Christmas PS3 Blues

Patience is a virtue, and you're going to have to be pretty virtuous if you're one of the millions of UK PlayStation Fans awaiting the arrival of the PS3. As if it wasn't bad enough we had to rewrite our letters to Santa this year (because it now won't hit our shelves until March), we're also all going to be green with envy as the web fills up with the usual reviews, cheats, and walkthroughs etc from sites in the States where they will get their hands on the console from November 17th.

Personally, my patience (lost my virtue a long time ago) ran out already, and my craving for HD gaming led me to the xbox 360. I suspect many others will do the same this Christmas and I don't blame you. To not release the most hyped console of all time for Christmas has got to be the craziest decision Sony has made (apart from the choice of software packed with their MP3 Walkman - but don't get me started on that one). It can't even be based on format because the PS3 will be region free, and you can play any PS3 game on it no matter what part of the world you bought it from.

If you do decide to cut your losses and go for the xbox 360 you won't be disappointed, I certainly haven't been. But you should be aware that in their hurry to steal the HD gaming market, microsoft left a couple of jobs as 'work in progress'. Although the list is growing, the xbox 360 still only plays a handful of original xbox games. If you're starting afresh that?s fine, but if you've got a hefty back-catalogue of xbox titles you were planning to play then that?s a real bummer. Backwards compatibility was a target that simply wasn't reached in time for release and early release was obviously of greater importance to microsoft than it appears to be for Sony.

However, if you're a PlayStation purist, or simply do not fancy the xbox 360 or the nintendo Wii, then your virtue will be well rewarded. Although I find it difficult to understand some of Sony's business decisions, I can fully understand the hype surrounding the PS3. It will be without doubt the most powerful domestic games console available, boasting the 'Cell' processor, twelve times faster than processors found in top range PC's. The PS3 will also offer 'Blue-ray' technology which Sony are heavily promoting to take over from dvd, as well as offering free 'out of the box' online gaming (broadband connection required).

All of this extra 'oomph' inevitably comes at a cost, and you should expect to pay more for the prestige of owning such a machine. You'll also need to keep an eye on game prices too from November and compare them to its rivals, afterall there is no point owning the thing if you have to rob a bank every time you want something to play on it. On the plus side it will play any ps2 or PS1 titles you have tucked away.

Whatever you decide, have a happy Christmas, and keep on gaming !

Rob O'Neill is owner of Console Fun, the one stop shop for information on video games consoles including xbox, xbox 360, PS1, ps2, PS3, PSP, nintendo gamecube, Wii, and DS.

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Keeping Your Water Safe From Contamination - The Plumbing Secret

When leaks develop in your water pipes it not only can be a major headache for you to have someone come and fix, but can also be the source of potential water contamination in your pipes. The pipes that carry your fresh water supply can be affected but so can the pipes that carry away the waste water from your home. Usually starting out as barely noticeable areas of dampness in your ceilings or on your walls that you may overlook in your daily living, some leaks can even go unnoticed for many weeks or even months. When you finally come across any sort of dampness or discoloration in your paint or wallpaper, do not hesitate or ignore it. This sort of thing could quickly lead to a problem in your water system that could bring contamination into your home and to your family.

water-borne diseases can wreak havoc on your familys health and all it takes to help prevent it is to visually inspect your homes water system once in awhile to make sure there are not any leaks. Any sort of leaks in your pipes or joints can allow contaminants to enter into your water supply system and infect your family with all manner of water-borne illnesses. Having your water supply contaminated will make it unsafe to drink and will require you to take immediate actions to clear it up.

Every year thousands of people end up in hospitals due to being exposed to contaminated water supplies within their homes. However, it is not only private homes that are at risk of water supply contamination; businesses and public institutions such as hospitals and seniors homes are often the site of water contamination problems. Sometimes the problem is contaminated drinking water supply and other times it is a problem with airborne contaminants brought on by mildew and mould created by the leaks dampness. It cannot be stated strongly enough that many of these water problems can be prevented by simply taking the time to inspect your water supply to make sure it is safe.

Apartment Living at Its Finest

People who live in apartments have a different sort of problem than anyone who owns their own home. It is not always easy for apartment dwellers to inspect the water supply system in the building, as it is far more complex and extensive than the system of pipes in a normal home. However, if you happen to notice any sort of difference in the way your water tastes or looks (discolored or smelly water is never a good sign) get in touch with your buildings superintendent with your concerns.

A great many apartment buildings in the country are older and have ancient water systems, some even still using lead pipes. The water that comes out the tap end of the system is only as good as the pipes it flows through and so if the pipes are old it is probably a pretty safe bet that they are dangerously contaminated and its only a matter of time before the diseases are passed along through the pipes.

It is important that you report any water problems quickly to your buildings superintendent so that he will remedy the impending contaminant situation. The longer you wait to have something done about the problem, the more likely, that you will soon start to notice yourself or your family members not feeling well and having trouble staying healthy. It is much easier to fix water supply problems when they are small and caught early on. If left unattended the contamination will only spread and it will grow rapidly, quickly becoming a danger not only to you and your family, but also to every other person who lives in the same building.

You can also find more info on Plumber Contractor and Plumbing Repair. i-plumbing.com is a comprehensive resource to known about plumbing.

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Chill Out, Mama! Four Tips on Managing Stress in Pregnancy

One of the best gifts you can give your baby and yourself is a calm, clear mind and a relaxed body and nervous system. Why? Your unborn baby receives chemical messages through the bloodstream through that amazing organ we call the placenta. Its really a neglected little miracle, that placenta; it provides nourishment for your developing baby for months on end. Make sure that the hormones you send to your little one are mainly loving and peaceful ones. This is not meant to give anyone a guilt trip! Au contraire, this brief article will clue you in on a few small steps you can take to help manage stress while expecting.

1. Physical exercise. getting regular exercise is a major stress buster. I know, many of us hate to work out at gyms or jog on sidewalks. Perhaps theres even a dusty exercise contraption lurking in your garage or closet. One way to get around this is to enlist a friend to join you, to keep each other accountable. Find something you like to domaybe its swimming or rollerskating (check with your health care provider before beginning any new exercise regime, just to be sure). You dont have to take a prenatal yoga class to be fit; just be creative and have fun.

2. Dietary Supplements. Here in Southern California, we are blessed to have access to a wide variety of health food products. And thanks to the Internet, you can find quality dietary supplements wherever you happen to live. Make sure youre getting enough B-complex and C vitamins. (Both are water soluble which means that you need a fresh supply every day; that also means that its much harder to overdose on them since the excess gets secreted when you urinate.) Youve probably read about the importance of taking enough folic acid during acid (its one of the B vitamins). You may not have heard that we use up more B-complex vitamins when under stress (as well as while taking oral contraceptives).

3. Herbs. When correctly used, herbs can be of great benefit for pregnancy, birth and lactationand in any phase of life. First, a word of caution: it is important to check with a knowledgeable professional if you are unsure about which herbs to use and how much. Herbs like valerian, for instance, can be quite potent. Generally speaking, however, store-bought teas are carefully labeled and packaged in safe doses. Look for a nice, soothing tea with chamomile, lemon verbena and orange peel. If you find one with peppermint, thats a plus since the mint can calm an upset tummy. Be sure to avoid herbs that have a steroidal effect (like licorice and ginseng) and anything that causes uterine contractions, especially if you have had repeat miscarriages or cervical problems.

4. Roomy Scheduling. Does it ever seem like your day is jam-packed with activities and deadlines? Instead of rushing from one appointment to the next, try to allow for extra time in between. That way, if theres a traffic jam or some other unexpected foul-up, you still have moments to spare. Sure, we all want to feel productive, and yet, if you are carrying a baby, youre indeed re-productive. Your body is already working hard to bring new life into the world, so be easy on yourself. Give yourself big gaps in the day to just BE. Trust me when I say that you are doing a huge service to yourself and your baby.

Again, YOU are your babys greatest asset. Who else will be there when your child falls and scrapes her knee? Who else will understand him and feel as close to him as you? pregnancy is a time to celebrate new life, to connect with the awesomeness of Creation. This is also an opportunity to learn new ways to nurture your self. Reducing stress, using any of the tips above, is one way that you take care of your own needs, to the benefit of your familys future.

Christy Callahan, M.A. is a writer, educator and life coach with a passion for nurturing babies and parents from pre-conception to early childhood. If you're expecting or trying to conceive, visit the Prenatal Coaching website, http://www.prenatalcoaching.com, to request a free six-page report on Overcoming the Seven Roadblocks to a Satisfying Birth.

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