Monday, October 20, 2008

What is Blogging: The New Form of Journalism

Ever wonder why most all of the teens today are addicted to the internet? Well it has everything a young exploring mind needs. From browsing the net for document researches, shopping, cooking, gaming, chat, and a whole bunch of stuff going inside a website’s offer.
Yep, all of these including one secluded part of a teen’s life which is their journal. Don’t believe me? Then try hooking up on the internet now and see how much there is that is available today.
Aside from being a window for the readers to see what’s on the author’s mind, a blog lets him elaborate on facts or scribble out whatever idea that pops out his head. A blog is a simplified term for “web blog”-a new generation medium for writing articles, essays, statements and the like.
It’s usually composed of texts or sometimes pictures and multimedia topics. If you’re tired of jotting down every single detail of your life’s worth on paper, why not try the new fad of journalism which is blogging. Blogging literally means sharing a comment of life through the internet.
It is an up-to-date source. A sequence of events. A timeless exhibit of creativity and style. An outlet for one’s self.
The popularity of blog comes in different areas. Anyone can write anything that comes out of his head. Whether a walk on a sunny day or a dip into California ’s wild waters, it serves as a diary and is readily updated. What’s good about blogging is that it is not bounded by editing and is cheap.
The commercial velocity of a blog depends on a writer’s instinct to create a worthy article. Either formative or informative, rational or irrational, for as long as the readers can visualize what the author has posted your blog’s a hit.
Technical specialties and skills, not necessary. Publishing freedom, an advantage. All that is needed is for you to have a witty mind, a desire to share ideas and part of your story, and a bit of knowledge to toggle into the internet. Grammatical errors are welcome. No editors and publishing companies to please. Journalism without rules or guidelines to follow and what’s best is that readers could post a comment or be inspired to write one too.
Blogging wouldn’t be difficult if you have the right recipes. Not just a simple-text article, a blog may be enhanced or converted into other types like an audio blog or a video blog. Nowadays, blogs are more sophisticated and advanced. Element of a blog starts from a good and captivating headline down to the author’s personal profile. Included herewith are the blog post, permalink (combined term for “permanent link”), and the reader’s comments.
A friend of mine is a blogger. She would entertain herself by posting blogs on her web page. She told me that blogging is an advantage for her to speak up to the world of the things that’s keeping her shut. And I quote, “I am an internet junkie. I am not a big fan of journalism or any kind of writing.
But it all changed when the blogging fever entered internet society. I appreciated it more when I felt everything that’s written are real and not just a compulsory decoy to deliver information. Right then, I became a part of a bigger picture.”
Trapped in a world of unwanted opinions, blogging is a benefit. But everything has its own consequences. Blogs are much harder to manage than that of the broadcast media. In politically sensitive issues, blogs can be considered as a political misfit. Results are triggered through suppression of bloggers and punishments were made. Another grave case is the issue of defamation and liability. Nevertheless, blogging is still out there. So if you’re the type who has the snap for writing, give blogging a shot. You never know how much it would contribute to the society and to your pockets.

Fishing Tips and Techniques

Fishing provides a great way to relax and observe nature. It can be a fun hobby that can continue throughout your lifetime. It is a sport that can be done alone or with others and can be done on many types of lakes, rivers, streams and ponds. To keep fishing enjoyable try these easy tips

* Learn about the type of fish you want to catch. You will do much better at catching them if you pay attention to their feeding preferences as well as where they are most likely to be.

* Use the proper gear for the fish you want to catch. This gives you the best chance of catching fish. If you use the wrong sized hooks or rod and reel you will be disappointed in not getting any nibbles.

* Follow the lead of others. Take your cue from more experienced anglers. When in doubt, ask questions.

* Use maps or a depth finder to see the depth of the water and to locate areas where fish are most likely to be.

* Fish at the time of day that your particular fish like to eat. Many fish prefer to feed in the early morning or just before dark and may not come out of hiding during other times.

* When fish aren't biting try using live bait. Most fish can't resist a properly positioned fresh meal for the taking. Placement is everything so be sure to think about where your fish are hiding out.

* Use weed less lures in weedy areas and near trees. They will help keep you from getting stuck and losing lures or baits.

* Practice safety around water. Always wear a life jacket when you are in a boat. Keep little ones away from the water's edge.

* Keep several types and colors of lures and jigs in your tackle box. When fishing is slow you can try using other styles to see if your luck improves.

* Take care when casting. Look behind you and make sure you have plenty of room. Many fishermen get hooked each year. Usually the hooks are superficial and are easily removed. However, if there is a deep hook don't try to remove it yourself. Make a visit to the local emergency room to ensure that the hook is properly removed without pain or further injury.

* Sunfish or pan fish are often easy to catch from shore. They are great for beginners and children because they build confidence. Kids will easily get bored if there is no action and to them catching a few tiny sun fish is more exciting than waiting for the big fish that never comes.

* Fishing can be more enjoyable with someone else. Find a friend to take along.

* If a full day of fishing seems too long try fishing in local areas that you can get to easily. Fish for an hour or two at a time.

* When renting a fishing boat be sure you know how to use it. Watch the weather and head back in when threatening weather may be approaching.

How to Increase Your Metabolism and Burn Fat

The harder you work out and the closer you come to achieving your goals, the harder it seems to lose the last bit of fat. How do you get around this problem? This article will provide you with information on how you can increase your metabolism and meet your goals. Whether you're just starting out or been at it for years, the following information will be beneficial to you.
As frustrating as it is to try to lose weight, keep in mind that this is your body's way of self-preservation - your body is designed to protect your fuel reserves from running too low, just in case food becomes scarce. This was a nice biological feature in the past, but here in the 21st century, this "feature" is hardly necessary! How do you get around this problem? By increasing your metabolism! Here's some ways to make that happen!
1. Skip the long runs. Distance running doesn't enhance your fat-burning. It's much more effective to do short sprints of thirty seconds, interspersed with a slow jog.
2. As time goes on, the same amount of activity burns fewer calories - your body adapts to your level of work, causing you to keep "upping" the workout to achieve the results you were having before. For example, University of California at Berkley scientists found that to avoid age-related weight gain, runners needed to "up" their weekly mileage by 1.7 miles each year. So, think beyond your last workout - and think about what you can do on your next!
3 When weight training, do eight to 15 repetitions of each set. This stimulates an increase in fat-burning hormones, compared to less or more reps. Just make sure you use weights that challenge you. If you do eight repetitions with a weight you could do 15 reps with - you're not having an effective workout. Try to give 90 to 100 percent of your full effort for any given repetition range. If you struggle on your last repetition - you're in the zone!
4. Do two to four sets of each exercise. Yes, the more you do, the better...but only up to a point. Beyond 4 sets, you might be increasing your strength, but for fat burning, the extra sets above 4 don't really help! So, start with two sets as you start working out, and work up to four as your conditioning improves.
5. Keep your rest periods between sets no more than 75 seconds. Keeping your rest periods shorter builds lactate in your bloodstream - and high lactate levels are associated with an increase in the release of fat-burning hormones. Resting too long lets your body process out the lactate in your bloodstream, negating the positive benefits.
6. Lift slow, not fast - and alternate between two exercises. Taking your time puts the stress on your muscles (which burn fuel) and off your tendons (which not only don't burn fat, but also can become injured from that stress). And, follow with a set that works a different muscle group. Not only does this help you limit your rest periods (keeping your lactate levels high), but also helps you offset fatigue!
7. Work your whole body. Work multiple muscles, rather than isolate specific muscle groups. And, the bigger / more muscles you work, the greater the benefit. For example - doing squats will elevate your metabolism far better than working your biceps - and working all your muscle groups in a workout means more muscles burning fuel. And, as your muscles keep burning fuel even after a workout - up to 39 hours afterword! Plus, a University of Wisconsin study found that doing a full-body workout with just three big-muscle exercises (bench press, power clean, and squat) - you'll burn a greater percentage of calories from fat compared with only targeting a couple of small muscle groups.

Managing Stress 101

If your response to a stress event is inadequate or inappropriate you will experience certain physiological responses: sweating, rapid heart rate, slowing of your digestive system, and a shot of adrenaline.
Over time, your continued inadequate or inappropriate responses to stress will cause the triad of stress affects: swelling of the adrenal glands, atrophy or shrinking lymphatic system, and irritation of the digestive system.
Your job if you choose to accept it is to cope with stress and even reduce stress by finding the correct stress management technique and using them over a long period of time.
Just like anything, there are rules and procedures to follow. To stop your stress freight train you need resistance. You stop fueling it. You apply the breaks. You use gravity or another natural force to assist you.
Look at your task of controlling stress. Does anything about stopping a freight train apply to you?
Can you find some form of resistance -- something to keep yourself from collapsing in the face of stress? Your body needs energy from real foods, adrenal gland support, rest, exercise, and relaxation.
Stop fueling your stress. Stop giving it energy. It will continue to grow unless you stop fueling it. Stop giving your stress what it needs to multiply. If you can avoid stressful situations in the first place you will be far ahead of the game. What are some areas, places, or people that you can avoid that by doing so will reduce your stress?
Apply the breaks to your stress. Where can you draw the line and make boundaries? Make your own rules about this stress and stand firm on them. No more taking on extra work. No more dating that certain person. No more eating that big glob of ice cream at night and regretting it in the morning. Make new rules – stress-free rules you can use to guide yourself before you put yourself into that stressful situation again.
Memories causing stress need to be addressed. Not the memory but your response to it. There are ways to neutralize your responses to negative or stress-causing memories. These require some physical work on your part but are well worth doing. I have detailed several techniques in my manual.
Use some natural force to assist you. Laughing is in. What can you do everyday to increase your laughter? Who makes you laugh? What do you read that cracks a smile?
Exercise reduces your stress. It is a fact that exercise improves your body’s muscle tone, circulation, oxygenation, and other functions thereby improving your ability to cope with stress.
Music sounds good. Music can change a mood and stress levels in moments. What can you listen to that takes your mind of the stress at hand? Turn it on and turn it up and take it with you all day.
Relaxation is a pleasant thought. Have you just sat for five minutes and not done anything? Sit for a moment and take some deep breaths. Do nothing for a change on purpose.

Managing stress is two points.
1. Find out what it is that causes you stress; avoid it and make new rules about it.
2. Do something that powerfully reduces stress and do it over a long time, daily.

Are Energy Drinks Safe?

Need an energy boost? More people than ever are turning to so called energy drinks for increased stamina, alertness, better workouts, late night partying, and who knows what else. It’s now estimated that there are as many as 200 different brands of energy drinks in the U.S., bringing in close to 1 billion dollars in annual sales.
You can probably guess where the kick in these drinks comes from. An 8 oz AMP (a Mountain Dew spin-off) has 77 mg of caffeine. An 8.3-ounce Red Bull contains 70 mg. The University of Florida College of Medicine recently found 105 mg of caffeine in a 6.5 oz can of Starbucks Doubleshot. By comparison, a typical 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee has around 85 mg of caffeine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends limiting the amount of caffeine in a 12 oz soda to 65 mg, but energy drinks are not regulated and many exceed that threshold by a wide margin. Is this much caffeine dangerous?
Since the level of caffeine per ounce is similar to regular coffee, indulging in an occasional energy drink is probably safe for most adults. Problems can arise, however, when energy drinks are added to a diet already loaded with caffeine. Children, pregnant women, those with high blood pressure, or those who are hypersensitive to caffeine should be careful with energy drinks. Since caffeine and prolonged exercise both promote dehydration, using energy drink before such activity is not recommended.
The common practice of mixing energy drinks with alcohol is also strongly discouraged. One is a stimulant, and one is a depressant, and both contribute to dehydration. While many mistakenly believe that extra caffeine negates the affects of alcohol, the reality is that blood alcohol will remain the same with or without the added energy drink, along with your level of intoxication.
Besides caffeine, many energy drink companies have added vitamins, amino acids and other “natural” ingredients, a few of which the impact on health are not well known. Don’t forget sugar- a regular 8.3 oz can of Red Bull has 27 grams, or 110 calories.
If you are looking for a cheap buzz, choose regular coffee over energy drinks (unless you drink at Starbucks). The typical 8 oz energy drink will cost more than $2.
There is probably nothing wrong with an occasional energy drink for most people, but they may pose problems for those who choose to push the limits.

Learn To Cure Your Acne Naturally

More and more acne sufferers are now turning to treating their skin condition naturally. This is because doctors are now too quick to prescribe an oral drug for a problem that can be controlled with a nutritious diet and a healthier lifestyle. No drug will cure anything if you're continually feeding the cause with poor lifestyle habits.
Doctors won't prescribe a healthy, natural approach to treating acne because prescribing drugs is what keeps them in their job. Continual use of drugs can cause unwanted side effects, and this is what is putting more an more people off of visiting their doctor for the treatment of their acne.
So what would be your best approach to treating your skin? First of it's important to keep your skin clean, and you can do this easily with a medicated, anti-bacterial soap. It doesn't need to be a prescription strength chemical based soap, it can be one that you can buy straight of the shelf in your local grocery store. As long as it kills bacteria and keeps your skin clean there's nothing else you need it to do.
All you need to do is wash your skin morning and night, and this is to wash away all the dead skin cells, oil and bacteria. Doing this gives your skin the room it needs to breath, and leaves less on your skin to clog up any pores.
Keeping your skin moist is very important. Dry skin can encourage acne, and cause the pores to become more clogged. Drinking plenty of water every day will help your skin stay supple and moist. You should aim for at least 8 glasses of water spread out through the day. If you body becomes dehydrated your skin will become too dry, and then your acne can get worse.
Eat a diet that is filled with foods full of nutrition. Fresh fruit and vegetables are the foods you need your diet to consist of the most. Your body relies on vitamins and minerals to function properly, and your skin needs them for it to look good too.
If you want to eat junk food that is filled with fat, and has zero nutritional value then your skin will reflect what you're putting into your body.
A diet that is filled with these poor foods also puts more toxins into your body, and these toxins put a strain on your internal organs. When your internal organs have to work harder this has an effect on the way your skin looks, and also has an effect on your energy levels.
Regular exercise helps keep your skin clear. Exercise helps your body excrete toxins through sweating, and it also gives all of your internal organs a good workout. Your blood pumps faster, and exercise will release endorphins so you feel better, and when you feel better you look better.
Using these tips for clearer skin will have a much more positive effect on your life than taking drugs for a year or two that only mask a cause of your acne.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

learn how to swim.


No matter your age, swimming is an important skill, especially if you live or vacation near water. Learning to swim is very much like learning to ride a bicycle. Once you learn, you will never forget.If you are looking for lessons for you child, you should check with your community pool or the local Red Cross for certified instructors. Having someone certified will guarantee your child learns not just the basics of the strokes, but also water safety rules.The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to begin swimming lessons until your children are at least four years old, however, younger children can still be taught to enjoy the water and to feel comfortable around it. Swim lessons are not a guarantee against drowning, they do increase your child’s chances of escaping a water emergency without injury. You should always supervise young children when in or near water of even shallow depth.To teach your child to swim, follow the same suggestions for teaching yourself to swim that are found below. Remember to give your child plenty of encouragement and support. It is okay to start them off with floatation devices as the first step is to become comfortable in the water.If you are an adult who doesn’t swim, don’t worry! It is never too late to learn to swim. The first thing to do is find a swim instructor who will help you learn to be comfortable and in control in the water. This is especially important if you are afraid of the water. Learning the actual strokes will not help if you are tense or nervous in the water.If you want to teach yourself to swim, first determine how deep the water is. If you are swimming in a pool, it is usually posted somewhere nearby. If you are in a lake, wade into the water until you are at a comfortable depth – one where you can touch and still get your head above water. Never dive into water in which you are uncertain of the depth or location things you might hit while diving.While you are learning to swim and until you gain confidence in your abilities remain in water that is not over your head in case you become tired while swimming. First, practice treading water. For this, you will have to be in water very nearly over your head. Treading water involves kicking your feet downward, as if you are riding a bicycle while “dog paddling” water with your hands. The dog paddle is a short, rapid stroke performed in front of the body with hands cupped. This stroke will keep you fairly stationary and your head above water.Next, practice floating. You can float on your back (back float) or stomach (jellyfish or deadman’s float). Either of these involves taking in a breath of air and holding it. Only your shoulders and head