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Archive for November, 2008

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romance

Romance Novels – Genres within a Genre

When going over some of the very first Romance Novels , it's safe to say that the genre has definitely changed greatly. From novels based on chivalry and slaying dragons, to those depicting the life of a love-torn low society female,  Romance Books  have evolved over the decades. Nowadays, the books all seem to have a reoccurring theme- one that portrays love, passion, lust, and the emotional and physical effects of pursuing the emotion.

While romance novels today all revolve around a pretty common theme, as a genre overall, romance books don't fit into just one category. Nowadays, romance novels are often listed under sub-genre titles, rather than just romance. If you're an author of romance novels or a reader who loves these types of books, it may be beneficial to know the variety of subgenres that make up what we call the romance novel. Below are some of the most commonly seen romance novels in today's world:

1) Contemporary Romance – Romance novels written after 1945 are often called contemporary romance books. They have a strong focus on love-based relationships. Characters are often those conflicted yet seeking love. These novels often revolve around a female character as opposed to a male.

 

2) Historical Romance – Historical romance encompasses books written before 1945. These books take place in various time periods and in variety of locations, and may have themes that involve adventures, love, and chivalry. Many of these novels have more of a focus on men and how they were meant to be unafraid and willing to do the unthinkable for their love of a woman.

 

3) Inspirational Romance – Inspirational romance involves a romantic relationship that is heavily based or revolved around some sort of religious or spiritual belief. The relationship within the book has a heavy connection to religion in this subgenre.

 

4) Young Adult Romance – Young adult romance novels are very similar to contemporary romance novels, although the characters and themes involved are geared more towards a younger crowd. This usually involves younger characters in situations that teenagers can identify with.

 

5) Paranormal Romance – Paranormal romance novels involve love and passion, but many times the main relationship involved takes place with paranormal events integrated into it. This subgenre also includes those novels that are set in some sort of fantasy or future world.

 

6) Erotica –  Erotic Books  are usually extremely romantic, as many of them follow the "happily ever after" guidelines. However, they have a bit more eroticism throughout them than other romance books. Erotica books are romance books with heavy touches of lust, passion, and sex.

As time has passed, the romance novel changed and was molded into what it is now. Because of these changes, it is no surprise that libraries are filled with all types or romance books that fall under a variety of subgenres. No longer are romance novels entirely focused around the same one theme. Instead, that theme has been altered, and with added elements that allow readers a wide range of reading options.

About the Author

Carmella Borcher is the author of this article and is an avid fan of romance novels - particularly erotic books and erotic ebooks.

 

manufacturers

Contract Manufacturing

Contract manufacturing, put in simple terms, is a company contracting with a manufacturing firm for the production of components or products. Many industries use this process, including the aerospace, defense, computer, semiconductor, energy, medical, food manufacturing, personal care, and automotive fields. Some types of contract manufacturing include CNC machining, complex assembly, aluminum die casting, grinding, broaching, gears and forging.

In contract manufacturing, the hiring firm approaches the contract manufacturer with a design or formula. The contract manufacturer then quotes the cost of production based on processes, labor, tooling, material costs and the quantity required. Typically a hiring firm will request quotes from multiple contract manufacturers. Visits to the manufacturing facilities are also common before a contract manufacturing deal is signed. After the bidding process is complete, the hiring firm will select a source, and then, for the agreed-upon price, the contract manufacturer acts as the hiring firm's factory, producing and shipping units of the design on behalf of the hiring firm.

There are many benefits to contract manufacturing. Companies are finding many reasons why they should be outsourcing their production to contract manufacturers. However, production outside of the company can come with risks attached. Companies should identify how they will benefit from a partnership before deciding whether or not they should contract manufacture.

A primary benefit to contract manufacturing is cost savings. Companies save on their cost of capital because they do not have to pay for a facility and the equipment needed for production. They can also save on labor costs such as wages, training and benefits.

There are mutual benefits to both the hiring firm and contract manufacturer. A contract between the manufacturer and the company it's producing for may last several years. The manufacturer benefits from knowing that it will have a steady flow of business during the contract period. The hiring firm benefits from skills that they may not possess, but the contract manufacturer does. Additionally the contract manufacturer is likely to have relationships formed with raw material suppliers or methods of efficiency within their production that are of benefit to the hiring firm. Contract manufacturers are likely to have their own methods of quality control in place. This can help insure quality that is of benefit to the hiring firm. Contracting out the manufacture of components or complete products can also allow hiring companies to focus on their main business and sales. Since contract manufacturers have multiple customers that they produce for they, and their customers, may benefit from reduced costs in acquiring raw materials due to economies of scale.

All of this together makes contract manufacturers an appealing solution for many companies.  Although there are risks as well as benefits, almost all the risks are based on the integrity of the contract manufacturer. If companies are smart and careful about what contract manufacturer they go into business with the union is usually beneficial to both businesses.

About the Author

Domaille Engineering specializes in contract manufacturing from their office in Rochester MN. As one of the world's foremost contract manufacturing companies, Domaille is now providing the engineering and manufacturing expertise to a broad range of industries.

usa made sport and exercise equipment

Whither Nigerian Sports?

Apart from the importance of sports in human history, sports create employment opportunities, amasses a large followership and bring people from different backgrounds - as athletes to take part in various games, with spectators watching and administrators, directing, together.

As sports unify the people in victories, so the passion is felt during losses. Many risk their properties, money and even their spouses or other valuables through bettings, because of their craze for sports.

In short, sports are real business and as they spread across the world, the bug caught up with Nigeria in the early 50s. Then, Nigerian sports started as a mere exercise among the colonial masters, but later she registered her presence in world’s sports, when the country had her first appearance in the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952.

It took the most populated African nation only two years before she recorded her first victory in 1954, when Emmanuel Ifeajuna won a gold medal in the high jump event at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff.

The record of early success achieved by Nigeria in global sports would not be complete without a mention of Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey, who became the world featherweight boxing king in 1957 and Dick Tiger, who won the middleweight crown and later the world light heavyweight crown.

Chioma Ajunwa, Nwankwo Kanu, Mercy Akide, Mary Onyali, the late Muda Lawal, Olusoji Fasuba and Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, to mention just a few are celebrated sports people in their own rights.

Sports actually began to take solid root in the country in the 60s, when the National Sports Commission (NSC) began to function.

In 1973, the National Sports Festival was introduced as an avenue for discovering athletes who will represent the country in continental and international competitions. The first National Sports Festival which was held in Lagos attracted over 6,000 athletes.

The 70s witnessed tremendous successes as the Green Eagles won gold medal in the All-Africa Games, while the country’s contingent to the games won an overall second position on the medals table.

1976 and 1977 also saw the country recording victories in continental football tournaments, when the IICC of Ibadan and Rangers of Enugu excelled in the Cup Winners Cup Competition.

The country’s exploits continued to soar through the 80s and 90s with uncountable achievements, especially in football. The Eagles, led by Christian Chukwu, won the Africa Cup of Nation’s for the first time in Lagos in 1980.

In 1984 and 1988, Nigeria again got to the finals of that championship, only to lose on both occasions to Cameroon.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets won the Kodak U-17 World Cup, now known as FIFA U-17 World Cup, in China and the Flying Eagles nearly did the same at the Saudi ‘89 U-20 World Cup, but lost narrowly in the final to Portugal. Nigeria’s victory “the miracle of Damman,” over Russia after trailing four goals behind and with just 25 minutes left, is still fresh in our minds.

Nigeria also won silver and bronze medals in the male and female categories of 4 x100m at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Apart from these, many Nigerians had distinguished themselves in various sports.

The exploit of Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team at the Atlanta ‘96 Olympics, where they won gold medal in the football event cum Ajunwa’s glorious feat by winning a gold medal in long jump, put an icing on the cake for Nigerian sport globally.

There are other achievements recorded by Nigeria in international sports, such as Eaglets’ triumph in Japan ‘93 and Eagles’ qualification for the World Cup for the first time in USA ‘94.

Above all, her first position at the Coja 2003 All Africa Games and recently, the FIFA U-17 World Cup success in Korea 2007 stand the nation out as a land that is blessed with human talents and natural resources.

The talents in the country are so many that many, out of either neglect by those in authorities or due to personal reasons, ditched Nigeria to feature for other countries in various sports. One of them is Hakeem ‘The Dream’ Olajuwon, who played and won gold medal for the USA basketball team at the Barcelona ‘92 Olympics

Francis Obikwelu, Gloria Alozie, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Rasak Omotoyosi and Emmanuel Adebayor are Nigerians, but these great sports personalities opted to compete for other countries. The list is endless.

While the defection of athletes to other nations, including even the neighbouring Togo and Benin Republic is taking its toll on the nation as a result of poor sports administration in recent times, the numerous achievements recorded over the years have not been sustained by the country.

The country’s various teams in all sports struggle, not only to qualify for championships, and when they manage to, the teams perform woefully and inflict untold sorrows on sports loving Nigerians.

It has been a line up of disappointments and tragedies as the nation’s sports continue to nosedive. The downward slide of the economy is not helping sports either.

At the recently held FIBA-Africa Basketball Championship in Libya, D’Tigers, Nigeria’s male team crashed out in the quarter finals to Cameroon. The team are now ‘looking’ for the goodwill of a wild card to earn them qualification for the FIBA World Cup in 2010.

In athletics, the country’s representatives did not only fail to reach the finals in the events they entered for, (except the 4×400m relays male and female), they came back with three cases of female athletes who failed dope tests, thus dragging the country’s name into disrepute.

Other sports like swimming, handball, volleyball, hockey and boxing have not performed any better, the country’s representatives only feature in championships to make up the number.

Football, ‘the number one sport’ in Nigeria, is not left out, it has been a  tale of woes and tragedy from one tourney to the other.

FIFA, the world soccer governing body, once banned Nigeria from featuring her junior team in age-grade competitions, due to discrepancies in ages of players. Sadly, not much has been learnt from this.

The Eaglets are competing in Nigeria 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup, because Nigeria is hosting, since the team failed to qualify for the event coming up this weekend.

The Flying Eagles’ second round exit from the recently concluded U-20 World Cup in Egypt was another sad tale for the nation’s football.

The Super Eagles are faltering in the 2010 senior World Cup qualifying series, as Coach Shuaibu Ahmodu’s squad now rely on a slip by group rivals, Tunisia, to make the finals in South Africa.

The female team, Super Falcons , who have been African champions since 1991, placed third at the 2008 African Women Championship, losing to ‘minnows’ like Guinea in the semi finals.

“A proper planning prevents poor performance,” so says an adage. Sadly, that is not Nigeria’s style of doing things. The nation’s fire brigade approach to preparations has failed on many occasions, yet the administrators prefer to wait till the last minute before inviting athletes for camping ahead of competitions.

This cannot work. Developed nations like USA, Germany, Russia, Great Britain and others plan well ahead of time before competitions. Also, politics, favouritism and bias exist in Nigerian sports from the administration of the games down to the selection of coaches and athletes.

Until these drawbacks are eliminated, Nigerian sports will continue to record poor results. Sports generally ought to get  equal attention from the government, who sponsors a large percentage of Nigerian sports. Sadly, only football enjoys that privilege, leaving other sports, otherwise known as ‘lesser sports’ to suffer.

There should be massive scouting for quality young talents, who would replace the ageing athletes and should be given quality training to ensure they compete favourably with the best in the world. The target here should be to get an immediate result.

Lastly, there is the need to upgrade the dilapidated facilities across the nation, while a sports policy should emphasise the maintenance of the facilities.

The potential and equipment at the country’s disposal are enough to change the fortunes of sports in Nigeria if those in authority are sincere about tax payers’ money.

About the Author

www.fastonnews.blogspot.com

patriotic society

Inauguration of the American Credo Society

"An astute and committed populace of different minds and a united spirit is a nation's truest guardian and greatest treasure"

As a lifelong student of United States history, l cannot help but notice and remark on the conspicuous activities that are occurring throughout the Nation under the popular designation Tea Party. I would say the most impressive element of this phenomenon is the very thing that makes it phenomenal; the fact that people of all walks of life from all of the United States are participating, in many instances having absolutely nothing in common aside from the issue at hand. This is not only singular and unprecedented in our history, it is the very essence of Americanism.

 Among all of the points of interest {and there are many} that stand out regarding this current high level of citizen activity, there is one in particular that I feel is exceptional and dramatically significant; although the various activities are political in substance and nature, the Tea Party Movement is not connected with a specific political party. Moreover, and on the contrary, this national juggernaut seems to be a direct result of nonrepresentative activities, which elected Democrats and Republicans are equally and unquestionably guilty of.

 Although the term Tea is popularly thought of as an acronym of Taxed Enough Already, I maintain that since the basis of this fallacy is more precisely a reverse acronym, the term itself was borrowed from the Boston event of 1773. Furthermore, I get the impression that the actual mission of the current Tea Party Movement is more substantial than merely a national anti-tax protest.

I perceive the Tea Party collectively as a concentrated effort of rectification...A Grand Constitutional Remonstrance of sorts.

 Although on occasion it seems that the Republican Party is attempting to appropriate this effort, the majority of Tea Party participants have nothing to do with individual political party associations. On the contrary {once again}, one of the primary incompatibilities the Tea Party Coalition has castigated severely is political party rivalry within the United States government; rivalry that generally leads to nonrepresentative activities. This in itself is quite a kettle of fish, as it is a circumstance that is extremely complex and disconcerting. The compounding point of fact here is; the Tea Party participants are committed to resolve their grievances within Constitutional boundaries. Hence the difficulty--there is no mention within the Constitution of the United States concerning the United States government maintaining integral political parties, or, for that matter, there are no references to political parties at all.

 The lamentable oversight, or should I say remiss, within The Virginia Plan to lay out specific limitations and guidelines concerning political party activity within the United States Government has caused various unpleasant repercussions since its ratification nearly 230 years ago.

And so, we are witnessing what seems to be a tempest in our Tea pot slowly coming to a boil.

 

"There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."

Excerpt from George Washington's Farewell Address

 

Since I cannot ease the current anguish let alone diminish the adversity that appears to be mounting, I would like to at least mitigate a portion of its potential wrath by striving to identify the root of the problem, or, perhaps glean a solution. Once either is achieved, I think the people of this Nation will have goals to work toward rather than issues to protest against. Remember the old adage; doing is much more wholesome and constructive than complaining about what is done.

Well, maybe it is not an old adage, but it certainly should be.

Since it is not possible for me to achieve success on my own, and, as I am committed to do my part, I am inaugurating The American Credo Society.

I am commencing the Society's agenda with ten primary questions {with an added safeguard question} to work through. An endeavor which, when complete, should offer some degree of comprehension that will at least avail us a sound course to proceed on, rather than a theoretical path of conjecture that some may inadvertently choose. I do not feel that anything less than persistent scrutiny and sincere commitment will achieve the overall and necessary goals.

Primary Questions

1. What defines the United States of America?

2. Are the United States collectively and ultimately, a land mass that is subject to the greater manifestation of popular opinion?

3. Have the United States become an anomalistic sort of federation; a monolithic unit--The United State of America?

4. Are the United States an indivisible band of individual republics dedicated to the protection and continuance of the greater republic which they comprise, by adhering to a mutually beneficial written testament of right and justice?

5. What defines a citizen of the United States?

     a. A person who lives within the geographical boundaries of the United States?

     b. A person who has the correct papers identifying them as a citizen?

     c. A person who is officially recognized as a citizen?

     d. Something more? Please be specific.

6. What are the obligations of a citizen of the United States?

7. What are the requirements of the government of the United States?

8. Is the United States Bill of Rights a testament of right and justice that is absolutely irrefutable by the United States government, as well as State governments?

9. Was the United States Constitution expressly written and structured to limit the United States government and its activities; or to give license and right to it?

10. What authority over the people of the United States does the Constitution confer to their Government?

Safeguard Question: How may we determine whether the individual responses to the previous ten questions are perceptual, realistic, or merely hopeful?

No, this is not a term theme; I see it more as an unofficial citizen think tank where any person's answer may lead to the desired result--What was, what is, what should not be, and what must be done to bring back what once was.

I am genuine in my intent and methods. I feel it is a plan that will render a worthwhile conclusion; one that may even assist this worthy Republic to achieve a Constitutional Renaissance. Please do not offer simple Yes or No responses, as we may only benefit through discursive correspondence, in-depth scrutiny, and genuine subjectivity.

We will isolate each question and consider the reality of its substance objectively. Above all, we must maintain our sense of proportion and not correlate one question with any of its nine companions; as such could influence and potentially flaw the remaining answers.

We will then proceed to scrutinize our findings, and compare our answers to the Safeguard Question.

The American Credo Society would like anyone interested to get involved and respond to any or all of the ten primary questions; give opinions as well as personal admissions.

Since genuine opinion may come from any mind, and wisdom may only be determined as fact in retrospect no matter how impressive the suggestion may sound; the only submission requirements for any contributor and their contributions are decency and sincerity.

This society is not affiliated with any political or religious party, institute, church, or sect. Therefore, views any and all with the respect they individually deserve and also acknowledges their right {if any} of existence.

Aside from broadening the scope of our primary questions, the Society's future ambitions include gathering a reference and resource library list of relevant books & monographs, and documents & articles that offer history, fact, opinion, and theory on/of the following areas of distinction; if you have any in mind, please email me the specifics:

Areas of Distinction

1. Political science

    a. Citizen obligation

    b. Government obligation.

    c. The achievement and maintenance of both.

3. Education.

4. History pertaining to the above listed areas of distinction.

We look forward to hearing from anyone who is willing to comment, offer a review, or add a written work to our reference and resource library list.

Finally, if you choose not to join the society's public discussions, at least read the questions and define your answers privately; you might be surprised with your own responses. By the way, there are no registration requirements or formalities attached to this society. When you visit our page you are a member.

The society is still in its infancy, so please be patient, be consistent, and be in touch with us. Our ultimate hope is to enlighten and clarify the individual minds of the American people, while enkindling their united spirit.   

About the Author

Diogenes Vindex is the product of a self-imposed education; the devisor of the Vindex Homeschool Curriculum, and also the author of Derivation Incognita: A Comprehensive Study into the Peopling of America. Please visit TheUmbrage.com to learn more about his available works, and to give your opinion.