Biofuels - Alternative Sources of Energy

Biofuels are produced by converting organic matter into fuel for powering our society. These biofuels are an alternative energy source to the fossil fuels that we currently depend upon. The biofuels umbrella includes under its aegis ethanol and derivatives of plants such as sugar cane, as well aS vegetable and corn oils. However, not all ethanol products are designed to be used as a kind of gasoline. The International Energy Agency (IEA) tells us that ethanol could comprise up to 10 percent of the world's usable gasoline by 2025, and up to 30 percent by 2050. Today, the percentage figure is two percent.

However, we have a long way to go to refine and make economic and practical these biofuels that we are researching. A study by Oregon State University proves this. We have yet to develop biofuels that are as energy efficient as gasoline made from petroleum. Energy efficiency is the measure of how much usable energy for our needed purposes is derived from a certain amount of input energy. (Nothing that mankind has ever used has derived more energy from output than from what the needed input was. What has always been important is the conversion—the end-product energy is what is useful for our needs, while the input energy is just the effort it takes to produce the end-product.) The OSU study found corn-derived ethanol to be only 20% energy efficient (gasoline made from petroleum is 75% energy efficient). Biodiesel fuel was recorded at 69% energy efficiency. However, the study did turn up one positive: cellulose-derived ethanol was charted at 85% efficiency, which is even higher than that of the fantastically efficient nuclear energy.

Recently, oil futures have been down on the New York Stock Exchange, as analysts from several different countries are predicting a surge in biofuel availability which would offset the value of oil, dropping crude oil prices on the international market to $40 per barrel or thereabouts. The Chicago Stock Exchange has a grain futures market which is starting to “steal” investment activity away from the oil futures in NY, as investors are definitely expecting better profitability to start coming from biofuels. Indeed, it is predicted by a consensus of analysts that biofuels shall be supplying seven percent of the entire world's transportation fuels by the year 2030. One certain energy markets analyst has said, growth in demand for diesel and gasoline may slow down dramatically, if the government subsidizes firms distributing biofuels and further pushes to promote the use of eco-friendly fuel.

Michael Phelps' unusual diet

MICHAEL PHELPS' DIET

Breakfast: Three fried egg sandwiches; cheese; tomatoes; lettuce; fried onions; mayonnaise; three chocolate-chip pancakes; five-egg omelette; three sugar-coated slices of French toast; bowl of grits; two cups of coffee

Lunch: Half-kilogram (one pound) of enriched pasta; two large ham and cheese sandwiches with mayonnaise on white bread; energy drinks

Dinner: Half-kilogram of pasta, with carbonara sauce; large pizza; energy drinks

That combination may not sound very healthy, and at a staggering 10,000 calories, would feed five average men for a day.

But the menu is reportedly all in a training day's eating for champion swimmer Michael Phelps, who won 8 gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Source

I'm surprised he can even move after all that!

Beijing ticket scam

How sad that fraudsters have to sully the excitement of major events by selling non existant tickets to the gullible. The latest of such scams is the Beijing Olympics ticketing scam.

The mastermind behind the Beijing Olympics ticketing scam is believed to be a Briton with a long history of fraudulent ticket schemes, and it is not the first time Australians have been caught in his web.

Terance Shepherd, 49, a London online tout, was planning to "go out in style", a former colleague warned last year, after a British newspaper exposed another of his websites, online ticketshop.com, for selling non-existent World Cup tickets for England matches for as much as $6000 each.

Shepherd, now believed to be hiding in Barbados, had planned "one last massive sting" before retiring, Sydney private investigator Ken Gamble, who has been tracking the fraudster's activities since 2003, said yesterday.

Mr Gamble has compiled a dossier that includes more than 150 online ticketing websites allegedly operated by Shepherd, including olympictickets beijing2008.com, most of which have been registered to a company in Phoenix, Arizona.

More here

Google Street View goes live in Australia, Japan

Street View, the driver's-eye view on Google Maps, made its debut in the United States, but it's now available in Australia and Japan, too.

The Street View service has raised privacy hackles in some quarters, but it's helped me navigate in areas I've never visited: What does the house I'm visiting look like? Or the street corner where I'm supposed to get off the bus? Or where exactly is that big-box retailer?
Google also is extending Street View to Europe, and in the process is gathering data that will let it create 3D models as well.
To alleviate privacy concerns, Google blurs faces in Street View.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10006040-2.html

Check it out at http://maps.google.com/help/maps/streetview/

Angelina Jolie Gives Birth to her twins

PARIS — Angelina Jolie's doctor says the actress has given birth to a girl and a boy. Dr. Michel Sussmann told The Associated Press that Jolie, the babies and Jolie's partner, Brad Pitt, "are doing marvelously well."Sussmann confirmed a report in the local Nice Matin newspaper that Jolie gave birth to a boy, Knox Leon, and a girl, Vivienne Marcheline, by cesarean section on Saturday night.He told the AP on Sunday morning that the boy weighed 5 pounds and the girl 5 pounds

Portugese Chicken. Yum!

I bought this Portuguese chicken the other day from the local "gourmet" butcher and it was delicious so I looked around for a recipe. This one from lifestylefood.com.au would appear to be the closest.

3 Red Peppers
2 Crumbled Dried Chilli's
6 medium Halved And Deseeded Red Chilli's
4 Roughly Chopped Garlic Cloves
1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
Lemon Juice
2 Boneless Chicken Thigh Fillets

Method

Grill peppers on all sides until skin is blackened. Place in a plastic bag and leave to cool. Peel away the skin, halve, deseed and roughly chop
To make the piri piri sauce, put the peppers, dried and fresh chillies, garlic and coriander into a food processor. Add enough olive oil to make a loose paste
Spread half of the piri piri over the Chicken and marinate for 4 hours
Mix the remaining paste with tablespoon of olive oil and red wine vinegar to make a dressing
Set the BBQ to hot and cook chicken both sides until crispy and brown
Serve with lemon wedges, salad leaves, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice and crusty bread

Easy Holiday Recipes also has some yummy recipes!

Pitch Black 2008

If you are wondering what the noisy jets around Darwin's Top End are doing at all hours of the day and night, it is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) are hosting an international contingent of aerial units for the biennial Pitch Black air combat training exercises, this year held jointly with Malaysia, United State, Thailand, Singapore and France.

Up to 3000 service men and women from Australia and countries including the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and France will support the exercise, with ground crews and aircrews operating some of the most sophisticated military systems employed in the world.

An additional 60 aircraft from the RAAF and participating Forces will deploy to RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine. Fighter, strike, early warning, air-to-air refuelling and transport aircraft will combine with selected surface forces and systems to simulate and evaluate operational planning and tactics in war-like conditions.

Gallery

A Royal Thai Air Force F-16 arrives at RAAF Base Darwin in preparation for Exercise Pitch Black 08.

More Darwin and Territorian information can be found here.

Maroons win!

QUEENSLAND have matched the State of Origin winning record, smashing New South Wales 30-0 in a stunning display at Suncorp Stadium.

Getting listed in search engines

By choosing an appropriate targeted keyword you can help your site get high ranking in search engines when someone searches a specific keyword and get your site to the top. There are few ways that you can do by getting a content rich to your site and involves appropriate link building process.

The big search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN Search, AOL and Ask Jeeves have their own methods by getting your site listed according to their ranking algorithms and to prevent people from using devious methods of getting listed in the top search engines.

In order for one to get a high ranking and get listed in search engine, a simple method can be use by linking to some high ranking website in search engines and it will get the search engine spider and listed fast with a rich content. It can sometimes take few weeks for a new site to be listed with a search engine

Monetise your website



If you are not an expert at getting goods keyword own your own, you might want to hire someone who is an expert to help you to get the right keyword and content to be listed high in search engine optimization.By getting someone expert in that field will be able to go through your site and help you to get into high ranking and getting unlimited traffic for your website. It can be your consultant for your Search engine marketing and promotion. Sometimes they will advise your webmaster and recommend certain step to improve your website for search engine optimization .They will also provide full detail of reports on your traffic and monitor your ranking.

Tiger cubs born at Tiger island attraction

THE pitter-patter of little paws is being heard at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast, with the birth of three tiger cubs at the theme park's Tiger island attraction.
A Sumatran tigress named Soraya delivered the litter between 7.30 and 11.30 this morning at the theme park's Tiger island attraction.

Mother and cubs were reported to be doing 'really well', according to a Dreamworld spokeswoman.
She said tiger handlers were not yet able to get close enough to the cubs to determine their sex.
It will be Soraya's second lot of offspring born at Dreamworld, after she gave birth to two female cubs, Rahni and Indah, in April last year. Tiger island inhabitant Raja is believed to havefathered both litters.

The birth is the third at Dreamworld and will help boost the captive population of Sumatran tigers, of which only about 400 are left in the wild due to poaching and habitat loss.
The new cubs will be playmates for Sali, an orphan Sumatran tiger cub adopted by Dreamworld from the Perth Zoo last month.

My new tiger site is coming regarding Siberian Tigers

Nicole Kidman's Advancing Pregnancy

As you can see, her belly is expanding nicely with the advancing pregnancy. She is looking great.

I have recently purchased a site dedicated to Nicole. It is We Love Nicole Kidman and has a photo gallery started which I will be updating often with Nicole Kidman pictures and those of her new baby when he/she arrives.

Pringles designer buried in a can

CINCINNATI (AP) — The man who designed the Pringles potato crisp packaging system was so proud of his accomplishment that a portion of his ashes has been buried in one of the iconic cans.
Fredric J. Baur, of Cincinnati, died May 4 at Vitas Hospice in Cincinnati, his family said. He was 89.
Baur's children said they honored his request to bury him in one of the cans by placing part of his cremated remains in a Pringles container in his grave in suburban Springfield Township. The rest of his remains were placed in an urn buried along with the can, with some placed in another urn and given to a grandson, said Baur's daughter, Linda Baur of Diamondhead, Miss.
Baur requested the burial arrangement because he was proud of his design of the Pringles container, a son, Lawrence Baur of Stevensville, Mich., said Monday.
Baur was an organic chemist and food storage technician who specialized in research and development and quality control for Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble Co.
Baur filed for a patent for the tubular Pringles container and for the method of packaging the curved, stacked chips in the container in 1966, and it was granted in 1970, P&G archivist Ed Rider said.

Burma will accept US cyclone aid

Finally! Thank heaven for that. How many people died waiting for the bureaucrats to see sense?


BURMA will accept emergency aid from the United States, state television said today, a week after a devastating cyclone, but did not specify how it would be delivered or distributed.And the World Food Programme (WFP) will send two relief flights to the devastated nation on Saturday, reversing a decision just hours earlier that suspended flights due to "unacceptable restrictions" by the government.

The suspension of UN airlifts came after Burma's ruling military junta seized relief aid as it arrived in the country.The WPF will send flights tomorrow "as planned", WFP director of public policy and communications Nancy Roman said.

She said discussions would continue with the government of Burma "on the distribution of the food that was flown in today, and not released to WFP''.Enough high-energy biscuits to feed 21,000 people, which were airlifted on Thursday, have been delivered over the last 24 hours to some of the worst hit areas.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23674717-2,00.html

What Is Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization is a process of choosing the most appropriate targeted keyword phrases related to your site and ensuring that this ranks your site highly in search engines so that when someone searches for specific phrases it returns your site on tops. It basically involves fine tuning the content of your site along with the HTML and Meta tags and also involves appropriate link building process.

The most popular search engines are Google, Yahoo, MSN Search, AOL and Ask Jeeves. Search engines keep their methods and ranking algorithms secret, to get credit for finding the most valuable search-results and to deter spam pages from clogging those results. A search engine may use hundreds of factors while ranking the listings where the factors themselves and the weight each carries may change continually.

Algorithms can differ so widely that a webpage that ranks #1 in a particular search engine could rank #200 in another search engine. New sites need not be "submitted" to search engines to be listed. A simple link from a well established site will get the search engines to visit the new site and begin to spider its contents. It can take a few days to even weeks from the referring of a link from such an established site for all the main search engine spiders to commence visiting and indexing the new site.

If you are unable to research and choose keywords and work on your own search engine ranking, you may want to hire someone to work with you on these issues.
Search engine marketing and promotion companies, will look at the plan for your site and make recommendations to increase your search engine ranking and website traffic. If you wish, they will also provide ongoing consultation and reporting to monitor your website and make recommendations for editing and improvements to keep your site traffic flow and your search engine ranking high. Normally your search engine optimization experts work with your web designer to build an integrated plan right away so that all aspects of design are considered at the same time.

'Goldilocks' Found Asleep at Washington Home

CENTRALIA — A "Goldilocks" was found sleeping in a Chehalis home. Deputy Police Chief Randy Kaut said when the family woke up Wednesday they found an 18-year-old stranger asleep in a bed.

When they awoke the woman she said a friend named Jeremy had dropped her off and told her it would be OK to sleep there. While that was just right for her it was more than the family could bear. They don't know anyone named Jeremy.

There was nothing taken from the home — no missing porridge. Police gave the Olympia woman a ticket for trespassing.

Anger Management for Teens

As a teen, it must be rather difficult to always be positive in every situation. Growing up in society today is challenging and teenagers are often compelled to be defensive. Teenagers are not usually compassionate individuals. They are constantly in competition and jealousy is a huge factor. The fight to always be number one is very common in the teenage world. It is unfortunate and sad since these years ought to be the best years of their lives. Teenage children are forced to grow up long before their time because of the daily challenges and obstacles they are faced with. Some young people can handle adversity very well while others are quick to build a defensive wall. When faced with confrontation, many teens lash out and become reckless, often to the point of violence and nowadays, death.

Developing an anger management plan for teens could be difficult since teens are quick to resist advice and not always compliant with instructions. In order for anger management for teens to be successful, a program must be designed that will reach the targeted teen without being overbearing. Convincing a teenager that they have behavioral issues which need attention may be a challenge but it is essential to make them understand the importance of making a change.
If anger is not controlled, it can control the life of the individual affected. This is unfortunate in any life including that of a teenager. Teenagers with anger issues tend to yell and scream, say hurtful things, punch walls, push other people around and even hurt themselves. It may be difficult but important to convince these teenagers that everyone can change. With effective anger management for teens, they can be a success. They can make positive changes in their lives which will ultimately make their life easier and more enjoyable. Learning to control their anger is definitely a positive change.

Anger management for teens should teach teenagers to be self-aware, to evaluate their feelings in an attempt to understand the reasons for their anger. They should also learn to practice self-control, to pause a few seconds and think about the repercussions of their reactions to situations. After thinking about their options regarding reactions, they are taught to make a choice, pick an option which will bring about effective results. After acting on their feelings, teenagers are taught through anger management for teens, to review their progress, see what the outcome of the choice was. These steps might be considered an effective lesson plan for anger management in teens. If using this plan each time they are confronted with irritating situations, eventually the teenager will be capable of dealing with confrontations much better.

Teenagers have their own minds with their likes and dislikes. Suggesting techniques like exercising, listening to music or journaling might be good anger management for teens. Success will only be achieved when the teenager is able to accept responsibility for their actions and realize they need to make changes. Using their likes as distractions may be a good tool in anger management. These may be techniques which they are willing to try when they feel angry or threatened. Helping a teenager be successful in anger management may require hours of hard work and tears, but realizing that individual is being spared from a future of recklessness and avoidable challenges is worth every second.

Crazy Keywords

I came across this garbage when I was searching for something. It was full of live links and there was a lot more to it. This is just a small portion of it.

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Why do people do that?

V8 Driver Ashley Cooper Dies

February 25, 2008 - 3:45PM

The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) confirmed V8 Supercar driver Ashley Cooper passed away in Royal Adelaide hospital today.

Cooper, 27, of Ulladulla in NSW, died following a crash in last Saturday's Fujitsu development series race at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

An experienced motor racing competitor, Cooper was critically injured when his vehicle impacted with a safety barrier at the exit of a corner at speeds of more than 200kph.
A spokeswoman from Royal Adelaide Hospital said Mr Cooper had diedabout 1pm surrounded by family members.

Cooper was quickly attended to trackside by the event's senior medical personnel and subsequently transported to the Royal Adelaide Hospital by ambulance.

More here

Bindi doll launch

IT'S something very few mothers ever have to do - attend a toy fair to launch a doll modelled on their daughter.

But as Terri Irwin proudly held a Bindi doll in each hand yesterday, she insisted her nine-year-old daughter was just a "normal little girl"."She is still a nine-year-old human being. She is a real girl, she is not nine going on 35, she is intellectually very developed but she is still a kid who loves to play with dolls," Mrs Irwin, who has weathered controversy over her daughter's increasingly public life, said

More here

Soldier's Angels

Soldiers Angels has been supporting our nation's military men and women since 2003. Our mission is to provide aid and comfort to the military and its families, provide immediate response to hard situations, and make sure no soldier feels unloved.We start with letters, care pacakges, and comfort items to our deployed. We also help their families here at home as requested.

Adopt a soldier

Ramos-Horta to stay in induced coma

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta is "not out of the woods yet" following the attempt to assassinate him and will remain in an induced coma until at least Thursday, doctors say.
The Nobel Peace prize winner is in a serious but stable condition following Monday's assassination attempt in Dili, during which he was shot two or three times.

Surgeons operated on Dr Ramos-Horta for up to three hours overnight to remove bullet fragments and repair his wounds. He faces further surgery.

"His condition remains extremely serious but by the same token, stable," Royal Darwin Hospital general manager Len Notaras told ABC radio.

More here

Dragon Fruit

I had my first taste of dragon fruit (also known as pitahaya, and huǒ lóng guǒ) today and I must say I was surprised at how nice it was. I can't say that I have noticed them at the local markets before this year, but I will be looking out for them next week when I am there!

The fruit comes in three types, all with leathery, slightly leafy skin:

Hylocereus undatus, white flesh with pink skin
Hylocereus polyrhizus, red flesh with pink skin
Selenicereus megalanthus, white flesh with yellow skin

The fruit can weigh from 150-600 grams and the flesh, which is eaten raw, is mildly sweet and low in calories. Eating the fruit is sometimes likened to that of the kiwifruit due to a prevalence of sesame seed-sized black crunchy seeds found in the flesh of both fruits which make for a similar texture upon consumption. The skin is not eaten. The fruit may be converted into juice or wine; the flowers can be eaten or steeped as tea. Although the tiny pitaya seeds are eaten with the flesh, the seeds are indigestible. It is generally recommended that dragon fruit be eaten chilled, for improved flavor.

Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitaya

Tree Toad Tongue Twister

A tree-toad loved a she-toad
Who lived up in a tree.
He was a two-toed tree-toad,
But a three-toed toad was she.

The two-toed tree-toad tried to win
The three-toed she-toad's heart,
For the two-toed tree-toad loved the ground
That the three-toed tree-toad trod.

But the two-toed tree-toad tried in vain;
He couldn't please her whim.
From her tree-toad bower,
With her three-toad power,
The she-toad vetoed him.

Rank our picks - Time magazine

Time.com's roundup of the most interesting sites of the year.

Did your site make the top 50?

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1633488_1639316_1639317,00.html

One sheet of paper

Entries for an art contest at the
Hirshhorn Modern Art Gallery
in DC

The rule was that the artist could use
only one sheet of paper.

One Sheet of Paper

Australian Lamingtons

In celebration of Australia day, many cooks were making lamingtons!

Australian Chocolate Lamington Recipe

Ingredients

* 1 30x30cm sponge cake (preferably one day old)
* 4 cups icing sugar
* 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 cup milk
* 2 - 3 cups desiccated coconut

Icing

Combine the Sugar and Cocoa in a large bowl
Heat the milk and butter in a saucepan until the butter is melted.
Add to the sugar/cocoa mixture and mix to a fluid yet not runny consistency

Sponge cake.
* 1/2 cup butter * 3/4 cup castor sugar * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * 2 eggs
* 2 cups self rising flour * 1/2 cup milk
Method
* Grease and line a lamington tin (example 30x30cm) * Cream the butter, castor sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. * Add the eggs one at a time beating together as you go. * Fold in the flour and milk, alternating as you go. * Pour the batter into the prepared tin, spread evenly, and bake in a Moderate Oven (190°C/375°F) for 30-40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Allow to stand for a few minutes before turning out on to a cooling rack. Leave to cool then store in the fridge overnight.

To put it all together

Make a production line of Sponge Fingers, Chocolate Icing mixture in a bowl, coconut in a shallow container or plate, and a cooling rack with paper underneath. Using a fork dip the sponge fingers into the icing, roll it in the coconut covering it well, and then place on to the rack to dry. Once they have dried, place in an airtight container for at least a few hours, preferably overnight, before eating.

Australian Raspberry (or pink) Lamingtons

Same as above, but using Raspberry or Strawberry jelly (jello) mix just starting to set, in place of the chocolate mix.

Nicolas Cage to shoot movie in Melbourne

HOLLYWOOD star Nicolas Cage will spend autumn in Melbourne shooting his latest film, Knowing.Pre-production has begun on the thriller, with Cage due to arrive for the start of filming in late March. The 44-year-old Oscar-winning actor is expected to spend most of the autumn in the Victorian capital during the four-month shoot. Cage plays a teacher who opens a time capsule that has been dug up at his son's primary school and discovers some chilling predictions. The feature will be directed by Australian Alex Proyas, whose credits include the Will Smith action adventure I, Robot. "Nicolas Cage is no stranger to Melbourne, having filmed his box office hit Ghost Rider here in 2005,'' Film Victoria chief executive Sandra Sdraulig said.

More here

Corey Worthington Delaney charged

Corey was arrested earlier today and has now been charged.

He was one of two 16-year-olds arrested and questioned today by police investigating the incident.
The youth charged has been released on bail and will appear in court on February 22.
Police said a brief would be prepared in relation to the other male.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23061767-29277,00.html

It just gets worse. I feel sorry for his parents.

Party Boy Corey Worthington

Photos
Corey's Narre Warren South Party of 500 news video

POLICE are investigating how social networking websites, email and SMS messaging may have been used to draw a crowd of up to 500 teenagers to a house party, hosted by a 16-year-old boy while his parents were interstate.
Neighbours called police to break up the party in Galloway Drive, Narre Warren South, after revellers spilled onto the street about 10pm on Saturday.
But some partygoers gathered at a nearby reserve and started throwing bottles at two police vehicles, causing significant damage. Police were forced to retreat until back-up arrived.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/police-probe-how-500-teens-got-party-invite/2008/01/13/1200159277507.html

New events about Cory Worthington

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/party-boy-corey-arrested/2008/01/16/1200419845515.html

Aussie kayakers arrive in NZ

TWO Australian kayakers have completed their journey across the Tasman Sea.
James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, reached shore at Ngamotu Beach, about 4km west of New Plymouth on NZ's West Coast, at 1220 local time (1020 AEDT).
The pair, who have spent the last two months paddling across the Tasman Sea, were given a heroes' welcome after completing their epic crossing today.
A crowd of about 3,000 gathered at New Plymouth to greet Castrission and Jones when they reached the shore.
During the past 62 days the pair travelled more than 3,300 kilometres and battled strong winds and tides that saw them go round in circles for part of the trip and arrive 20 days later than originally expected.

More here

Exploring Nature with your Children

Backyards, they are where individuals of all ages go to relax and have fun. While many people enjoy being in their backyards, they are not the only ones. In fact, when you are in your backyard, you are rarely ever alone. At any given time, your backyard is filled with amazing, living things. If you are the parent of a young child, you may want to use this opportunity to explore nature with them. Not only will it be a fun experience, but it will also be a learning experience.
Birds are just a few of the many animals that can be found in your backyard. There is a good chance that a large number of different birds will make their way into your yard, especially if you have a bird feeder. One of the many reasons why bird watching is fun is because of all the birds that you will see. In addition to just watching these birds, you may to document what your child sees.
To turn bird watching into an educational experience, you will need to purchase a few supplies. These supplies may include a bird watching book, a notebook, and a camera. Notebooks and cameras are optional; however, they are a great way to document the birds that enter your yard. While a notebook and a camera are optional, you may seriously want to consider purchasing a bird watching book. Many book stores carry a large selection of bird watching books, including those for children. A bird watching book is essential when incorporating education into this fun backyard activity.
As previously mentioned, birds are just a few of the many living creatures that can be found in your backyard. You and your child should also be able to find a large number of different bugs and insects. As with bird watching, you may want to study and examine some of these insects. By visiting your local book store or by shopping online, you should be able to find a number of insect resource guides or books that are designed especially for children.
What is nice about most bugs and insects is that you don’t just have to look at them. A number of bugs and insects can live in small containers. If your child not only wants to see an insect up-close, but see how they go about their daily activities, they should be able to that with the right supplies. Most retail stores, including science stores, toy stores, and traditional department stores, should have a wide variety of different insect catching supplies. These supplies may include, but are not be limited to, small cages, breathable containers, and butterfly nets.
Many children are aware of the fact that bugs and birds are living animals, but many do not know that plants and flowers are also living. For that reason, you may want to teach them about plants and flowers. Depending on when your backyard was lasted mowed, you should be able to find a number of different plants and flowers. As with most other living things, you should also be able to purchase books and resource guides that cover common plants and flowers. You and your child may have fun comparing the plants and flowers in your backyard to those in their books.
It is amazing what you can find in your own backyard. While you may not give any thought to the plants, flowers, bugs, or birds that can be found in your backyard, your child will likely be impressed with them. For a fun, but educational experience, you and your child are encouraged to get outside and see everything that nature has to offer.

Cute - I'm a gummy bear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHYFdpYqlHk

Here are the lyrics.

Oh I'm a gummy bear
Yes I'm a gummy bear
Oh i'm a yummy jummy funny lucky gummy bear
I'm a jolly bear
Cause I'm a gummy bear
Oh im a movin, grovin,jammin, singin gummy bear
Oh yeah ba ba da duby dubyyum yum ba ba da duby dubyyum yum ba ba da duby duby yum yum

Leigh Barnier killed in Avalanche

THE family of a champion Sydney swimmer killed in a Canadian avalanche said the 21-year-old had been living his dream.Leigh Barnier's body was found at the Big White Ski Resort in British Columbia, in Canada's west, about 10am (AEDT) today.
He had been missing since the avalanche in the Parachute Bowl at 6am yesterday, or about 11am Sunday local time. Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Mr Barnier,
who worked for a private company at the resort, left his friends about half an hour before the avalanche, telling them he was going to do "one more run''.

Police initially believed six people were caught up in the avalanche but later accounted for everyone except Mr Barnier. A major search was launched to find him. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade today confirmed Mr Barnier had been found dead. His uncle, John Campbell, said the tight-knit family was devastated by his death.

More information here

Nicole Kidman Pregnant!

NICOLE Kidman is pregnant, her publicist has confirmed.
Wendy Day said in a statement that the Australian actor and her country music singer husband Keith Urban were expecting a child and were "thrilled".
Day said she learned only this morning that the Oscar-winning actress was expecting.
"I personally didn't know, so I'm excited today, very excited," Day said.
"For years I've seen speculation and for years it's never been right, so I didn't think it was right this time. And then she's just rung this morning."
The confirmation follows weeks of speculation and rumour, with photos showing Urban apparently hiding his wife's baby bump and reports that Kidman, fearing a miscarriage, had dropped out of a film due to be shot in Germany.

More here with video footage.

Britney Spears taken to hospital

TROUBLED pop star Britney Spears has been taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Police were called to her home over a custodial dispute involving her children, the Associated Press reports.
Police spokesman Officer Jason Lee said the call involved a "family custodial dispute that we are trying to resolve ... peacefully by court order''.
The dispute lasted almost three hours before the intoxicated Spears handed her children over to ex-husband Kevin Federline.
Spears is battling Federline for custody of their sons Sean Preston and Jayden James.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23007547-2,00.html