Sumo Nova

There are many ups and downs to depression. I know because I have been dealing with it most of my life. I just recently started on a new medication and at first I was feeling tired and having trouble concentrating on my writing and other activities. After about 4 weeks being on it I started…

Recent articles in this site, by Greg Reeson, Jeff Musall and others, in these pages and the appended comments by other writers, have demonstrated the divergence of opinions regarding the power of the Congress and the President with regard to the “waging” of war under Articles I and II pf the Constitution. What should be…

On Christmas Eve, 1968, three explorers gave a Christmas present to the world that was much needed. That year had not been a happy one. The Vietnam War had flared into even greater violence due to the surprise Tet Offensive. Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy had fallen to assassins’ bullets. Riots had become a…

Investment is not as simple as buying low and selling high. To be a successful investor you will need to invest some of your own time research companies and looking for traits that can be used to predict stock performance. One of the easiest ways to research a stock is to determine what the company…

Vintage clothing stores in Richmond, Virginia are a great resource for period clothing. Vintage clothing store in Richmond, Virginia carry a variety of clothing from many bygone eras. Trying to locate a great vintage piece of clothing from a specific era can take a little bit of researching. Take advantage of the knowledgeable staff if…

What kind of an artist are you? I read an interesting debate on an email group a few months back. There was discussion between a glue gun artist and a true craftsperson. I must humbly say, I laughed out loud. I am a graphic designer by trade. I have my master’s degree in graphic design…

In the last 30 years Frisbee has grown in leaps and bounds. From a basic game that you play with your family, Frisbee has developed into a full competition sport for dogs. Anyone that can throw a Frisbee can teach Frisbee to a dog. Teaching your dog to catch the Frisbee requires a little patience…

If you’re over 30 and haven’t started retirement planning yet, you’d better get busy. And don’t think you can count on Social Security either. As it stands, the overburdened system isn’t enough for most Americans, and benefit cuts are likely coming in the near future. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the total Federal Budget…

Cell phones and iPods can be safe and helpful gifts for children. iPods can be used to download educational books and music. Cell phones enable parents to reach their children at anytime. But both cell phones and iPods pose a potential risk to children. Those running the sex industry have found yet another way to…

Yuck, Another Birthday (That’s Just Not the Right Attitude!) If you’re getting frustrated with the “cake and balloons” scene and have a flair for the dramatic rather than the mediocre, you may think celebrating a birthday isn’t worth the trouble. I have talked to people that have said birthdays aren’t a big deal as you…

If you own a blog, you probably already know all the basic ways to promote it. You’ve listed it with the major search engines, you’ve been faithfully posting comments on related blogs, you’ve submitted some articles to a few blog carnivals, and you ping blog tracking websites every time you post a new entry. However,…

Recurring urinary tract infections seem to plague some people, and women are more commonly afflicted by this painfully irritating condition. Their urethras are shorter, the anal area is closer, and bacteria don’t have to travel as far to reach the bladder. When urinary tract infections hit, most people would do just about anything to alleviate…

The National League West has been very competitive for the past couple of years although at times it’s been competitive for it’s mediocrity but this year I think it will be competitive because there are four good looking teams in this division. 1. Arizona Diamondbacks Positives – Expect the Arizona Diamondbacks to be one of…

A healthier lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, that’s why many diets fail. People rid their cabinets of all their favorite foods and then begin to suffer through a diet, but why? A healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be torture. There are several small changes you can make that will lead to a healthier lifestyle….

If you are looking for something to do this summer around Mobile, Alabama then you may want to take advantage of some of Mobile’s nearby outdoor attractions. There are great campgrounds to stay at, hiking trails within an hour of the city’s limits, and cool lakes to splash in. The best part about these adventures…

No one would have believed in the early years of the 21st century that our world was being watched by intelligences greater than our own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns, they observed and studied, the way a man with a microscope might scrutinize the creatures that swarm and multiply in a…

Saint Valentine’s Day is just about 30 days from now which makes it an appropriate time in which to get started on creating your own valentine crafts this year. Valentine Day along with Christmas and Easter have become so commercialized that we often lose the original meaning or purpose of the celebrations. Although there are…

Forensic pathology is one of the most exciting scientific careers in the world, and is focused on the reasons, the methods and the investigations of human death. Forensic pathologists are in demand all over the United States as small-town coroners and large-city medical examiners. They perform autopsies, examine and analyze evidence and assist law enforcement…

Best Friend or Worst Enemy? When it comes to beauty, color can be your best friend or your worst enemy! The fact of the matter is that certain hues, as well as certain shades–and the two are different–look best on each of us, whether or not we’re aware of it. Every Woman is Unique! Each…

Your child’s daycare teacher and the daycare workers at the childcare center your child attends are important people in your family’s life but choosing a holiday gift for daycare employees are not always the easiest people to buy for. Though they provide weekly learning and fun for your child, these individuals are often the unsung…

I am always on the look out for affordable and elegant table settings for the holiday. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to display photos of family, hand made projects, and small beautiful touches that make your guests feel special. I came up with this idea for the Thanksgiving dinner table. These are great options for…

This is the year that you experience the world. Start by planning a weekend get-a-way to the great outdoors near Kennewick, Washington. Your weekend should include a great campsite, a hike, and some time in the water. Step 1: Learn About Kennewick, Washington Kennewick, Washington is a mid-sized city that has a population of about…

Abraham Lincoln was by far the greatest President in U.S. history and we all know how he freed the slaves and was killed by John Wilkes Booth, but all that most of us know about his early life is that he was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. Where did the great President come…

One more crazy, tinfoil hat health concern has popped up, and with any luck, it’ll be shattered before it gets any steam. UK scientists have announced that there isn’t any research to show that there’s more danger from having a Wifi router in your home than from having a television-and no, that doesn’t mean that…

The Florida Marlins 2006 season was not completely horrible. Since winning the World Series for the second time in their short history, Marlin fans have twice scene their time dismantled. Florida does seem to always have good young players coming up to the majors. 2006 saw the Marlins finish 19 games out of first place,…

Popcorn will always be my favorite snack food of choice to munch on during a movie or when watching sports on television, but when there’s no popcorn to be found, potato chips are what I go searching for next. Sure, I munch on more than my fair share of carrots sticks and broccoli, but when…

1. Dinner At Eightfrom Want OneRufus Wainwright is at his best here as both a songwriter and as a performer. This heartfelt ballad sees Wainwright shying away from his often grandiose and fantastical subjects and tone to focus on a few distinct, realistic, and deeply moving images. The songwriting is tight and flawless, and his…

When planning vacations, people usually visit theme parks, museums, beaches or other traditional vacation spots, however many more people are now planning activities around their hobbies and interests. Located directly off of many interstate highways, outlet malls are fast becoming a must see for shoppers searching for a great bargain. When planning to visit outlet…

In the year 2004 I enjoyed the privilege of viewing nearly 200 movies. Even though, I viewed so many movies I still did not have the chance to see about half of the movies that I was hoping to have seen. Most of the ones that was able to see were older movies on video….

Winter 1914 on the front lines of WWI in German-occupied France. The Germans are fighting against the French and the Scots, who are allied together. It is a continual struggle of trench warfare with assistance from rear artillery. The soldiers are all within close proximity to each other as they battle over this scrap of…

Many seniors find condominium living a welcome change from the upkeep of a house and yard. While they are still responsible for the upkeep in the interior of a condominium, the worry over upkeep for exterior maintenance is gone. Condominium living is still home ownership with the tax advantages that seniors won’t get from apartment…

Since 1796 when the first vaccine was created, scientists have produced many more for both childhood and adult diseases. Vaccines have even been developed for those traveling to countries where diseases uncommon to the United States are endemic. The same groups of scientists are now working on vaccinations for some of the newest infectious diseases…

Religion serves many functions. It can be a catalyst for change, or it can serve to preserve social ideals and traditions. The role of religion as a way to preserve the traditions of the society is based in the main functions of religions. Religions are intended to reinforce group norms. This may be accomplished through…

We all know the big name candidates. These are the Clinton’s, Obama’s, Giuliani’s, and Romney’s of the world. They are well supported by their parties and will more than likely lead the presidential race. But what about those other guys. Those really weird, squirrely looking dudes with all those crazy ideas about helping the poor…

Ergosterol, skin oil, changes into Vitamin D when exposed to the sun. The Vitamin D is then absorbed into the blood where the intestines find it beneficial in aiding the bodies ability to take in greater amounts of Calcium and Phosphorus. To get the proper amount of D from the sun takes just ten minutes…

Finding plus size clothes that fit well and flatter is next to impossible. As if being large in a world that caters to the thin isn’t difficult enough, the dressing room mirrors only add insult to injury. Let’s take this one step further when the plus size woman becomes pregnant. Not only is she big…

It’s true, cats are carnivores; they must eat meat to live. But what does that mean for you and your cat? Should you feed him live food, make food, or buy it? All of these questions are natural to ask if you are getting a cat, or are having trouble with your cats eating habits….

Jesus told His disciples: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” Fallen human nature cannot help but strive. And Christians, who should know so much more and so much better because our Lord told us not to strive…

In this Photoshop Tutorial I will show you how to create the Purple Liquid Heart in my image. This is a cool graphic that I came up with. It reminds me of a liquid look. This heart is fairly easy to create and can add a little spice to your site. I will write the…

Trying to scare up some terrific ideas for Halloween this year? Eaton and surrounding areas, do their part to create a fun and safe environment for the kids. Each year, Eaton, West Alexandria, New Paris, and surrounding communities celebrate Halloween by having beggar’s night. This is a time when children travel from house to house…

To think of the Super Bowl as merely a championship football game is just plain dumb. In its fifth decade it is solidly entrenched as the premier American cultural event. If you don’t watch the Super Bowl, then you should consider yourself more than out of the mainstream: you are downright un-American. There simply is…

I love organic and chemical free cosmetic products. In the case of Jason Natural Cosmetics Chemical Free Sun block though, I have to voice a contrary opinion. I first bought Jason Natural Cosmetics Chemical Free Sun block after deciding to try to introduce more natural and organic products into my lifestyle. It came in 30…

Corning is located just south of New York’s Finger Lake Region in Western New York. This small city boasts a charming small-town quality and is the headquarters for Corning Inc. Corning is located near Watkins Glen International Raceway and offers museums, shopping on historic Market Street and great activities for the whole family. Corning is…

The characters of Ah Q from Lu Xun’s Ah Q-The Real Story and Hsiang Tzu from Lao She’s Rickshaw appear in the end, as shown by the authors, to have led rather similarly hopeless lives. Both men are without any family in the end, although Hsiang Tzu briefly has a wife. In the end both…

What is Wellness? When we think of whether or not we are well, we usually think of our physical health. Physical health is an important part of being well, and most of us try to keep fit and active. But what are the reasons we want to be healthy? Do we wish to be fit…

Plan for that perfect Halloween party or get the perfect outfit for the costume ball. Year round you can find your costume, dance wear and related merchandise at Applause Costume and Dancewear. Delores Colby, or Dory by her friends, has been in the costuming business for over twenty years as owner of her own costume…

Ratings: Ease of Use, Performance: 20/25, Look & Feel: 23/25, Features & Software 22/25, How much I enjoy 22/25Total: 87/100 Hewlett Packard is a huge company that manufactures computers, printers, digital cameras, well just about all your electronics for home and business. I own several Hewlett Packard computers along with other devices and am quite…

Si usted compra y vende valores para su propia cuenta, podría considerarse inversionista o comerciante en valores para efectos del impuesto a la renta federal en los Estados Unidos. Cuando se le considera a usted como comerciante, la manera en que tiene que declarar sus ganancias y pérdidas y las consecuencias tributarias de sus transacciones…

The bad news is, Winter heating costs can take a large bite out of your budget. The good news is, you can actually lower your heating bills and keep your family warmer at the same time just by following a few simple steps. The first step is to perform a thorough evaluation of your home….

Ozzie Guillen, manager of the world champion Chicago White Sox, is a punk. Ozzie’s the big bully you had to keep your eye on when the bell rang and geometry class was let out. Ozzie’s the lunatic standing by the door at the bar, waiting for you to leave so he can follow you out….

Mmmm…What’s more yummy than chicken recipes made with your very own home-cooked chicken stock? Here are easy instructions for making your own stock broth… Start with a big pot. I mean *really* big. Stock needs room to boil and circulate, so give it a lot of room. It’ll cook down later, but to start with,…

Kim Ray’s articles on “How To” are excellent. I love reading her common good sense suggestions. One example is Homemade Spray-On Daily Shower Cleaner. In particular Kim mentions the old stand-by bleach to rid showers of scum and soap residue for the shower area. She also has some great recipes for a spray-on daily cleaner…

The Department of Homeland Security has begun an investigation to determine how many people may be illegally receiving Social Security and other government benefits. The Federal Reserve is sending Social Security benefits every month to 26,000 people in Mexico it was announced today, but officials with that agency and the Social Security Administration insist that…

Don’t do it. Seriously. No. Don’t walk, RUN, with hands flailing, screaming “Oh Dear God!” until any Ford minivan is well out of rock-throwing distance. I know. They have a 5-star safety rating. That is just the selling point Ford uses to make your maternal instinct kick into “mama bear” mode, but believe me, it…

Dr. James Cameron was only the tender age of sixteen when he was accused of murdering a caucasian man in his hometown of Marion, Indiana. This accusation was false, however. He was the witness to fifteen thousand people attacking and lynching him and his two friends. He survived the lynching and was sent to prison…

Amblyopia (often referred to as “lazy eye”) is a condition where one eye has greatly reduced vision compared to the other eye. This can be caused by many things, but it can often be corrected in childhood. After that, it’s much more difficult to correct. If not treated, the lazy eye will in effect, become…

Nobody enters into a relationship expecting it to fail. At the onset of a budding romance, you expect your feelings of love and happiness to continue to flourish as you learn more about each other, and eventually, the hope for a wonderful future together will develop. Sometimes the opposite occurs. What seems like a rosy…

Because there had previously been too much variance between payments awarded under similar circumstances – and the payments had been deemed too low overall – federal laws were passed in the 1980’s obliging states to establish guidelines for determining child support. These guidelines are formulas that take into account both parents’ income, the number of…

He surveyed the surface of her features and saw markings that Time had etched therein. Crevices ran like tributaries along ridges of her features. Every marking told a story that, collectively, would take a lifetime to tell. He was pleased for he knew that they would never run out of things to conserve on. She…

This simple project is a great way to add a vintage touch and a little drama to a large empty wall. This art project would look great in a loft or any industrial space. You could also make this for a plain condo that needs a little architectural interest. I find old vintage doors set…

Grade Level: Beginning of Second Grade Subject: Reading/Phonics Instruction Concept: Phonics, onsets/rimes and consonant chunks Standard: A.4.1 Materials: * Blank outline of a cut out snowman * Markers (1 pack per 3 students) * The book “Snow” by Roy McKie and P.D. Eastman *Use of a chalkboard/chalk or dry erase board/marker Outcomes/Objectives: *The student will…

You have your tank and you have it where you want it. Now it’s time to put the rock, water, and sand in it. This is the easiest part of everything. You don’t have to get all your rock at once. And unless you have a ton of money to put into your saltwater tank,…

You would think that when it comes to tomatoes and tomato festivals, Italy — not Spain — would be the hands-down winner. But no, it’s Valencia, Spain that sits at the top of the list. Which is o-k — because Valencia’s annual Tomato Festival has less to do with eating and more to do with…

Many people do not have the money or skills to create a “house beautiful” style decorator room. That does not mean you are stuck without a color scheme or decor theme. There is one very simple way of tying a room’s decor together and making it look truly beautiful. All you need is one fabulous…

Gus Van Sant’s extraordinary new film Last Days is the brilliant culmination of a trilogy of films involving death, all based on actual media events. Gerry (2002) featured Matt Damon and Casey Affleck as two friends becoming hopelessly lost in the desert, as the camera stalks their movements; extremely long shots of them walking form…

Gwyneth Paltrow is loved by many, not only for her talent, but for her beauty as well. Gwyneth is a fair-complected woman with dainty features and an elegant style. Her long blonde hair is so blond it’s almost white. She wears it in many different styles including loose and free, parted in the middle, parted…

Now that it’s the New Year, many of us have said that this is the year I drop those extra pounds and get on some kind of weight loss plan. The amazing thing about most every diet and weight loss plan is the fact they only deal with the types of foods to eat and…

Book Reviewed: “Nature’s Keepers-the remarkable story of how the Nature Conservancy became the largest environmental organization in the world.” By Bill Birchard Finder’s Keepers! Think of yourself as a treasure hunter. This book is the entire map, with a path leading you to treasures along the way, nuggets of tried and true tactics that became…

When summer comes and you are running out of ideas on how to keep the kids both busy and happy, consider taking a day trip to one of the special places in the Philadelphia area. They are also good for a day trip for visitors to Philadelphia who want to do something different. Taking a…

With apologies to James Brown, it’s no longer a man’s world. At least not at Wimbledon. For the first time in its history, the winner of this year’s finals (the women’s final is to be held July 7, while the men’s final is to be held July 8), will receive identical paychecks. “We wanted to…

Holy Sonnet 14 Batter my heart, three-personed God; for you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend; That I may rise and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new. I, like a usurped town, to another due, Labor to admit you, but O, to…

Weightlifting is a great way to get into shape and feel young again. That being said and out of the way, half of the people who lift weights are complete fools who know nothing about the more intricate details of the sport. How many people do you see in a gym that waste so much…

Marketing beer in present-day America involves psychological studies, multi-million dollar commercials, taste-testing, and tightly conducted surveys. In the not-so-long-ago-days-of-yester year, hundreds of brands abounded, many with a now seemingly quaint, if not downright strange approach at appealing to beer drinkers. Here are some strange examples of Brew-ski Obscura Americana: Schlitz Sunshine Vitamin D Beer: In…

Finding a place to rent is always a hassle. You have to wade through tons of classified ads as you buy paper after paper just hoping that you’ll find the right one, not wanting to go and walk through another hole in the wall. Having just finished an apartment hunt myself, I know the pain…

WordPress is a blogging software. But WordPress is also being used as a CMS by some people. I am now using WordPress for a Content Management System. It was a little hard to figure out at first. But there are so many plugins out there that you can get it up and running in no…

Most times, we are too close to a situation to see or understand a problem. When we hear stories like the ones concerning problems with youth today, the first question that comes to mind is, “How can something like this happen? When we were younger, this never occurred.” Most parents often forget that this is…

Shrek the Third is the latest in the Shrek series of movies. A cute, fluff, 3D cartoon, Shrek the Third is a good find for five year olds. When King Harold (John Cleese) of Far Far Away is on his death bed, he asks Shrek (Mike Myers) if he will take over as ruler of…

This is not directed toward most members of dating sites. It’s geared towards the likes of people who have been hurt time and time again by bad relationships, those with low self-esteem and the disabled, like myself, among others. I’m talking about those who badly want an honest, loving relationship. Here is the usual scenario…

In a survey of worst fears, public speaking was second only to death. Many years ago, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley recognized the need to overcome this fear. In October 1924, a group of men led by Dr. Smedley met in the basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana, California. Their purpose? To form an association…

How things have certainly changed over the last several years for the Dallas Mavericks. Once the doormat for the NBA, with one losing season after another, the Mavericks made it all the way to the NBA Finals this past season. Even though the series didn’t go the way they had hoped, it was a thrilling…

Fortunately for their friends and family, violinists are easy to buy for. Most violin players, regardless of skill level, are always interested in products related to their musical passion. Consistently buying top quality products gets expensive, though, so many players settle for lower quality than they’d like. Individually, however, many of the best quality products…

John Stuart Mill, in his book Utilitarianism, establishes a theory of human motivation that leads to his code of morality. Within his theory, even a person raised in an “evil society” would eventually be able to become moral, despite social conditioning. Mill believes humans are solely motivated by pleasure and pain-that is, the absence of…

With the preseason in full swing and the opening weekend less than a calendar month away, now is the perfect time to glance in at all 32 NFL franchises and get a scoop on what to expect this season. I will be grading every team on all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and…

Do you want to make your physically challenged adult spouse’s life easier? Do you want to make your part in a physically challenged friend’s life easier? Better? Here are some great gift ideas for adults with physical challenges, such as manual dexterity issues caused by muscular dystrophy, balance issues, weakness and even temporary muscle atrophy,…

Samuel Adams was born to a wealthy and powerful family in Boston, Massachusetts. His father, (also named Samuel Adams), was an important landowner in the Boston area, and his second cousin John Adams would one day become the first vice president and second president of the United States. Unfortunately for old Samuel Adams, he would…

Boat sails can be made into some impressive things around the house, preventing you from having to throw them away, and giving you a new decor piece as well. Yard sales around marinas are a possible source for acquiring a used sail. There are usually ads selling used boat sails, too, in towns where there’s…

Lake Tahoe, on the border of California and Nevada, is a popular vacation and an ideal place for a romantic getaway or honeymoon. Lake Tahoe is a stunning lake nestled among the forested mountains. there are many resorts and hotels offering romance packages for couples. Following are just a few of them. Resort at Squaw…

Peter Cetera, since he left Chicago in 1985, has had a number of top ten songs on the charts. But this article on Peter Cetera will feature my favorite top ten songs sung by this man, chart-topper or not. So here’s my top ten songs from Peter Cetera via his eight full-length solo works and…

In the last installment of the Game Boy system, Nintendo shrank the hand held down to the mini, giving it a smaller screen, and a more streamlined appearance, but is this an improvement on the GBA? The original Game Boy only played LCD style games in mono color, but is remembered fondly as the very…

Tall pots are best suited for deep-rooted plants, shrubs, or small trees. Small pots are ideal for shallow-rooted plants and flowering bulbs. Trailing and cascading plants and vines are excellent additions for hanging baskets. Then there are the other alternate choices. From bowls and boxes to barrels, wicker baskets, and even old boots, nearly anything…