Australian Open 2008 - Are We Playing Fair With The Draws?

Let us take the men's draw top half as an example. As much as I want to accept the rules, I just can't. Of course I understand that the 1st seeded player should play the weaker players, but how weak can a whole quarter of the draw be? Or rather how lopsided can a quarter of the draw be?

The opposition Roger Federer will have to "feather" in his quarter of the draw is just a cake walk, compared to the quarter just below him where Novack Djokovic, Dimitri Tursunov, Marata Safin, Marcos Baghdatis, Leyton Hewitt, David Nalbandian (Federers slayer twice in 2008), Juan Carlos Ferrero, David Ferrer will be playing gargantuan matches. This list of players opposing each other in the same quarter looks more like the list of 'who is who' that won most of the tournaments in 2007 not to mention the most Grand Slam winners together in one quarter! While Roger Federer, in his quarter of the draw, comparatively, will be playing "no names"!!

What does this mean? The above-mentioned high calibre players, who are worthy to be finalists at the highest level of play, will bludgeon each other to death and by the time they get to the end of their quarter and into the semi-final, whoever is left and whatever is left of them, the lucky one surviving the onslaught will be purely a shadow of himself and a sacrificial lamb for Roger Federer to give him the final coup-de-grace in style.

This is somewhat similar to the spanish Bull-fights. Once the poor bull is depleted of blood by the "picador", the "matador's" final coup is kids stuff, Olé! Nevertheless, a big song and dance is created around it and the bullfighter gets the ears, the tail and is carried by the "fans" around the arena and everyone claps! But the question remains, was the bull fit? Was it a fair fight? Are the players below Roger Federers quarter going to be bled to death before they face Roger? It looks like, YES! Is it a fair fight? NO!

What is in it for tennis fans and tennis lovers? A mockery of us and a travesty of a tournament! As I once said this is no different then the 1930s where the previous winner was automatically put in the final. Today it is the same with a few practice matches in between!! Now, look for yourselves, this is a copy of the Australian Open 2008 top half of the Mens' Draw at the present stage (2nd Round Top half):

ROGER FEDERERS QUARTER:

Roger Federer SUI (1) v Fabrice Santoro FRA

Janko Tipsarevic SRB v Fernando Verdasco ESP (25)

Juan Monaco ARG (21) v Amer Delic USA

Oscar Hernandez ESP v Tomas Berdych CZE (13)

James Blake USA (12) v Michael Russell USA

Sebastien Grosjean FRA v Robin Haase NED

Marin Cilic CRO v Jurgen Melzer AUT

Hyung-Taik Lee KOR v Fernando Gonzalez CHI (7)

HERE STARTS THE QUARTER BELOW ROGER FEDERERS:

Novak Djokovic SRB (3) v Simone Bolelli ITA

Sam Querrey USA v Dmitry Tursunov RUS (32)

Lleyton Hewitt AUS (19) v Denis Istomin UZB

Marat Safin RUS v Marcos Baghdatis CYP (15)

David Nalbandian ARG (10) v Peter Luczak AUS

Alun Jones AUS v Juan Carlos Ferrero ESP (22)

Vincent Spadea USA v Denis Gremelmayr GER

Juan Martin Del Potro ARG v David Ferrer ESP (5)

Your comments are welcome.

How Flax Seeds Can Help Your Dry Skin

Flax seed is one of the most ancient health food around.

Also known as linseed, it's consider one of the most nutritious seed for our body. This tiny seed appears a bit like sesame seeds. It comes in either brown or yellow colours and has a taste like walnuts. Famous for its rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, it can help to prevent breast and prostate cancers and is a very useful weapon against dry skin.

A quick and healthy food, flax seeds contains soluble and insoluble fiber. This can help to stabilize our blood sugar levels, which is needed for our skin to breather easier.

Unknown to many, flax seeds contains Vitamin E and B. Lack of Vitamin E can cause dry skin. Besides useful vitamins for dry skin, flax seed also contains minerals needed for our skin like zinc, copper, nickel and calcium.

Here are a few ways you can chomp through these flax seeds.

a. Chew the seeds directly.

b. Grind them, mixed them up with other cereals for your morning breakfasts.

c. Add as seasonings to your salads or other dishes.

While flax seeds can be beneficial to us, overdose can results in unexpected consequences. Therefore, moderate your intake and limit yourself to no more than 2 tablespoons per day. Try to drink more water after you have consume those flax seeds.

You may be interested to know that flax seeds can be beneficial to acne as well. It has the ability to control the androgens and has the ability to even out the level of our hormone that causes acne. Therefore, for those who have dry and acne kind of skin, try to include flax seeds as part of your daily dietary meal intake. It certainly will help you to attain a clearer, looking skin.

So, start joining those who have already made flax seeds part of their diet. Benefit from the nutrients of flax seeds and see your dry skin starts to disappear.

Amateur Picture Framing Society

Many people wants to frame their own pictures or photographs but has no idea where to start. It is not a wise idea to start investing in the equipment immediately as you might not know the best equipment and way to frame your artwork. We therefore encourage you to ask and learn from us or from experienced framers. Any advice you get will be helpful in finishing your framing job successfully. That is what the Amateur Picture Framers Society - APFS are for.

Features of Joining the APFS:

1. Frequent Framer Newsletter

Members only regular newsletter. Full of information on framing techniques, projects to do, technical tips, dates for your diary and helpful advice to make your hobby more enjoyable.

2. Accredited Demonstrators

Learn from experienced amateur framers who started out just like you. Members of the society who are FrameCo "Accredited Demonstrators" run classes in clubs, pubs and homes in your local area. From Basic classes on how to get started to creative framing and mat cutting classes.

3. Framers Forum

Get your framing questions answered by people who know about framing. People who know what it's like to make you own framing projects. Edited by the trained staff at FrameCo and guest contributors from other fields such as photography, Needlework, and Art. This is a great way to get in contact with others who have a similar interest or expertise. How to share ideas, find out more about any framing question or just have a grumble!

3. Smart Framer Gold

Smart Framer the very popular framing design program running on the FrameCo web site has some special features added to it for society members.

If you are not sure about the colour mat board or frame you have selected in Smart Framer you can get help. Just save your designs and submit them for a "Framers Critique" - You will be surprised the difference a second opinion can make.

4. Member Gallery

Proud of your latest creation, then show others. Send in a picture of your greatest work and have them published in the Members gallery. Others will be interested in what you do and how you made it. This area is for those who are inspired and are inspiring.

5. Member Discount

Members' discounts on a wide range of products As a member of the "Amateur Picture Framing Society" you are entitled to discounts on a variety of FrameCo products.

6. Secure Online Shopping

Our online shopping facility has internationally recognized secure certificate so you can shop with confidence.

7. Home Based Business

If you want to take your hobby that one step further then our Business Back-Up and Advisory service will help you grow successfully. When you start-up your own home based business, it can be daunting. We understand this, so FrameCo is here to help. Our documentation and mentoring will have you on the path to success.

Join the Amateur Picture Framing Society Now!

Feng Shui Tips For Thanksgiving

Many of us have a love-hate relationship with holidays like Thanksgiving that involve emotional family gatherings. We love the aromas and bounty of the food and the joy of seeing family and friends. But the strain of cooking all the meals, cleaning the house, and entertaining all of those out-of-town visitors can sometimes result in more stress than harmony. The cause of this discord may not be you or your family. It could be how you arrange your house during the holiday season. As you get ready for Thanksgiving this year, try following a few Feng Shui tips to balance the energy in your home and create more household harmony--and a lot more fun.

Feng Shui (pronounced "fung shway") is the art of arranging your interior surroundings in harmony and balance with the natural world around you. Our surroundings have a powerful effect on what we attract into our lives. When the energy around us (called chi) is blocked or unbalanced, our relationships, prosperity, and family harmony can be profoundly affected. Feng Shui changes for your home can unblock the flow of energy and make you feel more comfortable in your indoor surroundings.

Based on an ancient Chinese practice, modern Feng Shui offers common sense and real-world guidance for placing furniture and objects and for using color, which is especially important during the holiday season when we add new colors, shapes, aromas, and people to our homes.

You Are WHERE You Eat

The holiday season kicks off with Thanksgiving, the ultimate foodie holiday. Here are a few tips to help you create a peaceful and harmonious turkey day:

-- Use your dining room often during Thanksgiving because it is considered a place of wealth in Feng Shui; this is not the time to wolf down leftovers sitting in front of the TV.

-- Bring out the good stuff: the china, crystal, silver, and all the other pieces hiding in your cabinets and closets; what are you saving it for if not for the holidays?

-- Use a centerpiece of orange flowers to encourage conversation, or a display of fresh fruit and vegetables to symbolize good health and longevity.

-- Entertaining guests is associated with wealth, so hang a mirror in your dining room; you will reflect your guests and symbolically double your wealth.

-- A round or oval table is the best shape for Feng Shui-friendly dining because there are no sharp corners aimed at guests; if you have a rectangular dining table use a tablecloth to smooth the edges and make sure you seat your guests away from the corners.

-- Place bowls of nuts, fruit, or candy wherever people gather in your home, and pitchers of wine or sparkling cider and water, to represent the prosperity to continually feed guests.

You Are WHAT You Eat

The colors, aromas, and tastes of food are strongly related to good Feng Shui. In Feng Shui, we divide energy into yin (the dark, heavy side), and yang (the bright, lighter side). Since the winter months are the yin side of our energy, we need to balance this darker, lower, colder energy with strong yang energy in our food for the holidays. Cooked foods, spices, and hot foods such as chile peppers, ginger, and garlic, are the perfect yang choices for Thanksgiving. Foods like raw vegetables and fish are yin, and are better used in moderation during this period.

You Are WHO You Eat With

Is your family prone to arguments when gathered around the Thanksgiving table? Try these strategies to minimize the hot yang energy and cool things down:

-- Invite an even number of guests, keep the lights low and soft, and decorate with soothing earth tones like gold, brown, and green.

-- Keep shiny surfaces and sharp edges to a minimum.

-- Remove the carving knife from the table after the turkey is carved and you will avoid sharp words and arguments.

-- Whoever is seated nearest to the door will be the first one to leave, so consider a seating plan if you have any annoying relatives.

Bring a little bit of the practical magic of Feng Shui into your home this Thanksgiving and your life will be filled with peace and harmony through the coming year.

The Benefits of Using a Personal Trainer

Trimming down and maintaining your ideal weight can be hideously difficult. From eating the right food to choosing the right exercise and everything in between, one may invariably forget one pertinent detail or make a mistake regarding their diet and end up 10 pounds overweight or with bulging biceps when all you really wanted was to tone your muscles.

While the fee that a personal trainer may charge may make your knees bulk, wait till you read and learn about the benefits of hiring one.

Accurate Fitness Evaluation. Let's face it; a lot of us tend to over- or under-estimate our physical abilities and therefore end up with strained muscles and joints (which can lead to health problems) or a lax exercise regime (which lengthens the time enabling us to reach our fitness goals). However, with a personal trainer, your physical fitness will be accurately evaluated and you can be quite sure that whatever fitness program you end up with is the ideal one for you.

Motivation. It really is easier to exercise with someone around and a personal trainer is just the right person to have on your side if you have a fitness goal you're sweating to attain. A personal trainer will know exactly when he has to act as a tough general, a great source of encouragement and inspiration or simply as a friend to talk to and listen to your personal health woes.

Customized Fitness Program. Contrary to popular opinion, there's no such thing as an exercise or diet program that fits all. In short, what may work for others may not work for you and what may take others weeks to achieve may mean one year's worth of effort in your part. But how will you be able to determine what fitness program is best for you unless you consult an expert?

Safety.A lot of accidents can happen during unsupervised exercises so having a personal trainer will ensure that you are using health club equipment the right way. Not only does this prevent serious physical injuries, it ensures that you get the most out of your exercise routines.

The Need for Change. Perhaps one of the things that hits even the most health-conscious individual is boredom! Sometimes, all that one needs is a little change in one's exercise routine and with a personal trainer beside you, he or she can can come up with different exercise programs, all geared towards keeping you active and interested in going to the gym.

What to Look for in a Personal Trainer

So are you convinced now that a personal trainer is what you have been needing all this time? If so, following are some of the items you should look for in a personal trainer.

oEducation. Remember, you are relying on this individual to guide you in your fitness goals. As such, it is important that he or she is certified by reputable fitness organization such as ACSM or NSCA.

oExperience. It builds one's trust and confidence if you know that your personal trainer has had vast experience so be sure you know his or her credentials. Also, keep in mind YOUR fitness targets. For instance, if you are a bodybuilder, get a personal trainer who specializes in bodybuilding.

oPersonality. A great personal trainer is one who is dedicated to your fitness objectives. As such, he or she should be attentive to your needs, be a good listener and one who constantly keeps track of your progress or failures.

Why Your Work Area Needs A Shop Light

Do you have a poorly lit work area? Without the correct brightness, you and your work area may suffer. Poor light is very bad for the health of your eyes, as well as bad for your well-being. If you are using saws or heavy equipment in a dim room, one wrong move and you could land up in the hospital with a bad injury. Saving a few dollars putting up with little to no brightness is not worth the loss of a finger. Consider purchasing a shop light to make your life and work easier and more enjoyable!

How Much Light is Necessary for Your Work Area?

Whether you have a large or a small work area, a garage or shop, sufficient brightness is essential. But how much do you need in your work area? To have enough to work by, you will need an estimation of at least two watts of light per square foot. Of course, factors like windows and natural light coming into your work space, as well as light-color paint on the walls and floors can make a difference during the daytime. Also, if you plan on doing your work in a large area, you can just use enough light for the section you are in to save on your energy bill. You may find that you may need the help of a shop light in dark areas or corners of the work place if natural sunlight is not enough.

Also, the type of work you do will dictate the amount of brightness you need. If you have detailed work in your work place or desk, you may need stronger lighting, which depends on a lot of light. Less is needed for jobs where you have a trouble light handy or if you are doing simple work and are coming in and going out of your workplace, such as a shed or a warehouse. In any case, a shop light is necessary.

Features of a Shop Light

There are a lot of shop lights to consider. If you can do the work yourself, you can install a great shop light. Consider the shop light with radiant heater. This is equipped with a heater for a dual purpose in a cold work area! Features of this useful shop light are as follows-

· Pre-assembled

· Easy installation

· Uses up to a 65 wattage CFL or 100 wattage incandescent light bulbs.

· Dual use as a heat lamp (heat lamp light bulb not included)

· Quality Polished reflector

· Five foot power cord

· Includes mounting chain

· CSA and US listed

· 2 year limited warranty

· Weighs 25 lbs.