EC Smokes Has a Great Variety of ECigs

For many years now, since new medicine and new science has discovered just how unhealthy smoking is, smokers have been trying to find ways to quit. Not only has it been shown to make people sick, it is also costly. Depending on where you live, name brand cigarettes can cost upwards of $10 a pack! Unfortunately, many ways that smokers have tried quitting are just unsuccessful. Nicotine is addicting, making it very difficult to break the habit.

Electronic cigarettes are the newest way to help break the smoking habit and it has been catching on quickly, although it depends on which type you choose. When they were first introduced into the market, they were marketed strictly as a tool in the cessation of cigarette smoking. Now, however, there are quite a few that are being used simply as a cigarette substitute because they are cheaper and can be smoked in public places, where normal cigarettes cannot be. Some are made to look and feel like cigarettes, while some have no resemblance at all. They are able to be smoked in public, nonsmoking places because there is no secondhand smoke; some models boast the feel and appearance of smoke by emitting water vapor. It gives the smoker the feel that they actually are smoking, but they're not doing the harm that the conventional cigarette would.

EC Smokes offers a variety of different options for those looking into giving this method of quitting a try. There are basic starter packages, premium starter packages, refill options and even a step down package. The electronic cigarettes offered on this page contain small amounts of nicotine, which is what the step down package tailors to. Start off with the larger nicotine dosage and work your way down until you can eventually go without. Or, just choose the amount of nicotine you want to use.

Since these cigarettes are electronic, they run on batteries and are rechargeable. Instead of going through several cigarettes, you can simply switch out the flavor cartridges as you want. They have a variety of flavors to choose from, some you wouldn't even think of, such as Tobacco Light, Menthol and Cowboy Red (the full flavor option). If you're interested in something a little more tasty, there are more fun flavors, such as vanilla, coffee, and chocolate. There's something for everyone on this site, all with the goal of helping smokers quit and become healthier*.

*The FDA has not evaluated the safety of Electronic Cigarettes.

The Restaurant Industry in Hawaii

I chose this topic because I thought it would be fun to research.  Being an island chain that survives primarily on tourism, I figured the restaurant industry in Hawaii would be a cool topic to research.

Since eating and leisurely activities are such an integral aspect to the lives of so many citizens, it is not shocking that many Americans choose to dine out frequently. The popularity of eating out becomes plain when one considers that the restaurant industry is a diverse and booming business. In Hawaii, the restaurant industry is an important and ultimately inalienable aspect of the state. Not to mention that Hawaiian Cuisine is unique and exciting.

As many residents of Hawaii know, the restaurant industry is a central component of the state's economy. In addition to generating sizable revenues from taxes, Hawaii's restaurant industry employs thousands of Hawaiians and helps them build careers in the field. In recognition of the great precedence that wellness has taken in the lives of many people, the Hawaiian restaurant industry offers its patrons healthy food options. Additionally, Hawaiian restaurants make positive contributions to their communities while also striving to prevent their work from negatively impacting the environment.

To gain a better understanding of the Hawaiian restaurant industry's intricacies, one should consider recent statistics about it. For example, records indicate that there were 3,168 drinking and eating establishments in Hawaii in 2011. These eating and drinking establishments employ 57,300 people, thus representing the vast majority of Hawaii's food-service and restaurant workforce, which employs 85,100 people total. These 85,100 jobs constitute 14% of Hawaii's employment, proving that the restaurant and food service industry is a viable source of gaining income and livelihood for many citizens.

While current statistics regarding Hawaii's restaurant industry prove its value, future projections also demonstrate its worth. Future projections indicate that by the year 2013, restaurants in Hawaii will generate $3.7 billion in sales. And, in 2023, Hawaiian restaurants are expected to employ 89,400 people, a figure which represents 5.1% in job growth.

As made plain by current statistics and future projections about the Hawaiian restaurant industry, it is an increasingly important aspect of the state's economy. By employing people and generating substantive revenue for the state, the restaurant industry is sure to remain an inalienable aspect of Hawaiian life and culture.

It's probably not much of a shocker that these eating and drinking establishments need point of sale systems. There aren't many POS vendors on the island.  The leading POS vendor in the Hawaiian Islands is Computant Retail Point of Sale Solutions.  They are a friend of ours here at the Wuppagus.  They're owned by nice people, much like most Hawaiians - they're super friendly.

How To Build A Wood Rack

If you do much carpentry or woodworking around the home, you'll soon start to develop a store of lumber. The lumber, in turn, will soon develop an uncanny ability to get underfoot or in the way of roughly 85 percent of all your normal household activities.

The solution is some kind of lumber rack. Presented here is an idea that works well around my home. This rack is made entirely of ordinary 2-by-4s, and construction is strong, but simple.

First step is to find a place for it. One good spot is in the wasted space over the hood of your car. You should have room for a four-level rack in that area. To build the rack, start by cutting the support arms. I make mine 20 inches long, but you can choose your own length to suit your needs. Fasten these to the exposed studs with yellow glue and 1/2- by 3 1/2-inch carriage bolts. Use one bolt per support arm, and make sure the arms are perpendicular to the stud.

Space the arms about six to eight inches apart vertically. Once the arms are in, cut 2-by-4 blocking to fit tightly between the arms and glue and fasten these in position with yellow glue and 3-inch flat-head screws. This blocking will provide extra support for the arms and prevent them from twisting downward under a heavy load of lumber.

I like to put a rack like this on every other stud. This places a support arm every 32 inches, which provides good support to keep the lumber from sagging and developing a set.

The basement rack is similar but has a few differences. I build these racks on the floor, then hang them from the joists when they are completed. To build a rack like this, decide on a size. I cut my uprights 4 feet long, but you can make them shorter, or run them floor to ceiling.

To start, lay an upright flat on the floor. Glue and screw support arms and blocking to this upright, pretty much as described for the garage rack. Leave the top eight inches of the upright free, so you can bolt it to the joist later.

After all the arms and blocking are secured to this upright, lay another upright on top of the stack and glue and screw this one in place. This will sandwich all the arms and blocking between two uprights for a very sturdy arrangement.

Now you can slide the top of the rack up so it straddles a joist and hang it securely in place with a 1/2- by 5-inch carriage bolt. As with the garage rack, I like to put one of these racks on every other joist.

Choosing New Carpet

Purchasing carpet for your home requires careful consideration in order to ensure that you make the best investment possible. Several factors such as price, type of carpet, color, your home's style and decor should all play a part in the selection process. 

There are many types of carpet to choose from. Different styles, textures and colors all fall within a wide price range. Of course, carpets with better quality will cost more than lesser quality carpets. When choosing carpet, evaluate the room(s) the carpet will be laid in. Frequently used rooms, such as family rooms, often have more foot traffic and usage and are more prone to stains and wear than lesser used rooms, such as guest rooms. Therefore, if the carpet is for a much used room, it makes sense to purchase a higher quality carpet because it will hold up better. 

Cut-pile, loop, saxony, plush, textured and frieze are some of the most common types of carpet to choose from. Cut-pile is most often used in homes because of its durability. Cut-pile means that the carpet fibers are cut to an even height. Frieze carpet falls into the cut-pile category, but during the manufacturing process the fibers are twisted giving the carpet a shaggy look. Berber, on the other hand, is an example of a loop carpet and the fibers are not cut. 

Olefin, nylon and wool are materials carpets are typically made of, with wool being the most expensive of the three. Stain repellent is often added to carpet during manufacturing to increase its durability.

Color selection should be the last step in the decision making process. Since carpets come in almost every color you can imagine, it should be easy to find one to match the room it will be used in. 

When shopping for carpet it makes sense to get pricing from two or three different retailers. Things like removing old carpet, installation, sales tax and carpet padding are not included in the base price of the carpet. When comparing costs between retailers be sure to compare total costs to determine the best deal.

Top Gun Safety Practices

The following is a run-down of safety practices every gun enthusiast should follow, whether licensed to carry concealed or not.

1. Always keep the gun’s muzzle pointed in a safe direction. This means at the ground, down the range or at your target as opposed to up towards the ceiling. Never point a gun, loaded or not, at a human being unless your intention is to shoot them.

2. All Guns are Loaded, All of the Time. Always assume the gun is loaded. Double or triple check to be certain it is not before cleaning the gun or pointing it anywhere but at a target. Remember: semi-automatic weapons can still fire after the clip is removed as there is a round in the chamber!

3. Fingers off the Trigger! It is quite difficult to accidentally fire if your finger is nowhere near the trigger. The best practice is to keep your finger away from the trigger until your target is in your sites and you are ready to squeeze a shot off.

4. Get Training. Take a gun training and safety course. Every gun is a little different and you should know everything there is to know about your particular weapon, from what type of ammunition is appropriate to how to take it completely apart and clean it. Learning proper techniques will not only improve your accuracy but it will make shooting a much safer experience for you and those around you.

5. Never Shoot at Water (or any other hard surface). Many people make the mistake of thinking of water as a “soft” surface when in reality, the surface tension can actually ricochet bullets off of the surface in an unpredictable direction. This can also happen when shooting at metal and hard woods. Choose your targets carefully and be certain that you are aware of what is behind them.

6. Do not Count on the Safety. While it is true that guns have safety mechanisms intended to prevent accidental firing, you should never count on it. Sometimes the safety may fail and in rare cases, flicking off the safety has actually been known to cause the gun to fire. A safety is intended to be an added precaution but the rest of the rules should be followed regardless of whether or not it is on.

7. Don not Drink and Shoot. It is imperative that you be sober while using a weapon. Do not bring beer to the firing range and never mix recreational substance use with using a gun.

8. Wear Ear and Eye Protection. Protect your eyes and your ears from permanent damage by wearing safety goggles and ear plugs or ear muffs.

9. Stay Alert. Whether you are out in the country with some friends, hunting in the woods or at a shooting range, it is of vital importance that you remain aware of your surroundings at all times. Everyone’s safety, including your own, depends on knowing who or what is near you at any given moment.