I Need What Part? – Home-Improvement
I Need What Part?
One of the first things you learn as a homeowner is that you may own your home, but you don't actually live in it full time. You get to spend the rest of your time living in the hardware store or hardware dept of your local retail store. Unfortunately the older the home the more frequent you visit this vast place with aisles and aisles of thingies and who whos, that previously meant little more than, ''?that aisle that my dad use to get all kinds of shiny pipes, connectors, and silver and brass things." A place where he spent many hours, (and you will too), talking about stuff with strange names and even stranger looking objects'd plumbing.For now I'm just going to talk about plumbing. The first thing to realize is that older homes have plumbing systems that use galvanized pipe, which will corrode over time, leading to low pressure and leaks, (modern homes use copper and flexible pipe). Also in most modern homes there are usually "stop valves", (these are the little turn thingies) under each sink and toilet in the house, the most important one is the main water cut off. KNOW WHERE THIS IS LOCATED!! Or be ready to watch "Ole Faithful" wash your ceiling.So, as a result of my many "Trial by Water" episodes of plumbing problems, I thought it time to clarify some of the incorrect definitions of plumbing terms with the correct ones used by the pros, at least, the "pros" in my local hardware store. These are all terms that I have come across in my attempts (more failures and disasters than success stories) to rectify some problems I have encountered with my 20 year old home.1) ABS pipe? not to be confused with PVC pipeABS-Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene:
?It is a rigid black plastic pipe used for drain, waste and vent lines.PVC-Polyvinyl Chloride:?It is a rigid white or cream colored plastic pipe used in non-pressure systems, such as drainage, waste and vent systems.2) Aerator:This is not biology?. it is NOT part of a woman's anatomy.?It is a device screwed into the end of a faucet spout that mixes air into flowing water, and controls flow to reduce splashing.3) Drip Channel:This is not a TV channel for plumbers, or your spouse's cousin.?A metal channel that is designed to prevent water running down a shower door from dripping onto the floor when the door is opened.4) Fitting:No, not a "dry" run of putting all the parts together to see if they "fit", also included here to point out another bunch of terms to look-up.?Any pipe part used to join together two sections of pipe, such as elbows, couplings, bushings, bends, wyes, etc.5) Flow Rate:Wrong?how high the water spouts out of the tap when the handle breaks off and the water is still turned on.?Rating in gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour. (GPH)6) Nipple:Again..this is NOT anatomy?A short length of pipe installed between couplings or other fittings.7) O-Ring:Has absolutely nothing to do with a Space Shuttle although they serve a slightly similar purpose.?It is a round rubber washer used to create a water tight seal, chiefly around valve stems.8) Snake;All I could envision here was a real sake put into the toilet to "eat" anything in its path on the way to the septic tank, then the screams of the next person "using" the toilet when the snake returns.?A long, highly flexible metal wire or coil used for cleaning drains. Also called plumber's snake.9) Stillson Wrench:Not a hat that looks like a pipe wrench.?It is a large L shaped pipe wrench. It has jaws that are adjustable and will tighten as pressure on the handle is increased. It is also known as a pipe wrench.10) Teflon Tape:Not a how to video of plumbing projects involving plastics.?A fluorocarbon polymer with non-sticking properties used to wrap pipe threads to seal a joint.11) Yoke:This is not a funny story by a Swedish plumber.?It is usually a brass casting that holds both the hot and cold valves and the mixing chamber for the water.If you have a plumbing problem and are not sure about how plumbing works, this is not a time to experiment. Take it from personal experience, the disasters you can create are not worth the need to say "humph who needs a plumber..I can fix this!" Do yourself a BIG favor and consult a plumber. If it is a small job that you can confidently fix yourself I have but one piece of advice to give?shut off the water first!!!!!!!...and that is about it except for these final words that my late father always said:A good flush beats a full house every time.Henry Morgan is a computer technician who spends his spare time playing Mr.Fix It around the house. He has learned many a lesson the hard way and enjoys sharing his knowledge to help others. He is currently supporting this site: http://www.plumbingworks.infoPlease feel free to use this article on your web site or newsletter. All I ask is that the resource box is left intact and if the article is used on a web page, please ensure that the URL is a live link. Thank you.
The Birth of I Confess – Book-Reviews
The Birth of I Confess
I dreamed since I was fourteen years old to spend most of my existence writing. I began reading at this time, and reading became my passion. I knew this was the vocation for me. I wanted to continue to read and then write that best selling novel.As my years progressed I continued to read and write, structuring some poems, and short stories, and working on a few novels. I didn't do anything with the novels, short stories or poems, but it was a thrill in just writing them.One day I began writing about one hundred short stories. I kept them in a binder and continued to write them. I was reading a BLACK ROMANCE magazine one day, and their stories sounded so familiar to mine. The writing techniques were similar, and the stories were of love and romance. I believed I had the same ingredient that this magazine was looking for in the guidelines, so I submitted a few of my short stories, and hoped for the best. I really wanted to write for this magazine.Of course writing doesn't come that easy, or anything that you want out of life. You have to work diligently to make it happen, and this is what I had to do to write for BLACK ROMANCE Magazine. The first five of my short stories were rejected, but the editor was very nice. She wrote some interesting and helpful comments on one of my short stories, and told me to resubmit with the revised changes. I was happy as a lark because I still had a chance to make my writing debut in this magazine.I resubmitted the story about three times, and then finally I received a contract in the mail. They were going to publish my short story, THE BUS STOP ROMANCE. This was one of my favorite short stories because I actually met a man on the bus stop when I was going to work one hot summer day in May. I was overjoyed beyond comprehension. I had to keep looking at the contract because it was amazing to get a published story. I had finally made it as a writer, and I loved every minute of it. My story was published in JIVE Magazine, an affiliate of BLACK ROMANCE Magazine in the November 2000 issue.I continued to write for the magazine, ending up writing nineteen short stories. I had so many stories left over that I decided to put them into a novel form. I CONFESS was born. It's a collection of confession short stories for the modern relationship with a touch of reality. I'm very proud of my debut novel, which was published and released on December 18, 2004 by Publishamerica.Some of the short stories included in my novel are: LIES BY ASSOCIATION, about a marriage trying to be saved; THE JAILBAIT, a woman who falls in love with a very dangerous man; LIVING LARGE, three plus-size women who definitely have it going on; NOT UNTIL I'M MARRIED, a woman who finds a man who turns out to be something very different from other men; REJECTION, an overweight woman who is so in love with her boyfriend, she decides to lose the weight and teach him a lesson, or does she? THE ICE BENEATH THE FIRE, a woman dreams of skating, and her mate who is right there by her side, maybe; THE TEASE, a woman who is so angry with men she uses them, but payback is something else; BELLS AND BUTTERFLIES, an interracial couple's love; EMAILING LOVE, finding love on the internet; HE PROPOSED, a woman finally getting married; MILITARY LOVE, falling in love and then losing that love; I'M FORTY AND HE'S EIGHTEEN, a woman finds love with a man half her age; TWENTY-TWO YEARS LATER, finding love after so many years; EX'S, getting back with your husband you divorced; YOU CHEATING DOG; a woman gets even with her cheating man; I'M A SLAVE FOR YOU, tired of being a slave for her man, she takes matters into her own hands; BUSINESS LOVE, can a man and women mix business with pleasure? NATIVE NEW YORKER, a woman finding love in the big apple; PARTING IN SWEET LOVE, a long distance romance; IN LOVE WITH AN OLDER MAN, an eighteen year old finding love with a much older man; THE RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE, waiting until marriage; IN LOVE WITH MY SISTER'S HUSBAND, sisters in love with the same man; THE FIVE DAY SEPARATION, a husband and wife's martial problems in five days, etc. My book is a page turner, and you won't be disappointed.My goal is to sell a million copies of my book, and to do that I need everyone to purchase my book. My cover is green and gorgeous, and I'm very proud to be associated with this project.My joy of writing is for everyone to enjoy my book, and maybe get something out of one of my stories. I'd hope that one of my stories were the answers to a dilemma in someone's life. I know I read all the time and in most of the books the characters are going through the same avenue of problems that I find myself going through constantly and on a regular basis. It gives me significant hope that the way I solve my problems, is the way someone else is doing the same thing. The answers that I'm searching for is right there in a book.I write because I just love telling stories, and taking along my characters to do anything I want them to do, and then some. Writing is also therapeutic for a lot of people, including myself. I find when I get so depressed about something happening or not happening in my life, I'd get my laptop computer and write about it. I like writing stories with happy endings because they're most of my dreams. I can write a happy ending to my life and live with it. If only this could strike into real life, then there would be a lot of exciting people living today in this world, and less chaos going on.My job is to promote my book, and continue to let it be known to the world that books are the revolution of education. Reading a book is better than just watching television, going to movies, and clubs. It's the most relaxing time of a very emotional and difficult work week.Why not sit back in your favorite chair, in your favorite room and catch up on some reading with a romantic book of love, and reality situations in the world of dating?Buy I CONFESS and enjoy a ride of good reading, and happily ever after endings; in a setting of a splash of reality scenarios in the real world. (1,144)My name is Carol Ann Culbert Johnson. Please visit my website at: http://www.freewebs.com/jcarolann Also please purchase I CONFESS at http://www.publishamerica.com. I reside in the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. My email is: http://www.jcarolannjohnson@aol.com.
I Know Karate and Kung Fu and Lots of Other Foreign Words! – Martial-Arts
I Know Karate and Kung Fu and Lots of Other Foreign Words!
Martial arts have become incredibly popular in the US. Drive through any little strip shopping center in nearly any city and you're likely to see a martial arts studio. There are dozens of styles to choose from. Karate, jujitsu, aikido, kung fu, qi gong, taekwondo, tai chi. How did that happen?I think it's partly because Americans are so competitive. To many, a martial art is just another sport. You move up the ranks from one belt color to another until finally you're at the top and you're a black belt in karate. It's also good exercise. Many of us don't get nearly enough exercise. But if we can engage in a little friendly martial arts tournament and work out at the same time, we can really get into that.In the East where all the martial arts came from, it's a bit more than just a sport or a way to exercise. Martial arts are the physical part of an entire spiritual discipline designed to teach us to live as better and happier people. They believe that our bodies must be healthy temples for our spirits. Monks in monasteries learned the martial arts. I don't know of any comparable practice in Catholicism. Do you? There may be, but I have never heard of it.In karate, and all the martial arts, we bow to our opponent before and after the match. Why is that? Any martial arts student from any decent school can tell you that you are honoring the other person. You honor them for their skill. You honor them as another spiritual being on the planet. You honor them for giving you the honor of the match.I think practicing karate and other martial arts is really adding something sacred to our American understanding of people. And yes, we get to compete and get a little exercise in, too.About this writerAiko Mettarod moved from Japan with his parents as a child. His father was his first karate teacher. You can read more articles about martial arts at Tsunami Karate