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Great kids Halloween costumes are a bit subjective - it depends whose point of view you're looking at them from. As a parent, a great costume is one that's safe and appropriate for the childrens age.

From a kid's point of view, practicality isn't really that important - they're more interested in the latest TV or movie character, the latest fad or a current celebrity.

Finding a happy medium is the best way to go, but whatever you do be sure to get the child to take part in the choice. just be sure to give them some guidelines so they understand what you will or won't allow.

Kids won't enjoy Halloween if they're forced to wear a costume they don't like. It's sometimes hard to accept, but resign yourself to the fact that as a parent, your top choice is probably not the coolest in the eyes of your kids!

Wearing a costume is fun for people of all ages, but especially for kids. They just haven't developed the cynicism that comes with adulthood, and they'll think even the simplest things are great, if it's what they want.

A simple mask with the elastic string that goes around the back of their head can make them feel like they really are superman - they don't need the latest in latex movie makeup to play a part.

If you're throwing a party for a bunch of kids this Halloween, a theme can be a great way to set the stage for their costumes. It can also be a bit educational if you choose something like a certain era or culture (just don't tell the kids!)

Whatever kind of costume you choose, just be sure to get on it early enough that your kids won't be disappointed if they're all sold out. This is especially important if they want to be the hero from this summer's blockbuster movie or some other popular character. The most recently popular costumes are usually the first to sell out.

Monty Smith writes about Halloween costume ideas and other Halloween-related topics for the Costumez online website. Get more Halloween tips at http://www.costumezonline.com

// posted by 14797 @ 8:30 PM 0 comments

The nintendo Wii it seems, puts pay to the concerns in recent years over the inactivity in children due to their interest in video games consoles. The Wii console really sets itself apart from the rest with its revolutionary motion sensitive controller, which actually requires movement in order to play the games.

The nintendo Wii comes with the game Wii sports, which includes tennis, baseball, bowling, golf and boxing. In tennis you will be swinging the remote as if it were a tennis racket and flicking it up to toss the ball into the air with a quick swing to serve. The other Wii sports games work in a similar way simulating controller movements for like movements onscreen. Boxing however is the only Wii sports game that uses the nunchuk attachment and is the most physically exhausting game of them all. In order to hit your opponent in the head or body, you will have to aim high or low with your swings.

There are three different activities with each game. In training mode, you will participate in random challenges, after which you will be assigned a fitness age, based on your performance. sound familiar? The nintendo DS game, Brain Training comes to mind...a physical version perhaps?

The important thing here is that gamers are becoming more physically active without even realising it - you could say it has a 'kill two birds with one stone' effect, combining video game play with physical activity. Given this 'physical' nature of the Wii, I wouldn't be suprised if parents rushed out to buy the nintendo Wii just to get their kids off the sofa!

Another great thing about the nintendo Wii is that it appeals not only to children and teens but to adults too, so its something the whole family can enjoy.

Could the nintendo Wii revolutionize the way we play video games in the future? It will be interesting to see what Nintendo's competitors come up with next - this could be a tough one to beat!

Karen Bennett

// posted by 14797 @ 7:41 PM 0 comments

Satellite radio is the future of broadcasting

Satellite radio, in short, can be described as commercial-free music, news, sports and talk shows. Many of the biggest players and events are now available from Sirius radio and XM radio like Howard Stern, Fred Schneider (the B52s), NFL, English Soccer, NBA, NASCAR, NHL, Major League Baseball, INDY, and the PGA.

Satellite radio began in 1992, when the S spectrum was allocated by the FCC to four companies. The two main ones, Sirius and XM paid a pretty penny (in fact almost $80 million dollars worth) to buy a license. Satellite-based radio began on May 15th, 2001 when XM radio completed their satellite system. Sirius followed shortly when they launched in July, 2001. Since then, expanded products and competition has changed the radio landscape.

While automobile manufacturers started installing satellite radio in 2001 and 2002, most new vehicles come equipped with one now. XM has two satellites (called Rock and Roll) in parallel orbits to cover the mainland US market, while Sirius has three. Both have recently been awarded licenses for the Canadian market.

So what are the differences between the two providers?

XM has a flat $9.99 a month fee with no contracts to sign. They have the latest portable equipment. XM offers some of the best varieties of programming available today. They offer 68 commercial-free music channels; 32 channels of News, Sports, Talk & Entertainment; and 21 channels of instant Traffic & Weather in major metro areas. Here's the latest information of channels:

15 channels of Rock music

11 News channels (Fox, CNN, ABC, CNBC, MSNBC, BBC, C-SPAN, Bloomberg)

11 Talk & Variety channels (Discovery, E!, Experts & advice, African American Talk, Christian Talk)

10 channels of Pop music & Top Hits

7 Country music choices

7 channels of Blues & Jazz music

7 Hip Hop and Urban music choices

6 different channels of music by the Decades (40's through 90's)

5 Sports channels (ESPN, Fox, Sporting News, NASCAR)

4 Dance music channels

4 World music choices

3 Christian music choices

3 Comedy entertainment channels (adult comedy, family comedy)

3 Classical music channels

2 Kids entertainment channels (Disney)

2 Latin music choices

Sirius offers a $12.95 per month fee and you can pre-pay for a full year for a discount (works out to $9.99 per month). They offer better sports coverage with play-by-play of the NBA, NHL, and NFL. Sirius has signed some great talent of celebrity DJs. Sirius offers 60 channels of music with no commercials, 50 channels of News, Sports, Talk and Entertainment; and 20 channels of 24/7 Traffic & Weather in major cities. Here's how Sirius stack up with their channel line up:

16 Talk & Variety channels (Discovery, E!, Talk for Women, CourtTV, Air America, Gay/Lesbian, Body/Mind/Spirit Talk)

14 channels of Rock music

12 channels of Pop music & Top Hits

10 News channels (CNN, CNBC, Fox, NPR, PRI, C-SPAN, BCC, World radio, Bloomberg)

9 Hip Hop and Urban music choices

7 Sports channels (ESPN, play-by-play channels)

6 Country music choices

6 Jazz music channels

5 Dance music channels

4 different channels of music by the Decades (50's through 80's)

3 Classical music channels

2 Christian music choices (Catholic)

2 channels of Blues & Reggae

2 Latin music choices

2 Comedy entertainment channels (regular and uncensored)

2 World music choices

1 Kids entertainment channels (Disney)

To read more on Satellite TV and radio, please visit my site: http://www.satellite-tv-and-radio.com

// posted by 14797 @ 6:44 AM 0 comments