November 27, 2015 – Strong Word

Why Hydronic Heating Systems Are Popular

Chris / November 27, 2015

Hydronic heating systems have been in existence for ages and they continue to be popular all over the world. These systems can be used in both residential and commercial establishments to heat up the space. They are popular because of a number of reasons. To appreciate the benefits they offer, you first need to understand how they work. What are Hydronic Systems? These are heating and cooling systems which use water, or another working fluid, to transfer heat energy from the furnace to the room. Water is super-heated in the water heater and released into water pipes which connect the water heater to radiators or heat exchangers in the building. The water pipes are properly insulated to prevent heat losses in the heat transfer process. Radiators are normally installed on the wall or floor of a building. Their main purpose is to extract heat from hot water flowing through the radiator and release it into the surrounding space. The heating process is natural as heated air moves up and replaced with colder air. The cycle continues until the room attains an even temperature without forced movement of air. After passing through the radiator, water is taken back to the water heater for further heating. The water heater may be powered by coal, heating oil, natural gas, propane or electricity depending on availability, cost, personal preference and reliability of the supply. What Makes Hydronic Heating Systems Special? It’s important to note that hydronic systems use water, and not air, to transfer heat from the heater to the space which requires heating. Since water is a better heat transfer medium than air, heating takes place much more efficiently. As a result, the property owner gets better value for money since less energy is wasted. Secondly, hydronic heaters do not require forced circulation, such as use of fans and blowers, to evenly distribute heat in a room. Therefore, dust cannot be raised. Animal fur, hair follicles, loose cloth fibers and other impurities, therefore, cannot easily become airborne. This makes hydronic systems healthier than forced air systems which easily raise dust and cause air pollutants to become airborne, thereby causing allergies and other respiratory illnesses. Since these systems contain few or no moving parts, they are easier to maintain and have a long lifespan. They also have a quiet operation, so you can enjoy efficient heating in a peaceful environment. Forced air systems usually make a lot of noise and they often fail to cool rooms more evenly.

Beauty

Choosing Professional Hair Clippers

Chris / November 27, 2015

Whether you are trying to cut your own hair to save money or you are planning to become an expert barber, professional hair clippers will assist in making the job go much more smoothly. There are hundreds of items on the market when it comes to hair clippers. This could make the task of choosing a clipper quite daunting. There are a number of different factors and features that should be considered when buying hair clippers. Below is an in depth look at the most essential things to look for in professional hair clippers: Corded or Battery-operated These two options are perhaps the most vital things to look at when purchasing clippers. If the clippers are being purchased for personal use, the corded versions might not be very comfortable or easy to use. A battery-operated version could be more suitable for personal users. However, for professionals, the corded units would be the best options. Professional barbers and hairstylists often used corded units. These are essentially the most logical options to use in a professional setting. In fact, taking into consideration the number of haircuts that are done in a single day, the last thing a professional wants to be concerned about is whether or not the battery will last throughout the next haircut. Therefore, corded clippers are definitely the way to go. Types of Blades Over the years, this is among the areas that have grown in importance. In the past, the same method was used to make electric hair clippers. However, today’s products are made with usability and convenience in mind. This is an indication that today’s men want self-oiling, self-sharpening blades with hard-wearing stainless steel that are made to last. These days, most hair clippers are manufactured with stainless steel blades. These types of clippers are designed to last. However, their duration will depend on how often they are used and the type of hair they are used to cut. If these clippers are being used only to cut your own hair, they could last for years. If they are being used very often in a professional setting, they might not last very long. Attachments Whether you will be starting up a small business as a local barber or using the clippers to cut your own hair, it is difficult to achieve a good cut with only the clippers. You will need to have all the lubricating oils, brushes and guides to ensure the desired look is achieved every single time. As such, it is very important to look at the various attachments that come with a particular unit. There are hair clippers that come with as many as 27 pieces. This will provide you with everything that is needed to get you started. When buying hair clippers, it is extremely essential to ensure that you obtain a minimum of 8 different guides that enable you to have lots of flexibility when clipping down hair. Ease of Use Ease of use has to be taken into consideration when buying clippers. Clipper sets that are available with a dozen guides are great. However, when the clippers and the guides are not made up to par, problems could result if it is difficult to separate them. While professionally cutting hair, it can be quite embarrassing having a guide becoming stuck to a clipper. Even if the client is not familiar with those particular clippers, he or she will know that the product being used to cut his or her hair is not up to standard. Convenience This is among the categories that are really dependent on what is considered to be easy and convenient. For a number of individuals buying clippers, it is important to have clippers that come with a carrying case. While the majority of barbers and hairstylists already have their own bags with their accessories and tools, it is important to be able to efficiently organize and pack away the new clippers and all the accompanying accessories. The last thing a buyer wants to do is acquire a 25-piece clipper set and being forced to have all the brushes and guides lying loose in a larger bag.

Entertainment

Aerial Silk: Dancing In The Air With Grace

Chris / November 27, 2015

Aerial silk performances are gaining in popularity as more of them are shown on television, films, and other forms of visual media. There is something fascinating about the graceful movements carried out in such precarious situations. The artists flow seamlessly from one movement to another with mesmerizing elegance. They use the fabrics almost as if it was an extension of their body. The various positions are incredibly difficult. They require a highly level of strength and flexibility to do. Only those who train diligently for many years can eventually master all of aerial silk’s secrets. A Brief History This performance art is a branch of aerial acrobatics. It traces its roots to France in the late 1950s. A circus school asked students to think of new acts and one of them did so using a long piece of cloth. Her name and what has become of her is a mystery. The only thing we know from that time can be found in a small newspaper clipping. Yet although the main founder remains anonymous, the art was somehow able to flourish throughout the next decades. People saw just how beautiful this dangerous dance could be and they wanted to learn it. Cirque du Soleil popularized it even further when the duo of Isabelle Vaudelle and Isabelle Chasse performed their act on the show. It caught fire in Europe and eventually the rest of the world. Defying Death Perhaps what is most impressive is the way that the artists are able to defy death again and again during their performance. They do impossible moves that would make the audiences gasp and tremble until the final moment when they escape what seemed to be inevitable and people give a rousing ovation in relief. All of these involve techniques that have been carefully crafted to elicit these responses. Many credit Andre Simard who is a choreographer from Cirque du Soleil. His developments of innovative moves made the showing compelling to watch. He asked performers to use both their face and body to convey emotions. Physical Demands The physicality of the movements demanded much out of performers. A person will not be able to do even the simplest routines without first preparing their body. The upper body, in particular, needs a lot of work. The hands need to be able to grab onto the fabric despite the pull of gravity on a person’s full weight. This means having extremely powerful forearms that will not easily get tired despite repeated holds. The rest of the arm as well as the shoulders and back will have to be solid as well. Aside from strength, performers need a high degree of flexibility. This will not only enable them to do the impressive splits and bends but also prevent them from sustaining injuries. So much of the movements require quick bursts. The muscles need to be able to cope with these to prevent strains and pulls. Flexibility also keeps them loose and ready to perform positions that would otherwise be impossible. Training Requirements Today there are quite a number of schools all over the world catering to students of aerial silk. People can begin training even as a complete novice and just work up their way up through the various levels. It would help to do some strength and flexibility training on the side as discussed above. As for the clothing, students should come to class in comfortable shirt and pants that fit their body well. The upper garment must be tucked in to prevent loose ends. The sleeves should be long enough to cover the armpits and the elbows. The pants should be stretchy and able to cover the back of the knees. Silk Fabrics There are different kinds of silk fabrics on the market specifically made for this activity. They vary in width, length and stretch. The low-stretch options are generally reserved for beginners as they provide more stability and predictability in the movements.