Inspiration: {Le Salon Haute Couture de Dior}

{...dear readers, it pleases me to inform that I have finally finished four months of French language training, an experience which I will always remember... although enriching, being a full-time adult learner was extremely draining... I look forward to returning to my familiar routine,... but first a well-deserved vacation and an virtual escape into the world of Dior..., xo}

* the Cherry Blossom Girl discovered via the lovely Sarah Klassen's Haute Design.



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Tips for Color Washing Furniture

We recently visited a creative arts studio. The room was filled with an air of creativity all around, what impressed us was the furniture that was a part of the interiors. A rusty and country look dominated every piece of furniture, it was simply stunning. It was not a fancy layout with the most expensive finishes, but a simple yet creative idea. The technique of color washing furniture is creating superb finishes and the out come is a special make over to old furniture. It is one of the most popular techniques among the different furniture painting ideas.



Furniture makes up most of the interiors and color washing furniture is just the right and inexpensive way to revamp even the smallest piece of it. Color washing rules a washed and rusty look, however, you can choose different color washing techniques, contrasts and colors that can give you a variety of looks as per your tastes and style. It will change the complete look of the furniture. Not only is it used for coloring walls but also for making creative items, for furniture, and more. It is an easy process that can be mastered. If you thought making furniture look pretty was just a task for skilled hands, you might just want to try color washing furniture. The only skills required here are creativity, creativity and creativity. For beginners and the not so beginners, here are some tips on color washing furniture that will make color washing an easy and fun experience.



How to Color Wash Furniture

Color washing is done by coating a surface base color with translucent latex paint and glaze mixed with another color. This is done in layers, and the effect is a great combination of luster and texture. Most commonly color washing is done using a paint brush, however, you can use many other things like a sponge, or hard cloth, etc. Below mentioned is a detailed way to color wash furniture.

• The pattern should be decided first. When you color wash, it will give you a specific texture and effect. You may want to try this on a small part of the furniture first, or even a small piece of cardboard. For beginners too, it is advised to first try it on another surface, before the final hand on the furniture.
• Now the materials you will need are: painters tape, rough cloth, paint brushes, paint colors that you wish to color wash the furniture, and sand paper.
• Furniture that can be painted can be anything like old chairs, tables and even cabinets. Whatever the texture of the furniture, a color wash can be easily applied.
• Cover any flooring or other area properly with cloth, to avoid spoiling and coloring unwanted places and things. Next if there is one part of the furniture that you do not want the color wash in, cover it with painters tape. Or if you want a different color or texture in a certain part, cover that part with tape.
• Take sand paper, and smoothen out the surface of the furniture, you can use a 200 grit sand paper. But do so very lightly, if you want some texture of the wood to be seen. Once finished wipe the piece of furniture with a rough cloth. Paint the furniture with a base color and leave it to dry, at least for an hour.
• After it is dry, use glaze mixed with the desired color, and coat the surface of the furniture. The proportion can be in the ratio of 4:1. That means 4 parts of glaze for every 1 part of paint. You can use a hard brush, or sponge or cloth for this. It depends on what kind of texture or finished surface you want. A soft cloth will give you a very subtle color wash, while a sponge can be used for moderate texture, a brush will give you fine lines.
• You can either give crisscross strokes, horizontal or vertical strokes, or you can even give a circular finish. Use your creativity here. A sponge can be used in a circular motion for a color wash, while a brush is best used for lining and crisscrossing. You can also stipple the surface of the color wash with a hard brush.
• When this coat is semi dry, you can dab a cloth or use a soft brush to soften the look further. You can also use one or more coats of glaze, depending on the final output that you want.
• During this process, the base color is also seen. You can also see the wash of glaze and other contrasting color on the top coat in the color wash. You can create stunning contrasts, texture, depth and designs when color washing. Experiment on a small card board first to check what will look best. You can also coat with transparent latex varnish.

The color wash style and combination will also depend on the type of furniture. The place or area that it will be kept. For an open porch, lawns and gardens, used earthy and rustic colors with textures, crisscross or simple fine lines. The dining areas can have more warm colors. The living room can have fun colors, while the bedroom can be a little subtle by using sponge or a cloth used for color washing.



Color washing is a simple yet unique way to redesign your furniture and create a different and new look. It can be used just on any surface and anything like on walls, artifacts, ceramics and more. It can also help you retain old furniture with a new look, which is good for the environment too. So thinking of refurbishing? Think of color wash. Simple. Stunning. Creative.

Federal Reserve to Keep Interest Rates Low for Next Two Years

The Federal Reserve board met yesterday to come up with a plan for stemming the overwhelmingly negative economic tide that has overcome the country in the wake of a very public battle over the federal debt and a downgrading of the nation’s credit. The result was a bit shocking, as the Fed determined that it would keep interest rates low – almost at zero for the official inter-bank Fed Funds rate – for at least the next two years. For a board that rarely comments publicly on the direction of rates for more than a few months at a time, the long-term commitment to keeping money cheap was surprising.



Also interesting is that there were three dissenters among the board, the largest number of members disagreeing with an official action since 1992. The move propped up the equities markets, which had been obliterated over the course of the past several days, and also drove down the rate on short-term Treasuries. In addition to the move to keep rates so low, the Fed has also hinted that it will take further steps if necessary.



That is very thinly-veiled language that indicates that QE3 may be coming, a process by which the Fed would purchase Treasury securities or, in essence, print more money. Said Alberto Bernal, the head of emerging markets fixed-income research at Bulltick Capital Markets, "If they have to act they will. They didn’t act today because they didn’t want to send a specific message of panic." Still, the Fed did note that the growth of the U.S. economy was expected to be very slow and that unemployment, currently at 9.1% nationwide, would improve slowly as well.

Advantages of Information Technology

Information Technology or IT mainly deals with computer applications. The common work environment today is totally dependent on computers. This has led to the need to develop and consistently upgrade dedicated computer software like project management software, for a number of related requirements. These include storage and protection of content, processing and transmitting of dedicated information and the secured retrieval of information, when and as required. IT promotes computing technology, covering everything from installing applications to developing databases.

The advantages of information technology are many. True globalization has come about only via this automated system. The creation of one interdependent system helps us to share information and end linguistic barriers across the continents. The collapse of geographic boundaries has made the world a 'global village'. The technology has not only made communication cheaper, but also possible much quicker and 24x7. The wonders of text messages, email and auto-response, backed by computer security applications, have opened up scope for direct communication.



Computerized, internet business processes have made many businesses turn to the Internet for increased productivity, greater profitability, clutter free working conditions and global clientèle. It is mainly due to the IT industry that people from diverse cultures are able to personally communicate and exchange valuable ideas. This has greatly reduced prejudice and increased sensitivity. Businesses are able to operate 24x7, even from remote locations.



Information technology has rippled on in the form of a Communication Revolution. Specialists in this field like programmers, analyzers and developers are able to further the applications and improve business processes simultaneously. The management infrastructure thus generated defies all boundaries. Among the many advantages of the industry are technical support post-implementation, network and individual desktop management, dedicated business applications and strategic planning for enhanced profitability and effective project management.



IT provides a number of low-cost business options to tap higher productivity with dedicated small business CRM and a special category for the larger operations. Regular upgrades have enabled many businessmen to increase productivity and identify a market niche that would never have been possible without the connectivity. With every subsequent increase in the ROI or Return On Investment, businesses are able to remain buoyant even amidst the economic recession. Not only do people connect faster with the help of information technology, but they are also able to identify like-minded individuals and extend help, while strengthening ties.



This segment revolves around automated processes that require little or no human intervention at all. This in turn has minimized job stress levels at the work place and eliminated repetition of tasks, loss due to human error, risks involved due to negligence of timely upgrades and extensive paper-intensive business applications that result in the accumulation of unnecessary bulk. The sophistication of the modern work stations and general working conditions is possible only due to the development of Information Technology.

Impact of Information Technology on Business

Information technology is a wide field, and has enabled organizations across the world to work in an efficient manner. It plays a very important role in effective management and running of a business. The use of information technology in organizations is inevitable, be it any type of company like manufacturing or medicinal sector. It has contributed largely to the process advancements in organizations. The exact impact of information technology on business administration can be determined by the elements mentioned below.



Basic Elements of Information Technology



Software and Applications

Software is an important part of information technology which relates to computer applications that enable a company to generate, store, program, and retrieve data as and when needed. There are many softwares developed for different purposes. All operations in the business sector are carried out by software that are assigned for executing specific tasks. Without these computer applications the businesses wouldn't have been able to carry out their functions in a proper and efficient manner. Operating systems, ERPs, special purpose applications, and web browsers are some examples of different softwares.



There are some softwares which are exclusively built to contribute to the proper collaborative working of all sections of the businesses, which are known as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). These are complex applications which enable people to efficiently manage all functions and operations of all processes in the businesses.



Hardware Devices

These are various computer equipments that house the softwares. Devices like microcomputers, mid-size servers, and huge mainframe systems are some examples of hardware. Businesses have to maintain a huge collection of important data. For this purpose, they employ these devices which are responsible for storing confidential company data and retrieving it back when required. Other hardware devices include network devices that are used for providing Internet access to the businesses to work and communicate expeditiously. There are even devices which enable manufacturing tools and equipments to work accurately in the industrial sector.



Running Businesses with Information Technology



Small scale businesses need to buy software packages that would cater to their specific management, operational, and functional needs. For this purpose, they need to approach firms and IT manufacturers who deal in such software applications. Other IT services include Internet marketing and email marketing, web hosting and promotions, and maintaining client networks. Larger businesses on the other hand have their own operational and functional employees who develop software applications and work on several IT needs of the businesses. They usually purchase ERP softwares to coordinate different processes and functions into a single application, which is actually more convenient.



Manufacturing businesses may make use of servers and databases to store their vast data regarding inventory, B2B, B2C, FMCG (in the retail business sector), etc. Automobile manufacturers use computers to guide manufacturing and designing tools to function in a precise manner, ruling out the possibilities of any human error. Businesses all around the globe have to take the aid of information technology in some way or the other to keep themselves in sync with the market and the world. There are several departments in business organizations such as HR and recruitment, finance and payroll, administration, and security. All these departments utilize IT to carry out their respective operations in a productive manner and efficient manner.



The information technology role in business sector certainly is of a great importance, which enables businesses to effectively and successfully plan, manage, execute strategies which lead to profit. Moreover, the impact of information technology on business is on the rise, as several advancements are focused on to be implemented in various business processes.

Importance of Information Technology

Information Technology is related to studying, designing and developing the information related to computers. This field is growing at a very fast pace over the last few years and according to successful and well known people in the Information Technology sector, this growth is expected to remain stable. Due to the robust growth, millions of jobs have been created in this field. However, it is very essential for us to understand what is the importance of information technology. More on careers in information technology. Given below is the importance of information technology in business.



Why is Information Technology Important in Business?



There are many businesses which are in need of the software packages for satisfying their operational as well as functional needs. For fulfilling this requirement, these companies sign deals with the software manufacturing companies. Information technology is useful in ensuring the smooth functioning of all the departments in a company such as the human resource department, finance department, manufacturing department and also in security related purposes. With the help of information technology, the companies in the automobile manufacturing sector are able to get rid of any sort of errors or mistakes in the proper functioning of the tools used for designing and manufacturing purposes. Due to the development of the information technology sector, the companies are being able to keep themselves aware of the changes in the global markets. Read more on IT jobs.



The software applications and the hardware devices are known to be the main elements of the use of information technology. The web browsers, the operating systems, ERP's and special purpose applications are the softwares which are used in information technology. Information technology plays an important role in easily solving the mathematical problems and also in the project management system. Information technology has a great use in the automated production of sensitive information, automated upgradation of the important business processes and the automated streamlining of the various business processes. It has also played an important role in the areas of communication and automated administration of entire systems.



Importance of Information Technology in Education



Importance of information technology in educational sector is well known. Information technology helps the students as well as the teachers in studying the course material easily because of fast access. Studying the subjects with the help of online libraries and dictionaries has made grasping and increasing the knowledge easy for the students. The inclusion of information technology in the syllabus in schools, colleges and universities has helped them in grasping the subject well and getting their basics cleared. Since, many educational centers have the online grading system, it has been a boon for the parents of the children to keep a tab on their performances. Parents can also get the details of the attendance record of their child in schools.



Importance of information technology in management is quite significant. It helps the managers in adapting to the new business processes and also to predict the possible impact of new technologies. The managers can benefit from the efficiently prepared computer packages and the electronically stored confidential information. With just a single click of the mouse, they can have the relevant information in front of their screen. However, in order to be able to handle these software packages in a better way, the managers should have undergone quality training in information technology. Taking this need into consideration, many corporate companies are seen taking special efforts for the development of these soft skills by training programs prepared by experienceed software professionals. Hopefully, by now, you must have understood why is information technology important. More on:

• What is Information Technology
• Impact of Information Technology on Business
• Advantages of Information Technology

The I.T. Sector is growing at a fast pace and is creating ample opportunities for deserving candidates with great pay packages. Now, are you ready for the challenges in this sector?

Fat Over Lean Oil Painting Technique

The discovery of oil painting is a boon for artists and fine art lovers. Before the advent of oil paintings, a pigment called tempera, was used in oil paintings. Tempera is produced by using glutinous substances such as egg yolk and size, which are water soluble. Linseed oil, which is made from the seed of flax, was mixed with tempera, and thus oil painting was created. Turpentine is used to dilute the paint and mediums used in the oil paintings. It is a traditional liquid that emits a kind of noxious smell. Solvents such as gamsol or turpenoid are added with turpentine to suppress its strong odor. Brushes are frequently cleaned using these solvents too.



How to Use Fat Over Lean Technique?

• The basic thing about fat over lean technique is, paint coatings are done layer by layer. The lower layer should have a thinner coating than the upper layer.
• Instead, if the upper layer is made thinner than the lower layer, the upper one will dry up faster and cause cracks in the painting. This is called alligatoring.
• Gain sufficient knowledge about the proportion of solvent and medium, which you need to maintain for your paintings, because, these factors decide the drying time of the paints that you use.
• If a lean layer is made over a fatty layer, it will cause a whitish haze on the painting surface after some days. This is called as blooming and this effect cannot be removed.
• The first layer of your painting should be a mixture of paint and a solvent (lean mixture). Mixture of solvent and linseed oil should be the next layer and the last layer should have more linseed oil content mixed with the paint solution.
• Use a good quality oil to avoid yellowing or darkening of your paintings, and also avoid too much oil in your painting, so as to prevent wrinkles after the painting gets dried up.
• The final thing is, protective coating should be given, so as to give a final colorful look to your painting.

Drying Speed of Paints

• Quick Driers: Flake white, raw umber, burnt umber, cobalt green, cobalt blue, cobalt violet, manganese blue, Prussian blue, Naples yellow, aureolin yellow, Indian red, Venetian red, etc.
• Average Driers: Raw Sienna, mars colors, chromium oxide, zinc yellow, strontium yellow, viridian green, quinacridone red, quinacridone violet, ultramarine violet, etc.
• Slow Driers: Earth colors, cadmium colors, cerulean blue, vermilion, ultramarine blue, hansa yellow, zinc white, titanium, ocher, permanent green, alizarin crimson, etc.
• Very Slow Driers: Ivory, lamp, Vandyke brown, emerald, etc.

Oils Used in the Paintings

• Linseed oil is used in two forms. They are sun-thickened linseed oil (oil exposed to air) and refined linseed oil (slow drier).
• Stand oil, which is a polymerized form of linseed oil, is of better quality than the normal linseed oil.
• Walnut oil delays yellowing, but it turns rancid if not used fresh.

Mediums Used in Fat Over Lean Technique



The medium is the oil, that is mixed with the paint, to make it transparent or matte. The medium decides the drying time of the paint too. There are various types of mediums that decide the look of your paintings.

• Standard Medium consists of linseed oil, resin and turpentine. Addition of standard mediums to the paints give different qualities, such as dryness, durability or flexibility.
• Glazing Medium is used in the process of glazing, which is done by diluting a transparent color with the paints. The property of transparency allows you to view two different colors at the same time.
• Drying Medium influences the drying time when mixed with the paint. Synthetic resins which are known as alkyds are used to speed up the process of drying. These driers should be used carefully, as they can spoil the painting by causing cracks or crazes.

Making an oil painting is not just a work, but an art. Art should never be compromised, otherwise, the effort made or value of the art will not be recognized. Using fat over lean technique in oil painting makes the painting more beautiful, lively and durable. Employing this technique is surely not a very easy task, and it requires a good artistic talent and adequate practice of using the paints.

Common Causes and Reasons for Divorce

The Romans had an interesting view towards marriage – ‘matrimonia debent esse libera’ or ‘marriages ought to be free’. This meant that either spouse could opt out of the marriage if things weren’t working out for them. Centuries later, Victorian England had a vastly different view. People got married and stayed together for better or for worse. Society frowned on divorce and divorced people were likely to find themselves social pariahs.



In the present century, both these views prevail. It depends on which part of the planet you live in and in what kind of culture. Divorce rates are higher in European or American countries, where individual freedom is given higher stress, than in, say, Asian or African ones, where familial and social opinions cause higher stress. With globalization, of course, the ‘backward’ countries are catching up. Women, especially, with access to higher education and higher salaries, are less willing to put up with traditional roles and expectations. Social and cultural are having a field day, predicting, like always, dire consequences for the ‘social fabric’. In my personal opinion, the social fabric can go stitch itself. No, divorce isn’t joy-inducing, but then neither is a corrosive marriage. In such a case, splitting up is preferable to staying together ‘for the children’ or to keep up social appearances. Anyway, it all really depends upon the kind of relationship you have. Some relationships are worth working on, some aren’t.



There are many different and complex causes and reasons for divorce, each of them specific to that particular couple’s marital relationship, their individual experiences and personal problems. None of them may seem ‘common’ to the people going through a divorce, of course, but many of the reasons recur enough to warrant the term.



Here are some frequently cited reasons for causing divorce:

• Lack of commitment to the marriage
• Lack of communication between spouses
• Infidelity
• Abandonment
• Alcohol Addiction
• Substance Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Emotional Abuse
• Inability to manage or resolve conflict
• Personality Differences or ‘irreconcilable differences’
• Differences in personal and career goals
• Financial problems
• Different expectations about household tasks
• Different expectations about having or rearing children
• Interference from parents or in-laws
• Lack of maturity
• Intellectual Incompatibility
• Sexual Incompatibility
• Insistence of sticking to traditional roles and not allowing room for personal growth
• Falling out of love
• Religious conversion or religious beliefs
• Cultural and lifestyle differences
• Inability to deal with each other’s petty idiosyncrasies
• Mental Instability or Mental Illness
• Criminal behavior and incarceration for crime

Divorce Rate in America

"American husbands are the best in the world; no other husbands are so generous to their wives, or can be so easily divorced." ~ Elinor Glyn



I guess Elinor Glyn must have done a lot of research before saying this quote because she is so right! Did you know as per a survey, The United States of America tops the list of the countries with most divorces!!! The studies on divorce rate in America say that approximately 40% to 50% marriages end up getting divorced! This means that out of every 2 marriages, 1 would break up. To add to it, if the same trend continues, there is no way that America would fail to be at the top in the coming years as well! Have a look at some of the shocking divorce statistics in America, and find out why America tops the list, as fasr as divorce statistics are concerned.



Divorce Statistics in America



Divorce is a common phenomena in America. Do Americans fail to understand the seriousness and commitment that comes with marriage? Is freedom more important than adjusting? Do they understand the causes and effects of divorce? If you think that 'No' is the answer to these questions, look at the statistics above and think again.

• As per the Enrichment Journal on the divorce rates in America, 41% of all first marriages in America, end up in divorce! The number rises to 60% when it comes to second marriages, and 73% when it comes to third marriages!!!
• The highest number of divorces occur in men and women aged between 20-25 years!
• A study by Barna Research group reveals that 25% of all the adults have been divorced at least once in their life!
• Did you know that as per a report by The State of Our Unions for the year 2005, only 63% of children n America get a chance to grow up with both their biological parents!
• At least 66% of all the divorced couples in America are childless. This is also one of the main reasons of getting divorced according to experts. Statistics also reveal that couples with children have lower chances of getting divorced than a couple who is childless.
• As per the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 25% of marriage within younger couples is 'predicted' to end within 10 years, and the rates increase to 43% in 15 years. However, these are predictions based on the study. I believe that you are the one to decide what happens in your life!
• Another study of NCHS, reveals that between the years 1975-1998, 75% of divorce cases were filed by women with kids!! That means women took the initiation for divorce.
• Having said that, another research as per the American Law and Economics Review, the current scenario is that women now file more than 70% divorce cases in some states in America.

Christian Views on Divorce

Some Pharisees came and tested Jesus by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" "What did Moses command you?" he replied. They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away." "It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female'. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." ~ Mark 10 v 2-12



Yes, God created the union of Adam and Eve even before sin entered in this world. The Book of Genesis explains that God had first created Adam, which was then followed by the creation of animals, but Adam was still lonely and did not have an ideal companion. For this purpose, God then created Eve and was happy with the union of the two. God blessed both Adam and Eve and gave them the entire earth to rule upon. The union of a man and a woman is considered to be sacred in all religions, including Christianity. The above mentioned quote would have given you an idea about what the Bible has to say on divorce. It clearly states that what God has joined together, let man not separate. Apart from this, there has been an increasing rate at which couples are getting divorced, though not in the view of the church, but through the civil courts. Although, I am sure that the reason why you are reading this article is because you do believe that God has the power to take care of your marriage and that God's words matter to you, in taking decisions in your life! Being a true Christian and a strong believer in the almighty, the following paragraph will tell you about the Christian views on divorce.

The Orthodox Church Views on Divorce

Same is the case with Orthodox churches who allow divorce on the grounds of adultery and when the relationship lacks internal symphony. In such cases, The Holy John Chrysostom states, "better to break the covenant than to lose one’s soul". However, the Orthodox church views divorce as a tragedy resulting from sins committed due to human weakness.



I believe that all the Christians in the world, though under any denomination are equally precious in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord is your strength and your guide, he is your light and your comforter, so pray to the Lord to heal your marriage. Pray that what he joined together, let not misunderstandings and differences separate. From the above writeup on Christian views on divorce, it would have become clear to you that God doesn't want the unity to separate, for it is not something that is bound to the earth, but it is spiritual and holy in nature. You have been united as one, to be there for each other through thick and thin. Just try to remember the qualities that made you marry each other, think about the effects of divorce on your children, and ask God for strength and blessings.



To conclude I would like to quote the following verse by Edna Ferber, Show Boat 1926. "Wasn't marriage, like life, unstimulating and unprofitable and somewhat empty when too well ordered and protected and guarded. Wasn't it finer, more splendid, more nourishing, when it was, like life itself, a mixture of the sordid and the magnificent; of mud and stars; of earth and flowers; of love and hate and laughter and tears and ugliness and beauty and hurt." May God bless you with his patience and wisdom, and guide yuo through all the tribulations of life. Peace be to you! Amen!

Interesting Facts about Vervet Monkey

The vervet monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) is one of the most common monkeys found in eastern Africa, ranging from Sudan to the southern tip of South Africa. They abound in savannas, forests and even lofty mountains. Being highly adaptable, they can even be found close to human dwellings and urban habitats. This species is also found in the Caribbean islands of Barbados and St. Kitts where they were originally introduced as pets.



Adult vervet monkeys are larger than the females, and weigh approximately 12 lb, whereas females weigh somewhere between 10 and 12 lb. Vervet monkeys eat many different types of fruits, flowers, and seeds. Figs are their favorite fruit. If vegetation is scarce, they will even eat birds' eggs, small chicks and birds, and small insects like grasshoppers. Vervets living close to human populations can be a pest and are known to raid fields of maize and destroy other crops.



Interesting Facts about the Vervet Monkey

• Vervet monkey is distinguished by its characteristic black face, bordered by a white fringe.
• These animals are gregarious and live in groups called troops of 40-80, mostly made up of adult females and their offspring. Social hierarchy is very strictly followed in troops. A juvenile's status in a troop is determined by its mother's. Even adult vervets are relegated to lower ranks and have to obey younger monkeys with a higher social status. This hierarchy is very important for the vervets' survival because it controls the relationships, and mating and feeding habits.
• Vervet monkeys are born with a pink face and black hair. They take on the grayish-green color like that of the adults after 4 months.
• Male vervets have a blue scrotum and bright red penis.
• Young vervet monkeys can be mischievous and purposefully give wrong calls and wait and watch how the adults will respond to such behavior! Female monkeys are known to discipline the young ones for such conduct.
• Young monkeys are very playful, and their favorite activities are chasing one another and pushing each other down from the branches of trees.
• Vervets are excellent jumpers and swimmers.
• Vervets have evolved a unique alarm call, wherein they alert members of their troops of impending predators with clear-cut calls for different animals of prey, like eagle or leopard. Juvenile vervet monkeys inherit an inborn ability to mimic these warning signals.
• Male vervets emit a shrill sound when marking their territories, and females produce a high-pitched squeal to reject any unwanted advances from males during mating.
• Immediately after birth, the female licks the baby clean and eats up the placenta.
• Adult females look after their young ones, and do not have another offspring till the baby grows up and is mature enough to fend for itself. If she happens to lose her baby, she will mourn for days together, and try to conceive as soon as possible to revive the mother-child bonding experience.
• Female vervet monkeys form close social bonds with other females from an early age. As they attain maturity, they even look after and care for a newborn provided the mother readily agrees to leave it in their care.
• As with other monkeys, grooming is an important aspect of vervets. They groom each other by removing lodged dirt and bugs from other vervets' fur.
• Vervet monkeys are hunted down for bushmeat.
• These monkeys are used in laboratory and biomedical research and tissue of the vervet monkeys is used to prepare polio vaccines.

Even though vervet monkeys are not an endangered species, their population has seen a decline in recent years. Troops living close to human habitation are sometimes killed by high-tension power lines, and people are known to poison them and even shoot them. They are captured for their use in medical research. The bushmeat trade has also contributed to the dwindling population. Deforestation should also be avoided, so we do not disturb their natural habitat. A lot of organizations are involved in conserving vervet monkeys. Together, we should work to safeguard their habitat so these animals can rightfully live and thrive in the African forests.

Types of Cats

Cats, also termed as domestic cat or house cat, are the predatory carnivorous species that belong to species Felis. They come in a variety of types and are often characterized according to their personality traits, like color, pattern of coat and shape of head, ears, etc. Some cat breeds have long hair and tail, while others have short, some are easy to handle while others take time to settle. Similarly, there are types of cats that don't shed, i.e., they shed no or less hair whereas others shed lots of hair.



Apart from these distinguishing features, there is one major category under which all types of cats can be segregated, i.e. pedigree and non pedigree cats. Pedigree or pure bred cats are those cats that have a family lineage for the past four generations while non pedigree cats are basically mixed or cross bred cats. Hence, if you want to choose a certain breed of cat, you need to know in detail about the different types of cats and their personality traits.



Different Types of Cats



Persian: Being one of the most popular pedigree long haired cat, Persian cat can be a great domestic cat who gel well with other children and even other animals. They are active, extremely responsive, sweet and affectionate cats that will shower their owner with lots of love and companionship. Persian cats have a broad, round head with large eyes, short nose and small ears set wide apart on their head. They come in amazing colors and patterns, and have a long silky, shiny coat.

Kate Gosselin preparing to date again

U.S. reality television personality Kate Gosselin, a divorced mother of twins and sextuplets, says she is ready to start dating again.

Gosselin starred with her young children and former husband Jon on the popular TLC series "Jon & Kate Plus 8," which ran for five seasons until 2009 when she and Jon split up. It was renamed "Kate Plus 8" and now focuses on Kate as a single mother of eight.

Jon's dating and Kate's attempts to keep her TV career going kept them in the media headlines through much of 2010, but they have kept lower profiles for the past year.

However, The Washington Post said Kate Gosselin discussed her own personal life when she appeared on Monday's edition of the "Today" show.

"I'm definitely ready to start dating," she said, adding, "I think there's a lot of obstacles for me."

The Post quoted her as saying she hopes her friends set her up with some nice guys since meeting men on her own can prove difficult, given her busy career and family life.

"I'm hoping that person is out there, because the kids on a daily basis are just begging me to get married again," she said.

Gavin DeGraw out of hospital

Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw said Tuesday he has been discharged from a New York hospital after being assaulted early Monday.

"Honestly, I don't remember much. I only know I can recover from here," People.com quoted DeGraw as saying via Twitter. "Thank u all for your genuine concern. I love u guys."

DeGraw, 34, was hospitalized with a concussion, broken nose, black eyes and facial lacerations following the attack by several people. Police said they did not know what the motivation was for the attack.

"Police are conducting an investigation of the attack. Gavin and his family appreciate everyone's concern at this time. We have no information yet regarding his upcoming concert dates and promotion for his new album," his publicist said Tuesday.

The New York Post said the performer had been out drinking in Manhattan and had just left his friends when he was set upon by his assailants. After his attackers fled the scene, DeGraw stumbled several blocks and was hit by a cab, the newspaper said.

J-Lo focusing on life as single movie star

Jennifer Lopez is filling up her calendar with movie work as she works her way through her divorce from Marc Anthony, a source told People magazine.

"She is very relieved to be out (of the marriage)," the source told People. "I don't think she is sitting around crying or making the wrong decision."

Lopez has been in Atlanta filming "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and is also apparently close to signing up for a second season as a judge on "American Idol," People said.

The Hollywood Reporter said J-Lo also is committed to co-starring with Nick Nolte and Jason Statham in "Parker," which will be released in October 2012.

"She is all about her career," the source told People. "She's excited to move on."

Woman ordered to stay away from Cotillard

The FBI has arrested and charged a New York City woman with stalking French movie star Marion Cotillard, officials said.

The FBI charged Teresa Yuan, of Queens, with interstate stalking, NBC New York reported.

In its criminal case, the FBI said Yuan, believed to be in her 30s, started sending Cotillard's Web site a series of increasingly threatening messages and e-mails in April.

Yuan was arrested Thursday and released on a $50,000 bond Friday.

Cotillard, 35, and her family had "become concerned for their physical safety," the FBI said in its complaint, filed in a Brooklyn federal court.

"The guilt and sorrow I feel now, I won't feel after it happens," Yuan said in a threatening video sent to a Cotillard fan site July 23. "After it happens I'll feel no regrets whatsoever … that's apparently how it feels to be a killer, to be a murderer."

Yuan's attorney, Michael Schneider, declined to comment on the case, the New York Daily News reported.

Yuan reportedly hissed and growled in one of the videos sent to Cotillard's Web site.

As a condition of her release, Yuan was ordered not to contact Cotillard.

Cotillard won an Oscar for playing singer Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose," and she appears in the new Woody Allen movie "Midnight in Paris."

Kenny Ortega to helm 'Dancing' remake

Kenny Ortega, the choreographer of "Dirty Dancing," is to direct a remake of the iconic 1987 romance movie, Lionsgate announced.

Ortega's credits include "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" and "This Is It," starring Michael Jackson.

The original "Dirty Dancing" was set in 1963 and featured Jennifer Grey as a teen who falls in love with a dance teacher, played by the late Patrick Swayze, while on vacation with her parents.

Plans for a "Dirty Dancing" remake, which will incorporate classic songs from the 1960s, hits from the original film and brand new compositions, were announced Monday by Joe Drake, co-chief operational officer of Lionsgate and president of the Motion Picture Group.

The studio said it is in talks with Eleanor Bergstein, the writer and co-producer of the original film, regarding her involvement in the new film in a producing capacity.

"Amazingly, it has been almost 25 years since the original film was released, but the fans remain legion, and engaged more than ever with a brand that is special and vital to them. We believe that the timing couldn't be better to modernize this story on the big screen, and we are proud to have Kenny Ortega at the helm," Drake said in a statement.

"The opportunity to direct 'Dirty Dancing' is like returning home for me," Ortega added. "Growing up in the 60s on the dance floor helped define me as a person and as an artist. I am looking forward to assembling a great creative team and an exciting cast to bring 'Dirty Dancing' to the screen for a new generation. Patrick Swayze set the bar for men dancing in the movies as Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire did before him. I believe everywhere you look there is evidence that the talent is out there and I can't wait to begin the process of discovering the next breakout triple-threats."

Mireille Enos may join 'Gangster' cast

Mireille Enos, star of the U.S. version of the Danish television drama "The Killing," is up for a role in Ruben Fleischer's mob-themed movie "Gangster Squad."

The Hollywood Reporter said the film is based on Paul Lieberman's seven-part Los Angeles Times article about the anti-organized crime unit run by the Los Angeles Police Department in the 1940s.

Enos would play the wife of Josh Brolin's character, John O'Mara, who was one of the few police officers of the era not working for gangster Mickey Cohen, who is to be played by Sean Penn, the report said.

The cast includes Michael Pena, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi and Ryan Gosling.

Emma Stone, Gosling's co-star in the current release "Crazy Stupid Love," is also in talks for a role in "Gangster Squad," the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Dane Cook stars in kidnapping drama

Roadside Attractions says is has acquired the U.S. rights to "Answers to Nothing" and plans to release the Dane Cook drama in theaters this December.

Directed by Matthew Leutwyler, "Answers" is described in press materials as "a gritty drama of interweaving stories set in Los Angeles against the backdrop of a child kidnapping case."

Co-starring Elizabeth Mitchell, Julie Benz and Barbara Hershey, the movie is set for release Dec. 2. It is based on an original story by Leutwyler, who wrote the screenplay with Gillian Vigman.

"This is the most personal film I have ever made so getting it in the hands of a company like Roadside is a dream come true. They have an amazing track record with thought-provoking independent movies and I am thrilled that they believe in our film as much as we do," Leutwyler said in a statement Tuesday.

"It's great to see Dane in an unexpected dramatic role, and he hits it out of the park in this strong film," added Cohen, co-president of Roadside Attractions.

Cook is a standup comedian who has appeared in the films "Employee of the Month," "Good Luck Chuck" and "My Best Friend's Girl."

British actor John Wood dead at 81

British actor John Wood has died in his sleep, his agent said. He was 81.

"John was a distinguished classical actor, who was much loved and respected by his colleagues, and will be greatly missed," his representative said in a statement confirming Wood's Saturday death to the BBC Tuesday.

The cause of his death was not specified.

The actor's film credits include "Love in a Cold Climate," "War Games," "Ladyhawke," "Lady Jane," "The Madness of King George," "Shadowlands," "Sabrina," "An Ideal Husband" and "Chocolat." He also appeared in the TV programs "Lewis," "Goodnight Mr. Chips," "Foyle's War," "Love in a Cold Climate" and "Kavanagh QC."

Wood was made a commander of the British Empire in 2007 for services to drama. He won a Tony Award for his work in the 1976 Broadway production of Tom Stoppard's "Travesties."

The BBC said Wood is survived by his wife and four children.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/Movies/2011/08/09/British-actor-John-Wood-dead-at-81/UPI-26721312937264/#ixzz1UbpOVZOd

Bomb at teacher's home investigated

Six North Carolina high school students are suspected of putting a bottle bomb in a teacher's mailbox, police say.

No one was hurt by the device, comprised of Drano and aluminum foil in a plastic bottle, found last week, The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer reported Tuesday.

Bud Cesena, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools' police chief, said the teen suspects, at least most of whom are soccer players at Butler High, allegedly had planned to put the bottle bomb at the home of a girlfriend and only placed it in the Butler teacher's mailbox after being scared off. They apparently didn't know a teacher lived at the residence, Cesena said.

"I feel pretty good that they were just stupid," Cesena said.

The chief added that the type of bomb made was not as dangerous as one using gasoline or gunpowder, but has been known to produce shrapnel.

"Depending on the amount of product you use, it can be very, very dangerous," Cesena said.

Ryan McIntyre, 18, and Nicholas Fichman, 16, were both charged with misdemeanor criminal property damage for allegedly damaging the inside of the mailbox. The other students were not identified because they had not been charged.

Police were looking into whether or not a Butler High faculty member had been a part of the scheme, as a parent of a soccer player said the teenagers were talking about the prank after practice and showed their coach the bomb materials.

Father of drowned children files claims

The father of three children who drowned when their mother drove their minivan into the Hudson River says he'll sue a New York city and county for $80 million.

Jean Pierre says the City of Newburgh should have had a barrier at its boat ramp, where Pierre's estranged girlfriend LaShanda Armstrong killed herself and three of her four children April 12, when she drove down the ramp and into the river, the (Middletown, N.Y.) Times Herald-Record reported Tuesday.

Pierre said Orange County should have known for months the children were in danger and the county Department of Child Protective Services had the responsibility to monitor Armstrong, 25, and the children after 2-year-old Landen Pierre was found Feb. 7, half-dressed and wandering the streets.

Pierre had been watching the boy that night and was arrested after police discovered he had left Landen alone while he went to a gas station.

A Newburgh judge later granted a temporary order of protection against Pierre on April 12, the day neighbors said they heard Pierre pounding on Armstrong's door and shouting at her from the sidewalk, less than an hour before Armstrong loaded the kids into the minivan.

Pierre has filed a notice of claim against the city and county for $40 million each.

Armstrong's aunt Angela Gilliam said she was outraged by Pierre's high-dollar claims.

"Someone should file a claim against him," Gilliam said. "Forty million? Are you kidding me?"

Mom gets 32 years for killing kids

A London-area woman was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for killing her two young children after their father broke up with her.

Fiona Donnison, 45, must serve at least 32 years before release, the Daily Express reported. The sentence was handed down in Lewes Crown Court immediately after Donnison was convicted of murder.

Paul Donnison, 48, her ex-partner, was bitter after the sentencing.

"I attended court as often as I was able to, but often felt that it was I that was on trial," he said. "In addition I had no voice to speak for (the victims) Harry and Elise."

Investigators said Fiona Donnison smothered the two young children last year at her home in Lightwater in Surrey. She then took the bodies, zipped into carrier bags, to Paul Donnison's house, planning to make it look like he had killed the children and then himself.

When Paul Donnison did not return home, Fiona Donnison overdosed on sleeping medication and went to a police station.

The couple, married to other people when they first met, had another daughter, Mia, born in 2003, who died of what was determined to be sudden infant death syndrome at 8 months.

Woman dies in fall into recycling bin

An East Toledo, Ohio, woman died after falling head-first into her city-issued recycling bin, the city coroner said.

Sheila Decoster, 62, died of positional asphyxia after recycling trash outside of her home, the Toledo Blade reported.

Decoster was found Friday evening by her husband Richard Decoster, who was returning home with groceries and did not immediately notice his wife.

"I just happened to look to the left and, honestly, thought it was a dummy," Decoster said. "I shook her leg and called her name, and I knew she was gone."

Richard Decoster said his wife had back problems as well as dizzy spells and an aneurism on her brain, which may have contributed to the fall.

Other family members said they were worried the recycling bin was the problem, as it seems Sheila Decoster tried to kick her way out of the 64-gallon bin, but was unsuccessful at tipping it over.

"Could I blame the city because the cans aren't tippable?" Richard Decoster said. "I don't know. City liability hasn't crossed my mind.

"She was always fun-loving, always had kind words for everyone," he

Woman accused of having child videotape sex

A Dallas woman was arrested for allegedly having her 6-year-old daughter repeatedly make video recordings of her having group sex, police say.

The 24-year-old woman was jailed Monday on charges of indecency with a child, which is punishable by as much as 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, The Dallas Morning News reported.

The identities of the mother and child have not been released.

A tip led Dallas police to the woman's apartment complex Saturday, where officers were told the woman forced her daughter to record her having sex with multiple men at the same time.

In an interview at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, the child "detailed filming and taking photographs" of her mother engaging in the sexual acts, police documents say.

The mother admitted having her daughter record her and "explained that there were three separate incidents involving six men" that her daughter recorded, beginning in March -- adding that "it was her idea to have [her daughter] make the recordings with a cellphone video recorder," the documents said.

Child Protective Services has placed the daughter in foster care and is investigating the matter. This is the second time CPS has been contacted about the mother, the newspaper said.

There had been concerns when the child was born that the woman was using drugs but neither she nor the child tested positive for drugs and the investigation was dropped in 2004.

Youth pastor videotape case may be void

Charges against a former youth pastor accused of videotaping teenage girls while showering at a Pasadena, Texas, church may not be valid, officials say.

Thomas Jason Fortenberry, 30, was charged Thursday with two counts of improper photography for an incident that allegedly took place Nov. 4, 2007, the Houston Chronicle reported.

However, the Texas statute of limitations says state felonies must be cited within three years of the crime, a time limit that ended in November.

Prosecutors say they are "evaluating the evidence" in the case.

"These are serious accusations," Roger Bridgwater, the assistant Harris County district attorney, said. "It is incumbent upon us to make sure that we have the necessary evidence and that the charges we file are appropriate."

Fortenberry is accused of videotaping two 15-year-olds and two 17-year-olds undress and wash honey off themselves after a church game similar to the television show "Fear Factor." He recently admitted to the older girls that he hid a camera in the shower at the church in Pasadena where the event took place.

When questioned by investigators, Fortenberry only said "he had done things he should not have done," court records show.

If the case is not dismissed, Fortenberry will face as much as two years in jail.

Democrats take a Senate seat in Wisconsin

Democrats picked up one state Senate seat in Tuesday's Wisconsin recall vote and had razor-thin margins in two other races.

Six seats held by Republicans were up for grabs, with two Democratic incumbents facing recalls next week, a legacy of the bitter battle in the state legislature over Gov. Scott Walker's bill stripping public employees of most collective bargaining rights. A net gain of three seats would shift control of the Senate to the Democrats.

By 10:30 p.m. CDT, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had called three races for Republicans and one for a Democratic challenger.

With 67 percent of the precincts reporting in the 8th district, Democrat Sandra Pasch led state Sen. Alberta Darling 52 percent to 48 percent, the newspaper said. In the 18th district, with 97 percent of the vote in, Democrat Jessica King had 51 percent of the vote to 49 percent for state Sen. Randy Hopper.

Republicans control all three branches of state government in Wisconsin, holding a 19-14 advantage in the Senate. The Senate's 14 Democrats fled the state to stall consideration of the collective bargaining bill that later was revised so it could pass without the absent senators.

Joe Heim, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, said Democratic and Republican voters have become more engaged because of the state's bitter political climate.

"It's extremely historical and unprecedented," Heim said. "[Republicans] woke up a sleeping giant and energized a group of people that had not been … particularly active in politics in recent years."

Hospital reports high number of snakebites

A Utah hospital reports treating six cases of snakebite so far this year, far more than the average one or two a year.

Staffers at Logan Regional Hospital say an unusual number of rattlesnakes have been reported in residential districts in the area in Cache County on Utah's border with Idaho, The Herald Journal of Logan reported.

Two of the bites occurred in the past week.

"This is highly uncommon as far as the number that we've seen," Debbie Ostrander, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said Monday. "And our emergency department physicians and our hospital, we are urging people to be safe and cautious and just aware when they're out in any location that could have the habitat for snakes."

Breck Rushton, director of emergency services at the hospital, said two of the six bite victims were trying to capture snakes. The others were bitten when they surprised a snake while walking in brush or traversing rocky areas.

Two of the six were "dry bites" with the snake breaking the skin but not injecting venom. That is in line with the usual percentage.

Treating snakebite is expensive, with victims requiring four to five vials of anti-venin at $2,000 a pop, followed by a 48-hour hospital stay for observation.

Search on for missing cargo plane

A search was on Wednesday in Russia's Far East for a cargo plane that crashed with 11 aboard, officials said, denying reports its wreckage had been found.

Russia's Emergencies Ministry said it had renewed its search for the Antonov An-12 that was carrying more than 17 tons of food supplies when it crashed Tuesday, RIA Novosti reported.

The report said the plane disappeared from radar shortly after reporting a fuel leak and fire in an engine following take off from the city of Magadan for Chukotka early Tuesday.

The agency had reported the wreckage had been found near a gold and silver mining operation in the Omsukcha district. However, it quoted the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency as saying the remains of the passengers and crew had not been found.

Authorities said the search effort -- conducted by 120 emergency workers using two Mil Mi-8 transport helicopters and a Beriev Be-200 aircraft -- was hampered by rain and fog.

RIA Novosti said production of the Antonov An-12, which can accommodate as many as 14 people and carry 22 tons of cargo, stopped in 1973. The craft has been in service since 1963 and is considered obsolete by the Russian Air Force.

The report said the United Arab Emirates banned An-12 flights after a number of crashes.

The Hindu reported the latest incident comes a day after an Antonov An-24 with 41 crew and passengers skidded off the runway while landing in stormy weather in Blagoveshchensk on China's border, injuring 12 people.