Tehran is currently among the most densely populated cities on the planet, yet for many centuries Tehran was nothing more than a small, insignificant city on the stage of world history.

Aga Muhammed Khan, founder of the Qajar dynasty, chose Tehran as the capital of the Persian Empire in 1795, largely because of its location on the cool Elbur hillsides. And so it has remained to this very day. Only after a terrible earthquake in May 2004 was there heated discussion of moving the seat of government from Tehran to a less earthquake prone region of the country.

Palaces and museums
The bulk of Tehran’s older buildings date back to the period of Qajar rule in the nineteenth century. Foremost among these structures is the Golestan, or Rose Garden Palace, the old seat of the shahs until 1979. Today it serves as a museum, and its most famous exhibit is the stunning Peacock Throne. Exactly 26,733 precious stones decorate this sumptuous throne of the former Persian rulers. While there are always crowds in the museum, the palace garden is a peaceful and beautiful oasis in the heart of Tehran.

The Iranian capital has a large number of museums worth seeing in addition to the Golestan Palace, including the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum. Many other cultural sites are inviting and worthy of a sojourn. Tehran’s bazaar is legendary and one of the biggest in the world.

The traditional Zurkhaneh (House of Strength) in the center of the bazaar is a special kind of sports venue: up to twenty five athletes at a time emulate their forebears, swinging maces and rings to the accompaniment of drums and tribal songs. This distinct form of athleticism, called bastani in Persian, originated under the reign of the Mongols, who forbad the locals to engage in any kind of physical training. The Persians trained in secret in order to be ready for the day when they would free themselves from Mongolian rule.

Modern Tehran
Impressive testaments to Persian rule in this city include not only historical monuments and the traditional souk, but also numerous modern structures. The symbol of modern Iran is a more recent building, the Shahyad (Freedom) Tower on Azadi Square, built in 1971 during the reign of the last shah.

From the observation deck one has a fantastic vista of the entire city, and can see all the way to the distant, white capped Elbur Mountains. Another important symbol of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ayatollah Khomeini Mausoleum, is located in southern part of the city. Four narrow minarets, each 90 metres high, surround its shining gold cupola.

Those who would prefer to flee the noise of the city head out of Tehran travelling north, toward Darband and Darrake at the foot of Tochal Mountain in the Elbur Range. While en route through the northern neighbourhoods of Tehran, a visit to the Saadabad Palace, the summer residence of the last shah, is definitely worth making.

Once you reach your final destination, there is a chance to enjoy the clear mountain air and to sojourn at one of many traditional cafes and restaurants. For a taste of adventure, you can also take the longest cable car ride in the world up Mt. Tochal, and come down via one of the five ski slopes.

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Once in a while you see something interesting for Christmas. This is one such thing.

Today the demand for higher sophistication in professional sterilisation equipment is increasingly becoming important.

In day surgeries, which have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the recent years, are now often performing invasive procedures in their own premises. Not a surprise that a lot of research is being undertaken and more and more sophisticated brands of autoclave sterilizers are coming onto the market.

The Australian company, Sabac Australia, designs and manufactures a range of autoclaves including autoclave equipment and accessories. Most of the operation theatres use the tabletop sterilizers that perfectly fit into the modular space design of the clinics. The pre and post autoclave sterilizers use the most sophisticated tabletop technology available. This medical sterilization equipment is known for its reduced cycle time and is also reasonably priced.

The automatic autoclave sterilizer series include autoclave equipment that offers a high return on your investment. This medical sterilization equipment is known for rapid cycles, safety, durability, and low maintenance. The semi automatic autoclave sterilizer is sought by private clinics which stress safety, reliability, and quality. The products in this category offer lower running costs, and are maintenance free. The features include double locking safety device, door failure protection, heat insulation and automatic shut off in case of emergency.

Big hospitals and health centers that have a large number of beds and have adequate space, opt for large hospital autoclaves. The chamber volumes of these autoclave sterilizers range from 120 liters to more than 1000 liters. These mid-range and large range autoclave sterilizers put safety before anything else. The safety features include double door safety, safety valves, built-in steam generator safety and emergency shut-down.

Medical waste management is another issue which need frequent innovation in medical sterilization equipment. Most of the hospitals and health care facilities need to adhere to strict guidelines for managing the medical waste generated. The bio-hazard sterilizer is an autoclave sterilizer that uses the high vacuum steam environment technology, where steam acts as the sterilization agent.

It is designed to dispose medical waste in a safe, cost effective and environment friendly manner. Here the sterilization cycle is short, being less than 50 minutes. Most of these autoclaves conform to the ASME standards and other government mandates that are required by law. Recently the autoclave Australia products that are coming into the market are becoming an instant hit. The chlorine dioxide gas chamber is the most common method applied for pre-cleaning of autoclave equipment.
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If you are looking for autoclave equipment or an autoclave sterilizer, contact Autoclave Australia. BSON221208

The turmoil in the international stock markets is having a unfavourable impact on the retirement plans of many Australians.

For example, during September 2008, it was estimated by SuperRatings, a company that tracks the performance of super funds, that Australian super funds lost as much as 6% of their value. During the past year they lost 12% of their value.

The reason for the massive losses is the current superannuation rules which effectively place the Australian superannuation system in a virtual stock market straitjacket.

Over the years, The Investors Club has argued strongly that Australians should have greater flexibility in using their superannuation to invest directly in property and also to help pay off their mortgages.

This stock market straitjacket has been highlighted by a recent report from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) that tracked the performance of superannuation funds in Australia during the period 1997 to 2006.

Super woes highlighted
The report showed that the ten-year average annual return for super funds with assets more than $100 million was around 6.7% before they imposed fees and charges.

During the same period, figures produced by the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) show that the annual average returns (taking into account capital growth and weekly rents), for a three-bedroom residential home in the major capital cities varied from 11.2% to 16.8%.

The heavy investment in the stock market by super funds is underlined by the APRA report which showed that during 2006 nearly 60% of investments were in Australian or international shares.

The current superannuation rules virtually prohibit the use of superannuation for residential real estate and goes against the basic investment principle of not putting all of your eggs in one basket.

By allowing Australians to use their super contributions to pay off their mortgage, this would encourage additional super contributions. For example, someone has to earn $150 and pay $50 tax before paying $100 off their mortgage.

It would also allow more first home buyers to enter the housing market at a time when Australia is recognised as having among the most expensive real estate in the developed world and the worst housing shortage.

Interestingly, financial advisers and stockbrokers are the prime beneficiaries of this share market splurge and it is no coincidence that they are major contributors to both political party’s election funds.

It is now time that ordinary Australians were given a greater say in where their superannuation is invested and this should include the option of investing in residential real estate which is a proven long-term investment to create wealth.

================ Further information available from :

Kevin Young – The Investors Club Kevin Young – The Investors Club Kevin Young – The Investors Club Kevin Young – The Investors Club Kevin Young – The Investors Club

Ever noticed how many actors and celebrities have such white and shining teeth? Chances are they have used a laser and gel teeth whitening system to give them that “Hollywood Smile”. This article answers some of the most frequent questions about this modern, safe and effective cosmetic procedure.

Q: Is it for everyone?

A: Cold Laser and gel teeth whitening gives magical results to anyone who wants to whiten their teeth. This includes people with teeth that have been stained by smoking or by substances like coffee or tea. It also whitens teeth stained by tetracycline, specked by fluoride or hereditary discolouration. Pregnant woman or clients under 16 years of age should not receive the whitening treatment.

Q: How white could my teeth get?

A: Tests show that, after whitening with the laser and gel system, teeth can move 5 to 14 shades on the cold laser and gel teeth whitening shade guide. The results depend on how white the teeth were originally, but the end result will be white, shiny teeth.

Q: How long will the whitening last?

A: This varies from person to person and depends on your diet, but the effects should usually last for about 2 years. Periodic touch-up treatments can be taken for clients that frequently have coffee or other staining food or drinks or those that use tobacco products.

Q: Is it safe?

A: Yes. Scientific articles have shown that the active ingredients in cold laser and gel teeth whitening gel are effective and safe for cosmetic tooth whitening. The dental community has used these ingredients for tooth whitening for years. It does not change or damage the structure of the teeth: it merely makes them appear whiter and brighter.

Q: How long does the treatment take?

A: In a little over an hour, discolouration that has built up over years will magically disappear. It takes no longer than the time it would for you to have a haircut or facial – it’s that simple.

Q: What’s the difference between cold laser/gel and other methods of whitening?

A: Although cold laser and gel teeth whitening uses the same cold-light power whitening technology seen in professional dental offices, it has been specially adapted for the cosmetic beauty industry. Designed with the comfort and safety of the client in mind, our 60 minute treatment is safer, gentler, and produces superior results to other teeth whitening options.

Q: Will is whiten my existing crowns or veneers?

A: No, the whitening treatment in general cannot change the colour of porcelain crowns veneers or fillings.

Q: Will it hurt?

A: Most patients experience no pain or sensitivity after the treatment. A very small percentage of patients may feel some minor tooth sensitivity, especially if having very cold or hot foods within a few hours following the treatment. Avoid hot or cold drinks for the first 24 hours if there is any sensitivity.

Q: What is the difference between cold laser and gel teeth whitening and whitening treatments from a dentist?

A: The system used is the same technology used in dental offices for power whitening and the results are comparable. The cold laser and gel teeth whitening gel system is designed for safe treatment by aesthetic professionals.
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Image by Laser is a specialist cosmetic clinic that offers teeth whitening in Brisbane, safe laser acne treatment in Brisbane and safe laser Rosacea treatment in Brisbane.

The book titled The Mental Game Plan, describes the three main types of worries experienced by anxious athletes in precompetition: worries about the task (“This is a very difficult course” or “These guys look huge”), about their own ability or readiness (“I do not have my best stuff today” or “I feel slow” or “My knee hurts”), and about consequences (“If I miss this shot, we won’t have a chance at conference” or “If I fall, my coach will be furious”).

The thoughts are often combined with images; for example, the thought “These guys look huge” may be accompanied by a mental picture of oneself as weak and small. The thoughts are multilayered, and addressing the underlying thought is important. For example, the thought “If I screw up the shot, we won’t have a chance at touring” may have the following unspoken fear attached: “.. and my teammates will blame me, and it will all be my fault.”

Later on we address how to intervene with these thoughts, but for now let’s examine the relationship between anxiety and performance. Since different theories have come up with different explanations for their relationship, we will review the main ones.

The Upside Down U
One of the first theories addressing the relationship between arousal and performance was the inverted-U hypothesis. The theory states that peak performance occurs at an intermediate level of arousal and that both very low and very high levels of arousal will result in impaired performance.

Sport psychology embraced the theory, and the terms “arousal,” “anxiety,” and “stress” became interchangeable in many of the theory’s descriptions. The explanations offered by the theory had a common sense appeal: A competitor (or a team) who is not aroused sufficiently is unlikely to exert great effort or persevere.

The typical example is that of the athlete or team who faces a less-skilled opposition. If the competition is labeled as easy and the resulting arousal is too low, this athlete or team risks losing the contest because the performance is expected to be subpar under these conditions.

At the other end of the continuum we have the competitor who faces a must-win situation that results in a very high level of arousal. Decision making is impaired, and the rhythm and mechanics of his movement are disturbed, partially because of excess muscle tension.

Arousal activates both flexor and extensor muscles so that it literally results in the athlete “putting the brakes on himself” while he is trying to go as fast as possible. Most people agree that the inverted-U theory is familiar to everyone in sport.

However, a theory should allow us to predict outcomes, and this one allows for explanations only after the fact: If someone does not perform well, we will assume that their level of arousal was not adequate. How do we know the level of arousal was not adequate?

Because the athlete did not perform well. This becomes a circular argument that explains itself. Another problem is that the theory does not explain how arousal affects performance. Arousal, understood as physiological activation, can be interpreted by one athlete as anxiety and by another as aggression.

The theory does not take into account the fact that different cognitive interpretations of arousal affect the performance. Finally, the symmetrical curve of the U used to describe the relationship would seem to predict a gradual deterioration of performance with increased arousal, but in most performers’ experience, that extra level of arousal tends to result in dramatic and rapid decreases in performance.

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If you fly directly east from northern Queensland for 2500 kilometres, you will be over Fiji. Looking down, you would see more than 800 islands — some large enough to hold thousands of people, others are very small. About 100 of these island are inhabited. If you flew down to 1323 metres while over the island of Viti Levu, you might hit the top of Tomanivi, Fiji’s highest peak. South-east of Tomanivi is Suva, the capital of Fiji. Main cities include Nadi, Sigatoka and Lautoka on Viti Levu and Labasa and Savusavu on Vanua Levu.

Fiji was populated for more than 3000 years before contact with Europeans. Most people living in Fiji had come from other islands in Melanesia, although some came from Polynesia and Micronesia. Villages developed their own customs and dialect. Although the Dutch visited Fiji in the 1600s, regular visits from Europeans did not begin until traders and missionaries made contact with the Fijians in the early eighteenth century. This delay was partly due to the reputation of Fijians as ruthless cannibals.

In 1874, Fiji was declared a British colony. The British brought to Fiji many thousands of Indian workers to work on the sugar farms. Native Fijians resented so many non-Fijians settling in their land, and the British government introduced laws that banned non-Fijians from owning land. Fiji became an independent nation on 10 October 1970 with a system of government based on that of Britain.

About 800 000 people live in Fiji. The nearest Australian city in size is Adelaide, with a population of 1050 000 people. Three-quarters of the population live on the island of Viti Levu. Indigenous Fijians make up about 50 per cent of the population, with Indian Fijians accounting for 45 percent. The remaining five per cent are of European or Chinese or people from other Pacific Islands.

Most Fijians live in rural areas, but the number of people migrating to the cities has increased. Life for indigenous Fijians in rural areas revolves around their village. Each village has a chief, who is usually a man. The way of life in the villages is communal, with everybody helping everyone else. Indigenous Fijians speak Fijian and English.

Indian Fijians speak Fijian Hindi and English. Although most Indian Fijian families have lived in Fiji for many generations, their culture remains similar to families in India. Women wear saris, and most marriages are organised by parents when their children are young.

Fiji, like Australia, has a high literacy rate. About 90 per cent of Fijians can read and write (in Australia, it is 98 per cent). However, unlike Australia, education is not compulsory in Fiji, but it is encouraged. The government pays for children to attend, school until year nine, then fees must be paid by students’ families. Most schools are run by religious or community organisations. Fiji also has the University of the South Pacific and the Fiji School of Medicine.

Most Fijians work on farms, and the main crops are sugar and coconuts. Fishing is a large part of Fiji’s agricultural economy. Gold mines also provide work and much-needed income for the country. Fiji’s most important industry is tourism, and many of Fiji’s tourists are Australian. In 1987 and 2000, military coups discouraged foreigners from visiting Fiji, which resulted in an economic downturn.

Fiji’s major attractions are its natural attributes: the sea, the highlands and the islands. Most visitors to Fiji go to enjoy the beaches, with diving and snorkelling being popular pastimes. The Mamanuca group of islands, off the west coast of Viti Levu, have some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. The Abaca Cultural and Recreational Park, north-east of Nadi, contains waterfalls, rainforests and walking tracks that guide visitors through unimaginable beauty.

In 2000, George Spejght, an indigenous Fijian, led a coup against the Fijian Government. Speight and his followers kept Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and other Politicians captive for more than three weeks before releasing them and forming their own government. Chaudhry is of Indian Fijian descent. Speight claimed he was representing indigenous Fijians who did not want Indian Fijians to have political rights. Speight was arrested, and power was given to a newly elected president.

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If you are looking for great value Fiji holidays visit escapetravel.com.au. Escape travel has an exciting selection of cheap holidays for all budgets and tastes. ET181208-5

Omnilux blue led phototherapy is a simple, pain free treatment that works with your bodies natural defences to eradicate acne.

The cost of flying within Italy is often comparable to the cost of train travel, although be sure to factor in the cost of getting to and from the airport. When flying out of Italian airports, always check with the airport or tourist agency about upcoming strikes, which are frequent in Italy and often affect air travel. The work stoppages are called by trade unions over contractual disputes, and can also ground or delay flights to and from Italy operated by several European carriers, including British Airways and Air France.

Things to Think About when booking
When you book, look for nonstop flights and remember that “direct” flights stop at least once. Try to avoid connecting flights, which require you to change plane. Two airlines may operate a connecting flight jointly, so ask whether your airline flies every segment of the trip. You may find that the carrier you prefer flies you only part of the way. Check web sites to find more booking tip, to check prices and to make online flight reservations.

When flying internationally, you must usually choose between a domestic carrier, the national flag carrier of the country you are visiting (Alitalia for Italy), and a foreign carrier from a third country. National flag carriers have the greatest number of non stops. Domestic carriers may have better connections to your hometown and serve a greater number of gateway cities. Third-party carriers may have a price advantage.

On international flights, Alitalia serves Rome, Milan, and Venice. The major international hubs in Italy are Milan and Rome, served by Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines. American Airlines flies into just Milan. US Airways serves only Rome.

Alitalia and British Airways have direct flights from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports to Milan and Rome. From Manchester, British Airways has daily flights to Milan and Rome. Smaller, no-frills airlines also provide service between Great Britain and Italy.

EasyJet connects Gatwick with Bologna. British Midland connects Heathrow and Milan. Ryanair, departing from London’s Stansted Airport, has daily flights to Milan, Rome, Pisa, and Venice. Meridiana has two or three direct flights each week between Gatwick and Olbia on Sardinia in summer, and daily flights to Rome and Florence throughout the year. From its hub in Brussels, Virgin Express files to Milan, Catania, and Rome.

Alitalia connects Canada and Italy. Air Canada flies to Munich for connections to Rome, Florence, and Milan via Lufthansa. Qantas flies from various cities in Australia via Bangkok, arriving in Rome. Alitalia and New Zealand Air fly from Auckland to Rome with a stop in London. Another option if you’re coming from Australia or New Zealand is Thai Airlines, landing in Rome via Bangkok.

When buying tickets for flights within Italy, on Alitalia and small carriers such as Meridiana and Air One shop around for the best deals. Tickets are frequently sold at discounted prices, so check the cost of flights, even one-way, as an alternative to train travel.

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If you are looking for great value round the world flights visit escapetravel.com.au. Escape travel has an exciting range of cheap flights for all budgets and tastes. ET161208-4

Thailand can be divided into four geographical regions. In the north are mountain ranges and deep valleys in which are the sources of Thailand’s principal river, the Chao Phraya. The mountains are covered with forests of teak and evergreens. In central Thailand is the plain of the Chao Phraya. This is the most densely populated region, and it has the best farm land. In the east is the Khorat Plateau, a high, stony plain, where cattle, hogs, buffaloes and horses are run. The fourth region of Thailand is the part that lies on the Malay Peninsula, which is mountainous and contains the main tin and other mineral deposits.

The climate of Thailand is tropical. It is governed largely by the monsoon, a wind that blows from the southwest from May to November, bringing a warm, rainy season, and from the northeast from November to March, bringing a dry and cooler season. The months of April and May, between the monsoon seasons, are the hottest of the year.

Thailand has many wild and beautiful animals, including more than a thousand varieties of brightly coloured birds. It is famous for the elephant, which is the national symbol of the country and is protected by law. The so called white elephant (which is really a lighter shade of grey) is considered holy. A favorite animal from Thailand is the Siamese cat. Thailand used to be name Siam.

The largest city of Thailand, and the capital, is Bangkok. It is a modern city located about 25 miles inland from the ocean at the delta of the Menam River. It is a harbor and center of trade, and has a population of more than 1,500,000. Several international airlines connecting Asia with the United States and Europe make regular stops at Don Muang airport, which is one of the largest and most modern in Asia. Other important cities are Khon Kaen, Buriram, and Thonburi.

How the People are Governed
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, which means that it has a king, a parliament that makes the laws, and a constitution that protects the rights of the people. There is a prime minister, who is the head of the government, and a Council of Ministers who assist him or her. The first constitution of 1932 was suspended in 1958 after repeated disorders, and a constitutional assembly was formed in 1959 to draft a new and better constitution. Thailand is divided into provinces called changwats, each of which is governed by a commissioner who is responsible to the Council of Ministers.

Everyone must go to school between the ages of 7 and 14. There are many elementary and high schools, and there are five universities, including a medical school. Three of these are located in Bangkok. There are also military, naval, and police academies. More than half of the people of Thailand can read and write.

Thailand in the Past
In ancient times Thailand was a land of independent city-states. These were usually at war with the Mongols and the Burmese. The greatest of the city-states was Ayutthaya, which became strong in the 1300s and won much territory from neighboring states. Marco Polo visited Ayutthaya, and many other Europeans came to trade with the Siamese, including Dutch, English, and French. After four hundred years of prosperity, Ayutthaya was invaded and conquered by the Burmese, in 1767.

Another city-state arose at Thonburi, and in 1782 a Thai king arose who was the founder of the present Thailand dynasty, or family of kings. He was Rama I, and he established Bangkok as his capital. During the 1800s European nations were establishing claims to territories all around Thailand. The king was forced to give up Laos and Cambodia to France, and parts of the Malay Peninsula to Great Britain, but Thailand never gave up its independence.
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If you are looking for great value Thailand holiday packages visit escapetravel.com.au. Escape travel has an exciting range of cheap holidays for all tastes, budgets and levels of adventure. ET151208-2

In Australia the marriage rate is generally flat, although there has been a decline over the past twenty years. In 2005, 109,000 marriages were officiated in Australia, which is equivalent to 5.4 marriages for every 1,000 people. Couples are also marrying later in life with the average age of first-time brides being 27.5 years in 2004 and increase of 4.5 years since 1984.

In some countries the actual act of marriage during the marriage ceremony. In others, like Australia, the legal act of marriage occurs at the time of signing a marriage license or other legal document, and the wedding is then an opportunity to perform a standard ceremony and celebrate with friends and family.

A woman being married is called a bride, a man called a bridegroom, and after the ceremony they become a wife or a husband, respectively. The non-gender specific term is spouse.

Most weddings contain wedding vows and a public proclamation of love, usually by a government approved wedding celebrant. The Australian Marriage Celebrants Program was established in 1973. It enables the appointment of suitably qualified people to perform marriages and provides couples with a meaningful alternative to Government Registry Office and mainstream church weddings.

Most weddings also involve wearing traditional clothes (gowns, kilts, white gown, red sari and so on). A wedding is often followed or accompanied by a wedding party. Some receptions are very expensive and ornate affairs costing tens of thousands of dollars while others may just be a group of friends and family sharing a meal at a local club.

Other elements during the wedding service may include music, poetry, prayer or scripture readings. Some elements of the traditional Western wedding ceremony depict the bride’s departure from her father’s control and entry into a new family with her husband.

A number of cultures use the western custom of a bride wearing a white dress. This tradition came to symbolize purity in the Victorian era. Within the ‘white wedding’ tradition, a white dress and veil would not have been considered appropriate for a second or third wedding of a widow or a divorcee.

The custom of exchanging rings may be the oldest and most universal signs of marriage, but the origins are debatable. The ring’s circular shape represents perfection and never-ending love. The rings are exchanged during the wedding ceremony and symbolize the love, faithfulness and commitment of the marriage union.

The common element in a wedding is the assumption of spousal roles by the primary participants. The wedding is a special moment that marks the beginning of a new life together. Often, it is also a precursor to parenthood, marking the promise of a new family and a new generation. This moment is recognized with traditions, ceremonies and rituals including engagement and wedding ceremonies.

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I’m really getting fed up with fax spammers. I get up in the morning, I walk into my office and often there is a wad of junk faxes waiting for me from domain name companies, water cooler companies, debt collectors and recruitment companies.

This time it was a promotion for a company called destinationrus for a holiday in Fiji. Apart from the waste of toner and paper, the thing I really object to is that it cost me 2 minutes and a phone call to try to get off the list. And when I do ask for a removal, it doesn’t mean it happens.

Destinationsrus appear to be using a fax spamming company called Prospect Marketing. In fact, Prospect Marketing use Destinationsrus as a glowing example of how to layout a good spam fax. These spam faxes cost about $750 for 10,000 faxes. Talk about a waste of paper and the irresponsible generation of green-house gases !

If the Rudd Government want to really get some brownie points before Christmas, announce a do-not-fax register along the lines of the amazingly popular do-not-call register. It will be a sure-fire winner.

Comments please

Most lofts still offer a bit of the feeling of living on a movie set due to their original use as factories or warehouses located in industrial areas. But in many cases, the latest examples have all the trappings of the most elegant uptown units, including walls, fancy floors and ceilings, shared lobbies, enclosed garages, and even balconies and decks.

Instead of the original occupants, including struggling artists, architects, and other professionals who had to work from their homes for economic reasons, the newest crop of owners are successful executives, dentists, lawyers, television and film actors, restaurateurs, sports stars, and others who have come to see the charm and wisdom of such large scaled units in accessible neighborhoods.

Residents are also no longer restricted to living in lofts just in downtown Sydney, where the genre first developed in the large cast iron manufacturing and printing buildings of the Paddington district. Over time, the loft concept has spread to more of Sydney and on to other cities in Australia and around the globe.

Rather than share a geographic commonality, the tie that binds most lofts is a structure that makes economic and aesthetic sense to save and remodel as the back to the city movement continues to grow. More and more people want to avoid commuting, traffic, and McMansions. And they want to take advantage of all the benefits of CBD life.

With greater acceptance among the mainstream, the interior architecture of lofts has also changed. The loft has evolved from the original “hard” design, so termed because of its hard surfaces, to a “softer” style. The original timber or concrete floors are sometimes covered; the brick or concrete walls are sometimes platered; the ceiling ducts, sprinkler systems and timber beams are often made a feature; and the walls and halfwalls used to partition off bathrooms sometimes shield bedrooms from the public living spaces as well.

Whether these changes are favorable or too far removed from the original form is argued among purists, but many observers of the changes applaud the quieter, more energy efficient and human oriented lofts that often result.

The way lofts are furnished has also undergone a marked change through the decades. The first generation of lofts tended to be decorated in Vincent de Paul chic and recycled, secondhand or hand me down objects and lacked any thought out design.

Loft interiors have evolved through the decades, revealing a much wider range of furnishings and styles from the sleekly modern Italian mode, where less still remains more, to the traditional international mix with English or French antiques, American quilts, and Oriental accessories and holland blinds.

The finished design does not look overmanipulated or untouchable, but is relaxed and easy to live in. The most favored look, however, remains a highly edited leanness of whatever period, so that the open feeling associated with this style of unit comes through strongly. Some call this an undesign where the unalterable can serve as inspiration.

Two surprising twists in recent loft development are also noteworthy and bode well for future occupants who desire a choice. Brand new lofts are now built to mimic the original buildings, but these modern architectural versions are made with a combination of both old fashioned attention to the art of the structure and new amenities.

In addition, the boundaries of acceptable areas in which to live in a loft have been expanded to the suburbs and ex urban areas, so now more can enjoy the form. The primary goal of the loft, however, remains the same: an abundance of space, natural light, and air and an eclectic flair in the choice of furnishings and accessories.

Just Roller Blinds provide a wide variety of holland blinds and customised blinds for your loft apartment or home. Order online and save today. Fabric samples are also available. BSJRB101208-2

Not everyone can write well. But if you can, article writing can add significantly to your prestige, create very favorable publicity, and generate incoming links( backlinks), to your web site. Think for a moment about the types of articles you can write and use as marketing tools and who would read them.

Marketing, and not additional income from freelancing, is your primary reason for writing articles. Your goal is to appear to prospective clients as a sophisticated expert who can solve their problems. Therefore, fight hard to get information included on how to contact you.

Format and Submission Rules

You can prepare “canned” features and send them off to papers. Be sure to send them only to newspapers that don’t compete with each other. However, expect a very low placement rate.

With article directories, make sure you check their submission guidelines in terms of number of links and text verses html formats. There are some article submission serices that can help.

A better approach is to send out queries briefly outlining an article you’d like to write, and why you’re qualified to write it. You can send the same query out to several people at once, with individualised addresses. Don’t send the article itself simultaneously to competing markets, but you can send queries.

Submit articles freely to noncompeting markets, as long as you don’t sign a contract that says “all rights” or “work for hire.” For instance, publish the same article in journals serving Baptists, Lutherans, and Congregationalists. And a how-to article aimed at business owners in Queensland could easily be modified for business publications elsewhere.

However, even if the market isn’t as clearly segmented, you can multiply your audience. I once proposed the same storyto computer, safe energy, back-to-the-land, regional, and bicycling magazines. If one market rejects your idea, query a competitor. Finally, you can even query different editors at the same publication with the same idea (wait two years or so).

If an editor perceives an article as written just for his or her magazine (in response to a go-ahead on your initial query), the publication will be much more likely to accept it. Once your material begins to appear in print, send tearsheets of your published work with your queries. After you get rolling, you should be able to place about one in every fifteen to twenty ideas. Find them in Writer’s Market (Writer’s Digest Books, annually), the freelance writer’s bible.
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What did an average schoolboy football game look like hundred of years ago? Well, most matches began with a “bully”. A bully is a type of scrimmage or scrum.

After scrambling for the ball within the scrum, one player ended up with it. The ball was then tossed, usually behind, or dribbled, Usually ahead, towards the “goal”. This was often as line, imaginary or otherwise, at the end of a field.

Perhaps the goal was between two trees, hedges or buildings. Sometimes the goal was two sticks stuck in the ground. At this stage each school team had its own ideas on the finer points of the game — on offside rules, tackling guidelines, ball-handling, ball out-of-play and so on. But from about the 1830s through to the 1860s, public school codes were developing and diverging into two distinct camps.

One camp had more dribbling than handling, and the other more handling than dribbling. One had less hacking — the other, as much hacking as possible. Some of these differences developed from environmental factors — such as the size and position of the pitch. Others grew from tradition, whim and the imagination.

So Why the Dribble?

How do you play football in a confined space? Perhaps in the back yard, or a narrow street? You can’t run far with the ball, nor boot it into oblivion. You have to dribble it, trying to outwit your opponent with dodging and quick passing. Football in schools with small outdoor spaces were often forced to develop the game along these lines. There were still scrums and ball-handling, but far less than games played in open fields.

Football at Charterhouse School developed within a cramped, city environment. From 1611 to 1873, the school’s London site restricted games the the opposite side, rather like modern rugby’s “drive tries”.

You can see from the goal-scoring that kicking and foot skills were highly valued. The two-point goal seems almost like converting a try in rugby football. In fact, quite a lot of the game reminds me of rugby. But in none of the games described so far could you run with the ball, which is very relevant to the way football developed later.

If you’re looking for football academy or football tours, contact the Football Management Group.

The underlying demand for housing in Australia is set to increase because of decision by the Australian Federal Government to boost migration levels significantly during the 2008-09 financial year.

In 2008–09, the Federal Government will increase skilled migration by 31,000 places, taking the skilled stream of the migration program to 133,500 places. The overall migration program will rise to 190,300 places.

In addition, more than 100,000 temporary skilled migrants on 457 visas are expected to arrive in Australia in 2008–09.

A total of 39,500 subclass 457 visas were granted in 2003–04 compared with 49,700 in just the first half of 2007–08.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the temporary skilled migration program is expected to exceed 100,000 places in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Population growth is a key driver of the real estate market because it leads to a rising demand for housing. This demand is driven by both people who wish to live in Australia and those on working visas.

Overseas migration is playing a key role in Australia’s population growth. In Western Australia, overseas migration now accounts for more than 50% of the overall population growth rate.

It is expected that the surge in overseas migration will have an immediate impact on the rental market which is good news for property investors who can look forward to falling vacancy rates and rising rents during the coming financial year.

The Investors Club research department will examine the impact of rising migration levels on the Australian property market to identify those areas that will benefit most from this trend.

An interesting fact about migration is that around one million migrants arrived in each of the five decades following 1950:

• 1.6 million between October 1945 and June 1960
• 1.3 million in the 1960s
• 960,000 in the 1970s
• 1.1 million in the 1980s
• 900,000 in the 1990s

We are reaching one million migrants now in four years and today, nearly one in four of Australia’s 20 million people were born overseas. The United Kingdom has been the major source of migrants in recent years.

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For more information about Australian property investment, talk to The Investors Club. The Investors Club was created by Kevin Young, an Australian property investor and CEO of The Investors Club.

Despite unstable interest rates, women remain avid property investors. In fact when it comes to satisfaction with their choice of investment, women with property out-rate their male counterparts.

In a recent survey of property owners by investment house, women were more upbeat about their choice of bricks and mortar than men, with one in five aiming to build their portfolio with as many investment properties as possible.

The majority (55%) of women interviewed own one investment property, while 41% own between two and five properties. The remainder own over six properties with a small, but noteworthy, proportion of 1% owning a staggering 11 or more investment properties.

According to Property Choice national manager corporate affairs, John O’Rourke, women are increasingly making a large impact on the investment property market. He says: “You only have to visit a handful of auctions to work out how many women are confidently investing in real estate, often by themselves.”

Property has long been a favourite among Australian investors though the survey identified different points of appeal between the sexes. Apparently, women are more likely to opt for houses in a bid to set themselves up for the future.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely to buy property for the tax deductions, provided by negative gearing. This could be a possible reflection of wage differences between men and women.

Julianne Chancey, author of a recently published book about property investment says: “Women have always been comfortable with the ‘look-feel’ aspects of property investing.”

She adds: “With the high number of divorcees and singles, women are often conscious of the need for security, and real estate caters to that need on a psychological level.”

A spate of loan interest hikes followed by recent drops may have left home investors worried and uncertain as to the future, but it doesn’t seem to be discouraging female property investors who are adopting a range of measures to cope with higher interest charges.

According to Mortgage Choice, 37% of female investors manage their own rental properties versus 33% of men, saving on professional property management fees which can be around 8% of gross income.

And despite a well publicised rental rent creep, female landlords are likely to be more sympathetic with tenants. Only 24% of women have raised the rent on their investment property, compared to 38% of men.

Gender shouldn’t be a factor when it comes to finance. Paul Grogan, a Mortgage Specialist with NAB, says: `Lenders don’t discriminate between male and female. It comes down to security, your ability to repay and your credit history.”

He said that men appear to have a clearer idea of the sort of finance they want. He advises: “Do plenty of investigation, be prepared to take advice, and if you are still unsure, speak to someone you know and trust.”

The article is brought to you by Kevin Young, CEO of the Investors Club. The Investor’s Club help people build wealth through sound property investment with a long-term outlook.

Google, in a posting on its official blog last week, said a new feature known as SearchWiki allows users to customise search results by promoting or demoting according to their own preferences.

SearchWiki lets users who have a Google account rearrange their search results, re-ranking websites by moving them up or down in the results page.

Useless or spammy search results can be deleted and others added.

“With just a single click you can move the results you like to the top or add a new site;’ Google said. “You can also write notes attached to a particular site and remove results that you don’t feel belong.”

The California based, organisation said the changes in rankings will be shown the next time users log on and will not change searches done by others … yet.

SEO experts are fearful that announcement could lead to the fragmentation of their SEO markets with search results being inconsistent across user profiles.

SearchWiki marks the first time that Google has encouraged users to modify their search results.

A video explaining the new feature is online at http://googleblog.blogspot.com.

Google dominates the internet search market, being used for more than 80 per cent of all Australian searches in October, according to industry monitors.

The company also announced in another blog posting that it was discontinuing Lively, a virtual world website similar to Second Life, at the end of December 2008.

“In July we launched lively in Google Labs because we wanted users to be able to interact with their friends and express themselves online in unique ways,” a spokes-bot for Google said.

“But we’ve also always accepted that when you take these kinds of risks, not every bet is going to pay off,” it added.

“It has been a tough decision, but we want to ensure that we prioritise our resources and focus more on our core search, ads and apps (applications) business.”

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