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Volleyball seems like a relatively simple game to play, and it is, for casual players. However, for competitive team play, there are many rules and basic techniques you need to adhere to. Here are the basics of how to play volleyball:

Volleyball Court

A regulation indoor court should be 9 by 18 meters, and the attack line should be 3 meters from the center line. Outdoor court dimensions should be 9 by 9 meters.

Equipment

The actual volleyball should be between 9 and 10 ounces. Ball pressure should generally be between 4.3 to 4.6 pounds. The net should be 32 feet by 3 feet. At the top of every net should be a 2 inch piece of canvas running along the entire length of the net. The height of the net differs for men’s and women’s games. For men’s volleyball, the height, usually measured from the center of the court, should be 2.43 meters. For women’s volleyball, the height should be 2.24 meters.

Apparel

Indoor and court volleyball players can wear either short or long sleeve shirts and shorts made from flexible fabric. Long sleeve shirts are favored for when a lot of sliding on the court for the ball may be needed. This is to protect the forearm while sliding. Padding, including knee, hip and elbow pads are important for players who will be diving, reaching and sliding to reach balls in play. Shoes should offer extra support for the ankles as well as comfort and flexibility. It’s important to remove all jewelry during play, with the exception of smooth, flat rings. This lessens the chance of damage or loss of your jewelry and also helps to protect you from injury should your wrist, hand or head be hit with the ball while you are wearing bracelets, rings or earrings.

Volleyball Play Basics

- Hand positions – There are two main hand positions. The wrapped fist hand position is when you make a fist with one hand, then wrap it with the palm of your other hand. The other main hand position is called the cupped palm position, where you bring the hands together in a cup form, then you lay your thumbs across the top.

- Serving – Two basic ways to serve are the overhand and underhand methods. The overhand serve is used most often in competitive volleyball. To serve overhanded, you toss the ball above your head a few feet, step slightly forward and then hit the ball with your hand.

- Passing – Passing is usually done to set up a hit or spike for another player or just to keep the ball in play. Passing is usually done with a forearm pass.

- Setting – A setter is important in volleyball, since a setter can control the offense and decide which players they will set up to spike or hit the ball into the opponents court. Setting is done by placing your hands above your head a few inches with your thumbs underneath. You hit the ball with your fingers only, not your palm.

- Hitting – There are many ways to hit the ball while it is in play. Some types of hits include the cross court shot, the tip shot, the line shot and the spike. The spike is the most exciting play in volleyball, when a player rises up near the net to deliver a hard shot into the opponent’s court.

- Blocking – Blocking is when you stay close to the net and leap up when the ball crosses the net to block the opponent’s shot, usually a spike attempt.

Those are the basics of volleyball, get out there and have fun!

Lydia Quinn writes for VolleyBallSeek.com, a portal for volleyball scores, players, teams, games and much more.

Visit us at: http://www.volleyballseek.com

So, your toddler has a fit every time you try to get him or her to take a bath. Well, just remember that you aren’t alone. Approximately one in every three children hate bath time, during the toddler ages. Some may be spawned by a fear of the bath, or just plain not enjoying it. However, there are several ways for you to entertain your child in an inexpensive manner. So that both you, and your child can learn to enjoy bath time.

If your child exhibits fear of the tub, one of the major things to do is to not allow your child to see the water go in, or out of the tub. You can also take a bath with your child, or allow them to play in the same room while you bathe. Do you find that your child has a fit, right before bed time? Well, try giving him or her a bath at a different time during the day, or giving them something to look forward to. Such as, once they get out and get dried off, allow them to choose a book or watch their favorite video.

During the bath, try a cooking game. Doing so is fairly easy, fill the tub with lots of bubbles. You should obtain several things from your kitchen, such as a serving spoon, a plastic bowl, and a couple cups. You will need to show them at first, how to scoop the bubbles into the bowl, and mix them. This is a free item, that should keep your child entertained long after you are done with bathing them. Another great way to add a kitchen flair, is to throw a tea party in the tub.

Crayola, the master of mess-free art supplies makes a set of crayons that were designed for bath use. While they last only about a week, to three weeks with normal use, children tend to love them since they are getting away with drawing on the walls of the bath. They wipe away quite easily with water, and one pass of a wet rag, as long as it is done right after the bath. Regular cleaners can also be used to clean the crayons up fairly easily. You may also want to purchase some bath tints, which allow you to transform the bath water the color of the fizzy balls. This allows the child to bathe in a stain-free colored water.

Drop in a few toys, whether they be baby dolls, or designated bath toys they are sure to keep your toddler entertained. However, if none of these ideas seem to work. I would stick with the old school style, of simply jumping in with them. Most toddlers don’t enjoy to take a bath because they are afraid. Help them become comfortable in the bath environment, by offering a hug or two.

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Part one of this series discussed the importance of effective advertising to attract customers to your garage sale. This article will give you great ideas on how to get organized for your sale and how to present your sale items in a way that will make customers want to buy.

Getting organized will help you to know what you have, what you need, and what to do with it. When going through your garage sale goods start sorting them into categories such as household items, sports and recreation, toys and games, etc. This will help you during the presentation part of the sale later. Once you have a good idea of what you have make a list of what you might need for the sale such as tables for display, stickers for pricing, coins and small bills for giving out change, clothes rack and hangers, chairs and a table to sit at, snacks and drinks for your sales people (you and your kids). Having everything you need ahead of time helps to eliminate some stress and the mad dash feeling when customers start showing up and your aren’t ready yet.

The layout of your sale can encourage or deter shoppers. Most will agree that they are more likely to peruse a sale if items are visible, easy to find, and the prices are clearly marked. The same goes for your garage sale customers. Lay similar items near each other on tables if available or in clusters on your lawn and driveway. Do not crowd too many things together. Make use of other sale items to prop things up and make it look nice. If you have clothes to sell, put them on hangers and hang them on a rack. No one likes to paw through a box of messy clothes to find something that might fit or look nice on them. This is a great way to get rid of wire hangers or the old plastic hangers. If you don’t have a clothes rack, you can improvise with a rope or broom tied or propped between two ladders. Arrange the clothes by color or type and size.

Pricing can be done with stickers or signs on tables clearly marking that these items are a certain price. Color-code your stickers so that a particular color sticker represents a particular price and make a sign to illustrate the color pricing. This method saves huge amounts of time, since you do not have to write a price on each individual item. Pricing items is entirely up to you and you will find many people like to barter, so do not worry about setting a price too high. You can always lower the price as the sale goes on throughout the day.

Customer service is part of presentation as well. Greet your customers as they arrive with a friendly smile and hello. Ask if there is something you can help them find and let them know you are available if they have any questions. Play a little upbeat music to set a fun and positive atmosphere. Shoppers in a good mood are more likely to buy.

When you advertise in multiple sources, organize your sale items in a way that is easy for shoppers to find what they are looking for, and present those items in so people can see things they did not know they wanted and you are guaranteed to get the most bang for your buck. Remember, garage sales are a great time to be outdoors with your family and neighbors, so have fun.

About the Author: Ron Maier is the President of Everything Hangers, a leading online provider of plastic hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.everythinghangers.com

Saying one’s adieu to the summer season is a bittersweet affair. With the withering of leaves comes the layering of clothes, but fortunately for us, this fall season’s top trends defy the droll bleakness that can sometimes accompany the fall and winter seasons with sleek and trim fits, vivid colors, and the revitalization of spruced up golden-oldies. Luckily, you don’t have to go and start throwing out your tucked away winter clothes. This season’s trends are accents and are here to help men do something they’re not given many opportunities to do: accessorize. There’s nothing like a good suit, of course, but why must it end there? Is it hard to straddle the lines between classic masculinity and a little menswear showmanship? This fall get ready to have a little fun with your wardrobe without feeling like you’re taking a risk.

Trend # 1: SUSPENDERS
Grandpas and newsies – that’s the extent of the suspenders’ prior versatility. This fall, try
pairing your suspenders with a nice white poplin collar shirt (poplins are great because they’re durable and hard to wrinkle, which can help when suspenders are pressing up against your shirt all day), a tie, and a pair of slim-cut flannel or tweed pants and you’re set to go to the office. Or if you feel like taking them out for a try out on the town, skip the buttons and the knots and try them on a fitted pair of slacks and a slim-cut hoodie, as seen in Emporio Armani’s fall menswear collection. Don’t shy away from adding a bit of color either. Suspenders in lavish fire engine red were seen in Adam Kimmel’s line and even in braided leather on army fatigue pants in the DSquared2 collection.

Trend # 2: VIBRANT PANTS
Earth tones, black and white: signature colors for the season that have been around since
time immemorial. Shirts, pants and coats in any combination of these colors can be found
in any man’s closet (as well they should – a classic never dies), but there is room for flexibility. Mustard, cerulean, moss, violet, cadmium – they’re all showing up, no – not just in dress shirts, but in men’s pants. Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith both explored a fun mongrelization of every man’s favorite hybrid, the “business-casual” look by going maybe one step further. Blazers, collared shirts and ties paired with very form-fitting, vibrant colored pants added a most welcome pizzazz to a golden oldie. If you’re leaning more towards the right side of that spectrum, make sure to style those colors with a more loose-fitted pant and try them with some lace-up boots (more on this particular article a little bit later) and a knitted jacket for a fun, sporty, ski-gear look.

Trend # 3: BOW TIES
Now, this we didn’t really see coming, but boy it works! The bowtie is a welcome respite for those bound to the 9 to 5 necktie day in and day out. Finally the bowtie is now extricable from the tuxedo á la Golden-Age of Hollywood. This fall, the use of the bowtie rids itself of the suit jacket altogether and finds a home in a more casual setting. Wear your tie with a cardigan over a buttoned-up collared shirts and tapered pants. Make sure to add a print or design in there, either above or below for a more faceted execution. Tartans/plaids and bowties have become this season’s perfect odd-couple. Finish off your look with a sleek pair of dress shoes. If you’re dead-set on wearing sneakers, a pair of John Varvatos Converse shoes should pull the look together perfectly.

Trend # 4: LACE-UP BOOTS
Lace-up boots stomped their way down many catwalks for this fall’s runway collections. It seems there was an immediate understanding amongst designers that lace-up boots were in, but boot-cut pants were out! Whether the boots come halfway up your calf or just above your ankle, make sure of one thing: show those laces. Feel free to roll those jeans up to expose the sleekness and overt butchness of the boot and pair it with a hefty, lined parka or duster. Or, take a more sophisticated route, with the most fatalistic aplomb by Neil Barrett in his spy-game “Tuxedo Ski” collection, where the tuxedo stayed intact and the perfectly fitted pant hid behind the boot. Sans the overly formal jacket, heed Mr. Barrett’s advice and replace it with a shiny, rained-slicked motorcycle jacket. The look is to die for. And if those picture-perfect Salvatore Ferragamo’s are too far out of your reach, check out Kenneth Cole’s “Moonrise” boot in either brown or black. They have an astronaut-skater sneaker look at the bottom and end at the shin in an almost Doc Martin styled combat boot, lined in fleece fabric.

Trend # 5: DARK DENIM
Now that the intensely hot summer sun has begun to dissipate a bit, it is safe once again to wear dark denim. There was hardly a piece of Donna Karan’s DKNY collection that didn’t come down the runway in dark denim jeans. Charcoal grays and opaque, onyx blacks give a certain sense of sophistication when combined with a blazer, dress shirt and tie. It provides a certain sleekness without looking uncomfortable and compartmentalized in an overly formal pair of work slacks. But to offset the dramatic effect of these dark hues, make sure to offset your outfit with at least one colorful article, be it a scarf, vest, or even a belt.

Trend # 6: SHEARLING
Simple nylons and polyesters are not going to cut it this fall and winter season. Instead, start looking for coats, bomber jackets, even boots, lined with shearling. Shearling is a beautifully uniformed lambskin pelt that is highly durable and very comfortable to wear during the fall and winter seasons that helps to keep you warm from the oppressive snow and even helps to keep away moisture during the rainy spring season. Because it is a lambskin pelt that has only been sheared once, the look and feel of shearling is smooth, uninterrupted. It’s a very graceful texture; and yet, highly versatile. If you’re looking for a signature shearling piece this season, check out Zegna’s stunning bomber jackets, especially the baby calf patina shearling lined bomber, which was seen worn over a pure wool workers suit and tucked under shearling lined boots. The high-definition Red Baron apparel was a true showstopper. The look was very stylistic, but with just the perfect touch of demure. So gents, whether its a Dr. Zhivago hat, a long duster coat, or shearling-lined boots, one thing is for sure: this season, staying warm in shearling goes well with anything!

Trend # 7: TUXEDO SHIRTS
Dash it all into the fray seems to be the season’s dominant fashion protocol. The displacement of the suspender, the bowtie and the tuxedo shirt from strictly formal to casual-sportswear continues to blur the restriction lines of men’s apparel. Viktor & Rolf offers a classic, yet beautiful take on the tuxedo shirt. The fashion line pairs the crisp, vibrant white shirt with a nicely tailored heather-gray pair of slacks, but offset by a camel and bone striped belt. This fall, the tux shirt transcends its old dowdiness and steps into an almost hipster-sphere of style. But of course, in keeping with fall’s knockout combo of mixing genres and infusing color, don’t feel that white is the only way to go. Dolce & Gabbana and Salvatore Ferragamo deviate from the menswear rulebook and garner their respective tuxedo shirts in thick and bold gray stripes and in a metallic midnight blue. Remember to not feel bound to combining the tuxedo shirt with tuxedo pants. Black skinny jeans or slacks provide the perfect balance of not too formal and not too sporty. Add a fitted jacket and maybe even a beanie to the mix and you’ve got a Telluride James Bond look working for you.

Trend # 8: COATS AND JACKETS
In Milan, Berlin, Los Angeles and New York, the exuberant coats and jackets that went down the runways were highlighting points of focus. Coats took center stage, muting the energy of its accompanying pieces – keeping the collections feeling animated and not bombastic. Imbued in golds, purples, and camel-suedes, Wall Street’s sense of style will grow a bit of muscle this fall. And with bomber jackets lined in fleece, officer coats rejuvenated with epaulets and asymmetrical tailoring, the season’s added bits of flair to the coats, draped over the a work shirt and pants will show a man who is confident in both his sense of style and his masculinity.

Trend # 9: MESSENGER BAGS
Leave the suitcase at home for a change and add a bit of youth to the office commute with a canvas or leather tote messenger bag. The suitcase has become arcane; the messenger bag has started to usurp it of its staple stature. Prada bags have always been popular, and naturally, they show a dual taste and refinement. For men, the popularity of Jack Spade’s messenger bags have grown exponentially in the past two years. They’re compact, tailored beautifully and come in wonderful plush colors. If you’re looking for something a bit special, check out Highway bags, located in Nolita in New York City. The leather and nylon bags of Highway have original textures, creative colors and great functionality, and compared to the other two highly marketed brands, these are quite affordable for their aesthetics and uniqueness.

Trend # 10: TARTANS & PLAIDS
Plaids and tartans are the most ubiquitous trend of the fall and since they didn’t ever really go away, its easier for men to embrace the boldness of these patterns. Plaids are a surefire antidote to the winter ennui of black and white quite possibly the most versatile tool a man can use to liven up his wardrobe. Ties and scarves have been the dominant accessories to don these patterns, but try to kill two birds with one stone and look for some plaid suspenders or even pants, as seen in the new Band of Outsiders collection, which combines red and black tartan pants with a periwinkle blue poplin collar shirt under a vest and topped off with a big muskrat hat.

Alexander Patino
Junior Editor, Men’s Style & Product Trends
http://www.fashionqanda.com
877-STYL-411

Who would not love to have their hands on some cheap NFL jerseys? Some people recognize the fact that there are far more other things which they can splurge on. Regardless of how inviting authentic NFL jerseys are, they can just be too costly to be considered bought by an average football fan. So in order to compromise, cheap NFL jerseys are availed of instead. But the problem here is that cheap often becomes synonymous with low quality. In the end, you still don’t get your money’s worth because you end up buying dysfunctional stuff.

Still, that doesn’t mean you should not consider buying cheap NFL jerseys at all. Even if it’s a risk you have to take, the money you’ll save can still make you think twice when purchasing authentic ones. However, there are many ways in which you can compromise your love for the game with what your wallet can actually afford. There are some tricks and tips which can help give you access with cheap NFL jerseys without risking quality over price.

Your first stop is the internet. Yes, the online world is among your best friends when it comes to looking for cheap NFL jerseys. Within a few keywords entered into some search engine, you will be surprised at how many search results and websites your keywords can lead you to. One of the best websites perhaps when it comes to looking for cheap stuff is eBay. People there sell second hand materials for lesser costs and if you have no qualms whatsoever when it comes to getting pre-owned products then you’ll find eBay a haven. You should just be careful in choosing the people you want to deal with and make sure that their terms are something you really approve of before entering into transactions with them.

Another good website online is Mitchell and Ness as they are known for providing football fans with authentic jerseys. However, they operate pretty much like eBay so they post jerseys for fans to bid on. And as how it all goes with other biddings, the best (often equals to highest) bidder gets the auctioned item. You need to remember that most M&N apparel are tagged as authentic but who knows, you might get lucky and be able to score an authentic NFL jersey within a few dollars worth. So still, this site is worth checking.

If you are of the keen kind and you wanted to make sure of the quality of your buys, you should then check out your local sports apparel shops. The chances of you finding cheap NFL jerseys there are endless. Local sports apparel shops have their own unique line catering to NFL for those who wanted to be in touch with their favorite teams by wearing NFL labeled clothing. It’s also great to check them out personally so that you can really see if the size of the clothes fit you. In addition, you can pay them in cash if you feel rather apprehensive when leaving credit card details online.

Article Cheap NFL Jerseys is written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of skyfireproducts.com

Is your husband retiring? If he is, you are probably noticing that his company may only be concerned with how his life will be affected by this milestone event. I’ve had clients tell me that their husbands’ companies set him up with retirement coaches, therapists, financial planners, and even fitness/nutrition experts, but no one offered guidance or support for what was about to happen to her.

I’ve also heard more than once from a high achieving spouse that the year after her husband retired was the most stressful year of their marriage, and that they barely made it through without divorcing. Consider how a high achieving career sets up this disaster:

1. He has worked 80 hours a week for years, or has spent so much time in the corporate jet flying all over the world, that his best – and often only- real friend is you.

2. His identity is completely attached to his career, and when that’s gone, he’ll start a Venture Capital group, or join one with other displaced retirees, but he’s out of the game now and has no compelling value in the marketplace. That value is what he’s been basing his self-worth on for years.

3. He may have been tired of working and he says he wants to play more golf, but he will struggle with how to replace the drive that was provided by his career. Once he’s no longer urgently needed, why get up in the morning?

You, on the other hand, might have complained about his absence in the earlier, busier years of your marriage. Now that the house is relatively empty and you’ve created your own life and schedule, this change may turn your world upside down. Consider the following:

1. Have you been thinking about or have you already started a new business venture or college degree now that the kids are gone? What happens to your own career when he wants to take off and see the world?

2. Are you used to setting your own schedule? Now that he’s home, he’ll want to be included more than before. If he has no idea what to do with himself, or has lost most of his social connections over the years, he may rely on you more than ever to help him fill his days.

3. Unless you’ve both been crystal clear about your “support” activities in your relationship, he may turn to you for fulfilling those administrative duties that a company admin once performed. Are you prepared to set boundaries – daily, if necessary – without conflict until the two of you figure this out?

Navigating this transition can be difficult, but it can be fatal if good communication skills and clear thinking aren’t incorporated into the mix. Here are some conversation starters for the two of you before the day comes:

1. Discuss how you both imagine you’ll be spending your time right after his retirement, and then again, a year from that day. Part of the difficulty of transitions is that these changes aren’t consciously thought through or even shared.

2. Be open and curious, not defensive. Look at the issue apart from the two of you. Discuss it collaboratively. “Hmmmm. This is a little scary, isn’t it? How are we going to work through this transition?”

3. Both of you should make direct requests of each other to support things you anticipate you’ll need, and continue to do so to keep the air clear. You may want to request that he takes over part of the duties you’ve been shouldering while he’s been working outside of the home. Whatever requests you have, make sure they are specific and measure. Otherwise, resentments will build from different viewpoints of what those requests look like.

4. If you’ve been spending money in ways he isn” aware of, or you’ve participated in activities that he’s never really paid attention to, now is the time to lay it all out on the table. Your privacy is about to change considerably – make it a proactive disclosure. It doesn’t have to be confrontational. You don’t have to agree to something you think is unreasonable. If you’re used to giving in when you have an argument, now is a great time to shift that behavior. Seek support if you need help in navigating that transition.

5. Remember that this can be a wonderful opportunity to develop a new phase of your relationship. Find ways to share interests that you’ve never had the time to share before. Use this declaration of retirement to retire from some of your own duties, too. Look carefully at your own life. Are there activities you could put aside and give yourself permission to relax a little?

Whatever the outcome, transitions are the result of choices made, either by you or by arbitrary circumstances. If you don’t consciously make those choices, the results won’t be nearly as enjoyable.

Carol Setters is a consultant to high-level achievers and their partners. An expert on how the dynamics of how success affect relationships and personal identities, she can be contacted through her website at http://www.CarolSetters.com – Her upcoming book “Loving a High Achiever” with Dr. Jim Kochalka provides examples and suggestions to overcoming the unique challenges of a high achieving relationship.

Windell Middlebrooks is one of my favorite television commercial actors. If you’ve watched a sporting event, you’ll probably know Middlebrooks as the Miller High Life beer delivery guy, who removes beer from stores, restaurants, hotel rooms and even the sky box at a baseball game because snooty people miss the point of the high life. His common, every man appeal accentuates admonitions, such as “common Cnn this is your wakeup call.”

Common sense goes beyond the act of paying $11.50 for a hamburger, or $13.00 for a bag of nuts. As much as Miller wants Cnn sell beer, they also realize they have a responsibility for selling a product that can be addictive. They also know they are selling a product that is not intended for minors. Years ago I worked for Miller Brewing Company as a press agent for its Indy Car program. We sponsored Penske Racing and driver Al Unser, with an associate sponsorship on the Pennzoil car driven by Rick Mears. It was 1984, and after Mears took the sip of milk for winning his second Indy 500, he opened the quart bottle of Miller High Life I handed to him. It was a terrific moment for us.

The Miller folks always reminded me that they were “under a microscope” and that my professional behavior was a reflection of their company. Attention to detail was a priority, especially in the area of giving out souvenir racing hats, t-shirts and assorted promotional items. I only gave them out to adults, 21 and older. Mostly I gave them to members of the media, but sometimes I shared them with corporate types who wanted photos with Al and Rick, or Roger Penske.

Likewise, cigarette companies faced the same issues. But I realized that year how sensitive the “beer thing” was as it related to kids. In subsequent years I represented several other racing sponsors who were delighted with my accommodating young racing fans. Miller understood its responsibility as it related to image. Naturally, they want to sell their product, but they have to be careful.

Middlebrooks might call for a common sense check, as it relates to beer selection and lifestyle. But we are all reminded of common sense when it comes to consumption of any alcoholic beverage. Our common sense check is taking our own personal responsibility for our actions. We have the potential to abuse Miller High Life the same way we can abuse any other kind of alcoholic beverage. We can be told to “drink responsibly” or they can tell us not to drink and drive, but the bottom line responsibility lies with us. I learned that year that it’s so very easy for someone to abuse the product, then blame the company for making it. A person drinks, gets drunk, then drives and gets into an accident, but it’s not “their fault.” It’s the fault of the bartender, or somebody else. In delivering the common sense wakeup call, Middlebrooks says, “Get your butt up.” We are responsible when we abuse alcohol. The brewers of the beer have to be careful how they promote the product, but the consumer has to be careful about how they use it.

It’s too easy to lay the blame on the beer companies, or the distilleries. We need to accept responsibility for our actions, and when we get into trouble with alcohol use, we need to admit it. There is a lot of help out there and there is hope.

Ned Wicker is the Addictions Recovery Chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital Lawrence Center He author’s a website for alcoholism support:

Alcoholism-Support.org

Alcoholism Intervention

Burma has a long and dark history of oppression, which started on August 8, 1988. The “8888 Uprising” as it is called was a national peaceful revolution demanding democracy that University students launched to let their voices be heard against the corrupt government in the capital of Rangoon.

The protests ended on September 18, 1988, after a bloody military coup by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Thousands of monks and students were killed by soldiers who used bayonets in an effort to keep the matter quiet and out of the media.

Thousands were killed on the infamous named “Red Bridge” when the military fired upon a student protest while it was crossing until the bridge itself was red with the students’ blood. During the crisis, activist Aung San Suu Kyi emerged as a national hero and has since been recognized as a the leader of the democratic movement in Burma (now known as Myanmar).

The September 2007 Saffron Revolution was again led by monks and students who oppose the oppressive regime leading Myanmar. A wave of anti-government protests started in Myanmar (also known as Burma) on August 15, 2007 and are ongoing thanks to the abusive military junta who continue to incite the people. Sources say the immediate cause of the protests was mainly the decision of the ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council, to remove fuel subsidies, as IMF and World Bank recommended, increasing the price of fuel by as much as 100%.

The three times I went to Burma I encountered a very corrupt economy in which foreigners upon entry into the country are made to exchange $300 USD upon entering. In return a visitor receives FEC (a foreign currency of sorts which is utterly worthless anywhere else in the world). Once you have your FEC you than need to exchange them for chat within Burma as the Burmese people use chat rather than the government’s FEC which the government basically instituted to cleverly shave off a fraction of foreign spending before it begins.

September 2007 crimes against humanity were led by the junta security forces who began raiding monasteries across the country to quell the protests, arresting at least 200 monks in Yangon and 500 more in the northeast. Security forces raided at least five Buddhist monasteries. Several monks were injured, bleeding, and forced into a vehicle during a clash with the security forces.

The army raided four monasteries in Yangon and arrested several monks in an attempt to bring leading activists “under control” after which they turned their attention to civilian protesters. Security forces are reported to be preparing to use insect spray to crack down on protesters. Eyewitnesses said fire engines and insect spray carrier trucks were seen near Theingyi market in downtown Yangon. The BBC reported that fire crews were ordered to fill their machines with insecticide.

According to several news media the armed forces gave the protesters 10 minutes to disperse or face extreme action. The radio station Democratic Voice of Burma reported that nine civilians, including Japanese photo-journalist Kenji Nagai was shot and killed by the armed forces.

Soldiers fired both into the air and directly at students marching toward a high school in Tam We township in Yangon. Primary school children were inside the school at the time and were reportedly hit by bullets, as were parents arriving to pick up their children. Eyewitness report 100 people were shot. Up to 300 of the students outside were arrested after a military truck rammed into the crowd.

Although the former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton told BBC that China is the key to political change in Myanmar, no boycott of the Olympic games soon to take place in China is happening. No economic pressure is being applied to China to provide an incentive to deal with Myanmar.

With China quietly supporting the ruling junta in Myanmar and the United States passively approving, the United Nations needs to take the lead along with other nations.

Paul Davis is a highly sought after worldwide professional speaker, purpose coach, and change master transforming organizations and empowering individuals to live their dreams.

Paul is the author of several books including United States of Arrogance; Poems that Propel the Planet; Breakthrough for a Broken Heart; Adultery: 101 Reasons Not to Cheat; Are You Ready for True Love; Stop Lusting & Start Living; Waves of God; Supernatural Fire; God vs. Religion; and many more!

Paul’s compassion for people & passion to travel has taken him to over 50 countries of the world where he has had a tremendous impact. Paul’s organization Dream-Maker Inc. builds dreams, transcends limitations, & reconciles nations.

Contact Paul to speak at your event or for consulting:

RevivingNations@yahoo.com
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They sound like characters from an action video game – Orange Monster, Black Samurai, White Knight – but in fact, they’re three of the hippest watches made by Seiko and are much sought-after by wealthy enthusiasts and collectors, particularly in Asia.

This may come as a surprise, but Seiko watches are gaining an image as hip and collectable. In many parts of the world, the Seiko watch brand has been seen as reliable, but unremarkable. But look closely and an exceptional story begins to emerge.

Seiko burst onto the international watchmaking scene in 1969, when it caught off-guard and almost destroyed the Swiss watch industry with the launch of the Astron, the world’s first battery-powered quartz wristwatch. The Astron was more accurate and durable than the hand-wound mechanical Swiss watches costing several times as much. Overnight, demand for mechanical watches plummeted.

Many watchmaking innovations over the past three decades are probably due to Seiko: the first quartz watch; first quartz LCD with six-digit display (hours, minutes and seconds); first calculator watch; first quartz with day and date; first quartz chronograph (date, stopwatch and alarm); first TV watch; first thermic quartz watch (powered by the wearer’s body heat); first kinetic quartz watch (powered by the wearer’s movement)… and the list goes on. Seiko watches have been at the center of watch evolution, and its influence extends far beyond watchmaking: the LCDs in your clock radio, microwave oven or CD player all owe a debt to innovations made by Seiko.

Seiko, in fact, has been the innovator of so many industry “firsts” that it’s difficult to name them all. Recently, for example, was the 40th anniversary of the first quartz chronometer, launched at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Used to time marathons, it brought unprecedented precision to sports timekeeping, being accurate to within 0.2 seconds a day. Just a few years ago saw the 10th anniversary of the world’s first kinetic chronograph, the quartz watch powered by the movement of the wearer’s wrist, thereby eliminating the need for a battery. To celebrate the event, Seiko launched the Arctura Kinetic Chronograph, which takes kinetic movements to a new level of precision, being accurate to within 15 seconds per month.

While innovation and continuity rarely go together, Seiko has both. The company, founded in Tokyo by Kintaro Hattori in 1881, is still a family business. Although part of the business is a publicly traded company, the current president of Seiko Watch Corporation is the founder’s great-grandson, Shinji Hattori, who is also the nephew of the current honorable chairman.

Given Seiko’s history of producing revolutionary products and ideas that are emulated everywhere, you might expect that it would enjoy a reputation similar to that of Apple or Sony. Yet many people don’t few even realize that Seiko is the world’s leading manufacturer of watches, selling over 14 million watches annually. It also annually sells more than 350 million quartz movements to other watch makers. Here again, Seiko has revolutionized the watch making industry. Previously, only Swiss and Japanese companies could make reliable watches. But now anybody can simply add a dial, case and strap to a Seiko quartz movement and sell it under their own brand name. Although it doesn’t want to name companies it provides movements to, Seiko’s quartz movements are at the heart of many watches sold by some of the biggest name brands in fashion and sports.

Seiko doesn’t really get the respect it deserves. The product quality is phenomenal, but there’s a misperception of their brand.

Some people believe Seiko offers too many budget-price models. Cheap, in the public’s mind, means poor quality even if that’s not the case. Also, Seiko’s watch designs change too often. Some of the best Seiko watch designs never get the chance to develop a following, whereas the best Rolex or Omega watches stay in production for 20 or 30 years. For collectors, it’s a problem, and collectors add value to brands.

One Seiko executive recently stated the company is in the process of refining its brand. “We have very strong brand awareness, with around 70 per cent recognition of Seiko as a watchmaker. But there was some confusion about the brand. The company’s pioneering history, our dedication to producing elegant watches, wasn’t really understood. We’re proud of the company, so we decided to streamline and focus the branding, and emphasize our legacy.”

Until recently, regional Seiko companies sold the brand according to local tastes. But just recently the Japanese parent, Seiko Corporation, decided to overhaul its branding and marketing strategies. The company’s position is that customer perception of the brand should be the same in Tokyo, London, Paris, New York or Sydney. That means building a brand image that conveys core values, no matter what the market. Over a period of several months Seiko has revamped its public profile, from billboard and TV advertising to in-store presentation and packaging.

So far, the strategy has been successful. In line with company expectations, Seiko is gradually being seen as a premium watch brand. Not just trustworthy and reliable, but a real status brand. Technological innovation is at the heart of company, but Seiko watches have a certain refinement that they’re trying to emphasize also.

So, how might Seiko improve its brand status? Being the largest watch company, with an excellent line of products and constant innovation, perhaps Seiko could start by being a little less modest about their product.

Watch Source Guide is a comprehensive source of information about watches for enthusiasts, or for anyone planning to purchase a watch and wants to make an informed decision. Includes sections on watch functioning, maintenance, articles and more. More information on this and other related topics can be found at http://www.watchsourceguide.com

It’s the time when the temperature starts to rise and there will be a thirst for the coolest summer wears. It’s hot and it’s the time to take a break from all professional and personal deals and go for a vacation. So, make your summer vacation a cool one by pairing your feet with a stunning pair of slide sandals. Slides are the backless shoes with open toes that highly comfort your tired feet. This article gives you a detailed introduction of the comfortable slides for this summer.

They are easy wear shoes that every one aspires to add to their wardrobe. Slide sandals are perfect for all types of outfits from the office to the beach attire. They are cool and sassy for every day wear and especially for summer wear. Sleeves with caprices paired with a flawless pair of casual slides will highly comfort your body in this hot summer.

Slides are available in different models and types according to your interest and activities. And among all a cool pair will be the sporty slide sandals. To give a sporty look to your appearance you can slide in to super cool sporty slides. They are casual wear shoes engineered with well equipped technologies for beach games. This footwear are as similar as athletic shoes with latest technologies and model that will well suit your sports attire assuring ultimate comfort and relief to your feet. The technologies featured in this footwear make it multi-sport shoes suitable for beach games.

Apart from the sporty, there are well designed and stunning slide sandals that can be used for formal as well as informal wear. You can walk on them any where from the beach to office to parties. They will be comfortable enough for easily sliding your feet and are yet fashionable. Go ahead with an elegant pair of slide sandals to climb the ladder of fashion in this summer. Flip-flops, thongs and slide sandals are this summer’s hot picks. And of all slides are the hot favorite and sassy shoes that most women like to prefer. So why don’t you own an excellent pair of these shoes to stay comfy in summer without compromising style. Hurry up! And get go to fetch a descent pair of slide sandals.

Clara Havisham pens fashion articles for Shoecapital on all about shoes from the wide variety of models to the latest trends. Read more on Slide Sandals at http://www.Shoecapital.com