By Kat Brunton

The UK's 50 million users of mobile phones will - on average - replace their handset every 18 months, but environmental experts believe less than 20% of these phones are recycled.

Millions of mobiles phones are gathering dust in drawers and cupboards in people's homes when they could be recycled - often in return for money or discounts off new phones - or reused in the Third World.

Mobile phones contain many materials that can be harmful to the environment and human health if not disposed of safely and responsibly. In the UK, it is illegal to throw out your old handset with the household waste.

Countless mobiles phones, however, still end up in landfill sites where there is a real risk they will leak toxic waste, polluting rivers and watercourses and contaminating agricultural land. Highly toxic dioxins can be also emitted into the atmosphere if phones are incinerated in waste plants.

The most hazardous part of a mobile phone is the battery. The cadmium contained inside the battery of just one discarded mobile phone can contaminate as much as 600,000 litres of water - that's enough to fill a third of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Other materials utilised in the manufacture of mobile phones include lead, used to solder components to printed circuit boards, and beryllium, used in contacts and springs. Such noxious substances can cause cancer, liver disease and brain damage, and affect the human body's immune and central nervous systems.

Cell phones also contain precious, semi-precious and base metals, including copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, silver and zinc. Even though only tiny amounts of these metals are present, the value and scarcity of such mineral resources makes it worthwhile - financially as well as ethically - to recycle mobile phones.

Around 80% of the components in a mobile phone can be recycled. First, phones are dismantled by hand into their individual components, such as the chips, camera lenses and memory drives. Some of these parts may be resold.

The remaining components are then ground up, and the useful metals are extracted from the scrap by various industrial processes. The metal contained in batteries can also be recovered, as can much of the plastic used in components.

Phones in good working order or which can be easily repaired are shipped to Africa and Asia where they prove invaluable to people living in developing countries with little or no landline telephone infrastructure.

Refurbished handsets are also an affordable alternative in regions where the cost of brand new mobile phones is prohibitive.

Any cell phone can be recycled or reused. You can dispose of yours by taking it back it the high street shop where you bought it from, often in return for a discount off a new handset.

There are also a growing number of companies on the Internet who will give you cash in exchange for your old phone (depending on its make and condition).

Alternatively, you can help save the planet, and support a good cause at the same time, by donating your handsets to charities that recycle mobile phones to raise funds. Whatever option you choose, always remember to remove the SIM card in order to protect your personal data.

By Richard Lipman M.D.

Why Some People Eat Like Pigs & Stay Thin: It's In the Genes (or Is It?)

Two Opposing Views on Why Some People Can Remain Thin and Eat What They Want and others Get Fat Just Looking at Food!

Genes vs. NEAT

NEAT Explains the Difference Between Fat and Thin:

Dr James Levine from the Mayo Clinic thinks the difference between thin and fat people is not genetic, but related to the movement through the day that everyone does, not related to extra exercise, which he calls NEAT. In his recent book, Move a Little, Lose a Lot, this Mayo Clinic Endocrinologist and exercise guru shows very convincing data that there may be a 1000 to 2000 calorie per day difference in people who move about vs. those completely sedentary. This is independent of extra exercise like going to a gym or for long walks. He points out that thin people, when overfed thousands of extra calories do not gain weight because they increase their NEAT unconsciously. He advocates increasing NEAT by getting up from the office chair, moving about, walking a flight of steps, parking car as far as possible away from your office etc.All ways to get some movement into one's daily life.

Genes Explain Why Some People Be Thin and Eat What They Want

Why Do Some People Never Get Fat?

BBC Newsmagazine, London January 22, 2009

Why do some people seem to eat what they like and remain thin, while others limit their food, often drastically, yet struggle to shed their bulk-the genet

One expert, Dr. Jane Wardle, thinks it's due to the genes that influence appetite. For thin people, "it's kind of effortless because they don't even want to eat. They do not have to exert will power and self-control whereas for other people, their brain has little control over what they eat.

When skinny people start eating their metabolism increases to keep them thin. In 1967, Dr Ethan Sims, fed thin prisoners in a Vermont jail as much as 10,000 calories a day in attempt to make them fat. No matter how much food they ate, they remained relatively thin. The few who did gain, lost their weight in a few weeks.

Dr Rudy Liebel, from Columbia University explains the problem:" Think of it like a thermostat and that each person has a set point, when it is reduced below that point the body begins to do things that will force it to recover its lost body weight."

Dr Carel le Roux, an obesity specialist thinks there is another explanation, why some people appear not to get fat despite eating at lot. She says, "Studies have shown that this tendency to lay down muscle rather than fat when we over-eat is genetically determined.

All of these answers focus on genetic factors, beyond everyone's control and infer that it's almost hopeless for overweight people to lose significant weight and keep it off.The "genetic factor" does not explain the rapid rise in obesity over the last 10 years, since the gene pool cannot change so quickly. It suggests that environment must also play a role.

By Sylvia Kittens

This year is going to be a time of cutbacks for many people, but cancelling your annual holiday can do more harm than good. Everyone needs a break and it's possible to save a lot of money and still have a great vacation. Here are some tips for getting the best price on your trip abroad.

First stop is the internet. Price comparison sites and travel websites allow you to find the best deal on your flights, accommodation, car hire and even travel insurance and currency. If you're prepared to be flexible you can take advantage of the very best deals. For example, there are usually discounted rates for last-minute bookings, and if you're prepared to fly from particular airports you could pick up some really cheap flights.

If you can, choose which attractions you're going to visit beforehand and look for discount codes for tickets. Many websites have voucher codes and you can often save money for booking in advance. You may also find that buying family passes is cheaper than single tickets, or that an annual pass is the best option if you plan on visiting the same attraction several times during your holiday.

Instead of staying in a hotel, the cheaper option is to stay in a private holiday home or vacation villa. This has all the facilities for self-catering so you can eat cheaply, and you usually pay for the whole house and not just per person so it's an especially good money-saver for larger groups of holiday-makers. You can also cut out travel agent's fees by booking directly with the villa owner, and there are often last-minute deals to be had.

A huge cost people often incur on holiday is their phonecalls - many people don't realise just how expensive it is to make calls abroad, so it's well worth investing in an international sim-card. These cards are inexpensive and all you do is put them into your phone. You top them up with pre-payment for your calls and you can take advantage of local rates.

Finally, try to plan free activities to do on holiday. Many people are perfectly content to use their private swimming pool or sunbathe but there are lots of other free things to do too. Use the internet to find free events in the area and you might be surprised by what's on offer!

By Atlantis Jewell

His Royal Highness Pharaoh Cyliss Revnik commissioned thrones for Him and His Queen this week and He conferred the honor on Exquisite Furnishing's Master Builder, Papo Lungu, at the time of the commission Mr. Lungu was in the middle of a build and set aside this project to build magnificent, majestic thrones for His Highness and His Queen.

He began by taking a chair, extending the back to be over 15 meters then he opened up his texture files and began sifting through them to decide which ones would be best for an Egyptian Pharaoh. After rejecting several ones that the interruption of the scene was questionable, Mr. Lungu found the Eye of Ra and a Blue Scarab which he chose for the Pharaoh and His Queen's Throne respectively. He added these symbols to thee top of the thrones he added Egyptian hieroglyphs to the sides of the thrones and inlaid them with gold. On the front backs of the thrones was placed a sheet of gold, at first it was two pieces and in front of this piece was a plush back, matching the red in of the seats of the thrones, but he decided that the velvet back was not necessary to the build and removed it.

The next item built were the huge chucks of gold block underneath the thrones. He experimented with adding bling to the various gold pieces; however, the scripts did not look good. Undeterred he made specially made prims and put the bling scripts in these prims, made them invisible and added them to the points of the arm rests that curve up the back and forward, so if you stare at the thrones long enough you will see a twinkle of bling in two points on both thrones.

He added gold the under-arm rest, which is on top of the wood, he put a red velvet fabric on the seats, and back of the throne with a ribbing on the top of the back of the throne and under the arm rests. Sitting around the Pharaoh's throne are three pads for his slaves or his favorite concubines, the one directly in front of his throne can disappear so that His Highness does not have to walk over it.

Mr. Lungu asked His Highness to come to his workshop to confirm that the direction he took in the build was proper for the Pharaoh's Palace. The only addition to the build was to make His Highness's throne taller by about three additional meters. Mr. Lungu delivered the thrones to the Palace and they were installed on the Sim where they will remain a proper tribute to a Pharaoh whose build will last forever.

Recently, Her Majesty the Queen added gold inlay to the backs of both thrones. The thrones now sit in two areas of the Palace one in the area where the slaves will be auctioned and one in the main party area of the Palace in-between two statues of Anubis and the thrones will not become lost sitting between these towering statues.

The Palace of the Pharaoh is a fantastic build and will be a place of beauty to visit. They have areas where vendors can sell their goods in the slave market, a dance hall, a semi private swimming pool, a special reception area for VIPs, a promenade deck overlooking the main reception hall, and an invisible door that leads the inter-sanctum of the Pharaoh.

There are fantastic statues of the guardians of the Underworld placed in strategic spots all over the palace.

His Highness had this to say about the thrones build by Mr. Lungu: "Extend my offer to your Master as well with my complete satisfaction with his craft." The offer was to return for the grand opening in two weeks time.

This is the first commission handled by Exquisite Furnishings, however, it is my personal opinion that it will not be the last commission that Mr. Lungu will be offered.

By Philip Gurnhill

My View

Although I have been to Laos on many occasions, its poor infrastructure means that I have limited my exploits to Luang Prabang (for a couple of days) and the capital Vientiane.

After the rigours and commercialisation of Thailand Laos is a breath of fresh air.You can get to Laos by air, from Bangkok however it is far more preferable and a lot more fun to enter via the Friendship Bridge from Nong Khai.Nong Khai is a typical border town full of chancers, smugglers, illegals and general lowlife; in short it is great fun. Worth a visit just for the giant catfish served by the restaurants dotted along the Mekong.Many travel agents in Nong Khai will arrange a visa for you. Last time I was there they were charging about 20 dollars, for this they arranged the visa and you got a lift across the bridge and were met by a taxi the other side for the short journey into Vientiane. You can organise it for yourself, but it is a long walk across the bridge and a scrum the other side to get transport, be civilised spend the $20.

Vientiane

Laos has none of the nightlife of Thailand, you will be lucky to find anything open after 11 at night, the places still open you would not want to go to anyway. Before 11 there is plenty to do, the restaurants are simply superb, with a colonial mix of French, Thai and Laos fusioned together.In the centre of Vientiane are many good bars most which serve food and all serving the excellent beer Laos on draft. Expect to pay less than a dollar for a pint of this nectar. Vientiane lies on the banks of the Mekong opposite Nong Khai.

The Mekong at this point is about ½ a mile across and an early evening drink at one of the riverside bars watching the sunset is definitely in order.If you need to communicate a Thai sim card will work if you stay near the river, telecoms in Laos are not good. Up market accommodation is available in Laos, but for some reason I always gravitate to the Lane Xang hotel. It actually has very decent public area, a reasonable and clean pool and nice bar. Unfortunately the rooms seem to have been transplanted from 1960s Russia!!!! Enough said about that.One fascinating aspect of this hotel is the coffee shop that is attached to the side, it may or may not sell coffee but it most certainly is not a coffee shop. You can drink here till the small hours and it is quite good fun in its own way. On my few visits there English is not spoken by anyone, so sign language is the order of the day. It appears not to matter what you want to do there you have to do it with a female bodyguard who is plonked down next to you and pours your drink (still cheap) constantly. The Government is very strict on the type of establishments allowed, it makes a refreshing change to go into a bar alone and not be harassed by the bar girls. From what I can gather the girls there are dancing partners, the music is eclectic and the preferred method of dancing is the waltz. Most of the customers are Laotian and many single women go there who receive the same bodyguard treatment from a girl and dance the waltz with them all night.It is friendly enough and safe but it always seems that everyone in there knows something that I don't (and I am not naive) When in Laos check it out.

Getting around Vientiane is best done on foot although the strange Samlors (three wheel motorbike taxis) will ferry you farther afield, be sure to bargain hard, all samlor drivers will juice you given a chance

Talking of being juiced, the local money is the Kip, there are roughly 20,000 of the d***things to the pound (10,000 = 1 US$) Expect to go to a good restaurant, eat and drink merrily and get presented with a bill for 70 odd thousand. An evening out means a huge wedge of cash to be dragged about, fortunately Thai Baht are widely accepted and greatly appreciated so take plenty of them, they are more manageable. As with a lot of places in SE Asia ATMs are not available, hotel receptions change cash.

Maybe due to the lack of exposure to western culture, or more likely due to a pretty oppressive Government, Laos is very safe, common sense will keep you OK within the confines of Vientiane, outside you may be taking a risk, not least from the landmine problem which still causes casualtiesA must see is the 6 pm Government run exercise area, hundreds of people do synchronized stretching to awful military music blaring from loud speakers. This site to behold is a daily occurrence on the river front. Participation by tourists is voluntary (I think)

Luang Prabang

Can be reached by air, or overland for masochists. Great for temple hounds, not my cup of tea although the temples are impressive, limited quantities of beer Laos and a nightlife that makes Vientiane look like Bangkok. Info can be found at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luang_Prabang

Enough of the cultural stuff, next stop The Philippines

If you enjoyed reading my article and are interested in a travel business oppoortunity, please visit my website at

http://www.gcl-travel.com/

Thanks

Phil

By Rosemary Vargas

If you are looking to travel as lightly as possible and don't mind purchasing duplicates of things you may have at home, than the bare-bones suggestions for items to bring to Mysore include the following list:

Bring It

* Bathing Suit - If you plan on hitting the hotel pools, bring your bathing suit because you may not find one here that you like. Bikinis are fine; thongs are pushing the envelope.
* Yoga Sticky Mat - The only place selling sticky mats in 2006 was AYRI and that will run you approximately US $30. Bring a lightweight travel mat - it's easy to pack and carry and since most shala floors are covered by rugs, thick mats are not necessary.
* Yoga Clothing - If you practice in stretchy, lycra or spandex yoga clothing, bring it with you as it's nearly impossible to find in Mysore except for the occasional shala t-shirt. Also, bring any clothing that you would like duplicated by the wonderful and inexpensive tailors in Mysore.
* Sunscreen, Bug Repellent & Tampons - There are basically only 2 - 3 brands of bug repellent and sunscreen easily available in Mysore and they are usually past their expiration date. However, you can purchase essential oil of water lily which is reputed to be a natural bug repellent and smells lovely. You can also purchase tampons here, but if there's a brand you like, it's best to bring your own.

If you need to save your pennies to pay for those shala fees, than in addition to the above you should consider bringing:

Consider It

* Adaptors/Converters - If you are bringing electrical devices that are not 220 volts/50 hertz.
* Camera - For the requisite snapshot with Guruji to show all your friends back home.
* Cell Phone - Check with your provider for international service plans and to find out if your model will work in India. If your cell phone is unlocked, you can buy a local SIM card in Mysore.
* Flashlight - Useful for walking in the dark or during a power outage.
* Grapeseed Extract - Use a few drops in purified water to clean your fruit and vegetables.
* Triphala and Activated Charcoal - Just in case you have stomach issues
* Herbal Tea - Very difficult to find different flavors of tea here except for regular black tea.
* iPod - In case you need a break from Indian music, it's always nice to travel with your tunes.
* Kitchen Utensils - Vegetable peeler and fork/knife/spoon travel set are useful but remember to pack it in your checked-in luggage so that it doesn't get confiscated.
* Laptop Computer - Internet cafés are everywhere, but some students opt to bring their own laptop. Some ways to access the Internet with your laptop are through a local dial-up connection at Dishnet, the wireless network at the Southern Star Hotel, broadband cable through Net Online (984-501-2734) or a landline phone connection with Touchtel (821-525-1234).
* Mysore Rug - You can easily purchase a high-quality rug here for Rs. 500 so you might want to invest in one to bring home instead.
* Padlock - Most likely you will need it to lock your room. A good luggage padlock can do double-duty. Also, if you will be travelling by train, you might want to have a chain lock to secure your baggage to the luggage racks.
* Sheets - Unless you are staying in a hotel, you will probably need some sheets but they can be purchased here cheaply.
* Towel - Most towels in Mysore are thin and different than the terry cotton towels you may be used to.
* Yoga Mat Bag - Comes in handy for your mat, rug, keys, camera etc. but almost every shala sells them if you prefer to buy it here cheaply.

Things that you probably don't need to bring with you to Mysore are:

Leave It

* Sneakers - Unless you plan on running or jogging. A good pair of sport sandals will be easier to slip on and off.
* Books - There are lending libraries at Tina's, Mysore Mandala and The Kev Inn.
* Dressy Shoes or Clothing - Got a wedding to go to? If not, don't bother.
* Mosquito Net - If your room doesn't have screened windows, than you can buy a mosquito net here easily.
* Toiletries - Bring your favorites. Otherwise, you can purchase shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc., in Mysore.

By Adam Caitlin

The Samsung U600 or more popularly known as the Ultra Edition 10.9 is a sleek slider with amazing imaging capabilities. The brilliant reflection produced by its glossy casing of the Samsung U600 produces an aura of high style. Despite being loaded with so many premium features, the Samsung U600 is deceptively light. The mirror effect of the TFT display keeps it largely hidden in idle conditions but brightly lights up with more than 262k vibrant colours when slide opened by tactile slide opening mechanism.

A lone Samsung U600 is all you need to become a photographer instantly with its integrated 3.2 megapixel camera module. The camera is also equipped with advanced imaging features like auto focus, digital zoom and built in flash. Capture all the fleeting moments of your life in true colours and store them forever on the 60 Mb memory pool or share them with everyone close to you via MMS or email. The phone is also endowed with video recording capabilities for you to immortalize all the special occasion.

The media player plays a host of media formats and produce powerful yet crystal clear sounds. External memory card support means yo can carry all your favourite tunes with you and enjoy them wherever you are. Video playback of popular formats like MPEG4 is supported too.

Quadband GSM support makes the Samsung U600 work across different continents. With its EDGE and GPRS powered data connectivity, you can enjoy fast mobile Internet on the go on the built in WAP 2.0/xHTML browser. Send and receive not just emails but attachments as well in popular MS Office formats and view them on the Document Viewer. The Samsung U600 also gives you remote and local connectivity via USB and Bluetooth so that you can connect and transfer your files, music and images or synchronize you address book. There are very few phones in the market that are truly worth to be seen with. The Samsung U600 is one of them.

Samsung U600

Adam Caitlin is expert author of Mobile Phone deals. Please have a look at
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By Adam Caitlin

Till recently, Sony Ericsson had just one dedicated line up of Symbian smart phones - the P series. Unlike Nokia - who have not restricted their smart phones to any particular line up, Sony Ericsson smart phones were restricted to the P series that can boast of highly regarded mobile phone models like the Sony Ericsson P990i and more recently, the Sony Ericsson P1. The W950i is the company's first smart phone to be a part of any other line up other than the P series. Infact, the Sony Ericsson W950i is the current leader of the famous Walkman series of music phone - at least till the launch of its upgraded version - the Sony Ericsson W960i.

The Sony Ericsson W950i is based on Symbian operating system and have a UIQ 3.0 like user interface applied. Built wise, the Sony Ericsson W950i resembles the Sony Ericsson M600i with their shell looking alike, but with a number of differences in their functions and specialties. Unlike the M600i, the Sony Ericsson W950i do not feature a QWERTY keypad, which is logical for a music centric Walkman phone. The PDA styled handset features a large, TFT based touchscreen that can produce more than 262k colours. The handset itself is coloured in Mystic purple.

Being the leader of such a prolific line up like the Walkman series, inclusion of the very best features of all Walkman phones in the Sony Ericsson W950i is obvious. Loaded with the latest Walkman media player v2.0, the Sony Ericsson W950i plays many popular media formats with amazing power and clarity. Bluetooth wireless stereo headset support, 3.5 mm audio jack adopter, a massive 4 GB internal memory pool - the W950i is designed for the most demanding mobile music enthusiast. The Sony Ericsson W950i boasts of Flash memory, unlike hard drive modules used in many other mobile phones with bigger memory size. This ensures that the Sony Ericsson W950i is devoid of any kind of lag time as seen in many other smart phones.

Sony Ericsson W950i

Adam Caitlin is expert mobile phones
Author. Please have a look at Sim free phones

By Samuel Herrick

Nokia's romance with 'Communicator' began more than a decade back with the 9000, where the company fiddled with Intel chip and GEOS operating system. Things have changed a lot since then with the advent of Symbian operating system and other advances in the communication technology. Nokia's latest take on an advanced device with impeccable communication tools and option is known as the Nokia N90 Communicator. This handset is fittingly, the apex model of the popular E series line up of business solution. Other popular models of this series include Nokia E50 and E65.

Most of the emphasis was laid on the handset's functionality than its superficial beautification. The device is rather bulky with a size of 132 x 57 x 20 mm and weighing a robust 210 grams. On a first look, the Nokia E90 Communicator looks like a normal candy bar handset with a regular sized (240 x 320 pixels) 16 million coloured TFT screen and a numeric keypad. However, the handset cleverly opens sideways to reveal its notebook like appearance with a wide (800 x 352 pixels) display, completed with a full QWERTY keypad.

This S60 platform based, Symbian OS v9.2 operated smartphone is powered a 330 MHz ARM processor. Shared memory pool is about 128 Mb with hot swappable external memory card support. The Nokia E90 Communicator is a 3.5G handset, featuring HSDPA technology. Under favorable condition, the handset can achieve download speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps. GPRS and EDGE data connectivity apart; you can access any WiFi hotspot through the Nokia E90 communicator for instant, high speed mobile internet gateway. On board web browser is compatible with WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML pages, thus giving you a full freedom while browsing.

Other features of the Nokia E90 Sim Free includes a massive 3.2 megapixel camera with all aids and tools modern day digital imaging has to offer. From media player to GPS navigator - the Nokia E90 Communicator has everything it needs to keep you up and running on the road.

By Adam Caitlin

Samsung U600 comes in as the new Samsung's range flagship, being a top-notch solution in every way. The handset belongs to Ultra II line up, more specifically known as Ultra Edition 10.9 - taking cue from its casing's thickness of 10.9 mm. Much like other sliders from Samsung, the Samsung U600 is devoid of any glitches in its sliding mechanism. This incredibly stylish slider sports a 2.2 inch large TFT screen that can produce more than 262k accurate and vibrant colours. Sliding open the Samsung U600 would reveal its metal etched keypads. The handset is currently available in a number of colour choices, namely Sapphire Blue, Crystal Blue, Platinum Metal, Copper Gold, Garnet Red, Neutral White and a Soft Black variant. However, availability of certain colour solution would depend on the location. The handset weighs in at a mere 80 grams, which is a remarkable achievement for a slider packing so much inside.

The Samsung U600 comes with a built in camera feature which allows the user to take still photos and videos at any time. The camera module is 3.2 megapixel, coupled with all advanced imaging aids like autofocus, digital zoom and integrated flash light. Capturing unexpected moments in high resolution pictures and footages and sharing them instantly with all you near and dear ones is now just a matter of a few key presses. The handset houses a multi format compatible media player and a FM radio for entertainment on the go. A 50 Mb internal memory pool with external memory card support opens up the option for using this high class communicator as a mobile music player.

Other premium functions of the Samsung U600 includes Yahoo search, Document viewer (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF), Business card recognition, Voice memo, Built-in handsfree, a top drawer Organizer and many more. The handset can boast of all connectivity tools and applications, modern mobile technology has to offer. The list includes quad band GSM mobile network support, GPRS, EDGE, Bluetooth and USB v2.0.

Samsung U600

Adam Caitlin is expert mobile phones
Author. please have a look at Sim free phones.

By Lou Ross

Moving to the Mid East may sound dubious at first, but moving to Dubai is fairly popular these days if you have the funds to afford it.

Dubai is one of the fastest growing areas in terms of population in the world. It has become popular among young professionals, who move for the excellent job possibilities. The area is quite diverse and those moving should be able to become accustomed to the area in a short time.

Foreigners are allowed to purchase homes in Dubai, but this is a relatively new occurrence. For this reason, most people who relocate to Dubai rent their residences. There are excellent rental apartments in Dubai that come with many amenities in the complex. It is not uncommon for your rental complex to have gyms, saunas, covered parking, swimming pools and tennis courts. You have the option to rent villas or apartments, and many young professionals share an apartment with someone else. There are also hotel apartments available for those looking for a shorter term, or a more full service, option. Most rental homes are unfurnished, but typically you will find kitchens that come equipped with appliances. In newer homes, air conditioning is standard. To make sure you are dealing with a reputable real estate agent, make sure you ask for an identification card.

After moving, you will want to make sure your utilities are set up. You can get electricity, water and sewage from the Dubai electricity and water authority. The electricity is similar to that found in the UK, so if you are coming from a different country you might need to purchase an adaptor. They are easily found at any grocery store. The tap water is safe for consumption, although most people prefer to purchase bottled water. If you want to get a home telephone, you will have to have a residence visa. If you have a cellular phone, you can purchase a SIM card that will allow you to use your cell phone in Dubai. You do not need a residence visa for this. There is only one option for internet service, which is available from any phone line. Be aware that certain sites are prohibited.

If you have children, you should be able to send them to school with little problem. Most schooling is conducted in English. A majority of schools are taught in a Montessori approach. You will need to provide an academic record for your child, and an entrance test may be required. There are also options for your children if they have special needs.

Although Dubai is an exotic land with vast deserts and sand dunes, many of the amenities found elsewhere in the world are available here. With the strong job market which continues to grow, moving to Dubai is an ideal choice for young professionals seeking an exciting new home.

By Adam Caitlin

The Nokia N95 is probably the best handset till date. For a smartphone that is a communicator, a digital camera, a media jukebox are not hard to find, but the Nokia N95 represents the apex in each fields. For example, the HSDPA technology used in the Nokia N95 is many times faster than the 'mighty' 3G - a force that was being viewed as the ultimate in mobile data connectivity. The built in camera module is a massive 5.0 megapixel - something yet to be officially surpassed though there has been a lot of talk about some handset with even higher resolution.

However, most of imaging enthusiast know that after a certain point, resolution of a camera doesn't effects the image quality. The Nokia N95 scores here with its fine lens crafted by Carl Zeiss Optics. The handset is to be hold just like a digital camera while taking photographs for a landscape view in the 16 million coloured screen. Apart from 'basic' imaging aids like autofocus, zoom and flash light, the Nokia N95 features a full scaled video and image editor, red eye correction and DVD quality footage recording capabilities.

The Nokia N95's ability as a media player is evident from its set of dedicated media control keys. In an unusual downward slide, reveals the media keys that controls media playback when you're working on something else on this multi tasking smart phone. The on board Symbian music player supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+ and WMA music formats. The handset produces the finest of sound on the built in speakers or on stereo Bluetooth headphones. You can even plug in the most comfortable headphones on the handset's 3.5 mm audio jack or watch videos on a larger screen with TV output. The Nokia N95's large memory pool of 180 Mb with a complementary 128 Mb external memory card should be large enough to carry all the tracks you want.

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Nokia N95

By Adam Caitlin

Being a part of premium Black Label portfolio, the LG Shine is meant for the fashion conscious world. After the astounding success achieved by earlier Black Label mobile phones like the LG Chocolate, the Korean mobile manufacturing unit goes back to basic with full metallic casing of traditional silver and conventional keys which are much convenient than the tricky touch sensitive ones featured in the LG Chocolate.

The LG Shine reaffirms LG's credibility of designing excellence and not just a one phone wonder. The handset otherwise known as LG KE970 got the name shine for obvious reasons. Apart from the highly reflective steel casing, the handset's 262k coloured TFT screen is very cleverly hidden by mirror effect. The use of LG Shine as a mirror for a quick hairdo or make-up check can not be ruled out! Thankfully, this immaculately designed mobile phone is packed with much more features, tools and applications than any other fashion solutions from LG.

Presently there are three LG Shine - LG KE970, LG KE770 and LG KU970. Among them, the LG KE770 is of candy bar form, while the remaining two are sliders. The main difference between these two LG Shine sliders is that the KU970 features HSDPA whereas the LG KE970 - the handset in review offers 2.5G EDGE with microSD expansion slot.

Looks apart, LG shine also offers enhanced functionalities ranging from connectivity to mobile entertainment. The handset comes with good imaging experience, sound quality and smooth connectivity. Empowered with a 2.0 megapixel digital camera module with auto focus, flash and zoom, a media player compatible with multiple audio and video format - the LG Shine is your ultimate companion. There are also host of connectivity tools to surf, email, chat and download. With an internal memory pool of 50 Mb and external memory card support, the LG Shine could be turned into a massive storehouse of your digital files.

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By Subha Shankar

Internet has made our life easy as apart from getting pooled information, a user can now buy something using the online shops. But at the same time, there are numerous shops available with internet making it difficult to choose best one where you can get all the need fulfilled.

Online mobile phone shops are gathering momentum now days in US for mobile phone selling. Buying a mobile phone using internet saves time and energy. With selected purchase exhilarating gifts are presented. Sometimes free home delivery and free insurance is too provided by these shops. In US the most popular deals are phone contracts. Excellent contract deals are offered by network operators. In these contracts, phone for a particular time period is provided along with the network connection. Apart from mobile contracts, the second option available is pay as you go or SIM free. With online warehouse, both types of deals can be bought.

Trendy screensavers are latest drift in US. To refresh mobile phone and to demonstrate themes, screensavers are considerably appealing. The same is applicable for the ringtones. From the time, polyphonic ringtones has incorporated in mobile phones, ringtones get a primary position in telecom industries. Now polyphonic ringtones combined with MP3 ringtones turn out astounding effects. Movie songs clips, voice clips, recorded sounds etc can be assigned as ringtones adding fun to the mobile.

Mobile phones are now used not only as a calling device but as a perfect entertainment tool. Music players, video streaming and many more such entertainment features are integrated with the handsets which are greatly helpful in providing full utilization of time. Games are one of them. The JAVA enabled handset can download new applications too. Therefore apart from built-in games, downloading of new games is feasible.

By J C Sum

This article is to introduce magicians and magic enthusiasts to the rich history of magic in Singapore. It honours the notable achievements, prominence and significance of local magicians from the past and present.

The beginning of Modern Magic in Singapore

It is the general consensus that modern magic in Singapore (post World War 2) began with the late-Ng Bo

Oen AKA The Great Wong. Information on local magic pre-war is very scarce. The only information found has been on The Great Wong performing at the New World Amusement Park (then located at Kitchener Road) in the 1930s.

The Great Wong was born in 1908 in Shanton, a city of the Guangdong Province, China and immigrated to Singapore in 1933. He was the only professional magician of his time in Singapore and performed across South East Asia. He was known for his sharp stage magic, Linking Rings routine and Sword Basket illusion. He was also an expert craftsman who built all of his props by hand. He had the gift of figuring out the mechanics and methodology of magic props and fabricating them from scratch.

In 1962, The Great Wong made a significant contribution to the international magic community by publishing his famous linking rings routine with English script written by Tudor Brock. Davenports Magic in London distributes his manuscript to date. In 1982, he was invited by the Federation Internationale des Societes Magiques (FISM) to perform at the 15th World Congree of Magic in Lausanne, Switzerland.

(For more info on The Great Wong; refer to 'The Great Wong Story' in The International Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115 The Quantum Ring Golden Jubilee Issue)

Another local magician who was instrumental in growing modern magic in Singapore during the beginning was the late-Tan Hock Chuan. He was a teacher by profession but performed for annual special events, charity shows and private parties. He was (and still is) internationally known for his magical inventions. His effects and ideas are still marketed dealer items today and have been published in countless publications (of that time) such as Gen, Spinx, Pentagram, New Pentagram, Swami Mantra, Abracadabra and even Tarbell's Course in Magic. He is the first Asian magician to receive the Spinx Award (1936-37)

Both The Great Wong and Tan Hock Chuan were important influences to many of the first generation of Singapore modern-magicians who have paved the way for future generations.

1950s

It was only after the war and during the British Military Administration that magic in Singapore began its rise to where it is today. 1950 was the year that the Singapore Magician's Club was formed by a group of amateur magicians, comprising of English-educated professionals.

In 1951 the Singapore Magician's Club received their charter from The International Brotherhood of Magicians HQ in America and was from then on was officially known as The International Brotherhood of Magicians Singapore Ring 115. Founding members of the club at that time included Tan Ewe Chee (President), Yeo Soon Kian, Lim Kim Tian, Lim Hap Hin, J.H Stafford, L.A Joseph, J.W Jackson (Vice-President) and Tan Hock Chuan (Secretary).

The 50's gave birth to Singapore's first generation of modern magicians. Besides the founding members of the IBM Ring and The Great Wong (who joined the Ring in 1952 by invitation), some prominent first generation magicians included Lim Hap Hin, Tan Choon Tee, Tan Bah Chee, Yeo Soon Kian and his student Michael Lim.

The Great Wong operated the first magic shop from his home cum showroom/ workshop in Singapore at 255-A Jalan Besar where he sold his own handcrafted props as well as imported dealer items from Japan. (This home/ shop was destroyed in a fire in Dec 1988 causing him to lose most of his books and props)

1960s

During this period, magicians like The Great Wong, Tan Bah Chee, Lim Hap Hin and Tan Choon Tee conducted magic courses at the National Theatre Club and the YMCA. They were responsible for producing active magicians such as Charles Choo, Wong Fok Choy, Chia Hearn Jiang, Gwee Thiam Hock and the late-Vijeyacone.

The early 60s also saw the 'Golden Age' of magic with magicians performing at different venues across the country. Besides local magicians performing in night clubs, foreign magicians such as Socar performed a grand illusion show to a full house at the Capitol Theatre (along Stamford Road) and The Great Nicholas at the Sky Theater in The Great World Amusement Park at Kim Seng Road (Now, Great World City).

In the late 60s, Wee Peng Guan (Uncle of Charles Choo), opened the second magic shop in Singapore at a shop house along Robinson Road. Around that time, popular entertainer Victor Khoo's father Khoo Teng Heng who was a magician, a ventriloquist and hypnotist opened his magic shop at Bras Basah. (where Carlton Hotel stands currently).

During this decade, Tan Choon Tee was making a name for himself in the international magic community in the field of Mentalism. He won several international Linking Ring Awards for his One-Man Parades and has two books published by Micky Hades. He was also a regular contributor to numerous international magic magazines such as Gen, New Pentagram, Magicgram, Magicana and The Linking Ring.

Overseas magicians whom passed through Singapore included Milo & Roger, Milbourne Christopher and Maurice Fogel.

1970s

The 1970s saw the birth of the second generation of Singapore magicians. Some well-known magicians who got started during this time included; The Great Wong's son Ng Kee Chee, John Teo, Tang Sai Thong, Ng Seow Kiat, Tang Yeng Fun, Bob Chua, Eric Leong, Tan Teck Seng, Lawrence Tham, Tan Tuan Seng, Lawrence Khong and Andrew Kong.

The Singapore Association of Magicians was founded on 10 March 1973 in friendly 'rivalry' to the IBM Ring. The club was led by Tan Bah Chee with prominent founding members such as Lim Hap Hin, Tan Hock Chuan and Charles Choo.

Magic shops in Singapore began to spring up during the late seventies. Ng Kee Chee set up a magic stall at Yaohan in Plaza Singapura and Wang Leng opened his shop in Peninsula Plaza. Charles Choo opened his shop in August 1978 on the 6th floor of Far East Shopping Centre. (It would move several times to various malls but eventually returned back to Far East). His shop would soon become an institution where magicians would buy various magic products as well as meet up and learn from each other.

It was a variety haunt for many magicians in the years to come till the shop closed in the new millennium.

During this period, The Tropicana Night Club, which was situated at Pacific Plaza, was a venue that had regular magic performances. Several famous magicians also visited Singapore in the 70s. In 1970, John Calvert performed at the National Theatre. In 1972, Albert Goshman visited Ring 115 to give a lecture. In that same year, "The Professor" Dai Vernon also visited Singapore, lectured and interacted with local magicians. Other visiting magicians included Andre Kole, Billy McComb, and Ali Bongo.

1980s

By the 1980s, the local magic scene was flourishing with healthy memberships for the two main magic clubs as well as a surge in the number of performing magicians. Many of today's veterans made their name in the 80s. Familiar names like Richard Ang, Patrick Wan, Patrick Ng Wang Lin, Tan Hai Yan AKA Gician, Paul Koh, AB Francis and Gordon Koh were performing regularly at public and private shows during this decade. Popular local venues for public magic shows by magic clubs held on a regular basis at that time included the Drama Centre and the National Museum Theatrette.

The popularity of magic shops also grew and in 1982, Chew Kin Song opened a Magic & Novelty Corner at the Chinese Book Section of Popular Book Co Pte Ltd on the 4th Floor of Bras Basah Complex. Gician Tan also opened up his first magic shop at Parkway Parade which subsequently moved to Marina Square and was managed by Richard Ang. Besides this main shop, he distributed magic items and sets through department stores

in Singapore and South East Asia.The Singapore audience was also exposed to world-class magic through several magic television shows and series that were aired on local TV including the David Copperfield specials, Magic Magic and The Best of Magic.

Foreign magicians who visited Singapore during this time included David Copperfield, Mark Wilson, Ben Harris, Paul Daniels and Gene Anderson.

1990s

The beginning of this decade saw the introduction of the country's third generation magicians into the local magic scene. Prominent budding magicians included Enrico Varella, Sherman Tjiong, J C Sum, Joe Yu (Chan Ee Kang), Nique Tan Li Keong, Prakash Puru, Kiki Tay, Alex Tan and Jeremy Pei.

The local chapter of International Magicians Society was formed, founded by its President, Tan Bah Chee; although the club's presence in Singapore was short-lived.

The late-1990s saw a huge surge in magic global popularity due to David Blaine's street magic specials. Many people started to 'get into' magic and had new mediums to learn the craft such as the introduction of DVDs and the Internet.

A new magic shop, Magic Castle & Promotions, opened up by Vijay Kumar at Shaw Towers soon became 'the place to be' where new magicians would hang out and meet.

During this decade, Wang Leng's shop in Peninsula Plaza was sold to Patrick Wan. The shop was subsequently sold to Richard Ang and is now well known as Ang House of Magic. Patrick Wan opened his new shop, Magic Wand, which has spawned into several outlets in various parts of Singapore. Steven Sim also opened Magic Supreme at Coronation Plaza which has subsequently moved to Park Mall.

The 90s was an exciting decade with many visits and performances by famous magicians. Apart from lectures by Michael & Hannah Ammar, Mark Leveridge and Wolfgang & Sonja Riebe there were also public theatre performances by the Pendragons, Princess Tenko, Andre Kole, Franz Harary, David Copperfield, Rudy Coby and Robert Gallop. Other visiting magicians included Larry Becker, Tim Ellis, Terry Seabrooke, Phil Cass and Albert Tham.

2000 - Present

Magic has continued to flourish at the local level in this decade. New opportunities and talents have emerged to elevate the art in Singapore. In May 2000, J C Sum staged the first ever local full-evening theatre show 'Magic at the Theatre' at Victoria Theatre. Just a month later, more than a dozen magicians from the US and Canada came down to Singapore as part of the Magic Festival organized by the Malls of Centrepoint. Magicians such as Robert Baxt, Rocco and Peter Gossamer performed multiple shows at various Centrepoint Malls for over a week.

In 2004, the Singapore Magic Circle (SMC) was created by Aloysius Yeo and with its on-line forum drew a new pool of magic enthusiasts together. SMC has since grown to over 1000 members and regularly organize gatherings, events as well as the recent Concept:Magic Micro MAGIC Convention in January 2007.

Through a large-scale theatre magic musical 'Magic of Love', Lawrence Khong, a pastor with Faith Community Baptist Church and his daughter Pricilla, spread the gospel message.

The multi-million dollar production has been staged many times over the years across the world to spread the word of Christ. Subsequently, the same team organized two International Festival of Magic conventions in 2003 & 2005. The first of its kind big magic events included competitions, lectures, a dealers' room and performances. International performers such as Jeff McBride, Max Maven, Johnny Thomspon, The Pendragons, Lee Eun Gyeol and Tommy Wonder were booked to perform at the gala shows and lectures.

In recent years, J C Sum has become arguably the most prominent Singapore magician of this generation. His magic has been seen by millions through his live performances across Asia as well as his landmark mass media projects on MediaCorp Studio's Ch 8 as well as subsequent 'Street Illusions' compilation DVD/ VCD.

His 24-episode 'Magic in Motion' series can currently be seen daily on Singapore Press Holdings MediaBoxOffice through 2007. In the international magic community, J C has also established himself as an elite illusion designer from Asia with the publication of his 3 critically acclaimed illusion books that have been sold in more than 30 countries to date.

Another talented award-winning magician, Jeremy Pei, is raising the profile of Singapore magic within the regional magic community with his theatre shows, organized lectures, workshops and active participation in magic conventions & competitions in Japan, Korea, China, Thailand and Australia. His distinctive North-Asian influence style of magic performance has garnered him a following with new budding magicians whom he teaches and guides. He has also released multiple original magic products which are available to magicians worldwide.

In another first, award-winning junior magician, Kyle Ravin secured a 13-episode weekly Street Magic series, "Maya" on MediaCorp Studios' Vasantham Central. This 30min series saw him perform magic for the Indian community and celebrities across the country.

This decade has seen the introduction of even more magic shops and dealers run by young magicians to meet the demand of magic enthusiasts and magicians. These include new 'brick & mortar' magic shops such as Street Magic by Tan Wei Ping, Tricky Business by Jimmy Wong, The Magic Hall by Kenneth Peh as well as on-line shops like The Little Magic Shop by Ning.

Visiting magicians thus far for the new millennium have included Joshua Jay, Shoot Ogawa, Charles Gucci, Nicholas Einhorn.

And the Magic History of Singapore continues to be written...

By Matthew Keegan

Corporate flight attendants have a new choice when selecting a company for their cabin safety and service training. Alteon Training, LLC, a Boeing Company, launched a program in November 2003 for corporate flight attendants at their facility in Long Beach, California. I was invited to participate in the class to get a better idea about the training, their facility, and about Alteon itself and to share my findings with the aviation community via this website.

In an industry peppered with training companies of varying sizes and capabilities, my first thoughts about Alteon was that is was just a run-of-the-mill training agency. Alteon not only allayed my original misgivings, but they proved to me that all training companies should be doing the same thing: operating with the FAA's blessings under FAR Part 142. Indeed, Alteon's program may soon become the benchmark by which all training companies will be judged. This is good news for flight attendants who are confused or even mislead by some of the programs operating around the U.S.

I arrived in Long Beach from JFK on a Sunday evening, picked up my rental car and went to my room to prepare for my 7 a.m. Monday meeting with Alteon executives Jim Garner and Hal Collison. That morning, we toured the facility where I was able to see their fully equipped training rooms sporting individual computer work stations complemented by the overhead media slideshow housing [indeed, while being trained students could look at the pull down screen or at their computer monitor to view the PowerPoint presentations]. On the ground floor of Alteon's facility, I was brought to a room housing individual flight simulators, each of which was for one Boeing product or another.

By 8 a.m. the remaining five students arrived and I settled down with them in a training room to begin the class. After brief introductions, Kathy Cummins was introduced as our service instructor for the first day's class. The Corporate School of Etiquette was chosen by Alteon to provide the service side of the training the first day. The middle three days was all Alteon-run training. San Diego CPR was selected to provide the in-flight medical, CPR, and AED training on Friday. When I inquired as to why Alteon outsourced portions of their five-day program, Hal Collison, Director, Flight Training, for Alteon declared, "We focus on what we are experts at and do best. The other portions of the course are outsourced to the very best experts in their field with years of experience and access to the latest course content and training materials."

Kathy's session began with a discussion on dispatching a trip. Covered material included the steps behind the scheduling and releasing of an aircraft for flight; crewmember assignments; show times and reporting times; aircraft, flight and passenger data; and arranging for catering and supplies. Students previewed a dispatcher's checklist and discussed preparing for a six leg international trip using an actual trip sheet to decide what food service was needed and where.

After two hours of classroom teaching, it was all hands on training for most of the rest of the day. Students boarded a company van and headed south to John Wayne Airport in Orange County for the executive service training portion of the program. The class toured Signature's FBO where we located the catering order placed earlier with Air Gourmet. After a discussion about refrigeration, we took the order outside to the waiting Global Express which was graciously provided to us for the day by Monarch Charters. When we boarded the aircraft I was pleasantly surprised to see that we had full access to the galley and cabin whereby we were able to actually heat the food as well as keep the aircraft cool for the "passengers."

Kathy gave the students a trip scenario to work with and we went through all the pre-departure procedures including, passenger arrival; take-off; meal and wine service; in-flight procedures; before and after landing; and aircraft cleaning procedures. By mid-afternoon with our in-flight service portion of the training behind us we returned to Long Beach for additional classroom training covering contracts and flight attendant business preparation material. Somehow we managed to squeeze in what seemed like two days of training into one day. By 6 p.m. the class was over and the service training portion of the program was behind us.

Pattie Adams took over the class on Tuesday and for the next three days was tasked with guiding the class through the applicable FARs; crewmember duties and procedures; security; hazmat and more. As a backgrounder, Pattie was one of the chief creators of Alteon's new program, drawing on her experience as a contract corporate flight attendant as well as a commercial flight attendant, purser and instructor with United Airlines. Pattie's experience in the corporate and commercial arenas was helpful as she skillfully translated the language and procedural differences between the two arenas, something that was not lost on those in the class who were new to corporate aviation, but possessed commercial experience only.

Because training was done at Alteon's Long Beach facility, guest speakers from within the company were brought in to discuss some of the highly technical aspects of flying. Palermo Gabriel discussed the mechanics of flight and Dick Bloomberg covered the aircraft systems, particularly what happens in the cockpit. Dick also gave the students a thrilling SIM ride, a standard value added feature for those attending this training program.

The third day of training covered turbulence and decompression and was followed by hands on practice of oxygen units and, later, aircraft doors, emergency exits and equipment. Slides and pictures of the various configurations found on the Gulfstreams, Bombardiers/Global Express/ Challengers, and Falcons were covered as well as for the BBJ and Boeing's newest corporate entry, the 717 Business Express. Particularly useful to the class was the separate binder that we were given for Emergency Checklists; this Jeppesen size manual could easily be taken on trips, which is what Pattie encouraged students to do.

By Thursday, we were all eager to leave the classroom for hands on activity; we were not disappointed. After a classroom discussion on how fires start, we filed outside, donned personal breathing equipment (PBE) and practiced fire fighting procedures. Immediately after lunch the class boarded the cabin trainer and spent several hours role playing. The day was capped off with a trip to the local hotel's outdoor pool for ditching procedures and exercises.

The fifth and final day was the hardest to face. Not that the course material was going to be a major challenge, but rather we were faced with the realization that as a class we would no longer be together. Each of us knew that we were becoming part of Alteon history by participating in their inaugural class.

Pam Hammond, of San Diego CPR, was brought in on Friday to go over the in-flight medical aspect of training, particularly CPR and defibrillator procedures. Having previously completed Red Cross training I was curious to learn what the differences were between Red Cross procedures and the American Heart Association training that Pam was instructing us in. We learned that the Red Cross program, while very good, is geared toward lay people while the American Heart Association program was what the medical community utilized. So, we did as the doctors and paramedics do and started checking airways, looked for signs of breathing, and pounding the chests of the mannequins.

In the afternoon it was all AED training as we practiced hooking up the Heartstream® monitor and performing defibrillation. The class ended with a quiz and the distribution of completion cards on behalf of the American Heart Association.

At the end of the day, Alteon executives led by John Alexander, VP of the Americas and Chris Johnson-Pasqua, General Manager, Long Beach Training Center, came to the classroom to thank and congratulate the students. More than once I heard a hearty "thank you" from a student to John as each one was grateful for the high level of training they had just completed. Each student left equipped with the confidence needed to carry out their duties as corporate flight attendants.

By Wayne Hemrick

If you live in or near Boulder, Colorado and have never been scuba diving before, you will need to get some instructions in how scuba diving is done before you head out. For this purpose you will want some swim lessons. Boulder potential divers have many options for swim lessons starting out with beginners classes and possibly working up to become a professional diving instructor.

You will first want to start out with some introductory scuba swimming lessons. Boulder residents can enjoy a short intro course where the equipment is provided for you and you can give it a try in a safe swimming pool under an instructor's supervision during the sim lessons. Boulder, CO children as young as five years old may take introductory classes to give a little safe exposure to being in water.

Children that are eight or nine years old can sign up for more introductory swim lessons. Boulder parents can give their kids lessons that allow them to go pool diving with an instructor. Boy scout and girl scout troups can also participate in swi lessons. Boulder troups can take part in classes that enhance their knowledge about diving and then provide them with introductory water skills training during the swimming lessons. Boulder children can also enjoy other activities during swim lessons. Boulder swimmers can, for example, also take introductory snorkeling classes as long as they have basic swimming skills already.

There are also classes available for adult swim lessons. Boulder beginning scuba divers may want to take open water swimming lessons. Boulder students will want to take a class with a low student to teacher ratio during the wim lessons. Boulder dive instructors will give you training in proper diving techniques, so that you will be ready for further education.

If it has been a while since your last dive, you can also take refresher course swimming lessons. Boulder divers will find classes that will review dive skills and emergency procedures so that you will be ready for your next diving trip.

More advanced divers will enjoy continuing education swim lessons. Boulder, CO instructors are ready to train you in a variety of areas during swim lessons. Boulder, CO divers can learn about advanced open water technique, emergency first response, rescue diving, equipment specialization, and several areas of specialty diving during their swimming lessons. Boulder, CO enthusiasts can train to become digital underwater photographers or videographers, or can learn about dry suit diving while taking swimming lessons. Boulder, CO instructors can also take you pro, so that you can become a divemaster, an assistant instructor or a master scuba diver trainer, among other areas covered during swim lessons boulder co dive instructors can offer all this, so contact a diving school today for more information.

By Carol M. Weaver

For some, vacationing means lazy days on the beach, leisurely hours by the pool or naps in the sun. For others, vacationing provides a chance to leave the suit-and-tie desk job behind and to let the weekend warrior who stays suppressed most of the year go wild. No matter if you prefer the camaraderie of teams or the challenge of individual sports, the Alabama Gulf Coast has a place for you to test your mettle.

Because of its reputation as a world-class vacation destination, the Alabama Gulf Coast might not, in the past, have been foremost in the public consciousness as a destination for sporting events. But excellent facilities combined with beautiful scenery and friendly, helpful staff, business people and residents make the Alabama Gulf Coast a top-of-the-line location for sports and recreation.

Take, for example, Bike MS: Border Bash, a two-day, two-state, 150-mile cycling event that raises money to fund research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. Bikers will find this a thrill and a challenge as they ride a course that takes them through two states, beginning and ending at the premier resort The Wharf. The fully supported course means riders of any skill level can be sure to have a safe yet challenging experience. Along the way, riders can marvel at the spectacular scenery, including views of the Intercoastal Waterway, beaches and the native flora and fauna that will be springing to life as May begins.

Supporters who come can spend their time enjoying the amenities provided by The Wharf, such as shops, restaurants, a movie theater and an amphitheater. Additionally, hundreds of boutiques and eateries are located along the 150-mile course.

Some who come to the Gulf Coast will be supporters of entire teams, and those teams will be comprised of children or perhaps grandchildren representing their schools. Tournaments played at a beach destination is a dream combination of vacation and parental obligation. After all, no one ever said the field of competition shouldn't have a Gulf view.

To find team activities, look no further than the Gulf Shores Sportsplex, home to six softball fields, a baseball field, a football field, a soccer field, a track and a field house. As the school year winds down, pitchers will be winding up for tournaments in softball and baseball. Shoot-outs in mid-May are qualifiers for Global World Series events that are coming this summer to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

While visiting Gulf Shores, plan to stop by Johnnie Sims Park to ride the rails in the 6,500-square-foot skate park. The facility has 10 concrete modular skate ramps designed for skill levels ranging from beginner through advanced. A concession and restroom facility is onsite, and those who prefer the sport of being a spectator can do so from nearby picnic tables.

If you would rather do some "courting," however, visit the George C. Meyer Tennis Center, which features 12 hard-surface courts and six Rubeco courts, four covered and two open.

The Orange Beach Recreation Center welcomes martial arts specialists as more than 300 participants gather for the Eastern Shore Taekwondo Invitational.

Orange Beach also offers a sportsplex, tennis center and aquatic center featuring a junior Olympic outdoor pool.

If your idea of a good workout is surfing the 'Net, no worries. All Orange Beach facilities are Wi-Fi Hotspots, so limber up those thumbs for some texting marathons!

But if you came to the coast to give your digital digits a rest and put a little glow on your fluorescent pallor, what better way to tone and tan simultaneously than a pickup game of beach volleyball? Of course, in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, there's always the chance you'll "pick up" a ringer, as professional and world-class amateur volleyball players arrive to bump, set and spike for tournaments on the sugary sands.

Speaking of spikes, don't forget the clubs and golf shoes. You'll want to make sure to hit the links for 18 holes.

You might also consider casting your worries away by doing some fishing. The Alabama Gulf Coast offers opportunities for every budget, from surf fishing off the beach to chartering a deep-sea excursion in search of bigger prizes. Some come to fish for fun, some for food, some for trophies and some for prizes in competitions. But as is the case in every sport and sporting opportunity, when it's at the Alabama Gulf Coast, no matter the outcome, one thing is true: Everyone's a winner.

By Tosin Ajibowo and T Ajibowo

It is very surprising and saddening to suddenly discover that you risk losing your precious cellphone the moment it gets immersed in water. At times, it might simply be that you were unfortunate to have allowed rain or water or any other liquid such as soup, coke, soda, beer, liquor, coffee, tea, lemonade, etc come in contact with your mobile phone and the internal components.

There are even occasions where your friends in the height of playfulness might 'dunk' you into a swimming pool only to realize later on that you had your handset in your possession neatly and safely tucked away in the pocket of your top or trousers. Whatever the scenario, the moment any liquid manages to get into your Mobile Cell Phone mostly through the tiny pores or openings for the SIM card, Memory Card, Earphone or Hands-free port, Keypad, etc...

IT SIMPLY MIGHT GO BAD/FAULTY and NEVER GET TO FUNCTION/OPERATE WELL AGAIN.

Well, you are wrong there. You can still get to save/salvage your mobile phone by following a few tips that should prove helpful in the save recovery of your GSM Handset from damage. At least, you can still give it a try and see if there is something you can do to restore your Phone back to its full function rather than throw it away or be forced to buy a new mobile phone.

Apart from the fact that this is an unplanned spending, you also stand at risk of losing your important and precious data on your mobile phone such as contacts, videos, e-books, audios, pictures, etc. By following simple DIY tips, you can securely recover your Cell Phone from damage and get to preserve all your precious data stored on it from getting corrupted and/or lost permanently.

First thing to do is to recover or retrieve your GSM mobile phone from the liquid or water ASAP. Of course you can not do anything unless you get it back.

Secondly, you are to immediately open the back cover and remove the battery. This way, you protect your mobile handset from further damage as a result of short circuit fault internally.

Thirdly, you are to remove your SIM and any multimedia memory card if your mobile phone uses one.

Fourthly, you must allow any trace of water or moisture to drip and/or dry off respectively for a day or two.

When you must have tried out the above mentioned tips and your GSM cellphone does not work, you are to consult a service/repairs center please for further help and assistance.

By Dennis Siluk Ed.D.

Emery Golf shut his eyes. He was starting to hear noises, those that were not within his physical reality, wolf sounds. He knew this kind of nausea would create a long enduring craving, soon to come thereafter the D.T.'s, and the visual appearance of the wolf, all this combined drove the wolf out to be one might say, his unwanted sidekick. The sickness he was feeling was nothing compared to the wolf, if he came completely materialized.

He was a middle aged man, thirty-nine years old, short and robust, worked at the can factory, in the Midway Area of St. Paul, Minnesota. He had worked there since he was a kid, a spot welder.

He drank up at Bram's Bar, on Sycamore and Acker Streets, in the North End of the city, where he lived. He liked drinking, and he didn't want to stop, he simply wanted to pump himself silly with alcohol every night, and recently during the day. He was starting to look bloated, his heart was being affected, as was his liver, blackened and deadened as if it was frost bitten.

"There should be a law against self destruction," said his friend Ron Sims, who had once lived in his drinking neighborhood, and moved out, and worked for 'American Can,' as well. He had met Emery, three hours after work, at the bar, knowing he had went to the bar right after work, and would most likely still be there, perhaps until its closing time.

"Listen Ron," said Emery, "I want to tell you something, it's all or nothing with me. I can't have one beer without having twenty more. Therefore, I might just as well have twenty, and get it over with, although I don't like seeing the wolf."

"The wolf," said Ron, "what is the wolf?"

"He's a wolf, that comes out of the walls, or from under the bed, or watches me from the back seat of my car, he comes out, when I drink too much, or when I stop drinking, if I drink just enough, and in the morning take a quick drink, he fades away before he completely materializes. I don't know his name if that is what you're asking; I just know he's a wolf."

Emery now shut his eyes, sitting next to Ron on a bar stool, his hands on his forehead, somewhat covering his face, his elbows on the bar counter, several people are around the pool table, behind him, and someone is playing a guitar on a stage no bigger than the size of a large table.

Ron Sims, took another drink of his coke, he went now and then to the bar to see Emery, or his old friends but he had to work the next day, and seldom did he drink on working days and for Emery seldom did he not drink on work days.

"Yes," said Ron, "I think I understand."

"What do you think you understand?" said Emery from underneath his somewhat closed posture.

"What you were saying."

"What do you mean, what I was saying, I wasn't saying anything, I'm hiding from the wolf."

"What did the wolf say?" asked Ron.

"Now you're being funny, you know wolves don't talk," replied Emery, now taking his hands away from his eyes, and forehead; as if the distraction helped.

"It's getting late, I think I'll head on home," said Ron. A waitress standing to his side orders some drinks, "How you been Ron, don't see you around much anymore?"

"Too many wolves around here, Sandy," Ron commented, and chuckled to Emery a little.

"Funny, funny, my friend, but when the wolf comes it's not so funny anymore," commented Emery, taking in a deep breath, as if to fight for oxygen.

"You ok, Emery? Should I call an ambulance?"

"You're joking, what for?"

"No reason, I best be on my way," and he slipped off the bar stool onto his feet.

"The wolf is here," said Emery, in a slightly panicked voice.

"Yes, you've already told me that," said Ron.

"No, no, I did not, I said he was...almost here, now he is," and he starts to cover his eyes, the bartender looks down at Ron and Emery, "I don't want any of that howling at the wolf stuff tonight, tell your buddy to keep it cool Ron, or else!"

Ron nods his head, up and down, giving a gesture he understands, then turns back to Emery.

"What about the wolf?" asks Ron.

"If you lived in my world, you wouldn't think this is so funny, but Ron, he has sharp teeth, he stares at me with yellow eyes."

"I got to go Emery, see you tomorrow," Ron tells Emery for the last time.

Emery grabs Ron by the shirt, "Don't go yet, wait until the wolf is gone."

Ron is standing by Emery now, Emery is sitting on the stool, the bartender glances again down at the two. A few minutes go by.

"So you're fine, right?" asks Ron.

"Of course, I've never been so happy in all my life, why do you ask such a silly question. I thought you were going?" says Emery randomly.

"Ok, I'm going Emery," and Ron starts to walk towards the door, stops and looks back at Emery, he is telling the bartender he will have a few more drinks then go on home.

The next day...

Ron calls Emery on the phone, "Why are you not at work, Emery?" asks Ron.

"I got a hangover, I need a drink then I'll be in."

"Listen up, I'll have to go talk to the Union again for you, the boss just fired you."

"No, don't do that, I've missed several times already this past two months, they'll want to put me on a sober program, and if I don't go, they'll fire me anyway for not showing up or for not passing their stupid tests, and so I'll just save them money and time, and let them fire me, because I don't want to quite drinking! Then I can cash in on my pension, and use that for drinking, been thinking about that anyhow."

3-8-2009 (The story was written of a friend I knew, who died of alcoholism, back in the early 70s, and the story you have just read, is somewhat fact except for a few fictional add-ons; names have been changed, and he died with the complications he mention in the story, at 39-years old.)

Considering the motorola i580 phone? If you want a bulletproof cellphone that's tough enough for a construction worker and still jam-packed with all the latest features that will make you look really cool...This is the phone you want!

It withstands drops, dust and even rain, and it even packs an impressive 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth and a music player to play your favorite songs.

Here's the motorola i580 phone review...

How does it Look and Feel?...Tell me about the features...

The Motorola i580 Phone (clamshell) is built like no other gadget of it's kind. A model of extreme versatility--the rugged design , military-grade rubber over mold and pleasantly bright, color internal display that is also waterproof... gives users a phone that is tough and gritty enough for work outdoors...when you need to answer calls in the rain...and still maintain a sleek and fashionable look for working around the office.

When accidents happen (which we all know they do) You can rest easy that the i580 phone can handle being dropped, stepped on, submerged in water or left in direct sunlight in your car or truck --sturdy enough to take along to the beach, by the pool or if you get caught out in a storm.

Even with its army tank like qualities...the i580 is surprisingly lightweight (less than 6oz.). You'll love being able to take surprisingly sharp images and video with the 1.3-megapixel camera and view them on a nice clear screen.

How does it perform?...what's the call quality and reception like?

First the good news...you get excellent call quality... your caller comes through crystal clear with i580 phone. However, depending on where your located, the reception at times may come up a little short...leaving those on the other end of your call somewhat frustrated. But all in all the benefits of the i580 phone more than make up. Superb features are at a premium.

Including...

* Nextel's push-to-talk , Bluetooth and a very loud speaker phone that can be heard over noisy traffic.
* Enhanced support for the visually impaired -- The i580's Voice Playback functionality has a simulated voice to guide users through phone menus and through placing and receiving phone calls.
* A very easy to use Handset-- for three-way calling
* Group walkie-talkie--Great for tele-conferencing
* Push-to-Smart Replies - Discretely send a text message using PTT, even in the most difficult to communicate times.


What's the bottom line?...the good, bad and the ugly...

Pros: Overall the i580 is really a joy...a microSD card slot with a 64mb card included so you can listen to music or record pictures or video, push to talk (of course), a crisp screen... finally get a nice flip with Bluetooth devices not as common with other providers,as they are with Nextel.

Cons: If having a calculator on your phone is important, sorry... Old SIM cards do not work with i580 and the Nextel SIM card copy device has a hard time duplicating numbers onto new card be prepared to devote some time transferring your list of contacts...Low Battery Life (like all the 500 series phones)

By Jesse Miller

Most current cell phones have the ability to send and receive text messages. Some cell phones and PDAs also offer the ability to connect to the internet. But cell phones typically do not work well in long tunnels. Whether you're searching for cell phones or accessories, or if you're simply browsing for the best deals on cell phones, You can find them in many outlets, including carrier stores, independent wireless retailers, electronics stores, and Web sites.

If two or more family members use cell phones, consider a family plan that lets up to four people share a large monthly pool of minutes for a smaller additional monthly charge. Three out of four homes have cell phones, keeping parents and children connected across town and across the country. Now parents can use their cell phones to keep a better eye on their children by monitoring who they can and can't call.

Safety

The convenience of cell phones is moving into public safety, and so are the tolerance levels. Cell phones are fine for emergencies but some people just can't part with them. A bill introduced in the state Legislature states that teenage drivers would have to put down their cell phones when behind the wheel. Some states have also past laws that no driver can be on the phone while behind the wheel unless they are using a hands free device. So when traveling check out the state law before talking and driving.

Abroad

You can also use your cell phone in other countries. You may have read that the cheapest way to use cell phones abroad is to buy local SIM cards so you can pay local call rates, but don't over looked the actual cost to buy a cell phone and local SIM cards in the first place. So before doing this, check with your carrier to see if you can use yours and how to set it up.