About Movie

How Meetup started

Meetup is social networking website that helps its users to arrange meetings locally. The meetings that are arranged are ranged from topics such as movies, health, pets, politics and other interests.

Meetup.com was founded by Scott Heiferman, Matt Mekker, and Peter Kamali on June, 2002. Inspiration came from the book "Bowling Alone"- which explains the decline in neighborhood relations in US.

During 2002 to 2003, this website was one of worlds fastest growing social networking website. Mainly politicians has used it to organize meetings and has been heavily used by political campaigns in US and gained popularity during 2004 and most users registering at it signed for Dean in 2004, Clark in 2004 and Kerry in 2004.

This website announced that it would collect charges from local Organizers from August, 2005.

Meetup development:

Interests and groups on this website has been increasing from its start and the real push for it came during the 2003 political campaign when Democratic Presidential nomination started to use to conduct their grass root movement. Meetup.com revenue came from monthly subscriptions paid by local organizers. From August, 2005 this website announced to collect charges from local organizers.

During March, 2005 members reached 1,595,165 members registered with it (according to official website). It also has 194,472 local groups covering 5,454 different topics. Meetup removed local groups without paying organizers and also groups which has less than 5 or less members. It reported having 1,643,652 members, 5,484 topics and 99,731 local groups during July, 2005. The Meetup official website reveals that it has 5.7 million members, 8,340 different topics and 58,936 groups as on September, 2009.

Current usage:

Meetup is currently used to organize meetings with people locally. It is a form of real social networking where people meet. This website has different groups which grown to more than 2000 in number and thus makes easy to organize a local group or join one of existing group to meet face to face.

Members can start their own group and people from that area will join and meet them. Members need to enter their US zip code and for other countries, the city they live and the topic they are interested.

Members can choose from existing topics and it has presently 8,340 listed. You need to join a group and there are around 66,725 as on September, 2009. You can browse groups by a topic you interest and also search.

The groups are organized by an Organizer or Assistant Organizer and are called "Meetup Events" or "Meetups". When a Event has been scheduled, the members of the group has the right to tell whether they attend or not. The group members respond by selecting "Yes", "No" or "Maybe". Meetup does not charge for signing up or attending a Meetup or joining a group. It charges the organizer of the group.

User benefits:

The Meetup website differs from other social networking websites as it allows its users to meet face to face. The user can form into groups locally and meet regularly.

The following are some of the benefits of using Meetup.com:

1. Find other people locally who have similar interests as you.
2. You can get involved in local meetups (meetings organized) organized in your area.
3. By attending the meetups you can learn, teach and share knowledge.
4. Through meetups you can get new friends in your locality.
5. You can be proud to be part of community that is local or international.
6. Companies can promote their product/service by organizing meetups locally.
7. You can organize different campaigns in your locality this is proven by political campaigns successfully organized.

To join and participate in Meetup.com website, you need to register. Registering at this website requires you to provide the following: your real name,password, email id, country and city.

After you register search for topic or interest near a place you like to attend. If there exists no group on your interest near your place you can start your own.

The member who owns/start a group is called "Meetup Organizer" and charges for the organizer of a group as in following plans:

1. $12 per month for a period of 6 months.
2. $15 per month for a period of 3 months.
3. $19 per month.

You can join this website for free and you can also join group without any fees. Some group organizers may charge its members for attending an event. These costs may involve room rentals, prizes cost, and others.

The Organizer plans when and where to schedule a meeting. The members of that group may RSVP to its organizer by telling whether they attend that meeting or not by "Yes" or "No" or "May Be". The schedule of group appears in the Group's calender.

Worldwide usage:

According to Alexa.com, meetup.com was used extensively in United States forming 78%, United Kingdom forms 4% of users and the rest from Canada, India and Australia.

Meetup official website reveals that it has 5.7 million members and it organized 179,000 monthly meetups around 11,507 cities in the world.

Ever wondered where Santa came from and just how he achieves the amazing feat of delivery a Christmas gift to every home around the globe?

If you're wondering what the evidence is for Santa Claus, here's a collection of ten interesting facts about Santa himself:-

1. His origins appear to be in the 4th century when Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, in Turkey, was kind to children and legend has it that he threw gifts from a window to poor children
2. As early as 1773 the name appeared in the American press as "St. A Claus,", later becoming Santa Claus
3. The author Washington Irving gave Americans their first detailed description of Saint Nicholas, describing him as "a chubby little man with a jolly smile, drawn by a team of reindeer"
4. First seen in poetry in 1823, when Clement Clarke Moore made him even more famous with "The Night Before Christmas", including the names of eight reindeer (not including Rudolf, who was to appear in 1939 as lead reindeer). This is one of the best loved and most re-told Christmas poems.
5. Historical letters from Santa, dating back to 1849, including well kept & interesting copies for the children of JRR Tolkien, are available both online and in print
6. First pictures & publicity, illustrator Thomas Nast, who depicted a rotund Santa for Christmas issues of Harper's magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s, including his toy making. You can see these images at http://www.sonofthesouth.net/Original_Santa_Claus.htm
7. "Is there a Santa Claus" was the title of an editorial appearing in the September 21, 1897 edition of the New York Sun, ending up with the much publicised verdict, "Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus"
8. In 1930, an image of Santa was used by a well known drinks company in a Christmas advertising campaign-big, depicting his white beard, black boots and a big red coat. This is the image that we know and love of him today.
9. In 1939 Rudolf, the ninth reindeer, is introduced by writer Robert May. His "very shiny nose" achieves almost instant fame, through songs such as "Rudolf the Red nosed reindeer" and later, TV and movie appearances.
10. In 1999, image recorded by SETI, search for extra terrestrials monitoring, you can actually see an image of the old man himself.

So, this Christmas, don't blink or you'll miss Santa whizzing through your home with his sack of presents.

And as you fall asleep this holiday season, don't loose too much sleep wondering on the mystery of just how he leaves gifts and fills stockings for millions of children around the world.

From the painting by John William Waterhouse based upon the poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It has also been portrayed in song by Loreena McKennitt adaptation of the poem.

During the Pre-Raphaelite period John William Waterhouse did his most famous painting based on the famous love poem. In millions of homes around the world women have a distinguished place for The Lady of Shallot. Much of John William Waterhouse's other works also have a fond place the heart of many a romantically inclined young lady, provoking images of yesteryear, when knights were bold and ladies wore silks and petticoats. The legend of Camelot and of King Arthurs knights has inspired romance throughout the centuries. The Pre-Raphaelite period is also known as the romantic period of artwork, bearing fruit to a large number of artists from that school, and none better known than our subject.

The young model that features in The Lady of Shalott also appears as the main character in many of John William Waterhouse's other paintings including the sequel, "I am half sick of shadows" said the Lady of Shalott. The Pre-Raphaelites being from around the time of Alfred Lord Tennyson, did do a number of paintings based around this very theme of melancholy love. Mind you not much has changed over the years, as painters, musicians, story writers, movie makers, and poets who have been able to capture the mood of melancholy love invariably became popular in their own right. Romantic love is part of our culture and not much is going to change that, which will please a lot of people, especially women.

The Great Barrier Reef structure is an amazing work of art of the many tiny living organisms under the sea. It is included in the 7 natural wonders of the world and is located at Queensland, Australia. It is the biggest and most popular reef system in the whole world, which makes it a favorite tourist destination.

Stay and Enjoy at any Great Barrier Reef remarkable luxury hotels. There are many 5-star luxury hotels surrounding the barrier that can surely provide you with the most perfect get away experience.

Angsana Resort and Spa Great Barrier Reef - Start a calming retreat in one of the most beautiful luxury hotels, Angsana Resort and Spa. Angsana Resort is located at 1 Veivers Road Palm Cove Cairns Queensland, Australia. It is the single most priced resort in the whole Palm Cove.

Every Angsana suite offers a breathtaking experience. Suites are equipped with an exclusive sun terrace, barbecue area and swimming pool. Be swayed to a perfect romantic get away with beach front view and airy patios. Suites are also provided with basic room necessities such as big living rooms, elegantly styled dining areas, mini bars and small kitchenettes.

Couran Cove Island Resort - Discover this resort for an adventurous get away. The resort is located at John Lund Drive, Hope Harbour, Marina Ho Gold Coast, Australia.

Couran Cove pampers its guest with a wide variety of water activities surrounding the area. Activities include a kids club, Jet Ski tours, helicopters, seaplanes and kayaks. The resort offers recreational equipments for rent. It has 324 rooms with absolutely stunning views from the surrounding waters. Standard rooms are provided with phone, cable television, fast Internet, an in-room safe, mini bar, refrigerator, coffeemaker and hair dryer. Pets are not accepted in this hotel.

Palazzo Versace - Palazzo Versace is a 5-star luxury hotel with a classical touch of Renaissance elegance. It is located at Seawood Drive Main Beach, Gold Coast Australia.

Palazzo Versace is a mixture of Italian structure and craftsmanship. It is the summary of Donatella Versace's choice of style and fashion. Inspired by different global destinations Palazzo Versace was born. Each room in this luxurious hotel offers Sony Playstation, CD Player, DVD Player, movie rentals, individual air-conditioning and voice mail messages on the telephone. Check in time is at 2:00 PM and check out time is at 11:00 AM.

Ones and zeros. How much of our lives are dictated by the ones and zeros floating around somewhere out there in cyber space? More than we know I am sure. It is a brave new world, and we are a part of it whether we like it or not. We have even created for ourselves magical worlds where we can become anything we have ever dreamed, and a few things that we would never have had the imagination for. Access to these worlds is gained through the same portals through which we do our banking, shopping, communicating, scheduling, etc. etc.

In these worlds, we can communicate with other adventurers like our selves, who are tired of the mundane, day-in day-out of our real existences and desire only to feel the rush of pillaging a new dungeon, gaining the next level, forging a new weapon. What is it in human beings that drive us to escape our lives? People can be blissfully lost for days in a novel, hours in a movie, minutes in a song. Why? Besides the obvious fact that the real world can be a brutal place, I would guess that it has something to do with the fundamental desire in humans to be free.

These escapes provide relief from the constraints of reality. The last thing going through a level 56 mage in the midst of a raging battle with a fire breathing dragon is the fact that the garbage has to go out and the rent is due tomorrow.

In Azeroth there is no such thing as annoying land lords - and if there was you could probably just chuck a fireball at them and boom - problem solved. The interesting thing about the new worlds being created online is that the lines between reality and fantasy are growing increasingly blurry. Some of these virtual communities have evolved into real world economies, with all the risk and reward associated with real markets. It was inevitable, when ever you have demand for anything, you will eventually have some one who will be willing to supply what is demanded, and some one else willing to pay for it.

As a result, there have been real world industries created to service the ever growing demands of the virtual worlds. If you don't want to spend the hours it takes to develop your online character, you can spend the money to buy one - all leveled up, all geared up and ready to go! I heard of one case where one particular weapon in an online game sold for $1500 real money and that was a few years ago Just recently a man was arrested for hacking into hundreds of online accounts for one particular game and stealing weapons and other equipment valued at tens of thousands of dollars - real money! These stories are not new by any means, but the underlying concept is significant.

Many online games will allow you to buy their virtual money with your real money. And if you did the math, I would be willing to bet that some of these game world currencies are doing better than some of the real world currencies right now. This notion of a feasible trading market in a virtual world challenges the idea that the only real commodity being traded is time - some one spends x amount of hours creating a virtual asset that some one else buys for x number of dollars. When you can buy and sell dollar-to-dollar so to speak into a money market that is based on demand in a virtual economy, what kind of questions does that start to raise? What kind of opportunities does that create? Through out history, technology has created new markets and new opportunities to create business. From the first ocean faring ships that brought back spices, to continent crossing rail roads that united the new world, technology has continually driven commerce.

So by the power of internet, we have been creating new worlds, and new economies have been born out of them. New companies are establishing claims and staking out territories. These companies operate in the real world with real money, but at the same time, they don't...or they have decided that ultimately there is no real difference. You can buy their virtual gold with your real money. You can also sell your virtual assets for real money.

The lines between reality and fantasy are blurry. Is that character fantasy or an asset when you could sell it to pay the mortgage? Regardless, many people are finding that they prefer a little bit fantasy once in a while. It makes it a little easier to be a dish washer most of the time when you can be a level 80 Paladin the rest of the time. Welcome to a new world order built out of ones and zeros and fueled by the global need to escape.

Divorced dating can be difficult to consider for the newly divorced. There can be a lot of scars and mixed emotions that result after a divorce. Sometimes, these feelings can linger for years and cause a divorcee to be leery of even thinking about dating again. Regardless of the situation that led to the divorce and whether or not it was amicable, there will come a day when you will feel like venturing out again.

When you do feel like getting back into the dating world, you may have found it has changed dramatically since you were first out there dating. If you were married for many years or even decades, you may feel timid and overwhelmed unsure where to look for someone to date. You may also be uneasy and a little scared about going out with complete strangers.

One place to turn to is online. If you inquire as to what your divorced friends are doing for social dates, they may already be online looking for someone to spend time with. If you are ready for dating after a divorce, you may be pleasantly surprised as to what the internet has in store for you.

You can now register for dating services in the UK that let you get to know the person first. This prevents you from wasting time of sitting through a boring dinner with a blind date you already know you do not want to see again. Divorced dating online, you can review profiles and choose to instant message someone you find interesting. A lot of divorced men and divorced women find this option a lot more comfortable than meeting somewhere before they even really know anything about the other person.

Divorced online dating can put you at ease and let you be yourself online. You can even be specific as to what exactly you are looking for. If you want to just find a friend you can go the movies with or dinner occasionally, you can specify that on your profile. You can also let someone know upfront if you have children or if you are ready for a serious relationship and done with casual dating. Being perfectly honest on your profile and with those you chat online with is really the best thing for you and for your potential dates. If you try to inflate your personality or hide your true self, you are only really preventing yourself from meeting someone who might be perfect for you. Divorced dating will only be more frustrating for you if you are not truthful about your needs and expectations.

There are many benefits to connecting on this level and then investing your time with someone after you are sure you want to. You are much more likely to strike up friendships and relationships that are more fulfilling than if you just out searching on your own. Divorced dating online is really the way of dating after a divorce for anyone regardless of their needs. You may stumble across your true soul mate.

Salt Lake City hotels welcome each and every one of their guests. They provide the best of service and amenities to every guest that resides in their hotel. With top-class facilities like complimentary breakfasts to delicious lunch made by on-site restaurants, every hotel has something special to offer. Along with ski-resorts and other exciting sport features are provided to those who show the desire to spend their winter outside in the snow, skiing down hills. You can even bring your pets along for some cool weather. Who wouldn't like to take a break off Miami heat and enjoy the chilly weather of Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City hotels offer the best you could imagine of. Just come over and have a look for yourself.

Welcome to Metropolitan Inn. This lovely little cozy hotel is situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is only one and a half blocks away from the Transit Express Light Rail Station. With the crazy hustling and bustling of the city, an average traveler gets tired. But the Metropolitan Inn offers the best comfort you could ask for. When you are done exploring the city, you can come back to the hotel and enjoy its quiet and peaceful environment. It is only three blocks away from the Salt Palace Convention Center and only four blocks away from the Energy Solutions Arena. Along with that, if you are in the mood for some shopping then the Gateway Shopping Center is only several miles away.

The hotel offers complimentary high-speed internet access in the business center. If you are a corporate traveler then you need not worry because the hotel offers the best internet facilities to those in the executive lounge. Complimentary wired internet is also provided in the lobby. You may attach your laptop to the portal and surf the internet without a worry in the world. Complimentary continental breakfast is also offered in the dining hall. The food is fresh and delicious to eat while the staff is utmost friendly and kind. A heated outdoor pool and spa tub is also present for those who wish to enjoy it. Free parking is provided to all. Coffeemakers, cable television and weekday newspapers are provided to all guests.

The business center is the premium attraction of the hotel because it is well equipped with all the variety of equipment you require to work for your corporate cause. Pets are allowed. You can bring your furry little friend and enjoy the city without leaving them at home. The pool in the hotel also offers a smaller pool for the pets. That absolutely sounds amusing if you want your little friend to enjoy the vacation as much as you are. The Metropolitan Inn is a nice looking place to spend your trip in. It is affordable and cozy while being up-beat and trendy. It is a nice package for all those traveling Salt Lake City.

Days Inn Airport Hotel is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is only three miles away from the Gateway Shopping Center and Movie Complex. It is also five miles away from the Sorenson Multi-Cultural Center and the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. With its lovely location, Days Inn provides you the best of navigational access to different parts of the city. If you are in the mood for some action, go out for skiing with your partners. The hotel offers information on that as well. Complimentary shuttle service to the International Airport of Salt Lake City is also provided. Wireless internet access looms throughout the entire hotel.

The rooms are spacious and well-lit. It gives a very warm and almost-happy look to the hotel. The fitness center along with the business center provides you the opportunity to work a few muscles and keep in touch with your work as well. Pets are allowed for those who don't want to leave their little friends back home.

One of the hottest cell phones on the market these days is the Apple iPhone; with all the great features of an iPod including music and video applications, it can do nearly anything! Make phone calls, instant message your friends, send emails, surf the net, listen to your favorite tunes, take pictures, make videos, watch downloaded movies and TV shows right in the palm of your hand and much more. Many traditional iPod users have already made the leap and purchased an iPhone so that they can enjoy the luxury and convenience of all these functions in one handy, mobile and compact device. But we all know most good things eventually do come to an end, so before you think about throwing your old or broken iPhone in the trash, consider the more economical and eco-friendly options that are now available.

In case you don't belong to the set of generous folks who decide to hand down their old iPhones to friends or family members, or if your iPhone is broken and completely unusable, not to worry, you do have other options. Although your buddies would surely appreciate such a generous gift, let's face it, you've got yourself to think about too. Buying an iPhone was a serious investment in the first place, so why not consider re-selling your old device and recovering some of the money you originally spent. Many companies offer cash for iPhone deals; they buy your old or broken device for a fairly reasonable price and then refurbish it for resale or recycle the unit in the case that it is beyond repair. It's a win-win situation; you get some cash to put towards the purchase of a new iPhone or an upgraded model and the company can re-sell your old iPhone and offer a low-cost option for consumers on a budget. Getting cash for an iPhone is an easy solution when you find yourself stuck with a gadget that is no longer performing as expected.

Another benefit in going with a company that offers cash for iPhone arrangements is that they take care of all the legwork for you. Unlike selling an old device on eBay or Craigslist, these companies make the process simple and hassle-free. You don't have to worry about trusting the other party with online payment transactions or dealing with shipping your old iPhone to an unknown destination. Most likely you will also be given a fairer price for you old iPhone than you would be able to get when attempting to sell it yourself online. Leave the hassle behind, save time and energy and with just one easy step you can get cash for your iPhone and get on with your life.

Besides the obvious plus of getting money back from the sale of your old iPhone, you can also rest easy and know that you are doing your part for the environment. Technological waste is a serious issue today and you would be surprised to know just how many people throw electronic devices into the trash. Not only are these items loaded with toxic chemicals and substances that can harm the environment, but they are also composed of materials that can easily be recycled and reused. Getting cash for your iPhone will not only make your wallet happy, but you will know that you are doing your part to make the planet happy too.

To find a company that offers cash for iPhone services, do a quick search on the web and you will easily find the right place. You can usually find quoted buyback prices online, which of course will depend on your iPhone's condition and capacity. The process is very convenient, just mail your old iPhone to their service center and in about a week you will receive your payment by check, bank transfer, or even in the form of a charity donation if you're feeling so generous. No matter your reasons for selling your iPhone, your best choice is to find a cash for iPhone service that will make the process swift and secure, and have you on your way to making your next gadget purchase in no time.

Would you like to know how to get your ex back? If you are pining for your lost love and want them back, read on! If you have had a fight and you two have 'broken off', all is not lost. You can still win back your relationship gracefully and with a little bit of hard work! We give you a few tips with which you can get your ex back.

All good things begin with a plan - and so does this job. Believe me, it can be a difficult one! But worry not, my dear readers. Start with the basics - what went wrong? And mostly important - start with yourself. What did you do wrong? It is important to do a self assessment as it is fairly easy to pick faults with others. Especially in case of fights, that is the universal truth.

So go over what went wrong and when it all began? What situation led to your ex leaving you? Why it was so serious that they had to leave? Why you did not do anything at the time? What were the things you said that might have hurt the other person?

Answers to above mentioned questions will not come to you and you need to calm yourself before you begin thinking in that direction. Sit down or go for a walk if it helps. And THINK! THINK! THINK! If you really care about your ex and want to get him or her back, you will most certainly get answers to these questions. If it is all a mere misunderstanding - then problem solved!

Once you have answers to these questions - half the battle is won. All you need to do now is to communicate this to your ex. How you communicate is up to you - all you have to remember is that you have to get your ex back. Apologise first, do not think it is not necessary because it is. It is always necessary to apologise regardless of whose fault it is. A simple, honest apology is an ice-breaker just like when you two said 'hi' for the first time. Remember it?? Was that not charming? We know you are smiling to yourself. So go ahead and say, "Sorry".

The fact is that people break up and get back together all the time. You need to remember to not let the break up bring out the worst in you. In that case, you can kiss the relationship goodbye! Why let a perfectly good relationship ruin just because he did not watch the movie with you and instead went for the game with the guys or she called you to say she loved you when you were at work. That is for old, boring grown ups, isn't it? Make the most of your relationship as opposed to fighting like cats and dogs. Having said that fights do bring couples closer as the process of making up and reconnecting has a whole different charm to itself. And at some point or the other we all like to be pursued or be the one pursuing!

Despite the conventional presumption that the German Shepherd dog breed is related in some way to the wolf, this breed is no more related to the wolf than any other dog breed. This breed is the result of a deliberate attempt to produce the absolute shepherd. This is due to the creation in 1899, of an association dedicated to overseeing the breeding of the German Shepherd dog; the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde, which became known around the world as the SV (German Sheepdog Society).

In 1899, Captain Max von Stephanitz, who started the breed, acquired a dog which thrilled him. The dog was Horand von Grafrath, originally named Hektor Linksrhein. Captain Stephanitz used this fabulous dog as the foundation for the future German Shepherd dog. Horand von Grafrath epitomized the intention and ambitions of the breeders at that time. He was viewed as the objective towards which every German Shepherd breeder aspired to take his dogs.

On April 22nd of 1899, shortly after von Stephanitz got Horand, he got together with 10 friends and started what is now known as the Verein fur Deutsche Scharferhunde or the SV. Many will agree with me that this is the date that can be used as the day for the arrival of the GSD breed.

Breeders worked to establish a herding dog that would excel at different jobs which required intelligence, courage and athleticism. The GSD eventually demonstrated that it was an intelligent and brave comrade and protector.

At the time of the first World War, the German Shepherd dog was used in many varied ways. It could be seen as a messenger dog, a rescue dog or a sentinel dog, but it was also utilized as a guard dog. After World War I ended, soldiers took many of these German Shepherds back home with them.

Then, during the second World War, the Allied Forces used this trained dogs extensively and they traveled everywhere with them. This made this already prominent breed, a lot more popular everywhere in the world.

At the end of the second World War and in the years following it, the German Shepherd dog's popularity grew tremendously and it became the most popular breed in history. The main reasons were that no other breed could master such an ample set of skills as the German Shepherd dog breed and its incredibly exceptional attributes.

The breed changed names a few times, mainly because after the war the word "German" acquired a very negative connotation. It changed to The Alsatian Wolf Dog, but the "Wolf Dog" part of the name also had a negative connotation, so it went to Alsatian and later in 1977 it was eventually changed back to the original it uses till this day.

This breed became very popular mostly because of a couple of dog movie stars: Strongheart and Rin- tin- tin. The GSD was the most beloved and praised dog in America for many years. Although its popularity dropped a little in recent years it is still one of the most multifaceted dogs ever created. The German Shepherd dog has worked as a search-and-rescue dog, narcotics-or explosives-detecting dog, guide dog, guard dog, police dog, war dog, show dog, shepherd and even as a pet.

Turtles in Time is one of four games I actually still own the cartridge for on SNES. The other three are NBA Jam, Chrono Trigger, and Mystic Quest. As you can surmise, this places this game in a league among kings. Remakes have been running rampant in the industry lately and for the most part, I embrace this. When I first found out about a Turtles in Time remake, I was thrilled. However, upon hearing this remake was being done by Ubisoft Singapore, I soon changed my tune. Hey, at least it wasn't Ubisoft Montreal. Excitement turned to an elitist bitter "you better not drop the ball on this one" attitude. For a little perspective, the feeling was similar to as if it had been announced that Final Fantasy 1 was being remade in 3d, and it was being remade by EA. Bizarre. None-the-less, it's a allsy undertaking to remake, what is in my opinion, the BEST arcade brawler of all time (I'm talking from Prehistoric Turtlesaurus 650000000 BC to Neon Nightriders).

So here came Turtles in Time Reshelled, gracing the perfect medium of XBLA and PSN. Is this game the classic pizza power you would expect? Or does it suffer from Shell Shock.

There's no argument for the fact that 4-player Turtles in Time, upgraded to HD, and applied to next gen consoles with the allure of added achievements, trophies and the like, would be a supreme gaming experience even to the most mild fans of the genre. That's a fact.

Uh, Cowabunga.

Familiarity. Dude, it's classic turtles. Who are you gonna be? I call Raph. n_g calls Donny. Save the pizza for the guy with the lowest life. Throw footsoldiers at the screen. This game has all the mechanics you loved back then and they're just as fun now. The turtles still have their unique stats, a pretty balanced spread of speed/range/power, with Raph being the quickest moving, with short range, and Don being the slowest with longest range. This game is just great, it's based on a strict formula of one of the best games ever. You won't get sick of reliving the Turtles in Time adventure in HD.

Music. The music from the original is one of those games with the most memorable background jams. It was like Sonic the Hedgehog. The options menus had jukebox options, and for good reason. Reshelled does NOT recycle this music, which is an obvious bummer, but I'm going to recognize my own nostalgia may be getting in the way here, so from a completely subjective standpoint, Reshelled's remixed music is great.

Difficulty. The game comes complete with different levels of difficulty. I played the original exclusively on Hard, simply because it was necessary to access the Super Shredder battle. In Reshelled all difficulty levels are well represented, although there is no difference in the levels available to you.

Hi Def. See for yourself. This video literally compares the original to this HD remake side by side. Good stuff.

SHELL SHOCK
Turtles in Time had nothing wrong with it. This remake doesn't feel necessary really. Feels like a novelty. Turtles in Time is a rare case where the original was perfect. It really didn't need a 3d facelift. The 3d looks great, but the 2d sprite graphics of the first game where stylish, fluid and awesome. They could have even used 2d sprites in this game instead of 3d. They have added a 4-way directional facing (you can now attack up and down, rather than left and right), and while there's nothing wrong with this at all, you can't argue that the previous system was already flawless.

This game is like Linkin Park covering the Beatles Hey Jude with an electronic nu-metal style, and then slapping it in the latest Transformers movie. Does that sound cool to you?"

If you were looking forward to flinging the Foot at the screen to hit shredder right in the face, forget it.

This isn't a remake of the SNES version. It's a remake of the Arcade version. Let me list the things that ARE NOT INCLUDED for those of you unfamiliar. In Sewer Surfin, there's no rat king boss. You just fight a horde of frustrating pizza monsters. No exaggeration, a FRUSTRATING HORDE is the only way to describe this. This is widely considered to be one of, if not the hardest parts of this entire game. Once you trip and blunder your way through this frame-rate lagging shit fest, you are met with a hologram of shredder who immediately proceeds to transport you back to Prehistoric Turtlesaurus stage. This means no technodrome. No Tokka an Razar boss on the technodrome, so you fight them on the ship level instead of Bebop and Rocksteddy. Which means no Bebop and Rocksteddy at all, ever. This also means no dimension X battle where you have to throw footsoldiers at the screen to kill Shredder. Speaking of Shredder, there is NO Super Shredder boss either. Okay, I get it, this is a remake of the arcade, and not SNES version. Makes sense right? Yeah, I guess. But have you played the SNES version, Ubisoft?? Why the heck would you want to remake the lamer of the two versions? Why, why, why. Suddenly this remake is less than you would have wanted, for reasons you didn't even see coming.

Continues. The lives system is broken. In the original, you start with a set number of lives depending on your difficulty. When you lose them all, you rechoose your turtle, and continue. If you get a set number of points (from kills) you earn an extra life. It's very basic, it's simple, it makes sense. Ubisoft apparently didn't think this was such a simple system. In fact they dropped the ball here so hard, that at this point, I'm basically not going to tell you to buy this. First of all, you don't earn extra lives based on performance. There's no benefit to killing other than having a high score. Who knows why. Second of all, and this is the real busted part, there's no continues. Bear with me. Lose all your lives, you're done. UNLESS! Unless you die completely, game over for you, and another turtle you're playing with completes the level. Then the next level begins with you being granted ALL your lives back.

Absolutely BUSTED system. The only way to get a continue is to do this method which can only be considered an exploit. It rewards the fail player full lives back, while the other player carries on with what he has left. The only way to continue is to die off completely and begin another level. This is going to cause players, just before the final boss to all kill themselves and let one guy get the final hit, that way they will all come back in the last level with full lives. How hard is it to properly execute a continue system in a standard arcade style brawler?

Don't buy this broken piece unless you don't own the original Turtles in Time and want to have a superficial play through of a fun arcade remake of a legend. This is all style over substance. This isn't a rock solid entry into your collection, it's a cash machine jumping on board the remake revolution train. If you're going to remake a flawless classic, at least nail the fundamentals, please. I had my doubts about this and for the most part, I was right.

Dude, we're like, second only to Sonic the Hedgehog in that everything we are in post-1998 is, like, superficial and amateur-made.

As for me, I made the best of it. After all, I'm reviewing this from a core-gamer standpoint, and as I said, if you're interested in a superficial redux of the olden classic, then jump aboard. I beat this game on the hardest difficulty with 3 other 0friends, and the 4 turtle experience is like no other. It was still a blast.

But you know what would be an even bigger blast? The SNES version, 4 players. Beat it twice, and I will never play it again.

A Dave Matthews poster is among some of the most sought after posters around. There are many that are made by talented artists who sign and number them, and sometimes only offer limited quantities. Many movie posters and entertainment posters from the 1930s and upward are worth in the tens of thousands of dollars. Posters of current artists are becoming more and more collectible. This band's legions of loyal fans love to snap up a Dave Matthews poster or CD. Some of the earlier posters that include their deceased saxophonist are beloved by their fans.

The band formed in early 1991 and by 1993 they released their first album on their own label, entitled "Remember Two Things." It debuted on college charts as the highest independent entry. As the band continued to tour, their fan base continued to grow. The band did something unique; they allowed their fans to record the shows for their own personal use. In this way, the Dave Matthews Band created an interactive community and became known to more and more people. In 1994, they recorded an album on RCA and began their first official national tour. By 1995 this album was certified four times platinum. The boys had definitely arrived and so had the demand for all things Dave Matthews, including a very large demand for Matthews posters.

Matthews Band grew from a grass roots phenomenon to one of the very hottest bands in all of America. By 2000 they were the top grossing touring band in the United States. In 2001 Dave Matthews played electric guitar for the first time. A Dave Matthews poster of Dave with his electric guitar is scooped up by fans and collectors alike. The band has done so much touring over the last eighteen years and many of the posters reflect their tour sites. You can find a colorful poster from their concert at Madison Square Garden or an intriguing new poster for an upcoming concert in Charlottesville, Virginia which is their hometown and where it all began for them. Black and white and color posters are available by online retailers. A Dave Matthews poster complete with the signatures of all the original band members continues to increase in value. There are even some great hand painted posters done by their fans.

The band is always anxious to reward their loyal followers and created a website in 2005 that continues to provide their fans with video footage and updates on an album's progress. They did a benefit for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, helped tsunami struck communities in Sri Lanka and even have taken a proactive role in fighting global warming. It is no wonder that this band is so beloved by their fans and why concert tickets as well as Dave Matthews posters continue to sell like hot cakes!

Why do people train their horses? What are the things that the trainer needs to consider before and during the training stage? What are the best horse training tips? These are only a few of the questions that a horse trainer or a horse owner needs to answer or know of before the "teaching" begins.

Horses are being trained for recreation and sports. Some are being prepared for a movie stunt, circus act, equine-assisted psychotherapy, etc. Being able to know the purpose of the training is essential so you can gauge the basic tricks that your horse must learn. Next, a trainer has to know the tools that will aid him or her in the process. For more complex tricks, it would be best to hire an expert this field.

If you are looking or searching for horse training tips, there are several books and magazines available in the market today. There are even some that concentrates on teaching wild horses, horses used for racing, etc. The internet is also a good venue for researching.

One you have found the training techniques that you can use, the next thing to do is prepare your horse for learning. Creating camaraderie between the trainer and the animal is very important, most especially because you are dealing with another kind of being.

Ultimately, the key towards a successful training is to have patience, self-control and determination. Once you are able to create a bond between you and the horse, learning becomes easier and more enjoyable.

December is approaching and so is the holiday season. All of us are waiting for the much anticipated Christmas, not only because we get to meet our loved ones but also because that is when the glittering wrapping sheets come off. Everyone wants to make Christmas timelessly special for their partner. Worrying over what present to gift that special someone? Do not fret over it; make a statement, get your loved one a timeless classic watch as a Christmas special.

Be it men or women, keeping a fine watch is mandatory in these times. A watch is definitely the most important fashion accessory for a man. As for women, the technological advancements have made it possible for watchmakers to make extremely elegant and functional watches that any woman would be delighted to have one on her wrist.

So, start thinking about it. What better gift could there be than this? Forget about "must-read" books, records and movies; it is time for another classic to step in. In your search for the perfect watch, consider the preference of your partner. In other words, step into their shoes. Think what sort of watch would best suit them - probably the one that is both practical and edgy! You do not want to go for the boring kind, neither something that is too loud. Keep it simple and classic.

Remember the old watches, some of which are highly collectible now? With their elegant straps and fine craftsmanship, anyone would be a proud wearer of such a watch. Classic watches came in only a few colour such a silver, gold or bronze and black. Now-a-days we seem to have a rather large variety of colours, shapes and sizes available in the market. To take a break from all that; get a watch designed in perhaps a little antique style, with a classic touch that speaks of elegance and good taste.

The market is filled with various watchmakers, offering a multitude of watches for people with different tastes. Be it Cartier, Rolex or Casio, every brand presents such wonderful options to choose from that at times it becomes almost impossible to choose what to buy and what not to. And, since you would be alone on your hunt for the perfect watch, you would need extra care. You can also take along the closest relative or friend of your partner on this plan. The best way for a man to understand what sort of watch a woman would consider buying is to ask another woman who knows her intimately.

You can also shop online but the best thing would be to go out and scavenger for the watch on your own. You may want to go for an LCD watch for those who are performance oriented and driven. For the busy businessman, nothing could be better than a Rado or a Rolex. Both watches have an individualistic yet eternal design that seems to speak to men. As for women, an elegant Cartier or Gucci watch would be a gift they would cherish for many years to come.

Just when you thought solar power technology was at it's coolest a new innovation comes out. Many may not know about this but installing solar tube skylights is starting to become normal practice in new homes. I know what you're thinking, what is that? This is essentially a new take on skylights that are both brighter, UV-less, and a concept that can be installed with ease into any home, any room, and that uses solar power to the extreme.

Solar tubes are essentially a technology that harnesses sunlight just like a solar panel does only this light is directly reflected into the home concentrated. Instead of turning the heat from the sun into electricity, it moves the light into a solar cell, then directs it through a reflective tube using mirrors and other technology to harness even light that's not directly in the path of he tube (using mirrors too), and pushing it into the home. When you walk into a bathroom with one of these units installed you would be hard pressed to realize it wasn't a light source powered by the homes electricity. There is a diffuser plate over the hole in the ceiling that filters UV rays and serves as a diffuser to the high power of light coming in. It also is used to direct light in many directions so the whole area is lit up.

There isn't any electronics involved; this is pure sunlight being focused into the room. It is very powerful and brings incredible natural light. The beauty of this system is you don't need to turn on a light all day, not even on a cloudy day! Without the UV light there to fade your paint, carpets, or wood finish, this is a very safe source of light that will bring amazing joy to your home for as long as it's installed! If installed in a kitchen you save tremendous amounts of money on lighting for the kitchen and often installing solar tube skylights across an array of roof panels you can light rooms all around the kitchen as well (dining room, living room, and hallways too!).

This system doesn't require you to change your foundation, just a few small circular holes in the roof and ceiling and a flexible aluminum tube to connect the harnessed sunlight into the room, and your done. It's an inexpensive way to add light and keep your electric bill low. Some units come with a way to cover or turn off the light as well so if you don't want daylight peering into the home all day you have the same choices you do with conventional lights (i.e. say you want to watch a movie in your home theatre but the light is so bright it negates pure darkness, you can turn it off.

If you have not found your soul mate, then you must have experienced a couple of break-ups from past relationships. If you have recently experienced an end to your relationship, here are some tips that can help you overcome your heartbreak:

1. ) Be more considerate of yourself.

Now that you are single again, you do not have to feel alone and depressed all the time. There may be things that you used to love doing but stopped when your partner got you interested in other things. Now could be the best time to catch up on the movies you missed seeing, and meeting up with old friends for some dinner and drinks. Be nice to yourself and do the things the YOU want this time.

2.) Do not act hopeless nor desperate.,

It is very common for broken hearted people to feel depressed and thus act desperate to get back your ex. However, acting as such is not the best way to deal with the situation. You will need to let your ex see what he is missing, and in order to do that you have to put more value on yourself.

Despite feeling really sad and miserable, act otherwise. Dress up to the point of looking fabulous and make sure to put a smile on your face all the time. Even if it takes much effort to look good and smile warmly because of the hurt that you are feeling inside, this can also help you feel better about yourself. And besides, you never know if you will see your ex down the street or meet someone else that might catch your attention.

3. ) Never let your heartbreak stop your life from turning.

You can indeed give yourself a break and cry all you want after being hurt from a previous relationship that came to an end. However, you have to make yourself stop from being miserable after some time. If this self-pity and feeling of misery is dragged on for a long time, you will end up feeling worse than the first day you cried, and it will be harder to get over this feeling and start over.

As soon as you feel you have shed all the tears for your heart break, start getting out of your room and plan for some activities that can let you continue with your life. You may even like it in the end.

4. ) Stop over-analyzing what went wrong in the relationship.

Analyzing what went wrong in your relationship is commonly thought of after a break-up. Maybe it is really not your fault and your partner just got scared of commitment. If he ended the relationship and wants you back, just listen patiently and weigh your emotions. Do not be scared of saying what you feel. Splitting up from your partner may not always be the end of something. Sometimes, couples will need a break to realize how much they mean to each other.

Other times, it can be a start of a better relationship with someone better. Dealing with the break-up may be difficult but doable, and you never know what surprises life has in store for you in the end.

Your friends and family will soon be gathering for your baby's christening service. Of course, you want the baptism party that follows to be a wonderful occasion. Here are the top nine dos and don'ts for making this a very special celebration.

1. DO send beautiful invitations. They don't have to cost a lot. You can even make them yourself Your invites supply important information about the day's events and set the tone for the party. You might even want to order personalized photo baptism invitations that feature pictures of your little angel. They can serve an added purpose by providing a real keepsake for your guests.

2. DON'T rule out a theme for your christening party. White and gold decorations are not your only option. If you want to keep it spiritual in tone, you could go with Noah's ark or baby lambs. Butterflies signify new life, so that would be a good choice. Angels are very popular. You can even find an angel costume to dress up a Build-a-Bear as your centerpiece. But there's no rule that says you have to use decorations that are religious in nature. Feel free to deck your house with colors and designs that make you and your baby smile.

3. DO remember the baptism party is usually right after the church service. You might want to arrange to have the festivities some place close, like the church fellowship hall or a nearby restaurant. If you decide to have the celebration at home, enlist some help. You will, no doubt, be arriving back at your house at the same time as your guests. So, you could use some assistance to get everything ready.

4. DON'T feel pressured to spend a lot of money. You can keep your costs down by serving just coffee and cake. Or you could have a simple lunch buffet with rolls, bread, various deli meats and cheeses, and encourage guests to make their own sandwiches. A backyard barbecue is another possibility that can be budget friendly, especially if you limit your menu to hot dogs and hamburgers.

5. DO honor the godparents. You might want to include their names on the invitations or even on the party favors. Make a point of introducing them to everyone at the celebration. You might even want to give a little speech explaining why they were chosen for this role. Plus, make sure they get copies of all the photos you take that day.

6. DON'T overlook the kids. If there are a lot of children who will be attending the party, be sure to make provisions to keep them from being bored. If the festivities will be at a restaurant, bring coloring books and other quiet games to keep them occupied. If the celebration will be held at home, you can put on an animated movie on DVD or arrange games for them to play.

7. DO consider baptism favors. Although these are not absolutely necessary, they are a nice gesture to say thank you for sharing this special day. There is a wide variety of items available that feature a religious theme, including bookmarks, candy bars, notebooks, magnets, keychains and much more. You can even add your favorite Bible verse. Choose a favor that is personalized, perhaps even with your baby's photo for an enduring memento your guests will treasure.

8. DON'T forget to make a memory book. It doesn't have to be a fancy scrapbook. Just include photographs and important details from this significant event. Your little angel will not remember this special day. But years from now, you can take out the memory book and he can see it all for himself.

9. Do make it a celebration filled with joy. This is the first step in your baby's spiritual journey. So relax, have fun, laugh, enjoy the company of your loved ones and give thanks to God for blessing you with this little angel.

Focus on the meaning of this day, but not with somber reflection. It's a joyous occasion! Just follow these tips and it will be a wonderful celebration for you and your baby.

If you are planning to spend your winter vacations in Salt Lake City then you do not have to worry about hotel accommodations since Salt Lake City hotels are famous for top-notch performance dedicated to their guests. Like any considerate host, Salt Lake City hotels make sure your stay is a comfortable and memorable one. This is precisely why many travelers of the state continue to recall their visit an 'enjoyable' one. This is mainly due to the first-class service offered by the hotels of this city.

Hilton Salt Lake City Center is the epitome of elegance and comfort for both corporate and leisure travelers. Situated only seven miles from the SLC International Airport, it is in the heart of the downtown district of Salt Lake City. With buzzing entertainment and crisp business atmosphere, you are most likely to fall in love with its undying passion for the hip and happening. It is only two blocks away from the beautiful Temple Center. It is also conveniently close to Delta Center, Home of the Utah, Capital Theater, Gateway Mall, Genealogy Zoo and other interesting attractions. With the TRAX light rail station nearby, you and your partner will enjoy commuting through the city.

La Quinta Hotel is a unique resort for SLC travelers. Located snuggly in the district of Delta Center, La Quinta offers premium quality accommodation and services for its guests. You can enjoy the indoor heated pool and spa for relaxing. The fitness room is equipped with modern facilities so that the exercise and health enthusiasts are left satiated. Complimentary breakfast and lunch are offered to the guests within room rate. The hotel provides business center, free local calls, service laundry and other amenities that well suited to your liking. Express check-in and rollaway facilities are offered. Broadband internet and high-speed Wi-Fi is available.

Carlton Hotel proudly caters to travelers that decide to spend their vacation in the center of the city. It is convenient and reasonably rated. Located most suitably in the west of the lovely Temple Square, the hotels embraces guests with brightly lit portico and mood-lifting striped awnings. The small yet functional lobby offers a warm and homey look to the entire place. Comfortably sized rooms keep the guests at home. Rare amenities like refrigerators, VCRs and in-room movies keep the guests entertained. Supplements by spa and massage center are also available for the comfort of the travelers.

Brigham Street Inn is one of the best instances of architecture and temporary accommodation of the late 19th Century when the days of silver barons and famous entrepreneurs were an in-thing. It is comfortably appointed with suites designed by award winning interior designers. Due to its beautiful and romantic look, many locals of Salt Lake City make reservations and bookings for their weddings at this hotel. With its impressive and immaculate VIP service, all guests feel wonderfully attended-to. Tourists and other travelers love its placid beauty. A kitchen, fireplace and other facilities are offered to all travelers. It is indeed like home away from home.

Courtyard by Marriott is simply royal and dazzling. It is located approximately one mile away from the SLC International Airport. If you are a lover of skiing and other winter sports then this hotel is only a few miles away from famous skiing resorts. Just drop your bags at the hotel and drive off for some chilly, crazy fun. Liberty Park is only a few blocks away so if you are in the mood for some relaxing sight-seeing, just step out and head off the lovely park. Room service, in-door pool, exercise room and complimentary parking are offered to all guests. An attractive and stylish cocktail bar is also present for nightlife entertainment. Two-line phones, work desks and cable TV is available at all times.

Salt Lake City hotels make winter far more fun than just several months of depressing and chilly boredom. Hotel accommodation is nicely offered by all hotels. Consult your local travel guides for more information.

Millions of families won't be together this holiday season because of fights, feuds and old resentments. However, family estrangements, misunderstandings, and unmet expectations don't have to destroy the bonds that connect you to the ones you love. Here are my 10 tips for getting along with your relatives over the holidays.

1. Be a good guest. Respect your host's property and possessions. Clean up after yourself and your kids. Don't bring your pets unless they are specifically requested. Don't expect your host to monitor your children. Visiting your relatives should not signal a vacation from being a parent. Instead, watch your kids and make sure that they also respect property and possessions.

2. If you are the host whose property and possessions are not respected, ask for what you need. Its almost impossible to be both babysitter and chief cook and bottle washer at the same time. But, unless you ask for help and then allow others to provide it, the burden will fall on you and your resentment will grow. If you ask for help and it's not forthcoming let your guests know that this year the holidays were too much for you and next year you will be coming to them instead.

3. Avoid excessive drinking. Alcohol lowers our inhibitions and can leave your family open to a fiasco. When the others hit the bottle a little too hard that should be your signal to go home or go catch a movie.

4. If you really don't want to go - don't. However, do not wait until the last minute to cancel. Give your relatives time to make alternative plans.

5. Discuss the gift situation in advance and make plans so that everyone understands your position. Simplify gift giving by using cash or gift cards. Some families do only the kids, others pick one name from a hat, or maybe you will all buy your own gifts and do show and tell.

6. Under most family conflicts someone feels dismissed, discounted, disrespected, or disenfranchised. Avoid any action which will trigger these emotions. Make sure that you include everyone in the planning, preparation, and festivities. Try to be equal in your gift giving to avoid slighting anyone. If for some reason this is not appropriate or possible, do your giving at a time when you and the receiver will have complete privacy.

7. If you are carrying around a resentment, from the past, address it - in private - with the other person. If you are going to hold a difficult conversation with a family member remember to

* Prepare.

* Set the stage. Pick the right time for your difficult conversation, when you are both clear headed.

* Call a truce, this means coming to the table and staying there until there is some resolution.

* Speak from the heart. Do not point fingers of blame. Instead focus on finding a solution that works for both of you. This is collaboration.

* Listen, listen, listen. Listen as if you are an outside observer with no prior knowledge of the situation.

* Give yourselves time to think, process the information, and cool down.

* Define the emotions. Under almost every human conflict, someone feels dismissed, discounted, disenfranchised, or disrespected. These are the emotions that fuel the feud. Sometimes, just defining that emotion and realizing that both of us feel the same way is enough to resolve our dispute.

* Be willing to apologize. The closer the relationship the more likely you are to have stepped on each other's toes. If you cannot bring yourself to apologize for anything specific at least apologize for the distress that the other side has been living with and anything s/he believes you did to contribute to it.

* Don't leave conflicts unresolved. An agreement to disagree is resolution. Leaving the conflict open sets you up for future fights.

8. Assign a family mediator and even if s/he is a natural get him/her some additional dispute management training.

9. Lower your expectations - for everything - from expecting feelings of happiness and joy to cooking the perfect meal. Do not expect others to get it perfectly right either. Don't take it personally if someone fails to send you a card or gift this year.

10. Consult with a professional mediator if you feel you need an expert opinion or more personal assistance.

Broadband is a necessity now a days. And a good connection is all the more important as almost every third person is dependent on the internet for the dissemination of the information. The broadband market is growing by leaps and bounds so the number of network providers are also growing in the same manner. Some companies have established their name in the market and they have a brand image and a certain consumer base. These big guns continuously work towards providing better and hassle free to the consumers. The packages and offers that they roll are customized in such a way that the users can avail maximum benefits regarding this. One of the largest service providers which has pioneered in this field and is servicing over a million people in the country is Bt Broadband. This broadband is at the forefront in the broadband market and it has kept and is still tending to the needs of numerous families, business houses, large corporations in the country.

BT broadband has three types of broadband under its panorama namely, home broadband, mobile broadband and Wi-Fi. All these broadband comes in three options Option1, Option 2, Option 3, all the mentioned options provide same fast connection sped of 8 Mbps and the downloading limit ranges from 10 GB for option 1 to unlimited download for option 3. It also come equipped with Norton Anti virus as a standard software. The cost depends on the plan and the usage pattern a consumer follows and there is array of free gifts and free minutes available with some plans. It supports Yahoo! Explorer as its web browser that is used to navigate through the web either through its new and improved BT Home Hub 2.0 and its also available in three packages and in option 3 it becomes Hub Phone handset.

All the equipment needed to set up the internet connection will be supplied by the company itself. The consumers can also log on to the site of BT broadband and apply there and then after choosing the best suited plan according to the needs. The BT also provides Home IT support if someone faces any problem in installing the broadband or any complexity arises while using the applications. The BT broadband also gives a provision of cheap calls in and outside UK. The company gives a BT Broadband Talk phone number and one just have to plug in their existing landline with the router and he/she can call at a very cheap rates. Along with the broadband services one can also avail BT Vision the online digital TV channel from BT. And there is a 24/7 customer service that is available to help the customers in distress.

BT broadband also delivers hassle free service to the remote areas as well. It uses advanced optical fibers and the wiring is also par excellence. The latest technology used in all its connections makes it the best among the rest. As broadband is not just used for gathering information but also for entertainment like playing games online, downloading movies and networking with friends and in all this, speed plays a major part. With optimum connection speed of upto 20 Mbps even at peak times, a user can open a webpage in a blink of an eye and can download a music track in approximately 1.6 seconds and can experience really fast online connectivity.

So with so many amenities with superb connectivity and fast downloadable speed, BT broadband is surely a winner in this race among the broadband providers.

Adding a hard drive to your desktop computer isn't as difficult as it sounds, but does require some work. Unfortunately you can't take it with you if you need to access the information somewhere else; that's where external hard drives have the advantage. There are different types of this hardware, all presented here in this buying guide.

There are two different types of external drives: enclosed ones and internal drives in an enclosure. Enclosed drives are sold already in an enclosure; it isn't meant to be opened up, and are generally slightly slower than most internals. They connect to your computer via USB cable. Internal drives in an enclosure on the other hand are just what they sound like: you buy an internal hard drive, as well as an the enclosure. The enclosure hooks up to your computer via USB cable as well, but it means that you can remove them as needed. Both are quite portable.

You'll get the same advantages with either one, though by design the internal versions will likely last a little longer and write to disc a little faster. The main function people use for external drives is for back-up purposes. Because externals often come in high capacity (some drives as high as 2 terabytes), they're optimal for this kind of purpose.

They are also advantageous for laptop users; laptops are getting more and more disk space, but still have far less capacity than a desktop. External types are ideal for storing photos and music, while still being very portable due to their increasingly small size. Even if your laptop has a high storage capacity, storing large amounts of data can sometimes slow down the speed of your computer. External hard drives allow you to keep your laptop disk space largely free while still allowing you to take everything with you.

External hard drives give you a lot of flexibility. You can choose to back-up your files and keep your external drive aside, or use it on a regular basis to store photos, music and movies. Whatever the case, external hard drives give you plenty of options and is a wise investment.

Do you know why the best boyfriend breakup excuses seem to be completely inadequate? It's because they are inadequate. You owe it to yourself and your boyfriend to offer real reasons for the end of the relationship rather than trite excuses and platitudes that offer no closure and no hope for future relationships.

I bet you're wondering why the best boyfriend breakup excuses don't work, right? There are three good reasons that they do little to make the situation better and can often make things even worse between the two of you.

1) Boyfriend breakup excuses sound insincere. You've probably heard the old "it's not you; it's me" excuse in dozens of movies and it always sounds about as sincere and heart felt as someone ordering his or her 12th cup of coffee for the day (really after five or so is the caffeine going to keep you any more awake?). Don't use the excuses everyone else is giving. Instead go for honesty and give real reasons. Even if you've found someone else it's kinder than allowing him to think it's all his fault. If it is something that he's doing that's pushing you away telling him now may save future relationships for him. It may even force him to change his ways and open the door for a future together with him.

2) Excuses to breakup with your boyfriend won't soften the blow. Too often we turn to these excuses in hopes of making it easier on him. That is rarely the case. Even brutal honesty trumps a "canned" response that offers no insight as to why the relationship ended (though this is by no means encouraging you to be brutal). The end is going to sting no matter how much you sugar coat it. You may as well give him the courtesy of an honest response when he asks why. It will help him find closure much more quickly and spare him endless hours of searching and second guessing for the real reason it ended.

3) Wouldn't you want the same? If the tables were turned and you were the one being dumped wouldn't you rather know the real reason rather than some drummed up excuse? It's a small price to pay to give him the same peace of mind you would hope for if the roles were reversed and one that is well worth paying.

During the Christmas holiday season it is common to put on around 10lbs of weight. This can be attributed to the disruption of routine, consumption of extra calories and being generally less active during the festive season. About five years ago, I had a bet with some trainer friends and tried to see if I could put on 1 stone (6.5kg) during the 2 week break. I was surprised at how easy it was and I actually managed to achieve more (16lbs, 7.5kg).

The method was simple, I didn't attempt to keep any control over what I ate, if I fancied some crisps or cake I had it. I'm not a big drinker, but I'm sure I could have done a lot more damage to the scales if I consumed alcohol and fizzy drinks during the 2 weeks. I was still exercising, but only cardio during the spin classes that I was teaching at the time. Something as inconspicuous as a mince pie could add nearly a pound of fat over two weeks. A pie per day will add about 200 calories, over two weeks that's an additional 2800, and one pound of fat is equal to 3500. Add to that the other goodies that are around the house and giving into temptation can easily add an extra 2000 calories per day.

But Christmas is a time to let go a little, right?

Yes, I agree but you can still enjoy your Christmas break without trying to set a new record for total calories consumed while sitting around the house watching movies; one of my own personal favourite activities.

Take the following steps to avoid adding a turkey to your waist during the break:

o Taking a little responsibility for the foods and drinks you consume will make the biggest difference; enjoy your Christmas dinner but is it really necessary to have an extra portion of Christmas pudding?
o Plan your meals and snacks and keep a food diary to monitor how well you are keeping to your plan.
o Do a little light exercise each day, just some mobility and stretch work will prevent your body from seizing up.
o Do three workouts per week, 30 minutes will be long enough - just work with intensity using body weight resistance exercises. This will keep your metabolism stoked up and have you burning calories for the whole day.

Cosmetic surgery is now widely publicized for being something of a nonchalant luxury for the wealthy. What you don't hear in the gossip magazines is that cosmetic surgical procedure done by the well heeled requires the same pain and commitment that everyday people must endure. In addition, the famous types are often more concerned about their appearance in their highly public life than most people.

The private lives of prominent people must be maintained with the ideal that cosmetic surgery is prepared for, undergone and recovered from discreetly. The idea of emerging back into the spotlight with improved attractiveness is to appear as if you simply got a good night's sleep and not that you had a facelift.

With average people the story is often less guarded. People's families and friends are involved. From start to finish, the process of undergoing cosmetic surgery is not simply an "in and out" routine. Time must be taken to evaluate the doctor's competence, and the conditions under which your surgery will be performed.

The first thing to ask about is your doctor. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons should certify a physician. A surgeon may be certified by another physician's organization, but the majority of cosmetic surgeons belong to ASPS. His certified standing is an indicator that he has been trained and has the education and credentials to perform your surgery.

The doctor should also be affiliated with a local hospital. Even if the procedure will be performed in the doctor's office, the doctor must maintain this hospital affiliation to be able to legally perform some types of hospital procedures in his own facility. The medical facility that you will have the surgery performed in should also be certified and accredited. The requirements for a doctor to maintain certification in the ASPS will also insure that the facility he uses is qualified.

Once you feel that you have found a competent surgeon with proper credentials it is important to feel at ease in the facility and with the people who will be attending you. The physician should have good communication skills and make you feel comfortable. The nursing and office staff should also be carefully observed for the way that you are cared for. Without good rapport and supporting staff, a procedure done by a great physician can turn into an ordeal if you must struggle to ask him questions, feel rushed or pressured.

Personal planning for financing the surgery, recuperative time and follow-up treatments if needed is essential. Consider time off from work, and other inconveniences that may become part of your decisions.

Cosmetic surgery is often a significant undertaking. It can be beneficial to your well-being and self esteem; however you want everything to go smoothly. You want to feel that your chosen doctor, and the organization that surrounds him, is competent and will treat you in a dignified, respectful and caring manner. One thing you can consider is that you are paying for this surgery, so you are entitled to courteous and knowledgeable service.

The wealthy movie stars have people around them that will do all the research, find the right cosmetic surgeon and the right facility. They have the luxury of taking time off and are able to remain hidden until the final results can be seen for public viewing.

Real people must do their own homework, finding a surgeon they can trust. They must consider how their families will fend without them during their recovery. They must anticipate and plan for the inevitable inconvenience of having elective medical procedures done. They must be able to resume their normal lives as soon as possible. If you are not rich and famous, cosmetic surgery can boost your morale as much as anyone, but you probably can't hide as easily awaiting the final reveal.

The phrase "learn Spanish lessons" always brings to my mind memories of boring textbooks, less-than-sympathetic teachers, and being forced to converse with other kids about topics that none of us cared about in a language we barely understood. The good news is that language lessons are nothing like that anymore! The one thing that changed all of this forever was the advent of the internet. It is simply not necessary these days to sit in a classroom learning formal lessons with an instructor.

The internet has given us constant access to a plethora of Spanish tutorials, lesson plans, software, learning games, vocabulary lists, songs, books, videos, etc. There is no end to the opportunities which can be found by anyone who is looking.

With all of this information readily available, the question now is how to choose the best lessons for you. The three questions you'll need to answer in order to find what will suit you best are 1) recognize your learning style 2) determine the amount of time you have available, and 3) which medium will work best logistically.

Everyone has their own unique learning style. You may be a mix of two, but most people have one style which describes them best.

There are visual learners (those who learn best by looking at or reading a lesson), auditory learners (those who learn best by listening to others speaking), and tactile learners (those who learn best by actively participating in a hands-on manner).

Discovering your learning style will help you find the learn Spanish lessons that will suit you best. If you're not sure which one sounds the most like you, there are several free quizzes online to help you find out which style you are.

If you are a visual learner, books or software that can be read on the computer will be best suited to you. Even reading simple books in Spanish (such as children's books) will improve your knowledge. Looking at a picture with a Spanish caption and trying to determine what it says is a fun game for visual learners. Again, use the abundant resources available online.

Auditory learners will learn well by listening to CDs, tapes, or software that includes audio files. Listening to an English conversation followed by the same conversation in Spanish can be helpful. You may find it beneficial to watch Spanish videos with dialogue, such as Spanish soap operas or movies. There are many lyrics online to simple Spanish songs. Singing these songs can help you remember words and phrases.

Of course, for a tactile learner, visiting a Spanish-speaking country and learning by immersion in the culture and language is the absolute best way to learn. Many people, however, don't have the option of traveling whenever or wherever they want to go.

Instead, try playing Spanish games, such as those that are often found in Spanish learning software packages. You may try posting a wanted ad for a person whose main language is Spanish and is trying to learn English. You will undoubtedly be brought to a higher level of understanding and knowledge just trying to converse and communicate with one another.

Learning styles aside, you'll need to find learn Spanish lessons that meet your time availability requirements and logistical needs. Not all Spanish programs are created equal in these areas. Some packages or courses demand more of your time and effort; and some travel well and are easy to fit into the small gaps of time you have in between other activities.

If sitting down each day and spending a set amount of time learning appeals to you, you might want to look into a video series with a workbook. If your ideal format includes learning on the go, you might want to find some CDs or a software package with audio files that can be put on your ipod and taken anywhere.

Software, in my opinion, is the most flexible format because it often has audio files, visual tools, tests, games, and cultural information that can be broken up and each part used individually as it fits your schedule and needs.

I hope this guide has helped you determine how to find which learn Spanish lessons that will best work for you. Even if your final choice doesn't seem to work at first, don't be discouraged. You can always try different learn Spanish lessons or programs. If you keep your eye on the goal, I know you'll be speaking Spanish fluently before you can say "¡Bob es su tío!"

If you are looking at taking up the guitar as a hobby, or even for a small casual jam band, you should know that although it is a very popular instrument because it is easy to play, mastering it can take a little practice. However, there are many guitar for beginners techniques that will help you move through the early progress quickly so that you can start playing songs immediately. The sooner you start understanding the mechanics of guitar music, the more enjoyable your experience will be.

First of all, you need to understand that you do not have to learn how to read music to learn how to play the guitar. The nature of the guitar as an instrument is that you play a combination of finger shapes in a series to makeup a song. When you understand how the shapes go together, it will be easier for you to understand why the music sounds the way it does.

For instance, G, C, D, and E minor are all chords that work together. You do not need to know what the musical notations are for these notes to play them with a song, especially if the sheet music you use has chord signifiers.

Once you know where to place your fingers, you can just change to the next "shape" when the sheet music tells you to. This is a great way to learn the basics. These chords, especially, are used in a majority of popular American music from the late twentieth century until today, so once you are familiar with them, you will be able to play a various catalog of recognizable tunes.

Songs that utilize these chords are "Wish You Were Here, " by Pink Floyd, "Brown-Eyed Girl, " by Van Morrison, and "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), " by Green Day. As you can see, this chord combination crosses several musical genres, and has been the basis of some of the most successful or influential songs of their time.

From here, much of what you will learn will come from experimentation, but you can utilize a few tools at your disposal, via the Internet. To learn the rest of your chords you should download a chord chart that shows you which fingers to place on which strings to produce each chord.

There are basic chords like those we mentioned, and then more advanced ones called "barre" chords that require you to place your pointer finger across all of the strings. These are more difficult and usually are near impossible when you are starting out. Fake books are a collection of songs either by an artist, from a movie soundtrack, of or a specific era. Use the chord chart to help you figure out the chords in the fake book and you are on your way to expanding your knowledge.

This is usually a good way to get started as you begin to see results fairly quickly which will build your confidence in your abilities. As your confidence builds you should start looking into more advanced "theory" which is when you will actually learn why the chords go together and how to identify which chords you should play based on sheet music. This is months down the road from starting as guitar for beginners should be more about enjoying the experience than about analyzing it.

4 Great attractions in Palmdale

Palmdale has been one of the top 25 fastest growing cities in the country for over two decades. It is among the largest cities to not have a main highway or interstate within its limits, and its location is unbeatable. Only 2 hours from the wine country of Santa Barbara, an hour from the city of Los Angeles, and about an hour and a half from the beach, you find yourself in driving distance of many great attractions, without the hustle and bustle of city life and freeways. Here is a list of some great attractions in Palmdale and the surrounding Los Angeles County.

1. The Devil's Punchbowl: This sandstone formation at 4,750 ft elevation is considered a miniature version of the Grand Canyon. This natural preserve contains a state park and plays host to many different plants and animals. Most of the animals here are nocturnal and rarely seen. Hiking trails that reach to the Andreas Fault are abundant, and there are viewings of all the meteor showers of each year. This makes for a great day trip with the family, or a romantic night for just two.
2. Golf: There are two regulation golf courses in Palmdale. Rancho Vista is an 18-hole course with a medium-length layout. For something a little shorter, and a bit easier, try Desert Aire, a 9-hole course nearby. Both have beautiful greens and host beginners as well as advanced golfers.
3. Hart's Park: "Two Gun Bill" was a cowboy in many silent movies many decades ago. William S. Hart owned a 260-acre ranch in Palmdale that is now open to the public. Hart's Park was donated to the public a few years ago, and is now a great place to spend an afternoon outside any time of the year.
4. Palmdale Playhouse: This little theater hosts many different shows throughout the year. From The Christmas Story in December to symphony orchestras, to various plays, you are sure to find something that suits your fancy any time of the year.