Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) as a Fun Exercise Program

One of the main reasons people quit an exercise program is a lack of motivation and goal setting. You may start an exercise program in hopes of losing weight and becoming more fit. However, as you continue exercising, you may feel that you're putting in so much effort but gaining so little. You become unmotivated because it's just too much work.

With Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), kids, teens, and adults can find a way to stay motivated, exercise, and have more fun. Dance Dance Revolution is a music game available on both console and arcade. You can choose from a variety of energetic dance songs. As the song plays, you have to step on a specific pattern of arrows in response to the song's beat.

Like most games, learning Dance Dance Revolution takes practice. There is a range of tempos, song genres, and step difficulties, so there is something for everyone. Beginners can start with easy slow-paced songs. To get better, simply practice and become familiar with the songs. As you progress you can gradually choose faster songs and more difficult step patterns. With enough practice and persistence you'll gain stamina, become better at foot-eye coordination, and have a better sense of rhythm.

Since the game grades you on how well you've played each song, it is easy to set goals and stay motivated. For example, if you achieved a 'C' rating on a song, you can set a goal to get a 'B' rating in a certain timeframe. If you failed a song, you can set a goal to pass that song in a certain number of tries. Also, with a partner, you can both play the same song and participate in some friendly competition. This competition adds a great deal of fun. Furthermore, it helps you strive to improve and keep playing so you can beat your dance partner.

To play Dance Dance Revolution, check out local arcades and see if any of them has a Dance Dance Revolution arcade machine. If they don't, or you don't want to travel to an arcade, you can get a Dance Dance Revolution game for a console like Playstation, Playstation 2, or XBox. Of course, you could play with a regular controller but then you wouldn't be exercising (unless you consider finger manipulation exercising). To experience the game the right way, you'll need a dance pad.

There are three main types of dance pads: soft thin pads, ignition pads, and metal pads. Soft thin pads are flexible, made of plastic, and wear out quickly. They tend to slip around a lot. I have to constantly realign my soft thin pad while playing harder songs. If you simply want to test out DDR, soft thin pads are great. Ignition pads are soft pads which have a foam insert. The foam insert provides weight, durability, and comfort. It feels different from the arcade but is easy to adapt to. Like the soft thin pads, ignition pads will wear out. The best pads for expert players are the metal pads. They have been designed to give more of that arcade feel. They have greater durability and accuracy.

Visit http://www.ddrdancepadreviews.bravehost.com/ for descriptions of some specific DDR dance pads.

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Do Something Different for Your First Dance

The first dance at a wedding has traditionally been a slow dance, usually a waltz or something similar. But what if you and your fianc aren't the waltz type? What if you want something more fun and energetic? You've probably thought about this quite a bit and are wondering if it would be too odd to do something different. Would it be better to just go ahead and do a waltz and forget about it?

Absolutely not. If you want to do something different for your first dance, then you should. Your family and friends know you, and they love you. They want to see you dance in a style that reflects your love for each other, to a song that you love. Odd would be watching a lively, energentic couple waltzing their way through a song they don't like very much just to get to the rest of the music and have some real fun.

If you come out and do a Cha Cha for your first dance, on the other hand, not only will the whole room cheer, but it will be a first dance that nobody, especially you and your new spouse, will ever forget. You'll have a fantastic time doing it and your friends and family will be absolutely entranced.

Nearly any style of dance can be customized to fit into your wedding. If you want to do a classic dance, a Foxtrot or Quickstep can be adjusted so that your dress doesn't get in the way. If you want to perform a dance that's more passionate, but aren't sure if it's appropriate for your wedding, that's nothing to worry about. Even a passionate dance such as a Tango or a Rumba can be toned down a bit if you like.

When you and your fianc come in for your wedding dance lessons, remember that this dance is being customized just for you. If there is a step you are having difficulty with, we can work on it until you've got it or we can change things a bit to make it easier. If there is something that you don't like or aren't comfortable with in the original choreography, that can be modified as well.

If you would like to do a different style of dance for your wedding dance, but want your family to join you as well, consider choosing two songs for your first dance. You and your new spouse can perform your first dance on your own during the first song, then the DJ can invite your friends and family to join you on the dance floor for a more traditional dance style when the second song begins.

When you're at your wedding, remember that more than anything your family and friends are there to celebrate with you. They want to see you and your new spouse enjoy yourselves and have a wonderful time on your special day. Nothing could be more lovely and more memorable than sharing a bit of your hearts with the people you love by performing a dance that truly reflects the love you feel for each other.

Learning to dance is the same as any new skill. It takes patience and practice. Unlike other skills though, dance lessons are fun at every stage. Yes, it becomes more fun the better you get, but all beginners in my lessons have fun right away.

So if you are having fun right away, imagine how much fun you have when you can move your body confidently on the dance floor. Dancing really is a great way to get fit, meet people, improve your confidence and have fun. For private or wedding dance lessons visit my site: http://www.dancevogue.com.au/

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Music Review of The Moola Mantra by Deva Premal

Deva Premal sings with the voice of an angel, the heart of one who has known love and loss, and the soul of an enlightened Master. I have had the distinct pleasure of following Deva and life partner Miten's music for several years, since reviewing their album Embrace back in early 2003. I can also highly recommend their other titles, including The Essence and Love is Space. With the forthcoming The Moola Mantra (release date August 28, 2007), I'm delighted to return to this duo's exquisite brand of devotional chant music that has garnered fans all over the world, with total CD sales surpassing half a million.

The Moola Mantra is perhaps their finest album yet, gracefully weaving Deva's transcendently pure voice, sitar, bansuri flute, dotar, tabla, piano, string quartet and ambient electronica into a richly layered tapestry of sacred chants that honor all traditions, religions, creeds and spiritual paths. Joined by superb musicians including Jai Uttal, Benjy Wertheimer, Manos and Kit Walker, Deva and Miten transport the listener into a world of blissful grace. For nearly 20 years they have traveled all over the world, offering themselves as living examples of male/female energy balance, sharing their music as a sacred tool for healing and intimacy.

I'm happy to tell you that Deva and Miten will be on a concert tour. From August 31 through mid-December throughout the United States, with a stop in Calgary and the Bahamas. They'll be in Santa Rosa California on September 29. I hope to see some of you there. Even after repeated listenings, I find that The Moola Mantra feeds my soul in ways that only my heart understands, and receives my highest recommendation.

Steve Ryals has been writing music reviews since 1994, and to date has published more than 1200. Steve specializes in World Beat, Native American, New Age, Meditation, Contemporary Instrumental, Chanting, Devotional Singing, and more. He currently writes two music reviews every month as part of his Drunk with Wonder Newsletter. To sign up for his FREE newsletter go to http://www.drunkwithwonder.com

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The Music In Gossip Girl Episode 18 - "Much 'I Do' About Nothing" Season Finale

Much of the final episode of Gossip Girl revolves around the wedding of Lily and Bert, so understandably there is a lot of classical music used in the scenes. But, there is enough room to squeeze in a few pop songs and the choices aren't all that bad. Some of the groups already have a lot of exposure, but one or two of the selections feature new sounds.

Before the wedding begins Blair and Dan scheme to expose Georgina and her lies to her parents, when they all meet in the park Do You Wanna by The Kooks plays along as Georgina learns about her future home. Beautiful World by Carolina Liar plays in the background as Serena desperately tries to get in contact with Dan and then leaves a message that she is coming over. This same song is played again at Lily and Bart's wedding as well as a lot of classical selection and other songs that add to the festive mood.

As family and friends are arriving for the wedding and the place is buzzing with pre wedding preparations, Time To Pretend by MGMT drives the action. After a classical piece, Bridal Chorus by Wagner begins to play. This necessary song is followed by two more classical pieces that play through the wedding reception and then through Blair and Vanessa's conversation about Nate.

The final song of the episode was the very appropriate, The Ice is Getting Thinner by Death Cab For Cutie. This song plays through the entire ending of the wedding including, while Chuck is making his best man speech at the wedding, when Blair and Chuck kiss, and as Serena and Dan are forced to dance after they have just broken up. Do You Wanna by The Kooks returns for the closing montage and the end of the season.

By Sophia / http://www.gossipgirl.tv You have full permission to reprint this article provided this box is kept unchanged.

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Lex Parsimoniae

Lex Parsimoniae is Latin for "Law of Parsimony", which pulled out into its simplest form is the The Law of what can be spared, should.

This is a theory that I have been studying for the past year and through observation believe that this can be applied to all situations that require a more efficient, functional solution. This paradigm has many names, but is best know as Occam's Razor. His razor suggests that when resources are limited or when speed of function is essential, design / complexity trade-offs should be based on what does the least harm to the probability of success, however that is defined.

Form is Function

There is a school of thought that beauty in design results in good function, but I prefer to subscribe the fact that just concentration on the functionality will by its very nature, create its own aura of design. Sometimes, the focus on functional efficiency inspires a feeling that goes beyond aesthetics and ultimately give us the sense that its form is of a higher echelon.

Barrier To Entry

The brain is an amazing piece of kit. One of its most amazing functions is its ability to optimise when processing data. Each brain has been trained over many years (or maybe it inherently has the ability) to simplify individual objects into groups. Instead of seeing each individual blade of grass, the mind sees a field. Millions of pieces of data grouped into one object because it knows, to comprehend millions of pieces of grass would take and enormous amount of effect. Effect that could be focused elsewhere. So it generalises to make life easier. This sort of information overload can happen in design as well; Too much will distract from your likely objective. Remember that 7 Second Rule? If your web app or website has 7 seconds to impress then wouldn't you prefer showing off your functional muscles? How useful your app is? and not long it takes to load the really cool (bandwidth crunching) design? Remember how it easy it is to make your mind up about someone when you them for the first time. Same rules apply.

Just Do It!

What are your objectives and goals? Hopefully, when developing a web app or website, to make your (or your users) life easier! And let's remember, this 'thing' we call the Internet is broken. So don't break any further with dodgy CSS and bloated javascript. Functional Turn Around is the most impressive aspect for me these days. Spend time developing how the app works, refine it, refine it again, then again. Then when it works, design around the edges. If you like Latin phrase then try this one:

"entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem", or "entities should not be multiplied beyond necessity"

or just remember, K.I.S.S - Keep it Simple, Stupid!

For more information about Occam's Razor and various other development theories, read this Design and Development Blog at www.gammatan.co.uk

Liked what you read? Check out Richard Healy's other ramblings on Design and Development at http://www.gammatan.co.uk

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Common Usage Errors

i.e. vs. e.g.

Use i.e. , to re-name, restate, or to clarify, as in, "He fell out of the window, i.e., down." This is an abbreviated Latin term (id est) that roughly translates as, "which is to say..." or "meaning..."

Use e.g., to provide examples, as in, "He liked falling from heights, e.g., out of windows, from airplanes, off of ladders." This is an abbreviated Latin term (exempli gratia) that translates as "For example..."

[And don't forget the comma after either one.]

Data is plural

Example: "The data are complete; we conclude that falling is dangerous." [We hear data used as a singular noun so often that the mistake seems right, but it isn't.]

Like vs. Such as

Use like to show similarities, as in, "He was falling like a rotten tomato that missed the stage."

Use such as to provide examples, as in, "Everything falls at times, such as tomatoes and bodies from windows." [Not: "Everything falls at times, like tomatoes and bodies from windows." Another correct way to say this is "Everything falls at times, e.g., tomatoes and bodies from windows."]

Everyone is singular

Example: "Everyone needs to jump out of his window." [Not: "Everyone needs to jump out of their window." You could use "his or her" to be politically correct.]

Comprise vs. Compose

Comprise means to gather multiple parts into a single whole. A good synonym is assemble. For example, "The band comprised [assembled] many different players." [Not: "The band was comprised of many different players."] Here, you have a whole and are describing its parts.

Compose means to make a whole by putting together multiple parts. A good synonym is create. For example, "The band was composed [created] of many different players." Here, you have the parts and are showing how they are put together to make a whole.

The difference is subtle, but what you need to consider is whether you are emphasizing the whole (the band) or the parts (the members of the band).

Staff is not a person

Use staff to refer to the entire group of employees and colleagues, and it is singular (the plural is staffs). A good synonym is team. For example: "The staff [team] is upset with the pay raise."

Use staff person or staff member to refer to an individual person on the staff. So, you would write, "Six staff members are not coming to work today." This refers to the individual people. If you want to refer to the entire staff at once, you would write, "The staff is not coming to work today."

David Bowman is the Owner and Chief Editor of Precise Edit, a comprehensive editing, proofreading, and document analysis service for authors, students, and businesses. Precise Edit also offers a variety of other services, such as translation, transcription, and website development. Click here for more information about Precise Edit's services.

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Zune MP3 Downloads - Aiming to Beat Competition

With the numerous and high-quality Zune MP3 downloads, there is no reason why you should not consider shifting to the Zune technology. In a period when portable music devices are very popular, there is an increased competition. That is why Zune is constantly developing different and attractive contents that would surely lure more consumers and possibly poach a significant number from arch rival iPod of Apple Inc.

Microsoft Corporation certainly would not be left out cold in the middle of the competition. It has always been a leader in every sector and technology it enters into. Thus, when it formed and instituted the Zune, its own brand of digital music playing products, many loyal followers and consumers immediately shifted gears and tried how the company cut-throats competition. Surely, Zune is cutting edge, ripping market shares from earlier and predecessor portable music players.

The rise of Zune gives way to the rapid and robust rise in demand for Zune MP3 downloads. Analysts and market observers are quick to assert that Zune is relatively and comparatively swifter in the development and introduction of new content materials.

Zune has portable music players as well as client software, making it abler to reach more and wider base of digital music consumers. If rival iPod has iTunes, Zune MP3 downloads are facilitated through Microsoft's specialized online music store Zune Marketplace. The downloads are unique and are highly attractive in that such contents can be integrated with software. When the online store was launched in November 2006, it initially offered two million songs. As of the end of 2007, the lineup surged to up to three million digital songs, and is still counting.

On top of that, Zune MP3 downloads are getting more attention with its updated versions, which also incorporates available music videos. Music downloads are legal and are provided from the titles and archives of four of the world's most gigantic and hit-making record labels, namely, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, EMI and Sony BMG, not to mention the smaller and local music labels around the globe.

What's more, Zune is bent on further improving its products and download lineups. In the near future, analysts are positive that the music playing technology would soon beat rivals, great and small. Zune has more advantage and a greater edge. With the advanced technology, capital advantage and technology interconnectivity provided by Microsoft and Xbox, expect that more are to come from Zune MP3 downloads.

Learn how you can get access to unlimited Zune downloads.

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