Mariam Ma asked:


You might not be a reader of the spy genre but no doubt you have heard of Ian Fleming’s work. In 1953, the world was introduced to his creation of James Bond, the most popular fictional spy in history. With this British MI6 agent, Ian Fleming’s place in literary history was cemented. Upon Fleming’s death in 1964, he left behind a legacy of books and film that has captured the imagination of fans for decades.

It is hard to imagine that the legendary name of James Bond was inspired by the most trivial of things. The name of the famous spy was actually lifted from the author of a bird guide book. Fleming had wanted his hero’s name to be suitably dull and contrast it to the extraordinary events that would happen around him. And so the legend of James Bond was born, with the inspiration of a bird guide author.

Ian Fleming described his James Bond books as fairy tails for grown-ups. Perhaps that’s why he injected he embellished his own best qualities and breathed life into them in Bond. Both Fleming and Bond had a naval career background attaining the rank of Commander in the British navy. Both enjoyed the decadence of fine wines, champagnes, fast cars and cool spy gadgets. Bond was a character of elegant taste and in many ways, Bond was really a romanticized version of Fleming.

If Bond was an idealized projection of Fleming, then that would also explain his animal magnetism with the opposite sex. Fleming was known to be a womanizer and naturally, Bond took to his preferences of the perfect woman. With Bond’s Hollywood inspired good looks, he never had any trouble with the fairer sex.

Undoubtedly, James Bond’s exciting career, spy gadgets, elegant lifestyle, sexual exploits made him an engaging character to follow for men and women alike. It is therefore with some surprise that when Fleming first introduced him in the book Casino Royale, the legend did not take off. But as luck would have it, a certain American president name John F. Kennedy would appreciate Bond’s charisma and would name From Russia With Love as one of his favorite books. Perhaps he saw a kindred spirit? It was then that the Bond books would arise in popularity.

Today, the franchise of James Bond continues on in books and film even after the death of Fleming. New authors and actors continue the legacy and what better way to honor the author, than to let his alter ego James Bond live on forever?

Arturo asked:


You have decided you want your party to be extra special this time. What can you do to make it stand out, to have people talking about it for weeks to come? An easy and fun solution is to get a rental rock-climbing wall. A rental rock-climbing wall has become a popular way to not only get the party started, but as a draw for charity and fund raising events as well. Maybe you are part of an organization that puts on a fair of some sort every year, a rental rock-climbing wall can be just the ticket to get people interested enough to attend your event.

Wall rental rates vary, but the average price is $150-$250 per hour. For that you will get all the equipment and gear you will need and a trained staff to assist you and your guests so that everyone will get the most out of the experience with the most enjoyment. When you decide on a rental rock-climbing wall, the company you choose to provide it will transport it to your location and set it up in minutes for you and your guests to enjoy.

You can pick from different types of wall. There is a three climber and a five climber. The difference is how many climbers it can accommodate at one time. If you are having an event where you expect many people to attend, a five climber is probably best. For a smaller private party, a three climber will do just fine. You will have to ensure you have enough space to accommodate your wall. Check with the company to decide if a rental rock-climbing wall is right for your yard or space.

People of all ages and abilities can enjoy using a rental rock-climbing wall. You can be as young as three years old or as old as seventy-five. Your rental rock-climbing wall can be set up for beginners, or set up with more challenging routes to please even the most seasoned rock-climber. Do your homework and find out more about a rental rock-climbing wall for your next event. People will be talking about for a long time after the fun is over and will ask you where they can get a rental rock-climbing wall for their next party.

Joel Owens asked:


Geeks can’t help raving about them. Diehard fans are drooling over them. Moviegoers are awestruck by their sleek bodies. Before you get other ideas, let me lay it down straight: James Bond gadgets are the most amazing artistic creation that ever graced the silver screen aside from James Bond himself.

Half a century of BONDage has brought a hefty clutch of cool gadgets which are more than what meets the eye. In the hands of a professional spy like Bond, anything ordinary becomes lethal. A common-looking watch becomes a tracking device, and a harmless pen can literally turn into something mightier than the sword.

To satisfy your burning curiosity, I’ve listed the top ten James Bond gadgets that made us see all 22 movies of 007’s conquest to save the world.

10. Garrote Watch

There’s nothing like a timepiece that tells you the time and also serves as a way to annihilate an enemy. The garrote watch from the 007 franchise, From Russia with Love definitely proves that lethal weapons come in small packages. A thin wire can be drawn from this wristwatch truly making handy when James Bond needed to annihilate a nemesis named Red Grant.

9. Electro-Magnetic RPM Controller (Diamonds are Forever)

This is one of those gadgets you would truly wish to have existed. It is a ring that, when used, ascertains a jackpot at the slot machine. You might not be able to protect yourself from enemies by this, but you’ll definitely protect yourself from being broke anytime.

8. Pen Gun (Never Say Never)

Now, this gadget is the motherload of trickery and danger. Concealed in the form of a fountain pen with a printed image of the Union Flag of UK, it can fire an explosive charge on an enemy. In the movie, Bond used his pen gun to foil Fatimah Bush, but before he finally did, the gadget took some time to fire. Despite that, this one clever gadget can save you at the last minute.

7.  Safe-cracking Device (Moonraker)

There are times when Bond has to play the bad guy to save the world like stealing weapons and what-not from enemies. Using the safe-cracking device with the technology to render an x-ray of the safe to be cracked, the device is concealed in a harmless looking cigarette case. No wonder, Bond was able to steal a considerable lot because of this device.

6. Polarizing Gadgets (A View to Kill)

Through this gadget, Bond becomes an omnipotent killing machine that can be stealth enough to know what’s behind closed doors.  It allows the ability to see clearly through tinted glass.

5. Door Decoder (A View to Kill)

In a career in spying, one needs to learn how to crack the most complex codes and open the most guarded doors. Through this door decoder, a technology developed by Q Branch, Bond can crack any door open no matter how strict the security may be. It can fit into any keypad locked electronic door, finds the correct combination and flashes it on screen. Getting into tightly-secured rooms is never difficult when you have this gadget.

4. Aston Martin DBS V12 (Casino Royale)

This is the personification of classic and beauty in four wheels mode. The Aston Martin DBS V12 might not have the hoots and whistles like an adaptive camouflage or anything as fancy as that, but its features are just enough to stop the villain from hoarding more money and eventually causing more worldly troubles. Aston comes with items such as a defibrillator and anti-poison/chemical combi-pens. These add-ons truly made Bond’s life easier in his conquest to save the world.

3. BMW 750il (Tomorrow Never Dies)

BMW is the car of the elites, but through the magic and genius of Branch Q, this baby has been transformed from luxurious to deadly. It contains a surprising number of modifications including bullet-proof windows and body, tear gas features emitted from the sides of the car, mini-missiles coming out of its sunroof, metal spike dispensers in the rear, re-inflatable tires, and lethal grenades (whew). Being a true James Bond vehicle, the BMW 750il can be accessed only by Bond himself through his high-end mobile phone. If anyone else dares to lay a finger on its door handles, this BMW can deliver strong electric shocks enough to make anyone pass out. This is one touchy car.

2. BMW Z8 (The World is Not Enough)

We first caught sight of this pimped James Bond vehicle in The World is Not Enough. This remote-controlled car is equipped with missiles and a set of weaponry that become really handy when James Bond had to destroy one of the helicopters in the film. The BMW Z8 is absolutely a mammoth of a vehicle.

We’ve seen Bond steer, ride and strut these high tech vehicles. With the release of his next flick, Quantum of Solace, more James Bond vehicles are sure to grace the screen. After all, a James Bond film is not complete without some roaring machines. 

1. Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (Die Another Day)

This car doesn’t only bridge the gap between the road and tracks. Staying true to its signature innovativeness and sleek design, this Aston plays tricks on your eyes with its awesome additional option, Adaptive Camouflage (the what?). In simpler and less complicated English, it just means that this beauty can literally disappear before your very eyes. Without magic or frills, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish uses “tiny cameras on all sides to project the image they see onto a light emitting polymer skin on the opposite side”. Once again, in plain and less complicated English, the technology of the car makes it invisible to the naked eye.

It’s beautiful and dandy, but the car also has deadly tricks behind its front-grille. Armed with a bevy of other cool James Bond gadgets, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish also boasts of missiles, machine guns, spiked tires, and target-seeking shotguns. When all these are not enough to send to destroy the enemies, James Bond could always use the car’s customary ejector seat. Real sleek, isn’t it?

Jeff Marshall asked:


Tent Camping is a wonderful out-of-the-ordinary experience which can be enjoyed by anyone. Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages of Tent Camping is the high initial cost of buying camping equipment. Sadly, this hurdle keeps some people from ever even going tent camping. The good news is this does not have to be the case at all. With a little planning and effort, you can buy quality camping equipment at a reduced rate. Here, are some tent camping tips to help reduce your overall camping equipment bill:

1. Know What You Like: Camping equipment is not much different than purchasing any other consumer product. This means you can bargain hunt for clearance items or discounted items just like you would for a designer shirt or other product. To find out what you like, there are really only two ways to determine this:

a. Go to camping stores and try out the products: There are certain brand products that you can test at the store or will be on display. Take some time to review these products and determine what brands you like or what it is about each product that you like.

b. Borrow other people’s camping equipment: This gives you an opportunity to find out what brands you like and will allow you to make some more informed decisions.

c. Ask A Friend: Be sure to ask friends what type of equipment they liked and also what equipment they did not. This will help give you a reference point in making your decision.

d. Use The Internet: There are now a number of chat forums where people discuss certain types of camping equipment they like and what to avoid. Since it is already out there and free, do not be afraid to use it.

2. Discount Shopping: Armed with what you like, go to discount camping stores or shop online at discount camping stores trying to find the brands or products that you really like.

3. Online Coupon Codes: You can search online to find online coupon codes. There are a number of sites that can provide coupons for camping equipment. Here, is a list of some of them:

a. www.dealtaker.com

b. www.ableshopper.com

c. www.couponcraze.com

d. www.couponcabin.com

e. www.mycoupons.com

f. www.retailmenot.com

4. Clearance Sales: Camping equipment has a tendency to go on sale around labor day and there usually is a summer and winter clearance sale as well. A good shopper can delay purchases to around these times to find good deals.

5. Used Camping Equipment: Search for used camping equipment. This can be found in several areas:

a. Bargain hunt at garage sales and estate sales.

b. Shop at army-navy stores for certain items.

c. Look at classified newspaper ads or Craig’s list.

By using these tent camping tips, you should be able to find some quality camping equipment at a reduced rate. Remember after the initial cost of camping equipment is made, the additional upkeep costs of camping are very small.

When compared to other vacation trips, a tent camping trip is by far the most economical. So go ahead get your camping equipment and start planning your trip, I think you will find that you will be glad you did.

Nickolove Lovemore asked:


The Indiana Jones films are not only great adventure films. You can learn much about goal achievement from watching these films too. Steven Spielberg said:

“I hate that people think it’s wrong to say you’re inspired by Jaws or by Raiders of The Lost Ark. You’re allowed to be.”

One could add Indiana Jones to that list. Admittedly, Spielberg is biased. Still, here are three lessons in goal achievement inspired by Indiana Jones.

1. Indiana follows his passion

Those who have achieved great success all believe vehemently in the importance of following your passion and doing what you love. It is only by doing this that you will continue to have the motivation to persevere in spite of enormous odds.

Indiana certainly epitomises this. He is passionate about archaeology and this is what drives him. And, while it may just be a movie, he battles enormous odds to attain his goals.

It is only by following your passion that you will have the energy and drive to keep going even though the journey towards your goal may be an arduous one and at times you may become weak – physically, mentally and emotionally.

“The key that unlocks energy is desire. It’s also the key to a long and interesting life. If we expect to create any drive, any real force within ourselves, we have to get excited.”

Earl Nightingale

2. Indiana confronts his fears

One of the endearing qualities about Indiana is that he is very human. He too has his fears, for instance, he hates snakes. Yet, he does not let his fears stand in the way of achieving his goals.

“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”

Ambrose Redmoon

When you set yourself challenging goals, at some point you will come up against something that you fear. The trouble is what you fear may not be tangible. It may be a limiting or negative belief such as the fear of failure or the fear of success.

However, such limiting or negative beliefs can stop you dead in your tracks if you do not develop techniques and strategies to clear yourself of them. The good thing is that the more you practice these clearing techniques the easier it will become to overcome your fears.

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

3. Indiana has very clear values

Indiana’s values make it easy for him for him to make decisions and take action. Great goal achievers are great decision-makers and they take action. Too often people do not achieve the level of success they desire because they spend too much time deciding what to do and too little time actually doing anything.

True, some things require careful deliberation. However, in many cases, especially when it comes to the day-to-day activities that will help you to make progress towards your goal, you have to learn how to quickly weigh up a situation and make the best decision there and then on how to move forwards. There can be no progress without decision-making.

Having clear values and clearly defined goals will go a long way in helping you to make those timely decisions. It’s almost like making a decision in advance. If something is not in harmony with your values then you can simply reject that particular idea.

Imagine having an army at your disposal that is ready and waiting to help you manifest your goals. The thing is the army can only act once you make a decision. When you make a decision the army is galvanised into action. When you don’t make a decision the army is immobile and if you are indecisive then your private army moves in a chaotic manner accomplishing little or nothing. So you have to keep you army moving in an efficient and cohesive manner by continuing to make decisions.

“Your only purpose in life is to make choices. Once the choice is made, the whole universe moves to bring into fruition that which you chose.”