September 29, 2005

The Vomit Comet is the nickname for Nasa’s C-9 airplane used to
simulate weightlessness for astronaut training. The C-9 replaced
two KC-135’s previously used for this function. The Vomit Comet
engages in a flight lasting almost three hours entailing 30-40
parabolic loops in which gravity varies from earth’s
gravitational pull to near weightlessness for a period of 25
seconds. The aircraft flies horizontally for a period of time
only to rise in a steep climb followed by the 25 second freefall.

The Vomit Comet received its name from the percentage of its
passengers who throw up on its flights. According to John
Yaniec, lead test director for NASA’s Reduced Gravity Program,
roughly one third of its passengers vomit, one third get sick
but don’t vomit, and the rest don’t get sick at all. According
to Yaniec, most airsickness is caused by anxiety over the
upcoming flight.

The Vomit Comet is used to train future astronauts as well as to
carry out microgravity experiments. Many high school and college
science experiments have been carried out over the years on the
Vomit Comet. One of the original KC-135 Vomit Comets was used to
film scenes of the 1995 movie Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks.

“What am I supposed to have in my invitation?” This is one of the most common questions I get asked. The answer is quite simple: Anything! It’s true that convention doesn’t quite apply anymore with respect to what ‘goes’ for an invitation these days. That being said, there are a lot of components in the most common invitation styles. I should caution that there are literally thousands of options available - some a lot more unconventional and some are even bizarre. For the sake of brevity, I’ll keep my breakdown constrained to the more common components and options used in invitations today (as about 85-90% of invitation orders inevitably consist of these).

I’ve broken down my Invitation Anatomy 101 into two lessons: Typical Components and Optional (or Additional Components). The first I’ll describe here:

Typical Components

1) The Outer Envelope

• Anchors your ‘invitation package’. This is your guest’s first impression of your wedding or event at the mailbox!
• It is a good idea to have your return address printed on the back flap of the envelope in the same lettering as your invitation.
• Your guest’s address may be handwritten neatly or written using the services of a calligrapher.
• Outer Envelopes should be reasonably sturdy and presented to your post office (fully stuffed) to determine exact postage prior to stamping and mailing.

2) The Inner Envelope

• Historically, inner envelopes were created to provide added protection to the contents of letters. That is, the outer envelope often suffered quite a bit of wear and tear between destinations, so the inner envelope would preserve the contents while identifying the recipient if the original address information wore away.
• The need for an inner envelope no longer exists, but the romantic tradition remains. Nowadays, the inner envelope identifies only the invitees within the household (e.g. Mr. & Mrs. Wilhelm Schneider). No address is written on the inner envelope. All contents of your invitation package are placed inside the inner envelope. Usually the inner envelope back flap is left folded, but unsealed.
• On a side note, I’ve found that amongst my clients only a small handful a year actually end up ordering inner envelopes. The decline in the use of Inner Envelopes is primarily due to the durability and material quality of custom invitation outer envelopes. This makes Inner Envelopes both expensive and redundant.
• On a side note, I’ve found that amongst my clients only a small handful a year actually end up ordering inner envelopes. The decline in the use of Inner Envelopes is primarily due to the durability and material quality of custom invitation outer envelopes. This makes Inner Envelopes both expensive and redundant.

3) The Invitation

• Obviously, the most essential component of your invitation package. If your invitation is a folded card, all other components should be placed inside the invitation. If this is not possible, or your invitation consist of a one-sided card, place all other components on top of the invitation. The goal here is to make the invitation package as neat and tidy as possible.
• As mentioned, anything goes when it comes to invitations. However, some typical features of a custom or custom-inspired invitation may include the following:
• Outer Card - Heavier weighted stock that envelops or mattes the invitation contents. This is the foundation of your invitation. The outer card can be anything from a plain card backing, to a pocket-fold enclosure to a multi-panel pocketed fold-out!
• Outer Embellishments - Known as the finishing touches on the ‘exterior’ of the invitation. This can be a ribbon tie, wax seal, monogram, matted graphic, pictures, foil stamped image, name, slogan, clasp, etc.
• Inner Card(s) - Usually, an inner card contains your invitation wording. There are hundreds of inner card options including, vellums, vellum overlays, mounted card, bound card, embossed cards, imported stationeries, decorative papers, embellished card or paper, folded cards, loose cards, etc.

4) The RSVP, Response, or Reply Card

• Just as important as the invitation, the size and expense of your event is largely determined by the number of accepted/returned RSVP cards.
• RSVP cards usually contain a blank line where the guest fills in his/her name and indicates the number of persons attending from his/her party. Usually an addressed and pre-stamped envelope is included to encourage your guest to respond as soon as possible.
• RSVP cards can contain other information such as multiple dining options which must be chosen, or spaces for comments, requests, feedback etc.
TIP: Lightly number each RSVP card with a corresponding guest/invitation list. That way, if any RSVP card is returned blank without the sender’s information, you’ll know exactly which guest it is.
• RSVP sizes are usually much smaller than invitations and contain an appropriately-sized return envelope. However, there is a trend towards more oversized RSVP cards (though still smaller than the invitation size).

Congratulations, now that you’ve completed the first lesson, you’re ready for the “Invitation Anatomy 101Optional Components” articles now.

Laura Paladino’s work has been featured locally and nationally across print and television. Her public and commercial clients range from brides to wedding and event planners to celebrities in Canada and the United States. For additional articles and resources, information on Laura Paladino, her invitation design collections, or her select bridal boutique products and studio services, visit http://www.laurapaladino.com

Experiences, whether good or bad, are sometimes all we
have, and most of them reside in the past. So you may ask,
why should I let go of my past when much of it is filled
with beautiful memories and serenity?

Well, that is certainly not what I mean. What I do mean is
when a past is littered with seemingly overwhelming pain, it
impedes one’s ability to move forward and adjust to this
ever-changing world. A good analogy would be of a
backpack filled with distressful memories that one tries to
swim with, but it always seems to weigh you down,
allowing you to merely breathe, is quite fitting.

This backpack, even though not physically attached to
one’s body, seems like some type of appendage that ridding
oneself of is unbelievably difficult or painful. So, as humans
do, we many times avoid, at all costs, the detachment of
this pain because it has indelibly been written into a past as
if in stone.

Therefore, using it as an old wooden crutch to not live our
lives to its fullest potential, is how many people see their
past. These excuses fill our lives with procrastination and
that procrastination is an excellent way of delaying a
healthier future, devoid of these negative memories.

If, for example, a series of painful experiences throughout
your childhood, like verbal or sexual abuse, always seem to
haunt your ability to progress in your interpersonal
relationships. In turn, you subconsciously sabotage these
relationships by not giving enough of yourself, or verbally
giving too much of yourself.

Fundamentally, the mindset of intertwining the past with the
present hurts everything you come in contact with, because
the backpack is still around your aching shoulder.

Getting rid of the backpack may be the hardest thing you
can do, but consider the cost of maintaining its existence?
A mind polluted with pain is not only counterproductive,
but can sometimes be dangerous, given the wrong person
and situation.

Well then, how do I know if my past is hurting my future?

A hurtful past surfaces subconsciously, if not properly let
go. Moreover, consciously you are the only person who
can detect and determine what pain you carry with you, so
that becomes your antidote.

When appropriately analyzing your current mental
condition, you need to set all pride aside and begin to delve
into your past. False pride can mask what a more
lucid-thinking individual could obviously see as painful.
Therefore, a lucid and logical mindset is of the utmost
importance.

Identification of particular events that are painful and then
indexing them in their level of importance, is also important
in knowing to what degree certain memories are hindering
your progression.

In the indexing phase, one should identify and compare or
look for the memories that cast the longest shadow.

When this is completed, the arduous task of letting go must
proceed. Ask yourself truthfully, is this memory worth
keeping this close, or would letting it go to its grave make
my life easier? This cost benefit analysis should be done
with all the toxic memories, in order to understand their
role in suppressing your life.

Although letting go of a broken past is extremely helpful in
ones future, it cannot be overstated that this process is just
that, a process and cannot be done overnight. Working on
these memories and coming to terms with them by not
accepting them anymore, can take years. As each one
diminishes from your memory, you will not only be able to
feel the backpack become lighter, but you will be able to
start moving more freely into your future.

by Brian Maloney-ValuePrep.com

Want to improve your personal values? Get high-quality relationship advice for guys and gals from a ‘Logical’ standpoint.

Visit ValuePrep - Relationship Advice.

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In this second article on lawn maintenance chores we’re going to
pick up with what needs to be done in order to take care of a
high maintenance lawn.

For starters, you’re going to need about 4 to 5 hours of free
time each week to take care of your lawn if you want it to look
like a putting green. You’re going to want to plant what is
called a dwarf grass, which is one that will tolerate the low
mowing heights that you’re going to have to set your mower to in
order to get that putting green look. The best grass for this
look is either Kentucky blue, or creeping bent grass. Creeping
bent grass is the kind used by most golf courses. These grass
types will give your lawn a lush, velvety carpet look and you
will absolutely be the envy of all your neighbors. However, be
prepared to pay for this look. This is truly high maintenance
work involved here.

High maintenance lawns require constant work. Creeping bentgrass
has a very shallow root system and will not stand up to any
adverse conditions such as drought, heavy foot traffic and
simple neglect.

You’re going to need to feed your grass at regular times during
the spring, summer and fall. It’s during this time that the
grass produces most of its new growth. On top of that, you’re
going to need to cut it, hold onto your seats, at least 3 to 6
times each week to a height of about one-sixth of an inch. Hope
you have a lot of gasoline for the mower.

The reason the grass needs to be cut so often is to preserve
that mat appearance that you associate with putting greens.
After all, that is the look you’re going for. It doesn’t happen
by itself. If you don’t cut the grass frequently what happens is
it produces soft green spreading shoots over a base of dry,
scruffy soft leaves. This is not a nice look. If you’re going to
invest your money in this type of lawn then you better invest in
a mower that is made specifically for this type of cutting.
Again, not cheap.

Also, you’re going to need to water your lawn at least twice a
week and even more often if you run into a hot dry spell. You
must water at the most beneficial times, like early in the
morning. Hope you’re an early riser. Bent grass is very
susceptible to disease, one of the worst being snow mold which
comes from watering too late in the day where the grass doesn’t
have enough time to dry out. That’s why you have to water early
in the morning.

You’re also going to have to chemically treat your grass
regularly to keep it bug and disease free. You may have to use
as many as three different chemicals to keep your lawn disease
and bug free.

Yes, a high maintenance lawn is a joy to look at. But it comes
at a pretty steep price.