Archive for October 30th, 2009

2009 SE Quadangle 24″

Built just as I wanted.

Original post by NewMidMike and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

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Learn Niche Affiliate Marketing

As an affiliate marketer you will research and find products to promote on your website.  Each time you make a sale through your affiliate link you will earn a portion of that sale.  The commissions can vary from as low as 7% to a generous 50%. 

Your unique affiliate ID is tracked and each time a sale is made through your link it is recorded.   A good affiliate program will give you plenty of tools for promoting their products as well as a comprehensive member’s area where you can track your affiliate sales and commissions.

Affiliate marketing is a good way to get started online.  In fact, one of the best sources for learning affiliate marketing can be found at the new Niche Blogging Institute You can be set up and ready to go within a few days and there is no need to spend any time creating your own products or purchasing inventory.  You are simply promoting other people’s products, which means the vendor is actually responsible for order fulfilment, customer service and anything else related to the sale – you simply refer the sale to them and get paid for doing so.

For example if you have a love of cooking, you can create a website around cooking related topics and include tips, recipes, and reviews of all your favorite cooking gadgets.  You can then find affiliate programs online and promote some of those products on your website.

Although affiliate marketing is an easy way to get started online, there is a little more to it than just throwing up a few links and banners and waiting for the affiliate check to arrive.  A good affiliate marketer knows it takes time and effort to make sales. 

A good way to do this is by providing quality information on your website and only linking to affiliate products where appropriate.  Your customers will appreciate honest feedback and will be more likely to buy from you if you give them good quality information and honest reviews.

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Business Networking Hints

LinkedIn Incredible! 50,000,000 people. What exceptional news flash and here’s the reason.

By T S Hall

Our world is swiftly becoming globally connected at the level of individual men and women and businesses. The potential is in the bunch of men and women and assets at our fingertips. Now we all can connect and business network with minimum cost. You may want to consider.  As a Linkedln member you can draw from a herd of 50,000,000 members that are possible associates. Let’s say 50% of the affiliates are functioning and login once a day. That’s twenty five million people that may share your passions, your values and your interests in play and work.

It’s no “Secret” that we attract what we’re like. People of matching psycho-graphics, interests, values and demographics are drawn together. Having bigger and bigger online and social networking sites facilitates the individual to aquire, based on your preference and values, people you care to do business with! The cool part is if your business is geographically undesirable you can connect and partner with like minded professionals in your industry that you can refer and recommend; confident that they’ll take care of your referral. (Say you’re in Georgia and you connect with someone in California that needs similar products and services. You can refer them to one of your business network Linkedln connections from California.) See more at … Networking Event Finders

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The Importance of Wearing the Correct Bra Size

Introduction

Over the years as I matured my bra size increased, particularly after having babies. Before that I was a size 34 bust, but after giving birth I went up in size. After menopause my bust size increased again and I found my normal bra did not fit me anymore. One day I took the plunge and went into my local underwear store and had myself properly fitted and measured. To my horror I discovered I was no where near the size I thought I was. The statistics from research carried out suggests that 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size and many of these women have never actually been measured at all and so simply buy what they assume to be their size. Well if my experience is anything to go by then we women think we are a lot smaller than we are!

What most women do not realise is that a badly fitting bra can affect their health and well being. If for instance the bra is the wrong size it might cause severe back and shoulder pain with the constant resistance to the pressure on those areas of the body. As in the example above, bust size and shape will alter with variations of weight and hormonal change. This in turn will require a change in bra size. Because a woman’s shape may be in a constant state of flux, regular fittings about every 6 months are highly recommended.

To Find the Correct Bra Size

The best way to check that you are wearing the correct size bra is to go to a shop or store that offers a professional bra fitting service. A specially trained fitter will measure you to work out your correct size. The technique used is to take a tape measure and place it underneath the bust and around the rib cage so that it feels secure but not uncomfortable. If the number measured in inches is an even number you add four, if it is an odd number you add five to give you your bra band size.

Once the band size is established the next measurement to find is the cup size. This is done by placing the tape measure over the fullest part of the bust and around the back all at the same level. Again this should be firm but not too tight. Your cup size is the difference between the two measurements. For example if your bust size is the same as your bra band size you are an A cup, a 1 inch difference = B cup, 2 inches = C cup, 3 inches = D cup and so on. All measurements taken are really only used as a guide to bra size because bras size can vary greatly from manufacturers to manufacturers. Sometimes a very experienced trained professional can judge your bra size by eye and will not need to use a tape measure. Because women vary so greatly in shape and size it is not only the size of bra that is important, but also the type of support required and distribution of weight. A qualified fitter will be able to offer you advice on the correct type of bra to suit your needs.

Look in your local area to find a good shop or store where there is a good selection of big bras available.

Things to Notice about your bra:-

  • If you find that your bra rides up your back it may be because it is too loose. Try tightening the bra with the hook and eye clasp or buying a smaller band size (32 instead of 34).
  • If the opposite is happening and your bra is too tight try another band size up or even a bra that has a wider band fitting. You can get extra hooks to fit on the end of your current bra that will ease the tightness under the bust.
  • Bulging sides can be remedied by wearing a bra that offers more cup coverage or is one band size bigger. 
  • If you find that your bust is bulging out of the cups then you will most likely need a larger cup or band size. (Unless of course that is the fashion statement you are aiming for!)
  • For women who have larger busts, a bra with wider shoulder straps or even padded ones will give relief from sore shoulders.
  • A sagging bust line can be overcome by choosing a bra that offers firmer support and avoiding stretchy fabrics. 
  • An under-wired bra may give problems with soreness under the bust if not correctly fitted. In which some ladies prefer to wear a non-wired soft cup bra.
  • Straps that slip usually mean they are too long so they can be adjusted to resolve the problem. Otherwise choose a bra style with wider straps that will not slip down or buy a bra clasp to hold the straps together at the back

The Prevalence of Cancer

According to Cancer Research UK, breast cancer is the most widespread type of cancer in the UK and around 125 women a day are diagnosed with this particular form of cancer. Breast cancer rates have increased by 13% over the last ten years and one in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. This may be due to the national screening programme, but early detection is vital for a good prognosis. Survival rates of five years or more after treatment is 80% and that means that there are a large number of women who require specialist bras especially after surgery.

As a result of the increased rates of breast cancer and manufacturers looking to specialise in new markets, the range of stylish Mastectomy bras and lingerie has grown considerably, so having had breast surgery does not mean that you can’t have stylish designer lingerie any longer.

Mastectomy Bra

Choosing lingerie after surgery where the breast or part of a breast has been removed can sometimes be quite a challenge and there will naturally be a period of adjustment. Part of the rehabilitation will be to acquire a prosthesis to use in conjunction with a mastectomy Bra towards recovering the regular silhouette.

The amount of surgery you have had will decide the type of product you require. The prosthesis should match the natural remaining breast or if two are required they need to restore the natural outline. When going for a fitting for a mastectomy bra it is important to have the right prosthesis with you.

Full ranges of beautiful full figure bra styles are rarely available on the high street and you may need to locate specialist post operative bra suppliers online to get the best selection.

A Mastectomy bra is generally made from fabric that is designed to be more comfortable on sensitive and post-operative areas of skin, but this doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or elegance, and a wide range of beautiful post-surgery lingerie is obtainable. These can be purchased as complete sets with matching bottoms. Apart from the different fabrics used, the main difference of a Mastectomy bra is that is has pockets to accommodate the prostheses and generally there will be a choice of a higher neckline and higher panels between cups. A Mastectomy bra will usually have adjustable straps for effective support. There is no need not to be stylish and feminine; bras with satin and lace trim also feature. Some Mastectomy bras also have a silver lining which aids healing.

Where there is a bilateral mastectomy the bra will need to accommodate the natural breast in one cup and the prosthesis in the other. Ensure that you find a shop with a qualified fitter to help you find exactly the correct size and fit to suit your shape. No prosthesis will look right if your bra does not fit properly and ideally the two should be fitted together, if that is not possible then choose the bra first.

Points to be aware of when choosing the correct mastectomy bra for you are:-

  • The prosthesis must fill the bra cup properly so that it doesn’t pucker or be over stretched
  • The underarm section is the same on both sides
  • The breasts are evenly aligned.

Where only part of the breast tissue has been removed (lumpectomy) then there is only a need for a breast enhancer. There are a range of styles and shapes for partial reconstruction usually made from silicone.

Polypropylene beans mould into the shape of the bra to give a really natural look and the beans allow air to circulate making it cool and comfortable.

There is also a range of swimsuits and bikinis designed with subtle modifications for the beach such as pockets for the prostheses, slightly higher necklines and closer underarm fitting with pre-formed cups to give natural contour to the figure. Again these come in every shape and size and don’t mean that you have to sacrifice new fashions.

Maternity Bras

When women become pregnant they outgrow their ordinary everyday bras very early on in pregnancy. The breasts become bigger and heavier in the first few weeks so a good support bra of the correct size is vital. As the pregnancy develops the breast size continues to change and fluctuate so regular measuring and fittings will help with comfort and health. Many midwives and retail outlets advise against purchasing an underwired bra during pregnancy and although there is no concrete evidence to show that underwires are harmful during this time, there does appear to be some potential risk. The reason for this advice is that the rigid wires found in underwired bras may interfere with the natural changes in the size and shape of the breast and restrict the increased blood flow to, and possibly hinder, the developing milk duct system. This in turn could cause major pain, discomfort and possibly mastitis during the feeding stage.

If you are used to beautiful designer lingerie you might expect post operative bras to be very dull and clinical but some of the newer designs are much prettier than they used to be and more feminine.

To make sure you are wearing the best supporting bra a professional measuring and fitting service is a must during pregnancy. It is important that you are measured every 6 to 8 weeks so that your specially trained fitter can assess your changing shape and fit you accordingly. When you are purchasing a maternity bra it is important that it offers you great support with wide straps and side panels. A wide under bust band and a deep centre at the front will also enhance this support. A bra that covers as much as possible of the breast will be more comfortable as the breasts become more sensitive during pregnancy.

A lot of pregnant women find that they feel very hot during pregnancy and a bra that is mainly cotton will help let the skin breathe. Look for a bra that has at least 4 rows of hooks and eyes so that your bra can grow through your pregnancy with you. Make sure that the bra fits without the breast spilling over the top and that the cups fit comfortably. As with your everyday bra make sure that the centre front is lying snugly on your breastbone, and if it’s early in your pregnancy remember that your rib cage will expand so fit your bra on the smallest fastenings so that you have plenty of room for expansion later in your pregnancy. The opposite will apply for maternity bras purchased later in pregnancy of course, fit on the loosest hook and eye so that when your rib cage shrinks after birth, you can tighten your bra accordingly.

Conclusion

During the early stages of a woman’s life she will need appropriate bras to suit each stage. During the early teenage years a more modest non wired bra is the most appropriate.

Later in adolescence where appearance is a serious business, a more fashionable good fitting bra to create a feminine silhouette can be worn.

In pregnancy a comfortable good supportive bra which has expanding fastenings allows for changes throughout the pregnancy without restriction and damage. Following the birth, a good nursing bra to allow for easy access needs to still support the breast as it fluctuates hourly during the day.

If women undertake vigorous exercise then it is doubly important she wears a good sports bra to reduce bounce as that stretches the pectoral muscles.

As a woman ages the breasts mature and so will need a good supportive structure that helps prevent sagging and yet retains a good outline. After menopause many women loose the full breast shape of their earlier years and at that point it is more important to find an appropriate type of bra that will help them feel good about themselves.

Many women have been unfortunate enough to have had a full or partial mastectomy in which case correct prosthesis and mastectomy bras are an essential part of the recovery programme.

Many women spend a great deal of time and money on hairdo’s, makeup and face pampering, yet often they neglect their greatest assets. Maybe it’s time we women start to think differently about the way we look after our bosoms’ and make sure they are clothed in comfortable, supportive and good looking items.

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Exotic Choices for Bonsai

The majority of bonsai artists stick with the more common coniferous, deciduous, or fruit trees when developing their bonsai tree collection.  But, more exotic bonsai varieties can be found that permit the bonsai artist to enhance his or her skills.

One superb alternative to the run-of-the-mill bonsai is Wisteria, a native of Japan, Korea, and China.  In the wild, Wisteria can reach 30 feet or more in size.  However, since Wisteria doesn’t conform to any of the normal bonsai styles, forming them into a bonsai can be an interesting challenge.

The Wisteria flowers are both beautiful and aromatic and come in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, pink, and white.  Blossoming in the Spring, they need lots of water with sufficient drainage and they do well in partial shade to full sun.  Just before they bloom in the spring, you should provide them with a good amount of fertilizer, and once again in late summer before they drop their leaves.

Another alternative is Orange Jasmine which will provide a delight to the nose and beauty to the eye.  Orange Jasmine bears a bright red fruit and fragrant, white blossoms.

Feed Orange Jasmine every three to four weeks starting in early spring and continuing through mid-autumn.  Only light watering is sufficient for most of the year, with a little more required in the hotter summer season.

Because they generally do better in moderate shade or filtered sun, Orange Jasmine is one of the few bonsai that can, and should be raised indoors.

The Mimosa tree, also occasionally known as silk trees due to their long silky filaments, offer another good alternative.  They are as fragrant as both of the two alternatives mentioned above and their puffy flowers and lacy foliage are also just as lovely.

The Mimosa’s flowers bloom in late April to early July and moderate water should be given during the blooming season.  However, you should avoid getting water on the flowers because, much like a number of other flowering plants, the flowers will quickly deteriorate when wet.

If you choose to cultivate a Mimosa, it will be one of the larger bonsai in your collection since they have large leaves, grow rapidly, and are difficult to maintain at a very small size.  So be sure to give then adequate room in your display area.

Another non-traditional bonsai is the Desert Rose.  The Desert Rose can turn what would be an ordinary bonsai collection into one full of color and excitement.  It is a native of East Africa and in the wild can grow up to 10 feet tall, producing large, pink, trumpet-bowl flowers.

The Desert Rose should be kept outside most of the year as they need ample sunshine and lots of fresh air.  With their very bushy growing habit, they will make an excellent design complement to the many traditional bonsai in your collection.

However, the Desert Rose is sensitive to cold, so they should be brought indoors in cold climates or during periods of cold weather as they will not thrive in temperatures below 10C (50F).  With temperatures in the 10C-15C (50F-60F) range, they will lie dormant and healthy and during this period they will require very little water.

You should try your hand at some of these exotic fragrant and beautiful flowering plants to expand your horizon and further develop your bonsai gardening skills. They provide a nice contrast when placed among some of the more standard evergreens, such as, firs, pines, and junipers.  Additionally, as they lose their leaves in the fall and bloom in the spring, you’ll have an interesting ever-changing display.

George Dodge enjoys landscaping and gardening as a hobby.  Bonsai gardening offers hours of enjoyment producing delightful miniture shrubs and trees as an art form. His Bonsai Tree Gardening site gives tips for the beginning bonsai gardener.  Experiment with exotic bonsai choices to expand your collection.

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2008 Intense Podium 24″

this is my new ride

Original post by bluetoad47 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

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1999 Specialized Fat Boy Hemi

they didn’t make this frame for long

Original post by bluetoad47 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

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1998 Specialized Fat Boy A1

the blue looks the best

Original post by bluetoad47 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

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1998 Specialized Fat Boy A1 24

best looking bike ever made

Original post by bluetoad47 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

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1975 Crossrider Monoshock

tihs is not the best looking bike

Original post by bluetoad47 and many thanks to them and their entry and picture of their BMX Bike

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