Top 10 science fiction novels

10. 1984 (George Orwell):

A wonderfully well written story of what could happen if totalitarianism were to take over society as we know it. The story is disturbing and cold at times and shows us a very grim side of things. The story was written at a time when the world had just seen the aftermath of the Second World War and was well received by critics and readers alike.

9. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley):

The story is set in a future where everything is perfect for the human race. This is a theme that has been explored a lot in this genre and the book is one of the best representations of a sterile yet perfect future free from vie and any form of misery. A society that is simply drab is well represented by the author and it also shows the darker side of things where people seek solace in drug abuse and sexual explorations.

8. Gateway (Frederik Pohl):

A book that has received a lot of acclaim for its groundbreaking style. The story is set in the 21st century where a discovery on an asteroid named Gateway begins an adventure of adventures as people set out in journeys that were decided eons and eons ago. A wonderful mix of narratives that can be slow at times but really paint pictures in the mind of the reader as the stories go on.

7. Neuromancer (William Gibson):

The Neuromancer is a story that gave birth to the genre known as cyberpunk. The violent tales of Case who links his brain to a computer and their adventure begins. The story was able to recreate images like never before into the minds of its readers and is a hit even today with young and old people alike.

6. Dune (Frank Herbert):

It is one of the most loved and undoubtedly one of the highest selling science fiction novels of all time. It is a story set in the distant future where empires have reached an interstellar level. The story follows the life on an ordinary person but has politics, emotion and technology mixed well together.

5. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams):

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy that is worth the trouble to read and re-read again. The story is set on a journey to find the ultimate answer which is set upon a distant planet. The journeys across space and time take the characters on an epic journey.

4. Foundation (Issac Asimov):

The Foundation series is one of the most legendary series of science fiction books ever written. Written by science fiction heavyweight Issac Asimov, the book explores a fictional universe that is wonderfully detailed in every aspect. Using concepts that the author himself thought of, the stories cover the rise and fall of galactic empires.

3. 2001 A Space Odyssey (Arthur C. Clarke):

The story has been immortalized by the film that was made based on the story. The story of an alien race that uses a mystical crystal to explore life on distant planets and help it prosper is well written and should be on any booklovers must read list.

2. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress (Robert A. Heinlein): 

The masterpiece of the writer who has written many other books of acclaim, science fiction and fantasy combine to weave an intricate tale that is deeply engrossing as well as revolutionary in many ways. It explores a different aspect of things and reaches a personal level where the possibility of such a fantasy existing becomes high.

1. The Time Machine (H.G. Wells): 

The topper on the list is undoubtedly one of the best works of science fiction. It introduces the concept of a machine that can be used to travel through time. The book has been received well by people of all ages and is again a book that should go on every book lover’s shelf.

sourch : http://2leep.com/4623/1/

World's Most Dangerous Jobs

Skyscraper Windows Cleaners

You need nerves of steel to be a window cleaner in Dubai. When this worker spotted a mark on an apartment window, he just had to pop out to give the glass a quick wipe with a squeegee. Nothing odd about that – except that the apartment was located 400ft up on the 34th floor of a tower block in Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. He stepped out on to the narrow ledge and, holding the frame, stretched across to wipe away the annoying smudge. As he takes his life into his hands, at least he has the sense to hold on to the window frame, even if it is by his fingertips, as he goes about his task. He was snapped making sure the windows were sparkling by a resident in a neighbouring apartment block. He didn't have a safety harnesses or cradles and helmets. He had nothing. When it comes to safety among its massive immigrant workforce, the Dubai authorities have a dubious record. Conditions in which immigrants are expected to work have been a subject of discussion in the United Arab Emirates for many years. Yet the majority of these employees have no voice, especially when it comes to their own safety. They are also aware that, if they are deported, there are thousands of others willing to take their place.

(Link)

 

 

Helicopter Linemen

 

The first time you see these guys over the power lines you may think it's fake. But linemen who work from helicopters are for real and they are considered a highly specialized area of line work; few linemen have the special training to perform it. Incredible as it seems, live high voltage transmission lines can be worked barehanded. The lineman must be isolated from the ground by using an insulated bucket truck or other method. The lineman wears special conductive clothing which is connected to the live power line, at which point the line and the lineman are at the same potential, allowing the lineman to handle the wire safely.
Live wire work is extremely common on low voltage distribution systems within the UK as all linesmen are trained to work 'live'. Live wire work on high voltage distribution systems within the UK is carried out by specialist teams. These teams are sometimes referred to as 'Hot Glove' teams.

(Link)

 

 

Crocodile Wrestlers

 

The daily grind at the office may not seem so bad after viewing these startling images.
For, no matter how grumpy your boss may be this morning, at least you aren't actually risking life and limb by sticking your head in his jaws.
But that is exactly what the crocodile wrestlers at a Thai zoo do on a daily basis. The men at the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo perform what may well be the world's most dangerous job. The wranglers have been performing the stunts at the zoo on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, since it was set up in 1985. During the hour-long shows they stick their head between the jaws of some of the zoo's biggest crocs, in the style of Krai Thong, a legendary Thai crocodile hunter.

(Link)

 

 

Lion Trainers

 

Newlyweds from Montana, celebrating in Las Vegas were checking out the lion enclosure at the MGM Grand Hotel when they videotaped these images. The man was videotaping the male and female lions and their two trainers when all of a sudden the male took exception at something that was going on and made a lunge. A struggle ensued and a female also decided to join the fray but the trainer managed to break free with the help of his colleague and made a hasty escape from the enclosure with the male still appearing extremely agitated. There is no evidence of any blood being spilled, but the trainer is evidently in great pain during the attack. Soundproof glass muffled any noise, however. Jack Hanna appeared on GMA and he said the attack would be considered mild. The trainer was lucky it was the male getting over-excited as females launch much more devastating attacks. (Link)

Miners

 

Gilberto Angulos does not need to say a word to tell the tale of working 30 years in Chile's mines. His broken body does all the talking for him. A jagged scar runs down his forehead. A metal plate keeps his fractured left forearm together. A bone never properly set juts from his left shoulder. The injuries are the remnants of a mine explosion that nearly killed him. In 2003, Angulos was driving excavation equipment in a large copper mine when he felt a rush of air. Instead of being killed, Angulos was taken 1,300 miles (2,092 km) south to Santiago, where he spent a year in the hospital. The damage to the miner was permanent. Now the San Jose mine collapse and got trapped 33 men in Chile. The owner and operator of that mine, the San Esteban Mining Co., did not complete promised improvements to the mine where the men were trapped for 70 days, 2,300 feet (701 meters) underground. Many of the 33 trapped miners and their peers had had numerous brushes with death in the depths of a mine. Mario Gomez had two fingers sliced off by falling rocks. Victor Segovia spent a year recovering after a rock slammed into his back. Franklin Lobos was trapped for three hours during a previous cave-in. Hector Avila worked 20 years in the mines and became close friends with several of the recently-trapped miners when he worked with them at the San Jose mine. A geologist was killed in the same 2007 accident, prompting the closure of the San Jose mine. But the mine was reopened soon after.

Since 2000, 374 miners have died practicing their trade in Chile, according to government statistics. That seems like a fun job, doesn't it?

(Link)

Target Girls

 

Target girl is a term sometimes used in circus and vaudeville to denote a female assistant in "impalement" acts such as knife throwing, archery or sharpshooting. The assistant stands in front of a target board or is strapped to a moving board and the impalement artist throws knives or shoots projectiles so as to hit the board but miss the assistant. The presence of an assistant as a human target provides a powerful element of risk. Without assistants placing themselves in danger these acts would be simple demonstrations of accuracy, but with the potential for injury or death the show is much more dramatic. Where can I apply?

(Link)

Loggers

 

Logging takes an annual toll like few other occupations. The biggest hazard, according to Roger Smith of RL Logging in Olympia, Wash., comes from logging mountain slopes. "You're working steep terrain with 70-degree, 80-degree grades with rocks and sliding logs," he says. About half the time, he's taking down 60- to 70-year-old trees with trunk diameters of 30 inches or more. If not felled correctly, these can go crashing down slopes, rolling over anyone in their paths. The old forest canopies often have those snags, which are big dead branches that break off and can fall erratically when the tree comes down. Loggers call them "widow makers." Even after the trees are cut, the job of loading them can be tough. "Somebody just got killed here recently," he says. "He was running a harvester and one of the teeth of the chain broke off and went right through the bulletproof glass window of his cab."

(Link)

Fishermen

 

129 deaths per 100,000 people employed in the industry and 61 injuries per 100,000 for 2008, makes working in the Fishing Industry the number one most dangerous job in the world. A Cable TV show, Deadliest Catch, on the Discovery Network, shows real crab fishers in the Bering Sea. They make a living working many hours a day, 7 days a week, often in the dark, without a break for long stretches of time. They must perform the catch within the window of opportunity, or lose their income for the year. Freezing water and icy boat decks can lead to horrific accidents, and storms can swamp small fishing vessels, sometimes claiming entire crews.

(Link)

Deminers

 

Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area. Manual demining is still the best system currently in use because it has been proven that the current generation of mine clearance machines can only clear up to an 80 percent certainty at best, whereas manual demining can give a 99.6 percent certainty. But this work can be very dangerous. Demining resulted in at least 500 deaths from 1996 to 2002.

(Link)

Construction Worker

 

These are the people you see hoisting those giant steel beams to create the structural framework of office buildings and other large projects. The United Steelworkers union claims that deaths among structural construction workers are increasing as owners and managers try to cut costs. The most common cause of death among them, according to the BLS, is falling.

The mystery of Chernobyl

A bitter dispute is raging over whether the fallout zone is a wasteland or wonderland. Now, a team of scientists is heading back into the contaminated area to find out the truth. 

 

 'We walked out into a wasteland, grey and desolate. The buildings had deteriorated, windows had been smashed. Trees and weeds had grown over everything: it was a ghost town." It reads like a passage from a post-apocalyptic novel, such as Cormac McCarthy's The Road; in fact, it's how Tim Mousseau describes his first visit to Chernobyl. 

In 1999, this Professor of Biological Sciences from the University of South Carolina travelled to the site of the world's most horrific nuclear accident, alongside Professor Anders Møller, an ornithologist and evolutionary biologist from the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris. Their on-site research has sparked an intense controversy over the effects of radiation on humans and animals – one which they hope their latest trip into the fallout zone, which sets out in two weeks, will help to resolve.

The basic facts of Chernobyl are well known. At 1.23am on April 26, 1986, reactor number four at the Soviet nuclear power plant (sited in modern-day Ukraine) exploded, after an electrical test went horribly wrong. The radioactive material released was hundreds of times greater than the fallout over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, polluting about 80,000 square miles of land across Europe and spreading radioactive rain as far as north-west Ireland.

In the wake of the accident, more than 300,000 people were evacuated and an 800 square mile exclusion zone created around the reactor. Yet recently it has been reported that the abandoned town of Pripyat has become a wildlife haven. There have been sightings of wolves, bears and moose wandering through the deserted streets, and swifts swoop round abandoned office blocks.

The implication is that if wildlife can return so soon, nuclear radiation – and nuclear power – might be less dangerous than has been suggested. James Lovelock, the creator of the Gaia theory, has even written that the natural world "would welcome nuclear waste as the perfect guardian against greedy developers… the preference of wildlife for nuclear-waste sites suggests that the best sites for its disposal are the tropical forests and other habitats in need of a reliable guardian against their destruction by hungry farmers and developers".

By Sanjida O'Connell 5:56PM BST 31 Aug 2009

sourch : http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Dive the Blue Holes

Bahamas

When vacationing divers dip into the upper levels of Bahamas' blue holes–flooded inland caves formed originally from limestone–to take a look around, they are unwittingly close to some of the world's most dangerous diving. Farther below lies a kingdom of passageways that holds fossils and ancient formations. The very few who pass through the layer of toxic gas to reach these lower levels find pinhole passageways where a technical failure or wrong turn could spell doom and one errant fin could obliterate 10,000-year-old rock structures. But those who do venture into the watery veins of the Earth discover whole ballrooms full of tightly packed stalactites, prehistoric human remains, and fossils of now extinct crocodiles and tortoises. These caves are, quite literally, another world.

Top 10 Beach Cities

1. Barcelona, Spain 

 

Photograph by Petr Svarc, Photolibrary

With layers of architectural wonders, cutting-edge cuisine, and buzzing nightlife, Barcelona would be a world-class city even without the eight white-sand beaches that rim its Mediterranean coastline. Accessible by metro, the nearly mile-long (1.6-kilometer-long) Barceloneta Beach—revitalized in the massive waterfront makeover for the 1992 Olympics—is one of the most popular. Hit the Beach Centre to rent a beach umbrella, chairs, or a bicycle.

2. Cape Town, South Africa 

 

Photograph by Eric Nathan, Getty Images

The African capital of cool sprawls on a peninsula that divides the icy Atlantic from the warmer Indian Ocean, putting some 20 beaches within striking distance. The Clifton beaches, known for the posh homes that overlook them and stellar sunset-viewing, are sheltered from the region’s strong trade winds by a mountainous ridge. Further north, the breeze is unleashed at surfing sweet spots Milnerton and Blouberg. Families favor the eastern False Bay coast for warmer water and tot-friendly tidal pools.

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

 

Photograph by Chad Ehlers, Aurora Photos

Once an idyllic retreat for 19th-century Hawaiian royalty, Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach is now chockablock with resorts, some of them historic like the 1901 Moana Surfrider Hotel. The long, rolling breaks are ideal for novice surfers, but most beachgoers here are happy basking in the temperate, turquoise blue Pacific and killer views of the Diamond Head crater.

4. Nice, France

 

Photograph by Photolibrary

Some 35 beaches—some private, some public—stretch uninterrupted along Nice's coastline between the Rauba Capeu Quay and the airport, along the famous Promenade des Anglais, which fronts La Baie des Anges. Don't forget your flip-flops, however, as la plage is covered with small, smooth pebbles called galets. The beau monde sunbathe at private beaches, where a day's access costs about 16 euros and often includes a chaise lounge; food, towel, parasol, and chilled rosé are extra.

5. Miami Beach, Florida

 

Photograph by Hendrik Holler, Photolibrary

Separated from Miami by Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach is a barrier island and city unto itself fringed with nine miles (14 kilometers) of sandy Atlantic beaches, the red-hot center of which is South Beach. Once a seedy outpost, the 25 art deco-filled blocks known as SoBe has emerged as a stomping ground for the glitterati. Park your towel among the glamorous denizens at the southern tip of the beach.

6. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

 

Photograph by Francesco Zizola, Noor, Aurora Photos

The city that spawned Carnival and “The Girl from Ipanema” has a buzzing beach scene throughout its 25 miles (40 kilometers) of shoreline, from Copacabana— where bronzed Cariocas clad in skimpy swimwear and Havaianas stroll the wave-patterned promenade in the shadow of Christ the Redeemer—to the more upscale Ipanema, framed by the Rio skyline and the rocky peaks of Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers).

7. Santa Monica, California

 

Photograph by Philip Gostelow, Aurora Photos

With 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) of broad, sandy beaches, a fresh ocean breeze, and progressive vibe, Santa Monica has long been a magnet for the Hollywood set. In the 1920s, movie moguls and starlets partied at Club Casa Del Mar; today, celebrities dodge the paparazzi at the Shutters on the Beach hotel. Join a volleyball game, look for sea lions, or just watch the Pacific rollers crash on the beach.

8. Sydney, Australia

 

Photograph by Narelle Autio, Agence VU/Aurora Photos

Sydney is rimmed with dozens of beaches, but Bondi—a 0.6-mile (one-kilometer) crescent of golden sand 20 minutes from downtown—has become synonymous with the laid-back Aussie lifestyle. Sydneysiders come here for the booming surf, but the beautiful-people-watching is unparalleled. Keep your eyes peeled for migrating whales from May to early October.

9. Tel Aviv, Israel

 

Photograph by Alessandro Grassani

Call it Miami Beach on the Med. Tel Aviv is the Dionysian counterpart to religious Jerusalem. In the “bubble,” as it’s known for its inhabitants’ tendency to tune out regional skirmishes, some restaurants, discos, and clubs are open until dawn. By day, the scene shifts to the city’s promenade and eight miles (13 kilometers) of beach literally steps from town. Head to wide and sandy Gordon Beach to sit in a seaside café or take a dip in the saltwater pool.

10. Vancouver, British Columbia

 

Photograph by Chris Cheadle, Photolibrary

Canada’s most adventurous metropolis is home to ten beaches, from the family-centric Jericho to the clothing-optional Wreck Beach, many of which offer commanding views of the Vancouver skyline and majestic North Shore Mountains. Sporty types prefer Kitsilano or “Kits,” a six-minute drive from downtown, for its free tennis and basketball courts, and its super-size heated saltwater pool.

sourch : http://travel.nationalgeographic.com

Top 5 Sporting Events

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From the National Geographic book The 10 Best of Everything

1. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, France

   www.lemans.org
   Skill, speed, and stamina are the three s’s that mark the world’s best automobile race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race, organized by Automobile Club de L’Ouest, bridges past and present on the automotive circuit.
   
   The competition is set on a non-permanent track at Circuit de la Sarthe near the city of Le Mans on the Sarthe River. Roughly 46 cars start the race, in a series of classes that include prototype high-performance vehicles, dedicated race cars, and street cars. The diversity of autos gives the race a mix of old-fashioned and modern competitors. The winner is the car, driven by a team of three drivers, that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours.
   The first Le Mans contest took place in May 1923; today it is held every June. The race begins at 4 p.m., and for 24 hours the sound of roaring engines fills 8 miles (13 kilometers) of French countryside.

2. The Olympic Games

   www.olympic.org
   It’s hard to imagine that Zeus and the other gods lording over ancient Greece ever envisioned the global event the modern Olympiad has become. For a two-week span, athletes from dozens of countries compete against each other in scores of different sports. And that’s just the Summer Games, which began their modern run in the late 1800s. The Winter Games, featuring sports that largely require snow and ice, draw a smaller field of competitors. But the competition for the gold, silver, and bronze is just as intense. Remember Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan?
   National rivalries are varied. Consider the United States hockey team winning the gold over the favored Soviets in 1980; Jamaica’s jubilant 1988 bobsled team overcoming long odds to win hearts, not medals; or Argentina beating America’s 2004 “Dream Team” and going on to capture the gold in basketball. Even the competition among national Olympic committees to host the games is fierce, with bribery accusations and investigations becoming, sadly, the norm in sports news over the last several years.
   Still the games must go on; to be sure that they do, the International Olympic Committee decided to stagger the Winter and Summer Games. So during every even-numbered year, runners will bear the torch that eventually lights the Olympic flame somewhere in the world.

3. World Cup Soccer

   www.worldcup.com
   Thirty nations play, but billions of people in countries all around the world drop everything they’re doing for a month every four years to see who claims the title of World Cup soccer champion.
   The teams that compete in the World Cup finals are those that emerge from a series of qualifying rounds played out over the prior three years. The tournament of tournaments is therefore a showcase of the finest squads from across the continents and hemispheres.
   It’s during the finals that the intense challenge begins. First, in a series of first-round games, each team plays the three rivals in its opening bracket. Teams get three points for each win, one point for a tie, and zero for a loss. The top two teams in the bracket then move on to the single-game elimination rounds, with victorious teams proceeding though quarterfinal and semifinal rounds before the final championship match.
   All the while the world’s gaze is squarely fixed on the matches and the festival atmosphere in the stands. Chanting, singing, flag-waving, and superstitions are all part of the carnival that ensues.
   Since the first World Cup tournament took place in 1930, the most dominant team has been Brazil. Winner of five championships since 1958, the greatest Brazilian teams were led by perhaps the most famous soccer player ever, Pele.
   Rivalries are often fierce and deeply rooted: Two of the many in the sport are between England and Argentina, and one that has recently emerged between neighbors—Mexico and the United States.

4. The Super Bowl, United States

   www.superbowl.com
   The Super Bowl is so big that even the commercials are worth watching. The first Super Bowl (held in January 1967) was played to plenty of empty seats and a waning TV audience. But now Super Bowl Sundays, progressively marked with Roman numerals, are the most celebrated one-game professional championship on the 12-month Gregorian calendar.
   The Super Bowl concludes a 16-game regular season, and three postseason play-off rounds. It pits the top team from the American Football Conference against the top team from the National Football Conference for the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy (not to mention diamond-studded rings for players, coaches, and front office “suits”). The Sunday evening spectacle is preceded by two weeks of parties and pre-game hype.

5. The National Basketball Association Finals, United States

   www.nba.com
   The NBA Finals. Showtime and the “Ghosts of the Garden.” Rockets and Knicks, Spurs and Pistons. The National Basketball Association’s finals are a showdown of stars and teams for the ages. It takes four games to win, but at least 93 games to get there. And the teams that do bring a lot of glitter with them. Movie stars in front-row seats. Cheerleaders that resemble Las Vegas show girls in high-energy dance routines. The see-and-be-seen spectacle ringing the court is as intriguing as the game itself.
   Pro basketball has changed radically over the last four decades. The three-point shot, the slam-dunk, a pendulum swing against defense makes NBA ball a high-scoring, acrobatic affair. What hasn’t changed is the prize, the right to be crowned world champion.

Mysteries Of The Sea

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Here is a look at some of the most popular myths, legends, and superstitions to ever sail the seas.

There is little about nature which has inspired more myths and legends than the watery expanse of the sea. From the voyages of Odysseys and Jason to the enigma of the Bermuda Triangle, the deep waters of the world have inspired a whole mythology, unparalleled in history. Even the unpredictable nature of ocean currents and storms have spawned fear and fascination in the hearts and minds of humanity. But when one thinks of sea mysteries, one of the first that comes to mind is the Bermuda Triangle. What is this strange plot of ocean real estate, and why does it inspire so many tales?

The Bermuda Triangle is an imaginary triangle of lines which stretch from Norfolk, Virginia, in the United States, to Puerto Rico, and joining at the island of Bermuda, from which it takes its name. Stories of strange occurrences in this region are nearly as old as water travel. The Native Americans who inhabited the region called the waters cursed, claiming that no man who fished those waters ever returned alive. Given to ancient superstition, this was likely an exaggeration built on the fact that strong cross currents and swiftly brewing storms in the region often capsized the crude fishing craft and thus drowned the occupants.
These same explanations, however, do not cover later mysteries connected to the Bermuda Triangle. Christopher Columbus was the first European to ever record strange occurrence in the region. Specifically, he recorded in his log that he saw a ball of fire in the sky. Later, the islands of the region were said to be used by pirates and even haunted by the ghosts of their victims, and soon became known as "the Devil's Islands."
It is said that Columbus' compass went haywire (an occurrence which would continue to effect compasses for centuries afterward), and that his crew saw strange and frightening lights in the sky. Columbus was not the first, and certainly not the last, to claim the region to be full of mysterious energies. One of the first strange disappearances eventually attributed to the Bermuda Triangle is that of the crew of the Mary Celeste, in 1892. Though the vessel was found, deserted at high seas, off the coast of Portugal, later theorists have claimed that the Bermuda Triangle is still a valid explanation for her crew's sudden disappearance. Scientists and historians, however, remain sceptical at best. For the first, Mary Celeste should never have sailed anywhere near the Triangle, as she left New York City and was bound for Genoa, Italy. It is also highly unlikely that the ship could have sailed, intact, across choppy ocean currents without a crew to guide her.
For all these seaborne mysteries attributed to the Bermuda Triangle, it is in the air that the legends begin in earnest, around the end of World War II. On December 5, 1945, a flight of US Avenger bombers disappeared in one of the most famous cases of the Bermuda Triangle. After a final communication that their compasses were malfunctioning, Fort Lauderdale, Florida lost contact with all five aircraft. When it appeared that the flight would not be re-establishing contact, the Navy dispatched a
search and rescue party. This party included the Martin Mariner, which many claim also disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle. Some, however, claim this was not the case, and that the Mariner blew up barely twenty-three seconds after takeoff, in a witnessed explosion. Regardless of which was the case with the Mariner, no wreckage from the Avenger Flight 19 has ever been recovered, and no survivors have ever come forward to explain what happened.

Among the famous accidents and disappearances attributed to the Triangle are the USS Cyclops, which disappeared enroute to Norfolk in 1918, the Enchantress, last seen off the coast of South Carolina in 1965, the Air Force Tender, enroute to the Azores in 1962, and several commercial airliners between 1948 and 1950.
There have been many theories posed over the years, attempting to explain the phenomena of the Bermuda Triangle. One of the most popular among sceptics is that it's all a big fraud. This theory claims there's a very logical reason that no wreckage is ever discovered. No vessels or planes were ever actually lost. However, none of the subscribers to this theory have ever been able to produce any of the craft or people which have disappeared in the Triangle. If it all really is a hoax, then it is the oldest and most complex hoax ever designed.
The next most popular of the theories is far more scientific and respectable. Its supporters claim, and can prove, that a compass doesn't always point to true North, but rather to magnetic North, a phenomenon referred to as compass variation. These theorists claim that the area of the Bermuda Triangle has a high magnetic reading, which causes the compasses to go haywire. This theory certainly does explain the compass problems, but still does nothing to solve the puzzling disappearances.
There are, of course, far more imaginative theories as well, including psychic Ed Snedecker's twisting sucker, a funnel of space-time distortion which sucks in any craft too near it as it circles in the region. There is also the anti-matter theory, which claims that the craft disappear due to a split between this world of matter and an unseen world of anti-matter.
Whatever phenomenon is responsible for it, the Bermuda Triangle is not the only mystery asea. There are many other mysteries which are attached to the sea, including sunken Atlantis, a mystery which has endured for millennia, and the Flying Dutchman, whose blasphemy cursed him to sail forever. It is said that any ship which comes in contact with the Flying Dutchman is destined to sink, and its crew to die. More grisly tales even say that the crew of the ship which hails the Flying Dutchman will be cursed to sail forever, on board the ghost ship. Then, there are superstitious tales of sirens and mermaids and the mighty albatross, each of whom could either curse or rescue sailors on the seas. Many sailors, even into Christian times, cast an offering overboard to the local God of the Sea, in hope of currying favour and gaining smooth sailing and, in the case of fishermen, a good catch.
Whatever the tale, whatever the mystery, the sea continues to inspire poets, dreamers, and sailors alike, granting humanity a rich and lively repertoire of sea stories.

source : http://www.essortment.com

Top 10 ways to make a woman fall in love with you

 ferdirank

After you meet a woman and date her, you get to know her better. You probably start feeling closer to her and may even find yourself falling in love with her. But her feelings may still remain a mystery to you. You’re not even sure whether you’re doing things right. How can you get her to fall in love with you? Here are 10 ways that you can make a woman fall in love with you, and at the end of it, she’s sure to be crazy about you.

1. Display maturity

It’s always said that women mature faster than guys and are often found complaining about how immature they act. Impress her with the way you deal with situations and your outlook on the whole. Show her how responsible you are about finances, or serious you are about your career. And demonstrate your ability to think clearly and rationally when disagreements crop up or a conflict of interests presents itself. 

2. Romance her

Make her feel good by keeping the romance alive in the relationship. You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money doing this. Sure, there isn’t a woman alive who doesn’t adore flowers and gifts, but you can also do things that don’t cost a lot but can still enhance your relationship. Write her little notes or send her a mushy card. Call her up just to tell her you’re thinking about her and can’t wait to see her again. Be attentive and make her feel cherished and truly special.

3. Faithful

Don’t ever give her occasion to doubt you. Let her know that you have eyes only for her and the rest of the world takes a backseat. Let her sense your commitment to her and your relationship. Being able to trust someone and truly rely on him is a very powerful feeling. So many people profess deep feelings and then cheat on their partners. Don’t just tell her but show her that she can count on you. Women need to feel secure and once that is established, it takes the relationship to a higher level. 

4. Time spent with her is precious

Make it clear that you really treasure the time you spend with her, irrespective of what you’re doing together. And prove it! For instance, if she suddenly tells you she’d like to meet you because she’s finishing work early and you had something else lined up, cancel it for her. That doesn’t mean you cater to her to the exclusion of everything else, just that you sometimes sacrifice something you care about to be with her. If she begs you to come see a movie and you had plans with your buddies, do it for her and let her know subtly that you did. She will surely reward you! Women also love it if you do some girly stuff with them like shopping for lingerie, and aren’t afraid of sacrificing your masculinity in the process. It just makes you more of a man in their eyes!

5. Compliment her

You don’t have to go over the top always telling her how good she looks or how gorgeous her hair is or what a lovely outfit she’s wearing. A compliment has more effect when it is sincere, well timed and often, out of the blue. While a woman always loves hearing that she’s looking good, you can’t keep telling her that. It will lose its charm eventually. A compliment is valued when there is a surprise element to it. Telling her how witty you find her, how her intelligence turns you on, appreciating how thoughtful and generous she can be, or her gentle nature, all these are deeper compliments, which, when paid sincerely, make the recipient feel ten feet tall.

6. Laughter

Use humor as your biggest ally. If she enjoys your company and looks forward to seeing you again, you’re rapidly becoming an addiction, and that’s just what you’re aiming for. It’s not about making her laugh over your one-liners and finding you hilarious. It’s more about being on the same wavelength and enjoying the other’s sense of humor too. Or finding humor in similar situations or having a favorite serial or sitcom, which you talk about and cracks you up. Finding the same joke funny, or sharing a smile, draws you closer and makes you feel like kindred spirits. It’s a great feeling!

7. Learn what turns her on

And use it to advantage. Find out just the kind of touch that excites her, how she loves to be kissed. Don’t ever push her for sex or make her uncomfortable by coming on too strong. Let her see the effect she has on you, yet keep a strong rein on your passions if she decides she wants to call a stop to it. Let her set the pace, and ensure she understands that while your desires for her are strong, you will respect the limits she sets. Respect her and her body and she will appreciate you more for it. Women love it when they can see how much they turn you on and yet find you willing to take it slow for their sake. Also, when you make love to her, don’t always kiss her or caress her as a lead up to having sex. Do it just to make her feel special and because you want to convey that to her, and she will adore you for it. 

8. Give her space

Don’t be possessive and make her account to you regarding her whereabouts. Let her know you trust her. Don’t expect her to spend all her free time with you. Let her have her own life too. Often when in a relationship, people make the mistake of spending every waking moment that they can manage together, and in the process, alienate themselves from friends and even lose their identity. Let her be her own person.

9. Thoughtful

You remember little things she told you, and remind her of it at opportune moments. It may be that she once mentioned she loves having chicken soup when she’s got a cold, and you land up with some when she’s got the sniffles. Or she’s told you how she adores a particular entrée at a popular restaurant and the next time you go there, you order it and surprise her. It makes her feel like you genuinely listen to her and take the trouble to act on it and make her happy.

10. “I love you”

And of course, while showing her should give her the message, there’s a lot to be said for saying it loud and clear. Tell her how important she is to you. You might want to think about when you’re first going to tell her those three words. If it's too early in the relationship, she might be skeptical that you could feel so deeply so soon. And thereafter, it's not just choosing the right moment, but making every small moment count. You don’t have to wait only till you’re kissing her, or in bed. Saying it when it's least expected makes it all the more precious. She might be telling you something and the feeling just overwhelms you – tell her at that instant. She won’t mind being interrupted mid-sentence!

sourch : http://www.futurescopes.com

Top 10 pictures japan : before and after

ferdirank

Japan before and after Tsunami


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 source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42064847/ns/world_news-asiapacific