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	<title>shape &amp;laquo; WordPress.com Tag Feed</title>
	<link>http://wordpress.com/tag/shape/</link>
	<description>Feed of posts on WordPress.com tagged "shape"</description>
	<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 10:29:25 +0000</pubDate>

	<generator>http://wordpress.com/tags/</generator>
	<language>en</language>

<item>
<title><![CDATA[A body is just a body.]]></title>
<link>http://sedgehammer.wordpress.com/?p=368</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 14:35:13 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>sedgehammer</dc:creator>
<guid>http://sedgehammer.wordpress.com/?p=368</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Health professionals have noticed that women might not get the best treatment possible from their do]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Health professionals have <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/05/14/ep.women.mistakes/index.html">noticed</a> that women might not get the best treatment possible from their doctors due to researching and making their own interpretations, not asking questions, not recognizing gender bias, and not trusting their intuition.  The first two are understandable in the modern world.  With access to an increasing amount of information on the internet, of course we research and make our own interpretations more than might be healthy.  We might bias our own doctors with our assumptions, where medical professionals normally should have the experience that would lead them to better assumptions.  The last three are more difficult to understand.  After the ages when contemporary medicine told us our pain was due to a wandering womb, or the widespread appellation of hysteria during Victorian times, you might think we would've learned our lesson and been a bit more skeptical.</p>
<p>Why then, are we not asking questions?  Why are we not trusting our own judgment when it tells us something might not be right?  On reason might be the idea of medicine as law.  Medicine is one of the few hard sciences that every single person will encounter in their lives.  Despite questions of intelligent design and what should be taught in schools, the culture of this society has a healthy respect for science.  However, one of the key aspects of hard science that is often overlooked is that it is an exploration of the nature of things, a constant questioning, rather than a stable doctrine.  Yes, there are some ideas we're pretty sure about, like the idea that the universe is expanding from what we can observe and the idea that smoking can predispose cells to become cancerous.  But we don't know everything.  We're still learning, especially in the area of personal health, rather than assured that certain symptoms are the result of a certain disease, or that certain lifestyles cause a longer, fuller life.</p>
<p>Another reason might be our own body image, and the idea of the physical form as controllable, at least to a certain extent.  There have always been ideas of clothing and face and body shape as an expression of who we are, both as individuals and as members of a particular class or society.  With a fuller understanding of our bodies as strictly physical, and plastic surgery and other body-modifying techniques, I think we tend to see ourselves as more changeable than we really are.  While our physical form is not the complete identity we possess, it is also more than a space where we are temporarily sheltered.  It holds a deeper connection to who we are, no matter how we control or change it.</p>
<p>Finally, one of my architecture professors dismissed my attempts to spare a few measly trees from the axe in one of my public park designs due to their physical shape.  He described them as not able to reach their true potential (either height or branch span) due to disease or impingement of sidewalks, structure, and power lines.  But a tree in the forest is also impinged upon, and is also subject to disease and lightening strike.  It does not make the form of the tree less appealing, or stop it from producing new leaves or branches, or simply living, as best it can.  We should not forget that about ourselves.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Proposal for Automatic Tree Trunk Generator]]></title>
<link>http://3dideas.wordpress.com/?p=38</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 09:44:42 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>maantas</dc:creator>
<guid>http://3dideas.wordpress.com/?p=38</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Chapter 4: Proposal for Automatic Tree Trunk Generator
 This Chapter outlines a proposal for an auto]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><strong>Chapter 4: Proposal for Automatic Tree Trunk Generator</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"> This Chapter outlines a proposal for an automatic tree trunk generator. The first section focuses on the shape of a tree trunk and outlines six steps involved in the process of trunk generation. What follows describes the biological origins of a hole in a tree trunk as well as a proposal for automatic hole generation and possible tools for this approach as part of a trunk generator. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><strong>4.1 Overview of Trunk Shape</strong></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"> There are many solutions for increasing a 3 dimensional tree’s complexity so that it reflects the natural complexities we see in nature. For example recently there has been a great deal of research done in bark generation in order to achieve photo realistic results in tree simulation. Yet there is a lack of solutions regarding overall trunk shape. Trees in reality tend to have not only complex bark shapes, but also complex trunk structures and in older trees trunks these structures are much more complex, and harder to describe.  Most tree generators create quite simple tree trunk shapes. This can be observed in Figure 26 which is  screenshots generated by the application Vue6.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><a href="http://3dideas.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/untitled2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39" src="http://3dideas.wordpress.com/files/2008/05/untitled2.jpg" alt="Fig 26. Generated using Vue6 personal learning edition. " width="510" height="277" /></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">Fig 26. <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Ariel;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0;">Generated using Vue6 personal learning edition. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">As we can see from Figure 27 a natural tree's trunk shape can be much more complex .</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><a href="http://3dideas.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/untitled3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-40" src="http://3dideas.wordpress.com/files/2008/05/untitled3.jpg" alt="Fig 27.  Pictures taken in Berlin 2007. " width="510" height="223" /></a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">Fig 27.  <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Ariel;"><span style="font-size:x-small;"><span style="font-style:normal;"><span><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0;">Pictures taken in Berlin 2007. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"> In order to achieve a more complex tree trunk surface and shape I propose a new trunk surface simulation strategy. This strategy would increase the speed of this process greatly as well as improve upon current tree generators. The idea follows and expands upon a traditional cylindrical extrusion approach. Tree trunks or branches in 3d tree simulators are usually treated as cylinders. Usually the cylinder begins wider and proceeds to become narrower. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;">
<p style="margin-bottom:0;line-height:150%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"> My approach follows the same idea yet generates a more detailed result. The general concept is to combine many cylinders with different properties and shapes to generate one shape.  In my proposal the cylinders are slightly off set from the center of the trunk, and the  result is created by grouping shapes to create the tree trunk’s outer surface. The defining step is the removal of all inner parts of cylindrical shapes  which intersect. The result of this unifies the surface thereby resulting in one trunk shape. The next sections will describe the overall steps in detail.</span></span></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Staying in Shape (Part 1)]]></title>
<link>http://pudge1914.wordpress.com/?p=7</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 05:03:26 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>pudge1914</dc:creator>
<guid>http://pudge1914.wordpress.com/?p=7</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Trying to lose some weight? Unable to fit into your fav. clothes anymore? Noticed, the bulge under t]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em>Trying to lose some weight? Unable to fit into your fav. clothes anymore? Noticed, the bulge under that tight-fitting tee? Feeling like a bag of water is wobbling on your tummy while you are rushing off to some where? You no longer can wear those funky pair of hipster jeans without looking like a well stuffed muffin?</em>  These are the exact feelings I experience about a year ago.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>How it begun?</em></strong></p>
<p>Two and a half years in Australia, and <strong>I gained 5kg</strong> - <em>5kg worth of wobbly bobbly muffin like fats around my waist</em>- how not to, when you are in Australia. The fact that its Australia, anyone would know that they've got a variety and wide selection of interesting diary products that you can't get off the shelf here without costing you a bomb. Stuff like bleu cheese, fetta, and haloumi cheese are easily affordable. And how could anyone like myself (<em>formerly known as Bee Tang - Rice Tub</em>) resist the sweet sensational smell of freshly baked breads at all the nearby bakeries. Lunch and dinner are always served on a plate big enough to fit an 11" pizza. Can you imagine the amount of rice I'd finish and the dishes that went along with it. <em>Sheesh!</em> Fast foods are "Fast", convenient and, Dirt Cheap, I mean $5 for a large pizza, how can you not go crazy ordering even when you are broke and down  to your last $10?</p>
<p>I have always been a size 'S' or sometimes even 'XS'. I would have continued trying to wear my old clothes if it wasn't for winter, that I had to pile up the extra sized clothes to keep warm since I was wearing 3 layers underneath.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Realising something was wrong.</em></strong></p>
<p>Then spring and summer came, it was time to put on those funky bikinis and skimpy clothes I had bought during winter sale, and guess what happens? I don't think I need to go into details, but it made me depressed. All these were not as bad as having your friends and family say you have put on so much weight that your face took on a new shape - <em>round</em>. <strong>I was round!</strong> Round like the Char Siew Bau, I'd love to eat in the Hong Kong restaurant in Brisbane!!! By then I had finally realised how fat and round I looked, cos all I saw in all my pictures were double chin, layers over layers of flab when I was in my bikini! Boy! Was I demoralise and upset.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Identifying, Accepting and putting action into practice.</em></strong></p>
<p>I have since been on a quest to lose the weight that I have gained. As time went by, it slowly occured to me that, what I needed to get rid off, was not the weight that I have gained, but more so the 5kg of Fats that I have accumulated - all that wobbling on my tummy, the bottom of my arms, and my thighs - was starting to bother me, again. Little did I know that the process of losing all those excess fats would in turn result in a holistic improvement in not only my size, but also in my physical and mental health, fitness, and even my confidence.</p>
<p>First and foremost, let me say this like every other advise any gym instructor, health magazines, or even a dietitian would say it, "There is no short cut or an easy way to losing weight." I have gone through it, and <strong>AM</strong> still going through with it. There is <strong>no</strong> <em>"I'm Successful, Yeah! I'm Done. No need to continue with my diet anymore!".</em> you can throw that idea out the window or into the bin, cos thats not the case at all, unless you intend to fall back into the Yo-Yo diet trap again. Let me put it simply, there is no definite end to a "diet" plan. In actual fact, its an ongoing and long-term process to maintain and manage your weight and diet. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Knowing the difference</em></strong> <em><strong>(what's good and what's not!)</strong></em></p>
<p>Ask yourself why you want to lose weight or those fats around your waist. Be it to look slimmer, to fit into that nice dress and skinny jeans. All comes down to looking and feeling good. Frankly, when you are in shape and fitter it could also mean that there are less health issues. That said, the diet I am talking about is not at all the type where you go for unhealthy plans where you skip this meal and that, or drink only lemon juices, or even as extreme as purging. I am definitely not the kind who would even suggest such methods as I would <strong>never ever</strong> in my right mind compromise on a good meal!!! <strong>I am an extreme foodie!</strong> <em>I live <strong>ONLY</strong> to eat!</em> And I believe many ladies are exactly like myself.</p>
<p>The kind of diet I would obviously go through with, would be one where I would not need to compromise on eating, but this also means that I would have to work hard on being consistent and strict with my work out regime; and also on reading (reading food labels) and articles on health topics; pay more attention to what I eat and what I do. Sounds tiring? More like being conscious and aware of what your body needs and what is good for you.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><em>Benefitting from my very own "Staying in Shape Program".</em></strong></p>
<p>Till today, I am still on it. And honestly, I have indeed benefitted from my own "diet" or "slimming" program - whatever you call it. And am till today an avid Shape magazine reader!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Hands up for Genevieve]]></title>
<link>http://genevievelutetia.wordpress.com/?p=126</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 04:41:49 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Genevieve Lutetia</dc:creator>
<guid>http://genevievelutetia.wordpress.com/?p=126</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Hands up if&#8230;

You made a new shape.
You made a new shape that features Victoria Beckham&#8217;]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hands up if...</p>
<p><a href="http://genevievelutetia.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/handsupforgenevieve.png"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-127" src="http://genevievelutetia.wordpress.com/files/2008/05/handsupforgenevieve.png" alt="" width="497" height="497" /></a></p>
<p>You made a new shape.<br />
You made a new shape that features Victoria Beckham's nose.<br />
You made a new shape that features Victoria Beckham's nose and is so short she needs to fly up some sets of stairs, rather than walk.</p>
<p>Just me then? Ok.</p>
<p>Where to buy? Follow on...</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p>Hair &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/armidi/139/127/26/" target="_blank">Armidi</a><br />
Eyes &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Celestial%20City/98/172/33/" target="_blank">Celestial Studios</a><br />
Skin &#38; Lashes &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Glam%20World%20/100/176/23/" target="_blank">Minnu Model Skins</a><br />
Blouse &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Woolybear/204/199/651/" target="_self">Random Industries</a><br />
Shorts &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/artilleri/91/123/26" target="_blank">Artilleri</a><br />
Stockings &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/greyface/254/161/22/" target="_blank">Cashmere</a><br />
Shoes &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/CG%20Heart/38/50/21/" target="_self">SLink</a><br />
Necklace &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/tableau/153/47/22" target="_blank">Nylon Outfitters</a><br />
Bracelet &#124; <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/koenji/188/124/43" target="_blank">Creamshop</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Stock photo: Woman with water on beach]]></title>
<link>http://picsvet.wordpress.com/?p=167</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 17:25:16 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>picsvet</dc:creator>
<guid>http://picsvet.wordpress.com/?p=167</guid>
<description><![CDATA[www.picsvet.com
WOMAN WITH WATER ON BEACH

© Photographer: Vgstudio | Agency: Dreamstime.com
Descri]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a title="ass, attractive, babe, back, beautiful, beauty, body, butt, care, clean, closeup, curves, desire, elegant, erotic, female, figure, fine, fit, girl, good, health, healthy, hips, inviting, lady, perfect, playful, provocative, seductive, sexy, shape, skin, slim, slimming, tempting, wellness, white, woman, blue, clouds, sky, tan, tanned, young " href="http://www.picsvet.com/">www.picsvet.com</a></p>
<p>WOMAN WITH WATER ON BEACH<br />
<a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/woman-with-water-on-beach-rimage5065834-resi387636"></a><br />
<strong>© Photographer: Vgstudio &#124; Agency: Dreamstime.com</strong><br />
Description:<br />
Woman with bottle of water on beach</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_265/1209840655lB9S8i.jpg" border="0" alt="Woman with water on beach" /></p>
<p>Keywords:<br />
activity, alone, attractive, beach, bikini, bottle, caucasian, drink, drinking, european, female, freshness, girl, health, leisure, lifestyle, ocean, one, only, person, recreation, relax, relaxing, sea, shape, single, summer, sun, sunbathing, swimwear, tanned, water, wellness, woman, young ,</p>
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<title><![CDATA[SF Design and Diversity Hair]]></title>
<link>http://slcheaplifeformen.wordpress.com/?p=24</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 12:51:31 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ravenmondschein</dc:creator>
<guid>http://slcheaplifeformen.wordpress.com/?p=24</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Today i got the hint for a big freebie gift table at MADesigns where i surely went to. So i have som]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today i got the hint for a big freebie gift table at <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kmadd%20Enterprise/176/76/25">MADesigns</a> where i surely went to. So i have something to tell you for the next days :)</p>
<p>Today we have again a "SF Desing" special with this nice outfit. The brown pants, black Shirt and the scarf you can find in the "sf desing" giftbag on the table. And it's worth a look because there is more in it than just that :)</p>
<p>Thanks to swaffette Firefly to give out this freebies :)</p>
<p>The Hair on the Pics is from <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Addictive/102/162/23">Diversity Hair</a> and i got it with a Gift Voucher for people under 30 days of age. Teleport to the link i just gave you and accept the Notecard in the blue popup that comes up. If you miss that one, there is an easel with a sign for free hair, that's the notecard too, so just click it.</p>
<p>If you land in front of a Wall with 4 big signs.. this is a teleporter. Choose the one where the Hovertext says "Newbie voucher". And go on from "accept the notecard" :)</p>
[gallery]
<p><strong><span style="color:#808080;">Outfit:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> Freebie Bag from SF Design, found at MADesigns - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kmadd%20Enterprise/176/76/25"><span style="color:#808080;">Kmadd Enterprise (176, 76, 25)</span></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#808080;">Hair:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> "Trace Hair" - Under 30Days Voucher - Diversity Hair - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> Diversity Hair </span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#808080;">Shoes: </span></strong><span style="color:#808080;">Flexgrip Mens - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0 L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> ~ Kangaroos ~ </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Boulevard%20Mystique/97/117/22" target="_blank"><span style="color:#808080;">Boulevard Mystique (97,117,22)</span></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#808080;">Skin:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> 'Gentleman's Skin' - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0 L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> Gaslights Emporium </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Port%20Babbage/122/207/27" target="_blank"><span style="color:#808080;">Port Babbage (122,207,27)</span></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#808080;">Shape:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> Round Table Knight 4 - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0 L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> Shapes by Vixen found at 'The Free Dove' </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gallii/117/61/33" target="_blank"><span style="color:#808080;">Gallii (117,61,33)</span></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#808080;">Eyes:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> Brown Eyes - House of Zen Freebie Eyes Package - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0 L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> House of Zen - </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Boulevard%20Mystique/97/117/22" target="_blank"><span style="color:#808080;">Hinode Shima (195,98,25)</span></a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Concept for shape]]></title>
<link>http://islandsbrygge.wordpress.com/?p=128</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 11:16:53 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>jakobkumar</dc:creator>
<guid>http://islandsbrygge.wordpress.com/?p=128</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Attracting visually
Unexpected shape
Uses solarcells
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Attracting visually<br />
Unexpected shape<br />
Uses solarcells[gallery]</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Piece Of Cake #9]]></title>
<link>http://maplenewsnetwork.wordpress.com/?p=305</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 11 May 2008 16:06:40 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Orbis</dc:creator>
<guid>http://maplenewsnetwork.wordpress.com/?p=305</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s piece of Cake!
Using Paint (or any other image editing program), divide the next sha]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today's piece of Cake!</p>
<p>Using Paint (or any other image editing program), divide the next shape to create 4 identical shapes</p>
<p><img src="http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6382/58424838hh1.png" alt="" /></p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>-Orbis</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Obsessed with Car-Toons!]]></title>
<link>http://vagpod.wordpress.com/?p=102</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 19:35:04 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>vagpod</dc:creator>
<guid>http://vagpod.wordpress.com/?p=102</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It appears that I&#8217;m heading full speed ahead to be obsessed with Car-Toons, or Chibi-Cars, or ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://r0tti.deviantart.com/art/Gallardo-Collaboration-84227091"><img class="alignleft" style="float:left;" src="http://tn3-1.deviantart.com/fs28/300W/i/2008/120/6/2/Gallardo_Collaboration_by_R0tti.jpg" alt="" width="186" height="124" /></a>It appears that I'm heading full speed ahead to be obsessed with Car-Toons, or Chibi-Cars, or whatever you want to call them really! They are cute and real fun to look at!</p>
<p>For some years (...or decades?) I've been seeing these cute sketches cropping around and they always get my attention. In fact I could spend more time observing a good car-toon than a good normal car rendering! And I always wanted to do a car-toon sketch! Also recently I've watched "Cars", the movie from Pixar and falled in love with it! It all happened really 3-4 weeks ago when I first saw Brian Knowlton's (also known as <a href="http://r0tti.deviantart.com/" target="_blank">R0tti</a> on deviantart.com) fabulous line-art <a href="http://r0tti.deviantart.com/art/06-Gallardo-82321385" target="_blank">sketch of a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder</a>! I was hooked! Brian had put so much character and personality in to the car that it could almost speak back to you! Not to mention that it was so sweet to look at!</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p>I've decided to put some color in it and contacted Brian immediately to ask for permission. The result can be seen on the top left or <a href="http://r0tti.deviantart.com/art/Gallardo-Collaboration-84227091" target="_blank">here</a>! Not only it's my first ever car-toon it was a real joy to work with Brian's fabulous sketch!</p>
<p>So the Vag-Artmachine got it's gears running and I've been in contact with Brian since the Gallardo-toon project and as it turns out, we are having more collaborating car-toonies coming out in the future! Maybe I shouldn't spoil it for you, but there's a gorrrrrrgeous <strong>'65 Mustang Fastback</strong> collaboration in the works right now!</p>
<p>Mind you, it might seem easy to make the tooned version of a car, but I can assure you it is not! There are two main factors that you have to take in consideration: First, your sketch must look like the model you're after! For that you need to observe your subject model from many angles, learn it's shape and follow the it's design cues and details. Once you've got that comes the second factor, which in my opinion is harder than actually making a sketch of the real model: You have to attach character to the model! Think of the car as a living entity! (car nuts can easily do that! trust me I'm saying "good morning", "good evening" and you've done well beating this .... (put a model here)" to my real car every time!). What would the car model say if it had a mouth, brain and soul? What it's expression would be if it had eyes? Once you've got these two factors right you'll have a brilliant sketch to work with! Also watching "Cars" from Pixar, can really get you into the mood for that sort of thinking :)</p>
<p>Brian Knowlton lives in Alaska and has created many excellent illustrations either as a freelancer artist, or on his own spare time! He's also a great guy to talk with and has many good stories to tell! :) It's been a real pleasure to work with him so far! I really hope that we'll make a good car-tooning team! Please visit his <a href="http://r0tti.deviantart.com/gallery/" target="_blank"><strong>deviantart gallery here</strong></a> to see more of his excellent art works!</p>
<p>Thank you Brian for really putting me into this joyful mania!</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Logo Design Trends]]></title>
<link>http://vagpod.wordpress.com/?p=101</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 18:59:00 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>vagpod</dc:creator>
<guid>http://vagpod.wordpress.com/?p=101</guid>
<description><![CDATA[By surfing around I&#8217;ve found this interesting article over at logoorange.com which illustrates]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>By surfing around I've found <a href="http://www.logoorange.com/logo-design.php" target="_blank">this interesting article</a> over at logoorange.com which illustrates and explains the trends for 2007 in logo design.</p>
<p>It is a really interesting read, explaining more towards the visual aspect rather than being a theoretical marketing text.</p>
<p>If you're involved with logo and/or branding designs it's deifinitely really worth to check it out.</p>
<p>Also visit <a href="http://www.logoorange.com" target="_blank">logoorange.com</a> for more interesting design related articles.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Tap Your Wells]]></title>
<link>http://wallbuilder.wordpress.com/?p=127</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 14:43:02 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>wallbuilder</dc:creator>
<guid>http://wallbuilder.wordpress.com/?p=127</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Ira Yates knew ranching.  He didn&#8217;t know diddly about running a grocery store.  So when Thomas]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ira Yates knew ranching.  He didn't know diddly about running a grocery store.  So when Thomas Hickox offered to trade his ranch for the dry-goods store in Rankin, TX, Yates jumped at the chance to get back to what he knew.</p>
<p>He had been warned against the deal.  "That land's not worth the taxes," they told him.  "A crow wouldn't even fly over it," they said.  But it was 16,640 acres of land that Yates could call his own.  Never mind the constant boundary disputes and the "greasy" well water.  She weren't pretty, and she was a bit high-maintenance, but she was his.</p>
<p>For almost a decade, Yates struggled to make ends meet ranching his land, but the expenses were just too fat for his income to reach around.  Droughts and the Great Depression stole every penny of profit he could get his hands on.  He was just about ready to concede defeat.  Looked like all the naysayers had been right.</p>
<p>But then he heard a rumor.  West Texas was sitting on an oil reserve, they said.</p>
<p>Excited by the possibility, Yates tried to talk oil companies into drilling on his land, but no one thought there was any oil west of the Pecos River.  For two years, he continued to ask big oil to come drill, but they were all too busy with established wells to pay him any attention.  Then, in 1926, Yates convinced Transcontinental Oil and Ohio Oil to put up some test rigs on his land.</p>
<p>They had to drill four wells before they found anything, but on October 28th of that same year, Yates became an instant millionaire!  For decades afterward, his ranch was the largest petroleum reserve in the United States, producing at its zenith an incredible 9,009 barrels of oil a day!</p>
<p>How many of us are sitting on untapped potential?  How many of us have unused resources, talents, gifts and abilities?  What are we saving them for?  We give God glory by using everything He gave us, and our greatest potential for drawing others to Christ is in doing what God uniquely designed each of us to do.</p>
<p>If you haven't discovered what that is yet, it's time to start digging some wells.  Maybe the first few things you try won't pan out, but keep digging.  Maybe everyone around you will tell you that you don't really have anything to offer, but don't believe them.  You have abundance!  It's hidden inside, and you've got to search it out.</p>
<p>And if you're stuck "ranching" today even though you know that's not God's ultimate purpose for you, remember to be faithful with small things.  Even this work is part of God's plan.  Remember that Moses tended sheep for forty years, and Paul made tents.  How you respond to these tests shows the quality of your heart.  When you've passed the tests, God will show you your oilfield.</p>
<p>P.S.  Don't let anyone else drink your milkshake. ;0)</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Sand Hills]]></title>
<link>http://pictorama.wordpress.com/?p=18</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 13:20:01 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Chefleur</dc:creator>
<guid>http://pictorama.wordpress.com/?p=18</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://pictorama.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/sand-hills.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-19" src="http://pictorama.wordpress.com/files/2008/05/sand-hills.jpg" alt="Sand Hills" width="400" height="618" /></a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Music Reduced to Beautiful Math]]></title>
<link>http://vinounku.wordpress.com/?p=796</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 07:59:03 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>sugali</dc:creator>
<guid>http://vinounku.wordpress.com/?p=796</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ It’s hard for anyone to say what music looks like, but a new mathematical approach sees classica]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p> It’s hard for anyone to say what music looks like, but a new mathematical approach sees classical music as cone-shaped and jazz as pyramid-like</p>
<p><img src="http://images.livescience.com/images/080507-cone-02.jpg" alt="" width="442" height="428" /></p>
<p>This is an image of the space of three-note chord types. The orange spheres represent the major and minor</p>
<p>You can use these geometrical spaces to provide ways of visualizing musical pieces," Tymoczko told LiveScience. "These spaces give us a much better and comprehensive picture of the space of all possible chords." <!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:TEST/PREVIEW CLIPMARKS.COM --></p>
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<div class="CM_CTB_Source"> <a title="http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/080507-math-music.html" href="http://www.livescience.com">www.livescience.com</a></div>
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<p>The connections between math and music are many, from the unproven Mozart effect (the idea that playing Mozart's music to children might improve their mathematical abilities) to the music of the spheres (the ancient belief that proportions in the movements of the planets could be viewed as a form of music). Now scientists have created a mathematical system for understanding music</p>
<blockquote class="CM_CTB_Content_Item"><p>The team designed a geometrical technique for mapping out <a href="http://www.livescience.com/mysteries/070820_love_music.html">music</a> in coordinate space. For music made of chords containing two notes, all musical possibilities take the shape of a <a href="http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?s=strangenews&#38;c=&#38;l=on&#38;pic=080507-mobius-02.jpg&#38;cap=The+space+of+two-note+chords%2C+as+it+is+embedded+in+the+infinite-dimensional+space+containing+chords+with+any+number+of+notes.+The+two-note+chords+form+a+Mobius+strip.+This+figure+has+been+studied+by+a+number+of+mathematicians%2C+who+did+not+realize+that+it+had+a+straightforward+musical+interpretation.+Credit:+Science&#38;title="><span>Möbius strip</span></a>, which basically looks like a twisted rubber band</p></blockquote>
<blockquote class="CM_CTB_Content_Item"><p>The team found that the shape of possibilities using three-note chords is a <a href="http://www.livescience.com/php/multimedia/imagedisplay/img_display.php?s=strangenews&#38;c=&#38;l=on&#38;pic=080507-cone-02.jpg&#38;cap=This+is+an+image+of+the+space+of+three-note+chord+types.+The+orange+spheres+represent+the+major+and+minor+chords.+Credit:+Science&#38;title=">three-dimensional ice cream cone</a>, where types of chords, such as major chords and minor chords, are unique points on the cone.</p></blockquote>
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<title><![CDATA[SF Designs]]></title>
<link>http://slcheaplifeformen.wordpress.com/?p=22</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 16:23:28 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ravenmondschein</dc:creator>
<guid>http://slcheaplifeformen.wordpress.com/?p=22</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I just got the hint that sf designs gives some nive men shirts away for free. So i jumped there and ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just got the hint that <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Innisfree/134/48/537">sf designs</a> gives some nive men shirts away for free. So i jumped there and grabbed them. And i really like the way they have been made. They come in 4 colors and as you can see on the pic with shadow on the skin, very nice and realistic.</p>
<p>Thanks to swaffette Firefly who gives them away for free in the men's section of SFD.</p>
<p><a href="http://slcheaplifeformen.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/sfd.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-23" src="http://slcheaplifeformen.wordpress.com/files/2008/05/sfd.jpg" alt="" width="338" height="500" /></a></p>
<p><span style="color:#808080;">tucked piped shirts - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0L$</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color:#808080;">sf designs, </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Innisfree/134/48/537"><span style="color:#808080;">Innisfree (134, 48, 537)</span></a></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#808080;">Skin:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> 'Gentleman's Skin' - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0 L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> Gaslights Emporium </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Port%20Babbage/122/207/27" target="_blank"><span style="color:#808080;">Port Babbage (122,207,27)</span></a><br />
<strong><span style="color:#808080;">Shape:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> Round Table Knight 4 - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0 L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> Shapes by Vixen found at 'The Free Dove' </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Gallii/117/61/33" target="_blank"><span style="color:#808080;">Gallii (117,61,33)</span></a><br />
<strong><span style="color:#808080;">Eyes:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> Brown Eyes - House of Zen Freebie Eyes Package - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">0 L$</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"><br />
</span><span style="color:#808080;"> House of Zen - </span><a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Boulevard%20Mystique/97/117/22" target="_blank"><span style="color:#808080;">Hinode Shima (195,98,25)</span></a><br />
<strong><span style="color:#808080;">Hair:</span></strong><span style="color:#808080;"> PE Boyd (Black) - </span><strong><span style="color:#808080;">1L$</span></strong></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Bodies by Oh!]]></title>
<link>http://slcheaplifeformen.wordpress.com/?p=21</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 14:56:47 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>ravenmondschein</dc:creator>
<guid>http://slcheaplifeformen.wordpress.com/?p=21</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Getting online today i had a notice in my inbox talking about a dollarbie section at Bodies by Oh!. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Getting online today i had a notice in my inbox talking about a dollarbie section at <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Givenchi/235/210/25">Bodies by Oh!</a>. So i went there and saw that 99% of the stuff has been for girls. But the 1% for guys i grabbed. It's a male avatar complete with shape, skin, hair, eyes and two outfits.</p>
<p>Thanks to GiveMeABig Oh to give it away so cheap :)</p>
[gallery]
<p><span style="color:#808080;">Trent Avatar in a Box - <strong>1L$</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#808080;">Bodies by Oh! <a href="http://slurl.com/secondlife/Givenchi/235/210/25">Givenchi (235, 210, 25)</a></span></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Mais fácil pular que dar a volta...]]></title>
<link>http://izzyjuice.wordpress.com/?p=28</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2008 01:09:42 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>dudaizique</dc:creator>
<guid>http://izzyjuice.wordpress.com/?p=28</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Que o viral tá na moda ninguém dúvida. O lance agora é que todo mundo quer viralizar qualquer co]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Que o viral tá na moda ninguém dúvida. O lance agora é que todo mundo quer viralizar qualquer coisa.<br />
Qualquer zé mané hoje tem um celular que filma, uma câmera digital na mão... Tudo tem potencial pra viralizar... Exs: As árvores somos nozes, Jeremias, etc...</p>
<p>Agora o marketing viral - pré estabelecido - esse sim é perigoso e gera divergências.<br />
A nike já acertou com o filme do Ronaldinho mandando a bola na trave... Agora, a Cia Athletica acaba de lançar um vídeo viral na internet.</p>
<p>Espero comentários...<br />
<span style='text-align:center; display: block;'><object width='425' height='350'><param name='movie' value='http://www.youtube.com/v/mkhkRBbMddg'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.youtube.com/v/mkhkRBbMddg&rel=0' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' width='425' height='350'></embed></object></span></p>
<p>Comparem agora com um filme clássico da Cia Athletica, que foi inclusive premiado.<br />
<span style='text-align:center; display: block;'><object width='425' height='350'><param name='movie' value='http://www.youtube.com/v/ajk9CyNJxF0'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.youtube.com/v/ajk9CyNJxF0&rel=0' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' width='425' height='350'></embed></object></span></p>
<p>E ai?? Marketing viral ou tradicional<br />
Duda.</p>
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<title><![CDATA[Development Project - OceanQuest]]></title>
<link>http://gamingandlearning.wordpress.com/?p=239</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2008 16:38:38 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Alexandra Matthews</dc:creator>
<guid>http://gamingandlearning.wordpress.com/?p=239</guid>
<description><![CDATA[I have not been posting  on G&amp;L for some time now and this is because I have been working on a r]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have not been posting  on G&#38;L for some time now and this is because I have been working on a research and development project. OceanQuest is a mini piece of game-based learning focused on creating engaging learning from relatively dry learning content. OceanQuest targets bearings in Key Stage 3 Mathematics, Ma3 (shape, space and measures). The game includes three different missions with varied tasks involving target practice, navigating between objects, giving bearings of objects, clearing sea mines and delivering supplies to islands. Below are screenshots of the missions:</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.gamingandlearning.co.uk/dev/images/prototypes/prototype1_5target.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.gamingandlearning.co.uk/dev/images/prototypes/prototype1_5poseidon.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.gamingandlearning.co.uk/dev/images/prototypes/prototype1_5supplies.jpg" alt="" /></p>
<p>I have compiled a 2 page teachers' information pdf which contains more detail on learning objectives and the game itself. If you would like a copy please contact me. The game is password protected so please email me or comment on this post if you would like to play the game. The only requirement for the game is Flash Player 9. I have finished the first stage of development and am looking for constructive feedback or evaluations from people who work in related industries. If you are a teacher/other educator/developer or have experience with elearning and game-based learning, any feedback on the game will be very much appreciated. Educators, feel free to have students (KS3) play the game as feedback from the target audience will be extremely beneficial to the project.</p>
<p>I have had only positive feedback so far with people commenting on how fun and engaging it is and also on the potential they see in using the game with their students.</p>
<p>My email address: <a href="mailto:alex@gamingandlearning.co.uk" target="_blank">alex@gamingandlearning.co.uk</a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Rebuilding Sierra Leone, Educating Children &amp; Enriching Lives Through Kiva]]></title>
<link>http://boutiquemixfashion.wordpress.com/?p=28</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2008 04:08:13 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>boutiquemixfashion</dc:creator>
<guid>http://boutiquemixfashion.wordpress.com/?p=28</guid>
<description><![CDATA[As a proud African Woman, I am honored to write this tribute to Women all over the World. Enjoy the ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2WltC8WevI/AAAAAAAAAs8/hFjw3PJbW8Q/s1600-h/a1.bmp"><img style="float:right;cursor:hand;margin:0 0 10px 10px;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2WltC8WevI/AAAAAAAAAs8/hFjw3PJbW8Q/s200/a1.bmp" border="0" alt="" /></a>As a proud African Woman, I am honored to write this tribute to Women all over the World. Enjoy the poems too, and remember that these poems and this tribute apply to ALL women, not just African women. As you know, 5% of all <a href="http://www.boutiquemix.com/">Boutique Mix</a> sales goes toward charity. Please join MiMi and <a href="http://www.boutiquemix.com/">Boutique Mix</a> in the <a href="http://rebuildingsierraleoneonechildatatime.blogspot.com/2008/05/please-take-2008-pledge-we-are-on-our.html">2008 Pledge Campaign</a> to rebuild Sierra Leone and impoverished Africa, one innocent child at a time. Please click <a href="http://rebuildingsierraleoneonechildatatime.blogspot.com/2008/05/please-take-2008-pledge-we-are-on-our.html">here</a> to learn more about the <a href="http://rebuildingsierraleoneonechildatatime.blogspot.com/2008/05/please-take-2008-pledge-we-are-on-our.html">2008 Pledge Campaign</a>. I am also happy to announce that MiMi and <a href="http://www.boutiquemix.com/">Boutique Mix</a> are proud sponsors of entrepreneurs via the <a href="http://www.kiva.org/lender/BoutiqueMix">Kiva loan Program</a>. <a href="http://www.kiva.org/lender/BoutiqueMix">Click here</a> to learn how you can register to sponsor entrepreneurs via Kiva.</div>
<p><strong>Who is the African Woman?</strong> The African woman is the salt of Africa. As we move forward together in economic reform and development, we must recognize that African Women will play vital roles in rebuilding and reshaping whats left of the ashes. From entrepreneurial endeavors to leadership roles in government, African Women are at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error">frontline</span> of post-conflict revitalization.</p>
<p><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2WmNS8WewI/AAAAAAAAAtE/MjVrZFQVcUs/s1600-h/a2.jpg"><img style="float:left;cursor:hand;margin:0 10px 10px 0;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2WmNS8WewI/AAAAAAAAAtE/MjVrZFQVcUs/s200/a2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
During the 2003 International Women's Day Celebration in New York, <span class="blsp-spelling-error">Kofi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error">Anan</span> noted that the important role of women in the family - "study after study has shown that there is no effective strategy in which women do not play a central role. When women are fully involved, the benefits can be seen immediately; families are healthier and better fed; their income, savings and reinvestment go up. And what is true of families is also true of communities and, in the long run, of whole countries...."</p>
<div>Nothing heals the wounds of wars. Nothing but HOPE (and I'm sure a lot of other things you can think of). It is imperative that we equip these women with skills to rebuild our lives. <span class="blsp-spelling-error">Kiva</span> is one of many organizations that aims to improve the lives of women around the world.</div>
<div><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2Woai8WeyI/AAAAAAAAAtU/Th_U55E8TZM/s1600-h/a4.jpg"><img style="float:right;cursor:hand;margin:0 0 10px 10px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2Woai8WeyI/AAAAAAAAAtU/Th_U55E8TZM/s200/a4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I'm not speaking of the sophisticated sassy African diva who has traveled the continent, written three books, speaks four languages and lives in a beautiful home on the French <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Rivera</span>. (I applaud her tenacity and hard work and hope to be her when I grow up...). I'm speaking of the rural African woman who works on the farm or sits at the market from dusk till dawn struggling to feed her family. Despite the brutalities of a difficult post-war <span class="blsp-spelling-error">socio</span>-economic and political world she's up at the cackle of the rooster to work for her family. With one remaining limb (the other was hacked off during the war) and no one-figure jobs (let alone six-figures), she goes on and succeeds!!! What keeps the African Woman going is HOPE. Hope that tomorrow will be better than today. Hope that her children will be happy, healthy and fed.</div>
<div><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2Wm7y8WexI/AAAAAAAAAtM/-RyS6GJfrd8/s1600-h/a3.jpg"><img style="float:left;cursor:hand;margin:0 10px 10px 0;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2Wm7y8WexI/AAAAAAAAAtM/-RyS6GJfrd8/s200/a3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>No food. No clothing. No homes. This is not the African Dream. Wars keep the women from planting and harvesting. Wars destroy homes, hospitals, banks and schools. It's a vicious cycle of replanting, rebuilding, reshaping, reconstructing.......... and then more wars.......... then more rebuilding and all the others "re's." As we travel around the world, we learn more about others and so much more about ourselves. We learn especially that we are one in the world, no different from each other. Just diverse in our backgrounds and unequal in economic and social hierarchies. We all have the same dreams of a better life for us, for our children, for our families. For those of us African Children who live in the west, some of us have lost touch with the realities that afflict us.</div>
<p>We are not different because we live in the West. We try to, but are not independent of the women and children that live on the Continent. We are just extensions of where we came from. Subsets of our own roots.</p>
<p><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2WpFS8WezI/AAAAAAAAAtc/A2V4aV53WgA/s1600-h/a5.jpg"><img style="display:block;cursor:hand;text-align:center;margin:0 auto 10px;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_3L7penww_eY/R2WpFS8WezI/AAAAAAAAAtc/A2V4aV53WgA/s200/a5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />
Reducing Poverty is not limited to the ONE Campaign or Oprah. It is up to all of us!!! Please join me for the 2008 Pledge campaign. Let me tell you a little about the African Woman.</p>
<p>Who is the African Woman? by MiMi</p>
<p>The African Woman is a survivor<br />
She is an educator and a scholar<br />
A diplomat and ambassador<br />
A protective mother<br />
A loyal daughter<br />
A fierce and courageous leader</p>
<p>The African Woman is a heroine<br />
She is a loving wife and partner<br />
An ambitious visionary<br />
A successful entrepreneur<br />
A warm and caring friend<br />
A champion for freedom and equality</p>
<p>The African Woman is a role model<br />
She is a nurturer and a healer<br />
A rebel against mass genocide and oppression<br />
A human rights activist<br />
A passionate child advocate<br />
A lobbyist for reconciliation and reconstruction</p>
<p>The African Woman is remarkable<br />
She is a force to be reckoned with<br />
An honest and diligent politician<br />
A calm in the midst of the storm<br />
A peace seeker<br />
A catalyst for change and progress</p>
<p>The Traits of an African Woman by MiMi</p>
<div>If strength is beauty she'd be drop dead gorgeous<br />
If faith is wealth she'd be filthy rich<br />
If perseverance is water she'd be an ocean<br />
If patience is rain she'd be a storm<br />
If humility is a flood she'd be a tsunami<br />
If love is an animal she'd be a zoo<br />
If dedication is food she'd never be hungry<br />
If courage is a book she'd be a library<br />
If determination is a country she'd be a continent<br />
If resilience is a tree she'd be a forest<br />
If loyalty is a disease she'd be an epidemic<br />
If passion is a flower she'd be a rose garden</div>
<p>I am excited to announce that MiMi and <a href="http://www.boutiquemix.com/">Boutique Mix</a> are proud sponsors of entrepreneurs via the <a href="http://www.kiva.org/lender/BoutiqueMix">Kiva loan Program</a>. <a href="http://www.kiva.org/lender/BoutiqueMix">Click here</a> to learn how you can register to sponsor entrepreneurs via Kiva. African women play an important role in rebuilding nations destroyed by war. For this to happen they need our prayers and financial support. Visit <a href="http://www.opportunity.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=193&#38;srcid=-2">Micro loan Opportunities</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcredit">Micro Credit Programs</a> to learn more about similar opportunities.</p>
<div>We hope to encourage African women to know their strengths, to believe in themselves and to be financially secure as they struggle to rebuild a broken society.</div>
<div><strong><br />
The Beauty of An African Woman</strong></div>
<div><strong></strong></div>
<div>The beauty of an African woman</div>
<div>is not in the span of her hips</div>
<div>nor in the size of her waist</div>
<div>It is not in the width of her lips</div>
<div>nor the length of her legs</div>
<div>It is not in the breadth of her nose</div>
<div>nor in the cuteness of her toes</div>
<div>It is not in the texture of her hair</div>
<div>nor in the length of her neck</div>
<div>It is not in the color of her eyes</div>
<div>nor in the number on the scale</div>
<div>The beauty of an African woman</div>
<div>lies in her strength</div>
<div>In the way she carries herself</div>
<div>In her love for family</div>
<div>In her struggle for equality</div>
<div>In her quest for justice</div>
<div>In the way she loves her man</div>
<div>In the way she cradles her child</div>
<div>In the way she prays to her Lord</div>
<div>The African Woman is a beacon of strength</div>
<div>If strength was beauty, the African Woman would be drop dead gorgeous.</div>
<div>by Mimi (dedicated to my mother for raising three wonderful children and giving the gift of a good education to all her students).</div>
<p><a href="http://www.print.duncans.tv/images/african-women.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture 1</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />
</span><a href="http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/EUR/1155-15372~African-Life-I-Posters.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture 2</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />
</span><a href="http://www.thefineartcompany.co.uk/canvases/african-women-art.jpg"><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture 4</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />
</span><a href="http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--12179623/SP--A/IGID--1543911/Femme_Africaine_III.htm?sOrig=CAT&#38;sOrigID=7627&#38;ui=A0F82E9404AF4DC19783D120354AAC52"><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture 3</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />
</span><a href="http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10284134/SP--A/IGID--897818/Three_Yoruban_Women.htm?sOrig=CAT&#38;sOrigID=7627&#38;ui=A0F82E9404AF4DC19783D120354AAC52"><span style="font-size:85%;">Picture 5</span></a></p>
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<title><![CDATA[Dreamstime.com]]></title>
<link>http://picsvet.wordpress.com/?p=143</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 May 2008 18:25:51 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>picsvet</dc:creator>
<guid>http://picsvet.wordpress.com/?p=143</guid>
<description><![CDATA[http://www.picsvet.com/






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<p><strong>©&#124; : Dreamstime.com</strong></p>
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<title><![CDATA[miminikolova]]></title>
<link>http://picsvet.wordpress.com/?p=142</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 May 2008 13:58:44 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>picsvet</dc:creator>
<guid>http://picsvet.wordpress.com/?p=142</guid>
<description><![CDATA[
miminikolova
J..
Модел фотоапарат : Nikon D200
 
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a title="aging, anti, anti-aging, appearance, aroma, aromatherapy, attractive, balance, bath, beautician, beautiful, beauty, bliss, body, calm, candle, care, clean, cleanse, clear, clinic, cosmetics, dayspa, energy, eye-shadow, face, female, fire, fit, fresh, gentle, girl, harmony, healing, health, healthcare, healthy, lady, lifestyle, lovely, make-up, makeup, mascara, medical, natural, pampered, parlor, people, pure, purity, red, rejuvenation, relax, relaxing, remedial, restore, retreat, salon, skin, skincare, spa, therapy, towel, treatment, vitality, warmth, wellbeing, wellness, white, woman" href="http://picsvet.com"><img src="http://www.picsvet.com/pics/2964.jpg" alt="aging, alluring, anti, anti-aging, aqua, attractive, balance, bare, barefoot, beach, beautiful, beauty, bliss, blue, body, bodycare, care, cellulite, chiropody, clean, dayspa, depilation, energy, epilation, excellent, feet, female, figure, fine, fit, footcare, fresh, freshness, girl, good, harmony, health, healthcare, healthy, hygiene, lady, laying, legs, life, living, long, massage, naked, nude, orange, pure, purity, recreation, rejuvenation, relax, relaxation, relaxed, relaxing, resting, restore, sand, sexy, shape, skin, skincare, slim, soft, spa, tanned, tanning, therapy, towel, treatment, vitality, water, wellbeing, wellness, white, woman, young" width="456" height="558" /></a></p>
<p class="pprofile"><a href="http://picsvet.wordpress.com/wp-admin/index.php?page=galleryprofile&#38;authid=175">miminikolova</a></p>
<p class="paragraf"><span style="color:#ff6600;">J..</span></p>
<p class="pp"><strong>Модел фотоапарат :</strong> <span class="paragraf">Nikon D200</span></p>
<p> </p>
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<title><![CDATA[Easy Ways to Lose Weight]]></title>
<link>http://bodyinshape.wordpress.com/?p=9</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 May 2008 07:12:32 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>Vinod</dc:creator>
<guid>http://bodyinshape.wordpress.com/?p=9</guid>
<description><![CDATA[What You Eat : 
Don&#8217;t get me wrong: Losing weight is not easy. You will never hear me say that]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>What You Eat : </strong></p>
<p>Don't get me wrong: <strong>Losing weight is <em>not easy</em></strong>. You will never hear me say that it is. It takes dedication, motivation and hard work.</p>
<p>But there <em>are</em> some fairly simple changes that will greatly improve your chances of weight loss success. If you're serious about changing your lifestyle, these steps will get you there.</p>
<p>The key is to dedicate yourself to these changes and do them consistently.</p>
<p>No, losing weight isn't a walk in the park. But by following these steps ... you may find it's a little easier than you think!</p>
<p><strong>CHANGE ONE: WHAT YOU EAT</strong><br />
First up, let's take a look at some simple ways to make significant improvements in our diets.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>ELIMINATE RED MEAT</strong><br />
If foods like burgers are basic to your current diet, cutting out red meat can go a long way in helping you make healthier meal choices.By building your meals around <strong>fish and poultry</strong>, you can more easily keep temptation at bay by eliminating many poor fast food and restaurant choices, which are over-sized and high in fat.</p>
<p>To keep your shellfish, fish, chicken, and turkey diet-friendly, be sure to choose the right <strong>preparation method</strong> (see #2). Be wary of creamy, high-cal condiments that come with entrees, like tartar sauce or special sauce on grilled chicken sandwiches.</li>
<li><strong>CUT OUT FRIED FOODS</strong><br />
Keep your healthier choices truly healthy by <strong>grilling, baking, roasting, broiling or boiling</strong> them.</p>
<ul>
<li>Keep things interesting by adding <strong>fat-free condiments</strong> to your usual fare. A tangy barbecue sauce will give boiled chicken a kick. Lemon-herb dressing will complement broiled fish deliciously. People love saying <em>salsa</em> and, if you ask me, it makes just about anything taste even better.</li>
<li>Make sure your spice rack is always stocked with plenty of <strong>herbs and spices</strong> so you can doctor up your favorite dishes to your own taste without adding any additional fat or calories. Plant an herb garden and you'll never run out!</li>
<li>If you often eat fast food, forget that combos even exist; they seem like a better deal, but they're just not worth the extra calories! Stick to a <strong>grilled chicken sandwich and a side salad</strong> when you're on the run.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>START WITH SOUP OR SALAD.</strong><br />
Having a <strong>salad or cup of soup</strong> for starters can be an at-home habit that pays off in pounds-lost. They can curb your hunger, prevent over-eating, and help you stay in control of portions.</p>
<ul>
<li>Choose a <strong>broth or tomato-based soup</strong> like minestrone (rather than a cream- or milk-based choice). Vegetable soup made with broth, stock, or tomato soup is ideal, because the veggies will help fill you up and give you a fiber and nutrition boost.</li>
<li>Top your salad with <strong>low-cal dressing or balsamic vinegar</strong>. An added plus of having a salad before every meal is getting more fiber, something we all need plenty of. Be sure to include lots of <strong>veggies and dark mixed greens like spinach</strong> in your salads.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>FINISH WITH FRUIT.</strong><br />
Instead of reaching for the cookie jar or helping yourself to dessert after meals, make a point to finish off with <strong>naturally-sweet fruit</strong> instead of sinfully-sweet treats.Not only will you save fat and calories, you will also have the added benefit of extra <strong>vitamins, minerals and fiber</strong>. Few of us eat as much fruit as recommended.</p>
<p>In time, you will become accustomed to <strong>foregoing sweets</strong> and you'll look forward to your healthier treat just as much.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>What You Drink</strong></p>
<p>Sometimes it's easy to focus so much on what we eat that we forget to include <strong>what we drink</strong> in our diet analysis. That can be a big problem, because the number of liquid calories you can consume without even realizing is quite astounding.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>PUT THE KIBOSH ON COLA CONSUMPTION.</strong><br />
If you drink regular soda, you may be surprised at just how many additional calories you're taking in.For example, for every 20 ounces of Coca-Cola you drink, <strong>you're consuming 250 calories</strong>. Drink several glasses a day and you can easily down 1,000 liquid calories.</p>
<p>If you're attempting to consume around 1,500 to 1,600 calories a day in order to lose weight, you've almost blown your <strong>entire calorie budget on soda</strong>!</p>
<p>When you think about how many calories you eat on average and then add in those empty calories, you'll realize <strong>what a waste drinking these sugary drinks</strong> is -- literally -- they go straight to your waist!</p>
<p>If you drink a lot of soda, think of how many calories you'll be saving if you <strong>trade it in for diet soda or water</strong>.</p>
<div>zSB(3,3)</p>
</div>
<p>Hundreds? Even thousands? Remember, <strong>every 3,500 calories saved equals one pound lost</strong>!</li>
<li><strong>DRINK UP THAT H<sub>2</sub>0!</strong><br />
I know it sounds like a broken record, but it really is important to <strong>drink enough water</strong> every day. Reach for the rule-of-thumb goal of eight glasses per day.Plus, drinking water more often will help you with tip #1 . You won't have time to drink soda! You may even find you <strong>crave water</strong> <em>instead</em> of soda once you begin drinking it more often.</p>
<p>Try going a day or two with no soda and then sit down to a glass; you'll probably be shocked at how overly-sweet it tastes.</li>
<li><strong>DIET DRINK DILEMMA</strong><br />
<strong>Switching to diet sodas</strong> may sound like a sure-fire way to lose weight since they're virtually calorie-free. However, there is a controversial issue about <strong>artificial sweeteners' indirect effect on weight loss</strong> that might surprise you.In the mid-1980's -- when the safety of artificial sweeteners was often headline news -- a study was published in a medical journal that suggested <strong>artificial sweeteners cause one's appetite to increase.</strong></p>
<p>More recently, some health experts have suggested that artificial sweeteners actually cause <strong>cravings for sweet foods to increase</strong>. If so, this reaction definitely sets you up for making poor food choices. This can lead to a big problem, particularly if you tend to binge when you eat high-carb and sugar-rich foods.</li>
<li><strong>STICK TO MINERAL WATER</strong><br />
This may go without saying, but <strong>they don't call it a beer belly for nothing</strong>. Alcoholic beverages are high-calorie and can lead to out-of-control eating. Try to cut down -- or better still, eliminate -- alcohol.</li>
</ol>
<p><strong>What You Do</strong></p>
<p>Next up are some behavior modifications that will help you get -- and stay -- focused on losing weight and taking care of yourself.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>KEEP A FOOD DIARY.</strong><br />
There is <strong>no better tool for weight management</strong>. Keeping a food journal consistently will show you your trouble areas, the foods that get you started on a binge, the worst times of day, etc.I'd suggest you keep a detailed food diary for <strong>at least two weeks</strong> to accurately reflect your habits.</li>
<li><strong>LEARN ABOUT NUTRITION.</strong><br />
Learn all you can about nutrition online, through books, or by taking a nutrition class at your local community college.</li>
<li><strong>GET A HANDLE ON EMOTIONAL EATING.</strong><br />
If you feel you have issues with <strong>emotional eating</strong>, you may want to track your feelings in your food diary, too.You should record <strong>how you feel before, during, and after eating</strong>.</p>
<p>Periodically check over your entries to see what cues set you off to binge most often.If you discover frequent binges or you can't seem to cope with stress or sadness without eating, <strong>you're an emotional eater</strong>. Don't hesitate to make an appointment with a qualified therapist or clinical social worker. Cognitive behavior therapy is extremely effective in treating over-eating due to emotions.</li>
<li><strong>GET MOVING!</strong><br />
We're not talking chugging your way through a one hour aerobics class right away, here. Simply get outside and <strong>take a brisk walk for 10 minute</strong> every other day. That's all you have to do right now.Remember, <strong><em>any</em> activity is better than no activity</strong>. When you feel more comfortable, add 10 minute increments and/or walk more often.</li>
</ol>
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<title><![CDATA[Maths on line- interactive sites]]></title>
<link>http://pearlz.wordpress.com/?p=457</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 May 2008 05:49:16 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>pearlz</dc:creator>
<guid>http://pearlz.wordpress.com/?p=457</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Today I went looking for fun interactive activities for children to learn about maths on line.   I]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Today I went looking for fun interactive activities for children to learn about maths on line.   I thought it would be helpful to save my findings here for any other parents who are looking for the same kinds of materials and to remind myself and my kids what sites are fun for them to visit.  If you have any other sites to add to this post please post them in comments and I will take a look at them.</p>
<p>The BBC UK has an interesting site with an activity and a quiz for- shapes, measurement, and number.  Some of the topics include decimals, problem solving,  subtraction, the number system, fractions, division, multiplication,  addition.  The money problems work in pounds and pence so maybe are not so useful if you are not from the UK (but great if you are soon to visit there).  Initially some of the activities take a while to load (maybe that's just our computer?) but they are quite sound activities when they are all systems go.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/activities/shapes.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/activities/shapes.shtml</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/number.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/maths/number.shtml</a></p>
<p>Superkids <a href="http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math/">http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math/</a>  helps you to generate your own worksheets and is full of inspiring quotes and brainfood!</p>
<p>Funbrain  <a href="http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html">http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html</a> has levels for the interactive activities, easy, hard, medium and superbrain, some of the topics in Funbrain are fractions, measure it- and there are some activities that are applied maths like working out how to tip a penguin, as well as problems of working out area and perimeter.  For those who like their music as well as maths there is a piano player game ( <a href="http://www.funbrain.com/notes/index.html">http://www.funbrain.com/notes/index.html</a>)  You can also search games for an age level match.  Unlike the BBC site it doesn't explain things to you but its good reinforcement practice when you have learnt something and want loads of practice at it.</p>
<p>An Australian site with plenty of interactive games, but the added bonus of a maths dictionary is Jenny Eather's Rainforest Maths <a href="http://www.rainforestmaths.com/">http://www.rainforestmaths.com/</a></p>
<p>Well that's all to log for my searches today- I think the kids and I will check these sites out for a while and see how we go.  I am going to ask them to rate the sites in different areas, usefulness, fun, time to download, enjoyment etc. </p>
<p>Like any online learning it's also great for it to be backed up by learning by other modes, chatting with parents, hands on maths, and reading and puzzles. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html"></a></p>
<p> </p>
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<title><![CDATA[Congratulations to the Winner of the Boutique Mix Grand Opening Sweepstakes]]></title>
<link>http://boutiquemixfashion.wordpress.com/?p=27</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2008 04:28:13 +0000</pubDate>
<dc:creator>boutiquemixfashion</dc:creator>
<guid>http://boutiquemixfashion.wordpress.com/?p=27</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Congratulations to Mar, winner of the Boutique Mix Grand Opening Sweepstakes. I hope you enjoy your ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div align="justify">Congratulations to <strong>Mar</strong>, winner of the Boutique Mix Grand Opening Sweepstakes. I hope you enjoy your <a href="http://boutiquemix.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&#38;cPath=1&#38;products_id=60">stunning hand-painted bangle</a>.  Please send your mailing address to <a href="mailto:boutique-mix@hotmail.com">boutique-mix@hotmail.com</a>.    Stay tuned for the next contest coming up SOON!!!!</p>
<p>Prize - <a href="http://boutiquemix.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&#38;cPath=1&#38;products_id=60">1 hand-painted bangle (ARV $20)</a></p>
<p>Boutique Mix Mother's Day Sale</p>
<p><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_sg2KGpSSJIs/SBNTVoJboRI/AAAAAAAAAVg/kyaUwj09XEQ/s1600-h/mothersDaySale_m.jpg"><img style="float:left;cursor:hand;margin:0 10px 10px 0;" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_sg2KGpSSJIs/SBNTVoJboRI/AAAAAAAAAVg/kyaUwj09XEQ/s320/mothersDaySale_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>Shop for you!</p>
<p>Shop for Mom!</p>
<p>Shop for anyone on your list!</p>
<p>10% off all items in the Store <strong>plus</strong> Free Ground Shipping!!</p>
<p>Sale ends May 14, 2008!!!</p>
<p><strong>Shop the Boutique Mix Mother's Day Sale <a href="http://boutiquemix.com/catalog/">Right Here</a>.</strong></div>
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