April 29, 2009
April 28, 2009
Maxime Chaya Reaches The North Pole
Maxime Chaya reached the top of the world, the North Pole, where he raised the Lebanese flag on April 25, 2009 .
Maxime returned back to Beirut (yesterday) bringing back with him another great achievement. He is today officially the 1st arab and the 12th person in history to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
April 27, 2009
Merlini Breaks World Record
David Merlini is his real name. Any resemblance to Merlin the magician is purely coincidental, but he is considered the spiritual heir of Harry Houdini, the legendary escape artist of the early 20th century, also born in Budapest, albeit 104 years earlier.
A young Merlini started his professional daredevil career early at the age of 16 years, being strapped into a straitjacket and then suspended upside down under a burning rope 30ft above the ground. Merlini was free in less than 100 seconds, descending to a huge stage with a second rescue cord.
That was the beginning of a magical career that brought him the Best Escape Artist prize at the 2007 World Magic Awards in Los Angeles. Since then he has set several world records for holding his breath while underwater. And that is exactly what he did on the grid in Bahrain - pushing the record to new extremes - under the watching eyes of the Formula One world and millions of spectators around the globe.
The stunt: Merlini was lowered into a tank on the Sakhir start line by a small crane, his aim to spend as much time as possible underwater without breathing, remaining entirely visible from beginning to end. The target was to beat his own world record from last year of 20 minutes 39 seconds and to push past 21 minutes.
A who’s who of Formula One stood by in amazement watching the time tick by without any visible sign of Merlini surfacing: Formula One Management CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Virgin chief Richard Branson, Toyota team President John Howett, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, drivers Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock were all baffled bystanders to the unbelievable performance.
As the seconds moved past the 20:39 mark the spectators on the track and the fans in the stands started to clap and there was a breathtaking wave of applause when Merlini finally emerged from the tank after 21 minutes and 12 seconds.
“I knew that he would do it,” said Bernie Ecclestone. “When I first heard of it I thought ‘impossible’, but after I met him I was sure that he is for real. What a performance!” An astonished Branson added: “This guy would be perfect for space!”
The question remains, why does Merlini do this? Preparation for the stunt started 35 days ago in a military camp, in complete isolation in order to attain the ‘right mental state’. But when did his affection for the unusual start?
“Since the age of four I am attracted to everything that is unusual - and since I was a child my biggest dream was to be as free as a fish in the water,” said Merlini. “Since a very early age I’ve spent almost 30 percent of my time in water - and this is the result. Water is one of the most important elements of my life.
“How do I lower my heartbeat? That is not very difficult. Just think about this: when you are upset your heartbeat goes up, so it is just a question of controlling what you want to do. If you are able to bring your heartbeat up you also can lower it. That is the theory.
“When I am submerged in such a small water tank the whole world around disappears - it feels as if you are at the bottom of a big quiet lake and I lose all feeling for time. And as I knew that millions of people were watching me I didn’t want to give up until I was signaled that I’d done it, because I didn’t want to disappoint them.”
A young Merlini started his professional daredevil career early at the age of 16 years, being strapped into a straitjacket and then suspended upside down under a burning rope 30ft above the ground. Merlini was free in less than 100 seconds, descending to a huge stage with a second rescue cord.
That was the beginning of a magical career that brought him the Best Escape Artist prize at the 2007 World Magic Awards in Los Angeles. Since then he has set several world records for holding his breath while underwater. And that is exactly what he did on the grid in Bahrain - pushing the record to new extremes - under the watching eyes of the Formula One world and millions of spectators around the globe.
The stunt: Merlini was lowered into a tank on the Sakhir start line by a small crane, his aim to spend as much time as possible underwater without breathing, remaining entirely visible from beginning to end. The target was to beat his own world record from last year of 20 minutes 39 seconds and to push past 21 minutes.
A who’s who of Formula One stood by in amazement watching the time tick by without any visible sign of Merlini surfacing: Formula One Management CEO Bernie Ecclestone, Virgin chief Richard Branson, Toyota team President John Howett, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, drivers Nico Rosberg, Sebastian Vettel, Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock were all baffled bystanders to the unbelievable performance.
As the seconds moved past the 20:39 mark the spectators on the track and the fans in the stands started to clap and there was a breathtaking wave of applause when Merlini finally emerged from the tank after 21 minutes and 12 seconds.
“I knew that he would do it,” said Bernie Ecclestone. “When I first heard of it I thought ‘impossible’, but after I met him I was sure that he is for real. What a performance!” An astonished Branson added: “This guy would be perfect for space!”
The question remains, why does Merlini do this? Preparation for the stunt started 35 days ago in a military camp, in complete isolation in order to attain the ‘right mental state’. But when did his affection for the unusual start?
“Since the age of four I am attracted to everything that is unusual - and since I was a child my biggest dream was to be as free as a fish in the water,” said Merlini. “Since a very early age I’ve spent almost 30 percent of my time in water - and this is the result. Water is one of the most important elements of my life.
“How do I lower my heartbeat? That is not very difficult. Just think about this: when you are upset your heartbeat goes up, so it is just a question of controlling what you want to do. If you are able to bring your heartbeat up you also can lower it. That is the theory.
“When I am submerged in such a small water tank the whole world around disappears - it feels as if you are at the bottom of a big quiet lake and I lose all feeling for time. And as I knew that millions of people were watching me I didn’t want to give up until I was signaled that I’d done it, because I didn’t want to disappoint them.”
April 25, 2009
April 24, 2009
April 23, 2009
How To Teach Your Preschooler to "Go Green"
Think your preschooler is too young to understand the concepts of going green and recycling? By teaching your preschooler the important lesson of taking care of the earth you will instill good habits in your little one that they will be sure to carry with them for a long time. Here's how.
Difficulty: Easy. Time Required: Over a lifetime!
Here's How:
1. Set a good example. In a 2008 Harris Poll 91% of Americans said that they have recycled. By being good to the earth in your daily actions and deeds, you are already teaching your preschooler. You are the person your preschooler most wants to emulate and using the principle, "monkey see, monkey do" your little one is learning simply by observing your actions.
2. When taking out or sorting through the trash, separate out any recyclables like cans, bottles, plastic containers, newspapers, magazines and pieces of cardboard. Make a point of doing this task in front of your preschooler and asking him to help. Point out when the garbage truck comes and when the recycling truck comes (if they are different). When bringing the cans to the curb, show how each item is separated out.
3. When you are at the supermarket, buy big bags of your preschooler's favorite snack as opposed to the smaller, snack-sized packages. When packing a snack for a day out or for preschool, use reuseable containers instead of plastic bags. By setting a good example, your preschooler is likely to follow your lead in the future.
4. When you are outside, point out nature's beauty to your preschooler. Show him the different types of trees, flowers and plants that exist in your neighborhood. Try to find a local nature trail and when the weather is nice, take a hike together. You'll have an enjoyable afternoon and your preschooler will develop a love of being outdoors.
5. When possible, walk instead of drive. You'll both enjoy the exercise and will get a nice boost of energy from it. Explain to your preschooler how walking is not only good for her body, but for the earth too as we don't use as much gas and energy.
6. Whether they are battery-operated or plugged in, teach your preschooler to turn off any lights, video games or other electronic toys once they are finished playing or when the leave the room.
7. Make good use of scrap paper like old envelopes or grocery store lists by having your preschooler use them to create works of art. Encourage her to color on both sides of the paper. Keep a stack in easy reach so your preschooler knows where it is and can get to it whenever she is inspired to draw.
8. Going out for the day? Instead of bringing pre-packaged juice boxes or water bottles purchased from the store, pick up a couple of BPA-free reusable plastic bottles and fill them with water from the tap or juice from the bottle in the fridge.
Tips:
1. Don't feel you need to teach your preschooler everything all at once. This is a lifelong learning process. If she forgets to put a can in the recycle bin, it's OK -- correct her and move on.
2. If you haven't been great about recycling until now, don't fret. Any time you start is a good time.
3. Make sure you check with your local community or town the guidelines for what they recycle and when. Some towns have home pickups, others ask that you drop off your recyclables.
4. Keep up on any new guidelines or laws that are passed in your area so you stay up-to-date.
What You Need:
* Containers to separate recyclables
* Reusable plastic bottles for water and drinks
* Reusable containers for snacks
* Scrap papers for art projects
* A sunny day for walking or biking instead of using the car
* The address for your local recycling plant
* Rules and guidelines for recycling in your community
Difficulty: Easy. Time Required: Over a lifetime!
Here's How:
1. Set a good example. In a 2008 Harris Poll 91% of Americans said that they have recycled. By being good to the earth in your daily actions and deeds, you are already teaching your preschooler. You are the person your preschooler most wants to emulate and using the principle, "monkey see, monkey do" your little one is learning simply by observing your actions.
2. When taking out or sorting through the trash, separate out any recyclables like cans, bottles, plastic containers, newspapers, magazines and pieces of cardboard. Make a point of doing this task in front of your preschooler and asking him to help. Point out when the garbage truck comes and when the recycling truck comes (if they are different). When bringing the cans to the curb, show how each item is separated out.
3. When you are at the supermarket, buy big bags of your preschooler's favorite snack as opposed to the smaller, snack-sized packages. When packing a snack for a day out or for preschool, use reuseable containers instead of plastic bags. By setting a good example, your preschooler is likely to follow your lead in the future.
4. When you are outside, point out nature's beauty to your preschooler. Show him the different types of trees, flowers and plants that exist in your neighborhood. Try to find a local nature trail and when the weather is nice, take a hike together. You'll have an enjoyable afternoon and your preschooler will develop a love of being outdoors.
5. When possible, walk instead of drive. You'll both enjoy the exercise and will get a nice boost of energy from it. Explain to your preschooler how walking is not only good for her body, but for the earth too as we don't use as much gas and energy.
6. Whether they are battery-operated or plugged in, teach your preschooler to turn off any lights, video games or other electronic toys once they are finished playing or when the leave the room.
7. Make good use of scrap paper like old envelopes or grocery store lists by having your preschooler use them to create works of art. Encourage her to color on both sides of the paper. Keep a stack in easy reach so your preschooler knows where it is and can get to it whenever she is inspired to draw.
8. Going out for the day? Instead of bringing pre-packaged juice boxes or water bottles purchased from the store, pick up a couple of BPA-free reusable plastic bottles and fill them with water from the tap or juice from the bottle in the fridge.
Tips:
1. Don't feel you need to teach your preschooler everything all at once. This is a lifelong learning process. If she forgets to put a can in the recycle bin, it's OK -- correct her and move on.
2. If you haven't been great about recycling until now, don't fret. Any time you start is a good time.
3. Make sure you check with your local community or town the guidelines for what they recycle and when. Some towns have home pickups, others ask that you drop off your recyclables.
4. Keep up on any new guidelines or laws that are passed in your area so you stay up-to-date.
What You Need:
* Containers to separate recyclables
* Reusable plastic bottles for water and drinks
* Reusable containers for snacks
* Scrap papers for art projects
* A sunny day for walking or biking instead of using the car
* The address for your local recycling plant
* Rules and guidelines for recycling in your community
April 21, 2009
Chili Peppers Add Spice to Life
Painfully hot, they make your eyes water, your heart race and can turn your face embarrassingly red.
Once only a staple of cuisine from far flung regions of the world, chilies can now be found in almost any dish around the globe.
A chili's spiciness is measured in Scoville units; the number of times a chili extract must be diluted in water in order for it to lose its heat.
The "ghost chili", also known as bhut jolokia, has more than 1 million Scoville units, while Tabasco sauce ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units and jalapeno peppers from 2,500 to 8,000 units.
Chilies have formed part of the diet in the Americas since approximately 7,500 BC and owe most of their fame to their sometimes unbearably spicy flavor.
They have long been recognized for their health benefits. Scientific research --and legend-- have attributed health wonders to chilies over the years.
Diego Alvarez Chanca, a physician on explorer Christopher Columbus' second voyage to the West Indies in 1493, first wrote about the pepper's medicinal effects back in 1494.
Below we look at effects eating chilies has on the body.
Skin
Other than for its flavor-enhancing qualities, chili is, oddly enough, used to fight the summer heat.
As the chili causes extreme sweating and blood rushing to the face, it cools the body down when the sweat evaporates, making it useful for combating heat.
These same heat inducing properties are said to have a cumulative effect and over time are believed to alleviate pain when used in treatments for anything from arthritis and psoriasis to shingles and severe burns.
Brain
The substances that give chili peppers their intensity when eaten or applied on the skin are called capsaicinoids.
When consumed, capsaicinoids connect with pain receptors in the mouth and throat that are normally responsible for sensing heat.
Once activated by the capsaicinoids, these receptors send a message to the brain that the person has consumed something hot.
The brain responds to the burning sensation by raising the heart rate, increasing perspiration and releasing endorphins, which release happy hormones and are called the body's "natural painkillers."
Stomach
Chilies have long been associated with soothing the digestive system, by acting as stomach cleansers. According to the UK Food Guide, chili helps to settle stomach upset and encourages the production of good digestive acid.
Chili aficionados believe the fruits can also induce weight loss because the substance that makes them "hot" speed up the body's metabolism.
However, one study by the American Institute of Cancer Research performed in Mexico showed in 2003 that a high consumption of chilies (approximately nine to 25 jalapeno peppers per day) is in fact associated with stomach cancer.
Immune System
Red chilies contain high amounts of carotene and vitamin C. It is said that chilies contain more vitamin C than citrus fruits. Chili peppers are also a good source of vitamin B6 and are very high in potassium, magnesium and iron, giving them a reputation for naturally boosting the body's immune system.
Heart and Other Cardiovascular Effects
A 2006 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that after adding chili to the diet, bad cholesterol, that can often lead to heart problems, took a longer time to develop into heart diseases.
April 19, 2009
Is Print Advertising Dead?
That's what you often hear people saying about newspapers and magazines. But what about print advertising?
The ad industry continues to expand through mediums like mobile and online advertising. Some major magazines and newspapers have closed their doors. The cost of postage continues to rise.
Others argue that print advertising is alive and well. One explanation is that the rise in online advertising doesn't mean the death of print but that technology-driven mediums are just an extension of the entire advertising industry.
The ad industry continues to expand through mediums like mobile and online advertising. Some major magazines and newspapers have closed their doors. The cost of postage continues to rise.
Others argue that print advertising is alive and well. One explanation is that the rise in online advertising doesn't mean the death of print but that technology-driven mediums are just an extension of the entire advertising industry.
April 18, 2009
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