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If you are searching for one of the most unique and powerful desktop computers on the market, then you will want to definitely view the following product. The Sony VAIO TP Home Theater PC Desktop, Model: VGX-TP20E/B has been outfitted with some of the most powerful technologies to not only boost your applications, but also display your favorite movies and video games in true cinematic quality. This desktop also features one of the coolest designs; with a sleek black circular design, this desktop is small, but when it comes to this computer, size really doesn't matter. The average price for this Sony VAIO PC Desktop is $1,280 and it can be purchased online and through select retail stores.

Product Rating:

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Processor and Hard Drive:

The processor within this Sony VAIO TP Home Theater Desktop is the highly advanced Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, which features dual-core technology. Because there are two execution cores within this desktop computer, you will be able to enjoy a higher level of performance, which is ideal for media purposes.

With a hard drive space of 500GB, this Sony VAIO TP Desktop will provide you with ample storage for all of your multimedia files. Since this is a media-driven desktop computer, all of the technologies used within its design are outfitted to provide you the best in media performance. The hard drive features a run/write speed of 7200RPM, which will access and run your files extremely fast.

Noteworthy Technologies:

This Sony VAIO TP Desktop features the NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT Graphics Card. This advanced graphics card will provide you with over 1GB worth of video memory so you will have some of the greatest graphics available to you. When you combine this with the Digital Visual Interface, movies and video games will be showcased with extraordinary image depth and vividness.

The slot-loading optical drive will allow you the capabilities of creating CD/DVDs through dual-layer technology. However, this optical drive has been outfitted with BluRay formatting, so you can watch the latest BluRay DVDs. The high-definition audio system will provide you with the latest in audio technologies to provide you with high-fidelity audio that is brilliant and vivid with depth.

Connectivity Options:

You will be able to connect to the Internet through the 802.11b/g wireless interface, as well as through the wired 10/100Base Ethernet connection. There is an HDMI port that will allow you to connect this Sony VAIO TP Home Theater Desktop directly to your high-definition television. I highly recommend doing so to enjoy the full capabilities of this desktop computer.

Far from being the “quaint” perhaps even backward nations of a generation or two earlier, China and India are both now advancing both in terms of productivity, technology and a effective multi-million person workforce. China is the focus of much international investment, although as the recent Time-Warner pullout shows, not without some nationalist (no pun intended) setbacks. India has been advancing its educational systems, now turning out engineers, IT experts and other 21st century technological savants in some ways outpacing the Americans. With both nations primed to exert their influence on their region- primarily Southeast Asia (as a beginning) should we see these two as competitors or partners in an efforts to strengthen commerce in Asia as opposed to the Western nations, including, of course, the U.S.? We cannot remain as spectators.

The balance of power in Asia is not merely shifting to China's economic emergence, but the efforts of China and India to come to some sort of agreement and rapprochement, especially with the threat of Pakistan and its nuclear capabilities (and its Muslim extremists) lurking.

The People's Republic is both a marvel, economically and politically, as well as a potential threat, economically and militarily. “A nation with a fifth of the world's population has had a bad 500 years….And then, in the space of a few decades, it steps forward. Its economy grows at a rate for which the word `miraculous' seems too modest. Its culture shows a new vitality. Its armed forces modernize. And the rest of the world watches, impressed and nervous at the same time, wondering if the new giant still seethes with resentment….A friendly China?… a China that saw itself as a natural enemy of the United States? So: which will it be?” (Auchincloss et al 24)

Historically, there have been major differences between these two. In fact, diplomatic relations were severed often and the two nations were barely on speaking terms. “These differences are now being edged aside by growing economic links. Annual two-way trade has risen from a few hundred million dollars in the mid-1990s to $3 billion this year, and India hopes to see that rise to $10 billion within five years. Cheap Chinese toys, locks, and other consumer goods are flooding into India. Such competition is causing concern in Delhi; but Indian manufacturers are responding by setting up operations in China to turn out goods varying from tires to microwave ovens” (Anon 3). The Economist also points out some other recent developments that are bringing the economic needs of these two countries closer together: “India also worries about losing its status as Asia's leading producer of software. Though its software exports this year are expected to top $8 billion to China's $1 billion, China has been sending teams to learn the secret of India's success. Responding to the implicit challenge, Indian software companies such as NIIT and Infosys are moving into China. All this, says an Indian government spokesperson, is “adding value and content to the relationship” (Anon 4).

However, it is important to recognize that there are still problems between these two increasingly powerful nations. “The fact that relations between China and India today seem to be better than at any time during the last 40 years should not lead to the assumption that all the hurdles in the relationship have been overcome” (Mohan 317).

It is important to look back at some dealings with the People's Republic of China during the Reagan Administration, and some documents recently released to the public. Document 9 is a very meaningful Security document which covers the efforts of China to develop and test nuclear weapons. What is worrisome, in hindsight, is the assessment that “qualitative improvements that the Chinese are developing for their nuclear warheads will depend on both overt contact with U.S. scientists and technology, and the covert acquisition of U.S. technology.” (Richelsen Doc 9). This document was prepared only three days after the economic “rosy” friendship plan, outlined in Document 8, was sent by the White House. Still the assessment is that, even though China has become a nuclear power, compared to Russia, it is far too small to be considered a risk. Again, this seems to be proof of the Reagan Administration's concentration on the Russian “Evil Empire” and not be as concerned with the emerging Chinese atomic weaponry. But, documents now show that China, during Reagan's Administration seemed to have been getting covert help from highly placed American scientists. The document specifically states that the progress of their nuclear experiments may be “benefits they are deriving from both overt contact with U.S. scientists and technology and covert acquisition of U.S. technology” (Richelson Doc. 9). This news is not surprising. Yet, what is surprising is that there was little if any public announcement of having caught and punished those who gave overt technological help to the People's Republic of China.

Some investigations did bring out the fact that there seems to be a belief among U.S. intelligence experts that between 1986 and 1988, the Chinese stole sensitive U.S. nuclear secrets, including how to make a miniaturized W-88 hydrogen bomb. China successfully tested its own small hydrogen bomb in 1992. One can even consider this wishful thinking on the part of the Administration, feeling it can “persuade” mainland China to be far more amenable to overtures from the U.S. to be a more “friendly” power than Reagan might achieve with Russia. It is clear, therefore, that the Reagan Administration's priority is to defeat Russia, and somehow to neutralize China with friendly overtures.

Russia is now out of the picture, of course. Instead, one must face the Asian realities of China and India- as competitors and, in some cases, as partners. Pakistan, of course, has “the Bomb.” But, India provided its own nuclear capabilities ion 1998. At the time, India saw China as an enemy. “Just before the (nuclear) tests (in 1998) India's defense minister explicitly singled out China as India's ‘number one' security threat” (Frazier 6).

Looking to more recent efforts to capitalize on the enormous size and potential of China and India, please take note of comments made by an Indian economics:

“For the world at large, as well as for the neighbours (sic) of China and India, it is true that the incremental increase of what in China is called ‘comprehensive national strength'… will cause restructuring in global resource allocations, investment decisions, financial inflows and outflows, technology developments, and may affect the hitherto established power balance…For this, the first requirement is that India and China, as the two largest countries in the world, must be open to each other” (Ranganathan 6).

We should be aware that diplomats from both nations are now encouraged to speak to audiences in order to make them receptive to future cooperation. For example, the Chinese consul general in Mumbai recently said “…as the two largest developing countries in the world, China and India have extensive common interests in international political and economic arena. The friendship and cooperation between the two countries not only serve the fundamental interests of our two peoples, but also contribute to peace, stability and development in Asia and the world at large. Both of us favor a multi-polar world, both of us should shoulder the responsibility to maintain the regional and international peace, both of us should work together to protect the various interests of developing countries” (Song Deheng 4).

It is a somewhat disturbing fact that the U.S. foreign and economic policies toward India are balanced with the need to remain friendly with India's “enemy”- Pakistan. At the same time that India is moving toward better relations with China, the U.S. is still uncertain about how to deal with China. Chalmers Johnson, president of the Japan Policy Research Institute. has a theory:
“I believe that the contradictions and inconsistencies of American policy toward China are not caused by conditions in China. U.S. policy toward China is the same policy it has toward the rest of the world-namely, it wants a Washington-centered world, hegemony, to be the ‘lone superpower,' the ‘policeman of the world,' the ‘reluctant sheriff'… a world order that is American-inspired, dominated, and led” (Johnson 8).

Frazier (2000) provides some proof that India is moving closer to truly good relations with China, rather than an adversarial one. He cites the fact that “Many Chinese strategists now cite India's policy forbidding Tibetans in India to engage in political activities against China as an example that indicates a solid basis for bilateral cooperation” (Frazier 39).

Some political critics see India and China's improving relationship not so much a threat against the U.S., but proof that American policy has not been working as well in Asia. “India's approach to the management of tensions with China offers important lessons for other regional actors in how to manage relations (especially on sensitive issues) with China. New Delhi has handled Beijing more successfully than Washington has during the corresponding period” (Rahm 91). Rahm (2001) also points out that India and China have established and maintained regular reciprocal high-level personal visits between political leaders. Both states have improved trade relations and take care to compartmentalize intractable issues that continue to irritate long-standing tensions.

Once India and China move even more closely together economically, if not politically, the power of the world's two most populous nations will surely dominate Asia. The economic strength of Japan will wane. The emergence of economic facilities in Singapore, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian nations will fall under the dominance of India/China- a behemoth to be feared. What must be recognized is that a China-India economic alliance will create a presence in Asia, and perhaps elsewhere, that will affect the U.S. “As developing countries, both China and India are interested in gradually integrating their economies into the global trading system in ways that provide the necessary protection and transition time for their industries to adjust” (Yuan 4).

Despite all the closer ties, there is no doubt that in the coming years these two countries will challenge each other for some sort of economic domination in Asia, and then, worldwide. This struggle- and the eventual “winner” should be of concern to American business and our economic and foreign policies.

Given the background above, what should American priorities be concerning China and its attempts top form some sort of economic alliance with India. Some suggestions:

1. A major problem is that China as well as India is now turning out an engineering- and technology-minded young generation, willing to work at salaries far below that of the U.S. Some sort of international wage standard must be set up which no longer puts American, higher-salaried workers behind the eight-ball.
2. Some sort of détente, or entente must be formed to make certain that China, as well as India use their nuclear techno logy for peaceful purposes.
3. A way must be found to reduce the export-import gap which now makes the U.S. a world-wide debtor nation. The weakness of the dollar and low wages in China are a danger to American manufacturers. Here is an example to watch closely:
“To get a sense of how completely China dominates low-cost manufacturing, consider Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is America's – and the world's – largest corporation. Its revenues are eight times those of Microsoft, and make up 2 percent of America's GDP. It employs 1.4 million people It is legendary for its efficient – some would say ruthless – efforts to get the lowest price possible for its customers…Last year Wal-Mart imported $18 billion worth of goods from China. Of Wal-Mart's 6,000 suppliers, 5,000 – 80 percent – are in one country, and it isn't the United States” (Zakaria 28).
4. As a result of China's Most Favorite Nation status, the U.S. and its internationally-minded industries must be given access to development of their markets in China.
5. U.S. Foreign policy cannot stand by while China and India form an alliance that sees Pakistan as a common enemy.
6. If Chinese students are permitted to come for an education and training in the U.S., equal opportunities for Americans to gain a foothold in China's growing technology and entrepreneurial emphasis must be offered by the PRC.
7. India cannot replace the U.S. in mutual trade agreements and sharing of information and facilities.
8. The U.S. must eventually make some effort to try to reunite Taiwan and mainland China. Even without American support, Taiwan is already setting up some business activities on the mainland. “Taiwanese business owners began setting up factories in Mainland China in the 1980s. The trickle became a flood in the past few years, much of it pouring into the Shanghai region, where 400,000 Taiwanese now live, and more than half of Taiwan's investment landed last year” (Meredith 194).
9. We need to come to terms with the fact that China is outpacing us, and every other nation in the world. We need to realize that low wages do not necessarily mean shoddy workmanship. “Two decades of reform, a more pragmatic Communist government, and the raw industry of the Chinese people have produced an economy growing faster than any other in modern history” (Newman 34).
10. While the President in his Singapore address (Nov., 16, 2006) warned against isolationism and protectionism, the fact remains that some sort of equalization is needed to guard the U.S. economy from losing even more manufacturing jobs to the cheaper Asian nations, especially China and India.
Given these priorities for harnessing in China's massive economic surge, the main question to be answered is: Should the U.S. fear the People's Republic of China? Given the books, texts and others written by so-called Western “Chinese experts”, the answer is Yes. Not military fear (despite China's nuclear capabilities). It is the fear that the enormity of China's population and its still-strict political control will not easily yield to pressures from the U.S., and perhaps the EU, to curb its low-wage practices.

In looking ahead to mid-century, one area of concern today that surely will play a larger role is China's increasing dependence on oil, which, at this point, it has none within its borders. “China's oil needs are expected to more than double over the next two decades to just over 14 million barrels per day, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration projections – roughly two- thirds of current U.S. consumption” (Marshall A 1). So, where will China turn? Currently, it is dealing with Iran (part of Bush's “axis of evil”). Will China's oil supplies be in line with nations more closely allied to U.S. interests? And if not, how will this be seen as a political and economic “brush-off” to U.S. priorities in Asia? It may be simplistic to say so, but if China 2050 is to be a fully developed instead of a developing nation, it cannot necessarily play to Uncle Sam's tune. China's Asian dominance must come from its ability to go one-on-one with Western interests and not give in to American or EU interests.
In the segmentation of defining China s a fully developed nation at mid-century, we can never overlook its political status- that of a Communist nation with no view toward reducing central governmental controls over nearly everything. “Chinese politics rarely announces fully fledged designs for future reform in the sense of a deviation from the existing ideology; for example, it avoids the term privatization in spite of several waves of privatization running across the country” ((Herrmann-Pillath 549).
China and India will continue to both compete and attempt some economically strategic alliances. But, regardless of the literature now available, the future is more guesswork than reality. What this research has shown is that, essentially, the true status of The People's Republic of China in 2050 is more guesswork than reality. Chances are economic growth will continue, and that China's dependence on foreign oil and foodstuffs will increase and that the priorities for upwardly mobile Chinese will be economic benefits rather than political change.

Perhaps the real problem that affects the U.S. is that, try as we might, we simply do not understand China- its traditions, customs, political and social priorities. China simply does not play by Western rules, and we need top accept that fact and live with it.

References:

Auchincloss, Kenneth; Klein, Joe; Levinson, Mark; Barry, John; Watson, Russell; Lin, Melinda; Wehrfritz, George; Elliott, Dorinda, and Oksenberg, Michel: “China on the Move” Newsweek, April 1, 1996

Frazier, Mark W.: “China=India Relations since Pokhran II: Assessing Sources f Conflict and Cooperation” AccessAsia Review, July 2000

Herrmann-Pillath, Carsten: “Cultural Species and Institutional Change in China” Journal of Economic Issues, Sept. 2006 Vol. 40, issue

Johnson, Chalmers: “The United States Should Not Try to Control China” San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale.

Meredith, Robyn: “Reunification, Chinese Style” New York: Forbes Oct 28, 2002.Vol.170, Iss. 9; pg. 194
Marshall, Tyler: “The Price of Asia's Growth; The U.S. is no longer the sole power that many nations look to for trade and protection” Los Angeles TIMES, Nov. 6, 2005

Mohan, Malik J. China-India relations in the post-Soviet era: The continuing rivalry”
Oxford UK: The China Quarterly. Jun 1995.,

Newman, Richard J. “China's Turn: Its exploding economy has tipped the world on its axis. At what point does it become a real danger?” U.S. News and World Report Jan 20, 2005

Rahm, Julie:M.: “Russia, China, India: A New Strategic Triangle for a New Cold War?” Parameters, Winter 2000/2001 www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/01winter/rahm.htm

Ranganathan, C. V. “India-China Relations: Problems and Prospects” World Affairs, Vol 2, Number 2 (Apr-Jun 1998) www.ciaonet.org/olj/wa/wa_apr98rcv.html

Richelson, Jeffrey T. (ed.):”From Hostility to Engagement, 1960-1998 www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB19/
Document 9: “Nuclear Weapons Systems in China” April 24, 1984

Song Deheng “Speech on the Seminar on India-China Relations Today” April 2, 2005 mumbai.chineseconsulate.org/eng/xw/t191575.htm

Yuan, Jing-dong: “''Sino-Indian Relations: Perspectives, Prospects and Challenges Ahead''
Power and Interest News Report (PINR) March 30, 2005 www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=283&language_id=1

Zakaria, Fred: “Does the Future Belong to China?” Newsweek, May 9, 2005

No author listed: “Bridging the Himalayan divide; India and China. (China and India)(improving relations)” The Economist (US), March 30, 2002

Dark circles under the eyes can be caused by different factors. The most common cause is lack of sleep, which makes the skin appear paler, emphasising the blood vessels under the eyes that are near to the surface. As we age our skin thins causing the same effect. This effect will be exaggerated by genetic factors or if we naturally have deep set eyes. Fluid retention causes dark circles by dilating the blood vessels under the skin in this area, and dehydration can also cause them. People suffering from iron deficiency anaemia will often get dark rings under the eyes.

During the allergy season people may rub their eyes, irritating them, which can cause dark circles. Nasal congestion can cause puffiness and darkness under the eyes by reducing the natural drainage of the area.Many of the causes of dark circles can be addressed through diet and lifestyle changes, or by vitamin supplementation.

SLEEP

Make sure you get enough sleep. The amount needed varies from person to person, but if you don't get enough it will show up first in your eyes and the area around them.

HYDRATION

Drink plenty of water. This will prevent the dehydration that can cause dark circles, but also has many other health benefits. Water is one of the best beauty treatments for your skin. Substituting other fluids for water will not always work, caffeinated beverages and alcohol are diuretics and will worsen the problem. Green tea or water flavoured with fruit juice, such as lemon, are beneficial as they provide antioxidants and vitamin C respectively. In Chinese medicine dark circles under the eyes can be seen as a sign of kidney imbalance, a problem that may be helped by drinking more water.

FLUID RETENTION

Cutting back on salt and drinking plenty of water to flush the system help with fluid retention. Lying down for five minutes with cold tea bags, cucumber or potato slices over eyes can reduce the puffiness associated with fluid retention in the eye area.

IRON

If you are anaemic you may appear to have dark circles under your eyes, due to a contrast with the surrounding pale skin. Get tested if you may be anaemic and either take an iron supplement or tray and eat more iron rich foods, such as red meat (not fatty) and dark fruits and vegetables.

VITAMINS

Many vitamins are important to skin health, including Vitamin C, Vitamin K and vitamins A and E. the best way to increase these vitamins is through diet. By eating a wide variety of different fruits and vegetables it is possible to obtain enough of all these vitamins, but good quality supplements are available to boost intake. Vitamin C taken at the same time as iron will boost its absorption. It also has the added benefit of strengthening blood vessels.

SKIN CREAMS

A lot of modern skin creams that claim anti-aging and skin-lightening properties contain vitamins, particularly Vitamin C and Vitamin B3 (niacin). Trials with these creams often show amazing results. It is better to include these vitamins in your diet if possible. They will work better from the inside.

Let's face it. The Batman swooping over Gotham City in the Dark Knight, or Legolas felling a mammoth in the Lord of the Rings were never meant to be seen on a small screen. These are images that look good king-size, big-screen, larger than life. And for those of us who can't yet afford to purchase a movie theatre, we rely on video projectors to do the job. And we're here to see if Samsung's latest offering, the ultra-stylish SP-P410M delivers the goods. Let's get on with it.

Right off the bat, it needs to be said, that this is one extremely cool looking device. It has a glossy black metallic tinged finish, and has metal grilles on either side. Also, the traditional lamps have been replaced by LEDs, effectively nullifying the replacement and heating issues.

The SP- P410M has touchscreen controls, and while these are nifty, they can be a bit difficult to find in the dark, and may lead to wrong key presses. A better option here would be to use the remote control.

The SP- P410M supports a variety of video formats, including Xvid along with the standard MPEG-1 and MPEG-2. Audio formats supported are WMA and MP3. There are composite as well as VGA inputs at the back of the device, and a USB port, allowing you to connect a removable drive directly to access your favourite media instantly. There is no audio output on the SP- P410M, and while the internal speakers are quite adequate, they aren't enough for a larger room.

The colour resolution and image quality are commendable, and among the best seen on any projector, thanks mainly to the 170-lumen brightness spec of the SP- P410M. The default resolution on the device is 800 x 600, although it scales up to 1280 x 1024. The colour fidelity fades slightly under normal lighting conditions, but looks excellent in the dark. You may use one of several quality presets on the device, according to the task at hand. It also has the invert and mirror functions, thus allowing you to project images either on a vertical surface, such as your ceiling, or at the rear end of the room. Also, since downscaling some images reduces their fidelity, the SP- P410M includes inbuilt digital noise reduction.

The unit itself is quite heavy, and can be a pain to carry around. Although the carry bag provided houses the components of the unit nicely, it can be quite clunky to carry around. This projector may be used on a normal desktop surface, although it is recommended to use the provided tripod mount, for better image stability.

All in all, the excellent image clarity, the convenience of the LED lamps, and an impressive set of inbuilt features make this a hard choice to pass over when it comes to LED projectors. The SP- P410M may have a few things going against it, but it hardly mars the overall impact of a great offering from Samsung. Two thumbs way up!

If you keep freshwater aquarium fish, you will find that they will get sick from time to time. There are a variety of reasons for fish to get sick. A change in water quality can cause them to be more susceptible to disease. Introducing new fish or new water to a tank can introduce a disease to the water. Fish who have been in a fight and have an open wound are also vulnerable to disease.

Ich

One common disease for freshwater fish is ich. Ich makes the fish look as though it has been sprinkled with salt. The disease appears as tiny white dots all over the fish's body. The fish will often rub and scrape against aquarium décor. Ich is a highly contagious parasite, so if you notice ich in your tank, you need to treat the entire tank immediately. Even if only one fish is sick, the rest of them have been exposed, and treating the entire tank will kill the parasite before more fish succumb. Ich can eventually be fatal, so take care of it as soon as possible. It can be treated with over-the-counter water treatments.

Fungus

Another common disease in freshwater fish is fungus. Fungus can look like a white slime or white mold-like puffs on the fish's body. Like ich, fungus might also cause the fish to scrape against aquarium décor. If left untreated the fungus will eventually eat away at the skin of the fish and kill it. Fungus is also contagious, and can be treated by over-the-counter water conditioners.

Clamped Fins

Clamped fins are another common problem you might notice in your fish tank. This is an indication that fish are getting sick. If you notice fish with clamped fins, then thoroughly clean your tank. Clean the gravel and do a one quarter water change. There is a product on the market called Quick Cure that is great for just about any disease, and since clamped fins can be an indication of many problems, after you have cleaned your tank, add the appropriate amount of Quick Cure. Add some aquarium salt to the tank. These steps should kill whatever is bothering your fish.

Open Sores

You may notice that a fish has a sore on their body. This can happen because the fish was in a fight with another fish, or because it brushed against something sharp in the tank. Quickly take action if you notice a sore because it will make the fish vulnerable to infection. Follow the same treatment steps as you do for clamped fins. This will help speed up the healing process before an infection can set in.

Gasping at the Surface

If you notice your fish gasping at the water's surface, it does not mean that the fish is hungry. It means that the fish does not have enough oxygen in the water. Check your filter to make sure it is functionally properly. Fix it if it needs to be fixed. Then check the temperature of the water. Also, inspect the surface of the water for oil or other problems that could be harming the quality of the water. If none of these things are the problem, add some aquarium salt and water conditioner.

Don't Wait!

Taking immediate action when you notice a potential problem can help keep your fish from getting more serious and harder to cure diseases. Do not take your fish's health lightly. Remember, they are counting on you for everything in their environment. Make sure it is safe and healthy!

Here are some cheats and tips for this latest addition to the Need for Speed series. If you have a memory card with data from Need for Speed 2 on it, EA hooks you up with some extra cash too. 

Cars that can be unlocked…
- Castrol SYNTEC Ford GT : At start menu press Right, Left, Right, Up, Down, Up, Down.
- Aston Martin DB9 : Defeat Blacklist Boss #7
- Audi A4 3.2 FSI Quattro : Defeat Blacklist Boss # 14
- BMW GTR : Defeat Blacklist Boss #1
- Chevrolet Cobalt SS : Starter 
- Corvette C6.R : Complete entire game
- Fiat Punto : Starter
- Mustang GT : Defeat Blacklist Boss #2
- Lamborguini Murciélago : Defeat Blacklist Boss #4
- Lotus Elise : Defeat Blacklist Boss #8
- Mazda RX-8 : Defeat Blacklist Boss #12
- Mercedes Benz SL 500 : Defeat Blacklist Boss #11
- Mitsubishi Eclipse :  Defeat Blacklist Boss #14
- Pontiac GTO : Defeat Blacklist Boss #10
- Porsche 911 Turbo S : Defeat Blacklist Boss #5
- Porsche Cayman S  : Defeat Blacklist Boss #10
- Subaru Impreza WRX STi : Defeat Blacklist Boss #9 
- Vauxhall Monaro VXR : Defeat Blacklist Boss #10

I'll have some more posted as I play more of the game, so come back for more!

Instructors at the college level can and do adopt different personas to achieve specific atmospheres in their classrooms. From the moment an instructor steps into the classroom, the students begin to evaluate that instructor and the class. As an instructor or potential instructor, it is important to understand the persona you are creating and construct it carefully so that your persona fits the atmosphere you wish to create. Of the many personas that can be adopted, one of the most prominent is the Buddy/Buddy or friend instructor.

The friend instructor tends to deemphasize his or her role as authority in the classroom. Often, this instructor will break the traditional “mold” for classroom structure. That is, the friend instructor will avoid standing at the front of the room as a representation of knowledge (will avoid lecturing) and avoids keeping students in straight, forward-facing rows. Instead, the friend instructor will often sit amongst his or her students and favor circles over lines. By breaking the standard structure of the academic lecture, the friend instructor hopes to connect with students on a more personal level and to encourage connections between students.

Not only will the friend instructor teach in this manner, but the friend instructor will also have the students work in this manner. The friend instructor favors group work and communication to foster an inclusive, friendly, group atmosphere. The goal is to turn the staunch, all-for-me, standard academic mood into an inclusive, collaborative atmosphere where ideas may be shared for a greater cause, thus creating better and more intelligent product in the end.

Although all of the previously mentioned ideas would seem to be positives, the friend or buddy/buddy instructor persona has many drawbacks.

First, the friend instructor often has challenges controlling the discussion in the classroom. If students see the classroom as an open forum and the instructor as another peer, they often talk without heeding the conduct of the class or the instructor's directions. This can become a problem when lesson plans require adherence to a timeline of events.

Often, the friend instructor has a problem convincing students to turn in assignments on time or come to class. This may be innocent. For instance, a student may feel that a friend instructor will not care if the assignment is late. Thus, they would not see a problem with a late assignment. However, this is often malicious. Although many students are honest, many are not. They will take advantage of any perceived weakness and the friend instructor is often perceived as weak or lax. The malicious student will use this to his or her advantage.

Essentially, the friend teacher often creates a more friendly environment marked by cooperation and highlighted by vibrant class discussion. However, the friend teacher also creates an environment open to non-academic discourse and abuse of perceived lax rules. When considering the buddy/buddy or friend instructor approach, weigh the option carefully.

Some people try to live a life free of “drugs” thinking that the only bad drugs are “street drugs”. Many people need some drugs to try to live a somewhat “normal” life.

Depression, anxiety, social phobia, panic disorder, bi-polar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality, manic depressive just to name a few. We don't know what to do about what we are feeling and the only thing we can hold on to is our doctors the people that are going to “make you better”. Granted they will give you medicine to help your feelings and to balance your unbalanced brain, BUT do they really tell you everything? do they take the time to explain the REAL DAMAGE this drug is going to do to your body? The physical and emotional dysfunction? If we were their daughters/sons would they still suggest it to us?

Drug withdrawal from one specific drug (Effexor XR) it's almost borderline with insanity.

First you feel depressed, then you visit your doctor, the one that does not ask enough questions about all your symptoms, the one that flips his prescription paper as easy as shaking your hand, then you buy the so called “miracle drug” the one that is going to solve all your problems and it's going to give your life a new meaning, you buy your drug and the parade starts. You introduce this new wonder to every one of your organs. Hoping that they don't reject the new fellow.
Weeks pass, you ask yourself is this dizziness is normal? Did my pants shrink? Why am i so numb and insensitive to other peoples feelings or situations, i just don't feel like myself.

Did your doctor tell you that with this drug (Effexor XR) you will gain weight, you will feel unsensitized, you will feel absolutely tired, that it affects your digestive system, that it alters your blood pressure and that it can damage your liver? and worse, that if you try to stop it you will feel such withdrawal to the point of wanting to rip your skin apart? Your mental status is so altered and the pain in your body is unbearable that the twitching and the dizziness and not being able to focus on anything destroys your relationship with your kids, your husband, your classmates, your friends? You will get mood swings and i mean from extra happy to crying inconsolably to rage in only 5 minutes, and at the moment the only person that exists is you and your body symptoms. When all this goes on, a minute it's an Hour.

I came to find out the hard way, it is true that doctors tell you some of the side effects “The mild ones” not the ones that alter your life in an unreal way.

Here is my story:

I have been suffering from panic attacks for several years now, and i will not lie to you it is hard!. But with time i guess you just have no other choice but learn strategies on how to try and feel better, unless you want to be miserable for the rest of your life. I have been in many different medications for this disorder. I started with Xanax for lack of sleep, and mixed it with Paxil XR, for the actual Panic attacks. I gained the “fantastic number” of 50 pounds in a matter of 4 weeks. While the pill was treating the panic the weight was causing depression. At this time i had to deal not only with feeling anxious (not in the same level as i used to without the pill) but also feeling depressed and down. Next after about four months into the pill, i started loosing my sex drive so i started getting frustrated.

I was still feeling a little anxious and now depressed and frustrated and not to mention horrible headaches that i got with Xanax. I called my doctor and he prescribed LEXAPRO a drug that was newly out in the market. Here is when my three day nightmare began. Upon taking this medication, i started feeling tingling all over my body and suicide came to mind, simple like putting my face on the fire or, when i was in the ER, getting those big scissors and jamming them into my neck you know simple things like that, was i scared? Absolutely!

Doctors made me sign a paper that said ” I will be taken care of and watched closely while they change my medication” I did not know what the conditions of signing this paper meant all i wanted was to get better, so i did, i signed. Next i know they are taking me to another hospital strapped down to a bed, and leaving me behind closed doors where you needed a key to get in or out, and the nurses where the only ones to have a key. Then is when i realized the gravity of my reaction to Lexapro. I was in such a manic state i started thinking they thought i was crazy and they are locking me up forever.

The reaction my brain had to this drug was absolutely devastating.

On my three day vacation at the locked in hospital, they started me on Paxil again, I was 110 lbs when i started taking it again and of course it did not fail to put me up there again to a great number of 132 lbs, this time they mixed it with Seroquel so i can sleep. Slowly but surely the drug started doing what it suppose to do, and my brain was “working” again.

Because of side effects mentioned before with this drug, i asked the doctor to see if he can put me on something different.

Effexor XR was introduced to me. It was my “miracle drug” for like three months before i started feeling what it really did to my brain, my nervous system, my intestines, my weight (now I weigh 152 lbs) and the way i looked at life in general.

So the question remains and it is probably never going to be an answer. Is it really worth it to give up more than what you get ? And then again what are our options? Who is going to tell us exactly how our specific body type is going to react to the drugs administered? How to know? Can we live without drugs? Or are we trapped in this web without a way out? It is just a circle that I hope one day would just open.

Please be informed, do some research , care for yourself ,ask lots of questions don't be scared or embarrassed it's your life after all, get second opinions. This miracle that is your body only has one life take well care of it be proud of it.

Warmest Regards.

Angels are loved by many and now you can be surrounded by them with these instructions for making several different angel projects. Make a seashell angel by first using a large mollusk shell for the body of the angel. Glue lace around the bottom for a frilly hem. Glue a little more lace around the smaller portion of the shell for a neckline. Use contact cement to glue two clam shells behind the mollusk shell, for wings. Place a wooden bead above the lacy neckline and glue into place. Paint eyes and a mouth with a toothpick dipped in paint. Now glue a large cotton ball on top of the wooden ball for hair. Use a golden craft ring, found in the wedding section of most craft stores, as a halo. Glue only the back portion of the halo onto the back portion of the cotton ball. This will allow the front of the ring to hover over the hair. To use the angel for an ornament glue a loop of twine onto the mollusk shell before adding the clam shell wings.

Quickly make a magnetic angel mirror by purchasing a small round or oval mirror at a craft store. They usually come in a pack of three or four so you can make this craft for a few friends as well. Look around the store for an angel (you'll find many types and sizes) that's flat on the backside. Paint around the edge of the mirror with glitter paint. When dry, affix the angel to the mirror, over to one side. Attach a magnet to the back and place on fridge or another metallic object. You can also mount the mirror, without the magnet, on a piece of wood to use for a wall hanging.

Purchase an inexpensive doll body, small and made of plastic or ceramic. Dress it in a white satin shirt, found where you purchase the doll. Glue gold or silver sequin to the satin shirt or leave plain. Glue white feathers to the hem of the shirt, attaching quills to the hemline. Use several layers to make the skirt very full. Use a piece of quarter-inch wide ribbon to hide the quill area. Ribbon should be gold or silver. Purchase small golden ring to use for a halo. Now arrange white feathers, on the back of the body, as wings. The wings should span from beside the head to about the waist area.

Use an old-fashioned clothespin (the kind without the spring) to make a cute angel. Draw a face on the clothespin, making sure the clothespin is turned to where the angel appears to have legs. Gather lace, satin or another white fabric to where it's small at the top and full at the bottom. Slip the clothespin into the skirt and glue in place, just under the ball of the clothespin. Fashion arms for the angel out of white pipe cleaners, wrap them loosely in white lace, then glue them to the “shoulder” area. Cut two wings from gold foil paper and attach to the back.

Cut two strips of white or beige fabric, about 2″x8″, rounding the top of one side of the strips. Sew them together, leaving the straight side open, turn and press. Fill the tube with cotton balls or batting. Sew shut at bottom. Draw a face on the rounded end of the tube. Use a long piece of white lace or satin and gather it on one side. This will cause the other side to flare out, making a nice skirt for the angel. Glue the gathered side around the tube just under the drawn face. Tie a piece of ribbon around the neck to hide the gathering stitches. Purchase and glue a small amount of doll hair on top of the rounded end of the tube. Glue a craft ring on for a halo. Cut wings from gold felt or foil paper and attach them to the backside.

Use a ball Christmas ornament to make one more gorgeous angel. Remove the hanging loop and crown section from a ball ornament. Spread the crown section apart somewhat to use as a base for your angel to stand. Center the base onto the rounded side of the ball and glue into place. Glue a wooden ball onto the neck of the ornament then paint on a face. Glue doll hair onto the wooden ball and add a tiny golden ring to the hair. Glue a few white feathers around the neck of the ornament making a skirt that allows the ornament to be seen underneath. Glue small flowers at the neckline, making it appear that the angel is holding tiny pink, yellow or blue flowers. Purchase craft wings and attach them to the back.

Bright lights, fine barbecue, and the best blues heard anywhere are the hallmarks of Beale Street in Memphis. One of Tennessee's top tourist attractions, visitors come down to Beale Street in increasing numbers each year but in addition to the blues, the street has a far more diverse history.

If the music first found voice in the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta, the blues were born down on Beale Street in Memphis. Almost a century ago, blues master W.C. Handy penned the first blues song and Beale Street was never quite the same. As one of Memphis' oldest streets, Beale Street has a history all its own but remains proud to be the cradle of the blues, the birthplace of rock and roll.

Named for a long forgotten soldier back in 1841, Beale Street was one of the city's affluent districts in that decade. Immigrants began arriving from around the world and Beale Street was soon home to a variety of businesses – produce stands, theaters, clubs, stores, pawn shops, churches, and even brothels. Located near the busy downtown district and not far from the cotton warehouses and wharfs down on Front Street, Beale Street boomed. A site on Beale Street served as Union headquarters for General Grant during the Civil War. Early populations in the area included both African-American and Irish. Many of the Irish men joined the police force and their heritage is highlighted in the Beale Street Police Museum today. After an Irish youth died in 1866, race riots between Memphis residents of Irish ancestry and African-American citizens began. Many of the black residents of Beale Street fled as Irish-American burned and looted Beale.

Other immigrants who settled on or near Beale Street included those of Jewish, German, and Italian extraction. Between 1872 and 1878, several cholera and yellow fever epidemics hit Memphis. By 1878, half of the city's population had died or left the city. Because African-Americans had a greater immunity to disease, many remained in the Beale Street community. After the epidemics ended, they worked to rebuild the community.

By the early years of the 20th century Beale Street was booming. Music rang from the many churches and the clubs. Night life began to become a vital force down on Beale Street. As a result, a unique combination of colorful characters, free flowing cash, music, and booze created the atmosphere where the blues were born.

Blues music has deep roots in the agricultural South. From the cotton fields to the river wharfs and the plantations, African-Americans created their own blend of music. Some of the harmonies and rhythms came from Africa and were handed down through several generations. Church music added to the mix with sacred rhythms and harmonization. When this all-American breed of music reached the city streets of Memphis, the juke joints and honky tonks gave the tunes another twist.

Famous blues man William Christopher (W.C.) Handy was a band leader and he wrote the first documented blues tune in 1909. Written as a campaign theme for a infamous Memphis politician, “Boss Crump Blues” soon became “Memphis Blues”. The sound spread through the clubs and was picked up by Jazz orchestras who liked the new music.

Music was the main feature of turn of the century Memphis. Young musicians began arriving from the Delta and from across the nation. In 1913, the hot number was “St. Louis Blues” and blues was a musical revolution. Both Soul and Rock and Roll were styles that came from the basic blues. Some of the blues scene's most famous players began down on Beale Street. Alberta Hunter, Muddy Waters, Furry Lewis, Memphis Minni McCoy, and Albert King are just a few. In the 1940's, a young man named Riley King arrived, guitar in hand. He soon earned the nickname of the Blues Boy of Beale Street and found fame with another name – B.B. King. His club remains part of the local landscape on Beale Street. Nearby, Handy Park offers musicians an open air outlet for their tunes and pays homage to the man who started it all – W.C. Handy. A bronze statue memorializes Handy.

By the 1930's, the Depression affected Beale Street with the rest of the nation. The famous blues mecca declined until in the 1960's, urban renewal plans threatened the future of Beale Street. Although a few of the historic buildings were lost, the city of Memphis acquired the district in the Seventies. By 1982, a major redevelopment was underway and although many feared that Beale Street would never return, the first club re-opened in 1983. Others soon followed and the historic street rang with music once again.

Clubs, shops, and restaurants are all part of today's Beale Street. Memphis landmarks like A. Schwab Dry Goods Store remain. The store was founded in 1876 and has remained in the Schwab family for generations. Dyer's Hamburgers, another Memphis tradition, sells their trademark hamburgers on Beale Street. Blues music is dominant but other music, including gospel, fusion jazz, reggae, and soul, are also heard. Souvenir shops are side by side with blues clubs and street vendors add to the unique ambiance found only on Beale Street.

In addition to the Beale Street Police Museum, look for the Blues Music Museum, the W.C. Handy House, and the Memphis Rock 'n Soul Museum. A small museum is also found on the second floor of Schwab's store. By day or night, Beale Street still bops to the beat of the blues traditions born here. The blues are alive and well in Memphis – down on Beale Street.