quilting frames

Whether it be scrapbooking, beadwork, knitting, jewelry- making, or other craft- related activities, there is a great demand for craft- supplies in the Hartford, Connecticut area. Three local craft- supply stores in particular, consistently offer large selections of craft supplies at discount prices. All three of these crafts stores are national chain locations. Besides offering craft supplies, these stores also feature extensive selections of other useful items. Presented here, in an effort to assist the consumer, is a guide that briefly profiles the top craft- supply stores in the Hartford, Connecticut area.

A) A.C. Moore Inc..179 Hale Road, Manchester, Ct..(860)648-0563
A vast selection of top- quality craft- supplies are always in stock at this Hartford, Ct area crafts store. Besides offering great selection, AC Moore also features very competitive prices on most items, supplemented by weekly sales circulars, which are inserted into many Hartford, Ct area newspapers. Many colors and types of yarn and knitting supplies, beads, candles, jewelry supplies and finished pottery items are regularly available here, as are a host of other craft- supplies.

An extensive assortment of scrapbooking supplies, stamp sets, stickers, photo albums, calendars and un-finished wood products are also featured at this craft- supply store. Nice selections of art supplies, kids’ crafts, picture frames, ribbons, silk- like plants and selected wedding items are very reasonably- priced. Other items of interest here are; patio and yard furniture, large applique flags, holiday and seasonal items, fabrics and many sizes and styles of wicker baskets. Staff members at this store are very friendly and will gladly assist customers with any needs they may have.

B) Jo Ann Fabrics and Crafts..Plaza at Buckland Hills, Manchester, Ct..(860)648-1845 3105 Berlin Tnpk, Newington, Ct..(860)667-4085
Crafts enthusiasts in the Hartford, Ct area regularly visit these large, well- stocked craft- supply stores, because of the wide selection of items available, at discount prices. Top- quality craft- supply items are divided into neatly- displayed sections, for easy access.

Each Jo Ann Fabrics and Crafts Store(TM) is a veritable crafters- paradise. Some of the craft- supplies regularly featured at these stores include; all types of craft foam, foam glue, letters and foam paint, beads of all types, many styles and colors of yarns, over thirty colors of felt, fabric dyes and markers, foodcrafting supplies and quilting accessories. Wreaths and spring bushes, wind chimes, potted plants and small trees, candles, ribbon, floral items and extensive selections of papercrafting- supplies are normally in- stock at these Hartford, Ct area craft- supply stores.

Befitting their name, Jo Ann Fabrics and Crafts Stores feature many different types of fabrics. Some of these include; cotton, fleece, flannel and satin, licensed print fabrics, sun dress fabrics, soft ‘n comfy fabrics and special- order decorator fabrics. Additionally, home accents, lamps, baskets and decorative storage containers and totes, jewelry- making and scrapbooking supplies, paper stacks, buttons, cutting implements, flower stems and blooms and patio furniture are well- represented at these stores. Jo Ann Fabrics and Crafts Stores also feature large and impressive selections of art- supplies, particularly paints, brushes, canvases and other painting- related items.

C) Michael’s The Arts and Crafts Store..600 Hartford Road, New Britain, Ct..(860)826-2752 196 Kitts Lane, Newington, Ct..(860)667-0747
At each of the two Hartford, Ct area Michael’s locations, friendly and knowledgable staff members make the shopping experience more enjoyable. Aside from offering a huge selection of top- quality crafts items at reasonable prices, Michael’s Stores also regularly host crafts classrooms, in- store events and instructional displays. Crafts items such as scrapbooking and knitting supplies, beads, fine- art and craft painting products are available here, as are a multitude of other general crafts products. These Hartford, Ct area stores also feature home decor items, kid’s crafts, paper crafts, seasonal and holiday items, plus an extensive array of wedding- related products.

Many Hartford, Ct area wedding- party members shop for all of their wedding- related needs at Michael’s, because of the large selection of quality merchandise that is regularly offered. Wedding bouquets, bridal and cake accessories, invitations, calligraphy, favors, place cards, guest- books and thank- you notes are well- stocked here. These Hartford, Ct area craft- supply stores also feature extensive varieties of floral and picture framing materials.

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garage heater

When your hot water heater stops working it may need to be replaced. In my case the tank sprung a leak. Most hot water heater replacements are just a matter of disconnecting the electric wiring and the water pipes and reconnecting them to a new hot water heater. Many people are not experienced at soldering copper pipes together, it can be difficult to do this. There are some new products on the market these days that allow you to connect the water pipes together without having to solder.

When I changed my water heater I used a product called Shark Bites which I purchased at Home Depot. This product is basically connectors used for connecting the copper piping. These connectors just slide on the ends of the pipes. You cannot pull the joint apart after you make the connection with these. You can purchase a tool that is made for disconnecting the Shark bite joints if needed.

Sounds too simple to be true? I have used a similar product when fixing my ice maker supply line and it has never failed. I used Shark Bites when installing the hot water heater and after turning the water back on there were no leaks. I used T connectors, elbow connectors and a connector that has a threaded nut to connect to the water lines that screws to the hot water heater.

The first thing to do is to disconnect the electric from the hot water heater. Turn the electric off to your home before disconnecting the wiring. You may need an electrician to do this if your not sure how. Even when turning off the electric to your home you should still check the wires to make sure the electric is off. You can check this by using a simple device that has two leads on it to check the wires for electricity.

After disconnecting the electric, you will need to turn off the water to your home and disconnect the water pipes. Some hot water heaters have connections that can be removed with a wrench. Others need to be cut off. The best way to cut a copper pipe is to use a tool made for this called a tube cutter. Using a hacksaw or any kind of saw will distort the end of the pipe. You want the pipe to stay perfectly round for the new connections. Even after cutting the copper pipes, use sand paper to smooth out the ends for a good connection.

You need to map out how your going to route the new piping so you can purchase the correct connectors and maybe some copper pipe if you need to. Get an accurate measurement (the diameter) of the piping your going to connect to, to save yourself some time when you go to purchase the parts you will need.

The hot water heaters have two threaded pipes on the top that you need to connect the water lines to. You can purchase the flexible braided lines to connect to them and then connect the copper piping to these. Just make sure you connect the cold water pipe to the cold water inlet on the hot water heater, and the hot to the hot.

Once you have the pipes connected turn on the water and check for leaks. When you turn the water on the hot water heater is going to fill up with water. The hot water pipes in your home will now have air in them, so you will need to open the facets in your home on the hot water side to let the air escape. You will know when all the air is out when you have water coming out of all your facets on the hot water side. Then you can turn off the facets and let the hot water heater continue to fill up.

With no leaks and all the air out of your lines you need to have the electric connected to the hot water heater. You should never turn on the hot water heater without the tank being filled with water. You will damage the heating elements in the hot water heater if you do this. Read the directions after purchasing your hot water heater.

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iphone

iPhone On by Babo Style

When purchasing an iPhone case, ask yourself which features are the most important. Included in this guide to iPhone cases: the retail price, the durability of the materials, the available colors of the iPhone case, the advantages and disadvantages to each product, and where you can buy each of the iPhone cases.

Note: The prices listed are the MSRP, and it is possible to find sale prices or discounted prices on some of these items. Just remember when buying online you will still need to pay tax and shipping.

Agent 18 Eco Shield for iPhone
Type: Slim, lock-on
Price: $29.95
Durability: More durable than some silicone protectors.
Colors: Black
Advantages: If you want to retain the the shape and size of your iPhone, this case won’t add any extra baggage.
Disadvantages: Consumers have reported that the case does scratch the chrome on the phone.
Where to Buy this iPhone Case:: Apple.com.

iSkin Revo
Type: Skin
Price $39.99
Durability: The silicone material will stand up to most situations.
Colors: There are six colors: Rah (light, powder blue), Zahra (pink), Mojave (bright yellow), Nighthawk (black), Blade (royal blue), and Diablo (deep red).
Advantages: This product has a color for everyone. The iSkin contains an anti-microbial agent (Microban), perfect for anyone worried about germs.
Disadvantages: Pricey
Where to Buy this iPhone Case: At iSkin.com or Mobilecityonline.com.

Marware SportGrip for Apple iPhone
Type: Skin
Price: $14.99
Durability The Marware SportGrip for Apple iPhone is a favorite for its durability, and won the iLounge”Best iPod classic Case of the Year” award in its 2008 iPod + iPhone Buyers’ Guide. It’s made of “slip-free, high-grade silicone skin.” (Marware)
Colors This product comes in four different colors including black, blue, bright pink and “clear.”
Advantages: This is an affordable option.
Disadvantages: It is not compatible with other smart phones on the market.
Where to Buy this iPhone Case: The Marware SportGrip can be purchased directly from the Marware.com site or from Amazon.com, or other retailers online.

Seidio Slim Rubberized Hard Case for Apple iPhone
Type: Hard, slim
Price: $29.95
Durability: Very durable
Colors: Black
Advantages: Users have a hard, durable case plus the advantages of a slim design.
Disadvantages: Limited colors available, a screen protector costs extra
Where to Buy this iPhone Case:: Seidioonline.com

Case-Mate Signature Case-Holster Combo
Type: Holster
Price: $49.99
Durability: This product is made of durable leather and an “impact-resistant” shell
Color: Phantom Black only
Advantages: The Case-Mate Signature Case-Holster Combo is a good package deal if you need a holster. The Italian Pebble leather is a nice touch for a professional man. Another great feature that you sometimes see on Belkin cases as well is the 360-degree belt clip. With a rotating clip, it’s easy to simply turn the iPhone to read it, when sitting or standing, without removing it from the case.
Disadvantages: Not very stylish for a woman
Where to Buy this iPhone Case: Case-Mate.com

Mobi Products Metal Case W/ Clip for Apple iPhone
Type: Metal
Price: $24.95
Durability: The polished polycarbonate metal is very durable.
Colors: Black or silver
Advantages: Durable yet slim
Disadvantages: The clip could be of better quality
Where to Buy this iPhone Case: Mobihand.com

Sena Dockable Case for iPhone
Type: Dockable
Price: $49.95
Durability: This is a sturdy leather case. It also has an easy magnetic closure.
Colors: Tan
Advantages: The case docks easily. It can also be used to store the new Touch iPod.
Disadvantages: Limited colors, and it may be too bulky for some users.
Where to Buy this iPhone Case:: Apple.com
For More About this iPhone Case: Visit Apple.com

Sources

Apple, http://www.apple.com
Case-Mate, http://www.case-Mate.com
ISkin, http://www.iSkin.com
Marware, http://www.marware.com
Mobi, http://www.mobihand.com
Seidio, http://www.seidioonline.com

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workout plans

For a person to improve his or her overall health, exercise is very important. However, for an aerobic workout to be safe and beneficial, you need to monitor your heart rate. This is easy to do, and determining your target heart rate will make your workouts more effective.

Measuring your heart rate is really a very easy thing to do: On either wrist, or about an inch below your ear on your neck, feel for your heartbeat. Count the number of beats in 15 seconds, multiply that number by 4, and you have your heart rate.

Finding your target heart rate range during a workout is a bit more complicated, however. During an aerobic or strength workout, stop at the most physically intense point, and determine your heart rate in the fashion described above. After you have that number, subtract your age from 220. For your minimum heart rate range, multiply the new number by 60 percent. (That’s .6) For your maximum heart rate range, multiply the number by 85 percent.

Now that you understand the formula, you know that at the most physically demanding moments of your workout, your heart rate should fall somewhere in between those two numbers. If you happen to fall below the minimum, your workout isn’t going to be effective. If you rise above the maximum number, you are putting your body at risk for stress on the heart and lungs.

Monitoring your heart rate periodically during a workout is the best way to gauge intensity, improve effectiveness, and maintain your health. If you workout at a gym or with a trainer, they should help you monitor your health, meet your goals, and feel great! If this isn’t what is happening, it may be time for a change in workout procedures.

It is also very important to discuss your diet and exercise plans with your family physician because no one else is going to be able to paint a clear picture of what you need to do, how much you should do, and the best way for you to exercise.

You should also keep in mind that you must stay hydrated during intense, and not so intense workouts. The muscles require water to perform at their peak, and isn’t that what you’re trying to do?

Regardless of your workout plans, determining your target heart rate will teach you what you should do to have an effective exercise plan, as well as how to avoid working out to the point of extreme physical stress.

Sources: Dobkin, Rachel & Sippy, Shana. The College Woman’s Handbook: 203.

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kitchen composter

teeny tiny kitchen by gregory lee

Painting a linoleum floor is a great inexpensive way to update your existing kitchen floor. Painting your linoleum floor is an easy project that almost anyone can do in a weekend. Best of all paint allows you to choose the décor that fits your kitchen. Here is how to paint your linoleum kitchen floor as well as a few tips on decorating ideas.

The first step to painting your kitchen floor is to clean it. You might assume, this step, but just in case I added it. The next step is to sand your linoleum floor lightly. Sanding your linoleum floor will allow the paint to stick properly and ensure a long lasting life. After you have sanded the linoleum floor, you should clean it again. Make sure all dust is removed and the surface is smooth. Any dirt will show through the paint and make your linoleum floor look lumpy.

After the sanding you are ready to paint your linoleum kitchen floor with oil base primer. Using an oil base primer will help your work lasts. You can use a water base primer, but you may not be able to reap the rewards of your labor quite as long. Don’t forget you will be mopping and cleaning your painted linoleum floor on a regular basis and oil repels water.

Now you are ready to paint the base coat of paint on your linoleum kitchen floor. After the base coat dries you can tape it off in different designs to create the look you want in your kitchen.

Diamond patterns, a faux painted rug, imitation tile looks and even circles are all great ideas for your kitchen. Take ideas from decorating magazines. Also take cues from your existing kitchen. Most people painting their linoleum kitchen floor are on a budget, so to save even more money makes sure your painted floor matches your existing cabinets and appliances. You can antique your painted floors by rubbing a mixture of half glaze half stain on the floor with a rag. To paint a fake rug on the floor of your kitchen tape off the area you wish to be the “rug.” Add a border and designs in the middle to make it look as real as possible. It would even be fun to paint a little floor mat in front of your kitchen sink. Best of all these painted rugs allow you to easily clean you linoleum floor while still adding a sense of warmth to your kitchen.

Now that your base coat of paint and any added touches have dried completely you are ready for the final step in painting your kitchen linoleum floors. You will need to paint your floor with at least three layers of clear coat. An oil base clear coat is a must if you want your floor to continue to look good for as long as possible. If you have the time I recommend painting at least three coats of varnish on your floor. Allow each layer of clear coat to fry before you begin painting the next layer.

Once everything has dried, only walk on your painted linoleum floor with socks for about a week. This is a curing period. After that you can enjoy you hard work!

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kauai vacation

With hotel rooms as cheap as $35 a night during the summer, lots of things to see and do, and one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches, Pensacola is a thrifty traveler’s dream. It’s located on the very tip of the Florida Panhandle, almost-but-not-quite in Alabama, and includes the surrounding beach communities of Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze. Attractions Pensacola calls itself the City of Five Flags because they’ve been under five different flags through their history: Spain, France, Britain, the US, and the Confederate States of America. Held in early June, the Fiesta of Five Flags features children’s events, parades, balls, jazz music, celebrations at just about every restaurant (including Seville Square’s minifestival), and special events throughout the city. It’s one of the top festivals in Florida, and one of the oldest and largest. If you don’t show up at the right time of year, there are events throughout the summer at the small parks in downtown Pensacola, often featuring some of the area’s best jazz music. Pensacola celebrates a laid-back version of Mardi Gras as well. And the Blue Angels Homecoming festival is breathtaking. This part of Florida is saturated in history – the French and Spanish settlements, the Civil War, and Geronimo. Visit Pensacola Village in downtown Pensacola to visit the past here at Charles Lavalle House and the Julee Cottage Black History Museum, among other museums packed into just a couple of city blocks. Artifacts dug up in the Village and during many construction projects are on display around town, notably City Hall. Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas are two opposing forts on the west end of Pensacola Beach. Pickens is on Santa Rosa Island with the beach, while Barrancas is on the mainland. During the Civil War, Barrancas was taken by the Union Army, while Pickens was held by the Confederates. They amused themselves for years lobbing cannonballs at one another that never quite hit; Pickens is the only Confederate fort that was never taken by the Union Army. And Pickens also holds the distinction of being Geronimo’s long-time prison. If you go, ask the park ranger about the relationship between the Southern belles and the Indians – what a story! If you love aviation history, you must visit Pensacola. The National Museum of Naval Aviation (free admission) at the US Naval Air Station is two stories and several acres of historic aircraft, from a mockup of the Wright Brothers’ plane to a real, decommissioned US Stealth Fighter. From one balcony point, you can overlook over an acre packed with planes on the ground and suspended from the ceiling. The kids can climb into cockpits, play on flight simulators, and generally just absorb the history here. It’s at least a day-long adventure, with an on-site inexpensive restaurant and a very nice gift shop Pensacola is the home base of the US Navy’s world-renowned Blue Angels precision flying squad. In the spring, you can often spot them flying practice maneuvers over the city, and just before their big tours kick off, they salute their host town with an hour-long display of aerial acrobatics that will knock your socks off, right down on Pensacola Beach. Speaking of the beach! That’s Pensacola’s crown jewel. With perfect white sand and summer movies on the beach, Pensacola Beach is several miles of pure romance and beauty. You’ll find the longest fishing pier on the Gulf Coast here, as well as relatively-calm Gulf of Mexico waters. And you can get a nice room right on the beach for less than $70 a night. For a romantic getaway with your spouse or special friend, you can’t beat this beach – the moon rises perfectly over it on clear nights, creating a perfect atmosphere for lovers. Restaurants and Night Life Pensacola is filled with world-class restaurants – I lived there five months and still had restaurants on my list to visit. For starters, try Landry’s Seafood, for some of the freshest seafood you’ve ever had in your life. Landry’s also manages Crabs, on Pensacola Beach. For fish of a different kind, try Hot Rock Sushi – and don’t miss their hot saki! If you don’t feel like fish, then you have got to go to McGuire’s. The walls and ceiling here are decorated with over $300,000 in dollar-bill tips left over the years by patrons, creating a unique atmosphere. McGuire’s boasts over two dozen kinds of burgers, including the Terrible Garbage Burger (with a little of everything, it’s actually pretty tasty, if sloppy) and the $100 Burger (Angus sirloin, served with a side of caviar and a magnum of wine probably worth more than $100). They have a regular bagpiper who patrols the halls and outside, a superb bar, and they brew their own beer. Toss in some of the best steaks and Irish food in the area and the 19-cent Senate Bean Soup (the best bean soup I ever ate, and for nineteen cents!) as well as the convenient location near the bridge to Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach, and you have a winning evening. For great Mexican food, try the Screaming Coyote, with a to-die-for buffet of hot sauces and salsas – absolutely great! Barnhill’s buffet, the Barracks Street Fish House, La Hacienda, Copeland’s, Italian Pizzeria Pavola Calda, Atlas Oyster House, and even Seville Square all have fantastic food. If you’ve never tried one before, check out the Mongolian Grill deeper in the city; it’s a bit of a drive from the beach, but it’s unique enough to be worth it. Nightlife on Pensacola Beach is always hopping, with its strip of popular bars right on the beach. But for the real nightlife, try Palafox Street in Pensacola, and especially Seville Square. With right-priced drinks, several connected bars with different atmospheres, and a dueling piano bar, you can while away the whole night. Hotels and Condos Where you stay depends on your budget and what you want to get out of your trip to Pensacola. If you want to live the beach life, you must stay at one of the many hotels or condos on Pensacola Beach. I recommend the Travelodge if you don’t have much money; it’s on the beach, has a playground for the kids and a grill for you, and it’s reasonably priced. If you don’t mind spending a little more, you should try The Dunes, a beautiful resort hotel very close to the main beach at Pensacola Beach; it’s a great place to walk through the sand. The Sandpiper is also a very nice place. Contact a real estate agent from Pensacola Beach if you want to rent a condo for a week or a month; there are hundreds available. If you don’t need to stay near the beach, you can save yourself a little money by staying in town – but with prices for beach motels as low as $50 a night during some seasons, why would you want to? Day Trips Pensacola is within an hour’s drive from Mobile, Alabama, and also close to Foley, Alabama, a mecca among outlet malls. If you go to Foley, don’t miss having dinner at the very rustic Lambert’s Café, where the staff circulate among the tables with heaping containers of fried taters, fried ocra, blackeyed peas, and sorghum molasses to put on the rolls another staffer will throw to you from well across the room. New Orleans is a little too far to drive, but Pensacola is a good stopover trip if you’re driving there. It’s about a three-hour drive. Fishing from Pensacola makes a great day trip. There are dozens of small deep-sea fishing guides who will be happy to take you out to the good spots. If you don’t like the open sea, you can always fish from the Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier, which extends nearly half a mile out into the sea. If You Want To Live There Pensacola is one of the nicest places in America to live. You have the Florida climate and the ocean in a town with a Southern atmosphere. The people are friendly and helpful, and the land is plentiful and cheap. Housing costs rate among the lowest in the nation; you can get a nice, fairly new ranch for under a hundred thousand dollars, or you can rent a very nice apartment on the beach for less than $800 a month. Cost of living overall is low. Gas, food, and retail prices are among the lowest in the nation, and it’s surprisingly cheap to eat out as well. The biggest drawback to Pensacola is the school system; Florida schools rank pretty low, and Pensacola schools are no exception. The schools on Gulf Breeze, however, are among the best in Florida. Unique places to try if you want to live in Pensacola include Joe Patti’s Seafood and the Silver Screen. Joe Patti’s has fishing and shrimping boats drive right up to the dock, pull out the fish, clean them inside the building, and they’re on ice ready for you to buy within a half hour. Most of the seafood restaurants in the area purchase their seafood supplies from Joe Patti’s. The Silver Screen is a unique and cheap treat for a family with kids. It’s a second-run movie theater. Tickets are $2 per person, less with a military discount, and seating in the theater is arranged around small tables. The Silver Screen offers dinner-and-a-movie specials, so you can buy a pizza, toss it on your table, and munch your way through the movie. Pensacola – World-Class Tourist Spot Pensacola is a wonderful place to visit and to live. If you have been thinking about Gulf Shores, Alabama, you might want to look into Pensacola first – same beaches, same amenities, lower prices and fewer tourists.

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personalized banners

The Disney folks have come up with a free gift that I (not exactly a fan of things Disney) cannot refuse, my own free Disney park for a year. Not exactly, but pretty close…

Go to this page and fill out the form, and Disney will generate a video, about two minutes long, in which your name (or the name of a friend, child, grandchild, whomever) appears on banners, signs, rides, teeshirts. A restaurant will even offer a dish named in your honor, since it is your park for a year (so they say).

Donald Duck is not too happy about your free Disney gift, raging about the “M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E” march being rewritten in your honor. As the Disney gang walks off, Goofy even says your name. Of course, being Goofy, he has rather limited language skills, so if your name is not very common, he will just refer to “our special friend.”

I requested a video (that you can watch here) for Rudolph Reindeer, with congratulations on his recent promotion. (You can select from a variety of occasions.) Eeven Rudolph gets the “our special friend” treatment from Goofy, so if you send this free Disney gift to the title heroine of James McCourt’s novel, Mawrdew Czgowchwz, don’t expect Goofy to say her name, although she will get her own “M-A-W-R-D-E-W” (etc.) march!

The greeting sent with the link to the video comes with whatever name you put in the first blank of your contact information. So, if you want the message to come from “Grandpop” or “Aunt Ellen,” you’ll have to put that in the “First name” of your contact information. You may want to send all the links to yourself. Yyou can preview the videos and forward them without the recipients’ email addresses being compromised, although Disney does give you the option to uncheck “Please provide me with exciting news and offers about Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts.” You can even get the HTML coding to put the video onto a blog of other website.

As I said, I’m not a Disney fan, but I was so amused (and, frankly, amazed) by these videos that I have sent them to fellow scrooges and grinches, hoping they will ooh and aah as I did. With all the hoaxes and scams on the Internet, not to mention all the email forwards that are outright lies (which I have written about, here and here), these videos make you wonder if seeing is still believing. You may see a video of a Disney celebration of, well, of me, I hope you’ll join me in laughng at it, but if you come across a video of me dancing around in an elf suit, hit the delete button fast!

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Photography For Sale

Cuba Gallery: Retro / VW / Kombie Van / vintage / cool / photography / amazing by @cubagallery on twitter

Anthony Siciliano of Ramsey, NJ, was initially attracted to photography through some playful competition with his friends. Even when he realized his friends had no idea how to use their cameras, he stuck with it and earned recognition in photography and videography.

As a photojournalist and concert photographer his experience is transferring into his newest venture as part of Awesome Farm - a video production and photography business formed with his friends. At least with the friends that know how to use a camera.

Siciliano answered a few questions and gave some advice for fellow photographers looking to break in to photography, specifically concert photography and photojournalism.

What was your first camera?
My first DSLR was a Nikon D80 with the 18-70 mm lens. However, the first point-and-shoot that I bought for myself was a Pentax Optio S-40, which I still have. I really enjoyed taking pictures of flowers, but I was dissatisfied with the performance and results of my point-and-shoot (particularly, the shutter lag). I looked into DSLRs, and ended up purchasing the D80. Thousands of dollars, and much gear later, here I am.

What photographers - well known or unknown - inspire you?
I really have fun with concert photography, live shows where I bring back photos that give you a good sense of what happened during an event. A photographer that does this very well is Todd Owyoung. His website is http://ishootshows.com/. Not only does he get awesome results, but also he shares his wealth of knowledge with everyone, which I respect immensely.

Check out the Strobist blog as well. It features off-camera lighting and lots of DIY equipment at http://strobist.blogspot.com/.

Is there a certain piece of gear you could not live without?
I do not skimp on my gear, and it has definitely paid off. In my opinion, it is better to save up for a longer time and get better equipment, than it is to spend early on something else. Unfortunately, I am addicted to buying new things, which can get very expensive. I could not live without any of this stuff, but if I had to pick one lens, the one that does most of my work is the 18-70mm lens.

Do you have any goals in mind with your photography?
I hope that I will be shooting famous bands very soon. A lot of doing that is getting to know the people who run the events, and the people who manage the bands. So far, the most famous people I have photographed in concert are Kate Voegele, Jack’s Mannequin and the rest have been local bands. Currently, I shoot for local newspapers. The pay is not very good, but it is fun and better than nothing at all. Doing this will help me get exposure.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to shoot concerts?
The gear that is best for concert photography, at least in my opinion, is fast lenses and cameras with high ISO abilities. It is deceptively dark inside most music venues. My 50 mm lens does a lot of work there, with its extremely fast 1.8 aperture. My other lenses that go down to aperture 2.8 are extremely important. Large wide-open apertures are important for catching performers in action, without blur. Someone that wants to shoot concerts should definitely invest in a 50 mm lens, and save up to buy other fast lenses. Many places do not allow flash during performances, and your brand-new flash unit will not do any good when security tackles you. Also, watch out for drunken people and mosh pits at shows, which is a good way to wreck your camera.

How did you get a job with your local newspaper? What skills does that require?
When I was doing physical therapy for my tendinitis, I met a photographer who was shooting some photos for a brochure. We got to talking, and she gave me the contact info of a local photo editor. The skill involved in photojournalism is the same most other photographers use, except more irritating. Not only do you have to capture good pictures, but also you have to do it consistently, and make sure you get people’s first and last names. If you do not get their names, editors will not use your photos. That can be a big disappointment, after all your hard work. You also have to be versatile and ready for anything. Get to events early and scope things out. that is the best advice I can give. Coming in late and not getting a good spot makes things a lot more difficult.

What advice would you give new photographers?
The best way to learn photography is by doing. When I bought my camera, I barely knew how to use the thing. One great thing I think everyone should do is a Project 365. That is where you take one photo per day (at least) and write a little bit about it on your Flickr account or a photo blog. It will help you learn to shoot in all current situations as well as on days or times where you think a camera might not be convenient to have. Then, at the end of the year, you look back and see how much you have improved, as well as your year in a series of photos. Also, do not forget to take a break when you are post-processing your images. I got a bad case of tendinitis from using the computer too much, and it really puts a kink in your photography.

Where can people see your photography?
Check out my photography on my Flickr site at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/scis/ and soon at www.awesomefarm.com.

Photography For Sale
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Stellenbosch accommodation

The island of Penang is Malaysia's most popular tourist destinations. Whether it's expats popping down for the weekend from Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, Canadian tourists, Chinese business men or German families, Penang is loved by everyone. Penang is particularly enjoyed by those who like to stay in boutique hotels, as the island has a number of superb ones but, for lovers of hotels that offer something different, these three boutique hotels are some of Penang's best.

Yeng Keng - Yeng Keng boutique hotel is one of Penang's most famous. Situated in the middle of Georgetown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yeng Keng is a heritage hotel located in a 19th century building that's been restored to its former grandeur. And a stunning restoration it is.

At Yeng Keng boutique hotel, you'll find a number of single, double and family rooms, as well as garden suites. Each guest room features a flat screen TV with 16 channels, coffee and tea making facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, designer toiletries and, of course, an en suite bath. Every room is uniquely designed in a modern style with interesting accents like red-tile floors and red brick walls. Try to get a room overlooking the courtyard if you can - they're gorgeous and the courtyard adds a nice historical touch to your trip.

The hotel has a secluded swimming pool, laundry room, a delightful reading room, a small restaurant and even a conference area for up to eight people.

You'll love the area around Yeng Keng boutique hotel too, as it's packed with traditional shop houses, boutiques, trendy cafes, and fine dining restaurants.

Clove Hall Luxury Boutique Hotel - The grandeur of Clove Hall can barely be described, as it's really luxury at its best. This boutique hotel is one of Malaysia's best and was designed by award winning hotelier, Christopher Ong.

At Clove Hall, there are only six suites, so the hotel is quite, secluded and quite exclusive. Every suite is either a stand alone building, a small bungalow, a mews apartment or located in the main house but each one is unique in design and offers a place where you can relax, unwind and get away from it all. Suites feature en suite bath with rain shower, LCD TV, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.

Clove Hall has a stunning swimming pool, massage services, a yoga instructor, a laundry service and even a dressmaker of high end couture. It's just 10 minutes by tri-shaw from Georgetown's main center and only 20 minutes from several of Penang's beautiful beaches.

The Lone Pine Hotel - This exclusive penang boutique hotel is one of the best, not only because it's the only one located on the coast with stunning ocean views, it also offers superb personalized service and gorgeous accommodation.

The Lone Pine Hotel first opened in 1948 and retains its elegant, old world charm to this day. Wander around the grounds, lie by the lovely swimming pool or gaze out across the ocean and you can imagine others right after the Second World War doing just the same thing.

Once a small hotel with only a few rooms, in recent years The Lone Pine Hotel has expanded to more than 50 luxury guest rooms. Each room has an en suite bath, cable TV, air conditioning, a mini bar and a refrigerator.

The hotel also has an all-day restaurant, The Bungalow, open from 7am to 10:30pm every day, where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, a casual lunch or a romantic dinner. Don't miss the Deck Bar either, for exotic drinks and filling snacks. Also check with the reception desk as The Lone Pine Hotel organizes many luncheons and dinners with special themes that are fun to attend.

More Information:

Yeng Keng Boutique Hotel

Clove Hall

The Lone Pine Hotel

Stellenbosch accommodation
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