If you are getting a new HDTV or 3D TV for Christmas, you might need something to set that TV on for viewing or you might want to mount the thing to the wall. If you do, Sanus has a few new products that might catch your eye. The company has some new basic home theater furnishings including the BFAV344 and the BFAV550 TV stands. Both of those stands have three shelves for holding your game consoles and all the DVD players and set-top boxes that geeks tend to have in their home theaters. The 344 is a high-gloss black unit with a curved shape on the front that is designed to fit in a corner or on a flat wall. The 550 is a waterfall design which means the thing has no sides to it and comes in a chestnut or chocolate finish. The stands will support up to 56-inch sets with a weight capacity on the top shelf of 125 pounds. The new stands can be combined with a new no-drill wall mount as well that attached directly to the back of the TV stands and can tilt for the best viewing angle. It will support TVs from 30 to 56-inches that weight up to 125 pounds. The 344 stand sells for $269.99, the 550 is $229.99, and the FMK056 no-drill wall mount is $199.99. If you are getting a new HDTV or 3D TV for Christmas, you might need something to set that TV on for viewing or you might want to mount the thing to the wall. If you do, Sanus has a few new products that might catch your eye. The company has some new basic home theater furnishings including the BFAV344 and the BFAV550 TV stands. Both of those stands have three shelves for holding your game consoles and all the DVD players and set-top boxes that geeks tend to have in their home theaters. The 344 is a high-gloss black unit with a curved shape on the front that is designed to fit in a corner or on a flat wall. The 550 is a waterfall design which means the thing has no sides to it and comes in a chestnut or chocolate finish. The stands will support up to 56-inch sets with a weight capacity on the top shelf of 125 pounds. The new stands can be combined with a new no-drill wall mount as well that attached directly to the back of the TV stands and can tilt for the best viewing angle. It will support TVs from 30 to 56-inches that weight up to 125 pounds. The 344 stand sells for $269.99, the 550 is $229.99, and the FMK056 no-drill wall mount is $199.99.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Wall Mount TV Stand
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Looking for Black Friday Deals?
You've come to the right place. And you were smart to get here early because we're starting early. Come back Monday, November 22, 2010, for a week of amazing Black Friday deals. We'll be adding new deals all day, every day, so you can visit anytime and find terrific prices. What can you do to get ready?
Flat Screen Mount
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Ceiling Mounts
Ceiling Mounts
So you have purchased your new television and what subsequent? In case you have not been fascinated with where will you place your new TV, I'm providing you great solution. Not solely will you save lots of house, but you'll have a contemporary and modern home. I am introducing you television ceiling mount.
I am certain you have heard about ceiling mounts before however you kinda neglected them merely since you thought they are not secure enough. However I've got good news for you. Immediately, tv ceiling mounts are more secure than ever, and on top of that they're durable as well! Modern ceiling mounts are fabricated from particular supplies which might be significantly better than people who had been used for the same goal before.
Depending on the model of your tv, there are additionally totally different ceiling mounts. Whether or not you own plasma TV, flat screen and even LCD, mounts won't ever be downside again. You'll save loads of area and make your hose modern.
Mainly, you need to use television mounts wherever you want. Eating room, lounge, bed room, your youngsters room... Literally everywhere. Wherever you feel you need tv or some kind of entertainment, feel free to put in your ceiling mount.
Ceiling mounts normally come with set up manual in addition to with all essential tools. That leave you with two choices. You'll be able to set up it by yourself, or you'll be able to hire professionals. I highly recommendation you to hire professionals if you haven't completed that earlier than for a number of reason. First of all, they are not expensive! They will not charge you too much because that can be completed quite fast if they don't run into problems. Apart from that, they can do it briefly period of time with none injury achieved to your house.
But in the event you choose to do it your self, I highly recommend that you observe producer's handbook step-by-step to make sure good and satisfying results.
And I've almost forgot. There are several types of tv ceiling mounts. Basically, a few of them are fastened and you can't transfer them. But a few of them will be rotated. That is great if you happen to installed your mount in the midst of the room and someday you might be sitting on the one side and the opposite day on the other side. You may easily regulate ceiling mounts and TV to your needs.
Ceiling tv mounts could be purchased both on-line or in stores. I counsel on-line purchasing as a result of you will have more choices and doable discounts, despite the fact that reductions may be offered in local stores as well.
Good luck with buying your new tv ceiling mounts!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tip For TV Wall Mounts
LCD TV wall mounts can be a great assist for house management. With the introduction of LCD and plasma flat display TVs, you do not need to waste a desk or some other furnishings to hold the TV set. It may be mounted on a wall or ceiling. This not only saves area, but additionally supplies a smooth and trendy look to the complete room.
Flat display screen and LCD TVs are extensively available and may simply be mounted. The brand new, LED televisions are even thinner and ought to be even easier to mount. These TVs have made the cumbersome tube televisions obsolete; in the identical method as colour TVs put the black and white TVs out of business. Do not forget that? A majority of wall-mountable TVs don't come geared up with wall mounts. You may need to purchase these items separately. It is not an enormous task, since they are low-cost and are widely available. When you cannot find a good high quality wall mount in your nearby shop, log on to the Web. There are some websites that supply good quality wall mounts at reasonably priced prices.
Things To Think about Before Utilizing Wall Mounts
The mounting of LCD TVs on the wall or ceiling isn't a sophisticated process. In case you are comfy with widespread family electrical or plumbing bother-taking pictures, likelihood is, you may pull this off. If you're not snug with this kind of job, don't hesitate to rent a skilled technician. Confidence is an enormous issue here. For those who do something the fallacious method, it's possible you'll end up damaging the TV set. You don't want that, of course.
There are types of LCD TV wall mounts; one that can be connected to the wall and the other that may be hooked up to the ceiling. These hooked up to the wall are perfect for a lot of the rooms. If the room could be very massive, then ceiling mounts may be preferred. If the TV is mounted on the wall, in a spacious room, it'd look like at a distance from the viewer. In such circumstances, a ceiling mount can be very best, where the set is hung from the ceiling.
Most of the trendy TV wall mounts can be swiveled and moved for optimum viewing angle and for consolation of the viewer. It's higher to mount them on interior walls than exterior walls. You need to know the fabric of the wall. Picket studs are the most ideal for installing wall mounts. You may instantly drill the screws into the wooden stud. If it is a concrete stud, you have to to purchase particular clamps.
Metallic studs are usually not very best for fixing wall mounts. It is better to utilize another exterior mechanic clamping machine to affix the LCD TV wall mounts if the wall accommodates metallic studs.
Tip For TV Wall Mounts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Ergonomic Desks - Serving to You Stay Ache Free While at Work Greater than half desk-bound office staff have the unsuitable desk.
Well not utterly unsuitable, but lower than perfect. This then contributes to back aches, neck aches, simply to mention a few amongst other frustrations.
Earlier than you go out and spend some of your laborious-earned cash on the newest "ergonomic desk," remember this: just because a product or piece of kit is labelled as "ergonomic," it actually doesn't mean it's actually ergonomic.
Ergonomics is concerning the design of kit for use as naturally as possible by the way we use our human body. Ergonomic furnishings designers prioritize how our bodies are supposed to move, thus design equipment to accommodate that. Nevertheless, our bodies are all different. We've got completely different heights, torso lengths, neck lengths, knee lengths etc. And people are the very issues that make all of the difference.
Ideally, in case you are to buy an ergonomic desk, remember the extra customized options it has, the better. That's as a result of you can alter your desk features to suit your unique body.
There are a few specs an ergonomic desk should have to ensure that it to be a "real" ergonomic desk for you. In fact, if it is a family desk and each member does not spend more than hours on it each time, your body will be capable of modify and face up to its much less-than-excellent conditions. However, in the event you work at your desk for more than hours, it must be personalized to fit solely you.
Options of an Ergonomic Desk
1. Appropriate peak to your working posture - or at least be top adjustable. (Clarification below.)
2. Enough area in your computer to be place center in relation to your body.
3. Sufficient area for a keyboard, or mouse and mouse pad to be as shut as doable to the place of your arms if you find yourself in working position.
4. Adequate house for the opposite belongings you need, akin to phone, a lamp, doc holder, pencils etc.
5. Litter free for peace of thoughts when working. This helps in case you have enough storage of drawers etc.
6. Beneath your desk, there should be satisfactory house for a footstool, and ample space for your legs to move around.
7. Glare free i.e. no mirrored surfaces or excessive gloss glass desk tops.
A Summary description of Ergonomic Desk Features
Learn how to determine the "right top" to your desk? You establish its peak by your working posture. Sit in your chair and place your fingers in your keyboard. The angle of your arms needs to be at a proper angle and never less. In case your arms are consistently at lower than ninety levels when working on your desk, this places dangerous strains on your shoulders, neck and back, thereby contributing to some pains at work.
Not having sufficient house to heart yourself and to work freely with out knocking things over is part of Desk ergonomics. In a cluttered atmosphere and a cramped house causes further rigidity in your body resulting in musculoskeletal disorders.
Having mirrored and shiny surfaces on your desk appears to be like pretty, but its propensity to replicate more light around, it provides pressure to your eyes with all that glare.
Hasbooloh BinAbdulWahab Al-Fathoni loves getting people connected to the right computer desks. Be sure to click through for great tips and resources about computer desk with hutch and white desk and office supplies.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Apple iPod touch 32 GB (4th Generation) NEWEST MODEL
Product Description
Capacity: 32 GB
See friends while you talk to them with FaceTime. Shoot, edit, and share stunning HD video. Play games against friends, or unknown foes, with the new Game Center. And do it all on the Retina display--the highest-resolution screen on any mobile device. It makes graphics and text look even more amazing. The new iPod touch. It's state-of-the-art fun.
Technical Details
Capacity: 32 GB
* 32 GB capacity for about 8,000 songs, 40,000 photos, or 40 hours of video
* Up to 40 hours of audio playback or 7 hours of video playback on a single charge
* 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display with 960-by-640-pixel resolution (326 pixels per inch)
* Support for AAC, Protected AAC (iTunes Store), MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV audio formats; H.264, MPEG-4, and Motion JPEG video codecs in M4V, MP4, MOV, and AVI formats
* One-year limited warranty
The right way to Choose Your LCD Flooring Stand
For more information on LCD and its products, go to www.flatscreen-tv-wallmounts.com/ for the latest design in floor and wall stand.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Popularity of Halloween Costumes!
A homemade Halloween costume should be picked from many choices. We look at the popularity pull for musicians for great Halloween costume ideas for teens.
Cool Boston-Based Steven Tyler Halloween Costume - A white hat with a black wrap, eyeliner, one (clip-on or pierced) dangle earring for the left ear, shoulder length wavy brown hair with a couple of bang-cut strands, a black rat-rope for a necklace, bracelets of silver, gold and colorful beads with a dash of swagger attitude. You can view this at IOnlinePhilippines.com.
If you wish to give this costume a little boost then carry around a black stick (or paint a stick black), put a microphone (could be a toy) onto the black stick and tie a long sheer scarf onto the microphone to drag everywhere with you. Pull the microphone by using the scarf to guide the microphone into your hands and sing into it. The outfit that goes with this would be tight ankle length pants, a long scarf around the head and a flashy shirt. You can also wear a long lightweight coat with many pockets to put all your treats into. A fun rockin' costume for Aerosmith fans.
Most of the items needed for the Steven Tyler costume can be found within a home.
2nd
Jonas Brothers Halloween Costume - This homemade Halloween costume trio should be completed with three characters, Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas. Nick wears a small checkered shirt under a tan blazer. Joe sports two massive caterpillar eyebrows with a light colored t-shirt, a neck chain under a gray blazer. Kevin is spotted in a black blazer over a black button-down shirt.
Use a dark brown eyeliner pencil to create large eyebrows if dressing like Joe Jonas.
All three have nice hairstyles. Nick and Kevin's hairstyle takes a little mouse, some water and a hair dryer. Joe, on the other hand, just has his hair down and casual. For Joe's hairstyle simply wet your hair then blow dry as you use a thick pick. Stand next to each other and wow the girls. Zimbo.com offers a photo of the Jonas Brothers to view.
Most of the items needed for the Jonas Brothers costume usually can be found within a home.
Here is another homemade Halloween costume choice for teens. Order a double?
3rd
Characters Carly Shay and Sam Puckett of iCarly! Carly gets a long dark brown or soft black wig, t-shirt with a different colored trim around the color and arms, three necklace chains of various lengths with an oval shaped charm or item on the longest chain, jeans and a pair of Converse sneakers, Sam gets a long dirty to medium blond hair with waves or curls, a t-shirt, a pair of Converse sneakers, jeans and an attitude. Hint: They both wear eyeliner.
With Carly Shay and Sam Puckett costume combo you have to play the part well. Watch iCarly to observe, it's an easy one to figure out. Just be bubbly, intelligent, cute with moments of bossy habit.
Most of the items needed for Carly Shay and Sam Puckett Halloween costumes can be found within a home.
4th
Zac Efron, from High School Musical, is handsome and adorable. With the Zac Efron costume one has to go straight to the hair. Wet your hair and place a small amount of styling mousse upon your hair then comb to the side as if a huge breeze just blew it there. Blow dry on low until your hair is 98% dry. Spray a light dash of hairspray on it to keep it in place for the entire day.
The Zac Efron outfit consists of a gray blazer, a white button down shirt and one of the thinnest longest ties you can find. Be perky, be positive, be in constant song as you can sing the words "trick or treat" just to test those Zac vocals.
Most of the items needed for the Zac Efron costume can be found within a home.
Finally
Michael Jackson, King of Pop, may have passed away but his spirit can live on, especially during Halloween. You can wear a black pair of pants that are one inch above the ankles, white socks, black shoes, white t-shirt with a "v" neck, black blazer (do not forget to roll up the sleeves), top hat, white glove and a lot of tippy toe action.
You can also apply fire engine red lipstick with white powder on the face to seal the deal on this Michael Jackson Halloween costume.
These great teen Halloween costumes can be created without going out of the house. Not only do these homemade Halloween costumes add a festive creative moment, they can save on gas, money and time. If you can not find some of these items in your home, ask a relative, a friend or a neighbor if they can help you complete the Halloween costume of choice.
Again, for those going out late, bring a flashlight.
Kids Halloween Activities
Popularity of Halloween Costumes!
For Halloween customs you can pick up a number of creative ideas. You can choose a Halloween dress according to mood of celebration and your choice. There is several creative ideas Halloween costume for men. Most of them are available on internet. Going for super hero Halloween dress is a popular option in this regard. Charm of super heroes is ever green. A little darker Halloween costume can make a distinctive and distinguished style icon of Halloween party. Men Halloween costume ideas can get wilder if you find creative flavor for it.
Understanding the mood of celebration
Halloween costumes masks are very popular among men women and kids. You can find these masks in a variety of options. Super hero series is also very popular in this direction. There are several online and offline stores which can help you in this regard. Traditional Halloween costumes and masks have still their charm. Before you choose a Halloween mask or dress, you need to understand the mood of the celebration. If it a friendly get together after so many years, funny Halloween costume are the preferable options. They will depict the lighter side of your personality in a redefined manner. These costumes are prepared keeping famous cartoon characters and comedians in mind. Vampire costumes for men are ideal choice if the theme of the party is all about excitement.
Choosing the right one keeping your company in mind
You should choose the Halloween costumes according to the persons accompanying you to the party. If you are appearing their in couple, cool Halloween costumes are the perfect options in this direction. It will make a clear statement regarding the quality of life you both are sharing. The same is even true if you are accompanying with your kids. You all can be dressed in Halloween dresses. If you are accompanying your children to a kid's Halloween party, then funny Halloween costume is a preferable option. Classic Halloween costumes are the preferable options if you are going for a theme based Halloween party.
Where to get ideal Halloween costume according to your choice?
You can find these costumes from both online and on-site stores. With the popularity of these stores several costume and apparel stores are now specializing in selling these costumes. If you are looking for ideal Halloween costume for men, internet can help a lot in this regard. There are several online vendors dealing with budget friendly and creative Halloween costumes. Before buying you can have a look on the images of several costumes in these websites. Best part of choosing these websites is the saving of time and money. As there are scores of pet Halloween costume vendors are available on internet, you can easily find a vendor who offers you at a competitive rate. To purchase from these websites, you do not need to go their stores. Rather, the shopping can be done from the comfort of home. Internet can also find pirate Halloween costumes from online stores. These stores deal in cheap costumes for men, women and kids. If you are buying these costumes for a single day, then buying a pirated one is a preferable one. It saves a lot of money.
Halloween Day at UK Coming Soon
Popularity of Halloween Costumes!
Whether you are going to a costume party or just want a sexy look this Halloween, there are many different racy costumes for adults. While some may opt to for the latest fads and dress as celebrities deemed "hot" this season, some may prefer something a little more classic. As a matter of fact, these sexy Halloween costumes are time beloved favorites and will be sure to get you noticed at this years Halloween festivities. So, here are the top 3 sexy Halloween costumes for adults this Halloween season.
She Devil
There are many things about the she devil costume that makes this classic number one of the top picks when it comes to sexy Halloween costumes for her. To achieve this look, you don't need to wear barely there skirts and tops. Keeping it sexy, yet tasteful should be the goal. Rather than baring it all, consider wearing a snugger fit red ensemble and don't forget the tail and pitchfork. This is one of the best sexy Halloween costumes for adults because it can be personalized with your own unique and devilish style.
The French Maid
As clique as it may seem, this sexy Halloween costume remains one of the favorites. Go to almost any festivity or party this time of the year and you can take note of just how popular this outfit really is. This too can be personalized and is fairly inexpensive to purchase at multiple retailers or to create on your own. A shorter length black skirt, button up top, and an apron is all that is required. However, to really spice it up, consider wearing heels, red lipstick and fishnet hose. What I like about this sexy Halloween costume is that you can play it up as much or as little as you like, even those of us that are more conservative can pull this look off.
Bride of Dracula
With the increasing popularity of vampires and other creatures of the night in the past couple of years, this is one sexy Halloween costume for an adult that is sure to leave quite an impression. A flowing gown, overdone hair and makeup and a pair of fangs is all that is needed. This costume is both sexy and economical. As with the other costumes, you can choose how sexy or conservative your look is. Whether you prefer plunging necklines and fitted bodices or covering up a little more, this Halloween costume can still be made to look sexy.
Halloween Day at US
Popularity of Halloween Costumes!
It's never too early to begin planning your Halloween costume, especially if you are looking ahead to 2010's Halloween! By planning now, you can avoid the ultimate societal faux pas of showing up at a Halloween party dressed exactly like a fellow party person.
Of course, if there are more than two of you showing up in Harry Potter costumes (let's assume we are living in 1997 for a minute...), then the social misgivings are lifted and it becomes humorous. The humor factor is exponentially increased as the amount of Potters in the room increases. There is a cap on this caveat, however, at five Harry Potters. Any more than that and it becomes simply ridiculous and you should all be ashamed of yourselves!
Harry Potter would have been a fine costume idea in the late-nineties, and an absolutely perplexing costume in the early-nineties, but time has moved on and so should you! Fortunately, I am here to not only provide my wisdom, but also enhance your Halloween costume party experience (I am nothing if not generous!).
Here are the top five Halloween costumes:
5. 42nd Vice President of these United States, Walter Mondale. The Mondale costume is one that had been popular with all the young, hip kids during the mid-nineties. This Halloween season, though, retro is back in and you will be a beacon of fashion costumed as this fine man.
To assemble your costume, dress in a conservative suit. Tie your, um, tie properly in a timeless squared-knot. Accentuate with a pair of glass, but keep them simple or risk being labeled unauthentic by all those history buffs out there.
Advantage: A Halloween costume like this shows you mean business... with your Halloween costumes! Also, your impeccable history knowledge will make you the belle of the ball.
Disadvantage: Should you go to a Halloween party with the actual Walter Mondale, things could get rather awkward. It would be thoroughly confusing for all the guests. Perhaps you should continue reading the list...
4. Ghost. This novel approach most likely has never been done before, but, since ghosts are clearly pale, use a white sheet and cut two holes out for your eyes (we can't have you stumbling blindly through the Halloween party!). By following this original Halloween costume technique, you will actually look like a ghost and scare the dickens out of the other guests.
Advantage: Your costume is guaranteed to be the most realistic and authentic at any Halloween party. Plus, it is tremendous fun to say "boo."
Disadvantage: Terrifying all the other guests may leave you alone in a large room with a tub of apples bobbing in water and "The Monster Mash" playing on a nearby stereo. Additionally, if anyone thinks the year is still 1984 and comes dressed as a "Ghostbuster," you could run into some issues if they shoot you with their proton pack.
3. Ghostbuster. If either of the top two Halloween costume options on this list do not appeal to you (and how could they not... they're the top two options!), give some thought towards going as one of Director Ivan Reitman's Ghostbusters. Simply don a dark beige jumpsuit, apply some clever patches, and build a fully-functioning proton pack (just be careful not to cross the streams with any fellow Ghostbusters...).
Advantage: If any ghost shows up at the Halloween party, you can bust them.
Disadvantage: Your odds of being "slimed" are significantly increased by choosing this option. Consider yourself warned.
2. The Hamburglar. A Halloween costume like this satisfies two of the typical Americans great interests: fast food hamburgers and crime.
Americans love crime stories. If there is any doubt to this, check out the viewer stats for Nancy Grace.
Americans love fast food hamburgers, especially McDonald's. If there is any doubt to this, consider the fact that McDonald's was never in any jeopardy due to the recent economic "corrections" (this column is supposed to be light-hearted, so the phrase "complete and devastating collapses, which resulted in tons of pain, suffering, and lost jobs" was not used...).
Combine the two great interests and attend the premiere Halloween parties costumed as everyone's favorite, on the lam, and ever-stylish (with the red tie, et al.), hamburger addict!
Advantage: You can spend all night eating burgers and saying "robble, robble."
Disadvantage: If any cops from the 1940's come around, they will surely recognize the black and white horizontal stripes as typical prison fashion from their time (in spite of the tie, hat, and mask... options which were simply not available at your typical federal penitentiary) and may throw you back in the slammer. While in the pen, you will be faced with a wide array of the most horrible dangers and assaults. Of course, the risk is definitely worth it for the ability to spend your Halloween walking around saying "robble, robble."
1. Santa. This doesn't even need explanation.
Advantage: Wearing the coolest Halloween costume should be enough advantage, but the popularity you will gain from dressing like the jolliest man on Earth will aid in your career (expect a huge promotion), love life (your significant other will be super turned on), and stop hair loss (one can assume...). You just might even be able to broker world peace, provided your costume is authentic enough!
Disadvantage: None.
Halloween Costumes 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Lady Gaga Halloween Costume
Who says Halloween has to be scary? Halloween is an excellent excuse to dress up as your favorite (or not-so-favorite!) celebrity. Whether you're dressing up as a famous figure because you're a big fan or if you're making fun of the celebrity, Associated Content has plenty of celebrity Halloween costumes to give you great ideas. Here's a look at the 10 of the best celebrity costume ideas on Associated Content.
#1: Celebrity Halloween Costumes: Honoring Those that Died in 2009- by AC Contributor Aida Ekberg
2009 has been a major year for celebrity deaths. Michael Jackson and Billy Mays are just some of the ideas Aida outlines in her excellent article.
#2 Amy Winehouse Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Ms. Nicole A.
Because of her wild characteristics, Amy Winehouse makes a very recognizable celebrity Halloween costume. Nicole's article details everyone you need for your Amy Winehouse costume, from clothing to Amy Winehouse's fingernails.
#3 Octomom Costume- by AC Contributor Angel Vee
In 2009, Nadya Suleman, aka "Octomom" was all over the news with the birth of her 8 babies. Everyone knows who Octomom is (unless someone was living under a rock), making this celebrity Halloween costume choice an excellent idea. Angel goes into great detail on how to pull off your Octomom costume.
#4 Lady Gaga Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Angel Vee
Another great celebrity Halloween costume idea from Angel Vee! In 2009, Lady Gaga was all over the celebrity gossip magazines and websites, from her crazy outfits to the hermaphrodite rumors. Angel gives plenty of ideas to make a Lady Gaga costume work.
#5 Miley Cyrus Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Darrin Atkins
Sometimes, you're not up for creating a costume on your own, and that's okay! Miley Cyrus is a wildly popular teen TV and pop star, making her trendy costume choice for tweens. In this article, Darrin Atkins reviews different places to buy a Miley Cyrus Halloween costume.
#6 Kanye West Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Kevin Smith
How timely is this? Currently at the center of controversy for upstaging Taylor Swift at the VMA's, dressing up as Kayne West will surely get laughs at your Halloween party . In his article, Kevin outlines Kanye West makeup tips, clothing, and props you'll need for this costume.
#7 Heidi Klum Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor William Browning
Supermodel and star of Project Runway, Heidi Klum is a world famous celebrity and makes a unique Halloween costume idea. William tells you how to do it, down to the last detail, and even includes tips on how to get people to know you're Heidi Klum.
#8 Kim Kardashian Halloween Costume - by AC Contributor Nikki
Show off your booty with a Kim Kardashian Halloween costume! Or if you don't have a booty, get some padded panties! In her article, Nikki describes how to great a Kim Kardashian Halloween costume.
#9 Top 5 Celebrity Costumes for 2009 - by AC Contributor Sarah Toce
Sarah has five excellent and details for celebrity Halloween costume ideas in her article. Michael Jackson, Kate Gosselin, Angelina Jolie, Beyonce, Octomom - all very relevant in 2009.
#10 The Hills Halloween Costume Ideas by AC Contributor Avis Yarbrough
Whether you're a fan of The Hills or you can't stand this show, there's no denying its popularity! This article is a complete guide to making celebrity Halloween costumes from The Hills. Avis describes in detail costumes for the Hills' most popular characters - Heidi, Spencer, Lauren, and Audrina.
http://www.buyhalloween.info/lady gaga halloween costume
Modular Shelves
The décor theme is extremely important for any space. It does not only represent the people who use the space but also contributes to the functionality factor of the space. One of the modern themes for the home décor is the icy mix. This article is aimed to provide information on decorating with the icy mix.
Base for an Icy Décor
The icy décor is mainly inspired by deeply meditative, calm and somewhat pensive moods. Depiction of these moods in the form of décor is impossible to achieve without using the exact color palette for the icy décor. The icy color palette is governed by the shades of violet, grey, and blue. White can be a secondary choice. The complementary colors for this type of décor are lilac, orange-brown, and black.
Unlike many popular decors, the icy décor is about celebrating the contemporary furnishings, fabrics, and accessories while keeping a sharp, crisp, and clean look. The vintage items and antiques do not fit well in an icy décor. In fact, many interior decorators agree that the icy décor is going to mark this era in the coming times.
The purpose of the Icy Décor
One can have icy décor in a space for the following reasons.
-To beat the heat
The icy décor is great for the places experiencing hotter climates. This décor has the quality to mitigate the feelings and effects of the hot weather on an individual almost immediately. This is because the sunlight (or the artificial light) plays on the icy palette just as it does on the snow or the ice.
-To appreciate holistic living
The icy décor does not focus on individual pieces; rather it is about pulling the functionality factor from the overall décor. Therefore, the people who think too many little pieces to contribute to a décor is a lot of fuss can conveniently pull off an icy décor.
-To improve spaces lacking originality
Many popular décor trends encourage showcasing collectibles and vintages. Due to this, many people buy a large number of decorative pieces compulsively rather than buying them due to pure liking or a relation. This creates an artificial space lacking originality. The icy décor is a simple yet effective way to discourage the practice and to encourage people going for things they like and the things they can relate to, no matter how simple these things might be.
-To showcase austere spaces
Some people like and need austere spaces. The icy décor is a great way to highlight austere spaces with confidence, ease, and simplicity.
Elements of an Icy Décor
There are certain types of fabrics, furnishings, lighting, and accessories, which make and complement the icy décor.
Furniture
The furniture of the icy décor should be stark having clean lines. It means that the antique or vintage furniture does not go with the icy décor. The Scandinavian or Danish furnishings are a great choice for this type of décor. Other than these, aim for metallic or faux-wood, angular, and/or modular light weight furniture. In fact, the modern day or futuristic furniture with clean lines is great for the icy décor. A visit to IKEA can be fruitful without stretching the pocket.
Fabrics for furnishings, beddings, and windows
For the chairs and sofas, leather and/or the faux-leather are the best options. For the beddings, invest in translucent, synthetic fabrics. Keep in mind that the fabrics for the icy décor look the best when they are plain or have geometrical prints. (Keep the floral prints at bay if you do not want to spoil the whole look). The icy décor looks better if the windows are adorned with window shades or blinds instead of the conventional fabric drapes.
Accessories and lighting
For an icy décor, the accessories should be very basic and minimal to keep the look crisp and clean. Also, prefer the functional items for accessorize a room rather than only decoration pieces. For example, use cute glass trays to store candies, instead of crystal bowls that sit empty.
If the icy décor has lighter base colors then not much artificial lighting is required. In most of the places, sunlight during the daytime and lamps in the night would be sufficient for keeping everything visible. However, for places in deep blues and violets, invest in overhead spherical lights to keep everything visible without any strain on the eyes.
Some tips with examples on creating Icy Decor compositions
Tip: Do not go for a full renovation if your décor lacks or does not has anything 'icy'. Sometimes a hint of some colors from the icy palette is all you need to change the mood of a space.
Example: A place has red/orange floor hard or expensive to change. Paint the walls and the ceiling in the palest of the icy blue. Introduce stark white furnishings/ fabrics/ accessories.
Tip: Adding the right type of flowers and plants is a great way to highlight the icy décor.
Example: Irises and hyacinths come in shades of blue and white. The good news is that they can be grown in pots and they thrive indoors. Choose the pots in colors and shapes that go with the icy décor.
Tip: Theicy décor is the easiest to attain in the bathroom and the kitchen. Take them as a starting point to practice this type of décor.
Example: Grey or silver metallic hues are great to complement an icy décor and they are already present in most of the kitchens and bathrooms. The kitchens have silver/grey/metallic appliances and/or fixtures. Start by getting the walls and the ceiling painted in any hue from the icy color palette. Complement the base by adding rectangular shelves displaying the metallic cooking utensils, bake trays, baking moulds, knives and cutlery (if they are in blue/grey/silver tones). Finish by adding a big bowl/vase in deep blue/violet to be the focus of the whole look.
The bathrooms that have grey/silver/white fixtures/tiles/sanitary can provide a great base for the icy decor. Complement by painting the mirror trim in deep blue. Finish by adding functional and decorative accents in marble. (For example, invest in a marble statue that doubles as a towel holder.)
Tip: Make the icy décor warmer in mood in the winters by adding purples and magentas with a red base.
Example: A person lives in cooler climates but likes icy décor. Invest in fabrics and/or furnishings that are in shades of magentas, oranges, or reds. The space will instantly get warmer.
Source(s):
The information on 'Icy color palette' is taken from a book called, "Color Harmony for Interior Design' by Martha Gill. The same book serves as an inspiration for some tips.
Personal knowledge (developed from reading different interior décor books over time).
Modular Shelves
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
New Audi R8
What is it about the Audi brand name? Something about it just conjures up images of sleek professionals in executive cars, car chases, private detectives, and a whole world of myth. However, what many forget is that Audi, despite the myth surrounding it's actual brand names, makes what can be considered some of the finest and best priced luxury cars in the world. From the entry level (but very impressive) A4, to the R8 super car, the company produces a full range of vehicles that can be suited for any purpose. However, perhaps one of the companies more interesting offerings is the A3, and the 2007 models way well be one of the best and most entertaining vehicles currently on the market.
Even from the outside, it is easy to see that the A3 is not the typical Audi vehicle. The widened grill speaks much more to the companies more upscale A6 and A8 sedans, while the larger wheels and aggressive front end seem to add a new dimension to the car. However, by far the most distinguishing thing about the car is the sport back design. Yes, this Audi is a hatch. Of course, this may not appeal to everyone, and generally most either love or hate the design. On the plus side, the sport back gives a lot more room and offers something different from the traditional siding. However, on the other hand, that new and different approach may not appeal to everyone. Even with the sport back design though, the back end of the car is still stylish, and even though it may be different, the A3 still has that same refinement and professional exterior appearance which just screams Audi in every possible regard. Even though it may not appeal to everyone, it is hard to argue that the A3 is not a solid looking vehicle, and the exterior is definitely a plus, even if for the simple fact that it offers something different.
Moving on to the interior, Audi seems to have really raised the bar with the A3. Far from the cluttered center console designs of the past, the interior seems to be very smooth and definitely very refined overall. The gauges and most of the controls still seem to be largely the same as found in the A4, with the change of knobs used instead of buttons with regards to fan settings and temperature. The leather-wrapped steering wheel definitely adds a nice touch, and the overall interior is a very nice package. It is difficult to really appreciate the sport back design until one has experienced the massive amount of extra room that it adds inside the vehicle. As with any Audi, the driver is positioned well for driving comfort and the passengers have any number of options with regards to how to adjust their seats. Overall the interior is very comfortable, and the back seats offer more room than in the standard A4. The A3 is a great choice for those who like the style and comfort of an Audi, but at the same time may need a little more room or trunk space.
Although one would not expect a vehicle that looks like the A3 to drive all that stylishly, appearances can definitely be deceiving. The all wheel drive system works as well on this Audi as with any other, and drivers should have no fear about throwing the car sharp corners or snowy roads, both are handled with precision and perfect balance. The engine of the vehicle is turbo-charged, and puts out around 200 horse power. Although this may seem like a decent number, remember that the A3 is a decently heavy vehicle, and although it can definitely move when it wants to, the A3 is by no means a rocket ship, although it is unlikely that it was purchased for that purpose anyway. However, even though it may not be the fastest thing on the streets, the A3 is still a decently performing car, and one that offers incredible handling, a smooth ride, and little to no engine noise. Add this to the great fuel economy of the A3, and it is not hard to see what has made the A3 so popular.
True, it may look a bit different, any it may not drive like the typical Audi, but the A3 is built differently as well. For it's purpose, and for the excellent interior room and comfort, the A3 is truly an excellent car. It is unlikely that any could be disappointed with the A3, it is an all around great car with some excellent features and the longstanding quality of the Audi brand name to back it up.
New Audi R8
Monday, October 11, 2010
What is K9 Advantix For Dogs?
It is that season when fleas are out attacking your poor innocent dog along with you and your family. You have to take control of the problem. It is best if you can do something before the problem starts but that is not always the case. But there are products for both cases. You can always ask your veterinarian about what treatment is best for your pet.
K9 Advantix
K9 Advantix repels and kills fleas, ticks and mosquitoes with imidacloprid and permethrin. It stops fleas from biting within a couple of minutes. K9 Advantix kills flea larvae which prevents them from developing into adult fleas and that breaks the flea life cycle. It prevents ticks from even attaching. It repels and kills the ticks before they can even attach. So with that, you reduce the potential risk of a tick-transmitted disease from spreading. It also repels mosquitoes. It repels and kills them before they bite. K9 Advantix prevents disease causing organisms to spread to your pets and keeps them protected. You apply K9 Advantix once a month on the nap of their necks. Very easy to apply. Never use this product on cats. You can purchase K9 Advantix from a veterinarian, call your veterinarian to see if they offer this product.
Frontline and Frontline Plus
Frontline is longer lasting than other brands and is water resistant. Kills flea for one month. Frontline is even gentle enough to use on puppies and kittens as young as 8 weeks old. You can also use this product on pregnant and nursing dogs. Comes in a spray form or a topical application in Frontline and Frontline Plus. The frontline spray is an awesome product for your home. You can spray it on your pets or anywhere in your home to kill fleas. No odor or fumes to worry about. It is typically used for quick treatments. Frontline kills fleas and ticks while Frontline Plus kills fleas, ticks, flea eggs, and larvae and prevents re-infestation. You can buy from your local veterinarian. And it is now available at Target.
Revolution
Revolution is another monthly topical solution for your dog. It protects your dog from heartworms, fleas, ear mites, ticks and sarcoptic mange. Safe for dog's ages 6 weeks and over. Side effects are very uncommon with the use of Revolution. Do not use Revolution if your dog is on any other heartworm treatment. You can ask your veterinarian about Revolution.
dogs advantix
Modular Office Furniture
Whether it is your home office or an office within a larger office building, you would like to have a work place which would inspire its employees to work more efficiently. The correct type of furniture can make a monumental difference in your office which will be realized once you change the old and dreary office furniture. So if you are setting up a new office or refurbishing the old one, modular office furniture is just the one for your office.
Office Modular
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Medical Scale
Introduction
Long term health care refers to the provision of a number of different services for persons with a chronic illness or disability. Long term medical care includes both medical and non-medical care which assists the patient in the performance of activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, and using the restroom. Long term care can be provided in the home, community housing, an assisted living home or a nursing home. It is estimated by the Department of Health and Human Services that approximately 12 million Americans will require long-term health care by the year 2020.
Long term Health Care Services
The particular medical care available to a patient is determined in part by the state and community in which they live. However, some of the common types of long term health care which are discussed below include: community services, home care, accessory dwelling units, subsidized housing, board and care homes, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, hospice care, respite care, and PACE programs.
Community Services. Some community services are provided by volunteer groups. Other services are made available through the Area Agency on Aging, the Aging and Disability Resource Center, or the Center for Independent Living. Some of the services provided to seniors are free, others may be provided at a low cost, and still others are provided in exchange for a voluntary donation. The community services include:Adult Day Care, Meal Programs (Example: Means-on-wheels.), Senior Centers, Friendly Visitor Programs,Assistance with Shopping and Transportation, Legal Assistance,Financial Management (Example: Payment of bills)
Home Care. Assistance with personal activities including laundry, shopping, cooking and cleaning can oftentimes be provided by friends and family members or volunteer groups. However, other professional care providers are available to perform specific functions that may not be performed by family and friends. For example, home health care agencies provide both nursing and attendant care in the patient's home.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) An accessory dwelling unit can be added to an existing residence for the benefit of a person requiring long term care. It enables an individual to maintain a level of independence. The ADU is a second living space within a home or a separate building a the lot which includes separate living and sleeping area, kitchen and bath. Each city's zoning ordinances will determine if this option is a viable one for the proposed location of the ADU.
Subsidized Senior Housing. Seniors of low to moderate income may qualify for federal and state programs that pay for housing. Some of the programs may also assist with the costs of meals and other activities as well. The individual is often placed in an apartment complex and pays a percentage of their income as the rental payment.
Board and Care Homes. A board and care home is a group living arrangement designed for individuals who do not require the medical services of a nursing home but do require daily monitoring and assistance. The home provides support services including bathing, dressing. These homes are referred to as 'group homes'. The monthly fee is determined by a sliding scale that is based on monthly income. The monthly fee includes rent, meals, and the cost of other shared services.
Assisted Living Facilities. Residents of an assisted living facility may live in a private room or apartment and yet meet with other residents for meals and social and recreational activities. The facility provides help with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing as well as providing medical care medications, and perhaps transportation. The facility may include a health care services unit on site. The resident of the facility pays a rental fee and additional fees dependent on the particular medical services and non-medical services that they require. The services offered by an assisted levity facility vary greatly from one facility to the next.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) A CCRC is a retirement community that offers a number of different kinds of housing and a number of different levels of care. Some residents may be housed in individual homes or apartments while others may reside in an assisted living facility. Still other residents may be placed in a nursing home in order to receive a high level of medical care. As the resident's needs change, they are moved from one level of housing and health care to another. The communities have vastly different requirements in terms of commitments to remain within the facility and the services provided by the facility.
Hospice Care. Only terminally ill patients are cared for by Hospice health care. The care offered includes both that required to meet the patient's physical needs as well as that to meet their emotional needs. The singular goal of hospice is to provide comfort to terminally ill patients and their families. Each patient is assigned a team of doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers,
Respite Care. Respite care refers to the placement of a patient being treated by hospice care in a hospital for a short stay in order to give the care giver a period of rest.
Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Pace is a Medicare and Medicaid program that manages the medical care, social, and long term care services that are required to enable a very frail patient to remain in their homes and maintain their quality of life. PACE is not available in all locations.
Home and Community-Based Waiver Programs. Individuals eligible for Medicaid may obtain financial assistance with the costs of some home and community-based services. This program helps people maintain their independence while obtaining the care they require outside an inpatient facility.
A number of agencies are available to assist you in evaluating each of the options for long-term care. Some of these agencies are identified below.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA). This agency provides support to adults age 50 and older and their caregivers. The Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 will assist you in locating the Area Agency on Aging in your area. www.eldercare.gov
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). ADRC provides assistance to individuals regardless of income or age. www.adrc-tae.org
Center for Independent Living (CILS). CILS assists individuals with disabilities.www.ncil.org/directory.html
State Technology Assistance Project. The project provides information regarding medical equipment and other assistive technology that is available to the patient via the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North American (RESNA). www.resna.org
State Medical Assistance Office (Medicaid). This office provides information regarding assistance programs for low income individuals.
Medical Scale
Sunday, September 5, 2010
iPods and Accessories
Apple held an event yesterday that introduced new iPods and the new Apple TV. [See complete coverage at TiPb.] CEO Steve Jobs was, of course, on stage and didn't hesitate to take some shots at Google and Android.
Eric Schmidt stated last month that 200,000 Android devices were being activated everyday. That's a staggering number and shows how fast the mobile OS has grown in the past year. Jobs wasn't so certain that the numbers were accurate.
Quote from Jobs yesterday:
"We think some of our friends are counting upgrades in their numbers"
Obviously directed at Android, Google responded quickly, confirming the stat and clarifying what numbers they tally:
"The Android activation numbers do not include upgrades and are, in fact, only a portion of the Android devices in the market since we only include devices that have Google services."
Jobs took a couple other shots at Google at the event; perhaps he should get his facts straight before he attacks the competition. It's good to hear a clarification from Google, though, as no one was really sure what exactly counted as far as activations.
Turned off the comments because you guys just can't help yourselves, can you ...
Apple held an event yesterday that introduced new iPods and the new Apple TV. [See complete coverage at TiPb.] CEO Steve Jobs was, of course, on stage and didn't hesitate to take some shots at Google and Android.
Eric Schmidt stated last month that 200,000 Android devices were being activated everyday. That's a staggering number and shows how fast the mobile OS has grown in the past year. Jobs wasn't so certain that the numbers were accurate.
Quote from Jobs yesterday:
"We think some of our friends are counting upgrades in their numbers"
Obviously directed at Android, Google responded quickly, confirming the stat and clarifying what numbers they tally:
"The Android activation numbers do not include upgrades and are, in fact, only a portion of the Android devices in the market since we only include devices that have Google services."
Jobs took a couple other shots at Google at the event; perhaps he should get his facts straight before he attacks the competition. It's good to hear a clarification from Google, though, as no one was really sure what exactly counted as far as activations.
Turned off the comments because you guys just can't help yourselves, can you ...
iPods and Accessories
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Acer Aspire AS5251
Acer’s plans for Android haven’t been a secret, but we have to say that this little netbook, with just enough of Google’s mobile Operating System (OS) on it to seem pretty interesting, is quite the treat. It utilizes Microsoft’s Windows XP as the main OS, but then it has the ability to quick boot into Android. You’ll be able to achieve this with Acer’s configuration manager, which is pre-installed on the system. The netbook itself features the standard 10.1-inch display. Inside, you’ll find Intel’s Atom N450 processor. You’ll also find 1GB of DDR2 DRAM, and a 160GB hard drive. Unfortunately, out of the box you’ll only get a 3-cell battery, but Acer will happily sell you a 6-cell model for an additional $95. There aren’t a lot more details to pass along, except for the price. At $375, it’s not necessarily a steal, but it won’t break the bank, either. There’s no word on official worldwide release, but that should change soon enough. [via Yahoo! News] Acer has put up for sale its Aspire One D255 netbook which is the first model of its kind to hit the US, and HSN.com (Home Shopping Network) will be the retailer who will have the honor of carrying the device. Going for $399 a pop in a quartet of color choices (red, black, aquamarine and sandstone), they will all share the same innards regardless of its exterior color. We're talking about the new 1.5GHz Intel Atom N550 dual core processor, 1GB RAM, a 250GB hard drive, a 10.1-inch display at 1024 x 600 resolution, coupled with an Intel GMA 3150 graphics chipset and Wi-Fi connectivity. Expect other dual core Atom processors to hit the market from various netbook manufacturers pretty soon, as they surely can't let Acer corner the market, eh?
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Sunday, August 22, 2010
Knife Sharper
Characters:
DR. PATRICK SILK, 51, professor and director of musical composition at Princeharvnell University.
ATHENA MILTON, 19, student and amateur composer at Princeharvnell University.
Setting:
An early April evening in 2005, within the hundred-year-old office of PROFESSOR SILK, lined with wall panels and furniture of a finely carved but faded dark wood. An equally antique grand piano, having been tuned into a condition of ideal sound, stands in the center of the room, alongside a Spartan black-painted box-shaped bench and two plush, minimalist bright scarlet-painted leather chairs without armrests. Within one sits PATRICK SILK, three-time Grammy Award winner and recipient of the new "Official Leader of the Avant-Garde" Hollywood-granted title. He is a balding gray-haired man with deep creases separating his chin from his jackal-resembling jaw, dressed in an unbuttoned raspberry-colored suit with a yellow-brown turtleneck underneath. 120 degrees from him, also facing the piano, ATHENA MILTON is leaning forward, with her long, slender fingers, conspicuously lacking any artificial polishings or embellishments, entwined around a trim, pointed chin. Her face resembles that of her namesake goddess, except that it is sharper and exhibits higher cheekbones and slight hollows that do not permit it to be termed precisely planar. Her lengthy golden hair is left to flow down freely, yet in a manner that its width cannot by nature exceed that of her face.
SILK (standing and heading toward a cabinet among many): Miss Milton, I am glad to see you. Want a biscuit? (He opens the cabinet at a leisurely pace and removes a package.)
ATHENA (struggling to retain her composure): Oh, yes. (She had not eaten for over a day, having just yesterday struggled through the net of college bureaucracy to accommodate the monthly payment of her full tuition and room fees to the vaults of Princeharvnell's Minority Equal Opportunity Assistance Fund.) Thank you, Professor. (She nibbles on the biscuit to savor every crumb, though noticeably withholding the temptation to devour it in one piece in hopes of alleviating her hunger.)
SILK: I have invited you, Miss Milton, because I find your reputation here to be quite intriguing. Tell me, what are you studying for your major?
ATHENA: Biotechnology.
SILK: My, that's fancy! Biotechnology! Who could have expected? Athena Milton sorting test tubes and decoding genomes with who knows what high-tech computers. (He slaps his cheek lazily to free himself from this spell of apparently soothing fantasizing.) Well, do you plan to pursue that as a career?
ATHENA: Part of it. I am a fine student, and Dr. Spelton has even arranged for my employment in his laboratory. Not a poor beginning, and I find the field quite fascinating. You may be aware of the colossal project that occupies much of his time.
SILK: Ah, yes, the genetic disease purging endeavor with (shifting to a tone of thoroughly satiated hauteur) extreme uncertainty in outcome and great controversy in methods. Well, it seems to fit you, Miss Milton, during the day yearning to cure grown men of ailments as old as and as much a part of them as their hearts, and at night staging those... very peculiar... performances... of... similar aesthetic longings. (Pause.) Another biscuit? (She sweeps it out of his hand.) Good girl. And I was about to think you anorexic. Well, that is one fault of our image-obsessed materialistic culture that I cannot attribute to you. So, does Spelton frequent your performances?
ATHENA: Once in a while, when his night workload is light enough to permit it.
SILK (grinning shamelessly): I have seen him there more than once in a while.
ATHENA (astonished): You have...
SILK: I am the gentleman in the high-collared overcoat, top hat, and sunglasses, who sits in the back of the Café Jefferson, ceaselessly smoking a single cigar while observing you play. Quite a sight indeed! You on the stage, oblivious to anything but the ringing of the keys in front of you. Then there is Dr. Spelton, a supposedly respectable, experienced researcher, swamped in a pile of papers which he had brought along, occasionally looking up intently at your piano, only to find himself in the company of the rightist radicals, boys obsessed with extremist dogmas and robber-baron era clothing, who cannot but keep their eyes madly fixated on you. They, who had never even cared to ask a girl out in their entire prior lives, now succeed your performance with the exclamations of "Muse!" and even "Goddess!"
ATHENA (as if stating a well-known fact or an elementary logical proposition): It is true.
SILK (slightly confounded): What is true, that they say it, or what they say?
ATHENA: Both.
SILK (startled and hesitating for a moment as he scrambles to tactfully respond): You are... skilled, I must admit. But why is it that you have not applied to take musical composition courses here, if that is where your aptitudes lie? I would have liked to have you in my class.
ATHENA: I do not share your view that the proper way to compose can best be taught within a classroom. A class can inform one of musical theory or the distinguishing features of the styles of composers past, but it cannot undertake in place of the autonomous individual that process of systematic discovery which every person must fathom and undergo on her own, whenever she sits at the piano, her fingers probing the keys for a combination not before tried, a pattern that exists in the realm on untapped possibilities only, that, among the billions of such formations, is the best and thus the only means of concretizing the subject of one's piece.
SILK (skeptically): Subject?
ATHENA: What one wants to portray, what one bears in mind as one's intent before beginning the composition.
SILK: Why does one need to have (contemptuously) an intent? Can one just not feel her way through the music?
ATHENA: On what basis?
SILK: Huh?
ATHENA: On what basis can one state that his feelings are consistent with-- and worthy of being included in-- a composition?
SILK: Now, you remember, Miss, what Emerson said about consistency... I think that, as experience comes to you, you will understand it. For now, why don't you play one of your pieces for me? Then we'll discuss it. How about "The Skyscraper?"
ATHENA transfers herself onto the bench with the nimble agility of an athlete. This quite surprises SILK, who had long before noted ATHENA's malnourished state and expected her to show none of her typical energy. She begins to play, suddenly becoming unconscious of SILK's presence and his scrutinizing, flaw-hunting, narrowed eyes.
The melody starts softly but rapidly, with constant upward shifts in the right hand, that, however, are not left unresolved. The melody eventually manages to come downward, as if reflecting the rays of sunlight that had beforehand struck and illuminated a pavement of even-textured concrete. Then, just as ATHENA finishes the passage on a note of reduced volume, she launches, surprisingly, into a booming, colossal upward progression of chords in both hands, sometimes managing to play eight or nine notes simultaneously, all in perfect harmony. Every chord is undiluted major, yet each subsequent one is made seem even more radiantly happy and confident than the last. In the meantime, Athena stretches both of her hands until her little finger and thumb form a 180-degree angle; that is the extent which her later chords span. No matter in which direction the drift of the melody-and ATHENA must direct it in both to accomplish a structurally sound outcome-it is evident that the depiction of the subject, the skyscraper, is shifting its orientation toward the skies throughout. Toward the end, the girl's fingertips are almost floating off the keys, though she manages to play as firmly as ever; her hands descend to the piano like a hawk's talons, and she lifts them ever higher following each subsequent chord. Her head is raised to the ceiling, neck muscles tensed and the trigonal plane on the underside of her jaw becoming parallel with the floor. Her ordinarily mildly curious green eyes now widen dramatically and assume an uncommon gleam that imparts upon them an almost neon coloring. They resemble two prodigiously advanced sources of light, each shining a piercingly bright, concentrated beam at the monumental structure envisioned in her mind.
Upon the final, ceaselessly shifting, breathtaking crescendo of chords, her head suddenly jerks upward even higher, as if observing a towering span of antenna. She finishes on a five-note C-major chord stretching from the G in the second octave to the C in the fourth, while her left hand's fingers race into a low tremolo, as if streaming down the sides of the sides of the structure to present a last-minute snapshot overview. As her hands leave the keys, she lets out a light, half-smiling breath of exhilaration. Blood rushes en masse into her tight-strung cheeks, and her mouth curves upward ecstatically, in automatic reaction to the pleasantly cool tingle that this phenomenon produces. Then her eyes suddenly narrow as she realizes that she is in fact staring at the flaky white ceiling of DR. SILK's office. The blood is drained from her cheeks, which become frigidly pale as she struggles to regain her composure.
SILK (after a considerable pause): I have... too... written works about skyscrapers. Might you be familiar with them?
ATHENA: No.
SILK: I did them for films; I write many of my pieces for films. Yes, I can see how you probably would not know them; many are sheer depiction of imagery with musical accompaniment-no characters, no plot, no unified theme, just wonderful camera work and vivid symbolism in both sounds and sights. They are not quite at the peak of popularity, but what of the avant-garde is? I am sure that they will be the height of fashion within another decade.(After pausing briefly to ruminate over that prospect) I am given a picture or a sequence already created, and then I must make up something that represents the general feel of the (hesitatingly) subject. But that is not the same as where your preferences lie, is it?
ATHENA: No, it is not.
SILK: You dislike being given a ready-made image and needing to adapt your work to it.
ATHENA: I do.
SILK: I expected that. Well, let us talk about this (stretching his voice) work of yours, which is derived solely from the images originated in your private, sequestered, unmitigated mind. It is too clear-cut.
ATHENA (dismayed): It is a skyscraper! Try building a wobbly, murky, or ambiguous one!
SILK (soothingly): Now, now, hear me out; maybe you will grasp what I am trying to say. (He graciously hands her another biscuit.) I am not implying that you need to create a dissonant, patternless work, just as I am not suggesting that skyscrapers are built without a fathomable, precise, and strictly delimited scheme. I am Silk, not Schoenberg. But you do need to consider some of the finer, softer, less conspicuous microelements of, say, a skyscraper's texture or its interaction with its environment-all this you can feel and grasp with your senses when you see such a building. No matter how elegantly or rigidly built, every skyscraper ages with time; its beams rust, its walls get stained or creased, and, though I am sure it will be difficult for you to imagine this, its windows do get broken. I have once had to provide accompaniment for shots of a whole block of abandoned buildings with smashed windows-you know-the ones they are about to demolish?
ATHENA (with indignation): And that is what you consider metafysically significant about a skyscraper? That is what you want me to accommodate for?
SILK: I didn't think you would understand. Too young, I'm afraid, too inexperienced... With time you will come to realize that it is those little things, sometimes disparagingly called minutiae, that make up the essence of real life.
ATHENA: And how can I realize that when it is not logically conceivable? The accidents or petty insignificances of the elements or mild human error cannot be the essentials of anything. How do they detract from the purpose and functionality of a skyscraper? Does it thereby become any less grand or ingenious or invaluable because some rivet was driven in too far and created a slight crack on the outer wall of the seventy-third floor, or that some ragged vandal had destroyed one window out of a thousand, that can be easily replaced besides?
SILK: It depends on how you look at it...
ATHENA: How do you look at it?
SILK: Well, if I agree with you that such errata, even when present in conspicuously large quantities, do not damage the structural integrity or the (probing for the word) appeal of the building, what is the harm of including them and informing your audience that they do, in fact, exist? Would not the message then be: it is not perfect, but need it be perfect to be wonderful?
ATHENA: By the very fact of your inclusion of these minutiae, you infer their significance in your mind. No work of art can depict its subject fotografically, with microscopic correspondence to a given concrete. What aspects of its subject it does portray depend on the value-premises of the artist. One only has a limited amount of time in a composition, as well as a restricted fysical capacity, but so, so much to portray! There is such a plethora of detail and impression that one must only select the most significant-and fundamental, those aspects which infer the rest. When one titles a work "The Skyscraper," one must transmit that depiction which is most sweeping and universal, which every man will comprehend in his reception as that, which it is intended to portray, and relate to precisely what he had once observed, no matter what concrete had grazed across his eyes, no matter what chance flaws or follies had caught his eyes for a fleeting, forgotten moment. What he has, then, to gain from the artist is the evaluation, the analysis, of that essence. No, perfection is not required for an admirable building, but if that structure can be presented with perfection, is this not an attribute to strive for?
SILK: But who gets this raw essence in real life, amid the chaotic jumble of everyday experience?
ATHENA: It is only a chaotic jumble if one knows not by what method to study it.
SILK: But is it not important, sometimes, to portray the jumble itself? That feeling of confusion, disorientation, not knowing what to seek-would there not be a catharsis if it is depicted?
ATHENA: It may be prudent to analyze it, to discover its causes and consequences, to identify it for the purpose of eliminating it, but to portray it for its own sake in a work of art is intellectual sloth, like flaunting one's dirty clothing instead of washing it. (She momentarily scans her own garment. Despite the fact that her financial condition leaves much to be desired, ATHENA's simple short-sleeved solid white dress is stainless.)
SILK: You always wish to cleanse everything, Miss Milton. I can recall some of the more memorable titles of your pieces: "Purification," "Unfettered Liberty," "The Sparkling Fountain." But why can't you just let something be? Isn't merely understanding enough, so that you can then just relax and "smell the roses," so to speak?
ATHENA: No. One must also live. To live, a man needs to act. To act, he must think. To think, he must exhibit unflinching confidence. And for that he must know the essentials of every topic which concerns every facet of his existence.
SILK: But does one need to act in this way everywhere? That is, in every part of one's life? Sure, one needs to do something, to work and analyze to a certain extent. I am Silk, not Siddhartha. But to dissect everything, every moment, every impression, just to extract your treasured essence-that is just tedious and inhuman. Human beings are good-they can be quite ambitious, successful, and (smiling slyly and subtly) well-adjusted. (ATHENA flinches.) But striving for a perfect grasp, a perfect image, reduced to only causes and consequences, is impractical and impossible.
ATHENA: You witness something before your very ears and call it impossible.
SILK: Well, it is, in real life...
ATHENA: And an individual's quest to create and discover, to bring into her knowledge something never before tapped or devised, is that not real? Or is the immediately given, the ready-made and already thought of by someone else, the only reality life has to offer? If anything can be called constricted, that latter mindset is.
SILK (taken aback, handing ATHENA a biscuit almost in a frenzy): Well, if you would consider my mentality constricted, you should first observe its consequences and the impressions they evoke in you. Hear now my perspective on skyscrapers.
SILK kneels onto the bench and gradually allows his feet to slide underneath the instrument. His fingers are of only slightly above-average length, though light and maneuvering quickly within winding passages composed of proximate notes. His music does not, however, precisely approach the quality of such ornate swiftness. It is lighter than ATHENA's and mostly occurs in a slightly minor key, or, more accurately, several of them, as the same melody is often transposed two steps higher or two lower, depending on SILK's fancy, which notably lacks any pattern to its exertions. The melody is protracted over a time not merited by its structure or complexity. Exact repetition is ceaseless, and not of the classical sort, where a part played at the beginning of a piece might have concluded it as well, but rather of the side-by-side variant, wherein a brief passage, played once, reiterates itself note for note three to five additional times.
There is an occasional semblance of harmony, but the listener's ears can never quite catch a development, culmination, and conclusion to any passage; the droning monotony resembles a broken record which the perceiver, ATHENA especially, is eager to force beyond the jamming point. The general sensation prevalent throughout SILK's work is a static, but scattered, and thoroughly debilitating, tension. To further this immobile daze, SILK introduces an element of dissonance precisely where the listener, after having waddled through two hundred measures of a barely altered single motive, expects at last to either rise or descend conclusively into the final chord. This is a combination of an ultra-high F-natural and F-sharp in the right hand with the same E-minor passage played low by the left. What results is either a squeak, a screech, or the sound of a rock rumbling through broken glass. As ATHENA resumes listening, with Herculean effort restraining her eyes from wandering around the room, she notes how, gradually, over the next fifty measures, so that the average listener would become mesmerized into not noticing it, the melody in the left hand fades away into nothingness, and only the discord, now also blended with a G-sharp and G-natural, is pounded with accelerating frequency and fervor. Somewhere after the twenty-third repetition of this, the piece abruptly terminates with a single G-sharp octave that does not resolve the melody, though it comes tauntingly close.
ATHENA (the words exiting her lips like machine-gun bullets): Play Measure 45 again and stop afterward. (SILK complies, not anticipating the girl's descent onto the bench alongside him.) Now, this is a promising first quarter of a four-measure development. (Her fingers extrapolate the rest within a matter of seconds, while also managing to add a more dynamic succession of accompanying notes in the right hand, which presents the impression of specks of light rushing in zigzags along the glossy, lustrous surface of the glass that had been broken in SILK's original.) And from there we can move on to another sequence-let us render it in G-major to move the entire melody one step closer to a purity and confidence of an Olympian level, which this firm, imperturbable product of man's accomplishment requires for an accurate portrayal.
She carries the melody further, creating as a result the impression of sunlight gathering on the uppermost windows of the structure, reached by the focus of the listener's attention after the latter is lifted from the shadowy minor of the lower stories. A true harmony, evidenced not only by particular sound combinations but also by the very structured and dynamic progression of the work, comes into being.
SILK (unable anymore to tolerate the allegedly unthinkable effrontery of Athena's reformation of his award-winning music, especially once she has begun to translate the melody into chords, with a slight flavor of major protruding through the prevalent minor of the original): It's become yours now, Miss Milton. Whatever you have done to it, you have left none of my creativity and originality in place.
ATHENA: Did your "creativity" consist of blending the promising with the bland, or even the horrific, and working those elements through to their inexorable culmination, Professor?
SILK (hesitantly): Well, that's what distinguishes me from you, doesn't it? My choice of what to include...
ATHENA: And what remained at the end? Could your original melody, however redundant, have survived as dissonance began to intrude upon it? Could the two elements have coexisted in their irreconcilable antagonism? Or was the finale of your work necessitated by your choice to include the insignificant while leaving out so many radiant and logical possibilities?
SILK: And you say you took out the insignificant. What have you really taken out?
ATHENA: The window-shattering for one, along with the movement-inhibiting repetition that prevented the exposition of the entire essential subject.
SILK: And you have thus turned the melody from a tranquil, value-neutral rumination into one of your trademark odes to ceaseless striving. I am Silk, not Faust. I do not always consider "movement" to be necessary. What about rest and rejuvenation, or just a chance encounter with something, aside from any further exhaustingly profound discoveries?
ATHENA: Even in rest the rational man will learn something. He will progress from one stage to another in his mind at least. Even if this occurs in a dream, a right-thinking beholder will perceive the subconsciously systematized unfolding of his value-premises. A work can be calm and soothing, but at the same time exhibit evident, masterful movement. For cases in point, hear Chopin, Massenet, and Rachmaninoff. Another piece can be loud and pounding, but lack any direction or orientation whatsoever, just dawdling in place and bludgeoning the same auditory mantras into the listener. For a more than ample demonstration, try any of today's rap, hip-hop, and "new jazz" cacofonies.
SILK: But if I just want to thoroughly convey a certain impression, does repetition not help the audience learn it?
ATHENA: Skillful repetition helps you learn. Skillful repetition helps you learn. Skillful repetition helps you learn. Skillful repetition helps you learn. Skillful repetition helps you learn. Skillful repetition helps you learn. Skillful repetition helps you learn. Annoying, is it not? Or, more precisely, haunting the audience with the specter of an idea which has long ago been tapped fully and has no more living, dynamic matter to offer that particular listener. No single insight is so conclusive that it can stand as the substitute for all further examination and discovery. Even something as all-encompassing as "A is A" will remain but a tautology if it is not extrapolated upon and applied to various contexts. Music must be harmonious, because reality is logical and A is A. That is skillful repetition.
SILK: Are you sure that A cannot be A-flat as well?
ATHENA: Absolutely. That is why, if you desire to produce a chord containing an A-flat, you must devise a way to move from the A chord, or vice versa, in order to obtain it in a proper context.
SILK: You are a fan of logic; I can see that. You even manage to find a way to carry human emotion through logic. Many people, myself included, will tell you that this is impossible.
ATHENA: It is only impossible when one's emotions are arbitrary, unsubstantiated whims.
SILK: Perhaps you are right, and perhaps, though I am being amply generous here, your theories are not marred by any substantial flaws. My question is: So what? What practical advantages does it gain you in life?
ATHENA (furiously): Why-
SILK (chuckling): Biscuit? (ATHENA grabs the food from his hand and slumps deep into the chair, leaving SILK the full opportunity to press his remarks.) Who is handing them out here? Who is world-famous and well-established, despite his purportedly flawed theories, and whose stomach here hungers before does her soul? You are familiar, of course, with Maslow's hierarchy of needs and realize that, before you can actualize your full potential, you must sate your basic survival necessities. The pocket change thrown to you at the Café Jefferson by boys mostly just as... financially unfortunate as yourself, along with the meager lab assistant payments you receive from Spelton, will not be nearly enough to pay for your next month's tuition, let alone your sustenance, your shelter, and washing that angelic little dress of yours. Where will you put your compositions then? You can't shove them into your mouth, can you?
SILK pauses and eyes ATHENA with a condescendingly compassionate face, which he manages to assume by wrinkling every portion of it above the creases of his upper jaw.
SILK (continuing): Now I am a (grinning) generous man with my time and money, true, but even more so with my advice, formed from the thirty-two years of experience in which I have an edge on you. The best guidance I can give you is summarized in a single word: compromise. Get people, all people, to accept you. Get along with them! Fit in! Then you'll get by. I am not-so don't take me wrongly-telling you to relinquish your individuality. There are people who find your performance skill and... unique stylistic flair... quite admirable. But what about those who are searching for something different, or something besides? Shouldn't you try to get on their good sides as well, make them accept you and recommend you for a job, or give you payment for your services. Remember what Forster said: "Only connect." Find appreciation for premises and techniques other than those that your own judgment imposes upon you, act upon those stimuli when it boosts your social capital with the people around you.
There are several steps that you will need to take in order to accomplish this. First of all, you must specialize. The era of universal geniuses, dilettantes into multiple fields, has gone the way of Leonardo, Leibniz, Goethe, and Borodin. It has died over a century ago. And don't you think that any variant of living has not already been tried, analyzed, and assimilated or rejected by the common wisdom on that basis. People have developed specializations and set, standardized, unidirectional career paths from centuries of experience. Learn to adapt to and accept your findings. Do you really think that, however ingenious you may be, you can change or even challenge that accumulation of the collective will? You, who are inevitably a product a product of that will?
ATHENA (attempting to interject): I am a "product" of nothing--
SILK: Now, please calm yourself. Listening and civilly interacting with others are skills that you have yet to improve. Continuing on, you need to focus on a single field of study and trust others, which is an essential part of compromise, to completely take care of everything that remains outside of your specialty. I would recommend for you to pursue the area in which your greatest aptitudes lie, musical composition. Drop biotechnology, shift your major, and come into my class. You will become too occupied to work as a lab assistant anymore, but I can pay you plentifully, and recommend to you places where you will become further financially endowed, in exchange for your actual, autonomous work! You compose, you perform, sometimes at the same concerts where I will be heading so that you can (vainly) give your career a jump-start from my reputation. But that entails the next step of compromise which you will need to take, this time in esthetics itself. Every work you create from hereon forward will need to undergo a cooperative revision session by a committee including myself and a few other distinguished contemporary composers. Don't worry, we won't turn you into the next Stravinsky. (Whispering slyly out of a corner of his mouth) We have plenty of other youths who would willingly fill that role in your stead. In revising your work, we may soften a few parts, perhaps render the melody simpler and more... accessible... to the layman listener, at times add a few repetitions, colorful contrasts, synthesizer accompaniment-those sorts of things. We have experience with what will appeal to the tastes of the audiences of the here and now, and we have quite the insight, and influence, to (snickering) foretell their leanings in the near future. We can help you out so that your talent is put to good use.
Moreover, I can... arrange it... so that the entirety of the money which you earn will go squarely into your own pockets, not those of Princeharvnell University. I realize that long-standing government affirmative action mandates have disqualified you from the opportunity to acquire merit aid. (Haughtily) No quality schools subscribe to that antiquated notion anymore! But there is-and very much in fashion-a little thing called need-based aid, which is handed out to struggling poor students, though, I must admit, not automatically, but rather selectively, given that certain qualifying considerations are met. Being a minority is one, but you can do nothing about that. Having a fysical disability, being locally born, or being an alumni legacy are some of the others, but you are healthy as a nymf, you come from who knows where, and the identity of your parents is as much a mystery to you as to anyone else. But I can remove those apparently insurmountable barriers by putting in a kind word for you in the Financial Assistance Office. I am quite well-connected and can elementarily accomplish this task. So, what do you think?
ATHENA: I did not compromise in the dire poverty of my childhood, when I put a knife to the neck of the leading gangster of my slum district and forced him to permit me to the use of a derelict piano in a bar that he controlled, where I eventually taught myself to play. I did not compromise with the stumbling, raucous drunkards in that bar, who were stolidly oblivious to my work and wished instead to drag me into one of their grotesque revels. I did not compromise with the government when I refused to ferment in an orfanage until my caretakers decided I was old enough to be assigned a job as a day laborer. I did not compromise with the advertisements at the music store where I purchased, and listened to, compact disks of Beethoven and Chopin, instead of Britney Spears and Eminem, using my scant discretionary earnings. And I did not compromise with the University Admissions Office, choosing not to sacrifice the only time during which I could earn my sustenance for the sake of "community service" to bums, alcoholics, drug addicts, and slothful imbeciles, all for a promise of a more prestigious record. Those whom I did not compromise with had either accepted me, or I rejected them. I do not yearn for the approbation of the unenlightened lowest common denominator, nor for the funds that pandering to its whims will gain me, not if it entails the loss of the sole mechanism that can ever elevate my earning capacity, my autonomous, rational mind. I have not compromised, and my position is presently a paradise compared to where I had begun. In a year I will have completed my accelerated Bachelor's Degree program in biotechnology, whereafter Dr. Spelton, in urgent need of personnel with that level of training., will promote me to manager of his project, and I shall reap a considerable enough income to record and market my first unedited, un-tampered, unassisted CD album.
SILK: Not if all the record stores are closed to you, all the concert halls perceive you as a (scowling) inexperienced amateur, if all the critics to whom the masses flock for expert advice and assistance, present in your regard the treatment more merciless and severe than even the most scathing slander and denunciation-absolute silence. I can wield my influence in the... precautionary direction as well.
ATHENA: I suppose, then, that I shall have to interact solely with men impervious to your influence.
SILK: And where will you find those men? The Café Jefferson? But they are not men, I forgot. They are inexperienced young pups.
ATHENA: Oh, they have experienced a vaster share of life than you will ever be able to conceive of in a hundred fad-riding careers such as yours. Are you truly so naïve as think that they are alone? Every man who has every glimpsed inside his mind, compared its state to that of the general culture, and averted himself from the latter in disgust, every prodigious young student rejected with contempt by his sniveling, screeching peers, every intellectual, musical performer, and layman alike, who has gazed in marvel upon the artistic feats of a better past, and wondered why the present has not only not developed them, but abandoned them altogether-they shall look to me to claim what can again be theirs-the sounds, the images, the unwavering projections of the New Renaissance. To them my work shall be ambrosia, and I shall be their muse. (She rises to leave.)
SILK (roaring): No! You will stay! (He pushes her by the shoulders into the seat and stuffs a biscuit into her mouth.) You will listen to me, and you will listen carefully. Do you think that I am just bluffing? Or is it that I can do just what I have promised, but that a world-famous composer like myself will have too many other more significant engagements to ever consider giving an experienced pompous upstart a reality check? If you think that I have a vestige of rational egoism in me that will compel me to mind my own literal business, you are quite mistaken. You see, Miss Milton, I can never allow composers like you into the market. For, under the prolifically frenzied Faustian circumstances that you will bring about, I shall soon be sitting on those welfare rolls that my intellectual predecessors have managed to institutionalize... by compromising with the socialists. I have found many youths with that same latent extravagance of yours, eagerly willing to take my courses, anticipating a sharpening of their technical skills. The majority of them, composed of the more practical and less ruthlessly consistent ones, had concurred with my methodology of compromise and has spoken of me with commendation ever since. Those students are still spreading the earnest word that I had granted them a "whole new perspective on things." The more adamant and rigid ones were eventually hammered down with grade penalties and my trademark suspensions for "expression offensive to the sensitivities of others." But you, Miss Milton, are a unique case entirely in that you are not in my classes; I cannot put forth a record of the either flagrant or chronic offenses that you did not commit. So I must-and, trust me, I will-employ more comprehensive and expansive means to disarm you, unless, that is, you are willing to resolve this... difference... of ours humanely, with a compromise of mutual part-gain, part-surrender.
ATHENA: I am afraid that you will have to do without my charity and mend your ways to compete with me, or find yourself a more rational occupation.
SILK is now fuming, but the despairing expansion of his eyes evidences that he is disarmed.
ATHENA (standing again and firmly striding toward the door): And be sure to continue monitoring me at the café. I am inviting you, no disguise necessary. And bring some of your goons along, too. As a matter of fact, bring as many as possible, so that their entrance fees can enrich me further. So long as they behave civilly, I find no problem in hosting them. And, believe me, my friends will ensure that behave civilly they shall. (She leaves.)
SILK reclines into his chair with weary resignation. He reaches into the box of biscuits, seeking one to quench his abominable hunger. After feebly ruffling through, he discovers it empty.
knife sharper