Oriental rugs - history and information

Oriental rugs are handcrafted rugs woven in the Middle East and the Orient - mostly regions extending from China in the east, to Turkey in the west and the Caucasus in the north, to India in the south. Authentic oriental rugs are knotted with pile or woven without pile and exclusively handwoven, which makes them unique and more exquisite, precious, and expensive than the other types of rugs. Some of the most popular and best oriental rugs include the Turkish, Caucasian, Turkoman, Afshan, Donkeybags, Prayer Rugs and Kilims rugs.

Short History:

The earliest known oriental pile rugs were those found in a Scythian burial site in Outer Mongolia dating back to the fifth century B. C. The second millennium B. C in Egypt and Central Asia had already seen the evolution of the art of rug weaving so by the fifth century B. C., rug weaving had become a fairly well-developed art. When the Silk Route came into being in the 17th century during the Safavid reign in Central Asia, oriental rugs started gaining immense popularity and Europe began to import them in large quantities. The rug making art and industry in the Orient also became a lucrative, highly skilled occupation. By the mid 19th century, not only the rich but the middle class citizens of Europe also began to value and afford these exquisite handwoven rugs.

Knots and Oriental Rug Weaving:

Oriental Rugs are handwoven on looms. The pattern of the rug is created by the knot (pile). Pile knots are of two types - symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetrical knots can be tied in such a way to give the pile a left or right inclination. Knot density is measured by counting the knots vertically and horizontally within the given area along the back of the rug. The size of warp (foundation threads wrapped around the loom), warp depression, weft (thread inserted along the width of the loom) and pile threads all determine the knot density. A cartoon (preliminary sketch similar in size to the work) may be created as a guide before weaving.

The loose warp threads along the ends are knotted, woven or braided into the fringe after the weaving. The Selvage is the edge formed after a single terminal warp or a cord made of various terminal warps is wrapped with the weft threads. The side cord may also be added only after the rug has been woven and removed from the loom, and a single cord is sewn on to the side of the rug. To create a rounded finish, an overcast (warps wrapped with a separate thread in circular fashion) may be used.

Type of Materials used for Weaving Oriental Rugs:

Wool, cotton, silk and rayon are commonly used in weaving oriental rugs. Wool and Silk are generally used in the pile. Wool is the most common fiber in the Oriental rug weaving industry and silk is the most expensive. Silk, which is also the most resilient, is used for creating the most elaborate and intricately knotted rugs because of the possibility of creating unique and exquisite texture unmatched by any other. Cotton is mostly used for weft and warp. Rugs made from rayon are cheaper and less durable though they almost resemble silk.

Boat loans - and how to get one

At first glance financing a boat is a terrifying task. Most bankers approve or disapprove boat loans in less than an hour; they enjoy offering instant gratification on loans. If the lender has an Internet web site, they can often make a decision in minutes, 24 hours per day, and seven days a week. You simply just have to fill out a form, click the submit button, and you should know in a very short amount of time the answer.

When going about the task of selecting the proper lender, make sure they have a specialty in boat loans. This is particularly important when choosing to buy a used boat, if they are specialized in boat loans they will know the laws pertaining to boats and liens. Simply put, a knowledgeable lender can save you the trouble of buying a boat that does not have a clear title that may end up costing you literally thousands of dollars to pay off just to clear it.

Loan officers that specialize in boat loans will also have knowledge about how to add value and subtract for options or damage to the boat. Contact various lenders and shop around for the best terms. You should compare the various interest rates, down payment, and terms of their loan. Keep in mind the smaller the payment, the longer the loan will last. It is advisable to obtain a shorter loan term if you can afford higher payments. Shorter loan terms, in general, cost less than longer.

Typically, the standard down payment on a boat is about 20 percent. There are some situations where a lender may require more as a down payment; several things will determine the amount of down payment, such as credit history and amount of the loan. On the subject of credit, you should prior to applying for a loan, check your own credit history, if you notice any errors or outdated information it is important that you get them corrected before you apply. Prospective lenders will always check your credit prior to approving a boat loan.

There are other factors a lender will very likely consider when determining your eligibility for a loan. These factors include your salary, ratio of the installment debt to that of your income, job stability, and your disposable income. The total debt you incur monthly to income ratio cannot exceed more than 30 percent of your gross income, if it does it is likely you will not be approved for a loan. If this occurs, you should consider waiting until you have relieved yourself of some debt and apply again.

When you are considering how much money you should apply for, keep in mind any additional items that are not included in the purchase price. Add the costs for these into the price of the boat, as well as extended service contracts with the dealer for the engine and drive, do not forget insurance as well. These are all things to consider when applying for a boat loan.

Australian museum

The oldest museum in Australia, and one of the most highly respected natural history and anthropological institutions in the world, the Australian Museum has exhibits to appeal to the future Nobel Prize candidates in several fields of natural science. Its palaeontology, anthropology, mineralogy, and zoology exhibits are displayed in a suitably Neo-classical stone edifice, on suitably named College Street, where it has stood since it opened to the public in 1857.

Changes at the Australian Museum

The ensuing century-and-a-half has seen the Australian Museum transformed from a warehouse for scientific and cultural artifacts to a modern sandstone complex housing research, administrative, and educational facilities. The collections are still there, of course; they are growing every year, and even better, are now accompanied by temporary exhibitions and educational programs.

What Will You Find at the Australian Museum?

The permanent displays at the Museum include the Indigenous Australian exhibit, which preserves a record of the many native Australian tribes; the Birds exhibit, with its examples of Australian avians of every shape, size, and plumage colour; and the Skeletons: Framework for Survival exhibit, covering every life form from insects to mammals.

The self-explanatory Insect exhibit, is a great favorite with the Sydney schoolboys, as is the “More Than Dinosaurs” collection of giant reptiles and megafauna, among which were giant kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian Devils.

The Biodiversity: Life Supporting Life, display shows the interconnectedness of the tremendous variety of Australian life forms

The permanent exhibits take up three entire floor of the Museum, and are expansive enough that the Highlights Self-Guided Tour Brochure is recommended. And while you probably won’t have time to give each exhibit the attention it deserves, make sure you find a way to stop in at the Search and Discovery Room, where you’ll be able to put your hands on some CR-ROMs, magazines, and books, as well as live exhibits. There’s even something for the pre-school set at Kid’s Island, where youngsters up to five years of age are free to explore.

Recommended Hotels near Australian Museum

For visitors to Sydney who want to take a fascinating look at the natural and cultural history of Australia, from prehistory to today, a visit to the Australian Museum is a must. And the Sydney Marriot, at 36 College Street, will provide them with five-star accommodations just a short walk away!

Finding your best home based business opportunity

When it comes right down to it, going to work is something that a lot of people don’t like to do. They have to put their children in child care, and they have to struggle to make ends meet by working each day at a job that they just don’t like. It is often very hard for people to come to terms with the fact that a job doesn’t have to be something that they hate, it can instead be something that they love, and it can be done in such a way that they are very happy while they are doing it.

These are all things that come to someone gradually as they figure out what they want to do in life. For most, it is easy to find their best home based business opportunity because it simply comes to them and it works. However, if you are struggling to find your best home based business opportunity, there are several things that you should keep in mind.

First of all, you should remember that you are going to be doing something for the rest of your life, so it had better be something that you can see yourself doing down the line. If you are going to invest time and money into a business, even and online one, you need to be sure that you can handle doing this for a long time. So, you need to pick something that excites you and something that makes you feel as though you can really enjoy it, forever.

Also, you have to be sure that this is something that you want to pass onto your children. Your best home based business opportunity is going to be one that you might want your kids to do down the line, just like a regular business. Many people like to pass their businesses on to their children, so it should be something that you can see yourself doing in many years and something that you can see yourself giving to your children.

Also, you want to be sure that your best home based business opportunity is something that relates to what you are doing now, or what you want to do with your life. This is because you have probably spent years doing something that appeals to you, even if you don’t like where you work or having to go to work. That means that whatever you are dong now might be able to be transferred to a home business, especially if it is something that you went to school for.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that you are going to want to take charge of who you are and make decisions based on what you want to do with your life, so be sure that the best home business opportunity you can find is one that allows you to make your own choices and judgments and one that is going to give you every chance to take advantage of the things that you need to take advantage of in order to be a success in your business.

Hurricane recovery financial institutions step it up

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We have all heard the stories of financial institutions exploiting consumers with shady practices such as exorbitant interest rates, hidden fees, and the like. These accounts anger us and, rightfully, those that practice these deeds should be exposed. Fortunately, not all reports are bad as evidenced in the way many companies are treating their customers in light of recent disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Let’s take a look at how some companies are responding in the wake of disaster.

1. Disaster Relief Programs. If you live in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] and own property, you may be eligible for relief depending on your financial institution and the program they have in place. One well known bank, for example, is automatically deferring mortgage and home equity loans for as long as ninety days, or three payments. In addition, this same bank is not assessing late charges for that timeframe, nor are they reporting negative information to affected consumers credit reports.

2. Payment Holidays. Similar to disaster relief programs, several credit card companies are allowing their customers to not make credit card payments for a two or three month time period. Two institutions have stated that they will not collect late fees, but in each case it is not clear whether customers will still be charged interest on their unpaid balances.

3. Loan Extensions. The financial arms of several automakers are allowing customers in affected areas to defer loan payments for up to three months. Essentially, these institutions are extending the loan’s length and adding the months to the end of the loan period without charging customers fees for this service.

If you live in any of the affected areas, it is best to contact your financial institutions directly to learn exactly what type of deferral plans, if any, they have in place. Some programs are less clear than others, particularly the payment holidays for credit card holders since it isn’t always apparent whether you will still be charged interest during the affected time period. Still, these types of compassionate gestures by certain financial institutions can create plenty of goodwill for consumers and they are the types of corporations certainly worth patronizing for the long term.

Organized and loving it working at home in style

Over the years, I’ve tried it all, different ways to get organized, with much trial and error. Some worked, some didn’t. I tried some of those fancy looking matching desk sets. They looked beautiful and for some, I’m sure they are perfect. But for me, they took up too much valuable space. Space I needed to proof my work, keep my reference books, or keep those essentials that I use on a regular basis. For me, when I work I want everything within an arms reach. I want to have immediate access to the tools I need to complete my assignments.

I have a corner desk, and on it I have my computer, printer, fax, phone, etc. Beside my desk I have a two-drawer filing cabinet. This was possibly the greatest thing I’ve ever done to organize my business. In it I have my files and supplies that I use on a regular basis, such as, client stationery, client files, a file for my receipts, all personal correspondence, paper, folders, etc. Whenever these files get bulky with client documents, I simply empty them into the main filing cabinet. For example, my main clients, whom I’ve been working with for 20 years, their files in the main cabinet are quite large. It’s nice to have the smaller file close by with just their recent correspondence. Plus, when I need a folder, an order slip for my books, a copy of my stationery, it’s all right there. AAAHHH, now that’s convenience.

Now for the receipts’ file. I keep it monthly. At the beginning of the month, I simply replace the file with the new month’s file. That way, at tax time, I don’t have to go through a whole year’s receipts and divide it up. It’s already separated.

Here are some other organizational tips you might find beneficial:

Mail—We have a round basket by a small table by the front door. All incoming mail goes in there first. Then when I have the opportunity to sort through it, I get it and put it in its appropriate place. Always pitch anything you aren’t keeping. All business-related mail is sorted and put away immediately. Anything that might need work done on it is logged into my Daytimer and then put in the To Do Bin.

Desk—Your desk should have on it only those items that you use on a regular basis. Look around. What haven’t you used in the last month or two? Start dumping. Find another spot for it. But find the RIGHT spot for it.

No Piling of Anything Allowed. This is one of those habits that can be so easy to get into. Definitely one that I catch myself doing a lot! But I stop myself now because I know it will just be brushed off to the side and forgotten. Too often I miss something important and regret the piling blunder again. You will be amazed how much more organized you will feel if you just don’t do this one thing. And time yourself. You think you are too busy, but it takes seconds and how long does it take to look for that missing document.

Daytimer—Now this isn’t only for Time Management. Your Daytimer can have a space for all your business cards, appointment cards, etc. How great it is to have all these cards right in the same place. On the date of your appointment, you simply grab the card and off you go. Also, recently I’ve started using the Outlook Express to log in appointments as well. It has a calendar and I can look to it to get a feel for the day and the week to follow.

Three-ring Binders – I saved my best for last. I do a lot of research in doing publicity for clients and also have a lot of e-mails that I need to print and save. I use paper that already has the wholes punched for insertion into a 3 ring binder. I will print out important research, client e-mails I need to save, work that I’ve done so I can review it later, etc., on this paper and then put it into the proper binders. I have a binder for all clients, research, PR, myself, and miscellaneous. You would be amazed how clearer things are in a binder than tossed in a file cabinet. For my business it works tremendously.

Start the beginning of the day and the end of the day with a clean-up. What a tremendous feeling that is. When you are done with a project, away it goes. When you start the next project, out comes all the material you need.

There’s nothing like the feeling of sitting down in the morning to a nice clean organized desk and office. Once you feel this a couple of days, you want to experience this every day so you’ll take the appropriate steps to make it happen.

All about chapel hill nc

Chapel Hill may be small, but it's certainly mighty. As part of the Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill Research Triangle, Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina, a large research industry, and a populace focused on education and culture.

As a college town and part of a region that has the highest number of Ph. D-holders per capita in the country, Capitol Hill is both educated and fairly liberal. The small town of just over 50,000 makes public education a top priority and is widely known for the high quality of its school system, with East Chapel Hill High and Chapel Hill High both recently ranking amongst Newsweek magazine's top 100 schools in the country.

Along with its neighbor town, Carrboro, Chapel Hill also has a vibrant cultural and music scene. The town is home to record labels like Merge Records (The Arcade Fire) and Yep Roc (Billy Brag) alongside popular artists like James Taylor and Ben Folds, who began his career in the small but bustling city.

Overall, the city is known for a friendly attitude, great restaurants, an abundance of coffee shops and independent retailers along with a fantastic spirit that exudes itself from the myriad of murals throughout the city to events like its massively popular and somewhat quirky annual Halloween street party. The smallest of the three Research Triangle cities, Chapel Hill does its best to stand out.

Basic Chapel Hill Demographic Stats:*

*based on 2000 census

Population: 48, 715

Racial Make-up: White (77.95%), Black or African American (11.42%), Asian (7.18%), Pacific Islander (1.16%), Hispanic or Latino (3.21%) Native American (0.42%), and just over 3% reporting from other or a mixed background.

Median Income: Household - $39, 410. Family - $88, 200.

Median Age: 24

Home Ownership Rate: 42.9%

Crime: Violent crime rate (as reported by the FBI in 2003): 4 per 1,000. Number of homicides and murders: 0.

Conclusion: Chapel Hill is a great place to live for nearly anyone.