Scuba Do!

Years ago, when my father was stationed on Guam, I had the opportunity to learn to scuba dive. It was fun, but I never pursued scuba diving lessons to get the certifications that I ought to have, so that I could keep up with the sport as a hobby. I often think that now, as i live within a few blocks of Galveston Bay and only a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico itself.

Now if you are looking for a place to learn to scuba dive, you really ought to find a school that offers lessons taught by certified professionals. What's more, you should consider the reputation of the program. And you can find good programs just about anywhere -- including scuba diving lessons Arizona!

Where would you scuba dive in the middle of the desert? How about some of the many scenic lakes that exist in Arizona? Or for that matter, why not travel with Ultimate Dive and Travel to some of the great dive spots like Fiji, Truk, Honduras, or even California's Channel Islands or the Bahamas if you are not looking for a trip halfway around the world. Ultimate Dive and Travel is also a great source for equipment sales and repair, as well as scuba diving lessons Scottsdale. Like any reputable dive school, their instructors are PADI and SSI qualified. And with a decade of experience and a reputation for professionalism, you can feel confident in trusting them with your equipment and your safety.

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Blingin' Like A Gnome

Recently I encountered an MMROPG game called Dungeon Runner. It is an online video game where you get a magical sidekick called a Bling Gnome that eats any unwanted item and turns them into gold. How does it do that? Well, let’s just say “this too shall pass”! As you can imagine, this sidekick is mighty beneficial.

Well, the gameÂ’s creators have a contest to celebrate the release of Dungeon Runner. This 'Pimp Your Gnome' contest allows you to create your own gnome, pimped out to the max. Do it well and you can win a copy of the game and a $350 Best Buy card!

How do you win? First, visit your local craft of garden supply store and buy yourself a gnome – you know, one of those little guys like the one you see in commercials for that online travel company. Next, dress him up in a way that makes hi the “King of Bling”! Make him a pimp, a thug, or just a fat-cat gnome – have some fun with it. Jewels, clothes, accessories – do it all!

But then comes the fun part. You next have to some pictures of your pimped-out gnome from at least 2 angles and post them at the site. Even better, you can get extra points if you post pictures with people admiring your gnome or by being dressed as a gnome in a public place like a mall or something. In other words, there is great fun to be had!

By the way, I did download the game, and was impressed. Good graphics, reasonable adventure opportunities for you to roleplay, and even some good interaction with others. If you are a big-time online gamer, you will enjoy – and probably get a laugh as your Bling Gnome produces his new cash for you. And you get to see some of the pimped-out gnomes entered by others – varying from hip-hop to pimp-daddy to some that are really out of this world.

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Clubs For The Special Folks In Your Life

I’m not much of a drinker any more, not since my wife started taking medication that interacts badly with alcohol. But I do have a drink from time to time – and I have a special fondness for micro-brewed beer or other exotic products of the brewer’s art. Where did I acquire such a taste? Probably from my college buddies during my first couple of years away from home – I started my studies at a private East Coast school where I found myself hanging out with guys who came from a significantly higher socio-economic background than a Midwestern military brat. Let’s just say I got introduced to some of the finer things of life.

That’s why I appreciated it a couple of years back when a friend signed me up for the Beer of the month club. Yeah, you read that right – each month for a year I got the Beer of the month (actually four different beers) shipped to me, allowing me to indulge my taste for something a little out of the ordinary. Talk about your gift that keeps on giving! A whole year of beer, including brands that I generally would not be able to get easily in my area. What a gift for the beer lover you know.

And if you don’t know anyone who would be interested in Beer clubs, there are also clubs for connoisseurs of fine cigars (not my thing) and wines. And for the Chicago boy a long way from home, there is even pizza club – three specialty pizzas from Chicago each month! Surely you know someone who would enjoy a membership – whether for a full year, or for a shorter term. To learn more visit http://www.greatclubs.com/ for more information.

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Dealing With Debt

A lot of folks out there are carrying around a lot of debt. The problem, though, is that making all those separate payments can really become a hassle, especially when you are trying to pay on multiple credit cards. Wouldn’t it be a great thing to be able to make one payment – and at a lower interest rate?

That is why debt consolidation programs are an option worth considering. Yes, you can get a loan, but there are also professionals who can provide you with various strategies for paying off that debt through debt consolidation loans or other strategies. Such Credit Card Debt Consolidation programs can help you preserve your credit rating and get out of debt more quickly.

What are some of these options? There is always the standard debt consolidation loan. You get one large loan that will cover those debts and start making payments over 36 to 48 months (though some might run larger if you are really in debt). Then you simply pay on that one loan while avoiding the bad spending habits that got you into debt in the first place. It might not be a bad idea to seek credit counseling as a part of the plan.

You can also negotiate new repayment terms with your creditors. They want their money and they are usually willing to work with you to make that happen. You can often do this yourself, or you might seek professional help with this.

Then there are debt settlement options for you. These are something that you rarely can do yourself, so you almost certainly need professional help on this one. The companies that negotiate settlements for you can often reduce what you owe to “pennies on the dollar” – cutting your amount owed by half or more. You might take a credit rating hit, but it isn’t as ugly as the blot of a bankruptcy on your record.

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Check 'Em Out

Given my support of a lawsuit regarding the release of school district/state run teacher background checks to the public, it might surprise you that I am all in favor of the public being able to do background checks on individuals in their lives. It mainly boiled down to a question of what information could and could not be released – and whether the bar of privacy would be lowered to too great a degree.

But I do believe that we should be able to look into the public information available about those with whom we begin to have some sort of intimate association, whether they are employees, romantic interests, babysitters, teachers, or the parents of children’s playmates. That is where services like those offered at http://www.sentrylink.com are a valuable thing in my book. They allow you to do a Background Check about individuals who have the ability to get inside our normal defenses. They can run a Criminal Background Check for you, just to make sure that you, your family, or your business are not open to any undue risks. Such a Criminal Check will enable you to get access quickly and easily to publicly available information that you might not have the time or knowledge to access. That is not an intrusion into anyone’s privacy – it is actually a prudent step on the part of a wise, safety conscious individual to check out the public domain information to help ensure that you are not being taken in by a dangerous individual.

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Metal Wall Art

One of the stylistic features I have always loved when it comes to interior design is metal work -- especially metal wall art. At Wall Decor and Home Accents, they have a great selection of metal wall art at affordable prices Their site is well-organized and easy to search for just the item you would like, whether you want wall wine racks or a decorative metal wall cross. They also have non-metal wall art as well, including a wonderful selection of architectural pieces.

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Sports Picks Forum

If you are like me, you enjoy watching a good game. In my case, I love football, and enjoy discussing the game. I even blog about the NFL in season. Well, if you are interested in getting some free nfl picks or baseball picks, check out addictsports.com. I know I will when I'm looking for free football picks.

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Goldyn

Are you a woman who is into clothes? You know, nice clothes by top designers in the latest style? Well if you are, then you need to check out this incredible site that one of my coworkers sent me to pass on to my wife – it is the website at ShopGoldyn.com.

Well, what is so great about this site? Well, for starters they offer pieces from some of the top names in womenÂ’s fashion today. You know, things like clothing from French Designers whose clothing isnÂ’t always available here in the US. For example, Paris-based designer Erotokritoshas a nice line ofParisian Clothing available at ShopGoldyn.com Similarly, DiabÂ’less garments are also featured on the site, adding some pizzazz to the chic and trendy fashions featured there with their selection of hand-made knits, detail-laden coats and one-of-a-kind evening wear. There is also the vintage-style clothing of Charlotte Ronson, whose line of clothing and shoes is simply.

And even better, the site is nicely laid out and easy to navigate. You can shop in at least three different ways that I noticed. Each designer has his/her own separate page for you to peruse, and the clothing available can also be viewed by the type of item you wish to look at, such as French Dresses. And there is also the “Look Book”, which allows you to browse across designers and garments to create just the sort of look that you are seeking. So if you love beautiful clothes, check this site out.

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Insurance

I don’t know about you, but I certainly see it as incumbent upon every person to take the time and make the effort to ensure that they and their families have health insurance. Yes, many Americans receive it as a part of a benefit package through their employers, but not everyone. And while it is possible to rely on the government for medical care, this is neither desirable nor ethical to do if one has other options – and there are some good plans out there within the budget of most Americans.

If you don’t currently have health insurance, why not check out what Kaiser Permanente has to offer at http://www.kphealthplans.com? It doesn’t matter if you need a plan for individual or family heath insurance, or whether you are a business owner looking for an affordable group health insurance, plan for your employees KPHealthPlans.com probably has something that will help get you (and your employees) decent insurance. In Georgia, for example, kaiser insurance offers some of the lowest rates around, with flexible and affordable plans that will go a long way in meeting your goals. And this is important – after all, a serious illness without health insurance has consequences for families and individuals that are frightening to contemplate. So take the responsible step and seek health insurance now.

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Well I've Never Been To Spain

But I sure would like to go there. Indeed, so much of Europe is filled with history for a person like me who is fascinated with the study of the past. That is one reason I would love to find the time and money to visit the city of Seville in Andalusia. After all, it's history dates back at least to Roman times, with a continuous existence through the time of the Vandals and Visigoths. It was one of the early cities conquered by the Moors when their jihad brought them into the lands of Christian Europe in the early eight century, and remained under Muslim rule until its liberation in 1248 under King Fernando III.

If you visit Seville today, you will find a great variety of site to see. There is the cathedral, built following the Reconquista, as well as the Alcázar, which was begun during the Muslim occupation of the city in the 1100s and was built in various phases over the next 500 years, giving it a striking blend of various cultural influences. The city is also know for its many beautiful parks and gardens, which will by a delight for anyone interested in botany or simply the beauty of a natural setting.

Where does one stay if one visits Seville? There are many options, but I understand that Seville Hotels Destinia offers some real great values if you are seeking cheap hotel reservations in the city. be sure to check out their website at http://destinia.com/hotels/hotels-in-seville/sevilla/spain/europe/805/en.

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NFR Tickets

Have you folks figured out that I am a big fan of professional rodeo? Really, I am – both in person and televised. And as much as I love the big show here in Houston, and the less well-known one in Pasadena, Texas, there is one I want to see even more -- the National Finals Rodeo, which happens every December. After all, the NFR features the best of the best in every event.

The National Finals Rodeo takes place every year in Las Vegas, Nevada, over a period of ten-day. The top money earners for the year in each rodeo event get an invitation to compete for the title of champion of the world. The featured events are bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and bull riding. The competition is always intense, and you donÂ’t just get to see the top cowboys and cowgirls, but the top bulls and broncs as well.

As much as I enjoy watching the National Finals Rodeo on television each year, I would really like to go to Las Vegas some December to be there in person. National Finals Rodeo tickets can be a challenge to get on short notice, because they are the biggest thing in town for those ten days. IÂ’m told you need to buy them long before the rodeo actually starts. However, I also hear that tickets can be found through different ticket agencies if you canÂ’t make plans to attend early enough to order tickets for yourself.

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Sleep Well, Not Lightly

When I was younger, I had a hard time sleeping. To say I was a light sleeper was an understatement. Noises would wake me in a snap if they were at all out of the ordinary -- neighbors on the back porch, the paperboy tossing papers in the neighborhood yards, whatever. I couldn't find anything to help get me through the night.

Until I found out about White Noise Machines and how they could really help by providing a soothing background noise to help one sleep. That really did the trick for me, until my body learned to sleep more soundly.

To find such products, and many others besides to help you sleep, check out DreamEssentials.com.

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Custom Gift Cards

I don't know about you, but I love receiving gift cards. After all, who knows what I need better than I do? I also like to give gift cards to the other hard to please members of my family. But here's something great -- you can now get Gift Cards customized with the design of your choice -- a family photo, a loving sentiment, or a logo for your business if you are using them as a promotional item. And best of all, these gift cards are VISA cards -- so they can be used anywhere that VISA is accepted!

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Business Loans

One reality of the business world today is that you sometimes need a business loan just to keep going through a cash crunch. You know how it is -- there is a temporary cash flow issue as you await payment from your customers. One way to get such Business Loans with out a hassle is by dealing with the folks at EXUnsecured.com. They offer business loans of all kinds – lines of credit, short and long-term loans, and business credit cards. With EZUnsecured.com, you get an easy application and approval process, fast funding of your loan, and great service from the associates you work with. Stop by and check them out.

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Senator John Cornyn

Senator John Cornyn has served in all three branches of the government -- Executive, Judicial, and Legislative. He met with bloggers today at the Texas GOP convention, at the Blogger's Row sponsored by RightOnline.com.

Cornyn meets the bloggers,
including me in the Hawaiian shirt.

He began with a discussion of gas prices, in particular the need to open the off-shore areas of the rest of the United States to exploration and drilling, as well as ANWR and the oil shale deposits. He asks why, when only 42 senators would vote in favor of that exploration, these same senators can complain about gas prices. Talking about the new exploration, he noted "unfortunately, our Democrat friends don't want to do that." Windfall profits taxes and lawsuits against OPEC were described as part of the Democratic "No Energy" plan. In particular, the windfall profits tax was described as a tax on the stockholders in American oil companies, not the foreign nations who control the supply. He also supported alternative sources, including nuclear power and renewable fuels like bio-diesel. However, he noted that the use of "food for fuel" has resulted in 25% of the nation's corn crop has led to higher food prices.

On earmark spending, Senator Cornyn noted his support for proposals to end earmarks. The light of day needs to be shed on these earmarks, to help eliminate the pork while preserving those that have merit.

On immigration, the senator was asked about what the future holds in regard to stopping a return of last year's bad immigration bill sponsored by John McCain and Ted Kennedy. He noted the importance of creating border security and verification of legal work status. In particular, he noted that Senator McCain has come to recognize the need for border security before amnesty.

Senator Cornyn noted that yesterday's decision on habeas corpus for terrorist detainees was clearly erroneous, and that the dissenting opinions of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Scalia were correct -- the majority of the court substituted their opinion for the judgment of the Legislative and Executive branches. The basic problem is that the court wants to treat terrorism as a crime, not an act of war and the need to prevent attacks before they happen rather than punish perpetrators afterwards. "We cannot allow the Supreme Curt's decision to stand without addressing it." Otherwise, the result will be endless litigation.

Regarding Open Government, the Senator noted that the legitimacy of the government is based upon the consent of the governed. However, the people cannot give real consent if they don't know what is going on. He has been partnering with Senator Pat Leahy to effect reform of Freedom of Information Laws. On such issues, it is very possible to make common cause with Democrats. This gives the people the power to evaluate what those in power are doing.

Unfortunately, Senator Cornyn noted that Leahy and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have fallen short of their commitment to confirm judges in a timely manner. He noted that the laws passed by Congress don't matter if judges believe they can set aside the wisdom of the elected branch and the people. Electing McCain is therefore important, because he will nominate judges who will interpret the law and Constitution, whereas liberal Obama nominees would implement policies that the people and the elected leaders of the country reject.

UPDATE: One of the delights of the convention has been the introduction videos for our candidates and elected officials. Turns out some of them (or their handlers) have a great sense of humor. John Cornyn's was a delegate favorite.

OPEN TRACKBACKING AT Outside the Beltway, Rosemary's Thoughts, third world county, Nuke Gingrich, McCain Blogs, Woman Honor Thyself, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, Shadowscope, Pirate's Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, , Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, Right Voices, and Pursuing Holiness, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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Web Design

I like a blog with a good looking design that really attracts my attention – one that is clean and not cluttered with too much crap. Over the years, I’ve found a lot of blogs that have managed to design blog elements that really make them look fantastic. When that happens, I begin to get an itch to tinker with the design I currently have. Unfortunately, I don't have the knowledge I need to really do a top-notch job at a redesign. As a result, I’ve been trying to check out sites that talk about how to do it. You would be surprised at the number of websites and blogs that I found that give interesting and helpful tips on creating your own custom web design. I found one, Stylish Weblog, at http://www.stylishwebdesign.us/directory/.

This web design blog is quite informative and has an extensive archive of good articles. If you want to learn more about web design, they are certainly a site to visit for that are interesting and educational. Best of all, they offer a fresh take on many issues in web design from different angles than most sites IÂ’ve seen. So if you want to design your blog, drop by and take some of their great advice.

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Soy Candles.

I donÂ’t know anyone who doesnÂ’t love candles. They provide a touch of class to a table, a touch or romance to a special time with one you love, and a touch of warmth to that place we call home. Candles provide atmosphere, illumination, warmth, and a gentle scent that makes them something special.

Most candles are made from a petroleum-based wax. Well, given what oil prices are doing, we can expect to see candle prices go up in the weeks and months ahead as the cost of abarrel of oil sky-rockets. But what if I told you that there is another substance that you can make a candle from – one that is renewable and biodegradable. Believe it or not, that source is soy. Yes, that is right – Soy Candles!

Caterpillars Candles is a reputable seller of candles made from soy wax. Unlike many soy wax candles, theirs are made of 100% soy wax. Not only that, their candles are certified organic – no pesticides, herbicides, or genetically-modified beans go into these candles. So whether you want Soy tealights, pillars, or jar candles, you can be assured that you are getting a high-quality, safe product.

Not only that, but you can even buy Wholesale Soy Candles for resale at your place of business, starting with an order of as little as $100.

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trade Show Booths

I've always found trade show booths to be fascinating in their scope and variety. Some displays are basic, others quite elaborate. How do you design such displays, and where do you get the supplies to best market your wares? Try GodfreyGroup.com for a wide variety of products that will make your display stand out from the crowd.

Posted by: Greg at 11:35 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Light Up, Everybody!

One of the first things my wife and I did when we moved into our house seven years ago was start making some changes with the lighting and ceiling fans. If you could have seen some of the stuff that was here when we moved in – good lord, there was even a wagon-wheel chandelier in the dining room!

You can guess, no doubt, what the first move we made was in the lighting department – we found a black wrought-iron chandelier to replace it. We also standardized all the kitchen and hallway lights throughout the house, using Forecast lighting products. There had been such a mish-mash of styles that we just had to scrap them all and find something better.

In the end, though, we had particular fun with the ceiling fans – something that is a real necessity in most rooms here in Texas. We found several attractive fans, chosen to accent the size and color of the rooms. Most importantly, they were significantly more quiet than the older fans installed only a few years before – and I made sure that they were properly secured to the ceiling so they didn’t shake and rattle like the old ones.

WeÂ’ve not made all our changes, though. When we reface the cabinets, we will definitely add under cabinet lighting. After all, it would be nice to see clearly into every corner of the kitchen.

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Tick Tock Says The Clock

I love clocks. They are fascinating to me both as mechanical devices (which are well-beyond my technical understanding) and as signifiers of the passage of something that is both real and ethereal in nature – time itself.

That is part of why I regularly check in on the folks over at clocks blog -- they talk about different types of clocks, how to use them in decorating schemes, and how to maintain them so they give you a long life. I particularly like this post on how to incorporate clocks into a bedroom setting – after all, we all need one there, even if we don’t always give much thought to the question of style.

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Incorporate

There are any number of advantages to incorporating. Some of those have to do with taxes, others with liability, and still others with providing a structure for one's business. But regardless of the reason for incorporating, the second question you have to ask yourself is what state you want to incorporate in. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages that go with your choice. Today, however, the site of choice appears to be Nevada if you want to obtain the most favorable treatment under the law.

But let's be honest here -- most of us do not know the process of creating a Nevada LLC Corporation or other corporate structure. It just isn't something that we do every day. That is where the folks from Nevada Corporate Headquarters Incorporated can come in handy. For nearly 20 years, NCH has been company to go to for assistance in Nevada Incorporation. They can also help you develop asset protection strategies, establish business credit and provide you with many other business/financial services that are essential for a fledgling corporation. At NCH, they pride themselves on the quality of the service and guidance they provide their clients in order to help them succeed. So whatever the reason you have for wanting to Incorporate in Nevada, NCH is the company to turn to for the assistance you need in doing it right.

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On A Rail

I'll be honest with you -- I've encountered a lot of specialty stores in my time, including some really specialized sites on the internet. After all, if you can find your niche, you can eventually grow your business into something much larger and expansive that it is the day that you begin. But i have to be honest -- when I first heard about the website at BuyRailings.com, I was a bit taken aback. That really seems like a pretty precise niche they are out to fill.

But then I looked at the site, and I was really surprised at the sorts of products that you can get at BuyRailings.com. I was thinking exclusively of stair rails, but found out there is so much more. Indeed, there are all sorts of guard rails and bar rails and other items that you and I encounter every single day that fall into the category of railing. Take the handrails along many hallways -- they have them. Similarly, the guard rails that are used to guide customers into well-organized lines in some businesses are also among the products they sell. And then there is the old-fashioned bar rail. And their selection and inventory of items is quite good. Drop by and take a look at everything they've got!

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Boating Safety

I live only a few blocks from the water, so I see some really dangerous things done out there on a regular basis. Unfortunately, one of the most dangerous combinations I see is drinking and boating -- a combination every bid as dangerous as drunk driving.

Boating Operating Under the Influence is really a dangerous practice. But it is possible to get Boating Education Online to help you operate your water craft more safely. Here's an example of information about Arizona Boating safety that contains information relevant to every state..

Remember -- Boat Safe, Boat Smart, Boat Sober.

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