Queensland’s Sunshine Coast has a Proud Sporting Heritage
The Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia has become well known in the Southern Hemisphere as the region of choice for the well-heeled to holiday.
It has all the ingredients that are sought by the hard working executive to relax and recharge their batteries. Stunning beaches, a consistent climate, world class restaurants, great surf and an endless supply of cold beer. However hidden beneath the surface of this holiday paradise is the fact that it is consistently producing and training world class athletes.
Pat Rafter who was ranked number 1 mens singles tennis player in the world in 1999 and won 2 US open titles at Flushing Meadow, was honing his tennis skills from an early age in Eumundi,(he went to the same primary school as Kevin Rudd, the current Australian Prime Minister).
Gary Elkerton was raised in a beachside caravan park in Mooloolaba, where he honed his surfing skills. He finished runner up on the world tour three times in the 80’s and 90’s and won the Quicksilver Masters in France in 2001. Alexandra Headland, Point Cartwright, Old Woman Island, Moffats and Double Island Point are where he learnt his trade.
Mal Meninga was raised in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, starting his A grade Rugby League career with Palmwoods then moved onto the Nambour All Whites. He went onto captain Australia as well as lead the Maroons to four straight State of Origin series wins as coach (the best coaching record in the history of Origin). He also holds the world record for shortest political career when in 2001 he resigned within 28 seconds of announcing he was running for parliament.
Ian Baker-Finch grew up in Nambour and joined the PGA tour in 1979, he gradually built a reputation as a world class golfer through the eighties finally winning the most coveted major in golf, the 1991 Open Championship.
After retiring from the professional tour he became a commentator for CBS in the States and gained worldwide press headlines when he stood by the 18th green commentating at the 2007 Barclays tournament, to be hit on the head and laid out unconscious by a stray shot from the American Rich Beem.
Other world class athletes from the Sunshine Coast include Grant Kenny who grew up in Maryborough and won canoeing bronze in the LA Olympics of 1984, Billy Slater who grew up in Nambour and has become one of the stars of the NRL as well as representing Australia and Josh Constable, born and raised in Noosa, who won the World Longboard title in 2006.
The Coast is also currently home to Evonne Cawley(winner of 6 Grand Slam singles tennis titles), who lives in Sunshine Beach, Michael O’Connor (represented Australia at Rugby Union and League) who lives in Sunshine Beach, Raelene Boyle(winner of 7 Commonwealth Games gold medals and 3 Olympic silvers in the 100m and 200m) who lives in Buderim and Lisa Curry-Kenny (winner of 7 Commonwealth games swimming gold medals), who lives in Minyama.
If you are looking for Sunshine Coast accommodation, particularly a Mooloolaba resort, you will find the best Mooloolaba apartments at Bluewater Point resort.
Don’t Buy Steam Powered Games - A Christmas Tale of Disappointment
How disappointing for my 11 year old son. I bought a copy of Order of War for him for Christmas today, but when I installed it, I got the message:
“Duplicate Product Code - The product you’ve entered has already been activated by an existing Steam account and is therefore invalid. Your activation of Order of War Retail has not been completed.”
You see this game is “Steam Powered”, which means you have to have an internet connection and a Steam account to install the bloody thing. Oh, it is written on the box, in about 4 point type on the back.
I suspect the Steam Powered is a clunky and unreliable way of trying to overcome software piracy.
So now I have to go through the process of either returning the game to the retailer when next it opens in the new year, or work through the Steam help desk process to try and get it fixed.
Based on the feedback on the Internet about Steam support, I think I’ll just return the game to the retailer, get a refund and ask them what non-Steam powered games they have.
You see the Steam CD Key reactivation process is a pain. You have to register for yet another Steam account, no, you can’t use the Steam account you created when you first install the game.
The process is along the lines of:
1. Register a support account at Steam support
2. Confirm the email
3. Find the support request area
4. Realise that you have to take a digital picture of the back of the instruction book to prove that you did, in fact, buy the game.
5. Borrow a digital camera. Hey Steam Support - not everyone owns a digital camera !
6. Take the picture of the back of the instruction book
7. Upload the picture to your PC
8. Complete the support request and attach the digital picture from your PC
9. Return the digital camera from where you borrowed it
10. Wait for Steam support to get back to you with an answer. Who knows how long that will take over the Christmas period.
11. Write a blog post slamming the whole Steam system
I don’t know, we can land a remote vehicle on Mars, but we can’t some up with a simple and reliable software activation process.
Do not, I repeat, do not buy Steam powered games. Especially if you don’t want to disappoint a child on Christmas day.
Angry Dad of Disappointed Child
Vancouver Island British Columbia
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, just off Canada’s Pacific coast, separated from the mainland by the Strait of Georgia. It is 460 km (286 mi) long and up to 80 km (50 mi) wide, a magnificent landscape of emerald forests, snow-capped mountains, flower-filled meadows, crystal-clear ice-cold lakes and rivers, and pristine coastline pounded by the Pacific Ocean. The island is paradise for outdoor pursuits enthusiasts, and it is one of the few places in the world where you can play golf and go skiing on the same day.
There are mountains down the centre of the island, the Vancouver Island Ranges, dividing it into the rugged and wet west coast and the drier east coast with a more rolling landscape. The highest point on the island is the Golden Hinde at 2,195 m (7,200 ft), lying within the Strathcona Provincial Park, and there are a few glaciers here, the largest of which is the Comox Glacier.
The west coast is rocky and mountainous, characterized by fjords, bays and inlets, while the interior has many rivers and lakes, of which Kennedy Lake, northeast of Ucluelet, is the largest.
At the southern tip of the island is the elegant capital, Victoria, with its historic parliament, narrow streets dotted with cafes, pubs and colourful gardens, and boats floating lazily in the sparkling harbour. There is an abundance of sights to experience here, including the world-famous Butchart Botanical Gardens, with over a million plants. The gardens are divided into themed areas, such as Japanese or Italian, and each is a beautiful garden in its own right.
Activities available in this big outdoors include skiing, white-water rafting, caving, mountain biking, surfing, sailing, diving and snorkelling, bungy jumping and many other exciting pursuits. There are deep-sea fishing trips for halibut, salmon and chinook, whale-watching excursions or kayaking in the inlets of the Pacific Rim National Park.
Trekking and hiking through the wilderness is also popular here, and can be done on horse or on foot along the trails in the fir-lined woods. Wildlife viewing is becoming more and more popular, with black bears high on the wish-list, and ecotours by boat can offer sightings of bald eagles, sea lions and sea otters.
Looking to travel overseas or within Australia? For cheap flights to Gold Coast, cheap flights to Cairns or cheap flights to Brisbane, contact Flight Centre today.
Laser Hair Removal
There are now many different types of equipment to perform hair removal the best being genuine Quantum IPL machines.
Permanent hair reduction is performed by using a specific wavelength (colour) of light to destroy the hair follicle and to restrict the hair regrowth.
IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light to target the hair follicle. This means both the hair and skin are treated at the same time.
If the hair removal laser has only one specific wavelength of light this is why there are so many different types of lasers in the world today because each specific laser is built to do a certain type of procedure.
The laser most suitable for hair removal is either the 755 Alexandrite laser or 810 diode laser. These two types of lasers are pretty much equal. The Alexandrite is great for light skin and dark hair, whereas the 810 diode laser is better suited to a slightly darker skin tone.
IPL was generally regarded as one of the better forms of hair removal until knock-off machines became available at ridiculously low prices. These machines are typical of the saying you pay for what you get and the results relate to this.
Though you will get some hair reduction with these knock-off IPL’S , most of the time the hair follicle is only made dormant, rather than destroyed, and the hair tends to regrow after about six months. That is why clinics who use this type of equipment will say that you will need maintenance treatments.
The latest technologies in laser hair removal are the IBL Alexandrite and IBL Diode laser. The reason these lasers are superior to the older types of laser is that the new lasers can change the pulse duration as well as the pulse power. This means a vastly superior hair reduction treatment on more hair types and more skin types.
The Alexandrite is a unique laser that can be customised to treat hair with different degrees of thickness and density. This is achieved through a large range of spot sizes. Another advantage of the Alexandrite lasers is that they are fast. With professional use, they can remove male chest hair in about less than 40 minutes.
Due to the specialised nature of laser equipment, professional laser hair removal clinics are required to be licensed with state health authorities. The strict regulations that clinics must adhere to and number of licenses that must be obtained means that there are very few genuine specialised clinics in the community.
Image by Laser has been in hair removal business since 1999 during this time we have treated thousands of happy clients. No-Cost, no-obligation consultations are available at Image by Laser Brisbane and Image by Laser Sunshine Coast. Our friendly, informed, and qualified laser technicians will customise a laser hair removal program to meet your individual needs.
The Magic Word in Copy Writing
There’s no doubt people like getting things gratis. If you include the word free in your headline somewhere, the ad is more likely to be digested. In truth, the most profitable campaigns I’ve read always had free sticking out boldly somewhere in the ad. There are some important things to remember however.
First, if you hoodwink people into reading your ad using a massive FREE at the top, then don’t deliver on the promise, your ad will definitely fail and your reputation will take a hit. You may also get a call from the government investigators. For example, I once read an ad headed with the word FREE. The word took up a third of the ad. Underneath it said: soft drink with every main meal over $20. So what I thought.
Needless to say, that was something of a disappointment. It makes you feel cheated and deceived, which in turn will make you even less likely to visit the restaurant, call the business or whatever it is the offer is trying to encourage you to do as a result of reading it.
If you use the word free in such a bold way, make sure that the offer is truly something remarkable, or else the whole thing will backfire and people will be turned off dealing with you (when they were neutral about buying from you before). Not all publicity is good publicity as Tiger Woods has recently found out.
Secondly, if you are offering something completely FREE (that is, with no obligation to purchase anything else) be prepared for a surprise.
I remember running a promotion with a florist. We handed out fliers offering a free flower. No one took us up on the offer. It was completely bewildering. It was only later that I worked it out. Depending on the product or service, people are often too embarrassed to claim something free. It seems people who like buying flowers, like BUYING flowers. Free is not an attraction to them.
Maybe the promotion should have said: A free box of Swiss chocolates with every bunch of roses? All very well in 20-20 hindsight.
It’s strange but you have a better chance with a `free x when you buy a y’ appeal than you do with a `free x no strings attached’ approach. People just don’t expect to get something for absolutely nothing. They are cynical and mistrusting.
Free is probably the most over-used term in marketing, so you need to remember to only pull it out of the toolbox when you’ve got something pretty amazing to give away and, only when it is tied in with something else. The offer has to be compelling but credible, if you get my drift.
Need a web copywriter? For web copywriting in Brisbane, visit copyvoodoo.com.au. Face it, we all need a good copywriter for our landing page sometimes.
Free: The Magic Word in Copy Writing
There’s no doubt people like getting goods gratis. If you include the word free in your headline somewhere, the ad is more likely to be read. In fact, the most successful campaigns I’ve seen always had free sticking out boldly somewhere in the ad. There are some important things to remember however.
First, if you hoodwink people into reading your ad using a massive FREE at the top, then don’t deliver on your offer, your ad will definitely fail and your reputation will take a hit. You may also get a call from the advertising standards people. For example, I once read an ad headed with the word FREE. The word took up a third of the ad. Underneath it said: soft drink with every main meal over $20. So what I thought.
Needless to say, that was something of a disappointment. It makes you feel cheated and misled, which in turn will make you even less likely to visit the restaurant, call the business or whatever it is the ad is trying to encourage you to do as a result of reading it.
If you use the word free in such a bold way, make sure that the offer is truly something remarkable, or else the whole thing will backfire and people will be turned off dealing with you (when they were neutral about buying from you before). Not all publicity is good publicity as Tiger Woods has recently found out.
Secondly, if you are offering something completely FREE (that is, with no obligation to purchase anything else) be prepared for a surprise.
I remember running a promotion with a florist. We handed out fliers offering a free flower. No one took us up on the offer. It was completely bewildering. It was only later that I worked it out. Depending on the product or service, people are often too embarrassed to claim something free. It seems people who like buying flowers, like BUYING flowers. Free is not an attraction to them.
Maybe the promotion should have said: A free box of Swiss chocolates with every bunch of roses? All very well in 20-20 hindsight.
It’s strange but you have a better chance with a `free x when you buy a y’ appeal than you do with a `free x no strings attached’ approach. People just don’t expect to get something for absolutely nothing. They are cynical and mistrusting.
Free is probably the most over-used word in marketing, so you need to remember to only get it out of the toolbox when you’ve got something pretty amazing to give away and, only when it is tied in with something else. The offer has to be compelling but believable, if you get my drift.
Need a web copywriter? For web copywriting in Brisbane, visit copyvoodoo.com.au. Face it, we all need a good copywriter for our landing page sometimes.
Laser Hair Removal
There are now many different types of equipment to perform hair removal the best being genuine Quantum IPL machines.
Quantum IPL is a medical grade machine that has the power, 45 Joules per square centimetre, and variability of wavelength, colour spectrum, and pulse type to treat different skin conditions and skin types so that it does the job it is designed for quickly and efficiently without the risk of damaging surrounding tissue.
Permanent hair reduction is performed by using a specific wavelength (colour) of light to destroy the hair follicle and to restrict the hair regrowth.
IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light to target the hair follicle. This means both the hair and skin are treated at the same time.
If the hair removal laser has only one specific wavelength of light this is why there are so many different types of lasers in the world today because each specific laser is built to do a certain type of procedure.
The laser most suitable for hair removal is either the 755 Alexandrite laser or 810 diode laser. These two types of lasers are pretty much equal. The Alexandrite is great for light skin and dark hair, whereas the 810 diode laser is better suited to a slightly darker skin tone.
IPL was generally regarded as one of the better forms of hair removal until knock-off machines became available at ridiculously low prices. These machines are typical of the saying you pay for what you get and the results relate to this.
Though you will get some hair reduction with these knock-off IPL’S , most of the time the hair follicle is only made dormant, rather than destroyed, and the hair tends to regrow after about six months. That is why clinics who use this type of equipment will say that you will need maintenance treatments.
The latest technologies in laser hair removal are the IBL Alexandrite and IBL Diode laser. The reason these lasers are superior to the older types of laser is that the new lasers can change the pulse duration as well as the pulse power. This means a vastly superior hair reduction treatment on more hair types and more skin types.
The Alexandrite is a unique laser that can be customised to treat hair with different degrees of thickness and density. This is achieved through a large range of spot sizes. Another advantage of the Alexandrite lasers is that they are fast. With professional use, they can remove male chest hair in about less than 40 minutes.
Due to the specialised nature of laser equipment, professional laser hair removal clinics are required to be licensed with state health authorities. The strict regulations that clinics must adhere to and number of licenses that must be obtained means that there are very few genuine specialised clinics in the community.
Image by Laser has been in hair removal business since 1999 during this time we have treated thousands of happy clients. No-Cost, no-obligation consultations are available at Image by Laser Brisbane and Image by Laser Sunshine Coast. Our friendly, informed, and qualified laser technicians will customise a laser hair removal program to meet your individual needs.
Stop Blushing, Compulsive Lying, and Addictions with Hypnotherapy and Mindfulness Therapy
Do you want to stop blushing, compulsive lying or do you need an addiction treatment? These problems may differ but they have two things in common - they can all cause distress to those who suffer from them; and all can be treated using hypnotherapy and mindfulness therapy.
Can you just picture the sense of freedom and control you will feel if you are able to finally gain control over blushing, compulsive lying or your addiction? If you’d like to regain control read on to find out how hypnotherapy and mindfulness therapy can put you back in charge!
How to Stop Blushing
People often associate social anxiety and social phobia with blushing but this isn’t always the case. Just because you blush doesn’t mean you have social anxiety but blushing can lead to social anxiety. The interesting thing is that the fear of blushing, rather than blushing, becomes the greatest problem. Whether you have a problem with excessive blushing or not, you’ve probably noticed that when you’re in a situation that makes you fear that you will blush, blushing comes rushing!
The person who suffers from excessive blushing can feel they have no control over the actions of their body and this creates fear which makes matters worse - but mindfulness therapy combined with hypnotherapy can help you to control the fear and as a result, control the blushing.
Keeping a cool head so to speak becomes easier when you learn just how to let go of the fear of blushing. Hypnotherapy can help you to manage your mind body connection, including your relationship with temperature and facial flushes. If you have tried hypnotherapy for blushing and not achieved a result, it may be because it wasn’t combined with mindfulness therapy.
Mindfulness therapy is a technique that involves intentional, non judgemental experiencing of your sensations, thoughts and feelings. It allows you to gain an awareness and understanding of the mind-body connection. In essence, you’ll get to know your blushing problem intimately and as a result, be able to reduce fear and anxiety.
Stop Compulsive Lying
Compulsive lying or pathological lying is a learned coping habit which can destroy close relationships. Most compulsive liars have learned to lie as easily as they shake hands and rarely feel there is a problem telling lies. It’s easy to understand the devastating effect this habit can have on the personal, work and business relationships of the person telling the lies but for the compulsive liar, it’s difficult to control the problem.
What causes compulsive lying? It’s usually shame - an underlying feeling that they are unworthy, deficient or inadequate in some way. They begin to make things up and eventually compulsive lying becomes an almost unconscious, attempt to cover shame feelings by appearing special.
Effective treatment for compulsive lying involves mindfulness therapy, counselling and hypnotherapy. The techniques are combined to work with both conscious and unconscious habits of mind. Mindfulness and attachment therapy combined provides the person suffering from compulsive lying with a secure relationship with a therapist. Within that secure relationship they are able to be authentic and honest without fear of judgement. It allows them the opportunity to get to know themselves on a deeper level and deal with feelings of shame and inadequacy which in turn can remove their need for compulsive lying.
Treatment for Addiction
Addiction treatment usually involves counselling, rehabilitation, medication or a twelve step recovery program but most addictions suggest a deeper problem that needs to be addressed if a long lasting result is to be achieved.
Addictions are often an attempt to avoid feelings of anxiety, guilt, shame, anger and depression. The addiction might vary but whether it’s compulsive shopping, binge drinking, or an addiction to drugs, chocolate, coffee or gambling, the common element is an unconscious attempt to avoid unpleasant and possibly unconscious feelings.
Hypnotherapy combined with mindfulness therapy can be effective in addiction treatment. The addict is able to identify and deal with the feelings they’ve been avoiding, bringing them to a conscious level, thereby reducing the need to avoid them and gaining control over their addiction.
Blushing, compulsive lying and addictions have yet another thing in common - they are all essentially habits that rely on the sufferer being unaware of, or unable to deal with feelings that are for the most part, unconscious.
If you need addiction treatment or you want to stop blushing or compulsive lying, a combination of hypnotherapy and mindfulness therapy may be effective for you. It can put you in touch with unconscious feelings and break the hold that addiction, blushing or lying has on you.
Cyprus: Birthplace of Aphrodite
Cyprus, probably named for its copper, smelted since Neolithic times, is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite. Two impressive mountain ranges surround a huge fertile plain and lovely beaches circle the coastline. Its climate has long attracted visitors, it is now renowned as a place for retirement - or partying.
Lying close to the Middle East and always strategically important, it was taken by many great powers including Greece. Rome and Egypt. The long reign of the French Lusignan dynasty brought prosperity and Roman Catholicism. In 1570 the Turks took the island.
It became a UK Crown Colony after World War II Independence came in 1960, but intercommunal strife increased and in 1974 an unsuccessful Greek coup prompted a Turkish invasion. The island was divided. It is now possible to cross the border, but violence and negotiation alternate and rules can change overnight.
However, north or south, the islanders are warmly welcoming and Cyprus has many attractions. The southeast with its raucous resorts also has archaeological sites and sunsets from Aphrodite’s ‘birthplace’ at the Rock of Remios. Pafos, though surrounded by development, remains a charming town. To the northwest is the remote Akanas Peninsula, with further isolated regions along the coastal hinterland, the magnificent Troodos region has forested mountains, lost villages, painted churches, unique wildlife and winegrowing.
In the North, small resorts cluster around the beautiful harbour town of Kyrenia. Famagusta is full of ruined Gothic churches inside its golden stone walls; outside lies a haunted, wired-off modern town, The rocky coast and bristling Kyrenia range hold unspoilt beaches and villages, classical sites, monasteries and Crusader castles.
Lefkosia (Nicosia) is the world’s only divided capital, Inside the massive Venetian fortifications, both sides - the cosmopolitan south and the north with its dusty lanes - are fascinating. Both have streets which end in a wall fluttering with defiant flags.
For all your travel needs both international and domestic talk to Flight Centre. We have cheap flights to Sydney, cheap flights to Melbourne and cheap flights to Perth, call or visit today.
Digital verses Offset Printing
The differences and advantages of each process and deciding which is best for your project.
Digital printing and its technology have grown exponentially the past few years, bringing about more advancement and in turn, many more options when it comes to printing. However, it has also brought about some confusion amongst printing clients. An understanding of the differences between digital printing and the more traditional offset printing process, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of both, is vital in making the right choice.
Most Commonly Used Process
Offset lithography is the most commonly used high volume commercial printing process. In offset printing, the desired print image is burned onto a plate which is then transferred, or ‘offset’, from the plate to a rubber blanket, and then to the printing surface. The process of lithography is based on the repulsion of oil and water. The print image attracts the ink from the rollers, whilst the non-printable area attracts a film of water, which therefore keeping those areas ink free.
Digital Printing
* Shorter turnaround time.
* Elimination of the numerous mechanical checks and steps required with offset such as making colour proofs and printing plates.
* Cheaper costs for low volume printing. When you waive setup costs associated with offset printing, digital provides lower per unit costs for small print runs.
* Can only use the CMYK process to replicate Pantone colours and therefore some colours such as orange cannot be produced accurately.
* Offers Variable Data Printing as a way of customising your digital printing at a low cost. Using information from an excel spreadsheet for example, unique text can be printed on each item without stopping or slowing down the press.
Offset Printing
* High image quality.
* Minimum print runs, as larger quantities are much more economical - Offset printing is the cheapest method to produce high quality printing in commercial printing quantities i.e. the unit cost goes down as the quantity goes up.
* Same colour each time around. The use of Pantone colours mean that your chosen colour will not vary from print run to print run. Especially important for corporations with logos (think ‘Coca Cola red’).
* Offset can also print with CMYK process but can be expensive with low runs due to the cost of the plate’s make-ready time.
For more assistance with offset and digital printing services including business cards, brochures, posters and much more visit www.admc.com.au
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