A personal bar, whether it's located in your sitting room, family room or basement, has got to be one of the sweetest, personal treasures. You can entertain friends or be solitary. Here's information about creating affective lighting to build a space tailored to your personality.

• Over the Bar: Pendants, puck lights, and architectural tracks are typically used for contemporary bar designs. Patrons and owners, alike, prefer the focused spotlight and alternating layers of light and dark washes. Ceiling Fans are also used in bars and restaurants in tropical environments. The Islander Fan is a popular style. They're also great for circulating fresh air in a busy environment.
• On the Bar: A table lamp to accent the space.
• Under the Bar: Puck lights, Rope lights and LED strips are becoming common methods of lighting counter tops.
• Liquor Display: Recessed lighting placed above the display area or under-cabinet LDE strips and puck lights placed below each shelf are a common means of highlighting the bar's liquor display areas.
• Wall Lighting: Wall sconces create washes of light while leaving certain areas dim, preferable for creating intimate spaces.
• Daylight: Big Windows because people go out during the day too.

Additional Areas:

About the Author: Akemi Hong is a writer and graphic designer. You"ll find Akemi occupied indoors as a marketing and design associate for 1STOPlighting.   

My Gift List

1. Winter Sweater, Cardigan or Coat
It's just begun in my hometown and I'm starting to feel its bite. So give something like that someone will need. A good, solid peice of clothing will keep your friend warm for years to come and helpt soften the bang of their utility bill.

2. Gifting Charity
Make an agreement with your circle of friends today and give time or money to those in need like your local food shelter, homeless shelter, and children's home. You can also gift to charities tackling global problems like The Red Cross, Save Darfur, and the Aids Fund.

3. Digital Cards or Gift
Like many of my generation, getting a letter or digital surprise from a friend perks up most days especially work days. Someecards is my favorite site and there is one snarky, foolish and hilarious card for any occasion. I've thought of this concept: The Twelve Cards of Christmakah (inspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas and The OC, really). Alone, they mean nothing. But when well thought out and selected as a set, they can communicate much more about the depth of your affections for the recepient.

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The Anti-Gift List
Josh Peterson of Planet Green composed an anti-gift list for his readers. He admonishes the gifting of:

1. Christmas Ornament
Random, who does that?

2. Snow Globes
I say it might be better to build one with your child so they can keep that memory and reminder for a significant time.

3. Gift Baskets
Agreed. I never open them, really or use the special mustard, cheese, meats, etc. 

4. Gag Gifts
Save it for April Fool's day or a trip to Spencer's Gifts any other day.

5. Ultraviolet Toothbrush Sanitizers
Agreed. Quite a waste when you're supposed to rotate your toothbrushes out every three months. Do you want to fixate on what's going in your mouth every morning?

6. Collectible Quarters in Display Case
Really peeps. If they feel compelled, people will collect on their own.

7. Gift Cards
Yeah, gifting a card is like throwing a large net or trolling the ocean floor. Thinking about who the person is and giving a gift tailored to their personalities makes a larger statement of affection than an indiscrimate piece of plastic.

8. Jar full of Notes/ Quoe of the Day Calender
Agreed. The former is a jar full of trash. Just ping your friend or send them a Someecards. You can choose very specific topics relevant to your friend's current status.

9. Paperweights
Yup, a rock would be just as good and more cost-effective.

10. Motivational Gifts
Sarcasm, humor, and self-awareness will carry someone through a bad period than chirpy optimism.

11. Virtual Movie Glasses
Alright. We don't spend every day at an IMAX. Why gift this? 

12. Keepsakes
I received a graduate keepsake from a family member. I think it was a metal-plated column of some sort engraved with my year of graduation. It remained in its box. It couldn't really compete with my college diploma. Keepsakes are space eaters.

13. Mail-Order Fruit
I completely support shopping for my produce locally. Get to know your local varieties. Although, I would gladly accept Harry and David's peaches. Truly some of the juiciest, delicious peaches I've ever eaten. 

14. Cigars
Agreed. I'm not a fat cat nor do I know any. We're all hoping to get by this recession.

15. Leaf Blowers
May we recommend a rake?

Here's an interesting article about the Smart Grid industry by Greentech Media. The Smart Grid emerged from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (Title 13) which provided incestives and reimbursements for protecting consumers, improving the energy performance of the Federal Government and the development of various energy solutions. Title 13 recognizes that energy indepedence and security are complimentary halves of the same stone.

One of these goals included the modernization of the power grid. At this time, our electricity grid is largely unprepared to manage the high-load demands of a rapidly digitizing economy. The smart grid is its evolving form. It consists of smart sensors, computers, and intelligent communications software that help manage the efficiency, delivery and use of electricity. Smart grid companies provide these management software and services to industrials clients. Right now, players in that industry are starting to consolidate. Even though we don't hear about them in the mainstream media, these smart grid players and their services are in the forefront of an emerging energy-efficient future. 

About the Author: Akemi Hong is a writer and graphic designer. You"ll find Akemi occupied indoors as a marketing and design associate for 1STOPlighting.