Sketchup and Online Landscape Design - Creating a 3D Landscape

3D ANIMATION :

Sketchup is 3D design software that is used for many different industries.

Sketchup and Online Landscape Design - Creating a 3D Landscape

However, for the hard to visualize area of landscape design, it can provide one of the best portrayals of the 3D landscape.

Sketchup was originally owned by @Last Software, but it was bought by Google. Hmmm....I guess Google thought it was pretty good. And it is.

There is a free version and a paid version. For the average person, the free version is fine. If you want to get more intricate with such things as grading and showing different elevations, then you will want the paid version.

For residential design, you can use this program in a couple of different ways.

The first way is to design right in the program. With a click of the mouse, you can set the drawing in a perspective position. Guidelines help you make sure you are drawing correctly. You can enter actual heights and lengths of objects, such as a house. You can put in the dimensions of the house, ie., length and width. Then use something called the pull tool to extend it up to the correct height.

It is all very user friendly. Also, what is created has an artistic flair to it, which makes it a lot of fun!

You can also view different materials for landscape elements. For example, if you are drawing a patio, you can go to the Materials area and choose what you might like. There are many different materials and you can change them as you like to see the differences. Some choices are stone, pavers, brick and concrete.

A plant palette is offered also. These are fine. However, for a more sophisticated look, there are other inexpensive components you can buy to use in your design.

The second way of using Sketchup is to create a 2D drawing in such programs as AutoCad, and import it into Sketchup. In this situation, you are working from your drawing so that an exact replica of the design is created. This allows you to see what a drawing will look like when built. Changes are easily made if there is something you don't like or want to add.

Some of the components you can add to the 3D landscape design are people, cars, grills, pergolas, plants, any many, many more. These are available directly through the program or through something called Google Warehouse. They are all free.

There is a lot of flexibility with the components. You can resize or rescale them if you need to. You can also change colors of both components and materials.

By adding window components to a house, you can actually position a person inside the house. This allows you to attain a view as if you were inside looking out. What a great feature to see what your view will be like.

You can also create scenes. Scenes let you save a particular view. These scenes can also be exported into jpeg images. You can also create an animation which is a fly by or walk through of the entire design!

Any or all of these features can be used to suit your purposes. The software can be used in both simple and sophisticated ways. There are many other features available also. All in all it is a great 3D program.

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Shrek (Movie Review)

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A modern-day fairy tale rife with cutting edge humor, Shrek is a computer-animated film for the ages. In the tradition of Disney (the recipient of a number of clever jibes throughout the movie), Dreamworks manages to create a film that adults (and not just parents) will enjoy as much as children. The comedy is clean, witty, and refreshing. The animation is mind-blowing, and the characters are as likeable as any ever created.

Shrek (Movie Review)

The story follows the life of Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers), a green ogre with a friendly disposition who lives in a swamp during medieval times. When ever-so-short, midget nobleman Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) banishes all local fairy-tale creatures from his land, they are forced to resettle in Shrek's swamp. Shrek, who prefers to live in solitude, sets off, accompanied by a wisecracking mule named Donkey (Eddie Murphy), to find Lord Farquaad and convince him to leave the fairy-tale characters where they belong, and leave his leave his swampland alone. Lord Farquaad agrees to honor Shrek and Donkey's request under one condition. The odd couple must locate the beautiful Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and bring her back to Duloc so that he can marry her (he chooses her as his bride over Snow White and Sleeping Beauty because he wants to become king). Although Princess Fiona is held in a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon, the task is one Shrek and Donkey are more than capable of taking on...

Shrek is quite simply of one of the best films of its time. The computer-generated image animation creates a fantastic setting filled with unique, groundbreaking characters. The storyline (basically Beauty and the Beast) is timeless, and the comedy manages to stand on its own in a movie that pushes the outer-boundaries of excellence. Eddie Murphy is at his best playing the Donkey, and Mike Myers may also have put in his best cinematic performance to date. Shrek is one of the few animated films ever made that should be seen by adults who don't have children (in other words, those who otherwise wouldn't bother to see an animated film). So if you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and give Shrek a try...

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5 Great Doggy Day Care Franchises

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Do you love working with animals? Would you like to have your own business taking care of other peoples dogs? For many people, their pets are part of the family and they are looking for people to care for their pets during the day while they are at work or away for awhile. If you are interested in learning about doggy day care franchises, here are 5 great opportunities to choose from.

5 Great Doggy Day Care Franchises

DoggieDay Pet Service

The DoggieDay Pet Service System will provide you with all the training and support you will need to run an effective and profitable business. All that is required of you is a love for animals and the desire to succeed in your own business. As the owner of a DoggieDay Pet Service franchise you will receive the benefit of an established brand, a proven system and the opportunity to be part of a thriving business that is meeting an important need in your customers lives.

Central Bark Doggy Day Care

Doggy day care franchises are as unique as the people who run them, and Central Bark Doggy Day Care encourages that attitude. Of course, they have a general outline and a marketing program that they will provide as part of your training, but they encourage your individuality in designing your own business. Central Bark wants to see you succeed and will be a partner with you in every aspect of your business from marketing programs to building design and equipment purchases.

Camp Bow Wow

This is a unique idea in doggy day care franchises, as it takes day care a step farther. Send your dog to camp! Providing a great experience for your pets, Camp Bow Wow gives your doggy a fun place to play during the day and also provides overnight stays. Camp Bow Wow offers you the benefit of their buying power as the largest doggy day care business in the nation. If you want your own business, and want to have fun with it too, then check out Camp Bow Wow!

The Barker Lounge

Yes, you heard right! Is your dog looking for a place to hang out during the day? Bring them down to the Lounge where they will find a laid back attitude and plenty of friends to unwind with. This is definitely a unique niche in the doggy day care franchises industry.

The Pooch Patio

If you really want to have some fun with your doggy day care business, then check out The Patio Pooch. This franchise will offer your customers not only day care, but also grooming, the Bark Boutique and Unique Party Packages. Definitely give this franchise opportunity a look.

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April Thoughts

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April 1

April Thoughts

"Let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him" (2 Samuel 15:26b). What faith this takes. God's will has become ours when we can accept divine providence as our confidence of His divine love, as well. The yoke that presses on our neck becomes lined with down. We can say with Job, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10b). In everything we are to give thanks. In mourning we are not to judge God's character, for He is judging ours. He asks--but He does not demand--us to accept His permissive providences without murmuring, so that His love and glory may be seen by all.

April 2

We appreciate people of few but wise words. Calvin Coolidge was such a man and, because of his terseness, he earned the nickname "Silent Cal." One evening at a dinner party one of the ladies present said to him, "Mr. President, I bet my husband five dollars that I could get you to say three words to me this evening." The President turned to her and, with a twinkle in his eyes, said, "You lose." "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36,37).

April 3

"List my tears on your scroll - are they not in your record?" (Psalm 56:8). To think that our majestic God takes notice even of our tears and saves them as jewels! He promises that those who sowed in tears shall reap in joy (Psalm 126:5). Our Father will turn our tears into pearls, precious gems for God. And He has already posted them in His book of remembrance, for He will not forget our anguish. "Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows..." (Isaiah 53:3,4). The shortest and most poignant verse in the Bible is "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). Dear grieving friend, He weeps with us as we weep.

April 4

Luther Burbank set out to prove that weeds are flowers. "It is my theory that there are no outcasts in nature; everything has a use, and everything in nature is beautiful if we are eager to ennoble it. Every weed is a possible flower." God harvests the weeds of earth, too: "The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:2,3). God did not create human weeds. God created Lucifer and Lucifer made Satan. God created Judas, but Judas made Judas what he became. If we become a weed, that is our doing and undoing; God makes flowers and rescues the flowers who become weeds. What a wondrous thought!
April 5

"It's God's will," friends told the parents at the funeral home. No, it is not God's will that these little ones should perish (Matthew 18:14). It is God's will that we live for Him. God does not ask us if life is worth living, He makes it worth living for us. "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone..." (Ezekiel 18:32). He came and died Himself that we might live and have this grand life more abundantly (John 10:10) so let us not charge God with the deaths of our loved ones. What a distortion of the Heart of Love Who holds us and weeps with us as we bend over the grave in such sorrow that we could die ourselves.

April 6

"So Jacob was left alone..." (Genesis 32:24). Are we alone or lonely? Some yearn for rest and some are restless spirits, having to be on the go constantly, as if they can't stand their own company. Now we have phones everywhere to make sure we don't have to be alone with our thoughts. Jesus set us an example by praying to His Father alone and He had a purpose behind the command, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen" (Matthew 6:6). Aloneness is a temporary separation; loneliness is isolation. God asks us to spend time alone with Him because He doesn't want us to be isolated from Him for eternity.

April 7

"I know that my Redeemer lives...Yet from my flesh I shall see God," said Job, in the face of facts that seemed to belie it all (Job 19:25,26). What an exclamation of faith! Here he foretells the resurrection of his Redeemer and Savior, his Kinsman and his Hope. Beyond all reason of the day, he proclaims that his Redeemer will at last take His stand on the earth, and Job will see him in the flesh. This is faith born not of desperation but of assurance received from something outside himself. I know that my Redeemer lives, and because He is raised from the dead, then I, too, will be raised from dust and ashes.

April 8

"Did no one condemn you?" Jesus asked the woman. "No one, Lord." "Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more." (John 8:10,11). "If God is for us, who can be against us?...Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?" (Romans 8:31,33). Mary became one of God's elect because Jesus showed mercy rather than condemnation. Should we not follow His example and show forbearance to others? We are sinners, too, so why should we point out the tiny speck when we carry a beam of sin ourselves? "Love covers all transgressions," (Proverbs 10:12b NAS) so let us rather love one another than condemn without the facts.

April 9

"Can you drink the cup I drink?" Jesus asked James and John (Mark 10:38). They had asked Him if they could sit on His right and left sides, not realizing what price would be asked of them. They wanted a crown without knowing that a cross comes with it. Jesus told them they knew not what they asked. Great petitions with small motives can overwhelm us; great petitions with great motivation for God's grace will be granted, but not to our glory and many times not in a way we expect. True honor is not lightly won, either on earth or in heaven, and we must be ready to pay the price in love, time, hope, sacrifice and trial.

April 10

A princely promise in the Word is Isaiah 61:3: "Giving them...the oil of gladness instead of mourning..." Oil was considered one of the necessities of life in biblical times, and the most frequent uses of oil mentioned are those of anointing and healing. We are anointed with the comfort of the Holy Spirit who baptizes us with the strength and hope we need. "The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well..." (James 5:15) and that surely includes the disabled of mind and heart, as well. He says to all of us blinded in pain of whatever kind, "...Your faith has healed you. Go in peace" (Luke 8:48).

April 11

Instead of Psalm 23 we put on our son's funeral card the following: "God hath not promised/Skies always blue,/Flower-strewn pathways/All our lives through;/God hath not promised/Sun without rain,/Joy without sorrow,/Peace without pain./But God hath promised/Strength for the day,/Rest for the labor,/Light for the way,/Grace for all trials,/Help from above,/Unfailing sympathy,/Undying love" (Annie Johnson Flint). "But He said to me, `My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'" (2 Corinthians 12:9a). By His grace are we saved from that which would destroy the holy quality of our life. He drapes His mantle of love over our depressed spirit and lifts us to His heart (Isaiah 40:11).

April 12

"Could you...not keep watch with Me for one hour?" (Matthew 26:40). What a tender and sorrowful rebuke to His beloved friends who He found asleep in His intense need of their nurture. O! the grief and the great drops of blood He shed for us there, even before He carried His cross; innocent blood of One betrayed by the man who He called friend, even as Judas came to disclose His sacred place of prayer. O watchman, what of the night of this My anguish--how far gone is the night of My grief and sorrow! Forgive our indifference, Lord!

April 13

A proud heart breeds an inflexible mind and knees. Job tagged and ragged his friends who came to comfort him: "Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!" (Job 12:2). The one on the sidelines of another's misery can offer all kinds of bylines. Job's friends were so ready to tell him of his sins that brought him to his knees and what he should do about the horror that made him temporarily mindless. The most arrogant aspect of pride is our knowing that we have the solution to another's problem when we have not even begun to walk in that grieving person's shoes! How vain we are.

April 14

The next time we read in the paper about an "Act of God," let us think about the true acts of God: His compassions that are new every morning; His faithfulness; His gifts to us of our friends; His touching of our hearts that we may know Him and His communion with us through prayer and sacrament. The list is as long as God's mercies are endless. "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints..." (Ephesians 1:18). We have our Acts of God and our signs. We need to "see" them with the eyes of our heart.

April 15

"But the wisdom from above is...gentle..." (James 3:17 NAS). Dr. Alexander Maclaren describes the power of gentleness: "Morning by morning God's great mercy of sunshine steals upon a darkened world...and the light which has a force that has carried it across gulfs of space...falls so gently that it does not move the petals of the sleeping flowers, nor hurt the lids of an infant's eyes...So should we live and work, clothing all our power in tenderness, doing our work in quietness, disturbing nothing but the darkness, and with silent increase of beneficent power filling and flooding the dark earth with healing beams."

April 16

"But the wisdom from above is...peaceable ..." (James 3:17). If we firmly believe that God is just, then we can live in harmony with others. If we don't impute evil motives to others and our own heart is free of malicious intent, then we can live in peace. If not, then our world will be in pieces. To be at peace means to be at rest. We cannot make wise decisions when we are in turmoil or if we are questioning God's dealings with us. Peace is the only legacy our serene Brother left us: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

April 17

Jesus asked the blind man, "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51). King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther, "What is your petition? It will be given you" (Esther 7:2). We need to express our desires. Solomon prayed for an understanding heart to discern between good and evil, and "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this" (1 Kings 3:10). "But [the disciples]...were afraid to ask Him about it" (Mark 9:32). "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13). God wants us to persevere in our requests.

April 18

The Bible is filled with poetry, the utterance and dream of the longing soul. We read in Genesis 1:2c, "The Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters." The imagery sparks our vision and we see the drama of life and beauty unfolding as the breath of God, the Rauch Elohim, hovers over the chaos and brings forth light and life and order. Until we experience a whispered breath of the Holy Spirit in our hearts we, too, shall have a disordered and chaotic existence. Our genesis, our birth, our dawn, begins when we allow the Holy Spirit to breathe life into our dead selves. Let us pray for a Pentecost of a fresh atmosphere.

April 19

"Arise and go to the street called Straight ..." (Acts 9:11 NAS). How easy it is to cut corners and to jaywalk on the streets of life. Paths to the right and to the left beckon us to explore, to satiate curiosity, and finally to lose our way. Christ told Paul, and us, to go to the street called Straight. First we must arise--awaken--out of our spiritual stupor, take the initiative to get on with life, and step into what God has planned for us. But first we go to the street where live the honest, kind, loyal, hopeful members of God's family so we may then prepare ourselves to don the armor of the Holy Spirit.

April 20

Rules to observe on accepting our fellowmen and women: 1) I will mind my own business. What we don't know perhaps can't hurt us, but what we do know can hurt others, especially if we pass it on; 2) I am not infallible. I cannot possibly know others' motives and circumstances; 3) I will value personal differences. After all, I want the same courtesy from others; 4) I will do my own thinking and form my own opinions. Unfortunately we sometimes assemble our impressions from others' disassemblies! We can't always avoid hearing gossip, but we can refuse to allow it to influence us. Let's accept others on their terms, not on our conditions.

April 21

Resentment is an insidious poison that contaminates our spirit before we realize what has happened. The bitter person is too quick to sit in judgment and too reluctant to overlook the so-called sins of others; he or she tends mentally if not verbally to impose an unfair debt on the transgressor that must be paid before the person can again be restored to friendship and acceptance. Resentment is a subtle, cruel and unjust form of emotional slavery, and it hurts the one doing it the most. The honeybee, when it stings, brings pain to its victim but death to itself. That's what happens to the resentful and unforgiving person. Let's not throw our wormwood into another's waters!

April 22

In his Letters & Papers From Prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote a wedding sermon from his prison cell in which he included the following advice: 1) God is guiding; 2) God makes the union indissoluble; 3) God establishes a rule of life by which you can live together; 4) God lays on marriage both blessing (the promise of children) and burden (caring and providing for the family); 5) Christ is the foundation of a marriage. Perhaps there would be fewer divorces if we heeded this advice.

April 23

The encyclopedia tells of the survivorship curve, a term for charts showing the number of individuals in a population that can be expected to survive to any specific age. We can thank our God that He has no such chart to check each day; that He has never sanctioned such a rule as survival of the fittest, for He has said that in our weakness is His strength. Man cannot properly judge who is fittest to survive, for the heart and the intellect, that which raises us above animal life, can rise above the body's physical limitations and leave mind-prints on the sands of time that will enable others to survive their special storms.

April 24

There is a story of an ignorant farmer who complained to his minister about lack of money and room in his house. So the minister told him to bring in the goat. The man told him the next day that there was no place for him to sleep, even. So the minister told him to bring in the chickens. The puzzled man did as he was told, but went back to the minister the next day and said he could not stand another day of it. The minister told him to get rid of the animals. Later the farmer came back and told him how grateful he was, that he had saved his family. This is a ludicrous story, but something to think about when we complain.

April 25

Books, books, books! We are saturated with the printed word. In the rather cynical book of Ecclesiastes, the author writes, "Be warned: the writing of many books is endless..." (Ecclesiastes 12:12). And this was before the printing press and computers! Setting aside the spiritual implications of this explosion of reading matter and implosion of moral values from bad reading matter, we have been warned that this is also one of the signs of the end: "...Knowledge (it didn't say wisdom) will increase" (Daniel 12:4c). Unfortunately even worthwhile books now compete with the television for our time and thought. Rather, let us read God's Book.

April 26

God is not concerned with outward adornment as much as He is with our inward finery. 1 Peter 3:4 NAS counsels us: "Let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." This is our soul and social clothing, hidden yet not hidden, for who does not finally notice the loving and restful and considerate person who goes about his or her life without fanfare and yet is like the soothing stream poured over troubled waters? This adornment is priceless to our Father. The sole cost to us is our faith in Him and love for Him.

April 27

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock" (Revelation 3:20). Why won't you let Me in? I can hear you chasing and searching frantically, but you don't even know what for. Let Me come in and help you find what it is you are looking for. Let Me help you regain your reason in a world gone mad in its endless pursuit of--what? That is what tears at My heart, My friend. You who I love so much seem so lost and defenseless when it need not be. In your quest for Nirvana you are running away from Me, your one hope and shield against the outrage you so dread: the loss of your being. I'm knocking, My child; please! let Me in now.

April 28

"A little seed lay on the ground/And soon began to sprout;/'Now, which of all the flowers around,'/It mused, 'shall I come out?/The lily's face is fair and proud,/But just a trifle cold;/The rose, I think is rather loud,/And then, its fashion's old./The violet is all very well,/But not a flower I'd choose;/Nor yet the Canterbury bell--/I never cared for blues.'/And so it criticized each flower,/This supercilious seed,/Until it woke one summer morn,/And found itself--a weed" (The Critic, Author Unknown). "Do not complain, brethren, against one another, that you yourselves may not be judged..." (James 5:9a).

April 29

"God intended it for good..." (Genesis 50:20). So many times another's intended bane can become our unintentional boon. Joseph had no way of knowing, when his brothers threw him into the pit, that one day he would be their literal salvation. It is amazing--no, it is God's amazing grace--that Joseph could face these envious brothers when he was at the peak of his powers and say to them, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result..." What a sublime example for us of rising above and beyond meanness to walk in God's footsteps and to be an instrument of good for Him.

April 30

We all sin and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). This is not an excuse for our sins. It is simply but divinely this: we sinners are declared to be free from the guilt and consequences of our sin through our new relation to Christ who willingly died for us. It is an act of God from a trinity of perspectives: 1) an act in the process of completion, as a continuing work of Christ (Romans 4:25; 5:18); 2) an act already accomplished in the finished work of Christ (Romans 5:16-18, 1 Timothy 3:16); 3) a state in Christ to which the justified sinner is raised (Romans 8:10 and 1 Corinthians 1:30). Thank You, Father, for Your Sacrifice, too!

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Save Money on Your Pets

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Save money on your pets by making a few changes. If you are a pet owner as I am, then I know you would like to keep part of that money in your pocket and not leave it at the store. Pets are special and deserve our best treatment. There are ways to save money on your pets and still say "I love you".

Save Money on Your Pets

In the year 2009 it is expected that people who have pets will spend over million dollars on them. They spend on items such as medicine, grooming, food and toys.

One of the most expensive items people spend money on is grooming. You can save money on your pets by trimming your dogs and bathing them yourself. If you do not want to buy the equipment to trim your dog then you can take them to the groomer for the trim and give them baths in between trips to the groomer to save money. Grooming tools can be bought at pet supply shops and even at Walmart.

I bath my dog in the bathtub with a special plastic screen to catch the hair so it doesn't clog up the drain. My dog loves it and jumps in the bathtub before I have the water ready. I keep a shower head that can be taken down and used as a held held one. This makes it easy to spray the animal.

Another expense is dog treats. Making your own dog treats not only saves money but can be a lot of fun to make. There are so many great recipes on the Internet. Two great websites that have lots of free recipes are the poop.com/pooppantry and bullwrinkle.com.

They have many flavors of treats to pick from, like apple cinnamon drops or beef and rice moochies. The ingredients are inexpensive and are healthy for your pet. Most can be made in an hour. Your pet will love you for these special treats.

Last on the list is pet medicines. If you have several pets it would save you lots of money to vaccinate your pets yourself. You can buy the vials of medicine and give the shots with ease. There are several websites with instructions on how to do so. Just Google "vaccinate your own pet"to learn how.

Other medications can also be bought on line with big discounts, such as their heart worm medicine and flea and tick medicines.

My dog loves to chew on stuffed animals and play tug-of-war with them. In order to save money I buy some of his toys at the Goodwill where they are about.99 cents a piece. I also take an old sock of my husbands and stuff it with old rags or other old socks and then tie a knot in the end of the sock. It makes a great toy.

Give you pet some special love and save money at the same time.

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Upgrade Your Central Vacuum System Attachments

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Long ago, in a galaxy not too far away, people were often disappointed with their central vacuum systems and often returned to using canister or upright vacuum cleaners instead of the system installed in their home. Many, many, many times this was due to the quality of the attachments, not the actual central vacuum system. Let's face it...if my vacuum system isn't picking up the cat hair off my rug I'm not going to blame the inferior construction of the rug tool, I'm going to blame the central vacuum system.

Upgrade Your Central Vacuum System Attachments

Well, welcome to the 21st century of central vacuum innovations. Attachment sets today are so far superior to those of just 15 or 20 years ago, it is almost like comparing Buck Rogers to Star Wars. With this being said, the buyer still needs to beware because the market is full of inferior tools and you do not want to get sucked over to the dark side. You will not need the Force to choose wisely, just some good information.

One of the most common misconceptions about attachments is that you need to purchase the same brand attachment set as your power unit, but this is not true. The most important requirement for your attachments, regardless of your unit, is the type of inlet you have installed. So, if you have electrical inlets, you will need attachments with a direct connect hose. If you have standard inlets, you will need to choose either a non-electric hose, or if you require an electrical power head, then you will need a hose with a "corded" or "pigtail" end. A few tips:

• If you have none or very little carpet - Bare Floor Tool Kit
• If you have low pile and no animals (i.e. Berber) - Air Driven Tool Kit
• If you have bare floors, carpet, animals - Electric Tool Kit
• If you have carpet and are not comfortable without an electric power head - Electric Tool Kit

Once you have determined if you are going to require a direct connect, non-electrical, or pigtail hose then you have a choice between many manufacturers. All manufacturers are not created equal. Look for an attachment set with metal wands, a 1 3/8" hose for increased airflow, and a 360 degree swivel at the handle for ease of use. If you are buying a turbine tool, Vacuflo is the industry standard. They manufacture the majority of these tools and theirs are the best. If you are purchasing an electric set, look for the following:

• Powerheads made in Europe(unfortunately those made in China and Mexico are not as durable)
• Powerheads with rubber wheels on metal axles
• Powerheads that have height adjustments
• Powerheads that have cogged belts (these belts have superior life)
• Powerheads with a motor reset

A nice plus to consider...One manufacturer produces a powerhead with a computer chip that senses the speed of the powerhead motor and shuts it off if it is turning too slowly. If you pick up something that jams your powerhead, this can save you from burning up the powerhead motor.

Consider extra accessories available for your attachment set. Today there are numerous products and accessories to enhance your central vacuum cleaning. Carefully look at what is available. Here are some of my favorites.

• A pet accessory kit includes products for vacuuming your dog, getting hair off sofas and clothes, and deodorizing your central vacuum
• A bare floor set of attachments might include a wide natural bristle brush. Be careful not to purchase a brush that is too wide. When a floor attachment is wider than 14" you begin to loose power because your suction is dispersed.
• Accessory kits are available with dust mop attachments, long crevice tools for under refrigerators, hand held turbine tools, and even microfiber cleaning products for cleaning without chemicals.Garage accessory kits make it easy to clean up the garage and your car.
• A Micro-set of attachments is ideal for cleaning dust off of electronic equipment and computers.

Just when you thought all hope was lost you now have the information to defeat the evil dust empire and become a central vacuum Jedi Master. Don't give up on your central vacuum system. A good system with a good set of attachments is the most convenient way to clean and improve the indoor air quality in your home.

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Beauty More Than Skin Deep With Chemical Free Cosmetics

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When you choose chemical free cosmetics, you do something good not only for yourself, but for the planet as well. Mineral makeup, vegetable-based cosmetic and beauty products and other natural cosmetic products are an excellent way to avoid poisoning yourself and the planet. In addition, such mineral-based chemical free cosmetics are also cruelty-free - no animal testing is done!

Beauty More Than Skin Deep With Chemical Free Cosmetics

A Venerable Tradition

Makeup is nothing new; women and men have been adorning themselves with such decorative coloring since the time of the Pharaohs in Egypt, and probably since the Stone Age. Mineral cosmetics were possibly the most ancient form of makeup; it is known that Egyptian men and women alike applied a mineral known as ochre in a finely powdered form to their faces as well as a carbonate of called malachite while accentuating their eyes by outlining their eyes with a form of soot known as kohl - which is still used my some women of North Africa and the Middle East.

Today, manufacturers of chemical free cosmetics and other cosmetic and beauty products are very careful in the preparation of their wares. Some processing practices of the past involved the use of potentially toxic substances, such as lead; some substances once used in mineral makeup have been found to irritate sensitive skin. Today, the best providers of mineral cosmetics and other forms of organic cosmetic products are extremely discriminating about the ingredients they use - your assurance that some cosmetic and beauty products are pure and free of irritants and toxins.

Why Chemical Free Cosmetics

At one time, it may not have mattered so much. Today however, with so many toxic substances in the air, water and food supply, people are increasingly finding their resistance to such poisons strained almost to the breaking point. Using cosmetic products derived from natural, minimally processed mineral and plant sources means one less assault on your bodily systems.

The key word here is "processing." The materials that are used in many commercially mass-produced cosmetic and beauty products often start out as harmless, natural substances that are not that different from those used in organic mineral makeup. The difference, just as with food, is processing which removes many desirable substances and adds many others that we would be better off without.

Cost

As you might imagine, chemical free cosmetics are more expensive than commercially produced cosmetic products. However, in terms of your health and that of the planet, the purchase and use of chemical free cosmetics is an incredible investment - one that will pay off well for future generations.

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Reducing Red Eye In Photos

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How many countless photos have you taken at birthday parties, weddings, or bar mitzvahs that came back from your film developer with annoying red eye? The same thing can happen with animals, however, the result is usually a greenish or silvery glow. One of the most common problems novice photographers encounter when photographing people or animals is red eye. The problem is caused by the flash of the camera illuminating the rentina of the eye. With people the retina is made up of hundreds of tiny blood vessels. When lit by the camera's flash it reflects the red color of these vessels.

Reducing Red Eye In Photos

Today many point and shoot cameras offer a red eye reduction feature. A tiny strobe light will pulse from the camera prior to the camera shutter opening and closing. The theory is that the iris of the eye will narrow when exposed to the bright light. This offers a smaller area of the retina, containing the tiny blood vessels, to be exposed while the photo is taken. However, this doesn't always eliminate the problem. The reason is the proximity of the flash to the camera lens, it's just too close.

I have a friend who is now on his fourth camera within the past five years due to photos coming back from the lab with red eye. The red eye reduction feature on these cameras has never been consistent and still continues to result in red eye more often than not.

One of the ways to eliminate red eye if you own a point and shoot that doesn't allow for an attached accessory flash, is to either photograph the subject in the brightest ambient light possible or make sure the subject is not standing directly in front of you. Bright ambient light gives you, the photographer, the advantage of narrowing down the iris naturally before the strobe goes to work. The other option is to photograph the subject at an angle, so the lens will not have a direct line to the back of the eye's retina. This decreases the chance for the film to see the red retina.

Now, if you own or use a higher end camera, you most likely have the opportunity to utilize an external or accessory flash. These are usually mounted on a bracket off to the side of the camera. The advantage here is that the camera and the flash have some distance between them. We want to create as much distance between the flash and the lens of the camera as possible, this way the lens won't see the light bounce directly off the retina. The result is little to no red eye.

My biggest breakthrough in regard to reduction of red eye came when I was introduced to a diffuser that mounts to the top of the flash unit over the light. I use what's called a 80/20 (80% / 20%) diffuser. When photographing people or animals, I use it in the following manner. I aim my flash at a 90 degree angle up from my subject, basically into the sky. Because I am utilizing the 80/20 diffuser, 20% of that light is directed, in a diffuse fashion, back down at my subject. The results are fantastic! I eliminate red eye and create a softer more natural looking light for my subject. Not only does this reduce red eye but produces a softer light for the subject without harsh or annoying shadows behind them.

A couple of last things to consider would be the difference between photographing children and adults as well as complexion. A rule of thumb is that the younger the subject the wider the retina and the greater opportunity for red eye. The other point is that fairer skinned persons and people with blue eyes have a tendency to produce the red eye effect more than their counterparts. Consider these and the other suggestions the next time you photograph people and animals and you should have better results when you pick up your prints.

Details of this article can be viewed at http://www.sitecritic.net/projectDetail.php?id=25

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Teddy Bears Are Loved by All, But How Did They Come Into Being?

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Today it's hard to imagine a world without our much loved and loyal friend, the teddy bear. The teddy bear has only been with us for just over 100 years, making his first appearance in 1902. Then, in one of those impossible to explain coincidences, the teddy appeared in the same year on opposite sides of the world - in Germany and the USA.

Teddy Bears Are Loved by All, But How Did They Come Into Being?

In America, the teddy bear came into being with a cartoon showing President Theodore Roosevelt refusing to shoot a baby bear. According to this tale, Roosevelt had traveled to Mississippi to help settle a border dispute between that state and Louisiana, and while there, found time to go bear hunting. There were no bears to be found, but his hosts were desperate that he should have a good time. So eventually someone captured a bear and invited Roosevelt to shoot it. Roosevelt's refusal to fire at such a helpless target inspired the famous cartoon with its message regarding the two ways Roosevelt was drawing a line, ie settling a border dispute and refusing to shoot a captive animal.

The cartoon caused an immediate sensation and was reprinted across the USA. It inspired Morris and Rose Michtom of Brooklyn, New York, to make a bear to commemorate their president's actions and they named it "Teddy's Bear." It was placed in the window of their New York candy and stationery store. Instead of looking fierce and standing on all four paws like earlier toy bears, this bear looked cute , innocent, and honest, like the bear in the now famous cartoon. That could be why "Teddy's Bear" became so popular with both adults and children across the country. In fact, the demand was so strong that the Michtoms, with the help of a wholesale firm called Butler Brothers, established the first teddy bear manufacturer in the United States, the Ideal Novelty and Toy Company.

At the same time, but on the other side of the Atlantic, in Germany, a young man by the name of Richard Steiff was working for his aunt, Margarete Steiff, in her stuffed toy business. Richard often visited the Stuttgart Zoo to sketch animals, particularly the bear cubs. In 1902, the same year the Michtoms made "Teddy's Bear," the Steiff firm made their first toy bear based on Richard's designs.

Over the next 100 years the teddy bear went from strength to strength and whilst other toy crazes came and went, the bear remained an enduring favourite with generations of children across the world. The bear is loved by adults too, for his or her endearing, loyal and friendly nature. These characteristics are obvious in the latest generation of bears, those pictured on the DevonBears Designs products which show the loveable little creatures out and about in the lovely countryside of south Devon, England.

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Solar Lights - Various Ways to Enhance Your Landscaping

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Let's say you just invested a substantial amount of money to improve your backyard. It looks beautiful but you think it still needs a little more. You'd like to view it after dark. You may have features you would look great by adding some lighting to it. But, you are thinking in order to have it lit up you will have to hire an electrician to run wires through the yard. In order to not see the wires you would have to dig up some of the yard to put them under ground. Then after all is said and done, what happens if the lighting just doesn't work out? All would be for naught.

Solar Lights - Various Ways to Enhance Your Landscaping

However, there still is a way to accomplish what you want by adding solar lighting. With solar Lights, there would be no need to run wires. You can easily move them around to light just the areas you want. They would be so much more convenient than the hard-wired kind and would cost a fraction of the cost. Further, you would not have to dig up your landscaping.

Solar lights come in many different shapes, sizes, material and types. Some are made of plastic, some are copper, and some are stainless steel. They come in styles that would be suited for lighting pathways, highlighting rock gardens, extenuating ponds, and some even come in animal shapes likes frogs, turtles, dogs, birds, and squirrels. There are even ones that are seasonal shapes like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

In selecting which solar lights would be appropriate, you would need to look at the lay of the land and determine what you would like to light up and what you would like to just have lights around. If you have a walkway, perhaps solar pathway lights would be in order. There are also solar stepping stone lights that you could install as part of your pathway or along side of it. If you have a rock garden, placing some solar rock lights would add that special something to that area. If you have a special shrub or plant that you want highlighted, a solar spotlight would allow you to light that up. You may have other areas that you want something a little different; adding a solar frog, solar dog or solar squirrel light might really add to the area. You may even want to outline your deck with some solar deck lights.

All in all, there are solar lights for almost any application. You just have to use your imagination and select some. The beauty of solar lights is that you can easily move around till you find that right lighting.

The one caveat you will need to consider in solar lighting is that they should be placed in a sunny area. Rechargeable batteries that are re-charged during the light of day power solar lights. Fully charged batteries will usually allow about 8 hours of lighting.

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Types of Animation

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The world of technology has advanced and modified over the years. It has brought a wave of computer graphics with which an animator can transform his world of picture-making into the world of reality. The graphics has brought a new tide of revolution in the field of computer. Over the years, the graphics became popular in many professional fields. They are employed from fields ranging from film, cartoon making to commercial business and educational institutes.

Types of Animation

In a commercial world, the animation is used for the purpose of advertising goods and services. It is also used in maintaining and presenting the company website or promoting online business. An entrepreneur also employs computer graphics for presenting reports or making multimedia presentations. Educational institutions require these graphics for lucid explanation of facts or online tutorials. The film and entertainment industry often uses cartoons for visual effects or preparing a complete cartoon film.

There are several types of animation invented and introduced to the world. The 2D graphics was the first to be introduced to the world. In this kind, the cartoon characters are created by using 2D bitmap graphics. The advanced version is 3D animation that is digitally modeled as a result of which an animator can manipulate the image he desires or requires. There are many ways to use the graphic for the purpose of cartoon making. The Puppet cartoon making can be created by using stop-motion puppet figures. A constructed environment is created in which these figures interact with each other. The Model graphics are also used for the purpose of making cartoon films for the purpose of entertaining the children. Nowadays, animated films are also created for the adults and not only for the children. It is stop-motion moving picture created that exists as a part of real world. There are several visual effects used for the purpose of making a picture more emphatic and impressive. You can have intercutting, split screens and matte effects to make the stop-motion characters interact with the live actors or settings. The clay moving pictures employs figures made of clay or similar such material to create an impression of moving pictures. All these are different kinds of animated films or characters to achieve desirable results.

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Aquarium Driftwood

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Aquariums are not complete with just water and few fish swimming around in them. Adding aquarium driftwood can help make a beautiful aquascapes. Driftwood can be anything like small arches, caves, or hollows. Driftwood like branches, stumpy, and planted driftwood are readily available on the aquarium market.

Aquarium Driftwood

The choice of driftwood would primarily depend on the size of aquarium and the type of aquarium like freshwater or saltwater aquarium and the types of fish present in the aquarium.

When looking for driftwood, it is necessary to make sure that driftwood sinks naturally inside the aquariums, because if it doesn't sink, then they should be attached to a holder to keep them fixed at the bottom of the aquarium.

It is also necessary to make sure that the driftwood is free of snails and algae, so that it does not contaminate the aquarium's ecosystem. To ensure this, many aquarium shops thoroughly clean driftwood to make them safe for your aquarium.

Ensure that any driftwood you purchase do not have tannins in it, so it will not contaminate or discolor the water. Artificial driftwood is widely available at affordable prices. Apart from adding beauty to your aquarium, driftwood helps to mimic the natural environment of fish and help them enjoy being in the aquarium.

There are special kinds of driftwood suited to each kind of fish. For instance, Caribbean driftwood is a favorite of Dart frogs and Terrarium. Planted driftwood, with java fern and java moss growing on top of it, are also available.

A small driftwood centerpiece suitable for aquariums with a capacity of 10 to 30 gallons could cost you around .50. The price ranges can go upto for super large driftwood for 100 to 150 gallon capacity aquariums. No matter what the size of your aquarium is or how many fish it holds, adding accessories to it like driftwood pleases the fish in the aquarium and is quite pleasing to the eye.

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What Do the Stories You Tell REALLY Mean?

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Did you ever stop and think about what stories you repeat, either aloud or by forwarding an email? What is the message? Here is one I received a few days ago:

What Do the Stories You Tell REALLY Mean?

The Blind Man, author unknown

One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help." A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe. He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat. He dropped in more coins and, without asking for permission, took the sign and rewrote it. He returned the sign to the blind man and left. That afternoon the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins.

The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had rewritten his sign and wanted to know what he had written on it.

The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the message a little differently." He smiled and went on his way. The new sign read: "Today is Spring and I cannot see it." The End.

You can read a story on many different levels and take away from it a variety of lessons. Stop for a moment and ask yourself this question: What message about blindness does this story convey?

Blind beggars used to be commonplace, but in these modern times, is it a good thing to perpetuate that image? I say, "No."

What does this story say to you? Certainly, it highlights the power of marketing to bring about results. That is true, granted, but perhaps there is a deeper layer of meaning. I encourage all of you to consider thoughtfully.

The tale tells me that a man should beg for compensation since he is unable to witness the beauty of the world because of his lack of vision.

I awoke this morning to the soft muzzle of my dog Molly nudging me to take her out. Her plume-tail wagged up a breeze that made me want to stay nestled in the warmth of my covers instead of facing the cold morning. But after a poke in the shoulder and a face washing, I woke up the two cats lying on my chest and abdomen and laughed my way out of bed.

Have you noticed that some of the birds who left the Ozarks for winter are returning? I heard them this morning. One that I call the "wow-wow" bird because of his song serenaded me this morning. The air smelled crisp, and though the day was cold, sunshine warmed not only my face, but also my spirit. What a glorious place this is! What a joy to live in the Ozarks!

I do not miss the smell of car exhaust, the crowds, or the sound of sirens I heard every day in the big city.

As I walked to the chicken coop to let the birds come out into the bright day, I heard the exuberant sounds of their eagerness to be free. Chickens have an amazing vocabulary. I never knew that until I cared for a flock of my own.

As I walked Molly, two of my neighbors slowed their cars and talked with me, and in the grocery store, we met several dear friends. There are many wonderful people here in Stone County.

When I am not out enjoying nature, running errands or being entertained by my pets, I delight in creating magical stories, helpful articles, and amusing slices of life for people who love to read. When I'm not writing, I might be preparing three-cheese biscuits or Scottish oat-cakes to delight the taste buds, or massaging away someone's aches and pains.

In short, life is good. I am not wealthy in the usual way, but I feel richly blessed with loving family and friends, wonderful animals, talents that touch peoples' lives, and a heart full of gratitude.

What, you might wonder, does any of this have to do with the story of the blind man? I am legally blind. True, there are a few things I cannot do because of it, like drive a car. But why would I beg to compensate my loss? I am only lacking if I choose to see it that way.

Think about the stories you repeat.

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How MySpace Money Layouts Can Bring You Highly Targeted Traffic

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Many companies these days are jumping on the social networking bandwagon. From MySpace to Facebook to even Youtube, marketers are banking on viral social media marketing to get their names and products out there. If you haven't already considered MySpace as a platform for you in your online marketing efforts, you should. Why wouldn't you want to take advantage of the largest social networking website out there, especially with millions of users logging onto MySpace at any given time of the day? This article will tell you how MySpace money layouts can bring you highly targeted traffic to boost your internet marketing efforts.

How MySpace Money Layouts Can Bring You Highly Targeted Traffic

The first thing any MySpace money layout needs is uniqueness. Your MySpace layout should stand out from the rest; it should be unique enough to get noticed once the user comes across the profile for the first time. Graphics and images help entice users to view the profile as opposed to just a page full of text, because let's face it, a lot of people are "visual" people. They respond better to images than text, especially where a profile page is concerned. So if you're looking to capture your audience's attention, be sure to spice up your MySpace layout with images and graphics. Put up your company logo, products, or any graphics that may be related to what you're doing. Make your profile visually arresting while at the same time telling people what you're all about. That way, those interested in knowing more will peruse your MySpace and - if you provide them with the link - your website.

MySpace Layouts allow you to choose layouts of different design and graphics for you to showcase your creativity and what you're all about. Many MySpace users are using Layouts to express their unique personalities, so you should do the same even though your main purpose at the end of the day is to market your product. After all, if you can't capture their attention from the get-go, how else will you be able to convince them to buy your products or even make them click through to your website in the first place?

A lot of custom and pre-made profiles are made available for your perusal on MySpace, so personalizing yourself either as an individual or a business entity should be no problem at all. If you're new to MySpace, you can start out using the basic design for your profile, and then seek help from experienced MySpace profile designers. They can provide you with interesting MySpace div layouts and MySpace Flash layouts for your profiles, and typically these designers have the ability to create visually arresting designs for MySpace. Basically, a div layout gives you the freedom to give your layout any look, feel, and format that you desire, so you won't be limited to just the default format that MySpace provides. Consider a Flash layout as well, as a Flash layout would you're your MySpace profile that much more interactive, with moving animation and seemingly multiple pages.

If you don't have the skills to "pimp up" your MySpace profile, you can do a search for "Professional MySpace Designer" on search engines and browse through the design portfolios of those you might be interested in hiring. These guys should be able to give you a whole bunch of layout designs that will surely make your profile stand out above the rest.

MySpace money layouts is simply a matter of making your MySpace profile stand out and be noticed. Once your MySpace has managed to capture users' attention, you'll then be able to lead them through to your website to begin their conversion from prospect to consumer.

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Training Two Different French Bulldogs in the Same Home

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While you were looking for a dog to bring home, it hadn't been your intention to bring home two of them, but then you fell in love with two sisters. "How could I separate these two adorable puppies," you thought to yourself. "They are both coming home with me."

Training Two Different French Bulldogs in the Same Home

And so on your way home, you stop and get another bed, a second dog crate, and a second training leash and collar. Immediately, you can tell that "Whimper" and "Whiner" are two very different girls. Whimper approached you and was there to offer you puppy kisses the moment you reached out your hand to her. On the other hand, her sister Whiner peed on herself when you reached out to her and hid behind her sister. Still, you told yourself, you can't separate these two and you'll make a go of it. They need each other, after all.

When Whiner peed on the floor in the kitchen, despite being shown the wee wee pads and your attempts at demonstrating how to use them (indeed your wife got it on video and continues to show friends and family to this day), proved fruitless. Whimper on the other hand, got it the first time and never did you have an accident in the house with her again.

When you are home with your girls, Whimper likes to sit right by your feet, whether you are watching TV, reading a book or playing on the computer. Whiner, by contrast, seems to prefer being outside, patrolling your property. Whether it's a passerby, a wayward squirrel or a moving cloud, Whiner is there to let everything and everyone know this is HER home. Although she doesn't show aggression, she does let it be known that she knows something is a potential threat. Indeed that moving cloud is the biggest of them all!

Wherever you go, you can almost guarantee that Whimper will be at your feet and if you aren't careful, you could step on her paws, she is so close to you. Whiner, although she seems very loyal to you, seems to prefer sitting by her lonesome, chewing on her deer antler.

Realizing that your training program was starting later than you would have hoped, given that the girls were 4 months old when you brought them home, you figure that you can just jump right in. They're older presumably, you tell yourself, more apt to "hear" you better. What you didn't bargain for is that each dog is different. What you noticed as being differences in their personalities, will likely help determine how quickly or slowly each responds to training.

From the moment you pull out the crates and have your girls sleeping in them at night and while you are away from home, you see that Whimper loves her crate and is perfectly obedient when you say "inside", in she goes. Whiner, you notice, not only doesn't want to use hers, she takes to sleeping on the porch. Although it's true that you are the boss and decide when your girls go to the bathroom, eat, where they sleep, etc. sometimes it is really best to recognize that each of your dogs is different and personalities should be considered as well as establishing who Alpha is your home.

Something else you notice as you're training your dogs is that when you reprimand Whimper, she cowers. Perhaps she is just really sensitive?

By contrast, when you correct Whiner, you notice that she needs a heavier hand. She tests you in the same way your sister's 3-year old tests her. You find yourself putting Whiner in a submissive move more and more often and wonder why this is necessary when Whimper is this docile, sweet natured girl who lives to serve you. You almost want to believe that Whiner is testing you, but you reason with yourself that she's a dog and not a human. All the literature you have read suggests that only we as humans attach those emotions to a dog and they in fact don't exist in them.

So, what's different about Whimper and Whiner? As they grow up, it will become more apparent that although they are from the same litter, they are just different dogs. In the same manner that your sister's 3-year old tests the boundaries constantly and has her in tears frequently, his sister is docile, responsive, and has never once disobeyed her parents.

Does this mean that you will need to train them differently? Definitely! What works on Whimper is child's play to Whiner. Whiner, you'll discover, prefers patrolling the perimeter, barking at potential threats such as moving clouds and all things with two or four legs. In fact, when the house down the street was broken into, it was Whiner who thwarted the would-be burglar's efforts. She became the neighborhood hero as she literally apprehended the criminal by knocking him over and sitting on him until the police came. Although Whimper showed up, once she realized that Whiner had everything under control, she lay down and groomed her nails.

What this very true, all of it, word-for-word story should tell you is that dogs are different. They possess very distinct personalities. Some are high energy, others can be considered low-key. What makes Whimper easier to train might be why you see her retreat to her crate at night and be by your feet during the day. Regardless of her size, she's a lap dog at heart. Rather than disappoint you, she will get your commands the first time you give them. Whiner by contrast, is head strong, a watchdog and will be resistant to training. Is one better over the other? You should be so fortunate to have one of each living in your home. Just make sure to show Whiner that it's okay to give you puppy kisses when she's not barking at the moving clouds.

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Dog Training Explained

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When it comes to pets, dogs are truly in a league of their own. Unlike the aloof cat or placid goldfish, having a pet dog encourages its owner to interact with it, play with it, talk to it, run around with it, and so on. No other pets form as strong a bond with its owner as dogs do. Inherently sociable animals, dogs love being the center of attention, meeting new people and seeing new places. The problem many dog owners face, however, is how to contain or control their dog's natural excitement so they don't jump on guests, chase cars or chew everything in the house ragged.

Dog Training Explained

Dog training is obviously the answer - but what exactly is it? Most new dog owners are not familiar with the ins and outs of dog obedience training, and are unsure of how exactly to tame little Fido so it does not pee everywhere and chew on the curtains. The good news is that dog training classes are fairly common in most cities, and are affordable enough for most pet owners. Even better news is that with a little research, you yourself can train your dog using the same techniques and tactics used by the experts. Don't expect to become a dog whisperer after reading just one book, however - dog training is a skill many expert trainers hone over years working with hundreds of dogs. But any god owner can certainly pick up many useful training skills from reading just one book or attending a few classes on dog training.

The first thing you should know about dog training are the different techniques used. Currently there are two primary training methods used by most experts: collar or leash training, and reward training.

Collar or leash dog training is not as popular since it involves physically restraining the animal. It is, none the less, an effective training technique for certain breeds of dog. Collar or leash training is done by controlling the dog's reactions to your various commands/instructions through the use of a leash around the animal's neck. The owner exert force on the leash with varying degrees of severity to maintain control of the dog as the training progresses. Leash training is a good way to show the dog that you are firmly in charge of the situation and the leader of the relationship. Dogs have a genetic tendency to follow the leader of the pack, and will actually listen to you and follow your instructions more carefully if it thinks you are the leader. While it may seem harsh, collar or leash training is an effective training method where other methods fail.

Another popular dog training technique, the reward method, is favored by many dog owners when they first try to teach their new puppy simple commands. A kinder, gentler and, some might argue, more humane dog training technique, the reward method uses positive reinforcement to teach dogs. Every time your dog shows some progress in picking up a new command or behavioral trait, you would encourage it by showering it with praise, love, and little treats. The dog will soon repeat doing the things that make its master happy, and also keep doing the same thing in the hope of receiving another treat.

Dog training is not just for the benefit of the animal. It also helps the owner gain a deeper understanding of his or her pet, and fosters a stronger bond between the two.

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The Power of Communication in Relationships

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COULD SPEECH HAVE EVOLVED?

The Power of Communication in Relationships

Interesting studies suggest that speech is not innate or intrinsic to humans. Efforts to teach speech to animals have only seen simplistic results, and the ability in one animal to say a few words is not passed on to the offspring.

Evidence exists that suggests that speech is solely a learned behavior. Examples of a child growing up in an environment without speech show that he will naturally develop other methods of communication, not that of complicated speech. Thus, if two such people had children, their offspring would not develop speech either. It is not innate, nor intrinsic to us. It is solely a learned behavior. It implies that the first humans could speak.

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE AND SPEECH:

The ability to communicate in complicated manners is one reason why we are so superior to animals. It is interesting that the most intelligent animals on earth all have a varied form of communication, but nothing is as complex as human speech. Parrots who can mimic human speech patterns still don't communicate with other parrots in that manner, nor do they attempt to teach their offspring that form of communication. Only humans have words that convey ideas.

It was from an idea that God spoke the universe into existence.

At the same time, one's ability to control his tongue, speech, and language shows a depth of character able to rein in all other parts of the body.

Here are a couple of quotes you may want to remember:

• The pen is mightier than the sword - Bulwar
• A sword less hurt does than a pen! - William King
• A man's character is revealed by his speech - Menanader
• Language most shows a man - Speak that I might see thee - Ben Johnson
• The magic of the tongue is the most dangerous of all spells - Bulwer

God Himself, in His Word, stated that:

Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

THE POWER OF COMMUNICATION:

There is no other power on earth that can both fix problems and create them like that of speech. Whoever said the phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," was ignorant of human nature. Words can and do hurt--very much so.

• Nations go to war over words.
• Marriages can be fixed with words.
• Children believe your words.
• Words express who you are, what you want, where you are going, ideas, love and hate, and give meaning to the meaningless!

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Speaking and writing are arts. If you wish to have better relationships, you need to master these arts. It takes effort.
2. Learn new words. Learn how to use them.
3. Learn to write. Write stories, write letters--write anything! Learn to convey your ideas, thoughts, and dreams.
4. Learn communication skills. Learning to talk and to use the right words at the right time will propel you further than you ever thought.

I don't believe that we can accurately say that someone is more intelligent than someone else. Since we use such a small amount of our brains, it is impossible to determine who and who is not smarter than another.

What you see, is a person's ability to use language well. The more command of language that you have; the smarter and more intelligent you will seem to others. It is also one of the few ways to open your mind to what you would not normally perceive. Words help shape perception and reality. They have power.

Once you master the art of expressing yourself through words, you will gain a skill and strength that is unmatched by anything that money, position, popularity, or beauty can ever give you.

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What is 3D Animation?

3D ANIMATION :

Do not be fooled by the seemingly simplicity of this question.

What is 3D Animation?

I was actually quite tempted not to write this article because it's such a difficult topic to write on. It can be answered as complicated as you want it to be or as short as you desire. The thing is, I need to let clients know how complicated the process is, but not to let them walk away confused. Saying that, I will try my best to answer this question in the most concise but uncomplicated way possible.

In a nutshell, computer 3D animation refers to the work of creating moving pictures in a digital environment that is three-dimensional. Through the careful manipulation of objects (3D models) within the 3D software, we can then export picture sequences which will give the illusion of movement (animation) based on how we manipulate the objects.

What happens in animation is that motion is simulated in a way that the eyes tend to believe that actual motion has taken place while the fact is the perceived sense of motion is only because of the consecutive images that are passed through very fast.

This theory is inherent be it for 3D, 2D or stop motion animation.

In traditional 2D animation, pictures are hand-drawn and every one showing subtle changes from the previous. When played back sequentially, it creates the illusion of motion. In stop motion animation, real life models are moved slightly and filmed. Again, the pictures will create the illusion of motion when played back. In 3D animation, everything is done within the computer and exported from the computer.

The process of creating 3D animation can be sequentially divided into three phases: modeling - which describes the process of creating the 3D objects within a scene, layout and animation - which describes how objects are positioned and animated within a scene, and rendering - which describes the final output of the completed computer graphics. Through the combination of the above phases and a few other sub-phases, this completes the process of a 3D animation production.

There are many software in the market for creating 3D animation, ranging from the cheaper lower-end ones to the professional high-end versions. If you are curious to see how a 3D software works, you can download a free one called Blender. Just Google it and you will be able to find its official website.

"Now YOU Can Create Professional 3D Animations, Games And Graphic Models Like Pixar and Dreamworks In 2 Hours or Less..."

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