Singapore Actual Day Photography

By Ray Wong

On a wedding day the two most important people are the wedding couple. An excellent idea would be to isolate the couple from the ongoing celebrations so that the photographer can capture the beautiful intimate moments between them and create some everlasting portraits This will give the wedding couple some time away from the wedding as well.

The portrait session will give the photographer enough time to spend with the wedding couple to capture the pictures. But this does not always happen since time is rarely a luxury anyone has; on the actual day. The time taken for pictures can well vary from an hour to no time at all. It can take up to an hour for the photographer to take the pictures.

When is the best time to take aside the bride and groom for some quality time with the photographer?

Since the couple will still look fresh, most photographers believe that the window before the reception is suitable for the portraits.

Award winning photographer Bradley Hanson says that sometimes the bride and the groom would want to start the portrait session even before the ceremony. He generally starts by photographing the bride getting ready in such events.

Right after the newly-weds have exchanged vows is a great time for some photographers to have their portraits done, since they are still fill with all of the emotions.

For the perfect actual day session to begin, the newly-weds should set aside some time to spend with the photographer. Finding a polite way to lose the relatives and guests is sometimes hard but is worth the beautiful moments they will cherish for a lifetime.

A good portrait session on the actual day can be ruined by too many people trying to photograph the newly-weds. As a result of this, most photographers choose to have the couple alone for the shoot so that it is not disturbed by anyone.

According to award winning photographer Shawna Herring, most newly-weds start feeling uncomfortable before the camera when the portrait session is about to start. To help the couple forget the camera is there, the experienced photographer will try talking to the couple about things other then the portrait shoot.

It is also recommended to choose a day before or after the wedding for the photo shoot and go with the photographer to a different location. This really helps loosen up the bride and groom since it helps build a comfortable relationship with the photographer. In a short time, the couple may even forget the existence of the camera.

There are thousands of reasons why the photographer might not achieve time alone with the wedding couple. Working together with the bride and groom will help to achieve the creative portrait session.

About the Author:

Find out more about the best Food Photographers who are also top in their field for Bridal Photography.

Great Things About Camping With An RV

By Larry Forest

Vacation is one thing that most people really enjoy doing. There is a vacation that is popular with a lot of people. Camping is the type of vacation we are talking about. This vacation is something that appeals to a lot of people.

One way that is one of the best when camping is to use an RV. Well this article we would like to look at the many benefits of using an RV to go camping.

The first big benefit of using an RV to go camping is you get to have all the amenities that you are used to. The comforts of running water and toilets make this choice very appealing to many people. Of course there are a few people who really like to rough it when camping. But that isn't the type of person that makes up most of my clientele of my San Diego RV rentals business.

The next benefit of going camping in an RV is the ability to store food and cook in it. When you go camping usually you are limited in what type of food you can bring. Well if you were to go camping in an RV you are free to bring most any types of food you could imagine. That is the biggest requested item for people who rent an RV from my Campland on the Bay RV rentals service.

The last benefits is the fact you are free to move around to many different campsites. When you first go camping the first thing you need to do is set up your camp. Well if you decide you want to go elsewhere there will be a lot of work to break down and move camp. Well with an RV if you want to go to another campground, all you have to do is load up and drive. This is what a lot of people who rent from my RV rentals company.

So as you can see there are many reasons to go camping with an RV. The main advantage of that is that it is extremely easy to use and comfortable.

About the Author:

Looking for great rates on a travel trailer or RV look at our Glamis RV rentals. Or don't forget you can find a great deal at our other location Campland RV rentals.

An Introduction To CFL Canadian Football For The NFL Fan

By Ross Everett

While football in the United States is associated with crisp autumn days and cool nights, in Canada professional football begins in the summer time. While NFL training camps won't open until mid-summer by then the Canadian Football League (CFL) will be well into their regular season schedule.

American football fans may not realize just how long and storied the history of Canadian pro football CFL style actually is. The league has been around since'30 and the Grey Cup championship (essentially the CFL Superbowl) has been in existence since'09. Many NFL stars got their start in the CFL including Doug Flutie, Jim Kelly, and Jeff Garcia.

While the CFL plays football at the highest professional level of competition outside of the NFL, there are a few differences in the game:

First of all, the football itself is bigger--the CFL ball is larger than its American counterpart. If you know anything about rugby, its roughly the same as a #3 rugby ball meaning it is somewhat longer and fatter than the NFL ball. The CFL field is also longer (110 yards) and wider (65 yards vs. the NFLs 53.5 yards), and the CFL end zones are 20 yards deep as opposed to 10 yards in the NFL. The CFL goal posts are on the goal line, while the NFLs are on the end line at the back of the endzone.

Teams have 12 players on the field at once as opposed to 11 in the NFL. On offense, the extra player is a receiver, on defense a defensive back. And unlike the American game, where teams have 4 downs to move the ball ten yards the CFL has only 3. Maybe the hardest thing to get used to when listening to CFL broadcasts is the frequently references to teams going two and out. There are a few other subtle differences as well"teams only have 1 time out per half, only 20 seconds between plays, and all backfield players can be in motion prior to the snap (as opposed to only one in the NFL).

There's also a significant difference in the way the game is scored. The first time many US fans see a CFL score update reflecting a 1-0 game they're usually left scratching their head in confusion. CFL teams are able to score a single point, known as a "single" for a kick that lands in the end zone such as a punt or missed field goal.

Of all the rule differences between the NFL and CFL the one that has the most significance on the game isnt enforced on the field; its enforced in the GMs office. Canadians are big on laws and rules to protect their national identity--thats why their TV and radio stations are required to devote a certain percentage of their airplay to Canadian content. That has led to a number of Canadian-only media stars both good (The Tragically Hip, Sloan) and bad (Avril Lavigne, early 90s white rapper Snow). The CFL has a similar rule which requires that' of the 40 players on a roster must be Canadian born. This keeps the CFL from becoming a de facto NFL developmental league, and helps maintain its unique identity.

Perhaps the greatest misunderstanding is that the average NFL fan looks at the rules of the Canadian game with more players, a wider field, and fewer downs and concludes that the game is a wide open shootout similar to Arena Football. Thats not really the case--you'll see some offensive battles but most games end up with final score totals in the mid to high 40s. In Arena Football, youll frequently see teams with potent offenses enforcing their will over and over again against teams with porous defenses. You don't see that too often in the CFL. The rules may be different, but as is the case in American pro football you need a solid rushing game and a stout defense to win games and championships.

The requirement of native born players making up 50% of a CFL roster also results in a much more even distribution of talent across the league. Certainly there are good teams and bad teams, but the end result is greater parity than is found in the NFL.

Considering the 21 non- Canadians on the team, its also important to remember that the CFL doesnt get the pick of the litter of American football talent. Certainly those who have the ability are in the NFL, or on an NFL practice or developmental squad. While some players are uniquely suited for the CFL game--former Clemson University QB Nealon Greene, for example, who couldnt make the NFL but has had a lengthy career in Canada--most of the Americans in the CFL are players whose ability just isnt up to NFL levels. Remember Vince McMahon's failed XFL experiment? That gives a good indication of the type of American player that ends up in Canada.

The bottom line is that despite the rule differences and personal quotas the CFL game is still football and can be enjoyed the same way. Once you understand the unique attributes of the Canadian game youll start to enjoy it almost as much as the NFL.

In the pre-Internet era, it was often difficult for US fans to find information on the CFL. They don't get coverage on ESPN, but they receive extensive attention in the Canadian press. Each CFL city has their own sports media, and the official CFL website also has many resources including previews and statistics.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a widely published widely published freelance sports writer and respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Northern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

Can Anyone Try Lucid Dreaming?

By Trevor Albitt

Lucid Dreaming or Conscious Dreaming is the art of being aware that one is actually dreaming. In simple words, while in dream, you are aware that all the events are not happening in fact, or 'It's Just A Dream!' kind of situation. There is certain amount of control you can exercise while lucid dreaming, which is not the case in normal dreams.

Being able to control the course of your dreams is nothing less than a life-changing, liberating experience. All things that you felt could hold you back in life just melt away and you are in control of every situation.

Is lucid dreaming as straightforward as all that? Is lucid dreaming something which can be experienced by anyone?

Luckily, it's really not that hard to begin lucid dreaming, as long as you are determined to learn it. There are proven ways to help you access this ability and use your untapped mental power.

Foremost, you must be absolutely clear about your objective in trying to master the art of lucid dreaming. Do you just want to have your own private playground in the form of lucid dreams, or there is some specific reason for developing this skill? Whatever may be the reason, it should be crystal clear in your mind.

The next step is to learn the techniques of reaching the mental state where lucid dreaming is possible. You'll have to begin learning dream recall, which is simply remembering your dreams. To begin lucid dreaming, you need to first be able to recall every detail of the dreams that you have.

The process is slow, but it can be achieved by maintaining a Dream Recall Register in which you enter as many details as you can remember about your dreams daily. Slowly but surely, you'll realize that you can remember even the most vivid details of your dreams. Periodic reality checks during the course of dreaming will train your mind to be aware in dreams.

For a lot of people, hypnosis helps them to prepare their mind for lucid dreaming much more quickly. Sometimes, as few as one or two sessions may be needed to get you being able to recall all of your dreams every day. Once you can do this, you are ready to begin trying lucid dreaming.

When you are lucid dreaming, you may suddenly awake. Don't worry! Recall the details of your dream and try to go back to sleep and continue the dream in the way that you want. When you awake, you may just be surprised! If successful, your dream will have been under your control and your mind will have a new found power.

Another good way of inducing lucid dreams is to wake a few hours earlier than usual, then go back to sleep. The dreams you will have in these few hours are the easiest to make into lucid dreams. You may even find yourself unsure whether you have been sleeping or just thinking to yourself as you lay in bed. Just set your alarm for a few hours early, wake and reset the alarm and then go back to sleep and you will be more likely to have lucid dreams.

When trying to have lucid dreams, it is helpful to become familiar with your sleeping habits so as to be aware of the best times to try for lucid dreaming.

Lucid dreaming can be a helpful practice for those with sleeping troubles such as insomnia. When you are having a hard time getting to sleep, remind yourself that sleep means lucid dreaming; and your subconscious mind will make sure that you get to sleep quickly.

Lucid dreaming used to be something which took a very long time to learn. Recent technological advances, particularly in the field of audio technology have made lucid dreaming something which anyone can easily accomplish.

Many people are finding that the most reliable and certainly quickest way, of having a lucid dream is by listening to binaural beats audios.

Binaural audio involves listening to two slightly different frequencies in each ear. This synchronizes brain waves to the state where lucid dreaming is most likely to occur and at the same time causes deep relaxation.

Before this technology, meditation was the technique of choice, which did not work out so well for many people. Binaural audio is much faster and works reliably for the majority of people.

By listening to binaural sound waves, particular when combined with hypnosis to prepare the subconscious mind, it is possible for you to experience lucid dreaming very soon after your first attempt.

About the Author:

The author Trevor Albitt writes for the popular luciddreaminginfo.com site. Discover the amazing experience of lucid dreaming and you can try it yourself when you get 29 Free lucid dreaming Audios when you visit here.

Steelers Send Vikings To First Defeat Of Season

By Ross Everett

Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings are undefeated no more. The Pittsburgh Steelers' used a couple of big plays from their defense in the fourth quarter to break open a close game and defeat the Vikings by a final score of 27-17. Favre put up decent yardage in the loss, throwing for 334 yards but had no touchdowns and an interception. The defending Superbowl Champion Steelers improved to 5-2, while the Vikings are now 6-1.

NFL pointspread players who backed the Steelers as -6 home favorites were rewarded with the cover. Pittsburgh had only covered one of their first six games heading into the contest, and the win improved their record against the number to 2-5. Minnesota dropped to 4-3 against the spread with the setback. The 44 points scored went UNDER the posted total of 46'.

The Steelers largely shut down Minnesota's rushing game, holding Adrian Peterson to 69 yards. Pittsburgh safety Ryan Clark underscored his team's dominance against the run:

"That's the biggest point of the game. You have the best running back in the world and you don't give it to him. They're saying they can't beat us running, and that's a major statement when you have the guy they have back there."

Favre gave a feeble justification for the loss in his postgame interview:

"There were a lot of what ifs, a lot of reasons we didn't win. The red zone was one of them. They're physical, and they were as good as we thought they'd be. ... When I came here and looked at our schedule and saw the Steelers game, I went, 'Oh-h-h.' "

Favre has only thrown three interceptions in a Vikings' uniform, but #3 was a costly one as it was returned by Steelers' Keyaron Fox for a touchdown to put the game out of reach as Minnesota was driving for a potential game tying field goal. Afterwards, Fox recalled the play:

"Brett tried to force it in there and the running back bobbled it and slipped out of his hands and it fell into my lap. I had just run across the field after Peterson and I was winded, so it felt like it was 100-plus yards."

The Vikings now face another big game next week as they head to Favre's old stomping grounds in Green Bay for a battle with the Packers. It'll be Favre's first appearance at his old home in an enemy uniform. The Vikings will then have a bye weekend before hosting the lowly Detroit Lions on November 15. Pittsburgh will enjoy a bye week this week before returning to action on Monday, November 9th facing the Denver Broncos on the road.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a widely published freelance writer specializing in casino gambling, surfing and sports betting. He has appeared on a number of TV and radio programs offering strategies for successful NFL football betting. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a pet llama. He is currently writing a biography of former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf.

The Ultimate Health Boost - Clearing Your Chakras!

By Gina Sherman

Our world is a demanding one; we live busy lives which often leave us exhausted. It's important to recharge yourself so that you can achieve ever better things in your life- and just get through your day!

This is about more than your physical fatigue or your physical health. Your mental and spiritual condition are every bit as important. All three parts of your being have to be healthy and working together in harmony.

Every one of us has energy centers called chakras throughout our bodies. Our chakras are responsible for ensuring the proper flow of energy throughout our bodies; they are also a link between your outer and inner selves.

Chakras perform the important function of taking your potential energy and allowing you to turn this into action. Your energy levels can come to low ebb if you do not regularly refresh these internal energy stores and clear you chakras to keep them working at their peak. Clearing chakras should be a routine part of taking care of your health, since it gives you renewed energy and vigor.

Chakras are located throughout your body, with the primary chakras being located along the spine. Each chakra corresponds to different character traits and each must be worked on individually to bring them into harmony.

Clearing chakras is a process of clearing out negative energy and allowing positive energy to enter.

You can make counterclockwise motions to rid your chakras of negative energy and clockwise movements to bring in positive energy.

You may experience a twinge of pain or discomfort while clearing chakras. This is negative energy flowing out of your chakras and is nothing to be alarmed about. Your chakras will soon be replenished with positive energy.

Your chakras receive positive energy from the universe and make it available to you.

When you clear your chakras, You'll feel like a whole new man or woman. A lot of people choose to make chakra clearing a regular practice; how often You'll need to do it depends on your individual circumstances.

Clearing chakras allows you to have improved physical, mental and spiritual health. You'll think more clearly and be more capable of handling stress and other difficulties.

The best way to begin is by working on your chakras one by one. Clear each chakra as you go; this will recharge them and allow you to start using the positive energy that they take in from the universe. When you are finished clearing your chakras, You'll feel physically and mentally relaxed.

You may want to begin by learning more about your chakras and how the work. Knowing which chakras correspond to which biological functions and aspects of your personality can be very helpful. When you know this, you can start with the chakras which are in the greatest need of clearing.

Our world moves fast and You'll want every bit of energy that you can access to keep up. When your chakras are cleared and working in harmony, then You'll be better prepared to cope with the world.

Remember that just like physical and mental health, spiritual health is an important part of your well being; clearing chakras recharges your entire being including the spiritual aspect.

Regular chakra clearing will make you refreshed and re-energized. You may find that you actually have more energy than you ever thought you did! Chakra clearing can help you to achieve ever better things in your life.

About the Author:

Gina Sherman is a writer for the popular http://www.chakra-balance.com site. Visit Here for more information on how chakra clearing can give you a new lease of life and how you can get free chakra healing Audios.

Reviews at the Opera: Madame Butterfly

By Jeff Bridges

Madame Butterfly is a popular opera that is written by Giacomo Puccini. You will want to bring your opera glasses to this opera. We are about to show you why.

The Madame Butterfly opera begins with a United States Naval Officer, one of the main characters named Pinkerton and a Japanese Marriage Broker named Goro. Pinkerton and Goro are looking at a little house with a gorgeous view from the top of a hill overlooking the bay. Pinkerton wants to have the house home for 999 years. His 999 years include being able to cancel the housing agreement.

As the Opera continues, we find that the wedding of Madame Butterfly and the Officer is soon to take place. Many of Butterfly's family will be flying in to attend the wedding, with one exception. Butterfly's uncle will not be attending as he is a priest.

The Officer is to marry Butterfly, but does not plan on this as being a lasting marriage. His ambition is to gain the love from every beautiful woman that he meets. Although he did agree to buy the house for 999 years, he chose retain the right to cancel, to be able to leave the home, and the marriage. At this point of the opera, you are about to meet the beautiful Butterfly. Be prepared to use your opera glasses to see her charm and beauty.

Before you have the chance to see the beautiful bride Butterfly, you see the American consul who is with Pinkerton. He asks Pinkerton if he truly loves his bride to be. Pinkerton tries to say yes, but alas he cannot say for sure, but knows that he is mesmerized by her innocence, charm and beauty. He then speaks of having a true wedding with an American bride.

We finally at this point see the beautiful and elegant Butterfly enters the stage. The wedding begins, and the beautiful Butterfly and uncommitted Pinkerton are wed. A party in honor of the event begins, again all members of the family are in attendance. All are enjoying the festivities when Butterfly's uncle, the priest breaks into the party. He condemns butter fly for her abandonment of her own religion to join her now husbands religion, and curses her. At this, the party breaks up leaving Butterfly weeping uncontrollably.

Butterfly finally gets over the condemnation and curse that she received from her uncle, and remains happily married to her beloved Pinkerton. Weeks turn to months, and she can hardly contain her joy and love for the man of her dreams, she continues to fall more deeply in love with a man that does not love her back. Pinkerton one day receives notice that he is to go on duty as a naval officer; before he leaves he gives Butterfly money, and promises to return as soon as possible.

As act three begins, we come to know that three years have passed since Pinkerton walked out the door for the last time. Butterfly faithfully watches out the window each day to see if his ship will come in. One day as she is watching out the window, she sees a figure that she recognizes walking up the path. No it is not Pinkerton coming up the path, but his good friend that she has known from the beginning as his friend the American Consul. She greets him excitedly hoping that he brings news from her husband. Unknown to Butterfly, the American Consul has been sent to her by Pinkerton to tell her that he has married an American woman named Kate, and that he would not be returning to her ever. Broken hearted, the American Consul Curses Pinkerton, and gives the news so hard to bear.

Destroyed by the news left by Pinkerton's friend, Butterfly leaves the room weeping, only to return carrying Pinkerton's son that she has given birth to. Butterfly tells the American that Pinkerton could not leave his wife and son for another woman. After some convincing she succumbs to the fact that Pinkerton did not love her, and is not to return.

What happens next, you will have to find out for yourself, by attending Madame Butterfly. The music in this opera is delightful as it is majestic, the attention to detail, and beauty of the costumes is unforgettable. Make sure you bring your opera glasses so that you can enjoy this opera to the fullest.

About the Author:

Before you attend any performance make sure that you have a good pair of opera glasses. Here you can check out Opera Glasses with handle, flashlight, chain and more!

Online Casino Is It For Real

By Simon M Skinner

There are many different online casino games out there. It is hard to decide whether or not it is real. Some look like they are and they are not. Others are authentic and even I have played a few of the ones that are out there.

If you look at a website you will usually see that you can play for free as a promotion. You can be offered anywhere from five to twenty five dollars free just for signing up. Of course it doesn't last long but they do give it to you. There are a lot of online casinos that match you dollar for dollar.

Depositing money is easy. You can do it through really anywhere. MasterCard's and Visa's, Debit checking cards, as well as pay pal. I personally use pay pal because I can transfer my wining back to my account it just takes some time to get there that's all.

There is a wide variety to play online. You can do everything from slots to the different table top games that are at the real casinos. You are able to play them all in your own home and if you get stuck there are tutorials to help you through and make it go easier.

It can be a problem though. Just as much as you can get addicted to a real casino it can happen to a online one as well. If you feel that you are having a issue stop and go through the contact area on the site and look for a phone number that can get you the assistance that you need to stop gambling,

IF you like casinos but not the tables there are many different things you can do. You can even play bingo on there. Online casinos like to make sure that there is a variety of entertainment for everyone that comes to the site. There is also contests and free give aways as well. Be prepared to get invites in your email and mail as well. Just look when your signing up and if you don't want updates and promotions just check off the box that says no.

There are advantages to sitting at home to play. You never have to leave the house, and you always get to wear what you want to your casino even if it is pajamas. Your food and drinks are free and best of all you don't have to worry about no seats being available at your favorite games or not. I have done both and honestly like sitting at home playing a lot more then i like leaving the house on a balmy winters day.

About the Author:

There are a lot of advantages to using an Online Casino. Join now and learn all about the progressive jackpots that you can use to become a winner!

4 Great Ways To Get Better At Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the world's most popular casino table games. It's easy to play and it doesn't have a lot of complicated rules. The main rule is pretty straightforward - if you get 21, you will win. You also can win even if you don't get 21, but those rules are easy to understand too. All you need to do is beat the dealer without going over 21. As you can see, it only takes a few simple sentences to explain this popular game.

But as easy as it is to explain, playing Blackjack successfully can be a challenge. People throughout the world love to play this game because it's easy and so much fun to play. Trying to win by beating the Blackjack dealer is both exciting and thrilling.

If you love to play Blackjack then it's natural that you'd want to learn how to improve your game. This game is simple, and the ways you can make your Blackjack play better are simple, too. Here are four tips you can use to improve your Blackjack game.

1. Count Cards. Card counting can be a little tricky, but you'll be winning more often when you get the hang of it. Don't be intimidated by this winning Blackjack strategy. Counting cards is simply a matter of keeping track of your odds of winning. Card counting takes some practice but it's a skill that's well worth learning. Detailed information on how to do it is available online.

2. Always Know The Odds. Knowing the odds is easier than counting cards. You can easily find Blackjack odds in a variety of charts and graphs online. All you need to do is memorize these charts so you will know how you stand in any particular situation. Once you know where you stand, you will know which move to make to help you win.

3. Know When to Quit. Trust me, sometimes quitting will help you win. You may not think so at first, but when you know when to quit you know how to stop yourself from losing. Although it's not quite as good as winning, losing less often is always good. So although your goal is to win, another goal should be to avoid losing. Sometimes you just need to quit, so you need to know when to call it a day. You can always come back to the Blackjack table another time. Knowing when to quit at the right time will save your money and sanity.

4. Practice Makes Perfect. The only way you will get good at something is to practice, and playing online Blackjack is no different. You need to play the game so that you can learn to get better. While you are playing, try practicing card counting. You can also work on memorizing the odds of winning. Practice will help you learn which mistakes you typically make, and once you know what they are, you can stop making them. Practice lets you start seeing patterns, so practice and you'll begin to recognize situations where you are set up to win. Every winner practices their Blackjack game.

Blackjack is a classic casino game, so the odds are good that one day you'll want to step up to a table and play. Why not increase the chances that you'll be a winner? Use these tips to learn how to be an amazing Blackjack player. When you master them you'll begin playing like a professional.

Packers Shut Out Lowly Lions

By Ross Everett

The Green Bay Packers didn't do a good job protecting their quarterback last Sunday, but against the lowly Detroit Lions it didn't really matter. Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times, but Green Bay used a big first half offensive outburst to coast to a 26-0 NFL victory over the Detroit Lions. Rodgers threw two first half touchdown passes which was complimented by four Mason Crosby field goals as Green Bay improved to 3-2 on the season.

NFL football betting enthusiasts who backed the Packers as -14 home dogs easily cashed their tickets with Green Bay's third pointspread cover in five games. Detroit slipped to 2-4 against the spread. The 26 points scored went UNDER the posted total of 48'.

In the victory, Packers' receiver Donald Driver passed Sterling Sharpe for first place on the franchise reception list. Sharpe finished his career with 596 receptions, Driver now has 602. After the game, he talked about the accomplishment:

"It couldn't it come in a better place -- at home in front of the fans I've played in front of for so many years. It feels good. Now I just have to wait on Sterling to call me and congratulate me."

Despite the convincing victory, cornerback Tramon Williams wasn't happy with the relatively narrow margin:

"It feels like a 50 to zero game, but we didn't quite get there. I felt we should've put more points on the board."

For the Lions, their quarterback woes continued. Matthew Stafford is already out indefinitely with an injured knee, and against Green Bay backup Daunte Cullpepper injured his hamstring in the third quarter and was replaced by the Lions' third string quarterback Drew Stanton. Cullpepper is now listed as 'questionable' on the official NFL injury report. After the game, he talked about Detroit's lack of offense:

"It's very disappointing, very frustrating. It's embarrassing to me not to be able to move it on the field and get points on the board. We've got to figure out a way to do that, simple as that."

The Packers will play on the road this Sunday, heading to Cleveland to face the Browns. The game is currently off the board as linemakers try to get a handle on the personnel impact of the Browns' struggle with a flu bug making its way through the locker room. Green Bay will host the Minnesota Vikings the following Sunday followed by a trip to Tampa Bay on November 8. Detroit has a bye this weekend and will return to action as they host the St. Louis Rams on November 1. They'll play their next two on the road, with games in Seattle and Minnesota.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a staff oddsmaker for Sports-1 Sportsbook as well as a freelance writer specializing in MMA, boxing and how to bet on NFL football. He is a respected authority on Internet sports betting, fine dining and fencing. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a pet wallaby.

The Best RTG Casino Games

Real Time Gaming or RTG software is the top software used by leading online casinos. There is good reason for that. RTG software has the best graphics, a variety of features and is backed by a company that takes customer service very seriously. When you play RTG software casino games you will get the best experience possible.

Not only are the games amazing and fun, but there are also a variety of games that you can play. You really have no limits because almost every game you want to play from slots to poker to blackjack are available from RTG software.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular RTG software casino games.

Blackjack: Always a popular game, RTG blackjack uses 2 to 4 decks. The dealer hits soft on 17, double after a split or on any first two cards. The only way to lose first bet is if the dealer comes out with 21. There are several versions of blackjack offered from RTG. These include, Caribbean 21, Face Up and Match Play 21.

Video Poker: Another popular choice for players, video poker from RTG offers you a real experience. RTG has a large selection of video poker games. These include Pick ‘em Poker, Double Jackpot, Joker Poker and Loose Deuces.

Roulette: RTG software offers a nice selection of roulette games. In RTG roulette you have the choice of both American and European wheels. Most of the games are available to play instantly or to be downloaded.

Craps: RTG software offers craps which is a game of skill. Full double odds is the standard play in craps from RTG. Most casinos offer a chance to play for free so you can get a feel for the game and get in some practice before playing for money.

Slot Machines: One of the hottest new games from RTG software is the slots. RTG slots offer a lot of options in different games. There are random jackpots and progressive jackpots along with regular jackpot games.

These are just a sampling of the many different game options you get with RTG software. When you visit an RTG casino you will see there are plenty of choices and options no matter what game you choose to play.

RTG is Hot

There are many reasons why people love to play at RTG casinos. People simply like the experience they get with RTG software games. They take playing online to a whole new level. RTG software games offer you something that is so close to the real thing that you may start to wonder if you are at home or sitting in a Vegas casino. These games simple are the best games available in online casinos. You cannot get better graphics, better odds or a better experience than you do with RTG software games.

Doing Food Photography Differently

By James Wong

Food photography is a very technical area of photography because you have two dimensions to master - film and food. Here are some useful tips to help you.

Light

The first important technique food photographers should learn is about lighting. When photographing food you should treat it as you would any other kind of subject and make sure it is lit correctly. Many pictures can be improved by using adequate lighting. Natural light is the best light source to use, so by a window is an ideal location. Natural light cuts out the shadows, and gives the food a more natural look which all food photographers want.

Using Props

With food photography props often save the day. The reason restaurants use big and fancy plates to serve food on is because we eat first with our eyes! Choosing the right props for a food shot is imperative. Get it right - masterpiece. Get it wrong - roll up your sleeves and start again.

If you do a lot of food photography then shopping at second hand markets can be a great way to build your box of props. You can pick up expensive items like large pots and dishes and vases for a few dollars and a smile. If you do not do much then you may have to go shopping for what you need and bill the client!

Quickness

If you are a slow-coach perfectionist then food photography may be hard for your to master. Like master chefs that throw masterpieces dishes together in minutes master food photographers capture the essence in minutes too. Be quick else it will be a mess is the thing to remember with food photography. As soon as food warms or cools it droops, melts, discolours and a whole range of other things. Be ready with all the lighting and use placeholder items such as places to get the lighting right. Once the food is there you should be shooting.

Way to improve your food photographs

An excellent food photographer will want to learn this last but not least creative technique when it comes to taking photographs of food. And that is to use a small amount of vegetable oil that you have on hand and brush it on the food. This will make your dish glisten and stand out deliciously in your pictures.

Touch base with the chef

You will usually be working with a food professional be it a stylist or chef. Hopefully you are not on a low budget shoot and have to do the displays yourself.

Take a few minutes before the shoot to talk with the chef and ask them how they like to work. Ask them if there is anything you need to know about the food that may not be obvious. If nothing else this will make them feel good so you will then be able to work closer and better together.

About the Author:

Find out more about the best Food Photographers who are also top in their field for Bridal Photography.

The Casinos Online Are Fun!

Gambling is fun, face up to it. However, we do not want it to become an addictive habit. It is a risk. But as natural to us as eating a tender, rare, mouth salivating steak and as satisfying, if you win.

No, we cannot just pick up and drive or fly to Vegas to satisfy our gambling itch. We can, however, and this is the fun part, get into a game right in our own home.

With the time it takes for you to think about going to the casino to play, is the time it will take you to surf the internet, join an online tournament and begin play. Whatever your game is - poker or blackjack, you will find the best tables to play. Without worrying about any other players affecting your play.

Now, where to go?

There are choices of course. You could, however, download software or you can opt not to download any of the available software. There are games that have no requirement to download any software in order to play. There are players though who feel that downloading a software program gives you the advantage of playing the best casino games.

The casinos online have made the process of joining truly easy for you. When entering an online casino site, you are given your choice to either download a software program or just click on another option to play without downloading. There are different ways to play a casino online and they are flash, HTML, Live Dealer and Java.

Online casinos - Flash

With flash, in order for you to join and play, you do not need to download any software. This is an advantage. No need to overcrowd the storage in your computer with the senseless entertainment you would be exposed to. Another advantage would be - if your computer crashes - you can play from another computer. Maybe your co-worker’s computer, when he’s not around of course. Disadvantage - graphics are not as good as they are with downloaded software.

Live Dealer, Java and HTML are some of the casino program software available. The best gambling is experienced on the downloaded casino software. The game play is fast paced, the graphics are the most detailed with the downloaded software. Live Dealer provides more options than HTML and Java provide. And downloaded casino software doesn‘t need the latest software to access them.

Java, HTML and Live Dealer are among the casino downloaded programs. Downloaded casino software offer the best of the casino gambling online experience. These were among the first software programs to offer online gambling. Java may still be found, but the chances are you’ll not use it since you already have Live Dealer or using flash player.

The simplest graphics and with the least options are the HTML casinos. This may work best for you if your internet connection slow and hardware is ancient.

And finally, do not become an addict! Possibly this piece of advice is useless. Since I’m sure you’ve already opened your account, in a different window, and finished your download - right!

The Mapes Hotel: Reno's Lost Art Deco Jewel

By Ross Everett

The Mapes Hotel in Reno, Nevada met its demise on Superbowl Sunday of 2000 when 75 pounds of explosives packed inside the structure's support columns brought it to the ground. The controlled demolition came despite years of effort by a number of groups within the community to preserve the building with lawsuits, redevelopment proposals, and grass roots lobbying efforts. The National Turst for Historic Preservation even took up the cause, challenging the destruction in a lawsuit that eventually reached the Nevada Supreme Court.

While the logic and necessity of demolishing the Mapes is very questionable, one thing that is certain is that the hotel was an important part of Northern Nevada history. The opening of the Mapes in'47 ushered in a new era in casino gambling, and changed the economy and way of life in Nevada forever. The Mapes was actually the first property in the country to combine a hotel, casino and live entertainment under the same roof. It also became the hotel of choice for celebrities staying in Northern Nevada. Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe stayed at The Mapes during the filming of 'The Misfits'. Joseph McCarthy, America's famed anti-Communist crusader, admitted to a reporter over cocktails in the Mapes Lounge that he really didn't have a list of Communists in the US despite his frequent and vitriolic insistence to the contrary.

In the 50s and 60s it became, along with Lake Tahoes Cal-Neva Lodge the place to be seen in Northern Nevada. The top floor, window-walled Sky Room showcased performances by the legends: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Jackie Gleason, Louis Prima, Mae West, Milton Berle, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Marx Brothers among others. Subsequent years were not kind to downtown Reno but the Mapes continued to do well during the 60's and 70's. The hotel finally closed in'82, due more to financial difficulties experienced by the Mapes family caused by one of their other Northern Nevada gaming properties than anything else.

While the last twenty years brought an amazing boom in the population and economy of Southern Nevada, the Northern part of the state didn't see much of it at all. For that reason, the urgency of destroying the Mapes is even more questionable. In the Las Vegas area, its easy to justify the demolition of older hotels with simple economics--the older properties simply can't compete in the current mega-resort dominated marketplace. Furthermore, the insane valuation of the land on which they sit makes it financially unfeasible to preserve them as pop culture museums.

That's not the case in Reno, where vacant land and/or buildings ripe for redevelopment are abundant downtown and in the other casino areas of the city. The official reason that the Mapes had to come down was that the city needed the land to expand its vision for downtown redevelopment. While this is certainly a much needed effort, to suggest that the existence of the Mapes was a barrier is absurd. In fact, many of the proposals rejected by the city would have gone a long way to enhance the revitalization of downtown Reno and included artists lofts, office space and other mixed used properties. Despite receiving a number of viable concepts for the Mapes Building, the City Redevelopment Authority rejected all of them and the Mapes was destined for demolition.

The role of the City Redevelopment Authority was questioned throughout the process. Overlooking the Truckee River, the hotel was on a prime location between the downtown casino area and the riverfront district. Back in'96, the city of Reno purchased the hotel and began entertaining proposals for renovation and redevelopment. A number of sound financial proposals were presented that would preserve the integrity of the structure including condominiums, office space, and perhaps most viable, upscale senior apartments. Oddly, all of these proposals were turned down by the citys Redevelopment Agency which eventually led to the demolition of the structure.

After the demolition of The Mapes Hotel, the lot remained vacant for almost a year until a temporary ice skating rink was constructed in the winter of 2001. The site now houses a permanent ice skating rink which, while not a bad use for the land, brings into question the insistence by the City Redevelopment Agency that none of the proposals to preserve the building were viable. Clearly, they had no specific plan or even general idea of what to do with the land but for some reason wanted to see the hotel come down. This has led to all manner of speculation, ranging from financial self interest to a rumor that the structure was 'haunted' and needed to be destroyed to forestall future paranormal activity in Washoe County. Whatever the reason, the city of Reno lost a valuable landmark of a more civilized era.

About the Author:

Ross Everett is a freelance writer and widely regarded sports betting expert. He is also a staff handicapper for Sports-1 Sportsbook and is in charge of setting NFL lines. He has written extensively on sports betting theory along with a wide range of other topics including fencing, boxing and falconry.

Top Tips On Event Photography

By Michael Brown

Event photography as a career is very lucrative. A person who takes photos of live events such as marriages, seminars, award ceremonies and concerts is known as an event photographer.

People usually believe that all you need to do to become an event photographer is to bring the equipment and keep clicking photographs during the event. But this is absolutely false. To become a professional event photographer one must create certain talents demanded by the discipline, which can be obtained and improved by taking up specialised courses on the subject.

From the outside you may think that as the photographer runs around just clicking that there is no method in their photography. At an event there is an objective in place that must be satisfied. Getting a large spread of great top quality photos requires skill and an extraordinary eye. Being quick off the mark is a must to capture all those unexpected shots.

Having an imaginative streak is a prerequisite for an event photographer and he must be able to familiarize with the tone of the occasion. For instance, the method required to do a wedding project is not the same as that of a sports event. Thus, the photographer must have the quality of creatively catching the mood of an occasion through his images.

Event photography also needs proper handling of various issues that a photographer might have to confront during the event. If you are slack and careless then this career is definitely not meant for you. It demands that the photographer be ready with his camera and other necessary equipment well before the start of the event. Taking the job casually and appearing in an event without any preparation will severely undermine your chances of doing well in this profession.

It goes without saying that an event photographer should be fully acquainted with his trade. Knowledge about the technical features of photography equipment affects the outcome. The use of illumination and different angles is very important in any form of photography and a photographer ought to know how to utilize them in various situations.

In short, event photography demands the practitioner's dedication along with his eagerness for learning different facets of the trade. To be successful in this field, you need to be aware of and responsive to different situations that may present themselves.

About the Author:

Find out more about the best Singapore Photographers who are also top in their field for Wedding Photography.

Create Cartoon Me Face

By Carmeline Calvistacro

I always wanted to be able to draw a cartoon me face from a photograph. One of the reasons it is tricky to draw a cartoon me face is that it takes years of practice. I can trace and draw simple cartoons, but to draw a cartoon from just taking a look at a photograph is a lot more difficult

Drawing a caricature sometimes looks silly, but it it takes lots of work and skill to draw a carton me face of someone by just looking at a photo. When I use to draw cartoons in the beginning, some of them just ended up looking silly without me trying too hard.

Crayons are the best tool to use when drawing cartoons. Make sure you use alot of color and bright shades to capture peoples attention and imagination. When I draw a cartoon me face of my family members they think it is hilarious and we post them on the fridge.

My drawings have become more detailed as I grew up, but it is still very difficult for me to draw a cartoon me face avatar of someone in a short period of time. Sometimes I will spend hours drawing someone's ears and mouth and if I can't complete it I just leave it unfinished.

Bringing a drawing to life is easy to do with lots of bright colors and shades. However, it is not easy to draw cartoons of women because their eyes have great detail. It is far easier to just draw a cartoon me face of men and I start by drawing a big fuzzy beard like a pirate would have.

If you need to learn how to draw a cartoon me face you should consider taking an art class. These classes will teach you step-by-step ways to make your drawings look more real and lifelike.

Look at art classes at your local community college if you want to to improve your drawing skills. If you want a shortcut to draw a cartoon me face all you have to do is find the right computer download program that does most of the hard work for you. There are several different products that draw cartoons and most are free.

Cartoon hobbyists know that cartoon drawing uses a lot of precious time but can be very rewarding. If you can just look at a photo and draw a cartoon me face quickly without much effort you are considered very skilled in the art world.

A great gift for the holidays or someones birthday is to take a photo of them and draw a cartoon me face of that person to get some laughs. Several hours of practice is generally all it takes and you will be able to draw a cartoon me avatar of all of your loved ones.

About the Author:

Carmeline has written another very practical article that you can read before you download anything online, so make sure you check Carmeline Calvistacros blog on creating a cartoon me face for the remainder of this article. For a very short time you will receive a free download. Visit us to get your free create a cartoon me avatar face software.

Playing To Win Against Top Poker Players

How do professional poker players get so good? Why do they always win? What is it about them that makes them win over and over, and so much money? But the most important question is: How do I play like they do?

First, you need to learn what makes a top poker player so good. You have to start practicing your game and learn what it is the pros do to keep on top. Here are some tips the pros have handed out.

- Keep in mind that you can lose. No one wins every single hand, this is something that you just have to accept. Don't let it make you unhappy or angry, and don't give up simply because you've had a bad hand or two. No matter what happened yesterday, the odds stay the same. Keep in mind that you have the same chance of losing today as you did yesterday. The game doesn't care how good your day went, or how badly.

- Think about the big win. Everyone wants that pot. Ideally, the winner will be you. But remember, everyone has the same goal. Don't worry about them, though, focus on yourself. You're not there to make friends. In the game, look out for yourself and your hand. Keeping your eye on your cards will make you focused and give you a better chance to win.

- Keep your problems at home. A good player sits down and thinks of nothing but the game. If something happened that you can't stop thinking about, then don't play. If you bring your problems with you to the table, you will end up spending more time worried about them than thinking about winning.

- Dedicate yourself to the game. You have to focus on the table. Think about nothing else but the cards in your hand and the money in the pot. Don't let your mind wander away. If you really want to be a winner, you have to dedicate yourself 100% to the game.

Profession pokers are all about the game. They're not out there to make friends and socialize, they're there to win and win big. If you want to win like a pro, you have to play like one. The reason they look so serious when they play is because they are taking the game seriously.

These four tips should help you get started on the path to being a pro. But you also have to practice with your poker skills. The right attitude will only get you so far if you don't know how to play the game. Practice regularly and play as often as you can to get better. To be the best at the game you have to know and understand the rules as well as have the right mindset. If you put everything into being a top poker player, than you soon will be a pro. Keep these tips in mind, practice, practice, practice, and one day you will be the player other people want to be.

Play With A Discount Golf Club

By Joe M. Randolph

Purchasing a new set of golf clubs can be expensive. A discount golf club, on the other hand, can fill out the golf bag and get you on your way with a little less pain. Before you start shopping, however, you might like a little information on the types of clubs that are out there and how they are made.

Club Parts

There are many sorts of clubs, but they can broadly be split into 3 categories. So that the discount golfing club of your dreams may be a wood, an iron or a putter.

Whether it is a dear or discount golfing club, it has 3 parts : the grip, the shaft and the head. Standards for these parts are set by the ruling bodies of golfing.

Grip

The grip, of course, is the part you hold. It has to be round, without obvious bumps or hollows. Grips are usually made of rubber or leather and have little holes, grooves and ridges to make it easy and comfortable to hold and control. Within limits set, the proper size and shape of the grip is just a matter of preference.

Shaft

The shaft is the long part between the grip and the head. Shafts must be round and are generally made from either steel or a carbon-fiber composite. Carbon-fiber is dearer, so your discount club will most probably have a steel shaft. Carbon-fiber has tiny, if any, benefit over steel. Most makers have 6 grades of rigidity for the shaft. A stiffer shaft delivers the power of the swing pretty exactingly while the less stiff shaft adds a little bit of a whipping effect which adds a little more 'oomph'.

Head

The energy of the swing is moved to the head which is the part that connects to the ball to send it on its way. The head is part that tells you which of the 3 kinds of clubs you are using. The biggest heads are on the woods and the biggest wood is the driver. The longer shaft of the wood delivers more power to the head, but makes it tougher to attach the ball with the sweet spot of the head that may send the ball straight. A heavy head resists the twisting which will send the ball to the right or left while a lighter head is simpler to swing and ends up in a longer distance. The shape and composition of the head that balances the benefits of huge and light weight has tiny to do with cost, so a reduction club can make a good wood.

Irons are the most sundry. The lower the number, the bigger the distance it's made for. Higher numbered irons include wedges which lift the ball in a high, shot arc. In the last twenty-five years, even the discount golfing club offers a head with the weight distributed round the fringe to resist twisting. New alloys permit a bigger head to extend the dimensions of the sweet spot.

Putters are built to send less energy down the shaft to the head, sending the ball a short, controlled distance into the hole one hopes. The wide selection of head shapes simply help the golfer in handling the pressure of putting.

About the Author:

If you are interested in Wilson Golf Clubs, you will get more information at Buy Golf Equipment.

Solo Or Multiplayer Casino Games

Internet casinos resemble the La Vegas casinos in may ways. They use intense-audio effects, a large selection of games, and flashy graphics. On the Internet though you have a choice between multiplayer or solo casino games.

In Las Vegas there are also games that are played with other players such as poker, or the games that one plays by themselves such as the slots. However, with an Internet casino you normally get to choose how you play. Numerous games are played solo but other games are played with multiple players.

Games Played Solo

One game that normally is just a solo game is slots, offline or on the Internet. This is a machine that is played by one person.

With Internet casinos, many options exist for the player to go solo with the only opponent being the computer. One game that is normally played solo is blackjack. Several of the games that can be downloaded from the Internet casinos a meant for solo play opposing the computer.

Some of the enjoyment with the casino games really is the excitement of competing and winning against the other players. This is the reason the multiplayer versions for the casino games have been and continue to be highly popular.

Casino Games Played Multiplayer

There are numerous casino games that are designed for multiplayer for you to play. These games let you socialize with others, while you display your abilities for the game.

Most Internet multiplayer casino games also have a chat room available. This chat room give the players a chance to have conversation similar to what they would have in a Las Vegas casino. This makes the whole experience seem more realistic and helps you check out the competition since you can't see them. Slots even become interactive with having the chat room to use to talk to people playing it.

Multiplayer versions are offered for most of the kinds of casino games. From bingo to blackjack to poker, you will see these versions offered so that you have the ability to interact with other people, that are playing the games too.

Multiplayer versus Solo Casino Games

Multiplayer versions of casino games give you a different type of enjoyment for your experience in Internet gaming. You can even make new friends with playing these games. Having this adds to the Internet playing enjoyment.

Internet gaming is fun and convenient, some of the Las Vegas enthusiasm for the games are lost though, if you only play solo ones. It may be faster to play the solo game which you can play at your convenience, but you will get more social interaction with the multiplayer games.

You will have to see if the rooms are open for the mulitplayer games. Most of the online casinos have more than enough rooms available so you will not have to wait that long if all are full. It is well worth the wait though, because it is so much fun to play the multiplayer games, due to the social interaction.

Solo Or Multiplayer Casino Games

Internet casinos resemble the La Vegas casinos in may ways. They use intense-audio effects, a large selection of games, and flashy graphics. On the Internet though you have a choice between multiplayer or solo casino games.

In Las Vegas there are also games that are played with other players such as poker, or the games that one plays by themselves such as the slots. However, with an Internet casino you normally get to choose how you play. Numerous games are played solo but other games are played with multiple players.

Games Played Solo

One game that normally is just a solo game is slots, offline or on the Internet. This is a machine that is played by one person.

With Internet casinos, many options exist for the player to go solo with the only opponent being the computer. One game that is normally played solo is blackjack. Several of the games that can be downloaded from the Internet casinos a meant for solo play opposing the computer.

Some of the enjoyment with the casino games really is the excitement of competing and winning against the other players. This is the reason the multiplayer versions for the casino games have been and continue to be highly popular.

Casino Games Played Multiplayer

There are numerous casino games that are designed for multiplayer for you to play. These games let you socialize with others, while you display your abilities for the game.

Most Internet multiplayer casino games also have a chat room available. This chat room give the players a chance to have conversation similar to what they would have in a Las Vegas casino. This makes the whole experience seem more realistic and helps you check out the competition since you can't see them. Slots even become interactive with having the chat room to use to talk to people playing it.

Multiplayer versions are offered for most of the kinds of casino games. From bingo to blackjack to poker, you will see these versions offered so that you have the ability to interact with other people, that are playing the games too.

Multiplayer versus Solo Casino Games

Multiplayer versions of casino games give you a different type of enjoyment for your experience in Internet gaming. You can even make new friends with playing these games. Having this adds to the Internet playing enjoyment.

Internet gaming is fun and convenient, some of the Las Vegas enthusiasm for the games are lost though, if you only play solo ones. It may be faster to play the solo game which you can play at your convenience, but you will get more social interaction with the multiplayer games.

You will have to see if the rooms are open for the mulitplayer games. Most of the online casinos have more than enough rooms available so you will not have to wait that long if all are full. It is well worth the wait though, because it is so much fun to play the multiplayer games, due to the social interaction.

Blu-Ray Defines a New HDTV Standard

By Anna J Sussman

When HDTV was released in 1998, people could barely believe their eyes. There was a time when people thought that any new technologies couldn't make that much of a difference, but suddenly they realized they were wrong. Since then millions have made the switch to HDTV and enjoyed thousands of hours of entertainment. But then something even better came along. High definition players such as Blu-Ray have pushed HDTV to it's limit. Many people knew that the last generation DVD's were going by the wayside, but they had no idea what it would be replaced by.

Research on the Blu-Ray technology started in the year 2000, but it wasn't until six years later that a final product was finally unleashed on the masses. Many wonder why it is called the Blu-Ray player, and in all actuality it is just referring to the blue laser that is used to read the disc. In addition to this change, the Blu-Ray discs also had much more space than their DVD predecessors. They hold a whopping fifty gigs of data, while DVD's could only hold eight. This meant higher resolutions and more extra content. If you have purchased an HDTV, then you could surely benefit from buying a Blu-Ray player in the near future.

On release prices for Blu-Ray players were well beyond what an average user wanted to spend. Prices between $700 and $1000 were common for first generation Blu-Ray players. Plus, there was another competing standard on the market that created a lot of confusion. Toshiba and NEC introduced their own DVD successor with release of the HD DVD format. HD DVD, with a capacity of 15 gigabytes, was an improvement over standard DVDs but didn't match the specifications of Blu-Ray. But HD DVD did have some market advantages. First, they made it to store shelves 3 months before Blu-Ray. Second, HD DVD devices where a little cheaper to produce and were sold cheaper as a result. Finally, HD DVD had more movie studios on board at launch than Sony did which meant more movies were initially available while Blu-Ray remained scarce.

But you cannot expect the creator of the highly successful PlayStation 2 to stand by and take this beating. In fact, they did not. They released the Playstation 3 with full Blu-Ray capabilities, making it the cheapest Blu-Ray player on the market. The sales of Blu-Ray movies crushed HD DVD's, and it wasn't long before movie makers chose the superior Blu-Ray format. HD DVD's were rapidly phased out to a point that only a few companies still use them. They have finally gone the way of the Betamax player, and a footnote in the hsitory of multimedia.

Prices have dropped quite a bit as of late. Most of the brand name Blu-Ray players out there can now be purchased for a fraction of their original cost. Even the recorders have dropped in price. This is a great investment for someone who has purchased an HDTV. It brings out the full potential of your television, and quite honestly, the picture quality is amazing.

About the Author:

Anna Sussman delves into the complicated world of cable providers to find the offers that deliver the biggest savings for consumers. Anna looks for the lowest Time Warner digital cable rates and discounts on Time Warner bundled services.

A Guide To Casino Special Offers

Online casinos are increasingly popular, with gamers choosing these virtual casinos over brick and mortar establishments in many cases for their convenience. Even through online casinos are so popular, competition in this industry is stiff, with casinos always in search of promotions that will attract gamers to their casino sites.

How Special Offers and Promotions Work

These casino special offers can be a boon to gamers and casinos alike. The casinos are happy to get new players' business and of course, gamers are thrilled with the free games, sign up bonuses, extra winnings and other casino promotions that they benefit from.

Casino special offers vary from one online casino to the next, as do the terms and conditions of these offers. Gamers should always read the terms and conditions in their entirety to make sure that they fully understand the conditions of these promotional offers. Not all of these promotions are what they seem - and the last thing you want is to enter some sort of agreement which benefits only the casino.

Types of Casino Special Offers

You'll see a wide variety of different online casino promotions out there, but the ones which follow are the most commonly used by casinos in the effort to retain existing players and attract new business.

- Sign up bonuses: These are bonuses which are offered to players who are new to a given casino. When first signing up for an account at the casino, new players may be given what is essentially free money to play with. The average signup bonus is around $100, though players are usually given this amount in installments over a few month's time.

- Percentage bonus: A percentage bonus involves the casino matching (up to a specified limit) the money that you deposit into your account. This percentage may be anywhere from 10% and up, though is typically above 50% and sometimes as high as 500%.

- Matching bonus: A matching bonus is a type of casino special offer where the casino will match the amount that you put into your account. As with percentage bonuses, there is almost always a limit on how much the casino will match.

- Reload offer: This is a type of bonus which may be offered to existing players rather than new ones. These bonuses involve the casino "reloading" the player's account with money to encourage them to keep coming back and gaming at the casino.

- Preferred deposit: This is a type of casino promotion which encourages gamers to use a specific type of payment, usually through some sort of percentage bonus for this form of payment.

- Loyalty rewards: This is an offer made to players who have been with the same casino for a specified time; this is usually a bonus of some sort, though the exact type of reward varies.

- High roller reward: These promotions are designed to reward gamers who make large deposits. Typically, this is in the form of a matching or percentage bonus, though this depends on the casino.

These are just a few of the more common casino special offers and casino promotions you may find online - there are many others which you'll come across when looking into different online casinos. Casino special offers are intended to get the interest of players and there are many of these promotions which represent a good deal to players. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully to make sure that what sounds like a great value actually is before you commit to anything.

Progressive Jackpots - What's The Big Deal?

If you have been playing in the online casinos then you have probably heard about progressive jackpots. What are they and why is everyone so excited about them? Progressive jackpots are a way to win big and there are plenty of reasons why people are talking about them.

The Definition

A progressive jackpot is not complex to understand. Simply put it is a jackpot that gets larger each time a game is played. Progressive jackpots are available on gaming machines, like slot machines. The jackpot is not just for one machine, though.

One jackpot can have several machines linked to it, so everyone playing on the machines linked to that jackpot are playing for that jackpot. This is both good and bad. On the one hand you are competing with others so your chances of winning are lessened, but on the other hand, everyone playing is building up the jackpot.

Why All the Hype?

Progressive jackpots are definitely very popular. People seem to love them and love to talk about them. Why is there so much hype about this type of jackpot?

The bottom line is that progressive jackpots offer you a chance to win some of the highest jackpots available. Since they are constantly being built up, the minute you hit the right winning combination you win a large chunk of cash. Who wouldn't want to try to win a huge jackpot?

People also like progressive jackpots because they are associated with gaming machines. Slot machines are already very popular. They require no special knowledge to play. They are easy to find and available in every online casino.

Another perk of these machines is that in order to win players are usually required to play a certain number of credits. Some players do not realize this and end up playing a minimum number of credits, so they cannot win the jackpot, but every time they play they are increasing the jackpot. This makes the odds more in favor of those who are playing the required number of credits.

Finally, playing progressive jackpots has the same odds of playing a regular machine. You have the same chance of winning, but you can win so much more with progressive jackpots. Basically, you get more for your money since you have the same chance of winning as when you play a regular machine.

Playing progressive jackpots is something you have to decide for yourself. You can stick to regular machines and still win big, but you will not have the chance to win the huge jackpots that are paid out through progressive jackpots.

When making your decision about playing progressive or regular jackpot games, make sure you think about everything. Consider the number of players and the amount of money that you have to play. Do not get tricked into thinking that you have a better chance with a progressive jackpot machine because you don't. Stick with your usually slot strategies that you use to win on regular machines and you should be fine if you do choose to play a progressive jackpot.

Win Big by Playing Progressive Jackpots

Playing Progressive jackpots is far more exciting than playing for a standard payout. These money pots can contain hundreds of thousands of dollars and it all goes to the lucky winner. No wonder everyone is buzzing about these big buck payouts. If you want to know more about how to get in on the action then read on and discover all you need to know about playing progressive jackpots.

Knowledge is King

Make sure you do your homework and understand the casino game and the rules regarding progressive jackpots before you decide to play. If you have a good understanding of the game and know how to calculate the odds it gives you a decided edge. Knowledge trumps even a wild card, and the more you know about jackpots and gaming the easier it is for you to determine the right play that will make you a winner.

Progressive Jackpot from A-Z

When you have a progressive jackpot it means that the amount of money in the pot increases each time the game is played. The payout is constantly tracked and displayed on screen to all players. Games that have a progressive jackpot are being offered on multiple sites so that they will attract the maximum interest. These types of jackpots are the highest payouts offered by casinos and gaming sites. As more players come to the table the jackpot grows. The higher the jackpot grows the more players come back to the table. This is why the payout amounts for these types of games grow so rapidly.

The only difference between slots or video poker that is played for a progressive jackpot and those that are being played for regular jackpots is the fact that the progressive jackpot pays the winner more money. There are no tricks or gimmicks involved, and the winning odds are unchanged.

Increasing the Jackpot Amount

Each time a progressive jackpot game is played and not won the jackpot amount increases.Playing for a progressive jackpot will require you to pony up a minimum number of credits if you want to be eligible for the money payout. You can still try the game without investing the total number of credits, but should you win you will not be awarded the jackpot. Any of the credits that are collected by players of a progressive jackpot game will be added to the jackpot amount, even those that come from players who have not entered enough credits to be eligible for the payout.

The money amount in a progressive jackpot grows rapidly because there are so many players trying their luck at multiple gaming sites around the world. Building a jackpot with an astronomical payout is not hard to do because of the high number of players. If you check out some of these jackpot games you will see that the payout amount is increasing almost every minute.

A progressive jackpot is reset to a minimum amount immediately after it has been won. Once this is done players can begin playing and build the jackpot amount up once again. Even when the amount is reset to a minimum number the jackpot will be rebuilt quickly.

Stick to your Playing Strategy

All casino games are played the same regardless of what type of jackpot you are playing for. A progressive jackpot does not change anything except the amount of the payout. You should remember this and stick to your usual playing style and game strategy. Do not allow those big dollar jackpots to make you forget the importance of careful, responsible playing. Some people are dazzled by the large dollar amounts they see onscreen and they start playing so free and loose that they soon have no hope of winning.

Don't be afraid to start playing progressive jackpots but just stick to your standard gaming play. Do not let large jackpot amounts intimidate you and cause to you forget the limits you set. Keep your gaming strategies in mind and never shift your playing style just because the jackpots are continuing to increase well into 6 numbers

When you opt to play a progressive jackpot game you are giving yourself a chance to win a really big payout. Still the odds for a win with these games are the same as they would be on any other game. However there is certainly more to be gained by winning one of these enormous payouts as opposed to the smaller payouts offered with those regular games.

Where To Find Personalized Pub Signs

By Danny Ricks

Personalized pub signs are now getting its own chunk of the market in its genre. This is why you can see many different types of this things in many stores online and even in many specialty stores in malls near you. But have you figured out where is the best place where you can also find the best pieces of this stuffs? This is because more and more people are getting agog to have these stuffs for varied reasons.

Well if you got the negative answer for that, then I guess you should run through this article. This will guide you to the best place where you will surely find some of the best pieces of these gift items. Not only that, it will also somehow give you good ideas pertinent to personalized pub signs.

Personalized pub signs are now obviously gaining popularity for many reasons. These are not only good as home decors but now it is often used as perfect gift for many different occasions like birthdays, housewarming, and weddings particularly for the groomsmen. Because of its versatility more and more people from different walks of life and from any parts of the globe are really getting agog to have these stuffs.

Good that personalized pub signs are no longer that hard to find. What is more interesting is the fact that these stuffs are not only easy to find but also need not cost you much to have one. Yes, you can now easily find them in many online stores catering to the need for this.

The internet is indeed the perfect haven for these stuffs. The internet is the best place for you to find many amazing, nicely crafted yet inexpensive pieces of this stuffs. You will surely be amazed with the widest array of choices unfolding right before your eyes when you browse for pub signs which are personalized according to your personal taste and preference. So, if you wish to reminisce the wonderful memories you once have in a particular pub and want to share it with friends, you sure can do it by giving them our the nicest personalized pub signs.

About the Author:

You may want to give away pub signs during occasions like birthdays, housewarming and weddings. You can add some personalized touch through personalized pub signs. It gives a sense of warmth and welcome to its receiver. Or you can try italian leather wallets.

Online Real Series Slots 101

Real Series slots are slot machines from Real Time Gaming or RTG. Real Time Gaming is well known in the industry and the top software being used at elite internet casinos. RTG software is well respected for providing an amazing online gaming experience. RTG provides exceptional graphics, a wide variety of games, fast payouts and competent customer service. RTG has now expanded into offering Real Series slots that go above and beyond what you could ever get before in online gaming.

What to Expect from Real Series Slots

The thing that makes RTG stand out from other online casino software is the attention to detail. With RTG games, including Real Series slots, you get some amazing features that make your gaming experience amazing and take it to a whole new level. If you are not careful, you may actually start to think you are in a real life casino instead of playing online.

Here is an overview of the Real Series slots features:

Quick gaming experience - Real Series slots are fast no matter how fast your internet connection may be. Even the slowest dial up connections will be fast.

Amazing look - RTG is known for providing realistic and entertaining graphics. This is no different with Real Series slots. They add to the game, making it fun and exciting to play. There are eye catching animations, too, that just really add something to the game that you cannot find anywhere else.

Small cost - These RTG slots have minimum credits, so you can play a lot even if you don't have a huge budget. An additional plus is that the slots can be played with money instead of confusing credits.

Multiple pay lines - With the large variety of pay lines, winning is a lot easier. You may not win huge, but you will probably win something when you play Real Series slots.

Optional Features

Besides the features listed above, some Real Series slots games will have special features that let you win more, play more and have more fun. These special features include:

- The ability to earn free spins.

- Bonus rounds where you have the chance to win a higher jackpot.

- Growing progressive jackpots that offer the largest possible payout in the casino.

Examples of Real Series Slots

There are numerous Real Series slots form which to choose. Figuring out which one to play can be confusing. Here is an overview of some of the slot machine games you may want to give a try:

- Archilees Slot: offers free spin bonuses up to 25 spins at 3x

- Ronin: higher risk game with random bonus round to earn free spins

- Prince of Sherwood: a fun themed game that offers some unique bonus rounds

Once you play Real Series slots and compare them to other slots you will never want to go back. The overall experience with a Real Series slot machine is something that cannot quite be explained. No amount of saying how great the graphics are or how fun the games are to play will do justice to these amazing slot machines. You just have to give them a try and have a blast to see why people love Real Series slots.

What Are Bowie Knife Handles Made Out Of?

By Dylan Sabot

When it comes time to choose that new bowie knife, you'll have quite a few things to consider. One of the most important is what type of handle material you want. While blade length and the actual style of the blade are certainly vital questions to answer, choosing the right handle is imperative. The right handle choice will give you a bowie knife that offers a great grip, the look and feel that you want, and will also play a role in the durability and longevity of your knife. What materials can you choose from?

You'll find that steel is one of the most commonly used materials for bowie knife handles. While metal handles are frequently added to "modern" evolutions of the bowie knife, you'll find some knives based on the original design that feature these types of handles. Metal is a good choice for excellent grip, for durability and for longevity. However, be aware that improper storage of bowie knives with metal handles can lead to rust in some cases.

You will find that bowie knives can also feature handles made out of metal. Steel is the usual choice here. You will also find that these handles are usually joined to bowie knives that feature more modernistic designs, such as those with saw-tooth edges on the spine of the blade. Of course, one of the best things about metal handles is that you do not have to worry about the handle wearing out over time, though corrosion can be a problem in some rare cases.

Composite - Composite handles are interesting options for your bowie knife. One example is called micarta, which is a trademarked material that is actually a composite of paper, canvas, linen, carbon fiber and several other materials. This has the benefit of being extremely lightweight and durable, as well as providing protection against rust and corrosion. Another benefit of composite materials is that they can resemble other materials, such as metal, wood or even bone, without the cost.

Leather - Leather wrapped handles are also quite popular. Usually, a piece (or several pieces) of high quality leather will be wrapped over a wood or steel handle. The leather used might be any color, ranging from black to blue and all the colors in between. You will also find numerous different types of leather offered, from standard cowhide to more exotic options, as well.

About the Author:

Dylan Sabot is the owner of an online bowie knifes store featuring the Cold Steel rubber training knife.

Real Series Slots- Understanding the Basics

If you haven't had the opportunity to play real series slots before you are missing out on crazy exciting. These slots derive from Real Time Gaming or better known as RTG. It's considered to be one of the best softwares out there and is used by almost all the elite internet casinos today. You are able to enjoy an online gaming experience much like the one at your local casino without all the people surrounding you. There are tons of games, fast payouts, and even good customer service available.

What Should You Expect from Real Series Slot?

Attention to detail is probably one of the biggest benefits to this online casino software. It's the closest thing to being at your nearby casino, and enjoying all the same types of benefits. However, you'll be able to save on gas, food costs, and even adult beverage prices by enjoying this from the comfort of your own home.

Real Series Slots Features

Quick Gaming Experience- When you play with Real Series slots you will soon realize that it doesn't matter if you have dial-up or high-speed Internet. Either way you will be able to enjoy fast gaming thanks to RTG.

Amazing Look- The appeal is uncanny, and when you see it for yourself you will realize the graphics are as realistic as can be. It just allows the game to be more enjoyable and provide you the same fun and excitement as you find in a real casino. The animations are extremely eye catching, and when you come across a casino not using RTG you will know.

Small Cost- These are the Real Series machines that have the minimum credits available. So if you don't have the biggest budget tonight, you can still win money by playing small.

Multiple Pay Lines- If you want more than one chance to win then you have to take advantage of the multiple pay line slots. There are several variations out there that range from 3 lines to 200.

Optional Features

Even though all the features above are great, you can find RTG machines that let you win more and allow for more playing time. These include:

- Earning free spins.

- Bonus rounds.

- Progressive Jackpots

Some RTG Examples

Probably the only downfall to RTG machines is figuring out which ones you want to play. So here is a short list of slots you may want to try:

- Archilees Slot: offers free spin bonuses up to 25 spins at 3x

- Ronin: higher risk game with random bonus round to earn free spins

- Prince of Sherwood: a fun themed game that offers some unique bonus rounds

We will warn you; the first time you play RTG machines, you won't want to go back to the old ones you were playing. The overall experience can't be explained. Sure we could sit here and boast about them all day, but until you have the opportunity to play them yourself, it just won't be the same.

Make Gold in the Game World of Warcraft

By Jimmy Peterson

Earn gold in the game World of Warcraft, it is one of the most important commodities. Without it, you won't be able to buy weapons and other things that your character needs in the game to complete quests and to level up. If you are playing World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King, then you will find that there are methods that will help you make gold rather easily.

So, don't even think about buying gold from illegal websites as this tactic will only get your account banned or even hacked by the very people you purchased your gold from.

Here are the most popular ways that will help you make gold for your character in World of Warcraft legally.

The first is by choosing a gathering profession for your character. These professions can really help you make a substantial amount of gold in the game that you can use for various purposes.

One example of a gathering job is mining. Engineers and blacksmiths in the game need miners to produce the necessary raw materials to fabricate weapons and armors to name two. For iron and mithril, you should visit the Arathi Highlands. If you need thorium and Arcane Crystals, get your character to mine in the Eastern Plaguelands and the Burning Steppes.

Skinning is another profession that can potentially make a lot of gold for your character. The Stranglethorn Vale is a good location to kill creatures for a quest, such as raptors and panthers.

Fishing is a fantastic way to make gold, especially if you fish for pearls. Black pearls can sell for ten gold per stack and one Golden Pearl can sell for thirty gold. Herbalism is another great profession that your World of Warcraft character can do. For high profit, look for plagueblooms in the Eastern and Western Plaguelands, and ghost mushrooms in the Hinterlands.

You should also try combining the gathering profession with the service profession. You will be able to use the materials you gather to craft various items.

Alchemy and herbalism are two great professions that work well together. Alchemy needs herbs to make potions and herbalism is a great profession to gather the herbs you need.

Combining Leatherworking with skinning profession is a great way to earn gold. You can use the leather you gather to produce armor and save money. You can also sell the things you craft to other players for gold.

You do not have to resort to buying gold for cash in order to make gold for your character. By doing jobs for your character, you can easily earn gold in no time at all. Try to master the profession that you took up for your character and you will find that making gold is quite easy to do.

Remember these things and you will never have any problems earning gold for your character in the game of World of Warcraft. Through these methods, you can be sure that you will eventually have a great time playing the game without getting frustrated in finding gold.

About the Author:

These are a few of the ways to earn gold in the game . There are many methods that you can do which are both legal and easy. Don't buy gold it is very easy to earn gold in the game World of Warcraft.