Zodiac Sign - Gemini

Astrology has always been an interesting topic. Whether you follow it religiously, or read your horoscope for fun, there is a definite entertaining aspect to it. Although, even reading your sign as entertainment, there are some attributes that seem more than coincidental.

Let's look at the sign Gemini. The third astrological sign in the Zodiac, it is represented by The Twins. The Twins "themselves" symbolize a dual personality, of sorts. Like a coin, it denotes two sides of the same ego. Often flipping between the two sides, the Gemini will switch between the two polar extremes. Alas, keeping everyone else on their toes.

Gemini is one of the four Mutable signs. A Mutable sign pertains to being double-bodied. In that, it bridges two seasons. In the case of Gemini, it bridges Spring and Summer. Mutable signs are considered unstable, almost wavering and less strong-willed. Although, to counterbalance, Gemini is more adaptable and can deal with change easily.




It is considered that Gemini is ruled by the planet Mercury. As such, those born under Gemini are considered versatile and of high intelligence. A characteristic from this is being talkative. Being apt at communication allows the Gemini to talk themselves in and out of any situation. Alas, this leads to a love of socialising. Mingling and conversing with others is a prominent trait of the Gemini.

Studies have shown that the Gemini have an above average number working in Media. An area that allows creative growth and social situations a Gemini may crave. To boot, the Gemini are known to be persuasive sales reps. Both are areas that nurtures their multi-tasking and lively natures.

Alas, there is a downside. A Gemini is seen as a restless spirit. Always in the hunt for something new, to starve off quick boredom. Filled with a high nervous energy that can lead to stress and depression to the much-loved Gemini. It's almost being in a constant hunt for new, creative paths. Bordering on a daily habit.

Interesting to note that Gemini is an Air sign. Air being the element of movement. Everything is one the go, in perpetual growth. Like the ruling planet Mercury, Air is a symbol for intellectualism. It breeds the power of the mind, thus breeding many Gemini to be thinkers and communicators. Air also represents the freedom of speech. A side note, a fresh wind can indicate new beginnings.

Then there's the topic of romantic compatibility. It seems that, apart from other like-minded Gemini, they are compatible with Libra and Aquarius. Both of which are also Air signs, and of 'positive', or masculine, mindsets. The Fire signs, Aries, Leo and Sagittarius share common ground with the Gemini. Yet, alas, the relationship doesn't often run as deep as when with another Air sign.

So, it seems, that the Gemini is that person that won't shut up. But, they are too interesting for you to tell them otherwise. Durable and versatile, they can mould into any situation. For all their downfalls, this is a loveable sign to many.

With jmsastro.com, you will get more information about Gemini.

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Movie Review: The Hangover Part II (2011)

The Hangover Part II offers another dose of debauched misadventures from the "wolf pack" of comedians sure to please those hungering for more after the original film. A familiar blend of severity and silliness returns to keep the proceedings entertaining, if not a little too serious. Personal injuries and drug-fueled antics don't exactly lose their edge after a few one-liners attempt to obscure their gravity and all of Zach Galifianakis' scatterbrained outbursts can't counteract the repulsiveness of the film's cruder moments. If The Hangover Part II's primary mission was to top its predecessor in shock value, it succeeded. We're not sure if that's a compliment or not.

On the eve of Stu's (Ed Helms) wedding in Thailand, Phil (Bradley Cooper), Doug (Justin Bartha), and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) convince the normally mild-mannered dentist to join them for one last drink on the beach. When the group of friends awaken the next morning in Bangkok with no memory of the previous night's transgressions and discover that the bride's younger brother Teddy (Mason Lee) is now missing, they must once again retrace their footsteps to locate the vanished youth and return Stu in time for his wedding. But when their exploration leads them to vengeful gangsters, cigarette-smoking monkeys, and the return of an old criminal kingpin, remembering their drunken mishaps will be the first thing they'll want to forget.

Although it's touted as a sequel and dubbed "Part II," this follow-up to the hugely successful previous comedy is almost more of a remake. The similarities between the two are abundant, starting with an identical cast, the very same story, a matching tone, equal servings of bawdiness and mayhem, familiar male exposure (what happened to the days of gratuitous female nudity?), a loudly intrusive soundtrack, and all sorts of bodily fluids. The trio's reaction to unexpected events, panicky situations, mysterious acquaintances, contraband, drugs and unnaturally forgiving wives remains on par with the original as well. If the formula works and fans are itching for more, stick with it, the filmmakers clearly note.

"I can't believe this is happening again!" screams Stu in a grimy Bangkok alley. The Hangover Part II brings spontaneity to new heights, despite its recycled plot, especially with its interest in severe dilemmas. Lighthearted humor is reserved almost entirely for Zach Galifianakis, who once again steals the show with his wildly eccentric, disturbingly idiosyncratic, stay-at-home son personality and disregard for safety, propriety and poise. The rest is a blend of darkly comical misadventures ranging from disquieting to shocking to downright abhorrent. At every turn the trio is assaulted with violence, questionable pharmaceuticals, threats, filth, sexual deviance and visual nastiness, making the experience a rarer form of comedy, a successful box office venture (based on the first film's $44 million opening), and even a critical winner (landing the Golden Globe for Best Picture - Musical or Comedy). Too bad this sequel is likely to be panned for the rather ignorant approach to Thailand, a racial error Sex and the City 2 couldn't escape.

- The Massie Twins (http://GoneWithTheTwins.com)

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Movie Review: Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Kung Fu Panda 2 capitalizes on the same techniques that made its predecessor successful: a goofy lead character struggling desperately to fit in; comical character designs and playful animation; and an all-star cast of voice actors with such recognizable articulation that they breach the visual barrier of their 3D alter egos. Although the first film defined the characters, their relationships, destinies and the setting of ancient Asia, this second outing has the opportunity to utilize each role purely for action, adventure, comic relief and even a bit of pathos. Just when the sappiness ramps up to the point of unbearable, the script has enough sense to thwart eye-rolls (or tears if the manipulation worked) with sharply contrasting humor.

Po (Jack Black) the overweight panda has been proclaimed the almighty "Dragon Warrior," and oversees the safety of China with his band of capable sidekicks, the Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross) and Viper (Lucy Liu). As he speaks with his patient master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) about finding inner peace, a gang of wolf bandits pillages a nearby city in search of metal objects, forcing Po to depart for a hasty rescue. As he will soon discover, the banished peacock Lord Shen (Gary Oldman) has forged fire-breathing, metal-spitting cannons to wipe out all who stand in his path to world domination.

It's debatable whether or not the story has grown more entertaining, especially considering the plot is little more than a generic kung fu tale of good vs. evil, like the kind found in just about every live-action martial arts film in the last several decades. While the main conflict is a relentless overlord with an obedient army and destructive weaponry, the underlying discordance is Po's hazy recollection of the past and the desire to know who he is, how he ended up the son of a goose, and what happened to his real parents. Is Po in need of confidence or the drive of revenge? Are his actions provoked by inner peace, as the movie insists on preaching, or by the powerful force that is adrenaline-pumping payback?

Perhaps he's simply trying to succeed at being "hardcore" so that he can measure up to his companions. And if that's the case, it's a shame that so much of his time is spent annoyingly foiling reconnaissance, ambush and rescue missions with his numbing defiance and cack-handed clumsiness. It's funny at times to see how pathetic he is compared to his generally no-nonsense warrior counterparts, but equal parts infuriating that he doesn't have to learn the hard way that there are consequences for his reckless actions. This leads to the invincibility exhibited by all parties, which reduces the urgency and seriousness of every predicament. Po is immune to injuries and haphazardly shields himself from harm with an accidental frying pan, a lucky misstep, or a loose floor plank that swings up (like stepping on a rake) to block an onslaught of throwing knives. Crane similarly avoids danger with spastic flight, and Tigress has no excuses at all - she suffers only singed whiskers after taking a cannonball to the face. Gravity and physics also seem to utterly evade the heroes, playing no part in their unlikely escapes - although it does make the creatively complex chase sequences more intense and spontaneous.

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Ways To Take Care Of Your Flute

Any professional musician or music enthusiast would understand the true significance of musical instruments. But most such instruments come at a steep price and it is very important to take excellent care of them to ensure their longevity. A flute, for instance, needs good care too. Try the tips below to maintain your flute and keep it 'play ready ' for many years.

One of the most vital ways to maintain a flute is to observe your own hands. Never touch the instrument with hands that are wet or clammy. Doing therefore will leave moisture on the flute so, making it more exposed to rust.

Make sure that your hands are clean before touching the flute also. This tip is also applicable for your skin; particularly if you are affected by skin conditions like acne. Touching acne subject skin with unclean hands can lead to a transfer of micro-organisms, leading to further deteriorating of your existent skin issues. Therefore you should generally scrub your hands before touching your skin and use effective anti acne products such as Zenmed Derma Cleanse System to remedy the difficulty.

While assembling a flute, make certain that you hold the parts properly and try hard not to hold them by their edges. Also, do not touch flute parts e. G the keys as it may end up damaging the entire instrument.

When the flute is not much in use, that's when you're away for an excursion or are highly busy with work, you need to separate its parts and place them safely in the flute case. Doing so will protect the flute from dust particles and other kind of dust and moisture. But, if it isn't possible for you disassemble the flute, keep it in a clean and a safe place.

Your cleaning cloth is of great importance- whether you are cleaning an Infiniti car or a simple flute. The fabric that you use to wash this instrument must be especially soft so as to protect it from random scratches. Actually you should ideally use 2 separate pieces of fabric to scrub the inside and the exterior of the flute. You need to also try and wipe the instrument each time you use it to stop the pads from deteriorating. This can ensure longer life for the flute as well.

It is for sure that you need to make sincere attempts to keep your musical instrument in a right shape and condition. But, it shouldn't be so difficult to make this effort for the instrument you like.

Here Are A Few More Ways To Know About Zenmed Derma Cleanse System and Voyage

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How the Native American Flute is Tuned

If you are looking for a way to enjoy making your own music the Love flute is for you. It is a simple and accessible instrument. Thus it is ideal for the casual player. Here you can learn about the tuning of the Indian flute.

When I say tuning I am referring to bringing the various notes of a Love flute into a standardized relationship with each other. Tuning, as we now understand it was not an issue for the Native American maker/player. He was interested only in producing sounds that felt right to him. When he tuned his flute he did not measure the tonality of the instrument by any external standard. He was satisfied with what was pleasing to his own ear. It was literally a matter of anything goes as long as I like the sound of it. In the late twentieth century Native American flutes began to gain acceptance beyond the confines of the Native community. In the hands of Native and non-Native flute makers and players the Indian Love flute began a period of rather rapid development.

The most fundamental change was to bring the Indian flute into conformity with Western standards of tuning. Various makers adopted the mode one minor pentatonic scale. They felt that this rather melancholy scale was appropriate for what was being expressed through the Indian love flute. The resulting instrument had five tone holes and could play a five-note (pentatonic) scale plus the first note of the second octave (six notes total). When a sixth hole was introduced it became possible to easily produce two different pentatonic scales on the same flute - mode one and mode four. Love flute makers began to tune their flutes to the modern concert standard of 440Hz for the note of A above middle C on the piano.

The next challenge that Love flute makers took up was to craft a flute that could play a full chromatic scale. A chromatic scale divides the octave into twelve semi tones (notes) of one half step each. There is an equal interval between each note. There are twelve notes in a chromatic scale and only five in the pentatonic scale. In between those five notes are the other seven notes. You can think of them as hidden notes. You can see this illustrated in detail on my website www.atflutes.com on the Playing the Flute page. You can also see the pentatonic notes and hidden notes when you look at a piano keyboard. On the keyboard you have a sequence of twelve notes that repeat over and over. Five of the notes in the sequence are the black keys. Think of these five black keys as a pentatonic scale (which in fact they are). Now think of the white keys as the hidden notes between the pentatonic scale notes. These hidden notes can be played on some Native American style flutes using the techniques called cross fingering and half holing.

With a full chromatic (twelve note) range at a player's disposal it is possible to play music in diatonic (seven note) as well as pentatonic (five note) scales. You can also play music in major as well as minor keys.

To make playing a chromatic scale on the Indian flute possible the flute maker must tune the flute so that the hidden notes are playable and in tune. These notes must be tuned so that there are 100 cents between each adjacent note. This challenge has been met with the exception of the two notes that lie between the fundamental and the first open hole note. Half holing (rather than cross fingering) must be used to produce these two notes. It is not easy (or in my case possible) to sound both of these notes distinctly. So in practice we have an almost complete chromatic scale available on a modern, well-tuned, Native American style flute.

The Native American style flute has another limitation. It is standard practice for flute makers to tune their flutes at an ambient temperature of 72 degree Fahrenheit. A limitation of the Love flute is that once the flute is made it's tuning cannot be adjusted. If the flute is in tune at 72 degrees this means that it will be out of tune if the air temperature is higher or lower than 72. Warmer air temperatures will make the Indian flute play sharp. Cooler temperatures will make the flute play flat. A change in temperature of 10 degrees higher or lower than 72 will make a flute play about 15 cents out of tune one way or the other.

The length of the barrel of the Love flute determines the fundamental note of the flute. The longer the barrel of the flute the lower the tone. A shorter barrel raises the tone. As a matter of convenience we will say that the barrel length is measured from the splitting edge at the front of the true sound hole to the foot end of the flute. The standard metal concert flute has a telescoping slip joint on the barrel of the flute. This joint allows the musician to lengthen or shorten the overall length of the barrel. This changing barrel length allows the user to adjust the flute to compensate for differences in temperature. The Native American style flute does not have this capability. It is solid wood from one end to the other with no telescoping joint.

Another factor effecting the tuning of the Native American style flute is that the tone of the flute is sensitive to the breath pressure going into the flute. When the Love flute maker tunes a flute at a particular breath pressure it will be in tune only when played at that pressure. If the flute player uses a higher breath pressure the flute will play sharp (it will also be louder). When the player uses less breath pressure the flute will play flat. How sharp or flat depends on the amount of deviation in pressure from that at which the Indian flute was originally tuned.

Does it matter if the flute is sharp or flat? Not if you are playing solo. Remember the flute is in tune with itself. The different notes of the Love flute are in a harmonic relationship with each other. So if the flute is sharp all the notes are sharp to the same degree. If flat all the notes are equally flat. Because of this there is no dissonance between the individual notes. In any case, few amateur musicians are able to detect (much less be bothered by) minor deviations from 440 HZ.

The tuning of the Love flute is important when it is played ensemble with other instruments. If you are out of tune relative to your guitarist friend to the extent of 15 cents there will be a noticeable cacophony between the two instruments. A guitar can be tuned. Because the guitar can be tuned it can be tuned to your flute. This solves the problem on one level. Now you are both either sharp or flat to the same degree. The two instruments are in harmony with each other.

Self Portraits - How to Take Your Own Self Portrait

Although you might think it would be easy taking a self portrait, self portraits are actually one of the most challenging photos to take. Since you're not able to look through the lens and see yourself, it can be real tricky to get a good self photo. So, in order to make taking a self portrait a little easier, here are some tips you can use right away.

Delay Timers

These days just about every SLR camera now has a delay timer which can come in very handy when taking a self portrait. If you use a delay timer (which gives you about 5-10 seconds depending upon the camera), you can press the shutter and then jump into the area before the camera takes the picture. Although this isn't ideal, it will work if you have no other options.

Remote Shutter Release

A remote shutter release will let you activate your shutter release without having to actually press down the button. They come in many varieties (including wireless) and work with most newer cameras and are the best option for taking serious photographs of yourself. You can find them in prices ranges starting at $30 going to about $50 for wireless releases or you can always try building one yourself if you're handy.

Find a Friend

Unless you're at a level where you can measure the distance from your lens to a target and set your focus accordingly, you're going to need a stand-in to make sure your camera focuses in the right spot. A patient friend or family member will usually do the trick, or you can use any object that can sit at the correct height. One of the toughest part of self portraits is focusing, so you make need to take a few shots to get it right.

Don't Flatter Yourself

Be honest, the job of a photographer is to show an accurate representation, so be careful of trying to only show the images that put you in the very best possible light. This doesn't mean you can't take great pictures of yourself, it just means you need to take into account the technical aspects as well as if you look good. Your goal is to have the picture tell a story, so how you look is really of secondary importance.

Light it Up

It can be quite difficult to get perfect lighting on a self-portrait. If you have someone stand in for you, you still may need to make minor adjustments to account for different skin tone or height. The best thing you can do is set your camera to full manual mode; this will allow you to purposefully modify every photograph you take without being at the mercy of what the camera's internal sensors decide is right.

When choosing what kind of light to use, you can use just about anything such as floor lamps, desk lights, your camera's flash or even natural light. Don't be afraid to spend a couple of hours on your shoot; messing with the little details can be one of the most fun parts of self-portraiture.

Use Your Creativity

Just as in regular portraiture, creativity is key in creating visually striking self-portraits. Think of ways that you can present yourself that are outside the norm of "person in a picture," and try to have as much fun as possible in the process. Consider using props like costumers, dynamic lighting or interesting backgrounds so your self portrait will really stand out.

All in all, self-portraiture can be a fun break from the demands of working with subjects. Since you can set your own schedule and don't have any time deadlines, you can shoot for as long as you want. Since you don't have anyone else to deal with you can take your time and really get creative with your self portrait shoot.

How To Learn To Play The Saxophone

When handling the saxophone for the first time, you might find it a bit awkward. It will help if you have the guidance of an expert sax player. Or you could enroll in a saxophone class. With saxophone lessons, you will find yourself proficient in no time at all.

Saxophone has been one of the most interesting and flexible instruments to play, but has also the most maddening sound when played by a beginner. The sound is louder since it is made of metal, and there are a variety of sounds produced.

For starters, there are things you need to know, and below are important points to bear in mind.

1. Work and practice with someone who is knowledgeable in this field and who can check the button and sound of your instrument. You might not be able to produce the sound properly if the sax you are using isn't blended properly.

2. Sometimes, beginners tend to play too soft with a reed instrument. Avoid soft playing at first. Try to play as hard as you can. You can start with a 1½ tone on a normal mouthpiece.

Naturally, what is vital will be for you to be constantly practicing. Don't stress yourself too much though. If you are passionate about playing, you can perfect the sound, and the music it produces will come out naturally.

If you have not decided what to practice on, then you should start instead with long tones. This doesn't mean you need to play long notes until you are bored to death. This kind of tone will help you develop control and strength in playing the sax.

It is also a way for you to know how this instrument works. Experiment with blowing and producing low, high, soft and loud notes. Blend them together well to produce the best sound that you get from it. Listen to the tone it creates until you can make the right shifting that makes the best sound.



Don't settle for just mediocre playing. Strive to make more tunes and blend more sound. Sax is difficult to perfect, so a lot of notes can become off-key if you don't know how to adjust well. That process will develop your tone in playing.

The next important things to learn are articulation and clean playing. This will define your sound and would make your tunes relaxing to listen to. Usually, people who play the saxophone tend to tongue too much.

To become proficient in tonguing, you need to know the difference with staccato and legato tonguing, as well as know when the tone needs to be slurred. Don't sound too choppy and broken because this won't have good results.

You can create many tones using the sax such as overtone, bending notes, altissimo, vibrato, growls, enharmonic fingerings, and so on. As a beginner you are advised to start with the very basic. You will first have to know how to make good tones and intonations. Only after that can you slowly expand your skills to play the saxophone.