Caring For A New Tattoo

When you finally decide to get a tattoo, the first thing you’ll need to do is find a reputable tattoo artist.  Most tattoo artists have several designs that you can pick from.  If you don’t find anything you like, you can always ask him to make a custom tattoo.  You should always be careful in what you choose, as you’ll have the tattoo for the rest of your life.  The design is very important, although not nearly as important as taking care of it.

Good tattoo artists will also clean and apply antiseptic ointment to your tattoo as they create it.  Expert artists know that this helps keep the tattoo healthy.  Once the tattoo is finished, the artists will wipe it down, clean it off good, and apply another coat of antiseptic ointment.  Once the ointment has been applied, he will put a piece of soft tissue or cellophane over the tattoo.

Once the tattoo is finished, the artists should tell you how to take care of your new tattoo.  Some of the better artists will talk to you and give you a detailed sheet with all of the information you need.  If you went to a tattoo artist who didn’t explain this to you, you may be wondering just what you should do.  Taking care of a tattoo isn’t hard – as long as you know what you can and can’t do.

When you first get home with your new tattoo, you should never hop right in the shower.  You should keep it dry for the first few days, but also clean it every few hours.  Before you touch the tattoo or clean it, you should always make sure that your hands are clean.  If you keep your hands clean, you won’t have to worry about an infection. 

You’ll also want to visit your local drugstore and purchase a tube of A&D ointment.  A&D ointment is the best to use.  A&D will keep your tattoo clean and shiny and should be used for the first few days. Once the ointment starts to dry on the tattoo, you should wipe the old application off and apply some more.  Don’t rub it too hard, or you could damage the healing process.  For the first few days, you should avoid using soap as well.

After 5 – 6 days, you can quit using the ointment.  A&D ointment will keep your tattoo healthy, which you’ll notice the first time you apply it.  After you stop using it, you should use an unscented body lotion.  You want to avoid body lotions that have scents, as they can easily irritate the tender skin that resides under your tattoo.

After you have used the lotion for a few days, you can stop using it.  Most tattoos, after they have healed, tend to leave a scab in some areas.  If your tattoo has a scab, you should be careful when you try to pick it.  If you aren’t careful, you could end up damaging your design.  The best thing to do is you have a scab is to leave it alone.  You can put A&D ointment on it if you want, as most of the time a scab will itch.

A tattoo can be a great thing to have providing you take care of it. Tattoos will stay with your for the rest of your life, unless you choose to get them surgically removed.  Taking care of your tattoo now will keep it healthy and infection free in the long run.  If you follow the above advice on how to take care of your tattoo – you won’t have anything to worry about.

Covered Bridges Basics

A lot of people might wonder what covered bridges are and what makes them different from ordinary bridges. Pictures might say it all but to put it plainly; a covered bridge is a bridge that has enclosures on the sides and has a roof. They are usually single-lane and can only accommodate a light load.

Far from being prominent landmarks and architectural candies, they were originally made for a more practical reason - to connect a town that is developing on two sides of a river. Early nineteenth century America saw the first covered bridges and they were very useful in connecting communities together.

Towns and villages that sprung up in the interior parts of the countries where rivers, streams and creeks were a plenty, needed bridges to prevent the division of the towns people and helped them get connected to basic infrastructures and services. These unique bridges have since grown into prominence as bigger cities rose in coastal areas, and towns where they can be found became suburbs and country estates. Recently, covered bridges are catching the attention of historic preservationists who are taking on the cause of maintaining covered bridges for their historical value.

The Technical Aspect of Covered Bridges

Early covered bridges were usually made of wood since there was a surplus of lumber at the time they were first made. Modern covered bridges though are commonly made of steel or glass and have become more intricate and flamboyant in its design. Earlier bridges were made to look more like a barn so it can blend in with the background of the country while modern ones are usually made to stand out. Ordinary bridges made of wood are always exposed to the elements, so covering them was a very ingenious way to extend its lifespan, save more tax money in maintenance, and in the old days, as a shelter for travelers during storms and unfriendly weather.

A majority of covered bridges use trusses as a key structural element in its design. The most popular was the Brown truss used for its simplicity and practicality but other trusses were also used. In the modern times, steel and concrete has become more available and structurally speaking, safer. These days, covered bridges are used either used for convenience rather than protection, or as means to make a design statement.

Whether for style or convenience, covered bridges have become part of the history of American towns that grew and prospered with them. These days a lot of historical conservationists are fighting for the preservation of old covered bridges as part of American heritage. Most of the bridges are found in rural America and thus more susceptible to the threats of arsonist, vandals, and flooding. Over two hundred (200) covered bridges have been identified all over America and the towns where they can be found are initiating the fight to preserve them.

Covered bridges have played an important part of America’s history and growth. Most historians agree that they are significant historical pieces that should be protected and maintained in order to preserve the history of old towns where they have become landmarks. Though modern bridges have become the ideal, wooden covered bridges are still able to maintain its rustic charm - something that most people are looking for when they go to the country side to enjoy the scenery. Towns are even renovating dilapidated covered bridges for the same reason, and hopefully, America’s great grandchildren can still enjoy these historical pieces of American engineering for many years to come.

First Date Conversation Ideas

If you are gearing up for a first date, you may be nervous about the conversation.  First dates become extremely awkward when the wrong things are said or when nothing is said at all.  If topics of discussion on your first date is a fear of yours, continue reading on for a few suggestions.

In terms of first date conversations, it is best to plan.  When doing so, break the date down into three different categories.  These categories are beginning, middle, and end.  When you consider each part of your date, as opposed to the whole night, coming up with conversation ideas doesn’t sound so hard.

As for the beginning of the date, it depends on how you start the night.  Did you pickup your date or meet her at the destination?  Regardless, opt for a quick greeting.  A simple “Hi, thank for coming,” should be the first words out of your mouth.

If you pick a date up at her home, greet her inside and then ask if she is ready to go.  Once you get to the car, hold the door open for her. Once inside, ask if she is comfortable.  If not, make steps to ensure she is.  If she is comfortable, she will likely follow it with something like “you have a nice car.”  This is a good starting point.  You can mention when you bought it or how you got it for a great deal.  Then, ask her about her car.

Another good first date conversation in the car is about likes and dislikes.  Are you going to watch a movie?  Tell her you hope it is good.  Then, ask her what her favorite movie is.  If you don’t know it, ask her to summarize it real quick.  You can take the same approach with favorite restaurants, bars, music groups, and so forth.

If you meet your date at the destination, such as dinner or a movie, ask how the trip was. Ask if she found the place okay.  Do this before asking if she is ready to go inside.

Once your date starts, you will be reaching the middle of the night.  This is where you want to get to know your date.  So, ask questions.  When doing so, don’t dig too deep.  Ask about her family.  Does she have any siblings?  Ask about her job or college classes.  These questions always lead to conversation.  You can also use them to talk about yourself.  Does your date tell you she has a sister and then talk about her?  You can do the same, mention your family.

An awkward point in a date is the end.  If at a restaurant, you may be unsure when it call it a night.  If you are finished eating or drinking, see if your date is interested in doing something else.  Does she want to stop and have a few drinks or listen to a band at a local bar?  It won’t hurt to ask.

A good date relies on good conversation.  This should take place throughout the entire date, but the words you utter at the end of the night have the most influence.  Be sure to say you had a good time.  You will also want to ask her for a second date.  If the date didn’t go so well, you may be nervous about asking. Instead of outright asking, say “You have my phone number. Call if want to do this again.”

Dance Dance Revolution

Those who aren't big fans of gaming systems may not realize that Dance Revolution is actually a video game for the Playstation 2 gaming system that actually has taken the industry by storm. It was one of, if not the very first attempts of the gaming industry to combat the idea that playing games robbed children of the physical activity that is so important to their overall health and well being.

The solution was to introduce a game in which the players were scored based on their ability to dance according to the directions of the game. If you haven't tried this game, let me be the first to tell you that it requires some fancy footwork and more than some degree of tunnel vision. The really cool thing about this game is that you can adjust the level of difficulty and combine games with friends who have the same game for a competition. Competition with yourself is all well and good but the idea of crushing your friends with your dance talents is even better.

This is a game that happens to be crossing generational barriers however and making quite a splash in doing so. Mothers and fathers are competing against sons and daughters and the wagers are quite fantastic. I know I've been known to win a week or two off from washing dishes as the result of a rousing round of friendly competition. The irony is that I'm not really that good at the game. It is a great deal of fun though and I feel less guilty about letting the kids play this game for an hour than I do about allowing them to play some "all your base are belong to us" sort of game for an hour.

The wide popularity of the game should be completely obvious in all the 'knock off' versions of this game that have already flooded the market. I do expect to see more games along this line in the near future particularly with the new Nintendo Wii system making waves for the physical nature of many of their games. The hope is definitely that the Playstation Dance Dance Revolution. We have already seen follow up with Dance Dance Revolution 2, Dance Dance Revolution Extreme, and Dance Dance Revolution SuperNova. I can only predict that Playstation will attempt to bring this successful line to the ailing Playstation 3 in the near future.

As far as the workout reality of this game goes you will find that it offers an excellent aerobic workout and great exercises for your legs. The arms are really up to you to a large degree. If you chose to approach in a river dance sort of method your arms are likely to receive quite the excellent degree of a workout that your legs will receive. However if you put everything into your dance moves then the revolution will be all the calories you burn as well as the strengthening and toning you manage as a side benefit.

While very few of us consider video games to be a great source of health or fitness, this game may be the one exception to the rule. Who would have ever thought you could get all of these things and so much more from playing a video game. Next thing you know they'll come out with Mountain Dew that is a health drink.

About Diamond Weights

Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is referred to as four grains, this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was one carob, or one carat.

However, in the far east, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grains of rice, it was four grains – or one carat as we know it to be now. The majority of diamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.

Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted. If more than one diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total Weight – it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying.

Christian Online Dating Services: What's in Store for You

If you are the type of person who has a deep faith and who intends to practice it at all times and at all costs, then most probably you want to have a partner who's going to share the same intention as yours. Have you found one? If not yet, why don't you take some time to consider joining the Christian online dating services? For sure, you'll find the perfect partner of yours.

Typical of a Christian is the desire to raise his family in a home that's filled with faith and peace. As of the moment, the number of Christian online dating services websites has exceeded the availability of those websites that focus on Jewish and Muslim dating services. With being a member of a Christian dating website, you'll find it enjoyable to be able to get connected with someone of the opposite sex for some promising romantic relationship, be able to chat or conduct healthy conversations online, have someone who's going to share the same views and values regarding your faith, get worthy advice on how to cope up with the usual struggles that every Christian happens to encounter, have somebody to share your favorite Bible passages with, and many others. As you try out signing up for these dating services, you are certain to mark some important changes in your life.

Many websites for Christian dating services are termed as non-denominational. Meaning, everyone who belongs from various churches are welcomed. Of course, one requirement is for you to indicate the church of yours in your personal profile. The personal profile that you create upon signing up will be used by the rest of the members in finding the perfect partner for themselves.

Over the years, the Christian dating services online have gained a wide popularity. For the individuals who don't find partying or going out a lot an interesting thing to do, signing up for a dating services website would be more than enough. True indeed, there are millions of Christians who are brought together by these dating websites. Even when one is at home, the search for a perfect match continues.

Take note of these general tips when attempting to opt for an online dating service membership.

As soon as you spot your prospect partner, start off with sending emails, SMS, or talking through the phone or chat. Don't be too aggressive to ask the person out at once.

Be cautious as always. You never know how genuine your newly met people are. After all, the internet is a host to several fraud cases.

Be careful with what you say. There may be extra sensitive individuals that you might offend.

Value a commitment. Don't promise anything if you can't fulfill it in any way. You're just about to ruin your reputation if you do so.

Start an interesting conversation. It would determine the possibility of a promising relationship.

Christian online dating is highly popular today so there's never going to be a problem with your search of a partner. Being single or alone will simply end as soon as you spot your favored partner. Just be sure that you log on to a safe and non tricky website. Most of the administrators though allow feedbacks so you can always check out the reputation of one website against another. Start now and be amazed at the changes in you.