DEMO: Hobbies Theme

9 Tips for Better Copywriting
 by: Alex A. Kecskes

Avoid the wimpy verbs—is and be.

These “do-little” verbs only occupy space and state that something exists. So don’t write, “There is one simple omission that can transform a sentence from boring to brilliant.” Do write, “One simple omission can transform a sentence from boring to brilliant.” Similarly, avoid, “We will be running the new program from our Dallas office.” Instead, opt for “We will run the new program from our Dallas office.”

Place the longest item at the end of a series.

Start with the simple and work toward the complex. It’s less confusing and makes a more memorable ending to the sentence. If you have a series like “He was always later that Joan, loud and boring.” Opt for “He was loud, boring and always later that Joan.”

Specifics are more convincing.

Unless you must for legal reasons, don’t use words like many, several, approximately, nearly and other such mushy weasel modifiers. Specifics tell your audience that you know what your product can do based on tests, research, results, etc.

Modify thy neighbor.

“Hybrid” Dog - Isn’t That Just Another Word For Mutt?
 by: Hope Saidel

Every day we hear more about the new “hybrid” dogs, or “designer” dogs. Each feature is accompanied by pictures of adorable puppies that are examples of this new “breed.”

Of course they’re cute! All puppies are! Should you pay hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of dollars for one? Certainly not! The offspring of a mating between two purebred dogs of different breeds is a mongrel, a mutt. And if you have one, you should love it, train it and care for it as if it had the bluest blood of the canine kingdom.

Every dog breed, and there are hundreds in the world, was “created” by humans. Each breed was developed for a specific purpose - whether that original job was guarding the flock or being the ideal lap-dog. There’s no reason that development shouldn’t continue. If there is a need for a dog with particular characteristics, enterprising individuals will come forward to fill that need.

For most of us, making any major purchase, such as a new refrigerator, or a new car, is a cacophony of options and confusion; do we want the silver one or the black one? How much can we afford to spend? Will it last over time? If nothing else, we at least know what we need these appliances to do: the microwave needs to make the food hot quickly, the car needs to get us from one place to the other without breaking down. When confronted with the purchase of a new guitar, even experienced guitarists can have trouble deciding what exactly they want and need. However, if you follow a few simple suggestions, you can make your guitar-buying experience a whole lot easier.

• 1. Determine your price range: you can spend anywhere from $99 to $20,000+ on a guitar, so make sure to work out your budget before you go into the store or start shopping online. Quality guitars are available at all different price ranges, so don’t feel that you have to break the bank to get what you need.
• 2. Know what sound you want. This is probably the most important aspect of learning how to buy an electric guitar. Certain guitars are more well-rounded, able to go from blues, to jazz, to rock without skipping a beat. Others are more one-sided, specifically designed for a certain type of music. Listen to some of your favorite guitar sounds on CD or on the radio, then ask a music professional what type of guitar was used on the recording. Chances are that they’ll be able to point you toward a guitar that will get you close to the sound you’re hearing in your head. Also, if you know what style of music you’ll primarily be playing, this can also make your selection process easier.
• 3. Get something that excites you. Bottom line, if the guitar doesn’t light up in your hands, if it just doesn’t feel "right" even if it’s supposed to be the perfect guitar, then it’s not the right one for you. Shop around, both in stores and online, until you find the one that’s screaming "pick me, pick me!"

Happy hunting!

Meade Telestar Review DS 60ME
 by: Anne Noonan

This Meade Telestar review features the DS 60ME model. The DS 60ME is equipped with three styles of eyepieces, the H25mm, H12.5mm, and the SR4mm. All these pieces are electronic and will let you view images on your TV. Being able to see celestial images on your television is a lot of fun especially if it is a large screen. Continue reading our Meade Telestar review for further details.

Research for our Meade Telestar review revealed the DS 60ME optical capabilities are very advanced allowing you to see sharp, high contrast objects in the night sky or land. Stars, planets, and the moon can be seen clearly, along with birds and other nature.

The Telestar DS 60ME uses a hi-tech Digital Series mount, both axes have slow motion controls. This enables you to track objects accurately and smoothly. Its equipped with a refractor lens that is 60mm, and its 700mm focal length provides sharp images and incredible contrast. This Meade Telestar review of the DS 60ME telescope gives it a 5 star rating.

About The Author

Anne Noonan makes it easy and quick to decide which telescope

How the Writer Survives
 by: Seth T Mullins

So it’s your dream to write novels? Be a freelance writer and make a living off of your articles? Or maybe you nurture an ambition to write and sell enough short fiction to put bread on the table, like those writers of the golden age of the pulps?

Well, those are all noble dreams to have. I’m smitten by the writer’s glamour myself. Also I’m grateful for the others who were, those authors whom I love to read and return to time and again. I’m grateful that they possessed not only their artistic vision, but also the sheer stubbornness and will to persevere and see their dreams become reality.

So we’ve settled on the fact that we want to be writers, and that no other dream will do. Now let’s take a look at what this is likely to mean in terms of the sacrifices we’ll have to make along the way.

1. Misunderstanding.

Tips on Choosing a Puppy
 by: Adrian Wade

There are numerous factors to consider when choosing a puppy. A puppy requires an enormous amount of responsibility and time so think wisely before deciding on purchasing or adopting one.

Once you’ve made up your mind, it’s time to choose your dog. Here are few things and tips to consider that may help:

Mixed Breed or Pure Breed?

Pure Bred dogs usually have a better temperament than mixed breed ones. But this is not always the case so it is very important to look at the individual dog. Mixed dogs are usually less predictable in their size, temperament and character. This may be an important factor to consider especially when you have small children. Pure breeds are usually bred for certain qualities so it is easy to predict how the puppy will look and act like by referring to its parents. Pure breeds however usually cost more than mixed breeds because breeders bred to insure only the best blood lines. On the contrary, mixed breeds are less expensive and easier to find at animal shelters or pet stores. They are not as subjective to inter-breeding so they also have less health defects than pure breeds.

Sometimes we feel hard-pressed,
Our backs against the wall;
Sometimes we feel lightheaded,
As if we are going to fall.

Sometimes we feel fierce anger
At those who misuse guns;
Sometimes we feel ashamed
Of how we treat God’s little ones.

Sometimes we feel excited,
As when a birthday nears;
Sometimes we feel withdrawn
And retreat to inner spheres.

Sometimes we feel so lonely,
Without a friend or foe;
Sometimes we feel confused,
Can’t decide which way to go.

Sometimes we feel too sensitive,
Weep over some small thing;
Sometimes we feel quite infantile
And desire pampering.

Sometimes we feel depressed,
Lost in pity and despair;
Sometimes we feel great serenity,
Strolling the beach somewhere.

Sometimes we feel deep hurt
When treated loathingly;
Sometimes we feel frustration,
When given the third degree.

Sometimes we feel divine,
Spiritually renewed;
Sometimes we feel tranquil,
Relaxed in solitude.

Sometimes we feel loving,
Wanting to kiss and hug;
Sometimes we feel defiant
Must resist an all out tug.

Sometimes we feel deep grief,
When someone we loved has died;
Sometimes we feel outraged,
When our rights have been denied.

So, you have decided to plant rose bushes in your yard or on your patio, porch or balcony. Now all you have to do is go out and buy some bushes and plant them. Right? Wrong!!

There are several things that you have to decide before buying:

1. Where are you planning on planting?

2. Are you going to plant in the ground or in containers?

3. Do you want roses that are scented or unscented?

4. Do you want bushes, trees, climbers, vining or do you want them to grow into a hedge?

5. Do you want large, medium, small or miniature blooms?

6. Do you want roses for cutting?

7. What colors go best with your garden, patio, porch or balcony?

There are several types of roses, among them are:

Hybrid teas bloom frequently, are hardy, come in a wide range of colors, are well sented and are good for cutting for vases. The size of the blooms and the length of the stem depends on how they are pruned. They make the best long stem roses for cutting.

Most grocery stores carry cans of whipping cream ready to spray onto your favorite desert. Some of these cans even come in chocolate flavor. But, instead of choosing to use canned cream how about whipping your own.

In the dairy case of your local grocery store you will find cartons of Ultra-pasteurized whipping cream, whipping cream, and baker’s cream. Each of these can be whipped up into a delightful topping for deserts.

Ultra-pasteurized whipping cream has been heated to above 280 degrees to extend its shelf life. It is just a bit more temperamental when it comes to whipping.

Whipping cream is more difficult to find in stores but it does whip up easier.

Baker’s cream is an Ultra-pasteurized version that contains vanilla flavoring. This is an excellent choice to top cakes or pies.

Whether using Ultra-pasteurized, whipping, or baker’s cream following a few simple steps will yield delightful results every time.

First chill all ingredients and utensils thoroughly. Place the carton of cream in the coldest location in your refrigerator. Allow it to chill overnight. Place the beaters and a deep narrow bowl in the freezer for 30 minutes before whipping.

Art Needs Time to Flower - Even in Cyberspace
 by: Seth Thomas Mullins

The speed of the internet has profoundly changed many (or most) people’s perceptions of writing and publishing. It has affected our sense of TIME.

Everything is accelerated. If we can copy and paste a story or article and submit it via e-mail within a matter of minutes then is seems strange to still have to wait a few months for response. We’ve come to expect quick results in cyberspace.

It’s easy to forget, as we’re staring at computer-generated characters and interacting with an animated screen, that we’re still sending our work out to another human being. That person has their own schedule, their own set of opinions and values when it comes to stories, articles, and poems…to sum it up, they have a life away from the computer. The internet is the medium, not the message.

Microsoft word has helped foster the illusion that anyone can be a writer. Who needs to learn spelling and grammar when the program can find and fix such errors? Again we have a distortion of our sense of time. Instead of building up our talent, and nurturing our ability over a long period of trial and error, we want to plow right in to that bestseller.