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One of the questions people always ask me about being an NFL player is “what’s it like to make so much money when you’re so young?”

I have to say that it is very difficult to go from being young and having no money to being young and a millionaire because you don’t know how to be financially responsible. It’s like winning the lottery, and as you know from reading about lottery winners, most lottery winners go broke within 10 years of winning the lottery. Well, it’s not much different with professional athletes. The reason for this is that most professional athletes and lottery winners were never taught money management skills. Going from being broke one day to being a millionaire the next is a big change in your life, mainly because once you have money, everyone wants you to give it to them, and most of the time you do.

I come from a single family home with no father, which is something a lot of pro NFL players have in common. I’m also African-American and my family didn’t have a lot of money, which is also very common for NFL players. Because of this, I was never taught how to manage money responsibly and plan for my future. I went from being broke one day to being drafted into the NFL and becoming a millionaire.

A big problem with being young and having a lot of money is the pressure from almost everyone, including other players, to spend a lot of money very quickly. When you are rich, everyone wants your money, especially your family and friends. My mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc. They all wanted to borrow money from me. And of course I gave it to them. Then you have girlfriends and wives who want you to buy them lots of expensive gifts like cars, jewelry and clothes because you are rich and they want to show off to their friends. There are also charities, investors, and entrepreneurs who ask for your money, and you end up giving it to them.

But possibly worst of all are the other players because when it comes to money it’s the blind that leads the blind. We all spend our money like it will never run out because we are not educated in financial responsibility. For example, to be cool and respected by the other players, you have to keep up with them. So if a player buys a new SUV, you’ll want to buy one too. I mean, you can’t be an NFL player and drive a regular car like a Honda Civic. You have to drive an expensive Hummer, Cadillac Escapade, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.

You also have to have a huge and expensive house. Every other player does and if you live in an average house, they look down on you. So we spend a fortune buying huge houses for ourselves and our parents that we don’t need. And, of course, there is the jewelry. We spend so much money on jewelry it’s crazy. It’s nothing for a player to spend $100,000 a year or more buying jewelry, and that’s just for us. That doesn’t include all the jewelry we buy for our families, wives and girlfriends. It’s all very irresponsible. But, when you have so many people pressuring you every day to buy stuff and keep up with the other NFL players, it becomes so much easier to say yes than to say no, even as you watch all your money disappear.

Another problem is that as a wealthy NFL player, you’re expected to foot the bill for everything. Every time you go to a restaurant, you are the person who pays for everyone. And, when you go out with other players or your friends, it’s always to a fancy club where we go to the VIP section and spend thousands of dollars on champagne and fancy drinks, for everyone. I have known players who have spent more than $25,000 in one night at a club. And then they go and do it over and over so they can be the “big guy.”

Another problem NFL players have is women who come after us for our money and status. And many of these women are gold diggers. If we weren’t rich athletes, these beautiful women probably wouldn’t give us a second look. But now that we are rich and famous, women are constantly after us. This almost always leads to us marrying a woman we shouldn’t be marrying and then divorcing after a couple of years and losing a large percentage of our money in the divorce. I made this mistake myself and it cost me dearly and still costs me.

In short, being a rich athlete is much more difficult than people think because there is a lot of pressure on us to spend our money as fast as possible. Money magnifies problems, it doesn’t eliminate them like most people think it does.

Jamaica, one of the Caribbean islands, is an hour’s flight from Miami to Kingston, the capital. The island, approximately 31 miles wide and 140 miles long, is one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean. Not far from the equator, the island’s temperature hovers around 82 degrees year-round, due to ocean breezes keeping it cooler than expected.

Montego Bay, in the northern part of the island, was the first area developed for tourism. Starting with very few hotels, this area has grown with multitudes of resorts and hotels, stretching from beyond the airport to miles on both ends of town, and even into the hillside. The infrastructure includes restaurants, museums, and a downtown area rich in Jamaican culture and music. Small hotels within walking distance of the city center, large resorts dotting the beaches, and the usual T-shirt and souvenir stalls. One of the reasons many choose to stay in Montego Bay is the easy access to and from the airport.

However, it can be said that traveling to other parts of the island gives the visitor the opportunity to see much of the lush tropical foliage that lines the main roads leading to other areas of the Resort, such as Ocho Rios and Negril.

Jamaica has recently upgraded the island’s roads, now visitors can travel to Negril in about an hour and to Ocho Rios in about an hour and a half. The white sand beaches, the most famous of which is the 7 Mile Beach in Negril, the crystal clear waters, where small fish can be seen swimming between your legs, and the spectacular sunsets make the island a sought after destination. The large number of large hotel chains and all-inclusive resorts, with a wide variety of accommodations, activities and tourism options for everyone, is a factor in its popularity.

There is a lot to do on the island besides lying on the beach, with a great tropical drink. The variety is endless, scuba diving and snorkeling in the nearby reefs, rafting in one of the many rivers, sailing in the blue Caribbean Sea, fishing or shopping for local crafts and souvenirs in one of the local markets. You can also visit local museums, take cooking classes, climb mountains or reminisce through the trees. There’s no time for dull moments, even if you’re just enjoying the warm ocean breeze as you lay in a hammock on the beach, a cold drink of rum, and the sounds of reggae music in the background.

When the sun is hot and you want to stay cool, don’t give it a second thought, just head to the pool! Summer is in full swing and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of routine life to enjoy a pool party is the best way to have a good time. Hosting an evening at the sizzling pool for your near and dear ones will not only speed up relationships but also rejuvenate your mind. Oh, you already know everything! Can’t wait to have fun in the sun? Check out the tips below to throw a ‘splashtastic’ poolside party like a pro!

Who’s on the guest list?

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who should I invite out of all of them?”

Sure, you know hundreds of people, including your neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family, and you can’t invite them all! If you do, you’ll go bankrupt! Clear your confusion by creating a list of people you know. Once you have all the names, just narrow down your guest list to close! Having people from different groups would liven up the whole tone of your party! You can send them personalized invitation cards or call them directly. However, a special treat during a call is sure to make them smile.

Set the right mood with tropical décor

Of course, a poolside party would need the right kind of decorations that can bring out the party animal in all of us. There is nothing better than a tropical theme when you want to transform your space into an oasis. Be sure to choose beach-inspired accents like vibrant lanterns, faux palm trees, colorful throw pillows, and seashells to get the eclectic bohemian look.

Fashion pool toys

One thing you can’t live a summer pool party without is definitely pool toys! Go grab some cool water guns, beach balls, inflatable loungers, pool floats, beach umbrellas and enjoy the party to the fullest!

The belly rules the mind

Once you’re done with the decorations, it’s time for you to make the proper arrangements for the food. Beacon, steaks, pizza, and hotdogs on the menu sound like fun, right? Mute! Don’t think about opting for heavy foods unless you want your guests to fall asleep and ruin your party! We suggest you choose healthy snacks and snacks to keep the party excitement going throughout the day!

Rules the pool keeping it cool

Refreshing drinks are a must to stay hydrated in the scorching sun! Intensify the fun of your party by serving cold cocktails. Take various seasonal fruits and blend them to make fresh drinks to quench your guests’ thirst. You can also give your cocktails a twist by mixing them with margarita and tequila. Serve with love! Health!

The playlist is important

Music is the true crowd pleaser at any shindig. If you want your guests to go crazy with your party, you have to put on some great music! If you have any confusion regarding songs, check out the trending funky songs on the internet and create an amazing playlist without any hassle.

Exciting game of volleyball

May everyone enjoy a little more than they expected by organizing a game of pool volleyball. Simply spread a net across the center of your pool, form two teams, and you’re good to go!

sun protection station

Now that everything is set and you are ready to host the most memorable summer pool party, we want to remind you of something very important. Partying in the sun is fun, but your delicate skin can be seriously affected if you forget to use sunscreen. You should set up a sun protection station by the pool to make sure everyone is protected from the sun while the party goes on. Your guests will definitely thank you!

everyone loves surprises

Last but not least, end the party by handing out dry towels to your guests. When your guests start to get out of the pool, give them towels to dry off. You can entice them even more by adding a personal touch. For that, you need to get some fresh towels that have their names written on them. This sweet gesture is sure to make the event memorable!

conclusion

We hope you enjoyed reading our tips! Experiment with the ideas above and let us know how your pool party goes. Happy summer!

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Having completed a renovation in Albury, on behalf of a client who was living remotely, they needed someone to manage the process for them. I thought it was a good time to reflect and pass on some advice to all you would-be renovators who want to tackle it themselves.

1. Start with the end in mind

What I mean is that you are renovating to sell versus renovating to put a tenant in the property at a higher rent than before versus renovating to live in yourself, the budget, the choice of fixtures and fittings and the amount of work you will have do will vary.

In the event that you are renovating to live, you are likely to make a lot more than either of the other two options, simply because you intend to live there and get the benefit of the money spent over a period of time.

Also, when renovating for sale or even rental purposes, you need to constantly consider whether I am adding more perceived value than actual cost. Am I getting a return on my money? Knowing where to draw the line is the key.

2. Have a budget

Don’t start renovating without having a budget in mind. You should have an idea of ​​how much everything will cost and keep track of your expenses during the renovation to make sure you don’t run out of money.

It may be okay to leave a renovation unfinished if you live there (although not desirable), however if you are renovating for sale or to put in a tenant, it must be finished before you can sell or rent the property. Running out of money in the middle of the kitchen or bathroom is a sure way to get into trouble.

3. How are you financing the renovation?

If you have the cash on hand that’s great not many of us do but if you do it’s the easiest and simplest way to finance any renovation you know how much you have and can pay for materials and labor as necessary.

If you are using borrowed funds, make sure you understand the requirements for releasing those funds; If it’s a loan against equity, it could be as simple as the funds going into a clearing account until you need them. If it is a dedicated renovation loan, you may need to provide or pay bills and have it reviewed by the bank before receiving payment. There are many different ways this can work and you need to make sure you understand what is required to access the funds.

4. Quotes

It’s not practical to get quotes for every item, and in fact, in some cases, getting quotes will actually make it more expensive. If the job is a small job that doesn’t take much of a tradie’s time, if they have to come to the site, quote it, and then come back and do the job, you could end up paying more. Often for these smaller jobs, the best course of action is to find a reputable dealer in your local area and simply book the job to be done. As long as you understand your hourly rates and any calling fees.

5. Tiling in old houses

Almost without exception, in older homes, the walls and/or floors (especially if they are made of wood) are rarely square or straight. In the kitchen, for example, using larger format tiles for the backsplash can help hide these sins.

If a new kitchen is being installed it will be installed level and if the window is out 10mm from one end to the other, if you use 100mm subterranean tiles for a backsplash you will notice. However, if you resize to a modern 300mm x 400mm backsplash tile, you won’t notice the 10mm that the old window is out of square (well, most of us won’t).

Likewise, old floors are often out. In the renovation I just completed for a client, the kitchen floor was out by 67mm along a 4m kitchen. We were able to deal with this by adapting the skid height throughout the kitchen, but these items are worth being aware of and planning for.

6. Replace versus repair

When planning a renovation, particularly one that includes a kitchen and bathroom, one of the first things you should do is evaluate your cabinetry and tile. Are they just outdated or are they really shabby? You may be able to refinish the cabinets or use tile paint on the tiles if they are in good shape. This could save you thousands on the cost of your renovation.

7. Electrical work

It may be a good idea, especially in older homes, to have an electrician come and look at the existing panel. Electrical legislation changes all the time and depending on when the last electrical work was done and what you need to do, a complete upgrade of the board may be required to bring it up to code. This can be expensive. Also, legislation requiring safety switches is already in place in some states and will go into effect in others, it’s best to check with a qualified electrician to find out what to do about compliance.

8. Plumbing work

While all new homes are almost exclusively PVC plumbing these days, if you’re renovating an older home, be prepared to find some tile drain pipes that, in some cases, the plumber will have to make a connection to fit. Modern PVC sewer pipes.

It’s also worth being careful with demolition work around old plumbing fixtures, as it’s very easy to damage china pipes and if they crack and leak, you could find yourself in for a much larger repair than anticipated.

9. Work planning

Once you’ve worked out the scope of your renovation, know the budget and what trades are involved, the next step is to schedule it. You need to think about the logical order of doing things so you don’t redo work or have trades damage the work of other trades.

Usually you want to do the demolition work first, then any new construction, ie walls, cabinets, etc. plumbing points for cabinets, etc.

It’s best if you can save the finishing trades like tile, paint, and flooring for last. In some cases, you may be able to have the painter start in another part of the house if there are areas that are not being completely renovated.

Always leave the floor to last, it should be the last thing you put on so the new floor doesn’t have a chance of being damaged by trade-ins or getting paint stains.

10. Check the renewal

Probably the most neglected stage of a renovation, but it is just as important as the rest. Check all your actual expenses, yes, including receipts from Bunnings, and add them up to compare with your budget. Did you stick to your budget? You need to know how much everything really cost you so you can determine its performance.

Don’t skip this step, even if you think you know the answer, or if you don’t want to know the answer because you know you missed it. Still, do it, as it will help you better plan the next one by seeing the area where your budget was spent.

Regardless of the purpose of the website, there are a few things every developer should do before creating a website. In this article, we are going to discuss these basic things and a few more that you can do to ensure that you build a truly amazing and unique site.

Things to consider before creating a website

1. Domain Name – Your website domain must:

It fits perfectly with the idea or type of business you want to build.
be a name that people can easily remember.
be short and easy to write.
Include the target keywords.
have no numbers and/or hyphens.
have an appropriate domain extension, depending on your type of business
Be well researched.

2. Web hosting

Compare different hosting service providers and plans.
Choose a reliable hosting that perfectly suits your needs.
Check and compare storage, bandwidth capacity, and other hosting features.
Choose hosting that comes with an uptime guarantee.
Check and compare hosting prices, upgrade options and fees, etc.
Read user reviews and testimonials.

3. Web Technology – There are many technology options such as HTML5, JavaScript, PHP, DotNet and more that you can choose from to develop your own site. You must have a great command of technology or be willing to hire a good developer/web development company for the job.

4. Purpose of the site: The purpose for which you are creating the site will decide a lot of things, including the website name, domain, layout, design, theme, content, etc., so you had better find out first. .

5. Website Design/Theme/Layout – Choose a theme that you know your website visitors would like. The layout should be simple, easy, neat and clean and easy to navigate. The website design should be simple, attractive yet professional. Use the correct fonts, colors, background color, font size, and other design elements. Be sure to include a footer with the correct menus, a disclaimer, and good design.

6. Sitemap – Design a sitemap/flowchart of your website which should consist of all the URLs and/or pages of the website in an orderly manner to help users and search engines understand the navigation of the website.

7. Website Content: Content is probably the most important part of a website. This is why users will actually visit your site, so try to keep your website content simple, engaging, informative, relevant, unique, easy to read, short and to the point. Be sure to include your business keywords in the content as well as in the meta tags on web pages. Optimize web content for image size, loading speed, layout, headers, title, quality, and more.

8. Audience: Research thoroughly to find out more about your target audience and understand the competition in the target market so you can write content and build a website accordingly.

9. Website Images – Use only high-quality, relevant images on the website. An image is the second best type of content after text that you can use to attract more visitors and keep them on your site longer. If you can afford it, hire a professional image designer/editor/photographer for the job.

10. Uniqueness and Freshness – One thing that will decide how users react to your website is how unique or different your site is from the competition. Use unique content, images, and even a unique website design to build authority in the marketplace. There is no point in having a website if you are going to provide the same content as everyone else. Also, make sure to keep your website content up to date to keep your visitors engaged.

11. Target Browsers, Platforms and Devices – Before you start building your website, you need to know the target platforms your website will work on. A business website should be built with cross-browser compatibility, to work well in all modern browsers, and responsive, to open properly on all screen sizes and resolutions.

12. SEO Optimization – SEO is still probably the best way to organically optimize a website and improve its value to users and search engines. You need to use proper on-page SEO techniques to properly optimize your website and get better rankings.

13. Social Media Integration – Make use of the various social media tools like sharing options, facebook page widget, twitter timeline widget, etc. on your website to provide your site visitors with web enough options to share and socialize.

14. Registration and login: If you are going to offer visitors the option to register or log in to your website, make sure you do it correctly by implementing the appropriate security measures. Create nice and engaging enough pages for user registration and login, and include social login options if possible. You can also offer other perks and gifts on new signups.

15. Website Tracking and Analytics – A website is usually built for the purpose of attracting traffic, therefore you need to have a proper way to track your website visitors, their activities, reactions and other metrics related. The Google Analytics tool is one way to do this.

It’s good if you are a professional web developer and can create your website on your own, but there are many other important things like website optimization, design, etc. that you need to consider when creating a website. We have mentioned above the things that you should consider before you start building your website. Feel free to share your answers in the comments below.

Most boys and girls enter puberty around the age of 11 or 12! Within a couple of years, they become capable of having a physical relationship. But our religious and social norms do not allow sex before marriage. I am sure that most of the people reading this article are adults and know that controlling physical desire for a long period of time is almost impossible. I talk to many parents and they are all very concerned about the future of their offspring, especially in case it is a girl here in India. Many parents have given up and ask their children to at least have a secure relationship. This is one of the main concerns in the minds of parents and is rarely discussed publicly.

There is a basic problem with the idea of ​​sex education. Early attempts at sex education were limited to teachers explaining the scientific details of having a sexual relationship. That is really out of character in my opinion. Any smart child can find out by talking to a friend or reading. What they need to be told is the social and physical implications of the act and really hope for the best. In India, the marriageable age for a girl is 18 and for a boy 21. I come from a different generation and was told that the ideal age to marry is 25 for boys and 21 for girls. But there are many families in India who marry off their daughter around the age of 15. For the most part, they do not know the law. But even if they were, it wouldn’t make much of a difference. The reason behind this is more social in most cases. Society has failed miserably to make parents of girls feel secure about their daughter’s future. The lower income class is the victim in these situations. What can be seen as teenage stupidity can be a big turning point in the girl’s future.

But what can someone do to stop short-term or one-time physical relationships? The truth is nothing but hope unless you wish to return to the days of kings and queens. Well, here are some things you can try and explain to your offspring:

1. The typical body of a teenage boy or girl takes 6 to 10 years to fully develop. They are not mature during this period and their likes and dislikes change. Explain this to them by saying that your choice of partner could change within the period. The things you liked about a person will change over the years, so committing too early can be a mistake. It is advisable to wait until it is fully grown to make a long-term commitment. It’s like not eating before your entire dinner is ready. It spoils the appetite.

2. Young people are generally bad at evaluating potential threats. So resisting temptation is very difficult for most young people. They are prone to taking undue risks without considering the consequences. An early commitment will make them consider the idea of ​​experimenting with sex. It is not only the desire but the lack of experience that forces young people to be victims of it. It takes time to get used to the newfound skill.

3. Most young people are not in a position to take responsibility for the relationship. Sometimes it can be a good idea to make it clear. A child outside of that relationship will be as difficult to raise as the parents themselves are children. The financial dependence of the parents will not allow the children to support their spouse for a period of time. And by the time they are independent, the best years of their lives may be gone.

4. Being able to distinguish between infatuation and true love requires maturity. It’s a fact that most teen romances don’t last. The rush of hormones is misinterpreted as love. If it was true love, it never fails or fades with time. So there’s no problem waiting until you’re mature enough, right?

Parents are usually closest to young people up to a certain age, but sweet young people become rebellious as teenagers and tend not to listen to good advice from a sensible parent. This is where a good old faith in “Mom or Dad knows best” would come in handy.

Of course, this is all assuming that a physical relationship in adolescence is not a good one. If you become a man or a woman at the age of 12, what are you supposed to do until you are married at 25? A very fundamental question and I honestly don’t know the answer. An early marriage maybe at 21 for boys and 18 for girls? I don’t know. There are a plethora of young people who will oppose this. They will say that they are not ready at that age because they have barely finished their education, let alone earning enough to support their new family. Or do we make some social adjustments and accept premarital relations? Well, I’m pretty sure we’re not ready for the second solution. An early marriage, why not? A marriage at a young age doesn’t have to be too much responsibility alone, it could be fun with a partner as young as you and one can share some common likes and dislikes. It could be a lot of bonus too.

Stoudt’s Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout – Can it work for large dogs?
Date: Western Pennsylvania, April 3, 2007 (9:22 pm EDT).

As I sit here writing this, it is 72 degrees outside at 9:22 pm on April 3rd. Seventy two degrees!?!? Yes, hard to believe. Got up to 82 today and tomorrow, the bottom falls off. Snow, yes, snow should be falling by this time tomorrow night and it’s supposed to be snowing over the Easter weekend. wow! For the craft beer drinker here in western Pennsylvania it’s a typical spring change, a roller coaster ride of temperatures, weather and extremes. Nothing so new. But it does pose a bit of a problem when it comes to embedding it in a proper malted drink. What to do what to do?

Should I go with a Maibock or Doppelbock? Something lighter, maybe even a fruit beer? hell no. We have snow on the way, and April or not, when it’s snowing outside, nothing goes better inside than a winter-style beer. Digging deep into the back of the fridge, I found my poison of choice for tonight. It’s an imperial oatmeal stout. Stoudt Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout to be precise.

Brewed on the east side of Pennsylvania in Adamstown, Stoudt’s craft beers have long held a respectable spot in my craft beer and microbrew rankings. Their Fat Dog Imperial Stout doesn’t disappoint either.

Pouring my cold 12-ounce bottle into a 16-ounce glass of Stoudt’s American Pale Ale (yes, purchased directly from the brewery on a visit a few years ago), this beer pours out a black licorice, but not as thick as I’ve made it. done normally. experienced or might have expected in an imperial stout.

A light, transparent candy head quickly leads to a quick melt to nothing more than a toffy crown of meek foam that sticks only to the glass wall. I’ve seen Cokes with creamier patches floating around than this concoction.

Taking a deep breath of aroma from the top, there is really a very true and rich chocolate aroma. Along with the chocolate, there is only a hint of roasted coffee that I was able to pick up. That’s a bit different from the start of many Imperials I’ve tried. Alcohol stings pinch the nostrils a bit too. Unsurprisingly, I’d guess from an adult beverage with over 9% ABV.

The flavor features a proper chocolate aftertaste, but yes, there are roasted coffee tones too. In fact, much more than I perceived from the smell alone. But still, creamy dark chocolate rules the day here. You can even find a few hits of molasses in the overall flavor environment.

The bite is also not as thick as I would have expected. A little thinner than I’d like in an Imperial Stout, but hey, that’s just me talking. The cords on my glass are also pretty non-existent. In fact, the glass is almost as clean when I finish the beer as when I started. It almost has that kind of bubble scrubbing effect. I could put this glass back in the cupboard and my wife would never know!

In the full sense of things, if you were to ask me, I would highly recommend Stoudt’s Fat Dog Oatmeal Imperial Stout. Personally, I’d definitely rank it in my Top 10 Imperial Stouts (of those I’ve tried, however limited). It definitely fits well within the guidelines of what one would expect to find in a quality, handcrafted imperial stout. It’s nice, with enough flavor to satisfy some of the most demanding tastes of dark beer fans. While not perfect in my book, it is presented well, chocolatey, warm, and memorable. A great craft beer to sip on a balmy early April night, on the eve of an impending cold front and snow and showers. Get yourself a Stoudts Fat Dog Oatmeal Imperial Stout before things really heat up in May. This is not a beer for a midsummer night’s dream.

What happened during the Victorian era?

The Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from June 20, 1837 until her death on January 22, 1901.

The era followed the Georgian period (1714 to 1837, named for the Hanoverian kings George I, George II, George III, and George IV) and was characterized by a class-based society that included the upper, middle, and lower classes.

It was a period of old-fashioned ideals, celebrated for its corsets, coifs, top hats, bustles and petticoats and the entrepreneurial spirit of the self-made man.

Charles Dickens became famous as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era and Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), a British nurse, known as “The Lady with the Lamp,” whose experiences during the Crimean War laid the foundation for modern nursing .

Coronation of Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria’s father died when she was just 8 months old and all three of her uncles also passed away, putting her in line as heir to the throne when she was 18.

Her coronation took place on Thursday June 28, 1838, just over a year after she succeeded to the throne with Lord Melbourne, her first Prime Minister, who trained her in the art of politics.

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, her first cousin, became Queen Victoria’s consort from their marriage on February 10, 1840, until her death in 1861.

Her children married into royal and noble families, earning Victoria the nickname “the grandmother of Europe” and spreading hemophilia among European royalty.

Prince Albert died of typhoid fever on December 14, 1861, at Windsor Castle with Queen Victoria and five of their children at his bedside.

The Belle Epoque (1871 – 1914)

The Belle Époque (La Belle Époque, “Beautiful Age”) between the end of the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 and the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 saw the French artistic arts flourish, with numerous masterpieces of literature, music, theater and visual art flourished.

In Britain and the rest of Europe, it was characterized by optimism, regional peace, economic prosperity, colonial expansion, and technological, scientific, and cultural innovations.

Industrial Revolution

The dramatic forces of change unleashed by the Industrial Revolution made the British Empire the world’s leading industrial power, producing much of the world’s coal, iron, steel and textiles during the Victorian era.

The first Industrial Revolution (1760 – 1840) in Britain saw the disappearance of rural life as cities expanded rapidly and the factory system, centered on textile manufacturing, was established.

Three of the most influential inventions of this period were the coke-fired oven, the steam engine, and the spinning machine, which increased production capabilities.

The Second Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1914) focused on profitable steel production, railroad expansion, advances in electricity, improved communications, oil, and the automobile.

Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922), a Scottish-born inventor, scientist, and engineer, invented and patented the telephone in 1876, while Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 – August 2 April 1872), an American inventor and painter, invented the electric telegraph (1832-35) and then co-developed Morse Code (1838).

Child labor during the Victorian era.

Child labor during the Industrial Revolution was made notorious for the conditions in which children were employed, depriving them of their childhood, their ability to attend school, and was mentally, physically, socially, and morally damaging.

Children made up more than 25 per cent of the British workforce in mines, factories and workshops.

Many began work at four or five years of age, working long hours in hazardous working conditions.

In coal mines, children crawled through tunnels too narrow and low for adults, and boys worked as chimney sweeps in rich homes to remove soot.

The famous author, Charles Dickens, worked at the age of 12 in a black factory, with his family in debtors’ prison.

Lord Shaftesbury

Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury (April 28, 1801 – October 1, 1885) was a British politician, philanthropist, and social reformer who became known as the “Earl of the Poor” because of his advocacy of better treatment of the working classes.

He was also president of the Ragged School Union, which promoted the education of the most disadvantaged children in society.

Lord Shaftesbury believed that education was a way to free children from poverty.

Factory Acts he supported ensured better conditions for children and women which included:

*The maximum working day will be 12 hours.

*Children under 9 years old will not be able to work.

*children ages 9-13 restricted to a 48-hour work week, with part-time school attendance.

British Empire

At just 4 feet 11 inches tall, Victoria was a towering symbol of the British Empire.

His reign paved the way for a modern and prosperous Britain.

From the mid-18th century, the Royal Navy was the most powerful in the world and played a key role in establishing the British Empire.

Victories over Napoleonic France increased Britain’s influence abroad as Lord Nelson’s fleet defeated the French and Spanish at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and the Duke of Wellington defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo in Belgium in 1815.

Queen Victoria became Empress of India on the advice of her seventh Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli.

She approved of his imperialist policies that led to the Scramble for Africa in the 1880s and 1890s with the other great European powers.

Britain became the most powerful nation in the world with a quarter of the world’s population owing allegiance to the queen.

William Ewart Gladstone (December 29, 1809 – May 19, 1898) was a Liberal politician who served 12 years as Prime Minister of Great Britain, spread over four terms beginning in 1868 and ending in 1894.

His political doctrine, known as Gladstonian liberalism, was to reduce privilege and open established institutions, such as universities and the military, to all.

Political parties during the Victorian era

The two main political parties during the Victorian era were the Whigs/Liberals and the Conservatives.

The Whigs were a major British political group in the late 17th to early 19th centuries who wanted limited royal authority and increased parliamentary power.

The Labor Party was founded in 1900, having emerged from the trade union movement and socialist parties of the 19th century which overtook the Liberal Party, to become the main opposition to the Conservative Party in the early 1920s.

Prominent statesmen during the Victorian era included Lord Melbourne, Sir Robert Peel, Lord Derby, Lord Palmerston, Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, and Lord Salisbury.

Lord Melbourne (a Whig), who was British Prime Minister from July 16 to November 14, 1834 and from April 18, 1835 to August 30, 1841, was a close friend of Queen Victoria and chief political adviser during the early years of his reign (from June 20, 1837).

Crimean War

The Crimean War (1853-6) was a major European military conflict of the 19th century that saw an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, Great Britain, and Sardinia against Tsarist Russia.

The immediate cause involved disputes over Orthodox holy sites in Jerusalem and the rights of Orthodox Christian minorities in the Holy Land, which were under the occupation of the Ottoman Empire.

The French Emperor Napoleon III (a Catholic) refused.

Having obtained promises of support from France and Great Britain, the Ottoman Turkish Empire declared war on Russia in October 1853.

Charge of the Light Brigade

The Charge of the Light Brigade which took place during the Battle of Balaklava, on October 25, 1854 of the Crimean War, was the British light cavalry force with fast horses and soldiers armed with lances and sabers.

Through misunderstood orders, the 670-horseman Light Brigade began a headlong charge against the heavily defended Russian troops.

The legend was made famous by Alfred, Lord Tennyson in his 1855 poem to honor their bravery and sacrifice: “Honour the charge they made! Honor the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!”

florence nightingale

Florence Nightingale, (1820 – 1910) was a British nurse and the founder of modern nursing.

She became famous for her nursing work during the Crimean War (1854-1856) and an icon of the Victorian era as “The Lady with the Lamp” who made her nightly rounds among wounded and dying soldiers.

Testosterone is a hormone that controls many aspects of the male reproductive system. Low testosterone levels are a common problem. According to estimates, up to 25% of men are affected. Beginning in their thirties, levels in all men gradually decline at a rate of about 1% per year. Low libido and erectile dysfunction are common complaints for men with low levels of this hormone.

A testosterone supplement can help treat the problem naturally.

The herb Passion Flower and a derivative of this flower, called chyrsin, do this very effectively.

Read on to learn…

The passion flower is a herbaceous flower found throughout the world, with the exception of Antarctica. In ancient times, the plant was used for its calming and analgesic properties. In more recent times, it has become a popular herb for treating problems related to sexuality, such as erectile dysfunction, low libido, and low sperm count.

The name of the herb fits well considering its uses to increase sexual desire. However, the passion flower actually got its name when Spanish explorers in the 16th century came across the climbing vine and thought it resembled the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ.

The libido-stimulating properties of passion flower can be attributed to two compounds found in chrysin and benzoflavone (BZF). Scientific research has found that these two substances play a role in keeping the male reproductive system healthy and operating at peak performance.

Chrysin is believed to continue to inhibit aromatase, an enzyme found in the body that is responsible for breaking down testosterone and converting it to estrogen. By helping to preserve testosterone, it naturally increases levels of the hormone in the body. It also stops some cells from responding to estrogen, reducing its effects in the body. For men with issues related to inadequate testosterone production or overactive estrogen production, passion flower is an excellent supplement choice.

When researchers at Iowa State University tested a supplement containing several herbs, including chrysin, they found that it increased serum androstenedione by 342%, free testosterone by 38%, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 71%. Androstenedione is a precursor to sex hormones and is converted to testosterone in the body if the correct enzyme is available. DHT is a metabolite of testosterone and may play a role in sexual desire. The study was published in 2001 in the International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research.

A 2002 study by scientists at the University of Punjab in India examined the effects of benzoflavone on rats with simulated sexual problems induced by alcohol and nicotine. They found that rats given BZF exhibited significant increases in mating behavior, fertilization potential, and sperm count. When the study was published in Life Sciences, the researchers claimed that BZF restored virility, libido, and vigor by keeping blood testosterone levels high.