Foreclosure – How Long Can I Remain In The Home For After The Home Has Been Foreclosed On?
February 19, 2012 | 
Author In May of 2007 over 176,000 foreclosures were filed throughout the country. Yes, that is in one month. The other months this year have produced similar overall numbers as well. The number of foreclosures is definitely an immediate concern and it really is too bad that so many people are dealing with this devastating experience. First off, let me say that I am not promoting allowing your home to go into foreclosure. However, if you have exhausted all of your options and you simply have no way to avoid having your home foreclosed upon, this article will provide some information that will prove useful.
One of the most common questions asked by consumers who are going through a foreclosure is, “how long can I stay in my home after my home is foreclosed on before I have to leave?” Foreclosure can be an embarrassing enough event to go through let alone having to worry about coming home one day and either finding your home locked up by the county sheriff or your belongings thrown out of the home on the lawn. Nobody wants to take the chance of that happening, especially if you live in a neighborhood with a lot of friends that are unaware of your financial situation.
So how long can you remain in your home after it has been foreclosed upon or do you need to move from the property as soon as the foreclosure process is started? A homeowner can remain in the home all the way up through the time of the sheriff’s sale of the property. You do not have to vacate the property immediately after finding out your home is being foreclosed on. The sheriff’s department will not come over and board up your home, change the locks or throw your personal belongings out on the front lawn while you are at work. You are still the homeowner of record until the home has been bought via sheriff sale. Therefore, you still have a right to remain in that home until the home is transferred to someone else through the sheriff sale. Many times your lender will buy the home back through sheriff sale and this will put the home into their name and remove you as the owner of the home. You can wait until the sheriff comes to the home at this point to evict you, however, you may want to simply consider leaving as soon as the home has sold through the sheriff sale.
Therefore, even after your home is foreclosed upon you may still remain in the home because you are still the owner of the home. Most foreclosure processes can take anywhere from as little as 2 months up to as long as a year. Although in rare occasions the process has even taken up to 2 years. You will be able to remain in the home until you are evicted and it is highly recommended that you begin saving as much money as possible to prepare for life after foreclosure. Expect to pay larger deposits up front for things such as rentals, utilities, and phone and cable services. While foreclosures are not the most pleasant of life’s experiences, you can still make the best of a bad situation by remaining in the home and saving up as much money as you can.
Limousine Colors
You don’t find a limo attractive only on the basis of its make and its features. Rather there is a lot more to a boulder limousine as compared to its manufacturing. Nowadays people rather vouch for the color of a car rather than its make. Many automobile addicts often wait on their favorite colors rather than settle for something of the same make and model available in the market.
Limousines have for a long time now been associated to the rich and famous only. And for a very long time the only colors that were on the market were black and white. But now the trends are changing and they are changing fast. Nowadays boulder limousines are available in all shapes, sizes and colors. You could either buy a limo in the color of your choice, or you could get it custom made. Factories now paint them in every possible color, as per their customer’s wishes.
The majority of people who pick limousines as their day to day transportation pick blacks and whites due to practicality. But those from a much exotic crowd would like their cars to be loud. They tend to treasure the value color adds to a car.
So far white limousines are still the most favorite of many, since it’s a very neutral color that can be used on weddings, proms and on almost every other festive occasion. After white comes the popularity of black limos. Black limos are still pretty popular amongst the elite class. The color black itself portrays sophistication, it shows elegance. Rather black enhances a person’s image of power and authority. That is exactly the reason why people from the business world tend to buy black limousines as compared to limos of a much exuberant choice. After black and white come in line grays and silvers. These are yet two very somber colors that people prefer for much subtle occasions. These colors also portray extreme practicality and give the car a very corporate look. But many seem to think of these colors as dull, therefore with the growing female market more of pink boulder limousines can be seen in the market. Pink limos tend to render feminism therefore they are much popular amongst the women of the elite group.
Also included in the popular colors for boulder limousines are blue, red and gold. All the three tend to have royalty little all over it. But the truth of the matter is no matter the color, driving in a limo you’re loyalty anyway.
Posted in Phoenix Home Articles | 
Tags: Colors, Computer, Degree, Limousine, Science | 
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Are Plastic Food and Beverage Containers Safe?
Question: Have plastic food and beverage containers been proven safe?
Answer: No.
During the film’s graduation party in THE GRADUATE, Mr. McGuire pulls Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) aside to offer sage advice for his future. His future would be one word: “plastics.”
Of course, we all know Mr. McGuire’s advice and prognostication was correct. Plastics can only be made by man in his infinite wisdom, hence they are patentable. The profit in the manufacture of plastics has been huge. Plastics are everywhere. Plastic manufacturing now uses 4% of the world’s oil production annually. Automobiles are now 9% plastic. It is of my special concern that more foods and beverages are being put into plastic containers. Plastics are ubiquitous now. They persist and accumulate in our society as their production exceeds their chemical degradation rate. Harmful chemicals from plastics are now commonly found in groundwater, waterways, and drinking water.
While standing out in the summer heat in Phoenix, Arizona in 1981, my girlfriend asked me what was causing the film to form on the inside of the windshield of her new Mazda 626. She said that she had to wipe it off every morning so she could see to drive to work. I didn’t know then. I do now! It was phthalates, the chemical that was added to the plastic dash cover to soften it and prevent cracking. I’m sure by now most of the phthalate has evaporated into our atmosphere and the Mazda is in some junkyard with a cracked up dash.
Phthalates are EDC’s (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.) They are chemicals found in recycle codes #1 through #6 plastics. Another EDC (Bisphenol A) is in recycle code #7 plastics. All of these types of plastic EDC’s interfere with the function of sex hormones receptors. In THE GRADUATE Benjamin was quite a stud. I wonder if he’s now taking one of the popular drugs to treat erectile dysfunction, a disorder that has become one of the many epidemics in our new plastic world.
In 2003 a group of Croatian scientists reported that phthalates in plastics dissolved in various solutions. They used a variety of plastic items, including plastic food containers. After 10 days of sitting in distilled water, an average of 55.4 mg/ of phthalates from each kilogram of plastic “migrated” into the water. To a lesser degree the phthalates from plastics dissolved into acetic acid 3% (44.4 mg/kg) and 10% ethyl alcohol (32.3 mg/kg).
The Croatian study shows what Benjamin would suspect, if he took chemistry in college: Water is the universal solvent; and it dissolves even the primarily fat soluble phthalates. The more that you filter water to remove other toxic solutes, the more aggressive water becomes in its power to reach osmolar equilibrium by dissolving its non-inert containers.
What is also obviously missing from the Croatians’ controlled, static testing model are the temperature variations that the plastic bottled water product goes through to get from bottling point to the mouth of the consumer. Transport trucks probably reach a very high temperature in the non refrigerated cargo areas that carry PETE (recycle code #1 plastic) bottled water in the summer. Heat facilitates the dissolution of phthalates into the water. Then the bottles may be stored for a much longer time than 10 days prior to consumption. Furthermore, freezing the containers produces micro-fissures in the interior surface of the plastic bottle container as the water expands, exponentially exposing more solute surface area. Traumatic handling or any motion of the package will further enhance diffusion. Applying the laws of physics, all of these factors clearly by extrapolation will increase the water dissolution of the plastic containers.
Fatty foods in plastic containers are even more problematic, as fats are absorbed differently and carry their phthalate solvents into our bodies more easily. Phthalates bio-accumulate because of their fat solubility. Phthalates concentrate in such fat organs in our bodies such as brains, prostates, testicles, ovaries, breasts and, unfortunately, breast milk. (The other popular food alternatives for infants are worse. Commercial baby formulas are loaded with the manmade phthalates.)
I think the worst example of food containment in plastic is milk. All milk except non-fat milk contains fat. Cow milk itself represents a major source of the fats ingested by the public, especially children. Cattle concentrate these chemicals by bioaccummulation because EDC’s from plastics are ubiquitous in water and most animal food sources. Meat and dairy products are therefore a major contributor to this group of human food chain derived toxins, regardless of their containment. It is now irresponsible to add more phathalates to the products by putting the milk products in plastic containers that add MORE EDC’s.
Cattle have intentially been “fattened up” by adding hormones AND unintentially “fattened up” more by the contamination of cattle food and water by EDC’s. The combination of these chemicals passed on to the consumers in concentrated form in milk products will most likely exacerbate obesity in humans that consume them as well.
Our current scientific knowledge and common sense screams for an end to consumer purchase of milk bottled in plastics. Until milk companies have their products quantatatively analysed for these EDC’s by competent independant laboratories, my strong recommendation is to avoid purchase and consumption of milk and dairy products contained in plastic.
Sadly, the Croatian authors’ 2003 conclusions about the safety of plastics were: “These (exposure) levels would not present a hazard for human health, not even for a prolonged period of time.” However, what was deemed acceptable levels of phthalates in 2003 now is recognized as “crystal clearly” too high.
Selective interpretations from the ACC (American Chemistry Council) lead to this erroneously high level being “set” for past toxicity standards. The ACC is an “industry group” advisor. It’s much like the wolf guarding the henhouse. Thanks to the ACC efforts, control regulations placed upon this chemical class are minimal. An ongoing perpetuation of phthalate approval for use in virtually everything, including containment of food, has resulted. In fact, the perpetuation of these mythological high safety standards has resulted in the majority of our food being wrapped or contained in plastics that leach EDC’s into our foods.
The ACC’s Phthalate Esters Panel is made up representatives from BASF, Eastman Chemical, Exxon-Mobil Chemical, Ferro, and Teknor Apex Corporations. After graduating, Benjamin could have gone to work for any of these companies to share the wealth that plastics manufacturing have reaped, instead of hanging around and sporting Mrs. Robinson for the summer!
I love one of the rationalization examples the ACC makes on their PHTHALATES INFORMATION CENTER webpage: “Thanks to phthalates, your nail polish doesn’t chip.” I wonder if they are aware of the “unexplained” high rate of breast cancer in manicurists. I also wonder if they are aware that most breast tissues and breast cancers have sex hormone receptors that are acted upon by the EDC’s found in plastics.
To further confuse the public, the ACC webpage also redefines the PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE which in its un-perverted definition simply is: A (chemical) should not be considered safe until it is proven safe. Environmentalists who are trying to unravel the cause-effect relationships of environment chemicals, to the otherwise unexplained epidemics of various diseases now affecting man as well as every species on our planet, encourage its application. The ACC’s watered down version suggests that cost effective, fearless risks are worth taking.
Can the ACC keep up the phthalate safety illusion forever? The American Tobacco Association almost got away with it!
We now know that EDC’s, like hormones themselves require very minute amounts to have physiologic impact. EDC’s are active in parts per trillion! For example, the usual adult maintenance dose of levothyroxine, a drug to replace depleted natural thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism, is 1.6 micrograms/Kg/day. Why would I even think about saying that a dose in the milligrams (1000 times as much as a microgram) of a known EDC would be safe, especially for a child or developing fetus?
We now know that phthalates also work in synergy with chemicals in other classes to exert “more than additive” physiologic effects.
Previous experiments in rodents showed that high levels of phthalates interfer with testosterone during gestation resulting in birth defects of the genitalia, testicular cancer, and infertility in the rats.
The ACC inspired acceptable level of phthalate myth should be blown out of the water with a recent study completed by the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. This study of 85 human infant boys reported in May 2005 showed that phthalate levels found normally in the general population adversely influenced sexual development. The phthalate exposure these children had correlated with smaller penis size and incomplete testicular descent, which is a condition that greatly increases the risk of testicular cancer if left untreated.
Solution 1 – Choose glass containers over plastic for purchase and storage of food and beverages including milk and water.
American children can consume several milligrams of phthalate each day.
I wonder if THE GRADUATE’s Mr. Robinson noticed that most of the teenage girls now-days have bigger breasts than his seductive wife (gynecomastia), and that they begin thelarche (breast development) and menarche (menstruation) at a significantly younger age, or that many more have an endocrine pathology called PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).
The chances of a woman getting breast cancer in her lifetime has probably gone from a risk of less than 1 in 10 (10%) before THE GRADUATE was made to a 1 in about 7.5 (13.2 %) rate today.
The choice to avoid food chain plastics is a “no-brainer” when you understand how these chemicals persist and accumulate in our environment, and how they function in our bodies!
Solution 2 – Choose stainless steel containers over plastic for storage of food and beverages including water.
Unfortunately, we are past the point of no return with phthalates. Just like
cigarettes I think we’ll have to live as prisoners with their impact on future generations. The only defense we have at this time is to individually choose to avoid them when we can, to mitigate their effects on our health.
Phthalates clearly act upon hormone receptors in both men and women. A concern is the potential phthalate impact on breast and other hormone sensitive tissue in human females, but phthalate’s demasculinizing potential on males is more of a threat to all species on the planet.
Unlike Mr. McGuire, I think we can choose a better future by avoiding his “one word.” We should start by trying to reduce plastics in our food chain exposures.
Bottom line:
I would strongly advise consumers to purchase beverages and non-solid food products packaged in glass rather than plastic if given the choice.
© Life Dynamix 2005 All Rights Reserved
Backyard Storage Sheds – Do I Need a Building Permit?
Unfortunately every city and township in the country is different in regards to building permits for backyard storage sheds. I strongly suggest you make an anonymous call to you local building department before you start shopping for a shed so you have an idea on the size you are allowed to get and any other codes you need to know.
Play stupid, tell them you want to build a backyard storage shed in your yard, what do you have to do.
Most cities have size and height restrictions. The size is measured in square feet, width times length equals square feet.
I suggest you get the largest shed allowed in your local community. I have heard my shed is too small thousands of times. Very few cities allow more then one accessory building so unless you want to tear the building down and build another, get the size right the first time.
Other restrictions may concern the placement of the shed in your yard. Most cities will have a distance it must be off of your property lines and how far away from other structures or easements it must be.
If a permit is required your city may ask for a plot plan, building schematic and a picture of the shed. You can use a photo from the brochure the shed seller has and they also should provide you with a building schematic.
You can draw your own plot plan. The building department will want to see your lot size, where your home is located on the lot, the distance the home is from the rear property line and the location of the backyard storage shed. For your home and future shed, just draw squares or rectangles in their approximate location.
Some cities will require a permit and some won’t.
I always recommend that permits are applied for if required. If you decide to build a backyard storage shed without a permit and the building department finds out, they can really make your life miserable for quite awhile.
You can’t fight city hall.
The Introduction to Joysticks For PC
Most games for PC can be played using simple mouse and ordinary computer keyboard: if you are a simple, average gamer, that is. But if you are a serious and hardcore gamer, those peripherals are not enough. That is why manufacturers created and developed different gaming tools to provide more fun and real-life experience. And one of these great tools is the joystick.
Joysticks are usually compatible with game consoles like X-Box or Play Station, but they were redesigned to be compatible with computers as well. Joysticks for PC are used for arcade-like games and flight simulation games. Different joystick models are designed to fit specific game types.
When choosing a stick for your computer, determine first what kind of device you need. Think about the games you are usually playing. So, if your games that require joystick controlling, you are in the right direction.
Next is the features and design of the controller: hot keys, throttle, trigger, etc. Different manufacturers created different PC joysticks, so be keen but diligent. And lastly determine how much you are willing to spend and stick to your budget. Ordinary PC game joystick can go for as low as $20 while high-end PC joystick can cost as much as $300. Most of the time the extra features on the joystick means additional bucks. So again, ask yourself what you really need. Will you go for quality, brand name or features? Always check if the game control device is compatible with your machine and that your computer meets the minimum requirements for the joystick. If you do all those things, you will surely not waste your money.
There are different brands of computer game controllers available in today’s market. One of the most talked about is the Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 joystick. It was the newest joystick model from Microsoft, a better adaptation of their first joystick version: rebuilt and redesigned. Force Feedback 2 is sleeker, slimmer and lighter. It has built-in AC power supply and is USB compatible. It has a 16-bit on-board processor and digital-optical technology for close to reality flight experience. With its 16 programmable action buttons, hat switch, rotating handle and rock-solid base you will definitely enjoy and feel the game:. a bestseller then and still a bestseller now.
Another well-known brand of joystick for PC is Logitech. Logitech has been creating great gaming peripherals and their PC joysticks line is one of the best in the market. The Attack 3, Extreme 3D Pro, Freedom 2.4, Forces 3D Pro and Flight System G940 Force are gaming community’s most wanted.
Logitech Attack 3 is highly recommended for entry-level gamers because of its simple and smooth set-up and layout; although it is suitable for all gamers. Attack 3 comes with ambidextrous handle which offers comfort for both left and right handed gamers. It has eleven programmable buttons, rapid-fire trigger, force feedback mechanism and throttle control for excellent and precise gaming experience. It is compatible with PC and Macintosh computers and can be connected through USB port.
Logitech Extreme 3D Pro is design to deliver realistic gaming experience. With its twelve programmable buttons, high-precision throttle, eight-way rubber hat switch and easy-grip twist handle, accessing multiple commands is easier, faster and smoother.
Logitech Freedom 2.4 provides gaming freedom with its 2.4GHZ wireless technology that gives you gaming access within 20 feet range. Its features includes eight-way hat switch, aluminum trigger and throttle, ten programmable action buttons, twist handle and weighted, rubberized base. Logitech Freedom 2.4 is battery operated and has an ergonomic brushed-metal and rubber design. And with its tag price you will also get three “AA” batteries.
Logitech Forces 3D Pro belong to the top ten “best PC devices” list. With its improved force feedback mechanism, eight-way rubberized hat switch, high-precision throttle, twist handle and twelve programmable action buttons you will get maximum control and realistic gaming experience. Logitech Forces 3D Pro is PC and Mac compatible and can be connected through USB port.
Logitech G940 Flight Force System is not for the faint hearted. This one is definitely for hardcore gaming enthusiasts. This is crafted to look, work and feel like the real commercial and military aircraft. With its dual-throttle system, toe, breaks, force feedback mechanism, rudder pedals, programmable throttle-base buttons and light indicators, you will feel G-forces, turbulence, wind shear and buffeting within your game. Logitech G940 Flight Force System will kick your gaming experience up to ten notches. If you are a real gamer, the hefty $300 or more tag price will not be an issue.
Besides Logitech, another popular and highly rated PC joystick brand is Saitek. Saitek released four joystick models; ST90, ST50, Aviator, Cyborg X and X52 Flight System.
Saitek ST90 is a perfect PC joystick for beginner. It has a unique retractable tripod design provides stability and easy storage. It is designed with four-position digital throttle, LED indicator, two fire buttons, rapid-fire trigger and single-spring gimbals mechanism for easy and fast control. And for the beginner it is quite affordable.
Saitek ST50 comes in a simple and compact design. Its features include rapid-fire trigger, force feedback system, built-in throttle, three action buttons and pistol-grip palm rest. Saitek ST50 can be connected through USB port.
Saitek Aviator belongs to the top ten “best PC devices” list. It is the first dual-throttle PC joystick released in the market. It has a rugged military design with high-quality performance and features. It comes with eight-way hat switch, rapid-fire trigger, illuminated missile fire launcher, rudder twist, two-mode switch and dual-throttle lever. Saitek Aviator uses Saitek Smart Technology (SST) that can program up to 40 commands.
Saitek Cyborg X has been around the market for ten years and still remains as one of the best selling PC joysticks. This futuristic device was design to combine cutting-edge engineering and innovative design. For superior performance, Saitek packed this Cyborg with twelve programmable action buttons, dual throttle lever, adjustable POV hat switch, tilting head mechanism, shift button, twist axis rudder and adjustable handle.
Saitek X52 Flight System is design for maximum aeronautical authenticity. It is designed with full rubber grips, part-metal construction and multifunction display. It uses Roger Wilco Chat Software and Saitek Smart Technology that can program 282 commands. Its features include toggle switch, three-way mode switch, wheel on throttle, trigger buttons, eight-way hat switch, five-way rotating handle and rudder control.
Another well-known manufacturer of joysticks and PC gaming devices is the Thrustmaster. They utilized the HOTAS system for computer flight simulation games and they have licensing agreements with prestigious brands like Ferrari, Splinter Cell, Top Gun and others. They have released five PC joystick models; USB joystick, T-Flight Stick X, T16000M, T-Flight HOTAS X and HOTAS Cougar.
Thrustmaster USB joystick is the cheapest in Thrustmaster PC joysticks line. It has simple and basic design that is perfect for entry-level gamers. It comes with basic joystick features like thumb throttle, three axis button, trigger, four action button and easy camera control.
Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X is ergonomically designed for comfort and easy control. It features include motion-sensor function, internal memory, 12 programmable action buttons, air-break trigger, rotating handle, four axes, multidirectional hat switch, throttle lever and rapid-fire trigger. Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X is compatible with PC and PS3 and can be connected through USB port.
Thrustmaster T16000M is a fully ambidextrous joystick that has three removable components to tailor fit both left-handed and right-handed people. This joystick has an exclusive HALLEFFECT ACCURATE TECHNOLOGY (HEART), twelve switch-enable buttons, 16 action buttons, multidirectional hat, rudder control and four axes.
Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X comes with a detachable throttle control, wide hand rest, dual-system aerodynamic system, internal memory, 12 programmable buttons, 5 axes, high-precision stick, rapid-fire trigger, multidirectional hat, mapping buttons and break triggers. Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X is under licensed.
Thrustmaster HOTAS Cougar is the joystick for hardcore gaming enthusiast. It is an exact replica of the legendary F-16 fighter aircraft. With 28 programmable action buttons, Foxy programming software, full metal construction and multiple hat switch. This virtually realistic PC joystick is a must-have if you have $200 to $270 to spare.
So when you have decided to treat yourself and buy your very own PC gaming devices be ready for a hunt. A hunt for the cheapest, a hunt for the best and a hunt for what you need. You can find the best PC joystick in the nearest electronic and computer store near you or you can source online. If you are not ready for high tag price but you want great deal; try some online auction or second hand store.
A List of Companies Going Out of Business
One of the signs of recessions is the increase in the number of international and large companies that decided to close or to go out of business. Most of the managements of these companies stopped the business operations to save the remaining profits. To have ideas which international enterprises have filed bankruptcy, featured below is a list of companies going out of business in the past years.
Shabby Chic
Shabby Chic is an international manufacturer of home furnishings. Most of the products offered by the company are antiques. It also manufactured beddings and curtains. The firm filed Chapter 11 on January 29, 2009. The company started the liquidation of the finances of some of its branches in America.
Chernin Shoe Outlet
This firm filed for protection of bankruptcy on February 2, 2009. The retailer of footwear experienced financial troubles in the past seven years. In order to get money, the company decided to sell the assets of the firm valued between $500 to $1 million. The total amount of assets listed by the firm before it decided to go out of business is $18 million, while the debts posted by the firm amounts to $29 million.
Bruno’s and Food World
Bruno’s and Food World is a grocery store that has several chains or branches in the different states of America. The firm filed bankruptcy on February 5, 2009. The owners of the store signed sold the company to Southern Family on April 30, 2009.
Ritz Camera Centers
Ritz Camera Centers Inc. decided to go out of business on February 20, 2009. The company started the liquidation process on March 20, 2009. Some of the popular products offered by the firm are digital cameras and digital photo frames. According to the top management of the firm, one of the factors that threatened the company’s performance is the recession in America in 2008.
Fatburger
This fast food restaurant offers burgers, shakes and French fries. Its top management decided to file protection for bankruptcy on April 10, 2009. Based on reports released by the firm, the bankruptcy or the closure of the restaurant was caused by the recession in America in 2008.
Home Décor Products
Home Décor Products decided to stop the business operations on March 30, 2009. This home improvement shop is known for offering faucets, power tools, swimming pool supplies and barbecue grills that are made from high quality materials. The decline in the performance of the company in the early 2000s led to its closure.
Harry Potter Gift Ideas – Wands, Brooms, Books, and More
If you’ve got a young Harry Potter fanatic in the family, then Christmas and Birthday shopping just got a little easier. Thanks to the popularity of the stories and movies, there are many book sets, themed gifts, and even tasty candies for fans. Let’s take a look at what’s out there to give you some ideas:
Books and Book Sets
If the kids you’re shopping for are already fans, they probably have all the books on their shelves, but if you’re trying to get new readers interested in the series, giving them the books is a great way. You can start out with Book 1 (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, also called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the US) or you might also get one of the nice gift sets that includes all seven novels.
A box set costs about $60 for the series in paperback or about $120 for hardbacks.
If you’re trying to fill gaps in a partial collection, here is a list of all the books in the correct reading order:
Book Reading Order
Harry Potter and the…
1. Philosopher’s Stone/Sorcerer’s Stone
2. Chamber of Secrets
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Goblet of Fire
5. Order of the Phoenix
6. Half-Blood Prince
7. Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter Wands, Brooms, and Other Toys and Gifts
If your young reader already has the books, then you may try other Harry Potter items as gifts. Just look online, and you can find all sorts of children’s toys based on items from the series. Some of these are mass-produced gifts available at Amazon, Walmart, and the like, while others are lovingly crafted one-of-a-kinds (look for these on sites such as Etsy, which feature only handmade items).
Here are some ideas:
Harry’s Wand
“Magic” Broom (replicas of the Nimbus 2000)
Sorting Hats
Movies on DVD
T-shirts and Caps
Stationary and Envelopes
Action Figures
Legos (The Durmstrang Ship is cool!)
Board Games (original games as well as JK Rowling versions of classics)
Pillows and Bedding
Robes and Halloween Costumes
Edible Harry Potter Gifts
While toys are always fun, it’s hard to go wrong with gifts that kids can eat. In this category, you can find everything from Bertie Botts Every Flavor Jelly Beans (ketchup and pepper, anyone?) to custom cakes from the bakery (you’ll have to order ahead of time, but many bakeries can do themed goodies).
If you fancy yourself a bit of a chef, you can also find recipes online that are inspired by the books. Try a Google search for “Harry Pottery recipes” if you long to make Cauldron Cakes, Jelly Slugs, or Pumpkin Juice.
There you have it: plenty of gift ideas for the young fantasy fans in your family. Christmas and birthday shopping should be a piece of cake this year!
Shakespeare Love Poems – Sonnet 130 Analysis
Another of the most famous Shakespeare Love Poems, Sonnet 130 is strange when you first look at it. It shows Shakespeare seemingly in conflicting minds about his mistress (the dark lady). The other poems he writes are descriptive, compare with the way he describes the fair youth in sonnet 18. However, its is indeed a satire in nature and there are clever facets to this poem. He talks about the mistress as having lots of bad qualities, bad breath, frizzy hair, dull complexion. But in the end, the writer still loves her.
1st quatrain
Straight away the tone is set, and the writer compares the mistress as being nothing like the sun (compare with “gold complexion” of the fair youth in sonnet 18). With the next lines, he seems to be criticising or even mocking her. It almost seems like the writer is confession of pitying the mistress and is almost ashamed of himself for being with her. The writer says “her breasts are dun” showing that her skin is dark and dull, and white skin was perceived as beautiful at the time. He describes her hair as black wires, and again black hair was seen as common and not beautiful. This first quatrain is strange and seems to have a certain lack emptiness and lack of emotion coinciding with it.
2nd quatrain
The writer continues to criticise her, saying there is no colour in her cheeks, and that her breath smells bad. Its poems continues to sound hollow and sad. At this point we still do not know where this poem is leading. The next quatrain reveals all
3rd quatrain
The 3rd quatrain opens with “I love to hear her speak”. This is typical of Shakespeare’s style to completely change the tone at the start of a quatrain. “I love to hear her speak” is an honest compliment, and may be starting to convey the idea that for all her outer faults, It is the mistress’s inner beauty that the writer loves. However the the next line seems to go back being derisive and harsh. “But music hath a more pleasing sound” It leaves us wondering why he has so suddenly gone back to being negative about the mistress. The next 2 lines seem to say “my mistress is no goddess”.
But to understand this we must understand the contemporary poets of the time for example, Thomas Watson, Michael Drayton, and Barnabe Barnes. They all wrote over-the-top, highly romanticised sonnets, with lots of elaborate description and they were not really honest. In sonnet 130, Shakespeare has given an honest description. The writer is saying what he truly sees and feels about the mistress. This is completely unlike the much earlier sonnet 18 where the writer seems to be wearing rose tinted glasses and describes the “fair youth” with all manner of descriptive adjectives.
Shakespeare is satirising and almost making a mockery of his contemporary writers. He thinks they look silly by always by being so over the top and elaborate (a bit like how the media nowadays sensationalises all their stories), and slates them for their dishonesty.
People do not want to be complemented on qualities they do not really have. If you have tanned skin, you do not want to be complemented on how white and fair your skin looks, but maybe you would like to be complemented in such as a way as “Wow your skin is a lovely shade of caramel”. Here, although the writer seems to criticise the mistress at times, he is really complementing her on qualities she really does have.
Final Rhyming Couplet
The writer ends the poem with a confession of love. For all her strange qualities which he has listed int the poem before, He still loves her. It is interesting to note that in Shakespearean English, the word belied can mean falsely represented and also sexually mounted. As this whole poem is a satire, Shakespeare could be subtly accusing his rival poets of coercion, using flattering words to get their mistresses in bed.
Here is sonnet 130, another of my favourite Shakespeare love poems, with the quatrains already separated for you to make it easier to read.
Sonnet 18
1st quatrain
My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
2nd quatrain
I have seen roses damask, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
3rd quatrain
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
Final Rhyming Couplet
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.
Sonnet 130 is one of the most clever Shakespeare Love Poems. It is interesting to see all the different facets of Shakespeare poetry, and this poem can be interpreted 2 ways. You can compare this with the simple description in Sonnet 18.
Portable Oxygen Concentrators and Medicare
Portable oxygen concentrators are selling like hotcakes for the holiday season. Giving the gift of mobility is a a great gift to give. Giving a loved one a way to travel again is priceless. Wouldn’t it be great if anyone that needed oxygen would be able to get a portable oxygen concentrator, making it easier to live with there disease? Some people do have the luxury of just placing a new resperonics evergo on there credit card and just paying it off. Others who don’t have the luxury can usually call Medicare and they will do there best to get you what you need. Its not that way with a portable oxygen concentrator.
Portable oxygen concentrators are very expensive ranging in price from $3495 up to $4100. This is the problem with getting Medicare to take care of it even on a rental basis. Medicare now has a cap of three years and they will pay up to $77 per month toward any concentrator. Both home oxygen concentrators and portable oxygen concentrators, the same reimbursement for both. How can that work? Home units are far less expensive and that is why it is easy to find a home oxygen company to supply you oxygen at home. We need medicare to raise there cap or there monthly reimbursement and make it possible for those that are less fortunate to be able to travel on train or plane with a portable oxygen concentrator.
Remember when you are out on your search for a concentrator for a gift or for yourself look around, make sure you get the best price. Most of the time it is better to call the medical supply company than to just accept there internet posted price. Calling can get you some good savings and call around, don’t just ask one company. Call 3 companies and go with the best price. Remember service has a lot to do with your selection. Imagine buying a concentrator, enjoying Disney World on you vacation with the grand kids and your sequal eclipse goes down. As long as you can reach the company that rented or sold you the equipment everything should be ok. Some companies have answering machines. I guess what I am saying is don’t just base your decision on price. Make sure you find a company with someone on call after hours.
Things to Do on Your 18th Birthday – My 5 Top Tips
If you’re looking for some of the best things to do on your 18th birthday then you’re in for a treat! I, unfortunately, am one of the unlucky ones who failed to plan their birthday which unfortunately led to a completely wasted 18th birthday that I would love to forget. However so you don’t go through the same experience I went through, I decided to do some in-depth research on the area and found some of the most effective things to do on your 18th birthday. I’m going to share with you my top 5 tips to ensure an unforgettable 18th birthday experience.
Remember, it’s the most important birthday of your teenage years and it only comes once in your life, so don’t make the same mistake I did. Make It Count! So lets get straight into my 5 Top Tips for your 18th Birthday.
Top Tip #1: Doing Something is better than doing Nothing!
Know this may come to a bit of a shock to some of you but doing anything on your birthday is better than doing nothing at all. I really can’t emphasis this enough. It is better to do something that you’re fairly fond of, like going cinema or bowling on your 18th, then be stuck at home watching that “re-run” of “pets do the funniest things”!
Top Tip #2: The Secret to clubbing
Depending on where you live this is the most popular thing to do on your 18th birthday. However there are some tips and tricks that I have picked up that will assure you that you 1. Get into a club 2. Get your friends into the club 3. Get in free!
Now this won’t work all the time but, from experience it does work some of the time and is worth at least trying. What you need to do is call every club that your thinking of going to and informing them that it is your birthday and you will be coming down with “X” amount of friends. Most of the club owners have certain provisions for birthdays including free entry or free tables or free birthday gifts as they know that a birthday means guest and guest mean money. The more inquiries the better results!
Top Tip #3: Why it’s Crucial to have a Plan B
Did you know that this is where most 18 year olds get it wrong? They go out and don’t have a backup plan! When plan A fails, this for most is where the party DIES. Don’t be one of them! Have a backup venue that you can go to if your initial plan doesn’t work. This can be anything from a restaurant to a cinema but just have one. It’s better to do something that you don’t really mind doing than nothing at all!
Top Tip #4: Themed Parties
This is my favourite. So you may not want to go out on your 18th birthday which means you can bring the party to you! Even if you rent out a hall this is the best idea to ensure a positive turnout and guarantee fun. A themed party can be anything from black and white dress code to your own personalized casino night filled with the red carpet and roulette tables as standard! It really depends on your budget and your imagination but this is by far the best way to ensure an unforgettable night in your control.
Top Tip #5: Why you should celebrate your 18th more than once!
This one is a peach! One of the main reasons that celebrating your 18th birthday can become a bit complex is that we try to cater our birthday plans around everyone: family, friends and partners. This is the BIGGEST MISTAKE you could make. It is so much better to celebrate Thursday night in a restaurant with the family, Friday night going to a cinema with your partner and Saturday night parting until dusk with friends. Obviously each category is flexible but remember the more people you try to please the less likely it is for you to be happy. Remember who’s 18th birthday it is!