Picking the perfect present

Naturally hot

Ainsworth Hot Spring

The Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia, Canada, are famous for the Cody Caves System with its ancient limestone and natural hot springs. The springs have a naturally high mineral content and have long been used for relaxation and therapeutic purposes.

The native Indians originally discovered the springs, but now they form part of one of the country’s favourite holiday resorts. The springs got their name from George Ainsworth from Oregon, who founded Hot Springs Camp in 1882. At that time the only visitors were local miners and prospectors, but in the 1920s the springs were developed and caves and a pool were constructed. Meanwhile the mining industry declined, and all the mines were closed by the 1960s.

From its source in the Code Caves, the water works its way down through the rock, and the deeper it goes, the hotter it gets. It finally surfaces at Ainsworth Hot Springs, where the water temperature varies from 35°C to 42°C. The caves are dark and humid and with the hot spring water at waist height they act as a natural steam bath.

Rotorua

Rotorua in New Zealand is famous as one of the world’s most active volcanic areas. It is filled with bubbling geysers, mud pools and natural hot springs. The springs are famous for their relaxing and pain-relieving qualities. Throughout history, people have visited the area and bathed in the mineral rich hot springs to relieve their aches and pains. The healing properties of the hot springs were discovered by the native Maori people a long time ago bur were only made known to the rest of the world in 1878 when they were discovered by a travelling priest. He found that his arthritis was cured after bathing in the waters, and the spring became known as the Priest Spring.

The water from the Priest Spring is acidic. It flows from the volcanic rock deep below the surface of the earth, and its temperature varies from 33°C to 43°C. This is totally different from the other springs in the area where the water is alkaline and comes from nearer the surface.

No more secrets

What do your local supermarket, video rental shop and pizza takeaway restaurant have in common? Without ever needing to meet you personally, they are all in the know about you. They can tell you what brand of toothpaste you buy, what films you watch and even which pizza toppings you prefer!

Most of us are aware of the fact that every time we use credit card, phone card, cash card or supermarket card, our personal information is being recorded somewhere. This is the price we pay for the convenience of using cards instead of cash.

You might think that you have never been on TV, but you are wrong. CCTV (closed circuit TV) cameras are everywhere! They are in shopping centers, at ATMs, outside buildings and even on our roads and motorways. They are operated by the police and private security companies. By capturing criminals on film they hope to discourage crimes such as muggings, shoplifting and carjackings.

In the very near future you will no longer have to worry about forgetting your computer password, your cash card number or even your keys, because your body will be your ID. Finger scanning, which is similar to fingerprinting, is already being used by large companies to identify employees. Face recognition is another growing area of ID technology, as are voice and eye recognition. Identity cards are also getting “smarter”. Many countries already have a system which requires their citizens to carry identification cards. These cards usually include personal information such as name, address and birth date as well as a personal identification number. However, in the near future, these cards will also contain a microchip, which will be able to store a lot more information. Using this technology, one card will be able to replace your driving licence, student card, medical card, library card, credit card, birth certificate and most of the other pieces of ID that we have to carry with us.

The benefits of all these ID new system are obvious. You will be able to walk up to your ATM, smile sweetly and say hello, and it will give you your money. Your family will know exactle where you are, and you will know where your car is.

The question that we have to ask ourselves now is how the rights of the individual will be preserved. Are we really ready to live in a world where our every move is being watched.

The Time Machine

The thing the Time Traveller held in his hand was a glittering metallic frame-work, no larger than small clock, and very delicately made. He took one of the small octagonal tables that were scattered about the room, and set it in front of the fire. On this table he placed the mechanism. Then he drew up a chair and sat down. The only other object on the table was a small lamp. There were also perhaps a dozen candles about, so that the room was brilliantly illuminated. I sat in a low armchair nearest the fire, and I drew this forward so as to be almost between the Time Traveller and the fireplace. Filby sat behind him, looking over his shoulder. The Medical Man and The Provincial Mayor watched him in profile from the right, the Psychologist from the left. The Very Young Man stood behind the Psychologist. We were all on the alert. It appears incredible to me that any kind of trick could have been played upon us under these conditions.

The Time Traveller looked at us, and then at the mechanism. “Well?” said the Psychologist.

“This little affair”, said the Time Traveller, resting his elbows upon the table and pressing his hands together above the apparatus, “is only a model. It is my plan for a machine to travel through time. You will notice that it looks quite uneven, and that there is an odd twinkling appearance about this bar, as though it was in some way unreal.” He pointed to the part with his finger. “ Also, here is one little white lever, and here is another."

Picking the perfect present

If you spend hours wondering what to buy your friends and loves ones, why not look to the stars. Knowing someone’s star sign can give you a clue about what they would most like to unwrap on their birthday!

Cancer. Cancer’s ideal gift would be a house or a boat, but don’t worry if you don’t have that kind of money to spend! All people ruled by Cancer love anything to do with the “good old days”, so an antique ornament or piece of jewellery is certain to make them smile. Almost every Cancerian collects something, and if you find out what the Crab in your life collects, you will never run out of gift ideas. Another of their passions is cooking for their friends and family, and they will definitely appreciate anything which will help them in the kitchen, such as cooking utensils or tableware. If you are on a tight budget, remember that Cancer people are sensitive and love to receive presents which have sentimental value. A favourite family photograph in a simple frame will make them just as happy as that expensive yacht!

Libra. Librans are diplomatic and will tell you that they love whatever you buy them, because they are just too polite to hurt your feelings! However, if you want to make them genuinely happy, bear in mind that anyone born under the sing of Libra loves beauty. A piece of art, an ornate mirror, or a marble statue will guarantee a warm response. A gift which allows them to enhance their personal beauty will also be well-received, such as a trip to a beauty salon, or a shopping spree for a new outfit. Make sure you go along with them to offer a second opinion – Librans are hopeless at making decisions!

Capricorn. Capricorns are not very sentimental, but they all like to feel materially and financially secure. They enjoy being giving gifts with designer labels, as they appreciate high quality goods. All Capricorns are ambitious, hardworking and dedicated to their careers, so a business-related present is always a good idea. They are also obsessed with time and will be delighted with a watch or an antique clock. If you are thinking of buying clothes for the Capricorns in your life, make sure they are stylish classics, and not wacky fashion statements, as Capricorn people are somewhat traditional!

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