A graphic designer is a professional who designs and creates various types of graphics to be published via printing or electronic media. A prospective graphic style artist must have an eye for art and creativity in first place. In addition to the talent, a graphic style artist should possess acceptable educational qualifications and training certificates in the area to be competitive.

The main pathways to become a graphic designer are through a training course or by self study and practice. Almost all the computing schools and universities offer degrees, diplomas and certificates on graphic outlining. There are programs in multimedia, graphic design, advertising, animation, web development, 3D animation, Interface outline and so on. Nowadays, most graphic artists have a bachelor’s degree, commonly in graphic draft or fine arts. A degree cannot exhibit a designer’s artistic skills but it is considered essential to have some paper qualifications to gain competitive advantage in the job market.

Or else an interesting person can follow short-term training courses which are available in training institutes. A student can specialize in various graphic outlining software packages by following these short-term courses. As well as the knowledge of creating concepts, a graphic creator should show some proficiency in one or more graphic design software tools to fit the industry demand. The most widely used software in the graphic design industry is Adobe Creative Suite. It includes the well-known designers’ tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver etc. It is very much important for a graphic drafter to be conversant with those software tools either by taking a course or by just playing around with them. For a web graphic designer, it is further beneficial to learn at least the basics of some programming languages like HTML, CSS and Jscript. Except for these widely known technologies, it is important for graphic creators to be observant about the new software tools and latest trends arise in the field.

There’s a set of soft skills usually seek by the graphic model recruiters.

Those are:

• Good design sense

• Fresh and unique ideas

Good communication skills and interactions

• Client-service oriented

Stress handling and meeting deadlines

• Attention to details

• Good vocabulary

• Good at catching errors

All together with these talents, skills and education, a graphic creator must gain some good experience to go a long way. Similar to many other careers, establishing a strong career as a graphic stylist cannot be achieved overnight. Once the stylist is in the track, he should gradually build up a portfolio. A portfolio is an initial way to demonstrate his talents and capabilities to the clients or employers.

The other important practice for a good graphic stylist is to develop his own style. A professional graphic stylist should gain enough knowledge and experience to come up with his own exclusivity. A graphic designer should always follow a certain unique style to become an outstanding professional. If the others can identify the creator just by seeing his designs, it’s going to get him so much of reputation.

In conclusion, an eye for art, a good educational background, familiarity with design tools, soft skills and uniqueness together make a competitive graphic creator.

Many people sometimes receive a call from a number, which they do not know, or from someone who hides their numbers on purpose to threaten you. To get such calls can be quite irritating to say the least. Luckily, there are now solutions to these problems you might encounter. One such option is the cell phone people search database service which allows anybody to make use of it, even the police and the FBI make use of this kind of service for information in certain cases and with great success. It is quite important that you must understand when you search for a unlisted number to keep in mind that most of the available databases it is not really free, many of them will tell you that you must pay a fee for the information you require.

Unfortunately, you cannot block these calls if it is from an unknown number. Without the necessary assistance there are no way you can trace such a call or number and that is the reason why you need a people search cell phone number service at an affordable price to get rid of these unwanted calls. This is especially valuable in the case where someone is threatening your life or trying to stalk you for some unknown reason. Many people are using this service to block numbers of companies phoning them to try to get them to open unwanted accounts.

Even if you want to find a long lost friend, people search by cell phone can become very handy. You might not have the numbers of the friends you are trying to find but with this service, you are able to get the information you need with only a name and surname. Thanks to the kind of technology we have available, it is a task, which they make much easier for you. You only need to click enter on the reverse search option button, enter the information they ask (name, telephone number or street address) and press the search button. Within seconds, you will get that person’s details like the telephone number and address if the person has a listed telephone number. The only disadvantage you have with this system is that you will not get information, which is not on the database, should you make use of the free services online.

It is genuinely worth the effort when you search for a number to make use of the services or options available online, because people search by phone number has become one of the most popular search options these days. You now have the opportunity to make contact with people you have not seen in years. Another reason you might have to make use of this type of service is to see if your partner is as faithful to you as they say they are. Just make sure that you are ready for the truth when you get the information you request. You easily use a reverse cell phone lookup to perform a accurate people search.

Have you ever strolled into a bar, spotted that really hot chick across the room, finally got up the courage to approach her and then completely blew it when you couldn’t find anything to say? You are not alone! Picking-up women can be an art form and that is why so many people study it. When it comes to pick-up lines, if you are going to use them, make sure you are using the best.

When you are using good pick-up lines, it really is a lot about the delivery. Majority of the time, the girl most likely is not going to be completely oblivious to the fact that you are using a pick-up line on her so you have to say it with the right attitude and lots of confidence. Once you get the attitude and confidence right, then the lines you use don’t matter as much. There is quite an array of lines to choose from though, anywhere from cheesy to sweet to sarcastic to funny, so let’s find what works best for you.

If you like the cheesier pick-up lines then you may like these:

Sorry, but you owe me a drink because when I looked at you, I dropped mine.

God must be a jerk because when he made you, he was just showing off.

Apart from being so good-looking, what else do you have going for you?

Wouldn’t we look adorable on a wedding cake together?

If you tend to be more on the ‘sweet’ side, some good pick up lines are:

Excuse me, but I think it’s about time we finally met.

* fake answer your phone * Hello? Mmmhmmm. *turn to the girl * Excuse me, it’s Cupid and he’d like you to give me my heart back.

You are so gorgeous that it gives the sun a reason to shine each day.

Thank you, I can die a happy man now since I’ve finally seen a piece of heaven.

If you like sarcastic pick up lines then you MUST make sure you say them in a sarcastic tone or else the point gets lost. Here are some really good pick-up lines:

Hey, your eyes are so cute! No, the left one is definitely cuter than the right one actually.

Wow! Your shoes are really nice, but how much shorter are you without them?

-this one is best if she’s acting arrogant- Well now missy, don’t you know that beauty is common these days? Finding a girl with brains and a good personality is hard to find and you obviously have the looks, but you may need to work on the other two aspects.

If you prefer to be funny, here are the best pick-up lines:

Does your name happen to be Summer because you are hot as hell!

May I have your picture? I need show Santa what I want for Christmas.

My friends and I bet that I couldn’t get the chance to talk with the most beautiful lady in the bar tonight. Would you like a drink? They’re buying.

Contrary to what most people say, long distance relationships can work! Nobody said that it’s easy being in one but if both parties are both devoted then there’s no reason why you have to worry so much. I’ve been there so I know!

A logical long distance relationship advice I can give you is to always make time for your special someone. Just because you are far away from each other and you can’t do stuff together (physically), it doesn’t mean that you will just completely ignore your partner and put him or her at the bottom of your priorities.

With the advent of technology, communicating with your loved ones (no matter where they are) is very easy and a lot more budget-friendly. Aside from texts and phone calls, you can also take advantage of various instant messaging applications like YM, GTalk and Skype. Make it a point to hear from each other at least once a day. Don’t let the day pass without talking to each other. Remember that when you are away from your special someone, all the more that you need to establish some sort of strong emotional connection.

Another valuable long distance relationship advice I can give you is to try to visit each other as often as possible. Well of course that will depend on your budget and how far away you are from each other. If your partner lives on the other side of the world, maybe once a year will do for as long as you get to spend quality time while you are with each other.

It doesn’t mean though that only one person should make the effort. This can eventually lead to resentment. Both of you need to find ways on how you can see each other more often. Keep in mind that you need some physical contact to keep a relationship going.

Lastly, the long distance relationship advice I can give you is to be thoughtful and by that I mean do not forget birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions. A handwritten card is always appreciated. Of course you do not need any reason to give your partner a little something once in a while. Do so without occasions. Send your girlfriend or wife a bouquet of flowers, chocolates or anything that she will appreciate. It’s the little things that mean a lot.

For a band, great photographs are a necessity. They are one of the most important tools in spreading the band image, increasing fan awareness, and promotion of new music. This makes band photography sessions even more important than regular photography. As such, it is important to make sure the photos send the appropriate message and present the band in a way that will advance its purpose.

There are so many bands looking for photographers for promotional shots, so all you have to do is make sure they find you! It’s pretty much a given that a band has a Facebook or MySpace page or website, which will enable you to offer your services. You can either search for bands locally or artists that would be interesting to work with. It’s awesome to work with young bands as they’ll be thrilled by the prospect of a photo shoot and want to do something new and exciting. On the other hand, bands with a super status will be able to show your work to a larger audience.

The setting of your band photography session is of utmost importance. If the band wishes to project a heavy, dark image, for example, shots taken on a sunny beach are counterproductive. Consider easily accessible sites that will fit the band image. Abandoned warehouses, decrepit houses, cemeteries, parks, beaches, playgrounds, amusement parks, and many more sites can create great backgrounds for band photos, depending on the image the band wishes to present. Make sure, however, that you have permission to take photos at the chosen site well beforehand to avoid legal or other complications.

It is also important to consider how the band wants to be portrayed. Should the front person be highlighted through different poses or positioning or should all members be shot equally? Typically, the front person is the face that most fans will recognize and identify with the most but many bands prefer to be photographed as a unit with no member taking special importance.

During the band photography session, consider unusual effects or poses. Having one member facing backward while everyone else is face front is an eye-catching effect. You may also consider taking individual photos of each member displaying his or her unique personality. These shots can then be compiled into a stunning collage that will really reflect the band’s image.

The possibilities for a band photography session are limitless. Costumes, props, setting, and poses should all be chosen with the band image and purpose in mind. For best results, the band and photographer should reach a clear understanding of the band’s vision ahead of time. By doing a little planning ahead of time and thinking creatively, band photographs can be bold, unique, and very valuable to the success of the band’s image and promotional efforts.

What’s the first thing that enters your mind when you think of MIT, the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology: engineering genius, mathematical wizard, visionary, geek, hacker? If you chose any one of those, you would be correct. Mix them all together, add some smoke and mirrors, big-time anonymous investors, a dash of anarchy for good measure, and you get one of the best scams of all times–the MIT Blackjack Team–the ultimate in high stakes, genius-backed hacking! Infamy is nothing new to MIT. Some of the world’s wiliest hackers hailed from the hallowed halls of MIT; but when one gifted math professor and six gifted students banded together, they propelled organized hacking to dizzying heights and snookered organized gambling to the tune of millions! That was sweet music to the ears of millions who have left behind small fortunes in their quest to beat the casinos.

After school club

The MIT Blackjack team began as an after-school club held in campus classrooms where students assembled to apply their genius to card games, unwind (at least, by MIT standards), and have fun. The club eventually evolved into serious business. The team set up a complete underground system of casino mock-ups spanning apartments, warehouses, and classrooms scattered across Boston where they worked diligently to perfect their scheme. Before advancing to live play in the casino, each player had to pass a rigorous battery of tests encompassing all of the roles under simulated casino conditions, including distraction and harassment. Still, they were not ready for the big league until further honing their skills in Boston’s Chinatown before heading to Las Vegas.

Card Counting

Card counting, the heart of their system, is a proven winning technique. Blackjack odds offer the one opportunity for those with skill, dogged determination, and discipline to consistently beat the house. The casinos know that Blackjack is vulnerable (that smart, disciplined players actually have a fighting chance of winning), and that is why they ban the big winners and harass and threaten potential big winners.

Casino management further understands that it takes only one or two mistakes to turn a player’s winning system into a house win, and that is the only reason that they tolerate card counting–until it turns against them. They rely on human frailties, such as lack of discipline and distraction, to return the advantage to the house.

The MIT team used card counting as the foundation of their system; it was only one among a number of tools in their magical tool box, and even then, it wasn’t traditional card counting. It added a high-low system, based on the statistical probability of receiving high or low cards, and they added an additional technique for cutting the cards that further skewed the odds in their favor.

Team members traveled together, seemingly as total strangers. Each assumed one of a number of well-crafted fake identities, the teams included several types of players, each member playing a well-defined role. Anonymous investors provided the stake and expected a return on their investment. One such outing netted a 154% ROI after expenses. Transporting huge amounts of cash back and forth was another obstacle they overcame with ingenuity. Cash traveled in every conceivable manner: strapped to bodies, on “mules,” in hollow crutches, just to name a few.

High Tech vs Low Tech

Their reign spanned a good part of the 1990s when they traveled the casino circuit with total abandon. Their $400,000 winning weekend in Las Vegas is legendary. Casino technology was not yet at a stage where it could match wits with MIT genius. At least, it had not made its way to practical application in Las Vegas, Ironically, it would be low-tech sloppiness that brought the team down in the end.

The casinos had learned to deal with the card counters long before the MIT pikers hit the scene. When they identified a card counter, they would ensure that his play at the tables was a living nightmare, and should the card counter take the house for a large sum, they would immediately ban him. Technology in the 1990s had matured to a point where bad news traveled fast. When the card counter was detected at one casino, it became nearly impossible to escape detection at any other casino.

Profiled MIT Blackjack Team

Las Vegas casino bosses relied on a long-established profile of the Blackjack card counter, but since the MIT team ran counter to the profile, that also worked in their favor, helping them to escape detection. The profile assumed one lone card counter. The team’s nonchalant, seemingly random style of play also ran counter to the profile. But they were crazy like foxes–until they were no more.

Finally, sloppiness brought them to their knees. Eventually, they lost their discipline and their cool; the well-oiled machine built with the precision of a Swiss watch began to fall apart. They began to fraternize, and not just with the usual Las Vegas temptations, but with each other–in public. A total chance spotting of the teams relaxing and playing at a Las Vegas pool blew their cover. The tale of their unraveling wound its way back to the back streets of Boston before they finally disbanded. The odds had finally turned against them, and the stakes were far too high for even the geniuses from MIT.

The last remaining team player was escorted from the table with the parting words, “You can’t play here. You’re too good for us.”

Blackjack Team in the News

The tale of the MIT Blackjack Team doesn’t end with its demise. ABC, CNN, History Channel, and CBS’s 60 Minutes all picked up the story. Bringing Down the House : The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions (Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 2002), by Ben Mezrich, chronicles the escapades of the team from its inception to the end of the line through the eyes of team member, Kevin Lewis (not his real name). One enterprising former member currently offers seminars based on the system.

The final irony has yet to play itself out. Kevin Spacey is producing the movie version of the book, due to be released by MGM sometime in 2006. One has to wonder if the movie will help MGM recover its losses to the MIT Blackjack Team.

Those pesky ponies from the Eurasian steppes have a lot to answer for. They’re only small, but on their backs have sat warlike horsemen who have swept in from the grasslands of central Asia to terrorize the poor old farmers of Europe (and of China, for that matter – but more on that another day).

The Huns were one of the most famous of these nomadic peoples to have spread panic far and wide, and they were followed by Avars, Bulgars, Magyars and a whole host of less well-known hordes. The last, and probably most destructive, were the Mongols.

Avars, Slavs and Germans

The Avars are the resident culprits of Central Europe in AD 750. They came near to destroying the Byzantine empire, and the disruption they caused within Central Europe was an important ingredient in a more gradual, but profoundly important, movement of peoples that had happened between AD 500 and AD 750. This was the expansion of the Slavs into great swathes of territory to the west and south of their original homeland.

The Slavs seem to have accomplished much of this expansion by harnessing themselves to the expansing power of the steppe nomads. It was the nomads who did much of the fighting, but it was the Slavs who actually settled the newly-conquered lands. This actually makes sense – the horsemen were few in number (in most cases, no more than a hundred thousand, counting women, children and camp followers), and were herders rather than farmers by upbringing. The Slavs, on the other hand, must have numbered several millions, and were as skilled as any farmers of the time.

In the west, the Slavs were greatly assisted by the fact that hundreds of thousands of Germans had poured into the old provinces of the western Roman Empire. There was land to spare. To the south, however, the Avar war machine was of decisive importance.

Enduring Changes

In the long-run, of course, it was the Slavic expansion which really counted. The nomads were too few to make a big impression on the population, and they tended to dissipate their power through repeated bouts of in-fighting. The Slavs, however, stayed put for centuries in the newly-settled lands. They permanently altered the ethnic make-up of much of central, eastern and southern Europe, and the struggles which they put up to later German encroachments on these territories had a deep impact on all of European history, right into the twentieth century. But more of that later.

So, those little ponies from central Asia have a caused quite a few changes, one way or another.

I am very fortunate to have magnificent friends so I have experience with why friendship is so great. In this article I will share my list of reasons why friendships can be one of the most important relationships we experience.

1. Friends listen with their hearts as well as with their ears. Rather than just hearing the words we say, our friends hear and respond to the underlying emotional tone of what we say.

2. Friends take us in. They remember what is important to us and follow up when we get together to talk. They know when we are concerned or happy and the joys and challenges we experience in different phases of our lives.

3. Friends remember our favorite tea and our favorite color (which comes in handy when buying gifts) and make us feel special. I was at a bead shop recently and heard three women talking. One of the women pointed out a lovely red pendant to her friend and said, “Oh look at this, I think it is something that you would like.”

4. Friends get who we are. They understand why we react negatively to certain situations and people as well as what we love and value. After spending time with friends they understand us more deeply. They know about our backgrounds, our perspectives and responses and can let us know when we are being overly sensitive or when we could be more assertive.

5. Friends know when and how to offer help whether it be financial, emotional or physical. One of my friends helps me in all of these ways. She has an amazing quality of offering just what is needed and whatever she offers comes from her heart.

6. Friends help us to loosen the pride grip. I have always been fiercely independent and like to think I can do whatever needs doing by myself. I have turned down offers of help when I could have graciously accepted them I am becoming more aware of this, thanks to the help of my friends.

7. Friends are mirrors who reflect us back to ourselves, letting us know when we might want to think of things in a new way or act in a new way.

8. Friends are responsible for helping us to feel connected, heard, seen and understood.

9. Friends do not take each other for granted or have expectations about how the friendship will unfold.

10. Friends advise us when they see that we are not being treated kindly.

11. Friends bring out the love that is in our hearts.

So there is my list of reasons why friendship is so great. Perhaps reading this list made you think of people in your life who are great friends – I hope so.

Your cooling system should be flushed every other year. No, I’m not crazy, but with all the new chemicals they use today, it will literally eat up the rubber hoses and deteriorate the heater core, and the radiator core.

Have a drain pan under the drain plug, or the lower radiator hose, to catch the old fluid. EPA doesn’t want you to let it run out onto the ground–it will contaminate Earth!

Make sure the engine is cold! Hot antifreeze burns dramatically and it will burn you, too!

If you can get to the drain plug, (sometimes it’s hard to get to) you can put a piece of 3/8 inch hose onto it. Put the other end into the drain pan and open the drain plug. This will let the fluid empty into the drain pan–that way all the fluid will go into the drain pan and not spread out and drip all over the place. Remove the radiator cap.

If you want, and it’s much faster, you can remove the lower radiator hose from the radiator. Use caution, though, you don’t want to break the neck on the radiator–that’s a no-no.

It is better to have the drain plug opened, though, when you start to flush.

A word of caution! Antifreeze/summer coolant is very toxic. Don’t get it on the body paint, or on your skin. Wash it off with water! Another thing, it will kill your pets if they drink it, so keep them, and children, away from it, remember, I warned you!:-)

Some vehicles have a vent plug. It’s located near the thermostat housing (where the upper radiator hose is connected to). Open this to vent: the fluid will empty out better.

Now will be a good time to inspect the hoses. Look at the heater hoses: are they swelled near the clamps? Do they feel hard, or real soft? If so, replace them. The same with the upper and lower radiator hoses. If your vehicle has a by-pass hose (from the water pump to the thermostat housing) check it also. Don’t be skimpy here, a little for a hose now will save a lot later. Replace the hose clamps, too, if they need replacing. I hate those “clip” type, and they are usually in need of replacing.

You can get a “flush kit” at most auto parts stores. Read the instruction as to how to install it. Most of the time you can cut the heater hose going to the waterpump and install it there. They are designed to be a permanent fixture: you can leave it hooked up.

After you have installed the flush kit you need to hook up the garden hose to the fitting. It might be best for you to remove the thermostat, as cool water will close it and restrict flow.

Turn the water faucet on, not too much, and leave the radiator cap off and the drain open. If water spews from the vent plug opening, put it back in.

Crank the engine and let it idle. Watch the fluid coming from the 3/8 tubing. When the fluid is clear as water, ha, you can turn the faucet off and then turn the ignition switch off.

You may need two drain pans to catch all the fluid, plus, you will need to find a place in your city to dispose the fluid: a repair shop, or disposal plant. Do not pour it out on the ground: EPA!!!

Let the vehicle cool down. After the engine is cold you can turn the water faucet on again and reflush. There is no need to restart the engine, just let the water run through the block, heater core, and radiator. Let this go for about two or three minutes, then you can turn the water off and remove the garden hose. Put the cap that came with the kit over the spout after you remove the garden hose…you won’t have to remove the flush kit, just leave it there for the next time.

They make chemicals to flush systems that have a lot of rust and deposits in them, but this procedure will work in most cases.

Be sure you have the lower radiator hose clamp tight (if you removed it), and have the drain plug tight (remove the hose if you put one on).

Now you can add your antifreeze/summer coolant. Depending on where you live, most vehicle manufacturers recommend a 50/50 solution. Look in your owner’s manual and see what they recommend. If your vehicle holds two gallons of coolant, then you want to put in one gallon of coolant and one gallon of water.

If your vehicle doesn’t have a vent plug, you can fill the radiator to the top, then crank the engine. Note: If you removed the thermostat, be sure to reinstall it, I’d recommend installing a new one.

After you crank the engine, let it idle. Watch the radiator filler spout, water may overflow. If it does, put the cap back on. Feel of the upper radiator hose. When it gets warm to hot, then the thermostat has opened and you can remove the radiator cap slowly. If no water tries to escape, then you can remove it and add water.

Most vehicles of late have a plastic reservoir. After you have the radiator full you can fill the reservoir to the line on the side of the container, “full cold”, with water.

Now, start the engine again and let it idle. Look for leaks (repair them if you have any) and watch the temperture guage. If you have a light you will have to feel of the upper radiator hose to tell when the engine is at operating temperture: the hose will be very hot. Most vehicles run a 190o thermostat, so you won’t be able to hold the hose very long, unless you’re a hot-metal worker.

No leaks? Temperture ok? Fluid level full? You’re a genius! You are ready to do some more “maintenance” on your vehicle, and you don’t have to take it to the repair shop.

I need to make you aware of something when you are playing the personals to meet single women for love, romance, and a potential relationship. 9 times out of 10 if a single woman doesn’t list her weight in her personal ad, she is very likely to be overweight or even grossly obese. Plus, you need to be aware that when they do list their weight it may be a lie to try and hide the fact that they are overweight.

Of course, if you don’t mind dating overweight single women then it’s not a problem if they don’t list their weight or lie about their weight. And I commend you for the ability to accept a woman as a person and not judge her according to her looks and weight.

But, if you’re picky and desire a slender woman, I would advise you to ignore any personal ads where they don’t list their weight.

Let me make a few comments about men who won’t date single women that are overweight. I really don’t think it’s fair being prejudice towards overweight women. Unless they have a medical problem they can lose that weight and become the woman you desire. Also, overweight single women are hungry for attention and love because they sometimes get passed over in favor of more slender women.

Also, there’s another issue which I don’t think is fair. There are guys that are overweight with big potbellies that only want to date slender and pretty women and are turned off by overweight women like themselves. Well, I think they should take a good look in the mirror and picture how their gross-looking body can turn off single women.

It works both ways. There are a lot of single women who are turned off by overweight potbellied men. If you are overweight, I highly recommend that you get on a healthy diet and exercise regimen to trim down. It will help you to attract and seduce more single women. Besides, it will give you a lot more energy and it’s good for your mental and physical health.

In closing, I highly recommend that you don’t overlook single women that are only 10-30 pounds overweight. This is not that much to lose to get to their ideal weight and when they do lose the weight they will really look hot & sexy and they will be very proud of their body. Plus, women are overly sensitive about their weight and may feel grossly overweight even though they only need to lose 10-30 pounds. This can work in your favor when you show a lot of interest in them. This makes them feel needed and wanted and they will admire the fact that you can accept them as they are even if they are a little bit overweight.