Showing posts with label guest post. Show all posts
Showing posts with label guest post. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Top Ten Things I Would Do If I Could Astral Project: Katie Hayoz


If superpowers existed, there are so many things I’d love to be able to do: fly instead of walk, clean my apartment just by thinking about it, shape-shift into some gorgeous model or some giant beast, know what number s to pick to win the lottery…

I also think it would be awesome to astral project – to send my soul outside of my body and travel invisibly anywhere in the world, anywhere in the universe.

Unlike superpowers, astral projection and out-of-body experiences have been said to exist. I myself accidentally projected once falling down my basement stairs (you can read about that here). It was enough to spark a twenty year obsession with this particular aspect of the paranormal. And the end result of that obsession is my novel Untethered.

In Untethered, Sylvie sees her ability to astral project as a curse. But for today, let’s see it as a superpower. Something fun and fabulous and not freaky or forbidding. So if I could astral project and go anywhere? Do anything? What would I do?

Here’s my list:

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Popular Disney Halloween Costumes 2013 for Boys and Girls

What kid doesn't like to dress up as a Disney-themed character during Halloween? From princesses to cowboys to superheroes and spacemen, there's no limit to the imaginative costumes kids can put together to embody their favorite movie characters during the most mischievous, candy-filled night of the year. Here are a few of the most popular Disney Halloween costumes for 2013:



For Boys

Captain Hook

Although pirates are no longer the swash-buckling characters they once were, they live on in cartoonish infamy with characters from films like Peter Pan and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. So it's no surprise one of the most popular costumes in the Disney Store is the Captain Hook costume, with its maroon-colored shirt and hat, plastic sword and prosthetic hook – and of course, the gold-adorned boots.

Woody

Who doesn't love Toy Story and its gun-totin' protagonist, Woody? For younger children, it's hard to find a cooler character than Woody: he hangs out with Mr. Potato Head AND international spacemen, and gets to wear an awesome costume with a bandana and a fancy weapon belt. Pair it with a HobbyTron model gun, and you've got a dag'gone good costume, if we say so ourselves.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Halloween On A Budget - Top Tips For Parents



Halloween is often the best time of year for children. They get absorbed in the whole day; hankering after fancy dress costumes, decorations for the house and themed treats to enjoy. This all sounds great, but the price of everything can soon start to mount up - so how can you keep the cost down but still make sure everyone has a great Halloween?

Costumes

Buying an entire Halloween fancy dress costume can be very expensive, particularly when you think that there is quite a good chance they will have outgrown it by the following year. If you want to keep the cost down and also get something that can be reused, you may find you're better off investing your money in accessories.

A pair of fairy wings or devil horns can be used at any age and will last for year after year, making them worth the investment. You can then create a lot of the outfits from clothes you already have in the cupboards at home. For example, you can dress your child up as a minion with just some dungarees, a yellow t-shirt and some swimming goggles.


Treats


Every child is going to want treats when they go trick-or-treating and is likely to want them to come to after school as well. You can often bulk buy some treats from the supermarket, which can work out cheaper than buying lots of individual items. Some places stock huge tubs of sweets that will last you long after Halloween has passed so you might save some money this way.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Considering the GMC Acadia for Your Family

Everyone wants a car that is efficient with fuel. However, there are many important factors to consider when you need a new vehicle. Many people suffer from buyer’s remorse immediately after purchasing a new vehicle. As a buyer it is your responsibility to make sure your new vehicle has everything that you want and need. A new car is not a purchase that you want to make hastily. Take your time and consider every detail down to the smallest minutiae and you will end up a happy car owner. You would be wise to consider the amount of passengers you will have normally. This information can narrow down your choices substantially. Test ride your vehicle with all of your regular passengers before you make the big decision. Make sure the ride is just as comfortable for your passengers as it is for yourself. If you’re looking for a vehicle that can be fuel efficient, and perform truck duties while having enough space for luggage and passengers, you may want to check out a GMC Acadia in Kansas City.

Looks Are More Important than You Think

Another seemingly less important factor to consider when searching for a new car is aesthetics. Many people claim to care only about their vehicle getting them from place to place without problems.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

A FAREWELL TO BRAINS by Stephen Kozeniewski

So, Billy assigned me a theme for this post, and I think I know why: because if he had left me to just cut loose, you would’ve all learned who the REAL coffee-addicted writer is. So I’m not going to talk about that. I’m not going to say a single, solitary word about that. One pot a day since I was twelve. That’s all I’ll say about that.

Anyway, I’ve been invited here to talk about my love of the zombie genre. First, let me qualify what, exactly, that does and does not mean. I am a purist after a fashion, though I think my definition of a zombie, while rock solid, is flexible enough to encompass a whole lot of ground. All I insist on is that a zombie must at some juncture have been dead. I cannot equivocate on that point.

I have no problem with the shambling corpses of Night of the Living Dead, Return of the Living Dead, Cemetery Man, Zombie, Fido, The Walking Dead, World War Z, The Rising, etc., etc. They all fall wholly into the Venn diagram counter-splice area of “dead” and “re-animated.” I’ll tell you where I draw the line, though: zombie-like behavior in the still-living.

Evil Dead? Evil Dead II? Both inestimable classics of horror and gore, but nope. Sorry. Zombie-like, perhaps, but living people possessed by Kandarian demons is too far off the mark.

Planet Terror? Perhaps the virus causes zombie-like symptoms, but these still-living infected people are decidedly NOT zombies. Resident Evil IV? Perhaps the greatest Resident Evil game of all time, but, sadly, Las Plagas parasites are no replacement for actual, clinical death. 28 Days Later? Doesn’t count. The Rage virus, while it again exhibits many zombie-like symptoms, only affects living human beings. No death or re-animation. Not a zombie movie.

(Note: I have no issue with “fast” zombies provided they are indeed the resurrected dead. That is not my issue with 28 Days Later. For instance, the Dawn of the Dead 2004 remake also features fast zombies and I don’t disqualify it in any way, shape, or form. Ditto Zombieland.)

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Halloween Candy: Wreaking Havoc on Braces

Halloween is right around the corner, and for most kids, that means: candy, candy and more candy! If you wear braces, this holiday can create some "sticky" situations. Some candies have the potential to damage your braces and prolong your treatment time. Don't let poor candy choices lead to a "frightful" Halloween and an emergency trip to the orthodontist! It's important to avoid certain treats and take care of your braces to ensure the success of your orthodontic treatment. Let's look at a few types of candy orthodontists, like the staff at Barbieri Orthodontics, recommend skipping this Halloween season:

Chewy Candies

Chewing gum, caramel, taffy, and other chewy treats are a bad idea if you're wearing braces. These sticky, chewy candies can pull your orthodontic devices off your teeth. Mishaps like this can send you back to the orthodontist to have your appliance repaired, and can slow down your treatment time. It's best to avoid this type of candy, not just during Halloween, but during the entire course of your orthodontic treatment.

Hard Candies

Certain candies can be dangerous to bite into while wearing braces. Hard candy, lollipops, and candies that contain hard nuts can break your brackets or wires when you bite into them. It's smarter to play it safe and stick to softer candies while you're wearing braces. It's not just candy that can be too hard on Halloween.
Candy-dipped apples are probably one of the worst Halloween offenders, being both hard and sticky at the same time. Even popcorn, commonly found at Halloween parties, can pose a problem: the small hulls can get lodged behind your brackets and irritate your gums.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Tennis Shirts Are Not Just Worn on the Golf Course


If you have your own company and want your employees to look professional and uniform, then you might want to purchase some men’s embroidered shirts for all of your employees. This type of polo shirt, with your company’s logo printed on it, can make your office and workers look professional. If anyone wears the office shirt outside of the office, they are now a walking advertisement for your business.

Polo shirts with logos in the corner are very popular on the golf course. Most golf courses require their players to have a collared shirt on if they plan on playing a round of golf. Golfers prefer the feel and flexibility of tee-shirt material over a collared dress shirt. The polo shirt has become very popular in the golf circuit. The majority of the players in the professional golf circuit are wearing embroidered polo shirts when they compete. Along with everything else they are wearing, these shirts are embroidered with a sponsoring company logo for everyone to see.

These shirts are a walking advertisement for different golf endorsers. Companies are taking advantage of the growing popularity of the casual feeling of polo shirts that still look professional. You do not just see golfers wearing these shirts on the golf course and polo jockeys wearing them on the polo field. These shirts are now found everywhere and men, women, and children are wearing them.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

What Makes a Buick a Buick

The word Buick is synonymous with high-quality, premium, and, of course, American. In fact, Buick is the oldest American-made automobile that is still being manufactured today! The “king of Chrome” is a well-loved, well-respected brand. So when looking for a new car at various Buick dealers in Kansas City, you’ll know you’re not just getting a car—you’re getting a piece of American history.

The following is a list of features that were and are hallmarks of the Buick brand:

Trishield 

The Buick’s emblem is the Trishield; this distinguishing mark was based on Buick founder David Dunbar Buick’s ancestral coat of arms. Though it’s gone through several renovations, the Trishield still symbolizes quality, luxury, and heritage.

VentiPorts

In 1949, Buick introduced a series of vents—three or four depending on the size of the engine (i.e. a V6 engine had three, a V8 had four)—on the front fender immediately behind the front wheels. These vents were termed “VentiPorts.” In time, VentiPorts became a distinguishing trademark of the Buick brand and are currently used on several Buick models.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Shopping at a GMC Accessories Store and Other Car Stores

While most people will buy the most basic form of vehicle, since this will often be the most cost-effective option, this does not mean that you should not consider adding accessories to your car, no matter the model or age. Accessories are not only there for comfort and style, but they can also bring a variety of different uses to your vehicle and they can help in different situations. Many accessories can also be extremely cheap, being able to provide the help that you need at a price that you can afford. No matter whether you go to your local GMC accessories store in Kansas City, or visit an accessories store online, you will be able to find the parts and equipment that can make your vehicle truly stand out. Here is a quick look at some of the basics of shopping at these stores.

Your Needs

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of a vehicle accessories store, which will usually end up with you buying something that looks fancy, but that is ultimately worthless for your own individual needs. Thus, before you begin shopping, you should determine what you actually need for your vehicle. For example, if you are often using your truck to go off on rough roads, you might want to consider getting a winch, which can help you and others to get out of sticky situations.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Caffeine - Everything You Need To Know

coffee beans and cupCaffeine has been used by humans for many years. It is thought that the Chinese were consuming tea for the benefits of caffeine as far back as 2700 BC, and now we have offices offering real fresh coffee from bean to cup coffee machines. However, there are various opinions on caffeine consumption, some praising the health benefits and others advising that it is best avoided, but what are the pro's and cons?

Sources of caffeine
The most common source of caffeine is coffee, but it is also found to a lesser extent in tea, cocoa and soft drinks (as well as a flavour within foods). Despite the name, decaffeinated coffee still contains an amount of caffeine too - so one to be aware of!

Caffeine is also found in energy drinks and certain medications.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Renting Equipment You Need for Your Home

When you look around your property, no matter whether it is in your home or yard, you more than likely will find several different things that you would like to change or improve. The main problem with staying in a single home for a long period of time is that your circumstances and needs will often change, but the house will remain mostly the same. For this reason, you more than likely will have several different things that you want to change. The only problem is that you might not have the necessary equipment for all of these different projects. Unless you want to waste a great deal of time and energy, you are going to need some specialized equipment for anything that you do on your property. Buying this equipment can be expensive, which is why you might want to consider renting local AA Power equipment. Here is a quick look at some of the basics of renting the equipment you need for your home.

Advantages and Disadvantages

There are a variety of different advantages and disadvantages that are associated with renting the equipment that is necessary for any sort of project. The main advantage of renting equipment is that you often will be able to save a large amount of money. This can make it so that you can get multiple pieces of equipment for all of the projects you want to tackle. The main disadvantage of rentals is that a time limit will be imposed, which means that you may have to rush your project, which can be stressful.

Art Crawl Sydney

The Sydney art scene has its heavyweights and flyweights but, until very recently, wasn’t much known for punching above weight. There’s a lot of inherent pressure for alpha cities to stay ahead of the culture curve and, for the most part, that pressure is welcome and deserved. But for the capital of New South Wales the spotlight can be especially intense.

Upstart Melbourne is always nipping at Sydney’s heels, for one, and the metropolis of close to 5 million people is not just the face of a country but a continent - and, in some respects, an entire hemisphere.

The good news for Sydneysiders keen to showcase their city’s accomplishments is that there’s been little to be ashamed of on the culture front, and particularly the contemporary art scene, of late. Gallery crawls are a thriving sector of the erudite tourism sector and while not quite on the same level as gastro crawls - food is the ultimate unifier, it seems, with Sydney no exception - the city’s art scene has more and more people plugging “5 star hotels Sydney” into their search engines.

Fitness Made Easy With These Easy Tips

Inground Pools in Houston If you're like many people, fitness is not something that will come easy to you. It is hard to begin a regimen when you are unsure of how to proceed. You need information and get some guidance. The following advice will help you can start down the fitness path today.

The best fitness routines target your body but also include exercises designed to increase flexibility. Search for classes in your surrounding area.

Simple pushups can do wonders to tone triceps. This move will tone up your triceps more effectively than other types of exercises.

Begin with smaller weights when you start weight lifting. Smaller muscles tire faster than large ones, so you'll want to start with barbells before you move onto the larger machines.

Try various types of exercise classes to keep yourself excited and motivated. Try taking yoga or dance class to spice things up. Even if you try each class only once, it is a workout that will contribute to your overall health and fitness.

Your pace should stay between 80 and 110 rpm.This pace allows you will be able to ride for a longer distances at greater speeds without straining your knees. This is the ideal rpm is what you should strive for.

Monday, September 16, 2013

How Can Authors Sell Their Books in Bulk?

Self-published authors now have access to the same or similar resources as traditionally published authors. Even though self-published authors have to do a lot more of their own marketing and distribution, it’s entirely possible for them to sell their work to Fortune 500 companies and other large corporations by selling their books in bulk.

Self-Made

Depending on the genre of your book, it’s entire possible for it to wind up in the hands of the customers and employees of the companies who buy your self-published book. Should your book end up in a bookstore like a traditionally published book, that bookstore might send back any copies of your book that went unsold. When companies and corporations buy bulk books, the sale is final. You don’t have to live in fear of getting a phone call from a company requesting to ship your unsold book copies back. In some cases, self-published authors only have to get a single company to buy their book in bulk in order for authors to get the recognition they’re looking for. 

Why Businesses Buy Bulk Books

One of the reasons for self-published authors to focus on large companies is because companies often offer books as an incentive for individuals to purchase a particular product, much like how you can get an MP3 player or tablet whenever you open a checking account with a bank. Companies might also purchase books in bulk as thank you gift for their customers. You also never know when a company might feel that your book is the perfect inspirational tool for their employees. You also never know how many other people those employees might tell about your book. Again, all it takes is one good sale and you might wind up on a bestseller list. Other reasons that a company or business might want to buy your book include yearly company sales meetings and to give to new home buyers.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Using A Blood Test To Uncover Your Testosterone Levels

Are you wondering if you are someone you love is in need of a test to see how much testosterone they have in their bodies? Is your child not developing or your husband losing interest in the bedroom? Testosterone plays a key role in our lives and is essential for healthy growth, muscle building, and a host of other things. If you decide to talk to your doctor and take a testosterone levels test and you discover that you or your loved one has low T don't worry there are lost of options for you to help increase testosterone options like taking zinc, vitamin D, or adaptogens that release testostereone bound in globulin proteins (often referred to as a testosterone booster). You can lose weight or decrease stress, or reduce your cortisol levels. There are a host of things that you can do to help get you testosterone levels back to normal.

Understanding Testosterone Level Tests


Performing a blood test can reveal a person's testosterone levels. This type of test is given to young boys who are suffering from delayed puberty or puberty is progressing slower than it should. In general, boys who have not started puberty by the time they reach the age of 10 are tested to determine what their testosterone levels are at that time.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Famous People with Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects your movement. This disease doesn’t discriminate; there are many famous faces that are suffering from Parkinson’s around the world and in some cases it has helped raised awareness for this disease.

If you have risk factors that might increase your chances of developing this disease, you must seek medical help, especially if these symptoms manifest. Here are a few famous faces of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease.
  • Michael J Fox: This actor, most famous for starring in the Back to the Future movies, was diagnosed with PD in 1991 at the age of 30. He went public with diagnoses in 1998 and later founded the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Witch on Twisted Oak Character Biography


I’ve been asked to write a biography of one of my characters from The Witch on Twisted Oak. This was harder than you might think. Not because I don’t know their history; I know the deep, dark secrets of all my characters.

The problem is picking only one. I love all my characters. It’s like asking me to pick my favorite child. So I decided to go with the one who gave me the most trouble.

A good story depends on two things: a good plot and strong characters. Many writers spend time and effort developing their hero and heroine, but they forget another character who is just as important. A hero can only be as strong as his opponent. The antagonist doesn’t have to be human. Many excellent novels use animals, or nature as the opposing force. Even human villains don’t have to be inherently evil. They just need to want a different outcome than the hero and try to prevail over him.

But no matter who or what the author uses as the antagonist, deep character development is a must. The villain can’t be bad, “just because.” There must be a logical reason behind his or her actions. I forgot this rule for a brief time while writing The Witch on Twisted Oak. Oh, I knew who the villain was and what he was going to do. I just hadn’t spent enough time thinking about why he was doing it.

About one third of the way through the book, I hit a brick wall. After pulling my hair and pacing the floor it dawned on me: I didn’t know my villain well enough.

First I had to figure him out, then I had to go back and do some major rewriting. After much deliberation, these are some things I learned about my villain.

Like so many people, good and bad and in-between, much of who he is now was shaped by his childhood. Through most of the book he’s called El Jefe, which means boss because that’s the way he likes to be addressed. “Can I get something for you, Boss?” “Where to, Boss?” He felt powerless as a child and now needs to be reassured of his importance by those around him.

First Impressions with Embroidered Shirts

Being stylish is important for any man or woman. Your style is something that will be judged by every person you meet. First impressions are very important when trying to build relationships. Relationships are the most important things in life. Your time spent enjoying the company of other people is what you will remember when you are lying on your deathbed contemplating the life you have led. A person’s first look at you can determine whether or not they consider being friendly. You want to make that first impression count. Build your style up from the ground. The shoes you walk on will be noticed by the people you meet. Women are especially crazy about shoes. Keep a pair of shoes ready and clean for any situation. If you’re a man, wear dress shoes with jeans and slacks and have some sneakers ready to go for more sporty occasions. If you’re a woman, you can never have enough shoes.

How to Look Confident and Approachable

Embroidered shirts are all the rage right now for both men and women. They’re not too flashy and not too trendy, and you can wear them for any occasion. Next, make sure to keep your hairstyle up to date. Use the same hairdresser and keep your locks trim and tidy. Some men have great facial hair and some just lack the ability to grow a great beard. If you’re a man, you know which category into which you fall. If you have a great beard, by all means grow it out and be proud. Make sure to buy clippers so you can keep your mountain man style from getting too scraggly and unkempt.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Boost mobile Promo Code up to $90 off this September

Boost mobile which is known for it's monthly shrinking plans, this month of September offers lot of discounts for their no-contact services and prepaid phones.

www.boostmobile.com

Get $50 off the HTC One SV For a Limited Time Only Get $90 off the HTC EVO Design 4G 

The above promos can be found on this boost mobile deals website. We all love discounts on everything we buy. What I love about these promos if you buy the phone using those promotional link you would get FREE ground shipping, activation and 30 Day Money Back Guarantee. It's a win-win situation if you want to get a quality phone on a bargain without risk if boost mobile don't work with your area. But I'm sure it would work because they uses Sprint Nextel network w/c is everywhere.

Happy Shopping!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Why Music DVDs Still Remain Popular

It’s not difficult to buy music; you can get a CD or DVD from your local music store, or you can download your favourite song online. However, it seems like digital downloads have become the only real option of buying music in our modern times but some people still prefer to buy the original disk, and with good reason. It’s a great feeling to own an original music album of your favourite band.

When you shop online for music from different bands and artists, you can literally have thousands of choices available. From pop and rock songs, to classical music and gospel artists; you will find any genre you are looking for by simply browsing the internet. Most of the music stores will give you an option between a CD, DVD, or a digital download to choose from. This means even more freedom when you shop and you can do all this in the comfort of your own home.

Buying Music CDs

Most people still prefer to purchase music CDs over the option of a digital download as they want to have the original disk to form part of an collection. Another benefit of buying a music CD or DVD is that not all people own a digital music player or device, making it easier to play the album in your car’s DVD player, or at home. You can even play the disk in your computer if you want to. Although it’s much faster to buy a digital file that can be downloaded immediately, you won’t have any original media that you can add to your music collection, or that you can carry with you to play on conventional players.