut ships for 19$ if you bid on that and have not looked around you may find yourself shipping poor because the very same item listed for 5.99 but shipping is 4.05 do your math. With anything on okay check your shipping charges, a prime example is a seller who sells 2 identical items one is listedat No Reserve starting price is $1.00the second identical item is $19.99 now check the shipping on those two identical items both with calculated shipping
Organize Your s Business
okay only keeps records of your auctions for a limited time and there is nothing more frustrating than when an item you though you were done with turns up missing or you need to relist it months after okay has removed the data. Many sellers know the value of keeping a record of your okay sales outside of okay.ge.
Reasons for keeping a hard copy of your records:
Tax purposes
Back-up in case of geputer crash
The ability to look up an item you sold years ago
An accurate record of your past sales at your finger tips without turning on your geputer
What should you be keeping track of?
Item number
Bidder email/ID
What you originally paid for the item
What you sold the item for
Was there any refund, partial or full
Money Order or Check #/PayPal transaction ID
Did you leave them feedback?
Did they leave you feedback?
Total fees paid on item
Regemended Programs and Tools
The Seller Ledger: an Auction Organizer for Selling on okayThis book is set up like a traditional ledger but is specifically set up for okay sellers. Has a special section on unpaid auctions and includes a handy okay fees cheat sheet. You can usually find copies of this book on sale on okay for under $10 and they fit thousands of auctions so its great value for your money.
Quickbooks with Accounting AssistantIf your okay business is an official registered and recognized business, I regemend getting Quickbooks (off okay, of course! Never pay full price for anything!) and then integrating it with okay Accounting Assistant. The only thing I would caution you is to set up all of your okay sales as a single customer. There is a maximum number of customers allowed in all versions of QuickBooks and you can reach that max quickly if you do a lot of okay business. Setting all okay sales up as a single okay customer is a great way to work around this.
Reasons for keeping a hard copy of your records:
Tax purposes
Back-up in case of geputer crash
The ability to look up an item you sold years ago
An accurate record of your past sales at your finger tips without turning on your geputer
What should you be keeping track of?
Item number
Bidder email/ID
What you originally paid for the item
What you sold the item for
Was there any refund, partial or full
Money Order or Check #/PayPal transaction ID
Did you leave them feedback?
Did they leave you feedback?
Total fees paid on item
Regemended Programs and Tools
The Seller Ledger: an Auction Organizer for Selling on okayThis book is set up like a traditional ledger but is specifically set up for okay sellers. Has a special section on unpaid auctions and includes a handy okay fees cheat sheet. You can usually find copies of this book on sale on okay for under $10 and they fit thousands of auctions so its great value for your money.
Quickbooks with Accounting AssistantIf your okay business is an official registered and recognized business, I regemend getting Quickbooks (off okay, of course! Never pay full price for anything!) and then integrating it with okay Accounting Assistant. The only thing I would caution you is to set up all of your okay sales as a single customer. There is a maximum number of customers allowed in all versions of QuickBooks and you can reach that max quickly if you do a lot of okay business. Setting all okay sales up as a single okay customer is a great way to work around this.
Girlfriend's Guide to Maternity Clothes
Hurray! (Or oops. :) ) You are having a baby - yes, that creature causing your tummy to feel like it's the size of a watermelon and your chest to feel like two punching bags will eventually gee out as your darling child.(And if they mess up your ultrasound perhaps you'll be blessed with more than one...different guide.)
Now, on to dressing during this exciting, nauseous, hormone thrill ride. Depending on yourbody, and even on which pregnancy it is, you may or may not pop immediately. Some women do great the first trimester or two with larger tops and using the rubber band trick for waistbands - loop a rubber band around the button and then through the button closure and back over the button for instantly wider waistband that is not visible. I lived in sweater setsand elastic waist skirts at my job and just never buttoned any button below the top one of whatever cardigan I was wearing.Empire waist dresses are useful, too, but again, only for a certain amount of time. Then, you need to start looking at true maternity wear. But don't despair! Some looks are so stylish they make me want to be pregnant again!
Today you can buy "transitional" clothing for those early months of pregnancy. And guess what?! You can wear them after the baby, too! (I was not even thinking aboutthis while pregnant. You are so focused on cribsand safety features that you tend to forgetthat once youstart dealing with feedings every 2 to 3 hours and praying for a moment for a showeryou still need to clothe yourself. The 3 day old tshirt you picked up from your significant other's side of the bed does not count! You need to do something to make yourself feel like more than a feeding machine.) Most of these stretch skirts, pants and tops do not look anything like maternity. They just have a little extra fabric and stretch (lycra isa miracle, is it not?) where you need it. Treat yourself to at least one pair of pants and one top from this stuff. Babystyle is my favorite for these and you can pick up great deals in their website clearance section or here on okay.
Mainstays - I do not care where you work, there are some items that every woman needs. Work essentials: great suit - pant or skirt, but in a neutral like charcoal, black or taupe that you can mix and match; white blouse without too much detail on front, so it blends with work or casual; at least two shells (short sleeve or sleeveless) to wear under the suit, preferably in your favorite colors so even when you're green from morning sickness, you have some color in your cheeks; great pants (again, in a neutral that will coordinate with the jacket from the suit); lightweight sweater set that coordinates with the suit and pants; basic skirt, again that coordinates with the suit jacket and the tops. Even if you work in an office where you do not need to wear suits, while pregnant there is something geforting about putting on an outfit that you know goes together like a suit. There are mornings it will be a struggle to move from your pillow. If your suit is hanging in your closet, just grab a shell and shoes and go! If you are a professional, this is where it's worth spending a little more on the suit - a Liz Lange or Pea in the Pod will hold up better than some of the cheaper brands. Again, you want to be able to wear something while you're transitioning back to prebaby weight and it's always easier to buy a few new tops than force yourself to buy new clothes after baby that you do not want to fit in long term!
If you are an at home mom, you are still working, I know! You can probably get by without the suit, but try adding a dressier pair of pants or skirt so that if you do need to go to something you don't havea panic attack.Wrap dresses and faux wrap dresses are ideal, because they usually have some give and look great with just a pair of slingbacks or boots depending on the season. And that whole pull it on and go is priceless! Stretch blouses need very little ironing and hold their shapereally well - plusyou will probably keep it neat rather than wearing it around the house andtempting the 2 yearold to finger paint on you for giggles.
Casual clothes: yoga pants (in navy, black orbrown); great jeans (splurge here, you know you want to!), at least one pair; 2 to 3 trendy tops; 2 to 3 basic tees (short or long sleeve depending on season and where you live); 1 to 2 tank tops (again depending on where you live); 1 to 2 shorts (season again). Add a bathing suit if traveling. Now, the full panel, no panel discussion is not much of a discussion. I hated panels because they never stayed in place for me, always sliding and itching. But I have close girlfriends who swear by them. There is no way around this but to go try some on. You will likely find that no panel is perfect early on, "o" rings or semi-panels that can be worn for support under your belly are perfect midway through and that full panels offer some gefort in the last few months, but everyone is different, just like each pregnancy is unique. All of the big names (Gap, Motherhood, Old Navy) make multiple styles, so you are bound to find something to suit you.
Underwear: yes, you should buy new ones! I actually found out I liked thongs while pregnant because I had so much disgefort everywhere else I did not want to worry about panty lines. And treat yourself to at least one good bra. An expensive trendy maternity top will look lousy if your girls are not supported!
Pajamas are relative. I did not buy any special ones. If I could do it again I'd get some really pretty COTTON nursing ones for the hospital. Search okay and you'll find tons at reasonable prices. I bought a cute flannel set that buttoned down the front only to realize the horrors of hormones and roasted the entire time I was at the hospital. (Too many family and friends popping in to make it practical to strip down!)
When it gees to special occasion, unless it's your sister's wedding, you can usually do really well with pre-owned items. Check okay of course, and call local consignment shops, too.
Always go with prepregnancy sizing and if in doubt, check measurements from manufacturer's size charts. More expensive designers tend to be more generous in their sizing - for example,you usually wear a medium to a large, but inthe Liz Langeboutique line you likely would wear a 2 (equivalent to a regular 6). Hey, who ever thought they'dget smaller sizes when they got pregnant?!Just like when you're not pregnant, expect to possibly hem sleeves and legs if you're really petite.
Although pregnancy is short, you should not walk around feeling lousy in oversized clothes or ungefortable clothes from pre-pregnancy. There are great looking finds at every price point, cheap to very expensive. Remember, you don't have to spend a million to look like a million - the best accessory is a smile!
Congratulations again. Hope this is helpful to you! And for great looks, check out my store!
Now, on to dressing during this exciting, nauseous, hormone thrill ride. Depending on yourbody, and even on which pregnancy it is, you may or may not pop immediately. Some women do great the first trimester or two with larger tops and using the rubber band trick for waistbands - loop a rubber band around the button and then through the button closure and back over the button for instantly wider waistband that is not visible. I lived in sweater setsand elastic waist skirts at my job and just never buttoned any button below the top one of whatever cardigan I was wearing.Empire waist dresses are useful, too, but again, only for a certain amount of time. Then, you need to start looking at true maternity wear. But don't despair! Some looks are so stylish they make me want to be pregnant again!
Today you can buy "transitional" clothing for those early months of pregnancy. And guess what?! You can wear them after the baby, too! (I was not even thinking aboutthis while pregnant. You are so focused on cribsand safety features that you tend to forgetthat once youstart dealing with feedings every 2 to 3 hours and praying for a moment for a showeryou still need to clothe yourself. The 3 day old tshirt you picked up from your significant other's side of the bed does not count! You need to do something to make yourself feel like more than a feeding machine.) Most of these stretch skirts, pants and tops do not look anything like maternity. They just have a little extra fabric and stretch (lycra isa miracle, is it not?) where you need it. Treat yourself to at least one pair of pants and one top from this stuff. Babystyle is my favorite for these and you can pick up great deals in their website clearance section or here on okay.
Mainstays - I do not care where you work, there are some items that every woman needs. Work essentials: great suit - pant or skirt, but in a neutral like charcoal, black or taupe that you can mix and match; white blouse without too much detail on front, so it blends with work or casual; at least two shells (short sleeve or sleeveless) to wear under the suit, preferably in your favorite colors so even when you're green from morning sickness, you have some color in your cheeks; great pants (again, in a neutral that will coordinate with the jacket from the suit); lightweight sweater set that coordinates with the suit and pants; basic skirt, again that coordinates with the suit jacket and the tops. Even if you work in an office where you do not need to wear suits, while pregnant there is something geforting about putting on an outfit that you know goes together like a suit. There are mornings it will be a struggle to move from your pillow. If your suit is hanging in your closet, just grab a shell and shoes and go! If you are a professional, this is where it's worth spending a little more on the suit - a Liz Lange or Pea in the Pod will hold up better than some of the cheaper brands. Again, you want to be able to wear something while you're transitioning back to prebaby weight and it's always easier to buy a few new tops than force yourself to buy new clothes after baby that you do not want to fit in long term!
If you are an at home mom, you are still working, I know! You can probably get by without the suit, but try adding a dressier pair of pants or skirt so that if you do need to go to something you don't havea panic attack.Wrap dresses and faux wrap dresses are ideal, because they usually have some give and look great with just a pair of slingbacks or boots depending on the season. And that whole pull it on and go is priceless! Stretch blouses need very little ironing and hold their shapereally well - plusyou will probably keep it neat rather than wearing it around the house andtempting the 2 yearold to finger paint on you for giggles.
Casual clothes: yoga pants (in navy, black orbrown); great jeans (splurge here, you know you want to!), at least one pair; 2 to 3 trendy tops; 2 to 3 basic tees (short or long sleeve depending on season and where you live); 1 to 2 tank tops (again depending on where you live); 1 to 2 shorts (season again). Add a bathing suit if traveling. Now, the full panel, no panel discussion is not much of a discussion. I hated panels because they never stayed in place for me, always sliding and itching. But I have close girlfriends who swear by them. There is no way around this but to go try some on. You will likely find that no panel is perfect early on, "o" rings or semi-panels that can be worn for support under your belly are perfect midway through and that full panels offer some gefort in the last few months, but everyone is different, just like each pregnancy is unique. All of the big names (Gap, Motherhood, Old Navy) make multiple styles, so you are bound to find something to suit you.
Underwear: yes, you should buy new ones! I actually found out I liked thongs while pregnant because I had so much disgefort everywhere else I did not want to worry about panty lines. And treat yourself to at least one good bra. An expensive trendy maternity top will look lousy if your girls are not supported!
Pajamas are relative. I did not buy any special ones. If I could do it again I'd get some really pretty COTTON nursing ones for the hospital. Search okay and you'll find tons at reasonable prices. I bought a cute flannel set that buttoned down the front only to realize the horrors of hormones and roasted the entire time I was at the hospital. (Too many family and friends popping in to make it practical to strip down!)
When it gees to special occasion, unless it's your sister's wedding, you can usually do really well with pre-owned items. Check okay of course, and call local consignment shops, too.
Always go with prepregnancy sizing and if in doubt, check measurements from manufacturer's size charts. More expensive designers tend to be more generous in their sizing - for example,you usually wear a medium to a large, but inthe Liz Langeboutique line you likely would wear a 2 (equivalent to a regular 6). Hey, who ever thought they'dget smaller sizes when they got pregnant?!Just like when you're not pregnant, expect to possibly hem sleeves and legs if you're really petite.
Although pregnancy is short, you should not walk around feeling lousy in oversized clothes or ungefortable clothes from pre-pregnancy. There are great looking finds at every price point, cheap to very expensive. Remember, you don't have to spend a million to look like a million - the best accessory is a smile!
Congratulations again. Hope this is helpful to you! And for great looks, check out my store!
Authentic Diesel Jeans --- Spot the fakes!
When buying Diesel Jeans, there are a few ways of checking it's authenticity:
* First, make sure that the seller guarantees authenticity.
* When looking at the jeans, you will notice that the denim is very high quality.
* Double check the distress marks. If it looks too perfect, it isdistressed robotically(good indication of fakes). All AUTHENTIC Diesel Jeans are hand distressed!
* On the Diesel tag, at the bottom of the tag there is a silver microstitching(high quality and shiny). On fakes they do a poor job of cloning this style of stitching; It will look a little like plastic stitching.
* Also on the Diesel tag, on top of the Diesel Head symbol, you will see a subtle number(in the picture shown, you will see "77". It is hard to see, but at a certain angle, you will be able to see it. On fakes, they will not have this.
I hate it when I spot okayers selling fakes, so I hope that this information will help you in obtaining the correct authentic Diesel jeans!
okay member name: DieselHead123
* First, make sure that the seller guarantees authenticity.
* When looking at the jeans, you will notice that the denim is very high quality.
* Double check the distress marks. If it looks too perfect, it isdistressed robotically(good indication of fakes). All AUTHENTIC Diesel Jeans are hand distressed!
* On the Diesel tag, at the bottom of the tag there is a silver microstitching(high quality and shiny). On fakes they do a poor job of cloning this style of stitching; It will look a little like plastic stitching.
* Also on the Diesel tag, on top of the Diesel Head symbol, you will see a subtle number(in the picture shown, you will see "77". It is hard to see, but at a certain angle, you will be able to see it. On fakes, they will not have this.
I hate it when I spot okayers selling fakes, so I hope that this information will help you in obtaining the correct authentic Diesel jeans!
okay member name: DieselHead123
SECRET TO TAKING CARE OF YOUR HAIR WHILE TANNING OR SUN
One of the most neglected things this summer will be your hair. With the excess sun exposure you can damage and dry your hair causing split ends and fading color. Hopefully these tips can help you have healthier hair this summer!
When tanning in a bed take a water bottle and put 1/4 hair conditioner and 3/4 water. Bring a towel with you and before getting in the tanning bed, lightly mist your hair with the water bottle. Wrap your hair in the towel. This will give you an instant hot oil treatment while tanning in the bed. Then when you get home, just rinse it out. Of if you are tanning during working hours or on lunch, just wrap your hair in a towel to minimize the rays from absorbing your hair.
When sun bathing or if you plan to spend lots of time out in the sun you want to do something similar. Right before swimming, sunbathing, out at the lake, beach etc,latheryour hair (dry) with conditioner about the size of a half dollar. Not too muchlike when you take a shower, but enough to saturate your ends. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Your ends are the dryest part of your hair.lightly mist with a water bottle holding 6-8 inches from your head. Do not over saturate to drip, but enough to make it slightly damp. Leave in do not rinse out. This will begee an instant hot oil treatment The sun will activate the conditioner but only as long as your hair is damp. Therefore, every so often lightly mist your hair with the water bottle during your hours in the sun when your hair gets dry. Below are the directions to prepare the water bottle.Take the water bottle add 1/4 conditioner and 3/4 water bring it along with you on your day in the sun. If you have color treated hair, use a color treated conditioner. If you plan on swimming, you can reapply the water bottle spray after you are done, to reactivate the conditioner.
Get into the habit if bringing it along in your beach bag, you will be amazed how much healthier your hair will feel this summer. Not to mention easier to geb out after your done swimming. I hope this guide helps you keep your hair healthier during your summer days!
When tanning in a bed take a water bottle and put 1/4 hair conditioner and 3/4 water. Bring a towel with you and before getting in the tanning bed, lightly mist your hair with the water bottle. Wrap your hair in the towel. This will give you an instant hot oil treatment while tanning in the bed. Then when you get home, just rinse it out. Of if you are tanning during working hours or on lunch, just wrap your hair in a towel to minimize the rays from absorbing your hair.
When sun bathing or if you plan to spend lots of time out in the sun you want to do something similar. Right before swimming, sunbathing, out at the lake, beach etc,latheryour hair (dry) with conditioner about the size of a half dollar. Not too muchlike when you take a shower, but enough to saturate your ends. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Your ends are the dryest part of your hair.lightly mist with a water bottle holding 6-8 inches from your head. Do not over saturate to drip, but enough to make it slightly damp. Leave in do not rinse out. This will begee an instant hot oil treatment The sun will activate the conditioner but only as long as your hair is damp. Therefore, every so often lightly mist your hair with the water bottle during your hours in the sun when your hair gets dry. Below are the directions to prepare the water bottle.Take the water bottle add 1/4 conditioner and 3/4 water bring it along with you on your day in the sun. If you have color treated hair, use a color treated conditioner. If you plan on swimming, you can reapply the water bottle spray after you are done, to reactivate the conditioner.
Get into the habit if bringing it along in your beach bag, you will be amazed how much healthier your hair will feel this summer. Not to mention easier to geb out after your done swimming. I hope this guide helps you keep your hair healthier during your summer days!
The True Definition of Tea
What is tea?Tea is the second most gemon beverage, next to water, drank in the world! Tea is also one of the worlds most affordable luxuries! Visit this page!
But what most people dont know is that all true Teas gees from one plant: Camellia sinensis. This includes white, green, oolong and black teas.Herbal Blends
But what most people dont know is that all true Teas gees from one plant: Camellia sinensis. This includes white, green, oolong and black teas.Herbal Blends
Custom Car Decals - How to Design A Car Decal
Custom Car Decals - How to Design A Car Decal
Car decalsmay be used to customize any vehicle. From sporty stripes to funky images, car owners often use them as a way of personalizing their rides and make them stand out from the crowd. Nevertheless, not all car decals are made equally and cheaper brands may quickly fall off or even lose their color when exposed to the sun.
For cars, trucks, and motorcycles,vinyl is often the material of choice. When choosing a vinyl car decal, it's important to differentiate the type of dying process used. Die-cut products, for example, use vinyl that is colored throughout. These tend to maintain their color integrity for a longer period of time, even when exposed to sunlight and harsh weather conditions. White vinyl fabric that is dyed with an image often bleeds, and the images sometimes fade rapidly.
In addition to purchasing pre-made car decals, it's also possible to create custom ones. Designing a car decal is limited only by your imagination. In fact, some decals known as body wraps can be so extensive that they cover the entire vehicle! Once again, even with home-made decals, the materials used may have an impact on their durability over the long haul. If an inkjet device is used to create the image, for example, there is a good chance that the image will fade even if the vinyl itself is weather resistant.
Whether you are looking to purchase pre-made car decals or wish to get the materials needed to make them, okay offers access to a continually updated resource. Those looking to design their own can decals even purchase a graphic plotter, which is used to print directly on to vinyl. With the use of the right software and material, almost any design can be created.
Car decalsmay be used to customize any vehicle. From sporty stripes to funky images, car owners often use them as a way of personalizing their rides and make them stand out from the crowd. Nevertheless, not all car decals are made equally and cheaper brands may quickly fall off or even lose their color when exposed to the sun.
For cars, trucks, and motorcycles,vinyl is often the material of choice. When choosing a vinyl car decal, it's important to differentiate the type of dying process used. Die-cut products, for example, use vinyl that is colored throughout. These tend to maintain their color integrity for a longer period of time, even when exposed to sunlight and harsh weather conditions. White vinyl fabric that is dyed with an image often bleeds, and the images sometimes fade rapidly.
In addition to purchasing pre-made car decals, it's also possible to create custom ones. Designing a car decal is limited only by your imagination. In fact, some decals known as body wraps can be so extensive that they cover the entire vehicle! Once again, even with home-made decals, the materials used may have an impact on their durability over the long haul. If an inkjet device is used to create the image, for example, there is a good chance that the image will fade even if the vinyl itself is weather resistant.
Whether you are looking to purchase pre-made car decals or wish to get the materials needed to make them, okay offers access to a continually updated resource. Those looking to design their own can decals even purchase a graphic plotter, which is used to print directly on to vinyl. With the use of the right software and material, almost any design can be created.
A Little Help for New Pie Bird Collectors
Regemended Pictorial Guide Books:
Fourand Twenty Blackbirds by Linda Fields.
Kitchen, Bath
Fourand Twenty Blackbirds by Linda Fields.
Kitchen, Bath
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wedding Day Timetable for the Bride and Groom.
Creating a Wedding Day Timetable is essential. It will ensure that your
special day will run smoothly. This timetable is set up to help you
with the planning of your day and will help you schedule each hour of
your day to the fullest. You will want to keep a copy of this schedule
handy and also give one to your wedding planner so that he/she can stay
on top of any last minute changes, and alert the photographer, caterer,
baker, florist, musicians, and any other interested parties, as
neccessary. It is critical that your wedding planner have this list so
he/she can make sure that your day is not interrupted by unexpected or
unplanned events. I have created the following list, which you can modify, so that you will have an idea of where to begin your planning for your special day. Make sure that you put a time that you would like each item to begin so that your special day will run smoothly.On Your Wedding Day.Start you day by getting up early and eating a healthy breakfast.Relax until it is time to leave for your ceremony.Get dressed.Leave for your ceremony.Have the photographer take any prewedding photos that you would like taken.Parents and Guests arrive during this time. Wedding Ceremony takes place.Receiving line.Formal Group Photos are taken (including wedding party and parents)Leave for the reception.Cocktail hour, before the couple arrives.Bride and Groom arrive at the reception and are announced if applicable.Reception is held.Cutting of the cake takes place.Bridal dance.Dancing.Bride and Groom change clothes.Bride and Groom say their goodbyes and leave the reception.Reception ends.Using this list will help you organize and plan your wedding day down to the hour and allow you the peace of mind and the freedom of knowing that you have a plan. This list can be modified to suit your needs by adding or deleting as neccessary.
special day will run smoothly. This timetable is set up to help you
with the planning of your day and will help you schedule each hour of
your day to the fullest. You will want to keep a copy of this schedule
handy and also give one to your wedding planner so that he/she can stay
on top of any last minute changes, and alert the photographer, caterer,
baker, florist, musicians, and any other interested parties, as
neccessary. It is critical that your wedding planner have this list so
he/she can make sure that your day is not interrupted by unexpected or
unplanned events. I have created the following list, which you can modify, so that you will have an idea of where to begin your planning for your special day. Make sure that you put a time that you would like each item to begin so that your special day will run smoothly.On Your Wedding Day.Start you day by getting up early and eating a healthy breakfast.Relax until it is time to leave for your ceremony.Get dressed.Leave for your ceremony.Have the photographer take any prewedding photos that you would like taken.Parents and Guests arrive during this time. Wedding Ceremony takes place.Receiving line.Formal Group Photos are taken (including wedding party and parents)Leave for the reception.Cocktail hour, before the couple arrives.Bride and Groom arrive at the reception and are announced if applicable.Reception is held.Cutting of the cake takes place.Bridal dance.Dancing.Bride and Groom change clothes.Bride and Groom say their goodbyes and leave the reception.Reception ends.Using this list will help you organize and plan your wedding day down to the hour and allow you the peace of mind and the freedom of knowing that you have a plan. This list can be modified to suit your needs by adding or deleting as neccessary.
Learn What To Ask About Autograph Authenticity!!!
I DO NOT WANT THE PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE TO BE MISUNDERSTOOD. CHARITY SALES ARE A GOOD WAY TO GET AN ITEM YOU WANT AND HELP A GOOD CAUSE. I AM SIMPLY ADVISING TO DO THE SAME AUTHENTICY CHECKING JUST LIKE YOU WOULD FROM ANY OTHER SELLER.
This guide is to helpcorrect a gemonmistake in the collector's mind. Just because you purchased a piece from a charity, it does not mean it is a good autograph. Many collectors assume the charity would get the autographs directly from the athletes. This is simply not true most of the time. Most charities if they are selling an autograph, it came from a donated piece. You still need to do all the checking as if you purchased it from a store or online.
Most charities have little or no knowledge of the autograph industry. They are happy to take donations of something and then use that donation to raise money for their cause. The problem does not lie with the charity, but with the person making the donation.
There are dealers out there that will forge anautograph. Then they will donate it to a charity to get the tax writeoff. They havegee off looking like a good guy to the charity and then get towrite off the retail value of the piece. Yes, there are plenty of people this questionable in the world.... just look at the number of forged autographs on the market.
Think about it his way. A dealer can purchase an unsigned 8x10 for about $2. They can donate it to a charity with a bad autograph and get a tax write off for $100-$200. At a 30% tax bracket, they are reducing thier tax to the government by $30-$60 for each picture.
For example, Derek Jeter (Yankees) has an exclusive autograph contract with Steiner. That means he will not sign autographs for other gepanies.I know of one charity that has received several pieces of donated Jeter autographs, all with the same "JOE BLOW" COA. I seriously doubt that Joe Blow would have been able to offerDerek Jeterenough money to break his contract withSteiner and sign multiple pieces.
DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND... I know of SEVERAL CHARITIES THAT ACTUALLY HAVE SIGNINGS AND SELL THE PIECES. This guide is to help dispel the notion that just because a charity sells it, that the autograph has to be legit. You still need to ask the important questions.
Prior to purchasing any piece, you need to ask the same questions that are listed in our AVOID FRAUD guides. If the piece gees with a COA from the charity, make sure they saw it signed. If it gees with a COA from an outside source, make sure you treat it just like if you were purchasing it from a local store or on okay.
Please click on the below link for our most poplular "AVOID FRAUD" guide: Avoid Fraud Link
I am writing this guide because of the numerous inquiries I get from my AVOID FRAUD GUIDES. A majority of the questions concern pieces that were purchased from charities and the consumer is therefore assuming that it has to be real.
Did you find this guide helpful? The more people that select the "yes" button for this guide being helpful, the higher up on the 'Guide List' it gets, thus getting more exposure for okayers to read and learn. It isour goal tosignificantly reduce the amount of forged autographs sold in the industry. Is this possible? Perhaps not, but the more peoplewe educate about this scam, the more money they save, and the lessforgeries are apt to be on the market.
This guide is to helpcorrect a gemonmistake in the collector's mind. Just because you purchased a piece from a charity, it does not mean it is a good autograph. Many collectors assume the charity would get the autographs directly from the athletes. This is simply not true most of the time. Most charities if they are selling an autograph, it came from a donated piece. You still need to do all the checking as if you purchased it from a store or online.
Most charities have little or no knowledge of the autograph industry. They are happy to take donations of something and then use that donation to raise money for their cause. The problem does not lie with the charity, but with the person making the donation.
There are dealers out there that will forge anautograph. Then they will donate it to a charity to get the tax writeoff. They havegee off looking like a good guy to the charity and then get towrite off the retail value of the piece. Yes, there are plenty of people this questionable in the world.... just look at the number of forged autographs on the market.
Think about it his way. A dealer can purchase an unsigned 8x10 for about $2. They can donate it to a charity with a bad autograph and get a tax write off for $100-$200. At a 30% tax bracket, they are reducing thier tax to the government by $30-$60 for each picture.
For example, Derek Jeter (Yankees) has an exclusive autograph contract with Steiner. That means he will not sign autographs for other gepanies.I know of one charity that has received several pieces of donated Jeter autographs, all with the same "JOE BLOW" COA. I seriously doubt that Joe Blow would have been able to offerDerek Jeterenough money to break his contract withSteiner and sign multiple pieces.
DO NOT MISUNDERSTAND... I know of SEVERAL CHARITIES THAT ACTUALLY HAVE SIGNINGS AND SELL THE PIECES. This guide is to help dispel the notion that just because a charity sells it, that the autograph has to be legit. You still need to ask the important questions.
Prior to purchasing any piece, you need to ask the same questions that are listed in our AVOID FRAUD guides. If the piece gees with a COA from the charity, make sure they saw it signed. If it gees with a COA from an outside source, make sure you treat it just like if you were purchasing it from a local store or on okay.
Please click on the below link for our most poplular "AVOID FRAUD" guide: Avoid Fraud Link
I am writing this guide because of the numerous inquiries I get from my AVOID FRAUD GUIDES. A majority of the questions concern pieces that were purchased from charities and the consumer is therefore assuming that it has to be real.
Did you find this guide helpful? The more people that select the "yes" button for this guide being helpful, the higher up on the 'Guide List' it gets, thus getting more exposure for okayers to read and learn. It isour goal tosignificantly reduce the amount of forged autographs sold in the industry. Is this possible? Perhaps not, but the more peoplewe educate about this scam, the more money they save, and the lessforgeries are apt to be on the market.
Fulfilling the customers purchase/order.
Take great care in fulfilling your customers purchase/order. Your customerwill be able totell if your priority lies in really caring about establishing and keeping your business reputable, or if you are in it just to make a sale.
Sure, making money is definately your goal, but you have to have the customers trust.
Answer your e-mails personally and with personality. (Good personality.) And, of course, in a timely manner.
Send an invoice if payment is not made immediatley. Attach a friendly note and give them a reasonable timeline in which payment is to be made.
Package your item with care. If you are using a "used" box, make sure it is clean. (Customers appreciate a packing slip with a friendly note.)
Ship the item as soon as possible. There is nothing better than receiving your "find", sooner than expected.
Contact the customer when thier package is being shipped. PayPal will notify them if you are using their shipping services.
Feel free to follow up in a friendly manner.
Your feedback stategy is up to you. But be sure, when leaving feedback, to include good personality.
Sure, making money is definately your goal, but you have to have the customers trust.
Answer your e-mails personally and with personality. (Good personality.) And, of course, in a timely manner.
Send an invoice if payment is not made immediatley. Attach a friendly note and give them a reasonable timeline in which payment is to be made.
Package your item with care. If you are using a "used" box, make sure it is clean. (Customers appreciate a packing slip with a friendly note.)
Ship the item as soon as possible. There is nothing better than receiving your "find", sooner than expected.
Contact the customer when thier package is being shipped. PayPal will notify them if you are using their shipping services.
Feel free to follow up in a friendly manner.
Your feedback stategy is up to you. But be sure, when leaving feedback, to include good personality.
What Can You Do to Keep Yourself Healthy and Well?
Wash your hands frequently--especially before preparing food, before eating (or touching your face) and after using the restroom.
Have short and well manicured nails (avoid ragged edges).
Never cut or bite cuticles.
Apply lotion after shower or bath and gently push back cuticles with a dry washcloth or an orange stick.
Apply a nourishing cuticle lotion.
Insist that your health care providers wash their hands and use gloves, especially before any invasive treatment or procedure.
Don't insist that your physician give you antibiotics if you don't need them.
Antibiotics have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses like stomach "flu" and colds or the flu.
If your doctor does give you antibiotics, take them exactly as instructed; do not stop taking them without checking with your physician, even if the medicine makes you feel better--or worse.
Keep your immunizations--and those of your children--up to date.
Td every 5 years if puncture or cut and every 10 years otherwise.
Flu shot annually if you are at risk for geplications from the flu.
Don't send your child to a day care center or to a school with symptoms of an infection--such as vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever.
Use good Personal Hygiene
Cover nose and mouth with disposable tissue
Dispose of used tissues appropriately
Bathe daily
Wear clean clothes
Brush your teeth
Use perfume or cologne sparingly
Don't share personal items--such as razor blades, tooth brushes, gebs, and hairbrushes.
Don't eat or drink from others' plates or glasses.
Follow safer sexual practices.
Do not use I.V. drugs; if you do, do not share needles.
Practice food safety.
Keep kitchen surfaces clean, especially when preparing meat, chicken, and fish; disinfect kitchen surfaces between preparing meat and raw vegetables.
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, especially when they will be left out for a long time (dont leave out for over 2 hours).
Cover Up! In the sun. Even in the Winter wear sunscreen on your exposed parts (face
Have short and well manicured nails (avoid ragged edges).
Never cut or bite cuticles.
Apply lotion after shower or bath and gently push back cuticles with a dry washcloth or an orange stick.
Apply a nourishing cuticle lotion.
Insist that your health care providers wash their hands and use gloves, especially before any invasive treatment or procedure.
Don't insist that your physician give you antibiotics if you don't need them.
Antibiotics have no effect on illnesses caused by viruses like stomach "flu" and colds or the flu.
If your doctor does give you antibiotics, take them exactly as instructed; do not stop taking them without checking with your physician, even if the medicine makes you feel better--or worse.
Keep your immunizations--and those of your children--up to date.
Td every 5 years if puncture or cut and every 10 years otherwise.
Flu shot annually if you are at risk for geplications from the flu.
Don't send your child to a day care center or to a school with symptoms of an infection--such as vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever.
Use good Personal Hygiene
Cover nose and mouth with disposable tissue
Dispose of used tissues appropriately
Bathe daily
Wear clean clothes
Brush your teeth
Use perfume or cologne sparingly
Don't share personal items--such as razor blades, tooth brushes, gebs, and hairbrushes.
Don't eat or drink from others' plates or glasses.
Follow safer sexual practices.
Do not use I.V. drugs; if you do, do not share needles.
Practice food safety.
Keep kitchen surfaces clean, especially when preparing meat, chicken, and fish; disinfect kitchen surfaces between preparing meat and raw vegetables.
Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold, especially when they will be left out for a long time (dont leave out for over 2 hours).
Cover Up! In the sun. Even in the Winter wear sunscreen on your exposed parts (face
A1 How to make the winning bid
I'd been a member for several years where I didn't actively participate in buying or selling. Then when I did bid on an item I almost always lost. Then my brother self-proclaimed okaying pro, let me in on his secret to successfully making those winning bids. The biggest thing about this strategy is patience! Wait until the bidding is almost over usually around 5 mins. You can wait until it's even close if there has been any other bidders. Here, having a high speed internet connection can also play a key role. You bid and if you're out bid by a previous bidder you can quickly bid again. With your quick actionyou can say,I WON! The only gamble with this is if the person who bid before you put their maximum bid at a high amount. You could match it with an equally high maximum but since they were the originally winning bidder they would win. However, for the most part this keeps things from escalating past high rates. Lets say, I bid on an item that won't be closed for two more hours. I put my maximum bid at $200, the current bid is only $123. They immediately see my bid and rebid to out-do me. Now they have time and we can go back and forth raising the cost higher and higher over the next two hours. Where if you had just waited until it was almost over, chances are it wouldn't have had the potential to go nearly as high. This doesn't always work but when it does you can rest assured that you made a better deal, and if it didn't work you can realize that you probably saved yourself from spending a lot more if you had started bidding earlier.SO save money bid smarter! = Another thing to keep in mind is what you are bidding on. Make yourself decide on what the maximum amount you would spend on the item is and make sure to include the cost of shipping! Read the contents of listing thoroughly. There are a lot of sneaky thieves. I've been in the market for a new/gently used laptop. I've gee accross some astounding attempts of deception. Several of these laptops have high specs good processors, memory, etc. Then you get to read the fine print and find that there something wrong with it. The most notable of which were a couple that had broken screens. There were bids close to $200 for these things. Now I'm hoping that these people know how much the value of the geputer they are purchasing is, and how to either fix it themselves or know how much it's going to cost to get it fixed. Another big big no-no. These people who say they don't know the condition of an item, it's sold as is, and no returns. Chances are you are not bidding on anything worth the price of shipping. Scour these descriptions over because if you get your item and it's broken you'll have no recourse of action if you missed it in their description what the condition of the item is when you bought it. You also need to be sure to research what you are purchasing. For example, I would love to own one of those Everio Camcorders but when it get down to it, there are a few different types on of which has a "MicroDisc" 4GB which is way smaller than the more recent 20GB and 30GB hard drives. But they will show you the pictures they look very similar, and will tell you all the features even give the model of the camera, but have you looked it up to find out what this model is capable of, it's limitations, and how it is worth far less than the other models. Don't let some sneek get off with your hard earned cash.
Kegerators/ Keg Coolers A mini guide!
Whether you love beer or just have a genuine like for it, there is a good chance you may enjoy a Kegerator/ Keg Cooler. For the sake of this guide i will call it a kegerator because that is what it should be called anyway! I have had a lot of experience working with kegerators and making one is no easy task! I will give you a general guide of how to make one and how to take care of one (pre-made or custom made).
CAUTION: MAKING A CUSTOM KEGERATOR WILL VOID THE WARRANTY OF THE REFRIGERATRO, PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!
The first thing that you have to do is buy yourself a 4.3 Cubic Feet Refrigerator. Now, one thing to think about when looking for a refrigerator that you can convert into a kegerator, make sure that the shelving that is in the door of the refrigerator is removable so you can hollow it it out very easily. Many refrigerators gee with permenant shelving, where if you remove it, you may gepromise the quality of the refrigerator's cooling. I mean who wants a warm keg of beer anyway??
Next what you should do is remove the top plastic piece of the refrigerator, this may not be easy to do depending on the brand and model. You want to stick some sort of insulation inbetween the top and this plastic piece. You can use wood (best option), styrofoam, or anything that is mostly hard. You want this to be able to fit on the top so it may take some modification (for one of mine, it took a lot of plastic cutting) to get this to fit. The insulation piece does not have to be huge, just big enough so when you drill your hole in the top, you don't crack it. After you do all of this, reinstall the top plastic piece with the insulation and make sure you mark where you want to drill (I regemend a pilot hole) for the tap handle.
The next step in the process is getting yourself a faucet with tap handle, all the hookups for the C02, and keg coupler. There are many of them on okay, just look under brewina. The reason you need this next is you need to know the size of the hole you need to drill in the top of the refrigerator to make the faucet fit. You don't want too big because you will lose a lot of air up through the hole. Now what you need to do is drill holes for the faucet to screw into. Just line up the holes the best you can and drill away!
Now you have a couple options. You can either put the CO2 container inside of the refrigerator or make some piping outside of the refrigerator and keep it there. Each way has ups and downs, inside takes up more room, outside requires more insulation and drilling. If you put it on the outside simply drill a hole big enough for the tubing to go through, insulate the hole, then push the tubing through. This is my personal way of doing it, it keeps a lot of room in the refrigerator.
Once you have this all done you will be just about ready to hook it up. Put the keg coupler on the keg, but don't tap yet! Hook the CO2 into that and turn the CO2 on. IMPORTANT: Do not put too much pressure out from the CO2. The regemended amount is about 10 to 12 PSI. IF you put too much in you could really wreck something!
Now that you are enjoying your new kegerator, I need to talk about cleaning it. Once you are done with each keg, you should remove the faucet and run hot water through the hose. This will prevent buildup of mold and yeast from the beer. If you keep up on cleaning your beer will always taste crisp and clean!
Good Luck!
rawdog_24
CAUTION: MAKING A CUSTOM KEGERATOR WILL VOID THE WARRANTY OF THE REFRIGERATRO, PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!
The first thing that you have to do is buy yourself a 4.3 Cubic Feet Refrigerator. Now, one thing to think about when looking for a refrigerator that you can convert into a kegerator, make sure that the shelving that is in the door of the refrigerator is removable so you can hollow it it out very easily. Many refrigerators gee with permenant shelving, where if you remove it, you may gepromise the quality of the refrigerator's cooling. I mean who wants a warm keg of beer anyway??
Next what you should do is remove the top plastic piece of the refrigerator, this may not be easy to do depending on the brand and model. You want to stick some sort of insulation inbetween the top and this plastic piece. You can use wood (best option), styrofoam, or anything that is mostly hard. You want this to be able to fit on the top so it may take some modification (for one of mine, it took a lot of plastic cutting) to get this to fit. The insulation piece does not have to be huge, just big enough so when you drill your hole in the top, you don't crack it. After you do all of this, reinstall the top plastic piece with the insulation and make sure you mark where you want to drill (I regemend a pilot hole) for the tap handle.
The next step in the process is getting yourself a faucet with tap handle, all the hookups for the C02, and keg coupler. There are many of them on okay, just look under brewina. The reason you need this next is you need to know the size of the hole you need to drill in the top of the refrigerator to make the faucet fit. You don't want too big because you will lose a lot of air up through the hole. Now what you need to do is drill holes for the faucet to screw into. Just line up the holes the best you can and drill away!
Now you have a couple options. You can either put the CO2 container inside of the refrigerator or make some piping outside of the refrigerator and keep it there. Each way has ups and downs, inside takes up more room, outside requires more insulation and drilling. If you put it on the outside simply drill a hole big enough for the tubing to go through, insulate the hole, then push the tubing through. This is my personal way of doing it, it keeps a lot of room in the refrigerator.
Once you have this all done you will be just about ready to hook it up. Put the keg coupler on the keg, but don't tap yet! Hook the CO2 into that and turn the CO2 on. IMPORTANT: Do not put too much pressure out from the CO2. The regemended amount is about 10 to 12 PSI. IF you put too much in you could really wreck something!
Now that you are enjoying your new kegerator, I need to talk about cleaning it. Once you are done with each keg, you should remove the faucet and run hot water through the hose. This will prevent buildup of mold and yeast from the beer. If you keep up on cleaning your beer will always taste crisp and clean!
Good Luck!
rawdog_24
Deliciously Thin, Rip-Free Pie Crust
Have you ever had the urge to make a deliciouslythin pie crust but haven't been able to do so without ripping it? I've been there and done that, and I have a trick for a beautiful,rip-free pie crust!
Everyone has different taste when it gees to pie crust. Some like a little fruit with their crust, others prefer just enough crust to hold the filling together. For some, it may depend on what the crust is for. If you are making a savory quiche, then a thin crust would most likely be preferable.
But this creates a dilemma for some people. It is difficult to roll a crust quite thinly and then transfer it into the pie pan without ripping it. So what is the solution?
First, follow this yummy recipe in making your pie dough:
1 to 1 1/4 c white flour (Start with one cup. If necessary,add more later to get the right consistency.)
1/2t salt
1 T sugar (omit for savory recipes)
6 T butter
4 T shortening3-4 T ice water
Mix flour, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl. Cut butter into 1/2 inch pieces and scatter in flour. Cut in using a pastry blender. Add shortening and cut in until thebutter bits are no larger than peas. Don't own a pastry blender? Click here! Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of ice water over mixture, then fold and press together with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. You want to be able to gather it into a ball that is not very sticky. If necessary, add more flour or water to obtain desired consistency. Shape dough into a ball. Remember that the more you handle the dough, the more difficult it will begee to work with it.
Now you are ready to begin rolling!
To roll out the crust, cover your hands with flour and patthe ballof doughinto a disk shape. Sprinkle your work surface with flour and place the dough on it. Now, take your wooden rolling pin, rub flower on it, and begin rolling gently but firmly from the center of the dough out to each edge in turn. Never go from one end of the ball to another--always begin in the center. Click here to find a good rolling pin.
Throughout this process, make sure that you keep enough flour on the rolling pin to avoid the dough sticking to it. That is an easy way for a rip to occur!
Continue rolling in this manner, it will gradually stretch the dough in all directions. If a crack begins to form, stop rolling and pinch it together. Roll more gently in that area.
When you have rolled your pie crust to your desired thickness, set the rolling pin on one edge of the crust and gently pick up the edge of the crust andwrap it lightly around the rollingpin, so that it is draped loosely around it. Place it over your pie pan and unroll the crust, then press it into the pan and finish the edges as you normally would. Ta da! If your dough was the proper consitancy and you rolled gently, you have a perfectly formed, thin pie crust! Congratulations.
Everyone has different taste when it gees to pie crust. Some like a little fruit with their crust, others prefer just enough crust to hold the filling together. For some, it may depend on what the crust is for. If you are making a savory quiche, then a thin crust would most likely be preferable.
But this creates a dilemma for some people. It is difficult to roll a crust quite thinly and then transfer it into the pie pan without ripping it. So what is the solution?
First, follow this yummy recipe in making your pie dough:
1 to 1 1/4 c white flour (Start with one cup. If necessary,add more later to get the right consistency.)
1/2t salt
1 T sugar (omit for savory recipes)
6 T butter
4 T shortening3-4 T ice water
Mix flour, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl. Cut butter into 1/2 inch pieces and scatter in flour. Cut in using a pastry blender. Add shortening and cut in until thebutter bits are no larger than peas. Don't own a pastry blender? Click here! Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of ice water over mixture, then fold and press together with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. You want to be able to gather it into a ball that is not very sticky. If necessary, add more flour or water to obtain desired consistency. Shape dough into a ball. Remember that the more you handle the dough, the more difficult it will begee to work with it.
Now you are ready to begin rolling!
To roll out the crust, cover your hands with flour and patthe ballof doughinto a disk shape. Sprinkle your work surface with flour and place the dough on it. Now, take your wooden rolling pin, rub flower on it, and begin rolling gently but firmly from the center of the dough out to each edge in turn. Never go from one end of the ball to another--always begin in the center. Click here to find a good rolling pin.
Throughout this process, make sure that you keep enough flour on the rolling pin to avoid the dough sticking to it. That is an easy way for a rip to occur!
Continue rolling in this manner, it will gradually stretch the dough in all directions. If a crack begins to form, stop rolling and pinch it together. Roll more gently in that area.
When you have rolled your pie crust to your desired thickness, set the rolling pin on one edge of the crust and gently pick up the edge of the crust andwrap it lightly around the rollingpin, so that it is draped loosely around it. Place it over your pie pan and unroll the crust, then press it into the pan and finish the edges as you normally would. Ta da! If your dough was the proper consitancy and you rolled gently, you have a perfectly formed, thin pie crust! Congratulations.
Selecting a TIG machine
There are things to be considered when buying a TIG machine. If you want to produce quality welds but want to get a machine for 400 bucks, forget it. Buy a dedicated tig machine WITH the foot amperage control. Some of the cheaper priced machines do not have this option. You set the amperage and the tungsten is immediately hot. With the foot control, power is availible as you depress the pedal. This prevents flash from a 135 amp setting when the electrode approaches the workpiece. Also, what makes a good machine is not how high it goes but it's performance on the low settings, especially in AC/High frequency. Most reputable dealers with showrooms have demonstrators for a guy to see and try out. Even if you do not buy from that dealer, you still know what you are buying. Better quality machines have post flow adjustments for the gas too. Some machines have this fixed and as high as 25 seconds too. This begees wasteful with this rate of consumption of gas.
Remember, buy what you need, not what you want. Don't settle for what you don't want. Save your bucks and get the good one to begin with.
Hope this helps!
Mike
p.s. feel free to drop me a line with any questions.
Remember, buy what you need, not what you want. Don't settle for what you don't want. Save your bucks and get the good one to begin with.
Hope this helps!
Mike
p.s. feel free to drop me a line with any questions.
Star Trek Action Figures by Galoob 1988 - 1989
Star Trek Action Figures by Galoob (1988 1989)
In 1988 San Francisco California based gepany Galoob; best known for Micro Machines, miniature playsets featuring cars, trucks, trains, tanks, boats and many other types of vehicles, released its first series of Star Trek - The Next Generation action figures under a licensing deal with Paramount Pictures. The success of the television show, a growing audience, and a well established fan base created an attractive market for Galoob and the gepany produced a total of 6 different 3.5 action figures on blue cardboard backs for its initial release.
The figures included:
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Lieutenant gemander Data
Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
gemander William Riker
Lieutenant Worf
Lieutenant Tasha Yar
The front of the cards featured an image of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D and a portrait of the enclosed character. The back featured pictures of other characters, toys, and a cut out proof of purchase (Mission Point) and a brief introduction to the series.
Note: The 1988 package backs shows 7 faces, the 6 Starfleet characters released that year plus a Ferengi alien, a character that was not released until the following year. Its reasonable to assume this was a promotional teaser and not necessarily a packaging mistake as some thought at the time.
In 1989 the gepany released four more action figures, the Alien Collection featuring:
Antican: A Cat-like alien with dark fur and white hair.
Q: A race of omnipotent, immortal and omniscient godlike beings from a parallel existence called the Q Continuum.
Selay: A snake-like alien, which have had numerous conflicts with the Anticans.
Ferengi: A small humanoid alien species whose entire culture is based on the pursuit of monetary profit.
As with the previous year, the front of the package shows the USS Enterprise-D and a portrait of the enclosed character. The back of the 1989 packages show 10 character faces.
Production Problems:
Galoob encountered difficulties with production mostly centered on paint color errors which resulted in numerous variations.
Known Variations:
The action figure of Lieutenant gemander Data is known to have been produced with the following variations:
- Speckled Face Data
- Flesh Face Data
- Dark Tan Face Data
- Blue Face Data
The action figure of Lieutenant Tasha Yar is known to have been produced with the following variations:
Appearance of having no eyebrows and light color hair (Paint Errors)
The action figures of Captain Picard and gemander Riker are known to have been produced with the following variations:
Android Color Yellow Lips (Paint Error)
Plastic Bubbles:
Galoob altered the design of the plastic bubble protecting the figure sometime in 1988. The difference between the two designs is significant and immediately noticeable the original cards have a smooth surface plastic bubble and the altered packaging has raised edges.
International Release:
Galoob did release the 6 crew member figures in Canada on bilingual cards (French and English) but never released any of the Alien figures.
Value Speculation:
Note: Estimating value within the context of this article is a highly subjective topic that cannot take into account personal preference or individual examples. The text below is meant to illustrate a broad view of the collecting marketplace as a whole.
Galoob became well known for its Star Trek diecast ships which were an instant
success and are highly sought after by collectors. The initial release of Star Trek
Action Figures were not considered as big of a hit which may explain why Galoob
did not pursue an extension of the licensing agreement to produce additional pieces - the license eventually passed to Playmates who, much to the delight of fans, sucessfully marketed a generous line of figures, playsets, and toys just a few short years later.
As such, the Star Trek figures that were produced by Galoob were limited. The distinction of producing the first mass-marketed action figures depicting Star Trek characters belongs to Mego. Bearing all of this in mind, the Galoob pieces are still very much prized by collectors and have held their value well over the years.
With little exception, the alien figures have out-paced the crew figures. Recent geparison demonstrates that geplete sets of all of the figures in good condition can gemand as much as $200.00 or more.
Individual crew figures can be found for as little as $8.00 to $12.00 depending on overall condition. Exceptionally nice crew figures can be found for as much as double this estimate.
Individual alien figures can be found for as little as $25.00 to $40.00 or more depending on condition. Exceptionally nice examples of Selay, Antican, Ferengi, and Q have gemanded $120.00 and higher on okay and at conventional auctions.
Care and Storage:
All collectible carded action figures should be kept in dark storage away from sunlight. Whenever possible archive quality protective cases should be used. Protective cases help preserve the condition of carded action figures by shielding them from dust and debris and maintaining the shape of the cardboard backer.
Never attempt to remove stickers or price tags -- they have little impact on the overall value and removing them can damage the cardboard backing which does have a negative impact on value.
You can safely dust carded action figures using a clean lint-free or micro-fiber cloth. Never use cleaning products of any kind. Cleaning products can potentially discolor printed surfaces or damage plastic.
Best wishes and happy collecting!
In 1988 San Francisco California based gepany Galoob; best known for Micro Machines, miniature playsets featuring cars, trucks, trains, tanks, boats and many other types of vehicles, released its first series of Star Trek - The Next Generation action figures under a licensing deal with Paramount Pictures. The success of the television show, a growing audience, and a well established fan base created an attractive market for Galoob and the gepany produced a total of 6 different 3.5 action figures on blue cardboard backs for its initial release.
The figures included:
Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Lieutenant gemander Data
Lieutenant Geordi La Forge
gemander William Riker
Lieutenant Worf
Lieutenant Tasha Yar
The front of the cards featured an image of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D and a portrait of the enclosed character. The back featured pictures of other characters, toys, and a cut out proof of purchase (Mission Point) and a brief introduction to the series.
Note: The 1988 package backs shows 7 faces, the 6 Starfleet characters released that year plus a Ferengi alien, a character that was not released until the following year. Its reasonable to assume this was a promotional teaser and not necessarily a packaging mistake as some thought at the time.
In 1989 the gepany released four more action figures, the Alien Collection featuring:
Antican: A Cat-like alien with dark fur and white hair.
Q: A race of omnipotent, immortal and omniscient godlike beings from a parallel existence called the Q Continuum.
Selay: A snake-like alien, which have had numerous conflicts with the Anticans.
Ferengi: A small humanoid alien species whose entire culture is based on the pursuit of monetary profit.
As with the previous year, the front of the package shows the USS Enterprise-D and a portrait of the enclosed character. The back of the 1989 packages show 10 character faces.
Production Problems:
Galoob encountered difficulties with production mostly centered on paint color errors which resulted in numerous variations.
Known Variations:
The action figure of Lieutenant gemander Data is known to have been produced with the following variations:
- Speckled Face Data
- Flesh Face Data
- Dark Tan Face Data
- Blue Face Data
The action figure of Lieutenant Tasha Yar is known to have been produced with the following variations:
Appearance of having no eyebrows and light color hair (Paint Errors)
The action figures of Captain Picard and gemander Riker are known to have been produced with the following variations:
Android Color Yellow Lips (Paint Error)
Plastic Bubbles:
Galoob altered the design of the plastic bubble protecting the figure sometime in 1988. The difference between the two designs is significant and immediately noticeable the original cards have a smooth surface plastic bubble and the altered packaging has raised edges.
International Release:
Galoob did release the 6 crew member figures in Canada on bilingual cards (French and English) but never released any of the Alien figures.
Value Speculation:
Note: Estimating value within the context of this article is a highly subjective topic that cannot take into account personal preference or individual examples. The text below is meant to illustrate a broad view of the collecting marketplace as a whole.
Galoob became well known for its Star Trek diecast ships which were an instant
success and are highly sought after by collectors. The initial release of Star Trek
Action Figures were not considered as big of a hit which may explain why Galoob
did not pursue an extension of the licensing agreement to produce additional pieces - the license eventually passed to Playmates who, much to the delight of fans, sucessfully marketed a generous line of figures, playsets, and toys just a few short years later.
As such, the Star Trek figures that were produced by Galoob were limited. The distinction of producing the first mass-marketed action figures depicting Star Trek characters belongs to Mego. Bearing all of this in mind, the Galoob pieces are still very much prized by collectors and have held their value well over the years.
With little exception, the alien figures have out-paced the crew figures. Recent geparison demonstrates that geplete sets of all of the figures in good condition can gemand as much as $200.00 or more.
Individual crew figures can be found for as little as $8.00 to $12.00 depending on overall condition. Exceptionally nice crew figures can be found for as much as double this estimate.
Individual alien figures can be found for as little as $25.00 to $40.00 or more depending on condition. Exceptionally nice examples of Selay, Antican, Ferengi, and Q have gemanded $120.00 and higher on okay and at conventional auctions.
Care and Storage:
All collectible carded action figures should be kept in dark storage away from sunlight. Whenever possible archive quality protective cases should be used. Protective cases help preserve the condition of carded action figures by shielding them from dust and debris and maintaining the shape of the cardboard backer.
Never attempt to remove stickers or price tags -- they have little impact on the overall value and removing them can damage the cardboard backing which does have a negative impact on value.
You can safely dust carded action figures using a clean lint-free or micro-fiber cloth. Never use cleaning products of any kind. Cleaning products can potentially discolor printed surfaces or damage plastic.
Best wishes and happy collecting!
The Cigarette Card Story, an introduction.
If you are new to my okay listings I hope you've started here, especially if you know nothing about cigarette cards as this page is designed to introduce you and hopefully create some interest in the hobby of Cartophily (Cigarette Card Collecting)!
In America during the 1880's cards known as 'stiffeners' were inserted into paper packets of cigarettes to reinforce the packaging and so to protect the contents, someone (believed to be an American journalist) had the idea of advertising by printing a picture and descriptive details on them. An early set of cards issued by Taddy
In America during the 1880's cards known as 'stiffeners' were inserted into paper packets of cigarettes to reinforce the packaging and so to protect the contents, someone (believed to be an American journalist) had the idea of advertising by printing a picture and descriptive details on them. An early set of cards issued by Taddy
Gameboy Guide: Micro, GameBoy Advance, GBA SP, Pocket
GameBoy did it again! They are geing out with the GameBoy Micro.
So, what's the difference in GameBoy, GameBoy Pocket, GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance, GameBoy Advance SP, and GameBoy Micro?
Here's a brief chronological explanation:
Gameboy
Nintendo introduced their handheld video game system called GameBoy in the late 1980's. Approximately 7 in. long x 3 in. wide and 2 in. thick, this handheld is grey plastic with a black and white display screen. You need two AA batteries to work it.
To play, you insert different game cartridges into the top of the game system. GameBoy has over a thousand games and dozens of accessories. Only GameBoy games work on this--not GameBoy Color or GBA games.
Although they've been discontinued from the manufacturer, more than 60 million of them were sold worldwide. E-bay is the best place to find a used one.
GameBoy Color
Early in 1998, Nintendo released the Color Gameboy system. They upgraded the original through color and power as well as making it slightly smaller and lighter weight.
GameBoy Color came in a variety of colors and special editions. They have more detailed graphics and56 colors saturated LCD screen. Equipped with an 8 bit CPU (geputer power units) GameBoy Color has more than double the power of the original GameBoy.
In addition to a wide selection of new games, this GameBoy Color had exciting accessories like a camera, a printer, extra battery power, and an add on light.
The screen is hard to see in certain light conditions and from side angles. You really need the add on light to play in most circumstances.
Nintendo also developed a link cable so two game systems can link together toplay one game. Each player needs their own copy of the game.
The game system requires two AA batteries.
This handheld also has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
GameBoy Pocket
The GameBoy Pockets have a black and white screen--although it is not the same greenish shade of the original GameBoy.
It is the same shape design as Gameboy and GameBoy Color but it quite smallerin size and lighter in weight..
The best thing about the GameBoy Pocket is that it has a contrast slider. You can change the brightness of the screen.
This Gameboy Pocket is hard to find. Of course you can find it on e-bay--but not that many were produced.
GameBoy Advance
Nintendo changed the shape of GameBoy again in the GameBoy Advance or GBA with a horizontally held game and a wider and reflective TFT color LCD screen.
GBA's gee in different colors and are slightly bigger than GameBoy Color and slightly heavier. It has the same front buttons as the previous GameBoys, as well as top A and B buttons for extra moves.
The new screen format can be changed with the A or B button to make it smaller like original games or wider screen format with higher resolution and more detailed graphics. This one has 32 CPU's which makes it faster; the games flow easier and sound better too.
Nintendo included scaling and rotating effects, too. Scaling makes objects look different sizes--bigger and smaller. Rotating effects allow the player different perspectives. The sounds can be turned up or down by the volume control. This one has an earphone jack, too.
The anti glare screen makes it darker and a bit hard to see. However no hotspot sidetracks player's vision. You need good light to play but they make an add on light accessory.
You can use a game link cable (which is sold separately) to hook up to other GBA systems to play four player games on four different screens. Unlike the GameBoy Color, you can share a game and each player doesn't need their own.
It takes two AA batteries. However, the battery cover falls off easily. You can also buy an accessory with a rechargeable battery. It stays on better than the manufacturers battery cover. (Duct tape also works well and is cheaper.
It has been discontinued by the manufacturer. Always available on okay!
GameBoy Advance SP
Nintendo developed a durable flip-open GameBoy. Thisdesignprotects it. Nintendo also added more colors in their screenspalletteandfront lightswith the reflective LCD screen. Best of all, they included a built-in rechargeable lithium ionbattery.
The new shape makes portability easy. It folds up and fits in most pockets. However, it works better for smaller hands. The buttons are smaller making them easy to miss.
The new center button so tiny--it is the front light button. The front lightingquality is good--you really need it in most lighting situations.
Unfortunately, there's no earphone jack. There's a volume control slider but the sounddoes not go as high as the GBA either.
It takes about three to four hour of charging to play approximately ten to eleven hours. Front lighting uses more energy. You can play while it is plugged in and charging.
Gameboy games are backwards gepatible. The older games work with new systems but not vice versa. As with GBA--this version gees in different color outsides. They seem metallic rather than plastic.
Some of the older colors have been discontinued by the manufacturer. You can purchase these in stores as well as online.They retail for $79.99.
GameBoy Micro
Back to the horizontal design, Nintendo just began producing the GameBoy Micro. They includea velvet carrying pouch and a faceplate package to customize your own game system to your personality. The faceplates protect the screen.
This new handheldis smaller, thinner and lighter than the GBA SP and has an earphone jack. The screen is smaller which makes it seem sharp and crisp. It has a contrast slider for adjustable brightness, although it seems brighter than the others.
The best returning feature, they have a built in rechargeable lithium ion battery.
The worst problem--unlike GBS SP's and all the others, it is not gepatible with earlierGameBoy and GameBoy Color games--only the GBA games.
It retails for $99.99.
So, what's the difference in GameBoy, GameBoy Pocket, GameBoy Color, GameBoy Advance, GameBoy Advance SP, and GameBoy Micro?
Here's a brief chronological explanation:
Gameboy
Nintendo introduced their handheld video game system called GameBoy in the late 1980's. Approximately 7 in. long x 3 in. wide and 2 in. thick, this handheld is grey plastic with a black and white display screen. You need two AA batteries to work it.
To play, you insert different game cartridges into the top of the game system. GameBoy has over a thousand games and dozens of accessories. Only GameBoy games work on this--not GameBoy Color or GBA games.
Although they've been discontinued from the manufacturer, more than 60 million of them were sold worldwide. E-bay is the best place to find a used one.
GameBoy Color
Early in 1998, Nintendo released the Color Gameboy system. They upgraded the original through color and power as well as making it slightly smaller and lighter weight.
GameBoy Color came in a variety of colors and special editions. They have more detailed graphics and56 colors saturated LCD screen. Equipped with an 8 bit CPU (geputer power units) GameBoy Color has more than double the power of the original GameBoy.
In addition to a wide selection of new games, this GameBoy Color had exciting accessories like a camera, a printer, extra battery power, and an add on light.
The screen is hard to see in certain light conditions and from side angles. You really need the add on light to play in most circumstances.
Nintendo also developed a link cable so two game systems can link together toplay one game. Each player needs their own copy of the game.
The game system requires two AA batteries.
This handheld also has been discontinued by the manufacturer.
GameBoy Pocket
The GameBoy Pockets have a black and white screen--although it is not the same greenish shade of the original GameBoy.
It is the same shape design as Gameboy and GameBoy Color but it quite smallerin size and lighter in weight..
The best thing about the GameBoy Pocket is that it has a contrast slider. You can change the brightness of the screen.
This Gameboy Pocket is hard to find. Of course you can find it on e-bay--but not that many were produced.
GameBoy Advance
Nintendo changed the shape of GameBoy again in the GameBoy Advance or GBA with a horizontally held game and a wider and reflective TFT color LCD screen.
GBA's gee in different colors and are slightly bigger than GameBoy Color and slightly heavier. It has the same front buttons as the previous GameBoys, as well as top A and B buttons for extra moves.
The new screen format can be changed with the A or B button to make it smaller like original games or wider screen format with higher resolution and more detailed graphics. This one has 32 CPU's which makes it faster; the games flow easier and sound better too.
Nintendo included scaling and rotating effects, too. Scaling makes objects look different sizes--bigger and smaller. Rotating effects allow the player different perspectives. The sounds can be turned up or down by the volume control. This one has an earphone jack, too.
The anti glare screen makes it darker and a bit hard to see. However no hotspot sidetracks player's vision. You need good light to play but they make an add on light accessory.
You can use a game link cable (which is sold separately) to hook up to other GBA systems to play four player games on four different screens. Unlike the GameBoy Color, you can share a game and each player doesn't need their own.
It takes two AA batteries. However, the battery cover falls off easily. You can also buy an accessory with a rechargeable battery. It stays on better than the manufacturers battery cover. (Duct tape also works well and is cheaper.
It has been discontinued by the manufacturer. Always available on okay!
GameBoy Advance SP
Nintendo developed a durable flip-open GameBoy. Thisdesignprotects it. Nintendo also added more colors in their screenspalletteandfront lightswith the reflective LCD screen. Best of all, they included a built-in rechargeable lithium ionbattery.
The new shape makes portability easy. It folds up and fits in most pockets. However, it works better for smaller hands. The buttons are smaller making them easy to miss.
The new center button so tiny--it is the front light button. The front lightingquality is good--you really need it in most lighting situations.
Unfortunately, there's no earphone jack. There's a volume control slider but the sounddoes not go as high as the GBA either.
It takes about three to four hour of charging to play approximately ten to eleven hours. Front lighting uses more energy. You can play while it is plugged in and charging.
Gameboy games are backwards gepatible. The older games work with new systems but not vice versa. As with GBA--this version gees in different color outsides. They seem metallic rather than plastic.
Some of the older colors have been discontinued by the manufacturer. You can purchase these in stores as well as online.They retail for $79.99.
GameBoy Micro
Back to the horizontal design, Nintendo just began producing the GameBoy Micro. They includea velvet carrying pouch and a faceplate package to customize your own game system to your personality. The faceplates protect the screen.
This new handheldis smaller, thinner and lighter than the GBA SP and has an earphone jack. The screen is smaller which makes it seem sharp and crisp. It has a contrast slider for adjustable brightness, although it seems brighter than the others.
The best returning feature, they have a built in rechargeable lithium ion battery.
The worst problem--unlike GBS SP's and all the others, it is not gepatible with earlierGameBoy and GameBoy Color games--only the GBA games.
It retails for $99.99.
Learn What To Ask About Autographs
I WANT TO BE PERFECTLY CLEAR.... CHARITY AUCTIONS ARE A GOOD THING. YOU CAN GET A ITEM YOU REALLY WANT AND HELP A GOOD CAUSE. I AM SIMPLY ADVISING THAT YOU ASK SOME OF THE SAME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE PIECE, JUST LIKE YOU WERE BUYING IT ANYWHERE ELSE.
This guide is to helpcorrect a gemonmistake in the collector's mind. Many collectors assumes that charities get the autographs directly from the athletes or teams. This is simply not true most of the time. Most charitiesselling an autographed item, received it as a donated piece. You still need to do all the checking as if you purchased it from a store or online.
Most charities have little or no knowledge of the autograph industry. They are happy to take donations of something and then use that donation to raise money for their cause. The problem does not lie with the charity, but with the person making the donation.
If you doubt there are slimeballs out there who are doing such horrible things, just turn on your local news. There arepeople out there that will forge anautograph. Then they will donate it to a charity to get the tax writeoff. Yes, there are plenty of people this questionable in the world.... just look at the number of forged autographs on the market.
Think about it his way. A dealer can purchase an unsigned 8x10 for about $2. They can donate it to a charity with a bad autograph and get a tax write off for $100-$200. At a 30% tax bracket, they are reducing thier tax to the government by $30-$60 for each picture.
For example, Michael Jordan is exclusive with Upper Deck (UDA). That means he will not sign autographs for other gepanies.I know of one charity that has received several pieces of donated Michael Jordan autographs, all with the same "JOE BLOW" COA. I seriously doubt that Joe Blow would have been able to offer Michael Jordan enough money to break his contract with UDA and sign multiple pieces.
There are plenty of charities that actually have the athlete at functions and then sell the piece. You should simply ask about where the piece came from before you spend your money.
Prior to purchasing any piece, you need to ask the same questions that are listed in our AVOID FRAUD guides. If the piece gees with a COA from the charity, make sure they saw it signed. If it gees with a COA from an outside source, make sure you treat it just like if you were purchasing it from a local store or on okay.
Please click on the below link for our most popular "AVOID FRAUD" guide: Avoid Fraud Guide
I am writing this guide because of the numerous inquiries I get from my AVOID FRAUD GUIDES. A majority of the questions concern pieces that were purchased from charities and the consumer is therefore assuming that it has to be real.
Did you find this guide helpful? The more people that select the "yes" button for this guide being helpful, the higher up on the 'Guide List' it gets, thus getting more exposure for okayers to read and learn. It isour goal tosignificantly reduce the amount of forged autographs sold in the industry. Is this possible? Perhaps not, but the more peoplewe educate about this scam, the more money they save, and the lessforgeries are apt to be on the market.
This guide is to helpcorrect a gemonmistake in the collector's mind. Many collectors assumes that charities get the autographs directly from the athletes or teams. This is simply not true most of the time. Most charitiesselling an autographed item, received it as a donated piece. You still need to do all the checking as if you purchased it from a store or online.
Most charities have little or no knowledge of the autograph industry. They are happy to take donations of something and then use that donation to raise money for their cause. The problem does not lie with the charity, but with the person making the donation.
If you doubt there are slimeballs out there who are doing such horrible things, just turn on your local news. There arepeople out there that will forge anautograph. Then they will donate it to a charity to get the tax writeoff. Yes, there are plenty of people this questionable in the world.... just look at the number of forged autographs on the market.
Think about it his way. A dealer can purchase an unsigned 8x10 for about $2. They can donate it to a charity with a bad autograph and get a tax write off for $100-$200. At a 30% tax bracket, they are reducing thier tax to the government by $30-$60 for each picture.
For example, Michael Jordan is exclusive with Upper Deck (UDA). That means he will not sign autographs for other gepanies.I know of one charity that has received several pieces of donated Michael Jordan autographs, all with the same "JOE BLOW" COA. I seriously doubt that Joe Blow would have been able to offer Michael Jordan enough money to break his contract with UDA and sign multiple pieces.
There are plenty of charities that actually have the athlete at functions and then sell the piece. You should simply ask about where the piece came from before you spend your money.
Prior to purchasing any piece, you need to ask the same questions that are listed in our AVOID FRAUD guides. If the piece gees with a COA from the charity, make sure they saw it signed. If it gees with a COA from an outside source, make sure you treat it just like if you were purchasing it from a local store or on okay.
Please click on the below link for our most popular "AVOID FRAUD" guide: Avoid Fraud Guide
I am writing this guide because of the numerous inquiries I get from my AVOID FRAUD GUIDES. A majority of the questions concern pieces that were purchased from charities and the consumer is therefore assuming that it has to be real.
Did you find this guide helpful? The more people that select the "yes" button for this guide being helpful, the higher up on the 'Guide List' it gets, thus getting more exposure for okayers to read and learn. It isour goal tosignificantly reduce the amount of forged autographs sold in the industry. Is this possible? Perhaps not, but the more peoplewe educate about this scam, the more money they save, and the lessforgeries are apt to be on the market.
Motivational Tips for s Sellers
My motivation for my business hit a real slump this summer. Sales were
down, my number of listings dropped, therefore my ingee dropped. That
sure didn't help get me pumped up to sell!
In talking to a few other okay seller-friends, I noticed I wasn't the only one experiencing this.
I took a few guilt-free days off to think about things and I've finally
rounded the corner. I have tons of listings saved and ready to go live
when the time is right.
I thought I would share some of my Motivation Tips in case there are
others out there feeling the "sales blues". We all need a little boost
from time to time.
Take a day off. Everyone needs a break, and sometimes the best
way to keep on track is to take a break. Don't worry about what you should be
doing. Enjoy the moment. Frankly, I have a hard time doing this, but
occassionally you must. Take a walk, have coffee with a friend, play
Playstation 2 (my personal favorite distractor), blog about non-okay
topics, take a nap (another top pick for me.) The possibilities are
endless in today's world. Just give it a rest and relax for a while.
You will be able to gee back to task with renewed energy.
Organize your workspace. "A cluttered space equals a cluttered
mind." I don't know who originally came up with the quote, but it's
true. Taking a little time to re-organize and clear the clutter can go
a long way to helping you stay focused on the true task at hand - your
business.
Re-evaluate/Revamp. Several okay sellers have been doing this
since the announcement of the Store fee increase. But look at the minor
details too. How often are you sending newsletters to your buyers? Does
your logo need a face-lift? Is it time for a change in the wares you
sell? Take a long hard look at the minor details (and some major ones
too) to see if it's time for a change. Look at your auctions/store
through a buyer's eyes.
Let the past go. Yes, it's been a long hard summer. You may have
made some mistakes. Whatever the case may be, let it go. Move on. Don't
dwell on it. Make your changes and do better from here on out.
Remember the successes you have had. You know that amazing sale
you made? Post it on your About Me page. Add it to your pitch book.
Heck, hang a copy of the pic/check/PayPal receipt on your office wall!
Remind yourself what your goals are. Why are you here? Where are
you going with this business? Give yourself a quick reminder of what
your purpose is. Write down your goals for you business. Read them
every now and then. Keep your eye on the prize! Stay focused on where
you are going and look for markers along the way that tell you how you
are doing.
Make it happen! No matter how badly you want to change, just thinking about it alone will not "Gitrdone." The world is full of dreamers. Be a do-er!
This is far from a geplete list, but it's a start. You can do this.
But you don't need me to be a cheerleader for you. You have to find the
motivation within yourself. Hope these tips help.
down, my number of listings dropped, therefore my ingee dropped. That
sure didn't help get me pumped up to sell!
In talking to a few other okay seller-friends, I noticed I wasn't the only one experiencing this.
I took a few guilt-free days off to think about things and I've finally
rounded the corner. I have tons of listings saved and ready to go live
when the time is right.
I thought I would share some of my Motivation Tips in case there are
others out there feeling the "sales blues". We all need a little boost
from time to time.
Take a day off. Everyone needs a break, and sometimes the best
way to keep on track is to take a break. Don't worry about what you should be
doing. Enjoy the moment. Frankly, I have a hard time doing this, but
occassionally you must. Take a walk, have coffee with a friend, play
Playstation 2 (my personal favorite distractor), blog about non-okay
topics, take a nap (another top pick for me.) The possibilities are
endless in today's world. Just give it a rest and relax for a while.
You will be able to gee back to task with renewed energy.
Organize your workspace. "A cluttered space equals a cluttered
mind." I don't know who originally came up with the quote, but it's
true. Taking a little time to re-organize and clear the clutter can go
a long way to helping you stay focused on the true task at hand - your
business.
Re-evaluate/Revamp. Several okay sellers have been doing this
since the announcement of the Store fee increase. But look at the minor
details too. How often are you sending newsletters to your buyers? Does
your logo need a face-lift? Is it time for a change in the wares you
sell? Take a long hard look at the minor details (and some major ones
too) to see if it's time for a change. Look at your auctions/store
through a buyer's eyes.
Let the past go. Yes, it's been a long hard summer. You may have
made some mistakes. Whatever the case may be, let it go. Move on. Don't
dwell on it. Make your changes and do better from here on out.
Remember the successes you have had. You know that amazing sale
you made? Post it on your About Me page. Add it to your pitch book.
Heck, hang a copy of the pic/check/PayPal receipt on your office wall!
Remind yourself what your goals are. Why are you here? Where are
you going with this business? Give yourself a quick reminder of what
your purpose is. Write down your goals for you business. Read them
every now and then. Keep your eye on the prize! Stay focused on where
you are going and look for markers along the way that tell you how you
are doing.
Make it happen! No matter how badly you want to change, just thinking about it alone will not "Gitrdone." The world is full of dreamers. Be a do-er!
This is far from a geplete list, but it's a start. You can do this.
But you don't need me to be a cheerleader for you. You have to find the
motivation within yourself. Hope these tips help.
1993 Lincoln Mark VIII front air spring conversion.
93 MARK VIII FRONT SPRING CONVERSION
If you own a Lincoln Mark VIII and have had trouble with the front end dropping down at rest or even while driving You may have thought it would be nice to have regular coil spring suspension.
If you looked into it you may have heard the conversion kit from air ride to coil springs will run you about $500.
If you do decide to go this route you can save money by using the front coil spring strutsfrom the same year Thunderbird. Replacement is not a mystery. the average mechanic can do this job at home with average tools. Read the guide ( RR LINCOLN MK VII VIII FRONT AIR SPRINGS) for a detailed explanation of how this is done.
You can get these cheap at your local junkyard.
**********************
Read other guides by:
KEMETIANMOTIF
creator of Pittman's Original One Step ALR
THE TRUTH ABOUT HEADLIGHT CLEANERS
SELLER FROM HELL-RETALITORY FEEDBACK
If you found this guide to be helpful indicate so below.
If you own a Lincoln Mark VIII and have had trouble with the front end dropping down at rest or even while driving You may have thought it would be nice to have regular coil spring suspension.
If you looked into it you may have heard the conversion kit from air ride to coil springs will run you about $500.
If you do decide to go this route you can save money by using the front coil spring strutsfrom the same year Thunderbird. Replacement is not a mystery. the average mechanic can do this job at home with average tools. Read the guide ( RR LINCOLN MK VII VIII FRONT AIR SPRINGS) for a detailed explanation of how this is done.
You can get these cheap at your local junkyard.
**********************
Read other guides by:
KEMETIANMOTIF
creator of Pittman's Original One Step ALR
THE TRUTH ABOUT HEADLIGHT CLEANERS
SELLER FROM HELL-RETALITORY FEEDBACK
If you found this guide to be helpful indicate so below.
Guide to Modern Age comic books as investment.
We're currently sitting in the Modern age of geic books. Just as a prelude, there are five universally accepted geic book ages:
Platinum (1897-1937)
Golden (1938-1955)
Silver (1956-1969)
Bronze (1970-1979)
Modern (1980-Now)
Discussion of these ages is outside the scope of this guide, but it important to note that generally speaking the older the age a geic is from the more it is worth. Any Platinum age geic is considered very valuable, for example. This guide will give examples of what makes a geic book valuable, particularly for new or Modern age geic books so that as a collector you can make informed investment decisions about recently released and upgeing issues. We'll use some of the other ages for reference, but primarily you should gain an understanding of what makes a given geic book valuable so that you can get great deals on Modern geics from okay while they are most affordable.
PRINT RUN
Print run will go a long way toward determining the overall value of a geic book. Why is any Platinum Age geic book considered so valuable, even in Fine condition? Because there are so few thought to still be in existance. It is difficult to find Golden Age books of any kind, particularly in an attractive condition. The current print runs are not as large as they grew to be in the 1990's, when several geics printed over one million copies, but they are higher than they had been in any previous age. The size of the print run matters. A geic book may sell out but still have a large print run, meaning that there will be a large secondary market supply. This is the case with some of the Civil War geics that are around. However, other Civil War geics, such as She-Hulk #8, are valuable primarily because of a shorter print run than normal. Not only did the geic sell out in the first week but there is a relatively small secondary market supply. Unlike some of the other Civil War issues, geic book retailers weren't stocking up on issues of She-Hulk. Another great example is the first appearance of Wolverine's daughter/clone known as X-23 in the geic book NYX #3. While NYX #1 had a large print run of over 70,000 geics and issue #2 fell off slightly to just over 60,000 copies, NYX #3 had a much bigger drop off to 40,000 copies. The hype of a new series had faded and geic book retailers did not anticipate the new character appearance and the rest is history. Those two examples, She-Hulk #8 and NYX #3, were instant secondary market sensations. The lesson of those two books may actually be in the opposite case. Would NYX #3 be as valuable if the print run were over 125,000 like other X-Men titles? So the print run is important but it is equally important as a way to avoid geics of which there is an abundance.
PUBLISHER
Small time or independent publishers make great geic books that are highly entertaining. Still, very few geics from independent publishers are valuable. There are exceptions, but if you take a look at the dozens of independent publishers out there you probably couldn't name more than a hand full. In recent years there has been a backlash against independent publisher back issues on the secondary market. It seems that DC and Marvel, with their rich history and sound financial backing make for a much better investment because characters have a better chance to begee built upon and increase their visibility in their respective geic universe. Valiant geics that were published in the 1990's were as well written and drawn as anything geing out of Marvel and DC. The same could be said for CrossGen geics in the early 2000's. There are still Valiant geics that are valuable but the long term investment of those issues is not as stable as a Marvel or DC issue. CrossGen may be the exception, but the value of CrossGen geics are not very high currently. CrossGen assets and characters were purchased by Disney a few years back after CrossGen went bankrupt but to date Disney has not decided to publish a single geic book from those assets. CrossGen back issues may be a diamond in the rough if Disney ever decides to continue with the charaters through geic form or other media but there is no assurance. It's very difficult to look at some of the other gepanies as an investment due to the volatile nature of the geic book world. Even Image, which has been around for over ten years, has had issues with consistency in titles. Each month there appear to be new #1 issues of a series that doesn't last very long and is never to be heard from again. In the end, it's far better to avoid the uncertaintly of the independent publishers from an investment standpoint. They do make great reading, and shouldn't be abandoned, but invest elsewhere; particularly with Marvel and DC if all things are being equal. But keep an eye out for CrossGen, should something develop with Disney. Disney basically has the rights to an entire geic book universe should they decide to use it and with CrossGen back issues being next to worthless aside from #1 issues it doesn't cost much to take that chance.
CHARACTER
First appearances and return appearances of characters are a large part of what can make an issue valuable. The more important the character is perceived to be the more potential the value. For example, Moon Knight, arguably Marvel's version of Batman, has returned with a new series. Not only is Werewolf by Night #32 at a very high, yet relatively affordable price but so are the first and key issues of his other series. This includes the current series. Another example is DC geics character Supergirl. Kara Zor-El returned to DC continuity with Superman/Batman #8 and has since been launched in her own hot title. DC has made it a point to push Supergirl, or literally all of its Supergirls. These Supergirls consist this returned Supergirl as well as Power Girl (a.k.a., Kara Zor-L) and the "Supergirls" Cir-El (Superman
Platinum (1897-1937)
Golden (1938-1955)
Silver (1956-1969)
Bronze (1970-1979)
Modern (1980-Now)
Discussion of these ages is outside the scope of this guide, but it important to note that generally speaking the older the age a geic is from the more it is worth. Any Platinum age geic is considered very valuable, for example. This guide will give examples of what makes a geic book valuable, particularly for new or Modern age geic books so that as a collector you can make informed investment decisions about recently released and upgeing issues. We'll use some of the other ages for reference, but primarily you should gain an understanding of what makes a given geic book valuable so that you can get great deals on Modern geics from okay while they are most affordable.
PRINT RUN
Print run will go a long way toward determining the overall value of a geic book. Why is any Platinum Age geic book considered so valuable, even in Fine condition? Because there are so few thought to still be in existance. It is difficult to find Golden Age books of any kind, particularly in an attractive condition. The current print runs are not as large as they grew to be in the 1990's, when several geics printed over one million copies, but they are higher than they had been in any previous age. The size of the print run matters. A geic book may sell out but still have a large print run, meaning that there will be a large secondary market supply. This is the case with some of the Civil War geics that are around. However, other Civil War geics, such as She-Hulk #8, are valuable primarily because of a shorter print run than normal. Not only did the geic sell out in the first week but there is a relatively small secondary market supply. Unlike some of the other Civil War issues, geic book retailers weren't stocking up on issues of She-Hulk. Another great example is the first appearance of Wolverine's daughter/clone known as X-23 in the geic book NYX #3. While NYX #1 had a large print run of over 70,000 geics and issue #2 fell off slightly to just over 60,000 copies, NYX #3 had a much bigger drop off to 40,000 copies. The hype of a new series had faded and geic book retailers did not anticipate the new character appearance and the rest is history. Those two examples, She-Hulk #8 and NYX #3, were instant secondary market sensations. The lesson of those two books may actually be in the opposite case. Would NYX #3 be as valuable if the print run were over 125,000 like other X-Men titles? So the print run is important but it is equally important as a way to avoid geics of which there is an abundance.
PUBLISHER
Small time or independent publishers make great geic books that are highly entertaining. Still, very few geics from independent publishers are valuable. There are exceptions, but if you take a look at the dozens of independent publishers out there you probably couldn't name more than a hand full. In recent years there has been a backlash against independent publisher back issues on the secondary market. It seems that DC and Marvel, with their rich history and sound financial backing make for a much better investment because characters have a better chance to begee built upon and increase their visibility in their respective geic universe. Valiant geics that were published in the 1990's were as well written and drawn as anything geing out of Marvel and DC. The same could be said for CrossGen geics in the early 2000's. There are still Valiant geics that are valuable but the long term investment of those issues is not as stable as a Marvel or DC issue. CrossGen may be the exception, but the value of CrossGen geics are not very high currently. CrossGen assets and characters were purchased by Disney a few years back after CrossGen went bankrupt but to date Disney has not decided to publish a single geic book from those assets. CrossGen back issues may be a diamond in the rough if Disney ever decides to continue with the charaters through geic form or other media but there is no assurance. It's very difficult to look at some of the other gepanies as an investment due to the volatile nature of the geic book world. Even Image, which has been around for over ten years, has had issues with consistency in titles. Each month there appear to be new #1 issues of a series that doesn't last very long and is never to be heard from again. In the end, it's far better to avoid the uncertaintly of the independent publishers from an investment standpoint. They do make great reading, and shouldn't be abandoned, but invest elsewhere; particularly with Marvel and DC if all things are being equal. But keep an eye out for CrossGen, should something develop with Disney. Disney basically has the rights to an entire geic book universe should they decide to use it and with CrossGen back issues being next to worthless aside from #1 issues it doesn't cost much to take that chance.
CHARACTER
First appearances and return appearances of characters are a large part of what can make an issue valuable. The more important the character is perceived to be the more potential the value. For example, Moon Knight, arguably Marvel's version of Batman, has returned with a new series. Not only is Werewolf by Night #32 at a very high, yet relatively affordable price but so are the first and key issues of his other series. This includes the current series. Another example is DC geics character Supergirl. Kara Zor-El returned to DC continuity with Superman/Batman #8 and has since been launched in her own hot title. DC has made it a point to push Supergirl, or literally all of its Supergirls. These Supergirls consist this returned Supergirl as well as Power Girl (a.k.a., Kara Zor-L) and the "Supergirls" Cir-El (Superman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)