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Some recent and not so recent research has prompted my writing this article. Over the past two decades horseshoe manufactures have been inadvertently or perhaps purposely setting trends that could be proving to be detrimental to even those horses that go barefoot. You read it right; trend set by horseshoe manufacturers could have an effect on your barefoot horse. Not through their production of horseshoes, but rather by the style of shoes that they produce.

Thinking back to when I began as a farrier almost 25 years ago, I can remember making my weekly pilgrimage to the local farriers supply store to purchase the required horseshoe inventory to stock my shoeing truck for the week. I would calculate the number of pairs and the sizes I would need for the coming weeks’ work. As my business increased, it became more difficult finding the time to make those weekly trips, and I soon found myself buying inventory for the month.

Establishing a horseshoe inventory was pretty straightforward. I, like most farriers at that time, would buy fullered, punched keg shoes by the case, in the most common sizes 00, 0, 1, 2, 3. The term keg shoe defines the most common of machine made horseshoes. The keg shoe comes in a generic oval shape and was called the “keg shoe” because they were originally shipped in kegs (barrels). This type of shoe almost always needed to be shaped to fit the hind or front foot of the horse. All too often the hurried farrier simply would spread, or close the shoe to fit a foot, and then shape the foot to the shoe., rather than the shoe to the foot.

This practice was likely the first in the beginning of what would become trend, started by the type of shoe that was available from a shoe manufacture. It was the shape of the early manufactured keg shoes where it all began, trend setting.

As new manufacturing techniques developed, manufactures began producing shoes in a variety of new shapes. The first new style shoes to be offered were front and hind pattern shoes which came out of Europe. American farriers who at the time were taking flack for setting the trend of long toe and low heels, this said to help increase stride, were quick to embrace this convenient way of addressing breakover. This ws the beginning of a new trend, ont that may prove to be just as damaging to today’s horse as long toes and under run heels.

It was the hind pattern shoe that really changed things. The hind pattern shoe was the first readily available shoe to be offered with a square toe. Quickly manufacturers introduced hind shoes with ready-made side clips, and front shoes with toe clips. The front shoe pattern was often rounder than the standard keg shoe that many of the farriers were using at the time. This may have been why some farriers began using hind patterns on the fronts of the horse; this proving to be a simple way of providing a square toe to the front foot, making fitting easier.

Twenty years ago, the square toed horseshoe, was more often viewed as a remedial or corrective type horseshoe. It was not often used as a keg shoe. Prior to being able to purchase the square-toed shoe, the square toe needed to be forged.

Over about a ten year period pattern shoes flooded the market.

American based companies began producing front pattern shoes that were not as round as the European type pattern shoes. These new patterns more closely resembled the traditional keg shoe. With increase in production came price reductions, making it more economical to purchase clipped shoes, rather than forging them. In the mid nineties Eventer-type shoes were introduced. These pattern shoes had a rolled cross section, claiming to aid in breakover, they also came in front and hind patterns.

About the mid nineties, we say increase in the use of the Natural Balance Shoe (NBS), which was fashioned after the footprint of the feral horse. It too had square toe and came in front and hind patterns. Each time a new shoe was introduced, it was accompanied by claims that the shoe aided breakover, and / or provided needed heel support. This is still true today, of most newly developed horseshoes.
So where is all this going?

To the point, shoe manufacturers have been setting trends that influence the way the farrier addresses the foot.

Recently, I have compiled research on a little understood malady that affects many of today’s horses, the black hole seedy toe.

Our research began in 2001, the opening of the International Institute of Equine Podiatry. Inc., since which time we have examined over 1200 hoof cadaver specimens. We observed a dramatic increase in the occurrence of black hole-type seedy toe. Investigation has now provided evidence that suggest that various trimming and shoeing trends could be that cause for this increase in the incidence of this malady.

Our research has shown that more often that not, the black hole is evidence of a Hyper Keratinized Horn mass, located at the creana marginalis of the coffin bone (seen as a notch in the coffin bone). One theory suggests that an abnormal increase in the size of the creana marginalis was likely due to a compromised blood supply. Further studies implicate that the cause of manifestation of the HKH mass at the site of the creana marginalis is stress.

Biopsies were taken from twenty (20) specimen masses and prepared for examination. Opinions gathered from several pathologists were unanimous; the HKH mass was the result of hyperplasia of epithelial cells with keratinization, this likely caused by stress.

Microphotographs of tissue samples from the masses often showed elongated secondary epidermal laminae (SEL); this occurrence has been associated with changes in response to stress.

Measurements were taken of the solar foot print of the twenty specimens from which the masses were harvested. This showed us that the greater the variance in balance, the larger the mass often appeared. The most widespread causes of imbalance were the under run heel, and the creation of excessively short breakover.

The research has allowed us to develop a number of hypotheses.

1. The theory that abnormal increases in the size of the creana marginalis of the coffin bone is the result of a compromised blood supply due to long toes is no longer tenable.
2. Research supports the theory that abnormal increases in the size of the creana marginalis may be nature’s way of increasing surface area in response to increased stress.
3. Evidence supports the theory that stress and the resulting HKH mass is the cause of the enlargement of the creana marginalis of the coffin bone.

Our conclusion are that trends perpetuated by various shoe types and various trimming techniques proposed over the past decade, are responsible for an increase in the development of the HKH mass, and the resulting black hole seedy toe. The majority of the proposed techniques promote dramatic reduction in breakover, which can lead to improper positioning of the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. There are a number of factors that have surfaced, many of which are the result of improper trimming.

What this all means to those of you that have chosen to go shoeless with your horse, is that you should look more closely at the way your horse is being trimmed.

Here are some recommendations that may help in preventing mass growth, and may aid in stabilization of an existing condition.

1. Aggressive rolling of the wall at the toe should be avoided. Avoid dubbing the wall or rockering of the toe into or palmar of the whiteline.
2. Avoid ground parallel coffin bones.
3. Do not lower the heels to the viable (live) sole at the angle of the bar/wall (often results in ground parallel coffin bone).
4. Under run heels do not justify radical break over placement.
5. Treating of black hole seedy toe with topical solutions or soaks will do little to remedy the problem.
6. Balance should be addressed and any cause of stress relieved; this does not mean excessive removal of material at the toe.

This new evidence bring into question the Universal Sole Trim theory, Natural Balance trim, and any other method that may disrupt balance, causing stress at the site of the creana marginalis (tip of coffin bone).

There are far more studies to be done. Immunology studies are underway, and further research into the cause of the HKH mass is ongoing.

About the Author: KC La Pierre, RJF, PhD is the Co-Founder of the Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry, Inc. A professional Farrier for over two decades, a researcher, and educator. KC La Pierre is a proud member of the Guild of Professional Farriers and a traditional Journeyman Blacksmith. Recongnized by many as one of the foremost Applied Equine Podiatrist in the world today. His lectures and teachings have been presented throughout the U.S. and Abroad. His innovative approach to teaching the art of Applied Equine Podiatry has met with rave reviews the world over.

For more information on Applied Equine Podiatry please visit the Institute’s web site at http://www.appliedequinepodiatry.org

Do you use estee lauder cosmetics? Okay, let’s say you do for a moment. How do you really know if estee lauder cosmetics are ideal for your skin? Maybe the perfect line for you is Lamcome or Channel. Is there a way you can be certain? Well, this is probably a question that many women ask themselves.

How can they really and truly know that they’re using the right skin care and make-up products? If you ask me, I would say that you can tell by your complexion. How is it looking these days? Is it immaculate or could it be improved? This is something you should take a minute and ponder. Go ahead, look in the mirror and evaluate.

I can’t even begin to imagine what a company like estee lauder cosmetics pulls in each year. It’s not like Estee Lauder is their only product line. They also own Lab Series for men, Clinique and one of those drugstore brands like Mabeline or Cover Girl. I forget which one. The point is they’re rolling in the dough. Not that they don’t produce fine products, because I always hear that they do.

My wife uses estee lauder cosmetics. Well, the skin care regime anyway. She loves Fruition. It’s one of those super-infused rejuvenating creams that supposedly work wonders. In all honesty I think she just likes the way it smells. This is understandable though. The scent of a product can really draw you in. It always gets me with aftershave balms. Then again they’re not quite as pricey as estee lauder cosmetics.

It’s a good idea to just head out to the local mall if you’re searching for a new cosmetic line. Take a stroll through one of the major department stores like Macy’s or Nordstrom’s. These places always have oodles of cosmetic lines. Aside from estee lauder cosmetics, you will also spot Clarin’s, Lancome, Chanel, Shisedo, Mac, Clinique, and more.

Take a seat at the different cosmetic counters and try things out. See what line appeals to you the most. Maybe it will be estee lauder cosmetics, and then again, maybe it won’t. Either way you have nothing to worry about. There is always another cosmetic line out there. Whether you like it or not, much of finding the right one is about trial and error.

naturalacneremoval.info provides readers with the latest reviews,articles,commentaries and write-ups on all estee lauder cosmetics, rejuvenating creams, skin care related subjects.

Do you use estee lauder cosmetics? Okay, let’s say you do for a moment. How do you really know if estee lauder cosmetics are ideal for your skin? Maybe the perfect line for you is Lamcome or Channel. Is there a way you can be certain? Well, this is probably a question that many women ask themselves.

How can they really and truly know that they’re using the right skin care and make-up products? If you ask me, I would say that you can tell by your complexion. How is it looking these days? Is it immaculate or could it be improved? This is something you should take a minute and ponder. Go ahead, look in the mirror and evaluate.

I can’t even begin to imagine what a company like estee lauder cosmetics pulls in each year. It’s not like Estee Lauder is their only product line. They also own Lab Series for men, Clinique and one of those drugstore brands like Mabeline or Cover Girl. I forget which one. The point is they’re rolling in the dough. Not that they don’t produce fine products, because I always hear that they do.

My wife uses estee lauder cosmetics. Well, the skin care regime anyway. She loves Fruition. It’s one of those super-infused rejuvenating creams that supposedly work wonders. In all honesty I think she just likes the way it smells. This is understandable though. The scent of a product can really draw you in. It always gets me with aftershave balms. Then again they’re not quite as pricey as estee lauder cosmetics.

It’s a good idea to just head out to the local mall if you’re searching for a new cosmetic line. Take a stroll through one of the major department stores like Macy’s or Nordstrom’s. These places always have oodles of cosmetic lines. Aside from estee lauder cosmetics, you will also spot Clarin’s, Lancome, Chanel, Shisedo, Mac, Clinique, and more.

Take a seat at the different cosmetic counters and try things out. See what line appeals to you the most. Maybe it will be estee lauder cosmetics, and then again, maybe it won’t. Either way you have nothing to worry about. There is always another cosmetic line out there. Whether you like it or not, much of finding the right one is about trial and error.

naturalacneremoval.info provides readers with the latest reviews,articles,commentaries and write-ups on all estee lauder cosmetics, rejuvenating creams, skin care related subjects.

Do you use estee lauder cosmetics? Okay, let’s say you do for a moment. How do you really know if estee lauder cosmetics are ideal for your skin? Maybe the perfect line for you is Lamcome or Channel. Is there a way you can be certain? Well, this is probably a question that many women ask themselves.

How can they really and truly know that they’re using the right skin care and make-up products? If you ask me, I would say that you can tell by your complexion. How is it looking these days? Is it immaculate or could it be improved? This is something you should take a minute and ponder. Go ahead, look in the mirror and evaluate.

I can’t even begin to imagine what a company like estee lauder cosmetics pulls in each year. It’s not like Estee Lauder is their only product line. They also own Lab Series for men, Clinique and one of those drugstore brands like Mabeline or Cover Girl. I forget which one. The point is they’re rolling in the dough. Not that they don’t produce fine products, because I always hear that they do.

My wife uses estee lauder cosmetics. Well, the skin care regime anyway. She loves Fruition. It’s one of those super-infused rejuvenating creams that supposedly work wonders. In all honesty I think she just likes the way it smells. This is understandable though. The scent of a product can really draw you in. It always gets me with aftershave balms. Then again they’re not quite as pricey as estee lauder cosmetics.

It’s a good idea to just head out to the local mall if you’re searching for a new cosmetic line. Take a stroll through one of the major department stores like Macy’s or Nordstrom’s. These places always have oodles of cosmetic lines. Aside from estee lauder cosmetics, you will also spot Clarin’s, Lancome, Chanel, Shisedo, Mac, Clinique, and more.

Take a seat at the different cosmetic counters and try things out. See what line appeals to you the most. Maybe it will be estee lauder cosmetics, and then again, maybe it won’t. Either way you have nothing to worry about. There is always another cosmetic line out there. Whether you like it or not, much of finding the right one is about trial and error.

naturalacneremoval.info provides readers with the latest reviews,articles,commentaries and write-ups on all estee lauder cosmetics, rejuvenating creams, skin care related subjects.

Here’s a really simple way to stop the painful razor bumps, ingrown hairs and razor burn. Learn how to stop irritating your skin and avoid razor bumps with just a few simple steps.

Razor bumps, ingrown hairs, pseudofolliculitis barbae we know they hurt but, why do they appear? It all happens when we shave. While shaving our facial hair gets caught between the follicle or it grows the other way, into the skin. That’s what produces the swelling, redness and swelling.

This does not mean you are stuck with razor bumps for life. There are ways to help diminish razor bumps and here in this article we will share these tips with you.

The first step is to use active ingredients. There are tons of men skin care products that claim to alleviate ingrown hairs and razor bumps, but don’t rush to conclusions. The truth is that the active ingredient that eliminates razor bumps is Salicylic Acid. What this ingredient does is moisturize, exfoliate and clear you pores thus avoiding any further infections. For even better results use an after shave product that contains salicylic acid and that way it will stay on your skin during the day. The No-No’s here is that you should NEVER use products that contain alcohol. Alcohol dries your skin and closes your pore which only worsens your ingrown hairs. Also, do not use foam shaving creams because these also dry your skin. Instead use non-acnegenic shaving creams which are specially made for men with sensitive skin.

Tip number two focuses on how to improve the surface of your skin. Removing the outer layers of your dead skin may sound nasty but to sum it up it’s called exfoliating. Men who have ingrown hairs must exfoliate in order to improve the skin’s surface. This can easily be done with a gentle face scrub that contains the ingredient we mentioned in the first tip, salicylic acid.

Change is good. And that is why my next tip to you involves you changing the way you shave. By now you should know that shaving too closely is one of the main causes of razor bumps. If you didn’t know, well know you know. By shaving too close, your hair stubs will be cut to close to the skin and more prone to getting stuck inside the hair follicle and viola an ingrown hair is born.

A couple of things you can do to avoid shaving too close is first of all not pulling on your skin when you shave. Do not apply too much pressure on the razor blade, shave with the grain and use a single blade razor.

It is crucial you keep this in mind while shaving because if you forget and shave too close the razor bumps will come back to haunt you and it will take a while before you get rid of them again.

What about the ingrown hairs you already have? Now it’s time to destroy those little suckers. To get rid of your ingrown hairs you just simple but carefully lift the ingrown end out with tweezers. Warning: Do not pluck them out. Just lift them out of the skin otherwise the ingrown hair will only re-grow deeper. To reduce the redness and swelling you can use products that contain azulene, allantoin and witch hazel. Those ingredients will keep you comfortable.

There you have it, for easy to follow tips to get rid of your razor bumps. All you have to do is take a couple of more minutes of shaving time and remember to keep these tips in mind. I also suffered from razor bumps and aside from it being embarrassing it was painful. However, thanks to these steps I was able to get in control and improve my skin. You can do it too! You can keep on irritating your skin or you can put this in practice and see similar results.

Joqtan A. is an expert writer for Man Skin Care Blog. A blog concentrating on men skin care tips, advice and product reviews for men of all skin colors.

There is a misconception floating around the internet, within the walls of chatty homes, and gliding down the sidewalks alongside the misinformation highway — that misconception? You have to gain weight in order to build muscle.

Many people mistakenly believe that muscle weighs more than fat; this is simply untrue. This fallacy is destroyed by simple logic — ten pounds equals ten pounds, whether it is fat, muscle, gold, or water. To be fair, though — five cubic inches of muscle would weigh more than five cubic inches of fat; however, this does not mean that muscle weighs more than fat.

Some women, and men as well, are afraid of working out and building muscle because they think that they have to gain weight in order to do so. However, such fears are not founded on sound facts. They believe that if they head to the gym, lift weights, or even take part in anything more than a light cardiovascular activity, that they will inevitably increase their weight and “bulk up”.

Muscle building does not have to be all about “bulking up”; it can be all about strengthening your body and redefining the way that you look. Let’s say, for instance, that you are a male, five foot, nine inches tall and weigh one-hundred and seventy-five pounds. You’re happy with your weight, but you’re not happy with the way that your body looks. By focusing on adding definition to your build, rather than adding obscene amounts of muscle, you can maintain your same weight while completely redefining your shape.

The same can be said for women — if you’re five foot, four inches tall and weigh one-hundred and twenty-five pounds, your current weight may be acceptable to you, but you’re afraid to work out because you hear that ‘muscle weighs more than fat’. The same principal applies here — you can maintain your one-hundred and twenty-five pounds, build muscle, lower your body fat percentage, and still maintain your current weight, albeit with definition and strength rather than with the less-than-toned look that you may currently be sporting.

Bottom line — you do not need to worry about gaining weight when you work to burn fat and build muscle. By building muscle, you will be burning fat, as well as adding definition — and by exercising a little bit of control over your workout routine, you can maintain your current weight and proudly show it off on the new and improved you.

Build Muscle Up answers common muscle-building questions and shows individuals how to build muscles quickly. Learn about muscle weight gain and read reviews on the top muscle-building systems on our website.

Most people trying to get rid of those extra pounds are looking for a safe and healthy way to lose weight. If you’ll perform a quick search on some of the more popular search engines, you’ll find that the Internet is filled with many websites that provide information to people about how they can safely lose weight. The presence of more than a million sites dedicated to loosing weight, which goes to show you that the issue is among the most important health concerns nowadays.

Almost all the websites you get from the search results advise you to follow a healthy diet and to include exercise and encourage you to join their diet control and exercise programs. That is why an increasing number of people are trying the newest fad diets and in fashion work out plans in order to find some safe and healthy way to lose weight. Eating healthy food and doing exercise does work for a lot of people but there are some who need a bit more help to loss weight.

So what are some of the other ways you can lose weight?

Natural weight loss pills contain appetite suppressant that will assist you in reducing your appetite. The appetite suppressant will stimulate your brain such that it makes you think that you are full so you don’t consume food just for the sake of it. So if you prefer to safe weight loss, try an all natural weight loss pill.

Consuming green tea and red wine are also considered quiet safe and effective while trying to lose weight. Drinking one cup of green tea daily will increase your body metabolism and it also contains antioxidants which will help you in reducing free radicals in your body. You can also drink a glass of wine every week.

Using these two healthy ways to lose weight along with following a diet and exercise plan will help you reduce your weight quickly. Implement these healthy ways to lose weight right away without endangering your health.

You’re invited to receive my Free diet & exercise tips, visit http://strip-that-fat-reviews.com. Learn how to use other healthy ways to lose weight for your dieting success.

So how did Reznor get to this high and mighty position? He didn’t start a band in high school like so many other rock stars, he was in the marching band instead. Not exactly a cool way to start out. It wasn’t until he went off to college to study computer engineering that he got himself into a band called Option 30. It didn’t last long and he eventually dropped out of college to pursue his musical career.

Trent spent the mid 80′s finding his place as a musician. In Cleveland, Ohio, he performed as the keyboardist for a band called The Innocent. Still searching for the right place for himself, he left the band after recording just one album. Another local Cleveland band, the Exotic Birds, was the benefactor of Trents talents after he left The Innocent.

During this time, Trent also spent some time working in the Right Track Studio in Cleveland, Ohio. It wasn’t exactly a dream music gig that he landed. Trent was hired as the assistant engineer and handyman for the studio. This job had a perk that Trent took full advantage of. After hours, he had access to the studio where he recorded demos for the future Nine Inch Nails album, ‘Pretty Hate Machine’.

One of the difficulties Reznor had with recording these demos was he had no band. He really couldn’t find anyone that could play the music to his standards either. So, following in Prince’s footsteps, Reznor took on the task of being a one man band. He wrote and sang all of the lyrics as well as played and recorded all of the instruments himself, except the drums.

Reznor specifically chooses musicians for tours depending on what songs are on the playlist. Since NIN music is so unique and Trent wants it to be his way, it’s not easy to find people to play with. In alot of ways this setup seems to be more creative than the way bands usually go about it. With only one man in control of the creation of the music, there aren’t any arguments, discussions or dramas. Seems to clear the air for all of that creative energy to flow and it comes out in the music at the end.

Trent didn’t have huge aspirations for NIN at the time. In fact, he simply wanted to record one 12 inch vinyl single of the band on a small European label. ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ far outdid anything he ever expected. It spent over 110 weeks on the Billboard 200 and became one of the first independently released records to gain Platinum Certification. Videos for “Down in It” and “Head Like a Hole” made it into living rooms everywhere when they appeared on MTV.

Despite not having a consistent set of band members, NIN began touring in in 1990 as an opening act for other alternative rock bands. NIN then set out on a world tour that ended at the first Lollapalooza festival in 1991. Not surprisingly, Trent’s on-stage antics and the amazing music were both a huge hit.

The EP, ‘Broken’, released in 92, was much harder than the ‘Pretty Hate Machine’ album. It won Nine Inch Nails two Grammy awards for the singles “Happiness In Slavery” and “Wish”. The video from “Happiness In Slavery” was banned nearly everywhere because of its content. In fact, many of Nine Inch Nails videos from this time are considered a bit too rough for some.

In 1994, NIN released their second full-length album entitled “The Downward Spiral”. It hit the billboard charts and soared straight to #2. To this day it’s the top charting Nine Inch Nails album. During WoodStock ’94, the band, continuing their Self Destruct tour, performed in true WoodStock style, in the mud. The pay-per-view event was broadcast to up to 24 million homes, not to mention the live audience. This is the performance that truly shoved NIN into the mainstream.

Nine Inch Nails next two albums, ‘Fragile’, released in 1999 and ‘With Teeth’ from 2005 both debuted at the number one position on the Billboard Top 200. And of course, both of these albums were followed up with successful tours. All the while, Trent was doing battle with his drug and alcohol addictions. Both albums experienced delays in the production, and the blame was solely on Reznor.

2007 brought the release of a new album with a whole new sound for Nine Inch Nails. The ‘Year Zero’ album spawned the singles “Survivalism” and “Capital G”. Both singles appeared on the playlists of rock radio stations across the U.S. The concept album tells the story of a futuristic landscape and the characters that inhabit it. Heavy electronics, grinding beats and Trents characteristic crooning appealed to NIN fans and critics alike.

Recently, Reznor released another concept album entitled ‘Ghosts I – IV’, an eery collection of instrumental work. Nine of the original tracks were made available as a free download from the NIN website. Following in the footsteps of that successful venture, another album ‘The Slip’ was also released as a free download. Trent’s passion for his music comes out in all the right ways on both these albums.

For More On Nine Inch Nails And More About Your Favorite Rock Bands And Music, Visit http://AudioFlip.Com

AudioFlip.Com is dedicated to rock and roll music and rock culture. The site offers the latest music news, rock band reviews, music videos, free music downloads, indie music, concert ticket information, rock radio, pics of rock stars, rock fashion, tattoos and piercings and everything else rock music fans need. Musicians can also learn about the music industry, get guitar lessons, learn how to play the drums, get independent record label information, learn about concert promotions and much more.

Reality TV already established itself as one of the most effective media formats today and it is because of this reason that Cnn TV news online is taking a huge part regarding internet media domination. With the help of the internet technology, it is pretty simple how online news is being spread very fast and given to a wide number of consumers.

Yes, the internet has already become a very powerful tool to influence its readers online and to evoke both positive and negative comments from all reality news readers. Cnn law of freedom of speech may have already reached as far as the cyberspace. Alternatively, is the cyber universe just making it too comfy for one to express or write contents that are harmful or may lead to undue litigation? Although there are numerous ways to battle these, still many had already done severe damages in the most drastic ways. In addition, even reality news can cause a lot of harm if ever done irresponsibly just as the actual reality shows give psychological damages to its contestants.

However, the most troublesome reality TV news online that one can read maybe the irony that reality TV was voted in an online poll by over 5000 individuals as the worst creation since 1928. Indeed this is remarkably true, which maybe brought about by some major unlikely incidents that happened due to the invention of reality TV. For example, there was a girl who became paralyzed after being rebuked so badly in a certain popular reality show. In this connection, even the behavior and attitude of the reality show judges are next to be scrutinized badly in the poll. Moreover, it is amazing that reality TV topped the poll rankings over loud TV commercials, disturbing computer pop-ups and annoying email spamming.

The easiest way to watch Reality TV News Online is with the TVChannels2PC Internet TV software. For a small one time investment you will have access to live sports, full episodes, movies, news, weather and much more. Why pay high monthly fees for satellite or cable?

This cruise began Abecita us with a two day stay in Istanbul minus one suitcase that Delta Airlines lost. We had been in Istanbul for a couple lingerie days at the end of our last cruise, and my wife fell in love with it. We spent the time checking out things lingerie didn’t see on the last trip, and shopping for underwear, pantyhose, shoes, and other things Kathy needed after the lost luggage fiasco. There we were, at the Grand Bazaar, Kathy in a pair of my boxer shorts and a T shirt the ship gave her. But we found some great bargains on knock-offs.

The Millennium set sail for Kusadasi (Ephesus) Turkey in the early afternoon. The next day we arrived in Kusadasi, known for its very extensive ruins at Ephesus. These are the most impressive ruins we have ever seen, be sure not to miss them when you are in Kusadasi. Cleopatra and Mark Anthony were tourists at Ephesus!

We toured a rug factory which was actually a rug store. However, they gave a very interesting presentation on how Turkish rugs are woven and how to determine the quality of rugs. We saw a demonstration of a young girl weaving a rug.

While in Kusadasi we spotted an internet cafe sign and so we went on in. They were quite excited that we had come in; they uncovered their single computer, taped some cardboard to the window to reduce the glare on the screen, and brought us some cokes to drink. After we finished surfing the net we asked how much we owed. They said “nothing!” and they wouldn’t let us pay for anything. Odd but interesting and nice.

The next day was a day at sea with no stops at any ports. We consider days at sea as our lazy kick-back and relax part of our cruises. So we “bagged some rays” by the pool and checked out the drink of the day.

The next day we arrived in Limasol, Cyprus. Originally we were supposed to go to Haifa Israel, but due to some Middle East unrest, the destination was changed to Limasol. There was an interesting castle that we toured, and then we went looking for an internet cafe. We found one and did a little updating of our website while we were there. Internet cafe’s can be found in most cities and it is truly amazing to see the differences. There isn’t really much in Limasol.

Our next port of call was Alexandria Egypt. The port was HUGE! There were quite a few sunken ships poking up out of the water as we entered the port…wonder what that was about? Our ship was greeted with a giant red carpet and a large band playing music.

We took the shore excursion to the Pyramids, about a three hour bus trip. The buses traveled in convoys with police escorts. I presume it’s an anti terrorist thing. The Pyramids were awesome! We got to actually climb up on one of the pyramids. There were also cool tombs that we toured, and of course, shopping for jewelry and papyrus art.

Our next port of call was Athens Greece. Since we had been to Athens recently we opted not to take any of the excursions and just went to the Plaka. We found yet another Internet cafe where we could update our web site. Although it was about 3 flights of stairs to get to the cafe, were given the “Computer with a view” .. Just out the window was a spectacular view of the Acropolis. And we found another fabulous open air cafe.

We arrive next at Naples, Italy. The day was kind of a whirl wind of a day as we took a hydrofoil to the island of Capri where we toured the island, an interesting and beautiful island and playground for the rich. Then on to Sorrento where we had lunch and wandered around the scenic town, and finally we toured the amazing ruins at Pompeii. There are enough ruins at Pompeii to spend weeks there and still not see everything. Thousands of years ago and they had plumbing fixtures…running water in their homes, taverns, saunas, and all sorts of surprising things. A very busy day!

Next stop, Rome and the Vatican City including St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Vatican museum. At the Vatican, we visited the Sistine chapel which was mind blowing. Following that we visited the Coliseum. The Coliseum was another amazing place. Kathy was really impressed with the Trevi Fountain in Rome (she threw in the required 3 coins so we could come back to Rome).

Our next port was Nice, France. We visited a famous flower market, had coffee at a little side walk cafe, and we took a shore excursion to Monaco. Monaco isn’t very big! We could stand in one spot and see the whole country. There are lots of shops on the tiny narrow winding streets. We had lunch (at an open air cafe) and Kathy liked the Roquefort cheese so much she asked the waiter where should could get some, and he directed her to a market. We bought some and brought it home with us.

The following morning we disembarked in Barcelona and within hours we were on our way home! Another fantastic cruise ship adventure under our belts!

William Lund is an avid cruiser, and he and his wife Kathy cruise at least once a year. Mr. Lund invites you to visit his cruise reviews website: Cruises R Fun Mr. Lund also has a blog at: Pondering Everything