Names for Baby Boys VS Pet Names

I think we all agree on one matter - babies, both boys and girls, are the lovable, sweet, cute creatures which enlighten our lives at any time of day or night. Whether they are asleep in their cribs or they are awake and sharing those winning smiles to us, we simply adore their presence and calling out their baby names.

When your son shows you a happy, endearing face, you feel as if you have touched the sky. In no time, you find yourselves pampering your son with all sorts of names for baby boys sweetened to pet names just to show your love. From "little funny baby bear" to "sweet angel" and then from Billy, Jimmy, Mickey to Alfie, Rob and Danny, nursery baby boy names are practically uncountable.

When it becomes a problem

The problem occurs when you opt for establishing such a baby name - a diminutive, in fact - as the baby boy's first name. While it may work just fine as long as little Billy and Alfie are going to kindergarten or to school, these names are highly expected to cast a rather disadvantageous, uncomplimentary light on a young man entering a serious business.

Imagine the whole situation yourselves: who would you be inclined to credit more? Would you have more confidence in a young businessman who presents you with his business card where you can read a triumphant Dick Johansson or in the young entrepreneur who will politely introduce himself as Richard Johansson?

Therefore

You are free to name your child with all the pet names you can find while he is under your wing, so to speak. But remember that he is going to grow up and if you want him to become an acclaimed businessman or scholar, then think that more serious range of names for baby boys, from which you could choose the one(s) you like, may be the first step towards the achievement of his career purposes.

Surely, his wife may still call him Alfie, but just imagine several of his potential students talking about Professor Alfie Anderson. Doesn't it sound a lot better when you say Professor Alfred Anderson? So maintain a practical attitude also when you choose a unique baby boys names: it will surely help him later.

Buying Toys for Kids

"With their hectic work schedule, it is easy for today's parents to go the "easy route" when buying toys for their kids. Some buy kids toys online without bothering to really check and research the items because it's more convenient. Others, to avoid discussions, simply choose to follow what their kids ask them to purchase, so they buy mp4 players, violent video games and all the other toys and gadgets their kids say are "cool" and "fun".

What some parents forget is that toys play a crucial role in the development of their child. They can help your kids improve their spatial reasoning skills, encourage their creativity, help them learn how to interact with other children, improve their memory and even encourage them to be more physically active. For these reasons, it is important for parents to take a more active role in choosing what toys their kids should play with.

So what should you look for when buying toys for your kids? What are the attributes "good toys" possess?

First, a toy should be appropriate for the age of your kids. Toys for infants should help them develop their abilities to recognize sound, shapes and color. For preschoolers, it's better to choose toys that stimulate their imagination and develop their social-interaction skills, while toys for older kids should be able to relay more complicated concepts.

When choosing toys for your kids, another thing that you should remember is that "high-tech" does not always equate to greater benefits. Don't be easily awed by their intricate mechanisms and blinking lights. Simple toys can be as beneficial (some experts say they are actually more beneficial) as their more modern counterparts. Building blocks and modeling clay for example, can help your kids learn how to determine shapes and colors and enable them to develop their creativity. Marbles and jackstones on the other hand help them improve their spatial reasoning skills.

Instead of the usual video games, pick toys that encourage physical activities. Buy them a basketball, a trampoline, a bicycle--anything that will make them want to get off the couch and go out to the yard (no gangsters). This will not only keep your kids occupied with fun, wholesome activities, it would also promote better health.

In picking a toy, always try to find the right balance of "educational" and "fun". Choose a toy that focuses too much on the "fun" aspect and you deprive your kids of the benefits of a very useful educational tool; pick a tool that is very "educational" and your kids would view them as additional homework.

Safety too, is a consideration when you buy toys from your kids. When you're buying for younger children do not purchase anything with small, removable parts and sharp edges as these puts your kid in danger of choking or obtaining injuries.

Toys play an important role in the development of kids. Unlike when we purchase from online wristwatch sales where it's okay to just pick the item that would look good most on us, buying toys for kids should involve serious thought. Use these tips and reminders to ensure that you only buy the best kinds of toys for your kids.

City of God

There is enough and more kids with guns in this movies to make all the Americans movies drop their jaws and bow to the mighty one. This is the by far the greatest movie you have to see before you die. Some of you might already be dead. It is a film which is filled with chick shit, gunpowder and sweat. But it is still as sexy as ever. The opening shot of the movie is of knife getting sharpened to kill some chicken. The film keeps shifting from a non linear to a linear narrative. At times giving a feeling of a film within a film. There moments in this movie which are pretty brutal especially when most of the incidents involve kids.

The story is of a relentless photographer who wants to the story of the gangs of Rio. It begins in the 60s when his brother and three others start a gang. They are gangsters at a very early and like the protagonist says very amateur. The story then goes into the 70s with many of the characters dead from the beginning and a new set of characters get introduced. The movies strength is how seamlessly characters are introduced with certain breaks like the story of the apartment. But the violence leads to more violence which leads to several vicious circles. Their lives are at stake due to events which get revealed at later stages. Every situation in this film has a new approach and a different filter. But all of them are closely linked to each other. There is also a lot of style in some of the shots. For instance there is a scene of a man with his head on the ground with a leg on top of him he is made to witness the brutal rape of his wife. There is a lot of characters in this movie but there is no room for empathy.

Some of the performances by some of the kids are shocking. The understanding they have with the director is unbelievable. The director attempts something which not many people can ever do again. But he might outdo himself in his next movie about a similar set of boys in City of Men.

It was nominated for around 4 Oscars but didn't receive any but that doesn't matter because it was beyond that.

The Goonies (Movie Review)

Brainchild of cinematic genius Steven Spielberg, The Goonies is a thrilling fantasy adventure film for younger audiences - although adults will find it enjoyable as well. Foreshadowing the success of the Harry Potter films, The Goonies involves a series of tests and obstacles that a group of young kids must overcome in order to save the day. In a lot of ways, the film is like an Indiana Jones for kids - produced in such a way that kids can envision or fantasize about being in just such a situation.

The film follows the exploits of a neighborhood group of kids who call themselves The Goonies. Upset that they will soon have to part ways because of the forced commercial development of their neighborhood, the kids are enjoying what they believe will be one of their last meetings together.

But while Mikey, Chunk, Mouth, and Data (the nicknames of the Goonies respectively) are exploring Mikey's attic, they find a treasure map hidden in the back of an old picture frame. Purportedly, the map leads to the long lost treasure of the famous pirate "One-Eyed" Willy. Banding together with Mikey's older brother Brandon and two neighborhood girls, Andy and Stef, the group sets out to uncover the pirate's vast riches and thus save their homes from the wrath of the wrecking ball.

But a small problem stands in their way. The treasure map's starting point rests underneath an old abandoned house used as a hideout by the notorious Fratelli crime family. Brothers Jake and Francis, coupled with their deformed yet gentle brother and mean Mama Fratelli, are quite an intimidating force. When the Goonies manage to uncover the entrance to the cave that harbors their treasure, Chunk is left behind. The Fratelli's viciously interrogate the boy in an effort to find out what happened to his friends. But it takes a freak accident (spilled water falling down the hole in the fireplace) before they find One-Eyed Willy's secret passage.

With the Fratelli family hot on their heals, the Goonies must pass through a series of mental and physical obstacles set up centuries before by pirates intent on keeping undesirables away from their precious bounty. Interspersed in the action is a number of clever and humorous one-liners that add to the overall audience enjoyment of the film.

In the end, the kids discover One-Eyed Willy's monstrous treasure. But can they stave off the greedy ambitions of the Fratelli family? Will they manage to save their neighborhood with the newfound treasure? You'll have to watch to find out, and trust me, this movie is a lot of fun...

Each of the stars contributes to the film in his own way. Chunk provides many moments of comic relief with his endless whining, and Data's constant deployment of quirky homemade inventions, although stretching the limits of reality, are a welcome addition to a fantasy adventure film tailored for a young audience.

With the introduction of The Goonies DVD, an entirely new generation can discover the thrill and wonder of this instant cinema classic. Given its wide range of appeal to audiences of all ages and the exciting quest for hidden treasure, The Goonies passes the test as a definite must-see film. If you haven't seen it, or even worse - if your children have been deprived of seeing it - then I highly recommend renting this one...

Toxic Crusaders - Cartoon & Toy Line Inspired by Troma's Toxic Avenger

If you're familiar with the world famous Troma Studios then you might be aware of their Toxic Avenger series of B movies that arrived in the middle of the 1980's. Like Troma's other notable films such as Class of Nuke 'Em High and Chopper Chicks in Zombietown, the Toxic Avenger series offered up lots of gore, racy scenes and crude humor. You might be wondering how in the world this could be developed into a children's cartoon series and rightly so!

In 1991, kids cartoon shows began to shift and new ideas bubbled up to the surface of the entertainment world. Shows like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Captain Planet brought a new message to youngsters: the importance of protecting our environment. With a bit of tweaking, Troma got their infamous anti-industrial hero shaped into Toxie, a hideously mutated but lovable character who served as the star of Toxic Crusaders.

Of course, competing with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles proved to be nearly impossible and after a five run trial, FOX decided not to run the full series even though thirteen 30 minute episodes had already been created. Despite this rather gargantuan setback, the creepily cute Toxie made a valiant stand in stores everywhere in the form of toys, collectible cards and a mountain of other merchandise that cartoon characters often seem to get.

Toxie didn't go up against evil polluters on his own, though. At his side were a cast of imaginative weirdos such as: Yvonne, Toxie's nearsighted blonde girlfriend; Blobbie, a furry pink pet; Mop, Toxie's independently thinking instument of cleaning; Junkyard, a human-dog hybrid of a hobo who hid from lightning in a dog kennel only to be merged with the dog once lightning struck; Major Disaster, a soldier who fell into a radioactive swamp where he gained the ability to control plants; and NoZone, a pilot who flew through a hole in the ozone layer to crash into a silo of nuclear peppers that gave him a legendary sneeze!

Of course, no kids show could be complete without villains who are as compelling as the heroes themselves. Toxic Crusaders didn't skimp when it came to bad guys. Few returned for more than a single episode, but some of those were: Czar Zosta and Doctor Killemoff, two cockroach beings with four arms from a planet called Smogula; Bonehead, a street punk who bullied Melvin Junko, the man who would go on to become Toxie; and Mayor Grody, the corrupt leader of Toxie's hometown of Tromaville. Of course, like other cartoons of the era the series had its own disposable goons, the Radiation Rangers who came in droves and nearly never hit their intended target.

As rich of a series as any on TV at that time, Toxic Crusaders proved to be fertile grounds for merchandising. In most cases, the same companies who held the rights to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles merchandise also held it for Toxic Crusaders. As a result, we saw an eight issue comic book from Marvel, trading cards from Topps, a card game, board game, Halloween costumes, Colorforms and of course, video games for the original Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis and the Gameboy. Playmates even offered a line of action figures boasting "radical" designs in bright neon colors on characters that retained the creepy charm of the cartoon show. These figures often came with glow in the dark accessories and you could even get canisters of "Toxie's Toxic Waste", a goopy substance suspiciously similar to the Turtle's "Retromutagen Ooze."

Even these days, Toxic Crusaders still captivate fans and in April of 2008, Troma released a DVD of all 13 episodes so if you missed the show yourself there's still a chance to check it out!

I hope you've enjoyed this trip back to the 90's and that you learned a little bit about a great cartoon show that tried hard to bring kids a good message packed with crazy fun. Though Toxic Crusaders may not have toppled the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle empire, they certainly offered a unique take on "environmentally conscious" kids' cartoons.

Spectrum Composite S-500 Basketball

Product Details

This high-quality, wide channel, flat seam basketball is ideal for competitive play indoors or out. All the features of the popular name brands at a low S price!Official size only.

• Brand name features at an S&S® price!
• Official size only.

RBK (REEBOK) 51547 Courtside Base Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System with 48-Inch Shatter Guard Fusion

Product Details

REEBOK, Courtside Portable Basketball System features a Black 48" Shatter Guard Fusion® Backboard, making broken backboards a thing of the past, made of Makrolon® polycarbonate, making it virtually unbreakable and many times stronger than acrylic. Black hammertone steel, 3 Piece, 3" Round Speed Shift¿ Pole height mechanism, offering a one-hand height adjustment from 8 to 10 feet in 6 inch increments. Orange Slam-It® Rim features double compression springs providing spring-back action. Built for competitive play with welded-steel net hooks and an all-weather nylon net. Pole pad included to protect against impact, made for all-weather conditions. Portable base fills easily with water or sand providing a stable foundation and rolls easily on its own wheels to your desired location. Play today, no cement required ! 5 year warranty that covers everything on the system. Lifetime Customer Care @ 1-800-225-3865 (or) www.lifetime.com

• Portable, height-adjustable basketball goal system
• 48-inch shatterproof polycarbonate backboard
• 31-gallon portable base
• Slam-It rim with spring-back action
• Powder-coated rust-resistant finish

Reebok 51547 Portable Basketball Goal System features a 48-inch Shatter Guard fusion backboard that is made of Makrolon polycarbonate, making it virtually unbreakable and many times stronger than acrylic. The black hammertone steel, three piece, three inch round quick-adjust pole system allows you to lower the rim height from eight to ten feet using a broomstick. Players of any age or skill can enjoy the game at their level. A pole pad is included to protect against impact, and it is made for all-weather conditions. This system is built for competitive play with welded-steel net hooks and an all-weather nylon net. The portable base fills easily with water or sand providing a stable foundation and rolls easily on its own wheels to your desired location.

Portable basketball systems depend on a base filled with sand or water for stability. Although it will take up more space than an in-ground system, the portable base rolls on wheels, allowing players to position the basketball system in the desired location (and also allowing storage in a garage). Simply assemble, fill the base and play today. There is no fussing with concrete.

What's in the Box?
48-inch polycarbonate backboard with rim, 3.5-inch round pole, nylon basketball net, 38-gallon portable base, all-weather pole pad

Manufacturer's Warranty
Five-year limited warranty

Economy Ball Cart

Product Details

No assembly required! Durable spring loaded steel frame virtually pops open when pulled out of the box. Large 24"L x 24"W x 29"H storage area with a 39" overall height. Zippered opening at bottom allows for easy access to balls at the bottom.

Potty Training Problems

Potty training is new territory for your toddler. Up until now, she's been happy-go-lucky, learning about her new world at her own pace and making all kinds of exciting discoveries.

She's learned how to form sounds into words that communicate what she wants, she's learned how to put her legs under her and walk and all this was done at her own pace. She probably thinks she invented walking and talking.

Now all of a sudden, someone has decided she will no longer relieve herself in her diaper and plops her down on a potty and tells her to "go". This is fertile ground for problems.

Prevention is the Best Cure

Look at potty training from her perspective. What kind of introduction has she had to the toilet and the bathroom in general. Has this room been off-limits before now? Let her follow you into the bathroom before you start training her. Answer questions.

Let her flush the toilet and sit on it with the lid closed first. Believe it or not, many children are afraid of the toilet. They see things go down and not come back and wonder if that can happen to them.

When she's comfortable being around the toilet, let her sit on the seat. If she feels afraid, buy her a potty seat that snaps on securely or a potty chair. Humans are born with the fear of falling and sitting on a toilet seat with nothing under her can make your child feel like she's going to fall.

Make sure she feels safe at all times. One fright can be enough to make her resistant to potty training.

Problem vs. Stage

Regression, is when a child begins to learn, then suddenly seems to lose ground. Children who were perfectly happy to go along with the potty training routine all of a sudden begin having accidents frequently. Regression isn't always a problem.

There may be an external factor such as a change in her environment that's causing the regression or it may just be that she wants to slow down a little. Most experts agree that periods of regression are normal during training and, unless there is a medical condition such as a urinary tract infection, they do not need intervention. Simply continue to gently encourage her with her potty training and she'll get back on track.

Most potty training problems can be identified by looking at them through your child's eyes. Inconsistencies, fears, punishment for accidents and regression can all trigger potty training problems.

Your Baby's Physical Development Months 1-12

Your baby goes through various milestones in his or her development

And whilst all babies do not develop at the same pace they do pass these milestones in the same order. It is possible to gauge with some degree of certainty how your baby will develop over the first twelve months of his life. The rate of development goes through spurts as does the rate of growth. Movements are jerky when a baby is very young but become smoother with time.

One month

Your baby's body will be quite curled still but he will be able to lift his head slightly. His hands will make tight fists and he will have a reflex action which will cause him to grasp anything which is placed in the palm of his hand.

Two months

Your baby will be able to lift his head a bit more and will be able to hold it in this position for a second or two. His hands will begin to open more and his grasp will become more voluntary.

Three months

Your baby's body will now be uncurled and his legs extended. He will be able to hold his head up. His hands will now be much more open although he may not be able to grasp things for long.

Four months

Your baby should now be able to support his upper body on his forearms and if placed on his tummy will be able to roll on to his side or even on to his back. He will become fascinated with his own hands and sucking them and playing with them will give him endless fun.

Five months

Your baby will be able to push up fully on his arms and will be able to roll from back to side. He will begin grasp objects with both hands and will particularly enjoy using this new skill to suck his feet.

Six months

Your baby will be able to sit unsupported for a few seconds and will be able to twist in all directions. He may be able to rotate his wrist and hold an object between his thumb and forefinger.

Seven months

Your baby will be able to sit unaided for longer, particularly if he leans forward to balance himself. He will now be able to hold an object in both hands.

Eight months

Your baby will be able to sit completely unaided and will be able to turn around. He will begin to show signs of getting into a crawling position. He will be able to grasp small objects with his hands.

Nine months

Your baby will be trying to crawl and may be doing a 'commando' style crawl by using his arms. He may start poking things with his finger.

Ten months

Your baby will be able to crawl with straight arms and legs and will enjoy pulling himself in to a standing position. He will also be able to hold two objects in one hand.

Eleven months

Your baby will be able to toddle when supported and will be able to 'cruise' along the furniture by himself. He will be able to feed himself and give and take objects.

Twelve months

Your baby will start to stand unaided or even take a few steps. His coordination will improve constantly and he will be able to roll a ball across the floor.

These milestones are just a guideline. Your baby will go at his own pace don't try and force him to more quickly than he wants just help and encourage him as much as you can.

Tips For The New Godparent

Your best friend, your sister, your brother, or another family member will soon have a new baby added to their family. They have chosen you over every other person in the world to be godparent to this most precious person in their lives. You are excited that they thought enough of you to ask you to take on this responsibility. You have never been a godparent and you thought of declining but your friend or family member is depending on you. You can't let them down. So, you say, "Yes."

You were christened or dedicated, as it is called in some churches, years ago. Uncle Harry and Aunt Jane were asked to be your godparent. But, somehow you never felt they understood the responsibility or just didn't live up to it and there should be more to being a godparent than the occasional gift you received. You want to do the job right. But, you are not really sure what the job requires. You definitely don't want to turn to Uncle Harry and Aunt Jane for advice. You are thinking, "What am I to do to fulfill the responsibility I just committed to?" This article will save the day for you. The following provides the job description of a godparent.

History

From The History of Godparents By Professor Ian Markham and the Revd Giles Legood
Co-authors - The Godparent's Handbook (SPCK, 1997), we learn that "Originally the need for Godparents (or sponsors as they used to be called) arose when people converted to Christianity from another religion. In the ancient world, there were many religions each with different practices and beliefs. When members of a different religion (what Christians then called pagans) decided that they wanted to become Christians, they would offer themselves for baptism. They would have to approach the local Bishop (the person who had pastoral responsibility for Christians in a particular town) who would want to be reassured of the genuineness of the decision. Converts would then be asked to find a Christian friend who would vouch for them. This friend would undertake to the Bishop that they would support the convert and ensure that s/he would be helped to become a faithful member of the church."

"In the second century the idea arose of having a sponsor for babies when they were baptized. In many ways it was a natural extension of the existing practice for adults. In the same way that non-Christians received help to grow into their new faith so, it was felt, did a baby."

God Parenting Today

As I researched godparents, I discovered that godparent is not a legal guardian, someone to remembers birthdays with generous gifts, or someone you can always call on to baby-sit. These are important roles and if practiced will no doubt bring much pleasure to your child over the years.

My research also revealed that all churches and belief systems share the same overall goal. Godparents are adults who are dedicated to the spiritual and moral development of a child. Expectations can vary from church to church or between Christians and non-Christians.

Associated with the church and with baptism

Associated with baptism in some churches, the responsibilities of the godparent includes:

1. Praying for their godchild regularly


2. Setting an example of Christian living

3. Helping their godchild to grow in the faith of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in which he was baptized

4. Encouraging their godchild to follow Christ and avoid evil

5. Helping their godchild to look forward to confirmation.
Associated with the church and not associated with baptism

In churches that practice Believers Baptism, the child must be mature enough to make the decision to follow Christ him or herself before being baptized. Therefore, the responsibilities of the godparent vary in a very significant way from those practicing infant baptism. The responsibilities include:
1. Praying for their godchild regularly

2. Setting an example of Christian living

3. Helping their godchild to grow in the faith of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to the point they are able to make the decision to follow Christ on their own.

4. Encouraging their godchild to follow Christ and avoid evil

5. Helping their godchild to look forward to becoming a Christian.

Not associated with the church

The non-believer, those with no belief in God, will often ask one to serve as godparent to their child. Usually, they are not expecting their child to be led or trained in the way of Christ. They are providing a way for their child to get a good moral and ethical example to follow.

With the above information, you can approach your new godparent responsibility with confidence. However, I recommend a discussion with the parent where you share your understanding of the godparent role and get their understanding as well. Being asked to be a godparent is an opportunity to have a permanent and positive effect on a life and it is a great honor. You will want to perform it as well as you can.

For more on this subject, I recommend you read:
1. Godparenting 101 from the newsletter Agape published by St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Eugene, Oregon. Posted on July 4, 2006 (www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/godparenting101.aspx).

2. The Role of Godparents in Today's Society by ingrid sbacchi bairstow (www.baystateparent.com/news/2006/0401/Articles/030.html).

3. Roll of The Godparent Prepared by The Catholic Doors Ministry (www.catholicdoors.com/courses/godpar.htm).

Rock-n-sports 100% Cotton Wristbands - Multi-colored (Pink, Torquoise, Yellow, Green, & Navy Blue)

Product Details

• Features 100% cotton construction

Swimming Pool Toys and Floats

Summer will be here before we know it and now is the time to start thinking about your swimming pool accessories such as pool floats and pool toys.

Floats and toys come in a wide variety and for every age group. There are the standard pool toys such as dive rings and basketball hoops but there are also the more adventurous toys such as underwater pogo sticks and the sunken treasure diving game. Adults and children alike can have many hours of fun in the sun while in the pool with a deck of waterproof playing cards. Waterproof playing cards are a pool toy that is hard to beat, who wouldn't want to play Go Fish while lounging in the pool on a float.

Floats are a big ticket item in the summer and pool floats come in all shapes and sizes. Pool floats come in the standard raft shape float, circular tube shape float, and there are even floating tables. Some of the more popular pool floats are more like lounge chairs with head rests and beverage holders.

Pool toys and floats are made of inflatable plastic or vinyl. Inflatable toys are commonly made with Phthalates. Phthalates are a group of chemicals (oily, colorless liquids) that are used, among other things, to make vinyl and other plastics soft and flexible. Three phthalates, DEHP, DBP, and BBP, have been permanently banned in concentrations of more than 0.1% in children's toys by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSIA).

All of these types of inflatables are available for swimming pools and even to take to the beach or the lake. You can even use swimming pool toys and floats in the snow. A lot of people use pool inner tubes for sledding. So this summer make sure you get the best for your family and friends.

Using a Toy Lottery Ball Machine is a Fun Way to Pick Lotto Numbers

How do you pick your lotto numbers? Do you use a system or do you prefer to pick random numbers? For those of you that like to use random lotto numbers, it is quite difficult to actually choose random numbers without assistance. That is because our brains follow certain patterns, making it quite difficult to create true randomness, unassisted. There are many ways to actually pick truly random numbers and my favorite is by using a toy lottery ball machine because it is fun - after all, it is a toy.

A Toy lottery ball machine is a little plastic sphere that you could hold in your hand with a small opening at the bottom that allows six tiny balls to randomly drop. You just shake the toy, let the six balls drop, and then use those six numbers as your lotto numbers. If you have never seen this before, you could probably find one in your local dollar store.

A toy lottery ball machine provides you with truly random numbers because, after you shake it, you have no control over what balls drop. It is just like buying a "quick pick" ticket, except that the toy chooses the numbers instead of a computer.

I think that using toy lottery ball machines are a fun way to pick numbers because a little toy has control over your destiny. Imagine winning the lottery and becoming an instant millionaire solely because of a little plastic toy. Now that would be pretty amazing, wouldn't it?

Don't Forget the Cookware

What is one of the essentials that you need to make sure you have when you move in to a new home? Cookware. Yes, it may sound like a daft thing to say, but it is one of the essentials that most people forget to purchase when moving into a new house.

The thing is that most of the time people are too busy worrying about chasing up the estate agents and solicitors to make sure that the exchange is still going through. When they are not worrying about that they are looking at ways they can fund their new HD television screen, blu-ray player or computer. Cookware is far down on the list of things that people think about when they are moving house.

Having said that, cookware isn't the only thing that gets forgotten when people move house. There is a list of items online that people have forgotten to prepare when moving into their new homes and one of them was a sofa. Clearly the individual thought that their new flat was going to come fully furnished with a sofa and table. Instead they spent the first week of their new life eating off of a wooden crate in the middle of an empty room.

That is rather embarrassing but the next story can top that. This person actually forgot to prepare any curtains. They moved into a new house and had no way of blocking the street lights out from outside. So when night time came around the light came streaming in and keep them awake for the first night. These are generally only mistakes that you make once.

I myself, my biggest mistake was forgetting to pack the cookware, I turned up at the new place and started to unpack everything, it wasn't until I realised that I was getting hungry that I started to realise the complete and utter mistake I had made. What was I hoping to cook without any cookware? Obviously having just moved into a new apartment I was a little cash strapped and didn't have lots of money to go and get a takeaway, but I had to ignore my budget on the first night.

If you are planning on moving house in 2010, make sure you tie up all the loose ends, leave the contracts to the solicitors and don't allow them to distract you from the main job of making sure that on the first night you have everything in the house that you need. It makes things so much easier when you are prepared.

Smile Basketball - 9"

Product Details

Get into the Game with a smile. Rubber and inflatable. Official size. 9."

Daycare Toys

Children learn a lot when they play, and having the right kind of toys is very important for the development of the child's brain. Children familiarize themselves with the environment and people around on their own, but it is important to guide them on the proper use of everyday objects such as chairs, spoons etc. Over the years the daycare toys found in day care centres have changed, in the old days the common toys were sandboxes, monkey bars, building blocks and teddy bears etc. Modern toys reflect the change in everyday life. Nowadays you will find toy ATM machines, computers, mobile phones, microphones, pianos and clocks etc.

Children are basically the same even when times and technology change. There are certain Daycare toys that seem never to go out of fashion; number blocks, finger painting, toy train sets and coloring books still continue to fascinate children. These simple toys are very important because they allow children to use their imagination when playing, unlike modern toys like video games whose use is limited by the creators imagination.

Simple daycare toys like train sets and building blocks etc have been proven to show that they increase a child's creativity, language skills, self-confidence and coordination. These simple toys are ideal for young children and as they grow older they can then be introduced to more sophisticated electronic or computer games and toys. Children have a limited attention spun, which is why parents and day care centres should put a lot of thought into the toys that they provide for their children.

Lifetime Basketball Hoops - Outdoor Features and Comparisons

Basketball Rim Height-Adjustment Mechanisms

The best place to start with height-adjustment mechanisms is to start at the lowest end and progress upwards. The lowest end mechanism is called a telescoping pole. This mechanism if probably the easiest to understand because the mechanism functions as the name indicates, like a telescope. These types of systems have a push pin that when compressed will allow you to change the height of the rim. The system is probably the most difficult to adjust and does not provide as large of an adjustment range, usually 8 ft. to 10 ft. for the rim height. This system is also one of the cheapest available.

The quick-adjust mechanism provides the next available level of rim-height adjustment. This mechanism uses a broom stick to adjust the height. The quick-adjust mechanism allows you to raise and lower the hoop from 7.5 ft. to 10 ft. This mechanism is also easier to use than the telescoping pole.

A step above the quick-adjust mechanism is the Action Grip and Power Lift mechanisms. These two mechanisms both use a squeeze handle located behind the pole. These also allow you to change the rim height within a 7.5 ft. to 10 ft. range. Where these mechanisms differ is in how the adjustment happens. The Action Grip can only adjust the rim in 6-inch increments. The Power Lift, on the other hand, can adjust the rim in infinite increments. The Action Grip adjusts the height of the rim using counter balance springs whereas the Power Lift uses a pneumatic device. Thus, the Power Lift mechanism is typically found on more expensive basketball systems.

The highest end mechanism is the Rapid-Cam mechanism. This mechanism is not as common as the other mechanisms because it is only used on Lifetime Products' Mammoth line. This mechanism is very comparable to the Power Lift, in that it uses a compression handle and can adjust the rim height 7.5 ft. to 10 ft. in infinite increments. The major difference is the Rapid-Cam is a beefier and bulkier unit. This is not to say the Power Lift is not strong; the Rapid-Cam needs to be bigger to manage the larger sized Mammoth line, which tends to have bigger pole and heavier backboard than Power Lift basketball systems.

Basketball Rims

Lifetime Products makes a series of basketball rims for the difference systems. These rims center around the general name of Slam-It. However, the lowest end rim is simply called "Classic". The Classic rim usually a static mounting mechanism that attaches to the backboard. This rim is the cheapest both in price and in quality. Static rims have a high tendency to bend and break the backboard when the system is played on aggressively.

A step above the Classic Rim is the Slam-It rim. The Slam-It rim takes a different approach to mounting to the backboard by using a dual spring compression mount. This spring mount gives the rim some cushion to help withstand aggressive play. This is still not the best available mechanism because the mount is still static against the backboard; this means the rim can still bend and break the backboard. A step above the Slam-It rim is the Slam-It Pro. The rim finally gets to the breakaway level of rim mount. Breakaway means that the mount has a static part that stays attached to the backboard and a flex part that pulls away from the mount. This protects both the rim and the backboard when the rim is handled more abusively.

The final step in the Slam-It line is the Slam-It Ultimate. The only difference between this rim and the Pro model is the Ultimate provides a beefier mount and a strong flex. This rim is typically found only on the Mammoth line.

Of the rims Lifetime Products has produced, only the classic rim, the Slam-It rim, and the Slam-It Pro rim is available for retail. You can always replace the same level of rim with the same level of rim. Upgrades in the rim quality typically require other parts not included in the upgrade's packaging. For instance, the U-bolts used to mount the Slam-It rim are not compatible with the Slam-It Pro rim. When you order a Slam-It Pro rim the proper bolts are not included in the packaging; these bolts would have been included as part of the original basketball system's packaging because they are considered part of the mounting bracket for the backboard. To upgrade a Lifetime Products rim, you will typically need to call Lifetime's customer service line to get the proper bolt package for your rim.

The Nike Dunk - Shoes Designed For Basketball

Nike, Inc. launched the Nike Dunks in 1985 as a line of product positioned side by side the Nike Terminator. The plan was to bend the basketball shoe market a bit introducing colors instead of the usual white pair with black swoosh. They had their eye on the target and Nike knew what to do.

Designed for basketball

The Nike Dunks were really intended for the basketball players. Nike had the shoes designed with a lower profile outer sole compared to the previous shoes. The objective was to offer shoes that are lighter in weight, closer to ground, and equipped with better paneling for improved performance. The enhancements were made so that the player can attain optimum pivoting and blocking.

To market the new line, a program called the College Colors was launched in various colleges and universities. Selected schools were signed up for exclusive Nike sponsorship. The jerseys were to be matched with the Dunks that will be provided for by Nike.

The eight schools that were chosen for the Dunks program included University of Maryland, St. John's University, Syracuse University, Villanova University, University of Iowa, University of Kentucky, University of Michigan, and University of Nevada.

The production for the Nike Dunks was put on hold for some time until Nike re-launched the line in 1998. The new Dunks had tongues made of nylon and arch support - those were the signature styles that differentiate them from the present releases. The shoes exhibited the classic university colors but new colors were also released.

Unexpected niche in skateboarding

In the early 2000s, the skateboarding market started to peak. Although many skaters already started to use the Dunks even during the 90s, it wasn't until 2002 that Nike launched the Nike Dunk SB, which targets the skateboarders.

Skaters or riders got attracted to the Dunks because of the same features that made them very good basketball shoes. The skaters needed shoes that will be comfortable for them as they ride their boards. The lower profile design of the outer soles made it possible for them to feel the board better. What made the basketball players move freely and function effectively on the court were the same features that made the skaters perform better with their skateboards.

Sneakerheads and their eye for fashion

Overlapping with the skateboarders, there emerged a pop culture where fashion was focused on the sneakers. This was also hyped up by the hiphop culture, which also started to flourish in the 90s. Sneakerhead refers to a person who collects shoes, which he intends to wear for purposes of fashion and everyday wear. Most often, the shoes of choice are those intended for sports like tennis or basketball.

The return of the Nike Dunks proved to be a successful more by Nike. With the new branch, Nike Dunk SB, the shoe line is now cashing in on their limited editions, which often sell at insane prices. The popularity of these special versions is attributed to the hype that is being given to the Dunks in the Internet.

Place-N-Play Basketball Junior

Product Details

This innovative basketball provides right- and left-handed grip patterns to teach proper alignment for an accurate shot. The basketball is color coded with outlines for both "righties" and "lefties." Yellow and black stripes provide visual feed back of the rearward rotation of a correctly released ball. Jr. Size ball is about 27" diameter.

Toys For Babies - Baby Play Mats and Education For Young Children

Is is my imagination, or these days does everyone want their child to be the brightest in the local community? People pay out all kinds of money on high tech tools created by manufacturers which claim they will make your son or daughter extremely smart and bright. This certainly sounds like a good idea. Then again, you might have mothers and fathers complaining because their youngsters are growing up too quickly. Our society can be incredibly baffling - do we want our little ones to savor their childhoods or become more intelligent from an earlier age - or is it possible to have both?

Even infant playthings are being aimed at mind stimulation. Baby toys are produced in very colorful designs to start early education. There are baby toys that speak different languages.. Should our kids at least learn their own mother tongue language first before having toys that speak multiple languages? Whatever happened to baby toys that allow babies to just be babies? A few of my favorite toys for babies are simple ones which shake and move - allowing them to giggle at as well as learn about how to make simple noises and move things about in their environment.

When my daughter was little, I was more interested on making sure that my daughter relished being a young child. Her infant playthings were adorable, soft and cuddly, vibrant as well as loud. I was not displaying flash cards from the age of 6 months or teaching her how to do simple math. I was, in fact, rolling around on the ground with her on her play mats, teaching her by pointing out pretty shapes, animals and colors. Her baby toys encouraged her to enjoy being a baby.

One of the best things that I actually purchased for her was not really a baby toy in a sense, but a video. She loved the Baby Einstein video tutorials. The background music and colors held her fascinated for the entire length of the video. While I cannot say for certain that her mind had been stimulated and she learned anything specific, I can say that it certainly wasn't harmful to her.

For very young children, in my opinion you really can't go wrong with purchasing baby play mats either. Baby will happily lie on his or her front for a period of 'tummy time" and gaining strength within their core stomach muscles, which is an essential physical development exercise they all require, or on their backs more focused on having fun learning colors and sounds. No matter what toy your baby or young child is using every day, their brains are no doubt being stimulated.

Perhaps we should not be quite so focused on creating infant geniuses or prodigies. We should instead be focusing on bringing up healthy, contented as well as naturally smart children. There is no real need to be pushing for anything more than that basic concept.

MacGregor '08 X602 Multicolor Basketball

Product Details

Camouflage Crib Bedding For Your Sons Nursery

You want to give your baby that special nursery that he will grow up with in years to come. There are so many options to choose from, but what do you do when you want something less conventional? What do you do if you want camouflage crib bedding? There are several options that are available and here are only a few of them.

Jo Jo Designs has created a beautiful blue and khaki set for your little bundle of joy. This nine piece set includes everything you and your new baby need. The set includes a colorful comforter, crib sheet and skirt. It also includes a diaper stacker, 2 window valances, a toy bag, and a pillow with the same decorations. Another great thing is that if you want just a little more there are options to get other interesting pieces to this set like; a hamper, lampshade, a changing pad cover, drapes, floor rug, and even a musical mobile that lulls your little one to sleep with blue and khaki camouflage stars hanging above his head. This set is great if you like camo, but also want to stick with the traditional baby blue color for your nursery.

Maybe you want to be a little less traditional? Then Jo Jo Designs has you covered there as well. Gorgeous green stars and a warm shade of khaki surround your baby with Jo Jo Designs Camo Green crib bedding set. This set gives a great woodsy feel to the nursery. Military stars are found all over this great set including a comforter, bumper, crib sheet, pillow, 2 window valances, a diaper stacker, and even a toy bag. You also have the option of getting a hamper, lampshade, musical mobile, changing pad cover, and some great wall art that shows off those great military stars across your little ones favorite wall. There is also a great floor rug and drapes available for this colorful crib set.

SoHo Designs has also created a great camouflage crib set that gives your little soldier a colorful room to love for years. This ten piece set includes comforter, bumper pad, crib sheet, crib skirt, diaper stacker, pillow, and even a baby bib to match. The best thing about this set is that it's reversable. So it's like buying two sets in one. One side has the gorgeous camo and the other side is sprinkled with polka dots. Whats also great is that you can mix and match the camo side and polka dot side to create a look all your own!

Either way you go, it will be easy to find a camouflage crib bedding set for your baby.

Junior Slam Door-Mount Basketball System

Product Details

19" molded plastic backboard; 9" diameter molded breakaway rim; child safe non-slip net; 4" inflatable basketball; quick mount door bracket; rim folds down to fit behind door

• Indoor basketball system for kids with 19-inch backboard featuring NBA logo
• Quickly mounts to the back of a door; rim fold for easy closure
• Includes 9-inch rim and 4-inch inflatable basketball
• Requires no tools for installation

Keep your kids active and teach them hoops skills at a young age with the Spalding Junior Slam indoor basketball system (model 56095), which mounts to the back of a door and features a folding rim for easy closure. It comes with a 19-inch molded plastic backboard with exciting blue background and NBA logo, 9-inch molded breakaway rim, and 4-inch inflatable basketball.

Spalding Mini Jammer Junior Door-Mount Basketball System

Product Details

24" reinforced backboard; NBA team graphics; 10" diameter molded slam rim; child safe non-slip net; 5" inflatable basketball; quick mount door bracket; rim folds down to fit behind door

• Indoor basketball system for kids with 24-inch backboard featuring NBA team graphics
• Quickly mounts to the back of a door; rim fold for easy closure
• Includes 10-inch rim and 5-inch inflatable basketball
• Requires no tools for installation

Keep your kids active and teach them hoops skills at a young age with the Spalding Mini Jammer Junior indoor basketball system (model 55NBA2), which mounts to the back of a door and features a folding rim for easy closure. The 24-inch wide fan-shaped backboard is illustrated with NBA team graphics, and it includes a 10-inch diameter molded slam rim and 5-inch inflatable basketball.

Have We Digressed or Have We Gone Full Circle?

The Other Day:

A friend of mine came by just to chat while her laundry was drying. As we were chatting, two young men came by. One of the boys wanted to "talk" to my friend (as in date). She asked him how old they were, and both of the boys replied 18. My friend and I both laughed hysterically because she is 22 years old. After my friend left, the young men were still hanging around and one wanted to know how he could gain her interest.

The first thing I told him to do was to pull up his pants! He asked why, then said he like saggin' his pants. I told him to come over to my computer and spell the word saggin'. Then I told him to write the word saggin' backwards.

S-A-G-G-I-N

N-I-G-G-A-S

I told him the origin of that look was from prison. Men in prison wore their pants low when they were spoken for. The other reason their pants looked like that was because they were not allowed to have belts because prisoners were likely to try to commit suicide.

You as young black people have to be the ones to effect change. We are dying. The media has made a mockery of the Black American. Even our brothers and sisters from Africa don't take us seriously. Something as simple as pulling up your pants and standing with your head high could make the biggest difference in the world's perception of us. It is time to do right by ourselves. We need to love and embrace each other. No one
is going to do it for us.

It all comes down to perception. What people perceive is what is reality to them. We have to change not only the media's perception of us, but we need to change our perception of ourselves. Remember all eyes are on you Black Man. All eyes are on you Black Woman. All eyes are on you Black Child. People are waiting for us to mess up. We have let not only the media, but the government and the world taint the pure essence of us. They have stripped our culture down to the point where we only believe we can become rappers and athletes. We are so much more.

To all my black men:
Its time to stand up. There are billions of Black Women who want to do nothing more than worship the ground that you walk on. We are so in love with your potential. We want to have your back, we want to love, support and cherish every ounce of your being. But with that you have to show that you are willing to be the head of our households. You have to prove yourselves worthy of our submission. We need you to be hard working...Not a hustler. We need you to seek higher education, to seek spirituality. We need you to stand! And trust us; we will have your back. We know that it gets hard, we know you get weary. Trust and believe that there is nothing that a Black Woman and a Black Man can't handle with GOD on their sides.

To all my Black Women:
It is also time for us to stand up. It is time for us to stop using our bodies as our primary form of communication. It is time to be that virtuous woman that Proverbs spoke of. We can not sit by the wayside while our men are dying by the masses. We are the epitome of Black Love. It starts within us. We need to speak with conv iction to let not only our Black Men know, but the world knows that we are the Mothers of this world. We are so powerful. We are so beautiful. We need to love and embrace every blessing God has given us physically, emotionally and spiritually.

For All Children:
We need to love them. We need to teach them. We need to stand up for them. We need to protect them. We need to show them that there are no "get rich quick" schemes. We need to tell them that they WILL die trying if they submit to a life of crime and deceit. We need to teach our children that no one will love them the way we can. And being a basketball player, a rapper, or a drug dealer is not reality. It's not realistic and only a small percentage of people ever make it as a rapper or professional athlete. We need to teach our children that we can be more than rappers and athletes. We can be the owners of these sports teams; we can be the CEO's of our fortune 500 companies. We need to believe in literacy. I am almost certain if we were to look back to the 1930's and 40's, the literacy rates for Black American Children are probably still the same.

Huffy 7888 Pro Slam Basketball Rim (Red)

Product Details

Pro Slam Rim (Red)

• Solid steel breakaway rim with 1/2-inch thick support arms and spring action flex mechanism
• Features a 2.9 x 2.5-inch mounting pattern
• Classic orange powder-coated finish
• Includes standard white net
• Designed for residential play

Designed for residential play, the Spalding Pro Slam breakaway rim (model 7888) offers a heavy duty, solid steel single rim basketball hoop with 1/2-inch thick support arms. It also features an ultra-smooth spring action flex mechanism, classic orange powder-coated finish, and standard white net. It's designed to fit 2.9 x 2.5-inch mounting patterns.

Little Tikes Basketball Hoop For Fun and Child Development

The Little Tikes basketball hoop is sold by a toy company but its value lies way beyond just that of a toy. Parents who have children aged between 18 months and 10 years and bought it for their children as a gift, are delighted with the huge amount of fun, physical exercise and child developmental benefits this hoop offers.

The American based manufacturer of the Little Tikes toy basketball hoop is a well-known, reputable company who has been producing trusted brands in the worldwide toy industry for 40 years. Their children's toys are synonymous with durability, high quality and reasonable pricing as well as for safety of use, imagination and attractive, bright colors. The toys are available in a multitude of shapes and sizes and are sturdy for indoor as well as outdoor use.

The company uses a unique rotational molding technique in their manufacturing process which makes the Little Tikes basketball hoop safe to use and made to last.

Your kids will immediately fall in love with the Little Tikes toy basketball hoop. Toddlers as young as 22 months have caught onto this game so enthusiastically that they want to play first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It is a great weapon in the parent armory, "Pick up your toys/books and put them away, or..." They also learn new words quickly to communicate their desire to play with their new toy and, in addition, this basketball goal has been shown to be invaluable in developing important hand to eye coordination, motor and social skills in growing children.

The basketball set can be adjusted to as many as six different heights to match the height of your child, guaranteeing many years of playing fun. An additional handy option that comes with the goals is the feature that returns the ball to you after a shot. The Little Tikes basketball hoop can also be handed down to younger brothers and sisters or family and friends as it will last that long.

Parents and kids can choose from a large range of kids basketball goals. Following are just a small sample of the hoop sets:

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set, for kids aged 18 months to 5 years
Little Tikes TotSports Basketball Set, for ages 18 months -to 5 years
Grow-to-Pro Basketball, for kids aged 24 months to 5 years
Little Tikes Adjust 'N Jam Basketball Set, for ages 36 months to 10 years
Just Like the Pros Basketball Set

Parents who have bought their kids the Little Tikes basketball goal set as a gift have reported excellent results for their kids, both in it providing endless healthy entertainment for hours on end and for the educational and developmental value obtained from them. Of course, the parents can also join in the fun, or otherwise enjoy some quiet times for themselves!

Get the Little Tikes basketball hoop set and enjoy happy kids and family entertainment for years to come!

Review of the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 Advanced Digital Compact Camera

Again special thanks goes out to my friends at B&H Photo for loaning me this camera to review. I am not going to spend time going through every menu and button on the camera. There are plenty of sites you can go to for the technical details of each of these items. My intent is to give my overall impressions of the camera and features I found useful.

What's in the Box:
1. Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 Camera

a) Features a 12X Optical Zoom (36mm to 432mm equivalent)
2. Battery and Wall Charger
3. Neck Strap
4. Len Hood
5. USB and AV Cables
6. Remote Shutter Release Cable (really nice addition you don't get with others)
7. Instruction Manuals and Quick Start Guide
8. Casio Digital Camera CD ROM
9. Arc Soft Total Media Extreme (basic movie editing and burning software)
10. YouTube Uploader for Casio
11. Reference Manual on CD ROM

Initial impressions:
After using the Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1 for the past couple of weeks; I found this to be a very cool camera. The features found on this camera are very unique and fun to play with. Besides being a very capable single shot camera, the Casio also has some great features which are fun to work with. For example the high speed mode which shoots up to 60 frames per second (fps) in single shot mode or 7 fps in flash mode. The camera also has a high speed video mode which lets you capture video at 300, 600 or 1,200 fps; as well as, a class leading HD video mode.

Let's look at some of the awesome modes available to you with the Casio EX-F1 that helps you get the shot you want. One mode is called Prerecorded, this mode can store from one second up to sixty seconds of images when you half press the shutter release button. In other words, it will continuously update a buffer of images from the last one to sixty seconds. When you full press the shutter it records these buffered images, plus any new ones up until the shutter is released to a maximum of 60. I used this to get a shot of orange juice being poured into a glass from above. Just think how you could use this to capture the exact moment of a child's soccer goal or a basketball swooshing through the basket.

Another mode that I love is the High-speed Continuous Shutter; this one will take up to 60 frames in a second. There are two choices available, 60 fps max or until the memory is full. Also available is a high speed flash mode that will allow up to 60 frames per second using the LED or you can use the onboard flash to capture up to 7 frames per second, with a maximum of 20 frames in one shutter press. I used this mode to shoot some stop action photos of water drops. I got way more keepers in just three shutter releases than in hundreds of shots with my standard camera using the exact same setup.

Another reason I chose to review the Casio Pro EX-F1 is that it has manual modes available. The camera has Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and even Manual which will allow the shutter to remain open up to a maximum of 60 seconds. All the manual modes worked just as you would expect and did quite well. The shutter speed and aperture are controlled via the menu and the rocker controls on the back.

Movie modes
This camera has some great options when it comes to movie modes. There is the HD mode which does 1024 by 1080, using the 1080i format. A standard mode which shoots 640 by 480, and a High Speed mode which can shoot at 300, 600 or 1,200 frames per second. I used the high speed mode to get some great footage of my cat leaping and twisting in the air while trying to get a toy. I also used it to shoot a small waterfall and watch it in slow motion later on my computer. The 300 fps mode is the most usable, as both the 600 and 1200 fps modes narrow the field of view considerably and require much more light to look good. It's just really cool to see things that are normally too fast for the human eye to pick up, slowed down to that degree. This mode could be used to capture sports action and slow it down for later playback and evaluation. P.S. the movie mode records in the .MOV file format (QuickTime).

Also worth noting is that there are separate buttons that activate the shutter release and the video modes. The shutter release is where you would expect it, up front by the right index finger. While the video start/stop button is on the back, where the right thumb would rest (right below it is a selector to choose high speed, HD or standard video). I found this very handy in that I did not need to use a menu to select each mode. I used this to shoot a local parade this weekend and found it seamless to shoot a still followed by a high speed or HD video on the fly.

The camera has an available zoom range of 32 to 432, which is really nice. The ISO range goes from 100 to 1,600; but shows quite a bit of noise at the higher levels, so keep it as low as possible for the best outcome.

The camera also has the ability to switch between using the electronic viewfinder and the 2.8 inch LCD display; however, I found the viewfinder a little dark so I spent most of the time using the LCD to compose all my photos and movies.

Conclusion:
This is a really unique camera in its class. The high speed modes alone make this camera worth the extra cost. I just keep thinking of new cool things to take both high speed still images and movies of. The regular photos come out just fine; about what you would expect of an advanced compact camera with a smaller sensor. The autofocus worked very well and I got sharp images most of the time. Just take a look at the examples on my site to see the results. I know when I am in the market to replace my point and shoot camera the Casio EX-F1 will definitely be high on my list of replacements.