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Friday, December 01, 2006

FASHION: Crochet Fashion

. Friday, December 01, 2006
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Crochet Fashion
Crochet is the process of creating fabric from a length of cord, yarn, thread or even wire, with a crochet hook. The word crochet is derived from the Middle French word croc or croche, meaning hook. Crocheted fabric is begun by placing a slip-knot loop on the hook, pulling another loop through the first loop, and repeating this process to create a chain of a suitable length. The chain is either turned and worked in rows, or joined end-to-end and worked in rounds. Rounds can also be created by working many stitches into a single loop. Stitches are made by pulling one or more loops through each loop of the chain. At any one time at the end of a stitch, there is only one loop left on the hook. During the completion of a stitch there may be multiple loops on the hook. This method distinguishes crochet from other methods of fabric-making such as knitting, as it is composed entirely of loops made with a single hook and is only secured when the free end of the strand is pulled through the final loop.
Everyone usually has at least one thing in common, and that's the clothes we have tucked away in the back of the closet. We just know we will be able to wear those again someday. Well, that day is here! You probably have at least one article of clothing perfect for embellishing, enabling you to jump into the current fashion trend. There are crochet sightings in department stores, mail-order clothing and in fashion magazines. Crochet has become a desired adornment worn by many celebrities.
Create your own fashion sensation while bringing back to life a garment you bought long ago. You can add your own special touches by crocheting flowers, butterflies, fans, baskets, adding buttons and trims, whatever takes your fancy. You can often borrow pieces from several different patterns to make up a wide range of appliqués, or shop for crocheted pieces at antique stores or garage sales.

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Wednesday, November 29, 2006

TRAVEL: Beautiful Bora Bora Island

. Wednesday, November 29, 2006
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Description
The islands are located in the South Pacific, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia.
Bora Bora island is possibly the single most famous island in all the world. The legends, mysteries, and romance associated with the words "Bora Bora" bring an almost mystical presence to the island.
It's true Bora Bora is indeed a wonderful place to vacation... but this magical presence is not so unattainable.
This website seperates the facts from the fiction regarding this wonderful Tahiti Polynesian island paradise: Tourism aspects, activities, practicalities, culture, and all the things you'll want to know when planning a trip to Bora Bora. We propose to the would be traveler that the Island of Bora Bora is quite real and attainable as a vacation getaway.Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the center of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that will dazzle the eyes. Bora Bora's lagoon is its most treasured feature, and allows the traveler many opportunities to experience it in a variety of ways. Windsurf, jetski, scuba dive, swim, bask in its warmth... the list goes on.Bora bora is truly an experience worth having. A wonderfully relaxing place to be as well as a great island for you to experience, your Bora Bora vacation will never be forgotten.
Explore our pages as you take a cyber tour of Bora Bora and let us know what you think. The magic is there still. The legend persists. How will you experience it?
Superlatives are missing to describe the beauty of Bora Bora, the “Pearl of the Pacific”. The most famous of the Leeward Islands occupies a surface of 38 km² and is located 280 km north-west of Tahiti, just under one hour away by plane from Papeete. Your arrival at Bora Bora will definitely leave you with one of the nicest souvenirs of your trip : the airport being located on an islet, your flight will be followed by a short boat ride over the lagoon along the numerous islets. Bora Bora (or “Pora Pora”) emerged from the waters 3 millions years ago. Like all the other Polynesian islands, this volcanic island slowly sinking in the ocean. It currently presents particular geological characteristics ranging in between a high island and an atoll status. Its unforgettable turquoise lagoon -where a multi-color aquatic fauna (sting & manta rays, sharks, tropical fishes …) can be observed by outrigger canoe, boat or diving explorations- is born from the slow decline of its main volcano – Mount Otemanu (727 m)- doubled by the legendary Mount Pahia (626 m). The coral reef includes a string of islets (motu One, motu Mute, motu Piti Aau …) and gorgeous white sand beaches surrounding the main island. The unique pass of Teavanui between the ocean and the lagoon faces the main village of Vaitape located on the western coast of the island.The west coast presents 2 bays : Faanui and Poofai.
What to Do
6 Categories of Bora Bora's activities include: WATERSPORTS- with special sections for SCUBA DIVING and SAILING, plus snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, jetskiing, waterskiing, swimming, kitesurfing. RELAXATION- motu picnics, nightlife, bus & mini van tours, glass bottom boat, private lagoon tours, sunset cruises, massage ADVENTURES- 4x4 safaris, parasailing, deepsea & sportfishing, shark & ray feeding, hiking & climbing ISLAND FUN- eco, cultural, & nature touring, lagoon excursions, horseback riding, light tackle fishing, Aquascope, Aquasafari, Lagoonarium, camping, flightseeing RECREATION- casual walking, bicycle riding, tennis, volleyball, billiards, massage. SHOPPING, SERVICES & RESTAURANTS- local art galleries & studios, BLACK PEARLS & JEWELRY, giftshops, boutiques & more.Also, a list of general services: drugstores, cyber cafes, "the" visitor's center, and all the island's restaurants & food choices
Travel Information
Bora Bora lies 240 kilometres (150 miles) north-west of Tahiti in the Leeward Society Islands. The main island is home to 4,225 inhabitants and is surrounded by a stunning multicoloured environment, rich in both natural and historic treasures. There is only one navigable pass, facing the principal village of Vaitape. A 29-kilometre, partially paved road circles the island, passing colourful villages, archaeological sites, old army bunkers and cannons left over from World War II. Le Meridien Bora Bora is located on the coral reef, on the southern tip of Motu (an islet built over a coral reef), facing the island of Bora Bora. The hotel is only 20 minutes by private launch from the airport and five minutes by boat from the main island of Bora Bora. There are no car parking facilities at the hotel. Off shore, the Motu Islands are scattered within a large ring of coral, which the visitor can explore through various boat trips, scuba-diving and snorkelling excursions.
Please note that city tax applies at XPF 150 per person per day. This is charged to each guest upon check-out.
Time difference - GMT minus 10 hours.Currency - Central Pacific Island Franc (XPF).Climate - Tropical with two seasons. November to April is the rainy season and May to October is the dry season.

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Monday, November 27, 2006

HISTORY: Titanic News Paper [1912]

. Monday, November 27, 2006
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Introduction
Just a few words about the present exhibit. Serious scholarly effort is not represented here, but rather an attempt to highlight the potential of newspapers as sources for historical and cultural research.
Why an exhibit about the Titanic? Its a great human story, with cultural significance, enduring appeal, old and new controversy, and very well covered in newspapers.
These images represent first and foremost a story. The Titanic sank on April 14, 1912, off the coast of Newfoundland. The story is full of the pathos of 1500+ casualties, the heroism and/or cowardice among the passengers and crew; the very real questions relating to cause and effect; and the continuing aftermath.
But the sinking of the Titanic is more than an isolated historical event. She was the product of early 20th century industrial vigor, a concrete sign of western progress which supported a naive confidence in the boundless limits of technology in man's conquest over nature. The disaster has been interpreted as a metaphor for the failure of industrial civilization to build itself into a better unsinkable tomorrow!
The images themselves represent a sort of social history, 1912 caught in the amber of newsprint. In this context it is not just a question of what is covered--society, fashion, world events--but how the news is conveyed, these images reveal a past era's norms of public expression.
Lastly, there is the simple issue of preservation. Newsprint is a fragile and transitory but invaluable resource for this sort of factual and cultural information. This exhibit will underscore the potential of newspapers for research and the challenge they may present to students and researchers. To this end no heroic efforts have been made to produce the best images possible, but to produce a serviceable image from microfilm. Many newspapers exist on poorly produced or maintained film, researchers and students face this problem everyday!. The images reproduced here illustrate the need to preserve our heritage in a stable and durable medium which maintains content as well as format.

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Sunday, November 26, 2006

AMAZING: Handmade Iron Car

. Sunday, November 26, 2006
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