Life in a Russian Gulag

Above all else,
we must learn to
love the state

If we are not brothers,
Just tell me kind sir
or madam,
Just who do we pretend to be?

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Each day I do my work
And no longer am I
a rich man's slave

The Soviet system is such
a wonderful thing!

One day we will live as brothers.
I know our victory is near

I am a Soviet Revolutionary,
Can't you see it on my face?

Twenty years of hard labor
for telling a joke...
and making a lie

So it is here that I hope
to be forgiven and pay you
for my dues

Yes, the Soviet system is such
a wonderful thing!

One day we will live as brothers,
For that I am sure

We will throw away our chains
and our captors
will be imprisoned all

But right now hard labor is good for me.
It teaches our enemies to be friendly
For one day they will see the light

Yes, a good man must suffer
And a bad one must often endure

I love mother Russia
And I want to be so pure

I have made grave mistakes
and hope to be forgiven
for them all

So it is here that I toil
and repent with all of my heart

But now my hands are bleeding
And my back is nearly broken

I suffer from fever
And my body is almost frozen

So before I die,
please remember me if you can

But before I do,
Please understand that I have
told you only what I can

Life in a Russian Gulag

Gerald Marchewka is an American freelance writer currently staying in Pilsen, Czech Republic. He may be reached at geraldmarchewka@yahoo.com

The Forces of Nature and Magic Fuel Fantasy Fiction Settings and Plots

Two common elements in most fantasy novels are nature and magic. They are linked to each other and exulted as ideals in fantasy worlds. This creates much of what fantasy readers find appealing in fantasy fiction because the glorification of nature and magic is a pleasing opponent to the concrete and steel and technology that overwhelms modern life.

Characters in fantasy novels often must cross hostile wastes, brave cold mountain passes, and lose their way in dark primeval forests. In fact, readers of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" would agree that most of the story takes place outdoors. And in Christopher Paolini's "Inheritance" trilogy, the hero Eragon and his dragon Saphira spend long stretches of the story in deserts, forests, and mountains.

Epic Security

The emphasis on nature within the fantasy fiction genre adds to its ability to entertain with escapism. Nature is lacking from much of modern life, and especially in urban life, and imagining adventure and freedom upon the open land is a relief and a pleasure. Often while reading fantasy fiction, you can recall the security that your ancestors took from the bright crackle of a camp fire while camping upon a hostile plain. Or you can summon up that natural fear of being alone among the trees when you can feel that something is watching you.

And the partner of nature in the fantasy genre is magic. It is the force that drives the world. It governs and/or exploits societies, and magic acts as the fulcrum of the struggles in the story. Plots are often driven by rivalries between magic users, or forces of good battle with the aid of magic against evil enemies. In fantasy settings, magic is what confers power whether it is on individuals or ruling elites as opposed to technology that empowers the real world.

In fantasy fiction, the supernatural is valid and science is little used. Exploring the wonders of a world run by magic engages readers because it brings them closer to the mysteries of nature. Magic comes from the natural world, and depending on the story, sometimes the Gods, and fantasy enthusiasts are comfortable with magic as a source of power.

Magic acts as a nice foil to the technology that is omnipresent in modern life for most people. Technology is powerful and amazing and seems quite magical, but deep down everyone knows that it can be explained. That it is all wires and chips and circuits and software and that many people know how to make it and manipulate it. Factories spit out millions of awesome gadgets and televisions and computer mother boards. Technology simply lacks that special exclusivity that magic has in a fantasy novel. Not everyone in a fantasy story has magical powers, and powerful items aren't as easy to come by as a cell phone.

The foundation of nature and magic that holds up many fantasy settings appeals to fantasy readers because people often have a longing for a simpler world un-blighted by highways and telephone poles. Within Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" there are undertones in this epic that suggest a wistful regret for the loss of nature to the rise of industry. For example, the place Isengard in the trilogy is described as once being green and having "groves of fruitful trees" but the corrupt Saruman spoiled the land to build an army. "Iron wheels revolved there endlessly, and hammers thudded." Tolkien wrote.

In general, fantasy literature upholds nature as the ideal and authors give much effort to describing its beauty and awesome power. That which destroys nature is portrayed as evil and rightly so. And magic is often portrayed as superior to technology because it is akin to nature. A nice example of this is presented in Paolini's second novel "Eldest" in which he writes how the elves sing plants and trees into accommodating shapes and shelters.

Technology is not absent from fantasy literature, but it has a lesser presence in society. Fantasy settings are typically cast in pre-industrial agricultural and merchant societies. Technology is limited to trades and crafts, which are much more pleasing and benign than real world factories and nuclear power plants.

Although magic can be good because of its relationship to nature, it of course is a power that can be corrupted and twisted to evil -- as all power can. The struggle between good and evil is also an important part of the fantasy formula, but that is a whole other subject.

The Forces of Nature and Magic Fuel Fantasy Fiction Settings and Plots

Tracy Falbe is the author of the well-reviewed fantasy fiction series The Rys Chronicles in which ambitious rebels struggle against evil and the lives and souls of thousands are at risk. A free ebook download of her first novel is available at Brave Luck Books.

Ancient Athens

Attica is a peninsula jutting out into the sea at that point where the land of the Balkans comes to an end. Naturally protected by a wreath of mountains, it is open only to the west, to the sea, ensuring mild winters. Its soil has always been poor owing to the lack of regular rainfall, and because what little seasonal rain did fall would erode the soil, washing it away with the waters of the Kefissos and Illisos Rivers into the Bay of Phaleron.

As in all primitive societies, when the first inhabitants abandoned the nomadic life, they settled in groups creating the first villages. These groups, the clans, were led by a chieftain to whom they all owed blind obedience. Since they were but rudimentary cultivators and had to be hunters as well, the members of the clan had common ownership of the lands, their produce, the children who were born, and the game they killed. Each clan had some animal as a cult idol or totem which they considered to be their initial forefather. There were unwritten laws of mutual defence within the clan and if by chance an enemy clan insulted them, retaliation was everyone's business. It is the same primitive idea of the vendetta which still exists in closed societies such as in Crete, Mani and Sicily.

Epic Security

When the clan grew too large for the few communal fields to feed all its members, some would leave and settle in nearby regions under a new chieftain. Many clans of common descent constituted a tribe. The members of the tribe no longer owned the lands communally and the interests of each clan began to weaken the early bonds; nor did the collective punishment of enemies exist any more, but rather this duty devolved on the individual. But the totem remained powerful and a charismatic priest became an anax (king) with absolute authority, as he was considered to be the representative of unknown divine powers.

The competition which inevitably developed among tribe members led to the distinction between the more powerful, capable defenders of their weaker close relatives, establishing the principle of the individual family. There were of course still the anaktes (kings), but gradually groups began to take shape of powerful people related by blood. These were the phratries which created a primitive form of society.

In 1627 an inscribed marble plaque, now in Oxford, was found on the island of Paros. It proved to be an account of inestimable value as it tells us both the chronology of all the important events that took place, mainly in Attica, as well as the dates of important people's birth and death. It starts with Kekrops, whom it places in the prehistoric 16th century BC, and ends in 264 AD; the chronology is based on the dating of the Olympic Games which began to be held in 776 BC. Thus, in addition to the information which comes down to us through myth, we also have the Parian Marble which tells us about the evolution of archaic society in Attica. First the clan, with its totemic, mythic chieftain Kekrops in the form of a snake, then the tribe whose hereditary king was the strongest man among the clans. Among these was Theseus who is believed to have ruled in the 13th century BC.

This was the era when the tribe began to grow weaker as groups of worthy newcomers began being incorporated into the society, despite the fact that they came from other regions. Names ending in -eus, such as Aegeus, Theseus and later Achilleus and Odysseus were regarded as being foreign, Pelasgian names. There is a reference in Rhapsody B of the Iliad, when Achilles, pouring a libation to the great god Zeus, called him "Pelasgian" and "Dodonian".

The newcomers, initially few in number and peaceful, became many and violent in later centuries under pressure from new warlike tribes who invaded, conquered, and then settled in the vanquished territories. In ancient Athens, the institution of the monarchy continues up to Kodros, who was not of Attic origin. His father Melanthus was descended from the royal clan in Pylos and subsequently exiled by the Dorian conquerors. Upon reaching Attica, he won the throne through treachery. In the 11th century BC, Kodros himself came up against the Dorian invasion, and in obedience to a command from the oracle, allowed himself to be sacrificed to save his city. He was the last hereditary king. In his honor, the Athenians decided to elect their kings from then on, at first every ten years, and then every year.

The Dorian invasion brought massive changes, one of the most significant of which was that the Earth-mother cult evolved into the worship of the almighty Father, a stern, war loving figure. The king was thrust aside by the brave warriors who had won the choicest lands by force of arms, and who then installed their former owners on their own land to cultivate it as serfs. The admiration for the warrior class which came into being then became visible in the 8th century Homeric epics and in the depiction of the kouroi: sturdy young men destined to predominate in a military society. The elected monarch had to prove his might in order to survive and the young braves who accompanied him had always to be prepared for disputes and battles. By then, two classes had emerged: the warriors, who became possessors of the earth and enjoyed its fruits, and the people who worked this land but had no rights. It was a purely feudal society.

Many of the original inhabitants preferred to move on, taking their families, their sacred objects and the cults and customs of their forefathers with them, rather than remain as serfs on land which was no longer theirs. Following familiar winds and currents, they relocated on the opposite coasts of the Mediterranean, building maritime towns that would soon prosper. Colonists began setting forth vigorously, since the class of seamen and merchants was gaining ground over the traditional families of the countryside who had remained on the land of their fathers. But here too there was a remarkable development; the local descendants of those primeval hunters who had become peace-loving farmers of the land and then abruptly found themselves conquered cultivators managed to assimilate all manner of newcomers so that the latter, too, in their turn ultimately came to regard themselves as local people. Thus they all became children of the same gods.

The centuries that followed the Dorian invasion were relatively calm as the population movements ceased. We do not know much about the early centuries, apart from the fact that the clans of the tribe, although living in separate areas, all came under some primitive form of organised politeia (society). According to Thucydides, the first synoikismos (co-settlement) is thought to have been in existence as early as the reign of Theseus. This was also the period when myths were taking shape about earlier times in order to support the contemporary men of power who governed as aristoi (notables), creating the aristocratic (aristocracy). This was a return to the broader concept of the patriarchal clan, where the phratries had their own sacred objects, graves, and particular customs. All together they took care to elect the Basileus (king) who represented religion, the Polemarchos (war chief) who was responsible for the inhabitants' security and the Archon who ruled over all. There were also annually elected representatives of the phratries who, after their term was over, became life members of the Boule (council of citizens) which would meet in the Prytaneion (public hall).

Later historians speculated that Theseus had founded the first Prytaneion, although we do not know its precise location. It must have been somewhere between the entrance to the fortified acropolis and the rock of the Areopagus. This little hill was highly significant during the early history of Athens. One myth says that the god Ares took refuge there during a period of temporary banishment from Olympus owing to a death he had caused; it is said that the rock has been called Areopagus since then.

Another myth identifies it as the spot where Orestes was tried for the heinous crime of matricide. The terrible Erinyes (Furies), also known as Ares (curses), were said to have pursued him to that place where they had an ancient sanctuary in a cave at the foot of the rock inwhich they were worshipped under the mollifying name of the Semnai (the Modest Ones). That Orestes was relieved of his guilt by his protectress Athena meant the abolition of the personal vindictive punishment and the beginning of a commonly accepted justice based on the judgment of the majority.

The existence of a Prytaneion in which ordinary people sat in judgment, and the sessions of a Boule on the Areopagus for the hearing of significant wrong-doing meant that the Polis was on its way to becoming organized, even though tribal justice was still strong in the minds of the people. Dracon's first attempt to create laws was based on this form of justice, and punishments were so harsh (draconian) that his laws were said to have been written in blood. The rule by powerful families favored the oligarchy (rule of the few) while the idea of submission to the power of the strongest was passed down to the people through epic poetry, together with the moral precept of avoiding arrogance. The ethical principles of the tribe were still very much alive, as can be seen in the judgment in the case of Kylon which, at least theoretically, imposed eternal punishment on those who dared to violate the sacred rights of the suppliant.

It all started in the mid-7th century BC when a certain Kylon, victor in the Olympic Games, wanted to become dictator. He failed and fled with his followers to the sanctuary of Athena Polias on the Acropolis. After assurances from his adversaries that they would respect the sacred tradition of sanctuary, the would-be dictators were bound by a cord to a statue of the goddess and brought down from the sanctuary. But their wrathful enemies cut the cord and killed them. So heinous was this act judged to be that the state decided to punish the perpetrators and their descendants by lifelong exile, although later this punishment was forgotten. Political disputes followed, and out of this turbulence and anarchy appeared the figure of Solon.

Born of a wealthy family in the middle of the 7th century BC, Solon was a remarkable example of a man who excelled in all fields: poet, traveler, merchant, law-maker, a man of moderation and reason, strict but profoundly humanitarian, he is justly regarded as one of the Seven Sages of antiquity. Enjoying the esteem of all his fellow citizens, as Aristotle informs us, he undertook to organise Athenian society on more solid grounds.

Solon's first move was to ban the custom whereby poor people and their children became slaves to their creditors. This abolition of serfdom and release from debts was called seisachtheia, because it removed the burden of debt from the shoulders of the poor. At the same time, however, Solon ruled that young people from the working classes had to be trained in a craft, and instituted a punishment for those who avoided work. There could be no justification for not working, as the son was obliged to take up his father's trade. A merchant, as his father had been, Solon was well aware of the power of money. For this reason he dared to displease the traditional tribal aristocracy by introducing a revenues policy.

Euripides' tragedy Ion tells us of the four initial tribes of Attica who were descended from Apollo's son of that name. The four tribes were: the Geleontes (nobles), the Hoplites (military), the Argadeis (workers) and the Aegikoreis (shep herds). Putting aside the tribes, Solon divided the Athenians into four classes according to the amount of their income: the Pentakosiomedimnoi (wealthy), the Hippeis (knights), the Zeugitai (small land-owners) and the Thetes (workers). Of all these, only the first had the right of archontia, i.e. the right to be elected to the highest offices by their own class and the two immediately below it. Although the members of the more numerous thetes did not have this privilege, they were exempted from taxes and, above all, they were permitted to be present at the assemblies. There they were given the right to an equal vote in electing citizens to lower offices and in taking decisions about enforcing the laws. At that point, they were all considered to be equal citizens and anyone who managed to acquire a higher income could aspire to a higher social plane.

The Ionian colonists had already developed their philosophical thought, a consequence of economic well-being. From the Phoenicians, the capable Mediterranean merchants with whom they traded, the Ionians had taken a form of script which they adapted to their own speech. After the 8th century, with the evolution of the phonetic alphabet, concepts such as that of Anaximandros' Apeiron (infinite) and Heraclitus' "Ta panta rei" (everything is in a state of constant flux) became widespread. The use of script helped Solon to impose his innovations. He gave the order for his decisions to be written on kyrbeis, which were polygonal wooden columns, and made all citizens swear that they would obey what was written. In a selected spot close to the city gates, a stoa (portico) was built in which these laws were kept for all to see. After instituting these profound changes in the social life of the city, Solon departed for ten years, leaving the Athenians to go through a trial period of adjustment. Peace reigned for just five of those years, but the foundations for the Republic had already been laid.

The initial rural society had by then become a commercial one with its centre in the Agora. All transactions took place there, as well as all gatherings of citizens, because logos (discourse) was the child of the city and the agora became the place in which people took part in public affairs. The society now had two focal points around which the life of its inhabitants revolved: religion had its sanctuaries and the state acquired the Agora. The Asty had come into being.

Ancient Athens

Grand O Hotel Athens, Golden Age Hotel and Delphi Art Hotel are all great hotels.

Paradise Lost & Epic Simile

Satan is depicted in epic terms throughout Paradise Lost, but in ever diminishing ways. Beginning with the arch fiend's address to his nearest mate, Beelzebub, (1.192-208), Satan is a Titanian figure, yet even here referred to, immediately following, in lesser form as Earth-born, a foreshadowing of his coming diminution. The text goes on, calling Satan Leviathan, a whale in size, that creature which God had made the hugest that swim th' ocean stream, (1.202). He is imagined asleep on the Norway foam, a reference to things northern, thus implying mammoth dimensions in the reader's mind. Milton returns to this reference later in his depiction of fallen cohorts. Continuing, Satan is so big that a sailor might take him for a small island, dropping anchor overnight to escape the sea wind, and wait till morning. (1.205)

The implication of an ongoing fall continues, as if Satan's plunge may never end. He is allowed to pursue his dark designs, but he does so only with the high permission of all ruling heaven, (1.212). Heavenly permission granted, Satan sprouts wings, takes off into air that felt unusual weight, and alights once more with his sidekick Beelzebub. Both have recovered slightly, escaping the Stygian flood as Gods, and not by the sufferance of supernal power, (1.240-241). Satan's determination to overcome his fate is on display, as he rouses himself and his fellow fallen angel.

Epic

Further on, (1.283-302), Satan is shown in even more graphic, yet still epic ways, as the superior fiend. Beelzebub has just finished addressing Satan, which but th' omnipotent none could have foiled, thus raising his profile. But Milton again takes him down a notch in a very subtle way, comparing his shield in epic terms to the moon, (1.287), which object everyone knows hangs suspended in Earth's orbit, and reflecting not its own light, but light from a larger, more powerful source. The author ends the simile by referring to Satan's massive following of fellow fallen angels. Once again Milton chooses a rather pathetic analogy, saying that Satan's legions are Thick as Autumnal leaves, (1.302), thus not only fallen to the ground, but a symbol of death, low regard and seasonal change as well.

Satan reproaches his Princes and Potentates, (1.315), rousing them to fight back. Those other fallen angels are then shown in epic terms, as they stirred to obey, their general's voice, (1.337). Their numbers were such that they resembled a plague of locusts, a reference to Moses' showering Egypt with a horde of those biblical insects, turning day to night. This reference is telling, since the fallen are once again described in terms of dark versus light. The plague is not only dark, it is carried on an eastern wind, a symbol in Milton's world of ominous change, since the east was a source of exotic and dangerous infidels. The geographic menace is extended, when the angels are compared to hordes arriving, this time from the north, home of barbarous tribes spreading over Europe, beneath Gibraltar to Lybian sands, (1.355), thus engulfing the civilized world.

Beelzebub is depicted in epic ways in Book 2 of Paradise Lost. Satan's second in command, Beelzebub is shown as an almost epically sad figure, perhaps a mirror image of man in his inability to exercise free will, and thus suffer the fate of a stronger angel. His name, from a Caananite reference meaning Lord of the Flies, presents an image of servitude, of someone willing to take whatever falls from the table. He rises, with, grave aspect, as a pillar of state, (2.303). Here, Beelzebub appears to be rising to the occasion, claiming his rightful place as Satan's counselor, Majestic though in ruin. Proud, but obsequious, he may be Satan's alter ego. He is reluctant to lead, yet eager to serve, to operate in reflected light. This is epic hubris, as it represents hero-worship, and the refusal to exercise free will.

The epic simile continues, citing Beelzebub's Atlantean shoulders fit to bear the weight of mightiest monarchies, (2.306). Is this strength and resilience, or willingness to suffer under someone else's dictates? Or is it perhaps Milton's first mention of the need for human reverence and obedience to the Almighty? Regardless, Beelzebub is ready to serve. Yet, like Adam embracing his fate at the end of the poem, Beelzebub's counsel is taken. Hearing of the coming of a new creature, some new race called Man, (2.348), Satan adopts Beelzebub's wisdom, and the epic contest is begun.

Paradise Lost & Epic Simile

About the Author(s):
Byron & Mariah Edgington are the owners and creators of Caffection, LLC dba Caffection, a marriage enrichment resource. Caffection.com offers couples a portal for daily quotes, weekly affirmations, a monthly e-newsletter, exclusive gift items, seasonal and remembrance items, several interactive pages and entry to a newly identified, exclusive club of married best friends. Many articles related to modern marriage can be found on the website. Caffection also promotes marriage equality.

website:http://www.caffection.com
e-mail: byron@caffection.com
http://www.theomoc.com

Why Investing in Property is Better Than Stocks and Shares

Debating the pros and cons of investing in stocks and shares versus investing in property is a popular subject amongst analysts, brokers and investors. This debate is often conducted under the guise of comparing traditional pensions versus property investment, as most traditional pensions are invested in global stock markets. Stock market analysts will often accept that property is the better investment in a given year compared to stocks and shares. However they will often fail to take into account some of the major advantages that property investment has over stocks and shares when declaring that stocks and shares have out performed property in another year.

For example, a stock market analyst might attempt to promote investments in stocks and shares by stating something like this:

Epic Security

"Last year average property prices increased 7% and the stock market was up 10% so stocks and shares performed better and represent a better investment."

While the facts as stated, in terms of percentage gains, are entirely true, to claim that this automatically makes stocks and shares a better investment is very misleading. It is understandable that, after giving such figures a cursory glance, you would believe that in the 'last year' you should have been investing in stocks and shares. Indeed that is exactly the conclusion the analyst might want you to reach.

Gearing and the Return on Capital Employed

The Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) from property in this case will have easily been far higher. Why? Because you can borrow money from a bank or other lending institution to buy property and secure the loan against the property that is being purchased. This means that you only need to invest the amount of your own money required to pay the deposit on the purchase rather than the full price of the property. This is often referred to as Gearing or Leverage and it is not something that can easily be achieved when investing in shares.

Banks will generally not accept shares as security since they are considered highly volatile.Not only can they go down in value as well as up but, they can in certain instances lose almost all their value in a very short space of time. Companies can quickly hit huge difficulties due to factors such as poor management, strong competition and unfavourable market conditions. For example, shares in the HBOS group were trading at around £12 each before the credit crunch hit Britain, only to fall to be values at just a few pence during the height of the crisis. Such volatility simply does not occur in property markets. Despite all the media talk of a crash of epic and unprecedented proportions in the UK property market between 2007 and 2009, the average house price decline amounted to around 15% at its worse.

The power of Leverage can be seen in this simple example:
In order to buy £100,000 worth of shares you need £100,000 in cash, but to be able to buy a £100,000 property you would typically need £20,000 because you are able borrow the rest from a bank. Banks are happy to secure the £80,000 loan against the property being purchased, safe in the knowledge that people will always need somewhere to live ensuring that demand for the property, and long term price rises, will almost certainly guarantee the safety of their loan in the event of default.

After a property is purchased and a mortgage is put in place you are then able to rent the property out to service the cost of the loan and other expenses and in many cases provide extra profit.

Using the above example we can examine the ROCE in 2 scenarios, one in a year where percentage gains were higher in property and another in a year in which percentage returns were higher in shares.

Year 1
Capital Invested in Stocks & Shares = £20,000
Capital Invested in Property = £20,000

Asset Value at Start of Year Stocks & Shares = £20,000
Asset Value at Start of Year Property = £100,000

% Increase in Value during Year in Stocks and Shares = 7%
% Increase in Value during Year in Property = 10%

Profit in Stocks & Shares = £1,400
Profit in Property = £10,000

Year 2
Capital Invested in Stocks & Shares = £20,000
Capital Invested in Property = £20,000

Asset Value at Start of Year Stocks & Shares = £20,000
Asset Value at Start of Year Property = £100,000

% Increase in Value during Year in Stocks and Shares = 10%
% Increase in Value during Year in Property = 7%

Profit in Stocks & Shares = £2,000
Profit in Property = £7,000

As you would expect property provides the better return in year 1 when property prices rose higher than share prices - delivering a massive 50% ROCE with just at 10% rise in prices. However, due to the power of gearing, property also provides a far superior return to stocks and shares (2.5 to1) in year 2 when share prices rose higher than property prices.

As you can see, the Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) is a far better inidicator of profitablity than the headline percentage return for an asset class.

Why Investing in Property is Better Than Stocks and Shares

The author is an experienced property investor, with a large portfolio of properties based in the UK. You can find out more information on property investment and download a free guide to creating wealth in the current property market at http://propertyinvestormagazine.net

Dwellingup, Western Australia

Dwellingup is another great place that you can enjoy without spending a huge amount of money. To top it off, Dwellingup is only an hour and a half drive from Perth, making it the perfect getaway for a weekend, whole week or even just a quick day trip. It is a small town located in the middle of the Western Australian bush, with a river that flows right through the middle. Over the last few years Dwellingup has become a huge playground for outdoor recreation. Opportunities include hiking, camping, mountain biking, canoeing or kayaking, tubing, white water rafting, fishing, swimming, tyre swings, 4x4 and more.

Dwellingup Accommodation
I'll be perfectly honest. The only place I have ever stayed in Dwellingup is at the camp sites, and a highly doubt that I will ever stay anywhere else in Dwellingup, simply because you miss out on too much by doing so. I think that if you want to stay in luxury accommodation you may as well do it on the beach in a 5 star resort, but that's just me. If you don't want to camp, then you can stay at a Caravan Park, a bed and breakfast or even luxury chalets. As mentioned above however, these tend to be closer to town, meaning your intense experience with nature is severely limited. Some people prefer this, but considering the cost you have to pay for it, I will take camping any day! The whole idea of Dwellingup is to be out and about with nature!

Epic Security

Dwellingup Camping
There are quite a large number of campsites available (Nanga Mill, Yaragil, Baden Powell, Charlies Flat, Stringers and Tony's Bend). Most of these campsites are located within a hundred meters of the river, with spectacular views. Some are designed to support over a hundred campers, whilst others only offer 3 campsites or less. The rangers are trying to bring in a booking system because Dwellingup gets incredibly busy at Easter, Australia Day, Christmas and school holidays. Something to point out is that the gravel roads can be very slippery, especially if you haven't driven much on gravel before. The speed limit is 40 km/h and the rangers will kick you out of you go too fast.

We stayed at Nanga Mill in Easter, and the rangers began to turn away people who wanted to camp and even just visit for the day after the campsites were full and it became very busy. I find you can still have a lot of fun when it's busy, but it's often better to pick a quieter time of year to visit! Some campsites have concrete fire rings to use, but many don't. You have to pay to camp in the camping areas, but it's only a few dollars each night (a fraction of what you would pay to stay in a caravan park or chalet!)

As I have mentioned in previous posts about Camping, being prepared will make or break your trip. Most of the campsites have at least one drop toilet, but make sure you bring your own toilet rolls, just in case. Having a comfortable mattress to sleep on, a warm sleeping bag, a waterproof tent and an easy way to cook each day are just a few of the vital parts of camping. I have been on trips with total disorganisation, and the result is a trip that could have been great fun becomes a total burden.

Murray River
The Murray River runs through Dwellingup, and is used for canoeing, white water rafting, tubing, swimming, fishing and even rope swings. Some parts are quite shallow, whilst others you would struggle to reach the bottom. A number of rapids exist in the river, which is why so many take to canoes in the wet season. In summer, the river drops off considerably in height, making it hard to get along much of the river with a canoe. Throughout the whole year you can catch Red Fin Perch and Trout in the river. If you are over 16, you need a Freshwater fishing license, but it is well worth it! Most of the rope swings get removed for safety reasons as well, but they can be great fun if they are sturdy and safe.

Dwellingup Canoeing
Generally the best time to go canoeing or tubing is just after a very heavy downpour (usually in between June and September). In saying this, if you are just there to have some fun then there is always water at Island Pool and various other open spaces. The canoeing in Dwellingup can be extremely challenging if you have not done much of it before. Knowing the right technique and being confident can be the difference between manoeuvring around the rocks in fast flowing water and getting tipped over amongst the rocks.

There have been a number of serious injuries in the river at Dwellingup when canoeing or kayaking. The bottom line though is to tackle what you are capable of, and leave the rest. There are often trails where you can drag your canoe around the rapids, and unless you are confident these are a great option. There are even a few rapids which are banned today, because they are simply too hard (Baden Powell one). Most of the river is flat calm and fairly slow flowing, but there are of course a few rapids here and there.

Munda Biddi trail
The Munda Biddi trail is a bike track which starts off in Mundaring (just east of Perth). 'Munda Biddi' means 'path through the forest in the Nyoongar Aboriginal language'. In many ways it is very similar to the Bibbulmun track, but only for bikes. There are quite a few camp sites as well as huts that you can stay at, a lot of bushland to enjoy and lots of hills to ride up and down. The main track is easily done by someone who is capable on a bike, and if you are looking for something a little more extreme you can try the Downhill Mountain Biking tracks in Dwellingup, or find tracks that lead off the Munda Biddi trail. I will put another post up later on going into more specifics of the Munda Biddi Trail, because it is well worth the mention.

Bibbulmun track
Like the Munda Biddi Trail, the Bibbulmun track meanders through the bushland of Western Australia, and is freely accessible to the public. It starts in Kalamunda (a small suburb in the hills of Perth) and ends in Albany, on the south coast of Western Australia. It is almost 1000km's long, and has over 48 huts that you can sleep in. The track passes through a huge number of towns, and some scenery which will blow your mind (make sure you take your camera!).

There are very few people that do the track from start to finish; most will do bits and pieces here and there, which is what I have done. For those that are experienced and comfortable you can camp or stay at the huts, but if you organise it well you can even stay in the many towns that you walk through. Most people use the towns to refill their supplies (water, food and other bits and pieces) anyway, so don't be surprised to meet people in town that are doing the same track. The track is for walkers only, and is marked with a yellow triangular sign with a snake on it. Some of the places the track goes through include Dwellingup, Collie, Donnelly River Village, Pemberton, Walpole, Peaceful bay and Denmark. It truly is an epic adventure, and as long as you are well prepared you will have a lot of fun. Again, I will make a separate post about the Bibbulmun track, because it is so popular!

4x4 in Dwellingup
What makes Dwellingup so much fun is that regardless of when you go there is something to do. If the water levels are too low, take a rod, a bike and your Four Wheel Drive! The 4x4 in Dwellingup includes a large number of tracks, hill climbs and just general play areas. There are places that highly modified cars will struggle and many places where an all wheel drive car with a bit of clearance would be fine. Most of the tracks can be found in the area where the camp sites are, but be sure to check with the ranger in regards to where you are allowed to drive.

Many of the tracks are next to the Downhill Mountain Bike tracks (on the left as you enter the gravel road), and they continue to the top of the hill. There are quite a number of tracks elsewhere, and the easiest way to find them is to get a map either from the ranger station or from the Dwellingup information centre. If you head a little bit passed Dwellingup you can find a big circle 4x4 track which is easy for most vehicles, and some very secluded and nice camp sites.

In summer, many of the hill climbs are very dusty and slippery, but they are still good fun. Some become almost impossible when it's wet, because the mud is thick and full of clay. Of course, you will have a lot of fun trying, but stick to the tracks. I love to go four wheel driving in Dwellingup because its different to the beaches and dunes that I enjoy so often in Lancelin and Wedge Island.

Dwellingup Downhill Mountain Biking
Every year Downhill Mountain Biking competitions are held at Dwellingup. Of course, there is good reason for it; many of the tracks are challenging and difficult but most of all great fun. I must point out that these tracks are not for the inexperienced; there are drops, uneven ground, jumps and tracks that come very close to the trees. If you want to give it a crack, take each new track slowly as there are a few drops and unexpected obstacles!

Again, finding these tracks can be a bit of a pain. The harder ones tend to be on the left side of the gravel track as you drive in past the ranger's station. There are a few if you turn right over the bridge on the way to Nanga Mill, and then head first left up the hill. We found the best way to do it was to have a driver and a trailer. You drive to the top of the hill, pull the bikes out and ride down, and the driver picks you back up again at the bottom. The hills are quite long, and extremely tiring to ride back up!

Tyre Swings
As a kid I have very fond memories of the good old tyre swing into the river. Some people refer to them as Tarzan ropes, but the rangers have removed most of them, and for good reason. The risk is that if someone is injured on one then they could be at fault for leaving them up. Many are not maintained and are very risky because of rope that is weak. We have built our own, but it's a good idea to pull them down after you leave. The best place to do it is on a steep bank with very deep water. If you find one that's already made, give it a careful inspection before you try it, and test the water. You can get very seriously hurt if it's not safe.
Fishing in the Murray River
The first time I ever did any freshwater fishing was in the Murray River, in Dwellingup. We hired out some canoes, took the rods and just drifted for fish. If you know much about fly fishing, there are some good places to try it. We managed to get a few Red Fin Perch (which are a pest and are not allowed back into the water, regardless of their size) which cook up very well. You can get a number of trout too, but patience is the key. I found it very relaxing as well; it's quiet and very enjoyable. If you have a Marron license (and it's the right season) you can try your luck for these too. There are a lot in the river, and it's not hard to get a good feed.

Dwellingup Fires
Not every campsite will have a designated concrete fire ring. After politely asking the ranger if we could have a fire in the open we were able to clear away any flammable material and warm up with a small one. Previously, Dwellingup has had some huge bush fires which have threatened and damaged homes and put hundreds at risk, so don't be surprised how strict the rangers are. If it's out of season, you can't have a fire, regardless of how cold it is. You need to bring your own firewood, as the rangers will get nasty if you take it from the bush. If you don't have a fire ring, ask the ranger if you can build your own safe fire. If they see you are intelligent and responsible chances are they will let you. I can't stress the importance of being careful though, because the bush down there burns like paper.

Hiring equipment for Dwellingup
Many people don't have the equipment for Dwellingup (including canoes, kayaks, mountain bikes, hiking gear, camping gear and various other bits and pieces). There are a number of places that you can go to hire these things, but a great one can be found on the main road, called Dwellingup Adventures. You can get a bike for about a day and a 3 person canoe for about . They will even deliver and pick them up as you need, and give you guided tours if you want to pay extra.

It's really worth hiring what you need, unless you have better equipment yourself. You will have a lot of fun riding and canoeing around Dwellingup. You have to pay a small deposit which is kept as security if anything goes wrong with the equipment. It's all fairly robust and good quality as well, which helps because they take a beating!

Weather at Dwellingup
To make this short, it's often quite cold in winter (freezing at night) and very hot in summer. It's easy to swim in summer if you get hot, but you need to take good clothes in winter time, because it can get very cold. It rains quite a lot in winter which gets rid of the dust, and the bushland looks much better at this time. I have been at various times of the year and enjoyed them all; you just need to be prepared for the conditions.

If you like the whole adventure thing then Dwellingup is your playground. Even if you are just looking for a relaxing weekend away, Dwellingup has a lot to offer. It's a brilliant place for tourists as well because there is enough isolation and nature is literally on your doorstep! I have found that Honeymoon Pool in Collie is a very similar place to Dwellingup, so that's always an alternative

Dwellingup, Western Australia

You can see the original post at Dwellingup and for a similar place not too far away see Brunswick Four Wheel Driving.

Bathing a Beagle, Part 1

Battle Plans

Anyone that has owned a beagle or a hound, in general, knows they tend to go rancid after a bit and they can get pretty darn smelly and downright crusty around the edges. They like to improve on this rancidness by finding and rolling in the most disgusting thing they can find. Then they eat it and if it was really bad, throw it up in the house where you can step in it... usually in your bare feet. Because Bailey is essentially a house dog, when the house starts smelling like dog feet or rank hound, it's time to get a bath. We had a dog, Fergus, the border collie, who would take care of his coat. In the warmer months, he would roll in the dust, shake off and then roll in grass. His coat was always shiny and was rarely objectionable. He only got a bath in the spring. The beagle? 3-4 times a year depending on whether she has rolled in something or not.

Epic Security

The week of the event, plan with other family members which day it will happen. Keep the tone casual and do not use the offending b-word (bath), because you don't want the beagle to know what is coming. Then it will be on its guard, waiting for it. This will complicate things because it will start living under a bed and act suspicious of everyone and be much harder to catch. This is not usually a problem with the smaller types of beagle. Just scoop them up and haul their tail to the tub. A big beagle, such as Bailey, who weighs over 50 lbs and stands 24 inches at the shoulder, is a struggle of epic proportions. Form a game plan of who does what. Who will lure her into the bathroom, what kind of treat will be the bait, etc. Plan for the eventuality that the beagle figures out it's a trap and who will grab it's collar, who will push, who will pull, who will slam the door shut, who will wrestle it into the bath tub, who will do the restraining during the bath, what words are acceptable to say and by whom when the beast escapes the tub, who will hold the towel for it when it gets out and prepares to shake. This is a carefully choreographed montage between man and beast. If someone fails to do their part, the beagle gets away in a flurry of paws, possibly soap and water flinging everywhere, and it crawls underneath the bed for a week or so and will only come out at night to scavenge.

Two days before the event, put the dog shampoo on the edge of the tub. This will make the beagle nervous and twitchy, but leave it there until the beagle becomes accustomed to seeing it in that position. It usually takes about 2 days for it to calm down. The next thing is very important. The day of the event, try to act normal. Don't let the beagle sense your apprehension because instead of lying in a near coma like state on the couch, it will figure out it is bath day and will crawl so far under a bed you can barely reach it with a broom. Poking it with the broom rarely produces anything other than a sneeze from yourself and the dog when the dust is stirred up. The skirmish in the bathroom will be postponed until the household goes back to pre-bath mode and the beagle is lured into a false sense of security. This stand down will be an edgy time for the family. Everyone will be eying each other with suspicion, accusations will be made, the tension will be unbearable, and this scenario really ought to be avoided. So, remember, act natural. Do not vary the daily routine. You must take the beagle unawares.

When the moment of truth arrives, silently nod to the others to assume their positions and gently wake the beagle with the rustling of a bread wrapper. Hopefully, it suspects nothing, and will come to investigate. Do not ask the beagle if it wants a treat, it will become immediately suspicious because it never gets a treat unless it does something to deserve it. It will know immediately it is a trap and instead of investigating will high tail it under the bed and all will be lost. Perhaps casually make a sandwich and nonchalantly wander into the bathroom, hoping it just follows. If it is a young beagle and this has not happened more than a few times, the likelihood this ruse will work is great. If it is a veteran beagle who has had 3 baths a year for more than a couple of years, it is at this point it may bolt. The best you can hope for is that it stands at the threshold looking in, measuring up the situation. Should it go in and beg for a piece of food or should it run in a panic? This is a crucial moment. This hesitancy doesn't last long and everyone needs to be prepared to take advantage of it. Remember, your team is a well oiled machine that will spring the trap in a blink of the eye and everyone should take this as the cue to plunge into action. The older they get, the less inclined they are to fall for a trap and are not inclined to just come in and beg so this moment may be the only opportunity. It is at this point the skirmish may become an epic battle. Someone's hand needs to be on the collar or the day is lost. The pulling and pushing may begin in earnest and hopefully the dog did it's contemplating very close to the threshold so the distance to the tub is not too great. If the dog stays on its feet, it is much easier to push/pull/drag the victim to its destination. Bailey has learned if she lies down it delays the inevitable by a minute or so because it's like trying to move a sack of potatoes. She has the advantage of owners that do not want to hurt her and she uses it. This is when the sandwich should be deployed. Put it within lunging distance of the animal. If that doesn't work, comment on how tasty the sandwich is. Take a bite of it and thoroughly enjoy it, roll your eyes in ecstasy, sing praises of the sandwich to the gods. Let the beast smell it, then quickly position it within lunging distance but closer/further into the bathroom. 9 times out of 10 the beagle just goes for it and while it is gobbling down the sandwich, push it into the bathroom, slam and lock the door.

Have a plan in place if the beagle just bolts. It usually is a free for all and looks like a skit from the Three Stooges, but have an idea of who will do what in the event this happens. Have someone standing by with video equipment. It will be great viewing on You-Tube and may even go viral.

Bathing A Beagle, Part 2 is the continuation of the this article.

Bathing a Beagle, Part 1

Usually author spends her time writing gardening and plant articles, but due to boredom has decided to branch out. Bathing A Beagle,Part 1 is the first in a series of humorous articles on dogs, cats, and pets in general. See the blog Bathing A Beagle to follow the coming articles. Visit Mani Plants and Malas [http://www.maniplantsandmalas.com] to purchase plants, seeds, information and Buddhist malas or prayer beads.

Epic t60 treadmill

The Epic T60 Treadmill - Putting New Limits On Economy

The Epic T60 Treadmill is made exclusively for Costco, the discount retailer. It sports useful and desirable features for the home gym and for general fitness training, yet is often discounted for far less than 00.

Epic

Icon Health and Fitness, Inc., which uses the Epic brand name on exclusive models, is the largest manufacturer of quality treadmills worldwide for training, weight loss, and personal fitness as well as other sports equipment for weight and fitness training, and it markets products like Epic t60 treadmills specifically for large retailers like Costco.

Strong Machine, Lean Price

The Epic t60 incorporates the best of Icon's designs for treadmils. Designed for use in a home gym with the larger user in mind, the t60 features an adjustable cushioned platform with a large surface and is capable of supporting weights up to 350 pounds.

Equipped with a strong motor and power incline, the t60 is suitable for both light and intense weight loss and fitness regimens, as well as general sports training.

Additionally, feedback and readout displays keep track of time, distance, calories burned, speed, and pulse measured through the pulse sensor grips. Heart rate is measured and displayed using an optional chest pulse sensor.

The Epic t60 offers preprogrammed and customizable workout programs and iFit.com, the interactive workout technology found on most Icon exercise equipment.

With the optional chest sensor, iFit will control the speed and incline of the treadmill in response to your heart rate providing a workout under the guidance of trainers online or on CD.
Your home stereo, computer, portable device, and VCR can all be connected to the Epic t60 to keep you entertained while training.

And, like many of Icon's treadmils, the Epic t60 folds away after use.

While the motor carries a 12-year warranty, the parts and labor on everything else carry only a 90-day warranty, a concern voiced by TreadmillDoctor which does not sell treadmills but does rate the Epic t60 a 'winner' for Costco.

Costco offers 'threshold delivery', not curbside, and its return policy applies at all 400 of its warehouses.

Epic t60 treadmill

Steve Ecclestone is webmaster at Best Treadmill Guide

The N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 Nerf Gun

The N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 is one of NERF's new Nerf blasters for 2009. Released in early September of 2009, the Raider Rapid Fire is a 35 round beast that will forever change how you NERF.

With a universal clip that works with the Recon CS-6 and Longshot, the Raider's clip is nothing short of awesome. Every Nerfer will without doubt find the capacity to be game change. Reload less and shoot more with the Raider.

Epic

Other features it has include the slam fire action, which allows you to quickly pump and shoot the toy gun easily. Sending volleys of darts is easy, and with the retractable stock you can steady your shots for better accuracy.

The entire Nerf gun has a digital camo pattern printed on it, giving it a nice cool looking finish. The clip makes it look surprisingly similar to a tommy gun, which many fans were quick to point out upon its release.

Priced at a cool , the Raider CS-35 is near the price of the electronic Nerf Vulcan. However, what sets these two Nerf guns apart aside from the Vulcan being fully automatic, is the ammo capacity of the Raider (35 rounds compared to 25 in the Vulcan), and the fact it jams MUCH less than the Vulcan.

If you're looking for a Nerf gun that will fire quickly, and can carry a lot of ammo - the Raider is it. Its NERF's gift for the rapid firing addicts in the Nerf community.

The N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35 Nerf Gun

To see pictures and videos of this epic nerf gun, check out the full article on the top website on nerf guns - Raider CS-35.

Discover Sprint's 2011 Android and BlackBery Phones

Sprint has a reasonable selection of 2011 phones. The popular choices are Androids and BlackBerry devices. Android is a good option if you enjoy using your phone as a multimedia device in addition to regular phone use, while the BlackBerry phones are better suited for those who want a solid, robust, secure phone with an excellent full QWERTY keyboard making typing emails and messages quick and easy.

If you are going the Android route then take a look at the 4G enabled phones such as the HTC EVO, Nexus S (Sprint's first 'pure' Google device), and the Samsung Epic. My pick from the Android phones is the recently launched Nexus as it ships with the latest version of the Android operating system (2.3 commonly called Gingerbread), runs on Sprint's WiMAX 4G network, has a 1GHz processor, 16 GB of on board memory, 4 inch Super AMOLED touch screen display, 5 mega pixel rear camera and a 1.3 mega pixel front facing camera. The EVO's features include an 8 mega pixel camera, though runs on Android 2.2 (Froyo), as does the Epic. The Epic has a full QWERTY keyboard if you are looking for an android with a physical keyboard. If you are serious about text messaging, emailing, security and want a robust phone with a battery that has around 13 days standby time and 6 hours talk time then take a look at the Bold 9650 from Sprint. Effectively this is the upgrade on the Tour with the main differences being a touchpad to move the cursor, WiFi and twice as much onboard memory. It has good international roaming capabilities running on both CDMA and GSM, 2.4 inch screen (360 x 480 pixels), 3.2 mega pixel rear camera, 528 MHz processor, runs on BlackBerry's latest operating system (version 6), amongst other standard BlackBerry features.

Epic Security

Sprint has two other BlackBerry phones available - the Curve 9330 and the Style.

The Curve is similar in many respects to the Bold both physically and technically. The Curve is slightly cheaper than the Bold, although it is more likely to 'crash' under pressure or 'slow up' than the Bold due to the weaker processor power. This being said there are many Curve owners who love their Curve and have no hassles with the phone. The Style is a unique option from BlackBerry with the clamshell design full QWERTY keyboard phone. This is possibly the best clamshell smartphone available and is a fun, compact phone. The keys on the Style are slightly cramped and not raised as much as the Bold and Curve, making typing not as easy.

As mentioned above, the most popular types of phones from Sprint in 2011 are the Android and BlackBerry devices. Android phones are more impressive with all the apps and latest multimedia functions while BlackBerry is focused on selling robust, secure, full QWERTY keyboard phones with long lasting battery life. Which type you choose depends on what features appeal to you more. The Bold 9650 is the Premier Sprint BlackBerry, while the Nexus is probably the top choice Sprint Android phone, with the Epic and EVO closely competing for top place.

Discover Sprint's 2011 Android and BlackBery Phones

Hi, I'm Mark Francis. I hope that you found this article helpful.
If you have any comments or questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

PS. Don't forget that it's always significantly cheaper for you to get your phone online than going directly to your local Sprint store.
Click on the link below to see how you too can save.
http://www.cellphonedoc.com/sprint-blackberrys/

Applying for Disability Benefits? Let the Battle Begin!

Ever since our childish squabbles with bullies in our schools, we have known that it is quite difficult to launch a battle with someone bigger than we are. However, if we look back in the pages of history, even in mythological stories and fairy tales, we can learn a thing or two about fighting epic battles.

In these stories, the anti-hero is usually portrayed as bigger and much better equipped. Still, the heroes, who are oftentimes diminutive and has no capacity to obtain good resources, won the battles. What made them win? Because of their hearts and souls did not accept failure or losing. They faced their enemies and predicaments with strength of determination. In the end, they prevailed.

Epic Security

In cases of our real life struggles, perhaps we can learn a thing or two about the stories we have enjoyed in youth.

One of the biggest life challenges being faced by most people in America is the battle to claim benefits under the Social Security Disability program. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is the venue of daily epic battles occurring between claimants and the administration itself.

What is the prize awaiting? The Disability benefits, of course.

The usual scenario of the battle is when you acquire a mental or physical impairment, diagnosed by the doctors and becomes the cause for your incapacity to work. Thus, you submit an application to the SSA for disability benefits. The fact is that, you know you have the right to do so since you had never failed to pay your dues to the government.

You might have thought that it would not take that long and before you know it, and you will begin to avail of the benefits to tide you over, since you do, are not receiving income anymore. However, the time comes when you feel your resources beginning to drain down.

Later on, as more months pass by without any advice from the SSA, you just kept your hopes up and reaffirmed your faith that SSA is your ally.

When you finally receive a notice from the SSA however, the reality slaps you in the face. Your claim is denied, with enough official terminologies conclusively saying that you are not really disabled and that you are not qualified to receive benefits.

Now, you are finally realizing that it is not a question of alliances. It is a battle between you, a humble citizen among millions and the federal government, the seemingly invincible force working against your favor.

However, it is important to note down the policies of SSA on appeal rights and disregard the "final and decisive" tone of the denial.
If we are to recall most of the past epic battles, remember that one of the factors why you have enjoyed it is because the ones you thought were weak are the ones who prevail over the unconquerable.

Thus, in your own epic battle with SSA and the federal government for your right to claim disability benefits: unwavering perseverance.

Be aware that around 75% of those who applied for disability benefits will be initially denied. However, if you decide to become a part of half of this percentage, which give up and do not appeal, then you might become a miserable loser. If you decide to be an applicant to persevere and push on with their claim even up to an Administrative Law judge hearing , then the odds is that you will obtain what is rightfully due you by the government.

Your case will go down into history along with the other triumphant victories.

Applying for Disability Benefits? Let the Battle Begin!

Our Los Angeles Social Security Attorneys are competent in handling/advocating claims for social security disability benefits.

BMW Models Uncovered

If you're new to BMWs, it can be difficult at first to understand the differences between all the different models. Being very logical and German, BMW doesn't bother with evocative names, instead preferring to name its cars using a complicated system of model letters and numbers. Hopefully this article will help you break through some of the mystery.

At the moment, BMW produces the 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, as well as SUVs (letter X) and two-seater roadsters (letter Z). These designations refer to the first number or letter of the name - for example, the 518, 520i and 530i are all part of the 5 Series. As the Series numbers go up, the cars get both larger in size and more expensive. So what are the differences between the different series?

Epic Security

To begin with, the 1 Series are small, relatively inexpensive cars, designed to compete with the VW Golf and similar cars They're sensible rear wheel drives, soon to be in hatchback too.

The 3 Series, on the other hand, are luxury cars, although they are the lowest-priced, smallest ones. Before the introduction of the 1 Series, the intention of the 3 Series was to make BMWs accessible to young professionals who wanted a Beemer but couldn't afford a full-size one. Most of the BMWs you see on the road today are 3 Series.

In the middle of the range is the 5 Series - the kind of car you might expect a junior executive to drive. Many BMW drives prefer the 5 Series, feeling that it offers the best value for money and that having their car any bigger is just annoying.

7 Series BMWs are often considered to be the 'real deal' - the cars that the company is famous for. People buying in this category could easily be buying a Jaguar or a Mercedes, but they're choosing a BMW instead, which gives you some idea of the kind of expectations these cars have to live up to. They are amazingly luxurious.

BMW Models Uncovered

John Gibb is the owner of BMW facts [http://www.bmw-resource2k.info] For more information on BMW's check out [http://www.bmw-resource2k.info]

Chronic Serial Cheaters: One Will Never Be Enough

Bestselling writer Milan Kundera, author of "The Unbearable Lightness of Being", tells the story of a man who allegedly loved his girlfriend despite his countless adventures with other women. At some point during the story, Kundera embarks in the description of men infidelity and argues that it's possible to identify two different types of men among those who chase many women.

First, we have the man who always goes for the same kind of woman with the hope of finding his "ideal". This is the lyrical cheater, Kundera says. He is not truly searching any bone and flesh woman, because he just loves himself and thinks that only an "ideal" person can measure up to be at his side. Of course, the ideal can never be found, but he has multiple affairs for the sake of his quest. A lyrical man has this romantic aura that seduces many women, who always fall for his excuse that the ideal person hasn't shown up yet, but it could be the next one in the row.

Epic

Then, there is the man who wants to own the infinite variety of women. This is the epic cheater, according to Kundera. For him, women are objects to be collected. The more difficult the woman, the greater is the satisfaction, both in the chase and in the conquest. But once the "item" has been possessed, it loses its lure and becomes just a number in the list.

Epic cheaters don't look for just one type of woman, they try as many as they can and like to grow their collections with the valuable as well as with the weird.

Once attended the objective, they move on quickly. There's no point in delaying. After all, they're not trying to build a relationship with the object of their amorous efforts.

As they don't become emotionally involved with their casual partners, epic cheaters sometimes argue that they love their wives despite their active sex life outside marriage. They don't even stop to think that love is about putting someone else's interests above your own.

Funny enough, it's more difficult to unmask a serial cheater than it is to uncover the once-in-a-lifetime extra-marital affair. This is due to the fact that serial cheaters are masters of deception, always have alibis, take the pains to erase any possible incrimination, and don't even feel a pang of guilt!

That's too bad, because for women it's of great importance to know if a partner is a serial cheater or not. Once-in-a-lifetime extra-marital affairs are hard to swallow. They cause unbearable pain, have to be talked over, examined, meditated upon and maybe, just maybe, they can be forgiven. Serial cheaters should not be forgiven, they only deserve to be forgotten.

Chronic Serial Cheaters: One Will Never Be Enough

Dealing with the Heartbreak of Sexual Affairs? Discover how to deal and save your marriage today!

The Riddle of Shakespeare

Ask anybody who was William Shakespeare and you are certain to get the answer that he was a great English playwright.

But is it the correct answer?

Epic Security

Was Shakespeare really what he is supposed to be? Did he write the plays that he is credited with?

These are the questions that have been puzzling the literary circles since 18th century.

Why such doubts about such a well-known literary figure?

The answer to this question lies in some facts about Shakespeare himself.

Vast Knowledge

Shakespeare used more than 20,000 words in his plays which display a knowledge of law, medicine, history and the ways of the court in addition to a deep understanding of human nature. But where did he learn all this? Shakespeare never went to any school or university. At best he might have attended the grammar school which could hardly impart this much knowledge to him.

He couldn't have got this knowledge from books even. For in Shakespeare's time books were rarities. There were no public libraries. Even the great Oxford University library had only a few hundred books which were considered so precious that they were kept chained to shelves.

Familiarity With Italy

Shakespeare never ventured beyond the English shores. Even then some of his plays set in Italy display a very intimate knowledge of the lay of that land. So how did Shakespeare know about the places, mountains, directions and even roads of a foreign country without ever going there? He could not have learned all this from maps which in his time were very much elementary.

Delayed Authorship Claim

Still another puzzling fact is that there was no mention of Shakespeare on the first plays that are said to be written by him. His name appeared in print for the first time on Love's Labour Lost in 1598, full five years after his first work came out. Why this anonymity? Why did Shakespeare delay so long to claim the authorship of his works?

The Puzzle of Shakespeare's Will

18 plays of Shakespeare came out only after his death. But the surprising thing about this is that there is no mention of them in Shakespeare's will which is a very detailed document listing his properties with instructions about how to deal with them. But nowhere in it does Shakespeare allude to his unpublished plays which certainly were his most prized possessions.

Does the silence of Shakespeare about these plays mean that they were not his after all? And if that was so, who wrote them?

Shakespeare Substitutes

As there are no clear answers to the riddle of Shakespeare, the doubting scholars are of the view that somebody else has written the plays that are credited to William Shakespeare.

Suggested substitutes of Shakespeare include Edward de Vere, the talented Earl of Oxford; Francis Bacon, the great philosophic genius; Mary Sidney, the Countess of Pembroke; and Christopher Marlowe. All of them were learned, widely traveled and prominent literary figures of the day and might have had a reason for writing under an assumed name.

But there is no agreement among the scholars about any of these substitutes. On the other side of the fence are scholars who have no doubts about Shakespeare at all. In fact they assert that Shakespeare indeed wrote the plays and there should not be any question regarding his authorship claim at all.

So what is the truth about Shakespeare? Nobody knows for certain. The debate is going on. The jury is out and likely to remain so for a long time to come

The Riddle of Shakespeare

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Floods, Earthquakes and Fires: Secure vs. Insure

Natural and unnatural disasters affect everyone. Some areas of the United States are so prone to natural disturbances that many private insurance companies will not offer coverage. For example, most homeowners insurance will not cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes, and few will cover forest fires if your property is in an undeveloped area.

When evaluating what kind of insurance coverage you need, consider what your current policy covers, any inexpensive additions (or endorsements) to your active policy and your location related to the risk of natural disaster.

Epic Security

There are many types of disasters to consider, including natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, forest fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. Unnatural disasters include war, nuclear accidents, civil disobedience and terrorism.

NATURAL DISASTERS

Floods

Who is at risk? Everyone. Any area can experience an unusually wet season and the wastewater management systems of most cities do not have the means to control a rapid increase of water in paved areas. Generally, if your property lies near a body of water or in an area prone to hurricanes or flash floods the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) considers you to be at a high risk.

To determine the level of risk in your area: Visit http://www.floodsmart.com, sponsored by the NFIP, to see floodplain maps and search by zip code the flood risk of a specific area.

Insurance: Traditional homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Many lenders require flood insurance if the property is located in a high-risk area. Private agencies do not provide flood insurance; flood insurance is available through the NFIP, who is under FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. Information about this insurance program is available at the NFIP website or through an insurance quote service. Flood insurance offered by the NFIP usually also covers flooding caused by hurricanes, rivers and tidal waves if two acres or two adjacent properties are affected. Water damage from broken pipes, backed-up sewers and from fire hoses is usually covered by standard insurance.

Earthquakes

Who is at risk? In the United States, the most active areas are along the Pacific Ocean including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington. Inland areas of activity include Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and a small area between the three connecting corners of Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri.

To determine the level of risk in your area: The United States Geological Society Earthquakes Hazards Program hosts maps at [http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/epic/epic_circ.html] that are updated by the hour for the entire planet. Residents of California can go to [http://www.quake.abag.ca.gov] to view an interactive shaking and liquefaction map.

Insurance: Earthquake endorsements can be added to most insurance policies purchased through a private agency. In California, residents can purchase earthquake insurance through the California Earthquake Authority. The probability of an earthquake, your location, soil type and building structure determine premiums. Deductibles on earthquake insurance are typically very high, often up to 10 to 15 percent of the building's structural limit. Damage caused by broken gas lines or water pipes as a result of an earthquake typically may be covered by standard insurance. Earthquake damage to vehicles is covered by comprehensive insurance. Liquefaction can cause water damage by mud and standing water resulting from an earthquake. Consult your policy to determine whether your earthquake endorsement or other additions cover this type of phenomenon.

Forest Fires

Who is at Risk? Properties in wooded or dry grassland areas or located far from fire stations are considered at risk.

To determine the level of risk in your area: The National Interagency Fire Center publishes current fire maps at [http://www.nifc.gov/firemaps.html].

Insurance: It is quite common for insurance companies to refuse coverage for properties in wooded areas or far from fire stations. Fortunately, unless you are in certain high-risk areas, many agencies will offer coverage or endorsements. Some policies offer benefits to help clean smoke damage and cover accidental fires or lightening fires in developed areas. Many insurance companies will extend discounts if preventative products are in place, including fire alarms or sprinklers, fire extinguishers and fire-resistant roofs.

Tornadoes

Who is at Risk? Tornadoes are most common in the states located east of the Rockies. However, they occasionally do occur in other areas.

To determine the level of risk in your area: The National Climatic Data Center tracks severe weather. To view maps and historical information related to tornadoes visit http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/tornadoes.html.

Insurance: Coverage for this type of disaster is usually available through a standard insurance policy. Most policies will also cover structural damage from hail that quite often accompanies this type of weather. Damage to trees and landscaping is not usually covered unless an addition is purchased.

Hurricanes

Who is at Risk? Hurricanes occur most often over and near the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. In the United States areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern coastlines of Florida to Maine are particularly prone to this type of severe weather.

To determine the level of risk in your area: View hurricane maps published by the National Climatic Data Center at http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/hurricanes.html.

Insurance: Many standard insurance policies will cover damages covered by wind but not by flooding. Flood insurance must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program.

UNNATURAL DISASTERS

War

Damage to property from war activity, due to modern technology, could potentially happen anywhere. Most insurance policies will not cover losses caused by a war.

Nuclear Accidents

If a nearby power plant irradiates your property, insurance will generally not cover damages. However, it may help to express liability concerns to the owners of the plant. Before purchasing a property, you may want to visit the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission website at http://www.nrc.gov to discover if an active plant is located in the area.

Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience usually refers to a riot or other civil commotion. Standard insurance will generally cover damages resulting from a riot, unless you were actively involved. If your property is broken into and items are stolen or vandalized, most insurance policies will cover the cost of repairs and replace stolen items. However, in order to receive the full value of lost items you may have to purchase "replacement cost coverage."

Terrorism

On November 26, 2002, President Bush signed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which stated that private insurers and the federal government share the risk of losses attributed to terrorism. The act also rescinded state exclusions for terrorism. This act was set for a three-year period; check in your state to find out how your state currently enforces coverage for acts of terrorism. Additionally, evaluate your particular insurance policy to see what benefits you may receive if an act of terrorism affects your property.

Additional Considerations:

Homeowners may want to consider, regardless of location, Additional Living Expenses (ALE), which is a benefit that will reimburse up to 10-20% of the structural coverage of your home to help with temporary living expenses. Business owners may want to consider purchasing 'contingent business interruption' or 'contingent business income' coverage that can help cover profit loss or extra expenses that occur as a direct result of interruption of supply due to events outside the businesses control. This type of coverage could be beneficial if your main supplier or customer is located in an affected area. Landslides often are not caused by earthquakes or flooding. This unique kind of earth movement falls into a commonly undefined area of coverage; consult your policy to see if your insurance covers this type of occurrence. Standard insurance may cover some natural disasters, such as damage from windstorms, hail, lightning and volcanic eruptions. Even if you purchase complete coverage, relief does not come instantly. With this in mind, it is a good idea to keep on hand food, water, cash, a battery operated radio, first-aid supplies and protection from the elements to last at least three to four days. Document your belongings well. Keep an accurate and up-to-date copy of your records and policies off the premises in a safe place.
In Summary

Once you've determined what the risks are in your area carefully review your policies. Keep in mind that policies may offer different levels of benefits with regards to property. Evaluate coverage in terms of the structure and content of a building, the outer buildings such as sheds, barns or garages, landscaping, and temporary living or relocation expenses.

Understanding your policies can be difficult. Nevertheless, it is better to invest a little time now, than worry about it later. If you think your insurance coverage falls a little short, shop around to find the kind of coverage you need or speak with your representative about additions to your current policy. You may also want to try on online service like insurancefinder.com.

References

Association of Bay Area Governments. Earthquake Maps and Information, Liquefaction and Information. http://quake.abag.ca.gov.

Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). What is a Flood? http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/whatflood.jsp.

Insure.com. The Basics of Earthquake Insurance. http://info.insure.com/home/quake.html.

Insurance Information Institute. Earthquakes: Risk and Insurance Issues. http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/earthquake/.

Kreidler, Mike. Facts about Earthquake Insurance [http://www.insurance.wa.gov/factsheets/factsheet_detail.asp?FctShtRcdNum=20].

National Interagency Fire Center. Fire Maps. [http://www.nifc.gov/firemaps.html].

U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Satellite and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center. Hurricanes. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/hurricanes.html.

U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Satellite and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center. Tornadoes. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/tornadoes.html.

U.S. Department of Interior. US Geological Survey, Earthquakes Hazards Program. [http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/epic/epic_circ.html].

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Facility Information Finder.http://www.nrc.gov.

Weston, Liz Pulliam. What Your Home Insurance Doesn't Cover. http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/Insureyourhome/P35342.asp.

Floods, Earthquakes and Fires: Secure vs. Insure

Pamela Stevens

Pamela Stevens writes for TopTenREVIEWS.com, an online review service that publishes unbasied software, online service and hardware reviews. TopTenReviews also publishes movie reviews and entertainment pages. Please see http://toptenreviews.com for reviews and articles on a wide variety of topics.