<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	>

<channel>
	<title>icu4j Web News</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.icu4j.org/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.icu4j.org</link>
	<description></description>
	<pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:58:03 +0000</pubDate>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6</generator>
	<language>en</language>
			<item>
		<title>Handmade Baby Clothes</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/shopping/handmade-baby-clothes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/shopping/handmade-baby-clothes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:58:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Shopping]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[baby clothes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=46</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Are you interested in handmade baby clothes? Handmade clothing often exudes a charming style and elegance which you can&#8217;t find from factory made garments sold in many retail outlets. However, Etsy works to relieve the tedium of mass marketed products by allowing small time business people to sell their products which are hand-crafted&#8230; over the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Are you interested in handmade baby clothes? Handmade clothing often exudes a charming style and elegance which you can&#8217;t find from factory made garments sold in many retail outlets. However, Etsy works to relieve the tedium of mass marketed products by allowing small time business people to sell their products which are hand-crafted&#8230; over the internet.</p>
<p>One such vendor is Lily Sky, who crafts unique, one of a kind <a href="http://www.organicbabywearhouse.com" target="_blank">baby clothes</a>, baby accessories, and toys. Her items display a number of styles, including retro, vintage, and many Asian influenced designs which are made with rich fabrics of all colors and patterns. Any items which are ordered from Lily Sky are custom made and usually completed within seven days. However, the shipping process is longer, so keep that in mind if you decide to order.</p>
<p>Lily Sky will give you an estimated delivery time once she has completed your order, so you&#8217;re not left waiting and wondering. In addition to Lily Sky, there are several other vendors with shops on Etsy.com which are worth checking out if you&#8217;re tired of dressing your baby in those dull baby clothes you see in the retail stores and in just about every baby&#8217;s wardrobe.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/shopping/handmade-baby-clothes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Symptoms of depression</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/health/symptoms-of-depression/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/health/symptoms-of-depression/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:24:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[depression]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=44</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People who may be suffering from depression or manic disorders actually exhibit or show each and every kind of symptom of depression that doctors will tell you that depressed people have. Sometimes it’s actually quite easy to overlook such symptoms and not be able to help one’s self or others who are suffering from depression [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>People who may be suffering from depression or manic disorders actually exhibit or show each and every kind of symptom of depression that doctors will tell you that depressed people have. Sometimes it’s actually quite easy to overlook such symptoms and not be able to help one’s self or others who are suffering from depression for that matter.</p>
<p>There are actually a lot of symptoms of depression that depressed people may actually posses but they don’t have to suffer from each and every one of them before you actually help them get diagnosed and be treated for this illness. Also, since symptoms of depression actually vary, the time of their &#8220;attacks&#8221; varies as well.</p>
<p>Here are some common examples of symptoms of depression:</p>
<p>Prolonged period of sadness or not feeling &#8220;up to it,&#8221;  people who are always feeling not in the mood, who’d rather mope around the house and feel sorry for one’s self is the best example for this symptom of depression.</p>
<p>Feels hopeless, perennial pessimist: speaking of feeling sorry for one’s self, another common symptom of depression is when a person actually feels like he/she has nothing to look forward to in his or her life. As for being the perennial pessimist, those who show this symptom of depression are usually very negative about things, again, the feeling of hopelessness comes in to mind.</p>
<p>Guilt-driven, loss of self-worth and helplessness: other symptoms of depression that can be easily seen on people who prefer to mope around all day long are these. Whenever a person feels so guilty over something, that actually makes one a very sad person who feels like he or she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Thus, the loss of self-worth, if that person feels like he or she isn’t worthy of being happy or enjoying one’s self then that’s clear tell-tale symptom of depression. Helplessness also contribute to being depressed, when assuming that things won’t simply go your way, it’s already a clear saying that you have absolutely no hope in your body at all.</p>
<p>Isn’t interested in finding or taking pleasure; just dropping the hobbies as well as the other things that one used to enjoy: this tell-tale symptom of depression just shows how depressed a person can be, if one is actually too sad to take pleasure even in the very things that one loves then that person is seriously lacking something, rather, that person might well have caught the depression bug.</p>
<p>Fatigue, always tired: people suffering from depression, since they’ve lost whatever interest in life that they may have had before are actually lacking of physical energy at all times, if one would prefer to just mope around, probably won’t even eat not get enough sleep, a depressed person may well be on their way to not just a mental illness but depression can actually be terrible for one’s physical health as well.</p>
<p>Having trouble concentrating, having bad memory and is indecisive: a person who is suffering from depression easily gives away this tell-tale symptom of depression. Wherein one’s lack of interest with regards to the outside world or for just about anything for that matter can lead to that person’s inability to lose track of things and actually not be able to remember things that happened or what other people said. Lack of interest actually makes depressed people very inattentive.</p>
<p>There are actually more symptoms of depression that can actually help you see if a person (or you) needs to be brought to the doctor to get some help when it comes to depression: lacking sleep, sleeping too much or waking up at wee hours of the morning are all symptoms of depression (if it happens on a daily basis), appetite loss as well as eating too much may show one’s lack of enthusiasm for life. Be weary of sudden weight loss or weight gain in those around you. Being suicidal, talking about death, about wanting to die is another clear indication that that person is depressed. Being restless and irritable and physical symptoms that are usually brought about by poor mental health such as headaches, digestive disorders and various body pains.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/health/symptoms-of-depression/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Short History of Cigars and Tobacco</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/general/short-history-of-cigars-and-tobacco/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/general/short-history-of-cigars-and-tobacco/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:38:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[cigars]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=42</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever wondered where cigars were first produced?  It is widely believed that cigars were first produced in Spain.  But before cigars became all the rage in Europe, tobacco was needed to make them.  Tobacco is indigenous to the Americas, where native peoples have produced it for hundreds of years.  It is believed that [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you ever wondered where cigars were first produced?  It is widely believed that cigars were first produced in Spain.  But before cigars became all the rage in Europe, tobacco was needed to make them.  Tobacco is indigenous to the Americas, where native peoples have produced it for hundreds of years.  It is believed that the Maya of Yucatan peninsula in Mexico and parts of Central America cultivated tobacco, and even smoked it!  Tobacco use spread to other tribes, both north and south.  It is believed that its first use in the United States was probably among the tribe along the Mississippi.  It wasn&#8217;t until Christopher Columbus sailed his famous voyage to the Americas in 1492 that the rest of the world came to know tobacco.</p>
<p>It is said that Columbus was not impressed by tobacco or its use among native peoples, but many sailors grew found of the strange plant.  Soon it quickly caught on in Spain and Portugal.  From there, it spread to France, where the French ambassador Jean Nicot lent his name to the scientific name for tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum).  The origins of the word tobacco itself are still suspect, although many believe it is simply a corruption of the word Tobago, which is the name of a Caribbean island.  Still others believe it comes from the word Tabasco, a region (and now state) in Mexico.</p>
<p>The first tobacco plantation in the United States was established in Virginia in 1612.  More tobacco plantations followed in Maryland soon after.  Although tobacco became a popular crop, it was only smoked in pipes.  The cigar was not introduced to the United States until the late 18th century.  Israel Putnam, an army general who had served in the Revolutionary War, is credited with introducing the cigar to the United States.  He had traveled to Cuba after the Revolutionary War and returned with a box of Cuban cigars.  Their popularity quickly spread, and soon enough cigar factories were established in the area of Harford, Connecticut, where General Putnam resided.</p>
<p>In Europe, cigar production and consumption did not achieve widespread popularity until after the Peninsula War in the early 19th century.  British and French veterans returned to their homelands after years of serving in Spain with their tobacco pipes in tow.  Among the rich and fashionable, the favored method of taking tobacco was the cigar.  Cigar smoking remains a habit associated with the rich and discriminating of upper society.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/general/short-history-of-cigars-and-tobacco/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The internet as a tool</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/seo/the-internet-as-a-tool/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/seo/the-internet-as-a-tool/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:57:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[SEO]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=40</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The internet is a powerful tool for any business because this is where everyone from across the globe go when they need to find something, whether it&#8217;s a particular kind of service, consumer products or even missing persons. 
When surfers look for something, be it free themes or something else, they simply type in keywords [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The internet is a powerful tool for any business because this is where everyone from across the globe go when they need to find something, whether it&#8217;s a particular kind of service, consumer products or even missing persons. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When surfers look for something, be it </span><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.freethemesnow.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; color: #0000ff; font-size: small;">free themes </span></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">or something else, they simply type in keywords in search engines and they will be given links to the top choices.  This is why </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; color: #800080; font-size: small;"><a title="SEO is something" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.proseo.dk/" target="_blank">SEO is something</a> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">you should do for your website.</span></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/seo/the-internet-as-a-tool/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Hiring a wedding favor company</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/wedding/hiring-a-wedding-favor-company/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/wedding/hiring-a-wedding-favor-company/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:59:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Wedding]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=38</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After you have decided on the number of guests to be invited for your wedding, and you already thought about how much the budget will be and where the proposed venue will be, then that’s where all the excitement starts. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself thinking of which wedding favors to be given away as [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After you have decided on the number of guests to be invited for your wedding, and you already thought about how much the budget will be and where the proposed venue will be, then that’s where all the excitement starts. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself thinking of which wedding favors to be given away as tokens. From small cupcakes that are replicas of your wedding cake to little figurines, there are no limitations as to the possible wedding favors you can give away.</p>
<p>If you are getting married on a date near a particular occasion such as Valentines, Christmas, New Year’s Day, then why don’t you order wedding favors which are compatible with the upcoming occasion? Place card holders are good choices to be used as wedding favors; this would fit if you have assigned seating arrangement so the guests would be aware of where they should be seated during the wedding. If your wedding will be held at the beach, or if your peers love to go to the beach, then you may order from a good favor company some items which are related to the beach such as sailboats tea light holders, clam figured bath bubbles or sea shell spreaders. </p>
<p>If you are a writer then you would want to order for some personalized pens, these are very popular in a different favor company. They come in various sizes and colors as well. Sometimes, couples would prefer to give out edible favors. Therefore, if you are looking for a favor company which vends edible favors, then why don’t you order cupcakes or mini cakes from a respectable bakeshop that customizes designs for cakes? This is an optimal choice if you don’t want your giveaways to be placed somewhere else or left aside being filled with dust in the houses of your guests. But there’s another thing that you have to remember when choosing to have edible giveaways. You have to keep in mind or be aware if any of your guests have allergies on some foods. </p>
<p>If you have a minimal budget, then you should think of buying small number of favors and place these in one basket, and guests would be free to get one as they leave the event. In this manner, anyone who doesn’t want to bring home any favor can give others the chance to get one. </p>
<p>One more alternative is to give a single favor if you have guests who are couples while another option is to make your own wedding favor although the latter will definitely take up so much of your time. </p>
<p>Definitely, the ideas for favors during important events such as wedding could be endless. You can see it when you browse the Internet for a wedding favor company – there literally are lots! Hence, when hiring a wedding favor company, you must study the background of the company, learn about the range of favors that they can present as well as the prices. Be firm with your budget and always put a personal touch on all of your wedding favors. That will definitely make your wedding giveaways more unique and memorable.</p>
<p>A great idea for a wedding is to have your wedding favors incorporated into your <a href="http://www.Signatureweddingaislerunners.com">aisle runners</a>. When this is done it brings the whole wedding concept together. Visit Signatureweddingaislerunners.com to view the many designs of wedding runners as well as great <a href="http://www.Signatureweddingaislerunners.com">aisle runner</a> on display.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/wedding/hiring-a-wedding-favor-company/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Staff councils budget planning</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/finance/staff-councils-budget-planning/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/finance/staff-councils-budget-planning/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:03:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Finance]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=36</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[His personal money management is the key to its financial success, his method of achieving their goals and dreams. Nobody likes the term shopping on a budget, but without it, I do not know if you get more of their income. Everyone wants to pay all its bills on time. The success of debt and [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>His personal money management is the key to its financial success, his method of achieving their goals and dreams. Nobody likes the term <a href="http://www.careonecredit.com/knowledge/shopping-wisely.aspx">shopping on a budget</a>, but without it, I do not know if you get more of their income. Everyone wants to pay all its bills on time. The success of debt and asset management is a source of pride and a good credit rating. We all want a good credit rating if they use or not. Unless you have unlimited funds to spend as you wish, you need a personal budget to settle debts. Budgeting your money can be a difficult process. </p>
<p>To create a family budget should include all your monthly and annual accounts. You should also include spending their money, savings targets, and pension funds. No matter how much money you make is how you spend. A personal or household budget will help you make payments on time, provided they follow the plan. </p>
<p>When you do not follow a programme of debt management, debt May exceed their income and are then forced to make late payments on bills or no payments at all because you do not have money. You can not just spend money and we hope that you&#8217;re tired of their accounts. You need to pass a <a href="http://www.careonecredit.com/Knowledge/budget-planning.aspx">budget planning</a>. </p>
<p>You can prepare a budget using budgeting software on your computer. The program will ask the same questions as a personal finance adviser asked during an interview on financial planning. The questions cover their expenses, their buying habits and retirement goals. May They include advice on debt consolidation and reasonable cash flow. Or you can choose a financial planner to help you in your personal finances.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/finance/staff-councils-budget-planning/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Apartment Renting - Hunting Tips</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/real-estate/apartment-renting-hunting-tips/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/real-estate/apartment-renting-hunting-tips/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 24 Aug 2008 00:24:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Real Estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=34</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Apartment hunting can be very daunting for some potential renters. Often the variety of options available to these renters is a source of overwhelming frustration for the renters. With so many appealing options it can be difficult to choose just one. However, there are some tips which can help to ease the process of apartment [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Apartment hunting can be very daunting for some potential renters. Often the variety of options available to these renters is a source of overwhelming frustration for the renters. With so many appealing options it can be difficult to choose just one. However, there are some tips which can help to ease the process of apartment hunting. The process of finding the perfect apartment can be broken down into three simple steps. The first step is to set a budget. Next the renter should research their available options and then comparison shop to determine which option is the best.</p>
<p>Set a Budget First</p>
<p>For many renters the most important consideration is how much they are willing to spend on an apartment per month. For this reason it should come as no surprise that the first step in the apartment hunting process should include establishing a budget. Renters should consider their monthly income and subtract out all of their monthly expenses from this amount. Monthly expenses should include all bills which are paid regularly as well as money spent on food, entertainment and miscellaneous items each month. The renter may also wish to subtract out an additional amount to allow for some savings each month as well as emergencies. The total left after these subtractions is the amount the renter is able to spend on an apartment per month. Once this amount is established the renter will have a better understanding of the type of apartment they are able to afford.</p>
<p>Research Available Properties</p>
<p>Once a budget has been established, the renter should begin researching the properties which fall within his budget range. It is likely to consider properties which are slightly above the range as well as properties which are slightly below the range. Doing this will allow the renter to see if there is an opportunity to either make improvements on the amount of monthly spending to allow for the renting of a more expensive property. The renter can also determine whether or not they feel there is the opportunity to negotiate a lower rental rate on a particular property.</p>
<p>When initially researching properties, the renter does not necessarily have to visit each property. Most of the pricing information can be obtained from resources such as Internet websites, newspapers and rental magazines. Since pricing is the primary concern at this point, the initial research will enable the renter to eliminate properties which are too far out of their price range.</p>
<p>Comparison Shop</p>
<p>Once the renter has narrowed down his list of possible apartment complexes to a more manageable number it is time to start visiting these properties. It is during this step that the renter will really get a feel for the quality of the apartment as well as the amount and quality of amenities offered by the complex. This is very important because this information can be used to decide between properties which are otherwise very similar.</p>
<p>The comparison shopping process is also worthwhile because it gives the renter some bargaining power in negotiating more favorable rent rates. Renters who have visited a number of apartments likely have a good idea of the going rate in a particular area for a particular size apartment. These renters can use this information to potentially convince some leasing agents to lower their prices at least a little bit. There will not likely be huge drops in price from these negotiations but it will likely be enough to be considered worthwhile.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/real-estate/apartment-renting-hunting-tips/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>MySpace or Your Space?</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/internet/myspace-or-your-space/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/internet/myspace-or-your-space/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:02:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Internet]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[MySpace]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=32</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[MySpace is quickly revolutionizing the dating scene. MySpace advertises themselves as a virtual community for users to network, meet people, browse profiles and make friends around the world. However, some are taking this ability to meet people even further and are using MySpace similarly to the way they would use a dating website. While couples [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>MySpace is quickly revolutionizing the dating scene. MySpace advertises themselves as a virtual community for users to network, meet people, browse profiles and make friends around the world. However, some are taking this ability to meet people even further and are using MySpace similarly to the way they would use a dating website. While couples are still meeting in more traditional locations such as nightclubs and bar, more and more couples are making love connections online via MySpace.</p>
<p>MySpace allows members to create websites where they can post personal information about themselves and allow others to view this information and post messages commenting on the website. Through these interactions users can really get to know each other better and can foster relationships. This article will take a look at how MySpace users can meet other users, begin courting and possibly eventually meet romantic partners offline.</p>
<p>Meeting New People on MySpace</p>
<p>Meeting new people on MySpace is unbelievably easy. The search feature allows anyone to search through the MySpace community to find user websites that contain the search term entered. Individuals do not have to be members to view the search results; however, some websites might be private and not viewable by the general public. Entering search terms relevant to a particular hobby or interest will generate search results of those who share this interest or hobby.</p>
<p>Once an individual finds a number of websites from those who share their interests they can review these websites to determine if they wish to meet any of these MySpace members. One way to open the lines of communication with another user is to post a comment on their website. Only members of the MySpace community are allowed to post comments though so before leaving a comment users have to become members of the community. This also gives the user the opportunity to generate their own MySpace website. They can then invite those they are interested in meeting to view their website.</p>
<p>Flirting on MySpace</p>
<p>As previously, mentioned MySpace is quickly becoming a location to allow users to meet potential romantic partners. MySpace gives users the opportunity to publish photos of themselves as well as personal information making it an ideal opportunity for users to get to know each other in a safe environment. Users can also post information such as age, marital status, hobbies and interests so users can get to know each other better.</p>
<p>For many MySpace allows those who are normally more shy to feel confident about flirting with potential romantic partners. Those who usually don’t feel confident in crowded nightclub or bar settings may be able to express their feelings more freely through MySpace. They may also have the confidence to approach others they would not normally approach in a face to face situation.</p>
<p>Making Romantic Connections on MySpace</p>
<p>With so many opportunities to meet others through the MySpace community, it is no surprise that many of these users are making these online connections a reality by meeting their online friends in the real world. These face to face meetings can be a lot of fun but care should be taken in these situations to avoid putting yourself at risk.</p>
<p>It is important to remember that the Internet can allow individuals to mask their true identities. This makes it easy for harmful predators to pretend to be one person online to attract others who might be interested in meeting them offline when, in reality, they are a completely different person.</p>
<p>When meeting others online it is important to take precautions to safeguard personal information. Most people are aware they should not give out their address, social security number, credit card number, bank account number and other similar sensitive information but do not realize other information can also be harmful. For example seemingly innocent information such as the name of the high school attended and year of graduation can allow criminals to combine this information with other information such as a first name to determine where a person lives.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/internet/myspace-or-your-space/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Past Time Hobbies</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/general/past-time-hobbies/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/general/past-time-hobbies/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:02:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[General]]></category>

		<category><![CDATA[hobby]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=30</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is your favorite past time?  Hobby enthusiasts know that spare time is not to be &#8220;spent&#8221; but savored.  If you have a past time you enjoy, you will never look at your spare time in the same way again.  If you&#8217;re not sure what past time hobby you would enjoy, here are some suggestions.
Many [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>What is your favorite past time?  Hobby enthusiasts know that spare time is not to be &#8220;spent&#8221; but savored.  If you have a past time you enjoy, you will never look at your spare time in the same way again.  If you&#8217;re not sure what past time hobby you would enjoy, here are some suggestions.</p>
<p>Many people listen to music as a favorite past time.  There is much you can learn about any style of music.  You can learn composers, famous melodies, and all about performers past and present.  You can develop sophisticated tastes in jazz or classical music or collect a large assortment of CD&#8217;s.  Music makes a great past time hobby.</p>
<p>A lot of people love animals.  Pets of all sorts can become your hobby.  Perhaps you enjoy watching birds.  If you have trouble finding them in the trees to watch, maybe you&#8217;d like to get a pair of canaries, a budgie, or a cockatiel.  People who live in the country sometimes become interested in raising ornamental chickens, pigeons, or pheasants.  It is very interesting to watch a mother bird take care of a nest of young chicks.  Perhaps you can even raise some prize winners!</p>
<p>Dogs make a great hobby, too.  Walking and enjoying a pet dog is one thing, but breeding and raising show dogs is something else entirely.  Show dogs may require a bit of an investment, but many puppies are free.  There is also the aspect of training a dog in obedience.  Dogs give a lot of love back to their owners, too, so if you start a past time hobby of caring for a dog, you will never be lonely.  However, dogs require quite a bit of work and attention, especially when they are being trained, so keeping dogs is not for everyone.</p>
<p>Bicycles can become your favorite past time.  Hobby bicyclists are becoming more and more common to see cycling along lesser traveled highways seeing the countryside up close and personal.  Bicycling requires a helmet and suitable clothes as well as a small tool kit for roadside repairs.  Or maybe you would enjoy cycling on a smaller scale, simply taking fun rides with your family.  The choice is yours.</p>
<p>The world is full of interesting things to learn and do.  Don&#8217;t merely sit back and watch TV.  Get interested in a past time hobby.  It&#8217;s good for your mind.  In fact, it might even keep you from going senile in your old age, if you stay active in a past time hobby.  And it&#8217;s a good example to our kids and grandkids if we spend our time doing something meaningful.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/general/past-time-hobbies/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Learning to drive a motorcycle</title>
		<link>http://www.icu4j.org/auto/learning-to-drive-a-motorcycle/</link>
		<comments>http://www.icu4j.org/auto/learning-to-drive-a-motorcycle/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2008 18:58:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
		
		<category><![CDATA[Auto]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.icu4j.org/?p=28</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The idea of riding a motorcycle is to allow you the freedom of the open air while traveling. It can also be a very inexpensive way to travel or to commute. Learning how to operate a motorcycle is very important. You don’t want to be an inexperienced operator out there with so many other vehicles [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The idea of riding a motorcycle is to allow you the freedom of the open air while traveling. It can also be a very inexpensive way to travel or to commute. Learning how to operate a motorcycle is very important. You don’t want to be an inexperienced operator out there with so many other vehicles on the road. The process is quick for some, and others struggle to learn how to operate one. It comes down to learning the skills and believing in your ability to make it happen.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the motorcycle you learn on is going to affect how well you are able to learn to operate it. Make sure it is designed to fit you. This can be some what tricky because many people learn how to ride a motorcycle on one that belongs to someone else. However, you need to make sure the motorcycle isn’t too heavy for you. It is important that you are able to touch the ground with both feet. Reaching the gas, brakes, and handle bars are essential as well. It is a good investment to find a cheap used bike that fits your body well. Once you have successfully learned to ride it well, consider upgrading to a better bike.</p>
<p>Make sure you learn from someone you trust and who is patient. Nothing can add to your insecurity as someone watching over you, especially if they are concerned about you damaging their motorcycle. If you don’t have someone you can comfortably learn from then you are wasting your time. It may be a worthwhile investment to enroll in a motorcycle instruction course and learn from someone who is trained to teach this skill.</p>
<p>Once you have managed the basics of motorcycle riding, continue practicing. Just like driving a vehicle, you will get better as you practice. Avoid riding on busy streets, highways, or interstates until you are very comfortable with your riding skills. Practice changing lanes, turns, curves, and sudden stops as these are all things you will experience once you are operating your motorcycle on the open road.</p>
<p>Practice riding your motorcycle in a variety of weather situations. This will give you some very important motorcycle skills that you won’t get anywhere else. You will be amazed at how different your motorcycle operates on a sunny day versus a very windy day. Being prepared for a variety of riding conditions is going to make you a much better operator. In time you will feel comfortable enough for long trips, maybe even to some of the wonderful motorcycle rallies that take place each year.</p>
<p>If you start small and practice hard, learning to operate a motorcycle will be a very rewarding experience for you. Too many beginners want a new motorcycle or the same power as their friends. They either find the motorcycle to be too much to handle or seriously injure themselves riding it. This can also cause you to loose interest in the idea of learning to ride it, and result in your selling it.</p>
<p>The motorcycle learning process can be a great experience if you aren’t in a hurry to be driving it fast on major road ways. Like anything else, your skills will only improve as you practice and learn from your own mistakes. Operating a motorcycle is a challenge that you will proudly succeed at if you work hard and follow the safety precautions of the road.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.icu4j.org/auto/learning-to-drive-a-motorcycle/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
