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Thursday, August 9, 2012

The Ins and Outs of Getting a Custom Swimming Pool

A custom-made swimming pool in your lawn might be appealing if you live in Houston or Katy, Texas, with its humid subtropical climate. Swimming in a pool is still among the most chosen means to cool off, even when there are other means. If you're considering having a swimming pool built on your yard, here are a few issues to consider:

Expenditures

The cost of having a pool installed varies according to the locale and the kind of pool that you need to have. In certain regions of the US, concrete swimming pools are more high-priced than fiberglass pools; but in other locations, they are less expensive. Generally speaking, nevertheless, the cost of small pools will range from $20,000 to $30,000, medium-sized ones would range between $30,000 to $40,000, and big pools from $40,000 to probably over $50,000. Additional fees could differ according to the pool add-ons that you'll get.

Depth and Size

Small pools are typically just 10 to 14 feet long, but it would fundamentally rely on your pool contractor's concept of "small." You could still negotiate the dimensions with him even after determining the standard dimensions. An ideal pool size for a family of enthusiastic swimmers is a 25-meter swimming pool with a depth of four to five feet. If the little kids are the ones who are fonder of dipping into the pool, then you may have the depth of one portion of the pool adjusted to 3 feet.

Location

Katy pool builders could help you pinpoint the ideal spot for the pool. Remember that more than merely being a place to swim, it is also a great visual accessory for your property. Consequently, you need to be certain of its location before the installation since you clearly can't relocate it once it's done. It's appealing to put it in the middle of your lawn, but make an effort to find out how much space would remain when it's finished.

Safety Functions

Anti-slip tiles and padded edges will help avoid accidents and severe injuries. You can also decide to have diving boards or slides set up, but ensure that they comply with safety specifications. These are just some of the extras in custom pools Houston homeowners will need to make best use of their pool.

Maintenance

You need to look into how you intend to preserve the pool early on for the reason that this also entails funds, time, and effort. Don't forget to talk to Katy pool builders about the most reliable and easy-maintenance swimming pool materials before they start designing and building the swimming pool. For more tips on custom pools, you can have a look at swimming.about.com/od/buildapool/a/poolsizedepth.htm.

For more details, search custom pools Houston and Katy pool builders in Google for related information.

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Source: http://www.ideamarketers.com/?articleid=3466975

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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Top 10 Things You Should Do If You Plan To Write A Novel ...

Kfir Luzzatto, author of The Evelyn Project, is my guest today! Welcome Kfir!

Top 10 Things You Should Do If You Plan To Write A Novel

By Kfir Luzzatto

1. Figure out why you want to write it. If it?s just that everybody else is doing it and you have some free time on your hands, get a dog instead.

2. Think up a central subject and work on a rough plot. Nothing too elaborate, just something to start working with.

3. Get acquainted with your main characters;don?t you even think of writing a line before you do. Spend time placing them in the environment that fits your plot (if it?s a historic novel, for instance, dress them up accordingly) and just play with them in your head. See what they look like, how they move, talk, behave, and let them develop until you are satisfied with them.

The Evelyn Project 4. Take some notes. From this point on, details pile up and you may forget an important one. Quick bullet-point notes will help you later on.

5. Research. Now that you have an idea of the set-up and of the main characters involved you want to learn as much as possible about them. If the location where the action takes place is real and specific, read about it, study maps, look for pictures of it. In other words, get immersed in it. If your plot involves real historic characters, read everything you can get your hands on about them, until you feel that you know them intimately.

6. Take a break. Read a book by one of your favorite authors. Make sure to pick one that has no relevance to your specific plot.

7. Re-read Strunk, White &Kalman?sThe Elements of Style, cover to cover. It doesn?t matter that you have already read it 15 times before. Read it again.

8. Find a quiet room in the house to work in with the door closed. Never mind that there is nobody else around. Close the door to the outside world.

9. Write whenever you feel like it. You must have read the usual advice about having regular writing hours and sitting down every day at the same time to write a given number of words. That works very well if you have to write an instruction manual for a washing machine. For a novel you must follow your obsession and write whenever you feel like it. It is not uncommon for me to jump out of bed at 2 am to jot down a few paragraphs that have occurred to me in the shower. Write 15 minutes before going to work or 5 straight hours when you?re home from your day job.Whatever.Write on the train, at the airport, at the beach. Forget writing schedules. If you?re not obsessed, write for the washing machine company.

10. Close the door and write Chapter 1. Don?t plan it (if you followed the above advice you have done all the planning you need), just let it happen. Reading that chapter will tell you if there is any point in writing on.

About the Author:

Kfir Luzzatto was born and raised in Italy, and moved to Israel as a teenager. He acquired the love for the English language from his father, a former U.S. soldier, a voracious reader and a prolific writer. Kfir has a PhD in chemical engineering and works as a patent attorney. He lives in Omer, Israel, with his full-time partner, Esther, their four children, Michal, Lilach, Tamar and Yonatan, and the dog Elvis.

Kfir has publi shed extensively in the professional and general press over is the author of several short stories but now mostly writes full-length fiction. Books: CROSSING THE MEADOW (2003 P&E ?BEST HORROR NOVEL?), THE ODYSSEY GENE(2006), HAVE BOOK WILL TRAVEL (2012). He got the idea for his new thriller, ?THE EVELYN PROJECT,? from an in-depth research into the family archives. He has another book of fiction in the works.

Interview with Kfir Luzzatto, author of ?The Evelyn Project?
A Conversation with L.L. Reaper: ?The characters helped us write the books?
Why I Love (and Write) Teen Romantic Thrillers
Get to the Point, Counsel: Top Ten Tips on Writing Courtroom Scenes by Debra Mares
How to Write a Great Romance Novel

from your own site.

Source: http://literarilyspeaking.net/2012/08/07/top-10-things-you-should-do-if-you-plan-to-write-a-novel/

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The Bolt Show moves on to the 200 at Olympics

LONDON (AP) ? Get ready for more of The Bolt Show.

Usain Bolt dropped by Olympic Stadium for a brief visit Monday night and did things his way, as usual, jumping to the top step of the medal podium to collect his second consecutive gold for the 100 meters.

When the Jamaican sensation returns to the track on Tuesday, it'll be for the first round of the 200 meters, an event he's planning to win, too, as part of his quest to become what he calls a "living legend."

As it is, Bolt and Carl Lewis are the only men to take home back-to-back golds in the 100.

No man ever has won two Olympic 200s.

After his victory Sunday in the shorter event in 9.63 seconds ? the second-fastest time in history ? Bolt was asked whether he's the best sprinter ever. His reply revealed a rare bit of modesty from a guy who tends to showboat aplenty, then backs it up when it's race time.

"I can't say that. I think I have to wait until the 200 meters, and then my fans got to say, 'Yes, he is,' and the media's got to say, 'Yes he is.' I'm never going to say I'm the greatest until after my 200 meters."

That's his favorite race, the one in which he holds the world record of 19.19, set at the 2009 world championships. The 200 semifinals are Wednesday, and the final is Thursday night.

Once again, Bolt figures to face a tough challenge from his Jamaican teammate and training partner, Yohan Blake, who took the silver in the 100 on Saturday. Blake beat Bolt in both sprints at their national Olympic trials.

"I've told Yohan Blake that 200 meters will be different, because that's my signature event. I'm not going to let him beat me again. I've said that to him already," Bolt said. "Remember I said that, Yohan."

The 200 qualifying heats close out the morning session Tuesday. Other events on the schedule include the 110-meter hurdles featuring defending champion Dayron Robles of Cuba and 2004 gold medalist Liu Xiang of China, who pulled out of his preliminary round at home four years ago; and qualifying in the women's 5,000 meters, women's javelin and the men's triple jump.

At night, the women will run their 200-meter semifinals, and medals will be awarded for the men's high jump, men's discus, men's 1,500 meters and the women's 100-meter hurdles, where Dawn Harper will try to win a second gold in a row and Lolo Jones will try to win her first after stumbling in the 2008 final.

In the first round of the women's 200 on Monday, Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica provided the only bit of drama, barely making it into the top three of her heat to advance.

Americans Sanya Richards-Ross ? already the 400 champion ? Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter, also made it through, along with Jamaican 100-meter gold medalist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Richards-Ross had the best time of the bunch at 22.48 seconds after a restless four or five hours of sleep the night before with her new gold medal.

"I just feel lighter and free, and so I'm just going to go out there and give it my best and hopefully make it through the semifinals as well," said Richards-Ross, whose husband is Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Aaron Ross.

The only other U.S. gold so far in track and field came Monday night from pole vaulter Jenn Suhr.

For the first time she could remember, Suhr entered a big meet buoyed by a positive message from her husband, Rick, who's been her coach since before they were married.

"Before I went out here, he said, 'You're going to win this,'" Suhr said. "I've competed 100 times and that's not something he says. It puts that extra spunk that I could do this. Someone else believes in me that much."

The takeaway was that no one is unbeatable ? not even Russian superstar Yelena Isinbayeva, the two-time defending champion and world-record holder.

Suhr vaulted 15 feet, 7 inches (4.75 meters) to defeat Cuba's Yarisley Silva, who cleared the same height but lost on a tiebreaker because she had one more miss in the competition. Of greater significance, Suhr defeated Isinbayeva, whose top height of 15-5 (4.70) was only good enough for a bronze this time.

When it was over, Suhr rushed over to the stands to find her husband, who draped a U.S. flag around her shoulders while she sobbed into his chest. What a contrast from four years ago, when Rick was caught on camera berating Suhr after she was the runner-up to Isinbayeva.

Few knew at the time that they were romantically involved and would be married two years later.

"If he could get out there and try to push me over the bar, he would. He's done so much for me. He cares so much. People are like, 'Your coach is intense.' It's because he has that passion and knows how much I want it. It's two people with that kind of passion and drive. We compete, and we compete hard," she said. "You can see the way it goes back and forth. We're talking. We're emotional. It's something we put our hearts into and blood, sweat and tears. It's two people working toward one goal."

___

Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bolt-show-moves-200-olympics-054544151--oly.html

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New Mars rover beams back images showing its descent

ScienceDaily (Aug. 7, 2012) ? Just hours after NASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars, a select group of images taken by the onboard Mars Descent Imager, or MARDI, were beamed back to Earth. The 297 color, low-resolution images, provide a glimpse of the rover's descent into Gale Crater. They are a preview of the approximately 1,504 images of descent currently held in the rover's onboard memory. When put together in highest resolution, the resulting video is expected to depict the rover's descent from the moment the entry system's heat shield is released through touchdown.

"The image sequence received so far indicates Curiosity had, as expected, a very exciting ride to the surface," said Mike Malin, imaging scientist for the Mars Science Lab mission from Malin Space Systems in San Diego. "But as dramatic as they are, there is real other-world importance to obtaining them. These images will help the mission scientists interpret the rover's surroundings, the rover drivers in planning for future drives across the surface, as well as assist engineers in their design of forthcoming landing systems for Mars or other worlds."

The image of the heat shield falling away is online at: http://1.usa.gov/RSVufL . The MARDI sequence is online at: http://1.usa.gov/MZqGxv .

The MARDI camera is located on the chassis of the Curiosity rover. Just before the heat shield fell away, MARDI began its imaging task. The images selected for early downlink to Earth were taken at different points in Curiosity's final descent toward the surface. One of the earliest images shows the entry vehicle's heat shield 50 feet (15 meters) and falling away after separating from the vehicle three seconds before. A set of images demonstrates some of the gyrations Curiosity went through while on the parachute. Another remarkable set of images depicts the final moments leading up to landing, where the exhaust from four of the descent stage's 742 pounds of thrust rockets billow up dust from the Martian surface.

"A good comparison is to that grainy onboard film from Apollo 11 when they were about to land on the moon," said Malin.

Those MARDI images downlinked so far are low-resolution thumbnails, 192 by 144 pixels. In the months ahead, as communications between rover and Earth become more robust, full-frame images 1,600 by 1,200 pixels in size, are expected to provide the most complete and dramatic imagery of a planetary landing in the history of exploration.

The mission also released a higher-resolution Hazcam image of their target, the mountain in the middle of Gale Crater informally titled Mount Sharp.

The new image, taken by Curiosity's black-and-white Hazard Avoidance Cameras -- or Hazcams -- can be found at: http://1.usa.gov/OLB3B5 .

Curiosity, NASA's latest contribution to the Martian landscape, landed at 10:32 p.m. Aug. 5, PDT, (05:32 on Aug. 6, EDT) near the foot of a mountain three miles tall inside Gale Crater, 96 miles in diameter.

The mission is managed by JPL for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The rover was designed, developed and assembled at JPL. Malin Space Science Systems, San Diego, provided MARDI, as well as three other cameras on Curiosity.

For more information on the mission, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mars and http://marsprogram.jpl.nasa.gov/msl

Follow the mission on Facebook and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/marscuriosity and http://www.twitter.com/marscuriosity

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/space_time/astronomy/~3/Y2A_v1k1QLE/120807072418.htm

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Tuesday, August 7, 2012

XE.com - UPDATE 1-LMC Automotive lowers 2012, 2013 U.S. sales ...

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug 7 (Reuters) - LMC Automotive lowered its forecasts for U.S. auto sales in 2012 and 2013 based on anticipated slower economic growth compared with the first half of this year, an LMC executive said on Tuesday.

LMC, formerly a part of J.D. Power and Associates, lowered its 2012 U.S. auto sales forecast to 14.3 million light vehicles from its June forecast of 14.5 million, said Jeff Schuster, vice president of LMC and its chief forecaster.

LMC also lowered its forecast for next year, to 15 million vehicles from its previous projection of 15.2 million vehicles.

'We lowered our forecast because of a change from the significant economic growth in the first half to a flatter growth in the second half,' Schuster said on the sidelines of the Center for Automotive Research conference in Traverse City, Michigan, where he was also a speaker.

'There is a level of uncertainty among consumers,' Schuster said, adding the 2013 auto sales forecast was also lowered because he expects this level of uncertainty among consumers to extend into next year.

Schuster said LMC expects the U.S. economy to grow at a rate of 2 percent to 2.5 percent in the second half of 2012.

Polk has maintained its 2012 forecast for 14.3 million in U.S. light vehicle sales for several months, said Anthony Pratt of Polk, who also spoke at the conference on Tuesday.

Light vehicle sales were 12.8 million last year, indicating at 12 percent sales increase for the 2012 forecast by Polk and LMC.

So far in 2012, auto sales have been one of the major contributors to growth in the U.S. gross domestic product. Generally, auto sales lag growth in the overall economy during a recovery from recession, said Sean McAlinden, chief economist for the Center for Automotive Research.

'After the bottom of a typical recession, there is recovery first in housing and then in auto,' McAlinden said. 'This time, more than 40 percent of the GDP growth in the first quarter of 2012 was linked to auto and that is unusual.'

(Reporting By Bernie Woodall; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick and Maureen Bavdek) Keywords: AUTOS FORECAST/

(bernie.woodall@thomsonreuters.com)(+1-313-416-4071)(Reuters Messaging: bernie.woodall.thomsonreuters@reuters.net)

The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.

Source: http://www.xe.com/news/2012/08/07/2854025.htm?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=TL&utm_content=NOGEO&utm_campaign=News_RSS_Art8

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Special Android sales event starts at 11 a.m. EST Tuesday

If you haven't yet made the jump to the "red hot" Android device of the moment (hint, hint, it's SSSuper…) then you might want set your calendars and come back here tomorrow at 11am EST sharp when we'll present you with an absolutely great offer with the lowest price available online for this phone that comes in multiple flavors on the big red network.

This offer is presented by the Android Central Phone Store in association with Best Buy Mobile Solutions and will be limited to the first 100 people who place their order.

The additional bonus is that thanks to Best Buy Mobile's new "Buy it today, get it today." capability you will not only be able to buy it online quickly and at a super price but even (in most instances) be able to pick it up on the very same day!

So set your watches and get ready for 11am EST tomorrow …

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/HWXMAGZ5mtk/story01.htm

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Nokia 1661 Prepaid Phone, Black (T-Mobile)

Before making your purchase order please read the information about the features of Nokia 1661 Prepaid Phone, Black (T-Mobile) go to our review to assist you to acquire the suitable products you prefer.

NOT IN ORIGINAL BOX!!!
Shipment includes:
Nokia 1661 Phone
Battery & Charger
Prepaid T-Mobile SIM with Activation Card
User Manual
Hands-free Headset

Stay in touch with all your contacts and keep your busy life organized with the Nokia 1661, and pay the way you want with prepaid and postpaid calling plans from T-Mobile Pay As You Go. A great choice for those looking for a simplified cell phone for on-the-go communications, the Nokia 1661 offers essential mobile phone functionality. It also features an FM radio (headset required), speakerphone for handsfree communication, calendar, phone book with storage for 500 contacts, and over 4 hours of talk time.

A no-frills communicator, the Nokia 1661 is a great mobile voice and text messaging companion.

Phone Features

The candybar-style Nokia 1661 has a color LCD screen with a 128 x 160-pixel resolution and 65K color depth. It has a standard alpha-numeric keypad, five-way navigator, send/end keys, and two soft keys for navigating the interface. The phone has an internal 4 MB memory, which isn?t expandable. The internal phonebook can store up to 500 contact entries, with multiple numbers per entry and support for caller groups. Additionally, the phone displays the most recent 20 dialed/received/missed calls.

If you need text messaging capabilities, the 1661 has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages. T9 predictive text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit?a plus for text messaging users.

Organizer tools: calendar with month view (up to 10 entries), clock, converter stopwatch
Integrated speakerphone
2.5mm headset jack
Ringtones: Polyphonic (32 channels), MP3
SMS storage: up to 250 messages on phone
Dedicated speaking clock key
Vibrating alert

Vital Statistics
The Nokia 1661 weighs 2.9 ounces and measures 4.25 x 1.8 x 0.53 inches. Its 860 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.2 hours of talk time, and up to 480 hours (20 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies.

T-Mobile prepaid plans give you wireless access with less commitment, so you can pay?and talk?as you go. With no annual contract, no credit check, and no monthly bill, prepaid plans are a simple, direct way to go mobile. There are many ways to conveniently refill your T-Mobile Prepaid Plan so that you can stay continually connected with the people who matter most, including using web2go directly from your phone, via the T-Mobile Web site, or using refill cards available at over 90,000 locations nationwide.

With Pay As You Go, you get wireless service exactly how you like it?there?s no long-term contract, no credit checks, and no surprises. Add 0 in refills with Pay As You Go and you?ll become a Gold Rewards customer, which gets you 15 percent more minutes on all refills and your minutes won?t expire for a year after the time you refill.

See T-Mobile?s coverage map.

You can also pay only .00 per day for unlimited nights and unlimited nationwide calling to any T-Mobile number. All other domestic calls you make are just 10? per minute.

T-Mobile includes the following services with this T-Mobile Pay As You Go phone:

Nationwide long distance (including calls to Alaska and Hawaii)
National roaming on the T-Mobile USA network
t-zones (browsing for HiFi Ringers, MegaTones, wallpapers, and more; not available on all devices)
Voice-mail, caller ID, call waiting, three-way calling
Free e-mail address (10digitnumber@tmomail.net)

Additional services available for additional fees:

Text messaging (.10 to send, .5 to receive)
Picture messaging (.25 to send or receive)
Download ringtones and wallpaper (prices vary)
Download games and applications (prices vary)
411 & More directory assistance (.79 per call plus airtime)
International dialing to over 150 countries (international rates apply)
Prepaid international roaming rates

To keep your mobile number active, refill within 90 days after your minutes expire. After 90 days, your account will be canceled and you will lose your phone number. If you want to restart service after that time, you will need to activate new service.

Most of us know that Nokia 1661 Prepaid Phone, Black (T-Mobile) is one of the best choices